* 1.1II. CHAP.
1.2.3. The Brittains overthrown by the King of the West-Saxons.
* 1.21. IN the year of Grace six hundred fifty eight the Brittains received a great over∣throw from Kenewalch King of the West-Saxons: which is thus described by Hun∣tingdon:* 1.3 Cenwald (so he calls him) King of the West-Saxons in the seaventeenth year of his raign fought against the Brittains at Pennum. For they knowing that he had been overcome by the stou•• King Penda, and (almost) driven out of his kingdom, imagined that he was unable to sustain the burden of a battell. Whereupon having gathered a numerous army, they with great pride invaded his Dominions. At the beginning of the fight the Brittains feircely setting on the Saxons,* 1.4 made them give ground: But the Saxons with great courage and constancy resisting them, for they preferred death before flying, at last so wearied the Brittains, that their forces melted away like snow, so that they turned their backs to the pursuers, and fled from Pennum as far as Pedredan. The wound which the Progeny of Bru∣tus received this day, was incurable.
2. The place where this battell was sought was an obscure Village in Somersetshire at this day called Pen: but anciently famous for this Victory over the Brittains, and ano∣ther which in after ages King Edmond Iron∣side gaind there against the Danes. From thence the Brittains fled to the River Pedre••, now called Parret, where was seated the town called by the Saxons Pedridan, but now Pederton, and it was sometimes the Royal Seat of Ina King of the West-Saxons.
3. After this combat and Victory the Saxons became so terrible to the Brittains, that they never afterward descended from their mountains to encounter them. Besides this, their State became divided among severall petty Princes, each of which sought to secure and enlarge his own territory, so that they never combind in any gene∣rall design against the Saxons or English.