Historical Vindication Part 2, Chapter 3

Historical Vindication Part 2 · Chapter 3

p. 1CHAP. III.

I Have in the two precedent Chapters fully proved, That the Kingdome, and Freemen of England have ſome antient hereditary juſt Rights, Liberties, Franchiſes, Laws and Cuſtomes properly called Fundamentall, together with a Fundamentall Government, no wayes to bealtered, undermined, ſubverted directly or indirectly to the publick prejudice, underpain of high Treaſon in thoſe who ſhall attempt it, eſpecially by fraud, force or armed power; and given you likewiſe the heads of the chiefeſt of them in X brief Propoſitions. I ſhall now in the third place proceed, in a Chronologicall way, to preſent you with a large Hiſtoricall Catalogue of the ſeverall Nationall, Parliamentall, Legall, Martiall publick and private conteſts, great Charters, Lawes, Statutes, Votes, Declarations, Remonstrances, Claimes, Records, Evidences, Writs, Oathes, Vowes, Proteſtations, Covenants, Excommunications, Confirmations, Judgments, Reſolutions, and principall Authorities in all ages, both under the antient Britons, Saxons, Danes, Normans and Engliſh Kings, till our preſent times; plentifully, undeniably evidencing, declaring, vindicating, aſſerting, eſtabliſhing, perpetuating theſe Fundamentall, Hereditary Rights, Liberties, Priviledges, Franchiſes, Cuſtomes, Lawes: and abundantly manifeſting the extraordinary zeal, courage, wiſdome, and vigilancie of our Anceſtors, to defend, preſerve and perpetuate them to poſterity, without the leaſt violation or dimin…tion.

p. 2I ſhall begin with the higheſt Antiquities extant in our Hiſtories, pertinent to my Theame, and ſo deſcend to thoſe of punier times, relating all of them for the moſt part (except here and there where the identity of the ſubject matter and deſire of brevity occaſion me to vary ſomewhat from this intended method) according to their Antiquity and Chronologicall ſeries of time, referring ſuch particulars of them as relate to each of the forementioned X. Propoſitions in the ſecond Chapter, only with figures in the margin, deſigning the ſeverall Propoſitions unto which they have more immediate reference; without reducing theſe Hiſtoricall Collections to diſtinct heads under every Propoſition in order, as I have propoſed them; which courſe would have interrupted my Chronologicall Method, and cauſed a frequent repetition of ſundry paſſages, Charters, Acts, Oathes, Records, relating to ſeverall of theſe Propoſitions for the moſt part, not to one of them alone, which I ſhall now avoid by affixing the number of ſingle Propoſition whereunto they refer in the margin, eachwherewith the Reader may eaſily compare them, with more delight, and as much ſatisfaction, as if I had marſhalled them all in rank and file under thoſe diſtinct Propoſitions whereunto they have relation. As for thoſe Hiſtoricall paſſages which contain the ſeverall publick Parliamentall or Martiall conteſts of our Anceſtors, with their Kings and other invading Nations, for their Liberties, Rights, Laws, Cuſtomes, and great Charters in the generall, I have annexed no figures unto them, every of them for the moſt part, referring to all or moſt of theſe Propoſitions in groſſe, though not particularly ſpecified in theſe conteſtations for them.

And becauſe I intend for the better confirmation of our antient Fundamentall Liberties, Priviledges, Freedomes, Rights, Lawes, Government, and greater benefit of Poſterity, briefly to paſſe through the ſeverall ſucceſſive Reigns and Dominions of the Britons, Romans, Saxons, Danes, Normans, as well as of our Engliſh Kings ſince the p. 3Conqueſt (as we uſually ſtyle it) whereon I ſhall principally inſiſt, as of greateſt, neareſt concernment to us of this generation, I ſhall for order ſake, divide this Chapter into diſtinct Sections: the rather, becauſe the largeneſſe of it may occaſion the Stationer to publiſh it (as he did the two firſt Chapters) in ſeverall parts, as they ſhall be Printed, the compleating of the whole requiring longer time (in reſpect of my remoteneſſe from the Preſſe, and the largeneſſe thereof) then the preſent uſefulneſſe of each part, and the longing deſires of ſome Readers after it, would willingly allow for its publication in one whole volume, which every mans purſe who deſires it, cannot ſo eaſily purchaſe in theſe neceſſitous times, as it may do in parcels.

SECTION I.

Concerning the Ancient Britons contests for their Liberties and Lawes, againſt Tyrants, and Invaders of their Fundamentall Government Rights, and of their great Councels till the Romans Couqueſt.

IT is agreed by all our Hiſtorians, that the Britons were the originall known Inhabitants of this Iland, from whom it was ſtiled Britain; but from what forrain Nations the Britons deſcended, our Antiquaries differ in opinion: our later writers herein diſſenting from thoſe of former ages, with whom I muſt begin.

Moſt of ouraaHeur. Huntindon hiſt. l. 1. p. 1. Galfr. Monum. hiſt. l. 1. Math. Weſtm. Flores Hiſt. Aetas 3. p. 23, 24. Ponticus Virunnius hiſt. l. 1. Polychronicon, Fabian, and ſundry others. antient Hiſtorians, and the whole famous Parliament held at Lincolne, Anno 28 E. 1. (in the learned**Walſingh. Hiſt. Angl. p. 49, &c. Letter therein compiled and agreed to be ſent by the King to Pope Boniface, to prove the ſubjection and homage of the Kingdome and Kings of Scotland from time to time to the Kings of England Iure Dominii, as Supreme p. 4Lords thereof, by Hiſtoricall precedents in former ages, collected out of all Hiſtories and Records then extant) unanimouſly record, That the Britons originally deſcended from the Trojans; that they arrived here in Britain about the dayes of Ely the Prieſt, under Brute their firſt King, who divided it at his death into three diſtinct parts and Kingdomes between his three Sons; leaving that part thereof now called England (then Loegria) to Loerinus his eldeſt Son and his Heirs, as an hereditary, not elective Kingdome, according to the custome of the Trojans; bbTho. Walſingham. Hist. Angl. …. 1232. p. 50.Petebal enim Troana conſuetudo, ut dignitas Hereditatis primogenito perbeni…et, as our Hiſtorians; and that whole Parliament of 28 E. 1. reſolve. So that an Hereditary Kingdome and Monarchicall Government by Kings, was the originall Fundamentall Government ſetled in this Iland by Brute; and that as well in thoſe parts thereof ſince called Scotland and Wales, as England, which all ourccGalfr. Monum. hist. l. 1. c. 11. Math. Weſt. Floreshist. p. 16, 17. Ponticus Virunn. hiſt. l. 1. Historians, aſſerting this originall of the Britons unanimouſly atteſt, with that anſwer which Diana gave unto Brute before his arrivall in Britain, when ſhe directed him to come and ſeat himſelf therein, further evidenceth, if we may give any credit hereunto.

Brute ſub occaſu Solis, trans Gallica Regna

Inſula in Oceano eſt, undique clauſa mari:

Inſula in Oceano eſt habitata Gigantibus olim,

Nunc deſerta quidem, Gentibus apta tuis.

Hanc pete, namque tibi ſedes erit illa perennis,

Hic fiet natis altera Troja tuis.

Hic de prole tua reges naſcentur, & ipſis

Totius terrae ſubditus orbis erit.

With this concurreth the more authentick teſtimony ofddSee Camd. Brit. p. 29, 30. Cornelius Tacitus; The Britons heretofore were governed by Kings; now they are divided by petty Princes into Parties and Factions: with that of Pomponius Mela, Britain bringeth forth Nations, and Kings of Nations.

p. 5The very firſt act that made their firſt King Brute moſt famous before his arrivall in Britain,eeGalfr. Monum. hiſt. l. 1. c. 4, to 12. and Math. Weſt. p. 14, 15, 17, 18. was his delivering of 7000 Trojans, his native Countrymen (with their wives and children) from their Servitude and Bondage under King Pandraſus and the Graecians, whom he vanquiſhed and took Priſoner in Battle, and thereby reſtored them to their loſt Liberty. Propoſit. 5, 6, 9.After which Victory, Brute major… na…u convocavit, aſſembling the Elders of the People (in nature of a Parliament) demanded their advice, what he ſhould do with Pandraſus, and what things and conditions he ſhould for their benefit demand of him, which he would willingly grant being in their power. Whereupon ſome adviſed him to demand a part of his Kingdome for them freely to inhabit: others counſelled, rather to demand of him free liberty for them all to depart thence, with accommodations for their voyage to ſeek another habitation elſewhere; others adviſed to bring Pandraſus forth a…d to put him to death, and ſeiſe upon his Realme, in caſe he refuſed to grant their demands. At laſt Mempritius, a great Counſellor ſtanding up ſaid, Regem interficere cupiditate Dominandi nefas mihi videtur, cum omnibus licitum ſit pro patria pugnade; To ſlay a King out of a deſire of reigning in his ſtead, ſeemes a wickedneſse unto me, ſeeing it is lawfull to all men to fight for their Country: (this was the Divinity and Morality of the very Pagan Britons in that age) Whereupon I rather adviſe, that we ſhould demand his eldest daughter from him as a Wife for our Captain Brute, and a good ſum of Gold and Silver with her for her dowry, with Ships and all other neceſſaries for our jouruey, and free licenſe to tranſport our ſelves to ſome other Country, becauſe we can never hope to live peaceablely there, ſeeing the Children and Nephewes of thoſe which we have newly ſlain in theſe Warres, would meditate revenge. To the which, Tota Multi…udo acquievit, all the Multitude aſſented; and Pandraſus to ſave his life and gain his inlargement, willingly condeſcended to,Propoſit. 5. 10. furniſhing them with Ships and Proviſions. With which Brute and all his aſſociates arriving at Totnes in Albion, ſeating themſelves there, Brute from his name ſtyled this Iland Britain, and his Companions Britons, p. 6deſtroying thoſe few Gyants which formerly poſſeſſed it; and then building a City which he ſtyled Troy-Novant (now London) dedicavit eam civibus jure victuris, deditque legem qua pacifice tractarentur.

In this Hiſtory of our firſt Britiſh King Brute, we have theſe 5. remarkable particulars;

1. A Warre to ſhake off Slavery, and recover publick Liberty.

2. A kinde of Generall Parliamentary Councell ſummoned by Brute, of all the Elders of the Britons, to adviſe of Peace, Warre, and of their common ſafety and affaires.

3. A reſolution againſt killing even a Tyrannicall oppreſſing King, taken in the field in Battle, out of Covetouſneſſe to enjoy his Crown and Dominions, as a moſt wicked act.

4. A ſetling of an hereditary Kingly Government in this Iſle upon the very firſt plantation of the Britons in it.

5. Lawes made and given to the people, whereby they might live peaceably without injury or oppreſſion.

This Kingdome deſcended in lineall ſucceſſion from Brute and his Poſterity, to ffGalfr. Monum. Hist. Reg. Brit. l. 2. c. 11. Ponticus Virunnius hiſt. Brit. l. 2. Mat. Weſtm. p. 27, 28.Leir Son of King Bladud, who reigning 60. years, and having only three Daughters, Conſilio procerum Regni, by the Counſell of the Nobles of the Realme (aſſembled in Parliament) gave two of his Daughters in marriage to the Dukes of Cornwall and Albania, with one Moiety only of the Iland whiles he lived, and the whole Monarchy of Britain after his death. After this, Porrex ſlaying his elder Brother Ferrex to get the Crown, was ſlain by his own Mother and her maids for his Treaſon and Fratricide; whereupon civill diſcord ariſing a long time, the Kingdome thereby was ſubjected to five ſeverall Kings, who infeſted one another with mutuall ſlaughters, till ggGildas hiſt. c. 19. Galfr. Monum. l. 2. c. 17. Math. Weſt. p. 51. 52. Tho. R…dburni Chron. Dr. Ʋſher De Brit. Eccleſ. Primordiis. p. 127, 128. Fox. Acts and Monuments Vol. 1. p. 211. 212. Ponticus Virunmus Brit. hist. l. 2.Dunwallo Molmutius ſucceeding his Father Clotho King of Cornwall p. 7in the Crown, ſlaying the uſurping Kings of Loegria, Wales and Albania, reigned alone over them (about the time of Nehemiah) After which he enacted certain Laws, called Molmutine Laws; which for many ages after were very famous and generally obſerved among the Britons; yea uſed, commended by the Saxons and Engliſh, and inſerted into Edward the Confeſſors Lawes, being famous till William the Conquerours time. What theſe Lawes were in particular, in relation to the Liberty and Property of the Subject, appeares not; but the iſſue proves, that they tended to publick peace, and preſervation of the Subjects perſons and eſtates from violence. For in his Reign after theſe Lawes publiſhed (for confirmation whereof he built the Temple of Concord in Troynovant, where he was afterwards buried) Latronum mucrones ceſſabant,Propoſition 2. 4. 5. Raptorum ſaevitiae obturabantur, nec l…erat uſquam qui violentiam alicui ingereret; The ſwords of theeves ceaſed, the cruelties of Plunderers and violent takers of mens Goods and poſſeſſions were prevented, neither was there any to be found in any place, who would offer violence to any man. Moreover he ordained, That the Temples of the Gods, and Cities, and the wayes leading to them, and the Ploughs of Husbandmen ſhould enjoy the priviledges of Sanctuaries, ſo as every perſon who fled unto them through guilt or otherwiſe, might depart quietly with leave and without arreſt before his enemy.

After his death (about 400. yeares before our Saviours Nativity) his two Sons Brennus and Belinus, by conſent divided his Kingdome between them; till Brennus the younger Son,(h) Galfr. Monum. hist. l. 3. Ponticus Virunnius. Brit. Hiſt. l. 3. Math. Weſtm. Aetas 5. p. 53. 54. aſpiring after the Monarchy of the whole Iland, was vanquiſhed and expelled by his Brother into France. In which Warre Gurthlac King of Denmarke, ayding Brennus, was taken Priſoner by Belinus, Qui convocavit omnes Regni proceres, &c. who called together all the Nobles of the Realme to Yorke, conſilio eorum tractaturus, to debate by their Councell (in nature of a Parliament) what he ſhould do with Gurthlac, Propoſit 5. 9.who proffered to ſubmit himſelf with his Kingdome of Denmarke to him, to pay him an annuall p. 8Tribute, and to ratifie this agreement by his Oath, and ſureties for his inlargement and ranſome▪ Propoſit 5. 6 9▪Whereupon the Nobles Reſolved, that he ſhould be enlarged upon this condition, which was done accordingly: Convocatis proceribus cum id judicatum fuiſſet aſſenſum prebuerunt cuncti; that he ſhould be enlarged upon theſe conditions, as the Marginall Authors record. After which King Belinus obtaining the Government of the whole Iland, Confirmed his Father Molmutines Laws, commanding upright and ſtable Juſtice to be done throughout the Land, and the wayes to the Temples to be marked out in all places with ſtones, that they might not be ambiguous, being priviledged from arreſts and violence. This King addicting himſelf conſtantly to Juſtice, the people thereby became more wealthy in few years, then ever they had been in former times. After this Brennus arriving with an Army out of France to recover his right; Belinus being ready to encounter him in a ſet Battaile, their Mother mediated a Peace between them, Propoſit▪ 9.whereupon they lovingly embraced each other: and going to Troinovant, inito concilio quid agerent; having there hold a Councell what they ſhould do, they Reſolved to ſend a common Army to conquer France, and other Forain parts, which they put in execution. Here we have matters of Warre and Peace, and Lawes concluded and ratified in and by a Parliament of Nobles in this age.

KingiiGalfr. Monum. & Ponticus Virunn. hiſt. Brit. l. 3. Math. Weſt. Aetas. 5. p. 5. 6. Fox Acts and Mon. vol. 1. p. 211, 212. Guithelin, to whom the Crown lineally deſcended from Belinus, married Martia a Noble woman, learned in all arts, who invented the Law which the Britons called Martiana; which King Alfred approving, tranſlated into the Saxon tongue and called it Marchen Leage. King Edward the Confeſſor making uſe of it in the collection and compiling of his Lawes, hereafter mentioned. Though this Queen firſt invented this Law, no doubt it was ratified by publick conſent of the King her Husband, and the Nobles in their generall Councell in that age, elſe it could not have the force of a Law, by her bare penning of it.Propoſit. 5. Gorbonius grandchild to Guithelin and p. 9Martia coming to the Crown by deſcent, governed his people moſt juſtly according to theſe forecited Lawes, it being his continuall cuſtome, to give due honour to the Gods in the firſt place, and then to adminiſter right juſtice to the people. He encouraged Husbandmen in their tillage, and defended them from the injuries of their Lords; and he inriched his Souldiers with gold and ſilver, ſo as none of them had need to do any injury or violence to any other.

kkGalfr. Monum. hiſt. Brit. l. 3. c. 16, 17. Math. Weſt. p. 56, 57, &c. Ponticus Virunnius l. 3. Fabian, Holinſhed, Grafton, Speed in their lives.Archigallo his Brother ſucceeding, degenerated from him in all his actions; for he endevoured every where, Nobiles quoſque deprimere, to depreſſe all that were Noble, and to advance ignoble perſons, to take away rich mens goods and mony by violence, thereby heaping up infinite treaſures: which the Nobles of the Realm refuſing to endure any longer, roſe up againſt and depoſed him from his royall Throne, creating his brother Elidurus King in his ſtead. He, after five years reign, meeting his depoſed brother in a wood as he was hunting, ran to him, imbraced, kiſſed and brought him to his own royall Bedchamber privately, and then ſummoned Proceres omnes et principes, all the Nobles and Princes of the Realm to come ſpeedily to his City of Alclud; who repairing thither, he ſaigning himſelfe to be very ſick, commanded every of them one by one, to come into his Bedchamber to viſite him: which they thus doing, he threatned preſently to cut off all their heads as they entred ſingly, unleſſe they would conſent to ſubmit themſelves again to Archigallo as their Soveraign; which they, through fear of death aſſenting to, he made an agreement between them, and then carrying him to Yorke, took the Crown from his own head, and ſet it on his brothers Archigallo. For which memorable ſelf-denying pious act to his brother, he was ſtyled Elidurus pius. Archigallo upon his reſtitution corrected his former errors, depoſed all ignoble perſons, advanced the Nobility, permitted every man to enjoy what was his own,(l) Galfr. M… num. hiſt l. 3. c. 19. Ponticus Virunnius l. 3. Math. Weſt p 67 and adminiſtred right juſtice to his people.

Ennianus his Son (King after him) treating his Subjects ill, was depoſed by them from the Throne of p. 10the Kingdome, becauſe he contrarying juſtice, preferred Tyranny; Edwallo being made King in his place: who inſtructed by his Predeceſſors overſights, Jus atque rectitudinem colebat, followed Law and rectitude, as did others of his ſucceſſors.

OurmmGalfr. M… num & Ponticus Virunnius hiſt. Brit. l. 4. Math. Weſt. p. 66, 67. Fabian, Holinſhed, Grafton in the life of Caſſibelan. Hiſtories record, that about 54. years before our Saviours birth, Julius Caeſar having conquered France, eſpying Britain from thence, having learned the name of the Ile and Nation, ſent meſſengers thence to Caſſibelan King of Britain, exacting with threats an annuall Tribute from him and the Britons to be paid to the Roman Senate, as well as from other Naiions, elſe he ſhould be enforced to tranſport his Army and ſhed their bloud. Whereupon Caſſibelan returned this anſwer to him in writing.

Caſſibelanus King of the Britons to Cajus Julius Caeſar, Marvellous, O Caeſar, is the covetuouſnes of the Roman people, who thirſting after gold and ſilver in all places, cannot ſuffer us placed beyond the World, within the perils of the Ocean, to be quiet, but preſume to affect our Tribute and Revenues, which we have hitherto peaceably poſſeſſed. Neither verily will this ſuffice, unleſſe renouncing our Libertie we ſhall make ſubjection to him; and thereby undergoe perpetuall ſervitude; therefore Caeſar thou haſt demanded A ſhamefull thing; ſeeing the vein of common Nobility flowes from Aeneas, both to the Britons, and Romans, and one and the ſame bond of kindred, lives ſtill in both, whereby they ought to be knit together in firme amity. This therefore ſhould have been required of us, not ſervitude, becauſe we have learned, rather to give this then to bear the yoake of Servitude. For we have been ſo much accuſtomed to inioy Liberty, that we are altogether ignorant what it is to obey Servitude. Which Liberty if the Gods themſelves ſhould endeavour to take from us, verily we would ſtrive with all our might to reſiſt them, that we might retain it. Be it known therefore to thee Caeſar, That we are prepared and reſolved to fight for it, and for our Realm, if, as thou haſt threatned, thou ſhall begin to come upon the Iſle of Britain.

p. 11Hereupon C…ſar preparing his Navy and Forces, arrived with his army at the mouth of Thames: the Britons though at civill warres among themſelves before, upon this neceſſity, united themſelves together to oppoſe the Romans, and communi conſilio, (asnnComment. l. 5. John Stow his Survay of London p. 2. Speeds Hiſt. of Great Britain p. 48. Caeſar himſelf and others write) by common advice and aſſent, (in a Parliament of that age) elected Caſſibelan for their Generall, and committed the managing of the Warres to him: who gathering the whole ſtrength of the Britons together conſilium querens a Principibue Regni, as ſome, and a proceribus ſuis, Propoſit. 5. 9.as others record; taking councell with the Princes of the Realme and his Nobles, how to re…e the enemies, they reſolved to reſiſt their Landing, and to aſſault them in their tents, before they had fortified themſelves, or taken any Towne, and ſo to repell them. Which advice they purſuing, oppoſed their landing, and forced the Romans that were landed to their ſhips, and compelled Caeſar to returne into France, as our Britiſh Hiſtorians aſſert, though Caeſar in his Commentaries, to cover his diſhonour, relates the contrary. The year following Caeſar recruiting his Army landed again in Cornwall, and was repulſed by Caſſibelan the ſecond time with great loſſe. Whereupon Caſſibelan joyfull of his victory, returning to Troinovant, Edictum fecit, ut omnes proceres Britannie Convenirent, made an Edict, that all the Nobles of Britain ſhould aſſemble together at Troinovant, to offer publick prayſes and Sacrifices to his Gods, who had made him to triumph over ſo great an Emperor as Caeſar: At this aſſembly, Evelin Nephew to Androgeus Duke of Trionovant, playing with Herelgas Nephew to Caſſibelan, upon a ſudain quarrell between them, cut of Herelgas head; at which the King being very angry, commanded Evelin to be brought before his preſence, and to be ready, ſententiam quam proceres Dictarent, Propoſit. ….or talem ſententiam quam proceres Regni judicarent ſubire, to undergoe ſuch a ſentence and judgment as the Nobles and Peers of the Realme ſhould pronounce, that Herelgas p. 12might net remain unrevenged, in caſe he were unjuſtly ſlain. Androgeus ſuſpecting the Kings minde towards his Nephew, anſwered, Se…e ſuam curiam habere et in illa diffiniri debere, **Or, ſi quis adverſus aliquem ſuorum querimoniam haberet, as others render it,quicquid aliquis in homines ſuos clamaret: Si ergo rectitudinem Evelino decreviſſet appetere, ipſum in urbe Troinovanto ex veterum traditione recepiſſet. That he had his own Court, and that in it what ever any one complained of againſt his men, ought to be determined, therefore if he decreed to deſire juſtice againſt Evelin, he might receive it in the City Troinovant, according to the cuſtome of the Ancients. Upon this anſwer, they departing diſcontented one from another, Caſſibelan threatned to invade and waſte Androgeus his Country withfire and ſword, unleſse he delivered up his Nephew to juſtice; which he peremptorily refuſing, Caſſibelan waſted his Country accordingly, notwithſtanding all his entreaties by his kindred and friends to divert him from it. Hereupon Androgeus ſent meſſengers to Caeſar, complaining of this ingrate and injurious violence, and craving aſſiſtance from him againſt Caſſibelan, (who endeavoured to diſinherit him of his Country by whoſe meanes he had inherited his own, and gotten the victory over the Romans) promiſed to joyne his forces with him, and ſo make him Lord of all Britain, if he would by his power reſtore him to his former dignity and poſſeſſions: for which he giving Hoſtages to Caeſar; he thereupon returning into Britain routed Caſſibelan and his whole Army by Androgeus his means, and beſieged him in a ſteep mountain to which he fled, where he was very likely to be taken priſoner in a few dayes by famine. Caſſibelan thus deſtreſſed, ſent to Androgeus, to remit the former injuries he had done him, and to make his peace with Caeſar. Upon which he returning to himſelf, taking pity on his own nation, and Soveraign, though he had done him ſo much injury, repaired and uſed theſe memorable words to Caeſar.

Behold thou hast ſufficienily revenged thy ſelf upon Caſſibelan, and ſubjected Britain to thee by my aſſiſtance; Noluerunt dii omnipotentes noſtri, ut Dominum meum morte p. 13turpiſſima condemnnari, aut vinculis patiar irretiri. Habeto igitur miſericordiam de eo; Quia me vivente ipſe periolitari non poterit, cui auxilium meum reddere non erubeſcam, niſi conſilio meo parueris. For our omnipotent Gods will not that I ſhould ſuffer my Lord and King to be condemned to a moſt ſhamefull death; or to be bound in Chaines. Have mercy therefore upon him; becauſe whiles I live he ſhall not be in danger, to whom I will not be aſhamed to contribute my aide, unleſſe thou wilt obey my counſell. (O the memorable faith and Loyalty of this much oppreſſed, injured Noble Pagan Briton, to his Soveraign in his diſtreſſes, notwithſtanding all his former injuries and oppreſſions, worthy all heroick Saints and true Chriſtian Loyall Engliſh Subjects imitation, and ſhaming ſome ſtrange extravagant contrary practiſes of late times!) Upon which ſpeech, Caeſar being pacified, made this agreement with Caſſibelan: That he ſhould promiſe to render to Caeſar and the Romans, three thouſand pounds of ſilver every year, by way of Tribute. And ſo being made friends they beſtowed mutuall gifts on each other. After which Caeſar wintering in the Iſland, returned in the Spring with his Army into France, and from thence marched towards Rome againſt Pompey.

From theſe few paſſages of the antient Britons, before and till the Roman Conqueſt, it is apparent;

1. That the ancient Fundamentall Government of the Britons in this Iſland, was only an Hereditary Kingſhip and Dominion. And although, about Caeſars time, they had many petty Kings and Kingdomes, yet thoſe Kings had the ſtyle, honor, power of Kings, within their reſpective Kingdomes, and were hereditary, as Tacitus, Dion, and others cited byqqSee Camd. Brit. p. 15, 29, 30, 32, 35, 41, 43, 44, 48, to 53. Speed Hiſt. p. 47, to 51. Dr. Ʋſher de Brit. Eccleſ. Primordiis c. 4. Mr. Camden atteſt, as well as our Britiſh ſtories.

2. That the Britiſh Kings were obliged to governe their ſubjects juſtly, and righteouſly, according to the eſtabliſhed Lawes of thoſe times, which ſecured their Liberties, p. 14Properties, Goods, Lives againſt all violence and arbitrary Tyranny, Rapines, Taxes.

3. That therrSee Ca…nd. Brit. p. 15, 30. Britons had their nationall Councels or Parliaments, conſiſting of their Kings, Princes and Nobles, wherein they conſulted of all weighty affaires, concluded of Warre and Peace, and enacted and confirmed publick Lawes. And the rarity of theſe Common-Councels (by reaſon of their inteſtine diſcords) was the greateſt help and advantage the Romans had to conquer them, as Tacitus obſerves in the life of Agricola.

4. That they had Legall and proper Courts for trying all differences and malefactors according to their Lawes and ancient Cuſtomes and tryals by their Peers.

5. That they were very zealous carefull and, couragious to defend their Liberties, Properties, Laws againſt all Tyrannicall oppreſſing Kings, Uſurpatio…s and forain Invaders, and to ſpend their lives in their defence, not induring Slavery, Bondage, or Tributes.

6. That their Nobles were perſons of greateſt power, had in great reſpect, and conſulted with by their Kings upon all occaſions, as their Great Councell, they doing nothing of moment but by their advice and conſent.

7. That though they were ſtout oppoſers of Tyrannicall oppreſſing Princes, yet they were very Loyall and obedient to thoſe who were juſt, and never offered violence to any of their perſons, whom they depoſed for miſgovernment. And ſo much concerning the ancient Britons before and till their begun Conqueſt by Julius Caeſar, before our Saviours Nativity 54. years.

p. 15SECTION II.

Concerning the Britons Conteſts and Warres againſt Tyrants and forain Invaders for their Liberties, Couutry, Lawes, and their Great Councels (or Parliaments) from Caeſars Conqueſts, during the Romans Dominion, and untill the Saxons ſupplanted them, and ſucceeded in their places.

AFter the death of Caeſar and Caſſibelan the Britons continuing for a time under the Government of their own hereditary Kings**Galfr. Mon. hiſt. l. 4. c. 11. Ponticus Virun. l. 4. & Mat. Weſt. Tennancius the next ſucceeding King, though he was warlike, yet vigorem Juſtitiae colebat, he executed Juſtice vigorouſly. Kymbelinus his Son ſucceding him, being educated by Auguſtus Caeſar, fell into ſo great friendſhip with the Romans, ut cum poſſit Tributum eorum detinere, gratis impendebat; that he freely beſtowed their Tribute on them, when as he might have detained it, being impoſed on Caſſibelan only by power of the invading ſword of Caeſar without right, which bound neither him nor the Britons in Juſtice or conſcience, both Caeſar and Caſſibelan being dead. In the 5. year of his Reign our Saviour Chriſt was borne.

In the††Galfr. Mon. l. 4. c. 13. to 17▪ Ponticus Virun. l. 4. Mat. Weſt. ann. 22, 44, 57, 22 year of our Saviours Nativity Guiderius ſucceeding his Father Kymbelinus, Anno Dom▪ 22, 44, 52.refuſed to render the accuſtomed tribute to the Romans, which none of his Anceſtors from the time of Julius Caeſar durſt to refuſe. Hereupon Anno Chriſti 44. the Emperor …laudius with a great Army invaded the Iſland, to conquer and reduce it under Tribute, who was encountred and routed by Guiderius at the firſt, but he being afterwards ſlain by the p. 16policy of Laelius Hamo, the Britons being likely to loſe the field, Arviragus the ſlain Kings brother, putting on his Armes, encouraged the Britons ſo, that they forced the Romans to forſake the field. Claudius afterwards beſieging Arviragus (who ſucceded his brother) in Wincheſter, they fell to a treaty. Claudius proffered Arviragus, that he ſhould marry his daughter, and hold the Kingdome of Britain peaceably from the Romans under the ancient Tribute; upon which, ſuaſerunt majores natu Arbiago promiſſionibus Claudii acquieſcere; The elders (aſſembled no doubt in councell about it) perſwaded Arviragus to conſent to Claudius his promiſes, for they ſaid, it was no diſgrace to him to be ſubject to the Romans, ſeeing they enjoyed the Empire of the whole; world: Paruit Arviragus & conſilio ſuorum Ceſari ſubjectionem fecit: Arviragus obeyed, and by the advice of his councell did homage to Caeſar. Anno Chriſti 52. Arviragus refuſed to be any longer ſubject to the Roman power, or to pay them Tribute. Whereupon Claudius ſent Veſpaſian to reduce him to obedience; who after one battaile fought with great loſſe on both ſides, came to an agreement. After which**John Trivianth, Malmesb. and others, cited by Biſhop Ʋſher de Brit. Eccleſ. Primordiis c. 4. Mat. Pa…. Anti. Brit. p. 3, 4▪ Anno 63. Joſeph of Arimathea with XI. more of Phillips Diſciples arrived in Britain, and preached the Goſpell boldly; to whoſe Preaching Arviragus (cum proceribus ſuis) with his Nobles and People, hearing ſuch new and unaccuſtomed things, utterly refuſed to conſent to their Doctrine, neither would they change the traditions of their Fathers; yet becauſe they came from far, and their lives held forth modeſty and meekneſſe, the King at their Petition, granted them the Iſle of Glaſtonbury, then horrid and untilled, ſurrounded with woods, buſhes and lakes, to inhabit. Which grant his two next ſucceſſors Marius and Coillus, ††Mat Weſt. ann. 73. 78. Galfr. Mon. l. 4. c. 17, 1…. Pontiens Virnun. l. 4.(who exerciſed Juſtice and Law, reverenced the Nobles of the Realme, and paid the Tribute to the Romans, becauſe all the world was ſubject to them,) by his example confirmed; giving to each of them one hide of Land a piece (to this day called the 12. hides of Glaſtonbury) confirmed to the Abby of Glaſtonbury, p. 17afterwards by the Charters of many of our Chriſtian Saxon Kings, ratified in their great Councels and Parliaments.

By theſe paſſages it is clear, That Taxes and Tributes not granted and aſſented to in Parliament, though impoſed by a Conquering Invader, binde not the Nation, or ſucceeding Kings. That matters of Peace and Warre were determined in Common-Councels and Parliaments in that age; That no publick change in Religion or Cuſtomes could be made without the Kings and Nobles conſents; and that the grant of the King of any Crowne Lands without common conſent in Parliament, bound not his ſucceſſors, unleſſe they ſpecially confirmed them by their new Charters.

How many bloudy Battails with various ſucceſſe the ancient Britons under the conduct of their Kings and Queens fought againſt the Roman Emperors, Claudius, Veſpaſian, and their Generals, Officers and Forces after Julius Caeſars time, for defence of their Native Liberties, Rights, Lawes, Government, Country, and to exempt themſelves from all Tributes, Taxes, Purveyances, impoſed on, or exocted from them by the Romans. How impatient they were of bearing any Taxes or Impoſts, they never knowing what Servitude was, being borne only for themſelves, and alwayes free unto themſelves, free from all contagion of Tyranny. How oft they revolted from, and rebelled againſt the Romans from time to time for their Oppreſſions, Taxes, turning them out of their ancient inheritances by force, and uſing them rather like Slaves then Freemen. You may read at large in Cornelius Tacitus, Annal. l. 14. and in the life of Agricola, in Mr. Camdens Britannia, p. 24, to 48. Speed, Holinſhed and others, and more eſpecially in the notable ſpeeches of Caractacus and Galgacus, encouraging the Britons manfully to fight for their Country, Liberty, Lawes, &c. recorded in theſe Authors; the later of them thus juſtly p. 18taxing the Romans Uſurpation, Ambition, Covetouſneſſe, Rapines and Tyranny in theſe words; aaTacitus in vita Agricolae. Camd. Brit. p. 58Robbers they be of the world, who having left no more land to ſpoile, now ſearch alſo the Sea. If their enemies be rich, they covet their wealth; if poor, they ſeek to gain glory; to **Is not this our condition now?take away by main force, to kill and ſpoyle, they falſely terme Empire and Government: when they lay all waſie as a Wilderneſſe, that they call Peace. That every man ſhould hold his own children and bloud moſt dear, nature hath ordained: and even thoſe are preſſed for Souldiers and caried away to ſerve as Slaves elſewhere; our ſubſtance they draw from us for Tribute; our Corne for proviſion; our very Bodies and Lands they wear out and conſume, in paving of Bogs, and ridding of Woods, with a thouſand ſtripes and reproachfull indignities beſides. Slaves yet, which be born to bondage, are bought and ſold once for al, and afterwards fed and found at their own expences. But Britain dayly buyeth, dayly feedeth, and is at dayly charge with her own Bondage. And as in a private retin…e of houſehold Servants, the freſh man and laſt comer is laughed and ſcoffed at by his other-fellowes, even ſo in this old ſervitude of the whole World, our deſtruction only is ſought, as being the lateſt and vileſt in accompt of all other, &c. We as yet were never touched, never foiled, never ſubdued; as men therefore that mean to maintain their Freedome, not for the Preſent but for ever, let us ſhew ſtraightwayes in the firſt joyning, what manner of men, Caledonia reſerved in ſtore for her ſelf, &c. It is not by their own vertue, but by our jarrings and diſcords that yet the Romans are grown into fame: to our ſhame be it ſpoken, many of our own Nation, now lend their lives to eſtabliſh a forain Vſurper, not out of any loyall affection, but out of fear and terrour, weak linkes and bonds of love. Remove but them once, thoſe who ſhall ceaſe to fear, will ſoon begin to hate. The free Cities are diſcontent and in factions, while thoſe who are under them, obey with ill will, and they that do govern, rule againſt right. Here is the Generall, and here is the Army; there are the Tributes, here be the metall mines, and other miſeries inſeparably following them that live under the ſubjection of others; p. 19which either to continue or endure for ever, it lyeth this day in this field. Wherefore as you are going to Battle, bear in your minds, both the Freedome of your Anceſtors, and the Bondage of your Poſterity. Upon which Speech they manfully ſought with the Romans, preferring their Liberties before their lives.

About the year of Chriſt 50. the Romans extraordinarily oppreſſed the Britons under Claudius the Emperor. An. Dom. 50. Tacitus Annal. l. 14. Speeds Hiſt. of great Brit. …. 66, to 70. Camd. Brit. p. 49 50Laetus Decianus their Procurator, renewed the confiſcation of their goods, which Claudius had pardoned. The Roman Colony at Camolodunum, thruſt out the ancient Inhabitants, ſeating themſelves in their poſſeſſions, without any other recompence but reproachfull termes, calling them, their drudges, ſlaves and vaſſals,Propoſit. 1. 4. and the Temple there erected in honour of Claudius, was now become an eye-ſore to them, as an Altar of their perpetuall ſubjection, whiles the Augusta…l Prieſts there attending, waſted all their wealth under pretext of Religion. And that which was their greateſt grievance, Praſutagus King of the Iceni, famous for his riches, which he had been a long time gathering, by his will made Claudius and his own two daughters his heir; thinking by his flattery to make his Kingdom and houſe ſufficiently ſecure from Injurie: which fell out quite contrary: for his Kingdome by the Roman Centurions, and his houſe by Slaves was ſeiſed on and ſpoyled as lawfull booty, his wife Boadicia whipped, his Daughters deflowred, the chiefeſt perſons of that Province diſpoſſeſſed of their lawfull Inheritance, and the Kings kindred reputed and uſed as ſlaves. Hereupon the Icenians began ſeriouſly to diſcourſe of their preſent bondage and miſeries, made ſubject to a Lieutenant, which ſucked their bloud, and to a Procurator that ſought their ſubſtance,Is not this Englands condition now? whiles with a ſervile fear they yealded to pleaſe the meaneſt Souldier, as though the Heavens had framed them only for ſervitude, and the earth appointed to bear their injuries unrevenged; and meeting together in ſecret conſultations, they ripped up their wrongs and oppreſſions, and aggravated them to the higheſt, ſaying, that no other good was to be looked for by their ſufferance, but that more grievous burdens p. 20ſhould be impoſed upon them ſtill, as men ready to bear all willingly, &c. That the Roman Souldiers from whoſe unſatiable avarice and unbridled luſt nothing was free, were but a handfull in reſpect of the Britons: that if they would but endevour to follow the proweſs and valour of their Anceſtors, and not be diſmayed with the doubtfull ſucceſſe of one skirmiſh or two, they would ſoon enforce them to recede out of the Iſland, &c. In fine they reſolved, That Liberty was to be preferred though bought with their lives, and Bondage to be avoided if not otherwiſe then by their deaths. Whereupon chuſing Boadicea for their Leader, they ſuriouſly fell upon the inſulting oppreſſing Romans, ſlew no leſſe then ſeventy thouſand of them and their confederates, ſacked and plundered their free Town Verolamium, reſolving to extirpate and drive them out of the Iſland. Upon this Suetonius the Roman Governor collecting all the Forces he could raiſe againſt her, She made a moſt gallant encouraging Oration to her Britons, thus aggravating their oppreſſions. What abuſe can be ſo vile that we have not ſuffered, or indignity ſo contemptible, that we have not borne; my ſtripes, yet felt and ſeen againſt their own Laws, do witneſſe well what Government they intend. Your wealth is conſumed by their waſtfull wantonneſſe, your painfull travels upholding their idleneſſe, do ſeal the iſſues of our ſucceeding miſeries, if not timely prevented by one joynt endevour. You that have known the Freedome of life will with me confeſſe (I am ſure) that Liberty (though) in a poor eſtate, is better then fetters of gold; and yet this compariſon hath no correſpondency in us, for we now enjoy no eſtate at all, nothing being ours but what they will leave us, and nothing left us that they can take away; having not ſo much as our very heads tole free. Other ſubdued Nations by death are quit from Bondage, but we after death must live ſervile and pay tribute even in our graves. Have the heavens made us the ends of the world, and have not aſſigned us the ends of our wrongs? Or hath nature among all her free works created us only Britons, for bondage? Why, what are the Romans? are they more then men, or immortall? Their ſlain carcaſſes ſacrificed by us, tell us, they are no Gods. But you will ſay, they are our Conquerors. Indeed overcome we are, but by our ſelves, our own factions ſtill giving way to p. 21their invaſions. Our diſſerſions have been their only riſing, and our deſignes been weakned by homebred Conſpiracies. We have as much to keep as birthright can give us, that is, our Iſland poſſeſſed by our Anceſtors from all antiquity; ours by inheritance, theirs by intruſion, claimes ſo different in the ſcale of Juſtice, that the Gods themſelves muſt needs redreſſe. Whereupon the Britons fighting valiantly, loſt eighty thouſand of their lives to redeem their Liberties; and Boadicea ſeeing her Army routed, choſe rather, out of a noble ſpirit, to end her life and miſeries together by poyſon, then to live under the Roman bondage and ſee her Country languiſh under their intolerable oppreſſions.

About the year of our Lord 179.An. Dom. 185. (or rather 185.)ssMat. Weſt. An. 185. 187. Galfr. Mon. l. 4. c 19, 20. l. 5. c. 1. Ponticus Virun. l. 4, & 5. Lambards Archai…n. Biſh…p Jewel reply againſt Harding Artic. 3. div…ſ. 24. p. 141, 142. Antiq. Eccleſ. Brit. p. 5, 6. Fox Acts and M…n. vol. 1. Spelm. Concil. p. 32, 34, 35 Hariſ…ns Deſc…ip. of Brit▪ l. 1. c. 9. Godwin Converſion of Brit. Dr. Ʋſher de Eccleſ. Brit. Primordiis c 3, 4▪ 5. Holinſhed, Speed, Grafton▪ Stow in the life of Lucius. Lucius King of Britain (who ſucceeded his Father Coillus by deſcent) being converted to the Chriſtian faith with moſt of his Nobles and Subjects (the firſt Chriſtian King and Kingdom in the world) petitioned Pope Eleutherius (as the marginall Authors teſtifie) Ad Petitionem Regis, et procerum Regni Britannie (aſſembled no doubt in a general Councell when they made and ſent this Petition) to ſend a copy of the Imperial Roman Laws to govern the people by: who returned the King this anſwer in writing.

You have requested from us, that the Laws of Rome and Caeſar might be ſent over, which you deſire to uſe in the Realm of Britain. The Roman and Caeſars Laws we may alwayes reject, but the Law of God in no wiſe. You have received of late through Gods mercy in the Realm of Britain, the law and faith of Chriſt; y…u have with you in the Realm both Teſtaments, out of them by Gods grace, per conſilium Regni veſtri ſume …egem, by the Councell of your Realm take a Law, and by it through the patience of God govern your Realm of Britain; For you are Gods Vicar in the Realm▪ &c. The Kings children are the Chriſtian Nations who live and conſiſt in the Realm under your protection and peace, according to that in the Goſpell, As the hen gathereth the chickens under her wings; the Nations and people of the Realm are yours, which being divided you ought to congregrate into one,Propoſit. 5. t… reduce to concord and peace, and to the faith and Law of Chriſt, and to the holy Church; to foſter, maintain, protect, governe p. 22and always to defend from injurious and malicious perſons and from enemies. Woe to the Realm whoſe King is a childe, and whoſe Princes eat in the morning. I call not a King a child from his Nonage, but for his fol…y, iniquity and madneſſe, according to the royall Prophet, Bloudy and deceitfull men ſhall not live out half their dayes, &c. A King is denominated from ruling, not from a Kingdome. Thou ſhalt be a King while thou ruleſt well: which unleſſe thou ſhalt do, the name of a King ſhall not appear in thee, and thou ſhalt loſe the name of a King, which God forbid. Almighty God grant you ſo to rule the Realm of Britain, that you may reign for ever with him, whoſe Vicar you are in the Realm aforeſaid.

This Epiſtle ſhewes,Propoſit. 5. that the power of making Laws was veſted only at that time, in this Popes judgment, in the King and his great Councel of the Realm, and that Kings only ought to rule and govern their people righteouſly, according to the Laws of God and the Realm, as Gods Vicars upon earth, and to protect them from all violence, wrong and enemies.ttAntiq. Eccleſ. Brit. p. 6. Matthew Parker Archbiſhop of Canterbury, thus comments on this Epiſtle: That in condendis legibus, in making Laws, the King needed not the Popes authority or aſſiſtance, having the books of the old and new Teſtament, out of which adhibito procerum conſilio, by the Counſell of his Nobles, Propoſit. 5.he might take holy Laws, without any error, being ſufficiently ſupported with his own, not a forain authority he being Gods Vicar in his own Realm; and repreſenting his power to his people. After which, this King (by advice and conſent of his Princes and Nobles) built and endowed many Churches with Glebes and Lands, abundantly confirming them with Charters and Muniments, and likewiſe ordained, that Churches and Churchyards ſhould be ſo free, that no Malefactor or other perſons flying to them, ſhould be arrested, or ſuffer any violence in them.

King uuMat. West. anno 201.Lucius dying without heir (Anno Dom. 201) thereupon diſcord aroſe amongſt the Britons,An. Dom. 201. which gave great advantage to the Romans; who thought at firſt they xxTacitus in vita Agricolae. Camd. Brit. p. 43ſuffered the Britiſh Kings to reign under them, making them the inſtruments of their own and their peoples ſlavery, by their compliance p. 23with the Romans; yet at laſt perceiving, that divers of th…ſe Britiſh Kings,yyMath. W…ſt. anno 201. Balaeus Cent. 1. Scrip. Brit. c. 30. Boetius l. 5 hiſt. Scotorum. Fo… don. Scotichronicon. l. 2. c. 31. Dr. Ʋſher de Eccleſ. Brit. Primordiis. c. 3. p. 43, 44. Spelm. Concil. p. 35. Camd. Brit. p. 47, 49, 62, 63, 67, Tacit. Annal. l. 14. to regain their own and their peoples Liberties, did oft times rebell and raiſe up warres and ſeditions againſt them: Thereupon after King Lucius his death▪ to keep the Iſland in greater quietneſse and ſubjection under them, they made a decree, That none of the Britiſh bloud or race ſhould from thence forth be inveſted with royall dignity in the Iſle; (as the principall means to keep them in perpetuall ſlavery) and inſteed of one King, they placed over the Britons in every Province Firſt, a Lieutenant with ſeverall**Is not this in a great part our preſent condition? Garriſons of horſe and fo…t, who diſarmed all the Natives they ſuſpected, ſucked the peoples bloud, and vexed them with Souldiers and Contributions. Next a Procurator and Publicans▪ who like greedy…Cormorants and horſe-leeches, confiſcated their goods, preyed upon their eſtates, and vexed them with perpetuall exactions, extortions and reproachfull abuſes. Alſo a Pretor and Proconſul, with abſolute power and commiſſion to govern them after the Roman Laws, (not permitting them to uſe the ancient Laws of their Country) and to miniſter Juſtice in all capitall matters with great pompe and ſeverity. So that the Roman Lawes were now only in uſe and force amongſt the Britons, which a learned Poet thus expreſſeth,

Cernitis ignotos Latia ſub lege Britannos.

And withall they endevoured, conſtantly to nouriſh diſcord and diviſion amongſt the Britons themſelves, and by theſe wily Policies kept them in ſubjection under them, who yet upon all occaſions and advantages endevoured to ſhake off the Roman yoak, and reſtore their native Liberties, Laws, Government with the hazard of their lives, as our Hiſtorians largely relate.

About the year of Chriſt 286.An. Dom. …6. Carauſius a Briton, having gotten a Commiſſion from Rome, zzMat. Weſt. ann. 292, &c. Galfr. Monum. l. 5. c. 3, 4, 5, 6. Ponticus Virun, l. 5. Holinſhed, Fabian, Graſion, Stow, Speed.to defend▪ the Sea coaſts of Britain from the incurſions of barbarous Nations, rayſing great forces under that pretext, promiſed the Brit…ns, That if they would chuſe him for their King, he would expell the Romans, and free the whole Iſland from the Barbarians: Whereupon they all conſented and made him King; upon which he denied to pay the Romans their accuſtomed Tribute. The Senate being informed hereof, ſent Alectus into Britain to reduce it; who joyning battail with Carauſius, ſlew him, and made a p. 24great ſlaughter of the Britons, becauſe they revolted from the Roman republick, and ſubjected themſelves to Carauſius; who preferred their liberties before their lives. Alectus taking upon him the royall Diadem was ſoon after ſlain with moſt of his Roman Souldiers by Aſclipiodorus Duke of Cornwall and the Britons fighting to regain their Liberties; who crowned Aſcl…piodorus King by common conſent: He ruled them for X. years with right juſtice, reſtraining the cruelty of Plunderers and ſwords of Robbers, and freed them from the Roman tribute. Coel Duke of Colcheſter ſlaying him, and making himſelf King; the Romans having loſt their tribute for above ten years ſpace, ſent Conſtantius into Britain to reduce it under obedience: who no ſooner landed, but Coel hearing of his great fame, and victories in other parts, ſent Ambaſſadors to him, craving peace, and promiſing ſubjection, which he accepted of, exacting nothing but the uſual tribute. Coel deceaſing ſhortly after▪ leaving one only daughter Helena to inherit the Kingdom, Conſtantius maried and begot upon her that famous Conſtantine the Great.

This EmperoraaPomponius Laetus, and Speeds Hiſtory. Conſtantius Chlorus, An. Dom. 302.coming into Britain to govern it about the year of Chriſt 302. finding the ill effects of others tyranny and rapine, ſhewed himſelf very loving, gentle, affable and kind to the people, little regarding his private profit, Propoſit. 1.but altogether reigning to enrich his ſubjects: and to that end would often ſay, (I would our late and preſent Tax-impoſing Governours would remember it) That it was more behoovefull for the publick, that the wealth of the Land ſhould be diſperſed into the Commons hands, then to lie locked up in Princes coffers (or in ſuch a Common Treaſury,Anno 313. as our new Projectors have provided for it by the 28, 29. Articles of their Ill-ſounding inſtrument, after which they would have us henceforth dance.)

The bbSee Beda Eccleſ. hist. l. 1. c. 6. Math. Weſt. ann. 313. p. 131. Gildas. de Excid. Britan. Zonaras, Paulus, Dia…conius and others in his lifeEmperor Conſtantine the Great, his Son (borne and crowned both King and Emperor in Britain) amongſt other good Laws, made theſe two memorable ones, for the relief of poor Chriſtians injuriouſly baniſhed, and deprived of their Lands, and Goods by Diocletian, Maximinian, Licinius and other perſecuting Pagan Roman Emperors, about the year p. 25313. wherein he reſtored the baniſhed Chriſtians to their native Countries, Lands and former dignities, as the Marginall Authors witneſſe. Which Lawes are recorded in ccSee Euſeb. Eccleſ. hiſt. l. 3. c. 15.Euſebius de vita Conſtantini, l. 2. c. 30, 31. The firſt of them, is intituled, A Law for fre…ing (or relieving) baniſhed men; to this effect. Therefore all thoſe who being brought under the cruell ſentences of Iudges, at what time ſoever it befell them, have been compelled to change their Country by exile, becauſe they neglected not what made for the honour of God and Religion, to whom they had conſecrated themſelvos with the whole powers of their ſouls: All theſe, I ſay, being reſtored both to their hereditary Poſſeſſions, and their accuſtomed tranquillity, may give thanks to God the ſetter free of all men.Propoſit. 2. And thoſe who having been deprived of their Goods, & oppreſſed with the loſſe of their Eſtates, have hitherto lived a moſt contemptible life, theſe being likewiſe reſtored to their former houſes, families and goods, may chearfully prayſe the beneficencie of God, who is beſt and mightieſt. The ſecond inſcribed, A Law reducing thoſe who were baniſhed into Iſlands, in theſe words. Moreover we command, that thoſe who are now detained in Iſlands againſt their wils, ſhall enjoy the benefit of this our proviſion and care; to wit, that whereas hitherto they have been ſhut up on every ſide in the narrow cliffs of mountains, and invironed with the raging waves of the Sea, being now freed from that bitter ſolitarineſſe, utterly repugnant to the nature of men, they may return again to their moſt beloved friends. And whereas they have lived a long time in a filthy ſordid and odious condition, having obtained a returne, as a ſudain and unexpected booty, and being freed from cares and troubles, they may hereafter live a life void of fear, under our Empire.

In the year of grace 376.An. Dom. 379. ddMath. Weſt. anno 376, 379.Octavius King of the Britons dying without iſſue male; leaving one only daughter, there fell out a difference among the Britons, to whom they ſhould marry her, with the Kingdome;Propoſit. 5. at laſt in the year 379. Magnates Britannie, the Nobles of Britain, that they might obtain a firme Peace concluded (no doubt in a generall Councell) to ſend Embaſſadors to Rome, to tender the Lady with the Crown to Maximian a Roman Senator, Son of Leolin a…Briton, Unkle to Conſtantine the Great; eeHiſt. Regum Brit. l. 5. c. 9, 10, 11, 12.Geoffry of Monmouth and his Epitomizer ffHiſt. Brit. l. 5. See Fabian, Holinſhed, Grafton.Ponticus Virunnius thus relate the ſtory. That King Octavius being old and having one only Daughter, queſivit a conſiliariis ſuis, demanded of p. 26his Counſellors, whom they deſired to advance to be King after his deceaſe? Propoſit. 5. 10.Whereupon ſome of them adviſed, that he ſhould beſtow his daughter, together with the Realm, on ſome of the Noble Romans, to procure a firme peace. Others adviſed, that Conon his Nephew ſhould be inſtalled in the royall Throne of the Realm, and his Daughter with gold and ſilver married to ſome forain Prince. Whiles theſe things were debating, Caradoc Duke of Cornwall came in, and gave his advice, that they ſhould invite Maximinian the Senator, deſcended of Britiſh and Roman, as well as royall bloud, to come into Britain to marry the Kings Daughter, and with her the Realm, whereby they ſhould enjoy perpetuall Peace. Which Conan for his own intereſt oppoſed, but major pars Laudabat, the major part of the Nobles approved it, and conſented thereunto. Whereupon Caradoc ſent his Son Maurice to Maximinian, who related to him, that Octavius being aged and ſick, deſired nothing more then to finde out ſuch a perſon of honour, on whom he might beſtow his Kingdome with his daughter, conſiliumque a proccribus ſuis queſivit; and that he had demanded counſell from his Nobles, to whom he might marry his only daughter, with the Crown; That the Nobles in obedience to his command, Decreverunt ut tibi Regnum et puella concederetur, had decreed that the Kingdom with the Damſel ſhould be granted to him, & that they had decreed he ſhould come and give him notice thereof. Whereupon Maximinian imbracing the offer, came into Britain, and landed at Hampton, with a great train of Souldiers; Propoſit. 3.the King ſuppofing them to be an Army of Enemies, commanded all the forces of the Kingdome to be aſſembled and march against them, under Conan; which Maximinian admiring at, and unable to reſiſt them, ſent Embaſſadors to Conan with olive branches, telling him, they were ſent from Rome to the King, and required peace till they knew his pleaſure. And when Conan doubted whether to give them Peace or Battaile, Caradoc Duke of Cornwall and the reſt of the Nobles diſſwaded Conan from fighting with them, and adviſed him to grant them Peace, which he did: who being brought to London to the King, he, communi conſenſu, by common conſent of his Nobles gave his Daughter with the Kingdome to Maximinian.

By which it is apparent, that the King without conſent of his Nobles in Parliament, could not diſpoſe of his Daughter p. 27nd …heir to the Crown, nor of his Kingdome to another; That the Nobles in that age, were the Kings great Councell and Parliament of the Nation, and that the major part of them ſwayed all buſineſſes, in their Councels by the majority of voices: the ends for which I relate it.

In the year 390.ggMat. Weſt. ann. 39…, 391, 392, 420, 4…1, 434, 435. Galfr. Monum. & Ponticus Virun. l. 5, & 6. Fabian, Holinſhed, Speed, Grafton, Gildas de Excidic Brit. Malmesbur. de Geſtis Regum Angl. l. 1. c. 1. Camd. Brit. Maximus the Tyrant King of Britain, Anno 390, &c.invading Armoric… in France, caried ſuch a multitude of Souldiers with him out of Britain, that he left almoſt all Britain empty of Souldiers and Forces to defend it, carrying all the Souldiers and Warlike young men with him, leaving none but unmanly and country people behinde him; and having ſubdued all Armorica that year, he ſtyled it little Britain. The next year he ſent for one hundred thouſand Britons more to people it, and thirty thouſand Souldiers out of Britain to garriſon the Townes, and the next year he ſent for eleven thouſand Virgins, and ſixtie thouſand other perſons, to be tranſported into little Britain; whereby old Britain was almoſt quite diſpeopled, and left deſtitute of all defence. Hereupon the Huns and Picts invaded and infeſted the Britons very much, ſlaying the Britons and waſting their Cities and Towns: the Britons ſending to Maximus for aſſiſtance, he ſent Gratianus a Senator with two Legions to aide them, who ſlew many of the enemies, and chaſed the reſt into Iſlands. Anno 392. Maximus being ſlain at Rome, thereupon Gratianus taking upon him the Crown of Britain, made himſelf King thereof, after which he exerciſed ſo great Tyranny towards the Britons, that the common geople gathering together ſlew him. Whereupon the former expulſed enemies returning, oppreſſed and afflicted the Britons very much for a long time. Upon this the Britons, Anno 420, and 421. ſent to the Roman Emperors for aide to expell theſe invaders, which they ſent accordingly, but in ſmall proportion, who chaſing away the enemies for the preſent, then encouraging and teaching the Britons how to defend themſelves, and make wals and Fortifications to reſiſt their invaſions, returned back again by reaſon of other Warres: Upon this, their former enemies infeſted them more then formerly. As laſt, Anno 434. in the 8. year of Theodoſius the younger, the Romans by occaſion of other Warres withdrew all their Souldiers out of Britain, leaving the Britons deſtitute, p. 28like ſo many ſheep without a Shepherd, expoſed to the Wolviſh cruelty aud depredations of the Picts, Scots, Norwegians, Danes, who forced them to flie from their Cities and Houſes into Woods, Mountains, Caves, Rockes, and there to hide themſelves from their bloudy fury. In this diſtreſſe they ſent Meſſengers to Rome with this ſhort mournfull relation of their lamentable condition.Anno 434. Agitio ter Conſuli, Gemitus Britonum, ſalutem: Nos mare ad Barbaros, & Barbari ad mare propellunt: Inter haec autem duo funerum genera oriuntur, aut enim ſubmergimur, aut jugulamur. The Meſſengers returning without any aid from Rome, which was denied them, and relating to their Country-men their ſad repulſe, the Britons taking counſell together, Propoſit. 5. 9.how to redeem themſelves in this forlorne eſtate, withheld the payment of their ancient Tribute to the Romans, which they had a long time paid them: and ſent Guithelin, Archbiſhop of London, to their Brethen in little Britain for aid; Anno 455.where being honorably received by King Androenus, he acquainted him with the cauſe of his coming, and the great miſeries and diſtreſſes of his Countrymen, preſſing him with many arguments, to goe and receive the Kingdome of Britain, which of right belonged to him, and expelling the Barbarians, to diſpoſe of it at his pleaſure, and reſtore his Country to it priſtine eſtate, which had formerly ſubdued to it Kingdomes far remote. To which the King anſwered, I formerly would have accepted of this offer of the Kingdome of Britain, but in reſpect of its preſent misfortunes, it is made more contemptible to me, and odious to my Princes. But above all other evils, the Roman power hath ſo much prejudiced it, that no man can enjoy a ſtable dignity within it, but be muſt loſe his liberty, and be burdened with a yoake of ſervitude; and who would not poſſeſſe leſſe elſewhere, with liberty, then enjoy the wealth of Britain under a yoak of bondage? Notwithſtanding becauſe my Grandfather and great Grandfather have enjoyed that Iſland, I will deliver to you my Brother Conſtantine with 2000. Souldiers, which by Gods permiſſion will free the Country from enemies, and being there crowned King, ſhall poſſeſſe the Kingdome with glory and honour. Whereupon Conſtantine undertaking the expedition, the Archbiſhop uſed theſe words to him; Chriſt hath conqueted, Christ reigneth, Chriſt commandeth, let the grace of Chriſt be therefore preſent with our King p. 29of Britain, who is our defence, our hope, our joy, that he may restore the miſerable Iſland to its priſtine liberty. Conſtantine taking ſhipping arrived at Totnes with 2000. Souldiers, to whom the diſperſed Britons creeping forth of their holes and dens where they hid themſelves, repaired from all parts; and fighting with their enemies, obtained a great victory over them by the diligence and valour of their new King.Propoſit. 5. After which facta in Ciceſtria concione, calling an aſſembly at Chicheſter, they made Conſtantine King, and gave him a wife extracted out of the linage of the noble Romans educated by Guithelin.

Anno 445. King Conſtantine being ſlain by a Pict, An. Dom. 445, to …98.(ſuborned by Vortigerne) as he was hunting,hhMat. Weſt. ann. 445. to 498. Will. Malmesb. de Geſtis Regum l. 1. c. 1. Galfr. Monum. & Ponticus Virun. hiſt. Reg. Brit. l. 6, 7, 8 H…my Huntind hiſt. l. 2. Ethelwerdi hiſt. l. 2. Antiq. Eccleſ. Brit. p. 9, 10. Fabian, Holinſhed, Speed. Grafton, Stow, in the lives of Vertigerne & Aurelius Ambroſius. there aroſe a diſſenſion among the Nobles, which of them ſhould be made King; for Aurelius Ambroſius and Ʋther, the Kings Sons, were ſent over into little Britain to be educated, and if they had been preſent, they could not reign by reaſon of their childhood. Whereupon Vortigerne Conſull of the Gewiſ…i, who aſpired after the Crown with all his endevour, going to Wincheſter, and taking Constans a Monk (Son of Conſtantine) out of his Cloiſter, brought him to London, and there made him King, the people ſcarce conſenting to it, becauſe he was a Mo…k: and acting the part of a Biſhop (Guithelin being dead) he ſet the Crown on the Kings head with his own hands. The King thus crowned referred the managing of all affaires to Vortigerne alone**Have not others of late times done the like? who craftily committed all the Caſtles and Forts of the Realm to his own Souldiers, and having gotten all the Forts and Power of the Realm into his own hands, he cunningly deviſed, how he might deſtroy the King and get the Crown for himſelf. Whereupon, he ſeiſed upon the Kings treaſures, augmented the number of his Soldiers and ſervants, and perſwaded the King to intertain a Guard of one hundred Picts (who were at his own command, and ready to execute any Treaſon and treachery he ſhould preſcribe them) to guard his perſon day and night from enemies. The King at his perſwaſion entertaining theſe Picts, Vortigerne ſo inriched them with ſtipends, and feaſted them with moſt delicate meats, that they did in a manner adore him, and aryed openly through the ſtreets, that he was worthy to Reign. When he had thus p. 30highly ingratiated himſelf in the favour of them all, he made them all drunk on a certain day, and then told them with tears, that he would depart out of Britain, ſeeing he had not enough of his own to maintain 50. Souldiers. After which, departing as it were ſorrowfull to his lodging, he left them drinking in the hall; which the Picts hearing of, murmured one to another, ſaying, Why do not we ſlay the Monke, that Vortigerne may enjoy the throne of the Kingdome? Riſing up therefore, being drunke, they made an aſſault upon the King, and ſlew him, and brought the Kings head to Vortigerne. Which when Vortigerne underſtood, he feigning himſelf to be very ſorrowfull, brake forth into a weeping, that he might palliate the treaſon committed under the vaile of tears. Then calling the Citizens of London together, he acquainted them what had hapned, and commanded thoſe Picts to be ſlain and beheaded, that he might render his own fraud exeuſed from this wicked act. At laſt when he ſaw no man equall to himſelf, he ſet the Crown of Britain on his own head and overwent al the Princes. He being thus advanced, the contagion of all wickedneſſe began to increaſe: ſcurrilous wickedneſſe, hatred of truth, contempt of God, wrangling, contention, riot, villany grew outragious; ſo as Vortigerne alone might ſeem to be a veſſell of all wickedneſſe, and that which is moſt contrary to royall honeſty, Nobiles Deprimens, depreſſing the Nobles, and advancing ignoble perſons both for manners and bloud, he became odious to God and Men. Anno 447. When the iniquity and levity of minde of King Vortigerne was divulged to all Nations round about,Anno 447. the Scots and the Picts (one hundred of whoſe fellow Citizens Vortigerne had ſlain for that Treaſon which he ſuborned them to act that he might get the Crown) roſe up againſt him, and moſt grievouſly infeſted him and impunged the Realm of Britain: for conſuming all things with the ſword, fire, preyes and rapines, they ground to powder the ſinfull Nation, becauſe it favored this Vſurpers royall eſtate; and thus the common people contaminated together with the King, communi percellitur ultione, is pierced through with a common revenge. And as the ſword devoured many on the one hand, ſo the Peſtilence did more on the other, p. 31ſo as the living were not ſufficient to bury the dead. The King therefore with the deſolated people, tyred out with warlike incurſions, not knowing what he might do againſt the irruptions of their enemies, inclined to deſolation; for Vortigerne hereupon awaked with the cryes of the people, aſſembled a Councell (or Parliament) to conſult what they ſhould do in this publick diſtreſſe, requiring the advice of his Nobles therein. Propoſit. 5. 9.Which our Hiſtorians thus relate, Super ſtatu publico in medium conſulit ſententias magnatum ſuorum explorans. So William of Malmesbury. Britanni injerunt conſiium quid agendum; ſo Henry Huntington; and Ethelwerdus, placuit omnibus cum rege ſuo Vortigermo; or as Ethelwardus records it, Conceſſit tota Nobilitas, &c. At laſt they all agreed, and all the Nobility together with King Vortigerne granted and reſolved, that they ſhould call in the Saxons and Engliſh out of Germany to their aid, being valiant in armes, and then fixed in no ſetled place; by which they conceived they ſhould reape a double benefit: for being invincible in armes, they would eaſily repulſe their enemies; and being unſetled, they would reckon it for a very great benefit if they might receive ſome barren ſqualid ſoile and cliffs to inhabit; and that they would never attempt any thing againſt them, or their Country, becauſe the memory of benefits would mollifie the genuine fierceneſſe of their manners. Which advice appeares to be ordered by divine providence (write Mathew Weſtminster and others) that evill might come upon theſe evill Britons and their bloudy Ʋſurper. This Counſell being approved by all, they ſent eminent men Embaſſadors into Germany, who might worthily repreſent the perſon of their Country. The Germans hearing the buſineſſe, which they of their own accords deſired, requeſted from them with a thouſand intreaties, preſently ſent over Hengiſt and Horſa with three Ships fraighted with Souldiers and Armes; Explentes petitionem Regis Senatuſque. The King upon their arrivall meets them, beſtowes rewards and the people large favours on them: then giving them their faith, they received the Iſle of Tanoth to inhabit. This agreement likewiſe was made between p. 32them, That the Engliſh and Saxons with invincible labours ſhould defend the Country againſt their enemies, and that the Britons ſhould pay them their military ſtipends, for whoſe ſafety they pretended to watch. And thus they received pay and Lands from the Britons, Quaſi pro patria pugnaturi, re autem vera expugnaturi ſuſceperunt, (as ſome of their profeſſion and progeny have done of latter years) Theſe Engliſh and Saxons (who arrived Ann. 449.) ſoon vanquiſhed and drove the Scots and Picts out of the Realme,Anno 449. and then taking notice of the Kings and Britons idleneſſe, leudneſſe, and the riches of the Iſle, Hengiſt acquainting the reſt of his Countrymen therewith, ſent over for more forces by degrees, and for his daughter Rowena (a very beautifull maide but a Pagan) whom he maried to Vortigerne, whereby he incurred the enmity of his Nobles and Sons, and thereupon favoured the Saxons (who promiſed to eſtabliſh him in his Throne againſt his enemies) more then the Britons, beſtowing all Kent and Northumberland on the Engliſh and Saxons. Upon this the Britons growing jealous leſt their new Gardians and Protectors ſhould utterly ſupplant, extirpate and diſinherit them of their native Country by degrees (as they did in the concluſion) they all petitioned Vortigerne, to baniſh them out of the Realme, being Pagans, who ought not to communicate with Chriſtians; but he contemning ſuorum conſiliis acquieſcere, to follow the adviſe of his Nobles and native Subjects, Anno 454.thereupon Magnates Britannie, the Nobles of Britaine, Anno 454. deſerting, and then depriving Vortigerne of his Royall Power, Propoſit. 5.made his Sonne Vortimer King. Qui conſiliis ſuorum in omnibus acquieſcens, who following their Counſels in all things, began to expell the Saxons, and to reſtore the Britons to their poſſeſſions, which the Saxons had invaded, repairing likewiſe the Churches and Chriſtian Religion, which they had almoſt quite ruined, till at laſt he was poyſoned by Rowena his Mother in Law,Anno 460. Anno 460. cum quo ſimul ſpes & victoria Brtionum eſt extincta, & retro fluxerint. Such an incomparable loſſe p. 33is a good King to a Nation. Vortimer being thus poyſoned, Vortigerne reaſſuming the Crown, ſends privately to Hen…iſt into Germany, to come over to him with a ſmall train, leſt coming otherwiſe the Britons ſhould reſiſt him with their united forces. Hengiſt An. 461. lands with 4000 armed men, which being related to Vortigerne and THE NOBLES OF T…E REA…M, they were very angry at it, reſolving to give him battle; of which Hengiſt being informed by Ro…ena, excuſed the matter, that he came with ſo great a force for fear of Vorti…er, whom he thought to be alive, but being now … of his death, he would commit himſelf and his p…ople to the Kings diſpoſall, to return or ſend away to … then as he ſhould direct, deſiring him to appoint … and place, Propoſit. 9.UT HAEC … CONSENSU, that theſe … by common conſent: Whereupon the … appointed a meeting at …, for the … and Saxons to treat: Hengiſt … all the Saxons that went to the Treaty, to … under their Garments, and upon a Signall given …, that every one of them ſhould kill the Bri…on that … next him: Whiles they were treating, Hengiſt took hold of Var…iger…es cloke (which was the ſignall) upon which the Saxons drawing out their Knives, ſuddainly ſl…w about 460 of the … NOBLES, BARONS, and**Whom we uſually now call Earls CONSU…S, being unarmed, and ſuſpecting no ſuch thing; but Conſul El… ▪ beholding the Treachery, took up a Stak…, which he there found by chance, and with it ſlew 70. Saxons, till his Stak… was quite ſpent, and then ſaved himſelf by flight. The King they took Priſoner, enforcing him to grant them Kent, Suſſex▪ Suffolke, and Norfolke, which he confirmed to them with an Oath, and then they rele…ſed him: After which they waſt…d moſt of the Ki…gdom with fire and ſword, pulled down Churches, ſlew the Pr…ſts, burned up the Bookes of the holy Sc…ipture, leaving nothing undone, that Tyranny could effect; and forced Vortigerne, with m…ſt of the Britons, to retire into Wales for ſhelter in the M…taines. The Britons thus diſtreſſed by the Saxons under this bloudy p. 34Uſurper (who firſt called them in, and under hand encouraged them againſt the Natives) Anno 464. ſent Meſſengers into Little Brittain to Aurelius Ambroſius and Ʋt…r Pendragon (then of full age, and right heires to the Crown) to come ſpeedily over to them, with what forces they could raiſe, to expell the Saxons, and the Ʋſurper Vortigerne, and receive the Crown and Kingdome of Brittain, of right belonging to them: Who thereupon arriving with great forces, Anno 466: the Britons repair'd from all parts to Aurelius Ambroſius (the elder Brother) and aſſembling the Clergy, forthwith crowned him for their King. Which done, the Britons exhorting him, in the firſt place, to aſſault the Saxons; the King mindfull of the Treaſon done to his Father and Brother by Vortigerne, refuſed to doe it, till he had firſt deſtroyed this bloudy Traytor: Whereupon marching with his Army to Gen…rium a Caſtle in Wales, wherein Vortigerne was, he ſpake thus to his Captaines. Conſider moſt noble Captaines, if theſe walls of this Tower can pr…tect Vortigerne, who hath waſted a fertile Country, deſtroyed holy Churches, almoſt deleted Chriſtianity from Sea to Sea, and that which I think is more to be lamented, HATH BETRAYED MY FATHER and BROTHER. Now moſt Noble Countrymen play the Men, and in the firſt place revenge your ſelves on him, by whom all theſe things have come to paſſe, and after that turn your armes upon your Saxon Enemies. Preſently upon theſe words, they endeavoured to throw down the Walls with divers Engines. At laſt when other things failed, they put fire to the wooden Walls, which taking hold on them, burnt both the Tower and Vortigerne to aſhes, as ſome record: whereas others write, it was done with fire and lightning then ſent from heaven by God upon him. The bloudy Uſurper being thus deſtroyed, this King and the Britons valiantly encountred the Saxons, ſlew many thouſands of them in ſundry battles againſt Hengiſt and Ella, whom they routed and chaſed throughout the Realm. This King in his march, finding the Churches every where deſtroyed to the ground by the Saxons, Anno 468. ſent for Work-men, and cauſed them to be new built, p. 35placed Preshyters and Clerkes in them, reſtored divine Service to its due ſtate, utterly deſtroyed the prophane Temples and Idols of the Saxons, blotting out their memory from under heaven: Moreover, he ſtudied and commanded to obſerve Juſtice and Peace to Churches and Church-men, conferring many Gifts on them, Propoſition 3.out of his Royall bounty, with ample Rents; commanding all to pray for the proſperity of the Realm and State of the Church. The year following, by his Letters directed to all the Coaſts of Britain, he commanded all who could bear Armes ſpeedily to repair to him, and to endeavour to exterminate the Pagans out of the confines of Britain. Whereupon all of them being aſſembled together, he marched with them againſt Hengiſt and the Saxons; after a bloudy battel Hengist was taken Priſoner by Duke Eldol (fore-mentioned) and his whole Army routed.Propoſition 9. The King upon this victory, coming to Glocester, calling his Captaines and Nobles together, commanded them to reſolve, WHAT OUGHT TO BE DONE CONCERNING HENGIST? upon which Eldad Biſhop of Gloceſter, brother to Duke Eldol, commanding all to be ſilent, grinding his teeth for anger, ſaid: Although all would ſet this man free, yet I will hew him into peices. O effeminate men, why doe yee demurre? Did not Samuel the Prophet, when he hewed the King of Amaleck, taken in warre, in peices, ſay, As thou haſt made many Mothers childleſſe, ſo will I this day make thy Mother childleſſe among women? So doe yee likewiſe concerning this other Agag, who hath bereaved many Mothers of their Children. Upon which words, Eldol drawing forth his ſword, led Hengist out of the City, and cutting off his head, ſent him packing to hell. After this CONVOCAVIT REX CONSƲLES ET PRINCIPES REGNI EBORACƲM, The King called the Conſuls and Nobles of the Realm together to York, and commanded them to repair the Churches the Saxons had deſtroyed, himſelf building the Cathedrall there. Then marching to London Anno 490. Octa and the other Saxons unable to withſtand his power, ſubmitted to him, confeſſing his God to be ſtronger than their Gods; with whom he made this agreement, that they ſhould leave Kent, and thoſe other p. 36places they poſſeſſed, and ſeat themſelves in a Country neer Scotland, which he gave them. Then going to Ambri, he cauſed great ſtones (there remaining to this day) to be ſet up as a Monument,Propoſition 5, 6 for the Noble Britons there treacherouſly ſlain. Where he holding A COUNCIL WITH HIS BISHOPS, ABBOTS and OTHER NOBLES, was Crowned again on Whitſunday, and granted the Metropolitical Sea of York, then void, to Sampſon; and that of the City of London to Dubritius, and likewiſe REGNƲM DISPOSƲIT, LEGESQƲE RENOVAT; ſet the Kingdomes in order, and renued the Lawes. After this he and the Britans had many battles with the Saxons, to defend and recover their Country, Liberties, Lawes; till at laſt he … tr…yterouſly poyſoned Anno 497. whoſe death the B…itons …: cum quo ſimul MILITIA ET … B…TONƲM EXPIRAVIT, as Mathew Weſtminſter, and others write.

From this memorable Story of Vortigerne, Aurelius Ambroſius, and the Britons, and Saxons, theſe particulars are obſerveable.

1. That the Britiſh Kings in thoſe times, debated all their weighty affaires, and concluded all matters touching Warre, Peace, and the publick defence of the Realm againſt invading Enemies, in Grand Parliamentary Councils, in which they likewiſe made Laws and Edicts.

2. That the Princes, Dukes and Nobles …ere the onelyonly or principle Members of the Great Councils of the Realm in thoſe dayes, by whoſe advice all things were managed.

3. That Traytors to and Murderers of their lawfull Soveraignes, uſurping their Crownes, bring commonly great fearful Judgements on the whole Kingdome and Nation, in caſe they comply with them therein.

4. That Vortegernes Treaſon in murdering his Soveraignes, and uſurping their Crown, was the occaſion of, and puniſhed with the long-laſting Warres with the Picts and Saxons; yea, the original cauſe of the great revolution p. 37of the Government, Kingdome and Country of Britain from the Britons to the Saxons.

5. That although a bloudy uſurping Traytor may reign and deprive the right heir of the Crown of his right for many yeares, yet his reign is uſually full of warres, vexations, dangers, troubles, his end tragicall, and the right heir called in and reſtored by the people themſelves at laſt, as her… Aurelius Ambroſius was after 21, yeares uſurpation of his right: and Joaſh in the ſeventh year of Athaliah's uſurpation. 2 Chron. 23.

6. That uſurpers are apt to depreſſe the Nobility, and oppreſſe the Natives of the Realm, for fear they ſhould oppoſe their T…ranny and dethrone them.

7. That a…l Hereſies, vices, contempt of God and Religion, uſually ſ…ing up and overſpread the Realm under Uſurpers, who give publick countenance to them to pleaſe all ſides, to ſuppo… u…juſt authority over them.

8. That it isiiSee Heylins Microcoſme, p. 756, 757 718 394, 412, 5…7 177, 178, 642 672, 709. very dangerous to call in forrain Forces upon any neceſſity into a Kingdome, as aſſiſtants, who commonly prove worſe Enemies in concluſion, than thoſe they are called in to ….

9. That all Mercenary Guards and Souldiers (eſpecially Forraigners) are for the moſt part very Treacherous and Perfidious, for…ibly ſuppreſſing ſupplanting, deſtroying thoſe Princes and Nations they are hired to guard and protect.

10. That lawful hereditary Kings are the cheifeſt Patrons of Gods Miniſters, Churches, Religion; and the death of ſuch (then religious, juſt, valient) the greateſt loſſe and miſery that can befall a Nation.

11. That all Subjects are obliged to defend with their armes and lives, their Native Country and lawful Kings againſt Invaders and Uſurpers.

12. That the worſt of Kings and Uſurpers, in caſes of extream danger, are enforced to all Common Councils, and to crave the advice and aſſiſtance of their Nobles (as Vortigerne did here) as well as the juſteſt Kings.

p. 38Aurelius Ambroſius dying by poſon, without Iſſue,Anno Dom. 498. Anno 497. kkGalfr. Monum. l. 8 c. 17, 18, &c. Math. Weſtm. An. 497 &c. Authors.Ʋther Pondragon his Brother, and next heir, poſting to Wincheſter, aſſembled the Clergy and People of the Realm thither, and took upon him the Crown of the Realm; which done, PRAECEPIT ƲTHER CONSƲLES SƲOS AT QUE PRINCIPES AD SEVOCARI, ƲT CONSILIO SƲORƲM TRACT ARET, QƲALITER IN HOSTES IRRƲPTIONEM FACERENT: Propoſit. 5, 9.Ʋther commanded his Conſuls and Nobles to be called to him, that by their advice he might debate, in what manner they ſhould aſſault the Enemies. whereupon they all aſſembling in the Kings preſence, upon mature debates, they all agreed to the advice there propounded by Gorlois; and encountring the Saxons, ſlew many of them, routed the reſt, took ſome chief Commanders Priſoners, and put them in Priſon at London, whether the King repaired. The feaſt of Eaſter approaching, REX PRAECEPIT PROCERIBƲS REGNI IBI CONVENIRE. The King commanded all the Nobles of the Realm to aſſemble TOGETHER AT LONDON, that wearing his Crown, he might celebrate the holy day with due honour. ALL PRESENTLY OBEYED, and the King celebrated the Feſtivity with joy. Among other Nobles, Gorlois Duke of Cornwall was preſent. The King not long after being taken with a great ſickneſſe, Octae and Oſa, the Saxon Generals, bribing their Keepers, efcaped out of Priſon, and then collecting all their forces, reſolved to extirpate the Britons and Chriſtian Religion out of the Iſland; in purſuance whereof, they waſted the Land from Sea to Sea, ſparing neither Biſhops, nor Churches, overruning all places without reſiſtance. The Britons deſerting their ſick King, fled into Woods and Caves, refuſing to follow the Counſel and Conduct of Conſul Lotho, a moſt valiant man, whom the King had made Generall of his Forces. Hereupon King Ʋther being much grieved for the Subverſion of the Realm, the Oppreſſion of the Church, the Deſolation of the Nobles, and Diſperſion of the People. Anno 512. CONVOCATIS OMNIBƲS REGNI p. 39SƲI MAGNATIBƲS, Propoſit. 5. 9.calling together all the Nobles of his Realm (in a General Parliamentary Councel) ſharply reproved them both for their Pride and S…othfulneſſe, and caſting out many bitter words with reproaches againſt them, informed them, that he himſelf would lead them againſt the Enemies, that ſo he might reduce the minds of them all to their priſtine ſtate and audacity. And commanding himſelf to be carried in his ſick bed in a Litter into the Camp, (his infirmity not permitting him to be carried otherwiſe) he marched therein with all the ſtrength of the Kingdome againſt the Enemies, who ſcorned to fight with him being ſick in his Litter, and at laſt forcing them to fight, after many bloudy encounters, utterly routed their forces, and ſlew Octa and Oſa their Generals.

Anno 516.Anno 516. kkGalfr. Monum; Hiſt. Reg. Brit. l. 9. c. 10 to 20. & l. 10. c. 1. to 14 Math. Weſtm. An 525, 537. Walſingham Hiſt Angliae, p. 50. Speeds Hiſtory p, 273.The Saxons treacherouſly poyſoning this Noble King, the Biſhops, Clergy and People of the Realm aſſembling together, buried him honourably at Ambri, within the Quire of Giants. The funeral being ended, Dubricus, the Arch-Biſhop, SOCIATIS SIBI EPISCOPIS ET MAGNATIBƲS, aſſociting the Biſhops and Nobles to him, magnificently advanced his Son Arthur (a youth but ſixteen yeares old) to be King; to which Solemnity, CONVENERƲNT EX DIVERSIS PROVINCIIS PROCERES BRITTANNORUM, the Nobles of the Britons aſſembled out of divers Provinces to Ca…rleon, and there crowned King Arthur, who having routed the Saxons in twelve ſeverall Battles; afterwards (if we believe our Britiſh Fables, as Malmesbury ſtiles them) conquered all France, and keeping his Court at Paris, CONVOCATIS CLERO ET POPƲLO STATƲM REGNI PACE ET LEGE CONFIRMAVIT. Whence returning into Britain in triumph, about the year 536 Pentecoſt aproaching, Propoſ. 5, 6, 9.he reſolved to keep that Solemnity at Caer-…eon, and there to be new Crowned. Whereupon he ſent Meſſengers into all the Kingdomes and Countries ſubject to him, inviting▪ ALL THE KINGS, DUKES. and NOBLES SUBJECT TO HIM, TO COME TOGETHER TO THAT SOLEMNITY, that he might p. 40ren…e a moſt firm Peace between them. Whereupon no leſſe than thirteen Kings, three Arch-Biſhops, with ſundry PRINCES, DUKES. CONSULS, EARLES and NOBLES there aſſembled, whoſe names you may read at large in Geoffry Monmouth. The King being ſolemnly crowned by D…bricius Arch-Biſhop of …, in the midſt of the Feaſts, Sports and … at this Coronation, behold twelve men of mature age, of reverend countenance, bringing Olive branches in their right hands in token of their Embaſſy, with grave paces came to the King, and having ſaluted him, preſented him with … Luciu, Tiberius, Procurator of the Roman R…publi…k, to this effect: I exceedingly admire the frowardneſſe of thy Tyranny, a…d the Inj…ry thou haſt done to Rome, that going out of thy ſelf, thou refuſeſt to acknowledge her, neither doſt thou conſider what it is to offend the Senate by unjuſt actions to whom thou art not ignorant, the whole … Service, For thou haſt preſumed to detain THE TRIBUTE OF BRITAIN, which THE SENATE COMMANDED THEE TO PAY, becauſe Caius Julius and other Romane Emperours have injoyed it for a long time, neglecting the command of ſo great an Order. Thou haſt taken away from them the Province of the Switzers, and all the Iſles of the Ocean, whoſe Kings, whiles the Roman power p…evailed in thoſe parts, pai… Trib…te to our Anceſtors. Now becauſe the Senate hath diverced, to demand Juſtice concerning ſo great heapes of thy injuries, I command thee to rep…ir to Rome. to anſwer them on the midſt of Auguſt the year following, the time pr…fixed to thee; that ſatisfying thy Lords, thou maiſt ſubmit to that ſentence, which their Juſtice ſhall pronounce. But if thou refuſeſt, I my ſelf will come in perſon into thy Quarters, and will endeavour to reſtore by the Sword, what ever thy frenzy hath taken away from the Republick. This Letter being read in the preſence of all the Kings and Nobles preſent, King Arthur went apart with them,Propoſ. 5, 6, 9. to conſult concerning this buſineſſe: where craving their unanimous adviſe and ſenſe conce…ning theſe Mandates; He ſaid: That he thought the inquietation of Lucius was not much to be feared, ſince ex irrationabile p. 41cauſa, from an unreaſonable cauſe he exacted the Tribute, which he deſired to have out of Britain: For he ſaith, that it ought to be given to him, becauſe it was paid to Julius Caeſar, and the reſt of his Succeſſors, who invited by the diviſions of the old Britons, arrived with an Army in Britain, and BY FORCE and VIOLENCE SUBJECTED THE COUNTRY TO THEIR POWER, SHAKEN WITH DOMESTICK COMMOTIONS. Now becauſe they obtained it is in this manner; Vectigal ex ea INIƲSTE RECEPERƲNT, They RECEIVED TRIBUTE CUT OF IT, unjuſtly. Nihil enimu od vi & violentia acquiritur, juſte ab ullo proſſidetur qui violentiam intulit. Irrationabilem ergo cauſam pretendit, qua nos jure ſibi tributarios arbitratur, &c. FOR NOTHING WHICH IS ACQUIRED BY FORCE and VIOLENCE, Nota.IS JUSTLY POSSESSED BY ANY MAN WHO HATH OFFERED THE VIOLENCE; Therefore he pretends AN UNREASONABLE CAUSE, whereby he ſuppoſeth us of right to he Tributaries to him, Now becauſe he preſumes to exact from us, id quod injuſtum eſt, THAT WHICH IS UNJUST, by the ſame reaſon let us demand Tribute of Rome from him, and he which ſhall become ſtrongeſt, let him carry away that he deſires to have. For if becauſe Julius Caeſar, and the reſt of the Roman Emperours, have in times paſt ſubdued Britain, he determines, that Tribute ought now to be rendred to him out of it; in like manner I think, that Rome ought now to render Tribute unto us, becauſe my Anceſtors have in ancient times obtained it. For Belinus, that moſt noble King of the Britons, uſing the aſſiſtance of his Brother Brennus Duke of the Allobroges, having hanged up four and twenty of the moſt Noble Romans in the midſt of the market place, took the City, and being taken, poſſeſſed it a long time. Moreover Conſtantine the ſonne of Helen and Maximianus, both of them my neer Kinſmen, both of them Kings of Britain, one after the other, obtained the Throne of the Roman Empire. Doe yee think therefore, that Tribute is to be demanded by the Romans? Concerning France, or the Collaterall Iſlands of the Ocean, I am not to anſwer to them, p. 42ſeeing they deſerted their defence, when we ſubſtracted them from their Power. The whole Council of Kings and Nobles preſent, aſſenting fully to this his opinion and reſolution, promiſed him their aſſiſtance in this cauſe againſt the Romans. Whereupon he returned Anſwer to the Roman Emperours by the ſaid Meſſengers, Propoſition 7.THAT HE WOULD BY NO MEANES RENDER THEM TRIBUTE, NEITHER WOULD HE SUBMIT HIMSELF TO THEIR JUDGEMENT CONCERNING IT, NOR REPAIR TO ROME; yea, that he demanded from them, that which they had decreed, by that their judgement, to demand from him. And hereupon (ſome ſay) he writ this Letter unto the Senate of Rome, in anſwer of theirs. Ʋnderſtand among you at Rome, that I am King Arthur of Britain, and FREELY IT HOLD and SHALL HOLD; and at Rome haſtily will I be, not TO GIVE YOU TRUAGE (Tribute) but to have Truage of you. For Conſtantine that was Helens Son, and others of mine Anceſtors, CONQUERED ROME, and thereof were Emperours, and that they had and held, I ſhall have and hold by Gods grace. Whereupon Lucius Tiberius, by command of the Senate, raiſing great forces amongſt the Eaſtern Kings to ſubdue Britain, was encountred and ſlain by King Arthur, with all his Roman forces, in the valley of Soiſie in France Anno Dom. 537. ſince which this Tribute was never demanded.

This Hiſtory (whether true or ſeigned) as it declares by the Reſolution of thirteen Kings, and a great multitude of Princes, Dukes, Nobles, Prelates, Souldiers, that Titles and Tributes gotten by Force, Violence, Conqueſt, are both irrational, unjuſt and illegal; So it reſolves, That the Matters of Warre, Peace and other great Affaires of the Realm, were determined in Parliament. That the Kings, Princes and Nobles were the onelyonly Parliaments and Parliament men of that age: That the Realm and Kings of England are neither tributary, nor ſubject, nor reſponſible to any Forraign Powers, Juriſdictions, or Courts whatſoever; and that no Tribute or Tax can juſtly be p. 43impoſed on, or exacted from the Inhabitants of this Iſland, but by their own voluntary Grants and Conſents, even by the Lawes and Cuſtomes of the Realm in the Britons times; and that whatever Tax or Poſſeſſion was then gained by force, conqueſt, or armed power without juſt right and Title, was both unjuſt and unreaſonable. And ſo ought to be reputed now. Quod ab initio non valet, tractu temporis non convaleſcit, being a Principle in our Law.

I read in the Lawes of King Edward before the Conqueſt, c. 35. in Mr. Lambards Archaion, fol 135, 136. and Sir Edward Cook his 7 Report; Calvins Caſe, fol. 6, 7. That this moſt famous King Arthur firſt invented and inacted this Law, Propoſit. 8.That all the Princes, Earles, Nobles, Knights, and all Free-men of the Realm of Britain, ought to make and ſwear fealty to their Lord the King in the full Folkemote or Leet, in this form (commonly uſed in Leets till within the ſix yeares laſt paſt.) You ſhall ſwear, that from this day forward, you ſhall be true and faithfull to our Soveraign King Arthur, and HIS HEIRES, and truth and faith you ſhall bear to him of life, and member, and terrene honour; and you ſhall neither know nor hear of any ill or dammage intended to him, that you ſhall not defend. So help you God. And that by Autherity of this Law, King Arthur expelled the Saracens (it ſhould be Saxons, for no Saracens ever invaded Britain) and Enemies out of the Realm. And by Authority of this Law, King Etheldred in one and the ſame day ſlew all the Danes throughout the whole Realm. Surely ſuch Oathes of Fealty, Loyalty and Homage are very ancient, as our Hiſtories manifeſt.

King Arthur being mortally wounded in the battell he fought with his Nephew Mordred (who uſurped the Crown in his abſence) Mordred being ſlain in the fight, Arthur deſpairing of life, gave the Crown of Britain to Conſtantine his Kinſman Anno Dom. 542. who, together with the reſt of the Britiſh Kings, Anno 542.neglecting all Lawes and Juſtice, warring againſt each other, and degenerating into Tyrants, Uſurpers, Murderers, Perjurious Perſons, Oppreſſors, and p. 44the like, declined daily in their power, the Saxons continually incroaching upon them in all parts, and about the year of our Lord 586. they were quite driven out of their Kingdomes, together with their Britiſh Subjects, by the Saxons into Wales, Cornwall, and Little Britain in France, and reduced to the extremity of all miſery, as you may read at large in Gildas, de Excidio & Conqueſtu britanniae; and llSee Holinſhed, and Dr. Ʋſher, de Britannicarum Eccleſiarum Primordiis p. 535 to 547. Speeds Hiſtory p. 275, 276, 277, 278.others out of him. Who thus deſcribes the Tyrannies and vices of thoſe times. Ʋngebantur Reges non per Deum, ſed qui caeteris crudeliores extarent; & paulo poſt ab unctoribus, non pro veri examinatione TRUCIDABANTUR, ALIIS ELECTIS TRUCIORIBUS. Si quis vero eorum mitior, & veritate aliquatenus pronior videretur, in hunc quaſi Britanniae Subverſorem, omnium odia telaque ſine reſpectu contorquebantur; & omnia quae diſplicuerint Deoque placuerint aequali ſaltem lance pendebantur, ſi non graviora fuiſſent diſplicentia. Sicque agebant cuncta, quae ſaluti contraria fuerunt, ac ſi nihil mundo medicina a vero omnium medico largiretur, &c. Ita cuncta veritatis & Juſtitiae moderamina concuſſa ac ſubverſa ſunt, ut corum, non dicam faſtigium, ſed ne monimentum quidem in ſupra dictis propemodum ordinibus apparent, exceptis paucis, & valde paucis, &c. Reges habet Britannia, ſed TYRANNOS: Judices habet, ſed impios: ſaepe praedantes & concutientes, ſed innocentes: vindicantes & patrocinantes, ſed reos & latrones: CREBRO JURANTES, SED PERJURANTES; VOVENTES, & CONTINUO PROPEMODUM mentientes: belligerantes, SED CIVILIA ET INJUSTA BELLA AGENTES; per patriam quidem fures magnopere inſectantes, & eos qui ſecum admenſam ſedent non ſolum amantes, ſed & munerantes; in ſede arbitraturi ſedentes, ſed raro recti judicii regulam quaerentes; innexios humileſque deſpicientes, ſanguinarios, ſuperbos, parricidas, commanipulares (qui cum ipſo nomine certatim delendi ſunt) pro ut poſſunt efferentes; vinctos plures in carceribus habentes, quos dolo ſui potius quam merito proterunt, catenis onerantes; inter Altaria jurando demorantes, & hoec eadem ac ſi lutulenta paulo poſt ſaxa deſpicientes. Cujus tanti nefandi piaculi non ignarus eſt p. 45immundae Leaenae D…mnoniae tyrannicus Catulus Conſtantinus. Hoc anno poſt horribile juramenti Sacramentum (quo ſe devinxit nequaquam d…los civibus, Deo primum j…requejurando, Sanctorum demum choris & Genetrice comitantibus frelis facturum) in duarum venerandis matrum finibus, Eccleſia earnaliſque ſub ſancti Abbatis amphibalo, Latera regiorum tenerrima pucrorum, vel praecordia crudeliter duum totidemque nutritorum, inter ipſa, ut dixi, ſacroſancta Altaria, nefando enſe haſtaque prodentibus laceravit, &c. Quid tu qu…que catule Leonine Aureli Canine agis? Nonne pacem Pa…riae mortiferum ceu ſerpentem odiens, CIVILIAQUE BELLA & CREBRAS INJUSTE PRAEDAS SITIENS animae tuae caeleſtes portas pacis ac refrigerii praecludis? Quid tu etiam inſularis Draco, MULTORUM TYRANNORUM DEPULSOR TAM REGNO QUAM ETIAM VITA, ſnpradictorum noviſſime in noſtro ſtylo prime in malo, major, multis potentia, ſimulque malitia, Largior in dando, profuſior in peccato, robuſte armis, ſed animae forti…r excidiis, Maglocune, in tam vetuſto ſcelerum a…ramento ſtolide volutaris? Quare tantas peccaminum regiae cervici ſponte, ut ita dicam, ineluctabiles celſorum ſeu Montium innectis moles? Nonne in primis adoleſcentiae tuae annis avunculum Regem, cum fortiſſimis propemodum militibus acerrime enſe, haſta, igni oppreſſiſti? Parum cogitans propheticum dictum: mmPſal. 54. 24.Ps 54:24Viri inquiens ſanguinum & doli, non dimidiabunt dies ſuos. Quid pro hoc ſolo retributionis a juſto judice ſperares (& ſi non talia ſequerentur, quae ſecuta ſunt) itidem dicente per prophetam,nnIſay 33. 1Isa 33:1 Vae tibi qui praedaris, nonne & ipſe praedaberis? & qui occidis, nonne & ipſe occideris? & cum d…ſiveris praedari, tunc cades. Theſe ſinnes brought the ancient Britiſh Kings, with their Kingdomes and People to ruine. Legitur in Libro Gildoe Sapientiſſimi Britonum, Quod ijdem Britones, propter Avaritiam & rapinam Principum, propter iniquitatem & injuriam Judicum, propter deſidiam praedicationis Epiſcoporum, propter luxuriam & malos mores populi Patriam perdiderunt, write Alcuinus and ooDe Geſtis Regum Angl. l 1 c. 3. p, 26.Malmesbury. The Lord grant they may not bring our Kingdomes and Nations to like ruine and deſolation now.

p. 46How many bloudy Warres and battles the Brotons, after they were driven out of their Country into the Welſh Mountaines by the Sa…ons, fought with them for the defence of their Country, Rights, Liberties, under the conduct of valient Cad…in, who after twenty four yeares civill Diſſention amongſt the Britons, and ſo long an Inter-regnum, wasppGalfr. Morum. Hiſt. l. 12 c 1. …, 5. Speeh Concil. p. 112. by the UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF ALL THE PRINCES and NOBLES OF THE BRITONS ASSEMBLED TOGETHER (in a great Parliamentary Councill) AT LEGECESTER ELECTED and MADE … OF THE BRITONS; Which Nobles and Counſellor, would not permit him to give way, that Edwin the Saxon, by his permiſſion, ſhould be crowned King of Northamberland: Aiebant enim CONTRA IƲS VETERƲMQƲE TRADITIONEM ESSE, Inſulam unius CORONAE DƲ OBƲS CORONATIS SƲBMITTI DEBERE. And after his deceaſe, under Cadwallo his Son, who ſucceeded him in the Crown; and under famous Cadwallader, ſucceeding Cadwallo his Father in the Kingly Government, by lineall d…ſcent; by whoſe death, both the royall blond, with the Government of the Britons, and the very name of Britain it ſelf expired; you may read at large in Geoffry Monmouth, B…da, Gildas, Maelmesbury, Huntindon, qqSee Math. Weſtm. Anno 74…. 811. 853Mathew Weſtminſter, Fabian, Holinſhed, Grafton, Speed and others, being over tedious to relate. The diviſions and diſcords amongſt the Britiſh Nobility, during Cadwalladers ſickneſſe, ſeconded with eleven yeares ſere p…ſtilence, famine and all ſorts of miſeries, whereby the land became deſolate, enforced them to forſake their native Country, and to ſeek relief in forraign parts. Whereupon the Saxons ſending for more of their Countrymen into Britain, repleniſhed and planted the vacant Country, diſpoſſeſſing the Britons totally of their ancient rightfull Inheritance; which they never ſince regained: after they had poſſeſſed it from Brute to Cadwallader, for two thouſand ſeventy ſix yeares, under one hundred and two Kings, as John Brompton records in the beginning of his Hiſtory, col. 725.

p. 47And this ſhall ſuffice concerning the Britons Conteſts and Wars for their Liberties, Laws, Government, Country, Religion, againſt the Romans, Saxons, and touching their Great Parliamentary Councils, & Proceedings in them, from Julius Caeſars to the Saxons Conqueſt, and total ſupplantation of them by Treachery, Violence and the Sword; of which violent Intruſion, Laeland our famous Antiquary, and Archbiſhop Parker in his Antiquit…tes Eccleſiae Britannicae, p. 12. give their Cenſure in point of Conſcience; who writing of Pope Gregories converſion of the Pagan Saxons (who expelled the Britons) to the Chriſtian Faith, conclude thus; Debuerat Gregorius admonuiſſe Saxones, GENTEM PERFIDAM, ut ſi ſyncere Chriſtia…iſſim…m admittere vellent, BRITANNIAE IMPERIƲM, QƲOD CONTRA SACRAMENTƲM MILITIAE PER TYRANNIDEM OCCƲPAVERANT, IƲSTIS DOMINIS AC POSSESSORIBƲS RESTITƲERENT. That is: Gregory ought to have admoniſhed the Saxons, a PERFIDIOUS NATION, that if they would ſincerely embrace Chriſtianity, they then ought to reſtore the Kingdome of Britain, which they had ſeiſed upon by Tyranny, againſt the Oath of their Militia, to the juſt Lords and Poſſeſſors thereof; (a Doctrine fit to be preſſed on others now by all our Miniſters) which becauſe they neglected to doe, you may read what a divine retaliation their Poſtetity received from the Pagan Danes, in the inſuing Sections.