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Discipline: When Constantine the second saw, that his eldest sonne Constancy was slow of wit, and giuen to be solitary, he made him a moonke in the Abbey of Saint Swithune in Caerguent, and committed his o∣ther two sonnes to Guetheline Archbishop of Caerlud to be taught. If children be set into that way which they haue most minde vnto, they will prooue best in that way. A yoong Prince cannot bee brought vp better vnder any, then vnder a reuerend & Princely
churchman, seeing they are both pastors of the peo∣ple, and bishops of men.
Prouidence: the two sonnes of Constantine being vn∣able to get the Crowne by might of arms, and fear∣ing, that treason should be wrought against them as it was against their eldest brother, looked to the safe∣tie of their liues, and fled into little Brutanie. If we cannot do that is right and due, the best way is to saue the principall that is most worth. It is no shame to flie, when resisting is wilful death. Bruciuall saued 50. moonks of Bangor by flying from Ethelfride duke of Northumbeland, when 1200. had been slaine by him. The Bishops of Caerlud and Caerbranke in Ca∣rencies time fled to Rome for feare of the cruel Sax∣ons, and dealt so wisely with Pope Gregory, that they were saued from bloudy handes.
Doctrine: Aurely desiring to teach the Brutans, to be∣ware of outlandish friendship, which had in his days so intrapped and infected them, caused Merlin by his Art Soueraigne, to fetch the great stones out of Ireland, which are now vpon Salsbury plain, and set them neere the place where Hengist and the Sax∣ons against their Oath did murder hundreds of the best Brutans with kniues secretly prouided for the pur∣pose, and tooke Vortiger their king prisoner, and ran∣somed him at their pleasure, That when they should see those stones or heare of them, they might remem∣ber the stony heartes of outlandish friendes, the hy∣pocrisie of Saxons, the vntrueth of strangers, and either appoint them true ouerseers, or els away with them out of the Land.
Gouernement: Vter after hys brother Aurelius death
ruled the Realme so orderly and circumspectly, both in respect of trecherous flatteries, and trusty friend∣ship, and all matters both common and extraordina∣rie, that he was surnamed Pendragon, A Prince as mightie and subtle among men, as the Dragon is a∣mong the beastes of the field. A good name is a trea∣sure, but why do men commend a man, which ought to be the phrase onely of dispraise? Hee that can shut his handes from straungers, as Vter did, shall pre∣uent many woes. Arthur disposed all things in or∣der, sailed into Gallia, left his nephew Mordred for king, and wrought great myracles abroad. It had been more wisedome, to haue wrought them at home, if they were good, to do his owne people good: or if they were deceites, to haue practised them priui∣ly, that his name might not be blotted and dimini∣shed.