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. V. The Succession of the Petty Monarchs of the Kentish, South-Saxon, and East-Saxon Kingdoms; with what Remarkably Happen'd, during their respective Reigns, in Peace and War: The Time when they Began and Ended them; with the Limits of their Dominions.

1. Of the Kingdom of Kent, and the Succession of its seventeen Kings.

HEngist, the first Saxon Invader, as is formerly noted, setled Himself and his People in the County of Kent, a Fertil part of England, large in Extent, bounded on the North with the River Thames, by which it is divided from Essex; on the East, with the Channel; on the West, with Surry; and on the South, with Sussex: He began to Erect a Saxon Kingdom there, Anno Dom. 455; and had, during his Thirty Four years Reign, continual War with the Britains; his Brother Horsa Dying of the Wounds he received in Battel, gave Name to a place called Horsa's Tomb, now corruptly called Horsted, where he was Buried, and had a famous Mo∣nument erected over his Grave, the Ruins of which, some Hundred Years since were visible. It is held by Authors of great repute those Stones of a prodigious bigness on Salisbury Plain, which have created Ad∣miration in the Beholders, were erected as a Monu∣ment where he caused the British Nobles to be Trea∣cherously

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Slain, by which means he gained his design on this Kingdom, making way to its Subjection; for indeed they are commonly to this day called Stone Hing, or Hengist Stones. They appear to have been a Treble Row of Stones, circularly placed one with∣in another, Twenty Eight Foot long for the most part, and Seven Foot broad, viz. those that are reared up∣right; besides others of prodigious bigness that lie overthwart from one to another, and are fastned with Tenents and Mortises; but at this day, the Form of this Wonderful Structure is very much defaced, some of the greater Stones being either faln, or reclining to∣wards the Earth.

Eske, by some called Osea, succeeded Hengist in the Kingdom of Kent; a Man much inferiour to him in Valour and Conduct, therefore to make the People (if possible) to forget what they were, that he might live the more at Ease, he Tollerated such of the C••nti as would, to live among his Saxons, on condition they would take upon them the Name or Epithite of Eskins; and though he Reigned Twenty Four Years, nothing very Memorable is Recorded of him in History; for the other Saxon Princes, in setling their Kingdoms, Screening him from the Incursions of the Britains, and making the seat of War in the Northern and West∣ern Counties, he had for the most part a Peaceable Reign.

Octa, the Third King of Kent, began his Reign Anno Dom. 513; he provided prudent and wholsom Laws for the Goverment of his People, Built several Castles on the Sea-Coast, and the Inland Frontiers, commanded the Pagan Idolatries to be strictly Observed, and Chri∣stianity to be Extirpated, sheding much Innocent Blood on that occasion. In his time strange sights were seen of Dragons, Lions, and other furious wild Beasts, Fighting

in the Air. In the West of Kent it Rained Wheat, and soon after great Drops of Blood; upon which ensued extream Dearth, succeeded by much Bloodshed be∣tween his People and the South Saxon borders about setling their Territories, at the latter end of his Reign, which continued Twenty Years.

Imerick began his Reign Anno Dom. 533: He made an Edict, That Strangrs should be Curteously Entertained, and caused Houses of Publick Resort to be built on the Roads, and the Highways to be Mended, and made Passable, at the Publick Charge; building Watch-Towers on the Sea-Coasts, and setting Lights in them for the guidance of Saylors: He restrained the severity against the Christians, and is numbered among the good Saxon Kings; in his time was the Second General Coun∣cil held at Constantinople, for all Christendom, Anno Dom. 553. He Reigned Twenty Nine Years, dur∣ing which space nothing Memorable of any Warlike Actions are Recorded of him.

Ethelbert, The Fifth King of Kent, began his Reign 562: He had not long Reigned, before Cheuline, King of the West Saxons, raised an Army against him; to Oppose whom, he Mustered great Forces, and at Wimbleton both Hosts joyned Battel, where Ethelbert lost the day; Two of his Dukes, and Five Thousand of his People, being Slain; and this is Recorded to be the first Open War among the Saxon Kings; However, a Peace was soon after concluded, and Gregory, Arch-Deacon of Rome, seeing some fair Youths of this Island standing in the Market of that City to be Sold, he de∣manded from whence they were, and being told from Britain, out of a Province called Deira, he sighing said, (when he understood Paganisme predominated) Ah it is great pity but their Country should be Delivered Ira Dei, from the Wrath of God: And coming soon

after to be Pope, he Remembring what he had said, sent Augusting the Monk, accompanied with Forty Men of several Religious Orders, into Britain, Anno Dom. 596; who making their Address to King Ethel∣bert, were by him kindly received, and had Canterbury (then but a poor Village) allowed them for their Re∣sidence, with Liberty to Convert his Subjects to the Christian Faith; so that by their painful industry in Preaching, and exemplary Lives, they made a con∣siderable progress in the Glorious work of Salvation to poor Souls, leading them out of the Darkness of Paganisme, into the Marvelous Light of the Gospel; so that again the Candle was Lighted, (which God, for the Pride and Lukewarmness of the Christians, had suffered in a great measure to be Extinguished in this Island; and the King falling in Love with their Inoffensive Lives, and conceiving a good Opinion of their Doctrine, was Baptized, with many Thousands of his Subjects, in the Thirty Sixth Year of his Age, and Fourteenth of his Reign, Anno Dom. 596 for which God Blessed him with a long and prosperous Reign, viz. Fifty Six Years.

Edelbard the Sixth King of Kent, soon after his coming to the Crown was Converted by Lawrence Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, (whom Augustine on his Death-Bed had appointed his Successor in that See) where∣upon he Divorced himself from his Mother-in-Law, whom he had Married after his Fathers Death, and recalled Militus and Jus••us whom he had caused to fly beyond the Seas for fear of Persecution, restoring them to their Bishopricks. In his time Two mighty Whales were taken on the Coast of Kent, and a Fight of Birds of various kinds, were seen in the Air near Rochester, about Noon, whose numbers in that place in some measure Darken∣ed the Sun for the space of an Hour. He began his Reign

Anno Dom. 618, and Reigned Twenty Four Years.

Ercombert, the Seventh King of Kent, began his Reign Anno Dom. 642. This Man was a great Lover of the Christians, everywhere in his Dominions sup∣pressing the Idol Temples, causing the Christian Worship strictly to be Observed throughout his Dominions, Building divers Churches, commanding the Fast of Lent to be kept. He Reigned Twenty Four Years.

Egbert, the Eighth King of Kent, began his Reign Anno Dom. 666. He was of a cruel Nature, Murther∣ing his two Nephews Ethelred and Ethelbert, to secure the Kingdom to his Posterity, casting their Dead Bodies into the Medway, a River runing by Rochester and Chattam, whose Water thereupon for a time seemed of the colour of Blood, and was so corrupted that a number of Fish dyed in it; which was held as a Divine Judgment to upbraid the Murtherer; after which he had a troublesome Reign, his own People murmuring against him, and being often ready to Rebel: A little before his Death, a terrible Blazing-Star appear'd for six Nights, at South East, soon after the seting of the Sun. He Reigned Nine Years and odd Days.

Lothaire, the Ninth King of Kent, began his Reign Anno Dom. 675. In his time there was held the Third General Council at Constantinople, where 600 Bishops were present, Three of which went from England and had the Precedency given them before divers other Nations; Agatho being then Bishop of Rome. After∣ward engaging in a War against Ethelred King of Mercia, and Edrick King of the South Saxons, he charg∣ing in the thickest of the Battel, and endeavouring to break in upon the Mercian Standard, where that King stood Invironed with his Nobles, a Dart being thrown overthwart with a strong hand, struck him on the Left Side, and pierced through the Right, so that he instant∣ly

fell Dead on the place, when he had Reigned Eleven Years; and his death so discouraged his Soul∣diers, who had before near-gained the Victory, that they quitted the Field and fled.

Ederick, the Tenth King of Kent, was a Man of great Courage; but using some Cruelty towards his Nobility, they grew displeased with him, and laboured to stir up the common People to a dislike of his Government, and at last raised a Rebellion against him; and in a great Battel near Maidstone, he was Slain, and his Body very despitefully used. The Night before this Battel, there were Groans and Cries heard, as proceeding out of the Air, and most of the Lawrels throughout the Country Withered; after which, great Mischief happened; for the Victors not agreeing about dividing the spoil, fell into parties, and in clandestine Broyles shed much Blood; so that there was no King in Kent for six years. This Ederick Reigned only two Years, and ten Days, begining it Anno Dom. 682.

Withred, the Eleventh King of Kent, upon his Bro∣thers Overthrow, fled from the Popular Fury to Ine King of the West Saxons, with whom he remained till the expiration of the six Years; when agreeing with him for a considerable sum of Money, he Restored him to the Kingdom; which sum, not exceeding 6000l. being raised on the Subject, caused great Murmurings; but he quieted them by promising to Live Frugally, Proclaiming a general Pardon, and granting them many Priviledges which in former Reigns they enjoyed not; so that he lived rather like a Private Man, than a Sove∣raigne Prince: Yet he had great Wars with Ethelred, King of Mercia. He Reigned 33 Years, beginning it Anno Dom. 694.

Edbert, the Twelfth King of Kent, Succeeded Withred: He at the beginning of his Reign laboured

for Peace, and setled the Kingdom that had been har∣rassed, and in a manner destroyed, by the Mercians in the former Reign; Rebuilding the Churches and Mo∣nastries they had Ruinated. But in the Fourth Year of his Reign the Beacons of Heaven foreshewed more Misery to the already suffering Kingdom, two Blazing-Stars appearing successively, the one in the South West and the other at South East; after which, great Dissen∣tions arose among the Saxon Kings, and much Blood was spilt in divers places; the Britains were likwise ex∣treamly distressed by the Invading Norhumbers and West Saxons, who penned them within the Streights and Mountains of Wales, till Famine coming on, num∣bers were Starved in the Rocks and Caves whither they had retired for shelter. He began his Reign Anno Dom. 727, and Reigned 23 Years.

Ethelbert, the Thirteenth King of Kent, began his Reign Anno Dom. 750. At his coming to the Crown he laboured to promote Christianity, gave large Gifts to the Cathedral Church of Canterbury, and to St. Andrews in Rochester, Built by Ethelbert the Second, King of Kent: He laboured also to keep Peace with his Neigh∣bours, yet such was the greedy desire of the Saxons to incroach on each other, having beaten the poor Britains out of all the Counties that were worth Possessing, that Wars ensued, and much Blood was shed: Yet he Dyed in Peace, whan he had Reigned Eleven Years.

Alrick, the Fourteenth King of Kent, began his Reign Anno Dom. 761; but after he had Reigned 34 Years, Offa the great King of the Mercians Quarrelled with him, for Entertaining Duke Edesin who Fled from his Fury; yet this seemed only a pretence, his Ambition aiming to Annex Kent to his own large Dominions; whereupon both Armies approaching near Ottford, joyned in a Bloody Battel which lasted Twelve Hours,

when Alrick being beaten down and slain with a Battel-Ax, his Men fled the Field, and were so hotly pursued that many of them were put to the Sword, and great spoil made through all the Country; which was con∣tinued from the South to the North, as far as the River Humber. In his time The second General Council was held at Nice, being the seventh General Council for all Christendom.

Ethelbert the Third, and Fifteenth King of Kent, Usurped the Kingdome after the Death of Alrick, whereupon Kenwolfe the Mercian (upon his denying to pay him Tribute and Homage) came against him with a powerful Army, and in a fatal Battel he was over∣thrown and taken Prisoner, and carried into Mercia, where he continued some Years: But Kenwolfe hav∣ing erected a stately Church at Winchcomb in Glocester∣shire, at the Dedication of it, where were present Ten Dukes and Thirteen Bishops, he sent for him, and at the High Altar freely Released him without any Ransom, so he returned again to his People. He began his Reign Anno Dom. 795, and Reigned Three Years.

Cuthred the Sixteenth King of Kent, was (contrary to the mind of the People) placed in the Throne by Kenwolfe King of Mercia: but nothing Memorable is Recorded of him. He began his Reign 798 and Reign∣ed Three Years. In his time a terrible Earth-quake happened in this Island, which overthrew many stately Buildings.

Baldred the Seventeenth and last King of Kent, be∣gan his Reign 806 but displeasing Kenwolfe King of Mercia, he drove him out of the Kingdom, when he had Reigned Eighteen Years; for the Conqueror an∣nexed it to his own Dominions, when it had continued a distinct Kingdom 372 Years.

2. Of the South Saxon Kingdom, in the Succession of Four Kings.

Ella, a Captain of the Low Germans, was the first Founder of this Kingdom, as in the foregoing Chapter is mentioned: At his Landing at Shor••ham in Sussex, he divided his Forces under his three Sons, viz. Cymen, Plettinger, and Cissa; but finding he was too weak for the Britains that Inhabited Sussex and Surry, he was constrained to go over-Sea, to fetch greater Strength: Then in a set Battel he gave them a fatal Overthrow, forcing them into a vast Wood on the South of Kent called Andersleger, where many of them perished for want, others stole away by Night, and some submitted to the Victor; whereupon he setled his Borders, Bounded on the North with the Thames, dividing it from Middlesex and part of Buckinghamshire; on the South, with the Ocean; on the West, with Hampshire; and on the East, with Kent; being Counties exceeding fertil in Corn and Rich Pastures stored with excellent Fruits, and great numbers of Cattle. He began his Reign Anno Dom. 488, and continued it 32 Years.

Cissa, Son to Ella, Second King of the South Saxons, began his Reign 520; and confederating with Cherdick King of the West Saxons, allowing him a small Tribute for some part of his Country which that King layed claim to by Priority, he Built Chichester in Sussex, and Chisbury, Fortifying the Sea-Coast, opposing France; after that, he layed heavy Taxes on his Subjects; which Money, when raised, he sent to Cherdick, to maintain his War against the Britains. So that being sheltered on all sides from their Invasions, he had a long and peacable Reign, some Historians alow him 76 Years; but this must needs be a mistake, considering he was at

Mans Estate when he came into this Land, and that his Father Reigned 32 Years; so that the more moderate allow him to have Reigned only 36 Years.

Ethelwolfe, the Third King of the South Saxons, be∣gan his Reign Anno Dom. 596; at which time divers terrible and amazing Sights appeared in the Air, of Armies in Rout, with great noises of Thunder, and flashes of Lightening, many drops of the colour of Blood falling at the same time in divers parts of Surry, which seemed to Prognosticate the great Bloodshed that afterwards hap∣pened, when this Kingdom was Invaded by Ceadwald, then a Banished Prince of the West Saxons, who gather∣ing to him Out-Laws and other Resolute Persons, in a Mortal Battel slew Ethelwolfe, and divers of his Nobles; and pursuing his Victory, entered the Kingdom of Kent, where he put the Monks to the Sword, levelling with the Ground all the Religious Houses that he found in his Progress, and then made himself King of the South Saxons; after which he greatly lamented the desolation he had made. This Ethelwolfe, a consider∣able time before his Death, as Bede, a very Venerable Clergyman Reports, was Converted to the Christian Re∣ligion, by Bishop Wilfrid, though some affirm it to be done by Berinus Bishop of Dorchester. He Reigned Twenty Five Years.

Barthun, the Fourth King of the South Saxons, and Duke Autban his assistant, soon after Ethelwolfes Death, prevailed with the People to Banish their Intruding King Ceadwell, and within a short time Barthun geting the sole Power into his hands, Ceadwell returned with a great Army, and after a Fight of Eight Hours, on the Plain now called Banstead-Downs, Barthun was Slain and his Subjects submitted to the Conqueror, who made himself by this Victory a second time King of the South Saxons, annexing it by right of Conquest to the

West Saxon Kinghom, after the Succession of Four Kings, who upheld it One Hundred and Thirty Three Years; It Begining Anno Dom. 488, and End∣ing 621. So that by this Addition the West Saxons became very formidable, not only to the Britains, but their own Countrymen who bordered on them.

3. The Kingdom of the East Saxons, in the Succession of Fourteen Kings.

This Kingdom Commenced Anno Dom. 522, con∣taining Middlesex and Essex, Counties abounding in Cattle, Corn, Warrens, store of Deer, Fowl, Fish, and other advantagious Commodities: Bounded on the North, with Suffolk, Cambridgshire, and Hartfordshire; on the South, with the River Thames, dividing it from Kent and Surry; on the West, with Buckinghamshire, and on the East, with the Sea.

Erchenwin was the First Saxon that framed it into a Kingdom, after he had assisted the other Saxons with the Forces he brought over to drive the Britains out of their possessions in the Fertil parts of England, and then giving himself much to Peace, and framing such Laws from those in Germany as best suited to the wellfare of his People in this Country, he continued his Reign Sixty Years, Dying in Peace Anno Dom. 582.

Sleadda, the Second King of the East Saxons, Succeed∣ing Erchenwin, Encouraged the Idol Temples, and much Oppressed the Christians at the beginning of his Reign; but upon seeing a threatening Vision of Angels with drawn Swords opposing his Progress, he grew much milder at the Latter-end of his Reign, which began Anno Dom. 582, and ended 591.

Sebert the Third King of the East Saxons (though at first a Persecutor of the Christians) was at last so

far overc••me by their harmless and inoffensive Lives, that he applying himself to Miletus, the first Bishop of St. Paul's in London, by his grave Advice was induced to embrace the Christian Religion. This famous Church was Founded by him and Ethelbert, King of Kent, in the place where before stood a Temple Dedicated to Diana, wherein many Bloody Sacrifices had been offer∣ed to the supposed Goddess, and so becoming the first Christian King of the East Saxons, he was a great En∣courager of Religious Men and Women, building at their request divers other Churches in London and else∣where. He began his Reign Anno Dom. 591, and Reigned 21 Years.

Sered, the Fourth King of the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 611; He revoked the Indulgences of his Predecessors to the Christians, and in attempting to Prophane The Lords Table, being withstood by Mi∣letus, the Bishop of St. Paules, he Banished him his Do∣minions; but afterward entering on a War with Kingills, King of the West Saxons, which continued for some time, he was in the conclusion of it Slain, when he had Reigned Six Years: A little before his Death he had a Dream like to that of Smyrdis Son to Cyrus the Great, and Brother to King Cambysis of Persia, viz. That he sat on the West Saxon Throne, and his Head reached the Skies; which being falsly Inter∣preted by his flatterers, who pushed him on in his Ambitiaus designs, whilst like the other he lost his Life, though by different means; the first Murthered by his Brothers command, on a Jealousie he designed to Usurp the Persian Monarchy; and the latter Fighting to en∣large his Dominions.

Sigesbert, the Fifth King af the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 620. He made several Laws against Murtherers and Thieves, that then much abound∣ed

in the Country: In his time a dreadful Fire hap∣pened in London, consuming most of the Eastern part of it; but it was soon Re-built, and much inlarged by this Kings Encouragement; and the Michaelmas fol∣lowing a number of Porpoises came up the River; whereupon preat Storms followed, and the Thames overflowing lay'd many Hundreds of Acres under Water in Kent and Surry. He Reigned Twenty Three Years.

Sigebert, the Sixth King of the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 643. He Restored again the True Worship in that Kingdom, being perswaded by Oswy King of the Northumbers to be Baptized by Bishop Finnan, giving Large Gifts to the Churches and Mona∣steries, earnestly labouring to settle Peace among his Neighbours; but being of a very wild temper, and soft by Nature, his two Brothers took the advantage of his weakness, Conspired against him, and Murther∣ed him, when he had Reigned Fifteen Years.

Swithelm, the Seventh King of the East Saxons, be∣gan his Reign Anno Dom. 658; upon the enterance on it he became a Christian, and was Baptized by Bishop Cedda, Ethelwald King of the East Angles being his God∣father. In his time London began to flourish very much in Trade, the Merchants and Traders having large Priviledges granted them. A little before his Death, A Globe of Fire fell on St. Paul's Church, and Burnt the Roof of it. His Reign continued only Three Years and odd Days.

Sighere, the Eighth King of the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 661. He had embraced the Christian Faith, but Apostatized on a slight Occasion;

and of a Father of the Church, became a Persecutor; but being afflicted with a grievous Disease, he was smitten with Remorse of Conscience, and (many Thousands of his Subjects being Destroyed by a raging Pestilence) he Remembered frem whence he was Fallen, and Re∣turned to the Christian Communion, into which he was gladly received by an Assembly of the Clergy, who prevailed with him to destroy the Idols and de∣molish their Altars. He Reigned Five Years.

Sebba, the Ninth King of the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 666, being given much to a Religious Life, and much Repenting the Blood he had shed when he was General in the Wars; whereupon, when he had Reigned Thirty Years, he layed down his Scepter, and took on him a Religious Habit, in the Monastery of St. Paul's at London, bequeathing his Kingdom to Sigherd his Kinsman.

Sigherd, the Tenth King of the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 696. He sent Forces to assist the West Saxons against the Britains, who made strong Incursions into their Territories, and carried away great Booties; in the mean time divers Pirates from Denmark and Norway Invaded his Sea-Coasts, Burning and Plundering many Villages, but a mighty Tempest arising, they suffered Shipwrack, and so many of them as Escaped to Shoar, were destroyed by the Country Peasants: He Built many Religious Houses, and Reigned Seven Years.

Seofrid, the Eleventh King of the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 703. He Built Forts on the advantagious Havens to the Sea-Coast, to prevent the Landing of Foreign Enemies by surprize, encouraging

his People to Trade with the Neighbour Nations; so that many of the North East Countries were disco∣vered, and great Riches brought home; which caused others, who had advantagious Havens, to take the like Measures; whereupon the Shiping encreased. He Reigned Seven Years.

Offa, the Twelfth King of the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 711. He was a great En∣courager of the Christians, and in his time the Christian Religion spread into all parts of his Dominions: He Invited over Religious Men out of other Countries, and ordered Publick Schooles to be Erected; and being de∣sirous to see Rome, which he had heard so much of by Fame, when he had Reigned Eight Years he went thither; and being much taken with the Devotion of the Religious there, he became a Monk, and Dyed in that station; leaving large Legacies to the Church.

Selred, the Second, and Thirteenth King of the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 719. In his time a grievous Famine was in this Kingdom for the space of three Years, so that People in many places were compelled to Eat Grass, Roots, Leaves, and Barks of Trees; and yet many Thousands were Famished: Great flashes of Fire likewise Issued out of the Earth, which Burnt up the Trees and Grass, and Destroyed some People and much Cattel; but soon after a great Plenty ensued. He Reigned Thirty Eight Years.

Suthred, the Fourteenth and Last King of the East Saxons, began his Reign Anno Dom. 757. He had great Wars with Egbert King of the West Saxons,

so that in various Battels Fifty Thousand of his People being Slain, he was so weakned, that not be∣ing able to make head any longer, he withdrew himself, and left his Dominions to the prevailing Enemy, when in much Trouble he had upheld them Eight Years: So that Egbert annexing it as a Province to his own Kingdom, Extinguished the Name of the East-Saxon-Kingdom about the Year of Christ 827.