Polychronicon Ranulphi Higden maonachi Cestrensis; together with the English translations of John Trevisa and of an unknown writer of the fifteenth century.

Capitulum vicesimum quartum.

AURELIUS, borne in Denmarke, was emperour v. yere and certeyne monethes; like to grete Alexander or to Iulius Cesar,

for Alexander persynge the costes of Ynde in xij. yere, and Iulius Cesar subduenge to hym Frensche men and men also of Germany in x. yere. This Aurelius instorede the cite of Rome in iiij. yere. In the firste tymes of whom the state of the churche was encreasede gretely, in so moche that a noble cownselle of bischoppes was hade at Anthiochia, in whom Paulus the heretyke was condempnede. Whiche excitede afterwarde by ylle cownselle, persewede the churche. This emperour hade victory v. tymes of the Gothes, whiche usede firste clothes of golde of themperours of Rome, and putte a diademe on his hedde onornede regally with gemmes, ordeynenge the use off [folio 227a] eytenge of swyne flesche; whiche commenge at the laste to Fraunce, martiriȝate mony trewe peple of Criste, callenge the cite callede Senalius, Aurelianus, after his name; sleyne after that nye to Constantinopole. After whom Tacitus reignenge vj. monethes, was sleyne at Pontus. After whom Florianus reignede iij. monethes, and sleyne at Tharsum. Gayus the

pope succeded Euticianus xx. yere; whiche ordeynede diverse degres of ordres in þe churche, as hostiary, reder, benette, accolette, and oþer, and also that noo man scholde accuse the ministres of the churche afore a secular iugge. Anatolius Alexandrinus, bischop of Laodicia, made a boke of Ester and x. bookes of arismetrike. The heresy of the Maniches began to sprynge this tyme, for Manicheus, by kynde of Persida, subtile of wytte, in maneres after the consuetude of men of barbre, was callede firste Manes, of whom the men callede Manichei toke theire name. These men say theire be ij. be|gynnenges or principles, oon of goodenesse, an oþer of ylle; oon of lyȝhte, an other of derkenesse. Giraldus et Alfridus. Constancius was sende from Rome to Briteyne abowte this tyme to subdue Coelus kynge of that cuntre, and to receyve a tribute denyede to be payede. But Coelus dedde, after a monethe of the commenge of Constancius to Briteyne, Con|stancius [Of Helen moder of noble Con|stantyn. Probus.] reioycenge that realme, maryede Helena, doȝhter of the seide Coelus, of whom he gate noble Constantyne. Probus was emperour vj. yere and certeyne monethes. This emperour

restorede in to Fraunce and to Pannony, men of that cuntre expulsede, men of barbre, suffrenge theyme to have vynes; and when he hade sette thempire in reste, he seyde within schorte space folowenge knyȝhtes wille not be necessary; sleyne after that in batelle at Sirmius. Carus, with Carinus and Nume|rianus [Carus.] his sonnes, was emperour ij. yere; whiche was drownede in the water callede Tigris. Numerianus, cariede in a chariette for infirmities and grevaunce, specially of his eien, was sleyne by treason of Aprus his fader in lawe. And Carinus was sleyne at Margus.