LƲD.
LƲD the Son of K. Hely, by right of Inheritance, and general applause of all the Brit∣tains, is Crowned King of this Island: The first Act worthy of Observation which he took in hand was to immure the City of Troynovant, which he inclosed with strong Walls, garnishing the same with many lofty and stately Towers; which done, he gives command to the Citizens to Erect their Structures and Edifices within the Compasse of the same: the mo∣tion proceeding as it were out of an innate love and respect which he bore to that place, in which he spent most of the time which he had spar'd from war-like Affairs and the publique Administation of justice. In this City he built (saith Com. Pal.) Palatium egregtum, a stately and sumptuous Pallace; and on the West side thereof, a strong & defensible Gate of large big∣nesse and solid work, which to this day is called Lud's Gate. Trinovant being now beautified with most delicate and pleasing Buildings, peopled and inhabited by rich & wealthy Citizens, began to shake hands with its old Name, and bid it adieu, resuming a new Nomenclation from its present Benefactor and Restaurator, and begins to be better known by the Name of Luds Town then Trinobant, now corruptly London, then Troynovant. This King Lud sir∣named Imanuentius, was a Prince of a most heroick and warlike Spirit, and remarkable for the Courtship which he used, in inviting his Nobles and Chieftains to costly Feasts and Ban∣quets; but amongst all these Interludes and Princely Pastimes, the provident King forgot not to root out such overgrown and inveterate Customes, as he observed to be ob∣noxious to the Commonwealth; and what by experience he found irregular, he quite abro∣gated, instituting new and commodious Laws and Edicts in their places; and knowing that no Republick can be well governed without a due Observation of Religion and Piety, he builded many goodly Temples in the honour of his gods: It is in my judgement worthy ob∣servation, how zealous Pagan Princes have been to build places of adoration to their false gods; and in the infancy of Christianity and primitive Church, with what devotion and piety, not onely Christian Emperours, Kings and Princes, but even Noble Men and private Citizens bestowed their Wealth and Patrimonies in erecting Churches to the honour of our most Bles∣sed Saviour and his holy and glorious Martyrs; and how those who in our present times call themselves Saints (sunt autem intus Lupi rapaces,) pollute, contaminate, deface and destroy Churches, and Chappels, pull down the Fonts wherein they received the badg of Christianity, the sacred Lavacre of Baptisme, draw down the monuments and shrines of Martyrs, Sepul∣chres of those whose Memories are held in Veneration, unclapper the Bells, sacrilegiously take away the Ropes, (sed dabit Deus his quoque funem;) if these be acts of Religion, or a Re∣formation (as forsooth they term it) then will I say, That Gardiner rectifieth and reformeth a good Orchard, planted with the choicest Fruit-bearing Trees, when he pulleth up by the roots all those goodly stocks, and leaves the ground digged and turned up by the profane snouts of Hogs and wild Boars, and taketh no care to replant young Saplings and Graffts in their places.
King Lud began his Reign in the year of the World five thousand one hundred and thirty one; who after he had governed the Brittains with great justice and moderation eleven years, ended the period of his days, and was buried in the Temple which he had built nere Ludgate in Caer Lud or London, for so hereafter we must usually call it; leaving two Sons, Androgeus and Tenancius or Temancius.