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.

Cassibellane.

[illustration]

CAssibellane the brother of Lud was admitted king of Brytaine, in the yeare of the worlde .3908. after the buyl∣ding [ 20] of Rome, 692. & before the comming of Christ .58. complete. For sith the two sonnes of Lud were not of age able to gouerne, the rule of the land was comitted to Cassibellane: but yet (as some haue written) he was not created king, but rather appoynted ruler and protector of the land, during the nonage of his nephewes.

Now after he was admitted (by whatsoeuer or∣der) [ 30] to the administration of the cōmon welth, he became so noble a prince and so bounteous, that his name spred far & nere, and by his vpright dea∣ling in seeing iustice executed he grew in such esti∣mation, that the Brytayns made small accoūt of his nephews, in comparison of the fauour whiche they bare towards him. But Cassibellane hauing respect to his honor, least it might be thought that his nephewes were expulsed by him out of theyr rightful possessions, brought them vp very hono∣rably, [ 40] assigning to Androgeus, London & Kent, and to Theomantius the country of Cornewale.

And thus farre out of the Brytish hystories, by the which it may be gathered, that the yeares as∣signed to these kings that raigned before Cassibe∣lane, amount to the summe of .1058. But whether these gouernors (whose names we haue recited) were kings, or rather rulers of the cōmon wealth, either else tyrants & vsurpers of the gouernment by force, it is vncertain: for not one ancient wry∣ter [ 50] of any approued authoritie maketh any remē∣brance of thē, & by that which Iulius Cesar wry∣teth, it may & doth appere, that diuerse cities in his dayes were gouerned of thēselues, as hereafter it shall more plainly appeare. Neither doth he make mētion of those townes which the British hysto∣rie affyrmeth to be built by the same kings.

In deede both hee and other latine wryters speake of diuerse people that inhabited diuers por∣tions of this land, as of the Brigantes, Trino∣bantes, Iceni, Silures, and such other like, but in what selfe partes most of the sayde people did cer∣tenly inhabit, it is hard to auouch a certain truth.

But what Iohn Leyland thinketh hereof, being one in our time that curiously serched out old an∣tiquities, you shall after heare as occasion serueth: and likewise the opinions of other, as of Hector Boetius, who coueting to haue all such valiaunt actes as were atchieued by the Brytains to be as∣scribed to his countrymē the Scots, draweth both the Silures, & Brigantes with other of the Bri∣tains so farre northward, that he maketh them in∣habitāts of the Scottish countries. And what per∣ticular names soeuer they had, yet were they all Scots with him, & knowne by that general name (as he would perswade vs to beleue, saying that they entred into Britain out of Ireland .30. y•…•…r•…•…s before the incarnation of our sauiour. But how generall soeuer the name of Scots then was, sure it is, that no speciall mention of thē is made by a∣ny writer, till about .300. yeares after the birth of our sauiour. And yet the Romains which ru•…•…es this land, & had so much ado with the people the•…•…∣of, make mention of diuers other people, nothing so famous as Boetius would make his Scottish men euē then to be. But to leaue to the Scots the antiquitie of their original beginning, as they and other must doe vnto vs our discent from Brute & the other Troians, sith y^e contrary doth not plain∣ly appeare, vnlesse we shal lean vnto presūptions: now are we come to the time in the which what actes were atchieued, there remayneth more cer∣taine record, and therefore may we the more bow∣ly proceeds in this our hystorie.

In this season y^e Cassibellane had the supreme gouernmēt here in Britain. Caius Iulius Cesar being appointed by the Senate of Rome to con∣quer Gallia, was for y^e purpose created Consull; & sent with a mightie army into y^e cuntry, where after he had brought the Galles vnto some frame, he determined to assay y^e winning of Britain, the which as yet the Romains knew not otherwyse thā by report. The chiefest cause that moued him to take in hand that enterprise, was for that he did vnderstande, that there dayly came great succors out of that Ile to those Gauls that were enimies vnto the Romains. And although the season of y^e yere to make war was far spent (for sommer was almost at an end) yet he thought it wold be to good purpose, if he might but passe ouer thither, & learne what maner of people did inhabite there, and dis∣couer the places, hauens, & entries apperteyning to that Ile. Herevpon calling togither such Mar∣chauntes as he knewe to haue had traffique thy∣ther wyth some trade of Wares, hee diligent∣lye enquyred of them the state of the Isle:

but he could not be throughly satisfied in anye of those things that he coueted to know. Therefore thinking it good to vnderstand all things by view that might appertaine to the vse of that warre which he purposed to follow: before he attempted the same, he sent one Caius Volusenus wyth a galley or light Pinesse to suruey the coastes of the Ile, commaūding him after diligent search made to returne with speede to him againe. He himself also draweth downwardes towards Bullenoys, [ 10] from whēce the shortest cut lieth to passe ouer in∣to Brytaine,

In which part of Gallia there was in those days an hauen called Itius Portus, (which some take to be Calice) & so the word importeth, an harbourgh as then able to receiue a great nūber of ships. Vn∣to this hauen therefore Cesar caused all the ships he coulde get out of the next borders and parties, and those specially whiche hee had prouided and put in a readinesse the last yeare, for the warres (a∣gaynst [ 20] them of Vannes in Armorica, now called Brytayne in Fraunce) to be brought thither, there to lie till they should heare further.

In the meane time (his indeuor being knowne, and by Merchants reported in Brytain) all those that were able to beare armor were commaun∣ded and appoynted to repayre to the sea side, that they might be readie to defend their countrey in time of so great daunger of inuasion. Cesar in his Commentaries agreeth not with our hystorio∣graphers: [ 30] for he writeth that immediatly vpon knowledge had that he woulde inuade Brytaine, there came to him Ambassadors frō diuerse cities of the Ile to offer themselues to be subiects to the Romains, and to deliuer hostages. Whō after he had exhorted to continue in their good minde, he sent thē home again, & with thē one Comius, go∣uernor of Artois, cōmaunding him to repair vnto as many cities in Brytayn as he might, & to ex∣hort thē to submit thēselues to the Romains. He [ 40] maketh no mention of Cassibellane till the second iourney y^t he made into the Ile, at what time the said Cassibelan was chosen (as ye shal heare) to be the general captain of the Britayns, & to haue the whole administratiō of the war for defence of the coūtry. But he nameth him not to be a king, how be it in the Brytish hystorie it is conteyned, that Cesar required tribute of Cassibelan, & that he an∣swered howe he had not learned as yet to liue in seruage, but to defend the libertie of his country, & [ 50] that with weapō in hand (if need were) as he shuld wel perceiue, if (blinded through couetousnesse) he should aduenture to seke to disquiet the Britains.

Thus here aswel as in other places, there is di∣uersitie in authors: & to the end you should not be ignorant therof, we haue thought good now and then to touch the same, that you may in reading take the more pleasure, when ye shal marke some things worthie of credite, and somethings again so vnlikely as may rather seme to moue laughter, than to passe for matter worthie of credite.

But to the purpose. Caius Volusenus within fiue days after his departure from Cesar, returned again vnto him with his galley, & declared what he had seene touching the view which he had ta∣ken of the coastes of Brytaine.

Cesar then hauing got togither so many sayle as hee thought sufficient for the transporting of two legions of souldiers, after he had ordred his businesse as he thought expedient, and gotten a conuenient winde for his purpose, he embarqued himselfe and his people, and departed from Calice in the night about the thirde watch (which is a∣bout three or foure of the clocke after midnight) giuing order that the horsemen should take ship at an other place .viij. myles aboue Calis, and fol∣low him. But when they somewhat slacked the time, about tenne of the clocke the next day, ha∣uing the winde at will, he touched on the coast of Brytayne, where he might beholde all the shore set and couered with men of warre. For the Bry∣taynes hearing that Cesar ment verye shortly to come agaynst them, were assembled in armour to resist him: and now being aduertised of his ap∣proche to the lande, they prepared themselues to withstande him. Cesar perceyuing this, deter∣mined to stay till the other ships were come, and so he lay at ancre till about .xj. of the clocke, and then calleth a counsell of the Marshals and chiefe captaines, vnto whome he declared both what he had learned of Volusenus, and also further what he would haue done, willing them that all things might be ordred as the reason of warre requyred. And bycause he perceyued that this place where he first cast ancre, was not meete for the landing of his people, sith (from the height of the cliffes that closed on ech side the narrow creek into the which he had thrust) the Brytaynes might annoy hys people with their bowes and dartes, before they could set foote on land, hauing now the wind and tyde with him, he disankred from thence, & drewe alongest the coast vnder the downes, the space of vij. or .viij. myles: and there finding the shore more flat and plaine, he approched neare to the land, determining to come to the shore.

The Brytaynes perceyuing Cesars intent, with all speede caused their horsmen and charets or wagons which Cesar calleth Essede, (out of the which in those dayes they vsed to fight to marche foorth toward the place whither they saw y^e Cesar drew, and after followed with their maine army. Wherefore Cesar being thus preuented, enfor∣ced yet to lande wyth hys people, although hee sawe that hee shoulde haue muche a doe: for as the Brytaynes were in readynesse to resyste hym: so hys greate and huge Shyppes coulde

not come neare the shore, but were forced to keepe the deepe, so that the Romaine Souldiers were put to a verie hard shift, for they must both leape forth of their shippes, and pestred with their heauy armour and weapons fight in the water wyth their enimies, who knowing the flats and shelues stood either vpō the drie ground, or else but a little way in the shallow places of the water, and being not otherwise encombred either with armour or weapon, but so as they might bestir thēselues at wil, they layd load vpon the Romains with their arrowes and dartes, and forced their horses (be∣ing

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thereto envred) to enter the water the more easily, so to annoy and distresse the Romaines, who wanting experience in suche kinde of fight, [ 20] were not wel able to helpe themselues, nor to kepe order as they vsed to doe on lande: wherefore they fought nothing so lustily as they were wont to doe, which Ceasar perceyuing, commaunded the Gallyes to depart from the great shippes, and to rowe harde to the shore, that being placed ouer agaynst the open sydes of the Brytaynes, they might with theyr shotte of Arrowes, Darts, and Slings, remoue the Brytaynes, and cause them to withdraw further of from the water side.

This thing being put in execution (according [ 30] to his commaundement, the Brytaynes were not a little astonyed at the straunge sight of those Gallies, for that they were dryuen with Oares, which earst they had not seene, and shrewdly were they galled also with the artillerie which the Ro∣maines discharged vpon them, so that they began to shrinke and retyre somewhat backe. Here∣with one that bare the ensigne of the legion sur∣named Decima, wherin the Eagle was figured, [ 40] as in that which was the chiefe ensigne of the le∣gion, when he sawe his fellowes nothing eagre to make forward, first besieching the goddes that his enterprise might turne to the weale, profite, and honour of the legion, he spake with a lowd voyce these wordes to his felowes that were about him: Leape forth now you worthie souldiers (sayth he) if you wil not betray your ensigne to the enimies. For surely I will acquite my selfe according to my dutie both towardes the common welth, and [ 50] my generall: and therewith leaping forth into the water, he marched with his ensigne streight vpon the enimies.

The Romaines doubting to lose their ensigne, which should haue turned them to high reproche, leapt out of their ships so fast as they might, and followed their standard, so that there ensued a sore reencounter: and that thing that troubled moste the Romaines, was bycause they could not keepe their order, neyther finde any sure footing, nor yet follow euery man his owne Ensigne, but to put themselues vnder that ensigne whiche hee fyrst met with after their first comming forth of the Shippe.

The Brytaynes that were acquainted with the shelfes and shallow places of the water, when they saw the Romaines thus disorderly to come forth of their ships, they ranne vpon them with their horses and fiercely assayled them, and nowe and then a greate multitude of the Brytaynes woulde compasse in, and enclose some one com∣pany of them: and other also from the most open places of the shore bestowed great plentie of darts vpon the whole number of the Romaines, and so troubled them passing sore: wherevpon Cesar perceyuing the maner of this fight, caused his mē of warre to enter into Boates and other small vessels, which he commaunded to go to such pla∣ces where most need appeared. And thus relieuing them that fought, with new succours, at length the Romaines got to lande, and then assembling togither, they assayled the Brytaynes of new, and so at length did put them all to flight. But the Romaines could not folow the Brytaynes farre, bycause they wanted their horsmen, which were yet behind, and through slacking time coulde not come to lande. And this one thing seemed onely to disappoint the luckie fortune y^t was accusto∣med to followe Cesar in all his other enterprises.

The Brytains after this flight were no sooner got togither, but that with all speed they sent Am∣bassadors vnto Cesar to treat with him of peace, offring to deliuer hostages, and further to stande vnto that order that Cesar should take with them in any reasonable sort. With these Ambassadors came also Comius, whō Cesar (as ye haue heard) had sent before into Brytaine, whom notwith∣standing that he was an Ambassador, and sent from Cesar with commission and instructions

sufficiently furnished, yet had they stayd him as a prisoner. But now after the battaile was ended they set him at libertie, & sent him back with their Ambassadors, who excused the matter, laying the blame on the people of the Countrey, which had imprisoned him through lacke of vnderstanding what apperteyned to the law of armes, and na∣tions in that behalfe.

Cesar found great fault with their misdemea∣nor, not onely for imprisoning his Ambassador, [ 10] but also for that contrary to they'r promises made by such as they had sent to him into Gallia to de∣liuer hostages, in lieu thereof, they had ••••ceyued him with warre: yet in the ende he sayd he would pardon them, and not seeke any further reuenge of theyr follies. And herewith required of them ho∣stages, of which, part were deliuered out of hand, and promise made that the residue should likewise be sent after, crauing some respite for performance of the same, bycause they were to be fetched farte [ 20] off within the Countrey.

Peace being thus established after the .iiij. day of the Romaines arriuall in Brytaine, the .xviij. shippes which (as ye haue heard) were appoynted to conuey the horsmen ouer, loosed from the fur∣ther hauen with a soft winde. The whiche when they approched so neare the shore of Brytain, that the Romains which were in Cesars camp might see them, sodainly there arose so great a tempest, that none of them was able to keepe his course, so [ 30] that they were not onely driuen in sunder (some being caried againe into Gallia, and some west∣ward but also the other shippes that lay at ancre, and had brought ouer the armie, were so pitifully beaten, tossed and shaken, that a great number of them did not onely lose their tackle, but also were caried by force of winde into the high sea, the rest being likewise so filled with water, y^t they were in danger by sinking to perish & to be quite lost. For the Moone in the same night was at the full, and [ 40] therefore caused a spring tide, which furthered the force of the tempest, to the greater perill of those ships and gallies that lay at an ancre. There was no way for the Romains to help y^e matter: wher∣fore a great number of those ships were so bruised, rent, and watherbeaten, that without new repa∣ration they would serue to no vse of sailing. This was a great discōfort to the Romaines that had brought ouer no prouision to liue by in y^e winter season, nor saw any hope how they should repasse [ 50] againe into Gallia. In the meane time the Bry∣tish princes that were in the Romaine army, per∣ceyuing how greatly this mishap had discouraged the Romains, & againe by the smal circuit of their campe, gessed that they coulde be no great num∣ber, and that lacke of vitayles sore oppressed them, they priuily stale away one after another out of the campe, purposing to assemble their powers a∣gaine & to forestall the Romains from vitayle•…•…, and so to driue the ••••tter off till winter which if they might do (vanquishing these or closing them from returning, they trusted that none of the Ro∣mains from then thenceforth would attempt eftsoones to come come into Baytain. Cesar mistrusting their dealings, bicause they stayd to deliuer the re∣sidue of their hostages, commaunded vitails to be brought out of y^e parties adioyning, & not hauing other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to rep•…•…i•••• his ships, becaused .xij. of those that were vtterly past recouerie by the hurts receyued through violence of the tē••••st, •…•…o be bro∣ken; wherwith the other (in which some recouerie was perceyued) might be repayred.

In the meane time whilest these things were a doing, it chaunced that as one of the Romaine legions named the .vij. was sent forth to suche in corne out of the countrey adioyning (as theyr custome was) no warre at that time being suspec∣ted; or once looked for, when part of the people re∣mayned abrode in the field, and part repayred to the camp: those that warded before the campe ad∣uertised Cesar, that three appeared•…•… dust gr••••er than was acenst o••••ed from that quarter, into the which the legion was gone to fetch in c•…•…r•…•…e. Ce∣sar iudging therof what the matter might meane, commaunded those handes that wa•…•…ded, to goe with him that way forth, and appoynted other two bands to come into their rowmthes, and the res•…•…one of his people to get them to armor, and to follow quickly after him. He was not gone any great way from the campe, when hee might see where his people were one matched by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enimies, and had much•••• do to heare out the brunt: for the legion bring thronged togither, the Brytaynes pe•…•…ted them sore with arrows & darts on ech side, for sithence there was no fortage left in any part of the country about, but only in this 〈◊〉〈◊〉, y^e Bry∣tains indged that the Romains would come thi∣ther for it: therfore (〈◊〉〈◊〉 lodged thēselues w^tin the woods in amb••••••s the night 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on y^e •…•…o∣row after when they saw the Romains dispersed here & there, and busie to cut downe the 〈◊〉〈◊〉) they set vpon them on the soden, & s••••••ing some few of them, brought the residue out of order, cōpassing thē about with their horsmen and charets, so that they were in greate distresse. The maner of fight with these charets was such, that in y^e beginning of a battaile they would ride aboute the sides and skirts of the enimies host, & bestow their dartes as they sat in those charets, so that oftentimes wyth the braying of the horses, & craking noise of y^e cha∣ret whre••••s they disordred their enimies, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that they had wound themselues in amongst the troupes of horsinē, they would leap out of the cha∣rets, & fight a foot, & in the mean time those y^t gui∣ded the charets would withdraw thēselues out of the battail, placing thēselues so, that if their people

were ouermatched with the multitude of enimies they might easily withdraw to their charets, and mount vpon the same againe, by meanes where∣of they are as readie to remoue as the horsemen, & as stedfast to stand in the battaile as the footmen, and so to supplie both dueties in one. And those Charetmen by exercise and custome were so can∣ning in their feat, that although their horses were put to run and gallop, yet could they stay them & hold them backe at their pleasures, and turne and [ 10] wind them to and fro in a moment, notwithstan∣ding that the place were very steepe and daunge∣rous: and againe they would run vp and downe very nimbly vpon the coppes, & stand vpō y^e beam and conuey thēselues quickly again into y^e charet.

Cesar thus finding his people in great distresse and readie to be destroyed, came in good time, and deliuered thē out of that daunger: for y^e Brytains vpon his approch with new succors, gaue ouer to assaile their enimies any further, & the Romaines [ 20] were deliuered out of the feare wherein they stoode before his comming.

Furthermore, Cesar cōsidering the time serued not to assaile his enimies, kept his ground, & short∣ly after brought backe his legions into the camp. Whilest these things were thus a doing, & all the Romains being occupied, y^e rest that were abrode in the fields got them away. After this there fol∣lowed a fore season of raine and foule weather, which kept the Romains within their campe, and stayed the Brytains frō offring battel. But in the meane time they sent into all parts of the coūtrey messengers abrode to giue knowledge of the smal number of the Romaines, & what hope there was both of great spoyle to be gotten, and occasion to deliuer thēselues from further daunger for euer, if they might once expell the Romaines out of their campe. Herevpon a great multitude both of hors∣men and footemen of the Britains were speedily got togither, & approched the Romain camp. Ce∣sar although he saw that the same would come to passe which had chanced before, that if the enimies were put to the repulse, they would easly escape y^e danger with swiftnesse of foot, yet hauing now w^t him .xxx. horsemen (which Comius of Arras had brought ouer with him, whē he was sent frō Ce∣sar as an Ambassador vnto the Brytains) he pla∣ced his legions in order of battail before his camp, and so cōming to ioyne with the Brytains, they were not able to susteyn the violent impression of

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the armed men, and so fled. The Romains pur∣sued them so farre as they were able to ouertake any of them, and so sleaing many of them, & bur∣ning vp their houses all about, came backe againe to their campe.

Immediately wherevpon, euen the same day they sent Ambassadors to Cesar, to sue for peace, who gladly accepting their offer, commaunded them to send ouer into Gallia, after he shoulde be [ 50] returned thither, hostages in nūbre double to those that were agreed vpon at the first.

After that these things were thus ordred, Cesar bycause that the Moneth of September was wel neare halfe spent, and that Winter hasted on (a season not meete for his weake bruysed shippes to brooke the Seas in) determined not to stay anye longer, but hauing winde and weather for his purpose, got himselfe a boorde with his people, and returned into Gallia.

Thus wryteth Cesar touching his first iour∣ney made into Brytaine. But the Brytish Hy∣storie (which Polidore calleth the new Hystorie) declareth, that Cesar in a pight field was vanqui∣shed at the first encounter, and so withdrew backe into Fraunee.

Beda also wryteth thus: that Cesar cōming into the countrey of Gallia, where the people then called Mo•…•…ini inhabited (whiche are at this day the same that inhabite the Dioces of Terwine) from whence lyeth the shortest passage ouer into Brytain, now called England, got togither .lxxx sayle of great shippes and row Gallies, with the which he passed ouer into Brytayne, and there at the first being wearied with sharpe and sore fight,

and after taken with a grieuous tempest, lost the more part of his nauie, with no small number of his souldiers, and almost all his horsemen. And therewith being returned into Gallia, placed his souldiers in steeds to soiourne there for the winter season. Thus hath Bede.

The British hystorie moreouer maketh men∣tion of three vnder kings that ayded Cassibellane in this first battail fought w^t Cesar, as Cridior•…•…s, alias, Ederus, K. of Albania, nowe called Scot∣land: [ 10] Guitethus king of Venedocia, that is north Wales: & Britael king of Demetia, at this day called south Wales.

The same hystorie maketh also mention of one Belinus that was general of Cassibelanes army, and likewise of Nenius brother to Cassibelane, which in the fight happened to get Cesars sword fastned in his shield by a blow which Cesar stroke at him. Androgeus also, and Tenancius, were at the battail in ayde of Cassibelane. But Nennius [ 20] died within .xv. dayes after the battail of the hurt. receiued at Cesars hand, although after he was so hurt, he slue Labienus one of y^e Rom. Tribunes: all which may well be true, sith Cesar either ma∣keth the best of things for his owne honor, or else coueting to write but Commentaries, maketh no accoūt to declare the needles circūstances, or any more of the matter, than y^e chief points of his dea∣ling. Again the Scottish hystoriographers write, that when it was first known to the Brytaynes, [ 30] that Cesar would inuade them, there came from Cassibelane king of Brytaynes an Ambassade vnto Ederus king of Scottes, the which in the name of king Cassibelane, requyred ayde agaynst the common enimies the Romaines, which re∣quest was g•…•…aunted, and ten. M. Scots sent to the ayde of Cassibellane.

At their comming to London, they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ioyfully receiued of Cassibellane, who at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tyme had knowledge that the Romaines were come a land, and had beatē such Brytaynes backe as were appoynted to resist their landing. Wher∣vpon Cassibellane with all his whole puissaunce mightily augmented, not onely with the succors of the Scottes, but also of the Pi••••s (which in that common cause had sent also of their people to ayd the Brytaynes) set forwarde towardes the place where he vnderstoode the enimies to be.

At their first approch togither, Cassibellane sent forth his horsmen and charets called Essed•••• by the which he thought to disorder the array of the enimies. Twice they encountered togither with doubtfull victorie. At l•…•…ngth they ioyned puissance agaynst puissance, and fought a right sore and cruell battayle, till finally at the sodaine comming of the Welchmen, and Cornishmen, so huge noyse was raysed by the sounde of Belles hanging at their trappers and Charets, that the Romaynes astonyed therewith, were more easily put to flight.

[illustration]

The Brytaynes, Scots, and Picts following [ 50] in the chase without order or aray, so that by rea∣son the Romains kept themselues close togither, the Brytayns, Scots, & Picts did vneth so much harm to the enimies as they themselues receyued. But yet they followed on stil vpon the Romains till it was darke night. Cesar after he had per∣ceyued them once withdrawne, did what he could to assemble his companies togither, minding the next morning to seeke his reuenge of the former days disaduātage. But forsomuch as knowledge was giuē him y^t his ships by reason of a foret•…•…pest were beatē & rent, y^t many of thē wer past seruice, he doubte•••• least such newes would encourage his enimies, & bring his people into dispair. Wherfore he determined not to fight til time more cōueniēt, sending all his wounded folks vnto y^e ships, which he cōmaunded to be newly ••••••ged and trimmed.

After this, keeping his army for a time with∣in the place where he was encamped without is∣suing forth, he shortly drew to the sea side, where his shippes lay at ankre, and there within a strong place fortified for the purpose he lodged his host, & finally without hope to atchieue any other exploit auaileable for that time, he tooke the sea with such shippes as were apt for sailing, and so repassed in∣to Gallia, leauing behind him all the spoyle and baggage, for want of vesselles, and leysure to con∣uey [ 10] it ouer.

Thus haue the Scottes in their Chronicles framed the matter, more to the conformitie of the Romaine hystories, than according to the report of our Brytish and English writers: and therfore we haue thought good to shew it here, that the di∣uersitie of writers and their affections maye the better appeare.

Of this soden departing also, or rather flying of Iulius Cesar out of Brytain, Lucanus y^e poet [ 20] maketh mētion: reciting the saying of Pompeius in an oratiō made by him vnto his soldiers, wher∣in he reprochfully and disdainfully reproued the doings of Cesar in Brytaine, saying:

Territa quaesitis ostendit terga Britannis. That is in English. He turnde his backe and fled away, from the Brytaynes whom he sought.

But now to turne to the sequele of the matter, as Cesar himselfe reporteth. After his comming [ 30] into Gallia, there were but two Cities of al Bri∣taine that sent ouer their hostages according to their couenant, which gaue occasion to Cesar to pike a new quarell against them, which if it had wanted, he would yet (I doubt not) haue founde some other: for his full meaning was to make a more full conquest of that Ile. Therfore purpo∣sing to passe againe thither, as he that had a great desire to bring the Brytaynes vnder the obedience of the Romain estate, he caused a great number of [ 40] shippes to be prouided in the winter season & put in a redinesse, so that against the next spring, there were found to be readie rigged six hundred ships, beside .xxviij. Gallies. Herevpon hauing taken order for the gouernance of Gallia in his absence, about the beginning of the Spring he came to the hauen of Calice, whither (according to order by him prescribed) all his ships were come, except .xl. which by tempest were driuen backe, and coulde not as yet come to him. [ 50]

After he had stayed at Calice (as wel for a con∣uenient winde, as for other incidentes) certaine dayes, at length when the weather so chaunged that it serued his purpose, he tooke the sea, hauing with him fiue legions of souldiers, and about two thousand horsmen, departed out of Calice hauen about the sun setting with a soft southwest wind, directing his course forward: about midnight the wind fell, and so by a calme, he was caried alōgst with the tide, so that in the morning whē the day appeared, he might beholde Brytaine vpon hys left hand. Thē folowing the streame as the course of the tide changed, he forced with Oa•…•…es to fetch the shore vpon that part of the coast, which he had discouered and tried the last yeare to bee the best landing place for the armie. The diligence of the souldiers was shewed here to be great, who with cōtinual toile droue forth the heauy ships, to keepe course with the gallies, and so at length they lan∣ded in Brytayn about noone on the next day, fin∣ding not one to resist his comming a shor•…•…: for as he learned by certain prisoners which were taken after his comming to lande, the Brytaines being assembled in purpose to haue resisted him, through feare striken into their heartes, at the discouering of such an huge number of ships, they forsooke the shore, and got them vnto the Mountaines.

There were in deed of vessels one & other, what with vitailers, and those which priuate men had prouided and furnished forth for their owne vse, being ioyned to the ordinarie number, at the least viij. C. sayle, which appearing in sight all at one time, made a wonderfull muster, & right terrible in the eyes of the Brytaynes.

But to proceed: Cesar being got to land, en∣camped his army in a place conuenient: and af∣ter learning by the prisoners, into what parte the enimies were withdrawne, hee appoynted one Quintus Atrius to remaine vpon the safegard of the nauie, with ten companies or cohorts of foot∣men, and three hundred horsmen: and anon after midnight marched forth himselfe with the residue of his people towards the Brytaynes, and hauing made .xij. miles of way, hee got sight of his eni∣mies host, the which sending downe their horsmē and charets vnto the riuer side, skirmished with the Romaines, meaning to beat them backe from the higher ground: but being assayled of the Ro∣maine horsemen, they were repulsed, and tooke the wooddes for their refuge, wherein they had got a place very strong, both by nature & helpe of hand, which (as was to be thought) had beene fortified before, in time of some ciuill warre amongst thē: for all the entries were closed with trees whiche had bene cut down for that purpose. Howbeit the souldiers of the .vij. legion casting a trench before them, found meanes to put backe the Brytaynes from their defences, and so entring vppon them, droue them out of the woods.

But Cesar would not suffer the Romanes to follow the Brytaynes, bycause that the nature of the countrey was not knowne vnto them: and a∣gaine the day was farre spent, so that hee woulde haue the residue thereof bestowed in fortefying his campe.

The next day, as he had sent forth such as

should haue pursued the Britans, word came to him from Quintus Atrius, that his nauie by ri∣gour of a sore and hideous tempest, was grée∣uously molested, and throwen vpon the shore, so that the cabels and tagle beeing broken and de∣stroyed with force of the vnmercifull rage of wind, the masters and Mariners were not able to help the matter. Cesar calling backe those whiche he had sent foorth, returneth to his Shippes, and finding them in suche state as he had heard, tooke [ 10] order for the repairing of those that were not vt∣terly destroyed, and caused them so to be drawen vp to the land, that with a trench he might so cō∣passe in a plot of ground, that mighte serue both for defence of his Shippes, and also for the incā∣ping of those men of warre, which he shuld leaue to attend vpon the sauegard of the same. And by∣cause there were at the least a fortie Ships lost by violence of this tēpest, so as there was no hope of recouerie in them, he sawe yet howe the rest with [ 20] great labour and cost might bee repaired: where∣fore he chose forth wrightes among the Legions, sent for other into Gallia, and wrote ouer to such as he had left there in charge with the gouernāce of the country, to prouide so many Ships as they could, and to send them ouer vnto him. He spente a tenne dayes about the repairing thus of his na∣uy, and in fortifying of y^e camp for defence there∣of, which done, he left those within it which were appoynted there before, and then returneth to∣wards [ 30] his enimies. At his comming backe to the place where hee had before encamped, hee founde them there ready to resist him, hauing their num∣bers hugely encreased: for the Britaynes hearing that he was returned with such a mightie num∣ber of Shippes, assembled out of all partes of the land, and had by generall consent appoynted the whole rule and order of all things touching the warre, vnto Cassiuellaune, or Cassibelane, whose dominion was deuided from the Cities sytuate [ 40] neere to the Sea coast, by the riuer of Thames, 80. miles distant from the sea coast. This Cas∣sibeliaune before time had bin at continual warre with other rulers, and Cities of the land: but now the Britons moued with the comming of y^e Ro∣maynes, chose hym to be chiefe gouernor of all their army, permitting the order and rule of all things touching the defence of their countrey a∣gainst the Romanes, only to him. Their horse∣men and Charrets skirmished by the way with [ 50] the Romaynes, but so as they were put backe of∣tentimes into the wooddes and hilles adioining: yet the Britaynes slewe diuers of the Romaines as they followed any thing egrely in the pursute.

Also within a while after, as the Romaynes were busie in fortifying their camp, y^e Britaynes sodaynely issued out of the wooddes, and fiercely assayled those that warded before the camp, vnto whose ayde, Cesar sent two of the ch•…•…efest cohor∣tes of two legions, the whiche being placed but a little distance one from another, when the Ro∣manes began to be discouraged with this kynd of fight, the Brytayns therwith burst through their enimies, and came backe from thence in safetie. That daye Quintus Laberius Durus a Tri∣bune was ••••ayne. At length, Cesar sendyng sun∣dry other cohortes to the succoute of his people that were in fighte, and shrewdly handled as it appeared, the Britaynes in the ende were put backe.

In all this manner of skirmishing and fyghte which chanced before the camp, euen in the fighte and viewe of all men, it was per••••yued that the Romaynes, by reason of the•…•… heauie armour (be∣ing not able eyther to followe the Britaynes as they retired, or so bold, as to depart from their en∣signes, except they woulde runne into daunger of casting themselues away were nothing meete to match with such kind of enimies: and as for their horsemen, they •…•…ought likewise in great hazarde, bycause the Britaynes would oftentimes of pur∣pose retire, & when they had trained the Romane horsemen a little from their legions of footemen, they would leape out of their charrets and encofi∣ter with them a foote. And so the battell of horse∣men was daungerous, and like in all poynte•…•… whether they pursued or retired. This also was the manner of the Britaynes: they foughte not close togither, but in sunder, and deuided into cō∣panies one separated from another by a good dis∣tance, & had their troupes standing in places con∣uenient, to y^t which they might retire, & so rele•…•…ue one another with sending newe fresh men to sup∣ply the roomthes of them that were hurt or wea∣ry. The next day after they had thus foughte be∣fore y^e camp of the Romanes, they shewed them∣selues aloft on y^e hilles, & began to skirmishe with the Romane horsemen, but not so hotely as they had done the day before. But about noone, when Cesar had sent forth three legions of footemē and all his horsemen vnder the leading of his Lieute∣nant Caius Trebonius to fetch in fourrage, they sodainely brake out on euery side, & set vpon the fourragers. The Romanes so farre foorth as they might not breaking their array, nor going from their ensignes or guides, gaue y^e charge on them, & fiercely repulsed them, so y^t the horsemen hauing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 legions of footemen at their backes, followed the Britons so long as they might haue the said Le∣gions in sight ready to succour thē if neede were: by reason whereof, they slew a great number of y^e Britons, not giuing them leasure to recouer thē∣selues, nor to stay, that they might haue tyme to get out of their charrets. After this chase and dis∣comfiture, all such as were come from other par∣ties to the ayde of their fellowes departed home,

and after y^e day the Britons aduentured to fight against Cesar with their maine power, but with∣drawing beyond the riuer of Thames, determi∣ned to stop the enimies from passing the same, if by any meanes they mighte: and where as there was but one fourde by y^e which they might come ouer, Cassiuellane caused the same to be set ful of sharp stakes, not onely in the middest of the wa∣ter, but also at the comming foorthe on that syde where he was lodged with his army in good or∣der, [ 10] ready to defende the passage. Cesar learning by relation of prisoners which he tooke, what the Britaynes intended to do, marched forth to y^e ri∣uer side, where the fourde was, by the whiche hys army mighte passe the same afoote though very hardly. At his cōming thither, hee might perceiue howe the Britaynes were ready on y^e further side to impeach his passage, & how that the banke at y^e comming forthe of the water was pighte full of sharp stakes, and so likewise was the chanell of y^e [ 20] Riuer set with stakes which were couered with y^e water. These things yet stayed not Cesar, who appoynting his horsemen to passe on before, cō∣manded the footemen to follow. The souldiers entring y^e water, waded through with such spede & violence, (nothing appearing of thē aboue wa∣ter but their heads) that y^e Britaynes were con∣streyned to giue place, being not able to susteyne y^e brunt of y^e Romane Horsemen & the legions of their footemen, & so abandoning y^e place tooke thē [ 30] to flight. Cassiuelane not minding to trie y^e mat∣ter any more by battell, sente away y^e most parte of his people, but yet kept with him about a foure thousand charretmen or wagoners, and stil wat∣ched what way y^e Romanes toke, coasting them euer as they marched, and kepte somewhat aside within y^e couert of woods, and other combersome places. And out of those quarters through y^e whi∣che he vnderstood y^e Romanes would passe, he ga∣thered both mē & cattel into y^e woods & thicke for∣rests, [ 40] leauing nothing of valew abrode in y^e chā∣payne countrey. And whē y^e Romane horsemen did come abrode into y^e countrey to seeke booties, he sent out his charrets vnto the knowen ways & passages to skirmish with the same horsemen, so much to the disaduātage of the Romanes, y^t they durst not straye far frō their maine army. Neither wold Cesar permit thē least they might haue bin vtterly distressed by y^e Britaynes) to depart fur∣ther thā y^e maine battels of y^e fotemē kept pace w^t thē, by reason whereof y^e countrey was not endo∣maged by fire & spoyle, but onely where the army marched. In y^e mean time, the Trinouantes which some take to be the middlesex & Essex mē, whose Citie was y^e best fēced of al other in those parties, & thought to be the same y^t now is called Londō, sent Ambassadors vnto Cesar, offering to submit thēselues vnto him, & to obey his ordinances, and further besought him to defend Mādubratius frō y^e iniurie of Cassiuellaune, which Mandubratius▪ had fled vnto Cesar into France, after y^e Cassibe∣lane had slain his father named Imanuentius, y^t was chiefe Lord & K. of the Trinobantes, & so now by their Ambassadors, y^e same Trinobantes reque∣sted Cesar, not only to receiue Mandubratius in∣to his protection, but also to send him vnto them, that he might take the gouernemēt & rule of their Citie into his hands. Cesar cōmanded thē to de∣liuer vnto him .40. hostages, & grayne for his ar∣my, & therewith sent Mandubratius vnto them. The Triuonantes accōplished his commaunde∣ments w^t al speede, sending both y^e appoynted nū∣ber of hostages, and also graine for the army. And being thus defended & preserued from iniurie of y^e souldiers, y^e people called Cenimagni, Segontia∣ci, Aucalites, Bibroci, and Cassi, submitted thē∣selues vnto Cesar, by whom he vnderstode that y^e towne of Cassibellane was not far from y^e place wher he was then encamped fensed with wooddes & marishes, into y^e whiche a great number of peo∣ple w^t their Cattell and other substāce was with∣drawen. The Britaines in those dayes (as Cesar writeth) called y^t a towne or hold which they had fortified w^t any thick cōbersome wood, with trēch & rampire, into y^e which they vsed to get thēselues for y^e auoyding of inuasion. Cesar with his legi∣ons of souldiers therefore marcheth thither, & fin∣ding the place very strong both by nature & helpe of hand, assaulteth it on two parts. The Britains defending their strength a while, at lēgth not able longer to endure the impression of y^e Romaynes, fled out on y^e contrary side of y^e towne wher the e∣nimies were not. Within this place a great nū∣ber of Cattel was found, & many of y^e Britaynes takē by y^e Romanes y^t followed them in chase, & many also slaine. Whilest these things passed on this sort in those parties, Cassibellaune sent mes∣sengers into Kent vnto four kings (whiche ruled y^e side of the lād in those dayes) Cingetorix, Car∣uilius, Taximagulus, & Segonax, cōmaunding thē, that assembling togither their whole puissāce, they should assaile y^e camp of y^e Romaines by the Sea side wher certain bāds lay (as ye haue heard) for safegard of y^e nauie. They according to his a∣pointmēt came sodainly thither, & by y^e Romains that sailed forth vpon them were sharply foughte with, & lost diuers of their men y^t were slaine, and taken, and amōgst the prisoners that y^e Romains toke, Cingetorix was one. When Cassibellaune heard these news, being sore troubled for these los∣ses thus chancing one in the neck of an other, but namely most discouraged, for that diuers Cities had yelded vnto the Romanes: hee sendeth Am∣bassadors by meane of Comius of Irras vnto Cesar, offering to submit himselfe. Cesar mea∣ning to winter in Gallia, and therefore bycause sommer drewe towardes an ende, willyng to dispatch in Britayne, commanded that hostages

should be deliuered, and appoynted what tribute the Britaynes should yeerely send vnto the Ro∣maynes. He also forbade and commaunded Cas∣sibellaune that he should not in any wise trouble or endomage Mandubratius or the Londoners. After this, when he had receyued the hostages, he bringeth his army to the Sea, and there findeth his Shippes well repayred, decked, and in good point: therefore he commandeth that they should be had downe to the sea. And bycause hee hadde a [ 10] great number of prisoners, and diuers of his ships were lost by the tempest, he appoynted to trans∣port his army ouer into Gallia at two conuoyes, whiche was done with good successe about the middest of September, though the Shippes re∣turning for the residue of the army, after the firste conuoy, were driuē so with force of weather, that a great number of them could not come to lande at the place appoynted: so that Cesar was con∣streyned to fraught those that he could get, with a [ 20] greater burden, and so departed from the coast of Britayne, and safely landed with the remnaunte of his people in Gallia with as good speede as he cold haue desired. He thought not good to leaue any of his people behinde him, knowing that if he should so doe, they were in daunger to be cast a∣way. And so bycause he could not well remayne there all the winter season for doubt of Rebellion in Gallia, he was contented to take vp, and re∣turne thither, sith he had done sufficiently for the [ 30] time, least in coueting the more, hee mighte haue come in perill to lose that whiche hee had already obteyned.

Thus according to that which Cesar himselfe and other autentike authors haue written, was Britayne made tributorie to the Romaynes by the Conduit of the same Cesar. But our histories farre differ from this, affirming, that Cesar com∣ming the secōd time, was by the Britaynes with valiancie, and martial prowes beaten, & repulsed, [ 40] as he was at the first, and specially by meanes y^e Cassiuelaune had pight in the Thames greate pyles of trees pyked with yron, through whych, his shippes being entred the riuer, were perished & lost. And after his comming a land, he was van∣quished in battell, & constreyned to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into Gal∣lia with those shippes that remayned. For ioy of this seconde victory (saith Galfrid) Cassibellane made a great feast at London, & th•••• did sacrifice to the Gods. At which feast there fel variance be∣twixt two yong Gentlemen, the one named Hi∣•…•…ilda, nephew to Cassibellan, & the other Euelye, or Eweline, being of aliance to Androgeus Erle of Londō. They f•…•…ll at discord about vnastling, & after multiplying of words, they came to dea∣ling of blowes, by meane whereof partes wer ta∣ken, so that there ensewed a sore fray, in the whi∣che, diuers were wounded and hurt, and amōgst other Herild•…•… the kings. Nephew was slayne by y^e hands of Eweline. The K. sore displeased her∣with, meant to punish Eweline according to the order of his lawes, so that he was summoned to appeare in due forme to make answere to y^e mur∣der: but Eweline by the comforte of Androgeus disobeyed the sommonāte, and departed y^e Court with Androgeus, in contempt of the king and his lawes. The K. to be reuenged vpon Androgeus, gathered a power, & began to make war on him. Androgeus perceiuing himselfe not able to with∣stand the Kings puissance, sente letters to Iulius Cesar, exhorting him to returne into Britayne, & declaring the whole matter concerning y^e vari∣ance betwixt him and the king, promising to ayd the Romaynes in all that he might. Iulius Ce∣sar ioyfull of this message, prepareth his nauie, & with all speede with a mightie host embarqued in the same, commeth toward Britayne: but ere he would land, doubting some treason in Andro∣geus, he receyueth from him in hostage his sonne named Scena, and thirty other of the best & most noble personages of all his dominion. After thys he landed, & ioyning with Androgeus, came into a valley neere to Canterbury, & there encamped. Shortly after commeth Cassibellane with al his power of Britaynes, and giueth battell to y^e Ro∣manes. But after that the Britaynes had long

[illustration]

fought and knightly borne thēselues in that bat∣rell, Androgius came with his people on a wing, and so sharply assayled them, that the Britaynes were constreyned to forsake the field, & tooke thē∣selues to flight. The which flight so discomforted them, that finally they all fled, & gaue place to the Romanes, the which pursued and slew thē with∣out mercy, so that Cassibellane with the residue of his people withdrewe to a place of suretie, but beeing enuironed about with the puissance of the [ 10] Romaynes, & of Androgeus, who had with him seuen thousande men there in the ayd of the Ro∣mans, Cassibellanin the end was enforced to fal to a cōposition, in couenaunting to pay an yerely tribute of three thousand .••••. Then when Cesar had ordred his businesse as he thought conueniēt, he returned, & with him went Androgeus, fearing y^e displeasure of Cassibellane. The reuerend father Bede writing of this mater, hath thus: After that Cesar being returned into Gallia, had placed his [ 20] souldiers abroade in the countrey to soiorne for y^e winter season, he caused Ships to be made ready, to the number of sixe C. with the which repassing again into Britaine, whilest he marcheth foorthe with a mighty army against y^e enimies, his ships that lay at ancre being takē with a sore tempest, were either beaten one against another, or els cast vpon the flats & sands, and so broken, so that for∣tie of them were vtterly perished, and the residue with great difficultie were repaired. The horse∣men [ 30] of the Romaines at the first encounter were put to the woorse, & Labienus the Tribune slain. In the seconde conflict hee vanquished the Bri∣taines not without greate daunger of his people. After this, hee marcheth to the riuer of Thames which as thē was passable by fourde, only in one place and not else, as the reporte goeth. On the further banke of that riuer, Cassibellane was en∣camped with an huge multitude of enimies, and had pight & set the banke, & almost all the fourde [ 40] vnder the water, ful of sharp stakes, the tokens of which vnto this day are to be seene, and it semeth to the beholders that euery of these stakes are as bigge as a mās thigh, sticking fast in y^e bottome of the riuer closed with leade. The whiche beeing perceyued of the Romaines, & auoyded, the Bri∣taynes not able to susteyne the violent impression of the Romain legions, hid thēselues in y^e woods, out of the which, by often issues, they greeuously & many times assailed the Romanes, & did them [ 50] great domage. In the mean time, the strong Ci∣tie of Trinouant with hir Duke Androgius de∣liuering fortie hostages yelded vnto Cesar, whose exāple many other Cities following, allyed thē∣selues with the Romains, by whose information Cesar with sore fight tooke at length the towne of Cassibelan, situate betwixt two marishes, fensed also with the couerte of woods, & hauing within it great plentie of all things. After this Cesar re∣turned into Fraunce, and bestowed his armie in places to soiorne there for the winter season.

Thus muche hath Bede. The Scottish wri∣ters reporte, that the Britons after the Ro∣maines were the firste time repulsed (as before yee haue hearde, refused to receyue the ayde of the Scottishmen the second time, & so were van∣quished, as in the Scottish histories ye maye see more at length expressed. Thus much touching the warre which Iulius Cesar made against the Britons, in bringing them vnder tribute to the Romains. But heere is to be noted, that Cesar did not vanquish al the Britons: for he came not amongst the Northren men, only discouering & subduing y^e part which lyeth towards the French seas, so that sith other of the Romain Emperors did most earnestly trauaile to bring the Britons vnder their subiection (whiche were euer redy to rebell so many sundry tymes (Cesar might seme rather to haue shewed Britain to the Romās, th•…•…̄ to haue deliuered vnto them the possession of the same. This subiection to the whiche he broughte this Ile (what maner of one so•…•…uer it was) chan∣ced about y^e yere of the world .3913. After y^e buyl∣ding of Rome .698. before the birth of our sauior 53. the .1. and second yere of the .181. Olympiade, after the cōming of Brute .1060. before the con∣quest made by Williā duke of Normandie .1••••0. and .1629. yeres before this presentyere of our lord 1576. as Harison hath set downe.

After that Iulius Cesar had thus made the Britayns tributaries to y^e Romaines, & was re∣turned into Gallia, Cassibelan reigned .7. yeres, & was vanquished in the ninth or tenth yere after he begā first to raigne, so y^t he raigned in y^e whole about .15. or as some haue .17. yeres, & then dyed, leauing no issue behinde him. There hath bin are old Chronicle (as Fabiā recordeth) which he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & followeth much in his booke, wherein it is con∣teyned, that this Cassibellane was not brother to Lud, but eldest son to him: for otherwise as maye be thought (saith he) Cesar hauing the vpper hand would haue displaced him from the gouernemēt, & set vp Androgeus the right heire to the crowne, as sonne to the sayd Lud. But what soeuer oure Chronicles or the Brittish histories report of this matter, it shoulde appeare by that whiche Cesar writeth, as partly ye haue heard that Britaine in those days was not gouerned by one sole prince, but by diuers, and that diuers cities were astates of themselues, so that the lande was deuided into sundry gouernments, muche after the forme and manner as Germany and Italy are in our time, where some Cities are gouerned by one onely Prince, some by the nobilitie, and some by the people. And whereas diuers of the rulers in those dayes heere in thys lande were called Kings,

those had more large seigniouries than the other, as Cassibellane, who was therfore called a king. And though we do admit this to be true, yet may it bee that in the beginning after that Brute en∣tred the land, there was ordeyned by him a Mo∣narchie, as before is mentioned, which might cō∣tinue in his posteritie many yeeres after, and yet at length before the comming of Cesar, through ciuill dissention, might happily be broken, and de∣uided into partes, and so remayned not only in y^e [ 10] time of this Cassibellane, but also lōg after, whi∣lest they liued as tributaries to the Romanes, till finally they were subdued by the Saxons. In whiche meane time, through the discorde, negli∣gence, or rather vnaduised rashnesse of writers, hard it is to iudge what may be affirmed and re∣ceyued in their writings for a troth, namely con∣cerning the succession of the Kings that are sayd to haue raigned betwixte the dayes of Cassibel∣lane, and the comming of the Saxons. The Ro∣mayne [ 20] writers, (& namely Tacitus) report, that the Britaynes in tinies past were vnder the rule of Kings, and after being made tributaries, were drawen so by Princes into sundry factions, that to defend and keepe off a cōmon ieoperdy, scarce∣ly would two or three Cities agree togither, and take weapon in hande with one accorde, so that whilest they fought by partes, the whole was o∣uercome.

And after this sorte they saye that Brytayne [ 30] was brought into the forme of a prouince by the Romanes, from whome gouernours vnder the name of Legates and procurates were sente that had the rule of it. But yet the same authors make mention of certayne kings (as hereafter shall ap∣peare) the whiche, whilest the Romaine Empe∣rours had the most part of the earth in subiection, raigned in Britayne. The same witnesseth Gil∣das, saying: Britayne hathe Kings, but they are Tyrants: Iudges it hathe, but the same are wic∣ked, [ 40] oftentimes spoyling and tormenting the in∣nocent people. And Cesar (as ye haue heard) spea∣keth of foure Kings that ruled in Kent, and ther∣aboutes. Cornelius Tacitus maketh mention of Prasutagus, and Cogidunus, that were Kyngs in Britayne: and Iuuenall speaketh of Aruira∣gus: and all the late writers of Lucius. Hereby it appeareth, that whether one or moe, yet Kings there were in Britayne, bearing rule vnder y^e Ro∣mayne Emperours. On the other parte, the com∣mon [ 50] opinion of our Chronicle writers is, that y^e chiefe gouernement remained euer with the Bri∣taynes, and that the Romayne Senate recey∣uing an yeerely tribute, sent certayne times (ex officio) their Emperours and Lieutenants into this Isle, to represse the rebellious tumultes ther∣in begonne, or to beate backe the inuasion of the enimies that went about to inuade it. And thus woulde th•…•…se writers inferre, that the Britaynes euer obeyed their King, till at length they were put beside the gouernement by the Saxons. But where as in the common historie of Englande, the succession of Kings ought to be kepte, so ofte as it chanceth in the same, that there is not anye founde to fyll the place, then one while the Ro∣mane Emperours are placed in their strades, and another while their lieutenants, and are sayde to be created Kings of the Britaines, as though the Emperours were inferiours vnto the Kings of Britaine, and that the Romane Lieutenants at their appoyntments, and not by prescripte of the Senate or Emperours administred y^e Prouince. But this may suffice here to aduertise you of the contrarietie in writers, & now we will goe forth in following our histories, as we haue done here∣tofore, sauing that where the Romaine histories write of things done here by Emperours or their Lieutenants, it shall be shewed as reason requi∣reth, sith there is a great appearance of troth oftē∣times in the same, as those that be authorised and allowed in the opinion of the learned.

Notes

• Cassi∣bellaen.
• 3908
• Gal. Mon. Mat. VVest. Fabian.
• Gal. Mon.
• Mat. VVest.
• Polidor.
• Hector 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ his fault.
• More 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forth appe∣reth in the hystorie.
• Iulius Caes•…•…
• Caesar de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Io Gal. Brytaynes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knowne to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Romains Caesar de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gal. lib 4. Causes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wa•…•…re.
• Caesars pur∣pose.
• •…•…us Voluse∣•…•… sent ouer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Brytaine.
• •…•…n Leyland •…•…lidor.
• •…•…nnes in ••••ytayne.
• Comius.
• Whiche is •…•…ore likely in his behalfe, as •…•…ppereth by •…•…he sequele.
• Volusenus returneth.
• Caesar with two legions of souldiers passeth ouer into Brytayne.
• The Brytaines ready to de∣fend their countrey.
• Caesar calleth a counsell.
• This was a∣bout Dale.
• The Romains put to their shiftes.
• The Brytaynes astonied.
• The valiant courage of an ensigne bearer
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Bry∣taynes.
• The Rom•••••••• get to lande.
• The want of horsemen.
• The Brytayne send vnto Caesar.
• Comius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ar•…•…a•…•….
• ••••esar demasi∣••••••th hostages.
• Caesar de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gallia 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• •…•…ector. Bo.
• Dien Cassius.
• Caesar de bel∣•…•…o Gal. li. 5.
• ••••sibel•…•…ane •…•…hould sem•…•… ••••ed in the ••••ties of Or∣••••••lshire, Berk 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Buc∣••••ghamshire, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bedford∣••••••re.
• The Romain•…•… heauie armor.
• The manner of the Briton•…•… in the warres.
• Caius Trebo∣nius.
• Dion Cassius sai•…•…h, that the Britaynes van∣quished the Romayne footemen at this time, but were put to the worst by the horsemen.
• Which is to •…•…e supposed •…•…as at King∣•…•…on) or not •…•…rre from •…•…ence.
• Trinouantes where they inhabited.
• Mandubra∣tius.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Trino•••• be 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Foure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Kent.
• Cingetori•…•…
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cassius.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. M•…•…n. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. VVest.
• So hath Cam∣pion, but Gal∣frid. Mo•…•…u. hath fiue thousande.
• The stakes re∣mayning to be seene in Bedes dayes.
• Cornelius 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Caesar.
• ••••ssibellane a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• •…•…or. Tacit in 〈◊〉〈◊〉. lu. Agr.
• •…•…ildas in e∣••••st.
• ••••me take ••••a•…•…utagus ••••d Aruiragus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be one mā.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Mon.