The natural history of the principality of Wales in three parts ... together with the natural and artificial rarities and wonders in the several counties of that principality / by R.B.

The History of the Antient Kings and Princes of Brit∣tain and Wales. (Book 1)

PART. I. (Book 1)

IT is recorded in History, that after the Uni∣versal Flood, the Isles of the Gentiles were divided by the Posterity of Japhet the Son of Noah; and it is probable, that this Island, among the rest, was then peopled by his Progeny; the History of whom may be easier wisht for than recovered: And therefore it may seem un∣necessary to relate what some Antient Authors have recorded with much uncertainty of the Suc∣cessors of Japhet, whom they have named Samo∣thes, Magus Sarron, Druis and Bardus: But rather to follow the Authority of Geoffery, Arch-Deacon of Monmouth, in his History written in the Brittish Tongue, and translated into English about five hundred years since, and begins his Chronology with Brute, who after the Posterity of Japhet, seems to be the first Discoverer, Ruler, and Namer of this Island: Yet by the way we may observe, That Pomponius Mela, a Roman Historian writes, that one Hercules killed Albion a Giant about the mouth of the River R••••s••e in France; from whence some have concluded, that Albion Reigned King here,

(the Greek Monuments likewise, always calling this Isle Albion) and that after his death Hercules came hither: And Solinus another Roman Historian re∣ports, that by an Inscription upon an Altar found in the Northern part of Brittain, about 1600 years since, it plainly appeared that Ʋlysses in his ten years Travels after the Destruction of Troy, arrived in Brittain before the coming of Brute.

We shall now give a brief Account of what is commonly received concerning Brute, and the Race of the Kings of Brittain that proceeded from him, though, with my Author, I shall not impose upon the belief of any in these Narrations. Brute the Son of Sylvius, the Son of Ascanius, the Son of Ae∣neas, after the Ruine of Troy, and the Death of his Father, being banisht into Greece, he there by his Valour rescued and delivered the remainder of the Trojans his Countreymen, from the Captivity which they had been for many years sufferers under the Grecians, with whom he departed to seek some new habitation, and associating to himself Corineus, whom with another Band of exiled Tro∣jans he found in the way, after a long and tire∣some Journey, and many notable encounters and atchievements, he arrived in this Island then cal∣led Albion, and landed at Totnes in Devonshire, in the year from the Creation of the World 2855. which was about the time that Jeptah and Samson Judged Israel, and before the Birth of Christ 1116 years; and being made King or Governour of the Land, he called it by his own name Brit∣tain, according to the opinion of many antient Authors; He also built the City of London which he named Troynovant or New Troy; At his Death Brute divided the Country among his three Sons, unto Locrine his Eldest he gave the middle part between Humber and Severn, which from him was called Loegria; To Camber his second he bequeath∣ed

all the Region beyond the River Severn, which from him was called Cambria, now Wales; To Allanact the youngest he left all the Land beyond Humber Northward, which was after called Albania, now Scotland; After which partition he deceased, having reigned 24 years, and was Bu∣ried at London. Locrinus succeeded his Father, and Humber King of the Hums or Scythians Invad∣ing his Brother Albanacts Countrey, he and his Brother Camber assisted Albanact so successfully, that they utterly defeated his Army, himself, and abundance of his Souldiers being Drowned in the River, from thence called Humber; Madan his Son reigned in his stead, then Mempricus, Ebrauh, Brute Greensheeld, Leil who is said to have built Carleil; Bladud a great Necromancer who is re∣ported to have made those hot Baths at Bath, and to magnifie his skill, undertook to fly in the Air, but his Art failing, he fall upon the Temple of Apollo in London, and broke his Neck. Lear his Son was King after him, who was very unfortunate in two unnatural Daughters, whose Husbands strove to deprive him of his Kingdom, but their designs being defeated, his youngest Daughter whom he had slighted was admitted Queen after him, to whom succeeded her two Nephews, Mor∣gan and Cunegad, between whom differences ari∣sing, Morgan was slain and Cunegad reigned singly 30 years; Many other Kings of Brittain are reck∣oned up after him, as Dunwallo D. of Cornwal, Belinus and Breanus who are said to have Conquer∣ed France, Italy, Germany, and at last to have taken the City of Rome it self. King Lud who much beautified Troynovant, fortifying it with Walls and Gates, particularly Ludgate called after his name, and founded a Temple where it is thought St. Paul's now stands, and changed the name of the City from Troynovant to Luds Town,

now London; He left two Sons Androgeus and Theo∣mantius under Age, whereupen Cassibilane their Uncle was admitted Governour, in whose Reign Julius Caesar first Invaded this Island in the year from the Worlds Creation 3913. and 54 years be∣fore the Birth of Christ, the Land being then not under one sole Monarch or King, but divided into 28 petty Kingdoms or Provinces; Caesar being landed at Deal in Kent, the news thereof was so welcome to the Senate of Rome, that they Decreed a Thanksgiving should be kept for 20 days toge∣ther; Cassibilane was only King of the Trinobantes who inhabited Middlesex, Essex and Hartfordshire, but in this common danger the other Princes mu∣tually agreed that he should command in Chief to withstand the Roman Invasion, which he did with very great courage, beating them twice off from the Brittish shoar; his chief City was Verulane near St. Albans.

Theomantius the Son of Lud succeeded Cassibilane, who paid the three thousand pound a year Tribute to the Romans which his Uncle had agreed to, when notwithstanding the utmost Efforts for their Liberty, the Brittains were obliged to submit to the Conquering Romans; Yet did not Caesar wholly sub∣due Brittain, for he never came towards the North, (which several of his Successors afterwards en∣deavoured to bring under) but subjected only those parts of the Island lying next to France, which our Countreyman Roger Bacon relates, that Caesar discovered by setting up Prospective Glasses on the Coast of France from whence he saw all the Havens and Creeks in England; So that he may rather seem to have discovered than reduced to the Ro∣man Power. Kymbeline or Cunobeline the Son of Theomantius reigned next, whose principal seat was at Carnolodunum now Malden in Essex; He is said to have refused to pay the former Tribute,

upon which Augustus, who fucceeded Julius Caesar, designed thrice to make an Expedition hither to recover his Right, but was as oft diverted by In∣surrections in divers parts of his mighty Empire. Guiderus was King after his Father, and being ve∣ry valiant, refused Tribute to Caligula the Roman Emperor, who therefore resolved, as his Prede∣cessors Augustus and Tiberius had done, to reduce Brittain, as being the utmost bounds of the Roman Monarchy, making great provision for this Noble Enterprize, being incouraged therein by Adminius the Son of Cunoboline, who being banisht by his Father, fled with some few followers to Caligula for protection; Guiderus expected, and provided for his Arrival, who bringing down his Forces into Flanders, put them in Battel Array upon the Sea shore, planting his Engines of War, as if ready for an Engagement; after which the Emperor him∣self in a Galley lanched into the Sea about two Bow-shots from the Land, and then presently re∣turned, and getting into a Pulpit provided for him, he by found of Trumpet caused his Souldiers to prepare for Battel, and then charged every Man to fill his Helmet with Cockle and Muscle Shells, which he called, The Spoils of the Conquered Ocean, and gave as great Rewards to them for these trifles, as if they had performed some notable Service in War; and against the place he built a Tower as a Trophey of his Victory, the Ruines whereof (saith my Author) remain to this day, and is called, The Brittains House. He carried many of these Shells to Rome, boasting of this honourable Voyage, and requiring a Triumph, which the Senate seeming unwilling to allow, he threatned to murther them all.

Claudius succeeded him in the Empire; and ha∣ving leisure, resolved to make War upon the Brit∣tains, who had long neglected to pay their Tri∣bute,

being invited thereto by certain Brittish Fugitives, ordering Aulus Plautius a Roman Sena∣tor, to transport the Veterane Souldiers out of France thither, to which they were very unwilling, complaining, That they must be forced to make War out of the World, for so they accounted this Island to be; but at length being Embarqued, they Landed unexpectedly upon the Brittains, who were incamped in the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, and de∣feating them, took the City of Camolodunum in Essex, and subdued the East-part of the Island. Jeffery of Monmouth writes, That Claudius Landed at Rochester, near Portsmouth, which he Besieged, and Guiderus coming to relieve it, fought and pre∣vailed against the Romans, till one Hanno, Armed like a Brittain, pressing through the midst of the Troops till he came where Guiderus was, he instant∣ly slew him, which Arviragus the King's Brother perceiving, to prevent the Brittains from being discouraged, putting on the Royal Robes, fought so couragiously, that the Romans were routed, Claudius flying to his Ships, and Hanno to an ad∣joyning Forrest, whom Arviragus pursued and kill'd ere he could get to the Haven, from whence it is said to have the name of Hanno's Haven, then Hampton, now Southampton: After his Death the Land was many years under Roman Governours and Lieutenants, but the Silures or Inhabitants of South-Wales would not endure the Romish Yoke, relying much upon the Courage of their Prince Corvactacus, who incamping his Army on the top of an Hill, and stopping all the passages thereto with heaps of Stones, he expected the approach of his Enemies, striving in the mean time to ani∣mate his Souldiers with incouraging Speeches, telling them, That day and that Battel would either restore them to their former Liberties, or else reduce them to perpetual slavery, and that they should remember

the valour of their Ancestors, who formerly had driven Caesar the Dictator out of their Countrey, and thereby delivered themselves from Roman Taxes and Axes, and freed their Wives and Daughters from being debauched by their implacable Adversaries; The Soul∣diers were much incouraged and eccho'd out their hopes of Victory, with so great a shout as much disturbed the Romans, who thought the Fortifi∣cations the Brittains had raised to be impregnable, but Ostorius marching forward, though opposed by a shower of Arrows, he at length broke down that rude ill compacted Fence, and coming to handy strokes with the Brittains who had more courage than Armor, having neither Head-peice nor Coat of Mail, they were so fore galled with the Javelins and two-handed Swords of the Romans, that they soon fled; This Victory was unexpected by the Romans, and more considerable by the taking the Wife, Daughter and Brethren of Cataractus Prisoners, he himself flying to the Brigantes, or those that Inhabited Lancashire, Cheshire, &c. for succour, but was by Cartismunda the Queen trea∣cherously delivered into the hands of the Conque∣rors, after nine years generous resistance, and his fame having reached even to Rome it self, Cata∣ractus was carried thither and led in Triumph through the Roman Legions with his Brethren, Wife and Daughter, whose great Courage and strange Attire filled the People with admiration and delight; His Body was almost naked, Paint∣ed over with Figures of divers Beasts, he wore a Chain of Iron about his Neck, and another about his middle, his Hair hanging down in Curls cover∣ed his Back and Shoulders, and the Hair of his up∣per Lip or Whiskers parting in the middle reacht down to his Breast, he neither hung down his head as daunted with fear, nor asked mercy as the rest, but with an undaunted Countenance coming

before the Imperial Seat, he made the following Speech to the Emperor on the Throne.

Great Caesar, If my moderation in prosperity had been answerable to the greatness of my Birth and Estate, or the success of my late attempts agreeable to the resolution of my mind, I might have come to this City rather as a Friend to have been entertained, than as a Captive to be gazed upon; Neither would you have disdained to have accepted the terms of Peace that I should have offered, being a man of royal descent, and a Commander of many Warlike Nations; But though the Clouds have darkened my present Fortune, yet have the Heavens and Nature be∣stowed that upon me in Birth and Mind, which none can vanquish or deprive me of; I plainly perceive that you make other mens miseries the subject and matter of your Triumphs, and in this my Calamity, as in a Mirror, you now contem∣plate your own Glory; Yet remember that I was a Prince furnisht with strength of men, and ha∣biliments of War, and that it is no such won∣der I am now deprived of them all, since daily experience shews that the events of War are uncertain, and the success of the best Policies are guided by uncertain Fates; And thus it was with me, who presumed that the deep Ocean like a Wall inclosing our Land, which is so sci∣tuated by Divine Providence as if it were a World by it self, might have been a sufficient security and defence to us against any Foreign Invasion; but I now observe that the desire of Dominion admits of no Limitation, neither hath the Roman Ambition any bounds, for being de∣sirous to Command all, it seems all must obey them; For my own part while I was able I made resistance, being unwilling to submit my Neck to a servile Yoak, since the Law of Nature allows

every man to defend himself being assaulted, and to withstand force by force; Had I yielded at first, neither your Glory nor my Ruine would have been so remarkable; Fortune hath now done her worst, we have nothing left us but our lives, which if you take from us, our miseries will have an end, and if you spare us, we shall live the ob∣jects of your Clemency.

Caesar admiring at the Courage and Resolution of so free a mind in a Captive condition, he par∣doned him and the rest, who being unchained from the Triumphal Fetters, they then did reve∣rence to Agrippina the Empress, who sate aloft on a Throne Royal; And afterwards continued at Rome to their Deaths for any thing we read to the contrary.

After Ostorius was recalled, Paulus Suetonius was sent hither by the bloody Nero, during whose Go∣vernment the Brittains made several attempts to regain their Countrey, and free themselves from the insupportable slavery and misery wherein they lived; for Arvivagus having made Nero the Em∣peror and his two Daughters his Heirs, hoping thereby to secure the Kingdom to his Family it happened otherwise; For the Land was ruined by the Roman Souldiers, Voadicia his Queen beaten and abused, her Daughters Ravished, the Nobles deprived of their Estates, and the People in a most deplorable servitude; Voadicia made such sensible Remonstrances of these unsufferable wrongs to the People, that she raised an Army of an hundred thousand men, who willingly submitted to her Conduct, and with whom, being confident in her numbers, she ingaged against the Romans at some disadvantage, and was vanquished by them with the loss of fourscore thousand Brittains; And af∣ter she had shewed all the courage of a gallant Commander, and had made so notable an attempt

for redeeming her Countrey from bondage, doubt∣ing to fall one time or other into her Enemies hands, she like another Lucretia fell upon her own Sword and Died. In the 73 year from our Saviours Birth.

If the Reader desire to know more of the for∣mer Kings of Brittain, the Invasion of the Ro∣mans, and the Life of this renowned Queen Voa∣dicia, I have published a Book called Female Ex∣cellency or the Ladies Glory, wherein there is a full account of all these particulars, being of the same value with this.

About this time Historians report that Christia∣nity was first planted in this Island, certain Disci∣ples being sent by Philip the Apostle out of France into Brittain, whereof Joseph of Arimathea that Bu∣ried the Body of Christ was chief, who first laid the Foundation of the true Faith at a place called Avalon, now Glastenbury in Somersetshire, where with his twelve Assistants he Preached the Gospel of Salvation to the Islanders, and left there Bodies Buried in that place.

Galgacus a valiant Commander of the Caledonians was the last Prince that resisted the Roman Domi∣nion, and was made General of the Brittains against the Invasions of Agricola in the Reign of the Em∣peror Domitian, he with the chief of the Brittish Nobility made a very valiant defence for several years, but the Romans seeming to be decreed by Heaven to reduce the World under their obedience vanquished all that opposed them, and in a bloody Battel defeated him and his Forces, and laid all in ruins before them, whereby the whole Island was subjected to the Roman Emperors, 136 years after the entrance of Julius Caesar. Jeffery of Monmouth the Welsh Historian doth here bring in a successi∣on of Brittish Kings, and amongst them Marius who Conquered Roderic King of the Picts and

Scots, whose Monument crected near Carleile, wherein his Victory was inscribed, remained a long time; After him Corlus his Son is said to succeed, who being carried to Rome and Educated there in his Youth, upon his return to his own Coun∣trey, he gratefully paid the Romans their Tribute without constraint, but we must leave these rela∣tions as doubtful as we find them.

The Picts and Northern Inhabitants of Brittain continuing to Invade and Destroy the Brittains who were now become Tributary to the Romans, the Emperor Adrian in 124. came hither in Per∣son for their relief, and drove the Picts out of the plain Countrey into the Woods and Mountains where the Roman Horsemen could not attack them, but finding the Air too severe for his Soul∣diers, and the Countrey barren, instead of leaving the Brittains a Roman Garrison, he built a strong Wall or Fortification of Earth for their defence against their Enemies; It was composed of Stakes driven deep into the Ground, and bound toge∣ther like a hedge, which being filled up with Turf and Earth, became a strong Rampant against sudden Incursions. It began at the River Eden in Cumber∣land near Carleile; and ended at the River Tyne near Newcastle, being eighty miles in length. After which the Brittains continued for many years in peace without opposition, time and castom causing them to bear the Yoak of subjection patiently, es∣pecially considering they were obliged to the Ro∣mans for assistance against their own Barbarous Countreymen.

After the Romans had Conquered the greatest part of the World, the succeeding Emperors poli∣tickly permitted Kingdoms and Provinces to be governed by Kings and Governours of their own Nation, thereby the better to keep them in obe∣dience to their Empire; Among others Antoninus

Pius constituted Lucius to be King of Brittain, who disliking the Idolatry and Paganism of his People, and being much affected with the holy lives of the Christians, and with the Miracles wrought among them, and incouraged by the Emperors Edicts in their favour, he allowed the publick Profession thereof, being the first Christian King in the World, and Brittain the first Kingdom that imbraced the Gospel by publick Authority; After this he sent two Persons to Eleutherius Bishop of Rome, to de∣sire the form of some Laws to Govern his People by; To which the Bishop replied,

You desire us to send you the Roman and Imperial Laws, for the Reformation of the People, and Guidance of the King and Kingdom of Brittain; The Roman Laws we altogether mislike, but the Law of God by no means; By the Divine Clemency you have of late received the Law and Faith of Christ into your Kingdom; You have with you the Old and New Testament, out of them (in Gods name) by the advice of your Counsellors, take you a Law, and therewith by Gods permission Govern your Kingdom, for you are Gods Vicar there∣in, &c.

By this we may see the vast difference between the humility and piety of the Roman Church in the Primitive times, and the Pride, Cruelty and Usurpation of the present Synagogue of Satan.

This Epistle with two Preachers, Fagianus and Daniranus whom the Bishop sent to King Lucius, prevailed so much upon him, that being Baptized into the Christian Faith, he converted the Hea∣thenish Temples of the Arch-Flamins and Fla∣mines into so many Bishops Sees, whereof London, York, and St. David's in Wales were made the Me∣tropolitans; A Table that remains in St. Peter's Church in Cornhill London Records, that King Lu∣cius founded that Church for a Cathedral, and

likewise St. Peter's Westminster, now the Abbey, and likewise Dover Castle; He reigned 12 years and lies buried at Glocester, and dying without Children left the Roman Emperors his Heirs, of whom Commodus succeeded, in whose Reign the Roman Legions in Brittain fell into divers muti∣nies, because the Emperor instead of Senators and Consuls, who used to Command them, put infe∣riour Persons over them, but Helvius Pertinax be∣ing sent hither quieted all dissentions with the severe punishment of the Offenders, and at length by his policy he obtained the Imperial Dignity; Severus Reigned after him, whom Albinus Lieute∣nant of Brittain opposed, and assisted by the Brit∣tish Youth, fought a Battel with him in France, where Albinus was defeated, and Severus confirm∣ed in the Empire, and then coming over into Brittain, endeavoured to secure the Countrey to himself by erecting several Walls and Forts in the In-land Parts, and repairing those with Stone which were formerly of Turf or Earth, and finding the Northern Brittains or Scots very troublesome, he built a Wall or Fortification for defending the more Civilized from the Savage and Barbarous In∣habitants; this Wall crossed the whole Island from Sea to Sea, beginning at the Frith of Solney in Scotland and ending at Timnouth, in length 132 Miles, it was built with Turfs and Timber with strong Bulwarks at a convenient distance, near, if not upon the Foundation of the former, called Adrians Wall, the ruins whereof are yet visible through the Counties of Northumberland and Cum∣berland, for which act he Sirnamed himself Brit∣tannicus, and after 18 years Reign died at York in 212. not so much of Sickness, say some Authors, as of Discontent and Grief; Others say of a Mortal wound given him by Fulgence Captain of the Picts; Bassianus Garacalla his Son succeeded him, and

hastning to Rome offered very easie conditions of Peace to the yet resisting Brittains, who being tyred with the long Wars accepted thereof, and Hostages were given for conserving the same. And now the Royal Title of Kings of Brittain be∣ing annexed to the Roman Emperors, they by their continual divisions for gaining the Imperial Dignity, gave a long breathing time of Peace to this harassed Island, so that little of action happen∣ed here till the reigns of Dioclesian and Maximin, in whose time Carausius being by the Romans made Admiral of the Brittish Seas to guard them against the Pyracies of the Saxons and Belgians, he by con∣niving at their Robberies became rich and popular, so that having notice the Emperor had order∣ed him to be secretly kill'd, he by the aid of the Picts and Northern Brittains took upon him the Title of Emperor of Rome, and valiantly defended his Dignity for seven years; At length Maximin Marched to the Brittish Ocean with a powerful Army, but hearing of the strength of Carausius and wanting Seamen, he Encamped on the French Shoar, and concluding a Peace with him, return∣ed back to Rome; Carausius Governed the Brittains with Justice and Peace for seven years, repairing the Roman Wall, and defending them from their brutish Enemies, but was at length Murdered by his treacherous friend Alectus, who took upon him the Imperial Purple.

The Romans after the Death of Carausius resolved to attempt the recovery of this Island, and Con∣stantius with a Potent Army Landed here in a great Fog, without observation or hindrance, at which Alectus being surprized was slain with most of his Army, the rest escaping toward London designed to Plunder and Burn it, but the Romans made such speed that they prevented them, killing Gallus their Leader, and throwing his Body into a Brook

that ran through the City, which was after called Gallus his Brook, now Walbrook.

After this, these two Tyrants Dioclesian and Ma∣ximin raised a dismal Persecution in all the parts of the Roman Empire, whereby 17000 Christians, Men and Women were Crowned with Mar∣tyrdom, within the space of one Month, and in Brittain the Churches were demolished, their Bi∣bles and other Writings burnt, and for 10 years together the poor People were continually tor∣mented without intermission, or any place being free from the Blood of Martyrs, who were constant in the profession of the Faith; Among others St. Alban was beheaded at the Town bearing his name, whom Fortunatus Priscus mentions.

Albanum egregium faecunda Brittannia profert.

Brittain fruitful of all good, Washt with glorious Alban's Blood.

His Instructor in the Christian Religion Amphiole or Brittain was afterward taken, and being brought to the same place was whipped about a Stake whereto his Intrails were fastned and so wound out of his Body, and was lastly stoned to death; Several others suffered, as Julius and Aaron at Leicester, or rather Coverleon in Monmouthshire, and so many at Lichfield that the place became a Golgo∣tha, or Field of Dead Corps, and therefore the Seal of Arms of that City is charged with many Martyrs to this day; But these two bloody Em∣perors enjoyed their honours a very short time, for within a year after this bloody Persecution, they were both of them by the hand of God (saith Euse∣bius) struck with such a mad humour, that they renounced the Empire, and laying aside the Im∣perial Robes, Dioclesian retired into Dalmatia

where he died raging of a terrible disease; And Maximinus hanged himself at Marseilles in France.

Gallerius and Constantius succeeded them, the last of whom was a Prince of singular Piety towards God, and Clemency towards men, being very kind to the Christians, and rebuilding their Churches, for which God so blessed him, saith Eusebius, that this virtuous Father left a more virtuous Son Constantine called the Great, the Heir of his well-gotten Em∣pire; He Married Helena the Daughter of Coilus a Brittish Prince; She is reported to have removed the Pagan Idols out of Jerusalem, and to have built a Temple in the place where our Saviour suf∣fered, and to have found out the Cross so highly venerated by Antient Writers, and the Crib or Manger where Christ was born; And they say she was the chief instrument of her Husbands Conver∣sion, persuading him to renounce all Superstitious and Idolatrous Worship, and to acknowledge one God and Jesus Christ his only Son, and incourag∣ing the Christians who had been hid in Caves and Dens from the fury of their Enemies, to come forth and freely to exercise their Religion. Con∣stantius after two years Reign, returning from an expedition against the Picts and Scots, fell sick at York being his Imperial Residence: About which time his Son Constantine escaping from Gallerius at Rome (where he had been left Hostage) he by Hor∣ses laid on purpose, arrived in a short time at York, with whose presence his Father was so com∣forted, that sitting up in his Bed he spake thus to him in the presence of his Counsellors.

Death is not now terrible to me, since I am well satisfied that those actions which I have left unaccomplished will be performed by you my Son, in whom I doubt not but my name and memory will be preserved; I advise thee to go∣vern thy Empire with Impartial Justice, protect

the Innocent from Oppressors, and wipe away all Tears from the Eyes of the Christians, for therein I am sure thy happiness will consist; To thee therefore I leave my Diadem and their De∣fence, desiring that my faults may be buried with me in my Grave, and leaving my virtues (if I ever had any) to revive and live in thee;

Hav∣ing thus said he expired in 306.

His Son Constantine the Great succeeded, being joyfully proclaimed Emperor by the Brittains, be∣ing as it is said was born of a Brittish Princess; He prosecuted the War his Father had begun against the Caledonians, Picts, and Brittains, in the re∣mote Islands of Scotland; He then made War with Maxentius a wicked Usurper, Necromancer and Tyrant, and being sensible that success depends much upon the blessing of Heaven, yet doubting what God to Invocate to his assistance (as not yet fully setled in the Christian Faith) he devoutly cast up his Eyes to the East, and (saith Eusebius) thereupon the Sign of the Cross, or the first Greek Characters of the Name of Christ were visibly pre∣sented to his sight, the Stars like Letters being so placed that this Sentence might be read in Greek, In hoc Vince, In this shalt thou overcome, which Pro∣mise of Victory gave him such incouragement, that ingaging the Tyrant Maxentius, he utterly defeated his Forces, himself being drown'd, by the fall of a Bridge, into the River Tyber; After this Constan∣tine obtained several other Victories, and then to compleat his worthy actions, he laid the Founda∣tion of the Christians security, by bringing them under the protection of Kings and Princes, which could never since be shaken, though often at∣tempted by several Heathen Emperors his Succes∣sors; At his Death he divided his large Empire among his three Sons, Constantine the Eldest hav∣ing France, Spain, part of Germany and Brittain for

his Lot; After him several other Emperors suc∣ceeded without making any great alteration in the Brittish affairs, neither were there any considera∣ble Transactions; The last of them was Theodosius in the year of Christ 423. about which time the Goths who had faithfully served the Romans about 20 years, being disobliged and slighted, to re∣venge their wrongs, they chose for their Leader a valiant Goth called Alaricus, who proved the scourge of Rome; for the Vandals, Alans, and Suecians joyning with him, they began a fierce War in Austria and Hungary, increasing their forces into such vast Multitudes, that the World stood amazed, and trembled at them. For soon after two hundred thousand Goths more resorted to them, who with these united Forces over-run Thracia, Hungary, Austria, Sclavonia and Dalmatia, ruining and destroying all things in so dreadful a manner that it seemed rather the Ravage of Devils than Men. The Roman Empire thus declining, they drew their Forces out of Brittain: But a while af∣ter the Brittains were extreamly distressed by the continual disturbers of their Peace, the Scots and Picts; therefore they sent their Ambassadors to Rome, with their Garments rent, and Dust upon their Heads, bewailing their most miserable condi∣tion, and begging Assistance; whereupon the Em∣perour sent a Regiment of Soldiers into Brittain, under Gallio, who for a while defended them, but was soon called back with his Legion into France, to secure the Country about Paris. At his depar∣ture he advised the Brittains to stand upon their Guard; and for the future to provide for their own safety, and not to depend upon any succours from the Romans, who had their hands full of troubles nearer home.

Thus the Romans, after they had commanded in Brittain above five hundred years, took their last

farewel thereof. During their continuance here, they have levied so many Companies of stout Brit∣tains for their Wars in Armenia, Egypt, and other Frontier Countries, that they had much dispeopled the Nation. Some of these British Souldiers, after they were worn out in the Wars, had Armorica in France assigned them by Constantine the Great for their good Service in the Wars, from whom it was cal∣led Little Brittain. Unto this Country, in the time of Gratian the Emperour, was Ʋrsula the Daugh∣ter of Dinoth Regent of Cornwal sent with eleven thousand Virgins, who were to have been married to their Countreymen the Brittains; but they all perished e're they arrived; some being drowned in the Sea by Tempest, and the Remainder put to the Sword by the barbarous Huns and Picts, be∣cause they would not yield to their filthy Lusts.

The Southern or more Citiliz'd Brittains being extreamly weakned by the Romans exporting so many of their valiant Soldiers, and then forsaking them, and likewise by Scarcity and Famine; their inveterate Foes, the Scots and Picts, take this un∣happy Opportunity to infest them with all manner of Cruelties and Barbarities: So that being no longer able to defend and secure themselves, they supplicate for Aid from Germany, inviting the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons, who then inhabited Jutland, Holstein, and the Coasts along the River Rhene, to come to their Assistance. Their proposal was rea∣dily embraced, and nine thousand of them, under the command of two Brethren, Hengist and Horsa, entred the Land at Ebsfleet in the Isle of Thanet in Kent, where they were received with great Joy, and entertained with Songs, according to the custom of the Brittains, who alloted them that Island to inhabit, and a while after Vortigern then King of the Brittains, allowed Hengist so much Land as he could encompass within a Bull-hide cut out

into Thongs, wherein he built a Castle, which from thence had the Name of Thong-Castle; when it was finished, Hengist invited the King to see it, who there fell in love with Rowena, the Daughter or Neice of Hengist; upon which Match Hengist grew more bold, contriving to make the Island his Inheritance; and thereupon sent for fresh For∣ces, who at their arrival caused several Quarrels a∣mong the Natives, dispossessing the people of their estates, every Commander reckoning that part of the Country his own where they could over-match the Brittains, where they commanded as absolute∣ly as Princes; whereby the Country was burdened with seven Kings at once, each of them having So∣veraign Command within his own limits, though still one seemed to be Supreme over all the rest.

This was usually called the Saxons Heptarchy, or seven Kingdoms; The first and chiefest, was that of Kent only governed by Hengist and his Successors for three hundred seventy two years. The next was the Kingdom of the South Saxons, containing the Counties of Sussex or Surrey, continuing a hun∣dred and thirteen years. 3. That of the West Sax∣ons, comprehending the Counties of Cornwal, De∣von, Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, Berks, and Hampshire; it lasted three hundred years. 4. The East Saxons Kingdom, which was Essex, Middlesex, and part of Hartfordshire. 5. The Kingdom of Northumberland, containing the Counties of Northumberland, West∣morland, Cumberland, Durham, York and Lancaster, continuing three hundred seventy nine years. 6. The Kingdom of Mercia, which was compos'd of the Counties of Oxford, Glocester, Worcester, Sa∣lop, Cheshire, Stafford, Warwick, Buckingham, Bed∣ford, Huntington, part of Hartfordshire, Northampton, Rutland, Lincoln, Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham, continuing two hundred and two years. 7. The last Kingdom was that of the East-Angles, contain∣ing

the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, which lasted three hundred and fifty three years.

Yet during the time of this Heptarchy, many of the British Princes valiantly defended their lawful Inheritances, and with great courage endeavour∣ed to prevent the Saxon Yoke from being imposed upon their Necks: Among whom was Vortimer, the Son of Vortigern aforementioned, for Vortigern after sixteen years Reign deposed from the Govern∣ment, for his kindness to the Saxons, his Son Vortimer was chosen King of the Brittains, and pre∣sently engaged against the Saxons, gaining so much in four famous victories over them, that they were almost extirpated. He erected a Monument in the Isle of Thenta, in the place where the Saxons were overthrown, which to this day is called the Stowers, wherein he commanded his Body to be buried, that the Saxons might be terrified with the sight thereof. He restored the Christian Re∣ligion, then much decayed, and rebuilt the Churches destroyed by the Pagan Saxons. Rowena procured his Death by Poyson, after which his Father Vor∣figern was re-established in the Government: But being oppressed by the Saxons, and pursued by Au∣relius, he fled into Wales, where, in a Castle which he built by Merlin's Directions, in the Mountains, he, with his Daughter, whom he had taken to Wife, were burnt to ashes.

Aurelius Ambrotius was likewise very successful against the Saxons. He is said to have built Stone∣henge near Salisbury, in remembrance of the Mas∣sacre of three hundred of the British Nobility, who were there slain by the Treachery of the Saxons. Ʋter Pendragon, who succeeded him, was no less fortunate. He was named Pendragon, either be∣cause at his Birth there appeared a fiery Comet like a Dragons Head, or from his Royal Banner, where∣in was the Picture of a Dragon with a Golden Head.

He died of Poyson put into a Well wherein he used to drink. Arthur his Son and Successor won twelve Battels against the Saxons, and chased Col∣gern their Captain from his Camp in Northumber∣land to York, from whence he escaped into Germa∣ny. The Relicks of Arthur's Round Table are to this time shewn in Winchester, with the Twenty four Seats. After him reigned Constantine, Aure∣lius, Conantus, Vortiporus, Malgo, Canonus, and Ca∣reticus. This last King raised a Civil War among his own Subjects the Britains, which made them forsake him, and leave him to the Mercy of the Saxons, who pursuing him, he fled to Cirencester in Berkshire for safety; but his Enemies taking se∣veral Sparrows, fastned fire to their feet, and let them fly into the City, who lighting upon straw, and thatcht houses, burnt the City to the Ground; but Careticus escaped, and fled for security to the Mountains of Wales, where he died.

After twenty four years Civil Dissention Cadwan was made King. During these Troubles, Austin the Monk, who was sent hither by Pope Gregory to convert the Britains carrying himself very in∣solently at a Meeting with the British Bishops, at a place thence named Austin's Oak in Worcestershire, they could come to no Agreement; whereupon it is thought, Austin contrived this cruel Revenge.

Cadwallo was victorious over the Saxons, slaying Edwin King of Northumberland, and his Son Osfride in a bloody Battel. He died in peace, say the British Writers, and was buried at St. Martin's Church in London; his Statue on Horseback in Brass being set upon Ludgate, for a terrour to the Saxons.

CAdwalloder the Son of Cadwallo fought manfully against the Saxons; but the distractions among his Nobility much hindered his proceedings. There was likewise a dreadful Famine in his Reigh, so

that the common People reckoned Roots and Herbs to be dainty Food: This was followed by a woful Mortality, which was so raging and sudden, that great numbers of People were surpriz'd by Death while they were eating, drinking, walking and speaking. These calamities lasted near eleven years, so that the Country was almost depopulated, the King and his British Peers being forced to leave the Land, who went to his Cousin Alan, King of Little Britain in France. The Saxons taking ad∣vantage of these severe miseries, lamentably op∣pressed the wretched Britains, to whose Aid Cad∣wallader, with the Assistance of his Cousin Alan, did once design to return, but being diverted by a Dream which he had, he went on Pilgrimage to Rome, and according to the Superstition of that Age, he there turned Monk, where he soon after died and was buried; with whom died all the hopes of the Britains, he being the last King of the British Blood, whereby the Saxons became So∣veraign Lords and Masters of this Island. And thus was this unhappy Country a second time con∣quered by Strangers, which hapned about the Year of our Lord 689.

The Britains being thus outed of their Coun∣try by the Conquering Saxons, retired beyond the River Severn, and therein fortified themselves, which Country thereupon came to be called Wales, and the People Walsh or Welchmen; not that the word Walsh signified in the Saxon Language a Fo∣reigner or Alien (for how could they be called Aliens in their Native Countrey) but Wales and Walish from Galles or Gallish by changing G into W ac∣cording to the custom of the Saxons; The Britains being descended of the Gaules kept their own name still, though somewhat altered in the Let∣ter, as is said before; and to this day the French call the Prince of Wales by the name of Le Prince

le Galles; At first their Chiefs were honoured with the Titles of Kings of Wales, and are these that fol∣low. 1. Idwallo in the year of Christ 688. called Iror the Son of Alan. 2. Roderick. 3. Conan. 4. Mervyn. 5. Roderick Sirnamed the Great, who left Wales between his three Sons, allotting unto each his part, the Country being divided into North-Wales, South-Wales and Powys-Land, which had their several Lords and Princes; North-Wales fell to the share of Amarawd the eldest Son of Ro∣derick Mawr, or the Great, the last King thereof, with a superiority of Power over both the rest, who were but Homagers to this; It containeth the County of Merioneth, part of Denbigh, Flint, Car∣narvan, and the Isle of Anglesey, which being the more Mountainous Parts, and of difficult access, consequently preserved their Liberty longest, and do still keep their Language from the Incursions of the English; Aberfraw in the Isle of Anglesey was the Princes Palace, who were thence sometimer called Kings of Aberfraw.

South-Wales in the division of the Country fell to Cadel the second Son, comprehending the Coun∣ties of Glamorgan, Pembroke, Carmarthen, Cardi∣gan and part of Brecknock, which though the rich•••• and most fruitful part of Wales, yet Pem∣brok•• and Brecknock having their several Kings, there remained only Cardigan and Carmarthen un∣der the immediate subjection of the Princes of South-Wales, whose principal Seat was at Dynefar or Dynevor Castle, not far from Carmarthen, who thence were called by their Subjects, the Kings of Dynevor.

Powys-land was bestowed by Roderick upon his youngest Son Mervyn, containing the Counties of Montgomery and Radnor, with part of Denbigh, Brecknock, Merioneth and Shropshire; His chief Palace was Matraval in Montgomeryshire, from

whence the Princes thereof were so called; This Countrey continued in the Line of Mervyn a long time together, but much afflicted and dismembred by the Princes of North-Wales who cast a greedy eye upon it; The last that held it entire was Mere∣dith, who left it to his two Sons Madoc and Griffith, of which Madock died at Winchester in 1160. and Griffith was by King Henry I. created Lord Powys, the residue of Powys-land which pertained to Ma∣dock, depending still upon the fortune of North-Wales.

In these several Divisions were different Kings and Princes, who long strugled with the Saxons for their Liberties; But because we find very little mention of their Actions in our Chronicles, I shall proceed with the History of the Saxons and Danes, and afterward give an account of the actions of some of the Welsh Kings and Princes, till that Prin∣cipality was wholly subdued to the Crown of Eng∣land.

The Saxons, according to the common fate of Conquerours, after they had subdued their Ene∣mies, disagreed among themselves, and several of their Princes incroached upon the Territories of each other, and so became petty Monarchs of some part of Britain: These were reckoned to be ••our∣teen in number, till at last Egbert, the eighteenth King of the West Saxons, got command over all the seven Kingdoms of the Saxons, and so became sole Monarch of England, which none of his Predeces∣sors before ever obtained. He had War fourteen years with the Cornish and Welch, and took West-chester, their chief hold, from them, making a strict Law against any Welcoman that should pass over Offa's Dike, or set one Foot within his Eng∣lish Dominions. He slew Bernulf King of Mercis in Battel, and drove the King of Kent out of his Kingdom. The East Angles and East Saxons sub∣mitted

to him, and likewise the South Saxons; whereupon he caused himself to be crowned abso∣lute Monarch at Winchester: And this Monarchy continued in the Saxons, till the Danes first got, and then lost it again; and the Saxons Issue failing upon their next entrance, it then fell to the Nor∣mans, as by the Sequel will appear. In the four∣teenth year of Egbert the Danes with thirty three Ships landed in England, to whom he gave Battle, but had the worst of the day, losing two of his chief Captains, and two Bishops; but the Danes returning two years after into Wales, and joyning with the Welch, Egbert overcame both Danes and Welch together.

Ethelwolph his Son succeeded; after whom reign'd Ethelbald, Ethelbert, Ethelred, and then Alfred, in whose time the Danes, under Roll a Nobleman, came over with a great Army, but by the Valour of Alfred were beaten. This virtuous Prince divided the twenty four hours of the Day and Night into three equal parts, which he ob∣served by the burning of a Taper set in his Chapel, Clocks and Watches being not then in use: Eight hours he spent in Contemplation, Reading, and Prayer, other eight, for his Repose, and the Ne∣cessaries of Life; and the other eight in Affairs of State. He divided the Kingdom into Shires, Hundreds, and Tythings, for the better Admini∣stration of Justice, and suppressing of Robbers and Felons; which had so good effect, that the Peo∣ple might Travel with all manner of security: yea, saith my Author, if Bracelets of Gold had been hung in the High-ways, none durst have presumed to have taken them away. He commanded all his Subjects who possessed two Hides of Land, to bring up their Sons in Learning till they were at least fifteen years old, asserting,

That he accounted a man Free born, and yet Illiterate, to be no better

than a Beast, a Sot, and a Brainless Creature:

Neither would he admit any into Office that were not so. He translated the Holy Gospel into the Saxon Tongue, was devout in the Service of God, and a great Protector of Widows and Or∣phans.

Edward his eldest Son succeeded him, against whom his Nephew Ethelwald rebelled. His Sister Elfleda had very hard Travel of her first Child, whereupon she ever after forbore the Nuptial Em∣braces, alledging it to be an over-foolish Pleasure which occasioned such bitter Pains; and listing her self a Souldier under her Brother, she per∣formed many valiant exploits against the Danes; against whom Edward obtained a great Victory near Wolverhampton, wherein two of their Kings were slain, with many of the Nobility and a mul∣titude of Common Souldiers, which procured him both Fear and Love from the People.

After his death Ethelstane reigned, who is said to be the first Anointed King of this Island: He enlarged his Dominions farther than he received them. He overthrew Godfrey the Danish King of Northumberland, Howell King of Wales, and Con∣stantine King of Scotland, forcing them to submit to his pleasure; after which he again restored them to their Dignities, glorying,

That it was more Honour to make a King, than to be a King.

These actions procured him much re∣nown from his Neighbour Princes, who courted his Friendship, and sent him curious Presents. Othy the Emperor, who married his Sister, sent him a curiosity richly set with Precious Stones, very ar∣tificially contrived, wherein were Land-skips with Vines, Corn, and men seeming so naturally to move, as if they had been real. The King of Nor∣way sent him a sumptuous Ship, richly guilt, with Purple Sails. The King of France sent him a Sword,

which was said to have been Constantine's the Great, the Hilt whereof was all of Gold, and therein, as they said, was one of the Nails which fastned Christ to the Cross: He likewise sent the Spear of Charles the Great, reported to be the same where∣with our Saviour's side was pierced; also a part of the Cross, a piece of the Crown of Thorns, and the Banner of St. Maurice. It is related, That this King Ethelstane, or Athelstane, in the third year of his Reign, was so harassed by the Danes, that he was forced to shut himself up in Winchester City; who propounded to him, either to submit, and hold the Realm of them, or to determine the Quarrel between two Champions of each side. The King was much perplexed at these Proposi∣tions, because his three valiant Knights, Guy Earl of Warwick, (who lived in his Reign, or not at all) one Herand another couragious Knight, and Earl Rohand Guy's Father-in-Law, were gone to the Holy Land. In this strait, after he had prayed for Deliverance, it is said, he had a Vision, wherein he was directed to rise early the next morning, and taking two Bishops with him, to get up to the top of the North Gate of that City, where he should see a likely Man, clothed as a Pilgrim, bare-foot, and on his bare Head a Chaplet of White Roses, and that this should be the man that should con∣quer Colebrand the Danish Gaint (for so was his Name) and free the English from the Danish Bon∣dage. The next day the King thus attended at the Gate, sees Earl Guy so habited, being newly arrived from Jerusalem; whereupon Athelstane ad∣dressing himself to him, desires him to accept the Combat, as being ordained by Heaven to ac∣quit this Realm from Tyranny. Guy replied,

My Lord, you may easily perceive that I am not in a Condition to take upon me this Fight, be∣ing harassed and weakened by daily Travel;

lay this task therefore upon your stout and hardy Soldiers, whom you were wont very much to esteem. Ah, said the King, such indeed I had, but they are gone; some to the Holy Land, as one valiant Knight, called Guy, who was Earl of Warwick: I had also a couragious Servant, named Sir Herand de Ardene; Would to God they were now here, for then would this Duel be soon undertaken, and the War quickly finish∣ed.

In speaking which Words the Tears trick∣led down his Cheeks, which made such impression upon the Pilgrim, that he engaged to undertake the Combate. Upon the day appointed, Guy put∣ting on the King's best Armour, the Sword of Con∣stantine the Great, St. Maurice his Lance, and one of the King's best Coursers, he rode through Win∣chester, appearing like a most accomplish'd Knight, and went to the place appointed, which was in a Valley called Chiltecumb, where Colebrand soon af∣ter came, so loaded with Armour, that his Horse could scarce bear him, and a Cart driven before him, filled with Danish Axes, great Clubs with knobs of Iron, squared Bars of Steel, and Iron Hooks to pluck his Adversary to him. Thus march∣ing disdainfully along, and seeing Sir Guy in the height of Pride, he commanded him to come off his Horse, and throw himself with submission at his Feet: But the gallant Pilgrim disregarding his Words, commending himself to Heaven, put Spurs to his Horse, and at the first Encounter pierced the Giant's Shield with such force, that his Lance broke into Shivers, which so enraged the Giant, that coming up furiously, he killed Guy's Horse, who being dismounted, dangerously wounded Colebrand. The Combat having lasted for some time, the Giant fainted and fell with loss of Blood, and Guy immediately cut off his Head, threeby freeing England at present from the insulting Dane.

After all which he offered his Sword in the Cathe∣dral of Winchester, which was long after kept in the Vestry, and called Colebrand's Axe. The other Re∣liques of Guy, Mr. Drayton thus describes:

Thy Statue, Guy, Cliff keeps, the Gazers Eyes to please; Warwick thy mighty Arms, (thou mighty Hercules) Thy strong and massy Sword, that never was controll'd, Which, as her antient Right, her Castle still doth hold.

Thus much for Earl Guy, who lived in the Year of Christ 929. This King Ethelstane, by the insi∣nuation of his Cup-bearer, became incensed against his Brother, as if he had contrived Trea∣son against him, who therefore ordered him to be put into a small Vessel without Tackle or Oars, and so be exposed to the mercy of the Sea; wherewith the young Prince was so overwhelm'd with sorrow, that he threw himself headlong into the Sea; whose Ghost the King endeavoured to appease, by a voluntary Penance of seven years, and building two Monasteries. Neither did the treacherous Cup-bearer escape Vengeance; for on a Festival day, as he was busie in waiting, one of his Feet slipping, he recovered himself by the help of the other, and thereupon pleasantly said,

You may see now how one Brother can help another:

This Speech suddenly recalled to the King's Mind the Death of his Innocent Brother; whereupon he caused the Cup-bearer, who was the Procurer thereof, to be immediately executed.

Edmund the fifth Son of King Edward succeeded, and after him, Edred, his sixth Son: Then Edwy, or Edwin the eldest Son of Edmund was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames, who was of a lascivious temper; for it is related, That on the very Day of his Coronation, he suddenly left his Nobility, and went into a private Room, to debauch a great

Lady, his near Kinswoman, whose Husband he soon after slew. St. Dunstan who was present, and then Abbot of Glastenbury, followed the King into his Chamber, and leading him out by the Hand, accused him before Odo Archbishop of Canterbury, by whom he was severely reproved, and forbid him the Company of that woman. The King was hereat enraged against Dunstan, and banished him out of the Land, and became so great an Enemy to the Order of Monks, that he expelled many of them out of their Monasteries, and put married Priests in their Places. The People having a great Opinion of the Holiness of Dunstan, and being of∣fended at the King's severity toward him, and other Irregularities; they turned their Affections to Edgar his Brother, and removing Edwin from his Princely Dignity; Edgar was made King in his stead: for very grief whereof he soon wasted away; and died in 959.

Edgar was called the Peaceable: He maintained the Kingdom in great Glory and Prosperity. His Navy Royal is said to consist of three thousand six hundred Ships, with which he every Summer sailed round his Land, to secure the Sea from Py∣rates. He caused Ludwal Prince of Wales to pay him three hundred Wolves yearly, instead of a former Tribute in Money, whereby England and Wales, which were formerly very much over-run, were now so freed, that there was scarce a Wolf to be found alive. he was very severe upon his Judges, if he found them guilty of Bribery and Partiality, riding the Circuit himself every Year for that pur∣pose; Yet among all these Vertues, he is said to be very Voluptuous, especially toward Women, not sparing the very Nuns; which sounded so ill, that Dunstan took the boldness to reprove him for it; and coming into his presence, the King in Cour∣tesie rose from his Royal Throne, to take him by

the Hand, and seat him by him. But Dunstan re∣fusing the King's Hand, with a stern Countenance and contracted Brow spake thus to him:

You that have not been afraid to corrupt a Virgin dedicated to Christ, how can you presume to touch the Consecrated Hands of a Bishop? You have defiled the Spouse of your Maker, and do you now think by your flattering service to pacifie the Friend of the Bridegroom? No Sir, do not mistake your self; for I will be no friend to him who hath Christ for his Enemy.

The King thunder-struck with these dreadful Words and touch'd with remorse of Conscience, fell down at the Feet of Dunstan; who raising him up, began to aggravate his Crime, and finding the King pliable to his Instruction, he enjoyned him the following Penance for satisfaction;

That he should wear no Crown for the space of fe∣ven years; That he should fast twice a week; That he should distribute his Treasure left him by his Ancestors liberally to the poor; That he should build a Monastery for Nuns at Shaftsbury, that since he had robbed God of one Virgin by his Transgression, so he should restore to him many again for the time to come; Likewise, That he should expel Clerks or Priests of evil life (meaning those who were married) out of the Churches, and place Monks in their room.

All this Edgar performed, and the seven years be∣ing past, Dunstan (saith the Historian) calling the Nobility, with the Bishops, Abbots, and Clergy together, he before all the People set the Crown upon the King's Head at Bath, in the thirteenth year of his Reign; Dunstan, who it seems rul'd all, having hitherto hindred it. The Nun here mentioned was Wilfrid a Duke's Da••ghter by whom he had a Daughter called Editha: He had a Son likewise by Elfrida, the Earl of Devonshire's

Daughter, which Dunstan being now grown goood natured, Christned: The words of the Historian are these.

The Child also which was gotten of the Harlot he Baptized in the Holy Fountain of Regeneration, and giving him the name of Ed∣ward, adopted him to be the King's Son.

There are abundance of ridiculous miracles related of this Dunstan: One among many others was, That a Vision appearing to him, required him to take up the Body of Editha the Bastard and Canonize her for a Saint; her Tomb being accordingly open∣ed in the Church of Wil••on, where she was buried, her whole Body (saith the Monkish Historian) was consumed to Dust, save only her Thumb, her Belly, &c. whereof she her self shewed the mean∣ing, declaring

That her Thumb remained en∣tire, because she so often used to cross her self therewith, and the other Parts did signifie the ex∣traordinary Abstinence and Chastity.

With such stuff were the People then abused, and persuaded to worship for Saints the dead Carcases of those that were many times of very profligate Lives while on Earth. In King Edgar's Reign there was a great Famine, wherein Ethel wald Bishop of Win∣chester sold away all the Church-Plate, and Vessels of Gold and Silver, to relieve the Poor, saying,

There was no reason that the senseless Temples of God should abound in Riches, and the lively Temples of the Holy Ghost to be in want of them.

After the Death of Edgar there was great Divi∣ston, many of the Nobility being for Etheldred, the true and only legitimate Heir of Edgar; but the other Nobles, and the Clergy, especially Dun∣stan, fearing the Married Clergy should again pre∣vail, he, with several other Bishops, meeting to∣gether, and carrying the Cross before Edward, brought him to the Lords, and by many Persua∣sions

prevailed with them to accept him for their King. He was accounted a just, meek Prince, and very charitable to the Poor: Yet enjoyed he the Crown but a short space; for in the fourth Year of his Reign, as he was Hunting near Corf-Castle, where his Brother Etheldred and Queen Elfrida his Mother resided, while he was discour∣sing and drinking on Horseback, as the Cup was at his Mouth, a Servant of the Queens, by her con∣trivance, struck him into the Back with a Knife or Dagger; at which setting Spurs to his Horse to get away, and fainting with loss of Blood, he fell from his Horse with one Foot in the Stirrop, and was dragged up and down the Woods, till at last his Body was left dead at the Gate of Corf-Castle. When this Fact was committed the Queen was so struck with remorse, that to expiate her Guilt, she built two Monasteries, Almsbury and Wormwell: For, as Mr. Fox observes, most of these Religious Houses were founded either upon the account of some Publick or Private Murther.

Edward the Martyr, as he was called, being thus slain, Etheldred his younger Brother, the Son of Edgar and Queen Elfrida, succeeded. He reign∣ed thirty eight years, but was very unfortunate, and full of Troubles all his time. It is related, That when Archbishop Dunston Christened Ethel∣dred as he held him over the Font, the Child was not very cleanly, whereupon the Bishop swore,

By the Mother of God, this Boy will prove an unhappy and slothful Prince;

which happened accordingly. At his Coronation a Cloud appeared, half like Blood, and the other half like Fire. In his third Year the Danes Invaded the Kingdom in several places, and the King paid them forty thou∣sand pound yearly for his Quiet, which much dis∣obliged his Subjects; yea, the English were so low, that the Danes commanded their Houses, Wives,

Daughters, and all they had: Whereupon Ethel∣dred contrived, that all the Danes were massacred in one day: But this did more enrage them, so that first Swain and then Canutus, came with two hundred Sail of Ships, and landed in Cornwal, burning, and destroying all before him, and killing Nine hundred Monks and Nuns at one time, the King's Counsels being all betrayed by the Traytor Edrick: Whereupon he fled, with his Queen Emma and her two Sons into Normandy, to Ri∣chard, Duke thereof, who was her Brother. But Swain being soon after killed by his own men, they made his Son Canutus King. After which Ethel∣dred returns again to England, and perceiving the several Treasons against him, and being unable to withstand their Fury, he soon after died.

Edmund, the eldest Son alive of Etheldred, suc∣ceeded, sirnamed Ironside, from his great Strength and Courage. He was Crowned at Kingston: But the Danes were then so powerful in England, that Canutus was accepted King at Southampton, many of the Clergy and Laity swearing Allegiance to him; but the City of London stood firm for Edmund, who fought several Battles against the Danes, and routed Canutus four times in the plain Field, and would in likelihood have freed the Nation from the Danes, had not the ever-false Edrick and other perfidious persons of the Clergy and Laity, prevented it. At length, to avoid further Bloodshed, they made an Agreement to divide the Kingdom betwixt them; but Edmund enjoyed the benefit of this Accord a very short time, being soon after murdered as he was easing Nature, by Edrick, and his Head presented to Canutus, who, though he loved the Treason, yet commanded the Traytor to be beheaded.

By the Death of Edmund, the Saxon Monarchy came to a Period; for Canutus, after his Death,

seised upon the other half of England, none being able to withstand; whereby the Danes made them∣selves sole Masters of this Island, after it had been in possession of the Saxons about 566 Years: The English Nobles owning Canutus for their lawful King, and swearing Fealty to him at his Corona∣tion at London in the year of Christ 1017. Though Canutus had never the better Opinion of them, considering, that most of them had sworn Alle∣giance to Edmund their Natural Sovereign, and likewise that they were English Natives: He there∣fore judged them treacherous Persons, and used them accordingly; for some he banished, others he beheaded, and many by the Just Judgment of Heaven died sudden Deaths. Canutus, to estab∣lish his Government, called a Parlaiment of Bishops, Lords, and Barons, in London, wherein many laws were ordained, and, among others, this following:

We admonish diligently all Christian Men, that they do always love God with an inward heart, and be diligently obedient to Divine Teachers, and do subtilly search God's Learning and Laws often and daily, to the profit of themselves: And we warn, that all Christian men do learn to know at least-wise the right Belief, and a right to understand the Lord's Prayer and the Creed, for that with the one every Christian man should pray unto God, and with the other shew forth right Belief.

He also ordained in another Parliament at Oxford,

That both English and Danes should observe the laws made by King Edgar, as judging them to be above all others most just and reasonable.

He married Emma the Widow of King Etheldred, and Sister to Ri∣chard Duke of Normandy, with this Condition, That the Issue of her Body by him should inherit the Kingdom of England. He went to Rome to com∣plain of the excessive Extortions of the Pope from

the English Archbishops, upon receiving their Palls: And having reigned twenty Years over England, he died.

Notwithstanding the former Agreement, yet Harold the Son of Canutus by Elgina his first Wife, (in the absence of Hardiknute the Son of Queen Emma) succeeded his Father; and the better to secure himself, he, by the assistance of the trea∣cherous Earl Goodwin, who had married Canutus's Daughter, endeavours to get into his Power Ed∣ward and Alfred the two Sons of Queen Emma by King Etheldred, whom he knew had more Right than himself; and to that purpose they counter∣feit a Letter in Emma's name, whom Harold had abused, and robbed of her Jewels, the Contents whereof were to this purpose.

EMMA, in Name only Queen, to Edward and Alfred her Sons sends Motherly Greet∣ings. Whilst we severally bewail the death of our Sovereign, my Lord, and your Father; and your selves (Dear Sons) are still more and more dispossessed from the Kingdoms of your lawful Inheritance; I much wonder what you intend to do, since you know that delays in Attempts give the Usurper more leisure to lay his Foundation, and more safely to fix thereon his intended Building; never ceasing to post from Town to City, to make the Lords and Rulers thereof his Friends, by Threats, Prayers, or Rewards: But notwithstanding his Policy, yet they privately signifie, that they had rather have one of you, their Native Countrey-men, to reign over them, than this Danish Usurper. Therefore my advice is, That either of you do with all speed repair to me, that we may advise together what is to be done in this so great an Enterprise. Fail

not therefore, but send me word by this Mes∣senger what you intend to do herein. And so fare ye well.

Your Affectionate Mother Emma.

Messengers being sent to Normandy with this Letter, they met only with Alfred, (Edward be∣ing gone into Hungaria) to whom delivering their Message, he was very joyful, and made all possible hast to England, accompanied with divers Norman Gentlemen, and arriving at Southampton, was re∣ceived by the villanous Earl Goodwin with much pretended Kindness and Friendship, who made as if he would bring him to London; but being come to Gilford in Surrey, Goodwin commanded his men to kill all Alfred's Company, and then carrying him to the Isle of Ely, ordered his Eyes to be put out: Then opening his Body, they took out his Bowels, and fastning one end of his Guts to a Stake, they drove him round it with Iron Darts and Needles, till all his Bowels came clear away. Thus died innocent Alured, or Alfred, the true Heir to the Crown, by the Treachery of Godwin, to the great disgust of the English Nobility, who vowed Revenge. This Harold, called Harefoot for his great swiftness, did not long enjoy his usurped Dominion; for after four years he died.

After which Hardiknute, the Son of Canutus and Queen Emma, who was by his Father made King or Denmark, is now by the States of the Land, both Danes and English, invited over hither to take upon him the Government. He was a great Op∣pressor of the English by heavy Taxes, which so en∣raged them, that two of his Collectors were slain at Worcester, for which their City was burnt, and their Bishop Alfred expelled his Office, till with Money he had purchased his peace. Though this King was very vicious, yet it is said, he was more

kind to Edward his Half-brother, and made Earl Godwin purge himself for the death of Prince Al∣fred, though it is thought his bountiful Gifts to the King prevailed much more for clearing him, than his Innocence. One present especially is ve∣ry remarkable, that is, A Ship whose Stern was of Gold and fourscore Soldiers, all richly habited, within her; on their Heads they all wore guilt Burgonets, and on their Bodies a triple gilt Har∣bergeon, about their Wasts Swords girt richly guilt, a Danish Battle-ax on their left Shoulders, a Target with gilt Bosses on their left Hand, a Dart in their right, and upon their Arms Bracelets of Gold of great Value. After two years Reign Hardiknute died in the midst of his drunken De∣baucheries, and in him ended the Danish Race in England, three Kings only of that Nation Reign∣ing here. This third Conquest was but of a short continuance, yet were the Danes very insolent to∣ward the English during that time; for if an Eng∣lishman and a Dane met at a Bridge, or at a Door, the Englishman must stand still till the Dane past by, and if he did not then bow down very low to the Dane, he was certainly beaten and abused: Yea, it is related, That while the English were drinking, the Danes would stab them, or cut their Throats; to prevent which, when the Englishman drank, he desired his next Companion to be his Surety or Pledge, from whence it is said the Custom of Pledg∣ing one another did first arise. For these, and abundant greater Insolencies, after the Death of Hardiknute, the Danes were utterly driven out of England, and never again returned.

Edward called the Confessor, succeeded next, in 1042. who was an absolute Englishman, and the youngest Son of Etheldred and Queen Emma; be∣ing invited from Normandy by all the English Nobi∣lity, who disdained the Danish Subjection, and

was entertained with great Joy. He first remit∣ted that heavy Danish Tax of Forty thousand pound a year, called Dane gilt, imposed by his Fa∣ther, and paid forty years by all but the Clergy, who are exempted,

Because the Kings reposed more confidence in the Prayers of the Holy Church, than in the Power of Armies.

It is re∣ported, Edward forgave that Tax upon this occa∣sion: A great Sum of that Treasure being brought into his Chamber, and laid in a heap, he being called to see it, was at first sight much affrighted, protesting he saw the Devil dancing with great Joy upon the same; and therefore commanded it should be again restored to his Subjects, and re∣leased them from it for ever after. He married Editha Earl Godwin's Daughter, but never had any Conjugal Society with her, though she was a Lady accomplished with all excellent Endowments both of Mind and Body, so that this old Ve•••••••••• written on her;

Sicut Spina Rosam, Genuit Goduinus Editham.

From prickled Stalk as sweetest Rose, So Editha fair from Godwin grows.

Edward himself confessed upon his Death-bed, That openly she was his Wife, but in secret Em∣bracings as his own Sister: But whether it were Infirmity or Chastity, it seems he was willing to have her accused of Incontinency, whereof if she were guilty, he could not be innocent, it being a great injury to put his Wives vertue to so Tyranni∣cal a trial. After this, some differences arose between him and Earl Godwin, and Forces were raised on both sides, but by the Intercession of the Nobi∣lity, an Agreement was made: Yet Godwin escap∣ed not Divine Vengeance; for being charged by

the King for the Munder of Alfred, he wished if he were guilty he might never swallow down a bit of Bread again; which happened accordingly; for the first bit of Bread he put into his Mouth choaked him; as he sate with the King at Table: A dreadful Instance of God's Severity against Perju∣ry. This King is blamed for his Cruelty to his Mother, in forcing her to pass over nine burning Plow shares, bare-foot and blind-fold, for a Trial of her Continency; which yet she performed without the least damage. He is said to be the first King that cured the Disease called the King's-Evil.

It is related, that this King lying on his Bed one Afternoon, with the Curtains drawn, a pil∣fering Courtier coming into his Chamber, and finding the King's Casket open, which Hugoline his Chamberlain had forgot to shut, he took out as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Money as he could well carry, and went away: But finding success, he came a second, and a third time, still carrying off more. At which the King, who had observed all, called to him to be gone with all speed, since he had enough, if he could be contented;

For, said he, if Hugoline should come and catch thee, thou wilt go nigh to lose all thou hast got, and may'st get a Halter into the Bargain:

The Fellow was no sooner gone, but Hugoline came in; and finding the Casket open, and a great deal of Money taken out, he was much incensed: But the King bid him not be moved;

For, said he, he that hath it, hath more need of it than we.

When this King Edward was hastning out of Nor∣mandy with a great Army to recover England from the Danes, being ready to give Battel, his Cap∣tains assured him of Victory, and that they would not leave one Dane alive:

God forbid, said Ed∣ward, that the Kingdom should be recovered

for me, who am but one Man, by the death of so many thousands; better it is that I should live a private and unbloody Life, than to be a King by such a Slaughter and Butchery.

This King having no lisue of his own, sent for Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside out of Hungary, who for his long absence was called the Outlaw; but he dy∣ing soon after, he declared Edgar the Outlaw's Son, to be Heir, and sirnamed him Atheling, or Adeling, a Term appropriated to the presumptive Heirs of the Crown. He had also a Daughter named Ma∣tilda, who was married to the King of Scots, and was Mother to David King of Scotland, and Maud Queen of England.

When King Edward was on his Death-bed he observed all present weeping and lamenting for him, to whom he said,

If you loved me, you would forbear weeping and rejoyce; because I go to my Father, with whom I shall receive the Joys promised to the Faithful, not through my Merits, but by the free mercy of my Saviour, who sheweth mercy on who he pleaseth.

After the Death of Earl Godwin, Harold his Son grew into great Favour with King Edward, and was by him made Lieutenant of his Army against the Welch; who, with his Brother Tosto, or Toston, utterly subdued that Rebellion. After which, Harold still increasing more in favour with the King, there grew such hatred between the two Brethren, that Tosto coming to Hereford, slew all his Brother's Servants, and cutting them in pieces, salted them, and put them into powdering-tubs. It hapned afterward, that Harold going beyond Sea, was by Tempest ••••••ven into Normandy, and being seised, and carr••••d before Duke Wiliam, he made him promise, That after the death of King Edward, he would secure the Kingdom for him, according to King Edward's Will: Which Oath

having taken, Harold came back, and told King Edward what he had done, who seemed well con∣tent therewith, saith the Historian; which, if it were true, he had surely forgot his former Decla∣ration concerning Edgar Atheling.

However, after the death of King Edward, Ha∣rold neither regarding his Oath to Duke William, nor Edgar's Right, whom he dispised for his ten∣der Age, caused himself to be Proclaimed King, without any great Ceremony or Celebration, none much approving or disapproving thereof: and to ingratiate himself with the People, he eased them of several severe Taxes laid upon them by his Pre∣decessor, and was affable and kind to all: But this was a short calm before a great storm; for soon after Duke William sent his Ambassadors to him to mind him of his Oath; but he returned answer,

That it was extorted from him in his Imprison∣ment, and therefore was no way obliging.

At this Answerthe Duke was much inraged and pre∣pared Forces for gaining the Kingdom by force. Neither was Harold idle, but made provision to withstand him: At which time a dreadful Comet appeared in the Heavens, which was then judged and after proved to be a fatal Omen.

During these Preparations, Tosto Brother to Ha∣rold, and Harfager King of Denmark, with three hundred Ships, invaded the Country; landing in Yorkshire, Harfager claiming the Crown as Son of Canutus; but the Nobility of those parts opposing them, were routed: which Harold hearing, march'd against them, and at Stamford-Bridge he encountred them, where his whole Army was withstood by one single Dane, who slew forty of his men and made good the Bridge, till a Soldier in a Boat rowing under the Bridge, thrust his Spear through a crevice and so slew this valiant Champion: After which, the King fell upon the

Danes and got an intire Victory over them, killing King Harfager, and Tosto his own Brother: Olave the Son of Harfager, and Paul Earl of Orkney, were taken Prisoners, with abundance more, who beg∣ging their Lives, the King ordered 20 of their 300 Ships to carry them to Denmark, with the sad news of the loss of their King and his whole Army.

No sooner was this Storm over, but a worse be∣gan; for Duke William having prepared a great Ar∣my and Navy, resolved for England, having the free consent of his Nobility for his Voyage, many of them assisting him therein. But first he sent to Pope Alexander to confirm his Title to the Crown, who did it readily, and withal sent him a Consecrated banner, an Agnus Dei, and a Hair of St. Peter, with a curse to all opposers to carry in the Ship wherein he himself failed. Being tho∣rowly furnished he and his Men embarqued at St. Vallery, where they staid a long time for a Wind; at length setting Sail, Sep. 28. 1066. he arrived with his Fleet at Pevensey in Sussex, where as soon as he landed, it hapned one of his Feet stuck so fast in the Sand that he fell to the ground; whereupon one of his Attendants catching him by the Arm, and helping him up, said,

Stand up my Lord; and be of good Courage, for now you have taken fast footing in England;

and observing that he had taken up Sand and Earth in his Hand, he added,

You have now taken Livery and Seisin of the Country;

it being the custom, that when Possession is taken of Land, a piece of Earth is given to the Possessor. A Wizard or Necroman∣cer had told Duke William, That he should safely arrive in England with his whole Army, without any hindrance from Harold; which after it came to pass, King William sent for this Conjurer, to confer further with him; but it was told him, That he was drowned in that Ship which alone of

the whole Navy miscarried; whereupon the Con∣queror said,

He would never put confidence in that Science which was of more benefit to the Ignorant than the Skilful therein; for it seems he could foresee my good fortune, but not his own misfortune.

After his Landing, the Duke set all his Ships a fire, to assure his men that they must either con∣quer or die. He then marched towards Hastings, declaring the cause of his coming to be to inherit the Kingdom, which was given him by King Ed∣ward, and strictly charging his Soldiers not to wrong any of the People in the least, since they were so soon to become his Natural Subjects. He then sent Messengers to Harold, either to de∣liver him up the Country, and be subject to him, or to fight it out in the sight of both Armies in single combat; or lastly, to stand to the Pope's De∣termination: But he returned answer,

That unless he did suddenly depart, he would give him cause to repent this his rash Invasion; and that the next day it should he tryed by more Swords than One.

Accordingly Harold marcheth couragiously against Duke Widiam, who put him∣self into a posture to receive him. It happned, that the Morning before the Battel, William's Ar∣mourer by mistake put on his Back-piece before, and his Breast-plate behind; which being observed by some of his Attendants, was judged an ill Omen, and therefore they advised him not to fight that day: To whom the Duke replied,

I value not such Fooleries; but if I have any skill in Soothsaying, (as in truth I have none) I am of the opinion if doth foretel, that I shall change my Condition, and of a D. shall this day become a K.

The Armies being Marshalled, Harold placing the Kentish-men with their heavy Axes or Halberts in the Van, the Battel began, both Parties fight∣ing

bravely, one for the Liberty of their Country, and the other for a Kingdom. The Normans per∣ceiving they could not break the united strength of the English, pretended to fly, which the English believing, pursued them in disorder, whereupon the Normans taking the advantage, rallied, and charging them furiously in that disjoynted Posture, made a very great slaughter among the English; and among the rest, King Harold, his Brother, and most of the English Nobility, fell that day; and of the Common Souldiers, Sixty seven thou∣sand nine hundred seventy four. Others report, an hundred thousand were slain. Duke William had three Horses killed under him, yet received not the least wound, his Loss being only, as is said, Six thousand Men. Thus died King Harold, after only nine Months Reign, and was buried at Waltham Abby in Essex. And it is very remarkable, That whereas Harold, with his Father Godwin, had cruelly murdered Alfred the true Heir to the Crown, and his Normans, he was now by a Norman Wounded in the left Eye with an Arrow, whereof he immediately died. This great Battel was fought at Hastings in Sussex, on Saturday, October 14. 1066. The English after this vast loss had designed to make Edgar Atheling King, but it was prevented by their private Animosities. And thus ended the Saxon Monarchy in England, which from Hen∣gist in 475 to this Year, had continued (save only some short interruptions by the Danes) Five hun∣dred ninety one years.

During these stupendious Revolutions in the State and Government of England, we do not read of much action between the Welsh, and the Saxons, Danes and Normans; It is recorded they had still a Succession of Kings and Princes, and among them Leoline ap Sytsill who lived about the year 900, in the Reign of Edward Sirnamed the Elder, a Va∣liant

Saxon King, and yet free from Pride or Am∣bition, (saith the Historian) as appears by the intercourse betwixt him and this Leoline, who after several Skirmishes thought fit to Treat of Peace; The King lay at a place called Austeline, and the Prince at Bethesly not far distant; Leoline thought it below him to cross the Severn to wait upon Edward, whereupon the King went into a Boat to come over to him; Leoline observing it, and surprized at this great condiscention, upon the King's approach to the opposite shoar, threw off this rich Robe he had on, prepared on purpose for that Royal Assembly, and entred the Water Breast high, where imbracing the Boat he submis∣sively said,

Most Prudent and Worthy King, your Humility hath overcome my Insolence, and your Wisdom hath Triumphed over my Folly, Come, tread upon my Neck which I have foolishly lifted up against you, and enter into my Country this Day with all freedom, since your generosity hath made it all your own.

Having said this, he took the King upon his Shoulders, and carrying him ashoar caused him to sit down upon his Royal Robe, and so putting his hands jointly into his, acknow∣ledged Homage and Allegiance to him.

Ethelstane his Successor had Wars with the Welsh, whose Princes and Rulers he brought to be his Tri∣butaries, who at Hereford entred into Covenants to pay him yearly twenty pound weight in Gold, three hundred weight of Silver, and two thousand five hundred Head of Cattel, with a certain num∣ber of Hawks and Hounds; Toward the payment of which, by the Statutes of Howel Dha, the King of Aberfraw was charged at sixty six pounds, the Prince of Dynever and the Prince of Powys the like Sums. This Ethelstane confined the Britains (who hitherto had enjoyed the City of Exeter with the same right as the Saxons) into the furthest Promon∣tory

of Cornwall, enlarging his Dominions beyond any Saxon King before him.

In the time of King Edward the Confessor 1053, the Irish with 36 Ships entred the River Severne, and with the assistance of Griffith King or Prince of North-Wales, burnt and destroyed all they met with; Against whom Alfred Bishop of Worcester marching with considerable force, was defeated, many of his Souldiers being slain, and the rest put to flight, which much elevated the Welsh, so that Rice the Brother of Griffith made many Incursions into the English Territories, and carried away great Booties, till at length he was routed and slain at Bulenden, and his Head presented to King Edward at Glocester. Two years after the King having banished Algar the Son of Leofrike Earl of Chester without cause, he with the assistance of the Welsh and Irish under Grissith, who had Mar∣ried his Daughter, much indamaged the English, de∣feating Rodulf Earl of Hereford with the slaughter of five hundred men, defacing that City, and burning the Minster, with many other mischiefs; Against whom Harold Son to Earl Godwin (after∣ward King, and slain by William the Conqueror) was sent, who prosecuted the War with much courage and conduct, pursuing his flying Enemies and passing through North-Wales Incamped upon Snowdon Hills; but the Earl and Griffith not daring to come to an Engagement, fled from thence to South-Wales, and again took possession of Hereford, of which Harold having notice marched thither with all diligence, and soon recovering the City fortified it with a deep Trench and an high Ram∣pire, and for preventing of Bloodshed, and ingra∣titude to Algar, who had freely resigned his Earl∣dom to Harold upon his return from Exile, a peace was concluded, and at Harold's request King Ed∣ward pardoned both him and Griffith; But Algar

raising fresh disturbances, and again assisted by his old friend Griffith, recovered his Earldom of Chester by Arms, at which the King was highly offended, especially with Griffith, who was always ready to appear against him, and Harold was a se∣cond time made General, and with a great Army entred North-Wales without sight of an Enemy, whereupon he burnt down the stately Palace of Prince Griffith, and so returned to the King; But the Welsh were not long quiet, and Griffith inflamed with revenge, with the greatest strength he could raise, made Inroads into ihe English Borders; Up∣on which Harold is sent a third time against them, who burst into Wales with such mighty Forces, that Prince Griffith doubting the Success withdrew secretly from his Camp, leaving his Souldiers to fight for themselves if they pleased; who finding their Prince had deserted them, the whole Army yielded themselves to Harold's mercy, and having seized upon Gaiffith, they cut off his Head and sent it to Harold, giving him Hostages for their future obedience, and for payment of the ancient Tri∣bute, which for some time had been denied. Af∣ter which King Edward kept a severe Eye over the Welsh, making a Law that if any of that Nation should pass armed over Offa's Ditch, his Right Hand should be cut off.

In the Reign of William the Conqueror, Roger Earl of Hereford raising a Rebellion against him in that Country, was assisted by the Welsh, but it being soon supprest and the Earl taken and banisht into Normandy, the King used great severity against the Welsh, putting out the Eyes of some, Hanging others upon Gibbets, and they that escaped best were forever banisht their Country; and afterwards entring Wales with a great Army, he obliged the Princes thereof who were unable to resist, to do him Homage at St. Davids, and taking

Hostages for their peaceable demeanour, he return∣ed as a Victorious Conqueror.

In 1095. William Rufus finding the Welsh often attempting mischief against the English, resolved to make a full Conquest of them, and redoubling his usual Forces drew into the Marshes of Wales, and their Incamped, calling a Council of War to consult how to prosecute his design against them, who finding their own weakness to oppose, they according to their usual manner secured themselves in their Woods and Mountains, and other inaccessi∣ble places; Upon which the King sent Hugh Mont∣gomery Earl of Shrewsbury and Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester into the Isle of Anglesey, who there execu∣ted great cruelty, on the People, cutting off the Hands, Noses and Arms of the Resisters, sparing neither Age, Sex, nor place Sacred or Prophane from Destruction; At which very time M••gous King of Norway landed there, in hope to Conquer the Island, whom the English Earls opposed with all their might, armed at all points, yet Montgome∣ry through the sight of his Beaver was shot with an Arrow into the right Eye, whereof he died.

In 1107. those Flemings which his Brother Ru∣fus had setled in Cumberland, whose Lands the Seas had overwhelmed some years before, were by King Henry I. removed into Ross in Wales, both to free the Inland Country from such a burden, and to keep the Welsh in obedience, which project an∣swered his expectation; For, saith Giraldus, they were a Colony of stout men, enured to the Wars, and likewise Clothiers and Husbandmen, as time and place required, and most loyally devoted to the Crown of England, whereby they kept the Country in subjection for some time. Yet 1114. Griffith ap Conan Prince of North-Wales, and Owen ap Cadogan Prince of South-Wales made Inroads up∣on the Lands of Gilbert Strangbow, Hugh Earl of

Chester and other English Gentlemen, and so in∣censed the King by these Outrages, that in a rage he vowed he would not leave one alive in North or South Wales, and going thither in Person divi∣ded his Army into three parts, to catch if possible these nimble Combatants, who at his approach were got again to their old Recesses, however with much difficulty he pursued and kill'd many of them in their Hills and Woods, and the rest yielded to King Henry, who returned home with much satis∣faction.

In 1121. King Henry was again disquieted by the Welsh under Meredith ap Beldin Prince of Powis-Land, and the three Sons of Cadogan, who broke into the Marshes of Cheshire and burnt two Castles, against whom the King marched with strong Forces, sending the main of his Army and Carriages the Common Road, but himself with a select company, took a nearer way through the Streights and Moun∣tains, which the Welshmen having notice of, they laid an Ambush who couragiously set upon them and rained down Showers of Arrows on them, from the higher grounds whereby many of the English were slain, and one Arrow aimed at the King shot him on the Breast, but by his Armour was hindred from doing farther mischief, whereat he was little concerned, only swore, By our Lord's Death, his usual Oath, that he was sure that Arrow was shot by own of his Followers and not by a Welshman; At length finding he should gain little, and might lose much of the honour he had gained in this barren Country, he concluded a Peace with the Welsh Princes, giving them a thousand head of Cattel, and so returned to London.

In 1138. Owen and Cadwallader the Sons of Griffith ap Conan Prince of Wales, made an Irrup∣tion into the Pale, and did much damage, carry∣ing away much spoil of Goods, Horses, Arms, and

other Habiliments of War, which King Stephen was not able to revenge, being sufficiently incum∣bered in defending his Crown, which Maud the Empress upon pretence of a better Title endea∣voured to deprive him of, under the Conduct of her Brother in Law Robert Earl of Glocester. King Stephen Besieged Ramilph Earl of Chester and Earl Robert in Lincoln, who issued out of the City resolving to give the King Battel, being assisted with a great number of Welsh as well as Englishmen. Before the fight the Earl of Chester animated his Souldiers by telling them, That he gave them unfeigned thanks for hazarding their lives in so just a cause against a faithless King, and that he himself would lead them amidst the strongest Troups of the Enemy, and seemed already in his own thoughts to be breaking through them, and tram∣pling on the necks of their Chief Captains, yea piercing with his Sword the very Heart of King Stephen himself, not doubting but they would fol∣low their Leader, and by his example quickly put their persidious adversaries to flight; On the other side Baldwin, King Stephen's General, told his men, That the Justice of their Cause, obliged them to defend their valiant King to whom they had sworn Allegiance, and whose Presence, Cou∣rage and Conduct ought more to encourage them than thousands of men; What is Robert the Bastard their General, says he, but a boasting Coward who can speak big, but perform little, hath a Lion's Voice, but the Heart of an Hare? and what is Chester's Earl but an hair-brain'd audacious man, without Judgment or Courage? and what are the Welshmen which he has with him, are they not fit∣ter for our contempt than fear? who being naked, unarmed and without any military Discipline, run headlong like wild Beasts upon the Javelins and Spears of the Hunter; and the rest are only

straglers and runagates, who will never endure the force of your puissant Arms. After this a bloody Battel was fought, but at length King Ste∣phen's Horse giving way, and the Foot being there∣by exposed, they allfled together, leaving the King almost alone in the Field. A strange sight it was (saith the Historian) to see King Stephen left almost alone, and yet none durst approach him, who grinding his Teeth and foaming like a furious wild Boar, with his Battel Ax drove whole Troops be∣fore him, cutting down great numbers of them to the eternal Renown of his Courage, so that if but an hundred like himself had stood by him, a whole Army had not been able to surprize his Person: yet he still defended himself, till first his Battle-ax and then his Sword flew in peices by his irresistible blows, so that being left Weaponless he was struck down with a great Stone and taken Prisoner. Yet he afterward regained his Liberty and his Crown, and Died a King after having Reigned near 19 years.

In 1170. The Welsh surprized the Town of Car∣digan under Rice ap Griffith Prince of South-Wales, and took therein the Governour Robert Fitz Stephens a valiant Norman, who could not procure his Li∣berty upon any other terms than by forever renoun∣cing all Right and Title to his Estate and Posses∣sions in the Principality of Wales, which hard condition he was obliged to accept, and joining with Dermot one of the five Kings of Ireland, who at that time came over to crave aid from King Henry II. was instrumental in conquering that Kingdom, and annexing it to the Crown of England.

In 1199. King Richard I. resolving to make a Voyage for the recovery of the Holy Land or Jeru∣salem, he resolved to leave all quiet at home, and Rice ap Griffith Prince of South-Wales being then in amity, came as far as Oxford to wait upon him:

but because the King who was there, went not out of the City in Person to meet him as his Father Henry had done, (though Earl John the King's Bro∣ther had conducted him from the Marshes with all the marks of honour and esteem) this haughty Welsh Prince took it in such great scorn and indig∣nation, that he presently returned back into his Countrey without once seeing or saluting King Richard, who by this disrespect lost Rice's love and favour; As upon the like omission and superor∣lousness, the stately Monk Austin formerly lost the affections of the Monks of Bangor, Rice's own Coun∣trymen, in another part of Wales.

In 1211. Leolin ap Jorwith Prince of Wales (though he had a while before made his submission to King John) plundred several English Towns in the Marshes, which caused the King to raise a great Army to reduce him to obedience, where∣upon Leoline ordered all his People to convey their Cattel and Goods of Value, to the almost inac∣cessible places upon Snowdon Hills: however the English pursued them with so much speed, vigor, and revenge for their continual losses, that their Prince and Chief Lords were compelled to accept of what terms the King would allow them, where∣by they were obliged (both by Oath, Homage and Hostages, and likewise by granting all their Lands to the King, to be held of him forever) to buy their peace, and save themselves from being utter∣ly extirpated out of their Country.

In 1230. King Henry III. having given the Castle of Montgomery to his great Favorite Aubert de Burgh, the English Garrison issued out with intent to root up all the Trees near a Wood about five Mile long, where Travellers used to ••erobbed and murdered, which the Welsh would by no means permit, falling upon the Souldiers and driving them into the Castle; Upon which the King

Marches thither, and not only suppresseth these Mutineers, but sets the whole Forrest in a Flame; From hence he pierceth farther into Wales, and burns a place called Cridia, and then begins to raise a new Fort for bridling the Natives, which whilst he was doing David Prince of Wales march∣ed toward him with his Forces, being encouraged by many great men in King Henry's Army, who were confederates with him, and a great Battel was fought where many were slain on both sides, and afterward by the treachery of these English Barons, Provisions grew so very scare that the King was compelled to yield to a dishonourable Peace, name∣ly, To raze to the ground the new Fort, now almost finisht, That William Bruce a valiant Commander taken in the Fight, should continue Prisoner du∣ring Prince David's Pleasure, Lastly, That David should pay the King only three thousand Marks to∣ward the charges of the War.

About a year after Prince David made another Insurrection in revenge of those Welshmens Heads whom Hubert de Burg had caused to be struck off in cold Blood, and presented to the King, for which David burnt several Churches and many Ladies in them, whereupon he was solemnly Cursed and Ex∣communicated at Oxford in the presence of all the Nobility, and Clergy, and the King raising a great Army went to repress the Welsh, but returned without effecting it; So that they continued their ravages more than ever; Complaints whereof coming daily to the King, the Lords of his Council told him how pernicious it would be to him to suffer it, who replied, That he was not able to suppress them for want of money; They being en∣vious at his kindness to Hubert de Burg, boldly re∣plied, He might well be poor who gave away his Estate to make others Rich and Great, and there∣upon they drew up many Articles against de Burg,

one whereof was, That he had stoln out of the King's Jewel Office a precious Stone of wonderful value, which had virtue to make him that wore it Invincible in Battel, and that he had given this Stone to David Prince of Wales, the King's Ene∣my; Another was, That he by his Letters had caused Prince David to hang the gallant William Bruce; But he defeated all their designs against him, and recovered the King's favour.

Afterward Prince David joined with the Earl Marshall in a Rebellion against the King, and de∣feated his Forces; But the King at length recover∣ing his power there, and giving himself up to Works of Charity and Hospitality caused Prince David to use this notable expression, I more fear saith he, the Almsdeeds which the King doth than all the men of War that he hath, and the whole Clergy put together; After this having taken Homage of all his Nobility, Prince David voluntarily offered to hold his whole Principality of the Kings of Eng∣land, (though with the dislike of his People) that he might thereby strengthen himself against the attempts of his Son Griffith, who used great endea∣vours to deprive him of his Royalty.

Griffith succeeded him, and being taken Prisoner by King Henry was committed to the Tower of London, from whence endeavouring to make his escape over the Walls, by tying the Sheets and Blankets of his Bed together, the weight of his heavy Body loosed them, and falling down upon his Head he broke his Neck.

Afterward his Son David being provoked by the many injuries received from the Earl of Hereford, made an Inroad into the English Marshes, and de∣signed to have freed himself from all Homage to the Kings of England, exhibiting his complaint to the Pope, and alledging, That he was by force and violence unjustly compelled to hold his Princi∣pality

and Estate of them; But the King's Credit and Power prevailed against the weak Allegations of this poor Prince, who thereupon continued his depredations; Against whom King Henry sent three hundred men at Arms under the Command of Sir Hubert Fitz Matthew, but through his own rashness, and the valour of the Welsh, he and his Party were totally defeated; At which the King being much troubled, resolved to go against them in Person, and after he had fortified the Castle of Grennock in North-Wales, and wasted the Isle of Anglesey he was forced by the rigour of the Weather to return home, endeavouring to starve the Welsh, by prohibiting the Irish and Cheshire men under severe penalties to furnish them with any provi∣sions; and if any of them ventured out of their Fastnesses on Snowdon Hills, to satisfie their hunger the Garrison of Grennock were ready to surprize them; Yea the two Welsh Lords Powys and Brom∣field joined with the King against them, insomuch that they were in miserable distress, about which time Prince David died.

In 1255. The Welsh being opprest by Geffery Lang∣ley Governor of the Marshes fled to Arms, where∣upon Prince Edward (afterward King Edward I.) to whom his Father had given that Principality, raises an Army to subdue them, and wanting Mo∣ney borrowed large sums of his Uncle Richard, and then Marches against Prince Leoline, whose Forces consisted in about Ten Thousand Country Horse∣men, and many more Foot, who took a Solemn Oath, That they would stand together for the re∣covery and defence of their Antient Laws, Liber∣ties and Countrey, counting it better to lose their Lives with Honour, than to live in Ignominy and Slavery; And indeed they had already performed very notable enterprises under the conduct of their valiant Prince, having recovered all the Inland

Country of North-Wales, and in one Battel kill'd above a thousand English, putting the rest to flight, and making Irruptions to the very Walls of Chester; Neither had Prince Edward any better success, for Leoline fell upon his Army with such Courage as obliged them to retire and not attempt any thing farther against him, who complaining to his Father of the disgrace he had received; What's that to me (says K. Henry) I have given the Country to thee, and thou must use thy courage to defend it, and there∣by gain such honour in thy Youth, that afterward thine Enemies may stand in fear of thee; As for me I have somewhat else to do. In the absence of Prince Edward, Leoline and his Welsh Forces con∣tinued their ravages on the Marshes; He likewise Confederated with the English Barons then in Arms against King Henry whom they had defeated and taken Prisoner in a bloody Battel at Lewes in Sussex, and carried into Wales with them, destroying the Lands of the English in the Counties of Monmouth and Glamorgan, under the command of Prince Leoline and Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester. Prince Edward perceiving that he must use his utmost power for the recovery of his Father's Liberty, and the Kingdom, resolved with the assistance of the People of Cheshire, Herefordshire, Worcester and Shropshire (who had been great sufferers in these publick calamities) to give the Rebels Battel, which he did accordingly in a large Plain near the Town of Eversham in Worcestershire, where the Army of the Barons was utterly discomfited with a very great slaughter, especially of the Welsh; Simon Montfort called the Great Earl of Leicester was also slain; at which very minute there was such terrible Thunder, Lightning and Darkness as caused much amazement. After the Death of Montfort, Prince Leoline who had given him great assistance, thought fit to make a reconciliation with King Henry, and

by paying thirty thousand pound Sterling, four Welsh Counties taken from him in the Wars, were restored to him.

In 1275. King Edward I. sent for Prince Leoline to attend at his Coronation and do him Homage, which he excused or modestly refused; He was afterward summoned to appear at the Parliament at Westminster, which he likewise declined, stand∣ing upon terms of safe Conduct, doubting to be used, as he pretended, like his Grandfather Griffith, whom he intimated was murdered in the Tower of London, and not kill'd by accident: yet he sent a message to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, That if the King pleased to appoint Commissioners to receive his Oath and Homage he was very ready to give it, or if he would name some indifferent place and give Prince Edward, the Earl of Glocester, and the Lord Chancellor as Hostages for his safe return, he would wait upon him in Person; The King dissembled his anger at these arrogant de∣mands, but a while after coming to the Castle of Chester on the Border of Wales, he again sent for him, and Leoline again denied to come; At which the King resolved, for preventing all future distur∣bances on that side, to make an absolute Conquest of the Countrey; And on the contrary the Welsh having always a custom at every change of Princes in England to try conclusions, expecting one time or other to change their Yoke of Bondage into Li∣berty, were in great hopes of doing it at this time, having now a valiant Prince to command them; But an accident happened which somewhat took off their edge, for the Lady Eleanor Daughter of Si∣mon Earl of Montfort, whom Prince Leoline extream∣ly loved Sailing out of France into Wales, was by the way taken by some English Ships, and brought to King Edward, and for the Love of her, Prince Leoline was willing to submit to any conditions, so

that besides his Promise of submission to the Go∣vernment, he agreed to pay down Fifty thousand pounds Sterling, and a thousand pound a year during life; Upon these Terms he Married his be∣loved Lady, and the Wedding was solemniz'd in England, the King and Queen being present there∣at; Three years Leoline continued faithful and obe∣dient, in which time David one of his Brothers, staying in England, and being found by the King to be of a stirring Spirit, was much honoured by him, Knighted and Match to a Rich Widow, Daughter of the Earl of Derby, to which the King added the gift of the Castle of Denbigh with a thousand pound a year, though it was at length dis∣covered that he lived here only as a Spy; For Prince Leoline's Lady dying soon after, and he contrary to his engagements taking up Arms, his Brother David notwithstanding these favours from the King, went and joined with him, and they together en∣ter into England seizing the Castles of Flint and Ruthland with the Person of the Lord Chief Justice Clifford who was sent thither as a Judge, and in a great Battel the Welsh overthrew the Earls of Northumberland and Surrey with the Slaughter of many English.

King Edward was at the Vizes in Wiltshire when news coming of this revolt and overthrow, he raises an Army to revenge it; In his way he goes to visit his Mother Queen Eleanor, who lay at the Nunnery of Almesbury, with whom while he was discoursing a Person was brought into the Chamber, who pretended that being formerly blind he had received his Sight at the Tomb of King Henry III. When the King saw him, he knew him, and that he was a most notorious lying Villain, and intreat∣ed his Mother not to give the least credit to him: but the Queen who was glad to hear of this Miracle for the glory of her Husband, finding her Son un∣willing

that his Father should be a Saint, fell sud∣denly into such a rage, that she commanded him out of her sight, which the King obeys, and going forth meets with a Clergyman to whom he tells the story of this Impostor, adding merrily, That he knew the Justice of his Father to be such, that he would rather pluck out the Eyes, being whole, of such a wicked wretch, than restore him to his sight.

In the mean time the Archbishop of Canterbury went of himself to Prince Leoline and his Brother David, endeavouring to persuade them to sub∣mission, but in vain: for Leoline was so animated with an old British Prophecy of Merlin's, That he should shortly be Crowned with the Diadem of Brute, that he had no Ear for Peace, and shortly after no head, for the Earl of Pembroke first took Bere Castle which was his usual residence from him, he then gave him Battel, and his Party being defeated, his Head was cut off by a Common Souldier and sent to King Edward, who caused it to be Crowned with Ivy, thereby in some part unluckily fulfilling his Welsh Prediction. And this was the end of Leoline the last of the Welsh Princes, betrayed, as some write, by the men of Buelth. Soon after his Bro∣ther David flying into Wales, and being destitute of help or relief, he was at length taken with two of his Sons and seven Daughters (as some Authors write) all which were brought before the King; David was committed to Chester Castle, and after∣ward in a Parliament at Shrewsbury was convicted of Treason, and sentenced to an ignominious death, namely, to be first drawn at a Horse Tail about the City of Shrewsbury, then to be beheaded and quar∣tered, his Heart and Bowels burnt; His Head to accompany his Brothers was put upon the Tower of London, and his four Quarters were set up in four Cities, Bristol, Northampton, York and Winchester; A manifold Execution and the first shewed in this

kind in this Kingdom, in the Person of the Son of a Prince, or any other Nobleman that we read of in our History. Some have observed that upon King Edward's thus totally subjecting Wales, he lost his Eldest Son Alphonsus a Prince of great hopes, about twelve years of Age, and had only left to succeed him his Son Edward lately born at Carnar∣van, and the first of the English Royal Families that was Intituled Prince of Wales, but no Prince worthy either of Wales or England.

After this, the rest of the Welshmen as well Nobles as others submitted themselves to King Edward, and all the Countrey and Castles therein were surrendred to him, who then annexed that Country to the Crown of England, and built two strong Castles at Aberconway and Carnarvan to se∣cure their obedience; He also gave several Lands and Castels to Englishmen, as the Lordship of Den∣high to Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln; Of Ruthen to Reginald Lord Grey, and divided Wales into Coun∣ties and Hundreds, establishing the Government thereof agreeable to the Laws of England; This happened in the twelfth year of his Reign, 1284.