The historie of Great Britannie declaring the successe of times and affaires in that iland, from the Romans first entrance, vntill the raigne of Egbert, the West-Saxon prince; who reduced the severall principalities of the Saxons and English, into a monarchie, and changed the name of Britannie into England.

CHAP. XVI.

The other part of the Brittish Army is overthrowne. The Romans pursuing the Britans through the woods) in danger to have beene intrapped. The lamentable e∣state of the Britans.

NOw the Britans (which stoode aloofe from the battell, vpon the top of the hills, and did at the first (in a manner) disdaine the small number of their enemies) began to come downe by little and lit∣tle, and sought to fetch a compasse about the backs of the Romans, which were then in traine of winning the field. But Agricola suspecting as much, opposed them with certaine wings of horsemen, purposely retained about him for sodaine dispatches, vpon all chances, and repulsed them as fiercely, as they ran to assaile. So the counsell of the Britans turning to their owne hurt, the Roman wings were commanded to forsake the battell, and follow the flight. Then were there pittifull spe∣ctacles to be seene; pursuing: wounding: taking priso∣ners: and then killing such as were taken, as soone as o∣thers came in the way. Then whole Regiments of the Britans, (though armed, & moe in number) turnd their backs to the fewer: others vnarmed sought their owne death, offering themselves voluntarily to the slaughter. The fields every where were imbrued with blood: E∣very where weapons lay scattered: wounded bodies: mangled limbs: some slaine outright: some halfe dead: some yeelding vp the ghost: and yet, even at the last gaspe, seeming by their countenances to discover both anger and valour. Such of the Britans, as in flying, re∣covered

the woods, joyned themselves together againe, and intrapped vnawares, some of the Roman Souldiers, that vnadvisedly followed, not knowing the Country; And if Agricola had not, by his presence and direction assisted at neede, setting about them his most expert footemen, (as it were in forme of a Toyle) and comman∣ding some of his horsemen to leave their horses, (where the passage was narrow) and others to enter single, on horseback, where the wood was thin, doubt∣lesse the Romans had taken a blow, by their over much boldnesse. But after that the Britans saw them againe in good array, and orderly following the chase, they fled, (not in troupes as before, when they attended each other, but vtterly disbanded, shunning all compa∣pany) toward the desart and farre distant places. The darkenesse of the night, and satiety of blood, made an end of the chase. Of the Britans were then slaine about ten thousand: of the Romans, three hundred and fortie; amongst whom, the chiefe man of note was Aulus At∣ticus, the Captaine of a Cohort, who vpon a youthfull heate, and through the fiercenesse of his horse, was car∣ryed into the midst of his enemies. That night the win∣ners refreshed themselves, taking pleasure in talking of the victorie, and dividing the spoyle. But the Britans being vtterly discouraged, crying, and howling, (both men and women together) tooke, and drew with them their wounded persons: calling the not wounded: for∣saking their owne houses, and in despite, setting them on fire: then seeking holes abroad to lurke in, and ha∣ving found them, straitwaies againe forsaking them: sometimes communicating Counsells together, and conceiving some little hope: and then by and by de∣jected and desperate: sometimes mooved with pitty at the sight of their kinsfolks and friends, and sometimes

stirred with rage and envie, in thinking and speaking of their enemies, and (which was most lamentable) some of them, by way of compassion and mercy, killing their owne children and wives.