CHAP. II.
The men of Chartres take upon them the beginning of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, under the conduction of Cotuatus and Conctodunus.
THese things being thus disputed,* 1.1 the men of Chart••es did make them∣selves the chief of that war, refusing no danger for the common safety of their country. And forasmuch as at that present they could not give caution by hostage, lest the matter should be discove∣red; they desire to have their covenants strengthened by oath, and by mutuall collation of their mi••••tary ensignes, which was the most religious ceremony they could use to bind the rest not to forsake them, having made an en∣trance and beginning to that war. The men of Chartres being commended by the rest, and the oathes of all them that were present being taken, and a time appointed to begin, they brake up the assembly. When the day came, they of Chartres under the conduction of Cotuatus and Conetodunus, two desperate fellowes, upon a watchword given, ran speedily to* 1.2 Genabum; and such Roman citizens as were there upon businesse, namely C. Fusius Cotta, a knight of Rome, whom Caesar had left overseer of the provision of corn, they slew, and took their goods. The report thereof was quickly spread over all the States of Gallia. for when any such great or extraordinary matter happeneth, they signify it through the country by an out-cry and shout, which is taken by others, and deli∣vered to the next, and so goeth from hand to hand, as it happened at this time: for that which was done at Genabum at Sun-rising, was before the first watch of the night was ended heard in the confines of the Arverni, which is above a hundred and threescore miles distant.
OBSERVATIONS.
THis manner of out-cry here mentioned to be usuall in Gallia, was the same which re∣maineth in use at this present in Wales,* 1.3 although not so frequent as in former times. For the custome is there, as often as any robbery hap∣peneth to be committed, or any man to be slain, or what other outrage or riot is done, the next at hand do go to some eminent place where they may be best heard, and there they make an out∣cry or howling, which they call a Hooboub, signifying the fact to the next inhabitants, who take it as passionately, and deliver it further, and so from hand to hand it quickly spreadeth over all the country. It is a very ready way to put the country in arms, and was first devi∣sed (as it seemeth) for the stay and apprehen∣sion of robbers and outlaws, who kept in strong holds, and lived upon the spoil of the borde∣ring inhabitants: but otherwise it savoureth of Barbarisme, rather then of any civile govern∣ment.