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.

Vortigerne.

* 1.1THus was Vortigerne chosen and made king of Brytain, in the yere of our Lord .446. third Cōsulship of Aetius, 1197. of Rome .4. of the 305. Olympiade .4112. of the worlde, the Dominicall letter going by F, the Prime by ten, whiche fell about the .xxj. yeare of the Emperour Valenti∣nianus, the same yeare that Meroueus began to raigne ouer the Frenchmen.

Before hee was made king, he was Earle or Duke of the Geuisses, a people which helde that part of Brytaine where afterwardes the west Saxons inhabited.

Nowe after that Vortigerne had with trea∣son, fraude, and greate deceyte, at length at∣teyned that for the whiche hee had long looked,* 1.2 hee fyrste of all furnished the Tower of Lon∣don wyth a strong garrison of menne of warre.

Then studying to aduaunce onely such as he knew to be his especiall friendes and fauourers, he sought by all meanes how to oppresse other, of whose good will hee had neuer so little mistrust,* 1.3 namely those that were affectionate towardes the lynage of Constantine he hated deadly, and de∣uised by secrete meanes which way he might best destroy them: but these his practises being at the first perceyued, caused suche as had the gouer∣nance of the two yong Gentlemen with all speede to get them ouer (as yee haue heard) into Bry∣tayne Armorike, there to remaine out of daun∣ger wyth theyr Vncle the King of that lande,* 1.4 and dayly did dyuerse of the Brytaynes, that knewe themselues to bee in Vortigerne his dis∣pleasure sayle ouer vnto them, whiche thyng brought Vortigerne into great doubt and feare of his estate.

It chaunced also the same tyme, that there was greate plentye of corne, and store of fruite,* 1.5 the lyke whereof had not beene seene in manye

yeares before,* 1.6 and therevpon ensued ryote, strife, lecherie, and other vyces right heynous, and yet accounted as then for small or rather none offen∣ces at all.

These abuses and great enormities, raigned not onely in the temporaltie, but also in the spiri∣tualtie and chiefe Rulers of the same: so that euerye man turned the poynt of his speare (euen as if he had consented of purpose) agaynst the true and innocent person. [ 10]

The Commons also gaue themselues to vo∣luptuous lust, drunkennesse, and ydle loytering, whereof followed fighting, contention, enuie, and much debate.

Of this plentie therfore insued great pride, and of this abundaunce no lesse hautinesse of minde, whereupon followed great wickednesse, lacke of good gouernment and sober temperancie, and in the necke of these as a iust punishment, death and mortalitie, so that in some Countreys vneth the quicke suffised to burie the dead.

And for an augmentation of more mischiefe, the Scottes and Pictes hearing howe theyr Countreymen through the false suggestion of Vortigerne had beene wrongfully and most cru∣elly put to death at London,* 1.7 * 1.8 beganne wyth fyre and sworde to make sharpe and cruell warre agaynst the Brytains, wasting their Countrey,

[illustration]

spoyling and burning their townes, and giuing them the ouerthrowe in a pight fielde, as in the Scottish hystorie more plainly appeareth.

To be briefe, the Brytaynes were brought into such daunger and miserie, that they knewe not what way to take for remedie in such pre∣sent perill, likely to bee ouerrunne and vtterlye [ 40] vanquyshed of their enimies.

In the meane tyme Vortigerne not onely troubled with these imminent euilles, but fearing also the return of the two brethren, Aurelius Am∣brose, and Vter Pendragon, began to consider of the state of things, and esteeming it most sure to worke by aduice, called togither the Lordes and chiefe men of the Realme to haue theyr counsaile and opinion howe to proceede in such a weightie businesse: and so debating the matter with them, [ 50] measured both his own force, and also the force of his enimies, and according to the condition and state of the tyme, diligently considered & searched out what remedy was to be had and prouided.

At length after they had throughly pondered al things, the more part of the nobles with the king also were of this minde, that there could be no bet∣ter way deuised, than to sende into Germanie for the Saxons to come to theyr ayde: The whiche Saxons in that season were highly re∣nowmed for theyr valyauncie in armes, and ma∣nifolde aduentures heretofore atchieued.* 1.9 And so forthwith Messengers were dispatched in∣to Germanie, the which with money, giftes, and promises, might procure the Saxons to come to the ayde of the Brytaynes agaynst the Scottes and Pictes.

The Saxons glad of this message, as people desirous of entertaynment to serue in warres, choosing forth a piked companie of lustie yong mē vnder the leading of two brethren Hengist and Horsus,* 1.10 got them abourde into certain vessels ap∣poynted for the purpose, and so with all speede directed their course towardes great Britain.

This was in the yeare of our Lorde .449. and in the second yeare of Vortigerns raigne, as the most autentike wryters both Brytish and Eng∣lishe seeme to gather, althoughe the Scottishe wryters, and namely Hector Boetius doe varie herein, touching the iust accounte of yeares, as to the pervsers of the wrytings aswel of the one as the other may appeare. But William Ha∣rison taketh it to bee in the fourth yeare of his

raigne whereto Beda seemeth to agree, who no∣teth it in the same yere that Martianus the Em∣perour beganne to rule the Empyre, which was (as appeareth by the consularie table) in the Con∣sulshippe of Protogenes and Austerius, and thirde yere of Meroueus king of France.

These Saxons thus arryuing in Brytayne, were curteously receyued, and heartily welcomed of King Vortigerne, who assigned to them places in Kent to in habite, and forthwith ledde [ 10] them agaynst the Scots and Pictes, which were entred into Brytaine, wasting and destroying the Countrey before them.

Herevpon comming to ioyne in battail, there was a sore fight betwixt the parties for a while, but at length when the Saxons called to re∣membraunce that the same was the day whiche shoulde eyther purchase to them an euerlasting name of manhoode by victorie, or else of reproche by repulse,* 1.11 beganne to renew the fight with suche violence, that the enimies not able to abyde theyr fierce charge, were scattered and beaten down on

[illustration]

eche side with great slaughter.

The King hauing got this victorie, highlye [ 30] rewarded the straungers according to their well deseruings, as by whose prowes he had thus van∣quished his enimyes,* 1.12 whiche as some write were come as farre as Stanfourde, and vsed at that tyme to fight wyth long Dartes, and Speares, whereas the Saxons fought onelye wyth long swordes and Axes.

There bee that haue written howe the Sax∣ons, were not sent for, but came by chaunce into the Ile,* 1.13 and the occasion to be this: There was [ 40] an auncient custome amongst the English Sax∣ons a people in Germanie, as was also at the first among other Nations, that when the multi∣tude of them was so increased, that the Coun∣trey was not able to sustayne and finde them, by commaundement of their Princes, they shoulde choose out by lottes a number of yong and able personages, fitte for the warres, which should go forth to seeke them newe habitations: and so it chaunced to these, that they came into great Bri∣taine, [ 50] and promised to serue the king for wages in his warres. But by what meane soeuer they came hither, truth is, that Hengistus being a man of great wit, rare policie, and high wisdome, was their Captaine,* 1.14 who vnderstanding this Kings minde, which now wholy trusted to the valiancie of the Saxons, and herewith perceiuing the fruit∣fulnesse of the Countrey, streight wayes began to consider with himselfe, by what wyles and craft he might by little and little settle here, and obteine a kingdome in the Ile, and to establish the same to him and to his for euer.

Therefore first he indeuoured with all speede possible to fence that part of the Countrey which was giuen to him and his people,* 1.15 and to enlarge and furnish it with garisons appointed in places most conuenient.

After this he did what he could to perswade the king, that a great power of men might be brought ouer out of Germanie, that y^e land being fortified with such a strength, the enimies might be put in feare, and his subiects holden in rest.

The King not foreseeing the happe that was to come, did not despise this counsell contriued to the destruction of his Kingdome, and so was more ayde sent for into Germanie: wherevpon now at this seconde tyme there arriued here.* 1.16 xvj. vessels fraught with people, and at the same time came the Ladie Rowen or Ronix, daughter to Hengyst, a Mayde of excellent beautie and come∣lynesse able to delite the eyes of them that shoulde behold hir, and specially to win the heart of Vor∣tigerne with the dart of concupiscence, whervnto he was of nature much inclyned, and that did Hengest well perceyue.

There came ouer into thys lande at that tyme and soone after, three manner of people of the Germaine Nation, as Saxons, Vita (or

Iutes,* 1.17 and Angles, ouer the whiche the sayde Hengist and Hors beeing brethren, were Cap∣taines and rulers, men of right noble parentage in theyr Countrey, as discended of that aunci∣ent Prince W•…•…den, of whom the English Sax∣on kings doe for the more part fetche theyr pede∣gree as lineally descended from him, vnto a whom also the English people falsely reputing him for a God) consecrated the fourth day of the weeke, as they did the sixth to his wyfe fr•…•…e, so that the [ 10] some dayes tooke more of them, the one beeing called Wodensday,* 1.18 and the other F•…•…readay, which wordes after in continuance of time by corrupti∣on of speech were somewhat altred, though not much, as from Wodensday, to Wednesday, and from Freaday to Fryday.

* 1.19The foresayde Woden was father to Vecta, father to Wetgislus, that was father to the fore∣sayd Hengistus and Horsus.

But nowe to rehearse further touching those [ 20] three people whiche at this time came ouer into Brytayne oute of Germanie of the Vites, or Iutes, (as Beda recordeth) are the Kentishmen discended, and the people of the Ile of Wlight, with those also that inhabite ouer agaynste the same Ile.

Of the Saxons, came the East Saxons, the South Saxons, and West Saxons.

Moreouer, of the Angles proceeded the East Angles, the middle Angles, or Mercies, and the [ 30] Northren men.

That these Angles were a people of Germa∣nie,* 1.20 it appeareth also by Cornelius Tacitus, who calling them Anglij, which worde is of three sil∣lables, (as Polidore sayth:) But some wryte it Angli, with two sillables.

And that these Angli, or Angli•…•… were of no small force and authoritie in Germanie before their comming into this lande, may appeare in that they are numbred amongest the twelue na∣tions [ 40] there, whiche had lawes and auncient or∣dinaunces a part by them selues, according to the whiche the state of theyr common wealth was gouerned, they beeing the same, and one people with the Thoringers, as in the tytle of the olde Thuringers lawes wee finde recorded, whiche is thus, Lex Angliorum & VVerinorum, hoc est, Thuringorum. The law of the Angles and VVe∣rinians that is to witte the Thuringers, (whiche Thuringers are a people in Saxonie, as in the [ 50] description of that Countrey it may appeare) is this.

* 1.21But nowe to the matter. Hengist perceyuing that his people were highly in Vortigernes fa∣uour, beganne to handle him craftily, deuysing by what meanes hee mighte bring him im loue with his daughter Ronix,* 1.22 or Rowen, or Rono∣wen (as some write) which he beleeued wel would easily be brought to passe, bycause he vnderstoode that the King was much giuen to sensuall lust,* 1.23 which is the thing that often blindeth wise mens vnderstanding, and maketh them to dote, and to loss theyr perfite wittes, yea, and oftentymes bringeth them to destruction, though by suche pleasant poyson, as they feele no better taste tyll they be brought to the extreeme poynt of confu∣sion in deede.

A greate Supper therefore was prepared by Hengist, at the whiche pleased the King to be present.

Hengist appoynted his daughter when eue∣rie man beganne to bee somewhat •…•…er•…•…ie wyth winke,* 1.24 to bring in a Cuppe of Golde full of good and pleasant wine, and to present it to the King saying, VVassail. Which shee did in such comely and decent maner, as she that knewe howe to doe it well ynough, so as the King marueyled great∣lye thereat, and not vnderstanding what shee ment by that salutation,* 1.25 demaunded what it sig∣nified. To whom it was aunswered by Hingist, that the wished him well, and the meaning of it was, that he should drinke after hir ioyning ther∣vnto this answere, drinke haile. Wherevpon the king (as he was enformed) tooke the cuppe at the Damsels hand, and dranke.

Finally this yong Ladie behaued hirselfe with such pleasant wordes, comely countenaunce, and amiable grace, that the king behelde hir so long, till he felt himselfe so farre in loue with hir person, that he burned in continuall desyre to enioy the same: insomuch that shortly after he forsooke his owne wife, by the which he had three sonnes,* 1.26 na∣med Vortimerus, Catagrinus, and Pascentius, and requyred of Hengist to haue his daughter, the sayde Rowen, or Ronowen in mariage.

Hengist at the firste seemed straunge to graunt to his request, and excused the matter,* 1.27 for that his daughter was not of estate and dignitie meete to be matched with his maiestie. But at length as it had beene halfe agaynst his will hee consented, and so the mariage was concluded and solemnized, all Kent beeing assigned vnto Hengist in rewarde, the whiche Countrey was before that tyme gouerned by one Guorongus, (though not with most equal iustice) which Guo∣rongus was subiect vnto Vortigerne, as all other the Potentates of the Ile were.

This maryage and liberalitie of the King towardes the Straungers, muche defended the myndes of his subiectes, and hastened the fi∣nall destruction of the lande. For the Saxons nowe vnderstanding the affynitie had betwixte the King and Hengist, came so fast ouer to in∣habite here, that it was wonder to consider in howe shorte a tyme suche a multitude coulde come togyther: so that bycause of theyr greate

number and approued puissaunce in warres, they began to be a terrour to the former inhabitants the Brytaynes.

* 1.28But Hengist beeing no lesse politike in coun∣saile than valiaunt in armes, abusing the kings lacke of discretion, to serue his owne turne, per∣swaded him to call out of Germanie his brother Occa and his sonne named Ebusa,* 1.29 beeing men of great valure, to the ende, that as Hengist defended the lande in the South parte: so [ 10] mighte they keepe backe the Scottes in the North.

Herevpon by the Kings consent, they came with a power out of Germanie, and coasting a∣boute the lande, they sayled to the Iles of Ork∣ney, and sore vexed the people there, and like∣wyse the Scottes and Pictes also, and final∣ly arriued in the North partes of the Realme, nowe called Northumberlande, where they set∣led themselues at that present, and so continued [ 20] there euer after: but none of them taking vppon him the tytle of King,* 1.30 till about .99. yeares after theyr first comming into that Countrey, but in the meane time remayning as subiects vnto the Saxon kings of Kent.

After theyr arryuall in that Prouince, they oftentymes fought with the olde Inhabitaunts there, and ouercame them, chasing away such as made resistance, and appeased the residue by recey∣uing them vnder allegiance. [ 30]

When the Nobles of Brytayne saw and per∣ceyued in what daunger the lande stoode,* 1.31 by the dayly repayre of the huge number of Saxons in∣to the same, they first consulted togither, and af∣ter resorting to the King,* 1.32 mooued him that some order might be taken for the auoyding of them, on the more part of them, leaste they shoulde with their power and great multitude vtterly oppresse the British Nation. But all was in vayne, for Vortigerne so esteemed and highly fauoured the Saxons, and namely by reason of the great lo•…•…e which he bare to his wife, that hee lyttle regar∣ded his owne Nation, no nor yet anye thing e∣steemed hys owne naturall kinnesmen and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 friendes,* 1.33 by reason wherof the Brytains in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 depriued him of all kingly honor, after that he had raigned .xvj. yeares, and in his stead crowned his sonne Vortimer.

Gildas and Beda make no mention of Vor∣timer,* 1.34 but declare howe after that the •…•…∣ons were receyued into thys lande, there was a couenaunt made betwixte them and the Brytaynes, that the Saxons shoulde defende the Countrey from the inuasion of enimyes by theyr Knightly force: and that in conside∣ration thereof, the Brytaynes should finde the•…•… prouision of vy•…•…ayles: wherewith they helde their contented for a time.

But afterwardes they beganne to pyke qua∣relles, as thoughe they were not sufficiently fur∣nished of their due proportion of vytayles, threat∣ning that if they were not prouided more large∣ly thereof, they would surely spoyle the Coun∣trey.

And withoute deferring time, they perfour∣med their wordes with effect of deedes, beginning in the East part of the Ile, and with fire & sword passed forth wasting and destroying the Coun∣trey

[illustration]

tyll they came to the vttermoste parte of the West:* 1.35 so that from Sea to Sea, the lande was wasted and destroyed in suche cruell and outragious manner, that neyther Citie, towne, nor Churche was regarded, but all committed to the fyre: the Priestes slaine and murthered euen afore the Aulters, and the Prelates with the people without any reuerence of their estate or

degree, dispatched with fire and sworde, most la∣mentably to beholde.

Many of the Brytaynes seeing the demea∣nour of the Saxons, fledde to the Mountaynes, of the whiche dyuerse beeing apprehended, were cruelly slaine, and other were glad to come forth and yeelde themselues to eternall bondage, for to haue reliefe of meate and drinke to asswage theyr extremitie of hunger.

Some other got them out of the realme in∣to [ 10] straunge landes, so to saue themselues, and o∣thers abyding still in theyr Countrey, kept them within the thicke Wooddes, and craggie Rockes, whether they were fledde, lyuing there a poore wretched lyfe, in great feare and vnquietnesse of mynde.

But after that the Saxons were departed and withdrawne to theyr houses, the Brytaynes began to take courage to thē againe, issuing forth of those places where they had lyen hid, and with [ 20] one consent calling for ayde at Gods hande, that they might bee preserued from vtter destruction, they beganne vnder the conduct of theyr leader Aurelius Ambrose, to prouoke the Saxons to battaile, and by the helpe of God they obteyned the victorie, according to theyr owne desyres. And from thence forth, one while the Brytaynes, and an other while the Saxons were victors, so that in this Brytish people, God (according to hys accustomed maner) as it were present Israell, [ 30] tryed them from tyme to tyme, whether they lo∣ued him or no, vnto the yeare of the siege of Badon hill, where afterwardes no small slaugh∣ter was made of the enimies: whiche chaunced the same yeare in the whiche Gildas was borne, (as he himselfe witnesseth,* 1.36 being aboute the .xliiij. yeare after the comming of the Saxons into Brytaine.

Thus hath Gildas and also Beda (follo∣wing by likelyhoode the authoritie of the same Gildas) written of these first warres begonne be∣twene the Saxons and Brytains.

But nowe to goe foorth with the Hystorie: according to the order of oure Chronicles, thus wee finde recorded touching the doings of Vor∣timer that was elected King (as yee haue hearde) to gouerne in place of his father Vorti∣gerne.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vorti∣gerne 446
• * 1.2

  Hector Bo.
• * 1.3

  415
• * 1.4

  Fabian.
• * 1.5

  Gildas.
• * 1.6

  •…•…entie of •…•…ealth accom∣•…•…nied with •…•…re of sinnes.
• * 1.7

  Hector. Bo.
• * 1.8

  Scottes and Pictes inuade the Brytayne.
• * 1.9

  Gildas. VVil. Malm. Beda. The Saxons sent for.
• * 1.10

  10000. hath Hector Bo. Gildas & Beda mention onely but of .3▪ plates or gallies, but Hector Bo. hath .30. 449 VVil. Malm.
• * 1.11

  Scootues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 qui•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.12

  Henric. Hut.
• * 1.13

  Calf. Mon.
• * 1.14

  Hengist pur∣poseth at the first to con∣quere the Bry∣taynes.
• * 1.15

  Polidor.
• * 1.16

  VVil. Mal▪ 13.

  •…•…oy•…•… pla•…•…es saye the Scottish wryters, and M. men in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 same.

  The Saxons call these V•…•…∣sels Cooles, Keeles, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 old hystori•…•… Cogi••••.
• * 1.17

  •…•…e Vitae or •…•…e are called •…•…ri. •…•…lex. Now.
• * 1.18

  •…•…ednesday, •…•…d Fryday, hereof they •…•…me.
• * 1.19

  •…•…da.
• * 1.20

  Cor. Tacitus.
• * 1.21

  Polidor.
• * 1.22

  Rowen, or Ronowen Hengistes daughter.
• * 1.23

  VVil. Malm.
• * 1.24

  Gal. Mon.
• * 1.25

  Wassail, what it signifieth.
• * 1.26

  Polidor Fabian.
• * 1.27

  VVil. Malm.
• * 1.28

  VVil. Malm.
• * 1.29

  Gal. sayth he was Hengists sonne, and E∣busa his vn∣cles sonne. Occa and E∣busa leaders of Saxons.
• * 1.30

  VVil. Malm. de Regib.
• * 1.31

  Fabian. The great nū∣bers of straun∣gers suspected to the Bry∣taynes.
• * 1.32

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.33

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 depriued.
• * 1.34

  Gilda. Beda. H. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.35

  The miserable destruction made by the Saxons in this lande.
• * 1.36

  •…•…o Gildas was •…•…orne in the feare of our Lord .493.