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. XIII.

Ostorius Scapula is sent by Claudius the Emperour to suc∣ceed Plautius in the office of Lievtenancie. The Bri∣tans in diverse parts of the Ile take armes, but are spee∣dily suppressed. The Roman Generall seeketh by leni∣tie to purchase the good opinion of the Britans.

IN these termes stood the state of Britannie, when Plautius the Lievtenant was revoked, and the prosecu∣tion of the warre committed to P. Ostorius Scapula, who at his landing found all in an vprore, the Britans (that were yet vnconquered,) raunging the Confede∣rates country, and vsing the greater violence, for that they supposed the new Captaine, as vnacquainted with his armie (the winter also being then begun) would not come forth to encounter them; but he knowing well, that in such cases, the first successe breedeth, either feare, or confidence, drew together with speed his readiest Cohorts, and made towards them, slaying such as re∣sisted, and pursuing the residue, (whom he found strag∣led abroad) lest they should make head againe. And, that a faithlesse and cloaked peace might not give, ei∣ther the Captaine, or souldier any time of idle repose, he disarmed all those whom he suspected, and hemmed

them in with Garisons betweenea 1.1 Antona, and b 1.2Sabrina.

The first that began to stirre, were thec 1.3 Icenians, a strong people, and vnshaken with warres, as having of their owne accord in former times, sought the Romans alliance and amitie. The Countries also adioyning neer vnto them, following their example, prepared them∣selves to fight, choosing a place that was compassed a∣bout with a rude trench, which had a narrow entrance to empeach the comming in of horsemen. That fence the Roman Captaine, (although he wanted the strength of the Legions) went about to force with the ayd of the Confederates alone; and having placed his Cohorts in rankes, he set his Troopes of horsemen also in like rea∣dinesse: Then giving the signe of battell, he assailed the Rampire, and brake it, disordering the Britans, who be∣ing stricking with a kind of remorse for their rebellious attempts, and seeing the passages stopped vp on al sides, shewed verie great courage and valour in defending themselves (as it falleth out oft times, where extremitie of danger it selfe takes away all feare of danger.) In this fight M. Ostorius the Lievtenants sonne was crowned with an Oken Garland, as an honourable reward for sa∣ving a Roman Citizen.

Now by the slaughter of the Icenians, the rest of the Britans (who stood vpon doubtfull termes, as wavering betweene warre and peace) were well quieted, and O∣storius led his armie against thed 1.4 Cangi, whose country he spoyled and wasted while the inhabitants durst not come into the field, but privily surprised such as they found stragling behind the Roman armie, which was now come neere the sea coast, that lookes toward Ire∣land, whenas certaine tumults stirred among thee 1.5 Bri∣gantes, brought backe the General, who thought it best,

not to enter into any new action, before he had made all sure in those parts; howbeit, vpon his comming thither, some few of the Brigantes (that first began to take armes) being taken and put to death, the residue were pardoned, and the Countrey quieted. For the Generall wisely considering, that in such cases, lenitie sometimes prevaileth, where force and rigor cannot, did seeke to win favour of the Britans by curteous v∣sage of such, as either fled vnto him for protection, or else, by the fortune of warre fell into his hands, some∣times pardoning them, sometimes rewarding them, and sometimes vsing them in service against their owne nation, as he did Cogidunus a British Prince, vpon whom he had bestowed certaine Cities in free gift, according to an ancient custome among the Romans, who vsed even Kings themselves for instruments of bondage. But thea 1.6 Silures could neither by crueltie, nor faire meanes be held in, so as the Generall saw there was no way to keepe them vnder, but with a garrison of Legio∣narie Souldiers; and to that end the Colonie at Camalodu∣num (consisting of a strong companie of old Souldiers) was brought into the subdued Country, to defend it a∣gainst such as should rebell, and to make the confede∣rates more willing to live in obedience.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Nen, the river on which Northampton is seated (as it is cōiectured.)
• b 1.2

  I he river of Severne.
• c 1.3

  The ancient Inhabitants of Norffolke, Suffo••k, Cam∣bridgeshire, and Hunting∣tonshire.
• d 1.4

  The Inha∣bitants of a part of Ches∣sh••••e (as it is coniectured.)
• e 1.5

  The Inha∣bitants of Yorkeshire, Lancashire, Durham, Westmerland and Cumber∣land.
• a 1.6

  The ancient Inhabitants of South-wales.