Early English Books Online
 All Digital Collections  spacer  Login  
 
Add to bookbag
Author: Holinshed, Raphael, d. 1580?
Title: The first and second volumes of Chronicles. [vol. 1] comprising 1 The description and historie of England, 2 The description and historie of Ireland, 3 The description and historie of Scotland: first collected and published by Raphaell Holinshed, William Harrison, and others: now newlie augmented and continued (with manifold matters of singular note and worthie memorie) to the yeare 1586. by Iohn Hooker aliàs Vowell Gent and others. With conuenient tables at the end of these volumes.
Rights/Permissions: The University of Michigan Library provides access to these keyboarded and encoded editions of the works for educational and research purposes. These transcriptions are believed to be in the public domain in the United States; however, if you decide to use any of these transcriptions, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission. If you have questions about the collection, please contact eebotcp-info@umich.edu. If you have concerns about the inclusion of an item in this collection, please contact LibraryIT-info@umich.edu. This statement does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
Print source: The first and second volumes of Chronicles. [vol. 1] comprising 1 The description and historie of England, 2 The description and historie of Ireland, 3 The description and historie of Scotland: first collected and published by Raphaell Holinshed, William Harrison, and others: now newlie augmented and continued (with manifold matters of singular note and worthie memorie) to the yeare 1586. by Iohn Hooker aliàs Vowell Gent and others. With conuenient tables at the end of these volumes.
Holinshed, Raphael, d. 1580?, Stanyhurst, Richard, 1547-1618., Fleming, Abraham, 1552?-1607., Stow, John, 1525?-1605., Thynne, Francis, 1545?-1608., Hooker, John, 1526?-1601., Harrison, William, 1534-1593., Boece, Hector, 1465?-1536., Giraldus, Cambrensis, 1146?-1223?
[[London]: Finished in Ianuarie 1587, and the 29 of the Queenes Maiesties reigne, with the full continuation of the former yeares, at the expenses of Iohn Harison, George Bishop, Rafe Newberie, Henrie Denham, and Thomas VVoodcocke. At London printed [by Henry Denham] in Aldersgate street at the signe of the Starre, [1587]]
Alternate titles: Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande. vol. 1
Subject terms:
Great Britain -- History -- Early works to 1800.
URL: https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A68197.0001.001
How to cite: For suggestions on citing this text, please see Citing the TCP on the Text Creation Partnership website.

Table of Contents
View entire text
title page
To the Right Honorable, and his singular good Lord and Maister, S. William Brooke Knight, Lord Warden of the cinque Ports, and Baron of Cobham, all increase of the feare and knowledge of God, firme obedience toward his Prince, infallible loue to the common wealth, and commendable renowme here in this world, and in the world to come life euerlasting.
¶The names of the Authors from whome this Historie of England is collected.
A Table of such Chapiters as are conteined in the first booke of this Description.
REGVM ANGLIAE SERIES & catalogus.
CARMEN CHRONOLOGICON
Of the diuision of the whole earth. Chapter. 1.
Of the position, circuit, forme and quan∣titie of the Ile of Britaine. Cap. 2.
Of the ancient names or deno∣minations of this Iland. Cap. 3.
What sundrie nations haue dwel∣led in Albion. Cap. 4.
Whether it be likelie that any giants were, and whether they inhabited in this Ile or not. Cap. 5.
Of the languages spoken in this Iland. Cap. 6.
Into how manie kingdoms this Iland hath beene diuided. Cap. 7.
A Catalog of the kings and princes of this Iland, first from Samothes vnto the birth of our sauiour Christ, or rather the comming of the Romans: secondlie of their Legates: thirdlie of the Saxon princes according to their seuerall kingdomes: fourthlie of the Danes, and lastlie of the Normans and English princes, accor∣ding to the truth conteined in our Histories.
Wales. 1.
Kent. 2.
Southsex. 3.
Estsex. 4.
Westsex. 5.
Bernicia. 6.
Deira. 7.
Estanglia. 8.
Mercia. 9.
The succession of the kings of England from William bastard, vnto the first of Queene ELIZABETH.
Of the ancient religion vsed in Albion. Cap. 9.
Of the manifold conuersions and alterations of the estate of the common-wealth of Britaine, sithens the time of Samothes.
Of such Ilands as are to be seene vpon the coasts of Britaine. Cap. 10.
The description of the Thames, and such riuers as fall into the same. Cap. 11.
Of such streames as fall into the sea, betweene the Thames and the mouth of the Sauerne. Chap. 12.
The description of the Sauerne, & such waters as discharge themselues into the same. Chap. 13.
Of such waters as fall into the sea in compasse of the Iland, betweene the Sauerne ad the Humber. Chap. 14.
The description of the Humber or Isis, and such water-courses as doo increase hir chanell. Chap. 15.
Of such falles of waters as ioine with the sea, betweene Hum∣ber and the Thames. Chap. 16.
Of such ports and creeks as our sea∣faring-men doo note for their benefit vpon the coasts of England. Chap. 17.
Of the aire, soile, and commodities of this Iland. Cap. 18.
Of the foure high waies sometime made in Britaine by the princes of this Iland. Cap. 19.
Of the generall constitution of the bodies of the Britons. Chap. 20.
How Britaine at the first grew to be diuided into three portions. Cap. 21.
After what maner the souereigntie of this Ile dooth remaine to the princes of Lhoegres or kings of England. Chap. 22.
Of the wall sometime builded for a partition betweene England and the Picts and Scots. Chap. 23.
Of the maruels of England. Chap. 24.
The Contents of the second Booke.
book 2
Of the ancient and present estate of the church of England. Chap. 1.
Of the number of bishoprikes and their seuerall circuits. Chap. 2.
The names and successions of so manie archbishops and bishops of London, as are extant, and to be had, from the faith first receiued.
Of Vniuersities. Chap. 3.
Of the partition of England into shires and counties. Chap. 4.
Of degrees of people in the common∣wealth of England. Chap. 5.
The rehearsall of the temporall nobili∣tie of England, according to the anciencie of their creations, or first calling to their degrees, as they are to be found at this present.
Bishops in their anciencie, as they sat in parlement, in the fift of the Queenes maiesties reigne that now is.
Of the food and diet of the English. Chap. 6.
Of their apparell and attire. Chap. 7.
Of the high court of parlement, and authoritie of the same. Chap. 8.
The names of counties, cities, bo∣roughs, and ports, sending knights, citi∣zens, burgesses, and barons to the parlement of England.
Of the lawes of England since hir first inhabitation. Chap. 9.
The office of the masse.
The Praier.
The Gospell. Mar. 10.
A perfect rule to know the begin∣ning and ending of euerie terme, with their returnes.
Of prouision made for the poore. Chap. 10.
Of sundrie kinds of punishments appointed for malefactors. Chap. 11.
Of the maner of building and furniture of our houses. Chap. 12.
Of cities and townes in England. Cap. 13.
Of castels and holds. Chap. 14.
Of palaces belonging to the prince. Chap. 15.
Of armour and munition. Chap. 16.
Of the nauie of England. Chap. 17.
Of faires and markets. Chap. 18.
Of Parkes and Warrens. Chap. 19.
Incipiunt constitutiones Canuti regis de foresta.
Of gardens and orchards. Chap. 19.
Of waters generallie. Chap. 21.
Of woods and marishes. Chap. 22.
Of baths and hot welles. Chap. 23.
Of antiquities found. Chap. 24.
Of the coines of England. Chap. 25.
The contents of the third booke.
book 3
Of cattell kept for profit. Chap. 1.
Of wild and tame foules. Chap. 2.
Of fish vsuallie taken vpon our coasts. Cap. 3.
Of sauage beasts and vermines. Chap. 4.
Of hawkes and rauenous foules. Chap. 5.
Of venemous beasts. Chap. 6.
Of our English dogs and their qualities. Chap. 7.
Of our saffron, and the dressing thereof. Chap. 8.
Of quarries of stone for building. Chap. 9.
Of sundrie minerals. Chap. 10.
Of mettals to be had in our land. Chap. 11.
Of pretious stones. Chap. 12.
Of salt made in England. Chap. 13.
Of our accompt of time & hir parts. Chap. 14.
Of our principall faires and markets. Chap. 15.
Faires in Ianuarie.
Faires in Februarie.
Faires in March.
Faires in Aprill.
Faires in Maie.
Faires in Iune.
Faires in Iulie.
Faires in August.
Faires in September.
Faires in October.
Faires in Nouember.
Faires in December.
Of our innes and thorowfaires. Chap. 16.
Iter Britanniarum.
A GESSORIACO.
A LIMITE, ID EST, A VALLO Praetorio vsque M. P. CLVI. sic:
ITEM A VALLO AD portum Ritupis m. p. 481 491 sic,
ITEM A LONDINIO ad portum Dubris m. p. 56 66, sic:
ITEM A LONDINIO AD portum Lemanis m. p. 68 sic:
ITEM A LONDINIO Lugu-Valio ad Vallum m. p. 443, sic:
ITEM A LONDINIO Lindo m. p. 156 sic:
ITEM A REGNO Londinio m. p. 116, 96 sic:
ITEM AB EBVRACO Londinium m. p. 227 sic:
ITEM A VENTA ICINORVM Londinio m. p. 128 sic:
ITEM A GLAMOVENTA Mediolano m. p. 150 sic:
ITEM A SEGONCIO DE∣uam m. p. 74 sic:
ITEM A CALLEVA aliàs MVRIDONO aliàs Viroconiorum. Per Viroconi
ITEM AB ISCA CAL∣Ieu m. p. 109 sic:
ITEM ALIO ITINERE AB Isca Calleua m. p. 103 sic:
ITEM A CALLEVA IS CADVM Nunniorum m. p. 136 sic:
title page
To the Readers studious in histories.
THE FIRST BOOKE of the historie of England.
Of Samothes, Magus, Sarron, Druis, and Bardus, fiue kings suc∣ceeding each other in regiment ouer the Celts and Samotheans, and how manie hundred yeeres the Celts inhabited this Iland. The second Chapter.
An appendix to the former chapter.
Of the giant Albion, of his comming into this Iland, diuers opinions why it was called Albion: why Albion and Bergion were slaine by Hercules: of Danaus and of his 50. daughters. The third Chapter.
THE SECOND BOOKE of the Historie of England.
Of Brute and his descent, how he slue his father in hunting, his banishment, his letter to king Pan∣drasus, against whom he wageth battell, taketh him prisoner, and concludeth peace vpon conditions. The first Chapter.
A letter of Brute to Pandrasus, as I find it set downe in Galfride Monumetensis.
Brute and his wife Innogen arriue in Leogitia, they aske counsell of an oracle where they shall inhabit, he meeteth with a remnant of Troians on the coasts neere the shooting downe of the Pyrenine hills into the sea.
Brute and the said Troians with their capteine Corineus doo associat, they take landing within the dominion of king Gof∣farus, he raiseth an armie against Brute and his power, but is discomfited: of the citie of Tours: Brutes arriuall in this Iland with his companie. The third Chapter.
Brute discouereth the commodities of this Iland, mightie giants withstand him, Gogmagog and Corineus wrestle together at a place beside Douer: he buildeth the ci∣tie of Trinouant now termed London, calleth this Iland by the name of Bri∣taine, and diuideth it into three parts among his three sonnes. The fourth Chapter.
Of Locrine the eldest sonne of Brute, of Albanact his yoongest sonne, and his death: of Madan, Mempricius, E∣branke, Brute Greenesheeld, Leill, Ludhurdibras, Baldud, and Leir, the nine rulers of Britaine succes∣siuelie after Brute. The fift Chapter.
The gunarchie of queene Cordeilla, how she was vanquished, of hir impri∣sonment and selfe-murther: the con∣tention betweene Cunedag and Margan nephewes for go∣uernement, and the euill end thereof. The sixt Chapter.
Of Riuallus, Gurgustius, Sysillius, Iago, and Kinimacus, rulers of Britaine by succession, and of the accidents coincident with their times. The seuenth Chapter.
Of Gorbodug and his two sonnes Fer∣rex and Porrex, one brother killeth ano∣ther, the mother slaieth hir sonne, and how Britaine by ciuill warres (for lacke of issue legitimate to the gouernment) of a mo∣narchie became a pentarchie: the end of Brutes line. The eight Chapter.
THE THIRD BOOKE of the Historie of England.
Of Mulmucius the first king of Britaine, who was crowned with a golden crowne, his lawes, his foundations, with other his acts and deeds. The first Chapter.
The ioint-gouernment of Belinus and Brennus the two sonnes of Mulmucius, their discontentment, the stratagems of the one against the other, the expulsion of Brennus out of Britaine. The second Chapter.
Brennus marrieth with the duke of A∣lobrogs daughter, groweth into great ho∣nour, commeth into Britaine with an armie against his brother Beline, their mother re∣concileth them, they ioine might & muni∣tion and haue great conquests, conflicts betweene the Galles and the Ro∣mans, the two brethren take Rome. The third Chapter.
Camillus reuoked from exile, made dictator, and receiueth peremptorie au∣thoritie, he ouerthroweth the Galles in a pitcht field, controuersie betweene wri∣ters touching Brennus and Belinus left vndetermined; of diuers foundations, ere∣ctions and reparations doone and at∣chiued by Belinus, the burning of his bodie in stead of his burieng. The fourth Chapter.
Of Gurguintus, Guintolinus, and Sici∣lius, three kings of Britaine succeeding ech other by lineall descent in the regi∣ment, and of their acts and deeds, with a notable commendation of Queene Martia. The fift Chapter.
Of Kimarus and his sudden end, of Ela∣nius and his short regiment, of Morin∣dus and his beastlie crueltie, all three im∣mediatlie succeeding each other in the monarchie of Britaine, with the ex∣plorts of the last. The sixt Chapter.
Of Gorbonianus, Archigallus, Elidu∣rus, Vigenius, and Peredurus, the fiue sons of Morindus, the building of Cam∣bridge, the restitution of Archigallus to the regiment after his depriuation, Elidurus three times admitted King, his death and place of interrament. The seuenth Chapter.
A Chapter of digression, shewing the diuersitie of writers in opinion, touching the computation of yeares from the beginning of the British kings of this Iland downewards; since Gurguintus time, till the death of Elidurus; and likewise till king Lud reigned in his roialtie, with the names of such kings as ruled be∣tweene the last yeare of Elidurus, and the first of Lud. The eight Chapter.
Of king Helie who gaue the name to the Ile of Elie, of king Lud, and what memorable edifices he made, Lon∣don sometimes called Luds towne, his bountiful∣ns, and buriall. The ninth Chapter.
Of Cassibellane and his noble mind, Iulius Caesar sendeth Caius Volusenus to uey the coasts of this Iland, he lieth with his fleet at Calice, purposing to inuade the countrie, his attempt is be∣wraied and withstood by the Britains. The tenth Chapter.
Caius Volusenus discouereth to Caesar his obseruations in the Ile of Britaine, he maketh haste to conquere it, the Britains de∣fend their countrie against him, Caesar after consultation had changeth his landing place, the Romans are put to hard shifts, the Britains begin to giue backe, the courage of a Ro∣man ensigne-bearer, a sharpe en∣counter betweene both armies. The eleuenth Chapter.
The Romans get to land on the Eng∣lish coast, the Britains send to Caesar for a treatie of peace, they staie the Romane ambas∣sadour as prisoner, Caesar demandeth hostages of the Britains, the Romane nauie is driuen diuers waies in a great tempest, the British princes steale out of Caesars campe and gather a fresh power against the Romans, their two armies haue a sharpe encounter. The twelfe Chapter.
The maner of the Britains fighting in charets, the Romans giue a fresh sallie to the Britains and put them to flight, they sue to Caesar for peace; what kings and their powers were assistants to Cassibellane in the battell against Caesar, and the maner of both peoples encounters by the report of diuers Chronologers. The xiij. Chapter.
Caesar taketh a new occasion to make warre against the Britains, he arriueth on the coast without resistance, the number of his ships, both armies incounter, why Caesar forbad the Romans to pursue the discomfited Britains, he repaireth his nauie, the Britains choose Cassibel∣lane their cheefe gouernour, and skirmish a∣fresh with their enimies, but haue the repulse in the end. The xiiij. Chapter.
The Romans heauie armor their great hinderance, the maner of the Britains fighting in warre, their incounter with their enimies, their discomfiture, the worthie stra∣tagems or martiall exploits of Cassibellane, the Troinouants submission to Caesar, and their sute touching Mandubratius, manie of the Britains are taken and slaine of the Romans. The xv. Chapter.
Cassibellane dooth send vnto the foure kings of Kent for aid against Caesars host, he offereth submission to Caesar, the Britains become his tributaries, he returneth into Gallia with the remnant of his armie: the differing report of Caesars commentaries and our historiographers touching these warlike affaires; of a sore fray with bloudshed and man∣slaughter vpon a light occasion; Caesar taketh oportuni∣tie to get the conquest of the land by the diuision betweene Cassibellane and Androgeus, the time of the Britains subiection to the Romans. The xvj. Chapter.
The state of Britaine when Caesar offe∣red to conquer it, and the maner of their gouernement, as diuerse authors report the same in their bookes: where the con∣trarietie of their opinions is to be obserued. The xvij. Chapter.
Of Theomantius, the tearme of yeares that he reigned, and where he was inter∣red; of Kymbeline, within the time of whose gouernment Christ Iesus our sauiour was borne, all nations content to obeie the Romane em∣perors and consequentlie Britaine, the customes that the Britaines paie the Romans as Strabo reporteth. The xviij. Chapter.
Of Guiderius, who denied to paie tri∣bute to the Romans, preparation for war on both sides, of the ridiculous voiage of the Emperour Caligula against the Britains, his vanitie and delight in mischiefe: Aulus Plautius a Romane senator accompanied with souldiers arriue on the British coasts without resistance, the Britains take flight and hide themselues. The xix. Chapter.
THE FOVRTH BOOKE of the Historie of England.
The Britains discomfited, sore wounded, slaine, and disabled by Plautius and his power, Claudius the Romane taketh the chiefe citie of Cymbe∣beline the king of Britaine, he bereaueth the Britains of their armour, and by vertue of his conquest ouer part of the land is surnamed Britannicus. The first Chapter.
The diuerse opinions and variable re∣ports of writers touching the partile conquest of this Iland by the Ro∣mans, the death of Guiderius. The second Chapter.
Aruiragus the Britaine & Claudius the Romane with their armies doo incoun∣ter, a composition concerning ma∣riage concluded betweene them, Claudius retur∣neth to Rome. The third Chapter.
Aruiragus denieth subiection to the Romans, Vespasian is sent to represse him and his power, the Romane host is kept backe from landing, queene Genissa pacifieth them after a sharpe conflict: & what the Ro∣mane writers say of Vespasians being in Britaine, the end of Ar∣uiragus. The fourth Chapter.
Ioseph of Arimathia came into Britane and Simon Zelotes, the antiquitie of chri∣stian religion, Britaine gouerned by Lieute∣nants and treasurers of the Romane emperors, the exploits of Ostorius Scapula and the men of Ox∣fordshire, he vanquisheth the Welshmen, ap∣peaseth the Yorkshiremen, and brideleth the rage of the Silures. The fift Chapter.
The coniectures of writers touching the situation of Camelodunum supposed to be Colchester, of the Silures a people spoken of in the former chapter, a foughten field betwene Caratacus the British prince, and Ostorius the Romaine, in the confines of Shorpshire; the Bri∣tains go miserablie to wracke, Caratacus is deli∣uered to the Romans, his wife and daughter are taken prisoners, his brethren yeeld themselues to their enimies. The sixt Chapter.
The name of Caratacus famous in Ita∣lie, the maner how he and his alies were led captiues by the Romans in triumph, his cou∣rage and manlie speech to the emperour Claudius, whereby he and his obteine mercie and par∣don: the Britains vndertake a new reuenge a∣gainst the Romans; the cause why the Si∣lures hated the Romans, Ostorius Scapula dieth, the citie of Chester builded. The seuenth Chapter.
A. Didius is sent to supplie Ostorius his roome in Britaine, the trecherie and le∣cherie of queene Cartimanda, Venutius kee∣peth the kingdome in spite of the Romans, by what meanes their confines in this Ile were inlarged; the error of Hector Boetius and others touching the Siluers, Brigants, and Nouants noti∣fied, the Britains giue the Ro∣mans a shamefull ouer∣throw. The eight Chapter.
The gouernment of P. Suetonius in this Iland, he inuadeth Angle sey, and winneth it, a strange kind of women, of the Druides, the Britains lament their miserie and seruitude, and take aduise by weapon to redresse it against the Romans their enimies. The ninth Chapter.
A catalog of causes or greeuances in∣citing the Britains to rebell against the Romans, wherein is shewed what iniuries they susteined: of diuers strange wonders and appariti∣ons; the chiefe cause of the Britains insurging against the Romans, they admitted as well women as men to publike gouernement. A descrip∣tion of queene Voadicia, hir personage and maner of attire. The tenth Chapter.
The oration of queene Voadicia full of prudence and spirit to the Britains, for their encouragement against the Romans, wherein she rippeth vp the vile seruitude and shamefull wrongs which their enimies inflic∣ted vpon them, with other matters verie motiue, both concerning themselues and their eni∣mies, hir supplication and praier for victorie. The eleuenth Chapter.
Queene Voadicia marcheth against the Romans, to whom she giueth a shamefull and bloudie ouerthrow without anie motion of mercie, dredfull examples of the Britains crueltie indiffe∣rentlie executed without excep∣tion of age or sex. The twelfe Chapter.
P. Suetonius the Romane with a fresh power assalteth the Britains, whose armie consisted as well of women as men: queene Voadicia incourageth hir souldiers, so dooth Sue∣tonius his warriors, both armies haue a sharpe con∣flict, the Britains are discomfited and miserablie slaine, the queene dieth, Penius Posthumus killeth himselfe, the Britains are persecuted with fire, swoord, and famine, the grudge betweene Cassi∣cianus and Suetonius, whome Poly∣cletus is sent to reconcile, of his traine, and how the Bri∣tains repined at him. The xiij. Chapter.
In what state the Iland stood whiles Ar∣uiragus reigned; the dissolute and loose gouernement of Petronius Turpilianus, Trebellius Maximus, and Victius Vo∣lanus, three lieutenants in Britaine for the Romane emperours, of Iulius Fron∣tinus who vanquished the Silures. The xiiij. Chapter.
The state of this Iland vnder Marius the sonne of Aruiragus, the comming in of the Picts with Roderike their king, his death in the field, the Picts and Scots enter into mutuall aliance, the mo∣nument of Marius, his victorie ouer the Picts, his death and interrement. The xv. Chapter.
Iulius Agricola is deputed by Vespa∣sian to gouerne Britaine, he inuadeth the Ile of Anglesey, the inhabitants yeeld vp them selues, the commendable gouernement of A∣gricola, his worthie practises to traine the Britains to ciuilitie, his exploits fortunatelie atchiued against diuerse people, as the Irish, &c. The 16. Chapter.
The Britains of Calenderwood assalt the Romans vpon aduantage, bloudie bat∣tels fought betwixt them, great numbers slaine on both sides, the villanous dealing of certeine Dutch souldiers against their capteins and fellowes in armes, the miserie that they were driuen vnto by famine to eate one another, a sharpe conflict betweene the Ro∣mans and Britains, with the losse of manie a mans life, and effusion of much bloud. The xvij. Chapter.
The lamentable distresse and pitifull perplexitie of the Britains after their o∣uerthrow, Domitian enuieth Agricola the glorie of his victories, he is subtilie depriued of his deputiship, and Cneus Trebellius surrogated in his roome. The xviij. Chapter.
Of Coillus the sonne of Marius, his e∣ducation in Rome, how long he reigned: of Lucius his sonne and successor, what time he assumed the gouernment of this land, he was an open professor of christian religion, he and his fa∣milie are baptised, Britaine receiueth the faith, 3 archbishops and 28 bishops at that time in this Iland, westminster church and S. Peters in Cornehill builded, diuers opinions tou∣ching the time of Lucius his reigne, of his death, and when the christian faith was receiued in this Iland. The 19. Chapter.
The Britains after the deceasse of Lu∣cius (who died without issue) rebell a∣gainst the Romans, the emperor Adrian com∣ming in his owne person into Britaine appeaseth the broile, they go about to recouer their libertie a∣gainst the Romans, but are suppressed by Lollius the Ro∣mane lieutenant; the vigilantnesse or wakefulnesie of Marcellus, and his policie to keepe the soul∣diers waking, the Britains being ruled by cer∣taine meane gentlemen of Perhennis appointing doo falselie accuse him to the emperor Commodus, he is mangled and murthered of his souldiers. The xx. Chapter.
Pertinax is sent as lieutenant into Bri∣taine, he is in danger to be slaine of the souldiers, he riddeth himselfe of that perilous office: Albinus with an armie of Britains fighteth against Seuerus and his power neere to Lions, Seuerus is slaine in a conflict against the Picts, Geta and Bassianus two brethren make mutuall warre for the regiment of the land, the one is slaine, the other ruleth. The xxj. Chapter.
The ambitious mind of the old empe∣rour Seuerus, he arriueth in Britaine with a mightie power to suppresse the rebellious Britains, the emperours politike prouision for his souldiers in the fens and bogs: the agilitie of the Bri∣tains, their nimblenesse, the painting of their bodies with di∣uerse colours, their furniture, their great sufferance of hunger, cold, &c: diuerse conflicts betweene the Romans and the Bri∣tains, their subtile traines to deceiue their enimies, the Ro∣mans pitifullie distressed, Seuerus constreineth the Caledo∣nians to conclude a league with him; he falleth sicke, his owne sonne practiseth to make him away: the Britains begin a new rebellion, the cruell commandement of Seuerus to kill and slea all that came to hand without exception, his age, his death, and sepulchte: Bassianus ambitiouslie vsur∣peth the whole regiment, he killeth his bro∣ther Geta, and is slaine himselfe by one of his owne soul∣diers. The xxij. Chapter.
Of Carausius an obscure Britaine, what countries he gaue the Picts, and where∣vpon, his death by Alectus his successor, the Romans foiled by Asclepiodotus duke of Corne∣wall, whereof Walbrooke and the name, the couetous practise of Carausius the vsurper. The xxxiij. Chapter.
The substance of that which is written touching Britaine in a panegyrike oration ascribed to Mamertinus, which he set foorth in praise of the emperors Dioclesian and Maximian: it is intituled onelie to Maximian, whereas neuer∣thelesse both the emperors are praised; and likewise (as ye may perceiue) Constantius who was father to Constantine the great is here spoken of, being chosen by the two foresaid emperors, to assist them by the name of Caesar in rule of the empire: of whom hereafter more shall be said. The xxiiij. Chapter.
What is to be obserued and noted out of the panegyrike oration of Mamerti∣nus afore remembred, with necessa∣rie collections out of other Antiquaries. The xxv. Chapter.
The state of this Iland vnder bloudie Dioclesian the persecuting tyrant, of Al∣ban the first that suffered martyrdome in Bri∣taine, what miracles were wrought at his death, whereof Lichfield tooke the name; of Coilus earle of Colchester, whose daughter Helen was maried to Constantius the emperour, as some authours suppose. The xxvj. Chapter.
A further discourse of the forenamed Constantius and Helen, hs regiment ouer this Iland, his behauiour and talke to his sonne and councellors as he lay on his death-bed, a de∣uise that he put in practise to vnderstand what true Christians he had in his court, his commen∣dable vertues, that the Britains in his time imbraced the christian faith is prooued. The xxvij. Chapter.
Constantine created emperour in Bri∣taine, he is sollicited to take vpon him the regiment of those countries that his father go∣uerned, he is requested to subdue Maxentius the vsurping tyrant, Maximianus his father seeketh to depose him, Constantines death is purposed by the said Maxi∣mianus the father & his sonne Maxentius, Fausta the daugh∣ter of Maximianus & wife to Constantine detecteth hir fathers trecherie to hir husand, Maximianus is strangled at Constan∣tines commandement, league and alliance betweene him and Licinius, he is sline, the empresse Helen commended, the crosse of Christ found with the inscription of the same, what miracles were wrought thereby, of the nailes wherewith Christ was crucifi∣ed, Constantine commended, the state of Britaine in his time. The xxviij Chapter.
Of Octauius a British lord, his reigne ouer the Britains, he incountereth with Traherne first neere Winchester, and after∣wards in Westmerland: Octauius being discomfi∣ted fleeth into Norway, Traherne is slaine, Octauius sendeth for Maximianus, on whom he bestoweth his daughter and the kingdome of Britaine: the death of Octauius, Helena builded the wals of Colchester and London, she dieth and is buried, Constantine departeth this life, Britaine reckoned a∣mong the prouinces that reteined the christian faith, Paulus a Spaniard is sent into Britaine, he dealeth roughlie with the people, Martinus the lieutenant excuseth them as innocent, his vnluckie end, Paulus retur∣neth into Italie. The xxix. Chapter.
Maximianus or Maximus gouerneth this Ile, why writers speake ill of him, strife betwixt him and Conan duke of Cornewall, Maximus is proclaimed emperour in Britaine, he transporteth the British youth seruiceable for warres into France, little Britaine in France why so called, eleuen thousand maids sent thither to match with Conans people, whereof some were drowned, and other some murthe∣red in the way by Guanius king of Hunnes and Melga king of Picts, they flie into Ireland, murther requited with murther, the words of Gyldas concerning Maximus. The xxx. Chapter.
What Gratianus it was that was sent o∣uer from Rome into Britaine by Maxi∣mus, in what estimation the British souldiers haue beene, the priuie treason of Andragatius whereby Gratian came to his end: Maximus and his sonne Victor doo succeed him in the empire, they are both slaine, Marcus the Romane lieutenant suceeding them is murthered, Gratianus also his successour hath the same end, the election of Constantine a Britaine borne, his praise and dispraise reported by writers, he goeth into France, maketh his sonne Constance partaker with him of the em∣pire, a sharpe incounter betwixt his power and two brethrens that had the keeping of the Pyrennie hils, the issue of the battell. The xxxj. Chapter.
Honorius sendeth earle Constantius to expell Constantine out of Gallia, the end of Constantinus the father and Constans the sonne, the valure and prowesse of the British souldiers, the British writers reprooued of nec∣ligences for that thiy haue inserted fables into their woorkes, whereas they might haue deposed matters of truth. The xxxij. Chapter.
Gratians rough regiment procureth his owne destruction, the comming of his two brethren Guanius and Melga with their armies, the Scots and Picts plague the Britains, they send for aid to Rome, Valentinian sendeth Gal∣lio Rauenna to releeue them, the Romans refuse anie longer to succour the Britains, whom they taught how to make ar∣mour and weapons, the Scots and Picts enter afresh into Bri∣taine and preuaile, the Britains are brought to extreme mi∣serie, ciuill warres among them, and what mischiefe dooth follow therevpon, their lamentable letter to Actius for succour against their enimies, their sute is denied, at what time the Britains ceased to be tributaries to the Romans, they send ambassadors to the K. of Britaine in France, and obteine their sute. The xxxiij. Chapter.
To Actius thrise consull.
What the Roman historiographer Mar∣cellinus reporteth of the Scots, Picts, and Britains vnder the emperour Iulianus, Valen∣tinianus and Valens, they send their vicegerents into Britaine, the disquietnesse of that time, London called Augusta, the worthie exploits of Theodosius in this Iland against the enimie, Valentinus a banished malefactor deuiseth his destruction, he is taken and executed, he refor∣meth manie disorders and inconueniences, the first en∣tring of the Saxons into Britaine, they are dawned at the verie sight of the Romane ensignes, the Saxons lieng in wait for their eni∣mies are slaine euerie mo∣thers sonne. The xxxiiij. Chapter.
What the poet Claudianus saith of the state of Britaine in the decaie of the Ro∣mane empire, of the Scots and Picts cruellie vexing the Britains, they are afflicted by inuasion of barbarous nations, the practise of the Saxons, of the Scots first comming into this Iland, and from whence, the Scotish chronographers no∣ted for curiositie and vanitie. The xxxv. Chapter.
THE FIFT BOOKE of the Historie of England.
Constantinus at the generall sute of the Britains vndertaketh to gouerne this Iland, he is crowned king, his three sonnes, he is traitorouslie slaine of a Pict, Constantius the eldest sonne of Constantine hauing bene a monke is created king, the ambitious & slie practises of duke Vortigerne to aspire to the gouernment, he procureth certeine Picts and Scots to kill the king who had reteined them for the gard of his person, his craftie deuises and deepe dissimulation vnder the pretense of in∣nocencie, he winneth the peoples harts, and is chosen their king. The first Chapter.
Vortigerne furnisheth the tower with a garrison, he bewraieth his crueltie, Aure∣lius and Pendragon brethren to the late king Constantius flie into Britaine Armorike, what common abuses and sinnes did vniuersally concurre with a plentifull yeere, the Scots and Picts reuenge the death of their countrimen, Vortigerne is in doubt of his estate, the Britains send for succour to the Saxons, they come vnder the conduct of Hengist and Horsus two brethren, where they are assigned to be seated, they van∣quish the Scots, disagreement in writers touching the Saxons first comming into this Iland. The second Chapter.
Hengistus the Saxon shooteth at the crowne and scepter of the kingdome by craftie and subtile practises, a great number of forren people arriue in Britaine for the augmen∣tation of his power, of the faire ladie Rowne his daughter, whereof Wednesdaie and Fridaie tooke their name, of the Iutes, Saxons, and Angles, Vortigerne being inflamed with the loue of Hengists daughter forsaketh his owne wife and marrieth hir, Vortigerne giueth Hengist all Kent, the Saxons come ouer by heaps to inhabit the land, the Bri∣tish nobilitie moue the king to auoid them, he is depriued of his kingdome, the miserable destruction made by the Saxons in this land, skirmishes betwixt them and the Britains. The third Chapter.
Vortimer is created king in the roome of his father Vortigerne, he giueth the Saxons sore and sharpe battels, a combat fought betweene Catigerne the brother of Vorti∣mer and Horsus the brother of Hengist, wherein they were both slaine, the Britains driue the Saxons into the Ile of Tenet, Rowen the daughter of Hengist procureth Vor∣timer to be poisoned, the Saxons returne into Germa∣nie as some writers report, they ioine with the Scots and Picts against the Britains and discomfit them. The fourth Chapter.
Vortigerne is restored to his regiment, in what place he abode during the time of his sonnes reigne, Hengist with his Saxons re∣enter the land, the Saxons and Britains are ap∣pointed to meet on Salisburie plaine, the priuie treason of Hengist and his power whereby the Bri∣tains were slaine like sheepe, the manhood of Edol earle of Glocester, Vortigerne i taken prisoner, Hengist is in possession of three prouinces of this land, a description of Kent. The fift Chapter.
The heptarchie or seuen kingdoms of this land, Hengist causeth Britaine to be peopled with Saxons, the decaie of Christian religion, the Pelagians with their hereticall and falle doctrine infect the Britains, a synod summoned in Gallia for the redresse thereof, the Scots assist the Britains against the Saxons, who renew their league with the Picts, Germane and Lupus two bishops of Germanie procure the British armie to be newlie christened, the terror that the Bri∣tains vnder bishop Germans fortunate conduct draue into the Saxons by the outcrie of Alleluia, and got the victorie, bishop Germane departeth out of the land, and to redresse the Pelagian heresie commeth againe at the clergies re∣quest, he confirmeth his doctrine by a miracle, banisheth the Pelagians out of the land, the death of Germane, murther re∣quited with murther. The vj. Chapter.
What part of the realme the Saxons possessed, Vortigerne buildeth a castell in Wales for his safetie, Aurelius and Vter both brethren returne into Britaine, they assalt the vsurper Vortigerne, and with wild fire burne both him, his people, his fort, and all the furniture in the same, Vortigerne committeth incest with his owne daughter, feined and ridiculous woonders of S. Germane, a sheepherd made a king. The seuenth Chapter.
Aurelius Ambrosius the brother to Constantius created king of Britaine, he incountereth with the Saxons, Hengist their generall is beheaded, Occa his sonne submit∣teth himselfe to Aurelius, he putteth all the Saxons out of the land, repaireth places decaied, and restoreth religion, the memorable monument of the stones that are so much spo∣ken of on Salisburie plaine, the exploits of Pascentius Vorti∣gerns yongest sonne, Aurelius lieth sicke, Vter goeth against Pascentius and giueth him the ouerthrow, Aurelius is poiso∣ned of a counterfet moonke, the place of his buriall, Poly∣dor Virgils report of the acts and deeds of Aurelius against the Saxons, Hengist is slaine, Osca and Occa his two sonnes make a fowle spoile of the west part of the land, Vortimer dieth, the disa∣greement of writers touching matters interchangeablie passed betwene the Britains and Saxons. The eight Chapter.
The beginning of the kingdome of the Southsaxons commonlie called Sussex, the Britains with their rulers giue battell to Ella the Saxon & his three sonnes, disagreement betweene the English and British chronographers about the battels fought by Hengist and his death, the be∣ginning of the Kentish kingdome, a battell fought betweene the Britains and Sax∣ons, the first are conquered, the last are conquerors. The ninth Chapter.
The east Angles kingdome beginneth, the arriuall of Cerdic and Kenric with fiue ships of warre in this land, he putteth the Bri∣tains to flight, the west Saxons kingdom begineth, Vter Pendragon made king of Britaine, the etymon of his name, he taketh Occa and Osca the two sonnes of Hen∣gist prisoners, how Hector Boetius varieth from other chro∣nographers in the relation of things concerning Pendragon, he falleth in loue with the duke of Cornewalls wife, killeth him, and marieth hir. Occa and Osca escape out of pri∣son, they freshlie assault the Britains, they are both slaine in a foughten field, the Saxons send and looke for aid out of Germanie, Pen∣dragon is poisoned. The tenth Chapter.
Porth the Saxon arriueth at Portes∣mouth, warre betweene Nazaleod king of the Britains and the Saxons, the Britains are ouethrowen and slaine, the kingdome of the west Saxons beginneth, the com∣passe or continent thereof, the meanes whereby it was inlarged. The eleuenth Chapter.
The beginning of the kingdome of the Eastsaxons, what it conteined, of Arthur king of Britaine, his twelue victories ouer the Saxons against whome he mainteined continuall warre, why the Scots and Picts enuied him his roi∣altie and empire, a league betwixt Arthur and Loth king of the Picts, Howell king of little Britaine aideth Arthur against Cheldrike king of Germanie, who taking the ouerthrow, is slaine by the duke of Cornewall, the Picts are dis∣comfited, the Irishmen with their king put to slight, and the Scots subdued, Arthurs sun∣drie conquests against diuers people, the vanitie of the British wri∣ters noted. The twelfe Chapter.
Arthur is resisted by Mordred the vsur∣per from arriuing in his owne land, they ioine battell, Gawaine is slaine and his death lamented by Arthur, Mordred taketh flight, he is slaine, and Arthur mortallie wounded, his death, the place of his buriall, his bodie digged vp, his bignesse coniec∣turable by his bones, a crosse found in his toome with an inscription therevpon, his wife Guenhera buried with him, a rare report of hir haire, Iohn Lelands epitaph in memo∣rie of prince Arthur. The xiij. Chapter.
Iohn Leland in his booke intituled Assertio Arthuri, hath for the woorthie me∣morie of so noble a prince, honored him with a learned epitaph, as heere follow∣eth.
Vpon what occasion the graue of king Arthur was sought for, the follie of such discouered as beleeued that he should returne and reigne againe as king in Britaine, whether it be a fiction or a veritie that there was such an Arthur or no; discordance among writers about the place of Gawains buriall and Arthurs death; of queene Gueneuer the wife of king Arthur, hir beautie and dishonest life, great disagreement among writers touching Arthur and his wiues to the impeachment of the historie, of his life and death. The xiiij. Chapter.
The decaie of christian religion and re∣ceiuing of the Pelagian heresie in Britaine by what meanes they were procured and by whom redressed: Constantine succeedeth Arthur in the kingdome, ciuill warre about succession to the crowne, the chalengers are pursued and slaine, Constantine is vnkindlie killed of his kinsman, a bitter and reprochfull in∣uectiue of Gyldas against the British rulers of his time, and namelie against Constantine, Conan that slue Constan∣tine reigneth in Britaine, his vertues and vices, his two yeeres regiment, the seuere reprehensions of Gyldas vttered against Conan, discouering the course of his life, and a secret pro∣phesie of his death. The xv. Chapter.
The beginning of the kingdome of Brenitia, of whome the king of Kent, Mer∣tia, and west Saxons descended, Ida the Sax∣on commended, the originall of the kingdome of Deira, the circuit and bounds therof, of Ella the go∣uernour of the same, when the partition of the kingdome of Northumberland chanced; Vortiporus reigneth ouer the Britains, he vanquisheth the Saxons; Gyldas sharp∣lie reprooueth Vortiporus for manie greeuous offenses, and exhorteth him to amendement. The xvj. Chapter.
Malgo reigneth ouer the Britains, the noble qualities wherewith he was beauti∣fied by his filthie sinnes are blemished, Gyldas reproueth Cuneglasus for making warre against God and man, and this Malgo for his manifold offen∣ses, the vile iniquities wherevnto the British rulers were in∣clined, the valiantnesse of Kenrike king of the Westsaxons, his victories against diuers people his enimies, succession in the gouernment of the Westsaxons, Northumberland, and Ken∣tish Saxons; the first battell that was fought betwixt the Saxons in this Iland, Cheuling with his Westsaxons encounter with the Britains and get the vpper hand, three kings of the Britains slaine, and their people spoiled of their lands, goods and liues. The xvij. Chapter.
The begining of the kingdome of Mer∣cia, the bounds of the same, the heptarchie or seuen regiments of the Saxons, how they grew to that perfection, and by whom they were reduced and drawne into a monarie; Careticus is created king of Britaine, the Saxons take occasion by the ciuill dissentions of the Britains to make a full conquest of the land▪ they procure forren power to further them in their enterprise, Gurmundus king of the Africans arriueth in Britaine, the Bri∣tish king is driuen to his hard shifts, the politike practise of Gurmundus in taking Chichester & setting the towne on fire, he deliuereth the whole land in possession to the Saxons, the English and Saxon kings put Careticus to flight, the Britains haue onelie three prouinces left of all their countrie which before they inhabited, their religion, church, and com∣monwealth is in decaie, they are gouerned by three kings, Cheulings death is con∣spired of his owne sub∣iects. The xviij. Chapter.
Ceolric reigneth ouer the Westsaxons, the Saxons and Britains incounter, E∣thelbert king of kent subdueth the English∣saxons, he is maried to the French kings daughter vpon cautions of religion, the king imbraceth the gospell, Augustine the moonke and others were sent into this Ile to preach the christian faith, the occasion that moued Gregorie the great to send him, buieng and selling of boies, the Englishmen called Angli commended, Ethelbert cau∣seth Augustine and his fellowes to come before him, they preach to the king and his traine, he granteth them a conue∣nient seat and competent reliefe in Canturburie, the maner of their going thither and their behauiour there, the king and his people receiue the christian faith, and are baptised. The xix. Chapter.
Gregorie the seruant of Gods ser∣uants, to the seruants of our Lord.
Religion is not to be inforced but per∣swaded and preached, Augustine is made archbishop of England, Gregorie informeth Augustine of certeine ordinances to be made and obserued in the new English church, as the reuenewes of the church to be diuided into foure parts, of liturgie, of mariage, of ecclesiasticall discipline and ordeining of bishops: trifling questions obiected by Augustine to Gregorie, fel∣low helpers are sent ouer to assist Augustine in his ministerie, he receiueth his pall, reformation must be doone by little and little, not to glorie in miracles, the effect of Gregories let∣ters to K. Ethelbert after his con∣uersion to christianitie. The xx. Chapter.
What reparations and foundations Au∣gustine finished for clergimen to the sup∣portation of the church, the building of Paules in London and saint Peters in Westminster vncer∣teine, a prouinciall councell called by Augustine, he restoreth a blind man to his sight, the Britains are hardlie weaned from their old custome of beliefe, an heremits opinion of Augustine, he requireth three things to be obserued of the Britains, he ordeineth bi∣shops at London and Rochester; Sabert reigneth ouer the Eastsaxons, Augu∣stine dieth and is buried. The xxj. Chapter.
Ceowlfe or Ceoloulph gouerneth the Westsaxons, Ceorlus king of Mercia, Edel∣fride king of the Northumbers, and Edan king of the Scots ioine in battell, Edan is discomfited, E∣delfride subdueth the citizens of Chester, the deuout moonks of Bangorpraie for safetie from the swoord of the eni∣mie, twelue hundred of them are slaine, Edelfride entreth the citie of Chester, the Britains assembling their power vnder three capteins incounter with Edelfride, slaie manie of his souldiers, and put him to flight, warres betweene Edel∣fride and Redwald king of the Eastangles about Edwine the sonne of king Elle, Edelfride is slaine, Ceowlfe king of the West∣saxons dieth. The xxij. Chapter.
Cinegiscus and his sonne Richelinus reigne iointlie ouer the Westsaxons, they fight with the Britains; the indeuour of Lau∣rence archbishop of Canturburie in setting religi∣on at large, and seeking a vniformitie in catholike orders, he and his fellow-bishops write to the cleargie of Bri∣taine and Scotland for a reformation, Melitus bishop of London goeth to Rome, the cause why, and what he brought at his returne from pope Boniface. The xxiij. Chapter.
To our deare brethren the bishops and abbats through all Scotland, Laurence, Melitus and Iustus bishops, the ser∣uants of the seruants of God wish health.
Cadwan is made king of the Britains in the citie of Chester, he leuieth a power a∣gainst Ethelfred king of the Northumbers, co∣uenants of peace passe betwixt them vpon condi∣tion, the death of Ethelbert king of Kent, where he and his wife were buried, of his lawes; Eadbald succeedeth E∣thelbert in the Kentish kingdome, his lewd and vnholie life, he is an enimie to religion; he is plagued with madnesse; He∣bert king of the Eastsaxons dieth, his three sonnes refuse to be baptised, they fall to idolatrie and hate the professours of the truth, their irreligious talke and vndutifull behauiour to bi∣shop Melitus, he and his fellow Iustus passe ouer into France, the three sonnes of Hebert are slaine of the Westsaxons in bat∣tell, the Estsaxons by their idolatrie prouoke archbishop Lau∣rence to forsake the land, he is warned in a vision to tarie, whereof he certifieth king Eadbald, who furthering christianitie, sendeth for Melitus and Iustus, the one is restored to his see, the other reiected, Melitus dieth, Iustus is made archbishop of Canturburie, the christian faith increaseth. The xxiiij. Chapter.
Edwin reigneth ouer the Northum∣bers, his great power and reputation, a marriage betweene him and Ethelburga the sister of king Eadbald vpon religious couenants, the traitorous attempts of murtherous Eumerus a∣gainst him, his wife Ethelburga is deliuered of a daughter, he assalteth the Westsaxons, and discomfiteth them, Boniface the fift writeth to him to desist from his idolatrie, and to his ladie to persist in true christianitie; the vision of Ed∣win when he was a banished man in the court of Redwald king of the Eastangles, whereby he was informed of his great ex∣altation and conuersion to christian religion. The xxv. Chapter.
King Edwin is put in mind of his vision by Pauline who sawe the same in spirit, he is licenced to preach the gospell, bishop Coifi destroieth the idols, Edwin and his people re∣ceiue the christian faith, his two sonnes Osfride and Eadfride become conuerts, Redwald king of the Eastangles is baptised, he serueth God and the diuell, Sibert receiueth the faith, Felix bishop of Burgongne commeth ouer to Honorius archbishop of Canturburie, he preacheth to the Eastangles, the Northumbers and Lincolnshiremen are conuerted, manie are baptised in the riuer of Trent; king Edwins iustice how ef∣fectuall and commendable, his care for the common-wealth, his prouidence for the refection of trauellers, pope Honorius confirmeth Pauline archbishop of Yorke, the tenor of his let∣ters touching the mutuall election of the archbishop of Can∣turburie and Yorke, if either of them happened to suruiue o∣ther, his letters to the Scots touching the keeping of Easter and auoiding the Pelagian heresie, Cadwallo king of Britaine rebelleth against Edwin, Penda king of Mercia enuieth his good estate, Cadwallo and Penda inuade Nor∣thumberland, Edwin and his sonne Osfride are slaine, Penda putteth his other sonne Eadfride cruellie to death. The xxvj. Chapter.
The crueltie of Penda and Cadwallo after their victorie, the Britains make no account of religion, Archbishop Pauline with queen Ethelburga flie out of Northumberland in∣to Kent, honorable personages accompanie him thi∣ther, Romanus bishop of Rochester drowned, Pauline vnderta∣keth the charge of that see; Osrike is king of Deira, and Eau∣fride king of Bernicia, both kings become apostatas, and fall frō christianitie to paganisme, they are both slaine within lesse than a yeeres space; Oswald is created king of Northumber∣land, his chiefe practise in feats of armes, Cadwallo king of Britaine hath him in contempt, Oswalds superstitious de∣uotion and intercession to God against his enimies; both kings ioine battell; Cadwallo is slaine, Penda king of Mercia his notable vertues linked with foule vices, he maketh warre on whom he will with∣out exception. The xxvij. Chapter.
Cadwallo king of Britain, diuers deeds of his as the British writers haue recor∣ded them, wherevpon discord arose betweene Cadwallo & Edwin, who for two yeres space were linked in friendship, Cadwallo vanquisht, his flight, of Pelitus the Spanish wizard, Cadwallo ouerthroweth Penda and his power besieging Excester, he arreareth battell against the Northumbers, and killeth Edwin their king, he seeketh to expell the Saxons out of the land, Penda slaieth Oswald, whose brother and successor Osunus by gifts and sub∣mission obteineth peace, whom Penda spitefullie attempting to kill is killed himselfe, Cadwallo dieth, a brasen image on horssebacke set vp in his memoriall, saint Martins at Ludgate builded. The xxviij. Chapter.
The true storie of the forenamed king Oswald, his desire to restore christian reli∣gion, Cormans preaching taking small effect among the Northumbers, persuadeth him to de∣part into his owne countrie, he slandereth them be∣fore the Scotish clergie, Aidan a godlie man telleth the cause of the peoples not profiting by Cormans preaching, Aidan commeth into England to instruct the people in the faith, he varieth in the obseruation of Easter from the English churches custome, the Northumbers haue him & his doctrine in reue∣rence, Oswalds earnest zeale to further religion by Aidans preaching and ministerie, 15000 baptised within 7 daies; Os∣wald hath the Britains, Scots, Picts, & English at his comman∣dement, his commendable deed of christian charitie, the West¦saxons conuerted to the faith by the preaching of Birinus, king Kinigils is baptised, he maketh Birinus bishop of Dorcester, Penda king of Mercia maketh war against the christian kings of the Westsaxons, both sides after a bloudie battell fall to a∣grement, Ercombert the first English king that destroied idols throughout the whole land, he ordeineth Lent; why English men became moonks, and English women nunnes in mo∣nasteries beyond the seas; why Penda king of Mercia enuieth vertuous king Oswald, he is assaulted, slaine in battell, and canonized a saint after his death. The xxix. Chapter.
Oswie succeedeth Oswald in the king∣dome of Northumberland, he is sore vexed by Penda, Oswie and Oswin are partners in go∣uernement, they fall at strife, Oswin is betraeied into the hands of Oswie and slaine, a commenda∣tion of his personage and goodlie qualities, bishop Aidan di∣eth; Cenwalch king of the Westsaxons, Penda maketh warre against him for putting away his wife, his flight, he becom∣meth a christian and recouereth his kingdome, bishop Agil∣bert commeth into Westsaxon, and afterwards departing (vpon occasion) is made bishop of Paris, Wini buieth the bi∣shoprike of London; Sigibert king of the Eastangles, the vni∣uersitie of Cambridge founded by him, he resigneth his kingdome and becometh a moonke, he and his kins∣man Egric are slaine in a skirmish against Penda king of Mercia. The xxx. Chapter.
Anna king of Eastangles is slaine by Penda king of Mercia, his brother succee∣ding him is slaine also by Oswie king of Nor∣thumberland, the Mercians or Middle angles re∣ceiue the faith vnder vertuous Peda their prince, he requesteth Alchfled the king of Northumberlands daughter in mariage, he is baptised by bishop Finnan, by whose meanes the Eastsaxons imbraced christian religion vnder Sigibert their king, he is murthered of two brethren that were his kinsmen vpon a conceiued hatred against him for his good and christian life, how dan∣gerous it is to keepe companie with an excommunicate person, the authoritie of a bishop. The xxxj. Chapter.
Suidhelme king of the Eastsaxons, he is baptised, the bishoplike exercises of Ced in his natiue countrie of Northumberland; E∣diswald K. of Deira reuerenceth him, the kings deuout mind to further and inlarge religion; the ma∣ner of consecrating a place appointed for a holie vse; the old or∣der of fasting in Lent, bishop Ced dieth; warre betweene Os∣wie and Penda, Oswie maketh a vow to dedicate his daughter a perpetuall virgine to God if he got the victorie, he obteineth his request and performeth his vow, she liueth, dieth, and is buried in a monasterie, the benefit insuing Oswies conquest ouer his enimies, the first second and third bishops of Mercia, the victorious pro∣ceeding of king Oswie▪ prince Peada his kinsman murthered of his wife. The xxxij. Chapter.
The dukes of Mercia rebell against Os∣wie, recouer their owne bounds, and create Wulfhere their king; Cenwald king of the Westsaxons fighteth with the Britaines and pre∣uaileth, he is vanquished by Wulfhere; Adelwold king of Sussex hath the Ile of Wight giuen him, and why; suc∣cession of Edelher, Edelwal, and Aldulfe in the kingdome of Eastangles; Colman a Scot first made bishop of Northumber∣land, controuersie about the obseruation of Easter, about bald crownes or shauing the haire, superstition punished by God, Ceadda bishop of Yorke, his course of life and diligence in his office commended; Egbert king of Kent, the see of Canturburie void, the preferment thereto refused, Theodore a moonke sup∣plieth the roome at the popes appointment, all the English clergie obey him as their head, his visitation and re∣formation, singing vsed in churches, Theodore and Adrian woorthilie praised, English men happie, glasiers first brought into this Iland. The xxxiij. Chapter.
Sighere and Sebbie associats reigne o∣uer the Eastsaxons, the one falleth from, the other cleaueth to the faith, Vulfhere king of Mercia sendeth bishop Iaroman to redresse that apostasie of the prince and the people, Cead bishop of Mercia, the king of that countrie hath him in hie reputa∣tion, Egfrid king of Northumberland, a synod of bishops holden at Herford, articles propounded out of the canons by Theodore archbishop of Canturburie, Bisi vnable to dis∣charge his episcopall office, a remedie therefore; Kenwalke of a very euill prince becometh a verie good ruler, his wife go∣uerneth the kingdome after his death, Escuius succeedeth hir in the roome, of Thunnir a murtherer king Egberts principall vicegerent, bishop Winfrid deposed for disobedience, Sebbie king of the Eastsaxons a professed moonke, his death. The xxxiiij. Chapter.
Edilred king of Mercia inuadeth the kingdome of Kent, and maketh great waste without resistance of Lothaire the king there∣of, Putta of a bishop becommeth a poore curat and teacheth musicke, Wilfred deposed from his bishop∣rike by king Egfrid vpon displeasure, he preacheth the gospell in Sussex by the licence of king Edilwalke no raine in Sussex for the space of three yeeres, the woord and sacraments bring blessings with them; bishop Wilfrid the first teacher to catch fish with nets, the people haue him in great reuerence, a great and bloudie battell betweene Egfrid & king Edil∣red, they are reconciled by the meanes of archbishop Theodore; a synod holden at Hatfield, the cler∣gie subscribe to certeine articles, of Hilda the famous abbesse of Whitbie. The xxxv. Chapter.
Cadwallader king of Britaine, the peo∣ple are brought into great miserie, and he forced to flee the land, he dieth at Rome, the British writers noted of error, Ceadwalla king of the Westsaxons, the kingdome is diuided; the valo∣rous mind of Ceadwalla, he is forced to forsake his countrie, he vanquisheth and killeth Edilwalke king of the Westsaxons, his returne into his kingdome with reuenge vpon Berthun duke of Sussex and other his heauie friends, his vow if he might con∣quer the Ile of Wight, his bountifull offer to bishop Wilfrid, the Ile of Wight, receiueth the faith; Ceadwalla inuadeth Kent, of a barbarous warriour he becommeth a religious chri∣stian, his vertues, his death and buriall at Rome; Egfrid king of Northumberland inuadeth Ireland, he is slaine by Bru∣deus king of the Picts; the neglect of good counsell is dangerous; Etheldreda a wife and a widow (hauing vowed chastitie) liued a virgine 12 yeeres with hir husband Egfride, she was called saint Auderie of Elie. The xxxvj. Chapter.
Alfride (the bastard) king of Northum∣berland, his life and death, Iohn archbishop of Canturburie reigneth his see, Lother king of Kent dieth of a wound, Edrike getteth the re∣giment thereof but not without bloudshed, Cead∣walla wasteth Kent being at strife in it selfe, his brother Mollo burned to death; Withred made king of Kent, he vanquisheth his enimies, Inas king of Westsaxons is made his friend, Sueb∣hard and Nidred vsurpers of the Kentish kingdome, the age and death of Theodore archbishop of Canturbu∣rie, Brightwald the first archbishop of the Eng∣lish nation; the end of the British regi∣ment, and how long the greatest part of this Iland was vnder their gouernement. The xxxvij. Chapter.
THE SIXT BOOKE of the Historie of England.
Inas king of the Westsaxons, the whole monarchie of the realme falleth into their hands, Inas for a summe of monie granteth peace to the Kentishmen, whom he was purposed to haue destroied, he & his coosen Nun fight with Ge∣rent king of the Britains, and Cheolred king of Mercia, and Ealdbright king of Southsaxons, the end of their kingdoms, Inas giueth ouer his roialtie, goeth in pilgrimage to Rome, and there dieth; his lawes written in the Saxon toong; of what buildings he was the founder, queene Ethelburgas de∣uise to persuade Inas to forsake the world, he was the first pro∣curer of Peter pence to be paid to Rome; king Ethelred, king Kenred, and king Offa become moonks; the setting vp of images in this land authorised by a vision; king Ethelbalds exploits, he is slaine of his owne subiects by the suggesti∣on of Bernred the vsurper, Boniface his letter of commendation to King Ethelbald, nuns kept for concubines, their pilgrimage. The first Chapter.
Offa king of the Eastsaxons with other go to Rome, he is shauen and becommeth a moonke, succession in the kingdome of the Eastsaxons and Eastangles, Osred king of Nor∣thumberland hath carnall knowledge with nuns, he is slaine in battell, Osrike renouncing his kingdome becom∣meth a moonke, bishop Wilfrid twise restored to his see, West∣saxonie diuided into two diocesses, bishop Aldhelme a founder of religious houses; Ethelard succeedeth Inas in regiment, two blasing starres seene at once, and what insued, the king di∣eth: the successiue reigne of Wichtreds three sonnes ouer Kent, what prouinces were gouerned by bishops; of what puissance Ethelbald king of Mercia was, Egbert arch∣bishop of Yorke aduanceth his see; a notable remembrance of that excellent man Beda, his death. The second Chapter.
Cuthred king of the Westsaxons, he is greatlie troubled by Ethelbald king of Mercia, they are pacified; Kenric king Cuth∣reds sonne slaine, earle Adelme rebelleth against him whom the king pardoneth; Cuthred fighteth with Ethelbald at Hereford, he hath the victorie, he falleth sicke and dieth; Sigebert succedeth him in the kingdome, he is cruell to his people, he is expelled from his roiall estate, mur∣ther reuenged with murther, succession in the kingdome of Eastangles, kings change their crownes for moonks cowles; the Britaines subiect to the king of Northumberland and the king of Picts, the moone eclipsed. The third Chapter.
Offa king of Mercia, his manhood and victories against the Kentishmen and Westsaxons, he killeth Egilbert king, of East∣angles by a policie or subtill deuise of profered cur∣tesie, he inuadeth his kingdome, and possesseth it, the archbishops see of Canturburie remoued to Lichfield; archbi∣shop Lambert laboring to defend his prerogatiue is depriued by king Offa, he seizeth vpon churches and religious houses; mistrusting his estate, he alieth himselfe with other prin∣ces; he maketh amends for the wrongs that he had doone to churches and religious houses, he goeth to Rome, ma∣keth his realme tributarie to the said see, Peter pence paid, he falleth sicke and dieth, places to this day bearing his name in memo∣rie of him, the short reigne of his sonne. The fourth Chapter.
Osulph king of Northumberland trai∣torouslie murthered, Edilwald succeedeth him, the reward of rebellion, a great mortali∣tie of foules fishes and fruits, moonkes licenced to drinke wine, great wast by fire, Edelred king of Northumberland is driuen out of his countrie by two dukes of the same, Ethelbert king of the Eastangles commended for his vertues, Alfred the daughter of king Mercia is affianced to him, tokens of missehaps towards him, his destruction inten∣ded by queene Quendred, hir platforme of the pactise to kill him, Offa inuadeth Ethelberts kingdome, Alfred his betrothed wife taketh his death greuouslie, and becommeth a nun, the decaie of the kingdome of Eastangles, succes∣sion in the regiment of the Westsaxons, the end of the gouernement of the Eastsaxons, prince Algar is smitten blind for seeking to ra∣uish virgine Friswide, and at hir praiers restored to his sight. The fift Chapter.
Kinewulfe king of Westsaxons, his con∣quest ouer the Britains, his securitie and negligence, he is slaine by conspirators, inquisi∣tion for Kineard the principall procurer of that mischiefe, he is slaine in fight; legats from the pope to the kings and archbishops of this land about reformation in the church, a councell holden at Mercia; iudge Bearne burnt to death for crueltie, Alfwold reigneth ouer Northumber∣land, his owne subiects murther him; a booke of articles sent by Charles king of France into Britaine quite contra∣rie to the christian faith, Albinus writeth a∣gainst it; great waste by tempests of wind and rage of fire. The sixt Chapter.
Britricus K. of the Westsaxons, his in∣clination, Egbert being of the bloud roiall is banished the land, & why; crosses of bloudie colour and drops of bloud fell from heauen, what they did prognosticate; the first Danes that arriued on the English coasts, and the cause of their comming: firie dra∣gons flieng in the aire foretokens of famine and warre; Bri∣tricus is poisoned of his wife Ethelburga, hir ill qualities; why the kings of the Westsaxons decreed that their wiues should not be called queenes, the miserable end of Ethelburga; Ke∣nulfe king of Mercia, his vertues, he restoreth the archbishops see to Canturburie which was translated to Lichfield, he inuadeth Kent, taketh the king prisoner in the field, and bountifullie setteth him at libertie, the great ioy of the people therevpon; his rare liberalitie to churchmen, his death and buriall. The seuenth Chapter.
Osrike king of Northumberland lea∣ueth the kingdome to Edelbert reuoked out of exile, king Alfwalds sons miserablie slaine, Osred is put to death, Ethelbert putteth away his wife and marieth another, his people rise against him therefore and kill him, Oswald succeeding him is driuen out of the land; Ardulfe king of Northumberland, duke Wade raiseth warre against him and is discomfited; duke Aldred is slaine; a sore battell fought in Northumberland, the English men aflict one another with ciuill warres; king Ardulfe depo∣sed from his estate; the regiment of the Northumbers refused as dangerous and deadlie by destinie, what befell them in lieu of their disloialtie; the Danes inuade their land and are van∣quished; the roiall race of the Kentish kings decaeth, the state of that kingdome; the primasie restored to the see of Canturburie, Egbert (after the death of Britricus) is sent for to vndertake the gouernement of the Westsax∣ons, his linage. The eight Chapter.
Egbert reigneth ouer the Westsaxons, his practise or exercise in the time of his exile, his martiall exploits against the Cornish∣men and Welshmen, Bernulfe king of Mercia ta∣keth indignation at Egbert for the inlarging of his roiall authoritie, they fight a sore battell, Egbert ouercom∣meth, great ods betweene their souldiers, bishop Alstan a war∣riour; Kent, Essex, Southerie, Sussex, and Eastangles subiect to Egbert; he killeth Bernulfe K. of Mercia, and conquereth the whole kingdome, Whitlafe the king thereof becommeth his tributarie, the Northumbers submit themselues to Egbert, he conquereth Northwales and the citie of Chester, he is crow∣ned supreme gouernour of the whole land, when this Ile was called England, the Danes inuade the land, they discomfit Egberts host, the Welshmen ioine with the Danes against Egbert, they are both vanquished, Egbert dieth. The ninth Chapter.
The kingdome of Kent annexed to the kingdome of the Westsaxons, the end of the kingdome of Kent and Essex; Kenelme king of Mercia murthered by the meanes of his owne sis∣ter Quendred, the order of hir wicked practise; his death prophesied or foreshewed by a signe, the kings of Mercia put by their roialtie one after another, the kingdome of Bri∣taine beginneth to be a monarchie; Ethelwulfe king of the Westsaxons, he marrieth his butlers daughter, his disposition; the fourth destruction of this land by forren enimies, the Danes sought the ruine of this Ile, how long they afflicted and troubled the same; two notable bishops and verie seruiceable to king Ethelwulfe in warre, the Danes discomfited, the Eng∣lishmen chased, Ethelwufs great victorie ouer the Danes, a great slaughter of them at Tenet, king Ethelwulfs deuotion and liberalitie to churches, Peter pence paid to Rome, he ma∣rieth the ladie Iudith, his two sonnes conspire (vpon oc∣casion of breaking a law) to depose him, king Ethel∣wulfe dieth, his foure sonnes by his first wife Osburga, how he bequeathed his kingdoms. The tenth Chapter.
Bertwolfe king of Mercia tributarie to the Westsaxons, the fame of Modwen an Irish virgine, she was a great builder of mona∣steries, she had the gift of healing diseases, Ethel∣bald and Ethelbright diuide their fathers kingdome betwixt them, Ethelbald marieth his mother, he dieth, Win∣chester destroied by the Danes, they plaied the trucebreakers and did much mischiefe in Kent, Ethelbright dieth; Ethelred king of the Westsaxons, his commendable qualities, his regi∣ment was full of trouble, he fought againt the Danes nine times in one yere with happie successe, the kings of Mercia fall from their sealtie and allegiance to Ethelred, Hungar & Vb∣ba two Danish capteines with their power lie in Eastan∣gle, Osbright and Ella kings of Northumberland slaine of the Danes in battell, they set Yorke on fire, a commendation of bishop A∣delstan, his departure out of this life. The eleuenth Chapter.
Burthred king of Mercia with aid be∣seegeth the Danes in Notingham, Bas∣reeg and Halden two Danish kings with their powers the Westsax they are incoun∣tred by eare of Bakshire; King giueth them and their cheefe guide a sore , what Polydor Virgil recorder touching one king of the Danes, and the warres that Ethelred had with them his death; Edmuisd king of Eastangles giueth battell to the Danes, he yeeldeth himselfe, and for christian religion sake is by them most cruellie murthered, the kingdome of the Eastangles endeth, Guthran a Dane gouerneth the whole countrie, K. Osbright rauisheth the wife of one Bearne a noble man, a bloodie bat∣tell insueth therevpon, wherein Os∣bright and Ella are slaine. The twelft Chapter.
Alfred ruleth ouer the Westsaxons and the greatest part of England, the Danes afflict him with sore warre, and cruellie make wast of his kingdome, they lie at London a whole winter, they inuade Mercia, the king whereof (Bur∣thred by name) forsaketh his countrie and goeth to Rome, his death and buriall; Halden king of the Danes diuideth Nor∣thumberland among his people; Alfred incountreth with the Danes vpon the sea, they sweare to him that they will depart out of his kingdome, they breake the truce which was made betwixt him and them, he giueth them battell, and (besides a great discomfiture) killeth manie of their capteines, the Danes and English fight neere Abington, the victorie vncerteine, seuen foughten fieldes betwixt them in one yeare, the Danes soiourne at London. The xiij. Chapter.
Rollo a noble man of Denmarke with a fresh power entreth England, and begin∣neth to waste it, king Alured giueth him batell, Rollo saileth ouer into France; who first inhabited Normandie, and whereof it tooke that name; the Danes breake the peace which was made betwixt them and Alured, he is driuen to his shifts by their inuasions into his kingdome, a vision appeereth to him and his mother; king Al∣ured disguising himselfe like a minstrell entereth the Danish campe, marketh their behauiour vnsuspected, assalteth them on the sudden with a fresh power, and killeth manie of them at aduantage; the Deuonshire men giue the Danes battell vnder the conduct of Haldens brother, and are discomfited; Alured fighteth with them at Edanton, they giue him ho∣stages, Gurthrun their king is baptised and named A∣del stan, a league concluded betwixt both the kings, the bounds of Alureds kingdome. The xiiij Chapter.
Th'English called diuers people Danes whom the French named Normans, wher∣vpon that generall name was giuen them; Gur∣mo Anglicus K. of Denmark, whose father Frotto was baptised in England; the Danes besiege Roche∣ster, Alfred putteth them to flight, recouereth London out of their hands, and committeth it to the custodie of duke El∣dred his sonne in law; he assaulteth Hasting a capteine of the Danes, causeth him to take an oth, his two sonnes are baptised; he goeth foorth to spoile Alfreds countrie, his wife, children, and goods, &c: are taken, and fauourablie giuen him a∣gaine; the Danes besiege Excester, they flie to their ships, gaine with great losse, they are vanqui∣shed by the Londoners, the death of Alfred, his issue male and female. The xv. Chapter.
How Elfleda king Alfreds daughter (being maried) contemned fleshlie plea∣sure; the praise of Alfred for his good qualities, his lawes for the redresse of theeues, his diuiding of countries into hundreds and tithings, of what mona∣steries he was founder, he began the foundation of the vniuer∣sitie of Oxford, which is not so ancient as Cambridge by 265 yeeres; king Alfred was learned, his zeale to traine his people to lead an honest life, what learned men were about him, the pitifull murthering of Iohn Scot by his owne scholers, how Al∣fred diuided the 24 houres of the day and the night for his ne∣cessarie purposes, his last will and bequests; the end of the kingdome of Mercia, the Danes haue it in their hands, and dis∣pose it as they list, Eastangle and Northumberland are subiect vnto them, the Northumbers expell Egbert their king, his death; the Danes make Guthred king of Northumberland, priuileges gran∣ted to S. Cuthberts shrine; the death of Guthred, and who succeeded him in the seat roiall. The xvj. Chapter.
Edward succeedeth his father Alured in regiment, he is disquieted by his brother Adelwold a man of a defiled life, he flieth to the Danes and is of them receiued, king Edwards prouision against the irruptions and forraies of the Danes, Adelwold with a nauie of Danes entreth Eastan∣gles, the Essex men submit themselues, he inuadeth Mercia, and maketh great wast, the Kentishmens disobedience preiu∣diciall to themselues, they and the Danes haue a great con∣flict, king Edward concludeth a truce with them, he maketh a great slaughter of them by his Westsaxons and Mercians, what lands came to king Edward by the eath of Edred duke of Mercia, he recouereth diuers places out of the Danes hands, and giueth them manie a foile, what castels he builded, he inuadeth Eastangles, putteth Ericke a Danish king therof to flight, his owne subiects murther him for his crueltie, his kingdome returneth to the right of king Edward with other lands by him thereto annexed, his sister Elfleda gouerned the coun∣trie of Mercia during hir life. The xvij. Chapter.
Elfleda the sister of king Edward high∣lie commended for gouernment, what a ne∣cessarie staie she was vnto him in hir life time, what townes she builded and repared, hir warlike exploits against the Danes, hir death and buriall; the greatest part of Britaine in K. Edwards dominion, he is a great builder and reparer of townes, his death, the dreame of his wife Egina, and the issue of the same, what children king Ed∣ward had by his wiues, and how they were emploied, the decay of the church by the meanes of troubles procured by the Danes, England first curssed and why; a prouinciall councell summoned for the reliefe of the churches ruine, Pleimond archbishop of Canturburie sent to Rome, bishops ordei∣ned in sundrie prouinces; dissention among writers what pope should denounce the foresaid cursse; a succession of archbishops in the see of Can∣turburie, one brother killeth an other. The xviij. Chapter.
Adelstane succeedeth his father Ed∣ward in the kingdome, Alfred practising by treason to keepe him from the gouerne∣ment, sanke downe suddenlie as he was taking his oth for his purgation; the cause why Alfred opposed himselfe against Adelstane, whose praise is notable, what he did to satisfie the expectation of his people, ladie Beatrice king Edwards daughter maried to Sithrike a Danish gouernor of the Northumbers, by whose meanes Edwin king Edwards brother was drowned, practises of treason, the ladie Beatrice strangelie put to death by hir stepsons for being of coun∣sell to poison hir husband Sithrike, hir death reuenged vpon the tormentors by hir father king Edward, and how chronographers varie in the report of this historie. The xix. Chapter.
Adelstane subdueth Constantine king of Scots, Howell king of Wales, and Wul∣ferth king of Northwales, the Scots possesse a great part of the north countries, Adelstane con∣quereth the Scots for aiding Godfrie his enimie; a miracle declaring that the Scots ought to obey the king of Eng∣land; king Adelstane banisheth his brother Edwin, he is for a conspiracie drowned in the sea, Adelstane repenteth him of his rigour (in respect of that misfortune) against his brother; Aulafe sometimes king of Northumberland inuadeth Eng∣land, he disguiseth himselfe like a minstrell and surueieth the English campe vnsuspected, he is discouered after his depar∣ture, he assaileth the English campe, Adelstane being comfor∣ted with a miracle discomfiteth his enimies, he maketh them of Northwales his tributaries, he subdueth the Cornish∣men, his death; the description of his person, his ver∣tues, of what abbeis & monasteries he was foun∣der, his estimation in forren realmes, what pretious presents were sent him from other princes, and how he bestowed them; a remembrance of Guy the erle of Warwike. The xx. Chapter.
Edmund succeedeth Adelstane in the kingdome, the Danes of Northumberland rebell against him, a peace concluded betwene Aulafe their king and king Edmund vpon con∣ditions, Aulafe dieth, another of that name succee∣dethwithin with a rowe of gilt pauises. ¶In the daies him; king Edmund subdueth the Danes, aud compel∣leth them to receiue the christian faith, Reinold and Aulafe are baptised, they violate their fealtie vowed to king Ed∣mund, they are put to perpetuall exile; why king Edmund wasted all Northumberland, caused the eies of king Dun∣mails sonnes to be put out, and assigned the said countrie to Malcolme king of Scots; the Scotish chroniclers error in per∣uerting the time & order of the English kings, king Edmunds lawes, by what misfortune he came to his end, how his death was foreshewed to Dunstane in a vision, a tale of the vertue of the crosse, Dunstane reproueth duke Elstane, his dreame, and how the interpretation thereof came to passe. The xxj. Chapter.
Edred succedeth his brother Edmund in the realme of England, the Northum∣bers rebell against him, they and the Scots sweare to be his true subiects, they breake their oth and ioine with Aulafe the Dane, who returneth into Northumberland, and is made king thereof, the people expell him and erect Hericius in his roome, king Edred taketh reuenge on the Northumbers for their disloialtie, the rere∣ward of his armie is assalted by an host of his enimies issuing out of Yorke, the Northumbers submit themselues, and put a∣waie Hericius their king. Wolstane archbishop of Yorke pu∣nished for his disloialtie, whereto Edred applied himselfe af∣terin the realme of England, the Northum∣bers the appeasing of ciuill tumults, his death and buriall, a special signe of Edreds loue to Dunstane ab∣bat of Glastenburie, his practise of cou∣senage touching king Edreds treasure. The xxij. Chapter.
Edwin succeedeth Edred in the king∣dome of England, his beastlie and incestu∣ous carnalitie with a kinswoman of his on the verie day of his coronation, he is reproued of Dun∣stane and giueth ouer the gentlewomans companie, Dunstane is banished for rebuking king Edwin for his vnlaw∣full lust and lewd life, the diuell reioised at his exile, what re∣uenging mischiefs the king did for displeasure sake against the said Dunstane in exile, the middle part of England rebellethye haue heard. against king Edwin, and erecteth his brother Edgar in roiall roome ouer them, he taketh thought and dieth; Edgar succee∣deth him, he is a fauourer of moonks, his prouision for defense of his realme, his policie and discretion in gouernment, what kings he bound by oth to be true vnto him, eight princes row his barge in signe of submission, the vicious inconueniences that grew among the Englishmen vpon his fauouring of the Danes, a restraint of excessiue quaffing; Dunstane is made bishop of Worcester and Ethelwold bishop of Win∣chester; iustice in Edgars time seuerelie executed, theft punished with death, a tribute of woolfs skins paid him out of Wales, and the benefit of that tri∣bute. The xxiij. Chapter.
The death of Alfred king Edgars wife (or concubine) causeth him to fall into a fowle offense, an example teaching men to take heed how they put others in trust to woo for them; earle Ethelwold cooseneth the king of his wife, the danger of beholding a womans beautie with lustfull eies; king Edgar killeth earle Ethelwold to marrie faire Al∣fred his wife; the bloudie and vnnaturall speach of Ethel∣wolds base sonne; examples of king Edgars great incontinen∣cie and lewd life; Dunstane putteth the king of penance for his vnchastitie, the Welshmen rebell against him and are cor∣rected, king Edgars vision before his death, of what religious (or concubine) causeth him to fall into a buildings he was founder, his example a spur to others to doo the like, moonks esteemed and secular priests little regarded, king Edgars deformed reformation, his vices, stature, and bo∣dilie qualities, he offereth to fight hand to hand with Ki∣nadius king of Scots vpon occasion of words euill taken, Kinadius submitteth himselfe and is par∣doned; his wiues and children, the good state of the realme in king Edgars time, the amplenesse of his dominions. The xxiiij. Chapter.
Contention amongest the peeres and states about succession to the crowne, the monkes remoued and the canons and secular priests restored by Alfer duke of Mercia and his adherents, a blasing starre with the euents insuing the same, the rood of Winchester speaketh, a prettie shift of moonks to defeat the priests of their possessions, the contro∣uersie betweene the moonks and the priests ended by a mira∣cle of archbishop Dunstane, great hope that Edward would tread his fathers steps, the reuerent loue he bare his stepmo∣ther queene Alfred and hir sonne Egelred, hir diuelish pur∣pose to murther Edward hir stepsonne accomplished, his ob∣scure funerall in respect of pompe, but famous by meanes of miracles wrought by and about his sepulture, queene Alfred repenting hir of the said prepensed murther, dooth penance, and imploieth hir substance in good woorkes as satisfactorie for hir sinnes, king Edwards bodie remoued, and solemn∣lie buried by Alfer duke of Mercia, who was eaten vp with lice for being against the said Edwards aduancement to the crowne, queene Al∣freds offense by no meanes excusable. The xxv. Chapter.
THE SEVENTH BOKE of the Historie of England.
Egelred succeedeth Edward the martyr in the kingdome of Eng∣land, the decaie of the realme in his reigne, Dunstane refusing to consecrate him is therevnto inforced, Dunstans prophe∣sies of the English people and Egelred their king, his slouth and idlenes accompanied with other vi∣ces, the Danes arriue on the coasts of Kent and make spoile of manie places; warre betwixt the king and the bishop of Ro∣chester, archbishop Dunstans bitter denunciation against the king because he would not be pacified with the bishop of Ro∣chester without moncie; Dunstans parentage, his strange trance, and what a woonderfull thing he did during the time it lasted, his education and bringing vp, with what good quali∣ties he was indued, an incredible tale of his harpe, how he was reuoked from louing and lusting after women whereto he was addicted, his terrible dreame of a rough beare, what preferments he obteined by his skill in the expounding of dreames. The first Chapter.
The Danes inuade England on each side, they are vanquished by the English, Goda earle of Deuonshire slaine; the Danes in a battell fought at Maldon kill Brightnod earle of Essex and the most of this armie, ten thousand pounds paid to them by composition that they should not trouble the English subiects, they cease their crueltie for a time, but with∣in a while after fall to their bloudie bias, the English people despaire to resist them; Egelred addresseth a nauie against the Danes vnder the erles Alfrike and Turold, Alfrike traitorous∣lie taketh part with the Danes, his ship and souldiers are taken, his sonne Algar is punished for his fathers offense, the Danes make great wast in many parts of this Iland, they besiege Lon∣don and are repelled with dishonor, they driue king Egelred to buy peace of them for 16000 pounds; Aulafe king of Nor∣wey is honorablie interteined of Egelred, to whome he promiseth at his baptisme neuer to make warre a∣gainst England, the great zeale of people in setting forward the building of Dur∣ham towne and the minster. The second Chapter.
The Danes inuading the west parts of this land make great hauocke by fire and sword, they arriue at Rochester, and conquer the Kentishmen in field, king Egelred ouercom∣meth the Danes that inhabited Cumberland and wasteth the countrie, the Summersetshire men are foiled; the miserable state of the realme in those daies; the English bloud mixed with the Danes and Britaines, and what inconuenien∣ces grew thervpon, the disordered gouernement of king Egel∣red, sicknesses vexing the people, treason in the nobles, the tribute paid to the Danes vnmercifullie inhansed, the realme brought to beggerie; king Egelred by politike persuasion and counsell marrieth Emma the duke of Normandies daugh∣ter, vpon what occasion the Normans pretended a title to the crowne of England, they conquer the whole land, what order king Egelred tooke to kill all the Danes within his king∣dome, and what rule they bare in this realme yer they were murdered, the thraldome of the Eng∣lish people vnder them, whereof the word Lordane sprang. The third Chapter.
A fresh power of Danes inuade Eng∣land to reuenge the slaughter of their coun∣trimen that inhabited this Ile, the west parts betraied into their hands by the conspiracie of a Norman that was in gouernement, earle Edrike fei∣ned himselfe sicke when king Egelred sent vnto him to leuie a power against the Danes, and betraieth his people to the enimies; Sweine king of Denmarke arriueth on the coast of Northfolke, and maketh pitifull spoile by fire and sword; the truce taken betweene him and Vikillus is violated, and what reuengement followeth; king Sweine forced by famine re∣turneth into his owne countrie, he arriueth againe at Sand∣wich, why king Egelred was vnable to preuaile against him, the Danes ouerrun all places where they come and make cruell waste, king Egelred paieth him great summes of monie for peace; the mischiefes that light vpon a land by placing a traitorous stranger in gouernement, how manie acres a hide of land conteineth, Egelreds order taken for ships and ar∣mour, why his great fleet did him little pleasure; a fresh host of Danes vnder three capteines arriue at Sandwich, the citizens of Canturburie for monie purchase safetie, the faithlesse dealing of Edrike against king E∣gelred for the enimies aduantage, what places the Danes ouerran and wasted. The fourth Chapter.
King Egelred offereth the Danes great summes of moneie to desist from destroieng his countrie, their vnspeakable crueltie, bloud∣thir stinesse, and insatiable spoiling of Canturbu∣rie betraied by a churchman; their merciles murthe∣ring of Elphegus archbishop of Canturburie, Turkillus the Dane chiefe lord of Norfolke and Suffolke, a peace concluded betweene the Danes and the English vpon hard conditi∣ons; Gunthildis a beautifull Danish ladie and hir husband slaine, hir courage to the death. The fift Chapter.
Turkillus the Danish capteine telleth king Swaine the faults of the king, nobles, & commons of this realme, he inuadeth Eng∣land, the Northumbers and others submit them∣selues to him, Danes receiued into seruice vnder E∣gelred, London assalted by Swaine, the citizens behaue them∣selues stoutlie, and giue the Danish host a shamefull repulse, Ethelmere earle of Deuonshire and his people submit them∣selues to Swaine, he returneth into Denmarke, commeth back againe into England with a fresh power, is incountred withall of the Englishmen, whose king Egelred is discomfited, his o∣ration to his souldiers touching the present reliefe of their di∣stressed land, their resolution and full purpose in this their perplexitie, king Egrlred is minded to giue place to Swaine, lie sendeth his wife and children ouer into Norman∣die, the Londoners yeeld vp their state to Swaine, Egelred saileth ouer into Normandie, leauing his land to the enimie. The sixt Chapter.
The oration of king Egelred to the remanent of his souldiers.
Swaine king of Denmarke is reputed king of this land, he oppresseth the English people cruellie, and spoileth religious houses, the strange and miraculous slaughter of Swaine vaunting of his victories; the Danish chronicles write parciallie of him and his end, Cnute succeedeth his father Swaine in regiment, the Englishmen send king Egelred woord of Swaines death, Edward king Egelreds eldest sonne com∣meth ouer into England to know the state of the countrie and people of certeintie; Egelred with his power returneth into England; what meanes Cnute made to establish himselfe king of this land, and to be well thought of among the English peo∣ple, Egelred burneth vp Gainesbrough, and killeth the inha∣bitants therof for their disloialtie; Cnutes flight to Sandwich, his cruel decree against the English pledges, he returneth in∣to Denmarke, why Turkillus the Danish capteine with his power compounded with the Englishmen to tarrie in this land, his faithlesse seruice to Egelred, his drift to make the whole realme subiect to the Danish thraldome. The seuenth Chapter.
A great waste by an inundation or in∣breaking of the sea, a tribute of 30000 pounds to the Danes, king Egelred holdeth a councell at Oxford, where he causeth two noble men of the Danes to be murdered by treason, Ed∣mund the king: eldest sonne marieth one of their wiues, and seizeth vpon his lands; Cnute the Damsn king returneth into England, the Damsn and English armies en∣counter, both ; Cnute maketh waste of certeine , Edmund preuenteth purposed treason, Edrike de Streona to the Danes, the Westernemen yeeld to Cnute; Mercia refuseth to be subiect vnto him, Warwikeshire wasted by the Danes; Egelred assembleth an armie against them in vaine; Edmund & Vtred with ioined forces lay waste such countries and people as became subiect to Cnute; his policie to preuent their purpose, through what countries he passed, Vtred submitteth himselfe to Cnute, and deliuereth pledges, he put to death and his lands alienated, Cnute pur∣sueth Edmund to London, and prepareth to besiege the citie, the death and buriall of Egelred, his wiues, what issue he had by them, his infortunatenesse, and to what af∣fections and vices he was inclined, his too late and bootlesse seeking to releeue his decaied kingdome. The eight Chapter.
Edmund Ironside succedeth his father in the kingdome, the spiritualtie fauouring Cnute would haue him to be king, the Londo∣ners are his backe friends, they receiue Edmund their king honorablie and ioifullie, Cnute is proclai∣med king at Southampton, manie of the states cleaue vnto him, he besiegeth London by water and land, the citizens giue him the foile, he incountreth with king Edmund and is discomfi∣ted, two battels fought betweene the Danes and English with equall fortune and like successe, the traitorous stratagem of E∣drike the Dane, king Edmund aduisedlie defeateth Edriks tre∣cherie, 20000 of both armies slaine, Cnute marching towards London is pursued of Edmund, the Danes are repelled, in∣countred, and vanquished; queene Emma prouideth for the safetie of hir sonnes; the Danes seeke a pacification with Edmund, thereby more easilie to betraie him; Cnute with his armie lieth neere Rochester, king Edmund pursueth them, both armies haue a long and a sore conflict, the Danes discom∣fited, and manie of them slaine; Cnute with his power assem∣ble at Essex and there make waste, king Edmund pursueth them, Edrike traitorouslie reuolteth from the English to suc∣cour the Danes, king Edmund is forced to get him out of the field, the Englishmen put to their hard shifts and slaine by heapes; what noble personages were killed in this battell, of two dead bodies latelie found in the place where this hot and heauie skirmish was fought. The ninth Chapter.
London & other great cities & townes submit themselues to Cnute, be hasteth af∣ter Edmund with his power, both their armies being readie to incounter by occasion are staied, the oration of a capteine in the hearing of both hosts; the title and right of the realme of England is put to the triall of combat betweene Cnute and Edmund, Cnute is ouermatched, his woords to king Edmund, both kings are pacified and their armies accorded, the realme diuided betwixt Cnute and Edmund, king Edmund traitorouslie slaine, the dissonant re∣port of writers touching the maners of his death and both the kings dealing about the partition of the realme, Cnute causeth Edrike to be slaine for procuring king Edmunds death, where∣in the reward of treason is noted; how long king Edmund reigned, and where he was buried, the eclipsed state of England after his death, and in whose time it recouered some part of it brightnesse. The tenth Chapter.
The oration of a capteine in the au∣dience of the English and Da∣nish armie.
Cnute vndertaketh the totall regiment of this land, he assembleth a councell at London, the nobles doo him homage, he diui∣deth the realme into foure parts to be gouerned by his assignes; Edwin and Edward the sonnes of Edmund are banished, their good fortune by honorable maria∣ges, King Cnute marieth queene Emma the widow of Egel∣red, the wise and politike conditions wherevpon this mariage was concluded, the English bloud restored to the crowne and the Danes excluded, queene Emma praised for hir high wise∣dome in choosing an enimie to hir husband; Cnute dismisseth the Danish armie into Denmarke; Edrike de Streona bewrai∣eth his former trecherie, and procureth his owne death through rashnesse and follie, the discordant report of writers touching the maner & cause of his death, what noble men were executed with him, and banished out of England, Cnute a monarch. The xj. Chapter.
Cnute saileth into Denmarke to sub∣due the Vandals, earle Goodwins good ser∣uice with the English against the said Vandals, and what benefit accrewed vnto the English∣men by the said good seruice, he returneth into Eng∣land after the discomfiture of the enimie, he saileth ouer a∣gaine into Denmarke and incountreth with the Sweideners, the occasion of this warre or incounter taken by Olaus, his hard hap, vnluckie fortune, and wofull death wrought by the hands of his owne vnnaturall subiects; Cnuts con∣fidence in the Englishmen, his deuour voiage to Rome, his returne into England, his subduing of the Scots, his death and interrement. The twelfth Chapter.
The trespuissance of Cnute, the am∣plenesse of his dominions, the good and cha∣ritable fruits of his voiage to Rome redoun∣ding to the common benefit of all trauellers from England thither, with what great personages he had conference, and the honour that was doone him there, his in∣tollerable pride in commanding the waters of the flouds not to rise, he humbleth himselfe and confesseth Christ Iesus to be king of kings, he refuseth to weare the crowne during his life, he reproueth a gentleman flatterer, his issue legiti∣mate and illegitimate, his inclination in his latter yeares, what religious places he erected, repaired, and inriched; what notable men he fauoured and reuerenced, his lawes; and that in causes as well ecclesiasticall as tempo∣porall he had cheefe and sole gouernement in this land, whereby the popse vsurped title of vniuersall supremasie is impeached. The xiij. Chapter.
Variance amongest the peeres of the realme about the roiall succession, the king∣dome is diuided betwixt Harold the bastard sonne and Hardicnute the lawfullie begotten son of king Cnute late deceassed, Harold hath the totall regiment, the authoritie of earle Goodwine gardian to the queenes sonnes, Harold is proclaimed king, why Elnothus did stoutlie refuse to consecrate him, why Harold was surnamed Harefoot, he is supposed to be a shoomakers sonne, and how it came to passe that he was counted king Cnutes bastard; Al∣fred challengeth the crowne from Harold, Goodwine (vnder colour of friendlie interteinment) procureth his retinues vt∣ter vndooing, a tithing of the Normans by the poll, whether Alfred was interessed in the crowne, the trecherous letter of Harold written in the name of queene Emma to hir two sons in Normandie, wherevpon Alfred commeth ouer into Eng∣land, the vnfaithfull dealing of Goodwine with Alfred and his people, teaching that in trust is treason, a reseruation of euerie tenth norman, the remanent slaine, the lamentable end of Al∣fred, and with what torments he was put to death; Harold banisheth queene Emma out of England, he dege∣nerateth from his father, the short time of his reigne, his death and buriall. The xiiij. Chapter.
The tenour of a letter forged and sent in queene Emmas name to hir two sonnes.
The same in English.
Hardicnute is sent for into England to be made king; alteration in the state of Norwaie and Denmarke by the death of king Cnute, Hardicnute is crowned, he sendeth for his mother queene Emma, Normandie ruled by the French king, Hardicnute reuengeth his mother exile vpon the dead bodie of his stepbrother Harold, queene Emma and erle Goodwine haue the gouernment of things in their hands, Hardicnute leuieth a sote tribute vpon his subiects; contempt of officers & deniall of a prince his tribute sharpelie punished; prince Edward commeth into England; the bishop of Wor∣cester accused and put from his see for being accessarie to the murthering of Alfred, his restitution procured by contributi∣on; Earle Goodwine being accused for the same trespasse ex∣cuseth himselfe, and iustifieth his cause by swearing, but speci∣allie by presenting the king with an inestimable gift; the cause why Goodwine purposed Alfreds death; the English peoples care about the succession to the crowne, moonke Brightwalds dreame and vision touching that matter; Hardicnute poisoned at a bridall, his conditions, speciallie his hospitalitie, of him the Englishmen learned to eate and drinke im∣moderatlie, the necessitie of sobrietie, the end of the Danish regiment in this land, and when they began first to inuade the English coasts. The xv. Chapter.
THE EIGHT BOOKE of the Historie of England.
Edward the third of that name is cho∣sen king of England by a generall consent, ambassadours are sent to attend him home∣wardes to his kingdome, and to informe him of his election, William duke of Normandie accompani∣eth him, Edward is crowned king, the subtill ambition or am∣bitious subtiltie of earle Goodwine in preferring Edward to the crowne and betraieng Alfred; the Danes expelled and rid out of this land by decree; whether earle Goodwine was guil∣tie of Alfreds death, king Edward marieth the said earles daughter, he forbeareth to haue carnall knowledge with hir, and why? he vseth his mother queene Emma verie hardlie, accusations brought against hir, she is dispossessed of hir goods, and imprisoned for suffering bishop Alwine to haue the vse of hir bodie, she purgeth and cleareth hir selfe after a strange sort, hir couetousnesse: mothers are taught (by hir example) to loue their children with equalitie: hir liberall deuotion to Winchester church cleared hir from infamie of couetous∣nesse, king Edward loued hir after hir purgation, why Robert archbishop of Canturburie fled out of England into Nor∣mandie. The first Chapter.
Why Robert archbishop of Canturbu∣rie (queene Emmas heauie friend) fled out of England, the Normans first entrance into this countrie, dearth by tempests, earle Goodwines sonne banished out of this land, he returneth in hope of the kings fauour, killeth his coosen earle Bearne for his good will and forwardnes to set him in credit againe, his flight into Flanders, his returne into England, the king is pacified with him; certeine Danish rouers arriue at Sandwich, spoile the coast, inrich themselues with the spoiles, make sale of their get∣tings, and returne to their countrie; the Welshmen with their princes rebelling are subdued, king Edward keepeth the seas on Sandwich side in aid of Baldwine earle of Flanders, a blou∣die fraie in Canturburie betwixt the earle of Bullongne and the townesmen, earle Goodwine fauoureth the Kentishmen a∣gainst the Bullongners, why he refuseth to punish the Cantur∣burie men at the kings commandement for breaking the kings peace; he setteth the king in a furie, his suborned excuse to shift off his comming to the assemblie of lords conuented a∣bout the foresaid broile; earle Goodwine bandeth himselfe a∣gainst the king, he would haue the strangers deliuered into his hands, his request is denied; a battell readie to haue bene fought betweene him and the king, the tumult is pacified and put to a parlement, earle Goodwines retinue forsake him; he, his sonnes, and their wiues take their flight beyond the seas. The second Chapter.
Goodwine and his sonnes are proclai∣med outlawes, their lands are giuen from them, king Edward putteth awaie the queene his wife who was earle Goodwines daughter, she cleareth hir selfe at the houre of hir death from suspi∣cion of incontinencie and lewdnesse of life, why king Edward forbare to haue fleshlie pleasure with hir; earle Goodwine and his sonnes take preies on the coasts of Kent and Sussex; Grif∣fin king of Wales destroieth a great part of Herefordshire, and giueth his incounterers the ouerthrow; Harold and Leofwine two brethren inuade Dorset and Summerset shires, they are resisted, but yet preuaile, they coast about the point of Corn∣wall and ioine with their father Goodwine, king Edward ma∣keth out threescore armed ships against them, a thicke mist se∣parateth both sides being readie to graple and fight, a pacifica∣tion betweene the king and earle Goodwine, he is restored to his lands and libertie, he was well friended, counter∣pledges of agreement interchangablie deliuered; Swanus the eldest sonne of Goodwine a nota∣ble rebell and pirat, his troubled consci∣ence, his wicked life and wret∣ched death. The third Chapter.
At what time William duke of Nor∣mandie came ouer into England, king Ed∣ward promiseth to make him his heire to the kingdom and crowne, the death of queene Emma, earle Goodwine being growne in fauor againe see∣keth new reuenges of old grudges, causing archbishop Robert and certeine noble Normans his aduersaries to be banished; Stigand intrudeth himselfe into archbishop Roberts see, his si∣monie and lacke of learning; what maner of men were thought meet to be made bishops in those daies, king Edward begin∣neth to prouide for the good and prosperous state of his king∣dome, his consideration of lawes made in his predecessours times and abused; the lawes of S. Edward vsuallie called the common lawes, how, whereof, and wherevpon institured; the death of earle Goodwine being sudden (as some say) or natu∣rall (as others report) his vertues and vices, his behauiour and his sonnes vpon presumption and will in the time of their authorities; his two wiues and children; the sudden and dreadfull death of his mother; hir selling of the beautifull youth male and female of this land to the Danish people. The fourth Chapter.
Edward earle of Northumberland dis∣comfiteth Mackbeth the vsurper of the Scotish kingdome and placeth Malcolme in the same, a controuersie whether Siward were at this discomfiture or no; his stout words when he heard that one of his sonnes was slaine in the field, bishop Al∣dred is sent to fetch home Edward the sonne of K. Edmund Ironside into England; earle Algar being banished ioineth with the Welshmen against the English and Normans, and getteh the victorie; Harold the son of earle Goodwine putteth earle Algar & his retinue to their shifts by pursute, pacifica∣tion betweene the generals of both armies, their hosts, Si∣ward earle of Northumberland dieth; his giantlike sta∣ture, his couragious heart at the time of his de∣ceasse, why Tostie one of Goodwins sonnes succeeded him in the earle∣dome. The fift Chapter.
Edward the sonne of Edmund Iron∣side is sent for to be made heire apparant to crowne, his death, the deceasse of Leofrike earle of Chester, the vertues and good deeds of him and his wife Gudwina, Couentrie free from cu∣stome and toll, churches and religious places builded and re∣pared, Algar succeedeth his father Leofrike in the earledome, he is accused of treason and banished, he recouereth his earle∣dome by force of armes; Harold is sent with a power against Griffin king of Wales; the countrie wasted, and the people forced to yeeld, they renounce Griffin their king, kill him, and send his head to Harold, Griffins brethren rule Wales af∣ter him by grant of king Edward; Harolds infortunate going ouer into Normandie, the earle of Ponthieu taketh him pri∣soner, and releaseth him at the request of William duke of Normandie, for whose vse Harold sweareth to keepe possession of the realme of England, the duke promiseth him his daughter in mariage. The sixt Chapter.
Harold at his returne into England re∣porteth to K. Edward what he had doone beyond the seas, and what the king said vnto him in that behalfe, who foresaw the comming of the Normans into this land to conquer it; when and why king Edward promised to make duke William his heire, (wherein note his subtiltie) diffention betwixt Harold and To∣stie two brethren the sonnes of earle Goodwine, their vnnatu∣rall and cruell dealing one with another, speciallie of the ab∣hominable and merciles murthers committed by Tostie, a∣gainst whome the Northumbers rebell vpon diuerse occasi∣ons, and reward him with answerable reuengement; Harold is sent against them, but preuaileth not; they offer to returne home if they might haue a new gouernor; they renounce To∣stie and require Marchar in his roome, Tostie displeased get∣teth him into Flanders; king Edward dieth, his manners and disposition note woorthie, his charitie and deuotion, the ver∣tue of curing the maladie called the kings euill deriued from him to the succeeding kings of this land, he was warned of his death by a ring, he is canonized for a saint, the last woords that he spake on his death-bed, wherein he vttered to the standers by a vision, prophesieng that England should be inhabited with strangers, a description of the kings person, of a blasing starre fore-telling his death, the progenie of the West∣saxon kings, how long they continued, the names of their predecessors and successors; whence the first kings of seuen kingdoms of Germanie had their pede∣gree, &c. The seuenth Chapter.
The peeres are in doubt to whome the rule of the land should be committed, why they durst not that Edgar Edeling should vn∣dertake it though he was interessed to the same, how William duke of Normandie pretended a right to the crowne, Harold the sonne of earle Goodwine crowned, proclaimed, and consecrated king; his subtill and adulatorie meanes to win the peoples fauour; duke William sendeth am∣bassadors to Harold to put him in mind of a promise passed to the said duke for his furtherance to obteine the crowne; Ha∣rolds negatiue answer to the said ambassage, as also to the ma∣rieng of the dukes daughter which was Harolds owne voluntarie motion; he prouideth against the inua∣sions of the enimie as one doubting after∣claps, a blasing starre of seuen daies continuance. The eight Chapter.
Earle Tostie afflicteth his brother Ha∣rold on sea and land, he taketh the repulse, and persuadeth Harfager king of Norwee to attempt the conquest of England against Harold, Harfager & Tostie with their powers arriue at Hum∣ber, they fight with the Northumbers vnder the conduct of Edwine and Marchar, and discomfit them; Harold leuieth an armie against them, the rare valiantnes of a Norwegian souldior; Harfager and Tostie slaine in battell; the Norwegians are foiled and flie; Harolds vne∣quall and parciall diuiding of the spoile, he goeth to Yorke to reforme things amisse. The ninth Chapter.
William duke of Normandie prepa∣reth to inuade England and to conquere it, the earle of Flanders and the French king assist him, the number of his ships, his arriuall at Peuen∣sey in Sussex, vpon what occasions he entred this realme; the pope liked well duke Williams attempt, why king Harold was hated of the whole court of Rome; why duke Wil∣liam would not suffer his souldiers to wast the countries where they came; Harold goeth towards his enimies, why his vn∣skilfull espials tooke the Normans (being old beaten souldi∣ers) for priests; Girth dissuadeth his brother Harold from present incountering with the duke; where note the conscience that is to be had of an oth, and that periurie can not scape vnpunished. The tenth Chapter.
After peace offered & refused on each side, both armies meete in the field, the or∣der of the Englishmens attire & arraie, the ma∣ner how the Normans were placed to fight in bat∣tell; the dissolute and behauior of . En∣glishmen the night before the incounter farre deffering from the Normans deuout demenour; duke Williams speech pon occasion of wrong putting on his armour, the battell, betwixt him and king Harold is valiantlie tried, the English by duke Williams politike strategem are deceiued, king Harold slaine, his armie put to flight and manie of them slaine after a long and bloudie incounter, manie of the Normans, pursuing the English ouerhastilie procure their owne death, they take the spoile of the English, the dead bodies of both armies are licen∣ced to be buried; the differing reports of writers touching the maner of Harolds death, a description of his person, his ambi∣tion did him much hurt and hinderance, the number that were slaine on both sides, his bodie buried at a Waltham, nothing dis∣praise▪ woorthie in him but his ambitious mind, a view of his valiantnesse in a conflict against the VVelshmen, his rigorous or rather pitilesse handling of them, his seuere law or decree touching their bounds, they are vtterlie subdued, and (by the kings leaue) the VVelshwomen marrie with the Englishmen, the Saxon line ceasseth, how long it lasted, and how long it was disconti∣nued by the inuasion of the Danes. The eleuenth Chapter.
The rule of this realme by Gods pro∣uidence allotted to duke William, his des∣cent from Rollo the first duke of Normandie downewards to his particular linage, he was base begotten vpon the bodie of Arlete duke Roberts concubine, a pleasant speech of hirs to duke Robert on a time when he was to haue the vse of hir person, a conclusion in∣troductorie for the sequele of the chronicle from the said duke of Normandies coronation, &c: with a summarie of the no∣table conquests of this Iland. The twelfe Chapter.
A notable aduertisement touching the summe of all the foresaid historie, wherein the foure great and notable conquests of this land are brieflie touched, be∣ing a conclusion introductorie, as is said in the argument.