The ende of the Celtes gouerne∣ment in this Isle.
* 1.1AFter Bardus, the Celtes (as Bale sayth) loa∣thing the straite ordinances of their auncient kings, and betaking themselues to pleasure and idelnesse, were in short tyme, and with small la∣bour broughte vnder the subiection of the Giaunt Albion, the sonne of Neptune, who altering the state of things here in this yland, straited ye name of Celtica and the Celtes within the boundes of Gallia, from whence they came first to inhabite this land vnder the conduct of Samothes, as be∣fore ye haue hearde,* 1.2 accordingly as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath gathered out of Berolus ye Chaldean, who ther∣in agreeth also with the Scripture, the saying of Theophilus the Doctor, and the generall cōsente of all writers, whiche fully agree,* 1.3 that the firste inhabitantes of this Isle came out of the parties of Gallia, although some of them disagree of the tyme and maner of their comming,* 1.4 Sir Brian Tuke thinking it to be meant of the arriuall of Brute, when he came out of those countreys into this Ile. Cesar and Tacitus seeme to be of opi∣nion, that those Celtes which first inhabited here,* 1.5 came ouer to view ye coūtry for trade of merchan∣dise. Bodinus wold haue them to come in (a gods name) from Lāguedoc, and so to name this land Albion, of a citie in Lāguedoc named Alby. Be∣da and likewise Polidore (who foloweth him) af∣firme that they came from the coasts of Armori∣ca,* 1.6 whiche is nowe called little Britayn.
But as the authorities afore recited, are suffi∣cient to proue the tyme, so that this Iland was first inhabited by the Celtes, the olde possessours of Gallia, not only the neerenesse of the regions, but also the congruence of the languages, two great argumentes of originals, do fully confirme the same. Bodinus writeth vpon report,* 1.7 that the Britishe and Celtike language was all one: but whether that be true or not, I am not able to af∣firme, bicause the Celtike toung is long sithence growne wholly out of vse. But yet some such•…•… Celtike words as remayn in the writings of old authors may be perceiued to agree with ye Welch tong, being the incorrupted speech of the auncient Brytons. In deed Pausanias the Greeke,* 1.8 ma∣keth mention how the Celtes in their language called a horse marc: and by ye name do the Welch men call a horse vnto this daye: and the worde trimare in Pansani as, signifyeth in the Celtike toung, three horses.
Thus it appeareth by authortie of writers, by situation of place, and by affinitie of language, that this yland was first found and inhabiteed by the Celtes, that their name from Samothes to Albion continued heere the space of. 310. yeres or therabouts And finally it is likely,* 1.9 that aswel the progenie as the speeche of them is partely remai∣ning in thys Isle among the inhabitantes, and specially the Britishe, euen vnto this daye. But nowe to oure purpose of Albion his com∣ming into this Isle.