The church-history of Brittany from the beginning of Christianity to the Norman conquest under Roman governours, Brittish kings, the English-Saxon heptarchy, the English-Saxon (and Danish) monarchy ... : from all which is evidently demonstrated that the present Roman Catholick religion hath from the beginning, without interruption or change been professed in this our island, &c. / by R.F., S. Cressy of the Holy Order of S. Benedict.

XI. CHAP.* 1.1

1. Hengists victory.

2.3. &c. Ella a Saxon invades Sussex: where he erects the Kingdom of the South-saxons.

6.7. &c. King Ambrosius marches North∣ward against Hengist: His pious vow: and Victory.

10 11. &c. Hengist a Prisoner: sentenced to death by the cruell sentence of a Bi∣shop.

13. Hengists son Aesca succeeds in the Kingdom of Kent.

1. AFter some years cessation,* 1.2 or at least sleight incursions occasionally exer∣cis'd between the Brittains and Saxons, in the year four hundred seaventy three Hengist obtain'd an important Victory against the Brittains,* 1.3 for thus we read in Ethelwerd a Noble Saxon Writer: The space of eight years being compleat (after the Battell at Wippedflet) Hengist together with his son Esca took up arms against the Brittains once more: whose army they discomfited, and caried away immense spoyles. This Victory is not expressly mention'd by any other Historians: but may be conceiv'd to be in generall words intended by Gildas and S. Beda in this expression, From that time sometimes the Brittains,* 1.4 and sometimes their Enemies had the Victory, till the year wherin the Mountain of Bath (Mons Badonicus) was beseig'd: which was ten years after this combat.

2. In the year of Christ four hundred seaventy seaven,* 1.5 Hengist perceiving that with his present forces he could make no progres

against so valiant a Captain as Ambrosius,* 1.6 nor yet maintain the Provinces lately given him by Vortigern for his redemption, sent for new and greater supplies out of Germany. Where∣upon a famous Saxon captain calld Ella, with his three sons Cymen, Pleting and Cissa, atten∣ded with a numerous army and strong fleet took sea, and by Hengists directions bended their course to the Southern shore of Sussex.

3. The order and successe of this expedi∣tion is thus describ'd by Henry of Hunting∣don:* 1.7 The great Saxon Commander Elle with his Sons and navy furnish'd with a strong and well orderd army landed in Brittany at a place call'd Cymen-shore (from the name of Ella's eldest Son:) And while the Saxons were landing from their ships, the Brittains rais'd a loud crye, at which a world of people repaired to them from the places adiacent: And streight a combat began. The Saxons men of high stature and cou∣rage receiv'd them politickly, and the Brittains most imprudently sett upon their enemies, for coming in loose companies, one after another, they were easily slain by the Saxons who kep'd them∣selves together in close bodies. Thus the Brittains which still came in to ayd their countreymen, were suddenly discouraged by the noyse they heard of the defeat of the former. They were all there∣fore putt to flight as far as the next wood called Andredesbeige. And the Saxons possess'd them∣selves of the coasts of Sussex lying toward the Sea, every day by little and little enlarging their limits, till the ninth year after their co∣ming.

* 1.84. In which ninth year whilst Ella and his sons boldly entred further into the countrey: The Princes and Nobles of the Brittains mett in arms together at a place call'd Mercredeburn, and fought against the Saxons. The Victory was doubtfull: for on both sides the Armies were much empaired and broken: So that each of them retired back to their own quarters.

5. Mathew of Westminster addes that Ella with his Sons were forced to forsake the feild. So that perceiving that he had not strength enough to make good his present conquests, much lesse to enlarge them, he sent into Germany for new supplies: till the coming of which he lay still upon the de∣fensive. But after their arrivall he coura∣geously continued his progresse in gaining more territories, till he establish'd a new Kingdom of the South-Saxons in those parts.

6. Whilst King Ambrosius employ'd his forces to represse the Saxons in these Sou∣thern regions,* 1.9 Hengist having well fortified his Kindom of Kent, took a journey into the Northern Provinces: where joyning him∣self with the Picts and Scots, he took many Citties and towns, before the Brittains could oppose him: and for the security of his new Conquests he built many Castles and strong holds: and wheresoever he came he demolish'd all Churches. Of which King Ambrosius being informed, he with great courage, as in Gods cause, march'd after him: And, saith Richard white, whilst he pas∣sed on his journey,* 1.10 beholding the towns layd wast, the lamentable ruines of Churches, and miseries of the poore people, he could not refrain weeping: Whereupon by Vow he promised Almighty God, that if he would grant him the Victory over the impious Saxons, he would restore and rebuild all the Churches destroyed.

7. How his pious Vow was approved by God the successe demonstrates,* 1.11 thus rela∣ted by Mathew of Westminster: In the year of Grace four hundred eighty seaven Aurelius Ambrosius having gathered a great Army of Brittains resolved to provoke the Saxons to a combat. Marching therefore with his army to the North, he found Hengist with his forces beyond Humber. Who being inform'd of his approaching, boldly went to meet him, with an intention to sett upon his army unawares, in a feild call'd Maisbely through which Ambrosius was to passe, whom he hoped to find unprovided. But the Brit∣tish King had notice of his design, which hindred him to march to the same feild. At last the two Armies meeting in good military order, a feirce battell was begun, and much blood shed on both sides. But at last Hengist perceiving his army to give ground, and that the Brittains began to prevayle, he presently fled to a town call'd Caêr-conan, now Cuningbury. But considering the weaknes of the town to resist, he knew his only safety consisted in the swords and spears of his followers. Ambrosius pursued him, and by the way putt to the sword all the Saxons he found. Thus having obtaind the Victory, he with great zeale and devotion gave praise to the God of heaven.

8. As for Hengist,* 1.12 he fortified his camp as well as he could neer the said town: But after a few days, saith Camden, he was forc'd to come to a battell before his camp, which was fatall to him and his: for the greatest part of his army was cutt in peices, and himself, being taken prisoner, was beheaded by the Brittains.

9. This battell,* 1.13 saith Florilegus, was fought on the banks of the River Don. And the man∣ner how Hengist was taken prisoner was this: The valiant Eldot Duke or Consul of Glocester (Clau∣diocestriae) had an earnest desire to cope with Hengist. Therefore with the forces under his command furiously peircing through the Enemies squadrons, he at last found him: and laying hold on the fore part of his helmet, with main force he drew him in among his own troops: saying,

God at last hath fullfilld my desire: It is he who hath given us the Victory.

Presently after this the Saxons fled, every one his own way: whom Am∣brosius pursuing, manfully slew. Octa the Son of Hengist with the greatest numbers fled to York: But Esca and not a few with him betook them∣selves to another Citty call'd Aclud. After this Victory Ambrosius took the Citty Caër-conan, which he entred triumphantly, staying there onely three days.

10. The same Author consequently relates the manner how Hengist was sen∣tenced and executed after the fight. After

the,* 1.14 saith he, Ambrosius calling his Captains together, commanded them to decreet what should becom of Hengist.* 1.15 Whereupon Eldad Bi∣shop of Glocester, who was also Brother of Eldot, impos'd silence on them all: and gnashing his teeth for rage, he thus said, Though all here present had a desire to set him free, I my self would cutt him in peices. Why doe you delay, O effeminat Brittains? Did not Samuêl a Pro∣phet having taken the King of Amalec prisoner in a battell, cutt him in peices, one limme after another, saying, As thou hast made many Mothers childles, so will I make thy mother childles this day? Doe you therefore deale in the same manner with this barbarous King, who is another Agag, and has depriv'd a world of Brittish Mothers of their children. When he had thus sayd, Eldad drew his sword, and leading him out of the Citty cutt off his head, sending his soule into hell.

11. If this relation be true, Eldad shew'd himself an unmercifull man, and one who forgott the duty of a Christian Bishop, who ought rather to have mitigated the rigour of other mens sentences, then to pronounce so cruell a iudgment, whilst others, who were soldiers too, held their peace. He therefore little deserves the commendation given him by Pits for his piety and prudence,* 1.16 which he ••ill express'd when gnashing his teeth for rage, he extorted a Captive Kings death from an Assembly of soldiers.* 1.17 The Book of Invective Orations for which the same Authour likewise reckons him among the ancient Brittish Writers, probably procee∣ding from the same spirit, deserved rather to be forgotten, then recorded as in honour of our Ancestors.

12. After this so signall a Victory Ambro∣sius mindfull of his Vow, call'd together work∣men,* 1.18 Masons and Carpenters, and took care to repaire the Houses of God which had been destroy∣ed: and placing in them Preists and other Clergy-men, he reduc'd the Divine service to the pristine order. And wheresoever he found any Idols or Temples of false Gods, he defac'd them utterly out of the memory of men. He was studious to observe iustice and peace especially to Eccle∣siasticall persons: and confer'd on them liberall revenews, enjoyning them all to pray for the King∣dom and state of Gods Church.

13. Hengist being thus dead, his Son Aesca succeeded him in the Kingdom of Kent. He is call'd Oisc by S. Beda,* 1.19 who addes that from him the succeeding Kings of Kent were call'd Oiskings. As for his other Son Otta, in the former narration of Florilegus said to have fled to York, nothing can be found of him among the Ancient Writers. So that small credit is to be given to what Modern Histo∣rians relate concerning him, that King Am∣brosius bestow'd on him the Province of Galloway in Scotland: since in those days that Province was not in the disposall of the Brittains.

Notes

• * 1.1

  XI. CHAP.
• * 1.2

  A. D. 473.
• * 1.3

  Ethelvvard. l. 1.
• * 1.4

  Beda l. 1. c. 16.
• * 1.5

  A. D. 477.
• * 1.6

  A. D. 487.
• * 1.7

  Huntingd. l. 2.
• * 1.8

  Id. ibid. A. D. 485.
• * 1.9

  A. D. 487.
• * 1.10

  R. Vitus l 7.
• * 1.11

  M. Westm. A. D. 487.
• * 1.12

  A. D. 488. Camden. in Brigant.
• * 1.13

  Florileg. A. D. 489.
• * 1.14

  A D. 488.
• * 1.15

  I••. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.16

  Pits in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.17

  Id. ibid.
• * 1.18

  Floril••g. vbi suprà.
• * 1.19

  Beda l. 2. c. 5.