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

¶How this londe was longe without a kyn∣ge: and how Brytons chose a kynge.

THis kyng Lucie had none heyre of his body begotē: that was after warde gre¦te harme & sorowe to the londe. For after thys kynge Lucies deth: none of the grete lordes of the londe wolde suffre an other to be kynge: but lyued in warre & debate amōges them self .l. yere without kyng. But it befell after war∣de that a grete prince came from Rome ī to th{is} londe that was called Seuerie: not for warre but for to saue the ryght of Rome. But neuer theles he had not dwelled halfe a yere in thys londe but that the Brytons slewe hym. And whan they of Rome wyst that Seueri was so slayne: they sente an other grete lord in to this londe that was called Allec that was a stron∣ge man & a myghty of body & dwelled in thys londe longe tyme & dyde moche sorowe to the Brytons. So that after for pure malyce: they chose a kynge amonge theym that was called Astelepades. And assembled a gr••aee hoste of

Brytons: & wente to London to seke Allec: & there they foūde hym & slewe hym & all his fe¦lowes. And one that was called walon deffen¦ded hym fyersly: & fought longe with the Bry¦tons but at the last he was dyscomfyted and the Brytons tooke hym and bonde hys hondes & feet and cast hym in to a water. wherfore that water was called euer more walbroke. Tho regned Astelepades in peas: tyll one of his Er¦les that was called Coill made a fayr towne a¦yenste the kynges wyll: & lete calle the towne Colchestre after hys owne name. wherfor the kyng was full wroth & thought to destroy him And began to warre vpon hym and brought grete power of men and yaf the Erle batayll. And the Erle defended hym fyersly wyth hys power & slewe the kynge hymself in that bata¦yll. And tho was Coill crowned & made kyng of this londe. This Coill regned and gouere∣ned the londe well & nobly / for he was a noble man and well be loued amonged the Brytons. ¶whan tho of Rome herde that Astelepades was slayne: they were wonder gladde: & sente an other grete prynce of the Romayns y^t was called Cōstance. And he came to y^e kyng Coill for to chalēge the trybute that was wōte to be payed to Rome. And y^e kynge answered well & wisely & sayde: that he wolde paie to Rome all that ryght and reason wolde with good wyll. And so they accorded tho with good wyll and without ony cōtake. And so both they dwelled togyd in loue. ¶Kynge Coill yaaf to hym his doughter Eleyne for to haue her to his spow∣se / that was bothe fayre & wyse & good & well lettred. & this Cōstance spowsed her there with moche honoure. And it befell soone after that thys kynge Coill deyed in the .xiii. yere of hys regne / and lyeth at Colchestre entyred