Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

A Table describing the seuen kingdoms of the Saxons, raigning here in England.

IN the tyme of Vortiger aboue mentioned, began the raigne of the Saxons in this land, the which comming out of 3. sortes of the Germaine people (to witte) the Saxons, the Intes and Angles, replenished the land, of them called now Anglia. Of whom first Hengistus raigned in Kent, which countrey of Kent he had obtayned by Rowen his daughter, of king Vortiger, which was about the yeare of our Lord as some doe count, 476. or as I finde in the computation of our English Tables, 456. in some, 463. After Hengist, came in Octha, with Eosa, or Ysse his kinsman: who afterward succee∣ded the sayd Hengist in Kent. Not long after came in an other company of the Saxons, with Elle their Captaine, which planted themselues in Southsexe. And after them agayne an other garrison of the Saxons with Cerdice their Captain, which did occupy the West part of the land, called by them Westsaxon. And so likewise the other multitude of the Saxōs after them, which as yet beyng vnchristened and Infidels, deuided the whole land among themselues into vij. king∣doms, as in this Table followeth.

456.	¶ The Kings of Kent, with the yeares how long they raigned.
Kent.	Hengistus, slaine. 31
	Eosa, or Ysse. 24
	Ocha, or Octha.
	Emenricus, or Emeri∣cus. 26
	Ethelbertus, the first of ye Saxon kings that receyued the fayth by Aug. an. reg. 35.56	This Ethelbert first of all the Sax∣ons receiued the fayth, and subdued all the other vj. kings, except onely the king of Northumberland.
	Edbaldus. 24
	Ercombertus. 24	Ercombert commaunded Lent first to be fasted in his dominion.
The kings of Kent.	Egebertus, or Edbrieth slayne. 9	Egebert killed two Sonnes of his Uncle.
	Lotharias slayne. 12
	Eadrichus. 6	Unto the time of Eadrick all the bi∣shops of Canterbury were Italians.
	Nidredus. 7	Some Chronicles doe place these two, Nidredus and Wilhardus, after E∣dricke, and geue to them seuen yeares, some agayne do omit them.
	Wilhardus. 7
	Withredus. 33
	Egfertus, or Edbert. 23
	Ethelbert. 11
	Alricus. 34	Betweene the raygne of Alricke, and Cuthred, some Stories do insert the raigne of Eadbert, which raigned two yeares.
	Eadbertus, surnamed Pren. 2
	Cuthredus. 18
	Baldredus, expulsed. 81

In the raigne of this Baldred the kingdom of Kent was translated to Egbertus, otherwise called Egbrict, king of the Westsaxōs, who sub∣duing the foresaid Baldred, an. 832. gaue the said kingdome to Athelstan his younger sonne. After whose decease it came to Ethelwolfe the elder sonne of Egbrict, and so was vnited to the Westsaxons, who then be∣gan to be the Monarch of the whole land. This kingdom began nere about the yeare of our Lord, 456. and continued 342. yeares, and had xv. kings.

478.	¶ The Kings of Southsaxe, with the yeares of their raigne.
South∣saxe.	Elle, or Alle. 31 Cissa.	Of this Cissa came Cicester, which he builded, and where he raigned.
Now cal∣led Sussex.	Nancanleus, or Nan∣canleodus.	This Nathanleod seemeth by some old stories to be a Britaine, & the chief Marshall of king Vter, whome Porth the Saxon slew.
	Porth.	This Porth a Saxon, came in at the hauen, which now is called of him Porthmouth.
	Ethelwelfus.	Because I find but little mention of these two I thinke it rather like to bee the same Ethelwold or Ethelwaldus, which after followeth.
The kings of Sussex.	Redwallus.
Condebertus.	Of Condebertus and Ethelred I find no mention but in one table only, sup∣posing therfore that the true names of these were Ercombertus and Egebertus, which were kings of Kent the same tyme, and peraduenture might then rule in Sussex.
	Ethelredus, or Ethe∣reus.
	Adelwood, or Ethel∣waldus, slayne.	This Adelwold was the first kyng of Sussex Christened, and as Fabian saith, the iiij. king of the Southsaxōs: as other say the vij. so vncertain be the histories of this kingdom.
	Adelbrich, or Bere∣thunus, slayne. 5
	Adhumus. 15

¶This kingdome endured y^e shortest season of all other, and soonest passed into other kingdoms, in the dayes as some write of Iue king of Westsaxe, and so endured not aboue an hundred & twelue yeres vnder seuen or at most xj. kings, beginning first in the yeare of the Lord, 47•• and about the 30. yeare of the first comming of the Saxons.

West∣saxe. 522.	¶ The principall kingdome of the West∣saxons, and of their raignes.
Cerdicus, or Credi∣cus. 17	This kingdome contained Som∣mersetshire, Barkshire, Dorsetshire, Deuonshire, Cornewall, &c.
	Kenricus. 26
	Chelingus 30.33. lib. cycl.
	Celricus, or Ceolfri∣cus. 5
	Celwulfus, or Ceolul∣fus. 14
	Kynigilsus & Quicelinus. 32	This Kynigilsus was first Kyng Christened in that prouince, conuerted by Birinus after made Monke.
	Kinewalkins. 31
	Sexburga. ••
	Escwynus, Ascwynus, or Elkwinus. 2
The kings of West∣saxe.	Centwinus, dyed at Rome. 7
Cedwalla. 3	Cedwalla went to Rome, and there was Christened and dyed.
Ina, or Iue. 35
	Edelardus, or Athelar∣dus. 14	Ina also went to Rome, and was made Monke.
	Cuthredus, or Cuth∣bert. 16
	Sigebertus, or Sighe∣rus, slayne. 1	Sigebert for his pride and crueltie was deposed of his people. And as he had killed before one of hys faythfull counsel geuing him wholesome coun∣saile: so after was he slayne of ye same counsellers Swynard, as he hid him selfe in a wood.
	Kynulfus, or Kynewl∣fus, slayne. 31
	Brithricus. 13
	Egbertus, or Egbrich∣tus, otherwise A∣thelbert{us}, or Athel∣brich, &c. 37	This Egbert was first expelled by Brithricus, who after returning againe and raigning, was much deryded and scorned with mocking runes for a co∣ward of Bernulfus king of Mercia. At lēgth the sayd Egbert subdued hym first, then all the rest, to his kingdome•• causing the whole land to be called no more Britayne, but Anglia. Concer∣ning the other kings after him in that Lordship hereafter followeth.

¶This Egebert subdued all the other seuen kingdomes, and first began the Monarchie of all the Saxones, which after by Alured was perfected, as hereafter followeth (the lord willing) to be declared. This kingdom of the Westsaxons began the yere of grace, 522. & as it subdu∣ed all the other, so it did the longest continue, til about the comming of William Conqueror, which is about the tyme of 554. yeares.

547. Nor∣thum∣berlād.	¶ The Kings of Northumberland, with the yeares of their raigne.
Ida. 12	This Ida of his wife had vj. chil∣dren, Adda, Elricus, Osmerus, Theodle∣dus, of concubines other 6.
After Ida the kingdome of Northumberland was deui∣ded into two prouinces, Deyra and Bernicia.
	Alle, or Elle, Deirorum. 30	This Alle was the sonne of Iffe, & raigned in Deyra, 30.
	Adda, Bernicorum. 7
	Some Chronicles set vnder Adda, to raigne in Berni∣cia these kings, Glappa or Claspa, Theonulfus, or Hussa, or The∣owalnus, Frihulfus, Theodoricus.
	Alricus, or Alfricus Deirorum. 5	This Alfricus was the sonne of I∣da and raigned fiue yeares.
		This Ethelfridus was he that slew the monkes of Bangor, to the number

of 2200. whyche came to praye for the good successe of the Britaynes, and by hys wife Accan, the daughter of Elle, had vij. sonnes, Eaufridus, Osualdus, Oswius, Oslacus, Osmundus, Os••, Of••a. Flor. Histor.
	Ethelfridus Bernicorū.
	Edwinus, Northum∣berland, slaine. 17	Thys Edwinus was the first of the Northumberland kings, whych was conuerted and Christened by Paulinus Byshop of London.
	Osricus Deirorum, slaine.	These two are put out of the rase of kings, because they reuolted frō the Christian faith, and were both slayne miserablye by Cedwalla a Brittayne, which then raigned in Northumber∣land, and in Mercia.
	Eaufridus Bernicia, slaine.
The kings of Northū∣berland.	Oswaldus, Northum∣berland, slaine.	This Oswaldus, called S. Oswald, fought with Cedwalla, & Penda with a small army, and by strength of prayer vanquished thē in the field. He sent for Aedanus into Scotlād to preach in hys coūtry, & as he preached in Scottish, ye king expoūded in English. He was a great geuer of almes to ye poore. Of his other actes more appeareth hereafter.
	Oswius, Northum∣berland. 28	This Oswius lighting against Pen∣da, vowed to make his daughter Elfred a Nonne, geuing wyth her .12. Lord∣ships, to build 12. Monasteries .vj. in Bernicia .vj. in Deira.
	Oswinus raigned to∣gether with Oswius in Deira slaine. 7	The same Oswius in the beginning of hys raigne tooke one Oswinus the sonne of Edwyne to be his partener o∣uer the countrey of Deyra. Afterward causing him to be killed, tooke to hym an other called Edelwald, the sonne of Oswalde. Of thys Oswynus more fol∣loweth hereafter to be declared.
	Egfridus, Northumber∣berland. slayne. 15	Thys Egfrid marryed Etheldrida, who being xij. yeares maried to hym, could after, by no meanes be allured to lye with him, but obtaining of him li∣cence, was made Nunne, & then Ab∣bes of Elye. She made but one meale a day, & neuer weare linen. At last the same Egfrid fighting against ye Scots, was slayne in the fielde by a trayne of the Scots, faining themselues to flee.
	Alridus, Northumber∣land, slaine. 20	Of this Alfride, Bede in his historie testifieth that he was exactly and per∣fectly seene in the holy Scriptures, & recouered much that hys predecessors had lost before. Bed. lib. 4. cap. 24. Some say he raigned not 18. yeares.
	Osred{us}, Northumber∣land, slaine. 11	Osred began his raigne being but viii. yeares old, and raigned the space of x. yeares.
	Kenredus, North. 2
	Oriscus, North. 20	Some affirme that Oriscus raig∣ned but xi. yeares.
	Celulfus, Northumb. made a Monke. 9	This Celulf after he had raigned .8. yeares was made a Monke. To hym Beda wrote his storie.
	Egbertus, or Eadber∣tus, Northumberlād, Monke. 21
	Osulfus, Northumber. slaine. 1
	Mollo, or Ethelwold, North. 11.	Mollo by the subtil traine of Altredus was made away, whych Altredus also himselfe after he had raigned x. yeres, was expulsed by his owne people.
	In some Chronicles vj. yeeres.
	Altredus, Northum. expulsed. 10	In some Chronicles this Altredus raigned but viij. yeares.
	Ethelbertus, or Edelredus, Northumberland, expulsed. 5
	Alfwoldus, Northumberland slaine, 11
	Osredus.
	Ethelbertus, or Adelwaldus, North. slaine. 16

¶After this Ethelbert, the kingdome of Northumberland ceased the space of xxv. yeares, till Egbertus King of the Westsaxons subdued also them, as hee did the other Saxons to his dominion. After the whych Egbert king of the Westsaxons succeeded in Northūberland hys sonne.

Kings of Westsaxons, raigning in Nor∣thumberland.

• ...Ethelwolfus.
• ...Ethelbertus.
• ...Ethelbaldus.
• ...Ethelredus.

In the tyme of thys Ethelredus there were two vnder Kinges in Northumberland Ella, and Osbright, whom the Danes ouercame and raigned in theyr place, whose names were these.

Danes.

• ...Exbertus.
• ...Richsi.
• ...Egebert.
• ...Gurthed.
• ...Guthrid.

¶After the raigne of these foresayd Danes, the kingdome of Nor∣thumberland came into the hands of the Westsaxons, in the time of A¦thelstane and his brother Edmundus. It began first. An. 547. and so endu∣red. 409. yeares. It contained Yorkeshyre, Notinghamshyre, Darbi∣shyre, the Byshopricke of Dyrham, Copeland and other.

(561)	¶The kings of Mercia, or Merceland with the yeares of their raigne.
Mercia.	Grida, or Creodda. 35
	Wibba. 20
	Ceorlus. 10
	Penda, slaine. 30	Penda slew in battaile Edwyne and Oswald kinges of Northumb. Also Si∣gebert, Edrike, and Anna, kinges of the Eastangles. Also he droue out Ken∣walkins king of the Westsaxons.
	Peda, or Weda, slayne by his wife.	Under Peda, and Wlferus, Chris••••s faith was receiued in those parts, they being conuerted by Finianus Bishop.
		The same Peda raygned in a part of Mercia, with hys brother Wlferus, which were both the sonnes of Penda.
	Wlferus. 29	This Wlfer{us} by his wife Ermeburg had iii. daughters, Milburg, Mildrith, and Mildgith, holy virgines,
	Adelredus, or Ethel∣red, made Monke. 30 or. 19	This Adelredus, or Ethelredus was Monke of Baroney, whose sisters were Kynedrid, and Kynswith, holye virgines.
	Kenredus made also Monke at Rome. 5
The Kinges of Mercia.	Ceolredus, or Kelre∣dus.	In the tyme of this Ceolred was Guthlake otherwise called S. Guthlake, the Popish Eremite of Crouland.
Ethelbaldus, slaine. 41	Under Ethelbaldus dyed Beda. E∣thelbad gaue that all churches should be free from all exactions and publike charges.
	Bernredus. 1	This Bernred for his pride & stoutnes toward his people, was by thē depo∣sed, & the same yeare by the iust iudge∣ment of God burned. Histor. Cariens. Offa causing or cōsenting to the death of good Ethelbert king of the Eastan∣gles, peaceably comming to mary his daughter, for repentaunce caused the Peter pence first to be geuē to Rome, and there did his penaunce.
	Offa. 39
	Egfredus. 1
	Kenulphus, slaine, 20 or. 16.
	Kenelmus, murthered Ceolwolfus expulsed, 1. or 3.	This Kenelme beyng of vii. yeares of age, was wickedly slayne after hee had raygned vi. monethes.
	Bernulphus, slaine. 3
	Ludecanus, slaine. 2Some Chronicles here insert Milefred{us}.	This Ludicane after the 2. yeare of his raigne was slayne of Egbert, king of the Westsaxons, by whome the rest of the Saxons were also subdued.
	Wilafius, or Withlacus beheaded. 12

¶This Withlacus in the beginning of his raigne was vanquished by Egfrid king of Westsaxe, to whome hee became tributarie wyth hys successours here following.

¶Some wryters say that these kinges were subdued by the Danes.

• Berthulfus. 12
• Buthredus. 20
• Celustus. 1
• Elfredus. 1

After this Elfride the kingdome of the Mercians was translated vnto the Westsaxons, in the latter time of king Alfred, or in the begin∣ning of Edwardus Senior, and so was adioyned to the Westsaxons, be∣ginning. An. 561. It endured the space of 250. yeares, til about the latter end of Aluredus, by whome it was ioyned to the kingdome of Westsax∣ons. This kingdome stretched out to Huntingtonshire, Hertford∣shire, Glocestershire, Worceter, Warwick, Lichfield, Couentry, Che∣ster, Darbishire, Staffordshire, Shrosebury, Oxforde, Buckingham Dorceter, Lincolne, Lecester. &c.

(561)	¶The kings of the Eastsaxons, with the yeares of their raigne.
Eastsax¦ons.	Erchwinus. 35
Sledda. 17
	Sebertus, or Sigeber∣tus. 14	This Sebertus n••phew to Ethelber•• king of Kent amōg these kings was first Christened by Mellitus, whych made the Church of Paules.
	Sexredus, and Sewar∣dus, brethren slaine. 7	Sexred, & Seward, and Sigebert, ex∣pelled Mellitus the Bishop, because he would not minister to them the sacra∣mētal bread, they being not baptised.

	Sigebertus paruus. 23	This Sigebertus Paruus with his bro∣ther Sebertus were slayne of Kynegilsus and Swithelinus his brother, by the iust iudgement of God, for they reuolted againe from their Faith, and expelled Mellitus Bishop of London.
	Segebertus Bonus, or Sibertus, slaine.	This Segebertus Bonus or Sibertus, much resorting to Oswy, king of Nor∣thumberland, by his perswasion was brought to Christiā baptisme, baptised of Finlanus Bish. to whō also was sent Cedde with other ministers to preache & to baptise in hys countrey. At last he was slaine of his mē about him, vsing to much to spare his enemies, & to for∣geue their iniuries that repented. Flor.
The kings of the East saxons.	Swythelinus. 14
	Sigherius, sonne of Segebertus Paruus.	This Sigherius and Sebbi first fell to Idolatry, then through the meanes of Wolferus King of Mercia, were redu∣ced, & at last Sebby became a Monke.
	Sebbi Sonne of Se∣wardus, which was made a Monke.
	Sigehardus, and Sue∣fridus, brethren. 8
	Offa. 5	Offa after hee had raigned a while, became a Monke at Rome.
	Selredus, or Colredus, slaine. 38
	Swithredus,

Thys Swithredus was subdued vnto Egbert King of Westsaxons, Albeit London remained vnder the Mercias to the time that they also were subdued to the Westsaxons. This kingdom began. An. 561. and so continued till the time of Egbertus. Some stories say it continued to the time of Edward sonne of Aluredus, about the cōming of the Danes, and contained vnder it the Lordship of Midlesex and London. The Me∣tropolitane sea of this prouince of Essex was London, where the fa∣mous Church of S. Paul was builded by Ethelbert king of Kent, and Sigebert king of Essex, whō Ethelbert had lately before turned to Chri∣stes faith: wherof the first bishop was Mellitus, the ij. byshop was Ced∣dus, y^e third came in by Simonie, whose name was Wine. Malmesb. de vi∣tis Pont. After him was Erkenwaldus, of whom writeth Bede, that he be∣ing diseased in hys legges that he could neither go nor ride, yet would be caried about in a litter to preach in his Dioces. &c. Although W. Mal∣mesb. wryting of the Byshoppes of London in his booke De vitis Ponti. sayth that Mauritius first the kings Chauncelor, then Byshop there, did first begin this so large and famous building of the Church of S. Paul in London: Which worke after him Richardus his successour did prose∣cute, bestowing al the rents of his Bishopricke vpon the same, and yet was scarsely seene: yet herein may be answered peraduenture, that the Church builded before by King Ethelbert, and king Sigebert, myght be ouerthrowen by the Danes, and afterward was reedified by these Bi∣shops aboue mentioned.

(561)	¶The kinges of the Eastangles, with the yeares of their raigne.
Eastan∣gles.	Vffa, or Vlfa, 30	Of thys Vffa the people of North∣folke were then called Vfkyns.
	Titulus, or Titila. 13	Redwaldus first was conuerted in Kent: afterwarde through the wicked perswasion of his wife and other, ioy∣ned Idolatry with Christianitie.
	Redwaldus. 12
	Erpwaldus, or Corpwal¦dus, slaine. 38	Notwythstanding his sonne Erp∣waldus through the meanes of Edwyn king of Northūberland, was brought to the perfect faith of Christ, & therein faithfully did continue.
	Sigebertus, or Sibrect first a mōke slaine. 3	Thys Sigebert made hym selfe a Monke, and afterwarde brought out to fighte agaynst Penda, wyth a white sticke in hys hande, was slayne in the field.
The kings of the East¦angles.	Egnicus, or Egricus, slaine. 3
Anna, slaine. 3	The daughters of Anna were Sex∣burga, Ethelberta, and Saint Etheldreda.
Adelhere, or Adelre∣dus, slaine. 2
	Adelwoldus, or Ethel∣baldus. 9
	Adulphus. 25
	Elkwoldus. 12	This Ethelredus for hys holinesse & godly vertues is counted for a Saint, he innocently comming to Offa kyng of Mercia to marrie wyth Althrid hys Daughter, by the sinister suspicion of Offa, and wicked counsaile of Kineswina his wife, was cruelly put to death in ye house of Offa. For the which cause Offa afterward repenting went to Rome, where he made him selfe a Monke.
	Beorna. 26
	Ethelredus, slaine. 52
	Ethelbritus, slaine. 5

¶After this sinfull murther of Ethelbert, the kingdome of Eastangles during the time of certaine yeares, was in great trouble and desolation, vnder diuers kings and ty∣rants, sometime the king of Westsaxe, somtimes of Kent, or of Mercia, hauing dominion ouer them, till the com∣ming of S. Edmund, whych was the last King there ruling vnder the Westsaxons.

• S. Edmund, Mar∣tyred. 16.

¶After the death of S. Edmund, being slaine of the In∣fidel Danes, the kingdom remained with the Danes .50. yeares, till at length Edward King of the Westsaxons, ex∣pulsed the Danes, and ioyned it to hys kingdome. It be∣gan about the yere of our Lord .561. and continued neare about 377. yeares. Fabian numbreth but 12. kinges, but in other I finde moe.

The Metropolitane sea of this prouince of Eastan∣gles, which was first at a towne called Dunmoke or,* 1.1 or Dū∣wich (which in time past hath bene a famous & populous towne w^t a maior & 4. bailifs, & also diuers Parish Chur∣ches, & hospitals, whereunto great priuiledges by diuers kings haue bene graunted, whych towne is nowe fallen into ruine and decay, and more then half consumed by the eating in of the Sea, as also greatly impouerished by losse of the Hauen, which heretofore hath flourished wyth di∣uers tall shippes belonging to the same (the inhabitantes therof being not able of them selues to repaire it wythout the helpe of other good people,) where the first bishop was Felix, a Burgundian, who sate there 14. yeres. After this, vnto the time of Egbert King of Westsaxe, thys prouince was euer ruled by two Bishops, wherof the one had hys sea at Dunmoke, now called Dunwich. The other at De∣maham, where 12. sate, one after an other. From thence it was translated to Thetford, where sate three Bishops. At last by Byshoppe Herbert it was remooued to Norwich, where he erected a Monasterie of Monkes.

And thus standeth the order and race of the Saxon kinges, raigning together wyth the Britaines in thys Realme. Nowe foloweth the description of the Britayne kings, raigning with the Saxons in like maner.

Although the miserable Britaines thus were beriued of their land, by the cruel subtilty of the Saxons, yet were they not so driuē out or expulsed, but that a certaine king∣dom remained amōg them, in some part of the lād, name∣ly about Cornewall, and the partes of Cambria, which is deuided in two partes, Southwales, called Demetia, and Northwales called Venedocia. The sayd Britaines more∣ouer through the valiant actes of their kings, sometimes raigned also in other countreis, displacing the Saxons, & recouering againe their owne: somtimes more, somtimes lesse, till the time of Carecius, when as the Britaines being deposed by Godmundus, (whose help they themselues sent for out of Irelande, agaynst Carecius theyr wicked King) vtterly lost their land and kingdome: being thence driuen vtterly into Wales and Cornewale, the yere of our Lorde 570. What the order of these kings was, what were theyr actes, their names, and times when they raigned: in this briefe table vnder wrytten is expressed. Wherein first is to be premonished that Constantinus secundus had three chil∣drē, to wit, Constans, whych was made a Monke in Win∣chester, and after made a king: the seconde was Aurelius Ambrosius: the thirde was Vter Pendragon. This being pre∣mised, we wil now enter the description of our Table, be∣ginning with Vortigernus.

¶A Table declaring the Kings of Britayne, which raigned together with the Saxones, after their comming into this land.
Kinges of Bri∣taine whiche here raigned in the time of the Saxones.

• ...Vortigernus.
• ...Vortimerius.
• Vortigernus, againe.
• ...Aurelius Ambrosius.
• ...Vter Pendragon.
• ...Arthurus.
• Constantinus 3.
• ...Aurelius.
• ...Conanus.
• ...Vortiperius.
• ...Malgo.
• ...Carecius.

Here is to be vnderstand that these Britaine kings a∣boue mentioned, did not so raign here in this land, frō the time of Vortigerne, that they had the full possession and go∣uernement ouer all the whole realme: but only ouer par∣cels or partes, such as by force of armes, they could either

hold or win from the Saxons:* 1.2 which cōming in daily and growing vpon thē, did so replenish the land w^t multitudes of them, that y^e Britains at lēgth were neither able to hold y^t which they had, nor to recouer that which they lost: Lea∣uing exaple to al ages & countreis, what it is, first to let in forreine nations into their dominion,* 1.3 but especially what it is for Princes to ioyne in mariage with infidels: as this Vortiger did w^t Hengistus daughter, which was the mother of al this mischief: geuing to the Saxons not only strēgth, but also occasion and courage to attempt that whych they did. Neyther was this vncōsidered before of the Britaine Lords and Nobilitie: who worthely being therew^t offen∣ded, iustly deposed their king, & inthroned Vortimerus hys sonne in his roume. By the which Vortimer being a punāt prince, the Saxons were then repulsed and driuen againe into Germany, where they stayed a while till the death of Vortimer whome Rowen daughter of Hengistus caused trai∣terously to be poysoned.* 1.4 Then Vortiger being again resto∣red to his kingdome, through the entreatie of Rowen hys wife, sent into Germanie againe for Engist, who eftsoones making his returne, came in wyth a name of 300. shippes wel appointed.* 1.5 The Nobles of Britain hearing this, pre∣pared them selues to the contrary side in all forceable wise to put them of. But Engist through Rowen hys daughter so laboured the king: excusing himselfe, and saying that he brought not the multitude, to worke any violence eyther against him or against his coūtrey, but only thinking that Vortimer had yet bene aliue, whom he minded to impugne for the kings sake, and to take hys part. And nowe for so much as he heareth of y^e death of Vortimer hys enemie, hee therefore committeth both himselfe & his people to his dis∣position, to appoint how few or how many of thē he wold to remaine within his land: the rest should returne. And if it so pleased the King, to appoynt day & place, where they might meete and talke together of the matter, both he and his would stande to such order as the king with his coun∣saile should appoynt. With these faire words the king and his nobles (wel contented) did assigne to them both day & place, which was in the towne of Ambry: where he ment to talke with them, adding thys condition w^t all, that eche part shoulde come without any maner of weapon. Engist shewing him selfe well agreed thereto,* 1.6 gaue priuy intelli∣gence to his side, that eche man should cary w^t him secrete∣ly in his hose a long knife, w^t their watch worde also geuen vnto them whē they should draw their kniues: wherwith euery Saxon shoulde (and so did) kill the Britayne, wyth whō he talked, as is aboue declared. The Britaine Lords being slayne, the Saxons tooke Vortigerne the King, and bound him: for whose ransome they required to be deliue∣red to them the Cittie of London, Yorke, Lincolne, Win∣chester, w^t other the most strongest holdes within the lande whych being to them graunted, they begin to make spoile & hauocke of the Britaine nation, destroying the Citizens, plucking downe Churches, killing vp the Priestes, bur∣ning the Bookes of the holy Scripture, leauing nothyng vndone that tyrannie could worke, whych was about the yeare of our Lorde. 462. The King seeing thys miserable slaughter of the people fled into Wales.

This whyle Aurelius Ambrosius, & Vter Pendragon bre∣thren to king Constans aboue mentioned, whō Vortigerne wickedly caused to be killed,* 1.7 were in little Britayne. To whome the Britaynes sent woorde, desiring theyr ayde in helping their countrey. Aurelius vnderstanding the wofull state of the Realme,* 1.8 speedeth hym ouer to satisfie their de∣sire, and to rescue (what in him was) their necessitie. Who at his first commyng eftsoones being crowned for theyr king seeketh out wicked Vortigerne, the cause of all thys trouble and murder of king Constās hys brother. And fin∣ding him in Wales in a strong tower, wherein he had im∣mured him selfe,* 1.9 setteth hym and his castell on fire. That done he moued his power against the Saxons, w^t whom, and wyth Elle Captaine of the Southsaxons (who then was newly come ouer) he had diuers conflicts.

* 1.10Our English old Chronicles make record that Horsus the brother of Engist was slaine before in the time of Vorti∣mer. The same also doe recorde, that thys Engist was taken prisoner in the fielde, fighting against Aurelius Ambrosius▪ who then cōsulting with his Nobles and Barons, what was to be done with him: the Byshop of Glocester, called Eldadus,* 1.11 standing vp, gaue this counsaile, saying: that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all men would deliuer him, yet he with his owne hāds wold cut him in peeces, alleaging the exāple of Samuel against Agag King of the Ameleches, taken by King Saul in the field: whome the sayde Samuel caused to be cut in peeces. Euen so (saith he) do you to this Agag here: that as he hath made many a woman widow, and without childrē: so his mother mai be made this day of him likewise. And so was Engist taken out of the Citie by Eldo Consull or Maior of Glocester, and there was beheaded: if truth or credit be to be geuen to these our old Britaine stories: wherof I haue nothing certainly to pronoūce, but that I may suspect the truth therof, which was about the yeare of our Lord. 490. Henr. Hunting. Galfr. cum alijs.

A certaine auncient written history I haue in Latine, compiled in the .xiiij. yeare of king Richard the seconde, and by him caused to be writtē as the title declareth: whych be∣cause it beareth no name of the author: I cal it by the name of him of whom I borowed thys booke,* 1.12 wyth many other likewise without name, Historia Cariana. This hystorie re∣cordeth that Hengistus dyed in Kent the xxxii. yeare of hys raigne: which if it be true, then is it false that he was taken at Cunynburgh, and slaine in the North. Thys Aurelius Ambrosius before mentioned,* 1.13 is thought of Polidorus Vergi∣lius citing the authoritye of Bede, to descende of the stocke of the Romaines: whych as it is not vnpossible to be true: so this is certaine by the full accord of al our old wrytten sto∣ries, that both the sayde Aurelius, and his brother Vter Pen∣dragon being the sonnes of Constantinus, brother to Andoe∣nus king of litle Britaine, were nursed and brought vp in England, in their tender age, and instructed by Gultelinus Archbyshop of London, and after the murder of Constans their elder brother, were conueied from hence to litle Bri∣taine: whereby it is manifest that they were borne in thys land, and though their father were a Romaine as Polydo∣rus pretēdeth, yet lyke it is that they were Britains borne, and had a Britaine to their mother.

After the death of Aurelius, who (as the storie sayeth) was poysoned by the crafty meanes of Pascentius,* 1.14 sonne of Vortigernus (suborning one, vnder the weede of a Monke to play the Phisicion, and so to poyson him) next succeeded hys brother Vter, surnamed Pendragon, about the yeare of our Lord. 497. who fighting against Octa and Cosa,* 1.15 tooke them and brought them to London there to be kept. But they breaking out of pryson returned into Germanie for more aid. In this meane time daily recourse was of Sax∣ons, with great companies cōming out of Saxonie: with whom the Britains had diuers & sundry conflictes,* 1.16 some∣times winning, sometimes loosing. Not long after Octa & Cosa, renuing their power in Germany, in all most speedy hast did returne againe, and ioyne with the other Saxons against the Britaines. Heere began the state of miserable Britaine daily more and more to decay,* 1.17 while the idola∣trous Saxons preuailed in number and strength against the Christian Britaines: oppressing the people, throwing downe Churches and Monasteries, murdering the Pre∣lates, sparing neither age nor person, but wasting christi∣anity almost through the whole realme. To these miseries it fell moreouer that Vter their king was sicke & could not come out. Notw^tstanding being greeued with the lamen∣table destructiō of his people, caused his bed to be brought into the campe, where God gaue him victorie: Octa & Co∣sa there being slaine. After this victorie in short space Vter died of poyson (as is sayde) put into a fountaine of water, whereof the king was wont to drinke, about the yeare of our Lorde. 516. Hor. Hist.

About which time and yeare,* 1.18 came in Stuph and Wiga∣rius two nephewes of Certhice king of Westsaxons, wyth their companies so violently vpon the Britains, that they of the West part of the realme, were not able to resist them. Then the merciful prouidence of almighty God, raised vp for them King Arthure,* 1.19 the sonne of Vter: who was then crowned after him and victoriously raigned. To thys Ar∣thure the old Britaine historyes do ascribe xij. great victo∣ries against the Heathen Saxons: whose notorious & fa∣mous conquests, mētioned in the Britain stories, I leaue them as I finde them: referring them to the credite of their authors in whom they are found. Notwithstanding as I do not thinke contrary, but God by the foresayde Arthure, gaue to the Britaines some stay and quietnes during his life,* 1.20 and certaine of his successours: so touching certaine of great victories & conquests, not onely ouer thys land, but also ouer all Europe, I iudge them more fabulous, then y^t any credit should be geuen vnto them, more worthy to be ioyned with the Iliades of Homere, then to haue place in a∣ny Ecclesiasticall hystorie.* 1.21 After Arthure next King of the Britaines, was Constantinus the third. After him Aurel••us Conanus. Then Vortiporius, after whome followed Malgo, noted in storyes to be a Sodomite. And after hym the last King of the Britaines, was Carecius, all geuen to Ciuill warre, execrable to God & man. Who being chased out by the Britains thēselues, the land fell to the possession of the Saxons: about the yere of our Lord. 568. by whom all the Clergy and the Christiā ministers of the Britaines, were then vtterly driuen out: In so much that Theonus Archbi∣shop

of London,* 1.22 & Thadeoseus Archbishop of Yorke, seeing theyr Churches all wasted, and Parishes dispersed, wyth their cariages and monumēts: left theyr seas in Britaine, and fled into Cambria, which we nowe call Wales. Tou∣ching which matter, and touching also the cause of this de∣solation & ruine of the Britaines kingdom, the first foun∣taine & origin therof partly before is declared, where was shewed in the time of Cōstantinus Magnus and Maximinian, pag. 108. howe these noble Princes with other moe, achie∣uing their venturous affaires in other countreis, tooke w^t them great multitudes & armies out of Britaine: through the occasion whereof, the land was greatly empaired and depriued of his most chiefe and principall nobles, being caried away to serue in forreine warres. Whyche was no small cause, why the realme of Britaine (being so wasted) was the lesse able to helpe it selfe against theyr enemyes. Although this was not the chief occasion, but other causes there were greater, wherfore God by his iust iudgement, suffered this plague and ouerthrow to fall vpon that peo∣ple, as here out of an olde author,* 1.23 and partly out of Gildas, as I haue found it, so I thought to annexe it in hys owne woordes, first in Latine, then afterwarde Englishing the same, for the more credite of that which shalbe alleaged, in tenour as foloweth.

Nobiliores totius regni praedictos duces sequ••ti fuerunt & ignobiles remanebāt,* 1.24 qui cum vicem nobilium obtinere coepis∣sent, extulerunt se vltra quod dignitas expetebat. Et ob affluenciā diuitiarum superbi coeperunt, tali & tantae fornicationi indulge∣re, qualis nec inter gentes audita est. Et, vt Gildas historicus te∣statur, non solùm hoc vitium sed omnia quae humanae naturae ac∣cidere solent, & praecipue quod totius boni euertit statū, odium veritatis, amor mendacij, susceptio mali pro bono, veneratio ne∣quitiae pro benignitate: exceptatio Sathanae pro angelo lucis: vn∣gebantur reges, non propter dominium, sed qui caeteris crudelio∣res essent. Si quis verò eorum mitior, & veritati aliquatenus pro∣pior videretur, in hunc quasi Britanniae subuersorem omnia odia, tela{que} torquebantur. Omnia quae Deo placebant & displicebant aequali lance inter eos pendebantur. Et non solùm hoc seculares viri, sed & ipse grex domini, eius{que} pastores sine discretione facie∣bant. Non igitur admirandum est degeneres tales patriam illam amittere quam praedicto modo maculabant.

* 1.25In English thus: The nobles of this realme folowing the Princes and Captaines aboue named: by the reason thereof the vulgare and rascall sorte remained behinde at home. Who when they had gotten the roumes and places of the nobles, they aduanced them selues aboue that their dignitie required. And through their aboundāce of riches, they surprised wyth pride, began to fal into such & so great fornication, as was neuer heard of euen among the Gen∣tiles. And as Gildas the Hystoriographer witnesseth, not into vice only, but also into al maner of wickednes, wher∣to mans nature is inclined: and especially into that which is the ouerthrow of al good estates, the hatred of the truth, loue of lies, imbracing of euil in stead of goodnesse, regar∣dyng of mischiefe in stead of vertue, receauing of the deuill in stead of an Angell of light. They annoynted kings not such as could wel rule a common wealth, but those which exceeded all other in cruelty. And if any might be percea∣ued to be somewhat more humble or meeke, or to be more inclined to fauour the trueth then the residue, him did e∣uery one hate and backbite as the ouerthrower and de∣stroyer of Brittayne. All thinges whether they pleased or displeased God, they regarded alyke. And not secular men onely did this. but also the congregation of the Lorde and their Bishops and teachers without any difference at all. Therefore it is not to be marueiled, that such people so de∣generating and going out of kinde should lose that coun∣trey, which they had after this maner defiled.

And thus much hetherto concerning the history of the Britaines, till, by the grace of Christ, the order of time shal bring vs heereafter to the treatise of Cedwalla and Calwalla∣drus. Nowe remaineth, in returning againe to the matter of the Saxons, to discourse particularly, that which before in the table aboue we haue sommarely comprehended.

In this order and rase of the Saxon kings, aboue spe∣cified which had thus thrust out the Britones, & now de∣uided their land in seuen kingdomes: as there were many noughty and wicked kings (whose pernicious examples, being all set on warre and bloudshed, are greatly to be de∣tested and eschued of all true godly Princes) so some there were againe (although but fewe) very sincere & good. But none almost from the first to the last, which was not either slaine in warre, or murdered in peace, or els constrained to make him selfe a monke. Such was the rage then and ty∣ranny of that time. Whether we shuld impute it to the cor∣ruption of mans nature, or to the iust iudgement of Gods hand, so disposing the matter, that as they had violently & falsely dispossessed the Britons of their right: so they most miserably were not onely vexed of the Danes, and cōque∣red at last by the Normās: but also more cruelly deuoured them selues, one warring still agaynst an other, till they were neyther able to helpe themselues, nor yet to resist o∣thers. Of thē which are noted for good among these Sax∣on kings,* 1.26 the first and principal is Ethelbertus, or Ethelbrict the first king of Kent aboue specified, who by the meanes of Austen, and partly through hys wife, named Berda, firste receiued and preferred the Christian faith, in al this land of the English Saxons, wherof more foloweth hereafter to be said (the Lorde so permitting) as place and oportunitie shall require. The next place I geue to Oswaldus of Nor∣thumberland, who not onely did hys endeuour in furthe∣ring the faith of Christ amongst his people: but also being king, disdained not himselfe to stande vp and interprete to his nobles & subiectes the preaching of Aidanus, preaching Christ to them in his Scottish language. In the same cō∣mendation also, like as in the same line, commeth hys vn∣cle Edwin, king of Northumberlād, a good Prince, and the first receauer of Christes faith in that land, by the meanes of his wife, and Paulinus Byshop. Adde to these also Sige∣bert, first Christened king of the Eastangles, & Sebert, first Christened king of Essex: of whome the one was a great furtherer of Religion, & setter vp of scholes: y^e other which is Sebert or Sexbrieth, was neuew to Ethelbert of Kent, vn∣der whom he ruled in Essex. By the which Ethelbert, in the time of the sayd Sebert the Church of Paules was builded at London, and Christian faith much enlarged. &c. Of the same name there was also an other Ethelbert King of the Eastangles, a good Prince: who by the aduise of his coun∣saile perswaded to mariage (though against his wil) went peaceably to King Offa for despousage of Athilride hys daughter, wher the good king meaning innocētly through the sinister and deuilishe counsaile of king Offa hys wife, was secretely beheaded and made away. Whereupon Offa through repentance thereof, made the first Peter pence to be geuen to S. Peters church in Rome.

In the Cathologue of these good kinges is also to be numbered Kenelmus king of the Mercians, and Edmundus king of the Eastangles:* 1.27 of the which ij. the first was falsely & abhominably circumuented & beheaded, by the meanes of his cruell sister and hys tutor; as he was in his hunting at Corfcastle. The other whych is called king Edmund the Martyr, was slaine at Bury, or as some wryte at the Ca∣stle of Halesdon by the Danes: vpon what occasion, histo∣ries do vary. The author of Flores Historiarū sayeth, it was by reason of one Lothebrocus a Dane: who being of the kings bloud, & being with his Hawke on the sea side in a litle boat, was driuen by force of weather into the coast of Northfolke, wher he being presented to king Edmūd, was retained in his Court with great fauour: til at length one Bericke the kings Fawkner, enuying and despiting hym, for his great dexteritie in that facultie, priuily did murder him in a wood. This being at last spied (as murder lightly will come out) Bericke was set in Lothbrockes boate alone without all tackling, to be cōmitted vnto the Sea: and as it chāced so, was driuen into Denmarke, who there being seene in Lothbrockes boate, was straitly examined of the partie. He then to excuse himselfe, falsly sayd he was slaine by the cōmandement of the king. Upō the occasion wher∣of Inguar and Hubba sonnes to the sayde Lothebroke gathe∣ring an army of Danes, inuaded first Northūberland: af∣ter that bursting into Northfolke on euery side, sent thys message to king Edmund after this tenor: Signifying that king Inguar the victorious Prince (dreade both by sea and lande) as he had subiect diuers other landes vnder him,* 1.28 so arriuing now to the coasts of Northfolke, where he intē∣deth to winter: chargeth and commaundeth him to deuide with him his olde treasures, and his fathers riches, and so to rule vnder him: which if he would not do, but wold cō∣temne his power so strōgly furnished wyth such an army, he should be iudged as vnworthy both of kingdom & life. &c. The king hearing this message, not a little astonyshed therat, calling his coūsaile about hym, consulted w^t them, especially with one of his Bishops, being then his Secre∣tarie, what was best to be done: who fearing the kinges life, exhorted him by wordes & diuers examples to agree to the message. At this a while the king holding his peace, at length thereto made aunswere againe in these wordes, saying: Go (saith he) tel your Lord, and let him know that Edmundus the Christened King, for the loue of this tempo∣ral life, wil not subiect him selfe to a Pagane Duke, vnles before he become a Christiā, &c. The messenger taking his answere was not so soone out of the gates, as Inguar mee∣ting him and bidding him to be short in declaring hys an∣swere, caused all the kings garrison to be set round about.

Some say that the king flying to Thetforde, there pitcht a field with the Danes, but the Danes preuailing,* 1.29 the good king from thence did flie to the Castle of Halesdon aboue mentioned: where he beyng pursued of the Danes was there taken, and at length being bounde to a stake, there, of the raging Danes was shot to death. And thus much for the good kings.

Now as concerning those kinges which made them selues Monks (which in number be vij. or viij.) although the example be rare & straung,* 1.30 and much commēded of the chroniclers of that time: yet I cannot rashly assent to their cōmendation, albeit the case therof is no matter of our hi∣story. First in altering their estate from kings to monkes, if they did it to finde more ease, and lesse trouble thereby: I see not howe that excuse standeth with the office of a good man, to chaunge his publike vocation, for respect of priuat commodity. If feare of ieoperdy & daunger did driue them therunto: what praise and commendation they deserue, in so doing let the monkish histories iudge what they lyste: me seemeth so much prayse as they deserue in prouiding their owne safetie, so much they deserue againe to be discō∣mended in forsaking the common welth. If they did it (as most like it is) for holinesse sake, thinking in that kinde of life to serue and please God better: or to merite more to∣ward their saluaciō then in the estate of a king, therin they were far deceaued: not knowing tha•• the saluation which cōmeth of God, is to be measured & estemed, not by mans merits, or by any perfectiō of life or by differēce of any vo∣cation more of one then another, but only by the free grace of the gospell, which freely iustifieth all them, that fayth∣fully beleeue in Christ Iesu. But here will be saide againe peraduenture, in the solitary life of Monkery, be fewer oc∣casions of euils, then in kings courtes, wherefore that lyfe serueth more to holines,* 1.31 & more is to be preferred then the other. To this I aunswere, to auoid the occasions of euill is good where strength lacketh to resist. But otherwyse, where duety & charge bindeth to tary, there to auoyde the occasiōs of euil, where rather they are to be resisted: rather declareth a weakenes of the man, thē deserueth any praise. As it is truely saide of Tullie: Out of Asia, saith he, to liue, a good life, is no god a mercy: but in Asia where so great oc∣casiōs of euils abound, there to liue a good mā that is praise worthy. With the like reason I may infer, if a man be cal∣led to be a king, there not to chaunge the vocation for voi∣ding of occasions, but rather to resist occasions, & to keepe his vocation, declareth a good & perfect man. But of these bymatters hetherto sufficient.

* 1.32These things now thus premised, concerning the or∣der & raigne of kinges, as is aboue prefixed: consequently it remaineth to enter the tractation of such thinges, as in the time and raigne of the foresaide kings happened in the Church: first putting the Reader againe in minde of the former persecutions within the realme, partly before tou∣ched in the time of the Britaine kinges, which speciallye were three or foure before the commyng of Austen into Englande.

1, The first was vnder Dioclesian, and that not onely in England but generally throughout al the Romaine Mo∣narchie, as is aboue specified. In this persecution Albanus Iulius, Aaron, with a great number moe of other good Chri∣stian Britanes, were martyred for Christes name.

2. The seconde persecution or destruction of Christian faith, was by the inuading of Gnauius and Melga, whereof, the first was captaine of the Hunnes, the other of y^e Pictes. These two tyrauntes, after the cruell slaughter of Vrsula, and other. 11000 noble virgines, made their rode into Brytaine hearyng the same to be destitute of y^e strength of men. At what time they made miserable murder of Chri∣stes Saints, spoiling & wasting Churches, without mer∣cy either of women or children, sparing none.

3. The third persecution came by Hengist, and the Sax∣ones: who likewise destroied and wasted the christen con∣gregations within the lande, like raging Wolues fleeyng vpon the sheepe, & spilling the bloud of Christians, til Au∣rellus Ambrosius came, and restored againe the Churches destroyed.

4. The fourth destruction of Christen faith & Religion was by Gurmundus a Pagan king of the Africanes: who ioyning in league with the Saxons, wrought much gre∣uaunce to the christians of the land. In so much that Theo∣nus Byshop of London, and Thadioceus Bishop of Yorke, with the rest of the people so many as were left, hauing no place wherin to remaine with safety, did flee some to Corn¦wall, and some to the mountaines of Wales about the yere of our Lord 550. and this persecution remained to the time of Ethelberd king of Kent, an. 589.

In the raigne of this Ethelbert, which was then the 5. king of Kent, the faith of Christ was first receaued of the Saxons or Englishmen, by the meanes of Gregory bishop of Rome, in maner and order as here foloweth, out of old histories collected and recorded.

First then to ioyne the order of our history together: The Christē faith first receiued of king Lucius, endured in Britaine till this time, neare vpon the season of CCCC. yeares and odde: when by Gurmundus Africanus, (as is saide) fyghting wyth the Saxons against the Brytaynes, it was neare extinct in all the land, duryng the space about fortie foure yeares.* 1.33 So that the first springing of Chri∣stes Gospell in thys lande, was an. 180. The comming of the Saxons was. an. 449. or an. 469. The comming of Austen, was an. 596. From the first entring in of the Saxons to their complet conquest, and the driuing out of the Brytanes (which was aboute the latter time of Gad∣walader) were 240. yeares.* 1.34 In summe from Christ to Lu∣cius were, 180. yeares. The continuaunce of the gospel frō Lucius to the entring of the Saxons was 302. yeares. The decay of the same to the entring of Austen, was. 143. yeares which being added together make from Lucius to Austen. 445. from Christ to Austen they make 598. yeares. In this yeare then. 598. Austen being sent from Gregory came into England: the occasion wherupon Gregory sent him hether was this.

In the daies of Pelagius Byshop of Rome,* 1.35 Gregory chauncyng to see certayne chyldren in the market place of Rome (brought thether to be sould out of England) being faire and beautifull of visage,* 1.36 demaunded out of what coū∣trey they were: and vnderstanding they were Heathenish out of England, lamented the case of y^e land being so beau∣tifull and Angelicall, so to be subiecte vnder the Prince of darknes. And asking moreouer out of what prouince they were it was aunswered, out of Deyra, a part of Northsax∣ons: wherof as it is to be thought, that which we now cal Deyrham taketh his name. Then he alluding to the name of Deyra, these people (saith he) art to be deliuered de Dei¦ira, which is from Gods wrath, Moreouer vnderstanding the kings name of that prouince to be Alle (aboue mentio∣ned) alluding likewise to his name: there (saith he) ought Alleluia to be song to the liuing God.* 1.37 Wherevpon beyng moued and desirous to go and helpe the cōuersion of that country, was not permitted of Pelagius and the Romanes for that time to accomplish his desire. But afterwarde be∣ing Bishop himselfe next after Pelagius, he sent thether the foresaide Austen with other preachers neere about to the nūber of xl. But by the waye, howe it happened I cannot saye: As Austen with his company were passing in theyr iourney, such a sodaine feare entred in their harts (that as Antonius saith) they returned all. Other write that Austen was sent backe to Gregory againe, to release them of that viage so daungerous and vncertaine, amongst such a bar∣berous people: whose language neither they knewe, nor whose rudenes they were able to resist. Thē Gregory with pithy perswasions confirming and comforting him, sent him againe with letters both to the Bishop of Arelalensis, willing him to helpe and aide the said Austen,* 1.38 and his com∣pany in all whatsoeuer his neede required. Also other let∣ters he directed by the foresaid Austine, vnto his fellowes, exhorting them to go foreward boldly in the Lords work, as by the tenour of the said Epistle here followyng maye appeare.

Gregorius seruus seruorum Dei,* 2.1 seruis Domini nostri. Quia melius fuerat bona non incipere, quam ab ijs quae coepta sunt cogitatione retrorsum redire, &c. In Englishe. Gregory the seruaunt of Gods seruaunts, to the seruaunts of the Lord. Foras∣much as it is better not to take good things in hande, then after they be begon, to thinke to reuolt backe from the same againe therefore now you may not nor cannot (deare children) but with all feruent study and labor, must needes go forward in that good busines, which through the helpe of God you haue wel begunne. Neither let the labor of your iourney, nor the slanderous tounges of men appalle you, but that with all instaunce and feruency yee proceede, and accomplish the thing which the Lorde hath ordey∣ned you to take in hande: knowing that your great trauell shalbe recompensed with rewarde of greater glorye hereafter to come. Therefore as we sende here Austen to you againe, whom also we haue ordeined to be your gouernour, so doe you humblye obey him in all thinges, knowing that it shall be profitable so for your soules, whatsoeuer at his admonition yee shall doe. Al∣mighty God with his grace defend you and graunt me to see in the eternall country the fruite of your labour, that although I can not labour as I woulde wyth you,* 2.2 yet I may be found pertaker of your retribution, for that my will is good to labour in the same felowship with you together. The Lord God keepe you safe, most deare and welbeloued children. Dated the x before the Calendes

of August, in the raigne of our soueraigne Lord Mauritius most vertuous Emperour, the .xiiij. of his Empire.

* 2.3Thus they emboldened & comforted through the good wordes of Gregory, sped foorth their iourney till they came at length to the Ile of Thene••▪ lying vpon the East side of Kent. Neare to the which landing place, was then the Manory or palace of the king, not farre from Sandwiche (Eastward from Caunterbury) which the inhabitauntes of the Isle,* 2.4 then called Richbourgh: whereof some part of the ruinous walles is yet to be sene. The king then raig∣ning in Kent, was Ethelbert, as aboue appeareth, the fifte King of that prouince: who at that time had Maried to wyfe a French woman beyng Chrystened,* 2.5 named Berda: whom he had receiued of her parents vpon this conditiō, that he shoulde permitte her with her Bishop committed vnto her, called Lebardus, to enioye the freedome of her fayth and Religion: by the meanes whereof he was more flexible, and sooner induced to embrace the preachyng and doctrine of Christ. Thus Austen beyng arryued sent foorth certayne messengers and interpreters to the Kyng, syg∣nifying that such a one was come from Rome, brynging with hym glad tydinges to him and all his people, of lyfe and saluation eternally to reygne in heauen, with the one∣ly true and lyuing God, for euer: if he would so willingly harken to the same, as he was gladly come to preache and teach it vnto him.

The King, who had heard of this Religion before by meanes of his wife, within a few daies after commeth to the place where Austen was to speake with him: but that shoulde be without the house, after the maner of his lawe. Austen against his cōming, as stories affirme, erected vp a banner of the crucifixe (such was then the grosenes of that tyme) and preached to him the word of God.* 2.6 The Kyng aunswering againe saith in effect as followeth: the words be very faire that you preach and promise. Neuerthelesse, because it is to me vncoth and new, I can not soone starte away from my country law wherwith I haue bene so lōg inured and assent to you.* 2.7 Albeit yet notwithstanding for y^e ye are come, as ye saye, so farre for my sake: ye shall not be molested by me, but shall be rightwell intreated, hauing al thinges to you ministred necessarye for your supportatiō. Besydes this, neither doe we debarre you, but to haue fre leaue to preach to our people and subiects to conuert, whō ye may to the faith of your Religion.

When they had receaued this comfort of the king, they went with procession to the Citie of Dorobernia, or Caun∣terbury, singyng Alleluya with the Letanie, which then by Gregory, had beene vsed at Rome in the time of the great plague reigning thē at Rome, mentioned in old histories. The wordes of the Letany were these:* 2.8 Deprecamur te Do∣mine in omni misericordia tua, vt auferatur furor tuus & ira tua a ciuitate ista, & de domo sancta tua: quoniam peccauimus. Al∣leluya. That is. We beseech thee O Lorde in all thy mer∣cyes, that thy fury and anger maye cease from this Citie, & from thy holy house for we haue sinned. Alleluya. Thus they entryng in the Citie of Dorobernia, the head Citie of all that dominion at that time, where the king had gyuen them a mansion for there abode: there they contynued preaching and baptising such as they had conuerted in the east side of the Citty in the old church of S. Martine (where the Queene was woont to resorte) vnto the time that the kyng was conuerted himselfe to Christ. At length when the king had wel cōsidered the honest conuersation of their life,* 2.9 and moued with the myracles wrought through gods hand by thē, he heard them more gladly, and lastly by their wholsome exhortations, and example of godly life he was by them conuerted and christened in the yeare aboue speci∣fied. 586. and the 36. yeare of his reigne. After the King was thus conuerted, innumerable other daily came in, & were adioyned to the Church of Christ: whom the King did specially embrace but cōpelled none: for so he had lear∣ned that the faith and seruice of Christ ought to be volun∣tary, and not coacted. Then he gaue to Austen a place for hys Byshops sea at Christes Church in Dorobernia, & builded the Abbey of Saint Peter and Paule,* 2.10 in the East side of the sayde Citie, where after Austen, and all the Kinges of Kent were buried, and that place is now cal∣led S. Austen.

In this while Austen sailed into Fraunce to the By∣shop Arelatensis, called Ethereus: by him to bee consecrated Archbishop, by the commaundement of Gregory, & so was. Also the said Austen sent to Rome, Laurentius one of his cō∣pany, to declare to Gregory how they had sped, and what they had done in Englande: sending with all to haue the counsaile and aduise of Gregory, concerning ix. or x. questi∣ons, whereof some are partly touched before.

The tenour of his questions or interrogations, wyth the aunsweres of Gregory to the same: here follow in En∣glish briefly translated.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This Dun∣wich, lyeth vpon the sea side in Suffolke.
• * 1.2

  Example what it is to let in straunge nations.
• * 1.3

  Maryage with Infi∣dels what destruction it worketh.
• * 1.4

  The second returne of Engist. into Brit∣tayne.
• * 1.5

  The dissem∣bling words of the Sax∣ons to de∣ceaue the Brittaynes.
• * 1.6

  Neme your sexes, the watche∣word. All the Nobilitie of the Brit∣taynes de∣stroyed in one day. The king raunsomed. The Saxons enter pos∣session of the land. The Chri∣stian Brit∣taynes per∣secuted of the Infidel Saxons.
• * 1.7

  An. 462.
• * 1.8

  Aurelius Ambrosius returneth into Brit∣tayne,
• * 1.9

  Aurelius crowned king of Brittayne.
• * 1.10

  Vortigerus burned in hys tower.
• * 1.11

  Horsus slayne. Engist ta∣ken in the field.

  The counsel of Eldadus Byshop of Glocester. Engist behea∣ded.

  Anno. 490. Ex Henr. Hun∣tingtonensi. Galfrido. Ex Chronico quodā Cariensi.
• * 1.12

  The vncertainty of our old Brit∣tayne storyes.
• * 1.13

  Ex historia Cariana, Aurelius Ambrosius Brit. kyng.
• * 1.14

  Anno. 497.
• * 1.15

  Vter Pendragō. Brit. Kyng.
• * 1.16

  Remember the wordes of Gildas. 633. hist. Caria.
• * 1.17

  The Christian Brittaynes per∣secuted by the Heathen Saxōs.
• * 1.18

  Anno. 516.
• * 1.19

  King Arthur.
• * 1.20

  The tales of King Arthur.
• * 1.21

  Constantinus. 3. Aurelius. Conanus. Vortipor••u••. Malgo. Carecius. Kings of Brittayne.
• * 1.22

  The Archb. of London and the Archbishop of Yorke flee into Wales.
• * 1.23

  Ex historia quadam Cari∣ensi.
• * 1.24

  The causes of the destruction of the Brit. de∣clared.
• * 1.25

  In English thus.
• * 1.26

  This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beyng a Christi•••• was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto E∣thelbert vpon the conditi•••• that she should be suffered 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enjoy her religion. Ethelbe•••• kyng of Kent. Oswaldus king of Northum∣berland. Edwinus king of Northum∣berland. Sigebertus of Eastan∣gles.

  Sebert or Sexbrieth of Essex. The first building 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Ch••••c•• of Paul•••• London. Ethelbert king of the Eastangles.
• * 1.27

  Peter pence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they first came vpon be payd to Rome. Kenelmu•• king of the Mercians. S. Edmund▪ king of Eastangles.
• * 1.28

  The mes∣sage of Inguar to Kyng Edmund.
• * 1.29

  The martir∣dome of K. Edmund in North∣folke.
• * 1.30

  A Questiō, Whether kings which made them∣selues Monkes did well in so doing or not.
• * 1.31

  Aunswere. Where vo∣cation byn∣deth to ta∣ry there not to flye but to resist the occasions of euill, it is a good mans part.
• * 1.32

  Foure per∣secutions in Brittany before the comming of Austen into Eng∣land.

  The perse∣cution of Dioclesian about the yeare of our Lord. 210.

  The perse∣cution of Gnauius and Melga.

  The perse∣cution of Hengist in Brittayne.

  The fourth destruction of Christen fayth in Brittayne by Gurmū∣dus. an 595.

  This Gur∣mundus as some sto∣ries record, leauing hys kingdome at home to hys brother sayd he would pos∣sesse no kingdome, but which he should win with his sword
• * 1.33

  King Lucius dyed 428. before the comming of Austen.
• * 1.34

  The computati∣on of times con∣cerning the continuaunce and decay of Christes Gos∣pell betweene the Brittaynes and the Saxons:
• * 1.35

  Anno. 598.
• * 1.36

  Beda Polychro∣nico••. li. 5. ca. 8.6. Malesburien∣sis de regib. Henr. Hunting∣ton lib 3. Fabianus part. 5. cap. 119. Liber bibliothe∣cae tornalensis.
• * 1.37

  Deyrham in Northumber∣land.
• * 1.38

  Episcopus Are∣lalensis.
• * 2.1

  Ex Henr. Hun∣tingtonensi. li 3. The Epistle of Gregory to them whiche went to preach in England.
• * 2.2

  The Bishop of Rome calleth the Emperour hys Lord.
• * 2.3

  Austen and hys company com∣meth to Eng∣land.
• * 2.4

  Ethelbert King of Kent.
• * 2.5

  What goodnes commeth, to haue a good and godly wife.
• * 2.6

  The kinges an∣swere to Austen.
• * 2.7

  The king staieth vpon olde custome.
• * 2.8

  The Letany of Austen.
• * 2.9

  Miracles wrought by God for the conuersion of the land.
• * 2.10

  Austen made Archbishop.