The history of Scotland written in Latin by George Buchanan ; faithfully rendered into English.

The Fourth BOOK. (Book 4)

HAving undertook to write the History of our Nation, that the Series thereof might appear more plain to the Reader; I have, in my former Books, premised a few ancient Me∣moirs, and especially Those, which are freest from Fabu∣lous Vanities, and are also most Consonant to Old Writers.

First of all, it is constantly reported, and there are many Eviden∣ces to confirm the same, That a great multitude of a 1.1 Spaniards, being driven out of their own Country, by their powerful Dons; or else, voluntarily departing, by reason of their superabounding populous∣ness, transported themselves into Ireland, and seized upon those Places of that Island, which were nearest to them. Afterward, the healthiness of the Air, and the fatness of the Pasturage, invited many others to follow them; especially, seeing their Seditions at home, and the Injuries offered them by Foreigners, (to which Spain was always subject) drew many thither, in hopes of a quieter Life, (which Voy∣age they were more easily persuaded to undertake) because, they looked upon themselves as going into an Island already possessed by their own People, and, by that means, as it were, their second Country. This Stock of Spaniards did so flourish and increase, in a Country fit for Propagation, that now they were not contented within the bounds of Ireland, but frequently made Emigrations into the lesser Islands, near adjacent.

In the mean time, the Scots (for that was the general Name of the whole Nation,) propagating their bounds through the Islands of Aebudae, and dispersing themselves by Tribes and Kindreds, without either King or fixed Government: A b 1.2 German, or, as Bede writes, a Scythian Fleet, came to the Coasts of Ireland, being driven thither, 'tis very probable, by stress of Weather; for they had not their Wives or Children aboard with them. They, being very Poor, ha∣ving nothing left them, by reason of so long a Voyage, but only their Arms, sent Ambassadors to the Scots, desiring them, that they might inhabit amongst them. Answer was sent them, That they themselves were compelled to seek their Habitations in those small Islands; which, by reason of the Barrenness of the Soil, were also Unfruitful; and, if it were otherwise, yet all of them, if they should forsake them quite, would not be sufficient to entertain so great a multitude. But in regard, they pitied the common Mise∣ries of Mankind, and were particularly affected with their Conditi∣on, whom Divine Providence had so grievously afflicted; and who did not seem to be wholly Strangers to their Lineage, (as by their Language and Customs appeared,) they would therefore give them their Advice, and, as far as they were able, would assist them to exe∣cute it. Their Advice to them, was, to Sail to their Neighbour Island, Albium, which was large and fruitful, and, in many places, then uninhabited; and also, by reason of the Condition of those Inha∣bitants that were in it, who were under several Kings, at fewd one

with another; and, consequently, very weak. That amidst those Discords, 'twere easy for them, by supporting the weaker side, to make themselves Masters of that large Country; and that in this matter, they would afford them their assistance.

The Narrowness of the c 1.3 Aebudae, and the Lowness of their own Condition, for so it then was, made them give ear to this Counsel. So that these Germans (which were afterwards, both by the Ro∣mans, and their Neighbor-Nations, called d 1.4 Picts) Landing upon the Coasts of the Island, bordering on the German Sea, having expelled the Inhabitants, which were but few, and those at mutual Discord amongst themselves, they brought a great part of that District un∣der their Subjection; and, soon after, in prosecution of the Friend∣ship with the e 1.5 Scots, so happily begun, they took Wives from amongst them, and so were, in a manner, compacted into one Nati∣on with them. By this mutual Intercourse betwixt them, a great many Scots, being either detained by their Allies, who were yet but weak; or else, driven by Want and Penury; or, for loss of their Relations, fixed their Habitations amongst the Picts: The Picts, at first, were glad of their coming; but, when they grew numerous, by degrees, they began to fear, lest, if the Scots increased in strength, they would become their Masters; So that, First in their secret As∣semblings, and afterward in their publick Councils, they muttered, That Care was to be taken, That no stranger should hereafter be in∣termixed amongst them: And some Way was to be found, that the number of those, who were already admitted, might be lessened. A Rumor also was spread abroad, that it was revealed from Hea∣ven to the f 1.6 Picts, That their Nation should in time be extirpated by the Scots. These Suspitions caused the Two Nations, which before were very amicable, to part companies. The Scots betook themselves to the Mountainous places, which were less fit for Culture, in regard they were more addicted to Pasturage, and Hunting: And the g 1.7 Picts possessed the Low-lands, which were more fertile, and fit for Tillage, situate near the German Sea. Thus their Friendship, before contracted by so many mutual Kindnesses, did soon break forth into a terrible Civil War. For the Seeds of a deadly hatred were sown between those Two Nations, both of them being of fierce Dispositi∣ons, thô the occasion, at first, was but trivial, as some little Pets, Chidings, and some few Injuries sustained.

The h 1.8 Brittons, being Enemies to both Nations, having got∣ten this opportunity, fomented the Dissensions; and did free∣ly offer Aid to the Picts, even before they desired it, against the Scots. When the Scots perceived, That these things were in Agitati∣on against them, they sent elsewhere for Aid, and procured a Fo∣reign King to assist them against so imminent a Danger. The Com∣manders of the Islanders, being almost all of equal Authority, and scorning to stoop one to the other; i 1.9 Fergusius, the Son of Fer••hard, was sent for, with Forces, out of Ireland, being counted the most eminent Person among the Scots, both for Advice and Action, He, by the publick Consent of the People, was chosen King, and charg∣ed to prepare his Army to undergo the Shock of a Battle, if need required. Just about the same time, a Rumour was dispers'd a∣broad,

which came to the Ears both of the k 1.10 Scots and Picts, That the Brittons were managing some ambiguous Counsels, equally perni∣cious both Nations; and, That they would set upon the Conque∣red, and Conquerors together, with their Arms, and, destroying both, or else, driving them out of the Island, they Themselves would enjoy the Whole. This Report made both Armies doubtful, What course to take; and, for a time, kept them both within their Trenches. At length they came to a Treaty, and, perceiving the secret Fraud of the Brittons, they inclined to make Peace one with another; which being confirmed, the Three different Armies Re∣turned home. The Brittons, having failed in their first Project, at∣tempt another Wile. They privily sent in Robbers amongst the Picts, who drove away their Cattle; when the Picts demanded Re∣stitution, they answered, That they should seek it from the Scots, who were accustomed to Thieving and Plundering, rather than from Them. Thus they eluded the Ambassy, and sent away their Ambas∣sadors, without their Errands; so that the Matter did appear to be a plain Mockery. Their fraudulent Counsels being thus more and more discover'd,l 1.11 the late reproach did incense the Hearts of Both Nations against them, more than the Relicks of their Anger, for their former Injuries; and therefore, Le∣vying as great an Army as they could, both Kings, Two several ways, invaded the Coasts of the Brittons, and, destroying the Country with Fire and Sword, returned home with a great Booty. To re∣venge this Loss, the Brittons enter Scotland, and came as far as the River Don, * 1.12 and having ravaged the Country thereabouts, with greater Terror than Loss to the Inhabitants, they pitched their Tents upon the Bank of the River. Fergus, having sent their Wives and Children, and other portable things, into the Mountains, and Places inaccessible for Armies, secured all the Avenues, till the co∣ming of the m 1.13 Picts; with whom he at length joyned his Forces, and, communicating Counsels one with another, they resolved to make a Diversion, and lengthen the War, by making an Incursion, with vast Forces, into their Enemies Country; and so to weary them out. But n 1.14 Coilus (that was the name of the King of the Brittons) understanding, by his Spies, the cause of their delay, sends Five Thousand Men before to lye in ambush, in the upper grounds, and he determined to lead forth the rest of his Army directly against the Enemy. When the Picts knew this, they again consulted with the Scots, and, by way of Prevention, they agreed to assault the Camp of the Brittons by night, and accordingly, drawing out their Forces, the Scots in the Pront, the Picts in the Rear, attack their Enemies before day;* 1.15 and, by this means, they made a great slaughter of the Brittons, being as it were halfe asleep, whom the former delays of their Enemies had made secure and confident. In this Battel, Coilus himself fell, with the greatest part of his Army, and made the Place, in which it was fought, Famous from his Name. o 1.16 Fergus returning home a Conqueror, the Scots setled the Regal Government upon Him and his Posterity, by the Solemnity of an Oath. Afterwards, having quieted Matters in Scotland, he re∣turned back into Ireland, to quell Seditions there; where, having

composed all things, as he was returning home, a Tempest arising suddainly, he was drowned, not far from the Port, called, from him, Fergus his Rock (i. e.) Knock-Fergus, or Carrick-Fergus, in the Twenty fifth Year of his Reign. Historians say, That his coming into Albium, was, at the time when Alexander the Great took Ba∣bylon; about 330 Years before the Birth of Christ.

Feritharis, Second King of Scotland.

FErgus dying, left Two Sons behind him, Ferlegus and Mainus; neither of them yet able to manage the Government; so that the Chiefs of the Clans meeting together to declare the succeeding King, there was great Contention amongst them; Some urging the late Oath, whereby they had bound themselves to preserve the Scepter for the Fergusian Family; others alleging, What great ha∣zards they might run under an Infant King. At last, after a long Dispute, a Medium was found out; whereby, neither the Infant, not yet fit to manage the Government, should actually Reign, nor yet their Oath be violated; which was, p 1.17 That, whilst the Chil∣dren of their Kings were Infants, one of their Kindred, who was judged most accomplished for the Government, should weild the Scepter in their behalfe; And if he dyed, then the Succession of the Kingdom should descend to the former Kings Sons. This Law did afterwards obtain for almost 1025 Years, even until the days of Ken∣neth the III. of whom I shall speak in his place. By virtue of this Law, Feritharis, Brother to Fergus, obtained the Kingdom, and ma∣naged it 15 Years, with such Equity and Moderation, that his Sub∣jects found him, a just King; and the Orphans or Pupils, a good Guardian; Having, by this Carriage, procured Peace abroad, and got the Love of his Subjects at home; yet he could not allay the Ambition of his Kindred. For q 1.18 Ferlegus, being inflam'd with a desire to Reign, having first communicated his Design to the most turbulent of the Soldiers, and such as were most desirous of In∣novation and Change, comes to his Uncle and demands the King∣dom of him, which he held (as he alleg'd) not as his Own, but in Trust only for him. r 1.19 Feritharis was so far from being disturbed at this rash undertaking of the young Man, That, calling an Assem∣bly of the States together, he Declared to them, That he was ready to lay down and resign the Regal Scepter; adding also many words in Commendation of the young Man; As for himself, he had rather freely resign up the Kingdom, with which he was but intrusted, wil∣lingly, which his death, now near at hand, would deprive him of, that so, his Fidelity towards his Nephews might appear to be rather of Good Will, than of Necessity. But such was the Respect and Love, all did bear to s 1.20 Feritharis, that they utterly disliked this over∣hasty Desire of the Kingdom, in Ferlegus, which they manifested, not only by their Countenances and Frowns, but by the loud Accla∣mations of the whole Convention and Assembly. And having dis∣covered, by Spies, the Conspiracy against the Uncle, thô they judg∣ed the Author of so detestable a Design, to be worthy of Death;

yet the Memory of this Father Fergus, and the present Favour and Desires of his Uncle, did so far prevail, that they did not inflict it on him for his designed Wickedness; only they set t 1.21 Keepers about him, which should watch over, and pry into, all his Words and Actions. But he, being impatient, not presently to obtain what he hoped for in his Mind, thô the delay would have proved but short, deceiving his Keepers, with a few others privy to his design, fled away, First, to the Picts, and finding there no encouragement for his desired Innovation;* 1.22 afterwards, to the Brittons, where he lived an obscure, and consequently, an ignoble, Life. But Feritharis, a few Months after,* 1.23 was taken off; 'tis doubtful, whether by Disease, or Trea∣chery. The former Ambition of Ferlegus, the De••ection of his Con∣spiracy, and his late Flight, raised such Suspitions, that he was guil∣ty of his Death, that he was unanimously condemned, in his absence, about the Fifteenth Year after his Fathers Death.

Mainus, the Third King.

FErlegus being condemned, Mainus, his Brother, was created Third King of the Scots, a Man more like to his Father and Uncle, than his Brother, Ferlegus: He confirmed and setled Peace with his Neighbours abroad, punished the Wicked and Profligate at home, and constantly performed Religious Exercises; whereby he procured to himself such an Opinion of Justice and Piety, That, as well Foreigners, as his own Subjects, thought it a Nefarious thing to hurt such a Person. He was better guarded by this Opi∣nion of his * 1.24 Sanctity, than by his Military Forces; after he had Reigned 29 Years, he departed this Life, being much lamented by all Good Men.

Dornadilla, the Fourth King.

HE left a Son behind him, called Dornadilla, the Successor of his Kingdom; in point of Equity, like his Father, but very unlike him in the other parts of his Life. For he spent much of his time in Hunting, as judging that Exercise to be proper enough in a time of Peace, and healthful; u 1.25 as also very beneficial to harden the Body for War. And besides, the Mind did suck in the purest plea∣sures therefrom, and was greatly strengthened thereby, against Covetousness, Luxury, and other Vices, which spring from Idle∣ness. Report says, That the u 1.26 Venatory Laws, which the An∣cient Scots observe to this day, were made by him. He deceased in the 28th Year of his Reign.

Nothatus, the Fifth King.

AFter his Death, the People placed Nothatus, his Brother, on the Throne, his own Son Reutherus being yet Immature, in point of Age, for the Government. This a 1.27 Nothatus changed the Govern∣ment, which, till then, had been moderate, and bounded with Laws, into an Arbitrary Domination; and, as if his Subjects had

been given him to Prey upon, not to Defend, he punished High and Low, promiscuously, with Forfeiture of Goods, Banishment, Death; and all sort of Miseries, so that scarce any addition could be made to his Cruelty. By these Severities, most of the People were cow'd out, only one Dovalus of Galway, an Ambitious Man, thinking it a seasonable opportunity for him to advance himself, by reason of the Peoples Hatred against their King; and knowing also, that his own Life was insidiously aim'd at by the King, he resolves to prevent him. And accordingly, all things being in a readiness, and being accom∣panied with a great number of his Vassals and Friends, away goes he to the King, and openly upbraids him with the Slaughter of the Nobility, with the seizure of their Goods and Estates, and with his Enslaving the Commonalty; and demands of him, to restore the Kingdom, which he was not able to manage, to the Right Heir. Nothatus, being thus Bearded and Affronted, contrary to his Expe∣ctation, yet remitted nothing of his former Stoutness, but answered peremptorily, That he would maintain what he had done, by his Kingly Prerogative; and, if he had carried it somewhat Despoti∣cally, it was to be imputed not to his own Disposition, but to the Contumacy of the Subject, who had enforced him thereto. These Taunts increased the Animosities between them, so that at last it came to Blows, and b 1.28 Nothatus was Slain by Dovalus and his Par∣tisans, after he had Reigned, Cruelly and Avariciously, Twenty Years.

Reutherus, the Sixth King.

WHereupon, Reutherus was made King by the Dovalian Fa∣ction, without the Suffrages of the People: The Nobles, hearing of it, though they judged Nothatus worthy of the worst of Punishments, yet did not approve so bad an Example; and they took it in greater disdain, because a Publick Convention was not consulted, but the choice of the chief Magistrate devolved on the Pleasure and Arbitrement of one Man: Besides, that it was not to be thought an Obliging Act in him, thus to advance the young Man to the chief Power, who was, as yet, unfit to Rule. For such as look'd narrow∣ly into the matter, would find, That only the Name of King would be given to Reutherus, but the whole Power would reside in Dovalus. However, it did not much concern the Publick, whether Nothatus, or Dovalus were King, unless, perhaps, they did hope for a more To∣lerable Life under Him, who, being a private Man, durst adven∣ture to Murder his King; and so to deliver over the Scepter to ano∣ther private Man, than under one, who was not so extream or Cruel in his Government, until, by the Permission of the People, he was back'd with Power and with the Terrour of an Army. The Kin∣dred of Nothatus, hearing such things to be bruited abroad, insinua∣ting themselves into the Societies of those who did Regret such Evil Carriages, at last gain'd this Point, That War should be denounced against Dovalus; and that Ferchard, Nothatus his Son in Law, should be General of their Army. Neither did Dovalus refuse to give Battel: They fought twice in one and the same Day; the Dovalians,

though Superior in number, yet were beaten and put to flight, more of them being Slain in the pursuit, than in the Battel. For, besides c 1.29 Dovalus himself, and the chief of his Faction, there fell also Getus, the King of the Picts, with many of his Men. Reutherus, the new King, was taken Prisoner, and pardoned, out of respect to his tender Age, to the Memory of his Father, and to the Royal Blood which ran in his Veins. Neither was the Victory Un-bloody, even to the Conquerors themselves, almost all the chief of the Clans being Slain, with many common Souldiers also. This Conflict of the Scots and Picts, brought matters to that low ebb in Britain, that they who survived fled into Desert and Mountainous Places, and even into the Neighbour Islands, lest they should become a prey to the d 1.30 Brit∣tons; who, having now gotten that opportunity, which they long thirsted after, peirced into the Country, as far as Bodotria, (now called Forth) without any resistance. Afterwards, having made a little Settlement of Things there, they went forward against the Caledonians, and, having scattered those who were there gathered to∣gether to oppose them, they seized upon the Champion Countries of the Picts, and, placing Garisons there, thinking the War to be at an end, they return'd home with their Army. In the mean time, the remainders of the Scots and Picts, which had retired to the Mountains, Woods, and other inaccessible Places, did vex the Go∣vernors of Castles and Garisons, by Robbing them of their Cattle; upon which, they themselves also did Live; and, being increased by the accession of greater Forces from the Islands, they sometimes burnt Villages, and fetcht in Preys further off, so that the Ground was left without Tillage in many places. The Brittons, either being detained by home-bred Dissensions, or, not thinking it adviseable or safe, to lead their Army into such difficult and almost inaccessible Places, where they could meet their Enemies with no Forces more numerous than they had to oppose them, did by their slow Actings, increase the boldness of their Contrariants. The Scots and Picts being thus miserably afflicted for Twelve years, at length, a new Fry of Lusty Warlike Youths grew up, (who, in so great streights that they had undergone, were enured to Hardship,) those sent Messenger•• all about, and, mutually exhorting one another, they resolved to try their Fortunes. Whereupon, Reutherus sails out of Ireland into the Aebuaae, and from thence into Albium, and Landing his Forces at the Bay, now called Lough Brien, and there joyning with young Gethus, the Son of old Gethus who was slain, who was also his Wifes Bro∣ther, they Consulted together, concerning the Manage of the War. The Issue of their Consult, was, That it was best to draw towards the Enemy unawares, whilst he was unprepared; assoon as they met, the Service was so hot, and the Fight so sharp, that neither Army had reason to boast; so that Both of them, being wearied with Slaughter, made e 1.31 Peace for some years: Reuther, or (as Bede calls him) Reuda, returned to his ancient Seat of Argyle, and the Scots were, a long time after, from him, called * 1.32 Dalreudini; for Daal, in old Scotish, signifieth a * 1.33 Part, as some; or a Meadow or Plain, as others. From whence, he made a further Progress, and, in a short time, enlarged his Dominions even to their Ancient Bounds. After

he had Reigned Twenty Six Years, he died, leaving a Son behind him, named Thereus, begot upon the Daughter of Gethus.

Reutha, the Seventh King.

BEcause Thereus was yet scarce Ten Years old, and so too young to undertake the Kingdom, according to the Law, long before made and observed, concerning the Succession of Kings; therefore his Uncle f 1.34 Reutha was declared King; who, being free from Ex∣ternal Wars, endeavoured to reduce the People, who were grown almost wild by their former Sufferings, and also insolent upon their late Victory, (though a bloody one,) into a milder Carriage and Deportment; and, accordingly, he enacted many publick and pro∣fitable Laws, of which, not a few yet remain amongst the Ancient Scots. Having Reigned Seventeen Years, with so good a Decorum, being reverenced and beloved of all; either for want of Health, (to which he himself imputed it) or else, fearing the Ambitious Nature of his Kinsman Thereus, he resigned up the Government, the People being hardly brought to consent thereunto; and at his Resignation, there was a large Panegyrick made in his Praise.

Thereus, the Eighth King.

g 1.35 THereus was substituted in his stead; in the first Six Years of his Reign, he so managed the Government, that Reutha's Predi∣ctions concerning him, seemed to be true. But after That time was expired, he ran headlong into all manner of Vice, not by de∣grees, but all at once; insomuch, that putting the Nobles to Death by False Indictments, some lewd Fellows thereupon did, without fear, range over all the Kingdom, using Rapines and Robberies at their pleasure. The Phylarchae, (i. e. chief of the Clans,) bewailing the deplorable State of the Publick, determined to proceed judicially against him; which he having notice of, fled to the Brittons; where, despairing of his return, he ended his Days in great Contempt and Ig∣nominy. In the mean time, Conanus, a prudent and regular Person, was elected Vice-Roy; he restored and strengthened what the other had impaired and weakened; he restrained Robberies, and having composed Matters as well as he could, he received News of the Death of Thereus, whereupon, in a Publick Assembly, or Convention, of the Estates, he abdicated the Magistracy, about the Twelfth Year af∣ter Thereus began his Reign.

Josina, the Ninth King.

JOsina, Brother of the late King, was raised to the Helm of Govern∣ment; He did nothing memorable one way or other, only he had h 1.36 Physicians in very high esteem; because, when he was bani∣shed, with his Father, into Ireland, they had been his great Inti∣mates. Whereupon, the rest of the Nobility complying with the Humour of the King, it came to pass, that for many Ages, there was scarce a Nobleman or Gentleman in Scotland, which had not the Skill

to cure Wounds: For there was then little use of other parts of Phy∣sick amongst such Men, who were educated parsimoniously, and en∣ured to much Labour and Toil. He died in a good old Age, having Reigned Four and Twenty Years.

Finnanus, The Tenth King.

HIS Son Finnanus succeeded him, who, walking in his Fathers Steps, endeavoured nothing more than to accustom his Sub∣jects to a just and moderate Government; labouring to maintain his Kingly Authority more by Good Will, than Arms: And that he might cut up the Root of Tyranny, he made a Decree, i 1.37 That Kings should determine, or command, nothing of great Concernment, without the Au∣thority of their Great Council. He was beloved both by his Subjects, and by Foreigners. He deceased, having Reigned Thirty Years.

Durstus, The Eleventh King.

NOthing did so much aggravate the Loss of Finnanus, as the profligate and deboist Life of his Son k 1.38 Durstus, who succeeded him. For, First of all, he banished from his presence his Fathers Friends, as troublesom Abridgers of his Pleasures: Then, he made the Corruptest Youngsters, his Familiar and Bosom Friends, giving up himself wholly to Wine and Women. He drove away his Wife, the Daughter of the King of the Britains, who was prostituted to his Nobles. At length, when he perceived, that the Nobility were con∣spiring against him, as if he had been just then awakened out of a deep sleep; foreseeing, that he was not safe at home, and knew not where to find a secure place abroad, if he were banished; in regard he was so hated both of his Subjects and Strangers, too; he therefore thought it his best course to dissemble a l 1.39 Repentance for his former Evil Life; by that means thinking, he might retain the Regal Go∣vernment, and, in time, be reveng'd of his Enemies too. And there∣upon, in the first place, he recalled his Wife, and, by that means, endeavour'd to make fair Weather with the Britains. He assembles the Heads of his Subjects, and, under a solemn Oath to do so no more, he Enacts an Amnesty for what was past. He commits Noto∣rious Criminals to Prison, as if he had reserved them for further Pu∣nishment: And religiously promised, That for the future he would Act nothing without the Counsel of his Nobles. When, by these Arts, he had made others believe, That he was a true Convert, he celebrates this Reconciliation and Concord with Plays, Feastings, and other Divertisements, proper for Publick Rejoycings. Thus all Mens Minds being filled with Jollity, he invites the m 1.40 Nobility to Supper; and then, shutting them up in one place, being unarmed, and fearing nothing, he sent in Ruffians amongst them, who destroy'd them, every Man. That Calamity did not so much abate and quell the Minds of the rest with fear, as it raised, and blew up, their Lan∣guishing Anger into New Flames. VVherefore gathering a great Army together, they all conspired to rid the Earth of so foul a Mon∣ster. Durstus, perceiving that all other hope failed him, resolved

to try his fortune in a Battel, with a few others, whom the like fear of Punishment for the Wickedness of their former Lives had drawn in to joyn with him; in which Fight he was n 1.41 slain, after he had Reigned Nine Years. Though all Orders and Estates were justly incens'd against him; yet they gave so great Deference to the Name of King, and to the Memory of his Ancestors, that he was buried amongst his Royal Predecessors.

Evenus, the Twelfth King.

AFter his Death, in a Publick Assembly of the Nobles, there was a very great Contest; some alledging, that, according to their Oath made to King Fergus, the ancient Custom was to be observed; others, fearing, that if they made any one of the Kindred of Durstus King, that either the Similitude of Manners would incline him to the same Wickedness; or else, the Propinquity of Blood would make him study Revenge. At last, Evenus, Brothers-Child to Durstus, being commended for his former Life, and for his extream Hatred against the Tyrant, whilst he was alive, was sent for from amongst the Picts, (whither he had voluntarily banished himself, out of ha∣tred to Durstus,) and unanimously created King. He is reported to be the o 1.42 first, who made his Subjects to take an Oath of Allegiance to him, which Custom is yet retained by the Heads of the Clans. Evenus, that he might rectifie the Manners of his Subjects, which were depraved by the former King, did first reduce Youth to the Ancient Parsimony in Diet, Apparel, and in their daily Conver∣sation. For, by that means, he judged, they would be more Va∣liant in War, and less Seditious in Peace. He diligently viewed all the Parts of his Kingdom, administring Justice with great Modera∣tion, and punishing Offenders according to their Demerits. He as∣sisted the King of the Picts with Aid against the Brittons, betwixt whom there was fought a long and cruel Battel till Night parted them, the Victory being so uncertain, that both Armies departed with equal Slaughter, and as equal Fear. The Brittons went home; The Scots and Picts retired into the next adjacent Mountains: But, the Day after, from the High Grounds, perceiving the departure or flight of their Enemies, they came and gathered up the Spoils, as if they had been Conquerors, and so return'd home with their Army. Evenus having repelled his Enemies, again betook himself to the Arts of Peace. And that it might not be troublesom to Kings to Travel over the Countries so oft for the Administring Ju∣stice, (which was then their Custom to do) he divided the King∣dom into p 1.43 Circuits, and setled Ordinary Judges to do that Work. He also appointed q 1.44 Informers to bring in Accusations against the Guilty. Which Office; being found inconvenient, was either abro∣gated by a Law, or else grew obsolete by Custom. He died in the Nineteenth Year of his Reign, leaving a Base-born Son, called Gillus, behind him, a Crafty Man, and desirous of the Kingdom.

Gillus, The Thirteenth King.

THere were yet living of the Blood-Royal, as Heirs to the Crown, Two Twins, Dochamus and Dorgalius, the Sons of Durstus. Though their Age was not the Cause of the Difference, yet there arose a deadly Fewd between them concerning the King∣dom; which was also further increased by the Fraud of r 1.45 Gillus. The Matter being referred to the Arbitration of their Kindred, such was the Obstinacy of the Factions, that nothing could be determined. Gillus, who advis'd each of them to kill one another, when his Se∣cret Counsel took no effect, gathered together the chief of the No∣bles, and his Kindred, (on pretence to end the Controversie,) into one place, where he suborned Men, fit for his purpose, to raise a Tumult, and to destroy them Both. And then, as if he himself had been assaulted by Treachery, he implored the Aid of all that were present, and fled to * 1.46 Evonium, a place fortified by King Evenus. Having Garison'd that Fort with part of the Nobility and other Fla∣gitious Persons; out of an high place in the Castle, he made a long Oration to the People; who, in great Multitudes, were gathered about him, concerning the Rashness and Obstinacy of the Two Bro∣thers; he declaimed also against those Assassins, who killed them; but, at last, he told them, That he was left by Evenus, the Guar∣dian or Superior of the Kingdom, as well as of his Domestick Affairs, till a New King was chosen. When the People heard this, though they believed it to be false, yet when they saw him fortified in a strong Garison, for fear of a greater Mischief, they instantly swore Fealty to him, and declared him King. He, though he had streng∣thened himself in the Kingdom by the Consent of the People, (though unwillingly obtain'd,) yet, not thinking himself safe from the Posterity of Durstus, as long as any of them were alive, resolved to destroy his Nephews.

There remained alive of them Lismorus, Gormachus and Ederus, the Sons of Dochamus, Son of Durstus; they were educated in the Isle of Man. Thither G••llus went, on pretence to bring them home; and to the Two Elder he behaved himself with great Reverence and Respect, and carried them with him into Albium, cunningly pre∣tending, That they be being of a Royal Stock, should be educated in his Cou••t, sutable to their Princely Quality. As for Ederus, the younger, ••he left Souldiers, on pretence of a Guard, to attend his Person, to whom he gave Command on a certain appointed Day, to kill him. But the Disposition of Gillus being well known to all, The Nurse, suspecting Treachery to be hatching against the Child, con∣veyed him secretly by Night into the Country of Argyle, and so she eluded Gillus, who ••ought, in vain, to find him out to destroy him; for she bred him up for some years privately in a Cave under Ground; whereupon ••he, in fury, put the Two elder Brothers of Ederus, and also their Guard, to Death. But it being publickly reported, That Ederus himself was conveyed into Ireland, he made no further en∣quiry after him. And yet his Cruelty rested not here, though he had slain the Nephews of Durstus; for not judging himself suffici∣ently

secure, as long as any one of the Royal Progeny was left alive, he caused all those of Kin or Alliance thereto, to be also put to Death. The Nobles, who were grieved at the present state of Affairs, which was bad at present, and fearing, that it would be worse, entred into a Combination against him, and carried the Matter with so much se∣cresie, that a War was begun against s 1.47 Gillus, before he had Notice, that any Preparations were making towards It. But, in Levying an Army against his Contrariants, he soon perceived, how incon∣stant the Fealty of Man is towards Wicked and Flagitious Princes. For there were very few, that came in to him at his Summons; and those that did, were Debauchees, such as were afraid of Peace, in regard of the Wickedness of their former Lives. And therefore di∣strusting his Forces, he left his Army, and in a Fisher-Boat was waf∣ted over into Ireland. In the mean time, the Scots, that they might not be without a Legal Government, made t 1.48 Cadvallus, chief of those who conbined against Gillus, their Vice-Roy, to whom, upon a Treaty, the Forces of his Enemies did submit, and were thereupon received into his Protection. When Cadvallus understood, that Gillus was about to renew the War, and in order thereto, was raising as many deboist Persons as he could, he resolved to prevent him before he could gather together a just Army, and so to pursue him whitherso∣ever he fled. First, he Sailed into the Aebudae, or Hebrides; there he caused Ederus, the only branch of the Family of Durstus yet alive, to be brought to him, and gave Order for his Liberal and Royal Education. When Gillus heard of his March, he retired again into Ireland; there he engaged the Clans of that Nation, with great promises of Reward, to endeavour his Restitution to his Kingdom; which, if they could effect, then he would give them the Aebudae Islands for their Reward. By these Promises, he gathered together a great Army; Cadvallus having prepared all things for his Trans∣portation, was suddainly called back, to clear himself from a false suspicion of affecting, or aspiring to, the Kingly Government.

Evenus II. The Fourteenth King.

IN which Case, the first thing he did, was, to take care, That Evenus, an eminent Person, the Son of Dovallus, Brother to King Finnanus, might by the Suffrages of the People be created King; who, having accepted the Government, caused all Places which were commodious for his Enemies, and especially the Maritime ones, to be filled with strong Garisons, that so his Enemies might not make a suddain descent into his Kingdom, without opposition; Gillus, hearing of this, did also alter his Resolution, and sailed to the Isle Ila; And there, having wasted the Country far and near, with Fire and Sword, he returned back into Ireland. Evenus sends a great Army thither, under the Command of Cadvallus, that so he might exhaust the Spring-head of the War. Neither did Gillus re∣fuse to fight him, but being forsaken of his Men, who followed him for Booty, rather than for Love, he changed his Apparel, and, with a small Company, fled into a neighbor Wood: The rest of his Army being thus deserted by their General, and their Fellow Sol∣diers

too, yielded to Cadvallus. After the Battel was ended, they sought a long time for Gillus, and at last found him in a blind Cave, where he was slain, the Third Year after he began his Reign, and his Head was brought to Cadvallus. Matters being thus happily set∣led in Ireland by u 1.49 Cadvallus, as he was returning home, he met not with the same Felicity; for being toss'd up and down with a grie∣vous Tempest, he lost the greatest part of his Army, and all the Prey they had gotten, which strook him into such a damp, that, not long after, he died u 1.50 of Grief, The King indeed, comforted him, (but all in vain,) and, praising his Valour and Success in the War, he cast all his Miseries upon the crosness of Fortune. The new King being lifted up with this Success, renewed a Peace with the Picts; and, in Confirmation thereof, he took to Wife the Daughter of Ge∣tus, the Third King of the Picts. But the suddain Arrival and Land∣ing of the x 1.51 Orkny-Men in Albium, quickly disturbed this publick Joy. But the King falling suddainly upon them, drove them out of the Field to the Mountains, and from thence to the Sea, and there being in a fright and hurry, whilst they crowded and hindred one another in endeavouring to Ship themselves, they were all slain, to a Man. Belus their King, despairing to obtain Quarter, slew himself. Evenus, having finished the War, returns to the work of Peace, and consti∣tutes two Mart-Towns for Trade in convenient Places, i. e. Ennerlochy and Ennerness, each of them receiving their Name from Rivers, gliding by them. For Enner, amongst the Ancient Scots, signifies a Place, whither Ships do usually resort. He subdued the Inhabitants of the Aebudae, who, by reason of their long Wars, were grown very Licentious and Quarrelsome. He reconciled their Ani∣mosities, and appeased their Disturbances, and soon after died, ha∣ving Reigned Seventeen years.

Ederus, the Fifteenth King.

EDERVS, the Son of Dochamus, was made King in his place, who whilst he was reaping the sweet Fruits of Peace establish'd both at home and abroad, and giving himself to the sport of Hun∣ting, (according to the ancient Custom of the Nation,) had News suddenly brought him, That one * 1.52 Bredius an * 1.53 Islander, of Kin to the Tyrant Gillus, was Landed with a great Navy of Souldiers, and plundered the Country: He presently gathered together a Tumul∣tuary Army against him, and marching as silently as he could in the Night, he passed by the Camp of his Enemies, and set upon their Ships in the Road, which by this suddain surprize, he easily maste∣red, and, killing the Guard, he burnt the Navy. In the Morning he led his Army against the Camp, which he easily took, finding the Souldiers negligent, and in no order at all, many were slain on the spot, whilst they delay'd either to Fight or Fly. The rest having their flight by Sea prevented, by the burning of their Ships, were there taken and Hanged. The Prey was restored to the Owners, that claimed them. A few years after, another of the kindred of Gillus, and out of the same Island too, raised the like Commotion, which had the same Event and Success; for his Army was overthrown, his

Fleet burnt, the Prey recovered back, and restored to the Right Owners. Thus having settled a firm Peace, being very old, he fell Sick and died in the Forty Eight year of his Reign.

Evenus III. the Sixteenth King.

EVENVS the Third Succeeded him, a Son unworthy of so Good a Father; for, not being contented with an Hundred Concu∣bines of the Noblest Families, he published his Filthiness and Shame to the World by Established Laws. For z 1.54 he enacted, That every Man might Marry as many Wives as he was able to maintain. And also, That before the Marriage of Noble Virgins, the King should have one Nights lodging with them; and the Nobles the like, before the Marriage of Plebeians: That the Wives of Plebeians should be common to the Nobility. Luxury, Cruelty and Covetousness did, (as they ordinarily do) attend and follow this his flagitious Wicked∣ness. For his Incomes and Revenues not answering his Expence, upon pretended Causes, the Wealthier sort were put to Death, and the King going snips with the Robbers, by that means Theives were never punished. And thus, the Favour which he had obtain'd from corrupt youth, by reason of his permission of Promiscuous Lust, he lost by his Cruelty and Rapaciousness. For, a Conspiracy of the Nobles being made against him, he soon perceived, that the Friend∣ship, and seeming Union of Wicked Men, is not to be relied upon. For, assoon as they came to Fight, he was Deserted by his Souldiers, and fell alive into his Enemies Hands, by whom he was cast into the common Jail. Cadallanus, who Succeeded him, demanding what Punishment he should have, he was Condemned to perpetual Im∣prisonment. But there, one or other of his Enemies, either out of some old Grudge for Injuries received from him; or else, hoping for Favour, or at least Impunity, for the Murder of the King, Strangled him by Night in the Prison, when he had Reigned Seven years. The Murderer was Hanged for his Labour.

* 1.55 Metellanus, the Seventeenth King.

METELLANVS, Kinsman to Ederus, Succeeded him in the Throne, a Prince no less dear to all for his excellent Virtues, than Evenus was hated by them for his flagitious Vices. He was migh∣tily Priz'd and Esteem'd for This, That during his Reign, there was Peace both at home and abroad. But it was some allay to his Hap∣piness, that he could not abrogate the Filthy Laws of Evenus, be∣ing hindred by his Nobility, who were too much addicted to Luxury. He deceased in the Thirtieth year of his Reign.

Caratacus, the Eighteenth King.

METELLANVS dying without Issue, the Kingdom was con∣ferred on Caratacus, Son of Cadallanus, a young Man of the Royal Blood. Assoon as he entred upon the Kingdom, he quieted the People of the Aebudae Islands, (who had raised Commotions up∣on

the Death of their last King,) but not without great Trouble. Yet here I a 1.56 cannot easily beleive what our Writers, following Oro∣sius, Eutropius, and Bede, do say, viz. That the Orcades were sub∣dued by Claudius Caesar in his Reign. Not, that I think it a very hard thing for him to attempt, one by one, a few Islands scatter'd up and down in the Stormy Sea, and having but a few, and those too unarmed, Inhabitants to defend them, and seeing they could not mutually help another, to take them all in; nor, that I think it in∣credible, That a Navy might be sent by Claudius on that Expedition, he being a Man that sought for War and Victory all the World over. But because Tacitus affirms, that, before the coming of Iulius Agri∣cola into Britain, that part thereof was utterly unknown to the Ro∣mans. Caratacus Reigned Twenty years.

Corbredus, the Nineteenth King.

CORBREDVS, his Brother, Succeeded him. He also subdued the Islanders in many Expeditions, a People, that almost in every Inter-Regnum, did affect Innovation, and raise up new Tu∣mults. He also quite suppress'd the Banditti, which most infested the Commonalty. Having settled Peace, he return'd to Albium, and making his Progress over all Scotland, he repaired the Places in∣jured by War, and departed this Life in the Eighteenth year of his Reign.

Dardanus, the Twentieth King.

THE Convention of Estates set up Dardannus, the Nephew of Metellanus, in his stead, passing by the Son of Corbredus, be∣cause of his young and tender years. No Man, before him, entred upon the Government, of whom greater Expectations were concei∣ved, and no Man did more egregiously deceive the Peoples Hopes. Before he undertook the chief Magistracy, he gave great Proof of his Liberality, Temperance and Fortitude. So that in the beginning of his Reign, he was an indifferent Good and Tolerable King, but he had scarce sat Three years on the Throne, before he ran head-long into all sorts of Wickedness. The Sober and Prudent Counsellors of his Father, he banish'd from his Court, because they were against his lewd Practices. Only Flatterers, and such as could invent new Pleasures, were his Bosom Friends. He caused b 1.57 Cardorus, his own Kinsman, to be put to Death, because he reproved him for his Ex∣travagance in Lawless Pleasures; and, yet he had been Lord Chief Justice and Chancellor too, under the former King. And a while after, many other Persons, as they did excel in Virtue, or in Wealth, were circumvented by him, by one wile or other, and so unjustly brought to their Ends. At last, to free himself from the Fears of a Successor, he took up a Resolution to destroy Corbredus Galdus, his Kinsman, with his Brothers, who were Royally Educated, in hopes of the Kingdom. The Charge of this Assassination was committed to Cormoracus, one of his Privado's. He being laden with many Gifts, but more Promises, was sent away to perpetrate the Villany;

but attempting it with less Caution than such a Butchery required, he was taken in the very Fact, by some of Galdus his Train, with a naked Fauchion in his Hand; being Arraigned and put to the Tor∣ture, he confessed the Author, and the designed order of the whole Conspiracy, and so was executed immediately. When this wicked Plot was divulged abroad, there was a general Combination of al∣most all sorts of People against the King, insomuch, that having slain many of those who were Panders to his Lust, as they could be found; at last they endeavoured to make their way to the King him∣self, the Source and Fountain of their Mischief. In the mean time, Conanus, one of the Kings Parasites, a Man meanly descended, but highly Respected and Trusted by his Master, levied some Troops, and had the Confidence to send them forth against the Nobles, but being forsaken of his Men, he was taken and Hang'd. The Commons, ha∣ving now got Galdus for their General, found out c 1.58 Dardanus, who was privately lurking to secure himself; while they were ap∣prehending of him he endeavour'd to lay violent Hands on himself, but being prevented, he was brought to Galdus, and immediately put to Death, his Head was carried up and down in Mockery, and his Body thrown into a Jakes, after he had Reigned Four years.

Corbred II, The Twenty First King.

COrbred, the Second, Sirnamed Galdus, succeeded him; a Prince equally dear to Lords and Commons, both upon the account, and early proof, of his own personal Virtue, and promising Ingenu∣ity, as for the Memory of his worthy Father. Some imagin, that he was That Galgacus, who is mentioned by Tacitus, and that he was Sirnamed Galdus by the Scots, because he had been educated amongst the Britains. For the Scots according to their Ancient Custom, call all Strangers Galds, or Galls; as the Germans call them Wals, as I shewed largely before. After he had undertook the Government, he increased the great Hopes which had been pre-conceived of him. For, making an Expedition into the Islands of Sky and Lewis, he quelled the Seditions, lately raised there, and suffered to come to an head, by the negligence of Dardanus, and that with a due and prudent mixture of Mercy and Severity. He slew the Cap∣tains of those Banditti; and enforced the rest, for fear of punishment, either voluntarily to banish themselves, or else, to return to their former rural Employments: He, as I believe, was the d 1.59 First of the Scotish Kings, that ever advanced his Ensigns, against the Romans, who had, by little and little, propagated their Empire, even to the very Borders. For Petitius Cerealis first broke the Forces of the Brigantes, and his Successor Iulius Frontinus conquered the * 1.60 Silures. 'Tis very probable, that the Scots and Picts sent Aid to those Nati∣ons, who were situate not far from their Borders. Iulius * 1.61 Agricola succeeded the former Generals, who having overcome the (* 1.62) Ordo∣v••ces, and reduced the Island Man, when he was come to the nar∣rowest part of Britain, thinking, that it was not far to the end of the Island, he was encouraged to the Conquest of it all. And therefore in the Third Year of his Generalship, he overcame

and plundered the neighboring Countries of the Scots and Picts, until he came to the River Tay; And thô his Army was much distressed by Tempest, yet he had time to build Forts in all places convenient for Defence, by which means he defeated the Designs of his Ene∣mies, and withal, brake their Force. For before, the Adverse party, being Men inured to hardship, what they lost in the Summer, would many times recover in Winter, when the Roman Legions were dispersed into Winter Quarters: And somtimes, they would assault, and take, their Enemies Castles and Garisons, being not suf∣ficiently fortified. But at that time, by the cunningness of Agrip∣pa in Building his Forts, and by his skill in making them defensible; and withal, by relieving them with his Forces, every Year; Their Arts were deluded. In the Fourth Year of his Government, per∣ceiving, that the Firths of Forth, and of Clyd, were seve∣red but by a small Tract of Land, having fortified that Place with Garisons, he spoiled the Countries bending to the Irish Sea. In his Fifth Year, he sent a Fleet to Sea, and made descents in many pla∣ces, and plundred the Maritime Coasts, fortifying those that look∣ed towards Ireland with Garisons, not only for that present occasion, but also, that he might from thence more easily transport an Army to that Country. By this prudence of Agricola, the Scots, and Picts, being shut up in a narrow Angle, and secluded from any commerce with the Britains, prepared themselves for the last shock and ran∣counter; Neither was * 1.63 Agricola less careful, but commanding his Navy to fetch a compass about, to discover the utmost parts of the Island; he led his Army beyond the Forth, and drew towards the Caledonians: There, their Enemies, being ready (as in a desperate Case) to run their last hazard, assaulted some of the Roman Gari∣sons, which struck such a Terror into them, that some of the Ro∣mans, as fearing, either the Number of their Enemies, or their Ob∣stinacy, by reason of their desperation, gave their advice to retreat with their Army, into a place of greater safety: But their General, being resolved to Fight, when he was informed, that the Enemy approached him in three distinct Brigades; he also drew towards them, having divided his Army into Three Squadrons also, which Project was almost his total Ruin. For his Enemies understanding his Design, did with their whole Army assault one of his Legions by night, and having killed the Sentinels, had almost taken his whole Camp: But being prevented by the coming in of other Legi∣ons, after they had fought desperately till Day light, at length, being put to flight, they returned into the Mountains and Woods. Those things were acted about the Eighth Year of his Expeditions. Both Parties prepare themselves, as for their last Encounter, against the next Spring: The Romans, as judging that the Victory would put an end to the War. And their Enemies looking upon their All to be at stake; and, that they were about to fight for their Liberty, Lives, and for whatsover is to be accounted Dear and Sa∣cred amongst Men: Hereupon, judging, that, in former Battels, they were overcome by Stratagem, rather than by Valour, they betook themselves to the higher Grounds, and, at the foot of Mount Grampius, waited for the coming of the Romans. There a bloody

Fight was begun betwixt them. The Victory was a great while ho∣vering, and uncertain; at last, all the valiant Men of the Caledo∣nians being slain, the rest having their Courage cooled, were forced to retreat to their Fastnesses. After this Battel, there was no doubt at all, but that Agrippa would have subdued all Britain, by the force of his conquering Arms, if he had not been called home by * 1.64 Domiti∣an, not for the Honour of his Victories, as was pretended, but for his Destruction and Death. After his departure, Sedition arose in the Roman Camp, and the Scots and Picts being glad of the occasi∣on, and somewhat encouraged thereby, began to creep out of their lurking Places; and perceiving, that the Romans had not a Gene∣ral, nor the same Camp-Discipline, as before; they sent Envoys up and down, to try the Inclination, not only of their own Country∣men, but of the Brittons also. Thus, in the first place, being im∣boldned by some small successful Skirmishes, they began to take heart, and to assault Garisons; and at last, with a formed Army they resolved to venture the hazard of a pitched Field. By this means, The Romans were expelled out of their Territories, and were forced, with doubtful success, to contend with the Britains for their ancient Province. Galdus having obtained respite from War, made his Pro∣gress all over the several Countries of the Land, and resetled the old Owners in their Habitations, which had been almost destroyed by the War; As for the Places which were wholly void, he sent his Soldiers to inhabit them. And having restrained the frequent Rob∣beries which were wont to be committed, he composed the diffe∣rences, which began to arise betwixt Him and the Picts. At length, in great Glory and Endearment, both with Friends and Foes, he de∣ceased, in the 35th Year of his Reign.

Luctacus, the Twenty Second King.

SO good a Father was succeeded by * 1.65 Luctacus, as bad a Son, who despising the Counsel of his Nobles, gave up himself wholly to Drinking and Whoring. No nearness of Alliance, no Re∣verence of the Laws, no respect of Nobility, or of Conjugal Rela∣tion, did restrain him from his vile lewdness with those Women which he had a Mind to. Moreover, He was inhumanly Cruel, and also unsatiably Covetous. The Soldiers and youthful Fry, which is still more inclinable to the worse, did easily degenerate into the Manners of their King. So that, at last, when he had defiled all, with Whoredom, Rapines and Slaughters, and no one Man durst oppose his exorbitant Power: An Assembly of the States being called to∣gether, and speaking freely concerning the State of the Kingdom, he Commanded the Nobles, as Seditious Persons, to be led out to Exe∣cution; but by the concourse of the intervening Multitude, both He, and also the loathed Ministers of his Lust and Lewdness were * 1.66 slain, when he had scarce finished the Third Year of his Reign. For the Honour had to his Father, his Body was allowed to be Bu∣ried amongst the Sepulchres of his Ancestors; but the Bodies of his Associats were cast out, as unworthy of any Burial at all.

Mogaldus, the Twenty Third King.

AFter him, a 1.67 Mogaldus was elected King, the Nephew of Galdus, by his Daughter: In the beginning of his Reign, he equalled the best of Kings; but, growing older, he was tainted with Vices, and easily degenerated into the Manners of his Uncle. When he first entred on the Government, that he might, with greater Faci∣lity, cure the vitious Practices committed by the former King, which did even contaminate the Publick Manners, he made Peace with his Neighbors, he restored the Ancient Ceremonies in Religi∣on, which had been carelesly neglected: He banished all Pimps of Lust, and Debauchery, from Court, and acted all things by the Ad∣vice of the Estates, according to the Ancient Custom; by which Deportment he procured to himself Love at home, and Reverence abroad. Having setled Matters at home, he turned his Mind to Warlike Affairs, and drove out the Romans from the Borders of his Kingdom; and, by his Auxiliaries, assisted the Picts against the In∣juries of the Romans: Yea, in some prosperous Battels, he so weak∣ned the Roman Power amongst the Britains, that They also were erected to some hopes of recovering their Liberty, and thereupon took up Arms in many places. And their hopes were encreased, be∣cause the Emperor Adrian had called back Severus, a fierce and skil∣ful Warrior, out of Britanny into Syria, to quell the Seditions of the Iews; so that b 1.68 Adrian himself, the Tumults more and more increa∣sing, was inforced to pass over from Gallia into Britain: But he, be∣ing a greater Lover of Peace than War, desired rather to maintain the Bounds of his Empire, than to enlarge them. Whereupon, when he came to York, and found the Country beyond it to be ha∣rassed by the War, he resolved to take a particular View of the De∣vastation, and so marched his Army to the River Tine; where be∣ing informed by the old Soldiers who had followed Agricola, almost to the utmost Bounds of Britanny, That there would be more Pains than Profit in Conquering the rest of the Island, he built a Wall and Trench for the space of Eighty Miles, between the Firths of the Ri∣vers Tine and Esk; and so excluded the Scots and P••cts from their Provincials; and having setled the State of the Province, be return∣ed back from whence he came. Here I cannot but take notice, that, seeing there yet remain divers Marks of this Wall, in many places, it is a wonder to me, that Bede did wholly omit to mention it; espe∣cially, since Aelius Spartianus hath taken notice of it, in the Life of Adrian; and also Herodian, in the Life of Severus. I cannot per∣suade my self, That Bede could be so mistaken, to think, as many yet do, That that Wall was not made by Adrian, but by Severus. This by the by.

Hereupon the Roman Province was quieted, the Excursions of their Neighbors were prevented, and Peace was observed between them, for a great while. The Britains did easily embrace it, and the Scots and Picts had thereby opportunity to divide the Neighboring Lands as a Prey, amongst themselves. But that Peace, besides the preju∣dice it did to the Body, by weakening its Vigor, through Sloth and

Idleness, did also enervate the Mind, by the Baits of Pleasure, which then began to tickle it: For hereby Mogaldus, till then Unconquered in War, forgetting the Glory of his Ancestors, ran headlong into all kind of Vice; and, besides other pernicious and foul Miscarriages, prejudicial to the Publick, he made a most unjust Law, c 1.69 That the States of such as were condemned should be forfeited to his Exchequer, no part thereof being allotted to their Wives or Children. This Law is yet observed and pleaded for, by the Officers of the King's Revenue, who are willing to gratifie his Lust, though they then did, and yet do, know, that it is an unjust and inhuman Institution. Mogaldus having thus made himself obnoxious and hateful to the Nobles and Commons too, being unable to resist their Combinations, with one or two of his Companions, sought to run from their Fury; but be∣fore he could execute his Project, he was taken, and d 1.70 slain, after he had Reigned 36 Years. This was done, about the Sixth Year of the Reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius.

Conarus, the Twenty Fourth King.

COnarus, his Son, succeeded him, who, from an ill Beginning, ended his wicked Reign with as unhappy a Conclusion: For, he was not only conscious and privy to, but also a partner in, the Conspiracy against his Father. But, to cover his Faults, in the be∣ginning of his Reign, a War did fall out very opportunely for him. For the Britains, having passed Adrian's Wall, took away great store of Men and Cattle. Whereupon, e 1.71 Conarus, by the Advice of his Council, joyning his Army with the Picts, they passed over Adrian's Wall in many places, and made great havock in the Bri∣tains Country; and at last, encountring their Enemy, a great and bloody Battel was fought betwixt Them, the Romans and Britains. The Slaughter was almost equal on both sides, which occasioned Peace between Them till the next Year: Yet, the Romans, because they were not Conquerors, looked upon themselves as, in a manner, Conquered. Whereupon, their own Forces being much lessened, and Adrian putting no great Confidence in the Britains, whom, he saw, to conceive some hopes of Liberty upon his Misfortunes, he sent for Aid from Antoninus Pius, laying the blame of the Violation of the Peace upon the Scots and Picts, and of the loss and slaughter of his Men, upon the Britains. f 1.72 Lollius Vrbicus was sent over Lieu∣tenant-General by the Emperor, who overcame his Enemy in a bloody Battel, and drove them beyond the Wall of Adrian, which he again repaired. Afterwards, there was a Cessation of Arms for many Years, as if a silent Truce had been made. For the Romans had Work enough to keep the Enemy from ravaging and plundering, and, for that end, their Camp was pitched on the Borders. And Conarus, who loved nothing in War, but the Licentiousness obtein∣ed thereby, made haste to return home, That he might imploy that Vacancy wholly to immerge himself in Pleasures: Whereupon, those Vices, which he had before concealed, on design to gain the Love of others, began now to appear bare-faced. And when, by this Dissi∣mulating Art, he judged the Kingdom sure to him, what his Ance∣stors

had gotten by great Pains and Labour, he did as profusely spend, on his own Lusts and Pleasures; insomuch, that, in a very short time, he was reduced to great want. So that, convening an Assembly of the Estates, he made a long and plausible Oration of the Grandeur and Magnificence which was necessary for Kings; and complained of the Lowness of his g 1.73 Exchequer. Thus covering his Vices under the cleanly Names of Gallantry and Magnificence; and he was also an earnest Suitor, That a Valuation of every Mans Estate should be made, and a proportionable Tax imposed on each Indivi∣dual. This Speech was unacceptable to all that heard it, whose An∣swer was, That the Matter was of more Moment than to be deter∣mined on a sudden: Whereupon, the Estates, having obtained a short time for Consultation, upon asking every particular Mans O∣pinion, they soon found, That this new Device of demanding such a vast Sum of Money, did not proceed from the Nobles, h 1.74 but from some Court-Parasites; whereupon, they Voted, That the King should be kept Prisoner, as unfit to Reign; until, upon his Abjura∣tion of the Government, they did substitute another. When they met the next Day, he, who was first demanded to give his Vote, made a sharp Speech and Invective against the Life of the former King, saying, That Bawds, Parasites, Minstrels, and Troops of Harlots, were not fit Instruments for Kings and Kingdoms, as being useless in War, and troublesom in Peace; besides, they were costly and full of Infamy and Disgrace. He added, The Complaint was false, That the King's Revenue and Incom were not sufficient for his Ex∣pence; for a great many of their former Kings, who were famous Warriors, and formidable to their Enemies, had lived Nobly and Splendidly upon it, in time of Peace. But if any Prince be of Opi∣nion, That the Publick Revenue was too short, then, said he, let a Supplement be made, not out of the Subjects Purse, but out of his own Domestick Parsimony. He further added, That the Measure of Expence was not to be taken from the Lust and Exorbitant De∣sires of Men, which were infinite, but from the Ability of the Peo∣ple, and the Real Necessities of Nature. And therefore it was his Opinion, That those Villains, upon whom the Publick Patrimony was conferred, and for whose sake the King had undone so many Worthy Persons of good Rank and Quality, by despoiling them of their Estates, and putting them to Death, should be compelled to refund That to the Lawful Owners, which, by their Flatteries, they had unjustly robbed them of; and that also they should be further punished, to boot. In the mean time, he advised, that the King should be kept a Prisoner, till they could substitute another, that would not only inure himself to Thrift, but also teach others, by his Example, to live hardly and parsimoniously, as his Forefathers had done, that so the strict Discipline, received from our Ancestors, might be trans∣mitted to Posterity.

This Speech, as it was sharp enough of it self, so it seemed more cutting to those, who had Velvet Ears, and were unaccustomed to hear such free and bold Discourses, before. Neither did the King endeavour to allay the Heats of his People, by fair and gentle Words,

but rather, by fierce and minatory Expressions, which did more vehemently inflame and provoke them; so that, amidst these Quar∣rellings and Altercations, a Tumult arising, some that were next the King, i 1.75 laid Hands on him, and thrust him, with some few others, into a Cave, under-ground. Those Courtiers, who had been the Authors of such wicked Counsels, were presently put to Death; and, lest any Tumult of the Mobile should arise upon this Dissolution of the Bonds of Government, One k 1.76 Argadus, a Nobleman, was made Vice-Roy, till the People could conveniently meet, to set up a New King. He, though, in the beginning of his Administration, he set∣led all things with great Equity, and thereby had procured much Commendation by his moderate Deportment; yet, his Mind being corrupted by Prosperity, he soon lost all the Credit of his former praise-worthy Life. For he cherished Home-bred Seditions,* 1.77 and strengthened his Authority by External Aid, having such great Fa∣miliarity with the chief of the Picts, that he took a Wife from amongst them, and gave his Daughters to them, in Marriage; by which practice, it soon appeared, that he aspired to the Crown. These things being laid to his Charge in a Publick Assembly, where∣in he was much blamed for his so sudden Degeneration and Aposta∣cy, he was altogether ashamed, and knowing them to be True, he brake forth into Tears; and as soon as his Weeping gave him liberty to speak, being unable to purge himself from the Objected Crimes,* 1.78 he craved Mercy, and humbly deprecated the punishment of his Of∣fences; Which, said he, if I can obtain, I will recompense, and make amends for my Errors in Government, by my future Care, Industry and Valour. These things he humbly supplicated upon his Knees, so that the Anger of the Nobles being now turned into Pity, they lifted him up from the Ground, and ordered him to continue in the Government, remitting his own Punishment to himself. As for Them, they were well enough satisfied, if he did now truly and heartily repent of what he had done amiss heretofore. From that Day forward, Argadus as∣sembled the Wisest Men of the whole Kingdom about him, and act∣ed nothing but by their Advice; yea, during the l 1.79 Remainder of his Magistracy, he Enacted many Laws for the Good of the Publick; of which This was the chief; That he restrained the Arbitrariness of Provincial Judges, and forbad them to give Sentence against all Of∣fenders, alike; but to have respect to alleviating Circumstances, where any such were. He either restrained, or put to Death, Flagi∣tious Persons, and amended the Publick Manners, which had been corrupted by a long course of Licentiousness, not only by inflicting Legal Punishments on Transgressors of the Laws, but by affording them the Leading Example of his own Regular Life. Whilst these things were acting, Conarus, partly afflicted with Grief, and partly worn out by Diseases, ended his filthy and ignominious Life in Pri∣son, in the Fourteenth Year of his Reign.

Ethodius, the Twenty Fifth King.

EThodius was set up in his stead, Mogaldus's Sisters Son; He im∣mediately convened the Estates, and thereupon highly extol∣led Argadus, and after he had bestowed on him great Honours, and large Rewards, he made him Plenipotentiary, under him, for the Administration of the Government; when he had made his Pro∣gress to view all the Counties and Parts of his Dominions, accord∣ing to Custom, he Sailed over to the Aebudae Islands; Argadus was sent by him to quell the Disturbers of the Publick Peace; who soon sup∣pressed them, and brought them Prisoners to the King. These Com∣bustions thus appeased, he returned into Albium; but the Islanders being freed by his absence, from their present Fear; and further, being persuaded by false Reports, spread abroad, That he was en∣gaged in a Foreign War; and besides, being provoked, rather than suppressed, by the punishment of their Associats, began to raise new Tumults. m 1.80 Argadus was again sent to suppress them, but they, being assisted both by the Picts and Irish, gave him Battel, with∣out any delay, in which Fight, Argadus himself, being circumvent∣ed by Treachery, was slain: That Blow made the King lay aside all other Business, and to march thither himself; where he so wasted them, with some light occasional Skirmishes, and by his frequent Alarms and Inroads upon them, that, being inferior to him in Force, they retired into a Valley, encompassed on all sides with craggy Rocks, having only one Passage leading into it, that so, the Con∣veniencie of the Place, as they thought, might somewhat contribute to their Safety. n 1.81 Ethodius, perceiving the disadvantage of the Place for his Enemy, disposed of his Guards in fit Avenues; and also made a Wall and a Graft at the mouth of the Passage; by which means they were brought to that extreme Penury of all things, that they were forced to yield up themselves to the King, at discretion. They were willing to accept of any Conditions; but the King gave them only These; That Two hundred of them, such as the King should cull out, with their General, should be surrendred up to him; The rest should eve∣ry Man return to his own home. The Punishment of those, who were thus given up, being presently inflicted on them, had almost raised up a new Sedition; For the common Soldiers were so enraged at so terrible a Spectacle, that, for want of Arms, they threw Stones at the King's Officers. Neither was their tumultuous Fury allay∣ed, without much Bloodshed. Thus Ethodius, having setled Peace every where, in order to the Administration of Justice, made his Progress over all his Kingdom, much delighting himself in Hunting by the way, so that he made many o 1.82 Venary Laws, of which, a great part are observed to this very day. He had an Irish Musician or p 1.83 Harper, lying all night in his Bed-chamber, (accor∣ding to the Custom of the Scotish Nobility) by whom he was slain in the night, in revenge of a Kinsman of his, whom, he said, the King had put to Death. When he was led forth to Execution, he was so unconcerned at his Torture, that he seemed to be very glad, as if he had done but his Duty, and acted his Part with applause.

Satrael, The Twenty Sixth King.

ETHODIVS being thus slain, when he had Reigned Three and Thirty years, and his Son being not of Age, fit to Govern, his Brother Satrael was elected King; this Man being of a naughty, yet cunning, Disposition, endeavoured to establish the Kingdom in his own Family, and so to destroy the Sons of Ethodius: In order where∣unto, those Nobles, who were most dear to Ethodius, were, by Ca∣lumnies purposely devised, suppressed and slain by him. Afterwards, because the Commons did much regret the slaughter of their Nobles, he began to oppress them also; which matter, in a little time, did so increase the Hatred conceived against him, and so diminish his Authority, that Tumults and Seditions did thereupon arise. He durst not go forth to suppress them, because, he knew, he lay under a pub∣lick Odium, so that he was sculkingly q 1.84 slain at home by his own Men, in the Night, when he had Reigned Four years.

Donaldus I. The Twenty Seventh King.

r 1.85 DONALDVS, another Brother of Ethodius, was set up in his Room, who equalled, yea, exceeded, the Vices of Satrael, by as great, and as many contrary Virtues, his Clemency joyned with his Love of Equity, did much enhaunce the price of his other Excellencies. He, by the terrour and weight of his Authority, and also, by present Punishments inflicted, quelled all intestine Commo∣tions; and rightly conceiving, that the Souldiery, who were before wanton and idle, and spoiled by Luxury, might be made more ready to resist an Enemy, he caused a Muster to be made of them, and so accustomed them to Training and Exercising their Arms, and Mili∣tary Discipline, that, in a short time, the new-listed Tyroe's did equal the Valour of the Veterans, and old Souldiers. The Peace which he had abroad, did much forward this his design. For, the Roman Legions, some few years before, made a Mutiny in Britanny, as de∣siring any other General, rather than Commodus, and especially s 1.86 Aelius Pertinax, who was sent to suppress them; so, that leaving the Scots and Picts, they turned the whole stress of the War upon themselves. It was also a further advantage to him, in order to a Peace, that t 1.87 Donaldus had, first of all the Scotish Kings, embraced the Christian Religion; yet, neither he, nor some other of the suc∣ceeding Kings, though a great part of the Nobility did favour the design, could wholly extirpate the old Heathenish Rites and Cere∣monies. But the Expedition of u 1.88 Severus the Emperor, falling out in his time, did mightily disturb all his Measures, both Publick and Private. For Severus, being very skilful in Military Affairs, brought so many Forces into Britain, in hopes to conquer the whole Island, as never any Roman General had done before him. There were also other Causes for this Expedition of his, as, the corrupt Life of his Sons, by reason of the Vices reigning in Rome; and the Effeminacy of his Army, occasioned by sloath and lying still: To remedy these mischiefs, he thought it best to put them upon Action. Upon his Ar∣rival, the private Tumults, which were about to break forth, were suppressed, and the Scots and Picts, leaving the Counties near the

Enemy, retreated to Places of greater safety, and more difficult Access. Severus, that he might, once for all, put an end to the British Wars, led his Army through all the waste places, deserted by their Inhabi∣tants, against the Caledonians. Though his Enemy did not dare to give him Battel in the Field, he was much incommoded by the Cold∣ness of the Country, and underwent a great deal of Trouble, to cut down Woods, to level Hills, and to throw vast heaps of Earth into the Marish Grounds, and also to erect Bridges over Rivers, to make a passage for his Army. In the mean time, the Enemy despair∣ing of success, if they should Fight so great a Multitude in a pitch'd Battel, did here and there leave Herds of their Cattle, on purpose, as a Prey to them, that so they might stop the Romans, who, in hopes of such Booties, were inticed to stray far from their Camp: And, indeed, the Romans, besides those, that being thus dispersed, were taken in the Ambushes laid for them, were also much preju∣diced by continual Rains; and, being wearied with long Marches, and so not able to follow, were in many places slain by their own Fellows, that so they might not fall alive into the Hands of their Enemies. Yet, notwithstanding, though they had lost 50000 of their Souldiers, (as Dion writes) they did not desist from their En∣terprize, till they had pierced even to the End and extream Bounds of the Island. As for Severus himself, though he was Sick, during this whole Expedition, and thereupon was fain to be carried in a covered Horse-Litter; yet, by his incredible Obstinacy and Perse∣verance, he made his Enemies to accept of Conditions of Peace, and to yield up to him no small part of their Country. He * 1.89 built a Wall, as a Mound to the Roman Empire, between the Fi••ths of Forth and Clyd; where Agricola, before him, had also determined to bound their Province. That Wall, where it toucheth the River Carron, had a Garison thereon, so situate, and the Ways and Passages so laid out, that it was like a small City; which, some of our Country-Men, though mistakingly, do think to be Maldon. But it is more probable, that This was the City which Bede calls Guidi. A few years before the Writing hereof, some footsteps of Trenches, Walls, and Streets did appear; neither yet are all the Walls so demolished, but that they discover themselves visibly in many places; and when the Earth is a little digg'd up, square Stones are quarried out, which the owners of the Neighbouring Countries use in Building their Houses. Yea, sometimes, Stones with Inscriptions on them are found, which shew, that it was a Roman Pile of Building. Those Words of Aelius Spartianus do shew the Grandeur of this Structure. He strengthened Britain (says he) with a Wall, drawn Cross-ways, or, Thwart the Island, from Sea to Sea, which is the greatest Ornament of his Empire. By which Words, he seems to intimate, That it was not a Trench, as Bede would have it, but a Wall; especially, since he gives such a Commendation to a Work, which is shorter by half than Adrian's Wall. Yea, this Fortificati••n, where it is least distant, yet is Eighty Miles off from the Wall of Adrian. There are also other Indications of that Peace, if I mistake not. For, a little below that ••arison, of which I have spoken, there is a round Edifice on the opposite side of the River Carron, made of square Stones, heap∣ed

on one another, without Lime or Mortar. 'Tis no bigger than a small Pidgeon-House; the Top of it is open, but the other Parts are whole, save, that the upper Lintel of the Door, wherein the Name of the Builder, and Work, is thought to have been inscrib∣ed, was taken away by Edward the First, King of England; who did also invidiously deface all the rest of the old Scotish Monuments, as much as ever he could; some think, and have Written accordingly, that That Structure was the Temple of Claudius Casar. But my Conjecture is rather, That it was the Temple of the Heathen God y 1.90 Terminus. There were also, on the left Bank of the same River, two Hillocks, or, Barrows of Earth, raised (as it sufficiently ap∣pears,) by the Hands of Men. A great part of the lesser one, which inclines more to the West, is swept away by the Washing and Over-Flowings of the River; the Neighbouring Inhabitants call them yet z 1.91 Duni Pacis. So that Peace being again procured by this Division of the Island, and all Matters being in a sort accommodated, Do∣naldus departed this Life, having Reigned One and Twenty years.

Ethodius II. The Twenty Eighth King.

ETHODIVS the Second, Son of the former Ethodius, was sub∣stituted in his Room, a Man almost stupid. This is certain, he was of a more languid and soft Disposition, than was fit to have the Government of such a Feirce and Warlike People conferred upon him; which being taken notice of, the Nobles, in a Convention, bore that Reverence to the Progeny of King Fergus, that they left the Name of King to Ethodius, as sloathful as he was; but yet, not guilty of any Notorious Wickedness; but set Deputies over all the Provinces, to administer Justice therein, whose Moderation and Equity did so regulate Matters, that Scotland was never in a quieter State. For, they did not only punish Offenders, but also made the immoderate Covetousness of the King to be no burden to the Peo∣ple. This King in the Twenty first year of his Reign, was a 1.92 slain in a Tumult of his own Officers.

Athirco, The Twenty Ninth King.

ATHIRCO, his Son, manifesting greater Ingenuity than is usu∣ally found in such an Youthful Age, was therefore made King: For, by his Manly Exercises in Riding, throwing the Dart, and vy∣ing with his young Courtiers in Feats of Arms; as also, by his Boun∣ty and Courteous Demeanor, he won to himself the Love of all. But his Vices increasing with his Age, by his profound Avarice, Peevishness, Luxury and Sloath, he so alienated the Minds of Good Men from him, that the more the Sons were delighted with his Ne∣farious Practices, the more their Fathers were offended thereat. At last, a Conspiracy of the Nobles was formed against him, occasioned by one Nathalocus, a Nobleman, whose Daughters, being first de∣flowred by him, and then ignominiously beaten with Rods, he pro∣stituted to the Lust of those Ruffians, that were about him. He en∣deavoured to defend himself against them, but perceiving he had not

Force enough so to do, being also forsaken by his Domesticks, who detested his lewd Practices, he laid b 1.93 violent Hands on himself, in the Twelfth year of his Reign. After his Death c 1.94 Dorus, either because he was his Brother, or, else had been a Pander to his Lust, fearing lest the Nobles, in the heat of their Provocation, should ex∣ercise their Rage upon all the Kings Lineage, saved himself by flight, with his Brothers Three small Children, Findocus, Carantius and Donaldus. Neither was he mistaken in his Opinion; for Nathalo∣cus, who had receiued so signal an Injury, not contented with Dorus his Exile, suborned Emissaries to kill him, and his Brothers Chil∣dren too; who, coming to the Picts, (for the Royal Youths had chosen the Place of their Banishment amongst them) and lighting upon one very like Dorus, in Stature and Physiognomy, they slew him, instead of Dorus himself.

Nathalocus, The Thirtieth King.

NAthalocus, thinking, that he had slain Him, who stood most in his way, was, the First of all the Scots that ambitiously sought for the Kingdom. 'Tis true, a great part of the Nobility were a∣gainst Him; yet, by means of those whom he had corrupted by Pro∣mises and Bribes, he carried the Point, and was made King. Neither did he manage the Kingdom any better than he got it. For sus∣pecting the Nobility, which, in the Parliaments of the Kingdom, he had found to be adverse to him, he Governed all by the Ministry of Plebejans, whom Audaciousness and Penury (he knew) would ea∣sily incline to any wickedness. Besides those Suspicions I have men∣tioned, he was encountred with a far more grievous one; for, inter∣cepting Letters directed to some of the Chief Nobles, he understood by them, That Dorus, and the Children of Athirco, were yet alive, and were brought up amongst the Picts, in hopes of the Kingdom. To avoid this Danger, he sent for those Nobles, whom he most sus∣pected, to come to him, pretending he had need of their Advice, in the Publick Affairs of the Kingdom. When d 1.95 they were assem∣bled, he shut them all up in Prison, and, the very next night, caused them all to be strangled. But, that which he hoped would be a Remedy to his Fears, was, but as a Firebrand to raise up another Conspiracy. For the Friends of those who were slain, being afraid of themselves, as well as grieving for the loss of their Relations and Kindred, unanimously take up Arms against him. Whilst he was raising an Army to oppose them, he was slain by one of his own Domesticks, about the Twelfth Year of his Reign. Some of our Country-men do add a Tale in the Case, which is more handsom∣ly Contrived, than likely to be True. That the very Man, who slew the King, had been before sent by him to Southsayers, to en∣quire concerning the King, his Victories, his Life, and Kingdom; And that an old Wizard should answer him, That the King should not live long, but his Danger would arise, not from his Enemies, but from his Domesticks; And when he pressed the Woman, From which of them? She replyed, Even, from thy Self, Man. Whereupon, he cur∣sed the Woman; yet returning home in a great Quandary, he

thought with himself, That the Womans Answer could not be con∣cealed; and yet it was not safe for him to declare it, lest he should render himself suspected to the King, who was a depraved Person and guided wholly by his own Fears. And therefore it seemed to him, the safest Course to kill the Tyrant with the Favour of many, than to preserve him alive, with the extreme hazard of his own Life. Presently after he returned home, having obtained Liberty of pri∣vate Access, to declare the secret Answer of the Oracle, or Con∣jurer, e 1.96 he slew the King, now entring upon the Twelfth Year of his Reign; and so freed his Country from Bondage, and himself from Danger.

Findochus, The Thirtieth First King.

WHen the last King's Death was publickly known, the Sons of Athirco were recalled home. Findochus, besides his being of the Royal Family, was also endued with many blandishments of Nature, being very beautiful, tall of Stature, in the flower of his Age; and besides, being rendred yet more acceptable, for the affli∣ctions he had suffered, he was chosen King. Neither did he deceive Mens expectations; For in his ordinary deportment, he was very Courteous; in administring of Justice, Equal, and Impartial; and a Conscientious Performer of all his Promises. But Donaldus, the Islander, being weary of Peace, Sailed over with a numerous Army into Albium; and making havock of the Villages where he came, returned home with a great Booty. His Pretension for the War, was, the revenge of the Death of King Nathalocus;f 1.97 Findochus speedi∣ly listed an Army against him, and transporting them into the Island, he overthrew Donaldus in Battel, and forced him to fly for Refuge to his Ships; many were slain in the Fight, and many were drown∣ed, whilst they endeavoured, in an hurry, to get a Shipboard. Do∣naldus himself being taken into the Boat, endeavouring to escape, the Boat sunk, by reason of the Multitude of those, who overladed it, and so he was drowned. Notwithstanding, the Islanders, not disheartned with this overthrow, after the departure of the King, sent for Forces out of Ireland, and renewed the War, making Donaldus his Son, their General, in the room of his Father; under whom they again made a Descent into the Continent, and drove away much Booty. Whereupon Findochus again wafted over his Forces into the Aebudae Isles, and marching over all the Islands, ex∣ecuted severe Punishment on the Plunderers; and overthrowing the Forts, into which they were wont to fly, he made such a slaughter of the Men, and carried away so much Prey, That he left many of the Islands almost desolate: Upon Findochus his return, Donaldus, who had fled for safety into Ireland, returned from thence, and en∣deavouring to recruit his Armies, he found his Forces so weakened, that he left off the Thoughts of managing an open War, and resol∣ved to betake himself to Guile and Stratagem. And in prosecution of that Design, not daring to trust the King, thô he had given him the Publick Faith for his Security; he sent Two of his Friends, Per∣sons both bold and crafty, as with a secret Message, to Him. They,

coming to Findochus, and boasting of their Lineage, and Descent, and withal, grievously complaining of the wrongs they had recei∣ved from Donaldus; yet could not induce the King to believe them: Whereupon, they applyed themselves to g 1.98 Carantius his Brother, a shallow-pated and ambitious Person: Being admitted into an inti∣mate Familiarity with him, and, by his means, being made ac∣quainted with the secret Affairs of the State and Commonwealth; having found out his Disposition, they were at last so bold, as to tell him, They were sent over to kill the King. He hearing this, looked upon the Kingdom as gotten by other Mens wickedness and danger, now sure to himself, did therefore shew them all the Coun∣tenance and Favour imaginable. Whereupon, all things were pre∣pared for the Perpetration of the designed Murder; whilst the King was hearing one of them, relating the various Adventures of his Life; and the rest were busy in running to see a wild Beast of an ex∣traordinary bigness, the other thrust him through the Breast with an Hunting Spear, and so slew him. Upon the committing of which horrible Fact, there was a great Hubbub and Concourse of People; some take up their dying King; others persue the Murderers, who were taken, and deservedly executed; yet they were not put to Death before they had been Rackt, and by that means they con∣fest the Design of Donaldus, and the wickedness of Carantius, who had withdrawn himself to dissemble the Matter. This Carantius first sled to the Brittons; but they hearing of the cause of his Ba∣nishment, did detest so execrable a Guest; whereupon he went to the Roman Camp.

Donaldus II, The Thirty Second King.

THE best of Men, as well as of Kings, being thus slain, by the detestable Treachery of his Brother, in the Eleventh Year of his Reign; h 1.99 Donaldus, the youngest of his Three Brothers, was set up King in his stead. He, whilst he was preparing to Revenge his Brothers Death▪ Word was brought him, that Donaldus the Islan∣der had entred Murray, not now carrying himself as a Robber, but as a King. Whereupon, He, with a few of his Soldiers, which were near at hand (having left a Command for the rest to follow) marches directly towards the Enemy. Donaldus being informed by his Spies, That the King had but a small Force with him, conti∣nued his March Day and Night, and by that means prevented the news of his approach. The King being thus surprized, seeing he could not avoid Fighting, performed more than could have been ex∣pected from so small a Number, but, at length, was overcome by the multitude of his Enemies; and being grievously wounded, with Thirty more of the prime of his Nobility, was taken Prisoner; about 3000 Men were slain in the Fight, and 2000 taken. The King dyed within Three days; either of his Wounds, or for Grief of his overthrow, having scarce Reigned One full Year.

Donaldus III. The Thirty Third King.

AFter his Death, i 1.100 Donald the Islander, who before, without any Authority, had assumed the Name of King, did now ma∣nage all things as a Legitimate Prince; being advantaged much by the fear of the Nobles, who (left their Kinsmen, who were p••iso∣ners with him, should be slain, which Donaldus did daily threaten to do) durst not make any Insurrections against him. He was a ve∣ry Tyrant in his Government, and Cruel to all his Subjects; for he was not content, by an Edict, to forbid any others to bear Arms, but his own Servants and Officers too; and also he hurried the No∣bility to violent Deaths, whose Destruction he esteemed to be the establishment of his Government: Yea, He proceeded to sow Seeds of Discord amongst those who survived his Cruelty; neither did he think any Sight more lovely, than the mutual slaughter of his Sub∣jects. For he counted their Ruin was his Gain, and judged himself to be freed of so many Enemies as were slain, out of both Armies. Neither was he afraid of any thing more, than the union of his Sub∣jects against him. Hereupon, he kept himself commonly within the Verge of his own Palace, and being conscious of the wrong he had done to all, as Fearful of them, and Formidable to them, he seldom went abroad. These Miseries c••ntinuing Twelve Years, at length, Crathilinthus, the Son of King Find••chus, with much ado, was found out, to revenge the publick Wrongs and Calamities: He had been bred up privately with his Foster-Father, and was thought to have been dead. But having few about him, equal to him in strength or cunning, dissembling his Name and his Lineage; he first apply∣ed himself to Court, and being received into near Familiarity by the King, by the dexterity of his Wit, he became his most intimate and greatest Favourite. At last, when all things succeeded accord∣ing to his Desire; he discover'd to a few of his Confidents, Who he was, and What he designed; and gathering a small Party about him, having got a convenient opportunity, he slew * 1.101 Donaldus, and departed privately with his Associates.

Crathilinthus, The Thirty Fourth King.

WHen the Death of the Tyrant was divulged, both the Fact itself, and the Authors thereof too, were entertained with a general Acclamation; so that Crathilinthus, upon the discovery and legal proof of his Stock, was made King, with more Unanimi∣ty and Applause, than ever any King had been before him; in re∣gard he had been the Author, not only of their Liberty, but of their Safety too. At the beginning of his Reign, by Publick Con∣sent, he caused the Children and Kindred of the Tyrant to be put to death, as if he would extirpate Tyranny from the very Root. Afterwards, he made a * 1.102 Progress over all his Kingdom, to Ad∣minister Justice, as accustomed; he repaired, as carefully as he could, what was damaged by Donaldus. Thus having established Peace at home and abroad, after the Custom of the Nation, he spent his

time in Hunting. In order to which Exercise, being on Mount Gram∣pius, near the Borders of the Picts, he Nobly entertained the young Gallants of the Picts that came to visit him; yea, he was not con∣tent with that Friendship, that had been anciently betwixt them, grounded on old Acquaintance, and strengthened by a mutual Peace, but he took them also into a nearer Courtship and Familiarity. But that Familiarity had almost proved his ruin. For the Picts, having stoln a Dog of the Scotish Kings, wherein he much delighted, the Keeper, having discovered the Place where he was conceal∣ed, in going thereto, and endeavouring to bring him back, was slain: Hereupon a great Outcry was presently made, and a Multi∣tude of both Parties were gathered together, between whom there was a sharp Combat, wherein many were slain, on both sides; a∣mongst whom, there were not a few of the young Nobility of both Nations; by which means, there were sown the Seeds of a most Cruel War m 1.103 betwixt them. For, from that Day forward, each Nation did vex the other with Hostile Incursions, and never gave over till they met together with full Armies: Neither could Peace be made up between them upon any Terms, though both Kings desired it. For although they were not ignorant, that it was to their Dis∣advantage to be at odds one another, the Romans and Brittons being their perpetual Enemies and Assailants; yet they were so madded by, and so set upon, the Desire of Revenge, that, whilst they were eager on that account, they neglected the Publick Calamity, im∣pending on them both; and unless * 1.104 Carantius, a Roman Exile, one of mean Descent, but a good Soldier, had interposed, they had fought it out to the last Man, even till both Nations had been destroyed. This Carantius, being sent to the Sea-Coasts of Bologn•• by Dioclesian, to defend Belgick Armorica from the Incursions of the Francs and Saxons, after he had taken many of the Barbarians, yet would nei∣ther restore the Prey to the Provincials, the Right Owners, nor yet send them to the Emperor; hereupon a suspicion arose, that he pur∣posely allowed the Barbarians to plunder, that so he might rob them at their return, and thereby enrich himself with the Spoil. For this Reason Maximianus commanded him to be slain; but he, taking Au∣thority upon him, seized upon Britany; and to strengthen his Party against * 1.105 Bassianus, the Roman Lieutenant-General, he reconciled the Discords betwixt the Scots and Picts, and entred into a firm League and Alliance with them Both. The Romans made many Attempts against him, but, by his Skill in Military Affairs, he defeated all their Designs: After he had restored the Scots and Picts into the pos∣session of those Lands, which they formerly held, he was slain by his Companion Allectus, after he had Reigned seven Years. Allectus, ha∣ving Reigned three Years, was slain by * 1.106 Asclepiodotus; and thus Bri∣tanny was restored to the Romans, in the Twelfth Year after its Re∣volt. But neither Asclepiodotus, nor, he who succeeded him, * 1.107 Con∣stantinus Chlorus, did any memorable thing in Britain; but that this later begat Constantin, afterwards Emperor, on Helena his Concu∣••bne. Amidst these Transactions, Crathilinthus died, after he had Reiigned 24 years.

Fincormachus, The Thirty Fifth King.

FIncormachus, his Cousin-German succeeded him, who perform'd many excellent Exploits against the Romans, by the aid of the Britains and Picts; Yea, some Battels he fought them without any Auxiliaries at all. At length, when the Romans were weakned by their Civil Wars at home, and perpetual molestations abroad, Matters being a little quieted, the Scots were also glad to embrace Peace: Who, being thus freed from external cares, did principally endea∣vour to promote the Christian Religion; they took this occasion to do it, because many of the British Christians, being afraid of the cruelty of Dioclesian, had fled to them: Amongst which sun∣dry, eminent for Learning and Integrity of Life, made their aboad in Scotland, where they led a solitary Life, with such an univer∣sal Opinion of their Sanctity, that, when they died, their Cells were changed into Temples or Kirks. From hence, the Custom arose af∣terwards, amongst the Ancient Scots, to call Temples, Cells. This s••rt of Monks were called q 1.108 Culdees, whose Name and Order conti∣nued, till a later sort of Monks, divided into many Sects, did ex∣pel them: Yet, these last were as far inferiour to the former, in Learning and Piety; as they did exceed them in Wealth, in Cere∣monies, and in Pomp of outward Worship, whereby they please the Eye but infatuate the Mind.

Fincormachus, having settled affairs in Scotland, with great equi∣ty, and reduced his Subjects to a more civil kind of Life, departed this Life, in the 47th Year of his Reign.

Romachus, The Thirty Sixth King.

AFter his Death, there was a great contest about the Kingdom, between Three Cousin-Germans, begot by the Three Brothers of Crathilinthus, their Names were r 1.109 Romachus, Fethelmachus, and Augusianus, or rather Aen••anus. Romachus's Plea, was, that his Fa∣ther was the Eldest of the Three Brothers of Crathilinthus, and that his Mother was descended from the Blood-Royal of the Picts; as also, that he himself was of a stirring Disposition; and likely to procure Friends and Allys.

That which made for Augusianus, was, his Age and Experience in the World, as also his admirable Deportment; to which was ad∣ded the Favour of the People; and that which was the principal of all, Fethelmachus, who was, before, his Competitor, now voted for him. By reason of this Sedition, the matter being like to be decided by Arms, nothing could be concluded in the First Conven∣tion of the Estates, but That being dissolved, the whole Kingdom was divided into Two Factions; and Romachus, who was least in the favour of the People, called in the Picts Militia, for his assistance, that so he might strengthen himself by Foreign Aid.

Augusianus, being informed, that Ambushes were laid for him, judged it better, once for all, to try the shock of a Battel, than to live in perpetual solicitude and fear: Whereupon, gathering his

Party into a body, he fought with Romachus, but, being overcome by Him, He and Fethelmachus fled together into the Aebudae Islands.

But perceiving, he could not be safe there, because, on the ac∣count of his Victory, he was formidable to the Heads of the Factions, and that he was also amongst a people, naturally venal, and cor∣rupted by the promises of Romachus, he fled into Ireland with his Friends. s 1.110 Romachus, having thus removed his Rival, and ob∣tained the Kingdom rather by force than the good will of the Peo∣ple, did exercise his Power very cruelly over his Enemies; and, to put a pretence of Law on the matter, when he went about the Country to keep Assizes, he took no Counsel of others, as was ac∣customed, but assumed all Capital causes to his own Arbitrement, so that he made great Execution amongst the People, and strook a general Terror into the hearts of all good Men. At length, when all were wearied with the present state of Affairs, the Nobility made a sudden combination against him; and, before he could gather his Forces together, he was taken, in his flight to the Picts, and t 1.111 put to death in the Third year of his Reign. His Head was car∣ried up and down, fasten'd to the Top of a Pole, and afforded a joyful Spectacle to the People.

Angusianus, The Thirty Seventh King.

HEreupon, Angusianus was recalled, by general consent, to un∣dertake the Kingly Government. In the beginning of his Reign, They, which were the Ministers of Cruelty and Cove∣tousness under Romachus, being afraid to live under so good a King, stirred up Nectamus, King of the Picts, to make War upon Him, in revenge of his Kinsman. v 1.112 Angusianus, being a lover of Peace, sent Embassadors to them, very often, to advise them, That both Nations would be much prejudiced by those Divisions, in regard the Brittons did but watch an Opportunity to destroy them both. But they hearkned not unto them, either out of confidence of their strength; or, out of anger and vexation of Spirit. So that, per∣ceiving them to be averse from Peace, he led forth his Army a∣gainst them; and, after a sharp conflict, obtained the Victory. The King of the Picts made his escape, with a few in his company; and, after he had a little master'd his fear, being inflam'd with Rage and Fury, he obtained, but with great difficulty, of his Subjects to raise him a new Army: And when it was levied, he marched in∣to Caledonia. Angusianus, having again propounded Terms of Peace, which not being hearkned unto, he drew his forces towards the Enemy. The Fight was maintain'd with equal obstinacy on both sides, one striving to retain their acquired Glory; and th' other endeavouring to wipe away their received Ignominy and Disgrace. At length, the Scots, w 1.113 Angusianus being slain, brake their Ranks and ran away. Neither was the Battel unbloody to the Picts; Their King and all his Valiant Warriors being slain therein: The Loss being in a manner equal on both sides occasioned a Peace between them, for some short time. Angusianus reigned little above an Year.

Fethelmachus, The Thirty Eighth King.

* 1.114 FEthelmachus was made King, in the room of Angusianus; when he had fearce Reigned 2 years he levied an Army, and made foul havock of the Picts Country: As soon as the Enemy could meet him, they fought, with a great slaughter on either side. For the main Battel of the Picts, they having lost both their wings, was almost all encompassed round and taken, yet they died not unrevenged. The King of the Picts, three days after, died of his wound. The Scots, making use of their Victory, having no Army at all to withstand them, made a great spoil all over the Picts Country; For the Picts, having received so great a blow, never durst oppose them with their whole force; only they appointed some small Partys of their Men, in sit time and place, to withstand the straggling Troops of their Enemy; that so they might not plunder far from home. In the mean time, one Hergustus, a crafty man, having undertaken the Command of the Picts, inasmuch as he was inferior in Force he applied himself to Fraud, for he sent two Picts, who, pretending themselves to be Scots, were to kill the King. They, according to their Instructions, treated with a certain Musician, a∣bout the Murder of the King: For those sort of Creatures are wont to lodge in the Chambers of Princes and Noblemen, to relieve them whilst awake, and also to procure sleep: Which custom still con∣tinues in all the British Isles, amongst the old Scots;* 1.115 so that on a Night agreed upon between them, the Picts were introduced by this Minstrel, and so slew the King as privately as they could; yet they could not carry it so secretly, but that the Kings Attendants were awaken'd at the hearing of his Death-groans; and so pur∣sued the Authors of the Villany, and when they could fly no fur∣ther, the Kings Officers took them (tho' they threw Stones at them to defend themselves, from a steep Rock) and brought them back to Execution.

Eugenius, or Evenus I. The Thirty Ninth King.

FEthelmachus being thus slain, in the third year of his Reign, Eugenius, or rather Evenus, the Son of Fincormachus succeeded him. About that time, * 1.116 Maximus, the Roman General, being in hopes to conquer the whole Island, if he could destroy the Scots and Picts both, first of all, he pretends many favourable respects to the Picts, who were then the weaker Party; and therefore, by consequence, more ready to treat with him. Them he filled with vain promises, That, if they would persevere in their Alliance with the Romans, besides many other innumerable advantages, they should have the Scots Land, to be divided amongst them. The z 1.117 Picts were catched with this bait, being blinded by Anger, desirous of Revenge, al∣lured by Promises, and regardless of future Events; Hereupon, they joyned their Forces with the Romans, and spoiled the Scots Coun∣try. Their first fight with them was at Cree, a River of Galway, the Scots, being few in number, were easily overcome by a more

numerous Army, and being thus put to slight, the Romans pursued them every way without any order, as being sure of the Victory. In the mean time, the Argyle Men, and some other Forces of the remote Parts, who were coming up to joyn with their vanquished Friends, fell in good order upon the scatter'd Troops of the Romans, and made a great Slaughter amongst their Enemies. Eugenius ga∣ther'd up those whom he could recal from flight, and, calling a Council of War, was advised, That seeing his forces were not suf∣ficient to carry on the War, he should return back to Carrick. But, as Maximus was prosecuting his victory, word was brought him, That all was in a flame in the inner parts of Britain. The Scots were glad of his departure, as being eased of a great part of their Enemies: and, though they were scarce able to defend their own, yet, between Anger and Hope, they resolved, before the Summer was past, to perform some great Exploit against their adjacent Ene∣mies; and thereupon they poured in the remainders of their Force upon the Picts. As they marched, they slew all they met, with∣out distinction, and made all desolate with Fire and Sword. Maxi∣mus, tho' he threatned and spake contumeliously of the Scots, yet being equally joyful at the destruction of both Nations, as soon as he found an opportunity, marched against the Scots, upon pretence to revenge the Wrongs, done by them to the Picts. The Scots, on the other side, being now to fight, not for Glory, Empire, or Boo∣ty, but for their Country, Fortune, Lives, and whatsoever else is wont to be dear to Men, drew forth all that were able to bear Arms; not the Men only, but Women also, (according to the Custom of the Nation) prepare themselves for their last encounter, and pitched their Tents not far from the River Down, and near their Enemies Camp. Both Armies, being set in order of Battel, first of all, the Auxiliaries set upon the Scots, where, some fighting in hope, others incited by despair, there was a very sharp, tho' short, encounter; The Picts and Britains were repulsed with great loss, and had been certainly wholly routed and put to flight, if season∣able relief had not come to them from the Romans. But, Maximus bringing on his Legions, the Scots being inferior in Num∣ber, in the Nature of their Arms, and in their Military Discipline, were driven back and almost quite ruined. King a 1.118 Eugenius him∣self fell in this Fight, as not being willing to survive his Soldiers; and the greatest part of his Nobles fell with him, as loath to for∣sake their King. b 1.119 Maximus, having obtained this great Victory sooner than he hoped, and scarce finding any on whom he might wreck his hatred, mercifully returned to his former Clemency; for marching over many Provinces of the Scots, he took those that yielded themselves▪ to Mercy; and caused them to till the Land, withal adding his Commands, That they should be contented with their Own, and not be offensive to their Neighbours. The Picts, taking this his Clemency in evil part, did allege, That the Romans and their Allys would never obtain a firm, solid, peace, as long as the Na∣tion of the Scots, which were always unquiet, and took all oppor∣tunities to plunder, did remain alive; adding further, That Bri∣tanny would never be secure, whilst any of the Scotish Blood remain'd

in it: That they were like wild Beasts, who would be sweetned by no Offices of Love, nor would they be quiet, though they received never so many Losses; so that there would be no end of War, till the whole Nation was extinct. Maximus replied many things, in bar to such severities, as, That 'twas the ancient Custom of the Romans, if they overcame any Nation, to be so far from extirpating them, that they made many of them Denizons of their City: That though they had almost Conquered the whole World, yet never any People or Nation were wholly eradicated by Them. That he himself, having slain their King, with the flower of his Army, had so quelled them, that now they were no longer to be feared, but rather pitied by their Enemies; he further urged, That his hatred of the Picts was as great as Theirs; but, if they considered the matter well, it would be a joyfuller Spectacle, to behold the Miseries of them being alive, than the Graves of them being Slain; yea, that it was a more grie∣vous Punishment to live a dying Life, than, by once Dying, to put an end to all Miseries. This was the Sum of the Discourse which he made, not so much out of any Affection to the Scots, as out of Ha∣tred of the Picts Cruelty. Moreover, he had an Eye to the future, as judging it extreamly hazardous to the Roman Province, if the Force of the Picts, upon the Extirpation of the Scots, should be doubled. But the Picts did so ply him with Complaints, Supplica∣tions and Guifts, that at length they obtained an Edict from him, That all the c 1.120 Scots should depart out of Britain by a certain day, and he that was found there after the time limited, should be put to Death. Their Country was divided betwixt the Picts and Britains. Thus the surviving Scots, as every Mans Fortune led him, were scattered over Ireland, the Aebudae Islands, through Scandia, and the Cimbrick Chersonesus, and were in all places kindly received by the In∣habitants. But the Picts, though they made publick Profession of the Christian Religion; yet, did not forbear to commit Injuries against Priests and Monks; which, in that Age, were had in great esteem. So that those poor Ecclesiasticks were dispersed into all the Countries round about, and many of them came into Icolumbkill, one of the Aebudae Isles, where, being gathered together in a Monastery, they transmitted an high Opinion of their Piety, and Holiness, to Posterity. The rest of the Scots being thus afflicted by Wars, exiled from their Countries, and in despair of returning thither again; The Inhabi∣tants of the Hebrides, being of a fierce and unquiet Nature, idle, poor, abounding in Men, yet wanting Necessaries, thought, That they ought to attempt something of themselves, and so gathering a Navy of Birlins, and small Ships together, under a 1.121 Gillo their Com∣mander, they landed in the County of Argyle. Having made their Descent there, and dispersing themselves scatteredly, amongst a Country almost wholly destitute of Inhabitants, to fetch in Booty, they were circumvented by the Picts, who were sent to assist the Inhabitants, and placed in Garison there; and being kept from their Ships were slain every Man. Their Navy was taken, and reserved for Service against the Islanders. And not long after, they which fled to Ireland, partly out of Remembrance of their Ancient Alliance, and partly out of Commiseration of their Fortune, did easily incite a

Nation, naturally inclined to War and Plunder, to afford them Aid to recover their Country and Antient Patrimony. Ten Thousand Auxiliaries were allowed them, who, landing in that part of Scot∣land, which is opposite to Ireland, struck a great terrour to the Peo∣ple over all the Country. Being encouraged by their first happy Success, when they were consulting how to carry on the War, the Albian Scots, well knowing the strength of the Romans, and how much they exceeded other Nations, in their skill about Military Af∣fairs, persuaded them to be contented with their present Victory, and to return home with their Booty, not staying till the whole force of Britain was gathered together, to assault them. And seeing, that the Forces of all Ireland, if they had been there, could not with∣stand the Roman Army, which, by its Conduct and Valour, had al∣most subdued the whole World; therefore, they were to deal with them, not by open Force, but by Subtilty. That they were to watch opportunities, and seeing they could not match their Enemies in Number, Force, or Warlike Skill, that therefore they should weary them out with Toil and Labour. And that This was the only Me∣thod for the managing the War with them. The Irish-Scots on the other side, did blame those of Albium, whose former Valour was now so Languid, That though they were the Off-Spring of those, who had almost overthrown whole Armies of the Romans, yet, that they could not now look them in the Face; Yea, there were some of the Albine-Scots themselves of the same Opinion, alleging, That this Method of War, propounded by their Country-Men, was very vain and frivolous, serving only to vex the Enemy, but not to recover their own Country; and that therefore they ought to follow their good Fortune, and not to think of returning, till she made way for them. And, if they would act thus, then, no doubt, but God (who had blessed them with such prosperous beginnings) would, by their Arms, lessen the power of the Enemie, either by raising up new Tu∣mults amongst the Britains, or, by calling off the Roman Legions to a War nearer home. That the Occasion, now offered, was not to be neglected, lest hereafter it might be sought for in Vain: This O∣pinion prevailed, and so they joyfully returned to their Prey. Thus, whilst in hopes, to recover what they had lost, they indulged their own Will, rather rashly than prudently, being immediately over∣powred by greater Forces, they lost the best part of their Men. This Slaughter being made known in Ireland, cut off all hopes of return from the Scots, and made the Irish fear, lest they also should not re∣tain their Liberty, long; so that, after many Consultations, they could find no way more adviseable, than, that the Irish Scots should send Ambassadors into Britain, to make b 1.122 Peace with the b 1.123 Romans, up∣on the best Conditions they could procure. Upon their arrival, Max∣imus, first of all did severely rebuke them, in that, with∣out any Provocation, they had causelesly excited the Roman Arms against them. The Ambassadors, in excuse, laid the blame on the rude Rabble, and so they obtained Pardon. The Peace was made on these * 1.124 Conditions, That the Hibernians, after that day, should never entertain, or shelter, any Enemies of the Romans; That they should forbear to offer any Injury to their Allies; and That they should ma∣nage

their Government, with a friendly Respect to the Romans. The Hibernians, having thus obtained better Terms than they ex∣pected, returned joyfully home. That which inclined Maximus to make this easie Pacification, was, not his fear of the Hibernians, (for he did not much value all the disturbance, they could give him) but because, his Mind, being intent upon hopes of greater matters, he was willing to leave all Britain, not only quiet and free from War, but also affectionate and under an obligation to him. For, when he perceived, after the Defeat and Slaughter of so many of their Armies, that the Forces of the Roman Empire were shattered and weakned by their Civil Wars; and that the Emperors were not made by the Se∣nate and People, but by Military Election and Favour; considering also, That he had conquered Britain, (which none ever did, before him) and thereby had got great Fame by his Military Exploits, and had an Army (for the number of it) strong enough; in this posture of Affairs, he determined, if Fortune offred him an Opportunity to seize on the Empire, not to be wanting thereunto. Being promp∣ted by this hope, he treated his Souldiers with great Affability, and bestowed on them many Largesses; he took advice in all his impor∣tant Affairs, of the Noblest of the Britains, he recruited his Army with Picts Soldiers, and committed several Garisons, in divers places, to be kept by them. The Lands of the Scots he divided betwixt Them, and the Britains. To the Picts he left their ancient Possessi∣ons, free; only he exacted a small Tribute from the utmost Angle of the Scotish Kingdom, which he had given to them as a Testimony, (for so he gave it out himself,) that all Britain was partly overcome, and partly setled on Conditions of Peace, by him. And by these Artifices, he strangely won the Affections of the common Soldiers: So that all things being in readiness, according to his conceived hope, he assumed the Diadem, as if he had been compelled so to do, by his Soldiers. After him, Constantine was chosen General by the Britains, being recommended only upon the accompt of his Name, for other∣wise, he was but a common Soldier at first; he being also slain, Gra∣tian a Person descended of British Blood, ruled over the Island. But Maximus being slain in Italy, and Gratian in Britain,d 1.125 Victorinus was sent from Rome to rule Brittain, as a Governor. He pretending to inlarge the Empire, during his Administration, commanded the e 1.126 Picts, who were reduced into the form of a Province, to use the Roman Laws, denouncing a great Penalty on those, who should dare to do otherwise: And whereas, Hergustus their King died whilst these things were in Agitation; he forbad them to choose another King, or set up any other Magistrate, but what was sent them from Rome, Thus the Picts looked upon as a mere Slavery. Whereupon, they begun, tho' too late, and to no purpose, to resent him, and complain they had been basely and unworthily betrayed by a Nation, allied to them, and in amity with them; and though sometimes they were Tumultuous, yet they were partakers with them of all Hazards, against a Foreign Enemy: So that now they suffered according to their Demerits, who had deprived themselves not only of all Aid, but of all Mercy and Pity also. f 1.127 For now who would be sorry for their Calamity, who called to Mind, into what Mise∣ries

and Necessities, they had reduced their ancient Friends. And that the Oracle was applicable here, which foretold, That the Picts in time should be extirpated by the Scots. So that n••w, they were punished for betraying the Scots: Yea, their own Punishment was the greater of the Two, in regard Banishment is more tolerable than Servitude. For Banished Men are free, let their Fortune be what it will; but they Themselves were encountred with the bitterest of all Evils, which were so much the more intolerable, because they fell into them by their own demerit. Whereupon, That they might have One, to whom to resort in order to a publick Consultation, for the remedying of these Calamities, they create Durstus, the Son of Hergustus, King. The Nobles being Assembled about him, to pro∣vide Remedy for their Miseries; their Complaints did express the Severity of their Bondage. They alleged, That they were now not in an imaginary, but real, Slavery: That they were shut up within the Walls of Severus, as wild Beasts, severed from all human Com∣merce; and that all their Soldiery, under the splendid Name of War, were indeed drawn out for the Shambles. That, besides the hatred of their Neighbour Nations, they were bitterly reproached by the Monks too, who cryed out, That God did justly despise and reject their Prayers, who had so cruelly persecuted his Ministers, though they were their Brethren, and of the same Religion with themselves, in that they would not suffer them, by whom God might been ap∣peased or exorated, to live in the same Country with them: These Things did grievously pinch their Consciences; so that, Adversity in∣fusing some sparks of Religion into their Minds, and also some ease from their Miseries being obtained, they, at last, pitched upon This, as the only Way to recover their Liberty. That after they had re∣conciled themselves to the Scots, they would also endeavour to ap∣pease the Wrath of God, who was an Enemy to them for their Per∣fidiousness. Whereupon, understanding that young g 1.128 Fergusius, of the Blood Royal, was an Exile in Scandia; they thought, if he were recalled, that the rest also might be induced, by his Authority, to return. To effect which, they sent an Embassy to him, but secretly, for fear of the Romans, to found his Inclination, as to the Return in∣to his own Country.

Notes

• a 1.1

  A Colony of Spaniards come into Ire∣land.
• b 1.2

  A German Fleet is driven into the Aebu∣dae.
• c 1.3

  From thence they sail to Albium.
• d 1.4

  Pi••••s were Germans, at first.
• e 1.5

  Scots and Germans joyn in affinity.
• f 1.6

  A Pictish Prophecy.
• g 1.7

  Scots and Picts fall out, and divide their Habi∣tations.
• h 1.8

  The Brittons foment the Divisions between the Scots and Picts.
• i 1.9

  Fergus sent for out of Ireland by the Scots, and made King.
• k 1.10

  The Army of the Picts and Scots at a stand.
• l 1.11

  The Scots and Picts unite against the Brittons.
• * 1.12

  Or Down, in Kyle.
• m 1.13

  And actu∣ally joyn.
• n 1.14

  C••ilus, King of the B••it∣tons over∣thrown in Coil, now called Kyle, by the Picts and Scots.
• * 1.15

  Viz. Coil.
• o 1.16

  Fergus, the First King of Scotland, drowned at 〈◊〉〈◊〉-Fergus, a noted Town, with a ••••••ge Bay ad∣••oyning, in the Province of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in I••e∣land.
• p 1.17

  An old Law in Scotland, concerning Succession to the Crown.
• q 1.18

  Ferlegus conspires a∣gainst his Uncle Feri∣tharis.
• r 1.19

  Feritharis willing to re∣sign the Crown.
• s 1.20

  But the People oppose it.
• t 1.21

  Ferlegus im∣prisoned,
• * 1.22

  But makes his escape.
• * 1.23

  And, in his absence, is condemned, for the pre∣sumptive mur∣der of his Uncle.
• * 1.24

  The best Guard for a Prince.
• u 1.25

  Laws about Hunting made by King Dor∣nadilla.
• u 1.26

  Laws about Hunting made by King Dor∣nadilla.
• a 1.27

  Nothatus, the First of the Scotish Kings, that set up Arbitrary Go∣vernment.
• b 1.28

  He is Slain by Dova••us.
• c 1.29

  Dovalus and Getus, King of the Picts, slain in Battel.
• d 1.30

  The Brittons enter Scotland.
• e 1.31

  But make Peace, at last, with the Scots and Picts.
• * 1.32

  Scots called Dalreudini, and Why?
• * 1.33

  'Tis Partem (a part) in the Copy, which, some think, is mistaken for Pratum.
• f 1.34

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• g 1.35

  Thereus his cruel Reign, he flies his Country, and dies an Exile.
• h 1.36

  Iosina, with his Nobles, great Lovers of Physi••k and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• i 1.37

  Finnanus his just Decree.
• k 1.38

  Durstus his profligate Life.
• l 1.39

  His feigned Repentance.
• m 1.40

  His cruel Murder of his Nobles.
• n 1.41

  He is slain.
• o 1.42

  King Ewen, the first Sco∣tish King that required an Oath of Alle∣giance of his Subjects.
• p 1.43

  He first set∣led Itinerary Circuits for Judges in Scot∣land.
• q 1.44

  Informers then allowed, since disused, as being found inconvenient by experience.
• r 1.45

  Gillus his cruel Reign.
• * 1.46

  Some think it to be Dun∣stafnage, a Castle stand∣ing on an high Rock in Lorn, in the West-S••••.
• s 1.47

  He is wo••∣sted in Battel, and flies into Ireland.
• t 1.48

  Cadvallus, made Viceroy.
• u 1.49

  Gillus Slain by Cadvallus, in Ireland.
• u 1.50

  Ca••••••llus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Grief.
• x 1.51

  The Orkney-Men come with an Army into Albium, but were bea∣ten, and their King Belus slew himself, thereupon.
• * 1.52

  Bredius one of Gillus's Fa∣ction, over∣thrown.
• * 1.53

  Or Red∣s••ank.
• z 1.54

  E••en enacts Polygamy, by a Law, and allows many other Lustful Venereal Or∣ders and Cu∣stoms, but being after∣wards worsted in Battel is committed to Prison, and there Slain.
• * 1.55

  Maitland.
• a 1.56

  The Orcades subdued in Claudius Cae∣sars days, as some affirm, but mistaken∣ly.
• b 1.57

  Dardanus, his bloody Reign.
• c 1.58

  And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Death.
• d 1.59

  Corbredus II. The First of the Scotish Kings, that ever appeared in Arms a∣gainst the Romans.
• * 1.60

  Inhabitants of South-Wales.
• * 1.61

  Agricola, a Roman Gene∣ral in Britain, who makes further Con∣quests there.
• * 1.62

  Inhabitants of N••rth-Wales.
• * 1.63

  Agricola overcomes the Caledonians in Two Bat∣tels.
• * 1.64

  But being recalled by Domitian, the Caledonians, beat the Ro∣mans out of their Country.
• * 1.65

  Luctacus his vitious Reign.
• * 1.66

  And misera∣ble End.
• a 1.67

  Mogaldus Reigning vir∣tuously at first, after∣wards dege∣nerates.
• b 1.68

  Adrian the Emperor comes into Britain, and built the Wall called by his Name.
• c 1.69

  The Law to forfeit ones whole Estate for Treason, without al∣lowance to in∣nocent Wife or Children, made in Mo∣galdus'•• time, esteemed un∣just.
• d 1.70

  Mogaldus slain.
• e 1.71

  A Battel be∣tween Conarus and the Picts, against the Romans and Brittons.
• f 1.72

  Lollius Vr∣bicus sent to Aid the Ro∣mans in Bri∣tain.
• g 1.73

  Conarus his Prodigality enforces him to demand large Subsidies of hi•• Sub∣jects;
• h 1.74

  Which are denied by the Commons, and their Reasons why?
• i 1.75

  Conar•••• im∣p••isoned, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Evi•• C••••••∣sellors slain.
• k 1.76

  Argadus set up in his room, who first Rules justly;
• * 1.77

  afterwards de∣generating, he is accused;
• * 1.78

  but, upon his Repentance, is continued in the Govern∣ment,
• l 1.79

  Which he managed equi∣tably, for the remainder of his Magistracy.
• m 1.80

  Argadus sent General a-against the Islanders, is slain in a Bat∣tel by them.
• n 1.81

  Ethodius, having got his Enemy in a Pound, for∣ces him to what Conditi∣ons he pleases himself.
• o 1.82

  Ethodius, his vnenary Laws.
• p 1.83

  He is slain by his Harper▪
• q 1.84

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• r 1.85

  〈…〉〈…〉 virtuous Reign.
• s 1.86

  Aelius Perti∣nax, after Commodus, comes into Britain.
• t 1.87

  Donald, the first of the Scotish Kings, that imbraced the Christian Religion.
• u 1.88

  Severus comes over 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Britain, ••n his time; en∣larges the Ro∣man Con∣quests, and
• * 1.89

  Built a Wall, from Forth to Clyd, Eighty Mile beyond Adrians.
• y 1.90

  Temple of Terminus.
• z 1.91

  Duni Pacis.
• a 1.92

  Ethodius slain.
• b 1.93

  Athirco, be∣ing disgusted for vitiating Noble Virgins, kills himself.
• c 1.94

  Dorus flies, and carries his Brothers Chil∣dren with him.
• d 1.95

  Nathalocus Murders the Nobility trea∣cherously.
• e 1.96

  He himse•••• •• slain by one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Dome∣sticks.
• f 1.97

  Findochus or••ecomes Do∣naldus and his Redshanks.
• g 1.98

  He is slain by the conspiracy of his Brother Carantius.
• h 1.99

  Donaldus o∣verthrown, and taken pri∣soner by the Islander••.
• i 1.100

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.101

  He is slain by 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.102

  The Scotish K••ng•• did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Travel all ove•• the whole King∣dom, in their own Persons, to Administer Justice.
• m 1.103

  A War like to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be∣tween the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉,
• * 1.104

  But compo∣sed by the Prudence of Carantius, a Roman.
• * 1.105

  〈…〉〈…〉, and Constanti∣nus Ch••o••us, three Roman Lieutenant-Generals in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suc∣••••••lively.
• * 1.106

  〈…〉〈…〉, and Constanti∣nus Ch••o••us, three Roman Lieutenant-Generals in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suc∣••••••lively.
• * 1.107

  〈…〉〈…〉, and Constanti∣nus Ch••o••us, three Roman Lieutenant-Generals in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suc∣••••••lively.
• q 1.108

  C••••••ees, a sort ••f Religi∣ous Monks, in those days.
• r 1.109

  Dissension about Successi∣on to the Crown.
• s 1.110

  Romachus Reigns Tyran∣nically,
• t 1.111

  And is there∣fore slain.
• v 1.112

  Wars be∣tween Angusi∣anus and the Picts;
• w 1.113

  Wherein Angusianus was slain.
• * 1.114

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.115

  But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mur∣derd, after∣wards, by two Picts, inborn••d by 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.116

  Maximus, a Roman Gene∣ral in Britain.
• z 1.117

  Roman•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Picts 〈…〉〈…〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.118

  〈…〉〈…〉 by Maximus, and Eugenius slain.
• b 1.119

  Maximus at first using his Victory moderately, yet afterwards, at the instiga∣tion of the Picts▪
• c 1.120

  He banisht the Scots out of all Britain, up∣on pain of Death, and give away their Lands.
• a 1.121

  The E••iled Scots, endea∣vouring to re∣cover their Country, are worsted by their Enemies,
• b 1.122

  And forced to make Peace with the R••∣mans;
• b 1.123

  And forced to make Peace with the R••∣mans;
• * 1.124

  Which they obtain from Maximus, on moderate Con∣ditions.
• d 1.125

  Victorinus sent from Rome, to Go∣vern Britain.
• e 1.126

  Who incen∣sed the Picts, by his Tyran∣nick Govern∣ment over them.
• f 1.127

  The Picts re∣pent of their Conjunction with the Ro∣mans, to Root out the Scots; and also of the Per∣secution of the Monks, being of the same Re••••gion with them∣selves.
• g 1.128

  They send to recal Fergus, a Scottish Exile, from Scandia, to take the Regal Government upon him.