The Scituation, Foundation, and Auncient Names of the Famous Towne of Sallop/An Abreviation of divers most true and auncient Brutaine Cronicles
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An Abreviation of divers most true and auncient Brutaine Cronicles, briefelie expressing the foundation of the most famous derayed Cittie Caer Souse or Dinas Southwen, most auncient in Brutaine, (Troy Newyth onlie excepted) and of some other famous Citties in Greate Brutaine. By Oliver Mathews, Gent.
Maie, 1616.
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HAT Caer Souse or Dinas Southwen is one of the most auncient Citties in Greate Brutaine, yt appearethe by all true Brutains Chronicles, which was builte by Locrinus, eldest sonne to Brutus, abouts the yeare of the World 2877. before Christe his Incarnation 1086. for his Concubine Souchwen, late Wieffe to Humber, kinge of Hunnes. Which People of Hunnes entered into Albania, nowe called Scotland, spoiled and wasted the Countrey, and slew theire kinge, called Albanactus, after Brutains entred into Brutaine 22. yeres, before Salomon built the famous Temple of Jerusalem 67. yeres, before the buildinge of Roome by the Bastard Brethren Remus and Romulus 333. yeres, before Dyffall Muell Myd, late Duke of Cornewall, 569. yeres, before Julius Cæsar’s entraunce into Brittaine 1018. before the birth of [1]Saviour 1709. yeres, before kinge Cadwalader’s Departure to Roome, and that this land was called England and Wales, 1571. yeres, before Canutus and Swaine the Danes entraunce 1882. before William Bastard’s Conquest 2802. before the Brutaine kinge Henry 7. 3001 yere, from the buildinge of Caer Southe untill this present yere 1616, 3231. yeres. And after that Locrinus had drowned Humber in the River, nowe called by the same name, (which River in some Places devided Lloyckier or Loiger from Albanie, nowe called Scotland) he brought Humber’s wieffe, whom the Brutaines called Souse or Souchwen, with him as his Concubine to Cambria, nowe called Wales, by Idwall sonne to Cadd the last kinge of Brutaines. And then did the said kinge Locinus build, for his said Concubine, a Cittie, which nowe is in the County of Montgomery, and was of auncient time parte of Powes land in the Lordshipp of Arwistly, in a most pleasaunt, fruitfull and comodious place, with pleasaunt Rivers, and a pleasaunt Forrest or Wood called Koyd Maur, and a pleasaunt Parke called Caer Souch Parke, with most fruitfull and large Commons thereunto adjoyninge, then called Hirrdowell and Carno, which Parke and Comons were after converted for the keepinge of the king’s breedinge Mares till of late. And after the Death of Troenius, Duke of Cornwall, who was afterward called Coreneus, Locrinus was divorced from Gwendolen his lawfull wieffe, daughter to the said Coreneus, and married to his said Concubine Sousewen, and for the most parte remained with her at Caer Souse, which Cittie Locrinus endued with great Liberties, Priveledges, Customes, Lawes and Graunts, as the yerelie choosinge of theire Maior or chieffe Officer, with other inferiour Officers, grounded upon the Trojans Lawes and Customes, as by theire severall Graunts maie appeare, which Graunts were confirmed by divers Kings and Princes. Caer Souse was built after London 22. yeres. And whiles Kinge Locrinus contynued with his said Concubine Sousewen at Caer Souse, Gwendolen, the lawfull wieffe of the said Locrinus, who was before divorced from him, as aforesaid, raised an Army of her Frends and Kinsmen out of Cornewall, called of Brutaines Gwyer y Kerren, and gave battell to the Kinge Locrinus, and overcame him, and slewe him and his said Concubine Sousewen, with theire bastard daughter Haverwen or Havfren, and also destroyed or defaced the said Cittie, called Caer Souse, after the said Locrinus had reigned xxty. yeres. Which Locrinus left behinde him a noble sonne, begotten upon his said wieffe Gwendolen, called Madocke or Madon. Nowe shall you understand the manner of Sousewen’s Death. After that Gwendolen had overcomen and slaine the King Locrinus, and that he was buried at London, Gwendolin repayred to Cambria with her Cornishe Souldiers, and came to Caersouse, where shee found Sousewen, and her daughter Haverwen or Havfren, where shee slewe both the mother and daughter, and caused theire bodies to be cast into a famous river, runninge by the said Cittie, begininge or yssuinge out of the famous Hill Plymnon or Plymnonia, with her twoe Sisters Wye and Rhydall, in the County of Mountgomery; which pleasaunte and fruitfvll ryver, wherein they were drowned, tooke her name from the bastard maybe, which was so drowned, called Haverwen. And so is the River called at this time of the Brutaines Haverne. After that the Romaines came to beare rule in this land, they called the said Souswen by the name of faier Elstride, and her daughter Sabrina or Severne. And althoughe Gwendoline defaced and destroied the said famous Cittie Caersouse, and rased the same to the ground, yet are the Maior and other Officers yerelie made, accordinge to theire Customes and Lawes, Liberties and Graunts, which Locrinus had graunted them, which Lawes were grounded upon the Trojanes Lawes, as aforesaid. And nowe of late divers Tradesmen doe inhabite there, and builde them Houses, to the Encreasement of the Cittie, and doe keepe theire most auncient Customes and Liberties. Also there are many worshipfull and good Gentlemen, that are Burgesses of that auncient Cittie, and so have remained from the begininge of the same Cittie by discent of blood, who dwell within the same Cittie, or withln the Liberties thereof. And when anie Officer is chosen, theire Care is allwaies in keepinge and defendinge theire Liberties, Lawes and Customes, with theire pleasaunte Comons and Woodes, althoughe muche of the Woodes be wasted, and the Commons somewhat encroached by the Lordes Owners thereof, and the Parkes given awaie from the Burgesses longe since, to keepe the King’s breedinge Mares, untill that nowe of late it is otherwise used as please the Owners thereof. And nowe to shewe the Certeintie of the Brutaines Cronicles, and the Uncertentie of the Romaines, Saxons and Normanes Cronicles, you shall understand, that I finde such greate difference betweene the auncient Brutaines Records, and the Romanes, Saxons and Normans Cronicles, and sa manie untruthes of the Romaines reportes of the Britaines in writinge, and reportinge of the Brutaines histories, usages and behaviour, untrulie blasinge out divers vices, which they alleadged to be in the Brutaines, and deteyninge in obscuritie manie generous vertues, which did florishe amonge them, and would (yf they could) have quite suppressed the memorie of theire famous actes and monuments: whether yt were bicause Romanes were not acquainted with the Brutaines for the space of 1821. yeres, and that Romaines were ignoraunte in the Brutaines Langwage, or ells of envie and malice which they allwaies bare to the Brutaines; but the errour should seeme to proceed from bothe ignoraunce and envie, as yt appearethe by Julius Cæsar in his firste booke of Comentaries, where he falslie and wrongfullie writeth, that the Brutaines were Cowards, and not given to Warrs, affirminge, that they were clothed in leather closse to theire bodies, and, for the most parte, went naked, and peinted theire bodies with wood blewe, and had manie wieves, and used Copulation with theire Sisters, Doughters and Brothers, which was most untrue, and mistaken by Ceafar, as hereafter shall appeare, and the untrue reports of the Brutaines apperrell, manhood and prowes in warres, be made manifest; so that the Brutaines were nothinge inferiour unto the Romaines in Chivalrie. For those people, whom Ceasar maketh mencion of in his Comentaries, were not Brutaines, but Hunns and Picts, who were Tributories to the Brutaines, inhabitinge the Hill Countrey of Albania, nowe called Scotland, which said Countrey was given them to inhabite in by the said Kinge Locrinus, after he had vanquished and slaine parte of them with theire Kinge Humber, as is before rehearsed. It is marvell yf Julius Ceasar did write those untruthes himselfe. I rather thincke yt to be some of his Servaunts. For he himself did knowe, howe valiauntlie the Brutaines did resist and withstand him, at his first Attempt of Entraunce into Brutaine, and how manfullie they fought against him, and slewe his chieffe Capteines and Horsemen, and himself forced to retire and winter in Fraunce, and there to encrease his Armie, and the second time, at which retorne his chieffe Captaines and Horsemen were slaine by the Brutaines, Labiens and Tribunes. And Ceasar had not conquered and overcome the Brutaines, but by the helpe, ayde and treacherie of Androgus and Tenewan or Theomansionse, who were sonnes to Kinge Ludd, for malice they bare to theire uncle Kinge Caswallon or Cassibellanus, for keepinge and hindringe them from theire right, which they had to the Kingdome of Brutaine. And further, Ceasar did knowe before, yf he had bin an indifferent Judge, that the Brutaine Kinge Brennius or Bran, second sonne to Dyffwall Moell Mud, with his Army of Brutaines and Galles conquered Roome, and slewe theire Capteynes and [2]Cenators. And after he had repayred, and built in Italie the Citties Milleine, Pavewey, Burgoinum, Tridentum, Vincentia, Comeum, Beronia and Brixia, and others, he retorned to Brutaine, leavinge armies of Soldiers in everie of the foresaid Citties, so by him made, and brought with him, out of Italie and Fraunce, manie cunninge workemen, anno mundi 3577. Before our Saviour’s birthe 386. yeres, after Brutaines entraunce into Brutaine 721. yere, he retorned, with his Companie of cunninge and curious workemen, to Brutaine, and there did finishe and repayer the Cittie, begonne by his Father Dyffwall Moell Myd, called Caer Odder or Nante Baddanr and builded yt with most excellent valtes, hollowe in the ground, for Conveyaunce of all filthe by water out of the Cittie, by flowinge tydes to the maine Ryver. Also he made therein a mightie Temple, with Walls and curious Towers thereon, with Havens and famous Bridges, and when he had fullie finished the worthie and most famous Cittie, he named [3]Caer or Dinas Bran, as the use of the Brutaines was, when they had made anie Cittie, to name yt after theire owne names. As his Brother Kinge Belinus, after he had made with Walls, Haven and Towers, and made the Tower of London, he [4]named Troy novaunt Dinas Belin, which name remained till Kinge Ludd after Belinus 316. yeres. And the noble and victorious Kinge Brennus caused his picture or monument, with the like picture of his noble brother Kinge Belinus, to be curiouslie made, and to be sett upon St. Jone’s gate in his then Cittie, Caer Brann or Brenn’s Towne, for an everlastinge Memoriall of his Name and Cittie, which is nowe, by corruption of language, called by the Saxons Bristowe. Also the said noble and victorious Kinge Brennus, hearinge, that the Romaine Captayne Camillus slewe the Galls, lefte to governe the Cittie of Roome, and other Citties in Italie, duringe Brennus absence, the which wronge, so to his soldiers done, Brennus to revenge, repayred a most puissaunt Armye of Brutaines and Gaules, and with his noble brother Belinus repayred to Roome, and slewe the noble capteine Camillus, conquered Roome the second tyme, burnte the Cittie, and slewe the Senators, as they sate in theire seates, and, after the finishinge of the same wars, Kinge Belinus retorned home to Brutaine, with the nobles of Roome Prisoners to his Cittie Caer Belin, now called Rochcester, so called of the famous Hill by yt called the Wreken. But Brennus, desirous of Warrs, repaired and augmented his Armie, and wente towardes Greece, to be avenged on the Grecians. for wronge and crueltie done to his Auncestors the Trojans, and, after he had conquered most parte of Greece, and the Countreys thereabouts, he went to robb and spoile the Temple of Apollo at Delphos,[5] it happened that most monstrous raine and tempest scattered and spoiled his Army, and parte of the said Temple and a Rocke thereby fell upon his souldiers, and destroyed many of them, and himselfe, beinge a most couragious Gen. seeinge his misadventure, slewe himself with his sworde, after whose deathe the rest of his Souldiers conquered most parte of Græcia. By all which yt appeareth, that Ceasar’s reports are untrue, and that the Brutaines were not Cowards. But what marvell is it, that the Romaines should, by unjust reports. wronge the Brutaines, when theire Demeanour, towards theire owne neerest frinds, was such, that they rewarded theire best benefactors with outragious tyrrannie, and most cruell and bloody murther? And yet, of all other theire monstrous factes, they dealt verie cowardlie and fearfullie with Brutaines. For, after they had (as before is declared) conquered theire Realme throughe Treacherie, they feared to leave the Brutaines noble Men, Capteins and Warriours in the land of Brutaine. For then they knewe, that they coulde not holde the Brutaines in subjection; but to prevent them from recoveringe theire auncient libertie, they tooke awaie with them all the nobilitie of Brutaine, with all theire renowned Capteynes and Warriours, whom they placed in divers provinces belonginge to Paulus Jovus. [6]Johanne Lanquete. Sleidane. the Romaines, and placed here in Brutaine Romaine Capteynes and Souldiers, prohibitinge all Brittaines, of what degree soever, upon paine of punishment, from usinge anie manner of weapon, but that they should whollie give themselves to Husbandrie; by which facte manifestlie appeared the haughtie and noble Courage of Brutaines, and the timerous Cowardlines of the Romaines. Let the indifferent Reader judge betwene bothe Nations. And nowe to proceed, to the settinge foorthe of the noble Actes and Monuments, done and made by the Brutaines, it is most evident in Brutaine Records and Cronicles, that, 1040. yeres before the Romaines were acquainted with the land of Brutaine, [7]that it was [8]land greatlie feared of all other Nations, and called Ynis Kedirin, and the People y Kadaren wier. Also most of the auncient and famous Citties, Temples, Castles, Bridges and Monuments were made before the Romaines did knowe this Realme, and before either Saxon or Norman was acquainted with it, as yt partlie appearethe in that which I have formerlie spoken, and the rest shal he manifested hereafter, all which are verie apparaunte in Brutaine Cronicles. And first, for an inducement unto the rest of the Brutaine Monuments, in the 2855. [9]yeres after the World’s Creation, Brutus built Troy Newethe, now called of the Brutaines Caer Ludd or London. Member, sonne to Madan, began Caer Member, after called of Brutaines Rhed Ochen or Oxenford. Ebranck, called by the Brutaines Evirocke Kadarn, builded Caer Evirocke or Yorke, Donbard or Donbritaine, Edenburghe Castle, and other Monuments in Albania, then parte of Greate Brutaine, and nowe called Scotland. Also Brutus Daran las, 2d. sonne to Ebrancke Ileon or Lliell, sonne to Brutus Daran las, builded Caer liell or Chester. Kinge Runbalader bras builded Caer Kente alias Canterbury, and Caer Wente or Wynchestre, and Caer Balader alias Shaftesbury or Caer Cepter. Bleidud or Bladud, son to Run, made the Citie of Bathe, who, beinge brought up at Athens at Schoole, did by arte finde out the Hotte Bathes, beinge The Bathes were repaired & wrought by the Romaines afterwards.This shall be manifested hereafter, in a worke intituled, The Foundation of the Bathe. one of the wonders of this land. His sonne Lier builded Caer Lier, or Leicester, with the Temple thereof. Janus Conandan or Conedagus, sonne to Henwen, daughter to Kinge Lier, builded three Townes with three mightie Temples, one in Albanie, called Perche or St. Jones in Scotland, then belonginge to the Kings of Brutaine, with a Temple to Mars; another in Wales in Gowenith, called Bangor, and a Temple to Minerve, and another at Cornewall, where he was borne, and a Temple to Mercury. Dyffywall or Mulmutius began Bristowe, and called yt Caer Odder or Nant Badan, that is, the Cittie of the wastinge or slidinge Ground. Also he began the Cittie of Caer Odder yn Hafren, that is, the Cittie of slidinge or wastinge Ground within the wombe of Seaverne. For the River Hafren, serveth as a Wall, and compasseth the Towne abouts, savinge the Northe parte, where the Castle with the Wall and Gate defendeth the Towne. Also he repayred and builded the greate Temple of Apollo at Newe Troy begonne by Brutus. Also he began the fower King’s Waies throughe his Dominion, makinge Bridges and Foordes over all Rivers and Waters, where they were needfull. Which highe Waies were called of the Brutaines Peeder Priforthe y Brenin, and are one of the Wonders of this Realme of Brutaine. Which fower waies were mended, repayred and finished by Belinus, eldest sonne to Dyffywall; who also repayred Troy with Walles, Havens and Gates; and likewiese he beautified the same Towne of London greatlie. And for the furthur understandinge of the Brutaines Actes and Monuments, I doe referr you to the perusinge, as well of the Brutaines, as also the Romaines, Saxons, and Normans Cronicles, the truthe whereof you shall the better understand, yf you be acquainted with the Brutaines langwage. Nowe you shall further understand, that I doe hold the Brutaine Cronicles to be most true, for bicause I finde, that the Romaines doe differ in Computation of yeres, in the time of xxiiiity. Brutaine Kinges, 286. yeres, some of which yeres I will here rehearse, and referr you to searche out the rest, by the perusinge of Brutaines Cronicles. And first, the Brutaines record, that Kinge Lucius lived 67. yeres, the Englishe or Romaine Cronicles record he lived but 15. yeres. Also the Brutaines record, that Kinge Bladius or Bladud lived 33. yeres, the Saxons record but 2 yeres. The Brutaines record, that Kinge Capenus or Caphe lived 30. yeres, Saxons reporte but 3. yeres. Kinge Arthelus by the Records of Brutaines lived 27. yeres, by Saxons reports but 3. yeres. Kinge Elidurus by Brutaines Cronicles lived 19. yeres, the Saxons recorde but 5. yeres. All the rest you shall finde out, by comparinge the Brutaine Cronicles with the Saxons, Romaines and Normans Cronicles, as in the tyme of the Reigne of Kinge Rodianus, Samelus, Idall and others. And further, the Romaines, Saxons, and Normans doe mistake the Names of the Brutaine Kings. For they name the noble Kinge Dyffwall Moell Mud, Mulmutius Dunwallo. Also they called Gurgant varfe Druche, Gurgustus Barbatious; and so erroniouslie use to record the Kings Names and Times of theire Reignes. Whether yt were bicause the Brutaines were dwellinge in the Land so manie hondred yeres, before the Romaines, Saxons or Normans as aforesaid, so that they could not be acquainted trulie with the Times of the Brutaine Kings Reigne. or that of envye they would dimme and obscure the famous Renowne of the Brutaines, by robbinge them of theire right Names, and givinge them other Names as should best serve theire envious humor. But bicause it shall appeare, that I am neither drawen by Partialitie, nor fraughted with Envy. I will here brieffelie expresse my Aucthors, from whence I have derived this little peiece of Worke; as first, Assur of Meneva or St. Davies in Cambria, a famous Brutaine; also the learned and holie Man Beda or Bedoe a Brutaine, Gildas Sapientius of Bangor in Cambria a Brutaine, Alfredus de Beverley a learned Brutaine, Geraldus Cambrensius a learned Brutaine, Jeffrey de Monmouth a learned Brittaine, Gulielmus de Mamsbury a Brutaine, who wrote divers Brutaine Bookes in the Brutain Langwage. Theis learned Brutaines, who wrote the auncient Histories, Actes and Monuments of Brutaines, and did understand the Brittans Langwage, have I made choise of for my Aucthors herein. And whereas I declared, that the Romaines did unnaturally murther their best Benefactors, some of the bloodie Actes I will here make mention. And first, in the verie Foundation of Roome, when yt was founded in the Mount Palantine, a verie small City, and used as a Refuge for Theeves and Outlawes to flie unto, Remus and Romulus, twoe brethren beinge the Founders thereof, Romulus, to thend that he might have the onlie Goverment thereof, slewe his Brother Remus; so that the verie foundation thereof was stained with Brother’s bloud. And also, after that the noble and victorious Emperour Pompeius had luckelie delivered Rome from her enemies, the Gothians and Vandalls, and had also subdued, conquered and made Tributories to the Romaines, the Kings of Armenia, Capadocia, [10]Paphaglonia, Media, Chubus, Iberia, Albania, Cicilia, India, Mesopotamia, Arabia, Spaine and Africa, and brought theire Kings and Substaunce captive to Roome, he was cruellie murthered at Roome by the Frends of Julius Ceasar, and Julius Ceasar, the mightie emperour, after he had subdued the whole World to the Romaine Empire, was cruellie murthered with bodkins, in the [11]Cenate House, by the children of Pompey. After the Death of Julius Cesar, the twoe noble Romaine Capteines, Belizarus and Nearsses, who conquered and brought Prisoners to Roome the Kings of the Gothes and Vandalls, and had dispossessed the said Gothes and Vandalls of Spaine, Italie and Roome, which they had conquered, and held as theire owne; After which victorious Conquests, the said famous Capteines were discharged by the Romanes, without anie manner of Recompence or Reward. So that in theire old age, they were, throughe Povertie, enforced to begge theire Bread as by the Romaine Records, unto theire great shame, it appeareth. Which Ex amples of Crueltie, I thincke, are sufficient to prove, the inhumane Tyranny, which naturallie is gounded in the proud Romaines. And nowe that I have brieffelie sett forthe the Wronges and Injuries, which the worthie Brittaines receaved by the Romaines, I will also compendiously dilate of manie wronges and inormious abuses, which the Brutaines, throughe Treacherie, receaved at divers pagan Nations, as Saxons, Danes, Normans, &c. Abouts anno Domini 435. the Pagan Saxons were sent for by Kinge Vortiger, to aide and defend him and his Realme of Brutaine against Picts and Scotts, which then did greate harme with robbinge and spoilinge. Vortiger, knowinge Brutaine to be unprovided of men of Warr, by reason that the Romaines had taken moste of them awaie, as before is shewed, and that the Romaine Legions were likewise departed out of this Realme, bicause the Romaine Goverment in Brittaine was then ended, and also bicause that Constantine the Greate, and his Christen Mother Helen, had taken out of Brutaine with them all the able men, that then were in the Lande, by all which reasons yt is manifest, that Brutaine was then verie weake of yt self, which made other Nations the bolder to doe them wronge. So that Vortiger was enforced to seeke aide from the Saxons, and also to augment the [12]weaknenes of Brutaine, the tyraunt Maximus, called of Brutaines Maxen grilion, bicause he cruellie persecuted the Christians, tooke out of Brutaine all the able men of his time, and placed them, with theire Kinge Conon Meridiocke, in Litle Brittaine neere Fraunce, called of Britaines, Llidawe Brutaine. Beinge thus weakned by the reasons aforesaid, and continuallie vexed with the robbinge of the Pictes and Scotts, who put all to Sword and Fire as they went, Vortiger the Kinge sent into Germanie for aid against the Pictes and Scotts, his enemies, and to his succour came out of Germanie and Saxonie a greate nomber of Souldiers, under the Conducte of Angli Hengiste and Hersus, who beinge arrived in Brittaine, agreed with the Kinge Vortiger for Wages, to serve him and the Brutaines, and to defend the Kinge and his Realme from theire Enemies. And after that Vortiger, by the helpe of the said Saxons, had expulsed the Pictes and Scotts, abouts anno Domini 444. theis treacherous Pagans Saxons Angli and Hengistus willed all the Nobilitie of Brutaine, with theire Kinge Vortiger, to meete them on the Plaine of Salisbury, to comune and entreate of Matters, concerninge the Defence of the Realme; where when they were mett, there was placed a Saxon betwene every twoe Brutaine Lordes. So the Brutaines, not suspectinge anie harme to be done them by theire owne hired servaunts, the cruell murtheringe Saxons had prepared eache man in his bootes twoe longe murtheringe Knives. So that every Saxon Beda. Assur. [13]Johanne Lanquete. Humffrey Lloide. did therewith stabb the twoe next Brutaine Lords, which were by him. Which bloodie Murther was effected when this watchword was given them, viz., nempi your Sæxys. Then did every Saxon slaie two Brittaine Lords. So there were slaine that tyme of the Brittaines of Earles, Lordes and Barons iiiiCLX. and Kinge Vortiger himself taken Prisonner, who, for his Enlargement, give to the Saxons three Countreys in Brutaine, viz. Kente, Southsex, and Northfolke. So the Saxons slewe traiterouslie most parte of the Nobilitie of Brutaine. For a Memoriall of which detestable Butcherie, and bloudy Murther, a Brittaine Earle of the Company, called Iddall or Edall, Earle either of Gloucester or Chester, escaped from the slaughter, and with an Iron barre, being the Steckles of a Doore, he slewe 18. of the murderinge treacherous Pagan Saxons, the moniment whereof is sett upon Dover Castle, for a remembraunce of his famous Acte. Kinge Emris Welidgia, called of the Saxons Aurelius Ambrose, with help of Merlin caused the Stones to be fetcht out of Ireland, out of the Mountaine called Carrliria, and to be sett up in the plaine of Salisburie, for a Monument or everlastinge remembraunce of the Brutaine Lords, there so treacherouslie murthered, and to the perpetuall infamie and shame of the Saxons, the Authors and Actors of the same Murther; which Monument, so by Merlin made, is called by the Name of Stonage, and is one of the Wonders of the Land of Brutaine. And, after that the traiterous Saxons had, by suche bloodie treacherie, possessed themselves of the said iii. Countreys in Brutaine, Hingist, willinge to putt in practise every Mischieffe he could devise against the Brutaines, and perceavinge Vortiger the Kinge to be viciouslie given, brought with him his faier vicious Pagan Witche and whorishe Daughter Rowan, called of Brutaines Ronwen, who, with her whorishe beawtie, witchcrafte and sorcery, by the Sutteltie of her Father Hengist, so wrought with the Kinge Vortiger, that he divorced himself from his Christen Wieffe, by whom he had 3. noble sonnes, and married the Pagan Witch Ronwen, which afterward was the Cause of his Destruction. Moreover, Ronwen and her Father Hingist caused theire Graundfather Waden, and theire Grandmother Fria, to be theire God and Goddesse, and caused twoe Daies in the Weeke to be called after theire Names, Waden daie, nowe called Wensdaie, and Fria Daie, nowe called Fridaie. Which Daies the Brittaines and other Nations call, after the Plannetts, Dies Mercurii, and Dies Veneris. Likewiese they caused the Ymages of Waden and Fria to be sett up and worshipped in all the Saxons Churches in Brutaine. Scithence which tyme the Saxons, Normaines and Brutaines, have those two Idolatrouse Daies in Reverence, above all other Daies of the Weeke (the Sabboathe onlie excepted.) Also the Pagan Saxon Kings Ethelfride of Northumberland, and Alured Kinge of Kente, with Gormundus Kinge of Ireland, beinge sett forward by the proud Romishe Monke Augustine, anno Christi 585, cruellie slewe and murthered of the auncient Brutaines Bretheren of Bangor in Powys, not beinge Monckes, as Romaines and Saxons called them, but, as the Brutaines called them, yr Brodder fowth lin Cristinogen a fregeth wier feithe ac evengell akusers Jesy grist ac gwithweir er egllosy ar ssarney druweynys, Brutaines havinge the true lawe and religion, which they had first receaved and learned from Josephe of Arimathea, a Disciple of our Saviour Christe, who buried him, and was conversaunte withe the Appostles and Disciples, and came to this Realme of Brutaine within 17. yeres after our Saviour’s Ascention, to teache the Brutaines the Faithe and Religion, that he had learned of Jesus and his Disciples, and to baptize them. His first abode was in Ynys Evallon, where he, with xi. other Disciples, taughte the Brutaines the Faithe of Christe, and baptized them, and made there the first Christian Churche in the Realme of Brutaine, called of Brutaines, yr reglos fothen kynta yn ynnys Brittaninet, which Churche was enlarged and built by Kinge Inner, sonne to King Allen of Litle Brittaine, who came with his Brother Yvor with an hoste of Christian Brutaines, after Cadwalader’s Departure to Roome, to aide Idwall, sonne to Cadwalader, against the Saxons; which Inner the Saxons untrulie call Inne, and saie, that he was a Saxon, and accounte him to be decended of the Pagan Saxons, because he and his Men spake the Frenche language. He was Kinge of the West Brittaines or Saxons, and in his olde age he left his Kingdome, and went to Roome to visite the Sepulchre of his Cosin Kinge Cadwalader, after he had reigned Kinge xxxvii. yeres, and had vanquished the Pagan Saxons of Kente, and builded the Abbey of Glastenbury, and Colledge of Wells. But nowe to retorne, to shewe the bloodie murther of the faithfull Christen Brutaines, who were learned and famous Brethren of the Universitie of Bangor in oulde Powys in Cambria, the Pagan Saxons and Irishe Nation, sett on by the procurement of Augustine, a proud and arrogant Monke of Roome, slewe of the unarmed Christen preachers at Bangor, Chester and Lichfield, 1000. and destroied theire Universitie of Bangor, and theire most learned Librarie. Fiftie of the Christen brethren escaped from the Slaughter to Shroudsburie, so called, bicause there they shrowded themselves from the furious persecution of theire Enemies. This Towne was first called Pengwerne Powys, whither the said fiftie Brethren, with Broughwell theire Kinge, resorted, where thcy builte them three Temples or Sinagouges, after the manner of Christen Jewes, and there preached and served the Lorde. The Romaines, Saxons and Normans called them the Moncks of Bangor; which Name they liked not of, nor of anie other Romlshe Name or Secte, which was used at Roome. And bicause that Brutaines should not longe tyme have rest in theire native soile, Offa, Kinge of Mercia, which was by the Saxons newlie called England of Anglia and Hingest, the treacherous Pagan Saxons, who, as before is declared, came first into Brutaine in the tyme of King Vortiger, and served him as his Servants and Souldiers, to aide him then against Pictes and Scotts in his Warrs, this said Offa did bereave the Brutaines of all theire good and fruitfull Lands, Citties and Townes, Villages, Castles and Holdes, which the Brutaines had above Seaverne or Haferne toward Walshe or Idwall’s Countrey in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire, and after he had driven the Brutaines out of theire Lands and Hereditaments, which they had possessed since Brutus first Entraunce into this Land, the said Saxon Offa made a greate Ditche betwene him and the Brutaines, and called yt Claweth or Offa Ditche, and made and ordeyned Statutes and cruell Lawes, that, yf anie Brutaine should come over the same Ditche, except yt were to Marketts, or should come with anie weapons abouts them, or should come under the same Ditche above twoe at once, then they were to be fined and ymprisoned. In the later yeres and reigne of which said cruell and covetuous Kinge Offa, Kinge of Mercia, abouts anno Christi 800. the most cruell and mightie Pagan Danes entered into Newe England, the Saxons beinge latelie become Christians, who with sword and fier vexed the land of the newe and late Christen Saxons, without sparinge of man, woman and childe, overthrowinge Churches, burninge Townes, defacinge Castles and strong Holdes; and althoughe the Saxons did, at theire first Enteraunce, expulse them, and drive them out of this Realme, yet did the said Danes still contynue to invade the Realme divers times, and in divers places, till, at lengthe, the Pagan Danes compelled the Saxons to paie the Kinge of Denmark 4000li. a yere for Tribute, called the Danes Gilde; which payment contynued untill Kinge Edward the Sainct’s tyme anno Domini 1043. and further, the Pagan Danes putt in every Saxon’s House, to be Master over the Housholder, one Dane, which Dane should have Goverment, not onlie of the Housholder, but also of his Wieffe, Sonnes, Daughters and Servaunts, who most holde him as theire Lorde, and so was he called Lord Dane. And further, the said Pagan Danes dispossessed the Saxons of the Lands, which the cruell Kinge Offa had latelie gotton of the Brutaines, the Saxons olde Frinds, as in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Cheshire; and in Gloucestershire, in the same lands that Kinge Offa tooke from the Brutaines, the Danes made, for theire Habitations, Mucheldene, Overdene and Litle Dene, and many other Townes, and there made the famous Forrest of Danes, and in Herefordshire they made the Towne and Churche of Priestdene, and other Townes in Shropshire and Cheshire. So by God’s Permission, the cruell Saxons were rewarded for their Crueltie to the Brutaines. And besides all this, the cruell Saxon Kinge Egbert and Redburga his cruell and covetuos Wieffe, for Envie and Malice they had to the Brutaines, and bicause they would have had the Brutaines lands in more larger manner to belonge to England, much like unto a covetuous Achab and divelishe Jessabell, made Proclamation, that, upon paine of Deathe, all the auncient and Christen Brutaines should, with theire Wieffes and Children, departe and goe out of theire Lands, Citties, Townes and Castles, which they had built and possessed since Brutus first entraunce into Brutaine, being abouts 1880. yeres. It was in anno Christi 766. or thereabouts, that the proclamation was made by Egberte and his Wieffe Jesabell, against the Brutaines, to departe out of theire lands and livings in England to Wild Walshe, above Offa Ditche, and allso to Cornewall, Scotland and Ireland. After the Brutanes were departed out of Ingland, as aforesaid, Kinge Egbert caused Lloiger or Locrine to be called Ingland, abouts the yeres above written. The wicked Saxon Rowone or Ronwen, Daughter to Hengiste, as aforesaid, after that Vortiger, her husband, was, for her sake, deposed from his Kingdome, and Vortimerus his Sonne chosen Kinge in his steed, Vortimer the newe Kinge was cruellie poisoned by the said Rowon or Ronwen his Stepmother, after he had reigned five yeres. Further, she caused the noble Kinge Emris Welidgia by her meanes to be poisned, because the said Kinge Emris Welidgia had burnte Vortiger her husband, at his Castle of Caer Marthen. For she was verie skilfull in the arte of Poisninge.
Danes.The cruell Pagan Danes destroied most parte of the newe Abbeys, latelie erected by the newe Christened Saxons, which the said Saxons, then and yet called Englishemen, had robbed and spoiled from the Brutaines, to whom they were sometime servaunts; of which Abbeys, by them destroyed and defaced, the proud and arrogant Kinge Edgar reedified seaven and fortie. The reason why Edgar was called the proud Kinge was, bicause he used to be rowed in his barge at Westchester with viii. Kinges, that is to saie, Rinoch Kinge of Scottes, Macolme Kinge of Comberland, Macon Kinge of Man, Duffnwall, Systerthe, and Huwall three Kings of Walshe, James Kinge of Norway, and Jukill Kinge of Westmerland. Abouts anno Domini 913, the said Danes did winne and conquere from the Saxon Kinge of Mercia, muche of his Lands abouts Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Gloucestreshire, as Deyntree, Dane Churche, or Donchurche, Myrryden, and Wallingford Castle and Towne, with the three Deanes or Danes Townes, with the famous Forrest of Dane, which Lands the Danes possessed, till yt pleased God to disposesse them of all theire right, which they claymed in England, by William Ismall, who conquered them and others anno 1066. Canutus the Dane abouts 1036. after he had subdued Scotland, as appearethe by his Records, was Kinge of fower Kingdomes, viz. England, Denmarke, Scotland and Norway, whiche he held not longe.
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ILLIAM the Conqueror entered this land anno Mundi 4994. annno Christi 1066. from Brutus first entraunce 2229 yeres. He descended from Rollo or Robert, a Capteine of the cruell Pagan Danes. Rollo was Capteine of the Pagan Danes abouts anno Christi 806. For abouts that tyme the Danes were in theire greatest Exultation. For they joyninge themselves with the [14]Vermennis fratribus, swarmed like waspes over most parte of Europa, conqueringe Countreys, Citties and Provinces, and especially the Countreys of the Christians, and, amongst other Conquests, Rollo alias Robert conquered the chiefest Cittie in Fraunce called Orliaunce, and, not longe after his said Conquest, he exchanged the same Cittie of Orleaunce with Charles, then Kinge of Fraunce, for the Dukedome of Normandy, and so the said Rollo was the first Pagan Danishe Duke of Normandy; and after him succeeded in the Dukedome, Duke William Longe Spode his sonne, second Duke of Normandy, who was a stout and couragious Warrier; and after William Longe Spode were successivelie three Dukes of Normandy, called all Richards, of the line and race of the said Rollo the Dane; and after the said three Richards succeeded Robert Duke of Normandy, which Robert was supposed to be the Father of William Bastard, who conquered England. So that it is manifest, that the said William Bastard descended lineallie from Rollo the Pagan Dane, and was the sixte Duke of Normandie. The Danes were mightie stoute and tall men, proud and very lecherous, for the most parte red complexioned and red heared. They fought most of all with greate Halbards and great Pollaxes, and eache Lord Dane had his Man to carrie his Axe or Weapon after him, who also carried the like Weapon for himselfe, [15]the Brutaines called boye lleys yn Danes. The said William Bastard, after that he had conquered the Realme, dispossessed all the auncient inhabitants thereof, and in theire Lands, Countries and ould Inheritaunces placed his owne Countreymen, Kinsemen and Friends, as appeareth verie plaine and evidentlie in the Records of the said William. He was a most cruell and extraordienarie [16]envious towards his enemies, and not onlie he, but also all his ofspringe, proved most cruell and murtheringe enimies of the auncient Christian Brutaines, the first Inhabitaunts of this Realme and Land called Brutaine, and of them so named. The civill usage of the Brutaines I meane hereafter to record and make mention of, in a Noties I meane to write of the severall Conquests of this Lande, and severallie sett downe the most cruell dealings of the said Kinge William, Kinge John, Henry the first, Henry the second, Henry the third, Edward the first, Edward the second, Henry the fowerthe, and others, and to shewe of the most fearefull and untimelie ends of most of the same Kings, with what wonders and horrible signes and tokens did happen, and were seene verie evidentlie, before the ruine and utter destruction of the said bloudy minded Kings; which should seeme to be a manifest token, that the innocent bloud of the auncient Brutaines by those Kings cruellie and causelesslie shed, cried for vengeaunce to fall upon the Heads of the cruell Normans, which indeed sorted to the same effecte verie shortlie after the Apparisions of the same Signes and Wonders. I for my parte, not to infringe the bonds of Charitie, then the which nothinge is more pleasinge to the Allmightie, doe not, nor would not, yf yt were in me or my power to doe, judge anie, but onlie thus muche I thincke, that God will not suffer greate wrongs to be imposed upon poore Captives, as the auncient Brutaines were, but will heare the Crie of the oppressed, and powre vengeaunce upon the head of the Tiraunts. But nowe, after the longe, base and servile Slaverie, wherein the distressed Seed of Brutus, that auncient, renowned and famous Trojan, was deteyned, I will, with comforte, rehearse the greate kindnes of the mercifull Jehovah, who did, in the middest of Justice, Exodus 3. v. 9. remember Mercy, and as he hard the Cries of the Children of Israell, in the land of Egipt, and considered the Crueltie of theire Taske Masters, so did he heare the Cries of the Brutaines in the lande of Brutaine, latelie called England, and considered the Crueltie of theire Taske Masters, and sent unto them, as he did unto Israell, a Moses of theire Naclon, to free them from Bondage. But, alas! to recounte the Benefitts of our lovinge God, I want the penne of Esdras, who was a readie Scribe (my hands beinge heavie, as were the hands of Moses, by reason of old Age, when they were staied up by Aron and Hur) and the tongue of Tullie, who was a fluent Orator, to expresse the Goodnes of my God; As first of all, the timelie Visiting of the Day springc from an highe, which was by God’s Providence graunted to the Brittaines, allmost as soone as to anie other Nacion, or Ilef the Gentiles, the good Josephe of Arimathæa, a faithefull Disciple of our Saviour, beinge the Messenger, to bringe them the glad Tidings of Salvation, within sixteene yeres after the glorious Ascention of the imaculate Lambe; which Josephe with all diligence did instructe the Brutaines in the right faithe, pertinent to theire Salvation. And also, when the Normans and Saxons supposed utterlie to extirpate and roote out the Name and Memorie of the auncient Brutaines, as may appeare by theire cruell Lawes, Ordinaunces and Statutes, made or ordeyned against them, yet God still preserved them and theire Seed, so that they did not perishe from beinge a Nacion, althoughe the said cruell tirannouse Kings did not cease to invent Mischieffe against the Brittaines, from the said William Bastard to Henry the fowerth. Which Henry in a Parliament, holden in the seaventh yere of his Reigne, anno Christi 1406. was allmost a whole yere inventinge and makinge most cruell Lawes and wicked Ordinaunces against the Brittaines and theire Children, thinckinge utterlie to roote out theire Memoriall from under Heaven, and that onlie for that one Offence of Owen Glindower, who rebelled against the Kinge, thinckinge, by some uncerteine Prophesie, that the tyme of the Brutaines Bondage was finished, and that himself should be theire deliverer, bicause he was descended from the line and race of Kinge Caddwalader. But he was deceived, which turned to his owne utter Confusion, and the greate miserie of his Countrey. But fowerscore yeres after, the most famous Brittaine Kinge Henry the seaventh, (beinge sente and miraculouslie preserved of the Lord, for the Deliveraunce of the Brittaines and theire Children, from the cruell Bondage and Slavery, which they remayned in under the Normaus and Saxons,) and his famous and victorious Sonne Kinge Henry the 8. did free, release and deliver the Idwallians Brittaines from theire said Bondage, and made them, in all points and degrees, as free as anie of theire Enemies were, either Normans or Saxons. So that, when they were utterlie past all hope of Recovery, the wonderfull Mercies and lovinge Kindnes of the Lord appeared, in sendinge a Moses of theire owne Nacion, to sett them at libertie, Kinge Henry the seaventh, who was lineallie descended from Kinge Cadwalader, and so from Brutus the first Kinge of the land of Brutaine; which Deliveraunce happened anno Domino 1485. after the Brutaines had remayned in Bondage under the Romaines 483. yeres, and under theire ould servaunts the Saxons and Danes till William Conqueror 481. yeres, from William Conqueror to the noble and prudent Kinge Henry the seaventh 409 yeres. The whole Summe and Contynuaunce of theire bondage lasted 1393. yeres, and yet the Lord had not forgotten the auncient Brittaines after theire longe Punishment, God make them thanckfull. And nowe anno Christi 1602. beinge 116. yeres after Kinge Henry the seaventh, the land beinge ruled under threr Kings and twoe Queenes, to wit Henry the seavente Henry the 8, Fdward the sixte, Queene Marie and Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie, the Allmightie, multiplyinge his Mercies towards us, sent the most noble, learned, vertuous and religious King James, by God’s Grace Kinge of Greate Brittaine, descended by his Mother from the famous Kinge Henry the seaventh, and also linealie derived from the three Princes of Wales, and so from Kinge Cadwalader, and consequentlie from Brutus the firste Kinge of this Iland of Brittaine, who gave yt that Name anno Mundi 2855. before Christ’s blessed Incarnation 1108. yeres, and likewiese descended by his Father of all the Nobles and Princes of Brittaine, and generallie from Albenactus, Sonne to Kinge Brutus, his Majestie . . . . likewise deseended from most parte of the Nobilitie of th . . . partes of Europa, beinge miraculouslie preserved and se . . . . to be Kinge of Greate Brittaine, by the determinate Providence of God Allmightie, and to be the most assured Joie, and unspeakable Comforte of all true and most auncient Christian Brittaines, whose prosperous Reigne and happie Liefe Allmightie God longe preserve and contynue, to his and our greate Comforte, and that his race and line may contynue Kings of Greate Britaine, untill the Cominge of our Saviour Christe to Judgement, even so Amen; and let the faithfull Witnes in Heaven, whose words are yea and nay, saie Amen. From the Creation to Brutus Entry 2855. from Brutus to the 14. yere of Kyng James 2674. totalis 5529. yeres. Britains accounts just 5577.