5.1. Constantinus at the generall sute of the Britains vndertaketh to gouerne this Iland, he is crowned king, his three sonnes, he is traitorouslie slaine of a Pict, Constantius the eldest sonne of Constantine hauing bene a monke is created king, the ambitious & slie practises of duke Vortigerne to aspire to the gouernment, he procureth certeine Picts and Scots to kill the king who had reteined them for the gard of his person, his craftie deuises and deepe dissimulation vnder the pretense of in|nocencie, he winneth the peoples harts, and is chosen their king. The first Chapter.

Constantinus at the generall sute of the Britains vndertaketh to gouerne this Iland, he is crowned king, his three sonnes, he is traitorouslie slaine of a Pict, Constantius the eldest sonne of Constantine hauing bene a monke is created king, the ambitious & slie practises of duke Vortigerne to aspire to the gouernment, he procureth certeine Picts and Scots to kill the king who had reteined them for the gard of his person, his craftie deuises and deepe dissimulation vnder the pretense of in|nocencie, he winneth the peoples harts, and is chosen their king. The first Chapter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 _HAuing ended our former booke with the end of the Ro|mane power ouer this Iland, wherein the state of the I|land vnder them is at full described; it remaineth now that we procéed to declare, in what state they were af|ter the Romans had refused to gouerne them anie longer. Wherefore we will addresse our selues to saie somewhat tou|ching the succession of the British kings, as their hi|stories make mention.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 Constantinus the brother of Aldroenus king of little Britaine,Constan|tinus. at the sute and earnest request of the archbishop of London,Gal. Mon. Matt. Westm. made in name of all the Bri|tains in the Ile of great Britaine, was sent into the same Ile by his said brother Aldroenus vpon coue|nants ratified in manner as before is recited, and brought with him a conuenient power, landing with the same at Totnesse in Deuonshire. Caxton saith 12000. but Gal. and o|thers say but 2000. Immediatlie after his cõming on land, he gathered to him a great power of Britains, which before his landing were hid in diuerse places of the Ile. Then went he foorth with them, and gaue battell to the enimies, whom he vanquished: & slue that tyrannicall king Guanius there in the field (as some bookes haue.) Howbeit, this agréeth not with the Scotish writers,The British historie disa|greeth from the Scotish. which af|firme that they got the field, but yet lost their king named Dongard (as in their historie ye maie read.)

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 But to procéed as our writers report the matter. When the Britains had thus ouercome their eni|mies, they conueied their capteine the said Constan|tine vnto Cicester, and there in fullfilling their pro|mise and couenant made to his brother, crowned him king of great Britaine, in the yéere of our Lord 433,Matth. West. saith 435. which was about the fift yéere of the emperour Ualentinianus the second, and third yéere of Clodius king of the Frankners after called Frenchmen, which then began to settle themselues in Gallia, whereby the name of that countrie was afterwards changed and called France. Constantine being thus established king, ruled the land well and noblie, and defended it from all inuasion of enimie during his life. He begat of his wife thrée sonnes (as the British historie affirmeth) Constantius, Aurelius Ambrosi|us, and Uter surnamed Pendragon. The eldest, bi|cause he perceiued him to be but dull of wit, and not verie toward, he made a moonke, placing him with|in the abbie of Amphibalus in Winchester.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 Finallie this Constantine, In a groue of bushes as Gal. saith. Matth. West. Beda. Orosius, Blondus. after he had reigned ten yéeres, was traitoroustie staine one day in his owne chamber (as some write) by a Pict, who was in such fauor with him, that he might at all times haue frée accesse to him at his pleasure. Neither the Ro|mane writers, nor Beda, make anie mention of this Constantine: but of the other Constantine they write, which immediatlie after the vsurper Gratian was dispatched out of the way (as before ye haue heard) was aduanced to the rule of this land, and title of emperour, onelie in hope of his name, and for no other respect of towardnesse in him, afore time being but a meane souldier, without anie degrée of honour. The same Constantine (as writers record) going ouer into Gallia, adorned his sonne Constan|tius with the title and dignitie of Cesar, the which before was a moonke, and finallie as well the one as the other were slaine, the father ar Arles by earls Constantius, that was sent against him by the em|perour Honorius; and the sonne at Uienna (as be|fore ye haue heard) by one of his owne court called Gerontius (as in the Italian historie ye may sée more at large.) This chanced about the yeere of our Lord 415.415

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 ¶This haue we thought good to repeat in this place, for that some may suppose that this Constan|tine is the same that our wr [...]ters take to be the bro|ther of Aldroenus king of little Britaine, as the cir|cumstance of the time and other things to be consi|dered may giue them occasion to thinke, for that there is not so much credit to be yéelded to them that haue written the British histories, but that in some part men may with iust cause doubt of sundrie mat|ters conteined in the same: and therfore haue we in this booke béene the more diligent to shew what the Romans and other forreine writers haue registred in their bookes of histories touching the affaires of Britaine, that the reader may be the better satisfied in the truth. But now to returne to the sequele of the historie as we find the same written by the British chroniclers.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 After that Constantine was murthered (as be|fore ye haue heard) one Uortigerus,This Uor|tigerne was duke of the Geuisses and Cornewall, as Rad. Cestr. reporteth. Gal. Mon. or Uortigernus, a man of great authoritie amongst the Britains, wrought so with the residue of the British nobilitie, that Constantius the eldest sonne of their king the fore-remembred Constantine, was taken out of the abbie of Winchester where he remained, and was EEBO page image 77 streightwaies created king, as lawfull inheritour to his father.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Ye haue heard how Constantius was made a moonke in his fathers life time, bicause he was thought to be too soft and childish in wit, to haue anie publike rule committed to his hands: but for that cause speciallie did Uortigerne séeke t'aduance him, to the end that the king being not able to gouerne of himselfe, he might haue the chiefest swaie, and so rule all things as it were vnder him, preparing thereby a way for himselfe to atteine at length to the king|dome as by that which followed was more apparent|lie perceiued.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 THis Constantius then the sonne of Constan|tine,Constan|tius. by the helpe (as before ye haue heard) of Uortigerne, was made king of Britaine, in the yere of our Lord 443.Matt. West. saith 445. But Constantius bare but the name of king: for Uortigerne abusing his innocen|cie and simple discretion to order things as was re|quisite, had all the rule of the land, and did what plea|sed him. Wherevpon first, where there had béene a league concluded betwixt the Britains, Scots and Picts, in the daies of the late king Constantine, Uortigerne cause the same league to be renewed, & waged an hundred Picts,Hector Boet. and as manie Scots to be attendant as a gard vpon the kings person, diuers of the which (corrupting them with faire promises) he procured by subtile meanes in the end to murther the king,Constantius murthered. and immediatlie vpon the deed doone, he caused the murtherers to be strangled, that they should not afterwards disclose by whose procurement they did that déed.The subtile [...] of Uortigerne. Then caused he all the residue of the Scots and Picts to be apprehended, and as it had béene vp|on a zeale to sée the death of Constantius seuerelie punished, be framed such inditements and accusati|ons against them, that chieflie by his meanes (as ap|peared) the giltlesse persons were condemned and hanged, the multitude of the British people béeing woonderfullie pleased therewith, and giuing great commendations to Uortigerne for that déed. Thus Constantius was made awaie in maner as before ye haue heard, after he had reigned (as most writers affirme) the space of fiue yéeres.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 After his death was knowne, those that had the bringing vp and custodie of his two yoonger bre|thren,Aurelius Am|brosius. Uter Pen|dragon. Aurelius Ambrose, and Uter Pendragon, mistrusting the wicked intent of Uortigerne, whose dissimulation and mischieuous meaning by some great likelihoods they suspected, with all spéed got them to the sea, and fled into litle Britaine, there kée|ping them till it pleased God otherwise to prouide for them. But Uortigerne could so well dissemble his craftie workings, and with such conueiance and clo|ked maner could shadow and colour the matter, that most men thought and iudged him verie innocent and void of euill meaning: insomuch that he obtei|ned the fauour of the people so greatlie, that he was reputed for the onelie staie and defender of the com|mon wealth. Herevpon it came to passe, that when the councell was assembled to elect a new king, for so much as the other sonnes of king Constantine were not of age sufficient to rule,Uortigerne chosen king of Britaine. Uortigerne him|selfe was chosen, diuers of the nobles (whom he had procured thereto) giuing their voices to this his pre|ferment, as to one best deseruing the same in their opinion and iudgement. This Uortigerne, as by in|direct meanes and sinister procéedings he aspired to the regiment, hauing no title therevnto, otherwise than as blind fortune vouchsafed him the prefer|ment: so when he was possessed, but not interessed in the same, he vncased the crooked conditions which he had couertlie concealed, and in the end (as by the sequele you shall sée) did pull shame and infamie vp|on himselfe.

5.2. Vortigerne furnisheth the tower with a garrison, he bewraieth his crueltie, Aure|lius and Pendragon brethren to the late king Constantius flie into Britaine Armorike, what common abuses and sinnes did vniuersally concurre with a plentifull yeere, the Scots and Picts reuenge the death of their countrimen, Vortigerne is in doubt of his estate, the Britains send for succour to the Saxons, they come vnder the conduct of Hengist and Horsus two brethren, where they are assigned to be seated, they van|quish the Scots, disagreement in writers touching the Saxons first comming into this Iland. The second Chapter.

Vortigerne furnisheth the tower with a garrison, he bewraieth his crueltie, Aure|lius and Pendragon brethren to the late king Constantius flie into Britaine Armorike, what common abuses and sinnes did vniuersally concurre with a plentifull yeere, the Scots and Picts reuenge the death of their countrimen, Vortigerne is in doubt of his estate, the Britains send for succour to the Saxons, they come vnder the conduct of Hengist and Horsus two brethren, where they are assigned to be seated, they van|quish the Scots, disagreement in writers touching the Saxons first comming into this Iland. The second Chapter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 _VOrtigerne,Vorti|gerne. by such diue|lish meanes and vnconsciona|ble practises (as you heare) stealing away the hearts of the people, was chosen and made king of Britaine, in the yéere of our Lord 446,446 in the 3 consulship of Aetius, 1197 of Rome, 4 of the 305 Olympiad, 4112 of the world, the dominicall letter going by F, the prime by 10, which fell about the 21 yéere of the emperour Ualen|tinianus, the same yéere that Meroneus began to reigne ouer the Frenchmen. Before he was made king, he was earle or duke of the Geuisses, a people which held that part of Britaine where afterwards the west Saxons inhabited. Now when he had with treason, fraud,Hector Bo [...]t. and great deceit at length obteined that for the which he had long looked, he first of all fur|nished the tower of London with a strong garrison of men of warre.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Then studieng to aduance such onelie as he knew to be his speciall friends and fauorers, he fought by all meanes how to oppresse other, of whose good will he had neuer so litle mistrust,415 and namelie those that were affectionate towards the linage of Constan|tine he hated deadlie, and deuised by secret meanes which way he might best destroy them. But these his practises being at the first perceiued, caused such as had the gouernance of the two poong gentlemen with all spéed to get them ouer (as ye haue heard)Fabian. in|to Britaine Armorike, there to remaine out of dan|ger with their vncle the king of that land. Diuers of the Britains also, that knew themselues to be in Uortigerne his displeasure, sailed ouer dailie vnto them, which thing brought Uortigerne into great doubt and feare of his estate.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 It chanced also the same time, that there was great plentie of corne,Gyldas. & store of fruit, the like wherof had not béene seene in manie yéeres before, and therevpon insued riot, strife, lecherie, and other vi|ces verie heinous, & yet accounted as then for small or rather none offenses at all.Plentie of wealth accom|panied with store of sinnes. These abuses & great enormities reigned not onelie in the temporaltie, but also in the spiritualtie and chéefe rulers in the same: so that euerie man turned the point of his speare (euen as he had consented of purpose) against the true and innocent person. The commons al|so gaue themselues to voluptuous lust, drunken|nesse, and idle loitering, whereof followed fighting, contention, enuie, and much debate. Of this plentie therefore insued great pride, and of this abundance no lesse hautinesse of mind, wherevpon followed great wickednesse, lacke of good gouernement and sober temperancie, and in the necke of these as a iust punishment, death and mortalitie, so that in some countries scarse the quicke sufficed to burie the dead.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 And for an augmentation of more mischeefe,Scots and the Scots and Picts hearing how their countrimen EEBO page image 78 through the false suggestion of Uortigerne,Picts inuade the Britains. had bene wrongfullie and most cruellie put to death at Lon|don, began with fire & sword to make sharpe & cruell warre against the Britains, wasting their countrie, spoiling and burning their townes, and giuing them the ouerthrow in a pitcht field, as in the Scotish hi|storie more plainlie appeareth. To be bréefe, the Bri|tains were brought into such danger and miserie, that they knew not what way to take for remedie in such present perill, likelie to be ouerrun and vtter|lie vanquished of their enimies. In the meane time Uortigerne not onelie troubled with these immi|nent euils, but fearing also the returne of the two brethren, Aurelius Ambrose, and Uter Pendragon, began to consider of the state of things, and estée|ming it most sure to worke by aduise, called togither the principall lords and chéefe men of the realme to haue their counsell and opinion, how to procéed in such a weightie businesse: and so debating the mat|ter with them, measured both his owne force, and al|so the force of his enimies, and according to the con|dition and state of the time, diligentlie considered and searched out what remedie was to be had and prouided.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 At length after they had throughlie pondered all things, the more part of the nobles with the king also were of this mind, that there could be no better way deuised, than to send into Germanie for the Saxons to come to their aid: the which Saxons in that season were highlie renowmed for their vali|ancie in armes, and manifold aduentures hereto|fore atchiued.Gyldas. Wil. Malm. Beda. The Saxons sent for. And so forthwith messengers were dispatched into Germanie, the which with monie, gifts, and promises, might procure the Saxons to come to the aid of the Britains against the Scots and Picts. The Saxons glad of this message, as peo|ple desirous of intertainment to serue in warres, choosing forth a picked companie of Iustie yoong men vnder the leading of two brethren Hingist and Hor|sus,10000 hath Hector Boet. Gyldas and Beda mention onelie but of 3 plates or gallies, but Hector Boet. hath 30. got them aboord into certeine vessels appoin|ted for the purpose, and so with all spéed directed their course towards great Britaine.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 This was in the yeare of our Lord 449,449 Wil. Malm. and in the second yeare of Uortigerns reigne, as the most autentike writers both British and English séeme to gather, although the Scotish writers, and name-Hector Boetius doo varie herein, touching the iust account of yeares, as to the perusers of the wri|tings aswell of the one as the other may appeare. But others take it to be in the 4 yéere of his reigne: whereto Beda séemeth to agrée, who noteth it in the same yeare that Martianus the emperour began to rule the empire, which was (as appeareth by the consularie table) in the consulship of Protogenes and Austerius, and third yeere of Meroneus king of France.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 These Saxons thus arriuing in Britaine, were courteouslie receiued, & hartilie welcomed of king Uortigerne, who assigned to them places in Kent to inhabit, and foorthwith led them against the Scots and Picts, which were entred into Britaine, wa|sting & destroieng the countrie before them. Héere|vpon comming to ioine in battell, there was a sore fight betwixt the parties for a while. But at length when the Saxons called to their remembrance that the same was the day which should either purchase to them an euerlasting name of manhood by victorie, or else of reproch by repulse,Scots van|quished by the Saxons. began to renew the fight with such violence, that the enimies not able to abide their fierce charge, were scattered and bea|ten downe on ech side with great slaughter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The king hauing gotten this victorie, highlie rewarded the strangers according to their well de|seruings, as by whose prowesse he had thus vanqui|shed his enimies, which (as some write) were come as farre as Stamford,Henrie Hur [...] and vsed at that time to fight with long darts and speares, whereas the Saxons fought onelie with long swords and axes.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 ¶Some haue written that the Saxons were not sent for, but came by chance into the Ile, and the occasion to be this.Gal. Mon. There was an ancient custome among the English Saxons a people in Germanie, as was also at the first among other nations, that when the multitude of them was so increased, that the countrie was not able to susteine and find them, by commandement of their princes, they should choose out by lots a number of yoong and able perso|nages fit for the warrs, which should go foorth to séeke them new habitations: and so it chanced to those, that they came into great Britaine, and pro|mised to serue the king for wages in his warres.

5.3. Hengistus the Saxon shooteth at the crowne and scepter of the kingdome by craftie and subtile practises, a great number of forren people arriue in Britaine for the augmen|tation of his power, of the faire ladie Rowne his daughter, whereof Wednesdaie and Fridaie tooke their name, of the Iutes, Saxons, and Angles, Vortigerne being inflamed with the loue of Hengists daughter forsaketh his owne wife and marrieth hir, Vortigerne giueth Hengist all Kent, the Saxons come ouer by heaps to inhabit the land, the Bri|tish nobilitie moue the king to auoid them, he is depriued of his kingdome, the miserable destruction made by the Saxons in this land, skirmishes betwixt them and the Britains. The third Chapter.

Hengistus the Saxon shooteth at the crowne and scepter of the kingdome by craftie and subtile practises, a great number of forren people arriue in Britaine for the augmen|tation of his power, of the faire ladie Rowne his daughter, whereof Wednesdaie and Fridaie tooke their name, of the Iutes, Saxons, and Angles, Vortigerne being inflamed with the loue of Hengists daughter forsaketh his owne wife and marrieth hir, Vortigerne giueth Hengist all Kent, the Saxons come ouer by heaps to inhabit the land, the Bri|tish nobilitie moue the king to auoid them, he is depriued of his kingdome, the miserable destruction made by the Saxons in this land, skirmishes betwixt them and the Britains. The third Chapter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 _NOw Hengistus,Hengist pur|poseth at the first to con|quere the Britains. being a man of great wit, rare poli|cie, and high wisedome, vn|derstanding the kings mind, who wholie trusted to the va|liancie of the Saxons, & here|withall perceiuing the fruit|fulnesse of the countrie, pre|sentlie began to consider with himselfe, by what wiles and craft he might by little settle heere, and obteine a kingdome in the Ile, and so establish the same to him and his fore euer.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 Therefore first he indeuored with all speed possiblePolydor. to fense that part of the countrie, which was giuen him and his people, and to inlarge and furnish it with garisons appointed in places most conuenient. After this he did what he could to persuade the king, that a great power of men might be brought ouer our of Germanie, that the land being fortified with such strength, the enimies might be put in feare, and his subiects holden in rest. The king not fore|séeing the hap that was to come, did not despise this counsell tending to the destruction of his kingdome, and so was more aid sent for into Germanie: where|vpon now at this second time shere arriued héere 16 vessels fraught with people, wil. Malm. 18 Foists or plates saie the Scotish wri|ters, and 5000 men in the same. and at the same time came the ladie Rowen or Ronix (daughter to Hen|gist) a maid of excellent beautie and comelinesse, able to delight the eies of them that should behold hir, and speciallie to win the heart of Uortigerne with the dart of concupiscence,The Saxons call these ves|sels C [...]ol [...]s, or Kéeles, and our old histo|ries Cogio|nes. wherevnto he was of nature much inclined, and that did Hengist well perceiue.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 There came ouer into this land at that time, and soone after, thrée maner of people of the Germane nation, as Saxons, Vitae or Iutes, and Angles, o|uer the which the said Hengist and Horse being bre|thren,The Vitae or Iutae are called Ibitti. Alex. Now. were capteines & rulers, men of right noble parentage in their countrie, as descended of that ancient prince Woden, of whom the English Saxon EEBO page image 79 kings doo for the more part fetch their pedegrée, as lineallie descended from him, vnto whome also the English people (falselie reputing him for a god) consecrated the fourth daie of the wéeke, as they did the sixt to his wife Frea: so that the same daies tooke name of them, the one being called Wodens|daie, and the other Freadaie, which woords after in continuance of time by corruption of spéech were somewhat altered,Wednesdaie, and Fridaie, whereof they came. though not much, as from Wo|densdaie, to Wednesdaie, and from Freadaie to Fridaie. The foresaid Woden was father to Uecta, the father of Westgistus that was father to the foresaid Hengistus and Horsus.Beda

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 5 But now to rehearse further touching those thrée people which at this time came ouer into Britaine out of Germanie. Of the Uites or Iutes (as Beda recordeth) are the Kentishmen descended, and the people of the Ile of Wight, with those also that in|habit ouer against the same Ile. Of the Saxons came the east, the south, & the west Saxons. Moreo|uer, of the Angles procéeded the east Angles, the middle Angles or Mercies,Cot. Tacitus. and the Northerne men. That these Angles were a people of Germanie, it appeareth also by Cornelius Tacitus, who called them Anglij, which word is of thrée syllables (as Po|lydor saith:) but some write it Angli, with two syl|lables. And that these Angli, or Anglij were of no small force and authoritie in Germanie before their comming into this land, maie appeare, in that they are numbred amongst the twelue nations there, which had lawes and ancient ordinances apart by themselues, according to the which the state of their common wealth was gouerned, they being the same and one people with the Thuringers, as in the title of the old Thuringers lawes we find re|corded, which is thus: Lex Angliorum & Werinorum, hoc est Thuringorum, The law of the Angles and We|rinians that is to saie the Thuringers, which Thurin|gers are a people in Saxonie, as in the description of that countrie it maie appeare.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 But now to the matter.Polydor. Hengist perceiuing that his people were highlie in Uortigernes fauour,Rowen, or Ronowen Hengists daughter. be|gan to handle him craftilie, deuising by what means he might bring him in loue with his daughter Ro|nix, or Rowen, or Ronowen (as some write) which he beléeued well would easilie be brought to passe, bi|cause he vnderstood that the king was much giuen to sensuall lust,Wil Malm. which is the thing that often blindeth wise mens vnderstanding, and maketh them to dote, and to lose their perfect wits: yea, and oftentimes bringeth them to destruction, though by such pleasant poison they féele no bitter taste, till they be brought to the extreame point of confusion in déed.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 A great supper therefore was prepared by Hen|gist, at the which it pleased the king to be present, and appointed his daughter,Gal. Mon. when euerie man began to be somewhat merrie with drinke, to bring in a cup of gold full of good and pleasant wine, and to present it to the king [...] saieng; Wassail. Which she did in such comelie and decent maner, as she that knew how to doo it well inough, so as the king maruelled great|lie thereat, and not vnderstanding what she ment by that salutation, demanded what it signified. To whom it was answered by Hengist,Wassail, what it signifieth. that she wished him well, and the meaning of it was, that he should drinke after hir, ioining thereto this answer, Drinke haile. Wherevpon the king (as he was informed) tooke the cup at the damsels hand, and dranke.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Finallie, this yoong ladie behaued hir selfe with such pleasant woords, comelie countenance, and ami|able grace, that the king beheld hir so long, till he felt himselfe so farre in loue with hir person, that he bur|ned in continuall desire to inioy the same: insomuch that shortlie after he forsooke his owne wife, by the which he had thrée sonnes,Polydor Fabian. named Uortimerus, Ca|tagrinus, and Pascentius, and required of Hengist to haue his daughter, the said Rowen, or Ronowen in mariage. Hengist at the first séemed strange to grant to his request, and excused the matter,Wil. Malm. for that his daughter was not of estate and dignitie méet to be matched with his maiestie. But at length as it had béene halfe against his will he consented, and so the mariage was concluded & solemnized, all Kent being assigned vnto Hengist in reward, the which countrie was before that time gouerned by one Guorongus (though not with most equall iustice) which Guorongus was subiect vnto Uortigerne, as all other the potentats of the Ile were.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 This mariage and liberalitie of the king towards the strangers much offended the minds of his sub|iects, and hastened the finall destruction of the land. For the Saxons now vnderstanding the affinitie had betwixt the king and Hengist, came so fast ouer to inhabit héere, that it was woonder to consider in how short a time such a multitude could come togi|ther: so that bicause of their great number and ap|prooued puissance in warres, they began to be a ter|rour to the former inhabitants the Britains.Wil. Malm. But Hengist being no lesse politike in counsell than vali|ant in armes, abusing the kings lacke of discretion, to serue his owne turne, persuaded him to call out of Germanie his brother Occa and his sonne named Ebusa, Gal. saith he was Hen|gists sonne and Ebusa his vncles sonne. Occa and E|busalcaders of Saxons. being men of great valure, to the end that as Hengist defended the land in the south part: so might they keepe backe the Scots in the north.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Héerevpon by the kings consent, they came with a power out of Germanie, and coasting about the land, they sailed to the Iles of Orknie, and sore vex|ed the people there, and likewise the Scots and Picts also, and finallie arriued in the north parts of the realme, now called Northumberland, where they setled themselues at that present, and so continued there euer after: but none of them taking vpon him the title of king, Wil. Malm. de Regib. till about 99 yéeres after their first comming into that countrie, but in the meane time remaining as subiects vnto the Saxon kings of Kent. After their arriuall in that prouince, they of|tentimes fought with the old inhabitants there, and ouercame them, chasing away such as made resis|tance, and appeased the residue by receiuing them vnder allegiance.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 When the nobles of Britaine saw and perceiued in what danger the land stood, Fabian. The great numbers of strangers sus|pected to the Britains. by the dailie repaire of the huge number of Saxons into the same, they first consulted togither, and after resorting to the king, mooued him that some order might be taken for the auoiding of them, or the more part of them, least they should with their power and great multitude vtterlie oppresse the British nation. But all was in vaine, for Uortigerne so estéemed and highlie fauou|red the Saxons, and namelie by reason of the great loue which he bare to his wife, that he little regarded his owne nation, no nor yet anie thing estéemed his owne naturall kinsmen and chiefe friends, by rea|son whereof the Britains in fine depriued him of all kinglie honour,Uortigerne depriued. after that he had reigned 16 yéeres, and in his steed crowned his sonne Uortimer.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 Gyldas and Beda make no mention of Uortimer,Gyldas. Beda. H. Hunt. but declare that after the Saxons were receiued in|to this land, there was a couenant made betwixt them and the Britains, that the Saxons should de|fend the countrie from the inuasion of enimies by their knightlie force: and that in consideration ther|of, the Britains should find them prouision of a vit|tels: wherewith they held them contented for [...]. But afterwards they began to pike quarrels, as though they were not sufficientlie furnished of their due proportion of vittels, threatening that if they EEBO page image 80 were not prouided more largelie thereof, they would surelie spoile the countrie. So that without defer|ring of time, they performed their woords with effect of deeds,The mise|rable destruc|tion made by the Saxons in this land. beginning in the east part of the Ile, & with fire and swoord passed foorth, wasting and destroieng the countrie, till they came to the vttermost part of the west: so that from sea to sea, the land was wasted and destroied in such cruell and outragious manner, that neither citie, towne, nor church was regarded, but all committed to the fire: the priests slaine and murthered euen afore the altars, and the prelats with the people without anie reuerence of their e|state or degrée dispatched with fire and swoord, most lamentablie to behold.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Manie of the Britains séeing the demeanour of the Saxons, fled to the mounteins, of the which di|uers being apprehended, were cruellie slaine, and other were glad to come foorth and yeeld themselues to eternall bondage, for to haue reléefe of meate and drinke to asswage their extremitie of hunger. Some other got them out of the realme into strange lands, so to saue themselues; and others abiding still in their countrie, kept them within the thicke woods and craggie rocks, whither they were fled, liuing there a poore wretched life, in great feare and vnqui|etnesse of mind.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 But after that the Saxons were departed and withdrawne to their houses, the Britains began to take courage to them againe, issuing foorth of those places where they had lien hid, and with one consent calling for aid at Gods hand, that they might be preserued from vtter destruction, they began vnder the conduct of their leader Aurelius Ambrose, to prouoke the Saxons to battell, and by the helpe of God they obteined victorie, according to their owne desires. And from thence foorth, one while the Bri|tains, and an other while the Saxons were victors. So that in this British people, God (according to his accustomed maner) as it were present Israell, tried them from time to time, whether they loued him or no, vntill the yeare of the siege of Badon hill, where afterwards no small slaughter was made of the eni|mies:So Gyldas was borne in the yeare of our Lord 493. which chanced the same yeare in the which Gyl|das was borne (as he himselfe witnesseth) being a|bout the 44 yeare after the comming of the Saxons into Britaine.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Thus haue Gyldas & Beda (following by likelihood the authoritie of the same Gyldas) written of these first warres begun betwéene the Saxons and Bri|tains. But now to go foorth with the historie, accor|ding to the order of our chronicles, as we doo find recorded touching the doings of Uortimer that was elected king (as ye haue heard) to gouerne in place of his father Uortigerne.