The history of England giving a true and impartial account of the most considerable transactions in church and state, in peace and war, during the reigns of all the kings and queens, from the coming of Julius Cæsar into Britain : with an account of all plots, conspiracies, insurrections, and rebellions ... : likewise, a relation of the wonderful prodigies ... to the year 1696 ... : together with a particular description of the rarities in the several counties of England and Wales, with exact maps of each county / by John Seller ...

CHAP. IV. How, on the Departure of the Romans, the Picts and Scots Invaded the Britains. The Succours the Romans sent them; and the Wall built from Sea to Sea, to prevent Incursions. By what means the Saxons were called In, in the Reign of King Vortigern, and how they got Footing so Strongly, as to setle their Heptarchie, or Seven King∣doms. Their Original, Manners, Laws, Customs and Religion.

THE Romans (as is said) being embroyled in dangerous Wars in Italy, (and other Provinces in their vast Empire) having left this Kingdom naked and defenceless, by draining the Youths of Britain to serve them in Transmarine parts, of whom after∣wards

they setled a Colony in France, or antient Gallia, which is now called Britany: The Picts, a People of Germany, who had Established a Kingdom in the Mar∣ches of England and Scotland, took this opportunity to encroach on the Britains, in the South and West Coun∣ties; but finding themselves too weak to make any considerable advances, they Leagued with the Scots, who possessed the Northern parts of the Island, and di∣vers small Islands scatter'd in the Ocean towards the Coast of Denmark and Norway. These joyntly raising great Forces broke in violently, making great Slaughter and Ravages in Cumberland, Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, and other Northern Counties; laying all Re∣ligious Places waste with Sword and Fire, so that the distressed People fled before them: Yet the Britains took Courage, and gave them Battel; but after this, and several other overthrows, they found themselves so weakened, that they were constrained to send Embassa∣dors to Honorius the Roman Emperour, Imploring his Protection, to save their sinking Country out of the Hands of their Merciless Enemies.

This good Emperour, compassionating their Suffer∣ings, sent a choice Legion by whose assistance (and in∣structing them in the Millitary Art) they with great Slaughter drove the far-advanc'd Picts and Scots be∣yond the Marches; and to exclude them the British Provinces, a mighty Wall, with vast Labour and Ex∣pence, was erected from the Frith of Edenborough, to the City Alcluith on Dumbriton, with Bullwarks and Watch-Towers, in which Guards were placed, to give notice of the Enemies approach, and to defend the Stupendious Work: But it little availed, for no sooner was the Roman Legion recalled, but the Picts and Scots assembled in great Numbers, and with their long Hooks and Bills pulled the half-Starved Britains from their

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Battlements, and with an Engine called a War-wolfe broke a passage through, and then with all their power rushed in like a Torrent, laying every thing waste before them, whilst others from Scotland came in their Carroghs or small Barks, and Landed on the Banks of the Humber, in swarms. The poor Britains finding themselves so hardly distressed between two insolent Enemies, sent their Embassadors a second time to Valentinian the Third, then Emperour of Rome, with Rent Garments, and Dust on their Heads, in a mournful manner, to implore him That he would not suffer a Province which had been so serviceable to the Roman State, to fall under the Scorn and Insolence of Merciless Pagans; setting forth at large the Miseries their Country laboured under, with such moving Oratory, that the Emperour compassionating their Sufferings, sent two Legions of Foot, and three Co∣horts of Horse, who coming unexpectedly on the Raven∣ous Spoilers, overthrew them with a terrible Slaughter, covering the Fields and Lanes with their Dead Bodies, beating and pursuing them beyond the Wall, taking Camelon the chief City of the Picts, building a stronger Wall than the former, of Stone, and mighty Piles of Timber, the Ruins of which are visible at this Day; it being then Twelve Foot high, and Eight broad; tra∣versing the Island from Sea to Sea; and for the good∣will the Romans bore the Britains, they taught them the Art of Arms, and manner of Intrenching, furnishing them with Weapons and other Necessaries; and having setled affaires, they took their leave, telling the Natives, who Mourned their Departure, That they must take Courage and Defend themselves, for as much as the Romans could not any more undertake such chargeable and hazardous Voyages, for their sake, seeing they had powerful Enemies to contend with nearer home. However, the Romans de∣parting, and they being Oppressed again by their old

Enemies, sent thhs Deplorable Letter to Aetius Pre∣sident of Galia, for Assistance; Superscribed

To Aetius the third time Consul, the Groans of the BRITAINS, Viz.

The Barbarians drive us to the Sea, and the Sea beats us back upon them; between these Extreames we are exposed either to be slain with the Sword, or drowned in the Waves; and to avoid either, we find no Remedy, unless, most Ex∣cellent Roman, you will compassionate our extream Misery, and send us speedy Aid, to repel our cruel Enemies.

This, however, prevailed not; for the Romans un∣able to defend themselves against the Huns and Vandals, renounced their claim to this Island, refusing to send any more Forces: Whereupon, after divers unsuccess∣ful, Battels, some of the Britains, through Famine, were forced to yeild themselves Slaves to their Enemies; but others (preferring Liberty before Life) betooke them to the Fastnesses in Mountains and Caves, where many Perished through Cold and Hunger; and soon after a dreadful Blazing Comet appearing, such a Pestilence en∣sued, that the Living were not able to bury the Dead; which obliged the Picts and Scots (as if driven out by the hand of Heaven) to relinquish their Conquests, and retire to their own Country's, which gave the Britains leave to come out of their Woods, Caves, &c. and Till the Land, which brought forth such Plenty, that the Famine was soon forgot.

And now they thought of chusing from among them∣selves, (according to the manner of the Romans) a chief Captain or Governour, to Lead their Armies; when calling a Council, Vortigern was Elected King; who be∣ing too weak to oppose the returning Picts and Scots, (in a fatal time) he sent Embassadors to a prevailing

People in Germany called Saxons, imploring their Aid, with a description of the pleasant Situation and Fruit∣fulness of the Island; which so enflamed them with a desire of possessing it, that they made no difficulty to consent to what was required by the King; so that in the Year of Christ 449. Hengist and Horsas two Bre∣thren of chief Command among them, Landed at Ebs-fleet in the Isle of Thanet, with about 15000 Men, who joyning with the Britains marched against the Picts and Scots who had ravaged the Country as far as Stamford in Lincolnshire and in a great and memorable Battel overthrew them, killing divers of their principal Lea∣ders, pursuing and forcing them within their own Borders.

For this good Service, the Saxons had the Isle of Thanet appointed them to reside in, with a considerable Pension; but their two Generals, having before cast in their minds no less than the possession of the Kingdom, Hengist prevailed with Vortigern to put away his Vir∣tuous Queen, by whom he had Three Sons, Viz. Vorti∣mer, Catigern, and Pascentius, to make way for Rowena his Daughter, with whom the King was Enamoured upon her Drinking to him, and seeing her naked Breasts at a publick Feast; and no sooner had he Marryed her, but the Saxons were put in possession of Kent; which spacious County, abundantly fruitful in all things, did not satisfie his Ambition; but taking advantage of the Discontent the Britains shewed for the Divorce of their Queen, and advancing a Pagan in her stead, he Quar∣relled for enlargement of Pay; which not being speedily complyed with, he made a League with the Picts; so that one Army advancing from the South, and the other from the North, layed the Country waste in a miserable manner; especially upon the coming over of fresh Forces from Germany, as Jutes, Angles and Saxons;

whereupon the British Nobles assembled, and repre∣sented the danger to the King, who (ruled by his new Wife) took little notice of it; which made them, after he had Reigned Sixteen Years, desert him, and Swear Allegiance to Vortimer his Eldest Son; who being a couragious young Prince, assembled to his Standard the whole power of the Britains, and in several Battels overthrew the Saxons, and Picts, forcing the former to retire to their Ships and leave the Kingdom; but in the midst of the British hopes from these flourishing suc∣cesses and Victories, Cartigern his Brother being Slain in Kent, and Buried at Alestrew, now Alesford where a Monument erected for him is at this day, called Keith Coty House: Rowena, Vortimers Step-Mother, finding by this means a way opened to her own Issue, caused him to be Poisoned at a Banquet of Fruits; whereupon Pas∣centius fearing his Life, fled into the Mountains, where he lay obscure for a time, so that the Britains were compelled to send their Embassadors to Ambrosius a British Prince, Governing in Armorica, or Britany in Gallia, to take the Government upon him, as being near Allyed to the Crown.

When he had heard their supplications, and what distress the Country was in, he called a Council, in which it was Resolved he should pass over with an Army to assist the Britains; which accordingly he brought, in 56 Ships, accompanyed by his Brother Ʋter-Pendragon, and in conjunction with the Britains, Fought with Hengist the Saxon General, who was returned with great Forces, desiring only upon his Landing to have his Daughter delivered to him; but at a Treaty of the British Nobles on Salisbury-Plain, with the like number of his, for Ad∣justing Affairs, upon giving the Watch-word, Viz. Nem Cour Saxes; that is Take (or handle) your Swords, in the Saxon Language, he caused them Treacherously

to be Slain with those Weapons which his Men that Treated with them had privately concealed under their Cassocks; except one Nobleman, then Earl of Warwick, who leaping aside when he saw what was in∣tended, and geting a Hedge-stake, beat out several of their Brains, making his Escape through the rest.

Ambrosius (though his Successes answered not his ex∣pectation, yet having pretty well allay'd the fury of the Saxons, by the Slaughter he made of them, in divers Battels which he Fought against them) retired for the recruit of his Army into Walish-Land (so Named by the Invaders, now called Wales) where being informed that Vortigern had been the chief cause of the Miseries his Country suffered, by the calling in of the Pagan Saxons, and too long indulging their Rapins and Encroach∣ments, as being Marryed to the Daughter of the com∣mon Enemy, he Besieged him and his Queen in the Castle of Genura, which he consumed with Wild-Fire cast upon it by the force of certain Engines, in whose Flames they Perished.

Vortigern being thus Dead, Ambrosius was by the consent of the British Nobles Crowned King, Anno Dom. 481, and Fought many successful Battels against the Saxons, wresting out of their hands many of the Western Counties, as Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, and divers others; so that his Name grew Terrible to the Enemy. This however raised the Envy of Pascentius, (the only surviving Son of Vortigern) a∣gainst him, who secretly withdrawing into Germany raised an Army to restore him to the possession of his Father; but was over-thrown in a Battel Fought near Exceter in Devonshire, and thereupon fled into Scotland, Anno 496; but Five Years after returning privatly,

and hearing that Ambrosius lay Sick, he hired one Cop•• to attend him in the nature of a Physitian, by feigning himself to be a British Monk, though indeed he was a Saxon, and so to take the advantage of Poisoning him; which he Effected: Whereupon Pascentius raised an Army, and layed claim again to the Crown: But be∣ing Fought with by Ʋter-Pendragon, the Kings Brother, he and most of his chief Commanders were Slain; so that the Line of Vortigern was extinguish'd in his Death. Yet this ended not the Wars, for swarmes of Pagans continually coming over from Germany, they grew too Numerous and Strong for the Britains; though all the time of Ʋter-Pendragon and King Arthur, who Succeed∣ed him, they maintained fierce Wars with them, tho' with various success; sometimes one, and sometimes the other prevailing. But the Britains at length weak∣ned, and having no recruits, were in a manner shut up, or straightened in the Mountains or Fastnesses of Wales, and Cornwal; which gave the Saxons by degrees an op∣portunity to form the several Counties their Chiefs had possessed, into Kingdoms.

1. Hengist, the first Invader, made himself King of Kent, in the time of Vortigern, Anno Dom. 455, erecting there the Kentish Kingdom.

2. Ella a Duke of the Germans who brought fresh Supplies, and Landed at Shoram in Sussex, his Domini∣ons extending through the Counties of Sussex and Surry; he began his Reign Anno Dom. 488.

3. Childrick, a Captain of the Low-Country Germans, erected the West-Saxon Kingdom, containing Cornwal; Devonshire, Dorcetshire, Somersetshire, Hampshire, and Barkshire; Anno Dom. 501.

4. The East Saxons Kingdom was erected by Erch∣enwin. Anno Dom. 527, containing Essex and Middlesex.

5. The Kingdom of Northumberland, containing York∣shire, the Bishoprick of Durham, Lancashire, Westmoreland, Cumberland, and Nortbumberland, was erected by two Saxon Chiefs, viz. Ida and Ella, who, as Co-partners, began their Reign Anno Dom. 547.

6. The Kingdom of Mercia, containing Huntington∣shire, Rutlandshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Shrop∣shire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Notinghamshire, Oxford∣shire, Cheshire, Glocestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hartfordshire, being the largest of all, was erected by Crida one of their great Captains Anno Dom. 582.

7. The Kingdom of the East-Angles, containing Suf∣folk, Norfolk, Cambridgshire, and the Isle of Ely, was erected by Ʋffa, who brought fresh Aids against the Britains, when the Saxons were in many parts distressed, Anno Dom. 575.

Thus you see how this Island was coveted and strug∣led for by strange Nations as soon as they had tasted of its Sweetness, and saw its Fertility: Its Fruitfullness and abundant plenty of all things necessary for the sub∣sistance of Mankind, being a great Motive to encourage them in its Conquest; and in that sense, a great cause of its own Misery.

But ere I come to give a direct Account of the Kings that Governed these Kingdoms, before they were United under a Sole Monarch, and the British Princes that Opposed them in their Setling, I think it necessary to say something as to what these Saxons were in their

Original, with a Brief Discourse of their Laws, Manners, Habits, Customs, Idolatrous Worship, and other things that shall Occur, suitable to History.

As for their Original, Historians report them to have sprung from the Sacae, a People in the Lesser Asia, who being distressed with great Droughts and Famine, sent Colonies abroad to seek more agreeable Habitations, who coming into the North-East part of Europe, and finding Plentiful Countries, they sent for greater Forces to Enable them to settle therein; and so after a long and doubtful War with the Strong Nations that bordered on Germany, viz. Prusia, Poland, and Hungary, they got possession; planting their Families in the most Fruitful part of that large Region, calling it Sacaesons Land, or Saxony. And in a short time by Warring on their Neighbours, stretched their Domini∣ons from the River Albis to the Rhine, in Length; and in Breadth from the German Ocean, and River Oder, to the Borders of Hessia and Turingia: But the Coun∣try held at present by the Dukes of Saxony, is croud∣ed into a narrower compass, having lost by its Neigh∣bours incroachments much of its former Extension. Their Leader in this Expedition was one Tuysco, whom (for his Valiant Exploits, and giving them Laws to Govern by) they stiled a God, seting his Image on a Pillar, in the Figure of an Aged Man, in flowing Robes of Purple, holding a Scepter in his Hand; signifying he was the first Establisher and Governour of their Euro∣pean Dominions; and ascribed to him a Day in the Week, by the Name of Tuysco's Day; and now by us called Tuesday.

Their Garments were Red Cassocks, Clasped together, or Pinned with sharp Wyer or Thorn, that so if

[illustration] depictions of idols

The Idols of the Ancient Saxons

Sun

Moone

Tuysco

Woden

The Idol of the Sun was made as here Appeareth, lile half a naked man set upon a Piller, his face like the Image of the Sun.

The Idol of the Moon made for a Woman, but had a short coat like a man, w^th a cap with a larg eares the holding the Moon before her brest.

The Idol Tuysco the first and Chiefest man of name among the Germans.

The Idol Woden after y^e name of a most valient and Victorious Prince & Captain & his Idol was worshipped like God

Wounded in Battel, they might not see their Blood (to discourage them) from the colour of their Gar∣ments. Their Weapons were broad Battel-Axes, and bending Swords like Falchions, with three Nicks or Dents on the Backs of them: When they were drawn out to Battel, they used to go to the Encounter Singing Songs made of Antient Heroes, stirring up their Spirits thereby to a fierce Emulation of their Deeds, always Fighting in a square Battel, and standing very firm to∣gether.

As for their Laws or Customs; They Punished Robbers and Adulterers with Death: Their Virgins were per∣mitted to be Marry'd but Once, and their Men restrain∣ed from Plurality of Wives, unless the Chief of their Tribes, for the sake of Children, to keep up their Names and Families; tho Barrenness was accounted among them an immediate Curse from their Gods: If any great Difference arose among them, it was usual∣ly decided by Champions in single Combate.

As for their Worship or Religion, upon their first coming over, and a long time after, it was pay'd to Idols, of which they had many, and with their Abomi∣nations and Heathenish Sacrifices they poluted the Christian Churches, and Temples, grievously Afflicting and Persecuting the Mournful Christians, making them to Wander in Desolate Places.

1. They set up the Image or Idol of the Sun, in the form of half a naked Man, on a Pillar, with Rays or Sun-beams, about his Face, holding in his two Hands, before his Breast, a Wheel of Circling Flame, repre∣senting the Element of Fire; and this Image was Wor∣shiped on the day attributed to it, viz. Sunday: And

Offerings made of Wheat, and other products of the Earth, in its Temple.

2. They had another Idol to represent the Moon having the Face of a Woman, a short Coat to the midle of the Thighs, and a Hood with long Ears, holding the Figure of the Moon in its Encrease with both her Hands before her Breast; and to it they did Nightly Sacrifice in Groves and Mountains: This Idol claimed peculiar Devotions on her day called Moonday.

3. Tuysco who claimed Veneration on Tuesday, which I have already described; his Feast was kept every third Moon with Songs declaring his Actions, with Dancing and much Jollitry.

4. Woden; this Idol was set up in Memory of one of their Victorious Princes, who had Fought successfully against the Huns and Lumbards, who entered Germany in the wain of the Roman Empire: They placed him in King-like State, on a Pillar, a Crown on his Head, and a Shield on his Left Arm, holding up a Sword in his Right Hand. To him they Offered Humane Sacri∣fice of the Tenth Captives taken in War; and forbid any to Name him, unless with Reverence and profound Respect, ascribing to him a day, viz. Wodensday now Wednesday; and Lamps were always Burning before his Shrine.

5. Thor, another of their Idols, was seated in Kingly manner, on rising Steps, under a Canopy of State, in Royal Robes, with a Crown of Gold on his Head, and a Scepter in his Hand; To whom they Prayed in doubtful matters for success in affairs, and that in the deciding of any weighty thing, they might not Err in their Judgments. He,

[illustration] depictions of idols

The Idols of the Ancient Saxons

Thor

Friga

Seater

Flint

This Idol was Majesti∣cally placed upon a Co∣vered bed, on his head a Crown of Gold.

This Idol Represents both sexes as Hermo∣phrodite, in her Right hand she held a drawn sword, & in her left a Bow.

This Idol was placed on a Pearch with a sharp prickled back, bare hea∣ded, and bare footed.

This Idol was set on a great Stone made like the Image of Death, with a sheet about him

it seems, having been a great Law-giver among them, and very prudent in deciding their Controversies; and to him they Offered on Thursdays Garlands of fragrant Herbs and Flowers; That day taking from him its de∣nomination, viz. Thorsday, now called Thursday.

6. Friga, or Frea, was Wodens Queen; upon the account of Chastity and other Virtues, after her Death they set up an Idol in her Likeness, on a Pillar, resembling Diana, compleatly Armed to the Waste, with a Bow and a Sword; and to her were often Sacrificed those Females that had Violated their Virgin-Cha∣stity: Some Authors allow her to have been Ex∣pert in Arms, by whose Prowess the Antient Saxons extended their German Territories: and to her was Dedicated the Sixth Day, called then Frea's-Day, now Fryday.

7. Seater: This Idol was placed in the shape of an Old Man, on a Pillar, treading with his bare Feet on a Pearch with sharp pricks on its Back, holding in his Right Hand a Basket of Fruits, sig∣nifying Plenty, and in his Left a Wheel, signifying Time, when we ought to be careful in laying up our Stores to prevent Scarcity: He was held in his Life time to be a great Prophet and Astrologer, telling things to come, and Teaching the Saxons the Course of the Sun, Moon, and Stars; and to him they Prayed for Knowledge, Wisdom, and hope∣ful Children. Spring and Fall, they Offered Fruits to him, and strewed the way to his Temple with Flowers. For his Worship they appointed the Seventh Day of the Week, calling it Sater's Day, now Saturday.

They had another Idol resembling the Image of

Death, with Flowing Crimson Robes, holding a Lighted Torch in his Right Hand, and a Lion Ram∣pant on his Head, by the Left Foot, with his Left Hand. He was placed on a Tomb or Grave∣stone, to put them in mind of Mortality, and to shew Deaths Obduracy and Inexorableness, they called him Flint. Before his Shrine, which was set in a large place, Walled about, without any Covering, they Executed or Sacrificed Offenders for Extraordinary Crimes, by Fire, Racks, and other Exquisit Tor∣tures.

Having thus given you a Brief Description of the Original and Manners of the Antient Saxons, before their coming into this Island; I should now proceed to give you an Account of the Succession of their several Kings here, during the time of their Heptarchy, or Seven Kingdoms, until King Edgar over∣coming and subduing all the rest, reduc'd it again to a Monarchy. But that shall be the business of the next Chapter.