Cambria triumphans, or, Brittain in its perfect lustre shevving the origen and antiquity of that illustrious nation, the succession of their kings and princes, from the first, to King Charles of happy memory, the description of the countrey, the history of the antient and moderne estate, the manner of the investure of the princes, with the coats of arms of the nobility / by Percie Enderbie, Gent.

Constantius.

Constantius began his Empire with Galerius, the Empire was devided between them, so that Constantius should possess Affrica, Italy, France and Brittain, Galerius should have Ilyrica, Asia and the East parts, which done, they substituted under them two Cae∣sars; Constantius, holding himself content with the dignity of Augustus, refused to sustain the trouble, which he should have endured through the administration of the affairs of Italy and Africk. He sought by all means how he might enrich the people of the Empire. He abolished the superstition of the Gentiles in his Dominions, so that afterwards Brittain felt no persecutions. The year following he prepared war against the Picts, at which time his Son Constantine, who then served under Galerius, perceiv∣ing

his destruction to be contrived, posted to his Father in all hast, houghing and kill∣ing all the Post horses which way so ever he passed,* 1.1 and came safely to his Father in Brittain. Holinshed saith, Constantius was the Daughters Son of one Crispus, that was brother to the Emperor Claudius, and that he began his reign over the Brittains, 289. and so also saith Fabian.

Constantius was not against the law, for Christians in Brittain to profess the Chri∣stian Religion in his time; but preferred the most constant Christians to highest pre∣ferments, and greatest trust. And so consecrated his whole family to God, that his Court was as a Church, wherein were both Clergy men, and Godly Christians, truly serving God. This blessing and benefit he brought to our Christians here in Brittain, and publickly maintained it even in those times, when the name of Christi∣an in other places was so odious, that without danger it could not be spoken of; which he further, Viz. Eusebius, confirmeth in another place,* 1.2 where speaking in the name of Christians, he saith, that among the Emperors of that time, only Constantius did nei∣ther in any sort persecute Christians, nor in any sort participate with them that did, but kept all them that were under him without hurt, and secure from all trouble; neither pulled down Churches,* 1.3 or did any thing against them and elsewhere he teacheth again, that the parts of the West Empire did generally receive quietness from persecution when Constantius reigned; which although Baronius and Spondanus do not so well allow upon Eusebius his words, in all places of the West; because as they alledge Constantius, neither presently could, nor would he be against the Edicts of the Emperors still living, when he himself remained in Brittain, in the end of the World, and Italy was then full of wars. But Eusebius writteth not this singularly, but Sozomen and others testifie as much, that when the Churches of God were persecuted in all o∣ther parts of the World,* 1.4 only Constantius granted liberty of conscience to the Christi∣ans under him: and again generally, of all Christian Churches in the part of his Em∣pire; and were not only quiet under him, but thus lived in great joy, and did encrease, being honoured and rewarded by him.

And, relating his experiment to prove constant Christians, before remembred, and how he admitted such for his nearest friends and Counsellors, he gathereth from hence, that the Gauls, Brittains, and others under him, were by him exempted from all penall lawes of the persecutors, he taking away and making them frustrate in his Dominions. And the objections which Baronius maketh, do rather prove then disprove the quietness of Christians in this Nation, when Constantius was here. For first the inquietness of Italy rather helped then hindered our peace, our persecution proceeding from thence, now not able to persecute us, nor take revenge of Constantius for protecting us. And his being in Brittain, his being so friendly alwayes to Christians, as Baronius often confes∣seth, must needs much more procure ease and freedom to our Christians, where there was no man of power to contradict or resist it; Constantius being both King and Empe∣ror here, and the Kingdom of Brittain a Christian Kingdom.* 1.5 Therefore howsoever his reasons make doubt of some other places, whose Estate and condition was not like unto ours of Brittain, they do not move any question of the quiet thereof in case of Religion, but establish and confirme it. And therefore our best allowed and ancient Authors St. Bede, Galfrid, Hen. Hunting and old French Manuscript, Virunnius, Harding, and others settle Constantius here in Brittain after all our perse∣cution ended, and nothing but all favour here to Christians in his time, and not only a tolleration, granted but publick profession of Christianity generally allowed, and by Regal and Imperial warrant of Constantius used and exercised, as shall ap∣pear.

And if we had rather hearken to forraign Writers in or neer that time, we have sufficient warrant, not only that he recalled himself from the worship of the Pagan Gods, as divers are witnesses, but as Eusebius and others testifie of him, he gave free power and licence to all under him to exercise Christian Religion without any molestation. And this, as he writes, when the greatest perse∣cution was in other places; and had care to instruct his son Constantine the great, whom he left his heir, in the same Faith, as we may easily conclude from the words of Constantine himself, Registered by Theodoret, that even from the ends of the Ocean, meaning Brittain, he was assisted by God: and Sozomen saith, it is evident∣ly known unto all men,* 1.6 that great Constantine was first instructed in the Christian faith among the Brittains. And the Chronicle of Abington neer Oxford, testifieth, he was brought up in that old Abbey, which we must needs ascribe to his Parents Constantius and Helen; and we find not any other but Constantius, except we will apply it to King Coel, and then it was received and approved by him, who here in Brittain caused the persecutors to be put to death, and the persecu∣tion thereupon ceased, as Gildas writeth: For this must needs be applyed to perse∣cution in Brittain, and not to the Tyrants Dioclesian and Maximian:* 1.7 the persecution here ended long before their death, and neither of them, nor any other Emperor,

but Constantius, having power and command here at this time, and hereupon our late authors themselves thus testify of him;* 1.8 Constantius abolished the Superstition of the Gentiles in his Dominions, so that afterward Brittain felt no persecutions. Constantius renounced the Idolatry of the Gentiles.

I have shewed formerly that Dioclesians persecution continued in this Kingdome not ten Years, for Gildas in one place saith; The nine years persecution of Dioclesian the Tyrant, and in the next Chapter, not wholly ten years long; as also that it wholly ended, in the time of King Coel. Those persecutors then having no power or authority here, and so together with their other over-ruling and command∣ing Decrees, the bloody Edicts of persecuting Christians here, were utterly extinct, and made void, and never renewed, but altogether omitted by Constantius, this great friend of Christians; such of this Nation were fully and undoubtedly resto∣red to their antient Liberties, Priviledges, and immunities, in matter of Religion; it Constantius and Helen our Emperour and Empresse, King and Queen had then given no further and expresse approbation unto them; which we may not reaso∣nably call in question, when we remember their absolute and independing Regal right and possession without contradiction they had in this Kingdom, the natural love and affection they bore unto it, and that to them; with their religious care and desire they had to defend and advance Christian Religion, even in times and places, when, and where they were not so enabled nor drawn thereto, with so many and strong bands of duty and affection: we have heard that the other Chur∣ches under his Empire were endowed by his benefits and munificence, whereby they lived in great joy and encreased. The choycest Christians were his dearest friends, and made his Councellours.

* 1.9And divers even of this Nation have delivered, that this our new King and Empe∣rour particularly place St. Taurinus Archbishop in York, wherein (although they be mistaken if they understand Taurinus Bishop of Eureux, neither the time or place allowing) yet we cannot safely say, but he might or did place some other of that name there, and if both these should fail, yet so many more authorities concur that Constantius gave consent and assistance to the publick restitution of Religion here in his time. For this we have the warrant of the most and approved Anti∣quaries, St. Gildas and St. Bede, after them Matthew of Westminster and others: St. Gildas writeth, That before the persecution had been here ten years, the wicked de∣crees against Christians were annulled and frustrate, and all the Servants of Christ after a long winter night with joyful eyes receive the clear light of the hea∣venly air,* 1.10 they renew their Churches which were thrown down to the ground, they found,* 1.11 build, and perfect others in honour of their holy Martyrs, and as it were, set forth every where their victorious Ensignes, celebrate festival dayes, offer sacrifice with a pure heart and mouth, all of them rejoyce as children cherished in the lap of their mother the Church. St. Bede saith that so soon as the persecuti∣on ceased, the Christians which had hid themselves in Woods and Desarts, and se∣cret Dens presently came forth, and shewed themselves in publick, doing those pub∣lick works of Christian Religion, which St. Gildas before remembred. And wri∣teth plainly, that this was done in the time of Constantius, and that he dyed here whilst these things were thus in acting. The Monck of Westminster hath the same words with St. Bede, of this publick profession of Christian Religion here presently, upon the ending of the persecution during ten years, and addeth, that then the church of St. Alban was built to his honour within ten years of his martyrdom, in the quiet of Christian times here, which by that is said before must needs be in the time of Constantius.

Likewise we find in the antiquitie of the old Church of Winchester; that being destroyed with the rest in this late persecution, it was perfectly re-edified in the year of Christ 309. and so either was in building or warranted to be built in the dayes of Constantius, then so, or lately before, by all accounts living and reign∣ing here, that it could not be done without his warrant or allowance. The like we say of the Churches of St. Julius, and St. Aaron, and other Martyrs of that time, and all both Cathedral churches and others, destroyed here by Maximian the most horrible fact-man, as Henry of Huntington calls him, after whose leaving the Em∣pire, Christians were quiet here, as he saith, and restored to their former liberties; and as Regino writteth, not only in Brittain, but generally where he ruled, both Bishops were restored to their private Sees, and many other things granted for the pro∣fit of Christian Religion; and particularly saith, that the Monastery of Trevers was begun in his time; then much more in Brittain, where he was both absolute Em∣perour and King to command, and no man daring to resist him: to this our late Antiquaries have given sufficient allowance, when they grant, that Constantius abolish∣ed the superstition of the Gentiles in this Dominions, especially in Brittain, where he now lived King and Emperour, as also in abolishing the Pagan rights, and obser∣vances;

for dislike of them and love to Christian Religion, must needs for his short time be an extraordinary advancer thereof.* 1.12 But when he had happily begun this holy work in repairing the ruines of the Church of Christ in this Kingdom, and before he could bring it to due, and his desired, perfection, he fell sick at the City of York, where soon after he deceased. Yet in this short time of his sicknesse his greatest care was to leave and commit this his charge both concerning his Empire, and this Kingdom to his Eldest son Constantine, Son of St. Helen; who, as he hoped for ma∣ny reasons, would be most ready and willing to maintain and defend true Religion and with Justice govern his Subjects.

And to this happy choice, as both Zonoras and Pompeius Laetus do plainly testify,* 1.13 and Eusebius and others sufficiently insinuate, he was admonished and instructed by Gods direction, and an Angell; which is confimed by the effect, and event it self, not only of the general establishing of Christian religion in the world by Constan∣tine in the time of his Empire, but his extraordinary and miraculous preservation before he came to it; and at this very time of his fathers sicknesse, strangely es∣caping the Tyrants hands in Italy, and coming safely unto his sick Father Con∣stantius at York, in our Brittain, by the great providence of God, as Eusebius no∣teth; who had often preserved him to bring him thither, so long and dangerous a journey, at that very time to succeed his Father. And this Author immediately addeth; For presently when Constantine had escaped the stratagems of the deceits, he came with all speed to his Father,* 1.14 and after a long space of time which he had been absent from him, presented him to his sight: at that moment, Constantius was ready to die; but when (contrary to all hope) he saw his sonne, leaping out of bed, he embra∣ced him, saying, that he had now cast that out of his mind;* 1.15 which only troubled him at the point of death, which was the absence of his Son, and therefore did earnestly pray and give thanks for it to God, affirming that now he rather desired to die then live; and setting himself in the midst of his Children, and in his place lying upon his Kingly bed, giving over the inheritance of his Kingdom to his Eldest Son, he departed this Life. Thus hath Eusebius then living in that time. Our Moderne Writers citing other an∣cient Authors, not differing from Eusebius,* 1.16 thus Translate and Epitomate this Hi∣story from them. Whilest Constantine remained at Rome, in manner as he had been a pledge with Gallerius, in his Fathers time, fled from hence and with all post hast re∣turned to his Father in Brittain, killing and hewing by the way all such horses as were appointed to stand at Inns, ready for such as would ride in Post, least being pursued he should have been overtaken, and brought back again by such as might be sent on purpose after him. Constantius whilest he lay on his death bed, somewhat before he depar∣ted this life, hearing that his son Constantine was come and escaped from the Empe∣rors Dioclesian and Maximian, with whom he remained as a pledge, he received him with all joy, and raising himself up in his bed, in presence of his other sons and Councellours; with a great number of other people and strangers that were come to visit him, He set the Crown upon his sons head, and adorned him with other Imperi-Robes and garments; executing as it were himself the Office of an Herald, and with all spake these words unto his said son, and to his Councellours there about him: Now is my death come unto me more welcome, and my departure hence more pleasant; I have here a large Epitaph and Monument of buriall, to wit mine own son, and one whom in earth, I leave to be Emperour in my place, which by Gods good help shall wipe away the tears of the Christians, and revenge the cruelty ex∣exercised by Tyrants; This I reckon to chance unto me instead of most felecity. Thus careful was this holy Emperour even at his death to advance the honour of Christ. This he did prophesying how his son after him should advance Christian Religion, now by his father declared Emperour, but as Esebius writeth long before designed to that dignity by God, the King of all.

This renowned Emperour Constantius died, by divers in the year 306. by others 307 and by some 308. and by all at such time as it is already proved: it must needs be he which among the Roman Emperours first gave order and warrant for the resto∣ring and re-establishing Christian Religion here in Brittain, after the desolation thereof by Dioclesian and Maximian, and died happily and most blessedly. And was so renowned that even by the Pagans he was accounted a God; and had after his death all honour given unto him, which belonged to an Emperour; he was most honourably and Christian like buryed in the City of York. Constantine his son the new Emperour present at his funeral, going before his corps, with an infi∣nite number of people and Souldiers attending with all honour and pompe; some going be∣fore, others following with most sweet harmony of singing. This was the End which God shewed of this Emperours Godly and Religious manners and life evidently to all peo∣ple then living, as Eusebius witnesseth, who also then lived and called him most holy,* 1.17 which he a learned christian Bishop could not give to any but an holy professed

Christian in his knowledge or judgement, and therefore attributeth so much to Constantius in this kind, that he calleth Constantine the great himself (whom he so much extolleth for his Christian Religion and advancement thereof) a follower of his fa∣thers piety in such affairs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Holinshed Hist. of Eng. 45. Fab. Sozom. Hist. Eccle l. 1. c. 6. Euseb. l. 2. de vita Const. Mr, Bro. fol. 460.
• * 1.2

  Euseb. Hist. Eccle. l. 8. c. 14.
• * 1.3

  Idem. apud Ba∣ron. & Spon. an. 304.
• * 1.4

  Sozomen l. 1. c. 6.
• * 1.5

  Bede. l. Hist. c. 8. Galf. Mon. Hist. Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 5. Manusc. Gali. Antiq. c. 28. 29. Virun. l. 5. Hist. 1. Harding Chron. c. 57, 58, 59, 60. Hen. Hunt. Hist. l. 1. Socrates Eccl. Hist. 1. c. 1. Eusebius. l. 1. vit. Const. c. 9. Theodoret Hist. Eccle. l. 1. c. 24.
• * 1.6

  Sozom. Eccles. Hist. l. 1. c. 5. Chron. Mon. Abington apud Ncieph. Harsp. Hist. Eccle. sae∣cul. p. 203. c. 9.
• * 1.7

  Gild. l. de con. Brit. c. 8.
• * 1.8

  Stow & Howes Hist. tit. Rom. in Constant. & Constantin.
• * 1.9

  Mr. Bro. fol. 463. 1.
• * 1.10

  Bede. Hist. Ec. l 1. c. 8.
• * 1.11

  Matth West. an. 313. S. Albans Church built. Manusc. An∣tiq. Eccl. Winton. Ma∣rian. Sco. an 306. Martin Polo 307. Antiq. Gal. an 306. St. Julians & Lantarnam. Church built in Constantius time, about 309. after Christ. Matth. West. an. 305. 307. Baron & Spond. an 306 Gordon. an 306 Jacob Grinaeus an. in c. 15. l. 1 Euseb. de vita Constantini an. 308. Hen. Hunt. l. 1. Hist. Diocl. & Constantin. Regit. o Chro. l. 1. in Const an. 253.
• * 1.12

  Stow & Howes in Constant.
• * 1.13

  Zonoras Annal Tom. 2. in Constant. Pomp. Laetus Rom. Hist. Camp. in Const. max. Eseb. l. 1. de vita Const. mag. c. 18. Grin. amart. in cum locum.
• * 1.14

  Euseb. in vita Const l. 1. c. 14.
• * 1.15

  Cap. 15.
• * 1.16

  Hollenshed Hist of England l. 4 c. 28. 27. cit. Euseb: Sext Aurel. vict. Nicep. Tripart. Hist.
• * 1.17

  Euseb. l. 1. de vita Constan. c. 16.