THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF ENGLAND. * * * * * _Of Brute and his descent, how he slue his father in hunting, hisbanishment, his letter to king Pandrasus, against whom he wageth battell, taketh him prisoner, and concludeth peace vpon conditions. _ THE FIRST CHAPTER. Hitherto haue we spoken of the inhabitants of this Ile before the commingof Brute, although some will néeds haue it, that he was the first whichinhabited the same with his people descended of the Troians, some fewgiants onelie excepted whom he vtterlie destroied, and left not one ofthem aliue through the whole Ile. But as we shall not doubt of Brutescomming hither, so may we assuredly thinke, that he found the Ile peopledeither with the generation of those which Albion the giant had placedhere, or some other kind of people whom he did subdue, and so reigned aswell ouer them as ouer those which he brought with him. [Sidenote: _Humfr. Lhoyd_. ]This Brutus, or Brytus [for this letter (Y) hath of ancient time had thesounds both of V and I] (as the author of the booke which Geffrey ofMonmouth translated dooth affirme) was the sonne of Siluius, the sonne ofAscanius, the sonne of Aeneas the Troian, begotten of his wife Creusa, &borne in Troie, before the citie was destroied. But as other doo take it, [Sidenote: _Harding. Alex. Neuil. W. Har. _]the author of that booke (whatsoeuer he was) and such other as followhim, are deceiued onelie in this point, mistaking the matter, in thatPosthumus the sonne of Aeneas (begotten of his wife Lauinia, and borneafter his fathers deceasse in Italie) was called Ascanius, who had issuea sonne named Iulius, who (as these other doo coniecture) was the fatherof Brute, that noble chieftaine and aduenturous leader of those people, which being descended (for the more part in the fourth generation)from those Troians that escaped with life, when that roiall citie wasdestroied by the Gréekes, got possession of this woorthie and most famousIle. To this opinion Giouan Villani a Florentine in his vniuersall historie, speaking of Aeneas and his ofspring kings in Italie, séemeth to agrée, where he saith: "Siluius (the sonne of Aeneas by his wife Lauinia) fellin loue with a néece of his mother Lauinia, and by hir had a sonne, ofwhom she died in trauell, and therefore was called Brutus, who afteras he grew in some stature, and hunting in a forrest slue his fathervnwares, and therevpon for feare of his grandfather Siluius Posthumus hefled the countrie, and with a retinue of such as followed him, passingthrough diuers seas, at length he arriued in the Ile of Britaine. " Concerning therefore our Brute, whether his father Iulius was sonne toAscanius the sonne of Aeneas by his wife Creusa, or sonne to Posthumuscalled also Ascanius, and sonne to Aeneas by his wife Lauinia, we willnot further stand. But this, we find, that when he came to the age of 15. Yéeres, so that he was now able to ride abrode with his father intothe forrests and chases, he fortuned (either by mishap, or by Gods[Sidenote: Brute killeth his father. ]prouidence) to strike his father with an arrow, in shooting at a déere, of which wound he also died. His grandfather (whether the same wasPosthumus, or his elder brother) hearing of this great misfortune thathad chanced to his sonne Siluius, liued not long after, but died forverie greefe and sorow (as is supposed) which he conceiued thereof. Andthe young gentleman, immediatlie after he had slaine his father (in manerbefore alledged) was banished his countrie, and therevpon got him intoGrecia, where trauelling the countrie, he lighted by chance among some ofthe Troian ofspring, and associating himselfe with them, grew by meanesof the linage (whereof he was descended) in proces of time into greatreputation among them: chieflie by reason there were yet diuers of the[Sidenote: Pausanias. ]Troian race, and that of great authoritie in that countrie. For Pyrrhusthe sonne of Achilles, hauing no issue by his wife Hermione, mariedAndromache, late wife vnto Hector: and by hir had thrée sonnes, Molossus, Pileus, and Pergamus, who in their time grew to be of great power inthose places and countries, and their ofspring likewise: whereby Brutusor Brytus wanted no friendship. For euen at his first comming thither, diuers of the Troians that remained in seruitude, being desirous oflibertie, by flocks resorted vnto him. And amongst other, Assaracus wasone, whom Brute intertained, receiuing at his hands the possession ofsundrie forts and places of defense, before that the king of thoseparties could haue vnderstanding or knowledge of any such thing. Herewithalso such as were readie to make the aduenture with him, repaired to himon ech side, wherevpon he first placed garisons in those townes whichhad bene thus deliuered vnto him, and afterwards with Assaracus and theresidue of the multitude he withdrew into the mountains néere adioining. And thus being made strong with such assistance, by consultation had withthem that were of most authoritie about him, wrote vnto the king of thatcountrie called Pandrasus, in forme as followeth. _A letter of Brute to Pandrasus, as I find it set downe in GalfrideMonumetensis. _ "Brute leader of the remnant of the Troian people, to Pandrasus king ofthe Gréekes, sendeth greeting. Bicause it hath beene thought a thingvnworthie, that the people descended of the noble linage of Dardanusshould be otherwise dealt with than the honour of their nobilitie doothrequire: they haue withdrawne themselues within the close couert of thewoods. For they haue chosen rather (after the maner of wild beasts) toliue on flesh and herbs in libertie, than furnished with all the richesin the world to continue vnder the yoke of seruile thraldome. But if thistheir dooing offend thy mightie highnesse, they are not to be blamed, butrather in this behalfe to be pardoned, sith euerie captiue prisoneris desirous to be restored vnto his former estate and dignitie. Youtherefore pitieng their case, vouchsafe to grant them their abridgedlibertie, and suffer them to remaine in quiet within these woods whichthey haue got into their possession: if not so, yet giue them licence todepart forth of this countrie into some other parts. " The sight of these letters, and request in them conteined, made Pandrasusat the first somewhat amazed, howbeit deliberating further of the matter, and considering their small number, he made no great account of them, but[Sidenote: Pandrasus prepareth an armie to supress the Troian ofspring. ]determined out of hand to suppresse them by force, before they shouldgrow to a greater multitude. And to bring his intention the better to[Sidenote: Sparatinum. ]passe, he passed by a towne called Sparatinum, & marching toward thewoods where he thoght to haue found his enimies, he was suddenlieassalted by Brute, who with three thousand men came foorth of the woods, and fiercelie setting vpon his enimies, made great slaughter of them, so that they were vtterlie discomfited, & sought by flight to saue[Sidenote: Peraduenture Achelous. ]themselues in passing a riuer néere hand called Akalon. Brute with hismen following fast upon the aduersaries, caused them to plunge into thewater at aduenture, so that manie of them were drowned. Howbeit Antigonus[Sidenote: Antigonus, the brother of Pandrasus. ]the brother of Pandrasus did what he could to stay the Grecians fromfléeing, and calling them backe againe did get some of them togither, placed them in order, and began a new field: but it nothing auailed, forthe Troians, preasing vpon him, tooke him prisoner, slue and scattredhis companie, and ceased not till they had rid the fields of all theiraduersaries. [Sidenote: Brute entreth into Sparatinum. ]This doone, Brute entering the towne, furnished it with six hundred ablesouldiours, and afterwards went backe to the residue of his people thatwere incamped in the woods, where he was receiued with vnspeakeable ioyfor this prosperous atchiued enterprise. But although this euill successeat the first beginning sore troubled Pandrasus, as well for the losse ofthe field, as for the taking of his brother, yet was he rather kindledin desire to séeke reuenge, than otherwise discouraged. And thereforeassembling his people againe togither that were scattered here and there, he came the next day before the towne of Sparatinum, where he thought tohaue found Brute inclosed togither with the prisoners, and therfore heshewed his whole endeuour by hard siege and fierce assaults to force themwithin to yeeld. To conclude, so long he continued the siege, till victuals began to waxescant within, so that there was no way but to yeeld, if present succourcame not to remoue the siege: wherevpon they signified their necessitievnto Brute, who for that he had not power sufficient to fight with theenimies in open field, he ment to giue them a camisado in the nightseason, and so ordered his businesse, that inforsing a prisoner (namedAnacletus whome he had taken in the last battell) to serue his turne, byconstreining him to take an oth (which he durst not for conscience sakebreake) he found means to encounter with his enimies vpon the aduantage, that he did not onelie ouerthrowe their whole power, but also tooke[Sidenote: Pandrasus taken prisoner. ]Pandrasus prisoner, whereby all the trouble was ended: and shortlie aftera perfect peace concluded, vpon these conditions following. [Sidenote: The conditions of the agréement betwixt Brute & Pandrasus. ]First, that Pandrasus should giue his daughter Innogen vnto Brute inmariage, with a competent summe of gold and siluer for hir dowrie. Secondlie, to furnish him and his people with a nauie of ships, and tostore the same with victuals and all other necessaries. Thirdlie, that Brute with his people should haue licence to depart thecountrie, to séeke aduentures whither so euer it should please them todirect their course, without let, impeachment, or trouble to be offeredanie waies by the Gréeks. To all these conditions (bicause they touched not the prerogatiue of hiskingdome) Pandrasus did willinglie agrée, and likewise performed. * * * * * _Brute and his wife Innogen arriue in Leogitia, they aske counsell of anoracle where they shall inhabit, he meeteth with a remnant of Troians onthe coasts neere the shooting downe of the Pyrenine hills into the sea. _ THE SECOND CHAPTER. Al things being thus brought to passe according to Brutes desire, windalso and wether seruing the purpose, he with his wife Innogen and hispeople imbarked, and hoising vp sailes departed from the coasts ofGrecia. Now after two daies and a nights sailing, they arriued atLeogitia (in some old written bookes of the British historie noted downeLergetia) an Iland, where they consulted with an oracle. Brute himselfeknéeling before the idoll, and holding in his right hand a boll preparedfor sacrifice full of wine, and the bloud of a white hinde, spake in thismaner as here followeth: Diua potens nemorum, terror syluestribus apris, Cui licet anfractus ire per æthereos, Infernasq; domos, terrestria iura resolue, Et die quas terras nos habitare velis: Dic certam sedem qua te venerabor in æuum, Qua tibi virgineis templa dicabo choris. These verses (as Ponticus Virumnius and others also doo gesse) werewritten by Gildas Cambrius in his booke intituled _Cambreidos, _ and maythus be Englished: Thou goddesse that doost rule the woods and forrests greene, And chasest foming boares that flee thine awfull sight, Thou that maist passe aloft in airie skies so sheene, And walke eke vnder earth in places void of light, Discouer earthlie states, direct our course aright, And shew where we shall dwell, according to thy will, In seates of sure abode, where temples we may dight For virgins that shall sound thy laud with voices shrill. After this praier and ceremonie done, according tothe pagane rite and custome, Brute abiding his answer, fell asléepe: inwhich sléepe appeared to him the said goddesse vttering this answer inthe verses following expressed. Brute, sub occasum solis trans Gallica regna, Insula in oceano est, vndiq; clausa mari, Insula in oceano est, habitata gigantibus olim, Nunc deserta quidèm, gentibus apta tuis: Hanc pete, námq; tibi sedes erit ilia perennis, Hîc fiet natis altera Troia tuis: Hîc de prole tua reges nascentur, & ipsis Totius terræ subditus orbis erit. Brute, farre by-west beyond the Gallike land is found, An Ile which with the ocean seas inclosed is about, Where giants dwelt sometime, but now is desart ground, Most meet where thou maist plant thy selfe with all thy rout: Make thitherwards with speed, for there thou shalt find out An euerduring seat, and Troie shall rise anew, Vnto thy race, of whom shall kings be borne no dout, That with their mightie power the world shall whole subdew. After he awaked out of sléepe, and had called his dreame toremembrance, he first doubted whether it were a verie dreame, or a truevision, the goddes hauing spoken to him with liuelie voice. Wherevponcalling such of his companie vnto him as he thought requisite in sucha case, he declared vnto them the whole matter with the circumstances, whereat they greatlie reioising, caused mightie bonfires to be made, inthe which they cast wine, milke, and other liquors, with diuers gumsand spices of most sweet smell and sauour, as in the pagan religion wasaccustomed. Which obseruances and ceremonies performed and brought toend, they returned streightwaies to their ships, and as soone as the windserved, passed forward on their iournie with great ioy and gladnesse, asmen put in comfort to find out the wished seats for their firme and sure[Sidenote: Brute with his companie landed in Affrike. ]habitations. From hence therefore they cast about, and making westward, first arrived in Affrica, and after kéeping on their course, they passedthe straits of Gibralterra, and coasting alongst the shore on the righthand, they found another companie that were likewise descended of the[Sidenote: The mistaking of those that haue copied the British historieputting _Mare Tyrrhenum_, for _Pyrenæum_] Troian progenie, onthe coasts nere where the Pyrenine hils shoot downe to the sea, whereofthe same sea by good reason (as some suppose) was named in those daiesMare Pyrenæum, although hitherto by fault of writers & copiers of theBritish historie receiued, in this place Mare Tyrrhenum, was slightlieput downe in stead of Pyrenæum. The ofspring of those Troians, with whom Brute and his companie thus didméet, were a remnant of them that came away with Antenor. Their capteinehight Corineus, a man of great modestie and approoued wisedome, andthereto of incomparable strength and boldnesse. * * * * * _Brute and the said Troians with their capteine Corineus doo associat, they take landing within the dominion of king Goffarus, he raiseth anarmie against Brute and his power, but is discomfited: of the citie ofTours: Brutes arrivall in this Iland with his companie. _ THE THIRD CHAPTER. [Sidenote: Brute and Corineus ioin their companies together. ]After that Brute and the said Troians, by conference interchangeabliehad, vnderstood one anothers estates, and how they were descended fromone countrie and progenie, they vnited themselves togither, greatliereioising that they were so fortunatlie met: and hoising vp their sailes, [Sidenote: They arrive on the coasts of Gallia, now called France. ]directed their course forward still, till they arriued within the mouthof the riuer of Loire, which diuideth Aquitaine from Gall Celtike, wherethey tooke land within the dominion of a king called Goffarius, surnamedPictus, by reason he was descended of the people Agathyrsi, otherwise[Sidenote: Goffarius surnamed Pictus _Les annales d'Aquitaine_. ]named Picts, bicause they used to paint their faces and bodies, insomuchthat the richer a man was amongst them, the more cost he bestowed in[Sidenote: Agathyrsi, otherwise called Picts, of painting their bodies. _Marcellus Plinie. Herodotus li. 4_. ]painting himselfe; and commonlie the haire of their head was red, or (asprobable writers say) of skie colour. Herodotus calleth them [Greek:chrysothórous] bicause they did weare much gold about them. They vsedtheir wives in common, and bicause they are all supposed to be brethren, there is no strife nor discord among them. Of these Agathyrsi, it isrecorded by the said Herodotus, that they refused to succour theScythians against Darius, giving this reason of their refusall; bicausethey would not make warre against him who had doone them no wrong. Andof this people dooth the poet make mention, saieng, [Sidenote: _Virg. Aeneid. 4_. ]Cretésq; Dryopésq; fremunt pictíq; Agathyrsi. [Sidenote: _Cæsar com. Li. 5_. ]To paint their faces not for amiablenesse, but for terriblenesse, theBritons in old time vsed, and that with a kind of herbe like vntoplantine. In which respect I sée no reason why they also should not becalled Picts, as well as the Agathyrsi; séeing the denomination sprang[Sidenote: _P. Mart; com. Part 2. Sect. 60_. ]of a vaine custome in them both. And here by the way, sithens we havetouched this follie in two severall people, let it not séeme tedious toread this one tricke of the Indians, among whom there is great plentie ofpretious stones, wherewith they adorne themselves in this maner; namelie, in certein hollow places which they make in their flesh, they inclose andriuet in precious stones, and that as well in their forheads as theirchéekes, to none other purpose, than the Agathyrsi in the vse of theirpainting. The countrie of Poictou (as some hold) where the said Goffarius reigned, tooke name of this people: & likewise a part of this our Ile of Britainenow conteined within Scotland, which in ancient time was called Pightland[Sidenote: Pightland or Pictland. ]or Pictland, as elsewhere both in this historie of England, and also ofScotland may further appeare. But to our purpose. [Sidenote: Goffarius sendeth vnto Brute. ]When Goffarius the king of Poictou was aduertised of the landing of thesestrangers within his countrie, he sent first certeine of his people tovnderstand what they ment by their comming a land within his dominion, without licence or leaue of him obteined. They that were thus sent, cameby chance to a place where Corineus with two hundred of the companiewere come from the ships into a forrest néere the sea side, to kill someveneson for their sustenance: and being rebuked with some disdainfullspeach of those Poictouins, he shaped them a round answer: insomuch that[Sidenote: Corineus answereth the messengers. Imbert. ]one of them whose name was Imbert, let driue an arrow at Corineus: but heauoiding the danger thereof, shot againe at Imbert, in reuenge of that[Sidenote: Imbert is slaine by Corineus. ]iniurie offered, and claue his head in sunder. The rest of the Poictouinsfled therevpon, and brought word to Goffarius what had happened: who[Sidenote: Goffarius raiseth an armie. ]immediatlie with a mightie armie made forward to encounter with theTroians, and comming to ioine with them in battell, after a sharpe and[Sidenote: Goffarius is discomfited. ]sore conflict, in the end Brute with his armie obteined a triumphantvictorie, speciallie through the noble prowesse of Corineus. [Sidenote: Goffarius séeketh aid against Brute. ]Goffarius escaping from the field, fled into the inner parts of Gallia, making sute for assistance vnto such kings as in those daies reigned indiuers prouinces of that land, who promised to aid him with all theirforces, and to expell out of the coasts of Aquitaine, such strangers aswithout his licence were thus entred the countrie. But Brute in the meane[Sidenote: Brute spoileth the countrie. ]time passed forward, and with fire and sword made hauocke in places wherehe came: and gathering great spoiles, fraught his ships with plentie ofriches. At length he came to the place, where afterwards he built a citie[Sidenote: Turonium or Tours built by Brute. ]named Turonium, that is, Tours. [Sidenote: Goffarius hauing renewed his forces, fighteth eftsoones withBrute. ]Here Goffarius with such Galles as were assembled to his aid, gauebattell againe vnto the Troians that were incamped to abide his comming. Where after they had fought a long time with singular manhood on bothparties: the Troians in fine oppressed with multitudes of aduersaries(euen thirtie times as manie mo as the Troians) were constreined toretire into their campe, within the which the Galles kept them asbesieged, lodging round about them, and purposing by famine to compellthem to yéeld themselues vnto their mercie. But Corineus taking counsellwith Brute, deuised to depart in the darke of the night out of the campe, to lodge himselfe with thrée thousand chosen souldiers secretlie in awood, and there to remaine in couert till the morning that Brute shouldcome foorth and giue a charge vpon the enimies, wherewith Corineus shouldbreake foorth and assaile the Galles on the backes. This policie was put in practise, and tooke such effect as the deuisersthemselues wished: for the Galles being sharplie assailed on the front byBrute and his companie, were now with the sudden comming of Corineus (whoset vpon them behind on their backes) brought into such a feare, thatincontinentlie they tooke them to flight, whom the Troians egerliepursued, making no small slaughter of them as they did ouertake them. Inthis battell Brute lost manie of his men, and amongst other one of hisnephues named Turinus, after he had shewed maruellous proofe of hismanhood. Of him (as some haue written) the foresaid citie of Tours tookethe name, and was called _Turonium_, bicause the said Turinus was thereburied. [Sidenote: _Theuet_. ]Andrew Theuet affirmeth the contrarie, and mainteineth that one Taurusthe nephue of Haniball was the first that inclosed it about with a paleof wood (as the maner of those daies was of fensing their townes) in the[Sidenote: 3374. ]yeare of the world 3374. And before the birth of our sauiour 197. But to our matter concerning Brute, who after he had obteined so famousa victorie, albeit there was good cause for him to reioise, yet it soretroubled him to consider that his numbers dailie decaied, and his enimiesstill increased, and grew stronger: wherevpon resting doubtfull what to[Sidenote: Brute in dout what to doo. ]doo, whether to procéed against the Galles, or returne to his ships toséeke the Ile that was appointed him by oracle, at length he chose thesurest and best way, as he tooke it, and as it proued. For whilest thegreater part of his armie was yet left aliue, and that the victorieremained on his side, he drew to his nauie, and lading his ships withexcéeding great store of riches which his people had got abroad in thecountrie, he tooke the seas againe. [Sidenote Brute with his remnant of Troians arriue in this ile. _Annomundi. 2850_. 1116. ]After a few daies sailing they landed at the hauen now called Totnesse, the yeare of the world 2850, after the destruction of Troy 66, afterthe deliuerance of the Israelites from the captiuitie of Babylon 397, almost ended; in the 18 yeare of the reigne of Tineas king of Babylon, 13 of Melanthus king of Athens, before the building of Rome 368, whichwas before the natiuitie of our Sauior Christ 1116, almost ended, andbefore the reigne of Alexander the great 783. * * * * * _Brute discouereth the commodities of this Iland, mightie giantswithstand him, Gogmagog and Corineus wrestle together at a place besideDouer: he buildeth the citie of Trinouant now termed London, calleth thisIland by the name of Britaine, and diuideth it into three parts among histhree sonnes. _ THE FOURTH CHAPTER. When Brute had entred this land, immediatlie after his arriuall (aswriters doo record) he searched the countrie from side to side, and fromend to end, finding it in most places verie fertile and plentious of woodand grasse, and full of pleasant springs and faire riuers. As he thus[Sidenote: Brute encountered by the giants. ]trauelled to discouer the state and commodities of the Iland, he wasencountred by diuers strong and mightie giants, whome he destroied andslue, or rather subdued, with all such other people as he found in theIland, which were more in number than by report of some authors it shouldappeare there were. Among these giants (as Geffrey of Monmouth writeth)there was one of passing strength and great estimation, named Gogmagog, [Sidenote: Corineus wrestleth with Gogmagog. ]whome Brute caused Corineus to wrestle at a place beside Douer, where itchanced that the giant brake a rib in the side of Corineus while theystroue to claspe, and the one to ouerthrow the other: wherewith Corineusbeing sore chafed and stirred to wrath, did so double his force that hegot the vpper hand of the giant, and cast him downe headlong from one of[Sidenote: Gogmagog is slaine. ]the rocks there, not farre from Douer, and so dispatched him: by reasonwhereof the place was named long after, _The fall or leape of Gogmagog_, but afterward it was called _The fall of Douer_. For this valiant déed, and other the like seruices first and last atchiued, Brute gaue vnto[Sidenote: Cornwall giuen to Corineus. ]Corineus the whole countrie of Cornwall. To be briefe, after that Brutehad destroied such as stood against him, and brought such people vnderhis subiection as he found in the Ile, and searched the land from the oneend to the other: he was desirous to build a citie, that the same mightbe the seate roiall of his empire or kingdome. Wherevpon he chose a plotof ground lieng on the north side of the riuer of Thames, which by goodconsideration séemed to be most pleasant and conuenient for any greatmultitude of inhabitants, aswell for holsomnesse of aire, goodnesse ofsoile, plentie of woods, and commoditie of the riuer, seruing as well tobring in as to carrie out all kinds of merchandize and things necessariefor the gaine, store, and vse of them that there should inhabit. Here therefore he began to build and lay the foundation of a citie, inthe tenth or (as other thinke) in the second yeare after his arriuall, which he named (saith Gal. Mon. ) Troinouant, or (as Hum. Llhoyd saith)Troinewith, that is, new Troy, in remembrance of that noble citie of Troyfrom whence he and his people were for the greater part descended. When Brutus had builded this citie, and brought the Iland fullie vnderhis subiection, he by the aduise of his nobles commanded this Ile (whichbefore hight Albion) to be called Britaine, and the inhabitants Britonsafter his name, for a perpetuall memorie that he was the first bringerof them into the land. In this meane while also he had by his wife. Iii. Sonnes, the first named Locrinus or Locrine, the second Cambris orCamber, and the third Albanactus or Albanact. Now when the time of hisdeath drew néere, to the first he betooke the gouernment of that part ofthe land nowe knowne by the name of England: so that the same was longafter called Loegria, or Logiers, of the said Locrinus. To the second heappointed the countrie of Wales, which of him was first named Cambria, diuided from Loegria by the riuer of Seuerne. To his third sonne Albanacthe deliuered all the north part of the Ile, afterward called Albania, after the name of the said Albanact: which portion of the said He liethbeyond the Humber northward. Thus when Brutus had diuided the Ile ofBritaine (as before is mentioned) into 3. Parts, and had gouerned the[Sidenote: In the daies of this our Brute Saule and Samuell gouernedIsraell. ]same by the space of 15. Yeares, he died in the 24 yeare after hisarriuall (as Harison noteth) and was buried at Troinouant or London:although the place of his said buriall there be now be growne out ofmemorie. * * * * * _Of Locrine the eldest sonne of Brute, of Albanact his yoongest sonne, and his death: of Madan, Mempricius, Ebranke, Brute Greenesheeld, Leill, Ludhurdibras, Baldud, and Leir, the nine rulers of Britaine successiuelieafter Brute. _ THE FIFT CHAPTER. [Sidenote: LOCRINE THE SECOND RULER OF BRITAIN. _Gal. Mon. Mat. West. Fa. Out of G. De Co. Gal Mon. Mat. West. _]Locrinus or Locrine the first begotten sonne of Brute began to reigneouer the countrie called Logiers, in the yeare of the world 1874, andheld to his part the countrie that reached from the south sea vnto theriuer of Humber. While this Locrinus gouerned Logiers, his brotherAlbanact ruled in Albania, where in fine he was slaine in a battell by aking of the Hunnes or Scythians, called Humber, who inuaded that partof Britaine, and got possession thereof, till Locrinus with his brotherCamber, in reuenge of their other brothers death, and for the recouerieof the kingdome, gathered their powers togither, and comming againstthe said king of the Hunnes, by the valiancie of their people they[Sidenote: It should seéme that he was come over the Humber. _Gal. Mon. _]discomfited him in battell, and chased him so egerlie, that he himselfeand a great number of his men were drowned in the gulfe that then partedLoegria and Albania, which after tooke name of the said king, and wascalled Humber, and so continueth vnto this daie. Moreouer in this battell against the Hunnes were thrée yong damsels takenof excellent beautie, specially one of them, whose name was Estrild, daughter to a certeine king of Scythia. With this Estrild king Locrinefell so farre in loue, notwithstanding a former contract made betwixt himand the ladie Guendoloena, daughter to Corineus duke of Cornwall, that hemeant yet with all spéed to marie the same Estrild. But being earnestliecalled vpon, and in manner forced thereto by Corineus, hée changed hispurpose, and married Guendoloena, kéeping neuertheles the aforesaidEstrild as paramour still after a secret sort, during the life ofCorineus his father in law. Now after that Corineus was departed this world, Locrine forsookeGuendoloena, and maried Estrild. Guendoloena therefore being cast off byhir husband, got hir into Cornewall to hir friends and kinred, and thereprocured them to make warre against the said Locrine hir husband, in thewhich warres hée was slaine, and a battell fought néere to the riuer of[Sidenote: _Mat. West. _]Sture, after he had reigned (as writers affirme) twentie yeares, & wasburied by his father in the citie of Troinouant, leauing behind hima yoong sonne (begotten of his wife Guendoloena) named Madan, as yetvnméete to gouerne. [Sidenote: Shée is not numbred amongst those that reigned as rulers inthis land by _Mat. West. _] Guendoloena or Guendoline the wife of Locrinus, and daughter of Corineusduke of Cornewall, for so much as hir sonne Madan was not of yeeressufficient to gouerne, was by common consent of the Britons made ruler ofthe Ile, in the yéere of the world 2894, and so hauing the administrationin hir hands, she did right discreetlie vse hir selfe therein, to thecomfort of all hir subiects, till hir sonne Madan came to lawfull age, and then she gaue ouer the rule and dominion to him, after she had[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon_. ]gouerned by the space of fifteene yeares. [Sidenote: MADAN THE THIRD RULER]Madan the sonne of Locrine and Guendoline entred into the gouernement ofBritaine in the 2909, of the world. There is little left in writing ofhis doings, sauing that he vsed great tyrannie amongst his Britons: andtherefore after he had ruled this land the tearme of 40. Yeares, he wasdeuoured of wild beastes, as he was abroad in hunting. He left behindhim two sonnes, Mempricius and Manlius. He builded (as is reported)Madancaistre, now Dancastre, which reteineth still the later part of hisname. [Sidenote: MEMPRICIUS THE FOURTH RULER. _Fabian_. Manlius is slaine. _Gal. Mon. _ Slouth engendred lecherie]Mempricius the eldest sonne of Madan began his reigne ouer the Britons inthe yeare of the world 2949, he continued not long in peace. For hisbrother Manlius vpon an ambitious mind prouoked the Britons to rebellagainst him, so that sore and deadly warre continued long betweene them. But finallie, vnder colour of a treatie, Manlius was slaine by hisbrother Mempricius, so that then he liued in more tranquillitie and rest. Howbeit, being deliuered thus from trouble of warres, he fell into slouth, and so into vnlawfull lust of lecherie, and thereby into the hatred ofhis people, by forcing of their wiues and daughters: and finallie becameso beastlie, that he forsooke his lawfull wife and all his concubines, and fell into the abhominable sinne of Sodomie. And thus from one vice he[Sidenote: Mempricius is deuoured of beastes. ]fell into another, till he became odious to God and man, and at length, going on hunting, was lost of his people, and destroied of wild beastes, when he had reigned twentie yeares, leauing behind him a noble yoong sonnenamed Ebranke, begotten of his lawfull wife. [Sidenote: EBRANKE THE FIFT RULER. Ebranke had 21. Wiues: his thirtiedaughters sent into Italie. _Bergomas lib. 6_. ]Ebranke the sonne of Mempricius began to rule ouer the Britons in theyeare of the world 2969. He had as writers doo of him record, one andtwentie wiues, on whom he begot 20. Sonnes and 30. Daughters, of thewhich the eldest hight Guales, or Gualea. These daughters he sent toAlba Syluius, which was the eleuenth king of Italie, or the sixt king ofthe Latines, to the end they might be married to his noble men of thebloud of Troians, because the Sabines refused to ioine their daughterswith them in marriage. Furthermore, he was the first prince of his landthat euer inuaded France after Brute, and is commended as author andoriginall builder of many cities, both in his owne kingdome, and elsewhere. His sonnes also vnder the conduct of Assaracus, one of theireldest brethren, returning out of Italie, after they had conducted theirsisters thither, inuaded Germanie, being first molested by the people ofthat countrie in their rage, and by the helpe of the said Alba subdued agreat part of that countrie, & there planted themselues. Our historiessay, that Ebracus their father married them in their returne, and aided[Sidenote: The citie of Caerbranke builded. _Matth. West. _]them in their conquests, and that he builded the citie of Caerbranke, now called Yorke, about the 14, yeare of his reigne. He builded also inAlbania now called Scotland, the castle of Maidens, afterward calledEdenburgh of Adian one of their kings. The citie of Alclud was buildedlikewise by him (as some write) now decaied. After which cities thus[Sidenote: Fortie yeares hath _Math. West. _ and _Gal. Monuine_. ]builded, he sailed ouer into Gallia, now called France, with a greatarmie, and subduing the Galles as is aforesaid, he returned home withgreat riches and triumph. Now when he had guided the land of Britainein noble wise by the tearme of fortie yeares, he died, and was buriedat Yorke. [Sidenote: BRUTE GREENESHIELD THE SIXT RULER. _Iacobus Lef. _]Brute Greeneshield, the sonne of Ebranke, was made gouernor of thisland in the yeare of the world 3009, Asa reigning in Iuda, and Baasa inIsraell. This prince bare alwaies in the field a gréene shield, whereofhe tooke his surname, and of him some forraine authors affirme, that hemade an attempt to bring the whole realme of France vnder his subiection, which he performed, because his father susteined some dishonor and lossein his last voiage into that countrie. Howbeit they say, that when hecame into Henaud, Brinchild a prince of that quarter gaue him alsoa great ouerthrow, and compelled him to retire home againe into hiscountrie. This I borrow out of William Harison, who in his chronologietoucheth the same at large, concluding in the end, that the said passageof this prince into France is verie likelie to be true, and that he nameda parcell of Armorica lieng on the south, and in manner vpon the verieloine after his owne name, and also a citie which he builded there[Sidenote: _Strabo lib. 4_. ]Britaine. For (saith he) it should séeme by Strabo. Lib. 4. That therewas a noble citie of that name long before his time in the said countrie, whereof Plinie also speaketh lib. 4. Cap. 7. Albeit that he ascribe itvnto France after a disordered maner. More I find not of this foresaidBrute, sauing that he ruled the land a certeine time, his father yetliuing, and after his decease the tearme of twelue yeares, and then died, and was buried at Caerbranke now called Yorke. [Sidenote: LEILL THE SEVENTH RULER. Carleil builded. Chester repaired. ]LEILL the sonne of Brute Greeneshield, began to reigne in the yeare ofthe world 3021, the same time that Asa was reigning in Iuda, and Ambri inIsraell. He built the citie now called Carleil, which then after hisowne name was called Caerleil, that is, Leill his citie, or the citie ofLeill. He repaired also (as Henrie Bradshaw saith) the citie of Caerleonnow called Chester, which (as in the same Bradshaw appeareth) was builtbefore Brutus entrie into this land by a giant named Leon Gauer. But whatauthoritie he had to auouch this, it may be doubted, for Ranulfe Higdenin his woorke intituled "Polychronicon, " saith in plaine wordes, that itis vnknowen who was the first founder of Chester, but that it tooke thename of the soiourning there of some Romaine legions, by whome also it isnot vnlike that it might be first built by P. Ostorius Scapula, who as wefind, after he had subdued Caratacus king of the Ordouices that inhabitedthe countries now called Lancashire, Cheshire, and Salopshire, built inthose parts, and among the Silures, certeine places of defense, for thebetter harbrough of his men of warre, and kéeping downe of such Britainesas were still readie to moue rebellion. But now to the purpose concerning K. Leill. We find it recorded that hewas in the beginning of his reigne verie vpright, and desirous to séeiustice executed, and aboue all thinges loued peace & quietnesse; but asyeares increased with him, so his vertues began to diminish, in so muchthat abandoning the care for the bodie of the commonwealth, he sufferedhis owne bodie to welter in all vice and voluptuousnesse, and soprocuring the hatred of his subiects, caused malice and discord to riseamongst them, which during his life he was neuer able to appease. Butleauing them so at variance, he departed this life, & was buried atCarleil, which as ye haue heard he had builded while he liued. [Sidenote: LUD or LUDHURDIBRAS THE EIGHT RULER. Kaerkin or Canterburie is builded. Caerguent is builded. Paladour isbuilded. ]Lud or Ludhurdibras the sonne of Leill began to gouerne in the yeare ofthe world 3046. In the beginning of his reigne, hée sought to appease thedebate that was raised in his fathers daies, and bring the realme tohir former quietnesse, and after that he had brought it to good end, hebuilded the towne of Kaerkin now called Canterburie: also the towneof Caerguent now cleped Winchester, and mount Paladour now calledShaftsburie. About the building of which towne of Shaftsburie, Aquilaa prophet of the British nation wrote his prophesies, of which somefragments remaine yet to be scene, translated into the Latine by someancient writers. When this Lud had reigned 29 yeares, he died, and left asonne behind him named Baldud. [Sidenote: BALDUD OR BLADUD THE NINTH RULER. _Gal. Mon. _ The king was learned. Hot bathes. ] Baldud the sonne of Ludhurdibras began to rule ouer the Britaines inthe yeare of the world 3085. This man was well séene in the sciences ofastronomie and nigromancie, by which (as the common report saith) he madethe hot bathes in the citie of Caerbran now called Bath. But William ofMalmesburie is of a contrarie opinion, affirming that Iulius Cesar madethose bathes, or rather repaired them when he was here in England: whichis not like to be true: for Iulius Cesar, as by good coniecture we haueto thinke, neuer came so farre within the land that way forward. But ofthese bathes more shall be said in the description. Now to procéed. This[Sidenote: _Mat. West. _ The prince did flie. ]Baldud tooke such pleasure in artificiall practises & magike, that hetaught this art throughout all his realme. And to shew his cunning inother points, vpon a presumptuous pleasure which he had therein, he tookevpon him to flie in the aire, but he fell vpon the temple of Apollo, which stood in the citie of Troinouant, and there was torne in péecesafter he had ruled the Britaines by the space of 20 yeares. [Sidenote: LEIR THE 10. RULER. _Mat. West. _ Leicester is builded. ]Leir the sonne of Baldud was admitted ruler ouer the Britaines, in theyeare of the world 3105, at what time Ioas reigned in Iuda. This Leirwas a prince of right noble demeanor, gouerning his land and subiects ingreat wealth. He made the towne of Caerleir now called Leicester, whichstandeth vpon the riuer of Sore. It is written that he had by his wifethree daughters without other issue, whose names were Gonorilla, Regan, and Cordeilla, which daughters he greatly loued, but specially Cordeillathe yoongest farre aboue the two elder. When this Leir therefore wascome to great yeres, & began to waxe vnweldie through age, he thought to[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon. _]vnderstand the affections of his daughters towards him, and preferre hirwhome he best loued, to the succession ouer the kingdome. Whervpon hefirst asked Gonorilla the eldest, how well she loued him: who calling hir[Sidenote: A triall of loue. ]gods to record, protested that she "loued him more than hir owne life, which by right and reason should be most déere vnto hir. With whichanswer the father being well pleased, turned to the second, and demandedof hir how well she loued him: who answered (confirming hir saiengs withgreat othes) that she loued him more than toong could expresse, and farreaboue all other creatures of the world. " Then called he his yoongest daughter Cordeilla before him, and asked ofhir what account she made of him, vnto whome she made this answer asfolloweth: "Knowing the great loue and fatherlie zeale that you haue[Sidenote: The answer of the yoongest daughter. ]alwaies borne towards me (for the which I maie not answere you otherwisethan I thinke, and as my conscience leadeth me) I protest vnto you, thatI haue loued you euer, and will continuallie (while I liue) loue you asmy naturall father. And if you would more vnderstand of the loue that Ibeare you, assertaine your selfe, that so much as you haue, so much youare woorth, and so much I loue you, and no more. The father being nothingcontent with this answer, married his two eldest daughters, the one vnto[Sidenote: The two eldest daughters are maried. The realme is promised tohis two daughters. ]Henninus the duke of Cornewall, and the other vnto Maglanus the duke ofAlbania, betwixt whome he willed and ordeined that his land should bediuided after his death, and the one halfe thereof immediatlie shouldbe assigned to them in hand: but for the third daughter Cordeilla hereserued nothing. " Neuertheles it fortuned that one of the princes of Gallia (which nowis called France) whose name was Aganippus, hearing of the beautie, womanhood, and good conditions of the said Cordeilla, desired to haue hirin mariage, and sent ouer to hir father, requiring that he might haue hirto wife: to whome answer was made, that he might haue his daughter, butas for anie dower he could haue none, for all was promised and assuredto hir other sisters alreadie. Aganippus notwithstanding this answer ofdeniall to receiue anie thing by way of dower with Cordeilla, tooke hirto wife, onlie moued thereto (I saie) for respect of hir person andamiable vertues. This Aganippus was one of the twelue kings that ruledGallia in those daies, as in the British historie it is recorded. But toproceed. [Sidenote: He gouerned the third part of Gallia as _Gal. Mon. _ saith. ]After that Leir was fallen into age, the two dukes that had married histwo eldest daughters, thinking it long yer the gouernment of the land didcome to their hands, arose against him in armour, and reft from him thegouernance of the land, vpon conditions to be continued for terme oflife: by the which he was put to his portion, that is, to liue after arate assigned to him for the maintenance of his estate, which in processeof time was diminished as well by Maglanus as by Henninus. But thegreatest griefe that Leir tooke, was to see the vnkindnesse of hisdaughters, which seemed to thinke that all was too much which theirfather had, the same being neuer so little: in so much that going fromthe one to the other, he was brought to that miserie, that scarslie theywould allow him one seruant to wait vpon him. In the end, such was the vnkindnesse, or (as I maie saie) thevnnaturalnesse which he found in his two daughters, notwithstanding theirfaire and pleasant words vttered in time past, that being constreined ofnecessitie, he fled the land, & sailed into Gallia, there to seeke somecomfort of his yongest daughter Cordeilla, whom before time he hated. Theladie Cordeilla hearing that he was arriued in poore estate, she firstsent to him priuilie a certeine summe of monie to apparell himselfewithall, and to reteine a certeine number of seruants that might attendvpon him in honorable wise, as apperteined to the estate which he hadborne: and then so accompanied, she appointed him to come to the court, which he did, and was so ioifullie, honorablie, and louinglie receiued, both by his sonne in law Aganippus, and also by his daughter Cordeilla, that his hart was greatlie comforted: for he was no lesse honored, thanif he had beene king of the whole countrie himselfe. Now when he had informed his sonne in law and his daughter in what sorthe had béene vsed by his other daughters, Aganippus caused a mightiearmie to be put in a readinesse, and likewise a great nauie of ships tobe rigged, to passe ouer into Britaine with Leir his father in law, tosée him againe restored to his kingdome. It was accorded, that Cordeillashould also go with him to take possession of the land, the which hepromised to leaue vnto hir, as the rightfull inheritour after hisdecesse, notwithstanding any former grant made to hir sisters or to theirhusbands in anie maner of wise. Herevpon, when this armie and nauie of ships were readie, Leir and hisdaughter Cordeilla with hir husband tooke the sea, and arriuing inBritaine, fought with their enimies, and discomfited them in battell, inthe which Maglanus and Henninus were slaine: and then was Leir restoredto his kingdome, which he ruled after this by the space of two yéeres, [Sidenote: _Matth. West_]and then died, fortie yeeres after he first began to reigne. His bodiewas buried at Leicester in a vaut vnder the chanell of the riuer of Sorebeneath the towne. * * * * * _The gunarchie of queene Cordeilla, how she was vanquished, of hirimprisonment and selfe-murther: the contention betweene Cunedag andMargan nephewes for gouernement, and the euill end thereof. _ THE SIXT CHAPTER. [Sidenote: QUEENE CORDEILLA]Cordeilla the yoongest daughter of Leir was admitted Q. And supremegouernesse of Britaine, in the yéere of the world 3155, before thebylding of Rome 54, Vzia then reigning in Iuda, and Ieroboam ouerIsraell. This Cordeilla after hir fathers deceasse ruled the land ofBritaine right worthilie during the space of fiue yéeres, in which meanetime hir husband died, and then about the end of those fiue yéeres, hir two nephewes Margan and Cunedag, sonnes to hir aforesaid sisters, disdaining to be vnder the gouernment of a woman, leuied warre againsthir, and destroied a great part of the land, and finallie tooke hirprisoner, and laid hir fast in ward, wherewith she tooke such griefe, being a woman of a manlie courage, and despairing to recouer libertie, there she slue hirselfe, when she had reigned (as before is mentioned)the tearme of fiue yéeres. [Sidenote: CUNEDAG AND MARGAN. ]Cunedagius and Marganus nephewes to Cordeilla, hauing recouered the landout of hir hands, diuided the same betwixt them, that is to saie, thecountrie ouer and beyond Humber fell to Margan, as it stretcheth euen toCatnesse, and the other part lieng south and by-west, was assigned toCunedagius. This partition chanced in the yéere of the world 3170, beforethe building of Rome 47, Uzia as then reigning in Iuda, and Ieroboamin Israell. Afterwards, these two cousins, Cunedag and Margan, had notreigned thus past a two yéeres, but thorough some seditious persons, Margan was persuaded to raise warre against Cunedag, telling him in hiseare, how it was a shame for him being come of the elder sister, not tohaue the rule of the whole Ile in his hand. Herevpon ouercome with pride, [Sidenote: Margan inuadeth his cousine Cunedag. ]ambition, and couetousnesse, he raised an armie, and entring into theland of Cunedag, he burned and destroied the countrie before him inmiserable maner. Cunedag in all hast to resist his aduersarie, assembled also all thepower he could make, and comming with the same against Margan, gaue himbattell, in the which he slue a great number of Margans people, and putthe residue to flight, and furthermore pursued him from countrie tocountrie, till he came into Cambria, now called Wales, where the saidMargan gaue him eftsoones a new battell: but being too weake in numberof men, he was there ouercome and slaine in the field, by reason whereof[Sidenote: Margan is slaine. _Matt. West. _]that countrie tooke name of him, being there slaine, and so is called tothis daie Glau Margan, which is to meane in our English toong, Margansland. This was the end of that Margan, after he had reigned with hisbrother two yéeres, or thereabouts. [Sidenote: CUNEDAGUS ALONE. ]After the death of Margan, Cunedag the sonne of Hennius and Ragaie(middlemost daughter of Leir before mentioned) became ruler of all thewhole land of Britaine, in the yeare of the world 3172, before thebuilding of Rome 45, Vzia still reigning in Iuda, and Ieroboam inIsraell. He gouerned this Ile well and honourablie for the tearme of 33yeares, and then dieng, his bodie was buried at Troinouant or London. Moreouer, our writers doo report, that he builded thrée temples, one toMars at Perth in Scotland, another to Mercurie at Bangor, and the thirdto Apollo in Cornewall. * * * * * _Of Riuallus, Gurgustius, Sysillius, Iago, and Kinimacus, rulers ofBritaine by succession, and of the accidents coincident with theirtimes_. THE SEUENTH CHAPTER. [Sidenote: RIUALLUS THE I3. RULER. ]Riuallus, the sonne of Cunedag, began to reigne ouer the Britaines in theyeare of the world 3203, before the building of Rome 15, Ioathan as thenbeing king of Iuda, and Phacea king of Israel. This Riuall gouerned theIland in great welth and prosperitie. In his time it rained bloud by the[Sidenote: It rained blood. _Matth. West. _]space of thrée daies togither; after which raine ensued such an excéedingnumber and multitude of flies, so noisome and contagious, that muchpeople died by reason thereof. When he had reigned 46 yeares he died, and[Sidenote: Rome builded. ]was buried at Caerbranke now called Yorke. In the time of this Riualsreigne was the citie of Rome builded, after concordance of most part ofwriters. Perdix also a wizard, and a learned astrologian florished andwrit his prophesies, and Herene also. [Sidenote: GURGUSTIUS THE 14. RULER. ]Gurgustius, the son of the before named Riuall, began to gouerne theBritaines in the yeare after the creation of the world 3249, and afterthe first foundation of Rome 33, Ezechias reigning in Iuda. ThisGurgustius in the chronicle of England, is called Gorbodian the sonne ofReignold, he reigned 37 yeares, then departing this life, was buried atCaerbranke (now called Yorke) by his father. [Sidenote: SYSILLIUS THE 15. RULER. ]Sysillius, or after some writers SYLUIUS, the brother of Gurgustius, waschosen to haue the gouernance of Britaine, in the yere of the world 3287, and after the building of Rome 71, Manasses still reigning in Iuda. ThisSysillius in the English chronicle is named Secill. He reigned 49 yeares, and then died, and was buried at Carbadon, now called Bath. [Sidenote: JAGO THE 16. RULER. ]Iago or Lago, the cousin of Gurgustius, as next inheritor to Sysillius, tooke vpon him the gouernement of Britaine, in the yeare of the world3386, and after the building of Rome 120, in whose time the citie ofIerusalem was taken by Nabuchodonozar and the king of Iuda, Mathania, otherwise called Zedechias, being slaine. This Iago or Lago died withoutissue, when he had reigned 28 yeares, and was buried at Yorke. [Sidenote: KINIMACUS THE 17. RULER. ]Kinimacus or Kinmarus the sonne of Sysillius as some write, or rather thebrother of Iago, began to gouerne the land of Britain, in the yere of theworld 3364, and after the building of Rome 148, the Iewes as then beingin the third yeare of their captiuitie of Babylon. This Kinimacusdeparted this life, after he had reigned 54 yeares, and was buried atYorke. * * * * * _Of Gorbodug and his two sonnes Ferrex and Porrex, one brother killethanother, the mother sluieth hir sonne, and how Britaine by ciuill warres(for lacke of issue legitimate to the government) of a monarchie became apentarchie: the end of Brutes line_. THE EIGHT CHAPTER. [Sidenote: GORBODUG THE 18. RULER. ]Gorbodug the sonne of Kinimacus began his reigne ouer the Britains, inthe yeare after the creation of the world 3418, from the building ofthe citie of Rome 202, the 58 of the Iews captiuitie at Babylon. ThisGorbodug by most likelihood to bring histories to accord, should reigneabout the tearme of 62 yeares, and then departing this world, was buriedat London, leauing after him two sonnes Ferrex and Porrex, or after somewriters, Ferreus and Porreus. [Sidenote: FERREX THE 19. RULER]Ferrex with Porrex his brother began iointlie to rule ouer the Britaines, in the yeare of the world 3476, after the building of Rome 260, at whichtime, the people of Rome forsooke their citie in their rebellious mood. These two brethren continued for a time in good friendship and amitie, till at length through couetousnesse, and desire of greater dominion, prouoked by flatterers, they fell at variance and discord, wherby Ferrex[Sidenote: Ferrex fled into Gallia. ]was constreined to flée into Gallia, and there purchased aid of a greatduke called Gunhardus or Suardus, and so returned into Britaine, thinkingto preuaile and obteine the dominion of the whole Iland. But his brotherPorrex was readie to receiue him with battell after he was landed, in thewhich battell Ferrex was slaine, with the more part of his people. TheEnglish chronicle saith, that Porrex was he that fled into France, &at his returne, was slaine, and that Ferrex suruiued. But Geffreyof Monmouth & Polychronicon are of a contrarie opinion. Matthew[Sidenote: _Matth. West. _]Westmonasteriensis writeth, that Porrex deuising waies to kill Ferrex, atchiued his purpose and slue him. But whether of them so euer suruiued, the mother of them was so highlie offended for the death of him that wasslaine, whom she most intierlie loued, that setting apart all motherlieaffection, she found the meanes to enter the chamber of him that suruiue[Sidenote: The mother killeth hir son. ]in the night season, and as he slept, she with the helpe of hir maidensslue him, and cut him into small péeces, as the writers doo affirme. Suchwas the end of these two brethren, after they had reigned by the space offoure or fiue yeares. After this followed a troublous season, full of cruell warre, andseditious discord, whereby in the end, and for the space of fiftieyeares, the monarchie or sole gouernement of the Iland became apentarchie, that is, it was diuided betwixt fiue kings or rulers, till Dunwallon of Cornewall ouercame them all. Thus the line of Brute(according to the report of most writers) tooke an end: for after the[Sidenote: _Robert Record_. ]death of the two foresaid brethren, no rightfull inheritor was left aliueto succéed them in the kingdome. The names of these fiue kings are foundin certeine old pedegrées: and although the same be much corrupted indiuers copies, yet these vndernamed are the most agréeable. But of these fiue kings or dukes, the English chronicle alloweth Clotonking of Cornewall for most rightfull heire. There appeareth not any timecerteine by report of ancient authors, how long this variance continued[Sidenote: _Fabian_. Ciuill warres 51. Yeares. ]amongst the Britains: but (as some say) it lasted for the space of 51yeres, coniecturing so much by that which is recorded in Polychron, whosaith, who it endured euen till the beginning of the reigne of MulmuciusDunwallon, who began to gouerne from the time that Brute first entredBritaine, about the space of 703 thrée yeares. (sic) ¶ Here ye must note, that there is difference amongst writers about thesupputation and account of these yeares, insomuch that some making theirreckoning after certeine writers, and finding the same to varie abouethrée C. Yeares, are brought into further doubt of the truth of thewhole historie: but whereas other haue by diligent search tried outthe continuance of euerie gouernors reigne, and reduced the same to alikelihood of some conformitie, I haue thought best to follow the same, leauing the credit thereof with the first authors. THE PENTARCHIE. 1 Rudacus king of Wales. 2 Clotenus king of Cornewall. 3 Pinnor king of Loegria. 4 Staterus king of Albania. 5 Yewan king of Northumberland. THE END OF THE SECOND BOOKE.