THE THIRD BOOKE

OF THE

HISTORIE OF ENGLAND. 

_Of Mulmucius the first king of Britaine, who was crowned with agolden crowne, his lawes, his foundations, with other his acts anddeeds_. 

THE FIRST CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: MULMUCIUS. _Matth. West. Polyd_. ]Now to proceede with the aforesaid authors, Mulmucius Dunwall[=o], or as other saie Dunuallo Mulmucius, the sonne of Cloton (astestifieth th'english chronicle and also Geffrey of Monmouth) gotthe vpper hand of the other dukes or rulers: and after his fathersdeceasse began his reigne ouer the whole monarchie of Britaine, in theyéere of the world 3529, after the building of Rome 314, and after thedeliuerance of the Israelites out of captiuitie 97, and about the 26yéere of Darius Artaxerxes Longimanus, the fift king of the Persians. This Mulmucius Dunuallo is named in the english chronicle Donebant, and prooued a right worthie prince. He builded within the citie of[Sidenote: _Fabian_. See more in the description. ]London then called Troinouant, a temple, and named it the temple ofpeace: the which (as some hold opinion, I wote not vpon what ground)was the same which now is called Blackwell hall, where the marketfor buieng and selling of cloths is kept. The chronicle of Englandaffirmeth, that Mulmucius (whome the old booke nameth Molle)[Sidenote: Malmesburie and the Vies built. _Matth. West_. Lawes made. ]builded the two townes Malmesburie and the Vies. He also made maniegood lawes, which were long after vsed, called Mulmucius lawes, turnedout of the British spéech into the Latine by Gildas Priscus, and longtime after translated out of latine into english by Alfred king ofEngland, and mingled in his statutes. He moreouer gaue priuileges totemples, to plowes, to cities, and to high waies leading to the same, so that whosoeuer fled to them, should be in safegard from bodilieharme, and from thence he might depart into what countrie he would, [Sidenote: _Caxton_ and _Polychron_. ]with indemnitie of his person. Some authors write, that he began tomake the foure great high waies of Britaine, the which were finishedby his sonne Blinus, as after shall be declared. 

[Sidenote: The first king that was crowned with a golden crowne. ]After he had established his land, and set his Britains in good andconuenient order, he ordeined him by the aduise of his lords a crowneof gold, & caused himselfe with great solemnitie to be crowned, according to the custome of the pagan lawes then in vse: & bicause hewas the first that bare a crowne héere in Britaine, after the opinionof some writers, he is named the first king of Britaine, and all theother before rehearsed are named rulers, dukes, or gouernors. 

[Sidenote: _Polyd_. Weights and measures. ]Amongst other of his ordinances, he appointed weights and measures, with the which men should buy and sell. And further he deuised sore[Sidenote: Theft punished. _Fabian_. ]and streight orders for the punishing of theft. Finallie, after hehad guided the land by the space of fortie yéeres, he died, and wasburied in the foresaid temple of peace which he had erected withinthe citie of Troinouant now called London, as before ye haue heard, appointing in his life time, that his kingdome should be diuidedbetwixt his two sonnes, Brennus and Belinus (as some men dooconiecture. )

 * * * * *

_The ioint-gouernment of Belinus and Brennus the two sonnes ofMulmucius, their discontentment, the stratagems of the one against theother, the expulsion of Brennus out of Britaine_. 

THE SECOND CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: Belinus and Brennus. 3574. ]Brennus and Belinus began to reigne iointlie as kings in Britaine, in the yéere of the world 3574, after the building of the citieof Rome 355, and after the deliuerance of the Israelites out ofcaptiuitie 142, which was about the seuenth yéere of Artaxerxes[Sidenote: _Matth. West_. ]surnamed Mnenon, the seuenth king of the Persians. Belinus heldvnder his gouernment Loegria, Wales, and Cornwall: and Brennus allthose countries ouer and beyond Humber. And with this partition[Sidenote: _Polyd_. Saith 5. ]were they contented by the tearme of six or seuen yéeres, after which[Sidenote: Brennus not content with his portion. ]time expired, Brennus coueting to haue more than his portion cameto, first thought to purchase himselfe aid in forreine parties, &therefore by the prouocation and counsell of yong vnquiet heads, [Sidenote: Elsingius. ]sailed ouer into Norway, and there married the daughter of Elsung orElsing, as then duke or ruler of that countrie. Beline, offended withhis brother, that he should thus without his aduice marrie witha stranger, now in his absence seized all his lands, townes, andfortresses into his owne hands, placing garisons of men of warre wherehe thought conuenient. 

In the meane time, Brenne aduertised hereof, assembled a great nauieof ships, well furnished with people and souldiers of the Norwegians, with the which he tooke his course homewards, but in the waie he[Sidenote: Guilthdacus king of Denmarke. ]was encountred by Guilthdacus king of Denmarke, the which had laidlong in wait for him, bicause of the yoong ladie which Brenne hadmaried, for whome he had béene a sutor to hir father Elsing of longtime. When these two fléetes of the Danes and Norwegians met, therewas a sore battell betwixt them, but finallie the Danes ouercame themof Norway, and tooke the ship wherein the new bride was conueied, andthen was she brought aboord the ship of Guilthdacus. Brenne escaped byflight as well as he might. But when Guilthdacus had thus obtained the[Sidenote: A tempest. ]victorie and prey, suddenlie therevpon arose a sore tempest ofwind and weather, which scattered the Danish fleete, and put the kingin danger to haue béene lost: but finallie within fiue daies after, [Sidenote: Guilthdacus landed in the north. ]being driuen by force of wind, he landed in Northumberland, with afew such ships as kept togither with him. 

Beline being then in that countrie, prouiding for defense against hisbrother, vpon knowledge of the king of Denmarks arriuall, caused himto be staied. Shortlie after, Brenne hauing recouered and gottentogither the most part of his ships that were dispersed by thediscomfiture, and then newlie rigged and furnished of all thingsnecessarie, sent word to his brother Beline, both to restore vntohim his wife wrongfullie rauished by Guilthdacus, and also his landsiniuriouslie by him seized into his possession. These requestsbeing plainlie and shortlie denied, Brenne made no long delaie, butspéedilie made toward Albania, and landing with his armie in a partthereof, incountred with his brother Beline néere vnto a wood named[Sidenote: Calater wood is in Scotland. ]as then Calater, where (after cruell fight, and mortall battellbetwixt them) at length the victorie abode with the Britains, and thediscomfiture did light so on the Norwegians, that the most of themwere wounded, slaine, and left dead vpon the ground. 

Hereby Brenne being forced to flée, made shift, and got ouer intoGallia, where after he had sued to this prince, at length he[Sidenote: Seguinus or Seginus duke of the Allobrogs, now the Delphinatof Sauoy. ]abode, and was well receiued of one Seguinus or Seginus duke of thepeople called then Allobrogs (as Galfrid of Monmouth saith) or ratherArmorica, which now is called Britaine, as Polychronicon, and theenglish historie printed by Caxton, more trulie maie seeme to affirme. But Beline hauing got the vpper hand of his enimies, assembling hiscouncell at Caerbranke, now called York, tooke aduise what he shoulddoo with the king of Denmarke: where it was ordeined, that he shouldbe set at libertie, with condition and vnder couenant, to acknowledgehimselfe by dooing homage, to hold his land of the king of[Sidenote: The Danes tributarie of the Britains. ]Britaine, and to paie him a yéerelie tribute. These couenants beingagréed vpon, and hostages taken for assurance, he was set at libertie, and so returned into his countrie. The tribute that he couenanted topaie, was a thousand pounds, as the English chronicle saith. 

[Sidenote: The foure high waies finished. ]When Beline had thus expelled his brother, and was alone possessedof all the land of Britaine, he first confirmed the lawes made by hisfather: and for so much as the foure waies begun by his father werenot brought to perfection, he therefore caused workmen to be calledfoorth and assembled, whom he set in hand to paue the said waies withstone, for the better passage and ease of all that should trauellthrough the countries from place to place, as occasion should require. 

[Sidenote: The Fosse. ]The first of these foure waies is named Fosse, and stretchethfrom the south into the north, beginning at the corner of Totnesse inCornewall, and so passing foorth by Deuonshire, and Somersetshire, by Tutherie, on Cotteswold, and then forward beside Couentrie vntoLeicester, and from thence by wild plaines towards Newarke, and endeth[Sidenote: Watling stréet. ]at the citie of Lincolne. The second waie was named Watlingstréete, the which stretcheth ouerthwart the Fosse, out of thesoutheast into the northeast, beginning at Douer, and passing by themiddle of Kent ouer Thames beside London, by-west of Westminster, assome haue thought, and so foorth by S. Albons, and by the west side ofDunstable, Stratford, Toucester, and Wedon by-south of Lilleborne, byAtherston, Gilberts hill, that now is called the Wreken, and so foorthby Seuerne, passing beside Worcester, vnto Stratton to the middle ofWales, and so vnto a place called Cardigan, at the Irish sea. The[Sidenote: Erming streét. ]third way was named Ermingstréet, which stretched out of the westnorthwest, vnto the east southeast, and beginneth at Meneuia, thewhich is in Saint Dauids land in west Wales, and so vnto Southampton. [Sidenote: Hiknelstréet. ]The fourth and last waie hight Hiknelstréete, which leadeth byWorcester, Winchcombe, Birmingham, Lichfield, Darbie, Chesterfield, and by Yorke, and so foorth vnto Tinmouth. After he had causedthese waies to be well and sufficientlie raised and made, he confirmed[Sidenote: Priuilegs granted to the waies. ]vnto them all such priuileges as were granted by his father. 

 * * * * *

_Brennus marrieth with the duke of Alobrogs daughter, groweth intogreat honour, commeth into Britaine with an armie against his brotherBeline, their mother reconcileth them, they ioine might & munition andhaue great conquests, conflicts betweene the Galles and the Romans, the two brethren take Rome_. 

THE THIRD CHAPTER. 

In the meane time that Beline was thus occupied about the necessarieaffaires of his realme and kingdome, his brother Brenne that wasfled into Gallia onelie with 12. Persons, bicause he was a goodliegentleman, and séemed to vnderstand what apperteined to honour, grewshortlie into fauour with Seginus the duke afore mentioned, anddeclaring vnto him his aduersitie, and the whole circumstance ofhis mishap, at length was so highlie cherished of the said Seginus, deliting in such worthie qualities as he saw in him dailie appearing, [Sidenote: Brenne marieth the duke of Alobrogs daughter. ]that he gaue to him his daughter in mariage, with condition, that if he died without issue male, should he inherit his estate &dukedome: and if it happened him to leaue anie heire male behind him, then should he yet helpe him to recouer his land and dominion inBritaine, béereft from him by his brother. 

These conditions well and surelie vpon the dukes part by the assent ofthe nobles of his land concluded, ratified, and assured, the said dukewithin the space of one yéere after died. And then after a certeinetime, being knowne that the duches was not with child, all the lordsof that countrie did homage to Brenne, receiuing him as their lord andsupreme gouernour, vpon whome he likewise for his part in recompenseof their curtesie, bestowed a great portion of his treasure. 

[Sidenote: Brenne with an armie returneth into Britaine. ]Shortlie after also, with their assent he gathered an armie, andwith the same eftsoones came ouer into Britaine, to make new warrevpon his brother Beline. Of whose landing when Beline was informed, heassembled his people, and made himselfe readie to méete him: but[Sidenote: Brenne and Beline made friends by intercession of theirmother. ]as they were at point to haue ioined battell, by the intercession oftheir mother that came betwixt them, and demeaned hirselfe in allmotherlie order, and most louing maner towards them both, they fell toan agréement, and were made friends or euer they parted asunder. 

After this they repaired to London, and there taking aduice togitherwith their peeres and councellors, for the good order and quieting ofthe land, at length they accorded to passe with both their armiesinto Gallia, to subdue that whole countrie, and so following thisdetermination, they tooke shipping and sailed ouer into Gallia, wherebeginning the warre with fire and sword, they wrought such maisteries, that within a short time (as saith Geffrey of Monmouth) they[Sidenote: They inuade Gallia and Italie. ]conquered a great part of Gallia, Italie, and Germanie, and brought itto their subiection. In the end they tooke Rome by this occasion (aswriters report) if these be the same that had the leading of thoseGalles, which in this season did so much hurt in Italie and otherparts of the world. 

After they had passed the mountaines, & were entred into Tuscan, they[Sidenote: Now Clusi. ]besieged the citie of Clusium, the citizens whereof being in greatdanger, sent to Rome for aid against their enimies. Wherevpon theRomanes, considering with themselues that although they were not inanie league of societie with the Clusians, yet if they were ouercomethe danger of the next brunt were like to be theirs: with all[Sidenote: Ambassadours sent from Rome. Brennus answere. ]spéed they sent ambassadours to intreat betwixt the parties for somepeace to be had. 

They that were sent, required the capteines of the Galles, in the nameof the senat and citizens of Rome, not to molest the friends of theRomans. Wherevnto answere was made by Brennus, that for his part hecould be content to haue peace, if it were so that the Clusians wouldbe agréeable that the Galles might haue part of the countrie whichthey held, being more than they did alreadie well occupie, forotherwise (said he) there could be no peace granted. 

The Romane ambassadours being offended with these wordes, demandedwhat the Galles had to doo in Tuscan, by reason of which and other thelike ouerthwart wordes, the parties began to kindle in displeasure[Sidenote: The treatie of peace breaketh off. ]so farre, that their communication brake off, and so they fromtreating fell againe to trie the matter by dint of sword. 

The Romane ambassadours also to shew of what prowesse the Romans were, contrarie to the law of nations (forbidding such as came in ambassageabout anie treatie of peace to take either one part or other) tookeweapon in hand, and ioined themselues with the Clusians, wherewith theGalles were so much displeased, that incontinentlie with one voice, they required to haue the siege raised from Clusium, that they mightgo to Rome. But Brennus thought good first to send messengersthither, to require the deliuerie of such as had broken the law, thatpunishment might be done on them accordinglie as they had deserued. This was done, and knowledge brought againe, that the ambassadors werenot onelie not punished, but also chosen to be tribunes for the nextyeare. 

The Galles then became in such a rage (because they saw there wasnothing to be looked for at the hands of the Romans, but warre, injurious wrongs, and deceitfull traines) that they turned all their[Sidenote: The Galles make towards Rome. The Romans incountring withthe Galles are overthrown. ]force against them, marching streight towardes Rome, and by the waiedestroied all that stood before them. The Romans aduertised thereof, assembled themselues togither to the number of 40. Thousand, andencountring with Beline and Brenne, neare to the riuer Allia, about11. Miles on this side Rome, were slaine and quite discomfited. 

The Galles could scarse beléeue that they had got the victorie with sosmall resistance: but when they perceiued that the Romans were quiteouerthrowne and that the field was clearelie rid of them, they gottogither the spoile, and made towards Rome it selfe, where suchfeare and terror was striken into the heartes of the people, that all[Sidenote: The Romans in despaire withdraw into the capitoll. ]men were in despaire to defend the citie: and therefore the senatewith all the warlike youth of the citizens got them into the capitoll, which they furnished with victuals and all things necessarie for themaintenance of the same against a long siege. The honorable fathersand all the multitude of other people not apt for warres, remainedstill in the citie, as it were to perish with their countrie if hap sobefell. 

[Sidenote: The Galles enter into Rome. ]In the meane time came the Galles to the citie, and entring by thegate Collina, they passed forth the right way vnto the market place, maruelling to sée the houses of the poorer sort to be shut againstthem, and those of the richer to remaine wide open; wherefore beingdoubtfull of some deceitfull traines, they were not ouer rash to enterthe same; but [Sidenote: The Reuerend aspect of the senators. ] afterthey had espied the ancient fathers sit in their chaires apparelledin their rich robes, as if they had bin in the senat, they reuerencedthem as gods, so honorable was their port, grauenesse in countenance, and shew of apparell. 

[Sidenote: _Marcus Papirius_]In the meane time it chanced, that Marcus Papirius stroke one ofthe Galles on the head with his staffe, because he presumed to strokehis beard: with which iniurie the Gall being prouoked, slue Papirius(as he sat) with his sword, and therewith the slaughter being begunwith one, all the residue of those ancient fatherlie men as they satin their chaires were slaine and cruellie murthered. After this allthe people found in the citie without respect or difference at[Sidenote: Rome sacked. 365. ]all, were put to the sword, and their houses sacked. And thus was Rometaken by the two brethren, Beline and Brenne, 365 yeares after thefirst building thereof. Besides this, the Galles attempted in thenight season to haue entred the capitoll: and in déed ordered theirenterprise so secretlie, that they had atchieued their purpose, if a[Sidenote: The capitoll defended. ]sort of ganders had not with their crie and noise disclosed them, in wakening the Romans that were asléepe: & so by that meanes were theGalles beaten backe and repelled. 

 * * * * *

_Camillus reuoked from exile, made dictator, and receiuethperemptorie authoritie, he ouerthroweth the Galles in a pitcht field, controuersie betweene writers touching Brennus and Belinus leftvndetermined; of diuers foundations, erections and reparations dooneand atchiued by Belinus, the burning of his bodie in stead of hisburieng_. 

THE FOURTH CHAPTER. 

The Romans being thus put to their extreame shift, deuised amongthemselues how to reuoke Furius Camillus from exile, whom not longbefore they had vniustlie banished out of the citie. In the end theydid not onelie send for him home, but also created him dictator, committing into his handes (so long as his office lasted) an absolutepower ouer all men, both of life and death. Camillus forgetfull of theiniurie done to him, and mindfull of his dutie towards his countrie, and lamenting the state thereof, without delay gathered such an armieas the present time permitted. 

In the meane time those that kept the capitoll (being almost famished[Sidenote: A composition. ]for lacke of vittels) compounded with Brenne and Beline, that fora thousand pounds weight in gold, the Romans should redéeme theirliberties, and the said Brenne and Beline depart with their armie outof the citie and all the territories of Rome. But at the deliuerieof the monie, and by a certeine kind of hap, the Romans name waspreserued at that time from such dishonor and ignominie as was likelieto haue insued. For some of the couetous sort of the Galles, notcontented with the iust weight of the gold, did cast their swords alsointo the balance where the weights lay, thereby to haue ouer weight:wherevpon the Romans refused to make paiment after that weight. 

And thus whilest they were in altercation about this matter, the oneimportunnate to haue, the other not willing to grant, the time[Sidenote: Camillus disappointeth the Galles of their paiment. ]passed, till in the meane season Camillus came in amongst them withhis power, commanding that the gold should be had away, and affirmingthat without consent of the dictator, no composition or agréementmight be concluded by the meaner magistrate. He gaue a signe to theGalles to prepare themselues to battell, whervnto they lightlie[Sidenote: The Galles overthrowne]agréed, and togither they went. The battell being once begun, theGalles that looked earst for gold, and not for battell, were easilieouercome, such as stood to the brunt were slaine, and the rest byflight constreined to depart the citie. 

Polybius writeth, that the Galles were turned from the siege of thecitie, through wars which chanced amongst their owne people at home, and therefore they concluded a peace with the Romans, and leauing themin libertie returned home againe. 

But howsoeuer the matter passed, thus much haue we stept from ourpurpose, to shew somwhat of that noble and most famous capteineBrennus, who (as not onelie our histories, but also Giouan Villani theFlorentine dooth report) was a Britaine, and brother to Beline (asbefore is mentioned) although I know that manie other writers are notof that mind, affirming him to be a Gall, and likewise that after thispresent time of the taking of Rome by this Brennus 110 yeares, orthere abouts, there was another Brennus a Gall by nation (say they)vnder whose conduct an other armie of the Gals inuaded Grecia, whichBrennus had a brother that hight Belgius, although Humfrey Llhoydand sir Iohn Prise doo flatlie denie the same, by reason of somediscordance in writers, & namelie in the computation of the yeares setdowne by them that haue recorded the dooings of those times, whereofthe error is growen. Howbeit I doubt not but that the truth of thismatter shall be more fullie sifted out in time by the learned andstudious of such antiquities. But now to our purpose. 

This is also to be noted, that where our histories make mention, thatBeline was abroad with Brennus in the most part of his victories, both[Sidenote: _Titus Liu. Polydor_. ]in Gallia, Germanie, and Italie; Titus Liuius speaketh but onlieof Brennus: wherevpon some write, that after the two brethren were bytheir mothers intreatance made friends, Brennus onlie went ouer toGallia, and there through proofe of his woorthie prowesse, atteined tosuch estimation amongst the people called Galli Senones, that he was[Sidenote: _Matth West_. ]chosen to be their generall capteine at their going ouer themountaines into Italie. But whether Beline went ouer with his brother, and finallie returned backe againe, leauing Brennus behind him, assome write, or that he went not at all, but remained still at homewhitest his brother was abroad, we can affirme no certeintie. 

Most part of all our writers make report of manie woorthie deedsaccomplished by Beline, in repairing of cities decaied, & erecting[Sidenote: _Polychr. Gal. M_. Caerleon Wiske built by Belline. ]of other new buildings, to the adorning and beautifieng of his realmeand kingdome. And amongst other works which were by him erected, hebuilded a citie in the south part of Wales, neare to the place wherethe riuer of Vske falleth into Seuerne, fast by Glamorgan, whichcitie hight Caerleon, or Caerlegion Ar Wiske. This Caerleon was theprincipall citie in time past of all Demetia, now called Southwales. Manie notable monuments are remaining there till this day, testifiengthe great magnificence and roiall buildings of that citie in old time. In which citie also sith the time of Christ were thrée churches, oneof saint Iulius the martyr, an other of saint Aron, and the third wasthe mother church of all Demetia, and the chiefe sée: but after, thesame sée was translated vnto Meneuia, (that is to say) saint Dauidin Westwales. In this Caerleon was Amphibulus borne, who taught andinstructed saint Albon. 

[Sidenote: _Fabian_. ]This Beline also builded an hauen, with a gate ouer the same, within the citie of Troinouant now called London, in the summitie orhighest part wherof afterwards was set a vessell of brasse, in thewhich were put the ashes of his bodie, which bodie after his deceasse[Sidenote: _Iohn Leland_. ]was burnt, as the maner of burieng in those daies did require. This gate was long after called Belins gate, and at length bycorruption of language Billings gate. He builded also a castelleastward from this gate (as some haue written) which was long time[Sidenote: The Tower of London built by Beline. ]after likewise called Belins castell, and is the same which nowwe call the tower of London. Thus Beline studieng dailie to beautifiethis land with goodlie buildings and famous workes, at length departedthis life, after he had reigned with his brother iointlie and alonethe space of 26 yeres. 

 * * * * *

_Of Gurguintus, Guintolinus, and Sicilius, three kings of Britainesucceeding ech other by lineall descent in the regiment, and of theiracts and deeds, with a notable commendation of Queene Martia_. 

THE FIFT CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: GURGUINTUS]Gurguintus the sonne of Beline began to reigne ouer the Britains, in the yeare of the world 1596, after the building of Rome 380, afterthe deliuerance of the Israelites out of captiuitie 164 complet, whichwas about the 33 yeare of Artaxerxes Mnenon, surnamed Magnus, theseuenth king of the Persians. This Gurguint in the English chronicle[Sidenote: _Matth. West_]is named Corinbratus, and by Matthew Westmin. He is surnamedBarbiruc, the which bicause the tribute granted by Guilthdag king ofDenmarke in perpetuitie vnto the kings of Britaine was denied, he[Sidenote: _Gal. M_. Gurguint c[=o]strained the Danes by force to paytheir tribute. ]sailed with a mightie nauie and armie of men into Denmarke, where hemade such warre with fire and sword, that the king of Denmarke withthe assent of his barons was constreined to grant eftsoones tocontinue the paiment of the aforesaid tribute. 

After he had thus atchiued his desire in Denmarke, as he returnedbacke towards Britaine, he encountred with a nauie of 30 ships besidethe Iles of Orkenies. These ships were fraught with men and women, andhad to their capteine one called Bartholin or Partholin, who being[Sidenote: _Matth. West. Gal. Mon. ]brought to the presence of king Gurguint, declared that he withhis people were banished out of Spaine, and were named Balenses or[Sidenote: Basques. ]Baselenses, and had sailed long on the sea, to the end to findsome prince that would assigne them a place to inhabit, to whom[Sidenote: Sée more hereof in Ireland. ]they would become subiects, & hold of him as of their souereignegouernor. Therefore he besought the king to consider their estate, andof his great benignitie to appoint some void quarter where they mightsettle. The king with the aduice of his barons granted to them the Ileof Ireland, which as then (by report of some authors) lay waste and[Sidenote: Polychron. ]without habitation But it should appeare by other writers, thatit was inhabited long before those daies, by the people calledHibernenses, of Hiberus their capteine that brought them also out ofSpaine. 

After that Gurguintus was returned into his countrie, he ordeined thatthe laws made by his ancestors should be dulie kept and obserued. Andthus administring iustice to his subiects for the tearme of 19 yeares, he finallie departed this life, and was buried at London, or as[Sidenote: Caius. ]some haue at Caerleon. In his daies was the towne of Cambridge withthe vniuersitie first founded by Cantaber, brother to the aforesaidBartholin (according to some writers) as after shall appeare. 

[Sidenote: GUINTOLINUS. ]Guintolinus or Guintellius the sonne of Gurguintus was admittedking of Britaine in the yere of the world 3614, after the buildingof the citie of Rome 399, and second yere of the 206 Olimpiad. This Guintoline was a wise prince, graue in counsell, and sober inbehauior. He had also a wife named Martia, a woman of perfect beautie, & wisedome incomparable, as by hir prudent gouernement and equalladministration of iustice after hir husbands deceasse, during hirsonnes minoritie, it most manifestlie appeared. 

It is thought that in an happie time this Guintoline came to thegouernement of this kingdome, being shaken and brought out of orderwith ciuill dissentions, to the end he might reduce it to the formerestate, which he earnestlie accomplished: for hauing once got theplace, he studied with great diligence to reforme anew, and to adornewith iustice, lawes and good orders, the British common wealth, byother kings not so framed as stood with the quietnesse thereof. But afore all things he vtterlie remooued and appeased such ciuilldiscord, as séemed yet to remaine after the maner of a remnant ofthose seditious factions and partakings, which had so long timereigned in this land. But as he was busie in hand herewith, deathtooke him out of this life, after he had reigned 27 yeares, and thenwas he buried at London. 

[Sidenote: SICILIUS. ]Sicilius the sonne of Guintoline, being not past seuen yeares ofage when his father died, was admitted king, in the yeare 3659, afterthe building of Rome 430, & after the deliuerance of the Israelitesout of captiuitie 218, & in the sixt after the death of Alexander. [Sidenote: Queene Martia gouerneth in hir sonnes roome. ]By reason that Sicilius was not of age sufficient of himselfe to guidethe kingdoms of the Britains, his mother that worthie ladie calledMartia, had the gouernance both of his realme and person committed tohir charge. 

She was a woman expert and skilfull in diuers sciences, but chiefeliebeing admitted to the gouernance of the realme, she studied topreserue the common wealth in good quiet and wholsome order, and[Sidenote: She maketh lawes. ]therefore deuised and established profitable and conuenient lawes, thewhich after were called Martian lawes, of hir name that first madethem. These lawes, as those that were thought good and necessarie forthe preseruation of the common wealth, Alfred, or Alured, that waslong after king of England, translated also out of the British toong, into the English Saxon speech, and then were they called after that[Sidenote: _Matt. West_. ]translation Marchenelagh, that is to meane, the lawes of Martia. To conclude, this worthie woman guided the land during the minoritieof hir sonne right politikelie; and highlie to hir perpetuall renowmeand commendation. And when hir sonne came to lawfull age, she[Sidenote: _Matt. Westm_. ]deliuered vp the gouernance into his handes. How long he reignedwriters varie, some auouch but seuen yeares, though other affirme15. Which agréeth not so well with the accord of other histories andtimes. He was buried at London. 

 * * * * *

_Of Kimarus and his sudden end, of Elanius and his short regiment, of Morindus and his beastlie crueltie, all thrée immediatliesucceeding each other in the monarchie of Britaine, with the exploitsof the last_. 

THE SIXT CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: KIMARUS. _Fabian_. ]Kimarus the sonne of Sicilius began to reigne ouer the Britaines, in the yeare of the world 3657, and after the building of Rome 442, & in the first yeare of the 117. Olimpiad. This Kimarus being a wildyoong man, and giuen to follow his lusts and pleasures, was slaine bysome that were his enimies, as he was abroad in hunting, when he hadreigned scarselie three yeares. 

[Sidenote: ELANIUS. ]Elanius the sonne of Kimarus, or (as other haue) his brother, began to rule the Britaines in the yeare after the creation of theworld 3361, after the building of Rome 445, after the deliuerance[Sidenote: _Matth. West_. ]of the Israelites 229, and in the fourth yeare of the Seleuciens, after which account the bookes of Machabees doo reckon, which beganin the 14, after the death of Alexander. This Elanius in the EnglishChronicle is named also Haran; by Mat. Westm. Danius; and by an oldchronicle which Fabian much followed, Elanius and Kimarus should seemeto be one person: but other hold the contrarie, and saie that hereigned fullie 8. Yeares. 

[Sidenote: MORINDUS. ]Morindus the bastard sonne of Elanius was admitted king ofBritaine, in the yeare of the world 3667, after the building of Rome451, after the deliuerance of the Israelites 236, and in the tenthyeare of Cassander K. Of Macedonia, which hauing dispatched Olimpiasthe mother of Alexander the great, and gotten Roxanes with Alexanderssonne into his hands, vsurped the kingdome of the Macedonians, andheld it 15 yéeres. This Morindus in the English chronicle is calledMorwith, and was a man of worthie fame in chiualrie and martialldooings, but so cruell withall, that his vnmercifull nature couldscarse be satisfied with the torments of them that had offended him, although oftentimes with his owne hands he cruellie put them totorture and execution. He was also beautifull and comelie ofpersonage, liberall and bounteous, and of a maruellous strength. 

[Sidenote: _G. Mon_. ]In his daies, a certeine king of the people called Moriani, with agreat armie landed in Northumberland, and began to make cruell warrevpon the inhabitants. But Morindus aduertised héerof, assembled hisBritains, came against the enimies, and in battell putting them toflight, chased them to their ships, and tooke a great number of themprisoners, whome to the satisfieng of his cruell nature he causedto be slaine euen in his presence. Some of them were headed, somestrangled, some panched, and some he caused to be slaine quicke. 

¶ These people (whome Gal. Mon. Nameth Moriani) I take to be eitherthose that inhabited about Terrouane and Calice, called Morini, or[Sidenote: The like may be thought of those Murreis or Morauians ofwhom _H. B_. Speaketh. _Fabian_. ]some other people of the Galles or Germaines, and not as some estéemethem, Morauians, or Merhenners, which were not known to the world (asHumfrey Llhoyd hath verie well noted) till about the daies of theemperour Mauricius, which misconstruction of names hath brought theBritish historie further out of credit than reason requireth, if thecircumstances be dulie considered. 

But now to end with Morindus. At length this bloudie prince heard of amonster that was come a land out of the Irish sea, with the whichwhen he would néeds fight, he was deuoured of the same, after hehad reigned the terme of 8 yeeres, leauing behind him fiue sonnes, Gorbonianus, Archigallus, Elidurus, Vigenius, or Nigenius, andPeredurus. 

 * * * * *

_Of Gorbonianus, Archigallus, Elidurus, Vigenius, and Peredurus, thefiue sons of Morindius, the building of Cambridge, the restitutionof Archigallus to the regiment after his depriuation, Elidurus threetimes admitted king, his death and place of interrement_. 

THE SEUENTH CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: GORBOMEN OR GORBONIANUS. ]Gorbonianus the first son of Morindus succéeded his father in thekingdome of Britain, in the yéere of the world 3676, after thebuilding of Rome 461, and fourth yéere of the 121. Olimpiad. ThisGorbonianus in the English chronicle is named Granbodian, and was arighteous prince in his gouernment, and verie deuout (according to[Sidenote: A righteous and religious prince. ]such deuotion as he had) towards the aduancing of the religion ofhis gods: and thervpon he repaired all the old temples through hiskingdome, and erected some new. 

He also builded the townes of Cambridge and Grantham (as Caxtonwriteth) and was beloued both of the rich and poore, for he honouredthe rich, and relieued the poore in time of their necessities. In histime was more plentie of all things necessarie for the wealthfullstate of man, than had béene before in anie of his predecessors daies. He died without issue, after he had reigned (by the accord of mostwriters) about the terme of ten yeares. 

Some write that this Gorbonian built the townes of Cairgrant, now[Sidenote: Cambridge by whome it was built. ]called Cambridge, & also Grantham, but some thinke that thosewhich haue so written are deceiued, in mistaking the name; for thatCambridge was at the first called Granta: and by that meanes it mightbe that Gorbonian built onlie Grantham, and not Cambridge, nameliebecause other write how that Cambridge (as before is said) was builtin the daies of Gurguntius the sonne of Beline, by one Cantaber aSpaniard, brother to Partholoin, which Partholoin by the aduice of thesame Gurguntius, got seates for himselfe and his companie in Ireland(as before ye haue heard. )

The said Cantaber also obteining licence of Gurguntius, builded atowne vpon the side of the riuer called Canta, which he closed withwalles, and fortified with a strong tower or castell, and afterprocuring philosophers to come hither from Athens (where in his youthhe had bene a student) he placed them there, and so euen then was thatplace furnished (as they saie) with learned men, and such as werereadie to instruct others in knowledge of letters and philosophicalldoctrine. But by whome or in what time soeuer it was built, certeineit is that there was a citie or towne walled in that place before thecomming of the Saxons, called by the Britaines Caergrant, and by theSaxons Granchester. 

This towne fell so to ruine by the inuasion of the Saxons, that atlength it was in maner left desolate, and at this day remaineth as avillage. But néere therevnto vnder the Saxon kings, an other towne wasbuilt, now called Cambridge, where by the fauour of king Sigebert andFelix a Burgundian, that was bishop of Dunwich, a schoole was erected, as in place conuenient shall appeare. 

[Sidenote: ARCHIGALLUS. ]Archigallus, the second sonne of Morindus, and brother vntoGorbonianus, was admitted king of Britaine, in the yeare 3686, afterthe building of the citie of Rome 470, after the deliuerance of theIsraelites out of captiuitie 255, and in the first yeare of Sosthenesking of Macedonia. This Archigallus (in the English chronicle calledArtogaill) followed not the steppes of his brother, but giuing[Sidenote: He is giuen to nourish dissention. ]himselfe to dissention and strife, imagined causes against his nobles, that he might displace them, and set such in their roomes as were menof base birth and of euill conditions. Also he sought by vnlawfullmeanes to bereaue his wealthie subiects of their goods and riches, so to inrich himselfe and impouerish his people. For the which hisinordinate dooings, his nobles conspired against him, and finalliedepriued him of all his honor and kinglie dignitie, after he hadreigned about the space of one yeare. 

[Sidenote: ELIDURUS. ]Elidurus the third sonne of Morindus, and brother to Archigallus, was by one consent of the Britains chosen to reigne ouer them in hisbrothers stead, after the creation of the world 3687, and after thebuilding of the citie of Rome 471, after the deliuerance of theIsraelites 256, & in the first yeare of Sosthenes king of Macedonia. This Elidurus in the English chronicle named Hesider, or Esoder, prooued a most righteous prince, and doubting least he should doootherwise than became him, if he did not take care for his brotherArchigallus estate, a man might woonder what diligence he shewed intrauelling with the nobles of the realme to haue his brother restoredto the crowne againe. 

Now as it chanced one day (being abroad on hunting in the wood calledCalater) neare vnto Yorke, he found his brother Archigall wanderingthere in the thickest of that wildernesse, whom in most louing[Sidenote: By this it should séeme that Acliud should not be inScotland, contrarie to the Scotish authors. ]maner he secretlie conueied home to his house, being as then the citieof Aldud, otherwise called Acliud. Shortlie after he feined himselfesicke, and in all hast sent messengers about to assemble his barons, who being come at the day appointed, he called them one after anotherinto his priuie chamber, and there handled them in such affectuoussort with wise and discréet words, that he got their good wilsto further him to their powers, for the reducing of the kingdomeeftsoones into the hands of his brother Archigallus. 

After this he assembled a councell at Yorke, where he so vsed thematter with the commons, that in conclusion, when the said Elidurushad gouerned the land well and honourablie the space of thrée yeares, he resigned wholie his crowne and kinglie title vnto his brotherArchigallo, who was receiued of the Britaines againe as king bymediation of his brother in manner as before is said. ¶ A rare[Sidenote: An example of brotherlie loue. ]example of brotherlie loue, if a man shall reuolue in his mind whatan inordinate desire remaineth amongst mortall men to atteine to thesupreme souereintie of ruling, and to kéepe the same when they haue itonce in possession. He had well learned this lesson (as may appeare byhis contentation and resignation) namelie, that

 Nec abnuendum si dat imperium Deus, Nec appetendum, [Sidenote: Sen. In Thiess. ]otherwise he would not haue béene led with such an equabilitie ofmind. For this great good will and brotherlie loue by him shewed thustoward his brother, he was surnamed the godlie and vertuous. 

[Sidenote: ARCHIGALLUS AGAIN. ]When Archigallus was thas restored to the kingdome, and hauinglearned by due correction that he must turne the leafe, and take out anew lesson, by changing his former trade of liuing into better, ifhe would reigne in suertie: he became a new man, vsing himselfevprightlie in the administration of iustice, and behauing himselfe sowoorthilie in all his doings, both toward the nobles & commons of hisrealme, that he was both beloued and dread of all his subiects. And socontinuing the whole tearme of his life, finallie departed out of thisworld, after he had reigned this second time the space of ten yeares, and was buried at Yorke. 

[Sidenote: ELIDURUS AGAINE. _Matt. West_. ]Elidurus brother to this Archigallus was then againe admitted kingby consent of all the Britaines, 3700 of the world. But his two yonger[Brother against brother. ]brethren, Vigenius and Peredurus, enuieng the happie state ofthis woorthie prince, so highlie for his vertue and good gouernanceesteemed of the Britains, of a grounded malice conspired against him, and assembling an armie, leuied warre against him, and in a pitcht[Sidenote: Elidure committed to prison. ]field tooke him prisoner, and put him in the tower of London, there tobe kept close prisoner, after he had reigned now this last time thespace of one yeare. 

[Sidenote: VIGENIUS AND PEREDURUS. ]Vigenius and Peredurus, the yoongest sonnes of Morindus, andbrethren to Elidurus, began to reigne iointlie as kings of Britaine, in the yeare of the world 3701, after the building of Rome 485, afterthe deliuerance of the Israelites 266 complet, and in the 12 yeare ofAntigonus Gonatas, the sonne of Demetrius king of the Macedonians. These two brethren in the English chronicles are named Higanius andPetitur, who (as Gal. Mon. Testifieth) diuided the realme betwixt[Sidenote: Britaine divided into two realmes. ]them, so that all the land from Humber westward fell to Vigenius, orHiganius, the other part beyond Humber northward Peredure held. Butother affirme, that Peredurus onelie reigned, and held his brotherElidurus in prison by his owne consent, forsomuch as he was notwilling to gouerne. 

But Gal. Mon. Saith, that Vigenius died after he had reigned 7 yeares, and then Peredurus seized all the land into his owne rule, andgouerned it with such sobrietie and wisedome, that he was praisedaboue all his brethren, so that Elidurus was quite forgotten of the[Sidenote: Varitie in writers. ]Britains. But others write that he was a verie tyrant, and vsedhimselfe verie cruellie towards the lords of his land, wherevpon theyrebelled and slue him. But whether by violent hand, or by naturallsicknesse, he finallie departed this life, after the consent of most[Sidenote: _Caxton_. ]writers, when he had reigned eight yeares, leauing no issue behind[Sidenote: _Eth. Bur_. ]him to succéed in the gouernance of the kingdome. He builded the[Sidenote: ELIDURUS THE THIRD TIME. ]towne of Pikering, where his bodie was buried. Elidurus then, assoone as his brother Peredurus was dead, for as much as he was nextheire to the crowne, was deliuered out of prison, and now the thirdtime admitted king of Britaine, who vsed himselfe (as before) verieorderlie in ministring to all persons right and iustice all the daiesof his life, and lastlie being growne to great age died, when he had[Sidenote: He is buried at Caerleill. ]reigned now this third time (after most concordance of writers)the tearme of foure yeares: and was buried at Caerleill. 

 * * * * *

_A Chapter of digression, shewing the diuersitie of writers inopinion, touching the computation of yeares from the beginning of theBritish kings of this Iland downewards; since Gurguintus time, tillthe death of Elidurus; and likewise till King Lud reigned in hisroialtie, with the names of such kings as ruled betweene the lastyeare of Elidurus, and the first of Lud_. 

THE EIGHT CHAPTER. 

Here is to be noted, that euen from the beginning of the Britishkings, which reigned here in this land, there is great diuersitieamongest writers, both touching the names, and also the times of theirreignes, speciallie till they come to the death of the last mentioned[Sidenote: _Polydor_. ]king Elidurus. Insomuch that Polydor Virgil in his historie ofEngland, finding a manifest error (as he taketh it) in those writerswhome he followeth touching the account, from the comming of Brute, vnto the sacking of Rome by Brennus, whome our histories affirme to bethe brother of Beline, that to fill vp the number which is wanting inthe reckoning of the yeares of those kings which reigned after Brute, till the daies of the same Brenne & Beline, he thought good to changethe order, least one error should follow an other, and so of one errormaking manie, he hath placed those kings which after other writersshould séeme to follow Brenne and Beline, betwixt Dunuallo andMulmucius, father to the said Beline and Brenne, and those fiuekings which stroue for the gouernement after the deceasse of the twobrethren, Ferrex and Porrex, putting Guintoline to succéed after thefiue kings or rulers, and after Guintoline his wife Martia, during theminoritie of hir sonne, then hir said sonne named Sicilius. 

After him succéeded these whose names follow in order, Chimarius, Danius, Morindus, Gorbonianus, Archigallo, who being deposed, Eliduruswas made king, and so continued till he restored the gouernement (asye haue heard) to Archigallo againe, and after his death Elidurus waseftsoones admitted, and within awhile againe deposed by Vigenius andPeredurus, and after their deceasses the third time restored. Thenafter his deceasse followed successiuelie Veginus, Morganus, Ennanus, Idunallo, Rimo, Geruntius, Catellus, Coilus, Porrex the second of thatname, Cherinus, Fulgentius, Eldalus, Androgeus, Vrianus and Eliud, after whom should follow Dunuallo Molmucius, as in his proper place, if the order of things doone, & the course of time should be obserued, as Polydor gathereth by the account of yeares attributed to thosekings that reigned before and after Dunuallo, according to thoseauthours whom (as I said) he followeth, if they will that Brennuswhich led the Galles to Rome be the same that was sonne to the saidDunuallo Mulmucius, and brother to Beline. 

But sith other haue in better order brought out a perfect agréement inthe account of yeares, and succession of those kings, which reignedand gouerned in this land before the sacking of Rome; and also anothersuch as it is after the same, and before the Romans had anie perfectknowledge thereof; we haue thought good to follow them therein, leauing to euerie man his libertie to iudge as his knowledge shallserue him in a thing so doubtfull and vncerteine, by reason ofvariance amongst the ancient writers in that behalfe. 

And euen as there is great difference in writers since Gurguintus, till the death of Elidurus, so is there as great or rather greaterafter his deceasse, speciallie till king Lud atteined the[Sidenote: _Fabian_. ]kingdóme. But as maie be gathered by that which Fabian and other whomehe followeth doo write, there passed aboue 185 yeares betwixt the lastyeare of Elidurus, and the beginning of king Lud his reigne, in thewhich time there reigned 32, or 33, kings, as some writers hauementioned, whose names (as Gal. Mon. Hath recorded) are theseimmediatlie héere named; Regnie the sonne of Gorbolian or Gorbonian, a worthie prince, who iustlie and mercifullie gouerned his people;Margan the sonne of Archigallo a noble prince likewise, and guidinghis subiects in good quiet; Emerian brother to the same Margan, butfar vnlike to him in maners, so that he was deposed in the sixt yeareof his reigne; Ydwallo sonne to Vigenius; Rimo the sonne of Peredurus;Geruntius the sonne of Elidurus; Catell that was buried at Winchester;Coill that was buried at Nottingham; Porrex a vertuous and most gentleprince; Cherinus a drunkard; Fulginius, Eldad, and Androgeus; thesethrée were sonnes to Chercinus, and reigned successiuelie one after[Sidenote: _Vrianus_. ]another; after them a sonne of Androgeus; then Eliud, Dedaicus, Clotinius, Gurguntius, Merianus, Bledius, Cop, Owen, Sicilius, Bledgabredus an excellent musician: after him his brother Archemall;then Eldol, Red, Rodiecke, Samuill, Penisell, Pir, Capoir; after himhis sonne Gligweil an vpright dealing prince, and a good iusticiarie;whom succeeded his sonne Helie, which reigned 60 yeares, as theforsaid Gal. Mon. Writeth, where other affirme that he reigned 40yeares, and some againe say that he reigned but 7 moneths. 

There is great diuersitie in writers touching the reignes of thesekings, and not onlie for the number of yéeres which they shouldcontinue in their reignes but also in their names: so that to shew thediuersitie of all the writers, were but to small purpose, sith thedooings of the same kings were not great by report made thereof byany approoued author. But this maie suffice to aduertise you, thatby conferring the yéeres attributed to the other kings which reignedbefore them, since the comming of Brute, who should enter this land(as by the best writers is gathered) about the yéere before thebuilding of Rome 367, which was in the yéere after the creation of theworld 2850 (as is said) with their time, there remaineth 182 yéeresto be dealt amongst these 33 kings, which reigned betwixt the saidElidure & Lud, which Lud also began his reigne after the building ofthe citie of Rome (as writers affirme) about 679 yéeres, and inthe yéere of the world 3895, as some that will séeme the precisestcalculators doo gather. 

Polydor Virgil changing (as I haue shewed) the order of succession inthe British kings, in bringing diuerse of those kings, which afterother writers followed Beline and Brenne, to precéed them sosuccessiuelie after Beline and Brenne, reherseth those that by hisconiecture did by likelihood succéed, as thus. After the decesse ofBeline, his sonne Gurguntius, being the second of that name, succeededin gouernment of the land, and then these in order as they follow:Merianus, Bladanus, Capeus, Duinus, Sicilius, Bledgabredus, Archemallus, Eldorus, Rodianus, Redargius, Samulius, Penisellus, Pyrrhus, Caporus, Dinellus, and Helie, who had issue, Lud, Cassibellane, and Neurius. 

 * * * * *

_Of king Helie who gaue the name to the Ile of Elie, of king Lud, and what memorable edifices he made, London sometimes called Ludstowne, his bountifulnes, and buriall_. 

THE NINTH CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: Whereof the Ile of Elie tooke name. ]Here note by the waie a thing not to be forgotten, that of theforesaid Helie the last of the said 33 kings, the Ile of Elietooke the name, bicause that he most commonlie did there inhabit, building in the same a goodly palace, and making great reparations ofthe sluces, ditches & causies about that Ile, for conueiance awaie ofthe water, that els would sore haue indamaged the countrie. There bethat haue mainteined, that this Ile should rather take name of thegreat abundance of éeles that are found in these waters and fenneswherwith this Ile is inuironed. But Humfrey Llhoyd holdeth, that ittooke name of this British word Helig, which signifieth willowes, wherwith those fennes abound. 

[Sidenote: LUD. ]After the decesse of the same Helie, his eldest son Lud began hisreigne, in the yéere after the creation of the world 3895, afterthe building of the citie of Rome 679, before the comming of Christ72, and before the Romanes entred Britaine 19 yéeres. This Lud[Sidenote: A worthie prince. ]proued a right worthie prince, amending the lawes of the realme thatwere defectiue, abolishing euill customs and maners vsed amongst hispeople, and repairing old cities and townes which were decaied: butspeciallie he delited most to beautifie and inlarge with buildings the[Sidenote: Londone inclosed with a wal. Iohn Hard. ]citie of Troinouant, which he compassed with a strong wall made oflime and stone, in the best maner fortified with diuerse faire towers:and in the west part of the same wall he erected a strong gate, whichhe commanded to be called after his name, Luds gate, and so vnto thisdaie it is called Ludgate, (S) onelie drowned in pronuntiation of theword. 

[Sidenote: Fabian. Gal. Mon. Matt. West. ]In the same citie also he soiorned for the more part, by reasonwhereof the inhabitants increased, and manie habitations were buildedto receiue them, and he himselfe caused buildings to be made betwixtLondon stone (sic) and Ludgate, and builded for himselfe not farre from the[Sidenote: The bishops palace. ]said gate a faire palace, which is the bishop of Londons palace besidePaules at this daie, as some thinke; yet Harison supposeth it to hauebin Bainards castell, where the blacke friers now standeth. He alsobuilded a fairer temple néere to his said palace, which temple (assome take it) was after turned to a church, and at this daie calledPaules. By reason that king Lud so much esteemed that citie before allother of his realme, inlarging it so greatlie as he did, and[Sidenote: The name of Troinouant changed and called London. ]continuallie in manner remained there, the name was changed, so that it was called Caerlud, that is to saie, Luds towne: and afterby corruption of spéech it was named London. 

Beside the princelie dooings of this Lud touching the aduancement ofthe common wealth by studies apperteining to the time of peace, he wasalso strong & valiant in armes, in subduing his enimies, bountious andliberall both in gifts and kéeping a plentifull house, so that he wasgreatlie beloued of all the Britaines. Finallie, when he had reignedwith great honour for the space of 11 yéeres, he died, and was buriednéere Ludgate, leauing after him two sons, Androgeus and Theomanciusor Tenancius. 

 * * * * *

_Of Cassibellane and his noble mind, Iulius Cæsar sendeth CaiusVolusenus to suruey the coasts of this Iland, he lieth with his fleetat Calice, purposing to inuade the countrie, his attempt is bewraiedand withstood by the Britains_. 

THE TENTH CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: CASSIBELLANE. ]Cassibellane, the brother of Lud was admitted king of Britaine, in the yéere of the world 3908, after the building of Rome 692, andbefore the comming of Christ 58 complet. For sith the two sonnes[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon. Matt. West. Fabian_. ]of Lud were not of age able to gouerne, the rule of the land wascommitted to Cassibellane: but yet (as some haue written) he was notcreated king, but rather appointed ruler & protector of the land, [Sidenote: _Gal. Mon_. ]during the nonage of his nephewes. Now after he was admitted (bywhatsoeuer order) to the administration of the common wealth, hebecame so noble a prince and so bountious, that his name spred farreand néere, and by his vpright dealing in seeing iustice executed hegrew in such estimation, that the Britaines made small account of hisnephewes, in comparison of the fauour which they bare towards him. ButCassibellane hauing respect to his honour, least it might be thoughtthat his nephewes were expelled by him out of their rightfullpossessions, brought them vp verie honourablie; assigning to[Sidenote: _Matt. West_. ]Androgeus, London and Kent; and to Theomantius the countrie ofCornwall. Thus farre out of the British histories, whereby it maie begathered, that the yéeres assigned to these kings that reigned beforeCassibellane, amount to the summe of 1058. 

[Sidenote: _Polydor_. ]But whether these gouernors (whose names we haue recited) werekings, or rather rulers of the common wealth, or tyrants and vsurpersof the gouernment by force, it is vncerteine: for not one ancientwriter of anie approued authoritie maketh anie remembrance of them:and by that which Iulius Cesar writeth, it maie and dooth appéere, that diuerse cities in his daies were gouerned of themselues, ashéereafter it shall more plainlie appéere. Neither doth he makemention of those townes which the British historie affirmeth to bebuilt by the same kings. In déed both he and other Latine writersspeake of diuerse people that inhabited diuers portions of this land, as of the Brigantes, Trinobantes, Iceni, Silures, and such other like, but in what parts most of the said people did certeinlie inhabit, itis hard to auouch for certeine truth. 

But what Iohn Leland thinketh héereof, being one in our time thatcuriouslie searched out old antiquities, you shall after heare asoccasion serueth: and likewise the opinions of other, as of Hector[Sidenote: _Hector Boetius_ his fault. ]Boetius, who coueting to haue all such valiant acts as were atchiuedby the Britains to be ascribed to his countriemen the Scots, drawethboth the Silures and Brigantes, with other of the Britains so farrenorthward, that he maketh them inhabitants of the Scotish countries. And what particular names soeuer they had, yet were they all Scotswith him, and knowne by that generall name (as he would persuade vsto beléeue) saieng that they entred into Britaine out of Ireland 330yéeres before the incarnation of our Sauiour. 

Neuerthelesse, how generall soeuer the name of Scots then was, sureit is, that no speciall mention of them is made by anie writer, tillabout 300 yeares after the birth of our sauiour. And yet the Romans, which ruled this land, and had so much adoo with the people thereof, make mention of diuerse other people, nothing so famous as Boetiuswould make his Scotish men euen then to be. But to leaue to the Scotsthe antiquitie of their originall beginning, as they and other mustdoo vnto vs our descent from Brute and the other Troians, sith the[Sidenote: More certeintie from hence forth appeareth in the historie. ]contrarie dooth not plainelie appeare, vnlesse we shall leane vntopresumptions: now are we come to the time in the which what actes wereatchiued, there remaineth more certeine record, and therefore may wethe more boldlie procéed in this our historie. 

[Sidenote: Iulius Cesar. ]In this season that Cassibellane had roiall gouernment héere inBritaine, Caius Iulius Cesar being appointed by the senat of Rome toconquer Gallia, was for that purpose created consull, and sent witha mightie army into the countrie, where after he had brought the[Sidenote: _Cesar de bello Gal. Lib 4_. Britains unknowne to theRomans. ]Galles vnto some frame, he determined to assaie the winning ofBritaine, which as yet the Romans knew not otherwise than by report. The chiefest cause that mooued him to take in hand that enterprise, was for that he did vnderstand, that there dailie came great succoursout of that Ile to those Galles that were enimies vnto the Romans. And[Sidenote: _Cesar de bello Gall. Lib. 4_. Causes of the warre. Cesars purpose. ]though the season of that yéere to make warre was farre spent(for summer was almost at an end) yet he thought it would be to goodpurpose, if he might but passe ouer thither, and learne what maner ofpeople did inhabit there, and discouer the places, hauens, and entriesapperteining to that Ile. 

Héerevpon calling togither such merchants as he knew to haue hadtraffike thither with some trade of wares, he diligentlie inquired ofthem the state of the Ile: but he could not be throughlie satisfied inanie of those things that he coueted to know. Therefore thinking itgood to vnderstand all things by view that might apperteine to the vseof that warre which he purposed to follow: before he attempted the[Sidenote: Caius Volusenus sent ouer into Britaine. ]same, he sent one Caius Volusenus with a gallie or light pinesseto surueie the coasts of the Ile, commanding him (after diligentsearch made) to returne with spéed to him againe. He him selfe alsodrew downewards towards Bullenois, from whence the shortest cut liethto passe ouer into Britaine. 

[Sidenote: _Iohn Leland. Polydor_. ]In that part of Gallia there was in those daies an hauen called_Itius Portus_ (which some take to be Calice) and so the wordimporteth, an harbourgh as then able to receiue a great number ofships. Vnto this hauen got Cesar all the ships he could out of thenext borders & parties, and those speciallie which he had prouided andput in a readinesse the last yeare for the warres (against them ofVannes in Armorica, now called Britaine in France) he caused to bebrought thither, there to lie till they should heare further. In the[Sidenote: Vannes in Britane. ]meane time (his indeuour being knowne, and by merchants reportedin Britaine) all such as were able to beare armour, were commanded andappointed to repaire to the sea side, that they might be readie todefend their countrie in time of so great danger of inuasion. 

¶ Cesar in his commentaries agréeth not with our historiographers: forhe writeth that immediatlie vpon knowledge had that he would inuadeBritaine, there came to him ambassadours from diuers cities of theIle to offer themselues to be subiects to the Romans, and to deliuerhostages. Whome after he had exhorted to continue in their good mind, [Sidenote: Comius. ]he sent home againe, and with them also one Comius gouernor ofArtois, commanding him to repaire vnto as manie cities in Britaine ashe might, and to exhort them to submit themselues to the Romans. Hemaketh no mention of Cassibellane, till the second iournie that hemade into the Ile, at what time the said Cassibelane was chosen (as yeshall heare) to be the generall capteine of the Britains, and to hauethe whole administration of the warre for defense of the countrie: buthe nameth him not to be a king. Howbeit in the British historie it iscontained, that Cesar required tribute of Cassibelane, and that heanswered how he had not learned as yet to liue in seruage, but to[Sidenote: Which is more likelie in this behalfe, as appeared by thesequel. ]defend the libertie of his countrie, and that with weapon in hand(if néede were) as he should well perceiue, if (blinded throughcouetousnesse) he should aduenture to séeke to disquiet the Britains. 

 * * * * *

_Caius Volusenus discouereth to Cæsar his observations in the Ile ofBritaine, he maketh haste to conquere it, the Britains defend theircountrie against him, Cæsar after consultation had changeth hislanding place, the Romans are put to hard shifts, the Britains beginto giue backe, the courage of a Roman ensigne-bearer, a sharpeencounter betweene both armies. _

THE ELEUENTH CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: Volusenus returneth. ]Caius Volusenus within fiue daies after his departure from Cesar, returned vnto him with his gallie, and declared what he had séenetouching the view which he had taken of the coasts of Britan. Cesar[Sidenote: Cesar with two legions of souldiers passeth ouer intoBritain. ]hauing got togither so manie saile as he thought sufficient for thetransporting of two legions of souldiers, after he had ordered hisbusinesse as he thought expedient, and gotten a conuenient wind forhis purpose, did embarke himselfe and his people, and departed fromCalice in the night about the third watch (which is about three orfoure of the clocke after midnight) giuing order that the horssemenshould take ship at an other place 8 miles aboue Calice, and followhim. Howbeit when they somewhat slacked the time, about ten of theclocke in the next day, hauing the wind at will, he touched on the[Sidenote: The Britans readie to defend their countrie. ]coast ofBritaine, where he might behold all the shore set and coueredwith men of warre. For the Britains hearing that Cesar ment verieshortlie to come against them, were assembled in armour to resist him:and now being aduertised of his approch to the land, they preparedthemselues to withstand him. 

[Sidenote: Cesar calleth a councell. ]Cesar perceiuing this, determined to staie till the other shipswere come, and so he lay at anchor till about 11 of the clocke, andthen called a councell of the marshals and chiefe capteines, vntowhome he declared both what he had learned of Volusenus, and alsofurther what he would haue doone, willing them that all things mightbe ordered as the reason of warre required. And because he perceiuedthat this place where he first cast anchor was not méete for thelanding of his people, sith (from the heigth of the cliffes thatclosed on ech side the narrow créeke into the which he had thrust) theBritains might annoy his people with their bowes and dartes, beforethey could set foote on land, hauing now the wind and tide with him, he disanchored from thence, and drew alongst the coast vnder the[Sidenote: This was about day. ]downes, the space of 7 or 8 miles, and there finding the shore moreflat and plaine, he approched néere to the land, determining to cometo the shore. 

The Britains perceiuing Cesars intent, with all spéed caused theirhorssemen and charets or wagons, which Cesar calleth _Esseda, _ out ofthe which in those daies they vsed to fight, to march forth toward theplace whither they saw Cesar drew, and after followed with their mainearmie. Wherefore Cesar being thus preuented, inforced yet to land withhis people, though he saw that he should haue much a doo. For as theBritains were in redinesse to resist him, so his great and huge shipscould not come néere the shore, but were forced to kéepe the déepe, [Sidenote: The Romans put to their shifts. ]so that the Romane soldiers were put to verie hard shift; to wit, bothto leape forth of their ships, and being pestered with their heauiearmour and weapons, to fight in the water with their enimies, whoknowing the flats and shelues, stood either vpon the drie ground, orelse but a little waie in the shallow places of the water; and beingnot otherwise encumbred either with armour or weapon, but so as theymight bestir themselues at will, they laid load vpon the Romans withtheir arrowes and darts, and forced their horsses (being theretoinured) to enter the water the more easilie, so to annoy and distressethe Romans, who wanting experience in such kind of fight, were notwell able to helpe themselues, nor to keepe order as they vsed to dooon land: wherfore they fought nothing so lustilie as they were woontto doo. Cesar perceiuing this, commanded the gallies to depart fromthe great ships, and to row hard to the shore, that being placed oueragainst the open sides of the Britains, they might with their shotof arrows, darts, and slings, remoue the Britains, and cause them towithdraw further off from the water side. 

[Sidenote: The Britans astonied. ]This thing being put in execution (according to his commandement)the Britains were not a little astonied at the strange sight of thosegallies, for that they were driuen with ores, which earst they had notséene, and shrewdlie were they galled also with the artillerie whichthe Romans discharged vpon them, so that they began to shrinke and[Sidenote: The valiant courage of an ensigne bearer. ]retire somewhat backe. Herewith one that bare the ensigne of thelegion surnamed Decima, wherein the eagle was figured, as in thatwhich was the chiefe ensigne of the legion, when he saw his fellowesnothing eager to make forward, first beséeching the gods that hisenterprise might turne to the weale, profit, and honor of the legion, he spake with a lowd voice these words to his fellowes that were abouthim; "Leape forth now euen you woorthie souldiers (saith he) if youwill not betraie your ensigne to the enimies: for surelie I willacquit my selfe according to my duetie both towards the common wealth, and my generall:" and therewith leaping forth into the water, hemarched with his ensigne streight vpon the enimies. The Romans doutingto lose their ensigne, which should haue turned them to great reproch, leapt out of their ships so fast as they might, and followed theirstandard, so that there ensued a sore re-encounter: and that whichtroubled the Romans most, was because they could not keepe theirorder, neither find anie sure footing, nor yet follow euerie man hisowne ensigne, but to put themselues vnder that ensigne which he firstmet withall after their first comming forth of the ship. 

The Britains that were inured with the shelues and shallow places ofthe water, when they saw the Romans thus disorderlie come out of their[Sidenote: The fiercenesse of the Britains. ]ships, ran vpon them with their horsses, and fiercelie assailedthem, and now and then a great multitude of the Britains wouldcompasse in and inclose some one companie of them: and other also fromthe most open places of the shore bestowed great plentie of darts vponthe whole number of the Romans, and so troubled them verie sore. 

 * * * * *

_The Romans get to land on the English coast, the Britains send toCæsar for a treatie of peace, they staie the Romane ambassadour asprisoner, Cæsar demandeth hostages of the Britains, the Romane nauieis driuen diuers waies in a great tempest, the British princes stealeout of Cæsars campe and gather a fresh power against the Romans, their two armies haue a sharpe encounter. _

THE TWELFE CHAPTER. 

Caesar perceiuing the maner of this fight, caused his men of warre toenter into boates and other small vessels, which he commanded to goto such places where most néed appeared. And relieuing them that[Sidenote: The Romans get to land. ]fought with new supplies, at length the Romans got to land, andassembling togither, they assailed the Britains a fresh, and so atlast did put them all to flight. But the Romans could not follow[Sidenote: The want of horssemen. ]the Britains farre, because they wanted their horssemen which were yetbehind, & through slacking of time could not come to land. And thisone thing séemed onelie to disappoint the luckie fortune that wasaccustomed to follow Cesar in all his other enterprises. 

[Sidenote: The Britans send to Cesar. ]The Britains after this flight were no sooner got togither, butthat with all speed they sent ambassadours vnto Cesar to treat withhim of peace, offering to deliuer hostages, and further to stand vntothat order that Cesar should take with them in anie reasonable sort. [Sidenote: Comius of Arras. ]With these ambassadours came also Comius, whome Cesar (as you haueheard) had sent before into Britaine, whome notwithstanding thathe was an ambassadour, and sent from Cesar with commission andinstructions sufficientlie furnished, yet had they staied him asa prisoner. But now after the battell was ended, they set him atlibertie, and sent him backe with their ambassadours, who excused thematter, laieng the blame on the people of the countrie; which hadimprisoned him through lacke of vnderstanding what apperteined to thelaw of armes and nations in that behalfe. 

Cesar found great fault with their misdemenor, not onelie forimprisoning his ambassador, but also for that contrarie to theirpromise made by such as they had sent to him into Gallia to deliuerhostages, in lieu thereof they had receiued him with warre: yet inthe end he said he would pardon them, and not séeke anie further[Sidenote: Cesar demandeth hostages. ]reuenge of their follies. And herewith required of them hostages, ofwhich, part were deliuered out of hand, and made promise that theresidue should likewise be sent after, crauing some respit forperformance of the same, bicause they were to be fetched farre offwithin the countrie. 

Peace being thus established after the fourth day of the Romansarriuall in Britaine, the 18 ships which (as ye haue heard) wereappointed to conuey the horssemen ouer, loosed from the further hauenwith a soft wind. Which when they approched so néere the shore ofBritaine, that the Romans which were in Cesars campe might see them, suddenlie there arose so great a tempest, that none of them was ableto kéepe his course, so that they were not onelie driuen in sunder(some being caried againe into Gallia, and some westward) but also theother ships that lay at anchor, and had brought ouer the armie, wereso pitifullie beaten, tossed and shaken, that a great number of themdid not onelie lose their tackle, but also were caried by force ofwind into the high sea; the rest being likewise so filled with water, that they were in danger by sinking to perish and to be quite lost. For the moone in the same night was at the full, & therefore caused aspring tide, which furthered the force of the tempest, to the greaterperill of those ships and gallies that lay at anchor. There was no wayfor the Romans to helpe the matter: wherefore a great number of thoseships were so bruised, rent and weather-beaten, that without newreparation they would serue to no vse of sailing. This was a greatdiscomfort to the Romans that had brought ouer no prouision to liue byin the winter season, nor saw anie hope how they should repasse againeinto Gallia. 

In the meane time the British princes that were in the Romane armie, perceiuing how greatlie this mishap had discouraged the Romans, andagain by the small circuit of their campe, gessing that they could beno great number, and that lacke of vittels sore oppressed them, theystale priuilie away one after another out of the campe, purposingto assemble their powers againe, and to forestall the Romans fromvittels, and so to driue the matter off till winter: which if theymight doo (vanquishing these or closing them from returning) theytrusted that none of the Romans from thencefoorth would attempteftsoones to come into Britaine. Cesar mistrusting their dealings, because they staid to deliuer the residue of their hostages, commandedvittels to be brought out of the parties adioining, and not hauingother stuffe to repaire his ships, he caused 12 of those that werevtterlie past recouerie by the hurts receiued through violence of thetempest, to be broken, wherewith the other (in which some recoueriewas perceiued) might be repaired and amended. 

 * * * * *

_The maner of the Britains fighting in charets, the Romans giue afresh sallie to the Britains and put them to flight, they sue toCæsar for peace; what kings and their powers were assistants toCassibellane in the battell against Cæsar, and the maner of bothpeoples encounters by the report of diuers Chronologers. _

THE XIIJ. CHAPTER. 

Whilest these things were a dooing, it chanced that as one of theRomane legions named the seuenth, was sent to fetch in corne out ofthe countrie adioining (as their custome was) no warre at that timebeing suspected, or once looked for, when part of the people remainedabroad in the field, and part repaired to the campe: those that wardedbefore the campe, informed Cesar, that there appeared a dust greaterthan was accustomed from that quarter, into the which the legion wasgone to fetch in corne. Cesar iudging therof what the matter mightmeane, commanded those bands that warded to go with him that wayfoorth, and appointed other two bands to come into their roomes, andthe residue of his people to get them to armor, and to follow quicklieafter him. 

He was not gone anie great way from the campe, when he might sée wherehis people were ouermatched by the enimies, and had much a doo tobeare out the brunt: for the legion being thronged together, theBritains pelted them sore with arrowes and darts on ech side: forsithens there was no forrage left in anie part of the countrie about, but onelie in this place, the Britains iudged that the Romans wouldcome thither for it: therefore hauing lodged themselues within thewoods in ambushes the night before; on the morrowe after when they sawthe Romans dispersed here & there, and busie to cut downe the corne, they set vpon them on a sudden, and sleaing some few of them, broughtthe residue out of order, compassing them about with their horssemenand charets, so that they were in great distresse. 

The maner of fight with these charets was such, that in the beginningof a battell they would ride about the sides and skirts of the enimieshost, and bestow their darts as they sate in those charets, so thatoftentimes with the braieng of the horsses, and craking noise of thecharet whéeles they disordered their enimies, and after that they hadwoond themselues in amongst the troops of horssemen, they would leapeout of the charets and fight on foot. In the meane time those thatguided the charets would withdraw them selues out of the battell, placing themselues so, that if their people were ouermatched with themultitude of enimies, they might easilie withdraw to their charets, and mount vpon the same againe, by meanes wherof they were as readieto remooue as the horssemen, and as stedfast to stand in the battellas the footmen, and so to supplie both duties in one. And thosecharetmen by exercise and custome were so cunning in their feat, thatalthough their horsses were put to run and gallop, yet could they staythem and hold them backe at their pleasures, and turne and wind themto and fro in a moment, notwithstanding that the place were veriestéepe and dangerous: and againe they would run vp and downe verienimblie vpon the cops, and stand vpon the beame, and conuey themseluesquicklie againe into the charet. 

Cesar thus finding his people in great distresse and readie to bedestroied, came in good time, and deliuered them out of that danger:for the Britains vpon his approch with new succors, gaue ouer toassaile their enimies any further, & the Romans were deliuered out ofthe feare wherein they stood before his comming. Furthermore, Cesarconsidering the time serued not to assaile his enimies, kept hisground, and shortlie after brought backe his legions into the campe. 

While these things were thus a dooing, & all the Romans occupied, therest that were abroad in the fields got them away. After this therefollowed a sore season of raine and fowle weather, which kept theRomans within their campe, and staid the Britains from offeringbattell. But in the meane time they sent messengers abroad into allparts of the countrie, to giue knowledge of the small number of theRomans, and what hope there was both of great spoile to be gotten, andoccasion to deliuer themselues from further danger for euer, if theymight once expell the Romans out of their campe. Herevpon a greatmultitude both of horssemen and footmen of the Britains were spéediliegot togither, and approched the Romane campe. 

Cesar although he saw that the same would come to passe which hadchanced before, that if the enimies were put to the repulse, theywould easilie escape the danger with swiftnesse of foot; yet hauingnow with him thirtie horssemen (which Comius of Arras had broughtouer with him, when he was sent from Cesar as an ambassador vnto theBritains) he placed his legions in order of battell before his campe, and so comming to ioine with the Britains, they were not able tosusteine the violent impression of the armed men, and so fled. TheRomans pursued them so farre as they were able to ouertake anie ofthem, and so slaieng manie of them, & burning vp all their houses allabout, came backe againe to their campe. Immediatlie wherevpon, euenthe same day, they sent ambassadors to Cesar to sue for peace, whogladlie accepting their offer, commanded them to send ouer intoGallia, after he should be returned thither, hostages in number dubleto those that were agréed vpon at the first. 

After that these things were thus ordered, Cesar because the monethof September was well-neare halfe spent, and that winter hasted on (aseason not méet for his weake and bruised ships to brooke the seas)determined not to staie anie longer, but hauing wind and weather forhis purpose, got himselfe aboord with his people, and returned intoGallia. 

[Sidenote: _Cæsar de bello Gallico. Lib. _ 4. ]¶ Thus writeth Cesar touching his first iournie made intoBritaine. But the British historie (which Polydor calleth the newhistorie) declareth that Cesar in a pitcht field was vanquished at thefirst encounter, and so withdrew backe into France. Beda also writeth, that Cesar comming into the countrie of Gallia, where the people thencalled Morini inhabited (which are at this day the same that inhabitthe diocesse of Terwine) from whence lieth the shortest passage ouerinto Britaine, now called England, got togither 80 saile of greatships and row gallies, wherewith he passed ouer into Britaine, & thereat the first being wearied with sharpe and sore fight, and after takenwith a grieuous tempest, he lost the greater part of his nauie, withno small number of his souldiers, and almost all his horssemen: andtherwith being returned into Gallia, placed his souldiers in stéedsto soiourne there for the winter season. Thus saith Bede. The Britishhistorie moreouer maketh mention of thrée vnder-kings that aidedCassibellane in this first battell fought with Cesar, as Cridiorusalias Ederus, king of Albania, now called Scotland: Guitethus king ofVenedocia, that is Northwales: and Britaell king of Demetia, at thisday called Southwales. 

The same historie also maketh mention of one Belinus that wasgenerall of Cassibellanes armie, and likewise of Nenius brother toCassibellane, who in fight happened to get Cesars swoord fastened inhis shield by a blow which Cesar stroke at him. Androgeus also andTenancius were at the battell in aid of Cassibellane. But Nenius diedwithin 15 daies after the battell of the hurt receiued at Cesars hand, although after he was so hurt, he slue Labienus one of the Romanetribunes: all which may well be true, sith Cesar either maketh thebest of things for his owne honour, or else coueting to write butcommentaries, maketh no account to declare the néedeles circumstances, or anie more of the matter, than the chiefe points of his dealing. 

[Sidenote: _Hector Boet. _]Againe, the Scotish historiographers write, that when it was firstknowne to the Britains, that Cesar would inuade them, there came fromCassibellane king of Britaine an ambassador vnto Ederus king of Scots, who in the name of king Cassibellane required aid against the commonenimies the Romains, which request was granted, and 10 thousand Scotssent to the aid of Cassibellane. At their comming to London, they weremost ioifullie receiued of Cassibellane, who at the same time hadknowledge that the Romans were come on land, and had beaten suchBritains backe as were appointed to resist their landing. WherevponCassibellane with all his whole puissance mightilie augmented, notonlie with the succours of the Scots, but also of the Picts (which inthat common cause had sent also of their people to aid the Britains)set forward towards the place where he vnderstood the enimies to be. 

At their first approch togither, Cassibellane sent foorth hishorssemen and charets called _Esseda_, by the which he thought todisorder the araie of the enimies. Twice they incountred togither withdoubtfull victorie. At length they ioined puissance against puissance, and fought a verie sore and cruell battell, till finally at the suddencomming of the Welshmen and Cornishmen, so huge a noise was raisedby the sound of bels hanging at their trappers and charets, thatthe Romans astonied therewith, were more easilie put to flight. TheBritains, Scots, and Picts following the chase without order or araie, so that by reason the Romans kept themselues close togither, theBritains, Scots, & Picts did scarse so much harme to the enimies asthey themselues receiued. But yet they followed on still vpon theRomans till it was darke night. 

Cesar after he had perceiued them once withdrawne, did what he couldto assemble his companies togither, minding the next morning toséeke his reuenge of the former daies disaduantage. But forsomuch asknowledge was giuen him that his ships (by reason of a sore tempest)were so beaten and rent, that manie of them were past seruice, hedoubted least such newes would incourage his enimies, and bring hispeople into despaire. Wherfore he determined not to fight till timemore conuenient, sending all his wounded folks vnto the ships, whichhe commanded to be newlie rigged and trimmed. After this, kéepinghis armie for a time within the place where he was incamped withoutissuing foorth, he shortlie drew to the sea side, where his ships laieat anchor, and there within a strong place fortified for the purposehe lodged his host, and finallie without hope to atchieue anie otherexploit auaileable for that time, he tooke the sea with such ships aswere apt for sailing, and so repassed into Gallia, leauing behind himall the spoile and baggage for want of vessels and leisure to conueieit ouer. ¶ Thus haue the Scots in their chronicles framed the matter, more to the conformitie of the Romane histories, than according tothe report of our British and English writers: and therefore we hauethought good to shew it héere, that the diuersitie of writers andtheir affections may the better appéere. 

Of this sudden departing also, or rather fléeing of Iulius Cesar outof Britaine, Lucanus the poet maketh mention, reciting the saiengof Pompeius in an oration made by him vnto his souldiers, wherin hereprochfullie and disdainfullie reprooued the dooings of Cesar inBritaine, saieng:

 Territa quæsitis ostendit terga Britannis. 

 * * * * *

_Cæsar taketh a new occasion to make warre against the Britains, hearriueth on the coast without resistance, the number of his ships, both armies incounter, why Cæsar forbad the Romans to pursue thediscomfited Britains, he repaireth his nauie, the Britains chooseCassibellane their cheefe gouernour, and skirmish afresh with theirenimies, but haue the repulse in the end. _

THE XIIIJ. CHAPTER. 

Now will we returne to the sequele of the matter, as Cesar himselfereporteth. After his comming into Gallia, there were but two cities[Sidenote: _Dion Cassius_. ]of all Britaine that sent ouer their hostages according to theircouenant, which gaue occasion to Cesar to picke a new quarrell againstthem, which if it had wanted, he would yet (I doubt not) haue foundsome other: for his full meaning was to make a more full conquest ofthat Ile. Therefore purposing to passe againe thither, as he that hada great desire to bring the Britains vnder the obedience of the Romaneestate, he caused a great number of ships to be prouided in the winterseason and put in a readinesse, so that against the next spring therewere found to be readie rigged six hundred ships, beside 28 gallies. [Sidenote: _Cæsar de bello Gal. Lib. 5. _]Héerevpon hauing taken order for the gouernance of Gallia in hisabsence, about the beginning of the spring he came to the hauen ofCalice, whither (according to order by him prescribed) all his shipswere come, except 40 which by tempest were driuen backe, and could notas yet come to him. 

After he had staied at Calice (as well for a conuenient wind, as forother incidents) certeine daies, at length when the weather so changedthat it serued his purpose, he tooke the sea, & hauing with him fiuelegions of souldiers, and about two thousand horssemen, he departedout of Calice hauen about sun setting with a soft southwest wind, directing his course forward: about midnight the wind fell, & so bya calme he was carried alongst with the tide, so that in the morningwhen the day appéered, he might behold Britaine vpon his left hand. Then following the streame as the course of the tide changed, heforced with oares to fetch the shore vpon that part of the coast, which he had discouered, and tried the last yeere to be the bestlanding place for the armie. The diligence of the souldiers was shewedhéere to be great, who with continuall toile droue foorth the heauieships, to kéepe course with the gallies, & so at length they landed inBritaine about noone on the next day, finding not one to resist hiscomming ashore: for as he learned by certeine prisoners which weretaken after his comming to land, the Britains being assembled inpurpose to haue resisted him, through feare striken into their harts, at the discouering of such an huge number of ships, they forsooke theshore and got them vnto the mountaines. There were in deed of vesselsone and other, what with vittellers, & those which priuat men hadprouided and furnished foorth for their owne vse, being ioined to theordinarie number, at the least eight hundred saile, which appeering insight all at one time, made a wonderfull muster, and right terrible inthe eies of the Britains. 

But to procéed: Cesar being got to land, incamped his armie in a placeconuenient: and after learning by the prisoners, into what part theenimies were withdrawne, he appointed one Quintus Atrius to remainevpon the safegard of the nauie, with ten companies or cohorts offootmen, and thrée hundred horssemen: and anon after midnight marchedfoorth himselfe with the residue of his people toward the Britains, and hauing made 12 miles of way, he got sight of his enimies host, who sending downe their horssemen and charets vnto the riuer side, skirmished with the Romans, meaning to beate them backe from thehigher ground: but being assailed of the Romane horssemen, they wererepelled, & tooke the woods for their refuge, wherein they had got aplace verie strong, both by nature and helpe of hand, which (as was tobe thought) had béene fortified before, in time of some ciuill warreamongst them: for all the entries were closed with trées which hadbéene cut downe for that purpose. Howbeit the souldiers of the 7legion casting a trench before them, found meanes to put backe theBritains from their defenses, and so entring vpon them, droue themout of the woods. But Cesar would not suffer the Romans to follow theBritains, bicause the nature of the countrie was not knowne vnto them:and againe the day was farre spent, so that he would haue the residuethereof bestowed in fortifieng his campe. 

The next day, as he had sent foorth such as should haue pursued theBritains, word came to him from Quintus Atrius, that his nauie byrigour of a sore and hideous tempest was gréeuouslie molested, andthrowne vpon the shore, so that the cabels and tackle being broken anddestroied with force of the vnmercifull rage of wind, the maisters andmariners were not able to helpe the matter. Cesar calling backe thosewhich he had sent foorth, returned to his ships, and finding them insuch state as he had heard, tooke order for the repairing of thosethat were not vtterlie destroied, and caused them so to be drawne vpto the land, that with a trench he might so compasse in a plot ofground, that might serue both for defense of his ships, and also forthe incamping of those men of warre, which he should leaue to attendvpon the safegard of the same. And bicause there were at the least afortie ships lost by violence of this tempest, so as there was no hopeof recouerie in them, he saw yet how the rest with great labour andcost might be repaired: wherefore he chose out wrights among thelegions, sent for other into Gallia, and wrote ouer to such as he hadleft there in charge with the gouernment of the countrie, to prouideso manie ships as they could, and to send them ouer vnto him. He spenta ten daies about the repairing of his nauie, and in fortifieng thecampe for defense thereof, which done, he left those within it thatwere appointed there before, and then returned towards his enimies. 

At his comming backe to the place where he had before incamped, hefound them there readie to resist him, hauing their numbers hugelieincreased: for the Britains hearing that he was returned with such amightie number of ships assembled out of all parts of the land, andhad by general consent appointed the whole rule and order of allthings touching the warre vnto Cassiuellane or Cassibelane, whosedominion was diuided from the cities situat néere to the sea coast, by the riuer of Thames, 80 miles distant from the sea coast. [Sidenote: Cassibellane as should séeme, ruled in the parties ofOxfordshire, Barkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire. ]This Cassibellane before time had bin at continuall warre with otherrulers, and cities of the land: but now the Britains moued with thecomming of the Romans, chose him to be chiefe gouernour of all theirarmie, permitting the order and rule of all things touching thedefense of their countrie against the Romans onelie to him. Theirhorssemen and charets skirmished by the waie with the Romans, but soas they were put backe oftentimes into the woods and hills adioining:yet the Britains slue diuers of the Romans as they followed anie thingegerlie in the pursute. 

Also within a while after, as the Romans were busie in fortifiengtheir campe, the Britains suddenlie issued out of the woods, andfierselie assailed these that warded before the campe, vnto whose aidCesar sent two of the chiefest cohorts of two legions, the which beingplaced but a little distance one from another, when the Romans beganto be discouraged with this kind of fight, the Britains therewithburst through their enimies, and came backe from thence in safetie. That daie Quintus Laberius Durus a tribune was slaine. At length Cesarsending sundrie other cohorts to the succour of his people that werein fight, and shrewdlie handled as it appéered, the Britains inthe end were put backe. Neuerthelesse, that repulse was but at thepleasure of fortune; for they quited themselues afterwards like men, defending their territories with such munition as they had, vntillsuch time as either by policie or inequalitie of power they werevanquished; as you shall sée after in the course of the historie. Howbeit in fine they were ouer-run and vtterlie subdued, but notwithout much bloudshed and slaughter. 

 * * * * *

_The Romans heauie armor their great hinderance, the maner of theBritains fighting in warre, their incounter with their enimies, their discomfiture, the worthie stratagems or martiall exploits ofCassibellane, the Troinouants submission to Cæsar, and their sutetouching Mandubratius, manie of the Britains are taken and slaine ofthe Romans_. 

THE XV. CHAPTER. 

In all this maner of skirmishing and fight which chanced before thecampe, euen in the sight and view of all men, it was perceiued that[Sidenote: The Romans heauie armor. ]the Romans, by reason of their heauie armour (being not ableeither to follow the Britains as they retired, or so bold as to departfrom their ensignes, except they would runne into danger of castingthemselues awaie) were nothing méete to match with such kind ofenimies: and as for their horssemen, they fought likewise in greathazard, bicause the Britains would oftentimes of purpose retire, andwhen they had trained the Romane horssemen a litle from their legionsof footmen, they would leape out of their charrets and incounter withthem on foot. And so the battell of horssemen was dangerous, and likein all points whether they pursued or retired. 

[Sidenote: The manner of Britains in the warres. ]This also was the maner of the Britains: they fought not closetogither, but in sunder, and diuided into companies one separated fromanother by a good distance, and had their the troopes standing inplaces conuenient, to the which they might retire, and so reléeue oneanother with sending new fresh men to supplie the roomes of them thatwere hurt or wearie. The next day after they had thus fought beforethe campe of the Romans, they shewed themselues aloft on the hills, and began to skirmish with the Romane horssemen, but not so hotlie asthey had doone the day before. But about noone, when Cesar had sentfoorth thrée legions of footemen and all his horssemen vnder the[Sidenote: Caius Trebonius. ]leading of his lieutenant Caius Trebonius to fetch in forrage, they suddenlie brake out on euerie side, and vpon the forragers. The[Sidenote: _Dion Cassius_ saith, that the Britains vanquishedthe Roman footmen at this time, but were put to the worst by thehorssemen. ]Romans so far foorth as they might, not breaking their arraie, norgoing from their ensignes or guidons, gaue the charge on them, andfiercelie repelled them, so that the horssemen hauing the legions offootemen at their backs, followed the Britains so long as they mighthaue the said legions in sight readie to succour them of néed were: byreason whereof, they slue a great number of the Britains, not giuingthem leasure to recouer themselues, nor to staie that they might hauetime to get out of their charrets. After this chase and discomfiture, all such as were come from other parties to the aid of their fellowesdeparted home, & after that day the Britains aduentured to fightagainst Cesar with their maine power; and withdrawing beyond the riuer[Sidenote: *(which is to be supposed was at Kingston) or not far fromthence. ]of *Thames, determined to stop the enimies from passing the same, ifby anie meanes they might: and whereas there was but one foord by thewhich they might come ouer, Cassibellane caused the same to be setfull of sharpe stakes, not onlie in the middest of the water, but alsoat the comming foorth on that side where he was lodged with hisarmie in good order, readie to defend the passage. Cesar learning byrelation of prisoners which he tooke, what the Britains intended todoo, marched foorth to the riuer side, where the foord was, by thewhich his armie might passe the same on foot though verie hardlie. Athis comming thither, he might perceiue how the Britains were readie onthe further side to impeach his passage, and how that the banke at thecomming foorth of the water was pight full of sharpe stakes, andso likewise was the chanell of the riuer set with piles which werecouered with the water. 

These things yet staied not Cesar, who appointing his horssemen topasse on before, commanded the footemen to follow. The souldiersentring the water, waded through with such spéed and violence (nothingappéering of them aboue water but their heads) that the Britains wereconstreined to giue place, being not able to susteine the brunt of theRomane horssemen, and the legions of their footemen, and so abandoningthe place betooke them to flight. Cassibellane not minding to trie thematter anie more by battell, sent awaie the most part of his people, but yet kept with him about a foure thousand charretmen or wagoners, and still watched what waie the Romans tooke, coasting them euer asthey marched, and kept somewhat aside within the couert of woods, andother combersome places. And out of those quarters through which hevnderstood the Romans wold passe, he gathered both men and cattellinto the woods & thicke forrests, leauing nothing of value abroad inthe champion countrie. And when the Roman horssemen did come abroadinto the countrie to séeke booties, he sent out his charrets vnto theknowne waies and passages to skirmish with the same horssemen, so muchto the disaduantage of the Romans, that they durst not straie farrefrom their maine armie. Neither would Cesar permit them (least theymight haue béene vtterlie distressed by the Britains) to departfurther than the maine battels of the footemen kept pace with them, byreason whereof the countrie was not indamaged by fire and spoile, butonlie where the armie marched. 

[Sidenote: Troinouants where they inhabited. ]In the meane time, the Troinouants which some take to be Middlesex& Essex men, whose citie was the best fensed of all those parties, andthought to be the same that now is called London, sent ambassadoursvnto Cesar, offering to submit themselues vnto him, and to obeie hisordinances, and further besought him to defend Mandubratius from theiniuries of K. Cassibellane, which Mandubratius had fled vnto Cesarinto France, after that Cassibellane had slaine his father named[Sidenote: Imanuentius. ]Imanuentius, that was chiefe lord and king of the Troinouants, and sonow by their ambassadors the same Troinouants requested Cesar, notonelie to receiue Mandubratius into his protection, but also to sendhim vnto them, that he might take the gouernment and rule of theircitie into his hands. Cesar commanded them to deliuer vnto him40 hostages, and graine for his armie, and therewith sent[Sidenote: Some take the Troinouants to be Londoners. ]Mandubratius vnto them. The Troinouants accomplished his commandementswith all spéed, sending both the appointed number of hostages, andalso graine for the armie. And being thus defended and preserued frominiurie of the souldiers, the people called Cenimagni, Segontiaci, Ancalites, Bibroci, and Cassi, submitted themselues vnto Cesar, bywhom he vnderstood that the towne of Cassibellane was not far from theplace where he was then incamped fensed with wooddes and marishes, into the which a great number of people with their cattell and othersubstance was withdrawne. The Britains in those daies (as Cesarwriteth) called that a towne or hold, which they had fortified withanie thicke combersome wood, with trench and rampire, into the whichthey vsed to get themselues for the auoiding of inuasion. 

Cesar with his legions of souldiers therfore marched thither, andfinding the place verie strong both by nature and helpe of hand, assaulted it on two partes. The Britains defending their strengtha while, at length not able longer to endure the impression of theRomans, fled out on the contrarie side of the towne where the enimieswere not. Within this place a great number of cattell was found, andmanie of the Romans taken by the Britains that followed them in chase, and manie also slaine. 

 * * * * *

_Cassibellane dooth send vnto the foure kings of Kent for aid againstCæsars host, he offereth submission to Cæsar, the Britains become histributaries, he returneth into Gallia with the remnant of his armie:the differing report of Cæsars commentaries and our historiographerstouching these warlike affaires; of a sore fray with bloudshed andmanslaughter vpon a light occasion; Cæsar taketh opportunitie to getthe conquest of the land by the division betweene Cassibellane andAndrogeus, the time of the Britains subiection to the Romans. _

THE XVJ. CHAPTER. 

Now whilest these thinges passed on this sort in those parts, [Sidenote: Foure kings in Kent]Cassibellane sent messengers into Kent vnto foure kings (whichruled that side of the land in those daies) Cingetorix, Caruilius, Taximagulus, and Segonax, commanding them, that assembling togithertheir whole puissance, they should assaile the campe of the Romans bythe sea side where certeine bands lay (as ye haue heard) for safegardof the nauie. They according to his appointment came suddenliethither, and by the Romans that sailed forth vpon them were sharpliefought with, and lost diuers of their men that were slaine and taken, and amongst the prisoners that the Romans tooke, Cingetorix was one. When Cassibellane heard these newes, being sore troubled for theselosses thus chancing one in the necke of an other, but namelie mostdiscouraged, for that diuers cities had yéelded vnto the Romans: hesent ambassadours by means of Romius of Arras vnto Cesar, offering tosubmit himselfe. 

Cesar meaning to winter in Gallia, and therefore because summer drewtowards an end, willing to dispatch in Britaine, commanded thathostages should be deliuered, and appointed what tribute the Britainsshould yéerelie send vnto the Romans. He also forbad and commandedCassibellane, that he should not in anie wise trouble or indamageMadubratius or the Londoners. After this, when he had receiued thehostages, he brought his armie to the sea, and there found his shipswell repaired, decked, and in good point: therefore he commanded thatthey should be had downe to the sea. And because he had a great numberof prisoners, and diuers of his ships were lost in the tempest, heappointed to transport his armie ouer into Gallia at two conueies, which was doone with good successe about the middest of September, though the ships returning for the residue of the armie, after thefirst conueie, were driuen so with force of weather, that a greatnumber of them could not come to land at the place appointed: sothat Cesar was constreined to fraught those that he could get witha greater burden, and so departed from the coast of Britaine, andsafelie landed with the remnant of his people in Gallia with as good[Sidenote: _Dion Cassius_. ]spéed as he could haue desired. He thought not good to leaue anieof his people behind him, knowing that if he should so doo, they werein danger to be cast awaie. And so because he could not well remainethere all the winter season for doubt of rebellion in Gallia, hewas contented to take vp, and returne thither, sith he had doonesufficientlie for the time, least in coueting the more, he might hauecome in perill to lose that which he had alreadie obteined. 

Thus according to that which Cesar himselfe and other autentikeauthors haue written, was Britaine made tributarie to the Romans by[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon. Matt. West. _]the conduct of the same Cesar. ¶ But our histores farre differfrom this, affirming that Cesar comming the second time, was by theBritains with valiancie and martiall prowesse beaten and repelled, ashe was at the first, and speciallie by meanes that Cassibellane hadpight in the Thames great piles of trées piked with yron, throughwhich his ships being entred the riuer, were perished and lost. And after his comming a land, he was vanquished in battell, andconstrained to flee into Gallia with those ships that remained. Forioy of this second victorie (saith Galfrid) Cassibellane made a greatfeast at London, and there did sacrifice to the gods. 

At this feast there fell variance betwixt two yoong gentlemen, theone named Hirilda, nephew to Cassibellane, and the other Euelie orEweline, being of aliance to Androgeus earle of London. They fell atdiscord about wrestling, and after multiplieng of words, they came todealing of blowes, by meanes whereof parts were taken, so that thereensued a sore fraie, in the which diuerse were wounded and hurt, andamongst other Hirilda the kings nephew was slaine by the hands ofEweline. The king sore displeased herewith, meant to punish Ewelineaccording to the order of his lawes, so that he was summoned toappeare in due forme to make answer to the murder: but Eweline by thecomfort of Androgeus disobeied the summons, & departed the court withAndrogeus, in contempt of the king and his lawes. The king to bereuenged vpon Androgeus, gathered a power, and began to make warrevpon him. 

Androgeus perceiuing himselfe not able to withstand the kingspuissance, sent letters to Iulius Cesar, exhorting him to returneinto Britaine, and declaring the whole matter concerning the variancebetwixt him and the king, promising to aid the Romans in all that hemight. Iulius Cesar ioifull of this message, prepared his nauie, andwith all spéed with a mightie host imbarked in the same, came towardBritaine: but yer he would land, doubting some treason in Androgeus, he receiued from him in hostage his sonne named Scena, and thirtieother of the best and most noble personages of all his dominion. Afterthis he landed, and ioining with Androgeus, came into a vallie néereto Canturburie, and there incamped. Shortlie after came Cassibellanewith all his power of Britains, and gaue battell to the Romans. Butafter the Britains had long fought and knightlie borne themseluesin that battell, Androgeus came with his people on a wing, and sosharplie assailed them, that the Britains were constrained to forsakethe field, and tooke themselues to flight. The which flight sodiscomforted them, that finallie they all fled, and gaue place tothe Romans, the which pursued and slue them without mercie, so thatCassibellane with the residue of his people withdrew to a place ofsuertie, but being enuironed about with the puissance of the Romans, and of Androgeus, who had with him seuen thousand men there in the aid[Sidenote: So saith _Campion_, but _Galfrid Monu_. Saith fiue thousand. ]of the Romans, Cassibellane in the end was forced to fall toa composition, in couenanting to paie a yearelie tribute of thréethousand pounds. When Cesar had ordered his businesse as he thoughtconuenient, he returned and with him went Androgeus, fearing thedispleasure of Cassibellane. 

The reuerend father Bede writing of this matter, saith thus: Afterthat Cesar being returned into Gallia, had placed his souldiors abroadin the countrie to soiorne for the winter season, he caused ships tobe made readie, to the number of 600, with the which repassing intoBritaine, whilest he marched foorth with a mightie armie against theenimies, his ships that lay at anchor being taken with a sore tempest, were either beaten one against another, or else cast vpon the flatsand sands, and so broken; so that fortie of them were vtterlieperished, and the residue with great difficultie were repaired. Thehorssemen of the Romans at the first encounter were put to the worsse, and Labienus the tribune slaine. In the second conflict he vanquishedthe Britains, not without great danger of his people. After this, hemarched to the riuer of Thames, which as then was passable by foordonelie in one place and not else, as the report goeth. On the furtherbanke of that riuer, Cassibellane was incamped with an huge multitudeof enimies, and had pitcht and set the banke, and almost all the[Sidenote: The stakes remained to be séene in Bedes daies. ]foord vnder the water full of sharpe stakes, the tokens of which vntothis day are to be séene, and it séemeth to the beholders that euerieof these stakes are as big as a mans thigh, sticking fast in thebottome of the riuer closed with lead. This being perceiued of theRomans, and auoided, the Britains not able to susteine the violentimpression of the Roman legions, hid themselues in the woods, out ofthe which by often issues, they gréeuouslie and manie times assailedthe Romans, and did them great damage. In the meane time the strongcitie of Troinouant with hir duke Androgeus deliuering fortiehostages, yéelded vnto Cesar, whose example manie other citiesfollowing, allied themselues with the Romans, by whose informationCesar with sore fight tooke at length the towne of Cassibellane, situat betwixt two marches, fensed also with the couert of woods, & hauing within it great plentie of all things. After this Cesarreturned into France, and bestowed his armie in places to soiornethere for the winter season. 

The Scotish writers report, that the Britains, after the Romans werethe first time repelled (as before ye haue heard) refused to receiuethe aid of the Scotish men the second time, and so were vanquished, asin the Scotish historie ye may sée more at length expressed. Thus muchtouching the war which Iulius Cesar made against the Britains, inbringing them vnder tribute to the Romans. But this tributariesubiection was hardlie mainteined for a season. 

¶ Now here is to be noted, that Cesar did not vanquish all theBritains: for he came not amongst the northerne men, onlie discoueringand subduing that part which lieth towards the French seas: so thatsith other of the Roman emperors did most earnestlie trauell to[Sidenote: _Cornelius Tacitus. In vit. Agr. Dion Cassius. _]bring the Britains vnder their subiection (which were euer redie torebell so manie sundrie times) Cesar might séeme rather to haue shewedBritaine to the Romans, than to haue deliuered the possession of thesame. This subiection, to the which he brought this Ile (what maner ofone soeuer it was) chanced about the yeare of the world 3913, afterthe building of Rome 698, before the birth of our sauior 53, the firstand second yeare of the 181 Olympiad, after the comming of Brute 1060, before the conquest made by William duke of Normandie 1120, and 1638yeres before this present yere of our Lord 1585, after Harisonsaccount. 

 * * * * *

_The state of Britaine when Cæsar offered to conquer it, and the manerof their gouernement, as diuerse authors report the same in theirbookes: where the contrarietie of their opinions is to be obserued. _

THE XVIJ. CHAPTER. 

After that Iulius Cesar had thus made the Britains tributaries to theRomans, and was returned into Gallia, Cassibellane reigned 7 yeares, and was vanquished in the ninth or tenth yeare after he began firstto reigne so that he reigned in the whole about 15 or as some haue 17yeares, and then died, leauing no issue behind him. There hath bin an[Sidenote: _Fabian_. ]old chronicle (as Fabian recordeth) which he saw and followethmuch in his booke, wherein is conteined, that this Cassibellane wasnot brother to Lud, but eldest sonne to him: for otherwise as may bethought (saith he) Cesar hauing the vpper hand, would haue displacedhim from the gouernement, and set vp Androgeus the right heire to thecrowne, as sonne to the said Lud. But whatsoeuer our chronicles orthe British histories report of this matter, it should appere by thatwhich Cesar writeth (as partlie ye haue heard) that Britaine in those[Sidenote: _Cæsar_. ]daies was not gouerned by one sole prince, but by diuers, and thatdiuers cities were estates of themselues, so that the land was diuidedinto sundrie gouernements, much after the forme and maner as Germanieand Italie are in our time, where some cities are gouerned by oneonelie prince, some by the nobilitie, and some by the people. Andwhereas diuers of the rulers in those daies here in this land werecalled kings, those had more large seigniories than the other, as[Sidenote: Cassibellane a King. ]Cassibellane, who was therefore called a king. 

And though we doo admit this to be true, yet may it be, that in thebeginning, after Brute entered the land, there was ordeined by him amonarchie, as before is mentioned, which might continue in hisposteritie manie yeares after, and yet at length before the comming ofCesar, through ciuil dissention, might happilie be broken, and diuidedinto parts, and so remained not onelie in the time of this Cassibellane, but also long after, whilest they liued as tributaries to the Romans, till finallie they were subdued by the Saxons. In which meane time, through the discord, negligence, or rather vnaduised rashnes of writers, hard it is to iudge what may be affirmed and receiued in their writingsfor a truth; namelie, concerning the succession of the kings that aresaid to haue reigned betwixt the daies of Cassibellane, and the comming[Sidenote: _Cor. Tacit. In uita. Lib. Agr. _]of the Saxons. The Roman writers (and namelie Tacitus) report, thatthe Britains in times past were vnder the rule of kings, and afterbeing made tributaries, were drawne so by princes into sundriefactions, that to defend and kéepe off a common ieopardie, scarseliewould two or thrée cities agrée togither, and take weapon in handwith one accord, so that while they fought by parts, the whole wasouercome. And after this sort they say that Britaine was brought intothe forme of a prouince by the Romans, from whom gouernors vnder thename of legats and procurators were sent that had the rule of it. 

But yet the same authors make mention of certeine kings (as hereaftershall appeare) who while the Romane emperors had the most part of theearth in subiection, reigned in Britaine. The same witnesseth[Sidenote: _Gildas in epist. _]Gildas, saieng: Britaine hath kings, but they are tyrants: iudges ithath, but the same are wicked, oftentimes spoiling and tormenting theinnocent people. And Cesar (as ye haue heard) speaketh of foure kingsthat ruled in Kent, and thereabouts. Cornelius Tacitus maketh mention[Sidenote: Some take Prasutagus and Aruiragus to be one man. ]of Prasutagus, and Cogidunus, that were kings in Britaine: and Iuuenalspeaketh of Aruiragus: and all the late writers, of Lucius. Hereby itappeareth, that whether one or mo, yet kings there were in Britain, bearing rule vnder the Romane emperors. 

[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon. _]On the other part, the common opinion of our chronicle-writers is, that the chiefe gouernment remained euer with the Britains, & that theRomane senat receiuing a yearelie tribute, sent at certeine times (_Exofficio_) their emperors and lieutenants into this Ile, to repressethe rebellious tumults therein begun, or to beat backe the inuasion ofthe enimies that went about to inuade it. And thus would these writersinferre, that the Britains euer obeied their king, till at length theywere put beside the gouernement by the Saxons. But whereas in thecommon historie of England, the succession of kings ought to be kept, so oft as it chanceth in the same that there is not anie to fill theplace, then one while the Romane emperors are placed in their steads, and another while their lieutenants, and are said to be created kingsof the Britains, as though the emperors were inferiors vnto the kingsof Britaine, and that the Romane lieutenants at their appointments, and not by prescript of the senat or emperours, administred theprouince. 

This may suffice here to aduertise you of the contrarietie in writers. Now we will go foorth in following our historie, as we haue dooneheretofore, sauing that where the Romane histories write of thingsdone here by emperors, or their lieutenants, it shall be shewed asreason requireth, sith there is a great appearance of truth oftentimesin the same, as those that be authorised and allowed in the opinion ofthe learned. 

 * * * * *

_Of Theomantius, the tearme of yeares that he reigned, and where hewas interred; of Kymbeline, within the time of whose gouernmentChrist Iesus our sauiour was borne, all nations content to obeie theRomane emperors and consequentlie Britaine, the customes that theBritaines paie the Romans as Strabo reporteth. _

THE XVIIJ. CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: THEOM[=A]DEUS ]AFTER the death of Cassibellane, Theomantius or Tenantius theyoongest sonne of Lud was made king of Britaine in the yéere of the[Sidenote: _Fabian_]world 3921, after the building of Rome 706, & before the commingof Christ 45. He is named also in one of the English chroniclesTormace: in the same chronicle it is conteined, that not he, but his[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon. _]brother Androgeus was king, where Geffrey of Monmouth & otherstestifie, that Androgeus abandoned the land clerelie, & continuedstill at Rome, because he knew the Britains hated him for treason hehad committed in aiding Iulius Cesar against Cassibellane. Theomantiusruled the land in good quiet, and paid the tribute to the Romans whichCassibellane had granted, and finallie departed this life after he hadreigned 22 yeares, and was buried at London. 

[Sidenote: KYMBELINE]Kymbeline or Cimbeline the sonne of Theomantius was of theBritains made king after the deceasse of his father, in the yeare ofthe world 3944, after the building of Rome 728, and before the[Sidenote: _Fabian_ out of _Guido de Columna_. ]birth of our Sauiour 33. This man (as some write) was brought vp atRome, and there made knight by Augustus Cesar, vnder whome he seruedin the warres, and was in such fauour with him, that he was atlibertie to pay his tribute or not. Little other mention is made ofhis dooings, except that during his reigne, the Sauiour of the world[Sidenote: Christ our saviour borne. ]our Lord Iesus Christ the onelie sonne of God was borne of a virgine, about the 23 yeare of the reigne of this Kymbeline, & in the 42 yeareof the emperour Octauius Augustus, that is to wit, in the yeare of[Sidenote: 3966. ]the world 3966, in the second yeare of the 194 Olympiad, after thebuilding of the citie of Rome 750 nigh at an end, after the vniuersallfloud 2311, from the birth of Abraham 2019, after the departure of theIsraelits out of Egypt 1513, after the captiuitie of Babylon 535, fromthe building of the temple by Salomon 1034, & from the arriuall ofBrute 1116, complet. Touching the continuance of the yeares ofKymbelines reigne, some writers doo varie, but the best approouedaffirme, that he reigned 35 years and then died, & was buried atLondon, leauing behind him two sonnes, Guiderius and Aruiragus. 

¶ But here is to be noted, that although our histories doo affirme, that as well this Kymbeline, as also his father Theomantius liued inquiet with the Romans, and continuallie to them paied the tributeswhich the Britains had couenanted with Iulius Cesar to pay, yet wefind in the Romane writers, that after Iulius Cesars death, when[Sidenote: _Cor. Tacitus. In uita lu. Agr. Dion Cassius_. ]Augustus had taken vpon him the rule of the empire, the Britainsrefused to paie that tribute: whereat as Cornelius Tacitus reporteth, Augustus (being otherwise occupied) was contented to winke; howbeit, through earnest calling vpon to recouer his right by such as weredesirous to sée the vttermost of the British kingdome; at length, towit, in the tenth yeare after the death of Iulius Cesar, which wasabout the thirtéenth yeare of the said Theomantius, Augustus made[Sidenote: _Dion Cassius. _]prouision to passe with an armie ouer into Britaine, & was comeforward vpon his iournie into Gallia Celtica: or as we maie saie, intothese hither parts of France. 

But here receiuing aduertisements that the Pannonians, which inhabitedthe countrie now called Hungarie, and the Dalmatians whome now we callSlauons had rebelled, he thought it best first to subdue those rebellsneere home, rather than to séeke new countries, and leaue such inhazard whereof he had present possession, and so turning his poweragainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians, he left off for a time thewarres of Britaine, whereby the land remained without feare of anieinuasion to be made by the Romans, till the yeare after the buildingof the citie of Rome 725, and about the 19 yeare of king Theomantiusreigne, that Augustus with an armie departed once againe from Rome topasse ouer into Britaine, there to make warre. But after his comminginto Gallia, when the Britains sent to him certeine ambassadours totreat with him of peace, he staied there to settle the state of thingsamong the Galles, for that they were not in verie good order. Andhauing finished there, he went into Spaine, and so his iournie intoBritaine was put off till the next yeare, that is, the 726 after thebuilding of Rome, which fell before the birth of our sauiour 25, aboutwhich time Augustus eftsoons meant the third time to haue made avoiage into Britaine, because they could not agrée vpon couenants. Butas the Pannonians and Dalmatians had aforetime staied him, when[Sidenote: He kept not promise with the Romans. Those of Calice andBiskaie. ](as before is said) he meant to haue gone against the Britans: so euennow the Salassians (a people inhabiting about Italie and Switserland)the Cantabrians and Asturians by such rebellious sturrs as theyraised, withdrew him from his purposed iournie. But whether thiscontrouersie which appeareth to fall forth betwixt the Britains andAugustus, was occasioned by Kymbeline, or some other prince ofthe Britains, I haue not to auouch: for that by our writers it isreported, that Kymbeline being brought vp in Rome, & knighted in thecourt of Augustus, euer shewed himselfe a friend to the Romans, &chieflie was loth to breake with them, because the youth of theBritaine nation should not be depriued of the benefit to be trainedand brought vp among the Romans, whereby they might learne both tobehaue themselues like ciuill men, and to atteine to the knowledge offeats of warre. 

But whether for this respect, or for that it pleased the almightieGod so to dispose the minds of men at that present, not onlie theBritains, but in manner all other nations were contented to beobedient to the Romane empire. That this was true in the Britains, [Sidenote: _Strab. Geog. _]it is euident enough by Strabos words, which are in effect asfolloweth. "At this present (saith he) certeine princes of Britaine, procuring by ambassadors and dutifull demeanors the amitie of theemperour Augustus, haue offered in the capitoll vnto the godspresents or gifts, and haue ordeined the whole Ile in a manner to beappertinent, proper, and familiar to the Romans. They are burdenedwith sore customs which they paie for wares, either to be sent foorthinto Gallia, or brought from thence, which are commonlie yuorievessels, shéeres, ouches, or earerings, and other conceits made ofamber & glasses, and such like manner of merchandize: so that nowthere is no néed of anie armie or garrison of men of warre to kéepethe Ile, for there néedeth not past one legion of footmen, or somewing of horssemen, to gather vp and receiue the tribute: for thecharges are rated according to the quantitie of the tributes: forotherwise it should be néedfull to abate the customs, if the tributeswere also raised: and if anie violence should be vsed, it weredangerous least they might be prouoked to rebellion. " Thus farreStrabo. 

 * * * * *

_Of Guiderius, who denied to paie tribute to the Romans, preparationfor war on both sides, of the ridiculous voiage of the EmperourCaligula against the Britains, his vanitie and delight in mischiefe:Aulus Plautius a Romane senator accompanied with souldiers arrive onthe British coasts without resistance, the Britains take flight andhide themselues. _

THE XIX. CHAPTER. 

[Sidenote: GUIDERIUS. ]Guiderius the first sonne of Kymbeline (of whom Harison saiethnothing) began his reigne in the seuententh yeere after th'incarnation of Christ. This Guiderius being a man of stout courage, gaue occasion of breach of peace betwixt the Britains and Romans, denieng to paie them tribute, and procuring the people to newinsurrections, which by one meane or other made open rebellion, as[Sidenote: Caligula. ]Gyldas saith. Wherevpon the emperour Caligula (as some thinke)tooke occasion to leauie a power, and as one vtterlie mislikingthe negligence (as he called it) of Augustus and Tiberius hispredecessors, he ment not onlie to reduce the Iland vnto the formersubiection, but also to search out the vttermost bounds thereof, tothe behoofe of himselfe, and of the Romane monarchie. 

Great prouision therefore was made by the said Caligula to performethat noble enterprise, and this was in the fourth yeere of his reigne. The like preparation was made on the other side by Guiderius, toresist the forren enimies, so that hauing all things in a readinesse, he ceassed not dailie to looke for the comming of the emperour, whome[Sidenote: _Dion Cassius. Lib. _ 59. ]he ment to receiue with hard enterteinment if he durst aduentureto set toward Britaine. But see the sequele: the maine armie beingthus in a readinesse, departed from Rome in the 79 yeere after thebuilding of the citie, and marching foorth, at length came vnto theBelgike shore, from whence they might looke ouer, and behold thecliffes and coast of Britaine, which Caligula and his men stood gazingvpon with great admiration and woonder. 

Furthermore he caused them to stand in battell arraie vpon the coast, where he heard how the Britains were in a redinesse to withstand hisentrance. But entring into his gallie, as nothing discouraged withthese newes, he rowed a flight shot or two from the shore, andforthwith returned, and then going vp into an high place like apulpit, framed and set vp there for the nonce, he gaue the token tofight vnto his souldiers by sound of trumpet, and therewith was echman charged to gather cockle shells vpon the shore, which he called[Sidenote: The spoile of the Ocean. ]the spoile of the Ocean, and caused them to be laid vp vntill atime conuenient. With the atchiuing of this exploit (as hauing noneother wherewith to beautifie his triumph) he séemed greatlie exalted, thinking that now he had subdued the whole Ocean, and thereforehighlie rewarded his souldiers for their paines susteined in thatcollection of cockle shells, as if they had doone him some notablepéece of seruice. He also caried of the same shells with him to Rome, to the end he might there boast of his voyage, and brag how well he[Sidenote: * _sic. _]had sped: and required therefore verie earnestlie haue of * atriumph decreed vnto him for the accomplishment of this enterprise. 

But when he saw the senat grudge at the free & liberall granting ofa grace in that behalfe, and perceiued how they refused to attributediuine honors vnto him, in recompense of so foolish an enterprise, it wanted little that he had not slaine them euerie one. From thencetherefore he went vp into a throne or royall seate, and callingtherewith the common people about him, he told them a long tale whataduentures had chanced to him in his conquest of the Ocean. And whenhe had perceiued them to shout and crie, as if they had consented thathe should haue béene a god for this his great trauell and valiantprowesse, he to increase their clamour, caused great quantities ofgold & siluer to be scattered amongst them, in the gathering whereof, manie were pressed to death, and diuers also slaine with the inuenomedcaltrops of iron, which he did cast out with the same monie, ofpurpose to doo mischiefe, the same caltrops being in forme small &sharp, so that by reason of the prease of people, much hurt wasdoone by them yer they were perceiued. And this was the end of theridiculous voiage of Caligula attempted against the Britains. 

[Sidenote: _Suetonius. _]But after the death of this Caligula, the emperour Claudius (asSuetonius saith) moued warre against the Britains, because of a sturreand rebellion raised in that land, for that such fugitiues as werefled from thence, were not againe restored when request was made forthe same. 

[Sidenote: Dion Cassius. ]Dion Cassius writeth, that one Bericus, being expelled out ofBritaine, persuaded the emperour Claudius to take the warre in hand atthis time against the Britains, so that one Aulus Plautius a senatour, and as then pretor, was appointed to take the armie that soiournedin France then called Gallia, and to passe ouer with the same intoBritaine. The souldiers hearing of this voiage, were loth to go withhim, as men not willing to make warre in another world: and thereforedelaied time, till at length one Narcissus was sent from Claudius, asit were to appease the souldiers, & procure them to set forward. Butwhen this Narcissus went vp into the tribunall throne of Plautius, to declare the cause of his comming, the souldiers taking greatindignation therewith cried, _O Saturnalia, _ as if they should hauecelebrated their feast daie so called. 

When the seruants apparelled in their maisters robes, represented theroome of their maisters, and were serued by them, as if they had béenetheir seruants, and thus at length constreined, through verie shame, they agréed to follow Plautius. Herevpon being embarked, he diuidedhis nauie into thrée parts, to the end that if they were kept off fromarriuing in one place, yet they might take land in another. The shipssuffered some impeachment in their passage by a contrarie wind thatdroue them backe againe: but yet the marriners and men of warre takinggood courage vnto them, the rather because there was séene a fierieleame to shoot out of the east towards the west, which way theircourse lay, made forwards againe with their ships, and landed withoutfinding anie resistance. For the Britains looked not for theircomming: wherefore, when they heard how their enimies were on land, they got them into the woods and marishes, trusting that by lingeringof time the Romans would be constreined to depart, as it had chancedin time past to Iulius Cesar aforesaid. 

THE END OF THE THIRD BOOKE.