How that in the time of Gracian the Emperour Maximus being created Emperour in Britāny returned in to France with a great army.
The. 9. Chap.
THe yere of the incarnation of our Lord 377.* 1.1 Gratian the 40. Emperour after August, raygned vj. yeres after the death of Valens, though a litle while before he raig∣ned also with Valens his vncle and Valentinian his brother. Which seing the state of the commen welth miserably plag∣ued, and nigh altogether decayed, was drouen of nece••site for the better repairing of the sayd decaise, to choose vnto him Theodosius a Spanyard borne to be his partener in gouernance of the Empire, comitting, vnto him the regiment of the ••aste and also of Thracia. In which time, one Maximus a vahaūt mā and a good, and worthy of the Imperiall crowne (had it not ben that contrary to his othe and allegeance he tooke vpon him by tyranny to be Emperour in Britanny) half in maner a∣gainst his will being created Emperour of the army, passed ouer in to Fraunce. Where he slewe Gratian the Emperour being circumuented by subtile wiles, and sodenly stolen vppon ere he were ware, as he was in minde to passe in to Italy. After that also he chased Valentiniā the other partener of the empire out of Italy. Valentinian flieng for succour in to the easte, and there with all fatherly piete being receiued of Theodosius, was by his helpe strayt wayse restored vnto the empire, Maximus the ty∣ran being shutt vp by seige with in the walles of Aquilegia and there shortly after taken and slayne.