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. XVII.

Gratianus the successor of Valentinian the first, electeth Valentinian the second, and Theodosius the yonger, to be his associates in the Empire. Clemens Maximus commanding the armie in Britannie, vsurpeth the sove∣raigntie. Gratianus the Emperour murdered. Saint Ambrose is sent from Valentinian to Maximus, to treate of peace. Theodosius the yonger pursueth Maxi∣mus, who is taken, and put to death. The Britans that follow Maximus, seate themselves in Amorica (in France,) which thereupon tooke the name of Britannie.

THen Gratianus (succeeding Valentinian) elected Va∣lentinian the second, his brother, and Theodosius (the sonne of Theodosius afore-named) to be his associates in government: But Clemens Maximus then ruling the Armie in Britannie, (vpon emulation and envie of Theodosius glorie) vsurped the Empire there: and having transported the strength of the Province into Belgia, (the German Armie being also revolted to him) he placed his Imperiall seate among thea 1.1 Treviri, from whence Gratianus intended, by force, to have ex∣pulsed him; but that as he marched through Italie with his army (the most part of his souldiers forsaking him) he fled tob 1.2 Lugdunum in Gallia, where he was entrap∣ped by a treacherous devise; for, a rumor being spred (by direction of Maximus) that the Empresse his wife was comming to visite him, he lightly gave credite thereto; and thereupon attended with a few persons, went foorth in private maner to meete her; but in the Chariot (where he supposed to have seene his wife) he found Andragathius, one of Maximus Captaines, secret∣ly

hidden, who forthwith leaped out, and murdered the innocent Emperour, while his attendants, being vn∣armed, and amazed with the sodainnesse of the fact, made little or no preparation for defence. Maximus ha∣ving his mind lifted vp with his fortune, created his sonne Victor a Caesar, and vsed great crueltie against those that had served vnder Gratianus. Whereupon Valentinian doubting his owne estate, sent Saint Am∣brose the Bishop of Millain vnto him, as an Ambassa∣dor to desire peace, which in the end was granted vpon conditions. But Maximus ambitiously affecting the sole government, did soone after breake the peace, invading Italie, and attempting to have taken Valentinian himself, who to prevent that danger, fled with his mother vnto Theodosius his associate (then ruling the East Empire) im∣ploring his ayde against Maximus that vsurped Italie, and other parts of his government. Hereupon Theodosius prepared an armie to encounter Maximus, who in Pan∣••onia being overthrown, fled to Aquileia, where by the treason of his own souldiers (while he was paying them their wages) he was delivered to Theodosius, dis-robed of his Imperiall ornaments, and speedily put to an igno∣minious death. This end had Maximus, after he had v∣surped the Empire five yeares.

The like calamities also befell his friends and fol∣lowers. For Victor his sonne was afterwards slaine in Gallia by Arbogustes. Andragathius the murderer of Gratian drowned himselfe, and diverse of Maxi∣mus his Captaines being taken, were put to the sword.

Howbeit the Britans, by whose power Maximus had raised himselfe to that greatnesse (as men desiring rather to trie new fortunes abroad, then to returne home) resolved to stay in Armorica in France, where

some of their Country-men had remained (as diverse writers affirme) since the conquest of Gallia by Constan∣tine the Great. By this meanes, in processe of time (part∣ly by force, and partly by policie,) they grew so strong, as they left the possession of a great part of that Coun∣try to their posteritie, which being rooted therein by many discents, did afterwards enjoy it entirely as their owne (the name of Britannie continuing there among them even to this day.) This victorie of Theodosius was so much esteemed, as the Senate appointed by Decree, that yearly feasts should be celebrated in remembrance thereof.

Notes

• a 1.1

  The ancient people of France inha∣biting betwixt Belgia and the river Mosella.
• b 1.2

  Lions in France.