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1.7. Into how manie kingdoms this Iland hath beene diuided. Cap. 7.

Into how manie kingdoms this Iland hath beene diuided. Cap. 7.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 _IT is not to be doubted,Britaine at the first one entire king|dome. but that at the first, the whole Iland was ruled by one onelie prince, and so continued from time to time, vntill ciuill discord, grounded vpõ ambitious desire to reigne, caused the same to be gouerned by diuerse. And this I meane so well of the time before the comming of Brute, as af|ter the extinction of his whole race & posteritie. Howbe|it, as it is vncerteine into how manie regions it was seuered, after the first partition; so it is most sure that this latter disturbed estate of regiment, continued in the same, not onelie vntill the time of Caesar, but also in maner vnto the daies of Lucius, with whome the whole race of the Britons had an end, and the Romans full possession of this Iland, who gouerned it by Legats after the maner of prouince. It should séeme also that within a while after the time of Dunwallon (who ra|ther brought those foure princes that vsurped in his time to obedience, than extinguished their titles, & such partition as they had made of the Iland among them|selues) EEBO page image 15 each great citie had hir fréedome and seuerall kind of regiment, proper vnto hir selfe, beside a large circuit of the countrie appertinent vnto the same, wherein were sundrie other cities also of lesse name, which owght homage and all subiection vnto the great|ter sort. And to saie truth, hereof it came to passe, that each of these regions, whereinto this Iland was then diuided, tooke his name of some one of these cities; al|though Ciuitas after Caesar doth sometime signifie an whole continent or kingdome, whereby there were in old time Tot ciuitates quot regna, and contrariwise as may appeare by that of the Trinobantes , which was so called of Trinobantum the chiefe citie of that portion, whose territories conteined all Essex, Middlesex, and part of Hertfordshire, euen as the iurisdiction of the bishop of London is now extended, for the ouersight of such things as belong vnto the church. Ech of the go|uernors also of these regions, called themselues kings, and therevnto either of them dailie made warre vpon other, for the inlarging of their limits. But for somuch as I am not able to saie how manie did challenge this authoritie at once, and how long they reigned ouer their seuerall portions, I will passe ouer these ancient times, and come néerer vnto our owne, I meane the 600. yéere of Christ, whereof we haue more certeine no|tice, & at which season there is euident proofe, that there were twelue or thirtéene kings reigning in this Iland.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 We find therefore for the first, how that Wales had hir thrée seuerall kingdomes,Wales di|uided into three king|domes. which being accompted togither conteined (as Giraldus saith) 49. cantreds or cantons (whereof thrée were in his time possessed by the French and English) although that whole portion of the Iland extended in those daies no farder than a|bout 200. miles in length, and one hundred in bredth, and was cut from Lhoegres by the riuers Sauerne and Dée, of which two streames this dooth fall into the Irish sea at Westchester, the other into the maine O|cean, betwixt Somersetshire and Southwales, as their seuerall courses shall witnesse more at large.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 In the begining it was diuided into two kingdoms onelie, that is to saie, Venedotia or Gwynhedh G [...]inhed. (other|wise called Dehenbarth) and Demetia, for which we now vse most cõmonlie the names of South & North|wales. But in a short processe of time a third sprung vp in the verie middest betwéene them both, which from thence-foorth was called Powisy, as shalbe shewed here|after. For Roderijc the great , who flourished 850. of Christ, and was king of all Wales (which then contei|ned onlie six regions) leauing thrée sons behind him, by his last will & testament diuided the countrie into thrée portions, according to the number of his children, of which he assigned one vnto either of them, wherby Mor|wing or Morwinner had Gwynhedh or Northwales, Cadelh Demetia or Southwales, and Anaralt Powisy, as Giraldus and other doo remember. Howbeit it came to passe that after this diuision, Cadelh suruiued all his brethren, and thereby became lord of both their porti|ons, and his successors after him vntill the time of Teu|ther or Theodor (all is one) after which they were con|tended to kéepe themselues within the compasse of De|metia, which (as I said) conteined 29. of those 49. can|treds before mentioned, as Powisy did six, and Gwin|hedh fouretéene, except my memorie doo faile me.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The first of these thrée, being called as (I said) North|wales or Venedotia Venedotia. (or as Paulus Iouius saith Malfa|brene, for he diuideth Wales also into thrée regions, of which he calleth the first Dumbera, the second Berfrona, and the third Malfabrene) lieth directlie ouer against the Ile of Anglesei, the chiefe citie whereof stood in the Ile of AnglesetAnglesei. and was called Aberfraw. It conteineth 4. regions, of which the said Iland is the first, and whereof in the chapter insuing I will intreate more at large. The second is called Arfon,Arfon. and situate betwéene two riuers,Merioneth. the Segwy and the Conwy. The third is Me|rioneth, and as it is seuered from Arfon by the Con|wy, so is it separated from TegeniaStradcluyd or Tegenia. (otherwise called Stradcluyd and Igenia the fourth region) by the riuer Cluda. Finallie, the limits of this latter are extended also euen vnto the Dée it selfe, and of these foure regi|ons consisteth the kingdome of Venedotia, whereof in times past the region of the Canges was not the smal|lest portion.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The kingdome of Powisy, last of all erected,Powisy. as I said, hath on the north side Gwinhedh, on the east (from Chester to Hereford, or rather to Deane forest) Eng|land, on the south and west the riuer Wy and verie high hilles, whereby it is notablie seuered from South|wales, the chiefe citie thereof being at the first Salops|burg, in old time Pengwerne, and Ynwithig, but now Shrowesburie, a citie or towne raised out of the ruines of Vricouium , which (standing 4. miles from thence, and by the Saxons called Wrekencester and Wroke|cester, before they ouerthrew it) is now inhabited with méere English, and where in old time the kings of Powisy did dwell and hold their palaces, till English|men draue them from thence to Matrauall in the same prouince, where they from thencefoorth aboad. Upon the limits of this kingdome, and not far from Holt ca|stell, upon ech side of the riuer, as the chanell now run|neth, stood sometime the famous monasterie of Ban|gor ,Bangor. whilest the abated glorie of the Britons yet remai|ned vnextinguished, and herein were 2100. monkes, of which, the learned sort did preach the Gospell, and the vnlearned labored with their hands, thereby to main|teine themselues, and to sustaine their preachers. This region was in like sort diuided afterward in twaine, of which,Mailrosse. the one was called Mailor or Mailrosse , the other reteined still hir old denomination, and of these the first laie by south, & the latter by north of the Sauerne.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 As touching Mailrosse, I read moreouer in the gests of Fowkes de Warren , Fowkes de Warren. how that one William sonne to a certeine ladie sister to Paine Peuerell, the first lord of Whittington, after the conquest did win a part of the same, and the hundred of Ellesmore from the Welshmen, in which enterprise he was so desperat|lie wounded, that no man hight him life; yet at the last by eating of the shield of a wild bore, he got an appetite and recouered his health. This William had issue two daughters,Helene. Mellent. to wit, Helene maried to the heire of the Alans, and Mellent which refused mariage with anie man, except he were frist tried to be a knight of prow|esse. Herevpon hir father made proclamation, that a|gainst such a daie & at such a place, whatsoeuer Gentle|man could shew himselfe most valiant in the field, should marrie Mellent his daughter, & haue with hir his castell of Whittington with sufficient liueliehood to mainteine their estates for euer. This report being spred, Fowkes de Warren came thither all in red, with a shield of siluer and pecocke for his crest, whereof he was called the red knight, and there ouercomming the kings sonne of Scotland, and a Baron of Burgundie, he maried the maid, and by hir had issue as in the trea|tise appeareth. There is yet great mention of the red knight in the countrie there about; and much like vnto this Mellent was the daughter sometime of one of the lord Rosses, called Kudall, who bare such good will to Fitz-Henrie clarke of hir fathers kitchen,The origi|nall of Fitz-Henries. that she made him carie hir awaie on horssebacke behind him, onlie for his manhood sake, which presentlie was tried. For being pursued & ouer taken, she made him light, & held his cloke whilest he killed and draue hir fathers men to flight: and then awaie they go, till hir father conceiuing a good opinion of Fitz-Henrie for this act, receiued him to his fauour, whereby that familie came vp. And thus much (by the waie) of Mailrosse, whereof this may suffice, sith mine intent is not as now to make anie precise description of the particulars of Wales; but onelie to shew how those regions laie, EEBO page image 16 which sometime were knowne to be gouerned in that countrie.Demetia. The third kingdome is Demetia, or South|wales, sometime knowne for the region of the Syl|lures , wherevnto I also am persuaded, that the Ordo|lukes laie in the east part thereof, and extended their re|gion euen vnto the Sauerne: but howsoeuer that mat|ter falleth out, Demetia hath the Sauerne on hir south, the Irish sea on hir west parts, on the east the Sauerne onelie, and by north the land of Powisy, whereof I spake of late.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Of this region also Caermarden, which the old wri|ters call Maridunum , Cair Mari|dunum. was the chéefe citie and palace belonging to the kings of Southwales, vntill at the last through forren and ciuill inuasions of enimies, the princes thereof were constrained to remooue their courts to Dinefar (which is in Cantermawr, and si|tuate neuerthelesse vpon the same riuer Tewy, wher|on Caermarden standeth) in which place it is far better defended with high hils, thicke woods, craggie rocks, and déepe marises. In this region also lieth Pembroke aliàs Penmoroc shire, whose fawcons haue béene in old time very much regarded, and therein likewise in Mil|ford hauen, whereof the Welsh wisards doo yet dreame strange toies, which they beleeue shall one daie come to passe. For they are a nation much giuen to fortelling of things to come, but more to beléeue such blind pro|phesies as haue béene made of old time, and no man is accompted for learned in Wales that is not supposed to haue the spirit of prophesie.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 That Scotland had in those daies two kingdoms,Pictland. Scotland. Picts. Scots. (besides that of the Orchades) whereof the one consisted of the Picts, and was called Pightland or Pictland, the other of the Irish race, and named Scotland: I hope no wise man will readilie denie. The whole region or portion of the Ile beyond the Scotish sea also was so diuided, that the Picts laie on the east side, and the Scots on the west, ech of them being seuered from o|ther, either by huge hils or great lakes and riuers, that ran out of the south into the north betwéene them. It séemeth also that at the first these two kingdoms were diuided from the rest of those of the Britons by the ri|uers Cluda and Forth, till both of them desirous to in|large their dominions, draue the Britons ouer the Solue and the Twede, which then became march be|twéene both the nations. Wherefore the case being so plaine, I will saie no more of these two, but procéed in order with the rehersall of the rest of the particular-kingdoms of this our south part of the Ile, limiting out the same by shires as they now lie, so néere as I can, for otherwise it shall be vnpossible for me to leaue certaine notice of the likeliest quantities of these their seuerall portions.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The first of these kingdoms therefore was begunne in Kent by Henghist in the 456. of Christ,Kent Hen|ghist. and thereof called the kingdome of Kent or Cantwarland, and as the limits thereof extended it selfe no farther than the said countie (the cheefe citie whereof was Dorobernia or Cantwarbyry now Canturburie) so it indured well néere by the space of 400. yeares, before it was made and earledome or Heretochie, and vnited by Inas vnto that of the West Saxons, Athelstane his sonne, being the first Earle or Heretoch of the same. Maister Lam|bert in his historie of Kent dooth gather, by verie proba|ble coniectures, that this part of the Iland was first in|habited by Samothes, and afterward by Albion. But howsoeuer that case standeth, sure it is that it hath béen the onlie doore, whereby the Romans and Saxons made their entrie vnto the conquest of the region, but first of all Caesar, who entred into this Iland vpon the eightéenth Cal. or 14. of September, which was foure daies before the full of the moone, as he himselfe confes|seth, and then fell out about the 17. or 18. of that mo|neth, twelue daies before the equinoctiall (apparant) so that he did not tarrie at that time aboue eight or ten daies in Britaine. And as this platforme cannot be de|nied for his entrance, so the said region and east part of Kent, was the onelie place by which the knowledge of Christ was first brought ouer vnto vs, whereby we became partakers of saluation, and from the darke|nesse of mistie errour, true conuerts vnto the light and bright beames of the shining truth, to our eternall be|nefit and euerlasting comforts.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The second kingdome conteined onelie Sussex,South sax Esta. and a part of (or as some saie all) Surrie, which Ella the Saxon first held: who also erected his chéefe palace at Chichester, when he had destroied Andredswald in the 492. of Christ. And after it had continued by the space of 232. years, it ceased, being the verie least kingdome of all the rest, which were founded in this Ile after the comming of the Saxons (for to saie truth, it conteined little aboue 7000. families ) & within a while after the erection of the kingdome of the Gewisses or West sax|ons, notwithstanding that before the kings of Sussex pretended and made claime to all that which laie west of Kent, and south of the Thames, vnto the point of Corinwall, as I haue often read.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The third regiment was of the East Saxons,Eastsa [...]. Erkenwiin. or Trinobantes. This kingdome began vnder Erken|wijn, whose chéefe seat was in London (or rather Col|chester) and conteined whole Essex, Middlesex, and part of Herfordshire. It indured also much about the pricke of 303. yeares, and was diuided from that of the East Angles onlie by the riuer Stoure, as Houeden and o|thers doo report, & so it continueth separated from Suf|folke euen vnto our times, although the said riuer be now growne verie small, and not of such greatnesse as it hath béene in times past, by reason that our countrie|men make small accompt of riuers, thinking carriage made by horsse and cart to be the lesse chargeable waie. But herin how far they are deceiued, I will else-where make manifest declaration.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The fourth kingdome was of the West Saxons,Westsax. and so called, bicause it laie in the west part of the realme, as that of Essex did in the east, and of Sussex in the south. It began in the yeare of Grace 519. vn|der Cerdije,Cerdiic. and indured vntill the comming of the Normans, including at the last all Wiltshire, Bar ke|shire, Dorset, Southampton, Somersetshire, Glocester+shire, some part of Deuonshire (which the Britons occu|pied not) Cornewall, and the rest of Surrie, as the best authors doo set downe. At the first it conteined onelie Wiltshire, Dorcetshire, and Barkeshire, but yer long the princes thereof conquered whatsoeuer the kings of Sussex and the Britons held vnto the point of Corne|wall, and then became first Dorchester (vntill the time of Kinigils) then Winchester the chéefe citie of that kingdome. For when Birinus the moonke came into England, the said Kinigils gaue him Dorchester, and all the land within seauen miles about, toward the maintenance of his cathedrall sea, by meanes where|of he himselfe remooued his palace to Winchester.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The first kingdome began vnder Ida,Brennicia, aliàs Nor|thumber|land. Ida. in the 548. of Christ, and was called Northumberland, bicause it laie by north of the riuer Humber. And from the comming of Henghist to this Ida, it was onlie gouerned by earls or Heretoches as an Heretochy, till the said Ida conuer|ted it into a kingdome. It conteined all that region which (as it should séeme) was in time past either wholie apperteining to the Brigants; or whereof the said Bri|gants did possesse the greater part. The cheefe citie of the same in like maner was Yorke, as Beda, Capgraue, Leyland, and others doo set downe, who ad thereto that it extended from the Humber vnto the Scotish sea, vn|till the slaughter of Egfride of the Northumbers, after which time the Picts gat hold of all, betweene the Forth and the Twede, which afterward descending to the Scots by meanes of the vtter destruction of the Picts, hath not béene sithens vnited to the crowne EEBO page image 17 of England, nor in possession of the meere English, as before time it had béene. Such was the crueltie of these Picts also in their recouerie of the same, that at a cer|teine houre they made a Sicilien euensong, and slew euerie English man, woman and child, that they could laie hold vpon within the aforesaid region, but some es|caped narrowlie, and saued themselues by flight.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Afterward in the yeare of Grace 560. it was parted in twaine,Deira. Ella. vnder Adda, that yeelded vp all his portion, which lay betweene Humber and the Tine vnto his brother Ella (according to their fathers appointment) who called it Deira, or Southumberland, but reteining the rest still vnto his owne vse, he diminished not his title, but wrote himselfe as before king of all Northum|berland. Howbeit after 91. yeares, it was revnited a|gaine, and so continued vntill Alfred annexed the whole to his kingdome, in the 331. after Ida, or 878. of the birth of Iesus Christ our Sauiour.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The seauenth kingdome,Eastangles Offa, à quo Offlingae. called of the East-angles, began at Norwich in the 561. after Christ, vnder Of|fa, of whom the people of that region were long time called Offlings. This included all Norfolke, Suffolke, Cambridgeshire, and Elie, and continuing 228. yeares, it flourished onelie 35. yeares in perfect estate of liber|te, the rest being consumed vnder the tribut and vassal|lage of the Mercians, who had the souereigntie thereof, and held it with great honour, till the Danes gat hold of it, who spoiled it verie sore, so that it became more miserable than any of the other, and so remained till the kings of the West-saxons vnited it to their crownes. Some saie that Grantcester, but now Cambridge (a towne erected out of hir ruines) was the chéefe citie of this kingdome, and not Norwich. Wherein I may well shew the discord of writers, but I cannot resolue the scruple. Some take this region also to be all one with that of the Icenes , but as yet for my part I cannot yeeld to their assertions, I meane it of Leland himselfe, whose helpe I vse chéefelie in these collections, albeit in this behalfe I am not resolued that he doth iudge aright.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 The 8. & last was that of Mertia, which indured 291. yeares, and for greatnesse exceeded all the rest. It tooke the name either of Mearc the Saxon word, bicause it was march to the rest (and trulie, the limits of most of the other kingdomes abutted vpon the same) or else for that the lawes of Martia the Queene were first vsed in that part of the Iland.Mertia. Creodda. But as this later is but a méere coniecture of some, so the said kingdome began vnder Creodda, in the 585. of Christ, & indured well néere 300. yeares before it was vnited to that of the West-saxons by Alfred, then reigning in this Ile. Before him the Danes had gotten hold thereof, and placed one Ceo|lulph an idiot in the same; but as he was soone reiec|ted for his follie, so it was not long after yer the said Alfred (I saie) annexed it to his kingdome by his man|hood. The limits of the Mertian dominions included Lincolne,Limits of Mertia. Northampton, Chester, Darbie, Notting|ham, Stafford, Huntington, Rutland, Oxford, Buc|kingham, Worcester, Bedford shires, and the greatest part of Shropshire (which the Welsh occupied not) Lan|caster, Glocester, Hereford (aliàs Hurchford) Warwijc and Hertford shires: the rest of whose territories were holden by such princes of other kingdomes through force as bordered vpon the same. Moreouer, this king|dome was at one time diuided into south and north Mertia, whereof this laie beyond and the other on this side of the Trent, which later also Oswald of Northum|berland did giue to Weada the sonne of Penda for kindred sake , though he not long inioied it. This also is worthie to be noted, that in these eight kingdomes of the Saxons, there were twelue princes reputed in the popish Catalog for saints or martyrs, of which Alci|mund, Edwine, Oswald, Oswijn and Aldwold reigned in Northumberland; Sigebert, Ethelbert, Edmond, and another Sigebert among the Estangels; Kenelme and Wistan in Mertia; and Saint Edward the confessor , ouer all; but how worthilie, I referre me to the iudge|ment of the learned. Thus much haue I thought good to leaue in memorie of the aforesaid kingdomes: and now will I speake somewhat of the diuision of this I|land also into prouinces, as the Romanes seuered it whiles they remained in these parts. Which being done, I hope that I haue discharged whatsoeuer is promised in the title of this chapter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The Romans therefore hauing obteined the posses|sion of this Iland, diuided the same at the last into fiue prouinces, as Vibius Sequester saith. The first whereof was named Britannia prima, Britannia prima. and conteined the east part of England (as some doo gather) from the Trent vnto the Twede.Valentia. The second was called Valentia or Valentiana, and included the west side, as they note it, from Lirpoole vnto Cokermouth.Britannia secunda. The third hight Bri|tannia secunda , and was that portion of the Ile which laie southwards, betwéene the Trent and the Thames. The fourth was surnamed Flauia Caesariensis , Flauia Cae|sariensis. and con|teined all the countrie which remained betweene Do|uer and the Sauerne, I meane by south of the Thames, and wherevnto (in like sort) Cornewall and Wales were orderlie assigned. The fift and last part was then named Maxima Caesariensis, Maxima Caesariensis now Scotland, the most barren of all the rest, and yet not vnsought out of the gréedie Romanes, bicause of the great plentie of fish and foule, fine alabaster and hard marble that are in|gendred and to be had in the same, for furniture of houshold and curious building, wherein they much deli|ted. More hereof in Sextus Rufus , who liued in the daies of Valentine , and wrate Notitiam prouinciarum now ex|tant to be read.

1.7.1. A Catalog of the kings and princes of this Iland, first from Samothes vnto the birth of our sauiour Christ, or rather the comming of the Romans: secondlie of their Legates: thirdlie of the Saxon princes according to their seuerall kingdomes: fourthlie of the Danes, and lastlie of the Normans and English princes, accor|ding to the truth conteined in our Histories.
A Catalog of the kings and princes of this Iland, first from Samothes vnto the birth of our sauiour Christ, or rather the comming of the Romans: secondlie of their Legates: thirdlie of the Saxon princes according to their seuerall kingdomes: fourthlie of the Danes, and lastlie of the Normans and English princes, accor|ding to the truth conteined in our Histories.

Of the kings of Bri|taine, from Samothes to Brute.

  • SAmothes.
  • Magus.
  • Sarronius.
  • Druiyus.
  • Bardus.
  • Longho.
  • Bardus Iunior.
  • Lucus.
  • Celtes.
  • Albion.
  • Celtes after Albion slaine.
  • Galates.
  • Harbon.
  • Lugdus.
  • Beligius.
  • Iasius.
  • Allobrox.
  • Romus.
  • Paris.
  • Lemanus.
  • Olbius.
  • Galates 2.
  • Nannes.
  • Remis.
  • Francus.
  • Pictus.

After whom Brute entreth into the Iland, either neglected by the Celts, or otherwise by conquest, and reigned therein with his posteritie by the space of 636. yeares, in such order as foloweth.

  • Brute.
  • Locrinus.
  • Gwendolena his widow.
  • Madan.
  • Mempricius.
  • Ebracus.
  • Brutus Iunior.
  • Leil.
  • Rudibras.
  • Bladunus
  • Leir.
  • Cordeil his daughter.
  • Cunedach and Morgan.
  • Riuallon.
  • Gurgustius.
  • Sisillus.
  • Iago.
  • Kimmachus.
  • Gorbodug.
  • Ferres and Porrex.

These 2. being slaine, the prin|ces of the land straue for the superioritie and regiment of the same, by the space of 50. yéeres (after the race of Brute was decaied) vntill Dunwal|lon king of Cornwall subdued them all, & brought the whole to his subiection, notwithstan|ding EEBO page image 18 that the aforesaid num|ber of kings remained still, which were but as vassals & inferiours to him, he being their chéefe and onelie soue|reigne.

  • Dunwallon reigneth.
  • Belinus his sonne, in whose tune Brennus vsurpeth.
  • Gurgwinbatrus.
  • Guittellinus.
  • Seisill.
  • Kymarus.
  • Owan aliàs Ellan.
  • Morwich aliàs Morindus.
  • Grandobodian aliàs Gorbonian.
  • Arcigallon.
  • Elidurus aliàs Hesidor.
  • Arcigallon againe.
  • Elidurus againe.
  • Vigen aliàs Higanius, & Petitur aliàs Petidurus.
  • Elidurus the third time.
  • Gorbodia aliàs Gorbonian.
  • Morgan.
  • Meriones aliàs Eighuans.
  • Idouallon.
  • Rhimo Rohugo.
  • Geruntius Voghen.
  • Catellus.
  • Coellus.
  • Pyrrho aliàs Porrex.
  • Cherinus.
  • Fulganius aliàs Sulgenis.
  • Eldadus.
  • Androgius.
  • Vrian.
  • Hellindus.
  • Dedantius Eldagan.
  • Clotenis Claten.
  • Gurguintus.
  • Merian.
  • Bledunus Bledagh.
  • Cophenis.
  • Owinus aliàs Oghwen.
  • Sisillus or Sitsiltus.
  • Blegabridus.
  • Arcimalus Archiuall.
  • Eldadus.
  • Ruthenis thrée moneths.
  • Rodingarus aliàs Rodericus.
  • Samulius Penysell.
  • Pyrrho 2.
  • Carporis aliàs Capporis.
  • Dynellus aliàs Dygnellus.
  • Hellindus a few moneths.
  • Lhoid.
  • Casibellane.
  • Theomantius.
  • Cynobellinus.
  • Aruiragus.
  • Marius.
  • Coellus.
  • Lucius.

Hitherto I haue set foorth the catalog of the kings of Bri|taine, in such sort as it is to be collected out of the most anci|ent histories, monuments and records of the land. Now I will set foorth the order and succession of the Romane ie|gates or deputies, as I haue borowed them first out of Ta|citus, then Dion, and others: howbeit I cannot warrant the iust course of them from Iulius Agricola forward, bi|cause there is no man that re|herseth them orderlie. Yet by this my dooing herein, I hope some better table may be fra|med hereafter by other, wher|of I would be glad to vnder|stand when soeuer it shall please God that it may come to passe.

  • Aulus Plautius.
  • Ostorius Scapula.
  • Didius Gallus.
  • Auitus.
  • Veranius a few moneths.
  • Petronius Turpilianus.
  • Trebellius Maximus.
  • Vectius Volanus.
  • Petilius Cerealis.
  • Iulius Frontinus.
  • Iulius Agricola.

Hitherto Cornelius Tacitus re|herseth these vicegerents or deputies in order.

  • Salustius Lucullus.
  • Cneius Trebellius.
  • Suetonius Paulinus.
  • Calphurnius Agricola.
  • Publius Trebellius.
  • Pertinax Helrius.
  • Vlpius Marcellus.
  • Clodius Albinas.
  • Heraclius.
  • Carus Tyrannus.
  • Iunius Seuerus, alias Iulius Se|uerus.
  • Liuius Gallus.
  • Lollius Vrbicus.
  • Maximus.
  • Octauius.
  • Traherus.
  • Maximinianus.
  • Gratianus.
  • Aetius.

Other Legates whose names are taken out of the Scotish historie but in incertein order.

  • Fronto sub Antonino.
  • Publius Trebellius.
  • Aulus Victorinus.
  • Lucius Antinoris.
  • Quintus Bassianus.
1.7.1.1. Wales. 1.
Wales. 1.

¶The Romans not regarding the gouernance of this Iland, the Britons ordeine a king in the 447. after the incarna|tion of Christ.

  • VOrtiger.
  • Vortimer.
  • Aurelius Ambrosius.
  • Vther.
  • Arthur.
  • Constantine.
  • Aurelius Conanus.
  • Vortiporius.
  • Maglocunus.
  • Caretius.
  • Cadwan.
  • Cadwallon.
  • Cadwallader.

¶The kingdome of Wales cea|seth, and the gouernance of the countrie is translated to the Westsaxons by Inas, whose second wife was Denwalline the daughter of Cadwallader: & with hir he not onlie obtei|ned the principalitie of Wales but also of Corinwall & Ar|morica now called little Bri|taine, which then was a colo|nie of the Britons, and vnder the kingdome of Wales.

1.7.1.2. Kent. 2.
Kent. 2.

Hengist in the 9. of the recoue|rie of Britaine proclaimeth himselfe king of Kent, which is the 456. of the birth of our Lord & sauior Iesus Christ.

  • HEngist.
  • Osrijc aliàs Osca.
  • Osca his brother.
  • Ermenricus.
  • Athelbert.
  • Eadbaldus.
  • Ercombert.
  • Ecbert.
  • Lother.
  • Edrijc.

The seat void.

  • Withredus.
  • Adelbert Iunior.
  • Eadbert.
  • Alrijc.
  • Eadbert.
  • Guthred.
  • Alred.

¶As the kingdome of Wales was vnited vnto that of the Westsaxons by Inas, so is the kingdom of Kent, at this pre|sent by Ecbert in the 827. of Christ, who putteth out Al|dred and maketh Adelstane his owne base sonne Hertoch of the same, so that whereas it was before a kingdome, now it becometh an Hertochie or Dukedome, and so continu|eth for a long time after.

1.7.1.3. Southsex. 3.
Southsex. 3.

Ella in the 46. after Britaine giuen ouer by the Romanes erecteth a kingdom in South|sex, to wit, in the 492. of Christ whose race succéedeth in this order.

  • ELla.
  • Cyssa.
  • Ceaulijn.
  • Celrijc.
  • Kilwulf.
  • Kinigils.
  • Kinwalch.
  • Ethelwold.
  • Berthun.
  • Aldwijn.

¶This kingdome endured not verie long as ye may sée, for it was vnited to that of the Westsaxons by Inas, in the 4689. of the world, which was the 723. of Christ, according to the vsuall supputation of the church, and 232. after Ella had erected the same, as is a|foresaid.

1.7.1.4. Estsex. 4.
Estsex. 4.

Erkenwijn in the 527. after our sauiour Christ beginneth to reigne ouer Estsex, and in the 81. after the returne of Bri|taine from the Romaine obe|dience.

  • ERkenwijn.
  • Sledda.
  • Sebertus.
  • Sepredus and Sywardus.
  • Sigebert fil. Syward.
  • Sigebert.
  • Swithelijn.
  • Sijgar and Sebba.
  • Sebba alone.
  • Sijgard.
  • Offa.
  • Selredus.
  • Ethelwold.
  • Albert.
  • Humbcanna.
  • Sinthredus.

¶In the 303. after Erkenwijn, Ecbert of the Westsaxons v|nited the kingdome of Estsex vnto his owne, which was in the 828. after the birth of our sauiour Christ. I cannot as yet find the exact yéeres of the later princes of this realme, and therefore I am constrai|ned to omit them altogither, as I haue done before in the kings of the Britons, vntill such time as I may come by such monuments as may re|store the defect.

1.7.1.5. Westsex. 5.
Westsex. 5.

Cerdijc entreth the kingdome of the Westsaxons, in the 519. of the birth of Christ, & 73. of the abiection of the Romaine seruitude.

  • CErdijc aliàs Cercit.
  • Cenrijc.
  • Ceaulijn.
  • Kilriic aliàs Celrijc.
  • Kilwulf.
  • Kinigils.
  • Ceuwalch.
  • Sexburgh.

The seat void.

  • Centwinus.
  • Cadwallader.
  • Inas.
  • Ethelard.
  • Cuthredus.
  • Sigebert.
  • Kinwulf.
  • Brithrijc.
  • Ecbert.
  • Ethelwulf.
  • Ethebald.
  • Ethelbert.
  • Ethelfrid.
  • Alfrid.
  • Edward. 1.
  • Adelstane.
  • Edmund.
  • Eadred.
  • Edwijn.
  • Edgar.
  • Edward 2.
  • Eldred.
  • Edmund 2.
  • Canutus.
  • Harald.
  • Canutus 2.
  • Edward 3.
  • Harald 2.

¶The saxons hauing reigned hitherto in this land, and brought the same into a per|fect monarchie, are now dis|possessed by the Normans, & put out of their hold.

1.7.1.6. Bernicia. 6.
Bernicia. 6.

Ida erecteth a kingdome in the North, which he extended from the Humber mouth to S. Iohns towne in Scot|land, & called it of the Nor|thumbers. This was in the 547. after the birth of our sa|uiour Christ.

  • IDa.
  • Adda.
  • Glappa.
  • Tidwaldus.
  • Fretwulfus.
  • Tidrijc.
  • Athelfrid.
  • Edwijn.
  • Kinfrid.
  • Oswald.
  • Oswy.
  • Egfrid.
  • Alfrid.
  • Osred.
  • Kinred.
  • Osrijc.
  • Kilwulf.
  • Edbert.
  • Offulse.
  • Ethelwold.
  • Elred.
  • Ethelred.
  • Alswold.
  • Osred.
  • EEBO page image 19 Ethelred.
  • Osbald.
  • Eardulf.
  • Aldeswold.
  • Eandred.
  • Edelred.
  • Redwulf.
  • Edelred againe.
  • Osbright.
  • Ecbert.
  • Ricisiuus a Dane.
  • Ecbert againe.

Alfride king of the westsax|ons subdueth this kingdome in the 878. after our sauiour Christ, and 33. after Ida.

1.7.1.7. Deira. 7.
Deira. 7.

Ella brother to Adda is ouer the south Humbers, whose kingdome reched from Hum|ber to the These, in the 590. after the incarnation of Ie|sus Christ our sauiour.

  • ELla.
  • Edwijn.
  • Athelbright.
  • Edwijn againe,
  • Osrijc.
  • Oswald.
  • Oswijn.

¶Of all the kingdomes of the Saxons, this of Deira which grew by the diuision of the kingdome of the Nor|thumbers betwéene the sons of Ida was of the smallest continuance, & it was vnited to the Northumbers (wherof it had bene I saie in time past a member) by Oswijn in the 91. after Ella, when he had most traitorouslie slaine his brother Oswijn in the yéer of the world, 4618. (or 651. af|ter the comming of Christ) and conteined that countrie which we now call the bi|shoprike.

1.7.1.8. Estanglia. 8.
Estanglia. 8.

Offa or Vffa erecteth a king|dome ouer the Estangles or Offlings in the 561. after the natiuitie of Christ, and 114. after the deliuerie of Bri|taine.

  • OFfa.
  • Titellius.
  • Redwaldus.
  • Corpenwaldus.
  • The seat void.
  • Sigebert.
  • Egricus.
  • Anna.
  • Adeler.
  • Ethelwold.
  • Adwulf.
  • Beorne.
  • Ethelred.
  • Ethelbert.

Offa of Mercia killeth Ethel|bert, and vniteth Estanglia vnto his owne kingdome, in the 793. of Christ, after it had continued in the posteritie of Offa, by the space of 228. yéers and yet of that short space, it enioyed onelie 35. in libertie, the rest being vnder the tri|bute of the king of Mercia a|foresaid.

1.7.1.9. Mercia. 9.
Mercia. 9.

Creodda beginneth his king|dome of Mercia, in the 585. of our sauiour Christ, and 138. after the captiuitie of Bri|teine ended.

  • CReodda.
  • Wibba.
  • Cherlus.
  • Penda.
  • Oswy.
  • Weada.
  • Wulferus.
  • Ethelred.
  • Kinred or Kindred.
  • The seat void.
  • Kilred.
  • Ethebald.
  • Beorred.
  • Offa.
  • Egferth.
  • Kinwulf.
  • Kenelme.
  • Kilwulf.
  • Bernulf.
  • Ludicane.
  • Willaf.
  • Ecbert.
  • Willaf againe.
  • Bertulf.
  • Butred.
  • Kilwulf.

Alfride vniteth the kingdome of Mercia, to that of the west|saxons, in the 291. after Cre|odda, before Alfred the Dane had gotten hold thereof, and placed one Clcolulphus there|in, but he was soone expelled, and the kingdome ioyned to the other afore rehearsed.

1.7.2. The succession of the kings of England from William bastard, vnto the first of Queene ELIZABETH.
The succession of the kings of England from William bastard, vnto the first of Queene ELIZABETH.
  • WIlliam the first.
  • William his sonne.
  • Henrie 1.
  • Stephen.
  • Henrie 2.
  • Richard 1.
  • Iohn.
  • Henrie 3.
  • Edward 1. aliàs 4.
  • Edward 2.
  • Edward 3.
  • Richard 2.
  • Henrie 4.
  • Henrie 5.
  • Henrie 6.
  • Edward 4. aliàs 7.
  • Edward 5.
  • Richard 3.
  • Henrie 7.
  • Henrie 8.
  • Edward 6.
  • Marie his sister.
  • Elizabeth.

¶Thus haue I brought the Catalog of the Princes of Britaine vnto an end, & that in more plaine and certeine order than hath béene done hertofore by anie. For though in their regions since the con|quest few men haue erred that haue vsed any diligence, yet in the times before the same, fewer haue gone any thing néere the truth, through great ouersight & negligence. Their seuerall yéeres also doo ap|péere in my Chronologie in|suing.

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1.7. Into how many kingdomes the Iſle of Bri|taine hath bene deuided at once in olde time. Cap. 6.

Into how many kingdomes the Iſle of Bri|taine hath bene deuided at once in olde time. Cap. 6.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Britaine at the firſt one entier kingdome.IT is not to be doubted, but that at the firſt the whole Iſlande was ruled by one onely prince, and ſo continued from time to time, vntill ciuile diſcorde, grounded vpon ambi|tions deſire to reigne, cauſed the ſame to be gouerned by diuers. And this I meane ſo wel of the time before the comming of Brute, as after the extinction of his whole race and po|ſterity. Howbeit as it is incerteine, into how many regions it was ſeuered after the firſt particion, ſo it is moſt ſure that this latter diſturbed eſtate of regiment, continued in the ſame, not onely vntill the time of Caeſar, but alſo in maner vnto the dayes of Lucius, with whome the whole race of the Britons had an ende, and the Romaynes full poſſeſſiõ of this Iſlande, who gouerned it by Legates after the maner of a prouince. It ſhould ſeme alſo yt within a whyle after the time of Dun|wallon (who rather brought thoſe 4. Prin|ces that vſurped in his tyme to obedience, then extinguiſhed their titles, and ſuch parti|tion as they had made of the Iſlande among thẽſelues) eche great citie had hir fréedome and ſeuerall kinde of regiment, proper vnto hir ſelfe, beſide a large circuite of the country appertinent vnto the ſame, wherin were ſun|drye other cities alſo of leſſe name, which ought homage & all ſubiection vnto the grea|ter ſorte. And to ſay truth hereof, it came to paſſe, that eache region, whereinto this I|ſlande was than deuided, tooke his name of ſome one of theſe as many appeare by that of the Trinobantes, which was ſo called of Trinobantum the chiefe citie of that portion, whoſe Territories, contayned all Eſſex, Middleſex, and part of Hertforde ſhire, euen as the iuriſdictiõ of the Biſhop of London is now extẽded, for the ouerſight of ſuch things as belong vnto the Church. Eche of the go|uernours alſo of theſe regions, called them|ſelues kings, and therevnto eyther of them dayly made warre vpon other, for the inlar|ging of their limites. But foraſmuch as I am not able to ſaye howe many dyd chalenge this authoritie at once, and howe long they reigned ouer their ſeuerall portions, I will paſſe ouer theſe auncient times, and come néerer vnto our owne, I meane the 600. yere of Chriſt, wherof we haue more certayne no|tice, & at which ſeaſon there is euident proofe, that there were 12. or 13. kinges reigning in this Iſlande.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 We finde therefore for the firſt,Wales d [...]+uided [...] thrée king+domes. howe that Wales had hir thrée ſeuerall kingdomes, al|though that portion of the Iſlande extended in thoſe dayes no farder thẽ about 200. miles in length, & one hundred in bredth, and was cut from Lhoegres by the riuers Sauerne & Dée, of which two ſtreames this doth fall in|to the Iriſh ſea at Cheſter, the other into the mayne Oceane, betwixt Somerſetſhire and Southwales, as their ſeuerall courſes doe witneſſe more at large.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 In the beginning it was deuided into two kingdomes onely, that is to ſay, Venedotia, EEBO page image 6 Gwinhed, Gwinhed. and Demetia, for which we now vſe moſt commonlye the names of South and North Wales, but in proceſſe of tyme a thirde ſprange vp in the verye middeſt be|twéene them both, which from thenceforth was called Powyſy, as ſhalbe ſhewed here|after.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The firſt of theſe thrée, being called as I ſayd Northwales or Venedotia (or as Paulus, Venedotia. Iouius ſaith Malfabrene, for he deuideth wales alſo into thrée regions, of whiche he calleth ye firſt Dumbera, the ſeconde Berfrona, & the third Malfabrene) lyeth directly ouer againſt ye Iſle of Angleſey.Angleſey. It containeth 4. regions, of which the ſayde Iſland is the firſt, & wher|of in the chapter inſuing I wil intreate more at large.Arfon. The ſeconde is called Arfon, and ſi|tuate betwéene two ryuers, the Segwy & the Conwy:Merio|neth. The thirde is Merioneth, & as it is ſeuered from Arfon by the Conwy, ſo is it ſe|parated from Tegenia, (otherwyſe called Stradcluyd & Igenia the fourth regiõ) by the riuer Cluda.Strad|cluyd or Tegenia. Finally the limits alſo of thys latter: are extended alſo, euen vnto the Dée it ſelfe, and of theſe 4. Regions, conſiſteth the kingdome of Venedotia, wherof in times paſt the region of the Canges was not the ſmal|leſt portion.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 Powiſy.The kingdome of Powiſy, laſt of all erec|ted, as I ſayde, hath on the north ſide Gwin|hed on the Eaſt (from Cheſter to Hereforde, or rather the Deane foreſt) Englande: on the ſouth and weſt the ryuer Wy, and very highe hilles, whereby it is notablye ſeuered from Southwales, the chiefe citie thereof being Shropſhyre, that nowe is inhabited with méere Engliſh, and where, in olde time the kinges of Powyſy dyd dwell and holde their pallaces. Vpon the limits of this king|dome, and not farre from Holt caſtell, vpon eache ſide of the riuer, as the chanell nowe runneth, ſtoode ſometime the famous Mona|ſtery of Bãgor,Bangor. whyleſt the abated glory of the Britons, yet remayned vnextinguiſhed, & herin were 2100. monkes, of which, the lear|ned ſort dyd preache the Goſpell, and the vn|learned laboured with their hands, therby to mainteyne themſelues, and to ſuſtaine their preachers. This Region was in lyke ſort de|uided afterward in twaine, of which, the one was called Mailor or Mailroſſe, the other re|tayned ſtill hir olde denomination, & of theſe the firſt lay by ſouth, and the latter by north of the Sauerne, whereof let this ſuffice, ſith mine intent is not as nowe to make any pre|ciſe deſcriptiõ, of the particulars of Wales, but onely to ſhewe, howe thoſe regions laye, which ſometime were knowen to be gouer|ned in that countrey.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The third kingdome is Demetia, Demetia. or South|wales, ſometime knowen for the region of the Syllures, wherevnto I alſo am perſwa|ded, that the Ordolukes lay in the Eaſt part thereof, and extended their region, euen vnto the Sauerne: but howſoeuer that matter fal|leth out, Demetia hath the Sauerne on hir ſouth, the Iriſh ſea on hir weſt partes, on the eaſt the Sauerne only, and by North the land of Powyſy, whereof I ſpake of late.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Of this region alſo Caermarden, which the olde writers call Maridunum, was the chiefe pallace, vntill at the laſt thorowe forren and ciuill inuaſions of enimies, that the Princes thereof were conſtrayned to remooue theyr courts to Dinefar (which is in Cantermawr, and ſituate neuertheleſſe vppon the ſame ry|uer Tewye whereon Cairmarden ſtand|eth) where it is farre better defended with high hilles, thicke wooddes, craggy rockes, and déepe mariſes. In this region alſo lyeth Pembroke ſhyre, whoſe fawcons haue bene in olde time very much regarded, and there in likewyſe is Milforde hauen, whereof the Welch wyfards doe dreame ſtraunge toyes, which they beléeue, ſhall one daye come to paſſe.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 That Scotlande had in theſe dayes two Kingdomes,Pictland. Scotland. Pictes. Scottes. (beſides that of the Orchades) wherof the one conſiſted of the Pictes, & was called Pightland or Pictlande, the other of the Scottiſh race, & named Scotland: I hope no wiſe man will readily denie. The whole regiõ or portion of the Iſle beyonde the Scot|tiſh ſea alſo was ſo diuided that ye Pictes lay on the Eaſt ſide, and the Scots, on the Weſt, eche of them being ſeuered from other, eyther by huge hilles or great lakes and riuers, that ran out of the South into the north betwéene them: Wherefore the caſe being ſo playne, I will ſay no more of theſe twoo but procéede in order wyth the rehearſall of the reſt of the particular kingdoms of this our ſouth part of ye Ile, limiting out ye ſame by ſhyres as they now lye, ſo nere as I cã, for otherwiſe it ſhal|be impoſſible for me to leaue certaine notice of the likelieſt quantities of theſe their ſeue|rall portions.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The firſt of theſe kingdomes therfore was begonne in Kent by Henghiſt in the 456.Kẽt Hen|ghiſt. of Chriſt, and thereof called the kingdome of Kent: and as the limites thereof extended it ſelf no farther then the ſayde countie (ye chiefe Citie whereof was Dorobernia or Canter|bury) ſo it endured well nere by the ſpace of 400. yeares, before it was made an Earle|dome, and vnited by Inas vnto that of the Weſt Saxons, Athelſtane his ſonne, being ye firſt Earle or heretoche of the ſame. Maiſter EEBO page image 15 Lambert in his hyſtorie of Kent doth gather, by very probable coniectures, that this part of the Iſlande was firſt inhabited, by Samo|thes, and afterwarde by Albion: but howſoe|uer that caſe ſtandeth, ſure it is that it hath bene the onely doore, whereby the Romaines and Saxons made their entrie vnto the con|queſt of the region. And as this cannot be denyed, ſo it was the onelye place by which the knowledge of Chriſt was firſt brought ouer vnto vs, whereby we became partakers of ſaluation, and from the darkneſſe of miſty errour, true conuerts vnto the light, & bright beames of the ſhining truth, to our eternall benefit, and endleſſe comforts hereafter.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Southſax. Ella.The ſecond Kingdome conteined only Suſ|ſex & a part of Surrey, which Ella the Saxon firſt helde: who alſo erected his chiefe pallace at Chicheſter, whẽ he had deſtroied Andredſ|walde in the 492. of Chriſt, and after it had continued by the ſpace of 232. yeares, it ceaſed being the very beaſt Kingdome of all the reſt, which were founded in this yle after the com|ming of the Saxons.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Eſtſax. Erken|w [...]jn.The third regiment was of the Eaſt Sax|ons, or Trinobãtes. This kingdome began vn|der Erkenwijne, whoſe chiefe ſeate was in Londõ (or Colcheſter) & cõteined whole Eſſex, & part of Herfordſhyre. It indured alſo much about the pricke of 303. yeres, & was diuided frõ that of the Eaſt angles onely by the riuer Stour, as Houeden & other doe report, & ſo it continueth ſeperated from Suffolke euen vnto our times, although the ſayde riuer be growne very ſmall, and not of ſuch greatnes as it hath bene in times paſt, by reaſon that our Country men make ſmall accompt of ri|uers, thinking carriage made by horſe & cart to be the leſſe chargeable waye. But herein how far they are deceyued, I will elſewhere make manifeſt declaration.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Weſtſax.The fourth kingdome was of ye Weſt Sax|ons, and ſo called bycauſe it lay in the Weſt part of the realme, as that of Eſſex did in the Eaſt, of Suſſex and South. It began in the yeare of grace 549.Cerdijc. vnder Cerdijc, & indured vntil the comming of ye Normanes, including Willſhyre, Barkeſhyre, Dorſet, Southamp|ton, Sũmerſetſhyre Gloſterſhyre, ſome part of Deuonſhyre (which the Brytons occupied not) Cornewal and the reſt of Surrey, as the beſt authours do ſet downe. The chiefe Citie of this Kingdome alſo was Wincheſter, ex|cept my memory doe fayle me.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Br [...]nnicia, alias Nor|thumber|land, Ida.The fift Kingdome beganne vnder Ida, in the 548. of Chriſt being called now Northũ|berland becauſe it laye by North of the riuer Humber, it conteined all that region which as it ſhoulde ſéeme, was in time paſt eyther wholly apperteining to ye Brigants, or where|of of the ſayde Brigants, did poſſeſſe the greater part. The chiefe Citie of the ſame in like ma|ner was Yorke, as Leyland and other doe ſet downe, who adde thereto that it extended frõ the humber vnto the Scottiſh ſea.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Afterwarde in the yeare of grace 560.Deira, Ella. it was parted in twaine, vnder Adda, that yéel|ded vp all hys portion, which laye betwéene humber and the Line vnto his Brother Ella (according to their Fathers appointment) who called it Deira, or Southumberlande, but reteyning the reſt ſtil vnto his owne vſe, he diminiſhed not his title, but wrote himſelf as before king of al Northumberland. How|beit after 91. yeres, it was reunited againe, & ſo continued vntill Alfrede vnited the whole to his kingdome, in the 331. after Ida, or 878. after the birth of Ieſus Chriſt our Sauiour.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The 7. kingdome,Eaſtangle Offa, a [...] offelings. called of the Eaſtangles began at Norwitch in the 561. after Chriſt, vnder Offa, of whom they were lõg time af|ter called Offelings. This included all Nor|folke, Suffolke, Cãbridgeſhyre, & Ely, & cõ|tinuing 228. yeres it flouriſhed only 35. yeres in perfite eſtate of Liberte, the reaſt being conſumed vnder the trybute and vaſſallage of the merciãs, who had ye ſouereigntye ther|of, & helde it with great honour. Some take this region to be all one with that of the Ice|nes, but as yet for my part I cannot yéelde to their aſſertions, I meane it of Lelande, him|ſelfe, whoſe helpe I vſe altogither in theſe collections, albeit in this behalfe I am not re|ſolued, that he doth iudge aright.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The 8. and laſt was that of Mercia,Mertia. Creodda. which indured 291. yeares, and for greatneſſe of cir|cuit, excéeded all the reaſt. It tooke the name eyther of Mearc the Saxon word, becauſe the limits of moſt of the other kingdomes abut|ted vpõ the ſame, or elſe for that the lawes of Mercia, were firſt vſed in that part of the I|lande. But as the later is but a méere coniec|ture of ſome, ſo it began vnder Creodda, in ye 585. and indured well nere 300. yeres, before it was vnited to that of the Weſt Saxons by Alfrede, then reigning in the kingdome. Be|fore him the Danes had gotten holde thereof, and placed one Ceolulphe an Ideote in the ſame, but as he was ſone reiected for his folly, ſo it was not long after ere the ſayde Alfrede annexed it to his kingdome.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The limites of the Mertian dominiõs,Limits o [...] Mercia. con|teined Lincolne, Northamptõ, Cheſter, Dar|by, Nottingham, Stafford, Huntington Rut|lande, Oxforde, Buckingham, Worceſter, Bedforde ſhyres, and the greateſt part of Shropſhyre (which the Welch occupied not) Lancaſter, Gloceſter, Hereford (alias Hurch|forde) EEBO page image 7 Warwijc and Hertforde ſhyres, the reſt of whoſe territories were holden by ſuch princes of other kingdomes thorow force [...] bordered vpõ the ſame. And thus much haue I thought good to leaue in memorye of the a|foreſaid kingdomes, not omitting in ye meane time ſomewhat here to remember of the di|uiſion of the Iſland alſo into Prouinces, as the Romaines ſeuered it whiles they remay|ned in theſe parts. Which being done, I hope that I haue fullye diſcharged whatſoeuer is promiſed in the title of this Chapter.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The Romaines therefore hauing obteined the poſſeſſion of this Iſland, deuided the ſame at ye laſt into fiue Prouinces. The firſt wher|of was named Britãnia prima, [...]itannia [...]ma. & conteined the eaſt part of England (as ſome doe gather) frõ ye Trent vnto ye Twede. The ſecond was cal|led Valentia, [...]lentia. & included the Weſt ſide as they note it, frõ Lirpole vnto Cokermouth. The thirde hight Britannia ſecunda, [...]itannia [...]cunda. and was that portion of the Ile which laye Southwardes, betwéene the Trent and the Thames. The fourth was ſurnamed Flauia Ceſarienſis: [...]auia Ce| [...]ienſis. and contayned all the countrey which remayned betwéene Douer & the Sauerne, I meane by ſouth of the Thames, and wherevnto in lyke ſort, Cornewall and Wales were orderly aſ|ſigned. The fift and laſt part was then named Maxima Ceſarienſis, [...]axima [...]eſarien| [...]. now Scotland. The moſt barren of all the reaſt, & yet not vnſought out of the Romaines, bicauſe of the great plentie of fiſhe and foule, fine Alabaſtar and harde Marble, that are ingendred and to be had in the ſame, for furniture of houſholde and curious buylding, wherein they much deli|ted.