Britain, or A chorographicall description of the most flourishing kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the ilands adjoyning, out of the depth of antiquitie beautified vvith mappes of the severall shires of England: vvritten first in Latine by William Camden Clarenceux K. of A. Translated newly into English by Philémon Holland Doctour in Physick: finally, revised, amended, and enlarged with sundry additions by the said author.

NOTES VPON THE ROMAN COINES.

[ E]

THE first Roman Emperour after [Iulius] Caesar, that earnestly set his mind upon the conquest of Britaine, was Claudius: and he having put over sea hither with an armie, brought the South-part thereof into the forme of a Province: At which ve∣ry time, this first piece of mony may seeme to bee stamped, which carrieth this abbreviated Inscription, TI CLAVD. CAES. AVG. P. M. TR. P. VIIII. IMP, XVI. that is to say, Ti∣berius [ F] Claudius Caesar,* 1.1 Augustus Pontifex Maximus, that is, High Priest, Tribunitia potestate IX. that is, In Tribunes authoritie the ninth time, Imperator XVI. that is, sixteene times Imperator. But to explaine these titles once for all, ye shall understand, That after Iulius Caesar,

who laid the foundation of the Roman Monarchie, and Octavius [ A] who was honoured with the name of Augustus, all their successors in honour of them would be called Caesares, and Augusti, as though they far surpassed the nature of men. For such things as be of sacred Majestie, are named Augustae: also, termed they were Pontifices Maximi, or High Priests, for that they were consecrated in all kinds of Priesthood, and overseers of all Sacrifices and religious ceremo∣nies. They usurped likewise the Tribunitian power and authoritie [ B] (for Tribunes in no wise would they be termed) to the end, that they might have protection thereby and be inviolable. For, being once invested in this authoritie, if any man either gave cursed lan∣guage or offered violence unto them, hee might without processe of condemnation be killed as a sacrilegious person: and this Tribuni∣tian power they renewed every yeare, and thereby were reckoned the yeares of their Empire. Last of all they were stiled, Imperatores, because their command and rule was most large, & under that name [ C] the power of Kings and Dictators was contained. Now, they were entituled, Imperatores, so oft as they had atchieved any worthy ex∣ploit in battell, either in their owne persons, or by their Captaines. But whereas in the reverse of this piece of mony, there is to be seene a triumphall Arch, with the portrait of an horseman betweene two trophees, and this title, DE BRITAN. I would judge, that ther∣by is meant a twofold victorie obtained, in the ninth yeare of Clau∣dius his Empire, according to the number, that sheweth his Tribu∣nitian authoritie renewed. [ D]

[ II] In the second piece, which also is a coine of Claudius * 1.2 Augustus, out of this Inscription, TI. CLAVD. CAES. AVG. GER. TR. P. XII. IMP. XIIX. we are taught, that in the twelfth yeare of his raigne, he, for a victorie won in Britan was with joyfull acclamati∣ons saluted, Imperator, the eighteenth time: and at the same instant that the Colonie Camalodunum was thither brought, which is sig∣nified expressely by an * 1.3 husbandman imprinted upon it, with a [ E] Cow and a Bull. The Romans (saith Servius) when they were about to found and build cities, being girt and clad after the Gabine fashion, that is to say, with one part of their gowne covering the head, and the other tuc∣ked up, yoked on the right hand, a Bull, and within forth a Cow, and held the crooked plough taile bending inward, so as all the clods of the earth might fall inward. And thus having made a furrow, they did set out the pla∣ces for wals, holding up the plough fro the ground, wher the gates should be.

[ III] The Son of Claudius, whose piece of coine the third is with Greek Characters, was by vertue of an act of Senate, adorned with the sur∣name [ F] of BRITANNICVS, in regard of his fathers fortunate wars, that he might use the same as his owne proper addition. He it was, for whom Seneca praied in this wise, That he might appease Ger∣manie,

[ A] make way into Britaine, and solemnize both his Fathers triumphs, and also new [of his owne.] But what should bee the meaning of an halfe ship in this coine, with this Inscription, Metropolis Etiminij Regis? Certes, I cannot for certaine affirme who that Etiminius was, unlesse a man list to imagine him to have beene the very same Adi∣minius, King Cunobelinus son, of whom Suetonius reporteth, That he ran away unto C. Caligula.

[ B] That which you see in the fourth place, is a piece of Hadrians mo∣ny, [ IIII] with this writing upon it, HADRIANVS AVG. CONSVL III. PATER PA∣TRIAE. And in the other side, EXERCITVS BRITANNICVS, that is, The Armie in Britaine represented by three souldiers. I would deeme, that it betokened the three Legions, to wit, Secunda Augusta, Sexta victrix, and Vicessima Victrix, which served in Britaine, Anno Christi 120. For then was he Consul the third time.

The fifth and sixth, which are the coines of Antoninus Pius, car∣rying [ V.VI.] [ C] this Inscription, Antoninus Pius, Pater Patriae, Tribunitia pote∣state, Consul tertiùm: and in their reverse, the one having Britaine sitting upon rocks with a militarie Ensigne, a speare and a shield; the other, the selfe same Britaine, sitting upon a globe; seeme to have beene stamped by the Province Britaine, in honour of Antoninus Pius, when he began his Empire in the yeare of Christ 140. As for that militarie habit of the Province Britan, it signifieth, That Britan in those daies flourished in glory of martiall prowesse: like as that [ D] piece of mony, which at the same time Italie stamped for the honor of him, hath such another figure sitting upon a globe, with Cornu-co∣piae, betokening plentie of all things: that also which Sieilie coined, hath the like figure with an eare of corne, in token of fruitfulnesse: semblably that which Mauritania stamped hath a portraict or per∣sonage, holding two speares with an horse, to shew the glory of that Province in good horsemanship and chivalrie. Hitherto also is [ IX] to be referred the ninth, which is a piece of the same Antoninus, but [ E] not set in his due place.

The seventh piece of mony, stamped by Commodus, sheweth no [ VII] more, but that he for a victorie against the Britans, assumed into his stile the name of BRITANNICVS: for in the other side there∣of is to be seen, Victory, with a branch of the Date-tree, holding a shield, and sitting upon the shield of the Britans vanquished, with this inscription, VICTORIA BRITANNICA.

The eighth, which is a coine of Caracalla, and set here not in the [ VIII] right place, more expresly sheweth by the numerall figures, that hee [ F] vanquished his enemies in Britaine, in the yeare of our Salvation, 214. as also by the Trophee, which Virgil better than any engraver, portraied in these verses,

Ingentem quercum decisis undi{que} ramis [ A] Constituit tumulo, fulgentiá que induit arma Mezenti ducis exuvias, tibi magne trophaeum Bellipotens: aptat roranteis sanguine cristas, Teláque trunca viri. A mightie Oke, the boughs whereof were shred from every side, Vpon an hill he pight, whereon he goodly armour tide Duke Mezence spoiles, a trophee brave, ô mightie Mars, to thee, [ B] And fits therto his crests which yet with gore bloud dropping be, The truncheons of that Knight also — [ XII] The same is to be thought of the twelfth, which also is one of the same Caracallaes. [ X.XI.] But in those of Severus and Geta, there is none obscuritie at all.

[ XIII] Who this Aebianus was, I am not yet fully resolved. Some reckon him to be A. Pomponius Aelianus, one of the 30.* 1.4 Tyrants. Others will him to be Cl. Aelianus, one of the sixe Tyrants under Dioclesian. [ C] There are also that thinke he was the very same * 1.5 Tyrant in Britain, under the Emperour Probus, of whom Zosimus made mention, but suppressed his name, and of whom I have written before. Surely, in what time soever he lived, we suppose that in Britaine hee was na∣med Augustus, considering his pieces of money bee found in this Island onely,* 1.6 carrying this Inscription, IMPERATOR CL. AELIANVS PIVS FOELIX AVGVSTVS. In the re∣verse, there is to be read, VICTORIA AVGVSTI, which [ D] betokeneth, that he subdued some Barbarians.

[ XIIII] The coine of Carausius, with this Inscription, Imperator Caius Carausius Pius Foelix Augustus, and in the backside thereof, PAX AVGVSTI, seemeth to have beene stamped at the very time when hee had quieted the British Sea, which by reason of rovers was so dangerous.

[ XV] When Allectus, who made away Carausius, had put on the Im∣periall purple, and fought manfully against the Barbarians, he stam∣ped [ E] this piece with VIRTVS AVGVSTI. As for the Letters Q. L. some would have them to signifie a * 1.7 Quartarius, stamped at London; others, The Questor, that is, Treasurer of London.

[ XVI] When as Constantius Chlorus, being departed this life at Yorke, was now solemnly consecrated, and after the Pagan manner deifi∣ed, in honour and memoriall of him was this piece of money stam∣ped: which appeareth evidently by the Inscription, and a Temple betweene two Eagles. these letters underneath P. LON. doe [ F] plainely imply Pecuniam Londini, that is, that the said money was stamped at London.

[ XVII] His wife Flavia Helena, a British Ladie borne, as our histories report, and as that most excellent Historiographer Baronius doth

[ A] confirme, what time as her Sonne Constantius Maximus had dis∣comfited the Tyrant Maxentius, and received these Titles, Fundator quietis, that is, The founder of quietnesse: and Liberator Orbis, that is, The Deliverer of the world, having procured securitie to the State and common-weale, had this piece stamped in honour of him at Triers, as appeareth by the Letters S. TR. that is,* 1.8 Signata Treviris, that is to say, coined at Triers.

Flavius Canstantinus Maximus Augustus, the great ornament of [ XVIII] [ B] Britaine, stamped this coine at Constantinople, as we are taught by these characters underneath, CONS. with this, GLORIA EX∣ERCITVS, that is, The glory of the Armie, to currie favour with the souldiers, in whose choice in those daies, and not at the dispose of the Emperour, was the soveraigne rule and government.

Constantinus the younger, Son of that Constantinus Maximus, [ XIX] unto whom with other countries the Province Britaine befell; [ C] stamped this piece while his Father lived. For he is called only No∣bilis Caesar, a title that was wont to be given to the Heires apparant, or elect Successours of the Empire. By the edifice thereon, and these words, PROVIDENTIAE CAESS. we understand, that he together with his brother, built some publike worke, like as by these letters P. LON. that this piece of mony was coined at London.

This coine carrying the Inscription, Dominus noster Magnentius Pius Foelix Augustus, may seeme to have beene stamped by Magnen∣tius, who had a Britan to his father: as also to win the favour of [ D] Constantius, after hee had put to flight some publike enemie. For, these Characters DD. NN. AVGG. that is, Our LORDS AV∣GVSTI, doe argue there were then two Augusti, or Emperours. And as for that Inscription, VOTIS V. MVLTIS X. it beto∣keneth, that the people at that time did nuncupate their vowes in these termes, That the Emperour might flourish 5. yeares, and by du∣pling the said number of 5. with lucky acclamations praied for ma∣ny [ E] 10. yeares. And hereto accordeth that speech in the Panegyrick o∣ration of Nazarus, as followeth: The * 1.9 Quinquennall feasts and so∣lemnities of the most blessed and happy Caesars, hold us wholly possessed with joyes; but in the appointed revolutions of ten yeares, our hastning vowes and swift hopes have now rested. The letters P. AR. doe shew that this denier was stamped at * 1.10 Arelate.

Constantius having defeated Magnentius, and recovered Britaine, [ XXI] in honour of his armie, caused this to be stamped. The letter R. in the basis thereof importeth haply, that it came out of the mint [ F] which was at Rome.

In honour of Valentinian, when hee had set upright againe the [ XXII] state of Britaine which was falling to ruine, and called that part of it by him thus recovered after his own name Valentia, this piece

was coined at Antiochia, as may be gathered out of the small let∣ters [ A] underneath.

[ XXIII] Vnto the Denier of Gratianus, I can think of nothing to say more, save only that which erewhile I noted upon that of Magnentius.

[ XXIIII] What time as Magnus Maximus was by the British armie created Augustus, and his son likewise Flavius Victor named Caesar, to grace [ XXV] and glorifie the souldiers were these pieces coined: and Theodo∣sius having subdued and made them away, for the very same cause, [ B] [ XXVI] stamped that with this, VIRTVTE EXERCITVS.

[ XXVII] Vpon that golden piece of Honorius, I have nothing to observe, but that by this Inscription, AVGGG. there were at the same time three * 1.11 Augusti: namely after the yeare of Grace 420. when as Ho∣norius ruled as Emperour in the west, Theodosius the younger in the East, and with them Constantius, by Honorius nominated Augustus, who had vanquished our Constantine, elected in hope of that for∣tunate name. As for that Inscription CONOB, it signifieth, that it [ C] was fine and pure gold, stamped at Constantinople. For that same CONOB, is no where read, so farre as ever I could hitherto ob∣serve, but in pieces of Gold, for CONSTANTINOPOLI OBRIZVM.

I could annex hereunto many more pieces of Roman mony, for infinite store of them is every where found among us in the ruines of cities and townes subverted,* 1.12 in treasure coffers, or vaults hidden in that age, as also in funerall-pots and pitchers. And how it came [ D] to passe, that there should remaine still so great plenty of them, I much marvelled, untill I had read in the Constitutions of Princes, that it was forbidden to melt such ancient coines.

Having now already represented these antike pieces, as well of British as Roman mony in their owne formes, I thinke it also profi∣table for the Reader to insert in this very place a chorographicall table or mappe of Britaine, (seeing it hath sometime beene a Pro∣vince of the Romans) with the ancient names of places▪ and al∣though [ E] the same be not exact and absolute, (for who is able to per∣forme that?) yet thereby a man may learne thus much, if nothing else, that in this round Globe of the earth, there is daily some change: new foundations of townes and cities are laid; new names of peo∣ple and nations arise, and the former utterly be abolished: and, as that Poet said,

Non indignemur mortalia corpora solvi, [ F] Cernimus exemplis oppida posse mori. Why fret should we that mortall men to death doe subject lie? Examples daily shew that townes and cities great may die.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dio. Cassius.
• * 1.2

  The Empe∣rour.
• * 1.3

  Or Plough∣man.
• * 1.4

  Or Vsurpers.
• * 1.5

  Or Vsurper.
• * 1.6

  Others read Laelianus.
• * 1.7

  A kind of coine.
• * 1.8

  Treveris.
• * 1.9

  Solemnized every fifth yeare.
• * 1.10

  Arles.
• * 1.11

  Emperours.
• * 1.12

  D. 1. c. de auri pub. proscent L. 12. 13. C. The de suscept. praepos.