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 government of Gallia, and Britannie is assigned to Iu∣lianus. Lupicinus, and Alipius, are at severall times sent into Britannie: Iovinian succeedeth Iulianus in the Empire, which Valentinian the first, ioyntly with Valens his brother, doth governe after the death of Io∣vinian. The Picts, and Scottish-men invade the Pro∣vince. The originall and maners of both Nations. Mu∣tinies in the Roman armie, appeased by Theodosius.

NOw was the government of Gallia and Britannie, assigned to Iulianus (afterwards called the Apo∣stata) whom Constantius had made a Caesar. Then Lupicinus Maister of the Armour to the Emperour, (a good souldier, but notorious for his pride, covetous∣nesse, and crueltie) and after him Alipius, were sent into Britannie, to represse the barbarous people that had in∣vaded the Province there, while Iulianus himself remai∣ned in Gallia, not daring to passe into the Ile, both for that he feared the Gauls, who were readie (vpon the least occasion) to revolt, and also doubted the Almains, who were then vp in Armes: But with what successe Lupicinus, and Alipius prosecuted the warre in Britannie, I find no certaine report.

After the death of Constantius, Iulianus possessing the Empire (which he had vsurped in the life time of Constantius) banished Palladius an honourable person into Britannie, and sent Alipius to repaire the walles of Ierusalem, in which attempt, God discovering his wrath, by terrifying the builders with thunder and lightning, and killing many thousand Iewes, gave an apparant testi∣monie,

how vaine a thing it is for the power of man to oppose it selfe against his Imperiall decree.

Iovinian succeeded Iulianus in the Empire, which he held but few moneths. About this time the Picts, Sax∣ons, Scottishmen, and Attacots invaded the Roman Pro∣vince in Britannie (Valentinianus the first of that name then governing the Empire, togither with Valens his brother.) These Picts and Scottish-men (as some wri∣ters report) came first out of Scythia, though it be not improbable that the Picts were any other, then such Britans, as being either borne in the Northern Pro∣montorie of the Ile, or flying thither out of the South parts, entred into confederacie with the Scottish men, and retained for a time their ancient name of Picts, as being so called by the Romans (in respect of the old cu∣stome of painting their bodies) to distinguish them from the Britans then dwelling within the Province. Neither is there any mention made in Histories of their name, before the time of Dioclesian, and Maxi∣mian. These Picts, increasing in number, did afterwards inhabite the Iles of the Orcades, and being, for the most part, rude, and savage (as the Scottishmen also then were) did oft-times harrow the borders, and grievously an∣noy their civill Country-men (there being commonly no greater hatred, then that which is bred and nouri∣shed among the people of one Nation,) when they are severed each from other by difference of maners and customes. The name of Picts in processe of time (be∣ing changed into that of the Scottishmen, as of the more populous nation) was in a maner clean forgotten, when by societie and aliance they became both one people.

That the Scottish-men had their originall from the Scythes, their verie name may seeme, in some sort, to dis∣cover; howbeit, diverse stories affirme, that they travai∣led first into Cantabria in Spaine, where (perhaps disli∣king

that barren soyle) they continued not long, but sailed into Ireland, and from thence a great number of them came over into Britannie, landing in the North part of the Ile, where afterward they seated themselves. They were people of great courage, and boldnesse: of stature, tall: strong of bodie: their complexions some∣what ruddie and high coloured: their apparell was ei∣ther verie slender, or none at all, save only to cover their shame. They were, for the most part, addicted to warre, vsing peace onely but as a means to repaire their losses. Neither was their peace altogither idle: for even then they accustomed their bodies to labours, no lesse pain∣full then warre it selfe, and oft-times no lesse dangerous. To ride with swift pace vp a steepe hill, to swim over lakes, and standing meeres; to passe over bogs, and fen∣nie grounds, were things in ordinarie vse with them, as being accounted exercises of recreation onely. But above all others, the nobilitie & better sort were deligh∣ted with hunting & that in such measure, as they could more patiently endure the want of meate, drinke, and sleepe, then restraint from that pastime, which they esteemed manly and generous. In their consultations they were verie secret; and sodaine in the execution of whatsoever they had projected, by which meanes they often-times, strooke terror and amazment into the harts of their enemies, & much annoyed the Roman Province in Britanny. They were better contented with the neces∣sities of nature, & more able to endure all extremities of fortune then the Britans in those times, as being lesse ac∣quainted with the vaine superfluities & delicacie of the Romans: In behaviour the Britans were noted to be more civill, but the Scottishmen (as a people vnconquered, & admitting no customs but their own) refused to imitate them, who were brought vnder the subjection of stran∣gers,

or to be reputed like to any other then to them∣selves. Wrongs and indignities offred as well to others as themselves, they sharpely revenged: the slaughter, wounding, or disgrace of any of their kinred, alies, or companions, being commonly the occasion of rooting out the whole familie of him that first gave the offence. Violent pursuits: seasing by strong hand the goods and possessions of their neighbors: burning of houses, and killing (vpon cold blood) such as they had taken in warre (which others termed crueltie) they accounted manhood, and policie: supposing the assurance of their estate to consist, rather in diminishing the number of their enemies, by open acts of hostilitie, then by preten∣ded reconciliations, and leagues of amitie, which are ei∣ther kept or broken at the will of him that hath the greater power. Their name is first mentioned in Hi∣stories about the reigne of Constantine the great: though the Scottish writers affirme, that they were governed by Kings of their owne Nation, many hundred yeares be∣fore his time. But of things so ancient to have the cer∣taine knowledge, it is no easie matter: neither is Anti∣quitie in it selfe verie much to be regarded, where true Nobilitie and vertue is wanting. For all Nations at the first were of barbarous, & vncivill behaviour, till Time taught them other customes, and emulation kindled the hearts of the better sort to seeke fame by their owne va∣lour, rather then the Genealogies of their Ancesters. These Scottish-men and Picts, being now assisted with forrein power, presumed more boldly to assaile the Bri∣tans, both by sea and land, killing Nectaridius the Admi∣rall of the British fleete, and surprising Bulchobaudes one of their chiefe Captaines, (the mutinie at that time in the Roman Campe giving them oportunitie, and bold∣nesse to do, in a maner, what they listed.) For the Le∣gionarie

Souldiers refused to obey their Leaders, and even the Deputies themselves, complaining of the par∣tialitie of their Generals, who punished the least of∣fence of the common Souldier, and winked at the great abuses of Commanders and Officers. Hereupon a war∣like troope of Almans was sent over vnder the con∣duct of Fraomarius their King, who exercised there the authoritie of a Tribune, Severus, the Emperors steward of houshold, and Iovinius were appointed to second him, with certaine Auxiliarie forces out of Gallia. By this meanes the furie of those warlike Nations was somwhat restrained, til the comming of Theodosius, who first appeased the mutinie among the Souldiers in Bri∣tannie, and afterward prosecuted the service there with such good successe, as he restored the decayed Townes, strengthned the borders, appointing night-watches to be kept there, and in the end, recovered the Province, which was then contented to admit of Go∣vernors, (as in former times) and as a new conquered state, had a new name given it; For in honour of the Emperour Valentinian, the Province was (for a time) called Valentia. Not long after, one Valentinian a Pan∣nonian entred into a new conspiracie there, which be∣ing discovered before it was ripe, the perill like to have ensued thereby, was easily avoyded.