* 1.1XV. CHAP.
1 Valens the Emp. burnt.
2 Theodosius made partner of the Empire.
3 4. &c. Maximus Governour of Brittany: Caries all the forces out: whence came the Destruction of the Island.
10. Mistake of those who place the Mar∣tyrdom of S. Vrsula, &c. here.
* 1.21. ABout this time the Arian Emperour Valens suffred a severe but just pu∣nishment for his persecution of the Profes∣sours of the Orthodox Faith. For the Gothes together with the Hunns and Alans, feirce northern Nations entring in a hostile māner into Thrace, put the Eastern Empire in great danger. wherupon Valens sent to Gratian for assistance: Which he with great care prepa∣red: whose army, saith S. Ambrose, was conducted not by profane military Eagles, but the name and worship of the true God, meaning the Holy Crosse the principall Ensign of his forces. But Valens not expecting his coming, and out of envy least he should partake the glory of the Victory which he foolishly promis'd himselfe, would needs hazard battle alone with the Barbarians: by whom his army was discomfited, and himself being wounded with a dart among the mul∣titude, with many of his cheif Officers flying into a certain house, the rude enemies not willing to loose time in forcing an entrance, set it on fire, with which the Emperour and all his company were consumed.
2. In his place the Emperours Gratian and Valentinian,* 1.3 unwilling to leave the West, assumed Theodosius (a worthy son of that Fa∣mous Theodosius who had settled Brittany and repress'd its Enemies) into a part of the Em∣pire, committing to him the care of defen∣ding the Eastern Regions against the insulting Goths.
3. At this time, and probably upon this occasion of the Election of Theodosius, one mans envy brought irreparable misery upon Brittany. That was Flavius Clemens Maximus Governour of the Island.* 1.4 Sigebertus says he was descended of the Imperiall family of Constan∣tin, upon which Title he challenged part in the Empire. And that making himself King of Brit∣tany, he then began to exercise Tyranny against the Roman Empire. And indeed that he was so descended his name Flavius may probably argue.
4. Zosimus affirms that he was a Spaniard. But other ancient Authours Greeks too,* 1.5 po∣sitively say he was a Brittain, born in Britta∣ny. Whereto no doubt Ausonius had re∣gard, when in hatred to Maximus who slew the Emperour Gratian his schollar,* 1.6 he calls him (Rhu••upinum Latronem) the Rutupian pyrat or robber. And our Gildas names him a sprigg of the Brittish plantation.
5. From what stock or countrey soever he came, he was a Prince of admirable valour and conduit: which gave occasion to the ancient Brittains to forge a Roman•• of his story:* 1.7 From whom our Mathew of Westminster relates, how there was a certain King of the Brittains call'd Octavius who dying left behind him an onely daughter. Which caused great dissen∣sions among the Nobles, who could not agree on the person to whom they should give the Princesse with the Kingdom in mariage. At last they thought fit to send Embassadours to Rome to in∣vite a Senatour call'd Maximian (so they nam'd Maximus) to espouse the Lady. For this Maximians Father was a Brittain, the Son of Leolinus Vnckle of Constantin: but his Mother was a Roman. Maximian having been acquain∣ted with the cause of their journey, consented to their proposall, the rather because he was disfa∣voured by the Emperours Gratianus and Valen∣tinian. He therfore undertook a journey into Brit∣tany, and in the way overthrew the Citties of the Franks, where he heap'd a vast treasure of Gold and Silver. But as soon as he was landed in the haven of Hamon, there met him Conanus a Brittish Prince with all the youth of the King∣dome, with an intention to combat him, for he was earnestly ambitious of the Crown. But the Brittains generally favouring Maximian, Cona∣nus was expell'd, and the Princesse maried to Maximian. But Conanus conceiving great indi∣gnation, fled into Scotland, where he gathered another army. And then with all his forces pas∣sing over the Trent, he began to wast the Pro∣vinces. But Maximian coming upon him, over∣came him again in a battle: Yet at last by the mediation of freinds an agreement was made between them.
6. But the more sober authentick Writers of these times take no notice of Octavius or any other King of the Brittains: and it is without question certain that Maximus was at this time Governour of the Island under the Emperour.* 1.8 And even the Scotch Historians acknowledge that he fought successfully against the Scotts, slew their King Eugenius and expell'd the whole Nation out of the Island: That their Kings Brother Ethach, with his Son Erth and many others retir'd into Ireland: Some went into Norway: and a few lurk'd in the small Islands neer Brittany. They adde that the I••ish also were not exempted from Maximus his power: but were compell'd humbly to begg for a peace,* 1.9 which was hardly granted them,