Here begynneth a shorte and abreue table on the Cronycles ...

¶Here begynneth now how Brute was go∣ten / & how he slewe first his moder / & after his fader. And how he conquered Albyon / that af¦ter he named Brytayne after his owne name that now is callyd Englonde after y^e name of Engyst of Saxonie. ¶This Brute came in to Brytayne aboute the .xviii. yere of Hely. (Book 2)

BE it knowen that in the noble cytee of grete Troy / there was a noble knyght & a man of grete power that was called Ene¦as. And whan the cyte of Troy was loste & de¦stroyed thrugh them of Grece. Thys Eneas wyth all his meyne fledde thēs & came to Lom¦bardy. That thē was lorde & gouernoure of y^e londe a kyng that was called Latyne. And an other kynge there was that was called Turo¦celyne / that strongely warred vpon this kyn∣ge Latyne / that oftentymes dyde hym moche harme And whā this kynge Latyne herde that Eneas was come / he receyued hym with mo∣che honour / & him with helde for as moche as he had herde of hym / & wyst wel that he was a noble knyght & a worthy of hys body & of his dedes. This Eneas helped kyng Latyne ī his warre / And shortely for to telle / so well and so

worthely he dyde that he slewe Turocelyne / and discomfyted hym and all his people. And whan all this was done / kynge Latyne gaaf all that londe that was Turocelynes / to thys noble man Eneas in maryage wyth Lauyne his doughter y^e moost fayrest creatue that ony man wyst. And so they lyued togyder in yoy•• & myrthe all the dayes of ther lyftyme ¶And after Ascanius sone to Eneas wedded a wyf / & vpon her he gate a sone that was called Sil¦ueyne. And this Silueyne whan he coude so∣me reason of man / vnwetynge his fader and aenst his wyll aqueyted hym with a damoy∣sell that was cosyn to Lauyne that was kynge Latynes doughter y^e quene that was Eneas wyf / and brought the damaysell with chylde. And whan Ascanius his fader it wyst / anone lete enqueyre of y^e wysest maysters & of y^e gret¦test clerkes / what chylde the domoysell sholde brynge forth / & they answerde & sayd / that she sholde brynge forth a sone that shalde kylle bo¦the his fader & also his moder. And so he dyde. For his moder deyed in berynge of hym. And whan this childe was borne / his fader lete cal¦le hī Brute And the maysters sayd that he shol¦de do moche harme & sorowe in many dyuers places / and after he sholde come to grete ho∣nour and worshyp. This kyng Ascanius dey∣ed whan god wolde / and Silueyne his sone re¦ceyued the londe / & made hym wonderly well beloued amonge his people. And so whā Bru¦te that was Silueynes sone was .xv. yere ol∣de / he wente vpon a day with his fader for to play & solace. And as Brute sholde haue shot vnto an herte / his arowe myshappe and glā∣ced / and so there Brute slewe hys fader.

¶How Brute was dreuen out of the lon∣de / and how he helde hym in Grece.

ANd whan this myschaūce was befall all y^e people of the londe made sorowe ynough & were sore an angred. And for enche son there of they droue brute out of the lōde / & wolde not suffre hym among them. And whā he sawe that he myght not there abyde / he wē from thens in to Grece / and there he founde .vii. thousande men that were of the lygnage and kynred of Troy that were come of grete blood as the story telleth / as of men and wym¦men and chyldern / the whyche were all hollde in thraldome and bondage of the kynge Pan∣dras of Grece / for the dethe of Achilles that was betrayed and slayne at troy. This brute was a wonder fayre man and a stronge and a huge of his age and of gladde there and sem∣blaunt / and also worthy of body / & was well beloued amonge his people. Thys kyng Pan¦dras herde speke of his goodnes & his condici¦ons / and anone made hym dwelle wyth hym soo that brute became wonder preuy & moche beloued with the kynge / soo that longe tyme brute dwelled with the kynge So at the laste they of Troy and brute spake togyders of kyn¦red and of lygnage & of acquayntaunce / & the¦re playned them vnto Brute of ther sorowe & of ther bondage / & of many other shames that the kynge Pandras had them done. And vnto brute they sayde vpon a tyme. ye be a lorde of our lygnage & a strong man & a myghty •• ye be our capytayne & lorde / and gouernoure / & we wyll become your men / & your cōmaundemē¦tes doo in all maner of thynges / & brynge vs out of this wretchednesse and bondage / & we wyll fyghte with the kynge for trouthe with y^e grace of the grete god / we shal hym ouercome and we shall make you kyng of the londe and to you doo homage / and of you we shall holde euer more. Brute had tho grete pyte of theyr bōdage that they were brought ī. And preu••ly wente then from the kynges courte and tho them that were of Troy / wente and put them in to woodes and in to moūtaynes and them there helde. And sente vnto kynge Pandras / that he sholde gyue them leue sauely for to wē¦de out of the londe / for they wolde noo l••nger dwelle in his bondage. The kynge Pandras wexed tho sore anoyed and tho swore that he sholde slee them euerychone / and ordeyned a grete power and wente to warde them all for to fyght. But Brute and his men māly them defended and fyerfly fought and slewe all the kynges men that none of them escaped / and toke the kynge and helde hym in pryson / and ordeyned counsell bytwen them what they my¦ghte done And some sayde that he sholde be put to dethe / and some sayde that he sholde be exi∣led out of y^e londe And some sayd / that he shol∣de be brēte. And tho spake a wyse kynght that was called Mempris / and sayd to Brute and to alle tho of Troy. yf kynge Pandras wolde yelde hym and haue his lyf. I counsell that he

gyue vnto Brute that is our duke & our soue¦rayne / his doughter Gennogen to a wyf / and in maryage wyth her an hōdred shyppes well arayed / and all his tresoure of golde & syluer of corne & of wyne / & as moche as we nede to haue of ••o thyng & other. & then̄e go we out of this londe / & ordeyned vs a londe elles where. For we nenōe of our kynred that come after vs shall neuer haue peas in this londe amōge theym of Grece. For we haue slayne so many of ther knyghtes and of other frēdes that euer more warre and contake sholde be among vs Brute tho and all his folke consented well to that counseyll. And this thynge they tolde to kyng Pādras. And he for to haue his lyf graū¦ted as moche as they axed / and anone gaf vn∣to Brute Gennogen his doughter to wyfe / & an hondred shyppes with asmoche / as them neded of all vytaylles / as afore was ordeyned Brute tho toke his wyfe and all his men / that forsoke the londe of Grece and went them vn¦to the see and had wynde & weder at theyr wyll and came y^e thyrde daye in to an Ile that was called Lorgers. Thys Brute anone sente of his men a londe for to espye the maner of the countree. And they founde an olde cyte all wa¦sted and forlet that was ther in nother mā ne woman / ne no thynge dwellynge / and in the mydeell of this cyte they founde an olde tem∣ple of a fayre lady that was called Dyana the goddesse. And they came ayen vnto Brute & tolde hym what they had seen and foūde. And they counselled hym to goo and doo sacrefyce vnto dame Dyana / for she was wōte to yeue answere of what euer men prayed her and na∣mely vnto them that her honoured with sacre¦fyce. Brute wente vnto that yamge and sayd Dyana noble goddesse that all thynge haste in thy myght and power / wyndes / waters. woo∣des / felde / and all thynge of the world / and all manere of beestes that theryn ben. To you I make my prayer / that ye me counseyll and tel∣le / where / and in what place: I shall haue a co¦uenable dwellynge for me and for my people and there I shal make in honour of you a well fayre temple and a noble / wherin ye shall al¦waye be honoured / whā he had done his pray¦er. Dyana answerd in this maner Brute say∣de she go euen forth thy waye ouer the see in io Frauce to warde the west / and there ye shall fynde an yle that is called Albyon / & that yle is be compassed all wyth the see / and noo man maye come ther in but it be by shyppes and in that londe were wonte to dwelle gyauntes / but now it is not soo / but all wyldernes. And that londe is destenyed and ordeyned for you and for your people.

¶How Corin became Brutes man / and how kynge Goffar was dyscomfyted.

THenne whan Brute had this answere of Dyana the goddes. Anone he lete y^e ancres wynde vp & sayled in to the hyghe see. And whan he & his men had saylled .xx. dayes and moo / they foūde fast besyed a cost of y^e see a thousande men of the lygnage & kynred of Troy. And ther souerayne & ther mayster of all was called Corin· And whan Brute wyste whens they were / he tho toke them wyth mo∣che Ioye in to hys shyppes / and ladde theym forth wiht hym Th{is} Corin there be came bru¦tes man & to hym dyde homage. And so longe they saylled forth in the see tyll they cam vnto Gascoyne. And anone they arryued in the ha¦uen of Lyegers & there they dwlled .viii. day∣es them for to rest. & ther saylles to amēde the¦re that it was nede. Tydynges soone came to kynge Goffar that was lorde of that lōde howe that moche people of straūge londe were arry¦ued in to his lōde in y^e hauen of Lyegres wher¦fore he was sore angreged & anoyed / that they came and arryued in his londe wythout his ly¦cence and his leue. And anone ordened hym a gret power for to dryue out brute & to destroye hym & all his people. But it was so that kyng Goffar was dyscomfyted & all his peple. And hym self fledde in to Fraūce / there for helpe & socour. And in that tyme regned in Fraunce ·xii. kynges / & an .xi. of them assembled a grete power for to helpe Goffar & for to fight ayest Brute. This Goffar dwelled with thē of fraū¦ce halfe a yere & more. And in the meane tyme whan Goffar was in Fraūce. Brute and his company destroyed all the londe of Gascoyne and lete take all the tresour that kyng Goffar had / & there lete brynge it all in to his shyppes And this Brute founde in that londe a fayry place and couenable / & there brute made a fay¦re castel and a stronge. ¶whan that this was done / kyng Goffar came from Fraunce and .xi. kynges with hym and brought wyth hym

.xx.M. men for to fyghte with Brute and his company and Brute had but .vii.M. & .CCC men. And neuertheles whanne the two hostes mette togyder. Brute folke thorugh helpe of hymself: & of Turin his cosen: and of Corin y^e well and manly hym defended: and fought so tyll that in lytell tyme they hadde slayne of the Frensshemen two thousande & mo. Anone all that were alyue fledde awaye. And in this ba∣taylle Turin Brutes cosyn was slayne. And Brute lete entere hym worthely whan he had space & leyser in the castell that he had made: & tho lete calle that same castell Toures: For by cause of the name of Turin that there was en¦tred. And yet vnto this day there is a noble cy¦te that is called Toures. And kynge Goffar wyste that Turin was deed he came agayne with his men: & after yaue a stronge bataylle vnto Brute. But brute & his men were so we¦ry for fyghtynge: that they myght noo lenger endure: but to megre hym & all his. And then Brute yede in to his castell with his men: and made the gates faste for to saue them: and for to take counsell amoage them what were best for to do. Brute and Corin gaaf counsell and ordeyned pryuely: that Corin sholde go oute & busshe him ī a wood tyll on the morne soo that in the mornynge whan that Brute sholde fy∣ghte with his enemyes: thenne Corin shold co¦me with his folke in the one syde: and slee and do all the harme that he myght. And in a mor∣nynge in the dawnynge of the daye Brute wē¦te out of the castell: and fyersely faughte with his enmyes: and they manly deffended them. But within a lytell tyme Brute and his folke slewe .viii. hondred of kynge Goffars men. Thenne came Corin with y^e busshement and smote to grounde he & his companye all those that wolde stonde or abyde. So that the kyng Goffar & his cōpany were dyscōfyted: & faste they began to flee And brute & Corin with ther cōpany fyersely them pursewed & slewe mo of them in y^e fleynge than they dyd in y^e batayll. And ī this maner Brute had the victory. and neuertheles brute made moche sorowe for his cosyn Turī that there was slayne & other also that he haded lost of his men. That is to saye. vii· hondred and .xv. The whiche nobly he en¦tered in the same castell of Toures / there whe¦re he had entered Turin his cosyn.

¶How Brute arryued at Totnesse in the yle thenne called Albyon / and of the bataylle that was betwixt Corin and Gogmagog.

SO whan all this was done Brute wol¦de no lenger there dwell / for to fyghte / nor for to lese no moo of his people. For kynge Goffars people myghte euery daye encreace / mo and moo. And Brutes lossened. And ther∣fore he toke all his men and wente vnto the see and had wende and weder at theyr wyll. And the fyfth daye after they arryued in an hauen at Totnesse / and came in to the yle of Albyon And there neyther man nor woman as the sto¦ry telleth they founde but Gyaūtes. And they dwelled in hylles & in caues. And Brute sawe the londe was fayre and at his lykynge. And was good also for hym and for his people / as Dyan a the goddesse hadde hym behyght. And therfore was Brute wonder gladde and lette assembled vpon a daye all his ••ol••e to make a solempne sacrefyce and a grete feest in honour & reuerence of Dyana the goddesse of the whi¦che he hadde counseyll fyrste for to come in to this londe. And thenne whan that they hadde ther solempnyte done / as they vpon a daye sa∣te at ther meete / there came in vpon them .xxx gyauntes & slewe of Brutes men .xxx. Brute and his men anone strete vp and faught with the gyauntes and slewe them euerychone exce¦pte one that was called Gogmagog. & he was mayster of all the Gyauntes. And he was strō¦ger and hygher than ony of other. And Brute kepte hym for by cause that he sholde wrestyll with Corin that was Brutes mā. Fo he was greter & hygher than ony of bruces men from the gyrdelstede vp warde. ¶Gogmagog and Corin vndertoke there for to wrestell. And so togyders they wente / and wrestlyd a longe ty∣me / but at the last Gogmagog Helde Corin so fast that he brake two rybbes of h•• syde wher∣fore Corin was sore angry. And there he toke Gogmagog betwixt his armes and cast hym downe vpon aroche / soo that Gogmagog bra¦ke all to peces / and soo he deyed an euell deth. And therfore the place is called vnto this day∣the saute of Gogmagog. ¶And thenne after Brute yaue alle that contree vnto Corin. And there Corin called it after his name Cor∣newayl••. And his men he called Cornewayl∣les / and so sholde men of tha countree be cal∣led

for euermore / And in that contree dwelled Corin and hys men. And they made townes and howses / and enhabyted the londe by theyr owne wyll

¶How Brute buylded London and cal∣led thys londe Brytayne / and Scotlonde Albyne / and walys Camber.

[illustration] depiction of London

¶London.

BRute and his men wente forth / and sa∣we about in dyuers places / where that they myght fynde a good place and couenable that they myght make a Cyte for hym and his folke. And soo at the laste they came by a fayre Ryuer that is called Tamys and / there Bru∣te began to buylde a fayre cyte / and lete calle it newe Troy / in mynde and remembraunce of the grete Troy / from the whiche place all ther lygnage was comen. And this Brute lete felle downe woodes / and lete eere and sowe londes And also lete mawe downe medowes for suste¦naunce of hym and of his people. And thenne he departed the londe to theym / so that euery∣••he of theym had a parte / and a certayne place for to dwelle in. ¶And thenne Brute lette calle this londe Brytayne after his owne na∣me and his folke he lette calle Brytons. And this Brute had goten on his wyf Gennogen thre sones / that were worthy of dedes. The fyrst was called Lotrin / the seconde Albanak and the thyrde Cambar. And brute bare crow¦ne in the cytee of Troy .xx. yere after the tyme that the cytee was made. And there he made y^e lawes that the Brytons holde / and this brute was wonderly well beloued amonge all men. And Brutes sones also loued wonderly welle togyder· And whan Brute had sought all the londe in lengthe and also in brede he founde a londe that Ioyned to Brytayne / that was in the northe and that londe Brute yaue to Alba¦nak his sone. And lete calle it Albanie after his name / that nowe is called Scotlonde. And Brute founde an other countree towarde the weste / and yaue that to Cambar his other so∣ne / and lete calle it Cambar after his name / & now is called walys. And whan Brute hadne regned .xx. yere as before is sayd / then̄e he dey∣ed in the Cyte of newe Troy.

¶How Lotrin that was Brutes sone en∣tred with moche honoure / & gouerned the londe well and worthely.

AFter Brute regned Lotrī h{is} sone / that was the seconde kynge in Brytayne. The whiche began to regne the seconde yere of Samuell. And this Lotrin was crowned kynge wyth moche solempnyte and glorye of all the londe of Brytayne. And after whan he was crowned kynge. Albanak and Cambar his two brethern wente agayne into theyr ow¦ne countree & there they lyued with moche ho∣nour / & worshyp. And Lotrī theyr brother reg¦ned / & was kynge & gouerned it well & wysely for he was a good man & wonderly well belo∣ued of all his londe. And it befell so that Alba∣nak dwelled in his owne londe with moche ho¦noure and worshyp. And thenne came kynge Humbar of Hunlonde with a grate power & a¦ryued in Albyne / & wolde haue conquered the londe / & began to warre vpon kyng Albanak was slayne / the people of that londe fledde vn¦to Lotrin & tolde hym for he was kynge of bry¦tayne / how that his brother was slayne / & pra¦yed hym of his helpe and of his socour for to a¦uenge his brothers dethe. Lotrin there anone lete assemble all the Brytons of Kente / of Do∣uer in to Dere went of Norfolke and South∣folke / of Keftefen / and Lyndessey. And whan they were assembled they spedde them faste to¦warde there enemyes for to yeue them batayll And Lotrin had sente to Cambar his brother that he sholde come vnto hym with all the po∣wer that he myght make hym for to helpe / & to he dyde with a good wyll. And so they came to¦gyders / & toke ther waye pryuely for to go and seke Humbar where they myght hym fynde. And so it befell that thys Humbar was besyde a water that was a grete Ryuer wyth hys fol∣ke

/ hym for to dysporte. And there came Lo∣trin and Cambar his brother with all ther peo¦ple sodaynly or that ony of that other wyste. And whan Humber sawe them come he was sore adradde / for as moche as his men wyst it not afore / and also they were vnarmed. And anone Humbar for dredde lepte in too the wa∣ter / and drowned hym selfe / and soo he deyed / and h{is} men were all slayne so that none of thē escaped. And therfore is that water called Hū¦bar / and euer more shalbe for bi cause that th{is} kynge Humbar therin was drowned. ¶And after that Lotrin wente to his shyppes & toke there golde and syluer as moche as he founde vnto hym self. And all that other pylfre he gaf vnto other foke of the hoste. And they founde in one of the shyppes a fayre damoysell / that was kynge Humbars doughter / & she was cal¦led Estrylde· And whan Lotrin sawe her / he tooke her with hym for her fayrnesse / And for her he was ouertaken in loue, and wolde haue wedded her. This tydynges came to Corin / & anne thoughte to auenge hym vpon Lotrin. For as moche as Lotrin had made couenaū•• for to spowse Corins doughter / that was cal∣led Guentolin. And Corin in haste wente vn∣to hym vnto newe Troy / and thus he sayd to Lotrin. Now certes sayde he / ye rewarde me full euyll / for the paynes that I haue suffred & had many tymes for Brute youre fader. And therfor syth it is so I wyll auēge me now vpō you. And he drewe his fawcon on hygh & wol∣de haue slayne this Lotrin the kynge. But the damoysell wente bytwene tho & made them to be accorded in this manere. That Lotrin shol¦de wedde or spowse Guentolin that was Co∣rins doughter / & so Lotrin dyd. And netheles whan that he had spowsed Guentolin Corins doughter / pryuely he came to Estrylde / & brou¦ghte her with childe / & gate vpon her a dough¦ter / the whiche was called Abram. And it be fell so that anone after Corin deyed / and after whan he was deed. Lotrin forsoke Guentolin that was his wyfe / and made Estrelde quene. And there Guentolin that was his wyf went from thens all in greate yre and wrathe vnto Cornwayle / & there seased all the londe in to her owne honde / for as moche as she was her faders heyre she vndetoke feautes and homa¦ges of all the men of the londe. And after war∣de assembled a greate hoste and a grete power of men / for to be auenged vppon Lotrin that was her lorde / and to hym came & yeue hym a stronge batayll and there was Lotrin her hus¦bonde slayne and his men dyscomfyted in the v. yere of his regne. Guentolin let take Estryl¦de and Abram her doughter / and bounde thē bo••he honde and foot / and caste them bothe in to a water / and so they were drowned wher¦fore that water was euermore after called. Abram / after the name of the dāmoyseyll that was Estryldes doughter· And Englysshe men calle that water Seuerne / And walsshtmen calle it Abram vnto this daye to. And whan this was done Guentolin lete crowne her que¦ne of all the londe / and gouerned the londe ful welle and wysely vnto the tyme that Madan her sone that Lotrin hadde goten vppon her was of .xx. yere of aege that he might be kynge and soo the quene regnd .xv. yere. And thenne lete she crowne her sone kynge / and he regned and gouerned the londe well and worthely. And she wente in to Cornewaylle / and there she dwelled all her lyues tyme.

¶How Madan regned in peas all his lyf.

MAdan sone to Lotrin regned on y^e Bry¦tons .xl. yere / the whiche began to reg∣ne the .xv. yere of Saull. And this Madan ly∣ued in peas all his daye / and gote two sones. Mempris and Maulyn. Then̄e he deyed and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶Anno mundi .iiii.M.C.xxii. Et ante xp̄i natiuitatē .M.lxxxiiii▪ ¶Here begynneth the fourth aege durynge to the transfyguracyon.

[ Dauyd.]

[illustration]

[illustration] depicion of King David

DAuyd the se∣cond kynge in . Israel regned this tyme a mā cho¦sen after the desyre of god. And he was anoynted in his yō¦ge aege by Samu∣ell and after the de∣the of Saul regned .xl. yere This Da∣uyd was a meruay¦le in all mankynde In whom euer was founde so moche power and soo moche humy¦lyte / soo moche noblynes & so moche mekenes so greate a charge of seculary thynges / and so pure & deuoute a contemplacyon of spyrytual thyng{is} / so many men to kylle / & so many teres to wepe for his trespaas. (Plura vide .i. regū) ¶Abiathar this tyme was bysshop / & he fled∣de from Saull vnto Dauyd / and he was glo∣ryous with hym all his dayes. Gad. Nathan / and Asoph were prophetes thenne. And Na∣than was brother sone to Dauyd

¶How Mempris slewe his brother Maulyn.

THis Mempris and hys brother Mau∣lyn stroue fast for the londe And Mem¦prin began to regne the .xxxv. yere of Dauyd. And for by cause that he was the eldest sone / he wolde haue had all the londe / and Maulyn wolde not suffre hym so that they toke a daye of loue and accorde· And att this daye Mem∣pris lete kylle his brother thorugh treason and hym self after warde helde the londe. And ano¦ne lete crowne hym kynge and regned. And af¦ter be came soo lyther a man that he destroyed within a whyle alle the men of his londe. And at the laste he be came soo wycked and soo le∣che••nus / that he forsoke hys owne wyfe and vsed the synne of Sodomy. wherfore almygh∣ty god was gretely dysplesed and sore wrothe with hym. And vpon hym toke vengaunce for by cause of his weckednesse. For on a daye as he wente forthe on huntynge in a forest / there he loste alle his men that were wyth hym and wyste not what he sholde doo / and soo he wen∣te vp and downe hym self allone / and cryed af¦ter his men but they were gone. And there ca∣men wulues anone and alle to drewe hym in peces whanne he hadde regned .xxiiii· yere. whan hys people herde that he was soo deed / they made Ioye and myrthe ynough and ano∣ne made Ebrac his sone kynge and he regned with moche honoure.

¶Anno mūdi .iiii.M.C.lxv. Et ante xp̄i natiuitatē. M.xxxiiii.

SAlomon the kynge of peas of the gyfte of our lorde / had a synguler excegynge aboue alle men that euer was in this worlde / but alonly god in wysdome and in ryches / in deyntees and in glory & famylyaryte with god And all though Moyses and Dauyd. Peter & Poul· Ierom and Austyn & other mo / exceded hym in holynesse but yet they exceded him not in glory and ryches· And this man so excedyn∣ge all men wretchedly felle. Of this Salomon is redde in a pystle of saint Ierom that he gote a childe on the doughter of Pharao at .xi. yere of his aege (Vide plura regū) ¶Sadoch thys tyme was bysshop / and for he declyned not to the parte of Adonie Dauyd sone but was with Nathan for Salomon / and Abyathar on the other parte was deposed.

¶Anno mundi .iiii.M.ii.C.v. Et ante xp̄i natiuitatē .ix.C.lxxxxiiii.

ROboas succeded Salomon hys fader in his kyngdome / but not in wysdome. He was dysceyued thorughe the counseylle of yonge men. And loste .x. trybus in soo moche as he answered not wasely the people / as it is open (iii. regum.) ¶Achimias was bysshop∣pe / and was the sone of Sadoch (Vt patet. primo parali)

¶Reges Israel incipiunt.

IHeroboas regned kynge in Israell .xx.ii yere / and he was fyrst of the hous of Sa¦lomon and a good mad / But whanne he was made kynge he was a mycheuous man in ydo¦latry / and made Israell to synne in ydolatry / and many greeate Inconuyences were done / almooste to the destruccyon of Israell. For he was the fygure of Machomete (Plura vide .iii. regum) ¶Abdias the sone of Roboas reg∣ned in the Iury thre yere / And other whyle a good man and holpen by god / and other why¦le wretchedly dysposed in ydolatrye / and ther¦fore our lorde suffred hym to regne lytyll tyme (Vt pʐ .iii. regum et .ii. parali.)

¶Anno mundi ·iiii.M.ii.C.xxv. Et ante xp̄i natiuitatem .ix.C.lxxiiii.

ASa the sone of Abdias regned .xvi. ye∣re. In the begynnynge of his regne he was a ryghtwys man and walked as Dauyd dyde. And he ouercame the Ethyopes / and de¦stroyed ydolles / but after that he was sworne to y^e kynge of Syrie Benedab For Baasa kyn¦ge of Israell / then̄e began to fyght ayenst hym the / whiche dyspleased god. wherfore he sende to hym the prophete Anani / whome he put in pryson / and therfore he hadde the gowte strō∣gely & deyed ther of (Vt pʐ .iii. regum .ii. para) ¶Azarias sonne to Achomas was bysshop. Nadab kyng of Israell regned to yere / y^e why∣che beganne to regne the seconde yere of Asa kynge of Iewes / and dyde not as hys fader. And Baasa ouerthrewe hym and regned for hym (Vt pʐ .iii. regū ¶Baasa kynge of Israel regned .xxiiii. yere / the whiche began to regne the thyrde yere of Asa kynge of Iewes / and he walked in the synnes of Ieroboam and slewe Iehen the prophete ¶Hela thesone of Baasa regned in Israel two yere \ & zamri slewe hym & regned .vii. dayes. ¶Amri regned .xii. yere / & dyde not as his predecessours dyd. ¶Archa sone to Amri regned on Israell .xxii. yere / and aboue all that were afore hym he was cursyd for wycked Iesabell ruled more than he / & me¦ued hym to folowe her (vt pʐ .iii. regū)

¶Of kynge Ebrac / the whiche began to regne the .xv. yere of Dauyd / and how he conquered Fraunce.

THys Ebrac regned .lx. yere / & a stron∣ge man he was & a myghey And thys Ebrac thorugh hys myght & helpe of his Bry¦tons cōquered all Fraunce. And wanne there so moche golde & syluer that whā he came ayen in to this londe he made a cyte / and after hys owne name he lere calle it Ebrac that is called Euerywyk. And this kynge made the castell of Maydens / that now is called Edenbrugh. This kyngehad. xx sones and .xxiiii. dough∣ters by dyuers wymmen goten / & these sones were called as ye shal here Brute greneschelde de. Margāde. Iakyn. Kymbar. Roselm. Spa∣dogh. Godeherl. Thormnan. Gldaugh. Ior∣kaughut. Haibor. Ketyn. Rother. Kaier / & As∣saruth. And all the dougters hyght as ye shal here after. Eligene. ymogen. Oghdas. Guen¦bran. Guardith. Auganrel. Guenthold Tan∣gustell. Gorghō. Michel. Medhan. Mailour Ondre. Cambredan. Ragā. Renthely. Neest Cheghā. Skaldud. Gladus. Herherhen. Aba∣laghe and Blandan. And these were tho .xxiiii doutghters And the brethern becam good kny¦ghtes and worthy in many countrees

¶Of kynge Brute Greneschelde the fyrste sone of Ebrackynge.

AFter the dethe of kyng Ebrac / regned brute Greneschelde his. sone .xxx. yere that was Ebracs fyrst sone / that well and no∣bly regned. And whan tyme came he deyed / and lyeth at yorke.

¶Of kynge Leyl that was Brute. Grenescheldes sone.

ANd whan Brute Greneschelde was deed / regned hys sone Leyl .xxii· yere. And he made a fayre towne and lette calle it Karleyl after his owne name. And he was a worthy man and welle beloued of his peop••e. And so whan he badde regned .xxii· yere he dy∣ed / and lyeth at Karlyll. ¶And in his tyme re¦gned kyng Salomon in Iherusalem / and ma¦de the noble Temple. And to him came quene Sibylle quene of Saba / for to here and see yf it were sothe that men spake of the greate and noble wytte and wysdome of kynge Salemō And she founde it soth that men had her tolde.

¶Anno mūdi .iiii.M.ii.C.li vi. Et ante xp̄i natiuitatē .ix.C.xlii.

IOsaphat kynge of Iewe / was a good man and a ••ycke and a deuoute in the waye of oure lorde: and regned .x••v. yere: and dyde none yll: but to the cursed kynge of Isra∣ell gaue helpe: and other lytel thyng. And ther¦fore oure lorde was with hym (vt pʐ. ii•• para) ¶Helyas the greate prophete was thys tyme an hooly man: that was lyfted vp in to para∣dyse with grete solace •• a charre. ¶Macheas and Abdias prophecyed wyth hym. ¶Ocho∣syas sone of Achab regned in Israell .ii. yere. And sende to Belsabub god of Acharam to be helyd. For. the whyche he deyed: after the say∣enge of Hely (Vt pʐ .iiii. Regum)

¶Of kynge Lud Ludibras that was kynge Leyles sone.

LVd Ludibras this kyng: made the cy∣te of Caunterbury & wynchester. And

he regned .xxxix. yere and thenne he deyed and lyeth at wynchester.

¶Of kynge Bladud that was Ludi∣bras sone how he regned and was a god man / and a Nygromancer.

SO after this Ludibras regned bladud his sone / a greate Nygromancer. And thorugh his crafte of Nygroman••y / he made the meruayllous hote bathe / As the geste ••el∣leth. And he regned .xxi. yere / and he lyeeh at the newe Troy.

¶Anno mundi ·iiii.M.ii.C.lxxxxi. Et ante xp̄i natiuitatē .ix.C.viii.

IOram kynge of Iewes sonne to / Iosa∣phat regned .viii. yere / this Ioram was a cursyd man & had a good fader / & slewe hys brother / & wyckedly lyued / as dyde the kynge of Israel· Therfore he was sore correcetd & dy¦ed vnhappely (vt pʐ .ii^o para) ¶This tyme he lyas was rauisshed in the Paradyse ¶Ocho¦sias or Asarias kyng of Iewes regned oo yere & lyued not as his fader dyd & anone was slay¦ne with all the hous of Achab. ¶Athalia mo∣der to Asarias toke the kyngdome / & slewe all the kynges blod: & regned .x. yere. And the .vii. yere of Ioiada bysshop she was slayne (iiii. re∣gū) This Asarias & his sone Ioas: & his neue we Amasia. Matheus the gospeller putteth not in the lyne of Cryste for ther offences. Io∣ram kyng of Israel regned .xii. yers: the whi∣che began to regne the .xviii. yere of Iosaphat for his brother Ochosie: & cursedly he lyued: and was slayne of Iehen with alle his faders housholde (vt pʐ) ¶Iehen anoynted of y^e chil∣de of Helyse: vpon Israel slewe Achariam the kyng of Iewes: & Ioram the kynge of Israell and Isabell moder to Ioram: and .lxx. childn of Achab: and ·xlii. brethern of Azari: & all the preestes of Baall. And he regned .xviii. yere. ¶Athalia moder to Azari kyng of Iewes dou¦ghter to Achab regned on y^e Iewes .vi. yere & flewe the kyngis blood of Ioram: except Ioas the sone of Azari / the whiche was kepte amō∣ge shepeherdes / and afshe was slayne.

Anno mundi .iiii.M.iii.C·ix. Et ante xp̄i natiuitatē .viii.C.lxxxxiii.

IOam sone to Achazie regned in the Iu∣ry .xl. yere / whome Ioiada the bysshop crowned kynge at .vii. yere of aege. And hely∣ued well as longe as he was ruled by Ioiada / but after he forsoke god and martred Azrias that tyme bysshop sone to Ioiada / for he bla∣med hym that he forsoke hys god (Vide plura .ii. para) ¶Ioathas sone to Iehen / regned in Israell .xvii. yere / in whoos dayes Helyse the prophete deyed. And he began to regne the .xx. yere of Ioas (Vide plura iiii. regum) ¶Ioam sonne of Ioathas regned in Israell .xvii. yere / and he troubled Amazia (Plura vi∣de .iiii. regum .xiii.)

¶Of kynge Leyr sone to Bladud and of the answere of his yongest doughter / that gracy∣ously was maryed to the kynge of Fraunce.

AFter kynge Bladud regned Leyr hys sone. And thys Leyr made the towne of Leycetre / and lete calle the towne after his name / and gouerned the towne welle and no∣bly. This kynge Leyr hadde thre doughters. The fyrste was called Gonorill. The seconde Rigan. And the thyrde Cordeill / and the yon∣gest doughter was fayrest and beste of condy∣cyons. The kynge theyr fader became an olde man / and wolde that his doughters were ma∣ryed or that he dyed. But fyrste he thought to assaye whiche of them loued hym moste and best. For she that loued hym best sholde best be maryed And he axed of y^e fyrste doughter how well she loued him. And she answerde and say¦de / better than her owne lyf. Now certes say∣de her fader / that is grete loue: Thenne he ax∣ed the seconde doughter: how moche she loued hym. And she sayde more and passynge all the creatures of the worlde. Per ma foy sayd her fader I may noo more axe. And tho axed he of the thyrd doughter how moche she loued hym Certes fader sayde she: my systers haue tolde you glosynge wordes: but I shalle tell you the crouth for I loue you as I ought to loue my fa¦der. And for to brynge you more in certayne how I loue you. I shall tell you. As moche as ye be wroth: so shall ye be loued The kyng her fader wēde that she had scorned hym & be came wonder wroth: & swore by heuē & erth she shol¦de neuer haue good of him but h{is} doughts that loued hym so moche sholde be well auaūced & maryed. And the fyrst doughter he maryed to Mangles kyng of Scotlonde. And the secon∣de he maryed to hanemos erle of Cornewayle & they ordened & spake bytwene thē that y^e shol¦de

departe the reame bytwene them two after the dethe of kynge Leyr theyr fader. Soo that Cordeill his yongest doughter sholde nothyn∣ge haue of his londe. But this Cordeill was wonder fayre & of good condicyons & maners That the kynge of Fraunce Agampe herde of her fame / & sente to the kynge Leyr her fader for to haue her vnto his wyf / and prayed hym therof. And kynge Leyr her fader sente hym worde that he had departed his londe & gyuen hit al vnto his two doughters before sayd: & he sayd he had no more lōde wherwith her to ma¦rye. And whan Agampe the kynge of fraunce herde this āswere / he sent anone agayne to Le¦yr & sayd. That he axed nothyng with her but oonly her clothynge and her body. And anone kynge Leyr sente her ouer see to the kynge of fraunce. And he receyued her with moche wor¦shyp / and with solempnyte he spowsed her / & made her quene of Fraunce.

¶How kynge Leyr was dryuen out of his lō∣de thrugh his folke. And how Cordeill his yon¦gest doughter holpe hym in his nede.

THus it befell afterwarde / that tho two eldest doughters wolde not abyde tyll Leyr theyr fader was deed. But warred vpon hym whyles that he was on lyue & dyde hym moche sorowe and shame / wherfore they toke from hym holy y^e realme / & bytwene them had ordeyned / that one of thē sholde haue kyng Le¦yr to soiourne all his lyfe tyme with .lx. knygh¦tes & squyres / that he myght worshypfully ry¦de & go whether that he wolde & in to what coū¦tre that hym lyked to play & to solace. So that Maugles kynge of Scotlonde hadde kynge Leyr with hym in the maner as is aboue sayd And or the other halfe yere were passed. Gono¦ril that was his eldest dought & quene of Scot¦londe / was soo anoyed of hym & of his people that anone she & her lorde spake togyder wher¦fore his knyghtes halfe & his squyres fro hym were gone / & no moo lefte with hym but oon∣ly .xxx. And whan this was done / Leyr began to make moche sorowe for bycause that his sta¦te was empeyred. And men had of hym more scorne & dyspyte than euer they hadde before. wherfore he wyst not what to done. And at the laste he thought he wolde go in to Cornewayll to Rigan hys other doughter. And whan he was come / the erle and his wyfe that was Le¦yrs doughter hym welcomed / and with hym made moche Ioye. And there he dwelled with xxx. knyghtes & squyres. And he had not dwel∣led scarsly .xii. monethes there / that his dough¦ter was wery of hym and his company. And her lorde & she of hym had grete scorne & despy¦te / soo that from .xxx. knyghtes they broughte vnto .x. And afterwarde he had but fyue / & so they lefte hym no moo. Thenne made he soro∣we ynoughe. and sayd sore wepyng. Alas that euer I came in to this londe & sayd. yet had ye be better to haue dwelled with my fyrste dou∣ghter. And anone he wente thens to his fyrste doughter agayne / but anone as she sawe hym come / she swore by god & by his holy name / & by as moche as she myght: that he sholde haue no moo with hym but one knyght \ yf he wolde there abyde. Then beganne Leyr to wepe. and made moche sorowe: and sayd then. Alas now haue I to longe lyued / that this sorowe & mys∣cheyf is to me nowe fallen. For now I am poo¦re: that somtyme was ryche. But nowe haue I noo frende ne kynne that to me wyll do ony good. But whan I was ryche all men me ho∣noured & worshyped & now euery man ••athe of me scorne & dyspyte. And now I well wote that Cordeill my yongest doughter sayde me trouth / whan she sayd. As moche as I had soo moche sholde I be loued. And all y^e whyle that I had good: so longe was I loued & honoured for my ryches. But my two doughters glosed me then: & now of me they set lytell pryce. and soth tolde me Cordeil: but I wolde not byleue it ne vnderstonde. & therfore I lete her goo fro¦me as a thynge that I sette lytell pryce of: and now wote I neuer what for to do syth my two doughters haue me thus dysceyued: that I so moche loued: & now must I nedes seke her that is in an other londe: that lyghtly I lete her go from me without ony rewarde of gyftes. And she sayde / that she loued me as moche as she ought to loue her fader by all maner of reason And then I sholde haue a••ed her no more. And those that me otherwise behoteth thrugh their fals speche: now haue me desceyued. In thys maner Leyr lōge tyme begā to make his moo¦ne: & at y^e last he shypped hym to y^e see & passed ouer in to Fraunce: and axed & aspyed where y^e quene myght be foūde. And men tolde hym where she was▪ & whan he came to y^e cyte that

she was in pryuely he sent his squyre vnto the quene / for to tell her that her fader was come to her for grete nede. And whan the squyre ca∣me to the quene / he tolde her euery deale of her systers frome the begynnynge vnto the ende. Cordeil y^e quene anone toke golde and syluer plenty / & toke it to the squyre in coūsell that he sholde go & bere it to her fader / & that he sholde go in to a certayne cyte / & hym aray & wasshe / & then come agayne to her. And brynge with hym an honest company of knyghtes .xl. at y^e leest with theyr meny. And then he sholde sen∣de to her lorde y^e kyng / & feyne that he were co¦me for to speke with hys doughter / & hym for to se & so he dyde. And whan the kynge and the quene herd that they came: with moche honou¦re they hym receyued. And y^e kynge of fraunce then lete lende thrugh al y^e realme / & cōmaun∣ded that al men sholde be as entendaūt to kyn¦ge Leyr the quenes fader in all maner of thyn¦ges as it were vnto hymselfe. whā kynge leyr had dwelled there a moneth & more / he tolde to the kynge & to the quene his doughter / how his two eldest doughters hadde hym serued. Agampe anone lete ordeyne a grete hooste of Frensshmē & sente in to Brytayne with Leyr y^e quenes fader for to cōquere his lōde agayne & his kyngdome. And Cordeill also came with her fader in to Brytayne / for to haue y^e realme after her faders dethe. And anone they wente to shyppe & passed the see & came in to Brytay¦ne & fought with y^e felons / & thē dyscomfyted & slewe / & then had he his lōde agayne / & after lyued .iii. yere & helde his realme ī peas & after warde dyed. & so Cordeill his doughter thenne let enter him with moche honour at Leycestre

¶Anno mūdi .iiii.M.iii.C.xlix. Et ante xp̄i natiuitatē .viii.C liii.

AMasius sonne to Ioam regned on the Iewes .xxix. yere / after the whiche the kyngdom of Iewes was without kynge .xiii. yere. This man worshypped y^e goddes of Se∣yr (vt pʐ .ii. para .xv. ¶Ieroboam sone to Io¦am regned on Israel .xli. yere the whiche was manly and vyctoryous. For he ouercame the kynge of Sirie / & restored Israel & Damaske after the worde of Iono the prophete. But he was not good. Therfore sayth austyn. if good men regne / they profyte many a man. And yf ylle men regne / they hurte many men·

¶Anno mūdi .iiii.M.iii.C.lxxxviii. Et ant xp̄i natiuitatē .viii.C.xi.

Ozias or Azarias sone to Amasie regned on the Iury .lii. yere / the whiche lyued wel afore oure lorde / of hym is none euyl thyn¦ge wryten but that he vsurped the dygnyte of preesthode vnder Azari / y^e whiche he forbode hym. For y^t whiche cause our lorde stroke hym with a leper (vt pʐ .ii. para) ¶Ozee bysshop & prophete was this tyme the fyrst of y^e .xii. that is sende astaynst y^e .xii. tribus. ¶Ioel y^e secōde of y^e .xii. prophecyed of Iuda. Ananias y^e thyr∣de prophecyed agaynst many people. Abdias y^e fourth of the .xii. prophecyed agaynst Edom ¶zacharius son̄e to Ieroboam regned in Is∣rael .vi. monethes / the whiche began to regne the .xxxviii. yere of Ozias & was nought ī his lyuynge as his predycessours were. And Sel∣lum slewe hym / & regned a moneth. And Ma∣nahen slewe hym & toke his kyngdome (vt pʐ .iiii. regū) This Manahen regned .x. yere / the whiche began to regne the .xxxix. yere of Ozi∣as \ & he ruled hym myscheuously. And our lor¦de toke hym in the power of the kynge of Assu¦rio{rum}. And he payed to hym a thousande talen∣tes of syluer. (vt pʐ .iiii. regū) ¶Phaseia son̄e to Manahen regned in Israel .ii. yere / & he be¦gan to regne the .l. yere of Ozias: and he was nought in his lyuynge. ¶Phase slewe phase¦ia: & regned .xx. yere: & he began to regne the .lii. yere of Ozias: & dyde as other cursed men dyde (Plura vide .iiii. regū) And after this. Is¦rael was without ony kynge .viii. yere

¶How Morgan and Conedag that were neuewes to Cordeill warred vpon her. And put her in pryson.

NOw as kynge Leyr was deed Cordeil his yongest doughter regned the .x. ye∣re of Ozias kynge of Iury. And after her reg¦ned Conedag the .xv. yere of Ozias: & Cordeil that was Leyrs yongest daughter after y^e deth of her fader had all the londe .v. yere. And in y^e meane tyme deyed her lorde Agampe / hat was kynge of Fraūce: & after his dethe she was wy¦dowe. And there came Morgan and Conedag that were Cordeils systers sones & to her had enuyte: for as moche as theyr aunte sholde ha∣ue the londe. So that bytwene them they ordey¦ned a grete power: and vpon her warred gre∣tely. And neuer they rested tyll they had her ta¦ken

and put her vnto deth. And tho Morgan and Conedag seased all the londe / & departed it bytwene them. And they helde it .xii. yeres. And whan that those .xii. yeres were gone the∣re began̄e bytwene them a grete beatel / so that they warred strōgely togyders. And eueryche of theym dyde other moche dysease. For Mor∣gan wolde haue all the londe frome beyonde Humbre that Conedag helde / But he came a∣gaynst hym wyth a grete power / so that Mor∣gan durste not abyde but fledde a waye in to walys. And Conedag pursued hym / and toke hym & slewe hym. And tho came Conedag a∣gayne and seased all the londe in to his honde and held it And regned after .xxxiii· yere. And thenne he deyed and lyth at newe Troy.

¶And by cause the matere conteyneth moost comodyously togyder of y^e kynges of Brytay∣ne / now called Englonde / for y^e tyme of them is not certaynly knowē / what tyme of y^e wrol¦de the kynges folowen regned. Therfore they shall be togyder / tyll it be comen vnto Guen∣tolen kyng of Brytayne now called Englōde

¶How Reynolde that was Conedags sone regned after his fader: & in his tyme it rayned blood thre dayes in to kenynge of grete deth.

ANd after thys Conedag regned Rey∣nolde h{is} sone that was a wyse knyght & a hardy & curteyes that wel & nobly gouerned the londe / & wonder welle made hym beloued of all maner of folke. And in hys tyme regned blood that lasted thre dayes. As god wolde / & soone after ther came a grete dethe of people / For hostes wythout nombre of people fought tyll that almyghty god ther of toke mercy and pyte & tho gā it cesse. And this Reynolde reg∣ned .xxii. yere & deyed and lyeth at yorke.

¶How Gorbodian regne in peas that was Reynoldes sone.

AFter thys Reynolde that was Cone∣dags sone / regned Gorbodian that was thys Reynoldes sone ·xv. yere / and then∣ne he deyed and lyeth at yorke.

¶How Gorbodian had .ii. sones & how that one slewe the other for to haue the herytage / & how ydoyne ther moder slewe that other wher¦fore the londe was destroyed.

SO whan thys Gorbodian was deed / hys two sones that he had be came stou¦te and proude and euer warred togyder for the londe. And that one was called Ferres / and that other Porres. ¶And thys Ferres wolde haue all the londe / but that other wold not suf¦fre hym. This Ferres had a felonous herte & thoughte thrugh treason to slee his brother. But pryuely he wente in to Fraunce / and the∣re abode with the kynge Sywarde tyll vpon a tyme whan he came ayen / and fought wych his brother Ferres / But full euyll it happed tho / he was slayne fyrste. whan ydoyne ther moder wyst that Portes was deed / she made grete sorowe / for by cause that she loued hym more than that other. And thought hym for to slee pryuely. And pryuely she came to her sone vpon a nyght with two knyues and ther with kytte his throte / and y^e body in to smale peces who herde euer suche a cursed moder / that sle∣we with her owne hondes her owne sone And longe tyme after lasted the repreef & shame to the moder / that for by cause of y^e one sone she murdred the other / & so lost them bothe.

¶How foure kynges curtously helde all Brytayne / and what were ther na¦mes ye shall here after.

AS the two brethern were deed they le¦fte not behynde them nother sonne ne dougter / ne none other of the kynred that my∣ghte haue the herytage. And for as moche as the strōgest mē droue & descomfyted the febleit & toke all ther lōdes so that ī euery coūtre they had grete ware and stryfe vnder them but a¦monge all other thynge / there were amonge them in the counther / that ouercame all the o∣ther / and though ther myghte and strengthe they toke all the londes / and euery of them to∣ke a certayne countree / & in hys contree lete calle hym kyng / & one of thē was called Sca∣ter / & he was kyng of Soctlonde / & that other was called Dawalier / & he was kynge of Loe¦gers / & of al y^e lōde that was Lotris / that was Brutes sone / the thyrde was called Ruda•• / & he was kīge of walys / & the fourth was called Cloten / & was called kynge of Cornewayle. But this Cloten sholde haue had all the londe by reson for by cause that there was no man that wyste none so ryght an heyre as he was. But they that we strongest sette lytel by them that were of lesse estate / and therfore this Clo¦ten hadde noo more londe amonge them but Cornewaylle

¶Of kynge Donebant that was Clo∣tens sone wanne the londe.

THis Cloten had a sone that was called Donebant: that after the dethe of hys fader became an hardy man and a fayr and a curteis so that he passed al y^e other kīges of fay¦renesse & of worthynesse & anōe a he was kny∣ghte he wyste well that whā hys fader lyued he was moost ryghtfull heyre of all y^e londe: and shold haue had by reasō. But y^e other kynges that were of a moche more strengthe than he was: toke from hym his londe. And after war¦de this Donebant ordened him a grete power and conquered fyrste all the londe of Loegers & after he wolde haue conquered all the londe of Scotlōde & walys. And Scater came with his men & yaue hym batayll. And Rudac cam ayen wyth his walysshmen for to helpe hym▪ but so it befel that Rudac was slayn & also sca¦ter in playne batayll. And soo Donebant had the victory: & conquered alle the londe: & well mayntened it in peas & in quyete / that neuer before it was so well mayntened.

¶How Donebant was the fyrst kyng that euer bare crowne of golde in Brytayne.

THis Donebant lete make hym a crow∣ne of golde / & wered the crowne vpon his heed as neuer kyng dyde before / and he or¦dened a statute that & a mā had done neuer so moche harme & myʒe come ī to y^e Temple / the∣re sholde no man hym mysdo / but go there in sauete & in peas / and after go in to what londe or coūtree that hym pleased wythout ony har∣me / and yf ony man sette ony hōde vpon hym He then̄e sholde lese his lyf And this Donebāt made the towne of Malmesbury / and y^e tow∣ne also of the Vyse. And whan he had regned well and worthely .xl. yere / then̄e he deyed and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶How Brenne and Belin departed bytwe∣ne them the londe after the deth of Donebant ther fader. And of the warre bewixt them.

ANd after that this Donebant was de∣ed / his sones that he had departed the londe bytwene them / as ther fader had ordey∣ned so that Belin his eldest sone had the al the londe of brytayne / from Humber South war¦de. And his brother Brenne had all the londe from Humber vnto Scotlond. ¶But for as moche that Belin had the better parte. Bren∣ne therfore wexed wroth / and wolde haue had more of y^e lond / & belin his brother wold graū¦te hym no more / wherfore cōtake & warre aro¦se amonge them two But Brenne the yonger brother had no myght ne strength ayenst Be∣lin / & therfore Brenne rhrugh coūsel of his fol¦ke went from thens in to Norwaeye to y^e kyn¦ge Olsynges / & prayed hym of helpe & socour for to conquere all the londe vpon Belin hys brother vpō that couenaūt that he wolde haue his doughter to wyf and the kynge Olsynges hym graunted / And Belin anone as hys brod was gone to Norweye he seased in to his hon∣de all the londe of Northoumberlonde / and to¦ke al the castelles & lete them be arrayed & kep¦te the costes of the see / that Brenne sholde not arryue in noo syde / but that he were taken· ❀ ¶The kynge Olsynges lette assembel a grete hoste / and delyuered hys doughter to Brenne and all the people that he had assembled. And thys damoysell Samie had longe tyme loued a kynge that was called Gutlagh and to hym she tolde all her coūsel / how that Bren̄e sholde her haue / and her lede with hym for euer more and so he sholde lese her but that she myght for sake Brenne. And whan Gutlagh had herde this tydynges / he lay for to aspye Bren̄e with as many shyppes as he myght haue. Soo the two fletes mette togyder and longe tyme they faught / soo that Brennes men tourned ayen were dyscomfyted. And kynge Gutlagh toke Samie & put her in to his shyppe. And Brēne shamefully fledde thens as a man dyscomfy∣ted. And this kyng Gutlagh wold haue gone in to his owene coūtree / but there came vpon hym suche a grete tempest that fyue dayes las∣ted / soo that thorugh that tempest he was dry∣uen in to Brytayne with thre shyppes and no moo / and tho that kepte the costes of the see to¦ke Gutlagh and Samie and all his folke and them presented to Belin And Belin put them in pryson.

¶How Belin droue out of his londe kyng Gutlagh of Denmerk and Samie.

IT was not longe after that Brenne ca∣me agayne with a grete nauy / & sent to his brother Belin / that he shold yeld ayen his londe to his wyfe and his folke / and his castel¦les also. Or elles he wolde destroye his londe. ¶Belin dradde noo thyng his malyce / & wol¦de

no thynge do after that he hadde sayd. wher¦fore Brenne came with his folke and foughte with Beline. And then Brenne was discomfy¦ted and his folke slayne / & hym self fledde wi••h .xii. men in to Fraunce. And this Belin that was Brenne brother wente thenue to. yorke / and toke coūseyll what he shold do with kyng Gutlagh. For kynge Gutlagh proferde to be∣come his man / & for to holde his londe fo him yeldynge yerely .M.li. of syluer for euermore / and for surenesse of this couenaut to be kepte Gutlagh sho••de brynge hym good hostage / & to hym sholde doo homage & his folke / & yet he sholde swere vpon a booke y^t it sholde neuer be broke ne fayled. Belin tho by counseyll of his folke graūted him his axenge / & so Gutlagh be came his mā & Belin vndertoke of him his ho¦mage by an othe & by wrytynge the same coue¦naūtes. And vpō these couenaūtes kyng Gut¦lagh toke Samie & his folke & wente thens / & torned ayen to Denmak. Euer more after we¦re the couenaūtes holden & the treuage payed tyll the tyme that Honelus was kyng of Den¦marke & also of his lond thorugh his wyf Gil¦debu••h that he had spoused for she was ryghe heyre of his londe. ¶This Belin dwelled tho in peas / & worshyp fully hym helde amōge his barons / and he made foure ryall wayes / one from the eest in to the weest & that was called watlynge strete / and an other frome the north vnto the south / and that is callen Ikelme stre¦te. And two other wayes he made in bossynge thrugh out y^e lōde that one is called fosse & that other Fosse dyke. And he mayntened well the good lawes that Donebant his fader had ma∣de. & ordeyned in his tyme / as befor is sayde.

¶How acordemēt was made bytwene Brē∣ne & Belin thorugh Cornewen ther moder.

BRenne that was Belins brother hadde longe tyme dwelled in Fraūce / & there had conquered a grete lordshyp thrugh mary∣age. For he was duke of Bourgoyne thrugh the dought of the duke fewyn that he had spou¦sed that was ryght heyre of the lond. And this Brenne ordened a grete power of hys folke / & also of Fraunce / & came in to this londe for to fyght with Belin his brother. And belin came ayenste hym with a grete power of Brytons / and wolde tho haue yeuen hym batayll. But ther moder Cornewen that tho lyued had that one brother wolde haue destroyed that other and wente bytwene her sones and them made acorde with moche payne So that at the laste tho two brethern with moche blysse wente to¦gyder in to newe Troy / that now is called Lō¦don / and there they dwelled a yere. And after they toke theyr counseyll for to goo & conquere all Fraunce. And so they dyd / and brente tow∣ne & destroyed the londe both in length and in brede. And the kyng of Fraūce yaue them ba∣tayl with his power / but he was ouercome / & yaue trauge vnto Belin & to his brother. And after that they wente forth vnto Rome •• con∣quered Rome & all Lombardy & Garmany / & tooke humage & feaute of erles bacons & of all other. And after they came in to thys lond of brytayne / and dwelled there wyth brytons in Ioye and rest. And tho made brenne the two∣ne of brystowe / and after he wente ouer to his owne lordshyp / and theyr dwelled he all his lyf And belin dwelled at newe Troy and there he made a fayre gate that is called belynges gate after his owne name. And whan thys be¦lin hadde regned nobly .xi. yere he deyed and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶How kyng Cormbrat{us} slewe the kyn∣ge Cenmark / for by cause that he wolde not paye his truage as he shold

ANd after thys belin regned hys sone Cormbratus a good man and a wor∣thy. And the kyng of Denmark wolde not pay to hym his truage that is to saye a thousande pounde as he had sworne by othe for to paye it / and also by wrytynge recorde to belin his fader. wherfore he was euyll appayed & wro∣the / and assembled a grete hoste of bry••ons & wente in to Denmark & slewe the kynge Gut∣lagh / and brought the londe in subgec••ion all newe. And toke of the folke feautes and homa¦ge / and after wente ayene in to his owne lon∣de. And as he came fothe by Orkeney / he foū∣de .xxx. shyppes full of men and wymmen be∣syde the coste of the see. & the kynge ared what they were. And an Erle that was mayster of them all curteysly answered vnto the kyng & sayd. That they were exieled out of Spane / & soo that they had traueyled halfe an yere and more in the see / to wyte yf they myghte fynde ony kynge in ony londe that of them wold ha∣ue pyte or mercy to gyue them ony lōde in ony

countree where in they myght dwuell and ha¦uerest / and become his lyege men / and to him wolde do homage and feuate whyle that he ly∣ued / & to his heyers after him / and of hym & of his heyres holde that londe. And whan y^e kyn∣ge this herde / he had pyte of hym / & yaue them an yel all wyldernesse / there that no man was dwellynge sauf oonly wylde best{is}. And the Er¦le thanked moche the kynge and became hys man & dyde him homage and feaute and toke all his folke and wente in to the same yle. And the Erle was called Irlamall / and therfore he lete calle the londe Irlonde after his owne na¦me. This kyng Cormbratus came ayen in to his londe and regned .xxv. yere / and after he deyed and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶Anno mūdi .iiii·M.iiii.C.xl. Et an∣te xp̄i natiuitatem .vii.C.lvi.

IOathan sone to Osias regned in y^e Iu∣ry .xvi. yere / of this Ioathan no thynge is wryten of / but that he toke not awaye excel¦sa as other dyde) vt pʐ .ii. para) ¶Amarias was bysshop. And ysayas the noble prophete was in his dayes. ¶Olympias with the Gre¦kes began the fyrste yere of Ioathan after Io¦sephus. And after Beda Troy was destroyed foure hondred yere afore the fyrste Olympias began vnder Esalo a Iuge of Athens. In whi¦che Coribus gate y^e chyualry among{is} all men Olympus is the name of an hylle in Grecia / the whiche for hys precyousnesse is called the hylle of god· And after Ierom one Olympias conteyneth fully foure yere / in the whiche fou¦re yere / foure yerely prynces are made. And these Olympiades are places ordeyned tothe worshyp of Iupater vnder the hylle of Olym¦po. And the lawe of this. That who someuer is beste in ony chyualry / what someuer he de∣syreth he shall haue.

¶Anno mūdi .iiii.M.iiii.C.lvi. Et ante xp̄i natiuitetem .vii.C.xliii.

ACham the sone of Ioathan regned on the Iewes .xvi. yere of this Acham no thinge that is good is wrytē for he forsoke oure lorde. And our lord stroke him wyth hys owne people strongly / and with the kynges of Tir∣ri (vt pʐ .ii. para. xx viii.) ¶Achicob this tyme was bysshop. Ozee kynge of Israell regned ·ix. yere the whiche beganne to regne the .xii. ye¦re of Acham kyng of Iewes. This Ozee drad¦de not god / for he lyued noughte. And he was the laste kynge of Israell· And in the .ix. yere of hys regne he was taken of Salmanasar. And Israell was translated in to Assirias (vt habetur .iiii. regum .xvii.)