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.

A CATALOGVE OF SVCH BRITISH PRINCES AS WITHSTOOD THE SAXONS IN THEIR CONQVESTS FROM VORTIGER'NE THEIR FIRST MAINTAINER, VNTO CADWALLADER THEIR LAST RESISTER. CHAPTER XII.

NOw as we haue spoken of euery seuerall Saxon King, that attained vnto, and * 1.1 held possession of any part in the East & South of this Iland, vntill such time as their Crownes were worne by their Con∣querors, and the seuen∣fold diuided Heptarchy, vnited into an absolute Monarchy: so by order of Hi∣story * 1.2 it is required, that their opposers (the Britains) so long as they kept their ground, and stood in defence of their owne rightful inheritance, should be shewed: who with as great a disdaine, and valorous resistance, vnder-went the yoake of the Saxons subiections, as their ancient Ancestors had endeauoured to cleere themselues from the chaines of the Romans captiuity. And vntill God and destinie withdr•…•… from them the hand of defence, they mated the Saxons in all their designes. For albeit that the Romans had robbed the Land of her strength, and the aspired Vortigern, called in these Strangers for his defence: yet their purposes being wisely perceiued, the execution therof was as presently practised, and as eagerly pur∣sued, whilest the pillars (that supported the frame of their gouerment) stood vpon their owne Bases. But the ground-work failing, and those props not many, * 1.3 the waight of all, fell vpon some few, whose acts and manly resistance (Christ assisting) shall further bee re∣lated, as time shall bring them to the yeeres of their aduentures, and carry our History thorow the af∣faires of their times. Meane while, as we haue recor∣ded the names of their Ancestors, and worthy fore∣runners, the resisters of the Romans: so now if you please, behold the Catalogue of their Kings, from the foresaid Vortigern (the first subdued by these Sax∣ons) * 1.4 vnto Cadwallader the last of those British Princes; who left to them his Land, and went himself to Rome: whose times & stories, according to those Guids that lead vs, wee wil declare, referring the credit thereof to our British Historians; against whom howsoeuer some exceptions are, and may be iustly taken, yet are they not altogether to be cast off, in the affaires of these en∣suing Princes, especially Gyldas and Ninius, who liued in, and presently after the times of those resisters. Neither is it to be doubted, but that many others there were of that Nation, no lesse carefull for trans∣ferring the remembrance of their Ancestors actions to posteritie, (no Nation liuing being more zealously deuoted in that kinde,) though their writings haue in Times ruines beene buried, and their remembran∣ces preserued onely by perpetuitie of traditions. and although wee haue shewed the ancient Coines of the Britaines, and obserued a series thorow the Romanes succession: yet be not offended, that I leaue onely Blanks for these latter Princes, as also the first Saxons, wanting the Monies of their owne seuerall Mintes.

Such therfore as I haue found of any Kings stamp, raigning whilest the Land was diuided and enioied a∣mongst * 1.5 them, I haue in the margent of their remem∣brances affixed, with the Armes attributed to euery seuerall kingdome: and hence will obserue the same order, without any inuention or fained inscription: which howsoeuer wee want to furnish their successi∣ons, yet this am I sure of, no Nation in Europe can shew the like, or can come to so true a series of their Soueraignes Coines, as England is able at this day to doe.

VORTIGERN. 1.

[illustration]

Vortigern among the many molestatiōs of the Scots and Picts, was ordained the supreme Gouernor of these affaires; and to that end, with the Britaines full consent was elected their King. For as touching that

Monkish Constantine, the sonne of Constantius, who is said to be the brother of Aldreonus, King of Little Bri∣taine in France, sent for and made King by these Bri∣taines, whose simplicitie this Vortigern is said to abuse, and lastly to cause his murther and death; I rather thinke the storie to be the same that happened aboue fortie yeeres before, in the daies of Honorius the Em∣peror; when Constantius among other Conspirators, was raised vpon a hopefull expectation conceiued in his name.

This Constantius indeed had a sonne that bare his name, a man of a soft spirit, and no deepe reach, and therefore in his youth was made a Monke. But his Fa∣ther risen to his aspiring honour, created him first his Caesar, and next Augustus, till Fortune turned those smiles into frownes, and stained their purple robes in both their own blouds. For not only the same names induceth this doubt, but the place, which was Winche∣ster, and Abbey Amphibilus, where this Imperiall Monke was shorne, doth not a little confirme the same; the remaines of which Colledge, by that strong and thicke wall standing to this day at the West gate of that Cathedrall Church, doth not a little con∣firme. But wanting better directions to our pro∣ceedings, we must follow for these times men of latter yeeres, and not without some suspect of vncertaintie. The rather, for that the Saxons as then the chiefe Actors in this Land, haue purposely concealed all * 1.6 Victors and victories against themselues; neither but sparingly haue recorded their owne.

This Vortigern, howsoeuer attaining the Crowne, was ouer-awed (saith Ninius) by the Picts & Scots, stood * 1.7 in feare of the Roman forces, and dread much the returne of Aurelius Ambrosius, with his brother Vter, surnamed Pen∣dragon: and therefore wanting strength of his owne to maintaine his standing, sent for the Saxons, as wee haue said. He (saith the British Story) was Earle of Corn∣wall, of an honourable Familie and noble descent, his * 1.8 Lady euery way answerable to both; by whom hee had three sonnes, Vortimer, Catigern, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 * 1.9 His second wife, or rather Concubine, (hauing cast off this first) was Rowena, the daughter of Hengist, which Pagan mariage prooued not only the bane of the Land, but so ruinated the Church of Christianity, that a Prouinciall Councell of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sembled in Ann. 470. to repaire those things that this mariage had decaied.

By this Heathen Damosell he had a daughter, who (against the law of God and Nature) was his third wife, * 1.10 that Kings (as he pretended, to excuse his •…•…est) might be descended from the right issue of Kings, vpon whom he begot his sad lamenting sonne Fausius, a vertuous * 1.11 Impe of those impious parents, that spent his life in a solitarie place neere to the Riuer Llynterrenny, as wee haue said; who abandoning the companie of men, among those mountaines serued God in continuall teares and praiers, for remission of the fault commit∣ted in his incestuous generation, for the recalling of his parents to a better life, and for the restitution of his Country to her former libertie.

This Vortigern raigned first sixteene yeeres, and * 1.12 then deposed for his fauours to the Saxons, was retai∣ned in durance all the raigne of Vortimer his sonne, af∣ter whose death reestablished, but oppressed by his Saxons, and pursued by Aurelius, he withdrew himselfe into Wales, and among those vast mountaines built a * 1.13 Castle by Merlins direction, wherof we haue spoken, and more we would speake, were those fantasticke fi∣ctions vnderset with any props of likelihood or truth, which Rand. of Chester in his daies vtterly reiected. * 1.14

In this Castle, Vortigern with his incestuous wife, after hee had secondly raigned the space of six yeeres, * 1.15 was consumed to ashes, by the iust reuenging hand of God, by fire from heauen, as some haue written; or else kindled by Aurelius and Vter, as his Ministers to execute his wrath.

VORTIMER. 2.

[illustration]

VOrtimer, the eldest son of King Vortigern, through the abuse of his fathers gouernment, for which * 1.16 he was deposed by his owne subiects, was erected King of the Britaines the yeere from Christs birth 454. a man of great valour, which altogether hee im∣ploied for the redresse of his Countrey, according to the testimonie of William Malmesbury, whose words are these: Vortimer (saith hee) thinking not good to dis∣semble the matter, for that hee saw himselfe and Countrie daily surprised by the craft of the English, set his full pur∣pose * 1.17 to driue them out, and from the seuenth yeere after their first entrance, for twenty yeeres continuance fought many Battles with them, and foure of them with great puis∣sance in open field; in the first whereof, they departed with like fortune, and losse of the Generals brethren Horsa and Catigern: in the other three the Britaines went away with victorie, and so long vntill Vortimer was taken away by fa∣tall death.

Huntington, Monmouth, Randulphus, and Fabian, name both the places and successe of those Battles: The first was in Kent, and vpon the Plaine neere vnto * 1.18 Ailsford, where the memoriall of Catigern to this day remaineth; & Horsted doth as yet relish of Horsa there interred. The second Battle was fought likewise in Kent at Crocanford, now Craford, where many perish∣ed * 1.19 as well Britaines as Saxons. The third was at Wep∣peds Fleet, with great losse to the Britaines: and the * 1.20 fourth vpon Calmore, where many of the Saxons, after long and sore fight, were slaine, and more drowned in flight, and lastly driuen into the Ile of Thanet, their

first assigned habitation, (if not ouer the Seas) so that small hope rested for them so long as this valiant Vor∣timer * 1.21 liued, who had now dispossessed them of all their footing in the Continent, and often assailed them in the Ile of Tannet likewise, as Fabian confi∣dently affirmeth.

But destiny going forward for the downfall of Bri∣taine, remooued these rubbes out of her way: for Rowena, the mother of the Britaines mischiefe, and the maintainer of the Saxons residence, found the meanes * 1.22 to make this worthy Vortimer away, and by poison caused the end of his life, after hee had valiantly raig∣ned the space of foure yeeres; all which time, by the * 1.23 testimonie of an old Chronicle that Fabian had seene, Vortigern the father remained in durance, and vnder assigned Keepers in the Citie Caerlegion, now Chester, and so demeaned himselfe towards his sonne (then his Soueraigne) in dutifull obedience and faith∣full counsell, that hee wonne againe the hearts of the Britaines, and was againe re-established their * 1.24 King.

It is recorded by Ninius, that after his last victorie ouer the Saxons, he caused his Monument to be ere∣cted * 1.25 at the entrance into Tanet, and in the same place of that great ouerthrow, which by the said Author * 1.26 is called Lapis Tituli, of vs the Stonar, where for cer∣taine it seemes hath been an hauen. In this Monu∣ment hee commanded his body to be buried, to the further terror of the Saxons, that in beholding this his Trophy, their spirits might bee daunted at the re∣membrance of their great ouerthrow. As Scipio Afri∣canus conceited the like, who commanded his Sepul∣chre to be so set, that it might ouerlooke Africa, sup∣posing that his very Tombe would be a terror to the Carthaginians. But how that desire of Vortimer was performed, I finde not, but rather the contrary: for an old Manuscript I haue, that cōfidently affirmeth him to be buried in London: yet others from Ninius the * 1.27 disciple of Eluodugus, hold the place to bee Lincolne. But howsouer his graue is forgotten, yet let this bee remembred, that Sigebertus hath written of him, that * 1.28 is, After he had vanquished the Saxons (saith he) whose drift was not onely to ouer-runne the Land with violence, but also to erect their owne Lawes without clemencie, he re∣stored the Christian Religion then sorely decaied, and new built the Churches that those enemies had destroied.

AVRELIVS AMBROSIVS. 3.

[illustration]

AVrelius Ambrosius, verily descended of that Con∣stantine who in the fourth Consulship of Theodo∣sius * 1.29 the younger, was elected here in Britaine, onely in hope of his luckie name, succeeded Vortigern the Fa∣ther in the Gouernment of Britaine, and Vortimer the sonne, in affection and defence of his Country. He with Vter (saith Geffrey Monmouth) when their bro∣ther Constantine was murthered by Vortigern, fled into * 1.30 France, where they remained the yeeres of his first raigne; whose returne (as we haue heard from Nini∣us) he greatly feared, and whose force at his last he felt to his smart. For hauing againe resumed his Crowne, he liued in his old sinnes, and suffered the Saxons to be Lords of his Land: to preuent which (saith Beda from Gyldas) the Britaines by little and little beganne to * 1.31 take strength, and with some courage to come forth of their Caues, who with one vniforme consent, called to God for his heauenly helpe. They had (saith he) for their Captaine a Ro∣man called Ambrosius Aurelianus, a gentle natured man, which onely of all the bloud of the Romans remained then aliue, his parents being slaine, which bore the name of King of the Country. This man being their Leader, prouoked the Victors to the fight, and through Gods assistance atchieued the victory. From that day forward now the Britaines, now the Saxons did preuaile, vntill the yeere that Bathe was be∣sieged, which was fortie foure yeeres after their first com∣ming into the Iland.

His first expedition (as our British Historians re∣port) was against Vortigern, and his Castle in Wales, * 1.32 wherein that incestuous King was consumed to ashes by lightning from heauen, as we haue said: and then following the Saxons, made toward Yorke, & at Maes∣bel beyond Humber, encountering Hengist, became his Victor: vnto whose mercy (say they) his sonne Occa yeelded himselfe, and obtained in free gift the Coun∣try in Gallaway in Scotland for him and his Saxons. But these his affaires thus prospering against the common Enemie, was enuied at by Pascentius, the youngest son of King Vortigern, who not able either to mate the Saxons, or after his Brethrens deaths to recouer the Kingdome to himselfe, ambitiously sought to prefer his base humor before the recouery of his Countries libertie, which then lay gored in her owne bloud. For hauing gotten the aid of Gillamare King of Ireland, whether hee had fled vpon the death of his Father, and now returned into the west of Wales, first indam∣maged the Citie of S. Dauids, and thence proceeded with fire and sword. Aurelius then sicke in the Citie of Winchester, sent his brother Vter to withstand his force, who slew both Pascentius and the Irish King his partaker, in a set & sore battell fought betwixt them. But before this battell, Pascentius had sent a Saxon, whose name was Eopa, in shew a Britaine, and in habit a Physitian, to minister poison in stead of physicke, which according was effected with Ambrosius his * 1.33 death.

Vnto this Aurelius Ambrosius is ascribed the erecti∣on * 1.34 of that rare and admirable monument, now called Stonhenge, in the same place where the Britaines had been trecherously slaughtered and interred, whose

manner and forme in our draught of Wiltshire wee haue inserted. The matter being Stones of a great and huge bignesse, so that some of them containe twelue tunne in waight, and twenty eight foote or * 1.35 more in length, their breadth seuen, and compasse six∣teene. These are set in the ground of a good depth, and stand in a round circle by two and two, hauing a third stone somewhat of lesse quantitie laid gate-wise ouerthwart on their toppes, fastned with tenons and mortaises, the one into the other; which to some seeme so dangerous, as they may not safely be passed vnder, the rather for that many of them are fallen downe, and the rest suspected of no sure foundation: notwithstanding, at my being there, I neither saw cause of such feare, nor vncertaintie in accounting of their numbers, as is said to be. The stones are gray, but not marbled, wherein great holes are beaten euen by force of weather, that serue for Rauens and other birds to build in, and bring foorth their young. The ground-plot containeth about three hundred foot in compasse, in forme almost round, or rather like vnto a horse-shooe, with an entrance in vpon the east-side. Three rowes of stones seeme formerly to haue beene pitched, the largest outwards, and the least inwards; many whereof are now fallen downe: but those that stand, shew so faire an aspect, and that so farre off, that they seeme to the beholders to bee some Fortresse or strong Castle. A Trench also is about them, which hath beene much deeper; and vpon the plaines ad∣ioining, many round copped hilles, without any such trench, (as it were cast vp out of the earth) stand like great hay-cockes in a plaine meadow: In these, and thereabouts, by digging haue beene found peeces of * 1.36 ancient fashioned armour, with the bones of men, whose bodies were thus couered with earth that was brought thither by their wel-willers and friends, euen in their head-peeces; a token of loue that then was v∣sed, as some imagine.

This Trophey, Aurelius Ambrosius (in memoriall of the Britaines massacre) erected, and is worthily ac∣counted for one of the Wonders of this Iland, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the verses of Alexander 〈◊〉〈◊〉 called The Giants Da•…•…nce, wherein this Ambrosius was interred after h•…•…e had raigned thirtie two yeeres, and wherof the towne Ambresbury beares the name. Others report, that the Britaines erected this most stately Sepulcher •…•…uer the body of Ambrosius there slaine by the sword of his e∣nemies, that his Countries loue, in such a costly peece of worke, might remaine vnto posterities in this, the Altar of his vertue and manhood: for 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 saith, that this man, in succouring his 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, * 1.37 tooke vpon him the Imperiall Robe, and aganist the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rage of those German enemies, oft times ouer 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 pu∣issant armies, but was lastly slaine by them vpon the plaines of Salesburie. I cannot with silence let passe the ridi∣culous reports of the bringing of the Stones out of Africke into Ireland, and from thence, vnder the con∣duct * 1.38 of Vter the brother of Ambrosius, vnto this Plain, by the industrious meanes of Merlin, surnamed Am∣brose, borne in the ancient City Merd•…•…n, and as Hum∣frey * 1.39 Lh•…•…d saith, of a noble virgin, whose father, for his skill in the Mathematicks, and wonderfull knowledge in all other kinde of learning, was by the rude common people re∣puted to be the sonne of an Incubus, or a male Diuell, which in the similitude and likenesse of men doe vse carnally to companie with women. But how this may agree with his diuine mouth, that telles vs the Spirits haue nei∣ther * 1.40 flesh nor bones; and the whole Scriptures, that man is carnally begotten, conceiued and born, I leaue for others further to dispute. Only I know, that such begettings as Merlines is reported to bee, without fa∣ther, and Simon Magus also, that before him would needs be the sonne of a Virgin, doe not a little contra∣dict * 1.41 our Christian Profession, who acknowledge onely the conception of Christ to be conceiued without the seed of man, or of sinne. But to our purpose: Ambro∣sius Aurelius (by Panuinius accounted the last Empe∣rour * 1.42 of the British bloud) is said to raigne in Britaine thirty two yeeres, and to die in that of Christs Incar∣na•…•…on foure hundred ninety seuen.

VTERPENDRAGON. 4.

[illustration]

VTer, surna•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the brother of Ambro∣sius, succeeded him both in valour, and in the Go∣uernment * 1.43 of Britaine. His entrance was with trou∣bles * 1.44 against the Saxons, who vnder the leading of Eske and O•…•…a, the sonnes of King Hengist, had passed with spoile to the Citie Yorke, whither this new-made Ge∣nerall presently rep•…•…d, and giuing them battell, with the discom•…•… of the whole Army, tooke both the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pri•…•…ers, and committed them to safe cu•…•…odie.

But the Brita•…•…es (saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉) becomming disloi∣all to their Prince, seldome assisted him with preuen∣ting * 1.45 counsell: and the Princ•…•… enamored vpon the Duke of Cornwals Wife, consulted more with Mer∣li•…•… to transforme himselfe from himselfe, then to giue direction against the common enemie. For com∣ming to Tindagell Castle in Cornwall, possessed by Gor∣lois, * 1.46 Duke of that Prouince, beheld (in his eye) the Pa∣ragon of Nature, which was Lady Igren, his Dutches and wife. Vter, whose thoughts till then had bin free, and from his childhood had euer followed Mars in the field, was now surprised so far with her loue, that his Shield and Armes were both neglected and vn∣worne, and all his thoughts set on worke to purchase his most wis•…•…ed desire; which lastly, by Merline and Magick was effected, and that after this manner (if we * 1.47

will beleeue him of Monmouth, who is the reporter.) His suites and hopes failing (saith he) to win her vnto dishonor, Merline altogether new-moulded the shape of King Vter, and printed in his face the feature of Gorlois her owne Lord, by which meanes, and with∣out suspect the King dishonourably violated this La∣dies chastitie, in which Bed of deceit, the famous Ar∣thur * 1.48 was begot. The captiue Captaines Eske and Octa in these loose times of his loue, gat loose from their Keepers, and with their ratling armour roused Vter from this wanton Lullaby; who with troopes of strength, and trumpets of defiance, met these Sax∣ons face to face in the field, where betwixt them was fought a most bloudy battell, and that euen almost to the last stroke, and wherein, if fatall destinie had with∣drawne her hand, the Iland had been rid of these In∣truders for euer. For therein (say our Authours) the Saxons perished by the Britaines swords; vpon whose * 1.49 points also Eske and Octa paid their escapes with the losse of their liues. This field was at Verolam, whither Vter sicke, and in his Horse-litter, was borne among * 1.50 his Army, and after long and sore siege, wonne from them that Citie. Finally, when this King had raigned * 1.51 the space of eighteene yeeres, he died by poison put into a well, whereof vsually he dranke, and was buried at Stonhenge with his brother Ambrosius.

Of his surname Pendragon, these supposals are made: At his natiuitie (say some) appeared a fierie Co∣met, in some part resembling a Dragons Head: where∣upon that great reputed Prophet Merline, attributed this heauenly Meteor vnto this Princely new-borne Babe; and gaue him the name of Vter-Pendragon. Others for his serpentine wisdome, deriue the surname of this Serpents Head, who like vnto that of Dan, bit * 1.52 the Horse heeles, so that the riders fell backward. For in all his warres against the Saxons, hee was most fortu∣nate and victorious, with their great ouerthrowes. But others will haue him so named from his Royall Banner, borne euer before him, wherein was portrai∣ed a Dragon with a Golden Head; of which Standerd since, neighbour Nations haue had good experience, and in far Country it hath been displaied in the cause * 1.53 of Christianitie, to the terror of the Pagans, as in Syria by that inuincible English King, Richard the first, surna∣med Cur-de-lion; in Scotland and Wales by that conque∣ring Prince Edward the first, and the same as yet is in field borne for an Imperiall Standard in our English Campes.

KING ARTHVR. 5.

[illustration]

ARthur the sonne of Vter, begotten as is said of La∣die Igren Dutchesse of Cornwall, was crowned * 1.54 King at fifteene yeeres of age, about the yeere of Christ fiue hundred and sixteene; or as Matthew of * 1.55 Westminster hath it, fiue hundred and eighteene. His prosperous entrance was enuied at by Lotho King of the Picts, and by Couran King of the Scots, who had * 1.56 married his owne Aunts, Anna and Alda, the two si∣sters of Ambrose and Vter, each of them expecting the Crowne before him, through the opinion and re∣pute of his bastardie, especially Lotho, who had is∣sue by Anna, Mordrad, and Gawan: the latter of which spent his life in the cause of that quarrell. His first proceedings were against the common ene∣mie the Saxons, whose Captaine Colgerne, he chased from Northumberland into Yorke; which Citie likewise he girt with a strait siege, notwithstanding Colgerne thence escaped into Germany, and of King Cherdick got succour for his Saxons, who with seuen hundred saile arriued in Scotland. Arthur aduertised of his great * 1.57 power, raised his siege, and drew towards London, and thence sent for aid to his Nephew Howel, King of Little Britaine in France, who came himselfe in person to ioyne with his Vncle.

These from South-hampton marched to Lincolne, which Citie Cherdick had strongly besieged, but was thence forced by Arthurs conquering sword. Twelue battels he fought against these Saxons (as Ninius re∣cordeth) with great manhood and victorie. The first was at the mouth of the Riuer Gleyne: the second, third, fourth, and fifth, vpon the Banks of Douglasse, in the Countie of Lineux: the sixth vpon the Riuer Bassus; the seuenth in the wood Calidon; the eighth neere to the Castle Guynien; the ninth in Wales, at the Towne Cairelien; the tenth at Trachenrith, or Ritho∣wode vpon the Sea side: the eleuenth vpon a hill na∣med Agned Cathergonien; and the twelfth at Bathe, or Bathen-hill, where the Britaines (as Beda saith) gaue the * 1.58 Saxons a very great ouerthrow; which (by Gyldas re∣port) happened fortie foure yeeres after the Saxons first arriuage into Britaine, the yeere wherein himselfe was borne.

Of Arthurs successe both at home and abroad, his great magnificence in Court and Countrey, his Banners, and foure Golden Swords borne before him, his Round Tables, and challenges of Martiall Honour, let Mon∣mouth * 1.59 the Writer, Newbery the Resister, and Leiland the Maintainer, be heard for me. But certaine it is (by the report of Malmesbury) that Arthur was a Prince * 1.60 more worthy to be aduanced by the truth of Records in war∣rantable credit, then by fables scandalized with poeticall fictions and hyperbolicall falshoods. Whose Banner was so often spread for the cause of Christianitie, and de∣fense of his Countrey, being the only proppe that vpheld the same. And lamentable it is, that the fame of this pu∣issant Prince had not beene sounded by a more certaine Trumpet: for to say the truth of his Writer euen in a * 1.61 word, hee was well skilled in Antiquities of tradition,

but as it seemeth, not any of ancient credit, so many toies and tales hee euery where interlaceth out of his owne braine, wherewith hee was charged while him∣selfe liued, insomuch as he is now ranged among those Writers whom the Roman Church hath censured to be forbidden.

This hurt therefore those ouer-zealous Monkes haue done to the Subiect whereof they wrote, that through an ouer-much conceited opinion, with the vertue and fame of the person, they haue mingled such matters as may iustly be reiected, whereby their worths are not only depriued of their truly-deserued honours, but which more is, euen their persons suspe∣cted to be nought else but fictions, as Hercules in Ouid, or Hector in Homer. And so hath Geffrey done by this most worthy Prince Arthur, whose warres against the Saxons for defense of this Iland, he hath enlarged with the Conquests of other Kingdomes and Countries, wherein he neuer came: which hath made not onely his Acts to be doubted of, but euen his person to bee called in question, whether any such Arthur euer ru∣led in Britaine. Yet with better regard to the Recor∣ders of his spreading fame, we grant both the man, and many honorable parts in him, though not in the like manner as they haue laid them downe. Neither are we straied so farre from the steps of credulitie, that we can beleeue no more then wee see, or that seeing, bee fore-stalled with a preiudicate opinion: for though we consent not to the fables of Homer, neither to the inuentions that Euripides and Sophocles made vpon the * 1.62 Battles of Troy, yet wee denie not but that there were Warres and Battles at Troy, wherein many Martiall acts vndoubtedly were performed: neither doubt wee of his person, as Seneca seemeth to doe of Iupiters, but * 1.63 acknowledge it with reuerence for truth, yet with this reseruation, that all is not Gospell which is written in Greeke. And had there not beene a truth of things whereupon Poets made their fables, there had beene at this day no fables of Poets in the world. And as Geffrey wondreth that neither Gyldas nor Beda doe mention Arthur nor his great deeds, so saith Randul∣phus, may we at Geffrey, that hath augmented them a∣boue the pitch of credulitie. But for the truth of this Prince, besides a Charter exemplified vnder the s•…•…ale of King Edward the Third, wherein mention is made of King Arthur, to haue beene a great Benefactour to the Abbey of Glastenbury, who as Iohn Rouse reporteth, * 1.64 had giuen Bren-march and other Demaines, to the va∣lue of fiue hundred Markes yeerely, to the said Mona∣sterie. His Armes (being an Escocheon, wheron a Crosse, * 1.65 with the Virgin Mary bearing Christ in her armes) cut in stone, and standing ouer the first Gate of entrance as yet, is said to be the Armes of that Abbey. And Io∣seph, the iudicious Monke of Excester, who followed * 1.66 King Richard the First in his warre for the Conquest of the Holy Land, in his poeticall verses extolleth Ar∣thur with Alexander, Caesar, and Hercules; yea and Ni∣nius, farre his ancient, calleth Arthur an Iron Mall, that both bruised and brake the Lions iawes asunder. * 1.67

Therefore of his person we make no doubt, though his acts haue beene written with too lauish a pen: nei∣ther consent we with those Historians that naturalize him for a Britaine, seeing that Ninius, Beda, Malmesbu∣rie, and himselfe seeme to speake the contrarie: for Ambrosius being the brother of Vter Pendragon, as we already from Beda haue shewed, was a Captaine de∣scended from the bloud of the Romans, whose parents saith Ninius, had worne the Purple Robe, and both of * 1.68 them the sonnes of Constantine, whose father in Bri∣taine against Honorius the Emperour had put on the said Robe. And by his naturall descent from the Ro∣mans, Arthur not only denied them Tribute, but also threatned to haue a Tribute from Rome: for in his Letters to that end sent vnto the Senate, thus in an old Manuscript we finde it indited: Vnderstand among you of Rome, that I am King Arthur of Britaine, and freely * 1.69 it hold, and shall hold; and at Rome hastily will I bee, not to giue you tr•…•…age, but to haue tr•…•…age of you: for Constantine that was Helenes sonne, and other of mi•…•… Ancestors con∣quered Rome, and thereof were Emperours, and that the•…•… had and held I shall haue your•…•… Godd•…•…s grace. Whereby is manifest his bloud was from the Romans. Let not therefore any of our Britaines take exceptions against me for this, neither that I enlarge not his fame, by the enlargement of his Empire in Russia, Lapland, and in making Norway his Chamber of Britaine, as if that Kingdome and Title should bee giuen him by the Pope, that indeed cuts large thongs out of other mens Leather: his Conquests of thirty Kingdomes, and kil∣ling of Denabus the huge Spanish Giant, & his combat with Frolo Gouernor of France, and with Lucius Hibe∣rus the Roman Legate, whose slaine body hee sent to the Senate for the tribute of Britaine by them deman∣ded: seeing that others before mee, farre more rip•…•… Historians, haue made both doubts and obiections against them. And therefore I conclude with this Ar∣thur, as Saint Augustine with the Athenians, whose men * 1.70 (saith he) were euer greater in fame then in deeds. And with Ninius will end with his saying; Arthurus pu•…•…a bat contra illos in diebus illis; & licet multi ipso no•…•…∣res essent, ipse tamen duodecies Dux belli fuit, Vi∣ctorque bellorum: Arthur made warre against them in those daies; and though many were more noble then be, yet was hee twelue times Generall in the Field, and retur∣ned Conquerour. But more constant is the memorie of his death, and place of his buriall, both which are re∣ported vpon warrantable credit: for Mordred the sonne of Lotho, whereof wee haue spoken, affecting the Crown, vpon a pretence of right from King Vter, and supposed bastardise of Arthur, gaue many at∣tempts, through the aid of his Picts, and assistance of the Saxons, to dispossesse him of that wherein he was seated: and lastly at * 1.71 Kamblan or Cambula in Cornwall (saith Leland) this British Hector encountring Mordred, slew him out-right, and receiued of him his owne deaths wound. The witnesse of this Field as yet are those peeces of Armour, horse-harnesse, and other habili∣ments of Warre, which are daily digged vp in tillage of the ground; vnlesse those reliques of Battle be the seales of that fight which Marianus writeth to haue * 1.72 beene in this place betwixt the Britaines and Saxons, in the yeere of our Lord eight hundred and twenty.

If then it bee true that Arthur heere died, this place we may say seemeth to be consecrated vnto Mars: for Tindagell Castle, standing hard by, first brought into the world this glorious Prince, for one of her nine Worthies, and Cambula againe receiued his last bloud. But from this place he was carried vnto Glastenburie in Somerset-shire, where he died the one and twentieth of May, in the yeere of our Saluation fiue hundred * 1.73 forty and two, after he had most victoriously raigned twenty six yeeres. His body was there buried, and six hundred yeeres after was taken vp, and found vpon this occasion: When Henry the second, and first Plan∣tagenet, had swaied the English Scepter to the last of his raigne, it chanced him at Pembrooke to heare sung to the Harpe certaine Ditties of the worthy exploits and acts of this Arthur, (by a Welsh Bard, as they were ter∣med, whose custome was to record and sing at their Feasts the noble deeds of their Ancestours) wherein mention was made of his death, and place of buriall, designing it to be in the Church-yard of Glastenburie, and that betwixt two Pyramides therein standing: whereupon King Henry caused the ground to be dig∣ged, and at seuen foot depth was found a huge broad stone, wherein a leadden Crosse was fastned, and in that side that lay downeward, in rude and barbarous letters (as rudely set and contriued) this inscription written vpon that side of the Lead that was towards the stone:

HIC IACET SEPVLTVS REX AR∣TVRIVS IN INSVLA AVALONIA.

Heere lieth King Arthur buried in the Ile of Aualonia.

And digging nine foot deeper, his body was found in the trunke of a Tree, the bones of great bignesse, and in his scull perceiued ten wounds, the last very great, and plainely seene. His Queene Guineuer, that had beene neere kinswoman to Cador Duke of Cornwall, a

Lady of passing beautie lay likewise by him, whose * 1.74 tresses of haire finely platted, and in colour like the gold, seemed perfect and whole vntill it was touched, but then (bewraying what all beauties are) shewed it selfe to be dust. Giraldus Cambrensis, a worthy Author and an eie-witnesse, is the reporter of this finding of Arthurs bones; and the Crosse of Lead, with the In∣scription, as it was found and taken off the stone, was kept in the Treasurie or Reuester of Glastenburie * 1.75 Church, saith Stowe, till the suppression thereof in the raigne of King Henry the eight, whose forme and rude letters we haue here expressed to thy sight.

[illustration]

The bones of King Arthur, and of Queene Gui∣neuar * 1.76 his wife, by the direction of Henry de Bloys, Ne∣phew to King Henry the second, and Abbat of Gla∣stenbury, at that present were translated into the great new Church, and there in a faire Tombe of Marble, his body was laid and his Queenes at his feet; which noble Monument among the fatall ouerthrowes of infinite more, was altogether raced at the dispose of some then in Commission, whose too forward zeale, and ouer hastie actions in these behalfes, hath left vnto vs a want of many truths, and cause to wish that some of their imployments had bin better spent.

CONSTANTINE. 6.

[illustration]

Constantine the sonne of Cador Duke of Cornwall, and cosen to King Arthur by his alliance in mari∣age, * 1.77 at his death was appointed by him to succeed in his Dominions, and most ioifully receiued of the * 1.78 Commons, as the man, in the opinion of this worthy elector and themselues, accounted most fit to defend the Land from the many oppressions of the Saxons, who now beganne to spreade the wing as farre as to Tyne in the North, and to set downe the limits of their seuerall Kingdomes; which notwithstanding, these strangers daily enlarged vpon the home-bred Inhabi∣tants, the ciuill warres of the Britaines giuing way to the same, and that not onely among themselues, but by the Picts also, in the behalfe of the two sonnes of Mordred, that sought to dispossesse him of the Crown. In which quarrel many battles were fought, but with such successe to the attemptors, that these two Com∣petitors were forced for refuge into London and Win∣chester, * 1.79

whither Constantine pursued them, they taking Sanctuarie in the Churches, and not farre from the Al∣tars he slew them: for which deede, the Priest Gyldas, that flourished in those daies, in his inuectiue reprehen∣sions thus writeth: Britaine hath Kings (saith hee) but * 1.80 they are Tyrants: Iudges it hath, but they are wicked, pil∣ling and harming the innocent people; reuenging and defen∣ding, but whom? Such as be guilty and robbers. They haue many wiues, yet breake they wedlocke; many times swea∣ring, yet periure themselues; vowing, but for the most part with dissembling lies; warring, but stillmaintaining vniust and ciuill broiles; abroad pursuing theeues, and yet at home cherish them, euen at their owne Tables, and sometimes also reward them. They giue large almes indeed, yet heape they vp sinnes high as the Mountaine. They sit in the Seat of sentence, yet seldome seeke the rule of right iudgement, de∣spising the humble and innocent persons, and extolling vp to Heauen proud and bloudie Murderers, Theeues, and Adul∣terers, yea and if he would permit them, the very enemies of God. Many they keepe in prison, and load them with irons, more to serue their owne purposes, then for any guilt in the person, taking solemn Oaths before & vpon the Altars, and yet despise they the Altars, as altogether vile, and but filthie stones.

Of this hainous and wicked offense, Constantine the tyrannicall whelpe of the Lionesse of Deuon-shire is not ignorant, who this yeere, after the receiuing of his dreadfull Oath, whereby he bound himselfe, that in no wise he should hurt his Subiects, (God first, and then his Oath, with the company of Saints, and his owne mother being present •…•…did notwithstanding in the reuerend laps of both his Mothers, the Church, and her by nature, and that vnder the vesture of an holy Abbat, deuoure with sword and speare, instead of teeth, the tender sides and the entrailes of two children of noble and Kingly race, and likewise of their two Gouer∣nours, yea and that (as I said) before the sacred Altars; the Armes of which Persons so slaine, not stretched forth to defend themselues with weapons (which few in those daies handled more valiantly then they) but stretched forth to God, and to his Altar, in the day of Iudgement shall set vp the reuerend ensignes of their patience and faith at the Gates of the Citie of Christ, which so haue couered the seat of the Celestall Sacrifice, as it were with the red Mantle of their cluttered bloud.

These things hee did not after any good deeds done by him deseruing praise: for many yeeres before ouercome with the often and changeable filths of adulterie, and for∣saking his lawfull wife (contrary to the law of God) beeing not loosed from the snares of his former sinnes, hee increa∣seth the new with the old. Thus far Gyldas, for this time, and for the raigne of Constantine; whose life being no * 1.81 better, was cut off in battell by Aurelius Conanus, when he had raigned fully three yeeres, and without issue was buried at Stonhenge.

AVRELIVS CONANVS. 7.

[illustration]

AVrelius Conanus, the Nephew of King Arthur, af∣ter * 1.82 he had slaine his Cosen Constantine in battell, was made King ouer the Britaines in the yeere after Christs Natiuitie fiue hundred fortie fiue. He was of disposition free and liberal, but therewithall of a light credit, and very suspicious, cherishing them that accu∣sed others, without respect of right or wrong, putting some to death, and retaining others in perpetuall pri∣son, among whom his own Vncle was one, whose two sons he caused to be slain, no causes obiected, but that these three were in truth betwixt him & the Crowne: for which, and other the like impious parts, the said Gyldas continueth the tenor of his vehement repre∣hension in this manner. And thou Lions whelpe (as speakes the Prophet) Aurelius Conanus, what dost thou? * 1.83 art thou not swallowed vp in the •…•…thy mire of murthering thy Kinsmen, of committing fornications and adulteries, like to the others before mentioned, if not more deadly, as it were with the waues and surges of the drenching Seas, ouer∣whelming thee with her vnmercifull rage? dost thou not in hating the peace of thy Country, as a deadly Serpent, and thirsting after ciuill warres and spoiles (often times vniust∣ly gotten) shut vp against thy soule the Gates of celestiall peace? Thou being left alone, as a withering tree in the middle of a field, call to remembrance (I pray thee) the vaine youthfull fantasie, and ouer timely deaths of thy Fa∣thers and thy Brethren: shalt thou being set apart, and cho∣sen forth of all thy lineage for thy godly deserts, be reserued to liue an hundred yeeres, or remaine on earth till thou bee as old as Meth•…•…shela? nothing lesse. And thus with ex∣hortations for his amendment, turneth his speech to his Successor.

The raigne of this King, among the vncertain∣ties of other proceedings, is ranged by our owne Hi∣storians, as vncertainly. For some hold him to rule onely two yeeres, and no more, being then cut off * 1.84 by the iust reuenging hand of God for his sinnes: o∣thers * 1.85 allow three yeeres for his raigne, wherein, as they say, most viciously hee liued: and yet Mat∣thew of Westminster will haue him continue in go∣uernement no lesse then thirty yeeres; and Iohn * 1.86 Stow addeth three more: such extremes are weedri∣uen vnto, that haue our relations onelie from them.

VORTIPORVS.8.

[illustration]

VOrtiporus, after the death of Aurelius, succeeded him in the Kingdome of the Britaines, which * 1.87 then was much scantled by the intrusions of the Sax∣ons whom in many battels (as saith the British Histo∣rians) he vanquished, and valiantly defended his Land and Subiects, from the danger of them and of their Allies: notwithstanding these reported actions thus honorably atchieued, yea and his Parentage with suc∣cession of gouernment, may be both suspected and iustly called in question, as by the words of Gyldas is manifest; who sufferd not this King also to passe vn∣touched in his Inuectiue and lamentable passions. And thou (saith he) Vortiporus the Tyrant of South-wales, like to the Panther in manners and wickednesse, diuersly spot∣ted, as it were with many colours, with thy hoarie head in * 1.88 the Throne full of deceits, crafts, and wiles, and defiled euen from the lowest part of thy body to the Crowne of thy head, with diuers and sundry murthers committed on thine own kin, and filthy adulteries, thus prouing the vnworthy sonne of a good King, as Manasses was to Ezechias; how chan∣ceth * 1.89 it that the violent streames of sinnes, which thou swal∣lowest vp like pleasant wine, or rather art swallowed vp by thē, (the end of thy life by little & little now drawing neere) cannot yet satisfie thee? What meanest thou, that with forni∣cation, of all euils as it were the full heap, thine own wife be∣ing put away, with her death, which thou wroughtest, dost op∣presse thy soule with a certain burthē that cānot be auoided?

By this testimonie of Gyldas, this Vortiporus could not be the sonne of bad Conan, as Geffrey Monmouth and Matthew of Westminster affirme him: his Father being compared to godly Ezechias King of Iudah, and himselfe continuing his gouernment, as is said the * 1.90 space of foure yeeres, ended his life without issue to succeed him.

MALGO CANONVS. 9.

[illustration]

MAlgo Canonus, the Nephew of Aurelius Conanus, as some write, succeeded Vortiporus in the King∣dome * 1.91 of Britaine, a man of a most seemely presence, but withall, charged with many vnbeseeming and foule sinnes, by ancient Gyldas, the onely recorder of the Actions in these times; who calleth him the Dra∣gon of the Iles, greater in power then many, but exceeding all in mischiefe and malice; a large gi•…•…r, but more lauish and prodigall in all sinnes and licentiousnesse: in Armes and dominions more strong, and greater then any other Bri∣tish Potentate; but stronger in the destruction of his owne soule, in committing the grand abhorred sinne of Sodomie. In his youthfull daies, with sword and fire he brought to de∣struction his Vncle by the mothers side (being then king) together with many others, and after vppon a shew-see∣ming remorse of Conscience, vowed the profession and life of a Monke; but returned shortly after to his owne vomit, and became worse then he was before: for despising his first mariage, he became enamored vpon the wife of his brothers sonne, whiles he was liuing; and after that he had kept her a certaine time, murthered them both. In these sinnes hee * 1.92 continued the terme of fiue yeeres, and dying without issue, left his Crowne to another.

By these reprehensions of Gyldas it should rather

seeme that these Princes liued all together at one and the same time, vnto whom hee spake personally, and mouth to mouth, which could not be, if such succes∣sions and such yeeres had beene expired, as heere is laid downe. And therefore not without cause some haue affirmed, that these Captaines vsurped authori∣tie together in diuers parts of the Iland, and not suc∣cessiuely one after another; neither indeed as Kings, but rather Tyrants, polluted with these greeuous sinnes, as you haue heard, and are so termed by their own Historian, that bringeth * 1.93 one more to tyrannize, whom neither Monmouth nor hee of Westminster hath spoken of, which is Cuneglasus, whom hee calleth, a Lion tawney Butcher, a Beare, a Contemner of Religion, an Oppressour of the Clergie, that fought against God with his many grecuous sinnes, and warred vpon man with his mar∣tiall weapons. Hee (saith hee) did put away his lawfull wife, prouoked the godly with many iniuries, was proudly conceited of his owne wisdome, and set his whole hope in vn∣certaine riches. If then the head was so sicke, could the body be sound, that (as Beda saith) were so set to breake all orders of truth and iustice, that scant any token or re∣membrance thereof remained? And for witnesse against * 1.94 them, calleth their owne Historian Gyldas, that accu∣sed them of many impieties, and this not the least, that those Britaines neglected the preaching of the Gospell to the Saxons.

For these sinnes assuredly, God gaue their Land to another Nation, and themselues to exile, or to the swords of their enemies. Howsoeuer, some latter Britaine hath rather excused their sinnes by the ouer∣rash zeale of Gyldas, whom he tearmeth a Pulpit-Priest * 1.95 (but no perfect Historian) that beat down sinnes with an ouer-sharpe censure of the sinners, as the ma∣ner of many Preachers is at this day. But (saith hee) let the true renowne of the Britaines appeare to the world: and surely so shall it doe for me. And againe I returne to my intended purpose.

CARETICVS. 10.

[illustration]

CAreticus succeeded Malgo in the gouernment of Britaine, as destitute of vertue and fluent in vice, * 1.96 as any of these his preceding Kings: for it is recorded that hee was a nourisher of dissensions, and sowed ci∣uill warres among his subiects; a sinne odible to God and Man, and vnto the vnconstant Britaines gaue oc∣casion of his hatred: which when the Saxons percei∣ued, was further instigated, and with the assistance of Gurmund an Arch-pirate, and Captaine of the Norwe∣gians, followed against the King, who not able to re∣sist them, fled into the Towne of Chichester for safety, but by the deuice of his pursuers, certaine sparrowes being caught, and fire fastned to their feet, were let flie into the Towne, where lighting vpon straw and * 1.97 other matter fit for flaming, burnt in short space the whole Citie, and Careticus flying beyond Seuerne, secured himselfe among the Mountaines of Wales, wherein he died, after he had vnprosperously raigned three yeeres: and from that time foorth (saith Randul∣phus) * 1.98 the Britaines lost their whole Kingdome in the East part of the Iland, and were confined in the West by the Riuers Seuerne and Dee.

CADWAN. 11.

[illustration]

CAdwan, after foure and twenty yeeres ciuill dissen∣sion maintained among the Britaines, euer since * 1.99 they had forgone their Country, and betaken them∣selues to those vast, but securing Mountaines; of a

Ruler only of North-wales, was made Gouernour of all those parts, a man deseruing well before hee came * 1.100 to that estate, and being risen, maintained himselfe and subiects in great honour and peace. His first af∣faires against the Saxons, was to reuenge the deaths of his Britaines, and harmelesse Monkes of Bangor, slaine (as we haue said) by wild Ethelfrid, the mighty King of Northumberland, who in Field had assembled all their powers, wherein the fatall end either of the Bri∣taines or Northumbrians must needs haue ensued, had not the quarrell beene staied by the mediation of friends. These Kings, then, and there reconciled, embraced peace, with such true friendshippe, that they continued amitie together so long as they liued.

Harding saith, that this British King Cadwan, hono∣rably receiued and worthily cherished Acca, whom * 1.101 this King Ethelfrid had put from his bed, for the loue he bare vnto his Concubine, but is deceiued in ma∣king her the mother of Edwin, that was his sister, and Cadwan to raigne but thirteen yeeres, whereas others * 1.102 allot him two and twentie.

CADWALLO. 12.

[illustration]

CAdwallo or Cadwallin, the sonne of Cadwan, was made King ouer the Britaines, the yeere of Christs * 1.103 Incarnation six hundred thirty fiue. He warred most strongly against the Saxons, and either by Conquest or Alliance ioined amitie with Penda the cruell King of the Mercians, a Pagan Idolater, himselfe by the re∣port of Beda, although a Christian in name and profession, * 1.104 yet in minde and manners so rude and outragious, that hee spared neither womens weaknesse nor childrens innocencie, but put all to death with greeuous and bitter torments, to fulfill his cruell and vnmercifull tyrannie, wasting a long time, and raging ouer the Prouinces, purposed to extermi∣nate out of the borders of Britanny the whole Nation of the English, and to extinguish the very name of them. Neither did he ought esteeme any reuerence or honour to the Christi∣an Religion, which those men embraced: so that •…•…en to this day (saith he) the Britaines custome is to set light by the Faith or Religion of the Englishmen; neither will they com∣municate with them more then with Heathens or Pagans. These two cruell Kings slew the most Christian Ed∣wyn King of Northumberland, with his sonne Prince Osfride, in a great and bloudy battle at Hethfild, the yeere of Christs incarnation six hundred thirty three: and the yeere following, with wicked force (saith Be∣da) but with worthy vengeance, Cadwallo the Britaine slew Osrike and Eanfrid, Kings of Deira and Bernicia, that * 1.105 were become Apostataes from their Christian Faiths, and that with crueltie and losse of the Saxons, as their owne Hi∣storians held it fit neither to mention their names in their monethly Calendar, nor register the yeere wherin they were slaine, in account of their gouernment, but assigned it vnto the raigne of their Successour King Oswald, which was so obserued vnto his daies; so terrible was this worthy Cad∣wallo, and odious the remembrance of this vnfortunate Battle. But this cursed Captaine (saith he) enioied not this felicitie long: for the said Oswald, to reuenge his brothers death, came with a small power, but strongly fensed in the faith of Christ, and neere to the Riuer Denise gaue him bat∣tle, wherein himselfe and late-victorious Host were all slain and confounded.

But we must rememher that Beda was a Saxon, in whose behalfe his penne hath somewhat passed the bounds of equitie (if not veritie) in charging this most valiant Conqueror with tyranny, and his Martiall Sword with crueltie, that was drawne and strucke in defence of his natiue Country, wherein the Saxons claime stood only vpon vniust intrusion. So likewise himselfe being a Monke and Priest, hath euery where blamed the Britaines for dissenting from the Roman Church, in celebration of Easter and other Ceremo∣nies; whereas in doctrine they were as sincere, which is the true substance of the Gospell. But the Britaines record that this valiant Cadwall•…•… died not in Heuen∣feild, * 1.106 neither by the hand of King Ofwald, but that he raigned in great honour the space of eight and fortie yeeres, and in peace died 22. of Nouember, in the yeere * 1.107 of Christ Iesus six hundred seuentie seuen. His body the Britaines buried in S. Martins Church in London, neere Ludgate; whose Image great and terrible, trium∣phantly riding on horsebacke, being artificially cast of Brasse, they placed vpon the same West gate, to the further feare and terror of the Saxons, as Vortimer be∣fore had commanded his at Stonar. But this relation, as also that he married the sister of King Penda, as my often named Manuscript reporteth, I leaue to the best liking of my Reader.

About this time the most blasphemous doctrine of Mahomet began to infect all the Easterne World. For although himselfe liued some nine yeeres before the gouernment of this Cadwallo, yet presently after his death his doctrine was more publikely imbraced. He was borne in Arabia, of a poore and base stocke, and being fatherlesse, was sold for a bondslaue vnto an Ismaelite, whose name was Abdemonaples, a man of exceeding great riches, and in great trade of merchan∣dizing, and Mahomet for his subtiltie in wit, was his fit instrument, and greatly in his fauor. The Master dying, left Mahomet his chiefe Factor, who hauing great riches in his keeping, married his Mistris, and so became heire of all; with whom consorted one Ser∣gius a Monke, which for heresie was fled into Arabia, who instructed Mahomet in the heresie of the Ne∣storians, and now for his wealth and Magicall Arts, wherewith hee bewitched the minds of the people,

assumed to himselfe the name of the great Prophet of God, and began to be famously published for the doctrine which he taught: the which was none other but a confused Chaos of all the heresies that had been before him: for with the Sabellians he denied the Tri∣nitie; with the Manichies, he affirmed but two persons to bee in the Deity; with Eunomius, hee denied the e∣qualitie of the Father and the Sonne; and with Ma∣cedone, taught that the Holy Ghost was a creature. He borrowed of the Iewes Circumcision; of the Nicho∣laitans, pluralities of wiues; and of the Gentiles, much Superstition; and more to cloake his diuellish inuen∣ted fantasies, somewhat he tooke from the veritie of the Gospell. Of these compounded he deuised a Law, and wrote this his Religion in the booke called his * 1.108 Alcaron; and those his Professors he named Saracens, from Sara the wife of Abraham.

Hee died of the falling sicknesse, which long time hee had dissembled, saying forsooth after his tran∣ces, that the Angell Gabriel had conference with him, the brightnesse of whose glorie hee could not behold.

CADWALLADER. 13.

[illustration]

CAdwallader, the sonne of Cadwallo, and last King of the Britaines, after the death of his Father, suc∣ceeded * 1.109 him in his dominions, and with great valour fought against the Saxons, as hee of Monmouth affir∣meth, of whom heare him speake in his owne words. Cadwalader (saith he) raigning victoriously the time of * 1.110 twelue yeeres, fell lastly into a dangerous sicknesse, with de∣spaire of recouery, and vnable to gouerne. Much debate and strife arose among his great Lords, and others of high estate, insomuch that they warred each against others, to the no small annoiance and detriment of the whole Country. At which very time likewise, so great a dearth of corne and victuall raigned, that herbes and roots were the Commons chiefest sustenance: whose third calamitie was mortalitie and pestilence, raigning so sore, and so suddenly, that in their eating, drinking, walking, and speaking, they were surprised with death, and in such number, that the liuing were scarce able to bury the dead; which miseries lasted no lesse then eleuen yeeres continuance, whereby the Land became desolate, and brought forth no fruit at all, insomuch that the King and many of his Nobles were driuen to forsake their natiue Country, and to seeke releefe in forraine parts. Cadwallader repaired to the Court of Alan his cosen, the King of Little Britaine in France, where he was ho∣nourably receiued and maintained.

But now the Ange•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God sheathing his sword from slaughter, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earth answering man a∣gaine with her former abundance, those Saxons that were escaped, sent for more of their Nation to their further supplie, who replenished the Cities, and manured the Countrey, at this day called Lhoyger, containing all the Land that lay on the East of Se∣uerne and Dee, dispossessing the poore Britaines of their rightfull inheritance, and diuiding their Lands vnto their owne vse. Cadwallader hearing of their daily arriuage, and their vniust intrusion vpon his home-bred subiects, minded their redresse by his present returne, and to that end had wrought King Alan, for his succour & assistance. But see how it chan∣ced: He being now ready to imbarke his Host, and to hoise vp his sailes for Britaine, and in the silent night much spent in praier & supplication, that God would prosper with good successe these his great affaires, be∣hold an Angell appeared to him, or at leastwise to his seeming he heard a voice, that forbade him the enter∣prise, declaring that it was not Gods will that hee should vndergoe that Voiage, or that the Britaines should rule their Land any longer; but contrariwise bade hie him to Rome, and of Pope Sergius receiue the habit of Religion, wherein hee should die, and rest in peace.

This dreame (for I hold it no other) being told vnto Alan, search was made into the Bookes of both * 1.111 the Merlines, as also into the speech of the Eagle at Shaftesbury, pronounced eight hundred and eighty yeeres before the birth of our Sauiour Christ (if wee doe beleeue these to be true) wherein it was prophe∣cied forsooth, that the Britaines should lose their Kingdome, and that the same should be possessed of others, vntill the time that the bones of Cadwallader should bee brought from Rome. By such toies and illusions in those daies of darknesse, the euer-erring minds of men were content to be lead: for not onely Cadwallader, a quiet and meeke-spirited man, was pos∣sessed with this conceit, that it came vnto him by a di∣uine prouidence, but also King Alan perswaded him to obey his Oracle; and thereupon preparing for his Pilgrimage, gaue ouer his expedition for Britaine, and left his distressed Subiects to bee ouer-runne by strangers, and the Land to bee enioied by a forraine Nation: and receiuing the habit of seeming Religion at the hands of Pope Sergius, died soone after in the yeere of our Lord six hundred eighty nine, and there was buried in S. Peters Church, being the last King of the Britaines bloud, after they had held possession therof the space of one thousand one hundred thirty and seuen yeeres before the Natiuitie of Christ, and six hundred eighty eight yeeres after his Birth, as the Chronicle of Wales, with other Britaine Writers, haue calculated, though (as is said) after the largest size. But howsoeuer this sudden alteration was wrought in Cadwallader, yet whiles he continued a King in health, hee raigned (saith Geffrey) in great magnanimitie, the

terme of three yeers, and fought many Battles against * 1.112 the Saxons, whose sword was euer sheathed with vi∣ctorie; for Lothaire King of Kent he slew in the Field, and Edilwach also King of the South-Saxons, with the ruine of his Country, as the British Historians report, and would haue it.

But Beda, vnto whom more credit is heerein to be giuen, telles vs, that Lothaire was slaine by Edrik, his * 1.113 Nephew and Successour, declaring the manner and day of his death; and that Ceadwall, a young man of * 1.114 the West-Saxons bloud royall, being banished from a∣mong them, fell vpon the South-Saxons, harrying the Country and killing their King. But afterwards la∣menting the bloud he had spilt, whereat euen Nature her selfe seemed to bee offended, in great repentance abandoned his Kingdome, and pilgrim-like went vn∣to Rome, where of Pope Sergius he was baptized vpon * 1.115 Easter Euen, the yeere from Christs Natiuitie six hun∣dred eightie nine. The times thus agreeing, their names so neere, their deuotions alike, Sergius the same ghostly father to both, their sepulchers in one and the same Church, doe strongly confirme that they both were the same and one only man, as we formerly haue said. But with this man Cadwallader, wheresoeuer he died, lay buried the last bloud of their Kings, their go∣uernment, and immediatelie the very Name of Bri∣taine, for many hundred yeeres ensuing, as in the sequell of this Historie (Christ assisting) shall bee shewed.

And now at last, according to my first intendment, I am come to speake of the succession of Great Bri∣taines Monarkes, from which (vpon the fore-shewed occasions of the Ilands diuision, the Saxons possessi∣ons, and these Britaine Resisters) I haue beene ouer∣long staied, and am forced to returne againe to King Hengist, the first of the Saxons, that I may shew their succeeding succession in this English Monarchy: wher∣in of necessitie I must desire the patience of my Rea∣der, if some things be againe touched that formerlie haue beene spoken, the Matter of Historie so much requiring, and the Method that to my proceeding I haue herein proposed, enforcing it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hither•…•… the Sa∣xons Heptarchy.
• * 1.2

  The British Op∣posers.
• * 1.3

  Resisters of the Saxons.
• * 1.4

  Vortigern the first and Cadwallader the last resister of the Saxons.
• * 1.5

  A successiue Se∣ries of Great Britaines Coines.
• * 1.6

  Saxons haue con∣cealed all victo∣ries against themselues.
• * 1.7

  The causes of Vortigerns feare, and his sending for the Saxons.
• * 1.8

  Beda lib. 1. cap. 14.
• * 1.9

  〈8 words〉〈8 words〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 His second wife 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.10

  His third vvife 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 daughter.
• * 1.11

  Fausius the sonne o•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by his third wife.
• * 1.12

  Vortigern how long he raigned. Fabian. Chro. Vortigern depo∣sed and impri∣soned.
• * 1.13

  He flieth into Wales.
• * 1.14

  Polychr. li. 5. ca. 1.
• * 1.15

  Vortigern and his wife destroied by fire from heauen. Henr. Hunt. Rand. Higd. 5. c. 1.
• * 1.16

  2. An. Do. 454. Vortimer the se∣cond resister of the Saxons.
• * 1.17

  Vortimer how long he main∣tained warre against the Saxons. Foure chiefe battles, and the successe of the first.
• * 1.18

  The place of the first battle. Beda lib. 1. ca. 15.
• * 1.19

  The place of the second battle.
• * 1.20

  The place of the third battle. The place of the fourth battle.
• * 1.21

  The Saxons quite dispossessed.
• * 1.22

  Vortimer made away by Rowena.
• * 1.23

  Vortimer the continuance of his raigne. Fabian. Chro. par. 5. cap. 89.
• * 1.24

  Vortigern reesta∣blished King.
• * 1.25

  Ninius.
• * 1.26

  Vortimer his monument the Stonar.
• * 1.27

  Uortimer suppo∣sed to be buried in London.
• * 1.28

  Sigebertus.
• * 1.29

  3. An. Do. 466. The third resister of the Saxons.
• * 1.30

  Galfrid. M•…•….
• * 1.31

  Beda hist. lib. 1. cap. 16.
• * 1.32

  Geffrey Caxton, Polych.
• * 1.33

  Hector Boetius.
• * 1.34

  Aurelius Ambro∣sius erected Stonhenge.
• * 1.35

  The description of the Monu∣ment of Ston∣henge.
• * 1.36

  Ancient fashio∣ned Armor found at Ston∣henge.
• * 1.37

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.38

  〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Do•…•….
• * 1.39

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Bri∣•…•…e.
• * 1.40

  Luke 24 39.
• * 1.41

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.42

  Aurelius Ambro∣sius, the continu∣ence of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.43

  An. Do. 498.
• * 1.44

  Mat. Westminster.
• * 1.45

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.46

  A•…•…ex. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Uter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in loue with La∣•…•… Igren.
• * 1.47

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.48

  An ancient Ma∣nuscript.
• * 1.49

  Geffrey, &c.
• * 1.50

  Iohn Harding.
• * 1.51

  Pendragon the continuance of his raigne.
• * 1.52

  Gen. 49. 17.
• * 1.53

  In gold and iew∣els, as Hardig saith.
• * 1.54

  5. An. Do. 516.
• * 1.55

  Matth. West•…•….
• * 1.56

  Scotia Chron.
• * 1.57

  Matth. West•…•….
• * 1.58

  Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 16.
• * 1.59

  Monmouth. Wil. Ne•…•…. Leiland.
• * 1.60

  Wil. Malmes.
• * 1.61

  Of Ieffrey Ar∣thur, or Monke of Monmouth.
• * 1.62

  Hom. Iliad. lib. 5. Euripides. Sophocles.
• * 1.63

  Seneca in his Morals.
• * 1.64

  Iohn Rouse.
• * 1.65

  The Armes of Arthur.
• * 1.66

  Iosephus Isc•…•….
• * 1.67

  Arthur an Iron Mall.
• * 1.68

  Ninius. Malmesb. de ge∣st•…•… Reg. Angl.
• * 1.69

  A namelesse old Manuscript, chap. 154.
• * 1.70

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 10.
• * 1.71

  Camel•…•…ord.
• * 1.72

  Marianus Scotus.
• * 1.73

  Wal. sonne•…•… An∣tiq. Glasten. Arthur the con∣tinuance of his raigne.
• * 1.74

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tresses of haire my •…•…e saw in a coffin digged vp in an old house neere Pauls in London, very beautifull in shew, but be∣ing touched, was nothing but dust.
• * 1.75

  Iohn Stow.
• * 1.76

  Arthurs bones in •…•…ombed.
• * 1.77

  An. D. 542.
• * 1.78

  Brute booke.
• * 1.79

  Gyldas. Ab•…•…r suc•…•….
• * 1.80

  In his Booke De excidio Britan. Hum. Lluyd. Bre. Brit.
• * 1.81

  Constantines raignes conti∣nuance.
• * 1.82

  7. An. D. 545. Mat. Westminster.
• * 1.83

  Gyldas.
• * 1.84

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.85

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.86

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 the con∣tin•…•… of his raigne.
• * 1.87

  8. An. Do. 578.
• * 1.88

  Gyldas.
• * 1.89

  2. King. 20. 21.
• * 1.90

  Uortiporus, the continuance of his raigne.
• * 1.91

  9. An. D. 581. Mat. Westminster.
• * 1.92

  Malgo Canonus, the continuance of his raigne.
• * 1.93

  If •…•…erdix be not another whom beda calleth a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 King, lib. 4. cap. •…•…3.
• * 1.94

  Beda hist. Angl. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1. cap. 21.
• * 1.95

  Hum. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Brit.
• * 1.96

  10. An. Do. 586.
• * 1.97

  Sc•…•… Cr•…•….
• * 1.98

  Careticus, the cō∣tinuance of his raigne. Polych. lib. 5. cap. 6.
• * 1.99

  11. An. Do. 163.
• * 1.100

  Wil. Malmesb.
• * 1.101

  Cadwan, the con∣tinuance of his raigne. Iohn Harding. Chro. cap. 90.
• * 1.102

  Paulus Diaconus.
• * 1.103

  12. An. Do. 635.
• * 1.104

  Beda hist. Angl. lib. 2. cap. 20.
• * 1.105

  Beda hist. Angl. lib. 3. cap. 1.
• * 1.106

  Geffrey Monm.
• * 1.107

  Cadwallo or Cad∣wan, the continu∣ance of his raign.
• * 1.108

  An. Do. 625.
• * 1.109

  13. An. Do. 685.
• * 1.110

  Geffrey Monm.
• * 1.111

  D. Powel. Chron. of VVales.
• * 1.112

  Cadwallader, the continuance of his raigne.
• * 1.113

  Beda histor. lib. 4. cap. 26.
• * 1.114

  Cap. 15.
• * 1.115

  Beda hist. lib. 5. cap. 7.