How Edilfrith kyng of the Northumbers wasted Britanny and conquered the Scottes.
The. 33. Chap.
ABout this time Edilfrith a man very valiaunt and much desirous of renowne was king of Northumberland: one that more wasted the Land of Brytanny then any of the English Princes. So that it semed he might be cōpared vnto Saul kyng of the Iraelites, saue only in that he was voide and ignorant of Gods religion. For none of all the coronells, none of all the kinges did conquer more of the lande of Britan∣ny, ether makyng them tributary, ether dreuing them cleane owt of the countrye and planting the Englsh in their places, then did this Edilfrith. To whom that might be wel applyed that the Patriarke Iacob sayd, when he gaue his sonne Beniamin his blessing in the person of Saul, Beniamin like a rauening wol∣fe, in the morning shall eate his pray and at night shall diuide the spoyle. Wherby Edanaden kyng of Skottes much grudging to see him goe forward after this sorte, assembled a mayne and a strong army agaynste him. But the sayd Edelfrith encounte∣ring him in the field with a few men gaue him the ouerthrow, and in that famous place of Degsastone, disconfited his great ar∣my. In which field Theobald brother to Edilfrith was slayne, with that parte of the army wherof he was generall. This battell was foughtē in the yere of our lorde 603. and the xj. yere of his rayg∣ne, which lasted xxiiij. yeres, and the first yere of the raigne of Phocas then Emperour of Rome. From that time forward vnto this present neuer was there king of Scottes, which durst meete the English men in the field.