a great commander taken prisoner. This battell
concurring with the former losses, and especial∣ly
moved thereunto with the revolt of the fore∣named
cities, Cassivellaunus intreated peace
of Caesar by Comius of Arras. Caesar being de∣termined
to winter in the Continent, for fear of
suddain commotions in Gallia, and conside∣ring
that the Summer was now far spent, and
might easily be lingred out, he commanded pled∣ges
to be brought unto him, and set down what
yearly tribute the Britans should pay to the Ro∣mans;
giving withall a strict charge to
Cassivellaunus to do no injury either to Mandu∣bratius
or the Tribonantes. The hostages being
taken, he carried back his Army to the sea,
where he found his shipping repaired: which as
soon as he had caused to be set aflote, in regard
partly of the great number of prisoners he had,
and that some of his ships were cast away, he
determined to carry his Army over at twice.
And so it happened, that of so great a fleet,
at so many voyages, neither this year nor the
year before there was not any one ship missing
which carried over our souldiers: onely of
those which were to be sent back to him after
they had landed the first half, and those which
Labienus caused afterwards to be made, three∣score
in number, few could make to the place,
the rest were all kept back. Which Caesar ha∣ving
for some time expected in vain, and fea∣ring
that the time of year would not long
serve for sailing, for the Equinoctiall was at
hand; was forced to dispose his souldiers clo∣ser
and in lesse room. So taking the opportu∣nity
of a calme sea, he set sail about the be∣ginning
of the second watch, and came to land
by break of day, his whole fleet arriving in
safety.
OBSERVATION.
ANd thus ended the war in Britany: which
affordeth little matter of discourse, being in∣deed
but a scambling war, as well in regard of
the Britans themselves, who after they had felt
the strength of the Roman legions, would never
adventure to buckle with them in any standing
battell; as also in regard there were no such
towns in Britany as are recorded to have been
in Gallia, which might have given great honour
to the war, if there had been any such to have
been besieged and taken in by Caesar.
And although Tacitus saith that Britany was
rather viewed then subdued by Caesar, being de∣sirous
to draw that honour to his father in law
Agricola; yet we find here that the Trinoban∣tes,
which were more then either the skirt
or the heart of Britany (for our Historians do
understand them to have inhabited that part
which lieth as far as Yorkshire and Lancashire)
were brought under the Roman Empire by Cae∣sar:
who was the first that ever laid tribute up∣on
Britany in the behalf of the people of Rome;
or cast upon them the heavy name of a subdued
people.
THE SECOND OBSERVATION.
BUt least I may seem negligent in these occur∣rences
of Britany, as not deeming the altera∣tion
happening in this Iland by the power of
Rome worthy due memory; I will briefly set
down the state thereof from this Area, during
the lives of the twelve Emperours.
Iulius Caesars next successours, first Au∣gustus
and then Tiberius, thought it policy to
restrain the infinite desire of inlarging the Ro∣man
Empire, & so left this entrance into Britany
unseconded. Caius is said to have had a mea∣ning
to invade it, but did nothing. Claudius
transported legions and aides, and first sent
Aulus Plautius Governour, and after him Os∣torius,
who overthrew king Caradocus in bat∣tell,
and shewed him at Rome to Claudius, to
Agrippina, and the Lords of the Senate: who
affirmed the sight to be no lesse honourable then
when P. Scipio shewed S••phaces, or L. Paulus
Perses. Him Didius Gallus succeeded, who be∣ing
old and full of honour, thought it sufficient
to keep that which his predecessours had gotten.
Next unto Didius came Veranius, onely memo∣rable
in dying the first year of his Propraetorship:
but Suetonius Paulinus following, got a great
name, first by invading Anglesey, strong
with inhabitants, and a receptacle for fugitives;
secondly, by overthrowing Boadicea Queen of
the Iceni, in a battell comparable to the victo∣ries
of old times: wherein fourscore thousand
Britans were slain, with the losse of foure hun∣dred
Roman souldiers. But being thought to
be over-severe, he left his charge to Petronius
Turpilianus; who composing former troubles
with a milder carriage, was succeeded by Tre∣bellius
Maximus; whose easie course of go∣vernment
taught the Britans good manners, and
made the souldiers first wanton with ease, and
then mutinous: which by his gentle intreaty
being ended without bloud-shed, he left his
place to Vectius Bolanus, of like loosenesse
of discipline, but in stead of obedience got much
good will. The errours of these three soft Proprae∣tors
were holpen by Petilius Caerealis, a great
Commander, and worthy his place; he subdu∣ed
the Brigantes, and left the place to Iulius
Frontinus, who with no lesse happinesse van∣quished
the Silures. The last was Agricola,
fortunate in divers battells against the Britans,
and as unhappy in his reward; for Domitian
maligning his honour, first discharged him of
his place, and then, as it is thought, poisoned
him. And this was the state of Britany under the
twelve Emperours.