The history of Great Britaine under the conquests of ye Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans Their originals, manners, warres, coines & seales: with ye successions, lives, acts & issues of the English monarchs from Iulius Cæsar, to our most gracious soueraigne King Iames. by Iohn Speed.

C. AVRELIVS VALER. DIOCLESI∣ANVS IOVIVS AND M. AVRELIVS VALERIVS MAXIMIANVS. CHAPTER XLIIII.

[illustration]

* 1.1 * 1.2

THe Empire thus deuolued to Dioclesian, with appro∣bation of the Senate, hee euery way studied to bee accounted worthy of the same, as knowing well his birth was no way answe∣rable to his present lot: and therefore chose for his Caesar, Maximianus, a man of better descent, very honourable, wise, and va∣liant, as was manifested in his first seruice against the Gaules, whom with an infinite number of pesants in that prouince, troubling the peace of the Romans, hee with much slaughter ouercame. For which exploit so fortunately accomplished, the Emperor made him his Consort in the Gouernment.

(2) Dioclesians parentage is vncertainly reported by Writers, some making him the sonne of a Notary, * 1.3 and others of a meere Bondman; but all agreeing that his Country was Dalmatia, and his ofspring very base. This man being but a Common Souldier, consulted with a Witch for his future successe; who told him (if you please to beleeue the reporters) that he should become an Emperour after he had killed a Bore: to which he gaue credit, and euer after was a great ene∣mie to that beast, and in time grew vnder Probus to so great account for dexterity in expediting his affaires, that he was made Steward of his house, and now lastly elected to the Empire.

(3) The very first thing that he attempted, was the punishmēt of his predecessors death: for which Arrius Aper being conuicted before his tribunall seat, him∣selfe rising suddenly from the Throne, ran him tho∣row with his sword, in outward shew for zeale of Iu∣stice, as not able to endure so foule a fact: but in truth to fulfill the Prediction of his hostesse, the Druid; for that Aper signifieth a Bore. After which act, he held * 1.4 his Empire fully established.

(4) To let passe many imploiments and troubles of the State, these two Emperors chose to themselues two Caesars, whereby the One-bodied Eagle became a∣gaine * 1.5 foure-headed, and each almost of an equall au∣thority. Dioclesian chose Galerius Maximinus, and Maxi∣mianus, surnamed Herculius, chose Constantius Clorus a * 1.6 Roman Senator, enforcing them to put away their for∣mer Wiues, & to take their Daughters, for an assurance of loue by the bonds of that Alliance; of whom the former was imploied for defence of Illyricum, and the other afterwards into Britaine against the Rebellions there raised by Carausius, whose coine is here set.

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* 1.7

(5) This Carausius by birth a Menapian, but of low Parentage, as Beda and Eutropius saith; who being * 1.8 appointed Admirall by the Romans to guard the Bri∣tish Seas, from the Pyracies of the Saxons and Lower Germans, who with continuall robberies wasted the coasts, abused his authority both in suffering those Pi∣rats to passe vnder Compositions, and in taking many Shippes and much substance from the true Subiect to his owne vse: whereby in short time hee became very rich, and (like a cat set to keepe mice from the larder) did more mischiefe then the Robbers themselues. Sa∣bellicus reports, one very politike custome whereby he inriched himselfe; and that was by suffering the Pirats to take as much spoiles as possibly they could before hee would surprise them; whereby they were his in∣struments to rob others, and nothing to better them∣selues.

(6) Maximianus then warring in Gallia, and fea∣ring the greatnes of his wealth and power, sent secret∣ly to slay him by treacherie; and in the meane while surprised many of his principall men at * 1.9 Gessori∣acum.

(7) Carausius now rich & compassed with friends, seeing his destruction thus intended and sought,

thought that death was but death as well to Prince as to Peazant: and therefore with a bold resolution, and aid of the Picts or Northerne Britaines, (who had been alwaies enemies to the Roman Subiection) put on the Purple Robe, and vsurped the Authoritie and Title of Emperour, which hee most valiantly maintained in sundry Battles, and so kept it for the terme of seuen * 1.10 yeeres.

(8) Against him Maximianus set forward with a puissant Armie, and marched to the British Ocean: but there vnderstanding the power of his Enemie, and finding himselfe in want of men for Sea-seruice, hee pitched downe his Tents: and knowing Carausius a man meet to command the Ilanders, and able to de∣fend them against the other Warlike Nations, sent him offers of peace: the making of which is remembred vnto vs by the Coine of Carausius before expressed, whereon are stamped the Portraitures of two Emperours ioining hands. So himselfe returning against the Ba∣tanians, left Carausius for Britaine, who gouerned the Prouince with an vpright and vnstained reputation, and with exceeding peaceablenesse, notwithstanding the incursions of the Barbarous. He reedified the wall (as Ninnius the disciple of Eluodugus writeth) between the moneths of Cluda and Carunus, fortifiing the same * 1.11 with seuen Castles, and built a round house of polish∣ed stone vpon the banke of the Riuer Carun, which (some thinke) tooke name of him, erecting therewith a Triumphall Arch in remembrance of Victorie. How∣beit, Buchanan thinkes the same to bee the Temple of Terminus, and not the foundation of Carausius.

But the date of his noble Gouernment was brought now to a period, by the Treason of Allectus his Familiar friend, one whom he had imploied in ma∣naging of the State, who thirsting after the Supreme * 1.12 Authoritie, betraied his trust, and treacherously mur∣dered him by a wile, putting on himselfe the Purple-Robe, stamping this his Image vpon the publike Coine as an absolute Soueraigne, and assuming the Title Impe∣riall, about the yeere of Christ 294.

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(9) Constantius who had leuied an Armie, and was come with great speed vnto Bulloigne in France, (a Towne that Carausius had sometime fortified and kept) hearing now of his death, determined the reco∣uery of Britaine; and after great preparations, at length passing the Seas in a darke fogge or mist, landed his men without impeachment: which done, hee fired his owne Ships, therby to frustrate all hopes of escape. Allectus, who had laien to intercept his comming, forsooke also the Seas, and meeting at vnawares with Asclepiodotus, great Seneschall of the Praetorium, as a de∣sperate man, hasted vpon his owne death: for encoun∣tring with him, hee neither ordered his Battle, nor marshalled his men, but fought at randome very vn∣fortunately: for hauing put off his Purple Garment, he was among many other slaine, when hee had held his estate the terme of three yeeres. * 1.13

The Frankners and others of the Barbarous Souldiers escaping the Battle, sought to sacke London, and so to be gone: but as good happe was, the Souldi∣ers of Constantius, which by reason of a mistie and fog∣gie aire were seuered from the rest, at vnawares came to London, where they rescued their Allies, and making great slaughter of the Enemie, slew Gallus their Leader, casting his body into a Brooke that the•…•… ran thorow the Citie, which thence after was called by the Bri∣taines Nant-gall, and by the English, Gallus his Brooke, where now a faire Street is built, called (vpon that * 1.14 occasion) to this day Walbrooke.

(10) The deaths of these two Vsurpers, with the re∣couerie of the Britaines vnto their wonted obedience, was accounted so great a benefit to the Romans, that it is most gloriously commended, and Rhetorically set downe in a Panegyricke Oration ascribed to Mamer∣tinus, in the praise of Dioclesian, Maximianus, and Con∣stantius: * 1.15 where (after hee had extolled the fertilitie of the British Soile, and the Riches that the Empire reaped thence) he set forth the strength of the Enemy, growne to so dangerous a head: and concluded with this Ac∣clamation; O what a manifold Victory was this, worthie vndoubtedly of innumerable Triumphs, by which Victorie * 1.16 Britaine is restored to the Empire, their Confederates brought to obedience, and the Seas secured to a perpetuall quietnesse! Glory you therefore (inuincible Emperour) for that you haue as it were gotten another World, and in resto∣ring to the Romans puissance the glory of the Conquest by * 1.17 Sea, haue added to the Roman Empire an Element greater then all the compasse of the Earth, that is, the mightie maine Ocean it selfe: and afterwards now by your Victories (In∣uincible Constantius Caesar) whatsoeuer did lie vacant a∣bout Amiens, Beauois, Trois, and Langres, beginneth to flourish with Inhabitants of sundry Nations. Yea and moreouer, that your most obedient City Autum, for whose sake I haue a peculiar cause to reioice, by meanes of this Triumphant Victorie in Britaine, hath receiued many and sundry sorts of Artizans, of whom those Prouinces * 1.18 were full. And now by their workmanship the same Citie riseth vp, by repairing of Ancient Houses, and restoring of Publike Buildings and Temples: so that now it ac∣counteth that the old name of brotherly Incorporation to Rome is againe restored, when shee hath you eft-soones for her Founder.

(11) But leauing Constantius to be further spoken of in his due place, let vs pursue the Raignes of these two Tyrants, who new began the Persecutions of Gods Saints in all the parts of the Empire, wherein the rage of Satan so preuailed, that seuenteene thousand men and * 1.19 women were crowned with martyrdome, within the space of one moneth, besides infinite numbers of such as were otherwise punished.

As in other Countries, so heere in Britaine the Christians Churches were demolished, their Bi∣bles * 1.20 and other godly writings burned, and themselues tormented with a more cruell and longer continu∣ance then formerly had beene vsed: for this endured the terme often whole yeeres together, leauing no * 1.21 time of intermission, nor place free from the staine of Martyrs Bloud.

And amongst others, it made Britaine to be honored with the glory of many holy Martyrs, which constantly stood and died in the Confession of the Faith; whereof the first is reported to bee Albane of the City Verolanium, who was beheaded at Holmehurst * 1.22 (since called Derswold) where now the Towne of S. Albans (bearing his name) is built, and in whose ho∣nour, Offa the great King of Mercia founded a most * 1.23 magnificent Monasterie. Of this Alban the ancient Fortunatus Priscus in his booke of the Praise of Virgini∣tie, * 1.24 maketh mention thus:

Albanum egregium foecunda Britannia profert:

Britaine fertill of all good, Washt with glorious Albans blood.

(12) His Instructor Amphibolus afterwards appre∣hended, was brought to the same place, and whipped * 1.25 about a stake, whereat his intrailes were tied: so win∣ding his bowels out of his body, was lastly stoned to death. Sundry others also in other places laid downe their liues for their Professions sake, as Iulius and Aaron * 1.26 at Leicester, saith Beda, or rather at Caer-leon in Mon∣mouth∣shire, as our Grand-Antiquarie iudgeth: and in * 1.27 Leichfeild so many, that the place became another Gol∣gotha, A Field of dead Corps. For which cause the Citie doth beare an Escocheon or Field charged with many Martyrs, for their Seale of Armes euen vnto this day.

(13) This last rage is by Orosius and Beda accoun∣ted the Tenth Persecution from Nero; and by others,

the Tenth Horne of the Imperiall Beast, who had recei∣ued his Power from the Dragon (the diuel) and Forme from those foure Beasts deciphered by the Prophet * 1.28 Daniel, whose mouth was as the Lyons mouth of As∣shur, his feete like the Beares feete of Persia, his spots as the Leopards of Greece; and these ten hornes taken from the Monster of the Grecians parted kingdome, the Seleucies and the Ptolemies, called in Ezekiel, Gog and Magog, and here alluded vnto by S. Iohn, that * 1.29 thus made battel against the Saints. But as those foure Beasts perished and were crushed by the fall of The stone cut without hands, Emmanuel borne in our flesh: so this Beast compounded of them Foure, fell in the destructions of these most wicked Emperors, whereof all almost died so vntimely and vnusuall deaths, as the like is not read of elsewhere.

(14) For some slew themselues, as Nero and Otho did; some were smothered to death, as was Tiberius; some poisoned by their wiues, as Claudius and Commo∣dus; * 1.30 some tugged and torne in pieces by their own Sub∣iects and Souldiers, as Vitellius, Heliogabalus, Pupienus, and Balbinus; some stabbed by them whom they most trusted, as Caligula, Domitian, Didius, Gallienus, and ma∣ny others; some tumultuously murthered, as Pertinax Seuerus, Maximius, Aemilius, and Probus were; some slaine in battell and defence of their titles, as Macrinus and Gallus; some hanged themselues, as Gordianus and Maximianus did; some drowned and swallowed vp, as Decius and Maxentius were; some slaine by a thunder∣bolt from heauen, as Carus was; some died in most mi∣serable captiuitie, as Valerianus did, whose skinne was fleaed off, he yet aliue; some cut their owne veines and bled to death, as Quintilius and Florianus did; some dy∣ing mad, as did this our Dioclesian; some few, and them somewhat fauoring Christians, died in their beds, a thing most strange to see in these times, wherein the Wrath of God thus fought against them in his Iustice, and the power of his Gospell preached by his Apostles and Disciples, that as a Conqueror crowned, and riding vpon a White horse, bare a Bow in his hand, and shot the sharpe Arrowes of death into the hearts of these the Kings enemies, as in the opening of the First Seale is * 1.31 seene; and in the Second is described and made mani∣fest by a Red Horse prepared for Battell, whose Rider bare a Bright sword, and had commission To take peace from the earth; which most effectually wee haue seene performed in most of these preceding Emperours. And as Famine in great Warres is not greatly strange; so Scarsitie exceeding Plentie, was seene vnder the ope∣ning of the Third Seale; whence a Blacke horse sent from God, pased through the earth, whose Rider bare a Bal∣lance * 1.32 to weigh Corne, as it were Spice, for dearth: and in the raigne of this last Tyrant Dioclesian, they that had Eagles eies might see the threefold iudgements of God in the opening of the Fourth Seale, when Sword, Famine, & Death went all together as a pale-horse, sent * 1.33 from the presence of the Lamb, whose rider was Death and Hell, following as his Page. These were the times of calamities, wheas the Soules of the righteous in the opening of the Fifth Seale, cried for vengeance for the bloud of the Martyrs, whom these ten hornes had go∣red * 1.34 to death: and vnder the Sixth Seale, both then, and for euer the wicked are said to call for the Mountaines * 1.35 to fall vpon them, and for the rockes to hide them from the presence of Him that sate vpon the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lambe, before whom none could stand.

But why doe I (weake man) thus open the Cur∣taines of Gods most sacred Tabernacle, to behold the Mercy-seate of his diuine Mysteries in the accomplish∣ments of these holy Oracles, when as they who haue worne the Ephod, and in whose hand Aarons Rod hath * 1.36 Budded, with a religious reuerence haue feared to look into the same? Therefore with the charge of Ioshua I will not approach neere the Arke, and with Iobs hea∣rers * 1.37 will Lay my hand on my mouth, and returne to the prosecution of my purpose.

(15) It was the nineteenth yeere of his raigne, in the month of March, when this Tyrant sent forth his * 1.38 wicked Edicts through all his Empire; That all chur∣ches should bee vtterly ouerthrowne; that the Scrip∣tures should be burnt; that all Christians for honour should bee held infamous, and all Christian seruants should bee vncapeable of freedome; that all Pastors should be enforced to offer to Idols, &c.

(16) The fountaine & chiefe cause of these miseries lighting on the Church of Christ, did arise from the Christians themselues, as Eusebius in these words de∣clareth: After that our conuersation through too much li∣bertie and licentiousnesse was degenerated, and holy disci∣pline * 1.39 corrupted, whiles euery one of vs did enuie, bite, and backbite each other, waging intestine warres within our selues, and piercing one anothers hearts with the sharpe speares of opprobriouswords; so that Bishops against Bi∣shops, and people against people were at bitter contention. Lastly, whiles nothing but hypocrisie was in the face, deceit in the heart, and guile in the tongue, whereby mischiefe was euen full at the brimme, then began the heauy hand of God to visit vs, &c. Where he proceedeth and sheweth that the greeuous sinnes of the Christians; was the cause of drawing downe these iudgements on their heads.

(17) And so this wicked Tyrant accordingly was but as Gods Instrument and Iron-threshing-flaile, to bruise the precious wheat and seed of the Gospell, and * 1.40 to crush that outward glory of the Christian profession, which then was flourishing in most parts of the world.

(18) But long the Lord deferred not their release nor that Tyrants end. For after the First yeere of their * 1.41 persecutions, and twentith of his Raigne, the thir∣teenth day of Aprill, in the yeere of Christs Natiuitie three hundred and three, hee with his Fellow Emperor (both of them by the reuenging hand of God, stric∣ken with a mad humor (saith Eusebius) renounced the Empire, and descending from the Tribunall put off their Purple and Imperiall robes, whereby they againe became Priuat men.

(19) Dioclesian retired into Dalmatia, where in the Citie Salonia, hee poisoned himselfe; as Aurelius Victor affirmeth: and Eusebius saith, that no small disease * 1.42 ouertooke him, for that hee died mad. His consort Maximianus escaped not vnpunished, but died for at∣tempting the Murther of Constantius, and as Eusebius * 1.43 auoucheth, hee hanged himselfe in the citie Marsillis: such ignominious deaths followed these two persecu∣ting Tyrants, whereof Dioclesian had formerly made himselfe a God, and by an Edict commanded his Foote * 1.44 to bee kissed: a practise pretily since imitated by his Successors, who haue reuiued the wounded Head of the Beast, and haue trod his steppes in wounding and persecuting the true members of Christ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Val. Diocles. Emp.
• * 1.2

  Val. Maxi∣mian, Caesar and Emp.
• * 1.3

  Paulus Orosius. Eutropius.
• * 1.4

  Flauius Vopiscus.
• * 1.5

  Eutrop. Signon•…•…. O•…•…pbet.
• * 1.6

  Pomp. Laetus. An. Do. 286. An. Do. 291.
• * 1.7

  Carausius a Bri∣taine raiseth re∣bellion in An. 287. Bed. hist. Ang. lib. 1. cap. 6.
• * 1.8

  Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 6.
• * 1.9

  Now called B•…•…∣leyn in Picardy.
• * 1.10

  Carausius defen∣deth his vsurpa∣tion seuen yeers. Maximianus a∣gainst Carausius.
• * 1.11

  Ninius.
• * 1.12

  A perfidious friend.
• * 1.13

  Allectus slaine.
• * 1.14

  Walbrooke in Lon∣don of Gallus. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 T•…•…eb.
• * 1.15

  Mamertinus Pa∣negy•…•…. Orat.
• * 1.16

  The Emperours extolled for re∣coucting Britain.
• * 1.17

  Mamertinus Pa∣neg. Grat.
• * 1.18

  Many Artificers in Britaine.
• * 1.19

  G•…•…. Damas•…•…. Sabellicus.
• * 1.20

  Eusebius. Beda. Rad. de Dicet•…•….
• * 1.21

  The Christians torments for ten yeeres to∣gether.
• * 1.22

  Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 7.
• * 1.23

  S. Albane put to death at Saint Albans.
• * 1.24

  Iob. Capgraue.
• * 1.25

  Amphibole a Bri∣taine put to death.
• * 1.26

  Iulius and Aaron at Leicester.
• * 1.27

  At Lichfeild gr•…•… multitudes in Cambden. Ioh. 19. 17. Ioh Ross•…•… W•…•…∣wicens. in lib. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•…pis. Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 6.
• * 1.28

  Apoc. 13. Dan. 7.
• * 1.29

  Ezek. 38. 2.
• * 1.30

  The violent deaths of many Emperors.
• * 1.31

  Psal. 45. 5. The first Seale. Apoc. 6. The second Seale.
• * 1.32

  The third Seale.
• * 1.33

  The fourth Seale.
• * 1.34

  The fifth Seale.
• * 1.35

  The sixth Seale.
• * 1.36

  Exod. •…•…9. Numb 17.
• * 1.37

  Iosh. 3. 4. Iob 29 9.
• * 1.38

  Euseb. eccles. lib. 8. cap. 1. 2. 3.
• * 1.39

  Euseb. hist eccles. lib. 8. cap. 1.
• * 1.40

  Amos 1. 3.
• * 1.41

  Euseb. eccles. hist. lib. 8. cap. 2•…•….
• * 1.42

  Euseb. eccles. hist. lib. 8. cap. 14.
• * 1.43

  Fox Act. pag. 119. & 123. Euseb. eccles hist. lib. 8. cap. 19.
• * 1.44

  Dioclesians practise. The Pope an imitator of him, and not of Christ.