The firste [laste] volume of the chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande conteyning the description and chronicles of England, from the first inhabiting vnto the conquest : the description and chronicles of Scotland, from the first original of the Scottes nation till the yeare of our Lorde 1571 : the description and chronicles of Yrelande, likewise from the first originall of that nation untill the yeare 1571 / faithfully gathered and set forth by Raphaell Holinshed.

Belinus and Brennus, the sonnes of Mulmucius.

[illustration]

BRennus and Be∣linus began to raigne ioyntly as Kings in Britaine,* 1.1 in y^e yeere of the World .3574. after the buil∣ding of y^e Ci∣tie of Rome. 355. and after the deliuerance of the Israelites out of captiuitie .142. which was about y^e seuenth yere of Artaxerxes surnamed Mnenon,* 1.2 the seuēth K. of the Persians. Belinus held vnder his gouer∣nance Loegria, Wales, & Cornewale:* 1.3 and Brē∣nus all those countreys ouer and beyonde Hum∣ber. And with this partition were they contented by the tearme of sixe or seuen yeres,* 1.4 after whyche time expired, Brennus coueting to haue more than his portiō came to, first thought to purchase himselfe ayd in forreine parties,* 1.5 and therefore by the prouocation & counsel of yong vnquiet heads, sailed ouer into Norway, and there married the daughter of Elsung or Elsing,* 1.6 as then Duke or Ruler of that countrey. Beline offended with his brother, that he shoulde thus withoute his aduice marrie with a stranger, now in his absence seased al his lands, townes and fortresses into his owne hands, placing garrisons of men of warre where he thought conuenient.

In the meane time, Brenne aduertized hereof, assembled a great nauie of Ships, well furnished with people and Souldiers of the Norwegians, with the whiche he tooke his course homewardes, but in the way he was encountred by Guilthda∣cus king of Denmarke,* 1.7 the whiche had layen lōg in awaite for him, bycause of y^e yong Lady whi∣che Bren had married, for whom he had bin a su∣tor to hir father Elsing of long time. Whē these two fleetes of y^e Danes & Norwegiās met, there

was a sore battell betwixte them, but finally, the Danes ouercame them of Norway, and tooke y^e Ship wherein the new Bride was conueyed, and then was she brought aboorde y^e Ship of Guilth∣dachus. Brenne escaped by flighte as well as hee might. But when Guilthdachus had thus obtai∣ned the victory & pray, sodaynly thervpon rose a sore tēpest of winde & weather,* 1.8 which escattered the Danishe fleete, and put the King in daunger to haue bin lost: but finally within fiue dayes af∣ter,* 1.9 [ 10] being driuen by force of winde, he landed in Northumberland, with a fewe suche Shippes as kept togither with him.

Beline being then in that countrie, prouidyng for defence againste his brother, vpon knowledge had of the King of Denmarkes arriuall, caused him to be stayed. Shortly after, Brenne hauyng recouered and gote togither the most parte of hys Shippes, that were dispersed by the discomfiture, and thē newly rigged and furnished of al things necessary, sente worde to his brother Beline, both to restore to him his wife wrongfully rauished by Guithdacus, and also his lands iniuriously by him seased into his possession. These requestes be∣ing playnely and shortly denyed, Brenne made no long delay, but speedily made towards Alba∣nia, and landing with his army in a part thereof, encountred with his brother Beline neere vnto a Wood named as then Calater,* 1.10 where after cruell fight, and mortall battell betwixt them, at lēgth

[illustration]

the victory abode with the Britons, and the dis∣comfiture light so on the Norwegians, that the most of them were slayne, and left dead vpon the groūd. Hereby Brenne being forced to flee, made shift, and gote ouer into Gallia, where after hee had sued to this Prince and that, at lēgth he was [ 40] wel receiued of one Seguinus or Seginus Duke of the people called then Allobroges,* 1.11 as Galfrid of Monmoth saith, or rather Armorica, whyche now 'is called Britaine, as Policronicon, and the Englishe historie printed by Caxton, more truely may seme to affirme. But Belyne hauing got the vpper hand of his enimies, assembling hys counsell at Caerbranke, now called Yorke, tooke aduice what he should do with the King of Dē∣marke: where it was ordeyned, that he should bee [ 50] set at libertie, with condition and vnder couenāt, to acknowledge himselfe by doing homage, to holde his lande of the King of Britaine, and to pay him a yeerely tribute.* 1.12 These couenauntes therefore beeing agreed vnto, and hostages taken for assurance, he was set at libertie, and so retur∣ned into his countrey. The tribute that he coue∣nāted to pay, was a thousand pound, as y^e Eng∣lish Chronicle saith.

When Beline had thus expelled his brother, and was alone possessed of all the land of Brit∣taine, he firste confirmed the lawes made by hys father: and for so much as the foure wayes begun by his father were not brought to perfection,* 1.13 hee therefore caused workmen to be called foorth and assembled, whom he set in hand to paue the sayde wayes with stone, for the better passage and ease of all that should trauell through the countreyes from place to place, as occasiō shuld require. The first of these foure wayes is named Fosse,* 1.14 & stret∣cheth from the South into the North, beginning at y^e corner of Totnesse in Cornewaile, & so pas∣sing forth by Deuonshire, and Somersetshire, by Tutbery, on Cotteswold, & then forwarde beside Couentrie vnto Leicester, & from thence by wilde playnes toward Newarke,* 1.15 & endeth at the Citie of Lincoln. The second way was named Wat∣ling streete, 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, & so forth

by S. Albanes, & by y^e West side of Dunstable, Stratford, Toucester, and Wedon by south of Lilleborne, by Atherston, Gilberts hill, that nowe is called the Wreken, and so forth by Seuerne, passing beside Worcester, vnto Stratton to the middle of Wales, and so vnto a place called Car∣digan, at the Irish sea.

* 1.16The thirde waye was named Erming∣streete, the which stretched out of the west north∣west, vnto the east southeast, and begynneth at [ 10] Monenia, the which is in Saint Dauids lande in west Wales, and so vnto Southampton.

* 1.17The fourth and last way hight Hikenelstreete, which leadeth by Worcester, Winchcomb, Bir∣mingham, Lichfield, Darby, Chesterfielde, and by Yorke, and so forth vnto Tinmouth.

* 1.18And after he had caused these wayes to be wel and sufficiently reysed and made, hee confirmed vnto them all suche priuileges as were graunted by his father. [ 20]

In this meane tyme that Beline was thus occupied about the necessarie affayres of his realm and kingdome, his brother Brenne that was fled into Gallia onely with .xij. persons, bycause hee was a goodly Gentleman, and seemed to vnder∣stande what apperteyned to honour, grew shortly into fauor with Seginus the Duke afore menti∣oned, and declaring vnto him his aduersitie, and the whole circumstaunce of his mishap, at length was so highly cherished of the sayde Seginus, de∣liting [ 30] in such worthie qualities as he saw in him dayly appearing,* 1.19 that he gaue to him his daugh∣ter in maryage, with condition, that if he dyed without issue Male, then shoulde he inherite his estate and Dukedome: and if it happened him to leaue and heyre Male behinde him, then shoulde he yet helpe him to recouer his lande and domi∣nion in Brytaine, bereft frō him by his brother.

These conditions well and surely vppon the Dukes part by the assent of the Nobles of his [ 40] lande concluded, ratified, and assured, the sayde Duke within the space of one yeare after dyed. And then after a certaine time it beeing knowne that the Duches was not with childe, all the Lords of that Countrey did homage vnto Bren, receyuing him as their Lorde and supreme go∣uernour, vpon whome he likewise for his part in recompence of their curtesie, bestowed a great por∣tion of his treasure.

* 1.20Shortly after also, with their assent he gathe∣red [ 50] an army, and with the same eftsoones came o∣uer into Brytayne, to make new warre vpon his brother Belyne. Of whose landing when Be∣line was informed, he assembled his people and made himselfe readie to meete him,* 1.21 but as they were at poynt to haue ioyned battell, by the in∣tercessiō of their mother that came betwixt them, and demeaned hirselfe in all motherly order, and moste louing maner towardes them both, they fell to an agreement, and were made friendes or euer they parted asunder.

After this they repayred to London, and there taking aduice togyther with their Peeres and Counsellors, for the good order and quieting of the lande, at length they accorded to passe wyth both their armies into Gallia to subdue that whole Countrey, and so following this determi∣nation, they tooke shipping and sayled ouer into Gallia, where beginning the warre with fire and sword, they wrought such maysteries,* 1.22 that with∣in a short time (as sayth Geffrey of Monmouth) they conquered a great part of Gallia, Italy, and Germanie, and brought it to their subiection. In the ende they tooke Rome by this occasion (as wryters report, if these be the same that had the leading of those Galli, which in this season did so much hurt in Italy and other parts of the world.

After they had passed the mountaynes, & were entred into Tuskaine,* 1.23 they besieged the Citie of Clusium, the Citizens whereof beeing in greate daunger, sent to Rome for ayde agaynst theyr enimies. Wherevpon the Romaines considering with themselues, that although they were not in any league of societie with the Clusians, yet if they were ouercome, the daūger of the next brunt were like to be theirs:* 1.24 with all speed they sent am∣bassadours to intreate betwixte the parties for some peace to be had.

They that were sent, required the Captaynes of the Gaulles in name of the Senate and Citi∣zens of Rome,* 1.25 not to molest the friendes of the Romaines: 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 agreeable that the Gaulles might haue part of theyr Countrey, which they held being more than they did alreadie well occupie, for otherwise (sayd he) there could be no peace graunted.

The Romaine Ambassadors being offended with these wordes, demaunded what the Gaules had to do in Tuskain.* 1.26 By reason of which and other the like ouerthwart wordes, the parties be∣gan to kindle in displeasure so farre, y^t their cōmu∣nication brake of, and so they from treating fell a∣gaine to trie the matter by dynt of sworde.

The Romaine Ambassadors also to shewe of what prowes the Romaines were, contrarie to the law of Nations, y^t forbiddeth such as come in Ambassade about any treatie of peace, to take ei∣ther one part or other, took weapon in hand & ioy∣ned themselues with the Clusians, wherewith the Gaulles were so muche displeased, that inconti∣nently with one voyce, they requyred to haue the siege raysed 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 lawe, that punishment might be done on them accordingly as they had deser∣ued. This was done, and knowledge brought a∣gaine, that the Ambassadors were not onely not punished, but also chosen to be Tribunes for the next yeare.

The Gaulles then became in such a rage (by∣cause they saw there was nothing to be looked for at the handes of the Romaines, but warre, ••••iu∣rious wrongs, and deceytfull traynes) that they turned all their force agaynst them,* 1.27 marching streight towards Rome, and by the way destroy∣ing all that stoode before them.

The Romaines aduertised thereof, assembled themselues togither to the number of .xl.M. and encountring with Beline and Brenne,* 1.28 neare to the riuer Allia, about .xj. miles on this side Rome, were slaine and quite discomfited.

[illustration]

The Galles could vneth beleeue that they had got the victorie with so small resistance: but whē they perceyued that the Romaines were wholy [ 30] ouerthrowne, and that the field was clerely rid of them, they got togither the spoyle, and made to∣wards Rome it selfe, where such feare and terror was stryken into the heartes of the people, that all men were in dispayre to defende the Citie:* 1.29 and therefore the Senate with all the warrelike youth of the Citizens got them into the Capitoll, which they furnished with vitayles and all things ne∣cessarie for the maintenance of the same agaynst a long siege. The honourable fathers and all the [ 40] multitude of other people not apt for warres, re∣mayned stil in the Citie, as it were to perish with their Countrey, if happe so befell.

* 1.30In the meane time came the Gaulles to the Citie, and entring by the gate Collina▪ they passe forth the right way vnto the Market place, mar∣ueyling to see the houses of the poorer sort to bee shut agaynst them, and those of the rycher to re∣maine wide open, wherefore being doubtfull of some deceytfull traynes, they were not ouer rashe [ 50] to enter the same, but after they had espied the an∣cient fathers sit in theyr Chayres apparelled in theyr riche Robes, as if they had beene in the Se∣nate,* 1.31 they reuerenced them as Gods, so honorable was their port, grauenesse in countnaunce, and shew of apparell.

* 1.32In the meane time it chaunced, that Marcus Papyrius stroke one of the Gaulles on the heade with his staffe, bycause he presumed to stroke his bearde: with whiche iniurie the Gaulle beeing prouoked, slue Papyrius (as he sate) with hys sworde, and therewith the slaughter being begun with one, all the residue of those auncient father∣ly men as they sat in theyr Chayres were slaine and cruelly murthered.

After this all the people founde in the Citie without respect or difference at al,* 1.33 were put to the sworde, and the houses sacked. And thus was Rome taken by the two brethren, Beline, and Brenne .•…•…65. yeares after the first building therof.* 1.34

After this,* 1.35 the Gaulles attempted in the night season to haue entred the Capitoll: and in deede ordered their enterprise so secretely, that they had atchieued their purpose, if a sort of Ganders had not with their crie and noyse disclosed them, in wakening the Romaines that were asleepe: and so by that meanes were the Gaulles beaten backe and repulsed.

The Romaines beeing thus put to their ex∣treeme shift, deuised among themselues howe to reuoke Furius Camillus from exile, whome not long before they had vniustly banished out of the Citie.* 1.36 In the ende they did not onely sende for him home, but also created him Dictator, com∣mitting into his handes (so long as his office la∣sted) an absolute power ouer all men, both of life and death.

Camilius forgetful of the iniurie done to him, and mindful of his dutie towards his Countrey,

and lamenting the state thereof, withoute delay gathereth suche an armie as the present time per∣mitted.

In the meane time those that kept the Capi∣toll (being almost famished for lacke of vitayles) compounded with Brenne and Beline, that for the summe of a thousand pounde weight in gold,* 1.37 the Romaines should redeeme theyr liberties: and the sayd Brenne and Beline to depart with their armie out of the Citie and all the territories of [ 10] Rome. But at the deliuerie of the money, and by a certaine kinde of happe, the Romaines name was preserued at that time from suche dishonour and ignominie as was like•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 haue insued. For some of the couetous sort of the Gaulles, not cō∣tented with the iust weight of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 golde, did cast their swordes also into the Ballance where the weightes lay, thereby to haue ouer weight: wher∣vpon the Romains refused to make payment af∣ter that weight. [ 20]

And thus whilest they were in altercation a∣bout this matter, the one importunate to haue, the other not willing to graunt, the time passed, till in the meane season Camillus commeth in amongest them with his power,* 1.38 commaunding that the gold should be had away, and affyrming that without consent of the Dictator, no compo∣sition or agreement might bee concluded by the meaner Magistrate. He giueth a signe to the Gaulles to prepare themselues to battaile, where∣vnto [ 30] they lightly agreed, and togither they went. The battaile being once begon, the Gaulles that looked earst for golde, and not for battaile, were easily ouercome, such as stoode to the brunt were slaine,* 1.39 and the rest by flight constrayned to de∣part the Citie.

Polybius wryteth, that the Gaulles were fur∣ned from the siege of the Citie, through warres which chaunced amongest their owne people at home, and therefore they concluded a peace wyth [ 40] the Romaines, and leauing them in libertie re∣turned home againe.

But howsoeuer the matter passed, thus muche haue we slept from our purpose, to shewe some∣what of that noble and most famous Captayne Brennus, the which as not onely our Hystories, but also as Giouan Villani the Florentine doth report, was a Brytain, and brother to Beline (as before is mentioned) although I know that ma∣ny other writers are not of that mind, affyrming [ 50] him to be a Gaul, and likewise that after this pre∣sent time of the taking of Rome by this Brennus 110. yeares, or there aboutes, there was another Brennus a Gaull also by Nation (say they) vn∣der whose conduct an other armie of the Gaulles inuaded Grecia, whiche Brennus had a brother that hight Belgius, althoughe Humfrey Llhuyd, and sir Iohn Price doe flatly denie the same, by reason of some discordance in writers, and name∣ly in the computation of the yeares set downe by thē that haue recorded the doings of those times, whereof the error is growen. Howbeit I doubt not but that the truth of this matter shall be more fully sifted out in time by the learned and studi∣ous of such antiquities.

But now to our purpose. This is also to bee noted, y^t where our Histories make mention, that Beline was abrode with Brennus in the moste part of his victories, both in Gallia, Germany,* 1.40 & Italy, Titus Liuius speaketh but only of Bren∣nus: wherevpon some write, that after the two brethren were by their mothers intreatance made friendes, Brennus onely went ouer into Gallia, and there through proufe of his worthie prowes, atteyned to such estimation amongest the people called Galli Senones, that he was chosen to be their general Captaine at theyr going ouer the moun∣taynes into Italie.* 1.41 But whether Beline went ouer with his brother, and finally returned backe againe leauing Brennus behinde him, as some write, or that he went not at all, but remayned still at home whilest his brother was abrode, wee can affyrme no certaintie.

The truth is, that the moste part of all ours writers make report of many worthie deedes ac∣complished by Beline, in repayring of Cities de∣cayed, and erecting of other newe buyldings, to the adorning and beautifying of his Realme and kingdome.

And amongest other workes which were by him erected,* 1.42 he buylded a Citie in the south parte of Wales, neare to the place where the riuer Vske falleth into Seuerne, fast by Glaumorgan, which citie hight Cairlleon, or Cairllegion Ar Wiske.

This Cairllegion was the principall Citie in tyme past of all Demetia, nowe called South∣wales. Many notable monumentes are remay∣ning there till this day, testifying the great mag∣nificence and royall buyldings of that Citie in olde tyme.

There were in the same Citie also sithe the time of Christ three Churches, one of Saint Iu∣lius the Martyr, an other of Saint Aron, and the third was the mother Church of all Demetia, and the chiefe Sea: but after the same sea was translated vnto Meneuia, (that is to say) Saint Dauid in Westwales.

In this Cairlleon was Amphibulus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that taught and instructed Saint Albon.

Also this Beline buylded an hauen,* 1.43 with a gate ouer the same, within the Citie of Troyno∣uant, or London, in the summer whereof after∣wards was set a vessell of Brasse, in the whiche were put the ashes of his bodie, which bodie after his deceasse was burnt, as the maner of burying in those dayes did require.

* 1.44This gate was long after called Bellinus gate, and at length by corruption of language Bellings gate.

He buylded also a Castell Eastwarde from this gate (as some haue written) whiche was long tyme after likewyse called Bellyns Ca∣stell,* 1.45 and is the same whiche nowe wee call the Tower of London.

Thus Beline studying dayly to beautifie this lande with goodly buyldings and famous works, [ 10] at length departed this lyfe, after he had raig∣ned with his brother and alone, the space of .xxvj. yeare.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Belinus and Brennus.
• * 1.2

  3574
• * 1.3

  M.W.
• * 1.4

  5. hath Policr.
• * 1.5

  Brennus not content with his portion.
• * 1.6

  Elsingius.
• * 1.7

  Guilthdacus King of Den∣marke.
• * 1.8

  A tempest.
• * 1.9

  Guithdachus •…•…anded in the North.
• * 1.10

  Calāder 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is in Scotland▪
• * 1.11

  Seguinus or Seginus Duke of the Allo∣broges, nowe the Delphi∣na•…•…e or Sauoy.
• * 1.12

  The Danes tributarie to the Britons.
• * 1.13

  The foure high wayes finished.
• * 1.14

  The Fosse.
• * 1.15

  Watling Streete.
• * 1.16

  •…•…ing street.
• * 1.17

  •…•…nelstreete.
• * 1.18

  •…•…iuiledges •…•…unted to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wayes.
• * 1.19

  •…•…renne mary∣•…•…th the duke of •…•…he Alobroges daughter.
• * 1.20

  Brenne with an armie retur∣neth into Bry∣taine.
• * 1.21

  Brenne and Beline made friendes by in∣tercession of their mother.
• * 1.22

  They inuade Gallia and Italie.
• * 1.23

  Now Chiust.
• * 1.24

  Ambassadors. sent from Rome.
• * 1.25

  Brennus an∣swere.
• * 1.26

  The treatie of peace brea∣keth off.
• * 1.27

  The Ga•••••• make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rome.
• * 1.28

  The Rom•…•… enco•••••••• with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are ouer∣throwne.
• * 1.29

  The Romains in despayre withdraw into the Capitoll.
• * 1.30

  The Gaules enter into Rome.
• * 1.31

  The reuerend aspect of the Senators.
• * 1.32

  Marcus Papy∣rius.
• * 1.33

  Rome 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.34

  365
• * 1.35

  The Capi••••••l defended.
• * 1.36

  Camillus ••••∣uoked 〈◊〉〈◊〉 exile.
• * 1.37

  ••••position.
• * 1.38

  ••••millus dis∣••••••ointeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gaulles of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 payment.
• * 1.39

  •…•…he Gaulles ••••erthrowne.
• * 1.40

  Tit. Lin. Polidor.
• * 1.41

  Ma. VVest
• * 1.42

  Paliche. Gal. M. Cairlleon r Wiske buylt by Belin.
• * 1.43

  Fabian.
• * 1.44

  Iohn Leyland.
• * 1.45

  The tower of London built by Beline.