The Project Gutenberg EBook of Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (3 of 8), by Raphael Holinshed This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (3 of 8) Author: Raphael Holinshed Release Date: August 11, 2005 [EBook #16511] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRONICLES (1 OF 6): THE *** Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Lesley Halamek and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net[Page 451]
Of Mulmucius the first king of Britaine, who was crowned with a golden crowne, his lawes, his foundations, with other his acts and deeds.
MULMUCIUS. Matth. West.
Polyd. Now to proceede with the aforesaid authors,
Mulmucius Dunwallō, or as other saie Dunuallo Mulmucius, the
sonne of Cloton (as testifieth th'english chronicle and also Geffrey
of Monmouth) got the vpper hand of the other dukes or rulers: and
after his fathers deceasse began his reigne ouer the whole monarchie
of Britaine, in the yéere of the world 3529, after the building of
Rome 314, and after the deliuerance of the Israelites out of
captiuitie 97, and about the 26 yéere of Darius Artaxerxes
Longimanus, the fift king of the Persians. This Mulmucius Dunuallo is
named in the english chronicle Donebant, and prooued a right worthie
prince. He builded within the citie of London then called Troinouant,
Fabian. See more in the
description. a temple, and named it the temple of peace: the
which (as some hold opinion, I wote not vpon what ground) was the
same which now is called Blackwell hall, where the market for buieng
and selling of cloths is kept. The chronicle of England affirmeth,
that Mulmucius Malmesburie and the Vies built.
Matth. West. Lawes made. (whome the old booke nameth
Molle) builded the two townes Malmesburie and the Vies. He also made
manie good lawes, which were long after vsed, called Mulmucius lawes,
turned out of the British spéech into the Latine by Gildas Priscus,
and long time after translated out of latine into english by Alfred
king of England, and mingled in his statutes. He moreouer gaue
priuileges to temples, to plowes, to cities, and to high waies
leading to the same, so that whosoeuer fled to them, should be in
safegard from bodilie harme, and from Caxton and Polychron. thence he
might depart into what countrie he would, with indemnitie of his
person. Some authors write, that he began to make the foure great
high waies of Britaine, the which were finished by his sonne Blinus,
as after shall be declared.
The first king that was crowned with a golden crowne. After he had established his land, and set his Britains in good and conuenient order, he ordeined him by the aduise of his lords a crowne of gold, & caused himselfe with great solemnitie to be crowned, according to the custome of the pagan lawes then in vse: & bicause he was the first that bare a crowne héere in Britaine, after the opinion of some writers, he is named the first king of Britaine, and all the other before rehearsed are named rulers, dukes, or gouernors.
Polyd. Weights and measures. Amongst other of his ordinances, he appointed weights and measures, with the which men should buy and sell. And further he deuised sore and streight orders for the punishing Theft punished. Fabian. of theft. Finallie, after he had guided the land by the space of fortie yéeres, he died, and was buried in the foresaid temple of peace which he had erected within the citie of Troinouant now called London, as before ye haue heard, appointing in his life time, that his [Page 452] kingdome should be diuided betwixt his two sonnes, Brennus and Belinus (as some men doo coniecture.)
The ioint-gouernment of Belinus and Brennus the two sonnes of Mulmucius, their discontentment, the stratagems of the one against the other, the expulsion of Brennus out of Britaine.
Belinus and Brennus. 3574. Brennus and Belinus began to reigne iointlie as kings in Britaine, in the yéere of the world 3574, after the building of the citie of Rome 355, and after the deliuerance of the Israelites out of captiuitie 142, which was about the seuenth yéere of Artaxerxes surnamed Matth. West. Mnenon, the seuenth king of the Persians. Belinus held vnder his gouernment Loegria, Wales, and Cornwall: and Brennus all those countries ouer and beyond Humber. And Polyd. saith 5. with this partition were they contented by the tearme of six or seuen yéeres, after which Brennus not content with his portion. time expired, Brennus coueting to haue more than his portion came to, first thought to purchase himselfe aid in forreine parties, & therefore by the prouocation and counsell of yong Elsingius. vnquiet heads, sailed ouer into Norway, and there married the daughter of Elsung or Elsing, as then duke or ruler of that countrie. Beline, offended with his brother, that he should thus without his aduice marrie with a stranger, now in his absence seized all his lands, townes, and fortresses into his owne hands, placing garisons of men of warre where he thought conuenient.
In the meane time, Brenne aduertised hereof, assembled a great nauie of ships, well furnished with people and souldiers of the Norwegians, with the which he tooke his course Guilthdacus king of Denmarke. homewards, but in the waie he was encountred by Guilthdacus king of Denmarke, the which had laid long in wait for him, bicause of the yoong ladie which Brenne had maried, for whome he had béene a sutor to hir father Elsing of long time. When these two fléetes of the Danes and Norwegians met, there was a sore battell betwixt them, but finallie the Danes ouercame them of Norway, and tooke the ship wherein the new bride was conueied, and then was she brought aboord the ship of Guilthdacus. Brenne escaped by flight as well as he might. But when Guilthdacus had thus obtained the victorie and prey, suddenlie therevpon A tempest. arose a sore tempest of wind and weather, which scattered the Danish fleete, and put the king in danger to haue béene lost: but finallie within fiue daies after, being driuen by Guilthdacus landed in the north. force of wind, he landed in Northumberland, with a few such ships as kept togither with him.
Beline being then in that countrie, prouiding for defense against his brother, vpon knowledge of the king of Denmarks arriuall, caused him to be staied. Shortlie after, Brenne hauing recouered and gotten togither the most part of his ships that were dispersed by the discomfiture, and then newlie rigged and furnished of all things necessarie, sent word to his brother Beline, both to restore vnto him his wife wrongfullie rauished by Guilthdacus, and also his lands iniuriouslie by him seized into his possession. These requests being plainlie and shortlie denied, Brenne made no long delaie, but spéedilie made toward Albania, and landing with his armie in a part thereof, incountred with his brother Beline néere vnto a wood named Calater wood is in Scotland. as then Calater, where (after cruell fight, and mortall battell betwixt them) at length the victorie abode with the Britains, and the discomfiture did light so on the Norwegians, that the most of them were wounded, slaine, and left dead vpon the ground.
Hereby Brenne being forced to flée, made shift, and got ouer into Gallia, where after he Seguinus or Seginus duke of the Allobrogs, now the Delphinat of Sauoy. had sued to this prince, at length he abode, and was well receiued of one Seguinus or Seginus duke of the people called then Allobrogs (as Galfrid of Monmouth saith) or rather Armorica, which now is called Britaine, as Polychronicon, and the english historie printed by Caxton, more trulie maie seeme to affirme. But Beline hauing got the vpper hand of his enimies, assembling his councell at Caerbranke, now called York, tooke aduise what he should doo with the king of Denmarke: where it was ordeined, that he should be set at[Page 453] libertie, with condition and vnder couenant, to acknowledge himselfe by dooing homage, The Danes tributarie of the Britains. to hold his land of the king of Britaine, and to paie him a yéerelie tribute. These couenants being agréed vpon, and hostages taken for assurance, he was set at libertie, and so returned into his countrie. The tribute that he couenanted to paie, was a thousand pounds, as the English chronicle saith.
The foure high waies finished. When Beline had thus expelled his brother, and was alone possessed of all the land of Britaine, he first confirmed the lawes made by his father: and for so much as the foure waies begun by his father were not brought to perfection, he therefore caused workmen to be called foorth and assembled, whom he set in hand to paue the said waies with stone, for the better passage and ease of all that should trauell through the countries from place to place, as occasion should require.
The Fosse. The first of these foure waies is named Fosse, and
stretcheth from the south into the north, beginning at the corner of
Totnesse in Cornewall, and so passing foorth by Deuonshire, and
Somersetshire, by Tutherie, on Cotteswold, and then forward beside
Couentrie vnto Leicester, and from thence by wild plaines towards
Newarke, and endeth at the citie of Lincolne. Watling stréet. The second waie was named Watling
stréete, the which stretcheth ouerthwart the Fosse, out of the
southeast into the northeast, beginning at Douer, and passing by the
middle of Kent ouer Thames beside London, by-west of Westminster, as
some haue thought, and so foorth by S. Albons, and by the west side
of Dunstable, Stratford, Toucester, and Wedon by-south of Lilleborne,
by Atherston, Gilberts hill, that now is called the Wreken, and so
foorth by Seuerne, passing beside Worcester, vnto Stratton to the
middle of Wales, and so vnto a place called Cardigan, at the Irish
sea. The third way Erming streét. was
named Ermingstréet, which stretched out of the west northwest, vnto
the east southeast, and beginneth at Meneuia, the which is in Saint
Dauids land in west Wales, and so vnto Southampton.
Hiknelstréet. The fourth and last waie hight Hiknelstréete, which leadeth by Worcester, Winchcombe, Birmingham, Lichfield, Darbie, Chesterfield, and by Yorke, and so foorth vnto Tinmouth. Priuilegs granted to the waies. After he had caused these waies to be well and sufficientlie raised and made, he confirmed vnto them all such priuileges as were granted by his father.
Brennus marrieth with the duke of Alobrogs daughter, groweth into great honour, commeth into Britaine with an armie against his brother Beline, their mother reconcileth them, they ioine might & munition and haue great conquests, conflicts betweene the Galles and the Romans, the two brethren take Rome.
In the meane time that Beline was thus occupied about the necessarie affaires of his realme and kingdome, his brother Brenne that was fled into Gallia onelie with 12. persons, bicause he was a goodlie gentleman, and séemed to vnderstand what apperteined to honour, grew shortlie into fauour with Seginus the duke afore mentioned, and declaring vnto him his aduersitie, and the whole circumstance of his mishap, at length was so highlie cherished of the said Seginus, deliting in such worthie qualities as he saw in him dailie appearing, that he Brenne marieth the duke of Alobrogs daughter. gaue to him his daughter in mariage, with condition, that if he died without issue male, should he inherit his estate & dukedome: and if it happened him to leaue anie heire male behind him, then should he yet helpe him to recouer his land and dominion in Britaine, béereft from him by his brother.
These conditions well and surelie vpon the dukes part by the assent of the nobles of his land concluded, ratified, and assured, the said duke within the space of one yéere after died. And then after a certeine time, being knowne that the duches was not with child, all the lords of that countrie did homage to Brenne, receiuing him as their lord and supreme gouernour, vpon whome he likewise for his part in recompense of their curtesie, bestowed[Page 454] a great portion of his treasure.
Brenne with an armie returneth into Britaine. Shortlie after also, with their assent he gathered an armie, and with the same eftsoones came ouer into Britaine, to make new warre vpon his brother Beline. Of whose landing when Beline was informed, he assembled his people, and made himselfe readie to méete Brenne and Beline made friends by intercession of their mother. him: but as they were at point to haue ioined battell, by the intercession of their mother that came betwixt them, and demeaned hirselfe in all motherlie order, and most louing maner towards them both, they fell to an agréement, and were made friends or euer they parted asunder.
After this they repaired to London, and there taking aduice togither with their peeres and councellors, for the good order and quieting of the land, at length they accorded to passe with both their armies into Gallia, to subdue that whole countrie, and so following this determination, they tooke shipping and sailed ouer into Gallia, where beginning the warre with fire and sword, they wrought such maisteries, that within a short time (as saith Geffrey of They inuade Gallia and Italie. Monmouth) they conquered a great part of Gallia, Italie, and Germanie, and brought it to their subiection. In the end they tooke Rome by this occasion (as writers report) if these be the same that had the leading of those Galles, which in this season did so much hurt in Italie and other parts of the world.
After they had passed the mountaines, & were entred into Tuscan, they besieged the citie Now Clusi. of Clusium, the citizens whereof being in great danger, sent to Rome for aid against their enimies. Wherevpon the Romanes, considering with themselues that although they were not in anie league of societie with the Clusians, yet if they were ouercome the danger of the next Ambassadours sent from Rome. Brennus answere. brunt were like to be theirs: with all spéed they sent ambassadours to intreat betwixt the parties for some peace to be had.
They that were sent, required the capteines of the Galles, in the name of the senat and citizens of Rome, not to molest the friends of the Romans. Wherevnto answere was made by Brennus, that for his part he could be content to haue peace, if it were so that the Clusians would be agréeable that the Galles might haue part of the countrie which they held, being more than they did alreadie well occupie, for otherwise (said he) there could be no peace granted.
The Romane ambassadours being offended with these wordes, demanded what the Galles had to doo in Tuscan, by reason of which and other the like ouerthwart wordes, the parties The treatie of peace breaketh off. began to kindle in displeasure so farre, that their communication brake off, and so they from treating fell againe to trie the matter by dint of sword.
The Romane ambassadours also to shew of what prowesse the Romans were, contrarie to the law of nations (forbidding such as came in ambassage about anie treatie of peace to take either one part or other) tooke weapon in hand, and ioined themselues with the Clusians, wherewith the Galles were so much displeased, that incontinentlie with one voice, they required to haue the siege raised from Clusium, that they might go to Rome. But Brennus thought good first to send messengers thither, to require the deliuerie of such as had broken the law, that punishment might be done on them accordinglie as they had deserued. This was done, and knowledge brought againe, that the ambassadors were not onelie not punished, but also chosen to be tribunes for the next yeare.
The Galles then became in such a rage (because they saw there was nothing to be looked The Galles make towards Rome. The Romans incountring with the Galles are overthrown. for at the hands of the Romans, but warre, injurious wrongs, and deceitfull traines) that they turned all their force against them, marching streight towardes Rome, and by the waie destroied all that stood before them. The Romans aduertised thereof, assembled themselues togither to the number of 40. thousand, and encountring with Beline and Brenne, neare to the riuer Allia, about 11. miles on this side Rome, were slaine and quite discomfited.
The Galles could scarse beléeue that they had got the victorie with so small resistance: but when they perceiued that the Romans were quite ouerthrowne and that the field was clearelie rid of them, they got togither the spoile, and made towards Rome it selfe, where The Romans in despaire withdraw into the capitoll. such feare and terror was striken into the heartes of the people, that all men were in despaire[Page 455] to defend the citie: and therefore the senate with all the warlike youth of the citizens got them into the capitoll, which they furnished with victuals and all things necessarie for the maintenance of the same against a long siege. The honorable fathers and all the multitude of other people not apt for warres, remained still in the citie, as it were to perish with their countrie if hap so befell.
The Galles enter into Rome. In the meane time came the Galles
to the citie, and entring by the gate Collina, they passed forth the
right way vnto the market place, maruelling to sée the houses of the
poorer sort to be shut against them, and those of the richer to
remaine wide open; wherefore being doubtfull of some deceitfull
traines, they were not ouer rash to enter the same; but The Reuerend aspect of the senators. after they had
espied the ancient fathers sit in their chaires apparelled in their
rich robes, as if they had bin in the senat, they reuerenced them as
gods, so honorable was their port, grauenesse in countenance, and
shew of apparell.
Marcus Papirius In the meane
time it chanced, that Marcus Papirius stroke one of the Galles on the
head with his staffe, because he presumed to stroke his beard: with
which iniurie the Gall being prouoked, slue Papirius (as he sat) with
his sword, and therewith the slaughter being begun with one, all the
residue of those ancient fatherlie men as they sat in their chaires
were slaine and cruellie murthered. After this all the people found
in the citie without respect or
Rome sacked. 365. difference at all, were put to the sword,
and their houses sacked. And thus was Rome taken by the two brethren,
Beline and Brenne, 365 yeares after the first building thereof.
Besides this, the Galles attempted in the night season to haue entred
the capitoll: and in déed ordered their enterprise so secretlie, that
they had atchieued their purpose, if a sort of
The capitoll defended. ganders had not with their crie and
noise disclosed them, in wakening the Romans that were asléepe: &
so by that meanes were the Galles beaten backe and repelled.
Camillus reuoked from exile, made dictator, and receiueth peremptorie authoritie, he ouerthroweth the Galles in a pitcht field, controuersie betweene writers touching Brennus and Belinus left vndetermined; of diuers foundations, erections and reparations doone and atchiued by Belinus, the burning of his bodie in stead of his burieng.
The Romans being thus put to their extreame shift, deuised among themselues how to reuoke Furius Camillus from exile, whom not long before they had vniustlie banished out of the citie. In the end they did not onelie send for him home, but also created him dictator, committing into his handes (so long as his office lasted) an absolute power ouer all men, both of life and death. Camillus forgetfull of the iniurie done to him, and mindfull of his dutie towards his countrie, and lamenting the state thereof, without delay gathered such an armie as the present time permitted.
In the meane time those that kept the capitoll (being almost famished for lacke of vittels) A composition. compounded with Brenne and Beline, that for a thousand pounds weight in gold, the Romans should redéeme their liberties, and the said Brenne and Beline depart with their armie out of the citie and all the territories of Rome. But at the deliuerie of the monie, and by a certeine kind of hap, the Romans name was preserued at that time from such dishonor and ignominie as was likelie to haue insued. For some of the couetous sort of the Galles, not contented with the iust weight of the gold, did cast their swords also into the balance where the weights lay, thereby to haue ouer weight: wherevpon the Romans refused to make paiment after that weight.
And thus whilest they were in altercation about this matter, the
one importunnate to haue, Camillus
disappointeth the Galles of their paiment. the other not
willing to grant, the time passed, till in the meane season Camillus
came in amongst them with his power, commanding that the gold should
be had away, and affirming that without consent of the dictator, no
composition or agréement might be concluded[Page 456] by the
meaner magistrate. He gaue a signe to the Galles to prepare
themselues to battell,
The Galles overthrowne whervnto they lightlie agréed, and
togither they went. The battell being once begun, the Galles that
looked earst for gold, and not for battell, were easilie ouercome,
such as stood to the brunt were slaine, and the rest by flight
constreined to depart the citie.
Polybius writeth, that the Galles were turned from the siege of the citie, through wars which chanced amongst their owne people at home, and therefore they concluded a peace with the Romans, and leauing them in libertie returned home againe.
But howsoeuer the matter passed, thus much haue we stept from our purpose, to shew somwhat of that noble and most famous capteine Brennus, who (as not onelie our histories, but also Giouan Villani the Florentine dooth report) was a Britaine, and brother to Beline (as before is mentioned) although I know that manie other writers are not of that mind, affirming him to be a Gall, and likewise that after this present time of the taking of Rome by this Brennus 110 yeares, or there abouts, there was another Brennus a Gall by nation (say they) vnder whose conduct an other armie of the Gals inuaded Grecia, which Brennus had a brother that hight Belgius, although Humfrey Llhoyd and sir Iohn Prise doo flatlie denie the same, by reason of some discordance in writers, & namelie in the computation of the yeares set downe by them that haue recorded the dooings of those times, whereof the error is growen. Howbeit I doubt not but that the truth of this matter shall be more fullie sifted out in time by the learned and studious of such antiquities. But now to our purpose.
This is also to be noted, that where our histories make mention, that Beline was abroad with Brennus in the most part of his victories, both in Gallia, Germanie, and Italie; Titus Titus Liu. Polydor. Liuius speaketh but onlie of Brennus: wherevpon some write, that after the two brethren were by their mothers intreatance made friends, Brennus onlie went ouer to Gallia, and there through proofe of his woorthie prowesse, atteined to such estimation amongst the people called Galli Senones, that he was chosen to be their generall capteine at their going ouer Matth. West. the mountaines into Italie. But whether Beline went ouer with his brother, and finallie returned backe againe, leauing Brennus behind him, as some write, or that he went not at all, but remained still at home whitest his brother was abroad, we can affirme no certeintie.
Most part of all our writers make report of manie woorthie deeds
accomplished by Beline, Polychr.
Gal. M.
Caerleon Wiske built by Belline. in repairing of cities
decaied, & erecting of other new buildings, to the adorning and
beautifieng of his realme and kingdome. And amongst other works which
were by him erected, he builded a citie in the south part of Wales,
neare to the place where the riuer of Vske falleth into Seuerne, fast
by Glamorgan, which citie hight Caerleon, or Caerlegion Ar Wiske.
This Caerleon was the principall citie in time past of all Demetia,
now called Southwales. Manie notable monuments are remaining there
till this day, testifieng the great magnificence and roiall buildings
of that citie in old time. In which citie also sith the time of
Christ were thrée churches, one of saint Iulius the martyr, an other
of saint Aron, and the third was the mother church of all Demetia,
and the chiefe sée: but after, the same sée was translated vnto
Meneuia, (that is to say) saint Dauid in Westwales. In this Caerleon
was Amphibulus borne, who taught and instructed saint Albon.
Fabian. This Beline also
builded an hauen, with a gate ouer the same, within the citie of
Troinouant now called London, in the summitie or highest part wherof
afterwards was set a vessell of brasse, in the which were put the
ashes of his bodie, which bodie after his deceasse was
Iohn Leland. burnt, as the maner of burieng in those
daies did require. This gate was long after called Belins gate, and
at length by corruption of language Billings gate. He builded also a
castell eastward from this gate (as some haue written) which was long
time after likewise called
The Tower of London built by Beline. Belins castell, and is
the same which now we call the tower of London. Thus Beline studieng
dailie to beautifie this land with goodlie buildings and famous
workes, at length departed this life, after he had reigned with his
brother iointlie and alone the space of 26 yeres.
Of Gurguintus, Guintolinus, and Sicilius, three kings of Britaine succeeding ech other by[Page 457] lineall descent in the regiment, and of their acts and deeds, with a notable commendation of Queene Martia.
GURGUINTUS Gurguintus the sonne of
Beline began to reigne ouer the Britains, in the yeare of the world
1596, after the building of Rome 380, after the deliuerance of the
Israelites out of captiuitie 164 complet, which was about the 33
yeare of Artaxerxes Mnenon, surnamed Magnus, the seuenth king of the
Persians. This Gurguint in the English chronicle is Matth. West named Corinbratus, and by
Matthew Westmin. he is surnamed Barbiruc, the which bicause the
tribute granted by Guilthdag king of Denmarke in perpetuitie vnto the
kings of Britaine
Gal. M. Gurguint cōstrained the Danes by force to pay
their tribute. was denied, he sailed with a mightie nauie and
armie of men into Denmarke, where he made such warre with fire and
sword, that the king of Denmarke with the assent of his barons was
constreined to grant eftsoones to continue the paiment of the
aforesaid tribute.
After he had thus atchiued his desire in Denmarke, as he returned
backe towards Britaine, he encountred with a nauie of 30 ships beside
the Iles of Orkenies. These ships were fraught with men and women,
and had to their capteine one called Bartholin or Partholin,
Matth. West. Gal. Mon.
who being brought to the presence of king Gurguint, declared that he
with his people were banished out of Spaine, and were named Balenses
or Baselenses, and had sailed long on the Basques. sea, to the end to find some prince that
would assigne them a place to inhabit, to whom Sée more hereof in Ireland. they would become
subiects, & hold of him as of their souereigne gouernor.
Therefore he besought the king to consider their estate, and of his
great benignitie to appoint some void quarter where they might
settle. The king with the aduice of his barons granted to them the
Ile of Ireland, which as then (by report of some authors) lay waste
and without habitation Polychron. But
it should appeare by other writers, that it was inhabited long before
those daies, by the people called Hibernenses, of Hiberus their
capteine that brought them also out of Spaine.
After that Gurguintus was returned into his countrie, he ordeined that the laws made by his ancestors should be dulie kept and obserued. And thus administring iustice to his subiects for the tearme of 19 yeares, he finallie departed this life, and was buried at London, Caius. or as some haue at Caerleon. In his daies was the towne of Cambridge with the vniuersitie first founded by Cantaber, brother to the aforesaid Bartholin (according to some writers) as after shall appeare.
GUINTOLINUS. Guintolinus or Guintellius the sonne of Gurguintus was admitted king of Britaine in the yere of the world 3614, after the building of the citie of Rome 399, and second yere of the 206 Olimpiad. This Guintoline was a wise prince, graue in counsell, and sober in behauior. He had also a wife named Martia, a woman of perfect beautie, & wisedome incomparable, as by hir prudent gouernement and equall administration of iustice after hir husbands deceasse, during hir sonnes minoritie, it most manifestlie appeared.
It is thought that in an happie time this Guintoline came to the gouernement of this kingdome, being shaken and brought out of order with ciuill dissentions, to the end he might reduce it to the former estate, which he earnestlie accomplished: for hauing once got the place, he studied with great diligence to reforme anew, and to adorne with iustice, lawes and good orders, the British common wealth, by other kings not so framed as stood with the quietnesse thereof. But afore all things he vtterlie remooued and appeased such ciuill discord, as séemed yet to remaine after the maner of a remnant of those seditious factions and partakings, which had so long time reigned in this land. But as he was busie in hand herewith, death tooke him out of this life, after he had reigned 27 yeares, and then was he buried at London.
SICILIUS. [458] Sicilius the sonne of Guintoline, being not past seuen yeares of age when his father died, was admitted king, in the yeare 3659, after the building of Rome 430, & after the deliuerance of the Israelites out of captiuitie 218, & in the sixt after the death of Alexander. Queene Martia gouerneth in hir sonnes roome. By reason that Sicilius was not of age sufficient of himselfe to guide the kingdoms of the Britains, his mother that worthie ladie called Martia, had the gouernance both of his realme and person committed to hir charge.
She was a woman expert and skilfull in diuers sciences, but
chiefelie being admitted to the gouernance of the realme, she studied
to preserue the common wealth in good quiet She maketh lawes. and wholsome order, and
therefore deuised and established profitable and conuenient lawes,
the which after were called Martian lawes, of hir name that first
made them. These lawes, as those that were thought good and
necessarie for the preseruation of the common wealth, Alfred, or
Alured, that was long after king of England, translated also out of
the British toong, into the English Saxon speech, and then were they
called after that translation
Matt. West. Marchenelagh, that is to meane, the lawes
of Martia. To conclude, this worthie woman guided the land during the
minoritie of hir sonne right politikelie; and highlie to hir
perpetuall renowme and commendation. And when hir sonne came to
lawfull age, she deliuered
Matt. Westm. vp the gouernance into his handes. How
long he reigned writers varie, some auouch but seuen yeares, though
other affirme 15. which agréeth not so well with the accord of other
histories and times. He was buried at London.
Of Kimarus and his sudden end, of Elanius and his short regiment, of Morindus and his beastlie crueltie, all thrée immediatlie succeeding each other in the monarchie of Britaine, with the exploits of the last.
KIMARUS. Fabian. Kimarus the sonne of Sicilius began to reigne ouer the Britaines, in the yeare of the world 3657, and after the building of Rome 442, & in the first yeare of the 117. Olimpiad. This Kimarus being a wild yoong man, and giuen to follow his lusts and pleasures, was slaine by some that were his enimies, as he was abroad in hunting, when he had reigned scarselie three yeares.
ELANIUS. Elanius the sonne of Kimarus, or (as other haue) his brother, began to rule the Britaines in the yeare after the creation of the world 3361, after the building of Rome 445, after Matth. West. the deliuerance of the Israelites 229, and in the fourth yeare of the Seleuciens, after which account the bookes of Machabees doo reckon, which began in the 14, after the death of Alexander. This Elanius in the English Chronicle is named also Haran; by Mat. Westm. Danius; and by an old chronicle which Fabian much followed, Elanius and Kimarus should seeme to be one person: but other hold the contrarie, and saie that he reigned fullie 8. yeares.
MORINDUS. Morindus the bastard sonne of Elanius was admitted king of Britaine, in the yeare of the world 3667, after the building of Rome 451, after the deliuerance of the Israelites 236, and in the tenth yeare of Cassander K. of Macedonia, which hauing dispatched Olimpias the mother of Alexander the great, and gotten Roxanes with Alexanders sonne into his hands, vsurped the kingdome of the Macedonians, and held it 15 yéeres. This Morindus in the English chronicle is called Morwith, and was a man of worthie fame in chiualrie and martiall dooings, but so cruell withall, that his vnmercifull nature could scarse be satisfied with the torments of them that had offended him, although oftentimes with his owne hands he cruellie put them to torture and execution. He was also beautifull and comelie of personage, liberall and bounteous, and of a maruellous strength.
G. Mon. In his daies, a certeine king of the people
called Moriani, with a great armie landed in Northumberland, and
began to make cruell warre vpon the inhabitants. But Morindus
aduertised héerof, assembled his Britains, came against the enimies,
and in battell putting[Page 459] them to flight, chased them to their
ships, and tooke a great number of them prisoners, whome to the
satisfieng of his cruell nature he caused to be slaine euen in his
presence. Some of them were headed, some strangled, some panched, and
some he caused to be slaine quicke.
¶ These people (whome Gal. Mon. nameth Moriani) I take to be either those that inhabited The like may be thought of those Murreis or Morauians of whom H.B. speaketh. Fabian. about Terrouane and Calice, called Morini, or some other people of the Galles or Germaines, and not as some estéeme them, Morauians, or Merhenners, which were not known to the world (as Humfrey Llhoyd hath verie well noted) till about the daies of the emperour Mauricius, which misconstruction of names hath brought the British historie further out of credit than reason requireth, if the circumstances be dulie considered.
But now to end with Morindus. At length this bloudie prince heard of a monster that was come a land out of the Irish sea, with the which when he would néeds fight, he was deuoured of the same, after he had reigned the terme of 8 yeeres, leauing behind him fiue sonnes, Gorbonianus, Archigallus, Elidurus, Vigenius, or Nigenius, and Peredurus.
Of Gorbonianus, Archigallus, Elidurus, Vigenius, and Peredurus, the fiue sons of Morindius, the building of Cambridge, the restitution of Archigallus to the regiment after his depriuation, Elidurus three times admitted king, his death and place of interrement.
Gorbonianus the first son of Morindus succéeded his father in the kingdome of GORBOMEN OR GORBONIANUS. Britain, in the yéere of the world 3676, after the building of Rome 461, and fourth yéere of the 121. Olimpiad. This Gorbonianus in the English chronicle is named Granbodian, and was a righteous prince in his gouernment, and verie deuout (according to such deuotion A righteous and religious prince. as he had) towards the aduancing of the religion of his gods: and thervpon he repaired all the old temples through his kingdome, and erected some new.
He also builded the townes of Cambridge and Grantham (as Caxton writeth) and was beloued both of the rich and poore, for he honoured the rich, and relieued the poore in time of their necessities. In his time was more plentie of all things necessarie for the wealthfull state of man, than had béene before in anie of his predecessors daies. He died without issue, after he had reigned (by the accord of most writers) about the terme of ten yeares.
Some write that this Gorbonian built the townes of Cairgrant, now called Cambridge, & Cambridge by whome it was built. also Grantham, but some thinke that those which haue so written are deceiued, in mistaking the name; for that Cambridge was at the first called Granta: and by that meanes it might be that Gorbonian built onlie Grantham, and not Cambridge, namelie because other write how that Cambridge (as before is said) was built in the daies of Gurguntius the sonne of Beline, by one Cantaber a Spaniard, brother to Partholoin, which Partholoin by the aduice of the same Gurguntius, got seates for himselfe and his companie in Ireland (as before ye haue heard.)
The said Cantaber also obteining licence of Gurguntius, builded a towne vpon the side of the riuer called Canta, which he closed with walles, and fortified with a strong tower or castell, and after procuring philosophers to come hither from Athens (where in his youth he had bene a student) he placed them there, and so euen then was that place furnished (as they saie) with learned men, and such as were readie to instruct others in knowledge of letters and philosophicall doctrine. But by whome or in what time soeuer it was built, certeine it is that there was a citie or towne walled in that place before the comming of the Saxons, called by the Britaines Caergrant, and by the Saxons Granchester.
This towne fell so to ruine by the inuasion of the Saxons, that at length it was in maner left desolate, and at this day remaineth as a village. But néere therevnto vnder the Saxon[Page 460] kings, an other towne was built, now called Cambridge, where by the fauour of king Sigebert and Felix a Burgundian, that was bishop of Dunwich, a schoole was erected, as in place conuenient shall appeare.
ARCHIGALLUS. Archigallus, the second sonne of Morindus, and brother vnto Gorbonianus, was admitted king of Britaine, in the yeare 3686, after the building of the citie of Rome 470, after the deliuerance of the Israelites out of captiuitie 255, and in the first yeare of Sosthenes king of Macedonia. This Archigallus (in the English chronicle called Artogaill) followed not the He is giuen to nourish dissention. steppes of his brother, but giuing himselfe to dissention and strife, imagined causes against his nobles, that he might displace them, and set such in their roomes as were men of base birth and of euill conditions. Also he sought by vnlawfull meanes to bereaue his wealthie subiects of their goods and riches, so to inrich himselfe and impouerish his people. For the which his inordinate dooings, his nobles conspired against him, and finallie depriued him of all his honor and kinglie dignitie, after he had reigned about the space of one yeare.
ELIDURUS. Elidurus the third sonne of Morindus, and brother to Archigallus, was by one consent of the Britains chosen to reigne ouer them in his brothers stead, after the creation of the world 3687, and after the building of the citie of Rome 471, after the deliuerance of the Israelites 256, & in the first yeare of Sosthenes king of Macedonia. This Elidurus in the English chronicle named Hesider, or Esoder, prooued a most righteous prince, and doubting least he should doo otherwise than became him, if he did not take care for his brother Archigallus estate, a man might woonder what diligence he shewed in trauelling with the nobles of the realme to haue his brother restored to the crowne againe.
Now as it chanced one day (being abroad on hunting in the wood called Calater) neare vnto Yorke, he found his brother Archigall wandering there in the thickest of that wildernesse, By this it should séeme that Acliud should not be in Scotland, contrarie to the Scotish authors. whom in most louing maner he secretlie conueied home to his house, being as then the citie of Aldud, otherwise called Acliud. Shortlie after he feined himselfe sicke, and in all hast sent messengers about to assemble his barons, who being come at the day appointed, he called them one after another into his priuie chamber, and there handled them in such affectuous sort with wise and discréet words, that he got their good wils to further him to their powers, for the reducing of the kingdome eftsoones into the hands of his brother Archigallus.
After this he assembled a councell at Yorke, where he so vsed the matter with the commons, that in conclusion, when the said Elidurus had gouerned the land well and honourablie the space of thrée yeares, he resigned wholie his crowne and kinglie title vnto his brother Archigallo, who was receiued of the Britaines againe as king by mediation of his An example of brotherlie loue. brother in manner as before is said. ¶ A rare example of brotherlie loue, if a man shall reuolue in his mind what an inordinate desire remaineth amongst mortall men to atteine to the supreme souereintie of ruling, and to kéepe the same when they haue it once in possession. He had well learned this lesson (as may appeare by his contentation and resignation) namelie, that
Nec abnuendum si dat imperium Deus,
Nec appetendum,
Sen. in Thiess. otherwise he would not haue béene led with such an equabilitie of mind. For this great good will and brotherlie loue by him shewed thus toward his brother, he was surnamed the godlie and vertuous.
ARCHIGALLUS AGAIN. When Archigallus was thas restored to the kingdome, and hauing learned by due correction that he must turne the leafe, and take out a new lesson, by changing his former trade of liuing into better, if he would reigne in suertie: he became a new man, vsing himselfe vprightlie in the administration of iustice, and behauing himselfe so woorthilie in all his doings, both toward the nobles & commons of his realme, that he was both beloued and dread of all his subiects. And so continuing the whole tearme of his life, finallie departed out of this world, after he had reigned this second time the space of ten yeares, and[Page 461] was buried at Yorke.
ELIDURUS AGAINE.
Matt. West. Elidurus brother to this Archigallus was
then againe admitted king by consent of all the Britaines, 3700 of
the world. But his two yonger brethren, Vigenius and Peredurus,
enuieng
Brother against brother. the happie
state of this woorthie prince, so highlie for his vertue and good
gouernance esteemed of the Britains, of a grounded malice conspired
against him, and assembling an armie, Elidure
committed to prison. leuied warre against him, and in a pitcht
field tooke him prisoner, and put him in the tower of London, there
to be kept close prisoner, after he had reigned now this last time
the space of one yeare.
VIGENIUS AND PEREDURUS. Vigenius and Peredurus, the yoongest sonnes of Morindus, and brethren to Elidurus, began to reigne iointlie as kings of Britaine, in the yeare of the world 3701, after the building of Rome 485, after the deliuerance of the Israelites 266 complet, and in the 12 yeare of Antigonus Gonatas, the sonne of Demetrius king of the Macedonians. These two brethren in the English chronicles are named Higanius and Petitur, who (as Gal. Mon. testifieth) Britaine divided into two realmes. diuided the realme betwixt them, so that all the land from Humber westward fell to Vigenius, or Higanius, the other part beyond Humber northward Peredure held. But other affirme, that Peredurus onelie reigned, and held his brother Elidurus in prison by his owne consent, forsomuch as he was not willing to gouerne.
But Gal. Mon. saith, that Vigenius died after he had reigned 7
yeares, and then Peredurus seized all the land into his owne rule,
and gouerned it with such sobrietie and wisedome, that he was praised
aboue all his brethren, so that Elidurus was quite forgotten of the
Britains. Varitie in writers. But
others write that he was a verie tyrant, and vsed himselfe verie
cruellie towards the lords of his land, wherevpon they rebelled and
slue him. But whether by violent hand, or by naturall sicknesse, he
finallie departed this life, after the consent of most writers,
Caxton. when he had reigned
eight yeares, leauing no issue behind him to succéed in the
gouernance
Eth. Bur. of the kingdome. He builded the towne of
Pikering, where his bodie was buried.
ELIDURUS THE THIRD TIME. Elidurus
then, as soone as his brother Peredurus was dead, for as much as he
was next heire to the crowne, was deliuered out of prison, and now
the third time admitted king of Britaine, who vsed himselfe (as
before) verie orderlie in ministring to all persons right and iustice
all the daies of his life, and lastlie being growne to great age
died, when he had
He is buried at Caerleill reigned now this third time (after
most concordance of writers) the tearme of foure yeares: and was
buried at Caerleill.
A Chapter of digression, shewing the diuersitie of writers in opinion, touching the computation of yeares from the beginning of the British kings of this Iland downewards; since Gurguintus time, till the death of Elidurus; and likewise till King Lud reigned in his roialtie, with the names of such kings as ruled betweene the last yeare of Elidurus, and the first of Lud.
Here is to be noted, that euen from the beginning of the British kings, which reigned here in this land, there is great diuersitie amongest writers, both touching the names, and also the times of their reignes, speciallie till they come to the death of the last mentioned Polydor. king Elidurus. Insomuch that Polydor Virgil in his historie of England, finding a manifest error (as he taketh it) in those writers whome he followeth touching the account, from the comming of Brute, vnto the sacking of Rome by Brennus, whome our histories affirme to be the brother of Beline, that to fill vp the number which is wanting in the reckoning of the yeares of those kings which reigned after Brute, till the daies of the same Brenne & Beline, he thought good to change the order, least one error should follow an other, and so of one error making manie, he hath placed those kings which after other writers should séeme to follow Brenne and Beline, betwixt Dunuallo and Mulmucius, father[Page 462] to the said Beline and Brenne, and those fiue kings which stroue for the gouernement after the deceasse of the two brethren, Ferrex and Porrex, putting Guintoline to succéed after the fiue kings or rulers, and after Guintoline his wife Martia, during the minoritie of hir sonne, then hir said sonne named Sicilius.
After him succéeded these whose names follow in order, Chimarius, Danius, Morindus, Gorbonianus, Archigallo, who being deposed, Elidurus was made king, and so continued till he restored the gouernement (as ye haue heard) to Archigallo againe, and after his death Elidurus was eftsoones admitted, and within awhile againe deposed by Vigenius and Peredurus, and after their deceasses the third time restored. Then after his deceasse followed successiuelie Veginus, Morganus, Ennanus, Idunallo, Rimo, Geruntius, Catellus, Coilus, Porrex the second of that name, Cherinus, Fulgentius, Eldalus, Androgeus, Vrianus and Eliud, after whom should follow Dunuallo Molmucius, as in his proper place, if the order of things doone, & the course of time should be obserued, as Polydor gathereth by the account of yeares attributed to those kings that reigned before and after Dunuallo, according to those authours whom (as I said) he followeth, if they will that Brennus which led the Galles to Rome be the same that was sonne to the said Dunuallo Mulmucius, and brother to Beline.
But sith other haue in better order brought out a perfect agréement in the account of yeares, and succession of those kings, which reigned and gouerned in this land before the sacking of Rome; and also another such as it is after the same, and before the Romans had anie perfect knowledge thereof; we haue thought good to follow them therein, leauing to euerie man his libertie to iudge as his knowledge shall serue him in a thing so doubtfull and vncerteine, by reason of variance amongst the ancient writers in that behalfe.
And euen as there is great difference in writers since Gurguintus, till the death of Elidurus, so is there as great or rather greater after his deceasse, speciallie till king Lud Fabian. atteined the kingdóme. But as maie be gathered by that which Fabian and other whome he followeth doo write, there passed aboue 185 yeares betwixt the last yeare of Elidurus, and the beginning of king Lud his reigne, in the which time there reigned 32, or 33, kings, as some writers haue mentioned, whose names (as Gal. Mon. hath recorded) are these immediatlie héere named; Regnie the sonne of Gorbolian or Gorbonian, a worthie prince, who iustlie and mercifullie gouerned his people; Margan the sonne of Archigallo a noble prince likewise, and guiding his subiects in good quiet; Emerian brother to the same Margan, but far vnlike to him in maners, so that he was deposed in the sixt yeare of his reigne; Ydwallo sonne to Vigenius; Rimo the sonne of Peredurus; Geruntius the sonne of Elidurus; Catell that was buried at Winchester; Coill that was buried at Nottingham; Porrex a vertuous and most gentle prince; Cherinus a drunkard; Fulginius, Eldad, and Androgeus; these thrée were sonnes to Chercinus, and reigned successiuelie one after another; Vrianus. after them a sonne of Androgeus; then Eliud, Dedaicus, Clotinius, Gurguntius, Merianus, Bledius, Cop, Owen, Sicilius, Bledgabredus an excellent musician: after him his brother Archemall; then Eldol, Red, Rodiecke, Samuill, Penisell, Pir, Capoir; after him his sonne Gligweil an vpright dealing prince, and a good iusticiarie; whom succeeded his sonne Helie, which reigned 60 yeares, as the forsaid Gal. Mon. writeth, where other affirme that he reigned 40 yeares, and some againe say that he reigned but 7 moneths.
There is great diuersitie in writers touching the reignes of these kings, and not onlie for the number of yéeres which they should continue in their reignes but also in their names: so that to shew the diuersitie of all the writers, were but to small purpose, sith the dooings of the same kings were not great by report made thereof by any approoued author. But this maie suffice to aduertise you, that by conferring the yéeres attributed to the other kings which reigned before them, since the comming of Brute, who should enter this land (as by the best writers is gathered) about the yéere before the building of Rome 367, which was in the yéere after the creation of the world 2850 (as is said) with their time, there remaineth 182 yéeres to be dealt amongst these 33 kings, which reigned betwixt the said[Page 463] Elidure & Lud, which Lud also began his reigne after the building of the citie of Rome (as writers affirme) about 679 yéeres, and in the yéere of the world 3895, as some that will séeme the precisest calculators doo gather.
Polydor Virgil changing (as I haue shewed) the order of succession in the British kings, in bringing diuerse of those kings, which after other writers followed Beline and Brenne, to precéed them so successiuelie after Beline and Brenne, reherseth those that by his coniecture did by likelihood succéed, as thus. After the decesse of Beline, his sonne Gurguntius, being the second of that name, succeeded in gouernment of the land, and then these in order as they follow: Merianus, Bladanus, Capeus, Duinus, Sicilius, Bledgabredus, Archemallus, Eldorus, Rodianus, Redargius, Samulius, Penisellus, Pyrrhus, Caporus, Dinellus, and Helie, who had issue, Lud, Cassibellane, and Neurius.
Of king Helie who gaue the name to the Ile of Elie, of king Lud, and what memorable edifices he made, London sometimes called Luds towne, his bountifulnes, and buriall.
Here note by the waie a thing not to be forgotten, that of the foresaid Helie the last of Whereof the Ile of Elie tooke name. the said 33 kings, the Ile of Elie tooke the name, bicause that he most commonlie did there inhabit, building in the same a goodly palace, and making great reparations of the sluces, ditches & causies about that Ile, for conueiance awaie of the water, that els would sore haue indamaged the countrie. There be that haue mainteined, that this Ile should rather take name of the great abundance of éeles that are found in these waters and fennes wherwith this Ile is inuironed. But Humfrey Llhoyd holdeth, that it tooke name of this British word Helig, which signifieth willowes, wherwith those fennes abound.
After the decesse of the same Helie, his eldest son Lud began his
reigne, in the yéere LUD. after the
creation of the world 3895, after the building of the citie of Rome
679, before the comming of Christ 72, and before the Romanes entred
Britaine 19 yéeres. This Lud A worthie
prince. proued a right worthie prince, amending the lawes of
the realme that were defectiue, abolishing euill customs and maners
vsed amongst his people, and repairing old cities and townes which
were decaied: but speciallie he delited most to beautifie and inlarge
with buildings the
London inclosed with a wal.
Iohn Hard. citie of Troinouant, which he compassed with a
strong wall made of lime and stone, in the best maner fortified with
diuerse faire towers: and in the west part of the same wall he
erected a strong gate, which he commanded to be called after his
name, Luds gate, and so vnto this daie it is called Ludgate, (S)
onelie drowned in pronuntiation of the word.
Fabian.
Gal. Mon.
Matt. West. In the same citie also he soiorned for the more
part, by reason whereof the inhabitants increased, and manie
habitations were builded to receiue them, and he himselfe caused
buildings to be made betwixt London stone (sic) and Ludgate, and
builded for himselfe not farre from The
bishops palace. the said gate a faire palace, which is the
bishop of Londons palace beside Paules at this daie, as some thinke;
yet Harison supposeth it to haue bin Bainards castell, where the
blacke friers now standeth. He also builded a fairer temple néere to
his said palace, which temple (as some take it) was after turned to a
church, and at this daie called Paules. By reason that king Lud so
much esteemed that citie before all other of his realme, inlarging it
so greatlie as he did, The name of Troinouant
changed and called London. and continuallie in manner remained
there, the name was changed, so that it was called Caerlud, that is
to saie, Luds towne: and after by corruption of spéech it was named
London.
Beside the princelie dooings of this Lud touching the aduancement of the common wealth by studies apperteining to the time of peace, he was also strong &valiant in armes, in subduing his enimies, bountious and liberall both in gifts and kéeping a plentifull house, so that he was greatlie beloued of all the Britaines. Finallie, when he had reigned with great honour for the space of 11 yéeres, he died, and was buried néere Ludgate, leauing after him[Page 464] two sons, Androgeus and Theomancius or Tenancius.
Of Cassibellane and his noble mind, Iulius Cæsar sendeth Caius Volusenus to suruey the coasts of this Iland, he lieth with his fleet at Calice, purposing to inuade the countrie, his attempt is bewraied and withstood by the Britains.
CASSIBELLANE. Cassibellane, the
brother of Lud was admitted king of Britaine, in the yéere of the
world 3908, after the building of Rome 692, and before the comming of
Christ 58 complet.
Gal. Mon.
Matt. West. Fabian. For sith the two sonnes of Lud were
not of age able to gouerne, the rule of the land was committed to
Cassibellane: but yet (as some haue written) he was not created king,
but rather appointed ruler & protector of the land, during the
nonage of his nephewes.
Gal. Mon. Now after he was admitted (by whatsoeuer
order) to the administration of the common wealth, he became so noble
a prince and so bountious, that his name spred farre and néere, and
by his vpright dealing in seeing iustice executed he grew in such
estimation, that the Britaines made small account of his nephewes, in
comparison of the fauour which they bare towards him. But
Cassibellane hauing respect to his honour, least it might be thought
that his nephewes were expelled by him out of their rightfull
possessions, brought them vp verie
Matt. West. honourablie; assigning to Androgeus, London
and Kent; and to Theomantius the countrie of Cornwall. Thus farre out
of the British histories, whereby it maie be gathered, that the
yéeres assigned to these kings that reigned before Cassibellane,
amount to the summe of 1058.
Polydor. But whether these gouernors (whose names we haue recited) were kings, or rather rulers of the common wealth, or tyrants and vsurpers of the gouernment by force, it is vncerteine: for not one ancient writer of anie approued authoritie maketh anie remembrance of them: and by that which Iulius Cesar writeth, it maie and dooth appéere, that diuerse cities in his daies were gouerned of themselues, as héereafter it shall more plainlie appéere. Neither doth he make mention of those townes which the British historie affirmeth to be built by the same kings. In déed both he and other Latine writers speake of diuerse people that inhabited diuers portions of this land, as of the Brigantes, Trinobantes, Iceni, Silures, and such other like, but in what parts most of the said people did certeinlie inhabit, it is hard to auouch for certeine truth.
But what Iohn Leland thinketh héereof, being one in our time that curiouslie searched out old antiquities, you shall after heare as occasion serueth: and likewise the opinions of other, Hector Boetius his fault. as of Hector Boetius, who coueting to haue all such valiant acts as were atchiued by the Britains to be ascribed to his countriemen the Scots, draweth both the Silures and Brigantes, with other of the Britains so farre northward, that he maketh them inhabitants of the Scotish countries. And what particular names soeuer they had, yet were they all Scots with him, and knowne by that generall name (as he would persuade vs to beléeue) saieng that they entred into Britaine out of Ireland 330 yéeres before the incarnation of our Sauiour.
Neuerthelesse, how generall soeuer the name of Scots then was, sure it is, that no speciall mention of them is made by anie writer, till about 300 yeares after the birth of our sauiour. And yet the Romans, which ruled this land, and had so much adoo with the people thereof, make mention of diuerse other people, nothing so famous as Boetius would make his Scotish men euen then to be. But to leaue to the Scots the antiquitie of their originall beginning, as they and other must doo vnto vs our descent from Brute and the other Troians, sith the More certeintie from hence forth appeareth in the historie. contrarie dooth not plainelie appeare, vnlesse we shall leane vnto presumptions: now are we come to the time in the which what actes were atchiued, there remaineth more certeine record, and therefore may we the more boldlie procéed in this our historie.
Iulius Cesar.[465] In this season that Cassibellane had roiall
gouernment héere in Britaine, Caius Iulius Cesar being appointed by
the senat of Rome to conquer Gallia, was for that purpose created
consull, and sent with a mightie army into the countrie, where after
he had brought the
Cesar de bello Gal. lib 4. Britains unknowne to the
Romans. Galles vnto some frame, he determined to assaie the
winning of Britaine, which as yet the Romans knew not otherwise than
by report. The chiefest cause that mooued him to take in hand that
enterprise, was for that he did vnderstand, that there dailie came
great succours out of that Ile to those Galles that were enimies vnto
the Romans. And though the season
Cesar de bello Gall. lib. 4. Causes of the warre. Cesars
purpose. of that yéere to make warre was farre spent (for
summer was almost at an end) yet he thought it would be to good
purpose, if he might but passe ouer thither, and learne what maner of
people did inhabit there, and discouer the places, hauens, and
entries apperteining to that Ile.
Héerevpon calling togither such merchants as he knew to haue had
traffike thither with some trade of wares, he diligentlie inquired of
them the state of the Ile: but he could not be throughlie satisfied
in anie of those things that he coueted to know. Therefore thinking
it good to vnderstand all things by view that might apperteine to the
vse of that warre which he purposed to follow: before he attempted
the same, he sent one
Caius Volusenus sent ouer into Britaine. Caius Volusenus with
a gallie or light pinesse to surueie the coasts of the Ile,
commanding him (after diligent search made) to returne with spéed to
him againe. He him selfe also drew downewards towards Bullenois, from
whence the shortest cut lieth to passe ouer into Britaine.
Iohn Leland. Polydor. In that part of Gallia there was
in those daies an hauen called Itius Portus (which some take
to be Calice) and so the word importeth, an harbourgh as then able to
receiue a great number of ships. Vnto this hauen got Cesar all the
ships he could out of the next borders & parties, and those
speciallie which he had prouided and put in a readinesse the last
yeare for the warres (against them of Vannes in Armorica, now called
Britaine in France) he caused to be brought thither, there to lie
till they should heare further. In the meane time Vannes in Britane. (his indeuour being knowne, and
by merchants reported in Britaine) all such as were able to beare
armour, were commanded and appointed to repaire to the sea side, that
they might be readie to defend their countrie in time of so great
danger of inuasion.
¶ Cesar in his commentaries agréeth not with our historiographers: for he writeth that immediatlie vpon knowledge had that he would inuade Britaine, there came to him ambassadours from diuers cities of the Ile to offer themselues to be subiects to the Romans, and to deliuer hostages. Whome after he had exhorted to continue in their good mind, he sent Comius. home againe, and with them also one Comius gouernor of Artois, commanding him to repaire vnto as manie cities in Britaine as he might, and to exhort them to submit themselues to the Romans. He maketh no mention of Cassibellane, till the second iournie that he made into the Ile, at what time the said Cassibelane was chosen (as ye shall heare) to be the generall capteine of the Britains, and to haue the whole administration of the warre for defense of the countrie: but he nameth him not to be a king. Howbeit in the British historie Which is more likelie in this behalfe, as appeared by the sequel. it is contained, that Cesar required tribute of Cassibelane, and that he answered how he had not learned as yet to liue in seruage, but to defend the libertie of his countrie, and that with weapon in hand (if néede were) as he should well perceiue, if (blinded through couetousnesse) he should aduenture to séeke to disquiet the Britains.
Caius Volusenus discouereth to Cæsar his observations in the Ile of Britaine, he maketh[Page 466] haste to conquere it, the Britains defend their countrie against him, Cæsar after consultation had changeth his landing place, the Romans are put to hard shifts, the Britains begin to giue backe, the courage of a Roman ensigne-bearer, a sharpe encounter betweene both armies.
Volusenus returneth. Caius Volusenus within fiue daies after his departure from Cesar, returned vnto him with his gallie, and declared what he had séene touching the view which he had taken of Cesar with two legions of souldiers passeth ouer into Britain. the coasts of Britan. Cesar hauing got togither so manie saile as he thought sufficient for the transporting of two legions of souldiers, after he had ordered his businesse as he thought expedient, and gotten a conuenient wind for his purpose, did embarke himselfe and his people, and departed from Calice in the night about the third watch (which is about three or foure of the clocke after midnight) giuing order that the horssemen should take ship at an The Britans readie to defend their countrie. other place 8 miles aboue Calice, and follow him. Howbeit when they somewhat slacked the time, about ten of the clocke in the next day, hauing the wind at will, he touched on the coast of Britaine, where he might behold all the shore set and couered with men of warre. For the Britains hearing that Cesar ment verie shortlie to come against them, were assembled in armour to resist him: and now being aduertised of his approch to the land, they prepared themselues to withstand him.
Cesar calleth a councell. Cesar perceiuing this, determined to
staie till the other ships were come, and so he lay at anchor till
about 11 of the clocke, and then called a councell of the marshals
and chiefe capteines, vnto whome he declared both what he had learned
of Volusenus, and also further what he would haue doone, willing them
that all things might be ordered as the reason of warre required. And
because he perceiued that this place where he first cast anchor was
not méete for the landing of his people, sith (from the heigth of the
cliffes that closed on ech side the narrow créeke into the which he
had thrust) the Britains might annoy his people with their bowes and
dartes, before they could set foote on land, hauing now the wind and
tide with him, he disanchored from thence, and drew alongst the coast
vnder the downes, the This was about
day. space of 7 or 8 miles, and there finding the shore more
flat and plaine, he approched néere to the land, determining to come
to the shore.
The Britains perceiuing Cesars intent, with all spéed caused their horssemen and charets or wagons, which Cesar calleth Esseda, out of the which in those daies they vsed to fight, to march forth toward the place whither they saw Cesar drew, and after followed with their maine armie. Wherefore Cesar being thus preuented, inforced yet to land with his people, though he saw that he should haue much a doo. For as the Britains were in redinesse to resist him, so his great and huge ships could not come néere the shore, but were forced to The Romans put to their shifts. kéepe the déepe, so that the Romane soldiers were put to verie hard shift; to wit, both to leape forth of their ships, and being pestered with their heauie armour and weapons, to fight in the water with their enimies, who knowing the flats and shelues, stood either vpon the drie ground, or else but a little waie in the shallow places of the water; and being not otherwise encumbred either with armour or weapon, but so as they might bestir themselues at will, they laid load vpon the Romans with their arrowes and darts, and forced their horsses (being thereto inured) to enter the water the more easilie, so to annoy and distresse the Romans, who wanting experience in such kind of fight, were not well able to helpe themselues, nor to keepe order as they vsed to doo on land: wherfore they fought nothing so lustilie as they were woont to doo. Cesar perceiuing this, commanded the gallies to depart from the great ships, and to row hard to the shore, that being placed ouer against the open sides of the Britains, they might with their shot of arrows, darts, and slings, remoue the Britains, and cause them to withdraw further off from the water side.
The Britans astonied.[Page 467] This thing being put in execution
(according to his commandement) the Britains were not a little
astonied at the strange sight of those gallies, for that they were
driuen with ores, which earst they had not séene, and shrewdlie were
they galled also with the artillerie which the Romans discharged vpon
them, so that they began to shrinke and retire somewhat backe.
The valiant courage of an ensigne bearer. Herewith one that
bare the ensigne of the legion surnamed Decima, wherein the eagle was
figured, as in that which was the chiefe ensigne of the legion, when
he saw his fellowes nothing eager to make forward, first beséeching
the gods that his enterprise might turne to the weale, profit, and
honor of the legion, he spake with a lowd voice these words to his
fellowes that were about him; "Leape forth now euen you woorthie
souldiers (saith he) if you will not betraie your ensigne to the
enimies: for surelie I will acquit my selfe according to my duetie
both towards the common wealth, and my generall:" and therewith
leaping forth into the water, he marched with his ensigne streight
vpon the enimies. The Romans douting to lose their ensigne, which
should haue turned them to great reproch, leapt out of their ships so
fast as they might, and followed their standard, so that there ensued
a sore re–encounter: and that which troubled the Romans most,
was because they could not keepe their order, neither find anie sure
footing, nor yet follow euerie man his owne ensigne, but to put
themselues vnder that ensigne which he first met withall after their
first comming forth of the ship.
The Britains that were inured with the shelues and shallow places of the water, when they saw the Romans thus disorderlie come out of their ships, ran vpon them with their horsses, The fiercenesse of the Britains. and fiercelie assailed them, and now and then a great multitude of the Britains would compasse in and inclose some one companie of them: and other also from the most open places of the shore bestowed great plentie of darts vpon the whole number of the Romans, and so troubled them verie sore.
The Romans get to land on the English coast, the Britains send to Cæsar for a treatie of peace, they staie the Romane ambassadour as prisoner, Cæsar demandeth hostages of the Britains, the Romane nauie is driuen diuers waies in a great tempest, the British princes steale out of Cæsars campe and gather a fresh power against the Romans, their two armies haue a sharpe encounter.
Caesar perceiuing the maner of this fight, caused his men of warre
to enter into boates and other small vessels, which he commanded to
go to such places where most néed appeared.
The Romans get to land. And relieuing them that fought with
new supplies, at length the Romans got to land, and assembling
togither, they assailed the Britains a fresh, and so at last did put
them
The want of horssemen. all to flight. But the Romans could not
follow the Britains farre, because they wanted their horssemen which
were yet behind, & through slacking of time could not come to
land. And this one thing séemed onelie to disappoint the luckie
fortune that was accustomed to follow Cesar in all his other
enterprises.
The Britans send to Cesar. The Britains after this flight were
no sooner got togither, but that with all speed they sent
ambassadours vnto Cesar to treat with him of peace, offering to
deliuer hostages, and further to stand vnto that order that Cesar
should take with them in anie reasonable sort. With Comius of Arras. these ambassadours came also
Comius, whome Cesar (as you haue heard) had sent before into
Britaine, whome notwithstanding that he was an ambassadour, and sent
from Cesar with commission and instructions sufficientlie furnished,
yet had they staied him as a prisoner. But now after the battell was
ended, they set him at libertie, and sent him backe with their
ambassadours, who excused the matter, laieng the blame on the people
of the countrie; which had imprisoned him through lacke of
vnderstanding what apperteined to the law of armes and nations in
that behalfe.
Cesar found great fault with their misdemenor, not onelie for
imprisoning his ambassador,[Page 468] but also for that contrarie to their
promise made by such as they had sent to him into Gallia to deliuer
hostages, in lieu thereof they had receiued him with warre: yet in
the end he said
Cesar demandeth hostages. he would pardon them, and not séeke
anie further reuenge of their follies. And herewith required of them
hostages, of which, part were deliuered out of hand, and made promise
that the residue should likewise be sent after, crauing some respit
for performance of the same, bicause they were to be fetched farre
off within the countrie.
Peace being thus established after the fourth day of the Romans arriuall in Britaine, the 18 ships which (as ye haue heard) were appointed to conuey the horssemen ouer, loosed from the further hauen with a soft wind. Which when they approched so néere the shore of Britaine, that the Romans which were in Cesars campe might see them, suddenlie there arose so great a tempest, that none of them was able to kéepe his course, so that they were not onelie driuen in sunder (some being caried againe into Gallia, and some westward) but also the other ships that lay at anchor, and had brought ouer the armie, were so pitifullie beaten, tossed and shaken, that a great number of them did not onelie lose their tackle, but also were caried by force of wind into the high sea; the rest being likewise so filled with water, that they were in danger by sinking to perish and to be quite lost. For the moone in the same night was at the full, & therefore caused a spring tide, which furthered the force of the tempest, to the greater perill of those ships and gallies that lay at anchor. There was no way for the Romans to helpe the matter: wherefore a great number of those ships were so bruised, rent and weather-beaten, that without new reparation they would serue to no vse of sailing. This was a great discomfort to the Romans that had brought ouer no prouision to liue by in the winter season, nor saw anie hope how they should repasse againe into Gallia.
In the meane time the British princes that were in the Romane armie, perceiuing how greatlie this mishap had discouraged the Romans, and again by the small circuit of their campe, gessing that they could be no great number, and that lacke of vittels sore oppressed them, they stale priuilie away one after another out of the campe, purposing to assemble their powers againe, and to forestall the Romans from vittels, and so to driue the matter off till winter: which if they might doo (vanquishing these or closing them from returning) they trusted that none of the Romans from thencefoorth would attempt eftsoones to come into Britaine. Cesar mistrusting their dealings, because they staid to deliuer the residue of their hostages, commanded vittels to be brought out of the parties adioining, and not hauing other stuffe to repaire his ships, he caused 12 of those that were vtterlie past recouerie by the hurts receiued through violence of the tempest, to be broken, wherewith the other (in which some recouerie was perceiued) might be repaired and amended.
The maner of the Britains fighting in charets, the Romans giue a fresh sallie to the Britains and put them to flight, they sue to Cæsar for peace; what kings and their powers were assistants to Cassibellane in the battell against Cæsar, and the maner of both peoples encounters by the report of diuers Chronologers.
Whilest these things were a dooing, it chanced that as one of the Romane legions named the seuenth, was sent to fetch in corne out of the countrie adioining (as their custome was) no warre at that time being suspected, or once looked for, when part of the people remained abroad in the field, and part repaired to the campe: those that warded before the campe, informed Cesar, that there appeared a dust greater than was accustomed from that quarter, into the which the legion was gone to fetch in corne. Cesar iudging therof what the matter might meane, commanded those bands that warded to go with him that way foorth, and appointed other two bands to come into their roomes, and the residue of his people to[Page 469] get them to armor, and to follow quicklie after him.
He was not gone anie great way from the campe, when he might sée where his people were ouermatched by the enimies, and had much a doo to beare out the brunt: for the legion being thronged together, the Britains pelted them sore with arrowes and darts on ech side: for sithens there was no forrage left in anie part of the countrie about, but onelie in this place, the Britains iudged that the Romans would come thither for it: therefore hauing lodged themselues within the woods in ambushes the night before; on the morrowe after when they saw the Romans dispersed here & there, and busie to cut downe the corne, they set vpon them on a sudden, and sleaing some few of them, brought the residue out of order, compassing them about with their horssemen and charets, so that they were in great distresse.
The maner of fight with these charets was such, that in the beginning of a battell they would ride about the sides and skirts of the enimies host, and bestow their darts as they sate in those charets, so that oftentimes with the braieng of the horsses, and craking noise of the charet whéeles they disordered their enimies, and after that they had woond themselues in amongst the troops of horssemen, they would leape out of the charets and fight on foot. In the meane time those that guided the charets would withdraw them selues out of the battell, placing themselues so, that if their people were ouermatched with the multitude of enimies, they might easilie withdraw to their charets, and mount vpon the same againe, by meanes wherof they were as readie to remooue as the horssemen, and as stedfast to stand in the battell as the footmen, and so to supplie both duties in one. And those charetmen by exercise and custome were so cunning in their feat, that although their horsses were put to run and gallop, yet could they stay them and hold them backe at their pleasures, and turne and wind them to and fro in a moment, notwithstanding that the place were verie stéepe and dangerous: and againe they would run vp and downe verie nimblie vpon the cops, and stand vpon the beame, and conuey themselues quicklie againe into the charet.
Cesar thus finding his people in great distresse and readie to be destroied, came in good time, and deliuered them out of that danger: for the Britains vpon his approch with new succors, gaue ouer to assaile their enimies any further, & the Romans were deliuered out of the feare wherein they stood before his comming. Furthermore, Cesar considering the time serued not to assaile his enimies, kept his ground, and shortlie after brought backe his legions into the campe.
While these things were thus a dooing, & all the Romans occupied, the rest that were abroad in the fields got them away. After this there followed a sore season of raine and fowle weather, which kept the Romans within their campe, and staid the Britains from offering battell. But in the meane time they sent messengers abroad into all parts of the countrie, to giue knowledge of the small number of the Romans, and what hope there was both of great spoile to be gotten, and occasion to deliuer themselues from further danger for euer, if they might once expell the Romans out of their campe. Herevpon a great multitude both of horssemen and footmen of the Britains were spéedilie got togither, and approched the Romane campe.
Cesar although he saw that the same would come to passe which had chanced before, that if the enimies were put to the repulse, they would easilie escape the danger with swiftnesse of foot; yet hauing now with him thirtie horssemen (which Comius of Arras had brought ouer with him, when he was sent from Cesar as an ambassador vnto the Britains) he placed his legions in order of battell before his campe, and so comming to ioine with the Britains, they were not able to susteine the violent impression of the armed men, and so fled. The Romans pursued them so farre as they were able to ouertake anie of them, and so slaieng manie of them, & burning vp all their houses all about, came backe againe to their campe. Immediatlie wherevpon, euen the same day, they sent ambassadors to Cesar to sue for peace, who gladlie accepting their offer, commanded them to send ouer into Gallia, after he should be returned thither, hostages in number duble to those that were agréed vpon at the first.
After that these things were thus ordered, Cesar because the moneth of September was[Page 470] well-neare halfe spent, and that winter hasted on (a season not méet for his weake and bruised ships to brooke the seas) determined not to staie anie longer, but hauing wind and weather for his purpose, got himselfe aboord with his people, and returned into Gallia.
Cæsar de bello Gallico. lib. 4. ¶ Thus writeth Cesar touching his first iournie made into Britaine. But the British historie (which Polydor calleth the new historie) declareth that Cesar in a pitcht field was vanquished at the first encounter, and so withdrew backe into France. Beda also writeth, that Cesar comming into the countrie of Gallia, where the people then called Morini inhabited (which are at this day the same that inhabit the diocesse of Terwine) from whence lieth the shortest passage ouer into Britaine, now called England, got togither 80 saile of great ships and row gallies, wherewith he passed ouer into Britaine, & there at the first being wearied with sharpe and sore fight, and after taken with a grieuous tempest, he lost the greater part of his nauie, with no small number of his souldiers, and almost all his horssemen: and therwith being returned into Gallia, placed his souldiers in stéeds to soiourne there for the winter season. Thus saith Bede. The British historie moreouer maketh mention of thrée vnder-kings that aided Cassibellane in this first battell fought with Cesar, as Cridiorus alias Ederus, king of Albania, now called Scotland: Guitethus king of Venedocia, that is Northwales: and Britaell king of Demetia, at this day called Southwales.
The same historie also maketh mention of one Belinus that was generall of Cassibellanes armie, and likewise of Nenius brother to Cassibellane, who in fight happened to get Cesars swoord fastened in his shield by a blow which Cesar stroke at him. Androgeus also and Tenancius were at the battell in aid of Cassibellane. But Nenius died within 15 daies after the battell of the hurt receiued at Cesars hand, although after he was so hurt, he slue Labienus one of the Romane tribunes: all which may well be true, sith Cesar either maketh the best of things for his owne honour, or else coueting to write but commentaries, maketh no account to declare the néedeles circumstances, or anie more of the matter, than the chiefe points of his dealing.
Hector Boet. Againe, the Scotish historiographers write, that when it was first knowne to the Britains, that Cesar would inuade them, there came from Cassibellane king of Britaine an ambassador vnto Ederus king of Scots, who in the name of king Cassibellane required aid against the common enimies the Romains, which request was granted, and 10 thousand Scots sent to the aid of Cassibellane. At their comming to London, they were most ioifullie receiued of Cassibellane, who at the same time had knowledge that the Romans were come on land, and had beaten such Britains backe as were appointed to resist their landing. Wherevpon Cassibellane with all his whole puissance mightilie augmented, not onlie with the succours of the Scots, but also of the Picts (which in that common cause had sent also of their people to aid the Britains) set forward towards the place where he vnderstood the enimies to be.
At their first approch togither, Cassibellane sent foorth his horssemen and charets called Esseda, by the which he thought to disorder the araie of the enimies. Twice they incountred togither with doubtfull victorie. At length they ioined puissance against puissance, and fought a verie sore and cruell battell, till finally at the sudden comming of the Welshmen and Cornishmen, so huge a noise was raised by the sound of bels hanging at their trappers and charets, that the Romans astonied therewith, were more easilie put to flight. The Britains, Scots, and Picts following the chase without order or araie, so that by reason the Romans kept themselues close togither, the Britains, Scots, & Picts did scarse so much harme to the enimies as they themselues receiued. But yet they followed on still vpon the Romans till it was darke night.
Cesar after he had perceiued them once withdrawne, did what he could to assemble his companies togither, minding the next morning to séeke his reuenge of the former daies disaduantage. But forsomuch as knowledge was giuen him that his ships (by reason of a sore tempest) were so beaten and rent, that manie of them were past seruice, he doubted least such newes would incourage his enimies, and bring his people into despaire. Wherfore he determined not to fight till time more conuenient, sending all his wounded folks vnto the[Page 471] ships, which he commanded to be newlie rigged and trimmed. After this, kéeping his armie for a time within the place where he was incamped without issuing foorth, he shortlie drew to the sea side, where his ships laie at anchor, and there within a strong place fortified for the purpose he lodged his host, and finallie without hope to atchieue anie other exploit auaileable for that time, he tooke the sea with such ships as were apt for sailing, and so repassed into Gallia, leauing behind him all the spoile and baggage for want of vessels and leisure to conueie it ouer. ¶ Thus haue the Scots in their chronicles framed the matter, more to the conformitie of the Romane histories, than according to the report of our British and English writers: and therefore we haue thought good to shew it héere, that the diuersitie of writers and their affections may the better appéere.
Of this sudden departing also, or rather fléeing of Iulius Cesar out of Britaine, Lucanus the poet maketh mention, reciting the saieng of Pompeius in an oration made by him vnto his souldiers, wherin he reprochfullie and disdainfullie reprooued the dooings of Cesar in Britaine, saieng:
Territa quæsitis ostendit terga Britannis.
Cæsar taketh a new occasion to make warre against the Britains, he arriueth on the coast without resistance, the number of his ships, both armies incounter, why Cæsar forbad the Romans to pursue the discomfited Britains, he repaireth his nauie, the Britains choose Cassibellane their cheefe gouernour, and skirmish afresh with their enimies, but haue the repulse in the end.
Now will we returne to the sequele of the matter, as Cesar
himselfe reporteth. After his comming into Gallia, there were but two
cities of all Britaine that sent ouer their
Dion Cassius. hostages according to their couenant,
which gaue occasion to Cesar to picke a new quarrell against them,
which if it had wanted, he would yet (I doubt not) haue found some
other: for his full meaning was to make a more full conquest of that
Ile. Therefore purposing to passe againe thither, as he that had a
great desire to bring the Britains vnder the obedience of the Romane
estate, he caused a great number of ships to be prouided in the
winter season and put in a readinesse, so that against the next
spring there were found to be readie rigged six hundred ships, beside
28 gallies. Héerevpon hauing taken order for the gouernance
Cæsar de bello Gal. lib. 5. of
Gallia in his absence, about the beginning of the spring he came to
the hauen of Calice, whither (according to order by him prescribed)
all his ships were come, except 40 which by tempest were driuen
backe, and could not as yet come to him.
After he had staied at Calice (as well for a conuenient wind, as for other incidents) certeine daies, at length when the weather so changed that it serued his purpose, he tooke the sea, & hauing with him fiue legions of souldiers, and about two thousand horssemen, he departed out of Calice hauen about sun setting with a soft southwest wind, directing his course forward: about midnight the wind fell, & so by a calme he was carried alongst with the tide, so that in the morning when the day appéered, he might behold Britaine vpon his left hand. Then following the streame as the course of the tide changed, he forced with oares to fetch the shore vpon that part of the coast, which he had discouered, and tried the last yeere to be the best landing place for the armie. The diligence of the souldiers was shewed héere to be great, who with continuall toile droue foorth the heauie ships, to kéepe course with the gallies, & so at length they landed in Britaine about noone on the next day, finding not one to resist his comming ashore: for as he learned by certeine prisoners which were taken after his comming to land, the Britains being assembled in purpose to haue resisted him, through feare striken into their harts, at the discouering of such an huge number of ships, they forsooke the shore and got them vnto the mountaines.[Page 472] There were in deed of vessels one and other, what with vittellers, & those which priuat men had prouided and furnished foorth for their owne vse, being ioined to the ordinarie number, at the least eight hundred saile, which appeering in sight all at one time, made a wonderfull muster, and right terrible in the eies of the Britains.
But to procéed: Cesar being got to land, incamped his armie in a place conuenient: and after learning by the prisoners, into what part the enimies were withdrawne, he appointed one Quintus Atrius to remaine vpon the safegard of the nauie, with ten companies or cohorts of footmen, and thrée hundred horssemen: and anon after midnight marched foorth himselfe with the residue of his people toward the Britains, and hauing made 12 miles of way, he got sight of his enimies host, who sending downe their horssemen and charets vnto the riuer side, skirmished with the Romans, meaning to beate them backe from the higher ground: but being assailed of the Romane horssemen, they were repelled, & tooke the woods for their refuge, wherein they had got a place verie strong, both by nature and helpe of hand, which (as was to be thought) had béene fortified before, in time of some ciuill warre amongst them: for all the entries were closed with trées which had béene cut downe for that purpose. Howbeit the souldiers of the 7 legion casting a trench before them, found meanes to put backe the Britains from their defenses, and so entring vpon them, droue them out of the woods. But Cesar would not suffer the Romans to follow the Britains, bicause the nature of the countrie was not knowne vnto them: and againe the day was farre spent, so that he would haue the residue thereof bestowed in fortifieng his campe.
The next day, as he had sent foorth such as should haue pursued the Britains, word came to him from Quintus Atrius, that his nauie by rigour of a sore and hideous tempest was gréeuouslie molested, and throwne vpon the shore, so that the cabels and tackle being broken and destroied with force of the vnmercifull rage of wind, the maisters and mariners were not able to helpe the matter. Cesar calling backe those which he had sent foorth, returned to his ships, and finding them in such state as he had heard, tooke order for the repairing of those that were not vtterlie destroied, and caused them so to be drawne vp to the land, that with a trench he might so compasse in a plot of ground, that might serue both for defense of his ships, and also for the incamping of those men of warre, which he should leaue to attend vpon the safegard of the same. And bicause there were at the least a fortie ships lost by violence of this tempest, so as there was no hope of recouerie in them, he saw yet how the rest with great labour and cost might be repaired: wherefore he chose out wrights among the legions, sent for other into Gallia, and wrote ouer to such as he had left there in charge with the gouernment of the countrie, to prouide so manie ships as they could, and to send them ouer vnto him. He spent a ten daies about the repairing of his nauie, and in fortifieng the campe for defense thereof, which done, he left those within it that were appointed there before, and then returned towards his enimies.
At his comming backe to the place where he had before incamped, he found them there readie to resist him, hauing their numbers hugelie increased: for the Britains hearing that he was returned with such a mightie number of ships assembled out of all parts of the land, and had by general consent appointed the whole rule and order of all things touching the warre vnto Cassiuellane or Cassibelane, whose dominion was diuided from the cities situat néere to the sea coast, by the riuer of Thames, 80 miles distant from the sea coast. Cassibellane as should séeme, ruled in the parties of Oxfordshire, Barkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire. This Cassibellane before time had bin at continuall warre with other rulers, and cities of the land: but now the Britains moued with the comming of the Romans, chose him to be chiefe gouernour of all their armie, permitting the order and rule of all things touching the defense of their countrie against the Romans onelie to him. Their horssemen and charets skirmished by the waie with the Romans, but so as they were put backe oftentimes into the woods and hills adioining: yet the Britains slue diuers of the Romans as they followed anie thing egerlie in the pursute.
Also within a while after, as the Romans were busie in fortifieng their campe, the Britains[Page 473] suddenlie issued out of the woods, and fierselie assailed these that warded before the campe, vnto whose aid Cesar sent two of the chiefest cohorts of two legions, the which being placed but a little distance one from another, when the Romans began to be discouraged with this kind of fight, the Britains therewith burst through their enimies, and came backe from thence in safetie. That daie Quintus Laberius Durus a tribune was slaine. At length Cesar sending sundrie other cohorts to the succour of his people that were in fight, and shrewdlie handled as it appéered, the Britains in the end were put backe. Neuerthelesse, that repulse was but at the pleasure of fortune; for they quited themselues afterwards like men, defending their territories with such munition as they had, vntill such time as either by policie or inequalitie of power they were vanquished; as you shall sée after in the course of the historie. Howbeit in fine they were ouer-run and vtterlie subdued, but not without much bloudshed and slaughter.
The Romans heauie armor their great hinderance, the maner of the Britains fighting in warre, their incounter with their enimies, their discomfiture, the worthie stratagems or martiall exploits of Cassibellane, the Troinouants submission to Cæsar, and their sute touching Mandubratius, manie of the Britains are taken and slaine of the Romans
In all this maner of skirmishing and fight which chanced before
the campe, euen in the sight and view of all men, it was perceiued
that the Romans, by reason of their heauie
The Romans heauie armor. armour (being not able either to
follow the Britains as they retired, or so bold as to depart from
their ensignes, except they would runne into danger of casting
themselues awaie) were nothing méete to match with such kind of
enimies: and as for their horssemen, they fought likewise in great
hazard, bicause the Britains would oftentimes of purpose retire, and
when they had trained the Romane horssemen a litle from their legions
of footmen, they would leape out of their charrets and incounter with
them on foot. And so the battell of horssemen was dangerous, and like
in all points whether they pursued or retired.
The manner of Britains in the warres. This also was the maner
of the Britains: they fought not close togither, but in sunder, and
diuided into companies one separated from another by a good distance,
and had their the troopes standing in places conuenient, to the which
they might retire, and so reléeue one another with sending new fresh
men to supplie the roomes of them that were hurt or wearie. The next
day after they had thus fought before the campe of the Romans, they
shewed themselues aloft on the hills, and began to skirmish with the
Romane horssemen, but not so hotlie as they had doone the day before.
But about noone, when Cesar had sent foorth thrée legions of footemen
and all his horssemen vnder the leading of his lieutenant
Caius Trebonius. Caius Trebonius to fetch in forrage, they
suddenlie brake out on euerie side, and vpon the forragers. The
Romans so far foorth as they might, not breaking their arraie,
Dion Cassius saith, that the Britains vanquished the Roman
footmen at this time, but were put to the worst by the
horssemen. nor going from their ensignes or guidons, gaue the
charge on them, and fiercelie repelled them, so that the horssemen
hauing the legions of footemen at their backs, followed the Britains
so long as they might haue the said legions in sight readie to
succour them of néed were: by reason whereof, they slue a great
number of the Britains, not giuing them leasure to recouer
themselues, nor to staie that they might haue time to get out of
their charrets. After this chase and discomfiture, all such as were
come from other parties to the aid of their fellowes departed home,
& after that day the Britains aduentured to fight against Cesar
with their maine power; and withdrawing beyond the riuer of *Thames,
determined *(which is to be supposed was at
Kingston) or not far from thence. to stop the enimies from
passing the same, if by anie meanes they might: and whereas there was
but one foord by the which they might come ouer, Cassibellane caused
[Page
474] the same to be set full of sharpe stakes, not onlie
in the middest of the water, but also at the comming foorth on that
side where he was lodged with his armie in good order, readie to
defend the passage. Cesar learning by relation of prisoners which he
tooke, what the Britains intended to doo, marched foorth to the riuer
side, where the foord was, by the which his armie might passe the
same on foot though verie hardlie. At his comming thither, he might
perceiue how the Britains were readie on the further side to impeach
his passage, and how that the banke at the comming foorth of the
water was pight full of sharpe stakes, and so likewise was the
chanell of the riuer set with piles which were couered with the
water.
These things yet staied not Cesar, who appointing his horssemen to passe on before, commanded the footemen to follow. The souldiers entring the water, waded through with such spéed and violence (nothing appéering of them aboue water but their heads) that the Britains were constreined to giue place, being not able to susteine the brunt of the Romane horssemen, and the legions of their footemen, and so abandoning the place betooke them to flight. Cassibellane not minding to trie the matter anie more by battell, sent awaie the most part of his people, but yet kept with him about a foure thousand charretmen or wagoners, and still watched what waie the Romans tooke, coasting them euer as they marched, and kept somewhat aside within the couert of woods, and other combersome places. And out of those quarters through which he vnderstood the Romans wold passe, he gathered both men and cattell into the woods & thicke forrests, leauing nothing of value abroad in the champion countrie. And when the Roman horssemen did come abroad into the countrie to séeke booties, he sent out his charrets vnto the knowne waies and passages to skirmish with the same horssemen, so much to the disaduantage of the Romans, that they durst not straie farre from their maine armie. Neither would Cesar permit them (least they might haue béene vtterlie distressed by the Britains) to depart further than the maine battels of the footemen kept pace with them, by reason whereof the countrie was not indamaged by fire and spoile, but onlie where the armie marched.
Troinouants where they inhabited. In
the meane time, the Troinouants which some take to be Middlesex &
Essex men, whose citie was the best fensed of all those parties, and
thought to be the same that now is called London, sent ambassadours
vnto Cesar, offering to submit themselues vnto him, and to obeie his
ordinances, and further besought him to defend Mandubratius from the
iniuries of K. Cassibellane, which Mandubratius had fled vnto Cesar
into France, after Imanuentius. that
Cassibellane had slaine his father named Imanuentius, that was chiefe
lord and king of the Troinouants, and so now by their ambassadors the
same Troinouants requested Cesar, not onelie to receiue Mandubratius
into his protection, but also to send him vnto them, that he might
take the gouernment and rule of their citie into his hands. Cesar
commanded them to deliuer vnto him 40 hostages, and graine for his
armie, and therewith
Some take the Troinouants to be Londoners. sent Mandubratius
vnto them. The Troinouants accomplished his commandements with all
spéed, sending both the appointed number of hostages, and also graine
for the armie. And being thus defended and preserued from iniurie of
the souldiers, the people called Cenimagni, Segontiaci, Ancalites,
Bibroci, and Cassi, submitted themselues vnto Cesar, by whom he
vnderstood that the towne of Cassibellane was not far from the place
where he was then incamped fensed with wooddes and marishes, into the
which a great number of people with their cattell and other substance
was withdrawne. The Britains in those daies (as Cesar writeth) called
that a towne or hold, which they had fortified with anie thicke
combersome wood, with trench and rampire, into the which they vsed to
get themselues for the auoiding of inuasion.
Cesar with his legions of souldiers therfore marched thither, and finding the place verie strong both by nature and helpe of hand, assaulted it on two partes. The Britains defending their strength a while, at length not able longer to endure the impression of the Romans, fled out on the contrarie side of the towne where the enimies were not. Within this place a great number of cattell was found, and manie of the Romans taken by the Britains that[Page 475] followed them in chase, and manie also slaine.
Cassibellane dooth send vnto the foure kings of Kent for aid against Cæsars host, he offereth submission to Cæsar, the Britains become his tributaries, he returneth into Gallia with the remnant of his armie: the differing report of Cæsars commentaries and our historiographers touching these warlike affaires; of a sore fray with bloudshed and manslaughter vpon a light occasion; Cæsar taketh opportunitie to get the conquest of the land by the division betweene Cassibellane and Androgeus, the time of the Britains subiection to the Romans.
Now whilest these thinges passed on this sort in those parts, Cassibellane sent messengers Foure kings in Kent into Kent vnto foure kings (which ruled that side of the land in those daies) Cingetorix, Caruilius, Taximagulus, and Segonax, commanding them, that assembling togither their whole puissance, they should assaile the campe of the Romans by the sea side where certeine bands lay (as ye haue heard) for safegard of the nauie. They according to his appointment came suddenlie thither, and by the Romans that sailed forth vpon them were sharplie fought with, and lost diuers of their men that were slaine and taken, and amongst the prisoners that the Romans tooke, Cingetorix was one. When Cassibellane heard these newes, being sore troubled for these losses thus chancing one in the necke of an other, but namelie most discouraged, for that diuers cities had yéelded vnto the Romans: he sent ambassadours by means of Romius of Arras vnto Cesar, offering to submit himselfe.
Cesar meaning to winter in Gallia, and therefore because summer
drew towards an end, willing to dispatch in Britaine, commanded that
hostages should be deliuered, and appointed what tribute the Britains
should yéerelie send vnto the Romans. He also forbad and commanded
Cassibellane, that he should not in anie wise trouble or indamage
Madubratius or the Londoners. After this, when he had receiued the
hostages, he brought his armie to the sea, and there found his ships
well repaired, decked, and in good point: therefore he commanded that
they should be had downe to the sea. And because he had a great
number of prisoners, and diuers of his ships were lost in the
tempest, he appointed to transport his armie ouer into Gallia at two
conueies, which was doone with good successe about the middest of
September, though the ships returning for the residue of the armie,
after the first conueie, were driuen so with force of weather, that a
great number of them could not come to land at the place appointed:
so that Cesar was constreined to fraught those that he could get with
a greater burden, and so departed from the coast of Britaine, and
safelie landed with the remnant of his people in Gallia with as good
spéed as he could haue desired.
Dion Cassius. He thought not good to leaue anie of his
people behind him, knowing that if he should so doo, they were in
danger to be cast awaie. And so because he could not well remaine
there all the winter season for doubt of rebellion in Gallia, he was
contented to take vp, and returne thither, sith he had doone
sufficientlie for the time, least in coueting the more, he might haue
come in perill to lose that which he had alreadie obteined.
Thus according to that which Cesar himselfe and other autentike
authors haue written, was Britaine made tributarie to the Romans by
the conduct of the same Cesar. ¶ But
Gal. Mon.
Matt. West. our histores farre differ from this, affirming
that Cesar comming the second time, was by the Britains with
valiancie and martiall prowesse beaten and repelled, as he was at the
first, and speciallie by meanes that Cassibellane had pight in the
Thames great piles of trées piked with yron, through which his ships
being entred the riuer, were perished and lost.[Page 476] And after
his comming a land, he was vanquished in battell, and constrained to
flee into Gallia with those ships that remained. For ioy of this
second victorie (saith Galfrid) Cassibellane made a great feast at
London, and there did sacrifice to the gods.
At this feast there fell variance betwixt two yoong gentlemen, the one named Hirilda, nephew to Cassibellane, and the other Euelie or Eweline, being of aliance to Androgeus earle of London. They fell at discord about wrestling, and after multiplieng of words, they came to dealing of blowes, by meanes whereof parts were taken, so that there ensued a sore fraie, in the which diuerse were wounded and hurt, and amongst other Hirilda the kings nephew was slaine by the hands of Eweline. The king sore displeased herewith, meant to punish Eweline according to the order of his lawes, so that he was summoned to appeare in due forme to make answer to the murder: but Eweline by the comfort of Androgeus disobeied the summons, & departed the court with Androgeus, in contempt of the king and his lawes. The king to be reuenged vpon Androgeus, gathered a power, and began to make warre vpon him.
Androgeus perceiuing himselfe not able to withstand the kings
puissance, sent letters to Iulius Cesar, exhorting him to returne
into Britaine, and declaring the whole matter concerning the variance
betwixt him and the king, promising to aid the Romans in all that he
might. Iulius Cesar ioifull of this message, prepared his nauie, and
with all spéed with a mightie host imbarked in the same, came toward
Britaine: but yer he would land, doubting some treason in Androgeus,
he receiued from him in hostage his sonne named Scena, and thirtie
other of the best and most noble personages of all his dominion.
After this he landed, and ioining with Androgeus, came into a vallie
néere to Canturburie, and there incamped. Shortlie after came
Cassibellane with all his power of Britains, and gaue battell to the
Romans. But after the Britains had long fought and knightlie borne
themselues in that battell, Androgeus came with his people on a wing,
and so sharplie assailed them, that the Britains were constrained to
forsake the field, and tooke themselues to flight. The which flight
so discomforted them, that finallie they all fled, and gaue place to
the Romans, the which pursued and slue them without mercie, so that
Cassibellane with the residue of his people withdrew to a place of
suertie, but being enuironed about with the puissance of the Romans,
and of Androgeus, who had with him seuen thousand men there in the
aid of the Romans,
So saith Campion, but Galfrid Monu. saith fiue
thousand. Cassibellane in the end was forced to fall to a
composition, in couenanting to paie a yearelie tribute of thrée
thousand pounds. When Cesar had ordered his businesse as he thought
conuenient, he returned and with him went Androgeus, fearing the
displeasure of Cassibellane.
The reuerend father Bede writing of this matter, saith thus: After that Cesar being returned into Gallia, had placed his souldiors abroad in the countrie to soiorne for the winter season, he caused ships to be made readie, to the number of 600, with the which repassing into Britaine, whilest he marched foorth with a mightie armie against the enimies, his ships that lay at anchor being taken with a sore tempest, were either beaten one against another, or else cast vpon the flats and sands, and so broken; so that fortie of them were vtterlie perished, and the residue with great difficultie were repaired. The horssemen of the Romans at the first encounter were put to the worsse, and Labienus the tribune slaine. In the second conflict he vanquished the Britains, not without great danger of his people. After this, he marched to the riuer of Thames, which as then was passable by foord onelie in one place and not else, as the report goeth. On the further banke of that riuer, Cassibellane was incamped with an huge multitude of enimies, and had pitcht and set the banke, The stakes remained to be séene in Bedes daies. and almost all the foord vnder the water full of sharpe stakes, the tokens of which vnto this day are to be séene, and it séemeth to the beholders that euerie of these stakes are as big as a mans thigh, sticking fast in the bottome of the riuer closed with lead. This being perceiued of the Romans, and auoided, the Britains not able to susteine the violent impression of the Roman legions, hid themselues in the woods, out of the which by often issues, they gréeuouslie and manie times assailed the Romans, and did them great damage. In the meane time the strong citie of Troinouant with hir duke Androgeus deliuering fortie[Page 477] hostages, yéelded vnto Cesar, whose example manie other cities following, allied themselues with the Romans, by whose information Cesar with sore fight tooke at length the towne of Cassibellane, situat betwixt two marches, fensed also with the couert of woods, & hauing within it great plentie of all things. After this Cesar returned into France, and bestowed his armie in places to soiorne there for the winter season.
The Scotish writers report, that the Britains, after the Romans were the first time repelled (as before ye haue heard) refused to receiue the aid of the Scotish men the second time, and so were vanquished, as in the Scotish historie ye may sée more at length expressed. Thus much touching the war which Iulius Cesar made against the Britains, in bringing them vnder tribute to the Romans. But this tributarie subiection was hardlie mainteined for a season.
¶ Now here is to be noted, that Cesar did not vanquish all the
Britains: for he came not amongst the northerne men, onlie
discouering and subduing that part which lieth towards the French
seas: so that sith other of the Roman emperors did most earnestlie
trauell Cornelius Tacitus.
In uit. Agr. Dion Cassius. to bring the Britains vnder
their subiection (which were euer redie to rebell so manie sundrie
times) Cesar might séeme rather to haue shewed Britaine to the
Romans, than to haue deliuered the possession of the same. This
subiection, to the which he brought this Ile (what maner of one
soeuer it was) chanced about the yeare of the world 3913, after the
building of Rome 698, before the birth of our sauior 53, the first
and second yeare of the 181 Olympiad, after the comming of Brute
1060, before the conquest made by William duke of Normandie 1120, and
1638 yeres before this present yere of our Lord 1585, after Harisons
account.
The state of Britaine when Cæsar offered to conquer it, and the maner of their gouernement, as diuerse authors report the same in their bookes: where the contrarietie of their opinions is to be obserued.
After that Iulius Cesar had thus made the Britains tributaries to the Romans, and was returned into Gallia, Cassibellane reigned 7 yeares, and was vanquished in the ninth or tenth yeare after he began first to reigne so that he reigned in the whole about 15 or as some haue 17 yeares, and then died, leauing no issue behind him. There hath bin an old chronicle Fabian. (as Fabian recordeth) which he saw and followeth much in his booke, wherein is conteined, that this Cassibellane was not brother to Lud, but eldest sonne to him: for otherwise as may be thought (saith he) Cesar hauing the vpper hand, would haue displaced him from the gouernement, and set vp Androgeus the right heire to the crowne, as sonne to the said Lud. But whatsoeuer our chronicles or the British histories report of this matter, it should appere by that which Cesar writeth (as partlie ye haue heard) that Britaine in those daies was Cæsar. not gouerned by one sole prince, but by diuers, and that diuers cities were estates of themselues, so that the land was diuided into sundrie gouernements, much after the forme and maner as Germanie and Italie are in our time, where some cities are gouerned by one onelie prince, some by the nobilitie, and some by the people. And whereas diuers of the rulers in those daies here in this land were called kings, those had more large seigniories than the Cassibellane a King. other, as Cassibellane, who was therefore called a king.
And though we doo admit this to be true, yet may it be, that in
the beginning, after Brute entered the land, there was ordeined by
him a monarchie, as before is mentioned, which might continue in his
posteritie manie yeares after, and yet at length before the comming
of Cesar, through ciuil dissention, might happilie be broken, and
diuided into parts,[Page 478] and so remained not onelie in the time
of this Cassibellane, but also long after, whilest they liued as
tributaries to the Romans, till finallie they were subdued by the
Saxons. In which meane time, through the discord, negligence, or
rather vnaduised rashnes of writers, hard it is to iudge what may be
affirmed and receiued in their writings for a truth; namelie,
concerning the succession of the kings that are said to haue reigned
betwixt the daies of Cassibellane,
Cor. Tacit.
in uita. lib. Agr. and the comming of the Saxons. The
Roman writers (and namelie Tacitus) report, that the Britains in
times past were vnder the rule of kings, and after being made
tributaries, were drawne so by princes into sundrie factions, that to
defend and kéepe off a common ieopardie, scarselie would two or thrée
cities agrée togither, and take weapon in hand with one accord, so
that while they fought by parts, the whole was ouercome. And after
this sort they say that Britaine was brought into the forme of a
prouince by the Romans, from whom gouernors vnder the name of legats
and procurators were sent that had the rule of it.
But yet the same authors make mention of certeine kings (as hereafter shall appeare) who while the Romane emperors had the most part of the earth in subiection, reigned in Britaine. Gildas in epist. The same witnesseth Gildas, saieng: Britaine hath kings, but they are tyrants: iudges it hath, but the same are wicked, oftentimes spoiling and tormenting the innocent people. And Cesar (as ye haue heard) speaketh of foure kings that ruled in Kent, and thereabouts. Some take Prasutagus and Aruiragus to be one man. Cornelius Tacitus maketh mention of Prasutagus, and Cogidunus, that were kings in Britaine: and Iuuenal speaketh of Aruiragus: and all the late writers, of Lucius. Hereby it appeareth, that whether one or mo, yet kings there were in Britain, bearing rule vnder the Romane emperors.
Gal. Mon. On the other part, the common opinion of our
chronicle-writers is, that the chiefe gouernment remained euer with
the Britains, & that the Romane senat receiuing a yearelie
tribute, sent at certeine times (Ex officio) their emperors
and lieutenants into this Ile, to represse the rebellious tumults
therein begun, or to beat backe the inuasion of the enimies that went
about to inuade it. And thus would these writers inferre, that the
Britains euer obeied their king, till at length they were put beside
the gouernement by the Saxons. But whereas in the common historie of
England, the succession of kings ought to be kept, so oft as it
chanceth in the same that there is not anie to fill the place, then
one while the Romane emperors are placed in their steads, and another
while their lieutenants, and are said to be created kings of the
Britains, as though the emperors were inferiors vnto the kings of
Britaine, and that the Romane lieutenants at their appointments, and
not by prescript of the senat or emperours, administred the
prouince.
This may suffice here to aduertise you of the contrarietie in writers. Now we will go foorth in following our historie, as we haue doone heretofore, sauing that where the Romane histories write of things done here by emperors, or their lieutenants, it shall be shewed as reason requireth, sith there is a great appearance of truth oftentimes in the same, as those that be authorised and allowed in the opinion of the learned.
Of Theomantius, the tearme of yeares that he reigned, and where he was interred; of Kymbeline, within the time of whose gouernment Christ Iesus our sauiour was borne, all nations content to obeie the Romane emperors and consequentlie Britaine, the customes that the Britaines paie the Romans as Strabo reporteth.
THEOMĀDEUS AFTER the death of
Cassibellane, Theomantius or Tenantius the yoongest sonne of Lud was
made king of Britaine in the yéere of the world 3921, after the
building of Rome
Fabian[Page 479] 706, & before the comming of
Christ 45. He is named also in one of the English chronicles Tormace:
in the same chronicle it is conteined, that not he, but his brother
Androgeus
Gal. Mon. was king, where Geffrey of Monmouth &
others testifie, that Androgeus abandoned the land clerelie, &
continued still at Rome, because he knew the Britains hated him for
treason he had committed in aiding Iulius Cesar against Cassibellane.
Theomantius ruled the land in good quiet, and paid the tribute to the
Romans which Cassibellane had granted, and finallie departed this
life after he had reigned 22 yeares, and was buried at London.
KYMBELINE Kymbeline or Cimbeline the sonne of Theomantius was of the Britains made king after the deceasse of his father, in the yeare of the world 3944, after the building of Rome 728, Fabian out of Guido de Columna. and before the birth of our Sauiour 33. This man (as some write) was brought vp at Rome, and there made knight by Augustus Cesar, vnder whome he serued in the warres, and was in such fauour with him, that he was at libertie to pay his tribute or not. Little other mention is made of his dooings, except that during his reigne, the Sauiour of the Christ our saviour borne. world our Lord Iesus Christ the onelie sonne of God was borne of a virgine, about the 23 yeare of the reigne of this Kymbeline, & in the 42 yeare of the emperour Octauius Augustus, 3966. that is to wit, in the yeare of the world 3966, in the second yeare of the 194 Olympiad, after the building of the citie of Rome 750 nigh at an end, after the vniuersall floud 2311, from the birth of Abraham 2019, after the departure of the Israelits out of Egypt 1513, after the captiuitie of Babylon 535, from the building of the temple by Salomon 1034, & from the arriuall of Brute 1116, complet. Touching the continuance of the yeares of Kymbelines reigne, some writers doo varie, but the best approoued affirme, that he reigned 35 years and then died, & was buried at London, leauing behind him two sonnes, Guiderius and Aruiragus.
¶ But here is to be noted, that although our histories doo
affirme, that as well this Kymbeline, as also his father Theomantius
liued in quiet with the Romans, and continuallie to them paied the
tributes which the Britains had couenanted with Iulius Cesar to pay,
yet we find in the Romane writers, that after Iulius Cesars death,
when Augustus had taken vpon
Cor. Tacitus.
in uita lu. Agr.
Dion Cassius. him the rule of the empire, the Britains
refused to paie that tribute: whereat as Cornelius Tacitus reporteth,
Augustus (being otherwise occupied) was contented to winke; howbeit,
through earnest calling vpon to recouer his right by such as were
desirous to sée the vttermost of the British kingdome; at length, to
wit, in the tenth yeare after the death of Iulius Cesar, which was
about the thirtéenth yeare of the said Theomantius, Augustus made
prouision to
Dion Cassius. passe with an armie ouer into Britaine,
& was come forward vpon his iournie into Gallia Celtica: or as we
maie saie, into these hither parts of France.
But here receiuing aduertisements that the Pannonians, which inhabited the countrie now called Hungarie, and the Dalmatians whome now we call Slauons had rebelled, he thought it best first to subdue those rebells neere home, rather than to séeke new countries, and leaue such in hazard whereof he had present possession, and so turning his power against the Pannonians and Dalmatians, he left off for a time the warres of Britaine, whereby the land remained without feare of anie inuasion to be made by the Romans, till the yeare after the building of the citie of Rome 725, and about the 19 yeare of king Theomantius reigne, that Augustus with an armie departed once againe from Rome to passe ouer into Britaine, there to make warre. But after his comming into Gallia, when the Britains sent to him certeine ambassadours to treat with him of peace, he staied there to settle the state of things among the Galles, for that they were not in verie good order. And hauing finished there, he went into Spaine, and so his iournie into Britaine was put off till the next yeare, that is, the 726 after the building of Rome, which fell before the birth of our sauiour 25, about which time Augustus eftsoons meant the third time to haue made a voiage into Britaine, because they could not agrée vpon couenants. But as the Pannonians and Dalmatians had aforetime staied He kept not promise with the Romans. Those of Calice and Biskaie. him, when (as before is said) he meant to haue gone against the Britans: so euen now the Salassians (a people inhabiting about Italie and Switserland) the Cantabrians and Asturians by such rebellious sturrs as they raised, withdrew him from his purposed iournie. But[Page 480] whether this controuersie which appeareth to fall forth betwixt the Britains and Augustus, was occasioned by Kymbeline, or some other prince of the Britains, I haue not to auouch: for that by our writers it is reported, that Kymbeline being brought vp in Rome, & knighted in the court of Augustus, euer shewed himselfe a friend to the Romans, & chieflie was loth to breake with them, because the youth of the Britaine nation should not be depriued of the benefit to be trained and brought vp among the Romans, whereby they might learne both to behaue themselues like ciuill men, and to atteine to the knowledge of feats of warre.
But whether for this respect, or for that it pleased the almightie God so to dispose the minds of men at that present, not onlie the Britains, but in manner all other nations were contented to be obedient to the Romane empire. That this was true in the Britains, it is Strab. Geog. euident enough by Strabos words, which are in effect as followeth. "At this present (saith he) certeine princes of Britaine, procuring by ambassadors and dutifull demeanors the amitie of the emperour Augustus, haue offered in the capitoll vnto the gods presents or gifts, and haue ordeined the whole Ile in a manner to be appertinent, proper, and familiar to the Romans. They are burdened with sore customs which they paie for wares, either to be sent foorth into Gallia, or brought from thence, which are commonlie yuorie vessels, shéeres, ouches, or earerings, and other conceits made of amber & glasses, and such like manner of merchandize: so that now there is no néed of anie armie or garrison of men of warre to kéepe the Ile, for there néedeth not past one legion of footmen, or some wing of horssemen, to gather vp and receiue the tribute: for the charges are rated according to the quantitie of the tributes: for otherwise it should be néedfull to abate the customs, if the tributes were also raised: and if anie violence should be vsed, it were dangerous least they might be prouoked to rebellion." Thus farre Strabo.
Of Guiderius, who denied to paie tribute to the Romans, preparation for war on both sides, of the ridiculous voiage of the Emperour Caligula against the Britains, his vanitie and delight in mischiefe: Aulus Plautius a Romane senator accompanied with souldiers arrive on the British coasts without resistance, the Britains take flight and hide themselues.
GUIDERIUS. Guiderius the first sonne of Kymbeline (of whom Harison saieth nothing) began his reigne in the seuententh yeere after th' incarnation of Christ. This Guiderius being a man of stout courage, gaue occasion of breach of peace betwixt the Britains and Romans, denieng to paie them tribute, and procuring the people to new insurrections, which by one Caligula. meane or other made open rebellion, as Gyldas saith. Wherevpon the emperour Caligula (as some thinke) tooke occasion to leauie a power, and as one vtterlie misliking the negligence (as he called it) of Augustus and Tiberius his predecessors, he ment not onlie to reduce the Iland vnto the former subiection, but also to search out the vttermost bounds thereof, to the behoofe of himselfe, and of the Romane monarchie.
Great prouision therefore was made by the said Caligula to
performe that noble enterprise, and this was in the fourth yeere of
his reigne. The like preparation was made on the other side by
Guiderius, to resist the forren enimies, so that hauing all things in
a readinesse, he ceassed not dailie to looke for the comming of the
emperour, whome he ment to receiue
Dion Cassius. lib. 59. with hard enterteinment if he
durst aduenture to set toward Britaine. But see the sequele: the
maine armie being thus in a readinesse, departed from Rome in the 79
yeere after the building of the citie, and marching foorth, at length
came vnto the Belgike shore, from whence they might looke ouer, and
behold the cliffes and coast of Britaine, which Caligula and
his[Page
481] men stood gazing vpon with great admiration and
woonder.
Furthermore he caused them to stand in battell arraie vpon the
coast, where he heard how the Britains were in a redinesse to
withstand his entrance. But entring into his gallie, as nothing
discouraged with these newes, he rowed a flight shot or two from the
shore, and forthwith returned, and then going vp into an high place
like a pulpit, framed and set vp there for the nonce, he gaue the
token to fight vnto his souldiers by sound of trumpet, and therewith
was ech man charged to gather cockle shells vpon the shore, which he
called the
The spoile of the Ocean. spoile of the Ocean, and caused them
to be laid vp vntill a time conuenient. With the atchiuing of this
exploit (as hauing none other wherewith to beautifie his triumph) he
séemed greatlie exalted, thinking that now he had subdued the whole
Ocean, and therefore highlie rewarded his souldiers for their paines
susteined in that collection of cockle shells, as if they had doone
him some notable péece of seruice. He also caried of the same shells
with him to Rome, to the end he might there boast of his voyage, and
brag how well he had sped: and required therefore verie earnestlie
haue of * a triumph decreed vnto him for the accomplishment
* sic. of this enterprise.
But when he saw the senat grudge at the free & liberall granting of a grace in that behalfe, and perceiued how they refused to attribute diuine honors vnto him, in recompense of so foolish an enterprise, it wanted little that he had not slaine them euerie one. From thence therefore he went vp into a throne or royall seate, and calling therewith the common people about him, he told them a long tale what aduentures had chanced to him in his conquest of the Ocean. And when he had perceiued them to shout and crie, as if they had consented that he should haue béene a god for this his great trauell and valiant prowesse, he to increase their clamour, caused great quantities of gold & siluer to be scattered amongst them, in the gathering whereof, manie were pressed to death, and diuers also slaine with the inuenomed caltrops of iron, which he did cast out with the same monie, of purpose to doo mischiefe, the same caltrops being in forme small & sharp, so that by reason of the prease of people, much hurt was doone by them yer they were perceiued. And this was the end of the ridiculous voiage of Caligula attempted against the Britains.
Suetonius. But after the death of this Caligula, the emperour Claudius (as Suetonius saith) moued warre against the Britains, because of a sturre and rebellion raised in that land, for that such fugitiues as were fled from thence, were not againe restored when request was made for the same.
Dion Cassius. Dion Cassius writeth, that one Bericus, being
expelled out of Britaine, persuaded the emperour Claudius to take the
warre in hand at this time against the Britains, so that one Aulus
Plautius a senatour, and as then pretor, was appointed to take the
armie that soiourned in France then called Gallia, and to passe ouer
with the same into Britaine. The souldiers hearing of this voiage,
were loth to go with him, as men not willing to make warre in another
world: and therefore delaied time, till at length one Narcissus was
sent from Claudius, as it were to appease the souldiers, &
procure them to set forward. But when this Narcissus went vp into the
tribunall throne of Plautius, to declare the cause of his comming,
the souldiers taking great indignation therewith cried, O
Saturnalia, as if they should haue celebrated their feast daie so
called.
When the seruants apparelled in their maisters robes, represented the roome of their maisters, and were serued by them, as if they had béene their seruants, and thus at length constreined, through verie shame, they agréed to follow Plautius. Herevpon being embarked, he diuided his nauie into thrée parts, to the end that if they were kept off from arriuing in one place, yet they might take land in another. The ships suffered some impeachment in their passage by a contrarie wind that droue them backe againe: but yet the marriners and men of warre taking good courage vnto them, the rather because there was séene a fierie leame to shoot out of the east towards the west, which way their course lay, made forwards againe with their ships, and landed without finding anie resistance. For the Britains looked not for their comming: wherefore, when they heard how their enimies were[Page 482] on land, they got them into the woods and marishes, trusting that by lingering of time the Romans would be constreined to depart, as it had chanced in time past to Iulius Cesar aforesaid.
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