Google
This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.
It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.
Marks, notations and other maiginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.
Usage guidelines
Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing tliis resource, we liave taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.
We also ask that you:
+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.
+ Refrain fivm automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.
+ Maintain attributionTht GoogXt "watermark" you see on each file is essential for in forming people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.
+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liabili^ can be quite severe.
About Google Book Search
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web
at|http: //books .google .com/I
c^c k 'IS
MUSEUM ASHMOLEANUM
EX LIBRIS
FRANCISCI JOANNIS HAVERFIELD
BOHN^S, ANTIQUARIAN LIBRARY.
ETHELWERD ^ASSER's LIFE OF ALFRED —
GEOFFBEY OF MONMOUTH GILDAS — NENNIUS-
AND RICHARD OF CIRENCESTER.
302228973-
W"
^^>N
t^xf/^e<s^_Ji4^ ^^>?^
'^ ./
/
OF WHICH TWO ARE
NOW FIRST TRANSLATED FROM THE MONKISH LATIN ORIGINAL^
ETHELWERB'S CHRONICLE.
ASSER'S LIFE OF ALFRED.
GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY.
GILDAS. NENNIUS.
AND
RICHARD OP CIRENCESTER.
— ♦-
EDITED, WITH ILLVSTBATIYE NOTES,
BY J. A. GILES, D.C.L..
ZJiTE FMLLOW OP CORPUS CRRrSTI COLLVOE, OXFORD.
LONDON:
HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
M.DCCG.XLYIII.
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
Of the present volume it will be sufficient to inform the
reader that it contains Six Chronicles, all relating to the
history of this country before the Norman Conquest, i^id
all of essential importance to those who like to study history
in the very words of contemporary writers.
We will at once proceed to enumerate them severally.
Chap. I^ETHELWERD'S CHBONICLE.
The short chronicle, which passes under the name of
Ethelwerd, contains few facts which are not found in the
Saxon Chronicle its precursor. Of the author we know no
more than he has told us in his work. ^' Malmesbury calls
him ^ noble and magnificent' with reference to his rank ; for
he was descended from king Alfred : but he forgets his pecu-
liar praise — ^that of being the only Latin historian for two
centuries ; though, Uke Xenophon, Csssar, and Alfred, he
wielded the sword as much as the pen."*
Ethelwerd dedicated his work to, and indeed wrote it for
the use of his relation Matilda, daughter of Otho the Great,
emperor of Germany, by his first empress Edgitha or
Editha ; who is mentioned in the Saxon Chronicle, a.d.
925, though not by name, as given to Otho by her brother,
king Athelstan. Ethelwerd adds, in his epistle to Matilda,
that Athelstan sent two sisters, in order that the emperor
might take his choice ; and that he preferred the mother of
Matilda.
The chronology of Ethelwerd is occasionally a year or two
at variance with other authorities. The reader will be
* Ingram, p. yiii. note.
b
▼i PREFACE.
guided in reckoning the dates, not by the heading of each
paragraph, A.D. 891, 975, &c., but bj the actual words of the
author inserted in the body of the text.
I have translated this short chronicle from the original
text as well as I was able, and as closely as could be to the
author's text ; but I am by no means certain of having always
succeeded in hitting on his true meaning, for such is the ex-
traordinary barbarism of the style, that I believe many an
ancient Latin classic, if he could rise from his grave, would
attempt in vain to interpret it.
Chap. IL— ASSER'S LIFE OF ALFRED.
This work is ascribed, on its own internal authority, to
Aflser, who ia said to have been bishop of St. David's,
of Sherborne or of. Exeter, in the time of king Alfred.
Though most of the pubKc events recorded in this book
are to be found in the Saxon Chronicle, yet for many
interesting circumstances in the life of our great Saxon
king we are indebted to this biography alone. But, as if no
part of history is ever to be free from suspicion, or from
difficulty, a doubt has been raised concerning the authenticity
of this work.* There is also another short treatise called the
Annals of Asser, or the Chronicle of St. Neot, different from
the present : it is published in vol. iii. of Gale and Fell's
Collection of Historians. And it has been suspected by a
living writer that both of these works are to be looked upon
as compilations of a later date. The arguments upon which
this opinion is founded are drawn principally from the ab-
rupt and incoherent . character of the work before us. But
we have neither time nor space to enter further into this
question. As the work has been edited by Petrie, so has it
been here translated, and the reader, taking it upon its own
merits, will find therein much of interest about our glorious
king, concerning whom he will lament with me that all we
know is so little, so unsatisfying.
* See Wright's Biographia Literaria Anglo-Saxonica, p. 405. Dr. Lin-
gard, however, in his recent work on the History and Antiquities of the
Anglo-Saxon Church, vol. ii. pp. 424 — 428, has replied to Mr. Wzighfto
4>bjectioD8, and vindicated the authenticity of Asser's Life.
PREFACE. Vi]
Chap. TIL— GILDAS.
Of Gildas, the supposed author of the third work con
tained in this volume, little or notliing is known. Mr. Ste-
venson, in the preface to his edition of the original Latin,
lately published by the English Historical Society, says :
'^ We are unable to speak with certainty as to his parentage,
his country, or even his name, the period when he lived, or
the works of which he was the author." Such a statement
is surely sufficient to excuse us at present from saying more
on the subject, than that he is supposed to have lived, and to
have Tvritten what remains under his name, during some part
of the sixth century. There are two legends* of the life of
St. Gildas, as he is termed, but both of them abound with
such absurdities that they scarcely deserve to be noticed in
a serious history. Of the present translation, the first or
histOMC half is entirely new ; in the rest, consisting almost
entirely of texts from Scripture, the translator has thought it
quite sufficient to follow the old translation of Habington,
correcting whatever errors he could detect^ and in some
degree relieving the quaint and obsolete character of the
language. It has been remarked by Polydore Virgil, that
Gildas quotes no other book but the Bible ; and it may be
added, that his quotations are in other words than those of
the Vulgate or common authorized translation. The title of
the old translation is as follows : " The Epistle of Gildas the
most ancient British Author : who flourished in the yeere
of our Lord, 546. And who by his great erudition, sanc-
titie, and wisdome, acquired the name of Sapiens. Faithfully
translated out of the originall Latine." London, 12mo. 1638.
Chap. IV.— NENNIUS.
The History of the Britons, which occupies the fourth
place in this volume is generally ascribed to Nennius, but
so little is known about the author, that we have hardly any
information handed aown to us respecting him except this
mention of his name. It is also far from certain at what
period the history was written, and the diffisrence is no less
than a period of two hundred years, some assigning the
* Both these works are given in the appendix to the editor's " Hlstorj
of the Ancient Britons.^
riU PREFACE.
work to seven hundred and ninety-six, and others to nine
hundred and ninety-four. The recent inquiries of Mr.
Stevenson, to be found in the Preface to his new edition of
the original Latin, render it unnecessary at present to delay
the reader's attention from the work itself. The present trans-
lation is substantially that of the Rev. W* Gunn, published
with the Latin original in 1819, under the following title :
" The ' Historia Britonum,' commonly attributed to Nennius ;
from a manuscript lately discovered in the library of the
Vatican Palace at Borne : edited in the tenth century, by
Mark the Hermit ; with an English version, fac-simile of the
original, notes and illustrations." The kindness of that gentle-
man has enabled the present editor to reprint the whole, with
only a few corrections of slight errata, which inadvertency
alone had occasioned, together with the two prologues and
several pages of genealogies, which did not occur in the
MS. used by that gentleman.
Chap. V.— GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH.
Geopfket, sumamed of Monmouth, is celebrated in English
literature as the author, or at least the translator, of Historia
Britonvm, a work from which nearly all our great vernacu-
lar poets have drawn the materiab for some of their noblest
works of fiction and characters of romance. He lived in
the early part of the twelfth century, and ia the year 1152
was raised to the bishopric of St. Asaph.
The first of his writings, in point of time, was a Latin
translation of the Prophecies of Merlin, which he undertook
at the request of Alexander bishop of Lincoln. His next
work was that on which his fame principally rests, the His-
toria Britonum, dedicated to Robert, duke of Gloucester,
who died in 1 147. Into this second work he inserted the
Latin translation above-mentioned, which now appears as
the seventh book of Historia Britonum, A third composi-
tion has also been ascribed to Geoffrey, entitled Vita Merlini,
in Latin hexameter verse : but the internal evidence which it
affords, plainly proves that it is the work of a different author.
Although the list of our Chroniclers may be considered
as complete, without the addition of this work, yet we
have thought it worthy of a place in our series for many
reasons. / It is not for historical accuracy that the book be-
PRBFAOE. IX
fore as is valuable ; for the great mass of scholars have come
to the decided conviction that it is fall of fables. Bat it is
the romantic character which pervades the narrative, together
with its acknowledged antiquity, which make it desirable
that the book should not sink into oblivion. Those who
desire to possess it as a venerable relic of an earlj age, will now
have an opportunity of gratifying their wish ; whilst others,
who despise it as valueless, in their researches after historic
truth, may, nevertheless, find some little pleasure in the tales
[^f imagination which it contains. /
The value of this work is best evinced by the attention
which was paid to it for many centuries ; Henry of Hunt**
ingdon made an abstract of it, which he subjoined as an
appendix to his history: and Alfred of Beverley, a later
writer, in his abridgment of this work which still exists,
has omitted Geoffrey's name, though he calls the author of
the original, Britannicus.
An English translation of the work was first published by
Aaron Thompson, of Queen's College, Oxford, [8vo. Lond.
1718,] and lately revised and reprinted by the editor of this
volume. [8vo. Lond. 1842.] A long preface is prefixed to
that translation, wherein the author endeavoured to prove
Geffrey of Monmouth to be a more faithful historian than
he is generally considered to be. His words are as follow :
— **1 am not unsensible that I expose myself to the censures
of some persons, by publishing this translation of a book,
which they think had better been suppressed and buried in
oblivion, as being at present generally exploded for a ground-
less and fabulous story, such as our modem historians think
not worthy relating, or at least mention with contempt. And
though it is true, several men, and those of learning too,
censure this book who have but little considered it, and
whose studies no ways qualify them to judge of it ; yet, I
own this consideration has for a long time deterred me from
publishing it : and I should not at last have been able to
surmount this difficulty, without the importunity and en-
couragement of others, to whom I owe a singular regard. I
had indeed before I entered upon the work perused the prin-
cipal writers both for and against this history, the effect of
which upon my own judgment, as to the swaying it to the
one side more than the other, was but very small ; and I
X PREFACE.
must confess, that I find the most learned antiquaries the
most modest in their opinions concerning it, and that it seems
to me to be a piece of great rashness, to judge peremptorily
upon a matter, whereof at this great distance of time there
are no competent witnesses on either side. At least I can-
not but think it a sufficient apology for my publishing this
book, to consider only, that though it seems to suffer under a
general prejudice at present, yet it has not long done so ;
but that upon its first appearing in the world, it met with
a universal approbation, and that too, from those who had
better opportunities of examining the truth of it, as there
were then more monuments extant, and the traditions more
fresh and uncorrupted concerning the ancient British affairs,
than any critics of the present age can pretend to ; that it
had no adversary before William of Newburgh about the
end of the reign of Richard the First, whose virulent invec-
tive against it, we are told, proceeded from a revenge he
thought he owed the Welsh for an affront they had given
him ; that his opposition was far from shaking the credit of
it with our succeeding historians, who have, most of them,
till the beginning of the last century, confirmed it with their
testimonies, and copied after it, as often as they had occasion
to treat of the same affairs : that its authority was alleged by
king Edward the First and all the nobility of the kingdom,
in a controversy of the greatest importance, before Boniface
the Eighth ; that even in this learned age, that is so indus-
trious to detect any impostures, which through the credulity
of former times had passed upon the world, the arguments
against this history are not thought so convincing, but that
several men of equal reputation for learning and judgment
with its adversaries, have written in favour of it ; that very
few have at last spoken decisively against it, or absolutely
condemned it ; and that it is still most frequently quoted by
our most learned historians and antiquaries. All these con-
siderations, I say, if they do not amount to an apology for the
history itself, show at least that it deserves to be better
known than at present it is ; which is sufficient to justify my
undertaking the publishing of it."
It is unnecessary in the present day to prove that king
Brute is a shadowy personage, who never existed but in the
regions of romance : but as the reader may justly expect to
rBSFACE. zi
find in this place some account of the controversy which haa
existed respecting this work, the following remarks will not
he deemed inappropriate. There seems no good reason for
supposing that Geoffrey of Monmouth intended to deceive
the world respecting the history of which he professed to he
the translator ; and it may he readily conceived that he did
no more than fulfil the task which he had undertaken,
of rendering the hook into Latin out of the original language.
But those who, even as late as the beginning of the last
century, supported the authenticity of the history, have
grounded their opinions on such arguments as the following : —
1. That, upon its first appearance in the world, the book
met with universal approbation, and that too from those who
had better opportunities of examining the truth of it, as
there were then more monuments extant, and the traditions
were more fresh and uncorrupted, concerning the ancient
British affairs, than any critics of the present age can pre-
tend to.
2. That except William of Newburgh, about the end of
the reign of Richard I, it met with no opponents even down
to the seventeenth century, but was, on the contrary, quoted
by aU, in particular by Edward I, in a controversy before
Boniface the Eighth.
3. That we see in this history the traces of venerable
antiquity.
4. That the story of Brute, and the descent of the Britons
from the Trojans, was universally allowed by Giraldus Cam-
brensis and others, and was opposed for the first time by
John of Wethamstede, [Nicolson's Eng. Hist. Lit. 2nd ed.
p. 1, c. v.] who lived in the 15th century : that Polydore
Virgil's contempt for it proceeded from his wish to preserve
unimpaired the glory of the Romans, and Buchanan's observ-
ations betray his ignorance of the story.
5. That Leland, who lived under Henry the Eighth,
Humphrey Lhwyd, Sir John Price, Dr. Caius, Dr. Powel,
and others, have supported the story of Brute, etc.
Such arguments may have satisfied the credulous students
of the seventeenth century, but the more enlightened criti-
cism of the present day wiU no longer listen to them. It
may not, however, be uninteresting to hear the account which
Thompson, the English translator gives of this work, which.
Xii PREFACE.
in his own words, and with his additional remarks upon it^
is as follows : — " The story, as collected from himself, Leland,
Bale, and Pitts, is that Walter Mapes, alias Calenius, arch-
deacon of Oxford, who flourished in the reign of Henry I,
and of whom Henry of Huntingdon, and other historians as
well as Greoffirey himself, make honourable mention, being a
man very curious in the study of antiquity, and a diligent
searcher into ancient libraries, and especially after the works
of ancient authors, happened while he was in Armorica to
light upon a History of Britain, written in the British
tongue, and carrying marks of great antiquity. And being
overjoyed at it, as if he had found a vast treasure, he in a
short time after came over to England ; where inquiring for a
proper person to translate this curious but hitherto unknown
book, he very opportunely met with Greofirey of Monmouth,
a man profoun^y versed in the history and antiquities of
Britain, excellently skilled in the British tongue, and withal
(considering the time,) an elegant writer boUi in verse and
prose ; and so recommended this task to him. Acc(»rdingly,
Geoffrey, being incredibly delighted with this ancient book,
undertook the translating of it into Latin, which he performed,
with great diligence, approving himself, according to Matthew
Paris, a faithful translator. At first he divided it into four
books, written in a plain simple style, and dedicated it to
Robert, earl of Gloucester, a copy whereof is said* to be at
Bennet College, in Cambridge, which was never yet pub-
lished ; but a^rwards he made some alterations and divided
it into eight books, to which he added the book of Merlin's
Prophecies, which he had also translated from British verse
into Latin prose, prefixing to it a preface, and a letter
to Alexander, bishop of Lincoln. A great many fabulous
and trifling stories are inserted in the history : but that was
not his fault ; his business as a translator was to deliver
them flEdthfuUy such as they were, and leave them to the
jndgment of the learned to be discussed.
" To prove the truth of this relation, and to answer at
once all objections against Geoffrey's integrity, one needs no
other argument than an assurance that the original manuscript
which G^offirey translated, of whose antiquity the curious
are able to judge in a great measure by the character, or any
* See Pitts and Yofls.
PRBFACB. xiii
ancient and authentic copy of it, is yet extant. And in-
deed, archbishop Usher* mentions an old Welsh Chronicle
in the Cottonian Library, that formerly was in the possession
of that learned antiquary, Humphrey Lhwyd, which he says
is thought to be that which Groffirey translated. But if that
be the original manuscript, it must be acknowledged that
Geoffi:ey was not merely a translator, but made some addi-
tions of his own : since, as that most learned prelate informs
lis, the account that we have in this History of the British
Flamens, and Archflamens, is nowhere to be found in it.
But besides this, there are several copies of it in the Welsh
tongue, mentioned by the late ingenious and learned Mr.
Lhwyd in his * Archaeologia Britannica.' And I myself
have met with a manuscript history of our British affairs^
written above a hundred years ago by Mr. John Lewis, and
shortly to be published, wherein the author says, that he had
the original of the British History in parchment written in
the British tongue before Greoffrey's time, as he concludes
from this circumstance, that in his book Geoffrey's preface was
wanting, and the preface to his book was the second chapter
of that published by Greoffrey. My ignorance of the Welsh
tongue renders me unqualified for making any search into
these matters ; and though the search should be attended with
never so much satisfaction, to those who are able to judge of
tiie antiquity of manuscripts, yet to the generality of readers,
other arguments would perhaps be more convincing."
The passages which we have here quoted at length, wiU
give the reader the most ample information concerning the
nature of the question, and it only remains to inform the
reader what is my own opinion on this long-agitated literary
controversy.
To those who have read the plain and simple statements
of Julius CsBsar and the other classic historians who have
described the early state of Britain, it will be morally certain
that all such accounts as we have in Geoffrey of Monmouth
are purely fabulous. The uncertainty of every thing, save
the bare fact, connected with the siege of Troy, is so great,
that to connect its fortunes with those of a ^stant and at
that time unheard-of island like Britain, can be admissible
only in the pages of romance. But in the latter part of the
* Brit. EccL Ftim. cap. 5,
XIY PBEFACE.
work which contains the history of Britain, during its con-
quest by the Saxons, we may possibly find the germs of
facts unnoticed elsewhere.
This view does not militate against the veracity of Geoffrey,
who professes to have translated from an original in the
British language, but whether any manuscript copy of this
original now exists, is a point which has not been satisfac-
torily ascertained. In 1811, the Rev. Peter Roberts pub-
lished the Chronicle of the Kings of Britain, translated from
Welsh manuscripts, and being in substance almost identically
the same as Greoffrejr's History of the Britons, — ^but it is most
likely that these Welsh MSS., which are all comparatively
modem, are themselves re-translations from the Latin of
Greoffrey.
If no other arguments could be adduced to prove the utter
incredibility of the earlier parts of this history, the following
Chronological Table would furnish quite suflBcient arguments
to establish it, by the extraordinary anachronisms which it con-
tains. For instance, between the reigns of Brutus and Leil, is
an interval of 156 years ; and yet Geoffrey makes the capture
of the ark contemporaneous with the reign of Brutus, and
the building of Solomon's temple with that of Leil. Now
the interval between these two events cannot by any possi-
bility be extended beyond eighty years. It is, moreover,
impossible to bring the chronology of the British kings them-
selves into harmony with the dates before Christ, as there
is no mention made of the exact interval between the taking
of Troy and Brutus's landing in Britain.
Geoffrey inscribes his work to Robert, earl of Gloucester,
son of Henry the Second.
GENEALOGICAL 8UHHABT.
Latinus
rz iEneas zz Lavinia ( )
Ascanius
Sylvius =s (Niece of LaTUua). I. 3.
Pandrasus I
Ignoge =z 1. Brutus at the age of 15 kilis his father. (I. 3.) Reigns twenty-
I four years. (II. 1,)
At this time Eli governed Israel^ and the ark was taken by
FBEFACE.
XV
the Philistines, and the sons of Hector reigiied in Troy,
and Sylvius ^Eneas, uncle of Brutus, in Italy. (I. 17.)
Kamber II. 1.
2. Locrin :
p. 10 yrs.
Corinseus Alhanact
; 3. Guendolcena ( Locrin by Estrilda has Sabre, who being
15 years. < drowned in the Seyera, gives name to
( that liver.
4. Maddan. II. 6.
40yr&
/
5. Mempiicius
20 yrs.
6. Ebraucos
40 yrs.
S At this time Samuel governed Israel, and
X Homer flourished*
Maiim C Saul reigns in Judaea, Eurystheus in Lace-
I daemon.
3 King David — Sylvius Latinus — Gad — Na-
(or 60, ^««re, II. 7, 8) ' than and Asaph.
7. Brutus II., 12 yrs. and 19 other sons and 30 daughters, II. 8.
I
8. Leil
aSyis.
I
9. Hudibias
39 yrs.
10. Bladud
20 yrs. II. 10.
I
11. Leir
60yiH.II. 11.
S Solomon — Queen of Sheba — Sylvius £pi-
( tus.
Capys — Haggai — Amos — Joel — Azariah.
EUjah.
^ \ ] ^
J 2. Gonoiilla =: Maglaunus, Regan =z Henuinus, Cordeillazz Agamppus,
5 yrs.
D.of
Albania.
Margan
D.of
Cornwall.
K.of
Gaul.
13. Cunedagius
33 yrs.
14. Rivallo
I
Isaiah — Hosea — Rome built
by Romulus and Remusw
15. Gurgustius
16. Sisilius
I
17. Jago
XTl
PBEFACE.
18. Kinmarcus
19. Grorbogudo := Widen
I
Ferrex
Long civil wan.
Poirex
At length arose Dunwallo Molmutius, son of Cloten, king of
ComwalL II. 17.
20. Dimwallo Molmutius zz Conwenna
40 yra.
(
21. fielinus
5 yrs. in concert with Brennius.
22. Gurgiunt Brabtruc. III. 1 1.
23. G-uithelin = Martia
— >
Biennfas
24. SisilliuB
25. Kimarus
26. Danius := Tangustela
27. Morvidus
28. Gorbonian 29. Arthgallo 30. Elidure 31. Vigenius 32. Peredure
Arthgallo was deposed in favour of Elidure, who, after a
reign of five years, restored his brother, who reigned 10
years afterwards. Elidure then reigned a second time,
but was deposed by Vigenius and Ptredure : after whose
deaths-^e reigned a Hurd time.
33. Gorbonian's I
son,!!!. 19.
34. Maigan
40. Coillus
35. Enniaunus
38. Greruntius
39. Catellus
41. Porrex
36. idwallo 37. Runno
42. Cherin
43. Fulgenius
44. Eldadus
I
45. Andragius
46. Urianu*
PBBFACOB. XVil
47. Eliad 48. Cledaucus 49. CletonuB 60. Gui^tiuB 51. Meriunua
52. BleduTO 53. Cap 54. Oenus 55. SiaOliiit
66. BlegBfared 57. Arthmail
58. Eldol 59. Redion 60. Rederchius 61. SamuflpeiiiiBel 62. Pir
63. Capoir IIL 19.
64. Cligueilliis
64. HeH
66. Lud. III. 20 67. CaasibeUaim NenniuB
Cffisar'a inTason took place during Caasibellaun's reign.
68. Tenuantius
I ( Jesus Christ is bom in the
69. Kymbelinus < reign of Kymbelinus or
I ( Cjrmbeline.
I Claudius
I
r
70. Guiderius 71. Arviragus zz Genuiasa
72. Marius
73. Coillus
74. Lucius IV. 19.
Lucius onbraces Christianity : he dies, a.d. 156.
75. Severus
76. Bassianus or Caracalla
77. Carausius, V. 3. 78. Allectus
79. Asclepiodotus 80. Coel
I
Helena iz 81 Constantius
r. 11 yre.
82. Constantino, emperor of Rome.
83. Octavius assumes the crown of Britain. *
(Daughter) zz 84. Maximian, V. 11.
Xyui PREFACE.
85. Giatian Municeps
At this time the Picts and Scots harass the Britons, who applj to the
Romans
86. Constantine, prince of Annorica, comes to assist the Britons
I
87. Constans 89. Aurebus Ambrosius 90. Utherpendragon zz Igema
VIII. 2. VIII. 17.
88. Vortigem usurps the throne (VI. 9) and calls in the
Saxons.
.-A
VIll. 19.
90. Arthur IX. 1. Anne
Kmg Arthur dies, a.d. 542 (XI. 3.)
92. Constantino 93. Aurelius Conan 94. Wortiporius 9& Malgo
96. Careticus 07. Cadwan
f N
Peanda (sister) zi 98. Cadwallo
99. Cadwallader
Cadwallader goes to Rome, where he i3 confirmed in the faith of Christ by
pope Sergius, and dies a. d. 689.
Chap. VI.— RICHARD OF aRENCESTER.
Richard, surnamed from his birth-place Ricliard of Ciren-
cester, flourished from the middle to the latter end of the
fourteenth century. No traces of his family or connections
can be discovered ; though they were at least of respectable
condition, for he received ^ education which in his time was
far beyond the attainment of the inferior ranks of society.
In 1350 he entered into the Benedictine monastery of St.
Peter, Westminster, during the abbacy of Nicholas de Lytling-
ton, as appears from the rolls of the abbey ; and his name
occurs in various documents of that establishment in the
years 1387, 1397, and 1399.
He devoted his leisure hours to the study of British and
Anglo-Saxon history and antiquities, in which he made such
proficiency that he is said to have been' honoured with the
name of the Historiographer. Pitts informs us, without
FBEFACK. XIX
specifying his authority, that Bichard visited different libra-
ries and ecclesiastical establishments in England in order to
collect materials. It is at least certain that he obtained a
licence to visit Home, from his abbat, William of Colchester,
in 1391 ; and there can be little doubt that a man of so in-
dustrious, observant, and sagacious a character profited by
this journey to extend his lustorical and antiquarian know-
ledge, and to augment his collections. This license is given
by Stukeley &om the conununication of Mr. Widmore, libra-
rian of Westminster, and bears honourable testimony to the
morals and piety of our author, and his regularity in per-
forming the discipline of his order. He probably performed
this journey in the interval between 1391 and 1397, for he
^pears to have been confined in the Abbey infirmary in
1401, and died in that or the following year. His remains
were doubtlessly interred in the cloisters of the abbey, but we
cannot expect to find any memorial of a simple monk. We
have abundant cause to regret that he was restrained in the
pursuit of his favourite studies, by the authority of his abbat.
In the seventh chapter of his first book he enters into a
spirited justification of himself, but from the preface to his
chronology he appears to have found it necessary to submit
his better judgment to the will of his superior. His works
are — Historia ab Hengisto ad Ann, 1348, in two parts.
The first contains the period from the coming of the Saxons
to the death of Harold, and is preserved in the public library
oTthe University of Cambridge, Ff. i. 28. Whitaker, the
historian of Manchester, thus speaks of it : — " The hope of
meeting with discoveries as great in the Roman, British,
and Saxon history as he has given us concerning the pre-
ceding period, induced me to examine the work. But my
expectations were greatly disappointed. The learned scholar
and the deep antiquarian I found sunk into an ignorant
novice, sometimes the copier of Huntingdon, but generally
fhe transcriber of Geoffrey. Deprived of his Roman guides,
Richard showed himself as ignorant and as injudicious as
any of his illiterate cdntemporaries about him."*
The second part is probably a manuscript contained in the
library of the Royal Society, p. 137, with the title of Brito-
num Anglortim et Saxonum Historia, In the library of
*^ Hist, of Manchester, vol. i. p. 58. 4to.
XX PREFACE.
Bennet ColL Cambridge, is Epitome Chron. Eic. Cor, West.
Lib. I. Other works of our author are supposed to be pre-
served in the Lambeth Library, and at Oxford.
His theological writings were — TraetcUus super Symho^
lum Majus et Minus, and Liber de OfficOs Ecclesiasdcis. — ^Li
the Peterborough Library.
But the treatise to which Richard owes his celebrity is
that now presented to the reader. Its first discoverer was
Charles Julius Bertram, Professor of the English Language
in the Royal Marine Academy at Copenhagen, who trans-
mitted to the celebrated antiquary. Doctor Stukeley, a tran-
script of the whole in letters, together with a copy of the
map. From this transcript Stukeley published an analysis
of the work, with the Itinerary, first in a thin quarto, in
1757, and afterwards in the second volume of his Itinera^
Hum Curiosum. In the same year the original itself was
published by Professor Bertram at Copenhagen, in a small
octavo volume, with the remains of Gildas and Nennius,
under this title — Britannicarum Gentium Stsioria An--
tiqtuB Scriptores tres: Ricardus Corinensis, Gildas Bado^
nicuSy Nennius Banchorensisy &(v Of this treatise Ber-
tram thus speaks in his preface : " The work of Richard
of Cirencester, which came into my possession in an extra-
ordinary manner with many other curiosities, is not entirely
complete, yet its author is not to be classed with the most
inconsiderable historians of the middle age. It contains
many fragments of a better time, which would now in vain
be sought for elsewhere ; and all are useful to the antiquary
***** It is considered by Dr. Stukeley, and those who
have inspected it, as a jewel, and worthy to be rescued
from destruction by the press. From respect for him I have
caused it to be printed."
Of the map Bertram observes : " I have added a very
antient map of Roman Britain, skilfully drawn according to
the accounts of the ancients, which in rarity and antiquity
excels the rest of the Commentary of Richard."
This map, however, as no longer of use in an age when
so much light has been ^thrown on its subject^ has been
omitted.
THE CHRONICLE
OF
FABIUS ETHELWERD,
FfiOK TOE BEGINNINa OF TH|: WOBLD TO THE TEAB OF
OUR LORD 875.
m FOUR BOOKS.
To Matilda, the most eloquent and true handmaid of Christ,
Ethelwerd the patrician, health in the Lord ! I have re-
ceived, dearest sister, your letter which I longed for, and I
not only read it with kisses, hut laid it up in the treasury of
my heart. Often and often do I pray the grace of the Most
High, to preserve you in safety during this life present, and
after death to lead you to his everlasting mansions. But as
I once hefore briefly hinted to you by letter, I now, with
God's help, intend to begin in the way of annals from the
beginning of the world, and explain to you more fully about
our common lineage and descent, to the end that the reader's
task may be lightened, and the pleasure of the hearer may
be augmented, whilst he listens to it. Concerning the coming
of our first parents out of Germany into Britain, their num-
berless wars and slaughters, and the dangers which they en-
countered on ship-board among the waves of the ocean, in
the following pages you will find a full description. In the '
present letter therefore I have written, without perplexity of
style, of our modem lineage and relationship, who were our
relations, and how, and where they came from : as far as our
memory can go, and according as our parents taught us. For
instance king Alfred was son of king Ethelwulf, from whom
we derive our origin, and who had five sons, one of whom
was king Ethelred* my ancestor, and another king Alfred
• Ethelred died and Alfred succeeded him a. d. 871.
'f-
2 ETHELWERD's CHBONICLE. [a.o. 430.
who was yours. This king Alfred sent his daughter Ethels-
witha into Germany to be the wife of Baldwin,* who had by
her two sons Ethelwulf and Arnulf, also two daughters Els-
wid and Armentruth. Now from Ethelswitha is descended
count Amulf,f your neighbour. The daughter of king
Edward son of the above named king Alfred was named
Edgiva, and was sent by your aunt into Gaul to marry
Charles the Simple. Ethilda also was sent to be the wife of
Hugh, son of Robert : and two others were sent by king
Athelstan to Otho that he might choose which of them he
liked best to be his wife. HeJ chose Edgitha, firom whom
you derive your lineage ; and united the other in marriage
to a certain king§ near the Jupiterean Mountains, of whose
family no memorial has reached us, partly from the distance
and partly from the confusion of the times. It is your
province to inform us of these particulars, not only from your
relationship, but also because no lack of ability or interval
of space prevents you.||
HEBE ENDS THE PROLOGUE.
BOOK THE YTRST BEGINS.
The beginning of the world comes first. For on the first
day God, in the apparition of the light, created the angels :
on the second day, under the name of the firmament he
created the heavens ; &c. &c.%
Rome was destroyed by the Goths in the eleven hundred
and forty-sixth year aflter it was built. From that time the
Roman authority ceased in the island of Britain, and in
many other countries which they had held under the yoke of
slavery. For it was now four hundred and eighty-five years,
* Baldwin, count of Flanders died a. d. 918. See Malmesbury, p. 121.
i* Arnulf, count of Flanders, a. d. 965.
X The emperor Otho married Edgitha a. d. 930.
§ Lewis the blind.
n The writer adds the barbarous verse, " Esto mihi valens cunctis per-
henniter horis," which is as easy to construe as to scan.
% Here follow several pages, in which the writer, like other annalists,
deduces his history from the creation. It is now universally the custom
with modem writers and translators to omit such preliminary matter.
A.0.449.] THE FICTS AND SCOTS. 3
beginning with Caius Julius Csesar, thai thej had held the
island above mentioned, wherein they had built cities and
castles, bridges and streets of admirable construction, which
are seen among us even to the present day. But whilst the
people of Britain were living carelessly within the wall,
which had been built by Severus to protect them, there arose
two nations, the Picts in the north and the Scots in the west,
and leading an army against them, devastated their country,
and inflicted many sufferings upon them for many years.
The Britons being unable to bear their misery, by a wise
device send to Rome a mournful letter* the army
returned victorious to Rome. But the Scots and Picts,
hearing that the hostile army was gone, rejoiced with no little
joy. Again they take up arms, and like wolves attack the
sheepfold which is left without a protector : they devastate
the northern districts as far as the ditch of Severus : the
Britons man the wall and fortify it with their arms ; but
fortune denied them success in the war. The cunning Scots,
knowing what to do against the high wall and the deep
trench, contrive iron goads with mechanical art, and drag-
ging down those who were standing on the wall, slay them
without mercy : they remain victors both within and with-
out ; they at once plunder and take possession ; and a
slaughter is made worse than all that had been before. Thus
ended the four hundred and forty-fourth year since the in-
carnation of our Lord
The Britons, seeing themselves on every side vanquished,
and that they could have no more hopes from Rome, devise,
in their agony and lamentations, a plan to adopt. For in
those days they heard, that the race of the Saxons were
active, in piratical enterprises, throughout the whole coast,
from the river Rhine to the Danish city,f which is now com-
monly called Denmark, and strong in all matters connected
with war. They therefore send to them messengers, bearing
gifts, and ask assistance, promising them their ^ance when
they should be at peace. But the mind of that degraded
i^ce was debased by ignorance, and they saw not that they
* There is evidently a hiatos in this passage, but see Bede i. 13, p. ^2
+ Urhs, " city," seems here rather to designate country or territory^
B 2
4 STHELWESD's CHBONICLB. {A.D. 449.
were preparing for themselves perpetual slavery, which is
the stepmother of all misfortmie.
The person who especially gave this comisel was Vnrth-
em,* who at that time was king over all, and to him all the
nobilify assented. They preferred to procure assistance to
them from Germany. Already two yonng men, Hengist
and Horsa, were pre-eminent. They were the grandsons
of Woden, king of the barbarians, whom the pagans have
since raised to an abominable dignity, and honouring him as
a god, offer sacrifice to him for the sake of victory or valour,
and the people, deceived, believe what they see, as is their
wont. The aforesaid youths therefore arrive, according to
the petition of the king and his senate, with three vessels,
loaded with arms, and prepared with every kind of warlike
stores : the anchor is cast into the sea, and the ships come to
land. Not long afterwards they are sent against the Scots
to try their mettle, and without delay they sheathe their
breasts in arms, and engage in a novel mode of battle. Man
clashes with man, now falls a German and now a Scot : ^n
both sides is a most wretched scene of slaughter : at length
the Saxons remain masters of the field. For this the king
aforesaid honours them with a triumph ; and they privately
send home messengers, to tell their countrymen of the fer-
tility of the country and the indolence of its cowardly people.
Their countrymen, without delay, listen to their representa-
tions, and send to them a large fieet and army. Forthwith
they were magnificently received by the king of the Britons,
and contracted a league of hospitality with the natives. The
Britons promise peace, worthy gifts of alliance and honours,
provided that they might remain in ease under their protec-
tion firom the attacks of their enemies, and pay them im-
mense stipends.
Thus much of the alliance and promises of the Britons :
now let us speak of their discord and ill fortune. For seeing
the cunningness of the new people, they partly feared and
partly despised them. They break their compact, and no
longer render them the honours of alliance, but instead,
thereof, they try to drive them from their shores. These
being their designs, the thing is made public, the treaty is
openly set aside, all parties fiy to arms: the Britons give
* Otherwiw called Voitigem.
A.S.449.] SUBJUGATION OV BRITAIN. 5
waj, and the Saxons keep possession of the country. Again
they send to Grennany, not secretly as before, but by a public
embassy, as victors are wont to do, and demand reinforce-
ments. A large multitude joined them from every province
of Germany ; and they carried on war against the Britons,
driving them from their territories with great slaughter, and
ever remaining masters of the field. At last the Britons
bend their necks to the yoke, and pay tribute. This migra-
tion is said to have been made from the three provinces of
Germany, which are said to have been the most distin-
gnished, namely, from Saxony, Anglia, and Giota. The
Cantuarians derived their origin from the Giotae [Jutes],
and also the Uuhtii, who took their name from the island
Wihta [Isle of Wight], which lies on the coast of Britain.
For out of Saxony, which is now called Ald-Sexe, or Old
Saxony, came the tribes which are still called so among the
English, the East Saxons, South Saxons, and West Saxons ;
that is, those who are called in Latin, the Oriental, Austral,
and Occidental Saxons.
Oat of the province of Anglia came the East Anglians,
Middle- Angiitis, Mercians, and all the race of the Nor-
thumbrians. Moreover Old Anglia is situated between the
Saxons and Jutes, having a capital town, which in Saxon is
called Sleswig, but in Danish Haithaby. Britain, therefore,
is now called Anglia [England], because it took the name of
its conquerors : for their leaders aforesaid were the first who
came thence to Britain ; namely, Hengist and Horsa, sons of
Wyhrtels :* their grandfather was Wecta, and their great-
grandfather Withar, whose father was Woden, who also
was king of a multitude of barbarians. For the unbelievers
of the North are oppressed by such delusion that they wor-
ship him as a god even to this day, namely the Danes, the
Northmen, and the Suevi ; of whom Lucan says,
** PouTB forth the yellow Suevi from the North."
So greatly did the invasion of those nations spread and
increase, that they by degrees obliterated all memory of the
inhabitants who had formerly invited them with gifts. They
demand their stipends: the Britons refuse: they take up
arms, discord arises, and as we have before said, they drive
* More commonly called WihtgilB.
6 ETHELWEBB's CHIEONICLE. [A.0. 41S-405.
the Britons into certain narrow isthmuses of the island, and
themselves hold possession of the island firom sea to sea even
unto the present time.
A. 418. In the ninth year also after the sacking of Rome
by the Goths, those of Roman race who were left in Britain,
not bearing the manifold insults of the people, bury their
treasures in pits thinking that hereafter they might have
better fortune, which never was the case ; and taking a por-
tion, assemble on the coast, spread their canvas to the winds,
and seek an exile on the shores of Gaul.
A. 430. Twelve years aft«r, bishop Palladius is sent by
the holy pope Celestinus to preach the gospel of Christ to
the Scots.
CHAPTER ♦
A. 449. When, therefore, nineteen years had elapsed,
Maurice and Valentine f became emperors of Rome; in
whose reign Hengist and Horsa at the invitation of Vorti-
gern king of the Britons arrive at the place called Wip-
pid's-fleet, at first on the plea of assisting the Britons:
but afterwards they rebelled and became their enemies, as
we have already said. Now the number of years, completed
since the marvellous incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
was four hundred and forty-nine.
A. 455. In the sixth year after, Hengist and Horsa
fought a battle against Yortigem in the plain of ^gels-
threp. There Horsa was killed, and Hengist obtained the
kingdom.
A. 457. But after two years, Hengist and JEsc his son
renewed the war against the Britons ; and there fell in that
day on the side of the Britons four thousand men. Then
the Britons, leaving Cantia, which is commonly called Kent,
fled to the city of London.
A. 465. About eight years aft;er, the same men took up
arms against the Britons, and there was a great slaughter
made on that day: twelve chiefs of the Britons fell near a
place called Wipped's-fleet ; there fell a soldier of the Saxons
called Wipped, from which circumstance that place took its
name; in the same way as the Thesean sea was so called
* Capitulum in the original : but no number is annexed,
t This should be Marcian and Valentinian.
A-a. 473-530.] WABS AGAINST BRITAIN. 7
firom Theseus, and the ^gsean sea from £geus who was
drowned in it.
A. 473. After eight years were completed, Hengist with
his son ^sc, a second time make war against the Britons,
and haying slaughtered their army, remain victors on the
field of battle, and carry off immense spoils.
A. 477. In the fourth year ^lla landed in Britain from
Germany with his three sons, at a place called Cymenes-
Qra, and defeated the Britons at Aldredes-leage.*
A. 485. After eight years, the same people fight against
the Britons, near a place called Mearcraedsbum.
A. 488. After this, at an interval of three years, ^scj
son of Hengist, began to reign in Kent.
A. 492. After three years, JBlla and Assa besieged a
town called Andreds-cester, and slew all its inhabitants,
both small and great, leaving not a single soul alive.
A. 495. After the lapse of three more years, Cerdic and
his son Cynric sailed to Britain with five ships, to a port
caUed Cerdic's-ore, and on the same day fought a battle
against the Britons, in which they were finally victorious.
A. 500. Six years after their arrival, they sailed round
the western part of Britain, which is now called Wessex.
A. 501. Also after a year Port landed in Britain with his
son Bieda.
A. 508. Seven years after his arrival, Cerdic with his son
Cynric slay Natan-Leod, king of the Britons, and five thou-
sand men with him.
A 514. Six years after, Stuf and Whitgar landed in
Britain at Cerdic's-ore, and suddenly make war on the Bri-
tons, whom they put to flight, and themselves remain masters
of the field. Thus was completed the fifty-sixth f year since
Hengist and Horsa first landed in Britain.
A. 519. Five years after, Cerdic and Cynric fought a
battle against the Britons at Cerdic's-ford, J on the river
Avencj and that same year nominally began to reign.
A. 527. Eight years after, they renew the war against the
Britons.
A. 530. After three years, they took the Isle of Wight,
• Perhaps an error for Andredes-leage, formerly Anderida, in Sussex.
t This number should be sixty-six.
i Chaitord, near Fordingbridge, Hants.
g ETHELWEBD'S chronicle. Ca.o. S34-577.
the sitiiQtion of which we have mentioned above : but thej
did not kill many of the Britons.
A. 534. Four jears after, Cerdic with his son Cenric gives
up the Isle of Wight into the hands of their two cousins
8tuf and Wihtgar. In the course of the same year Cerdic
died, and Cenric his son began to reign after him, and he
reigned twenty-seven years.
A. 538. When he had reigned four years, the sun was
eclipsed from the first hour of the day to the third.*
A. 540. Again, two years after, the sun was eclipsed for
half-an-hour after the third hour, so that the stars were
everywhere visible in the sky.
A. 547. In the seventh year after this, Ida b^an to
reign over the province of Northumberland, whose family
derive their kingly title and nobility from Woden.
A. 552. Five years after, Cenric fought against the Britons
near the town of Scarburh [Old Sarum], and, having routed
them, slew a large number.
A. 556. The same, four years afterwards, fought with
Ceawlin against the Britons, near a place called Berin-byrig
[Banbury ?]
A. 560. At the end of about four years, Ceawlin began
to reign over the western part of Britain, which is now com-
monly called Wessex. Moreover, Ella the Iffing is sent to
the race of Northumbria, whose ancestry extends up to the
highest, namely to Woden.
A. 565. Five years afterwards, Christ's servant Columba
came from Scotia [Ireland] to Britain, to preach the word of
Grod to the Picts.
A. 568. Three years after his coming, Ceawlin and Cutha
stirred up a civil war against Ethelbert, and having defeated
him, pursued him into Kent, and slew his two chiefs, Oslaf
and Cnebba, in Wubbandune.f
A. 571. After three years, Cuthulf fought against the
Britons at Bedanford [Bedford], and took four royal cities,
namely Liganburh [Lenbury], Eglesburh [Aylesbury], Ben-
singtun [Benson], and ^nesham [Eynsham].
A. 577. After the lapse of six years, Cuthwin and Ceaw-
lin fight against the Britons, and slay three of their kings,
* That 18, from Beyen till nine o'clock in the morning,
t Wimbledon^ or Worplesdon. Surrey.
Aj>. 584-^96.] ABBIYAL OF AUGUSTIXE. 9
Comail, Condidan, and Farinmeail, at a place called Deor-
iiamme [Derham ?] ; and thej took three of their most
distinguished cities, Gloucester, Cirencester, and Bath.
A. 584. After seven years, Ceawlin and Cutha fought
against the Britons, at a place called Fethanleage [Frethem?] :
there Cutha fell ; but Ceawlin reduced a multitude of cities,
and took immense spoils.
A. 592. In the eighth year there was a great slaughter on
both sides, at a place called Wodnesbyrg [Wemborow?], so
that Ceawlin was put to flight, and died at the end of one
more year.
A. 593. After him, Cwichelm, Crida, and Ethelfrid, suc-
ceeded to the kingdom.
HERE ENDS BOOK THE FIBST.
HEBE BEGINS THE FBOLOGXTE TO BOOK THE SECOND.
In the beginning of this book it will not be necessary to
nu^e a long preface, my dearest sister ; for I have guided
my pen down through many perplexed subjects from the
highest pointy and, omitting those things extracted from sa-
cred and profane. history, on which most persons have fixed
their attention, have left higher matters to the skilful reader.
And now I must turn my pen to the description of those
things which properly concern our ancestors ; and though a
pupil is not properly called a member, yet it yields no Httle
service to the other members.
We therefore entreat in God's name that our words may
not be despised by the malevolent, but rather that they may
give abundant thanks to the King of heaven, if they seem to
speak things of high import.
HEBE ENDS THE FBOLOGUE ;
AND
THE SECOND BOOK BEGINS.
Chap. I. — Of the coming of Augustine ^ who was sent by the blessed Pope
Gregory, [a.d. 596,]
As Divine Providence, mercifully looking down upon all
things from all eternity, is accustomed to rule them, not by
necessity, but by its powerful superintendence, and remain-
10 ETHELWERd'S CHBONICLE. [▲j>.597.
ing always immoveable m itself, and disposing the different
elements bj its word, and the human race to come to the
knowledge of the troth by the death of his only begotten
Son, by whose blood the four quarters of the world are re-
deemed, so now by his servant doth it dispel the darkness in
the regions of the west.
'^^ Whilst thojofoic the blessed pope Gregory sat on the
episcopal seat, and sowed the seeds of the gospel of Christ,
there stood by him some men of unknown tongue and very
comely to look on. The holy man admiring the beauty of
their countenances, asked of them with earnestness from what
country they came. The young men with downcast looks
replied, that they were Angles. ^^ Are you Christians,'' said
the holy man, "or heathens ?" "Certainly not Christians,"
said they, " for no one has yet opened our ears." Then the
holy man, lifting up his eyes, replied, " What man, when
there are stones at hand, lays a foundation with reeds ?"
They answer, "No man of prudence." "You have weU
said," answered he ; and he straightway took them into a
room, where he instructed them in the divine oracles, and
afterwards washed them with the baptism of Christ : and
further he arranged with them, that he would go with them
into their country. When the Romans heard of this they
opposed his words, and were unwilling to allow their pastor
to go so far from home. The blessed pope Gregory, there-
fore, seeing that the people were opposed to him, sent with
the men aforesaid one of his disciples, who was well instructed
in the divine oracles, by name Augustine, and with him a
multitude of brethren. When these men arrived, the En-
glish received the faith and erected temples, and our Saviour
Jesus Christ exhibited innumerable miracles to his faithful
followers through the prayers of the bishop, St. Augustine ;
at whose tomb, even to the present day, no small number of
; miracles are wrought, with the assistance of our Lord.
I Chap. U.—Ofking EtMbert, and ofhia bapHtm, [a.d. 597.]
I When the man aforesaid arrived, Ethelbert bore rule over
. Kent, and receiving the faith, submitted to be baptized with
I all his house. He was the first king among the English who
l_ received the word of Christ. Lastly Ethdbert was the son
i.iKffO7-«0«.] DEATH OP POPE GREGORT. 11
of ErmenriCy whose grandfather was Ochta, who bore the
praenomen of Else,* from which the kings of Kent were
afterwards named Esings, as the Romans from Bomulus, the
CecropidsQ from Cecrops, and the Tuscans from Tuscus.
For Eisc was the father of Hengist^ who was the first
consul and leader of the Angles out of Germany ; whose
father was Wihtgils, his grandfather Witta, his great-grand-
father Wecta, his great-grandfather's father Woden, who
also was king of many nations, whom some of the pagans
now still worship as a god. And the number of years that
was completed from the incarnation of our Lord was four
years less, than six hundred.f
Chap. III^ — Of Oeolumlff king qf the Wiest-SeutotiMy and of hit eon-
tinned wars,
A. 597. At the end of one year, Ceolwulf began to reign
over the Western English.^ His family was derived from
Woden ; and so great was his ferocity that he is said to have
been always at war, either with his own nation or with the
Britons, or the Ficts or Scots.
Chap. IY. — Concerning Augustine* m pall of apostieship sent him by pope
Gregory,
A. 601. When he had reigned four years, pope Gregory
sent to Augustine the pall of apostieship.
Chap. Y. — Of the faith of the East-Saxons, and of the decease of the
blessed pope Gregory,
A. 604. After three years, the eastern English § also re-
eeived baptism in the reign of Sigebert [Sabert] their king.
A. 606. Two years afterwards, the blessed pope Gregory
departed this world, in the eleventh year after he had
bestowed baptism on the English by sending among them
Christ's servant Augustine. And the number of years that
* See William of Malmsbury, b. i. c. 1 , p. 12, note. t a.d. 59b'.
t West-Saxons is the more correct term ; but Ethelwerd often uses the
more general name Angles or English, for all the tribes settled in England.
§ Orientates Angli is the expression of Ethelwerd, but it should be
Orientales Saxones, whose king's name is generally written Sabert. See
preceding note.
12 ETHELWEBD's CHEONICXB. [A.D. 627— 658.
was completed from the begimiing of the world was more
than five thousand and eight hundred. *
Chap. VI. — Of the reign of king CgnegHs, his wars ; and of the coming of
bishop Birinus, of the baptism of the king, and the faith of the East-
S€UPons, f and of the baptism of CtUhrid, [a.d. 615— -639.]
Afterwards Cynegils received the kingdom of the West-
Angles, and, in conjunction with Cuichehn, he fought
against the Britons at a place called Beandune,^ and having
defeated their army, slew more than two thousand and forty
of them.
A. 629. Fourteen years after, Cynegils and Cuichelm
fought against Penda at Cirencester.
A. 635. After six years bishop Birinus came among the
Western Angles, preaching to them the gospel of Christ.
And the number of years that elapsed since their arrival in
Britain out of Germany, was about one hundred and twenty.
At that time Cynegils received baptism from the holy bishop
Birinus, in a town called Dorchester.
A. 639. He baptized Cuthred also four years after in the
same city, and adopted him as his son in baptism.
Chap. YII. — Of the reign ofKenwalk, and of his actions,
A. 648. When nine years were fulfilled, Kenwalk gave
to his relation, Cuthred, out of his farms, three thousand
measures, adjacent to a hill named Esc's dune, [Aston ?]
A. 652. Four years after, he fought a battle against his
own people, at a place called Bradford, on the river Afene. §
A. 655. Three years afterwards king Penda died, and the
Mercians were baptized.
A. 658. After three years more, the kings Kenwalk and
Pionnajl renewed the war against the Britons, and pursued
them to a place called Pederydan. %
* Ethelwerd adopts that syBtem of chronology which makes 5300 to hare
elapsed before Christ.
f Should be West-Saxons. .
i Most probably Bampton in Oxfordshire. This battle took place in
614. See the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for that year.
§ Avon.
II This should be '^ at Fionna,'' [Fen]. See Saxon Chronicle.
% Fetherton,
A.D.W1— €82.] WULFHEBE^— KENTWnr. 13
A. 661. After three years, Kenwalk again fought a battle
near the town of Pontesbury, and took prisoner Widfh^re, son
of Penda, at Esc'sdune [Ashdown], when he had defeated
his army.
A. 664. Three years afterwards there was an eclipse of
the son.
A. 670. When six years were fulfilled, Oswy, king of
Northumberland, died, and Egfrid succeeded himi.
A. 671. After one year more, there was a great pestilence
among the birds, so that there was an intolerable stench by
sea and land, arising from the carcases of birds^ both small
and great.
A- 672. Twelve months after Kenwalk, king of the West-
Angles, died ; and his wife, Sexburga, succeeded him in the
kingdom, and reigned twelve months.
A. 673. After her Escwin succeeded to the throne, and
two years were fulfilled. His family traces to Cerdic.
Cbap. Yin. — Of Wulfliere and Cenwulf,* and of (he council held by the
holy father Theodore.
A. 674. After one year, Wulf here son of Penda, and
Cenwalh* fought a battle among themselves in a place called
Beadanhead [Bedwin].
A. 677. After three years a comet was seen.
A. 680. At the end of two years a council was held at
Hethlege,f by the holy archbishop Theodore, to instruct the
people in the true faith. In the course of the same year
died Christ's servant, Hilda, abbess of the monastery called
Streaneshalch [Whitby].
Chap. IX. — Of king Kentmn and hit ware
A. 682. After two years king Kentwin drove the Britons
out of their country to the sea.
A. 684. After he had reigned two years f Ina became king
of the western English. A hundred and eighty-eight years
were then fulfilled from the time that Cer<^c, his sixth
* These names are both wrong ; we must read Escwin.
t Heathfield or Hatfield.
X There is an error here : Cttdwalla is omitted, and three years are lost
in the chronology.
14 ETHBLWEBD'S CHBONICLE. [a.d. 682—781.
ancestor, received the western part of the island from the
Britons.
Chap. X. — 0/ Cadwalla^s eonversion to thefailh ofChriii,
A. 684. In the course of the same year Csedwalla went to
Rome, and received baptism and the the faith of Christ ;
after his baptism the pope of that year gave him the surname
of Peter.
A. 694. Abotit six years afterwards, the Kentish men re-
membered the cause which they had against king Ina when
they burnt his relation * with fire ; and they gave him thirty
thousand shillings at a fixed rate of sixteen pence each.
Chap. — XI. Of the aott of Ethehed king of the Mercians.
A. 704. After ten years, Ethelred son of Penda and king of
the Mercians assumed the monastic habit, when he had com-
pleted twenty-nine years of his reign.
A. 705. After twelve months died Alfrid king of North-
umberland. And the number of years that was then ful-
filled from the beginning of the world was five thousand
nine hundred.
A. 709. Four years afterwards died the holy bishop Aid-
helm, by whose wonderful art were composed the words which
are now read, and his bishopric was the province which is
now called Selwoodshire [Sherborne].
Chap. XII. — Of the reign of Ina^ and of his acts,
A. 710. After a year, the kings and Ina made war against
king Wuthgirete ;t also duke Bertfrid against the Picts.
A. 714. After four years died Christ's servant Guthlac.
A. 715. After a year Ina and Ceolred fought against
those who opposed them in arms at Wothnesbeorghge [Wan-
borough.] .
A. 721. After seven years Ina slew Cynewulf, and after
six months made war against the Southern English.
* His name was Mull : the passage is obscure. See the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle.
t Called Gerent in the Saxon Chronicle, and Gerentius in Aldhelm's
works.
i.ni 728—756. D ETHELABD — SI6EBEBT. 1 5
Chap. XIII. —0/ kin^ Ethelard,
A. 728. When six years were fuljEQled he went to Rome,
and Ethelard received the kingdom of the West Saxons,
lattte first year of his reign he made war against Oswy.*
trX 729. At the end of one year a comet appeared, and
4he holy bishop Egl)|prt died.
A. 731. After two years, Osric king of Northumberland
died and Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom.
Chap. XIV.— 0/ the actt of king EthelbaJd.
A. 733. Two years after these things, king Ethelbald re-
ceived under his dominion the royal vill which is called
_Sjfflaerton. The same year the sun was eclipsed.
A 734. After the lapse of one year, the moon appeared
as if stained with spots of blood, and by the same omen Tat-
wine and Bedef departed this life.
Chap. XV. — Of the reign of Eadbert and of his deeds.
A. 738. After four years, Eadbert succeeded to the kingdom
of the Northumbrians, and his brother Egbert discharged
the archiepiscopal ofi&ce; and now they both lie buried in
the city of York, under the shade of the same porch.
Chap. XVI. — Of the rule of king Cuthred,
A. 750. After twelve years king Cuthred began to make
war against duke Ethelhun, for some state-jealousy.
A. 762. Again after two years he drew his sword against
king Ethelbald at a place called Beorgforda.^
A. 753. After another year he gratified the fierce propen-
sities of his nature by making war against the Britons : and
after another year he died, a.d. 754.
Chap. XVII. — Of the acts of king Sigebert and of his reign.
Furthermore Sigebert received the kingdom of the western
English.
A. 756. At the end of one year after Sigebert began to
* Should be Oswald king of Northumberland,
t It is doubtful whether Bede died in 734 or 735.
J Without doubt this is Burford in Oxfordshire.
16 ETHELWEKD's CHBONICLE. [A.D. 755.
reign, Cynewulf, inyading his kingdom, took it from him, and
drew away all the wise men of the west country, in conse-
quence of the perverse deeds of the aforesaid king ; nor was
any part of his kingdom left to him except one province only,
named Hamptonshire [Hampshire]. And he remained there no
long time ; for, instigated by an old affront^ he slew a certain
duke, and Cynewulf drove him into the wilds of Andred:
and so he fled from thicket to thicket^ until he was at last
slain by a herdsman at a place named Pryffetesflodan,* and
so the blood of duke Cumbra was avenged.
Chap. XVIII. — Of the reign of Cyneumlf, hU war and deeds,
A. i55. These things having been premised, Cynewulf fre-
quently fought no slight battles against the Britons. For
when thirty-one years had passed, he tried to expel from his
territories a certain chief named Cyneard, brother to Sige-
bert, whose deeds have been related above. He was after-
wards besieged by this prince, for it was told him that he was
in company of a certain courtezan at a place called Meranton
[Merton], and though he had with him only a few men, who
knew nothing of the matter, he surrounded the house with
arms. The king, seeing how he was situated, leaped to the
door, and bravely repelled their weapons ; but making up his
mind he rushed upon the prince, and inflicted no slight wounds
upon him ; his companions, not forgetting his threats, raised
their weapons and slew the king. The report being spread,
the king's soldiers, who had been in his company, each for
himself, as was their custom, made an attack, uttering shouts.
But the prince, soothing them, promised them gifts and ample
honours. They desire death, now that their lord is dead ;
nor do they attend to his promises, but rush with one accord
upon death. None of them escaped with life except one
British hostage, and he had received severe wounds. When,
therefore, the day dawned, it became known to the soldiers,
who had remained behind the king's back, they assembled
together and set forth, and with them Osric the duke and
Wigferth the knight. They found the prince in the house,
where their master was lying dead. The doors are belea-
guered on both sides. Within are the one party, and the
♦ Privett, Hampshire.
A.i>. 75^-756.] OFFA AND HIS DEEDS. 17
other party are without. The prince asks a truce, and makes
ample promises; his object is future sovereignty. The
king's fHends spurn these offers, and rather seek to separate
from the prince their relations who were in his company.
These reject their proposals ; on the contrary they answer
their friends thus :* " No tie is so powerful as that which
binds us to our lord ; and whereas you ask us to depart, we
tell you that we made the same proposal to those who were slain
with your king, and they woiid not accede to it." To this
the other party rejoined, " But you will remain unhurt, if
you only depart, nor share in the vengeance which we shall
inflict for those who were slain with the king.** They re-
turned no answer to this, but silently begin the battle ; shield
punishes shield, and arms are laced in bucklers, relation falls
by his kinsman ; they smash the doors, one pursues after an-
other, and a lamentable fight ensues. Alas ! they slay the
prince ; all his companions are laid low before his face, except
one, and he was the baptismal son of duke Osric, but half
alive, and covered with wounds.
Now Cynewulf reigned thirty-one years, and his body lies
entombed in the city of Winchester. The above-named prince
also reposes in the church commonly called Axanminster.')'
Both their families trace to Cerdic.
A. 755. In the same year Ethelbald, king of Mercia, was
slain at a place called Seccandune,} and his body rests in a
monastery called Reopandune.§ Bemred succeeded to the
kingdom, and not long after he also died.
Chap. XIX. — Of the reign taking Offa and qfhis deeds.
A. 756. In the revolution of the same year, Offa suc-
ceeded to the kingdom, a remarkable man, son of Thing-
ferth; his grandfather was Enwulf, his great-grandfather
Osmod, his great-grandfather's father Pybba, his great-grand-
father's grandfather was Icel, his sixth ancestor Eomaer, the
* This 18 a sort of paraphrase rather than a translation : the original is
not only bad in style and ungrammatical, but exceedingly coirapt and
f ery obscure.
t Now Axminster. The syllable an or en occurs similarly in many an-
cient Saxon towns ; thus Bedanford, Oxenford, &c., and Seccandune, Reop- '
andune below. t Now Seckiiigton. J Now Repton.
18
ethelwerd's chronicle.
Laj>. 77^-786.
* •)
seventh Angeltheow, the eighth Offa, the ninth Wasrmund,
the tenth Wihtla^, the eleventh Woden.
A. 773. Also after seventeen years, from the time that
Cynewulf took the kingdom from Sigebert, the sign of our
Lord's cross appeared in the heavens after sun-set^ and in the
slmie^year a civil contest* took place between the people of
Kent and Mercia, at a place called Cittanford :f and in those
days some monstrous serpents were seen in the country of the
Southern Angles, which is called gussex.
~ A. 777. About four years after, Cynewulf and Offa fought
a battle near the town of Bensington, which was gained by
Offa.
A. 779. Two years afterwards, the Grauls and Saxons
stirred up no slight contests with one another.
A. 783. In short, after four years, Cyneard slays king
Cynewulf, and is himself also slain there.
Chap. XX. — Of the aets o/BertriCy king of the West-Seurons.
A. 783. In the same year Bertric received the kingdom
of the West- Angles, whose lineage traces up to Cer<^.
A. 785r'3ller'' three years> he took in mamage Offa's
daughter Eadburga.
HERE EXDS BOOK THE SECOND,
AND
THE PBOLOGTJE OF BOOK THE THIRD BEGINS.
After what has been written in the foregoing pages, it re-
mains that we declare the contents of our third book. We
exhort you, therefore, most beloved object of my desire, that
the present work may not be thought tedious by you for its
length of reading, since to thee especially I dedicate this.
Wherefore, the farther my mind digresses, the more does my
affectionate love generate and expand itself.
HERE ENDS THE PROLOGUE,
* The term ' civile bellum ' — civil war is used by Ethelweid, to denote
a battle between the kindred Anglo-Saxon kingdoms ; the daasical reader
will also note the use of the word ' bellum ' for ' proelium.'
t This should be Ottanford, or Otford, in Kent, a place of great
antiquity.
A.n. 787—800.1 KENULF — ^HIS WARS. 19
AND THE BOOK BEGINS.
Whilst the pious king Bertric was reigning over the west-
em parts of the English, and the innocent people spread
through their plains were enjoying themselves in tranquillity
and yoking their oxen to the plough, suddenly there arrived
on the coast a fleet of Danes, not large, but of three ships
only : this wajJ^^^-^* arrival When this became known,
the king's ^Ec^, who^was already stopping in the town of
Dorchester, leaped on his horse and gallopped forwards with
a few men to the port, thinking that they were merchants
rather than enemies, and, commanding them in an authorita-
tive tone, ordered them to be made to go to the royal city ;
but he was slain on the spot by them, and all who were with
him. The name of the officer was Beaduherd.
A. 787. And the number of years that was fulfilled was
above three hundred and thirty-four, firom the time that Hen-
gist and Horsa arrived in Britain, in which also Bertric
married the daughter of king Offa.
A. 792. Moreover, it was after five years that Offa king
of the Mercians commanded the head of king Ethelbert to be
struck off.
A. 794. After two years Offa also died, and Egfert his
son succeeded to the kingdom, and died in the same year.
Pope Adrian also departed this life. Ethelred, king of the
Northvnnbrians, was slain by his own people.
Chap. I. — OfKenvlfj king of the Mercians, and of his wars.
A. 796. After two years, Kenulf, king of the Mercians,
ravaged Kent and the province which is called Merscwari,*
and their king Pren was taken, whom they loaded with
chains, and led as far as Mercia.
A. 797. Then after a year, the enraged populace of Rome
cut out the tongue of the blessed pope Leo, and tore out his
eyes, and drove him from his apostolical seat. But suddenly,
by the aid of Christ, who is always wonderful in his works,
his sight was restored, and his tongue regifted with speech,
and he resumed his seat of apostleship as before.
A. 800. After three years, king Bertric died.
* The Merecwari axe thought to have been the inhabitants of Romney,
in Kent, and its vicinity.
o2
\
20 ETHELWEBD'S CHBONICLE. [a-d. 805-«SS.
Chap. II. — Of the reign of Egbert, and hie deede.
Therefore Egbert is raised to the kingdom of the West-
Saxons. On the yerj same daj, as king Ethelmund was
passing through a farm, Wiccum, intending to go to a ford
called Cynemseresford [Kempsford] , duke Woxstan met him
there with the centuries of the inhabitants of the province
of Wilsaetum [Wiltshire] . Both of them fell in the battle,
but the Wilsaetae remained the victors.
Also, down to the time that Egbert received the kingdom,
there were completed from the beginning of the world 5995
years, from the incarnation of our Lord 800 years, from the
coming of Hengist and Horsa into Britain 350 years, from
the reign of Cerdic, the tenth ancestor of king Egbert, when
he subdued the western part of Britain, 300 years, and from
the coming of Augustine, who was sent by the blessed pope
Gregory to baptize the English nation, 204 years : and in
the tenth year afterwards the holy father Gregory died.
A. 805. After king Egbert had reigned five years, was the
death of Cuthred king of Kent.
A. 812. In the seventh year Charles, king of the Franks,
departed this Hfe.
A. 814. After two years, the blessed pope Leo passed
from one virtue to another.
A. 819. After five years, Kenulf king of the Mercians
died.
A. 821. His successor was Ceolwulf, who was deprived
of the kingdom two years afterwards.
A. 822. A year afterwards a great synod was held at a
place called Cloveshoo,* and two dukes were there slain
Burhelm and Mucca.
A. 823. After one year a battle was fought against the
Britons in the province of Defna [Devonshire], at a place
called Camelford. Li the same year king Egbert fought a
battle against Bemulf king of the Mercians at Ellendune,')'
and Egbert gained the victory : but there was a great loss
on both sides ; and Hun duke of the province of Somerset
was there slain : he lies buried in the city of Winchester.
Lastly, king Egbert sent his son Ethelwidf with an army
* Near Rochester, Kent. f Wilton.
A.D. 824-836.] KING EGBEBT'S CONQUESTS. 21
into Kent, and with him bishop Ealstan and duke WulfhCTd. 1
They defeated the Kentish army, and pursued their king
Bfddred into the northern parts beyond the Thames. To
wnom the men of Kent are afterwards subjected, and also
the provinces of Suirey and^ Sussex^ that is, the midland \
and southern Ans:les.
A, 824nF5fin the course of the same year th^^ng of
tWEast- Angles with the wise men of his realm, visits king
nlgbert, tor tJie sake of peace and protection, on account of
bis fear of the Mercians.
A. 825. In the course of that year the aforesaid East-
Angles made war against Bemulf king of the Mercians, and
having defeated his army they slew him and ^e dukes with
him. His successor was Withlaf.
A. 827. Two years afterwar3s, the moon was eclipsed on
the very night of Christ's nativity. And in the same year
king Egbert reduced under his power all that part of the
kingdom which lies to the south of the river Humber : he
was the eighth king in Britain who was famous for liis great
power. For the first was -ZElla king of the South- Angles,
who possessed the same dominions as Egbert ; the second
was C^wlin king of the West- Angles ; the third Ethelbert
king of Kent ; the fourth Redwaldking of the East- Angles ;
the fifth Edwin king of NoHKumbria ; the sixth Oswald ;
the seventh Oswy brother of Oswald ; after whom the eighth
Egbert, of whom we have made mention above. He led his
anny against the Northumbrians, who also bent their necks
and submitted to him.
A. 828. At the end of a year therefore, Withlaf again
received the kingdom. At that time also, king Egbert led
his army against the northern Britons, and when he had sub-
dued all of them, he returned in peace.
A. 832. After four years therefore the pagans devastated
the territories of a place called Sceapige.*
A. 833. After one year Egbert fought against the pagan
fleet, in number thirty-five vessels, at a place called Carrum
[Charmouth] : and the Danes obtained the victory.
A. 836. Lastly after three years, a large army of Britons
approached the frontiers of the West- Saxons : without de-
♦ The Isle of Sheppey.
22 ETHELWEBD's chronicle. [a.d. 837-844.
lay they form themBelves into a compact body, and cany
their arms against Egbert king of the Angles. Egbert
therefore having ascertained the state of things beforehand,
assembled his armj and twice imbued their weapons in the
blood of the Britons at Hengeston,* and put them to flight.
A. 837. At the end of a year the powerful king Egbert
died.
Chap. HI,— Of the reign of Eihelumlf and of hit deedt.
After his death, Athulf f succeeded to the throne of his
father Egbert, and he delivered up the kingdom of Kent to
his son Athelstan, together with East-Saxony, South-Saxony,
and Surrey, i. e. the eastern, southern and midland parts.
A. 838. After one year, duke Wulfherd fought with the
pagan fleet near the town of Hamptun [Southampton^,
and having slain many of them gained the victory : the
number of ships in the fleet was thirty-three. After this
exploit the duke himself died in peace. The same year
duke Ethelhelm, with the people of the province of Dorset,
fought another battle against the pagan army at Port, and
pursued them some distance : but afterwards the Danes
were victorious, and slew the duke and his companions with
him.
A. 839. Alter one yei^* duke Herebert was slain by the
Danes at Merswarum ;\ and the same year a great slaughter
was made by that army in the city of Lindsey, and in the
province of Kent, and in East AngHa.
A. 840. Also after one yedr,"f^same thing took place in
the city of London, in Quintanwic [CaDterbury], and in the
town of Kochester.
A. 841. Meanwhile, after one year king Ethelwxdf fought
against the Danes at a place called Charmouth, by whom also
he was vanquished, and the victors kept possession of the
ground.
A. 844. Three years afterwards duke Eanwnl^ who
governed the province of Somerset, and bishop Ealstan
also, and Osric duke of Dorset, fought a battle against the
pagans at the mouth of the Parret before-mentioned ; where
* Hengston-hill, Cornwall.
f Generally called Ethel wulf by modem wiiten.
X Romney Marsh.
4J}. 851— 855.] ALFRED CONSBCSELITSD KINO. 23
they gained the victory, having defeated the Danish annj.
Also in the same year king Athelstan and duke £lchere
fought against the army of the above-mentioned nation in
the province of Kent, near the town pf Sandwich, where
they slew many of them, put their tro(^ to flighty and took
nine ships.
A. 851. After seven years Ceorl duke of Devon ibught a
battle against the pagans at Wembury,* where they slew many
of the Danes and gained the victory. In the course of the
same year, the barbarians wintered first in the isle of Thanet,
which lies not far firom Britain, and has fruitful but not large
com fields. That year was not yet finished, when a large fleet
of pagans arrived, 360 ships, at the mouth of the river
Thames, commonly called Thames-mouth, and destroyed the
city of Canterbury and the city of London, and put to flight
Berthwulf king of Mercia, having defeated his army. After
the battle they returned beyond the river Thames towards
the south through the province o£ Surrey, and there king
Ethelwulf with the Western Angles met liiem : an immense
number was slain onboth sides, nor have we ever heard of a
more severe battle before that day : these things happened
near Ockley Wood.
A« 854. After three years king Burhred asked assistance
from king Ethelwulf to subdue the Northern Britons : he
granted it, and having collected his army, passed through
tiie Mercian kingdom to go against the Britons : whom he
subdued and made tributary. In the same year king
Ethelwulf sent his son Alfred to Rome, in the days of our
lord pope Leo,t who consecrated him king and named him
his son in baptism, when we are accustomed to name little
children, when we receive them from the bishop's hand. In
the same year where fought battles in the isle of Thanet
against the pagans ; and there was a great slaughter made
on both sides, and many were drowned in the sea. The
same year also after Easter king Ethelwulf gave his daughter
in marriage to king Burhred.
A. 855. After a year the pagans wintered in Sheppey. In
the same year king EthelwuS gave the tenth of all his
possessiosn to be the Lord's portion, and so appointed it to
* Near Pljmouth. t Leo tke Fourth.
24 £TH£LWEBD'S GHHONIOLS. [A.0.8S7.
be in all the government of his kingdom. In the same jear
he set out to Borne with great dignity, and stayed there
twelve months. As he returned home, therefore, to his
country, Charles, king of the Franks, gave him his daughter
in marriage, and he took her home with him to his own
country. *
A. 867. Lastly, after a year king Ethelwulf died, and his
body reposes in the city of Winchester. Now the aforesaid
king was son of king Egbert, and his grandfather was
Elmund, his great-grandfather Eafa, his great-grandfather's
father was Eoppa, and his great-grandfather's grandfather
was Ingild, brother of Ina, king of the Western- Angles, who
ended las life at Borne ; and the above-named kings derived
their origin from king Kenred. Kenred was the son of
Ceolwald. son of Cuthwin, son of Ceawlin, son of Cymic,
son of Cerdic, who also was the first possessor of the
western parts of Britain, after he had defeated the armies of
the Britons : his father was Elesa, son of Esla, son of Gewis,
son of Wig, son of Freawin, son of Frithogar, son of Brond,
son of Bddeg, son of Woden, son of fVithowald, son pf
Frealaf, son of Frithuwulf, son of Finn, son of Godwulf, son
of Geat, son of Taetwa, son of Beaw, son of Sceldi, son of
Sceafi This Sceaf came with one ship to an island of the
ocean named Scani, sheathed in arms, and he was a young
boy, and unknown to the people of that land ; but he was
received by them, and they guarded him as their own with
much care, and afterwards chose him for their king. It is
from him that king Ethelwulf derives his descent. And
then was completed the fiftieth year from the beginning of
king Egbert's reign.
HEBE ENDS THE THIRD BOOK,
AND THE PBOLOGUE OF THE FOUBTH BOOK HEBE BEGINS.
Three books are now finished, and it remains to guide my
pen to the fourth, in which also will be found greater gain,
and the origin of our race is more clearly intimated. And,
although I may seem to send you a load of reading, dearest
sister of my desire, do not judge me harshly, but as my
writings were in love to you, so may you read them.
And may God Almighty, who is praised both in Trinity
AAMO-Ser.] ETHELBALD AMD ETHELBED. 25
and in Unipotence ever preserve you under the shadow of
bis wings, and your companions with you. Amen !
HEBE ENDS THE PBOLOGUE.
Chip. 1.^0f the reign of the sons of king Eihelwu^, namely EihelbM
and Etheibert,
Meanwhile, after the death of king Ethelwulf, his sons were
raised to the kingdom, namely Ethelbald over the Western
Angles, and Etheibert over the men of Kent, and the
Eastern, Southern, and Midland Angles.
A. 861. When fl^re years were completed, king Ethelbald
died, and his brother Etheibert succeeded to the possessions
of both. In those days a large fleet of pagans came to land,
and destroyed the royal city which is called Winton. They
were encountered by Osric duke of Hampshire, and Ethel-
wulf duke of Berkshire : a battle ensued ; the pagans were
routed, and the English gained the victory.
A 865. After four years, from the death of king Ethel-
bald, the pagans strengthened their position in the isle of
Thanet, and promise to be at peace with the men of Kent,
who on their part prepare money, ignorant of the future.
But the Danes break their compact, and sallying out
privately by night, lay waste all the eastern coast of Kent.
A 866. After one year king Etheibert died, and his body
rests peaceably in the monastery named Sherborne
Chap. II. — Of the reign of king Ethelred.
Ethelred succeeded to the throne after the death of his
brother Etheibert. In the same year the fleets of the tyrant
Hingwar arrived in England from the north, and wintere(i''
wnong the East Angles, and having established their arm^i
there, they get on their horses, and make peace with all the^
inhabitants in their own neighbourhood.
A 867. Aiter one year that army, leaving the eastern
parts, crossed the river Humber into Northumberland to the
city of Evoric, which is now commonly called the city of
Eoferwic [York]. For there was then a great civil dissen-
sion between the inhabitants of that land, and they were so
enrs^ed that they abo expelled their king Osbert ft'om hia
/
26 ETHELWEBD's CHBONICLE. [a.d. 868-871.
seat ; and having confirmed their resolves, they chose an
obscure person for their king ; and after some delay th^
turned their thoughts to raise an army and repulse those who
were advancing. They collected together no small bodies of
troops, and reconnoitred the enemy : their rage was excited :
they joined battle, a miserable slaughter took place on both
sides, and the kings were slain. Those of them who were
left made peace with the hostile army.
In the same year died Eanwulf, duke of Somerset ; also
bishop Ealstan, fifty years after his succession to the bishop-
ric, in the diocese called Sherborne. There also his l>ody
now reposes ; and that of the above-named duke in the
monastery called Glastonbury.
A. 868. After one year therefore, the army of the pagans,
of whose arrival we have E^ken above, measured out their
camp in a place called Snotingaham [Nottingham], and there
they passed the winter, and Burhred king of the Mercians,
with his nobles, consented to their remaining there without
reproach.
A. 869. At the end of a year therefore, the army was
transported to York, and there also they measured out their
camp in the winter season.
A. 870. Again after a year they departed, and passed
through Merda into East-Anglia, and there measured out
their camp for the winter at Thetford. If jng F.<lnjpT^^ car-
l ried on war against them for a short time, but he was slain
\ there by them, and his body lies entombed at a place called
'. Beodoricsworthe,* and the barbarians obtained the victory,
i but with the loss of their king soon afterwards : for king
. Hingwar died the same year ; archbishop Ceolnoth also died
that same year, and is buried in the city of Canterbury.
A. 871. After one year therefore the army of the barba-
rians above-mentioned set out for Reading, and the principal
object of the impious crew was to attack the West- Saxons ;
and three days after they came, their two consuls, forgetting
that they were not on board their fleet, rode proudly through
fields and meadows on horseback, which nature had denied
to them.];
* Buy St. Edmundf, Suffolk.
t I shall be glad if my readers will find a better tnuislation for this
obscure and inflated passs^
1.0.871.J BUKE BTHELWULF SLAXS. 27
But duke Ethelwulf met them, and though his troops were
few, their hearts resided in brave dwellings : they point
their darts, they rout the enemy, and triumph in abundant
spoils. At length four days after their meeting, £thelred
arrives with his army; an indescribable battle is fought,
now these, now those urge on the fight with spears immove-
able ; duke Ethelwulf &lls, who a short time before had
obtained the victory : the barbarians at last triumph. The
body of the above-named duke is privately withdrawn, and
carried into the province of the Mercians, to a place called
Northworthig, but Derby in the language of the Danes.
Four days after king Ethelred with his brother Alfred fought
again vdth all the army of the Danes at JQscesdune ;* and
there was great slaughter on both sides : but at last king
Ethelred obtained the victory. But it is proper that I should
declare the names of those chiefs who fell there : Bagsac
king, the veteran Sidrac their consul, the younger Sidrac
also, the consul Osbem, the consul Frene, the consul Harold ;
and, so to speak, all the flower of the barbarian youth was
there slain, so that neither before nor since was ever such
destruction known since the Saxons first gained Britain by
their arms.
Fourteen days after, they again took courage and a second
battle was fought at a place called Basing : the barbarians
came and took part over against them ; the fight began, and
hope passed from the one side to the other ; the royal
army was deceived, the enemy had the victory, but gained no
spoils.
Furthermore after two months the aforesaid king Ethelred
renewed the battle, and with him was his brother Alfred, at
Merton, against all the army of the barbarians, and a large
number was slain on both sides. The barbarians obtained
the victory ; bishop Heahmund there fell by the sword, and
his body Ues buried at Caegineshamme.')' Many others also
fell or fled in that battle, concerning whom it seems, to be a
loss of time to speak more minutely at present. Lastly,
after the above-mentioned battle, and after the Easter of the
same year, died king Ethelred, from whose family I derive
my origin.
• See William of Malmesbmy, b. ii. c. 3, p. HI, note. f Keynsham.
28 ETHELWEBD's CHBOMICLE. [a.d. 87i:
And now I have followed up my plan, dear cousin Matilda,
and will begin to consolidate my subject ; and like a ship
which, having sailed a long way over the waves, already
occupies the port, to which in her patient voyage she had
been tending : so we, like sailors, are abeady entering, and
as I briefly intimated to you in my former epistle, so also in
the prefaces to this present book, and without any impro-
priety I again remind you, and though I cut short the course
of that which is visionary, not impelled by necessity, but
through love of your affection, I now send it you again more
fully to be meditated upon concerning the origin of our
family, and sufficiently embrace the study of your sincerity.*
Thus far then : I will now leave obscurity and begin to
speak concerning the sons of Ethelwulf. They were five in
number : the first was Ethelstan, who also shared the king-
dom with his father: the second was Ethelbald, who also
was king of the Western English : the third was Ethelbert,
king of Kent : the fourth was Ethelred, who after the death
of Ethelbert succeeded to the kingdom, and was also my
grandfather's grandfather : the fifth was Alfred, who suc-
ceeded after all the others to the whole sovereignty, and was
your grandfather's grandfather. Wherefore I make known
to you, my beloved cousin Matilda, that I receive these things
from ancient tradition, and have taken care in most brief
style to write the history of our race down to these two
kings, from whom we have taken our origin. To you there-
fore, most beloved, I devote this work, compelled by the love
of our relationship : if others receive them with haughtiness,
they will be judged unworthy of the feast ; if otherwise, we
advise all in charity to gather what is set before them. Let
us return then to the story that we broke off, and to the
death of the above-named Ethelred. His reign lasted five
years, and he is buried in the monastery which goes by the
name of Wimbome.
Chap. III. — Of the reign of king Alfred*
A. 871. After these things, Alfred obtained the kingdom
when his brothers were dead, — ^he also was the youngest son
of king Ethelwulf— over all the provinces of Britain.
* I must again request the reader to pardon the obscuritj which so fre-
quently occurs in our author's style, and my inability to deal with such pas-
sages ; the aboye is a tolerably close translation of the original.
^1*. 871— 874.] TBBATT OP PEACE. 29
There came a summer-army imiumerable to Reading, and
were eager to fight against the army of the West- Angles : to
their aid also came those who had already long time been
ravaging. But the army of the Angles at that time was
small on account of the king's absence, who at the same time
had performed his brother's obsequies, and although their
ranks were not full, yet their hearts were firm in their
breasts, they rejoice in the fight, and repel the enemy : but
at length oppressed with fatigue, they cease from the fight.
The barbarians hold possession of a sterile field of battle :
afterwards also they spread themselves and ravage the
country. During their foul domination, there were three
battles fought by the Angles, besides the battles before-
mentioned, and eleven of their (pigulsj^ whom they call |
** earls," were slain, and one of their kmgs. Lastly, in the j
same^^ear the Eastern Angles made peace with them. And
the number of years to the encamping of the barbarian
army in Beading and to the death of king Ethelred and the
succession of his brother Alfred was the seventy-first from
the time that Egbert had first consolidated the kmgdom, and
forty-seven from the time that the Mercians and Western
Angles carried on civil wars at the place called EUandune,*
and king Egbert received the name of victor twenty-six
years from the time that the battle was fought in Pedredan
[Petherton] ; and twenty years after the contest which was
waged near the wood called Ockley, and lastly five years
from the arrival of the pagans in the country of the East
Angles : and without long delay, they then went to Reading.
A. 872. After a year had elapsed from the time of their
coming to Reading, they measured out their camp in the
neighbourhood of the city of London. But the Mercians
ratify a treaty with them, and pay a stipend.
A. 873. Ailer one year the barbarians change their
position to the neighbourhood of the city of Lindsey in a
place called Torksey. The Mercian people renew their
treaty with them.
A, 874» Aiiter the lapse of a year, the barbarians at length
remove to a place called Repton, and drive king Burhred
fi*Gm the kingdom beyond the sea. Twenty and two years
• Allington, Wiltahire.
30 £TH£LWEBD's CHBOKICLE. [a-o. 874-877.
are enumerated from the time that he first occupied his
father's kingdom. They now break the peace, and devastate
the lands of the Mercians. The above-named king did not
abandon his hope in Christ, but made a journey to Rome and
died there, and his body, laid in a worthy mausoleum, reposes
in the temple of Christ's blessed mother, which is now called
the school of the English. At the same time Ceolwulf
possessed the kingdom of the Mercians.
A. 875. Lastly after a year, the barbarians divide the
kingdom into two parts : and Halfdene the leader of the
barbarians took one part, namely the kingdom of the
Northumbrians, and there he chose his winter-quarters near
the river called the Tyne, and they ravaged the country
<\ there on every side. But they also made frequent wars on
V \ the Picts and the men of Cumberland. Oskytel also, and
^ i*.' - \ Gothrun, and Anwind, their three kings, with an immense
I army, came from Kepton to a place called Grantabridge
[Cambridge], and there remained twelve nionths. Further-
more in the summer of the same year, king Alfred came out
with his army on board a fieet by sea, and the barbarians
met them with seven tall vessels. A battle ensues, and
the Danes are routed : the king takes one of their ships.
A. 876. After one year, the tyrant Halfdene obtained the
kingdom of the Northumbrians, all of whom he reduced to
subjection. And in the course of the same year, the army
which had been at Cambridge made a junction with the
western army, a thing which they had not done before, near
the town which is called Warehian, and ravaged the greater
part of that province. Also the king ratified a treaty of
peace with them and gave them money. But they gave him
hostages chosen out of their army, and made oath to him on
their sacred bracelet which they had never done to the kings
of the other districts, that they would quickly leave their
territories.
A. 877. But they broke the peace and contravened thdr
engagements, and the following year extended their troops
into the province of Devon, where they passed the winter at
Exeter. Lastly their fleets put to sea and spread their sails
to the wind : but a lamentable storm came on, and the
greatest part of them, namely a hundred of their chief ships,
were sui^ near the rock which is called Swanwich. The
A.]>.87&] KING OF THE DANES BAPTIZED. 31
barbarians renew their fraud and offer peace : hostages were
given, more than were demanded, to the effect that they would
withdraw out of the territories of king Alfred ; and they did
so. They devastate the kingdom of the Mercians and drive
out all the free men. They erect their huts in the town of
Gloucester.
A. 878. At the end of that year therefore this foul mob
broke the compact which they had before solemnly made with
the Western Angles, and they take up their winter-quarters
at Chippenham. The people were everywhere unable to
resist : some of them were driven by the impious wretches
over the sea into Gaul. King Alfred was at this time
straitened more than was becoming. Ethelnoth also duke of
Somerset lived with a narrow retinue in a certain wood, and
they built a strong-hold in the island of Athelingay,* which
seems to have been situated in a marsh. But the aforesaid
king fought daily battles against the barbarians, having with
him the province of Somerset only ; no others assisted him,
except the servants who made use of the king's pastures. In
the same year arrived Halfdene brother of the tyrant
Hingwar with thirty galleys, in the western parts of the
Angles, and besieged Odda duke of Devon in a certain
casUe, and war was stirred up on aU sides. The king of the
barbarians fell, and eighty decads with him. At last the
Danes obtain the victory.
Meanwhile, after the Easter f of that year, king Alfred
fought against the army that was in Chippenham, at a place
called Ethandune,^ and they obtain the victory. But after
the decision of the battle, the barbarians promise peace, ask
a truce, give hostages, and bind themselves by oath: their
king submits to be baptized, and Alfred the king receives
him from the laver in the marshy isle of Alney.§ Duke
Ethelnoth also purified the same at a place called Wed-
more, and king Alfred there bestowed upon him magnificent
honors.
* Athelney, no longer an island is situated near Borough-bridge in
Someiwtshiie.
t Easter Day was the 23rd of March in the year 878. t Heddington.
i Some suppose that this is AUer near Athelingay, or Athelney; but
Atbelney itself is called Alney by the common people: it is therefore more
likely that Athelingay and Alney were the same place, as they are at
32 ETHELWEKD's chronicle. La.d.879-88&
A. 879. After a year from the time of the pagan army
leaving Gloucester, they marched to Cirencester, and there
wintered. In the course of the same year the sun was
eclipsed.
A. 880. A year after the eclipse, the aforesaid army
struck their tents, and leaving Cirencester went into the
country of the East Angles, and pitching their camp, re-
duced all the inhabitants of those parts to subjection. And
it was now fourteen years since the barbarians first wintered
in the country aforesaid, and ravaged it. In the same year,
when they had reduced the district aforesaid, they went in
a vessel to Graul and took up a position at a place called
Ghent : the same men who had formerly measured out their
camp at a place called ij^ulham.
A. 881. After a year, they attempt to proceed further;
but the armies of the Franks assail them and gain the vic-
tory ; the barbarians were put to flight.
A. 882. After a year the aforesaid army passed mto the
upper districts of the Maese and measured out their camp at
a place called Escelum.* In the same year king Alfred
put to sea and fell in with four ships; which he defeated^
and destroyed two, the others surrendered.
A. 883. The next year the aforesaid army entered the
parishes of the Scald,')' to a place called Cundath;} and
there measured out their camp for the winter.
A. 884. After one year had expired, that pestilential
army aforesaid removed to the higher districts of the Sonmie,
to a place called Embenum,§ and there wintered.
A. 885. After a year they divide themselves into two
parts: one to Sofenum,|| the other to Rochester; and they
laid siege to those towns. They also construct other smaller
camps. Defeat prevails among the inhabitants until the ar-
rival of king Alfred with an army. The foul plague was
vanquished, and sought reinforcement % Some of them
made for the sea-coasts. The same year they renewed their
* ABchloha, or Ascloha, is on the Maese, about fourteen miles from tiie
Rhine. + The Scheldt. J Cond6.
§ More commonly Ambiani, now Amiens. || Louvain.
% 1 acknowledge mj inability to translate this and many other passages
of this obscure author. The events which here follow for the next ^lL£
page are referred by the Saxon Chronicle to the year 894.
A.D.m.] POPE MASTnr. 33
league, and gave hostages to the English, and twice in the
year they counted the spoil which they had obtained by
fraud, in the land which borders on the* southern bank of
the Thames. The filthy crew which were then in possession
of the East Angles, suddenly removed to a place called Bam-
fleet ; and there the allied band divided ; some of them re-
mained, and some of them went beyond the sea. In the
same year, therefore, the aforesaid king Alfred sent his fleet
into the country of the East Angles, and inmiediately on
their arrival, there met them at a place called Stourmouth \
sixtfiea^hips, which they forthwith ravaged, and slew the J
captains with the sword. The rest of the pirate-crew met
them ; they ply their oars, their armour shines over the con-
strained waters, the barbarians obtain the victory. In the
same year died Charles the Magnificent king of the Franks,
cut off by death before the revolution of one year ; after him
came his uterine brother who ruled over the western coasts
of Graul. Both were sons of Louis, who had formerly pos-
sessed the sole sovereignty : his life had reached its termina-
tion during the eclipse of the sun aforesaid. He was son of
the great king Charles, whose daughter Ethelwulf king of
the English had taken to wife. In the course of that year,
a great number of barbarians landed and filled the coasts of
the Old Saxons ; two battles were fought soon after : the
Saxons were the victors, and the Frisons also were present
in the contest. In the same year Charles the Younger suc-
ceeded to the sovereignty of all the western parts of Gaul as
far as the Tyrrhenian sea, and, if I may so speak, of the
dominions of his grandfather, except the province of the
Lidwiccas.* His father was Lodwicus, brother of the middle
Charles whose daughter was married to Ethelwulf king of
the English. And both of these were sons of Lodwicus,
namely, Lodwicus was son of Charlemagne who was the
son of Pepin. /
In the same year died the blessed pope Martin,! who also
gave freedom to the school of the English, by the appointment
of king Alfred, and sent as a present part of the thrice blessed
cross of Christ, who is the salvation of the world. In the
course of that year, the above-named pestilential crew broke
their engagements, and marched in arms against king Alfred.
* Armorica, or Bretagne. + This should be Marinua, not Martiniis.
I>
34 ETHELWEBD'S CHBOmCLE. La.d. 887—8801
Lastly, after a year, they went to the lower parts of Gaul,
and fixed on a place to winter near the river Seine. Mean-
while, the city of London was fortified by king Alfred, whom
no civil discord could subdue, either by cunning or by force :
all men received him as a saviour, and particularly the Sax-
ons— except the barbarians — and those who were then held
prisoners in their hands. Also, after his army was strength-
ened, Ethered was appointed leader there by the aforesaid
king, to guard the citadel.
A. 887. Now the army which were at that time ravaging
the country of Graul cut their way through the bridge o# the
citadel of Paris, and devastated the whole country along the
Seine, as far as the Mame, and above its vertex, as far as
Catsig [Chezy], where they thrice fixed their winter quarters.
Li the same year also died Charles, king of the Franks, and his
cousin Amidf succeeded to the kingdom, seven years before
his uncle's death. The kingdom was then divided into five,
and so many kings in the same : but all things are done by
the permission of king Amulf, and they promised to be all
under his subjection, because they were not like him, de-
scended from the paternal stock ; and he lived after this on
the eastern side of the river Rhine. But Rodulf occupied
the middle parts of the kingdom, Oda the western parts, and
Beorngar with Witha held the kingdom of the Lombards
from the division of the Jovian mountain.* There they
began a civil war ; people assailed people ; the lands of both
were continually disturbed, nor was there any hope of quiet.
The same year, in which the barbarians had settled on the
bridge of Paris, duke Ethelhelm received no small part of the
money paid from the diocese of the English by the king for
the people, and went to Rome. In the same year died
queen Ethelswith.
A. 888. Li the lapse of the same year also, archbishop
Athelred deceased, and Ethelwold, conunander in Kent.
A. 889. After one year, abbat Bemhelm carried to Borne
the alms for the people, and principally those of the western
English and of king Alfred. Then also Gothrun, king of
the northern English, yielded his breath to Orcus ; he had
taken the name of Athelstan, as he came out of the baptis-
mal laver, from his godfather, king Alfred, and had his seat
* Mount St. Barnard.
lfc.D. 801 ^83.J DEFSAT OF THE DANK8. 35
among the East- Angles, since he there also had held tha
first station.
In the same year, the aforesaid army of barharians re-
moved from the river Seine to a place called Santlaudah,*
situated between the Bretons and the Franks ; but the Bre-
tons met them in arms, and obtained the victory, and foUowed
them to the windings of a certain river, and there not a few
of them were drowned in the waters.
A. 891. One year afterwards, the bands of the aforesaid
army visited the eastern parts of France ; king Amulf met
them ; a fight of cavalry took place before the fleets arrived.
An army of eastern Franks came up, Saxons and Bavarians ;
the pagans spread their sails to flee. In the same year,
three chosen men of Hibernian race, burning with piety,
leave their country : they privately form a boat by sewing
ox-hides ; they put into it provisions for a week ; they sail
seven days and seven nights, and arrive on the shores of
Cornwall : here they left their fleet, which had been guided,
not by the strength of their arms, but by the power of Him
who rules all things, and set out for the court of king Alfred,
who with his senate rejoice in their coming. From thence
they proceed to Rome, and, as is customary with teachers of
Christ, they essay to go thence to Jerusalem :f .... Their
names were, Dubslane, the first ; Macbeth, the second ;
Maelinmun, the third, flourishing in the arts, skilled in let-
ters, and a distinguished master of the Scots. Also in the
same year, after Easter a comet appeared, which some think
to be an omen of foul times, which have already past ; but it
is the most approved theory of philosophers, that they fore-
tel future things, as has been tried in many ways.
A. 893. One year after the barbarians fought against king
Amulf, they go to Boulogne, and there build a fleet, and pass
over into England. There they station their fleet in the Lim-
nean port, at a place called Apoldre [ Appledore, in the eastern
part of Kent,] and destroy an ancient castle, because there
was but a smfdl band of rustics within, and there they make
their winter camp. In the course of this year, a large fleet be-
longing to Hasten arrives on the banks of the river Thames,
* Saint Lo.
f I omit this obscure poMage rather than run the risk of miaieBding the
leader by an inaccurate tranalation of it.
d2
86 ETHELWEBD's CHRONICLE. U.o.893.
and found a citadel on the coasts of Kent, at a place called
Middleton [Milton] : they encamp there the whole winter ;
and the number of years that had elapsed from the glorious
nativity of our Saviour was nine hundred, all but seven.
After the Easter of that year, the army which had come
from Gaul leave their camp, and trace the intricacies of a
certain immense wood, which is called Andred, and they ex-
tend as far as the Western Angles. Slowly as they go, they
ravage the adjoining provinces, Hampshire and Berkshire :
these things were told to the heir of Edward, son of king
Alfred, who had been exercising himself in the southern
parts of England. After this they reach the Western An-
gles, who meet then with threatening arms and dense array
at Famham : they exult, freed by the arrival of the prince, like
sheep under the protection of the shepherd ; the tyrant is
wounded, and his troops are driven across the river Thames
into the northern countries.
Meanwhile, the Danes are held besieged in Thomey isle.
Earl Ethered, setting out from the city of London, lent his
aid to the prince. The barbarians asked peace and a treaty :
hostages are given, they promise by oath to leave the king-
dom of the aforesaid king \ their words and deeds agree to-
gether without delay. Lastly, they set out for the country
of the East- Angles, formerly governed by the king Saint
Edmund, and their ships fly round to them from the Limnean
port to Meresige [Mersey], a place in Kent. '^
Li the course of the same year. Hasten breaks away with
his band from Bamfleet, and devastates all Mercia, until they
arrive at the end of Britain. The army, which was then in
the eastern part of the country, supplied them with reinforce-
ments, and the Northumbrian, in the same way. The illus-
trious duke Ethelm, with a squadron of cavalry, and duke
Ethelnoth, with an army of Western- Angles, followed be-
hind them, and Ethered, earl of the Mercians, pressed aft^r
them with great impetuosity. The youth of both people
join battle, and the Angles obtain the victory. These things
are said by ancient writers to have been done at Buttington,
and the exertions of the Danes appeared futile ; they again
ratify peace, give hostages, and promise to leave that part of
the country. Li the same year Danaasuda,* in Bamfleet, was
* This must be the fortress which Hasten's men built in Bamfleet.
A-n. 805—901.] Kma EI^ABD. 87
destroyed bj the people, and they divide the treasure among
them.
After this, Sigeferth, the pirate, lands from his fleet in
Northumbrian and twice devastates the coast, after which he
returns home.
A. 895. When two years were completed, from the time
that an immense fleet came from Boulogne to Limnae, a town
of the Angles, duke Ethelnoth set out from^Hie western
parts of the Angles, and goes from the city of York against
the enemy, who devastate no small tracts of land in the king-
dom of the Mercians, on the west of Stanford ; t. e, between
the courses of the river Weolod* and a thick wood, called
Ceoftefne.
A. 896. In the course of one year also, died Guthfrid,
king of the Northumbrians, on the birth-day of Christ's
apostle, St. Bartholomew, whose body is buried at York, in
the high church.
A. 900. Meanwhile, after four years, from the time that
the above-named king died, there was a great discord among
the English, because the foul bands of the Danes still re-
mained throughout Northumberland. Lastly, in the same
year, king Alfred departed out of this world, that immove-
able pillar of the Western Saxons, that man full of justice,
bold in arms, learned in speech, and, above all other things,
imbued with the divine instructions. For he had translated
into his own language, out of Latin, unnumbered volumes, of
so varied a nature, and so excellently, that the sorrowful
book of Boethius seemed, not only to the learned, but even
to those who heard it read, as it were, brought to life again.
The monarch died on the seventh day before the solemnity
of All Saints, and his body rests in peace in the city of Win-
ton. Pray, O reader, to Christ our Bedeemer, that he will
save his soul !
Chap. IY. — Of the reign of king Edwardf and €ffus wars.
A. 901. The successor to the throne was Edward, son of
the above-named king. He was elected by the nobles, and
crowned with the royal crown on Whitsunday, one hundred
years having elapsed since his great grandfather, Egbert,
* Welland, Northamptonshire.
1
88 ETHELWERD's GHBONICLE. [a.t>. M2-Mf.
bad gained his present territories. In the same year Ethel-
bald received, in the city of London, the bishopric of the
city of York ; and, it appears, that the number of years com-
pleted, since Christ came in the flesh, was nine hundred full.
"^^ A. 902. After two years was the battle of Holme.*
Five days after the festival of the blessed mother, they
lock together their shields, brandish their swords, and vi-
1)rate weir lances in both hands. There fell duke Siwulf
and Sigelm, and almost all the Kentish nobility: and
Eohric, king of the barbarians, there descended to Orcus :
two princes of the English, in the flower of their youth, there
yield up the breath of life, and explore the foreign regions,
imder the waves of Acheron, and numbers of full-grown men
fall on both sides. The barbarians remain victors, and tri-
^umph on the field of battle.
"" A. 905. At length, after three years, the number of years
completed since the beginning of the world, was six thousand
and one hundred.
A. 908. After three years archbishop Plegmund inaugu-
rized, in the city of Winchester, a lofty tower, which had
been recently founded in honour of Mary, the mother of
Grod. The pontiff aforesaid, in the course of the same year,
carried to Bome the alms for the people, and for king
Edward.
A. 909. After one year the barbarians break their compact
with king Edward, and with earl Ethered, who then ruled
the provinces of Northumberland and Mercia. The lands of
the Mercians are laid waste on all sides by the hosts afore-
said, as far as the streams of the Avon, where begins the
frontier of the West- Saxons and the Mercians. Thence the}!!
pass over the river Severn into the western regions, and
gained by their devastations no little booty. But when they
had withdrawn homewards, rejoicing in their rich spoils,
they passed over a bridge on the eastern side of the river
Severn, at a place commonly called Cantabridge,f the troops
of the Mercians and West- Saxons met them : a battle ensued,
* The particulars recorded in this passage, concerning the battle of
Holme, are ascribed, by Florence of Worcester and the Saxon Chronicle,
to another battle, fought three years later. This caused Petrie to suppose,
that the paragraph in question had slipped out of its real place.
f Cambridge, in Gloucestershire.
A.0. 910-839.] KING ATHELSTAK. 39
and in the plain of Wodnesfield the English obtained the
victory : the Danish army fled, overwhelmed by the darts of
their enemies: these things are said to have been done on
the fifth day of August ; and their three kings fell there in
that tormod or battle, namely, Hplfdene, Ecwils, and Hing- i
war : they lost their sovereignty, aid SescSBdfid to the court
of the infernal king, and their elders and nobles with them.
A. 910. After one year, Ethered, who survived of the
Mercians, departed this life, and was buried peacefully in the
dty of Gloucester.
A 912. After two years, died Athulf in Northumbria ;
he was at that time commander of the town called Bebban-
burgh.*
A 913. After a year, a fleet entered the mouth of the
liver Severn, but no severe battle was fought there that
year. Lastly, the greater part of that army go to Ireland,
formerly called Bretannis by the great Julius Caesar.
A 914. After one year, the day of Christ's nativity fell
on a Sunday ; and so great was the tranquillity of that
winter, that no one can remember anything like it either
before or since.
A. 917. After three years, Ethelfled the king's sister
departed this life, and her body lies buried at Gloucester.
A 926. Also in the ninth year died Edward, king of the
English. This was the end ; his name and his pertinacity
here ceased.
Chap. Y.-— Of the reign qfking Athelstan, hU wars and deeds.
A 926. The year in which the stout king Athelstan
gained the crown of the kingdom, was the nine hundred and
twenty-sixth from the glorious incarnation of our Saviour.
A. 939. Therefore, fdter thirteen years, a fierce battle was
fought against the barbarians at BrunandUne,f wherefore that
fight is called great even to the present day : then the
barbarian tribes are defeated and domineer no longer ; they
are driven beyond the ocean : the Scots and Picts also bow
the neck ; the lands of Britain are consolidated together, on
all sides is peace, and plenty of all things, nor ever did a
fleet again come to luid except in friendship with the
English
* Bambrough. *** Brumby, Lincolnahire.
40 ETHBLWEICD's CHBONICLB. [▲.!). 941— 9581
. A. 941. Two years afterwards the yenerated king Athel-
8tan died.
Chap. Y I. — Of the reign of king Edmund,
After him Edmund succeeded to the neglected kingdom.
A. 948. After seven years, therefore, bishop Wulfstan and
the duke of the Mercians expelled certain deserters, namely,
/ S^nald and Anlaf from the city of York, and gave them
into the king's ha^d. In the same year died also queen
Elfgiva, wife of king Edmund, and afterwards was canonized.
In her tomb, with God's assistance, even to the present day,
miracles are performed in the monastery called Shaftesbury.
In the same period also died king Edmund on the solemnity
of Augustine the Less, who also was the apostle of the
English : and he held the kingdom six years and a half.
Chap. YII.— 0/ the reign of king Bdred.
Edmund's successor was Edred his brother, to whom all
the Norljhumbrians became subject ; and the Scots also give
oaths of allegiance and immutable fidelity. Not long after
these things he also departed in peace, on the birthday of the
blessed pope and martyr Clement. He had held the king-
dom nine years and half.
Chap. VIII.— 0/ king Edwy.
His successor to the throne was Edwy, who, on account of
his great personal beauty, was called Pankalus by the
people. He held the sovereignty four years, and was much
beloved.
Chap. IX. — Of the reign of king Edgar,
A. 969. After this, Edgar was crowned, and he was an
admirable king.*
Moreover from the nativity of our Lord and Saviour was
then completed the number of 973 years.*
HEBE HAPPILY ENDS THE FOUBTH BOOK OF
PABIUS ETHELWERD,
QUESTOB AND PATBICIAK.
* Here lollow two sets of Latin verses, of a most obscure and ungiain-
matical character, and altogether imtranslateable.
ANNALS OF THE REIGN
OF
AliFRED THE GREAT
ANNALS OF THE REIGN
OF
ALFRED THE GREAT,
FBOM A.D. 849 TO A.D. 887.
BT ASSEB 07 SAIKT DAyiD*6.
X Ik the year of our Lord's incarnatioii\849, was bom Alfred,
king of tlie Anglo-SaxoTis, at the royal village of Wanating,*
in Berkshire, which country has its name from ^e wood of
Berroc, where the box-tree grows most abundantl^rf His gene-
alogy is traced in the following order. King Alfrea was the son
of kmg Ethelwulf, who was the son of Egbert, who was the son
of Elmund, was the son of Eafa, who was the son of Eoppa,
who the son of Ingild. Ingild, and Ina, the famous king
of the West-Saxons, were two brothers. Ina went to Rome,
and there ending this life honourably, entered the heayenly
kingdom, to reign there for ever with Christ. Ingild and
Ina were the sons of Coenred, who was the son of Ceolwald,
who was the son of Cudam, who was the son of Cuthwin,
who was the son of Ceawlin, who was the son of Gynric, who
was the son of Creoda, who was the son of Cerdic, who was
the son of Elesa, who was the son of Gewis, from whom the
Britons name all that nation Gegwis,f who was the son of
Brond, who was the son of Beldeg, who was the son of Woden,
who was the son of Frithowald, who was the son of Frealaf,
who was the son of Frithuwulf, who was the son of Finn
of Godwulf, who was the son of Geat, which Geat the pagans
long worshipped as a god. fSedulius makes mention of hJTn
in his metncal Paschal poem, as follows :-^
When gentile poets with their fictiona vain.
In tragic language and bombastic strain^
To their god Geat, comic deity,
Loud praises sing, &c. "/
* Wantage, t 1^^ Gewiass^ generally imderstood to be the West-Saxons.
44 ASSEB's life 07 AI.7EED. [a.d. 84»-851.
Geat was the son of Tsetwa, who was the son of Beaw,
who was the son of Sceldi, who was the son of Heremod,
who was the son of Itermon, who was the son of Hathra,
who was the son of Guala, who was the son of Bedwig, who
was the son of Shem, who was the son of Noah, who was
the son of Lamech, who was the son of Methusalem, who
was the son of Enoch, who was the son of Malaleel, who was
the son of Cainian, who was the son of Enos, who was the
^on of Seth, who was the son of Adam.
1 / The mother of Alfred was named Oshurga, a religious
woman, noble both by birth and by nature ; she was daugh-
ter of Oslac, the famous butler of king Ethel wulf, which-
Oslac was a Goth by nation, descended from the Goths and
Jutes, of the seed, namely, of Stuf and Whitgar, two brothers
and counts ; who, having received possession of the Isle of
Wight from their uncle, king Cerdic, and his son Cynric
their cousin, slew the few British inhabitants whom they
could find in that island, at a place called Gwihtgaraburgh ;*
for the other inhabitants of the island had either been slain
or escaped into exile.
> In the year of our Lord's incarnation 851, which was the
third after the birth of king Alfred, Ceorl, earl of Devon, fought
with the men of Devon against the pagans at a place called
Wicgambeorg ;f and the Christians gained the victory ; and
that same year the pagans first wintered in the island called
Sheppey, which means the Sheep-isle, and is situated in the
river Thames between Essex and Kent, but is nearer to Kent
than to Essex ; it has in it a fine monastery.];
The same year also a great army of the pagans came with
three hundred and fifty ships to the mouth of the river
Thames, and sacked Dorobemia,§ which is the city of the Can-
tuarians, and also the city of London, which lies on the
north bank of the river Thames, on the confines of Essex
and Middlesex; but yet that city belongs in truth to Essex;
and they put to flight Berthwulf, king of Mercia, with all
the army, which he had led out to oppose them.
After these things, the aforesaid pagan host went into
Surrey, which is a district situated on the south bank of
the river Thames, and to the west of Kent. And Ethelwulf,
* Carisbrooke, as may be conjectured from the name, which is a combina-
tion of Wight and Caraburgh.
f Wembury. t Minster. § Canterbury.
A.D. 853.1 AXTBBD BEITT TO BOMS. 45
king of the West-Saxons, and His son EtHelbald, with all
their army, fought a long time against them at a place called
Ac-lea,* i. e. the Oak- plain, and there, after a lengthened
battle, which was fought with much bravery on both sides,
the greater part of the pagan multitude was destroyed and
cut to pieces, so that we never heard of their being so de-
feated, either before or since, in any country, in one day;
and the Christians gained an honourable victory, and were
triumphant over their graves.
In the same year king Athelstan, son of king Ethel wulf,
and earl Ealhere slew a large army of pagans in Kent, at a
place called Sandwich, and took nine ships of their fleet ;
the others escaped by flight.
In the year of our Lord*s incarnation 853, which was the
fifth of king Alfred, Burhred, king of the Mercians^ sent
messengers, and prayed Ethel wulf, king of the West -Saxons,
to come and help him in reducing the midland Britons, who
dwell between Mercia and the western sea, and who struggled
against him most immoderately. So without delay, king
Ethel wulf, having received the embassy, moved his army,
and advanced with king Burhred against Britain,! and imme-
diately, on entering that country, he began to ravage it ; and
having reduced it under subjection to king Burhred, he re-
turned home.
In the same year, king Ethelwulf sent his son Alfred,
above-named, to Rome, with an honourable escort both of
nobles and commoners. Pope Leo [the fourth] at that time
presided over the apostolic see, and he anointed for king
the aforesaid Alfred, and adopted him as his spiritual son.
The same year also, earl Ealhere, with the men of Kent,
and Huda with the men of Surrey, fought bravely and re-
solutely against an army of the pagans, in the island, which
is called in the Saxon tongue, Tenet,:|: but Ruim in the
British language. The battle lasted a long time, and many
fell on both sides, and also were drowned in the water ; and
both the earls were there slain. In the same year also, after
Easter, Ethelwulf, king of the West-Saxons, gave his daugh-
ter to Burhred, king of the Mercians, and the marriage was
celebrated royally at the royal vill of Chippenham. §
• Ockley, in Surrey.
f This is one the few instances to be met with of the name Britannia ap-
plied to Wales. X Thanet. § WUta.
46. ASSEB's life of ALFBED. [a.d.855.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 855, which was the
seventh sifter the birth of the aforesaid king, Edmund the
most glorious king of the East- Angles began to reign, on the
eighth day before the kalends of January, i. e. on the birth-
day of our Lord, in the fourteenth year of his age. In
this year also died Lothaire, the Roman emperor, son of the
pious Lewis Augustus. In the same year the aforesaid
venerable king Ethelwulf released the tenth part of all his
kingdom from all royal service and tribute, and with a pen
never to be forgotten, offered it up to God the One and the
Three in One, in the cross of Christ, for the redemption of
his own soul and of his predecessors. In the same year he
went to Rome with much honour ; and taking with him his
son, the aforesaid king Alfred, for a second journey thither,
because he loved him more than his other sons, he remained
there a whole year; after which he returned to his own
country, bringing with him Judith, daughter of Charles, the
king of the FrarJLs.
'>• In the meantime, however, whilst king Ethelwulf was re-
siding beyond the sea, a base deed was done, repugnant to
the morals of all Christians, in the western part of Selwood.
For king Ethelbald [son of king Ethelwulf] and Ealstan,
bishop of the church of Sherborne, with Eanwulf, earl of the
district of Somerton, are said to have made a conspiracy
together, that king Ethelwulf, on his return from Rome,
should never again be received into his kingdom. This crime,
unheard-of in all previous ages, is ascribed by many to the
bishop and earl alone, as resulting from their counsels. Many
also ascribe it solely to the insolence of the king, because
that king was pertinacious in this matter, and in many other
perversities, as we haye heard related by certain persons ;
as also was proved by the result of that which follows.
in For as he was returning from Rome, his son aforesaid, with
all his counsellors, or, as I ought to say, his conspirators,
attempted to perpetrate the crime of repulsing the kmg from
his own kingdom ; but neither did God permit the deed, nor
would the nobles of all Saxony consent to it. For to prevent
this irremediable evil to Saxony, of a son warring against his
father, or rather of the whole nation carrying on civil war,
either on the side of the one or the other, the extraordinary
mildness of the father, seconded by the consent of all the
nobles, divided between the two the kingdom which had
▲.0.855.] ETHELWULF*S SETUSK 7B0K BOXX. 47
hitherto been undivided ; the eastern parts were given to the
%ther, and the western to the son ; for where the father
ought by just right to reign, there his unjust and obstinate
son did reign ; for the western part of Saxony is always pre-
ferable to &e eastern.
}l When Ethelwulf, therefore, was coming from Rome, aU
that nation, as was fitting, so delighted in the arrival of the
old man, that, if he permitted them, they would have ex-
pelled his rebellious son Ethelbald, with aJl his counsellors,
out of the kingdom. But he, as we have said, acting with
great clemency and prudent counsel, so wished things to be
done, that the kingdom might not come into danger ; and he
placed Judith, daughter of king Charles, whom he had re-
ceived from his father, by his own side on the regal throne,
without any controversy or enmity from his nobles, even to
the end of his life, contrary to the perverse custom of that
nation. For the nation of the West-Saxons do not allow a
queen to sit beside the king, nor to be called a queen, but
only the king's wife ; which stigma the elders of that land
say arose from a certain obstinate and malevolent queen
of the same nation, who did all things so contrary to her
lord, and to all the people, that she not only earned for herself
exclusion from the royal seat, but also entailed the same
stigma upon those who came after her ; for in consequence
of the wickedness of that queen, all the nobles of that land
swore together, that they would never let any king reign over
them, who should attempt to place a queen on the throne by
his side.
And because, as I think, it is not known to many whence
this perverse and detestable custom arose in Saxony, contrary
to the custom of all the Theotiscan nations, it seems to me
right to explain a little more fully what I have heard from
my lord Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, as he also had
heard it from many men of truth, who in great part recorded
that fact.
There was in Mercia, in recent times, a certain valiant
king, who was feared by all the kings and neighbouring
states around. His name was Offa, and it was he who had
the great rampart made from sea to sea between Britain* and
Mercia. His daughter, named Eadburga, was married to
Bertric, king of the West- Saxons ; who immediately, having
* Offa's djke^ between Wales and England.
48 ASSSB'S I.IFB OF AI.FBKD. [aj>. 850
the king's afTections, and the control of aLsiost all the king-
dom, began to live tyrannically like her father, and to execrate
every man whom Bertric loved, and to do all things hateful
to God and man, and to accuse all she could before the king,
and so to deprive them insidiously of their life or power ;
and if she could not obtain the king^s consent, she used to
take them off by poison : as is ascertained to have been the
case with a certain young man beloved by the king, whom she
poisoned, finding that the king would not listen to any accu-
sation against him. It is said, moreover, that king Bertric
unwittingly tasted of the poison, though the queen intended
to give it to the young man only, and so both of them
perished.
Bertric therefore being dead, the queen could remain no
longer among the West-Saxons, but sailed beyond the sea
with immense treasures, and went to the court of the great
and famous Charles, king of the Franks. As she stood
before the throne, and offered him money, Charles said to
her, " Choose, Eadburga, between me and my son, who stands
here with me." She replied, foolishly, and without deliber-
ation, " If I am to have my choice, I choose your son, be-
cause he is younger than you." At which Charles smiled
and answered, " If you had chosen me, you would have
had my json ; but as you have chosen him, you shall not
have either of us."
However, he gave her a large convent of nuns, in which,
having laid aside the secular habit and taken the religious
dress, she discharged the office of abbess during a few years ;
for, as she is said to have lived irrationally in her own country,
so she appears to have acted still more so in that foreign
country ; for being convicted of having had unlawful inter-
course with a man of her own nation, she was expelled from
the monastery by king Charles's order, and lived a vicious life
of reproach in poverty and misery until her death ; so that
at last, accompanied by one slave only, as we have heard
from many who saw her, she begged her bread daily at Pavia,
and so miserably died.
H Now king Ethel wulf lived two years after his return from
Rome ; during which, among many other good deeds of this
present life, reflecting on his departure according to the way
of all flesh, that his sons might not quarrel unreasonably
after their father's death, he ordered a ynH or letter of in-
A.D.858.] ETH£LWTJLF*8 DBATH. 49
strnctions to be written, in which he ordered that his king-
dom should be divided between his two eldest sons, his
private inheritance between his sons, his daughters, and his
relations, and the money which he left behind him between
his sons and nobles, and for the good of his soul. Of this
prudent policy we have thought fit to record a few instances out
of many for posterity to imitate ; namely, such as are imder^
stood to belong principally to the needs of the soul ; for the
others, which relate only to human dispensation, it is not
necessary to insert in this work, lest proHxity should create
disgust in those who read or wish to hear my work. For the
benefit of his soul, then, which he studied to promote in all
things from the first flower of his youth, he directed through
all his hereditary dominions, that one poor man in ten, either
native or foreigner, should be supplied with meat, drink, and
clothing, by his successors, until the day of judgment ; sup-
posing, however, that the country should still be inhabited
both by men and cattle, and should not become deserted.
He commanded also a large simi of money, namely, three
hundred mancuses, to be carried to Rome for the good of his
soul, to be distributed in the following manner : namely, a
handred mancuses in honour of St. Peter, specially to buy
oil for the lights of the church of that apostle on Easter eve,
and also at the cock-crow : a hundred mancuses in honour of
St. Paul, for the same purpose of buying oil for the church of
St. Paul the apostle, to light the lamps on Easter eve and at
the cock-crow ; and a hundred mancuses for the universal
apostolic pontiff.
' ^ But when king Ethelwulf was dead, and buried at Stem-
nigam,* his son Ethelbald, contrary to God's prohibition and
the dignity of a Christian, contrary also to the custom of all
the pagans, ascended his father's bed, and married Judith,
daughter of Charles, king of the Franks, and drew down
much infamy upon himself from all who heard of it. During
two years and a half of licentiousness after his father he held
the government of the West-Saxons.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 856, which was the
eighth after Alfred's birth, the second year of king Charles
III, and the eighteenth year of the reign of Ethelwulf,
* Ingram supposes this to be Stonehenge. Stsningham, however, is the
common reading, which Camden thinks is Steyning, in Sussex. The Saxon
Chronicle^ a.d. 855, states, ihaX Ethelwulf was buried at Winchester.
50 ASSEB's life of AXFSED. [A-n. 80O~80ff.
king of the WesH^Sfktons, Humbert, ^bishop of the East-
Angles, anointed with oil and consecrat^ftHs' king iiie glo-
rious Edmund, with much rejoicing and great honour in the
royal town called Burva, in which at that time was the royal
seat, in the fifteenth year of his age, on a Friday, the twenty-
fourth moon, being Christmas-day.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 860, which was the
twelfth of king Alfred's age, died Ethelbald, king of the
West-Saxons, and was buried at Sherborne. His brother
Ethelbert, as was fitting, joined Kent, Surrey, and Sussex
also to his dominion.
In his days a large army of pagans came up from the sea,
and attacked and destroyed the city of Winchester. As they
were returning laden with booty to their ships, Osric,
earl of Hampshire, with his men, and earl Ethel wulf, with
the men of Berkshire, confronted them bravely ; a severe
battle took place, and the pagans were slain on every side ;
and, finding themselves unable to resist, took to flight like
women, and the Christians obtained a triumph.
Ethelbert governed his kingdom five years in peace, with
the love and respect of his subjects, who felt deep sorrow
when he went the way of all flesh. His body was honour-
ably interred at Sherborne by the side of his brothers.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 864, the pagans
wintered in the isle of Thanet, and made a firm treaty with
the men of Kent, who promised them money for adhering to
their covenant ; but the pagans, Hke cunning foxes, burst
from their camp by night, and setting at naught their engage-
ments, and spuming at the promised money, which they
knew was less than they could get by plunder, they ravaged
all the eastern coast of Kent.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 866, which was the
eighteenth of king Alfred, Ethelred, brother of Ethelbert,
king of the West Saxons, imdertook the government of the
kingdom for five years ; and the same year a large fleet of
pagans came to Britain from the Danube, and wintered in the
kingdom of the Eastern-Saxons, which is called in Saxon
\ East-Anglia ; and there they became principally an army of
cavalry. But, to speak in nautical phrase, I will no longer
commit my vessel to the power of the waves and of its sails,
or keeping ofl* from land steer my round-about course through
so many calamities of wars and series of years, but will
A.0. 864.1 HIS BDTJCJLTION. 51
letom to that which first prompted me to this task ; that is to
say, I think it right in this place hriefiy to relate as much as
has come to my knowledge about the character of my revered
lord Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, during the years that
he was an infant and a boy.
22 He was loved by his father and mother, and even by all
the people, above all his brothers, and was educated alto-
gether at the court of the king. As he advanced through
Uie years of infancy and youth, his form appeared more
comely than that of his brothers ; in look, in speech, and in
manners he was more graceful than they. His noble nature
implanted in him from his cradle a love of wisdom above all
things ; but, with shame be it spoken, by the unworthy
neglect of his parents and nurses, he remained illiterate even
till he was twelve years old or more ; but he listened with*^
serious attention to the Saxon poems which he often heard
recited, and easily retained them in his docile memory. He
was a zealous practiser of hunting in all its branches, and
hunted with great assiduity and success ; for skill and good
fortune in this art, as in all others, are among the gifts of
God, as we also have often witnessed.
1^ On a certain day, therefore, his mother* was showing him
and his brother a Saxon book of poetry, which she held in
her hand, and said, " Whichever of you shall the soonest
learn this volume shall have it for his own." Stimulated by
these words, or rather by the Divine inspiration, and allured
by the beautifully illuminated letter at the beginning of the
volume, he spoke before all his brothers, who, though his
seniors in age, were not so in grace, and answered, " Will
you really give that book to one of us, that is to say, to
him who can first understand and repeat it to you ?'' At this
his mother smiled with satisfaction, and confirmed what she
had before said. . Upon which the boy took the book out of
her hand, and went to his master to read it, and in due time
brought it to his mother and recited it.
^^ After this he learned the daily course, that is, the cele-
bration of the hours, and afterwards certain psalms, and
several prayers, contained in a certain book which he kept
• We must understand this epithet as denoting his mother-in-law,
Judith, rather than his own mother, who was dead in a.d. 856, when Alfred
was not yet seven years old. When his father brought Judith from France
Alfred was thirteen years old.
B 2
62 asseb's life of ALFBED. [▲.o.MZ.
day and night in his bosom, as we ourselves have seen,
and carried about with him to assist his prayers, amid all the
bustle and business of this present life. But, sad to say !
he could not gratify his most ardent wish to learn the liberal
arts, because, as he said, there were no good readers at that
time in all the kingdom of the West-Saxons.
25 This he confessed, with many lamentations and sighs, to have
been one of his greatest dif&culties and impediments in this life,
namely, that when he was young and had the capacity for
learning, he could not find teachers ; but, when he was
more advanced in life, he was harassed by so many diseases
unknown to all the physicians of this island, as well as by
internal and external anxieties of sovereignty, and by con-
tinual invasions of the pagans, and had his teachers and
writers also so much disturbed, that there was no time for
reading. But yet among the impediments of this present
life, from infancy up to &e present time, and, as I believe,
even until his death, he continued to feel the same insatiable
desire of knowledge, and still aspires after it.
16 In the year of our Lord's incarnation 867, which was the
nineteenth of the life of the aforesaid king Alfred, the army
of pagans before mentioned removed from the East- Angles
to the city of York, which is situated on the north bank of
the river Humber.
At that time a violent discord arose, by the instigation of
the devil, among the inhabitants of Northumberland; as
always is used to happen among a people who have incurred
the wrath of Qod. For the Northumbrians at that time, as
we have said, had expelled their lawful king Osbert, and
appointed a certain tyrant named ^Ua, not of royal birth,
over the affairs of the kingdom ; but when the pagans ap-
proached, by divine Providence, and the union of the nobles
for the common good, that discord was a little appeased,
and Osbert and ^lla uniting their resources, and assembling
an army, marched to York. The pagans fled at their ap-
proach, and attempted to defend themselves within the walls
of the city. The Christians, perceiving their flight and the
terror they were in, determined to destroy the walls of the
town, which they succeeded in doing ; for that city was not
surrounded at that time with firm or strong walls, and when
the Christians had made a breach as they had purposed, and
many of them had entered into the town, the pagans, urged
A.D. 869.1 HIS MASBIAOX. 63
by despair and necessity, made a fierce sally upon them, slew
them, routed them, and cut them down on all sides, both
within and without the walls. In that battle fell almost all
the Northumbrian warriors, with both the kings and a mul-
titude of nobles ; the remainder, who escaped, made peace
with the pagans.
In the same year, Ealstan, bishop of the church of Sher-
borne, went the way of aU flesh, after he had honourably
ruled his see four years, and he was buried at Sherborne.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 868, which was the
twentieth of king Alfred's life, there was a severe famine.
Then the aforesaid revered king Alfred, but at that time oc-
cupying a subordinate station, asked and obtained in marriage
a noble Mercian lady, daughter of Athelred, sumamed Mucil,*
earl of the Gaini.f The mother of this lady was named Ed-
burga, of the royal line of Mercia, whom we have often seen
with our own eyes a few years before her death. She was a
venerable lady, and after the decease of her husband, she
remained many years a widow, even till her own death.
In the same year, the above-named army of pagans, leaving
Northumberland, invaded Mercia and advanced to Notting-
ham, which is called in the British tongue, " Tiggocobauc,"
but in Latin, the " House of Caves," and they wintered
there that same year. Immediately on their approach, Burh-
red, king of Mercia, and all the nobles of that nation, sent
messengers to Ethelred, king of the West-Saxons, and his
brother AKred, suppliantly entreating them to come and aid
them in fighting against the aforesaid army. Their request
was easily obtained ; for the brothers, as soon as promised,
assembled an immense army from all parts of their do-
minions, and entering Mercia, came to Nottingham, all eager
for battle, and when the pagans, defended by the castle, re-
fused to fight, and the Christians were unable to destroy the
wall, peace was made between the Mercians and pagans, and
the two brothers, Ethelred and Alfred, returned home with
their troops.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 869, which was the
twenty-first of king Alfred's life, there was a great famine
and mortality of men, and a pestilence among the cattle.
* This nobleman occurs as a witness [Mucil, dux] to many Mercian
chaiten^ dated from a.]>. 814 to 866. f Inhabitants of Gainsborough.
64 A6S£B*S LIFE OF JLLFBED. [a.i>.870.
And the aforesaid army of the pagans, galloping back to
Northumberland, went to York, and there passed the winter.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 870, which was the
twenty-second of king Alfred's life, the above-named army
of pagans, passed through Mercia into East-Anglia, and
wintered at Thetford.
In the same year Edmimd, king of the East- Angles, fought
most fiercely against them; but, lamentable to say, the
pagans triumphed, Edmund was slain in the battle, and the
enemy reduced all that coimtry to subjection.
In the same year Ceolnoth, archbishop of Canterbury, went
the way of all flesh, and was buried peaceably in his own
city.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 871, which was the
twenty-third of king Alfred's life, the pagan army, of hate-
ful memory, left the East- Angles, and entering the kingdom
of the West-Saxons, came to the royal city, called Reading,
situated on the south bank of the Thames, in the district
called Berkshire ; and there, on the third day after their ar-
rival, their earls, with great part of the army, scoured the
country for plunder, while the others made a rampart between
the rivers lliames and Kennet on the right side of the same
royal city. They were encountered by Ethelwulf, earl of
Berkshire, with his men, at a place called Englefleld ;* both
sides fought bravely, and made long resistance. At length
one of the pagan earls was slain, and the greater part of the
army destroyed; upon which the rest saved themselves
by flight, and the Christians gained the victory.
Four days afterwards, Ethelred, king of the West-Saxons,
and his brother Alfred, united their forces and marched to
Reading, where, on their arrival, they cut to pieces the pagans
whom Uiey found outside the fortifications. But the pagans,
nevertheless, sallied out from the gates, and a long and
fierce engagement ensued. At last, grief to say, the Christians
fled, the pagans obtained the victory, and the aforesaid earl
Ethelwulf was among the slain.
Roused by this calamity, the Christians, in shame and in-
dignation, within four days, assembled all their forces, and
again encountered the pagan army at a place called Ashdune,t
which means the " Hill of the Ash." The pagans had divided
* Englefield Green ie about four miles from Windsor, f Aston^ in Berkshire.
A.D. 871.1 BATTLE JLT ASHDUNE. 65
themselves into two bodies, and began to prepare defences,
for they had two kings and many earls, so they gave the
middle part of the army to the two kings, and the other
part to all their earls. Which the Christians perceiving,
divided their army also into two troops, and also began to
construct defences. But Alfred, as we have been told by
those who were present,, and would not tell an untruth,
marched up promptly with his men to give them battle ;
for king Ethelred remained a long time in his tent in prayer,
hearing the mass, and said that he would not leave it, till
the priest had done, or abandon the divine protection for
that of men. And he did so too, which afterwards availed
him much with the Almighty, as we shall declare more fully
in the sequel.
Now i^e Christians had determined that king Ethelred,
with his men, should attack the two pagan kings, but that
his brother Alfred, with his troops, should take the chance
of war against the two earls. Things being so arranged, the
king remained a long time in prayer, and the pagans came
up rapidly to fight. Then Alfred, though possessing a sub-
ordinate authority, could no longer support the troops of
the enemy, unless he retreated or charged upon them with-
out waiting for his brother. At length he bravely led his
troops against the hostile army, as they had before arranged,
but without awaiting his brother's arrival ; for he relied in
the divine coimsels, and forming his men into a dense pha-
lanx, marched on at once to meet the foe.
But here I must inform those who are ignorant of the
fact, that the field of battle was not equally advantageous
to both parties. The pagans occupied the higher ground,
and the Christians came up from below. There was also a sin-
gle thorn-tree, of stunted growth, but we have ourselves never
seen it. Around this tree the opposing armies came to-
gether with loud shouts from all sides, the one party to
pursue their wicked course, the other to fight for their lives,
their dearest ties, and their country. And when both armies
had fought long and bravely, at last the pagans, by the di-
vine judgment, were no longer able to bear the attacks of
the Christians, and having lost great part of their army,
took to a disgraceful flight. One of their two kings, and
£Ye earls were there slain, together with many thousand
56 ASSES'S LIFE OF ALFBED. fA-o. SH.
pagans, who fell on all sides, covering with their bo(Hes the
whole plain of Ashdune.
There fell in that battle king Bagsac, earl Sidrac the
elder, and earl Sidrac the younger, earl Osbern, earl Frene,
and earl Harold; and the whole pagan army pursued its
flight, not only until night but until the next day, even until
they reached the stronghold froni which they had sallied.
The Christians followed, slaying aU they could reach, until it
became dark.
After fourteen days had elapsed, king Ethehed, with his
brother AKred, again joined their forces and marched to
Basing to fight with the pagans. The enemy came together
from all quarters, and after a long contest gained the victory.
After this battle, another army came from beyond the sea,
and joined them.
The same year, after Easter, the aforesaid king Ethelred,
having bravely, honourably, and with good repute, governed
his kingdom five years, through much tribulation, went the
way of aU flesh, and was buried in Wimbome Minster,
where he awaits the coming of the Lord, and the first resur-
rection with the just.
The same year, the aforesaid Alfred, who had been up to
that time only of secondary rank, whilst his brothers were
alive, now, by God's permission, undertook the govern-
ment of the whole kingdom, amid the acclamations of aU the
people ; and if he had chosen, he might have done so be-
fore, whilst his brother above-named was still alive ; for in
wisdom and other qualities he surpassed all his brothers, and
moreover, was warlike and victorious in all his wars. And
when he had reigned one month, almost against his will, for
he did not think he could alone sustain the multitude and
ferocity of the pagans, though even during his brothers*
lives, he had borne the woes of many, — he fought a battle
with a few men, and on very unequal terms, against all the
army of the pagans, at a hill called Wilton, on the south
bank of the river Wily, from which river the whole of
that district is named, and after a long and fierce engage-
ment, the pagans, seeing the danger they were in, and no
longer able to bear the attack of their enemies, turned their
backs and fled. But, oh, shame to say, they deceived their
too audacious pursuers, and again rallying, gained the vie-
A.D. 871-875] KZKG OF HSBCIA BANISHED. 67
tory. Let no one be surprised that the Christians had but
a small number of men, for the Saxons had been worn out
by eight battles in one year, against the pagans, of whom
they had slain one king, nine dukes, and innumerable troops
of soldiers, besides endless skirmishes, both by night and
by day, in which the oft-named Alfred, and all his chief-
tains, with their men, and several of his ministers, were en-
gaged without rest or cessation against the pagans. How
many thousand pagans fell in these numberless skirmishes
God alone knows, over and above those who were slain in
the eight battles above-mentioned. In the same year the'
Saxons made peace with the pagans, on condition that they
should take their departure, and they did so.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 872, the twenty-
fourth of king Alfred's life, the above-named army of pagans
went to London, and there wintered. The Mercians made
peace with them.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 873, the twenty-
fifth of king Alfred, the above-named army, leaving Lon-
don, went into the country of the Northumbrians, and there
wintered in the district of Lindsey; and the Mercians again
made treaty with them.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 874, the twenty-
sixth since the birth of king Alfred, the army before so
often mentioned left Lindsey and marched to Mercia,
where they wintered at Repton. Also they compelled Burh-
red, king of Mercia, against his will, to leave his king-
dom and go beyond the sea to Kome, in the twenty-second
year of his reign. He did not long live after his arrival,
but died there, and was honourably buried in the school of
the Saxons, in St. Mary's church, where he awaits the Lord's
coming and the first resurrection with the just. The pagans
also, srfler his expulsion, subjected the whole kingdom of the
Mercians to their dominion ; but by a most miserable ar-
rangement, gave it into the custody of a certain foolish man,
named Ceolwidf, one of the king's ministers, on condition
that he should restore it to them, whenever they should wish
to have it again ; and to guarantee this agreement, he gave
them hostages, and swore that he would not oppose their will,
but be obedient to them in every respect.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 875, which was the
27th of king Alfred, the above-named army leaving Repton,
68 JLSSES'S I.IFE OF ALFBED. tA.B-876.
divided into two bodies, one of "which went with Halfdene into
Northumbria, and having wintered there near the Tyne, re-
duced all Northumberland to subjection ; they also ravaged
the Picts and the Strath-Clydensians.* The other division, with
Gothrun, Oskytel, and Anwiund, three kings of the pagans,
went to a place called Grantabridge,+ and there wintered.
In the same year, king Alfred fought a battle by sea
against six ships of the pagans, and took one of them ; the
rest escaped by flight.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 876, being the twenty-
^eighth year of king Alfred's life, the aforesaid army of the
pagans, leaving Grantabridge by night, entered a castle called
Wareham, where there is a monasterium of holy virgins be-
tween the two rivers FraunJ and Trent, in the ^strict which
is called in British DumgueU, but in Saxon Thomsceta^ placed
in a most secure situation, except that it was exposed to danger
on the'westem side from the nature of the ground. With
this army Alfred made a solemn treaty, to the effect that
they should depart out of the kingdom, and for this they
made no hesitation to give as many hostages as he named; also
they swore an oath over the Christian relics,§ which with king
Alfred were next in veneration after the Deity himself, that
they would depart speedily from the kingdom. But they again
practised their usud treachery, and caring nothing for the
hostages or their oaths, they broke the treaty, and sallying forth
by night, slew all the horsemen that the king had round him,
and turning off into Devon, to another place called in Saxon
Exancea8ter,\[ but in British Catr-wisc, which means in Latin,
the city of Ex, situated on the eastern bank of the river Wise,
they directed their course suddenly towards the south sea,
which divides Britain and Gaid, and there passed the winter.
In the same year, Halfdene, king of those parts, divided
out the whole coimtry of Northumberland between himself
and his men, and settled there with his army. In the same
year. Hollo with his followers penetrated into Normandy.
Tlus same RoUo, duke of the Normans, whilst wintering in
Old j^ritain, or England, at the head of his troops, enjoyed
• Stratclyde Britons. t Cambridge* J The Frome.
§ They swore oaths to Alfred on the holy ring, says the Saxon Chronicle,
p. 355. The most solemn manner of swearing among the Danes and other
northern nations was by their arms. Olaus Magnus, Bb. viii. c 2.
il Exeter
A.i>.877>87&] £KGA6£M£KT AT SZA. 59
one night a vision revealing to Him the fiiture. See more of
this BoUo in the Annals.*
In the year 877, the pagans, on the approach of autumn,
partly settled in Exeter, and partly marched for plunder into
Mercia. The number of that disorderly crew increased every
day, so that, if thirty thousand of them were slain in one
battle, others took their places to double the number. Then
king Alfred commanded boats and galleys, i. e. long ships, to
be built throughout the kingdom, in order to offer battle by
sea to the enemy as they were coming. On board of these
he placed seamen, and appointed them to watch the seas.
Meanwhile he went himself to Exeter, where the pagans
were wintering, and having shut them up within the walls,
laid siege to the town. He also gave orders to his sailors to
prevent them from obtaining any supplies by sea ; and his
sailors were encountered by a fleet of a hundred and twenty
ships full of armed soldiers, who were come to help their
countrymen. As soon as the king's men knew that they were
fitted with pagan soldiers, they leaped to their arms, and
bravely attacked those barbaric tribes : but the pagans, who
had now for almost a month been tossed and almost wrecked
among the waves of the sea, fought vainly against them ;
their bands were discomfited in a moment, and all were sunk
and drowned in the sea, at a place called Suanewic.f
In the same year the army of pagans, leaving Wareham,
partly on horseback and partly by water, arrived at Suane-
wic, where one hundred and twenty of their ships were lost ; J
and king Alfred pursued their land-army as far as Exeter ;
there he made a covenant with them, and took hostages that
they would depart.
The same year, in the month of August, that army went
into Mercia, and gave part of that country to one Ceolwulf,
a weak-minded man, and one of the king's ministers ; the
other part they divided among themselves.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 878, which was the
* It is necessary to infoim the reader that many passages of this work
are modem interpolations, made in the old MS. by a later hand. The
* Annals ^ referred to in the text are supposed not to be a genuine work
of Asser.
t Swanwich, in Dorsetshire.
X This clause is a mere repetition of the preceding. See a former note
inthispac^*
60 ASSEB*S LIFE OV ALFSED. La d. 878.
thiriieth of king Alfred's life, the army above-mentioned
left Exeter, and went to Chippenham, a royal villa, situ-
ated in the west of Wiltshire, and on the eastern bank of
the river, which is called in British, the Avon. There they
wintered, and drove many of the inhabitants of that coimtry
beyond the sea by the force of their arms, and by want of
the necessaries of life. They reduced almost entirely to sub-
jection all the people of that country.
At the same time the above-named Alfred, king of the
West-Saxans, with a few of his nobles, and certain soldiers
and vassals, used to lead an unquiet life among the wood-
lands* of the county of Somerset, in great tribulation; for he
had none of the necessaries of life, except what he could
forage openly or stealthily, by frequent sallies, from the pa-
gans, or even from the Christians who had subihitted to the
rule of the pagans, and as we read in the Life of St. Neot,
at the house of one of his cowherds.
But it happened on a certain day, that the countrywoman,
wife of the cowherd, was preparing some loaves to bake,
and the king, sitting at the hearth, made ready his bow and
arrows and other warlike instruments. The unlucky woman
espying the cakes burning at the fire, ran up to remove
them, and rebuking the brave king, exclaimed : —
Ca'sn thee mind the ke-aks, man, an^ dooesen zee *em bum !
I'm boun thee's eat 'em vast enough, az zoon az ^ the tum.f
The blundering woman little thought that it was king Al-
fred, who had fought so many battles against the pagans, and
gained so many victories over them.
But the Almighty not only granted to the same glorious king
victories over his enemies, but also permitted him to be harass-
ed by them, to be sunk down by adversities, and depressed
by the low estate of his followers, to the end that he might
learn that there is one Lord of all things, to whom every
knee doth bow, and in whose hand are the hearts of kings;
who puts down the mighty from their seat and exalteth the
humble ; who suffers his servants when they are elevated at
the summit of prosperity to be touched by the rod of ad-
* Athelney, a moran formed by the conflux of the Thone and the Par-
ret. See Saxon Chron. p. 356, and Chronicle of Ethel werd, p. 31.
f The original here is in Latin verse, and may therefore be rendered into
English verse, but such as erery housewife in Somersetshire would under-
stand.
iLixSTa] HIS SELP-WILL FUVISHED. 61
Tereity, that in their humility they may not despair of God's
mercy, and in their prosperity they may not boast of their
honours, but may also know, to whom they owe all the
things which they possess.
We may believe that the calamity was brought upon the
king aforesaid, because, in the beginning of his reign, when
he was a youth, and influenced by youthful feelings, he would
not listen to the petitions which his subjects made to him
for help in their necessities, or for relief from those who
oppressed them ; but he repulsed them from him, and paid
no heed to their requests. This particular gave much annoy-
ance to the holy man St. Neot, who was his relation, and
often foretold to him, in the spirit of prophecy, that he would
suffer great adversity on this account ; but Alfred neither at-
tended to the reproof of the man of God, nor listened to his
true prediction. Wherefore, seeing that a man's sins must
be corrected either in this world or the next, the true and
righteous Judge was willing that his sin should not go un-
punished in this world, to the end that he might spare
him in the world to come. From this cause, therefore, the
aforesaid Alfred often fell into such great misery, that some-
times none of his subjects knew where he was or what had
become of him.
In the same year the brother* of Hingwar and Halfdene,
with twenty-three ships, after much slaughter of the Chris-
tians, came from the country of Demetia,t where he had
wintered, and sailed to Devon, where, with twelve hundred
others, he met with a miserable death, being slain while com-
mitting his misdeeds, by the king's servants, before the castle
of Cynuit (KynwithJ), into which many of the king's servants,
with their followers, had fled for safety. The pagans, seeing
that the castle was altogether unprepared and unfortified,
except that it had walls in our own fashion, determined not
to assault it, because it was impregnable and secure on all
sides, except on the eastern, as we ourselves have seen, but
they began to blockade it, thinking that those who were
inside would soon surrender either from famine or want of
water, for the castle had no spring near it. But the result
did not fall out as they expected ; for the Christians, before
they began to suffer from want, inspired by Heaven, judging
• Probably the sanguinary Hubba. + Or South Wales,
X Kynwith castle stood on the river Taw. Camden, p. 35.
62 JLSSSB*S LIFE OF iXFBED. La^p-STS.
it much better to gain victory or death, attacked the pagans
suddenly in the morning, and from the first cut them down
in great numbers, slaying also their king, so that few escaped
to their ships ; and there they gained a very large booty, and
amongst other things the standard called Raven; for they
say that the three sisters of Hingwar and Hubba, daughters
of Lodobroch, wove that fiag and got it ready in one day.
They say, moreover, that in every battle, wherever that flag
went before them, if they were to gain the victory a live
crow would appear flying on the middle of the flag ; but if
they were doomed to be defeated it would hang down motion-
less, and this was often proved to be so. •
The same year, after Easter, king Alfred, with a few fol-
lowers, made for himself a stronghold in a place called
Athelney, and from thence sallied with his vassals and the
nobles of Somersetshire, to make frequent assaults upon the
pagans. Also, in the seventh week after Easter, he rode to
the stone of Egbert,* which is in the eastern part of the wood
which is called Selwood,t which means in Latin Silva Magna,
the Qreat Wood, but in British Coit-mawr. Here he was met
by aU the neighbouring folk of Somersetshire, and Wiltshire,
and Hampslure, who had not, for fear of the pagans, fled
beyond the sea ; and when they saw the king alive after such
great tribulation, they received him, as he deserved, with joy
and acclamations, and encamped there for one night. When
the following day dawned, tiie king struck his camp, and
went to Okely,J where he encamped for one night. The
next morning he removed to Edington, and there fought
bravely and perseveringly against all the army of the pagans,
whom, with the divine help, he defeated with great slaughter,
and pursued them flying to their fortification. Immediately
he slew all the men, and carried off all the booty that he
could find without the fortress, which he immediately laid
siege to with all his army; and when he had been there
fourteen days, the pagans, driven by famine, cold, fear, and
last of aU by despair, asked for peace, on the condition that
they should give the king as many hostages as he pleased,
but should receive none of him in return, in which form they
* Now called Brixton Deverill, in Wilts.
f Selwood Forest extended firom Frome to Burham^ and was probably
much larger at one time.
X Or Iglea. Supposed to be Leigh, now Westbuiy, Wilts.
A.D.876-882.1 BAPTISM OF OOTHBTTK. 63
had never before made a treaty with any one. The king,
hearing that, took pity upon them, and received such hostages
as he chose ; after which the pagans swore, moreover, that
they would immediately leave the kingdom ; and their king,
Gothrun, promised to embrace Christianity, and receive
baptism at king Alfred's hands. All of which articles he
and his men fulfilled as they had promised. For after seven
weeks Gothnm, king of the pagans, with thirty men chosen
from the army, came to Alfred at a place called Aller, near
Athelney, and there king Alfred, receiving him as his son
by adoption, raised him up from the holy laver of baptism
on the eighth day, at a royal villa named Wedmore,* where
the holy chrism was poured upon him.f After his baptism he
remained twelve nights with the king, who, with all his
nobles, gave him many fine houses.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 879, which was the
thirty-first of king Alfred, the aforesaid army of pagans
leaving Chippenham, as they had promised, went to Ciren-
cester, which is called in British Cair Cori, and is situate in
the southern part of the Wiccii,J and there they remained
one year.
In the same year, a large army of pagans sailed from
foreign parts into the river Thames, and joined the army
which was already in the coimtry. They wintered at Fulham
near the river Thames.
In the same year an eclipse of the sun took place, between
three o'clock and the evening, but nearer to three o'clock.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 880, which was the
thirty-second of king Alfred, the above named army of
pagans left Cirencester, and went among the East Angles,
where they divided out the country and began to^^ettle.
The same year the army of pagans, which had wintered at
Fulham, left the island of Britain, and sailed over the sea
to the eastern part of France, where they remained a year
at a place called Ghent.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 881, which was the
• Wedmore is four miles and three quarters firom Axbridge, in Somer-
setshire.
t In the Saxon Chronicle (a.d. 878) it is said, that Gothrun was bap-
tized at Aller, and his chrum-loosing was at Wedmore. The chrismal was
a white linen cloth put on the head at the administration of baptism, which
was taken off at the expiration of eight days.
X Inhabitants of Gloucester^ Worcester, and part of Warwickshire.
64 ASSEB's life of ALFBED. [a-o. ess, 8S4.
thirty-third of king Alfred's life, the aforesaid army went higher
up into France ; and the French fought against them ; and
after the hattle the pagans obtained horses and became an
army of cavalry.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 882, the thirty-fourth
of king Alfred's life, the above named army steered their
ships up into France by a river called the Mese [Meuse] and
there wintered one year.
In the same year Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, fought
a battle by sea against the pagan fleet, of which he captured
two ships, having slain all who were on bocurd; and the
two commanders of two other ships, vnih all their crews,
distressed by the battle and the woimds which they had re-
ceived, laid down their arms and submitted to tUe king.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 883, which was the
thirty-fifth of king Alfred's life, the aforesaid army went
up the river called Scald [Scheldt] to a convent of nuns called
Cundoht [Conde] and there remamed a year.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 884, which was the
thirty-sixth of king Alfred's life, the aforesaid army divided
into two parts ; one body of them went into East France,
and the other coming to Britain entered Kent, where they
besieged a city called in Saxon Rochester, and situated on
the eastern bank of the river Medway. Before the gate of
the town the pagans suddenly erected a strong fortress, but
yet they were unable to take the city, because the citizens
defended themselves bravely, imtil king Alfred came up to
help them with a large army. Then the pagans abandoned
their fortress, and all their horses which they had brought
with them out of France, and leaving behind them in the
fortress the greater part of their prisoners, on the arrival of
the king, fled immediately to their ships, and the Saxons im-
mediately seized on the prisoners and horses left by the
pagans ; and so the pagans, compelled by stem necessity,
returned the same summer to France.
In the same year Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, led
his fleet, full of fighting men, out of Kent to the country of
the East Angles, for the sake of plunder ;* and, when they
[ * This expression paints in strong colours the unfortunate and divided
I state of England at this period, for it shows that the Danes had settled
I possession of parts of it. In fact, all traces of the heptarchy, or ancient
1 division of the island into provinces, did not entirely disappear until som^
^ years after the Norman conquest.
A.0.8M.J VEXVK OV POPS MAUXZV. 65
had amved at tilie month of the riyer Stour,* immediatelj
thirteen ships of the pagans met them, prepared for battle ;
a fierce fight ensued, and all the pagans, after a brave resist-
ance, were slain ; all the ships, wiSx all their money, were
taken. Affcer this, while the royal fleet were reposing, the
pagans, who lived in the eastern part of England, assembled
their ships, met the same royal fleet at sea in the mouth of
the same river, and, after a naval battle, the pagans gained
the victory.
In the same year, also, Oarloman, king of the Western
Franks, whilst hunting a wild boar, was miserably killed by
a large animal of that species, which inflicted a dreadfiil
wound on him with its tusk. His brother Louis [III]* who
had also been king of the Franks, died the year before. These
two brothers were sons of Louis, king of the Franks, who
had died in the year above mentioned, in which the eclipse
of the sun took place ; and it was he whose daughter JucUth
was given by her father's wish in marriage to Ethelwulf,
king of the West Saxons.
hi the same year also a great army of the pagans came
from Germany into the country of the ancient Saxons, which
is called in Saxon Ealdseaxum.f To oppose them Uie said
Saxons and Frisons jomed their forces, and fought bravely
twice in that same year. In both those battles the ChristianB,
with the merciful aid of the Lord, obtained the victory.
In the same year also, Charles, king of the Almains, re-
ceived, with universal consent, all the territories which lie
between the Tyrrhenian sea and that gulf which runs between
the old Saxons and the Gauls, except the kingdom of Ar-
morica, i. e. Lesser Britain. This Charles was the son of
king Louis, who was brother of Charles, king of the Franks,
father of the aforesaid queen Judith; these two brothers
were sons of Louis, but Louis was the son of the great, the
ancient, and wise Charlemagne, who was the son of Pepin.
In the same year pope Martin, of blessed memory, went
the way of all flesh ; it was he who, in regard for Alfred,
king of the Anglo-Saxons, and at his request, freed the
hchool of the Anglo-Saxons resident at Rome from all tribute
and tax. He also sent many gifts on that occasion, among
* Not the river Stour, in Kent; but the Stour which divides Essex firon
SniFolk. Lambard fixes the battle at Harwich haven,
t Or, Old Saxons.
66 ASSEB's life of ALFBED. Ca.i».884.
which was no small portion of the holy and venerable cross
on which our Lord Jesus Christ was suspended, for the
general salvation of mankind.
In the same year also the army of pagans, which dwelt
among the East Angles, disgracefully broke the peace which
they had concluded with king Alfred.
Wherefore, to return to that from which I digressed, that
I may not be compelled by my long navigation to abandon
the port of rest which I was making for, I propose, as far as
my knowledge will (enable me, to speak of the life and cha-
racter and just conduct of my lord Alfred, king of the
Anglo-Saxons, after he married the above named respected
lady of Mercian race, his wife ; and, with God's blessing, I
will despatch it succinctly and briefly, as I promised, that I
may not offend the delicate minds of my readers by prolixity
in relating each new event.
His nuptials were honourably celebrated in Mercia, among
innumerable multitudes of people of both sexes ; and after
continual feasts, both by night and by day, he was imme-
diately seized, in presence of all the people, by sudden and
overwhelming pain, as yet unknown to all the physicians ;
for it was unknown to all who were then present, and even
to those who daily see him up to the present time, — ^which,
sad to say ! is the worst of all, that he should have protracted
it so long from the twentieth to the fortieth year of his life,
and even more than that through the space of so many years, —
from what cause so great a malady arose. For many thought
that this was occasioned by the favour and fascination of
the people who surrounded him ; others, by some spite of the
devil, who is ever jealous of the good ; others, from an un-
usual kind of fever. He had this sort of severe disease from
his childhood ; but once, divine Providence so ordered it,
that when he was on a visit to Cornwall for the sake of
himting, and had turned out of the road to pray in a certain
chapel, in which rests the body of Saint Guerir,* and now
also St. Neotf rests there, — ^for king Alfred was always from
his infancy a frequent visitor of holy places for the sake of
prayer and almsgiving, — ^he prostrated himself for private
devotion, and, after some time spent therein, he entreated of
* St. Guerir's church was at Ham Stoke, in Cornwall,
t An interesting account of St. Neot will be found in Gorham's Hiatorj
and Antiquitiei of Eynesburj and St. Neot's.
A.0.884.] HIS 7AMILT. 67
God*s mercy, that in his boundless clemency he would ex-
change the torments of the malady which then afflicted him
for some other lighter disease ; but with this condition, that
such disease should not show itself outwardly in his body,
lest he should be an object of contempt, and less able to
benefit mankind ; for he had great dread of leprosy or blind-
ness, or any. such complaint, as makes men useless or con-
temptible when it afflicts them. When he had finished his
prayers, he proceeded on his journey, and not long after he
felt within him that by the hand of the Almighty he was
healed, according to his request, of his disorder, and that it
was entirely eradicated, although he had first had even this
complaint in the flower of his youth, by his devout and pious
prayers and supplications to Almighty God. For if I may
be allowed to speak briefly, but in a somewhat preposterous
order, of his zealous piety to God, in the flower of his youth,
before he entered the marriage state, he wished to strengthen
his mind in the observance of God's commandments, for he
perceived that he could with difficulty abstain from gratifying
his carnal desires ; and, because he feared the anger of God,
if he should do anything contrary to his will, he used often
to rise in the morning at the cock-crow, and go to pray in the
churches and at the relics of the saints. There he prostrated
himself on the groimd, and prayed that God in his mercy
would strengthen his mind still more in his service by some
infirmity such as he might bear, but not such as would
render him imbecile and contemptible in his worldly duties ;
and when he had often prayed with much devotion to this
efiect, after an interval of some time, Providence vouchsafed
to afflict him with the above-named disease, which he bore
long and painfcdly for many years, and even despaired of
life, until he entirely got rid of it by his prayers ; but, sad
to say ! it was replaced, as we have said, at his marriage by
another which incessantly tormented him, night and day,
from the twentieth to the forty-fourth year of his life. But
if ever, by God's mercy, he was relieved from this infirmity
for a single day or night, yet the fear and dread of that
dreadful malady never left him, but rendered him almost
useless, as he thought, for every duty, whether human or
divine.
7-5^ The sons and daughters, which he had by his wife above
mentioned were Ethelfled the eldest, after whom came Ed-
F 2
66 ASSEH's LIF£ OV AI.FBED. La.o. 884
ward, then Ethelgiva, then Ethelswitha, and Ethelwerd,
besides those who died in their infancy, one of whom was
Edmund. Ethelfled, when she arrived at a marriageable age,
was imited to Ethered, earl of Mercia ; Ethelgiva also was
dedicated to God, and submitted to the rules of a monastic
life. Ethelwerd the youngest, by the divine counsels and the
admirable prudence of the king, was consigned to the schools
of learning, where, with the children of almost all the nobi-
lity of the country, and many also who were not noble, he
prospered under the diligent care of his teachers. Books in
both languages, namely, Latin and Saxon, were both read in
the school. They also learned to write ; so that before they
were of an age to practice manly arts, namely, hunting and
such pursuits as befit noblemen, they became studious and
clever in the liberal arts. Edward and Ethelswitha were bred
up in the king's court and received great attention from their
attendants and nurses ; nay, they continue to this day, with
the love of all about them, and showing affability, and even
gentleness towards all, both natives and foreigners, and in
complete subjection to their father ; nor, among their other
studies which appertain to this life and are fit for noble
youths, are they suffered to pass their time idly and unprofit-
ably without learning the liberal arts ; for they have carefully
learned the Psalms and Saxon books, especially the Saxon
poems, and are continually in the habit of making use of
books.
yf^ In the meantime, the king, during the frequent wars and
other trammels of this present life, the invasions of the
pagans, and his own daily infirmities of body, continued to
carry on the government, and to exercise hunting in all^its
branches ; to teach his workers in gold and artificers of aU
kinds, his falconers, hawkers and dog-keepers ; to build houses,
majestic and good, beyond all the precedents of his anceis^
tors, by his new mechanical inventions ; to recite the Saxon
books, and especially to learn by heart the Saxon poems, and
to make others learn them ; and he alone never desisted from
studying, most diligently, to the best of his ability; he attended
(he mass and other daily services of religion ; he was fre-
quent in p^alm-singing and prayer, at the hours both of
the day and the night. He also went to the churches, as we
have already said, in the night-time to pray, secretly, and
Unknown to his courtiers; he bestowed alms and largesses on
AJ>. 88i.] HIB THIS8T FOB KKOWXXDOX. 69
both natiTes and foreigners of all coimtnes ; lie was affable
and pleasant to all, and curiously eager to inyestigate things
unknown. Many Franks, Prisons, Gauls, pagans, Britons,
Scots, and Armoricans, noble and ignoble, submitted to-
Inntarily to his dominion; and all of them, according to
their nation and deserving, were ruled, loved, honoured, and
enriched with money and power. Moreover, the king was in
the habit of hearing the divine scriptures read by his own coun*
trymen, or, if by any chance it bo happened, in companjr with
foreigners, and he attended to it vrith sedulity and solicitude.
His bishops, too, and all ecclesiastics, his earls and nobles,
ministers and friends, were loved by him with wonderful af-
fection, and their sons, who were bred up in the royal house-
hold, were no less dear to him than his own ; he had them
instructed in all kinds of good morals, and among other
things, never ceased to teach them letters night and day ; but
as if he had no consolation in all these things, and suffered
no other annoyance either from within or without, yet he
was harassed by daily and nightly affliction, that he com-
plained to God, and to all who were admitted to his familiar
loTe, that Almighty God had made him ignorant of divine
wisdom, and of the liberal arts ; in this emulating the pious,
the vrise, and wealthy Solomon, king of the Hebrews, who
at first, despising all present glory and riches, asked wisdom
of God, and found both, namely, wisdom and worldly glory ;
as it is written, " Seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
But God, who is always the inspector of the thoughts of the
mind within, and the instigator of all good intentions, and a
most plentiful aider, that good desires may be formed, — for
he would not instigate a man to good intentions, unless he
also amply supplied that which the man justly and properly
wishes to have, — instigated the king's mind within ; as it is
written, " I will hearken what the Lord Gbd will say concern-
ing me." He would avail himself of every opportunity to
procure coadjutors in his good designs, to aid him in his
strivings after wisdom, that he might attain to what he aimed
at ; and, like a prudent bird, which rising in summer with
the early morning from her beloved nest, steers her rapid
flight through the uncertain tracks of ether, and descends
on the manifold and varied flowers of grasses, herbs, and
shrubs, essaying that which pleases most, that she may bear
70 ASSEB'S LIFE OF ALFRED. [a.o.884.
it to her home, so did he direct his eyes afar, and seek
without, that which he had not within, namely, in his own
kingdom.
77 But God at that time, as some consolation to the king's
benevolence, yielding to his complaint, sent certain lights
to illuminate him, namely, Werefrith, bishop of the church
of Worcester, a man well versed in divine scripture, who,
by the king's command, first turned the books of the
Dialogues of pope Gregory and Peter, his disciple, from.
Latin into Saxon, and sometimes putting sense for sense,
interpreted them with clearness and elegance. Afler him
was Plegmund, a Mercian by birth, archbishop of the church
of Canterbury, a venerable man, and endowed with wisdom ;
Ethelstan also, and Werewulf, his priests and chaplains, Mer-
cians by birth, and erudite. These four had been invited out
of Mercia by king Alfred, who exalted them with many
honours and powers in the kingdom of the West- Saxons,
besides the privileges which archbishop Plegmund and bishop
Werefrith enjoyed in Mercia. By their teaching and wisdom
the king's desires increased unceasingly, and were gratified.
Night and day, whenever he had leisure, he commanded such
men as these to read books to him ; for he never suffered
himself to be without one of them, wherefore he possessed a
knowledge of every book, though of himself he could not
yet imderstand anything of books, for he had not yet learned
to read any thing.
-7^ But the king's commendable avarice could not be gratified
even in this ; wherefore he sent messengers beyond the sea
to Gaul, to procure teachers, and he invited from thence
Grimbald,* priest and monk, a venerable man, and good
singer, adorned with every kind of ecclesiastical discipline
and good morals, and most learned in holy scripture. He
also obtained from thence John,f also priest and monk, a man
of most energetic talents, and learned in all kinds of literary
science, and skilled in many other arts. By the teaching of
these men the king's mind was much enlarged, and he en-
riched and honoured them with much influence.
?^ In these times, I also came into Saxony out of the furthest
coasts of Western Britain ; and when I had proposed to go
to him through many intervening provinces, I arrived in the
• Grimbald was provost of St. Omer's.
t John had been connected with the monastery of Corbie.
A.D.884. A88EB, ALFBEB*8 TSAOHIS. 71
country of the Saxons, who liye on the right hand, which in
Saxon is called Sussex, under the guidance of some of that
nation ; and there I first saw him in the royal vill, which is
called Dene.* He received me with kindness, and among
other familiar conversation, he asked me eagerly to devote
myself to his service and become his friend, to leave every
thing which I possessed on the left, or western bank of the
Severn, and he promised he would give more than an eqm-
valent for it in his own dominions. I replied that I could
not incautiously and rashly promise such things; for it
seemed to me unjust, that I should leave those sacred
places in which I had been bred, educated, and crowned,t
and at last ordained, for the sake of any earthly honour and
power, unless by compulsion. Upon this, he said, '* If you
cannot accede to this, at least, let me have your service in
part : spend six months of the year with me here, and the
other six in Britain." To this, I replied, ** I could not even
promise that easily or hastily without the advice of my
Mends." At length, however, when I perceived that he was
anxious for my services, though I knew not why, I promised
him that, if my life was spared, I would return to him after
six months, with such a reply as should be agreeable to him
as well as advantageous to me and mine. With this answer
he was satisfied, and when I had given him a pledge to return
at the appointed time, on the fourth day we left him and
returned on horseback towards our own country.
After our departure, a violent fever seized me in the city
of Winchester, where I lay for twelve months and one week,
night and day, without hope of recovery. At the appointed
time, therefore, I could not fulfil my promise of visiting him,
and he sent messengers to hasten my journey, and to inquire
the cause of my delay. As I was unable to ride to him, I
sent a second messenger to tell him the cause of my delay,
and assure him that, if I recovered from my infirmity, I
would fulfil what I had promised. My complaint left me,
and by the advice and consent of all my friends, for the
benefit of that holy place, and of all who dwelt therein,
. * East Dene [or Dean] and West Dene are two villages near Chiches-
ter. There are also other villages of the same name near East Bourne.
t This expression alludes to the tonsure, which was imdergone bj those
who became clerks. For a description of the ecclesiastical tonsure see
Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 160.
72 JLS8XB*8 LIFE OF ALFSED. U.o.884.
I did as I had promised to the king, and devoted myself
to his sendee, on the condition that I shoidd remain with
him six months in every year, either continuously, if I
could spend six months with him at once, or alternately,
three months in Britain and three in Saxony.* For my
friends hoped that they should sustain less tribulation and
harm from king Hemeid^f who often plundered that monastery
and the parish of St. Deguus,;]^ and sometimes expelled the
prelates, as they expelled archbishop Novis,§ my relation^
and myself ; if in any manner I could secure the notice and
friendship of the king.
5D At that time, and long before, all the countries on the right
hand side of Britain belonged to king Alfred and still be-
long to him. For instance, king Hemeid, with all the
inhabitants of the region of Demetia, compelled by the vio-
lence of the six sons of Rotri, had submitted to the dominion
of the king. Howel also, son of Ris, king of Qleguising,
and Brocmail and Femmail, sons of Mouric, kings of Gwent,
compelled by the violence and tyranny of earl Ethered and
of the Mercians, of their own accord sought king Alfred,
that they might enjoy his government and protection from
him against their enemies. Helised, also, son of Tendyr,
king of Brecon, compelled by the force of the same sons of
Rotri, of his own accord sought the government of the afore-
said king ; and Anarawd, son of Rotri, with his brother, at
length abandoning the friendship of the Northumbrians,
from which he received no good but harm, came into king
Alfred*s presence and eagerly sought his friendship. The
, king received him honourably, received him as his son by
confirmation from the bishop's hand, and presented him with
many gifts. Thus he became subject to the king with all
his people, on the same condition, that he should be obedient
to the king^s will in all respects, in the same way as Ethered
with the Mercians.
si Nor was it in vain that all these princes gained the
* The original Latin continues, '' Et ilia adjuvaretur per nidimenta
Sancti Degui in omni causa, tamen pro yiiibus,^ which I do not under-
stand, and therefore cannot translate.
t A petty prince of South Wales.
X Or St. Dewi. Probably by the parish of St. Degaus is meant the
diocese of St. David's. Hence it is said, that Alfred gare to Asaer the
whole parish (omnis parochia) of Exeter.
§ Archbishop of St. Davids
A.B.880.] XLVSXD's OI7T0 TQ ASSXB. 7S
firiendship of the king. For those Vfho desired to augment
their worldly power, obtained power ; those who desired
money, gained money; and in like way, those who desired
his friendship, or both money and friendship, succeeded in
getting what they wanted* But all of them gained his loye
and guardianship and defence from every quarter, even as the
king with his men could protect himself.
When therefore I had come into his presence at the royal
vill, called Leonaford, I was honourably received by him, and
remained that time with him at his court eight months ; during
which I read to him whatever books he liked, and such as he
had at hand ; for this is his most usual custom, both night
and day, amid his many other occupations of mind and body,
either himself to read books, or to listen whilst others read
them. And when I frequently asked his leave to depart,
and could in no way obtain it, at length when I had made
up my mind by all means to demand it, he called me to
him at twilight, on Christmas eve, and gave me two letters,
in which was a long list of all the things which were in
two monasteries, called in Saxon, Ambresbury* and Banwell;t
and on that same day he delivered to me those two mo-
nasteries with all the things that were in them, and a silken
pall of great value, and a load for a strong man, of incense,
adding Siese words, that he did not give me these trifling
presents, because he was unwilling hereafter to give me
greater ; for in the course of time he unexpectedly gave me
Exeter, with all the diocese which belonged to him in Saxony^
and in Cornwall, besides gifts every day, without number, in
every kind of worldly wealth, which it would be too long to
eniunerate here, lest they should make my reader tired.
But let no one suppose that I have mentioned these pre-
sents in this place for the sake of glory or flattery, or to
obtain greater honour. I call God to witness, that I have
not done so; but that I might certify to those who are igno-
rant, how profuse he is in giving. He then at once gave
me permission to ride to tiiose two rich monasteries and
afterwards to return to my own country.
r2 In the year of our Lord's incarnation, 886, which was the
thirty-eighth since the birth of Alfred, the army so often
beforementioned again fled the country, and went into the
country of the Western Franks, directing their ships to the
* Amesbuiy, in WUte. t In Someisetahire. $ Weamx,
74 ASSEB's life or AXFEED. ' [a.d.887.
riyer called the Seine, and sailed up it as far as the city of
Paris, and there they wintered and measured out their camp.
They besieged that city a whole year, as far as the bridge,
that they might prevent the inhabitants from making use of
it ; for the city is situated on a small island in the middle
of the river; but by the merciful favour of God, and the
brave defence of citizens, the army could not force their way
inside the walls.
In the same year, Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, after
the burning of cities and the slaying of the people, honour-
ably rebuilt the city of London, and made it again habitable.
He gave it into the custody of his son-in-law, Ethered, earl
of Mercia, to which king all the Angles and Saxons, who
before had been dispersed everywhere, or were in captivity
with the pagans, volimtarily turned and submitted themselves
to his dominion.
* [In the same year there arose a foul and deadly discord
at Oxford, between Grimbald, with those learned men whom
he had brought with him, and the old scholars whom he had
found there, who, on his arrival, refused altogether to em-
brace the laws, modes, and forms of prelection instituted by
the same Grimbald. During three years there had been no
great dissension between them, but there was a secret enmity
which afterwards broke out with great atrocity, clearer than
the light itself. To appease this quarrel, that invincible king
Alfred, having been informed of the strife by a messenger
from Grimbald, went to Oxford to put an end to the contro^
versy, and endured much trouble in hearing the arguments
and complaints which were brought forwards on both sides.
The substance of the dispute was this : the old scholars con-
tended, that literature had flourished at Oxford before the
coming of Grimbald, although the number of scholars was
smaller than in ancient time, because several had been driven
away by the cruelty and tyranny of the pagans. They also
proved and showed, by the undoubted testimony of ancient
annals, that the orders and institutions of that place had
been sanctioned by certain pious and learned men, as for
instance by Saint Gildas, Melkinus, Nennius, Kentigem, and
others, who had all grown old there in literature, and happily
* The whole of this paragraph concerning Oxford is thought to be an
interpolation^ because it is not known to have existed in more than one
MS. copy.
.%.D.8C7. DISPtTTES AT 0Z70KD. 75
administered eyerything there in peace and concord; and
also, that Saint Oermanus had come to Oxford, and stopped
there half a year, at the time when he went through Britain
to preach against the Pelagian heresy ; he wonderfally ap-
proved of the customs and institutions aboye-mentioned.
The king, with unheard-of humility, listened to both sides care-
fully, and exhorted them again and again with pious and
wholesome admonitions to cherish mutual loye and concord.
He therefore left them with this decision, that each party
should fbllow their own counsel, and presenre their own
institutions. Grimbald, displeased at this, immediately de-
parted to the monastery at Winchester,* which had been
recently founded by king Alfred, and ordered a tomb to be
carried to Winchester, in which he proposed, after this life,
that his bones shoidd be laid in the yault which had been
made under the chancel of St. Peter's church in Oxford;
which church ike same Grimbald had built from its foun-
dations, of stone polished with great care.]
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 887, which was the
thirty-nin& of king Alfred's life, the above mentioned army
of the pagans, leaving the city of Paris uninjured, because
they could not succeed against it, sailed up the river Seine
under the bridge, until they reached the mouth of the river
Mateme [^Marne] ; where they left the Seine, and, following
for a lon^ time me course of the Mame, at length, but not
without much labour, they arrived at a place called Chezy, a
royal vill, where they wintered one year. In the following
year they entered the mouth of the river lonna [Yonne], not
without doing much damage to the country, and there re-
maine one year.
In tho same year Charles, king of the Franks, went the
way of all flesh ; but Amulf, his brother's son, six weeks
before he died, had expelled him from his kingdom. After
hie death five kings were appointed, and the kingdom was
split into ^YB parts ; but the principal rank in the kingdom
justly and deservedly devolved on Amulf, save only that he
committed an unworthy offence against his uncle. The other
four kings promised fidelity and obedience to Amulf, as was
proper ; for none of these four kings was hereditary on his
father's side in his share of the kmgdom, as was Amulf;
therefore, though the five kings were appointed immediately
• Hyde Abbey.
76 ASSBB'S LXFB OT ALTBBD. >.&. 887.
on the death of Charles, yet the empire remained in the
hands of Amulf.
Such, then, was the diyision of the kingdom ; Amtdf re«
ceived the countries on the east of the river Rhine ; Rodulf
the inner parts of the kingdom; Oda the western part;
Beomgar and Ghiido, Lombardy, and those countries which
are in that part of the moxmtains ; but they did not keep
these large dominions in peace, for they twice fought a
pitched battle, and often mutually ravaged their kingdoms^
and drove each other out of their dominions.
In the same year in which that [pagan] army left Paris
and went to Chezy, Ethelhelm, earl of Wiltshire, carried to
Rome the alms of king Alfred and of the Saxons.
97 In the same year also Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons,
so often before mentioned, by divine inspiration, began, on
one and the same day, to read and to interpret ; but that I
may explain this more fully to those who are ignorant, I will
relate the cause of this long delay in beginning.
^S On a certain day we were both of us sitting in the king's
chamber, talking on all kinds of subjects, as usual, and it
happened that I read to him a quotation out of a certain
book. He heard it attentively with both his ears, and ad-
dressed me with a thoughtful mind, showing me at the same
moment a book which he carried in his bosom, wherein the
daily courses and psalms, and prayers which he had read in
his youth, were written, and he commanded me to write the
same quotation in that book. Hearing this, and perceiving
his ingenuous benevolence, and devout desire of studying
the words of divine wisdom, I gave, though in secret, bound-
less thanks to Almighty God, who had implanted such a love
of wisdom in the king's heart. But I could not find any
empty space in that book wherein to write the quotation, for
it was abready full of various matters ; wherefore I made a
little delay, principally that I might stir up the bright intel-
lect of the kmg to a higher acquaintance with the divine tes-
timonies. Upon his urging me to make haste and write it
quickly, I said to him, '' Are you willing that I should write
tiiat quotation on some leaf apart ? For it is not certain
whether we shall not find one or more other such extracts
which will please you ; and if that should so happen, we
shall be glad that we have kept them apart." " Your plan
is good," said he, and I gladly made haste to get ready a
A.D.B88.] BIS THEOLOGICAL BTVDIEB, 77
sheet, in the beginning of tvhich I wrote what he bade me ;
and on that same day, I wrote therein, as I had anticipated,
no less than three oljier quotations which pleased him ; and
from that time we daily talked together, and found out other
quotations which pleased him, so that the sheet became full,
and deservedly so ; according as it is written, " The just
man builds upon a moderate foundation, and by degrees
passes to greater things/' Thus, like a most productive bee,
he flew here and there, asking questions, as he went, \mtil
he had eagerly and unceasingly collected many various
flowers of divine Scriptures, with which he thickly stored the
cells of his mind.
gr? Now when that first quotation was copied, he was eager at
once to read, and to interpret in Saxon, and then to teach
others ; even as we read of that happy robber, who recog-
nized his Lord, aye, the Lord of all men, as he was hanging
on the blessed cross, and, saluting him with his bodily eyes
only, because elsewhere he was all pierced with nails, cried,
** Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom !"
for it was only at the end of his life that he began to learn
the rudiments of the Christian faith. But th^e king, inspired
by God, began to study the rudiments of divine Scripture on
the sacred solemnity of St. Martin [Nov. 11], and he con-
tinued to learn the flowers collected by certain masters, and
to reduce them into the form of one book, as he was then
ahle, although mixed one with another, until it became almost
as large as a psalter. This book he called his Ekchikidion
or Manual, because he carefully kept it at hand day and
night, and' found, as he told me, no small consolation therein.
^^ But as has already been written by a certain wise man,
<' Of watchful xnindB are the; whose pious care
It IB to govem well/'
BO must I be watchful, in that I just now drew a kind of com-
parison or similarity, though in dissimilar manner, between uat
happy robber and the king ; for the cross is hateful to every
one, wherever there is suffering. But what can he do, if he
cannot save himself or escape thence ? or by what art can he
remain there and improve his cause ? He must, therefore,
whether he will or no, endure with pain and sorrow that
which he is suffering,
^' Now the king was pierced with many nails of tribulation,
78 JLSSEs's LIFE OF ALFBED. [A.0.88&
though placed in the royal seat ; for from the twentieth year
of his age to the present year, which is his fortieth,* he has
been constantly afflicted with most severe attacks of an tm-
known complaint, so that he has not a moment's ease either
from suffering the pain which it causes, or from the gloom
which is thrown over him by the apprehension of its coming.
Moreover, the constant invasions of foreign nations, by which
he was continually harassed by land and sea, without any
interval of quiet, were a just cause of disquiet. What
shall I say of his repeated expeditions against the pagans,
his wars, and incessant occupations of government ? Of the
daily embassies sent to him by foreign nations, from the
Tyrrhenian sea to the farthest end of Ireland?! For we
have seen and read letters, accompanied with presents, which
were sent to him by Abel the patriarch of Jerusalem. What
shall I say of the cities and towns which he restored, and
of others which he built, where none had been before ? of
the royal halls and chambers, wonderfully erected by his
command, with stone and wood ? of the royal viUs constructed
of stone, removed from their old site, and handsomely rebuilt
by the king's command in more fitting places ? Besides the
disease above mentioned, he was disturbed by the quarrels of
his friends, who would voluntarily endure Httle or no toil,
though it was for the common necessity of the kingdom ;
but he alone, sustained by the divine aid, like a skilful
pilot, strove to steer his ship, laden with much wealth, into
the safe and much desired harbour of his country, though
almost all his crew were tired, and suffered them not to faint
or hesitate, though sailing amid the manifold waves and
eddies of this present life.
For all his bishops, earls, nobles, favourite ministers, and
prefects, who, next to God and the king, had the whole g6-
vemment of the kingdom, as is fitting, continually received
from him instruction, respect, exhortation, and command;
nay, at last, when they were disobedient, and his long patience
was exhausted, he would reprove them severely, and censure
at pleasure their vulgar folly and obstinacy ; and in this way
he directed their attention to the common interests of the
kingdom. But, owing to the sluggishness of the people,
* This must consequently have been written in a.d. 888.
t Wise conjectures that we ought to read Uiberiae, Spain, and not
HibemiCy Ireland^ in this passage.
A.» 888.] EBBCT8 TWO M0KASTESI18. 79
these admonitions of the king were either not fulfilled, or
were begun late at the moment of necessity, and so ended
less to the advantage of those who put them in execution ;
for I will say nothing of the castles which he ordered to be
built, but which, being begun late, were never finished, because
the hostile troops broke in upon them by land and sea, and,
as often happened, the thwarters of the royal ordinances re-
pented when it was too late, and blushed at their non-perform-
ance of his commands. I speak of repentance when it is too
late, on the testimony of Scripture, whereby numberless
persons have had cause for too much sorrow when many in-
sidious evils have been wrought. But though by ^ase
means, sad to say, they may be bitterly aiHicted and roused
to sorrow by the loss of fathers, wives, children, ministers,
servant-men, servant-maids, and furniture and household
stuff, what is the use of hateful repentance when their kins-
men are dead, and they cannot aid them, or redeem those
who are captive from captivity ? for they are not able even to
assist those who have escaped, as they have not wherewith
to sustain even their own lives. They repented, therefore,
when it was too late, and grieved at their incautious neglect
of the king's commands, and they praised the royal wisdom
with one voice, and tried with all their power to fulfil what
they had before refused, namely, concerning the erectior of
castles, and other things generally useM to the whole
kingdom.
'^^ Of his fixed purpose of holy meditation, which, in the
midst of prosperity and adversity he never neglected, I cannot
with advantage now omit to speak. For, whereas he often
thought of the necessities of hiis soul, among the other good
deeds to which his thought43 were night and day turned, he
ordered that two monasteries should be bmlt, one for monks
at Athelney, which is a place surroimded by impassable
marshes and rivers, where no one can enter but by boats, or
by a bridge laboriously constructed between two other
heights ; at the western end of which bridge was erected a
strong tower, of beautiful work, by command of the aforesaid
king ; and in this monastery he collected monks t^ ^ kinds,
from every quarter, and placed them therein.
^^ For at first, because he had no one ot his own nation,
noble anjd free by birth, who was willing to enter the mo-
nastic life, except children, who could neither choose good
80 asssb's XI11B or Ai^nxD. C^d-sol
nor avoid evil in consequence of their tender years, because
for many previous years the love of a monastic life had utterly
decayed from that nation as well as from many other nations,
though many monasteries still remain in that country ; yet, as
no one directed the rule of that kind of life in a regular way,
for what reason I cannot say, either from the invasions of
foreigners which took place so frequently both by sea and
land, or because that people abounded in riches of every
kind, and so looked widi contempt on the monastic life. It
was for this reason that king Alfred sought to gather monks
of different kinds to place in the same monastery.
^^ First he placed there as abbat, John* the priest and monk,
an old Saxon by birth, then certain priests and deacons from
beyond the sea ; of whom, finding that he had not as large a
number as he wished, he procured as many as possible of the
same Gallic race, some of whom, being children, he ordered
to be taught in the same monastery, and at a later period to
be admitted to the monastic habit. I have myself seen a
young lad of pagan birth who was educated in that monastery,
and by no means the hindmost of them all.
^ There was also a deed done once in that monastery, which
I would utterly consign to oblivion, although it is an im-
worthy deed ; for throughout the whole of Scripture the base
deeds of the wicked are interspersed among the blessed deeds
of the just, as tares and darnel are sown among the wheat :
good deeds are recorded that they may be praised and imi-
tated, and that their imitators may be held in all honour ;
wicked deeds are there related, that they may be censured
and avoided, and their imitators be reproved with aU odium^
contempt, and vengeance.
For once upon a time, a certain pHest and a deacon, QwoIe
by birth, and two of the aforesaid monks, by the insti-
gation of the devil, and excited by some secret jealousy,
became so embittered in secret against their abbat, the above
mentioned John, that, like Jews, they circumvented and be-
trayed their master. For whereas he had two servants, whom
he had hired out of Gaul, they taught these such wicked
practices, that in the night, when all men were enjoying the
sweet tranquillity of sleep, they should make their way into
the church armed, and shutting it behind them as Tisual, hide
themselves therein, and wait for the moment when -the abbat
* Not the celebrated John.ScotuB Ereglna.
should enter the church alone. At length, when he should
come alone to pray, and, bending his knees, how before the
holy altar, the men shotdd rush on him with hostility, and
try to slay him on the spot. They theil should drag his
lifeless body out of the church, and throw it down before the
house of a certain harlot, as if he had been slain whilst on a
visit to her. This was their machination, adding crime to
crirn^, as it is said, " The last error shall be worse than the
first."
But the divine mercy, which always delights to aid the
innocent, frustrated in great part the wicked design of the
wicked men, so that it should not turn out in every respect
as they had proposed.
When, therefore, the whole of the evil counsel had been
explained by those wicked teachers to their wicked agents,
and the night which had been fixed on as most fit was come,
the two armed rufiians were placed, with a promise of im-
punity, to await in the church for the arrival of the abbat.
In the middle of the night John, as usual, entered the
church to pray, without any one's knowing of it, and knelt
before the altar. The two rufi&ans rushed upon him with
drawn swords, and dealt him some severe wounds. But h^j
being a man of a brave mind, and, as we have heard say, not
unacquainted with the art of self-defence, if he had not been
a follower of a better calling, no sooner heard the sound of
the robbers, before he saw them, than he rose up against
them before he was wounded, and, shouting as loud as he
could, struggled against them, crying out that they were
devils and not men ; for he himself knew no better, as he
thought that no men would dare to attempt such a deed.
He was, however, wounded before any of his people could
come to his help. His attendants, roujsed by the noise, were
frightened when they heard the word devils, and both those
two who, like Jews, sought to betray their master, and the
others who knew nothing of the matter, rushed together to
the doors of the church ; but before tiiey got there thos6
rufiians escaped, leaving the abbat half dead. The monks
raised the old man, in a fainting condition, and carried him
home with tears and lamentations ; nor did those two de-
ceitful monks shed tears less than the innocent. But God's
mercy did not allow so bold a deed to pass impunished ; the
ruffians who perpetrated it, and all who turged them to it^
82 ASSZ&'S LIFJS OF ALFBED. [a.d.888.
were taken and put in prison, where, by various tortures,
they came to ae disgraceful end. Let us now return to our
narrative.
^^ Another monastery, also, was built by the same king as a
residence for nuns, near the eastern gate of Shaftesbury ; and
his own daughter, Ethelgiva, was placed in it as abbess.
With her many other noble ladies bound by the rules of the
monastic life, dwell in that monastery. These two edifices
were enriched by the king with much land, as well as perso-
nal property.
^^ These things being thus disposed of, the king began, as
was his practice, to consider within himself, what more he
coidd do to augment and show forth his piety ; what he had
begun wisely, and thoughtfully conceived for the public
benefit, was adhered to with equally beneficial result ; fbr
he had heard it out of the book of the law, that the
Lord had promised to restore to him tenfold ; and he
knew that the Lord had kept his promise, and had actually
restored to Irnn tenfold. Encouraged by this example, and
wishing to exceed the practices of his predecessors, he vowed
humbly and faithfully to devote to God half his services,
both day and night, and also half of all his wealth, such as
lawfully and justly came annually into his possession; and
this vow, as far as human discretion can perceive and keep,
he skilfully and wisely endeavoured to fulfil. But, that he
might, with his usual caution, avoid that which scripture
warns us against : '* If you ofier aright, but do not divide
aright, you sin," he considered how he might divide aright
that which he had vowed to God ; and as Solomon had said,
^' The heart of the king is in the hand of God," that is, his
counsel he ordered with wise policy, which could come only
from above, that his officers should first divide into two parts
the revenues of every year.
\dq When this division was made, he assigned the first part to
worldly uses, and ordered that one-third of it should be paid
to his soldiers, and also to his ministers, the nobles who
dweU at court where they discharged divers duties ; for so
the king^s family was arranged at all times into three classes.
The king's attendants were most wisely distributed into three
companies, so that the first company should be on duty at
court for one month, night and day, at the end of which they
yc turned to their homes, and were relieved by the second
A.D. 888.] ALVSSB^S DEYOTEDNSSa. 83
company. At the end of the second month, in the same
way, the third company relieved the second, who returned to
their homes, where they spent two months, until their ser-
vices were again wanted. The third company also gave place
to the first in the same way, and also spent two months at
home. Thus was the threefold division of the companies ar-
ranged at all times in the royal household.
'^ To these therefore was paid the first of the three portions
aforesaid, to each according to their respective dignities and
peculiar services ; the second to the operatives, whom he had
collected from every nation, and had about him in large num-
bers, men skilled in every kind of construction ; the third
portion was assigned to foreigners who came to him out of
every nation far and near, whether they asked money of him
or not, he cheerfully gave to each with wonderful munificence
according to their respective merits, according to what is
written : " God loveth a cheerful giver."
'^2 But the second part of all his revenues, which came yearly
into his possession, and was included in the receipts of the
exchequer, as we mentioned a little before, he, \/ith ready de-
votion, gave to God, ordering his ministers to divide it care-
fully into four parts, on the condition that the first part should
be discreetly bestowed on the poor of every nation who came
to him ; and on this subject he said that, as far as human
discretion could guarantee, the remark of pope St Gregory
should be followed ; " Give not much to whom you should
give little, nor little to whom much, nor something to whom
nothing, nor nothing to whom something." The second of
the four portions was given to the two monasteries which he
had built, and to those who therein had dedicated themselves
to God's service, as we have mentioned above. The third
portion was assigned to the school, which he had studiously
collected together, consisting of many of the nobility of his
own nation. The fourth portion was for the use of all
the neighbouring monasteries in all Saxony and Mercia, and
also during some years, in turn, to the churches and servants
of God dwelling in Britain [Wales], Cornwall, Gaul, Ar-
morica, Northumbria, and sometimes also in Ireland ; accord-
ing to his means, he either distributed to them beforehand, or
afterwards, if life and success should not fail him.
^^3 When, the king had arranged these matters, he remem-
bered that sentence of divine scripture, ** Whosoever will
o2
84 ASBEB's X1F£ of AiiFAED* tA.li. 888.
give alms, ought to begin from himself," and prudently be-^
gan to reflect what he could offer to God from the service of
his body and mind ; for he proposed to consecrate to God no
less out of this than he had done of things external to him-
self. Moreover, he promised, as far as his infirmity and his
means would allow, to give up to God the half of his ser-
vices, bodily and mental, by night and by day, voluntarily,
and with all his might ; but, inasmuch as he could not
equally distinguish the lengths of the houi^ by night, on ac-^
count of the darkness, and ofttimes of the day, on account of
the storms and clouds, he began to consider, by what means
and without any difficulty, relying on the mercy of God, he
might discharge the promised tenor of his vow until his
death.
After long reflection on these things, he at length, by a
useful and shrewd invention, commanded his chaplains to
supply wax in a sufficient quantity, and he caused it to be
weighed in such a manner that when there was so much of
it in the scales, as would equal the weight of seventy-two
pence,* he caused the chaplains to make six candles thereof,
each of equal length, so that each candle might have twelve
divisions t marked longitudinally upon it. By this plan,
therefore, those six candles burned for twenty-four hours, a
night and day, without fail, before the sacred relics of many
of God's elect, which always accompanied him wherever he
went ; but sometimes when they would not continue burning
a whole day and night, till the same hour that they were
f lighted the preceding evening, from the violence of the ^vind,
' which blew day and night without intermission through the
doors and windows of the churches, the fissures of the divi-
• sions, the plankings, or the wall, or the thin canvass of the
tents, they then unavoidably burned out and finished their
course before the appointed time ; the king therefore consi--
dered by what means he might shut out the wind, and so by
a useful and cunning invention, he ordered a lantern to be
beautifully constructed of wood and white ox-horn, which,
when skilfully planed till it is thin, is no less transparent
than a vessel of glass. This lantern, therefore, was wonder-
fully made of wood and horn, as we before said, and by
night a candle was put into it, which shone as brightly with-
out as within, and was not extinguished by the wind ; for the
* Denarii. f Unciae poUicis.
A.p.886.] HIS IMPABTIIXITT. 85
opening of the lantern was also closed up, according to the
king's command, by a door made of horn.
By this contrivance, then, six candles, lighted in succession,
lasted four and twenty hours, neither more nor less, and,
when these were extinguished, others were lighted.
/OS When all these things were properly arranged, the king,
eager to give up to God the half of his daily service, as he
had vowed, and more also, if his ability on the one hand,
and his malady on the other, would allow him, showed
himself a minute investigator of the truth in all his judg-
ments, and this especially for the sake of the poor, to whose'
interest, day and night, among other duties of this life, he
ever was wonderfully attentive. For in the whole kingdom
the poor, besides hun, had few or no protectors ; for all the
powerful and noble of that coimtry had turned their thoughts
rather to secular than to heavenly things: each was more
bent on secular matters, to his own profit, than on the public
good.
fd& He strove also, in his own judgments, for the benefit of
both the noble and the ignoble, who often perversely quar-
relled at the meetings of his earls and officers, so that
hardly one of them admitted the justice of what had been
decided by the earls and prefects, and in consequence of
this pertinacious and obstinate dissension, all desired to
have the judgment of the king, and both sides sought at
once to gratify their desire. But if any one was conscious
of injustice on his side in the suit, &ough by law and
agreement he was compelled, however reluctant, to go before
the king, yet with his own good will he never would consent
to go. For he knew, that in the king's presence no part
of his wrong would be hidden ; and no wonder, for the king
was a most acute investigator in passing sentence, as he was
in all other things. He inquired into almost all the judgments
which were given in his own absence, throughout all his
dominion, whether they were just or unjust. If he perceived
there was iniquity in those judgments, he summoned the
judges, either through his own agency, or through others of
nis faithful servants, and asked them mildly, why they had
judged so tmjustly; whether through ignorance or malevo-
lence ; i. e., whether for the love or fear of any one, or hatred of
others ; or also for the desire of money. At length, if the
judges acknowledged they had given judgment because they
86 ASS^b's I.It*£ OF AtFlLED. [a.d. 893.
knew no better, lie discreetly and moderately tepfoved their
inexperience and folly in such terms as these : " I wonder
truly at your insolence, that, whereas by God's favour and
mine, you have occupied the rank and office of the wise,
you have neglected the studies and labours of the wise.
Either, therefore, at once give up ^he discharge of the tem-
poral duties which you hold, or endeavour more zealously
to study the lessons of wisdom. Such are my commands."
At these words the earls and prefects would tremble
and endeavour to turn all their thoughts to the study of
justice, so that, wonderful to say, almost all his earls, pre-
fects, and officers, though imleamed from their cradles, were
sedulously bent upon acquiring learning, choosing rather la-
boriously to acqtdfe the knowledge of a new discipline than
to resign their functions ; but if any one of them from old
age or slowness of talent was unable to make progress in
liberal studies, he commanded his son, if he had one, or
one of his kinsmen, or, if there was no other person to be
had, his own freedman or servant, whom he had some time
before advanced to the office of reading, to recite Saxon
books before him night and day, whenever he had any lei-
sure, and they lamented with deep sighs, in their inmost
hearts, that in their youth they had never attended to such
studies ; and they blessed the young men of our days, who
happily could be instructed in the liberal arts, whilst they
execrated their own lot, that they had not learned these
things in their youth, and now, when they are old, though
wishing to learn them, they are unable. But this skill of
young and old in acquiring letters, we have explained to
the knowledge of the aforesaid king.*
* Some of the MSS^ record, in a note or appendix written by a later
hand, that king Alfred died on the 26th of October, a.d. 900, in the thk-
tieth of his reign. *' The different dates assigned to the death of Alfred^"
says Sir Francis Palgrave, " afford a singular proof of the uncertainty aris-
ing from various modes of computation. The Saxon Chronicle and Flo-
rence of Worcester agree in placing the event in 901. The first *six nights
before All Saints;' the last^ with more precision, ' Indictione quarta, et
Feria quarta, 5 Cal. Nov.' Simon of Durham, in 889, and the Saxon
Chronicle, in another passage, in 900. The concurrents of Florence of
Worcester seem to afford Uie greatest certainty, and the date of 901 hat
therefore been preferred.'*
GEOFFREY OP MONMOUTH'S
BRITISH HISTORY.
GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S
BRITISH HISTORY.
BOOK L
Chip. L — The epittle dedicatory to Robert earl of Gloucester,*
Whilst occupied on many and various studies, I happened
to Hght upon the History of the Kings of Britain, and
wondered that in the account which Gildas and Bede, in
their elegant treatises, had given of them, I found nothing
said of those kings who lived here before the Incarnation of
Christ, nor of Arthur, and many others who succeeded after
the Incarnation ; though their actions both deserved immortal
fame, and were also celebrated by many people in a pleasant
manner and by heart, as if they had been written. Whilst
I was intent upon these and such Uke thoi^hts, Walter,
archdeacon of Oxford,'}' a man of great eloquence, and
learned in foreign histories, offered me a very ancient book
in the British tongue, which, in a continued regular story
and elegant style, related the actions of them all, from
Brutus the first king of the Britons, down to Cadwallader
the son of Cadwallo. At his request, therefore, though I
had not made fine language my study, by collecting florid
expressions from other authors, yet contented with my own
homely style, I undertook the translation of that book into
Latin. For if I had swelled the pages with rhetorical
* Robert, earl of Gloucester was the natiiral son of king Henry I. by
whose ooxnn^and he swore fealty to the empress Matilda, dauj^hter of that
monarch. To prove his fidelity, he rebelled against king Stephen, and
mainly contributed to the success of Henry son of the empress^ afterwards
Henry II.
f Thought to be Walter Mapes the poet, author of several ludicrous
imd satiiical compoB^tibnB. .
90 OEOFFIUST's BRITISH HISTOBT. [bookl
flonrislies, I must liave tired my readers^ by employing their
attention more upon my words than upon the history. To
you, therefore, Robert earl of Gloucester, this work humbly
sues for the favour of being so corrected by your advice, that
it may not be thought to be the poor offspring of Geoffrey of
Monmouth, but when polished by your refined wit and
judgment, the production of him who had Henry the glorious
king of England for his father, and whom we see an
accomplished scholar and philosopher, as Well as a brave
soldier and expert commander ; so that Britain with joy
acknowledges, that in you she possesses another Henry.
Chap. U,—T%efint inhahUants of Britain,
Bbitaik, the best of islands, is situated in the Western
Ocean, betwieen France and Ireland, being eight hundred
miles long, and two hundred broad. It produces every
thing Ihiat is useful to man, with a plenty that never fail&
It abounds with all kinds of metal, and has plains of large
extent, and hills fit for the finest tillage, the richness of
whose soil affords variety of fruits in their proper seasons.
It has also forests well stored with all kinds of wild beasts ;
in its lawns cattle find good change of pasture, and bees
variety of flowers for honey. Under its lofty mountains lie
green meadows pleasantly situated, in which the gentle
murmurs of crystal springs gliding along clear channels,
give those that pass an agreeable invitation to lie down on .
their banks and slumber. It is likewise well watered with
lakes and rivers abounding with fish ; and besides the
harrow sea which is on the Southern coast towards France^
there ate thre6 noble rivers, stretching out like three arms,
namely, the Thdmes, the Severn, and the Humber ; by
which foreign commodities from all countries are brought
into it. It was formerly adorned with eight and twenty
cities,* of which some are in ruins and desolate, others
are still standing, beautified with lofky church-towers,
wherein religious worship is performed according to the
Christian institution. It is lastly inhabited by five different
nations, the Britons, Romans, Saxons, Ficts, and Scots ;
* The namesofthirty-ihreedtieBivmbdfoimdbNeimiQs'sHistoiyof
the Britoius S 7.
<».3.] BIBTH OF BBUTUS. 91
whereof the Britons before the rest did formerly possess
the whole island from sea to sea, till divine vengeance,
punishing them for their pride, made them give waj to
the Picts and Saxons. But in what manner, and from
whence, they first arrived here, remains now to be related
in what follows.*
ChjlP. III. — BruiuMy being banished after the kitting qf hit parentSf
goes into iSfreece.
Afteb the Trojan war, JGneas, flying with Ascanius from
the destruction of their city, sailed to Italy. There he Was
honourably received by king Latinus, which raised against
him the envy of Tumus, king of the Rutuli, who thereupon
made war against him. Upon their engaging in battle,
^neas got the victoiy, and having killed Tumus, obtained
the kingdom of Italy, and with it Lavinia the daughter of
Latinus. After his death, Ascanius, succeeding in the
kingdom, built Alba upon the Tiber, and begat a son named
Sylvius, who, in pursuit of a private amour, took to wife a
niece of Lavinia. The damsel soon after conceived, ^d the
father Ascanius^ coming to the knowledge of it, commanded
his magicians to consult of what sex the child should be»
When they had satisfied themselves in the matter, they told
him she would give birth to a boy, who would kill his father
and mother, and after travelling over many countries in
banishment, would at last arrive at the highest pitch of
glory. Nor were they mistaken in their prediction ; for at
the proper time the woman brought forth a son, and died of
his^ birth ; but the child was delivered to a nurse and called
Brutus.
At length, after fifteen years were expired, the youth
accompanied his father in hunting, and killed him un-
designedly by the shot of an arrow. For, as the servants
were driving up the deer towards them, Brutus, in shooting
at them, smote his father under the breast. Upon his death,
he was expelled from Italy, his kinsmen being enraged at
him for so heinous a deed. Thus banished he went into
Greece, where he found the posterity of Helenus, son of
* Thit brief deBcription of Britain is taken almost word for word fitotn
the more authentic historians^ Bede, Orosius, &c*
92 QEOFFBEY'S BBITXS^ BISTOBT. [booki.
Priamus, kept in slavery hj Fandrasus, king of the Greeks.
For, after the destructioa of Troy, Pyrrhus, the son of
Achilles, had broiight hither in chains Helenus and many
others ; and to revenge on them the death of his father, had
given commaild that they should be held in captivity.
Brut\is, finding they were by descent his old countrymen,
took up his abode among them, and began to distinguish
himself by his conduct and bravery in war, so as to gain the
affection of kings and commanders, and above all the young
men of the country. For he was esteemed a person of
great capacity both in council and war, and signalized his
generosity to his soldiers, by bestowing among them all the
money and spoil he got. His fame, therefore, spreading over
all countries, the Trojans from all parts began to flock to
him, desiring under his command to be freed from subjectiou
to the Greeks ; which they assured him might easily be done,
considering how much their number was now increased in
the country, being seven thousand strong, besides women
and children. There was likewise then in Greece a noble
youth named Assaracus, a favourer of their cause. For he
was descended on his mother's side from the Trojans, and
placed great confidence in them, that he might be able by
their assistance to oppose the designs of the Greeks. For «
his brother had a quarrel with him for attempting to deprive
him of three castles which his father had given him at his
death, on account of his being only the son of a concubine ;
but as the brother was a Greek, both by his father's and
mother's side, he had prevailed with the king and the rest of
the Greeks to espouse his cause. Brutus, having taken a
view of the number of his men, and seen how Assaracus's
castles lay open to him, complied with their request.*
Cbab. lY.-^Brututi^g letter to Pand/ravu^
Being, therefore, chosen their commander, he assembled the
Trojans from all parts, and fortified the towns belonging to
Assaracus. But he himself, with Assaracus and the whole
* It is unneceiaarj to remind the claasical reader that the histoiiaiu of
Greece and Italy make no mention of Brutus and his adventures. The
minuteness of detail, so remarkable in the whole story^ a« related bj
Geo£^ey, is an obvious Ql\jection tp its authenticity.
ta,6,] BBtmm's LETITEB TO FANDBASUS. 93
body of men and women that adhered to him, retired to the
woods and hills, and then sent a letter to the king in these
Words : —
" Brutus, general of the remainder of the Trojans, to
Fandrasus, king of the Greeks, sends greeting. As it was
beneath the dignity of a nation descended from the illus-
trious race of Dardanus, to be treated in your kingdom
otherwise than the nobility of their birth required, they
have betaken themselves to the protection of the woods.
For they have preferred living after the manner of wild
beasts, upon flesh and herbs, with the enjoyment of liberty,
to continuing longer in the greatest luxury under the yoke
of slavery. If ti&is gives your majesty any offence, impute
it not to them, but pardon it ; since it is the common senti-
ment of every captive, to be desirous of regaining his former
dignity. Let pity therefore move you to bestow on them
jfreely their lost liberty, and permit them to inhabit the
thickest of the woods, to which they have retired to avoid
slavery. But if you deny them this favour, then by your
permission and assistance let them depart into some foreign
Country.'*
Chip. V. — Brutus falling upon the forces of Pandrasus by surprise,
routs thenty and takes Antigonus^ the brother of Pandrasus, with
Anacletus, prisonert
Pandrasus, perceiving the purport of the letter, was be-
ycmd measure surprised at the boldness of such a message
from those whom he had kept in slavery ; and having called
a council of his nobles, he determined to raise an army in
order to pursue them. But while he was upon his march to
the deserts, where he thought they were, and to the town of
Sparatinum, Brutus made a sally with three thousand men,
and fell upon him unawares. For having intelligence of his
coming, he had got into the town the night before, with a
design to break forth upon thetn unexpectedly, while im-
armed and marching without order. The sally being made,
the Trojans briskly attack them, and endeavour to make a
great slaughter. The Greeks, astonished, immediately give
way on all sides, and with the king at their head, hasten to
pass the river Akalon,* which runs near the place ; but in
• The Aeheious, or perhaps the Acheron.
94 OBOFFBBT^ BHTTISH HISTOKT.
passing are in great danger from the rapidity of the stream.
Brutus galls them in their flight, and kills some of them in
the stream, and some upon the banks; and running to and
fro, rejoices to see them in both places exposed to ruin.
But Antigonus, the brother of Pandrasus, grieved at this
sight, rallied his scattered troops, and made a quick return
upon the furious Trojans ; for he rather chose to die making
a brave resistance, than to be drowned in a muddj pool in a
shameful flight. Thus attended with a close bodj of men,
he encouraged them to stand their ground, and employed
his whole force against the enemy with great vigour, but to
little or no purpose ; for the Trojans had arms, but the othors
none ; and &om this advantage they were more eager in the
pursuit, and made a miserable slaughter ; nor did they give
over the assault till they had made nearly a total destruc-
tion, and taken Antigonus, and Anadetus his companion
prisoners.
Chap. VI. — The town ofSparatinum beneged by Pandraatu,
Bbutus, after the victory, reinforced the town with six hun-
dred men, and then retired to the woods, where the Trojan
people were expecting his protection. In the meantime
Pandrasus, grieving at his own flight and his brother's
captivity, endeavoured that night to re-assemble hb broken
forces, and the next morning went with a body of his people
which he had got together, to besiege the town, into which
he supposed Brutus had put himself with Antigonus and the
rest of the prisoners that he had taken. As soon as he was
arrived at the walls, and had viewed the situation of the
castle, he divided his army into several bodies, and placed
them round it in difierent stations. One party was chained
not to suffer any of the besieged to go out ; another to turn
the courses of the rivers ; and a third to beat dawn the walls
with battering rams and other engines. In obedience to
those commands, they laboured with their utmost forcp to
distress the besieged ; and night coming on, made choice of
their bravest men to defend their camp and tents from the
incursions of the enemy, while the rest, who were fatigued
with labour, refreshed themselves with sleep.
CH.7.] STSA.TAGE1I OF BRUTUS. 95
Ohap. yil«— 7%# beiieged atk atmianee qfJEfnUut.
But the besieged, standing on the top of the waUs, were no
less vigorous to repel the force of the enemies' engines, and
assault them with their own, and cast forth darts and fire-
brands with a unanimous resolution to make a valiant de-
fence. And when a breach was made through the wall,
thej compelled the enemy to retire, hj throwing upon them
fire and scalding water. But being distressed through
scarcity of provision and daily labour, they sent an urgent
message to Brutus, to hasten to their assistance, for they
were afraid they might be so weakened as to be obliged to
quit the town. Brutus, though desirous of relieving them,
was under gpreat perplexity, as he had not men enough to
staled a pitched ba.ttle, and therefore made use of a strata-
gem, by which he proposed to enter the enemies' camp by
night, and having deceived their watch to kill them in their
sleep. But because he knew this was impracticable without
the concurrence and assistance of some Greeks, he called to
him Anadetus, the companion of Antigonus, and with a
drawn sword in his hand, spake to him after this manner : —
" Noble youth I your own and Antigonus's life is now at
an end, unless you will faithfully perform what I command
you. This night I design to invade the camp of the Greeks,
and fall upon them, unawares, but am afraid of being hin-
dered in the attempt if the watch should discover the strata-
gem. Since it will be necessary, therefore, to have them
killed first, I desire to make use of you to deceive them, that
I may haye the easier access to the rest. Do you therefore
manage this affair cunningly. At the second hour of the
^g^t gQ to the watch, and with fair speeches tell them that
you have brought away Antigonus from prison, and that he
is come to the bottom of the woods, where he lies hid among ^
the shrubs, and cannot get any farther, by reason of the
fetters with which you shall pretend that he is bound.
Then you shall conduct them, as if it were to deliver him,
to the end of the wood, where I will attend with a band of
men ready to kill them."
96 GSOFFRET's BRITISH HISTOBT. [moki.
Chap. YIII. — Anacleiut, in fear of death, beinyM the airmy of Uie Greekt.
Akacletus, seeing the sword threatening him with imme-*
diate death while these words were being pronounced, was
so terrified as to promise upon oath, that on condition he
and Antigonus should have longer life granted them, he
would execute his command. Accordingly, the agreement
being confirmed, at the second hour of the night he directs
his way towards the Grecian camp, and when he was come
near to it, the watch, who were then narrowly examining all
the places where any one could hide, ran out &om all parts
to meet him, and demanded the occasion of his coining, and
whether it was not to betray the army. He, with a show of
great joy, made the following answer : — " I come not to be-
tray my country, but having made my escape from the prison
of the Trojans, I fly thither to desire you would go with me
to Antigonus, whom I have deliyered from Brutus's chains^
For being not able to come with me for the weight of his
fetters, I have a little while ago caused him to lie hid among
the shrubs at the end of the wood, till I could meet with
some one whom I might conduct to his assistance." While
they were in suspense about the truth of this story, there
came one who knew him, and after he had saluted him, told
them who he was ; so that now, without any hesitation, they
quickly called their absent companions, and followed him to
the wood where he had told them Antigonus lay hid. But
at length, as they were going among the shrubs, Brutus with
his armed bands springs forth, and falls upon them, while
under the greatest astonishment, with a most cruel slaughter.
From thence he marches directly to the siege, and divides
his men into three bands, assigning to each of them a dif-
ferent part of the camp, and telling them to advance dis-
creetly, and without noise; and when entered, not to kill
any body till he with his company should be possessed of
the king's tent, and should cause the trumpet to sound for a
signal
Chap. IX. — The taking ofPandnuut.
When he had given them these instructions, they forthwith
softly entered the camp in silence, and taking their appointed
stations, awaited the promised signal, which Brutus delayed
ca.10.3 TAKING 0¥ FAXajmASUS. 97
not to give as soon as he had got befor^^ me tent of Pan-
drasas, to assault which was the thing he most desired. At
hearing the signal, they forthwith draw their swords, enter
in among the men in their sleep, make quick destruction of
them, and allowing no quarter, in this manner trayerse the
whole camp. The rest, awaked at the groans of the dying,
and seeing their assailants, were like sheep seized with a
sudden fear; for they despaired of life, since they had
neither time to take arms, nor to escape by flight They
run up and down without aims among the armed, whither-
soever the fiiry of the assault hurries them, but are on all
sides out down by the enemy rushing in. Some that might
have escaped, were in the eagerness of flight dashed against
rocks, trees, or shrubs, and increased the misery of their
death. Others, that had only a shield, or some such cover-
ing for their defence, in venturing upon the same rocks to
avoid death, fell down in the hurry and darkness of the
night, and broke either legs or arms. Others, that escaped
both these disasters, but did not know whither to fly, were
drowned in the adjacent rivers ; and scarcely one got away
without some unhappy accident befalling him. Besides, the
garrison in the town, upon notice of the coming of their
fellow soldiers, sallied forth, and redoubled the slai^hter.
Chap. X,~»A eoruultaiion about what is to be asked of the captive king.
But Brutus, as I said before, having possessed himself of
the king's tent, made it his business to keep him a safe pri-
soner ; for he knew he could more easily attain his ends by
preserving his life than by killing him ; but the party that
was with him, allowing no quarter, made an utter destruc-
tion in that part which they had gained. The night being
spent in this manner, when the next morning discovered to
their view so great an overthrow of the enemy, Brutus, in
transports of joy, gave full liberty to his men to do what
they pleased with the plunder, and then entered the town
with the king, to stay there till they had shared it among
them ; which done, he again fortified the castle, gave orders
for burying the slain, and retired with his forces to the
woods in great joy for the victory. After the rejoicings of
his people on this occasion, their renowned general smn-
98 OEOFFBBT'S BBinSH mSTOBT. tBOOK I.
moned the oldest of them and asked their advice, what he
had best desire of Pandrasus, who, being now in their
power, would readily grant whatever they would request of
him, in order to regain his liberty. They, according to
their different fancies, desired different things ; some urged
him to request that a certain part of the kingdom might be
assigned them for their habitation ; others that he would
demand leave to depart, and to be supplied with necessaries
for their voyage. After they had been a long time in
suspense what to do, one of them, named Mempricius, rose
up, and having made silence, spoke to them thus : —
" What can be the occasion of your suspense, fathers, in a
matter which I think so much concerns your safety ? The
only thing you can request, with any prospect of a firm
peace and security to yourselves and your posterity, is
liberty to depart. For if you make no better terms with
Pandrasus for his life than only to have some part of the
country assigned you to live among the Greeks, you will
never enjoy a lasting peace while the brothers, sons, or
grandsons of those whom you killed yesterday shall continue
to be your neighbours. So long as the memory of their
fathers' deaths shall remain, they will be your mortal ene-
mies, and upon the least trifling provocation will endeavour
to revenge themselves. Nor will you be sufficiently nume-
rous to withstand so great a multitude of people. And if
you shall happen to fall out among yourselves, their number
will daily increase, yours diminish. I propose, therefore,
that you request of him his eldest daughter, Ignoge, for a
wife for our general, and with her, gold, silver, corn, and
whatever else shall be necessary for our voyage. K we
obtain this, we may with his leave remove to some other
country."
Chap. XI. — Pandratus gives hit datighter Ignoge in marriage to BrtUuSj
who, after his departure from GreecSf falls upon a desert islanel, wher€
he is told by the oracle of Diana what place he is to inhabit.
When he had ended his speech, in words to this effect, the
whole assembly acquiesced in his advice, and moved that
Pandrasus might be brought in among them, and condemned
to a most cruel death unless he would grant this request.
He was immediately brought in, and being placed in a chair
CH. ll.J DEFARTUBB OF BRUTUS FBOM OBSECE. 99
above the rest, and informed of the tortures prepared for
him unless he would do what was commanded him, he made
them this answer : —
** Since mj ill fate has delivered me and my brother Anti-
gonus into your hands, I can do no other than grant your
request, lest a refusal may cost us our lives, which are now
entirely in your power. In my opinion life is preferable to
all other considerations; therefore, wonder not that I am
willing to redeem it at so great a price. But though it is
against my inclination that I obey your commands, yet it
seems matter of comfort to me that I am to give my daugh-
ter to so noble a youth, whose descent from the illustrious
race of Priamus and Anchises is clear, both from that great-
ness of mind which appears in him, and the certain accounts
we have had of it. For who less than he could have re-
leased from their chains the banished Trojans, when reduced
under slavery to so many great princes ? Who else could
have encouraged them to make head against the Greeks ? or
with so small a body of men vanquished so numerous and
powerful an army, and taken their king prisoner in the
engagement ? And, therefore, since this noble youth has
gained so much glory by the opposition wliich he has made
to me, I give him my daughter Ignoge, and iilso gold, silver,
ships, com, wine, and oil, and whatever you shall find neces-
sary for your voyage. If you shall alter your resolution,
and think fit to continue among the Greeks, I will grant you
the third part of my kingdom for your habitation ; if not,
I will faithfully perform my promise, and for your gpreater
security will stay as a hostage among you till I have made
it good."
Accordingly he held a council, and directed messengers to
all the shores of Greece, to get ships together ; which done,
he delivered them to the Trojans, to the number of three
hundred and twenty-four, laden with all kinds of provision,
and married his daughter to Brutus. He made ^o a pre-
sent of gold and silver to each man according to his quality.
When everything was perform^ the king was set at liberty ;
and the Trojans, now released from his power, set sail with
a fair wind. But Ignoge, standing upon the stem of the
ship, swooned away several times in Brutus's arms, and with
many sighs and tears lamented the leaving her parents and
H 2
100 GBOFFRET's BBinSH HISTORY. Ibook i.
country, nor ever turned her eyes from the shore while it
was in sight Brutus, meanwhile, endeavoured to assuage
her grief bj kind words and embraces intermixed with
kisses, and ceased not from these blandishments till she
grew weary of crying and fell asleep. During these and
other accidents, the winds continued fair for two days and a
night together, when at length they arrived at a certain
island caUed Leogecia, which had been formerly wasted by
the incursions of pirates, and was then uninhabited. Bru-
tus, not knowing this, sent three himdred armed men ashore
to see who inhabited it; but they finding nobody, killed
several kinds of wild beasts which they met with in the
groves and woods, and came to a desolate city, in which they
found a temple of Diana, and in it a statue of that goddess
which gave answers to those that came to consult her. At
last, loading themselves with the prey which they had taken
in hunting, they return to their ships, and give their com-
panions an account of this country and city. Then they
advised their leader to go to the city, and after offering
sacrifices, to inquire of the deity of the place, what country
was allotted them for* their place of settlement. To this
proposal all assented ; so that Brutus, attended with Gerion,
the augur, and twelve of the oldest men, set forward to the
temple, with all things necessary for the sacrifice. Beii^g
arrived at the place, and presenting themselves before the
shrine with garlands about their temples, as the ancient
rites required, they made three fires to the three deities,
Jupiter, Mercury, and Diatia, and offered sacrifices to each
of them. Brutus himself, holding before the altar of the
goddess a consecrated vessel filled with wine, and the blood
of a white hart, with his face looking up to the image, broke
silence in these words : —
^ Diva potens nemomm, terror sylvestribuB apris ;
Cui licet amfiractus ire per ethereos,
Infemasque domos ; terr^tria jura resolve,
£t die quas terras nos habitare veils I
Die certain sedem qua te venerabor in aevum,
Qua tibi viigineis templa dicabo choris ?"
Groddess of woods, tremendous in the chase
To mountain boars, and all the savage race !
Wide o'er the ethereal walks extends thy sway,
And o'er the iofemal mansions void of day I
CH.1U] YIBIOir or BRUTUS. • 101
Look upcn w oh euth ! unfold ov ftte,
And Bay what r^on is our destined seat ?
Where shall we next thy lasting temples raise ?
And choirs of virgins celebrate thy praise ?
These words he repeated nine times, after which he took
four tnms round the altar, poured the wine into the fire, and
then laid himself down upon the hart's skin, which he had
spread before the ahar, where he fell asleep. About the
third hour of the night, the usual time for deep sleep, the
goddess seemed to present herself before him, and foretell
his future success as follows : —
^ Brute ! sub occasum solis trans Gallica regna
Insula in oceano est undique clausa marl :
Insula in oceano est habitata gigantibus olim,
Nunc deserta quidem, gentibus apta tuis.
Hanc pete, namque tibi sedes erit ilia perennis :
Sic fiet natis altera Troja tuis.
Sic de prole tua reges nascentur : et ipsis
TotiuB terras subditos orbis erit."
Brutus ! there lies beyond the Gallic bounds
An island which the western sea surrounds.
By giants once possessed ; now few remain
To bar thy entrance, or obstruct thy reign.
To reach that happy shore thy sails employ ;
There fiite decrees to raise a second Troy,
And found an empire in thy royal line^
Which time shall ne'er desboy, nor bounds confine.
Awakened by the vision, he was for some time in doubt
with himself, whether what he had seen was a dream or a
real appearance of the goddess herself, foretelling to what
land he should go. At last he called to his companions, and
related to them in order the vision he had in his sleep, at
which they very much rejoiced, and were urgent to return
to their ships, and while the wind favoured them, to hasten
their voyage towards the west, in pursuit of what the god-
dess had promised. Without delay, therefore, they returned
to their company, and set sail again, and after a course of
thirty days came to Afidca, being ignorant as yet whither to
steer. From thence they came to the Philenian altars, and
to a place called SalinsB, and sailed between Ruscicada and
the mountains of Azara,* where they underwent gpreat dan-
* It is probably impossible to discover whether these names describe ez-
itting places, or are purely the invention of the author.
102 OBOFFBBT's BBITISH mSTOET. [BOOK 1.
ger from pirates, whom, notwithstanding, thej vanquished,
and enriched themselves with their spoils.
Chap. XII. — Brutui enier$ AquUaine wiih Corinetu.
Fbom thence, passing the river Malua, thej arrived at
Mauritania, where at last, for want of provisions, thej
were ohliged to go ashore; and, dividing themselves into
several bands, they laid waste tiie whole country. When
they had well stored their ships, they steered to the Pillars
of Hercules, where they saw some of those sea monsters,
called Syrens, which surrounded their ships, and very nearly
overturned them. However, they made a shift to escape,
and came to the Tyrrhenian Sea, upon the shores of which
they found four several nations descended from the banished
Trojans, that had accompanied Antenor* in his flight. The
name of their commander was Corineus, a modest man in
matters of council, and of great courage and boldness, whoy
in an encounter with any person, even of gigantic stature,
would immediately overthrow him, as if he were a child.
When they understood from whom he was descended, they
joined company with him and those under his government,
who from the name of their leader were afterwards called
the Cornish people, and indeed were more serviceable to
Brutus than the rest in all his engagements. From thence
they came to Aquitaine, and entering the mouth of the
Loire, cast anchor. There they stayed seven days and
viewed the country. Goffarius Pictus, who was king of
Aquitaine at that time, having an account brought him of
the arrival of a foreign people with a great fleet upon his
coasts, sent ambassadors to them to demand whether they
brought with them peace or war. The ambassadors, on
their way towards the fleet, met Corineus, who was come
out with two hundred men, to hunt in the woods. They
demanded of him, who gave him leave to enter the king's
forests, and kill his game ; (which by an ancient law nobody
was allowed to do without leave from the prince.) Corineus
answered, that as for that matter there was no occasion for
asking leave; upon which one of them, named Imbertus,
rushing forward, with a full drawn bow levelled a shot at
• See Viigil'8 Ma&d i, 241.
oclS.] QOFFABIUS BOUTBD BT BRUTUS. 103
him. Corineus avoids the arrow and immediately runs up
to him, and with his bow in his hand breaks his head. The
rest narrowly escaped, and carried the news of this disaster
to Goffarius. The Fictavian general was struck with sorrow
for it, and immediately raised a vast army, to revenge the
death of his ambassador. Brutus, on the other hand, upon
hearing the rumour of his coming, sends away the women
and children to the ships, which he took care to be well
guarded, and commands them to stay there, while he, with
the rest that were able to bear arms, should go to meet the
army. At last an assault being made, a bloody fight ensued ;
in which after a great part of the day had been spent, Cori-
neus was ashamed to see the Aquitanians so bravely stand
their ground, and the Trojans maintaining the fight without
victory. He therefore takes fresh courage, and drawing off
his men to the right wing, breaks in upon the very thickest
of the enemies, where he made such slaughter on every side,
that at last he broke the line and put them all to flight In
this encounter he lost his sword, but by good fortune, met
with a battle-axe, with which he clave down to the waist
every one that stood in his way. Brutus and every body
else, both friends and enemies, were amazed at his courage
and strength, for he brandished about his battle-axe among
the flying troops, and terrified them not a little with these
insulting words, " Whither fly ye, cowards ? whither fly ye,
base wretches ? stand your ground, that ye may encounter
Corineus. What ! for shame ! do so many thousands of you
fly one man ? However, take this comfort for your flight,
that you are pursued by one, before whom the Tyrrhenian
giants could not stand their gpround, but fell down slain in
heaps together."
Chap. XIII. — Goffarius routed by Brutus,
At these words one of them, named Subardus, who was a
consul, returns with three hundred men to assault him ; but
Corineus with his shield wards off the blow, and lifting up
his battle-axe gave him such a stroke upon the top of his
helmet, that at once he clave him down to the waist; and
then rushing upon the rest he made terrible slaughter by
wheeling about his battle-axe among them, and, running to
104 oeoffbet'b BBinsa msfcurr. lboor*
and firOy seemed more anxious to inflict blows on the enemy
than careful to avoid those which thej aimed at him. Some
had their hands and arms, some their very shoulders, some
again their heads, and others their legs cut off by him. All
fought with him only, and he alone seemed to ^ht with all.
Brutus seeing him thus beset, out of regard to him, runs
with a band of men to his assistance : at which the battle is
again renewed with vigour and with loud shouts, and great
numbers slain on both sides. But now the Trojans presently
gain the victory, and put Groffarius with his Pictavians to
flight. The kmg after a narrow escape went to several
parts of Gaul, to procure succours among such princes as
were related or known to him. At that time Gaul was sub-
ject to twelve princes, who with equal authority possessed the
whole country. These recdre uln courteousl^^nd promise
with one consent to expel the foreigners from Aquitaine.
Cgup. XIV. — Brutus, trfler his victory unih Ooffarius, ravages Aquitaine
with fire and sword,
BsuTUS, in joy for the victory, enriches his men with the
spoils of the slain, and then, dividing them into several
bodies, marches into the country with a design to lay it
waste, and load his fleet with the spoil. With this view
he sets the cities on Are, seizes the riches that were in them,
destroys the fields, and makes dreadful slaughter among the
citizens and common people, being unwilling to leave so
much as one alive of that wretched nation. While he was
making this destruction over all Aquitaine, he came to a
place where the city of Tours now stands, which he after-
wards built, as Homer testifies. As soon as he had looked
out a place convenient for the purpose, he pitched his camp
there, for a place of safe retreat, when occasion should re-
quire. For he was afraid on account of Goflarius's approach
with the kings and princes of Graul, and a very great army,
which was now come near the place, ready to give hixn
battle. Having therefore finished his camp, he expected to
engage with Gofiarius in two days' time, placing the utmost
confidence in the conduct and courage of the young men
under his command.
ca.15.1 QOfFASms's FIGHT WITH BRtTTUS. 105
Chap. XY.-^Ooffariw'sJighi with BrtUua,
GoFFABius, beii^ informed that the Trojans were in those
parts, marched day and night, till he came within a close
▼iew of Bratus's camp; and then with a stem look and
disdainful smile, broke out into these expressions, " Oh
wretched fate I Have these base exiles made a caimp also
in my kingdom ? Arm, arm, soldiers, and march tlu*oagh
their thickest ranks : we shall soon take tiiese pitiful fellows
like sheep, and disperse them throughout our kingdom for
slayes." At tiiese words they prepared their arms, and ad-
vanced in twelve bodies towards the enemy. Brutus, on the
other hand, with his force^ drawn up in order, went forth
boldly to meet them, and gave his men directions for their
conduct, where they should assault and where they should
be upon the defensive. At the beginning of the attack, the
Trojans had the advantage, and made a rapid slaughter of
the enemy, of whom there fell near two thousand, which so
terrified the rest, that they were on the point of running
away. But, as the victory generally falls to that side which
has very much the superiority in numbers, so the Gauls,
being three to one in number, though overpowered at first,
yet at last joining in a great body together, broke in upon
the Trojans, and forced them to retire to their camp with
much slaughter. The victory thus gained, they besieged
them in their camp, with a design not to suffer them to stir
out until they should either surrender themselves prisoners,
or be cruelly starved to death with a long famine.
In the meantime, Corineus the night following entered
into consultation with Brutus, and proposed to go out that
night by by-ways, and conceal himself in an adjacent wood
till break of day ; and while Brutus should sally forth upon
the enemy in the morning twilight, he with his company
would surprise them frcmi behind and put them to slaughter.
Brutus was pleased with this stratagem of Corineus, who
aecording to his engagement got out cunningly with three
liiousand men, and put himself under the covert of the
woods. As soon as it was day Brutus marshalled his men
and opened the camp to go out to fight. The Gauls meet
him and begin the engagement : many thousands fall on
both sides, neither party giving quarter. There was present
106 GBOFFBXT'S BBITUIU HISTOBT. [boost.
a Trojan, named Turonns, the nephew of Bmtus, inferior to
none but Corineus in courage and strength of body. He
alone with his sword killed six hundred men, but at last was
unfortunately slain himself by the number of Gauls that
rushed upon hinL From him the city of Tours derived its
name, because he was buried there. While both armies
were thus warmly engaged, Corineus came upon them un-
awares, and fell fiercely upon the rear of the enemy, which
put new courage into his friends on the other side, and made
them exert themselves with increased vigour. The Grauls
were astonished at the very shout of Gorineus's men, and
thinking their number to be much greater than it really was,
they hastily quitted the field ; but the Trojans pursued them,
and killed them in the pursuit, nor did they desist till they
had gained a complete victory. Brutus, though in joy for
this great success, was yet afflicted to observe the number of
his forces daily lessened, while that of the enemy increased
more and more. He was in suspense for some time, whether
he had better continue the war or not, but at last he deter-
mined to return to his ships while the greater part of his
followers was yet safe, and hitherto victorious, and to go in
quest of the island which the goddess had told him of. So
without further delay, with the consent of his company, he
repaired to the fieet, and loading it with the riches and
spoils he had taken, set sail with a fair wind towards the
promised island, and arrived on the coast of Totness.
Chap. XYI. — Albion divided between Brutus and Corineue.
The island was then called Albion,* and was inhabited by
none but a few giants. Notwithstanding this, the pleasant
situation of the places, the plenty of rivers abounding with
fish, and the engaging prospect of its woods, made Brutus
and his company very desirous to fix their habitation in it.
They therefore passed through all the provinces, forced the
giants to fly into the caves of the mountains, and divided the
country among them according to the directions of their
* The earliest real notice of Albion occurs in a work attributed to Aris-
totle [De Mundo, sec. 3], who wrote, before Christ 340, ^ Beyond the
Pillars of Hercules is the ocean which flows round the earth. In it are
two very lai^^e islands, called Britannic ; these are Albion and leme," &c.
OR. 160 DEATH OF QOEHAGOT. 107
oommander. Afler this they began to till the ground and
build houses, so that in a little time the country looked like
a place that had been long inhabited. At last Brutus called
the island after his own name Britain, and his companions
Britons ; for by these means he desired to perpetuate the
memory of his name. From whence afterwards the lan-
guage of the nation, which at first bore the name of Trojan,
or rough Greek, was called British. But Corineus, in
imitation of his leader, called that part of the island which
fell to his share, Gorinea, and his people Corineans, after his
name ; and though he had his choice of the provinces before
all the rest, yet he preferred this country, which is now
called in Latin Comubia, either from its being in the shape
of a horn (in Latin Comu), or from the corruption of the
said name.* For it was a diversion to him to encounter the
said giants, which were in greater numbers there than in all
the other provinces that fell to the share of his companions.
Among the rest was one detestable monster, named Goema-
got, in stature twelve cubits, and of such prodigious strength
that at one shake he pulled up an oak as if it had been a
hazel wand. On a certain day, when Brutus was holding a
solemn festival to the gods, in the port where they at first
landed, this giant with twenty more of his companions came
in upon the Britons, among whom he made a dreadful
slaughter. But the Britons at last assembling together in a
body, put them to the rout, and killed them every one but
Goemagot. Brutus had given orders to have him preserved
alive, out of a desire to see a combat between him and Cori-
neus, who took a great pleasure in such encoimters. Cori-
neus, overjoyed at this, prepared himself, and throwing
aside his arms, challenged him to wrestle with him. At the
beginning of the encounter, Corineus and the giant, stand-
ing, front to front, held each other strongly in their arms,
and panted aloud for breath ; but Goemagot presently grasp-
ing Corineus with all his might, broke three of his ribs, two
on his right side and one on his left. At which Corineus,
highly enraged, roused up his whole strength, and snatching
him upon his shoulders, ran with him, as fast as the weight
would allow him, to the next shore, and there getting upon
* The etymology of the word Cornwall, as if Comu-Ghillie or WalliK,
is eqiuJly imaginajy.
108 OEOFFBBT's BSrriSH HISTOBT. [book I.
the top of a high rock, hurled down the savage monster into
the sea ; where falling on the sides of craggj rocks, he was
torn to pieces, and coloured the waves with his blood. The
place where he fell, taking its name from the giant's fall,
is called Lam Groemagot, that is^ Goemagot's Leap, to this
day.*
Chap. XVJI. — The huUcRnff qf new Trog hf Bruhu, npon the river
Thamet*
Bbutus, having thus at last set eyes upon his kingdom,
formed a design of building a city, and with this view, tra-
velled through the land to find out a convenient situation,
and coming to the river Thames, he walked along the shore,
and at last pitched upon a place very fit for his purpose.
Here, therefore, he built a city, which he called New T^oy ;
under which name it continued a long time after, till at last,
by the corruption of the original word, it come to be called
Trinovantum. But afterwards when Lud, the brother of
CassibeUaun, who made war against Julius Caesar, obtained
the government of the kingdom, he surrounded it with
stately walls, and towers of admirable workmanship, and
ordered it to be called after his name, Kaer-Lud, that is, the
City of Luif But this very thing became afterwards the
occasion of a great quarrel between him and his brother
Nennius, who took offence at his abolishing the name of
Troy in this country. Of this quarrel Gildas the historian
has given a full account ; for which reason I pass it over, for
fear of debasing by my account of it, what so great a writer
has so eloquently related.
Chap. XVtiI.— A^ijw Trog being huUtf and laws made for the government
of itf it ie given to the citizens that were to inhaMt it.
After Brutus had finished the building of the city, he made
choice of the citizens that were to inhabit it, and prescribed
them laws for their peaceable government. At this time
* It is now called the Hav, and ia near Plyinouth.
t This is the city now called London, and it is evident that the writer
wishes it to be supposed that the modem name is derired from the ancient,
as if it were Lud-ton or Lud-don. The first notice of London found in
authentic history occurs in Tacitus, AimaL lib. xiv. c 33, the second notice
in Ptolemy, a.d. 120, lib. I 15.
C0. 1, 2.] D£ATH OF HT7MBEB. 109
Hi the priest governed in Judea, and the ark of the cove-
nant was taken by the Philistines. At the same time,
also, the sons of Hector, after the expulsion of the posterity
of Antenor, reigned in Troy ; as in Italy did Sylvius ^neas,
the son of iBneas, the uncle of Brutus, and the third king
of the Latins.*
BOOK IL
Chap. I. — After the death of Brutus, his three sons succeed him in the
kingdom.
DuBiNO these transactions, Brutus had by his wife Ignoge
three famous sons, whose names were liocrin, Albanact, and
Kamber. These, after their father's death, which happened
in the twenty-fourth year after hia arriyal, buried him in the
city which he had built, and then having divided the king-
dom of Britain among them, retired each to his government.
Ix)crin, the eldest, possessed the middle part of the island,
called afterwards from his name, Loegria. E^amber had that
part which lies beyond the river Severn, now called Wales,
but which was for a long t&ne named Kambria ; and hence
that people still call themselves in their British tongue Kam-
bri. Albanact, th^ younger brother, possessed the country
he called Albania, now Scotland. ^ After they had a long
time reigned in peace together, Humber, king of the Huns,
arrived in Albania, and having killed Albanact in battle,
forced his people to fly to Locrin for protection.
Chap. II. — Locrin, having routed Humber, falls in love tffith EstrUdis.
LoCBiN, at hearing this news, joined his brother Kamber,
and went with the whole strength of the kingdom to meet
the king of the Huns, near the river now called Humber,
where he gave him battle, and put him to the rout. Humber
made towards the river in his flight, and was drowned in it,
on account of which it has since borne his name. Locrin,
* From this statement it would follow that the arrival of Brutus in
Britain is to be placed about the year 1100 before Christ.
110 GEOFFRBT'S BBITI8H HISTOBT. [bookh.
after the victory, bestowed the plunder of the enemy upon
his own men, reserving for himself the gold and silver
which he found in the ships, together with three virgins of
admirable beauty, whereof one was the daughter of a king
in Germany, whom with the other two Humber had forcibly
brought away with him, after he had ruined their country.
Her name was Estrildis, and her beauty such as was hardly
to be matched. No ivory or new-fallen snow, no lily could
exceed the whiteness of her skin. Locrin, smitten with
love, would have gladly married her, at which Corineus was
extremely incensed, on account of the engagement which
Locrin had entered into with him to marry his daughter.
Chap. III. — Corinetu resents the affront put upon his daughter.
He went, therefore, to the king, and wielding a battle-axe
in his right hand, vented his rage against him in these
words : " Do you thus reward me, Locrin, for the many
wounds which I have suffered under your father's command
in his wars with strange nations, that you must slight my
daughter, and debase yourself to marry a barbarian ?
While there is strength in this right hand, that has been de-
structive to so many giants upon the Tyrrhenian coasts, I
will never put up with this affront.** And repeating this
again ^ and again with a loud voice, he shook his battle-axe
as if he was going to strike him, till the friends of both
interposed, and after they had appeased Corineus, obliged
Locrin to perform his agreement.
Chap. IV. — Locrin at last marries Guendolcena, the daughter qf
Corineus.
Locrin therefore married Corineus's daughter, named
Gruendoloena, yet still retained his love for Estrildis, for
whom he made apartments under ground, in which he
entertained her, and caused her to be honourably attended.
For he was resolved at least to carry on a private amour
with her, since he could not live with her openly for fear of
Corineus. Li this manner he concealed her, and made
frequent visits to her for seven years together, without the
privity of any but his most intimate domestics ; and all
under a pretence of performing some secret sacrifices to his
OB. 5,6.J LOCBm KnXED. Ill
gods, by which he imposed on the credulity of every body.
In the meantime Estrildis became with child, and was
delivered of a most beautiful daughter, whom she named
Sabre. Guendoloena was also with child, and brought forth
a son, who was named Maddan, and put under the care of
his grandfather Gorineus to be educated.
Chap. V. — Loerin is killed; JSstrUdis and Sabre are thrown into a
river.
But in process of time, when Gorineus was dead, Loerin
divorced Guendoloena, and advanced Estrildis to be queen.
Gruendoloena, provoked beyond measure at this, retired into
Cornwall, where she assembled together all the forces of that
kingdom, and began to raise disturbances against Loerin.
At last both apaies joined battle near the river Sture, where
Loerin was killed by the shot of an arrow. After his death,
Guendoloena took upon her the government of the whole
kingdom, retaining her father's furious spirit. For she
commanded Estrildis and her daughter Sabre to be thrown
into the river now called the Severn, and published an edict
through all Britain, that the river should bear the damsel's
name, hoping by this to perpetuate her memory, and by that
the infamy of her husband. So that to this day the river is
called in the British tongue Sabren, which by the corruption
of the name jus in another language Sabrina.
Chap. VI. — Guendolcena delivers up the kir^dom to Maddan, her son^
ajter whom succeeds Mempricius, x
Guendolcena reigned fifteen years after the death of
Loerin, who had reigned ten, and then advanced her son
Maddan (whom she saw now at maturity) to the throne,
contenting herself with the country of Cornwall for the
remainder of her life. At this time Samuel the prophet
governed in Judaea, Sylvius -^neas was yet living, and
Homer was esteemed a famous orator and poet.* Maddan,
now in possession of the crown, had by his wife two sons,
Mempricius and Malim, and ruled the kingdom in peace and
* It is only necessary to compare such passages as these with the
Grecian or Roman Histories, and we cannot avoid perceiving the legendary
•haiacter of Geofbej of Monmouth's History.
112 OEOFFBET'S BRITISH HISTOBT. [booku.
with care fortj years. As soon as he was dead, the two
brothers quarrelled for the kingdom, each being ambitious
of the sovereignty of the whole island. Mempricius,
impatient to attain his ends, enters into treaty with Malim,
under colour of making a composition with him, and, having
formed a conspiracy, murdered him in the assembly where
their ambassadors were met. By these means he obtained
the dominion of the whole island, over which he exercised
such tyranny, that he left scarcely a nobleman alive in it,
and either by violence or treachery oppressed every one that
he apprehended might be likely to succeed him, pursuing his
hatred to his whole race. He also deserted his own wife, by
whom he had a noble youth named Ebraucus, and addicted
himself to sodomy, preferring unnatural lust to the pleasures
of the conjugal state. At last, in the twentieth year of his
reign, while he was hunting, he retired from his company
into a valley, where he was surrounded by a great multitude
of ravenous wolves, and devoured by them in a horrible
manner. Then did Saul reign in Judaea, and Eurystheus in
Lacedaemonia.
Chap. VII. — Ebraitcus, the successor qf Mempricius, conquers the
Gauis, and builds the toums Kaerebrauc, ^c.
Mempbicius being dead, Ebraucus, his son, a man of great
stature and wonderful strength, took upon him the govern-
ment of Britain, which he held forty years. He was the
Brst after Brutus who invaded Gaul with a fleet, and
distressed its provinces by killing their men and laying
waste their cities ; and having by these means enriched
himself with an infinite quantity of gold and silver, he
returned victorious. After this he built a city on the other
side of the Humber, which, from his own name, he called
Kaerebrauc, that is, the city of Ebraucus,* about the time
that David reigned in Judaea, and Sylvius Latinus in Italy ;
and that Grad, Nathan, and Asaph prophesied in Israel. He
also built the city of Alclud f towards Albani, and the town
* York seems to be a coiruption of Ebiauc. It is first mentioned by
Ptolemy (ii. 3.) a.d. 120.
f Alclud or Alcluith is unknown to the classic writeis: it is first
mentioned by Gildas, and is thought to be. the modem Dumbarton.
ta.^a} BBUTCS'S BEI6K. 113
of mount Agn^* called at tlii« time the Castle of Maidens,
or the Mountain of Sorrow.
Ch4P. Yin. — Ebrauctu's twenty sons go to Germaiiy, and 'hit thirty
daughters to Sylvius Alba^ in Italy,
This prince had twenty sons and thirty daughters by twenty
wives, and with great valour governed the kingdom of
Britain sixty years. The names of his sons were, Brutus
sumamed Greenshield, Margadud, Sisillius, Regin, Morivid,
Bladud, Lagon, Bodloan, Kincar, Spaden, Gaul, Darden,
Eldad, Ivor, Gangu, Hector, Kerin, Bud, Assarach, BueTv
The names of his daughters were, Gloigni, Ignogni, Oudas,
Guenliam, Gaudid, Angarad, Guendoloe, Tangustel, Gorgon,
Median, Methahel^ Ourar, Malure, Kambreda, Bagan, Gael,
Ecub, Nest, Cheum, Stadud^ Gladud, Ebren, Blagan^
Aballac, Angaes, Galaes, (the most celebrated beauty at
that time in Britain or Gaul,) Edra, Anaor, Stadial, Egron.
All these daught^s their father sent into Italy to Sylvius
Alba, who reigned after Sylvius Latinus, where they were
biarried ainong the Trojan nobility, the Latin and Sabine
Women refusing to associate with them. But the sons,
under the conduct of their brother Assaracus, departed
in a fleet to Germany, and having, with the assistance
of Sylvius Alba, subdued the people there, obtained that
kingdom.
Chap. IX. — Afier Ehraucus deigns Brutus hit son^ after him Leil, and
qfter Leil, Hudibras,
But Brutus, sumamed Greenshield, stayed with his father^
whom he succeeded in the goveminent, and reigned twelve
years. After him reigned Leil, his son, a peaceful and just
prince, who, enjoying a prosperous reign, built in the north
of Britain a cil^, called by his name, Kaerleil ;f at the same
time that Solomon began to build the temple of Jerusalem,
and the queen of Sheba came to hear his wisdom ; at which
time also Sylvius Epitus succeeded his father Alba, in Italy.
Leil reigned twenty-five years, but towards the latter end of
his life grew more remiss in his government, so that his
neglect of affairs speedily occasioned a civil dissension in the
♦ Edinburgh. + Now Carlisle.
114 OS0FFBKT*8 BBTTISH mSTOBT. (/
kingdom. After him reigned his son, Hudihras, thir^-nine
years, and composed the dvil dissension among his people.
He huilt Elaerlem or Canterbury, Eaerguen or Winchester,
and the town of Mocmt Paladur, now Shaftesbury. At this
place an eagle spoke, while the wall of the town was being
built ; and indeed I should have transmitted the speech to
posterity, had I thought it true, as the rest of the history. At
this time reigned Gapys, the son of Epitus ; and Haggai,
Amosy Joel, and Azarif^ were prophets in IsraeL
C^p. X. — Bladud tucceedt Hvdibras in the kingdom, and pracHse*
magical operoHons^
Next succeeded Bladud, his son, and reigned twenty years.
He built Elaerbadus, now Bath, and made hot baths in it
for the benefit of the public, which he dedicated to the god-
dess Minerva ; in whose temple he kept fires that never went
out nor consumed to ashes, but as soon as they began to de-
cay were turned into balls of stone. About this time the
prophet Elias prayed that it might not rain upon earth ; and
it did not rain for three years and six months. This prince
was a very ii^genious man, and taught necromancy in his
kingdom, nor did he leave off pursuing his magical operations,
till he attempted to fly to the upper region of the air with
wings which he had prepared, and fell down upon the temple
of Apollo, in the city of Trinovantum, where he was dashed
to pieces.
Chap, XI. — Leir the ton of Bladud, having no ton, dividet hit kingdom
among hit daughitrt.
After this unhappy fate of Bladud, Leir,* his son was
advanced to the throne, and nobly governed his country sixty
years. He built upon the river Sore a city, called in the
British tongue, Kaerleir, in the Saxon, Leircestre-f He
was without male issue, but had three daughters, whose
names were Gonorilla, Regau, and Gordeilla, of whom he
was dotingly fond, but especially of his youngest, Gordeilla.
When he began to grow old, he had thoughts of dividing his
kingdom among them^ and of bestowing them on such
husbands as were fit to be advanced to the government with
them. But to make trial who was worthy tp have the best
^ Kwg Lear, the hero of Shakespeare's drama. t Leicester.,
CtL ll.j KDro lbib's daughtebs. 115
part of Ids kingdom, he went to each of them to ask which
of them loved him most. The question being proposed,
GronoriUa, the ddest, made answer, " That she called heaven
to witness, she loved him more than her own soul." The
father replied, ** Since 70a have preferred mj declining age
before your own life, I will marry you, my dearest daughter,
to whomsoever you shall make choice of, and give with you
the third part of my kingdom." Then Bcgau, the second
daughter, willing, after the example of her sister, to prevail
upon her father's good nature, answered with an oath, ** That
she could not otherwise express her thoughts, but that she
loved him above all creatures.** The credulous father upon
this made her the same promise that he did to her eldest
sister, that is, the choice of a husband, with the third part of
his kingdom. But Cordeilla, the youngest, understanding
how eafflly he was satisfied with the flattering expressions of
her sisters, was desirous to make trial of his affection after a
different manner. "My father," said she, "is there any
daughter that can love her father more than duty requires ?
In my opinion, whoever pretends to it, must £sguise her
real sentiments under the veil of flattery. I have always
loved you as a father, nor do I yet depart from my purposed
duty ; and if you insist to have something more extorted
from me, hear now the greatness of my affection, which I
always bear you, and take this for a short answer to aU your
questions ; look how much you have, so much is your value,
and so much do I love you." The father, supposing that she
spoke this out of the abundance of her heart, was highly
provoked, and immediately replied, " Since you have so far
despised my old age as not to think me worthy the love that
your sisters express for me, you shall have from me the like
r^ard, and shall be excluded from any share with your
sisters in my kingdom. Notwithstanding, I do not say but
that since you are my daughter, I will marry you to some
foreigner^ if fortune offers you any such husbuid ; but will
never, I do assure you, make it my business to procure so
honourable a match for you as for your sisters; because,
though I have hitherto loved you more than them, you have
in requital thought me less worthy of your affection than
they." And, without further delay, after consultation with
his nobility, he bestowed his two other daughters upon the
i2
116 GEOF^BET'S BRITISH HlSTOfit^ lHook it
dukes of Cornwall and Albania, with half the island at
present, but after his death, the inheritance of tiie whote
monarchy of Britain.
It happened after this, that Aganippus, king of the!
Franks, having heard of the fame of Oordeilla's heaatj^
forthwith sent his ambassadors to the king to demand her m
marriage. The father, retaining yet his anger towards heiV
made answer, ^'That he was tery willing to bestow hi»
daughter, but without either money or territories ; because
he had already giren away his kingdom with all his treasured
to his eldest daughters, Gonoiilla and Began." When this
was told Aganippus, he, being rery much in lore with the
lady, sent again to king Leir, to tell him, *^ That he had okh
ney and territories enough, as he possessed the third part
of Gaul, and desired no more than his daughter only, that
he might have heir^ by her.^ At last the match was
concluded ; Cordeilla was sent to Gkul, and married to Aga>«
nippuSi
Chap. XII. — Leir, Jinding tht ingratitude of hit two eldest daughtertf
betakes himself to his youngest, Cordeilla, in GatU.
A LONG time after this, when Leir came to be infirm through
old age, the two dukes, on whom he had bestowed Britain
with his two daughters, fostered an insurrection against him,
and deprived him of his kingdom, and of all regal authority,
which he had hithdrto eiiercised with great power and gloiyw
At length, by mutual agretiment, Maglaunus, duke of Alba-
nia, one of his sons^in^'law, it'a^ to allow him a maintenance
at his own hcriise, togethef If ith sLtty soldiers, who were to
be kept for state. After Wb years' stay with his son-in-law,
his daughter GoncAilla grudged the number of .his men, who
began to upbraid the ministers of the court with their scanty
allowance ; and, having spoken to her husband about it, she
gave orders that the numbers of her father's followers should
be reduced to thirty, and the rest discharged. The father,
resenting this treatment, left Maglaunus, and went to Henu-
inus, duke of Cornwall, to whom he had married his daugh-
ter Regau. Here he met with an honourable reception, but
before the year was at an end, a quarrel happened between
the two families, which raised Regan's indignation ; so that
s^ commanded her father to discharge all his attendants but
CH. 12.] mna lepi dt DiiTssss, 117
five, and to be contented with their serrice, Thin second
affliction was insupportable to him, and made him return
again to his former daughter, with hopes that the misery of
his condition might move in her some sentiments d nlial
pietj, and thsii he, with his family, might find a subsistence
with her. 3ut she, not forgetting her resentment, swore by
the gods he should not stay with her, unless he would dismiss
his retinue, and be contented with the attendance of one
man ; and with bitter reproaches she told him how ill his
desire of vain-glorious pomp suited his age and poverty.
When he found that she was by no means to be prevailed
upon, he was at last forced to comply, and, dismissing the
rest, to tal^e up with one man only. But by this time he
began to reflect more sensibly with himself upon the gran-
deur from which he had fallen, and the miserable state to
which he was now reduced, and to enter upon thoughts of going
beyond sea to his youngest daughter. Yet he doubted whe«
ther he should be able to move her commiseration, because
(as was related above) he had treated her so unworthily.
However, disdaining to bear any longer such base usage, he
took ship for Gaul. Jn his passage he observed he had only
the third place given him among the princes that were with
him in the ship, at which, with deep sighs and tears, he burst
forth into the following complaint ; —
" O irreversible decrees of the Fates, that never swerve
from your stated course ! why did you ever advance me to
an unstable felicity, since the punishment of lost happiness
is greater than the sense of present misery ? The remem«-
brance of the time when vast numbers of men obsequiously
attended me in the taking the cities and wasting the enemy s
countries, more deeply pierces my heart than the view of my
present calamity, which has exposed me to the derision of
those who were formerly prostrate at my feet. Oh ! the
enmity of fortune ! Shall I ever again see the day when
I may be able to reward those according to their deserts who
have forsaken me in my distress ? How true was thy an-
swer, Cordeilla, when I asked thee concerning thy love to
me, ' As much as you have, so much is your value, and so
much do I love you.' While I had anything to give they
valued me, being friends, not to me, but to my gifts : they
loved me then, but they loved my gifts much more : when
118 GEOFFBBt's BRITISH HISTOBT. [boos n.
my gifts ceasedy my friends vanished. But with what face
shall I presume to see you, my dearest daughter, since in my
anger I married you upon worse terms than your sisters,
who, after all the mighty favours they have received from
me, suffer me to be in banishment and poverty ?**
As he was lamenting his condition in these and the like
expressions, he arrived at Karitia,* where his daughter was,
and waited before the city while he sent a messenger to in-
form her of the misery he was fallen into, and to desire her
relief for a father who suffered both hunger and nakedness.
Cordeilla was startled at the news, and wept bitterly, and
with tears asked how many men her father had with him.
The messenger answered, he had none but one man, who had
been his armour-bearer, and was staying with him without
the town. Then she took what money she thought might be
sufficient, and gave it to the messenger, with orders to carry
her father to another city, and there give out that he was
sick, and to provide for him bathing, clothes, and aU other
nourishment. She likewise gave orders that he should take
into his service forty men, weU clothed and accoutred, and
that when all things were thus prepared he should notify his
arrival to king Aganippus and his daughter. The messenger
quickly returning, carried Leir to another city, and there
kept him concealed, till he had done every thing that Cor-
deilla had commanded.
Chap. XIII. — He is very honourably received by Cordeilla and the king
of Gaul.
As soon as he was provided with his royal apparel, orna-
ments, and retinue, he sent word to Aganippus and his
daughter, that he was driven out of his kingdom of Britain
by his sons-in-law, and was come to them to procure their
assistance for recovering his dominions. Upon which they,
attended with their chief ministers of state and the nobility
of the kingdom, went out to meet him, and received him
honourably, and gave into his management the whole power
of Gaul, till such time as he should be restored to his former
dignity.
* Calatf .
CB. 14, 15.] DEATH 09 OORDBIUJL 1 19
Chap. XIV.— JXr, Miy retiored to the kingdom 5y <Ae help qf hit torn-
m4ato and Ooriieilkif diet.
In the meantime Aganippus sent officers orer all Gaul to
raise an army; to restore his father-in-law to his kingdom of
Britain. Which done, Leir returned to Britain with his son
and daughter and the forces which they had raised, where
he fought with his sons-in-law and routed them. Having
thus reduced the whole kingdom to his power, he died the
third year after. Aganippus also died; and Cordeilla,
obtaining the got^emment of the kingdom, buried her father
in a certain vault, which she ordei^ to be made for him
under the river Sore, in Leicester, and which had been
built originally under the ground to the honour of the god
Janus. And here all the workmen of the city, upon the
anniversary solemnity of that festival, used to begin their
yearly labours.
Chap. XY. — CordelXlay being imprisoned, kiilt hereelf, Morgan, atpiring
40 the whole kingdom, is killed by Cunedagiut,
Attbh a peaceftil possession of the government for five yean,
Cordeilla began to meet with disturbances from the two sons
of her sisters, being both young men of great spirit^ whereof
one, named Margan, was born to Maglaunus, and the other,
named Cunedagius, to Henuinus. These, after the death of
their fathers, succeeding them in their dukedoms, were in-
censed to see Britain subject to a woman, and raised forces
in order to raise a rebellion against the queen ; nor would
they desist from hostilities, till, after a general waste of her
countries, and several battles fought, they at last took her
and put her in prison, where for grief at the loss of her
kingdom she killed herself. After this they divided the
island between them ; of which the part that reaches from
the north side of the Humber to Caithness, feU to Margan ;
the other part from the same river westward was Cuneda-
gius's share. At the end of two years, some restless spirits
that took pleasure in the troubles of the nation, had access to
Margan, and inspired him with vain conceits, by representing
to him how mean and disgracefVil it was for him not to govrm
the whole island, which was his due by right of birth.
Stirred up with these and the like suggestions, he marched
X20 ^UBQTFBJST's BBITISH BOBTOKT. [book n.
with an turmj through CunedagiusVi country, and began to
bum all before him. The war thus breaking ont, he was
met by Cunedagius with all his forces, who attacked Margan,
killing no smid^ number of his men, and, putting him to
flight, pursued him from one proYince to another, till at last
he killed him in a town of Kambria, which since hia death
has been bj the country people called ](iargan to this day.
After the victory, Cuneda^us gained the mon^chy of the
whole island, which he governed gloriously for three and
thirty years. At this time flourished the prophets Isaisdi
and Hosea, and Bom^ ivas built upon the eleventh before
the Kalends of lllay by the two brothers,. Bomulus and
Bemus**"
Chap. XYI. — The successors of Cunedagius in the "kingdom. Ferrex is
kiUed by his brother Forrex, in a dispute for the government.
At last Cunedagius dying, was succeeded by his son RivaUoj^
a fortunate youth, who diligently applied himself to the
affairs of the government. In his time it rained blood three
days together, and there fell vast swarms of flies, followed
hv a great mortality among the people. After him succeeded
Gurgustius his apn ; after him Sisillius ji after him Jago, the
nephew of Gurgustius; after him Kinmarcus the son of
Sisillius; after him Gorbogudo, who h^ t^o sons, Ferrex
and Porrex.
When their father grew old they began to quarrel about
the succession ; but Porrex, whp was the most ambitious of
the two, forms a design of killing his brother by treachery,
which the other discovering, escaped, and passed over into
Gaul. There he procured aid from Suard king of the
Franks, with which he returned and made war upon his
brother ; coming to an engagement, Ferrex was killed and
all his forces cut to pieces. When their mother, whose name
was Widen, came to be infonned of her son's death, she feU
into a great rage, and conceived a mortal hatred against the
survivor. For she had a greater aflection for the deceased
than for him, so that nothing less would appease her indigna-
tion for his death, than her revenging it upon her surviving
son. She took therefore her oppportunity when he was
^leep, fell upon him, and with the assistance of her woi
* About the year before Christ, 753.
OB. 17,3 PTTNWALIiO XOmUTIUS, 121
men tore him to pieces. From that tune s long civil
war oppressed the people, and the island became divided
under the pOMT^ of five king^ who mutuallj hi^rassed one
pother.
Chap, XVII. — Duntvalio MolmuHus gaina the sceptre qf BHlain, from
tohom came the Molmutine laws.
At length arose a youth of great spirit, named Punwallo
Molmutius, who was the son of Cloten king of Cornwall,
and excelled all the idngs of Britain in valour and graceful-
ness of person. When his father was dead, he was no
sooner possessed of the government of that country, than he
made war against Ymner king of Loegria, and killed him in
battle, Hereupon Rudaucus king of Kapibria, and Staterius
king of Albania, had a meeting, wherein they formed an
alliance together, and marched thence with their armies into
Dunwallo's country to destroy all before them. Dunwallo
met them with thirty thousand men, and gave them battle ;
and when a great part of the day was spent in the fight, and
the victory yet dubious, he drew off six hundred of his
bravest men, and commanded them to put on the armour of
the enemies that were slain, as he himself also did, throwing
aside his owi;. Thus accoutred he marched up with speed
to the enemy's ranks, as if he was of llieir party, and ap-
proaching the very place where Budaucus and Staterius
were, commanded his men to fall upon them. In this
assault the two kings were killed and many others with
them. But DunwaUo |kf olmutius, fe^ng lest in this disguise
his own men might t^ upon him, returned with his com-
panions to put off the enemy's armour, and take his own
again; and then encouraged them to renew the assault,
which they did with great vigour, and in a short time got
the victory, by dispersing and putting to flight the enemy,
f'rom hence he marched into the enemy's €X)untries, destroyed
their towns and cities, and reduced the people under his
obedience. When he had made an entire reduction of the
whole island, he prepared for himself a crown of gold, and
restored the kingdom to its ancient state. This prince
established what the Britons call the Molmutine laws, which
are famous among the English to this day. In these, among
Other things, of which St, GUdas wrote ^ long time after, he
122 GEOFFRET'S BBITISH HISTOBT. [boor in.
enacted, that the temples of the gods, as also cities, should
have the privilege of giving sanctuarj and protection to any
fugitive or criminal, that should flee to them from his enemy.
He likewise enacted, that the ways leading to those temples
and cities, as also husbandman's ploughs, should be allowed
the same privilege. So that in his day, the murders and
cruelties committed by robbers were prevented, and every
body passed safe without any violence offered him. At last,
after a reign of forty years spent in these and other acts of
government, he died, and was buried in the city of Trino-
vantum, near the temple of Concord, which he himself built,
when he first established his laws.
BOOK m.
Cha». I. — Brennius quarrels with Belinut kU brother, and in order to
make war agaitut him, tnarriett the daughter of the king of the iVpr-
wegians,
Afteb this a violent quarrel happened between his two sons
Belinus and Brennius, who were both ambitious of succeed-
ing to the kingdom. The dispute was, which of them should
have the honour of wearing the crown. After a great many
sharp conflicts that passed between them, the Mends of both
interposed, and brought them to agree on the division of the
kingdom on these terms: that Belinus should eijoy the
crown of the island, with the dominions of Loegria, Kam-
bria, and Cornwall, because, according to the Trojan consti-
tution, the right of inheritance would come to him as the
elder : and Brennius, as being the younger, should be subject
to his brother, and have for his share Northumberland,
which extended from the river Humber to Caithness. The
covenant therefore being confirmed upon these conditions,
they ruled the country for five years in peace and justice.
But such a state of prosperity could not long stand against
the endeavours of faction. For some lying incendiaries
gained access to Brennius and addressed him in this man*
ner:— ■
cat. 1,2.] BRENKIUS'S SEA-FIGHT WITH GtTICHTHLAC. 123
'^What sluggish spirit has possessed jon, that you can
hear subjection to Belinus, to whom by parentage and blood
you are equal ; besides your experience in military affairs^
which you have gained in several engagements, when you so
often repulsed Cheulphus, general of the Morini, in his
invasions of our country, and drove him out of your
kingdom? Be no longer bound by a treaty which is a
reproach to you, but marry the daughter of Elsingius, king
of the Norwegia^is, that with his assistance you may recover
your lost dignity." The young man, inflamed with these and
the like specious suggestions, hearkened to them, and went
to Norway, where he married the king's daughter^ as his
flatterers had advised him.
Chap. ll*-^Brenniu8't tea-fight with Guichthtacy king of the Daciana.
Ouiehthlae and Brennitu*» vo\fe are driven ashore and taken by
Belinus.
In the meantime his brother, informed of this, was violently
incensed, that without his leave he had presumed to act thus
against him. Whereupon he marched into Northumberland,
and possessed himself of that country and the cities in it,'
which he garrisoned with his own men. Brennius, upon
notice given him of what his brother had done, prepared a
fleet to return to Britain with a great army of Norwegians.
But while he was under sail with a fair wind, he was over-
taken by Guichthlac, king of the Dacians,* who had pursued
him. This prince had been deeply in love with the young
lady that Brennius had married, and out of mere grief and
vexation for the loss of her, had prepared a fleet to pursue
Brennius with all expedition. In the sea-fight that happened
on this occasion, he had the fortune to take the very ship in
which the lady was, and brought her in among his com-
panions. But during the engagement, contrary winds arose
on a sudden, which brought on a storm, and dispersed the
ships upon diflerent shores : so that the king of the Dacians,
being driven up and down, after a course of five days,
arrived with the lady at Northumberland, imder dreadful
apprehensions, as not knowing upon what country this
unforeseen casualty had thrown mm. When this came
to be known to the country people, they took them and
* The Danes.
124 QEOVFRET's BRITISH HI8T0BT, C«>OR ri f.
oarried them to Belinus, who was upon the sea-coast,
expecting the arriyaL of his brother. There were with
Gruichthlac's ship three others, one of which had belonged
to Brennius's fleet. As soon as they had declared to the
Ipi^g who they were, he was overjoyed at this happy
accident, while be w^ ende^vourii^ to revenge himself
on his brodier.
Chap. III. — BeUmts in a batUe routs Brenrutu, who thereupon Jkes to
Gaul. •
A FEW di).ys afte^r appeQ.red Brennius, with his 4eet again
got together, and arrived in Albania ; and having received
information of the capture of his wife and others, and that
his brother had seized the kingdom of Northumberland iiff
his absence, he sent his embassadors to him, to demand the
restitution of his wife and kingdom ; and if he refused them,
to declare that he would destroy the whole island from sea to
sea, and kill his brother whenever he could come to an
engagement with him. On the other hand, Belinus absolutely
refused to comply with his demands, and assembling together
the whole power of the island, went into Albania to give him
battle. Brennius, upon advice that he had suffered a repulse,
and that his brother was upon his march against him,
advanced to meet him in a wood called Calaterium, in order
to attack him. When they were arrived on the field of
battle, each of them divided his men into several bodies, and
approaching one another, began the fight. A great part
of the day was spent in i^ because on both sides the bravest
men were engaged ; and much blood was shed by reason
of the fury with which they encountered each other. So
great was the slaughter, that the woimded fell in heaps, like
standing corn cut down by reapers. At last the Britons
prevailing, the Norwegians fled with their shattered troops
to their ships, but were pursued by Belinus, and killed
without mercy. Fifteen thousand men fell in the battle, nor
were there a thousand of the rest that escaped unhurt.
Brennius with much difficulty securing one ship, went as
fortune drove him to the coasts of Gaul ; but the rest that
attended him, were forced tq sculk up and down wherever
their nusfortunes led them.
i, s.] tHE IxAivss PAT T^tBtTtli. l2d
Chap. IT. — The king qf Daeia, with Btenmns^s w\fgf U released out of
prison,
Belinus, after this victory, called a council of his nobility^
to advise with them what he should do with the king of the
Dacians, who had sent a message to him out of prison, that
he would submit himself and the kingdom of Dacia to him^
and also pay a yearly tribute, if he might have leave to
depart with his mistress. He offered likewise to confirm this
covenant with an oath, and the giving of hostages. When
this proposal was laid before the nobility, they unanimously
gave their assent that Belinus should grant Guichthlac hi&
petition upon the terms offered. Accordingly he did grant
it, and Guichthlac was released from prison, and returned
Vdth his mistress into Dacia.
Chap. Yi — BeHntu revives and confirms the Moitnutine laws, especially
about the highways,
BELINX7S now finding no body in the kingdom of Britain
able to make head against him, and being possessed of th6
sovereignty of the whole island frotn sea to sea, confirmed
the laws his father had made, and gave command for a
settled execution of justice through his kingdom. But above
all things he ordered that cities, and the roads leading to
them, should en^oj the same privilege of peace that Dunwallo
had established. But there arose a controversy about the
roads, because the limits determining them were unknown.
The king, therefore, willing to clear the law of all
ambiguities, summoned all the workmen of the island
together, and conunanded them to pave a causeway of
stone and mortar, which should run the whole length
of the island, from the sea of Cornwall, to the shores of
Caithness, and lead directly to the cities that lay along that
extent. He commanded another to be made over the breadth
of the kingdom, leading from Menevia, that was situated upon
the Demetian Sea, to Hamo's Fort, and to pass through the
interjacent cities. Other two he also made obliquely through
the island, for a passage to the rest of the cities.* He then
confirmed to them all honours and privileges, and prescribed
* This seems to be a false account (rf* the Roman roads in Britaiiu
126 G£OFFSET*S BBITI8H HI8T0BX. Lbookul
a law for the punishment of any injury committed upon them.
But if any one is curious to know iJl that he decreed con-
cerning them, let him read the Molmutine laws, which Gildas
the historian translated from British into Latin, and king
Alfred into English.
Chap. YI. — Brenniutt being made duke of the AUobroffes, retume to
Britain to fight taith hit brother.
While Belinus was thus reigning in peace and tranquillity,
his brother Brennius, who (as we said before) was driven
upon the coasts of Gaul, suffered great torments of mind.
For it was a great affliction to him to be banished from his
country, and to have no power of returning to retrieve his
loss. Being ignorant what course to take, he went among
the princes of Gaul, accompanied only with twelve men ; and
when he had related his misfortune to every one of them, but
could procure assistance from none, he went at last to Segi-
nus, duke of the Allobroges, from whom he had an honour-
able reception. During his stay here, he contracted such an
intimacy with the duke, that he became the greatest favourite
in the court. For in all affairs, both of peace and war, he
showed a great capacity, so that this prince loved him with
a paternal affection. He was besides of a graceful aspect,
tall and slender in stature, and expert in hunting and fowling,
as became his princely birth. So great was the friendship
between them, that the duke resolved to give him his only
daughter in marriage ; and in case he himself should have
no male issue, he appointed him and his daughter to succeed
him in his dukedom of the Allobroges after his death. But
if he should yet have a son, then he promised his assistance
to advance him to the kingdom of Britain. Neither was
this the desire of the duke only, but of all the nobility of
his court, with whom he had very much ingratiated himself.
So then without farther delay the marriage was solemnized,
and the princes of the country paid their homage to him, as
the successor to the throne. Scarcely was the year at an
end before the duke died ; and then Brennius took his oppor-
tunity of engaging those princes of the country firmly in his
interest, whom before he had obliged with his friendship.
And this he did by bestowing generously upon them the
CH. 7.] BELINUS AND BBENNIUS BEOOKCIXJSD. 127
■
duke's treasure, which had been hoarded up from the tiiues
of his ancestors. But that which the Allobroges most
esteemed him for, was his sumptuous entertainments^ and
keeping an open house for all.
Chap. YII; — Belintu and Brtnniui hewg made fritmd* h^ the medimiion
qf their mother, propose k> tubdue GatU,
When he had thus gained universal affection, he began to
consult with himself how he might take revenge upon his
brother Belinus. And when he had signified his intentions
concerning it to his subjects, they unanimously concurred
with him, and expressed their readiness to attend him to
whatever kingdom he pleased to conduct them. He there-
fore soon raised a vast army, and having entered into a treaty
with the Gauls for a free passage through their country into
Britain, fitted out a fieet upon the coast of Neustria, in which
he set sail, and with a fair wind arrived at the island. Upon
hearing the rumour of his coming, his brother Belinus,
accompanied with the whole strength of the kingdom,
marched out to engage him. But when the two armies were
drawn out in order of battle, and just ready to begin the
attack, Conwenna, their mother, who was yet living, ran in
great haste through the ranks, impatient to see her son, whom
she had not seen for a long time. As soon, therefore, as she
had with trembling steps reached the place where he stood,
she threw her arms about his neck, and in transports kissed
him ; then uncovering her bosom, she addressed herself to
him, in words interrupted with sighs, to this effect : —
" My son, remember these breasts which gave you suck,
and the womb wherein the Creator of all things formed you,
and from whence he brought you forth into the world, while
I endured the greatest anguish. By the pains then which I
suffered for you, I entreat you to hear my request : pardon
your brother, and moderate your anger. You ought not to
revenge yourself upon him who has done you no injury. As
for what you complain of, — ^that you were banished your
country by him, — ^if you duly consider the result, in strict-
ness can it be called injustice ? He did not banish you to
make your condition worse, but forced you to quit a meaner
that you might attain a higher dignity. At first you en-
joyed only a part of a kingdom, and that in subjection to your
l28 GEOF^BBT^S BlEtlTISH HIStORVi [UtooKixi
brother. As soon as you lost that, you became his equal, by
gaining the kingdom of the AUobroges. What has he then done,
but raised you from a vassal to be a king ? Consider jRuther,
that the difference between you began not through him, but
through yourself, who, with the assistance of the king of
Norway, raised an insurrM^ion against him.*^
Moved by these representations of his mother, he obeyed
her with a composed mind, and putting off his helmet of his
own accord, went straight with her to his brother. Belinus,
seeing him approach with a peaceable countenance, threw
ddwn his arms, and ran to embrace him ; so that now, with-
out more ado, they again became Mends ; and disarming their
forces marched with them peaceably together to Trinovantum.
And here, after consultation what enterprise to undertake,
they prepared to conduct their confederate army into the
provinces of Graul, and reduce that entire country to their
(Subjection.
Chap. YIII. — Belintu and Bretiniiu^ e^fter the conquest qf GatU, march
with their army to Home,
Thet accordingly passed over into Gaul the year after, and
began to lay waste that country. The news of which spread-
ing through those several nations^ all the petty kings of the
Franks entered into a confederacy, and went out to fight
against them. But the victory falling to Belinus and Bren-
nius, the Franks fled with their broken forces ; and the
Britons and Allobrog^s, elevated with their success, ceased
not to pursue them till they had taken their kings, and re-^
duced them to their power; Then fortifying the cities which
they had taken, in l^s than a year they brought the whole
kingdom into subjection. At ladt, after a reduction of all the
provinces, they marched with their whole army towards
Rome, and destroyed the cities and villages as they passed
through Italy.
Chap. IX. — The RomartS make a covenant with Brenniusy but c^fierwards
break it, for which reason Home vi besieged and taken by Brennius,
In those days the two consuls of Rome were Gabius and
Porsena,* to whose care the government of the country was
* The absurdity of describing Porsena king of Etruria, as one of the
Roman consuls, muM b« a|)parent to eveiy reader. No less evident is it
CB.0.3 BBENNIUS BE8IEGES BOHE. 129
oomndtted. When they saw that no nation was able to
withstand the power of Belinus and Brennius, they came,
with the consent of the senate to them, to desire peace and
amity. They likewise offered large presents of gold and
silver, and to pay a yearly tribute, on condition that they
might be suffered to enjoy their own in peace. The two
kings therefore, taking hostages of them, yielded to their
petition, and drew back their forces into Germany. While
they were employing their arms in harassing that people,
the Romans repented of their agreement, and again taking
courage, went to assist the Germans. This step highly en-
raged the kings against them, who concerted measures how
to carry on a war with both nations. For the greatness of
the Italian army was a terror to them. The result of their
council was, that Belinus with the Britons stayed in Ger-
many, to engage with the enemy there ; while Brennius and
his army marched to Rome, to revenge on the Romans their
breach of treaty. As soon as the Italians perceived their
design, they quitted the Germans, and hastened to get before
Brennius, in his march to Rome. Belinus had intelligence
of it, and speedily marched with his army the same night,
and possessing himself of a valley through which the enemy
was to pass, lay hid there in expectation of their coming.
The next day the Italians came in full march to the place ;
but when they saw the valley glittering with the enemy's
armour, they were struck with confusion, thinking Brennius
and the Gfilli Senones were there. At this favourable oppor-
tunity, Belinus on a sudden rushed forth, and fell furiously
upon them : the Romans on the other hand, thus taken by
surprise, fled the field, since they neither were armed, nor
marched in any order. But Belinus gave them no quarter,
and was only prevented by night coming on, from making a
total destruction of them. With this victory he went straight
to Brennius, who had now besieged Rome three days. Then
joining their armies, they assaulted the city on every side,
and endeavoured to level the walls : and to strike a greater
terror into the besieged, erected gibbets before the gates of
the city, and threatened to hang up the hostages whom they
had given, unless they would surrender. But the Romans,
that the whole of this fictitious account is founded upon the known fact,
that Rome was taken by the Gauls commanded by one Brennus.
K
130 GEOFFSET'S BBITISH HISTOBT. Lbookiil
nothing moved bj the sufferings of their sons and relations,
continued inflexible, and resolute to defend themselves.
They therefore sometimes broke the force of the enemy's en-
gines, by other engines of their own, sometimes repulsed
them from the walls with showers of darts. This so incensed
the two brothers, that they commanded four and twenty of
their noblest hostages to be hanged in the sight of their
parents. The Romans, however, were only more hardened
at the spectacle, and having received a message from Gabius
and Forsena, their consuls, that they would come the next
day to their assistance, they resolved to march out of the city,
and give the enemy battle. Accordingly, just as they were
ranging their troops in order, the consuls appeared with their
re-assembled forces, marching up to the attack, and ad-
vancing in a close body, fell on the Britons and Allobroges by
surprise, and being joined by the citizens that sallied forth,
killed no small number. The brothers, in great grief to see
such destruction made of their fellow soldiers, began to rally
their men, and breaking in upon the enemy several times,
forced them to retire. In the end, after the loss of many
thousands of brave men on both sides, the brothers gained
the day, and took the city, not however till Gabius was killed
and Porsena taken prisoner. This done, they divided among
their men all the hidden treasure of the city.
Chap. X. — Brenniut (^presses Italy in a most tyrannical manner. Beli*
ntu returns to Britain,
Afteb this complete victory, Brennius stayed in Italy,
where he exercised unheard-of tyranny over the people.
But the rest of his actions and his death, seeing that they
are given in the Boman histories, I shall here pass over, to
avoid prolixity and meddling with what others have treated
of, which is foreign to my design. But Belinus returned to
Britain, which he governed during the remainder of his life
in peace ; he repaired the cities that were falling to ruin, and
built many new ones. Among the rest he built one upon
the river Uske, near the sea of the Severn, which was for a
long time called Caerosc, and was the metropolis of Di-
metia;* but after the invasion of the Romans it lost its
* Newport, the principal town of South Wales.
CH. 11, 12.] DENMABK BE-GONQU£S£I>. 131
first name, and was called the City of Legions, from the
Roman legions which used to take up their winter quarters
in it. He also made a gate of wonderful structure in Trino-
vantum, upon the bank of the Thames, which the citizens
call after his name Billingsgate to this day. Over it he built
a prodigiously large tower, and under it a haven or quay for
ships. He was a strict observer of justice, and re-established
his father's laws everywhere throughout the kingdom. In
his days there was so great an abundance of riches among
the people, that no age before or after is said to have shown
the Hke. At last, when he had finished his days, his body
was burned, and the ashes put up in a golden urn, which
they placed at Trinovantum, with wonderful art, on the top
of the tower abovementioned.
CHAPt XI. — Gurgiunt Brabtmc, succeeding hit father Belinus, reduces
Dacia, which wat trying to shake off his poke*
He was succeeded by Gurgiunt Brabtruc, his son, a sober
prudent prince, who followed the example of his father in all
his actions, and was a lover of peace and justice. When
Bome neighbouring provinces rebelled against him, inheriting
with them the bravery of his father, he repressed their inso-
lence in several fierce battles, and reduced them to a perfect
subjection. Among many other things it happened, that the
king of the Dacians, who paid tribute in his father's time,
refused not only tribute, but all maimer of homage to him.
This he seriously resented, and passed over in a fieet to
Dacia, where he harassed the people with a most cruel war,
slew their king, and reduced the country to its former
dependence.
Chap. XII. — Ireland is given to be inhabited by tfu Barclenses, who had
been banithed out of Spain,
At that time, as he was returning home from his conquest
through the Orkney islands, he found thirty ships full of men
and women ; and upon his inquiring of them the occasion of
their coming thither, their leader, named Partholoim, ap-
proached him in a respectful and submissive manner, and
desired pardon and peace, telling him that he had been driven
out of Spain, and was sailing round those seas in quest of
K 2
132 GEOFFBET's BBITISH HISTOBT. [book in.
a habitation. He also desired some small part of Britain to
dwell in, that they might put an end to their tedious wan-
derings; for it was now a jear and a half since he had
been driven from his country^ all of which time he and his
company had been out at sea. When Gurgiunt Brabtruc
understood that they came from Spain, and were called Bar-
clenses, he granted their petition, and sent men with them to
Ireland, which was then wholly uninhabited, and assigned it
to them. There they grew up and increased in number, and
have possessed that bland to this very day. Gurgiunt
Brabtruc after this ended his days in peace, and was buried
in the City of Legions, which, after his father's death, he
ornamented with buildings and fortified with walls.
Chap. XIII. — Chiithelin, reigning after Gurgiunt Brabtruc, the Martian
law is instituted by Martia, a noble woman.
After him Guithelin wore the crown, which he enjoyed all
his life, treating his subjects with mildness and affection.
He had for his wife a noble lady named Martia, accomplished
in all kinds of learning. Among many other admirable pro-
ductions of her wit, she was the author of what the Britons
caU the Martian law. This also among other things king
Alfred translated, and called it in the Saxon tongue, Pa
Marchitle Lage, Upon the death of Guithelin, the govern-
ment of the kingdom remained, in the hands of this queen
and her son Sisilius, who was then but seven years old,
and therefore unfit to take the government upon himself
alone.
Chap. XIY. — Ouithelin'^t successors in the kingdom.
Fob this reason the mother had the sole management of
affairs committed to her, out of a regard to her great sense
and judgment. But on her death, Sisilius took the crown
and government. After him reigned Kimarus his son, to
whom succeeded Danius his brother. After his death the
crown came to Morvidus, whom he had by his concubine
Tangustela. He would have been a prince of extraordinary
worth, had he not been addicted to immoderate cruelty, so
far that in his anger he spared nobody, if any weapon were
CR. IS, 10 ] CHASACTEB OF GOBBOlOAir. 133
at hand. He was of a graceful aspect, extremelj liberal,
and of such vast strength as not to hare his match in the
whole kingdom.
Chap. XV.^'Mortfidtu, a most cruel tyrant, after the conquer qf the king
of the Moriniy ia devoured by a mon$ter.
In his time a certain king of the Morini* arrived with a
great force in Northumberland, and began to destroy the
country. But Morvidus, with all the strength of the king-
dom, marched out against him, and fought him. In this
battle he alone did more than the greatest part of his army,
and after the victory, suffered none of the enemy to escape
alive. For he commanded them to be brought to him one
after another, that he might satisfy his cruelty in seeing
them killed ; and when he grew tired of this, he gave orders
that they should be flayed alive and burned. During these
and other monstrous acts of cruelty, an accident happened
which put a period to his wickedness. There came from the
coasts of the Irish sea, a most cruel monster, that was con-
tinually devouring the people upon the sea-coasts. As soon
as he heard of it, he ventured to go and encounter it alone ;
when he had in vain spent all his darts upon it, the monster
rushed upon him, and with open jaws swallowed him up like
a small fish.
Chap. XYL — Chrhonian, a mottjtut king of the Britons.
He had Ave sons, whereof the eldest, Gorbonian, ascended
the throne. There was not in his time a greater lover of
justice and equity, or a more careful ruler of the people.
The performance of due worship to the gods, and doing jus-
tice to the common people, were his continual employments.
Through all the cities of Britain, he repaired the temples of
the gods, and built many new ones. In all his days, the
island abounded with riches, more than all the neighbouring
countries. For he gave great encouragement to husbandmen
in their tillage, by protecting them against any injury or op-
pression of their lords ; and the soldiers he amply rewarded
with money, so that no one had occasion to do wrong to an-
* The people who lived near Boulogne.
134 GEOFFREX'S BBITISH HI8T0RT. [book iit.
other. Amidst these and many other acts of his innate
goodness, he paid the debt of nature, and was buried at
Trinovantum.
Chap. XVII. — ArthgaXlo it deposed by the Britons, and is succeeded by
Elidure, who restores him again hit kingdom.
After him Arthgallo, his brother, was dignified with the
crown, and in all his actions he was the very reverse of his
brother. He everywhere endeavoured to depress the nobility,
and advance the baser sort of the people. He plundered the
rich, and by those means amassed vast treasures. But the
nobility, disdaining to bear his tyranny any longer, made an
insurrection against him, and deposed him ; and then advanced
Elidure, his brother, who was afterwards sumamed the pious,
on account of his commiseration to Arthgallo in distress. For
after five years' possession of the kingdom, as he happened to
be hunting in the wood Calaterium, he met his brother that
had been deposed. For he had travelled over several king-
doms, to desire assistance for the recovery of his lost
dominions, but had procured none. And being now no
longer able to bear the poverty to which he was reduced,
he returned back to Britain, attended only by ten men, with
a design to repair to those who had been formerly his friends.
It was at this time, as he was passing through the wood, his
brother Elidure, who little expected it, got sight of him, and
forgetting all injuries, ran to him, and affectionately embraced
him. Now as he had long lamented his brother's affliction,
he carried him with him to the city Alclud, where he hid
him in his bed-chamber. After this, he feigned himself
sick, and sent messengers over the whole kingdom, to
signify to all his prime nobility that they should come to
visit him. Accordingly, when they were all met together at
the city where he lay, he gave orders that they should come
into his chamber one by one, softly, and without noise : his
pretence for which was, that their talk would be a disturb-
ance to his head, should they all crowd in together. Thus,
in obedience to his commands, and without the least suspicion
of any design, they entered his house one after another. But
Elidure had given charge to his servants, who were set ready
for the purpose, to take each of them as they entered, and cut
off their heads, unless they would again submit themselves to
CB.17,18.] ELIOUBE IICPBI80NED. 136
Arthgallo his brother. Thus did he with evefj one of them
apart, and compelled them, through fear, to be reconciled to
Arthgallo. At last the agreement being ratified, Elidure
conducted Arthgallo to York, where he took the crown from
his own head, and put it on that of his brother. From this
act of extraordinary affection to his brother, he obtained the
surname of Pious. Arthgallo after this reigned ten years,
and made amends for his former mal-administration, by
pursuing measures of an entirely opposite tendency, in
depressing the baser sort, and advancing men of good
birth ; in suffering every one to enjoy his own, and exer-
cising strict justice towards all men. At last sickness
seizing him, he died, and was buried in the city Eaerleir.
Chap. XVIII* — EHdure is imprisoned by Peredure^ after whose death he
is a third time advanced to the throne*
Then Elidure was again advanced to the throne, and restored
to his former dignity. But while in his government he
followed the example of his eldest brother Gorbonian, in
performing all acts of grace ; his two remaining brothers,
Vigenius and Feredure, raised an army, and made war
against him, in which they proved victorious ; so that they
took him prisoner, and shut him up in the tower* at
Trinovantum, where they placed a guard over him. They
then divided the kingdom betwixt them ; that part which is
from the river Humber westward falling to Vigenius's share,
and the remainder with all Albania to Feredure's. After
seven years Vigenius died, and so the whole kingdom came
to Feredure, who from that time governed the people with
generosity and mildness, so that he even excelled his other
brothers who had preceded him, nor was any mention now
made of Elidure. But irresistible fate at last removed him
suddenly, and so made way for Elidure's release from prison,
and advancement to the throne the third tune ; who finished
the course of his life in just and virtuous actions, and after
death left an example of piety to his successors.
* The tower of London was built or at least repaired and enlai^ged bj
William Rufus. The story of its having been originally constructed bj
Julius Ceesar is an absurd fiction irreconcilable with the Commentaries of
that general. See William of Malmesbory, p. 34).
136 GE0FFSBT8 BBTTISH HI8T0BT. I^ooc ni.
«
Chap. XIX. — The names of Elidure't thirfy-ihree iveceuors,
Elidure being dead, Gorbonian's son enjoyed the crown,
and imitated his uncle's wise and prudent government.
For he abhorred tyranny, and practised justice and mildness
towards the people, nor did he ever swerve from the rule of
equity. After him reigned Margan, the son of Arthgallo,
who, being instructed by the examples of his immediate
predecessors, held the government in peace. To him
succeeded Enniaunus, his brother, who took a contrary
course, and in the sixth year of his reign was deposed,
for having preferred a tyrannical to a just and legal admin-
istration. In his room was placed his kinsman Idwallo, the
son of Yigenius, who, being admonished by Enniaunus's ill
success, became a strict observer of justice and equity. To
him succeeded Runno, the son of Peredure, whose successor
was Greruntius, the son of Elidure. After him reigned
Catellus, his son ; after Catellus, Coillus ; after CoHlus,
Porrex ; after Porrex, Cherin. This prince had three
sons, Fulgenius, Eldadus, and Andragius, who all reigned
one after another. Then succeeded Urianus, the son of
Andragius ; after whom reigned in order, Eliud, Cledaucus,
Cletonus, Gurgintius, Merianus, Bleduno, Cap, Oenus,
Sisilius, Blegabred. This last prince, in singing and
pla3ring upon musical instruments, excelled all the musicians
that had been before him, so that he seemed worthy of the
title of the Grod of Jesters. After him reigned .^rthmail,
his brother ; after Arthmail, Eldol ; to whom succeeded in
order, Redion, Bederchius, Samuilpenissel, Pir, Capoir, and
Cligueillus the son of Capoir, a man prudent and nuld in all
his actions, and who above all things made it his business to
exercise true justice among his people.
Chap. XX. — Heli^t three $ona ; the firtt qf whotnf vur« Ludf gives name
to the eity qf London,
Next to him succeeded his son Heli, who reigned forty
years. He had three sons, Lud, Cassibellaun,* and
Kennius ; of whom Lud, being the eldest, succeeded to
the kingdom after his Other's death. He became famous
* The Brituh same of this prince is piobabljr CaBwallon*
CB.20.] LOin>OK — ITS ORIGIN. 137
for the building of cities, and for rebuilding the walls of
Tiinovantum, which he also surrounded with innumerable
towers. He likewise commanded the citizens to build
houses, and all other kinds of structures in it^ so that no city
in all foreign countries to a great distance round could
show more beautiful palaces. He was withal a warlike
man, and very magnificent in his feasts and public enter-
tainments. And though he had many other cities, yet he
loved this above them all, and resided in it the greater
part of the year ; for which reason it was afterwards
called Kaerlud, and by the corruption of the word, Caer-
london ; and again by change of languages, in process
of time, London ; as also by foreigners who arrived here,
and reduced this country under their subjection, it was
called Londres. At last, when he was dead, his body
was buried by the gate which to this time is called in
the British tongue after liis name, Farthlud,* and in the
Saxon, Ludesgata. He had two sons. Androgens and
Tenuantius, who were incapable of governing on account
of their age : and therefore their uncle Cassibellaun waa
preferred to the kingdom in their room. As soon as he
was crowned, he began to display his generosity and magnifi-
cence to such a degree, that his fame reached to distant king-
doms ; which was the reason that the monarchy of the whole
kingdom came to be invested in him, and not in his
nephews. Notwithstanding Cassibellaxm, from an impulse
of piety, would not suffer them to be without their share
in the kingdom, but assigned a large part of it to them.
For he bestowed the city of Trinovantum, with the duke-
dom of Kent, on Androgens ; and the dukedom of Cornwall
on Tenuantius. But he himself, as possessing the crown,
had the sovereignty over them^ and all the other princes
of the island.
* In Latin Porta^Lud,
138 OBOFVBBT's BBITISH HISTOBT. [book it.
BOOK IV.
Chap. I. — Jtditu Casar invade$ Britain,
About this time it happened, (as is found in the Roman
histories,) that Julius Csesar, having subdued Graul, came
to the shore of the Ruteni. And when from thence he
had got a prospect of the island of Britain, he inquired
of those about him what country it was, and what people
inhabited it. Then fixing his eyes upon the ocean, as
soon as he was informed of the name of the kingdom
and the people, he said : * " In truth we Romans and the
Britons have the same origin, since both are descended
from the Trojan race. Our first father, after the de-
struction of Troy, was JEneas ; theirs, Brutus, whose
father was Sylvius, the son of Ascanius, the son of
JEneas. But I am deceived, if they are not very much
degenerated from us, and know nothing of the art of war,
since they live separated by the ocean from the whole world.
They may be easily forced to become our tributaries, and
subjects to the Roman state. But before the Romans offer
to invade or assault them, we must send them word that
they pay tribute as other nations do, and submit themselves
to the senate ; for fear we should violate the ancient nobility
of our father Priamus, by shedding the blood of our kins-
men." All which he accordingly took care to signify in
writing to Cassibellaun ; who in great indignation returned
him an answer in the following letter.
Chap. II. — OiU8ihellaunus*9 letter to Juliut OoBtar,
" Cassibellauk, king of the Britons, to Caius Julius Cassar.
We cannot but wonder, Caesar, at the avarice of the Roman
people, since their insatiable thirst for money cannot let us
alone, though the dangers of the ocean have placed us in a
manner out of the world ; but they must have the presump-
tion to covet our substance, which we have hitherto enjoyed
* It is ridiculous to suppose that Ciesar said anj thing of the kind, for
he knew well the slender historical evidence on which the Trojan story
depended.
CB.3.J CiBSAK's AKBIVAL IN BBTTAIK. 139
in quiet. Neither is this indeed sufficient : we must also
choose subjection and slavery to them, before the enjoyment
of our native liberty. Tour demand, therefore, Caesar, is
scandalous, since the same vein of nobility flows from ^neas
in both Britons and Romans, and one and the same chain of
consanguinity unites us : which ought to be a band of firm
union and friendship. It was that, which you should have
demanded of us, and not slavery : we have learned to admit
of the one, but never to bear the other. And so much have
we been accustomed to liberty, that we are perfectly ignorant
what it is to submit to slavery. And if even the gods them-
selves should attempt to deprive us of our liberty, we would,
to the utmost of our power, resist them in defence of it.
Know then, Caesar, that we are ready to flght for that and
our kingdom, if, as you threaten, you shall attempt to invade
Britain."
Chap. III. — Catar it routed by Catsibellaun,
On receiving this answer, Caesar made ready his fleet, and
waited for a fair wind to execute his threats against Cassi-
bellaun. As soon as the wind stood fair, he hoisted his sails,
and arrived with his army at the mouth of the river Thames.
The ships were now just come close to land, when Cassibel-
laun with all his forces appeared on his march against them,
and coming to the town of Dorobellum, he consulted with his
nobility how to drive out the enemy. There was present
with him Belinus, general of his army, by whose counsel the
whole kingdom was governed. There were also his two
nephews. Androgens, duke of Trinovantum, and Tenuantius,
duke of Cornwall, together with three inferior kings, Cridious,
king of Albania, Guerthaeth of Venedotia, and Britael of
Dimetia, who, as they had encouraged the rest to fight the
enemy, gave their advice to march directly to Caesar's camp,
and drive them out of the country before they could take any
city or town. For if he should possess himself of any forti-
fied places, they said it would be more difficult to force him
out, because he would then know whither to make a retreat
with his men. To this proposal they all agreed, and ad-
vanced towards the shore where Julius Caesar had pitched
his camp. And now both armies drew out in order of battle,
and began the fight, wherein both bows and swords were
140 OEOFFBET's BBinSH HISTOBT. [book it.
employed. Lmnediatelj the wounded fell in heaps on each
side, and the ground was drenched with the blood of the
slain, as much as if it had been washed with the sudden
return of the tide. While the armies were thus engaged, it
happened that Nennius and Androgens, with the citizens of
Canterbury and TrinoYantum, whom they commanded, had
the fortune to meet with the troop in which Caesar him-
self was present. And upon an assault made, the general's
cohort was very nearly routed by the Britons falling upon
them in a close body. During this action, fortune gave
Nennius an opportunity of encountering Caesar. Nennius
therefore boldly made up to him, and was in great joy that
he could but give so much as one blow to so great a man.
On the other hand, Cassar being aware of his design, stretched
out his shield to receiye him, and with all his might struck
him upon the helmet with his drawn sword, which he lifted
up again with an intention to finish his first blow, and make
it mortal ; but Nennius carefully prevented him with his
shield, upon which Cassar's sword glancing with great force
from the helmet, became so firmly fastened therein, that when
by the intervention of the troops they could no longer con-
tinue the encounter, the general was not able to draw it out
again. Nennius, thus becoming master of Caesar's sword,
threw away his own, and pulling the other out, made haste
to employ it against the enemy. Whomsoever he struck
with it, he either cut off his head, or left him wounded with-
out hopes of recovery. While he was thus exerting himself,
he was met by Labienus, a tribune, whom he killed in the
very beginning of the encounter. At last, after the greatest
part of the day was spent, the Britons poured in so fast, and
made such vigorous efforts, that by the blessing of God they
obtained the victory, and Caesar, with his broken forces,
retired to his camp and fleet. The very same night, as soon
as he had got his men together again, he went on board his
fleet, rejoicing that he had the sea for his camp. And upon
his companions dissuading him from continuing the war any
longer, he acquiesced in their advice, and returned back to
GauL
CR.4,5.] C^SAB BBTSBATS TO OAUL. 141
Chap. W.^-Nennius, the brother of Catsibellaun, being wounded in
bcUtle by Casar, dies.
Cassibellaun, in joy for this triumph, returned solemn
thanks to God ; and calling the companions of his victory
together, amply rewarded every one of them, according as
they had distinguished themselves. On the other hand, he
was very much oppressed with grief for his brother Nennius,
who lay mortally wounded, and at the very point of death.
For Caesar had wounded him in the encounter, and the blow
which he had given him proved incurable ; so that fifteen
days after the battle he died, and was buried at Trinovan-
tum, by the North Gate. His funeral obsequies were per-
formed with regal pomp, and Csesar's sword put into the
tomb with him, which he had kept possession of, when struck
into his shield in the combat. The name of the sword
was Crocea Mors (Yellow Death), as being mortal to every
body that was wounded with it.
Chap. V. — CtBsar^s inglorious return to Gaul.
Afteb this flight of Cassar, and his arrival on the Gallic
coast, the Gauls attempted to rebel and throw off his yoke.
For they thought he was so much weakened, that his forces
could be no longer a terror to them. Besides, a general
report was spread among them, that Cassibellaun was now
out at sea with a vast fleet to pursue him in his flight ; on
which account the Gauls, growing still more bold, began to
think of driving him &om their coasts. Caesar, aware of
their designs, was not willing to engage in a doubtful war
with a fierce people, but rather chose to go to all their first
nobility with open treasures, and reconcile them with presents.
To the common people he promised Hberty, to the dispos-
sessed the restitution of their estates, and to the slaves their
freedom. Thus he that had insulted them before with the
fierceness of a lion, and plundered them of all, now, with
the mildness of a lamb, fawns on them with submissive
abject speeches, and is glad to restore all again. To these
acts of meanness he was forced to condescend till he had
pacified them, and was able to regain his lost power. In the
meantime not a day passed without his reflecting upon his
flight, and the victory of the Britons.
142 GEOFFBEt's BRITISH HISTOBT. [book it.
Chap. YI. — Cauibeilaun fomu a stratagem for iinking Catar's ship*.
After two years were expired, he prepared to cross the sea
again, and revenge himself on Cassibellaun, who having in-
telligence of his design, everywhere fortified his cities, re-
paired the ruined walls, and placed armed men at all the
ports. In the river Thames, on which Caesar intended to
sail up to Trinovantum, he caused iron and leaden stakes,
each as thick as a man's thigh, to be fixed under the surface
of the water, that Caesar's ships might founder. He then
assembled aU the forces of the island, and took up his quar-
ters with them near the sea-coasts, in expectation of the
enemy's coming.
Chap. YII. — Casar a second time vanquished by the Britons.
After he had furnished himself with all necessaries, the
Roman general embarked with a vast army, eager to revenge
himself on a people that had defeated him ; in which he un-
doubtedly would have succeeded, if he could but have brought
his fleet safe to land ; but this he was not able to do. For
in sailing up the Thames to Trinovantum, the ships struck
against the stakes, which so endangered them all on a sudden,
that many thousands of the men were drowned, while the
ships being pierced sank into the river. Caesar, upon this,
employed all his force to shift his sails, and hastened to get
back again to land. And so those that remained, after a
narrow escape, went on shore with him. Cassibellaun, who
was present upon the bank, with joy observed the disaster of
the drowned, but grieved at the escape of the rest ; and upon
his giving a signal to his men, made an attack upon the
Bomans, who, notwithstanding the danger they had suffered
in the river, when landed, bravely withstood the Britons ;
and having no other fence to trust to but their own courage,
they made no small slaughter ; but yet suffered a greater loss
themselves, than that which they were able to give the enemy.
For their number was considerably diminished by their loss
in the river; whereas the Britons being hourly increased
with new recruits, were three times their number, and by
that advantage defeated them. Caesar, seeing he could no
longer mftintam his ground, fled with a small body of men to
CH. 8.1 SYELINUS KILLS HIBELGLA& ' 143
bis ships, and made the sea his safe retreat ; and as the wind
stood fair, he hoisted his sails, and steered to the shore of
the Morini. From thence he repaired to a certain tower,
which he had built at a place called Odnea, before this second
expedition into Britain. For he durst not trust the fickle-
ness of the Gauls, who he feared would fall upon him a
second time, as we have said already they did before, after
the first flight he was forced to mf^e before the Britons.
And on that account he had built this tower for a refuge to
himself, that he might be able to maintain his ground against
a rebellious people, if they should make insurrection against
him.
Chap. VIII. — Evelvnus kills Hirelglas, Androgens desires Ccssat^s tissist-
OTice against Cassibellaun,
Cassibellaun, elevated with joy for this second victory,
published a decree, to summon sJl the nobility of Britain with
their wives to Trinovantum, in order to perform solemn
sacrifices to their tutelary gods who had given them the
victory over so great a commander. Accordingly, they all
appeared, and prepared a variety of sacrifices, for which
there was a great slaughter of cattle. At this solemnity
they offered forty thousand cows, and a hundred thousand
sheep, and also fowls of several kinds without number, be-
sides thirty thousand wild beasts of several kinds. As soon
as they had performed these solemn honours to their gods,
they feasted themselves on the remainder, as was usual at
such sacrifices, and spent the rest of the day and night in
various plays and sports. Amidst these diversions, it hap-
pened that two noble youths, whereof one was nephew to the
king, the other to duke Androgens, wrestled together, and
afterwards had a dispute about the victory. The name of
the king's nephew was Hirelglas, the other's EveHnus. As
they were reproaching each other, Evelinus snatched up his
sword and cut off* the head of his rivaL This sudden <&sas-
ter put the whole court into a consternation, upon which the
king ordered Evelinus to be brought before him, that he
might be ready to undergo such punishment as the nobility
should determine, and tb^t the death of Hirelglas might be
revenged upon him, if he were unjustly killed. Androgeus,
suspecting the king's intentions, made answer, that he had
144 aEOOSTREY'S BBITISH HISTORY. [book iv.
a court of his own, and that whatever should be alleged
against his own men, ought to be determined there. If,
therefore, he was resolved to demand justice of Evelinus, he
might have it at Trinovantum, according to ancient custom.
Cassibellaun, finding he could not attain his ends, threatened
Androgens to destroy his country with fire and sword, if he
would not comply with his demands. But Androgens, now
incensed, scorned all compliance with him. On the other
hand, Cassibellaun, in a great rage, hastened to make good
his threats, and ravage the country. This forced Androgens
to make use of daily solicitations to the king, by means of
such as were related to him, or intimate with him, to divert
his rage. But when he found these methods ineffectual, he
began in earnest to consider how to oppose him. At last,
when all other hopes failed, he resolved to request assistance
from Caesar, and wrote a letter to him to this effect : —
"Androgens, duke of Trinovantum, to Caius Julius Caesar,
instead of wishing death as formerly, now wishes health. I
repent that ever I acted against you, when you made war
against the king. Had I never been guilty of such exploits,
you would have vanquished Cassibellaun, who is so swollen
with pride since his victory, that he is endeavouring to drive
me out of his coasts, who procured him that triumph. Is
this a fit reward for my services ? I havB settled him in an
inheritance ; and he endeavours to disinherit me. I have a
second time restored him to the kingdom : and he endeavours
to destroy me. All this have I done for him in fighting
against you. I call the gods to witness I have not deserved
his anger, unless I can be said to deserve it for refusing to
deliver up my nephew, whom he would have condemned to
die unjustly. Of which, that you may be better able to
judge, hear this account of the matter. It happened that for
joy of the victory we performed solemn honours to our
tutelary gods, in which after we had finished our sacrifices,
our youth began to divert themselves with sports. Among
the rest our two nephews, encouraged by the example of the
others, entered the lists ; and when mine had got the better,
the other without any cause was incensed, and just going to
strike him ; but he avoided the blow, and taking him by the
hand that held the sword, strove to wrest it from him. In
this struggle the king's nephew happened to fall upon the
CB.9.1 BEFEAT OF CASSIBELLAtTmTS. 145
sword's point, and died upoh the spot. When the king was
informed of it, he commanded me to deliver np the youth,
tiu&t he might be punished for murder. I refused do it ;
whereupon he invaded my provinces with all his forces, and
has given me very great disturbance ; flying, therefore, to
your clemency, I desire your assistance, that by you I may
be restored to my dignity, and by me you may gain posses-
sion of Britain. Let no doubts or suspicion of treachery in
this matter detain you. Be influenced by the common motive
of mankind ; let past enmities beget a desire of friendship ;
and after defeat make you more eager for victory*"
Chap* IX. — Oastibellauny heing put to JUght, and besieged by Qesar^
desires peace.
Cjssar, having read the letter, was advised by his friends
not to go into Britain upon a bare verbal invitation of the
duke, unless he would send such hostages as might be for
his security. Without delay, therefore. Androgens sent his
son Scaeva with thirty young noblemen near]^ related to
him. Upon delivery of the hostages, Csesar, relieved from
his suspicion, reassembled his forces, and with a fair wind
arrived at the port of Rutupi. In the meantime Cassibellaun
had begun to besiege Trinovantum and ravage the country
towns ; but finding that Csesar was arrived, he raised the
siege and hastened to meet him» As soon as he entered a
valley near Dorobemia,* he saw the Roman army preparing
their camp : for Androgens had conducted them to this place,
for the convenience of making a sudden assault upon the city.
The Romans, seeing the Britons advancing towards them,
quickly flew to their arms, and ranged themselves in several
bodies. The Britons also put on their arms, and placed
themselves in their ranks. But Androgens with five
thousand °^cn lay hid in a wood hard by, to be ready to
assist Caesar, and spring forth on a sudden upon Cassibellaun
and his party. Both armies now approached to begin the
fight, some with bows and arrows, some with swords, so that
much blood was shed on both sides, and the wounded fell
down like leaves in autumn. While they were thus engaged.
Androgens sallied forth from the wood, and fell upon the
rear of Cassibellaun's army, upon which the hopes of the
♦ Canterbury.
L
146 OEOFFSET'S BBITISH HISTOBT. Lmokit.
battle entirelj depended. And now, what with the breadi
which the Romans had made through them jast before, what
with the furious irruption of their own countrymen, they
were no longer able to stand their ground, but were obliged
with their broken forces to quit the field. Near the place
stood a rocky mountain, on the top of which was a thick
hazel wood. Hither Cassibellaun fled with his men after he
found himself worsted ; and having climbed up to the top of
the mountain, bravely defended himself and killed the
pursuii^ enemy. For the Roman forces with those of
Androgens pursued him to disperse his flying troops, and
climbing up the mountain after them made many assaults,
but all to little purpose ; for the rockiness of the mountain
iMid great height of its top was a defence to the Britons, and
the advantage of higher ground gave them an opportunity
of killing great numbers of the enemy. Gsesar hereupon
besieged the mountain that whole night, which had now
overtaken them, and shut up all the avenues to it ; intending
to reduce the king by flimine, since he could not do it by
force of arms. Such was the wonderful valour of the
British nation in those times, that they were able to put
the conqueror of the world twice to flight ; and being ready
to die for the defence of their country and liberty, they, even
though defeated, withstood him whom the whole world could
not withstand. Hence Lucan in their praise says of Caesar,
*^ Tenita quaasitis Ostendit terga BiitaaniB,"
With pride he sought the Britons, hut when found.
Dreaded their force, and fled the hostile ground.
Two days were now passed, when Cassibellaun having
consumed all his provision, feared fkmine would oblige him
to surrender himself prisoner to Csosar. For this reason he
sent a message to Androgens to make his peace with Julius,
lest^the honour of the nation might suffer j^y his being taken
prisoner. He likewise represented to him, that he did not
deserve to be pursued to death for the annoyance which he
\sA given him. As soon as the messengers had told this to
Androgens, he made answer: — "That prince deserves not
to be loved, who in war is mild as a lamb, but in peace cruel
fis a lion. Ye gods of heaven and earth ! Does my lord
CB.9,10.] AKDBOaEnS*8 SPEECH TO CM9:UL 147
then condescend to entreat me now, whom before he took
upon him to command ? Does he desire to be reconciled and
make his snbmission to Caesar, of whom Caesar himself had
before desired peace? He ought therefore to have con-
sidered, that he who was able to drive so great a commander
out of the kingdom, was able also to bring him back again.
I ought not to have been so unjustly treated, who had then
done him so much service, as well as now so much injury.
He must be mad who either injures or reproaches his fellow
soldiers by whom he defeats the enemy. The victory is not
the commander's, but theirs who lose their blood in fighting
for him. However, I will procure him peace if I can, for
the iiyury which he has done me is sufficiently revenged
upon him, since he sues for mercy to me."
Chap. X. — Androffmu*a speech to Ctuarm
Andbogeus after this went to Caesar, and after a respectM
salutation addressed him in this manner: — "You have
sufficiently revenged yourself upon Cassibellaun ; and now
let clemency take place of vengeance. What more is there
to be done than that he make £as submission and pay tribute
to the Roman state?" To this Caesar returned him no
answer : upon which Androgens said again ; " My whole
engagement with you, Caesar, was only to reduce Britain
under your power, by the submission of Cassibellaun.
Behold ! Cassibellaun is now vanquished, and Britain by my
assistance become subject to you. What further service do
I owe you ? Gk>d forbid that I should suffer my sovereign,
who sues to me for peace, and makes me satisfaction for the
injury which he has done me, to be in prison or in chains.
It is no easy matter to put Cassibellaun to death while I
have life ; and if you do not comply with my demand, I
shall not be ashamed to give him my assistance." Caesar,
alarmed at these menaces of Androgens, was forced to
comply, and entered into peace with Cassibellaun, on
condition that he should pay a yearly tribute of three
thousand pounds of silver. So then Julius and Cassibellaun
from this time became friends, and made presents to each
other. After this> Caesar wintered in Britain, and the
L 2
148 GEOFFBEt's BBITI8H HI8T0BT* [uoobit.
following spring returned into Gaul.* At length lie
assembled all his forces, and marched towards Rome
against Fompey.
Chap. XI. — Tenuantitu U made king qf Briiain after CasdbeUaun,
Aftsr seven years had expired, CassibeUaun died and was
buried at York. He was succeeded by Tenuantius, duke of
Cornwall, and brother of Androgens : for Androgens was
gone to Rome with Csesar. Tenuantius therefore, now
wearing the crown, governed the kingdom with diligence.
He was a warlike man, and a strict observer of justice.
After him Kymbelinus his son was advanced to the throne,
being a great soldier, and brought up by Augustus Caesar.
He had contracted so great a friendship with the Romans,
that he freely paid them tribute when he might have very
* ^ Csraar's expedition against the Britons was of singular boldness ; for
he was the first who proceeded with a fleet to the Western Ocean, and
sailed over the Atlantic Sea, conducting an army to war ; and being
desirous of possessing an island, for its size hardly believed in, and giving
occasion for much controversy to various writers, as if a name and a tale
bad been invented of a place which never had been nor Was yet in
existence, he advanced the dominion of the Romans beyond the limits
of the known world ; and having twice sailed over to the island from the
opposite coast of Gaul, and having rather worsted his enemies in many
battles, than advantaged his own soldiers, for there was nothing worth
taking from men who had a bare subsistence and were poor, he terminated
the war not in the way he wished ; but taking hostages from the king, and
appointing tributes, he departed fiom the island." — Plutaiich. This is the
language of a writer favourable to the reputation of Caesar, and may teach
us how worthless are the old British or rather Welsh legends in comparison
with the classic historians.
But the classic historians deal sometimes in &bles. Witness the
following quotation from Polysenus :
'< Cssar attempting to pass a large river in Britain, Cassolaulus, king of
the Britons, obstructed him with many horsemen and chariots. Csesiur had
in his train a very large elephant, an animal hitherto unseen by the Britons.
Having armed hun with sc^es of iron, and put a large tower upon him, and
placed therein archers and slingers, he ordered them to enter the stream.
The Britons were amazed at beholding a beast till then unseen, and of an
extraordinaiy nature. As to the horses, what need to write of them ! since
even among the Greeks, horses fly on seeing elephants even without harness,
but thus towered and armed, and casting darts and slinging, they could not
endure even to look upon the sight. The Britons therefore fled with their
horses and chariots. Thus the Romans passed the river without molesta-
tion, having terrified the enemy by a single animaL''
oa.U;lS.] URTH OF GHSE8T. 149
well refused it. Id his days was bom our Lord Jesus Clirist^
by whose precious blood mankind was redeemed from the
devil, under whom they had been before enslaved.
Chap. XII.— CTjpofi Ouiieriut't refiuing to poff tribute to the Boman$^
Ctaudiut Cmtar wioad0$ BrUam»
Ktmbelikus, when he had governed Britain ten years, begat
two sons, the elder named Guiderius, the other Arviragus.
After his death the government fell to G-uiderius. This
prince refused to pay tribute to the Bomans ; for which reason
Claudius, who was now emperor, marched against him. He
was attended in this expedition by the commander of his
army, who was called in the British tongue, Leuis Hamo, by
whose advice the following war was to be carried on. This
man, therefore, arriving at the city of Portcestre, [Portches'
ter,] began to block up the gates with a wall, and denied the
citizens all liberty of passing out. For his design was either
to reduce them to subjection by famine, or kill them without
mercy.
Chap. XIII. — Lewt HamOfU koman, by wicked treeuihtry kills Chdderiw.
GuiDEBros, upon the news of Claudius's coming, assembled
all the soldiery of the kingdom, and went to meet the Roman
army. In the battle that ensued, he began the assault with
great eagerness, and did more execution with his own sword
than the greater part of his army. Claudius was now on
the point of retreating to his ships, and the Romans very
nearly routed, when the crafty Hamo, throwing aside his own
armour, put on that of the Britons, and as a Briton fought
against Ms own men. Then he exhorted the Britons to a
vigorous assault, promising them a speedy victory. For he
had learned their language and manners, having been edu-
cated among the British hostages at Rome. By these means
he approached by little and little to the king, and seizing a
favourable opportunity, stabbed him while under no appre-
hension of danger, and then escaped through the enemy's
ranks to return to his men with the news of his detestable
exploit. But Arviragus, his brother, seeing him killed,
forthwith put off his own and put on his brother^s habiliments,
and, as if he had been Guiderius himself, encouraged the
Britons to stand their ground. Accordingly, as they knew
; 150 OISOFFBBT's BRITISH HBTOBT. laaam. nr.
nothing of the king's disaster, they made a yigoroiis resist-
ance, fooght courageously, and killed no small number of the
enemj. At last the Romans gaye ground, and dividing
themselyes into two bodies^ basely quitted ike fidd. Caesar
with one part, to secure himself, retired to his ships ; but
Hamo fled to the woodsy because he had not time to get
to the ships. Arviragns, therefore, thinking that Claudius
fled along with him, pursued him with all speed, and did not
leave off harassing him from place to place, till he overtook
him upon a part of the sea-coast, which, from the name of
Hamo, is now called Southampton. There was at the same
place a convenient haven for ships, and some merchant-ships
at anchor. And just as Hamo was attempting to get on
board them, Arviragus came upon him unawares, and forth-
with killed him. And ever once that time the haven has
been called Hamo's port
Chap. XIV. — Arviroffuiy king ^ jBHlotn, maket hk ntitmuion to Cflmk-
diut^ who with hit auiatance conquers the Orkney iaUmU.
Ik the meantime, Claudius, with his remaining forces^
assaulted the city above mentioned which was then called
Elaerperis, now Portcestre, and presently levelled the walls,
and having reduced the citizens to suljection, went after
Arviragus, who had entered Winchester. Afterwards he
besieged that dty, and employed a variety of engines against
it Arviragus, seeing himself in these straits, called his
troops toge&er, and opened the gates, to march out and give
him battle. But just as he was ready to b^in the attack,
Claudius, who feared the Ixddness of the king, and the
bravery of the Britons^ sent a message to him with a propo-
sal of peace ; choosing rather to reduce them by wisdom and
policy, than run the hazard of a battle. To this purpose he
offered a reconciliation with him, and promised to give him
his daughter, if he would <Hily acknowledge the kingdom of
Britain subject to the Boman state. The nolnlity hereupon
persuaded him to lay aside thoughts of war, and be content
with Claudius's promise ; representing to him at the same time,
that it was no disgrace to be subject to the Romans, who en-
joyed the empire of the whole world. By these and many
other arguments he was prevailed upon to hearken to their
advice, and make his submission to Caesar. After which
<:b.15.] OKKNET ISLAI0>8. 151
Claudius sent to Borne for his daughter, and then, with the
assistance of Arviragus, reduced the Orkney and the provin-
cial islands to his power.*
CsAP. XV. — ClauMua gives his daughter Oenmssafor a w^e to Arvira-
gus^ and returns to Rome,
As soon as the winter was over, those that were sent for
Claudius's daughter returned with her, and presented her to
her father. The damsel's name was Genuissa, and so great
was her beauty, that it raised the admiration of all that saw
her. After her marriage with the king, she gained so great
an ascendant over his affections, that he in a manner valued
nothing but her alone : insomuch that he was desirous to
have the place honoured where the nuptials were solenmized,
and moved Claudius to build a city upon it, for a monument
* Qaudias nerer was in Orkney; he spent only nzteen days altogether
in Britain. Of certain sacred isles in the neighbourhood of Britain, Plu-
tsrch gives the following account, showing how little the Greeks knew of
Britain eighty years after the reign of Qauoius :
^ A short time before CallisfratuB celebrated the Pythian games, two holy
men fiam the opposite parts of the habitable earth came to us at Delphos,
Demetrius the grammarian from Britain, returning home to Tarsus, and
Cleombrotus the Lacedaemonian. • « . . But Demetrius said, that there are
many desort islands scattered around Britain, some of which have the name
of being the islands of genii and heroes : that he had been sent by the
emperor, for the sake of describing and viewing them, to that which lay
nearest to the desert isles, and whidi had but few inhabitants ; all of whom
were esteemed by the Britons sacred and inviolable. Very soon after his
arrival there was great turbulence in the air, and many portentous storms ;
the winds became tempestuous, and fienr whirlwinds rushed forth. When
these ceased, the islanders said that the departure of some one of the
superior genii had taken place. For as a light when burning, say they, has
nothing disagreeable, but when eactinguished is offensive to many ; so like-
wise lofty spirits afford an illumination benignant and mild, but their ex-
tinction and destruction frequently, as at the present momen^ excite winds
and storms, and often infect the atmosphere with pestilential evils. More-
over, that there was one island there, wherein Saturn was confined by
Briareus in sleep : for that sleep had been devised for his bonds ; and that
around him were many genii as his companions and attendants.
** Asdepiades asserts, that after their thirtieth year the Ethiopians, beng
scorched by the sun, quickly grow old, in consequence of their bodies being
overiieated ; whereas in Britain they advance to an hundred and twen^
years, in consequence of the coldness of the 'place and their retaining
within themselves the vital heat : for the bodies of the Ethiopians are more
slender from their being relaxed by the sun, whereas the inhabitants of the
north are thick set in thar persons, and on this account longer lived."
IS'J GEOFFREY 8 BBmSH HXSTOBT. [book it.
to posterity of so great and happj a marriage. Claudius
consented to it, and commanded a citj to be built, which after
his name is called Eaerglou, that is Gloucester, to this daj,
and is situated on the confines of Dimetia and Loegria, upon
the banks of the Severn. But some say that it derived its
name from Duke Gloius, a son that was bom to Claudius
there, and to whom, after the death of Arviragus, fell the
dukedom of Dimetia^ The city being finished, and the island
now enjoying peace, Claudius returned to Rome, leaving to
Arviragus the government of the British islands. At the
same time the apostle Peter founded the Church of Antioch ;
and afterwards coming to Rome, was bishop there, and sent
Mark, the evangelist, into Egypt to preach the gospel which
he had written.
Chap. XVI. — Arviroffut revoking from the Romans^ Veapaskm ie eeni
into Britain,
After the departure of Claudius, Arviragus began to show
his wisdom and courage, to rebuild cities and towns, and to
exercise so great authority over his own people, that he be-
came a terror to the kings of remote countries. But this so
elevated him with pride that he despised the Roman power,
disdained any longer subjection to the senate, and assumed
to himself the sole authority in every thing. Upon this news
Vespasian was sent by Claudius to procure a reconciliation
with Arviragus, or to reduce him to the sul^ection of the
Romans. When, therefore, Vespasian arrived at the haven
of Rutupi,* Arviragus met him, and prevented his entering
the port. For he brought so great an army along with him,
that the Romans, for fear of Ins falling upon them, durst not
come ashore. Vespasian upon this withdrew from that port,
and shifting his saib arrived at the shore of Totness. As
soon as he was landed, he marched directly to besiege Kaer-
penhuelgoit, now Exeter; and after lying before it seven
days, was overtaken by Arviragus and his ailny, who gave
him battle. That day great destruction was made in both
armies, but neither got the victory. The next morning, by
the mediation of queen Grenuissa, the two leaders were made
friends, and sent their men over to Ireland. As soon as
winter was over, Vespasian returned to Rome, but Arvi*
* Richborougb.
Of. 17.] lCABn7S OONQUXBS BODBia 158
ragus continued still in Britain. Afterwards, when he grew
old, he began to show much respect to the senate, and to
govern his kingdom in peace and tranquillity. He confirmed
the old laws of his ancestors, and enacted some new ones,
and made very ample presents to all persons of merit. So
that his fame spread over all Europe, and he was both loved
and feared by the Romans, and became the subject of their
discourse more than any king in his time. Hence Juvenal
relates how a certain bUnd man, speaking of a turbot that
was taken, said : —
" Begem aliquem capies, aut de temone Biitanno
Deddet Aryiragiu."*
AiriiaguB shall from his chariot fidl,
Or thee his lord some captire king liiall call.
In war none was more fierce than he, in peace none more
mild, none more pleasing, or in his presents more magnificent.
When he had finished his course of life, he was buried at
Gloucester, in a certain temple which he had built and
dedicated to the honour of Claudius.f
Cha.p. XYII. — Rodrio, leader qf the Picts, it vanquished by Maritu.
His son Marius, a man of admirable prudence and wisdom,
succeeded him in the kingdom. In his reign a certain king
of the Ficts, named Rodric, came from Scythia with a great
fieet, and arrived in the north part of Britain, which is called
Albania, and began to ravage that country. Marius there-
fore raising an army went in quest of him, and killed him in
battle, and gained the victory ; for a monument of which he
set up a stone in the province, which from his name was
afterwards called Westmoreland, where there is an inscription
retaining his memory to this day. He gave the conquered
people that came with Rodric liberty to inhabit that part
of Albania which is called Caithness, that had been a long
time desert and uncultivated. And as they had no wives,
• Juven. Sati it* 26.
+ Although this narrative of the reign of Arviragus is purely imagina-
tive, yet it is not impossible that Gloucester may have been a station
founded by Claudius, and hence called Claudii Castrum, or Caer Glau.
154 GEOFFSET's BHinSH HISTOBT. [book it.
they desired to have the daughters and kinswomen of the
Britons. But the Britons revised, disdaining to unite with
such a people. Having suffered a repulse here, they sailed
over into Lreland, and married the women of that country,
and by their offspring increased their number. But let thus
much suffice concerning them, since I do not propose to write
the history of this people, or of the Scots, who derived their
original from them and the Irish. Marius, after he had
settled the island in perfect peace, began to love the Roman
people, paying the tribute that was demanded of him ; and
in imitation of his father's example practised justice, law,
peace, and every thing that was honourable in his kingdom.
Chap. XYIII. — Mariut djfing, is succeeded by Cknttus,
As soon as he had ended his days, his son Coillus took upon
him the government of the kingdom. He had been brought
up from his infancy at Rome, and having been taught the
Roman manners, had contracted a most strict amity with
them. He likewise paid them tribute, and declined making
them any opposition, because he saw the whole world subject
to them, and that no town or country was out of the limits
of their power. By paying therefore what was required
of him, he ei^joyed his kingdom in peace : and no king ever
showed greater respect to his nobility, not only permitting
them to enjoy their own with quiet, but also binding them to
him by his continual bounty and munificence.
Chap. XIX. — Lucius is the first BriHsh Hng that embraces the Christian
faith, together with his people.
CoiLLUS had but one son, named Lucius, who, obtaining the
crown after his father's decease, imitated all his acts of good-
ness, and seemed to his people to be no other than CoiUus
himself revived. As he had made so good a beginning, he
was willing to make a better end : for which purpose he sent
letters to pope Eleutherius, desiring to be instructed by him
in the Christian religion. For the miracles which "Christ's
disciples performed in several nations wrought a conviction
in his mind ; so that being inflamed with an ardent love of
the true faith, he obtained the accomplishment of his pious
request. For that holy pope, upon receipt of this devout
c&19,a0.] LUCIUS EMBRACES CHBISTIAMITT. 155
petition^ sent to him two most religious doctors, Faganus
and Duvanus, who, after thej Iiad preached concerning the
incarnation of the Word of God, administered baptism to
him, and made him a proselyte to the Christian faith.
Immediately upon this, people from all countries, assembling
together, followed the king's example, and being washed in
the same holy laver, were made partakers of the kingdom of
heaven. The holy doctors, after they had almost extinguished
paganism over the wholo island, dedicated the temples, that
had been founded in honour of many gods, to the one only
Grod and his saints, and filled them with congregations
of Christians. There were then in Britain eight and twenty
flamens, as also three archfiamens, to whose jurisdiction the
other judges and enthusiasts were subject. These also,
according to the apostolic command, they delivered from
idolatry, and where they were fiamens made them bishops,
where archfiamens, archbishops. The seats of the arch-
fiamens were at the three noblest cities, viz. London,* York,
and the City of Legions, which its old walls and buildings
show to have been situated upon the river Uske in Glamor-
ganshire. To these three, now purified from superstition,
were made subject twenty-eight bishops, with their dioceses.
To the metropolitan of York were subject Deira and Albania,
which the great river Humber divides from Lo^ria. To the
metropolitan of London were subject Loegria and Cornwall.
These two provinces the Severn divides from Kambria or
Wales, which was subject to the City of Legions.
Chap. XX. — Faganut and Duvanus give an aceouni at Rome^ of what
they had done in JBritam,
At last, when they had made an entire reformation here, the
two prelates returned to Rome, and desired the pope to
confinn what they had done. As soon as they had obtained
a confirmation, they returned again to Britain, accompanied
with many others, by whose doctrine the British nation was
in a short time strengthened in the faith. Their names and
acts are recorded in a book which Gildas wrote concerning
* This fabulous story of the flamens and archflamens, and of the sub*
stitutiott of bishops and archbi8ho|)s in their places, led, in later years, to
ierious disputes between the bishops of Canterbury, York, and London.
156 GEOFFBET OF MOMMOUTH. [bookt.cb.L
the victorj of Aurelius Ambrosius ; and what is deliyered
in so bright a treatise^ needs not to be repeated here in a
meaner style.*
BOOK V.
Chap. I. — Lueius die» taithout iuue, and is a betuifaetor to the ehurohet.
In the meantime, the glorious king Lucius highly rejoiced
at the great progress which the true faith and worship had
made in his kingdom, and permitted the possessions and
territories which formerly belonged to the temples of the
gods, to be converted to a better use, and appropriated to
Christian churches. And because a greater honour was due
to them than to the others, he made large additions of lands
and manor-houses, and all kinds of privileges to them.
Amidst these and other acts of his great piety, he departed
this life in the city of Gloucester, and was honourably buried
in the cathedral church, in the hundred and fifty-sixth year
after our Lord's incarnation. He had no issue to succeed
him, so that after his decease there arose a dissension
among the Britons, and the Roman power was much
weakened.
Chap. II. — Severus, a senator, subdues part qf BriUnn : his war with
Fuigenius.
When this news was brought to Rome, the senate despatched
Severus, a senator, with two legions, to reduce the country
to subjection. As soon as he was arrived, he came to a
battle with the Britons, part of whom he obliged to submit
to him, and the other part which he could not subdue he
endeavoured to distress in several cruel engagements, and
forced them to fiy beyond Deira into Albania. Notwithstand-
ing which they opposed him with all their might under the
* This treatue has not been presenred, and most probably nerer was
written. The only information which has come down to us about king
Lucius, at all likely to be of an authentic character, is a brief notice of him
in Bede's Ecclesiastical History, p. 10..
A.i».a)7.j DBATH OF SEVBKUS. 157
conduct of Fulgenius, and often made great slangliter both
at their own countrymen and of the Bomans. For Fulgenius,
brought to his assistance all the people of the islands that he
could find, and so frequently gained the victory. The empe-
ror, not being able to resist the irruptions which he made,
commanded a wall to be built between Deira and Albania, to
hinder his excursions upon them ; they accordingly made
one at the common charge from sea to sea, which for a long
time hindered the approach of the enemy. But Fulgenius,
when he was unable to make any longer resistance, made a
voyage into Scythia, to desire the assistance of the Picts
towards his restoration. And when he had got together all
the forces of that country, he returned with a great fleet into
Britain, and besieged York. Upon this news being spread
through the country, the greatest part of the Britons deserted
Severus, and went over to Fulgenius. However this did not
make Severus desist firom his enterprise : but calling together
the Romans, and the rest of the Britons that adhered to him,
he marched to the siege, and fought with Fulgenius ; but the
engagement proving very sharp, he was killed with many of
his followers : Fulgenius also was mortally wounded. After-
wards Severus was buried at York, which city was taken by
his legions.* He left two sons, Bassianus and Geta, whereof
* The following is an extract from the true account of the expedition of
SeTerus into Britain taken from Herodian :
*^ [Severus] received letters from the prsefect of Britain relating that the
barbaiians there were in a state of insurrection, overrunning the country,
driving off bootj, and laying every thing waste ; so that for the defence of
the island there was need either of greater force, or of the presence of the
emperor himself. Severus heard this with pleasure, by nature a lover of
glory, and anxious, after his victories in the east and north and his conse-
quent titles, to obtain a trophy from the Britons : moreover, willing to
withdraw his sons from Rome, that they might grow up in the discipline and
sobriety of a military life, far removed from the blandishments and luxury
prevsdent in Home, he orders an expedition against Britain, although now old
and labouring under an arthritic affection ; but as to his mind, he was vigo-
luus beyond any youth. For the most part he performed the march carried
in a litter, nor did he ever continue long in one place. Having completed
the journey with his sons, and crossed over the sea more quickly than could
be described or expected, he advanced against the Britons, and having
drawn together his soldiers from all sides, and concentrated a vast force, he
prepared for the war.
^ The Britons, much struck with the sudden arrival of the emperor, and
learning that such a mighty force was collected against them, sent ambas-
1 58 GEOFFBEy's BBinSH mSTOBT. Lbook r. ch. S.
Greta had a Boman for his mother, but Bassianns* a Briton.
Therefore upon the death of their father the Romans made
Geta king, favouring him on account of his being a Roman
bj both his parents : but the Britons rejected him, and
advanced Bassianus, as being their countryman bj his
mother's side. This proved the occasion of a battle between
the two brothers, in which Greta was killed ; and so Bassi-
anus obtained the sovereignty.
Chap. III. — Caratuitu advanced to he king ofBHUun*
At that time there was in Britain one Carausius, a young
man of mean birth, who, having given proof of his bravery
Badon, Bued for peace, and were willing to excuae their past transgressions.
But Sererus, purposely seeking delay that he might not again return to
Rome without his object, and, moreover, desirous to obtain from Britain
a victory and a title, sent away their ambassadors without effecting
their purpose, and prepared all thmgs for the contest. He more espe-
cially endeavoured to render the marshy places stable by means of
causeways, that his soldiers, treading with safety, might easily pass them,
and, having firm footing, fight to advantage. For manyparts of the British
country, being constantiy flooded by the tides of the ocean, become marshy.
In these the natives are accustomed to swim and traverse about being im-
mersed as high as their waists : for going naked as to the greater psut of
their bodies, they contemn the mud. Indeed they know not the use of
dothing, but encircle their loins and necks with iron ; deeming this am
ornament and an evidence of opulence, in like manner as other heurbarians
esteem gold. But they puncture their bodies with pictured forms of every
sort of animals ; on which account they wear no clothing, lest they should
hide the figures on their body. They are a most warlike and sanguinary
race, carrying only a small shield and a spear, and a sword girded to their
naked bodies. Of a breast-plate or an helmet they know not the use^,
esteeming them an impediment to their progress through the marshes ;
from the vapours and exhalations of which the atmosphere in that country
always appears dense.
« Against such things, therefore, Sevems prepared whatever could be
serviceable to the Roman army, but hurtful and detrimental to the designs
of the barbarians. And when every thing appeared to him sufficiently
arranged for the war, leaving his youngar son, named Greta, in that part of
the idand which was subjugated to the Romans, for the purpose of adminia-
tering justice and directing other civil matters of the government, giving him
as assessors the more aged of his friends ; and taking Antoninus with hhn-
self, he led the way against the barbarians. His army having passed be-
yond the rivers and fortresses which defended the Roman temtory, there
were fitnuent attacks and skirmishes and retreats on the side of the barba-
rians. To these, mdeed, flight was an easy matter, and they lay hidden
in the thickets and marshes through their load knowledge ; all which things
bttng adverse to the Romans, served to protract the war."
* Otherwise called Caracalla.
▲J>. 893.] GABAUSIUS, KING OF BBITADr. 159
in many engagements, went to Rome, and solicited the
senate for leave to defend with a fleet the maritime coasts of
Britain, from the incursions of barbarians ; which if thej
would grant him, he promised to do more for the honour and
service of the commonwealth, than bj delivering up to them
the kingdom of Britain. The senate, deluded bj his specious
promises, granted him his request, and so, with his commis-
sion sealed, he returned to Britain. Then bj wicked prac-
tices getting a fleet together, he enlisted into his service a
body of the bravest youths, and putting out to sea, sailed
round the whole kin^om, causing very great disturbance
among the people. In the meantime he invaded the adjacent
islands, where he destroyed all before him, countries, cities,
and towns, and plundered the inhabitants of all they had.
By this conduct he encouraged all manner of dissolute fellows
• to flock to him in hope of plunder, and in a very short time
was attended by an army wHch no neighbouring prince was
able to oppose. This made him begin to swell with pride,
and to propose to the Britons, that they should make him
their king ; for which consideration he promised to kill and
banish the Romans, and free the whole island from the inva-
sions of barbarous nations. Accordingly obtaining his re-
quest, he fell upon Bassianus and killed him, and then took
upon him the government of the kingdom. For Bassianus
was betrayed by the Picts, whom Fulgenius his mother's
brother had brought with him into Britain, and who being
corrupted by the promises and presents of Carausius, instead
of assisting Bassianus, deserted him in the very battle, and
fell upon his men ; so that the rest were put into a consterna-
tion, and not knowing their friends from their foes, quickly
gave ground, and left the victory to Carausius. Then he, to
reward the Picts for this success, gave them a habitation
in Albania, where they continued afterwards mixed with
the Britons.
Chap. IY. — AHeettu kills Caratuius, but i$ afterwards himself slain in
/light by Asclepiodotus,
When the news of these proceedings of Carausius arrived
at Home, the senate commissioned* AUectus, with three
* Roman history must have been very little known in England, when
such a statement a» this could be put forth as true. Eutropius [ix. 2*2]
160 OEOFFBEt's BBTTISH HISTOBT. L«ook t. cr. 4.
legions, to kill the tTrant, and restore the kingdom of Britain
to the Boman power. No sooner was he arrived, than he
fought with Carausius, killed him, and took upon himself the
government. After which he miserably oppressed the
Britons, for having deserted the commonwealth, and adhered
to Carausius. But the Britons, not enduring this, advanced
Asclepiodotus, duke of Cornwall, to be their king, and then
unanimously marched against Allectus, and challenged him
to battle. He was then at London, celebrating a feast to his
tutelary gods ; but being informed of the coming of Ascle-
piodotus, he quitted the sacrifice, and went out with all his
forces to meet him, and engaged with him in a sharp fight
But Asclepiodotus had the advantage, and dispersed and put
to flight Allectus's troops, and in the pursuit killed many
thousands, as also king Allectus himself. After this victory,
Livius Gallus, the colleague of Allectus, assembled the rest
of the Romans, shut the gates of the city, and placed his men
in the towers and other fortifications, thinking by these
means either to make a stand against Asclepiodotus, or at
least to avoid imminent death. But Asclepiodotus seeing
this laid .siege to the city, and sent word to all the dukes of
Britain, that he had killed Allectus with a great number of
his men, and was besieging Gallus and the rest of the Romans
in London ; and therefore earnestly entreated them to hasten
to his assistance, representing to them withal, how easy it
was to extirpate the whole race of the Romans out of Britain,
provided they would all join their forces against the besieged.
At this summons came the Dimetians, Venedotians, Deirans,
Albanians, and all others of the British race. And as soon
as they appeared before the duke, he commanded vast num-
bers of engines to be made, to beat down the walls of the
city. Accordingly every one readily executed his orders
with great bravery, and made a violent assault upon the city,
the walls of which were in a very short time battered down,
and a passage made into it. After these preparations, they
began a bloody assault upon the Romans, who, seeing their
fellow soldiers falling before them without intermission, per-
suaded Gallus to offer a surrender on the terms of having
quarter granted them, and leave to depart : for they were
says " Carausius, after seven years, was murdered by his companion Allec-
tus, who after him held the government three years longer.''
A.O1903.J DIOCLETIAN l^E^iftCtTTlOk. 16^
how all killed except one legion, which still held oat. Galloi
consented to the proposal, and accordingly surrendered hin^
Self and his men to Asclepiodotus, who was disposed to give
than quiart^ ; bi}t he was prevented by a body of Venedo^
tians, who rushed upon them, and the Same day tut off all
Iheir heads up^n a brook within the city, which from the
name of the commander was afterwards called in the British
tongue Nautgallikn, tod in the Saxon Galleknboum'e.
Chap. V. — Aiclepiodoiut obtain$ the erown. IHocieiian^a mastacre (/ the
Chrutkau in Britain,
The Romlns being thus defeated, Ascle|)iodotus,* with the
dbnsent of the pe<^le, pladed the crown upon his own head,
and governed the country in justice and peace ten years, and
curbed the insolence and outrag'es committed by plunderers
and libbers. In his days b^an the persecution of the emp&-
TOT Diocletian ; and ChristiLity, wUch from the time%f
king Lucius had continued fixed and undisturbed, was almost
abolished over the whole island. This wis principally owing
to MaXimianus Herculius, general of that tyrant's army, by
whose command all the churches were pulled down, and all
the copies of the Holy Scriptureis that cotdd be founds
Were burned in the public markets. The priests, also, with
the believers under their care, were put to death, and with
emulation pressed in crowds together for a speedy passage to
the joys of heaven, as their proper dwelling place. God
therefore magnified his goodness to us, forasmuch as he did,
in that time of persecution, of his mere grace^ light up the
bright lamps of the holy martyrs;^ to prevent the spreading of
gross darkness over the people of Britain ; whose sepulchres
and places of suffering might have been a means of inflaming
our minds with the greatest fervency of divine love, had not
the deplorable impiety of barbarians deprived us of them;
Among others of both sexed Who continued firm in the army
of Christ, and suffered^ were Alban of Yerulam, and Julius
and Aaron, both of the City of Legions. Of these, Alban,
out of the fervour of his charity, when his confessor, Amphi<^
* Asclepiodotus is hardly mentioned in the authentic history of this
period; He was prsefectus prsetorio under Constantius Chlorud, who wail
the general that really recovered Britain from AUectua.
M
162 6£OFFBBY*S BBITISB HISTOirr. [■ookt.cii.&
balus^ was pursued by the persecutors^ and just ready to be
apprehended, first hid him in his house, and then offered
himself to die for him ; imitating in this Christ himself who
laid down his life for his sheep. The other two, after being
torn Hmb from Umb, in a manner unheard of^ received the
crown of martyrdom, and were elevated up to the gates of
the heavenly Jerusalem,
Chap. YI. — An iruurreetion agaiiut Aadepiodohu, hy Coelf whoae
daugkier Helena Conttantiut marries
Is the meantime Coel,* duke of Kaercolvin or Colchester,
made an insurrection against king Asclepiodotus, and in a
pitched battle killed him, and took possession of his crown.
The senate, hearing this, rejoiced at the king's death, who
had given such disturbance to the Boman power : and reflect-
ing on the damage which they had sustained by the loss oi
tlna kingdom, they sent Constantius the senator, a man oi
prudence and courage, who had reduced Spain under their
subjection, and who was above all the rest industrious to
promote the good of the commonwealth. Coel, having in-
formation of his coming, was afraid to engage him in battle,
on account of a report, that no king was able to stand before
him. Therefore, as soon as Constantius was arrived at the
island, Coel sent ambassadors to him with offers of peace and
submission, on condition that he should enjoy the kingdom
of Britain, and pay no more than the usual tribute to the
Boman state. Constantius consented to this proposal, and so^'
upon their giving hostages, peace was confirmed between
them. The month after Coel was seized with a very great
sickness, of which he died within eight days. After his
decease, Constantius himself was crowned, and married the
daughter of Coel, whose name was Helena. She surpassed
all the ladies of the country in beauty, as she did all others
of the time in her skill in music and the liberal arts. Her
father had no other issue to succeed him on the throne ; for
which reason he was very careful about her education, that
she might be better qualified to govern the kingdom. Con-
stantius, therefore, having made her partner of his bed, had
* This king seems to be the same as the hero of the old popular ditty,
^ Old king Coel was a merry old soul/' &c.
A.0.312.] CIOXSTAin:iNB BBDUGBS BOMK. 163
B son by her called Constantine.* After eleven years were
expired, he died at York, and bestowed the kingdom upon
his son, who, within a few years aflter he was raised to this
dignity, began to give proofs of heroic virtue, undaunted
courage, and strict observance of justice towards his people.
He put a stop to the depredations of robbers, suppressed the
insolence of tyrants, and endeavoured everywhere to restore
peace.
Chap. YLl.-^The Romans denre ConstafUine's assUtance againtt tht
cruelty of Maxentiut*
At that time there was a tyrant at Borne, named Maxentius, f
who made it his endeavour to confiscate the estates of all the
best of the nobility, and oppressed the commonwealth with
his grievous tyranny. Wlnlst he, therefore, was proceeding
in his cruelty, those that were banished fled to Constantine
in Britain, and were honourably entertained by him. At
last, when a great many such had resorted to him, they
endeavoured to raise in him an abhorrence of the tyrant,
and frequently expostulated with him after this manner : —
"How long, C!onstantine, will you suffer our distress and
banishment ? Why do you delay to restore us to our native
country ? You are the only person of our nation that can
restore to us what we have lost, by driving out Maxentius.
For what prince is to be compared with the king of Britain,
either for brave and gallant soldiers, or for large treasures ?
We entreat you to restore us to our estates, wives, and
children, by conducting us with an army to Bome.**
Chap. VIII. — CkmstarUine, having reduced RomCf obtains the empire of
the world. Ootatfius, duke of the WisseanSf is put to flight by
Trahem,
Constantine, moved with these and the like speeches, made
an expedition to Rome, and reduced it under his power, and
afterwards obtained the empire of the whole world. In this
expedition he carried along with him three uncles of Helena,
viz. Leolin, Trahem, and Marius, and advanced them to the
• Constantine was bom long before Constantius Chlorus went to Britain.
See the Roman Historians.
f Maxentius was son of Mazimian who abdicated. The skeleton of this
part of the history is taken from the authentic writers ; but the details are
entirely fictitious.
M 2
l64 G^EOFFBET^S BRITISH HlSTOBt. [iooK ▼. ch. 8, 9.
degree of senators. In the meantime Octavius, duke of tli€$
Wisseans, rebelled against the Roman proconsuls, to whom
the government of the island had been committed, and having
killed them, took possession of the throne. Constantine, upon
information of this, sent Trahem, the uncle of Helena, with
three legions to reduce the island. Trahem came to shore
near the city, which in thei British tongue is called Kaerperis^
and having assailed it, took it in two days. This news
spreading over the whole country, king Octavius assembled
ail the forces of the land, and went to meet him not far from
Winchester, in a field called in the British tongue Maisuriam,
where he engaged with him in battle, and routed him^
Trahem, upon this loss, betook himself with his broken
forces to his ships, and in them made a voyage to Albania,
in the provinces of which he made great destruction. When
Octavius received intelligence of this, he followed him with
his forces, and encountered him in Westmoreland, but fled,
having lost the victory. On the other hand, Trahem, when
he found the day was his own, pursued Octavius, nor ever
suffered him to be at rest till he had dispossessed him both
of his cities and crown. Octavius, in great grief for the loss
of his kingdom, went with his fleet to Norway, to obtain
assistance from king Grombdrt. In the meantime he had
given orders to his most intimate adherents to watch
carefully all opportunities of killing Trahem, which
accordingly was not long after done by the magistrate
of a certain privileged town, who had a more than
ordinary love for him. For as Trahern was one day
upon a journey from London, he lay hid with a hundred
men in the vale of a wood, through which he was to pass,
and there fell upon him unawares, and killed him in the
midst of his men. This news being brought to Octavius, he
returned back to Britain, where he dispersed the Romans,
and recovered the throne. In a short time after this, he
arrived to such greatness and wealth that he feared nobody,
and possessed the kingdom until the reign of Gratian and
Valentiniaui
Chap. IX. — Miutimian is desired for a king cf Briimn,
• At last, in his old age^ being willing to settle the govern*
ment, he asked his council which of his family they desired
4.i>.381r] GABADOOy DUKE OF OOBNWAIX. 165
to have for their king after his decease. For he had no son,
and only one daughter, to whom he could leave the crown.
Some, therefore, advised him to bestow his daughter with
the kingdom upon some noble Boman, to the end that thej
plight einoj a firmer peace. Others were of opinion that
Conan Meriadoc, his nephew? ought to be preferred to the
throne, and the daughter married to some prince of another
kingdom with a dowry in money. While these things were
in agitation among them, there came Caradoc, duke of
Cornwall, and gave his advice to invite over Mazimian * the
senator, and to bestow the lady with the kingdom upon him,
which would be a ineans of securing to them a lasting peace.
For his father Leolin, the uncle of Constantine, whom we
mentioned before, was a Briton, but by his mother and place
of birth he was a Roman, and by both parents he was
descended of royal blood. And there was a sure prospect
of a firm and secure peace under him, on account of the right
which he had to Britain by his descent from the emperors,
and also from the British blood. But the duke of Cornwall,
by delivering this advice, brought upon himself the d\s^
pleasure of Conan, the king's nephew, who was very
ambitious of succeeding to the kingdom, and put the
whole court into confusion about it. However, Caradoc,
being unwilling to recede from his proposal, sent his son
Mauricius to Rome to acquaint Makimian with what had
passed, Mauricius was a person of large and well-propor-
tioned stature, as well as great courage and boldness, and
could not beafr to h^ve his judgment contradicted without a
recourse tp arms and duelling. On presenting himself before
Maximian, he met with a reception suitable to his quality,
and had the greatest honours paid him of any that were
about him. There happened to be at that time a great
contest between Mazimian and the two emperors, Gratian
and Yalentinian, on account of his being refused the third
part of the empire, which he demanded. When, therefore,
Mauricius saw Maximian ill-treated by the emperors, he took
occasion from thence to address him in this manner : ** Why
need you, Maximian, stand in fear of Gratian, when you have
so fair an opportunity of wresting the empire from him ?
Come with me into Britain, and you shall take possession
* MaximuB is the coirect name of this usurper.
166 geoffiust's bbitish histobt. [BooKT.&ia
of that crown. For king Octavius, being now grown old
and infirm, desires nothing more than to find some such
proper person, to bestow his kingdom and daughter upon.
He has no male issue, and therefore has asked the advice
of his nobility, to whom he should many his daughter with
the kingdom ; and thej to his satisfaction have past a decree,
that the kingdom and lady be given to you, and have sent
me to acquaint you with it. So that if you go with me, and
accomplish this affair, you may with the treasure and forces
of Britain be able to return back to Rome, drive out the
emperors, and gain the empire to yourself. For in this
manner did your kinsman Constantius, and several others
of our kings who raised themselves to the empire."
Chap. X. — Meunmian, coming into Britain, artfully declines fighting
with Conan,
Maximian was pleased with the offer, and took his journey
to Britain ; but in his way subdued the cities of the Franks^
by which he amassed a great treasure of gold and silver, and
raised men for his service in all parts. Afterwards he set
sail with a fair wind, and arrived at Hamo's Fort ; the news
of which struck the king with fear and astonishment, who
took this to be a hostile invasion. Whereupon he called to
him his nephew Conan, and commanded him to raise all the
forces of the kingdom, and go to meet the enemy. Conan,
having made the necessary preparations, marched accordingly
to Hamo's Port, where Maximian had pitched his tents ;
who, upon seeing the approach of so numerous an army,
was under the greatest perplexities what course to take.
For as he was attended with a smaller body of men, and had
no hopes of being entertained peaceably, he dreaded both the
number and courage of the enemy. Under these difficulties
he called a council of the oldest men, together with Mauridus,
to ask their advice what was to be done at this critical junc-
ture. '' It is not for us," said Mauricius, " to hazard a battle
with such a numerous and powerful army : neither was the
reduction of Britain by arms the end of our coming. Our
business must be to desire peace and a hospitable treatment,
till we can learn the king's mind. Let us say that we are sent
by the emperors upon an embassy to Octavius, and let us
with artful speeches pacify the people." When all had shown
A.D. 383] MAXTMTAN, UStTRPEB. 167
themselTes pleased with this advice, he took with him twelve
aged men with grey hairs, eminent beyond the rest for their
qualitj and wisdom, and bearing olive-branches in their right
hands, and went to meet Conan. The Britons, seeing they
were men of a venerable age, and that they bore olive-
branches as a token of peace, rose up before them in a
respectful manner, and opened a way for their free access
to their commander. Then presenting themselves before
Conan Meriadoc, they saluted him in the name of the
emperors and the senate, and told him, that Maximian
was sent to Octavius upon an embassy from Gratian and
Yalentinian. Conan made answer : '^ Why is he then
attended with so great a multitude? This does not look
like the appearance of ambassadors, but the invasion of
enemies." To which Mauricius replied : '^ It did not become
so great a man to appear abroad in a mean figure, or without
soldiers for his guard ; especially considering, that by reason
of the Roman power, and the actions of his ancestors, he is
become obnoxious to many kings. If he had but a small
retinue, he might have been killed by the enemies of the
commonwealth. He is come in peace, and it is peace which
he desires. For, from the time of our arrival, our behaviour
has been such as to give no offence to any body. We have
bought necessaries at our own expenses, as peaceable people
do, and have taken nothing from any by violence." While
Conan was in suspense, whether to give them peace, or
begin the battle, Caradoc, duke of Cornwall, with others
of the nobility, came to him, and dissuaded him from pro-
ceeding in the war after this representation ; whereupon,
though much against his will, he laid down his arms, and
granted them peace. Then he conducted Maximian to
London, where he gave the king an account of the whole
proceeding.
Chap. XI. — The kingdom of Britain ia bestowed on Maximian,
Caradoc, after this, taking along with him his son Mauri-
cius, commanded everybody to withdraw from the king's
presence, and then addressed him in these words : ^' Behold,
that which your more faithful and loyal subjects have long
wished for, is now by the good providence of Grod brought
about. You commanded your nobility to give their ad\icc^
168 GEOPFRET^ BRITISH HESTOBT. [mooM^r.cB.lX
how to dispoae of your daughter and kingdom, bs being will-?
ing to hold the goTemment no longer on accoont of your
great age. Some, therefore, wei*e for having the kingdom
delivered up to Conan jour nephew, and a suitable match
procured fc^ your daughter elsewhere 5 as. fearing the ruin
of our people, if any prince that is a strange to our Ian-?
guage should be set over us. Qthers were ibr granting the
kingdom to your daughter and some nobleman of our own
country, who should succeed you after your death. But the
greater number recommended some person descended of the
family of the emperors, on whom you should bestpw your
daughter and crown. For they promised themselves a finn
and lasting peace, as the consequence o£ such a marriage^
since they would be under the protection of the Bomaz^
state. See then ! Gk>d has vouchsafed to bring to you 1^
young man, who is both a Roman, and also of the royal
family of Britain ; and to whom, if you follow my advice^
you will not delay to marry your daughter. And indeed,,
should you refuse him, what right could you plead to the
crown of Britain against him ? For he is the cousin <^ Con-;
stantine, and the nephew of king Coel, whose daughter
Helena possessed the crown by ajx, undeniable hereditary
right." When Caradpc had represented these things to him,
Octavius acquiesced, and with the general consent of hisi
people bestowed the kingdom and his daughter upon him.
Conan Meriadoc, finding how things went,^ was beyond ex*
pression incensed, and, retiring into Albania, used all his^
interest to raise an army, that he might give disturbance to
Maximian. And when he had got a great body of men
together, he passed the Humber, and wa^ed the provinces
on each side of it. At the news whereof, Maximian
hastened to assemble his forces against him, and then gaye
him battle, and returned with victory. But this proved no
decisive blow to Conan, who with his re-aa^embled troops
still continued to ravage the provinces, and provoked Max-
imian to return again and renew the war, in which he had
various success, being sometimes victorious, sometimes der
feated. At last, after great damages done on both sides,,
they were brought by the mediation of friends to a recon-
ciliation.
A.o.Sa4.] CQKQTTEST OF ABMORICA. 169
Crap. XII. — Mtutkiiian aperthrowt the Arm&rie^nt: hit tpeeeh to
Conon,
Five years after this, Maximian, proud of the vast treasures
that dailj flowed in upon him, fitted out a great fleet, and
assembled together all the forces ii^ Britain^ For this king-
dom was now not sufficient for him ; he was ambitious of
adding Qaul also to it. With this view he set sail, and
arrived first at the kingdom of Armorica, now called Bre-
tagne, and began hostilities upon the Gallic people that
inhabited it. But the Gauls, i:^nder the command of Im-
baltus, met him, and engaged him in battle, in which the
greater part being in danger, they were forced to fly, and
leave Imbaltus with fifteen thousand men killed, all of them
Armoricans. This severe overthrow was matter of the
greatest joy to Maximian, who knew the reduction of that
country would be very easy, after the loss of so many men.
Upon this occasion he called Conan aside from the army,
and smiling said : — " See, "we have already conqi^ered one of
the best kingdoms in Gaul : we may now haye hopes of
gaining all the rest. Let us make haste to take the cities
and towns, before the rumour of their danger spread to the
remoter parts of Gaul, and raise all the people up in arms.
For if we can but get possession of this kingdom, I make no
doubt of reducing all Gaul under our power. Be not there-
fore ■ concerned that you have yielded up the island of
iptritain to me, notwithstanding the hopes you once had of
succeeding to it ; because whatever you have lost in it, I
will restore to you in this country. For my design is to
advance you to the throne of this kingdom ; and this shall
be another Britain, which we will people with oi^r own
countrymen, and drive out the old inhabitant. The land is
fruitful in corn, the rivers abound with fish, the woods
aflbrd a beautiful prospect, and the forests are everywhere
pleasant ; nor is there in my opinion anywhere a more de-
lightful country.** Upon this, Conan, with a submissive
bow, gave him his thanks, and promised to continue loy^ to
^im as lon^ as he liyed.,
170 GEOJmOET'g BBinSH mSTOSr. [booky.cb.13,14.
Cbap. Xlll^Redimvm taken, 69 Mc
After this they marched with their forces to Bedonnm,*
and took it the same daj. For the citizens, hearing of the
bravery of the Britons, and what slaughter thej had made,
fled awaj with haste, leaving their wives and children
behind them. And the rest c^ the cities and towns soon
followed th^ example ; so that there was an easy entrance
into them for the Britons, who wherever they entered killed
all they found left of the male sex, and spared only the
women. At last, when they had wholly extirpated the
inhabitants of all those provinces, they garrisoned the cities
and towns with British soldiers, and made fortifications in
several places. The fame of Maximian's exploits spreading
over the rest of the provinces of Graul, all their dukes and
princes were in a dreadful consternation, and had no other
hopes left but in their prayers to their gods. Maximian,
finding that he had struck terror into them, began to think
of still bolder attempts, and by profusely distributing pre-
sents, augmented his army. For all persons that he knew
to be eager for plunder, he enlisted into his service, and
by plentifully bestowing his money and other valuable things
among them, kept them firm to hiis interest.
Chap. XIV. — Maximian, after the conquest of GatU and Gertnany, makes
Triers the seat of his empire,
Bt these means he raised such a numerous army, as he
thought would be sufficient for the conquest of all Gaul.
Notwithstanding which he suspended his arms for a time,
till he had settled the kingdom which he had taken, and
peopled it with Britons. To this end he published a decree,
for the assembling together of a hundred thousand of the
common people of Britain, who were to come over to settle
in the country ; besides thirty thousand soldiers, to defend
them from hostile attack. As soon as the people were
arrived according to his orders, he distributed them through
all the countries of Armorica, and made another Britain of
it, and then bestowed it on Conan Meriadoc. But he him-
self, with the rest of his fellow soldiers, marched into the
* Rennet.
A.D. 385» 380.1 COKAN AND THB AQUITANIAKS* 171
further part of Gaul, which, after manj bloody battles, he
subdued, as he did also all Germanj, being everywhere
yictorious. But the seat of his empire he made at Triers,
and fell so furiously upon the two emperors, Gratian and
Yalentinian, that he killed the one, and forced the other to
flee from Borne.
Chap. XV. — A fight between the AquUaniant and Conan»
Is the meantime, the Gauls and Aquitanians gave disturb-
ance to Conan and the Armorican Britons, and harassed
them with their frequent incursions ; but he as often defeated
them, and bravely defended the country committed to him.
After he had entirely vanquished them, he had a mind to
bestow wives on Ids fellow soldiers, by whom they might
have issue to keep perpetual possession of the country ; and
to avoid aU mixture with the Gauls, he sent over to the
island of Britain for wives for them. In order to accom-
plish this, messengers were sent to recommend the manage-
ment of this affair to Dianotus, king of Cornwall, who had
succeeded his brother Caradoc in that kingdom. He was a
very noble and powerful prince, and to him Maximian had
committed the government, while he was employed in affairs
abroad. He had also a daughter of wonderful beauty,
named Ursida, with whom Conan was most passionately
in love.
Chap. XVI. — Guanius and Melga murder eleven thousand virgint. Mcuh
imian U killed at Rome,
Dianotus, upon this message sent him by Conan, was very
ready to execute his orders, and summoned together the
daughters of the nobility from all provinces, to the number
of eleven thousand ; but of the meaner sort, sixty thousand ;
and commanded them all to appear together in the city of
London. He likewise ordered ships to be brought from all
shores, for their transportation to their future husbands.
And though in so great a multitude many were pleased with
this order, yet it was displeasing to the greater part, who
had a greater affection for their relations and native country.
Nor, perhaps, were there wanting some who, preferring
virginity to the married state, would have rather lost their
1 72 GEOFFRET'9 BRITISH HISTOBT. [book 7. cm. 16.
lives in any oonntiy, tl^n enjoyed the greatest plenty in
wedlock. In short, most of them had views and wishes dif^
ferent fh>m one another, had they been left to their own
liberty. But now the ships being ready, they went or
board, and sailing down the Thames, made toward the sea.
At last, as they were steering towards the Ai™orican co^t,
contrary winds arose and dispersed the whole feet. In thi9
storm the greater part of the ships foundered; but the
women that escaped the danger of the sea, were driven upon
strange islands, and by a barbarous people either murdered
or made slaves, For tbey happened to fall into the hands of
the cruel army of Guanius and Melga, who, by the com-
mand of Gratian,* were making terrible destruction in Ger<!
many, and the nations on the sea^coast. Guanius was king
of the Hims, and Melga of the Picts, whom Gratian had
engaged in his party, and had sent him into Germany to
harass those of Maximian's party i^ong the sea-coasts,
While they were thus exercising their barbarous rage, they
happened tq light upon these yirgins, who had been driyeq
on those parts, and were so inflamed with their beauty, that
they courted them tp their brutish embraces ; which, when
the women would not submit to, the Ambrons fell upon
them, and without remorse murdered the greatest part of
them. This done, the two wicked leaders of the Picts and
Huns, Guanius and Melga, being the partizans of Gratian
and Yalentinian, when they had learned that the island of
Britain was drained of all its soldiers, made a speedy voyage
towards it ; and, taking into their assistance the people of
the adjacent islands, arrived in Albania. Then joining in a
body, they invaded the kingdom, which was left without
either government or defence, and made miserable destrucr
tion among the common people. For Maximian, as we have
already related, had carried away with him all the warlike
youth ths^t could be found, and had left behind him only the
husbandmen, who had Aeither sense nor arms, for the defence
of their country. Guanius and Melga, finding that they
were not able to make the le^t opposition, began to domineer
most insolently, and to lay waste their cities and countries,
as if they had only been pens of sheep. The news of this
* That i^ Gratian the ^mperpr^ ai^d turother of Yalentinian, not Gintiaii
Municep^
A.D. 407;] IJEATH OF 6RATIAN MITNIGEPS. 173
grievous calamity, coming to Maximian, he sent away Gra-
tian Municeps,* with two legions, to their assistance ; who,
as soon as they arrived, fought with the enemy, and after a
most bloody victory over them, forced them to fly over into
Ireland.^ In the meantime, Maximian waa killed at Home
by Gratian's friends jf and the Britons whom he had carried
with him were also slain or dispersed. Those of them that
could escape, went to their coimtrymen in Armorica, which
was now called the other Britain.
BOOK VL
Chap. 1. — Gratiaii, heirig advanced to the throne, is killed hy the common
people. The Britons desire the Romans to defend them against Gitanius
and Melga.
But Gratian Municeps,J hearing of the death of Maximian^
seized the crown, and made himself king. After this he
exercised such tyranny that the common people fell upon
him in a tumultuous manner, and murdered him. When
this news reached other countries, their former enemies re-
turned back from Ireland, and bringing with them the Scots,
Norwegians, and Dacians, made dreadful devastations with
fire and sword over the whole kingdom, from sea to sea.
Upon this most grievous calamity and oppression, ambassa-
dors are despatched with letters to Rome, to beseech, with
tears and vows of perpetual subjection, that a body of men
might be sent to revenge their injuries, and drive out the
enemy from them. The ambassadors in a short time pre-
vailed so far, that, unmindful of past injuries, the Romans
granted them one legion, which was transported in a fleet to
their country, and there speedily encountered the enemy;
* This Giatiaa was called Municeps, because he was a ddzen of Bri-
tain,
f Maximus was besieged in Aquileia, and slain by Theodosius, emperor
of the East, a.D. 388.
% There was also one Marcus at this time, whom the soldiers in Britaiil
Advanced to the sovereignty; but he was soou got rid of.
174 aSOFFBET's BBTTISH HISTOBt. [book ▼!. ca.S.
At last, after the slaughter of a vast multitude of them, thej
drove them entirely out of the countrj-, and rescued the
miserable people from their outrageous cruelty. Then thej
gave orders for a wall to be built between Albania and
Deira, from one sea to the other, for a terror to the enemy,
and safeguard to the country. At that time Albania was
wholly laid waste, by the frequent invasions of barbarous
nations ; and whatever enemies made an attempt upon the
country, met with a convenient landing-place there. So
that the inhabitants were diligent in working upon the
wall,* which they finished partly at the public, partly upon
private charge.
Chap. II. — ChielheUfCs speech to the Britont when the Romans left them.
The Romans, after this, declared to the Britons, that they
should not be able for the future to undergo the fatigue of
such laborious expeditions ; and that it was beneath the dig-
nity of the Roman state to harass so great and brave an
army, both by land and sea, against base and vagabond rob-
bers ; but that they ought to apply themselves to the use of
arms, and to fight bravely in defending to the utmost of their
power, their country, riches, wives, children, and, what is
dearer than all these, their liberty and lives. As soon as
they had given them this exhortation, they commanded aU
the men of the island that were fit for war, to appear
together at London, because the Romans were about to
return home. When, therefore, they were all assembled,
Guethelin, the metropolitan of London, had orders to make
a speech to them, which he did in these words : —
" Though I am appointed by the princes here present to
speak to you, I find myself rather ready to burst into tears,
than to make an eloquent oration. It is a most sensible
affliction to me to observe the weak and destitute state into
which you are fallen since Maximian drew away with him
all the forces and youth of this kingdom. You that were
left were people wholly inexperienced in war, and occupied
with other employments, as tilling the ground, and several
kinds of mechanical trades. So that when your enemies
* It was unnecessaiy for the Britons to build a wall, because there was
one built for Uiem by Severus 200 years before.
A-D. 40&J INCUBSIOKS OF GUANIUS AND MELGA. 176
&om foreign countries came upon you, as sheep wandering
without a shepherd, they forced you to quit your folds, till
the Roman power restored you to them again. Must your
hopes, therefore, always depend upon foreign assistance ?
And will you never use yourselves to handle arms against a
band of robbers, that are by no means stronger th^your-
selves, if you are not dispirited by sloth and cowardice ?
The Romans are now tired with the continual voyages
wherewith they are harassed to defend you against your
enemies: they rather choose to remit to you the tribute
you pay them, than undergo any longer this fatigue by land
and sea. Because you were only the common people at the
time when we had soldiers of our own, do you therefore
think that manhood has quite forsaken you ? Are not men
in the course of human generation often the reverse of one
another ? Is not a ploughman often the father of a soldier,
and a soldier of a ploughman ? Does not the same diversity
happen in a mechanic and a soldier ? Since then, in this
manner, one produces another, I cannot think it possible for
manhood to be lost among them. As then you are men, be-
have yourselves like men : call upon the name of Christ,
that he may inspire you with courage to defend your
liberties."
No sooner had he concluded his speech, than the people
raised such a shout, that one would have thought them on a
sudden inspired with courage from heaven.
Chap. III. — The Britont mre again cruellif haraued b^ QuaniuM and
Melga,
Afteb this the Romans encouraged the timorous people as
much as they could, and left them patterns of their arms.
They likewise commanded towers, having a prospect towards
the sea, to be placed at proper distances along all the south
coast, where their ships were, and from whence they feared
the invasions of the barbarians. But, according to the pro-
verb, '* It is easier to make a hawk of a kite^ than a scholar
of a ploughman ;" all learning to him is but as a pearl thrown
before swine. Thus, no sooner had the Romans taken their
farewell of them, than the two leaders, Guanius and Melga,
issued forth from their ships, in which they had fled over
into Ireland, and with their bands of Scots, Picts, Norwe-
176 aBOFFREY^S BBITIS^ HISTOBT. [book vi. ch. I.
gians, Dacians, and others, whom thej had brought alon^
with them, seized upon all Albania as far as the rery wall.
Understanding, likewise, that the Romans were gone, never
to return any more, thej now, in a more insolent manner
than before, began their devastations in the island. Here-
upon the country fellows upon the battlements of the walls
sat night and day with quaking hearts, not daring to stir
from their seats, and readier for flight than making the least
resistance. In the meantime the enemies ceased not with
their hooks to pull them do#n headlong, and dash the
wretched herd to pieces upon the ground ; who gained at
least this advantage by their speedy death, that they avoided
the sight of that most de{)lorable calamity, which forthwith
threatened their relations and dearest children. Such was
the terrible vengeance of Grod for that most wicked madness
of Maxiniian, in draining the kingdom of all its forces, who,
had they been present, would have repulsed any nation that
invaded them ; an evident proof of which they gave, by the
vast con<^uests they made abroad, even in remote countries ;
and also by maintaining their own country in peace, while
they continued here. But thus it happens when a country
is left to the defence of country clowns. In short, quitting
their high wall and their cities, the country people were forced
again to fly, and to sufler a more fatal dispersion, a more
furious pursuit of the enemy, a more cruel and more general
slaughter than before ; and like lambs before wolves, so was
that miserable people torn to pieces by the merciless barba^
nans. Again, therefore^ the wretched remainder send letters
to Agitius, a man of great power among the Romans, to this
effect. "To Agitiusj* thrice consul, the groans of the
Britons." And after some few other complaints they add :
"The sea drives us to the barbarians, and the barbarians
drive us back to the sea : thus are we tossed to and fro be-
tween two kinds of death, being either drowned or put to
the sword." Notwithstanding this most moving address,
they procured no relief, and the ambassadors returning bac^
in great heaviness, declared to their countrymen the repulse
which they had suffered.
• ^tius is the name of ihis general in tht claadc writers;
▲.0.408] ALDBOEN, KING OF ABUORICA. 177
Chap. IY. — Guethelin desires succours qfAldroeu,
Hereupon, after a consultation together, Guethelin, arch-
bishop of London, passed oyer into Lesser Britain, called then
Armorica, or Letayia, to desire assistance of their brethren.
At that time Aldroen reigned there, being the fourth king
from Conan, to whom, as has been akeady related, Maximian
had given that kingdom. This prince, seeing a prelate of so
great dignity arrive, received him with honour, and inquired
after the occasion of his coming. To whom Guethelin : —
" Your majesty can be no stranger to the misery which we,
your Britons, have suffered (which may even demand your
tears), since the time that Maximian drained our island of
its soldiers, to people the kingdom which you enjoy, and
which Gk>d grant you may long enjoy in peace. For against
us the poor remains of the British race, all the people of the
adjacent islands, have risen up, and made an utter devasta-
tion in our country, which then abounded with all kinds of
riches ; so that the people now are wholly destitute of aU
manner of sustenance, but what they can get in hunting.
Nor had we any power or knowledge of military affairs left
among us to encounter the enemy. For the Romans are
tired of us, and have absolutely refused their assistance. So
that now, deprived of all other hope, we come to implore
your clemency, that you would furnish us with forces, and
protect a kingdom, which is of right your own, firom the in-
cursions of barbarians. For who but yourself ought, with-
out your consent, to wear the crown of Constantine and
Maximian, since the right your ancestors had to it is now
devolved upon you ? Prepare then your fleet, and go with
me. Behold ! I deliver the kingdom of Britain into your
hands."
To this Aldroen made answer : " There was a time for-
merly when I would not have refused to accept of the island
of Britain, if it had been offered me ; for I do not think there
was anywhere a more fruitful country while it enjoyed peace
and tranquillity. But now, since the calamities that have
befallen it, it is become of less value, and odious both to me
and all other princes. But above all things the power of the
Bomans was so destructive to it, that nobody could enjoy
any settied state or authority in it, without loss of liberty,
N
178 Geoffrey's BRITISH HiSTOBT. [Boonvf. ch5.
and bearing the yoke of slavery under them. And who
would not prefer the possession of a lesser country with
liberty, to all the riches of that island in servitude ? The
kingdom that is now under my subjection I enjoy with
honour, and without paying homage to any superior ; so that
I prefer it to all other countries, since I can govern it with-
out being controlled. Nevertheless, out of respect to the
right that my ancestors for many generations have had to
your island, I deliver to you my brother Constantine with
two thousand men, that with the good providence of God,
he may free your country from the inroads of barbarians,
and obtain the crown for himself. For I have a brother
called by that name, who is an expert soldier, and in all other
respects an accomplished man. If you please to accept of
him, I will not refuse to send him with you, together with
the said number of men ; for indeed a larger number I do
not mention to you, because I am daily threatened with dis-
turbance from the Grauls." He had scarcely done speaking
before the archbishop returned him thanks, and when Con-
stantine was called in, broke out into these expressions of
joy : " Christ conquers ; Christ commands ; Christ reigns :
behold the king of desolate Britain ! Be Christ only present,
and behold our defence, our hope and joy." In short, the
ships being got ready, the men who were chosen out from
all parts of the kingdom, were delivered to Guethelin.
Chap. Y.^-'CorutaTUine, bemgmade king of Britain, leaves three t<nu.
When they had made all necessary preparations, they em-
barked, and arrived at the port of Totness ; and then with-
out delay assembled together the youth that was left in the
island, and encountered the enemy ; over whom, by the
merit of the holy prelate, they obtained the victory. After
this the Britons, before dispersed, flocked together from all
parts, and in a council held at Silchester, promoted Constan-
tine to the throne, and there performed the ceremony of his
coronation. They also married him to a lady, descended
from a noble Roman family, whom archbishop Guethelin had
educated, and by whom the king had afterwards three sons,
Constans, AureHus Ambrosius, and Uther Pendragon. Con-
stans, who was the eldest, he delivered to the church of Am-
phibalus in Winchester, that he might there take upon him
▲.O.400.] OOBONATIOir OF 0OK8TANS. 179
the monastic order. But the other two, viz. Aorelius and
Uther, he committed to the care of Guethelin for their edu-
cation. At last, after ten years were expired, there came a
certain Fict, who had entered in his service, and under pre-
tence of holding some private discourse with him, in a
nursery of young trees where nobody was present, stabbed
him with a dagger.
Chap. YI. — Constans is by Vortigem crowned king of Britain.
Upon the death of Constantine, a dissension arose among the
nobility, about a successor to the throne. Some were for
setting up Aurelius Ambrosius ; others Uther Pendragon ;
others again some other persons of the royal family. At last,
when they could come to no conclusion, Vortigem, consul
of the Grewisseans, who was himself very ambitious of the
crown, went to Constans the monk,* and thus addressed
liimself to him : ^' You see your father is dead, and your
brothers on account of their age are incapable of the govern-
ment ; neither do I see any of your family besides yourself,
whom the people ought to promote to the kingdom. If you
will therefore follow my advice, I will, on condition of your
increasing my private estate, dispose the people to favour
your advancement, and free you from that habit, notwith-
standing that it is against the rule of your order." Constans,
overjoyed at the proposal, promised, with an oath, that upon
these terms he would grant him whatever he would desire.
Then Vortigem took him, and investing him in his regal
habiliments, conducted him to London, and made him king,
though not with the free consent of the people. Arch-
bishop Guethelin was then dead, nor was there any other
that durst perform the ceremony of his unction, on account
of his having quitted the monastic order. However, this
proved no hindrance to his coronation, for Vortigem himself
performed the ceremony instead of a bishop.
* It is true that Constans, the son of Constantme, entered into the
sacerdotal profession, but both he and his father Constantine were slain in
Gaul, which they had made the seat of their empire, to the entire neglect
of Britain.
N 2
180 GEOFFBET'b BRITISH HISTOBY. [book ri. ch. 7.
Chap. YII. — Vortiffem treacherously contrives to get king Constans
as8€usinated,
Constans, being thus advanced, committed the whole
government of the kingdom to Yortigem, and surrendered
himself up so entirely to his counsels, that he did nothing
without his order. His own incapacity for government
obliged him to do this, for he had learned anj thing else
rather than state affairs within his cloister. Yortigem
became sensible of this, and therefore began to deliberate
with himself what course to take to obtain the crown, of
which he had been before extremely ambitious. He saw
that now was his proper time to gain his end easily, when
the kingdom was wholly intrusted to his management ; and
Constans, who bore the title of king, was no more than the
shadow of one ; for he was of a soft temper, a bad judge in
matters of right, and not in the least feared, either by his
own people, or by the neighbouring states. And as for his
two brothers, Uther Pendragon and Aurelius Ambrosius,
they were only children in their cradles, and therefore
incapable of the government. There was likewise this
farther misfortune, that all the older persons of the nobility
were dead, so that Yortigem seemed to be the only man
surviving, that had craft, policy, and experience in matters
of state ; and all the rest in a manner children, or raw
youths, who only inherited the honours of their parents and
relations that had been killed in the former wars. Yortigem,
finding a concurrence of so many favourable circumstances,
contrived how he might easily and cunningly depose Constans
the monk, and immediately establish himself in his place.
But in order to do this, he waited until he had first well
established his power and interest in several countries. He
therefore petitioned to have the king's treasures, and his
fortified cities, in his own custody ; pretending there was a
rumour, that the neighbouring islanders designed an invasion
of the kingdom. This being granted him, he placed his own
creatures in those cities, to secure them for himself. Then
having formed a scheme how to execute his treasonable
designs, he went to the king, and represented to him the
necessity of augmenting the number of his domestics, that
A.D ilO.] VOBTIGEBN SUPPLANTS COVSTANS. 181
he might more safely oppose the invasion of the enemy.
*^ Have not I left all things to your disposal ?" said Constans:
^ Do what you will as to that, so that they be but faithful to
me." Yortigem replied, " I am informed that the Picts are
going to bring the Dacians and Norwegians in upon us, with
a design to give us very great annoyance. I would therefore
advise you, and in my opinion it is the best course you can
take, that you maintain some Picts in your court, who may
do you good service among those of that nation. For if it
is true that they are preparing to begin a rebellion, you may
employ them as spies upon their countr3rmen in their plots
and stratagems, so as easily to escape them." This was the
dark treason of a secret enemy ; for he did not recommend
this out of regard to the safety of Constans, but because he
knew the Picts to be a giddy people, and ready for all
manner of wickedness ; so that, in a fit of drunkenness or
passion, they might easily be incensed against the king, and
make no scruple to assassinate him. ^d such an accident,
when it should happen, would make an open way for his
accession to the throne, which he so often had in view.
Hereupon he despatched messengers into Scotland, with an
invitation to a hundred Pictish soldiers, whom accordingly
he received into the king's household ; and when admitted,
he showed them more respect than all the rest of* the domes-
tics, by making them several presents, and allowing them a
luxurious table, insomuch that they looked upon him as the
king. So great was the regard they had for him, that they
made songs of him about the streets, the subject of which
was, that Vortigem deserved the government, deserved the
sceptre of Britain ; but that Constans was unworthy of it.
This encouraged Yortigem to show them still more favour,
in order the more firmly to engage them in his interest ; and
when by these practices he had made them entirely his
creatures, he took an opportunity, when they were drunk, to
tell them, that he was going to retire out of Britain, to see if
he could get a better estate ; for the small revenue he had
then, he said, would not so much as enable him to maintain a
retinue of fifty men. Then putting on a look of sadness, he
withdrew to his own apartment, and left them drinking in
the hall. The Picts at tMs sight were in inexpressible sorrow,
as thinking what he had said was true, and murmuring said
182 OBOFFBBT's BBinSH HI8T0BT. [book ti. cr S, S.
one to another, " Why do we suffer this monk to live ? Why
do not we kill him, that Vortigem may eqjoy his crown ?
Who is so fit to succeed as he ? A man so generous to us is
worthy to rule, and deserves all the honour and dignity that
we can bestow upon him."
Chap. VIII. — Aurelius Ambrosius mnd Uther Pendragon fiee frmm
Vortigem, and go to Lesser Britain,
After this, breaking into Constants bed-chamber, they fell
upon him and killed him, and carried his head to Vortigem.
At the sight of it, he put on a mournful countenance, and
burst forth into tears, though at the same time he was
almost transported with joy. However, he sunmioned
together the citizens of London, (for there the fact was
committed,) and commanded all the assassins to be bound,
and their heads to be cut off for this abominable parricide.
In the meantime there were some who had a suspicion, that
this piece of villany was wholly the contrivance of Vortigem,
and that the Picts were only his instruments to execute it.
Others again as positively asserted his innocence. At last
the matter being left in doubt, those who had the care of the
two brothers, Aurelius Ambrosius, and Uther Pendragon,
fled over with them into Lesser Britain, for fear of being
killed by Vortigem. There they were kindly received by
king Budes, who took care to give them an education suitable
to their royal birth.
Chap. IX. — Vortigem makes himself king of Britain.
Now Vortigern, seeing nobody to rival him in the kingdom,
placed the crown on his own head, and thus gained the pre-
eminence over all the rest of the princes. At last his treason
being discovered, the people of the adjacent islands, whom
the Picts had brought into Albania, made insurrection
against him. For the Picts were enraged on account of the
death of their fellow soldiers, who had been slain for the
murder of Constans, and endeavoured to revenge that injury
upon him. Vortigem therefore was daily in great distress^
and lost a considerable part of his army in a war with them.
He had likewise no less trouble from another quarter, for
fear of Aurelius Ambrosius, and his brother Uther Pendr»-
A.D.i49.] THS 8AZ0NB ASSIST T0BTI6EBN. 183
gon, who, as we said before, had fled, on his account, into
Lesser Britain. For he heard it rumoured, day after daj,
that thej had now arrived at man's estate, and had built a
vast fleet, with a design to return back to the kingdom, which
was their undoubted right
Chap. X. — Vortiffetn takes the Saxons that were new-eomers, to his
assistanee.
In the meantime there arrived in Kent three brigandines, or
long galleys, full of armed men, under the command of two
brothers, Horsa and Hengist.* Vortigern was then at
Dorobemia, now Canterbury, which city he used often to
visit ; and being informed of the arrival of some tall
strangers in large ships, he ordered that they should be
received peaceably, and conducted into his presence. As
soon as they were brought before him, he cast his eyes upon
the two brothers, who excelled all the rest both in nobility
and gracefulness of person ; and having taken a view of the
whole company, asked them of what country they were, and
what was the occasion of their coming into his kingdom.
To whom Hengist (whose years and wisdom entitled him to
a precedence), in the name of the rest, made the following
answer : —
" Most noble king, Saxony, which is one of the countries
of Germany, was the place of our birth ; and the occasion
of our coming was to offer our service to you or some other
prince. For we were driven out of our native country, for
no other reason, but that the laws of the kingdom required
it. It is customary among us, that when we come to be
overstocked with people, our princes from all the provinces
meet together, and command all the youths of the kingdom
to assemble before them ; then casting lots, they make choice
of the strongest and ablest of them, to go into foreign nations,
to procure themselves a subsistence, and free their native
country from a superfluous multitude of people. Our
country, therefore, being of late overstockec^ our princes
met, and after having cast lots, made choice of the youth
which you see in your presence, and have obliged us to obey
* It is the generally received opinion that Hengist and Horsa landed in
Britain a.d. 449.
184 Geoffrey's bbitish histoby. []iooKyi.cH.n.
the custom which has been established of old. And us two
brothers, Hengist and Horsa, they made generals over them,
out of respect to our ancestors, who ei\J07ed the same honour.
In obedience, therefore, to the laws so long established, we
put out to sea, and under the good guidance of Mercury
have arrived in your kingdom."
The king, at the name of Mercury, looking earnestly upon
them, asked them what religion they professed. " We wor-
ship," replied Hengist, " our country's gods, Saturn and Jupi-
ter, and the other deities that govern the world, but especially
Mercury, whom in our language we call Woden, and to
whom our ancestors consecrated the fourth day of the week,
still called after his name Wodensday. Next to him we
worship the powerful goddess, Frea, to whom they also dedi-
cated the sixth day, which after her name we call Friday."
Vortigern replied, " For your credulity, or rather incredulity,
I am much grieved, but I rejoice at your arrival, which,
whether by God's providence or some other agency, happens
very seasonably for me in my present difficulties. For I am
oppressed by my enemies on every side, and if you will
engage with me in my wars, I will entertain you honourably
in my kingdom, and bestow upon you lands and other pos-
sessions." The barbarians readily accepted his offer, and
the agreement between them being ratified, they resided at
his court. Soon after this, the Picts, issuing forth from
Albania, with a very great army, began to lay waste the
northern parts of the island. YHien Yortigem had inform-
ation of it, he assembled his forces, and went to meet them
beyond the Humber. Upon their engaging, the battle
proved very fierce on both sides, though there was but little
occasion for the Britons to exert themselves, for the Saxons
fought so bravely, that the enemy, formerly so victorious,
were speedily put to flight.
Chap. XI. — Hengist brings aver great numbers of Saxons into Britain :
his crafty petition to Vortigern,
VoBTiGEBN, therefore, as he owed the victory to them, in-
creased his bounty to them, and gave their general, Hengist,
lai^e possessions of land in Lindesia,* for the subsistence of
* Or Lindsey. See Bede's Eccles. Hiat. p. 99^ note.
^D.450.] HENGIST's PETITION. 185
himself and his fellow soldiers. Hereupon Hengist, who
was a man of experience and subtilty, finding how much
interest he hadwilii the king, addressed him in this manner:
— " Sir^ jour enemies give jou disturbance from all quarters,
and few of jour subjects love jou. Thej all threaten jou,
and sajy they are going to bring over Aurelius Ambrosius
from Armorica, to depose you, and make him king. If jou
please, let us send to our country to invite over some more
soldiers, that with our forces increased we may be better
able to oppose them. But there is one thing which I would
desire of your clemency, if I did not fear a refusaL" Vorti-
gem made answer, " Send your messengers to Grermany, and
invite over whom you please, and you shall have no refusal
from me in whatever you sha^ desire.** Hengist, with a low
bow, returned him thanks, and said, " The possessions which
you have given me in land and houses are very large, but
you have not yet done me that honour which becomes my
station and birth, because, among other things, I should
have had some town or city granted me, that I might be
entitled to greater esteem among the nobility of your king-
dom. I ought to have been made a consul or prince, since
my ancestors enjoyed both those dignities." " It is not in
my power," replied Vortigem, " to do you so much honour,
because you are strangers and pagans ; neither am I yet so
far acquainted with your manners and customs, as to set you
upon a level with my natural bom subjects. And, indeed,
if I did esteem you as my subjects, I should not be forward
to do so, because the nobility of my kingdom would strongly
dissuade me from it." " Give your servant," said Hengist,
^ only so much ground in the place you have assigned me,
as I can encompass with a leathern thong, for to biuld a for-
tress upon, as a place of retreat if occasion should require.
For I will always be faithful to you, as I have been hitherto,
and pursue no other design in the request which I have
made." With these words the king was prevailed upon to
grant him his petition ; and ordered him to despatch messen-
gers into Germany, to invite more men over speedily to his
assistance. Hengist immediately executed his orders, and
taking a bull's hide, made one thong out of the whole, with
which he encompassed a rocky place that he had carefully
made choice of, and within that circuit began to build a
186 OEOFIVEY's BBITISH mSTOBr. Cbook yj. CB. 12.
castle, wbichy when finislied, took its name firom the thong
wherewith it had been measured; for it was afiterwards
called, in the British tongue, Kaercorrei ; in Saxon, Tban-
castre, that is, Thong Castle.*
Chap. XII. — VorUffem marries Rowen,\ the daughter qf Hengtti.^
Ix the meantime, the messengers returned from Germany,
with eighteen ships full of the best soldiers they could get.
They also brought along with them Rowen, the daught^ of
Hengist, one of the most accomplished beauties of that age.
After their arrival, Hengist invited the king to his house, to
view his new buildings, and the new soldiers that were
come over. The king readily accepted of his invitation, but
privately, and having highly commended the magnificence of
the structure, enlisted the men into his service. Here he
was entertained at a royal banquet ; and when that was
over, the young lady came out of her chamber bearing a
golden cup full of wine, with which she approached the
king, and making a low courtesy, said to him, ^'Lauerd:^ king
wacht heil ! " The king, at the sight of the lady's face, was
on a sudden both surprised and inflamed with her beauty ;
and calling to his interpreter, asked him what she said, and
what answer he should make her. " She called you, * Lord
king,'" said the interpreter, "and offered to drink your health.
Your answer to her must be, *Drinc heil!'" Vortigem
accordingly answered, " Drinc heil I " and bade her drink ;
after which he took the cup from her hand, kissed her, and
drank himself. From that time to this, it has been the
custom in Britain, that he who drinks to any one says,
"Wacht heil!" and he that pledges him, answers "Drinc
heil!" Vortigem being now drunk with the variety of
liquors, the devil took this opportunity to enter into his
heart, and to make him in love with the damsel, so that he
became suitor to her father for her. It was, I say, by the
devil's entering into his heart, that he, who was a Christian,
should fall in love with a pagan. By this example, Hengist,
• Now called Caistor, twenty-three miles N.N.E. from Lincoln.
t More commonly and elegantly called Rowena ; Bonwen and Ronwenna
occur in some of the MSS.
X That is, Lord.
AD. 42a J AHEIVAL OF GEBHANUS AND LUPUS. 187
being a pradent man, discovered the king's levity, and con-
sulted with his brother Horsa and the other ancient men
present, what to do in relation to the king's request. They
unanimously advised him to give him his daughter, and in con-
sideration of her to demand the province of Kent. Accord-
ingly the daughter was without delay delivered to Yortigem,
and the province of Kent to Hengist, without the knowledge
of Gorangan, who had the government of it. The king the
same night married the pagan lady, and became extremely
delighted with her ; by which he quickly brought upon him-
self the hatred of the nobility, and of his own sons. For he
had already three sons, whose names were Yortimer, Cati-
gem, and Fascentius.
Chap. XIII. — The bishops, Oermanus and Lupus, restore the Christian
faith that had been corrupted in Britain. Octa and Ebissa are four
Htnes routed by Vortimer,
At that time came St. Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, and
Lupus, bishop of Troyes, to preach the gospel to the Britons.
For the Chnstian faith had been corrupted among them,
partly by the pagans whom the king had brought into
society with them, partly by the Felagian heresy, with
the poison whereof they had been a long time infected. But
by the preaching of these holy men, the true faith and wor-
ship was again restored, the many miracles they wrought
giving success to their labours. Gildas has in his elegant
treatise given an account of the many miracles God wrought
by them. The king being now, as we have said, possessed
of the lady, Hengist said to him : "As I am your father, I
claim the right of being your counsellor : do not therefore
slight my advice, since it is to my countrymen you must owe
the conquest of all your enemies. Let us invite over my
son Octa and his brother Ebissa, who are brave soldiers, and
give them the countries that are in the northern parts of
Britain, by the wall, between Deira and Albania. For they
will hinder the inroads of the barbarians, and so you shall
enjoy peace on the other side of the Humber." Yortigem
complied with his request, and ordered them to invite over
whomsoever they knew able to assist him. Lnmediately
upon the receipt of this message, came Octa, Ebissa, and
Cherdich, with three hundred ships filled with soldiers^ who
188 QEOFFBET's BBITISH HISTOBT. [book ti. ch. 13.
were all kindly received by Vortigem, and had ample
presents made them. For by their assistance he vanquished
his enemies, and in every engagement proved victorious.
Hengist in the meantime continued to invite over more and
more ships, and to augment his numbers daily. Which
when the Britons observed, they were afraid of being be-
trayed by them, and moved the king to banish them out of
his coasts. For it was contrary to the rule of the gospel
that Christians should hold fellowship, or have any inter-
course, with pagans. Besides which, the number of those
that were come over was now so great, that they were a
terror to his subjects ; and nobody could now know who was
a pagan, or who a Christian, since pagans married the
daughters and kinswomen of Christians. These things they
represented to the king, and endeavoured to dissuade him
from entertaining them, lest they might, by some treacherous
conspiracy, prove an overmatch for the native inhabitants.
But Vortigem, who loved them above all other nations on
account of his wife, was deaf to their advice. For this reason
the Britons quickly desert him, and unanimously set up Yorti-
mer his son for thdr king ; who at their instigation b^an to
drive out the barbarians, and to make dreadful incursions upon
them. Four battles he fought with them, and was victorious
in all : the first upon the river Dereuent j* the second upon
the ford of Epsford, where Horsa and Catigem, another
son of Yortigem, met and, after a sharp encounter, killed
each other ;! the third upon the sea-shore, where the enemies
fied shamefully to their ships, and betook themselves for
refuge to the Me of Thanet. But Vortimer besieged them
there, and daily distressed them with his fleet. And when
they were no longer able to bear the assaults of the Britons,
they sent king Yortigem, who was present with them in aU
those wars, to his son Yortimer, to desire leave to depart,
and return back safe to Grermany. And while a confer-
ence upon this subject was being held, they in the mean-
time went on board their long galleys, and, leaving their
wives and children behind them, returned back to Gkurmany.
* The Dereuent teems to be the Daient, a stream which gives its name
to Dartford.
+ The venr remarkable monmDent, called Kit Cotty'iB house, is tradition-
ally supposed to mark the grave of Catigem.
A.D. 465, 472.] YOBTDfEB POISONED. 189
Chap. XIV.— For^imer'f kindne$M to hit ioldiert at his death,
YoBTiMEB, after this great success, began to restore his sub-
jects to their possessions which had been taken from them,
and to show them all marks of his affection and esteem, and at
the instance of St. Germanus to rebuild their churches. But
his goodness quickly stirred up the enmity of the devil
against him, who entering into the heart of his stepmother
Bowen, excited her to contrive his death. For this purpose
she consulted with the poisoners, and procured one who was
intimate with him, whom she corrupted with large and
numerous presents, to give him a poisonous draught ; so that
this brave soldier, as soon as he had taken it, was seized with
a sudden illness, that deprived him of all hopes of life. Here-
upon he forthwith ordered all his men to come to him, and
having shown them how near he was to his end, distributed
among them all the treasure his predecessors had heaped up,
and endeavoured to comfort them in their sorrow and lamen-
tation for him, telling them, he was only going the way of
all flesh. But he exhorted those brave and warlike young
men, who had attended him in all his victories, to persist
courageously in the defence of their country against all hostile
invasion ; and with wonderful greatness of mind, conmianded
a brazen pyramid to be placed in the port where the Saxons
used to land, and his body when dead to be buried on the
top of it, that the sight of his tomb might frighten back the
barbarians to Germany. For ne said none of them would
dare approach the country, that should but get a sight of his
tomb. Such was the admirable bravery of this great man,
who, as he had been a terror to them while living, en-
deavoured to be no less so when dead. Notwithstanding
which, he was no sooner dead, than the Britons had no
regard to his orders, but buried him at London.
Chap. XY. — Hengist, having wickedly murdered the princes of Britain,
keeps Fortigem prisoner,
YoBTiQBBNy after the death of his son, was again restored to
the kingdom, and at the request of his wife sent messengers
into Germany to Hengist, with an invitation to return into
Britain, but privately, and with a small retinue, to prevent a
quarrel between the barbarians and his subjects. But Hen-
190 Geoffrey's bbitish history. [boor n. oh. 15.
gist, hearing that Yortimer was dead, raised an army of no
less than three hundred thousand men, and fitting out a fiect
returned with them to Britain. When Vortigem and the
nobility heard of the arrival of so vast a multitude, thej were
immoderately incensed, and, after consultation together, re-
solved to fight them, and drive them &om their coasts.
Hengist, being informed of their design by messengers sent
from his daughter, immediately entered into deliberation
what course to pursue against them. After several strata-
gems had been considered, he judged it most feasible, to im-
pose upon the nation by making show of peace. With this
view he sent ambassadors to the king, to declare to him, that
he had not brought so great a number of men for the pur-
pose either of staying with him, or offering any violence to
the country. But the reason why he brought them, was
because he thought Vortimer was yet living, and that he
should have occasion for them against him, in case of an
assault. But now since he no longer doubted of his being
dead, he submitted himself and his people to the disposal of
Yortigern ; so that he might retain as many of them as he
should think fit, and whomsoever he rejected Hengist would
allow to return back without delay to Germany. And if
these terms pleased Vortigern, he desired him to appoint a
time and place for their meeting, and adjusting matters
according to his pleasure. When these things were repre-
sented to the king, he was mightily pleased, as being very
unwilling to part with Hengist ; and at last ordered his sub-
jects and the Saxons to meet upon the kalends of May, which
were now very near, at the monastery of Ambrius,* for the
settling of the matters above mentioned. The appointment
being agreed to on both sides, Hengist, with a new design of
villany in his head, ordered his soldiers to carry every one
of them a long dagger under their garments ; and while the
conference should be held with the Britons, who would have
no suspicion of them, he would give them this word of com-
mand, " Nemet oure Saxas ;" at which moment they were all
to be ready to seize boldly every one his next man, and with
his drawn dagger stab him. Accordingly they all met at the
time and place appointed, and began to treat of peace ; and
when a fit opportunity offered for executing his villany,
• Ambresbury,
.•^
A.D. 476] SLAUGHTEB OF BBITONS. 191
Hengist cried out, ^' Nemet oure Saxas/' and the same in-
stant seized Yortigem, and held him hy his cloak. The
Saxons, upon the signal given, drew their daggers, and fall-
ing upon the princes, who Utile suspected any such design,
assassinated them to the number of four hundred and sixty
barons and consuls ; to whose bodies St. Eldad afterwards
gave Christian burial, not far from Kaercaradauc, now Salis-
bury, in a burying-place near the monastery of Ambrius, the
abbat, who was the founder of it. For they all came without
arms, having no thoughts of fmything but treating of peace ;
which gave the others a fairer opportunity of exercising their
villainous design i^ainst them. But the pagans did not
escape unpunished while they acted this wickedness ; a great
number of them being killed during this massacre of their
enemies. For the Britons, taking up clubs and stones from
the ground, resolutely defended themselves, and did good
execution upon the traitors.
Chap. XVI. — EldoVs valiani explmU Hengist forcet Vortigem to yield
up the sirongeat fortiJiciUions in Britainy in consideration qf his release.
There was present one Eldol, consul* of Gloucester, who,
at the sight of this treachery, took up a stake which he hap-
pened to find, and with that made his defence. Every blow
he gave carried death along with it ; and by breaking
either the head, arms, shoulders, or legs of a great many, he
struck no small terror into the traitors, nor did he move &om
the spot before he had killed with that weapon seventy men.
But being no longer able to stand his ground against such
numbers, he made his escape from them, and retired to his
own city. Many fell on both sides, but the Saxons got the
victory ; because the Britons, having no suspicion of treachery,
came unarmed, and therefore made a weaker defence. After
the commission of this detestable villany, the Saxons would
not kill Vortigem ; but having threatened him with death
and bound him, demanded his cities and fortified places in
consideration of their granting him his life. He, to secure
himself, denied them nothing ; and when they had made him
confirm his grants with an oath, they released him fi:om his
chains, and then marched first to London, which they took,
as they did afterwards York, Lincohi, and Winchester ;
* This term must be considered as equivalent to comes^ count, or earl.
192 OEOFFSET's BBITISH HISTOBT. [book yz. cr. 17.
wasting the countries through which they passed, and de-
stroying the people, as wolves do sheep when left by their
shepherds. When Yortigem saw the desolation which they
made, he retired into the parts of Cambria, not knowing
what to do against so barbarous a people.
Chap. XYII^ — Voriigem, after contuliation with magtciana^ orden a
yauih to be brought thai never had afeUhisr,
At last he had recourse to magicians for their advice, and
commanded them to tell him what course to take. They
advised him to build a very strong tower for his own safety,
since he had lost all his other fortified places. Accordingly
he made a progress about the country, to find out a conve-
nient situation, and came at last to Motmt Erir, where he
assembled workmen from several countries, and ordered them
to build the tower. The builders, therefore, began to lay
the foundation ; but whatever they did one day the earth
swallowed up the next, so as to leave no appearance of their
work. Yortigem being informed of this again consulted
with his magicians concerning the cause of it, who told him
that he must find out a youth that never had a father, and
kill him, and then sprinkle the stones and cement with his
blood ; for by those means, they said, he would have a firm
foundation. Hereupon messengers were despatched away
over all the provinces, to inquire out such a man. In their
travels they came to a city, called afterwards Kaermerdin,
where they saw some young men, playing before the gate,
and went up to them ; but being weary with their journey,
they sat down in the ring, to see if they could meet with
what they were in quest of. Towards evening, there hap-
pened on a sudden a quarrel between two of the young men,
whose names were Merlin and Dabutius. In the dispute,
Dabutius said to Merlin : " You fool, do you presume to
quarrel with me ? Is there any equality in our birth ? I am
descended of royal race, both by my father and mother's side.
As for you, nobody knows what you are, for you never had a
father." At that word the messengers looked earnestly upon
Merlin, and asked the by-standers who he was. They told
him, it was not known who was his father ; but that his
mother was daughter to the king of Dimetia, and that she
lived in St. Peter's church among the nuns of that city.
<*.o.477.J xeblin's obigik. 193
Chap. XVIXI. — Voriigem inquires of Merlin'i mother eoneeming her
conception of him.
Upon this the messengers hastened to the governor of the
city, and ordered him, in the king's name, to send Merlin and
his mother to the king. As soon as the governor understood
the occasion of their message, he readily obeyed the order,
and sent them to Yortigem to complete his design. When
they were introduced into the king's presence, he received
the mother in a very respectful manner, on account of her
noble birth ; and began to inquire of her by what man she
had conceived. " My sovereign lord," said she, " by the life
of your soul and mine, I know nobody that begot hun of me.
Only this I know, that as I was once with my companions in
our chambers, there appeared to me a person in the shape of
a most beautiful young man, who often embraced me eagerly
in his arms, and kissed me ; and when he had stayed a little
time, he suddenly vanished out of my sight. But many
times after this he would talk with me when I sat alone,
without making any visible appearance. When he had a
long time haunted me in this manner, he at last lay with me
several times in the shape of a man, and left me with child.
And I do affirm to you, my sovereign lord, that excepting
that young man, I know no body that begot him of
me." The king full of admiration at this account, ordered
Maugantius to be called, that he might satisfy him as to the
possibility of what the woman had related. Maugantius,
being introduced, and having the whole, matter repeated to
him, said to Vortigem : " In the books of our philosophers,
and in a great many histories, I have found that several men
have had the like original. For, as Apuleius informs us in
his book concerning the Demon of Socrates, between the
moon and the earth inhabit those spirits, which we will call
incubuses. These are of the nature partly of men, and
partly of angels, and whenever they please assimie human
shapes, and lie with women. Perhaps one of them appeared
to this woman, and begot that young man of her."
Chap. XIX. — Aferlin's speech to the hinges magicians^ and advice about
the building of the tower.
Merlin in the meantime was attentive to all that had
passed, and then approached the king, and said to him, ''For
o
194 GEOFFBST's BBITI8H HISTOBT. [book vzi. ch. 1,
what reason am I and my mother introduced into your pre-
sence ?" — " My magicians," answered Vortigern, " advised
me to seek out a man that had no father, with whose blood
my building is to be sprinkled, in order to make it stand." —
<* Order your magicians," said Merlin, " to come before me,
a^id I will convict them of a lie." The king was surprised
at Us words, and presently ordered the magicians to come,
and sit down before Merlin, who spoke to them after this
manner : " Because you are ignorant what it is that hinders
the foundation of the tower, you have recommended the
shedding of my blood for cement to it, as if that would pre-
sently make it stand. But tell me now, what is there under
the foundation ? For something there is that will not suffer
it to stand." The magicians at this began to be afraid, and
made him no answer. Then said Merlin, who was also called
Ambrose, "I entreat your majesty would command your
workmen to dig into the ground, and you will find a pond
which causes the foundation to sink." This accordingly was
done, and then presently they found a pond deep under
ground, which had made it give way. Merlin after this went
again to the magicians, and said, " Tell me ye false syco-
phants, what is there under the pond." But they were
silent. Then said he again to the king, ** Command the pond
to be drained, smd at the bottom you will see two hollow
stones, and in them two dragons asleep." The king made
no scruple of believing him, since he had found true what
he said of the pond, and therefore ordered it to be drained :
which done, he found as Merlin had said ; and now was
possessed with the greatest admiration of him. Nor were
the rest that were present less amazed at his wisdom, think-
ing it to be no less than divine inspiration.
BOOK VIL
CONGEBNINa THE PB0PHECIE8 OF BCEBLIK.
Chap. I. — Geoffrey of Monmouth? a -prefwe to Merlin* » prophecy^
I HAD not got thus far in my history, when the subject of
public discourse happening to be concerning Merlin, I was
obliged to publish his prophecies at the request of my
A.a 480.] Geoffrey's letter to Alexander. 195
acquaintance, but especiallj of Alexander, bishop of Lincoln,
a prelate of the greatest pietj and wisdom. There was not
anj person, either among the clergj or laity, that was at-
tended \nth such a train of knights and noblemen, whom
his settled piety and great munificence engaged in his
service. Out of a desire, therefore, to gratify him, I trans-
lated these prophecies, and sent them to him with the
following letter.
Chap. II. — Geoffref/'i letter to Alexander, bishop of Lincoln,
" The regard which I owe to your great worth, most noble
prelate, has obliged me to undertake the translation of Mer-
lin's prophecies out of British into Latin, before I had made
an end of the history which I had begun concerning the acts
of the British kings. For my design was to have finished
that first, and afterwards to have taken this work in hand ;
lest by being engaged on both at once, I should be less
capable of attending with any exactness to either. Notwith-
standing, since the deference which is paid to your penetrat-
ing judgment will screen me from censure, I have employed
my rude pen, and in a coarse style present you with a trans-
lation out of a language with which you are tmacquainted.
At the same time, I cannot but wonder at your reconunend-
ing this matter to one of my low genius, when you might
have caused so many men of greater learning, and a richer
vein of intellect, to undertake it ; who, with their sublime
strains, would much more agreeably have entertained you.
Besides, without any disparagement to all the philosophers
in Britain, I must take the liberty to say, that you yourself
if the business of your high station would give you leisure,
are capable of furnishing us with loftier productions of this
kind than any man living. However, since it was your
pleasure that Geofirey of Monmouth should be employed in
this prophecy, he hopes you will favourably accept of his
performance, and vouchsafe to give a finer turn to whatever
you shall find unpolished, or otherwise fiftultj in it.
Chap. III. — T%e propheep of MerHru
As Yortigem, king of the Britons, was sitting upon the
bank of the drained pond, the two dragons, one of which
o 2
196 OEOFFRET'S BBITISH HISTOBT. [8UOK7II. C11.9L
was white, the other red, came forth, and, approaching one
another, began a terrible fight, and cast forth fire with their
breath. But the white dragon had the advantage, and made
the other fij to the end of the lake. And he, for grief at
his flight, renewed the assault upon his pursuer, and forced
him to retire. After this battle of the dragons, the king
commanded Ambrose Merlin to tell him what it portended.
Upon which he, bursting into tears, delivered what his pro-
phetical spirit suggested to him, as follows : — *
'* Woe to the red dragon, for his banishment hasteneth on.
His lurking holes shall be siezed by the white dragon, which
signifies the Saxons whom you invited over; but the red
denotes the British nation, which shall be oppressed by
the white. Therefore shall its mountains be levelled as the
valleys, and the rivers of the valleys shall run with blood.
The exercise of religion shall be destroyed, and churches
be laid open to ruin. At last the oppressed shall prevail,
and oppose the cruelty of foreigners. For a boar of Corn-
wall shall give his assistance, and trample their necks under
his feet. The islands of the ocean shall be subject to his
power, and he shall possess the forests of Gaul. The house
of Romulus shall dread his courage, and his end shall be
doubtful. He shall be celebrated in the mouths of the.
people ; and his exploits shall be food to those that relate them.
Six of his posterity shall sway the sceptre, but after them
shall arise a German worm. He shall be advanced by a sea-
wolf, whom the woods of Africa shall accompany. Religion
shall be again abolished, and there shall be a translation of
the metropolitan sees. The dignity of London shall adorn
Dorobernia, and the seventh pastor of York shall be resorted
to in the kingdom of Armorica. Menevia shall put on the
pall of the City of Legions, and a preacher of L:eland shall
be dumb on account of an infant growing in the womb. It
shall rain a shower of blood, and a raging famine shall afflict
mankind. When these things happen, the red one shall be
* The prophecy which follows has be^i commented on hy various
writera, who have taken the trouble to point out the events in English his-
tory which answer to the various predictions which it contains. Such
labour seems to be altogether superfluous in the present day : the prophecy
may be allowed to remain as an illustration of the absurd credulity of
iormer times.
A.D.480.] MEBLmS PBOPHECT. 197
grieved; but when his fatigue is over, shall grow strong.
Then shall misfortunes hasten upon the white one,
and the buildings of his gardens shall be pulled down.
Seven that sway the sceptre shall be killed, one of whom
shall become a saint. The wombs of mothers shall be ripped
up, and infants be abortive. There shall be a most grievous
punishment of men, that the natives may be restored. He
that shall do these things shall put on the brazen man, and
upon a brazen horse shall for a long time guard the gates of
London. After this, shall the red dragon return to his
proper manners, and turn his rage upon himself. Therefore
shall the revenge of the Thunderer show itself, for every
field shall disappoint the husbandmen. Mortality shall
snatch away the people, and make a desolation over all
countries. The remainder shall quit their native soil, and
make foreign plantations. A blessed king shall prepare a
fleet, and shall be reckoned the twelfth in the court among the
saints. There shall be a miserable desolation of the king-
dom, and the floors of the harvests shall return to the fruit-
ful forests. The white dragon shall rise again, and invite
over a daughter of Grermany. Our gardens shall be again
replenished with foreign seed, and the red one shall pine
away at the end of the pond. After that, shall the German
worm be crowned, and the brazen prince buried. He has
his bounds assigned him, which he shall not be able to pass.
For a hundred and fifty years he shall continue in trouble
and subjection, but shall bear sway three hundred.^ Then
shall the north wind rise against him, and shall snatch away
the flowers which the west wind produced. There shall be
gilding in the temples, nor shall the edge of the sword cease.
The German dragon shall hardly get to his holes, because the
revenge of his treason shall overtake him. At last he shall
flourish for a little time, but the decimation of Neustria shall
hurt him. For a people in wood and in iron coats shall
come, and revenge upon him his wickedness. They shall
restore the ancient inhabitants to their dwellings, and there
shall be an open destruction of foreigners. The seed of the
white dragon shall be swept out of our gardens, and the
remainder of his generation shall be decimated. They shall
bear the yoke of slavery, and wound their mother with
spades and ploughs. After this shall succeed two dragons,
198 OEOFFHBY's BEITISH HISTOBT. [book Tir. ca. 9.
whereof one shall be killed with the sting of envy, but the
other shall return under the shadow of a name. Then shall
succeed a lion of justice, at whose roar the Crallican towers
and the island dragons shall tremble. In those days gold
shall be squeezed from the lily and the nettle, and silver shall
flow &om the hoofs of bellowing cattle. The frizzled shall
put on various fleeces, and the outward habit denote the in-
ward parts. The feet of barkers shall be cut off; wild
beasts shall enjoy peace ; mankind shall be grieved at their
punishment; the form of commerce shall be divided; the
half shall be round. The ravenousness of kites shall be de-
stroyed, and the teeth of wolves blunted. The lion's whelps
shall be transformed into sea-fishes ; and an eagle shall build
her nest upon Mount Aravius. Venedotia shall grow red
with the blood of mothers, and the house of Corineus kill
six 1;»rethren. The island shall be wet with night tears ; so
that all shall be provoked to all things. Woe to thee, Neus-
tria, because the lion's brain shall be poured upon thee ; and
he shall be banished with shattered Hmbs from his native
soil. Posterity shall endeavour to fly above the high-
est places ; but the favour of new comers shall be exalted.
Piety shall hurt the possessor of things got by impiety, till
he shall have put on his Father : therefore, being armed with
the teeth of a boar, he shall ascend above the tops of moun-
tains, and the shadow of him that wears a helmet. Albania
shall be enraged, and, assembling her neighbours, shall be
employed in shedding blood. There shall be put into her
jaws a bridle that shall be made on the coast of Armorica.
The eagle of the broken covenant shall gild it over, and re-
joice in her third nest. The roaring whelps shall watch,
and, leaving the woods, shall hunt within the walls of cities.
They shall make no small slaughter of those that oppose
them, and shall cut off the tongues of bulls. They shall
load the necks of roaring lions with chains, and restore the
times of their ancestors. Then from the first to the fourth,
from the fourth to the third, from the third to the second,
the thumb shall roll in oil. The sixth shall overturn the
walls of Ireland, and change the woods into a plain. He
shall reduce several parts to one, and be crowned with the
head of a lion. His beginning shall lay open to wandering
affection, but his end shall carry him up to the blessed, who
A.0. 480.] heblin's fbopheot. 199
are above. For he shall restore the seats of saints in their
countries, and settle pastors in convenient places. Two
cities he shall invest with two palls, and shall bestow virgin-
presents upon virgins. He shall merit by this the favour of
the Thunderer, and shall be placed among the saints. From
him shall proceed a lynx penetrating all things, who shall be
bent upon the ruin of his own nation; for, through him,
Neustria shall lose both islands, and be deprived of its
ancient dignity. Then shall the natives return back to the
island ; for there shall arise a dissension among foreigners.
Also a hoary old man, sitting upon a snow-white horse,
shall turn the course of the river Periron, and shall measure
out a mill upon it with a white rod. Cadwallader shall call
upon Conan, and take Albania into alliance. Then shall
there be a slaughter of foreigners ; then shall the rivers run
with blood. Then shall break forth the fountains of Armo-
rica, and they shall be crowned with the diadem of Brutus.
Cambria shall be Med with joy ; and the oaks of Cornwall
shall flourish. The island shall be called by the name of
Brutus: and the name given it by foreigners shall be
abolished. From Conan shall proceed a warlike boar, that
shall exercise the sharpness of his tusks within the Gallic
woods. For he shall cut down all the larger oaks, and shall
be a defence to the smaller. The Arabians and Africans
shall dread him ; for he shall pursue his furious course to
the farther part of Spain. There shall succeed the goat of
the Venereal castle, having golden horns and a silver beard,
who shall breathe such a cloud out of his nostnls, as shall
darken the whole surface of the island. There shall be
peace in his time ; and com shall abound by reason of the
fruitfulness of the soil. Women shall become serpents in
their gait, and all their motions shall be full of pride. The
camp of Venus shall be restored ; nor shall the arrows of
Cupid cease to wound. The fountain of a river shall be
turned into blood ; and two kings shall fight a duel at Staf-
ford for a lioness. Luxury shall overspread the whole
ground ; and fornication not ceajse to debauch mankind. All
these things shall three ages see ; till the buried kings shall
be exposed to public view in the city of London. Famine shall
again return; mortality shall return; and the inhabitants
shall grieve for the destruction of their cities. Then shall
200 GEOFFRBT'S BRITISH BISTOBY. [book yn. ca. 4.
oome the board of commerce, who shall recall the scattered
flocks to the pasture thej had lost. His breast shall be food
to the hungry, and his tongue drink to the thirsty. Out of
his mouth shall flow rivers, that shall water the parched jaws
of men. After this shall be produced a tree upon the
Tower of London, which, having no more than three
branches, shall overshadow the surface of the whole island
with the breadth of its leaves. Its adversary, the north
wind, shall oome upon it, and with its noxious blast shall
snatch away the third branch ; but the two remaining ones
shall possess its place, till they shall destroy one another
by the multitude of their leaves; and then shall it ob-
tain the place of those two, and shall give sustenance to
birds of foreign nations. It shall be esteemed hurtful to
native fowls ; for they shall not be able to fly freely for fear
of its shadow. There shall succeed the ass of wickedness,
swift against the goldsmiths, but slow against the ravenous*
ness of wolves. In those days the oaks of the forests shall
bum, and acorns grow upon the branches of teil trees.
The Severn sea shall discharge itself through seven mouths^
and the river Uske bum seven months. Fishes shall die
with the heat thereof; and of them shall be engendered
serpents. The baths of Badon shall grow cold, and their
salubrious waters engender death. London shall mourn for
the death of twenty thousand ; and the river Thames shall
be turned into blood. The monks in their cowls shall be
forced to marry, and their cry shall be heard upon the
mountains of the Alps."
Chap. IY. — TTie contintiation of the prophecy.
*' Three springs shall break forth in the city of Winchester,
whose rivulets shall divide the island into three parts.
Whoever shall drink of the flrst, shall enjoy long life, and
shall never be afflicted with sickness. He that shall drink
of the second, shall die of hunger, and paleness and horror
shall sit in his countenance. He that shall drink of the
third, shall be surprised with sudden death, neither shall his
body be capable of burial. Those that are willing to escape
so great a surfeit, will endeavour to hide it with several
coverings : but whatever bulk shall be laid upon it, shall
A.a4W).] HEBLDi'S FBOPHBCT. 201
receive the form of another body. For earth shall be turned
into stones ; stones into water ; wood into ashes ; ashes into
water, if cast over it. Also a damsel shall be sent from the
city of the forest of Canute to administer a cure, who, after
she shall have practised all her arts, shall dry up the noxious
fountains only with her breath. Afterwards, as soon as she
shall have refreshed herself with the wholesome liqour, she
shall bear in her right hand the wood of Caledon, and in her
left the forts of the walls of London. Wherever she shall
go, she shall make sulphureous steps, which will smoke with
a double flame. That smoke shall rouse up the city of
Kuteni, and shall make food for the inhabitants of the deep.
She shall overflow with rueful tears, and shall fill the island
with her dreadful cry. She shall be killed by a hart with
ten branches, four of which shall bear golden diadems ; but
the other six shall be turned into buffalo's horns, whose
hideous sound shall astonish the three islands of Britain.
The Daneian wood shall be stirred up, and breaking forth
into a human voice, shall cry : Come, O Cambria, and join
Cornwall to thy side, and say to Winchester, the earth shall
swallow thee up. Translate the seat of thy pastor to the
place where ships come to harbour, and the rest of the
members will follow the head. For the day hasteneth, in
which thy citizens shall perish on account of the guilt of
perjury. The whiteness of wool has been hurtful to thee,
and the variety of its tinctures. Woe to the perjured nation,
for whose sake the renowned city shall come to ruin. The
ships shall rejoice at so great an augmentation, and one shall
be made out of two. It shall be rebuilt by Eric, loaden with
apples, to the smell whereof the birds of several woods shall
flock together. He shall add to it a vast palace, and wall it
round with six hundred towers. Therefore shall London
envy it, and triply increase her walls. The river Thames
shaU encompass it round, and the fame of the work shall pass
beyond the Alps. Eric shall hide his apples within it, and
shall make subterraneous passages. At that time shall the
stones speak, and the sea towards the Gallic coast be con-
tracted into a narrow space. On each bank shall one man
hear another, and the soil of the island shall be enlarged.
The secrets of the deep shall be revealed, and Gaul shall
tremble for fear. After these things shall come forth a hem
202 geoffbet's British histobt. [book vu. ch. l
from the forest of CaUterium, which shall fly round the
island for two years together. With her nocturnal cry she
shall call together the winged kind, and assemble to her all
sorts of fowls. They shall invade the tillage of husbandmen,
and devour all the grain of the harvests. Then shall follow
a famine upon the people, and a grievous mortality upon the
famine. But when this calamity shall be over, a detestable
bird shall go to the valley of GkJabes, and shall raise it to
be a high mountain. Upon the top thereof it shall also plant
an oak, and bmld its nest in its branches. Three eggs shall
be produced in the nest, from whence shall come forth a fox,
a wolf, and a bear. The fox shall devour her mother, and
bear the head of an ass. In this monstrous form shall she
frighten her brothers, and make them fly into Neustria. But
they shall stir up the tusky boar, and returning in a fleet
shall encounter with the fox ; who at the beginning of the
fight shall feign herself dead, and move the boar to com-
passion. Then shall the boar approach her carcass, and
standing over her, shall breathe upon her face and eyes.
But she, not forgetting her cunning, shall bite his left foot,
and pluck it off from his body. Then shall she leap upon
him, and snatch away his right ear and tail, and hide herself
in the caverns of the mountains. Therefore shall the deluded
boar require the wolf and bear to restore him his members ;
who, as soon as they shall enter into the cause, shall promise
two feet of the fox, together with the ear and tail, and of
these they shall make up the members of a hog. With this
he shall be satisfied, and expect the promised restitution.
In the meantime shall the fox descend from the mountains,
and change herself into a wolf, and under pretence of holding
a conference with the boar, she shall go to him, and craftily
devour him. After that she shall transform herself into a
boar, and feigning a loss of some members, shall wait for her
brothers ; but as soon as they are come, she shall suddenly
kill them with her tusks, and shall be crowned with the head
of a lion. In her days shall a serpent be brought forth,
which shall be a destroyer of mankind. With its length it
shall encompass London, and devour all that pass by it The
mountain ox shall take the head of a wolf, and whiten his
teeth in the Severn. He shall gather to him the flocks of Alba-
nia and Cambria^ which shall drink the river Thames dry.
A. 0.480.] xeslin's fbophect. 208
The ass shaQ call the goat with the long beard, and shall
borrow his shape. Therefore shall the moimtain ox be
incensed, and having called the wolf, shall become a homed
boll against them. In the exercise of his cruelty he shall
devour their flesh and bones, but shall be burned upon the
top of Urian. The ashes of his funeral-pile shall be turned
into swans, that shall swim on dry ground as on a river.
They shall devour fishes in fishes, and swallow up men in
men. But when old age shall come upon them, they shall
become sea-wolves, and practise their frauds in the deep.
They shall drown ships, and collect no small quantity of
silver. The Thames shall again flow, and assembling
t(^ther the rivers, shall pass beyond the bounds of its
channel. It shall cover the adjacent cities, and overturn
the mountains that oppose its course. Being full of deceit
and wickedness, it shall make use of the fountain Galabes.
Hence shall arise factions provoking the Yenedotians to war.
The oaks of the forest shall meet together, and encounter the
rocks of the Gewisseans. A raven shall attend with the
kites, and devour the carcasses of the slain. An owl shall
build her nest upon the walls of Gloucester, and in her nest
shall be brought forth an ass. The serpent of Malvemia
shall bring him up, and put him upon many fraudulent prac-
tices. Having taken the crown, he shall ascend on higl^ and
frighten the people of the country with his hideous braying.
In his days shaU the Pachaian mountains tremble, and the
provinces be deprived of their woods. For there shall come
a worm with a fiery breath, and with the vapour it sends
forth shall bum up the trees. Out of it shall proceed seven
lions deformed with the heads of goats. With the stench
of their nostrils they shall corrupt women, and make wives
turn common prostitutes. The father shall not know his
own son, because they shall grow wanton like brute beasts.
Then shall come the giant of wickedness, and terrify all with
the sharpness of his eyes. Against him shall arise the
dragon of Worcester, and shall endeavour to banish him.
But in the engagement the dragon shall be worsted, and
oppressed by the wickedness of the conqueror. For he shall
mount upon the dragon, and putting off his garment shall sit
upon him naked. The dragon shall bear hjm up on high,
and beat his naked rider with his tail erected. Upon this
204 Geoffrey's bbitish histobt. [BooKTii.cii.i.
the giant rousing up his whole strength, shall break his jaws
with his sword. At last the dragon shall fold itself up
under its tail, and die of poison. After him shall succeed
the boar of Totness, and oppress the people with grievous
tyranny. Gloucester shall send forth a lion, and shall
^turb him in his cruelty, in several battles. He shall
trample him under his feet, and terrify him with open jaws.
At last the lion shall quarrel with the kingdom, and get upon
the backs of the nobility. A bull shall come into the quairel,
and strike the lion with his right foot. He shall drive him
through all the inns in the kingdom, but shall break his
horns against the walls of Oxford. The fox of Kaerdubalem
shall take revenge on the lion, and destroy him entirely with
her teeth. She shall be encompassed by the adder of Lincoln,
who with a horrible hiss shaU give notice of his presence to
a multitude of dragons. Then shall the dragons encounter,
and tear one another to pieces. The winged shall oppress
that which wants wings, and fasten its claws into the
poisonous cheeks. Others shall come into the quarrel, and
kill one another. A fifth shall succeed those that are slain,
and by various stratagems shall destroy the rest. He shall
get upon the back of one with his sword, and sever his head
from his body. Then throwing off his garment, he shall get
upon another, and put his right and left hand upon his tail
Thus being naked shall he overcome him, whom when
clothed he was not able to deal with. The rest he shall
gall in their flight, and drive them round the kingdom.
Upon this shall come a roaring lion dreadful for his
monstrous cruelty. Fifteen parts shall he reduce to one,
and shall alone possess the people. The giant of the snow-
white colour shall shine, and cause the white people to
flourish. Pleasures shall effeminate the princes, and they
shall suddenly be changed into beasts. Among them shall
arise a lion swelled with human gore. Under him shall a
reaper be placed in the standing com, who, while he is
reaping, shall be oppressed by him. A charioteer of York
shall appease them, and having banished his lord, shall
mount upon the chariot which he shall drive. With his
sword unsheathed shall he threaten the East, and fill the
tracks of his wheels with blood. Afterwards he shall
become a sea-fish, who, being roused up with the hissing
Ajk480.] UEBLm's PBOPHECT. 205
of a serpent, shall engender with him. From hence shall
be produced three thundering bulls, who having eaten up
their pastures shall be turned into trees. The first
shall carry a whip of vipers, and turn his back upon
the next. He shall endeavour to snatch away the whip,
but shall be taken hj the last. Thej shall turn away their
faces from one another, till they have thrown away the
poisoned cup. To him shall succeed a husbandman of
Albania, at whose back shall be a serpent. He shall be
employed in ploughing the ground, that the country may
become white with com. The serpent shall endeavour to
diffuse his poison, in order to blast the harvest. A grievous
mortality shall sweep away the people, and the walls of cities
shall be made desolate. There shall be given for a remedy
the city of Claudius, which shall interpose the nurse of the
scourger. For she shall bear a dose of medicine, and in a
short time the island shall be restored. Then shall two
successively sway the sceptre, whom a homed dragon shall
serve. One shall come in armour, and shall ride upon a
flying serpent. He shall sit upon his back with his naked
body, and cast his right hand upon his tail. With his cry
shall the seas be moved, and he shall strike terror into the
second. The second therefore shall enter into confederacy
with the lion ; but a quarrel happening, they shall encounter
one another. They shall distress one another, but the
courage of the beast shall gain the advantage. Then shall
oome one with a drum, and appease the rage of the lion.
Therefore shall the people of the kingdom be at peace, and
provoke the lion to a dose of physic. In his established seat
he shall adjust the weights, but shall stretch out his hands
into Albania. For which reason the northern provinces
shall be grieved, and open the gates of the temples. The
sign-bearing wolf shall lead his troops, and surround
Cornwall with his tail. He shall be opposed by a soldier in
a chariot, who shall transform that people into a boar. The
boar therefore shall ravage the provinces, but shall hide his
head in the depth of Severn. A man shall embrace a lion
in wine, and the dazzling brightness of gold shall blind the
eye» of beholders. Silver shaJl whiten in the circumference,
and torment several wine presses. Men shall be drunk with
wioe, and, regardless of heaven, shall be intent upon the
206 geoffbet's British histobt. Lbook ym. cu. l
earth. From them shall the stars turn away their faces, and
confound their usual course. Com will wither at their
malign aspects ; and there shall fall no dew from heaven.
The roots and branches will change their places, and the
novelty of the thing shall pass for a miracle. The brightness
of the sun shall fade at the amber of Mercuiy, and horror
shall seize the beholders. Stilbon of Arcadia shall change
his shield ; the helmet of Mars shall call Venus. The
helmet of Mars shall make a shadow ; and the rage of
Mercury pass his bounds. Iron Orion shall unsheath his
sword : the marine Phoebus shall torment the clouds ;
Jupiter shall go out of his lawful paths ; and Venus
forsake her stated lines. The malignitj of the star Saturn
shall fall down in rain, and slay mankind with a crooked
sickle. The twelve houses of the star shall lament the
irregular excursions of their guests ; and Gemini omit their
usual embraces, and call the urn to the fountains. The
scales of Libra shall hang obliquely, till Aries puts his
crooked horns under them. The tail of Scorpio shall
produce lightning, and Cancer quarrel with the Sun.
Virgo shall mount upon the back of Sagittarius, and
darken her virgin flowers. The chariot of the Moon
shall disorder the zodiac, and the Pleiades break forth
into Tv^eeping. No offices of Janus shall hereafter return,
but his gate being shut shall lie hid in the chinks of
Ariadne. The seas shall rise up in the twinkling of an
eye, and the dust of the ancients shall be restored. The
winds shall fight together with a dreadM blasts and their
sound shall reach the stars.
BOOK VIII.
Chap. I. — Vortigem askt Merlin concerning his own death.
Meblin, by delivering these and many other prophecies,
caused in all that were present an admiration at the ambiguity
of his expressions. But Vortigem above all the rest both
admired and applauded the wisdom, and prophetical spirit of
A.n.484.1 HEBLIN*S PBOPHEOT. 207
the young man : for that age had produced none that ever
talked in such a manner before him. Being therefore curious
to learn his own fate, he desired the young man to tell him
what he knew concerning that particular. Merlin answered :
— " Fly the fire of the sons of Constantine, if you are able to
do it : already are they fitting out their ships : already are they
leaving theArmorican shore : already are they spreading out
their sails to the wind. They will steer towards Britain : they
will invade the Saxon nation : they will subdue that wicked
people ; but they will first bum you being shut up in a tower.
To your own ruin did you prove a traitor to their father, and
invite the Saxons into the island. You invited them for your
safeguard ; but they came for a punishment to you. Two
deaths instantly threaten you ; nor is it easy to determine,
which you can best avoid. For on the one hand the Saxons
shall lay waste your country, and endeavour to kill you : on the
other shall arrive the two brothers, Aurelius Ambrosius and
Uther Pendragon, whose business will be to revenge their
father's murder upon you. Seek out some refuge if you can :
to-morrow they will be on the shore of Totness. The
faces of the Saxons shall look red with blood, Hengist shall
be killed, and Aurelius Ambrosius shall be crowned. He
shall bring peace to the nation ; he shall restore the churches ;
but shall die of poison. His brother Uther Pendragon shall
succeed him, whose days also shall be cut short by poison.
There shall be present at the commission of this treason your
own issue, whom the boar of Cornwall shall devour." Accord-
ingly the next day early, arrived Aurelius Ambrosius and
his brother, with ten thousand men.
Chap. II. — Aurelitu Ambrotiu$, being anointed king of Britain, burm
Voriigem beneged in a tower.
As soon as the news of his coming was divulged, the Britons,
who had been dispersed by their great calamities, met together
from all parts, and gaining this new accession of strength
from their countrymen, displayed unusual vigour. Having
assembled together the clergy, they anointed Aurelius king,
and paid him the customary homage. And when the people
were urgent to fall upon the Saxons, he dissuaded them from
it, because his desire was to pursue Vortigem first. For the
treason committed against his father so very much affected
208 OEOFFRET's BBITISH HISTOBT. [hook vm. CR. £
Mm, tliat he thought nothing done till that was first avenged.
In pursuance therefore of this design, he marched with his
army into Cambria, to the town of Gknoreu, whither Vorti-
gem had fled for refuge. That town was in the country of
Hergin, upon the river Gania, in the mountain csJled
Cloarius. As soon as Ambrosius was arrived there, bearing
in his mind the murder of his father and brother, he spake
thus to Eldol, duke of Gloucester.
" See, most noble duke, whether the walls of this city are
able to protect Yortigem against my sheathing this sword in
his bowels. He deserves to die, and you cannot, I suppose,
be ignorant of his desert. Oh most villainous of men, whose
crimes deserve inexpressible tortures ! First he betrayed my
father Constantine, who had delivered him and his country
from the inroads of the Picts ; afterwards my brother Con-
Btans whom he made king on purpose to destroy him. Again,
when by his craft he had usurped the crown, he introduced
pagans among the natives, in order to abuse those who con-
tinued stedfast in their loyalty to me : but by the good pro-
vidence of Gt)d, he unwarily fell into the snare, which he
had laid for my faithful subjects. For the Saxons, when
they found him out in his wickedness, drove him from the
kingdom ; for which nobody ought to be concerned. But
this I think matter of just grief, that this odious people,
whom that detestable traitor invited over, has expelled the
nobility, laid waste a fruitful country, destroyed the holy
churches, and almost extingtdshed Christianity over the
whole kingdom. Now, therefore, my countrymen, show
yourselves men ; first revenge yourselves upon him that was
the occasion of all these disasters ; then let us turn our
arms against our enemies, and free our country from their
brutish tyranny."
Immediately, therefore, they set their engines to work,
and laboured to beat down the walls. But at last, when all
other attempts failed, they had recourse to fire, which meet-
ing with proper fuel, ceased not to rage, till it had burned
down the tower and Vortigem in it.
A.a487.] AURELIUS'S TAXOmu 209
Chap. III. — The praite qf AureUus's wUour. The kfoUy eS the Scot*
exposed. Force* raised agaitut Hengist,
Hengist, with his Saxons^ was struck with telrror at this
news, for he dreaded the valour of Aurelius. Such was the
bravery and courage this prince was master o^ that while
he was in Gaul, there was none that durst encounter with
him. For in all encounters he either dismounted his adver-
sary, or broke his spiear. Besides, he was magnificent in his
presents, constant at his devotioils, temperate in all respects,
and above all things hated a lie. A brave soldier on foot, a
better on horseback, and expert in the discipline of an army.
Reports of these his noble accomplishments^ while he yet
continued in Armorican Britain, were daily brought over into
the island. Therefore, the Sakons, for fear of him^ retired
beyond the Humber, and in those parts fortified the cities
and towns ; for that country always was a place of refuge to
them ; their safety lying in the neighbourhood of Scotland^
which used to watch all opportunities of distressing the
nation ; for that country being in itself a fHghtful place
to live in, 4nd wholly uninhabited, had been a safe retreat
for strangers. By its situation it lay open to the Ficts, Scots,
Dacians, Norwegians, and others, that came to plunder the
island. Being, therefore, secure of a safe reception in this
country, they fled towards it, that, if there should be occa-
sion, they might retreat into it as into their own camp. This
was good news to Aurelius, and made him conceive greater
hopes of victory. So assembling his people quickly together,
he augmented his army, and made an expeditious march
towards the north. In his passage through the countries,
he was grieved to see the desolation made in them, but
especially that the churches were levelled with the ground ;
and he promised to rebuild them, if he gained the victory.
Chap. IV. —Hengisi nutrches with his army against Aurelius, into the
field o/Maisbeli*
Bttt Hengist, upon his approach, took courage again, and
chose out the bravest of his men, whom he exhorted to make
a gallant defence, and not be daunted at Aurelius, who, he
told them, had but few Armorican Britons with him, since
their number did not exceed ten thousand. And as for the
210 Geoffrey's bbitish histobt* Lbook vul cr. 5.
native Britons, he made no account of them, since they had
been so oft^i defeated by him. He therefore promised them
the victory, and that they should come off safely, considering
the supmority of their number, which amounted to two
hundred thousand men in arms. After he had in this manner
animated his men, he advanced with them towards Aurelius,
into a field called Maisbeli, through which Aurelius was to
pass. For his intention was to make a sudden assault by a
surprise, and fall upon the Britons before they were prepared.
But Aurelius perceived the design, and yet did not, on that
account, delay going to the field, but rather pursued his
march with more expedition. When he was come within
sight of the enemy, he put his troops in order, commanding
three thousand Armoricans to attend the cavalry, and drew
out the rest together with the islanders into line of battle.
The Dimetians he placed upon the hiUs, and the Vene-
dotians in the adjacent woods. His reason for which was,
that they might be there ready to fall upon the Saxons,^ in
case they should flee in that direction.
Chap. Y. — 'A battle between Aurelius and Hengist,
In the meantime, Eldol, duke of Gloucester, went to the
king, and said, ^' Tins one day should suffice for all the days
of my life, if by good providence I could but get an oppor-
tunity to engage with Hengist ; for one of us should die
before we parted. I still retain deeply fixed in my memory
the day appointed for our peaceably treating together, but
which he villainously made use of to assassinate all that were
present at the treaty, except myself only, who stood upon my
defence with a stake which I accidentally found, until I made
my escape. That very day proved fatal, through his treachery,
to no less than four hundred and sixty barons and consuls,
who all went unarmed. From that conspiracy Grod was
pleased to deliver me, by throwing a stake in my way, where-
with I defended myself a^d escaped." Thus spoke Eldol.
Then Auirelius exhoirted his companions to place all their
hope in the Son of God, and to make a brave assault with
one consent upon the enemy, in defence of their country.
Nor was Hengist less busy on the other hand in forming lus
troops, and giving them Erections how to behave themselves
ill the battle ; and he walked himself through their several
A.O 488.] AUBELIUS DEFEATS HEKGIST. 211
ranks, the more to spirit them up. At last, both armies,
being drawn out in order of battle, began the attack, which
thej maintained with great bravery, and no small loss of
blood, both to the Britons and Saxons. Aurelius animated
the Christians, Hengist the pagans ; and all the time of the
engagement, EldoFs chief endeavour was to encounter Hen-
gist, but he had no opportunity for it For Hengist, when
he found that his own men were routed, and that the Chris-
tians, by the especial favour of God, had the advantage, fled
to the town called Kaerconan, now Cunungeburg. Aurelius
pursued him, and either killed or made slaves of all he found
in the way. When Hengist saw that he was pursued by
Aurelius, he would not enter the town, but assembled his
troops, and prepared them to stand another engagement.
For he knew the town would not hold out against Aurelius,
and that his whole security now lay in his sword. At last
Aurelius overtook him, and after marshalling his forces, be-
gan another most furious fight. And here the Saxons
steadily maintained their ground, notwithstanding the num-
bers that fbll. On both sides there was a great slaughter,
the groans of the dying causing a greater rage in those that
survived. In short, the Saxons would have gained the day,
had not a detachment of horse from the Armorican Britons
come in upon them. For Aurelius had appointed them the
same station which they had in the former battle ; so that,
upon their advancing, the Saxons gave ground, and when
once a little dispersed, were not able to Ally again. The
Britons, encouraged by this advantage, exerted them-
selves, and laboured with all their might to distress the
enemy. .All the time Aurelius was fully employed, not only
in giving commands, but encouraging his men by his own
example ; for with his own hand he killed all that stood in
his way, and pursued those that fled. Nor was Eldol less
active in all parts of the field, running to and fro to assault
his adversaries ; but still his main endeavour was to find
opportunity of encountering Hengist.
Chap. YI. — Hengist, in a duel with Eldol, is taken hy him, JTte Saxons
are slain by the Britons without mercy.
As there were therefore several movements made by the
parties engaged on each side, an opportunity occurred for their
p2
212 QEOFFieBT*S BRITISH HlSTOKt. [Hook tin. cb. 7i
meeting, and briskly engaging each other. In this encountei*
of the two greatest champions in the field, the fire sparkled
with the clashing of their arms, and every stroke in a manner
produced both thunder and lightning. For a long time was the
victory in suspense, as it seemed sometimes to favour the one^
sometimes the other. While they were thus hotly engaged^
Grorlois, duke of Cornwall, came up to them with the party he
commanded, and did great execution upon the enemies' troops*
At the sight of him, Eldol^ assured of victory, seized on the
helmet of Hengist, and by main force dragged him in among
the Britons, and then in transports of joy cried out with a
loud voice, " God has fulfilled my desire ! My brave soldiers,
down, down, with your enemies the Ambrons.* The victory
is now in your hands : Hengist is defeated, and the day is
your own." In the meantime the Britons failed not to per-
form every one his part against the pagans, upon whom they
made many vigorous assaults ; and though they were obliged
sometimes to give ground, yet their courage did not fail them
in making a good resistance ; so that they gave the enemy
no respite till they had vanquished them. The Saxons
therefore fled whithersoever their consternation hurried them,
some to the cities, some to the woods upon the hills, and
others to their ships. But Octa, the son of Hengist, made
his retreat with a great body of men to York j and Eosa,
his kinsman, to the city of Alclud, where he had a very large
army for his guard.
Chap. YII. — Hengist is beheaded hy Eldol.
AuRELros, after this victory, took the city of Conan above-^
mentioned, and stayed there three days. During this time
he gave orders for the burial of the slain, for curing the
wounded, and for the ease and refreshment of his forces that
were fatigued. Then he called a council of his principal
ofiUcers, to deliberate what was to be done with Hengist.
There was present at the assembly Eldad, bishop of Glouces-
ter, and brother of Eldol, a prelate of very great wisdom
and piety. As soon as he beheld Hengist standing in the
king's presence, he demanded silence, and said, " Though all
should be unanimous for setting him at liberty, yet would I
• The meaning of this word is doubtful ; it is applied to the Saxons,
and probably is descriptive of their fierce and savage character.
A.D.4880 OCTA SUBRENDERS TO AUBELIUS, Sl3
cut him to pieces. The prophet Samuel is my warrant, who,
when he had Agag, king of Amalek, in his power, hewed
him in pieces, saying. As thy sword hath made women child-
less, so shall thy mother be childless among women. Do
therefore the same to Hengist, who is a second Agag.'*
Accordingly Eldol took his sword, and drew him out of the
city, and then cut off his head. But Aurelius, who showed
moderation in all his conduct, commanded him to be buried,
and a heap of earth to be raised oyer his body, according to
the custom of the pagans.
Chap. VIII. — Octa, being besieged in York, surrenders himself to the
mercy of Aurelius.
From hence Aurelius conducted his army to York, to besiege
Octa, Hengist's son. When the city was invested, Octa was
doubtful whether he should give him any opposition, and
stand a siege against such a powerful army. After consulta-
tion upon it, he went out with his principal nobility that were
present, carrying a chain in his hand, and sand upon his
head, and presented himself to the king with this address :
« My gods are vanquished, and I doubt not that the sovereign
power is in your God, who has compelled so many noble per-
sons to come before you in this suppliant manner. Be pleased
therefore to accept of us, and of this chain. If you do not
think us fit objects of your clemency, we here present our-
selves ready to be fettered, and to undergo whatever punish-
ment you shall adjudge us to." Aurelius was moved with
pity at the spectacle, and demanded the advice of his council
what should be done with them. After various proposals
upon this subject, Eldad the bishop rose up, and delivered
his opinion in these words : " The Gibeonites came volun-
tarily to the children of Israel to desire mercy, and they
obtained it. And shall, we Christians be worse than the
Jews, in refusing them mercy ? It is mercy which they beg,
and let them have it. The island of Britain is large, and in
many places uninhabited. Let us make a covenant with
them, and suffer them at least to inhabit the desert places,
that they may be our vassals for ever." The king acquiesced
in Eldad's advice, and suffered them to partake of his clemency.
After this Eosa and the rest that fled, being encour^ed by
Octa's success, came also, and were admitted to the same
214 OEOFFBET*S BRITISH HISTOBT. f book rm. ch. 9.
favour. The king therefore granted them the country border-
ing upon Scotland, and made a firm covenant with them*
Chap. IX. — AureRuSf hatnng entirely rented the enemietf re^loret aO
things in Britam^ etpeeially eccienastieal affairs^ to their ancient state.
The enemies being now entirely reduced,* tiie king sum-
moned the consuls and princes of the kingdom together at
York, where he gave orders for the restoration of the
churches, which the Saxons had destroyed. He himself
undertook the rebuilding of the metropolitan church of that
city, as also the other cathedral churches in that province.
After fifteen days, when he had settled workmen in several
places, he went to London, which city had not escaped the
fury of the enemy. He beheld with great sorrow the de-
struction made in it, and recalled the remainder of the citi-
zens from all parts, and began the restoration of it. Here
he settled the affairs of the whole kingdom, revived the
laws, restored the right heirs to the possessions of their an-
cestors ; and those estates, whereof the heirs had been lost in
the late grievous calamity, he distributed among his fellow
soldiers. In these important concerns, of restoring the na-
tion to its ancient state, repairing the churches, re-establish-
ing peace and law, and settling the administration of justice,
was his time wholly employed. From hence he went to
Winchester, to repair the ruins of it, as he did of other
cities ; and when the work was finished there, he went, at
the instance of bishop Eldad, to the monastery near Kaer-
oaradoc, now Salisbury, where the consuls and princes,
whom the wicked Hengist had treacherously murdered, lay
buried. At this place was a convent that maintained three
hundred friars, situated on the mountain of Ambrius, who,
as is reported, had been the founder of it. The sight of
the place where the dead lay, made the king, who was of a
compassionate temper, shed tears, and at last enter upon
thoughts, what kind of monument to erect upon it. For he
thought something ought to be done to perpetuate the
* The conquest of England was achieved slowly hy the Saxons, yet it
was sure and permanent : the assertion in the text is untrue. There
was no Expulsion or subjugation of the invaders when they were once
landed.
A.o. i89.] HEBLIN's ADTICB TO ▲UBXLIUa 215
m^nory of that piece of gi^und, which was honoured with
the bodies of so many noble patriots, that died for their
country.
Cha^. X. — AureRus is adv'ued by Merlin to remove &he Giant*s Dance
from the mountain KUlaraus,
Foil this purpose he summoned together several* carpenters
and masons, and commanded them to employ the utmost of
their art^ in contriving some new structure, for a lasting
monument to those great men. But they, in diffidence of
their own skill, refusing to undertake it, Tremounus, arch-
bishop of the City of Legions, went to the king, and said,
** If any one living is able to execute your commands, Mer-
lin, the prophet of Vortigem, is the man. In my opinion
there is not in all your kingdom a person of a brighter
genius, either in predicting future events, or in mechaiiical
contrivances. Order him to come to you, and exercise his
skill in the work which you design." Whereupon Aurelius,
after he had asked a great many questions concerning him,
despatched several messengers into the country to find him
out, and bring him to him. After passing through several
provinces, they found him in the country of the Gewisseans,
at the fountain of Galabes, which he frequently resorted to.
As soon as they had delivered their message to him, they
conducted him to the king, who received him with joy, and,
being curious to hear some of his wonderful speeches, com-
manded him to prophesy. Merlin made answer : " Mysteries
of this kind are not to be revealed but when there is the
greatest necessity for it. If I should pretend to utter them
for ostentation or diversion, the spirit that instructs me
would be silent, and would leave me when I should have
occasion for it." When he had made the same refusal to all
the rest present, the king would not urge him any longer
about his predictions, but spoke to him concerning the monu-
ment which he designed. "K you are desirous," said Merlin,
" to honour the burying-place of these men with an ever-
lasting monument, send for the Giant's Dance, which is in
Eollaraus, a mountain in Ireland. For there is a structure
of stones there, which none of this age could raise, without
a profound knowledge of the mechanical arts. They are
216 asorFREi's British history, lbook vm. ch. ii, 12.
stones of a vast magnitude and wonderful quality ; and if
thej can be placed here, as they are there, round this spot of
ground^ they will stand for ever,"
Chap. XI. — Uther Pendragon m appointed wUh Merlin te bring over the
Gianfs Dance.
At these words of Merlin, Aurelius burst into laughter, and
said, " How is it possible to remove such vast stones from so
distant a country, as if Britain was not furnished with stones
fit for the work ?" Merlin replied, " I entreat youy majesty
to forbear vain laughter ; for what I say is without vanity.
They are mystical stones^ and of a medicinal virtue. The
giants of old brought them from the farthest coast of Africa,
and placed them in Ireland, while they inhabited that count
try. Their (design in this was to make baths in them, when
they should be taken with any ilhiess. For their method
was to wash the stones, and put their sick into the water,
which infallibly cured them. With the like success they
cured wounds also, adding only the application of some
herbs. There is not a stone there which has not some heal-
ing virtue." When the Britons heard this, they resolved to
send for the stones, and to make war upon the people of
Ireland if they should ofier to detain them. And to accom-
plish this business, they made choice of Uther Pendragon,
who was to be attended with fifteen thousand men. They
chose also Merlin himself, by whpse direction the whole
affair was to be managed. A fleet being therefore got
ready, they set sail, and with a fair wind arrived in Ire-
land
Chap. Xli. — Gillomanitu being routed by Uther, the Britons brin^ over
the Giant's dance into Britain,
At that time Gillomanius, a youth of wonderful valour,
reigned in Ireland; who, upon the news of the arrival of
the Britons in his kingdom, levied a vast army, and marched
out against them. And when he had learned the occasion
of their coming, he smiled, and said to those about him,
" No wonder a cowardly race of people were able to make
so great a devastation in the island of Britain, when the
Britons are such brutes and fools. Was ever the like folly
4.0. 4900 aiANX's DAKGB QIROUGHT TO El^GLAin). 217
heard of ? What are the stones of Ireland better than those
of Britain, that our kingdom must be put to this disturbance
fbr them ? To arms, soldiers, and defend your country ;
while I have life they shall not take from us the least stone
of the Giant's Dance." Uther, seeing them prepared for a
battle, attacked them ; nor was it long ere the JBritoi^s had
the advantage, who, having dispersed and killed the Irish,
forced Gillomanius to flee. After the victory they went to
the mountain Killaraus, and arrived at the structure of stones,
the sight of which filled them both with joy and admiration,
And while they were all standing round them, lAerUn came
up to them and said, " Now try your forces, young men, and
see whether strength or art can do the most towards taking
down these stones." At this word they all set to their
engines with one accord, and attempted the removing of the
Giant's Dance. Some prepared cables, others small ropes,
others ladders for the work, but all to no purpose. Merlin
laughed at their yain efforts, and then began his own contri-
vances. When he had placed in order the engines that were
necessary, he took down the stones with an incredible facility,
and gave directions for carrying them to the ships, and
placing them therein. This done, they with joy set sail
again, to yeturn to Britain ; "wrhere they arrived with a fair
gale, and repaired to the burying^place with the stones.
When Aurelius had notice of it, he sent messengers to all
parts of Britain, to summon the clergy and people together
to the mount of Ambrius, in order to celebrate with joy and
honour the erection of the monument. Upon this summons
appeared the bishops, abbats, and people of all other orders and
qualities ; and upon the day and place appointed for their
general meeting, Anrelius placed the crown upon his head,
and with royal pomp celebrated the feast of Pentecost, the
solemnity whereof he continued the three following days.
In the meantime, aU places of honour that were vacant, he
bestowed upon his domestics as rewards for their good ser-
vices. At that time the two metropolitan sees of York and
Legions were vacant ; and with the general consent of the
people, whom he was willing to please in this choice, he
granted York to Sanxo, a man of great quality, and much
celebrated for his piety ; and the City of Legions to Dubri^
cius, whom divine proyidence had pointed out ^ a most use**
218 Geoffrey's bbitish histobt. [BooKTm.cH. iz» li.
fill pastor in that place. As soon as he had settled these
and other affairs in the kingdom, he ordered Merlin to
set up the stones brought over from Ireland, about the
sepulchres which he accordingly did, and placed them in
the same manner las they had been in the mountain Killaraus,
and thereby gave a manifest prod^ of the prevalence of art
above strength.*
Chap. XIII. — PateerUius brings in the Saxont agtAntt the Britane,
At the same time Pascentius, the son of Vortigern, who
had fled over into Grermany, was levpng all the forces of
that kingdom against Aurelius Ambrosius, with a design to
revenge his father^s death; and promised his men an im-
mense treasure of gold and silver, if with their assistance he
could succeed in reducing Britain under his power. When
he had at last corrupted all the youth of the country with
his large promises, he prepared a vast fleet, and arrived in
the northern parts of the island, upon which he began to
make great devastations. The king, on the other hand,
hearing this news, assembled his army, and marching against
them challenged the enraged enemy to a battle ; the chal-
lenge was accepted, and by the blessing of God the enemy
was defeated and put to flight
Chap. XIV. — Pascentius, assisted by the king of Ireland, again invades
Britain, Aurelius dies by the treachery ofEopa^ a Saxon,
Pascentius, after this flight, durst not return to Grermany,
but shifting his saib, went over to GiUomanius, in Ireland,
by whom he was well received. And when he had given
him an account of his misfortune, Gillomanius, in pity to him,
promised him his assistance, and at the same time vented his
complaint of the injuries done him by Uther, the brother of
Aurelius, when he came for the Giant's Dance. At last,
entering into confederacy together, they made ready their
fleet, in which they embarked, and arrived at the city of
Menevia. This news caused IJther Pendragon to levy his
* This is the venerable monument of antiquity, now called Stonehenge,
of the origin of which we know no more than we know of the solid firame^
work of the globe itself. It was certainly erected by a people Who lived
long before the beginning of authentic history.
A.O.497--508.] EOPA POISONS AUBELnTS. 219
forces, and march into Cambria to fight them. For his
brother Aurelius then lay sick at Winchester, and was not
able to go himself. When Pascentius, Gillomanius, and the
Saxons heard of it, they highly rejoiced, flattering them-
selres, that his sickness would facilitate to them the conquest
of Britain. While this occurrence was the subject of the
people's discourse, one of the Saxons, named Eopa, came to
Pascentius, and said, " What reward will you give the man
that shall kill Aurelius Ambrosius for you ?" To whom
Pascentius answered, '* O that I could find a man of such
resolution ! I would give him a thousand pounds of silver,
and my friendship for life ; and if by good fortune I can but
gain the crown, I promise upon oath to make him a centu-
rion." To this Eopa replied, " I have learned the British
language, and know the manners of the people, and have skill
in physic. If, therefore, you will perform this promise, I
will pretend to be a Christian and a Briton, and when, as a
physician, I shall be admitted into the king's presence, I will
make him a potion that shall despatch him. And to gain the
readier access to him, I will put on the appearance of a de-
vout and learned monk." Upon this offer, Pascentius entered
into covenant with him, and confirmed what he had promised
with an oath. Eopa, therefore, shaved his beard and head, and
in the habit of a monk hastened to Winchester, loaded with
vessels fcdl of medical preparations. As soon as he arrived
there, he offered his service to those that attended about the
king, and was graciously received by them ; for to them
nobody was now more acceptable than a physician. Being
introduced into the king's presence, he promised to restore
him to his health, if he would but take his potions. Upon
which he had his orders forthwith to prepare one of them,
into which when he had secretly conveyed a poisonous mix-
ture, he gave it the king. As soon as Aurelius had drunk
it up, the wicked Ambron ordered him presently to cover
himself close up, and fall asleep, that the detestable potion
might the better operate.- The king readily obeyed his pre-
scriptions, and in hopes of his speedy recovery fell asleep.
But the poison quickly diffused itself through all the pores
and veins of his body, so that the sleep ended in death. In
the meantime the wicked traitor, having cunningly with-
drawn himself first from one and then from another, was no
220 GEOFFBET's BBITISH HISTOBT. [book yui. OB 15, IS,
longer to be found in the court. During these transactions
fit Winchester, there appeared a star of wonderful magnitude
and brightness, darting forth a ray, at the end of which was
a globe of fire in form of a dragon, out of whose mouth
issued forth two rays ; one of which seemed to stretch out
itself beyond the extent of Gaul, the other towards the Irish
Sea^ and ended in seven lesser rays.
Chap. ^V. — A comet prengnifiei the reign qf Uther.
At the appearance of this star, a general f^ar and amaze-r
ment seized the people ; and even Uther, the king's brother,
who was then upon his march with his army into Cambria,
being not a little terrified at it, was very curious to know of
the learned men, what it portended. Among others, he
ordered Merlin to be called, who also attended in this expe^*
dition to give his advice in the management of the war ; and
who, being now presented before him, was commanded to
discover to him the signification of the star. At this he
burst out into tears, and with a loud voice cried out, " 0
irreparable loss ! O distressed people of Britain I Alas !
the illustrious prince is departed ! The renowned king of
the Britons, Aurelius Ambrosius, is dead ! whose death will
prove fatal to us all, unless God be our helper. Make haste,
therefore, most noble Uther, make haste to engage the enemy ;
the victory will be yours, and you shall be king of all Britain.
For the star, and the fiery dragon under it, signifies yourself,
and the ray extending towards the Gallic coast, portends that
you shall have a most potent son, to whose power all those
kingdoms shall be subject over which the ray reaches. But
the other ray signifies a daughter, whose sons and grandsons
shall successively enjoy the kingdom of Britain."
Chap. XYI. — Pascentius and Gfillomamus are killed in battle.
Uther, though he doubted of the truth of what Merlin had
declared, pursued his march against the enemy, for he was
now come within half a day's march of Menevia. When Gil-
lomanius, Pascentius, and the Saxons were informed of his
approach, they went out to give him battle. As soon as
they were come within sight of each other, both armies begax\
to foriQ themselves into several bodies, and then advanced to
A.n, 509.] tTHBB, KlNd Or BBITAI^^ 22l
jEi close attaisk, in which both sides suffered a loss of men, as
usually happens in sueh engagements. At last, towards the
dose of the daj, the advantage was on Uther^s side, and the
death of Gillomanius and Fascentius made a way for com-
plete victory. So that the barbarians, being put to flight,
hastened to their ships, but were slain by their pursuers.
Thus, by the favour of Christy the general had triumphant
success, and then with all possible expedition, after so great
a fatigue, returned back to Winchester : for he had now
been informed, by messengers that arrived, of the king's sad
fate, and of his burial by the bishops of the country, near
the convent of Ambrius, within the Giant*s Dance, which
in his lifetime he had commanded to be made. For upon
hearing the news of his death, the bishops, abbats, and all
the clergy of that province, had met together at Winchester,
to solemnize his funeral. And because in his lifetime he
had given orders for his being buried in the sepulchre which
he had prepared, they therefore carried his corpse thitherj
and performed his exsequies with royal magnificence.
•
Chap. XVII. — Uther Pendragon i» made king of Britain.
But Uther his brother, having assembled the clergy of the
kingdom, took the crown, and by universal consent was
advanced to the kingdom. And remembering the explana-
tion which Merlin had made of the star above-mentioned,
he commanded two dragons to be made of gold, in likeness
of the dragon which he had seen at the ray of the star. As
soon as they were finished, which was done with wonderful
nicety of workmanship, he made a present of one to the
cathedral church of Winchester, but reserved the other for
himself, to be carried along with him to his Vars. From
this time, therefore, he was called Uther Pendragon, which
in the British tongue signifies the dragon's head ; the occa-
sion of this appellation being Merlin's predicting, from the
appearance of a dragon, that he should be king;
Chap. XVIIL — Octa and Eosa are taken in battle.
In the meantime Octa the son of Hengist, and his kinsman
EOsa, seeing they were no longer bound by the treaty which
they had made with Aurelius Ambrosius, began to raise dis-
222 GBOTFBXfa BBITISH HISTOBT. [book tui. ch. 18.
turbances against the king, and infest his eountries. For
they were now joining with the Saxons whom Pascentius
had brought over, and sending messengers into Germany for
the rest. Being therefore attended with a vast army, he in-
vaded the northern provinces, and in an outrageous manner
destroyed all the cities and fortified places, from Albania to
York. At last, as he was beginning the siege of that city,
IJther Pendragon came upon him with the whole power of
the kingdom, and gave him battle. The Saxons behaved
with great gallantry, and, having sustained the assaults of
the Britons, forced them to fly ; and upon this advantage
pursued them with slaughter to the mountain Damen, which
was as long as they could do it with day-light. The moun-
tain was high, and had a hazel-wood upon the top of it, and
about the middle broken and cavernous rocks, which were a
harbour to wild beasts. The Britons made up to it, and
stayed there all night among the rocks and hazel-bushes.
But as it began to draw towards day, Uther commanded the
consuls and princes to be called togejther, that he might con-
sult with them in what manner to assault the enemy. Where-
upon they forthwith appeared before the king, who com-
manded them to give their advice ; and Grorlois, duke of
Cornwall, had orders to deliver his opinion first, out of regard
to his years and great experience. " There is no occasion,"
said he, " for ceremonies or speeches, while we see that it is
still night : but there is for boldness and courage, if you
desire any longer enjoyment of your life and liberty. The
pagans are very numerous, and eager to fight, and we much
inferior to them in number ; so that if we stay till daybreak,
we cannot, in my opinion, attack them to advantage. Come
on, therefore, while we have the favour of the night, let us
go down in a close body, and surprise them in their camp
with a sudden assault. There can be no doubt of success,
if with one consent we fall upon them boldly, while they
think themselves secure, and have no expectation of our
coming in such a manner." The king and sJl that were pre-
sent, were pleased with his advice, and pursued it. For as
soon as they were armed and placed in their ranks, they
made towards the enemies* camp, designing a general assault.
But upon approaching to it, they were discovered by the
watch, who with sound of trumpet awaked their companions.
▲.]>.50fl.l OOTA ANP E09A TAKKN PBI8QNEB8. 223
The enemies being hereupon put into confusion and astonisli-
ment^ part of them hastened towards the sea, and part ran
up and down whithersoeyer their fear or precipitation drove
them. The Britons, finding their coming discoyered, hastened
their march, and keeping still close together in their ranks,
assailed the camp ; into which when thej had found an en-
trance, thej ran with their drawn swords upon the enemj ;
who in this sudden surprise made but a faint defence against
their vigorous and regular attack ; and pursuing this blow
with great eagerness they destroyed some thousands of the
pagans, took Octa and Eosa prisoners, and entirely dispersed
the Sa]^ons.
Chap. XIX. — Uthetj/dUi^ in love toilh Igema, envoys her by the tumt'
ance qfMerlin^s magical operations,
Afteb this victory Uther repaired to the city of Aldud,
where he settled the affairs of that province, and restored
peace everywhere. He also made a progress round all the
countries of the Scots, and tamed the fierceness of that rebel-
lious people, by such a strict administration of justice, as
none of his predecessors had exercised before : so that in
his time offenders were everywhere under great terror, since
they were sure of being punished without mercy. At last,
when he had established peace in the northern provinces, he
went to London, and commanded Octa and Eosa to be kept
in prison there. The Easter following he ordered all the
nobility of the kingdom to meet at that city, in order to
celebrate that great festival ; in honour of which he designed
to wear his crown. The summons was everywhere obeyed,
and there was a great concourse from all cities to celebrate
the day. So the king observed the festival with great
solemnity, as he had designed, and very joyfully entertained
his nobility, of whom there was a very great muster, with
their wives and daughters, suitably to the magnificence of
the banquet prepared for them. And having been recdived
with joy by the king, they also expressed the same in
their deportment before him. Among the rest was pre-
sent Gorlois, duke of Cornwall, with his wife Igerna, the
greatest beauty in all Britain. No sooner had the king cast
his eyes upon her among the rest of the ladies, than he fell
passionately in love with her, and little regarding the rest,
2^4 ^EOFFBET^S BRITISH HISTOltT. [book riri. ch. 19.
made hev the subject of all his thoughts. She was the onlj
ladj that he continually served with fresh dishes, and to
whom he sent golden cups by his confidants ; on her he
bestowed all his smiles, and to her addressed all his dis-
30urse. The husband, discovering this, fell into a great
rage, and retired from the court without taking leave : nor
was there any body that could stop him, while he was under
fear of losing the chief object of his delight. XJther, there-
fore, in great wrath commanded him to return back to court,
to make him satisfaction for this affront. But Gorlois
refused to obey ; upon which the king was highly incensed,
and swore he would destroy his country, if he did not
speedily compound for his offence. Accordingly, without
ielay, while their anger was hot against each other, the king
got together a great army, and marched into Cornwall, the
cities and towns whereof he set on fire. But Gorlois durst
not engage with him, on account of the inferiority of his
numbers ; and thought it a wiser course to fortify his towns,
till he could get succour from Ireland. And as he was under
more concern for his wife than himself, he put her into the
town of Tintagel,* upon the sea-shore, which he looked
upon as a place of great safety. But he himself entered the
castle of Dimilioc, to prevent their being both at once in-
volved in the same danger, if any should happen. The king,
informed of this, went to the town where Gorlois was, which
he besieged, and shut up all the avenues to it. A whole
week was now past, when, retaining in mind his love to
Igerna, he said to one of his confidants, named Ulfin de
Ricaradoch : " My passion for Igerna is such, that I can
neither have ease of mind, nor health of body, till I obtain
her : and if you cannot assist me with your advice how to
accomplish my desire, the inward torments I endure will kill
me." — "Who can advise you in this matter," said Ulfin,
" when no force will enable us to have access to her in the
town of Tintagel ? For it is situated upon the sea, and on
every side surrounded by it ; and there is but one entrance
into it, and that through a straight rock, which three men
shall be able to defend against the whole power of the king-
dom. Notwithstanding, if the prophet Merlin would in
* The ruins of this castle denote that it must have been a place of great
fetrength.
AD. 492] UTHER AND OTHERS METAHOHP&OSlEIX %25
teamest set about this attempt, I am of opinion, yon might
with his advice obtain your wishes." The king readily be*
lieved what he was so well inclined to, and ordered Merlin,
who was also come to the si^e, to be called. Merlin, there-
fore, being introduced into the king*s presence, was com-
manded to give his advice, how the kihg might accomplish
his desire with respect to Igema. And he, finding the great
anguish of the king, was moved by such excessive love, and
said, " To accomplish your desire, you must make use of
such arts as have not been heard of in your time. 1 know
how, by the force of my medicines, to give you the exact
likeness of Gorlois, so that in all respects you shall Seem to
be no other than himself. If you vnll therefore obey my
prescriptions, I will metamorphose you into the true sem-
blance of Gorlois, and Ulfin into Jordan of Tintagel, his
familiar friend ; and I myself, being transformed into another
shape, vnll make the third in the adventure ; and in this
disguise you may go safely to the town where Igema is, and
have admittance to her.** The king complied with the pro*
posal, and acted with great caution in this affair ; and when
he had committed the care of the siege to his intimate
friends, underwent the medical applications of Merlin, by
whom he was transformed into the likeness of Gorlois ; as
was Ulfin also into Jordan, and Merlin himself into Bricel ;
so that nobody could see any remains now of their former
likeness. They then set forward on their way to Tintagel,
at which they arrived in the evening twilight, and forthwith
signified to the porter, that the consul was come ; upon which
the gates were opened, and the men let in. For what room
could there be for suspicion, when Gorlois himself seemed to
be there present ? The king therefore stayed that night with
Igema, and had the full enjoyment of her, for she was de-
ceived with the false disguise which he had put on, and the
artful and amorous discourses wherewith he entertained her.
He told her he had left his own place besieged, purely to
provide for the safety of her dear self, and the town she was
in ; so that believing all that he said, she refused him nothing
which he desired. The same night therefore she conceived
of the most renowned Arthur, whose heroic and wonderful
actions have justly rendered his name famous to poi^terity.
Q
2261 GEOFirBKX's BBjnSB HISTORY, [book tiii. ch. 20. 21.
Cqap. XX. — Gorhu being killed^ Uiher mmrriei Ipema.
In the meantime, as soon as the king's absence was discovered
at the siege, his army nnadrisedlj made an assault upon the
walls, and provoked the besieged count to a battle ; who
himself also, acting as inconsideratelj as they, sallied forth
with his men, thinking with such a small haiidful to oppose
a powerful army ; but happened to be killed in the very first
brunt of the fight^ and had all his men routed. The town
also was taken ; but aU the riches of it were not shared
equally among the besi^ers, but every one greedily took
what he could get, according as fortune or his own strength
favoured him, After this bold attempt, came messengers to
Igema, with the news both of the duke's death, and of the
event of the siege. But when they saw the king in the
likeness of the consul, sitting close by her, they were struck
with shame and astonishment at his safe arrival there^ whom
they had left dead at the siege ; for they were whoHy
ignorant of the miracles which Merlin had wrought with his
medicines. The king therefore smiled at the news, and em-
bracing the countess, said to her ; '^ Your own eyes may
convince you that I am not dead, but alive. But notwith-
standing, the destruction of the town, and the slaughter of
my men, is what very much grieves me ; so that there is
reason to fear the king's coming upon us, and taking us in
this place. To prevent which, I will go out to meet him,
and make my peace with him, for fear of a worse disaster.*
Accordingly, as soon as he was out of the town, he went to
his army, and having put off the disguise of Grorlois, was
now Uther Pendragon again. When he had a full relation
made to him how matters had succeeded, he was sorry for
the death of Grorlois, but rejoiced that Igema was now at
liberty to marry again. Then he returned to the town of
Tintagel, which he took, and in it, what he impatiently
wished for, Igerna herself. After this they continued to
live together with much affection for each other> and had a
son and daughter, whose names were Arthur and Anne.
Chaf> XXI* — Octa and Eosa renew the war. Lot^ a coneulf marries the
k%ng*i9 daughter.
In process of time the king was taken ill of a lingering
distemper ; and meanwhile the keepers of the prison.
A.9. 493.J VTHEB GABBIEP TO THE BATTLE-FIELD. 227
wherein Octa and Eosa (as we related before) led a weary
life, had fled over with them into Germany, and occasioned
great fear over the kingdom. For there was a report of their
great levies in Germany, and the vast fleet which they had
prepared for their return to destroy the island ; which tl^e
event verified. For they returned in a great fleet, and with
a prodigious number of men, and invaded the parts of
Albania, where they destroyed both cities and inhabitants
with fire and sword. Wherefore, in order to repulse the
enemies, the command of the British army was committed to
Lot of Londonesia, who was a consul, and a most valiant
knight, and grown up to maturity both of years and wisdom.
Out of respect to his eminent merits, the king had given him
his daughter Anne, and entrusted him with the care of the
kingdom, during his illness. In his expedition against the
enemies he had various success, being often repulsed by
them, and forced to retreat to the cities ; but he oftener
routed and dispersed them, and compelled them to flee
sometimes into the woods, sometimes to their ships. So
that in a war attended with so many turns of fortune, it
was hard to know which side had the better. The greatest
injury to the Britons was their own pride, in disdaining
to obey the consul's commands ; for which reason all
their efforts against the enemy were less vigorous and
successful.
Chap. XXTI. — Uiher, being HI, it earned in a hortenlitter againsi the
enemy.
The island being by this conduct now almost laid waste, the
king, having information of the matter, fell into a greater
rage than his weakness could bear, and commanded all his
nobility to come before him, that he might reprove them
severely for their pride and cowardice. And as soon as they
were aU entered into his presence, he sharply rebuked them
in menacing language, and swore he himself would lead them
against the enemy. For this purpose he ordered a horse-
litter to be made, in which he designed to be carried, for his
infirmity would not sufier him to use any other sort of
vehicle ; and he charged them to be all ready to march
against the enemy on the first opportunity. So, without
Q2
228 GBOFJtoJT^s Bitrrtsfi flisfOKr. iMotivnt.cn. 29.
delay, tlie horse-Htter and all his attendants were got ready,
and the day arrived which had been appointed for their
march.
Chap. XXIIT. — Oeia and Eosa^ triih a great number of their mertf are
killed.
The king, therefore, being put into his vehicle^ they marched
directly to Verulam, where the Saxons were grieyously
oppressing the people^ When Octa and Eosa had intelligence
that the Britons were come, and that the king was brought
in a horse-Ktter, they disdained to fight with him, sa3ring, it
would be a shame for such brave men to fight with one that
was half dead. For which reason they retired into the city,
and, as it were in contempt of any danger from the enemy,
left their gates wide open. But Uther, upon information
of this, instantly commanded his men to lay siege to the city,
and assault the walls on all sides ; which orders they strictly
executed ; and were just ente;ing the breaches which they
had made in the walls, and ready to begin a general assault,
when the Saxons, seeing the advantages which the Britons
had gained, and being forced to abate somewhat of their
haughty pride, condescended so far as to put themselves into
a posture of defence. They therefore mounted the walls^
from whence they poured down showers of arrows, and
repulsed the Britons. On both sides the contest continued
till night released them from the fatigue of their arms, which
was what many of the Britons desired, though the greater
part of them were for having the matter quickly decided
with the enemy. The Saxons, on the other hand, finding
how prejudicial their own pride had been to them, and that
the advantage was on the side of the Britons, resolved to
make a sally at break of day, and try their fortune with the
enemy in the open field ; which accordingly was done. For
no sooner was it daylight, than they marched out with this
design, all in their proper ranks. The Britons, seeing them,
divided their men into several bodies, and advancing towards
them, began the attack first, their part being to assault, while
the others were only upon the defensive. However, much
blood was shed on both sides, and the greatest part of the
day spent in the fight, when at last, Octa and Eosa being
killed, the Saxons turned their backs, and left the Britons a
J1.0.4M.1 TJTHSB TBEAGHSBOUSLT POXSOK£D. 229
complete victory. The king at this was in such an ecstasy
of joy, that whereas before he could hardly raise up himself
without the help of others, he now without any difficulty sat
upright in his horse-litter of himself, as if he was on a sudden
restored to health ; and said with a laughing and merry
countenance, " These Ambrons called me the half-dead king,
because my sickness obliged me to lie on a horse-litter ; and
indeed so I was. Yet victory to me half dead, is better than
to be safe and sound and vanquished. For to die with
honour, is preferable to living with disgrace."
Chap. XXIV. — Uther, up^n drinking tpring water that was treackerougljf
poiioned by the Savons, dies,
Thjs Saxons, notwithstanding this defeat, persisted still in
their malice, and entering the northern provinces, without
respite infested the people there. Uthers purpose was to
have pursued them ; but his princes dissuaded him from it,
because his illness had increased since the victory. This
gave new courage to the enemy, who left nothing unattempted
to make conquest of the kingdom. And now they have
recourse to their former treacherous practices, and contrive
how to compass the king^s death by secret villainy. And
because they could have no access to him otherwise, they
resolved to take him off by poison ; in which they succeeded.
For while he was lying ill at Yerulam, they sent away some
spies in a poor habit, to learn the state of the court ; and
when they had thoroughly informed themselves of the
posture of affairs, they found out an expedient by which
they might best accomplish their villainy. For there was
near the court a spring of very clear water, which the king
used to drink of, when his distemper had made all other
Hquors nauseous to him. This the detestable conspirators
made use of to destroy him, by so poisoning the whole mass
of water which sprang up, that the next time the king drank
of it, he was siezed with sudden death, as were also a hundred
other persons after him, till the villainy was discovered, and a
heap of earth thrown over the welL As soon as the king's
death was divulged, the bishops and clergy of the kingdom
assembled, and carried his body to the convent of Ambrius,
where they buried it with regal solemnity, close by AureUus
Ambrosius, within the Giant's Dance.
230 OBOVFBBT's BBITISH BISTOBT. raooKiz.CR.1.
BOOK IX.
Chip. l.-^Arthur weeeedt Uther hi$ father m th$ kingdom ^ BrUamy
and bedeget Colgrin,
Uther Pendragon being dead, the nobility from seyeral
provinces assembled together at Silchester, and proposed to
Dubricius, archbishop of Legions, that he should consecrate
Arthur, Uther's son, to be their king. For they were now
in great straits, because, upon hearing of the king's death,
the Saxons had invited over their countiymen from Germany,
and, under the command of Colgrin, were attempting to ex-
terminate the whole British race. They had also entirely
subdued all that part of the island which extends from the
Humber to the sea of Caithness. Dubricius, therefore,
grieving for the calamities of his country, in conjunction
with the other bishops, set the crown upon Arthur's head.
Arthur was then fifteen years old, but a youth of such
unparalleled courage and generosity, joined with that sweet-
ness of temper and innate goodness, as gained him universal
love. When his coronation was over, he, according to usual
custom, showed his bounty and munificence to the people.
And such a number of soldiers flocked to him upon it, that
his treasury was not able to answer that vast expense. But
such a spirit of generosity, joined with valour, can never long
want means to support itself. Arthur, therefore, the better
to keep up his mimificence, resolved to make use of his
courage, and to fall upon the Saxons, that he might enrich
his followers with their wealth. To this he was fdso moved
by the justice of the cause, since the entire monarchy of
Britain belonged to him by hereditary right. Hereupon
assembling the youth under his command, he marched to
York, of which, when Colgrin had intelligence, he met him
with a very great army, composed of Saxons, Scots, and
Picts, by the river Duglas ; where a battle happened, with
the loss of the greater part of both armies. Notwithstanding,
the victory fell to Arthur, who pursued Colgrin to York, and
there besieged him. Baldulph, upon the news of his brother's
flight, went towards the siege with a body of six thousand
men, to his relief ; for at the time of the battle he was upon
A.D.ffOO.1 ABTHUR BESIEGES COLGBIK. 231
the seft-ooast) waiting 1^ arriyal of duke Cheldric with
SQCCoars from Germany. And being now no mpore than ten
mileid distant from the oitrf , his purpose was to make a spee^
march in the nighb-time, «nd fall upon the enemy by way of
eurprise. But Arthur, having intelligence of his design^ sent
a detachment of Bi± hundred horse, and three thousand foot,
under the command of Oador, duke of Cornwall, to meet him
the same night Cador, therefore, falling into the same road
along which the enemy was passing, made a sudden assault
upon them, and entirely defeated the Saxons, and put them
to flight. Baldulph was excessively grieved at this disap-
pointment in the relief which he intended for his brother,
and began to think of some other stratagem to gain access to
him ; in which if he could but succeed, he thought they
mi^t concert measures together for their safety. And since
he h&d no other way for it, he shaved his head and beard,
and put on the habit of a jester with a haip, and in this
disguise walked up and down in the camp, playing upon his
mcrtrument as if he had been a harper. He thus passed
unsuspected, and by a little and little went up to the walls
of the city, where he was at laist discovered by the besieged,
who thereupon drew him up with cords, and conducted him
to his brother. At this unexpected, though much desired
meeting, they spent some time in joyfully embracing each
other, and then began to consider various stratagems for
their delivery. At last, just as they were considering their
case desperate, the ambassadors returned from Germany, and
brought with them to Albania a fleet of six hundred sail,
hden with brave soldiers, under the command of Cheldric.
Upon this news, Arthur was dissuaded by his council from
continuing the siege any longer, for fear of hazarding a battle
with so powerful and numerous an aimy.
Chap. IL-^Hoel sends fifUen tlwusand men to Arlhut^s assisfance.
Abthub complied with their advice, and made his retreat to
London, where he called an assembly of all the clergy and
nobility of the kingdom, to ask their advice, what course to
take against the formidable power of the pagans. After
some deliberation, it was agreed that ambassadors should be
despatched into Armorica^ to king Hoel, to represent to him
282 OSOP^IUET's WCTXSH HISTOXT. [B0OKiz.ca.9k
the cataoiltoas state of B;citain. Hod was the ooa of Arthor^s
sister b j Dabricius» kiog of the Armorican Britons ; so that^
upon advice of the disturbances his uncle was threatened
withy he ordered his. fleet to be got readj, and, having
assembled flfieen thousand men, he arrived with the first
fair wind at Hamo's Port^* and was received with all suit-
able honour by Arthur, and most affectionatdiy embraced
by him.
Chap. IIL — ArihurmakgttheSiuniuhUtribfUarie*^
After a few days they went to relieve the city Kaerliudcoit^
that was besi^ed by the pagans ; which being situated upon
a mountain, between two rivers in the province of Lindisia,
is called by another name Ltndocolinum.f As soon as they
arrived there with ajl their forces, they fbught with the
Saxons, and made a grievous slaughter of them, to the num-
ber of six thousand; part of whom were drowned in the
rivers, part fell by the hands of the Britonsw The rest in a
great consternation quitted the siege and fled, but were
closely pursued by Arthur, tiU they came to the wood of
Celidon, where they endeavoured to form themselves into a
body again, and make a stand. And here they again joined
battle with the Britons,, and made a brave defence, whilst
the trees that were in the place secured them against the
enemies' arrows. Arthur, seeing this, commanded the trees
that were in that part of the wood to be cut down, and the
trunks to be placed quite roimd them, so as to hinder their
getting out; resolving to keep them pent up here till he
could reduce them by famine. He then commanded his
troops to besiege the wood, and continued three days in that
place. The Saxons, having now no provisions to sustain
them, and being just ready to starve with hunger, begged
for leave to go out ; in consideration whereof they offered to
leave all their gold and silver behind them, and return back
to Germany with nothing but their empty ships. They pro-
mised also that they would pay him tribute from Germany,
and leave hostages with him. Arthur, after consultation,
about it, granted their petition ; allowing them only leave to
depart, and retaining all their treasures, as also hostages for
* Southampton* f Lincolxu
iLD. 501.J SPEECH OF 8T« DUBBIGIU8. 233
pajment of the tribute. But as thej were imder sail oa
their return home, thej repented of their bargain, and
tadced about again towards Britain, and went on shore at
Totness. No sooner were thej landed, than th^ made an
utter devastation of the country as far as the &vern sea,
and put all the peasants to the sword. From thence thej
pursued their furious march to the town of Bath, and laid
siege to it. When the king had intelligence of it, he was
bejond measure surprised at their proceedings, and immedi-
atelj gave orders for the execution of the hostages. And
desisting from an attempt which he had entered upon to re-
duce the Scots and Picts, he marched with the utmost expe-
dition to raise the siege ; but laboured under verj great
difficulties, because he had left his nephew Hoel sick at
Alclud. At length, having entered the province of Somerset^
and beheld how the siege was carried on, he addressed him-
self to his followers in these words : " Since these impious
and detestable Saxons have disdained to keep faith with me,
I, to keep faith with God, will endeavour to revenge the
blood of mj countrymen this daj upon them. To arms,
soldiers, to arms, and courageouslj fall upon the perfidious
wretches, over whom we sh^ with Christ assisting us, un-
doubtedlj obtain the victorj."
Chap. IV. — Dttbrioitu's speech against the tretusherous Saxons* Arthur
with his own hand kills four hundred and seventy Saxons in one battle.
Colgrvn and Batdtdph are killed in ihe same*
When he had done speaking, St. Dubricius, archbishop of
Legions, going to the top of a hill, cried out with a loud
voice, " You that have the honour to profess the Christian
faith, keep fixed in your minds the love which you owe to
your country and fellow subjects, whose sufferings by the
treachery of the pagans will be an everlasting reproach to
you, if you do not courageously defend them. It is your
country which you fight for, and for which you should, when
required, voluntarily suffer death ; for that itself is victory
and the cure of the soul. For he that shall die for his bre-
thren, offers himself a living sacrifice to God, and has Christ
for his example, who condescended to lay down his life for
his brethren. If therefore any of you shall be killed in
this war, that death itself, which is suffered in so glorious a
234 GEOFFBET's BBITISH HISTOBT. Lbook IX. CH. 4.
cause, shall be to him for penance and absolution of all his
sins.** At these words, all of them, encouraged with the
benediction of the holy prelate, instantly armed themselyes^
and prepared to obey his orders. Also Arthur himself, hay-
ing put on a coat of mail suitable to the grandeur of so
powerful a king, placed a golden helmet upon his head, on
which was engraven the figure of a dragon; and on his
shoulders his shield called Priwen ; upon which the picture
of the blessed Mary, mother of God, was painted, in order
to put him frequently in mind of her. Then girding on his
Ctdibum, which was an excellent sword made in the isle of
AyalLon, he graced his right hand with his lance, named
Ron, which was hard, broad, and fit for slaughter. After
this, having placed his men in order, he boldly attacked the
Saxons, who were drawn out in the shape of a wedge, as
their manner was. And they, notwithstanding that the
Britons fought with great eagerness, made a noble defence
all that day ; but at length, towards sunsetting, climbed up
the next mountain, which served them for a camp : for they
desired no larger extent of ground, since they confided very
much in their numbers. The next morning Arthur, with
his army, went up the mountain, but lost many of his men
in the ascent, by the advantage which the Saxons had in
their station on the top, from whence they could pour down
upon him with much greater speed, than he was able to ad^
vance against them. Notwithstanding, after a very hard
struggle, the Britons gained the summit of the hill, and
quickly came to a close engagement with the enemy, who
again gave them a warm reception, and made a vigorous de-
fence. In this manner was a ^eat part of that day also
spent ; whereupon Arthur, provoked to see the little advan-
tage he had yet gained, and that victory still continued in
suspense, drew out his Calibum, and, calling upon the name
of the blessed Virgin, rushed forward with great fury into
the thickest of the enemy's ranks ; of whom (such was the
merit of his prayers) not one escaped alive that felt the fury
of his sword; neither did he give over the fury of his
assault until he had, with his Calibum alone, killed four
hundred and seventy men. The Britons, seeing this, fol-
lowed their leader in great multitudes, and made slaughter
on all sides ; so that Colgrin, and Baldulph his brother, and
A.D.50S.] DEATH OF CHELDBIC. 235
many thousands more, fell before them. But Cheldric, in
this imminent danger of his men, betook himself to flight.
Chap. Y^^The Samms^ after their leader Cheldrio was killed^ are ail
eompelled by Cador to surrender,
Th£. victory being thus gained, the king commanded Cador,
duke of Cornwall, to pursue them, while he himself should
hasten his march into Albania : from whence he had advice
that the Scots and Picts were besieging Alclud, in which, as
we said before, Hoel lay sick. Therefore he hastened to his
assistance, for fear he might fall into the hands of the bar-
barians. In the meantime the duke of Cornwall, who had
the command of ten thousand men, would not as yet pursue
the Saxons in their flight, but speedily made himself master
of their ships, to hinder their getting on board, and manned
them with his best soldiers, who were to beat back the
pagans in case they should flee thither : after this he hastily
pursued the enemy, according to Arthur's command, and
allowed no quarter to those he could overtake. So that they
whose behaviour before was so cruel and insolent, now with
timorous hearts fled for shelter, sometimes to the coverts of
the woods, sometimes to mountains and caves, to prolong a
wretched life. At last, when none of these places could
afibrd them a safe retreat, they entered the Isle of Thanet with
their broken forces ; but neither did they there get free from
the duke of Cornwall's pursuit, for he still continued slaugh-
tering them, and gave them no respite till he had kiUed
Cheldric, and taken hostages for the surrender of the
rest.
■
Chap. YI. — Arthur grants a pardon to the Scots and Picts, besieged at
the Lake Lunumd,
HATiKa therefore settled peace here, he directed his march
to Alclud, which Arthur had relieved from the oppression of
barbarians, and from thence conducted his army to Mureif,
-^vpk^ne tixe Scots and Ticts were besieged 5 after three several
' battles with the king and his nephew, they had fled as far as
this province, and entering upon the lake Lumond, sought
for refuge in the islands that are upon it. This lake con-
tains sixty islands, and receives sixty rivers into it, which
236 OSOFFBBl's BBinSH mSTOBT. [BOOK is. ch. 7.
empty themselyes into the sea bj no more than one mouth.
There is also an equal number of rocks in these islands, as
also of eagles' nests in those rocks, which flocked together
there every year, and, by the loud and general noise which
they now made, foreboded sppe remarkable event that should
happen to the kingdom, aTo these islands, therefore, had
the enemy fled, thinking the lake would serve them instead
of a fortification ; but it proved of little advantage to them.
For Arthur, having got together a fleet, sailed round the
rivers, and besieged the enemy fifteen days together, by which
they were so straitened with hunger, that they died by thou-
sands. While he was harassing them in this manner Guil-
lamurius, king of Ireland, came up in a fleet with a very
great army of barbarians, in order to relieve the besieged.
This obliged Arthur to raise the siege, and turn his arms
against the Irish, whom he slew without mercy, and com*
pelled the rest to return back to their country. After this
victory, he proceeded in his first attempt, which was to
extirpate the whole race of the Scots and Ficts, and treated
them with an unparalleled severity. And as he allowed
quarter to none, the bishops of that miserable country, with
all the inferior clergy, met together, and bearing the reliques
of the saints and other consecrated things of the church
before them, barefooted, came to implore the king's mercy
for their people. As soon as they were admitted into his
presence, they fell down upon their knees, and humbly be-
sought him to have pity on their distressed country, since
the sufierings which he had already made it undergo, were
sufficient ; nor was there any necessity to cut off the small
remainder to a man ; and that he would allow them the
enjoyment of a small part of the country, since they were
willing to bear the yoke which he should impose upon them.
The lung was moved at the manner of their delivering this
petition, and could not forbear expressing his clemency to
them with tears ; and at the request of those holy men,
granted them pardon.
-CRAPb YII. — Arthur relates the wondeffid nature tf mme pendt, -
This affair being concluded, Hoel had the curiosity to view
the situation of the lake, and wondered to find the number
of the rivers, islands, rocks, and eagles' nests, so exactly
AD. 503.] WON0EHS OF SOME TOtTMi 237
correspond : and while he was reflecting upon it as some^
thing that appeared miraculous, Arthur came to him, and
. told him of another pond in the same province, which was
yet more wonderf uL For not far from thence was one whose
length and breadth were each twenty feet, and depth five
feet. But whether its square figure was natural or arti-
ficial, the wonder of it was, there were four different sorts of
fishes in the four several comers of it, none of which were
ever found in any other part of the pond but their own. He
told him likewise of another pond in Wales, near the Severn,
called by the country people Linligwan, into which when the
sea fiows, it receives it in the manner of a gulf, but so as to
swallow up the tide, and never be filled, or have its banks
covered by it. But at the ebbing of the sea, it throws out
the waters which it had swallowed, as high as a mountain^
and at last dashes and covers the banks with them. In the
meantime, if all the people of that country should stand near
with their faces towards it, and happened to have their clothes
sprinkled with the dashing of the waves, they would hardly,
if at all, escape being swallowed up by the pond. But with
their backs towards it, they need not fear being dashed,
though they stood upon the very banks.
Chap. VIII. — Arthur restores itork to its tmdeni beauty, especially as to
its churches,'
The king, after his general pardon granted to the Scots, went
to York to celebrate the feast of Christ's nativity, which was
now at hand. On entering the city, he beheld with grief
the desolation of the churches ; for upon the expulsion of
the. holy Archbishop Sanxo, and of all the clergy there,
the temples which were half burned down, had no longer
divine service performed in them : so much had the impious
rage of the pagans prevailed. After this, in an assembly o'^
the clergy and people, he appointed Pyramus his chaplain
metropolitan of that see. The churches that lay level with
the ground, he rebuilt, and (which was their chief ornament)
saw them filled with assemblies of devout persons of both
sexes. Also the nobility that were driven out by the dis-»
turbances of the Saxons, he restored to their country.
2B8 OBOFFBBT'8 BEITISH UISTOBT. [bookiz.ch.10.
Chap. IX. — Arthur honourt Augvtel with the teepirt qf the Scot* ; Urian
vfith that qfMureif; ^^ -^^ u'*^ ^ eontulehip qf Londonesia.
These were there three brothers of rojal blood, yiz^ I^ot,
Urian, and Augusel, who, before the Saxons had preyailed,
held the goyemment of those parts. Being willing therefore
to bestow on these, as he did on others, the rights of their
ancestors, he restored to Augusel the soyereigntj- oyer the
Scots; his brother Urian he honoured with the sceptre of
Mureif ; and Lot, who in time of Aurelius Ambrosius had
married his sister, hj whom he had two sons, Walgan and
Modr0d» he re-established in the consulship of Londonesia,
and the other proyinces belonging to him. At length, when
the whole country was reduced bj him to its ancient state,
he took to wife Guanhumara, descended from a noble family
of Bomans, who was educated under duke Cador, and in
beauty surpassed all the women of the island.
Chap. X. — Arthur adds to hit ffovemment Ireland, leeUmd^ Oothland,
and the Orkneys,
The next summer he fitted out a fleet, and made an expedi-
tion into Ireland, which he was desirous to reduce. Upon
landing there, he was met by king Guillamurius before men-
tioned, with a yast number of men, who came with a design
to fight him ; but at the yery beginning of the battle, those
naked and unarmed people were miserably routed, and fled
to such places as lay open to them for shelter. Guillamurius
also in a short time was taken prisoner, and forced to submit ;
as were also all the other princes of the country after the
king's example, being under great consternation at what had
happened. After an entire conquest of Ireland, he made a
yoyage with his fleet to Iceland, which he also subdued.
And now a rumour spreading oyer the rest of the islandjs,
that no country was able to withstand him, Doldayius, king
of Grothland, and Gunfasius, king of the Orkneys, came
yoluntarily, and made their submission, on a promise of pay-
ing tribute. Then, as soon as winter was oyer, he returned
back to Britain, where haying established the kingdom, he
resided in it for twelye years together in peace.
A.P. sob,] abthub's gonqussts. 289
Gbap. XI. — Arthur tubdue$ Norway, DaciOf JquUaine, and Cfaul,
Afteb this, having invited over to him all persons whatso-
ever that were famous for valour in foreign nations, he began
to augment the number of his domestics, and introduced such
politeness into his court, as people of the remotest countries
thought worthy of their imitation. So that there was not a
nobleman who thought himself of anj consideration, unless
his clothes and arms were made in the same fashion as those
of Arthur^s knights. At length the fame of his munificence
and valour spreading over the whole world, he became a ter-
ror to the kings of other countries, who grievously feared
the loss of their dominions, if he should make any attempt
upon them. Being much perplexed with these anxious cares,
they repaired their cities and towers, and built towns in con-
venient places, the better to fortify themselves against any
enterprise of Arthur, when occasion should require. Arthur,
being informed of what they were doing, was delighted to
find how much they stood in awe of him, and formed a
design for the conquest of all Europe. Then having pre-
pared his fleet, he first attempted Norway, that he might
procure the crown of it for Lot, his sister's husband. This
Lot was the nephew of Sichelin, king of the Norwegians,
who being then dead, had appointed him his successor in the
kingdom. But the Norwegians, disdaining to receive him,
had advanced one Riculf to the sovereignty, and having for-
tified their cities, thought they were able to oppose Arthur.
Walgan, the son of Lot, was then a youth twelve years old,
and was recommended by his unde to the service of pope
Supplicius, from whom he received arms. But to return to
the history : as soon as Arthur arrived on the coast of Nor-
way, king Riculf, attended with the whole power of that
kingdom, met him, and gave him battle, in which, after a
great loss of blood on both sides, the Britons at length had
the advantage, and making a vigorous charge, killed Riculf
and many others with him. Having thus defeated them,
they set the cities on fire, dispersed the country people, and
pursued the victory till they had reduced all Norway, as also
Dacia^ under the dominion of Arthur. After the conquest
of these countries, and establishment of Lot upon the throne
of Norway, Arthur made a voyage to Gaul, and dividing his
S40 GEOFFB&T^S BRITISH MtttOBTi t w>ok ix. cb. It
army into several bodies, began to lay waste tbat country on
all sides. The province of Graul was then committed to
FloUo, a Roman tribune, who held the goyemment of it un»
der the emperor Leo. Upon intelligence of Arthur's comii^
he raised aU the forces that were under his command, and
made war against him, but without sucoess^ For Arthur wa«
attended with the youth of aU the islands that be had sub-
dued; for which reason he was reported to have such an
army as was thought invincible. And even the greater part
of the Gallic army, encouraged by his bounty, came over to
his service. Therefore FIollo^ seeing the disadvantages he lay
under, left his camp, and fled with a small number to Paris.
There having recruited his army, he fortified the city, and
resolved to stand another engagement with Arthur. But
while he was thinkiiig of strengthemng himself with auxiliary
forces in the neighbouring countries, Arthur came upon
him unawares, and besieged him in the city. When a month
had passed, FloUo, with grief observing his pec^e perish
with hunger, sent a message to Arthur, that they two alone
should decide the conquest for the kingdom in a duel : for
being a person dP great stature, boldness and courage, he
gave this challenge in confidence of success. Arthur was
extremely pleased at FloUo^s proposal, and sent him word
back again, that he would give him the meeting which he
desired. A treaty, therefore, being on both sides agreed to,
they met together in the island without the city, where the
people waited to see the event. They were both gracefully
armed, and mounted on admirably swift horses ; and it was
hard to tell which gave greater hopes of victory. When they
had presented themselves against each other with their lances
aloft, they put spurs to their horses, and began a fierce en-
counter. But Arthur, who handled his lance more warily,
struck it into the upper part of Flollo's breast, and avoiding
his enemy's weapon, laid him prostrate upon the ground, and
was just going to despatch him with his drawn sword, when
Flollo, starting up on a sudden, met him with his lance
couched, wherewith he mortally stabbed the breast of Arthur's
horse, and caused both him and his rider to fall. The
Britons, when they saw their king lying on the ground,
fearing he was killed, could hardly be restrained from breach
of covenant, and falling with one consent upon the Gaukt
A.j>.SOS.] ABTHUB BB8IEQES PARIS. 24)
But just as they were upon rushing into the lists, Arthur
hastily got up, and guarding himself with his shield, advanced
with speed against FloUo. And now they renewed the
assault with great rage, eagerly bent upon one another's
destruction. At length FloUo, watching his advantage, gave
Arthur a blow upon the forehead, which might have proved
mortal, had he not blunted the edge of his weapon -against
the helmet. When Arthur saw his coat of mail and shield
red with blood, he was inflamed with still greater rage, and
lifting up his Calibum with his utmost strength struck it
through the helmet into Flollo's head, and made a terrible
gash. With this wound Flollo fell down, tearing the ground
with his spurs, and expired. As soon as this news was
Spread through the army, the citizens ran together, and open-
ing the gates, surrendered the city to Arthur. After the
victory, he divided his army into two parts ; one of which he
committed to the conduct of Hoel, whom he ordered to march
against Guitard, commander of the Pictavians ; while he
with the other part should endeavour to reduce the other
provinces. Hoel upon this entered Aquitaine, possessed
himself of the cities of that country. Mid after distressing
Guitard in several battles, forced him to surrender. He
also destroyed Gascony with fire and sword, and subdued
the princes of it. At the end of nine years, in which time
all the parts of Gaul were entirely reduced, Arthur returned
back to Paris, where he kept his court, and calling an assembly
of the clergy and people, established peace and the just
administration of the hiws in that kingdom. Then he be-
stowed Neustria, now called Normandy, upon Bedver, his
butler ; the province of Andegavia upon Caius, his sewer ;
and several other provinces upon his great men that attended
him. Thus having settled the peace of the cities and
countries there, he returned back in the beginning of spring
to Britain.*
* * It is wonderful that the contents of this book should ever have passed
for authentic history ; our ancestors of the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth
centuries must have been singularly ignorant of every thing concerning th^
latter ages of the Roman empire, and the formation of the modem king-
doms of France and Germany, &c., if they could believe that king Arthur
ever held his court in Paris.
B
242 oxorvBET's British histobt. [book ix. ca. 12.
Chap. XII. — Arthur summons a great many kings, princes, orchbishopSf
^c. to a solemn assembly at the City of Legions,
Upon the approach of the feast of Pentecost, Arthur, the
better to dejnonstrate his joy after such triumphant success,
and for the more solemn observation of that festival, and
reconciling the minds of the princes that were now subject
to him, resolved, during that season, to hold a magnificent
court, to place the crown upon his head, and to invite all the
kings and dukes under his subjection, to the solemnity. And
when he had communicated his design to his familiar friends,
he pitched upon the City of Legions as a proper place for his
purpose. For besides its great wealth above the other cities,
its situation, which was in Glamorganshire upon the river
Uske, near the Severn sea, was most pleasant, and fit for so
great a solemnity. For on one side it was washed by that
noble river, so that the kings and princes from the countries
beyond the seas might have the convenience of sailing up to
it. On the other side, the beauty of the meadows and groves,
and magnificence of the royal palaces with lofty gilded roofs
that adorned it, made it even rival the grandeur of Rome.
It was also famous for two churches ; whereof one was built
in honour of the martyr Julius, and adorned with a choir
of virgins, who had devoted themselves wholly to the service
of God ; but the other, which was founded in memory of St.
Aaron, his companion, and maintained a convent of canons,
was the third metropolitan church of Britain. Besides, there
was a college of two hundred philosophers, who, being
learned in astronomy and the other arts, were diligent in
observing the courses of the stars, and gave Arthur true
predictions of the events that would happen at that time.
In this place, therefore, which afforded such delights, wer«
preparations made for the ensuing festival. Ambassadors
were then sent into several kingdoms, to invite to court the
princes both of Gaul and all the adjacent islands. Ac-
cordingly there came Augusel, king of Albania, now
Scotland; Urian, king of Mureif; Cadwallo Lewirh, king
of the Venedotians, now called the North Wales men ;
Sater, king of the Demetians, or South Wales men ; Cador,
king of Cornwall ; also the archbishops of the three metro-
politan sees, London, York, and Dubricius of the City of
A.0. 008] abthub's tributakt kikgs. 243
Legions. This prelate, who was primate of Britain, and
legate of the apostolical see, was so eminent for his piety^
that he could cure any sick person hj his prayers. There
came also the consuls of the principal cities^ viz. Morvid,
consul of Gloucester ; Mauron, of Worcester ; Anaraut, of
Salisbury ; Arthgal, of Cargueit or Warguit ; Jugein,
of Legecester ; Cursalen, of Kaicester ; Kinmare, duke
of Dorobemia ; Galluc, of Salisbury ; Urgennius, of Bath ;
Jonathal, of Dorchester ; Boso, of Ridoc, that is, Oxford.
Besides the consuls, came the following worthies of no less
dignity : Danaut, Map papo ; Cheneus, Map coil ; Peredur,
Mab eridur ; Guiful, Map Nogoit ; Regin, Map claut ;
Eddelein, Map cledauc ; Kincar, Mab bagan ; Kimmare ;
Gorboroniam, Map goit ; Clofaut, Rupmaneton ; Kimbelim,
Map trunat ; Catldeus, Map catel ; Kinlich, Map neton ; and
many others too tedious to enumerate. From the adjacent
islands came Guillamurius, king of Ireland ; Malvasius, king
of Iceland ; Doldavius, king of Gothland ; Gunfasius, king
of the Orkneys ; Lot, king of Norway ; Aschillius, king of
^the Dacians. From the parts beyond the seas, came Holdin,
king of Ruteni ; Leodegarius, consul of Bolonia ; Bedver,
the butler, duke of Normandy ; Borellus, of Cenomania ;
Caius, the sewer, duke of Andegavia ; Guitard, of Pictavia ;
also the twelve peers of Gaul, whom Guerinus Camotensis
brought along with him : Hoel, duke of the Armorican
Britons, and his nobility, who came with such a train of
mules, horses, and rich furniture, as it is difficult to describe.
Besides these, there remained no prince of any consideration
on this side of Spain, who came not upon this invitation.
And no wonder, when Arthur's munificence, which was
celebrated over the whole world, made him beloved by all
people.
GflAP. XIII. — A description of the royal pomp at the coronation nf
Arthur,
When all were assembled together in the city, upon the day
of the solemnity, the archbishops were conducted to the
palace, in order to place the crown upon the king's head.
Therefore Dubricius, inasmuch as the court was kept in his
diocese, made himself ready to celebrate the office, and
B 2
244 Geoffrey's BsmsH histobt. [book n. ch. i3l
undertook the ordering of whatever related to it. As soon
as the king was invested with his rojal habiliments, he was
conducted in great pomp to the metropolitan church, sup-
ported on each side by two archbishops, and having four
kings, viz. of Albania, Cornwall, Demetia^ and Venedotia,
whose right it was, bearing four golden swords before him.
He was also attended with a concert of all sorts of music,
which made most excellent harmonj. On another part was
the queen, dressed out in her richest ornaments, conducted
by the archbishops and bishops to the Temple of Virgins ;
the four queens also of the kings last mentioned, bearing
before her four white doves according to ancient custom ;
and afler her there followed a retinue of women, making all
imaginable demonstrations of joy. When the whole procession
was ended, so transporting was the harmony of the musical
instruments and voices, whereof there was a vast variety in
both churches, that the knights who attended were in doubt
which to prefer, and therefore crowded from the one to the
other by turns, and were far from being tired with the
solemnity, though the whole day had been spent in it. At
last, when divine service was over at both churches, the king
and queen put off their crowns, and putting on their lighter
ornaments, went to the banquet ; he to one palace with the
men, and she to another with the women. For the Britons
•till observed the ancient custom of Troy, by which the men
and women used to celebrate their festivals apart. When
they had all taken their seats according to precedence, Caius
the sewer, in rich robes of ermine, with a thousand young
noblemen, all in like manner clothed with ermine, served up
the dishes. From another part, Bedver the butler was
followed with the same number of attendants, in various
habits, who waited with all kinds of cups and drinking
vessels. In the queen's palace were innumerable waiters,
dressed with variety of ornaments, all performing their
respective offices ; which if I should describe particularly,
I should draw out the history to a tedious length. For at
that time Britain had arrived at such a pitch of grandeur,
that in abundance of riches, luxury of ornaments, and polite*
ness of inhabitants, it far surpassed all other kingdoms. The
knights in it that were famous for feats of chivalry, wore
their clothes and arms all of the same colour and fashion :
A-D.519.1 FESTrvrriBS AT AKTHUR's COKOKATION. 245
and the women also no less celebrated for their wit, wore all
the same kind of apparel ; and esteemed none worthy of their
love, but such as had given a proof of their valour in three
several battles. Thus was the valour of the men an
encouragement for the women's chastity, and the love of the
women a spur to the soldier's bravery.
Chap. XIT. — After a satiety of sports at the eoronatiottj Arthur ampJ§
rewards his servants, ^
As soon as the banquets were over, they went into the fields
without the city, to divert themselves with various sports.
The military men composed a kind of diversion in imitation
of a fight on horseback ; and the ladies, placed on the top
of the walls as spectators, in a sportive manner darted their
amorous glances at the courtiers, the more to encourage
them. Others spent the remainder of the day in other
diversions, such as shooting V(dth bows and arrows, tossing
the pike, casting of heavy stones and rocks, playing at dice
and the like, and all these inoffensively and without quarrel-
ling. Whoever gained the victory in any of these sports,
was rewarded with a rich prize by Arthur. In this manner
were the first three days spent ; and on the fourth, all who,
upon account of their titles, bore any kind of office at this
solemnity, were called together to receive honours aud
preferments in reward of their services, and to fill up
the vacancies in the governments of cities and castles,
archbishoprics, bishoprics, abbeys, and other posts of
honour.
Ohap. XT. — A letter from Lticius Tiberius, general of the Romans^ to
Arthur b^ng read, they consult about an answer to it.
But St. Dubridus, from a pious desire of leading a hermit's
life, made a voluntary resignation of his archiepiscopal
dignity ; and in his room was consecrated David, the king's
uncle, whose life was a perfect example of that goodness
which by his doctrine he taught. In place of St. Samson,
archbishop of Dole, was appointed, with the consent of Hoel,
king of the Armorican Britons, Chelianus, [Kilian] a priest
of Llandaff, a person highly recommended for his good life
ttnd character. The bishopric of Silchester was conferred
246 GISOFFREY'S BBITISH HISTOBT. [book IX. CH. 15.
upon Mauganius, that of Winchester upon Diwanius, and
that of Alclud upon Eledanius. While he was disposing
of these preferments upon them, it happened that twelve
men of an advanced age, and venerable aspect, and bearing
olive branches in their nght hands, for a token that they
were come upon an embassy, appeared before the king,
moving towards him with a slow pace, and speaking with
a soft voice ; and after their compliments paid, presented
him with a letter from Lucius Tiberius, in these words : —
<' Lucius, procurator of the commonwealth, to Arthur,
king of Britain, according to his desert. The insolence
of your tyranny is what fills me with the highest admiration,
and the injuries you have done to Rome still increase my
wonder. But it is provoking to reflect, that you are grown
so much above yourself, as wilfully to avoid seeing this : nor
do you consider what it is to have offended by unjust deeds
a senate, to whom you cannot be ignorant the Whole world
owes vassalage. For the tribute of Britain, which the senate
had enjoined you to pay, and which used to be paid to the
!Roman emperors successively from the time of Julius Caesar,
you have had the presumption to withhold, in contempt of
their imperial authority. You have seized upon the province
of the Allobroges, and all the islands of the ocean, whose
kings, while the Roman power prevailed in those parts, paid
tribute to our ancestors. And because the senate have
decreed to demand justice of you for such repeated injuries,
I command you to appear at Rome before the middle of
August the next year, there to make satisfaction to your
masters, and undergo such sentence as they shall in justice
pass upon you. Which if you refuse to do, I shall come to
you, and endeavour to recover with my sword, what you in
your madness have robbed us of."
As soon as the letter was read in the presence of the king»
and consuls, Arthur withdi'ew with them into the Gianfs
Tower, which was at the entrance of the palace, to think
what answer was fit to be returned to such an insolent mes-
sage. As they were going up the stairs, Cador, duke of
Cornwall, who was a man of d merry disposition, said to the
king in a jocose manner : " I have been till now under fear,
lest the easy life which the Britons lead, by enjoying a long
peace, might make them cowards, and extinguish the fame of
A. D. fl20-tf30.1 A3EtTHUB's BOYAL COUNCIL. 247
their gallantly, by which they have raised their name above
all other nations. For where the exercise of arms is want-
ing, and the pleasures of women, dice, and other diversions
take place, no doubt, what remains of virtue, honour, courage,
and thirst of praise, will be tainted with the rust of idleness.
For now almost five years have passed, since we have been
abandoned to these delights, and have had no exercise of war.
Therefore, to deliver us from sloth, God has stirred up this
spirit of the Romans, to restore our military virtues to their
ancient state." In this manner did he entertain them with
discourse, till they were come to their seats, on which
when they were all placed, Arthur spoke to them after this
manner.
Chap. XVI. — Arthur^ holding a council with the kings, desires every one
of them to deliver tlteir opinions,
** My companions both in good and bad fortune, whose abili-
ties both in counsel and war I have hitherto experienced ;
the present exigence of affairs, after the message which we
have received, requires your careful deliberation and prudent
resolutions ; for whatever is wisely concerted, is easily exe-
cuted. Therefore we shaU be the better able to bear the
annoyance which Lucius threatens to give us, if we unani-
moudy apply ourselves to consider how to overcome it. In
my opinion we have no great reason to fear him, when we
reflect upon the unjust pretence on which he demands
tribute of us. He says he has a right to it, because it was
paid to Julius Caesar, and his successors, who invaded
Britain with an army at the invitation of the ancient Britons,
when they were quarrelling among themselves, and by force
reduced the country under their power, when weakened by
civil dissension. And because they gained it in this manner,
they had the injustice to take tribute of it. For that can
never be possessed justly, which is gained by force and
violence. So that he has no reasonable grounds to pretend
we are of right his tributaries. But since he has the pre-
sumption to make an unjust demand of us, we have certainly
as good reason to demand of him tribute from Rome ; let
the longer sword therefore determine the right between us.
For if Rome has decreed that tribute ought to be paid to it
248 GE0F7ltIIT's BiaXISH HUtTOBT. [book ix. ch. 17.
from Britain, on account of its having been formearij under
the yoke of Jaliu« Cflssar, and other Roman emperors ; I for
the same reason now decree, that Rome ought to paj tribute
to me, because my predecessors formerly held the govern-
ment of it For Belinus, that glorious king of the Britons,
with the assistance of his brother Brennus, duke of the
Allobroges, after they had hanged up twenty noble Romans
in the middle of the market-place, took their city, and kept
possession of it a long time, Likewise Constantine, the son
of Helena, and Maximian [Maximus], who were both my
kinsmen, and both wore the crown of Britain, gained the im-
perial throne of Rome. Do not you, therefore^ think that we
ought to demand tribute of the Romans ? As for Graul and
the adjacent islands of the ocean, we have no occasion to
return them any answer, since they did not defend them,
when we attempted to free them from their power." As
soon as he had done speaking to this effect, Hoel, king of
the Armorican Britons, who had the precedence of the rest,
made answer in these words.
C^AP. XVII.r~7%0 djMiuoft </ Hoel, Mmp ^ Armoriea, oonpermng €
war with ike Bomam,
<< Aftbb the most profound deliberation that any of us shall
be able to make, I think better advice cannot be given, than
what your migesty in your great wisdom and policy now ofibrs.
Your speech, which is no less wise than eloquent, has super-
seded aJl consultation on our part ; and nothing remains for us
to do, but to admire and grateftiUy acknowledge your majesty's
firmness of mind, and depth of policy, to which we owe such
excellent advice. For if upon this motive you are pleased to
make an expedition to Rome, I doubt not but it will be crowned
with glorious success ; since it wiH be undertaken for the de-
fence of our liberties, and to demand justly of our enemies,
what they have unjustly d^nanded of us. For that person who
would rob another, deserves to lose his own by him against
whcmi the attempt is made. And, therefore, since the Romans
threatened us with this injury, it will undoubtedly turn to
their own loss, if we can have but an opportunity of engag-
ing with them. This is what the Britons universally desire ;
this is what we have promised us in the Sibylline prophecies,
which exfo^essly declare^ that the Roman empire shall be
AJ>. BiO-^aO.} THE SPEECH. OF AUOU8EL. 249
obtained bj three persons, natives of Britain. The oracle
is fuliilled in two of them, since it is manifest (as your
m^esty observed) that those two celebrated princes, BeUnus
imd Constantino, governed the Roman empire : and now jou
are the third to whom this supreme dignity is promised.
Itiake haste, therefore, to receive what God makes no delaj
to give you ; to subdue those who are ready to receive your
yoke ; and to advance us all, who for your advancement will
^are neither limbs nor life. Andthat you may accomplish thisy
X myself will attend you in person with ten thousand men."
Chap. XYIII. — The opinion tf AuguteU
When Hoel oonduded his speech, Augasel, king of Albania,
declared his good affection to the cause after this manner.
^* I am not able to express the joy that has transported me,
since my lord has declared to us his designs. For we seem
to have done nothing by all our past wars with so many and
potent princes, if the Romans and Germans be suffered to
enjoy peace, and we do not severely revenge on them the
grievous oppressions which they formerly brought upon this
country. But now, since we are at liberty to encounter
tbem, I am overwhelmed with joy and eagerness of desire,
to see a battle with them, when the blood of those cruel
<^pressors will be no less acceptable to me than a spring of
water is to one who is parched with thirst If I shall but
live to see that day, how sweet will be the wounds which
I shall then either receive or give ? Nay, how sweet will
be even death itself, when suffered in revenging the injuries
done to our ancestors, in defending our liberties, and in pro-
moting the glory of our king! Let us then begin with
these poltroons, and spoil them of all their trophies, by
making an entire conquest of them. And I for my share
will add to the army two thousand horse, besides foot."
Chap. XIX. — They unanimotuly agree upon a war with the Romans, '
To the same effect spoke all the rest, and promised each of
them their full quota of forces ; so that besides those pro-
mised by the duke of Armorica, the number of men from
the island of Britain alone was sixty thousand, all com-
pletely armed* But the kings of the other islands, as they
260 GBOFFBET'S BBITISH HISTOBT. [bookz.ck.1.'
had not been accustomed to any cavahy, promised tbdr
quota of infantry ; and, from the six provincial islands, viz.
Ireland, Iceland, Grothland, the Orkneys, Norway, and
Dacia, were reckoned a hundred and twenty thousand. From
the duchies of Graul, that is, of the Ruteni, the Fortunians,
the Estrusians, the Cenomanni, the Andegavians, and Ficta-
vians, were eighty thousand. From the twelve consulships
of those who came along with Guerinus Carnotensis, twelve
hundred. All together made up a hundred and eighty-three
thousand two hundred, besides foot which did not easily faU
under number.
Chap. XX. — Arthur prepares for a war, and rejutet to pay tribute te
the Romans.
King Arthur, seeing all unanimously ready for bis service,
ordered them to return back to their countries with speed,
and get ready the forces which they had promised, and to
hasten to the general rendezvous upon the kalends of
August, at the mouth of the river Barba, that from thence
they might advance with them to the borders of the Alio-
broges, to meet the Romans. Then he sent word to the
emperors by their ambassadors; that as to paying them
tribute, he would in no wise obey their commands ; and that
the journey he was about to make to Rome, was not to stand
the award of their sentence, but to demand of them what
they had judicially decreed to demand of him. With this
answer the ambassadors departed ; and at the same time
also departed all the kings and noblemen, to perform with
all expedition the orders that had been given them.
BOOK X.
Chap. I. — Lucius Tiberius calls together the eastern kings against the
Britons,
Lucius Tiberius, on receiving this answer, by order of the
senate published a decree, for the eastern kings to come with
their forces, and assist in the conquest of Britain. In* obe-
A^. 020— 540.] ABTHUB'S DREAM. 251
dience to which there came in a very short time, Epistro-
phius, king of the Grecians ; Mustensar, king of the Afri-
cans; Alifantinam, king of Spain; Hirtacius, king of the
Parthians; Boccus, of the Medes; Sertorius, of Libya;
Teucer, king of Phrygia; Serses, king of the Itureans;
Pandrasus, king of Egypt; Micipsa, king of Babylon;
Polytetes, duke of Bithynia; Teucer, duke of Phrygia;
Evander, of Syria; JSthion, of BoBotia; Hippolytus, of
Cret€, with the generals and nobility under them. Of the
senatorian order also came, Lucius Catellus, Marius Lepidus,
Caius Metellus Cotta, Quintus Milvius Catulus, Quintus Ca-
rutius, and as many others as made up the number of forty
thousand one hund[red and sixty.*
Chap. II. — Arthur commits to his nephew Modred the government qf
Britmn. His dream at Homo's Port,
After the necessary dispositions were made, upon the ka-
lends of August, they began their march towards Britain,
which when Arthur had intelligence of, he committed the
government of the kingdom to his nephew Modred, and
queen Guanhumara, and marched with his army to Hamo's
Port, where the wind stood fair for him. But while he, sur-
rounded with all his numerous fleet, was sailing joyfully with
a brisk gale, it happened that about midnight he fell into a
very sound sleep, and in a dream saw a bear fljing in the
air, at the noise of which all the shores trembled; also a
terrible dragon fljring from the west, which enlightened the
country with the brightness of its eyes. When these two
met, they began a dreadful fight ; but the dragon with its fiery
breath burned the bear which often assaulted him, and threw
him down scorched to the ground. Arthur upon this awak-
ing, related his dream to those that stood about him, who
took upon them to interpret it, and told him that the dragon
signified himself, but the bear, some giant that should en-
counter with him; and that the fight portended the duel
that would be between them, and the dragon's victory the
game that would happen to himself. But Arthur conjec-
* It is almost unnecessary to inform the reader that not one of these
kings ever existed ; and yet this caution may be of use, so prone are men
to indulge the bias of the imagination at the expense of historic truth.
r
252 GEOFFKBt'S BBinflH HISTOBT. [book X. CB. 8.
tured it portended something else, and that the vision was
applicable to himself and the emperor. As soon as the
morning after this night's sail appeared, thej found them-
selves arrived at the mouth of the river Barba. And thien
thej pitched their tents, to wait the arrival of the kings of
the islands and the generals of the other provinces.
Cujcp. Tll,^— Arthur kills a Spamsh giarU who had stolen away ffelenm,
&e niece ofHoel.
In the meantime Arthur had news brought him, that a giant
of monstrous size was come from the shores of Spain, and
had forcibly taken awaj Helena, the niece of duke Hoel,
from her guard, and fled with her to the top of that which
is now called MichaeFs Mount ;* and that the soldiers of the
country who pursued him were able to do nothing against
him. For whether they attacked him by sea or land, he
eithjer overturned their ships with vast rocks, or killed them
with several sorts of darts, besides many of them that he
took and devoured half alive. The next night, therefore, at
the second hour, Arthur, taking along with him Caius the
sewer, and Bedver the butler, went out privately from the
camp, and hastened towards the mountain. For being a man
of undaunted courage, he .did not care to lead his army
against such monsters ; both because he could in this manner
animate his men by his own example, and also because he
was alone sufficient to deal with them. As soon as they
came near the mountain, they saw a fire burning upon the top
of it, and another on a lesser mountain, that was not far
from it. And being in doubt upon which of them the giant
dwelt, they sent away Bedver to know the certainty of the
matter. So he, finding a boat, sailed over in it first to the
lesser mountain, to which he could in no other way have
access, because it was situated in the sea. When he had
begun to climb up to the top of it, he was at first frightened
with a dismal howling cry of a woman from above, and
imagined the monster to be there : but quickly rousing up
his courage, he drew his sword, and having reached the top,
* This most romantic and intereflting rock is crowned by a fingularly
quaint stracttire, half monastic and half castellated. It must have been a
place of great strength before the invention of powder, and contains womm
curious rooms, a dimgeon and other remains of feudality.
A.o. 617.1 FIGHT BETWEEN ABTHUR AND ▲ GIANT. 253
found nothing but the fire which he had before seen at a dis-
tance. He discovered also a grave newlj made, and an old
woman weeping and howling bj it, who at the sight of him
instantly cried out in words interrupted with sighs, " O, un-
happy man, what misfortune brings jou to this place ? O the
inexpressible tortures of death that jou must suffer ! I pity
you, I pity you, because the detestable monster will this night
destroy the flower of your youth. For that most wicked and
odious giant, who brought the duke's niece, whom I have just
now buried here, and me, her nurse, along with her into this
mountain, will come and immediately murder you in a most
cruel manner. O deplorable fate ! This most illustrious
princess, sinking under the fear her tender heart conceived,
while the foul monster would have embraced her, fainted
away and expired.. And when he could not satiate his
brutish lust upon h«r, who was the very soul, joy, and happi-
ness of my life, being enraged at the disappointment of his
bestial desire, he forcibly committed a rape upon me, who
let God and my old age witness) abhorred his embraces,
y, dear sir, fly, for fear he may come, as he usually does,
to lie with me, and finding you here most barbarously butcher
you." Bedver, moved at what she said, as much as it is
possible for human nature to be, endeavoured with kind
words to assuage her grief, and to comfort her with the
promise of speedy help : and then returned back to Arthur,
and gave him an account of what he had met with. Arthur^
very much lamented the damsel's sad fate, and ordered his
companions to leave him to deal with him alone ; unless there
was an absolute necessity, and then they were to come in
boldly to his assistance. From hence they went directly to
the next mountain, leaving their horses with their armour-
bearers, and ascended to the top, Arthur leading the way.
The deformed savage was then by the fire, with his face
besmeared with the clotted blood of swine, part of which he
already devoured, and was roasting the remainder upon spits
by the fire. But at the sight of them, whose appearance
was a surprise to him, he hastened to his club, which two
strong men could hardly lift from the ground. Upon this
the king drew his sword, and guarding himself with his
shield, ran with all his speed to prevent his getting it. But
the other, who was not ignorant of his design, had by this
a
254 OSOFFBEy's BBITISH mSTOBT. CB0OKX.cH.a.
time snatched it up, and gave the king such a terrible blow
upon his shield, that he made the shores ring with the noise^
and perfectly stunned the king's ears with it. Arthur, fired
with rage at this, lifted up his sword, and gave him a wound
in the forehead, which was not indeed mortal, but jet such
as made the blood gush out over his face and ejes, and so
blinded him ; for he had partly warded off the stroke from
his forehead with his club, and prevented its being fataL
However, his loss of sight, by reason of the blood flowing
over his eyes, made him exert himself with greater fury, and
like an enraged boar against a hunting-spear, so did he rush
in against Arthur's sword, and grasping him about the waist^
forced him down upon his knees. But Arthur, nothing
daunted, slipped out of his hands, and so exerted himself
with his sword, that he gave the giant no respite till he had
struck it up to the very back through his skull. At this
the hideous monster raised a dreadful roar, and like an oak
torn up from the roots by the winds, so did he make the
ground resound with his falL Arthur, bursting out into a
fit of laughter at the sight, commanded Bedver to cut off his
head, and give it to one of the armour-bearers, who was to
carry it to the camp, and there expose it to public view,
but with orders for the spectators of this combat to keep
silence. He told them he had found none of so great strength,
since he killed the giant Ritho, who had chaUenged him to
fight, upon the mountain Aravius. This giant had made
himself furs of the beards of kings he had killed, and had
sent word to Arthur carefully to cut off his beard and send
it to him ; and then, out of respect to his pre-eminence over
other kings, his beard should have the honour of the principal
place. But if he refused to do it, he challenged him to a
duel, with this offer, that the conqueror should have the furs^
and also the beard of the vanquished for a trophy of his
victory. In his conflict, therefore, Arthur proved victorious,
and took the beard and spoils of the giant : and, as he said
' before, had met with none that could be compared to him
Iqt strength, till his last engagement. After this victory,
they returned at the second watch of the night to the camp
with the head ; to see which there was a great concourse of
people, all extolling this wonderful exploit of Arthur, by
which he had freed the country from a most destructive and
AA5aO--540. WALGAN SLATS QUINTILIAITUS. 255
voracious monster. But Hoel, in great grief for the loss of
his niece, commanded a mausoleum to be built over her body
in the mountain where she was buried, which, taking the
damsel's name, is called Helena's Tomb to this daj.
Chap. IV. — Arthur's ambassadors to Lvdus TUerius deliver Pelreius
Cotta, whom they took prisoner to Arthur,
As soon as aU the forces were arrived which Arthur expected,
he marched from thence to Augustodunum, where he sup-
posed the general was. But when he came to the river
Alba, he had intelligence brought him of his having encamped
not far off, and that he was come with so vast an army, that
he would not be able to withstand it. However, this did not
deter him from pursuing his enterprise ; but he pitched his
camp upon the bank of the river, to facilitate the bringing
up of his forces, and to secure his retreat, if there should be
occasion ; and sent Boso the consul of Oxford, and Guerinus
Camotensis, with his nephew Walgan, to Lucius Tiberius,
requiring him either to retire from the coasts of Gaul, or
come the next day, that they might try their right to that
country with their swords. The retinue of young courtiers
that attended Walgan, highly rejoicing at this opportunity,
were urgent with him to find some occasion for a quarrel in
. the commander's camp, that so they might engage the Romans.
Accordingly they went to Lucius, and commanded him to
retire out of Gaul, or hazard a battle the next day. But
while he was answering them, that he was not come to retire,
but to govern the country, there was present Caius Quintili-
anus, his nephew, who said, " That the Britons were better
at boasting and threatening, than they were at fighting."
Walgan immediately took fire at this, and ran upon him with
. his drawn sword, wherewith he cut off his head, and then
retreated speedily with his companions to their horses. The
Bomans, both horse and foot, pursued to revenge the loss of
their countryman upon the ambassadors, who fled with great
precipitation. But Guerinus Carnotensis, just as one of
them was come up to him, rallied on a sudden, and with his
lance struck at once through his armour and the very middle
of his body, and laid him prostrate on the ground. The
sight of this noble exploit raised the emulation of Boso of
Oxford, who^ wheeling about his horse, struck his lance into
256 aSOFFBET's BBTTISH HI8T0BT. Lbookx.cM.4
the throat of the first man he met with, and dismounted him
mortally wounded. In the meantime, Marcellus Mutius,
with great eagerness to revenge Quintilian's death, was just
upon the hack of Walgan, and laid hold of him ; which the
other quickly ohliged him to quit, hy cleaving hoth his
helmet and head to the breast with his sword. He also bade
him, when he arrived at the infernal regions, tell the man he
had killed in the camp, ^^ That in this manner the BritoAs
showed their boasting and threatening." Then having re-
assembled his men, he encouraged them to despatch every
one his pursuer in the same manner as he had done ; which
accordingly they did not fail to accomplish. Notwithstand-
ing, the Romans continued their pursuit with lances and
swords, wherewith they annoyed the others, though without
slaughter or taking any prisoners. But as they came near a
certain wood, a party of six thousand Britons, who seeing
the flight of the consuls, had hid themselves, to be in readi-
ness for their assistance, sallied forth, and putting spurs to
their horses, rent the air with their loud shouts, and being
well fenced with their shields, assaulted the Romans sud-
denly, and forced them to fly. And now it was the Britons'
turn to pursue, which they did with better success, for they
dismounted, killed, or took several of the enemy. Petreius,
the senator, upon this news, hastened to the assistance of his
countrymen with ten thousand men, and compelled the Britons
to retreat to the wood from whence they had sallied forth ;
though not without loss of his own men. For the Britons,
being well acquainted with the ground, in their flight killed
a great number of their pursuers. The Britons thus giving
ground, Hider, with another reinforcement of five thousand
men, advanced with speed to sustain them ; so that they
again faced those, upon whom they had turned their backs^
and renewed the assault with great vigour. The Romans
also stood their ground, and continued the fight with various
success. The great fault of the Britons was, that though
they had been very eager to begin the fight, yet when begun
they were less careful of the hazard they ran. Whereas the
Romans were under better discipline, and had the advantage
of a prudent commander, Petreius Cotta, to tell them where
to advance, and where to give ground, and by these means
did great injury to the enemy. When Boso observed this.
be drew off from tbe rest a laige portj of those whom he
knew to be the stoutest meo, and spoke to them after this
manner : '* Since we have b^un this fight without Arthur's
knowledge, we must take care that we be not defeated in
the enterprise. For, if we shouH, we shall both very much
endanger our men, and incur the king's high displeasure.
Bouse up your courage, and follow me through the Roman
squadrons, that with the favour of good fortune we may
either kiU or take Petreius prisoner." With this they put
spurs to their horses, and piercing thirough the enemies'
thickest ranks, reached the place where Petreius was giving
his commands. Boso hastily ran in upon him, and grasping
iiim about the neck, fell with him to the ground, as he had
intended. The Romans hereupon ran to his delivery, as did
ifche Britons to Boso's assistance $ which occasioned on both
sides great slaughter, noise, and confusion, while one party
strove to rescue their leader, and the other to keep him
prisoner. So that this proved the sharpest part of the whole
fight, and wherein their spears, swords, and arrows had the
fullest employment. At length, the Britons, joining in a
dose body, and sustaining patiently tb6 assaults of the
Romans^ retired to the main body of their army with Pe-
treius : which they had no sooner done, than they again
attacked them, being now derived of their leader, very much
weakened, dispirited, and Just beginning to flee. They,
therefore, eagerly pursued, beat down, and killed several of
them, and as soon as they had plundei^ them, pursued the
rest : but they took the greatest number of them prisoners,
being desirous to present them to the king. When they had
at last sufficiently harassed them, they retupied with their
plunder and prisoners to the camp ; where they gave an
account of what had happened, and presented Petreius Cotta
with the other prisoners before Arthur, with great joy for
the victory. Arthur congratulated them upon it, and pro-
mised them advancement to greater honours, for behaving
themselves so gallantly when he was absent from them.
Then he gave his command to some of his men, to conduct
the prisoners the next day to Paris, and deliver them to be
kept in custody there till further orders* The party that
Were to undertake this charge, he ordered to be conducted
hj Cador, Bedver, and the two consuls, Borellus and Rich'-
8
258 osonsBT's BsansH histobt. [mokx
erins, with their seryants, till they shojold be oat of aU fear
of distarbanoe from the Bomaiuk
Chap. V. — 7^ Bpmam atto/A the Bntom with m verggrwU firee^ bu$
mre put toJUght bjf them.
But the BomaoSy happening to get intelligence of their de-
sign, at the command of their general chose oat fifteen thoa-
sand men, who that night were to get before the others in
their march, and rescae their fellow soldiers out of their
hands, Thej were to be commanded by Yulteius Catellas
and Qaintas Camtias^ senators, as also Evander, king of
Sjria, and Sertorias, king of Libja. Accordingly they
b^an their march that very nighty and possessed them-
selves of a place convenient for lying in ambuscade^ throagh
which they supposed the others would pass. In the
morning the Britons set forward along the same road with
their prisoners, and were now approacUng the place in per-
fect ignorance oi the cunning stratagem of the enemy. No
BOMier had they entered it, than the Romans, to their great
surprise, sprang forth and fell furiously upon them. Not-
mthstanding, the Britons, at length recov^ing from their
consternation, assembled together, and prepared for a bold
opposition, by appointing a party to guard the prisoners, and
drawing out the rest in order of battle against the enemy.
Bicherius and Bedver had the command of the party that
were set over the prisoners ; but Cador, duke of Ocnrnwa]^
and Borellus headed the others. But all the Romans had
made their sally without being placed in any order, and
cared not to form themselves, that they might lose no time
in the slaughter of the Britons^ whom they saw busied in
marshalling their troops, and preparing only for their
defence. By this conduct the Britons were extremely weak'^
ened, and would have shamefully lost their prisoners, had
not good fortune rendered them assistance. For Guitard,
commander of the Pictavians^ happened to get infbrmation
of the designed stratagem, and was come up with three thou-
sand men, by the help of which they at last got the advan-
tage, and paid back the slaughter upon their insolent assail-
i^nts, Nevertheless, the loss which they sustained at the
beginning of this action was very considerable. For they
A.O. no-Mo.1 LXTcnrs tibebius ektebs l:^ngbls. 259
lost Borellus, the famous oonsul of the Cenomanni, in an
encounter with Evander, king of Syria, who stuck his lance
into his throat ; besides four noblemen, viz. Hirelgas Depe-
rirus, Mouricius Cadorcanensis, Aliduc of Tintagel, and
Hider his son, than whom braver men were hardlj to be
found. But jet neither did this loss dispirit the Britons, but
rather made them more resolute to keep the prisoners, and kill
the enemy. The Romans, now finding themselves unable to
maintain the fight any longer, suddenly quitted the field, and
made towards their camp ; but were pursued with slaughter
by the Britons, who also took many of them, and allowed
«them no respite till they had killed Yulteius Catellus and
Evander, king of Syria, and wholly dispersed the rest.
After which they sent away their former prisoners to Paris,
whither they were to conduct them, and returned back with
those newly taken to the king ; to whom they gave great
hopes of a complete conquest of their enemies, since very
few of the great number that came against them had met
with any success.
Chap. YI.-^IAteius Tiberius goes to Lengria^ Arthur^ designing to van-
quish Aftfi», bg a stratagem possesses himself of the valleg qfSuesia,
These repeated disasters wrought no small disturbance in
the mind of Lucius Tiberius, and made him hesitate whether
to bring it to a general battle with Arthur, or to retire into
Augustodunum, and stay till the emperor Leo with his forces
could come to his assistance. At length, giving way to his fears,
he entered Lengriae with his army, intending to reach the other
city the night foUowing. Arthur, finding this, and being
desirous to get before him in his march, left the city on the
left hand, and the same night entered a certain valley called
Suesia, through which Lucius was to pass. There he
divided his men into several bodies, commanding one legion,
over which Morvid, consul of Gloucester, was appointed
general, to wait close by, that he might retreat to them if
there should be occasion, and from thence rally his broken
forces for a second battle. The rest he divided into seven
parts, in each of which he placed five thousand five hundred
and fifty-five men, all completely armed. He also appointed
difierent stations to his horse and foot, and gave command
8 2
260 6£difFRET^S liStrtim MbtO^. Ikook^cHf.
that just as the foot should adyance to the attack, the horse,
keeping close together in their ranks, should at the same
moment march up dbUquely, and endeavour to put the
enemy into disorder. The companies of foot were, after the
British manner, drawn out into a square, with a right and
left wing, under the command of Augusel, king of Albania^
and Cador, duke of Cornwall; the one presiding oyer the
right wing, the other over th^ left. Ovef another party
were placed the two famous consuls^ Guerinus of Chartres
and Boso of Bichiden, called in the Saxon tongue Oxineford ;
over a third were Aschillius, king of the Dacians, and Lot,
king of the Norwegians ; the fourth being commanded bj.
Hoel, duke of the Armoricans, and Walgan, the king's
nephew. After these were four other parties placed in the
rear ; the first commanded b j Caius the sewer, and Bedver
the butler ; the second by Holdin, duke of the Ruteni, and
Guitard of the Fictavians ; the third by Yigenis of L^e-
cester, Jonathsd of Dorchester, and Cursalem of Caicester ;
the fourth by Urb^ennius of Bath; Behind all these,
Arthur, for hunself and the legion that was to attend near
him, made choice of a ^lace, where he set up a golden
dragon for a standard, whither the wounded or fatigued
might in case of necessity retreat, as into their camp. The
legion that was with him consisted of six thousand six hun-
dred and sixty-six men.
Chap. VII. — Arihur*s edihortaiUm to his toldiert.
After he had thus placed them all in their stations, he
made the following speech to his soldiers: — "My brave
countrymen, who have made Britain the tnistress of thirty
kingdoms, I congratulate you upon your late noble exploit,
which to me is a proof that your valour is so far from being
impaired, that it is rather increased. Though you have
been five years without exercise, wherein the softening
pleasures of an easy life had a greater share of your time
than the use of arms ; yet all this has not made you degene-
rate from your natural bravery, which you have shown in
forcing the Bomans to fiee. The pride of their leaders has
animated them to attempt the invasion of your liberties.
I^hey have tried you in battle, with numbers superior to
^.I».8»-M0.] CPBECH OF LTTCIUS TIBKBIUS^ 961
youTB, and have not been able to stand before jou ; but have
basely withdrawn themselves into that city, firom which th^
are now ready to march out^ and to pass through this valley
in their way to Augustodunum ; so that you may have an
opportunity of £Edling upon them unawares like a flock of
sheep. Certainly they expected to find in you the cowardice
of the Eastern motions, when they thought to make your
country tributary, and you their slaves. What, have they
never heard of your wars, with the Dacians, Norwegians,
and princes of the Grauls, whom you reduced under my
power, and freed frpm their shameful yoke ? We,\hen, that
have had success in a greater war, need not doubt of it in a
less, if we do but endeavour with the same spirit to vanquish
these poltroons. You shall want no rewards of honour,
if as faithful soldiers you do but strictly obey my com-
piands. For as soon as we have routed them, we will
march straight to Rome, and take it ; and then all the
gold, silver, palaces, towers, towns, cflies, and other riches
of the vanquished shall be yours.'' He had hardly done
speaking before they all with one voice declared, that they
were ready to suffer death, rather than quit the field while
]|e had life.
Chap. VIII. — IauAvm T^dmut, dMOfuwring Arthur't (Mgn, in a tpeeoh
animatea his followers tofight»
But Lucius Tiberius, discovering the designs that were
formed against him, would not flee, as he had at first in<r
tended, but taking new courage, resolved to march to the
same valley against them ; and calling together his principal
commanders, spoke to them in. these words: — *' Venerable
fisithers, to whose empire both the ' Eastern and Western
kingdoms owe obedience, remember the virtues of your
ancestors, who were not afraid to shed their blood, when the
vanquishing of the enemies of the commonwealth required
it ; but to leave an example of their courage and military
virtues to their posterity, behaved themselves in all battles
with that contempt of death, as if God had given them some
security against it. By this conduct they often triumphed,
and by triumphing escaped death. Such was the reward of
their virtue from Divine Providence, which overrules all
events. The increase of the commonwealth, and of their
262 OS0FFB£T*S BRITISH HISTORT. [book x ch. 8.
own valonr was owing to this; and all those virtues that
usually adorn the great, as integrity, honour, and munifi-
cence, flourishing a long time in them, raised them and their
posterity to the empire of the whole world. Let their noble
examples animate you : rouse up the spirit of the ancient Ro-
mans, and be not afraid to march out against our enemies that
are lying in ambush before us in the valley, but boldly with
your swords demand of them your just rights. Do not think
that I retired into this city for fear of engaging with them ;
but I thought that, as their pursuit of us was rash and foolish,
so we might hence on a sudden intercept them in it, and by
dividing their main body make a great shiughter of them.
But now, since they have altered the measures which we
supposed they had taken, let us also alter ours. Let us go
in quest of them and bravely fall upon them ; or if they
shall happen to have the advantage in the beginning of the
battle, let us only stand our ground during the fury of their
first assault, and the victory will undoubtedly be ours ; for
in many battles this manner of conduct has been attended
with victory." As soon aa he had made an end of speaking
these and other things, they all declared their assent, pro-
mised with an oath to stand by him, and hastened to arm
themselves. Which when they had done, they marched
out of LengriflB to the valley where Arthur had drawn out
his forces in order of battle. Then they also began to mar-
shal their army, which they divided into twelve companies,
and according to the Roman manner of battle, drew out each
company into the form of a wedge, consisting of six thou-
sand six hundred and sixty-six men. Each company also
had its respective leaders, who were to give direction when
to advance, or when to be upon the defensive. One of them
was headed by Lucius CateUus the senator, and Alifantinam,
king of Spain ; another by Hirtadus, king of the Farthians,
and Marius Lepidus, a senator ; a third by Boccus, king of
the Medes, and Gains MeteUus, a senator ; a fourth by Ser-
torius, king of Libya, and Quintus Milvius, a senator.
These four companies were placed in the finmt of the
army. Li the rear of these were four others, whereof
one was commanded by Serses, king of the Itureans;
another by Fandrasus, king of Egypt; a third by Poly-
tetes, duke of Bithynia; a fourth by Teucer, duke of
A^.580~M0.] BATTLE BETWEEN ABTHUR AND TIBEBinS. 268
Phiygia. And again behind all these four others, whereof
the comniAnders were Quintus Carucius, a senator, Lselius
OstiensiSy Sulpitius Subuculus, and Mauricius Sjlvanus.
As for the general himself, he was sometimes in one place,
sometimes another, to encourage and direct as there should
be occasion. For a standard he ordered a golden eagle
to be firmlj set up in the centre, for his men to repair to
whenever they should happen to be separated from their
eompanj.
Chap. IX. — A hdtile between Arthur and Ltteitu Tiberius^
And now the Britons and Romans stood presenting their
arms at one another ; when forthwith at the sound of the
trumpets, the company that was headed by the king of Spain
and Lucius Catellus, boldly rushed forward against that
which the king of Scotland and duke of Cornwall led, but
were not able to make the least breach in their firm ranks.
So that while these stood their ground, up came Guerinus
and Boso with a body of horse upon their full speed, broke
through the party that began the assault, and met with
another which the king of the Farthians was leading up
against Aschillius, king of Dacia. After this first onset,
there followed a general engagement of both armies with
great violence, and several breaches were made on each side.
The shouts, the slaughter, the quantity of blood spilled, and
the agonies of the dying, made a dreadful scene of horror.
At first, the Britoijs sustained a great loss, by having Bedver
the butler killed, and Caius the sewer mortally wounded.
For, as Bedver met Boccus, king of the Medes, he fell dead
by a stab of his lance amidst the enemies' troops. And
Caius, in endeavouring to reveage his death, was surrounded
by the Median troops, and there received a mortal wound ;
yet as a brave soldier he opened himself a way with the wing
which he led, killed and dispersed the Medes, and would
have made a safe retreat with all his men, had he not met
the king of Libya with the forces under him, who put his
whole company into disorder ; yet not so great, but that he
was still able to get off with a few, and flee with Bedver's
corps to the golden dragon. The Neustrians grievously
lamented at the sight of their leader's mangled body ; and so
264 GSOrFBBTS BRITISH HISTOBT. [book z. cb. 10.
did the AndegaYianfl^ when they beheld thefar omsnl wounded^
But there was now na rocmi for complaints^ for the furioos
and bloody shocks of both armiieA made it necessary ta
provide for their own defence. Th^efore £^relgas, the
nephew of Bedver^ being extremely enraged at his death,
called up to him three hmidred men, and like a wild boar
amongst a padc oi dogs, broke through the enemies' ranks
with his horse, making towards the place where he had se^i
the standard of the king of the Medes ; little regarding what
might befall him, if he could but reyenge the loss of hi&
uncle. At length he reached the place, killed the king^
brought off his body to his ccvnpanions, and laid it by that
of his uncle, where he mangled it in the same manner. Then^
calling with a loud voice to his o^ontrymen, he animated
their troc^w, and vehemently pressed them to exert them*,
selves to the utmost, now that thdr spirits were raised, and
the enemy disheartened ^ aikl especially as they had thft
advantage of them in being placed in better order, and sot
might the more grievously annpy them. Encouraged with
this exhortation, they b^^fau; a general assault upon the
enemy, which was attended with a terrible slaughter on both
sides. For on the part of the Biemans, besides nupy others^
fell AUfiintinam, king of Spain, Micipsa of Babyion, as also
Quintns Milvius and Marius Lepidus, senators. On the part
of the Britons, Holdin, king of the Rut^od, Leodegarius of
Bolonia, and three consuls of Britain, Cursaliem of Caioester,
Galluc of Salisbury, and Urbgennius of Ba^ So that the
troops which they commanded, being eiftremely weakened,
retreated till they came to the army of the Armorican
Britons, commanded by Hod and Walgan. But these,^
being inflamed at the retreat of their fri^ids, encouraged
them to stand their ground, and caused them with the help
of their own forces to put their pursuers to flight. While
they continued this pursuit, they beat down and killed
several of them, and gave them no respite, till they came
to the general's troop ; who, seeing the distress of his com->
panions, hastened to their assistance.
Chap. X. — Hoel and Walgan tignaUze their valour in ihe/lght.
And now in this latter encounter the Britons were worsted,
"^th the loss of Eamarcoc, consul of Trigeria, and two thou-s
A^. no— 940^ XiTTCipS TIBEK1U8 IQItLEP, ^6^
sand with him ; hesides three famous noblemen, Biehomarcus,
Bloccovius, and Jagivius of Bodloan, who, had th^ but
enjoyed the dignity of princes, would have been celebrated
for their valour through all succeediiig ages^ For, during
this assault which thej made in conjunction with Hoel and
Walgan, there was not an enemy within their reach that
oould escape the fiury of their sword or lance. But upon
their falling in among Ludus's party, they were surrounded
by them, and suffered the same fate iirith the consul and the
other men. The loss of these men made those iipatchless
heroes, Hoel and Walgan, much more eager to assault the
general's ruiks, and to try on all sides where to make the
greatest impression. But Walgan, whose valour was never
to be foiled, endeavoured to gain access to Lucius himself,
that he might encounter him, and with this view beat down
and killed idl that stood in his way. Aod Hoel, not inferior
to him, did no less service in another part, by spiriting up
his men, and giving and receiving blows among the enemy
with the same undaunted courage. It was hard to determine,
which of them was the stoutest soldier.
Chap. XI. — Lwsku Ttberi'm being hxUed, ^ Briioru obtain the victory.
3uT Walgan, by fordng his way through the enemy's troops,
as we said before, found at last (what he had wished for)
access to the general, and immediately encountered him.
Lucius, being then in the flower of his youth, and a person
of great courage and vigour, desired nothing more than to
engage with such a one as might put his strength to its full
trial. Putting himself, therefore, into a posture of defence, he
received Walgan with joy, and was not a little proud to try
his courage with one of whom he had heard such great things.
The fight continued between them a long time, with great
force of blows, and no less dexterity in warding them off,
each being resolved upon the other's destruction. During
this sharp conflict between them, the ^mans, on a sudden,
recovering their courage, made an assault upon the Armori-
cans, and having relieved their general, repulsed Hoel and
Walgan, with their troops, till they found themselves
unawares met by Arthur and the forces under him. For
he, hearing of the slaughter that was a little before made
266 GEOFFRBT's BBITISH HISTOBT. [book X. ck. 11.
of bis men, had speedily advanced with his legion, imd
drawing out his Calibum^ spoke to them, with a loud voice,
after tMs manner : ** What are jou doing, soldiers ? Will
jou suffer these effeminate wretches to escape ? Let not one
of them get off alive. Remember the force of jour arms,
that have reduced thirty kingdoms under my subjection.
Remember your ancestors, whom the Romans, when at the
height of their power, made tributary. Rmember your
liberties, which these pitiful fellows, that are much your
inferiors, attempt to deprive you of. Let none of them
escape alive. What are you doing ? " With these expos-
tulations, he rushed upon the enemy, made terrible havoc
among them, and not a man did he meet but at one blow
he laid either him or his horse dead upon the ground. They,
therefore, in astonishment fled from hun, as a flock of sheep
from a fierce Hon, whom raging hunger provokes to devour
whatever happens to come near him. Their arms were no
manner of protection to them against the force with which
this valiant prince wielded his Calibum. Two kings,
Sertorius of labya, and Folytetes of Bithynia, unfortunatdy
felt its fury, and had their heads cut off by it. The Britons,
when they saw the king performing such wonders, took
courage again. With one consent they assaulted the
Romans, kept close together in their ranks, and while
they assailed the foot in one part, endeavoured to beat
down and pierce through the horse in another. Notwith-
standing, the Romans made a brave defence, and at the
instigation of Lucius laboured to pay back their slaught^
upon the Britons. The eagerness and force that were now
shown on both sides were as great as if it was the beginning
of the battle. Arthur continued to do great execution with
his own hand, and encouraged the Britons to maintain the
fight ; as Lucius Tiberius did the Romans, and made them
perform many memorable exploits. He himself, in the
meantime, was very active in going from place to place,
and suffered none to escape with life that happened to come
within the reach of his sword or lance. The slaughter that
was now made on both sides was very dreadful, and the
turns of fortune various, sometimes the Britons prevailing,
sometimes the Romans. At last, while this sharp dispute
continued, Morvid, consul of Gloucester, with his legion,
A.9. «a0~«40.] 8I7BBENDBB OF THE BOHANS. 267
wliicli, as we said before, was placed between the hills, came
up with speed upon the rear of the enemj, and to their great
surprise assaulted, broke through, and dispersed them with
great slaughter. This last and decisive bbw proved fatal to
manj thousands of Romans, and even to the general Lucius
himself, who was killed among the crowds with a lance by
an unknown hand. But the Britons, hj long maintaining
the fight, at last with great difficulty gained the victory.
Chap. XII. — Pari of (he Romans Jlee ; the retty of their own accord,
aiirrender themselves for slaves*
The Romans, being now, therefore, dispersed, betook them-
selves through fear, some to the by-ways and woods, some to
the cities and towns, and all other places, where they could
be most safe ; but were either killed or taken and plundered
by the Britons who pursued : so that great part of them
voluntarily and shamefully held forth their hands, to receive
their chains, in order to prolong for a while a wretched life.
In all which the justice of Divine Providence was very
visible ; considering how unjustly the ancestors of the Britons
were formerly invaded and harassed by those of the Romans ;
and that these stood only in defence of that liberty, which
the others would have deprived them of ; and refused the
tribute, which the others had no right to demand.
Chap. 'KXH.—'The bodies of the slain are decently buried, each in their
respective countries,
Abthub, after he had completed his victory, gave orders for
separating the bodies of his nobility from those of the enemy,
and preparing a pompous funeral for them ; and that, when
ready, they should be carried to the abbejns of their repective
countries, there to be honourably buried. But Bedver the
butler was, with great lamentation of the Neustrians, carried
to his own city Bajocs, which Bedver the first, his great
grandfather, had built. There he was, with great solemnity,
laid close by the wall, in a burying-place on the south side of
the city. But Cheudo was carried grievously wounded to
Camus, a town which he had himself built, where in a short
time he died of his wounds, and was buried, as became a
duke of Andegavia, in a convent of hermits, which was in
a wood not far from the town. Also Holdin, duke of Ruteni^
268 aEOFFSBY^S BBETISH QISTOBT. [book s. ch. ;.
was carried to Flanders, and buried in his own citj Terivana,
The other consuls and noblemen were conveyed to the neigh-
bouring abbeys, according to Arthur^s orders. Out of his
great clemency, also, he ordered the country people to ta^e
care of the burial of the enemy, and to carry the body of
Lucius to the senate, and tell them, that was the only tribute
which Britain ought to pay them. After thiJs he stayed in
those parts till the nespt winter was over, and employed his
time in reducing the cities of the Allobroges. But at the
beginning of the following sumn^er, as he was on his mansh
towards Rome, and was beginning to pass the Alps, he had
news brought him that his nephew Modred, to whose care
he had entrusted Britain, had by tyrannical and treasonable
practices set the crown upon lus own head ; and that queen
Cruanhumara, in violation of her first marriage, had T^ckedly
married him.
BOOK XL
Chap. l.-^Mbdred makes a great alaughier <tf Arthur'e men, but is
beaten, andjiees to Winchester.
Of the matter now to be treated of, most noble consul,
Geoffrey of Monmouth shall be silent ; but will, nevertheless,
though in a mean style, briefly relate what he found in the
British book above mentioned, and heard from that most
learned historian, Waiter, archdeacon of Oxford, concerning
the wars which this renowned king, upon his return to Britain
after this victory, waged against his nephew. As socm,
therefore, as the report, of this flagrant wickedness reached
him, he immediately desisted £rom his enterprise against Leo,
king of the Romans ; and haying sent away Hoel, duke of
the Armoricans, with the army of Gaul, to restore peace in
those parts, returned b^k with speed to Britain, attended
only by the kings of the islands, and their armies. But the
wicked traitor, Modred, had sent Cheldric, the Saxon leader,
into Germany, there to raise all the forces he could find, and
return with all speed : and in o6nsideration of this service,
\^ pron^^ed him all th^t p^ of the island, which reaches
JLD, 542.] TBEXCHEBT OF HODKED. 269
from the Hmnber to Scotland, and whatever Hengist and
Horsa had poasessed of Kent in the time of Yordgem. So
that he, in obedience to his commands, had arrived with
eight hundred ships filled with pagan soldiers, and had
entered into covenant to obey the traitor as his sovereign ^
who had also drawn to his assistance the Scots, Picts, Irish,
and all others whom he knew tb be enemies to his undet
His whole army, taking pagans and Christians together^
amounted to eighty thousand men ; with the help of whom
he met Arthur just after, his landing at the port of Rutupi,
and joining battle with him, made a very great slaughter of
his men. For the same day fell Augusel, king of Albania,
and Walgan, the king's nephew, with innumerable others^
Augusel was succeeded in his kingdom by Eventus, his
brother Urian^s son^ who afterwards performed many famous
exploits in those wars. After they had at last, with much
difficulty, got ashore, they paid back the slaughter, and put
Modred and his army to flight. For, by long practice in
War, they had learned an excellent way of ordering their
forces ; which was so managed, that while their foot were
employed either in an assault or upon the defensive, the
horse would come in at full speed obliquely, break through
the enemy's ranks, and so force them to flee. Nevertheless,
this perjured usurper got his forces together again, and the
night following entered Winchester. As soon as queen
Guanhumara heard this, she immediately, despairing of suc-
cess, fled from York to the City of Legions, where she resolved
to lead a chaste li£9 among the nuns in the church of Julius
the Martyr, and entered herself one of their order.
Chap. II. — Modred, aifter being twice besieged and routed, is kiUedi
Arthttr, being wounded, gives up Ihe kingdom to ComUaUine.
But Arthur, whose anger was now much more inflamed,
upon the loss of so many hundreds of his fellow soldiers,
alter he had buried his slain, went on the third day to the
city, and there besieged the traitor^ Who^ notwithstanding^
was unwilling to desist from his enterprise, but used all
methods to encourage his adherents, and marching out with
his troops prepared to fight his unde. In the battle that
followed hereupon, great nuhibers lost their lives on both
sides ; but at last Modred's army suffered most> so that h^
270 GEOFFBEX'S BBITISH HISTOBT. [book xi. ch. S.
was forced to quit the field shamefully. From hence he made
a precipitate flight, and, without taking any care for the
burial of his slain, marched in haste towards ComwaU.
Arthur, being inwardly grieved that he should so often
escape, forthwith pursued him into that country as fir as the
river Cambula, where the other was expecting his coming.
And Modred, as he was the boldest of men, and always the
quickest at making an attack, inmiediately placed his troops
in order, resolving either to conquer or to die, rather than
continue his flight any longer. He had yet remaining with
him sixty thousand men, out of whom he composed three
bodies, which contained each of them six thousand six hun-
dred and sixty-six men : but all the rest he joined in one
body ; and having assigned to each of the other parties their
leaders, he took the command of this upon himself. After
he had made this disposition of his forces, he endeavoured to
animate them, and promised them the estates of their enemies
if they came off with victory. Arthur, on the other side^
also marshalled his army, which he divided into nine square
companies, with a right and left wing ; and having appointed
to each of them their commanders, exhorted them to make a
total rout of those robbers and perjured villains, who, being
brought over into the island from foreign countries at the
instance of the arch-traitor, were attempting to rob them of
all their honours. He likewise told them that a mixed army
composed of barbarous people of so many different countries,
and who were all raw soldiers and inexperienced in war,
would never be able to stand against such brave veteran
troops as they were, provided they did their duty. After
this encouragement given by each general to his fellow
soldiers, the battle on a sudden began with great fury ;
wherein it would be both grievous and tedious to relate the
slaughter, the cruel havoc, and the excess of fury that was
to be seen on both sides. In this manner they spent a good
part of the day, till Arthur at last made a push with his com**
pany, consisting of six thousand six hundred and sixty-^ix
men, against that in which he knew Modred was ; and having
opened a way with their swords, they pierced quite through
it, and made a grievous slaughter. For in this assault fell
the wiqked traitor himself, and many thousands with him.
But notwithstanding the loss of him, the rest did not flee,
A.D.548.] BEBELIflON OF THE 8AX0|r& 271
but running together from all parts of the field maintained
their ground with undaunted courage. The fight now
grew more furious than eyer, and proved fatal to almost all
the commanders and their forces. For on Modred's side fell
Cheldric, Elasius, Egbrict, and Bunignus, Saxons ; Gilla-
patric, Gillamor, Gistafel, and Gillaiius, Irish ; also the
Scots and Ficts, with almost all their leaders : on Arthur's
side, Olbrict, king of Norway ; Aschillius, king of Dada ;
Cador Limenic Cassibellaun, with many thousands of others, as
well Britons as foreigners, that he had brought with him.
And even the renowned king Arthur himself was mortally
wounded ; and being carried thence to the isle of Avallon to
be cured of his wounds, he gave up the crown of Britain to
his kinsman Constantine, the son of Cador, duke of Corn^
wall, in the five hundred and forty-second year of our Lord's
incarnation.*
Cha.p. Ill, — Constantine meets with disturbances from the Saxons and
Modrec^i tons.
Upon Constantine's advancement to the throne, the Saxons,
with the two sons of Modred, made insurrection against him,
though without success ; for after many battles they fied,
one to London, the other to Winchester, and possessed them-
selves of those places. Then died Saint Daniel, the pious
prelate of the church of Bangor; and Theon, bishop of
Gloucester, was elected archbishop of London. At the
same time also died David, the pious archbishop of Legions,
at the city of Menevia, in his own abbey ; which he loved
above all the other monasteries of his diocese, because Saint
Fatrick, who h^td prophetically foretold his birth, was the
founder of it. For during his residence there among his
&iars, he was taken with a sudden illness, of which he
died, and, at the command of Malgo, king of the Yenedo-
tians, was buried in that church. He was succeeded in
the metropolitan see by Cynoc, bishop of the church of
Llan-Fatem, who was thus promoted to a higher dignity.
* The mention of Constantine brings Geofirey's work into connection
with that of Gildas : the reader may perhaps from this point detect some
slight d^ee of yerisimilitude in this otherwise fictitious narrative.
Chap. IV.—'ComiianHne, having murdered the two tone qf Modred, it htm-
ee{f kiUed by Oman,
But ConstiUitine pursued the Saxons, and reduced them
under his yoke. He also took the two sons of Modred;
and one of them, who had fled 6>r sanctuary to the church
of St. Amphibalus, in Winchester, he murdered before the
altar. The other had hidden himself in a convent of friars
at London, but at last was found out by him, brought before
the altar, and there put to death. Three years after this, he
himself, by the venseance of God pursuing him, was killed by
Gonan, and buried close by Uther Pendragon within the
structure of stones, which was set up with wonderful art not fai^
from Salisbui^, and called in the English tongue, Stonehenge.
Chap. V. — Aurelius Ckman reifffu afler ComtanHnB.
Afteb him succeeded Aurelius Conan, his nephew, a youth
of wonderful valour ; who, as he gained the monarchy of
the whole island, would have been worthy the crown o^
it, had he liot delighted in civil war. He raised disturb-
ances against his unde, who ought to have reigned after
Constantine, and cast him into priscm ; and then killing his
two sons, obtained the kingdom, but died in the second year
of his reign.
Chap. VI. — WorHparku, being declared king, eonquere the Samma,
After Conan succeeded Wortiporius, against whom the
Saxons made insurrection, and brought over their countrymen
from Germany in a very great fleet. But he gave them
battle and came off with victory, so that he obtained the
monarchy of the whole kingdom, and governed the people
carefully and peacefully four years.
Chap. VII*— JlfaiJ^, king of Britain, and a most grac^td person, addicts
himse^ to sodomy,
Afteb him succeeded Malgo, one of the handsomest of
men in Britain, a great scourge of tyrants, and a man of
great strength, extraordinary munificence, and matchless
Valour, but addicted very much to the detestable vice of
sodomy^ by which he made himself abominable to God. H6
^.^ 877] GEOFFREY^S APOStSOPHE TO T&1£ PEOPLE^ 2^3
«j0o possessed the trhole island^ to which, after a crtiel vrnt^
he added the six pro'dnoial islands, via. Ii^eUmd, Iceland^
Gothland, the Orkneys^ Norway, and Dacia.
Chap. Yin. — Brttem, tfi ihejiame o/n dvil i#ar wider kinff CktmtieuM, it
mmrablff watted by the Stutont and Jfrioantk
After Malgo succeeded Careticus, a lover of civil war, and
hateful to God and to the Britons. The Saxons, disoovering
his fickle disposition, went to Ireland for Gonnund, king of
the Africans, who had arrived there with « very great
fleet, and had suhdued that country. From thence, at
their traitorous instigation, he sailed over into Britain,
which the perfidious Saxons in one |>art, in another the
Britons hy their continual wars among th^nselves were
wholly laying waste. Entering therefore into alliance
with the Saxons, he made war upon king Careticus, and
after several battles fought, drove him from city to city, till
at length he forced him to Cirecester, and there besieged
him. Here Isembard, the nephew of Lewis, king of the
Franks, came and made a league of amity with him, and out
of respect to him renounced the Christian faith, on condition
that he would assist him to gain the kingdom of Gaul from
his uncle, by whom, he said, he was forcibly and unjustly
expelled out of it. At last, after taking and burning the
city, he had another fight with Careticus, and made him ^ee
beyond the Severn into Wales. He then made an utter
devastation of the country, set fire to the adjacent cities,
nnd continued these outrages until he had almost burned
up the whole surface of the island from the one sea to
the other ; so that the tillage was everywhere destroyed,
and a general destruction made of the husbandmen and
clergy, with fire and sword. This terrible calamity caused
the rest to flee whithersoever they had any hopes of
safety.
Chap. IX. — The author upbroidt the Britont,
** Why foolish nation ! oppressed with the weight of your
abominable wickedness, why did you, in your insatiable
thirst after civil wars, so weaken yourself by domestic con-
fusions, that whereas formerly you brought distant kingdoms
under your yoke, now, like a good vineyard degenerated and
T
274 Geoffrey's bbitish bistort. [rook ». cm. lo.
tamed to bitterness, you cannot defeni yoi^r country^ your
wives, aud children, against your enemies ? Go on, go on
in your civil dissensions, little understanding the saying in
the Gospel, ^ Every kingdom divided against itself shall be
brought to desolation, and a house divided against itself shall
fall.' Since then your kingdom was divided against itself ;
since the rage of civil discord, and the fumes of envy, have
darkened your minds, since your pride would not suffer you
to pay obedience to one king ; you see, therefore, your coun-
try made desolate by impious pagans, and your houses falling
one upon another ; which shall be the cause of lasting sor-
row to your posterity. For the barbarous lionesses shall see
their whelps enjoying the towns, cities, and other possessions
of your children ; from which they shall be miserably ex-
pelled, and hardly if ever recover their former flourishing
state."
Chap. X.-rLoeffria is again inhabited by the Saxons. The Britons, trith
their bishops, retire into Cornwall and Wales.
But to return to the history; when the inhuman tyrant,
with many thousands of his Africans, had made a devastation
almost over the whole island, he yielded up the greater part
of it, called Loegria, to the Saxons, whose villainy had been
the occasion of his arrival. Therefore the remainder of the
Biitons retired into the western parts of the kingdom, that
is, Cornwall and Wales ; . from whence they continually
made frequent and fierce irruptions upon the enemy. The
three archbishops, viz. the archbishop of I^egions, Theon of
London, and Thadiocus of York, when they beheld all the
churches in their jurisdiction Ijring level with the ground,
fled with all the clergy that remained after so great a de-
struction, to the coverts of the woods in Wales, canying
with them the relics of the saints, for fear the sacred bones
of so many holy men of old might be destroyed by the bar-
barians, if they should leave them in that imminent danger,
and themselves instantly suffer martyrdom. Many more
went over in a great fleet into Armorican Britain ; so that
the whole church of the two provinces, Loegria and North-
umberland, had its convents destroyed. But these things I
shall relate elsewhere, when I translate the book concerning
their banishment
-4.0.496.] ABBIYAL OF ST' AUGXJSTPTK. 279
Ohap, XI.-^7%« Britont lose their kingdom.
Fob a long time after this the Britons were dispossessed
of the crown of the kingdom, and the monarchy of the
island, and made no endeavours to recover their ancient
dignity ; but even that part of the country which yet
remained to them, being subject not to one king, but three
tyrants, was often wasted by civil wars. But neither did
the Saxons yet obtain the crown, but were also subject to
three kings, who harassed sometimes one another,, sometimes
the Britons.
Chap. XU,— Augustine, being sent by pope Gregory into Britain^
preaches the gospel to the Angles.
In the meantime Augustine was sent by pope Saint Gregory
into Britain, to preach the word of God to the Angles, who,
being blinded with pagan superstition, had entirely extih-
guished Christianity in that part of the island which they
possessed. But among the Britons, the Christian faith still
flourished, and never failed among them from the time of
pope Eleutherius, when it was first planted here. But when
Augustine came, he found in their province seven bishoprics
and an archbishopric, all filled with most devout prelates, and
a great number pf abbeys ; by which the flock of Christ was
still I^ept in good order. Among the rest, there was in the
city of Bangor a most noble church, in which it is reported
there was so great a number of monks, that when the
monastery was divided into seven parts, having each their
priors over them, not one of them had less than three
hundred monks, who all lived by the labour of their own
hands. The name of their abbat was Dinooth, a man
admirably skilled in the liberal arts 5 who, when Augustine
required the subjection of the British bishops, iand would
have persuaded them to undertake the work of the gospel
with him among the Angles^ answered him -with several
arguments, that they owed no subjection to him, neither
would they preach to their enemies ; since they had their
own archbishop, and because the Saxon nation persisted in
depriving them of their country. For tliis reason they
esteemed them their mortal enemies, reckoned their faith
T 2
276 GBOFTSET^S BBITISH EOStOIEt. [imMzi.ca1J.
and religion as nothing, and would no more communicate
with the Angles than with dogs*
Crap. XllI.^BiMfrid kills a great number qfthe BriHah monks, hU it
at last routed by the Britons.
Therefore Ethelbeft, king of Kent, when he saw that the
Britons disdained subjection to Augustine, and despised hig
preaching, was highly provoked, and stirred up Ethelfrid^
king of the Northumbrians, and the other petty kings of the
Saxons, to raise a great army, and march to the city of
Bangor, to destroy the abbat Dinooth, and the rest of the
clergy who held them in contempt. At his instigation,
therefore, they assembled a prodigious army, and in ih&t
march to the province of the Britons, came to Legecester,
where Brocmail^ consul of the city, was awaiting theii*
coming. To the same city were come innumerable monks
and hermits from several provinces of the Britons, but
especially from the city of Bangor, to pray for the safety
of their people. Whereupon Ethelfrid, king of the Nor-
thumbrians, collecting all his forces, joined battle with
Brocmail, who, having a less aitny to withstand him, at
last quitted the city and tied, though not without having
made a great slaughter of the enemy. But Ethelfrid, when
he had taken the city, and understood upon what occasion
the monks were come thither, commanded his men to turn
their arms first against them ; and so two hundred of them
were honoured with the crown of martyrdom, and admitted
into the kingdom of heaven that same day. From thence
this Saxon tyrant proceeded on his march to Bangor ; but
upon the news of his outrageous madness, the leaders of the
Britons, visS. Blederic, duke of Cornwall, Margaduc, king
of the Demetians, and Cadwan, of the Yenedotians, came
firom aU parts to meet him, and joining battle with him^
wounded him, and forced him to flee ; and killed of his
army to the number of ten thousand and sixty-six men. On
the Britons' side fell Blederic, duke of Cornwall^ who was
their commander in those wars.
«. •. nt-4».l CADWAK AND STHBI.FKID DITIDX BBXTAIV. 277
BOOK XIL
Chap. I. — Cadwan acquires by treaty all Britain on this side t^ihe ffum'
ber^ and Ethel/rid the rtst.
Aftbb this all the princes of the Britons met together aft
the city of Legecester, and consented to make Cadwan their
king, that under his command they might pursue Ethelfrid
beyond the Humher. Accordingly, as soon as he was
crowned, they flocked together fix>m all parts, and passed the
Humber ; of which when Ethelfrid received intelligence, he
entered into a confederacy with all the Saxon kings, and
went to meet Cadwan. At last, as they were forming their
troops for a battle, their friends came, and made peace
between them on these terms : that Cadwan should enjoy
that part of Britain which lies on this side of the Humber, and
Ethelfrid that which is beyond it. As soon as they had
confirmed this agreement with an oath made to their
hostages, there commenced such a friendship between them,
that they had all things conmion. In the meantime it
happened, that Ethelfrid banished his own wife and married
another, and bore so great a hatred to her that was banished,
that he would not suffer her to live in the kingdom of
Northumberland. Whereupon she, being with ehild, went
to king Cadwan, that by his mediation she might be restored
to her husband. But when Ethelfrid could by no means be
brought to consent to it, she continued to live with Cadwan,
tUl she was delivered of the son which she had conceived.
A short time after her delivery, Cadwan also had a son bom
to him by the queen, his wife. Then were the two boys
brought up together in a manner suitable to their royal
birth, one of which was called Cadwalla, the other Edwin.
When they were nearly arrived at men's estate, their parents
sent than to Salomon, king of the Armorican Britons, that
in his court they might learn the discipline of war, and other
princ^y qualifications. This prince, therefore^ received them
graciously, and admitted them to an intimacy wilii him ; so
that there was none of their age in the whole court, that had
a free access, or more familiarly discoursed with the king
than they. At last he himself was an eye-witness of their
278 GSOFFRET'S BBITISH HI6T0BT< [book XII. c^. c.
exploits against the enemy, in which thej very much signa"
lized their valour.
Chap. IL — CadwaOa breaks the covenant he had made Ufith Edwin,
In process of time, when their parents were dead, thej
returned to Britain, where thej took upon them the
government of the kingdom, and began to form the same
friendship as their fathers. Two jears after this, Edwin
asked leave of Cadwalla to wear a crown, and to celebrate
the same solemnities, as had been used of old in Northum-
berland. And when thej had begun a treaty upon this
subject by the river Duglas, that the matter might be
adjusted according to the advice of their wise counsellors ;
it happened that Cadwalla was lying on the other side of the
river in the lap of a certain nephew of his^ whose name waB
Brian. While ambassadors were negotiating between them,
Brian wept, and shed tears so plentifully, that the king's face
and beard were wet with them. The king, imagining that
it rained, lifted up his face, and seeing the young man in
tears, asked him the occasion of such sudden grief. '^ Good
reason," said he, " have I to weep continually, as well as the
whole British nation, which has groaned under the oppression
of barbarians ever since the time of Malgo, and has not yet
got a prince, to restore it to its ancient flourishing state. And
even the little honour that it had left, is lessened by your
indulgence ; since the Saxons, who are only strangers, and
always traitors to our country, must, now be permitted to
wear the same crown as you do. For when once they shall
attain to regal dignity, it will be a great addition to their
glory in the country from whence they came ; and they will
the sooner invite over their countrymen, for the utter extirp-
ation of our race. , For they have been always accustomed
to treachery, and never to keep faith with any ; which I
think should be a reason for our keeping them under, and
not for exalting them. When king Yortigern first retained
them in his service, they made a show of living peaceably,
and fighting for our country, till they had an opportunity of
practising their wickedness ; and then they returned evil for
good, betrayed him, and made a cruel massacre of the people
of the kingdom. Afterwards they betrayed Aurelius Am-
AD. 630.] EDWm OONQUESS OADWALLA. 279
brosius, to whom, even after the most tremendous oaths
of fidelity., at a banquet with him they gave a draught
of poison. They also betrayed Arthur, when, setting aside
the covenant hy which they were bound, they joined with
his nephew Modred, and fought against hinK Lastly, tl^ey
broke faith with king Careticus, and brought upon him
Grormund, king of the Africans, by whose disturbances our
people were robbed of their <30untry, and the king disgrace-
fully driven out
Chap. III. — A qumrrel between CadwaUa ^nd Edwin,
At the mention of these things, CadwaUa repented of enter-
ing into this treaty, and sent word to Edwin that he could
by no means induce his counsellors to consent to his petition.
For they alleged that it was contrary to law and the ancient
establishment, that an island, which has always had no more
than one crown, should be now under subjection to two
crowned heads. This message incensed Edwin, and made
him break off the conference, and retire into Northumber-
land, saying, he would be crowned without Cadwalla^s
leave. When CadwaUa was told this, he declared to him
by his ambassadors that he would cut off his crowned head,
if he presumed to wear a crown within the kingdom of
Britain.
Crap. IY. — CadwalU ie vanquished bff Edwin, and dfiiten out of the
kinffdotn,
This proved the occasion of a war between them, in which,
after several engagements between their men, they at last
met together themselves beyond the Humber, and had a
battle, wherein CadwaUa lost many thousands of his fol-
lowers, and was put to flight* From heac^ he marched
with precipitation through Albania, and went over to Ireland.
But Edwin, after this victory, led his army through the pro-
vinces of the Britons, and burning the dities before him, griev-
ously afflicted the citizens and country people. During this
exercise of his cruelty, CadwaUa nevw ceased endeavouring
to return back to his country in a fleet, but without success ;
because to whatever port he steered, Edwin met him with
his forces, and hindered his landing. For there was come to
* See Malmesbury's Hist of the KingSy p. 46.
lam from ^muq a very skiViil sooth8a|j<er,, ivuned FeUitiis,
who, hj the flight of birds and the courses of the stara^
foretold all the disasters that would happeiu Bj these
means Edwin> getting knowledge of Cadwalla's return, pre-*
pared to meet him, and shattered his ships so that he drowned
his men, and beat him aSt from all his ports. Gadwalla, not
knowing what course ta take^ was aln¥)st in despair of ever
returning. At last it came into his head to go to Salomon,
king of the Armorican Britons, and desire his assistance and-
advice, to enable him to return to his kingdom. And so, as^
he was steering towards Armorica, a strong tempest rose on
a sudden, which dispersed the ships of his companions, ami
in a short time left no two of them together. The pilot of
the king's ship was s^ed immediately with so great a fear,
that quitting the stern, he left the vessel to the disposal of
fortune ; so that all that night it was tossed up and down in
great danger by the raging waves. The nest morning th^
arrived at a certain island called Gamareia, where with
great difficulty they got ashore. CadwaUa was forthwith
seized with such grief for the loss of his companions, that
for three days and nights together he refused to eat, but lay
sick upon his bed. The fourth day he was taken with a very
great longing for some venison, ai^d causing Brian to be
called, made him acquainted with it. Whereupon Brian
took his bow and quiver, and went through the island, that
if he could light on any wild beast, he might make booty of
it. And when he had walked over the whole island without
finding what he was in quest of, he was extremely concerned
that he could not gratify his master's desire ; and was afraid
his sickness would prove mortal if his longing were not
satisfied. He, therefore, fell upon a new device, and cut a
piece of flesh out of his own thigh, which he roasted upon a
spit, and carried to the king for venison., The king, tnink<*
ing it to be real venison^ begax^ to eat of it to his great re-*
freshment, admiring the sweetness of it, which he fancied
exceeded any flesh he ever had tasted before. At last, when
he had fully satisfied his appetite^ he became more cheerful^
and in three days was perfectly well again. Then the wind
standing fair^ he got ready his ship, and hoisting sails
they pursued their voyage, and arrived at the city Ki-
daleta. From thence they went to king Salomon^ by
A.j>, 0810 8FESCH OF KSSQ BAXOXON. 281
whom they were received kindly and with aH suitable re*
spect ; and as soon as he had learned the occasion of their
coming, he made them a promise of assistance, and spoke to
them as foUows,
Cbap, T. — Th0 tpeeeh qf Stdomany king 9^ J^f^wioay to Cadwatta,
" It is a grief to us, noble youths, that the country of your
ancestors is oppressed by a barbarous nation, and that you
are ignominiously driven out of it. But since other men are
able to defend their kingdoms, it is a wonder your people
should lose so fruitful an island, and not be able to with-
stand the nation of the Angles, whom our countrymen hold
in contempt. While the people of this country Hved toge-
ther with yours in Britain, they bore sway over all the pro*
vincial kingdoms, and never could be subdued by any nation
but the Romans. Neither did the Romans do this by their
own power, as I have been lately informed, but by a dissen-
sion among the nobility of the island. And even the
Romans, though they held it under their subjection for a
time, yet upon the loss and slaughter of their rulers, were
driven out with disgrace. But after the Britons came into
this province under the conduct of Maximian and Conan,
those that remained never had the happiness afterwards of
holding an uninterrupted possession of the crown. For
though many of their princes maintained the ancient dignity
of their ancestors, yet their weak heirs that succeeded,
though more in number, entirely lost it, upon the invasion
of their enemies. Therefore I am grieved for the weakness
of your people, since we are of the same race with you, and
the name of Britons is common to you, and to the nation that
bravely defends their country, which you see at war with all
its neighbours.'*
Chap. YI. — CadwalUfa answer to Salomon.
When he had concluded his speech, Cadwalla, who was a
Jittle put to the blush, answered him after this manner :
" Royal sir, whose descent is from a race of kings, I give
you many thanks for your promise of assisting me to recover
my kingdom. But what you say is a wonder, that my people
have not maintained the dignity of their ancestors, since the
282 Geoffrey's British bistort. Lkm>k m. en. o.
time that the Britons came to these provinces, I am far from
thinking to be such. For the noblest men of the whole
kingdom followed those leaders, and there remained onlj the
baser sort to enjoy their honours ; who being raised to a
high quality, on a sudden were puffed up above their sta-
tion ; and growing wanton with riches gave themselves up to
commit such fornication as is not so much as named among the
Grentiles ; and (as Gildas the historian testifies) were not only
guilty of this vice, but of all the enormities that are incident
to human nature. And what chiedy prevailed, to the entire
overthrow of all goodness, was the hatred of truth with its
assertors, the love of a lie with the inventors of it, the em-
bracing of evil for good, the veneration of wickedness for
grace, the receiving of Satan for an angel of light. Kings
were anointed, not for the sake of God, but such as were
more cruel than the rest ; and were soon after murdered by
their anointers, without examination, having chosen others
yet more cruel in their room. But if any of them showed
any mildness, or seemed a favourer of truth, against him, as
the subverter of Britain, were all their malice and their
weapons bent. In short, things pleasing to God or displeas-
ing, with them had the same weight, even if the worse were
not the weightier. Therefore were all affairs managed con-*
trary to public safety, as if the true physician of all had left
them destitute of cure. And thus was every thing done
without discretion, and that not only by secular men, but by
the Lord's f ock and its pastors. Therefore it is not to be
wondered, that such a degenerate race, so odious to God for
their vices, lost a country which they had so heinously cor-
rupted. For God was willing to execute his vengeance upoDi
them, by suffering a foreign people to come upon them, and
drive them out of their possessions. Notwithstanding it
would be a worthy act, if God would permit it, to restore
our subjects to their ancient dignity, to prevent the reproach
that may be thrown upon our race, that we were weak
rulers, Vrho did not exert ourselves in our own defencow
Aiid I do the niore freely ask your assistance, as you are of
the same blood With us. For the great Malgo, who was the
fourth king of Britain after Arthur, had two sons, named
Ennianus and Runo. Ennianus begot BeUn ; Belin, Jago ;
Jago, Cadwan, who was my father. Runo, who, after his
A. 08S0.1 DEATH OF Edwin's haoioiak. 283
bityther's death, was driven out bj the Saxons, came to this
{HTOvince and bestowed his daughter on duke Hoel, the son
of that great Hoel who shared with Arthur in his conquests.
Of her was bom Alan; of Alan, Hoel your father, who
while he lived was a terror to all Gaul."
Chap. YII* — Brian kilU Edwin's magieian*
In the meantime, while he was spending the winter with
Salomon, they entered into a resolution, that Brian should
pass over into Britain, and take some method to kill Edwin's
magician, lest he might by his usual art inform him of Cad-
walla's coming. And when with this design he had arrived
at Hamo's Fort, he took upon him the habit of a poor man,
and made himself a staff of iron sharp at the end, with
which he might kill the magician if he should happen to
meet with him. From thence he went to York, where Ed-
win then resided 5 and having entered that city joined him-
self to the poor people that waited for alms before the king^s
gate^ But as he was going to and fro, it happened that his
sister came out of the hsJl, with a basin in her hand, to
fetch water for the queen. She had been taken by Edwin
at the city of Worcester, when after Cadwalla's flight he
was acting his hostilities upon the provinces of the Britons.
As she was therefore passing by Brian, he immediately knew
her, and, breaking forth into tears, called to her with a low
voice ; at which the damsel turning her face, was in doubt at
first who it could be, but upon a nearer approach discovered
iit to be her brother, and was near falling into a swoon, for
fear that he might by some unlucky accident be known and
taken by the enemy. She therefore refrained from saluting
him, or entering into familiar discourse with him, but told
him> as if she was talking upon some other sulDJect^ the
state of the court, and showed him the magician, that he
was inquiring for, who was at that very time walking among
the poor people, while the alms were being distributed
among them. Brian, as soon as he had taken knowledge of
the man, ordered his sister to steal out privately from her
apartment the night following, and come to him near an old
church without the city, where he would conceal himself in
expectation of her. Then dismissing her, he thrust himself
in among the crowd of poor people, in that part where Fel-
284 geoffbet's British history. [mmk xn. ca. s
fitus was pladng them. And the same moment he got
access to him, he liflfced up his stafl^ and at once gaye him a
stab under the breast which killed him. This done, he threw
awaj his staff, and passed among the rest undistinguished
and unsuspected by any of the bj-standers, and by good pro*
yidence got to the place of concealment which he had ap-
pointed. His sister, when night came on, endeavoured all
she could to get out, but was not able ; because £dwin, being
terrified at the killing of PeUitns, had set a strict watch
about the court, who, making a narrow search, refused to let
her go out. Wh^n Brian found this, he retired from that
place, and went to Exeter, where he called together the
Britons, and told them what he had done. Afterwards hay*
ing despatched away messengers to CadwaUa, he fortified
that city, and sent word to all the British nolnlity, that they
should bravely defend their cities and towns, and joyfully
expect Cadwadla's coming to their relief in a short time wil^
auxiliary forces from Salomon. Upon the spreading of this
news over the whole island, Penda, kii^ oi the Mercians,
with a very great army of Saxons, came to Exeter, and be*
si^ed Brian.
Chap. YIII. — CadwaUa takes Fendttj and nmtt kU army.
In the meantime Cadwalla arrived with ten thousand men,
whom king Salomon had delivered to him ; and with them
he marched straight to the siege against king Penda. But,
as he was going, he divided his forces into four parts, and
then made no delay to advance and join battle with the
enemy, wherein Penda was forthwith taken, and his army
routed. For, finding no other way for his own safety, he
surrendered himself to Cadwalla, and gave hostages, with a
promise that he would assist him against the Saxons. Cad*
walla, after this success against him, summoned together his
nobility, that had been a long time in a decaying state, and
marched to Northumberland against Edwin, and made con*
tinual devastations in that country. When Edwin was in-
formed of it, he assembled all the petty kings of the Angles,
and meeting the Britons in a field called Heathfield,* presently
gave them battle, but was killed, and almost all the people
S^ Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 106,
AOL 634-642.] GADWALLA's CONQtTESTS. 285
ifnth him, together with Osfrid, his son, and Godbold, king
of the Orkneys, who had come to their assistance.
Chip. IX* — CadwaUa kills Otrie and Aidan injight,
IBXTESQ thus obtained the Tictory, Cadwalla marched through
the provinces of the Angles, and committed such outrages
upon the Saxons, that he neither spared age nor sex ; for his
resolution being to extirpate the whole race out of Britain,
all that he found he put to extreme tortures* After this he
had a battle with Osric, Edwin's successor, and killed him
together with his two nephews, who ought to have reigned
after him. He also killed Aidan, king of the Scots, who
came to their assistance.
Chap. X. — Oswald routs Penda in fight, but is Jeilled by Cadwalla coming
in upon Attn.
Thbib deaths made room for Oswald to succeed to the king-*
dom of Northumberland ; but Cadwalla drove him, with the
rest that had given him disturbance, to the very wall which
the emperor Severus had formerly built between Britain and
Scotland. Afterwards he sent Penda, king of the Mercians,
and the greatest part of his army, to the same place, to give
him battle. But Oswald, as he was besieged one night by
Fenda, in the place called Heavenfield, that is, the Heavenly
Field,* set up there our Lord's cross, and commanded his
men to speak with a very loud voice these words : " Let us
all kneel down, and pray the Almighty, living and true
Grod, to defend us from the proud army of the king of Britain,
and his wicked leader Penda* For he knows how justly we
wage this war for the safety of our people." They all there-
fore did as he commanded them^ and advanced at break of
day against the enemy, and by their faith gained the victory.
CadwaUa, upon hearing this news, being inflamed with rage,
assembled his army, and went in pursuit of the holy king
Oswald ; and in a battle which he had with him at a place
called Bume, Penda broke in upon him and killed him.
Chap. XI. — Owjy submits to Cadwalla. Penda desires leave of CadwaUa
to make war against him,
Oswald, with many thousands of his men, being killed, his
brother Oswy succeeded him in the kingdom of Northumber*
* See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 110.
286 GBOFFBET'S BBITISH ^ISTOBT. [bookzii.cb.1S.
l^d,* and bj making large presents of gold and silyer to
Cadwalla, who was now possessed of the goyernmci\t of all
Britain, made his peace and submission to him. Upon this
Alfrid, his brother, and Ethelwald,f his brother's son, began
an insurrection ; but, not being able to hold out against Imn^
thej fled to Penda, king of the Mercians, desiring him to
assemble his army and pass the Humber with them, that he
might deprive Oswy of his kingdom. But Fenda, fearing to
break the peace, which Cadwalla had settled through the
kingdom of Britain, deferred beginning anj disturbance with-
out his leave, till he could some way work him up, either to
make war himself upon Oswy, or allow him the liberty of
doing it. At a certain Pentecost therefore, when Cadwalla
was celebrating that festival at London, and for the greater
solemnity wore the crown of Britain, all the kings of the
Angles, excepting only Oswy, being present, as also all the
dukes of the Britons ; Penda went to the king, and inquired
of him the reason, why Oswy alone was wanting, when all
the princes of the Saxons were present, Cadwalla answered^
that his sickness was the cause of it ; to which the other
replied, that he had sent over to Germany for more Saxons,
tp revenge the death of his brother Oswald upon them both.
He told him further, that he had broken the peace of the
kingdom, as being the sole author of the war and dissension
among them ; since Ethelfrid, king of Northumberland, and
Ethelwald, his brother's son, had been by him harassed with
a war, and driven out of their own country. He also desired
leave, either to kill him, or banish him the kingdom.
Chap. XII. — Cadwalla is advised to suffer Penda to make an insurrection
against Oswy.
This matter caused the king to enter upon much deliberation,
and hold a private consultation with his intimate friends,
what course to take. Among the rest that offered their pro-
posals, Margadud, king of the Dimetians, spoke as follows :
— " Royal sir, since you have proposed to expel the race of
the Angles from the coasts of Britain, why do you alter your
resolution, and suffer them to continue in peace among us ?
At least you should permit them to fall out among them-
* Or Bemicia, see Bede, p. 131. t Who reigned over the Deiri.
A.D. 642.] KING CAI>WALLA*8 DEATH. 287
selves, and \et our country owe its deliverance to their own
civil broils. No foith is to be kept with one that is treach-
erous, and is continually laying snares for him to whom he
owes fidelity. Such have the Saxons always been to our
nation, from the very first time of their coming among us.
What faith ought we to keep with them ? Let Penda imme-
diately have leave to go against Oswy, that by this civil dis-
sension and destruction of one another, our island may get
rid of them.
Chap. XIII, — Penda is killed by Oswy* Cadwalla dies,
Br these and other words to the same effect, Cadwalla was
prevailed upon to grant the permission desired. And Penda,
having assembled a vast army, went to the Humber, and
la3ring waste that country, began a fierce war upon the king.
Oswy was at last reduced to such extremity, that he was
forced to promise him innumerable royal ornaments, and
other presents more than one would believe, if he would
desist from ruining his country, and return home without
committing any more hostilities. But when the other could
by no entreaties be prevailed upon to do it, the king, in hopes
of divine assistance, though he had a less army, however,
gave him battle near the River Winwid, and having killed
Penda and thirty other commanders, gained the victory.
Penda's son Wulfred, by a grant from Cadwalla, succeeded
to the kingdom, and joining with Eafa and Eadbert, two
leaders of the Mercians, rebdled against Oswy ; but at last,
by Cadwalla's Command, made peace with him. At length,
after forty-eight years were expired, that most noble and
potent king of the Britons, Cadwalla, being grown infirm with
age and sickness, departed this life upon the fifteenth before
the kalends of December. The Britons embalmed his body,
and placed it with wonderful art in a brazen statue, which
was cast according to the measure of ^his stature. This
statue they set up with complete armour, on an admirable and
beautiful brazen horse, over the western gate of London, for
a monument of the above-mentioned victory, and for a terror
to the Saxons. They also built under it a church in honour
of St. Martin, in which divine ceremonies are celebrated for
him and the others who departed in the faiths
288 GlSO^FItET^S BftlTtfltt filSTOBt. [book icii. <^.14,U
Crap. "KlY .-^-Oadwallader succeedt Cadamlku
He was succeeded in the kingdom bj Cadwallader^* his son^
Whom Bede cidls the youth Elldwalda. At first he main-^
tained the government with peace and honour ; but after
twelve years' ^jojment of the crt>wn, he fell into a fit of
sickness, and a civil war broke out among the Britons. His
mother was Penda's sister, by the same father but a different
mother, descended from the noble race of the Grewisseanst
For Cadwalla, after his reconciliation with her brother, made
her the partner of his bed, and had Cadwallader by her.
Cbap. "XY.-^The BrUons are compelled^ by pestilence andfanune, to leave
Briiain, Cadwallader* a lamentation.
DuBiKa his sickness, the Britons^ (as we said before,) quar*^
relling among themselves, made a wicked destruction of a
rich country ; and this again was attended with another mis-*
fortune. For this besotted people was punished with a
grievous and memorable famine ; so that every province was
destitute of all sustenance, except what could be taken in
hunting. After the famine followed a terrible pestilence,
which in a short time destroyed such multitudes of people,
that the living were not sufficient to bury the dead. Those
of them that remained^ flyiug their country in whole troops
together, went to the countries beyond the sea, and while
they were under sail^ they with a mournful howling voice
fiang, " Thou hast given us^ O Grod, like sheep appointed for
meat^ and hast scattered us among the heathen." Also Cad-
wallader himself, in his voyage, with his miserable fleet to
Armorica, made this addition to the lamentation, '' Woe to
us sinners, for our grievous impieties, wherewith we have
not ceased to provoke Gk)d, while we had space for repent-
ance. Therefore the revenge of his power lies heavy upon
us, and drives us out of our native soilj which neither the
Romans of old) nor the Scots or Picts afterwards, nor yet
the treacherous Saxons with all their craft, were able to da
But in vain have we recovered our country so often from
them ; since it was not the will of* Grod that we should per*
** Probably the same as Caedwalla, king of Wessex, noticed by Bede
and the Saxon Chronicle, although the British and Saxon authorities differ
in their genealogical statements.
%rx
A.j>.689.] SAXONS POSSESS ALL BRITAIN. 289
petually hold the government of it. He who is the true Judge,
when he saw we were by no means to be reclaimed from our
wickedness, and that no human power could expel our race,
was willing to chastise our folly himself ; and has turned his
anger against us, by which we are driven out in crowds
from our native country. Return, therefore, ye Romans ;
return, Scots and Picts ; return, Ambrons and Saxons : be-
hold, Britain lies open to you, being by the wrath of God
made desolate, which you were never able to do. It is not
your valour that expels us ; but the power of the supreme
King, whom we have never ceased to provoke."
Chap. XVI. — Cadwallader toith his people goes to Alan, The Saxons
seize all Britain.
With these dolorous complaints he arrived at the Armorican
coast, and went with his whole company to king Alan, the
nephew of Salomon by whom he was honourably received. So
that Britain, being now destitute of its ancient inhabitants, ex-
cepting a few in Wales that escaped the general mortality,
became a frightful place even to the Britons themselves for
eleven years after. Neither was it at the same time more
favourable to the Saxons, who died in it without intermission.
Notwithstanding the remainder of them, after this raging
plague was ceased, according to their old custom sent word
over to their countrjrmen, that the island of Britain was now
freed of its native inhabitants, and lay open to them, if they
would come over and inhabit it. As soon as they had re-
ceived this information, that odious people, gathering together
an innumerable multitude of men and women, arrived in
Northumberland, and inhabited the provinces that lay deso-
late from Albania to Cornwall. For there was now nobody
to hinder them, excepting the poor remains of the Britons,
who continued together in the thickets of the woods in Wales.
From that time the power of the Britons ceased in the island,
and the Angles began their reign.
Chap. XYII. — Cadwallader is bp the voice qf an angel deterred from
returning to Britain,
After some time, when the people had recovered strength,
Cadwallader, being mindful of his kingdom, which was now
free from the contagion of the pestilence, desired assistance
u
290 Geoffrey's British bistort. Lbook ui. ch. u
of Alan towards the recovery of his dominions. The king
granted his request ; but as he was getting readj a fleet, he
was commanded by the loud voice of an angel to desist from
his enterprise. For God was not willing that the Britons
should reign any longer in the island, before the time came of
which Merlin prophetically foretold Arthur. It also com-
manded him to go to Rome to pope Sergius, where, after
doing penance, he should be enrolled among the saints. It
told him withal, that the Britons, by the merit of their faith,
should again recover the island, when the time decreed for
it was come. But this would not be accomplished before
they should be possessed of his reliques, and transport them
from Rome into Britain. At the same time also the reliques
of the other saints should be found, which had been hidden
on account of the invasion of pagans ; and then at last would
they recover their lost kingdom. When the holy prince had
received the heavenly message, he went straight to king Alan,
and gave him an account of what had been told him.
Chap. XVIII. — Cadwallader goes to Rome and diet.
Then Alan had recourse to several books, as the prophecies
of the eagle that prophesied at Shaftesbury, and the verses
of Sibyl and Merlin ; and made diligent search in them, to
see whether the revelation made to Cadwallader agreed with
those written oracles. And when he could And nothing
contradictory to it, he admonished Cadwallader to submit to
the divine dispensation, and lajring aside the thoughts of
Britain, perform what the angelical voice had commanded
him. But he urged him to send his son Ivor and his nephew
Ini over into the island, to govern the remainder of the
Britons ; lest a nation, descended of so ancient a race, should
lose their liberty by the incursions of barbarians. Then
Cadwallader, renouncing worldly cares for the sake of God
and his everlasting kingdom, went to Rome, and was con-
firmed by pope Sergius : and being seized with a sudden ill-
ness, was, upon the twelfth before the kalends of May, in the
six hundred and eighty-ninth year of our Lord's incamalion
freed from the corruption of the flesh, and admitted into the
glories of the heavenly kingdom.
A. D. 688.1 Geoffrey's conclusion. 291
Chap. XIX.— 7%tf two Britons^ Jvcr and Ini^ m vain attack the natton
<if the Angles. Athelstan the first king cf the Angles,
As soon as Ivor and Ini had got together their ships, they
with all the forces thej could raise, arrived in the island, and
for forty-nine years together fiercely attacked the nation of
the Angles, but to little purpose. For the above-mentioned
mortality and famine, together with the inveterate spirit of
faction that was among them, had made this proud people so
much degenerate, that they were not able to gain any advan-
tage of the enemy. And being now also overrun with bar-
buism, they were no longer called Britons, but Gualenses,
Welshmen ; a word derived either from Gualo their leader,
or Guales their queen, or from their barbarism. But the
Saxons managed affairs with more prudence, maintained
peace and concord among themselves, tilled their grounds,
rebuilt their cities and towns, and so throwing off the domi-
nion of the Britons, bore sway over all Loegria, under their
leader Athelstan, who first wore a crown amongst them.
But the Welshmen, being very much degenerated from the
nobility of the Britons, never after recovered the monarchy
of the island ; on the contrary, by quarrels among themselves,
and wars with the Saxons, their country was a perpetual
scene of misery and slaughter.
Chap. XX. — Geoffrey of Monmouth^ s conclusion.
But as for the kings that have succeeded among them in
Wales, since that time, I leave the history of them to Cara-
doc of Lancarvan, my contemporary ; as I do also the kings
df the Saxons to William of Malmesbury, and Henry of
Huntingdon. But I advise them to be silent concerning the
kings of the Britons,* since they have not that book written
* This advice might be thought judicious, if we could be persuaded of
the authenticity of Geoffrey's cherished discovery, but there are lamentable
defects, of a grave character, attending upon this British volume.
1. It was first made known six hundred years after the events which it
relates.
2. No MS. copy is now in existence, nor any record of its ever having
been multiplied by transcription.
3. It relates stories utterly at variance with acknowledged history.
4. It abounds in miraculous stories, which, like leaven, ferment and cor-
rupt the whole mass.
U2
292 Geoffrey's bbitish bistobt. [book zin. ch. 20.
in the British tongue, which Walter, archdeacon of Oxford,
brought out of Brittany, and which being a true history,
published in honour of those princes, I have thus taken care
to translate.
5. It laboun under great suspicion from the mendacious character of
the people, whose credit it was written to support.
With these remarks we leave the work to the con&deration of the reader,
who maj compare it, if he likes, with the Chronicles of Gildas and Nen-
uius, which form the next portions of this volume.
THE
WORKS OF GILDAS,
8UBNAMED
^^ SAPIENS," OR THE WISE.
THE
WORKS OF GILDAS,
BURNAMKD
"SAPIENS," OR THE WISE.
I. TH£ PREFACE.
§ 1. Whateveb in this my epistle I may write in my
humble but weU-meaning manner, rather bj way of lament-
ation than for display, let no one suppose that it springs
from contempt of others, or that I foolishly esteem myself
as better than they ; — ^for, alas ! the subject of my complaint
is the general destruction of every thing that is good, and
the general growth of evil throughout the land ; — ^but that I
would condole with my country in her distress and rejoice to
see her revive therefrom : for it is my present purpose to
relate the deeds of an indolent and slothful race, rather than
the exploits of those who have been valiant in the field.* I
have kept silence, I confess, with much mental anguish,
compunction of feeling and contrition of heart, whilst I
revolved all these things within myself; and, as God the
searcher of the reins is witness, for the space of even ten
years or more, [ f niy inexperience, as at present also, and
my unworthiness preventing me from taking upon myself
the character of a censor. But I read how the illustrious
* Notwithstanding this remark of Gildas, the Britons must have shown
great bravery and resolution in their battles against the Saxons, or they
would not have resisted their encroachments so long. When Gildas was
writing, a hundred years had elapsed, and the Britons still possessed a large
portion of their native country.
f All that follows, enclosed within brackets, up to page 298, is omitted
in some copies.
296 THE WORKS OF GILDAS. [bk. L
lawgiver, for one word's doubting, was not allowed to enter
the desired land ; that the sons of the high-priest, for placing
strange fire upon Grod's altar, were cut off by a speedy death;
that God's people, for breaking the law of Grod, save two
only, were slain by wild beasts, by fire and sword in the
deserts of Arabia, though Grod had so Wed them that he
had made a way for them through the Bed Sea, had fed
them with bread from heaven, and water from the rock, and
by the lifting up of a hand merely had made their armies
invincible ; and then, when they had crossed the Jordan
and entered the unknown land, and the walls of the city
had fallen down fiat at the sound only of a trumpet, the
taking of a cloak and a little gold from the accursed thingg
caused the deaths of many : and again the breach of their
treaty with the Gibeonites, though that treaty had been
obtained by fraud, brought destruction upon many ; and I
took warning from the sins of the people which called down
upon them the reprehensions of the prophets and also of
Jeremiah, with his fourfold Lamentations written in alpha-
betic order. I saw moreover in my own time, as that prophet
also had complained, that the city had sat down lone and
widowed, which before was fuU of people ; that the queen
of nations and the princess of provinces («. c. the church),
had been made tributary ; that the gold was obscured, and
the most excellent colour (which is the brightness of God's
word) changed ; that the sons of Sion (t. e. of holy mother
church), once famous and clothed in the finest gold, grovelled
in dung ; and what added intolerably to the weight of grief
of that illustrious man, and to mine, though but an abject^
whilst he had thus mourned them in their happy and
prosperous condition, "Her Nazarites were fairer than
snow, more ruddy than old ivory, more beautiful than the
sapphire." These and many other passages in the andent
Scriptures I regarded as a kind of mirror of human life, and
I turned also to the New, wherein I read more clearly what
perhaps to me before was dark, for the darkness fled, and
truth shed her steady light — I read therein that the Lord
had said, " I came not but to the lost sheep of the house
of Israel ; " and on the other hand, " But the children of this
kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness ; there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth : " and again, " It is not
•scl.] THE PREFACE. 297
good to take the cbildren's meat and to give it to dogs : "
also, " Woe to you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites ! " I
heard how ''many shall come from the east and the west,
and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the
kingdom of heaven : " and on the contrary, " I will then say
to them, * Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity I '" I
read, *' Blessed are the barren, and the teats which h&ve not
given suck ; " and on the contrary, " Those, who were ready,
entered with him to the wedding ; afterwards came the other
virgins also, saying * Lord, Lord, open to us : ' to whom it
was answered, *I do not know you.'" I heard, forsooth,
^^ Whoever shall believe and be baptized, shall be saved,
but whoever shall not believe shall be damned.'' I read
in the words of the apostle that the branch of the wild
olive was grafted upon the good olive, but should never-
theless be cut off from the communion of the root of its
fatness, if it did not hold itself in fear, but entertained
lofty thoughts. I knew the mercy of the Lord, but I also
feared his judgment : I praised his grace, but I feared the
rendering to every man according to his works : perceiving
the sheep of the same fold to be different, I deservedly com-
mended Peter for his entire confession of Christ, but called
Judas most wretched, for his love of covetousness : I thought
Stephen most glorious on account of the palm of martyrdom,
but Nicholas wretched for his mark of unclean heresy: I
read assuredly, "They had all things common:" but likewise
also, as it is written, " Why have ye conspired to tempt the
Spirit of God ? " I saw, on the other hand, how much
security had grown upon the men of our time, as if there
were nothing to cause them fear. These things, therefore,
and many more which for brevity's sake we have determined
to omit, I revolved again and again in my amazed mind with
compunction in my heart, and I thought to myself, " K God's
peculiar people, chosen from all the people of the world, the
royal seed, and holy nation, to whom he had said, * My first-
begotten Israel,' its priests, prophets, and kings, throughout
so many ages, his servant and apostle, and the members of
his primitive church, were not spared when they deviated
from the right path, what will he do to the darkness of this
our age, in which, besides all the huge and heinous sins,
which it has in conunon with all the wicked of the world
298 THE WORKS OF GILDAS. [sbc. I..
committed, is found an innate, indelible, and irremediable
load of folly and inconstancy ? " ^* What, wretched man (I
say to myself) is it given to you, as if you were an illustrious
and learned teacher, to oppose the force of so violent a
torrent, and keep the charge committed to you against sucli
a series of inveterate crimes which has spr^ far and wide,
without interruption, for so many years ? Hold thy peace :
to do otherwise, is to tell the foot to see, and the hand to
speak. Britain has rulers, and she has watchmen : why dost
thou incline thyself thus uselessly to prate ? " She has such,
I say, not too many, perhaps, but surely not too few : but,
because they are bent down and pressed beneath so heavy a
burden, they have not time allowed them to take breath.
My senses, therefore, as if feeling a portion of my debt and
obligation, preoccupied themselves with such objections, and
with others yet more strong. They struggled, as I said, no
short time, in a fearful strait, whilst I read, '^ There is a time
for speaking, and a time for keeping silence." At length,
the creditors side prevailed and bore off the victory: if
(said he) thou art not bold enough to be marked with the
comely mark of golden liberty among the prophetic creatures,
who enjoy the rank as reasoning beings next to the angels,
refuse not the inspiration of the understanding ass, to that
day dumb, which would not carry forward the tiara'd magi-
cian who was going to curse Grod's people, but in the narrow
pass of the vineyard crushed his loosened foot, and thereby
felt the lash ; and though he was, with his ungrateful and
furious hand, against right justice, beating her innocent
sides, she pointed out to hun the heavenly messenger holding
the naked sword, and standing in his way, though he had not
seen him.]
Wherefore in zeal for the house of Grod and for his holy
law, constrained either by the reasonings of my own thoughts,
or by the pious entreaties of my brethren, I now discharge
the debt so long exacted of me ; humble, indeed, in style,
but faithfal, as I think, and friendly to all Christ's youthful
soldiers, but severe and insupportable to foolish apostates ;
the former of whom, if I am not deceived, will receive the
same with tears flowing from God's love ; but the others with
sorrow, such as is extorted from the indignation and pusil-
lanimity of a convicted conscience.
MC.2.3.] BBITAIN — ITS SITUATION. 299
§ 2. I willy therefore, if Grod be willing, endeavour to say
a few words about the situation of Britain, her disobedience
and subjection, her rebellion, second subjection and dreadful
slavery — of her religion, persecution, holy martyrs, heresies
of different kinds— of her tyrants, her two hostile and
ravaging nations — of her first devastation, her defence, her
second devastation and second taking vengeance — of her
third devastation, of her famine, and the letters to Agitius *
— of her victory and her crimes — of the sudden rumour of
enemies — of her famous pestilence — of her counsels— of her
last enemy, feir more cruel than the first — of the subversion
of her cities, and of the remnant that escaped ; and finally,
of the peace which, by the will of God, has been granted her
in these our times.
II. THE HISTORY.
§ 3. The island of Britain, situated on almost the utmost
border of the earth, towards the south and west, and poised
in the divine balance, as it is said, which supports the whole
world, stretches out from the south-west towards the north
pole, and is eight hundred miles long and two hundred
broad,* except where the headlands of sundry promontories
stretch farther into the sea. It is surrounded by the ocean,
which forms winding bays, and is strongly defended by
this ample, and, if I may so call it, impassable barrier, save
on the south side, where the narrow sea affords a passage to
Belgic Gaul. It is enriched by the mouths of two noble
rivers, the Thames and the Severn, as it were two arms, by
which foreign luxuries were of old imported, and by other
streams of less importance. It is famous for eight and
twenty cities, and is embellished by certain castles, with
walls, towers, well barred gates, and houses with threatening
battlements built on high, and provided with all requisite
* Or j^tius, see pa^e 807.
+ The description of Britain is given in resj nearly the same terms, bj
Orosius, Bede, and others, but the numbers, denoting the length and
breadth and other dimensions, are different in almost every MS. copy.
300 THE WOBSS OF OILDAS. [bbc. 4.
instraments of defence. Its plains are spadous, its hills are
pleasantly situated, adapted for superior tillage, and its
mountains are admirably calculated for the alternate pastur-
age of cattle, where flowers of yarious colours, trodden by
the feet of man, give it the appearance of a lovely picture.
It is decked, like a man's chosen bride, with diyers jewels,
with lucid fountains and abundant brooks wandering over
the snow white sands ; with transparent rivers, flowing in
gentle murmurs, and oflering a sweet pledge of slumber* to
those who recline upon their banks, whilst it is irrigated
by abundant lakes, which pour forth cool torr^ts of refresh-
ing water.
§ 4. This island, stiff-necked and stubborn-minded, from
the time of its being first inhabited, ungratefully rebels,
sometimes against God, sometimes against her own citizens,
and frequently, also, against foreign kings and their subjects.
For what can there either be, or be committed, more dis-
graceful or more unrighteous in human affairs, than to refuse
to show fear to God or affection to one's own countrymen, and
(without detriment to one's faith) to refuse due honour to
those of higher dignity, to cast off all regard to reason,
human and divine, and, in contempt of heaven and earth, to
be guided by one's own sensual inventions ? I shall, there-
fore, omit those ancient errors common to all the nations of
the earth, in which, before Christ came in the flesh, all man-
kind were bound ; nor shall I enumerate those diabolical
idols of my country, which almost surpassed in number
those of Egypt, and of which we still see some mouldering
away within or without the deserted temples, with stiff and
deformed features as was customary. Nor will I call out upon
the mountains, fountains, or hills, or upon the rivers, which
now are subservient to the use of men, but once were an
abomination and destruction to them, and to which the blind
people paid divine honour. I shall also pass over the by-
gone times of our cruel tyrants, whose notoriety was spread
over to far distant countries ; so that Porphjrry, that dog who
in the east was always so fierce against the church, in his mad
and vain style added this also, that *' Britain is a land fertile
• ** Soporem" in some MSS., " aaporem *' in others ; it is difficfult from
the turgidity and superabundance of the style to determine which is the
best meaning.
«K. 5, 9.2 BEBELLIOK OF THE BBITOITS. 301
in tyrants."* I will only endeavour to relate the evils
which Britain suffered in the times of the Roman emperors,
and also those which she caused to distant states ; but so far
as lies in my power, I shall not follow the writings and
records of my own country, which (if there ever were any
of them) have been consumed in the fires of the enemy, or
have accompanied my exiled countrymen into distant lands,
but be guided by the relations of foreign writers, which,
being broken and interrupted in many places, are therefore
by no means dear.
§ 5. For when the rulers of Rome had obtained the
empire of the world, subdued all the neighbouring nations
and islands towards the east, and strengthened their renown
by the first peace which they made with the Farthians, who
border on India, there was a general cessation from war
throughout the whole world; the fierce fiame which they
kindled could not be extinguished or checked by the Western
Ocean, but passing beyond the sea, imposed submission upon
our island without resistance, and entirely reduced to obedi-
ence its unwarlike but faithless people^ not so much by fire
and sword and warlike engines, like other nations, but threats
alone, and menaces of judgments frowning on their counte-
nance, whilst terror penetrated to their hearts.
§ 6. When afterwards they returned to Rome, for want
of pay, as is said, and had no suspicion of an approaching
rebellion, that deceitful lioness (Boadicea) put to death the
rulers who had been left among them, to unfold more fully
and to confirm the enterprises of the Romans. When
the report of these things reached the senate, and they
with a speedy army made haste to take vengeance on the
crafty foxes,t as they called them, there was no bold navy
on the sea to fight bravely for the country ; by land there
was no marshalled army, no right wing of battle, nor other
preparation for resistance ; but their baicks were their shields
against their vanquishers, and they presented their necks to
* Gildas here confuses the modem idea of a tyrant with that of an
usurper. The latter is the sense in which Britain was said to be fertile in
tyrants, viz. in usurpers of the iSnperial dignity.
f The Britons who fought under Boadicea were anything but '* crafty
foxes." ** Bold lions " is a niuch more appropriate appellation ; they
would also have been victorious if they had had half the military advantages
of the Romans.
302 THE WORKS OF 6ILDA8. Ls>c. 7—0.
their swords, whilst chill terror ran through every limb,
and they stretched out their hands to be bound, like women ;
so that it has become a proverb far and wide, that the
Britons are neither brave in war nor faithful in time of
peace.
§ 7. The Romans, therefore, having slain many of the
rebels, and reserved others for slaves, that the land might
not be entirely reduced to desolation, left the island, destitute
as it was of wine and oil, and returned to Italy, leaving behind
them taskmasters, to scourge the shoulders of the natives, to
reduce their necks to the yoke, and their soil to the vassalage
of a Roman province ; to chastise the crafty race, not with
warlike weapons, but with rods, and if necessary to gird
upon their sides the naked sword, so that it was no longer
thought to be Britain, but a Roman island ; and all their
money, whether of copper, gold, or silver, was stamped with
Caesar's image.
§ 8. Meanwhile these islands, stiff with cold and frost,
and in a distant region of the world, remote from the visible
sun, received the beams of light, that is, the holy precepts
of Christ, the true Sun, showing to the whole world his
splendour, not only from the temporal firmament, but from
the height of heaven, which surpasses every thing temporal,
at the latter part, as we know, of the reign of Tiberius
Caesar, by whom his religion was propagated without im-
pediment, and death threatened to those who interfered with
its professors.
§ 9. These rays of light were received with lukewarm
minds by the inhabitants, but they nevertheless took root
among some of them in a greater or less degree, until the
nine years' persecution of the tyrant Diocletian, when the
churches throughout the whole world were overthrown, all
the copies of the Holy Scriptures which could be found
burned in the streets, and the chosen pastors of God's flock
butchered, together with their innocent sheep, in order that
not a vestige, if possible, might remain in some provinces of
Christ's religion. What disgraceful flights then took place
— ^what slaughter and death inflicted by way of punishment
in divers shapes, — ^what dreadful apostacies from religion;
and on the contrary, what glorious crowns of martyrdom
then were won, — ^what raving fury was displayed by the
pur 10. 11.] MARTYRDOM OF ST. ALBAN. 303
persecutors, and patience on the part of the suffering saints,
ecclesiastical history informs us ; for the whole church were
crowding in a body, to leave behind them the dark things
of this world, and to make the best of their way to the
happy mansions of heaven, as if to their proper home.
§ 10. God, therefore, who wishes all men to be saved, and
who calls sinners no less than those who think themselves
righteous, magnified his mercy towards us, and, as we know,
during the above-named persecution, that Britain might not
totally be enveloped in the dark shades of night, he, of his
own free gift, kindled up among us bright luminaries of holy
martyrs, whose places of burial and of martyrdom, had they
not for our manifold crimes been interfered with and de-
stroyed by the barbarians, would have still kindled in the
minds of the beholders no small fire of divine charity. Such
were St. Alban of Verulam, Aaron and Julius, citizens of
Carlisle,* and the rest, of both sexes, who in diflferent places
stood their ground in the Christian contest.
§ 11. The first of these martyrs, St. Alban, for charity's
sake saved another confessor who was pursued by his perse-
cutors, and was on the point of being seized, by hiding him
in his house, and then by changing clothes with him, imita-
ting in this the example of Christ, who laid down his life
for his sheep, and exposing himself in the other's clothes to
be pursued in his stead. So pleasing to God was this con-
duct, that between his confession and martyrdom, he was
honoured with the performance of wdnderful miracles in
presence of the impious blasphemers who were carrying the
Roman standards, and like the Israelites of old, who trod
dry-foot an unfrequented path whilst the ark of the cove-
nant stood some time on the sands in the midst of Jordan ;
so also the martyr, with a thousand others, opened a path
across the noble river Thames, whose waters stood abrupt
like precipices on either side ; and seeing this, the first of
his executors was stricken with awe, and from a wolf became
a lamb ; so that he thirsted for martyrdom, and boldly un-
derwent that for which he thirsted. The other holy martyrs
were tormented with divers suflferings, and their limbs were
racked in such unheard of ways, that they, without delay,
erected the trophies of their glorious martyrdom even in the
* Or Caerleon. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 15, note.
304 THE WOBKS OF 6ILDAS. [sec 12. 13.
gates of the city of Jerusalem. For those who survived,
hid themselves in woods and deserts, and. secret caves,
waiting until God, who is the righteous judge of all, should
reward their persecutors with judgment, and themselves with
protection of their lives.
§ 12. In less than ten years, therefore, of the ahove-
named persecution, and when these hloody decrees hegan to
fail in consequence of the death of their authors, all Christ's
young disciples, after so long and wintry a night, begin to
behold the genial light of heaven. They rebuild the
churches, wluch had been levelled to the ground ; they
found, erect, and finish churches to the holy martyrs, and
everywhere show their ensigns as token of their victory ;
festivals are celebrated and sacraments received with clean
hearts and lips, and all the church's sons rejoice as it were
in the fostering bosom of a mother. For this holy union
remained between Christ their head and the members of his
church, until the Arian treason, fatal as a serpent, and vomiting
its poison from beyond the sea, caused deadly dissension be-
tween brothers inhabiting the same house, and thus, as if a road
were made across the sea, like wild beasts of all descriptions,
and darting the poison of every heresy from their jaws, they
inflicted dreadful wounds upon their country, which is ever
desirous to hear something new, and remains constant long
to nothing.
§ 13. At length also, new races of tyrants sprang up, in
terrific numbers, and the island, still bearing its Boman
name, but casting off her institutes and laws, sent forth
among the Gauls that bitter scion of her own planting
Maximus, with a great number of followers, and the ensigns
of royalty, which he bore without decency and without law-
ful right, but in a tyrannical manner, and amid the disturb-
ances of the seditious soldiery. He, by cunning arts rather
than by valour, attaching to his rule, by perjury and false-
hood, all the neighbouring towns and provinces, against the
Boman state, extended one of his wings to Spain, the other
to Italy, fixed the seat of his unholy government at Treves,
and so furiously pushed his rebellion against his lawful
emperors that he drove one of them out of Eome, and caused
the other to terminate his most holy life. Trusting to these
successful attempts, he not long after lost his accursed head
Bttc 14-17.] DBSTrrUTB StATB OF BBTTAIN. SOS
before the walls ot Aquileia, Whereas lie had before cut off
the crowned heads of almost all the world.
§ 14. After this, Britain is leflt deprived of all her soldiery
and armed bands, of her cruel governors, and of the flower
of her youth, who went with Maximus, but never again re-
turned ; and utterly ignorant as she was of the art of war,
groaned in amazement for many years under the cruelty of
two foreign nations — ^the Scots from the north-west, and the
Ficts from the north.
§ 15. The Britons, impatient at the assaults of the Scots
and Picts, their hostilities and dreadful oppressions, send am-
bassadors to Rome with letters, entreating in piteous terms
the assistance of an armed band to protect them, and offering
loyal and ready submission to the authority of Rome, if they
only would expel their invading foes. A legion is imme-
diately sent, forgetting their past rebellion, and provided
sufficiently with arms. When they had crossed over the sea
and landed, they came at once to close conflict With their
cruel enemies, and slew great numbers of them. All of
them were driven beyond the borders^ and the humiliated
natives rescued from the bloody slavery which awaited them.
By the advice of their protectors, they now built a wall
across the island from one sea to the other> which being
manned with a proper force, might be a terror to the foes
whom it Was intended to repel, and a protection to their
friends whom it covered But this wall, being made of turf
instead of stone, was of no use to that foolish people, who
had no head to guide them.
§ 16i The Roman legion had no sooner returned home in
joy and triumph, than their former foes, like hungry and
ravelling wolves, rushing with greedy jaws upon the fold
which is left without a shepherd, and wafted both by the
strength of oarsmen and the blowing wind, break through
the boundaries^ and spread slaughter on every side, and like
mowers cutting down the ripe com, they cut up, tread under
foot, and overrun the whole country.
§ 17. And now again they send suppliant ambassadors,
with their garments rent and their heads covered with ashes,
imploring assistance from the Romans, and like timorous
chickens, crowding under the protecting wings of their
parents, that their wretched country might not altogether be
306 ' TB(E WOICKS OF GILDAS. [tic. I&
destroje^ and that the Bonian name^ which now was bu^
an empty sound to fill tho ear, might not beo(»ne a reproach
even to distant nations. Upon this, the Bonums, moyed
with compassion, as far as human nature can be^ at the
relations of such horrors, send forward, like eagles in their
flight, their unexpected bands of cavalry by land and mari->
ners by sea, and planting their terrible swords upon the
shoulders of their enemies, they mow them down like leaves
which fall at the destined period ; and as a mountain-torrent
swelled with numerous streams, and bursting its banks with
roaring noise, with foaming crest and yeasty wave rising to.
the stars, by whose eddying currents our eyes are as it were
dazzled, does with one of its billows overwhelm every obstacle
in its way, so did our illustrious defenders vigorously drive
our enemies' band beyond the sea, if any could so escape them ;
for it was beyond those same seas thait they transported, year
afber year, the plunder which they had gained, no one daring
to resist them.
§ 18. The Romans, therefore, left the country, giving
notice that they could no longer be harassed by such
laborious expeditions, nor suffbr the Boman standards, with
so lanre and brave an army, to be worn out by sea and land
hj fighting against these unwarUke, plunderi^ vagabonds ,
but that the islanders, inuring themselves to warlike weapons^
and bravely fighting, should valiantly protect their country^
their property, wives and children, and, what is dear^ than
these, their liberty and lives ; that they should not suffer
their hands to be tied behind their backs by a nation which,
unless they were enervated by idleness and sloth, was not
more powerful than themselves, but that they should arm
those hands with buckler, sword, and spear, ready for the
field of battle ; and, because they thought this also of
advantage to the people they were about to leave, they,
with the help of the miserable natives, built a wall different
from the former, by public and private contributions, and
of the same structure as wc^ls generally, extending in f^
straight line from sea to sea, between some cities, which,
from fear of their enemies, had there by chance been built.
They then give energetic counsel to the timorous natives,
and leave them patterns by ^hich to manufacture arms.
Moreover, on the south coast where their vessels lay, as
rac. 10, SO.] INYABION OF PICTS AKD SCOTS. 307
there was soxQe apprehension lest the barbarians might
land, they erected towers at stated intervals, conunanding
a prospect of the sea; and then left the island never to
return.
§ 19. No sooner were thej gone, than the Ficts and Scots,
Uke worms which in the heat of mid-day come forth from
their holes, hastily land again from their canoes, in which
they had been carried beyond the Cichican * valley, differing
one from another in manners, but inspired with the same
avidity for blood, and all more eager to shroud their villainous
faces in bushy hair than to cover with decent clothing those
parts of their body which required it. Moreover, having
heard of the departure of our friends, and their resolution
never to return, they seized with greater boldness than before
on all the country towards the extreme north as feur as the
wall. To oppose them there was placed on the heights a
garrison equaUy slow to fight and iU adapted to run away, a
useless and panic-struck company, who slumbered away
days and nights on their unprofitable watch. Meanwhile
the hooked weapons of their enemies were not idle, and our
wretched countrymen were dragged from the wall and dashed
against the ground. Such premature death, however, painful
as it was, saved them from seeing the miserable sufferings of
their brothers and children. But why should I say more ?
They left their cities, abandoned the protection of the wall,
and dispersed themselves in flight more desperately than
before. The enemy, on the other hand, pursued them with
more unrelenting cruelty than before, and butchered our
countrymen like sheep, so that their habitations were like
those of savage beasts; for they turned their arms upon
each other, and for the sake of a little sustenance, imbrued
their hands in the blood of their fellow countrymen. Thus
foreign calamities were augmented by domestic feuds; so
that the whole country was entirely destitute of provisions,
save such as could be procured in the chase.
§ 20. Again, therefore, the wretched remnant, sending to
^tius, a powerfril Roman citizen, address him as follows :—
<< To Jiltius,! ^^^ consul for the third time : the groans of
* The meaning of this expression is not known. O'Connor thinks it is
the Irish Sea.
t Or ^^/iitf, according to another reading.
X 2 .
'' *
308 THE WOBKS OF GILDAS< [■■& 21.
the Britons." And again a little further, thus: — "The
barbarians drive us to the sea; the sea throws us back
on the barbarians : thus two modes of death await us, we
are either slain or drowned." The Romans, however, could
not assist them, and in the meantime the discomfited people,
wandering in the woods, began to feel the effects of a severe
famine, which compelled manj of them without delay to
yield themselves up to their cruel persecutors, to obtain
subsistence: others of them, however, lying hid in moun-
tains, caves, and woods, continually sallied out from thence
to renew the war. And then it was, for the first time, that
they overthrew their enemies, who had for so many years
been living in their country ; for their trust was not in man,
but in Grod ; according to the maxim of Philo, " We must
have divine assistance, when that of man fails." The bold-
ness of the enemy was for a while checked, but not the
wickedness of our countrymen : the enemy left our people^
but the people did not leave their sins.
§ 21. For it has always been a custom with our nation, as
it is at present, to be impotent in repelling foreign foes, but
bold and invincible in raising civil war, and bearing the
burdens of their offences: they are impotent, I say, in
following the standard of peace and truth, but bold in
wickedness and falsehood. The audacious invaders there-
fore return to their winter quarters, determined before long
again to return and plunder. And then, too, the Picts for
the first time seated themselves at the extremity of the island,
where they afterwards continued, occasionally plundering and
wasting the country. During these truces, the wounds of
the distressed people are healed, but another sore, still more
venomous, broke out. No sooner were the ravages of the
enemy checked, than the island was deluged with a most
extraordinary plenty of aU things, greater than was before
known, and with it grew up every kind of luxury and
licentiousness. It grew with so firm a root, that one might
truly say of it, " Such fornication is heard of among you, as
never was known the like among the Grentiles." But besides
this vice, there arose also every other, to which human nature
is liable, and in particular that hatred of truth, together with
her supporters, which still at present destroys every thing
good in the island ; the love of falsehood, together with its
•acts.] VICES OF THE BBTTONS. 309
inventors, the reception of crime in the place of virtue, the
respect shown to wickedness rather than goodness, the love
of darkness instead of the sun, the admission of Satan as an
angel of light. Kings were anointed, not according to God's
ordinance, but such as showed themselves more cruel than
the rest ; and soon after, they were put to death by those
who had elected them, without any inqoiiy into their merits,
but because others still more cruel were chosen to succeed
them. If anj one of these was of a milder nature than the
rest, or in anj way more regardful of the truth, he was
looked upon as the miner of the country, every body cast a
dart at him, and they valued things alike whether pleasing
or displeasing to God, unless it so happened that what dis-
pleased him was -pleasing to themselves. So that the words
of the prophet, addressed to the people of old, might well be
applied to our own countrymen : " Children without a law,
have ye left G^d and provoked to anger the holy one of
Israel ? * Why will ye still inquire, adding iniquity ?
Every head is languid and every heart is sad; from the
sole of the foot to the crown, there is no health in him."
And thus they did all things contrary to their salvation, as
if no remedy could be applied to the world by the true
Physician of aU men. And not only the laity did so, but
our Lord's own flock and its shepherds, who ought to have
been an example to the people, slumbered away their time in
drunkenness, as if they had been dipped in wine ; whilst the
swellings of pride, the jar of strife, the griping talons of envy,
and the confused estimate of right and wrong, got such entire
possession of them, that there seemed to be poured out (and
the same still continueth) contempt upon princes, and to
be made by their vanities to wander astray and not in the
way.
§ 22, Meanwhile, Gt>d being willing to purify his family
who were infected by so deep a stain of woe, and at the
hearing only of their calamities to amend them; a vague
rumour suddenly as if on wings reaches the ears of all, that
their inveterate foes were rapidly approaching to destroy the
* Isa. i. 4, 5. In most of these quotations there is great yerbal yariatioii
from the authorised version : the author probably quoted from memory, if
not from the Latin version*
310 THE WORKS OF GILDAS. inc,2X
whole conntrj, and to take possession of it, aa of old, from
one end to the other. But jet they derived no advantage
from this intelligence ; for, like frantic beasts, taking the bit
of reason between their teeth, they abandoned the safe and
narrow road, and rushed forward upon the broad downward
path of vice, which leads to death. Whilst, therefore^ as
Solomon says, the stubborn servant is not cured by words^
the fool is scourged and feels it not : a pestilential disease
mortally affected the foolish people, which, without the
sword, cut off so large a nitmber of persons, that the living
were not able to bury them. But even this was no warning
to them, that in them also might be Ailfilled the words of
Isaiah the prophet, "And Grod hath called his people to
lamentation, to baldness, and to the girdle of sackcloth i
behold they begin to kill calves, and to slay rams> to eat, to
drink, and to say, * We will eat and drink, for to-morrow we
shall die.' " For the time was approaching, when all their
iniquities, as formerly those of the Amorrlueans, should be
fulfilled. For a council was called to settle what was best
and most expedient to be done, in order to re|>el such
frequent and fatal irruptions and plunderings of the above-
named nations.
§ 23. Then all the councillors, togetherwitii that proud tyrant
Gurthrigem [Yortigem], the British king, were so blinded^
that, as a protection to their country, they sealed its doom by
inviting in among them (like wolves into the sheep-fold), the
fierce and impious Saxons, a race hateful both to Grod and
men, to repd the invasions of the northern nations. No-
thing was ever so pernicious to our country, nothing was
ever so unlucky. What palpable darkness must have enve*
loped their minds— darkness desperate and cruel! Those
very people whom, when absent, they dreaded more than
death itself, were invited to reside, as one may say, under
the selfsame roof. Foolish are the princes, as it is said, of
Thafrieos, giving counsel to unwise Pharaohu A multitude
of whdps came forth from the lair of this barbaric lioness^
in three cyuls, as they call them, that is, in three ships of
war, with theii' sails wafted by the wind and with omens and
prophed^ favourable, for it was foretold by a certain sOoth^
sayer among them, that they should occupy the country to
which they were sailing three hundred years, and half of
BMC 24.] CALAIDTOUS STATE OF BBSLTAIN, 311
that time, a hundred and fifty years, should plund^ and
despoil the same. They iBrst landed on the eastern side of
the island^ by the invitatioii of the unlucky king, and there
fixed their sharp talons, apparently to fight in favour of the
island, but alas I more truly against it. Their mother-land,
finding her first brood thus successful, sends forth a larger
company of her wolfish offspring, which saiUng over, join
themselves to their bastard^bom comrades. From that time
the germ of iniquity and the root of contention planted
their poison amongst us, as we deserved, and shot forth into
leaves and branches. The barbarians being thus introduced
as soldiers into the island, to encounter, as they falsely said,
any dang^^ in defence of their hospitable entertainers, ob-
tain an allowance of provisions, which, for some time being
plentifully bestowed, stopped their doggish mouths. Yet
they complain that their monthly supplies are not furnished
in sufficient abundance^ and they industriously aggravate
each occasion of quarrel, saying that unless more liberality
is shown them, they will l^eak the treaty and plunder the
whole island. In a short time, they follow up their threats
with deeds.
§ 24. For the ^re of vengeance^ justly kindled by former
crimes, spread from sea to sea, fed by the hands of our foes
in the east, and did not cease, untU, destroying the neigh-
bouring towns and lands, it reached the other side of the
island, and dipped its red and ravage toi^ue in the western
ocean. In these assaults, therefore, not unlike that of the
Assyrian upon Judea, was fuelled in ewt case what the pro«-
phet describes in words of lamentation: " They have burned
with fire the sanctuary^ they have polluted on earth the
tabernacle of thy name." And again, ^'O God, the gentiles
have come into thine inheritance ; thy holy temple have they
defiled," &a So that all the cohHUna were levelled with
the ground by the frequent strokes of the battering-ram, all
the husbandmen routed, together with their bishops, priests,
and people, whilst the sWord gleamed, and the flames
crackled around themt>ii every side! Lamentable to behold,
in the midst of the streets lay the tops of lofty towers,
tumbled to the ground, stones of high walls, holy altars,
fragments of human bodies, covered with livid clots of coagu-
late bloo^ lookii^ as if thqy had been squeezed together in
312 T^E WORKS OF GILDAil. [uc. 85.
a press ;* a^d with ixo chance of being buried, save in the
ruins of the houses, or in the ravening bellies of wild beasts
and birds; with reverence be it spoken for their blessed
souls, i^ indeed, there were manj found who were carried,
at that time, into the high heaven bj the holy angels. So
entirely had the vintage, once so fine, degenerated and be-
come bitter, that, in the words of the prophet, there was
hardly a grape or ear of com to be seen where tibe husband-
man had turned his back.
§ 25. Some„ therefore, of the miserable remnant, being
taken in the mountains, were murdered in great numbers ;
others, constrained by famine, came and yielded themselves
to be slaves for ever to their foes, running the risk of being
instantly slain, which truly was the greatest favour that
could be offered them : some others passed beyond the seas
vrith loud lamentations instead of the voice of exhortation.
** Thou hast given us as sheep to be slaughtered, and among
the Gentiles hast thou dispersed us." Others, committing
the safeguard of their lives, which were in continual jeopardy,
to the mountains, precipices, thickly wooded forests, and
to the rocks of the seas (albeit with trembling hearts),
remained still in their country. But in the meanwhile, an
opportunity happening, when these most cruel robbers were
returned home, the poor remnants of our nation (to whom
flocked from divers places round about our miserable coun-
trymen as fast as bees to their hives, for fear of an ensuing
storm), being strengthened by God, calling upon him with
all their hearts, as the poet says, —
** With their unnumbered vows they burden heaven,''
that they might not be brought to utter destruction, took
arms under the conduct of Ambrosius Aurelianus, a modest
man, who of all the Roman nation was then alone in the
confusion of this troubled period by chance left alive. His
parents, who for their merit were adorned with the purple,
had been slain in these same broils, and now his progeny in
these our days, although shamefully degenerated from the
worthiness of their ancestors^ provoke to battle their cruel
* These are the words of the old translation ; the origina]^ is obscure,
l^nd perhaps corrupt.
SBC. 26.] SIEOE OF BATH*HILL. 813
conquerors, and bj the goodness of our Lord obtain the
victory.
§ 26. After this, sometimes our countrymen, sometimes
the enemy, won the field, to the end that our Lord might in
this land try afler his accustomed manner these his Israelites,
whether they loved him or not, until the year of the siege of
Bath-hill, when took place also the last almost, though not
the least slaughter of our cruel foes, which was (as I am
sure) forty-four years and one month after the landing of the
Saxons, and also the time of my own nativity. And yet
neither to this day are the cities of our country inhabited as
before, but being forsaken and overthrown, still lie desolate ;
our foreign wars having ceased, but our civil troubles still
remaining. For as weU the remembrance of such a terrible
desolation of the island, as also of the unexpected recovery
of the same, remained in the minds of those who were eye-
witnesses of the wonderful events of both, and in regard
thereof, kings, public magistrates, and private persons, with
priests and clergymen, did all and every one of them live
orderly according to their several vocations. But when
these had departed out of this world, and a new race suc-
ceeded, who were ignorant of this troublesome time, and had
only experience of the present prosperity, all the laws of
truth and justice were so shaken and subverted, that not so
much as a vestige or remembrance of these virtues remained
among the above-named orders of men, except among a very
few who, compared with the great multitude which were
daily rushing headlong down to hell, are accounted so small
a number, that our reverend mother, the church, scarcely
beholds them, her only true children, reposing in her bosom ;
whose worthy lives, being a pattern to all men, and beloved
of Grod, inasmuch as by their holy prayers, as by certain
pillars and most profitable supporters, our infirmity is sus-
tained up, that it may not utterly be broken down, I would
have no one suppose I intended to reprove, if forced by the
increasing multitude of offences, I have freely, aye, with an-
guish, not so much declared as bewailed the wickedness of
those who are become servants, not only to their bellies, but
also to the devil rather than to Christ, who is our blessed
Grod, world without end.
For whf shall their countrymen conceal what foreign na-
814 THB WORKS OF GIIJ>A8. Lnc V, 28.
tiohs round about now not only know, but also oontinaaQj
are casting in their teeth ?
IIL THE EPISTLK
§ 27. BmTAiK has kings, but thej are tyrants ; she has
judges, but unrighteous ones ; generally engaged in plunder
and rapine, but always preying on the innocent ; whenever
they exert themselves to avenge or protect, it is sure to be
in favour of robbers and criminab ; they have an abundance
of wives, yet are they addicted to fornication and adultery ;
they are ever ready to take oaths, and as often perjure
themselves ; they make a vow and almost immediately act
falsely; they make war, but their wars are against theii^
countrymen, and are unjust ones; they rigorously prosecute
thieves throughout their country, but those who sit at table
with them are robbei's, and they not only cherish but reward
them ; they give alms plentifully, but in contrast to this is a
whole pile of crimes which they have committed ; they sit
on the seat of justice, but rarely seek for the rule of right
judgment; they despise the innocent and the humble, but
seize every occasion of exalting to the utmost the bloody*
minded ; the proud, murderers, the combined and adulterers,
enemies of God, who ought to be utterly destroyed and their
names forgotten.
They have many prisoners in their gaols, loaded with
chains, but this is done in treachery rather than in just
punishment for crimes; and when they have stood before
the altar, swearing by the name of Go<L they go away and
think no more of the holy altar than if it were a mere heap
of dirty stones.
§ 28. Of this horrid abomination, Constantino,* the
tyrannical whelp of the unclean lioness of Bamnonia,'!' is
not ignorant.
TUs same year^ after taking a dreadful oath (whereby he
* Probably Cyitennyn of the Bards. Constantme is a name often
occiUTing in the British royal families. The Constantine of Gildas is
supposed to have been king of Cornwall, who abdicated his throne, and
afterwards preached the gospel to the Pict^ and Scots. Some account o^
him will be found in the Aberdeen Breviary, in the Acta Sanctorum, March>
▼oL ii. p. 64, and in Whitaker's Cathedral of Comwallf !» 825i
t The present Counties of Deroa and ComwalL
Bsc2d.] 6ILDAS BBPB0YE8 CONSTAKTINE. 815
bound liimself first before God, by a solemn protestaticm, and
then called all the saints, and Mother of God, to witness^
that he would not contrive anj deceit against his countr7<o
men), he nevertheless, in the habit of a holj abbat amid the
sacred altars, did with sword and javelin, as if with teeth^
wound and tear, even in the bosoms of their temporal
mother, and of the church their spiritual mother, two royal
youths, with their two attendants, whose arms, although not
cased in armour, were yet boldly used, and, stretched out
towards God and his altar, will hang up at the gates of thy
city, O Christ, the venerable ensigns of their faith and
patience; and when he had done it, the doaks, red with
coagulated blood, did touch the place of the heavenly
sacnfice. And not one worthy act could he boast of pre-
vious to this cruel deed; for many years before he had
stained himself with the abomination of many adulteries,
having put away his wife contrary to the command of
Christ, the teacher of the world, who hath said : ^* What
God hath joined together, let not man separate," and again :
^^ Husbands, love your wives«^' For he had planted in the
ground of his heart (an unfruitful soil for any good seed) a
bitter scion of incredulity and folly, taken from the vine of
Sodom, which being watered with his vulgar and domestic
impieties, like poisonous showers, and afterwards audaciously
springing up to the offence of God, brought forth into the
World the sin of horrible murder and sacrilege ; and not yet
discharged from the entangling nets of his former offences,
he added new wickedness to the former.
§ 29. Go to now, I reprove thee as present^ whom I
know as yet to be in this life extant Why standest thou
astonished, O thou butcher of thine own soul ? Why dost
thou wilfully kindle against thyself the eternal fires of hell ?
Why dost thou, in place of enemies, desperately stab thyself
1vith thine own sword, with thine own javd^ ? Cannot
those same poisonous cups of offences yet satisfy thy
stomach ? Look back (I beseech thee) and come to Christ
(for thou labourest, and art pressed down to the earth with
this huge burden), and he himseli^ as he said, "st^H give
thee rest Come to him who wisheth not the death of a
sinner, but that he should be rather converted and live.
Unloose (according to the prophet) the bands of thy neck,
316 THE WOBKS OF 6ILDAS. [am. 30, 31.
O thou son of Sion. Return (I pray thee), although from
the far remote regions of sins, unto the most holy Father,
who, for his son that will despise the filthy food of swine,
and fear a death of cruel famine, and so come back to him
again, hath with great joy been accustomed to kill his fatted
csdf, and bring forth for the wanderer, the first robe and
royal ring, and then taking as it were a taste of the heavenly
hope, thou shalt perceive how sweet our Lord is. For if
thou dost contemn these, be thou assured, thou shalt almost,
instantly be tossed and tormented in the inevitable and dark
floods of endless fire.
§ 30. What dost thou also, thou lion's whelp (as the
prophet saith), Aurelius Conanus ?* Art not thou as the
former (if not far more foul) to thy utter destruction,
swallowed up in the filthiness of horrible murders, forni-
cations, and adulteries, as by an overwhelming flood of the
sea ? Hast not thou by hating, as a deadly serpent, the
peace of thy country, and thirsting unjustly after civil wars
and frequent spoil, shut the gates of heavenly peace and
repose against thine own soul ? Being now left alone as a
withering tree in the midst of a field, remember (I beseech
thee) the vain and idle fancies of thy parents and brethren,
together with the untimely death that befell them in the
prime of their youth; and shalt thou, for thy religious
deserts, be reserved out of all thy family to live a hundred
years, or to attain to the age of a Methusalem ? No, surely,
but unless (as the psalmist saith) thou shalt be speedily
converted unto our Lord, that King will shortly bran^sh his
sword against thee, who hath said by his prophet, " I will
kill, and I will cause to live ; I will strike, and I will heal ;
and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand." Be
thou therefore shaken out of thy filthy dust, and with all
thy heart converted to Him who hath created thee, that
^'when his wrath shall shortly bum out, thou mayst be
blessed by fixing thy hopes on him." But if otherwise,
eternal pains will be heaped up for thee, where thou shalt be
ever tormented and never consumed in the cruel jaws of helL
§ 31. Thou also, who like to the spotted leopard, art
diverse in manners and in mischief, whose head now is
growing grey, who art seated on a throne full of deceits, and
* King of Powisland, which for some time fonned a distinct kingdom.
SBC. 32.1 CUKEOLASSB BEPBOYED. 317
from the bottom even to the top art stained with murder and
adulteries, thou naughty son of a good king, like Manasses
sprung from Ezechiah, Vortipore, thou foolish tyrant of the
Demetians,* why art thou so stiff? What! do not such
violent gulfs of sin (which thou dost swallow up like
pleasant wine, nay rather which swallow thee up), as yet
satisfy thee^ especially since the end of thy life is daily now
approaching? Why dost thou heavily clog thy miserable
soul with the sin of lust, which is fouler than any other, by
putting away thy wife, and after her honourable death, by
the base practices of thy shameless daughter ? Waste not (I
beseech thee) the residue of thy life in offending God,
because as yet an acceptable time and day of salvation
shines on the faces of the penitent, wherein thou mayest
take care that thy flight may not be in the winter, or on the
sabbath day. " Turn away (according to the psalmist) from
evil, and do good, seek peace and ensue it," because the eyes
of our Lord will be cast upon thee, when thou doest righte*
ousness, and his ears will be then open unto thy prayers,
and he wiU not destroy thy memory out of the land of the
living ; thou shalt cry, and he wiU hear thee, and out of thy
tribulations deliver thee; for Christ doth never despise a
heart that is contrite and humbled with fear of him»
Otherwise, the worm of thy torture shall not die, and the
fire of thy burning shall never be extinguished.
§ 32. And thou too, Cuneglasse,'}' why art thou fallen into
the filth of thy former naughtiness, yea, since the very first
spring of thy tender youth, thou bear, thou rider and ruler
of many, and guider of the chariot which is the teceptade
of the bear, thou contemner of God, and vilifier of his
order, thou tawny butcher, as in the Latin tongue thy name
signifies. Why dost thou raise so great a war as well
against men as also against God himself, against men, yea,
thy own countrymen, with thy deadly weapons, and against
God with thine infinite offences ? Why, besides thine other
innumerable backslidings, having thrown out of doors thy
wife, dost thou, in the lust, or rather stupidity of thy mind,
against the apostle's express prohibition, denouncing that no
* Inhabitants of the counties of Cardigan, Pembroke, and Carmarthen.
f His dominions were north of Cambria, between the Sevefn flnd th«
Western Sea*
318 THE WORKS OF 6ILDA8. [skc. 33.
adulterers can be partakers of the kingdom of heaven,
esteem her detestable sister, who had vowed unto Gk)d the
everlasting continencj, as t^e very flower (in the language
of the poet) of the celestial nymphs? Why dost thou
provoke with thy frequent injuries the lamentations and
sighs of saints, by thy means corporally afflicted, which will
in time to come, like a fierce lioness, break thy bones in
pieces ? Desist, I beseech thee (as the prophet saith) from
wrath, and leave off thy deadly fiiry, which thou breathest
out against heaven and earth, against God and his flock, and
which in time will be thy own torment ; rather with altered
mind obtain the prayers of those who possess a power of
binding oTer this world, when in this w^d they Und the
guilty, and of loosing when they loose the penitent. Be not
(as the apostle saith) proudly wise, nor hope thou in the
uncertainty of riches, but in God who giveth thee many
things abundantly, and by the amendment of thy manners
purchase unto thyself a good foundation for hereafter, and
seek to enter into that real and true state of existence which
will be not transitory but everlasting. Otherwise, thou
shalt know and see, yea, in this very world, how bad and
bitter a thing it is for thee to leave the Lord thy Gk)d, and
not have his fear before thine eyes, and in the next, how
thou shalt be burned in the foul encompassing flames of
endless fire, nor yet by any manner of means shalt ever die,
For the souls of the sinful are as eternal in perpetual fire, as
the souls of the just in perpetual joy and gladness.
§ 33. And likewise, O thou dragon of the island, who
hast deprived many tyrants, as well of their kingdoms as of
their Uves, and though the last-mentioned in my writing,
the first in mischief, exceeding many in power, and also in
malice, more liberal than others in giving, more licentious in
sinning, strong in arms, but stronger in working thine own
soul's destruction, Maglocune,* why art thou (as if soaked
in the wine of the Sodomitical grape) foolishly rolling in
that black pool of thine offences ? Why dost thou wilfully
heap like a mountain, upon thy kingly shoulders, such a load
of sins ? Why dost thou show thyself unto the King of kings
(who hath made thee as well in kingdom as in stature of body
higher than almost all the other chiefs of Britain) not better
* Probably Maelgwn Gwynedd, king of North Wales.
sac, 34.] OZLDAS BBFBOYXS KA.aL0CT7NE. 319
likewise in virtues than the rest ; but on the contrary for thy
edns much worse ? Listen then awhile and hear patiently the
following enumeration of thy deeds, wherein I will not
touch any domestic and light offences (if yet any of them are
light) but only those open ones which are spread far and
wide in the knowledge of aU men. Didst not thou, in the
very beginning of thy youth, terribly oppress with sword,
spear, and fire, the king thine uncle, together with his coura-
geous bands of soldiers, whose countenances in battle were
not unlike those of young lions ? Not regarding the words
of the prophet) who says, ^' The blood-thirsty and deceitful
men shall not live out half their days ;" and even if the
sequel of thy sins were not such as ensued, yet what retribution
couldst thou expect for this offence only at the hands of the
just Judge, who hath said by his prophet : '' Woe be to thee
who spoilest, and shalt not thou thyself be spoiled ? and thou
who kiUest, shalt not thyself be killed ? and when thou shalt
make an end of thy spoiling, then shalt thou thyself fall.**
§ 34. But when the imagination of thy violent rule had
succeeded according to thy wishes, and thou wast urged by a
desire to return into the right way, night and day the con-
sciousness of thy crimes afficted thee, whilst thou didst
ruminate on the Lord's ritual and the ordinances of the
monks, and then publish to the world and vow thyself before
God a monk with no intention to be unfaithful, as thou didst
say, having burst through those toils in which such great
beasts as thyself were used to become entangled, whether it
were love of rule, of gold, or silver, or, what is stronger
still, the fancies of thy own heart And didst thou not, as a
dove which cleaves the yielding air with its pinions, and by
its rapid turns escapes the furious hawk, safely return to the
cells where the saints repose, as a most certain place of
refuge ? Oh how great a joy ahould it have been to our
mother church, if the enemy of all mankind had not lament-
ably pulled thee, as it were, out of her bosom ! Oh what an
abundant flame of heavenly hope would have been kindled in
the hearts of desperate sinners, hadst thou remained in thy
blessed estate I Oh what great rewards in the kingdom of
Christ would have been laid up for thy soul against the day
of judgment, if that crafty wolf had not caught thee, who of
a wolf wast now become a lamb (not much against thine own
320 THE WOBKB OF GILDAS. [■«:. 35.
will) out of the fold of our Lord, and made thee of a lamb, a
wolf like unto himself, again ? Oh how great a joy would
the preservation of thy salvation have been to Grod the
Father of all saints, had not the devil, the father of all cast-
aways, as an eagle of monstrous wings and claws, carried
thee captive away against all right and reason, to the un*
happy band of his children ? And to be short, thy conver-
sion to righteousness gave as great joy to heaven and earth,
as now thy detestable return, like a dc^ to his vomit^
breedeth grief and lamentation : which being done, ** the
members which should have been busily employed, as the
armour of justice for the Lord, are now become the armour
of iniquity for sin and the devil ;" for now thou dost not
listen to the praises of Grod sweetly sounded forth by the
pleasant voices of Christ's soldiers, nor the instruments of
ecclesiastical melody, but thy own praises (which are nothing)
rung out after the fashion of the giddy rout of Bacchus by
the mouths of thy villainous followers, accompanied with liea
and malice, to the utter destruction of the neighbours ; so
that the vessel prepared for the service of God, is now
turned to a vessel of dirt, and what was once reputed worthy
of heavenly honour, is now cast as it deserves into the
bottomless pit of hell*
§ 35. Yet neither is thy sensual mind (which is overcome
by the excess of thy follies) at all checked in its course with
committing so many sins, but hot and prone (like a young
colt that coveteth every pleasant pasture) runneth headlong
forward, with irrecoverable fury, through the intended fields
of crime, continually increasing the number of its trans-
gressions. For the former marriage of thy first wife
(although after thy violated vow of religion she was not
lawfully thine, but only by right of the time she was ¥rith
thee), was now despised by thee, and another woman, the
wife of a man then living, and he no stranger, but thy own
brother's son, ecjoyed thy affections. Upon which occasion
that stiff neck of thine (already laden with sins) is now
burdened with two monstrous murders, the one of thy aforesaid
nephew, the other, of her who once was thy wedded wife :
and thou art now from low to lower, and from bad to worse,
bowed, bent, and sunk down into the lowest depth of sacri*
lege. Afterwards, also didst thou publicly marry the widow
8JBC. 35.] GILDAS REPROVES MAGLOCUKE. 321
by whose deceit and suggestion such a heavy weight of
offences was undergone, and take her, lawfully, as the flatter-
ing tongues of thy parasites with false words pronounced it,
but ais we say, most wickedly, to be thine own in wedlock.
And therefore what holy man is there, who, moved with the
narration of such a history, would not presently break out
into weeping and lamentations ? What priest (whose heart
lieth open unto God) would not instantly, upon hearing this,
exclaim with anguish in the language of the prophet : " Who
shall give water to my head, and to my eyes a fountain of
tears, and I will day and night bewail those of my people,
who are slaughtered.*' For full little (alas !) hast thou with
thine ears listened to that reprehension of the prophet speak-
ing in this wise : " Woe be unto you, O wicked men, who
have left the law of the most holy Grod, and if ye shall be
born, your portion shall be to malediction, and if ye die, to
malediction shall be your portion, all things that are from
the earth, to the earth shall be converted again, so shall the
wicked from malediction pass to perdition : if they return
not unto our Lord, listening to this admonition : ^' Son, thou
hast offended ; add no further offence thereunto, but rather
pray for the forgiveness of the former." And again, " Be
not slow to be converted unto our Lord, neither put off the
same from day to day, for his wrath doth come suddenly."
Because, as the Scripture saith, " When the king heareth the
unjust word, all under his dominion become wicked." And,
the just king (according to the prophet) raiseth up his region.
But warnings truly are not wanting to thee, since thou hast
had for thy instructor the most eloquent master of almost all
Britain. Take heed, thereof, lest that which Solomon noteth,
befaU thee, which is, " Even as he who stirreth up a sleep-
ing man out of his heavy sleep, so is that person who de-
clareth wisdom unto a fool, for in the end of his speech will
he say, What hast thou first spoken ? Wash thine heart (as
it is written) from malice, O Jerusalem, that thou mayest
be saved." Despise not (I beseech thee) the unspeakable
mercy of God, csdling by his prophet the wicked in this way
from their offences : " I will dn a sudden speak to the
nation, and to the kingdom, that I may root out, and dis-
perse, and destroy, and overthrow." As for the sinner he
doth in this wise exhort him vehemently to repent. ^^ And
T
322 THE WOBKS OF GILDAS. [ssc. 361
if the same pec^le shall repent from their offence, I will also
repent of the evil which I have said that 1 would do unto
them." And again, " Who will give them such an heart,
that they may hear me, and keep mj commandments, and
that it may be w€ll with them all the days of their lives."
And also in the Canticle of Deuteronomy, " A people with-
out counsel and prudence, I wish they would be wise, and
understand, and foresee the last of all, how one pursueth a
thousand and two put to flight ten thousand." And again,
our Lord in the gospel, " Come unto me, all ye who do labour
and are burdened, and I will make you rest. Take my
yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek and
humble of heart, and ye shaH find repose for your souls."
For if thou turn a deaf ear to these admonitions^ contemn
the prophets, and despise Christ, and make no account of us,
humble though we be, so long as with sincere piety and
purity of mind we bear in mind that saying of the prophet,
that we may not be found, " Dumb dogs, not aWe to bark ;"
(however I for my part may not be of that singular fortitude,
in the spirit and virtue of our Lord, as to declare, '' To the
house of Jacob their sins, and the house of Israel their
offences ;") and so long as we shall remember that of Solo-^
mon, " He who says that the wicked are just, shall be ac-
cursed among the people, and odious to nations, for they who
reprove them shaH have better hopes." And again, " Respect^
not with reverence thy neighbour in his ruin, nor forb^ to
speak in time of salvation." And as long also as we forget
not this, '^ Root out those who are led to death, and forbear
not to redeem them who are murdered ;" because, as the
same prophet says, '^ Riches shall not profit in the day of
wrath, but j ustice delivereth from death." And, " K the just
indeed be hardly saved, where shall the wicked and sinner
appear ? ^ as I said, thou scorn us, who obey these texts»
the dark flood of hell shall without doubt eternally drown
thee in that deadly whirlpool, and those terrible streams of
fire that shall ever torment and never consume thee^ and
then shall the confession of thy pains an^ sorrow for thy sins
be altogether too late and unprofitable to one, who now in this
accepted time and <}ay of salvation deferretli his conversion
to a more righteous way of liffe.
§ 37. And here, indeed, if not before, was this lamentable
■fee. 38.] SAJiUEL. 823
history of the miseries of our time to have been brought to
a conclusion, that I might no further discourse of the deeds
of men ; but that I may not be thought timid or weary,
whereby I might the less carefully avoid that saying of
Isaiah, " Woe be to them who call good evil, and evil good,
placing darkness for light, and light for darkness, bitter for
sweet, and sweet for bitter, who seeing see not, and hearing
hear not, whose hearts are overshadowed with a thick and
black cloud of vices ;" I will briefly set down the threaten-
ings which are denounced against these five aforesaid lasci-
vious horses, the frantic followers of Pharaoh, through whom
his army is wilfully urged forward to their utter destruction
in the Bed Sea, and also against such others, by the sacred
oracles, with whose holy testimonies the frame of this our
little work is, as it were, roofed in, that it may not be sub-
ject to the showers of the envious, which otherwise would be
poured thereon. Let, therefore, God's holy prophets, who
are to mortal men the mouth of God, and the organ of the
Holy Ghost, forbidding evils, and favouring goodness, an-
swer for us as well now as formerly, against the stubborn
and proud princes of this our age, that they may not say we
menace them with such threats, and such great terrors of our
own invention only, and with rash and over-zealous meddHng.
For to no wise man is it doubtful how far more grievous the
sins of this our time are than those of the primitive age,
when the apostle said, '' Any one transgressing the law, be-
ing convicted by two or three witnesses, shall die, how much
worse punishment think ye then that he deserveth, who shall
trample under his foot the Son of God?"
§ 38. And first of all appears before us, Samuel, by
God's commandment, the establisher of a lawful kingdom,
dedicated to God before his birth, undoubtedly known by
marvellous signs, to be a true prophet unto all the people,
from Dan even to Beersheba, out of whose mouth the Holy
Ghost thundereth to all the potentates of the world, de-
nouncing Saul the first king of the Hebrews, only because
he did not accomplish some matters commanded him of our
Lord, in these words which follow : " Thou hast done
foolishly, neither yet hast thou kept the commandments of
our Lord thy God, that he hath given thee in charge ; which
if thou hadst not committed, even now had our Lord pre-
T 2
324 THE WORKS OP 6ILDAS. [focSf.
pared thy reign over Israel for ever, but thy kingdom shall
no farther arise." And what did he commit, whether it
were adultery or murder, like to the offences of the present
time ? No, truly, but broke in part one of God's conmiand-
ments, for, as one of our writers says, " The question is not
of the quality of the sin, but of the violating of the pre-
cept," Also when he endeavoured to answer (as he thought)
the objections of Samuel, and after the fashion of men wisely
to make excuses for his offence in this manner : " Yea, I
have obeyed the voice of our Lord, and walked in the way
through which he hath sent me ;" with this rebuke was he
corrected by him : " What ! will our Lord have burnt offer-
ings or oblations, and not rather that the voice of our Lord
should be obeyed ? Obedience is better than oblations, and
to hearken unto him, better than to offer the fat of rams.
For as it is the sin of soothsaying to resist, so is it the
offence of idolatry not to obey ; in regard, therefore, that
thou hast cast away the word of our Lord, he hath also cast
thee away that thou be not king." And a little after, " Our
Lord hath this day rent the kingdom of Israel &om thee,
and delivered it up to thy neighbour, a man better than thy-
self. The Triumpher of Israel truly will not spare, and will not
be bowed with repentance, neither yet is he a man that he
should repent ;" that is to say, upon the stony hearts of the
wicked : wherein it is to be noted how he saith, that to be
disobedient unto God is the sin of idolatry. Let not, there-
fore, our wicked transgressors (while they do not openly
sacrifice to the gods of the Gentiles) flatter themselves that
they are not idolaters, whilst they tread like swine the most
precious pearls of Christ under their feet.
§ 39. But although this one example as an invincible
affirmation might abundantly suffice to correct the wicked ;
yet, that by the mouths of many witnesses all the offences
of Britain may be proved, let us pass to the rest. What
happened to David for numbering his people, when the pro-
phet Gad spake unto him in this sort? Thus saith our
Lord : " The choice of three things is offered thee, choose
which thou wilt, that I may execute it upon thee. Shall
there befall thee a famine for seven years, or shalt thou flee
three months before thine enemies, and they pursue thee, or
shall there be three days' pestilence in thy land?" For be-
MC.4I0.] OF JSBOBOAJI AJID BAASHA. 325
ing brouglit into great straits by this condition, and willing
rather to fall into the hands of God who is merciful, than
into those of men, he was humbled with the slaughter of
seventy thousand of his subjects, and unless with the affec-
tion of an apostolic charity, he had desired to die himself
for his countrymen, that the plague might not further con-
sume them, saying, '<I am he that has offended, I the
shepherd have dealt unjustly: but these sheep, what have
they sinned ? Let thy hand, I beseech thee, be turned
against me, and against the house of my father;" he would
have atoned for the unadvised pride of his heart with his
own death. For what does the scripture afterwards declare
of his son ? " And Solomon wrought that which was not
pleasing before our Lord, and he did not fill up the measure
of his good deeds by following the Lord like his father
David. And our Lord said unto him, Because thou hast
thus behaved thyself, and not observed my covenant and
precepts, which I have commanded thee^ breaking it asun-
der ; I will divide thy kingdom, and give the same unto thy
servant*
§ 40. Hear now likewise what fell upon the two sacrile-
gious kings of Israel (even such as ours are), Jeroboam and
Baasha, unto whom the sentence and doom of our Lord is
by the prophet in this way directed : '^ For what cause have
I exalted thee a prince over Israel, in regard that they have
provoked me by their vanities. Behold I will stir up after
Baasha and after his house, and I will give over his house as
the house of Jeroboam the son of NebaL Whoso of his
blood shall die in the city, the dogs shall eat him, and the
dead carcass of him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of
the air eat" What doth he also threaten unto that wicked
king of Israel, a worthy companion of the former, by whose
collusion and his wife's deceit, innocent Naboth was for his
father's vineyard put to death, when the holy mouth of Ellas,
yea, the selfsame mouth that was instructed with the fiery
speech of our Lord, thus spake unto him : " Hast thou killed
and also taken possession, and after this wilt thou yet add
more ? Thus saith our Lord, in this very place, wherein
the dogs have licked the blood of Naboth, they shaU lick up
thy blood also." Which fell out afterwards in that very
sort, as we have certain proof. But lest perchance (as befell
326 . THB WORKS OF 6ILDA8. [bbc 41.
Ahab also) the lying spirit, which pronounceth vain things
in the mouths of your prophets may seduce you, hearken
to the words of the prophet Micaiah: ''Behold God hath
suffered the spirit of lying to possess the mouths of all thy
prophets that do here remain, and our Lord hath pronounced
evil against thee." For even now it is certain that there are
some teachers inspired with a contrary spirit, preaching and
afiirming rather what is pleasing, however depraved, than
what is true : whose words are softer than oil, and the same
are darts, who say, peace, peace, and there shall be no peace
to them, who persevere in their sins, as says the prophet in
another place also, '' It is not for the vidcked to rejoice, saith
our Lord."
§ 41. Azarias, also, the son of Obed, spoke unto Asa,
who returned from the slaughter of the army of ten hun-
dred thousand Ethiopians, saying, '' Our Lord is with you
while you remain with him, and if you will seek him out,
he will be found by you, and if you will leave him, he
will leave you also." For if Jehosaphat for only assisting a
wicked king, was thus reproved by the prophet Jehu, the
son of Ananias, saying, " If thou givest aid to a sinner, or
lovest them whom our Lord doth hate, the wrath of God
doth therefore hang over thee," what shall become of them
who are fettered in the snares of their own offences ? whose
sin we must of necessity hate, if not their souls, if we wish
to fight in the army of the Lord, according to the words of
the Psalmist, " Hate ye evil, who love our Lord." What
was said to Jehoram, the son of the above-named Jehosa-
phat, that most horrible murderer (who being himself a
bastard, slew his noble brethren, that he might possess the
throne in their place, by the prophet Elias, who was the
chariot and charioteer of Israel ? '' Thus speaketh the
Lord God of thy father David. Because thou hast not
walked in the way of thy father Jehosaphat, and in the
ways of Asa the king of Judah, but hast walked in the
ways of the kings of Israel, and in adultery according to the
behaviour of the house of Ahab, and hast moreover killed
thy brethren, the sons of Jehosaphat, men far better than
thyself, behold, our Lord shall strike thee and thy children
with a mighty plague." And a little afterwards, " And thou
shalt be very sick of a disease of thy belly, until thy entrails
svc.i2.] ISAIAH's FBOPHECIBS. 327
shall, together with the malady itself, from day to day,' come
forth out of thee." And listen also what the prophet Zacha^
riah, the son of Jehoiades, menaced to Joash, the king of
Israel, when he abandoned our Lord even as ye now do, and
the prophet spoke in this manner to the people : '' Thus saith
our Lord, Why do ye transgress the commandments of our
Lord and do not prosper ? Because ye have left our Lord,
he will also leave you."
§ 42. What shall I mention of Isaiah, the first and chief
of the prophets, who beginneth his prophecy, or rather
vision, in this way : " Hear, O ye heavens, and O thou earth
conceive in thine ears, because our Lord hath spoken, I have
nourished children, and exalted them, but they themselves
have despised me. The ox hath known his owner, and the
ass his master's crib, but Israel hath not known me, and my
people hath not understood." And a little further with
threatenings answerable to so great a folly, he saith, " The
daughter of Sion shall be utterly left as a tabernacle in the
vineyard, and as a hovel in the cucumber garden, and a city
that is sacked." And especially, convening and accusing the
princes, he saith, " Hear the word of our Lord, O ye princes
of Sodom, perceive ye the law of our Lozxl, O ye people of
Gomorrah." Wherein it is to be noted, that unjust kings
are termed the princes of Sodom, for our Lord, forbidding
sacrifices and gifts to be offered to him by such persons, and
seeing that we greedily receive those offerings which in all
nations are displeasing unto God, and to our own destruction
suffer them not to be bestowed on the poor and needy, speak
thus to them who, laden with riches, are likewise given to
offend on this head : ** Offer no more your sacrifice in vain,
your incense is abomination unto me." And again he
denounceth them thus: ^'And when ye shall stretch out
your hands, I will turn away mine eyes from you, and when
ye shall multiply your prayers, I "will not hear." And he
declareth wherefore he does this, saying, " Your hands are
full of blood." And likewise showing how he may be
appeased, he says, ** Be ye washed, be ye dean, take away
the evil of your thoughts from mine eyes : cease to do evil,
learn to do well : seek for judgment, succour the oppressed,
do justice to the pupil or orphan." And then assimiing as it
were the part of a reconciling mediator, he adds, " Tlxough
328 THE WOKKS OF 6ILDAS. [8>c. 43L
your sins shall be as scarlet, they sliall be made white as
snow : though thej shall be as red as the little worm,* they
shall be as white as wool. If ye shall be willing to hear me,
ye shall feed on the good things of the land ; but if ye will
not, but provoke me unto wrath, the sword shall devour you."
§ 43. Receive ye the true and public avoucher, witnessing^
without any falsehood or flattery, the reward of your good
and evil, not like the soothing humble lips of your parasites,
which whisper poisons into your ears. And also directing
his sentence against ravenous judges, he saith thus : '^ Thy
princes are unfaithful, companions of thieves, all love gifts,
hunt after rewards: they do no justice to the orphan, the
widovr's cause entereth not unto them. For thus saith our
Lord Grod of hosts, the strong one of Israel, Alas, I will
take consolation upon my foes, and be revenged upon mine
enemies ; and the heinous sinners shall be broken to powder^
and offenders together with them, and all who have left our
Lord, shall be consumed." And afterwards, '^ The eyes of
the lofty man shall be brought low, and the height of men
hath bowed down.** And again, " Woe be to the wicked,
evil befall him, for he shall be rewarded according to his
handy-work." And a little after, " Woe be unto you who
arise early to follow drunkenness, and to drink even to the
very evening, that ye may fume with wine. The harp, and
the lyre, and the tabor, and the pipe, and wine are in your
banquets, and the work of our Lord ye respect not, neither
yet consider ye the works of his hands. Therefore is my
people led captive away, because they have not had know-
ledge, and their nobles have perished with famine, and their
multitude hath withered away with thirst. Therefore hath
hell enlarged and dilated his spirit, and without measure
opened his mouth, and his strong ones, and his people, and
bis lofty and glorious ones, shall descend down unto him."
And afterwards, *' Woe be unto you who are mighty for the
drinking of wine, and strong men for the procuring of
drunkenness, who justify the wicked for rewards, and
deprive the just man of his justice. For this eause even as
the tongue of the fire devoureth the stubble, and as the heat
of the Same bumeth up, so shall their root be as the ashes^
and their branch shall rise up as the dust. For they have
* Yennilion, the English version, seems derived from ffermet^ a worm.
sac. 44, 45.] ISAIAH'S FBOFHECIES. 329
cast away the law of our Lord of hosts, and despised the
speech of the holy one of Israel. In all these the fury of
our Lord is not turned away, but as yet his hand is stretched
out."
§ 44. And further on, speaking of the day of judgment
and the unspeakable fears of sinners, he says, " Howl ye,
because the day of our Lord is near at hand (if so near at
that time, what shsll it now be thought to be ?) for destruction
shall proceed from Gk)d. For this shall all hands be
dissolved, and every man's heart shall wither away, and be
bruised ; tortures and dolours shall hold them, as a woman in
labour so shall they be grieved, every man shall at his
neighbour stand astonished, burned faces shall be their
countenances. Behold, the day of our Lord shall come,
fierce and full of indignation, and of wrath, and fury, to
turn the earth into a desert, and break her sinners in small
pieces from off her; because the stars of heaven and the
brightness of them, shall not unfold their light, the sun in
his rising shall be covered over with darkness, and the moon
shall not shine in her season ; and I will visit upon the evils
of the world, and against the wicked, their own iniquity, and
I will make the pride of the unfaithful to cease, and the
arrogancy of the strong, I will bring low.** And again,
<^ Behold our Lord will disperse the earth, and he will strip
her naked, and afflict her face, and scatter her inhabitants ;
and as the people, so shall be the priest ; and as the slave, so
shall be his lord ; as the handmaid, so shall b^ her lady ; as
the purchaser, so shall be the seller ; as the usurer, so shall
be he that borroweth ; as he who demandeth, so shall he be
that oweth. With dispersing shall the earth be scattered,
and with sacking shall she be spoiled. For our Lord hath
spoken this word. The earth hath bewailed, and hath flitted
away ; the world hath run to nothing, she is weakened by
her inhabitants, because they have transgressed laws,
changed right, brought to ruin the eternal truce. For this
shall malediction devour the earth.**
§ 45. And afterwards, "They shall lament all of them
who now in heart rejoice, the delight of the timbrels hath
ceased, the sound of the gladsome shall be silent, the
sweetness of the harp shall be hushed, they shall not with
singing drink their wine, bitter shall be the potion to the
380 THE WORKS OF GILDAS. [sec M.
drinkers thereof. The city of vanity is wasted, every house
is shut up, no man entering in ; an outcry shall be in the
streets over the wine, all gladness is forsaken, the joy of the
land is transferred, solitariness is left in the town, and
calamity shall oppress the gates, because these things shall
be in the midst of the land, and in the midst of the people."
And a little further, " Swerving from the truth, they have
wandered out of the right way, with the straggling of
transgressors have they gone astray. Fear and intrapping
falls, and a snare upon thee who art the inhabitant of the
earth. And it shall come to pass : whoso shall flee from the
voice of the fear, shall tumble down into the intrapping pit ;
and whoso shall deliver himself out of the downfall, shall be
caught in the entangling snare : because the flood-gates from
aloft shall be opened, and the foundations of the earth shall
De shaken. With bruising shall the earth be broken, with
commotion shall she be moved, with tossing shall she be
shaken like a drunken man, and she shall be taken away as
if she were a pavilion of one night's pitching, and her
iniquities shall hang heavy upon her, and she shall fall
down, and shall not attempt to rise again. And it shall be,
that our Lord in the same day shall look on the warfare of
heaven on high, and on the kings of the earth, who are
upon the earth, and they shall be gathered together in the
bundle of one burden into the lake, and shall there be shut
up in prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
And the moon shall blush, and the sun be confounded,
when our Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount Sion and in
Jerusalem, and be glorified in the sight of his seniors."
§ 46. And after a while, giving a reason why he threat-
eneth in that sort, he says thus : '' Behold the hand of our
Lord is not shortened that he cannot save, neither is his ear
made heavy that he may not hear. But your iniquities have
divided between you and your God, and your offences have
hid his face from you, that he might not hear. For your
hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity :
your lips have spoken lying, and your tongue uttereth
iniquity. There is none who calleth on justice, neither is
there he who judgeth truly, but they trust in nothing, and
speak vanities, and have conceived grief, and brought forth
iniquity." And a little after, " Their works are unprofitable,
sec. 47.1 Jeremiah's prophecies. 331
and the work of iniquity is in their hands ; their feet run
into evil, and make haste that they may shed the innocent
blood ; their thoughts are unprofitable thoughts, spoil and
confusion are in their ways, and the way of peace they have
not known, and in their steps there is no judgment, their
paths are made crooked unto them, every one who treadeth
in them is ignorant of peace; in this respect is judgment
removed far off from you, and justice taketh no hold on you."
And after a few words, "And judgment hath been turned
back, and justice hath stood afar off, because truth hath
fallen down in the streets, and equity could not enter in ; and
truth is turned into oblivion, and whoso hath departed from
evil, hath lain open to spoil. And our Lord hath seen,
and it was not pleasing in his eyes, because there is not
judgment."
§ 47. And thus far may it suffice among many, to have
recited a few sentences out of the prophet Isaiah.
But now with diligent ears hearken unto him, who was
foreknown before he was formed in the belly, sanctified
before he came out of the womb, and appointed a prophet in
all nations : I mean Jeremiah, and hear what he hath pro-
nounced of foolish people and cruel kings, beginning his pro-
phecy in his mild and gentle manner.
" And the word of God was spoken unto me, saying. Go
and cry in the ears of Jeruscilem, and thou shalt pronounce,
Hear the word of our Lord, thou house of Jacob, and all ye
kindred of the house of Israel : Thus saith our Lord ; What
iniquity have your fathers found in me, who have been far
removed from me, and walked after vanity, and are become
vain, and have not said. Where is he who made us go up out
of the land of Egypt ?" And after a few words, " From the
beginning of thine age thou hast broken my yoke, violated
my bands, and said, I will not serve, I have planted thee my
chosen vine, aU true seed. How art thou therefore converted
into naughtiness ? O strange vine ! If thou shalt wash thee
with nitre, and multiply unto thee the herb borith, thou art
spotted in my sight with thine iniquity, saith our Lord."
And afterwards, " Why will ye contend with me in judg-
ment ? Ye have aU forsaken me, saith our Lord, in vain
have I corrected your children, they have not received dis-
cipline. Hear ye the word of our Lord. Am I made a soli-
332 THE WOBKS OF GILDAS. [sac. 4$, 49.
tariness unto Israel, or a late bearing land ! why therefore
hath my people said, we have departed, we wiU come no
more unto thee ? Doth the virgin forget her ornament, or
the spouse her gorget ? mj people truly hath forgotten me
for innumerable days. Because my people are foolish, they
have not known me, they are unwise and mad children.
They are wise to do evil, but to do well they have been
ignorant.**
§ 48. Then the prophet speaketh in his own person saying,
" O Lord thine eyes do respect faith, thou hast stricken them,
and they have not sorrowed, thou hast broken them and they
have refused to receive discipline, they have made their
faces harder than the rock, and will not return.'' And also
our Lord : " Declare ye this same to the house of Jacobs
and make it to be heard in Judah, saying. Hear, ye foolish
people who have no heart, who having eyes see not, and ears
hear not. Will ye not therefore dread me, saith our Lord,
and wiU ye not conceive grief from my countenance, who
have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, an eternal
commandment which she shall not break, and her waves
shall be moved, and they cannot, and her surge shall swell,
and yet not pass the same ? But to this people is framed an
incredulous and an exasperating heart, they have retired
and gone their ways, and not in their heart said, Let us fear
our Lord God." And again, "Because there are found
among my people wicked ones, framing wiles to entangle as
if they were fowlers, setting snares and gins to catch men :
as a net that is full of birds, so are their houses filled with
deceits. Therefore are they magnified and enriched, they
are become gross and fat, and have neglected my speeches
most vilely, the orphans* cause they have not decided, and
the justice of the poor they have not adjudged. What !
shall I not visit these men, saith our Lord ? or shall not mj
soul be revenged upon such a nation ?**
§ 49. But God forbid that ever should happen unto you,
that which followeth, "Thou shalt speak all these words
unto them, and they shall not hear thee ; and thou shalt call
them, and they shall not answer thee ; and thou shalt say un-
to them, This is the nation that hath not heard the voice of
their Lord Grod, nor yet received discipline, faith hath
perished, and been t(^en away from out of their mouth,**
mK.49.] JBSEMIAh's FB0FH£CIES. 833
And after some few speeches, " Whoso falleth doth he not
arise again, and whoso is turned away, shall he not return
again ? why therefore is this people in Jerusalem, with a
contentious aversion alienated ? they have apprehended
lying, and they will not come back again. I have been
attentive, and hearkened diligently, no man speaketh what
is good. There is none who repenteth of his sin, saying,
What have I done ? All are turned unto their own course,
like a horse passing with violence to battle. The kite in
the sky hath known her time, the turtle, and swallow, and
stork have kept the season of their coming, but my people
hath not known the judgment of God.** And the prophet,
being smitten with fear at so wonderful a blindness, and un-
speakable drunkenness of the sacrilegious, and lamenting
them who did not lament themselves (even according to the
present behaviour of these our unfortunate tyrants), be-
seecheth of our Lord, that an augmentation of tears might
be granted him, speaking in this manner, ^'I am contrite
upon the contrition of the daughter of my people, astonish-
ment hath possessed me : is there no balm in Gilead, or is
there no physician there ? Why therefore is not the wound
of the daughter of my people healed ? Who shall give water
unto my head, and to mine eyes a fountain of tears, and I
will day and night bewail the slaughtered of my people ?
who will grant me in the wilderness the inn of passengers ?
and I will utterly leave my people, and depart from them ;
because they are all of them adulterers, a root of offenders,
and they have bent their tongue as the bow of lying, and
not of truth, they are comforted in the earth, because they
have passed from evil to evil, and not known me, saith our
Lord." And again : '^ And our Lord hath said, Because
they have forsaken my law, which I have given them, and
not heard my voice, nor walked thereafter, and have wan-
dered away after the wickedness of their own heart, in that
respect our Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saith these
words. Behold I will feed this people with woianwood, and
give them to drink the water of gall.** And a little after
(speaking in the person of God), " See therefore thou do not
pray for this people, nor assume thou for them praise and
prayer, because I wiU not hear in the time of their outcry
unto me, and of their affliction/'
334 THE W0KK8 OF GILDAS. [bkc. SO,
§ 50. What then shall now our miserable governors do,
these few who found out the narrow way and left the large,
were by God forbidden to pour out their prayers for such as
persevered in their evils, and so highly provoked his wrath,
against whom on the contrary side when they returned with
all their hearts unto God (his divine Majesty being unwiUing
that the soul of man should perish, but calling back the cast-
away that he should not utterly be destroyed) the same pro-
phets could not procure the heavenly revenge, because Jonas,
when he desired the like most earnestly against the Nine-
vites, could not obtain it. But in the meanwhile omitting
our own words, let us rather hear what the prophetic trumpet
soundcth in our ears speaking thus : ** If thou shalt say in
thy heart. Why have these evils befallen ? For the multitude
of thino iniquities. 1£ the Ethiopian can change his skin, or
the leopard his sundry spots, ye may also do well when ye
have learned evil," ever supposing that ye will not. And
afterwards : " These words doth our Lord say to this people,
who have loved to move their feet, and have not rested, and
not pleased our Lord, Now shall he remember their iniqui-
ties, and visit their offences ; and our Lord said unto me.
Pray thou not for this people to work their good, when they
fast, I will not hear their prayers ; and if they offer burnt
sacrifices and oblations, I will not receive them." And again,
'^ And our Lord said unto me, K Moses and Samuel shall
stand before me, my soul is not bent to this people, cast them
out away from my face, and let them depart." And after a
few words : " Who shall have pity on thee Jerusalem, or
who shall be sorrowful for thee, or who shall pray for thy
peace ? Thou hast left me (saith our Lord) and gone away
backward, and I will stretch forth my hand over thee, and
kill thee." And somewhat after : ** Thus saith our Lord,
Behold I imagine a thought against you, let every man re-
turn from his evil course, and make straight your ways and
endeavours, who said, we despair, we will go after our own
thoughts, and every one of us will do the naughtiness of his
evil heart. Thus therefore saith our Lord, Ask the Gen-
tiles, who hath heard such horrible matters, which the virgin
Israel hath too often committed ? Shall there fail from the
rock of the field, the snow of Libanus ? or can the waters
be drawn dry that gush out cold and flowing ? because my
8«c 50-93.] ASEiAHAM, HOSEA, AMOS. «3d5
people hath forgotten me." And somewhat also after this,
propounding unto them an election, he speaking saith,
"Thus saith our Lord, Do ye judgment and justice, and
deliver him who by power is oppressed out of the hand of
the malicious accuser ; and for the stranger, and orphan, and
widow, do not provoke their sorrow, neither yet work ye un-
justly the grief of others, nor shed ye forth the innocent
blood. For if indeed ye shall accomplish this word, there
shall enter in through the gates of this house, kings of the
lineage of David, sitting upon his throne. But if ye will
not hearken unto these words, by myself I have sworn (saith
our Lord) that this house shall be turned into a desert."
And again (for he spoke of a wicked king), " As I live (saith
our Lord) if so be that Jcchonias shall be a ring on my
right hand, I will pluck him away, and give him over irto
the hands of them who seek his life."
§ 51. Moreover, holy Abraham crieth out, saying, "Woe
be unto them who build a city in blood, and prepare a town
in iniquities, saying. Are not these things from our almighty
Lord ? and many people have failed in fire, and many nations
nave been diminished." And thus complaining, he begins
his prophecy : " How long, O Lord, shall I call, and thou wilt
not hear ? Shall I cry out unto thee, to what end hast thou
given me labours and griefs, to behold misery and impiety?"
And on the other side, " And judgment was sat upon, and
the judge hath taken in regard hereof, the law is rent in
pieces, and judgment is not brought fully to his conclusion,
because the wicked through power treadeth the just under
foot. Li this respect hath passed forth perverse judg-
ment."
§ 52. And mark ye also what blessed Hosea the prophet
says of princes : " For that they have transgressed my cove-
nant, and ordained against my law, and exclaimed, we have
known thee, because thou art against Israel. They have
persecuted good, as if it were evil. They have reigned for
themselves and not by me; they have held a principality,
neither yet have they acknowledged me."
§ 53. And hear ye likewise the holy prophet Amos, in
this sort threatening : " Li three heinous offences of the sons
of Judah, and in four I will not convert them, for that they
have cast away the law of our Lord, and not kept his com-
*i
336 THE WOBKS OF 6ILDAS. Lssa 03,
mandments, but their vanities have seduced them. And I
will send fire upon Judah, and it shall eat the foundations of
Jerusalem. Thus saith our Lord ; In three grievous sins of
Israel, and in four I will not convert them, for that they have
sold the just for money, and the poor man for shoes, which
they tread upon the dust of the earth, and with buffets they
did beat the heads of the poor, and have eschewed the way
of the humble." And after a few words, " Seek our Lord
and ye shall live, that the house of Joseph may not shine as
fire, and the flame devour it, and he shall not be, that can
extinguish it. The house of Israel hath hated him who re-
buketh in the gates, and abhorred the upright word." Which
Amos, being fbrbidden to prophesy in Israel, without any
fawning flattery, saith in answer, " I was not a prophet, nor
yet the son of a prophet, but a goatherd ; I was plucking
sycamores and our Lord took me from my herd, and our
Lord said unto me. Go thy way and prophesy against my
people of Israel : and now hear thou the word of our Lord
(for he directed his speech unto the king), thou sayest, do
not prophesy against Israel, and thou shalt not assemble
troops against the house of Jacob. For which cause our
Lord saith thus, thy wife in the city shall play the harlot,
and thy sons and daughters shall die by the sword, and thy
ground be measured by the cord, and thou in a polluted land
shalt end thy life, but for Israel, she shall be led from his
own country a captive." And afterwards, " Hear therefore
these words, ye who do outrageously afflict the poor, and
practise your mighty power against the needy of the earth,
who say, when shall the month pass over that we may pur-
chase, and the sabbaths that we may open the treasuries."
And within a few words after, " Our Lord doth swear against
the pride of Jacob, if he shall in contempt forget your ac*
tions, and if in these the earth shall not be disturbed, and
every inhabitant thereof fall to lamentation, and the final
end as a flood ascend, and I will turn your festival days into
wailing, and cast haircloth on the loins of every one, and on
the head of every man baldness, and make him as the mourn-
ing of one over beloved, and those who are with him as the
day of his sorrow." And again, " In the sword shall die all
the sinners of my people, who say, evils shall not approach,
nor yet shall light upon uSi"
sac. 04-^7] HICHAH, ZEPHANIAH, HA6GAI, ZACHABIAS. 337
§ 54. And listen ye, likewise, what holy Michah the
prophet hath spoken, saying, "Hearken, ye tribes. And
what shall adorn the city ? Shall not fire ? and the house
of the wicked hoarding up unjust treasures, and with
injury unrighteousness ? If the wrongful dealer shall be
justified in the balance, and deceitful weights in the scales,
by which they have heaped up their nches in ungodli-^
ness."
§ 55. And hear also what threats the famous prophet
Zephaniah thundereth out : saith he, " The great day of our
Lord is near ; it is at hand, and very swiftly approacheth.
The voice of the day of our Lord is appointed to be bitter
and mighty, that day, a day of wrath, a day of tribulation
and necessity, a day of clouds and mist, a day of the trum-
pet and outcry, a day of misery and extermination, a day of
darkness and dimness upon the strong cities and high comers.
And I will bring men to tribulation, and they shall go as if
they were blind, because they have oflfended our Lord, and I
will pour out their blood as dust, and their flesh as the dung
of oxen, and their silver and gold shall not be able to deliver
them in the day of the wrath of our Lord. And in the fire
of his zeal shall the whole earth be consumed, when the
Lord shall accomplish his absolute end, and bring solitariness
upon all the inhabitants of the earth. Come together and
be joined in one, thou nation without discipline, before ye be
made as the fading flower, before the wrath of our Lord falleth
upon ye."
§ 56. And give ear also unto that which the prophet
Haggai speaketh : " Thus saith our Lord, 1 will once move
the heaven, and earth, and sea, and diy land, and I will
drive away the thrones of kings, and root out the power of
the kings of the Gentiles, and I will chase away the chariots
of those who mount upon them.**
§ 57. Now abo behold what Zacharias the son of Addo,
that chosen prophet, said, beginning his prophecy in this
manner : " Return to me, and I will return unto you, saith
our Lord, and be not like your fathers, to whom the former
prophets have imputed, saying. Thus saith our almighty
Lord, Turn away from your ways, and they have not marked
whereby they might obediently hear me." And afterwards,
" And the angel asked me, what dost thou see ? And I
z
338 TBX WOBKS OF QlhDAB. [smo. 88,69,
said, I see a flying scythe, which containeth in length
twenty cubits. The malediction which hath proceeded upon
the face of the whole earth; beca,use every one of her
thieves shaU be punished even to the death, and I will throw
him away, saith our almighty Lord, and he shall enter into
the house of fury^ and into the house of swearing falsehood
in my name.**
§ 58. Holy Malachy the prophet also saith, "Behold^
the day of our Lord shall come, inflamed as a furnace,
and all proud men, and all workers of iniquity shall be
as stubble, and the approaching day of the Lord of hosts
shall set them on fire, which shall not leave a root nor a bud
of them."
§ 59. And hearken ye also what holy Job debateth of the
beginning and end of the ungodly, saying, " For what pur-
pose do the wicked live, and have grown ojd dishonestly, and
their issue hath been according to their own desire, and
their sons before their faces, and their houses are fruitful,
and no fear nor yet the scourge of our Lord is upon them..
Their cow hath not been abortive, their great with young
hath brought forth her young ones and not missed, but re-
maineth as an eternal breed ; and their children rejoice, and
taking the psaltery and harp, have finished their days in fell-*
city ajod fallen peaceably asleep down into hell.'^ Doth Grod,
therefore, not behold the works of the wicked ? Not so,
truly, ^'But the candle of the ungodly shall be extinguished,
and destruction shall fall upon them, and pains as of one in
childbirth, shall withhold them from wrath ; and they shall
be as chaff before the wind, and as the dust which the whirls
wind hath carried away. Let all goodness fail his children ;
let his eyes behold his own slaughter, nor yet by our Lord
let him be redeemed.** And a little after, he saith of the
same mei^ " Who have ravenously taken the flock with the
shepherd, and driven away the beast of the orphans, and en-
gaged the ox of the widow, and deceiving, nave declined
from the way of necessity. They have reaped other men's
fields before the time ; the poor have laboured in the vine-
yards of the mighty without hire and meat, they have made
many to sleep naked without garments ; of the covering of
their life they have bereaved them." And somewhat after-
wards, when he had thoroughly understood their works, he
fliBc; 00, ei.] ESDRAB, E2E0HIEL. 839
delivered them over to darkness. " Let, therefore, his por-
tion be accursed from the earth ; let his plantings bring forth
witherings; let him for this be rewarded according to his
dealings ; let every wicked man like the unsound wood be
broken in pieces. For arising in his wrath hath he over-
thrown the impotent. Wherefore truly shall he have no
trust of his life ; when he shall begin to grow diseased, let
him not hope for health, but fall into languishing. For his
pride hath been the hurt of many, and he is become decayed
and rotten, as the mallows in the scorching heat, or as the
ear of com when it faUeth off from its stubble." And after-
wards, " If his children shall be many, they shall be turned
to the slaughter, and if he gather together silver as if it were
earth, and likewise purify his gold as if it were dirt, aU
these same shall the just obtain."
§ 60. Hear ye moreover what blessed Esdras, that cyclo-
paedia of the divine law, threateneth in his discourse. " Thus
saith our Lord God : My right hand shall not be sparing
upon sinners, neither shall the sword cease over them who
spill the innocent blood on the earth. Fire shall proceed
from out of my wrath, and devour the foundations of the
earth, and sinners as if they were inflamed straw. Woe be
unto them who offend, and observe not my commandments,
saith our Lord, I will not forbear them. Depart from me ye
apostatizing children, and do not pollute my sanctuary. God
doth know who offend against him, and he will therefore
deliver them over to death and to slaughter. For now have
many evils passed over the round compass of the earth* A
sword of Are is sent out against you, and who is he that
shall restrain it ? shall any man repulse a lion that hungereth
in the wood ? or shall any one quench out the fire when the
straw is burning ? our Lord God will send out evUs, and who
is he that shall repress them ? and fire wiU pass forth from
out of his wrath, and who shall extinguish it? it shall
brandishing shine, and who will not fear it ? it shall thunder,
and who will not shake with dread ? Grod will threaten all,
and who will not be terrified ? before his face the earth
doth tremble, and the foundations of the sea shake from the
depths."
§ 61. And mark ye also what Ezechiel the renowned
prophet, and admirable beholder of the four evangelical
2 2
340 THE WOBKS OF 6ILDAS. [sec. 6t.
creatures, speaketh of wicked offenders, unto whom pitifully
lamenting beforehand the scourge that hung over Israel, our
Lord doth say, " Too far hath the iniquity of the house of
Israel and Judah prevailed, because the earth is filled with
iniquity and uncleanness. Behold I am, mine eyes shall not
spare, nor will I take pity.** And afterwards, " Because the
earth is replenished with people, and the city fraughted with
iniquity, I will also turn away the force of their power, and
their holy things shall be polluted, prayer shall approach and
sue for peace, and it shall not be obtained.*' And somewhat
after, " The word of our Lord, quoth he, was spoken unto me,
saying, Thou son of man, the land that shall so far sin against
me as to commit an offence, I will stretch forth my hand upon
her, and break in pieces her foundation of bread, and send
upon her famine, and take away mankind and cattle from her;
and if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, be in the
midst of her, they shall not deliver her, but they in their
justice shall be saved, saith our Lord. K so be that also I
shall bring in evil beasts upon the land and punish her, she
likewise shall be turned to destruction, and there shall not be
one who shall have free passage from the face of the beasts,
and although these three men are in the midst of her, as I
live, saith our Lord, their sons and daughters shall not be
preserved, but they alone shall be saved, and as for the land
it shall fall to confusion.** And again, " The son shall not
receive the unrighteousness of the father, neither the father
the son*s unrighteousness. The justice of the just shall be
upon himself. And the unjust man, if he turneth him away
from all the iniquities which he hath done, and keepeth all
my commandments, and doth justice and abundance of mercy,
he shall live in life and shall not die. All his sins, whatsoever
he hath committed, shall have no further being ; he shall live
the life in his own justice which he hath performed. Do 1
with my will voluntarily wish the death of the unrighteous,
saith our Lord, rather than that he should return from his
evil way and live ? But when the just shall turn himself
away from his justice, and do iniquity, according to all the
iniquities which the unrighteous hath committed, all the just
actions (which he hath done) shall remain no further in
memory. In his offence wherein he hath fallen, and in his
sins in which he hath transgressed, he shall die.'* And,
flcc.63.1 SOLOMON. 341
within some words afterwards : *^ And all nations shall
understand, that the house of Israel are led captive away
for their offences, because they have forsaken me. And!
have turned my face from them, and yielded them over into
the hands of their enemies, and all have perished by the
sword ; according unto their unclean sins, and after their
iniquities have I dealt with them, and turned my face away
from them."
§ ^2. This which I have spoken may suffice concerning
the threats of the holy prophets : only I have thought it
necessary to intermingle in this little work of mine, not only
these menaces, but ^o a few words borrowed out of the
wisdom of Solomon, to declare unto kings matters of exhor-
tation or instruction, that they may not say I am willing to
load the shoulders of men with heavy and insupportable
burdens of words, but not so much as once with mine own
finger (that is, with speech of consolation) to move the same.
Let us therefore hear what the prophet hath spoken to rule
us. " Love justice," saith he, " ye that judge the earth." This
testimony alone (if it were with a full and perfect heart
observed) would abundantly suffice to reform the governors
of our country. For if they had loved justice, they would
also love Grod, who is in a sort the fountain and original of
all justice. '^ Serve our Lord in goodness, and seek him in
simplicity of heart." Alas ! who shall live (as a certain one
before us hath said) when such things are done by our
countrymen, if perchance they may be any where accom-
plished ? '' Because he is found of those who do not tempt
him, he appeareth truly to them who have faith in him."
For these men without respect do tempt God, whose com-
mandments with stubborn despite they contemn, neither yet
do they keep to him their faith, unto whose oracles be they
pleasing, or somewhat severe, they turn their backs and not
their faces. " For perverse thoughts do separate from God,"
and this in the tyrants of our time very plainly appeareth.
But why doth our meanness intermeddle in this so manifest
a detennination ? Let therefore him who alone is true (as
we have said) speak for us, I mean the Holy Ghost, of whom
it is now pronounced, " The Holy Ghost verily will avoid
the counterfeiting of discipline." And again, " Because the
Spirit of God hath filled the globe of the earth." And after-
342 Tl^E WOB&S OF GILDAS* [nc. 83.
wards (shomng with an evident judgment the end of the
evil and righteous) he saith, " How is the hope of the wicked
as the down that is blown away with the wind, and as the
smoke that with the blast is dispersed, and as the slender
froth that with a storm is scattered, and as the memory of a
guest who is a passenger of one day. But the just shall live
for ever, and with God remaineth their reward, and their
cogitation is with the Highest. Therefore shall they receive
the kingdom of glory, and the crown of beauty from the
hand of our Lord. Because with his right hand he will
protect them, and with his holy arm defend them.** For
very far unlike in quality are the just and ungodly, as our
Lord verily hath spoken, saying, "Them who honour me
I will honour, and whoso despise me shall be of no
estimation."
§ 63. But let us pass over to the rest : " Hearken, (soith
he) all ye kings^ and understand ye ; learn, ye judges of the
bounds of the eart£, listen with your ears who keep multi*
tudes in awe, and please yourselves in the troops of nations.
Because power is given unto you from God, and puissance
fix)m the highest, who will examine your actions, and sift
your thoughts. For that when ye were ministers of his
kingdom, ye have not judged uprightly, nor kept the law of
justice, nor yet walked according to his will. It shall
dreadfully and suddenly appear unto you, that a most severe
judgment shall be given on them who govern. Fw to the
meaner is mercy granted, but the mighty shall mightily
sustain tonnents. For he shall have no respect of person:^
who is the ruler of all, nor yet shall he reverence the
greatness of any one, because he himself hath made both
small and great, and care alike he hath of all ; but for the
stronger is at hand a stronger affliction. Unto you thereforev
O kings, are these my speeches, that you may learn wisdom,
and not fjdl away from her. For whoso observeth what
things are just shall be justified, and whoso leameth what
things are holy, shall be sanctified.''
§ 64. Hitherto have we discoursed no less by the oracles
of the prophets, than by her own speeches with the kings of
our country, being willing they should know what the
prophet hath spoken, saying, " As from the face of a serpent,
so &j thou from sins: if thou shalt approach unto them they
•Bc.e5,C6.] DBFBiLVITT OF THB CLSB6T. 343
will catch thee^ their teeth are the teeth of a lion, duch as
kill the souls of men.^' And again^ " How niight7 is the
mercy of our Lord, and his forgiveness to such as turn unto
him." And if we have not in us such apostolical zeal, that
we may say, " I did verily desire to be anathematized by
Christ for my brethren,'" notwithstanding that we may from
the bottom of our hearts speak that prophetic saying,
^'Alas! that the soul perisheth." And again, '^Let us
search out our ways, and seek and return unto our Lord: let
us lift our hearts together with our hands to Grod in heaven."
And also that of the apostle, " We covet that every one of
you should be in the bowels of Christ."
§ 65^ And how willingly, as one tossed on the waves of
the sea, and now arrived in a desired haven, would I in this
place make an end (shame forbidding me further to proceed),
did I not behold such great masses of evil deeds done
against Grod by bishops or other priests, or clerks, yea some
of our own order, whom as witnesses myself must of
necessity first of all stone (according unto the law) with the
hard blows of words, lest I should be otherwise reproved
for partiality towards persons, and then afterwards the
people (if as yet they keep their decrees) must pursue with
their whole powers the same execution upcm them, not to
their corporal death, but to the death of their vices and their
eternal life with God. Yet, as I before said, I crave pardon
of them, whose lives I not only praise, but also prefer before
all earthly treasure, and x)i the which^ if it may be, yet
before my death I desire and thirst to be a partaker : and so
having both my sides defended with the double shields of
saints, and by those means invincibly strengthened to sustain
aU that arise against me, arming moreover mj head in place
of a hehnet with the help of our L<»rd, and being most
assuredly protected with the sundry aids oi the prophets, I
Will boldly proceed notwithstanding the stones of worldly
rioters fly never so fast about me^
§ 66. Britain hath priests, but they are unwise; very
jciany that minister, but many of them impudent ; clerks she
hath, but certain of them are deceitful raveners ; pastors (as
they are called) but rather wolves prepared for the slaughter
of souls (for they provide not for the good of the common
people, but covet rather the gluttony of their own bellies),
344 THE WOBK8 OF OILDA8. [««. 66.
possessing the houses of the church, but obtaining them for
filthy lucre's sake ; instructing the laity, but showing withal
most depraved examples, vices, and evil manners; seldom
sacrificing, and seldom with clean hearts, standing at the
altars; not correcting the commonality for their offences,
while they commit the same sins themselves ; despising the
commandments of Christ, and being careful with their
whole hearts to fulfil their own lustful desires, some of them
usurping with unclean feet the seat of the apostle Peter ;
but for the demerit of their covetousness falling down into
the pestilent chair of the traitor Judas; detracting often,
and seldom speaking truly; hating verity as an open enemy,
and favouring falsehoods, as their most beloved brethren;
looking on the just, the poor, and the impotent, with stem
countenances, as if they were detested serpents, and reve-^
rendng the sinful rich men without any respect of shame,
as if they were heavenly angels, preaching with their
outward lips that alms are to be disbursed upon the needy,
but of themselves not bestowing one halfpenny ; concealing
the horrible sins of the people, and amplifying injuries
offered unto themselves, as if they were done against our
Saviour Christ ; expelling out of their houses their religious
mother, perhaps, or sisters, and familiarly and indecently
entertaining strange women, as if it were for some more
secret office, or rather, to speak truly, though fondly (and
yet not fondly to me, but to such as commit these matters),
debasing themselves imto such bad creatures ; and after all
these seeking rather ambitiously for ecclesiastical dignities,
than for the kingdom of heaven; and defending after a
tyrannical fashion their achieved preferments, nor even
labouring with lawful manners, to adorn the same ; negligent
and dull to listen to the precepts of the holy saints (if ever
they did so much as once hear that which full often they
ought to hear), but diligent and attentive to the plays and
foolish fables of secular men, as if they were the very wajrs
to life, which indeed are but the passages to death ; being
hoarse, after the fashion of bulls, with the abundance of
fatness, and miserably prompt to all unlawful actions;
bearing their countenances arrogantly aloft, and having
nevertheless their inward senses, with tormenting and
gnawing consciences; depressed down to the bottom or
8K. 67.] SnCOKT OF THE CLERGY. 345
rather to the bottomless pit; glad at the gaining of one
penny, and at the loss of the like value sad; slothful and
dumb in the apostolical decrees (be it for ignorance or rather
the burden of their offences), and stopping also the mouths
of the learned, but singularly experienced in the deceitful
shifts of worldly affairs ; and many of this sort and wicked
conversation, violently intruding themselves iiito the pre-
ferments of the church ; yea, rather buying the same at a
high rate, than being any way drawn thereimto, and more-
over as unworthy wretches, wallowing, after the fashion of
swine, in their old and unhappy puddle of intolerable
wickedness, after they have attained unto the seat of the
priesthood or episcopal dignity (who neither have been
installed, or resident on the same), for usurping only the
name of priesthood, they have not received the orders or
apostolical preeminence ; but how can they who are not as
yet fully instructed in faith, nor have done penance for their
sins, be any way supposed meet and convenient to ascend
unto any ecclesiastical degree (that I may not speak of the
highest) which none but holy and perfect men, and fbllowers
of the apostles, and, to use the words of the teacher of the
Gentiles, persons free from reprehension, can lawfully and
without the fbul offence of sacrilege undertake.
§ 67. For what is so wicked and so sinful as after the ex-
ample of Simon Magus (even if with other faults he had not
been defiled before), for any man with earthly price to pur-
chase the office of a bishop or priest, which with holiness
and righteous life alone ought lawfully to be obtained ; but
herein they do more wilfdlly and desperately err, in that
they buy their deceitful and unprofitable ecclesiastical degrees,
not of the apostles or their successors, but of tyrannical
princes, and their father the devil ; yea, rather they raise
this as a certain roof and covering of all offences, over the
frame of their former serious life, that being protected under
the shadow thereof, no man should lightly hereafter lay to
their charge their old or new wickedness ; and hereupon they
build their desires of covetousness and gluttony, for that
being now the rulers of many they may more fireely make
havoc at their pleasure. For if truly any such offer of
purchasing ecclesiastical promotions were made by these im-
pudent sinners (I will not say with St. Peter), but to any
346 THE W0BK8 OF OILDAS. Lsac. 07, 06.
holy priest, or godly kin^, they would no doubt receive the
same answer which their father Simon Magus had from the
mouUi of the apostle Peter, saying : "Thy money be with
thee unto thy perdition.'* But^ iJas ! perhaps they who
order and advance these ambitious aspirers> yea, they who
rather throw them under ^t, and for a blessing give thetn
a cursing, whilst of sinners they make them not penitents
(which were mcn^e consonant to reason), but sacrilegious and
desperate offenders, and in a sort install Judas, that traitor
to his Master, in the chair of Peter, and Nicholas, the author
of that foul heresy, in the seat of St Stephen the martyr, it
may be, at first obtained their own priesthood by the same
means, and therefore do not greatly dislike in their children,
but rather respect the course, that they their &thers did
before follow. And also, if finding resistance, in obtaining
their dioceses at home, and some who severely renounce this
chaffering of church-livings, they cannot there attain to such
a precious pearl, then it doth not so much loath as delight
them (after they have carefully sent their messengers before**
hand) to cross the seas, and travel over most large countries,
that so, in the end, yea even with the sale of their whole sub-
stance, they may win and compass such a pomp, and such an
incomparable glory, or to speak more truly, such a dirty and
base deceit and illusion, ^d afterwards with great show and
magnificent ostentation, or rather madness, returning back to
their own native soil, they grow from stoutness to stateliness,
and from being used to level their looks to the tops of the
mountains, they now lift up their drowsy eyes into the air,
even to the highest clouds, and as Novatus, that foul hog,
and persecutor of our Lord's precious jewel, did once at
Rome, so do these intrude themselves again into their own
country, as creatures of a new mould, or rather as instru*
ments of the devil, being even ready in this state and fashi<A
to stretch out violently their hands (not so worthy of the
holy altars as of the avenging flames of hell) xxpfm Christ's
most holy sacrifices^
§ 68. What do you therefore, O unhappy people ! expect
from such belly beasts ? (as the apostle caUeth them). Shall
your manners be amended by these, who not only do not
apply their minds to any goodness, but according to the \xp^
braiding of the prophet, labour also to deal wickedly ? Shall
ICC.69.] HBLT, ABEL, EKOCH. 347
je be illuminated wiHi such eyes as are only with greediness
cast on those things that lead headlong to yiees (that is to
say), to the gates of hell ? Nay truly, if according to the
saying of our Saviour, ye flee not these most ravenous wolves
like those of Arabia, or avoid them as Lot, who ran most
speedily firom the fiery shower of Sodom up to the mountains,
then, being blind and led by the blin^ ye will both to-
gether ttunble down into the infernal ditch.
§ 69. But some man perchance wiU objecting say, that all
bishops or all priests (according to our former exception),
are not so wickedly given, because they are not defiled with
the infamy of schism, pride, or unclean life, which neither
we ourselves will deny, Dut albeit we know them to be chaste,
and virtuous, yet will we briefly answer.
What did it profit the high'-priest Hely, that he alone did
not violate the commandments of our Lord, in taking flesh
with forks out of the pots, before the fat was offered unto
God, while he was punished with the same revenge of death
wherewith his sons were ? What one, I beseech you, of them,
whose manners we have before sufficiently declared, hath
been martyred like Abel, from malicious jealousy of his more
acceptable sacrifice, which with the heavenly fire ascended
up into the skies, since they fear the reproach even of an
ordinary word ? Which of them " hath hated the counsel of
the maUcious, and not sat with the ungodly,** so that of him
as a prophet, the same might be verified which was said of
Enoch, " Enoch walked with God and was not to be found"
in the vanity (forsooth) of the whole world, as then leaving
our Lord, and beginning to halt after idolatry ? Which of
them, like Noah in the time of the deluge, hath not admitted
into the ark of salvation (which is the present church) any
\ adversary unto God, that it may be most apparent that none
\ but innocents or singular penitents, ought to remain in the
house of our Lord ? Who is he that offering sacrifice Hke
Melchisedeck, hath only blessed the conquerors, and them
who with the number of three hundred (which was in the
sacrament of the Trinity) delivering the just man, have over*
thrown the deadly armies of the five kings, together with
their vanquishing troops, and not coveted the goods of others ?
Which of them hath Hke Abraham, at the commandment of
God freely ofiered his own son on the altar to be slain, that
348 THE WORKS OF OILDAS. [snr. 70.
he might accomplish a precept of Christ, agreeable to this
saying, Thy right eye, if it cause thee to offend, ought to be
pulled out ; and another of the prophet, That he is accursed
who withholdeth his sword from shedding blood ? Who is he
that like Joseph, hath rooted out of his heart the remem-
brance of an offered injury ? Who is he that like Moses,
speaking with our Lord in the mountain, and not there terri-
fied with the sounding trumpets, hath in a figurative sense
presented unto the incredulous people the two tables, and his
homed face which they could not endure to see, but trem-
bled to behold ? Which of them, praying for the offences of
the people, has from the very bottom of his heart cried out,
like unto him, saying : ^' O Lord this people hath committed
a grievous sin, which if thou wilt forgive them, fbrgive it ;
otherwise blot me guilty out of thy book ?"
§ 70. Which of them, inflamed with the admirable zeal of
God, hath courageously risen to punish fornication, curing
without delay by the present medicine of penance, the affec-
tion of filthy lust, lest the fire of the wrath of Gk)d should
otherwise consume the people, as Fhineas the priest did,
that by these means justice for ever might be reputed unto
him ? Which of them hath in moral understanding imitated
Joshua, the son of Nun, either for the utter rooting forth,
even to the slaughter of the last and least of all, the seven
nations out of the land of promise, or for the establishing of
spiritual Israel in their places ? Which of them hath showed
unto the people of Grod their final bounds beyond Jordan
that it might be known what was suited to every tribe, in
such sort as the aforenamed Fhineas and Jesus have wisely
divided the land ? Who is he that to overthrow the innumer-
able thousands of Gentiles, adversaries to the chosen people
of God, hath, as another Jephtha, for a votive and propitia*
tory sacrifice, slain his own daughter (by which is to be un-
derstood his own proper will), imitating also therein the
apostle, saying, " l^^t seeking what is profitable to me, but to
many, that they may be saved f which daughter of his
met the conquerors with drums and dances, by which are
to be understood the lustful desires of the flesh ? Which of
them, that he might disorder, put to flight, and overthrow
the camps of the proud Gentiles, by the number of three
hundred, (being, as we before said, the mystery of the blessed
BTC..71.] GIDEON, SAMPSON, SAMUEL. 349
Trinity,) and with his men holding in their hands those noble
soundmg trumpets, (which are prophetical and apostolical
senses, according as our Lord said to the prophet, " Exalt
thy voice as a trumpet ;" and the psalmist of the apostles,
" Their sound hath passed throughout the whole earth,") and
bearing all those famous flagons shining in the night with
that most glittering fiery light, (which are to be interpreted
the bodies of saints joined to good works, and burning with
the flame of the Holy Ghost, yea having, as the apostle
writes, " This treasure in earthen vessels,") hath after hewing
down the idolatrous grave (by which is morally meant dark
and foul desire) marched on like Gideon, with an assured faith
in the evident sign of the fleece, which to the Jews was void
of the heavenly moisture, but to the Gentiles made wet with
the dew of the Holy Ghost ?
§ 71. Who is he among them that (earnestly wishing to
die to this world, and live to Christ) hath, as another Samp-
son, utterly cut off such innumerable luxurious banqueters
of the Gentile, while they praised their gods, (by which is
meant, while the senses of men extolled these earthly riches,
according to the apostle speaking thus : '^ And covetousness,
which is idolatry"), shaking with the power of both his arms
the two pillars (by which are to be understood the wicked
pleasures of the soul and body), by which the house of all
worldly wickedness is in a sort compacted and underpropped ?
Which of them, like Samuel, with prayers and the burnt
sacrifice of a sucking lamb, hath driven away the fear of the
Philistines, raised unexpected thunderclaps, and showering
clouds, established without flattery a king, deposed him
when he displeased God, and anointed another his better in
his place and kingdom ; and when he shall give to the people
his last farewell, shall appear like Samuel in this sort, saying,
"Behold, I am ready, speak ye before our Lord and his
anointed, whether I ever took away the ox or ass of any
man, if I have falsely accused any one, if I have oppressed
anybody, if I have received a bribe from the hands of any ?"
Unto whom it was answered by the people, " Thou hast not
wrongfully charged us, nor oppressed us, nor taken anything
from the hands of any." Which of them, like the famous
prophet Elias, who consumed with heavenly fire the hundred
proud men, and preserved the fifty that humbled themselves }
850 THE WOBKS OF HILDAS. [s>c. 72.
and afterwards denounced without flattery or dissimulation,
the impending death of the unjust king (that sought not the
counsel of God by his prophets, but of the idol Accaron),
hath utterly overthrown all the prophets of Baal (by which
are meant the worldly senses ever bent, as we have already
said, to envy and avarice), with the lightning sword (which
is the word of God) ? And as the same "EUSaSj moved with
the zeal of God, after taking away the showers of rain from
the land of the wicked, who were now shut up with famine
in a strong prison, as it were of penury, for three years and
six months, being himself ready to die for thirst in the
desert, hath, complaining, said, ''They have murdered, 0
Lord, thy prophets, and undermined thine altars, and I alone
am left, and they seek my life ?"
§ 72. Which of them, like Elisha, hath punished his
dearly beloved disciple, if not with an everlasting leprosy,
yet at least by abandoning him, if burdened too much with
the weight of worldly covetousness for those very gifts
which his master before (although very earnestly entreated
thereto) had despised to receive ? And which of these
among us hath Hke him revealed unto his servant, (who
despaired of life, and on a sudden trembled at the warlike
army of the enemies that besieged the city wherein he was),
through the fervency of his prayers poured out unto Grod,
those spiritual visions, so that he might behold a mountain
replenished with a heavenly assisting army, of warlike cha*
riots and horsemen, shining with fiery countenances, and that
he might also believe that he was stronger to save, than the
foe to hurt ? And which of them, like the above-named
Elisha, with the touch of his body, being dead to the world,
but living unto God, shall raise up another, whose fate had
been different from his, namely, death to God, but life to his
vices, so that instantly revived, he may yield humble thanks
to Christ for his unexpected recovery from the hellish tor-
ments of his mortal crimes ? Which of them hath his lips
purified and made clean with the fiery coals carried by the
tongues of the cherubim, from off the altar, (that his sins
may be wiped away with the humility of confession), as it is
written of Esaias, by whose effectual prayers, together with
the aid of the godly king Ezechias, a hundred fourscore and
five thousand of the Assyrian army, through the stroke of
uc. 73.] EXAMPLES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 351
one angel, without the least print of any appearing wonncl,
were overthrown and slain ? Which of them, like blessed
Jeremiah, for accomplishing the conunandments of God, — ^for
denouncing the threats thundered out from heaven, and for
preaching the truth even to such as would not hear the same,
hath suffered loathsome stinking prisons as momentary
deaths ? And to be brief, what one of them (as the teacher
of the Gentiles said) hath endured like the holy prophets to
wander in mountains, in dens, and caves of the earth, to be
stoned, to be sawn in sunder, and assailed with all kinds of
death, for the name of our Lord ?
§ 73. But why do we dwell in examples of the Old Tes-
tament as if there were none in the New ? Let, therefore,
those, who suppose they can, without any labour at all, under
the naked pretence of the name of priesthood, enter this
strait and narrow passage of Christian religion, hearken unto
me while I recite and gather into one a few of the chiefest
flowers out of the large and pleasant meadow of the saintly
soldiers of the New Testament. Which of you (who rather
sleep than lawfully sit in the chair of the priesthood), being
cast out of the council of the wicked, hath, after the stripes
of sundry rods, like the holy apostles, from the bottom of his
heart, given thanks to the blessed Trinity that he was found
worthy to suflfer disgrace for Christ's true deity ? What
one, for the undoubted testimony of God, having his brains
dashed out with the f\iller's club, hath, like James the first,
a bishop of the New Testament, suffered corporal death ?
Which of you, like James the brother of Jolm, has by the
unjust prince been beheaded ? Who, like the first deacon
and martyr of the gospel, (having but this only accusation,
that he saw God, whom the wicked could not behold), has
by ungodly hands been stoned to death ? What one of you,
like the worthy keeper of the keys of the heavenly kingdom,
has been nailed to the cross with his feet upward, in rever-
ence for Christ, whom, no less in his death than in his life,
he endeavoured to honour, and hath so breathed his last ?
Which of you, for the confession of the true word of Christ,
hath, like the vessel of election, and chosen teacher of the
Gentiles, after suffering imprisonment and shipwreck, after
the terrible scourges of whips, the continual dangers of seas,
of thieves, of Gentiles, of Jews^ and of false apostles, after
352 THE WORKS OF GILDAS. [siic.74.
the labours of famine, fasting, and watching, after incessant
care over all the churches, after his trouble for such 'as
scandalized, after his infirmity for the weak, after his won-
derful travels over almost the whole world in preaching the
gospel of Christ, lost his head at last bj the stroke of the
descending sword ?"
§ 74. Which of you, like the holy martyr Ignatius, bishop
of the city of Antioch, hath after his miraculous actions in
Christ, for testimony of him been torn by the jaws of lions,
as he was once at Rome ? whose words, as he Was led to his
passion, when you shall hear (if ever your countenances
were overcome with blushing), you will not only, in com-
parison of him, esteem yourselves no priests, but not so much
even as the meanest Christians ; for in the epistle which he
sent to the church of Rome, he writeth thus : " From Syria
even unto Rome, I fight with beasts, by land and sea, being
bound and chained unto ten leopards, I mean the soldiers
appointed for my sustody, who for our benefit bestowed upon
them become more cruel ; but I am the better instructed by
their wickedness, neither yet am I in this justified; oh!
when shall those beasts come the workers of my salvation,
which are for me prepared ? when shall they be let loose at
me ? when shall it be lawful for my carcass to eiyoy them?
whom I do most earnestly wish to be eagerly enraged against
me, and truly I will incite them to devour me ; moreover, I
will humbly pray, lest perchance they should dread to touch
my body (as in some others they have before done), yea also,
if they hesitate, I will offer violence, I will force myself
upon them. Pardon me, I beseech you, I know what is
commodious for me, even now I begin to be the disciple of
Christ ; let all envy, whether of human affection or spiritual
wickedness cease, that I may endeavour to obtain Christ
Jesus ; let fires, let crosses, let cruelty of beasts, let breaking
of bones, and rending of limbs, with all the pains of the
whole body, and all the torments devised by the art of the
devil, be together poured out on me alone, so that I may
merit to attain unto Christ Jesus.** Why do you behold
these things with the sleepy eyes of your souls ? why do you
hearken unto them with the deaf ears of your senses?
Shake off*, I beseech you, the dark and black mist of
slothfulness from your hearts, that so you may see the
•iic.7ff.] EXAMPLES OF POLTCAIUP AND BASIL, 353
glorioas light of truth and humility. A Christian, and he
not mean, but a perfect one, and a priest not base, but one of
the highest, a martjr of no ordinary sort, but one of the
chiefest, saith : " Now I begin to be the disciple of Christ."
And you, like the same Lucifer, who was thrown down out
of heaven, are puffed up with words, and not with power,
and after a sort do chew under the tooth, and make pretence
in your actions, as the author of this your wickedness hath
thus expressed : '* I will mount up into the heavens, and be
like unto the Highest.** And again : " I have digged and
drunk water, and dried up with the steps of my feet all the
rivers of the banks." You would more rightly have
imitated him and hearkened unto his words, who is without
doubt the most true example of all goodness and humility,
saying by his prophet, " I am verily a worm and not a man,
the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people." Oh
unspeakable matter ! that he called himself *' the reproach of
men," when he washed away the reproaches of the whole
world. And again in the gospel ; " I am not able to do any
thing of myself," when at tiie same time he was co-eternal
with the Father, coequal with the Holy Ghost, and con-
substantial with both, and created, not by the help of
another, but by his own almighty power, the heaven and
earth, with all their inestimable ornaments ; and ye never-
theless have arrogantly lifted up your voices, notwitibstanding
the prophet saith, ''Why do earth and ashes swell with
pride?"
§ 75. But let us return unto our subject Which of you,
I say, like Polycarp, the famous bishop of the church of
Smjrma, that witness of Christ, hath courteously entertained
as guests at his table, those who violently drew him out to
be burned? and when for the charity which he did bear
unto Christ, he was brought to the stake, said, '' He who
gave me grace to endure the torment of the fire, will
likewise grant me without fastening of nails to bear the
flames with patience." And now passing over in this my
discourse the mighty armies of saints, I will yet touch on
one only, for example's sake, Basil the bishop of Caesaria,
who when he was thus by the unrighteous prince threatened
that, unless he would on the next day be as the rest, defiled
in the dirty dunghill of the Arian heresy, he should be put
A A
354 THE WOBKS OF OILDAS. [sac. 78.
m
to death, answered, as it is reported, ^^ I will be to-morrow
the same as to-daj, and for thee, I do not wish thee to
change thy determination.'' And again, "Would that I
had some worthy reward to bestow on him that would
discharge Basil from the bands of this breathing bellows.**
Which one of you doth endeavour to daunt the menaces of
tyrants, by inviolably keeping the rule of the apostolical
speech, which in all times and ages hath been observed by
all holy priests, to suppress the suggestion of men when they
sought to draw them into wickedness, saying in this manner ;
" It behoveth us to obey God rather than men."
§ 76. Wherefore after our accustomed manner, taking
refuge in the mercy of our Lord, and in the sentences of his
holy prophets, that they on our behalf may now level the
darts of their oracles at imperfect pastors (as before at
tyrants), so that thereby they may receive compunction and
be amended, let us see what manner of threats our Lord doth
by his prophets utter against slothful and dishonest priests,
and such as do not, both by examples and words, rightly
instruct the people. For even EU, the priest in Shilo,
because he did not severely proceed, with a zeal worthy of
God, in punishing his sons, when they contemned our Lord,
but, as a man overswayed with a fatherly affection, too
mildly and remissly admonished them, was sentenced with
this judgment by the prophet speaking unto him: "Thus
saith our Lord ; I have manifestly showed myself unto the
house of thy father, when they were the servants of Pharaoh
in Egypt, and have chosen the house of thy father out of all
the tribes of Israel, for a priesthood unto me."* And a little
after, " Why hast thou looked upon mine incense, and upon
my sacrifice, with a dishonest eye ? and hast honoured thy
cluldren more than me, that thou mightest bless them from
the beginning in all sacrifices in my presence ? And now so
saith our Lord : Because whoever honoureth me I will honour
him again ; and whoso maketh no account of me shaU be
brought to nothing. Behold the days shall come, and I will
destroy thy name, and the seed of thy father's house. And
let this be to thee the sign, which shcdl fall upon thy two sons,
Hophni and Phineas, in one day shall they both die by the
sword of men." If thus therefore they shall suffer, who
correct them that are under their charge, with words only,
ne.77,78.] PBOPHECT OF ISAUJ9. 3*55
and not with condign punisliment, what sliall become of those
who by offending exhort you, and draw others unto wickedness ?
§ 77. It is apparent idso what befell unto the true prophet,
who was sent from Judah to prophesy in Bethel, and
forbidden to taste any meat in that place, after the sign
which he foretold was fulfilled, and after he had restored to
the wicked king his withered hand again, being deceived by
another prophet, as he was termed, and so make to take but
a little bread and water, his host speaking in this sort unto
him : '* Thus saith our Lord God : Because thou hast been
disobedient to the mouth of our Lord, and hast not obserred
the precept which the Lord thy God hath commanded, and
hast returned, and eaten bread, and drunk water in this
place, in which I have charged thee that thou shouldest
neither eat bread nor drink water, thy body shall not be
buried in the sepulchre of thy forefathers. And so (saith
the scripture) it came to pass, that after he had eaten bread
and drunk water, he made ready his ass, and departed, and a
lion found him in the way and slew him."
§ 78. Hear ye also the holy prophet Isaias, how he
speaketh of priests on this wise. " Woe be to the ungodly,
may evil befall him ; for the reward of his hands shall light
upon him. Her own exactors have spoiled my people, and
women have borne sway over her. O my people, they who
term thee blessed, themselves deceive thee, and destroy the
way of thy footsteps. Our Lord standeth to judge, and
standeth to judge the people. Our Lord will come unto
judgment with the elders of the people and her princes. Ye
have consumed my vine, the spoil of the poor is in your
house. Why do ye break in pieces my people, and grind the
faces of the poor? saith our Lord of hosts." And also;
" Woe be unto them who compose ungodly laws, and in their
writing have written injustice, that they may oppress the
poor in judgment, and work violence to the cause of the
lowly of my people, that widows may be their prey, and they
make spoil of the orphans ; what will ye do in the day of
visitation and calamity approaching from afar off ? " And
aft;erwards : '' But these also in regard of wine have been
ignorant, and in respect of drunkenness have wandered
astray ; the priests have not understood, because of drunken-
ness, and have been swallowed up in wine, they have erred
A A 2
SS6 THE WOBKS OF GILDAS. [uec 7Sl
in drankenness, thej have not known him who seeth, thej
have been ignorant of judgment For all tables are filled
with the Yomit of their undeannesa, in so much as there is
not any free place to be found."
§ 79. **Hear therefore the word of our Lord, O ye
deceivers, who bear authority over my people that is in
Jerusalem. For ye have said, We have entered into a truce
with deatii, and with hell we have made a covenant. The
overflowing scourge when it shall pass forth shall not fall
upon us, because we have placed falsehood for our hope, and
by lying we have been defended." And somewhat after:
" And hail shall overthrow the hope of lying, together with
the defence. Waters shall overflow, and your truce with
death shall be destroyed, and your covenant with hell shall
not continue, when the overflowing scourge shall pass forth ;
ye shall also be trodden under foot, whensoever it shall pass
along through you, it shall sweep you away withal." And
again : *' And our Lord hath said : Because this people
approacheth with their mouth, and with their lips glorify
me, but their heart is far from me ; behold, therefore, I will
cause this people to wonder by a great and stupendous
miracle. For wisdom shall decay and fall away from her
wise men, and the understanding of her sages shall be con-
cealed. Woe be unto you that are profound in heart, to
conceal counsel from our Lord, whose works are in darkness,
and they say, who seeth us ? And who hath known us ? for
this thought of yours is perverse." And afterwards : " Thus
saith our Lord, Heaven is my seat, and the earth my foot-
stool. What is this house that ye will erect unto me, and
what place shall be fbund for my resting-place ? all these
things hath my hand made, and these universally have been
aU created, saith our Lord. On whom truly shall I cast
mine eye, but on the humble poor man, and the contrite
in spirit, and him that dreadeth my speeches ? he that
sacrificeth an ox, is as he that killeth a man ; he that
slaughtereth a beast for sacrifice, is like him who beateth
out the brains of a dog ; he that ofiereth an oblation, is as
he that ofiereth the blood of a hog ; he that is mindful of
frankincense, is as he that honoureth an idol : of all these
things have they made choice in their wajB, and in their
abominations hath their soul been delighted."
M&80lJ PBOPHBCT of JEBEICT. 357
§ 80. Hear also what Jeremy, that virgin prophet, speaketh
unto the unwise pastors in this sort : *' Thus saith our Lord,
What iniquity have your fathers found in me, because they
have removed themselves far off from me, and walked after
vanity, and are become vain ? " And again : " And entering
in, ye have defiled my land, and made mine inheritance
abomination. The priests have not said, Where is our Lord ?
and the rulers of the law have not known me, and the pastors
have dealt treacherously against me. Wherefore I will as
yet contend in judgment with you, saith our Lord, and
debate the matter with your children." And a little after-
wards : '^ Astonishment and wonders have been wrought in
the land. Prophets did preach lying, and priests did applaud
with their hands, and my peo]^ have loved such matters.
What therefore shall be done in her last and final ends r To
whom shall I speak and make protestation that he may hear
me ? Behold their ears are uncircumeised, and they cannot
hear. Behold the word of our Lord is uttered unto them
for their reproach, and they receive it not : because I will
stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the earth, saith
our Lord. For why, from the lesser even unto the greater,
all study avarice, and from the prophet even unto the priest,
all work deceit, and they cured the contrition of the daughter
of my people, with ignominy, saying. Peace, peace, and peace
there shall not be. Confounded they are, who have wrought
abomination : but they are not with confusion confounded,
and have not understood how to be ashamed. Wherefore
they shall fall among those who are falling, in the time of
their visitation shall they rush headlong down together, saith
our Lord." And again : " All these princes of the declining
sort, walking fraudulently, being brass and iron, are uni-
versally corrupted, the blowing bellows have failed in the
fire, the finer of metals in vain hath melted, their malicious
acts are not consumed, call them refuse and reprobate
silver, because our Lord hath thrown them away." And
after a few words: ** I am, I am, I have seen, saith our Lord.
Go your ways to my place in Shilo, where my name hath
inhabited from the beginning, and behold what I have done
thereunto for the midice of my people Israel. And now
because ye have wrought all these works, saith our Lord,
and J. have spoken unto you, arising in the morning, and
359 THE WOBKS OF OILDA8. [sac. n» 82
talking, and jet je have not heard me, and I have called
70U, and yet ye have not answered, I will so deal towards
this house, wherein my name is now called npon, and wherein
ye have confidence, and to this place which I have given unto
you, and to your fathers, as I have done to Shilo, and I will
cast you away from my countenance."
§ 81. And again : ''My children have departed from me,
and have no abiding, and there is none who any more pitcheth
my tent, and advanceth my pavilion : for the pastors have
dealt fondly and not sought out our Lord. Wherefore they
have not understood, and their fiock hath been dispersed.*^
And a little after : *' What is the matter that my beloved
hath in my houses committed many offences ? shall the holy
fiesh take away thy maliciousness from thee^ wherein thou
hast glorified ? our Lord shall call thy name a plentiful, fair,
fruitful, goodly olive ; at the sound of the speech a mighty-
fire hath been inflamed in her, and her orchards have been
quite consumed therewith." And again : " Gome ye to me,
and be ye gathered together, all ye beasts of the earth, make
haste to devour. Many pastors have thrown down my vine,
they have trampled my part under foot, they have given over
my portion which was weU worthy to be desired, into a
desert of solitariness." And again he speaketh : *' Thus
saith our Lord unto this people, which have loved to move
their feet, and not rested, nor yet pleased our Lord ; now
shall he remember their iniquities and visit their offisnces.
Prophets say unto them. Ye shall not see the sword, and
there shall be no famine among you, but our Lord shall give
true peace unto you in this place. And our Lord hath said
unto me. The prophets do falsely foretell in my name ; I have
not sent them, nor laid my commandment on them ; they
prophesy unto you a lying vision, and divination together
with deceitfulness, and the seducement of their own hearts.
And therefore thus saith our Lord : Li sword and famine
shall those prophets be consumed ; and the people to whom
they have prophesied shall by means of the famine and sword
be cast out into the streets of Jerusalem, and there shall be
none to bury them."
§ 82. And moreover : " Woe be to the pastors who de-
stroy and rend in pieces the fiock of my pasture, saith our
Lord. Thus, therefore, saith our Lord God of Israel, unto
sac. 83.] PROPHECY OF JOEL. 359
the pastors who guide my people. Ye have dispersed my
flock, and cast them forth, and not visited them. Behold I
will visit upon you the malice of your endeavours, saith our
Lord. For the prophet and the priest are both defiled, and
in my house have I found their evil, saith our Lord, and
therefore shall their way be as a slippery place in the dark,
for they shall be thrust forward, and fall down together
therein, for I will bring evils upon them, the year of their
visitation, saith our Lord. And in the prophets of Samaria
I have seen ibolishness, and they did prophesy in Baal, and
deceived my people Israel, and in the prophets of Jerusalem,
have I seen the like resemblance, adultery, and the way of
lying, and they have comforted the hands of the vilest offen-
ders, that every man may not be converted from his malice :
they have been all made to me as Sodom, and the inhabit-
ants thereof as those of Gomorrha. Thus, therefore, saith
our Lord to the prophets : Behold, I will give them wormwood
for their food, and gall for their drink. For there hath passed
from the prophet of Jerusalem pollution over the whole earth.
Thus saitii our Lord of hosts, Listen not to the words of pro-
phets, who prophesy unto you, and deceive you, for they
speak the vision of their own heart, and not from the mouth
of our Lord. For they say unto those who blaspheme me,
Our Lord hath spoken, peace shall be unto you ; and to all
that walk in the wickedness of their own hearts, they have
said, evil shall not fall upon them. For who was present in
the counsel of our Lord, and hath seen and heard lus speech,
who hath considered of his word, and hearkened thereunto ?
Behold, the whirlwind of the indignation of our Lord
passeth out, and a tempest breaking forth, shall fall upon the
heads of the wicked; the fury of our Lord shall not return,
until the time that he worketh, and until he fulfilleth the
cogitation of his heart. L^ the last days of all shall ye un-
derstand his counsel."
§ 83. And little also do ye conceive and put in execu-
tion that which the holy prophet Joel hath likewise spoken
in admonishment of slothful priests, and. lamentation of
the people's suffering for their iniquities, saying : '* Awake,
ye who are drunk, from your wine, and weep and bewail ye
aU, who have drunk wine even to drunkenness, because joy
and delight are taken away from your mouths. Mourn, ye
860 THB WOBXS OF GILDAS. [no. 84, 98.
priests, who serve the altar, because the fields have been
made miserable. Let the earth mourn, because com hath
become miserable, and wine been dried up, oil diminished,
and husbandmen withered awaj. Lament ye possessions, in
regard of wheat and barley, because the vintage hath per-
ished out of the field, the vine withered up, the figs dinfin-
ished ; the pomegranates, and palm, and apfde, and all trees
of the field are withered away, in respect that the children
of men have confounded their joy.'' All which things are
spirituaUy to be understood by you, that your souls may not
wither away with so pestilent a famine, for want of the word
of Grod. And again, " Weep out ye priests, who serve our
Lord, saying. Spare, O Lord, thy people, and give not over
thine inheritance unto reproach, and let not nations hold
dominion over them, that Gontiles may not say. Where is
their Gk)d?** And yet ye yield not your ears unto these
sayings, but admit of all matters by which the indignation
of God's fury is more vehemently inflamed.
§ 84. With diligence also attend ye what holy Hosea the
prophet hath spoken unto priests of your behaviour. '' Hear
these words, O ye priests, and let the house of Israel, toge-
ther with the king's house, mark them ; fasten ye them in
your ears, for unto you pertaineth judgment, because ye are
made an entangling snare to the esp3ring watch, and as a net
stretched over the toils which the followers of hunting h&re
framed."
§ 85. To you also may this kind of alienation &om our
Lord be meant by the prophet Amos, saying, '< I have hated
and rejected your festival days, and I will not receive the
savour in your solemn assemblies, because albeit ye offer
your burnt sacrifices and hosts, I will not accept them, and
I will not cast mine eye on the vows of your declaration.
Take away from me the sound of your songs, and the psalm
of your organs I will not hear." For the famine of the
evangelical meat consuming, in your abundance of victuals,
the very bowels of your souls, rageth violently within you,
according as the aforesaid prophet hath foretold, saying,
*^ Behold, the dajs shall come, saith our Lord, and I will
send out a famine upon the earth ; not the famine of bread,
nor the thirst of water, but a famine in hearing the word
of God, and the waters shall be moved from sea to sea.
8M.86.] FBOPHBOT OF laGAH. 361
and thej shall run over from the north even nnto the east,
seeking the word of our Lord, and shall not find it."
§ 86. Let holy Micah abo pierce your ears, who like a
heavenly trumpet soundeth loudly forth against the deceit-
ful princes of the people, saying, " Hearken now ye princes
of the house of Jacob, Is it not for you to know judgment,
who hate goodness, and seek after mischief, who pluck their
skins from off men, and their fiesh from their bones ? Even
as they have eaten the fiesh of my people, and flayed their
skins from them, broken their bones to pieces, and hewed
them small as meat to the pot, they shall cry to Grod, and he
wiU not hear them, and in that season turn his face away
£x)m them, even as they before have wickedly behaved them-
selves in their inventi<ms. Thus speaketh our Lord of the
prophets who seduce my people, who bite with their teeth,
and preach against them peace, and if a man giveth nothing
to stop' their mouths, they raise and sanctify a war upon
him. Night shall therefore be unto you in place of a
vision, and darkness unto you in lieu of divination, and
the sun shall set upon your prophets, and the day shall
wax dark upon them, and seeing dreams they shaU be
confounded, and the diviners shall be derided, and they
shall speak ill against all men, because there shall not be any
one that wiU hear them, but that I myself shall do mine ut-
termost and strongest endeavour in the spirit of our Lord, in
judgment and in power, that I may declare imto the house
of Jacob their impieties, and to Israel thdr ofienees. Heark-
en, therefore, unto these words, ye captains of the house of
Jacob, and ye remnants of the house of Israel, who abhor
judgment, and overthrow all righteousness, who build up
Sion in blood, and Jerusalem in iniquities : her rulers did
judge for rewards, and her priests answered for hire, and
her prophets did for money divine, and rested oa our Lord,
saying. And is not the Lord among us ? Evils shall not fall
upon us. For your cause, therefore, shall Sion be ploughed
up as a field, and Jerusalem as the watch-house of a garden,
and the mountain of the house as the place of a woody wil-
derness." And after some words ensuing : " Woe is me for
that I am become as he that gathereth stubble in the hairest,
and a cluster of grapes in the vintage, when the principal
branch is not left to be eaten. Woe is me that a soul hath
862 THE WOBKS OF QILDAS. l»*c 87, 88»
perished through earthly actions, the reverence of sinners
ariseth even with reverence from the earth, and he appeareth
not that shall use correction among men. All contend
in judgment for blood, and every one with tribulation
afflicteth his neighbour, for mischief he prepareth his
hands.
§ 87. Listen ye likewise how the famous prophet Zepha^
niah debated also in times past, concerning your revellers
(for he spake of Jerusalem, which is spiritually to be under-
stood the church or the soul), saying, '* O the city that was
beautiful and set at liberty, the confiding dove hath not
hearkened to the voice, nor yet entertained discipline, she
hath not trusted in our Lord, and to her God she hath not
approached." And he showeth the reason why, " Her prin-
ces have been like unto roaring lions, her judges as wolves of
Arabia did not leave towards the morning, her prophets
carrying the spirit of a contemptuous despising man ; her
priests did profane what was holy, and dealt wickedly in the
law, but our Lord is upright in the midst of his people, and
in the morning he will not do injustice, in the morning will
he give his judgment."
§ 88. But hear ye also blessed Zachariah the prophet, in the
word of Grod, admonishing you ; " For thus saith our
Almighty Lord, Judge ye righteous judgment, and work ye
every one towards his brother mercy and pity, and hurt ye
not through your power the widow, or orphan, or stranger,
or poor man, and let not any man remember in his heart the
malice of his brother ; and they have been stubborn not to
observe these, and have yielded their backs to foolishness, and
made heavy their ears that they might not hearken, and framed
their hearts not to be persuaded that they might not listen to
my law and words, which our Almighty Lord hath sent in his
Spirit, through the hands of his former prophets, and mighty
wrath hath been raised by our Almighty Lord." And again ;
** Because they who have spoken, have spoken molestations,
and diviners have uttered false visions and deceitful dreams,
and given vain consolations ; in respect hereof they are made
as dry as sheep, and are afflicted because no health was to be
found ; my wrath is heaped upon the shepherds, and upon
the lambs will I visit." And within a few words after :
*^ The voice of lamenting pastors, because their greatness is
nc 89.} PBOPHEGT OF IIALACHI. 363
become miserable. The voice of roaring lions, because the
fall of Jordan is become miserable : thus saith our Almighty
Lord : They who possessed have murdered, and yet hath it
not repented them, and they who sold them, have said. Our
Lord is blessed and we have been enriched, and their pastors
have suffered nothing concerning them. For which I will
now bear no spariqg hand over the inhabitants of the earth,
saith our Lord."
§ 89. Hear ye moreover what the holy prophet Malachi
denounceth unto you, saying : " Ye priests who despise my
name, and have said : Wherein do we despise thy name ? in
offering on mine altar polluted bread : and ye have sdid,
Wherein have we polluted it ? Li that ye have said : The
table of our Lord is as nothing, and have despised such things
as have been placed thereon ; because if ye bring what is
blind for an offering, is it not evil ? If ye set and apply what is
lame or languishing, is it not evil ? Offer therefore the same
unto thy governor, if he will receive it, if he will accept of
thy person, saith our Almighty Lord. And now do ye
humbly pray before the countenance of your God, and
earnestly beseech him (for in your hands have these things
been committed) if happily he will accept of your persons."
And again : "And out of your ravenous theft ye have
brought in the lame and languishing, and brought it in as an
offering. Shall I receive the same at your hands, saith our
Lord ? Accursed is the deceitful man who hath in his flock
one of the male kind, and yet making his vow offereth the
feeble unto our Lord, because I am a mighty king, saith our
Lord of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Grentiles.
And now unto you appertaineth this commandment, O ye
priests, if ye will not hear, and resolve in your hearts to yield
glory unto my name, saith our Lord of hosts, I will send
upon you poverty, and accurse your blessings, because ye
have not settled these things on your hearts. Behold I will
stretch out my arm over ye, and disperse upon your counte-
nances the dung of your solemnities." But that ye may
in the meantime, with more zeal prepare your organs and
instruments of mischief, to be converted into goodness,
hearken ye (if there remain ever so little disposition to listen
in your hearts) what he speaketh of a holy priest, saying :
" My covenant of life and peace was with him (for histori-
364 THE WOBKS OF aiU>AS. fsMw 89,801
callj be did speak of Levi and Moses) : I gave fear nnto luiii,
and he was timorous of me, he dreaded before the countenance
of mj name ; the law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity
was not found in his lips ; he walked with me in peace
and equity, and turned many away from unrighteous-
ness. For the lips of the priest shall keep knowledge, and
from out of his mouth they shall require the law, because he
is the Angel of our Lord of hosts." And now again he
cbangeth his style, and ceaseth not to rebuke and reprove
the unrighteous, saying : '* Ye have departed from the way,
and scandalized many in the law, and made void my cove-
nant with Levi, saith our Lord of hosts. Li regard whereof
I have also given you over as contemptible and abject among
my people, according as ye have not observed my ways, and
accepted countenance of men in the law. What, is there
not one Father of us all ? What, hath not one God created
us ? Why therefore doth every one despise his brother ?*
And again, '* Behold our Lord of hosts will come, and who
can conceive the day of his coming, and who shall endure to
stand to behold him ? For he shall pass forth as a burning
fire, and as the fuller's herb, and shall sit melting and trying
silver, and ye shall purge the sons of Levi, and deanse them
as gold and as silver.** And somewhat afterwards : " Your
words have grown strong against me, saith our Lord, and ye
have spoken thus : He is vain who serveth Gk>d, and wlmt
profit because we have kept his commandments, and walked
sorrowfully before our Lord of hosts. We shall therefore
now call the arrogant blessed, for because they are erected and
builded up, while they work iniquity, they have tempted
God, and are made safe."
§ 90. But hear ye also what Ezechiel the prophet hath
spoken, saying, " Woe upon woe shall come, and messenger
upon messenger shall be, and the vision shall be sought for
of the prophet, and the law shall perish firom the priests, and
counsel from the elders." And again : ^* Thus saith oar
Lord : Li respect that your speeches are lying, and your
divinations vain. For this cause, behold, I will c(»ne onto
you, saith our Lord ; I will stretch out my hand on your
prophets, who see lies, and them who speak vain things ; in
the discipline of my people they shall not be, and in the
Scripture of the house of Israel, they shall not be written.
IK. 91.] FBOPHECT OF EZECHIEL. 365
and into the land of Israel they shall not enter, and je shall
know that I am the Lord, because they have seduced my
people, saying, The peace of our Lord, and there is not the
peace of our Lord. Here have they built the wall ; and they
anointed it, and it shall faU." And within some words after-
wards : " Woe be unto these who fashion pillows, apt for
every elbow of the hand, and make veils upon every head
of all ages to the subversion of souls, and the souls of my
people are subverted, and they possesg their souls, and con-
taminated me unto my people for a handful of barley, and a
piece of bread to the slaughter of the souls, whom it be-
hoved not to die, and to the delivery of the souls, that were
not fit to live, while ye talk unto my people that listeneth
after vain speeches." And afterwards : " Say, thou son of
man, thou art earth which is not watered with rain, neither
yet hath rain fallen upon thee in the day of wrath, in which
thy princes were in the midst of thee as roaring lions, raven-
ing on their jwey, devouring souls in their potent might, and
receiving rewards, and thy widows were multiplied in the
midst of thee, and her priests have despised my law, and
defiled my holy things. Between holy and polluted, they did
not distinguish, and divided not equaUy between the unclean
and clean, and from my sabbaths they veiled their eyes, and
in the midst of them they defiled."
§ 91. And again: ^^ And I sought among them a man of
upright conversation, and one who should altogether stand
before my face, to prevent the times that might fall upon the
earth, that I should not in the end utterly destroy it, and I
found him not. And I poured out upon it, the whole design
of my mind, in the fire of my wrath for the consuming of
them : I repaid their ways on their heads, saith our Lord."
And somewhat after: "And the word of our Lord was
spoken unto me, saying : O son of man, speak to the children
of my people, and they shalt say unto them: The land
whereupon I shall bring my sword, and the people of the
land shall take some one man among them, and ordain him
to be a watchman over them, and he shall espy the sword
coming upon the land, and sound with his trumpet, and
signify unto the people, whoso truly shall then hear the
sound of the trumpet, and yet hearing shall not beware :
and the sword shall ccnne and catch him, his blood shall light
366 THE WORKS OF GILDAS. [sac. 08.
Upon his own head, because when he heard the sound of the
trumpet, he was not watchful, his blood shall be upon him,
and this man, for that he hath preserved his own soul, hath
delivered himself. But the watchman if he shall see the
sword coming, and not give notice with his trumpet, and the
people shall not be aware, and the sword coming shall take
away a soul from among them, both the soul itself is caught
a captive for her iniquities, and I will also require her blood
at the hand of the watchman. And thou, O son of man, I
have appointed thee a watchman over the house of Israel,
and if thou shalt hear the word from out of my mouth,
when I shall say to a sinner. Thou shalt die the death, and
yet wilt not speak whereby the wicked may return from his
way : both the unjust himself shall die in his iniquity, and
truly I will require his blood also at thy hands. But if
thou shalt forewarn the wicked of his way, that he may
avoid the same, and he nevertheless will not withdraw
himself from his course, this man shall die in his impiety,
and thou hast preserved thine own soul."
§ 92. And so let these few among a multitude of
prophetical testimonies suffice, by which the pride or sloth
of our stubborn priests may be repelled, to the end they
may not suppose that we act rather of our own invention,
but by the authority of the laws, and saints, denounce such
threats against them. And now let us also behold what the
trumpet of the gospel, sounding to the whole world, speaketh
likewise to disordered priests; for as we have often said,
this our discourse tendeth not to treat of them, who obtain
lawfully the apostolical seat, and such as rightly and
skilfully understand how to dispose of their spiritual food
(in time convenient) unto their fellow servants, if yet at this
time there remain any great number of these in this our
country; but we only talk of ignorant and unexpert shepherds,
who leave their flock, and feed on vain matters, and have
not the words of a learned pastor. And therefore it is an
evident token that he is not a lawful pastor, yea not an
ordinary Christian, who rejecteth and denieth these sayings,
which are not so much ours (who of ourselves are very little
worth), as the decrees of the Old and New Testament, even
as one of ours right well doth say, " We do exceedingly
desire that the enemies of the church should also, without
«ic. &3.1 NEW TESTAMENT QUOTATIONS. 367
any manner of truce be our adversaries: and that the
friends and defenders thereof should not only be accounted
our confederates, but also our fathers and governors." For
let every one, with true examination, call his own conscience
unto account, and so shall he easily find, whether according
to true reason he possesseth his priestly chair or no. Let us
see, I say, what the Saviour and Creator of the world hath
spoken. " Ye are," saith he, " the salt of the earth ; if that
the salt vanisheth away, wherein^ shall it be s^ted? it
prevaileth to no purpose any farther, but that it be cast out
of doors, and trampled under the feet of men."
§ 93. This only testimony might abundantly suffice to
confute all such as are impudent ; but that it may be yet, by
the words of Christ, more evidently proved with what
intolerable bonds of crimes these false priests entangle and
oppress themselves, some other sayings are also to be
adjoined ; for it followeth : " Ye are the light of the world.
A city placed on a mountain cannot be hid : neither do they
light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but upon a
candlestick, that it may shine unto all who are in the house."
What priest therefore of this fashion and time, who is so
possessed with the blindness of ignorance, doth, as the light
of a most bright candle, shine with the lamp of learning and
good works, in any house, to all that sit in the darksome
night ? What one is so accounted a safe public and con-
spicuous refuge, to all the children universally of the church,
that he may be to his countrymen a defensible and strong
city, situated on the top of a high mountain? Moreover,
wMch one of them can accomplish one day together, that
which followeth : " Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who
is in heaven :" since rather a certain most obscure cloud of
theirs, and the black night of offisnces, hang over the island,
in such a manner, that they all turn almost away from the
righteous course, and make them to wander astray through
unpassable and cumbersome paths of wickedness, and so
their heavenly Father is not only by their works not magni-
fied, but also by the same intolerably blasphemed. These
testimonies of holy scripture, which are either already cited,
or hereafter to be intermixed in this epistle, I would gladly
968 THB W0BK8 OV OfLDAB. CucHM.
wish to interpret in some historical or moral sense, as far as
mj meanness would allow.
§ 94. But for fear lest this our little work should be
immeasurably tedious unto those who despise, loathe^ and
disdain, not so much our speeches as God's sajdngs, I have
already alleged, and mean hereafter to affirm these sent^ioes
plainly without any circumstance. And to proceed, within
a few words after : " For whoever shall break one of the
least of these commandAents, and so instruct men, shall be
called the least in the kingdom of heaven." And again:
"Judge ye not that ye may not be judged; for in what
judgment ye shall judge, ye shall be ju<^ed." And which
one, I pray you, of your company will regard this same that
foiloweth : " But why dost thou see," saith he, " the mote in
thy brother's eye, and considerest not the beam in thine own
eye ? or how dost thou say to thy brother, suffer me to cast
the mote out of thine eye, and behold the beam remaineth
stiU in thine own eye?" Or this which foUows: "Do not
give what is holy to dogs, neither yet shall ye cast your
pearls before swine, lest perchance they tread them under
their feet, and turn again and rend you," which hath often
befallen you. And, admonishing the people, that they should
not by deceitful doctors, such as ye, be seduced, he saith :
" Keep yourselves carefully from false prophets, who come
unto you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous
wolves : by their fruit shall ye know them. Do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? So every good tree
beareth good fruit, and the evil, evil fruit." And somewhat
afterward : " Not every one who saith unto me. Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but whoso doeth the
will of my Father that is in heaven, he shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven."
§ 95. And what shall then become of you, who, as the
prophet hath said, believe God only with your lips, and do
not adhere to him with your hearts ? And how do ye fulfil
that which foUoweth : " Behold I send you forth as sheep in
the midst of wolves ?" Whereas you act quite contrariwise,
and proceed as wolves against a flock of sheep : or the othjsr
following sentence : " Be ye wise as serpents and simple as
doves?" since ye are only wise to bite others with your
deadly mouths, and not, with the interposition of your whole
no. 96.] NEW TESTAMENT QUOTATIONS. 369
body, to defend your head, which is Christ, whom with all
the endeavours of your evil actions you tread under foot ;
neither yet have ye the simplicity of doves, but the
resemblance rather of the black crow, which taking her
flight out of the ark, that is, the church of God, and finding
the carrion of earthly pleasures, did never with a pure
return back thither again. But let us look on the rest.
" Fear not," saith he, " them who kill the body, but are not
able to slay the soul ; but fear him who can overthrow both
soul and body in helL" Revolve in your minds which of
these ye have performed? And what one of you is not
wounded in the very secrets of his heart, by this testimony
fbUowing, which our Saviour uttereth unto his apostles, of
evil prelates, saying, " Do ye suffer them, the blind leaders
of the blind, but if the blind be a guide to the blind, both
shall fall into the ditch?" But the people doubtless whom
ye have governed, or rather beguiled, have just occasion to
listen hereunto.
§ 96. Mark ye also the words of our Lord speaking unto
his apostles, and to the people, which words likewise (as I
hear) ye yourselves are not ashamed to pronounce often in
public: "Upon the chair of Moses have the scribes and
Pharisees sat, observe ye therefore and accomplish aU that
they shall speak unto you, but do not according to their
works. For they only speak, but of themselves do nothing."
It is truly to priests a dangerous and superfluous doctrine,
which is overclouded with sinful actions. "Woe he unto
you, hypocrites, who shut up the kingdom of heaven before
men, and neither yourselves enter in, nor yet suffer those
that would to enter in." For ye shall with horrible pains be
tormented, not only in respect of your great offences, which
ye heap up for pimishment in the world to come, but also in
regard of those who daily perish through your bad example,
whose blood in the day of judgment shall be required at
your hands.
Yield ye also diligent attention unto the misery, which the
parable setteth before your eyes, that is spoken of the ser-
vant, who saith in his heart, " My Lord delayeth his com-
ing," and upon this occasion, perchance, "hath begun to
strike his fellow servants, eating and drinking with drunkards.
. The Lord of the same servant, therefore, saith he, will come on
B B
B70 THE WOBKS OF GILDAS. [sic. 97, 98.
a day when he doth not expect him, and in an hour whereof
he is ignorant, and will divide him, away from his hciij
priests, and will place his portion with the hypocrites (that
is, with them who under the pretence of priesthood do con-
ceal much iniquity), affirming that there shall be weeping
and gnashing of teeth ;" such as they have not experienced
in this present life, either for the daily ruin of the children
of our holy mother church, or for the desire of the kingdom
of heaven.
§ 97. But let us see what Paul, the true scholar of Christ,
and master of the Gentiles, who is a mirror of every ecolea-
astical doctor, " Even as I am the disciple of Christy" speak-
eth about a work of such importance in his first epistle on
this wise : " Because when they have known Grod, they have
not magnified him as God, or given thanks unto him ; but
vanished in their own cogitations, and their foolish heart is
blinded ; affirming themselves to be wise, they are made fools."
Although this seemeth to be spoken unto the Gentiles, look into
it notwithstanding, because it may conveniently be applied to
the priests and people of this age. And after a few words,
" Who have chaiiged,*' safth he, "the truth of God into lying,
and have reverenced and served the creature rather than the
Creator, who is blessed for ever ; therefore hath God given
them over unto passions of ignominy." And again, " And
even as they have not approved themselves to have God in
their knowledge, so God hath yielded them up to a reprobate
sense, that they may do such things as are not convenient,
being replenished with all iniquity, malice, uncleanneas of
life, fornication, covetousness, naughtiness, full of envy,
murder (i.e. of the souls of the people), eontenticm, deceit,
wickedness, backbiters, detractors, hateful to God, i^iteful,
proud, pufied up, devisers of mischief, disobedient to their
parents, senseless, disordered, without mercy, without affec-
tion, who, when they had known the justice of God, under-
stood not that they who commit such things, are worthy of
death."
§ 98. And now what one of the aforesaid sort hath indeed
been void of all these ? And if he were, yet perhaps he
may be caught in the sense of the ensuing sentence, wherein
he saith : " Not only those who do these things, but those
also who consent unto them," for none of them truly are free
SBC W, 1000 8t. FJLXXL S XFIBTLB8. 37 i
from this wickedness. And adflerwards, ** Bat thou, accord-
ing to thj hardness and impenitent heart, dost lay up for
thyself wrath, against the daj of wrath, and revelation of
the just judgment of God, who will yield unto every one
according unto his works." And again, ''For th^re is no
acceptation of persons with Grod. For whosoevw have
o^nded without the law, shall also without the law perish ;
whosoever have offended in the law, shall by the law be
judged. For the hearers of the law shall not with God be
accounted just, but the doers of the law shall be justified."
How severe a sentence shall they therefore sustain, who not
only leave undone what they ought to accomplish, and for-
bear not what they are forbidden, but also flee away from
the very hearing of the word of Gk>d, as &om a serpent,
though lightly sounding in their ears.
§ 99. But let us pass over to that which followeth to this
effect: ''What shall we therefore say, shall we continue
still in sin that grace may abound ? Ghod forbid, for we who
are dead to sin, how shall we again live in the same ?" And
somewhat afterwards, "Who shall separate us," saith he,
" from the love of Christ, tribulation, or distress, or persecu-
tion, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword ? "
What one, I pray you, of all you, shall with such an
affection be possessed in the inward secret of his heart, since
ye do not only labour for achieving of piely, but also endure
many things for the working of impiety, and offending of
Christ ? Or who hath respected this that foUoweth ? " The
night hath passed, and the day approached. Let us there-
fore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour
of light, even as in the day : let us honestly walk, not in
banqueting, and drunkenness, not in couches, and wanton-
ness, not in contention, and emulation ; but put ye on our
L<»:d Jesus Christ, and make no care to bestow your flesh in
concupiscences."
§ 100. And again, in the first Epistle to the Corinthians,
he saith : " As a wise workmaster have I laid the foundation,
another buildeth thereupon, but let every man consider how
he buildeth thereon. For no other man can lay any other
foundation besides that which is laid, even Christ Jesus.
But if any man buildeth upon this, gold, and silver, precious
4itones, hay, wood, stubble, every one's work shall. be mani-
B B 2
372 THB WORKS OF GILDAS. (an. 101, 10!:
fest ; for the day of our Lord shall declare the same, because
it shall be revealed in fire, and the fire shall prove what
every man's work is. If any man's work shall remain, all
by the fire shall be adjudged. Whoso shall build thereupon,
shall receive reward. J£ any man's work shall bum, he
shall suffer detriment. Know ye not that ye are the temple
of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? But
if any man violate the temple of God, God will destroy
him." And again, " If any man seemeth to be wise among
you in this world, let him be made a fool that he may be-
come wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with
God." And within a few words afterwards, " Your glorying
is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven corrupteth the
whole mass ? Purge ye, therefore, the old leaven that ye
may be a new sprinkling." How shall the old leaven, which
is sin, be purged away, that from day to day with your utter-
most endeavours is increased? And yet again, ''I have
written unto you in mine epistle, that ye be not inter-
mingled with fornicators, not truly the fornicators of
this world, or the avaricious, ravenous, or idolatrous,
otherwise ye ought to depart out of this world. But
now have I written unto you, that ye be not intermingled, if
any one is named a brother, and be a fornicator, or avari-
cious, or an idolater,, or a slanderer, or a -drunkard, or raven-
ous, with such an one ye should not so much as eat." But a
felon condemneth not his fellow thief for stealing, or other
open robbery, whom he rather liketh, defendeth, and loveth,
as a companion of his offence.
§ 101. Also in his second epistle unto the Corinthians ;
** Having therefore," saith he, *' this administration, according
as we have obtained mercy, let us not fail, but let us cast
away the secrets of shame, not walking in subtility, nor yet
corrupting the word of God," (that is, by evil example and
flattery.) And in that which foUoweth, he thus discourseth
of wicked teachers, saying : " For such false apostles are
deceitful workmen, transfiguring themselves into the apostles
of Christ. And no wonder : for Satan himself transfigureth
himself into an angel of light. It is not much therefore if
his ministers are transfigured as ministers of justice, whose
end will be according unto their works."
§ 102. Hear likewise what he speaketh unto the Ephe-
BBC. 103.1 £FISTLB TO THB TBEBSALONIAKS. 373
sians ; and consider if je find not jonr consciences attainted
as culpable of this that foUoweth? where he denounceth
thus : '* I say and testify this in our Lord, that je do not as
now walk like the Gentiles in the vanity of their own sense,
haying their understanding obscured with darkness, alienated
from the way of God, through ignorance, which remaineth
in them in regard of the blindness of their heart, who
despairing, have yielded themselves over to uncleanness of
Ufe, for the working of all filthiness and avarice." And
which of ye hath wilfingly fulfilled that which next ensueth ?
" Therefore be ye not made unwise, but understanding what
is the will of Gfod, and be ye not drunk with wine, wherein
there is riotonsness, but be ye fulfilled with the Holy
Ghost."
§ 103, Or that which he saith to the Thessalonians.
** For neither have we been with you at any time in the
speech of flattery, as yourselves do know; neither upon
occasion of avarice, neither seeking to be glorified by men,
neither by you, nor any others, when we might be honoured,
as other apostles of Christ. But we have been made as
little ones in the midst of you; or even as the nurse
cherisheth her small tender children, so desiring you, we
would very gladly deliver unto you, not only the gospel, but
also our very lives." If in all things ye retained this
affection of the apostle, then might ye be likewise assured,
that ye lawfully possessed his chair. Or how have ye
observed this that followeth ? " Ye know," saith he, " what
precepts I have delivered unto you. This is the will of our
Lord, your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication ;
and that every one of you know how to possess his own
vessel, in honour and sanctification, not in the passion of
desire, like the Gentiles Who are ignorant of God ; and that
none of you do encroach upon or circumvent his brother in
his business, because our Lord is the revenger of all these.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto
sanctification. Therefore whoso despiseth these, doth not
despise man, but God." What one also among you hath
advisedly and warily kept this that ensueth: "Mortify
therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication,
uncleanness of life, lust, and evil concupiscence, for which
the wrath of God Imth come upon the children of diffidence ?"
374 THS WORKS Of GfELDABi [8«c.I04,10&
Ye perceive therefore upon what oiflfences the wrath of God
doth chiefly arise.
§ 104. In which respect hear likewise what the same
holy apostle, with a prophetical spirit, foretelleth of you, and
such as yourselyes, writing plainly in this sort to Timothy :
^* For know you this, that in the last days there shall be
dangerous times at hand. For men shall be self-loversy
covetous^ puffed up, proud, blasphemous^ disobedient to their
parents, ungrateful, wicked, without afiection, incontinent,
unmeek, without benignity, betrayers, froward, lofty, rather
lovers of sensual pleasures, than of God, having a show of
piety, but renouncing the virtue thereof.** AvcHd thou these
men, even as the prophet saith: '^I have hated the con-
gregation of the malicious, and with the wicked I will not
sit." And a little after, he uttereth that (which in our age
we behold to increase), saying : " JEver learning, and never
attaining unto the knowledge of truth ; for even as Jannes
and Mambres resisted Moses, so do these also withstand the
truth V men corrupted in mind, reprobate against faith, but
Ihey shall prosper no further ; for their folly shall be manifest
unto all, as theirs likewise was."
§ 105. And evidently doth he also declare bow priests in
their office ought to behave themselves^ writing thus to
Titus : ** Show thyself an example of good works, in
learning, in integrity, in gravity, havii^ thy word sound
without offence, that he who standeth on the adverse part
may be afraid, having no evil to speak of us." And moreover
he saith unto Timothy, <^ Labour thou as a good soldier of
Christ Jesus ; no man fighting in God's quarrd ^itangleUi
himself in worldly business, that he may please him unto
whom he hath approved himself; for whoso striveth in the
lists for the mastery, receiveth not the crown, unless he hath
lawfully contended." This is his exhortation to the good.
Other matter also which the same epistles contain, is a
threatening advertisement to the wicked (such as yourselves,
in the judgment of all understanding persons, appear to be).
" K any one," saith he, " teacheth otherwise, and doth not
peaceably assent to the sound sayings of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and that doctrine which is according to piety, he is
proud, having no knowledge^ but languishing about questions,
and contentions of words, out of which do spring enviesi.
sac. 106.1 THE APOSTLE PETER. 375
debates, blasphemies, evil suspicions, conflicts of men
corrupted in mind, who are deprived of truth, esteeming
commodity to be piety."
§ 106. But why in using these testimonies, here and
there dispersed, are we any longer, as it were, tossed up and
down in the siUy boat of our simple understanding, on the
waves of sundry interpretations ? We have now therefore
at length thought it necessary to have recourse to those
lessons,* which are gathered out of Holy Scriptures, to the
end that they should not only be rehearsed, but also be
assenting and assisting unto the benediction, wherewith the
hands of priests, and others of inferior sa<^red orders, are
first consecrated, and that thereby they may continually be
warned never, by degenerating from their priestly dignity,
to digress from the OHnmandments, which are faithfully con-
tained in the same ; so as it may be plain and apparent unto
all, that everlasting torments are reserved for them, and that
they are not priests, or the servants of God, who do not
with their utmost power follow and fulfil the instructions
and precepts. Wherefore let us hear what the prince of the
apostles. Saint Peter, hath signified about this so weighty a
matter, saying: '^ Blessed be God, and the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who through his mercy hath regenerated
us into the hope of eternal life, by the resurrection of our
Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance which
can never corrupt, never wither, neither be defiled, preserved
in heaven for you, who are kept in the virtue of God ;" why
then do ye fondly violate such an inheritance, which is not
as an earthly one, transitory, but immortal and eternal ?
And somewhat afterwards : " For which cause be ye girded
in the loins of your mind, sober, perfectly hoping in that
grace which is ofiered to you in the revelation of Jesus
Christ:" examine ye now the depths of your hearts,
whether ye be sober and do perfectly preserve the grace of
priesthood, which shall be duly discussed and decided in the
revelation of our Lord. And again he saith : '* As children
of the benediction, not configuring yourselves to those
former desires of yoUr ignorance ; but according unto him
who hath called you holy, be ye also holy in all conversation.
• Gildas, in this and the following section, evidently alludes to tlie
Ordination Ritual of the Ancient British Church.
3^6 THE WOBKS OF GILDAS. [sbc.107.
For which cause it is written. Be ye holy, because I am
holy." Which one of you, I pray, hath with his whole
mind so pursued sanctity, that he hath earnestly hastened, as
much as in him lay, to fulfil the same ? But let us behold
what in the second lesson of the same apostle is contained :
"My dearest," saith he, "sanctify your souls for the
obedience of faith, through the Spirit, in charity, in brother-
hood, loving one another out of a true heart perpetually, as
born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
through the word of Grod, living and remaining for
ever."
§ 107. These are truly the commandments of the apostle ;
and read in the day of your ordination, to the end ye should
inviolably observe the same, but they are not fulfilled by you
in discretion and judgment, nay not so much as duly con-
sidered or understood. And afterwards : " Laying therefore
aside all malice, and all deceits, and dissemblings, envy, and
detractions, as infants newly bom, reasonable and without
guile covet ye milk, that ye may thereby grow to salvation,
because our Lord is sweet." Consider ye also in your minds,
if these sayings which have sounded in your dea£ ears have
not often likewise been trodden by you under foot : and
again : " Ye truly are the chosen lineage, the royal priest-
hood, the holy nation, the people for adoption, that ye may
declare his virtues who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light." But truly by you are not only the
virtues of God not declared and made more glorious, but also
through your wicked examples are they (by such as have not
perfect belief) despised. Ye have perchance at the same time
likewise heard, what is read in the lesson of the Acts, on
this wise : " Peter arising in the midst of the disciples said :
Men and brethren, it is expedient that the Scripture be
fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost hath by the mouth of David
foretold of Judas." And a little after : " This man therefore
purchased a field, of the reward of iniquity." This have ye
heard with a careless or rather blockish heart, as though tiie
reading thereof nothing at all appertained unto yourselves.
What one of you (I pray you) doth not seek the field of the
reward of iniquity? For Judas robbed and pillaged the
purse, and ye spoil and waste the sacred gifts and treasures
of the church, together with the souls of her children. He
8SC. 106.] THE APOSTI.E PAUL. 377
went to the Jews to make a market of God, je pass to the
tyrants, and their father the devil, that je may despise
Christ. He set to sale the Saviour of the world for thirty
pence, and you do so even for one poor half-penny.
§ 108. What need many words ? The example of Mat-
thias is apparently laid before you for your confusion, who
was chosen into his place, not by his own proper will, but
by the election of the holy apostles, or rather the jud^nent
of Christ, whereat ye being blinded, do not perceive how far
ye run astray from his merits, while ye fall wilfully and
headlong into the manners and affection of Judas the traitor.
It is therefore manifest that he who wittingly from his heart
termeth you priests, is not himself a true and worthy Chris-
tian, ^d now I will assuredly speak what I think : this
reprehension might have been W^ after a milder fashion,
but what availeth it to touch only with the hand, or dress
with gentle ointment, that wound which with imposthumation
or stinking corruption is now grown so horrible, that it
requireth the searing iron, or the ordinary help of the fire,
if happily by any means it may be cured, the diseased in the
meanwhile not seeking a medicine, and the physician much
erring from a rightful remedy ? O ye enemies of God, and
not priests ! O ye traders of wickedness, and not bishops !
O ye betrayers, and not successors of the holy apostles ! O
ye adversaries, and not servants of Christ ! Ye have certainly
heard at the least, the sound of the words, which are in the
second lesson taken out of the apostle Saint Paul, although
ye have no way observed the admonitions and virtue of them,
but even as statues (that neither see nor hear) stood that day
at the altar, while both then, and continually since he hath
thundered in your ears, saying: "Brethren, it is a faithful
speech, and worthy of all acceptance." He called it faithful
and worthy, but ye have despised it as unfaithful and un-
worthy. "If any man desireth a bishopric, he desireth a
good work.** Ye do mightily covet a bishopric in respect of
avarice, but not for spiritu^ convenience and for the good
work which is suitable to the place, ye want it. " It behoveth
therefore such a one to be free from all cause of reprehension."
At this saying we have more need to shed tears than utter
words ; for it is as much as if the apostle had said, he ought
to be of all others most free from occasion of rebuke. " The
378 THB W0BK8 OF aiLDAS. [flic. 1091
husband of one wife," which is likewise so condemned among
us, as if that word had never proceeded from him ; ** Sober^
wise ; " jea, which of je hatii once desired to have these
virtues engrafted in him, ''using hospitahty." For this, if
perchance it hath been found among you, yet being neverthe-
less rather done to purchase the favour of the people, than
to accomplish the commandment, it is of no avail, our Lord
and Saviour saying thus : "Verily, I say unto you, they have
received their reward." Moreover, ''A man adorned, not
given to wine ; no fighter, but modest ; not contentious, not
covetous : " O lamentable change ! O horrible contempt of
the heavenly commandments ! And do ye not continually
use the force of your "w;9rds and actions, for the overthrowing
or rather overwhelming of these, for whose defence and con-
firmation, if need had required, ye ought to have suffered
pains, yea, and to have lost your very lives.
§ 109. But let us see what followeth : " Well governing,"
saith he, '' his house, having his children subjected with all
chastity." Imperfect therefore is the chastity of the parents,
if the children be not also endued with the same. But how
shall it be, where neither the father, nor the son, depraved
by the example of his evil parent, is found to be chaste ?
"But if any one knoweth not how to rule over his own
house, how shall he employ his care over the church of
Grod ? " These are the words, that with apparent efiects,
should be made good and approved. "Deacons in like
manner, that they should be chaste, not doubled tongued,
not overgiven to much wine, not followers of filthy gain,
having the mystery of faith in a preconscience, and let these
also be first approved, and so let them administer, having no
offence." And now trembling truly to make any longer stay
on these matters, I can for a conclusion affinn one thing
certainly, which is, that all these are changed into contrary
actions, in so much that clerks (which not without grief of
heart, I here confess,) are shameless and deceitful in their
speeches, given to drinking, covetous of filthy lucre, having
faith (or to say more truly) unfaithfulness in an impure con-
science, ministering not upon probation of their good works^
but upon foreknowledge of their evil actions, and being thus
defiled with innumerable offences, they are notwithstanding
admitted unto the holy office ; ye have likewise heard on the
ssc. 109.1 THB APOSTLE PETEK. 379
same day (wherein je should with far more right and reason
have been drawn to prison or punishment, than preferred
unto priesthood) when our Lord demanded whom his disciples
supposed him to be, how Peter answered, ^ Thou art Christ,
the Son of the living God j" and our Lord in respect of such
his confession, said unto him : ^ Blessed art thou, Simon
Bar-jonas, because flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto
. thee, but my Father who is in heaven." Peter therefore,
instructed by Grod the Father, did rightly confess Christ ;
but ye being taught by the devil your father, do, with your
lewd actions, wickedly deny our Saviour. It is said to the
true priest, " Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build
my church : * but ye resembled " the foolish man, who hath
builded his house upon the sand." And verily it is to be
noted, that God joineth not in the workmanship with the
unwise, when they build their house upon the deceitful
uncertainty of the sands, according unto that saying : " They
have made kings unto themselves, and not by me." Similarly
that (which followeth) soundeth in like sort, speaking thus :
"And the gates of hell (whereby infernal sins are to be
understood) shall not prevail." But of your frail and deadly
frame, mark what is pronounced : " The floods came, and the
winds blew, and dashed upon that house and it fell, and great
was the ruin thereof." To Peter and his successors, our
Lord doth say, " And I will give unto thee the keys of the
kingdom of heaven." But unto you, "I know you not,
depart from me all ye workers of iniquity," that being
separated with the goats of the left hand, ye may together
with them go into eternal fire. It is also promised unto
every good priest, "Whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth,
shall be likewise loosed in heaven : and whatsoever thou shalt
bind upon earth, shall be in like sort bound in heaven." But
how shall ye loose any thing, that it may be loosed also in
heaven, since yourselves for your sins are severed from
heaven, and hampered in the bands of your own heinous
ofiences, as Solomon saith, "With the cords of his sins,
every one is tied ? " And with what reason shall ye bind
any thing on this earth, that above this world may be like-
wise bound, unless it be your only selves, who, entangled in
your iniquities, are so detained on this earth, that ye cannot
ascend into heaven, but without your conversion unto our
380 THE WOHKS or OILDAS. [sia 110.
Lord in this life, will fall dowB into the miserable prison of
heU?
§ 110. Neither yet let any priest flatter himself upon the
knowledge of the particular cleanness of his own body, since
their souls (over whom he hath government) shall in the day
of judgment be required at his hands as the murderer of
them, if any through his ignorance, sloth, or fawning adula-
tion, have perished, because the stroke of death is not less
terrible, that is given by a good man, than that which is in-
flicted by an evil person ; otherwise would the apostle never
have said that which he left unto his successors, as a fatherly
legacy, ** I am clear and clean &om the blood of all : for I
have not forborne to declare unto you all the counsel of
God." Being therefore mightily drunken with the use and
custom of sins, and extremely overwhelmed with the waves
(as it were) of increasing oflences, seek ye now forthwith the
uttermost endeavours of your minds (after this your ship-
wreck), that one plank of repentance which is left, whereby
ye may escape and swim to the land of the living, that from
you may be turned away the wrath of our Lord, who saith,
^' I will not the death of a sinner : but that he may be con-
verted and live." And may the same Almighty Gk)d, of all
consolation and mercy, preserve his few good pastors from
all evil, and (the common enemy being overcome) make them
free inhabitants of the heavenly city of Jerusalem, which is
the congregation of all saints ; grant this, O Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost, to whom be honour and glory, world with-
out end. Amen«
NENNIUS'S
HISTORY OF THE BRITONS.
NENNIUS'S
HISTORY OF THE BRITONS.
1.— THE PROLOGUE.
§ 1. Neknius, the lowlj minister and servant of the ser-
vants of God, bj the grace of God, disciple of St. Elbotus,*
to all the followers of truth sendeth health.
Be it known to your charity, that being dull in intellect
and rude of speech, I have presumed to deliver these things
in the Latin tongue, not trusting to mj own learning, which
is little or none at all, but partly from traditions of our an-
cestors, partly from writings and monuments of the ancient
inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annab of the Romans,
and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, HieroDymus,
Prosper, Eusebius, and from the histories c^ the Scots and
Saxons, although our enemies, not following my own inclina-
tions, but, to the best of my ability, obeying the commands
of my seniors ; I have lispingly put together this history
from various sources, and have endeavoured, &om shame, to
deliver down to posterity the few remaining ears of com
about past transactions, that they might not be trodden under
foot, seeing that an ample crop has been snatched away
alr^dy by the hostile reapers of foreign nations. For many
tilings have been in my way, and I, to this day, have hardly
beai able to understand, even superficially, as was necessary,
the sayings of other men; much less was I able in my
own strength, but like a barbarian, have I murdered and
defiled the language of others. But I bore about with
me an inward wound, and I was indignant, that the name
of my own people, fonnerly famous and distinguished,
should sink into oblivion, and like smoke be dissipated.
But since, however, I had rather myself be the historian
of the Britons than nobody, although so many are to be
* Or ElTod, bisbop of Bangor, a.d. 755, who fint adopted in tbe Cam-
bnan church the new cycle for regulating Easter.
384 NENKIUS'S HISTORY OF THE BRITONS.
found who might much more satisfactorilj discharge the
labour thus imposed on me ; I humblj entreat my readers^
whose ears I may offend bj the inelegance of my words, that
thej will fulfil the wish of my seniors, and grant me the
easy task of listening with candour to my history. For
zealous efforts very often fail : but bold enthusiasm, were it
in its power, woiQd not suffer me to fail. May, therefore,
candour be shown where the inelegance of my words is in-
sufficient, and may the truth of this history, which my rustic
tongue has ventured, as a kind of plough, to trace out in
furrows, lose none of its influence from that cause, in the
ears of my hearers. For it is better to drink a wholesome
draught of truth from a humble vessel, than poison mixed
with honey from a golden goblet.
§ 2. And do not be loath, diligent reader, to winnow my
chaff, and lay up the wheat in the storehouse of your memory :
for truth regards not who is the speaker, nor in what manner
it is spoken, but that the thing be true ; and she does not
despise the jewel which she has rescued firom the mud, but
she adds it to her former treasures.
For I yield to those who are greater and more eloquent
than myself, who, kindled with generous ardour, have en-
deavoured by Roman eloquence to smooth the jarring ele-
ments of their tongue, if they have left unshaken any pillar
of history which I wished to see remain. This history
therefore has been compiled from a wish to benefit my infe-
riors, not from envy of those who are superior to me, in the
858th year of our Lord's incarnation, and in the 24th year
of Mervin, king of the Britons, and I hope that the prayers
of my betters will be offered up for me in recompence of my
labour. But this is sufficient by way of preface. I shall
obediently accomplish the rest to the utmost of my power.
II.— THE APOLOGY OP NENNIUS.
Here begins the apology of Nennius, the historiographer
of the Britons, of the race of the Britons.
§ 3. 1, Nennius, disciple of St. Elbotus, have endeavoured to
write some extracts which the dulness of the British nation
had cast away, because teachers had no knowledge, nor gave
any information in their books about this island of Britain.
CHBOKOLOGY OF PRINCIPAL EVEKTS. 385
But I have got together all that I could find as well from the
annals of the Romans as from the chronicles of the sacred
fathers, Hieronymus, Eusehius, Isidorus, Prosper, and from
the annals of the Scots and Saxons, and from our ancient
traditions. Many teachers and scrihes have attempted to
write this, but somehow or other have abandoned it from its
difficulty, either on account of frequent deaths, or the often
recurring calamities of war. I pray that every reader who
shall read this book, may pardon me, for having attempted,
like a chattering jay, or like some weak witness, to write
these things, after they had failed. I yield to him who knows
more of these things than I do.
III.— THE HISTORY.
§ 4, 5. From Adam to the flood, are two thousand and
forty-two years. From the flood to Abraham, nine hundred
and forty-two. From Abraham to Moses, six hundred.*
From Moses to Solomon, and the first buUding of the tem-
ple, four hundred and forty-eight. From Solomon to the
rebuilding of the temple, which was imder Darius, king of
the Persians, six hundred and twelve years are computed.
From Darius to the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
to the fifteenth year of the emperor Tiberius, are five hun-
dred and forty-eight years. So that from Adam to the
ministry of Christ and the fifteenth year of the emperor
Tiberius, are five thousand two hundred and twenty-eight
years. From the passion of Christ are completed nine hun-
dred and forty-six ; from his incarnation, nine hundred and
seventy-six: being the fifth year of Edmund, king of the
Angles.
§ 6. The first age of the world is from Adam to Noah ;
the second from Noah to Abraham ; the third from Abraham
to David ; the fourth from David to Daniel ; the fifth to John
the Baptist ; the sixth from John to the judgment, when our
Lord Jesus Christ will come to judge the living and the
dead, and the world by fire.
The first Julius. The second Claudius. The third Se-
* And forty, according to Stevenson's new edition. The rest of this
chronology is much contracted in several of the manuscripts, and hardly
two of them contain it exactly the same.
C 0
386
KENNIUS'a HISTVHCT OF THB BBXIOnS.
Terns. The foarth Carinna. The fifUi Constantiiia. The
sixth Maximua. The seventii Maximianus. The eighth
another Severus .^uantiiifl. The ninth Conatantias.*
Here beginneth the history of the Britons, edited by
Mark the anchorite, a holy bishop of that people.
§ 7. The island of Britain derives its name from Brotus, a
Roman consnL Taken from the south-west point it inclines
a little towards the west, and to its northem extremity mea-
sures eight hundred miles, and is in breadth two lumdred
It contains thirty-three cities^f yIz.
1. CaSr«bnuic (Torli).
2. Cair eeint (Oanterburjft'
3. Calrgorooo {Anf^tMtyf)
4. Cair gaoith^iem.^
0. Cair euateint {Oamaroon),
9. Cair guomn^gon { Woromtei).
7. CaiTM^eiiit (flFOcAeiter).
8. Cair gain tnda (Norvndi, or Wior
9. Cair menfin ((kurfhmihen)*
10. Cair peril (PbrefteiMr).
IL Cair Uon (OwiieoM-iifMH^ZT'd;).
12. Cair mencipit {Vendom)*
13. Cair oarataao {CaUeriek).
14. Cair eeri (drmeater).
Iff. Cairglooi ICftaneetteru
16. Cair IniUd (OiriWe).
17. Cair gmnt {CfrantehaUTt now Onn-
bridgeU
18. Cair daon (DancoBter), or Cair danii
iDorchater).
19. Cair britoe iSriatot).
20. Cair megoaid (IfeivocI).
21. Cair mauigoid {MemekaUi^,
22. Cair ligion ((?%<i^er).
23. Cair gnent ( WindUatar, or Oaerwent,
in ManmouUuhire).
24. Cair ooUon {Oolchuter, or St. Ckion,
ComwaU).
25. Cair londeln (London),
28. Oalrgttoraon (Worrm, cv Wcran,
in PeaatvnhttMre.
27. CaAr iarion [Leieealer).
28. Cair draithou (Drayton).
29. Cair pensarelooit (Pmmiejft in Sua-
Mtr).
30. Cair taim ( Teyn^Oraeet in Ifesoiu&ire).
31. Cair Umahc (WroaeUr, in Shnp-
thire).
32. Cairoolemion (OumtUd, in Sommt*-
MteAire).
33. Gair loit eott (Litwoln).
These are the names of tiie ancient cities of the island of
Britain. It has also a vast many promontories, and castles
innumerable, built of brick and stone. Its inhabitants con-
sist of four different people ; the Scots, the Hcts» the Saxons,
and the ancient Britons.
§ 8. Three considerable islands belong to it ; one, on the
south, opposite the Armorican shore, called Wight ;^ an-
other between Ireland and Britain, called Eubonia or Man ;
and another directly north, beyond the Picts, named Orkney ;
* This list of the Roman emperon who Tisited Britain, is omitted in
many of the MSS. t V. K Twenty-eight, twenty-one.
X Site miknown. See note at sec. 42, p. 404. $ Inis-gueith, or Gueith.
Vhe trojtaks settle m bbtiain. 887
$mA heace it wns ancientlj a proverbial expression, in refer-
ence to its kings and rulers, " He reigned over Britain and
its three islands."
§ 9. It is fertilized by sevwal rivers, which traverse it in
all directions, to the east and west, to the south and north ;
but there are two pre-eminently distinguished among the
rest, the Thames and the Severn, which formerly, like the
two arms of Britain, bore the ships employed in the convey-
ance of the riches acquired by commerce. The Britons were
once very populous, and exercised extensive dominion from
sea to sea.
§ 10.* Respecting the period when this island became in-
habited subsequently to the flood, I have seen two distinct
relations. According to the annals of the Boman history,
the Britons deduce their origin both from the Greeks and
Romans. On the side of the mother, from Lavinia, the
daughter of Latinus, king of Italy, and of the race of Silva-
nus, the son of Inachus, the son of Dardanus ; who was the
son of Saturn, king of the Greeks, and who, having pos-
setssed himself of a part of Asia, built the city of Troy.
Dardanus was the father of Troius, who was the father of
Priam and Anchises; Anchises was the father of ^neas,
who was the father of Ascanius and Silvius ; and this Sil-
vius was the son of ^neas and Lavinia, the daughter of the
king of Italy. From the sons of ^neas and Lavinia de-
scended Romulus and Remus, who were the sons of the holy
queen Rhea, and the founders of Rome. Brutus was consul
when he conquered Spain, and reduced that country to a
Roman province. He afterwards subdued the island of
Britain, whose inhabitants were the descendants of the
Romans, from Silvius Posthumus. He was called Posthu^
mus because he was bom after the death of £neas his father ;
and his mother Lavinia concealed herself during her preg-
nancy ; he was called SilviuSy because he was bom in a wood.
Hence the Roman kings were called Silvan, and the Britons
who sprang firom him ; but they were called Britons from
Brutus, and rose from the family of Brutus.
-^neas, after the Trojan war, arrived with his son in Italy ;
and having vanquished Tumus, married Lavinia, the daugh-
* The vhole af thi% aa fur as the end oi the paragraph, is omitted in
several MSS,
cc2
388 NENNIUS'S HISTORY OP THE BBITOKS.
ter of king Latinus, who was the son of Faunus, the soil of
Picus, the son of Saturn. After the death of Latinus, ^neas
obtained the kingdom of the Romans, and Lavinia brought
forth a son, who was named Silvius. Ascanius founded
Alba, and afterwards married. And Lavinia bore to Mnests
a son, named Silvius ; but Ascanius* married a wife, who
conceived and became pregnant. And ^neas, having been
informed that his daughter-in-law was pregnant, ordered his
son to send his magician to examine his wife, whether the child
conceived were male or female. The magician came and ex-
amined the wife and pronounced it to be a son, who should
become the most valiant among the Italians, and the most
beloved of all men.f In consequence of this prediction, the
magician was put to death by Ascanius ; but it happened
that the mother of the child dying at its birth, he was named
Brutus ; and after a certain interval, agreeably to what the
magician had foretold, whilst he was playing with some
others he shot his father with an arrow, not intentionally but
by accident.} He was, for this cause, expelled from Italy,
and came to the islands of the Tyrrhene sea, when he was
exiled on account of the death of Turnus, slain by -ZEneas.
He then went among the Gauls, and built the city of the
Turones, called Tumis.§ At length he came to this island,
named from him Britannia, dwelt there, and filled it with his
own descendants, and it has been inhabited from that time to
the present period.
§ 11. iEneas reigned over the Latins three years; Asca-
nius thirty-three years ; after whom Silvius reigned twelve
years, and Posthumus thirty-nine || years: the latter, from
whom the kings of Alba are called Silvan, was brother to
Brutus, who governed Britain at the time Eli the high-priest
judged Israel, and when the ark of the covenant was taken
by a foreign people. But Posthumus his brother reigned
among the Latins.
§ 12. After an interval of not less than eight hundred
years, came the Picts, and occupied the Orkney Islands:
whence they laid waste many regions, and seized those on
• Other MSS. Silvius. + V. R. Who should slay his father and
mother, and he hated by all mankind.
X V. R. He displayed such superiority among his play-fellows, that they
seemed to consider him as their chief. § Tours. Ij V. R. Thirty-seven.
ARRIVAL OP PARTHOLOMUS IN IRELAND. 389
the left hand side of Britain, where they still remain, keep-
ing possession of a third part of Britain to this day.*
§ 13. Long after this, the Scots arrived in Ireland from
Spain. The first that came was Partholomus,*!* with a
thousand men and women ; these increased to four thousand ;
but a mortality coming suddenly upon them, they all
perished in one week. The second was Nimech, the son of
,J who, according to report, after having been at
sea a year and a half, and having his ships shattered, arrived
at a port in Irelan4 and continuing there several years,
returned at length with his followers to Spain. After
these came three sons of a Spanish soldier with thirty ships,
each of which contained thirty wives ; and having remained
there during the space of a year, there appeared to them, in
the middle of the sea, a tower of glass, the summit of
which seemed covered with men, to whom they often spoke,
but received no answer. At length they determined to
besiege the tower ; and after a year's preparation, advanced
towards it, with the whole number of their ships, and all
the women, one ship only excepted, which had been
wrecked, and in which were thirty men, and as many
women ; but when all had disembarked on the shore which
surrounded the tower, the sea opened and swallowed them
up. Ireland, however, was peopled, to the present period,
from the family remaining in the vessel which was wrecked.
Afterwards, others came from Spain, and possessed them-
selves of various parts of Britain.
§ 14. Last of all came one Hoctor,§ who continued there,
and whose descendants remain there to this day. Istoreth,
the son of Istorinus, with his followers, held Dalrieta ; Builc
had the island Eubonia, and other adjacent places. The
sons of Liethali || obtained the country of the Dimetse, where
is a city called Menavia,T and the province Guiher and
Cetgueli,** which they held till they were expelled from
every part of Britain, by Cunedda and his sons.
• See Bede's Eccles. Hist. pp. 5, 6, note.
+ V. R. Partholomaus, or BartholomaBus,
t A blank is here in the MS. Agnomen is found in some of the others.
§ y. R. Bamhoctor, Clamhoctor, and Elamhoctor.
II V. R. Liethan, Bethan, Vethan. % St. David's.
• • Guiher, probably the Welsh district Gower. Cetgueli is Caer Kid-
welly, in Carmarthenshire.
390 KEKKIVB's HISTOBT OF THE BBIT0K8.
§ 15. According to the most learned among the ScoU, if
any one desires to learn what I am now going to state,
Ireland was a desert, and uninhabited, when the children of*
Israel crossed the Bed Sea, in which, as we read in the
Book of the Law, the Egyptians who followed them were
drowned. At that pmod, there lired among this people,
with a numerous familj, a Scythian of noble birth, who had
been banished from his country, and did not go to pursue
the people of God. The Egyptians who were lefl;, seeing
the destruction of the great men of their nation, and fearing
lest he should possess himself of their territory, took counsel
t(^ether, and expelled him. Thus reduced, he wandered
forty-two years in Africa, and arrived, with his family, at
the altars of the Philistines, by the Lake of Osiers. Then
passing between Rusicada and the hilly country of Syria,
they trayelled by the river Malva through Mauritama as far
as the Pillars of Hercules ; and crossing the Tyrrhene Sea,
landed in Spain, where they continued many years, haying
greatly increased and multiplied. Thence, a tiiousand and two
years after the Egyptians were lost in the Bed Sea, they passed
into Ireland, and the district of Dalrieta.* At that period, Bru-
tus, who first exercised the consular office, reigned over the
Romans ; and the state, which before was governed by regal
power, was afterwards ruled, during four hundred and forty-
seven years, by consuls, tribunes of the people, and dictators.
The Britons came to Britain in the third age of the world ;
aud in the fourth, the Scots took possession of Ireland.
The Britons who, suspecting no hostilities, were un-
provided with the means of defence, were unanimously and
incessantly attacked, both by the Scots from the west, and
by the Picts from the north. A long interval after this, the
Bomans obtained the empire of ihe world.
§ 16. From the first arrival of the Saxons into Britain,
to the fourth year of king Mermenus, are computed four
liundred and twenty-eight years; from the nativity of our
Lord to the coming of St. Patrick among the Scots, four
hundred and five years ; from the death of St. Patrick to
that of St. Bridget, forty years; and from the birth of
Columcillef to the death of St. Bridget four years.:^
• North-western part of Antrim in Ulster. f V. R. Columba.
i Some MSS. add, the beginning of the calculation is 23 cycles of 19
FIBST INHABITAXTS OF B1UTAIK. 391
§ 17. 1 have learned another account of this Brutus from
the ancient hooks of our ancestors.* Afber the deluge, the
three sons of Noah severally occupied three di€fercnt parts
of the earth : Shem extended his horders into Asia^ Ham
into AMca, and Japheth into Europe.
The iirst man that dwelt in Europe was Alanus, with his
three sons, Hisieion, Armenon, and Neugio. Hisicion had
four sons, Francus, Romanus, Almnanus, and Brutus.
Armenon had ^ye sons, Gothus, Valagothus, Cihidus, •
Bnrgundus, and Longorbardus. Neugio had three sons,
Vandalus, Saxo, and Boganus. From Hisicion arose four
nations — ^the Franks, the Latins, the Germans, and Britons :
from Arm«non, the G^thi, Valagothi, Cibidi, Burgundi, and
Longobardi : from Neugio, the Bogari, Vandali, Saxones;
and Tarincgi. The whole of Europe was subdivided into
these tribes*
Al^ius is said to have heen the son of Fethuir;"f Fethuir,
the son of Ogomuin, who was the son of Thm ; Thoi was
the son of Boibus, Boibus of Semion, Semion of Mair,
Mair of Ecthactus, Ecthactus of Aurthack, Aurthack of
Ethec, Ethec of Goth, Goth of Aber, Aber of Ra, Ra of
Esraa, Esraa of Hisrau, Hisrau of Bath, Bath of Jobath,
Jobath of Joham, Joham of Japheth, Japheth of Noah,
Noah of Lamech, Lamech of Mathusalem, Mathusalem of
Enoch, Enoch of Jared, Jared of Malalehel, Malalehel of
Cainan, Cainan of Enos, Enos of Seth, Seth of Adam, and
Adam was formed by the living Grod. We have obtained
this information respecting the original inhabitants of Britidn
from ancient tra(Htion.
§ 18. The Britons were thus called from Brutus : Brutus
was the son of Hisicion, Hisicion was the son of Alanus,
Alanus was the son of Rhea Silvia, Rhea Silvia was the
daughter of Numa Pompilius, Numa was the son of
Ascanius, Ascanius of Eneas, Eneas of Anchises, Anchises
of Troius, Troius of Dardanus, Dardanus of Flisa, Flisa of
years from the incarnation of our Lord to the arrival of St. Patrick in
Ireland, and they make 438 years. And from the arrival of St. Patrick
to the cycle of 19 years in which we live are 22 cycles, which make 421
years.
* This proves the tradition of Brutus to be older than Geoffrey or
Tyssilio, unless these notices of Brutus have been interpolated in the origi-
nal work of Nennius. f This genealogy is different in almost all the M.SS.
392 NENNIUS'S HI8T0BT OF THE BRITONS.
Juuiiiy Juuin of Japbeth; but Japheth bad seven sons;
fix)ni tbe first, named Gomer, descended tbe Galli ; from the
second, Magog, tbe Scytbi and Gotbi; from tbe tbu-d,
Madian, tbe Medi ; from tbe fourtb, Juuan, tbe Greeks ;
from tbe fiftb, Tubal, arose tbe Hebrei, Hispani, and Itali ;
from tbe sixtb, Mosocb, sprung tbe Cappadoces; and
from tbe seventb, named Tiras, descended tbe Tbraces:
tbese are tbe sons of Japbetb, tbe son of Noab, tbe son of
Lamecb.
§ 19.* Tbe Romans baving obtained tbe dominion of tbe
world, sent legates or deputies to tbe Britons to demand of
tbem bostages and tribute, wbicb tbey received from all
otber countries and islands ; but tbej, fierce, disdainful, and
baugbtj, treated tbe legation witb contempt.
Tben Julius Cassar, tbe first wbo bad acquired absolute
power at Rome, bigbly incensed against tbe Britons, sailed
witb sixty vessels to tbe moutb of tbe Tbames, wbere tbey
suffered sbipwreck wbilst be fougbt against Dolobellus,*!" (tbe
proconsul of tbe Britisb king, wbo was called Belinus,J and
wbo was tbe son of Minocannus wbo governed all tbe
islands of tbe Tyrrbene Sea), and tbus Julius Caesar
returned borne without victory, baving bad bis soldiers slain,
and bis sbips shattered.
§ 20. But after tbree years be again appeared witb a
large army, and tbree bundred sbips, at tbe moutb of tbe
Tbames, wbere be renewed bostilities. In tbis attempt
many of bis soldiers and borses were killed ; for tbe same
consul bad placed iron pikes in tbe sballow part of tbe
river, and tbis baving been effected witb so mucb skill and
secrecy as to escape tbe notice of tbe Roman soldiers, did
tbem considerable injury; tbus Caesar was once more
compelled to return witbout peace or victory. Tbe Romans
were, therefore, a tbird time sent against tbe Britons ; and
under tbe command of Julius, defeated tbem near a place
called Trinovantum [London], forty-seven years before tbe
birtb of Christ, and five thousand two hundred and twelve
years from tbe creation. ^
* Some MSS. add, I will now return to the point from which I made
this digression.
+ There is here some corruption or defect in the orifjinal. See Geoffrey
of Monmouth, p. 139 of this volume. :{: Y. R. Cassibelanus.
X.0. 44^207.1 £M:^B0BS OF BRITAIN'. 393
Julius was the first exercising supreme power over the
Romans who invaded Britain : in honour of him the Romans
decreed the fifth month to be called after his name. He was
assassinated in the Curia, in the ides of March, and Octa-
vius Augustus succeeded to the empire of the world. He
was the only emperor who received tribute from the Britons,
according to the following verse of Virgil :
" Purpurea intexti tollunt aulaea Britanni."
§ 21. The second after him, who came into Britain, was
the emperor Claudius, who reigned forty-seven years after
the birth of Christ. He carried with him war and devasta-
tion ; and, though not without loss of men, he at length con-
quered Britain. He next sailed to the Orkneys, which he
likewise conquered, and afterwards rendered tributary. No
tribute was in his time received from the Britons ; but it
was paid to British emperors. He reigned thirteen years
and eight months. His monument is to be seen at Moguntia
(among the Lombards), where he died in his way to Rome.
§ 22. After the birth of Christ, one hundred and sixty-
seven years, king Lucius, with all the chiefs of the British
people, received baptism, in consequence of a legation, sent
by the Roman emperors and pope Evaristus.*
§ 23. Severus was the third emperor who passed the sea to
Britain, where, to protect the provinces recovered from
barbaric incursions, he ordered a wall and a rampart to be
made between the Britons, the Scots, and the Picts, extend-
ing across the island from sea to *sea, in length one hundred
and thirty-three f miles : and it is called in the British
language, Gwal.J Moreover, he ordered it to be made be-
* v. R. Eucharistus. A marginal note in the Arundel MS. adds, " He
is wrong, because the first year of Evaristus was a.d. 79, whereas the
first year of Eleutherius, whom he ought to have named, was a.d. 161."
Usher says, that in one MS. of Nennius he found the name of Eleutherius.
See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 10. t V. R. Thirty-two.
X Or, the Wall. One MS. here adds, " The above-mentioned Severus
constructed it of rude workmanship in length 132 miles ; 1. e. from Pen-
guaul, which village is called in Scottish Cenail, in English Peneltun, to
the mouth of the river Cluth and Cairpentaloch, where this wall terminates ;
but it was of no avail. The emperor Carausius afterwards rebuilt it, and
fortified it with seven castles between the two mouths : he built also a
round house of polished stones on the banks of the river Carun [Carron] :
he likewise erected a triumphal arch, on which he inscribed his own name
in memory of his victory.**
394 NENinus's histobt or thk bbttoks. [a4>. 28e-A2s.
tween the Britons, ana the Hcto and Scots ; for the Soots
from the west, and the Ficts from the north, unammonsly
made war against the Britons ; but w^re at peace amoi^
themselyes. Not long after Severus 4ies in Britaku
§ 24. The fourth was the emperor and tyrant, Caxansiiis^
who^ incensed at the murder of Severus, passed into Bcitaiii,
and attended hj the leaders of the Boman people^ eererely
avenged upon ^e chie& and rulers of the Britons, the cause
of Sevwrus.*
§ 25, The fifth was Constanlius the father of Constantine
the Great He died in Britain ; his sepulchre^ as it appears
hj the inscription on his tomb, is still seen near the city
named Cair segont (near Camaryon). Upon the pavement of
the above-mentioned city he sowed three seeds of goid, silver,
and brass, that no poor person might ever be found in it. It
is also called Minmanton.'l'
§ 26, Maximianus^ was the sixth emperor that ruled in
Britain. It was in his time that consuls § began, mid that
the appellation of Caesar was discontinued : at this period
also, St Martin became celebrated for his virtues and mira-
cles, and held a conversation with him.
§ 27. The seventh emperor was Maximus. He withdrew
from Britain with all his military force, slew Gratian, the
king of the Romans, and obtained the sovereignty of all
Europe. Unwilling to send back his warlike companions to
their wives, children, and possessions in Britain, he conferred
upon them numerous districts from the lake on the summit
of Mons Jovis, to the city called Cant Guic, and to the
western Tumulus, that is, to Cruc Occident J These are
the Armoric Britons, and they remain there to the present
* This passage is corrupt, the meaning is briefly given in the translation.
f V. B« Miimantiuxif Mirmantun, Minmanto, Minimantone. The5e^ot»-
Hum of Antoninus, situated on a small river named Seiont, near Carnarvon.
X This is an inaccuracy of Nennius ; Maximus and MaximSanus were
one and the some person ; or rather no such person as Masdmianus ever
reigned in Britain.
§ Greoi&ey of Monmouth gives the title of consul to several British gene-
rals who lived after this time. It is not unlikely that the town, name, and
dignity, still Imgered in the province after the Romans were gone, particu-
larly as the cities of Britain maintained for a time a species of independ-
ence.
II This district, in modern language, extended from the great St Ber-
nard in Piedmont to Cantavic in PioEirdy, and from Picardy to tiie western
coast of France.
*.D. J81—422.] TUX BOMAN DEPUTIES SLAIK. d9o
daj. In oonsequence of their absence, Britain being over-
come by foreign nations, the lawful heirs were cast out, till
God interposed with hi« a«i«t»nce. We «« infonned by
the tradition of our ancestors that seven emperors went into
Britain, though the Romans affirm there were nine.
The eighth was another Severus, who Uved occasionaDy
in Britain, and sometimes at Some, where he died.
The ninth was Constantius who reigned sixteen years in
Britain, and, according to report, was treacherously murdered
in the seyenteenth year of his reign.
§ 28. Thus, agreeably to the account giyen by the Britcms,
the Bomans governed Ihem four hundred and nine years.
After this, the Britons despised the authority of the Bomans,
equally refusing to pay them tribute, or to receive their kings ;
nor durst the Bomans any longer attempt the government
of a coiuntry, the natives of which massacred their deputies.
§ 29. We must now return to the tyrant Maximus. Gra-
tian, with his l»t)ther Yalentinian, reigned seven years.
Ambrose, bishop of Milan, was then eminent for his skill in
the dogmata of the Catholics. Yalentinianus and Theodo-
sius reigned eight years. At that time a synod was held at
Constantinople, attended by three hundred and fifty of the
fathers, and in which all heresies were condemned. Jerome,
the presbyter of Bethlehem, was then universally celebrated.
Whilst Gratian exercised supreme dominion over the world,
Maximus, in a sedition of the soldiers, was saluted emperor
in Britain, and soon after crossed the sea to Gaul. At Paris,
by the treachery of Mellobaudes, his master of the horse,
Gratian was defeated, and fleeing to Lyons, was taken and
put to death ; Maximus afterwards associated his son Victor
in the government
Martin, distingui^ed for his great virtues, was at this
period bishop of Tours. After a considerable space of time,
Maximus was divested of royal power by the consuls Yalen-
tinianus ajid Theodosius, and sentenced to be beheaded at
the third mile-stone from Aquileia : in the same year also his
son Yictor was killed in Gaul by Arbogastes, five thousand
six hundred and ninety years from the creation of the world.
§ 30. Thrice were the Roman dq)uties put to death by
the Britons, and yet these, when harassed by the incursions
of the barbarous nations, viz. of the Scots and Picts, earnestly
396 i NENNIUS'S HISTORY OP THE BBITONS. [a.d. 383-44«.
solicited the aid of the Romans. To give effect to their en-
treaties, ambassadors were sent, who made their entrance
with impressions of deep sorrow, having their heads covered
with dust, and carrying rich presents to expiate the murder
of the deputies. They were favourably received by the can-
suls, and swore submission to the Roman yoke, with what-
ever severity it might be imposed.
The Romans, therefore, came with a powerful army to the
assistance of the Britons ; and having appointed over them
a ruler, and settled the government, returned to Rome : and
this took place alternately during the space of three hundred
and forty-eight years. The Britons, however, from the
oppression of the empire, again massacred the Roman depu-
ties, and again petitioned for succour. Once more the
Romans undertook the government of the Britons, and assisted
them in repelling their neighbours ; and, after having ex-
hausted the country of its gold, silver, brass, honey, and
costly vestments, and having besides received rich gifts, they
returned in great triumph to Rome.
§ 31. After the above-said war between the Britons and
Romans, the assassination of their rulers, and the victory of
Maximus, who slew Gratian, and the termination of the
Roman power in Britain, they were in alarm forty years.
Vortigem then reigned in Britain. In his time, the
natives had cause of dread, not only from the inroads of the
Scots and Picts, but also from the Romans, and their appre-
hensions of Ambrosius.*
In the meantime, three vessels, exiled from Germany,
arrived in Britain. They were commanded by Horsa and
Hengist, brothers, and sons of Wihtgils. Wihtgils was the
son of Witta ; Witta of Wecta ; Wecta of Woden ; Woden
of Frithowald ; Frithowald of Frithuwulf ; Frithuwulf of
Finn ; Finn of Grodwulf ; Godwulf of Geat, who, as they
say, was the son of a god, not f of the omnipotent God and
* These words relate evidently to some cause of dispute between the
Romans, Ambrosius, and Vortigem. Vortigem is said to have been sove-
reign of the Dimetffi, and Ambrosius son to the king of the Damnonii. The
latter was half a Roman by descent, and naturally supported the Roman
interest : the former was entirely a Briton, and as naturally seconded by the
original Britons. See Whitaker's Manchester, b. ii. c. 2.
t V. R. not the God of gods, the Amen, the Lord of Hosts, but one at
their idoU which they worshipped.
AD. 439-447] PKEACHING OF ST. GEBMANUS* 397
our Lord Jesus Chnst (who before the beginning of the
world, was with the Father and the Holy Spirit, co-eternal
and of the same substance, and who, in compassion to human
nature, disdained not to assume the form of a servant), but
the offspring of one of their idols, and whom, blinded by
. some demon, they worshipped according to the custom of the
heathen. Vortigem received them as friends, and delivered
up to them the island which is in their language called
Thanet, and, by the Britons, Ruym,* Gratianus JEquantius
at that time reigned in Rome. The Saxons were received
by Vortigern, four hundred and forty-seven years after the
passion of Christ, and,! according to the tradition of our
ancestors, from the period of their first arrival in Britain,
to the first year of the reign of king Edmund, five hundred
and forty-two years ; and to that in which we now write,
which is the fifth of his reign, five hundred and forty-seven
years.
§ 32. At that time St. Grermanus, distinguished for his
numerous virtues, came to preach in Britain : by his ministry
many were saved ; but many likewise died unconverted. Of
the various miracles which God enabled him to perform, 1
shall here mention only a few : I shall first advert to that
concerning an iniquitous and tyrannical king, named Benlli.j:
The holy man, informed of his wicked conduct, hastened to
visit him, for the purpose of remonstrating with him. When
the man of God, with his attendants, arrived at the gate of
the city, they were respectfully received by the keeper of it,
who came out and saluted them. Him they commissioned to
communicate their intention to the king, who returned a
harsh answer, declaring, with an oath, that although they
remained there a year, they should not enter the city. While
waiting for an answer, the evening came on, and they knew
not where to go. At length, came one of the king's servants,
who bowing himself before the man of God, announced the
* Sometimes called Ruoichin, Ruith-in, or " river island," separated
from the rest of Kent and the mainland of Britain by the estuary of the
Wantsum, which, though now a small brook, was formerly navigable for
large vessels, and in Bede's time was three stadia broad, and fordable only
at two places. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 37, note.
+ The rest of this sentence is omitted in some of the MSS.
J King of Powys. V. R. Benli in the district of lal (in Derbyshire) ;
in the district of Dalrieta; Belinus; Beluni; and Benty.
398 Ksmnua's histobt of the bbitoks. [^.d. 42»-447.
words of the tyrant, inviliDg them, at the same time, to his
own house, to which they went, and were kindly receiyecL
It happened, however, that he had no cattle, except one cow
and a calf, the latter of which, urged by generous hospitality
to his guests, he killed, dressed, and set before them. But
holy St. Crermanus ordered his companions not to break a
bone of the calf ; and, the next morning, it was found alive
unii\jured, and standing by its mother.
§ 33. Early the same day, they again went to Idie gate of
the city, to solicit audience of the wicked king ; and, whilat
engaged in fervent prayer they were waiting for admission, a
man, covered with sweat, came out, and prostnited himself
before them. Then St. Germanus, addressing him, said,
" Dost thou believe in the Holy Trinity ? " To which the
man having replied, " I do believe,'' he baptized, and kissed
him, saying, *^ Go in peace ; within this hour thou shalt die :
the angels of God are waiting for thee in the air ; with them
thou shalt ascend to that God in whom thou hast believed."
He, overjoyed, entered the city, and being met by the prefect,
was seized, bound, and conducted before the tjrrant, who
having passed sentence upon him, he was immediately put to
death ; for it was a law of this wicked king, that whoever
was not at his labour before sun-rising should be beheaded in
the citadel. In the meantime, St. Germanus, with his attend-
ants, waited the whole day before the gate, without obtaining
admission to the tyrant
§ 34. The man above-mentioned, however, remained with
them. ^^ Take care," said St. Germanus to him, '^ that none
of your Mends remain this night within these walls. Upoa
this he hastily entered the city, brought out his nine sons,
and with them retired to the house where he had exercised
such generous hospitality. Here St. G*ermanus ordered them
to continue, fasting ; and when the gates were shut, ^^ Watch,"
said he, '' and whatever shall happen in the citadel, turn not
thither your eyes ; but pray without ceasing, and invoke the
protection of the true God." And, behold, early in the
night, fire fell from heaven, and burned the city, together with
all those who were with the tyrant, so that not one escaped ;
and that citadel has never been rebuilt even to this day.
§ 35. The following day, the hospitable man who had
been converted by the preacliing of St. Germanus, waa
4.0.449-456.1 YGRtKiXSaX AND HENGIST. 399
baptized, with Us s(kis, and all the inhabitants of that part
of the country ; and St. G«rmanus blessed him^ saying, " a
king shall not be wanting of thy seed for ever." The name
of this person is Catel Drunluc :* " from henceforward thou
shalt be a king all the days of thy life." Thus was fulfilled
the prophecy of the Psalmist : " He raiseth up the poor out
of the dust, and lifteth up the needy out of the dunghilL"
And agreeably to the prediction of St. Germanus, from a
servant he became a^ldng r all his sons were kings, and from
their offspring the whole country of Fowys has been governed
to this day.
§ 36. After the Saxons had continued some time in the
island of Thanet, Vortigem promised to supply them with
clothing and provision, on condition they would engage to
fight against the enemies of his country. But the barbarians
having greatly increased in number, the Britons became
incapable of fulfilling their engagement ; and when the
Saxons, according to the promise they had received, claimed
a supply of provisions and clothing, the Britons replied,
" Your number is increased ; your assistance is now un-
necessary ; you may, therefore, return home, for we can
no longer support you ; " and hereupon they began to devise
means of breaking the peace between them.
§ 37. But Hengist, in whom united craft and penetration,
perceiving he had to act with an ignorant king, and a fluctu-
ating people, incapable of opposing much resistance, repHM
to Vortigem, " We are, indeed, few in number ; but, if you
will give us leave, we will send to our country for an
additional number of forces, with whom we will fight for you
and your subjects." Vortigem assenting to this proposal,
messengers were despatched to Scythia, where selecting a
number of warlike troops, they returned with sixteen vessels,
bringing with them the beautiful daughter of Hengist. And
now the Saxon chief prepared an entertainment, to which he
invited the king, his officers, and Ceretic, his interpreter,
having previously enjoined his daughter to serve them so
profusely with wine and ale, that they might soon become
intoxicated. This plan succeeded ; and Vortigem, at the
instigation of the devil, and enamoured with the beauty
'* Or Cadell Deymllug, prince of the Yale Royal and the upper pnrt
of Powys.
400 NENNIUS'S HISTORY OF THE BBITONS. a.d. 44&-45C.
of the damsel, demanded her, through the medium of his
interpreter, of the father, promising to give for her whatever
he should ask. Then Hengist, who had already consulted
with the elders who attended him of the Oghgul* race,
demanded for his daughter the province, called in English,
Centland, in British, Ceint, (Kent.) This cession was made
without the knowledge of the king, Guoyxancgonus,*!' who
then reigned in Kent, and who experienced no inconsiderable
share of grief, from seeing his kingdom thus clandestinely,
fraudulently, and imprudently resigned to foreigners. Thus
the maid was delivered up to the king, who slept with her,
and loved her exceedingly.
§ 38. Hengist, after this, said to Vortigem, " I will be to
you both a father and an adviser ; despise not my counsels,
and you shall have no reason to fear being conquered by any
man or any nation whatever ; for the people of my country
are strong, warlike, and robust : if you approve, I will send
for my son and his brother, both valiant men, who at my
invitation will fight against the Scots, and you can give them
the countries in the north, near the wall called GuaV^ \ The
incautious sovereign having assented to this, Octa and Ebusa
arrived with forty ships. In these they sailed round the
country of the Picts, laid waste the Orkneys, and took
possession of many regions, even to the Pictish confines. §
But Hengist continued, by degrees, sending for ships from
his own country, so that some islands whence they came were
left without inhabitants ; and whilst his people were increas-
ing in power and number, they came to the above-named
province of Kent.
§ 39. In the meantime, Vortigern, as if desirous of add-
ing to the evils he had already occasioned, married his own
daughter, by whom he had a son. When this was made
♦ V. R. Who had come with him from the island of Oghgul, Oehgul
(or Tingle), Angul. According to Gunn, a small island in the duchj of
Sleswick in Demnark, now called Angel, of which Flensburg is the metro*
polis. Hence the origin of the Angles.
t V. R. Gnoiram cono, Goiranegono, Guoiracgono. Malmesbmy, Go-
rougi ; Camden, Guorong, supposed to mean goyemor, or viceroy.
t Antoninus's wall.
§ Some MSS. add, ** beyond the Frenesic, Fresicum (or Fresic) sea," i. e.
which is between us and the Scotch. The sea between Scotland and Ireland.
Camden translates it ^ beyond the Frith ;** Langhome says, ^ Sol way Frltl*."
A.D. 452.] VOBTIGEBN BETIBES TO GUENET. 401
known to St. Grermanus, he came, with all the British clergy,
to reprove him : and whilst a numerous assembly of the eccle-
siastics and laity were in consultation, the weak king ordered
his daughter to appear before them, and in the presence of
all to present her son to St. Grermanus, and dechu'e that he
was the father of the child. The immodest* woman obeyed ;
and St. Germanus, taking the child, said, " I will be a father
to you, my son; nor will I dismiss you till a razor, scis-
sors, and comb, are given to me, and it is allowed you to
give them to your carnal father." The child obeyed St.
Germanus, and, going to his father Vortigem, said to him,
" Thou art my father ; shave and cut the hair of my head."
The king blushed, and was silent ; and, without replying to
the child, arose in great anger, and fled from the presence of
St. Germanus, execrated and condemned by the whole synod.
§ 40. But soon after, calling together his twelve wise
men, to consult what was to be done, they said to him, " Re-
tire to the remote boundaries of your kingdom ; there build
and fortify a city f to defend yourself, for the people you have
received are treacherous ; they are seeking to subdue you by
stratagem, and, even during your life, to seize upon all the
countries subject to your power, how much more will they
attempt, after your death !" The king, pleased with this
advice, departed with his wise men, and travelled through
many parts of his territories, in search of a place convenient
for the purpose of building a citadel. Having, to no pur-
pose, travelled far and wide, they came at length to a pro-
vince called Guenet ; J and having surveyed the mountains of
Heremus,§ they discovered, on the summit of one of them, a
situation, adapted to the construction of a citadel. Upon
this, the wise men said to the king, " Build here a city ; for,
in this place, it will ever be secure against the barbarians."
Then the king sent for artificers, carpenters, stone-masons,
and collected all the materials requisite to building ; but the
whole of these disappeared in one night, so that nothing re-
• V. R. " Immodest *' is omitted in some MSS.
+ V. R. You shall find a fortified city in which you^may defend youraelf.
$ V. R. Guined, Guoienet, Guenez, North Wales."*
J V. R. Heremi, Henri, or Eryri, signifying eagle rocks, the mountains
of Snowdon, in Carnarvonshire. The spot alluded to is supposed to be
Dinas Emrys, or the fortress of Ambrosius.
402 HKMJIIUS'S HISTOBT OV THE BKl'fOHB. i^^*- 452
mained of wliat had been prorided for tbe oonstmctb^ of
the dtadeL Materials were, tbereforOy from all parts, pro-
cured a seoood and third time, and again Tanished as before^
leaving and rendering every effort inefiectoaL Yortigam
inquired of his wise men the cause of this opposition to his
undertaking, and of so much useless expense of labour ?
Thef replied, ^ You must find a child bom widiout a fiUher,
put him to death, and sprinkle with his blood the ground
on which the citadel is to be built, or joa will never aooon-
plish your purpose."
§ 41. In consequence of this reply, the king sent messm-
gers throughout Britain, in search of a child bom without a
father. AAer having inquired in all the provinces, l^ey
came to the field of iElecti,* in the district of GlevesiD^t
where a party of boys were playing at balL And two of
them quarrelting, one said to the other, ^ O boy without a
father, no good will ever happen to you." Upon this, the
messei^ers diligently inquired of the mother and the other
boys, whether he had had a father ? Which his mother de-
nied, saying, ''In what manner he was conceived I know
not, for I have never had interoosrse with any man ; and
then she solemnly affirmed that he had no mortal father. The
boy was, therefore, led away, and conducted before Y<»ti-
gem the king.
§ 42. A meeting took place the next day for Ihi purpose
of putting him to death. Then the boy said to the Idug,
" Why have your servants brought me hither ?" ** That you
may be put to death," replied the kii^ ^ and that the ground
on which my citadel is to stand, nlay be sprinkled wi^ your
blood, without which I sfaaU be unable to build it" '' Who,"
said the boy, '' instructed you to do this ? " '' My wise
men," answered the king. '^ Order them hither," returned
the boy ; this being complied witlv he thus questioned than :
" By what means was it revealed to you that this citadel
could not be built, unless the spot were previously sprinkled
with my blood ? Speak without disguise, and declare who
discovered me to you ;" then turning to the king, '' I will
soon," said he, "unfold to you every thing; but I desire to
question your wise men, and wish them to disclose to you
* y . R. Elleti, Elect], GletL Supposed to be Baanlig in Moiunouthshite.
f The district between tbe TJak and Rumney, in Monmouthshire.
AJ>.452. V0BTIO£BN AND THE BOT AMBROSE. 403
what is hidden under this pavement:" they acknowledging
their ignorance, " there is," said he, ^^ a pool ; come and <^ :"
thej d^d so, and found the pool. '^Now," continued he,
" tell me what is in it ;" but thej were ashamed, and made
no reply. ^' I," said the boy, '^ can disoorer it to you : there
are two vases in the pool ;" they examined, and found it so :
continuing his questicMis, '* What is in the vases ?" they were
silent: ''there is a tent in them," said the boy; ''separate
them, and you shall find it so ;" this being done by the king's
command, there was found in then a folded tent The boy,
going on with his questions, asked the wise men what was in
it? But they not knowing what to reply, "There are,"
said he, "two serpents, one white and the other red; unfold
the tent ;" they obeyed, and two deeping serpents were dis-
covered; "consider attentively," said the boy, "what they
are doing." The serpents began to struggle with each other ;
and the wliite one, raising himself up, threw down the other
into the middle of the teait, and sometimes drove him to the
edge of it ; and this was repeated thrice. At length the red
one, apparently the weaker of the two, recovering his
strengta, expelled the white <me £rom the tent; and the
latter being pursued through the pool by the red one, disap-
peared. Then the boy, asking the wise men what was
signified by this wonderful omen, and they expressing thdr
ignorance, he said to the king, " I will now unfold to you
the meaning of this mystery. The pool is the emblem oi
this world, and the tent that of your kingdom : the two ser-
pents are two dragons ; the red serpent is your dragon, but
the white serpent is the dragon of the people who occupy
several provinces and districts of Britain, even almost from
sea to sea: at length, however, our peo|de shall rise and
drive away the Saxon race from beyond the sea, whence
they originally came ; but do you depart firom this place, where
you are not permitted to erect a citedel; I, to whom fate has
allotted this mansion, shall remain here ; whilst to you it is
incumbent to seek other provinces, where you may build a
fortress." "What is your name?" asked the king ; "I am
called Ambrose (in British Embresguletic)," returned the
boy ; and in answer to the king's question, " What is your
origin ?" he replied, " A Eoman consul was my ftther."
Then the king assigned him that city, with all the western
D D 2
404 NHNNIUS'S fflSTORT OP THE BBITONS. [A.a. 452.
provinces of Britain ; and departing with his wise men to
the sinistral district, he arrived in the region hamed Gueneri,
where he built a city which, according to his name, was called
Cair Guorthegim.* #
§ 43. At length Vortimer, the son of Vortigem, valiantly
fought against Hengist, Horsa, and .his people ; drove them
to the isle of Thanet, and thrice enclosed them within it, and
beset them on the western side.
The Saxons now despatched deputies to Germany to solicit
large reinforcements, and an additional number of ships :
having obtained these, they fought against the kings and
princes of Britain, and sometimes extended their boundaries
by victory, and sometimes were conquered and driven back.
§ 44. Four times did Vortimer valorously encounter the
enemy ;'\ the first has been mentioned, the second was upon
the river Darent, the third at the Ford, in their language
called Epsford, though in ours Set thirgabail, J there Horsa
fell, and Catigeruj the son of Vortigem ; the fourth battle he
fought, was near the stone § on the shore of the Gallic sea,
where the Saxons being defeated, fled to their ships.
* An ancient scholiast adds, ** He then built Guasmoric, near Lugubalia
[Carlisle], a city which in English is called Palmecaster.** Some differ-
ence of opinion exists among antiquaries respecting the site of Yortigem's
castle or city. Usher places it at Chvent, Monmouthshire, which name,
he says, was taken from Caer- Went, near Chepstow. This appears to agree
with Geoffrey's account, in page 208 of this volume. See Usher's Britan.
Eccles. cap. v. p. 23. According to others, supposed to be the city from
the ruins of which arose the ca^e of Gurthrenion, in Radnorshire, Cam-
den's Britannia, p. 479. Whitaker, however, says that Cair Guorthegim
was the Maridunum of the Romans, and the present Carmarthen. (Hist,
of Manchester, book ii. c. 1.) See also Nennius, sec. 47.
t Some MSS. here add, '* This Vortimer, the son of Vortigem, in a synod
held at Guarthemiaun, after the wicked king, on account of the incest com-
mitted with his daughter, fled from the face of Germanus and the British
clergy, would not consent to his father's wickedness ; but returning to St.
Germanus, and falling down at his feet, he sued for pardon ; and in atone-
ment for the calumny brought upon Germanus by his father and siat-er,
gave him the land, in which the forementioned bishop had endured such
abuse, to be his own for ever. Whence, in memory of St. Germanus, it
received the name of Guarenniaun (Guarthmiaun, Gurthrenion, Gwarth
Ennian) which signifies, a calumny jtisily retorted, since, when he thought
to reproach the bishop, he covered himself with reproach.''
X According to Langhome (p. 13), Epsford was afterwards called, in
the British tongue, Saeuenaeg hahaiU or ^ the slaughter of the Saxons.'
See also the note at page 188 of this voliune. $ V. R. '^ The stone
of Titulus," thought to be Stone in Kent, or Larger-stone in Suffolk.
A.IK452.] HEN6IST*S BLOODY TREACHEBT. 405
After a short interval Vortimer died ; before his decease,
anxious for the future prosperity of his country, he charged
his friends to inter his body at the entrance of the Saxon
port, viz. upon the rock whgre the Saxons first landed ; "for
though," said he, "they may inhabit other parts of Britain,
yet if you follow my commands, they vnll never remain in
this island." They imprudently disobeyed this last injunc-
tion, and neglected to bury him where he* had appointed.*
§ 45. After this the barbarians became firmly incorpo-
rated, and were assisted by foreign pagans ; for Yortigem
was their friend, on account of the daughterf of Hengist,
whom he so much loved, that no one durst fight against him
— ^in the meantime they soothed the imprudent king, and
whilst practising every appearance of fondness, were plotting
with his enemies. And let him that readS; understand, that
the Saxons were victorious, and ruled Britain, not from
their superior prowess, but on account of the great sins of
the Britons : Gt)d so permitting it.
For what wise man will resist the wholesome counsel of
God ? The Almighty is the King of kings, and the Lord of
lords, ruling and judging every one, according to his own
pleasure.
After the death of Yortimer, Hengist being strengthened
by new accessions, collected his ships, and calling his leaders
together, consulted by what stratagem they might overcome
Yortigem and his army ; with insidious intention they sent
messengers to the king, with offers of peace and perpetual
friendship ; unsuspicious of treachery, the monarch, after
advising with his elders, accepted the proposals.
§ 46. Hengist, under pretence of ratifying the treaty, pre-
pared an entertainment, to which he invited the king, the
nobles, and military officers, in number about three hundred ;
speciously concealing his wicked intention, he ordered three
hundred Saxons to conceal each a knife under his feet, and
to mix with the Britons ; " and when," said he, " they are
sufficiently inebriated, &c. cry out, * Nimed eure Saxes,' then
let each draw his knife, and kill his man ; but spare the king,
* Bapin sajs he was buried at Lincoln ; GeofiErey, at London, see p. 189.
+ V. R. Of his wife, and no one was able manfully to drive them off be-
cause they had occupied Britain not from their own valour, but by Grod's
peimission.
BUUUUS'S HI5I0KT OV THE BUIUBS. U-& 45Z.
on accdunt of Idb manuge with my ffamghter, fior it is better
liuit he should be rMiaomed than killed.'**
The king with his eampUBj^ appeared at the least ; and
mixing with the Saxeos^ who, whflst the^ spcdse peace wiUt
their tongnes^ dierisfaed treacheij in tfaidr hearta, each man
was placed next his encasy.
After thej had eaten and drank; and were modi intoxi-
catedy Ilengiat suddenly Tocifaated, ^ Kimed eore Saxes I"
and instandj his adherents drew their knives^ and rushing
upon the Britons^ each slew ham that sat next to him, and
there was slain three hondred of the noUes of Yortigem.
The king being a c^ytiTe, porchased his redemptkxv bj de-
lirering up the three prorinces of East, Sooth, and Ik&d^
Sex, besides other districts at the option of his betrayers.
§ 47. St, Grermanos admooiahed Yordgem to torn to the
tnie Grod, and abstain firom all unlawful intercourse with his
daughter ; but the unhapj^ wretch fled ^ refuge to the
province Guorthegimaim^f so called from his own name,
where he concealed himself with his wives : but St. Ger-
manus followed him with all the British clergy, and upon a
rock prayed for his sins during forty days and forty nights.
The blessed man was unanimously chosen commander
against the Saxons. And then, not 1^ the clang of trum-
pets, but by praying, singing haQelujidi, and by the cries of
the army to Grod, the enemies were routed, and driven eren
to the 8ea4
Again Yortigem ignominionsly flew firom St. Grermanus
to the kingdom of the Dimetae, where, on the river Towy,§
he built a castle, which he named Cair Guothergim. The
saint, as usual, followed him there, and with his clergy fasted
and prayed to the Lord three days, and as many nights. On
the third night, at the third hour, flre fell suddenly from
heaven^ and totally burned the castle. Yortigem, the daughter
of Hengist, his other wives, and all the inhabitants, both men
and women, miserably perished : such was the end of this un-
happy king, as we find written in the life of St. Gkrmanus.
§ 48. Others assure us, that being hated by all the people
of Britain, for having received the Saxons, and being pub-
* The y V. RR. of this section are too numerous to be inserted.
t A district of Radnorshire, forming the present hundred of Rhaiadr.
{ V. R. This paragraph is omitted in the MSS. § The Tobias of Ptoiemy.
A.S.4A2.] OSNSALOGY OF YOftTIGBBN. 407
liclj charged by St Gretmanus and the clergy in the sight of
God, he l^took himself to flight ; and, that deserted and a
wanderer, he sought a place o£ refuge, till broken hearted,
he made an ignominious end*
Some accounts state, that the earth opened and swallowed
him up, on the night his castle was burned ; as no remains
were discovered the following morning either of him, or of
those who were burned with him.
He had three sons : the eldest waa Yortimer, who, as we
have seen, fought four times against the Saxons, and put them
to flight ; the second Categirn, who was skdn in the same
battle with Horsa f the third was Fascent, who reigned in
the two provinces Builth and Guorthegimaim,* after the
death of his father.. These were granted him by Ambrosius,
who was the great king among the kings of Britain. The
fourth was Faustus, bom of an incestuous marriage with his
daughter, who waa brought up and educated by St. Germa-
nus. He built a large monastery on the banks of the river
Benis, called after has name, and which remains to the pre-
sent period.f
§ 49. This is the genealogy of Yortigem, which goes back
to Femvail,:( who reigned in the kingdom of Guorthegir-
naim,§ and was the son of Teudor ; Teudor was the son of
Paseent ; Fascent of Guoidcant ; Guoidcant of Moriud ;
Moriud of Eltat ; Eltat of Eldoo ; Eldoc of Paul ; Paul of
Meuprit ; Meuprit of Braciat ; Braciat of Paseent ; Paseent
of Guorthegirn ; Guorthegirn of Guortheneu ; Guortheneu of
Guitaul ; Guitaul of Guitolion ; Guitolion of Gloui. Bonus,
Paul, Mauron, Guotelin, were four brothers, who built Gloi-
uda, a great city upon the banks of the river Severn, and in
British is called Cair Gloui, in Saxon, Gloucester, Enough
has been said of Yortigem.
§ 60. St. Germanus, after his death, returned into his own
country.
II At that time, the Saxons greatly increased in Britain,
* In the northern part of the present counties of Radnor and Brecknock.
f Y. R. The MSS. add, ' and he had one dau^ter, who was the mother
of St. Faustus.'
X FemvaU, or Farinmail, appears to haTe been king of Gwentw Mon»
mouth. $ y. R» ' Two provinces, Builth and Guorthegimaim.'
H Y. R. All this to the word * Am«a,' in other MSS. is placed after tha
l^end of St. Patrick.
408 KENNIUS 8 HISTORY OF THE BRITONS. [a.i». 4».
both in strength and numbers, .^d Octa, after the death
of his father Hcngist, came from the sinistral part of the
island to the kingdom of Kent^ and from him have proceeded
all the kings of that province, to the present period.
Then it was, that the magnanimous Arthur, with all the
kings and military force of Britain, fought against the
Saxons. And though there were manj more noble than
himseli^ jet he was twelve times chosen their commander,
and was as often conqueror. The first battle in which he
was engaged, was at the mouth of the river Gleni.* The
second, third, fourth, and fifth, were on another river, bj the
Britons called Duglas,! in the region linuis. The sixth,
on the river Bassas.:( The seven^ in the wood Celidon,
which the Britons call Cat Ck)it Celidon.§ The eighth
was near Gumion castle, || where Arthur bore the image of
the H0I7 Virgin,^ mother of God, upon his shoulders, and
through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy
Mary, put the Saxons to flight, and pursued them the whole
day with great slaughter.** The ninth was at the City of
Legion,'!"!' which is called Cair Lion. The tenth was on the
* Supposed by some to be the Glem, in Lincolnshire ; but most probably
the Glen, in the northern part of Northumberland.
f Or Dubglas. The little nvet Dunglas, which formed the southern
boundary of Lothian. Whitaker says, the river Duglas, in Lancashire,
near Wigan.
t Not a river, but an isolated rock in the Frith of Forth, near the town
of North Berwick, called ** The Bass." Some think it is the river Lusas, in
Hampshire.
§ The Caledonian forest ; or the forest of Englewood, extending from
Penrith to Carlisle.
II Variously supposed to be in Cornwall, or Binchester in Durham, but most
probably the Roman station of Garionenum, near Yarmouth, in Norfolk.
^ y. R. The image of the cross of Christ, and of the perpetual Virgin
St. Mary.
* * V. R. For Arthur proceeded to Jerusalem,and there made a cross to the
size of the Saviour's cross, and there it was consecrated, and for three suc-
cessive days he fasted, watched, and prayed, before the Lord's cross, that
the Lord would give him the victory, by this sign, over the heathen ; which
also took place, and he took with him the image of St. Idaiy, the £ragmentB
of which are still preserved in great veneration at Wedale, in English Wo-
dale, in Latin VdllU-doloris. Wodale is a village in the province of Lodo-
nesia, but now of the jurisdiction of the bishop of St. Andrew's, of Scot-
land, six miles on the west of that heretofore noble and eminent monastezy
of Meilros. .ft Exeter.
A.0.452.] ST. PATBICK. 409
banks of the river Trat Treuroit.* The eleventh was on the
mountain Breguoin, which we call Cat Bregion.f The
twelfth was a most severe contest, when Arthur penetrated
to the hill of Badon4 In this engagement, nine hundred
and forty fell by his hand alone, no one but th^ Lord afford-
ing him assistance. In all these engagements the Britons
were successful. For no strength can avail against the will
of the Almighty.
The more the Saxons were vanquished, the more they
sought for new supplies of Saxons from Germany ; so that
kings, commanders, and military bands were invited over
from almost every province. And this practice they con-
tinued till the reign of Ida, who was the son of Eoppa, he,
of the Saxon race, was the first king in Bemicia, and in
Cair Ebrauc (York).
When Gratian ^quantius was consul at Eome, because
then the whole world was governed by the Roman consuls,
the Saxons were received by Vortigem in the year of our
Lord four hundred and forty-seven, and to the year in which
we now write, five hundred and forty-seven. And whosoever
shall read herein may receive instruction, the Lord Jesus
Christ affording assistance, who, co-eternal with the Father and
the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
In those days Saint Patrick was a captive among the
Scots. His master's name was Milcho, to whom he was a
swineherd for seven years. When he had attained the age
of seventeen he gave him his liberty. By the divine
impulse, he applied himself to reading of the Scriptures,
and afterwards went to Rome ; where, replenished with the
Holy Spirit, he continued a great while, studying the sacred
mysteries of those writings. During his continuance there,
Palladius, the first bishop, was sent by pope Celestine to
convert the Scots [the Irish]. But tempests and signs from
God prevented his landing, for no one can arrive in any
country, except it be allowed from above ; altering therefore
his course from Ireland, he came to Britain and died in
the land of the Ficts.§
* Or Ribroit, the Brue, in Somersetsliire ; or the Kibble, in Lancashire.
+ Or Agned Cathregonion, Cadbury, in Somersetshire ; or Edinburgh.
t Bath.
§ At Fozdun, in the district of Meains, iu Scotland. — Uther,
410 KENNIUS'S mSTOBX OF THE BBITONS. [a^. 452
§ 51. The death of Falladius being known, the Roman
patricianSy Theodosiiis and Yalentinian, then reigning, pope
Celestine sent Patrick to convert the Scots to the faith
of the Holy Trinity; Victor, the angel oi God, accom-
panying, admonishing, and assisting him, and also the bishop
Germanus.
Germanus then sent the ancient Segerus with hTm as a
venerable and praiseworthy bishop, to king Amatheus,* who
lived near, and who had prescience of what was to happen ;
he was consecrated bishop in the reign of that king by the
holy pontiff,f assuming the name of Patrick, having hitherto
been known by that of Maun; Auxilius, Isseminus, and
other brothers were ordained with him to inferior degrees.
§ 52. Having distributed benedictions, and perfected all
in the name of the Holy Trinity, he embarked on the sea
which is between the Gauls and the Britons ; and after a
quick passage arrived in Britain, where he preached for
some time. Every necessary preparation being n^de, and
the angel giving him warning, he came to the Irish Sea.
And having fiUed the ship with foreign gifts and spiritual
treasures, by the permission of God he arrived in Ireland*
where he baptized and preached*
§ 53. From the beginning of the world, to the fifth year
of king Logiore, when the Lish were baptized, and faith in
the unity of the individual Trinity was published to them,
are five thousand three hundred and thirty years.
§ 54. Saint Patrick taught the gospel in foreign nations
for the space of forty years. Endued with apostolical
powers, he gave sight to the blind, cleansed the lepers, gave
hearing to the deaf, cast out devils, raised nine from the
dead, redeemed many captives of both sexes at his own
charge, and set them free in the name of the Holy Trinity.
He taught the servants of God, and he wrote three hundred
and sixty-five canonical and other books relating to the
catholic faith. He founded as many churches, and conse-
* y . R. GennanuB ^ sent the elder Segerus with him to a wonderful
man, the holy bishop Amathearex." Another MS. " Sent the elder Sege-
rus, a bishop, with Mm to Amatheorex.^'
+ v. R. " Received the epiKopal degree from the holy bishop Amatheo-
rex." Another MS. " Received the episcopal degree from Matheorex and
the holy bishop."
A.D.452.J DBATH OF ST. FATBICK. 411
crated the same number of bishops, strengthening them with
the H0I7 Ghost. He ordained three thousand presbyters ;
and converted and baptized twelve thousand persons in the
province of Connaught. And, in one day baptized seven
kings, who were the seven sons of Amalgaid.* He con-
tinued fasting forty days and nights, on the summit of the
mountain £h, that is Cruachan- AicMe ;| and preferred three
petitions to God fw the Irish, that had embraced the faith.
The Scots say, tiie first was, that he would receive every
repenting sinner, even at the latest' extremity of life ; the
second, that they should never be exterminated by barbarians ;
and the third, that as Ireland^ will be overflowed with
water, seven years before the coming of our Lord to judge
the quick and the dead, the crimes of the people might be
washed away through his intercession, and their souls
purified at the last day. ^He gave the pec^le his benediction
from the upper part of the mountain, and going up higher,
that he might pray for them ; and that if it pleased G^ he
might see the effects of his labours, there appeared to him
an innumerable fiock of birds of many colours, signifying
the number of holy persons of both sexes of the Irish
nation, who should come to him as their apostle at the day
of judgment, to be presented before the tribunal of Christ.
After a life spent in the active exertion of good to mankind,
St. Patrick, in a healthy old age, passed from this world to
the Lord, and changing this life for a better, with the saints
and elect of God he rejoices for evermore.
§ 55, Saint Patrick resembled Mdles in four particulars.
The angel spoke to him in the burning bush. He fasted
forty days and forty nights upon the mountain. He attained
the period of one hundred and twenty years. No one knows
his sepulchre, nor where he was buried; sixteen § years he
was in captivity. In his twenty-fifth year, he was conse-
cxated bishop by Saint Matheus, | and he was eighty-five
years the apostle of the Irish. It might be profitable to
* King of Connaught.
f A mountain in the west of Coxmaught, county of Mayo, now called
Croagh-Patrick.
X V. R. that no Irishman may be alire on the day of judgment, becaus.
they will be destroyed seven vears before in honour of St. Patrick.
^ y. R. Fifteen. U Y. R. By the holy bishop Amatheua.
412 NENNIUS'S HISTORY OP THE BRITONS. LLt>. 452.
treat more at large of the life of this saint, but it is now
time to conclude this epitome of his labours.*
[Here endeth the life of the holy bishop, Saint Patrick.]
(After this, the MSS. give tu § 56, the legend of king Arthur, which iti
this edition occurs in § 50.)
GENEALOGY OF THE KINGS OF BEBNICIA.'j'
§ 57. Woden begat Beldeg, who begat Beomec, who begat
Gethbrond, who begat Aluson, who begat Ingwi, who begat
Edibrith, who begat ESa, who begat Eoppa, who begat Ida.
But Ida had twelve sons, Adda, Belric, Theodric, Ethelric,
Theodhere, Osmer, and one queen, Beamoch, Ealric. Ethel-
ric begat Ethelfrid : the same is ^dlfred Flesaur. For he
also had seven sons, Eanfrid, Oswald, Oswin, Oswy,
Oswudu, Oslac, Offa. Oswy begat Alfrid, Elfwin, and
Egfrid. Egfrid is he who made war against his cousin
Brudei, king of the Picts, and he fell therein with all the
strength of his army, and the Picts with their king gained
the victory ; and the Saxons never again reduced the Picts
so as to exact tribute from them. Since the time of this
war it is called Gueithlin Garan.
But Oswy had two wives, Riemmelth, the daughter of
Royth, son of Rum ; and Eanfled, the daughter of Edwin,
son of Alia.
THE GENEALOGY OF THE KINGS OP KENT.
§ 58. Hengist begat Octa, who begat Ossa, who begat
Eormenric, who begat Ethelbert, who begat Eadbald, who
begat Ercombert, who begat Egbert.
THE ORIGIN OP THE KINGS OP EAST-ANGLIA.
§ 59. Woden begat Casser, who begat Titinon, who begat
Trigil, who begat Rodmunt, who begat Rippa, who begat
Guillem Guercha,^ who was the first kmg of the East Angles.
* Here ends the Vatican MS. collated by Mr. Gunn.
t These titles are not part of the original work, but added in the MSS.
by a later hand.
t Guercha is a distortion of the name of Uffa or Wuffii, arising in the
first instance from the pronunciation of the British writer ; md^ in the next
place, from the error of the transcriber. — Faigrave,
A.]>.4ff2.] KINGS OF THE DEIRL 413
Guerclia begat Uffa, who begat Tytillus, who begat Eni, who
begat Edric, who begat Aldwulf, who begat Ebic.
THE GENEALOGY OF THE MEBCIANS.
§ 60. Woden begat Guedolgeat, who begat Gueagon, who
begat Guithleg, who begat Guerdmund, who begat Ossa, who
begat Ongen, who begat Earner, who begat Pubba.* This
Pubba had twelve sons, of whom two are better known to me
than the others, that is Penda and Eawa. Eadlit is the son
of Pantha, Penda, son of Pubba, Ealbald, son of Alguing,
son of Eawa, son of Penda, son of Pubba. Egfert, son of
Offa, son of Thingferth, son of Enwulf, son of Ossulf, son
of Eawa, son of Pubba.
THE KINGS OF THE DEIBI.
§ 61. Woden begat Beldeg, Brond begat Siggar, who
begat Sibald, who begat Zegulf, who begat Soemil, who
first separated| Deur from Bemeich ( Deira from Bernicia,)
Soemil begat Sguerthing, who begat Giulglis, who begat
Ulfrea, who begat Iffi, who begat Ulli, Edwin, Osfrid, and
Eanfrid. There were two sons of Edwin, who fell with
>n'Tn in battle at Meicen,f and the kingdom was never
renewed in his family, because not one of his race escaped
from that war ; but ail were slain with him by the army of
Catguollaunus, § king of the Guendota. Oswy begat Egfrid,
the same is Ailguin, who begat Oslach, who begat Alhun,
who begat Adlsing, who begat Echun, who begat Oslaph.
Ida begat Eadric, who begat Ecgulf, who begat Leodwald,
who begat Eata, the same is Glinmaur, who begat Eadbert
and Egbert, who was the first bishop of their nation.
Ida, the son of Eoppa, possessed countries on the left-hand
side of Britain, i, e, of the Humbrian sea, and reigned twelve
years, and united || Dynguayth Guarth-Bemeich.
§ 62, Then Dutigim at that time fought bravely against
♦ Or Wibba. f V. R. Conquered.
t Hatfield, in the West Biding of Yorkshire. See Bede's Eccles. Hist,
p. 106. § Cadwalla, king of the Western Britons.
H y« R. United the castle, i. e. Dinguerin and Gardbemech, which two
countries were in one country, i. e. Deurabemech ; Anglice Deira and Ber-
nicia. Another MS. Built Dinguayrh Guarth Bemeich.
1
414 NENNIUS'ft BISTOBT OF 9HB BBTTONS. U.d, 43S.
the nation of the Angles. At that lime, Talhaiam Catagnen*
was famed for poetry, and Neirin, and Taliesin and Bhich-
bard, and Cian, who is called Guenith Guaut, were all famous
at the same time in British poetrj.
The great king, Mailcun,f reigned among the Britons, u e.
in the district of Guenedota, because his great-great-grand-
father, Cunedda, with his twelve sons, had come before from
the left-hand part, i. e. from the country which is called
Manau GustocUn, one hundred and forty-six years before
Mailcun reigned, and expelled the Soots with much slaughter
from those countries, and they never returned again to
inhabit them.
§ 63. Adda, son of Ida, reigned eight years ; Ethelric,
son of Adda, reigned four years. Theodoric, son of Ida,
reigned seven years. Freothwulf reigned six years. In
whose time the kingdom of Kent, by the mission of Gregory,
received baptism. Hussa reigned seven years. A^inst
him fought four kings, Urien, and Byderthen, and Gual-
lauc, and Morcant. Theodoric fought bravely, together with
his sons, against that Urien. But at that time sometimes
the eaeoij and sometimes our countrymen were defeated,
and he shut them up three days and three nights in the
island of Metcaut ; and whilst he was on an expedition he
was murdered^ at the instance of Morcant, out of envy,
because he possessed so much superiority over all the kings
in military science. Eadfered Flesaurs reigned twelve years
in Bernicia, and twelve others in Deira, and gave to his wife
Bebba, the town of Dynguoaroy, which fnun her is called
Bebbanburg4
Edwin, son of Alia, reigned seventeen years, seized
on Elmete, and expelled Cerdic, its king. Eanfled, his
daughter, received baptism, on the twelfth day after
Pentecost, with all her followers, both men and women.
The following Easter Edwin himself received baptism, and
twelve thousand of his subjects with him. If any one wishes
to know who baptized them, it was Rum Map Urbgen : § he
« Talhaiam was a descendant of 0)el Grodebog, and chaplun to Am-
broflius.
f Better known aa Maelgwn.
X Bambrough. See Bede, iii. 6, and Sax. Cimm. aj). 547.
^ See Bede*s Eccles. Hist. p. 96. Fnnn the share which Paulinns had
A.O. C25-C42.1 KLSGtS OF THE DEIEL 415
was eng^ed forty days in baptizing all classes of the Saxons,
and by his preaching many believed on Christ.
§ 64. Oswald son of EthelMd, reigned nine years ; the
same is Osv&ld Llaniguin ;* he slew Catgublaun (Cadwalla),f
king of Guenedotyj: in the battie of Catscaiil,§ with much loss
to has own army. Oswy, son of Ethelfrid, reigned twenty-
eight years and six months. During his reign, there was a
dreadful mortality among his subjects, wh»i Catgualart
(Cadwallader) was king among the Britons, succeeding his
father, and he himself died amongst the rest.|| He slew
Penda in the field of Gai, and now took place the slaughter
of G^ Campi, and the kings of the Britons, who went out
with Penda on the expedition as far as the dty of Judeu,
Tyere slain.
§ 65. Then Oswy restored all ihe wealth, which was
with him in the city, to Penda ; who distributed it among
the kings of the Britons, that is, Atbert Judeu. But
Catgabail alone, king of Giienedot, rising up in the night,
escaped, together with his army, wherefore he was caJled
Catgabail Catguommed. Egfrid, son of Oswy, reigned nine
years. In his time the holy bishop Cuthbert died in the
island of Medcaut.^ It was he who made war against the
Picts, and was by them slain.
Penda, son of Pybba, reigned ten years ; he first separated
the kingdom of Mercia from that of the North-men, and slew
by treachery Anna, king of the East Anglians, and St.
in the conversion of the Northumbrian king, it has been inferred that he
actually baptized him ; but Nennius expr^v states, that the holy sacra-
ment was administered by Rhun, the son of Urien. The Welsh name of
Paulinus is Pawl Hen, or Polin Esgob.
* Llauiguin, means the ^ fair," or the ** bounteous hand."
t This name has been variously written ; Bede spells it Cdedtialla (Cad-
walla); Nennius, Catgublaun; the Saxon Chronicle, CeadwMa; and the
Welsh writers, Cadwallon and Katwallawn : and though the identity of the
person may be clearly proved, it is necessary to observe these particulars to
distinguish him from Cadwaladr, and from another Caedualia or Cadwalla,
a king of the West Saxons ; all of whom, as they lived within a shon
time of each other, have been frequently confounded together. — Rees's
Welsh Saints, t Gwynedd, North Wales.
§ Bede says at Denis Vbrook. Eccles. Hist. p. 109.
11 The British chronicles assert that Cadwallader died at Rome, whilst
Nennius would lead us to conclude that he perished in the pestilence at
home. See Geoffrey, p. 288. IT The isle of Fame.
416 KENNIUS'S HI8T0BT OF THE BBITONS. [a.o. 625-642.
Oswald, king of the North-men. He fought the battle of
Cocboy,* in which fell Eawa, son of Pybba, his brother, king
of the Mercians, and Oswald, king of the North-men, and
he gained the victory by diabolical agency. Qe was not
baptized, and never believed in Gt>d.
§ 66. From the beginning of the world to Constantinus
and Rufus, are found to be five thousand six hundred and
fifty-eight years.
Also from the two consuls, Bufus and Bubelius, to the
consul Stilicho, are three hundred and seventy-three years.
Also from Stilicho to Yalentinian, son of Placida, and the
reign of Vortigem, are twenty-eight years.
And from the reign of Yortigem to the quarrel between
Guitolinus and Ambrosius, are twelve years, which is Guo-
loppum, that is Catgwaloph.f Yortigem reigned in Britain
when Theodosius and Yalentinian were consuls, and in the
fourth year of his reign the Saxons came to Britain, in the
consulship of Felix and Taurus, in the four hundredth year
from the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
From the year in which the Saxons came into Britain,
and were received by Yortigem, to the time of Decius and
Yalerian, are sixty-nine years.
* Maserfield. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 123.
+ In Carmartbenshire. Perhaps the town now called Kidwelly.
KICHARD OP CIRENCESTEa
ON THV
ANCIENT STATE OF BRITAIN.
EB
RICHARD OF CIRENCESTER
ONTHV
ANCIENT STATE OF BRITAIN.
BOOK !•
CHAPTER L
1. The shore of Gaul would be the boundary of the
world, did not the island^ of Britain claim from its magni-
tude almost the appellation of another world; for if mea-
sured to the Caledonian promontory^ it extends more than
eight hundred miles in length.^
2. Britain was fbrst called by the ancients Albion,^ from
^ The early Greeks and Roxnan? doubted whether Britam was an island,
or part of the contment. This uncertainty gave rise to a controversy which
was not settled till the time of the propraetor Julius Agricola. — Tao, ViU
Apric, c, 38. Dio, Cass. Hisi^ Rom. lib, 39. ' Dunnet Head.
' Richard gives too great an extent to our island, which, according to
the most accurate observations, stretches only from lat. 49** 48', the most
southern point, to Dunnet Head, which is in lat. 58"* 40' or scarcely 540
geographical milesu
* Various explanations have been given of the names of Albion and
Britain, applied to our island. Some derive Albion from the white rocks
which bound the coast ; some from Albion, a son of Neptune, who is re-
presented as its first discoverer and cultivator ; others have likewise derived
the name Britain from the Phoenician or Hebrew BaratanaCy signifying 1^
land of tin. It was also called by the natives, Hyperborea, AthnUea,
Cdssiteris, Romano, and Thttie,
According to the British Triads, ''the three names given to the isle of
Britain, from the beginning, were : before it was inhabited, the name of
Clas Merddyn (or the green spot defended by water) ; after it was inhab-
ited, Y Vil Ynyt (the honey island) ; and, after it was brought imder (miq
£ R 2
420 fitCHABD Ol^ CtBEKCESTlSft* i>t.cB.A.
its tohite cliffy; and afterwards in the language of the na'
tives, Britain* Hence all the islands hereafter described
were denominated British.^
3. Britain is situated between the north and west» ^oppo'
site to, though at some distance from, Grermanj, Graul, and
Spain, the most considerable parts of Europe, and is bounded
by the Atlantic Ocean.
4. On the south of Britain lies Belgic Graul, firom which
coast passengers usually sail to the Rhutupian portJ This
place is distant from Gessoriacum,^ a town of the Morini,
the port most - frequented bj the Britons, fifty miles, or
according to Others, four hundred and fifty stadia. From
thence may be seen the country of the Britons whom Vir-
gil in his Eclogues describes as separated from the whole
world, —
' «.. penitus tdto divisos orbe Britannos."
5. By Agrippa, an ancient geographer, its breadth is esti-
mated at three hundred miles ; but with more truth by Bede
at two hundred, exclusive of the ' promontoriesi^ If their
sinuosities be taken into the computation, its circuit will be
three thousand six hundred miles* Mardan, a Greek author,
agrees with me in stating it at mdioolxxy.^
gOTemment bj Piydain, son of Aedd, it was called Ynps Prydain (or the
ule of Britain).
In some old writings it is also termed, Yr Tnyt Wen, (or the white
island.)
* This part is taken from Pliiij, who enumerates the British isles in the
following order: — Orcades, 40; Aemodae, 7; Haebudes, 30. Between
Britain and Ireland, Mona, Menapia, Bicnea, Vectis, Silimnus, Androe*
beneath, Siambis and Axuntos : on the opposite side, towards the German
Sea, the Glessarias, called Electrides by the later Greek writers, from the
amber found there : and last of all, Thul6.
He refers to others mentioned by dififerent authors, viz., Mictis, Scandia,
Dumnia, Burgos, and Nerigos.
* That is, from Rome. Richard, in copjring the Roman writers, adopted
their expressions in regard to the relative positions of places.
' Richborough, Kent. * Boulogne.
* Richard errs in supposing the estimation of Bede more accurate thaa
that of Agrippa.
^ The numerals are here so incorrect that it is difficult to discoTer what
number was meant by Richard. Marcian observes that the circuit of our
island is not more than 28,604 stadia, or 3575 miles, nor less than 20,526)
or 2576 miles. Hence Bertram is led to prefer the greater number.
■. I. CH. I.] OF THE EXTENT OF BfilTADr. 421
CHAP. n.
1. Albion, called by Chrjsostom Great Briton, is, accord-
ing to CaBsar, of a triangular shape, resembling Sicilj. On^
of the sides lies opposite to Celtic GauL One angle of this
side, which is the Cantian promontory,^ is situated to the
east; the other, the Oerinian 'promontorj,^ in the country
of the Damnonii, faces the south and the province. of Tarra-
conensis in Spain. This side is about five hundred miles in
length.
2. Another side stretches towards Ireland and the west,
the length of which, according to the opinion of the ancients,
is seven hundred miles.
3. The third side is situated to the north, and is opposite to
no land except a few islands ;^ but the angle of this side
chiefly trends towards Germania Magna.^ The length from
the Novantian Chersonesus,^ through the country of the
Taixali, to the Cantian promontory,^ is estimated at eight
hundred miles. Thus aU erroneously compute the circuit of
the island to be two thousand miles ; for from the Cantian
promontory to Ocrinum,^ the distance is four hundred miles ;
from thence to Novantum, a thousand ; and from thence to
the Cantian promontory, two ■ thousand two hundred* The
circumference of the whole island is therefore three thousand
six hundred miles.9
4. Livy and Fabius Busticus compare the fonn of Britain
to an oblong shield or battle-axe ; and as^ according to Taci-
tus, it bears that figure on the side of Caledonia, the compar^^
ison was extended to the whole island, though the bold pro-
montories at its further extremity give it the shape of a
wedge. But Caesar, and Fomponius Mela assert that its form
is triangular.
« North Foreland. ■ Lizard Point
* The Orkney and Shetland isles.
* Under this name the ancients comprised not onlj Gennanj proper,
but Denmark, Norway, &o.
* Rens of Galloway.
V NoHh Foreland. * Lizard Point
* Bertram has endeaTOured to Teconcile the various and discordant caU
culationa given by different ancient authors of the circuit of our island.
On such vague principles as these estimations are made, it would be alxposl
impoasihle, even now, for two persons to produce the same result
422 UlCHABD OF CIBEHCESTEtt. [k. l ck 1
5. It credit may be given to the celebrated geographei'
Ptolemy and his contemporary writers, the island resembles
an inverted Z,^ but according to the maps the comparison is
not exact. Tlie triangular shape, however, seems to belong
to England alone*^
CHAP.HL
1. The original inhabitants of Britain, whether indigenous
or foreign, are, like those of most other countries, unknown*
The Jews alone, and by their means the contiguous nations^
have the happiness of tracing their descent since the creation
of the world from undoubted documents*
2. From the diflFerence of personal appearance different
conjectures have been drawn. The red hair and large limbs
of the Caledonians proclaim their German origin; the
painted faces and curled locks of the SUures, and thdr
situation opposite to Spain, corroborate the assertion of
Tacitus, that the ancient Iberians passed over and occupied
this country and Ireland. Those who live nearest the Grauls
resemble them, either from the strength of the original stock,
or from the effects which the same positions of the heavens
produce on the human body*
3. K I were inclined to indulge a conjecture, I might
here mention that the Veneti' in their commercial expe-»
ditions first introduced inhabitants and religion into this
country. Writers are not wanting, who assert that
Hercules came hither and established a sovereignty. But it
is needless to dwell on such remote antiquities and idle tales.^
^ Ptolemy's expreauon is obscure ; but he was eyidentlj led to this sup-
position by the notion that Caledonia or Scotland trended to the east* as
appears from his latitudes and longitudes. This form, therefore, he not
unaptly compares to the inverted Z. It would be a trespass on the patience
of the reader to attempt to reconcile what is irreconcileable.
* These words are Chiefly taken from Tacitus. The obscurity of the
expression and the absurdity of the comparison, will suflSciently show the
ignorance of those ancients whose works have reached the present time, in
retard to our island. — Tacit. Vii. AgricoliB, sec, 10,
' The Veneti, a tribe seated on the coast of Armorica or Bretagne,
distinguished for their maritime power, and with whom Caesar waged war.
Their territory accordmg to his description, was part of Celtic Gaul, and
the present Vannes was their capital.
* To these ooigectures relative to the original inhabitants, and subsequent
B.I. CH.3.] AXCDSNT BBITOKS, THBIB HABITS. 423
4. On the whole, however, it is prohable thftt the Gauls
occupied the contiguous regions. According to Tacitus,
their sacred rites and superstitioiis may be traced; nor is
the language very different ; and lastly, the tradition of the
druids, with the names of the states which still retain the
same appellations as the people sprung from the cities of
Gaul, who came hither and b^an to cultivate the country.^
5. According to Caesar, the country was ei:tremely populous,
and contained numerous buildings, not dissimilar to those of
the Grauls. It was rich in cattle.
6. The inhabitants of the southern part were the most
civilized, and in their customs differed little from the Gauls.
Those of the more distant parts did not raise com ; but lived
on fruits and flesh. They were ignorant of the use of wool
and garments, although in severe weathar they covered
themselves with the skins of sheep or deer^ They were
accustomed to bathe in the rivers.
7. All the Britons formerly stained their bodies of a blue
colour, which according to Caesar gave them a more terrible
appearance in battle. They wore their hair long, and
coloniBts of Britain, it maj not be tininterasting to add the accounts
preserved in the Welsh Triads.
The historical Triads record that the first colonists of Britain were
Cffmry, who originally came from Defrobani Gtoiad Yr Jffav, the smnmer
land, or Taiiric Chersonemu. There they have teft many traces of their
name preserved hy ancient authors, among which we may instance the
Cimmerian Bosphorus.
Subsequent colonists arrived from the neighbourikig continent at various
times. Thie Loegrwya (Loegrians) from Gascogne; the Brython from
Tjydauo (Britanny), who yr&te descendants from the original stock of the
Cymry, Two descents are also mentioned in Albin, or North Britain; one
called the tribe of Celyddon^ the other the primitive Otoyddelians,
Another descent is said to haVe berai made in the south, in Ynys»Wythy
or the Isle of Wight, by the men of GaUdin (the Belgs), when their
native country was inundated. Another colony called the Corani came
from the country of the Ptayl (1?olfind),and settled on the sea coast, about
the river Humber. A descent in Albin, or North Britiun, of a colony of
Gwyddehan Fifti [Irish Picts], who are desicribed as coming from the sea
of Loolyn (the Baltic); and a partial settlement of the men of I*oclyn
(Scandmavians), who were expelled afteir remaining for three generations.
The arrival of the Romans and Saxons is also mentioned, as well as
some partial Settlements of Gwyddelians fit)m Ireland.
' We discover a few cities in Gaiil, bearing nearly the same appellations
as those of Britain ; and in both countries we find the Atrebates, the
Morini, the w£dtu, the Senones, the Menapii, and the Rh^iii.
424 BICHABD OF GIBENCBSTI&B. l>. u en. 3.
shaved all parts of the body except the head and the upper
lip.
8. Ten or twelve Britons h^ their wives in common;
and this custom particularly prevailed among brethren, and
between fathers and sons ; but the children were considered
as belonging to him who had first taken the virgin to wifa
The mothers suckled their own children, and did not employ
maids and nurses,
9. According to Capsar. also they used brass money, and
iron rings of a certain weight instead of coin.^
10. The Britons deemed it unlawful to eat hares,^ fowls,
or geese ; but they kept those animals for pleasure.
11. They had pearls, bits made of ivory, bracelets, vessels
of amber and glass, agates, and, what aurpasses aU, great
abundance of tin.
12. They navigated in barks, the keels and ribs of which
were formed of l^ht materials ; the other parts were made
of wicker and covered with the hides of oxen.® . During
their voyages, as SoUnus asserts, they abstain from food.^ ^
13. Britain produce^ people and . kings of people, . as
Pomponius Mela writes in his third book ; but they are all
uncivilized, and in proportion as they are more distant from
the continent, are more ignorapt of riches; their wealth
consisting chiefly in cattle and land. They are addicted to
litigation and war, and frequently attack each other, from a
desire of command, and of enlarging their possessions. It
is customary indeed for the Britons to wage war under the
guidance of women, and not to regard the difference of sex
in the distribution of power.
14. The Britons not only fought on fbot and on horseback,
but in chariots drawn by two horses, and armed in the GalHc
* The natiyes of Ohina and Japan follow a similar custom in regard to
gold and silver, which ave not coined, but pass according to weight.
' It seems that they considered the appearance of a hare a fbrtunate
omen ; for the Roman lustorians observe that Boadicea, after hAwmgiiii^
her troops, let loose a hare which she had concealed in her garments.
* This species of boat is still used on the Welsh rivers, and is called a
ooricle in English, and cweh in Welsh. It is so light that a man maj cany
one on his back.
* Richard has mistaken the sense of Solinus, who, in describing the
passage fix>m Great Britain to Ireland, observes that from its shortaeaa
they abstained itom foodi ^Navigantes escis abetineDt, nro freti lati^
tudine." C. 26.
a.i.CH.3.] BBITOXS, THBIB MODE OF WAB. 425
manner. . Those chariots, to the axle-trees of which scythes
were fixed, were called covini^ or wains,
15. Csesar relates that they employed cavalry in their
wars, which before the coming of the Romans were almost
perpetuaL All were silled in war ; each in proportion to
nis family apd wealth supported, a number of retainers, and
this was the only species of honour with which they were
acquainted.^
16. The principal strength of the Britons was in their
infantry, who fought with darts,' large swords, and short
targets. According to Tacitus, their swords were blunt at
the point.
17. CsBsar in his fourth book thus describes their mode of
fighting in that species of chariots called essecUe.* At first
^ In all periods the Britons seem to have been divided into numerous
petty communities or states, headed by chiefs, who are. here dignified with
the title of kings. From the jealousies and weakness attending such a
Itate of society* the island first became a prey to the Romans, and
afterwards to the Saxons; and when the Britons were confined to the
mountains of Wales, tl)e same causes hastened the c^mexation of their
country to England.
' In the early ages chariots were universally used in war. In the
Scriptures they are frequently mentioned as forming the principal strength
of an army; and the mode of fighting in chariots among the Greeks and
Trojans, according to the description of Homer, was exactly similar to that
of the Britons. The steeds of his heroes were
^ Practised alike to stop, to turn, to chase,
To dare the shock, or urge the rapid race."
His warriors sometimes drive through the ranks of the enemy, sometimes
fight from their chariots, and sometimes alight and maintain the combat on
foot, while their phariots retire to the rear.
<< This counsel pleased, the godlike Hector sprung
Swift from his seat; his clanging armour rung«
The chiers example foUow'd by his train.
Each quits his car and issues on the plain;
By orders strict the charioteers enjoin'd
Compel the coursers to their ranks behind."
The Britons, however, appear to have devised an improvement in this
mode of warfare, which was unknown to the Greeks. Their chariots seem
to have been of two kinds, the covini or wains, heavy and armed mih
scythes, to break the thickest order of the enemy; and the egsetUs, a
lighter kind, adapted probably to situations and circumstances in which
the covini could not act, and occasionally performing the duties of cavalry.
The esseda, with the cavalry, were pijsbed forward to oppose the first
landing of Ceesar; and Cassivellaunus afterwards left 4000 essscla as
426 BICHABD OF CIRENCESTEB. [B.LCB.S.
they drove through the army in all directions, hurling their
darts ; and by the terror of the horses, and the noise of the
wheels, generally threw the ranks of the enemy into disorder.
When they had penetrated between the troops of cavalry,
they leaped from their chariots and waged unequal war on
foot. Meanwhile the chariots were drawn up at a distance
from the battle^ and placed in such a position, that if pressed
by the enemy, the warriors could effect a retreat to their
own army. They thus displayed the rapid evolutions of
cavalry, and the firmness of infantry, and were so expert by
exercise, as to hold up the horses in steep descents, to chec^
and turn them suddenly at full speed, to run along the pole,
stand on the yoke, and then spring into the chariot.
18. The mode of fighting on horseback threatened equal
danger to those who gave way, or those who pursued. They
never engaged in close lines, but in scattered bodies, and
with great intervals ; they had their appointed stations, and
relieved each other by turns ; and fresh combatants suc-
ceeded those who were fatigued. The cavalry also used
darts.
19. It is not easy to determine the form of government
in Britain previous to the coming of the Romans. It is how-
ever certain that before their times there was no vestige of a
monarchy, but rather of a democracy, unless perhaps it may
seem to have resembled an aristrocracy.' The authority of
the Druids in affairs of the greatest moment was consider-
able. Some chiefs are commemorated in their ancient re-
cords,, yet these appear to have possessed no permanent
power ; but to have been created, like the Roman dictators,
in times of imminent danger. Nor are instances wanting
a corps of obBcryatioii to watch his moTementsii— Qr^ar. CommenL lib,
5, sec. 15.
' The goyemment of the ancient Britons may be denominated patri-
archal. E^h commtmity was governed by its elders ; and every indi-
vidual who could not prove his kindred to some community, through nine
descents, and the same number of collateral affinities, was not considered
as a fre^an« Beyond this degree of kindred, they were formed into new
oonmiunities. The elders of the different communities Were subordinate to
the elders of the tribes. But in times of public danger, as is recorded in
the Triads, some chief of distinguished abilities was entrusted with the
supreme authority over the tribes or communities, who united in comncion
defence —Such were Caswallon (Caasivellaunus), Caradwg (Garactacus),
and Owain, son of Macsen.
■k f. CHk 3.] STATUBE AND DSESS OF THE BBIT0N8. 427
iomong them, lis among othet brave nations, when they chose
even the leader of their adversaries to conduct their armies.
He, therefore, who before was their enemy, afterwards
fought on their sideb
20. The Britons exceeded in stature both the Grauls and
the Romans. Strabo affirms that he saw at Rome some
British youths, who were considerably taller than the
Romans.
21. The more wealthy inhabitants of South Britain were
accustomed to ornament the middle finger of the left hand
with a gold ring ; but a gold collar^ round the neck was the
distinguishing mark of eminence. Those of the northern
regions, who were the indigenous inhabitants of the island
from time immemorial, were almost wholly ignorant of the
use of clothes, and surrounded their waists and necks, as
Herodian reports, with iron rings, which they considered as
ornaments and proofs of wealth. They carried a narrow
shield, fitter for use than ornament, and a lance, With a sword
pendant from their naked and painted bodies. They rejected
* This torques, chain, or rather wreath^ is frequently alluded to by the
^arlj British bardsh
** Yet in the battle of Arderydd I wore the goldeti torqw^*
Merddin AveUanaw*
" Four at\d twenty sons I haV6 h&d
Wearing the golden wreath, leaders of armies."
Uytoareh ffin*
'^ Of all who went to Cattraeth) wearing the golden tore or wreath,**
Aneurin,
The same bard states that in the battle of Cattraeth were three hundred
land sixty who wore the golden torques.
We give a description of one of these ornaments found near the castle of
Harlech, in Merionethshire, in 1692. "It is a wreathed bar of gold, or per-
haps three or four rods jointly twisted, about four feet long, but natxirally
bending only one way, in the form of a hatband. It is hooked at both
ends. It is of a round form, about an inch in circumference, and weighs
eight ounces."— Gibson^s Camden, p. 658.
Another mark of dignity was a string of amber beads worn round the
head. To this AneUrin alludes —
*^ With wreaths of amber twined round his temples.'*
These beads have been frequently found in tumuli^ particularly in thoad
on Salisbury Plain.— See Turner*t Vindication of the Welsh Bards.-^
Otoen'a Elegies qfLU^warch Hink
428 mCHABD OF CIBENCESTEB. Lb.i.ch.8.
-or despised the breast^plate and helmet, because such armour
impeded their passage through the marshes.
22. Among other particulars, this custom prevailed in
Britain. Thej stopped travellers and merchants, and comt-
pelled them to relate what thej had heard, or knew, worthj
of notice. The common people usually surrounded foreign
merchants in the towns, and obliged them to tell from whence
thej came, and what curious things they had observed. On
such vague reports they often rashly acted, and thus were
generally deceived ; for many answered them agreeably to
their desires with fictitious stories.^
23. Their interments were magnificent ; and all things
which they prized during life, even arms and animals, were
thrown into the funeral pHe. A heap of earth and turf fonned
the sepulchre.^
* This is CaesariB acooimt of a Qallic custom ; but it is applied, not withi-
oat reason, to the Britons, and indeed is equally applicable to all un-
civilized people.
* As &.e classic authors haye left us no description of the modes of ini-
terment among the Britons, Richard was induced, bj the conformify of
^eir manners and customs to those of the Grauls, to adopt the words uped
by Caesar in his account of the Gallic fUnerals. Unfortunately the remains
of the British bards afford little assistance in supplying this deficiency. It
appears, however, that the Britons raised tumuli over their dead, and
continued the practice till after the introduction of Christianity ; and
that their other modes of interment were the earned, or heap of stones ;
the oistvaenf or stone chest ; . and perhaps the ctwnlec, or hanging
stone. Fron^ a curious fragment commemorating the graves of the
British warriors, which is printed in the first volume of the Welch Archae>
ology, we learn further, that they buried their dead on the top of hills and
lofty cliffs, on declivities, in heaths and secluded valleys, on the banks and
near the fords of riven, and on the sea-shore ''where the ninth wave
breaks.*' Allusions are also made to corresponding stones raised on these
graves ; and it is said, '< the hng graves in Gwanas, no one knows to whom
they belong por what is thebr history."
As the xnodes of interment among all early nations were in many re-
spects similar, there is perhaps no part of our national antiquities which ham
given scope to so much conjecture as this. The reader who is desirous of
more particular information relative to this subject, may at least find
amusement in consulting the works of Stukeley, Douglas's Nenia Britan^
nicoy the Jrchaohpia, AQd various accounts sciittered in different periodi*
pal publicationg,
M*i.eB,L} BBirONS-^THEIB SACBBD BTTISS. 429
CHAP. IV.
1. All the Britons, like the Gauls, were much addicted
to superstitious ceremonies ; and those who laboured under-
severe disorders, or were exposed to the dangers of war,
either offered human victims, or made a vow to perform
duch a sacrifice.
2. The druids Were employed in the performance of these
cruel rites; and they be&eved that the gods could not be
appeased unless the life of a man was ransomed with human
blood. Hence arose the public institution of such sacrifices;
and those who had been surprised in theft, robbery, or any
other delinquency, were considered as the most acceptable
victims. But when criminals could not be obtained, even
the innocent were put to death, that the gods might be
appeased.
3. The sacred ceremonies could not be performed except
in the presence of the druids ; and on them devolved the
office of providing for the public as well as private rites#
They were the guardians of religion and the interpreters
of mysteries ; and being skilled in medicine, were consulted
for the preservation or restoration of health.
4. Among their gods, the principal object of their worship
Was Mercury .7 Next to him they adored justice (under the
name of Astarte), then Apollo, and Mars (who was called
Vitucadrus), Jupiter, Minerva, Hercules, Victory (called
Andate), Diana, Cybele, and Pluto. Of these deities they
held the same opinions as other nations.
5. The Britons, like the Gauls, endeavoured to derive
their origin from Dis or Pluto, boasting of this ancient
tradition of the druids. For this reason they divided time»
not by the number of days, but of nights, and thus distin-
^ This passage has puzzled the British antiquaries, hecause it militates
against the grand principle of the druidic theology, and because, as they
assert, no traces of the Greek or Roman deities are found among the early
Britons. ; Possibly some of the British tribes might hare brought this mode
of worship from Gaul ; but more probably the assertion was derived from
the misconception of the ancient authors themselves, who gave the names
of their own deities to the objects of adoration distinguished by similar
attributes in other countries. The account is borrowed from Csesar't
description of the Gauls, lib. vi. $ 15.
480 BICHABD OF CIBENCE8TSB. [b.i.ck.4.
guished the commencement of the month, and the time of
their birth. This custom agrees with the ancient mode
of computation adopted in Grenesis, chapter i.^
6. The druida, being held in high veneration, were greatly
followed hj the young men for the sake of their instructions.
They decided almost all public and private controversies, and
determined disputes relative to inheritance or the boundaries
of lands. They decreed rewards and punishments, and
enforced their decisions by an exclusion from the sacrifices.
This exclusion was deemed the severest punishment ; because
the interdicted, being deemed impious and wicked, were
shunned as if contagious ; justice was refused to their
supplications, and they were allowed no marks of honour.9
7. Over the druids presided a chie^ vested with supreme
authority. At his death he was succeeded by the next in
dignity ; but if there were several of equal rank, the contest
was decided by the suffrages of their body ; and sometibnes
they even contended in arms for this honour.^
8. The druids went not to war, paid no tribute like the
rest of the people, were e:(empted from military duties, and
enjoyed immunities in all things. From these high privileges
many either voluntarily entered into their order, or were
placed in it by friends or parents.
9. They learned a number of verses, which were the only
kind of memorials or annals in use among theuL^ Some
persons accordingly remained twenty years under their
mstruction, which they did not deem it lawful to commit
to writing, though on other subjects they employed the
Greek alphabet. " This custom," to use the words of Julius
Caesar, " seems to have been adopted for two reasons : first,
pot to expose their doctrines to the common people ; and,
secondly, lest their scholars, trusting to letters, should
* ** And the evening and the morning were the first day," &c ver. 5.
We also still say a Be*nnight, a fortnt^^.
* Like the excommunication of the catholic church.
^ Such a custom would contravene the principles of tiie dniidic or bardic
system, which prohibited them from using arms. The remark seems to have
been extended to a general application by Richard, from a single instance
recorded by Caesar, of a druidic election in Gaul thus decided.
' According to the opinion of the Welsh antiquaries, the system of
druidical knowledge forms the basis of the Triads. If this be the case, it
miist be confessed that the bards possessed a profound knowledge of himian
nature, unconmion critical sagacity, and a perfect acquaintance with the
a.uoii,4]i TBUI>S, 431
be less ai^xions to, remember their precepts ; for such
asaUtaDce commonly diminishes application, and weakens
the memory.'*
10. In the first place thej circulated the doctrine that
souls do not die, but migrate into other bodies.' B7 this
harmony of language and the properties of metre^ For eqpunple, the
subjects of the poetical Triads are,
The Welsh hmgiHige.
Fancy and inyentioQ.
The design of poetry.
Nature of just thinking.
Rules of arrangement.
Rules of description.
Variety of matter and invention.
Rules of composition ; comprising the laws of
Terse, rhyme, stanzas, consonancy or alliteia-^
tion, and accent.
We quote a fbw of these Triads to show their nature and structure.
The three qualifications of poetry ; — endowment of genius, judgment
from ^perience, and happiness of mind*
The three foundations of judgment ;— bold design, frequent practice,^
and frequent mistakes.
The three foundations of learning ; — seeing much, sufiering much, and
studying much.
The three foundations of happiness ; — a suffering with contentment, a
hope that it will come, and a belief that it will be.
The three foundations of thought ; — perspicuity, amplitude, and justness.
The three canons of perspicuity ; — ^the word that is necessary, the
quantity that is necessary, and the manner that is necessary.
The three canons of amplitude ; — appropriate thought, variety of thought^
and requisite thought.
' According to &e Triads, the theology of the bards was pure monotheism.
They taught also the transmigration of souls ; believing that the soul passed
by death through all the gradations of animal life, from Anoom, the bot^
tomless abyss, or lowest degree of animation, up to the highest degree of
spiritual existence next to the Supreme Being. Hmnan nature was conr
sidered as the middle point of this scale. As. this was a state of liberty,
in which the soul could attach itself to either good or evil ; if evil predom-
inated, it was after dea^ obliged to retrace its former transmigrations from
a point in the animal creation equal to its turpitude, and it again and again
became man till it was attach^ to good. Aboye humanity, though it
might again animate the body of man, it was incapable of relapse ; but
continued progressively rising to a degree of goodness and happiness, inferior
only to the Deity.
It is remarkable that many singular points of coincidence have been,
discovered in comparing the religious system of the Hindoos with that
of the ancient Britons ; and in the languages of these two people some
striking similarities occur in those proverbs and forms of expression which
are derived from national customs and religious ceremonies.
432 BICHABD OF CQCfaNCBSTSB. [±t.
principle they hoped men would be more powerfbnj actoated
to yirtae, and delivered from the fear of deadL Thej
likewise instmcted stadents in the knowledge of the heavenlj
bodies, in geography, the nature of things, and the power
of the gods.^
11. Their admiration of the mistletoe must not be omitted^
The dmids esteemed nothing more sacred than the mistletoe,
and the tree on which it grew^ if an oak. They particularly
delighted in groves of (»ks,^ and performed no sacred rite
without branches of that tree^ and hence seems to be
derived thdr name of druids, A^sdtg. Whatever grew on
an oak was considered as sent from heaven, and as a sign
that the tree was chosen by Grod himself. The mistletoe was
difficult to be found, and when discovert was gathered with
religious ceremonies^ particularly at the sixth day of the
moon (from which period they dated their months and years,
akid their cycle of thirty years,) because the moon was
supposed to possess extraordinary powers when she had not
completed her second quarter. The mistletoe was called in
their language vtU healfi The sacrifice and the feast being
* This account of the druicLs, like some of the preceding peiagraphs, is
borrowed from Caesar^s description of the Giauls.
• Gen. xxi. 33.
' The worship and religious ceremonies of the druids faaye formed the
subject of many and ▼oluminous dissertations ; and the mistletoe, from its
connection with their sacred rites, is a plant that has always been interest-
ing to antiquaries. In a letter recently received by the editor fix>m the
learned and scieUtiflC "PtoteBadr of Botitny, Dr. Dimbeny, of Magdalen
College, Oxfotd, that gentleman obserres, that though the mistletoe is
occasionally found on the oak in Britain, yet this occurs so rarely that it is
difficult to suppose the dtuids could have got a supply for their purposes
from such a source.
^ There is a plant nearly allied to the mistletoe, the Loranthus Euro-
p«tts, which grows freely on the oak, when it occurs; but unfortunately the
most western locality known is the garden of Schoenbrunn near Vienna,
but out of the limits, I believe, within which the druidieal worship existed:
it is very uncommon in Hungary.
''This circumstance has given rise to an h3rpothesis, which I may repeat
idihout attaching to it any very great importance, namely, that the Loran>
thus is the mistletoe of the druids, and that when the druidieal worship
#as exterminated, this plant, as being introduced into their rites, was ex-
tirpated from all those parts of Europe, where the druids were known."
The oak amohg the ancient Britons was peculiarly sacred as the place ok
Worship, and consequently branches of this tree were used to adorn the
altar, and garlands of its leaves to decorate the priest or druid ; and the
B.I.CB.4.] DRUIDS* 433
duly prepared under the tree, tbey led thither two white
bulls, whose horns were then bound for the first timeJ The
priest, clothed in a white vestment, ascending the tree, cut
off the mistletoe with a golden bill, and received it in a white
doth. They then slew the victims, invoking the favour of
the Deity on their offering. They conceived that the mistle-
toe cured sterility in animals ; and considered it as a specific
against all poisons. So great was the superstition generally
prevailing among nations with respect to frivolous objects.
The doctrine of the druids is said to have been first in-
vented in Britain, and from thence carried into Gaul ; on
which account Pliny says (in his thirtieth book), " But why
should I commemorate these things with regard to an art
which has passed over the sea, and reached the bounds of
nature ? Britain even at this time celebrates it with so
many wonderful ceremonies, that she seems to have taught
it to the Persians." Julius Caesar affirms the same in his
Commentaries : " And now those persons who wish to acquire
mistletoe, being so seldom fomid on the oak, was coniidered so great and
desirable an appendage, that no solemn festival was held without it
It has been observed by naturalisU that the blossom of the mistletoe falls
within a few days of the summer solstice, and the berry within a few days
of the winter solstice. These incidents therefore marked the return of two
of the usual seasons for holding the bardic conventioAs and festivals. When
the sacrifice was over, the benies of this plant were taken by the ovate, the
physician of the tribe, end converted to medical purposes. That tiiese
berries possessed medicinal virtues can hardly be doubted. The following
passage respecting this sacred plant occurs in Bacon : — ** Mistletoe groweth
chiefly upon crab trees, apple trees, sometimes upon haxels, and rarely upon
oaks ; the mistletoe whereof is counted very medicinal. It is ever green,
winter and summer, and beareth a white glistening berry : and it is a plant
Utterly differing from the plant on which it groweth."
Sir John Colbaeh published a Dissertation on the efficacy of the
mistletoe in 1720 ; but in medicine, as in fashion, what is deemed of high
value in one age is discontinued in the next, and thought nothing of. Such
is the fate of the mistletoe in the present day as to any medicinal use that
is made of it.
' As the plough was fastened to the horns of the beasts, this expression
signifies thiai the animal had never been employed in laboulr.
It is a singular coincidence of circumstances that bulls perfectly white
were sacrificed by the Egyptians to Apis. When such an animal wa^
fdund unblemished, and without a single black hair, the priest tied a fillet
about his horns, and sealed it With the signet of his ring; it being a capital
crime to sacrifice one of these animals except it was thus marked.—*
Herwiotiu
V F
434 SICHABD OF OKENCESTEB. L& l cb. i.
a more ext^isive knowledge of such things, repair to Britain
for information.*^
13. At a certain time of the 7ear the druids retired to a
consecrated grove in the island of Mona, whither all persons
among whom controversies had arisen, repaired for the deci-
sion of their disputes.
14. Besides the druids, there were among the Grauls and
Britons poets, called hards,^ who sang in heroic measures the
deeds of the gods and heroes, accompanied with the sweet
notes of the Ijre.
15. Concerning the druids and bards, I shall comclude
thia chapter in the words of Lucan :^-
** You too, ye bards ! whom sacred raptures fire«
To chant your heroes to your country's lyre;
W^o consecrate, in your immortal strain,
Brave patnot souls, in righteous battle slain.
Securely now the tuneful task renew.
And noblest themes in deathless songs pursue.
The druids now, while arms are heard no more.
Old mysteries and barbarous rites restore,
A tribe who singular religion love.
And haunt the lonely coverts of the grove.
To these, and these of all mankind alone,
The gods are suire revealed or sure unknown^
If dying mortals* doom they sing aright.
No ghosts descend to dwell in dreadful night ;
No parting souls to grisly Pluto go.
Nor seek the dreary ulent shades below;
Bii^t forth they fly immortal in their kind.
And other bodies in new worlds they find ;
Thus life for ever runs its endless race.
And like a line death but divides^the space,.
A stop which can but for a moment last,
A poisit between the future and the past.
Thrice happy they beneath their northern skies,,
Who that worst fear — the fear of death — despise
Hen<^ they no cares iot this frail being feel,
But rush undaunted on the pointed steel;
Provoke approaching fate, and bravely scorn
To. spare that life which must so soon return."
Rowers. Lfwan^ book i.
* According to the Welsh a^i<|uaries, these distinctions are erroneous.
The druidical, or ratheic bardio^ system consisted of three classes : the bard
proper, whose province wap philosophy and poetry ; the druid, or minister
of religion ; and the ovate, or mechanic and artist. For a curious account
of the bardic system and institutions the reader is referred to the Introduc-
tion to Owen's Transltttious of the £legies of Llywarch H£n
s. u c. 5.] THE PBODUCTIONS OV BBITAHr. 435
CHAP. V.
1. This island is rich in com and wood, is well adapted
for the maintenance of flocks and cattle, and in some places
produces vines. It also abounds with marine and land
birds, and contains copious springs, and numerous rivers,
stored with fish, and plentifully supplied with salmon and
eels.
2. Sea*cows or seals,^ and dolphins are caught, and whales,
of which mention is made bj the satirist :
^^ Quanto delphinis balaena Britannica major."
3. There are besides several sorts of shell-fish, among
which are muscles, containing pearls often of the best kind,
and of every colour : that is, red, purple, violet, green (jpra-
sini), but principally white, as we find in the venerable
Bede's Ecclesiastical History.
4. Shells^ are still more abundant, from which is prepared
a scarlet dye of the most beautiful hue, which never fades
from the effect of the sun or rain, but becomes finer as it
grows older,
5. In Britain are salt and warm springs, from which are
formed hot baths, suited to all ages, with (Ustinct places for
the two sexes.2
6. White lead is found in the midland i^egions, and iron in
the maritime, but in small quantities gold and silver are also
produced, but brass is imported. Jet of the purest quality
abounds ; it is of a shining black, and highly inflammable.'
When burned, it drives away serpents, and when warmed by
friction attracts bodies, like amber.
7. Britain being situated almost under the north pole, the
* We do not find that Pennant mentions, among the amphibious animals^
the VUuli Marini, hj which Richard probably meant seals.
> Richard calls these shells Cochlea, or snails, though he probably alludes
to the species styled by naturalists Mureoy which contained the famous
Tyrian purple, so much valued by the ancients. Yet, whatever our island
may have formerly produced, we discern no traces in later ages, of any tes-
taceous animal yielding a purple or scarlet dye.
* Richard here doubtless principally alludes to Bath, the Aqun Soils of
the ancients.
' This substance appears to have been wrought into ornaments for the
person. In the barrows, jet beads of a long elliptical form were found, to*
gether with others of amber, and a coarse blue glass.
F F 2
496 BIOHABD OF CIRENCESTEB. [b. r. c. 0,
nights are so light in summer, that it is often doubtful whe*
ther the evening or morning twilight prevails ; because the
sun, in returning to the east, does not long remain below the
horizon. Hence, also, according to Cleomenes, the longest
day in summer, and the longest night in winter, when the
sun declines towards the south, is eighteen hours ; and the
shortest night in summer, and day in winter, is six hours.
In the same manner as in Armenia, Macedon, Italy, and the
regions under the same parallel, the longest day is fifteen,
and the shortest nine hours.
8. But I have given a sufficient account of Britain and the
Britons in general. I shall now descend to particulars ; and
in the succeeding pages, shall describe the state and revolu-
tions of the different nations who inhabited this island, the
cities which ennobled it, with other particulars, and their
condition under the Roman dominion*
CHAP. VI.
1. Britah^, according to the most accurate and authentic
accounts of the ancients, was divided into seven parts,
six of which were at different times subjected to the Ro-
man empire, and the seventh held by the uncivilized Cale-
donians.
2. These divisions were called Britannia Prima, Secunda,
Flavia, Maxima, Yalentia, and Yespasiana, which last did
not long remain under the power of the Romans. Britannia
Prima is separated by the river Thamesis from Flavia, and
by the sea* from Britannia Secunda. Flavia begins from the
German Ocean, is bounded by the Thamesis,* by the Sa-
brina,^ on the side of the Silures and Ordovices, and trends
towards the north and the region of the Brigantes.^ Max-
ima, beginning at the extreme boundary of Flavia, reaches
to the wall,^ which traverses the whole island, and faces the
north. Valentia occupies the whole space between this wall
^ Rather by the estuary of the Severn. * Thames. ' Severn.
' Here some word is evidently omitted in the original. We would sap-
ply it by comparing this description with that of Britannia Secimda in the
second section, and read '' Sabrina et Deva^ &&, by the Severn and th*
Dee from the Silures and Ordovices.*'
' The wall or vallum erected by Seyerua between the Solway Frith and
the mouth of the Tyne.
•. f. CB. &1 OF THE FOBM OF OOYERI^UEirT. 437
and that built hj the emperor Antonmus Pius, from the
estuary of the Bdora^ to that of the Clydda.^ Yespasiana
stretches from the estuary of the Bdora to the city of Al-
cluith,* from whence a line drawn to the mouth of the Varar*
shows the boundary. Britannia Secunda faces the Irish Sea
to the north and west. But sufficient notice has now been
taken of the provinces.
3. Before we proceed to a more minute description, let us
touch upon the form of government. In remote times all
Britain was divided among petty princes and states, some of
whom are said to have existed after the country was occupied
by the Romans ; though, under the Roman domination, they
retained scarcely the shadow of regal authority. A legate
being appointed by the emperor over the conquered countries,
Britain became a proconsular province. This form of go-
vernment continued several ages, although in the meantime
the island underwent many divisions, first into the Upper
and Lower districts, and then, as we have before shown, into
seven parts. It afterwards became the imperial residence of
Carausius and those whom he admitted to a share of his
power. Constantine the Great, the glory and defence of
Christianity, is supposed to have raised Maxima and Yalen-
tia to consular provinces, and Prima, Secunda, and Flavia, to
prsesidials. But over the whole island was appointed a
deputy-governor, under the authority of the praetorian pre-
fect of GauL Besides whom, an ancient volume, written
about that period, mentions a person of great dignity, by
the title of comes, or count of the Britons, another as count
of the Saxon coast, and a third as leader or duke of Britain ;
with many others, who, although possessed of great offices,
must be passed over in silence, for want of certain inform-
ation.*
4. I now commence my long journey, to examine minutely
the whole island and its particular parts, and shall follow the
footsteps of the best authors. I begin with the extreme part
of the first province, whose coasts are opposite G«uL This
province contains three celebrated and powerful states,
* Bodora and Bodotria, Frith of Forth.
* Clotta. Clyde. « Dumbarton. ■ Murray Frith.
* These remarks seem to have been drawn from the NoHHa Imperii i
and oonaequently refer to a late period of the empire.
438 mCHARD OF dSENCESTEB. b. i. c& «.
namely, Cantium, Belgium, and Danmoniom, each of irhich
in particular I shall carefully examine.
First of Cantium.
5. Cantium,^ situated at the extremity of Britannia Prima,
was inhabited bj the Cantii, and contains the cities of Duro-
brobis^ and Cantiopolis,? which was the metropolis, and the
burial-place of St. Augustin, the apostle of the English ;
DubraB,^ Lemanas,^ and Regulbium^ garrisoned by the
Bomans ; also their primary station Rhutupis,^ which was
colonized and became the metropolis, and where a haven was
formed c^>able of containing the Roman fleet which com-
manded the North Sea. This city was of such celebrity that
it gave the name of Rhutupine to the neighbouring shores ;
which Lucan,
^ Aut Taga qaam Thetk Rhntapinaque littaia ferrent*
From hence oysters of a large size and superior flavour were
sent to Rome, as Juvenal observes,
'^ CircaeiB nata forent, sn
Lucrinum ad saxmn, Rhutupinoyb edita fundo
Ostrea, callebat piimo deprendere monu."
It was the station of the second Augustan legion, under the
oonnt of the Saxon coast, a person of high distinction.
6. The kingdom of Cantium is watered by many rivers.
The principal are Madus^, Sturius,* Dubris,* and Lemanus,^
which last separates the Cantii from the Bibnxd.
7. Among the three principal promontories of Britain, that
which derives its name from Cantium? is most distinguished.
There the ocean, being confined in an angle, according to the
tradition of the ancients, gradually forced its way, and
formed the strait which renders Britain an island.
8. The vast forest called by some the Anderidan, and by
others the Caledonian, stretches from Cantium a hundred
and fifty miles, through the countries of the Bibroci and the
Segontiaci, to the confines of the HeduL It is thus men-
tioned by the poet Lucan :-—
^ Canthun contained the present county of Kent, as far as the Rother,
except a smaU district in which Holwood Hill is situated, and which be-
longed to the Rhemi. ' Rochester. ' Canterbury.
• Dover. • Situated on the Lymne. * Reculver.
•'* Richborough. » The Medway. * The Stour.
* A rivulet at Dover. ' The Rother. ' The North Foreland.
B.I.CR.0.J TBIBBS INHABITmO BRITAIN. 439
'' Unde Caledoniis fallit turbata Britannos."
9. The Bibroci''' were situated next to the Cantii, and, as
some imagine, were subject to them. They were also called
Rhemi, and are not unknown in record. Thej inhabited
Bibrocum,^ Regentiimi,9 and Noviomagus,^ which was their
metropolis. The Romans held Anderida.^
10. On their confines, and bordering on the Thames,
dwelt the Attrebates,' whose primary city was Calleba.^
11. Below them, nearer the river Kunetius,* lived the
Segontiaci,^ whose chief city was Vindonum.^ ^
12. Below, towards the ocean, and bordering on the Bib-
roci, lived the BelgaB,^ whose chief cities were Clausentum,?
now called Southampton ; Portus Magnus ;i Venta,* a noble
city situated upon the river Antona. Sorbioduniun^ was
garrisoned by the Romans. All the Belgse are Allobroges,
or foreigners, and derived their origin from the Belgae and
Celts. The latter, not many ages before the arrival of
Caesar, quitted their native country^ Gaul^ which was con-
quered by the Romans and Germans, and passed over to this
island : the former, after crossing the Rhine, and occupying
the conquered country, likewise sent out colonies, of which
Csesar has spoken more at large.*
13. All the regions south of the Thamesis^ were, accord-
ing to ancient records, occupied by the warlike nations of the
Senones. These people, under the guidance of their re-
nowned king Brennus, penetrated tlu'ough Gaul^ forced a
' The Bibroci, Rbemi, or Regni, inhabited part of Hftnts, and of Berks,
Sussex, Surrey, and a small portion of Kent.
" Uncertain. Stukelej cidls it Bibroic, Bibiax, or the Bibracte of the
Itinerary. • Chichester. ^ HolwoodHill.
* Pevensey ' Part of Hants, and Berks.
* Silchester. For the proofs that this place was the site of Callera see
the Commentaiy on the Itinerary.
* Kennet. • Part of Hants, and Berks.
^ Probably Egbury Camp.
* The Belgse occupied those parts of Hants and Wilts not held by the
Segontiaci.
' This is an eiror : the ancient Clausentum was at Bittern, on the Itchii^
opposite Northam. ^ Portchester. * Winchester. * Old Sartun.
^ This passage as printed in the original is very obscure ; but the mean*
ing is supplied by Ceesar, from whom it is taken, and a subsequent page
where Richard mentions the same fact. — Vide the Chronology in b. iik c. i«
sect P. ^ Thames.
440 BIOHABD OF CIBSNGESTEB. [B.f.CB.e.
passage over tlie AlpS) bitberto deemed impracticable, and
would have razed proud Rome, had not the fates, which
seemed like to carry the republic in their bosom, till it reached
its destined height of glory, averted the threatened calamity.
By the cackle of a goose Manlius was warned of the danger,
and hurled the barbarians from the capitol, in their mid-
night attack. The same protecting influence afterwards sent
Camillus to his assistance, who, by assailing them in the rear,
quenched the conflagration which they had kindled, in
Senonic blood, and preserved the city from impending de-
struction. In consequence of this vast expedition, the land
of the Senones,^ being left without inhabitants, and fVill of
spoils, was occupied by the above-mentioned Belgse.
14. Near the Sabrina and below the Thamesis lived the
Heduijfi whose principal cities were Ischalis"'' and Avalonia.^
The baths,9 which were also called Aquae Soils, were notade
the seat of a colony, and became the perpetual residence of
the Romans who possessed this part of Britain. This was a
celebrated city, situated upon the river Abona, remarkable
for its hot springs, which were formed into baths at a great
expense. Apollo and Minerva* were the tutelary deities, in
whose temples the perpetual Are never fell into ashes, but 9s
it wasted away turned into globes of stone.
15. Below the Hedui are situated the Durotrige3, who are
sometimes called Morini. Their metropolis was Durinum,^
and their territory extended to the promontory Vindelia.'
In their country the land is gradually contracted, and seems
to form an immense arm which repels the waves of the
ocean.
16. In this arm was the region of the Cimbri,* whose
country was divided from that of the Hedui by the river
Uxella.^ It is not ascertained whether the Qimbri gave to
' There was a tribe of Celts called Senones seated on the banks of the
Seine as late as the time of Ceesor, and this was one of the tribes who
inarched with Brennus against Rome. But we cannot discover £roin
whence Richard drew his information that these Senones originally end*
grated from Britain, leaving their country to be oceupied by the Belgse.
' Nearly all Somersetshire. ^ Ilchester. ^ Glastonbury. * Bath.
^ This is drawn from Solinus, who speaks of Britain in general. W^
know not on what authority it was applied by Richard to Bath.
9 Maiden Castle, near Dorchester. * Isle of Portland,
♦ P(Vrt of Somerset and Pevon, • The ParreL
B. I. OH. 6.] 0OBinrALL-»'DByOK« 441
Wales its modem name, or whether their origin is more
remote. Their chief cities were Termolus® and Artavia.9
From hence, according to the ancients, are seen the pillars of
Hercules, and the island Herculea^ not far distant. From
the Uxella a chain of mountains called Ocrinum extends to
the promontory known hj the same name.
17. Beyond the Cimbri the Camabii inhabited the
extreme angle of the island,^ from whom this district pro-
bably obtained its present name of Carnubia (Cornwall).
Their chief cities were Musidum^ and Halangium.^ But as
the Romans never frequented these almost desert and
uncultivated parts of Britain, their cities seem to have been
of little consequence, and were therefore neglected by-
historians; though geographers mention the promontories
Bolerium and Antivestsum.^
18. Near the above-mentioned people on the sea-ooast
towards the south, and bordering on the Belgse Allobroges,
lived the Damnonii, the most powerful people of those parts ;
on which account Ptolemy assigns to them all the country
extending into the sea like an arm.^ Their cities were
Uxella,^ Tamara,® Voluba,9 Cenia,* and Isca,* the mother of
all, situated upon the Isca. Their chief rivers were the Isca,'
Durius,^ Tamarus,^ and Genius.^ Their coasts are dis-
tinguished by three promontories, wluch will be hereafler
mentioned. This region was much frequented by the Phoe-
nician, Grecian, ^d Grailic merchants, for the metab with
which it abounded, particularly for its tin. Proofs of this
may be drawn from the names of the above-mentioned
promontori^, namely Hellenis,7 Ocrinum,^ and K^/oD /Mrwieovfi
as well as the numerous appellations of cities, which show a
Grecian or PhoBnidan derivation.
19. Beyond this arm are the isles called Sygdiles,^ which
are also denominated CEstromenides and Cassiterides.
" Unoertain, — probably in Devonshire. * Ibid. ^ Lundy Island,
' Part of Cornwall, * Near Stratton. * Cambre.
^ Land's End, and Lizard Point.
* Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and part of Somerset.
7 Probably near Bridgewater. * On the Tamar,
» On the Fowey, * On the Fal.
"Exeter. » Ex,
* The Dart • Tamar. • The Fal.
7 Probably Bany Head. « Lizard Point * Ram Head.
I Scilly Isles.
442 BICHAJECD OF CIBSNCESTER. [b. i. ch. «.
20. It is affirmed that the emperor Yespasian fought
thirty battles with the united forces of the Damnonii and
Belgse. The ten different tribes who inhabited the south
banks of the Thames and Severn being graduallj subdued,
their country was formed into the province of Britannia
Prima, so called because it was the first fruit of victory
obtained by the Romans.
21. Next in order is Britannia Secunda, which is divided
from Britannia Prima by the countries already mentioned,
and from the Flavian province by the Sabrina^ and the
Deva ;^ and the remaining parts are bounded by the internal
sea. This was the renowned region of the Silures,* in-
habited by three powerful tribes. Among these were
particularly distinguished the Silures Proper, whom the
turbid estuary of the Severn divides from the country we
have just described. These people, according to Solinus,
still retain their ancient manners, have neither markets nor
money, but barter their conunodities, regarding rather utility
than price. They worship the gods, and both men and
women are supposed to foretell future events.
22. The chief cities of the Silures were, Sariconium,^
Magna,^ Grobaneum,?' and Yenta^ their capital. A Roman
colony possessed the city built on the Isca,^ and called after
that name, for many years the station of the second or
Augustan legion, until it was transferred to the Yalentian
province, and Rhutupis.^ This was the primary station of
the Romans in Britannia Secunda.
23. The country of the Silures was long powerful,
particularly under Caractacus, who during nine years with-
• Sev«7i. • Dee.
* The Silures, with their two dependent tribes, the Dimetiae and the
Ordovices, poasened all the oountiy to the west of the Severn and the Dee,
together with the island of Anglesey.
^Of these territories the Dimetiae had the counties of Pembroke,
Cardigan, and Caermarthen ; while the Silures possessed all the rest of
South Wales, as well as such parts of England as lay to the west of the
Severn and to the South of the Teme : while the Oraovices occupied all
North Wales, as well as all the country to the North of the Teme, and to
the West of the Severn and the Dee, except a small tract to the West of
Bangor and Penmorvay, which together with the isle of Anglesey
belonged to their subordinate clan the Canganl"
» Rose or Berry Hill, in Weston. * Kentchester.
' Abergavenny. * Caerwent. * Caeileon ob Uslu
' Richborough in Kent.
B. I. CH. (>.] THE OBDOVICES AND DIHETLfi. 443
stood the Koman arms, and frequently triumphed over them,
until he was defeated by Ostorius, as he was preparing to
attack the Romans. Caractacus, however, escaped from the
battle, and in applying for assistance to the neighbouring
chieftains was delivered up to the Romans, by the artifices of
a Roman matron, Carthismandua, who had married Yenutius,
chief of Brigantia. After this defeat the Silures bravely
defended their country till it was overrun by Veranius, and
being finally conquered by Frontinus, it was reduced into a
Roman province under the name of Britannia Secunda.
24. Two other tribes were subject to the Silures. First
the Ordovices, who inhabited the north towards the isle of
Mona;^ and secondly the Dimetise, who occupied the west,
where the promontory Octorupium^ is situated, and from
whence is a passage of thirty nules^ to Ireland. The cities
of the Dimetise were Menapia^ and Maridunum^ the metro-
polis. The Romans seized upon Lovantium^ as their station.
Beyond these, and the borders of the Silures, were the
Ordovices, whose cities were Mediolanum^ and Branno-
genium.9 The Sabrina, which rises in their mountains, is
justly reckoned one of the three largest rivers of Britain,
the Thamesis (Thames) and the Tavus (Tay) being the
other two. The name of the Ordovices is first distinguished
in history on account of the revenge which they took, for
the captivity of their renowned cMe£ Hence they con-
tinually harassed the Roman army, and would have succeeded
in annihilating their power, had not Agricola turned hither
bis victorious arms, subdued the whole nation, and put the
greater part to the sword.
25. The territory situated north of the Ordovices, and
washed by the ocean, was formerly under their dominion.
These parts were certainly inhabited by the Cangiani, whose
chief city was Segontium,* near the Cangian promontory,*
on the Minevian shore, opposite Mona,^ an island long
distinguished as the residence of the druids. This island
contained many towns, though it was scarcely sixty miles in
circuit ; and, as Pliny asserts, is distant from the colony of
■ Anglesey. • St, David's Head.
* XXX milliarium. * St. David's. * Caennarthen.
^ Llanio Issau on the Teivi. ' On the bank of the Tanat.
• Near Lentwardine. * Cast Segont ■ Biach y Pwyll Pointk
' Anglesey.
444 BICHARD OF CIBENCBSTSB. [& r. cb. 9.
Camalodanum two hundred miles. The rivers of the
Cangiani were Tosibus,* called also Canovios, and the Deva,*
which was their boundary. In this region is the stupendous
mountain Eriri.^ Ordovicia, together with the regions of
the Cangiani and Camabii, unless report deceives me, consti-
tuted a province called Genania, under the reign of the
emperors subsequent to Trajan.
26. I now proceed to the Flavian province ; but for want
of authentic documents, am unable to ascertain whether it
derived its name from Flavia Julia Helena, mother of Con*
stantine the Great, who was bom in these parts, or from the
Flavian family.
27. Towards the river Deva were situated, in the first
place, the Carnabii.'' Their principal places were Benonae,®
£tocetum,9 and Banchorium,^ the last the most celebrated
monastery in the whole island, which being overthrown in
the dispute with Augustine was never afterwards restored ;
and the mother of the rest, Uriconium,^ esteemed one of the
largest cities in Britain. In the extreme angle of this
country, near the Deva, was the Roman colony Deva,^ the
work of the twentieth legion, which was called Victrii, and
was formerly the defence of the region. This place is sup*
posed to be what is now termed West Chester.
28. Below these people stretched the kingdom, or rather
the republic, of the Cassii, called by Ptolemy Catieuchlani,
which arose from the union of two nations. Those nearest
the Sabrina were called the Dobuni, or, according to the
annals of Dio, the Boduni.^ In their country the Thames
rises, and, proceeding through the territories of the Hedui,
Attrebates, Cassii, Bibroci, Trinobantes, and Cantii, after a
long course flows Into the German Ocean. The cities of the
* The Conway. • Dee. • Snowdon.
7 The territory of the Gamabii was bounded on the north by the Mou-
sey, west by the Serem, east by part of the Watling Street, and to the
south by StfiiFordshire.
^ BenoniB ; High Ooss. * Wall,
* Banchor. • Wroxeter. ' Chester.
^ The Dobuni were bounded on the west by the Severn, on the aoiith
by the Thames, on the east by the Charwell, and on the north by the
Gamabii.
The (7a#Mt, bounded on the south by the Thames, on the west by th«
Dobuni, on the east by the Trent, and on the north by the loenL
1I.1.CH. 6.] OF THE TBINOBANTES. 44a
Dobuni were SaJinae* Branogena,^ on the left of the Sabrina
[Severn], Alauna^^ and the most veiierable of all, Corinium,®
a famous city supposed to have been built by Vespasian.
But Glevum,9 situated in the extreme part of the kingdom,
towards the territory of the Silures, was occupied by a Ro-»
man colony, which, according to the writers of those times^
was introduced by Claudius Caesar^ Adjoining to these were
the Cassii, whose chief cities were Forum Dianee^ and Ver-
ulamium.^ But when the last was raised by the Romans to
the municipal rank, it obtained the pre-eminence over the
other cities. St. Alban the martyr was here bom. This
city was involved in the ruin of Camalodunum^ and Londi-
nium,* in the insurrection of Bonduica^ which is related by
Tacitus. The Cassii were conspicuous above the other
nations of the island ; and Csesar in his second invasion had
the severest conflicts with their renowned chief Cassibelli-
nus, to whom many people were tributary ; and wad repulsed
by the Cassii in league with the Silures ; to which Lucan
alludes : — " Territa qucBsitis ostendit terga Britannis.** But
on the coming of Claudius, they, with the neighbouring
people, were subdued, and their country reduced to a Roman
province, first called Caesariensis, and afterwards Flavia.
29. Near the Cassii, where the river Thamesis approaches
the ocean, was the region of the Trinobantes,* who not only
entered into alliance with the Romans, but resigned to them
Londinium their metropolis, and Camalodunum situated near
the sea, for the purpose of establishing colonies. In this
city was supposed to be bom Flavia Julia Helena, the pious
wife of Constantino Chlorus and mother of Constantine the
Great, who was descended from the blood of the British
kings. It was the chief colony of the Romans in Britain,
and distinguished by a temple of Claudius, an image of
Victory, with many ornaments.^ But Londinium was and
ever will be a city of great eminence. It was first named
Trinovantum, then Londinium, afterwards Augusta, and now
* Droitwich. • Near Lentwardine. * Alcester.
* Cirencester in Gloucesteishire. • Gloucestero * Dunstable.
* Old St. Albans. • Colchester. * London.
* It stretched irom the Thames to the Stour on the north, and on thg
west to the Brent and the Ouse.
* This temple with its ornaments is mentioned in Tacitus.
446 BICHARD OF GIRENCBSTEB. [& x. ch. 9.
again Londona. According to the chronicles it is more
ancient than Rome. It is situated upon the banks of the
Thamesis, and is the great emporium of many nations trading
by land or sea. This city was surrounded with a wall by
the empress Helena, the discoverer of the Holy Cross ; and^
if reliance may be placed on tradition, which is not always
erroneous, was called Augusta, as Britain was distinguished
by the name of the Roman Island.
30, The boundary of this people towards the north was
the river Surius,'^ beyond which lived the Iceni, a famous
people divided into two tribes. The first of these, the Ceno-
manni, dwelt to the north towards the Trinobantes and
Cassii, and bordered on the ocean towards the east. Their
cities were Durnomagus,^ and their metropolis Venta.9
Camboricum^ was a Roman colony. A tongue of land
stretching into the sea towards the east was called Flavia
Extrema.^ Their most remarkable rivers are the Garion,^
the Surius,* and the Aufona^ which falls into the bay of
Metaris.^ Beyond the Aufona, bordering on the Camabii,
Brigantes, and the ocean, lived the Coitani,^ in a tract of
country overspread with woods, which, like all the woods
of Britain, was called Oaledonia.^ This is mentioned by
the historian Florus.9 The chief city of the Coitani was
Ragse.^ Besides this was Lindum,^ a Roman colony, on the
eastern extremity of the province. The river Trivonia*
divides the whole country into two parts. The nation of
the Iceni, being of a warlike character, neglected husbandry
as well as the civil arts ; they voluntarily joined the Romans ;
but, revolting, and exciting others to follow their example,
were first subdued by Ostorius. A few years afterwards,
PraBsutagus their king, at his decease, made GsBsar and his
descendants his heirs. But the Romans, abusing the friend-
ship of these people and giving themselves up to every species
' Stiiriiu, the Stour. ' Castor near Chesterton.
' Castor near Norwich. ^ Cambridge.
' Part of the Suffolk Coast. ' The Yar. * The Stour.
• The Nen. * Boston Deep.
' In the map given by Bertram these people are called the Coritani.
They seem to have inhabited Lincoln, Leicester, and Nottmgham.
• Calyddon means coverts or thickets.
• B. ili. ch. 10, where, speaking of Caesar, he says, ^Caledonias
quutus in sylvas.'' ^ Leicester. ' Lincoln. * Trent.
B.r.CB.90 THE PARISH AND BBIGANTES. 447
of debauchery, excited their resentment, and the Iceni with
their allies, under the warlike Bonduica, widow of Prae-
sutagus, destroyed their colonies, and massacred eighty thou-
sand Roman citizens. They were afterwards reduced by
the legate Suetonius, a man highly esteemed for prudence. *
31. On the northern part of this region is the river Abus,*
which falls into the ocean, and was one of the boundaries of
the province Maxima, as Seteja* was the other. This pro-
vince was also called the kingdom of Brigantia, because it com-
prehended the region of that name inhabited by three nations.
At the eastern point,^ where the promontories of Oxellum^
and of the Brigantes^ stretch into the sea, lived the Parisii,
whose cities were Petuaria^ and Portus Felix.^
32. Above, but on the side of the Parisii, are the proper
Brigantes,- a numerous people who once gave law to the
whole province. Their towns were Epiacum,"* Vinovium,*
Cambodunum,^ Cataracton,^ Galacum,^ Olicana,^ and the
chief city Isurium.^ Eboracum,^ on the Urus,* was the
metropolis, first a colony of the Romans, called Sexta, from
being the station of the sixth legion, termed the Victorious,
and afterwards distinguished by the presence of many empe-
rors, and raised to the privileges of a municipal city.
33. This province is divided into two equal parts by a
chain of mountains called the Pennine Alps, which rising on
the confines of the Iceni and Camabii, near the river Tri-
vona,^ extend towards the north in a continued series of
fifty miles.
34. The people to the west of this chain* are the Voluntii
and Sistuntii, who are united in a close confederacy.^ Their
* The Humber, • The Meraej.
* Part of the East Riding of York. ' Spurn Head.
* Flamborough Head. ' Broughton on Humber.
^ Near Bridlington Bay.
^ Their territory stretched from the bounds of the Parisii northward to
the Tine, and from the Humber and Don to the mountains of Lancashire,
Westmoreland and Cumberland. ' Lanchester. * Bmchester.
'^ Slack. * Catteric. ' Galgacum, uncertain. ' Ilkley.
* Aldborough. * York.
' Probably from the Ure, which receives the name of Ouse above York,
on its junction with the Nid. ' Trent.
* To the Voluntii belonged the western part of Lancashire ; and to the
Sistuntii, the west of Westmoreland and Cumberland as £u as the walL
* Hence, in $ 31, they are called one people.
448 BICHABD OF CIRENCESTEB. iA.LCB.6
dties are Rerigonium,^ Cocciam,^ and Lugubalium*^ The
two last were occupied b^ Roman garrisons.
35. The northern frontier of this province was protected
bj a wall9 of stupendous magnitude built bj the Romans
icross the Isthmus, eighty miles in length, twelve feet high
and (nine) thick, strengthened with towers.
36. We collect from history, that these people were first
attacked by the emperor Claudius, then overrun by the legate
Ostorius, and finally defeated by Cerealis. By their volun-
tary submission to Agricola they obtained peace. The
actions and unheard-of perfidy of their queen have disgraced
their name in history. These people were descended from
those powerful nations, who in sWch of new habitations
quitted their country, which was situated between the
* Ribchester. ' Blackrode. * Carlisle.
' The wall of SeveruB. The exact site of the barrier eredted hj SeTems
against the northern tribes, has furnished matter of dispute to many of our
antiquaries. The researches of others, particularly Horsley, hare, howerer,
set this question at rest. From their information, joined to the scanty evi-
dence of history, it has been proved that three walls or ramparts were
erected by the Romans at dififerent times, to secure the northern frontier of
their dominions in Britain.
The first was a rampart of earth, from the Sol way Frith to the Tine,
raised by Hadrian about the year 120 ; but its form and construction have
not been satisfactorily ascertained. It was, however, evidently nothing
more than a line intended to obstruct the passage of an enemy betwten the
stations which constituted the real defences of the frontier.
The second was raised by Lollius Urbicus under the reign of Antoninus
Pius, about 140, between the Friths of Forth and Clyde. This was like-
wise of earth, though perhaps faced with stone, and, like that of Hadrian,
seems to have been intended as a line connecting the chain of stations*
which formed a new barrier on the advance of the Roman arms. In the
course of both these was a military road communicating from station to
station.
The last and most important is that begun by Severus. after his expedi-
tion against the Caledonians, about 208. It runs nearly over the same
ground as that of Hadrian ; but is a complete and well combined syst^n
of fortification. From an examination of its remains it appears to have
been built of stone, fifteen feet high and nine thick. It had parapet and
ditch, a military road, and was defended by eighteen greater stations placed
at intervals of three to six miles ; eighty-three casties at intervals of six
to eight furlongs, and, as it is imagined, a considerable number of turrets
plac^ at shorter distances.
Either from superior sagacity or superior information, Richard clearly
distinguishes these three walls, which so much puzzled later writers, though
it must be confessed that in other places he has suffered himself to be led
into some errors in regard to their situation, and the persons by whom they
B.I. CH. 6.] THE SELGOYJS AND NOYANTES. 449
Danube, the Alps, and the Rhone.^ Some of them after-
wards emigrated into Ireland, as appears from authentic
documents.
37. Further north were situated those powerful nations,
who in former times were known imder the name of Mseatae, .
and from whom that fratricide Bassianus,^ after the death of
his father, basely purchased peace. They possessed Otta-
dinia towards the east, Gadenia, Selgovia, Novantia, and
further north Damnia.
38. Nearest the wall dwelt the Gradeni,' whose metropolis
was Curia.^ The Ottadini^ were situated nearer the sea.
Their chief city was Bremenium,^ and their rivers Tueda,7^
Alauna,^ and the two Tinas,^ which ran within the wall.
39. The Selgovae^ inhabited the country to the west.
Their cities were Corbantorigum,* Uxellum,' and Trimon-
tium,* which, according to ancient documents, was a long
time occupied by a Roman garrison. The principal rivers
of this region were Novius,* Deva,^ and partly the Ituna.^
40. The Novantes^ dwell beyond the Deva, in the extreme
part of the island, near the sea, and opposite Ireland. In
their coimtry was the famous Novantum Chersonesus,^ dis-
were erected. — See b. IL ch. 1, sect. 22, 27, 36, 37 ; ch. 2, sect. 17, 23.
For a detailed account of these works the r^der is referred to Horsley*s
Britannia Romana ; Warburton's Account of the Roman Wall ; Hutch-
inson* 8 Northumberland ; Boy's Military AntiquUies ; Hutton's Account
qftheBoman WaU.
^ These were the Helvetii, whose emigration is mentioned in Ckes. Comm,
de Bell, Gal, lib, 1. We have not discoTered from what authority Richard
draws his account of their emigration to Ireland. ' Caracalla.
' The Gadeni appear to have occupied the midland parts from the wall,
probably as far as tiie Forth.
* Uncertain,
^ The Ottadini stretched along the eastern coast, from the wall as ftr as
the Frith of Forth, and were bounded on the west by the Gadeni.
• Eibchester. ' Tweed. * The Coquet.'
' The North and South Tine.
^ The Selgovs appear to have occupied all the shire of Dumfries^ and
part of Kirkudbright. ' Drumlanrig, or Kirkudbright.
* Uncertain. * Birrenswork Hill. * Nith.
• The Dee. t ' The Eden.
" The Novantes held the south-western district of Scotland, .from the
Dee to the Mull of Galloway ; that is, the west of Kirkudbright and Wig-
town, and part of the Carrick division of Ayr.
" Kens of Galloway. It is not, however, more than eighteen miles fr^m
the nearest part of Ireland*
G Q
450 BICHABD OF CIRENCESTEB. Lb. i. ch. 8.
tant twenty-eight soiles from Ireland, and esteemed by the
ancients the most northern promontory of Britain,^ though
without sufficient reason. Their metropolis was Lucophibia,
or Casae Candidas ;^ their rivers Abrasuanus,^ Jena,* and
Deva,^ which was the boundary towards the east.
41. The Damnii^ dwelt to the north of the Novantes, the
Selgovas, and the Gadeni, and were separated from them by
the chain of the Uxellan mountains.^ They were a very
powerful people, but lost a considerable portion of their terri-
tory when the wall was built, being subdued and spoiled by
the Caledonians. Besides which, a Roman garrison occupied
Vanduarium^ to defend the wall.
42. In this part^ Britain, as if again delighted with the
embraces of the sea, becomes narrower than elsewhere, in
consequence of the rapid influx of the two estuaries,
Bodotria and Clotta.^ Agricola first secured this isthmus
with fortifications, and the emperor Antoninus^ erected
another wall celebrated in history, which extended nearly
five and thirty miles, in order to check the incursions of the
barbarians. It was repaired, and strengthened with eleven
towers, by the general Mtiua. These regions probably
constituted that province, which, being recovered by the
victorious arms of the Romans under Theodosius, was sup-
posed to have been named Valentia, in honour of the family
from whom the reigning emperor was descended.
43. Beyond the wall lay the province Vespasiana. This
is the Caledonian region so much coveted by the Romans,
and so bravely defended by the natives, facts which the
Roman historians, generally too silent in regard to such
things, have amply detailed. In these districts may be seen
the river Tavus,* which appears to separate the country into
two parts. There are also found the steep and horrid Gram-
^ By an error in the geographical or astronomical ohservations preserved
by Ptolemy, tiie latitudes north of this point appear to have been mistaken
for the longitudes, and consequently this part of Britain is thrown to the
east. ^ Wigtown, Hbraley, Whithem, Stukeley, Roy.
•The Luce. *Cree,/?oy. •» Dee.
• These people inhabited the principal part of what are called the Low-
lands. Their territories beyond the Isthmus evidently stretched as far as
the Grampians, consisting of great part of Ayr, all Renfrew and Lanark, a
considerable part of Stirling, and perhaps Linlithgow.
^ The Lothers. ' Paisley, or Renfrew, Roy,
• Friths of Forth and Clyde. ^ See page 448. * Tay.
».r.cH. 6.] NATIONS SUBJECT TO THE B0HAN8. 45 J
plan hills, which divide the province. In this region was
tbught that famous battle between Agrioola and G-algacus,
which was so decisive in favour of the Romans.^ The
magnitude of the works at this day displays the power
pf the Romans, and the ancient mode of castrametation ;
for, in the place where the battle was fought, certain persons
of our order, who passed that way, affirmed that they saw
immense camps, and other proofs which corroborated the
relation of Tacitus.
44. The nations which were subject to the Romans shall
now follow in their order. Beyond the Isthmus, as far as the
Tavus, lived the Horestii.* Their cities, which before the
building of the wall belonged to the Damnii, were Alauna,*''^
Lindum,^ and Yictoria,?^ the last not less glorious in reality
than in name. It was built by Agricola on the Tavus,
twenty miles above its mouth.
45. Above these, beyond the Tavus, which formed the
boundary, lived the Vecturones or Venricones,^ whose chief
city was Orrea,^ and. their rivers ^sica* and Tina.*
46. The Taixali^ inhabited the coast beyond the boundaries
of the Vecturones, Their principal city was Devana,* and
their rivers the Deva^ and Ituna.^ A part of the Grampian
hills, which extends like a promontory into the sea, as it were
to meet Germany, borrows its name from them.7
47. To the west of these, beyond the Grampian hills, lived
the Vacomagi,^ who possessed an extensive tract of country.
' It may perhaps appear superfluous to refer the antiquary to Roy's
masterly Commentary on the campaigns of Agricola in this part of Britain ;
but it will scarcely be deemed so to observe, that we see few instances in
which military and local knowledge are so well applied to the elucidation
of antiquities.
^ The Horestii occupied Clackmannan and Kinross, and part of Perth
as far as the Tay. To them belonged likewise all the country stretching
from the Grampians to Loch Lomond. ' Uncertain. ' Ardoch.
7 Dealgin Ross.
• The Vecturones occupied the eastern part of Perth, Forfar, Kincardin,
and part of Aberdeen. * Bertha, or Old Perth. ^ South Esk.
« Tine.
' The Taixali held the eastern coast of Aberdeen, apparently as far as
Kinnaird Head. * Probably Old Aberdeen. • Dee.
' Ithan. ' Kinnaird Head.
" The Vacomagi were spread over an extensive region west of the Taixali
and north of the Grampians, comprising a considerable part of Aberdeen,
all Banff, Murray, Elgin, and Nairn, with the north-east of Inverness.
gg2
452 BICHABD OF CIBENCB8TEB. [b.i.cb.&
Their cities were Tuessis,^ Tamea,* and Banatia.^ Ptoroton,'
situated at the mouth of the Yarar,^ on the coast, was at the
same time a Roman station, and the chief citj of the pro-
vince. The most remarkable rivers of this region, after the
Varar, which formed the boundary, were the Tuesis^ and
Cebiius.^
4S. Within the Yacomagi, and the Tavus, lived the
Damnii Albani,^ a people little known, being wholly secluded
among lakes and mountains.
49. Lower down, to the banks of the Clotta, inhabited the
Attacotti,^ a people once formidable to all Britain. In this
part is situated the great lake formerly called Lynchalidor,^
at the mouth of which the city of Alcuith* was built by the
Romans, and not long afterwards received its name from
Theodosius, who recovered that province from the barbarians.
These people deserved high praise for having sustained the
attacks of the enemy after the subjugation of the neighbour-
ing provinces.
50. This province was named Yespasiana, in honour of
the Flavian family, to which the emperor Domitian owed his
origin, and under whom it was conquered. If I am not
mistaken, it was called under the later emperors Thule,
which Claudian mentions in these lines :
** Incaluft Pictorum 8Bns:uine Thule,
Scotorum cumulos iievit glacialis Hieme.'
M
But this country was so short a time under the power of the
Romans, that posterity cannot ascertain its appellations or
subjugation. We have now examined in a cursory manner
the state of Britain under the Romans ; we shall next as
briefly treat of the country of the Caledonians.
CONGEBNINa CALEDONIA.
51. Although all the parts of Britain lying beyond the
« On the Spey. ^ Brae Mar Castle.
3 Uncertain, but near the Ness ; perhaps InTemess or Bonness.
• Burgh Head. * Murray Frith. » Spey^ • Dovem.
' The Damnii Albani may have been a remnant of the Damnii, who,
after the erection of the wall, being cut off from the rest of their tribe,
were gradually circumscribed by the neighbouring people, to Braidalbane,
and a small part of the west of Perth and east of Argyle.
' The Attacotti occupied a considerable part of Argyle, as far as Lochfyn.
* Loch Lomond. ^ Dumbarton. It was afterwards called Theodoaa.
B.I.CH.6.] THS CALEDONIANS. 463
Isthnius maj be termed Caledonia, yet the proper Caledonians
dwelt beyond the Varar, from which a line drawn accurately
points out the boundary of the Roman empire in Britain.
The hithermost part of the island was at different times in
their possession, and the remainder, as we have related, was
occupied by barbarous Britons. The ancient documents of
history afford some information thus far ; but beyond the
Varar the light is extinct, and we are enveloped in darkness. ^
Although we know that the Romans erected altars there to
mark the limits of their empire, and that Ulysses, tossed by a
violent tempest, here fulfilled his vows ; yet the thick woods
and a continued chain of rugged mountains forbid all further
research. We must therefore be satisfied with the following
information, gleaned from the wandering merchants of the
Britons, which we leave for the use of posterity.
52. The Caledonians,^ properly so called, inhabited the
country to the westward of the Varar, and part of their
territory was covered by the extensive forest caUed the Cale-
donian wood.
53. Less considerable people dwelt near the coast. Of
these the Cantae* were situated beyond the Varar, and the
above-mentioned altars, to the river Loxa,^ and in their
territory was the promontory Penoxullum.7
54. Next in order is the river Abona,^ and the inhabitants
near it, the Logi.9 Then the river Ila,^ near whi(;h lived
the Camabii,^ the most remote of the Britons. These
people being subdued by the propraetor Ostorius, and
impatiently bearing the Roman yoke, joined the Cantae, as
' It must be confessed that the information preserved by Richard, in
regard to this remote part of our island, is extremely obscure, and that his
descriptions will only assist us in guessing at the situation of the different
tribes. Perhaps this can scarcely be deemed extraordinary, when we con-
sider how imp^ectly the interior of this country is known even at present.
^ The country of the proper .Caledonians was the central part of
Inverness and Ross.
'^ The Cants seem to have held Cromarty and East Boss.
" Frith of Cromartie, Siukelep* Loth R. Roy.
' Tarbet Ness, Stukeley. Ord Head, Caithness, Boy.
" Frith of Dornoch, Stukeley.
* The Logi seem to have held the south-east of Strathnavem, and north-
east of Sutherland. ^ All, Stukeley. Shiel, Roy.
' The Camabii inhabited part of Caithness, the north of Ross, and
eentral part of Sutherland.
454 BIGHABD OF CISEirCBSTEll. [ikr.aLft
tradition relates, and, crossing the sea, here fixed their
residence. Britain in these parts brandies out into many
promontories, the chief of which, the extremity of Caledonia,
was called by the ancients Yinvedram, and afterwards
Verubium.'
55. After these people were placed the Catini,^ and the
Mertas^ further inland near the Logi. In these regions was
the promontory of the Orcades,^ contiguous to which are the
islands of that name^ Beyond this part flowed the Nabseiis,^
which bounded the territory of the Camabii.
56. In the lower part of this region were situated the
Carnonacae,^ in whose territories was the promontory Ebu-
dum,9 beyond which the ocean forms a large bay, formerly
called Yolsas.^ The lower coast of this bay was inhabited
by the Cerones ;* and beyond the Itys,* the territory of the
Creones extended as far as the Longus> The promontory
stretching from thence, and washed hy the ocean and the bay
Lelanus,^ is named after the inhabitants the Epidii.^
57. I cannot repass the Varar without expressing my
wonder that the Romans^ in other respects so much dis-
tinguished for judgment and investigation, should have
entertained the absurd notion, that the remainder of Britain
exceeded in length and breadth the r^ons which they had
subdued and occupied. There is, however, sufficient evidence
that such was their opinion ; for whoever attentively considers
their insatiable desire of rule, and reflects on the labour
employed in the erection of those stupendous works which
excite the wonder of the world, in order to exclude an
enemy scarcely worthy of their notice or resentment, must
* Ness or Noss Head, Shikehy,
* The Catini held part of Caithness and the east of Sutherland.
* The Merts held the country comprised between the Catini and
Camabii.
' Dunnet Head, Stukeley. Duncansby Head, Boy, ' NaTem.
* The CamonacflB seem to have held the detached portion of Cromarty,
situated near Loch Broom, and a small part on the border of Sutherland*
* Cape Wrath. * Loch Broom.
' The Cerones held the north-west part of Ross;— the Creones south-
west of Ross and Inverness, and a part of Argyle. ' Shiel, /^oy.
* Loch Loch, Stukeley, Linnhe Loch, Roy, * Lochfy^.
* The Epidii probably occupied the Western part of Aigyle, as feur as
the Mull of Cantyr, and were bounded on one side by the sea and on the
other by Lochfyn.
B.LCH. 7.J OF THE BBITI8H ISLES. 455
in this respect, as in all others, adore the providence of the
Divine Being, to whom ail kingdoms are subject^ and
perpetual glory is due, now and for ever. Amen !
CHAP. vn.
The different parts of Britain having been cursorily
examined according to my original design, it seems necessary,
before I proceed to a description of the islands, to attend to
a doubt suggested by a certain person.7 " Where," asks he,
''are the vestiges of those cities and names which you
commemorate ? There are none." This questicm may be
answered by another : Where are now the Assyrians, Par-
thians, Sarmatians, Celtiberians ? None will be bold enough
to deny the existence of those nations. Are there not also
at this time many countries and cities bearing the same
names as they did two or three thousand years ago ? Judea,
Italy, Gaul, Britain, are as clearly known now as in former
times; Londinium is still styled in the common language,
with a slight change of sound, London. The negligence and
inattention of our ancestors in ondtting to collect and preserve
such documents as * might have been serviceable in this
particular, are not deserving of heavy censure, for scarcely
any but those in holy orders employed themselves in writing
books, and such even esteemed it inconsistent with their sacred
ofQlce to engage in such profane labours. I rather think I
may without danger, and without offence, transmit to posterity
that information which I have drawn from a careful exami-
nation and accurate scrutiny of ancient records concerning the
state of this kingdom in former periods. The good abbat,
indeed, had nearly inspired me with other sentiments, by thus
seeming to address me : Are you ignorant how short a time
is allotted us in this world; that the greatest exertions
cannot exempt us from the appellation of unprofitable
servants ; and that all our studies should be directed to the
purpose of being useful to others? Of what service are
these things, but to delude the world with unmeaning trifles ?
' These remarks prove how much Richard rose superior to the prejudices
of his age and his profession. From the tone which he assumes, it is
however, evident that he found it advisable to yield to the remonstrances
of his superior.
456 BICHABD OF CIBENCESTEB. Lb.i.cb.7.
To these remarks I answer with propriety . Is then every
honest gratification forbidden? Do not such narratives
exhibit proofs of Divine Ftovidence? Does it not hence
appear, that an evangelical sermon concerning the death and
merits of Christ enlightened and subdued a world ovemin
with Gentile superstitions ? To the reply, that such things
are properly treated of in systems of chronology, I rejoin :
Nor is it too much to know that our ancestors were not^ as
some assert, Autochthones, sprung from the earth ; but that
God opened the book of nature to display his omnipotence^
such as it is described in the writings of Moses. When the
abbat answered, that works which were intended merely to
acquire reputation for their authors from posterity, should
be committed to the flames, I confess with gratitude that I
repented of this undertaking. The remainder of the work
is therefore only a chronological abridgment, which I present
to the reader, whom I commend to the goodness and pro-
tection of Grod ; and at the same time request, that he will
pray for me to our holy Father, who is mercifid and inclined
to forgiveness.
The following Itinerary is collected from certain fragments
left by a Roman general. The order is' changed in some in-
stances, according to Ptolemy and others, and it is hoped,
with improvement.
Among the Britons were formerly ninety-two cities, of which
thirty-three were more celebrated . and conspicuous. Two
municipal,^ Yerolamium ;^ and Eboracum.^ Nine colonial ;'
namely, Londinium^ Augustay Camalodunum^ GemifUB Mar-
tuBy Rhutupis,^ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ThermBBT Aquee Solis^ Isca^ &-
* Municipia were towns whose inhabitants possessed in general all the
rights of Roman citizens, except those which could not be enjoyed without
an actual residence at Rome. They followed their own laws and customs^
and had the option of adopting or rejecting those of Rome. — Rosini Aniiq.
Rom. b. X. c. 23. * St. Alban's. ^ York.
' There were different kinds of colonies, each entitled to different lighii
and privileges ; but we have no criterion to ascertain the rank occupied by
those in Britain. - ^ Iiondon. ' Colchester.
* Richborough in Kent. ' Bath. * Caerleon. ,
B. f. CH. 8.] nUBLAKD. 457
cundcty Deva9 GeticOy Glevum* Claudia, Lindum,* * * * *
Camboricum^ ♦ * * * Ten cities under the Latian law ;^
namely, Dumomagus,^ Catarracton,^ Gambodunum,''' Coc-
ciuni,8 Lngubalia,^ Ptoroton,^ Victoria,* Theodosia,' Cori-
num,* Sorbiodunum.^ Twelve stipendiary^ and of lesser
consequence 5 Venta Silurum,^ Venta Belgarum,^ Venta Ice-
norum,^ Segontium,^ Maridunum,* Ragae,^ Cantiopolis,^ Duri-
num,* Isca,^ Bremenium,'' Vindonum,^ and Durobrivae.^
But let no one lightly imagine that the Romans had not
many others besides those above-mentioned. I have only
commemorated the more celebrated. For who can doubt
that they who, as conquerors of the world, were at liberty to
choose, did not select places fitted for their purposes ? They
for the most part took up their abode in fortresses which
they constructed for themselves.
(The Itinerary, which follows here in the original Latin,
being a dry list of names, is omitted. See the Appendix,
No. I.)
CHAP. vin.
1. Hayino now finished our survey of Albion, we shall
describe the neighbouring country, Hibemia or Ireland, with
the same brevity.
2. Hibemia is situated more westerly than any other
country except England ; but aa it does not extend so far
• Chester. * Gloucester. * Lmcoln. ■ Cambridge.
* The Latian law consisted of the priTileges granted to the ancient in-
habitants of Latium. These are not distinctly known ; but appear princi-
pally to have been the right of following their own laws, an exemption from
the edicts of the Roman prsetor, and the option of adopting the laws and
customs of Rome. — Rosini. * Castor on Nen. * Catteric.
' Slack. • Blackrode.
* Carlisle. ^ Burgh Head, Elgin, Scotland.
' Dealgin Robb. ' Dumbarton. * Cirencester, 61oc.
• Old Sarum.
• The stipendiary were those who paid their taxes in money, in contra-
distinction fh)m those who gave a certain portion of the produce of the soil,
and were called Vectigales. — Rosmu
' Caerwent, Monmouth. ' Winchester.
' Castor, near Norwich. ^ Caer S^ont. ' Caermarthen.
' Leicester. * Canterbury. • Dorchester. • Exeter.
^ Riechester, Northumberland. ' Possibly Egbury camp, Hanta.
* Rochester.
458 BICHABD OF CUtEKGESTEB. [b. i. cB.a
north, so it stretches further than Enghmd towards the south,
and the Spanish province of '[Darraconensis, fixmi which it is
separated by the ocean.^
3. The sea which flows between Britain and Hibernia is
subject to storms, and according to Solinus, is navigable onlj
during a few days in summer. Midway between the two
countries is the island called Monoeday^ but now Manavia.
4. According to Bede, Hibernia is preferable to Britain,
on account of its situation, salubrity, and serene air, insomuch
that snow seldcMu remains more than three dajrs, nor is it usual
to make hay for the winter, or build stalls for cattle.
5. No reptile is found there, nor does it TnainfetiTi a viper
or serpent ; for serpents frequently carried from ^England
have died on approaching the shore. Indeed almost all
things in the island are antidotes to poison. We have seen an
infusion of scraped pieces of bark brought from Hibernia,
given to persons bitten by serpents, which immediately de-
prived the poison of its force, and abated the swelling.
6. This island, according to the venerable Bede, is rich in
milk and honey ; nor is it without vines. It abounds with
fish and birds, and affords deer and goats for the chase.
7. The inhabitants, says Mela, are more than other nations
uncivilized and without virtue, and those who have a little
knowledge are wholly destitute of piety. Solinus calls them
an inhospitable and warlike people. The conquerors, after
drinking the blood of the slain, daub their faces with the
remainder. They know no distinction between right and
wrong. When a woman brings forth a son, she places its
first food on the point of her husband's sword, and, introdu-
cing it into the mouth of the infant, wishes according to the
custom of the country, that he may die amidst arms and in
battle. Those who are fond of ornaments adorn the hilts of
their swords with the teeth of marine animals, which they
polish to a degree of whiteness equal to ivory ; for the prin-
cipal glory of a man consists in the splendour of his arms.
8. Agrippa states the length of Hibernia to be six hundred
miles, and the breadth three hundred. It was formerly in-
^ As we have neither the assistance of an Itinerary to guide us in our
researches, nor a local knowledge of Ireland, we have not attempted to
specify the situation of the ancient states and cities in that island.
« Man.
B.r.c:H. 8.] PRINCIPAX PLACES IK IRELAND. 459
habited by twenty tribes, of whom (fourteen^^ Kved on the
coast.
9. This is the true country of the Scots, who emigrating
from hence added a third nation to the Britons and Picts in
Albion. But I cannot agree with Bede, who affirms that the
Scots were foreigners. For, according to the testimony of
other authors, I conceive they derived their origin from
Britain, situated at no considerable distance, passed over from
thence, and obtained a settlement in this island. It is certain
that the Damnii, Yoluntii, Brigantes, Cangi, and other
nations, were descended from the Britons, and passed over
thither after Divitiacus, or Claudius, or Ostorius, or other vic-
torious generals had invaded their original countries. Lastly,
the ancient language which resembles the old British and
Gallic tongues, affords another argument, as is well known
to persons skilled in both languages.^
10. The Deucalidonian Ocean washes the northern side of
Hibemia ; the Vergivian and Internal the eastern, the Can-
tabric the south, as the great British or Atlantic Ocean does
the western. According to this order, we shall give a de-
scription of the island and the most remarkable places.
11. The Rhobogdii occupied the coast of the island next
to the Deucaledonian Sea. Their metropolis was Rhobogdium.
In the eastern part of their territories was situated the
promontory of the same name; in the Western the
Promontorium Boreum, or Northern Promontory. Their
rivers were the Banna, Darabouna, Argitta, and Vidua;
and towards the south, mountains separated them from the
Scotti.
12. On the coast between the northern and Venicnian
Promontory, and as far as the mouth of the Rhebeus, dwelt
the Venicnii. To them the contiguous islands owe their
name. Their capital was Rheba. The Nagnatae dwelt
below the Rhebeus as far as the Libnius, and their celebrated
metropolis was called after them. The Auterii lived in a
recess of the bay of Ausoba, towards the south, and their
* In the original is an eiror in the numerals, the number afterwards
specified is fourteen.
* Nearly one-third of the words in the Irish tongue are the same as the
modem Welsh, and many idioms and modes of speech are common to
both hmguages.
460 BIGHABD OF OBENCBSTEB. [b. i . cr. 8.
chief city was named after them. The Concangii occupied
the lower part of the same region, near the southern confines
of which flowed the river Senus, a noble river, on which
was situated their chief city Macobicum. Hibemia in this
part being contracted, terminates in a narrow point. The
Velatorii inhabited the country near the southern promontory
by the river Senus ; their metropolis was Begia, and their
river Durius. The Lucani were situated where the river
Ibemus flows into the ocean
13. The southern side of the island stretched from the
Promontorium Austriacum, or Southern Promontory, to the
Sacred Promontory. Here lived the Ibemii, whose metropolis
was Bhufina. Next was the river Dobona, and the people
called Yodiae, whose promontory of the same name lies
opposite to the Promontorium Antivestaeum in England, at
about the distance of one hundred and forty-five miles. Not
far from thence is the river Dabrona, the boundary of the
Brigantes, who have also the river Briga for their limit, and
whose chief city is called Brigantia.
14. The part of this island which reaches from the Sacred
Promontory as far as Bhobogdium is called the Eastern.
The Menapii, inhabiting the Sacred Promontory, had their
chief city upon the river Modona called by the same name.
From this part to Menapia^ in Dimetia, the distance,
according to PHny, is thirty miles. One of these countries,
but which is uncertain, gave birth to Carausius. Beyond
these people the Cauci had their metropolis Dunum [Down] ;
and the river Oboca washed their boundaries. Both these
nations were undoubtedly of Teutonic origin ; but it is not
known at what precise time their ancestors first passed over,
though most probably a little while before Csesar's arrival in
Britun.
15. Beyond these were the Eblanae, whose chief city was
Mediolanum, upon the river Loebius. More to the north
was Lebarum, the city of the Voluntii, whose rivers were
Vinderus and Buvinda. The Damnii occupied the part of
the island lying above these people, and contiguous to the
Rhobogdii. llieir chief city was Dunum [Down], where
St. Patrick, St. Columba, and St. Bridget are supposed to be
buried in one tomb.
* St. David's.
B.I. CM. 8.J IRELAND— ITS INHABITANTS. 461
16. It remains now to give some account of those people
who lived in the interior parts. The Coriondii bordered
upon the Cauci and Menapii, above the Brigantes; the
Scotti possessed the remaining part of the island, which
from them took the name of Scotia. Among many of their
cities, the remembrance of two only has reached our times :
the one Bheba, on the lake and river Bhebius; the other
Ibemia, situated at the east side of the river Senus.
17. I cannot omit mentioning in this place that the
Danmii, Yoluntii, Brigantes, and Cangiani were all nations
of British origin, who being either molested by neighbouring
enemies, or unable to pay the heavy tribute exacted of them,
gradually passed over into this country in search of new
settlements. With respect to the Menapii, Cauci, and some
other people^ it has been before remarked that many things
occur which cannot safely be relied upon. Tacitus relates
that Hibernia was more frequented by foreigners than
Albion. But in that case, the ancients would undoubtedly
have left us a more ample and credible account of this island.
While I am writing a description of Hibernia, it seems right
to add, that it was reduced under the Roman power, not by
arms, but by fear: and moreover, that Ptolemy, in his
second map of Europe, and other celebrated geographers,
have erred in placing it at too great a distance from Britain,
and from the northern part of the province Secunda, as
appears from their books and maps.
18. North of Hibernia are the Hebudes, five^ in number,
the inhabitants of which know not the use of com, but live
on fish and milk. They are all, according to Solinus, subject
to one chief, for they are only divided from each other by
narrow straits. The chief possessed no peculiar property,
but was maintained by general contribution : he was bound
by certain laws; and lest avarice should seduce him from
equity, he learned justice from poverty, having no house nor
property, and being maintained at the public expense. He
had no wife ; but took by turns any woman for whom he
felt an inclination, and hence had neither a wish nor hope
* The Hebudes amount to more than five. From hence it may perhaps
be inferred that the Roman fleet in their voyage of discovery did not reach
these seas, though they coasted the northern part of Scotland, for the
Orcades are rightly numbered.
462 BICHAUD OF CnmrCBSTEB. [B.I. CB.8.
for children. Some persons have written concerning these
Hebades, that during winter darkness continues for the space
of thirty days ? but Caesar upon diligent inquiry found this
assertion untrue, and only discovered by certain water-mea-
sures of time that the nights were shorter here than in GauL
19. The Orcades, according to some accounts, are distant
from the Hebudes seven days and nights' sail; but this
is erroneous. They are thirty in number, and contiguous to
each other. They were uninhabited, without wood, and
abounded with reeds : several were formed only of sand and
rocks, as may be collected from Solinus and others.
20. Thule, the last of the British isles, is placed by Mela
opposite to7 the coast of the Belgae. It has been celebrated
in Greek and Roman verse. Thus the Mantuan Homer
says, —
"Et tibi seryiat ultima Thule."
Here are no nights during the solstice when the sun passes
the sign of Cancer ; and on the other hand, in the w^inter
there are no days, as Pliny asserts. These circumstances
are supposed to happen for six whole months. The inha-
bitants, as Solinus affirms, in the beginning of the spring
live among their cattle upon herbs, then upon milk, and lay
up fruits against the winter. They have their women in
common without marriages. Thule, according to the same
author^ abounds in fruits. At the distance of a day's sail
from 'rhule the sea is difficult to pass through, and frozen ;
it is by some called Cronium. From Thule to Caledonia is
two days' sail.
21. The isle of Thanatos^ is bounded by a narrow channel,
and separated from the continent of Britain by a small
estuary called the Wantsum.9 It is rich in pasture and com.
According to Isiodorus, its soil is not only salubrious to
itself, but to others, for no snakes live in it, and the earth
being carried to a distance destroys them. It is not far
distant from Bhutupis.^
22. The isle of Vecta,* conquered by Vespasian, is thirty
7 Littori apposita, Richard. From the sense in wliich this phrase is
generally used in geography, it might be rendered under the same
meridian. ' Thanet. * See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 37, note.
^ Richborough. ^ WigfaU
b.il.OH.1.1 GtTERNSBT, JEBSET, ETC. 463
miles in length, on the side next to the Belgae, from east to
west, and twelve from north to south. In the eastern part it
is six miles, in the western three, from the above-mentioned
soathem shore of Britain.
23. Besides the isles just specified, there were Vn Ac-
modae,' Ricnea,* Silimnus,* Andros,^ Sigdiles,'' XL Vindilios,®
Sarna,9 Csesarea,^ and Cassiterides.*
24. The island Sena, opposite the Ossismican^ coast, is
according to Mela famous for the oracle of the Gallic deitj,
of whom the priestesses, sanctified hj perpetual virginity,
are said to have been nine in number. The Gauls call them
Senae, and suppose them gifted with singular powers ; that
they raise the winds and the seas with incantations, change
themselves into what animals they please, and cure disorders
which in other places yield to no remedy ; that they have the
knowledge of future events, and prophesy. They are not
favourable except to mariners, and only to such as go thither
for the purpose of consulting them.
25. The rest of the isles of smaller size and consequence
which lie round Albion will be better perceived and known
by the inspection of the annexed map^ than from any descrip-
tion. Here, therefore, we stop, and anxiously commend our
labours to the favour and judgment of the benevolent reader.
The first book of the geographical Commentary on the
situation of Britain, and those stations which the Romans
erected in that island, is happily finished, through the assist-
ance of God, by the hand of I^chard, servant of Christ and
monk of Westminster. Thanks be to God !
BOOK IL
PREFACE.
We have thought proper to add as a supplement to the
description of ancient Britain in the same summary manner:
No geographer has hitherto attempted to ascertain the modem
names of these islands. • Guernsey. * Jersey. ' Scilly Isles.
' From a tribe of the Veneti called Ossismii, who inhabited part of
Bretagne.
^ The map being no longer of any use, has been omitted in this e^tion.
464 BIGHABD OF CIKENCESTEB. [b.ii.ch.1
— ^L An epitome of chronology from the creation to the sack
of Rome by the Groths : IL A short account of the Soman
emperors, and governors, who presided over this eoontrj:
UL Some persons will perhaps saj that this kind of work is
not absolutely necessary either for divine worship or greater
things. But let them know that leisure hours may be
dedicated to the study of the antiquities of our country
without any derogation from the sacred character. Yet
if censorious people envy us such pleasures at leisure hours,
hastening to the end and almost arrived at the goal, we here
check our steps.
CHAP. L
IV. In the beginning, the Almighty Creator made this
world, inhabited by us and other creatures, out of nothing,
in the space of six days.
V. In the year of the world 1656, the Creator, to punish
the increasing wickedness of mankind, sent a flood upon the
earth, which, overwhelming the whole world, destroyed every
living creature except those which had entered the ark, and
whose progeny replenished the new world with colonies of
living beings.
VL 3000. About this time some persons affirm that Britain
was cultivated and first inhabited, when it was visited by the
Greek and Phoenician merchants. Nor are those wanting
who believe that London was shortly after built by a king
called Brjrto.
Vn. 3228. The brothers Romulus and Remus laid the
foundation of Rome^ which in time became the common
terror of all nations.
ynX 3600. The Senones, having emigrated from Britain,
passed through Gaul, with the intent to invade Italy and
attack Rome.
IX. 3650. The BelgsB entered this country, and the Celta.
occupied the region deserted by the Senones. Divitiacus
king of the -^dui soon afterwards passed over with an army
and subdued great part of this kingdom. About this time
the Britons who were expelled by the Belgae emigrated to
Ireland, formed a settlement, and were thenceforward called
8coti.
•.n.CH. 1.] GHBONOLOGT OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS. 465
X. 3943. Cassibelinus waged war with the maritime
states.* ^
XL 3946. CaBsar overcame the Germans, Gauls, and also
the Britons, to whom, before this time, even the name of the
Komans was unknown. The conqueror, having received
hostages, rendered the people tributary.
XIL 3947. At length coming a second time into this
country, upon the invitation, as he pretended, of the Trino-
bantes, he waged war with Cassibelinus king of the Cassii.
Suetonius, however, asserts, with greater probability, that he
was allured by the costly pearls of Britain.
XTTT. 4044. The emperor Claudius passed over to
Britain, and in the space of six months, almost without
effusion of blood, reduced a great part of the island, which
he ordered to be called Caesariensis.
XIY. 4045. Vespasian, at that time in a private station,
being sent by the emperor Claudius with the second legion
into this country, attacked the Belg® and Damnonii, and
having fought tbirty-two battles and taken twenty cities,
reduced them under the Roman power, together with the
Isle of Wight.
XV. 4047. The Romans occupied Thermae and Glebon.
XVI. 4050. Ostorius the Roman general, after a war of
nine years, overcame Caracticus king of the Silures, great
part of Britain was reduced into a province, and the colony
of Camalodunum founded.
XVn. 4052. Certain cities of the Belgse were yielded by
the Romans to Cogibundus^ that he might form a kingdom.
About this time the Cangi and Brigantes went over and
settled in Ireland.
XVHL 4061. The emperor Nero, having no courage for
military enterprises, nearly lost Britain ; for imder him its
two greatest cities were ta^en and destroyed. Bonduica, in
order to revenge the injury offered to her by the Romans,
rose in arms, burned the Roman colonies of London, Camalo-
dunum, and the municipal town Verulamium, and slew more
than eighty thousand Roman citizens. She was at length
overcome by Suetonius, who amply avenged the loss, by
slaughtering an equal number of her subjects.
* Probably from Csflar, though the precise date feems to be fixed
without authority. — Cm. de Beli, ChU. /t6. y., $ 9»
466 BICHABD OF CIEENCESTER. [a. n. c& i.
XIX. 4078. Cerealis conquered the Brigantes.
XX. 4076. Frontinus punished the Ordovices.
XXI. 4080. Agricola after a severe engagement subdued
Galgacus king of the Caledonians. He ordered all the
island to be examined hy a fleet, and having sailed round its
coasts, added the Orcades to the Roman empire.
XXn. 4120. The emperor Hadrian himself came into
the island, and separated one part of it from the other bj aa
immense wall.
XXni. 4140. Urbicus being sent hither by Antonimu
Pius, distinguished himself by his victories.
XXIV. 4150. Aurelius Antoninus also obtained victories
over some of the Britons.
XXY. 4160. Britain was enlightened by the introduction
of Christianity, during the reign of Ludus, who first
submitted himself to the cross of Christ.
XXVI. 4170. The Romans were driven from the
Vespasian province. About this time it is supposed that
king Reuda came with his people^ the Picts, from the
islands into Britain.
XXVn. 4207. The emperor Severus, passing over into
Britain, repaired the wall built by the Romans, which had
been ruined, and died not long after, by the visitation of
God, at York.
XXVni. 4211. Bassianus (Caracalla) obtained a venal
peace from the Maeatse.
XXTX. 4220. During these times the Roman armies con-
fined themselves within the wall, and all the island enjoyed
a profound peace.
XXX. 4290. Carausius, having assumed the purple,
seized upon Britain; but ten years afterwards it was re-
covered by Asdepiodorus.
XXXI. 4304. A cruel and inveterate persecution, in
which within the space of a month seventeen thousand
martyrs suffered in the cause of Christ. This persecution
spread over the sea, and the Britons, Alban, Aaron, and
Julius, with great numbers of men and women, were
condemned to a happy death.
XXXn. 4306. Constantius, a man of the greatest
humanity, having conquered Allectus, died at Eboracum in
the sixteenth year of his reign.
B. n. CH. 2.J CHBONOLOGT OF PBINCIPAL STENTS. 467
XXXUX 4307. Constantine, afterwards called the Great,
son of Constantius by Helena, a British woman, was created
emperor in Britain ; and Ireland voluntarily became tribu-
tary to him.
XXXIV. 4320. The Scoti entered Britam under the
conduct of the king Fergusius, and here fixed their resi-
dence.
XXXV. Theodosius slew Maximus the tyrant three
miles from • Aquileia. Maximus having nearly drained
Britain of all its warlike youth, who followed the footsteps
of his tyranny over Gaul, the fierce transmarine nations of
the Scots from the south, and the Ficts from the north, per-
ceiving the island without soldiers and defenceless, oppressed
it and laid it waste during a long series of years.
XXXVI. 4396. The Britons indignantly submitting to
the attacks of the Scots and Ficts, sent to Rome, made an
offer of submission, and requested assistance against their
enemies. A legion being accordingly despatched to their
assistance, slew a great multitude of the barbarians, and
drove the remainder beyond the confines of Britain. The
legion, upon its departure homewards, advised its allies to
construct a wall between the two estuaries, to restrain the
enemy. A wall was accordingly made in an unskilful man-
ner, with a greater proportion of turf than stone, which was
of no advantage ; for on the departure of the Romans the
former enemies returned in ships, slew, trampled on, and de-
voured aU things before them like a ripened harvest.
XXXVn. 4400. Assistance being again entreated, the
Romans came, and with the aid of the Britons drove the
enemy beyond sea, and built a wall from sea to sea, not as
before with earth, but with solid stone, between the fortresses
erected in that part to curb the enemy. On the southern
coast, where an invasion of the Saxons was apprehended, he
erected watch towers. This was the work of Stilicho, as
appears from Claudian.
XXXVni. 4411. Rome, the seat of the fourth and
greatest of the monarchies, was seized by the Goths, as
Daniel prophesied, in the year one thousand one hundred
and sixty-four after its foundation.
From this time ceased the Roman empire in Britain, four
hh2
468 BICHABD OF CIBEyCESTEB. [B.n.CB.t
hundred and sixty-five years after the arrival of Julius
Csesar.
XXXIX. 4446. The Roman legion retiring from Britain,
and refusing to return, the Scots and Picts ravaged all the
island frwn the north as far as the wall, the guards of which
being slain, taken prisoners, or driven away, and the wall
itself broken through, the predatory enemy then poured into
the country. An epistle was sent filled with tears and sor-
rows to Fl. ^tius, thrice consul, in the twenty-third year of
Theodosius, begging the assistance of the Roman power, but
without effect.
CHAP. n.
1. Having followed truth as far as possible, if any thing
should occur not strictly consistent with it, I request it may
not be imputed to me as a fault. Confining myself closely
to the rules and laws of history, I have collected all the
accounts of other persons which I found most accurate and
deserving of credit. The reader must not expect any thing
beyond an enumeration of those emperors and Roman gover-
nors who had authority over this island. With an account
of these I shall close my book.
2. Julius Caesar the dictator was the first of the Komans
who invaded Britain with an army, during the reign of Cas-
sibelinus ; but, although he defeated the inhabitants in one
battle, and occupied the coasts as Tacitus observes, he rather
seems to have shown the way to his successors than to have
given them possession.
3. In a short time the civil wars succeeding, the arms of
the chiefs were turned against the republic. Britain was
also long neglected by the advice of Augustus and the com-
mand of Tiberius. It is eertain that Caligula intended to
enter Britain ; but his quick temper and proneness to change,
or the unsuccessful attempts against the Grermans, prevented
him.
4. Claudius, however, carried war into Britain which no
Roman emperor since Julius Csesar had reached, and, having
transported his legions and allies without danger or blood-
shed, in a few days reduced a part of the island. He after-
wards sent over Vespasian, at that time in a private station,
B.U.CH.S.] GOYEBNOBS OF BBITADT. 469
•
T^ho fought two and thirty battles with the enemy, and added
to the Roman empire two very powerful nations, with their
kings, twenty cities, and the isle of Vecta, contiguous to
Briliin. He overcame the remainder bj means of Cneas
Sentius and Aulus Flautius. For these exploits he obtained
a great triumph.
5. To him succeeded Ostorius Scapula, a man famous in
war, who reduced the nearest part of Britain into a province,
and added the colony of the veterans, Camalodunum. Cer-
tain cities were delivered up to the chief Cogibundus, who,
according to Tacitus, remained faithful till the accession of
Trajan to the empire.
6. Avitus Didius Gallus kept possession of what his pre-
decessors had acquired, a few posts only being removed fur-
ther into the interior, in order to obtain the credit of extend-
ing his dominion.
7. Didius Verannius, who succeeded, died within a year.
8. Suetonius Faulinus continued prosperous for two years.
The tribes being reduced and garrisons established, he
attacked the isle of Mona, because it gave succour to the
rebellious and afforded opportunities for invasion. For the
absence of the governor removing all fear, the Britons began
to recover courage, and rose in arms under the conduct of
Bonduica, a woman of royal descent. Having reduced the
troops scattered in the garrisons, they attacked the colony*
itself, as the seat of slavery, and in the height of rage and
victory, exercised every species of savage barbarity. Had
not Faulinus, on receiving the intelligence, luckily hastened
to crush the revolt, Britain must have been lost. But the
fortune of one battle restored it to its former submission.
Many of the natives, from the consciousness of their defec-
tion, and fear of the governor, continued under arms.
9. Suetonius, in other respects an illustrious man, but
arrogant to the vanquished and prompt to avenge his own
injuries, being likely to exercise severity, he was replaced by
Fetronius Turpilianus, who was more merciful, a stranger to
the offences of the enemy, and therefore more likely to be
softened by their repentance. Having settled the distur-
bances, he gave up the province to Trebellius Maximus.
10. Trebellius, being of a slothful disposition and imused
* Camalodunum.
470 BIOHASD OF CIRENCESTEiL ^ [ii.n.c.2.
to war, retained the province hj gentleness. The barbarous
Britons ceasing to be ignorant of luxury, and the termination
of civil wars, gave him m excuse for inactivity. But dis-
cord called forth his exertions ; for the soldiery, when re-
leased from military labours, grew wanton from too much
rest. Trebellius, having evaded the rage of the army by
flight, was shortly allowed to resume the command, the licen-
tiousness of the soldiery becoming as it were a composition
for the safety of the general. This sedition ended without
bloodshed.
11. Nor did Yectius Bolanus, although the civil Tvars still
continued, harass Britain by restoring discipline. There
was the same inactivity towards the enemy, and the same in-
subordination in the garrisons ; but Bolanus, being a good
man and not disliked, acquired affection instead of authority.
12. But when, with the rest of the world, Vespasian had
recovered Britain, we see distinguished generals, famous
armies, and the enemy dispirited : Petilius Cerealis imme-
diately excited terror by attacking the state of the Brigantes,
which was esteemed the most populous of the province.
Many battles were fought, some of which were bloody, and
a great part of the Brigantian territory was either con-
quered or invaded.
13. But although Cerealis had diminished the care and
fame of his successor, the burden was sustained by Julius
Frontinus, a man of high courage. Overcoming at once the
spirit of the enemy and the difficulties of the country, he
subjugated the warlike and powerful nation of the Silures.
14. To him succeeded Agricola, who not only maintained
the peace of the province ; but for seven years carried on
war against the Caledonians and their warlike king Galga-
cus. He thus added to the Roman empire nations hitherto
unknown.
15. But Domitian, envying the superior glory of Agricola,
recalled him, and sent his lieutenant LucuUus into Britain,
because he had suffered lances of a new form to be named
LucuUeas after him.
16. His successor was Trebellius, under whom the two
provinces, namely, Yespasiana and Msaata, were wrested
from the Roman government ; for the Romans gare them-
selves up to luxury.
■.I.CH.2.] 60V£RN0BS OF BRITAIN. 471
17. About this time the emperor Hadrian visiting this
island, erected a wall justly wonderful, and left Juliui
Severus his deputy in Britain.
18. From tWs time nothing worthy of attention is related,
until Antoninus Pius carried on so many wars by liis gene-
rals. He conquered the Britons by means of LoUius Urbi-
cus, the propraetor, and Saturninus, prefect of the fleet, and,
the barbarians being driven back, another wall was built.
He recovered the province afterwards called Valentia.
19. Pius dying, Aurelius Antoninus gained many victo-
ries over the Britons and Germans.
20. On the death of Antoninus, when the Romans deemed
their acquisitions insufficient, they suffered a great defeat
under Marcellus.
21. To him succeeded Pertinax, who conducted himself as
an able general.
22. The next was Clodius Albinus, who contended with
Severus for the sceptre and purple.
23. After these, the first who enjoyed the title of lieu-
tenant was Virius Lupus : he did not perform many splendid
actions ; for his glory was intercepted by the unconquerable
Severus, who, having rapidly put tjie enemy to flight, re-
paired the wall of Hadrian, now become ruinous, and restored
it to its former perfection. Had he lived, he intended to
extirpate the very name of the barbarians ; but he died by
the visitation of God, among the Brigantes, in the city of
Eboracum.
24. Alexander succeeded, who gained some victories in
the East, and died at Edessa.
25. His successors were the lieutenants Lucilianus, M.
Furius, N. Philippus ******** *^ who, if we except the
preservation of the boundaries, performed hardly any thing
worthy of notice.
26. Afterwards *****
27i9 rest is tpanting.
APPENDIX.— No. I
COMMENTARY ON THE ITINERARY.
No people are so barbarous as to be totallj destitate of the means of inter-
nal communication ; and in proportion as they become more ciTilized and
have more intercourse with other nations, these means are augmented and
Ikcilitated. By the early accounts of the Britons it appears that thej
maintained a considerable foreign commerce, that they had formed towns
or large communities, and used chariots for warlike, and undoubtedly for
dnl purposes. Hence it is evident that their internal communications
must have been free and numerous. We need not therefore be surprised, if,
after the lapse of so many centuries, marks of such British roads appear
eyen at present to a careful obsenrer, differing in many respects from the
roads subsequently made by the Romans, and trayendng the island in exerj
direction.
These ancient ways may be distmguished from those made by the Romaiu
by unequivocal marks.
I. They are not raised nor paved, nor always straight ; but often wind
along the tops or sides of the chains of hills which lie in their course.
II. They do not lead to Roman towns, or notice such towns, except when
placed on the sites of British fortresses.
III. They are attended by tumuli like those of the Romans ; but
usually throw out branches, which, after running parallel for some mile%
are reunited to the original stem.
When the Romans obtained a footing in this island, they directed all
their operations, according to their practice, by military principles. They
civilized indeed as they conquered, but conquest was their prindpal object.
Hence, as each tribe was successively subdued, they fortified suc^ primair
posts as were best adapted to support their fUture operations, established
secondary posts to secure their communications, and connected the whole
by military ways. From local circumstances, and the principles of war,
their primary posts were either at or near the sites of the British towns, or
on the principal rivers. If therefore the British towns and trackways were
suited to their purposes, they adopted them; if not, they constructed
others. But both their towns and roads difibred materially from those of
the original inhabitants. The Romans in their towns or fortresses followed
the system of their own castramentation, in like manner as in modem war-
fiure tiie construction of permanent and temporary works is guided by the
same general principles. These towns are of a regular figure, bounded bj
lines as straight as the shape of the ground will permit, generally square or
oblong, and consisting commonly in a single wall and ditch, unless in posi-
tions peculiarly dangerous, or where local circumstances rendered additional
defences necessary. On the contrary the British towns, which were occu-
pied by the Romans, although irregularly shaped, still partake of theii
original figure.
Specimens of the first kind, or perfect Roman towns, may be seen in
Colchester, Winchester, Caerleon, Caerwent, Castor near Norwich, and ail
APPENDIX.
473
the militaiy stations bordering on the wall of Sevenw. Of the latter, in
Bath, Silchester, Kentchester, Canterbury, and other places.
Similar marks of difference between the original British trackways and
the Roman roads appear in the Fobs, and the Iknield Street ;— the latter,
during the greater part of its course, keeping along the chain of hills which
lay in its way, not leading decidedly to Roman towns, throwing out parallel
branches, attended always with tumuli, still bearing its British name, and
appearing from its direction to have been made for commercial purposes.
On the other hand the adopted roads, but more especially those made by
the Romans themselves, are distinguished by peculiar marks. Posts or
towns are placed on them at nearly regular distances, seldom exceeding
twenty miles, the length of a single march, and also at the point where two
roads intersect each other, or where several roads diverge. These roads
are elevated with surprising labour to the height of ten feet, and sometimes
even more, instances of which may be seen on the heath near Woodyates
Inn in Dorsetshire, near Old Sarum on the side of Ford, in Chute
Park, Wilts, between Ancaster and Lincoln, and still more remarkably on
Bramham Moor, near Tadcaster in Yorkshire. They were formed of mate-
rials o^en brought from a considerable distance, sudi as chalk, pebbles, or
gravel ; and the most considerable are paved with stones, which are visible
to this day. Tumuli also, which seem to have been the direction-posts of
antiquity, attended their course, and occur in almost every instance where
a road descends a hill, approaches a station, or throws off a branch.
Another peculiarity of the Roman ways is their straight direction, from
which they seldom deviate, except to avoid a rapid ascent or descent, to
throw off another road, or to approach a station, which, from the circum-
stances before mentioned, had been fixed out of the general line. Of this
there is a curious instance where the Fobs, in approaching Cirencester from
the north, meeta the Akeman Street, bearing to the same point from the
Dorih-east, and evidently bends out of its course to join and enter the sta-
tion with it
Of many of the Roman roads, not only in England, but in the greater
part of the Roman empire, an account has been preserved under the name
of the Itinerary of Antoninus, which specifies the towns or stations on
each road, and shows the distances between them. This record was long
supposed to be a public directory or guide for the march of soldiers ; but
if this were the case, it is extremely confused and imperfect. It often omits
in one Iter or journey towns which are directly in ita course, and yet speci-
fies them in another, as may be seen in the first, second, sixth, and eighth
Iters. It traces the same road more than once, and passes unnoticed some
of the most remarkable roads in the island, namely a great part of the
Fobs, and the whole of the Via Devana (a road from Colchester to Ches-
ter.) Hence this Itinerary has been more justly considered as the heads oi a
journal formed by some traveller or officer, who visited the different parts
of the empire from business or duty ; and, as Mr. Reynolds conjectures
with great appearance of probability, in the suite of the emperor Adrian.
In this light it may be considered as copious, and the advantages which it
has afforded to the antiquary will be gratefiilly and universally acknow-
ledged. Still, however, from the incoherence which appears in that part
relating to our island, and from the mutilated copies which have been
found, there is reason to imagine that the whole of this interesting record
baa not escaped the nvagea of time.
474 RICHABD OF CIBBNCESTEB.
Such an itineRny, but Taiying in many respects firom that of An-
tonine, is one of the most important parts of the work now presented to the
reader.
In fixing the sites of the towns specified in these Itioeraries, our anti-
qnaries have assumed the most unjustifiable latitude. The mere resem-
blance of a name was considered as a reason sufficient to outweigh all
others ; even the great Camden sufiered himself to be misled by this re-
semblance, in fixing Ariconium at Kentchester, Camalodunum at Maldon,
Bennavenna at Bensford, Pons Mlii at Pont Eland, and Ad-Pontem at
Faunton. The explanation of the names to suit the supposed situatioii
has been another fruitful source of error ; not only British and Latin, but
Saxon, Greek, and even Hebrew, have been exhausted to discover signifi-
cant appellations ; and wh&te one language was not sufficient, half a word
has been borrowed from one language and half from another to support
a favourite hypothesis.* The commentaiy now presented to the reader is
fbunded on the following principles.
I. The vestiges of roads actually existing are taken as much as possible
for guides ; and the extremes or direction of each Iter, ascertained from
two or more undoubted stations, or other unequivocal proofs.
II. In general, no place is regarded as the site of a Roman station,
unless fixed Roman remains, such as buildings, baths, &c. are found at or
near it ; and unless it is situated on or n&ir the line of a Roman road.
III. An exception has, however, been sometimes unavoidably made to
this rule. After the Romans had established their power, and completed
their system of internal communication, they undoubtedly lessencKl the
number of their garrisons, to avoid either too great a division of their force,
or to reduce that part of it which was necessarily stationary. Hence we
have sometimes considered the direction of the road, and the general dis-
tance, as sufficient data for determining a station or stations, either when they
were situated between two considerable fortified points, or when covered
by others on every side ; because it is probable such posts were merely tem-
porary, and were dilapidated or demolished, even before the decli&e of the
Roman power.
IV. In assigning a specific Roman name to a place, it has not been
deemed sufficient that fixed antiquities or other equivalent evidence prove a
town to have existed on the spot, unless the order of the names, and the
distances marked in the Itinerary, justify the appellation.
y. Where the line of the Roman road is tolerably perfect, no station is
sought far from it, except where the excess of the Itinerary over the real
distance, or accurate measurement, affords sufficient authority for the
deviation.
y I. The numbers which determine the distances being written in Roman
numerals, which gave great latitude for errorf and substitutions, recourse
has been had to this rule.
* On this subject it may not be improper to observe, that the name of
Castor, Cester, or Chester, generally points out a Roman station ; and Sam,
Street, Stane and Stone, (Strat, and Stan, when compounded) as generally
show the course of a British or Roman way.
+ For example these marks " ' ^ *, being the mutilated parts of numerals,
might have been easily transformed by the copyist into IIIIL XIII. yilL
AFPEKDIX. 475
Where the road ttill exists, the whole intennediate ipftce hetween two
stations akeady detennined, has been examined to discover what places,
from their reiative distance, fh>m their site, or the antiquities found in thern^
have the fiiirest claim to be considered as Roman posts; and to such:
places the names have been affixed according to the evidence afforded in
the Itinerary.
After this development of the principles on which we have proceeded in
our examination, it is necessary to add a few observations on the Roman
mile, the standard of measurement used in compiling the Itineraries; because
many difficulties in determining the stations arise from our uncertainty
respecting its real length. It may indeed appear easy to ascertain this
point, by a careful measurement of the space between two military columns,
still existing on any known Roman road. But in Britain such an ex-
periment has been hitherto impracticable; for the columns in our island
have been so universally defaced or removed, that, far from two existing on
the same road, only one has been found* whose original station is known
with any degree of certainty. In France and Italy many of these columns
still exist, and Danville has adduced three instances in Ijianguedoc, in which
the distances between them accurately measured amounted in one to 756,
in another to 753, and in a third to 752 toises and two feet. The average
754 toises and two feet, seems to determine the length of the Roman mile
with sufficient precision; and the result is confirmed by a comparison with
the Roman foot, still preserved in the capitol; for the exact length of the
miles between the military columns on the Appian way, in the neighbour-
hood of Rome, as measured by Bianchini, was 5010 of these Roman feet,
which reduced to toises is 756 toises four feet and a half. From these
results Danville estimates the Roman mile at 755 toises, or 1598 yardsf
English measure.
Unfortunately this mensuration does, not lessen the difficulties of the
English antiquary; for the distance between any two of our known stations,
if measured by this standard, disagrees in almost every instance with the
numbers of the Itineraries. Different conjectures have been advanced to
solve this difficulty. One, supported by the respectable authority of
Horsley, is, that the Romans measured only the horizontal distance, without
r^iarding tiie inequalities of the surface; or that the space between station
and station was ascertained £rom maps accurately constructed. This idea
receives some support from a fact acknowledged by every British antiquary,
namely, that the Itinerary miles bear a regular proportion to the English
miies on plains, but fall short of them in hilly grounds. Another opinion
is, that the Itinerary miles were not measured by an invariable standard,
but in the distant provinces w«re derived from the common measures of the
country. In support of this conjecture a supposed coincidence between the
compute^ and measured miles, noticed by Horsley and others, has been
adduced; but if this were the case, there would not be so exact a con-
formity between the miles of France and Italy as appears in the instance
be^ire mentioned.
To remove, however, as many causes of error as possible, considerable
XVI. XIX. or XXI. and single numerals might have been omitted, as
XX. and XXIII. for XIX. and XXXIII.
* Near Leicester. f Hist, de T Academic, t. 88, p. 661.
468 SICHABD OF CIBENCESTEB. [b. n. cb. S.
hundred and sixty-five years after the arrival of Julius
Caesar.
XXXIX. 4446. The Roman legion retiring from Britain,
and refusing to return, the Scots and Picts ravaged all the
island from the north as far as the wall, the guards of which
being slain, taken prisoners, or driven away, and the wall
itself broken through, the predatory enemy then poured into
the country. An epistle was sent filled with tears and sor-
rows to Fl. ^tius, thrice consul, in the twenty-third year of
Theodosius, begging the assistance of the Roman power, but
without efiect.
CHAP. n.
1. Havikg followed truth as far as possible, if any thing
should occur not strictly consistent with it, I request it may
not be imputed to me as a fault. Confining myself closely
to the rules and laws of history, I have collated all the
accounts of other persons which I found most accurate and
deserving of credit. The reader must not expect any thing
beyond an enumeration of those emperors and Roman gover-
nors who had authority over this island. With an account
of these I shall close my book.
2. Julius Caesar the dictator was the first of the Romans
who invaded Britain with an army, during the reign of Gas-
sibelinus ; but, although he defeated the inhabitants in one
battle, and occupied the coasts as Tacitus observes, he rather
seems to have shown the way to his successors than to have
given them possession.
3. In a short time the civil wars succeeding, the arms of
the chiefs were turned agaeinst the republic. Britain was
also long neglected by the advice of Augustus and the com-
mand of Tiberius. It is eertain that Caligula intended to
enter Britain ; but his quick temper and proneness to change,
or the unsuccessful attempts against the Grermans, prevented
him.
4. Claudius, however, carried war into Britain which no
Roman emperor since Julius Caesar had reached, and, having
transported his legions and allies without danger or blood-
shed, in a few days reduced a part of the island. He after-
wards sent over Vespasian, at that time in a private station.
B.u.cH.2.3 GOVEBNOBS OF BBITAIK. 469
who fought two and thirty battles with the enemy, and added
to the Roman empire two very powerful nations, with their
kings, twenty cities, and the isle of Vecta, contiguous to
Britain. He overcame the remainder by means of Cneas
Sentius and Aulus Plautius. For these exploits he obtained
a great triumph.
5. To him succeeded Ostorius Scapula, a man famous in
war, who reduced the nearest part of Britain into a province,
and added the colony of the veterans, Camalodunum. Cer-
tain cities were delivered up to the chief Cogibundus, who,
according to Tacitus, remained faithful till the accession of
Trajan to the empire.
6. Avitus Didius Gallus kept possession of what his pre-
decessors had acquired, a few posts only being removed fur-
ther into the interior, in order to obtain the credit of extend-
ing his dominion.
7. Didius Verannius, who succeeded, died within a year.
8. Suetonius PauHnus continued prosperous for two years.
The tribes being reduced and garrisons estabhshed, he
attacked the isle of Mona, because it gave succour to the
rebellious and afforded opportunities for invasion. For the
absence of the governor removing all fear, the Britons began
to recover courage, and rose in arms under the conduct of
Bonduica, a woman of royal descent. Having reduced the
troops scattered in the garrisons, they attacked the colony*
itself, as the seat of slavery, and in the height of rage and
victory, exercised every species of savage barbarity. Had
not Paulinus, on receiving the intelligence, luckily hastened
to crush the revolt, Britain must have been lost. But the
fortune of one battle restored it to its former submission.
Many of the natives, from the consciousness of their defec-
tion, and fear of the governor, continued under arms.
9. Suetonius, in other respects an illustrious man, but
arrogant to the vanquished and prompt to avenge his own
injuries, being likely to exercise severity, he was replaced by
Petronius Turpilianus, who was more merciful, a stranger to
the offences of the enemy, and therefore more likely to be
softened by their repentance. Having settled the distur-
bances, he gave up the province to Trebellius Maximus.
10. Trebellius, being of a slothful disposition and unused
* Camalodunum.
470 BIOHASD OF CntENGESTEB. £& n. c. 2.
to war, retained the province by gentleness. The barbarous
Britons ceasing to be ignorant of luxury, and the termination
of civil wars, gave him m excuse for inactivity. But dis-
cord called forth his exertions ; for the soldiery, when re-
leased from military labours, grew wanton &om too much
rest. Trebellius, having evaded the rage of the army by
flight, was shortly allowed to resume the command, the licen-
tiousness of the soldiery becoming as it were a composition
for the safety of the general T£us sedition ended without
bloodshed.
11. Nor did Yectius Bolanus, although the civil wars stOl
continued, harass Britain by restoring discipline. There
was the same inactivity towards the enemy, and the same in-
subordination in the garrisons ; but Bolanus, being a good
man and not disliked, acquired affection instead of authority.
12. But when, with the rest of the world, Vespasian had
recovered Britain, we see distinguished generals, famous
armies, and the enemy dispirited : Petilius Cerealis inune-
diately excited terror by attacking the state of the Brigantes,
which was esteemed the most populous of the province.
Many battles were fought, some of which were bloody, and
a great part of the Brigantian territory was either con-
quered or invaded.
13. But although Cerealis had diminished the care and
fame of his successor, the burden was sustained by Julius
Frontinus, a man of high courage. Overcoming at once the
spirit of the enemy and the difficulties of the country, he
subjugated the warlike and powerful nation of the Silures.
14. To him succeeded Agricola, who not only maintained
the peace of the province ; but for seven years carried on
war against the Caledonians and their warlike king Galga-
cus. He thus added to the Roman empire nations hitherto
unknown.
15. But Domitian, envying the superior glory of Agricola,
recalled him, and sent his lieutenant Lucullus into Britain,
because he had suffered lances of a new form to be named
Lucuileas after him.
16. His successor was Trebellius, under whom the two
provinces, namely, Yespasiana and Mseata, were wrested
from the Roman government ; for the Romans gave them-
selves up to luxury.
&I.CH.2.] GOVERNORS OF BRITAIN. 471
17. About this time the emperor Hadrian visiting this
island, erected a wall justly wonderful, and left Juliui
Severus his deputy in Britain.
18. From tWs time nothing worthy of attention is related,
until Antoninus Pius carried on so many wars by his gene-
rals. He conquered the Britons by means of Lollius Urbi-
cus, the propraetor, and Saturninus, prefect of the fleet, and,
the barbarians being driven back, another wall was built.
He recovered the province afterwards called Valentia.
19. Pius dying, Aurelius Antoninus gained many victo-
ries over the Britons and Germans.
20. On the death of Antoninus, when the Romans deemed
their acquisitions insufficient, they suffered a great defeat
under Marcellus.
21. To him succeeded Pertinax, who conducted himself as
an able general.
22. The next was Clodius Albiniis, who contended with
Severus for the sceptre and purple.
23. After these, the first who enjoyed the title of lieu-
tenant was Virius Lupus : he did not perform many splendid
actions ; for his glory was intercepted by the unconquerable
Severus, who, having rapidly put the enemy to flight, re-
paired the wall of Hadrian, now become ruinous, and restored
it to its former perfection. Had he lived, he intended to
extirpate the very name of the barbarians ; but he died by
the visitation of God, among the Brigantes, in the city of
Eboracum.
24. Alexander succeeded, who gained some victories in
the East, and died at Edessa.
25. Ilis successors were the lieutenants Lucilianus, M.
Furius, N. Philippus ******** *^ who, if we except the
preservation of the boundaries, performed hardly any thing
worthy of notice.
26. Afterwards *****
27i9 rest is toantiff^.
APPENDIX.— No. I
COMMENTARY ON THE ITINERARY.
No people are so barbarous as to be totally destitute of the means ormter-
nal communication ; and in proportion as they become more civilized and
have more intercourse with other nations, these means are augmented and
Ikcilitated. By the early accounts of the Britons it appears that thej
maintained a considerable foreign commerce, that they had formed towns
or large corommiities, and used chariots for warlike, and undoubtedly for
dvil purposes. Hence it is evident that their internal commonicatioDs
must have been free and numerous. We need not therefore be surprised, if,
after the lapse of so many centuries, marks of such British roads appear
even at present to a careful observer, differing in many respects from the
joads subsequently made by the Romans, and traversing the island in every
direction.
These ancient ways may be distinguished from those made by the Romans
by unequivocal marks.
I. They are not raised nor paved, nor always straight ; but often wind
along the tops or sides of the chains of hills which lie in their course.
II. They do not lead to Roman towns, or notice such towns, except when
placed on the sites of British fortresses.
III. They are attended by tumuli like those of the Romans ; but
usually throw out branches, which, after running parallel for some miles,
are reunited to the original stem.
When the Romans obtained a footing in this island, they directed all
their operations, according to their practice, by military principles. They
civilized indeed as they conquered, but conquest was their principal object.
Hence, as each tribe was successively subdued, they fortified such primary
posts as were best adapted to support their fUture operations, established
secondary posts to secure their communications, and connected the whole
by military ways. From local circumstances, and the principles of war,
their primary posts were either at or near the sites of the British towns, or
on the principal rivers. If therefore the British towns and trackways were
suited to their purposes, they adopted them; if not, they constructed
others. But both their towns and roads difibred materially from those of
the original inhabitants. The Romans in their towns or fortresses foUovred
the system of their own castramentation, in like manner as in modem war-
fiure the construction of permanent and temporary works is guided by the
same general principles. These towns are of a r^^ular figure, bounded by
lines as straight as the shape of the ground will permit, generally square or
oblong, and consisting commonly in a single wall and ditch, unless in posi-
tions peculiarly dangerous, or where local circumstances rendered additional
defences necessary. On the contrary the British towns, which were occu-
pied by the Romans, although irregularly shaped, still partake of their
original figure.
Specimens of the first kind, or perfect Roman towns, may be seen in
Colchester, Winchester, Caerleon, Caerwent, Castor near Norwich, and all
APPENDIX. 473
the militafy stations bordenng on the wall of SeTerus. Of the latter, in
Bath, Silchester, Kentchester, Canterbury, and other places.
Similar marks of difference between the original British trackways and
the Roman roads appear in the Foss, and the Iknield Street ; — the latter,
during the greater part of its course, keeping along the chain of hills which
lay in its way, not leading decidedly to Roman towns, throwing out parallel
branches, attended always with tumuli, still bearing its British name, and
appearing from its direction to have been made for commercial purposes.
On the other hand the adopted roads, but more especially those made by
the Romans themselves, are distinguished by peculiar marks. Posts or
towns are placed on them at nearly regular distances, seldom exceeding
twenty miles, the length of a single march, and also at the point where two
roads intersect each other, or where several roads diverge. These roads
are elevated with surprising labour to the height of ten feet, and sometimes
even more, instances of which may be seen on the heath near Woodyates
Inn in Dorsetshire, near Old Sarum on the side of Ford, in Chute
Park, Wilts, between Ancaster and Lincoln, and still more remarkably on
Biamham Moor, near Tadcaster in Yorkshire. They were formed of mate-
rials often brought from a considerable distance, such as chalk, pebbles, or
gravel ; and the most considerable are paved with stones, which are visible
to this day. Tumuli also, which seem to have been the direction-posts of
antiquity, attended their course, and occur in almost every instance where
a road descends a hill, approaches a station, or throws off a branch.
Another peculiarity of the Roman ways is their straight direction, from
which they seldom deviate, except to avoid a rapid ascent or descent, to
throw off another road, or to approach a station, which, from the circum-
stances before mentioned, had been fixed out of the general line. Of this
there is a curious instance where the Foss, in approadiing Cirencester from
the north, meets the Akeman Street, bearing to the same point from the
norih-east, and evidently bends out of its course to join and enter the sta-
tion with it
Of many of the Roman roads, not only in England, but in the greater
part of the Roman empire, an account has been preserved under the name
of the Itinerary of Antoninus, which specifies the towns or stations on
each road, and shows the distances between them. This record was long
supposed to be a public directory or guide for the march of soldiers ; but
if this were the case, it is extremely confused and imperfect. It often omits
in one Iter or journey towns which are directly in its course, and yet speci-
fies them in another, as may be seen in the first, second, sixth, and eighth
Iters. It traces the same road more than once, and passes unnoticed some
of the most remarkable roads in the island, namely a great part of the
Foss, and the whole of the Via Devana (a road from Colchester to Ches-
ter.) Hence this Itinerary has been more justly considered as the heads of a
journal formed by some traveller or officer, who visited the different parts
of the empire from business or duty ; and, as Mr. Reynolds conjectures
with great appearance of probability, in the suite of the emperor Adrian.
In this light it may be considered as copious, and the advantages which it
has afforded to the antiquary will be grateftdly and universally acknow-
ledged. Still, however, from the incoherence which appears in that part
relating to our island, and from the mutilated copies which have been
found, there is reason to imagine that the whole of this interesting record
has not escaped the lavages of time.
474 mCHARD OF CIBBNCESTEB.
Such an itinemrj, but yarying in many respects from thit of An-
tonine, is one of the most important parts of the work now presented to the
reader.
In fixing the sites of the towns specified in these Itmeraiies, oar anti-
quaries have assumed the most unjustifiable latitude. The mere resem-
blance of a name was considered as a reason sufficient to outweigh all
others ; even the great Camden suffered hims^ to be misled hy this re-
semblance, in fixing Ariconium at Kentchester, Camalodunum at Maldon,
Bennayenna at Bensford, Pons iElii at Pont Eland, and Ad-Pontem at
Faunton. The explanation of the names to suit the supposed situation
has been another fruitful source of error ; not only British and Latin, but
Saxon, Greek, and even Hebrew, have been exhausted to discover sii(nifi-
cant appellations ; and where one language was not sufficient, half a word
has been borrowed from one language and half from another to suppcnt
a fiivourite hypothesis.* The commentaiy now presented to the reader is
founded on the following principles.
I. The vestiges of roads actually existing are taken as much as }>o8sible
for guides ; and the extremes or direction of each Iter, ascertained from
two or more undoubted stations, or other unequivocal prooft.
II. In general, no place is regarded as the site of a Roman station,
unless fixed Roman remains, such as buildings, baths, &c. are found at or
uear it ; and unless it is situated on or near the line of a Roman road.
III. An exception has, however, been sometimes unavoidably made to
this rule. After the Romans had established their power, and completed
their system of internal communication, they undoubtedly lessened the
number of their garrisons, to avoid either too great a division of their force,
or to reduce that part oi it which was necessarily stationary. Hence we
have sometimes considered the direction of the road, and the general dis-
tance, as sufficient data for determining a station or stations, either when they
were situated between two considerable fortified points, or when covered
by others on every side ; because it is probable such posts were merely tem-
porary, and were dilapidated or demolished, even before the decline of the
Roman power.
IV. In assigning a specific Roman name to a place, it has not been
deemed sufficient that fixed antiquities or other equivalent evidence prove a
town to have existed on the spot, unless the order of the names, and the
distances marked in the Itinerary, justify the appellation.
y. Where the line of the Roman road is tolerably perfect, no station is
sought far from it, except where the excess of the Itinerary over the real
distance, or accurate measurement, affords sufficient authority for the
deviation.
y I. The numbers which determine the distances being written in Roman
numerals, which gave great latitude for errorf and substitutions, xecourBe
has been had to this rule.
* On this subject it may not be improper to observe, that the name of
Castor, Cester, or Chester, generally points out a Roman station ; and Sam,
Street, Stane and Stone, ^Strat, and Stan, when compounded) as generally
show the course of a British or Roman way.
t For example these marks '"^\ being the mutilated parts of numerals,
might have been easily transformed by the copyist into IIIIL XIII. VIII.
AFPEKDIX. 475
Where the road gtill exists, the whole intennediate ipace between two
stations already determined, has been examined to discover what places,
from their relative distance, fh)m their site, or the antiquities found in them^
have the fiiirest claim to be considered as Roman posts; and to suchc
places the names have been affixed according to the evidence afforded in
the Itinerary.
After this development of the principles on which we have proceeded in
our examination, it is necessary to add a few observations on the Roman
mile, the standard of measurement used in compiling the Itineraries; because
many difficulties in determining the stations arise from our uncertainty
respecting its real length. It may indeed appear easy to ascertain this
point, by a careful measurement of the space between two military columns,
still existing on any known Roman road. But in Britain such an ex-
periment has been hitherto impracticable; for the columns in our island
have been so universally defaced or removed, that, far from two existing on
the same road, only one has been found* whose original station is known
with any degree of certainty. In France and Italy many of these columns
still exist, and Danville has adduced three instances in I^anguedoc, in which
the distances between them accurately measured amounted in one to 756,
in another to 753, and in a third to 752 toises and two feet, The average
754 toises and two feet, seems to determine the length of the Roman mile
with sufficient precision; and the result is confirmed by a comparison with
the Roman foot, still preserved in the capitol; for the exact length of the
miles between the military columns on the Appian way, in the neighbour-
hood of Rome, as measured by Bianchini, was 5010 of these Roman feet,
which reduced to toises is 756 toises four feet and a half. From these
results Danville estimates the Roman mile at 755 toises, or 1598 yardsf
English measure.
Unfortunately this mensuration does, not lessen the difficulties of the
English antiquary; for the distance between any two of our known stations,
if measured by this standard, disagrees in almost every instance with the
numbers of the Itineraries. Different conjectures have been advanced to
solve this difficulty. One, supported by the respectable authority of
Horsley, is, that the Romans measured only the horizontal distance, without
legBLrding the inequalities of the surface; or that the space between station
and station was ascertained from maps accurately constructed. This idea
receives some support from a fact acknowledged by every British antiquary,
namely, that the Itinerary miles bear a regular proportion to the English
miles on plains, but fall short of them in hilly grounds. Another opinion
is, that the Itinerary miles were not measured by an invariable standard,
but in the distant provinces were derived from the common measures of the
country. In support of this conjecture a supposed coincidence between the
computegd and measured miles, noticed by Horsley and others, has been
adduced; but if this were the case, there would not be so exact a con-
formity between the miles of France and Italy as appears in the instance
before mentioned.
To remove, however, as many causes of error as possible, considerable
XVI. XIX, or XXI. and single numerals might have been omitted, as
XX. and XXIII. for XIX. and XXXIII.
* Near Leicester. f Hist* de T Academic, t. 88, p. 661.
476 BICHABD OF CIBEKCESTlfiB.
pains have been taken to correct the numbera, by a compariaon of aU the
earliest and most authentic copies of the Itinerary. These are: The
Itinerary of Talbot, published in Leland*s works. That of Camden. Two
oopies by Harrison, published first in Hollingsbed, and xepublished by
Burton. That of Grale. That of Surita, who collated five oopies, four of
which he thus designates : — 1. Bibliothece Regis ad D. Laurent, vetustlss.
Codex Ovetensis iEra loCCCCXX descriptiis. 2. Bibliotbecs Blandinis
pervetustuB codex a CCCC. cirdtor annis transcriptus. 3. Bibliotheca
Neapolitanorum Regum qui post cardinalis de Ursinis fiiit anno
M.CCCCXXVII. exscriptus. 4. Christophori Longolii exemplar ab H.
Stophano. Parisiis editum, anno MJoXII.
As the Roman posts and roads were in a great degree connected with,
or derived from, the British towns and trackways, we proceed to trace first
the course of the British roads which still exist, and to specify the towns
whose sites are known, premising that of the ninety-two capital towns of
the Britons commemorated by historians, the names of only eighty-eight
haye been preserved.
The British ways were,—
1. The Watling Stbebt, or Irish road, m two branches, northern and
southern. - -, • ,
2. The Iknikld Street, or road of the Icem, the mhabitants of the
eastern coast.
3. The Ryknield Street, leading through the country of the Upper
Iceni or Coritani,
4. The Ermyn Street, leading from the coast of Sussex to the south-
east part of Scotland.
5. The Akeman Street, or intermediate road between the Iknield and
Ryknield Street. , , . ^
6. The Upper Salt-way, leading from the saltrmines at Droitwich to
the coast of Lincolnshire.
7. The Lower Salt-way, leading from the same mines to the south-
eastern coast. , . , , ^ X , -r,
8. A road which appears to have skirted the western coast, as the Ermyn
Street did the eastern.
Besides these, there is reason to conjecture from several detached pieces,
that another road followed the shores round the island.
WATLING STREET.
The south-eastern branch of the Watling Street proceeded from Rich-
borough on the coast of Kent, to Canterbury; and from thence, nearly in
the line of the present turnpike, towards Rochester. It left that city to
the right, passed the Medway by a ford, and ran almost straight, through
lord Damley's park, to Southfleet It bent to the left to avoid the
marshes near London, continued along a road now lost to Holwood Hill,
the capital of the Rhemi, and then followed the course of the present road
to London.— -Having crossed the Thames, it ran by Edgeware to Verulam;
and from thence, with the present great Irish road, through Dunstable and
Towcester to Weedon. Hence, instead of bending to the left, with the
present turnpike, it proceeded straight by Dovebridge, High Cross, Fazeley,
Wall, and Wellington, to Wroxeter. It then passed the Severn, and con-
tinued by Rowton, Pon y Pont, and Bala, to Tommeo y Mawr, where it
APPENDIX. 477
diTided into two branches. One nm by Beth Gellert to Caernarvon and
Angleaea, the other by Dolvyddelan, through the mountains to the banks
of the Menai, where it joined the north-eastern branch (which will be pre-
sently described), and ended at Holy Head, the great port of the Irish.
In its course are the British towns Rhtttupisy Bichborough, Durovemumf
Canterbury, Durobriva, Rochester, Noviomagus, Holwood Hill, Trinoban-
turn, London, Verolamiam, St. Alban's, DurocobrivtBy Dunstable, Urica-
nitan, Wroxeter, Mediolanum on the banks of the Tanad, Seffontiunif Caer
Segont, and possibly a town, of which the name is lost, at Holy Head.
The north-western branch of the Watling Street, coming from the interior
of Scotland by Cramond and Jedburgh, enters England at Chew Green, and
continues by Riechester to Corbridge. There, crossing the Tyne, it ran
through Ebchester, Lanchester, and Binchestor, and passed the Tees by a
ford near Pierce Bridge. Hence it went by Catteric, Newton, Masham,
and Kirby Malside to Ilkley, and near Halifax to Manchester. Over the
moors between these two last places it is called the Devil's Causeway.
From Manchester, where it pa»ed the Mersey, it proceeded by Street,
Northwich, Chester, Caerhun, and over the mountains to Aber, where it
fell into the south-western branch, in its course to Holy Head.
On it were the British towns, Bremenium, Riechester, Epiacum, Lan-
chester, Ftnovtam, Binchester, Cataractonisy Catterick, Olicatuiy Ilkley,
and i>«va,CheBter.
THE IKNISLD STRE1ST,
Or road of the Iceni, proceeds from the coiist near Great Yarmouth.
Passing through Taesborough, it runs by Icklingham and Newmarket, and,
skirting the chain of hills which stretches through Cambridgeshire, Bed-
fordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire, continues by Boumbridge to
Icoldon aud Royston (where it intersects the Ermyn Street). Thence it
proceeds by Baldock, over Wilbury Hill, to Dunstable (where it crosses
the Watling Street), Tring, Wendover, Elsborough, near Richborough
Chinor, Watlington, Woodcote, and Goring, and, passing the Thames at
Streetly, throws off a collateral branch, which will be noticed under the
name of the Ridgbwat. From hence it proceeded, as Stukeley imagined,
by Aldworth, Newbury Street, Ashmansworth, Tangley, and Tidworth, to
Old Sarum. Thence by the two Stratfords, across Vemditch Chase,
Woodyates Inn, the Gussages, Badbury, Shapwick, Shitterton, Maiden
Castle, Eggardon, Bridport, Axminster, Honiton, Exeter, Totness, &c., to
the Land's End.
^ The collateral branch called the Ridoewat, ran from Streetly along the
hills, by Cuckhamsley Hill, Whitehorse Hill, and Ashbury, towards Abury,
from whence its course is unknown. Possibly it ran towards Glastonbury.
From Elworthy barrows, above Taunton, it passes south- westerley into
Devonshire, and from Stretton in Cornwall, it kept along the ridge of hills
to lUdruth and the Land's End.
The British towns on this way were Ad Taum, Taesborough, the ancient
capital of the Iceni Magni, Durocohriva, Dunstable, Sorbiodunumy Old
Simim, Durinnmy probably Maiden Castle, /fca, Exeter, Tamara, a post
on the Tamar, Voluba on the Fowey, and Cenia on the Fal.
On the Ridge way, possibly AvaUmiUy Glastonbury, TermoliUt by some
supposed to be Molland in Devon, Artavia, Mtutdum^ near
Stratton, and Halangiumy Carnbri.
478 mCHABD OF GIUENCESTEB.
BTKNIBLB STREBT,
Or street of the upper Iceni, said to begin at the mouth of the Tjne, ran
bj Chester le Street to Binchester, where it joined the Watling Street, and
continued with it to Catterick. Then, bearing more easterly, it ran with
the present great northern road to within two miles of Borough Bridge,
where it left the turnpike to the right, and crossed the Eure to Aldborougb.
From thence it went bj Ckiptgra^e, Kibston, Spofforth, through Stokeld
Park, to Thomer, Medley, Foleby, Bolton, Graertwrough, Holme, Great
Brook near Tretown, Chesterfield, Alfreton, Little Chester, Egginton, to
Burton, and Wall (where it crossed the Watling Street). Thence throu^
Sutton* Colefield, to Birmingham, King's Norton, Alchester, Bitford, Sedge-
barrow, ^wkesbury, Glooester, Lidney, Chepstow, and probably by Aba-
gavenny, Brecon, Landilo, and Caermarthen to St. David's.
It passed the British towns of Vinovium, Binchester, Catarttcton, Cat-
terick, Isurium, Aldborough, Eioeeium, Wall, Alauna, Alcester, Glevum,
Gbcester, Maridunum, Caermarthen, and Menapia, St. David's.
THE E&MTN STRSKE
Came from the eastern side of Scotland, and, crossing the Tweed west of
Berwick, ran near Wooler, Hedgely, Brumpton, Brinkbum, Netherwittem,
Hartburn,and Rial, to Corbridge, where it joined the North Watling Steeet
Passing with that Way the two great rivers the Tyne and the Tees, it con-
tinued to Catterick, where it divided into two branches.
The western branch went with the Ryknield Street as &r as Aldborough,
and then, leaving that way to the right, proceeded by Little Ouseboum, to
Helensford, over Bramham Heath, to Aberford, Castleford, Houghton,
Stapleton, Adwick, Doncaster, Bavrtry, and probably by Tuxford, South-
well, and over the Trent to Thorp (where it passed the Foss), Staunton,
and Stainby, where it joined the
Eastern branch. This branch ran from Catterick by North AUerton,
Thirsk, Easingwold, Stamford Bridge, Market Weighton, and South Cave,
and, crossing the Humber, continued by Wintringham, Lincoln, and
Ancaster, to near Witham, when it was reunited with the western brandi
above mentioned. Both continued to Brig Casterton, near Stamford,
Chesterton, Stilton, Godmanchester, Royston (where it crossed the
Icknield Street), Buntingford, Puckeridge, Ware Park, west of Rozboum,
Cheshunt, Enfield, Wood Green, and London. Here it again divided into
two branches. The more westerly went by Doiking, Coldharbour, Stone
Street, and Pulborough to Chichester; while the easterly was continued by
Bromley, Holwood HUl, Tunbridge Wells, Wadhurst, Mayfield, and East-
bourn, to Pevensey.
On it were the British towns Vinovitim, Binchester, Cataraetonis, Cat-
terick, Isurium, Aldborough, Lindum, Lincoln, Dumamagtis, Castor near
Peterborough, Trinovantumy London, Regentium or Regnum, Chichester,
Novwmagus, Holwood Hill, and Anderida Portua, Pevensey.
AKEMAN STREET
Appears to have passed from the eastern side of the island, probably by
Bedford, Newport Pagnel, Stony Stratford, and Buckingham (or as others
think by Fenny Str^ord and Winsborough), to Alcester. It then ran by
Kirkllngton, Woodstock, Stonefield, AstaU, and Coin St. Alwin's, to Ciren-
AFP£NDIX. 479
cester, Rodmarton, Chenrington, Bagqpatb, airfl Symonds' Hall. From
thence it is said to be continued by Cromehall to Aust, where, passing the
Severn, it probably ran through Caerwent, Caerleon, and along the coast by
Caerdiff, Neath, Lwghor, to Caennarthen, and the Irish port at St. David's.
The British towns were Corinum, Cirencester, Venta Silurum, Caerwent,
Isca, Caerleon, Maridunum, Caermarthen, and MenapiUy St. David's.
THE UPPEB SALT- WAT,
Which appears to have been the communication between the sea coast of
Lincolnshire and the Salt-mines at Droit wich. It is first known as leading
from the neighbourhood of Stainsfield, towards Paunton and Denton, and
then running not far from Saltby and Croxton, is continued straight by
Warmby and Grimston, to Sedgehill on the Foss. Here it appears to bear
towards Barrow on the Soar, and crossing Chamwood Forest, is again seen
at Stretton on the borders of Warwickshire, from whence it is easily traced
to Birmingham and over the Lickey to Droitwich.
British town Salina, Droitwich.
The Second Salt-way is little known, although the parts here described
have been actually traced. It came from Droitwich, crossed Worcester-
shire under the name of the Salt- way, appears to have passed the Avon,
somewhere below Evesham, tended towards the chain of hills a6ove Sudeley
Castle, where it is still visible, attended by tumuli as it runs by Hawling.
Thence it proceeds to Northleach, where it crossed the Foss, in its way to
Coin St. Aldwin% on the Akeman Street, and led to the sea coast of
Hampshire.
Venta Belgarum, Winchester, and Forttts Magnus, Porchester, or
Clausentum, Bittern near Southampton — were probably situated in its
course.
In many places are vestiges of a continued road skirting the western side
of the island, in the same manner as the Ermyn Street did the eastern, of
which parts were never adopted by the Romans. There is great reason to
suppose it British, because it connects many of the British towns. It
appears to have commenced on the coast of Devon, perhaps not far from
the mouth of the Ex, and to have gone by Exeter, Taunton, Bridgewater,
Bristol, Glocester, Kidderminster, Claverley, Weston, High Offley, Betley,
Middlewich, Northwich, Warrington, Preston, Lancaster. Here probably
dividing into two branches, one ran by Kendal, Penrith, and Carlisle, to
the extreme parts of the island, while the other passed, by Kirby Lonsdale
and Orton, to Kirby Thure, from whence it continued under the name of
the Maiden- Way, by the Wall and Bewcastle into the interior parts of
Scotland. On this Street were Isca, Exeter, UxeUa, possibly near Bridge-
water, Glevum, Gloucester, Branogenium, Worcester, Salina, Droitwich,
Cocdumf Blackrode, and Luguballium, Carlisle.
Besides these, and the separate communications between the different
towns, there is reason to imagine that a general road ran round the whole
coast of the island, parts of which have been observed near the southern
coast of Dorsetshire, particularly from Abbotsbpry to the isle of Purbeck;
likewise in Hampshire, along Portsdown Hill; and from Old Winchester
through Sussex, on the tops of the hills between Midhurst and Chichester,
to Arundel and Brighthelmstone. Also in Essex from Maldon to Colchester,
and in Suffolk by Stretford, Ipswich, Stratford, and Blythborgh, to the
480 BICHABD OF CIBENCB8TEB. *
banlu of the Yar. In LScoliuhdi are two branches, one nmning tkmAj
from Tattenal, bj Hoaicastl^, Ludford, Strinton, CaiBtor, and S<»Krb3r,
and a second nearer to the coast from Lowth towaids Brocldesby, and both
tending to the passage of the Humber, not fiu" from Barton. Also along
the principal part of the coast through Yorkshire, Durham, and Northam-
berland. On the western side of the island it appears to have passed on
the hills which skirt the nortltem coast of Devonshire and Somersetahire,
and possibly might be traced through Wales and towards Scotland.
As the original text of so important a document as Richard's Itinerary is
essential to the thorough comprehension of its meaning, it is here subjoined:
it follows after the end of Chapter Y II.
DIAPHRAGMATA.
Itsb L Rhutupis prima in Britannia insula civitas rersus Gralliam apod
Cantios sita a Gessoriago Bonnoniie portu, unde conmiodissimus in supra-
dictam insulam transitus obtiogit, CCCCL. stadia, vel utalii volunt XL VI.
mille passuum remota : ab eadem clvitate ducta est via Guethelinga dicta,
usque in Segontium per m. p. CCCXXIIII. plus minus sic : — Cantiopoli,
quae et Durovemo, m. p. X. Durosevo XII. Duroprovis XXV.
deinde m. p. XXVII. transis Thamesin intrasque provinciam Flaviam et
civitatem Londinium (Augustam), Sulo Mago m. p. YIIII. Yerolamio
munidpio XII. unde fuit Amphibalus et Albanus Martjrres. Foro Dian»
XII. Magio Yinio XII. Lactorodo XII. Isanta Yaria XII. Tripon-
tio XII. Benonis YIIII. Hie bisecatur via, alterutrumque ejus brachium
Lindum usque, alteram versus Yiriconium protenditur, sic: — Mandues*
suedo m. p. XII. Etoceto XIII. Pennocracio XII. Uxaconia XII.
Yirioconio XI. Banchorio XX YI. Deva Colonia X. Fines Flavie et
SecundaB, Yaris m. p. XXX. Conovio XX. Seguntio XXIIII.
Iteb II. A Seguntio Yirioconium usque, m, p. LXXIII. sic : — Henri
monte m. p. XXY. Mediolano XXY. Rutunio XII. Yirioconio XI.
Iter III. A Londinio Lindum coloniam usque, sic : — Durosito m. p.
XII. Cssaro Mago XYI. Canonic XV. Camaloduno colonia YIIII.
ibi erat templum Claudii, arz triumphalis, et imago Victoris de». Ad
Stnrium amnem m. p. YI. et finibus Trinobantum Cenimannoa advenia,
Cambretonio m. p. XY. Sito Mago XXII. Yenta Cenom. XXIII
Camborioo cofenia XX. Dundi ponte XX. Dumo Mago XX. Isbnii
XX. Lindo XX.
Iter I Y. A Lindo ad Vallum usque, sic : — Aigolico m. p. XIIII. Dano
XX. Ibi intras Matimam Csesariensem, Legotio m. p. XYI. Eboraco
municip. olim colonia sexta m. p. XXI. Isurio XYI. Cattaractoni
XXIIII. ad Tisam X. Yinovio XII. Epiaco XYIIIL ad Muruin
YIIII. trans Murum intras Yalentiam. Alauna amne m. p. XXV. Tneds
flumine XXX. ad Vallum
Iteb Y. A limite Preturiam usque, sic :— Curia m. p. ... ad Fines m.
p. . . . Bremenio m. p. . . • Corstoplio XX. Yindomora Villi. Yindo-
vio XYIIII. Cattaracton! XXII. Eboraco XL. Derventione VIL
Delgovicia XIII. Praeturio XXV.
Iter YI. Ab Eboraco Devam usque, sic : — Calcaria m. p. YIIIL Cam-
boduno XXII. Mancunio XYIII. Finibus Maximae et Flavis ra. p*
XYIII. Condate XVIII. DevaXVIIL
APPENDIX I. 481
Iter VII. A Portu Sistuntiorum Ebomcuiki usque, sic : — Rerigonio m.
p. XXIII. ad Alpes Peninos YIII. Alicana X Isurio XYIII. £bo-
IBCO XVI.
Iter VII I; Ab Eboraco Luguvalium iltquev sic: — Cattaractoni m. p;
XL. Lataris XVI. Vataris XVI. Brocavouads XVIII. Voireda
XVIII. Luguballia XVIII.
Iter Villi. A Luguballio Ptorotonim ti^ue, sic : — Trimontio m. p.
. . . Gadanica m. p. . . . Corio m. p. ... ad Vallum m. p, . . . Incipit
Vespaaiana; Alauna m. p. XII. Lindo Villi. Victoria Villi, ad Hier-
nam Villi. Orrea XIIII. ad Tavum XVIIII. ad .£aicam XXIII. ad
Tinam VIII.: Devana XXIII. ad Itunam'XXIIII. ad Montem Gram-
pium m. p. ... ad Selinam m. p. . . . Tuessis XVIIII. Ptorotone m.
P* ^ • *
Iter "^ Ab ultima Ptorotone per medium insulae Isca Di^mnononim
ufique, sic:— Vans m. p. VIII. ad Tuessim XVIII. Tamea XXVIIII.
m. p. XXI. in Medio Villi. Orrea Villi. Victoria XVIII.
ad Vallum XXXII. Luguballia LXXX. Brocavonacis XXII. ad Alau-
nam m. p. . . • Coccio m. p. • . . Mancunio XVIII. Condate XXIII.
Mediolano XVIII. Etoceto m. p Salinis m. p Glebon
colonia m, p. . . . Corino XIIII. Aquas Solis m. p. ... ad Aquas
XVIII. ad IJxellam amnem m. p Isca m. p
Iter XI. Ab Aquis per Viam Juliam Menapiam usque, sic : — ad Abo-
nam m. p. VI. ad Sabrinam VI. undo trajectu intras in Britanniam Secun-
dam et stationem Trajectum m. p. III. Venta Siltirum VIII. Isca colonia
Vim. unde fuit Aaron Martyr. Tibia amne m. p. VIII. Bovio XX.
Kido XV. Leucaro X V. ad Vigesimum XX. ad Mienapiam XVIIII. Ab
hhc iirbe per XXX. m. p. navigas in Hybemiam.
Ite& XII; Ab Aqiiis Londinium usque, sic : — Verlucione m; p. XV.
Cunetione XX. Spinis XV. Calleba Attrebatum XV. Bibiacte XX.
Londinio XX.
Iter XIII. Ab Isca Uriconium usque, sic : — Bultro m. p. VIII. Go<
bannio XII. Magna XXIII. Branogenio XXIII. Urioconio XXVII.
Iter XIIII. Ab Isca per Glebon Lindum usque, sic *. — Ballio m. p. VIII.
Blestib XII. Skribonio XI. Glebon colonia XV. ad Antonam XV.
Alauna XV ; . . . . Vennonis XII. Ratiscorion XII. Venroroento
XII. Margiduno XII. ad Pontem XII. Croco colana Lindum XII.
Iter XV. A Londinio per Clausentum in Londinium, sic : — Caleba m. p.
XLIIII. Vindomi XV. Venta Belgarum XXI. ad Lapidem VI. Clau-
sento nil. Portu Magno X. Regno X. ad Dedmum X. Anderida
portu m. p ad Lemanum m. p. XXV. Lemaniano portu X.
Dubris X. Rhutupis colonia X. Regulbio X. Contiopoli X. Durelevo
XVIII. Mado XII. Vagnaca XVIII. Novio Mago XVIII. Londi-
nio XV.
Iter XVI. 'A Londinio Ceniam usque, sic : — VeUta Belgarum m. p.
XC. Brige XI. Sorbioduno VIII. Ventageladia XII. Dumovaria
Villi. Moriduno XXXIII. Isca Damnon. XV. . ; Durio amne
m. p Tamara m. p Voluba m. p. . . ; . . Cenia m. p. . . .
Iter XVII. Ab Anderida [Eboracum] usque, sic : — Sylva Ande-
rida m. p Noviomago m. p ; ^ . , . Lon-
dinio m. p. XV. ad Fines m. p Durolisponte m. p Dur-
nomagb in. p. XXX. Corisennis XXX. LiiAo XXX. in Medio XV.
II
4m
BICHABD OV 0XBBKCS8TEB.
ad Abpm ^V. unde tiaiuu in Maiiwamy ad PetuazJam m* p. TL deinde
Eboiaco, ut supra, m. p. XLYI*
Itjee XyI^. Ab Eboraco, per medium insula Clausentum iiaque* sic : —
LegioUo m. p. XXI. ad Fines KVIII. . . . m. p.. XYI. . . . m. p. XVI.
Derventione m. p. XVI. ad Trivonivn XII. Etoceto XII. Mao-
duessuedo XVI. Benonnis XII. Tripontio XL Isanoavaria XII. Bri-
navis XII. J^Ma castia XVI. Borociivi XV. Ti^meti YI. Vindomi
XV. Clausento XLVI.
Florima intuper habebant B^mani In Bzitanniia <i»stftUfl, anis quaeque
muris, tun$bus, portii^ et lepagulit munita.
Quod hactenus ^uribus, in hoc capite perdpitur pene oculis intnentibns:
nam huic adjuncta est mappa Britannii^ artiBcialiter d^picta, quae omnia
loca oet evid^ter ei^rimit, u( ex ea cunctarum z^gionum incoJaa dijgnos-
oeredetur.
ANCIENT ANB HODBBN NAMES OF THE STATIONS Bf BICJXASXI
OF C1BENCE8TER^3 ^TINEIUBX-
[Fiom thf Lpndon |klitaoB» Bto. 1809.]
Itx« I.
(1) A Rhutupi ducte est ^ Via Guethel-
inga" dicta, usque in Segontium, per m.
p. OCCXXIIII. plus minus, lic :—
Corrected
(2) CantiopoH qui^ et Dn-
ro?emo X
(S) Duiosevo XII
(4) DuroproYis XXV
Ddndero. p. XXVII
transis Thamesin in-
trasque provinciam
Flaviam et civitatem
(5) Londinium Au^fu^tam
(6) Sulo IklagQ Vim
C7) Vezolamio Munieipio
XII
Undefttit Amphibalus
et Albanus, Qiartyres.
(8) Foro Dian« XII
(9) Magio Viuio XII
(10) Lactorodo
XII
munberi^
XI
XII
XVI
XXVII
XII
Vim
XII
XII
XVI
Sites ov thb Staxxors.
From Bichborough to Gaer
Segont, by the Watling
Sueet^
Canterbury*
Stone ChaplOi, bx Oapxuige.
Rochester.
London.
On the site of Mr. Napier's
ho^se at Brocklej Hill.
Verulam.
Dunstable.
Old Fields, South of Fenny
Stratford.
\ Berry Mount^ in Towcester.
APnvDn: i.
483
Cll) IsantaVaria XII
(12) Tripontio XII
(13) Benonis Villi
Hie bisecatur Via ;
alterutrumque ejus
brachium Lindum
usque, alterum ver-
sus Virfooniun pro*
tenditur, sic : —
(14) Manduessuedo XII
(15) Etoceto XIII
(16) PennocuMiO XII
(17) Uxaeoma XII
(18) Virioconio XI
(19) Banchorio XXVI
(20) Deva Colonia X
Fines Flavis et 8e-
cuiidtt
(21) Vans
(22) ConoTio
(23) Segontio
XXX
XX
XXIIII
XII (Bwnt WalJi wv Dvfaatij.
XU
Vim
XII
XVI
XII
XII
XI
XXVI
3^V.
XXVII
XX
XXIIII
Neur Tiilhwira,
HighCnMi.
Manoeter,
Wall,
Ob the Penl^.
Red Hill, near Okenyate.
WroKeter.
Probably Bancbor*
Chester.
Banks of the Qwydd. near
Bodfiifi.
G^r HQb.
Oaer Scgont, near GaeraaN
YOB.
The first Iter having run uniformly mi the traces of the British road
called Watling Street (except the small distance from Southfieet to Lon-
don), and the road remaining tolerably perfect, there can be little difficulty
infixing the several stations, or Indeed in correcting the sometimes corrupted
numbers of the Itinerary. It begins at Richborough, and, although at
present obscure from the improv^ cultivation of the country, may be easily
traced to Canterbury, from whence it went in the direction of the present
turnpike to Rochester, leaving the intermediate station at Stone Chaple, in
Ospringe, a little to the left hand. At Rochester it passed the Medway,
considerably above the present bridge, and instead of running to the right
with the modem turnpike, it went as straight as the nature of the ground
would permit, by Cobham Park, and Shingjlewell, to Barkfields, in South-
fieet (the station Vagnia^ in Ajntonine,) then to Swanscombe Parkwood,
through which it passed, and rejoined the Dover road between the fifteenth
and sixteenth milestone, near I&rtfbrd Brent. Hence it went by Shooter's
Hill over the Thames to London ; and then as before mentioned, by the
site of Mr. Napier's house at Brockley Hill, Verolam, Dunstable, Fenny
Stratford, Towcester, Burnt Walls,* near {iilboume, High Cross, Manoe-
ter, Wall, Okenyate, to Wroxeter. Here, quitting tlie south-west branch
of the Watling Street, it bore to the right by Uffington, Broughton, Over-
Icy, Hammer, and Sam Bridge to Banchor ; and from thence ran clearly
by Stockach and Aldford, over the Dee to Chester.
The Roman road here joining the North^ei^t Watling Street, before
* Burnt Walls was the Roman post of Isannavaria ,- Borough I(ill« en,
the hill above it, was the great British fortification, Bennavenna.
Ii2
464
BICHASD Of cibbhcestbiL
mentioned, continued ^th it to Bodfioi, and croadng Denbifjfhsliire. went
over the Oonwaj to Caer Hiin ; and is supposed to have run aa straight as
the country would permit, to Caer S^gont, about half a mile south of Caer-
nanron.
ItbrII.
(23) A Segontio Virioconium usque, m. p.
LXXIII. sic:—
Corrected
numbers,
XXV
XXVII
XVI
'24) Heriri Mont^
[25) Mediolano
[26) Rutunio
(18) Virioconio
XXV
XXV
XII
XI
Sites of the Stations.
From Gae^ Segont toWrax-
eter.
Tommen yMtir,iii M&entnvg.
On the bank of the Tanad.
Rowton.
XI I Wrox^r.
This Iter runs on a branch of the South-east Watling Street, from Caer
Segont, nearly in the direction of the present road to Tommen y Mur^ an
undoubted statioil in the parish of Maentrwg, by the common name of
Sam Helen, or the '* paved way of the Legion/' From henoe it is con-
tinued to Bala ; and on the banks of the Tanad, not fiur from the point
Where it is intersected by the Roman road from Ciiersws to Chester, wu
probably the lost town of Mediolantan, From Mediolanum the road runs
under the north end of the Brythen, straight, although obscurely, to Row-
ton^ and from thence over the Seyem to Wrozeter.
(27) Darosito
(28) CiBsaro Mago
(29) Canonio
(30) Camaloduno
Itbr III.
(5) A Londinio Lindum coloniam usque,
sic : —
Corrected
numbers.
;Jcn XII
XVI XVI
xy XV
(Dolonia
Villi Villi
Ibi erat templum
Claudii, arz triiim-
phalis, et imago Vio-
toris dece.
Ad Sturium amnem VI
£t finibus Trinobantum
Cenimannos advenis
(32) Cambretonio XV
(33) Sito Mago XXII
(34) Venta Cenom. XXIII «
(3i)
VI
Sites of the Stations.
From London to Linocdo.
Near Rumford.
Near Chelmsford:
On the east of Keltedon.
Colchester;
Baxiktof the Stour,
* Ca^or, near Norwich:
▲PFBNDIKL
48«
(35) Camborico Colonia XX
(36) Durelipontet XX
(37) Durno Mago::: XX
(38) Isini8$ XX
(39) Lindojl XX
XV
XX
XXV
XXI
North ride of the Cam, Camr
bridge.
Godmanchester.
Castor.
Durobrivia was Chesterton
on the Nen, near it.
Ancaster.
Itincoln.
As it is fiftj-one measured miles from London tp ([Colchester, and as i^
is probable that the stone from whence the Roman mi|es were measured
was at least one mile west of Whitechapel church, ^e cannot allow an j
material deviation from the course of the present road, except in the
neighbourhood of the capital, where the Roman road, instead of passing
through Mile End, went much straighter over the Lee ^t Old Ford, and
fell again into the course of the present turnpike at Stratfor^. The Itine-
rary sJlowing only fifty-two miles between London and Colchester, and the
fifth Iter of Antonine agreeing with this of Richard, by stating twenty-
eight as the distance between London and CtMaromaguSf we may implidtJy
adopt the distances here given, and fix the intermediate stations near Rum-
ford, Chelmsford, and Kelvedon. From Colchester the road ran to the
Stour, where probably Stood the Mansio ad Ansam. From hence to Cas-
tor, near Norwich, (the Venta Icenorum,) the stations and course of the
road are unknown. Some commentators have supposed it ran westerly* by
Brettenham and Thetford ; others by Ipswich, Stowmarket, and Scole
Inn ; and others have carried it more easterly, by Ipswich and BIythburgh,
or Dunwich, to the capital of the Iceni. In favour of the first, there is
merely the supposed resemblance of the name of Brettenham to Cambre"
toniufi^ ; of the second, traces of a Roman way, called the Pye Road ; and
of the third, i^ British track-way, and another Roman road, called the
Stone Street. But the distances suit none of these sites, and no Roman
remains have any where been found, betweefi the Stour and Castor, suffi-
cient to justify an alteration of the numerals.
Icianis may have been Icklingham ; and Oamboriewin was most pro-
bably at Cambridge, from whence there is a Roman road discoverable to
Lincoln. To the first station, Godmanchester, this Iter goes on the great
communication between Colchester and Chester, which for the sake of dis-
tinction may be called the Via Devana; and from Godmanchester to Lin-:
coin, on the eastern branch of the Ermyn Street, which was adopted by
the Romans. Twenty miles from Godmanchester, we find the great station
of Chesterton, on one side of the Nen, and Castor on the other ; whicii
probably gave rise to the two names oi Dwrohrivaj and Dumomoffus, the
Koman and British towns severally noticed by Antonine and Richard.
About twenty-five miles further, in the course of the road which cannot be
mistaken, we find Ancaster, the Isinnis, CorisenniSf or Cattsennis of the
Itineraries, from whence twenty-one additional miles bring us to Lincoln.
* Icianis XXVIII. Stukeley. i* Durolisponte, Iter 17.
t Iter 1?, XXX, i Corisennis XXX, Iter 17,
I Iter 17, XXX.
486
ItlCHABD OF GIBBNCBSTISR.
ItBR IV.
(39) A Lindo act VaHiiin uiqu^ sic i
Corrected
Numbers.
XIIII
XXI
(40) ATgoIicd Xim
(41) Dano XX
Ibi intiaB Maximani
Caesariensem
(42) Legotio • m p. XVI
(43) Eburaco Municip. olim
Colonia Sexta t XXI
(44) Isurio XVI
(45) Cattaiactonit XXIIII
(46) Ad Tisam X
(47) Vinovio Xll
(48) Epiaco XVIII I
(49) Ad Muram Villi ]
tram Murum intraa
Valentiam
(50) Alauna amne XXV
(51) Tueda flumine XXX
(52) Ad Vallum
XVI
XXI
XVII
XXIIII
XII
X
xnii
Villi
Xxv
XXXV
Situ ov t^k dtAtioiist
From Ifmcoln to the Wall
Littleborough.
Doocastert
Ceatletatdk
Y<nk.
AMboronghi
Catterick.
Pieit*e Bridge*
Winchester.
Lanch^ster.
Haltoii Chester on the Wall;
Banlcs of the Coqueti
Banks of the Tweed.
TheWalL
The fomih Iter left Lmeoln with the Bastem Ermyn Street, which nm
to the Humber s and, after continuing on it about five milea^ turned sud-
denly to the left, pursuing its course in a straight line to the Trent, which
it passed immeduttely opposte to the station of Littleborough* The Ro^
man road may be traced from hence to AUsterfield and Doncaster, where
it fell in with the Western Ermyn Street, and is visible all the way by
Gastleford, Aberford, and Tadcaster, to York. In this Iter, the atation of
Tadcaster is passed unnoticiedi as in the former the station of Brig Cas-
terton, near Stamford.
From York the Iter Is continued along the left bank of the Otuej till it
crossed the river to Aldborough. From hence rejoining the Weston
Ermyn Street, it passed the Eure, and ran straight through Catterick to the
Tees, which it crossed at Piercebridge. It continued by the Royal Oak,
St. Andrew Aukland, and the Bishop's Park,, to Binc^hester, where, after
fording the Were, it went with the North Watting Street to Lanchester ;
and, without noticing eathei Ebc^hester or C^orbridge, over the Tyne to Hal-
ton Chester on the Wall. Here separating from the North Watling Street,
it ran with the Ermyn Street, itow known in Northumberland by the name
of the Devil's Causeway, to the bank of the Coquet and the Tweed, and
entering Scotland on the East, was continued to tiie wall of Antonine.
• Legiolio^ Iter I84 f Iter 5 and 8, Eburaeo« t Catwactode XI«
AFFENBDC X.
487
Iter V.
(52) A limite Prtttuiiam usque, sic : —
Correeted
Numbers,
(S3)
(54)
(56)
(56) Conrtoplio XX
(57) Vindomora Villi
(47) VindoYio t XVIIII
(45) Cattaractoni XXII
Curia*
Ad ^nes .
Bremenio .
Contoplio
Vindomora
(43) Eboraco XL
(58) Denrentione VII
(59) DelgoTicia tXIII
(60) Prasturio % XXV
Vll
XXV
vim
XVIIII
XXII
XL
VII
XXXVIII
Sites of the Stations.
To Flamborough H^d.
dhew Greem
Riechester.
Corbridge.
Ebchester.
Binchester.
Catterick.
YoTk.
On the Denrent^near Stam-
ford Bridge.
Near Flamborough Head.
In regard to the part of the country traversed by this Iter, there appears
to have been so little connection between the work of our author and the
map which accompanies it, that we can rely little on the latter either to
assist or correct us. This Iter is made to begin from Ckiria, a town pro-
bably on the confines of some petty kingdom, and to pass to the first certain
post of Bremenium, or Riechester. Now, on referring to the map, Curia,
the principal town of tiie Gadeni, so far from ]3dng on the road which leads
to Bremeniutnf the capital of the Ottadini, is considerably to the westward
of its course. From this disagreement, commentators have suspected a
mistake of the transcriber, and imagine that Curia is intended for Corium,
It is certain, at least, that this Iter, running on the east side of the island,
on the track of the Northern Watling Street, enters Northumberland at
Chew Green, goes from thence to Riechester (leaving unnoticed the station
at Risingham), and runs with it to Corbridge, Ebchester, Binchester, Catte-
rick, and York.
From York to Flamborough Head, a Roman road may still be traced ;
and as the distance agrees with the Itinerary, and there must have been a
Roman post on or hear that headland^ we should think it more probable
that this was the site of Fraturium,% although we have not yet discovered
the rracoains of any post on the Derwent, or the intermediate station of
Delffovieia, So many Roman roads from different quarters point towards
Stamford bridge, that there is no doubt the station of DervenHo was
near it.
» Ptobably Corium, Siukeley,
+ Vinovio, Iter 4. t XXXVIII.
§ This Praiurium and the Pratorium of Antonine mtist be carefully
distinguished from the Petuaria, mentioned by our author in the 1 7th Iter,
for Petuaria was certainly at Brough on the Humber,
488
BICHABD OF CISEKCESTER.
ItbbYL
(43) Ab Eboraco DeTom usque, nc : —
Oorreeted
Numbers,
Villi
XXXII
XXIII
(61) Calcaria m. p. Villi
(62) Camboduno XXII
(63) Mancunio • XVIII
(64) Finibufl Maxims etFla-
vi» XVIII
(65) Condate • XVIII
(20) Deva XVIII
VI
XXIII
XVIII
Sites of the Statioiis.
From York to Chester.
Tadcaster.
Slack.
Manchester.
Stretford on M ersej.
Kinderton.
ChestOT.
Such uipeais to be the inoorrectness of the numerals attached to this
Iter, as ml as to the oonesponding Iter of Antonine, that, although four
of the six stations are well known, and a fifth can scarcely be mlataken,
vet, we can in no other way obviate tiie difficulty than by supposing a station
omitted, or by altering the numerals, none of which, except the fiivt, agree
with the distances between the vestiges of the different stations and Uieir
supposed sites ; for example, in the first part between York and Manches-
ter, where the Itinerary gives only 49 miles, the nearest road through
Heathersfield amounts to 65.
As the only great ^nd undoubted Roman station between Tadcaster and
Manchester is at Slack (for the camps at Kirklees, and Castleabaw, are
only temporary posts), it will perhaps be justifiable to fix this point as the
site of Camhoduf^um ; to suppose ten miles omitted in this stage ; and in
the next to conjecture that, by a common error in ^opying the Romsn
numerals, XVIII. has been substituted for XXIII. the exact distance from
Slack to Manchester.
As the Mersey was undoubtedly the boundi^y on the West between the
Roman provinces of Maxima and Flavia, and as the Roman road stili
existing crossed it at' Stretford, we fix the next point the:^ and change the
number XVII. to VI. The two next stations of CcndtUe and Devety the
numerals (with a slight alteration) permit us to fix at Kinderton and
Chester. It is wortliy of remark, that with these altera^ons the sum total
of the numerals remains nearly the same.
;tkevil
(66) A Portu Sistuntior^i^ Ebonumm usque^
sic : —
Corrected
Numbers.
XIII
XXIII
XVIII
XVII
(67) Rerigonio XXIII
(68) Ad Alpes Peninos VIII
(69) Alicana X
(44) Isurio f XVIII
(43) Eboraco "XVI
SiTBB OF THB SlATXQMB.
From Fr^kleton to Yoii.
Ribchester.
Bt^rrensin Bipiuditoii*
Ilkley.
Aldborough.
York.
♦ Iter 10, Biaacffluo—Gondate XXIII. + Stukele^, XVIIlT,
AFFlfiMDIX I.
489
This Iter nms firom Freckleton on the Ribble to Ribchester, and then
over the mountams to Broughton, Ilkley, Aldborbugh and York. Ab the
Roman road is tolerably perfect all the way to Aldborough, and the ves-
tiges of the stations are undoubted, we are justified in the iteration of tbe
first two numbers, as by this alteration they will correspond ndth the pre-
sent distances and the situations of the posts.
(43)
(45)
(70)
(71)
(72)
(73)
(74)
Iter VIII.
Ab Eboiaco Luguvalium usque^ sic : —
Corrwted
Numbers,
XL
XVIII
XI1II
XIII
XL
♦XVI
+ XVI
Cattaractoni
Lataris
Vatarifl
Brocavouacis t XVIII
(BroTonads)
Vorreda XVIII
Lugubalia $ XVIII
XIHI
XIII
SiTBS OF THE STATIOlfS.
From York to Carlisle.
Catterick.
Bowes.
Broug^.
Kirby Thur.
Plumpton Wall.
Carlisle.
The road from York to Catterick has been traced before, and the Roman
way from thence to Carlisle ran nearly in the direction of the present turn-
pike. The only doubt which occurs, therefore, in this Iter, is whether,
from a similarity of sound, the transcriber of Richard has not erroneously
written Brocavouacis for Brovonacis, which are two neighbourii^ posts in
this direction, the first Brougham, and the second Kirby Thur. As the
conjecture is not improbable, the corrected distance is given from the
latter.
It is worthy of observation that in this Iter fbur successive V^s have
been added by mistake of the transcriber, as is the case in regard to the
X's omitted iii the third Iter.
Iter IX.
Sites of the Sfurtom.
(74) A LugubalUo PtorotoHim
sic:-r-
usque,
From Carlisle to Buigh
Head.
Chrreeted
Numbers.
(75) Trimontio m, p.
(76) Gadanica
(77) Oorio
(52) Ad Vallum
Incipit Vespasiana
(78) Alauna XII
XTII
Biirenswork |iilL
Camelol^
Kier^
• Lataris, XVII, Stuk.
t XVI.
Stuk. t XX. Sink.
i Iter 10 inverted, Brocavonacis — Luguvallia, XXII.
490
BIOHABD OV CIRXVCE8TER.
(79) Lindo
Villi
vim
(80; Victoria
Villi
villi
(81) Ad Hiemam
Villi
vim
(82) Orrea
XI 1 11
XIIII
(83) Ad TaTnm
XVIIII
XVI III
(84) Ad iEsicam
XXIII
XXIII
(85) Ad Tinam
VIII
VIII
(86) Devana
XXIII
XXIII
(87) Ad Itunam
XXIIII
XXVI
(88) Ad Montem Grampium
XIII
(89) Ad Selinam
X
(90) Tueasis
XVIIII
XVII
(91) Ptoiotone
XVII
Ardocb.
Dealgin Rofls.
On the Tay above Perth.
Near Invergowrie.
Brechin on South Eak.
Fordim.
Norman Dikes near Peter
Culter.
Glenmailin on the Ithan.
Near Knock HiU.
On the Cullen near Deakfoid.
On the Spey near Bellie.
Buigh Head.
Innumerable difficulties occUr on every side in endeavouring to explain
this Iter. There is great reason to believe that the TVimontium of this
Iter was Birrenswork Hill, and that the road ran fix>m thenoe along the
western side of the island as it is traced in the map of Richard. Camelon
is allowed by all antiquaries to be the Ad Vattum: but it is imposaible to
draw the line between these t#o pomts; for although Greneial Roy has
mentioned a road from Carlisle on the eastern side of the Eildon Hills, and
another on the western beyond Clegbom to Castle Cary, there is little
authority for the existence of either. Lynekirk has every appearance of s
station, lay within the territories of the Gade]ii,and would suit the Bituation
assigned to Oadaniect, but no road has hitherto been discovered leading to
or from it. If the western trended at Biggar as much to the east, aa that
part which remains in the direction of Glasgow does to the west, it would
nave passed Borthwieh Castle or the Gore, which Roy supposes was the
Corium, Admitting the identity of this stAtion would clear up the whole
of this Iter to the W&U. Thete is no doubt that the sites of Lindwn^
Victoria^ and Ad Hiemam Weto at Ardocb, Dealgm Ross, and Strageth.
Notwithstanding the difficulties which occur in tracing this Iter from
Carlisle to the Wall, yet from thence to the Tay the direction of the road,
and the situation of the stations as fixed by General Roy agree so perfectly
with the Itinerary, as to leave no doubt that he has ascertained their real
positioii. But aldiough he diicovered a roaci notth of the Tay, yet, aa he
found no vestiges iii stations, Mri Chalmers seems to have been more
successful in fixing the posts between that river and Ptoroton^
It does not appear th&t the road was ever Completed: however, from
Orrea on the Tay, a little above Perth, he observes, that the communication
iiin through the passage of the Sidlaw Hills, and along the Caise of Gowrie
to the nord) end of the eituary of the Tay near Dundee; two milea west
<if which place, and half a mile north of Invergowrie, are the remains of a
Roman camp about two hundred yards squue, fortified mih a high
rampart and spacious ditch*. Here he places Ad Tatnim, Proofeeding
hence north-easterly through the natural opening ^f the Coontty, and
passing in the way the camp at Harefatilds, at the distance of tWeAty-tbtee
miles is Brechin on the South Esk, the station Ad .Xsieam, ticactiy &i the
line laid down in Richard's map, and at the distance given in the Itinertuy.
Continuing fiom Uie South Esk in a north-north-easterly direction, at the
▲PFJCNDIX I.
491
distance of five miles and a half, we reach the North Ikk, the gupposed
Ad Tinantk We pass thttt river at King's Ford, and proceeding up the
valley of Luth^rwater, at the distiihce of eight miles atid a half find
Fordim, where there are the reipains of two Roman campsi From thence
proceed^g seventeen iniles, to the well known camp at Raedikes^ and
continuing in a northerly direction six miles beyond, is the rectangular
camp on the Dee at Peter Gulter, called Norman Dikes, the Devana of
the Iter; This point is exactly thirty-one Iniles from Brechin on tiie South
£ak, agrees with the aggregate distances in the Itinerary Ad Tinam YIII,
and Ad Devanam XXIII, and corresponds with the track delineated on
Richard's mapi
The obvious openings through thiaru^ed country point out the way by
which the Romans must have penetrated northerly by the right of Achlea
Piddy and Kinmundy, to Kintore on the Don^ They followed the Strath
to the ford where the high road has always passed to Inverurie, and
proceeded north-north-west through the moorlands, to the sources of the
Ithan, and tiie camp at GlenmaiUn, the Ituna of Richard, a distance of
twenty-six milest From thence proceeding northward, acro« the Dovema
at Achengoul, where are vtill considerable remains of military wbrks; and
at the diitonce of thirteen miles, we reach the high ground north of Foggy
lone, at the east side of Knock Hill, the Mona Orampius of the Iter.
Hence the road runs to Ad Selinam^ which is supposed to be on the
Cullen, near the old Tower of Deskford, at the distance of ten miles,
i^ollowing the course of the river, and the coast of the Murray Frith,
seventeen miles, we arrive at the Roman post of IWmm, on the high bank
of the Spey, below the church of BelHei Seventeeh miles fiirther is
Biiigh Head, the Ptorotone of Richard.
Itbb Xk
(|91) Ab ultima Ptorotone per mediam
insula Isca Damnonorum usque, sic i^-
Correoied
(92) Varis*m. pk VIII
>93) AdTuesann XVIII
(94) Tamea XXVIIIl
>95) XXI
(96) In Medio Villi
(82) Orrea Villi
(80) Victoria XVIII
(52) Ad Vallumt XXXII
(74) Luguballia LXXX
(97) Brocavonads XXII
« Villi; Stuk^ley^
Numbers*
XXII
Sites OP the Stations.
From Burgh Head through
the middle of the island
to Exetieh
Fores
Cromdall on Spey
Braemar Castle
Bam Castle on Ila
InchstuthiU
Bertha on Tay
Dealgin RosB
Camelon
Carlisle
Villi
XX
XXX
XXX
XII
vim
XXIIII
XXXII
CXVIIII
Bh>ughamw
f XXX. Iter 9.
492
(98 Ad Alaunam
(99) Coccio
(63) Mancunio
(65) Condate
(100) Mediolano
(15) Etoceto
BICHABD OF OIBEKCESTEB,
• • • •
• • • •
XVIII
XXIII
XVIII
(101) Salinism. p.
(102)
(103)
(104)
(105)
(106)
(107)
Glebon Colon, m. p.
Corino XIIII
Aquas Solu m. p. . .
Ad Aquas XVIII
Ad; UKellam amnem
m. p* • • . •
Isca m. pp • • .
XXXXVII
XXXVI
XVIII
XXIII
XVI
XXXV
XXII
XXXII II
XVIII
XXX
XX
XXI
xxxxv
Lancaster.
Blackrode.
Manchester*
Kinderton.
Chesterton.
WaU.
Droitwich. <
Gloucester.
Cirencester.
Bath.
Probahljr Wells.
Prohabljr Bridgewater.
Exeter.
The first part of this Iter is taken irom General Roy ; and as we bare
none of the intermediate stations between Carlisle and the Wall, everr
eommentator may choose what route he pleases, although none will
coincide with the distances of the Itinerary. From Carlisle, if we place
any reliance on the numbers, the next station, Brocavonavis, can onljiK
fixed at Brougham. Thence the road to the banks of the Lune, as wellss
the station on it, is uncertain ; for, whether we choose Overborougb or Lu-
caster, we know of no road to direct us ; and the only reason for prefenioj
the latter is the supposed site of the next station, Ooccitan, at Blackrode,
and the course of the road throughLancaster, tending mpre immedi^elr to
that point, than the road through Overborougb. The two next stations,
Maneunium and Condatey as well as the connecting line of road, are veil
known. From Kinderton, although there is a Iloman way pointing to
Chesterton in Staifordshire, the Mediolanum of this Iter, and the site of
Etocetum is undoubtedly Wall, yet we speak with hesitation of the line*''
communication betwixt them ; though we presume |t ran through New-
castle, Stpne. and Ridgeley. From Wall, which is on the Watling Street,
the Iter continues along the Ryknield Street, through Sutton Oolfield Park.
to Birmingham. There &llmg in with the first Salt- Way, it proceeds to
Droitwich, and is continued by the Western Road, through Worcester to
Gloucester. Here, turning nearly at a right angle, it passes by the well
known Romai) road over Birdlip Hill to Cirencester ; and trending to tw
right, proceeds by the Foss to Aqua Solis or Bath. Quitting the Foss, and
still bearing to the right, it continues along the lower road to WelK ^
from thence to Uxella, which was probably at Bridgewater. From tiie
banks of the Pi^rret it ran in the track of the British Way, and the pn-
fent tu/npike by Taunton, Wellington, and CoUumpton, to Exeter.
APFSKDIX I.
493
Iter XI.
(104) Ab Aquis, per Viaxn JuUam, Mena-
piam usque, sic : —
Chrreoted
Numbers.
(108) Ad Abonam m. p; VI VI
(109) Ad Sabrinam VI Villi
Unde Trajectu* in-
tras in. Britanniam
Secttnd&m
(110) Et Staticmem Trajeo-
tumf III III
(111) VentaSilurum JVIII Villi
(112) IscaColonia Villi Villi
Unde fuit Aaron
Martyr.
(113) Tibia Amne§ VIII
(114)
(116)
(116)
Bovio
Nido
Leucaro
(MuridunuiJi
XV
XX
XX
X
XX
XX
XVIII
Sites of the Nations.
From Bath bj the Julian
Wa J to St j David's
Bitton«,
SeaMillf4
Severn Side.
Caerwent.
Caerleon.
Banks of thb Taaf, possibly
Caireu or Caerdiff.
In Evehny Park.
Near Neath.
Perhaps Lwghor.
Caermarthen,
Castel Flemish.g
Near St. David's;
XX
XV
xy
omit.
XX)
(117) AdVigesimum XX
( 1 18) Ad Menapiam;XVIIII
Ab hacurbe per m. p.
XXX
Navjgas in Hjberniam.
As the course of the Roman road connecting the stations of this Iter
is still discernible, we do not he8itat« in correcting the imperfections of
Richard by the corresponding Iter of Antonine. At Bitton,six miles from
Bath, we find marks of a post attended with tumuli^ which whether called
Abone or Trajectus^ is of little importance, because, like the next, Sea
Mills, it will suit either appellation, from its position on the Avon, and
commanding a passage over that river; From Bitton the Roman way ran
nearly in the direction of the present turnpike, north of the river as £Eir ai(
St. Geoige's church ; thence it proceeded stnlight near St. Paul's ; ascended
* Statio Trajectus. Comirn f Ad Sabrinam. Comm*,
X Villi; Stukley, $ Tibia VII. Stukley.
H This station was discovered b^ Mr. Fenton during his researches for
his Histoiiy of Pembrokeshire; It lies in the parish of Ambleston;
^ We prefer the name oi Abone for Sea Mills^ because it bears that
name in old deeds ; on the other hand, there appears to be no instance in
which the name of Trajeehis is applied to a town unless at the passage (A
a river.
494
BICHABO or CQtKKCBSIXB.
the Downs hehma Mr. Daubeney-* houw to the direction-poat. from whence
|t «o«ed DordluUB Down, and skiited M™. Jack»n'. ^ wfu tol^
Mill*, a great mantime port at the confluence of the Triiln,! t h. »
It continued bjr Lonl De ClWord'. ho<ue timi^ttoAeS^JZV^Z
riv«. «.d pm^d by Caldecot Cartle throughiSenJent^^eS^t
l«nk of the Taaf «,d Evenny Park, whic* laat place Cn^i^,^
u. to con;e?t^ wa. the «te of Bovium. At Neath we wX^^
heutation w &ang the lito of JVWu^ becauae a ro«i from tU ^S^Z^
£r«<wa evidently leada to the aame spot ««»«rneK
The remainder of tha |ter ia obMsure. Leuear* haa been «,-vi ..
Lwghor, principally from the ie«Mnblanoe of the namt. Ft^^^^£,
IXBBXn.
(104) Ab Aquis Londmiiun usque, sic: —
Corrected
(119) Verludone m. p. XV
(120) Cunetione 7S,X
(121) Spinis XV
(122) Calleva Atrebatum
XV
(123) ^ibracM) ^-^^ XX >
(5) Londinio XX $
Numbers,
XV
XV
XX
XXXXIIII
SiTiB or THs SsATioaa.
H«h6dd, jHMir Svxdj Lane
Folly Fann, E. of Marlbo-
rough.
Spene.
SilchQiter,
London.
As the t^es of a Roman road from Bath towards Mwlboroueh am rfHl
Tjsible, we have only to examine in what pointo of Ita co™^m«;^i,
been found sufficient to justify us in determining the M^f 7£^^^^!
stations Accordingly at /fteen mUe. from U^X^'H^fie^H
Sandy J.ane. n^ Heddmgton ; and at fifteen more Folly f1™! ne^
Marlborough. From hence twenty miles bring us to Spene ; and^ho^
at this place few remains have been discovered, yet the direcUon ofaSr
Roman road, from Cirencester to the same piint. suffiSy pro^ Sb
existence of a station. Of the site of Callevaai SilchesteJf S^^ *S^
• The bishop, of St. David's bemg called in Latin MenapUmee, by the
the present town. The site of the station itself was probably at a short
distance from the modern dty, at a place caUed ;tho Buixok and just
above a fine harbour caUed the Forth Mawr. ^ •*
t Few of the Roman stations have been fixed at so many difF^imt
places as that of CaUeva Atrebatum, It has been placed at SUch^^
Henley, WaUingford, and Reading, by different anS^esij^^i
AFPKKPiXI.
495
little doubt ; although the course of the road from Spene k nncertain. The
road from Silchester, still known by the name of the I^evirs Causeway, at
it runs over Bagshot Heath, as well as evident traces of it between Staines
and London, still exist ; but the intermediate station of Bibraeie is doubt-
ful. If the numbers in this Iter be correct, we cannot deviate from the
straight line, and this post must he placed near the hill at Egham, or
the head of the Yuiginia Water.
I
Iter XIII.
' (112) Ab Isca Uriconium usque, sic :—
Corrected
(124)Bultn> m,p. YIII
(125) Gobannio XII
(126) Magna XXIII
(127) Branogenio XXIII
(18) Uiioconio XXVII
Nutnhers.
VIII
XII
XXIII
XXIII
XXVII
Sites of the Stations.
From Caerleon to Wioxeter.
Usk,
Abergavennj,
Kentcheater.
Lentwardine.
Wroxeter.
The beginning of this Iter cannot be traced, notwithatending two oi^t oi
Xhe three stations are well known ; and we have little doubt that Baitrum
or B^rrium was at Uak (though no Roinan remains have been found there),
because the distance given from Caerleon to Chbannium or Abergavenny
will not admit of any deviation frvm the straight line. From Abergavenny,
after passing the Monnow, the Roman road still exists, particularly near
Madley, pointing to Kentchester, and from thence may be traced by the
next post of I^entwardine on the Teme, to Wroxeter.
doubtful case do more testimonies concur to ascertain the site, It waa
evidently a station of importance, because it appears 9b a central point, to
which the roads traversed by three different Iters of Antonine (the 13th,
14th, and 15th,) converge. |t was the capital of the Atrebates ; situated
at known distances from London, Winchester, Bath, Spene, and Caerleon ;
i^nd at a doubtfUl one, though easily supplied, from Cirencester and Old
Sarum. These circumstances cannot by any expedient be brought to coin-
cide, either with Henley, Wallingford, or lading ; but all agree in regard
to Silchester. Its distance nearly accords with the Itinerary distance of
Callevairom London, Bath, Spene, Winchester, and Caerleon, and, if a
station (which is evidently lost) in the Iter of Antonine be supplied, with
that from Cirencester. The present remains are those of a great Iloman
town ; it is situated in the district formerly inhabited by the Atrebates ;
and in every direction traces of Roman roads converging to this point still
plainly exist, from London, Spene, Winchester, Old Sarum, Bath, and
Cirencester.
496
SICHABD OF COUSKCESTEB.
(112)
(124)
(128)
(129)
(102)
(130)
(131)
(121)
ITKB XIY.
Ab iBca, per Glebon, Lindum, usque,
sic : —
• Corrected
NumberM,
nu
XII XIII
XI XII
XV XV
XV XX
XV XV
XVIIII
XII XXI
XII XII
XII XII
XII XII
XII VII
VII
XII XII
Ballio* m. p.
Blestio
Sariconio
Glebon Colonla
Ad Antonam
Alauna
Vennonis
Katiscorioh
Venromento
Maigiduno
Ad Pontem
Crocoooland
Lindum
Sites of the Sxitioxb.
rioin. Caerleon, by. Glbaces-
ter, to LmcoliL
Uak.
Monmoixil];
Rose or Beny Hill in Weston.
Gloucester.
On the Avon.
Alcester on the Ahi.
Camp at Chesterton on Um
FosSy near Harwood's hoose.
High Cross.
Leicester.
Waioughby.
East Bridgeford.
Near Thorpe tuhipike.
Brough.
Lincohi.
This Iter ran, like the former, from Caerleon to Usk, where bending to
the right it traversed the country to Monmouth. From hence, although we
tenhot trace the exact line of the road, yet we hare no doubt that it ciosBed
the Wye to the next station at Berry Hill, in Weston, under Penyard;
find continued nearly in a direct line to Gloucester. As the auth<ur has
only left the name of a river for the next station, it must be placed in such
a situation on the Avon as to admit the distance of fifteen miles from the
faext station of Alcester, which was the site of Alauna. This would cany
it to the westward of Evesham. FrOlil Alcester, likewise, till we reach the
Foes, we have neither a road nor distance, nor even the name of a station.
For this reason we deem ourselves justified in considering the undoubted
Roman camp at Chesterton on the Foss, as the post omitted by our author,
and from thence we proceed on that known military way to the c^lain
stations of High Cross, Leicester, Willoughby, Bridgeford, Brough, and
Lincoln;
Iter XV.
(5) A Loiidinio, per Clausentum, in Lon-
dinium usqUe, sic^ —
Corrected
Numbers.
XLIIII
XV
XXI
(122) Caleba m. p. XLIIII
(138)Vindomi XV
a39) Venta Belgamm XXI
Sites of ths Stations.
From London, through Bit-
tern, again to Lcmdon.
Silchester.
Near St Mary Bourne:
Winchester.
Bultro>Iter 13
APPENDIX I.
497
(140) Ad Lapidem VI
VI
Stoneham.
(141) Clausento IIII
IIII
Bittern, near Southampton.
(142) Portu Magno X
XV
Portchester.
(143) Regno X
XV
Chichester.
(144) Ad Decimiim X
X
On the Arun.
(145) Anderida Portu . . .
•XLV
Pevensey.
(146) Ad Lemanum XXV
XXV
On the Rother.
(147) Lemaniano Portu X
XX
Lymne.
(148) Dubns X
X
Dover.
(1) Rhutupis Colonia X
XV
Richborough.
(149) Regulbio X
vim
Reculver.
(2) ContiopoU X
X
Canterbury.
(3) Durelevo XVIII
XII
Stone Chaple in Ospringe.
(150) Made XII
XVIII
On the bank of the Med way.
(151) Vagnaca XVIII
villi
Barkfields in Southfleet.
(152) Novio Mago XVIII
XV
Holwood Hill.
(5) Londinio XV
XV
London.
This Iter leads from London to the south-west part of Hampshire, and
from thence, skirting the Sussex and Kentish coasts, back to the capital.
At the first step the author gives forty-four miles as the distance between
London and Silchester, instead of forty, as in the twelfth Iter ; hence we
may deviate <a little in settling the site of Bibracte or Ad Pontes, Of the
next station we can merely offer a conjecture. As the country of the At-
rebates and their capital, CaMeva or SUchester, is by our author described
as lying near the Thames, in distinction from that of the Segontiaci,f whose
capital, Vindomis, was further distant from that river, and nearer the Ken-
net, one point only appears to suit the distances, which bears the proper
relation to the neighbouring stations, and at the same time falls at the inter-
section of two known Roman roads. This is in the neighbourhood of St.
Mary Bourne, and affords reason for considering Egbury Camp, or some
spot near it, as the capital of the S^ontiaci. For by following the Roman
road called the Portway from Silchester, at the distance of fifteen miles is
the rivulet near St Mary Bourne, and not far from it, the point where the
Portway is intersected by the Roman road from Winchester to Cirencester ;
and proceeding along this last we have another distance of twenty-one
miles to Winchester. The road from Winchester by Otterboume to Stone-
ham, and thence by the Green Lane to Bittern, is well known, and the
distance sufficientiy exact. But from thence, although traces of the road
are occasionally discoverable on Ridgway, and to the north of Bursledon
Hill, pointing towards Fareham and Portchester, yet the latter part is almost
totally unknown or lost. From Portchester it ran in the track of the pre-
sent turnpike to Chichester ; and over the Arun not far from Arundel ; and
then along the coast to Pevensey, the banks of the Rother, Lymne, Dover,
Kichborough, Reculver, and Canterbury. There falling into the track of
• Seuketep, X.
f Richard, b. 1, c. 6, sect. 28, describing the several nations whose terri-
tories were watered by the Thames in its course to the German Ocean,
places the Atrebates between the Hedui and the Cassii, without even men-
tioning the Segontiaci, a proof that their territories did not approach the
river.
K K
4M
RICHAJSD OF CIBENCESTEB.
the first Iter, it went along the Watling Street to the bank of the Medwaj,
and pawng that river, proceeded by Barkfields in Southfleet, a station
omitted before, across the country with the ancient Watling Street, (bj a
road now unknown *), to Uolwood Hill, the capital of the Regni, and from
thence to London.
Iter XVI.
(5) A Londinio Ceniam usque, sic :«-
Corrected
(139) Yenta Belgarum
m. p. XC
(153) Brige XI
(164) Sorbioduno VIII
(155) Ventageladia XII
(156)Dumovaria Villi
(167) Moriduno XXXIII
(107) Isca Damnon XV
(158) Durio Amne . . .
(159) Tamara
(.160) Voluba
Numbers.
LXXX
XI
Villi
XV
XXX
XXX
XXVIII
XXIII
XXVI
XXVIII
XX
Sites of thb Stations.
From London to the Fal.
Winchester.
Near Broughton.
Old Sarum.
Gussage Cow Down.
Dorchester.
SeatoB.
Exeter.
On the Dart.
Or the Tamar.
On the Fowey.
On the Fal.
(161) Cenia
The exact route from London to Winchester not being defined, we may
suppose that it ran, as before, through Silchester, and from thence by
St. Mary Bourne, as in the 16th Iter. From Winchester, as the road still
exists leading to Old Sarum, the distance of eleven miles will probably
give the site of Brige, although the station itself is not known; and the
nine following will lead us to Old Sarum. Pursuing the course of the
road, which may be still traced quite to Dorchester, remains found on
Gussage Cow Down point out the site of Ventcigeladia ; and the disagree-
ment between the Itinerary and real distance from thence to Dorchester
justifies us in supposing that some intermediate post has been omitted.
The site of Moridunum is doubtful; some thinking it to be Eggerdon, or
the Hill of the Morini, with which the distance of nine miles would not
disagree; while others, with more reason, prefer Seaton, the great port of
the West, because the Foss leads from Ilchester directly to it. Intermediate
stations have evidently been lost between this place and Exeter, as has also
been the case between that place and the Dart, the Tamar, the Fowey and
the Fal. From Honiton the road is visible pointing to Exeter, as well s»
from Exeter to Totness, and according to the ingenious Borlase, even to
Lostwithiel.
* In Hasted's Hirtory of Kent is a passnge which countenances the idea
of an ancient road having traversed the country in this line.
APPENDIX I.
409
Itkr XVII.
Ab Anderida [Eboracum] usque, sic: —
Corrected
(162) Sylva Anderida
m. p. • .
(152> Noyio Mago
(S) Londinio XV
(163) Ad Fines*
(36) Durolispontef
(37 Dumomago XXX
I
Numbers,
xxxx
XV
XXVIII
XXX
XX
XXV
XXI
XV
XV
VI
Sites of ths Stations.
From East bourne to York.
East Bourne.
Holwood HiU.
London.
Brougham.
Godmanchester.
Castor, on the left bank of
the Nen.
Ancaster.
Lincoln.
Winterton.
Brough.
(38) Corisennis XXX
(39) Lindo XXX
(164) In Medio XV
(165) Ad Abum XV
Undo transis in Max-
imam
(166) Ad Petuariam VI
(43) Beinde Ebomco, ut
supra (It. 5)
m. p. XLVI XXX York.
This Iter ran in the track of the British Ermyn Street, from Pevensej
and East Bourne, which were perhaps the Anderida Partus and Anderida
of the 15th Iter, along the ridge of hiUs to Holwood Hill (already
mentioned as the capital of the Rhemi), and from thence to London, but
its traces are now so obscure as to be almost forgotten. Some think that
from London it proceeded along the British Street, bj the Green Lanes,
Cheshunt, and to the west of Broxboume to Ware; while others suppose
that this Roman road went much straighter, and nearly in the course of
the present turnpike through Ware to Broughing, a post at the confluence
of the Rib and the Quin, where was probably tiie station Ad Fines, the
boundary between the countries of the Iceni, the Cassii, and the Trino-
bantes. From hence the Roman road is so perfect by Caxton quite to
Lincoln, that we fix the station of Dumomagus at the great camp near
Castor, and the three others at Godmanchester, Ancaster, and Lincoln.
From Lincoln the Roman road proceeds directly to the banks of the Humber,
having, at the distance assigned in the Iter, the Mansio in MetUo, and the
post at Winterton ; from whence six miles carry us across the river to Brough,
or Petuaria, a post often confounded with the Pratorium of the 6th Iter.
As there is a Roman road still existing from Brough towards Weighton,
and then over Barmby Moor to York, there can be little doubt in
considering it as the course of this Iter. Should, however, the forty-six
miles given in the Itinerary (which appears to have been an error arising
from the mistake of the transcriber in confounding Petuaria and
jPratuHum) be considered as correct, the course of the Iter may be
supposed to have run from Brough by Londesborough and Millington, to
the great road from Flamborough, and then to have turned with it to York,
making exactly the forty-six miles of the Itinerary.
♦ Stuk. XXX.
f It. 3. Duraliponte— Dumomago XX. — Isinnis XX. — Lindo XX.
K K 2
t V
500
RICHARD OF CIRENCESTER.
Iter XVIII.
(43) Ab Eboraco per medium inBulse
Clausentimi usque, sic : —
Correoted
(42) LegioUo
(167) Ad Fines
m. p. XXI
XVIII
(168) XVI
(169) XVI
(170) Derventione» XVI
(171) Ad Trivonam XII
(15) Etocetot XII
(14) Manduesuedo XVI
(13) Benonnis XII
(\2) Tripontio XI
(11) Isannavaria XII
(172) Brinavis - XII
XV
numbers,
XXI
XXIII
XVI
XII
XII
XII
XII
XVI
XII
XI
X
XII
XX
Sites op the Statioot.
From York through the mid-
dle of the island to Bitten.
Castleford.
Temple Brought on the baiik
of the Don.
Tapton Hill near Chesterfield.
Camp near Penkridge.
Little Chester.
Berry Farm» in Branston.
Wall
Manceter.
High Cross.
Near Dove Bridge.
Burnt Walls.
Black Ground, near Chipping
Norton.
Alcester, near Bicester.
Dorchester.
On the Thames.
Silchester.
Bittern, near Southampton.
073) ^lia Castra XVI XVI
(174) Dorocina XV XVI
(175)Tame8i . VI VI
Vindomi > '
(122) Calleva ]
(141) Clausento XXXXVI I XXXXV
This Iter proceeds from York in the same direction as the fourth to
Castleford, where, bearing to the right to join the Ryknield Street, it
continues with it through the seyeral stations of Temple Brough on the
Don, Chesterfield, Penkridge, Little Chester, and Branston, to Wall.
Here diveiging to the left with the Watling Street, it passed through
Manceter, High Cross, and Doye Bridge, to Burnt Walls. It there quitted
the known road, and bore across the country, by an unknown route, to
Alcester, on the Akeman street ; but the considerable remains found at
Black Ground, near Chippington Norton, would lead us to place the
station of Brinavis there, if the Roman road did not make any material
deviation between Burnt Walls and Alcester.
From Alcester the road runs plainly over Ottmoor, and indeed almost
all the way to Dorchester. But from thence as we can discover no traces
of a road, and as our next post appears to have been (mly six miles distant
and on the Thames, if any reliance can be placed on the number^, it may
be the point where the Iloman road from Wantage apparently paaaes that
river opposite Mongewell. The next distance of fifteen nules, being
insufficient to lead us by any road to Vindomi*, if it were placed either at
Silchester or near St. Mary Bourne, it is more than probable that there k
some error in the name of the station ; and as the following number of
forty-six miles agrees with the distance in the 1 5th Iter of the road from
Silchester passing near Egbury to Bittern, we cannot help supposing that
the name of Vindomis has been inserted by mistake for that of CaUeva,
* XVI. +It. 2, inv. Etoceto. — Manduesuedo XI II. — Benonnii
XII. — Tripontio Isantia Varia XII.
APPPNDIX n.
501
APPENDIX.— No. n.
HANES TALIBSIN, OR THE HISTORY OP TALIBSIN.
The primary domeBtic bard
Am I to Elphin,
And my orij^nal country
Is the region of Cherubims.
Joannes the divine
Called me Merddin,
At length every king
Will call me Taliesin.
I was fall nine months
In the womb of mother Cyridwen ;*
I was little Gwion heretofore,
Taliesin am I now.
I was with my Lord
In the superior state,
When Lucifer did fall
To the infernal deep.
I have borne a banner
Before Alexander :
I know the names of the stars
From the north to Auster.
I have been in the circle of Gwdion
Tetragammaton ;f
I conducted Hean:{:
To the depth of Kbron vale,
I was in Canaan
When Absalom was slain,
I was in the Court of Don $
Before Gwdion was bom,
I was an attendant
On Eli and Enoc ;
I was on the cross-devoting sentence
Of the Son of the mercifiil God.
I have been chief keeper
Of the work of Nimrod's tower j
I have been three revolutions
In the circle of Arianrod.ji
I was in the Ark
With Noah and Alpha ;
I beheld the destruction
Of Sodoma and Gomorra ;
I was in Africa
Before Rome was built ;
I am come here
To the remnants of Troia.
I was with my Lord
In the manger of the she-ass ;
I strengthened Moses
Through the Jordan water.
I have been in the firmament
With Mary Magdalen ;
I have been gifted with genius
From the Cauldron of Cyridwen.
I have been bard of the harp
To the Teon of Lochlyn ;f
I have endured hunger
For the son of the Virgin.
I have been in the White Hill ♦ •
In the court of Cynvelyn,
In stocks and fetters.
For a year and a day.
I have had my abode
In the kingdom of the Trinity ;
It is not known what is my body,
Whether flesh or fish. .
I have been an instructor
To the whole universe ;
I shall remain till the day of doom
On the face of the earth,
I have been in an agitated seat
Above the circle of Sidin,+t
And that continues revolving
Between three elements :
Is it not a wonder to the world.
That it reflects not a splendour I
IFrom MeyricWa History of Cardiganshire ^ p. Q5y 2 vols. London, 1806.]
• Venus. t The Galaxy. % The Divine Spirit.
$ Or Llys Don, i. e. Cassiopeia. || The Northern Crown. % Denmark.
* Tower of London.
ft Perhaps Caer Sidin, or the Zodiac.
GENERAL INDEX.
Aaron, a Britieh martyr, 161, 242, 303, 466*
iBlla, king of the Sonth Saxons, 1.
iBlla, nsorper of Northambria, ff2.
iEneaB, the Trojan, marries Lavinia, 91,
387.
^8c, kingof Kent, 7.
AetiuB, a Roman general, 307, 4S0.
AganippoB, king of the Franka, 118.
Agrioola, Roman governor, 443, 448, 450,
466, 470.
Aidan, king of the Soots, 28ff.
Alan, king of Armorlca, 290.
Alban, St. his martyrdom, 161, 303, 445,
466.
Albanaet, a son of Bmtns, kiUed, 109.
Aldhelm, bishop, 14.
Aldroen, king of Armorioa, 177.
AuTRKO, AsaKB's LiFB OP, 43—48 , some
f^irther notices of, 1, 2, 27—37, 132 ; his
children, 2, 68.
Alflrid, king of Northnmbria, 14, 286.
Alifiantinam, king of Spain, slain, 264.
Alia [Ella] king of Northambria, &
Alleotns, emperor in Britain, 159, 160.
Allelaiatic victory, 406.
AUobroges, in Switxerland, 126.
Amalgaid, king of Connan^t, 410.
Amatheus consecrates St. Patrick, 410.
Ambrius, founder of a monastery, 190.
Ambrosias [Emrra Wledig], 182, 207—
210. 396, 403, 407, 416.
Amphibaius, St 161.
AhacletuB taken prisoner by Brutus, 94 — 96.
Andragius, a king of Britain, 136.
Androgens, duke of Trinovantnm, 137.
Angiia, East, genealogy of the kings, 412.
Antenor, Trojan, 102.
AntigonuB taken prisoner by Brutus, 94.
Antoninas's wall, 450.
Anwind, a Danish king, 30, 58.
Archflamins made archbishops, 155.
Arianism spreads in Britain, 304.
Arthgallo deposed, 134, 135.
ArthmaU, a king of Britain, 136.
Arthar, king, not noticed by Oildas or
Bede, 89 ; his exploits. 225-271, 408 ;
coronation, 243—245, death, 271.
Arviragus, a king of Britain, 149—153.
Ascanius, son of iEneas, 91. 387, 388.
Aschillias, king of Dacia, slain, 271.
Asclepiodatas frees Britain fiom the
Romane, 160—162, 466.
Assa (Cissa), king of the Sonth Saxons, 7.
Assaracas Joins Brutus against the Gre-
cians, 82.
Assaracus, king of Germany, 113.
Asser, arehbishop of St. David's, Life of
AUndt vi. 43—86 ; visits king Alfred, 70.
Athelred, archbishop of Canterbury, 34.
Athelstan, king of Kent, &c. 22, 23, 45.
Athelstan, king of Mercia, 39, 40.
Angosil, king of Albania, 238, 249, 269.
Augustine, archbishop of Canterbuxr, 9 — ^11,
275, 438, 444.
Aulns Plautins visits Britain, 469.
AurelioB Antoninns' victories in Britain.
466.
Aoxilina, a bishop of Ireland, 410.
Bagsae, a Danish king, slain, 56.
Baldulph, a Saxon chief, 230—234.
Bards, the British poets, 434.
Bassianns kills his brother Oeta, 157—159,
449,466.
Battles between the Romans and the
Britons at the invasion, 138—153; on
the Grampian hillB, 451.
Battles between the Britons and Saxons at
Anderida, 7 ; Badon-hill, 313, 409 ; the
river Bassas, 408 ; Beandune, 12 ; Bedau-
ford, 8 ; Berin-byrig, 8 ; Breguoln, 409 ;
Cat Colt Celidon, 408 ; Cerdic's-ore, 7 ;
Cirencester, 12 ; the river Darent, 404 ;
Deorhamme, 9 ; the river Dnglas, 230, 270,
408 : Fethanlesge, 9 ; the river Gleni, 408 ;
Gnmion castle, 408 ; Hengeston, 22 ;
Mearcrtedsbum, 7 ; Scarbuxii, 8 ; Stone,
404 ; Trat Treuroit, 409 ; Verulam, 228.
Battles between the English and the Danes
at Ac-lea, 45 ; ^scendnne, 27, 54 ;
Basing, 27, 56 ; Brumby, 39 ; Cambridge,
38; Canterbuiy, 44; Charmouth, 21,
22 ; Devonshire, 30, 44, 61 ; East An-
giia, 22, 36, 33, 50 ; Edington, 62 ; Ethun-
dune : 31 ; Exeter, 59 ; Hampshire, 25.
50 ; Holme. 38 ; Kent, 22, 25, 45, 50, 61 ;
Mercia, 26; Merton, 27; Nottingham,
53 ; Port, 22 ; Beading, 29, 54 ; South- |
ampton, 22 ; the Stour, 65 ; Surrey, 23,
44 ; Swanwich, 59 ; Wareluun, 58 ; Wea-
sex, 26 ; Wilton, 56 ; York, 52.
BeadsJierd, reve of the shire, 19.
Bede noticed, 15, 89.
Bedver, governor of Neustria, 241, 244.
252 ^264.
Belinus, king of Britain, 122—130, 392.
Belinus, general of Cassibelaon's army, 13fl.
Benlli, king of Powvs, 397.
Bemhelm, abbat, 34.
Bemicia, genealogv of the kings, 412.
Bemulf^ king of Mercia, 21.
Berthwul^ king of Mercia» 2i 44.
GENERAL INDEX.
503
Bertrie, king of WetMX, 18, 19, 48.
Biriniu, bishop, 12.
Bladnd, king of Britain, 114.
Blederic, killed by Ethelf^id, 276.
Bledano, a king of Britain, 136.
Blegabred, a king of Britain, 136.
Boadicea , or Bonduca, queen of the leeni,
301, 445, 447, 465, 460.
Boccns, king of the Modes, 263.
Borellua, ooneul of the Cenomanni, 259.
Boso'b gallantry againat the Romans, 255.
Brennius quarrels with Belinus, 122 — 130.
Brian, nephew to Cadwalla, 278-284.
Bridget, an Irish saint, 390, 460.
Britael. king of Demetia, 139.
Britain, described, 3, 90, 106, 133, 244, 289,
299, 386, 419—422, 435 ; its original in-
habitants, 90, 386, 422—428, 464 ; invaded
by Julius Csssar, 3, 301, 445, 468 ; Chris-
tianity introduced into, 302, 466 ; di-
vided into provinces, 436 ; boundary of
the Roman empire in Britain, 453;
finally quitted by the Romans, 2,
305, 396, 467, 468 ; occupied by Saxons,
3 ; invaded by the Danes, 19--39, 50—66.
British cities, ancient, 90, 155.
Brocmail defeated by Ethelfrid, 276.
Brutus, xiv, his history, 91—109, 386—388,
391.
Brutus, sumamed Oreenshleld, 113.
Bryto supposed to have built London, 464.
Budes, king of Armorica, 182.
Builc settles in Enbonia, 389.
Burhied, king of Mercia, 23, 26, 45, 53, 57.
Cador, duke of Cornwall 231, 235, 246.
Cadwan, makes a treaty with Ethelfrid,
277.
Cadwalla, a British king, 277—288, 415.
CadwaUader, a British king, 199, 288—290,
415.
Cssdwalla, king of Wessez, 14.
Cesar, Julius, invasion, 138—150, 392,
393, 465, 468.
Cains, governor of Andegavia, 241 — 244. .
Calibum, the sword of Arthur, 234, 241.
Cap, one of the kings of Britain, 136.
Capoir, one of the kings of Britain, 130.
Caxacalla. See Bastianus.
Caractacus (Caradog), 442, 443, 465.
Caradoc, duke of Cornwall, 165 — 168.
Carausias, governor of ^tain, 158—160,
394, 437, 466.
Careticus {Ceredi(f), a British king, 273.
Cartlsmandna, queen of Brigantia, 443.
Cassibellaun (Oaswallon) 136—148, 445,
465, 46&
Catellus, a British king, ^ '*''.
Catel Drunluc, or Cadell Beymling, prince i
of Powys, 399.
Catigem, son of Vortigem, 188.
Geawlin, king of Wessex, 8, 9.
Celestine, pope, 409, 410.
Cenric, king of the West Saxons, 7, 8, 44.
Ceolnoth, abp. of Canterbury, 26, 54.
Ceolred, king of Mercia, 14.
Claulwul^ king of Weasex, 11.
Ceolwulf, king of Northnmbria, 15.
Ceolwulf, king of Mercia, 20, 30.
Cerdic, king of Wessex, 7, 8, 44.
Cerealis, Roman governor of Britain, 448,
466. 470.
Cheldric arrives ftrom Germany, 231, 235,
assists Modred against Arthur, 268, 271.
Chelianus, appointed archbishop of Dole,
245.
Cherdich, a Saxon chief. 187.
Cherin, an ancient British kin& 136.
Cheulphus repulsed by Brennius, 123.
Chrism-loosing, what, 63.
Claudius invades Britain, 149,-152, 393,
445, 448, 465, 468.
Cledaucns, an ancient British king, 136.
Cletonus, an ancient British king, 136.
Cligueillus, a king of Britain, 136.
Clodius Albinns, Roman governor of
Britain. 471.
Cloten, king of Cornwall, 121.
Coel rebels against Asclepiodotns, 162.
Cogibundus, a British regulas, 465, 469l
Coillua, a British king, 136.
Coillus, a British king, 154.
Colgrin, a Saxon chief; 230—234.
Columba, St. 8, 460.
Comet appeared, 13, ^■'^, 35, 220.
Conan kills Constantino, 199, 272.
Conan Meriadoc, 166—171.
Conanus (Anrelius), 316.
Constans, a monk, king of Britain, 17&—
182, 208.
Constantine the Great, 163, 248, 394, 437,
467.
Constantine the Armoricao, made king,
178, 208.
Constantine, Arthur's successor, 271, 272,
314.
Constantins, governor of Britain, 162, 394,
395,466.
Councils, ecclesiaatieal, at Heathfleld, 13 *,
Cloveshoo, 20 ; Constantinople, 395 ; Caer
Gnorthe^^, 401.
Conwenna's speech to Brennius, 127.
Cordeilla, daughter of Leir, 114 — 119.
Corineus, duke of Cornwall, 102—110.
Cridions, king of Albania, 139,
Crooea mors, the name of CsBsar's sword,
141.
Cnichelm, king of Wessex, 12.
Cunedagins kills his brother, 119.
Cuneglasse, a British prince, 317.
Cutha, 8.
Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfame, 415.
Cuthred, king, i2.
Cuthred, king of Wessex, 15.
Cuthred, king of Kent, 20.
Cynegils, king of Wessex, 12.
Cynevralf, king of Weeaex, 16—18.
Dabutitts reproaches Merlin, 192.
Danes arrive in England, 19—36, 50—66.
Danius, an ancient British king, 132.
David, St. archbp. of Menevia, 245, 271*
Diana's answer to Brutus, 100.
Dianotns, king of Cornwall, 171*
dM
QXNEBAL IRDEX.
Dlnooth, ablMit of 'Brngar, S79, S78.
Diocletian p«raeeQtlon, 161, 302, 4M.
DiTltiAcns tabduM part of Britain, 461
BlwapioB, bishop of Winebester, 246.
DoldavinB. king of Gothland. 238.
Dolobellns, a British proconsnl, 302.
Dress of the ancient Britons, 427.
Dmidism, 42»~434.
Dabritins, abp. of Caerleon, 217,230, 233,
242—246.
Danwallo Molmntioa (Dynval ModmvdJ
121.
Duvanns, bishop, sent fh>m Borne, 155.
Badbert, king of Northnmbria, Iff.
Eadborga* Bertric's queen, aoooant of, 47,48.
Eadfered Fleeamrs, king of Northombria,
412, 414.
Eagle, said to haTe spoken, 114.
Ealstan, bishop, 21, 22, 26, 46, 63.
Ebissa, or Eoea, the Saxon chief, 187, 212;
223, 227, 228, 400.
Ebraacna, king of Britain, 112, 113.
Eclipses, 8. 13, Iff, 21, 32, 63.
EcwilB, a Danish king; kiUed, 30.
Edgar, king, 40.
Edmund, (St) king of East Anglia» 26, 46,
ffO, 54.
Edmund, king, 40.
Edred, king, 40.
Edward (the elder,) king, 37—30.
Edwin, king of Northumbria, 277, 270, 284,
414.
Edwj, king, 40.
Egbert, king of Wessex, 20—22.
Egbert, bishop, 15.
Egfert, king of Mercia, 10.
Egftid. king of Northumbria, 13, 41ff.
Else, king of Kent, 11.
Elbotns, or EWod. bp. of Bangor, 383, 384.
Eldad, bishop of Gloucester. 191, 212—214.
Eldadus, an ancient British king, 136.
Eldol, duke of Gloucester, 101, 210—213.
Eldol, an ancient British king, 136.
Eledanins, bishop of Alclud, 246.
Elentherius, pope, 155, 303.
El&lTa, king Edmund's queen, 40.
Elidure, sumamed the pious, 134, 135.
Blind, an ancient British king, 136.
Elsingins, king of Norway, 123.
Enniaunus, king of Britain, 136.
Eohric, a Danish king, 38.
Escwin, king of Wessex, 13.
Estrildis, concubine of Locrin, 110, 111.
Ethelard, king of Wessex, 15.
Ethelbald, king of Mercia, 15, 17.
Ethelbald, king of Wessex, 25, 45—47, 40,
ffO.
Ethelbald, archbishop of York, 38.
Ethelbert, king of Kent, 8, 10, 276.
Ethelbert II. king of Kent, &c. 25, 50.
Ethelfrid, king of Northumbria, 0, 276, 277.
Ethelgiya, abbess of Shaftesbury, 68, 82.
Ethelred, king of Mercia, 14.
Ethebred, king of England, 1.
Ethelred, king of Northumbria, 10.
Ethered, [Etheredl king of Weasez. 21,
27,50-56.
Ethelwald rebels sgainst Ociwy, 286L
Ethelswitba, daughter of Alfred, 2.
Etherei}, earl of Mercia, 34 — ^30, 74.
Ethxlwkiu>*8 CHBONfci.x, 1 — 40 ; afceonnt
of the author, y. yi.
Ethelwulf, king of Wessex, 22—25,44—49.
Evander, king of Syria, killed, 258.
Eyelinus, nephew of Androgens, 143, 144.
Eyentus, king of Albania, 260.
Fsganns sent to conyert the Britoiui, 1551
Famine in Britain, 03
Feigusius emigrates firom Ireland, 467.
Ferrex killed by his brother Porrex, 120.
Flamens made bishops, 155.
FloUo, a Boman tribune, 240. 241.
Friday, so called firom the goddess Frea, 184.
Frontinus, a Roman goy. 443, 466, 470.
Fulgenius. a British king; 136.
Fulgenius wars sgainst Seyema, 157.
Funeral rites of the andeut BritoD^ 428.
Gabius, a Boman consul, 130.
Galgacus, king of the Caledonians, 4G6, 470.
Gallns, Liyius, besieged in London, 160, 469.
Genuissa, daughter of Claudiiu, 151, 152.
GXOFFRKY OF MoNMOCTR's BRITISH HIS-
TORY; 8^—202. Some account of the
author, yiii. 80.
Gerion, the augur, 100.
Germanus, St. bishop of Anxerre; 75, 187,
307--407.
Geruntius, an ancient British king, 136.
Geta, son of Seyerus, killed, 157, 158.
Giant, killed by Arthur, 252.
Giant's Dance, its remoyal, 215 — ^219, 229.
GiLOAs' WoBKB, 203—380 ; notices of the
author, yii, 80, 108, 121, 126.
Gillomanius, king of Ireland, 216 — 221 .
Godbold, king of the Orkneys, killed, 285.
Goemagot, a giant killed, 107.
Goffarius, king of Aqnitaine, 102 — ^105.
Gombert, king of Norway, 164.
Gonorilla, one of Leir's daughtera, 114^116.
Gorbogudo. a British king, 120.
Gorbonian, a British king, 133.
Gorlois, duke of Corwall, 222, 226.
Gormund, king of the AfHcans, 273.
Gothrnn, a Danish king, 30, 34, 58, C3.
Gratisn, emp. slain by Maximna, 304 — 396^
Gratian Municeps, a British king; 172, 173.
Gregory I, pope, 10, 11-
Grimbald, abbat of Hyde Abbey, 70, 74, 75.
Guanhumara, wife of Arthur, 238, 268, 26ft
Gnanius, king of the Huns, 172, 175.
Guendoloena, wife of Locrin, 111.
Guerthaeth, king of Venedotia, 139 .
Guethelin, archbp. of London, 174, 177.
Guichthlac, king of Dacia, 123, 125.
Guiderius, a British king, 140.
Guillamurius, king of Ireland, 236, 238.
Guitard defeated by Hoel, 241, 258.
Guithelin, a British king, 132.
Guitolinus quarrela with Ambroaloa, 416.
GENISRAL INDEX.
605
GunCasias, king of the Orkn«7S, S38.
Onoyranogonaa, a king of Kont, 400.
Onigintius, a British king, 136.
Onrgiont Brabtrac, king of Britain, 131.
Ouiguatins, a British king. 120.
Gnthfrid, king of Northnmbria, 37*
Hadrian's wall, 460, 471.
Halfdene, a Danish chieftain, SO, 31, 30,
08, 61, 62.
Hamo, Leuis, a Roman general, 149.
Hasten, inrades England, 35, 36.
Heahmond, bishop, 27.
Helena, mother of Constantlne, 1(S, 444—
446, 467.
Helena, niece of Hoel, 352.
Hell, king of Britain, 136.
Hengist and Horsa, 4—7, 183—101, 200—
212, 306—400,405,406.
Henry I. king of En^^d, 00.
Henuinns, duke of Cornwall, 116.
Hider, a British general, 256.
Hilda, abbess, 13.
Hirelgas, Bedver's nephew, 264.
Hirelgas, C^sibellann's nephew, 143.
Hingwar, Danish chief, 25, 26, 30, 61, 62.
Hoctor settles in Ireland, 389.
Hoel, king of Armories, 231, 241, 248, 264.
Holdin, king of the Rnteni, 264.
Horsus, brother of Hengist, ^ 6, 183, 188.
Hudibras, king of Britain, 114.
Humber, king of the Hans, 109, 110.
Humbert, bishop of the East Angles, 50.
Ida, king of Northnmbria, 8, 400.
Idwallo, a Just king of Britain, 136.
Igema, wife of Gorlois, 223—226.
Ignone, daughter of Pandrasus, 98.
Imbertus, ambassador, 102.
Ina, king of Wessex, 13, 14, 43.
Inbaltus, commander of the Oauls, 169.
Ireland, its first inhabitants, 389, 390, 464;
description o^ 457—462.
Isembard renounces Christianity, 273.
Isseminus, a bishop of Ireland, 410.
Istereth settles in DaJrieta, 389.
Iror and Ini, British chiefs, 290, 291.
Jago, an ancient British king; 120.
John, abbat of Athelney, 70, 79—81.
Judith, Alfred's queen, 46—51, 65.
Julius, a British martyr, 161, 242, 466.
Kamber, son of Brutus, 109.
Kent, genealogy of the kings, 412.
Kentwin, king of Wessex, IS.
Kenulf, king of Mercia, 19, 20.
Kenwalk, king of Wessex, 12, 13.
Kimarus^ a British king, 132.
Kinmarcns, a British king, 120.
Kinocus, (Cynog)t archbp. of Meneria, 271.
Kymbelinus, king of Britain, 148.
Lambienus, a Roman tribune, 140.
Lantern made by king Alfred, 84.
Latian law, what, 457.
LaTlnU, the wifb ^neas, 91, 387, 388.
Leil, a good king of Britain, 113.
Leir, king of Britain, 114->119.
Leo III. pope, 19, 20.
Leo IV. pope, anoints king Alfred, 45.
Lepidus, Marine, a Roman senator, 264.
Liethall settles in South Wales, 389.
Lo<nrin, son of Brutus, 109—111.
Logiore, an Irish king, 410.
Lot, a British ehief, 236, 238, 239.
Lucius, the first Christian king of Britain,
154—156, 393.
Lucius Tiberius, 245, 250, 259—266.
Lucullus, Roman governor of Britain, 470.
Lud, beautifier of London, 136.
Lumond, a wonderful lake, 235.
Lupus, bishop of Troyes, 187.
Madden adranced to the throne. 111.
Msgicians, 91, 192—194, 386.
Maglaunus, duke of Cornwall, 116.
Malgo, or Malgocune, a British king, 272,
318.
Malim murdered by Mempricius, 112.
Marcellus, Roman goT. of Britain, 471.
Marcellus Mutius killed, 256.
Maiqgadud, king of Demetia, 286.
Margan, duke, 119.
Margan, king of Britain, 136.
Marinus, pope, died, 33, 65.
Marius, king of Britain, 153.
Mark, editor of Nennius's History, viii, 386.
Martia, qn., author of the Martian law, 132.
Martin, bishop of Tours, 395.
Matilda, daughter of Otho the Great, t, 1.
Mauganius, bishop of Silchester, 246.
Maugantius, a philosopher, 103.
Mauricius, son of Caradoc, 165—167.
Maxentius, Roman emperor, 163.
Maximian invited to Britain, 164—173.
Maximianus Herculius, 161.
Maximus (Macsen Wledlg;, usurper, 304,
394—396, 467.
Mellobaudes, Gratian's general, slain, 395 >
Mempricius's advice to the Trojans, 98.
Mempricius, a British king, 112.
Merianus, a British king, 136.
Merlin's history and prophecies, 192 — 224.
Mermenus, a king of Britain, 390.
Mervin, a British king, 384.
Milcho, St. Patrick's master, 409.
Micipsa, king of Babylon, 264.
Milvius, Quintus, Roman senator, 264.
Mistletoe, a sacred plant, 432, 433.
Modred, Arthur's nephew, 238, 268—272.
Molmutine laws, 121, 125.
Monasteries, Amesbiuy, 73, 190, 229 ; Athel-
ney, 79; Banwell, 73; Hyde Abbey, 75;
Menevia, 271 ; Salisbury, 214 ; Shaftes-
bury, 82 ; Wareham, 58 ; Wembury, 44.
Morvid, consul of Gloucester, 266.
Morvidus, a tyrant of Britain, 133.
Na^n-leod, king of the Britons, 7.
Nknnivs's History of tax Britoitb, vii,
383-416,
506
GEN£BAI« INDSX.
Nennioa, twother of CasaibeUauii, 138, 140,
141.
Neot, St , vl, W. 61, 06.
Nimech settles Id Ireland, 389.
NoTis, abp. of St. David's, 72.
Oak, peenliarW sacred to the Druids, 432.
Oeta, son of Hengist, 187, 212, 213, 221—
228,400.
Octavlns (Budav), nbels against tlie Bo-
mans, 164—168. '
Offa, king of Mercia, 17—19, 47.
Ordinal of the British Charch quoted, 37ff.
Osbert, king of Northambria, 25, 52.
OsboTga, king Alfired's mother, 44.
Oskjtel, a Danish king, 30, 58.
0«ric, king of Northambria, 15, 285.
Ostorios, Roman goyemor, 443, 446, 448,
453 469.
Oswald, king of Northumbria, 15, 285, 415.
Oswy, king of Northambria, 13, 285^287.
Oxford oniyersity, 74.
Palladlas, bishop, sent to the Soots, 6, 409.
Pandrasos, king of Greece, 92—09.
Parthlad, Ludc^te, in London, 137.
Partholoim settles in Ireland, 131, 389.
Pascentius, son of Vortigem, 218 — ^221.
Patrick, St., 271, 390, 407, 410, 411, 460.
Pelagian heresy, 187.
Penda, king of Mercia, 12, 284—288, 415.
Feredare deposes Elidure, 135.
Pertinex, Roman goy. of Britain, 471.
Pestilence among the birds, 13.
Petreios, Cotta, a Roman general, 256.
Petronius Turpilianus, a Roman governor
of Britain, 469.
Philsnian altars in Africa, 101.
Pictavians, inhabitants of Poicton, 104.
Picts and Scots, 3, 39, 153, 159, 182—184,
305-308, 390, 394, 396, 467, 468.
Pir, an ancient British king, 136.
Plegmund, abp. of Canterbury, 38, 70.
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, 353.
Polytetes, king of Bithynia, 266.
Porrex, king of Britain, 120.
Porrex, another king of Britain, 136.
Porsena, a Roman consul, killed, 130.
Port arrives in Britain, 7.
Posthumus, brother to Brutus, 387, 388.
Prnsulagus, a British king, 446, 447.
Priwen, the name of Arthur's shield, 234.
I^yrannus, abp. of York, 237.
Quintiliaiius killed by Walgan, 255.
Haven, the Danish standard, 62.
Bederchius, an ancient king of Britain, 136.
Bedion, an ancient king of Britain, 136.
Began, daughter of king Leir, 116.
Beuda, king of the Picts, 466.
BiCHARo or CriutNCBSTBR's History or
Britain, 419; account of the author,
xviii, 455, 456; discovery of his work, xx.
Bicul^ king of Norway, defeated, 239.
Bitho, the giant, 252.
Bivallo, king of Britain,' 120. *
Bobert, earl of Oloucester, 89, 00.
Bodric, king of the Plots, 153.
Bollo, duke of Normandy, 68, 59.
Boman governors of Britain, 465—471
Bome taken by Belinus, 129i
Bon, the name of Arthar's lance, 234.
Bowena, daughter of Hengist, 186 — ^190.
tLoj*» Commentary on the *^vr*j^*ff\i 4
Agrieola, 450.
Budaueas, king of Cambria, 121.
Bnnno, an ancient king of Britain, 136.
Sabre, daughter of Estrildis, 111.
Salomon, king of Armorica* 281.
Samuilpenissel, king of Britain, 136.
Samson, abp. of Dole, 245.
Sanxo, abp. of York, 217.
Satnminus^ prefect of the Roman fleet, 471.
Saxons settle in Britain, 3—9, 183—191.
232—235, 272—274, 285—290, 396.
Scsva, son of Androgens, 14L5.
Soots, their ovigin, 389. 459, 461.
Scots and Picts. See PieU.
Segerus oonseemted with St. Patrick, 410.
S^inus, duke of the Allobroges, 126.
Sertorius, king of Libya, 266.
Severus, gov. of Britain. 156, 393—395. 471.
Severus's wall, 393, 448, 466.
Sexbuiga, queen of Wessex, 13.
Sigebert, king of the East gu^rtm,^ xi.
Slgebert, king of Wessex, 15.
Sisilius, name of three British kinsB. iai>,
132, 136. ^^^
StateriuB, king of Albania, 121.
Stilicho builds a wall, 467.
Stipendiary cities, 457.
Stuf, lord of the Isle of Wight, 7, 44.
Suard, king of the Franks, 120.
Suetonius, Boman British consul, 447 4tj.
469.
Sylvius, father of Brutus, 91, 387.
Tennantius, duke of Cornwall, 137.
Thadioens, abp. of York, 274.
Theodore, abp, of Canterbury, 14.
Theodosius, emperor, 395, 460, 452, 467.
Theon, abp. of London, 274.
Thompson (Aaron), defends Oeoifrey's His-
tory, ix.
Torques, a gold collar worn by the Britons.
427.
Tower of glass, 389.
Tower of London, 135, 200.
Trahem, uncle of Helena, 163.
TrebelliuB, Boman gov. of Britain, 470.
Trebellius Maximus, Boman gov. of fin-
tain, 469.
Tremounus, abp. of Caerleon, 215.
Triads, the Welsh, 430, 431
Trojans settle in Britain, 106, 387.
Turonus, nephew of Brutus, 106.
Tyrants of Britain, 304, 314.
Ulfin of Bicaradoch, 224.
Urbictts, a Boman general, 466, 471.
TOPOGBAFHICAL IND£X.
507
Uriau honoured by Arthur, 238.
Urianns, a Britifih king, 136.
Ursula and the Virgins, 171,
Utber Pendragon, his history, 220—230.
Valentinian, emperor, 309, 416.
VectiuB Bolanus, Roman gov. of Britain,
470.
Veranins, Roman governor, 443, 469.
Vespasian sent to Britain, 152, 442, 465,
468, 470.
Victor, son of Maximus, 395.
Victrix, the name of the sixth legion, 447.
Vigenius imprisons his brother, 135.
Virius Lupus, Roman lieutenant .of Bri-
tain, 471.
Vortigem (Qwiiheym), king, 4, 6, 179—193,
206-208, 310. 396—407, 416.
Vortimer {Oiorth^fyr), 188, 189, 404—407.
Vortipore, a British prince, 317.
VnlteiuB CatelluB, a Roman ehiet 258.
Walgan, Arthur's nephew, 255, 264—269.
WaJl between Deira and Albania, 174;
Sevems's, 393, 448, 466; Antoninus's,
450; Hadrian's, 466, 471; StUicho's,
467.
Walter, archdeacon of Oxford, xli, 89, 268,
291.
Wednesday, so called from Woden, 184.
Werefrlth, bishop of Worcester, 70.
Whitgar, lord of the Isle of Wight, 7, 44.
Widen slays her son Porrex, 120.
Withlaf, king of Mercia, 21.
Wortiporius, king of Britain, 272.
Wulfhere, king of Mercia, 13.
Wulfred, king of Mercia, 287.
Wul&tan, abp. of York, 40.
York made an arehiepisoopal see, 155.
TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Abona, riTer, 440, 453.
Abrasuanus, river, 450.
Abas, river, 447.
Ac-lea, Ockley, 45.
AcmodiB, islands, 463.
Ad Abum, station, 499.
Ad Abonam, station, 493.
Ad iEsicum, station, 490.
Ad Alaunam Amnem, sta-
tion, 492.
Ad Alpes Penninos, sta. 488.
Ad Antonam, station, 496.
Ad Aquas, station, 492.
jGdui, 464.
jGlecti, 402.
iGlia Castra, station, 500.
^Bcendune, 27.
iEsica, river, 451.
Afene, river, 12.
Agned, Edinburgh, 113.
Akalon, river in Greece, 93.
Akeman Street, 478.
Alauna, city, 445, 451, 478,
489, 496.
river, 449, 486.
Alba, now Albano in Italy,
91.
Albania, now Scotland, 109.
Albion, notices ot 106, 419,
421.
Alcluith, city, 112, 134, 212,
235, 437, 452.
Alioana. 488.
Allobroges, in Switzerland,
126.
Alps, Pennine, 447.
• Ambrius, mt, 214, 217, 221.
Ambrons, 212, 229.
Anderida, port, 478, 497.
wood, 438, 499.
town, 439, 499.
Andros, isles, 463.
Angles, their origin, 400.
Anglia, 5.
Andredes-leage, Anderida, 7.
AntivestiBum, prom. 441,460.
Antona, river, 439.
Antoninus's Itinerary, 473.
Apoldre, Appledore, 35.
Aque Solis, 440, 456, 492—
494.
Aquitaine, in France, 102.
Aravius, mountain, 254.
Aigitta, river, 459.
Argolicum, station, 486.
Armorica, 169, 177.
Artavia, 441, 477.
Ashdune, Aston, 54.
Athelingay, Athelney, 31.
Atlantic Ocean, 459.
Attacotti, 452.
Attrebates, 439, 497'
Aufona, river, 446.
Augusta, London, 445.
Ausoba, bay, 459.
Austrinum, 460.
Auterii, 459.
Auterum, town, 460.
Avalonia, city, 271, 440, 477.
Avene, river, 7.
Axanminster, 17.
Azara, mountains, 101.
Badon Hill, 200, 313, 409.
Ballium, station, 496.
Banatia, town, 452.
Banchorium, station and mo-
nastery, 275, 444, 483.
Banna, river, 459.
Barba, river, 250, 252.
Bassas, river, 408.
Bath. Vide Aguce 8oUs and
Bdora, estuary, 437.
Beadanhead, Bedwin. 13.
Beandune, 12.
Bebbanbuiigh, Bambrough,
39, 414.
Bedanford, Bedford, 8.
Beige, 439.
Bennavenna, 483.
Benons, 444.
Benonnis, 483, 500.
Bensingtun, Benson, 8.
BeodoricBworthe, Bury St.
Edmonds, 26.
BeoTgforda, Burford, 15
Berin-byrig, Banbury? 8.
Bemeich, province, 413, 414.
Bibracte, 494, 495, 497.
Bibrocum, town, 439.
BUlingsgate, 131.
Blestium, station, 496.
Bodotria, estuary, 450.
Boduni, 444
Bolerium, promontory, 441.
Bovium, station, 493.
Brannogenium, town, 443,
479, 495.
508
TOFOGBAFHIGAL Iin>EX.
BnnogMia, town, 448,
Bregaoin, moanUin, 400.
Bremenliun* stip., 440, 4iS7.
- 477,487.
Brig», station, 496.
Brigantei, 447, 465.
Biigantia» kingdom, 447.
city, 400.
Brigantum, Extrema, 447.
Briga, river, 460.
Brinavs, station, MO.
Britannia Inferior, pro., 437.
— — — — Prima, pro., 436
• Secnnda, pro., 437,
443.
— — Superior, pro.,437,
British provinoes, 436.
Brocavonacn, sta., 491, 492.
Bmnandune, Bmmby, 39.
Builth, province, 407.
Bubinda, Buvinda, river,460.
Bultrum, station, 495.
Bume, 285.
Burva, or Barva, 50.
Caeglnesbamme, Kevnsham,
27.
Caer-badns, 114, 200.
Caer-britoe, 386.
Caer-caradauc, 191, 214.
Caer-caratane, 386.
Caer-ceint, 386.
Caer-celemion, 386.
Caer-ceri, or oori, 63, 386.
Caer-collon,orcolvin,162,386.
Caer-conan, 211, 212.
Caer-corrie, 186.
Caer-custeint, 386.
Caer-dnbalem, 204.
Caer-daun, 386.
Caer-dauri, 386.
Caer^raithon, 386.
Caer-ebranc, 386, 409.
Caer-gloai, 152, 153,386, 407.
Caer-graut, 386.
Caer-gaent, 386.
Caer-gaintruis, 386.
Caer-guoranegon, 386.
Caer-guorcon, 386.
Caer-guorthegem, 386* 404,
406.
Caer-garcoc, 386.
Caer-lem, 114.
Caer-liel, or luilid, 113, 386.
Caer-leir, or lerion, 114, 135,
386.
Caer-llgion, 386.
Caer-lion, or Caor-osc, 130,
386, 408.
Caer-loit-coit, 232, 386.
Caer-lud, or londein, 108,
137, 386.
Caer-manignid, 386.
Caer-meguaid, 386.
Caer-mencipit, 386.
Caer-merdin, 192, 386.
Ca«r-penhQ«lgoit, 10S.
Caer-pensavelcoit, 386.
Caer-pexis, 130, 149, 150, 164,
386.
Caer-s^eint, 386.
Caer-segont, 394, 443.
Caer-teim, 386.
Caer-umahc, 386.
Caer-went, 404.
Caer-wisc, 58.
Caesarea, island, 463.
CsBsarlensis, province, 445.
Cesaromagus, sta., 484, 485.
Cair. For vrords with this
prefix, see Caer.
Calcaria, station, 488.
Caledonia, 450, 452.
Caledonian wood, 232, 438,
446, 453.
Caledonian promontory, 454.
Caledonie extrema, 454.
Caledonil, 453.
Caleterium,a wood, 124, 134,
201, 202.
Calleba, city, 439, 494, 496,
497, 500.
Camalodunnm, called Oemi-
n» Martin, 444, 445, 456,
465, 469, 484.
Cambodunam, town, Latian,
447, 457, 488.
Camboricum, colony, 446,
457, 485.
Cambretonnm, sta. 484, 485.
Cambria, 109.
Cambula, river, 270.
Cangani, 442.
Canganum, promontory,443.
Cangi, 459, 465.
Cangian promontory, 443.
Cangiani, 443. 444, 461.
Cangiomm, station, 444.
Canonium, station, 484.
Canovius, river, 444
Cantabrie, ocean, 459.
Cantabridge, Cambridge, 38.
Cants, 463.
Cant Ouic, 394.
Cantian state, 6, 438.
promontoiy, 421.
Cantropoli8,8tipendiaiy, 438,
457. 482.
Cantinm, promont. 422, 438.
region of, 438.
Camabii, region of, 441, 444,
453.
Camonacs, 454.
Camubia, region of, 107, 441.
Camim, Charmouth, 21.
Camn, river, 393.
CasiB Candidas, town, 450.
Cassii, kingd. of, 444. 445,497-
Cassiterides, isles, 441, 463
Cataracton,Caturacton,town
under the Latian law, 447,
457,477,478,486,487,489.
Cat Breglofii, movntais, 411
Catgwaloph. 416.
Catini, 454.
Catscanl, 41ff.
Canci, 461.
Celidon, wood. 201, 232,401
Celnioa, river, 452.
Celts9, 439.
Cenail, 393.
Cenia, city, 441. 477, 49a
Cenins, river, 441.
Cenomannl, 446.
Cerdic's-ore, 7.
Cerdic's-ford, 7.
Cerones, 454.
Cetgneli, 389.
Chippenham, a loral vOta,
60,63.
Cichican, valley, 307.
Cimbri, region oi; 423, 440.
Cittanford rOttanford ?) 18.
Clas Merddyn, island, 419.
Claosentum, 439, 479, 497,
500.
CIc^Ul, Clydda, eat. 437, 450.
Cloveehoo, in Kent, 20.
Cocboy, 416.
Coocium, city, 448, 457, 479,
492.
Coitani, Coltanni, 446.
Coit-mawr, Selwood, SL
Concangii, 460.
Condate, sUtion, 488, 492.
Conovio, 48dL
Conovium, station, 483.
Consular provinces in Bri-
tain, 438.
Contiopoli, 497.
Corbantorignm, 4491
Corinium, Corinam, town,
Latian, 445, 457, 479, 492.
Coriondli, 461.
Corisennee, station, 485, 499.
Corium, 489, 490.
Cornish people, so called
fixtm Corineos, 102.
Corstopitum, CoratopUo.
station, 487.
Creones, 454.
Crococolana, station, 496.
Cmachan-Aichle, mt. 411.
Cruc Occident, 394.
Cunetio, station, 494.
Cunetium, river, 439.
CTiria, town, 449, 487.
Cymry, see Cimbri.
Cynemaresford, Kempsford.
20.
Cynuit, Kynwith, 61.
Dabrona. river, 460i
Dacia, 123, 131.
Dalrieta, 389.
Damnia, r^on of, 449.
Oamnii, 314. 450. 460, 46L
Albani, 452.
TOPOGBAPHIGAL Iia>EX.
509
Damnonii, state of, 421,438,
441, 465.
Daneian, wood, 201.
Banam, station, 486.
Darabona, Darraboona, rir.
459.
Pecimum (Ad), station, 497.
Defna, Devonshire, 20.
Delgovicia, station, 487.
Demetlans, 242, 317.
Dene, a royal villa, 71.
Derbentio, town, 481.
liereuent, the river Darent,
188, 404.
Derventione, sta. 487, 50O.
Beva, colony, ealled Oetiea,
444, 457, 477, 483, 488.
river, 444, 451.
Devana, city, 451.
sta. 473, 485, 490,
491.
Deucaledonian, ocean, 459.
Deorhamme, 9.
Dear, province, 413.
Diane Forum, 445, 482.
Dimetis, 317, 389, 406, 443.
Dinas Emrys, 401.
Dobona, river, 460.
Dobuni, 444.
Dolobellum, or Dorobellnm,
139. 392.
Dorobemia, Canterboiy, 44,
145, 183.
Dorocina, station, 500.
Dubre, city and port, 438.
Dubris, river, 438, 497.
Duglas, river, 230, 270, 408.
Danum, city, 460.
Daralipons, station, 485.
Durinum, stip. 440, 457, 477.
Darius, river, 441, 460, 498.
Dumgueis, 58.
Dumomagus, Latian, 446,
457, 478, 485, 499.
Dumovaria, station, 498.
Durocobrivae, 477.
Durolevum, Dnrosevmn,
station, 482, 497.
Durolispons, station, 499.
Durobris, Durobrobus, Du-
roprovsB, Durobriv®, sti.
438, 457, 477, 482, 485.
Durositum, station, 484.
Durotrlges, 440.
Durovemum, 477.
Dynguayth, province, 413.
Dynguoaroy, town, 414.
Eblane, Eblani, 460.
Eboracom, Eboracnm, mn-
nicipal and metropolis,
112,447, 456,486-489, 499.
Ebudium, Ebudum, promon-
tory, 454.
Egbert's-stone, Brixton
Deverill, 62.
Eglesborh, Aylesbury, 8.
EUandune, Allington, 29l
Elmete, 414.
Epiacum,town, 447, 477, 486.
Epidii, 454.
Epidium, promontory, 454.
Ermyn Street, 478.
Eriri, mount, 444.
Esc's-dune, 12, 13.
Ethandune, 31, 62.
Etocetnm, town, 444, 478,
483, 492, 500.
Eubonia, 386, 389.
Evoric,or Eoferwic. Yoilc, 25.
Exanceaster, Exeter, 58.
Extremitas Caledonin, 454.
Fethanleage, 9.
Fines (Ad), 487, 499, 500.
Fines Flavin et SecundsB,
483.
Maxims et Flaviae, 488.
Trinobantcm, 484.
Flavia Extrema, 446.
province, 436, 444.
Forum Diane, town, 445.
Fobs, the, 473.
Fraun, river, 58.
Fresicum, orFreslc sea, 400.
Fretum Menevlacum, 443.
Sabrine, 442.
Gadanica, station, 489, 490.
Oadeni, 449.
Gadenia, region, 449.
town, 449.
Gai Campi, battle, 415.
Gaini, inhabitants of Gains-
borough, 53.
Galabes, fountain, 215.
Galacium, Oalgacum, town,
447.
Gallemboume, 161.
Gania, river, 208.
Garion, Garionis, river, 446.
Garionenum, station, 408.
Gamareia, 280.
Genania, region, 444.
Genoreu, 208.
Gessoriacum, port, 420.
Gewisse, 43, 203, 215.
Glebon,Glevnm,colonycalled
Claudia, 445. 457, 465, 478,
479, 492. 496.
Gleni, river, 408.
Glevesing, 402.
Gloui, Gloucester, 252, 407.
Gtobanium, Gobanninm,
town, 442, 495.
Gk)emagot's leap, 108.
Orampins, mount, 4M).
Grantabridge, or Grantches-
ter, Cambri ige, 30, 58.
Guasmoric, 404.
Guenet, or Gained, 401, 414.
Guiber, province, 389.
Gnoloppnm, 416.
Ouorthegimaim, province,
406, 407.
Oumion Castle, 408.
Gurthrenlon, 4()4.
Owent, 404, 407.
Owyddelians, 423.
Owynedd, province, 415.
Halangnim,HoIongam,town»
441, 477.
Hamo's Port, Southampton,
125, 150, 166, 232.
Hamptonshire, Hampshire,
16.
Hamptun, Southampton, 22.
Heathfield, 284.
Heavenfield, 285.
Hebudes, islen, 461, 462.
Hedui, 440, 497.
Helenis, Helenum, pro. 441.
Hengeston, in Cornwall, 22.
Herculea, isle, 441.
Hercules, pillars of, 441.
Herculis, promontory.
Hereri, mount, sta. 401, 404.
Hethlege, Hatfield, 13.
Hibemia, 457, 464, 465, 467.
Hiemam (Ad), station, 490L
HorestU, 451.
Ibemia, town, 461.
Ibemii, 460.
Ibemus, river, 460.
Iceni, 447, 478.
Iglea, Okeley, 62.
Ignesham, Ejmsham, 8.
Iknield Street, 473, 477.
Ha, river, 453.
Inis-gueith, or Gneith, 386.
Internal sea, 459.
Ireland, vide Hibemia.
Isannavaria, Isanta Varia,
station, 483, 500.
Isca, colony, metropolis,
named Secunda, 442, 456.
Isca, (Caerleon) 456, 493.
495, 496.
river, 441, 442.
stipendiary, Exeter,
441, 477. 479, 492, 498.
Ischalis, 440.
Isinne, station. 485.
Isurium, city, 447, 478, 486,
488.
Itineraries, various, 476.
Itune, river, 449, ^1.
Itunam (Ad), sta. 490, 401.
Itys, river, 454.
Jena, river, 450.
Kaer, for words with this
prefix, see Ocur,
Karitia, 118.
Kidaleta, 28a
510
T0P06ItiJ»HICAL INDEX.
KiUannu, monntatii, 215,
217.
Krioa metopon, prom. 441.
Kanetiaa, riv«r, 439.
Laelorodam, station, 482.
Lftpidem /Ad), station, 407.
Latian law, cities or towns,
governed by, 4^.
Lataras, station, 488. . _
Lebaram, 460.
Legeoester, 276, 277.
Legioliura, Legotiom, sta-
tion, 486, 500.
Legions, city, 131. 132, 155.
161,217,242.269,271,408.
Leircestre, Leicester, 111,
114
Lelanus, bay 454.
Lentanianas, Portns, 497.
Leioanum, station, 497<
Lemanus, river, 438.
town. 438.
Leonaford, a royal viUs, 73.
Letavia, 177.
Leucarum, station, 493.
Libniag, river, 459
Liganbnrh, Lenbury, 8.
Limite, station, 487.
Lindesia, or Lindsey, 184,
232.
Lindocolinnm, 232.
Linligwan, 237.
Lindum, 451, 490.
colony, 446, 457,
478. 484-486, 496, 499.
Llnuis, province, 408.
Llan-Patem, bishopric, 271.
Loebius, river, 460.
Loegria, 109, 423.
Logi, 453.
Londinam Angosta, col. and
met. Londlnium, 108, 227,
238, 445. 456, 465, 482, 484,
494, 496-499.
London, rebuilt by Alfred, 74.
Longus, river, 454.
Lovantum, town, 443.
Loxa, river, 453.
Lncani, 460.
Lttcophibia, town, 450.
Ludgate, London, 137.
Lugubalia, Lagnballlnm,
Logttballie, Luguvaliam,
town. Latian, 404, 448,
457,479,489.491.
Lumond, lake, 235.
Lyncalidor, lake of, 452.
MaeatsB, 449, 466.
Macobicom, MacoUoam,460.
Mados, river, 438.
station, 497.
MagioviDium, station, 482.
Magna» 442, 495.
Maiden Way, 479.
Maisbeli, MaybnTy,210.
liaisoriam, 164.
Malna, river, 102.
Manaa Onstodin, proT. 414.
Manavia, 458.
Maneoninm, sta. 488, 492,
500.
Mandaessnednm, 483.
Mansio in Medio, 499.
Mare Intemnm, 459.
— Vergivnm, 459.
Thale, 459.
Maigan, 119, 120.
Maigidnnam, station, 496.
Maridonnm. 404, 443, 457,
478, 479. 494.
Maxima, province, 436, 447.
Maxima CaBsariensls, 486.
Mearcradsbum, 7.
Medio (In), sUtion, 491, 499.
Mediolanom, 443.
station, 477,
484, 492.
Hib. 460.
Meicen, town, 413.
Menapia, ct. 443,460,478,479.
Menapiam (Ad) st.493, 494.
Menapii, 461.
Menavia, 389.
Meranton, Merton, 16.
Meresige, Mersey, 36.
Merscwari, 19, 22.
Mert». 454.
Metaris, estnary, 446.
Michael's Mount, 252.
Middleton, Milton, 36.
Mile, the Roman, 475.
Minmanton, 394.
Modona, river. 460.
Mona, isle, 434, 443, 469.
MonoBda, island, 458.
Mens Jovis, 394.
Montem Grampinm (Ad),
sUtlon, 490. 491.
Moridunum, 498.
Morini, 133, 440.
Mount Paladur, Shaftesbory,
114.
Muridonnm, stip. 443, 457.
Murum (Ad), station, 486.
Musidum, town. 441, 477.
Nab»u8, river, 454.
Nagnata, town, 459.
Nautgalllm, 161.
Nidum, station, 493.
Northworthig, Derby, 27.
NovantsB, 449.
Novantia, region, 449.
Novantum Chersonesns, 421,
449.
NoviomaguB, town, 439, 477,
478, 497, 499.
Novius, river, 449.
Oboea, rlTW, 480.
OceanuB Athlantieos, 3
Britannieos, 459.
Cantabricuf, 4a
Dencal idonia>,4a
— ^^— Intamna, 459.
VeigiTOs, 45SL
Gcrinam, moant, 441.
— — — prom. 421, 441.
Octorupium, promont. 443-
CEstromenides, tales, 441.
Oghgnl raee, 400.
Oiicana, Alicana, town, W.
477.
Oreades, isles, 462, 466.
Oreadnm, promontory, i5L
Ordovicia, region o^ 444.
Ordovices, 442, 443.
Orrea, town, 451, 490, 491.
Ossismii, A63.
Ottadini, 449.
OtUdinia, 449.
Oxellnm, promontoiy, 44'
Paladur, 114.
Palmecaster, 404.
Parisii, 447,
Pederydan, Petherton, U
Peneltun, 393.
Penguanl, 393.
Pennocrucinm, 483.
Penoxullnm, promont, 451
Petuaria, 447, 487. 499.
Picti, 466, 467.
Pontem (Ad), sta., 496, 4?'
Pontesbuiy, 13.
Portcester, Porcheater. 14a
Preeturium, sUtion, 487.
Prosutagus, 447-
Prima, province, 436, 44i
Portus, Anderida, 478, 4^.
Felix, 447.
LeminianuB, 497.
Magnus, 439, 479, 4S:
Rhutupis, 420.
Sistnntiorum, 483.
Pryffetesflodan, Privett, li
Ptoroton, metropolis, I*
tian, 452, 457, 490, 49L
QuinUnwic, Canterbory, ft
Rags, stip., 446, 457.
Ratiscorion, 496.
Redonum, 170.
Regia, 460.
Regnum, R^entlnm. 4A
478, 497.
Regnlbium, 438, 497. i
Renis, riTwr, 407.
Reopandune, Bepton. 17.
Rerigonium, 448, 48&
Rheba, metropoUs, 4'i9, 40>
Rhebens, 459.
• river, 461.
TOPOGRAPHIC AX INDEX.
511
RliebeuB, Uke, 461.
ILliexni, 439.
IMiobogdii, 459.
l^liobogdiuin, 459.
Xtliufina, 460.
Xthutupis, colony and metro-
polis, 438, 456, 482, 497.
portus, 145, 152,420.
liichard'B Itineraiy, original
text, 480.
Xticnea, isle, 463.
Roman roads in Britain, 125,
472—600.
Romana Insula, 446.
Ruim, isle of Thanet, 45, 397.
Kuteni, 138.
Rutanium, station, 484.
Kyknield Street, 478.
Sabrina, estuary, river. 111,
440, 442, 443, 445.
-.- strait of, 441.
Sabrinam (Ad), station, 493.
Sacrum, promontory, 460.
Sikessenaeg habail, 404.
Salinae, 445, 479, 492.
Salt Way, the Upper, 479.
Sariconum, 442, 496.
Sama, isle, 463.
Scarburh, Old Sarum, 8.
Sceapige, the Isle of Sheppey,
21.
I Scotti, 459, 461, 464, 468.
Seccandune, Seckington, 17.
Secunda, pro v., 436, 437, 442.
Seguntiacl, 438, 439, 497.
Segontium, Seguntium, stip. ,
440, 443, 457, 477, 483, 484.
SelgoYffi, 449. "-
Selgoyia, region of, 449.
, Selinam (Ad), sta., 4<J0, 491.
Selwoodshlre, Sherborne, 14.
Sen89, isles, 463.
Senones, 429, 443, 464.
Senus, river, 460.
Seteja, river, 447.
' Set thirgabail, 404.
, SextaColonia,8ee£&ora<n<m.
' Sigdiles, isles, 463.
, Silimnos, isles, 463.
' Silares, 422. 442, 443, 470.
, Sistantii, 447.
Sistuntiomm Portus, 488.
, Sitomagas, station, 484.
Saotingaham, Nottingh.. 26.
Sorblodunum, town, Latian,
439, 457, 477, 498.
Soie, river, 114, 119.
Southampton, 439
Splnte, station, 494.
St»niDgham, Stejming, 49.
Stemrugam, Stonehenge? 49.
Stipendiary towns, 457.
Stonehenge, 272.
Streaneshalch, Whitby, 13.
Sture, river, 111.
Sturium Amnem (Ad), sta-
tion, 484.
Sturius, river, 438.
Suanewic, Swanwich, 59.
Sulomagus, station, 482.
Surius, river, 446.
Sygdiles, isles, 441.
Taixali, 451.
Taixalomm, promont., 451.
Tamara, river, 498.
town, 441, 477.
Tamarus, river, ^1.
Tamea, 4J2, 491.
Tamesis, station, 500.
Tavum (Ad), station, 490.
Taum, 477.
Tavas, river, 443, 451.
Tenet, Isle of Thanet, 45.
Termolus, 441, 477.
Thamesis, river, 436, 439,
AA,9 AAA
Thanatos, isle, 462.
Thancastre, 186.
Theodosia, town, Latian,
452, 457.
Therms, colony, named A-
qusB Soils, 456, 465.
ThomssBta, 58.
Thule, isle, 419, 462.
province, 452.
Tibia, river, 493.
Tiggocobauc, Nottingham,
53.
Tina, river, 449, 451.
Tinam (Ad), sta., 490, 491.
Tintagel, 224.
Tisam (Ad), 486.
Tosibas, river, 444.
Totness, 106, 207, 233.
Towy, river, 406.
Trajectns, station, 493. ^
Trat Treuroit, river, 409.
Ti-imontium, 449, 489, 490.
Trinobantes, 444.
Trinobantia, region of, 444
Trinobantnm, 108, 114, 122,
131, 137, 142, 145, 392, 445,
477, 478.
Tripontium, sta., 483, 500.
Trivonia, river, 446.
Trivonam (Ad), 500.
Troy, New, 108.
Tueda, river, 449, 486.
Tuessis, river, 452.
town, 452.
Tuessim (Ad), sta., 490,491-
Tumis, city, 388.
Uriconinm, Urioconium,444,
477, 483, 495.
Urus, river, 447.
Uxaconia, station, 483.
Uxella, river, 440.
Uxella, mount, 450.
town, 441, 479.
Uxellam Amnem (Ad\ sta-
tion, 492.
Uxellum, town, 449.
Vacomagi, 451.
Vagnaca, station, 483, 497
Valentia, province, 436, 450,
471.
Vallis-doloris, 408.
Vallum of Hadrian, 466.
■ Antoninus, 4j0.
Severus, 436, 448.
466.
(Ad), station, 486,
489-491.
Vanduaria, 450.
Varar, estuary, 437, 452.
river, 437, 452
Varis, station, 483, 491.
Vatare, station, 489.
Vecta, Vectis, isle, 5, 7, 8,
462, 469.
Vecturones, 451.
Velatorii, 460.
Veneti, 422. 463.
Venicnil, islands, 459.
Venicnium, head or promon-
tory, 459.
Venisnia, island, 459.
Vennicnii, 459.
Veimonis, 496.
Venricones, 451.
Venromentum, station, 496.
Venta, Belgarum, stip., 439,
446, 457, 479, 496, 498.
Cenom. or leenor ,
stip., 446, 457, 484, 485.
Sllurum, stip., 442,
457, 479, 493.
Ventagladia, station, 498.
Verlucione, 494.
Verolamium, Verulamium,
municipal, 445, 456, 465,
417, 482.
Verubium, or Vinvedrum,
promontory, 454.
Vespasiana, province, 430,
450. 452.
Via Julia, 493.
Victoria, town under the La-
tian law, 451, 457, 490, 491.
Vidua, river, 459.
Vegesimum, ( Ad).st.,493,494.
Vindelia, Vindilios, island,
440, 463.
Vinderus, river, 460.
Vindomora, station, 487.
Vindomis, 496, 497,. 500.
Vindonum, stip., 439, 457.
Vinovium, Vindovium, 447,
477, 478, 486, 487.
Vinvedrum, Virvedrum, pro-
montory, 454.
512
TOFOGBAFHICAL INDEX.
Virioeoninni, Viriooalnm,
483,484. .
Vodis, 460.
Vodimn, promontoiy, 460.
Volaaa SinoB, 454.
Voliiba.441.477,4fl8.
VolontU, 450, 4G0, 4(0.
Vorreda, station, 480.
Walls, Bosuui, 441
Wanating, Wantage, 43.
Wantsam, estnaxr, 307, 462.
Wales. 44L
Watiing Street, 476.
Wedale, or Wodale, 408.
West Chester, 442.
Wieeil,63.
Wi<^gambeorg, WembTti7,44.
Wight, island, see Veeta.
Weolod, Welland, river, 37
WestmarU, 153.
Wil£»tum, WUtfihiie,!ll
Wis&eans, 164.
Wodnesbyrg, 9.
Wothnesbeoi^ghge, Wu-^
rough, 14.
Wnbbandone, 8.
Y Vei YnjB, isM<U
ROMAN PROVINCES AND ENGLISH COUNTIES.
1. CoRNABu AND Danmonia... People of Cornwall and DeyonshirB.
2. DuROTRiGBS. Dorsetshire.
3. Bblojb Somerset, Wilts, and the greater i)iit ^
Hants, including the Isle of Wigbt-
4. AnuEBATri Berkshire.
5. B£o>i Surrey, Sussex, and the south-eastenpV''
Hants.
6. Cantii Kent.
7. Trinobawtbs Middlesex and Essex.
8. IcBNi Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge and Hns:';.^
donshire.
0. Catibuchlani Bucks, Bedford, and Hertfordshire.
10. DoBONi Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.
11. SiLURBS Hereford, Monmouth, Badnori Brecon, v.^
Olamoi^anshire.
12. DiMBTiE Carmarthen, Pembroke, and CardigaMhir?.
13. Ordovicbs Flint, Denbigh, Merioneth, MontgomeiT, f^
naryonshire, and Anglesey.
14. CoRNAvn Cheshire, Shropshire, Stafford, Warwick, ^^
Worcestershire.
15. CoRiTANi Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, BH'
iRnd^ and Northamptonshire.
16. BRxoAirrBs Yorkshire, Lancashire, WeBtmorUcd, CK»
berland, and Durham.
17* Attadini, OR OrrADUin... Northumberland.
a. UADOON, PRINTBB, CASTLB STRBBT, PlNaMJHT.
/
\;
\
\
\
HJ