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. XI.

Plautius the Lievtenant pursueth the service in Britannie. Vespasian (serving vnder him) was in danger to have beene slaine, or taken, by the Britans, if he had not beene rescued by Titus his sonne. The Britans passe over the river of Thames, and assaile the Romans that follow them. Togodumnus a British Prince is slaine in the fight. Plautius being in distresse, desisteth for a time from further prosecution of the warre.

THea 1.1 Boduni (then living vnder the government of theb 1.2 Cattieuchlani) betooke themselves to the pro∣tection of Plautius, who leaving garrisons in those parts, marched towardes a river, over which the Bri∣tans supposed that the Romans could not passe without a Bridge, and therefore imagined themselves safe, ha∣ving pitched their Campe on the other side of the wa∣ter. But Plautius sent over certain Germans (who being accustomed to swim over rivers with swift currents e∣ven in their armor) found an easie passage to the fur∣ther bank, and there set vpon the Britans, wounding the

horses which drew their Chariots, and by that meanes overthrowing their riders, and disordering their whole power. ••hen was Flauius Vespasian (who had the leading of the Second Legion, and Sabinus his brother, appointed to passe over, and to charge them on a sodaine as they were dispersed. Some of the Britans being slaine, and some taken prisoners, the night made an end of the skir∣mish. The next morning the rest of the dispersed rout shewed themselves vpon the shore, and gave occasion of a new fight, which continued a long time, with equall advantage, till C. Sydius Geta being in danger to have beene taken, recovered himself, and at the last enforced the Britans to retire; For which service he had after∣wards Triumphall honours assigned him, although he were no Consull. In this conflict Vespasian (being beset round about by the barbarous people) was in great danger, either to have beene slaine, or taken, if he had not beene timely rescued by Titus his sonne, who then exercised the office of a Tribune of the Souldiers, and be∣gan in his tender yeares to give some proofe of his va∣lour. After this battell, the Britans withdrew them∣selves to the mouth of the river Thamisis, neer the place where it falles into the sea, and being skilfull in the shal∣lowes and firme grounds, passed over in safetie, whenas the Romans that pursued them, (not knowing the dan∣gerous places) were oft times in great hazard. Some of the Germans that were most forward to adventure (by reason of their skill in swimming) assoone as they had got to the further shore, were compassed about and kil∣led by the barbarous people, and the rest of the Roman army that folowed, was much distressed in the passage, and sharply assailed at their comming on land; where began a bloodie fight, in the which Togodumnus a Bri∣tish Prince, one of Cunobelins sonnes was slaine; whose

death did nothing abate the courage of the Britans, but rather enflamed them with desire of revenge: for the ef∣fecting whereof, they gathered togither new forces, from diverse parts of the Ile. Plautius fearing the great∣nesse of their power, and being straitned in a place of disadvantage, and danger, proceeded no further at that time, but fortifying onely such townes as he had alrea∣die taken, advertised Claudius of the doubtfull state of his affaires.

Notes

• a 1.1

  The anci∣ent inhabi∣tants of the Counties of Glocester and Oxford.
• b 1.2

  The anci∣ent iuhabi∣tants of the Counties of Buckingham, Bedford, and Hartford.