The History of Britain, Book 1
Ioannis Miltoni Effigies Aetat: 62. 1670.
G…l. Faithorne ad Vivum Delin. et ſculpsit.
THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN, That part eſpecially now call'd ENGLAND. From the firſt Traditional Beginning, continu'd to the NORMAN CONQƲEST. Collected out of the antienteſt and beſt Authors thereof by JOHN MILTON.
LONDON, Printed by J. M. for James Alleſtry, at the Roſe and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCLXX.
THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN, That Part eſpecially now call'd England; Continu'd to the Norman Conqueſt. BOOK I.
THe beginning of Nations, thoſe excepted of whom ſacred Books have ſpok'n, is to this day unknown. Nor only the beginning, but the deeds alſo of many ſucceeding Ages, yea periods of Ages, either wholly unknown, or obſcur'd and blemiſht with Fables. Whether it were that the uſe of Letters came in long after, or were it the violence of barbarous inundations, or they themſelves at certain revolutions of time, fatally decaying, and degenerating into Sloth and Ignorance; wherby the monuments of more ancient civility have bin ſom deſtroy'd, ſom loſt. Perhaps diſ-eſteem and contempt of the public affairs then preſent, as not worth recording, might partly be in cauſe. Certainly oft-times we ſee that wiſe men, and of beſt abilitie have forborn to write the Acts of thir own daies, while they beheld with a juſt loathing and diſdain, not only how unworthy, how pervers, how corrupt, but often how ignoble, how petty, how below all Hiſtory the perſons and thir actions were; who either by fortune, or ſom rude election had attain'd as a ſore judgment, and ignominie upon the Land, to have cheif ſway in managing the Common-wealth. But that any law, or ſuperſtition of our old Philoſophers the Druids forbad the Britains to write thir memorable deeds, I know not why any out of Caeſar ſhould allege: he indeed ſaith, that thir doctrine they thought not lawful to commit to Letters; Caſ. l. 6.but in moſt matters elſe, both privat, and public, among which well may Hiſtory be reck'nd, they us'd the Greek Tongue: and that the Britiſh Druids who taught thoſe in Gaule would be ignorant of any Language known and us'd by thir Diſciples, or ſo frequently writing other things, and ſo inquiſitive into higheſt, would for want of recording be ever Children in the Knowledge of Times and Ages, is not likely. What ever might be the reaſon, this we find, that of Britiſh affairs, from the firſt peopling of the Iland to the coming of Julius Caeſar, nothing certain, either by Tradition, Hiſtory, or Ancient Fame hath hitherto bin left us. That which we have of oldeſt ſeeming, hath by the greater part of judicious Antiquaries bin long rejected for a modern Fable.
Nevertheleſs there being others beſides the firſt ſuppos'd Author, men not unread, nor unlerned in Antiquitie, who admitt that for approved ſtory, which the former explode for fiction, and ſeeing that oft-times relations heertofore accounted fabulous have bin after found to contain in them many footſteps, and reliques of ſomthing true, as what we read in Poets of the Flood, and Giants little beleev'd, till undoubted witneſſes taught us, that all was not fain'd; I have therfore determin'd to beſtow the telling over ev'n of theſe reputed Tales; be it for nothing elſe but in favour of our Engliſh Poets, and Rhetoricians, who by thir Art will know, how to uſe them judiciouſly.
I might alſo produce example, as Diodorus among the Greeks, Livie and others of the Latines, Polydore and Virunnius accounted among our own Writers. But I intend not with controverſies and quotations to delay or interrupt the ſmooth courſe of Hiſtory; much leſs to argue and debate long who were the firſt Inhabitants, with what probabilities, what authorities each opinion hath bin upheld, but ſhall endevor that which hitherto hath bin needed moſt, with plain, and lightſom brevity, to relate well and orderly things worth the nothing, ſo as may beſt inſtruct and benefit them that read. Which, imploring divine aſſiſtance, that it may redound to his glory, and the good of the Britiſh Nation, I now begin.
That the whole Earth was inhabited before the Flood, and to the utmoſt point of habitable ground, from thoſe effectual words of God in the Creation, may be more then conjectur'd. Hence that this Iland alſo had her dwellers, her affairs, and perhaps her ſtories, eev'n in that old World thoſe many hunderd years, with much reaſon we may inferr. After the Flood, and the diſperſing of Nations, as they journey'd leaſurely from the Eaſt, Gomer the eldeſt Son of Japhet, and his off-ſpring, as by Authorities, Arguments, and Affinitie of divers names is generally beleev'd, were the firſt that peopl'd all theſe Weſt and Northren Climes. But they of our own Writers, who thought they had don nothing, unleſs with all circumſtance they tell us when, and who firſt ſet foot upon this Iland, preſume to name out of fabulous and counterfet Authors a certain Samothes or Dis, a fowrth or ſixt Son of Japhet, whom they make about 200 years after the Flood, to have planted with Colonies; firſt the Continent of Celtica, or Gaule, and next this Iland; Thence to have nam'd it Samothea, to have reign'd heer, and after him lineally fowr Kings, Magus, Saron, Druis, and Bardus. But the forg'd Beroſus, whom only they have to cite, no where mentions that either hee, or any of thoſe whom they bring, did ever paſs into Britain, or ſend thir people hither. So that this out-landiſh figment may eaſily excuſe our not allowing it the room heer ſo much as of a Britiſh Fable.
That which follows, perhaps as wide from truth, though ſeeming leſs impertinent, is, that theſe Samotheans under the Reign of Bardus were ſubdu'd by Albion a Giant, Son of Neptune: who call'd the Iland after his own name, and rul'd it 44 years. Till at length paſſing over into Gaul, in aid of his Brother Leſtrygon, againſt whom Hercules was haſting out of Spain into Italy, he was there ſlain in fight, and Bergion alſo his Brother.
Sure anough we are, that Britan hath bin anciently term'd Albion, both by the Greeks and Romans. And Mela the Geographer makes mention of a ſtonie ſhoar in Languedoc, where by report ſuch a Battel was fought. The reſt, as his giving name to the Ile, or ever landing heer, depends altogether upon late ſurmiſes. But too abſurd, and too unconſcionably groſs is that fond invention that wafted hither the fifty daughters of a ſtrange Diocleſian King of Syria; brought in doubtles by ſom illiterat pretender to ſomthing miſtak'n in the Common Poetical Story of Danaus King of Argos, while his vanity, not pleas'd with the obſcure beginning which trueſt Antiquity affords the Nation, labour'd to contrive us a Pedigree, as he thought, more noble. Theſe Daughters by appointment of Danaus on the mariage-night having murder'd all thir Huſbands, except Linceus, whom his Wives loialty ſav'd, were by him at the ſuit of his Wife thir Siſter, not put to death, but turn'd out to Sea in a Ship unmann'd; of which whole Sex they had incurr'd the hate: and as the Tale goes, were driv'n on this Iland. Where the Inhabitants, none but Devils, as ſom write, or as others, a lawleſs crew left heer by Albion without Head or Governour, both entertain'd them, and had iſſue by them a ſecond breed of Giants, who tyranniz'd the Ile, till Brutus came.
The Eldeſt of theſe Dames in thir Legend they call Albina; and from thence, for which cauſe the whole ſcene was fram'd, will have the name Albion deriv'd. Incredible it may ſeem ſo ſluggiſh a conceit ſhould prove ſo ancient, as to be authoriz'd by the Elder Ninnius, reputed to have liv'd above a thouſand years agoe. This I find not in him; but that Hiſtion Holinſhed.ſprung of Japhet, had four Sons; Francus, Romanus, Alemannus, and Britto, of whom the Britans; as true, I beleeve, as that thoſe other Nations whoſe names are reſembl'd, came of the other three; if theſe Dreams give not juſt occaſion to call in doubt the Book it ſelf, which bears that title.
Hitherto the things themſelves have giv'n us a warrantable diſpatch to run them ſoon over. But now of Brutus and his Line, with the whole Progeny of Kings, to the entrance of Julius Caeſar, we cannot ſo eaſily be diſcharg'd; Deſcents of Anceſtry, long continu'd, laws and exploits not plainly ſeeming to be borrow'd, or devis'd, which on the common beleif have wrought no ſmall impreſſion: defended by many, deny'd utterly by few. For what though Brutus, and the whole Trojan pretence were yeelded up, ſeeing they who firſt devis'd to bring us from ſom noble Anceſtor were content at firſt with Brutus the Conſul; till better invention, although not willing to forgoe the name, taught them to remove it higher into a more fabulous Age, by the ſame remove lighting on the Trojan Tales in affectation to make the Britan of one Original with the Roman, pitch'd there, yet thoſe old and inborn names of ſucceſſive Kings, never any to have bin real perſons, or don in thir lives at leaſt ſom part of what ſo long hath bin remember'd, cannot be thought without too ſtrict an incredulity.
For theſe, and thoſe cauſes above mention'd, that which hath receav'd approbation from ſo many, I have chos'n not to omitt. Certain or uncertain, be that upon the credit of thoſe whom I muſt follow; ſo far as keeps alooff from impoſſible and abſurd, atteſted by ancient Writers from Books more ancient I refuſe not, as the due and proper ſubject of Story. The principal Author is well know'n to be Geoffrey of Monmouth; what he was, and whence his authority, who in his age or before him have deliver'd the ſame matter, and ſuch like general diſcourſes, will better ſtand in a Treatiſe by themſelvs. All of them agree Henry of Hunting don. Matthew of Weſtminſter.in this, that Brutus was the Son of Silvius; he of Aſcanius; whoſe Father was Aeneas a Trojan Prince, who at the burning of that City, with his Son Aſcanius, and a collected number that eſcap'd, after long wandring on the Sea, arriv'd in Italy. Where at length by the aſſiſtance of Latinus King of Latium, who had giv'n him his Daughter Lavinia, he obtain'd to ſucceed in that Kingdom, and left it to Aſcanius, whoſe Son Silvius (though Roman Hiſtories deny Silvius to be Son of Aſcanius) had maried ſecretly a Neece of Lavinia.
She being with Child, the matter became known to Aſcanius. Who commanding his Magicians to enquire by Art, what ſex the Maid had conceiv'd, had anſwer, that it was one who ſhould be the death of both his Parents; and baniſh'd for the fact, ſhould after all in a farr Country attain to higheſt honour. The prediction fail'd not, for intravel the Mother di'd. And Brutus (the Child was ſo call'd) at fifteen years of Age, attending his Father to the Chace, with an arrow unfortunately kill'd him.
Baniſh'd therefore by his kindred he retires into Greece. Where meeting with the race of Helenus King Priams Son, held there in ſervile condition by Pandraſus then King, with them he abides. For Pirrhus in revenge of his Father ſlain at Troy had brought thither with him Helenus, and many others into ſervitude. There Brutus among his own ſtock ſo thrives in vertue and in Arms, as renders him belov'd to Kings, and great Captains above all the Youth of that Land. Wherby the Trojans not only beginn to hope, but ſecretly to move him, that he would lead them the way to liberty. They allege their numbers, and the promis'd help of Aſſaracus a Noble Greekiſh Youth, by the Mothers ſide a Trojan; whom for that cauſe his Brother went about to diſpoſſeſs of certain Caſtles bequeath'd him by his Father. Brutus conſidering both the Forces offer'd him, and the ſtrength of thoſe Holds, not unwillingly conſents.
Firſt therfore having fortifi'd thoſe Caſtles, he with Aſſaracus and the whole multitude betake them to the Woods and Hills; as the ſafeſt place from whence to expoſtulate; and in the name of all ſends to Pandraſus this Meſſage; That the Trojans holding it unworthy thir Anceſtors to ſerv in a Foren Kingdom, had retreated to the Woods; chooſing rather a Savage life then a ſlaviſh; If that diſpleas'd him, that then with his leave they might depart to ſome other ſoil.
As this may paſs with good allowance, that the Trojans might be many in theſe parts, for Helenus was by Pirrhus made King of the Chaouians, and the Sons of Pirrhus by Andromache Hectors Wiſe could not but be powerful through all Epirus, ſo much the more it may be doubted, how theſe Trojans could be thus in bondage, where they had Freinds and Country-men ſo Potent. But to examin theſe things with diligence, were but to confute the Fables of Britan with the Fables of Greece or Italy; for of this Age, what we have to ſay, as well concerning moſt other Countries, as this Iland, is equally under Queſtion. Bee't how it will, Pandraſus not expecting ſo bold a meſſage from the Sons of Captives, gathers an Army. And marching toward the Woods, Brutus who had notice of his approach nigh to a Town call'd Sparatinum, (I know not what Towne, but certaine of no Greek name) over night planting himſelf there with good part of his men, ſuddenly ſets upon him, and with ſlaughter of the Greeks purſues him to the paſſage of a River, which mine Author names Akalon, meaning perhaps Achelous, or Acheron: where at the Ford he overlaies them afreſh. This victory obtain'd, and a ſufficient ſtrength left in Sparatinum, Brutus with Antigonus, the Kings Brother and his Freind Anacletus, whom he had tak'n in the fight, returns to the reſidue of his freinds in the thick Woods. While Pandraſus with all ſpeed recollecting, beſeiges the Town. Brutus to releive his men beſeig'd, who earneſtly call'd him, diſtruſting the ſufficiency of his force, bethinks himſelf of this Policy. Calls to him Anacletus, and threatning inſtant death elſe, both to him and his freind Antigonus, enjoyns him, that he ſhould goe at the ſecond howr of night to the Greekiſh Leagre, and tell the Guards he had brought Antigonus by ſtealth out of Priſon to a certain woody Vale; unable through the waight of his Fetters to move furder: entreating them to come ſpeedily and fetch him in. Anacletus to ſave both himſelf and his freind Antigonus, ſwears this; and at fit howr ſetts on alone toward the Camp: is mett, examin'd, and at laſt unqueſtionably known. To whom, great profeſſion of fidelity firſt made, he frames his Tale, as had bin taught him: and they now fully aſſur'd, with a credulous raſhneſs leaving thir Stations, far'd accordingly by the ambuſh that there awaited them. Forthwith Brutus dividing his men into three parts, leads on in ſilence to the Camp; commanding firſt each part at a ſeveral place to enter, and forbear Execution, till he with his Squadron poſſeſ'd of the Kings Tent, gave Signal to them by Trumpet. The ſound whereof no ſooner heard, but huge havock begins upon the ſleeping, and unguarded Enemy; whom the beſeiged alſo now ſallying forth, on the other ſide aſſaile. Brutus the while had ſpecial care to ſeiſe and ſecure the Kings Perſon; whoſe life ſtill within his Cuſtody, he knew was the ſureſt pledge to obtain what he ſhould demand. Day appearing, he enters the Town, there diſtributes the Kings Treaſury, and leaving the place better fortify'd, returns with the King his Priſner to the Woods. Strait the ancient and grave men he ſummons to Counſell, what they ſhould now demand of the King.
After long debate Mempricius, one of the graveſt, utterly diſſuading them from thought of longer ſtay in Greece, unleſſe they meant to be deluded with a ſuttle peace, and the awaited revenge of thoſe whoſe freinds they had ſlain, adviſes them to demand firſt the Kings Eldeſt Daughter Innogen in mariage to thir Leader Brutus, with a rich dowry, next ſhipping, mony, and fitt proviſion for them all to depart the Land.
This reſolution pleaſing beſt, the King now brought in, and plac'd in a high Seat, is breifly told, that on theſe conditions granted, he might be free, not granted, he muſt prepare to die.
Preſt with fear of death the King readily yeelds: eſpecially to beſtow his Daughter on whom he confeſs'd ſo Noble and ſo Valiant: offers them alſo the third part of his Kingdom, if they like to ſtay; if not, to be thir Hoſtage himſelf, till he had made good his word.
The Mariage therfore ſolemniz'd, and ſhipping from all parts got together, the Trojans in a Fleet, no leſs writt'n then three hunderd fowr and twenty Sail, betake them to the wide Sea; where with a proſperous courſe two daies and a night bring them on a certain Iland long before diſpeopl'd and left waſt by Sea-Roavers; the name wherof was then Leogecia, now unknow'n. They who were ſent out to diſcover, came at length to a ruin'd City; where was a Temple and Image of Diana that gave Oracles: but not meeting firſt or laſt ſave wild Beaſts, they return with this notice to thir Ships: Wiſhing thir General would enquire of that Oracle what voiage to purſue.
Conſultation had, Brutus taking with him Geriou his Diviner, and twely of the ancienteſt, with wonted Ceremonies before the inward ſhrine of the Goddeſs, in Verſe, as it ſeems the manner was, utters his requeſt, Diva potens nemorum, &c.
Goddeſs of Shades, and Huntreſs, who at will
Walk'ſt on the rowling Sphear, and through the deep,
On thy third Reigne the Earth look now, and tell
What Land, what Seat of reſt thou bidſt me ſeek,
What certain Seat, where I may worſhip thee
For aye, with Temples vow'd, and Virgin quires.
To whom ſleeping before the Altar, Diana in a Viſion that night thus anſwer'd, Brute ſub occaſum Solis, &c.
Brutus far to the Weſt, in th' Ocean wide
Beyond the Realm of Gaul, a Land there lies,
Sea-girt it lies, where Giants dwelt of old,
Now void, it fits thy people; thether bend
Thy courſe, there ſhalt thou find a laſting ſeat,
There to thy Sons another Troy ſhall riſe,
And Kings be born of thee, whoſe dredded might
Shall aw the World, and Conquer Nations bold.
Theſe Verſes Originally Greek, were put in Latin, ſaith Virunnius, by Gildas a Britiſh Poet, and him to have liv'd under Claudius. Which granted true, adds much to the Antiquitie of this Fable; and indeed the Latin Verſes are much better, then for the Age of Geoffrey ap-Arthur, unleſs perhaps Joſeph of Exeter, the only ſmooth Poet of thoſe times, befreinded him; in this Diana overſhot her Oracle thus ending, Ipſis totiusterrae ſubditus orbis erit, That to the race of Brute Kings of this Iland, the whole Earth ſhall be ſubject.
But Brutus guided now, as he thought, by divine conduct, ſpeeds him towards the Weſt; and after ſom encounters on the Afric ſide, arrives at a place on the Tyrrhen Sea; where he happ'ns to find the Race of thoſe Trojans who with Antenor came into Italy; and Corineus a man much fam'd, was thir Cheif: though by ſurer Authors it be reported, that thoſe Trojans with Antenor, were ſeated on the other ſide of Italie, on the Adriatic, not the Tyrrhen ſhoar. But theſe joyning Company, and paſt the Herculean Pillars, at the mouth of Ligeris in Aquitania caſt Anchor, Where after ſom diſcovery made of the place, Corineus Hunting nigh the ſhoar with his Men, is by Meſſengers of the King Goffarius Pictus mett, and queſtion'd about his Errand there. Who not anſwering to thir mind, Imbertus, one of them, lets fly an Arrow at Corineus, which he avoiding, ſlaies him: and the Pictavian himſelf heerupon levying his whole Force, is over-thrown by Brutus, and Corineus; who with the Battell Ax which he was wont to manage againſt the Tyrrhen Giants is ſaid to have done marvells. But Goffarius having draw'n to his aid the whole Country of Gaul, at that time govern'd by twelv Kings, puts his Fortune to a ſecond Trial, Wherin the Trojans over-born by multitude, are driv'n back, and beſeigd in thir own Camp, which by good foreſight was ſtrongly ſituate. Whence Brutus unexpectedly iſſuing out, and Corineus in the mean while, whoſe device it was, aſſaulting them behind from a Wood, where he had convayd his men the night before: The Trojans are again Victors, but with the loſs of Turon a Valiant Nefew of Brutus; whoſe Aſhes left in that place, gave name to the City of Tours, built there by the Trojans. Brutus finding now his powers much leſsn'd, and this yet not the place foretold him, leavs Aquitain, and with an eaſie courſe, arriving at Totneſs in Dev'nſhire, quickly perceivs heer to be the promis'd end of his labours.
The Iland not yet Britain but Albion, was in a manner deſert and inhoſpitable; kept only by a remnant of Giants; whoſe exceſſive Force and Tyranie had conſum'd the reſt. Them Brutus deſtroies, and to his people divides the Land, which with ſom reference to his own name he thenceforth calls Britain. To Corineus, Cornwal, as now we call it, fell by Lot; the rather by him lik't, for that the hugeſt Giants, in Rocks and Caves were ſaid to lurk ſtill there; which kind of Monſters to deal with was his old exerciſe.
And heer, with leave be-ſpok'n to recite a grand Fable, though dignify'd by our beſt Poets; while Brutus on a certain Feſtival day ſolemnly kept on that ſhoar, where he firſt landed, was with the people in great jollity and mirth, a crew of theſe Savages breaking in upon them, began on the ſuddain another ſort of Game then at ſuch a meeting was expected. But at length by many hands overcome, Goëmagog the hugeſt, in higth twelv Cubits, is reſerv'd alive; that with him Corineus, who deſir'd nothing more, might try his ſtrength; Whom in a Wreſtle the Giant catching aloft, with a terrible hugg broke three of his Ribs: nevertheleſs Corineus enrag'd, heaving him up by main force, and on his Shoulders bearing him to the next high Rock, threw him headlong all ſhatter'd into the Sea, and left his name on the Cliff, call'd ever ſince Langoëmagog, which is to ſay, the Giants leap.
After this, Brutus in a choſen place builds Troia nova, chang'd in time to Trinovantum, now London: and began to enact Laws; Heli beeing then high Preiſt in Judaea: and having govern'd the whole Ile 24 Years, dy'd, and was buried in his new Troy. His three Sons Locrine, Albanact, and Camber divide the Land by conſent. Locrine had the middle part Loëgria; Camber poſſeſs'd Cambria or Wales; Albanact Albania, now Scotland. But he in the end by Humber King of the Hunns, who with a Fleet invaded that Land, was ſlain in fight, and his people driv'n back into Loëgria. Locrine and his Brother goe out againſt Humber; who now marching onward, was by them defeated, and in a River drown'd, which to this day retains his name. Among the ſpoils of his Camp and Navy, were found certain young Maids, and Eſtrildis, above the reſt, paſſing fair; the Daughter of a King in Germany; from whence Humber, as he went waſting the Sea-Coaſt, had led her Captive: whom Locrine, though before contracted to the Daughter of Corineus, reſolvs to marry. But beeing forc'd and threatn'd by Corineus, whoſe Autority, and power he fear'd, Guendolen the Daughter he yeelds to marry, but in ſecret loves the other: and oft-times retiring as to ſom privat Sacrifice, through Vaults and paſſages made under ground; and ſeven years thus enjoying her, had by her a Daughter equally fair, whoſe name was Sabra. But when once his fear was off by the Death of Corineus, not content with ſecret enjoyment, divorcing Guendolen, he makes Eſtrildis now his Queen. Guendolen all in rage departs into Cornwall; where Madan, the Son ſhe had by Locrine, was hitherto brought up by Corineus his Grandfather. And gathering an Army of her Fathers Friends and Subjects, gives Battail to her Huſband by the River Sture; wherein Locrine ſhot with an Arrow ends his life. But not ſo ends the fury of Guendolen; for Eſtrildis and her Daughter Sabra, ſhe throws into a River: and to leave a Monument of revenge, proclaims, that the ſtream be thenceforth call'd after the Damſels name; which by length of time is chang'd now to Sabrina, or Severn.
Fifteen Years ſhe governs in behalf of her Son; then reſigning to him at Age, retires to her Fathers Dominion. This ſaith my Author, was in the daies of Samuel. Madan hath the praiſe to have well and peacefully rul'd the ſpace of 40 years; leaving behind him two Sons, Memprioius, and Malim. Mempricius had firſt to doe with the ambition of his Brother, aſpiring to ſhare with him in the Kingdom; whom therfore at a meeting to compoſe matters, with a treachery which his cauſe needed not, he ſlew.
Nor was he better in the ſole poſſeſſion, wherof ſo ill he could endure a Partner, killing his Nobles, and thoſe eſpecially next to ſucceed him; till laſtly giv'n over to unnaturall luſt, in the twentith of his Reigne, hunting in a Foreſt, he was devowr'd by Wolves.
His Son Ebranc a man of mighty ſtrength and ſtature, Reign'd 40 Years. He firſt after Brutus waſted Gaul; and returning rich and proſperous, builded Caerebranc, now York; in Albania Alclud, Mount Agned, or the Caſtle of Maydens, now Edinburgh. He had 20 Sons and 30 Daughters by 20 Wives. His Daughters he ſent to Silvius Alba into Italy, who beſtow'd them on his Peers of the Trojan Line. His Sons under the leading of Aſſaracus thir Brother, won them Lands and Signories in Germany; thence call'd, from theſe Brethren Germania: a derivation too haſtily ſuppos'd, perhaps before the word Germannus or the Latin Tongue was in uſe. Som who have deſcrib'd Henault, as Jacobus …ergomas, and Leſſabeus, are cited to affirm that Ebr… … his Warre there, was by Brunchildis Lord of … put to the worſe.
Brutus therfore ſurnamed Greenſhield ſucceeding, to repair his Fathers loſſes, as the ſam, Leſſabeus reports, fought a ſecond Battail in Henault with Brunchild at the mouth of Scaldis, and Encamp'd on the River Hania. Of which our Spencer alſo thus Sings.
Let Scaldis tell, and let tell Hania,
And let the Marſh of Eſthambruges tell
What colour were thir Waters that ſame day,
And all the Moar twixt Elverſham and Dell,
With blood of Henalois which therin fell;
How oft that day did ſad Brunchildis ſee
The Greenſhield dy'd in dolorous Vermeil, &c.
But Henault, and Brunchild, and Greeneſheild, ſeeme newer names then for a Story pretended thus Antient.
Him ſucceeded Leil, a maintainer of Peace and Equity; but ſlackn'd in his latter end, whence aroſe ſom civil diſcord. He built in the North Cairleil; and in the daies of Solomon.
Rudhuddibras, or Hudibras appeaſing the commotions which his Father could not, fownded Caerkeynt or Canturbury, Caerguent, or Wincheſter, and Mount Paladur, now Septonia or Shaftsbury: but this by others is contradicted.
Bladud his Son built Caerbadus or Bathe, and thoſe medcinable Waters he dedicated to Minerva, in whoſe Temple there he kept fire continually burning. He was a man of great invention, and taught Necromancie: till having made him Wings to fly, he fell down upon the Temple of Apollo in Trinovant, and ſo dy'd after twenty years Reigne.
Hitherto from Father to Son the direct Line hath run on: but Leir who next Reign'd, had only three Daughters, and no Male Iſſue: govern'd laudably, and built Caer-Leir, now Leiceſtre, on the Bank of Sora. But at laſt, failing through Age, he determines to beſtow his Daughters, and ſo among them to divide his Kingdom. Yet firſt to try which of them lov'd him beſt (a Trial that might have made him, had he known as wiſely how to try, as he ſeem'd to know how much the trying behoov'd him) he reſolves a ſimple reſolution, to ask them ſolemly in order; and which of them ſhould profeſs largeſt, her to beleev. Gonorill th' Eldeſt apprehending too well her Fathers weakneſs, makes anſwer invoking Heav'n, That ſhe lov'd him above her Soul. Therfore, quoth the old man overjoy'd, ſince thou ſo honourſt my declin'd Age, to thee and the Husband whom thou ſhalt chooſe, I give the third part of my Realm. So fair a ſpeeding for a few words ſoon utter'd, was to Regan the ſecond, ample inſtruction what to ſay. She on the ſame demand ſpares no proteſting, and the Gods muſt witneſs, that otherwiſe to expreſs her thoughts ſhe knew not, but that ſhe lov'd him above all Creatures; and ſo receavs an equal reward with her Siſter. But Cordelia the youngeſt, though hitherto beſt belov'd, and now before her Eyes the rich and preſent hire of a little eaſie ſoothing, the danger alſo, and the loſs likely to betide plain dealing, yet moves not from the ſolid purpoſe of a ſincere and vertuous anſwer. Father, ſaith ſhe, my love towards you, is as my duty bids; what ſhould a Father ſeek, what can a Child promiſe more? they who pretend beyond this, flatter. When the old man, ſorry to hear this, and wiſhing her to recall thoſe words, perſiſted aſking, with a loiall ſadneſs at her Fathers infirmity, but ſomthing on the ſudden, harſh, and glancing rather at her Siſters, then ſpeaking her own mind, Two waies only, ſaith ſhe, I have to anſwer what you require mee; the former, Your command is, I ſhould recant; accept then this other which is leſt mee; look how much you have, ſo much is your value, and ſo much I love you. Then hear thou, quoth Leir now all in paſſion, what thy ingratitude hath gain'd thee; becauſe thou haſt not reverenc'd thy aged Father equall to thy Siſters, part in my Kingdom, or what elſe is mine reck'n to have none. And without delay gives in mariage his other Daughters, Gonorill to Maglaunus Duke of Albania, Regan to Henninus Duke of Cornwall; with them in preſent half his Kingdom; the reſt to follow at his Death. In the mean while Fame was not ſparing to divulge the wiſdom, and other Graces of Cordeilla, inſomuch that Aganippus a great King in Gaul (however he came by his Greek name) ſeeks her to Wife, and nothing alter'd at the loſs of her Dowry, receavs her gladly in ſuch manner as ſhe was ſent him. After this King Leir, more and more drooping with Years, became an eaſy prey to his Daughters and thir Huſbands; who now by dayly encroachment had feis'd the whole Kingdom into thir hands: and the old King is put to ſojorn with his Eldeſt Daughter, attended only by threeſcore Knights. But they in a ſhort while grudg'd at, as too numerous and diſorderly for continuall Gueſts, are reduc'd to thirty. Not brooking that affront, the old King betakes him to his ſecond Daughter: but there alſo diſcord ſoon ariſing between the Servants of differing Maſters in one Family, five only are ſuffer'd to attend him. Then back again he returns to the other; hoping that ſhe his Eldeſt could not but have more pity on his Gray Hairs: but ſhe now refuſes to admitt him, unleſs he be content with one only of his followers. At laſt the remembrance of his youngeſt Cordeilla comes to his thoughts; and now acknowledging how true her words had bin, though with little hope from whom he had ſo injur'd, be it but to pay her the laſt recompence ſhe can have from him, his confeſſion of her wiſe forewarning, that ſo perhaps his miſery, the prooff and experiment of her Wiſdom, might ſomthing ſoft'n her, he takes his Journey into France. Now might be ſeen a difference between the ſilent, or down-right ſpok'n affection of ſom Children to thir Parents, and the talkative obſequiouſneſs of others; while the hope of Inheritance over-acts them, and on the Tongues end enlarges thir duty. Cordeilla out of meer love, without the ſuſpicion of expected reward, at the meſſage only of her Father in diſtreſs, powrs forth true filial tears. And not enduring either that her own, or any other Eye ſhould ſee him in ſuch forlorn condition as his Meſſenger declar'd, diſcreetly appoints one of her truſted Servants, firſt to convay him privately toward ſom good Sea Town, there to array him, bathe him, cheriſh him, furniſh him with ſuch Attendance and State, as beſeemd his Dignity. That then, as from his firſt Landing, he might ſend word of his Arrival to her Husband Aganippus. Which don with all mature, and requiſite contrivance, Cordelia with the King her Huſband, and all the Barony of his Realm, who then firſt had news of his paſſing the Sea, goe out to meet him; and after all honourable and joyfull entertainment, Aganippus, as to his Wives Father, and his Royall Gueſt, ſurrenders him, during his abode there, the power, and diſpoſal of his whole Dominion: permitting his Wife Cordeilla to go with an Army, and ſet her Father upon his Throne. Wherin her piety ſo proſper'd, as that ſhe vanquiſh'd her impious Siſters with thoſe Dukes, and Leir again, as ſaith the ſtory, three years obtain'd the Crown. To whom dying, Cordeilla with all regal Solemnities gave Burial in the Town of Leiceſtre. And then as right Heir ſucceeding, and her Huſband dead, rul'd the Land five years in Peace. Untill Marganus and Cunedagius her two Siſters Sons, not bearing that a Kingdom ſhould be govern'd by a Woman, in the unſeaſonableſt time to raiſe that quarrel againſt a Woman ſo worthy, make War againſt her, depoſe her, and impriſon her; of which impatient, and now long unexercis'd to ſuffer, ſhe there, as is related, killd her ſelf. The Victors between them part the Land: but Marganus the Eldeſt Siſters Son, who held by agreement from the North-ſide of Humber to Cathneſs, incited by thoſe about him, to invade all as his own right, warres on Cunedagius; who ſoon met him, overcame, and overtook him in a Town of Wales, where he left his life, and ever ſince his name to the place.
Cuncdagius was now ſole King, and govern'd with much praiſe many years; about the time when Rome was built.
Him ſucceeded Rivallo his Son, wiſe alſo and fortunat; ſave what they tell us of three daies raining blood, and ſwarmes of ſtinging Flies, whereof men dy'd. In order then Gurguſtius, Jago or Lago, his Nefew; Siſillius, Kinmarcus. Then Gorbogudo, whom others name Gorbodego, and Gorbodion, who had two Sons, Ferrex, and Porrex. They in the old Age of thir Father falling to contend who ſhould ſucceed, Porrex attempting by treachery his Brothers life, drives him into France; and in his return though aided with the force of that Country, defeats and ſlaies him. But by his Mother Videna who leſs lov'd him, is himſelf, with the aſſiſtance of her Women, ſoon after ſlain in his Bed: With whom ended, as is thought, the Line of Brutus. Whereupon, the whole Land with civil broils was rent into five Kingdoms, long time waging Warr each on other; and ſom ſay 50 Years. At length Dunwallo Molmutius the Son of Cloten King of Cornwall, one of the foreſaid five, excelling in valour, and goodlineſs of perſon, after his Fathers deceaſe found means to reduce again the whole Iland into a Monarchy: ſubduing the reſt at opportunities. Firſt Y…ner King of Loegria whom he ſlew; then Rudaucus of Cambria, Staterius of Albania, confederat together. In which fight Dunwallo is reported, while the Victory hung doubtfull, to have us'd this Art. He takes with him 600 Stout men, bids them put on the Armour of thir ſlain Enemies; and ſo unexpectedly approaching the Squadron, where thoſe two Kings had plac'd themſelvs in fight, from that part which they thought ſecureſt, aſſaults, and diſpatches them. Then diſplaying his own Enſignes which before he had conceal'd, and ſending notice to the other part of his Army what was don, adds to them new courage, and gains a final Victory. This Dunwallo was the firſt in Britain that wore a Crown of Gold; and therfore by ſom reputed the firſt King. He eſtabliſhed the Molmutine Laws, famous among the Engliſh to this day; writt'n long after in Latine by Gildas, and in Saxon by King Alfred: ſo ſaith Geofrey, but Gildas denies to have known aught of the Britans before Caeſar; much leſs knew Alfred. Theſe Laws, whoever made them, beſtow'd on Temples the privilege of Sanctuary; to Cities alſo, and the waies thether leading, yea to Plows granted a kind of like refuge: and made ſuch riddance of Theeves and Robbers, that all paſſages were ſafe. Forty Years he Govern'd alone, and was buried nigh to the Temple of Concord; which he, to the memory of peace reſtor'd, had built in Trinovant.
His two Sons Belinus and Brennus contending about the Crown, by deciſion of Freinds came at length to an accord; Brennus to have the North of Humber, Belinus the Sovrantie of all. But the younger not long ſo contented, that he, as they whiſper'd to him, whoſe valour had ſo oft repell'd the invaſions of Ceulphus the Morine Duke, ſhould now be ſubject to his Brother, upon new Deſigne fails into Norway; enters League and Affinitie with Elſing that King; which Belinus perceaving, in his abſence diſpoſſeſes him of all the North. Brennus with a Fleet of Norwegians makes toward Britain; but encounter'd by Guithlac the Daniſh King, who laying claim to his Bride, purſu'd him on the Sea, his haſt was retarded, and he bereſt of his Spouſe: who from the fight by a ſudden Tempeſt, was by the Daniſh King driv'n on Northumberland, and brought to Belinus. Brennus nevertheleſs recollecting his Navy, lands in Albania, and gives Battell to his Brother in the Wood Calaterium; but looſing the day, eſcapes with one ſingle Ship into Gaul. Mean while the Dane upon his own offer to become tributary, ſent home with his new priſe, Belinus returns his thoughts to the adminiſtring of Juſtice, and the perfeting of his Fathers Laws; and to explain what High-waies might enjoy the foreſaid privileges, he caus'd to be drawn out and pav'd fowr main Roades to the utmoſt length and bredth of the Iland; and two others athwart; which are ſince attributed to the Romans. Bren-Brennus on the other ſide ſolliciting to his aid the Kings of Gaul, happ'ns at laſt on Seginus Duke of the Allobreges; where his worth, and comlineſs of perſon wan him the Dukes Daughter and Heir. In whoſe right he ſhortly ſucceeding, and by obtain'd leave paſſing with a great Hoſt through the length of Gaul, gets footing once again in Britain. Nor was Belinus unprepar'd, and now the Battell ready to joyn, Conuvenna the Mother of them both all in a fright, throws her ſelf between; and calling earneſtly to Brennus her Son, whoſe abſence had ſo long depriv'd her of his ſight, after imbracements and teares, aſſails him with ſuch a motherly power, and the mention of things ſo dear and reverend, as irreſiſtibly wrung from him all his enmity againſt Belinus.
Then are hands joyn'd, reconciliation made firm, and Counſel held to turn thir united preparations on Foren parts. Thence that by theſe two all Gallia was overrun, the ſtory tells; and what they did in Italy, and at Rome, if theſe be they, and not Gauls, who took that City, the Roman Authors can beſt relate. So far from home I undertake not for the Monmouth Chronicle; which heer againſt the ſtream of Hiſtory carries up and down theſe Brethren, now into Germany, then again to Rome, purſuing Gabius and Porſena, two unheard of Conſuls. Thus much is more generally beleev'd, that both this Brennus, and another famous Captain, Britomarus, whom the Epitomiſt Florus and others mention, were not Gauls but Britans; the name of the firſt in that Tongue ſignifying a King, and of the other a Great Britan. However Belinus after a while returning home, the reſt of his daies rul'd in Peace, Wealth, and Honour above all his Predeceſſors; building ſom Cities, of which one was Caeroſe upon Oſca, ſince Caerlegion; beautifying others, as Trinovant with a Gate, a Hav'n, and a Towr, on the Thames, retaining yet his name; on the top wherof his Aſhes are ſaid to have bin laid up in a Golden Urne.
After him Gurguntius Barbirus was King, mild and juſt, but yet inheriting his Fathers Courage, he ſubdu'd the Dacian, or Dane, who refus'd to pay the Tribute Covnanted to Belinus for his enlargement. In his return finding about the Orkneies 30 Ships of Spain, or Biſcay, fraught with Men and Women for a Plantation, whoſe Captain alſo Bartholinus wrongfully baniſh't, as he pleaded, beſaught him that ſom part of his Territory might be aſſign'd them to dwell in, he ſent with them certain of his own men to Ireland, which then lay unpeopl'd; and gave them that Iland to hold of him as in Homage. He was buried in Caerlegion, a City which he had wall'd about.
Guitheline his Son, is alſo remember'd, as a juſt and good Prince, and his Wife Martia to have excell'd ſo much in wiſdom, as to venture upon a new Inſtitution of Laws. Which King Alfred tranſlating call'd Marchen Leage, but more truly therby is meant, the Mertian Law; not tranſlated by Alfred, but digeſted or incorporated with the Weſt-Saxon. In the minority of her Son ſhe had the rule, and then, as may be ſuppos'd, brought forth theſe Laws, not her ſelf, for Laws are Maſculin Births, but by the advice of her ſageſt Counſelors; and therin ſhe might doe vertuouſly, ſince it befell her to ſupply the nonage of her Son: elſe nothing more awry from the Law of God and Nature, then that a Woman ſhould give Laws to Men.
Hir Son Siſilius comming to Yeares receav'd the Rule; then in order Kimarus, then Danius or Elanius his Brother. Then Morindus, his Son by Tangueſtela a Concubine, who is recorded a man of exceſſive Strength, Valiant, Liberal, and fair of Aſpect, but immanely Cruell; not ſparing in his Anger, Enemy, or Freind, if any Weapon were in his hand. A certain King of the Morines, or Picards invaded Northumberland; whoſe Army this King, though not wanting ſufficient numbers, cheifly by his own proweſs overcame: But diſhonour'd his Victory by the cruel uſage of his Priſners, whom his own hands, or others in his preſence put all to ſeveral Deaths: well fitted to ſuch a beſtiall Cruelty was his end; for hearing of a huge Monſter that from the Iriſh Sea infeſted the Coaſt, and in the Pride of his Strength fooliſhly attempting to ſet manly valour againſt a Brute vaſtneſs, when his Weapons were all in vain, by that horrible mouth he was catch't up and devour'd.
Gorbonian the Eldeſt of his five Sons, then whom a Juſter man liv'd not in his Age, was a great builder of Temples, and gave to all what was thir due; to his Gods devout Worſhip, to men of deſert honour and preferment, to the Commons encouragement in thir Labours, and Trades, defence and protection from injuries and oppreſſions, ſo that the Land floriſh'd above her Neighbours, Violence and Wrong ſeldom was heard of: his Death was a general loſs: he was buried in Trinovant.
Archigallo the ſecond Brother follow'd not his Example; but depreſs'd the ancient Nobility, and by peeling the wealthier ſort, ſtuff'd his Treaſury, and took the right way to be depos'd.
Elidure the next Brother, ſurnam'd the Pious, was ſet up in his place; a mind ſo noble, and ſo moderat, as almoſt is incredible to have bin ever found. For having held the Scepter five Years, hunting one day in the Foreſt of Calater, he chanc'd to meet his depoſed Brother, wandring in mean condition: who had bin long in vain beyond the Seas, importuning Foren aides to his Reſtorement: and was now in a poor Habit, with only ten followers, privatly return'd to find ſubſiſtence among his ſecret freinds. At the unexpected ſight of him, Elidure himſelf alſo then but thinly accompanied, runns to him with open Arms; and after many dear and ſincere welcomings, convaines him to the Citty Alclud; there hides him in his own Bed-Chamber. Afterwards faining himſelf ſick, ſummons all his Peers as about greateſt affairs; where admitting them one by one, as if his weakneſs endur'd not the diſturbance of more at once, cauſes them willing, or unwilling, once more to ſwear Allegiance to Archigallo. Whom after reconciliation made on all ſides, he leads to York; and from his own Head, places the Crown on the Head of his Brother. Who thenceforth, Vice it ſelf diſſolving in him, and forgetting her firmeſt hold with the admiration of a deed ſo Heroic, became a true converted man; rul'd worthily 10 Years; dy'd, and was Buried in Caerleir. Thus was a Brother ſav'd by a Brother, to whom love of a Crown, the thing that ſo often dazles, and vitiats mortal men, for which, thouſands of neereſt blood have deſtroy'd each other, was in reſpect of Brotherly dearneſs, a contemptible thing.
Elidure now in his own behalf re-aſſumes the Government, and did as was worthy ſuch a man to doe. When providence, that ſo great vertue might want no ſort of trial to make it more illuſtrious, ſtirs up Vigenius, and Peredure his youngeſt Brethren, againſt him who had deſerv'd ſo nobly of that relation, as leſt of all by a Brother to be injur'd. Yet him they defeat, him they Impriſon in the Towr of Trinovant, and divide his Kingdom; the North to Peredure, the South to Vigenius. After whoſe Death Peredure obtaining all, ſo much the better us'd his power, by how much the worſe he got it. So that Elidure now is hardly miſs't. But yet in all right owing to his Elder the due place wherof he had depriv'd him, Fate would that he ſhould die firſt: and Elidure after many years Impriſonment, is now the third time ſeated on the Throne; which at laſt he enjoy'd long in Peace; finiſhing the interrupted courſe of his mild, and juſt Reign, as full of vertuous deeds, as daies to his end.
After theſe five Sons of Morindus, ſucceeded alſo thir Sons in Order. *Matthew Weſtmin.Regin of Gorbonian, Marganus of Archigallo, both good Kings. But Enniaunus his Brother taking other courſes, was after ſix years depos'd. Then Idwallo taught by a neer Example, Govern'd ſoberly. Then Runno, then Geruntius, He of Peredure, this laſt the Son of Elidure. From whoſe Loyns (for that likely is the durable, and ſurviving Race that ſprings of juſt Progenitors) iſſu'd a long deſcent of Kings, whoſe names only for many ſucceſſions without other memory ſtand thus regiſter'd, Catellus, Coillus, Porrex, Cherin, and his three Sons, Fulgenius, Eldadus, and Andragius, his Son Ʋrianus; Eliud, Eledaueus, Clotenus, Gurguntius, Merianus, Bleduno, Capis, Oënus, Siſillius, twentie Kings in a continu'd row, that either did nothing, or liv'd in Ages that wrote nothing, at leaſt a foul pretermiſſion in the Author of this, whether Story or Fable; himſelf wearie, as ſeems, of his own tedious Tale.
But to make amends for this Silence, Blegabredus next ſucceeding, is recorded to have excell'd all before him in the Art of Muſic; oppertunely, had he but left us one Song of his 20 Predeceſſors doings.
Yet after him nine more ſucceeded in name; His Brother Archimailus, Eldol, Redion, Rederchius, Samulius, Peniſſel, Pir, Capoirus, but Cliguellius, with the addition of Modeſt, Wiſe, and Juſt.
His Son Heli Reign'd 40 Years, and had three Sons, Lud, Caſſibelaun, and Nennius. This Heli ſeems to be the ſame whom Ninnius in his fragment calls Minocan; for him he writes to be the Father of Caſſibelan. Lud was he that enlarg'd, and wall'd about Trinovant, there kept his Court, made it the prime City, and call'd it from his own name Caer-lud, or Luds Town, now London. Which, as is alledg'd out of Gildas, became matter of great diſſention betwixt him, and his Brother Nennius; who took it hainouſly that the name of Troy thir ancient Country ſhould be aboliſh'd for any new one. Lud was hardy, and bold in Warr, in Peace a jolly Feaſter. He conquer'd many Ilands of the Sea, ſaith Huntingdon, and Huntingd. L. 1.was buried by the Gate which from thence wee call Ludgate. His two Sons Androgeus, and Tenuantius, were left unto the tuition of Caſſibelan; whoſe bounty, and high demeanor ſo wraught with the common people, as got him eaſily the Kingdom tranſferr'd upon himſelf. He nevertheleſs continuing to favour and ſupport his Nefews, conferrs freely upon Androgeus, London with Kent, upon Tenuantius, Cornwall: reſerving a ſuperiority both over them, and all the other Princes to himſelf; till the Romans for a while circumſcrib'd his power. Thus farr, though leaning only on the cre…t of Geffrey Monmouth, and his aſſertors, I yet for the ſpecify'd cauſes have thought it not beneath my purpoſe, to relate what I found. Wherto I neither oblige the beleif of other perſon, nor over-haſtily ſubſcribe mine own. Nor have I ſtood with others computing, or collating years and Chronologies, leſt I ſhould be vainly curious about the time and circumſtance of things wherof the ſubſtance is ſo much in doubt. By this time, like one who had ſet out on his way by night, and travail'd through a Region of ſmooth or idle Dreams, our Hiſtory now arrivs on the Confines, where day-light and truth meet us with a cleer dawn, repreſenting to our view, though at a farr diſtance, true colours and ſhapes. For albeit, Caeſar, whoſe Autority we are now firſt to follow, wanted not who tax'd him of miſ-reporting in his Commentaries, yea in his Civil Warrs againſt Pompey, much more, may wee think, in the Britiſh affairs, of whoſe little ſkill in writing he did not eaſily hope to be contradicted, yet now in ſuch variety of good Authors, we hardly can miſs from one hand or other to be ſufficiently inform'd as of things paſt ſo long agoe. But this will better be referr'd to a ſecond diſcourſe.
The End of the firſt Book.