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 the seconde time. [ 50]

* 1.1THen was Vortigerne agayne restored to the Kingdome of Brytayne, in the yeare of our Lorde. 471.

All the tyme of his sonnes raigne, he had re∣mayned in the partyes nowe called Wales, where (as some wryte) in that meane tyme hee buylded a strong Castell called Generon, or Guanereu, in the West side of Wales neare to the ryuer of Guana, vpon a Mountayne called Cloaricus, which some referre to be buylded in his second returne into Wales, as shall be shewed hereafter. And it is so much the more likely, for that an olde Chronicle, which Fabian had fight of, affyrmeth, that Vortigerne was kept vn∣der the rule of certayne Gouernours to hym ap∣poynted in the towne of Caerlegion,* 1.2 and beha∣ued himselfe in such commendable sort towardes his sonne in ayding him with his counsail, and o∣therwise, in the meane season whilest his sonne raigned, that the Brytayns by reason therof be∣gan so to fauour him, that after the death of Vor∣timer they made him againe king.

Shortly after that Vortigerne was restored to the rule of the Kingdome,* 1.3 Hengist aduertised thereof, returned into the lande with a mightye armie of Saxons, whereof Vortigerne being ad∣uertised, assembled his Brytaines, and with all speede made towardes him.

When Hengist had knowledge of the huge host of the Brytains that was comming against him, he required to come to a cōmunication with Vortigerne, which request was graunted, so that it was concluded, that on May day a certain nū∣ber of Britains, & as many of the Saxons should meete togither vpon the plaine of Salisburie.

Hengist hauing deuised a newe kind of trea∣son, when the daye of theyr appoynted meeting was come, caused euery one of his allowed num∣ber secretely to put into his Hose a long knyfe (where it was ordeined that no man should bring any weapon with him at all) and that at the ve∣rie instant when this watchworde shoulde be vt∣tered by him,* 1.4 Nempt your sexes, then should euery of them plucke out his knife, and slea the Bry∣tayne that chaunced to be next to him, except the [ 10] same shoulde bee Vortigerne, whom he willed to be apprehended, but not slaine.

At the day assigned, the king with his appoin∣ted number of Brytaynes, nothing mistrusting lesse than any such maner of vnfaythfull dealing, came to the place in order before prescribed, with∣out armour or weapon, where hee founde readie Hengist with his Saxons, the whiche receyued the king with amiable countenance, in moste lo∣uing sort: but after they were entred a little into communication, Hengist meaning to accomplish hys deuysed purpose, gaue the watchwoorde, im∣mediately wherevpon the Saxons drewe oute theyr knyues, and sodainly fell on the Brytayns,* 1.5 and slue them as sheepe being fallen within the daunger of woolues.

[illustration]

For the Brytaines had no weapons to defend themselues, except any of them by his strength & manhood got the knife of his enimie.

Amongst other of the Brytaynes, there was one Edol Earle of Gloucester,* 1.6 or (as other haue) Chester, which got a stake out of an hedge, or else where,* 1.7 and with the same so defended himselfe and layde aboute him, that he slue. xvij. of [ 40] the Saxons, and escaped to the Towne of Ambrie, nowe called Salesburie, and so saued his owne lyfe.

Vortiger was taken and kept as prisoner by Hengist, till he was constrayned to delyuer vnto Hengist three Prouinces or Countreys of thys Realme, that is to witte. Kent and Essex, or as some write, that parte where the south Saxons after did inhabite, as Sussex and other: the thirde was the Countrey where the Eastangles plan∣ted [ 50] themselues, which was in Noffolk, and Suf∣folke.

Then Hengist being in possession of those three Prouinces suffred Vortigerne to depart, and to to be at his libertie.

William Malmesb: wryteth somewhat o∣therwise of this taking of Vortigerne,* 1.8 during whose raigne, after the deceasse of his sonne Vortimer, nothing (as should appeare by that which the same Malmesb. wryteth) was at∣tempted agaynst the Saxons, but in the meane tyme (sayeth hee Hengist according to the de∣fault of mannes nature, whiche the more he hath the more hee desyreth, by a colourable craft pro∣cureth his sonne in lawe Vortigerne to come to a banket to his house, wyth three hundred other Brytaynes, and when hee had made them well and warme with often quaffing and emptying of Cuppes, and of purpose touched euerye of them wyth one bytter taunte or other, they first fell to multiplying of malicious wordes, and af∣ter to blowes, so that the Brytaynes were slaine euery mothers sonne, so yeelding vp their ghostes euen amongst their pottes.

The King himselfe was taken, and to re∣deeme himselfe out of pryson, gaue to the Sax∣ons three Prouinces, and so escaped oute of bondage.

Thus by what meane soeuer it came to passe, truth it is (as all wryters agree) that Hengist got possession of Kent, and of other Countreys in this Realme, and beganne to raigne there as absolute Lorde and Gouernour in the yeare of oure Lorde (as some wryte.) 476.* 1.9 aboute

the fifth yeare of Vortigerns last raigne: but af∣ter other which take the begynning of this king∣dome of Kent, to be when Hengist had first gyft thereof, the same Kingdome beganne in the yeare .455.

* 1.10This Kingdome or Lordship of Kent con∣teyned the countrey that stretcheth from the East Ocean, vnto the ryuer of Thames, hauing on the Southeast Southerie, and vpon the West Lon∣don, vppon the Northeast the Ryuer of Thames [ 10] aforesayde, and the Countrey of Essex.

Hengist and all other the Saxon kings which ruled (as after shall appeare) in. vij. partes of this Realme, are called by wryters Reguli, that is to say, little kings or rulers of some smal dominion: so that Hengist is accounted as a little king. And when he had got into his handes the foresayde three Prouinces, he caused more number of Sax∣ons to come into Brytayne, and bestowed them in places abroade in the Countrey, by reason [ 20] whereof, the Christian Religion greatlye de∣cayed within the lande: for the Saxons being Pagans, did what they coulde to extinguish the fayth of Christ,* 1.11 and to plant, againe in all places theyr heathenish Religion, and worshipping of false Goddes: and not onely hereby was the true fayth of the Christians brought in daun∣ger dayly to decay, but also the erronious opi∣nion of the Pelagians greatly preuayled here amongest the Brytaynes, by meanes of suche vnsounde Preachers, as in that troublesome season did fit foorth erronious doctrine amongst the people, without all maner of reprehension.

Certayne yeares before the comming of the Saxons,* 1.12 that heresie began to spreade within this land very much, by the lewde industrie of one Le∣porius Agricola, the sonne of Seuerus Sulpitius (as Bale sayth) a Bishop of that lore. But Pela∣gius the author of this heresie was borne in Wa∣les, and held opinion that a man might obteyne saluation by his owne free wil & merit, & without, assistance of grace, as he that was borne without originall sinne. &c.

This erronious doctrine being taught therfore, & mainteyned in this troublesome time of warres with the Saxons, sore disquieted the godly min∣ded men amongest the Brytaines,* 1.13 the which not meaning to receyue it, nor yet able we•…•… to confute the craftie and wicked perswasions vsed by the professors therof, thought good to sent •…•…art into Gallia, requiring of the Bishops there, that some godly & profound learned men might be sent from thence into this lande, to defende the cause of the true doctrine against the naughtie teachers of so blasphemous an error. Whervpon the Bishops of Gallia sore lamenting the miserable state of the Britains, & desirous to relieue their present neede,* 1.14 specially in that case of religion, called a Sinode,

[illustration]

and therin taking counsail to consider, who were most meetest to be sent, it was decreed by al their [ 50] consents in the ende, that one Germaine the Bi∣shop of Auxerre,* 1.15 and Lupus Bishop of Troyes should passe ouer into Brytayne to confirme the Christians there in the fayth of the celestial grace. And so those two vertuous learned men taking their iourney, finally arriued in Brytayn, though not without some daunger by sea, through stor∣mes and rage of windes, styrred (as hath beene thought) of the superstitious, by the malice of wicked spirites, who purposed to haue hindered theyr proceeding in this theyr good and well pur∣posed iourney.

After they were come ouer, they did so much what with conuincing the wicked arguments of the aduersaries of the truth, by the inuincible po∣wer of the worde of God, and holynesse of lyfe, that those whiche were out of the right way, were soone brought into the right path againe.

About the same time also, one Palladins was sent from Celestinus Bishop of Rome,* 1.16 vnto the Scottes, to instruct them in the fayth of Christ, and to purge them from the Heresie of the sayde Pelagius.

This Paladius exhorted Constantinus the king of Scottes,* 1.17 that in no wise he shoulde ayde the Saxons beeing infidelles agaynst the Bry∣taines: and his exhortation tooke so good effect, that the sayd Constantinus did not only forbeare [ 10] to assyst the Saxons, but contrarily holpe the Brytaynes in theyr warres agaynst them, the which thing did mainteyne the state of the Bry∣taynes for a tyme from falling into vtter ruine and decay.

In the meane time, the Saxons renued their league with the Pictes, so that their powers being ioyned togither,* 1.18 they beginne a fresh to make sore warres vpon the Brytaynes, the which of neces∣sitie were constrayned to assemble an armie, and [ 20] mistrusting their owne strength, required ayde of the two Bishops, Germaine and Lupus. The which hasting forwarde with all speede came in∣to the army, bringing with them no small hope of good lucke to all the Brytaynes there bee∣ing assembled.

This was done in Lent, and such was the di∣ligence of the Bishops, that (the people being in∣structed with continuall preaching) in renoun∣cing the error of the Pelagians, earnestly came by [ 30] troupes to receyue the grace of God offered in baptisme, so that on Easter day which then en∣sued, the more part of the army was baptised, and so went forth against the enimies, the which hea∣ring thereof, made hast towards the Brytaynes, in hope to ouercome them at pleasure. But theyr approche being knowne, Byshoppe Ger∣maine taketh vpon him the leading of the Br•…•…∣tish host,* 1.19 and ouer agaynst the passage throughe the which the enimies were appoynted to come, he chose forth a valley enclosed with high Moun∣taynes, and within the same he placeth his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 washe•…•… armie.

And when he saw the enimies now at hande he commaunded that euery man with one gene∣rall voyce shoulde aunswere him, crying alowde the same crie that he should begin.

And euen as the enimies were readie to giue the charge vpon the Brytaynes, supposing that they should haue taken them at vnwares, and be∣fore any warning had beene giuen, sodainly Bi∣shop Germaine and the Priestes, with a lowde and shrill voyce cryed Alleluia thrice:* 1.20 and there∣with all the multitude of the Brytaynes wyth whole voyce cryed the same crie, with such a lowd steauen, that the Saxons were so therewith a∣mased and astonyed, (the echo from the rocks and hilles adioyning, redoubling in suche wise the crie,) that they thought that not onely the rockes and clyfes had fallen vpon them, but that euen the skie it selfe had broken in peeces and come tum∣bling downe vpon their heades: herewith there∣fore throwing away their weapons, they tooke them to their feete, that glad was he that might get to be formost in running awaye. Many of them for hast were drowned in a Riuer whiche they had to passe. Polidore taketh that Riuer to be Trent.

[illustration]

The Brytayns hauing thus vanquished their enimies, gathered the spoyle at good leysure, and gaue God thanks for the victorie thus got with∣out bloud, for the which the holy bishops also tri∣amphed as best became them. And after they had setled all things in good quiet within the Ile, as was thought expedient, they returned into Gallia or France, frō whence they came (as is before re∣hersed.* 1.21) By one author it should appeare that this battell was woonne against the Scots and Picts

about the yeare of our Lord .448.* 1.22 a little before y^e comming of the Saxons into this lande vnder Hengist, whereto William Harrison accordeth, in which yeare S. Germane firste came hither to weede out the heresie of Pelagius, as by the same author more at large is affirmed. Howbeit, Wil∣liam Harrison in his Chronologie out of Pros∣per, & other writers of time, noteth y^e first cōming of Germanus in the .429. of Christ, and vnder y^e Consulship of Florentius and Dionisius: & thys [ 10] shoulde seeme to agree with the trouth, for that after some, y^e foresaid Germane should dye at Ra∣uenna about the yeare of our Lord .450. as Vin∣centius noteth, whiche was the very yeare of the comming of the Saxons: notwithstanding whē, or wheresoeuer he dyed, it was not long after hys returne into Gallia, vpon his first iourney made hither into this land, & obteyning of y^e victory be∣fore mentioned, but y^t word was brought againe vnto him, that eftsoones the heresie of the Pelagi∣ans [ 20] was spred abrode in Britayne,* 1.23 & therefore al the Priests or Cleargie made request to him y^t it might stande with his pleasure to come ouer a∣gaine, and defend the cause of true Religion whi∣che he had before confirmed. Heerevpon Bishop German granteth so to do, and therefore takyng with him one Seuerus (that was disciple vnto Lupus, & ordeyned at y^t tyme Bishop of Tryer) he tooke the Sea, and came againe into Britaine, where he founde the multitude of the people sted∣fast [ 30] in the same beliefe wherein he had left them, & perceyued the fault to rest in a fewe: wherevppon enquiring out the authors, he condemneth them to exile (as it is written) and with a manifest mi∣racle by restoring a yong man that was lame (as they say) vnto the right vse of his limmes, he con∣firmeth his doctrine. Then followeth preaching to perswade amendmente of errors, and by the generall consente of all men, the authors of the wicked doctrine being banished the land, were de∣liuered [ 40] vnto Bishop Germane and to his fellowe Seuerus, to conuey them forth in their company vnto the parties of beyond the Sea, that the Re∣gion might so be deliuered of further daunger, and they receyue the benefite of due amendmente.

By this meanes it came to passe, that the true faith continued in Britayne soun•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••fect a long time after. And thus things beeing set in good order, those holy men returned into theyr countreys. And so after this seconde time of hys being here, the forenamed Bishop German went to Rauenna for to sew for peace to bee graunted vnto the people of Armorike Britayne, and there being receyued of the Emperour Valentinian, & his mother Placida in most reuerend manner, he departed in that Citie out of this transitory life, to the eternall ioyes of heauen. His body was af∣terwardes conueyed vnto the Citie of Auxerre,* 1.24 where he had bin Bishop with great opinion of holinesse for his sincere doctrine and pure and in∣nocent life.* 1.25 Shortly after was the Emperoure Valentinian slayne by the friendes of that noble man named Aetius, whom he had before caused to be put to death. By this it may appeare, that Bishop German came into this Realm both the first and second time, whilest as well Hengist, as also Vortigerne were liuing: for the sayde Valē∣tinian was murthered about y^e yeare of our Lord 454. where the sayde Kings liued & reigned long after that time,* 1.26 as may appeare both before & af∣ter in this present booke. To returne then to Vor∣tigerne. We find in the Brittish historie, that af∣ter the Saxons had constreyned him to delyuer into their handes a greate parte of the south & east partes of the Realme, so that they had in posses∣sion London, Yorke, Lincolne, & Winchester, w^t other Cities & townes,* 1.27 he not only fearing theyr puissāce, but also y^e returne of Aurelius Ambrosi∣us, & his brother Vtherpēdragon, withdrew him into Wales, wher he begā to build a strōg Castel

[illustration]

vpon a Mountayne called Breigh, or after other Cloaric,* 1.28 neere to the riuer of Guana, whiche is in the West side of Wales in a place within the compasse of the same hill called Generon or Gueyneren.* 1.29 Of the building of this Castell, and of the hinderance in erecting the same, with the monstrous birth of Merlin and his knowlege in prophesying, the Britishe histories tell a long processe, the whiche in Caxton, and in Galfrides bookes is also set foorthe, as there yee may see: but [ 10] for that the same séemeth not of suche credite as deserueth to be registred in any sound historie, we haue with silence passed it ouer.* 1.30 Whilest Vor∣tigerne was bussed in building of this Castel, the two foresayde breethren Aurelius and Vter pre∣pared a nauie of Shippes, and an army of men, by helpe of suche their kinsmen and friendes as they founde in Armorike Britayne, and so passed the Sea, and landed at Totriesse: whereof when the Britaynes were aduertised, the which were scat∣tered [ 20] abrode and seuered in diuers parties & coun∣treys, they drewe vnto the sayde two breethren with all speede that might be. When Aurelius and his brother Vter perceyued that they were sufficiētly furnished of people, they marched forth towardes Wales against Vortigerne, the which hauing knowledge of their approche,* 1.31 had fortify∣ed his Castell right strongly with men, munition and vittayles, but yet all that nothing auayled him, for in the ende after his enimies had gyuen [ 30] diuers assaultes to the sayde Castell,* 1.32 they found meanes with wilde fire to brenne it downe to the earth, and so consumed it by fire togither with the King, and all other that were within it.

[illustration]

[ 40] [ 50]

Thus did Vortigerne ende his life (as in the Brittish historie is recorded.) Of him much euill is reported by the same historie, and also by other writers, and amongst other things it is written, that he shoulde lie by his owne daughter, and of hir begote a sonne, in trust that kings shuld come of him, and therefore was he excommunicate by Saint Germane.

It is also sayde,* 1.33 that when the same Sainte Germane came into Britayne (as before ye haue heard) this Vortigerne on a time shoulde deri•…•…e the same Saint Germane harbourrowe: but one that kept the Kings heardes of Castell receyued him into his house, and lodged him,* 1.34 and slewe a Calfe for his supper, the which Calfe (after supper was ended) Sainte Germane restored againe to life: and on the morrow by the ordinance of God, hee caused Vortigerne to bee deposed from hys Kingly estate, and tooke the heardman and made him King.

But Ranulfus Higden in his booke entitled Polychronicon, alledging Gildas for his author, sayth, that this chaunced to a king that ruled in Powsey, whose name was Buly, and not to Vortigerne: so that the successours of that Buly reigning in that side of Wales, came of the lig∣nage of the same herdman. Moreouer it hath bin sayd as one writer recordeth,* 1.35 that when Vorti∣gerne refused to heare the preaching of S. Ger∣man, & fled from him as he followed to haue in∣structed him, one night there fell fyre from heauē vpon the castel wherin the king was lodged, and so the king being destroyed with the fall of the house and the fyre togyther, was neuer after seene. But these are fables, and therfore I passe them ouer, hoping that it shall suffise to shewe here with what stuffe our olde historiographers haue farced vp their huge volumes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ••••. hath •…•…at. West. 471
• * 1.2

  Caerleon Arwicke.
• * 1.3

  4000. hath Math. West. He might easi∣ly returne, for except I be de∣ceyued he was neuer driuen out after he had once got foot within this Ile.
• * 1.4

  Nempt your sexes, what if it were mesles.
• * 1.5

  There 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the noble•…•… Brytaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as Gal▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.6

  Ran. Cestren. Fabian.
• * 1.7

  70. bath. Gal. Math West. Ran. Cestren.
• * 1.8

  VVil. Malm.
• * 1.9

  476
• * 1.10

  Kingdome of Kent.
• * 1.11

  The decay of Christian re∣ligion.
• * 1.12

  Beda.
• * 1.13

  Beda.
• * 1.14

  A Sinode cal∣led in Gallia.
• * 1.15

  Germanus, and Lupus.
• * 1.16

  Beda. Palladius.
• * 1.17

  Constantine king of Scots.
• * 1.18

  H. Hunt. Beda.
• * 1.19

  The armi•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Bryti•…•… newly 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.20

  Alleluia.
• * 1.21

  Mat. VVest.
• * 1.22

  448
• * 1.23

  Germane re∣•…•…urneth againe •…•…nto Britayne.
• * 1.24

  Anno 450 as Vincentius noteth lib. 20. Cap. 15.
• * 1.25

  The Emperor Valentinian slayne.
• * 1.26

  454
• * 1.27

  Galfrid.
• * 1.28

  Caxton. Fabian. Policron.
• * 1.29

  Mount Erit he calleth it in one place of his booke.
• * 1.30

  Aurelius and Vter brethren returne into Britayne.
• * 1.31

  Vortigerne brent to death
• * 1.32

  Wilde fire not yet inuented as some think
• * 1.33

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 A say•…•… of S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.34

  A cali•…•…¦•…•…ation.
• * 1.35

  H. Hunt.