Table of Contents for Holinshed's Chronicles (1587
edition)
[Back to index]
Volume 1
-
Front Matter:
Body Text:
-
An Historicall description of the Iland of Britaine, with a briefe
rehersall of the nature and qualities of the people of England and such
commodities as are to be found in the same. Comprehended in three bookes,
and written by W. H.
- Of the diuision of the whole earth. Chapter. 1.
- Of the position, circuit, forme and quan|titie of the Ile of Britaine.
Cap. 2.
- Of the ancient names or deno|minations of this Iland. Cap. 3.
- What sundrie nations haue dwel|led in Albion. Cap. 4.
- Whether it be likelie that any giants were, and whether they inhabited
in this Ile or not. Cap. 5.
- Of the languages spoken in this Iland. Cap. 6.
- Into how manie kingdoms this Iland hath beene diuided. Cap. 7.
- Of the ancient religion vsed in Albion. Cap. 9.
- Of such Ilands as are to be seene vpon the coasts of Britaine. Cap.
10.
- The description of the Thames, and such riuers as fall into the same.
Cap. 11.
- Of such streames as fall into the sea, betweene the Thames and the
mouth of the Sauerne. Chap. 12.
- The description of the Sauerne, & such waters as discharge
themselues into the same. Chap. 13.
- Of such waters as fall into the sea in compasse of the Iland, betweene
the Sauerne a
illegible
d the Humber. Chap. 14.
- The description of the Humber or Isis, and such water-courses as doo
increase hir chanell. Chap. 15.
- Of such falles of waters as ioine with the sea, betweene Hum|ber and
the Thames. Chap. 16.
- Of such ports and creeks as our sea|faring-men doo note for their
benefit vpon the coasts of England. Chap. 17.
- Of the aire, soile, and commodities of this Iland. Cap. 18.
- Of the foure high waies sometime made in Britaine by the princes of
this Iland. Cap. 19.
- Of the generall constitution of the bodies of the Britons. Chap. 20.
- How Britaine at the first grew to be diuided into three portions. Cap.
21.
- After what maner the souereigntie of this Ile dooth remaine to the
princes of Lhoegres or kings of England. Chap. 22.
- Of the wall sometime builded for a partition betweene England and the
Picts and Scots. Chap. 23.
- Of the maruels of England. Chap. 24.
- The Contents of the second Booke.
- [book]
- The contents of the third booke.
- [book]
Volume 2
-
Front Matter:
Body Text:
- THE FIRST BOOKE of the historie of England.
- THE SECOND BOOKE of the Historie of England.
- Of Brute and his descent, how he slue his father in hunting, his
banishment, his letter to king Pan|drasus, against whom he wageth
battell, taketh him prisoner, and concludeth peace vpon
conditions. The first Chapter.
- Brute and his wife Innogen arriue in Leogitia, they aske counsell of
an oracle where they shall inhabit, he meeteth with a remnant of Troians
on the coasts neere the shooting downe of the Pyrenine hills into the
sea. The second Chapter.
- Brute and the said Troians with their capteine Corineus doo associat,
they take landing within the dominion of king Gof|farus, he raiseth an
armie against Brute and his power, but is discomfited: of the citie of
Tours: Brutes arriuall in this Iland with his companie. The third
Chapter.
- Brute discouereth the commodities of this Iland, mightie giants
withstand him, Gogmagog and Corineus wrestle together at a place beside
Douer: he buildeth the ci|tie of Trinouant now termed London, calleth
this Iland by the name of Bri|taine, and diuideth it into three parts
among his three sonnes. The fourth Chapter.
- Of Locrine the eldest sonne of Brute, of Albanact his yoongest sonne,
and his death: of Madan, Mempricius, E|branke, Brute Greenesheeld,
Leill, Ludhurdibras, Baldud, and
Leir, the nine rulers of Britaine succes|siuelie after Brute. The fift
Chapter.
- The gunarchie of queene Cordeilla, how she was vanquished, of hir
impri|sonment and selfe-murther: the con|tention betweene Cunedag and
Margan nephewes for go|uernement, and the euill end thereof. The sixt
Chapter.
- Of Riuallus, Gurgustius, Sysillius, Iago, and Kinimacus, rulers of Britaine by succession, and
of the accidents coincident with their times. The seuenth Chapter.
- Of Gorbodug and his two sonnes Fer|rex and Porrex, one brother killeth
ano|ther, the mother slaieth hir sonne, and how Britaine by ciuill warres
(for lacke of issue legitimate to the gouernment) of a mo|narchie became
a pentarchie: the end of Brutes line. The eight Chapter.
- THE THIRD BOOKE of the Historie of England.
- Of Mulmucius the first king of Britaine, who was crowned with a golden
crowne, his lawes, his foundations, with other his acts and deeds. The
first Chapter.
- The ioint-gouernment of Belinus and Brennus the two sonnes of
Mulmucius, their discontentment, the stratagems of the one against the
other, the expulsion of Brennus out of Britaine. The second
Chapter.
- Brennus marrieth with the duke of A|lobrogs daughter, groweth into
great ho|nour, commeth into Britaine with an armie against his brother
Beline, their mother re|concileth them, they ioine might &
muni|tion and haue great conquests, conflicts betweene the Galles and the Ro|mans, the two brethren
take Rome. The third Chapter.
- Camillus reuoked from exile, made dictator, and receiueth peremptorie
au|thoritie, he ouerthroweth the Galles in a pitcht field, controuersie betweene wri|ters touching
Brennus and Belinus left vndetermined; of diuers foundations, ere|ctions
and reparations doone and at|chiued by Belinus, the burning of his bodie
in stead of his burieng. The fourth Chapter.
- Of Gurguintus, Guintolinus, and Sici|lius, three kings of Britaine
succeeding ech other by lineall
descent in the regi|ment, and of their acts and deeds, with a notable
commendation of Queene Martia. The fift Chapter.
- Of Kimarus and his sudden end, of Ela|nius and his short regiment, of
Morin|dus and his beastlie crueltie, all three im|mediatlie succeeding
each other in the monarchie of Britaine, with the ex|plorts of the
last. The sixt Chapter.
- Of Gorbonianus, Archigallus, Elidu|rus, Vigenius, and Peredurus, the
fiue sons of Morindus, the building of Cam|bridge, the restitution of
Archigallus to the regiment after his depriuation, Elidurus three times
admitted King, his death and place of interrament. The seuenth
Chapter.
- A Chapter of digression, shewing the diuersitie of writers in opinion,
touching the computation of yeares from the beginning of the British
kings of this Iland downewards; since Gurguintus time, till the death of
Elidurus; and likewise till king Lud reigned in his roialtie, with the
names of such kings as ruled be|tweene the last yeare of Elidurus, and
the first of Lud. The eight
Chapter.
- Of king Helie who gaue the name to the Ile of Elie, of king Lud, and
what memorable edifices he made, Lon|don sometimes called Luds towne, his
bountiful|n
illegible
s, and buriall. The ninth Chapter.
- Of Cassibellane and his noble mind, Iulius Caesar sendeth Caius
Volusenus to
illegible
uey the coasts of this Iland, he lieth with his fleet at Calice,
purposing to inuade the countrie, his attempt is be|wraied and withstood
by the Britains. The tenth Chapter.
- Caius Volusenus discouereth to Caesar his obseruations in the Ile of
Britaine, he maketh haste to conquere it, the Britains de|fend their
countrie against him, Caesar after consultation had changeth his landing
place, the Romans are put to hard shifts, the Britains begin to giue
backe, the courage of a Ro|man ensigne-bearer, a sharpe en|counter
betweene both armies. The eleuenth Chapter.
- The Romans get to land on the Eng|lish coast, the Britains send to
Caesar for a treatie of peace, they staie the Romane ambas|sadour as
prisoner, Caesar demandeth hostages of the Britains, the Romane nauie is
driuen diuers waies in a great tempest, the British princes steale out of
Caesars campe and gather a fresh power against the Romans, their two
armies haue a sharpe encounter. The twelfe Chapter.
- The maner of the Britains fighting in charets, the Romans giue a fresh
sallie to the Britains and put them to flight, they sue to Caesar for peace; what kings and their powers
were assistants to Cassibellane in the battell against Caesar, and the
maner of both peoples encounters by the report of diuers Chronologers.
The xiij. Chapter.
- Caesar taketh a new occasion to make warre against the Britains, he
arriueth on the coast without resistance, the number of his ships, both
armies incounter, why Caesar forbad the Romans to pursue the discomfited
Britains, he repaireth his nauie, the Britains choose Cassibel|lane their
cheefe gouernour, and skirmish a|fresh with their enimies, but haue the
repulse in the end. The xiiij. Chapter.
- The Romans heauie armor their great hinderance, the maner of the
Britains fighting in warre, their incounter with their enimies, their
discomfiture, the worthie stra|tagems or martiall exploits of
Cassibellane, the Troinouants submission to Caesar, and their sute
touching Mandubratius, manie of the Britains are taken and slaine of the
Romans. The xv. Chapter.
- Cassibellane dooth send vnto the foure kings of Kent for aid against Caesars host, he offereth submission to
Caesar, the Britains become his tributaries, he returneth into Gallia
with the remnant of his armie: the differing report of Caesars
commentaries and our historiographers touching these warlike affaires; of
a sore fray with bloudshed and man|slaughter vpon a light occasion;
Caesar taketh oportuni|tie to get the conquest of the land by the
diuision betweene Cassibellane and Androgeus, the time of the Britains
subiection to the Romans. The xvj. Chapter.
- The state of Britaine when Caesar offe|red to conquer it, and the
maner of their gouernement, as diuerse authors report the same in their
bookes: where the con|trarietie of their opinions is to be obserued. The
xvij. Chapter.
- Of Theomantius, the tearme of yeares that he reigned, and where he was
inter|red; of Kymbeline, within the time of whose gouernment Christ Iesus
our sauiour was borne, all nations content to obeie the Romane em|perors
and consequentlie Britaine, the customes that the Britaines paie the Romans as Strabo reporteth. The
xviij. Chapter.
- Of Guiderius, who denied to paie tri|bute to the Romans, preparation for war on both sides, of
the ridiculous voiage of the Emperour Caligula against the Britains, his
vanitie and delight in mischiefe: Aulus Plautius a Romane senator
accompanied with souldiers arriue on the British coasts without
resistance, the Britains take flight and hide themselues. The xix.
Chapter.
- THE FOVRTH BOOKE of the Historie of England.
- The Britains discomfited, sore wounded, slaine, and disabled by
Plautius and his power, Claudius the Romane taketh the chiefe citie of
Cymbe|beline the king of Britaine, he bereaueth the Britains of their
armour, and by vertue of his conquest ouer part of the land is
surnamed Britannicus. The first
Chapter.
- The diuerse opinions and variable re|ports of writers touching the partile conquest of this Iland
by the Ro|mans, the death of Guiderius. The second Chapter.
- Aruiragus the Britaine & Claudius the Romane with their armies
doo incoun|ter, a composition concerning ma|riage concluded betweene
them, Claudius retur|neth to Rome. The third Chapter.
- Aruiragus denieth subiection to the Romans, Vespasian is sent to
represse him and his power, the Romane host is kept backe from landing,
queene Genissa pacifieth them after a sharpe conflict: & what the
Ro|mane writers say of Vespasians being in Britaine, the end of
Ar|uiragus. The fourth Chapter.
- Ioseph of Arimathia came into Britane and Simon Zelotes, the
antiquitie of chri|stian religion, Britaine gouerned by Lieute|nants and
treasurers of the Romane emperors, the
exploits of Ostorius Scapula and the men of Ox|fordshire, he vanquisheth
the Welshmen, ap|peaseth the Yorkshiremen, and brideleth the rage of the
Silures. The fift Chapter.
- The coniectures of writers touching
the situation of Camelodunum supposed to be Colchester, of the Silures a
people spoken of in the former chapter, a foughten field betwene
Caratacus the British prince, and Ostorius the Romaine, in the confines
of Shorpshire; the Bri|tains go miserablie to wracke, Caratacus is
deli|uered to the Romans, his wife and daughter are taken prisoners, his
brethren yeeld themselues to their enimies. The sixt Chapter.
- The name of Caratacus famous in Ita|lie, the maner how he and his
alies were led captiues by the Romans in
triumph, his cou|rage and manlie speech to the emperour Claudius, whereby
he and his obteine mercie and par|don: the Britains vndertake a new
reuenge a|gainst the Romans; the cause why the Si|lures hated the Romans,
Ostorius Scapula dieth, the citie of Chester builded. The seuenth
Chapter.
- A. Didius is sent to supplie Ostorius his roome in Britaine, the
trecherie and le|cherie of queene Cartimanda, Venutius kee|peth the
kingdome in spite of the Romans, by what meanes their confines in this
Ile were inlarged; the error of Hector Boetius and others touching the
Siluers, Brigants, and Nouants noti|fied, the Britains giue the Ro|mans a
shamefull ouer|throw. The eight Chapter.
- The gouernment of P. Suetonius in this Iland, he inuadeth Angle sey,
and winneth it, a strange kind of women, of the Druides, the Britains
lament their miserie and seruitude, and take aduise by weapon to redresse
it against the Romans their enimies. The ninth Chapter.
- A catalog of causes or greeuances in|citing the Britains to rebell
against the Romans, wherein is shewed what iniuries they susteined: of
diuers strange wonders and appariti|ons;
the chiefe cause of the Britains insurging against the Romans, they
admitted as well women as men to publike gouernement. A descrip|tion of
queene Voadicia, hir personage and maner of attire. The tenth
Chapter.
- The oration of queene Voadicia full of prudence and spirit to the
Britains, for their encouragement against the Romans, wherein she rippeth
vp the vile seruitude and shamefull wrongs which their enimies
inflic|ted vpon them, with other
matters verie motiue, both concerning themselues and their eni|mies, hir
supplication and praier for victorie. The eleuenth Chapter.
- Queene Voadicia marcheth against the Romans, to whom she giueth a
shamefull and bloudie ouerthrow without anie motion of mercie, dredfull
examples of the Britains crueltie indiffe|rentlie executed without
excep|tion of age or sex. The twelfe Chapter.
- P. Suetonius the Romane with a fresh
power assalteth the Britains, whose armie consisted as well of women as
men: queene Voadicia incourageth hir souldiers, so dooth Sue|tonius his
warriors, both armies haue a sharpe con|flict, the Britains are
discomfited and miserablie slaine, the queene dieth, Penius Posthumus
killeth himselfe, the Britains are persecuted with fire, swoord, and
famine, the grudge betweene Cassi|cianus and Suetonius, whome Poly|cletus
is sent to reconcile, of his traine, and how the Bri|tains repined
at him. The xiij. Chapter.
- In what state the Iland stood whiles Ar|uiragus reigned; the dissolute
and loose gouernement of Petronius
Turpilianus, Trebellius Maximus, and Victius Vo|lanus, three lieutenants
in Britaine for the Romane emperours, of Iulius Fron|tinus who vanquished
the Silures. The xiiij. Chapter.
- The state of this Iland vnder Marius the sonne of Aruiragus, the
comming in of the Picts with Roderike their king, his death in the field,
the Picts and Scots enter into mutuall aliance, the mo|nument of Marius,
his victorie ouer the Picts, his death and interrement. The xv.
Chapter.
- Iulius Agricola is deputed by Vespa|sian to gouerne Britaine, he
inuadeth the Ile of Anglesey, the inhabitants yeeld vp them selues, the
commendable gouernement of A|gricola, his worthie practises to traine the
Britains to ciuilitie, his exploits fortunatelie atchiued against diuerse
people, as the Irish, &c. The 16. Chapter.
- The Britains of Calenderwood assalt the Romans vpon aduantage, bloudie
bat|tels fought betwixt them, great numbers slaine on both sides, the
villanous dealing of certeine Dutch souldiers against their capteins and
fellowes in armes, the miserie that they were driuen vnto by famine to
eate one another, a sharpe conflict betweene the Ro|mans and Britains,
with the losse of manie a mans life, and
effusion of much bloud. The xvij. Chapter.
- The lamentable distresse and pitifull perplexitie of the Britains
after their o|uerthrow, Domitian enuieth Agricola the glorie of his
victories, he is subtilie depriued of his deputiship, and Cneus
Trebellius surrogated in his roome. The xviij. Chapter.
- Of Coillus the sonne of Marius, his e|ducation in Rome, how long he
reigned: of Lucius his sonne and successor, what time he assumed the
gouernment of this land, he was an open professor of christian religion,
he and his fa|milie are baptised, Britaine receiueth the faith, 3
archbishops and 28 bishops at that time in this Iland, westminster church
and S. Peters in Cornehill builded, diuers opinions tou|ching the time of
Lucius his reigne, of his death, and when the christian faith was
receiued in this Iland. The 19. Chapter.
- The Britains after the deceasse of Lu|cius (who died without issue)
rebell a|gainst the Romans, the emperor Adrian com|ming in his owne
person into Britaine appeaseth the broile, they go about to recouer their
libertie a|gainst the Romans, but are suppressed by Lollius the Ro|mane
lieutenant; the vigilantnesse or wakefulnesie of Marcellus, and his
policie to keepe the soul|diers waking, the Britains being ruled by
cer|taine meane gentlemen of Perhennis
appointing doo falselie accuse him to the emperor Commodus, he is mangled
and murthered of his souldiers. The xx. Chapter.
- Pertinax is sent as lieutenant into Bri|taine, he is in danger to be
slaine of the souldiers, he riddeth himselfe of that perilous office:
Albinus with an armie of Britains fighteth against Seuerus and his power
neere to Lions, Seuerus is slaine in a conflict against the Picts, Geta
and Bassianus two brethren make mutuall warre for the regiment of the
land, the one is slaine, the other ruleth. The xxj. Chapter.
- The ambitious mind of the old empe|rour Seuerus, he arriueth in
Britaine with a mightie power to suppresse the rebellious Britains, the
emperours politike prouision for his souldiers in the fens and bogs: the
agilitie of the Bri|tains, their nimblenesse, the painting of their
bodies with di|uerse colours, their furniture, their great sufferance of
hunger, cold, &c: diuerse conflicts betweene the Romans and the
Bri|tains, their subtile traines to deceiue their enimies, the Ro|mans
pitifullie distressed, Seuerus constreineth the Caledo|nians to conclude
a league with him; he falleth sicke, his owne sonne practiseth to make
him away: the Britains begin a new rebellion, the cruell commandement of
Seuerus to kill and slea all that came to hand without exception, his
age, his death, and sepulchte: Bassianus ambitiouslie vsur|peth the whole
regiment, he killeth his bro|ther Geta, and is slaine himselfe by one of
his owne soul|diers. The xxij. Chapter.
- Of Carausius an obscure Britaine, what countries he gaue the Picts,
and where|vpon, his death by Alectus his successor, the Romans foiled by
Asclepiodotus duke of Corne|wall, whereof Walbrooke and the name, the
couetous practise of Carausius the vsurper. The xxxiij. Chapter.
- The substance of that which is written touching Britaine in a
panegyrike oration ascribed to Mamertinus, which he set foorth in praise
of the emperors Dioclesian and Maximian: it is intituled onelie to
Maximian, whereas neuer|thelesse both the emperors are praised; and
likewise (as ye may perceiue) Constantius who was father to Constantine
the great is here spoken of, being chosen by the two foresaid emperors,
to assist them by the name of Caesar in rule of the empire: of whom
hereafter more shall be said. The xxiiij. Chapter.
- What is to be obserued and noted out of the panegyrike oration of
Mamerti|nus afore remembred, with necessa|rie collections out of other
Antiquaries. The xxv. Chapter.
- The state of this Iland vnder bloudie Dioclesian the persecuting
tyrant, of Al|ban the first that suffered martyrdome in Bri|taine, what
miracles were wrought at his death, whereof Lichfield tooke the name; of
Coilus earle of Colchester, whose daughter Helen was maried to
Constantius the emperour, as some authours suppose. The xxvj.
Chapter.
- A further discourse of the forenamed Constantius and Helen, hs
regiment ouer this Iland, his behauiour and talke to his sonne and
councellors as he lay on his death-bed, a de|uise that he put in practise
to vnderstand what true Christians he had in his court, his commen|dable
vertues, that the Britains in his time imbraced the christian faith is
prooued. The xxvij. Chapter.
- Constantine created emperour in Bri|taine, he is sollicited to take
vpon him the regiment of those countries that his father go|uerned, he is
requested to subdue Maxentius the vsurping tyrant, Maximianus his father
seeketh to depose him, Constantines death is purposed by the said
Maxi|mianus the father & his sonne Maxentius, Fausta the
daugh|ter of Maximianus & wife to Constantine detecteth hir
fathers trecherie to hir husand, Maximianus is strangled at Constan|tines
commandement, league and alliance betweene him and Licinius, he is sl
illegible
ine, the empresse Helen commended, the crosse of Christ found with
the inscription of the same, what miracles were wrought thereby, of the
nailes wherewith Christ was crucifi|ed, Constantine commended, the state
of Britaine in his time. The xxviij Chapter.
- Of Octauius a British lord, his reigne ouer the Britains, he
incountereth with Traherne first neere Winchester, and after|wards in
Westmerland: Octauius being discomfi|ted fleeth into Norway, Traherne is
slaine, Octauius sendeth for Maximianus, on whom he bestoweth his
daughter and the kingdome of
Britaine: the death of Octauius, Helena builded the wals of Colchester
and London, she dieth and is buried, Constantine departeth this life,
Britaine reckoned a|mong the prouinces that reteined the christian faith,
Paulus a Spaniard is sent into Britaine, he dealeth roughlie with the
people, Martinus the lieutenant excuseth them as innocent, his vnluckie
end, Paulus retur|neth into Italie. The xxix. Chapter.
- Maximianus or Maximus gouerneth this Ile, why writers speake ill of
him, strife betwixt him and Conan duke of Cornewall, Maximus is
proclaimed emperour in Britaine, he transporteth the British youth
seruiceable for warres into France, little Britaine in France why so
called, eleuen thousand maids sent thither to match with Conans people,
whereof some were drowned, and other some murthe|red in the way by
Guanius king of Hunnes and Melga king of Picts, they flie into Ireland,
murther requited with murther, the words of Gyldas concerning Maximus.
The xxx. Chapter.
- What Gratianus it was that was sent o|uer from Rome into Britaine by
Maxi|mus, in what estimation the British souldiers haue beene, the priuie
treason of Andragatius whereby Gratian came to his end: Maximus and his
sonne Victor doo succeed him in the empire, they are both slaine, Marcus
the Romane lieutenant suceeding them is murthered, Gratianus also his
successour hath the same end, the election of Constantine a Britaine
borne, his praise and dispraise reported by writers, he goeth into
France, maketh his sonne Constance partaker with him of the em|pire, a
sharpe incounter betwixt his power and two brethrens that had the keeping
of the Pyrennie hils, the issue of the battell. The xxxj. Chapter.
- Honorius sendeth earle Constantius to expell Constantine out of
Gallia, the end of Constantinus the father and Constans the sonne, the
valure and prowesse of the British souldiers, the British writers
reprooued of nec|ligences for that thiy haue inserted fables into their
woorkes, whereas they might haue deposed matters of truth. The xxxij. Chapter.
- Gratians rough regiment procureth his owne destruction, the comming of
his two brethren Guanius and Melga with their armies, the Scots and Picts
plague the Britains, they send for aid to Rome, Valentinian sendeth
Gal|lio Rauenna to releeue them, the Romans refuse anie longer to succour
the Britains, whom they taught how to make ar|mour and weapons, the Scots
and Picts enter afresh into Bri|taine and preuaile, the Britains are
brought to extreme mi|serie, ciuill warres among them, and what mischiefe
dooth follow therevpon, their
lamentable letter to Actius for succour against their enimies, their sute
is denied, at what time the Britains ceased to be tributaries to the
Romans, they send ambassadors to the K. of Britaine in France, and
obteine their sute. The xxxiij. Chapter.
- What the Roman historiographer Mar|cellinus reporteth of the Scots,
Picts, and Britains vnder the emperour Iulianus, Valen|tinianus and
Valens, they send their vicegerents into Britaine, the disquietnesse of
that time, London called Augusta, the worthie exploits of Theodosius in
this Iland against the enimie, Valentinus a banished malefactor deuiseth
his destruction, he is taken and executed, he refor|meth manie disorders
and inconueniences, the first en|tring of the Saxons into Britaine, they
are dawn
illegible
ed at the verie sight of the Romane ensignes, the Saxons lieng in
wait for their eni|mies are slaine euerie mo|thers sonne. The xxxiiij.
Chapter.
- What the poet Claudianus saith of the state of Britaine in the decaie
of the Ro|mane empire, of the Scots and Picts cruellie vexing the
Britains, they are afflicted by inuasion of barbarous nations, the
practise of the Saxons, of the Scots first comming into this Iland, and
from whence, the Scotish chronographers no|ted for curiositie and
vanitie. The xxxv. Chapter.
- THE FIFT BOOKE of the Historie of England.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Vortimer is created king in the roome of his father Vortigerne, he
giueth the Saxons sore and sharpe battels, a combat fought betweene
Catigerne the brother of Vorti|mer and Horsus the brother of Hengist,
wherein they were both slaine, the
Britains driue the Saxons into the Ile of Tenet, Rowen the daughter of
Hengist procureth Vor|timer to be poisoned, the Saxons returne into
Germa|nie as some writers report, they ioine with the Scots and Picts
against the Britains and discomfit them. The fourth Chapter.
- Vortigerne is restored to his regiment, in what place he abode during
the time of his sonnes reigne, Hengist with his Saxons re|enter the land,
the Saxons and Britains are ap|pointed to meet on Salisburie plaine, the
priuie treason of Hengist and his power whereby the Bri|tains were slaine
like sheepe, the manhood of Edol earle of Glocester, Vortigerne i
illegible
taken prisoner, Hengist is in possession of three prouinces of
this land, a description of Kent. The fift Chapter.
- The heptarchie or seuen kingdoms of this land, Hengist causeth
Britaine to be peopled with Saxons, the decaie of Christian religion, the
Pelagians with their hereticall and falle doctrine infect the Britains, a
synod summoned in Gallia for the redresse thereof, the Scots assist the
Britains against the Saxons, who renew their league with the Picts,
Germane and Lupus two bishops of Germanie procure the British armie to be
newlie christened, the terror that the Bri|tains vnder bishop Germans
fortunate conduct draue into the Saxons
by the outcrie of Alleluia, and got the victorie, bishop Germane
departeth out of the land, and to redresse the Pelagian heresie commeth
againe at the clergies re|quest, he confirmeth his doctrine by a miracle,
banisheth the Pelagians out of the land, the death of Germane, murther
re|quited with murther. The vj. Chapter.
- What part of the realme the Saxons possessed, Vortigerne buildeth a
castell in Wales for his safetie, Aurelius and Vter both brethren returne
into Britaine, they assalt the vsurper Vortigerne, and with wild fire
burne both him, his people, his fort, and all the furniture in the same,
Vortigerne committeth incest with his owne daughter, feined and
ridiculous woonders of S. Germane, a sheepherd made a king. The seuenth
Chapter.
- Aurelius Ambrosius the brother to Constantius created king of
Britaine, he incountereth with the Saxons, Hengist their generall is
beheaded, Occa his sonne submit|teth himselfe to Aurelius, he putteth all
the Saxons out of the land, repaireth places decaied, and restoreth
religion, the memorable monument of the stones that are so much spo|ken
of on Salisburie plaine, the exploits of Pascentius Vorti|gerns yongest
sonne, Aurelius lieth sicke, Vter goeth against Pascentius and giueth him
the ouerthrow, Aurelius is poiso|ned of a counterfet moonke, the place of
his buriall, Poly|dor Virgils report of the acts and deeds of Aurelius
against the Saxons, Hengist is slaine, Osca and Occa his two sonnes make
a fowle spoile of the west part of the land, Vortimer dieth, the
disa|greement of writers touching matters interchangeablie passed betwene
the Britains and Saxons. The eight Chapter.
- The beginning of the kingdome of the Southsaxons commonlie called
Sussex, the Britains with their rulers giue battell to Ella the Saxon & his three sonnes, disagreement
betweene the English and British chronographers about the battels fought
by Hengist and his death, the be|ginning of the Kentish kingdome, a
battell fought betweene the Britains and Sax|ons, the first are
conquered, the last are conquerors. The ninth Chapter.
- The east Angles kingdome beginneth, the arriuall of Cerdic and Kenric
with fiue ships of warre in this land, he putteth the Bri|tains to
flight, the west Saxons kingdom begineth, Vter Pendragon made king of
Britaine, the etymon of his name, he
taketh Occa and Osca the two sonnes of Hen|gist prisoners, how Hector
Boetius varieth from other chro|nographers in the relation of things
concerning Pendragon, he falleth in loue with the duke of Cornewalls
wife, killeth him, and marieth hir. Occa and Osca escape out of pri|son,
they freshlie assault the Britains, they are both slaine in a foughten
field, the Saxons send and looke for aid out of Germanie, Pen|dragon is
poisoned. The tenth Chapter.
- Porth the Saxon arriueth at Portes|mouth, warre betweene Nazaleod king
of the Britains and the Saxons, the Britains are ouethrowen and slaine, the kingdome of the west Saxons
beginneth, the com|passe or continent thereof, the meanes whereby it was
inlarged. The eleuenth Chapter.
- The beginning of the kingdome of the Eastsaxons, what it conteined, of
Arthur king of Britaine, his twelue victories ouer the Saxons against
whome he mainteined continuall warre, why the Scots and Picts enuied him
his roi|altie and empire, a league betwixt Arthur and Loth king of the
Picts, Howell king of little Britaine aideth Arthur against Cheldrike
king of Germanie, who taking the ouerthrow, is slaine by the duke of
Cornewall, the Picts are dis|comfited,
the Irishmen with their king put to slight, and the Scots subdued,
Arthurs sun|drie conquests against diuers people, the vanitie of the
British wri|ters noted. The twelfe Chapter.
- Arthur is resisted by Mordred the vsur|per from arriuing in his owne
land, they ioine battell, Gawaine is slaine and his death lamented by
Arthur, Mordred taketh flight, he is
slaine, and Arthur mortallie wounded, his death, the place of his
buriall, his bodie digged vp, his bignesse coniec|turable by his bones, a
crosse found in his toome with an inscription therevpon, his wife
Guenhera buried with him, a rare report of hir haire, Iohn Lelands
epitaph in memo|rie of prince Arthur. The xiij. Chapter.
- Vpon what occasion the graue of king Arthur was sought for, the follie
of such discouered as beleeued that he should returne and reigne againe
as king in Britaine, whether it be a fiction or a veritie that there was
such an Arthur or no; discordance among writers about the place of
Gawains buriall and Arthurs death; of queene Gueneuer the wife of king
Arthur, hir beautie and dishonest life, great disagreement among writers
touching Arthur and his wiues to the impeachment of the historie, of his
life and death. The xiiij. Chapter.
- The decaie of christian religion and re|ceiuing of the Pelagian
heresie in Britaine by what meanes they were procured and by whom
redressed: Constantine succeedeth Arthur in the kingdome, ciuill warre
about succession to the crowne, the chalengers are pursued and slaine,
Constantine is vnkindlie killed of his kinsman, a bitter and reprochfull
in|uectiue of Gyldas against the British rulers of his time, and namelie
against Constantine, Conan that slue Constan|tine reigneth in Britaine,
his vertues and vices, his two yeeres
regiment, the seuere reprehensions of Gyldas vttered against Conan,
discouering the course of his life, and a secret pro|phesie of his death.
The xv. Chapter.
- The beginning of the kingdome of Brenitia, of whome the king of Kent,
Mer|tia, and west Saxons descended, Ida the Sax|on commended, the
originall of the kingdome of Deira, the circuit and bounds therof, of
Ella the go|uernour of the same, when the partition of the kingdome of
Northumberland chanced; Vortiporus reigneth ouer the Britains, he
vanquisheth the Saxons; Gyldas sharp|lie reprooueth Vortiporus for manie
greeuous offenses, and exhorteth him
to amendement. The xvj. Chapter.
- Malgo reigneth ouer the Britains, the noble qualities wherewith he was
beauti|fied by his filthie sinnes are blemished, Gyldas reproueth Cuneglasus for making warre against God and
man, and this Malgo for his manifold offen|ses, the vile iniquities
wherevnto the British rulers were in|clined, the valiantnesse of Kenrike
king of the Westsaxons, his victories against diuers people his enimies,
succession in the gouernment of the Westsaxons, Northumberland, and
Ken|tish Saxons; the first battell that was fought betwixt the Saxons in
this Iland, Cheuling with his Westsaxons encounter with the Britains and
get the vpper hand, three kings of the Britains slaine, and their people spoiled of their lands, goods and
liues. The xvij. Chapter.
- The begining of the kingdome of Mer|cia, the bounds of the same, the
heptarchie or seuen regiments of the Saxons, how they grew to that
perfection, and by whom they were reduced and drawne into a monar
illegible
ie; Careticus is created king of Britaine, the Saxons take occasion
by the ciuill dissentions of the Britains to make a full conquest of the
land they procure forren power to further them in their enterprise,
Gurmundus king of the Africans arriueth in Britaine, the Bri|tish king is
driuen to his hard shifts, the politike practise of Gurmundus in taking
Chichester & setting the towne on fire, he deliuereth the whole
land in possession to the Saxons, the English and Saxon kings put
Careticus to flight, the Britains haue onelie three prouinces left of all
their countrie which before they inhabited, their religion, church, and
com|monwealth is in decaie, they are gouerned by three kings, Cheulings
death is con|spired of his owne sub|iects. The xviij. Chapter.
- Ceolric reigneth ouer the Westsaxons, the Saxons and Britains
incounter, E|thelbert king of kent subdueth the English|saxons, he is
maried to the French kings daughter vpon cautions of religion, the king
imbraceth the gospell, Augustine the moonke and others were sent into
this Ile to preach the christian faith, the occasion that moued Gregorie
the great to send him, buieng and selling of boies, the Englishmen called
Angli commended, Ethelbert cau|seth Augustine and his fellowes to come
before him, they preach to the king and
his traine, he granteth them a conue|nient seat and competent reliefe in
Canturburie, the maner of their going thither and their behauiour there,
the king and his people receiue the christian faith, and are baptised.
The xix. Chapter.
- Religion is not to be inforced but per|swaded and preached, Augustine
is made archbishop of England, Gregorie informeth Augustine of certeine
ordinances to be made and obserued in the new English church, as the
reuenewes of the church to be diuided into foure parts, of liturgie, of
mariage, of ecclesiasticall discipline and ordeining of bishops: trifling
questions obiected by Augustine to Gregorie, fel|low helpers are sent
ouer to assist Augustine in his
ministerie, he receiueth his pall, reformation must be doone by little
and little, not to glorie in miracles, the effect of Gregories let|ters
to K. Ethelbert after his con|uersion to christianitie. The xx.
Chapter.
- What reparations and foundations Au|gustine finished for clergimen to
the sup|portation of the church, the building of Paules in London and
saint Peters in Westminster vncer|teine, a prouinciall councell called by
Augustine, he restoreth a blind man to his sight, the Britains are
hardlie weaned from their old custome of beliefe, an heremits opinion of Augustine, he requireth three things
to be obserued of the Britains, he ordeineth bi|shops at London and
Rochester; Sabert reigneth ouer the Eastsaxons, Augu|stine dieth and is
buried. The xxj. Chapter.
- Ceowlfe or Ceoloulph gouerneth the Westsaxons, Ceorlus king of Mercia,
Edel|fride king of the Northumbers, and Edan king of the Scots ioine in
battell, Edan is discomfited, E|delfride subdueth the citizens of
Chester, the deuout moonks of Bangorpraie for safetie from the swoord of
the eni|mie, twelue hundred of them are slaine, Edelfride entreth the
citie of Chester, the Britains assembling their power vnder three
capteins incounter with Edelfride, slaie manie of his souldiers, and put
him to flight, warres betweene Edel|fride and Redwald king of the
Eastangles about Edwine the sonne of king Elle, Edelfride is slaine,
Ceowlfe king of the West|saxons dieth. The xxij. Chapter.
- Cinegiscus and his sonne Richelinus reigne iointlie ouer the
Westsaxons, they fight with the Britains; the indeuour of Lau|rence
archbishop of Canturburie in setting religi|on at large, and seeking a
vniformitie in catholike orders, he and
his fellow-bishops write to the cleargie of Bri|taine and Scotland for a
reformation, Melitus bishop of London goeth to Rome, the cause why, and
what he brought at his returne from pope Boniface. The xxiij.
Chapter.
- Cadwan is made king of the Britains in the citie of Chester, he
leuieth a power a|gainst Ethelfred king of the Northumbers, co|uenants of
peace passe betwixt them vpon condi|tion, the death of Ethelbert king of
Kent, where he and his wife were buried, of his lawes; Eadbald succeedeth
E|thelbert in the Kentish kingdome, his lewd and vnholie life, he is an
enimie to religion; he is plagued with madnesse; He|bert king of the
Eastsaxons dieth, his three sonnes refuse to be baptised, they fall to
idolatrie and hate the professours of the truth, their irreligious talke
and vndutifull behauiour to bi|shop Melitus, he and his fellow Iustus
passe ouer into France, the three sonnes of Hebert are slaine of the
Westsaxons in bat|tell, the Estsaxons by their idolatrie prouoke
archbishop Lau|rence to forsake the land, he is warned in a vision to
tarie, whereof he certifieth king Eadbald, who furthering christianitie,
sendeth for Melitus and Iustus, the one is restored to his see, the other
reiected, Melitus dieth, Iustus is made archbishop of Canturburie, the
christian faith increaseth. The xxiiij. Chapter.
- Edwin reigneth ouer the Northum|bers, his great power and reputation,
a marriage betweene him and Ethelburga the sister of king Eadbald vpon
religious couenants, the traitorous attempts of murtherous Eumerus
a|gainst him, his wife Ethelburga is deliuered of a daughter, he assalteth the Westsaxons, and discomfiteth
them, Boniface the fift writeth to him to desist from his idolatrie, and
to his ladie to persist in true christianitie; the vision of Ed|win when
he was a banished man in the court of Redwald king of the Eastangles,
whereby he was informed of his great ex|altation and conuersion to
christian religion. The xxv. Chapter.
- King Edwin is put in mind of his vision by Pauline who sawe the same
in spirit, he is licenced to preach the gospell, bishop Coifi destroieth
the idols, Edwin and his people re|ceiue the christian faith, his two
sonnes Osfride and Eadfride become conuerts, Redwald king of the
Eastangles is baptised, he serueth God and the diuell, Sibert receiueth
the faith, Felix bishop of Burgongne commeth ouer to Honorius archbishop
of Canturburie, he preacheth to the Eastangles, the Northumbers and
Lincolnshiremen are conuerted, manie are
baptised in the riuer of Trent; king Edwins iustice how ef|fectuall and
commendable, his care for the common-wealth, his prouidence for the
refection of trauellers, pope Honorius confirmeth Pauline archbishop of
Yorke, the tenor of his let|ters touching the mutuall election of the
archbishop of Can|turburie and Yorke, if either of them happened to
suruiue o|ther, his letters to the Scots touching the keeping of Easter
and auoiding the Pelagian heresie, Cadwallo king of Britaine rebelleth
against Edwin, Penda king of Mercia enuieth his good estate, Cadwallo and
Penda inuade Nor|thumberland, Edwin and his sonne Osfride are slaine,
Penda putteth his other sonne Eadfride cruellie to death. The xxvj. Chapter.
- The crueltie of Penda and Cadwallo after their victorie, the Britains
make no account of religion, Archbishop Pauline with queen Ethelburga
flie out of Northumberland in|to Kent, honorable personages accompanie
him thi|ther, Romanus bishop of Rochester drowned, Pauline vnderta|keth
the charge of that see; Osrike is king of Deira, and Eau|fride king of
Bernicia, both kings become apostatas, and fall frõ christianitie to
paganisme, they are both slaine within lesse than a yeeres space; Oswald
is created king of Northumber|land, his
chiefe practise in feats of armes, Cadwallo king of Britaine hath him in
contempt, Oswalds superstitious de|uotion and intercession to God against
his enimies; both kings ioine battell; Cadwallo is slaine, Penda king of
Mercia his notable vertues linked with foule vices, he maketh warre on
whom he will with|out exception. The
xxvij. Chapter.
- Cadwallo king of Britain, diuers deeds of his as the British writers
haue recor|ded them, wherevpon discord
arose betweene Cadwallo & Edwin, who for two yeres space were
linked in friendship, Cadwallo vanquisht, his flight, of Pelitus the
Spanish wizard, Cadwallo ouerthroweth Penda and his power besieging
Excester, he arreareth battell against the Northumbers, and killeth Edwin
their king, he seeketh to expell the Saxons out of the land, Penda
slaieth Oswald, whose brother and successor Osunus by gifts and
sub|mission obteineth peace, whom Penda spitefullie attempting to kill is
killed himselfe, Cadwallo dieth, a brasen image on horssebacke set vp in
his memoriall, saint Martins at Ludgate
builded. The xxviij. Chapter.
- The true storie of the forenamed king Oswald, his desire to restore
christian reli|gion, Cormans preaching taking small effect among the
Northumbers, persuadeth him to de|part into his owne countrie, he
slandereth them be|fore the Scotish
clergie, Aidan a godlie man telleth the cause of the peoples not
profiting by Cormans preaching, Aidan commeth into England to instruct
the people in the faith, he varieth in the obseruation of Easter from the
English churches custome, the Northumbers haue him & his doctrine
in reue|rence, Oswalds earnest zeale to further religion by Aidans
preaching and ministerie, 15000 baptised within 7 daies; Os|wald hath the
Britains, Scots, Picts, & English at his comman|dement, his
commendable deed of christian charitie, the West+saxons conuerted to the
faith by the preaching of Birinus, king Kinigils is baptised, he maketh
Birinus bishop of Dorcester, Penda king of Mercia maketh war against the
christian kings of the Westsaxons, both
sides after a bloudie battell fall to a|grement, Ercombert the first
English king that destroied idols throughout the whole land, he ordeineth
Lent; why English men became moonks, and English women nunnes in
mo|nasteries beyond the seas; why Penda king of Mercia enuieth vertuous
king Oswald, he is assaulted, slaine in battell, and canonized a saint
after his death. The xxix. Chapter.
- Oswie succeedeth Oswald in the king|dome of Northumberland, he is sore
vexed by Penda, Oswie and Oswin are partners in go|uernement, they fall
at strife, Oswin is betraeied into the hands of Oswie and slaine, a
commenda|tion of his personage and goodlie qualities, bishop Aidan
di|eth; Cenwalch king of the Westsaxons, Penda maketh warre against him
for putting away his wife, his flight, he becom|meth a christian and
recouereth his kingdome, bishop Agil|bert commeth into Westsaxon, and
afterwards departing (vpon occasion) is
made bishop of Paris, Wini buieth the bi|shoprike of London; Sigibert
king of the Eastangles, the vni|uersitie of Cambridge founded by him, he
resigneth his kingdome and becometh a moonke, he and his kins|man Egric
are slaine in a skirmish against Penda king of Mercia. The xxx.
Chapter.
- Anna king of Eastangles is slaine by Penda king of Mercia, his brother
succee|ding him is slaine also by Oswie king of Nor|thumberland, the
Mercians or Middle angles re|ceiue the faith vnder vertuous Peda their
prince, he requesteth Alchfled the king of Northumberlands daughter in
mariage, he is baptised by bishop Finnan, by whose meanes the Eastsaxons
imbraced christian religion vnder Sigibert their king, he is murthered of
two brethren that were his kinsmen vpon a conceiued hatred against him
for his good and christian life, how dan|gerous it is to keepe companie
with an excommunicate person, the authoritie of a bishop. The xxxj.
Chapter.
- Suidhelme king of the Eastsaxons, he is baptised, the bishoplike
exercises of Ced in his natiue countrie of Northumberland; E|diswald K.
of Deira reuerenceth him, the kings deuout mind to further and inlarge
religion; the ma|ner of consecrating a place appointed for a holie vse;
the old or|der of fasting in Lent, bishop Ced dieth; warre betweene
Os|wie and Penda, Oswie maketh a vow to dedicate his daughter a
perpetuall virgine to God if he got the victorie, he obteineth his
request and performeth his vow, she liueth, dieth, and is buried in a
monasterie, the benefit insuing Oswies conquest ouer his enimies, the
first second and third bishops of Mercia, the victorious pro|ceeding of
king Oswie prince Peada his kinsman murthered of his wife. The xxxij.
Chapter.
- The dukes of Mercia rebell against Os|wie, recouer their owne bounds,
and create Wulfhere their king; Cenwald king of the Westsaxons fighteth
with the Britaines and pre|uaileth, he is vanquished by Wulfhere;
Adelwold king of Sussex hath the Ile of Wight giuen him, and why;
suc|cession of Edelher, Edelwal, and Aldulfe in the kingdome of
Eastangles; Colman a Scot first made bishop of Northumber|land,
controuersie about the obseruation of Easter, about bald crownes or
shauing the haire, superstition punished by God, Ceadda bishop of Yorke,
his course of life and diligence in his office commended; Egbert king of
Kent, the see of Canturburie void, the preferment thereto refused,
Theodore a moonke sup|plieth the roome at the popes appointment, all the
English clergie obey him as their head, his visitation and re|formation,
singing vsed in churches, Theodore and Adrian woorthilie praised, English
men happie, glasiers first brought into this Iland. The xxxiij.
Chapter.
- Sighere and Sebbie associats reigne o|uer the Eastsaxons, the one
falleth from, the other cleaueth to the faith, Vulfhere king of Mercia
sendeth bishop Iaroman to redresse that apostasie of the prince and the
people, Cead bishop of Mercia, the king of that countrie hath him in hie
reputa|tion, Egfrid king of Northumberland, a synod of bishops holden at
Herford, articles propounded out of the canons by Theodore archbishop of
Canturburie, Bisi vnable to dis|charge his episcopall office, a remedie
therefore; Kenwalke of a very euill prince becometh a verie good ruler,
his wife go|uerneth the kingdome after his death, Escuius succeedeth hir
in the roome, of Thunnir a murtherer king Egberts principall vicegerent,
bishop Winfrid deposed for disobedience, Sebbie king of the Eastsaxons a
professed moonke, his death. The xxxiiij. Chapter.
- Edilred king of Mercia inuadeth the kingdome of Kent, and maketh great
waste without resistance of Lothaire the king there|of, Putta of a bishop
becommeth a poore curat and teacheth musicke, Wilfred deposed from his
bishop|rike by king Egfrid vpon displeasure, he preacheth the gospell in
Sussex by the licence of king Edilwalke no raine in Sussex for the space
of three yeeres, the woord and sacraments bring blessings with them;
bishop Wilfrid the first teacher to catch fish with nets, the people haue
him in great reuerence, a great and bloudie battell betweene Egfrid
& king Edil|red, they are reconciled by the meanes of archbishop
Theodore; a synod holden at Hatfield, the cler|gie subscribe to certeine
articles, of Hilda the famous abbesse of Whitbie. The xxxv.
Chapter.
- Cadwallader king of Britaine, the peo|ple are brought into great
miserie, and he forced to flee the land, he dieth at Rome, the British
writers noted of error, Ceadwalla king of the Westsaxons, the kingdome is
diuided; the valo|rous mind of Ceadwalla, he is forced to forsake his
countrie, he vanquisheth and killeth Edilwalke king of the Westsaxons,
his returne into his kingdome with reuenge vpon Berthun duke of Sussex
and other his heauie friends, his vow if he might con|quer the Ile of
Wight, his bountifull offer to bishop Wilfrid, the Ile of Wight,
receiueth the faith; Ceadwalla inuadeth
Kent, of a barbarous warriour he becommeth a religious chri|stian, his
vertues, his death and buriall at Rome; Egfrid king of Northumberland
inuadeth Ireland, he is slaine by Bru|deus king of the Picts; the neglect
of good counsell is dangerous; Etheldreda a wife and a widow (hauing
vowed chastitie) liued a virgine 12 yeeres with hir husband Egfride, she
was called saint Auderie of Elie. The xxxvj. Chapter.
- Alfride (the bastard) king of Northum|berland, his life and death,
Iohn archbishop of Canturburie reigneth his see, Lother king of Kent
dieth of a wound, Edrike getteth the re|giment thereof but not without
bloudshed, Cead|walla wasteth Kent being at strife in it selfe, his
brother Mollo burned to death; Withred made king of Kent, he vanquisheth
his enimies, Inas king of Westsaxons is made his friend, Sueb|hard and
Nidred vsurpers of the Kentish kingdome, the age and death of Theodore
archbishop of Canturbu|rie, Brightwald the first archbishop of the
Eng|lish nation; the end of the British regi|ment, and how long the
greatest part of this Iland was vnder their gouernement. The xxxvij.
Chapter.
- THE SIXT BOOKE of the Historie of England.
- Inas king of the Westsaxons, the whole monarchie of the realme falleth
into their hands, Inas for a summe of monie granteth peace to the
Kentishmen, whom he was purposed to haue destroied, he & his
coosen Nun fight with Ge|rent king of the Britains, and Cheolred king of
Mercia, and Ealdbright king of Southsaxons, the end of their kingdoms,
Inas giueth ouer his roialtie, goeth in pilgrimage to Rome, and there
dieth; his lawes written in the Saxon toong; of what buildings he was the
founder, queene Ethelburgas de|uise to
persuade Inas to forsake the world, he was the first pro|curer of Peter
pence to be paid to Rome; king Ethelred, king Kenred, and king Offa
become moonks; the setting vp of images in this land authorised by a
vision; king Ethelbalds exploits, he is slaine of his owne subiects by
the suggesti|on of Bernred the vsurper, Boniface his letter of
commendation to King Ethelbald, nuns kept for concubines, their
pilgrimage. The first Chapter.
- Offa king of the Eastsaxons with other go to Rome, he is shauen and
becommeth a moonke, succession in the kingdome of the Eastsaxons and
Eastangles, Osred king of Nor|thumberland hath carnall knowledge with
nuns, he is slaine in battell, Osrike renouncing his kingdome becom|meth
a moonke, bishop Wilfrid twise restored to his see, West|saxonie diuided
into two diocesses, bishop Aldhelme a founder of religious houses;
Ethelard succeedeth Inas in regiment, two blasing starres seene at once,
and what insued, the king di|eth: the successiue reigne of Wichtreds
three sonnes ouer Kent, what prouinces were gouerned by bishops; of what
puissance Ethelbald king of Mercia was, Egbert arch|bishop of Yorke
aduanceth his see; a notable remembrance of that excellent man Beda, his
death. The second Chapter.
- Cuthred king of the Westsaxons, he is greatlie troubled by Ethelbald
king of Mercia, they are pacified; Kenric king Cuth|reds sonne slaine,
earle Adelme rebelleth against him whom the king pardoneth; Cuthred
fighteth with Ethelbald at Hereford, he hath the victorie, he falleth
sicke and dieth; Sigebert succedeth him in the kingdome, he is cruell to
his people, he is expelled from his roiall estate, mur|ther reuenged with
murther, succession in the kingdome of Eastangles, kings change their
crownes for moonks cowles; the Britaines subiect to the king of
Northumberland and the king of Picts, the moone eclipsed. The third
Chapter.
- Offa king of Mercia, his manhood and victories against the Kentishmen
and Westsaxons, he killeth Egilbert king, of East|angles by a policie or
subtill deuise of profered cur|tesie, he inuadeth his kingdome, and
possesseth it, the archbishops see of Canturburie remoued to Lichfield;
archbi|shop Lambert laboring to defend his prerogatiue is depriued by
king Offa, he seizeth vpon churches and religious houses; mistrusting his
estate, he alieth himselfe with other prin|ces; he maketh amends for the
wrongs that he had doone to churches and religious houses, he goeth to
Rome, ma|keth his realme tributarie to the said see, Peter pence paid, he
falleth sicke and dieth, places to this day bearing his name in memo|rie
of him, the short reigne of his sonne. The fourth Chapter.
- Osulph king of Northumberland trai|torouslie murthered, Edilwald
succeedeth him, the reward of rebellion, a great mortali|tie of foules
fishes and fruits, moonkes licenced to drinke wine, great wast by fire,
Edelred king of Northumberland is driuen out of his countrie by two dukes
of the same, Ethelbert king of the Eastangles commended for his vertues,
Alfred the daughter of king Mercia is affianced to him, tokens of
missehaps towards him, his destruction inten|ded by queene Quendred, hir
platforme of the pactise to kill him, Offa inuadeth Ethelberts kingdome,
Alfred his betrothed wife taketh his death greuouslie, and becommeth a
nun, the decaie of the kingdome of Eastangles, succes|sion in the
regiment of the Westsaxons, the end of the gouernement of the Eastsaxons,
prince Algar is smitten blind for seeking to ra|uish virgine Friswide,
and at hir praiers restored to his sight. The fift Chapter.
- Kinewulfe king of Westsaxons, his con|quest ouer the Britains, his
securitie and negligence, he is slaine by conspirators, inquisi|tion for
Kineard the principall procurer of that mischiefe, he is slaine in fight;
legats from the pope to the kings and archbishops of this land about
reformation in the church, a councell holden at Mercia; iudge Bearne
burnt to death for crueltie, Alfwold reigneth ouer Northumber|land, his
owne subiects murther him; a booke of articles sent by Charles king of
France into Britaine quite contra|rie to the christian faith, Albinus
writeth a|gainst it; great waste by
tempests of wind and rage of fire. The sixt Chapter.
- Britricus K. of the Westsaxons, his in|clination, Egbert being of the
bloud roiall is banished the land, & why; crosses of bloudie
colour and drops of bloud fell from heauen, what they did prognosticate;
the first Danes that arriued on the English coasts, and the cause of
their comming: firie dra|gons flieng in the aire foretokens of famine and
warre; Bri|tricus is poisoned of his wife Ethelburga, hir ill qualities;
why the kings of the Westsaxons decreed that their wiues should not be
called queenes, the miserable end of Ethelburga; Ke|nulfe king of Mercia,
his vertues, he restoreth the archbishops see to Canturburie which was
translated to Lichfield, he inuadeth Kent, taketh the king prisoner in
the field, and bountifullie setteth him at libertie, the great ioy of the
people therevpon; his rare liberalitie to churchmen, his death and
buriall. The seuenth Chapter.
- Osrike king of Northumberland lea|ueth the kingdome to Edelbert
reuoked out of exile, king Alfwalds sons miserablie slaine, Osred is put
to death, Ethelbert putteth away his wife and marieth another, his people
rise against him therefore and kill him, Oswald succeeding him is driuen
out of the land; Ardulfe king of Northumberland, duke Wade raiseth warre
against him and is discomfited; duke Aldred is slaine; a sore battell
fought in Northumberland, the English men aflict one another with ciuill
warres; king Ardulfe depo|sed from his estate; the regiment of the
Northumbers refused as dangerous and deadlie by destinie, what befell
them in lieu of their disloialtie; the Danes inuade their land and are
van|quished; the roiall race of the Kentish kings deca
illegible
eth, the state of that kingdome; the primasie restored to the see
of Canturburie, Egbert (after the death of Britricus) is sent for to
vndertake the gouernement of the Westsax|ons, his linage. The eight
Chapter.
- Egbert reigneth ouer the Westsaxons, his practise or exercise in the
time of his exile, his martiall exploits against the Cornish|men and
Welshmen, Bernulfe king of Mercia ta|keth indignation at Egbert for the
inlarging of his roiall authoritie, they fight a sore battell, Egbert
ouercom|meth, great ods betweene their souldiers, bishop Alstan a
war|riour; Kent, Essex, Southerie, Sussex, and Eastangles subiect to
Egbert; he killeth Bernulfe K. of Mercia, and conquereth the whole
kingdome, Whitlafe the king thereof becommeth his tributarie, the Northumbers submit themselues to
Egbert, he conquereth Northwales and the citie of Chester, he is crow|ned
supreme gouernour of the whole land, when this Ile was called England,
the Danes inuade the land, they discomfit Egberts host, the Welshmen
ioine with the Danes against Egbert, they are both vanquished, Egbert
dieth. The ninth Chapter.
- The kingdome of Kent annexed to the kingdome of the Westsaxons, the
end of the kingdome of Kent and Essex; Kenelme king of Mercia murthered
by the meanes of his owne sis|ter Quendred, the order of hir wicked
practise; his death prophesied or foreshewed by a signe, the kings of
Mercia put by their roialtie one after another, the kingdome of Bri|taine
beginneth to be a monarchie; Ethelwulfe king of the Westsaxons, he
marrieth his butlers daughter, his disposition; the fourth destruction of
this land by forren enimies, the Danes sought the ruine of this Ile, how
long they afflicted and troubled the same; two notable bishops and verie
seruiceable to king Ethelwulfe in warre, the Danes discomfited, the
Eng|lishmen chased, Ethelwufs great victorie ouer the Danes, a great
slaughter of them at Tenet, king Ethelwulfs deuotion and liberalitie to
churches, Peter pence paid to Rome, he ma|rieth the ladie Iudith, his two
sonnes conspire (vpon oc|casion of breaking a law) to depose him, king
Ethel|wulfe dieth, his foure sonnes by his first wife Osburga, how he
bequeathed his kingdoms. The tenth Chapter.
- Bertwolfe king of Mercia tributarie to the Westsaxons, the fame of
Modwen an Irish virgine, she was a great builder of mona|steries, she had
the gift of healing diseases, Ethel|bald and Ethelbright diuide their
fathers kingdome betwixt them, Ethelbald marieth his mother, he dieth,
Win|chester destroied by the Danes, they plaied the trucebreakers and did
much mischiefe in Kent, Ethelbright dieth; Ethelred king of the
Westsaxons, his commendable qualities, his regi|ment was full of trouble,
he fought againt the Danes nine times in
one yere with happie successe, the kings of Mercia fall from their
sealtie and allegiance to Ethelred, Hungar & Vb|ba two Danish
capteines with their power lie in Eastan|gle, Osbright and Ella kings of
Northumberland slaine of the Danes in battell, they set Yorke on fire, a
commendation of bishop A|delstan, his departure out of this life. The
eleuenth Chapter.
- Burthred king of Mercia with aid be|seegeth the Danes in Notingham,
Bas
illegible
|reeg and Halden two Danish kings with their powers
illegible
the Westsax
illegible
they are incoun|tred by
illegible
ear
illegible
e of Ba
illegible
k
illegible
shire; King
illegible
giueth them and their cheefe guide a sore
illegible
, what Polydor Virgil recorder touching one
illegible
king of the Danes, and the warres that Ethelred had with them his
death; Edmuisd king of Eastangles giueth battell to the Danes, he
yeeldeth himselfe, and for christian religion sake is by them most
cruellie murthered, the kingdome of the Eastangles endeth, Guthran a Dane
gouerneth the whole countrie, K. Osbright rauisheth the wife of one
Bearne a noble man, a bloodie bat|tell insueth therevpon, wherein
Os|bright and Ella are slaine. The twelft Chapter.
- Alfred ruleth ouer the Westsaxons and the greatest part of England,
the Danes afflict him with sore warre, and cruellie make wast of his
kingdome, they lie at London a whole winter, they inuade Mercia, the king
whereof (Bur|thred by name) forsaketh his countrie and goeth to Rome, his
death and buriall; Halden king of the Danes diuideth Nor|thumberland
among his people; Alfred incountreth with the Danes vpon the sea, they
sweare to him that they will depart out of his kingdome, they breake the
truce which was made betwixt him and them, he giueth them battell, and
(besides a great discomfiture) killeth manie of their capteines, the
Danes and English fight neere Abington, the victorie vncerteine, seuen
foughten fieldes betwixt them in one yeare, the Danes soiourne at London.
The xiij. Chapter.
- Rollo a noble man of Denmarke with a fresh power entreth England, and
begin|neth to waste it, king Alured giueth him batell, Rollo saileth ouer
into France; who first inhabited Normandie, and whereof it tooke that
name; the Danes breake the peace which was made betwixt them and Alured,
he is driuen to his shifts by their inuasions into his kingdome, a vision
appeereth to him and his mother; king Al|ured disguising himselfe like a
minstrell entereth the Danish campe, marketh their behauiour vnsuspected,
assalteth them on the sudden with a
fresh power, and killeth manie of them at aduantage; the Deuonshire men
giue the Danes battell vnder the conduct of Haldens brother, and are
discomfited; Alured fighteth with them at Edanton, they giue him
ho|stages, Gurthrun their king is baptised and named A|del stan, a league
concluded betwixt both the kings, the bounds of Alureds kingdome. The
xiiij Chapter.
- Th'English called diuers people Danes whom the French named Normans,
wher|vpon that generall name was giuen them; Gur|mo Anglicus K. of Denmark, whose father Frotto was
baptised in England; the Danes besiege Roche|ster, Alfred putteth them to
flight, recouereth London out of their hands, and committeth it to the
custodie of duke El|dred his sonne in law; he assaulteth Hasting a
capteine of the Danes, causeth him to take an oth, his two sonnes are
baptised; he goeth foorth to spoile Alfreds countrie, his wife, children,
and goods, &c: are taken, and fauourablie giuen him a|gaine; the
Danes besiege Excester, they flie to their ships, gaine with great losse,
they are vanqui|shed by the Londoners, the death of Alfred, his issue male and female. The xv.
Chapter.
- How Elfleda king Alfreds daughter (being maried) contemned fleshlie
plea|sure; the praise of Alfred for
his good qualities, his lawes for the redresse of theeues, his diuiding
of countries into hundreds and tithings, of what mona|steries he was
founder, he began the foundation of the vniuer|sitie of Oxford, which is
not so ancient as Cambridge by 265 yeeres; king Alfred was learned, his
zeale to traine his people to lead an honest life, what learned men were
about him, the pitifull murthering of Iohn Scot by his owne scholers, how
Al|fred diuided the 24 houres of the day and the night for his
ne|cessarie purposes, his last will and bequests; the end of the kingdome
of Mercia, the Danes haue it in their hands, and dis|pose it as they list, Eastangle and Northumberland
are subiect vnto them, the Northumbers expell Egbert their king, his
death; the Danes make Guthred king of Northumberland, priuileges gran|ted
to S. Cuthberts shrine; the death of Guthred, and who succeeded him in
the seat roiall. The xvj. Chapter.
- Edward succeedeth his father Alured in regiment, he is disquieted by
his brother Adelwold a man of a defiled life, he flieth to the Danes and
is of them receiued, king Edwards prouision against the irruptions and
forraies of the Danes, Adelwold with a nauie of Danes entreth
Eastan|gles, the Essex men submit themselues, he inuadeth Mercia, and
maketh great wast, the Kentishmens disobedience preiu|diciall to
themselues, they and the Danes haue a great con|flict, king Edward
concludeth a truce with them, he maketh a great slaughter of them by his
Westsaxons and Mercians, what lands came to king Edward by the
illegible
eath of Edred duke of Mercia, he recouereth diuers places out of
the Danes hands, and giueth them manie a foile, what castels he builded,
he inuadeth Eastangles, putteth Ericke a Danish king therof to flight,
his owne subiects murther him for his crueltie, his kingdome returneth to
the right of king Edward with other lands by him thereto annexed, his
sister Elfleda gouerned the coun|trie of Mercia during hir life. The
xvij. Chapter.
- Elfleda the sister of king Edward high|lie commended for gouernment, what a ne|cessarie staie she
was vnto him in hir life time, what townes she builded and repared, hir
warlike exploits against the Danes, hir death and buriall; the greatest
part of Britaine in K. Edwards dominion, he is a great builder and
reparer of townes, his death, the dreame of his wife Egina, and the issue
of the same, what children king Ed|ward had by his wiues, and how they
were emploied, the decay of the church by the meanes of troubles procured
by the Danes, England first curssed and why; a prouinciall
councell summoned for the reliefe of
the churches ruine, Pleimond archbishop of Canturburie sent to Rome,
bishops ordei|ned in sundrie prouinces; dissention among writers what
pope should denounce the foresaid cursse; a succession of archbishops in
the see of Can|turburie, one brother killeth an other. The xviij.
Chapter.
- Adelstane succeedeth his father Ed|ward in the kingdome, Alfred
practising by treason to keepe him from the gouerne|ment, sanke downe
suddenlie as he was taking his oth for his purgation; the cause why
Alfred opposed himselfe against Adelstane, whose praise is notable, what
he did to satisfie the expectation of his people, ladie Beatrice king
Edwards daughter maried to Sithrike a Danish gouernor of the Northumbers,
by whose meanes Edwin king Edwards brother was drowned, practises of
treason, the ladie Beatrice strangelie put to death by hir stepsons for
being of coun|sell to poison hir husband Sithrike, hir death reuenged
vpon the tormentors by hir father king Edward, and how chronographers
varie in the report of this historie. The xix. Chapter.
- Adelstane subdueth Constantine king of Scots, Howell king of Wales,
and Wul|ferth king of Northwales, the Scots possesse a great part of the
north countries, Adelstane con|quereth the Scots for aiding Godfrie his
enimie; a miracle declaring that the Scots ought to obey the king of
Eng|land; king Adelstane banisheth his brother Edwin, he is for a
conspiracie drowned in the sea, Adelstane repenteth him of his rigour (in
respect of that misfortune) against his brother; Aulafe sometimes king of
Northumberland inuadeth Eng|land, he disguiseth himselfe like a minstrell
and surueieth the English campe vnsuspected, he is discouered after his
depar|ture, he assaileth the English campe, Adelstane being comfor|ted
with a miracle discomfiteth his enimies, he maketh them of Northwales his
tributaries, he subdueth the Cornish|men, his death; the description of
his person, his ver|tues, of what abbeis & monasteries he was
foun|der, his estimation in forren realmes, what pretious presents were
sent him from other princes, and how he bestowed them; a remembrance of
Guy the erle of Warwike. The xx. Chapter.
- Edmund succeedeth Adelstane in the kingdome, the Danes of
Northumberland rebell against him, a peace concluded betwene Aulafe their
king and king Edmund vpon con|ditions, Aulafe dieth, another of that name
succee|dethwithin with a rowe of gilt pauises. ¶In the daies him; king
Edmund subdueth the Danes, aud compel|leth them to receiue the christian
faith, Reinold and Aulafe are baptised, they violate their fealtie vowed
to king Ed|mund, they are put to perpetuall exile; why king Edmund wasted
all Northumberland, caused the eies of king Dun|mails sonnes to be put
out, and assigned the said countrie to Malcolme king of Scots; the
Scotish chroniclers error in per|uerting the time & order of the
English kings, king Edmunds lawes, by what misfortune he came to his end,
how his death was foreshewed to Dunstane in a vision, a tale of the
vertue of the crosse, Dunstane reproueth duke Elstane, his dreame, and
how the interpretation thereof came to passe. The xxj. Chapter.
- Edred succedeth his brother Edmund in the realme of England, the
Northum|bers rebell against him, they and the Scots sweare to be his true
subiects, they breake their oth and ioine with Aulafe the Dane, who
returneth into Northumberland, and is made king thereof, the people
expell him and erect Hericius in his roome, king Edred taketh reuenge on
the Northumbers for their disloialtie, the rere|ward of his armie is
assalted by an host of his enimies issuing out of Yorke, the Northumbers
submit themselues, and put a|waie
Hericius their king. Wolstane archbishop of Yorke pu|nished for his
disloialtie, whereto Edred applied himselfe af|terin the realme of
England, the Northum|bers the appeasing of ciuill tumults, his death and
buriall, a special signe of Edreds loue to Dunstane ab|bat of
Glastenburie, his practise of cou|senage touching king Edreds treasure.
The xxij. Chapter.
- Edwin succeedeth Edred in the king|dome of England, his beastlie and
incestu|ous carnalitie with a kinswoman of his on the verie day of his
coronation, he is reproued of Dun|stane and giueth ouer the gentlewomans
companie, Dunstane is banished for rebuking king Edwin for his vnlaw|full
lust and lewd life, the diuell reioised at his exile, what re|uenging
mischiefs the king did for displeasure sake against the said Dunstane in
exile, the middle part of England rebellethye haue heard. against king
Edwin, and erecteth his brother Edgar in roiall roome ouer them, he
taketh thought and dieth; Edgar succee|deth him, he is a fauourer of
moonks, his prouision for defense of his realme, his policie and
discretion in gouernment, what kings he bound by oth to be true vnto him,
eight princes row his barge in signe of submission, the vicious
inconueniences that grew among the Englishmen vpon his fauouring of the
Danes, a restraint of excessiue quaffing; Dunstane is made bishop of
Worcester and Ethelwold bishop of Win|chester; iustice in Edgars time
seuerelie executed, theft punished with death, a tribute of woolfs skins
paid him out of Wales, and the benefit of that tri|bute. The xxiij.
Chapter.
- The death of Alfred king Edgars wife (or concubine) causeth him to
fall into a fowle offense, an example teaching men to take heed how they
put others in trust to woo for them; earle Ethelwold cooseneth the king
of his wife, the danger of beholding a womans beautie with lustfull eies;
king Edgar killeth earle Ethelwold to marrie faire Al|fred his wife; the
bloudie and vnnaturall speach of Ethel|wolds base sonne; examples of king
Edgars great incontinen|cie and lewd
life; Dunstane putteth the king of penance for his vnchastitie, the
Welshmen rebell against him and are cor|rected, king Edgars vision before
his death, of what religious (or concubine) causeth him to fall into a
buildings he was founder, his example a spur to others to doo the like,
moonks esteemed and secular priests little regarded, king Edgars deformed
reformation, his vices, stature, and bo|dilie qualities, he offereth to
fight hand to hand with Ki|nadius king of Scots vpon occasion of words
euill taken, Kinadius submitteth himselfe and is par|doned; his wiues and
children, the good state of the realme
in king Edgars time, the amplenesse of his dominions. The xxiiij.
Chapter.
- Contention amongest the peeres and states about succession to the
crowne, the monkes remoued and the canons and secular priests restored by
Alfer duke of Mercia and his adherents, a blasing starre with the euents
insuing the same, the rood of Winchester speaketh, a prettie shift
of moonks to defeat the priests of
their possessions, the contro|uersie betweene the moonks and the priests
ended by a mira|cle of archbishop Dunstane, great hope that Edward would
tread his fathers steps, the reuerent loue he bare his stepmo|ther queene
Alfred and hir sonne Egelred, hir diuelish pur|pose to murther Edward hir
stepsonne accomplished, his ob|scure funerall in respect of pompe, but
famous by meanes of miracles wrought by and about his sepulture, queene
Alfred repenting hir of the said prepensed murther, dooth penance, and
imploieth hir substance in good woorkes as satisfactorie for hir sinnes, king Edwards bodie remoued, and
solemn|lie buried by Alfer duke of Mercia, who was eaten vp with lice for
being against the said Edwards aduancement to the crowne, queene Al|freds
offense by no meanes excusable. The xxv. Chapter.
- THE SEVENTH BOKE of the Historie of England.
- Egelred succeedeth Edward the martyr in the kingdome of Eng|land, the
decaie of the realme in his reigne, Dunstane refusing to consecrate him
is therevnto inforced, Dunstans prophe|sies of the English people and
Egelred their king, his slouth and idlenes accompanied with other vi|ces,
the Danes arriue on the coasts of Kent and make spoile of manie places; warre betwixt the king and the
bishop of Ro|chester, archbishop Dunstans bitter denunciation against the
king because he would not be pacified with the bishop of Ro|chester
without moncie; Dunstans parentage, his strange trance, and what a
woonderfull thing he did during the time it lasted, his education and
bringing vp, with what good quali|ties he was indued, an incredible tale
of his harpe, how he was reuoked from louing and lusting after women
whereto he was addicted, his terrible dreame of a rough beare, what
preferments he obteined by his skill in the expounding of
dreames. The first Chapter.
- The Danes inuade England on each side, they are vanquished by the
English, Goda earle of Deuonshire slaine; the Danes in a battell fought
at Maldon kill Brightnod earle of Essex and the most of this armie, ten
thousand pounds paid to them by composition that they should not trouble
the English subiects, they cease their crueltie for a time, but with|in a
while after fall to their bloudie bias, the English people despaire to
resist them; Egelred addresseth a nauie against the Danes vnder the erles
Alfrike and Turold, Alfrike traitorous|lie taketh part with the Danes, his ship and souldiers are taken, his
sonne Algar is punished for his fathers offense, the Danes make great
wast in many parts of this Iland, they besiege Lon|don and are repelled
with dishonor, they driue king Egelred to buy peace of them for 16000
pounds; Aulafe king of Nor|wey is honorablie interteined of Egelred, to
whome he promiseth at his baptisme neuer to make warre a|gainst England,
the great zeale of people in setting forward the building of Dur|ham
towne and the minster. The second Chapter.
- The Danes inuading the west parts of this land make great hauocke by
fire and sword, they arriue at Rochester, and conquer the Kentishmen in
field, king Egelred ouercom|meth the
Danes that inhabited Cumberland and wasteth the countrie, the
Summersetshire men are foiled; the miserable state of the realme in those
daies; the English bloud mixed with the Danes and Britaines, and what
inconuenien|ces grew thervpon, the disordered gouernement of king
Egel|red, sicknesses vexing the people, treason in the nobles, the
tribute paid to the Danes vnmercifullie inhansed, the realme brought to
beggerie; king Egelred by politike persuasion and counsell marrieth Emma
the duke of Normandies daugh|ter, vpon what occasion the Normans
pretended a title to the crowne of England, they conquer the whole land,
what order king Egelred tooke to kill all the Danes within his
king|dome, and what rule they bare in
this realme yer they were murdered, the thraldome of the Eng|lish people
vnder them, whereof the word Lordane sprang. The third Chapter.
- A fresh power of Danes inuade Eng|land to reuenge the slaughter of
their coun|trimen that inhabited this Ile, the west parts betraied into
their hands by the conspiracie of a Norman that was in gouernement, earle
Edrike fei|ned himselfe sicke when king Egelred sent vnto him to leuie a
power against the Danes, and betraieth his people to the enimies; Sweine
king of Denmarke arriueth on the coast of Northfolke, and maketh pitifull
spoile by fire and sword; the truce taken betweene him and Vikillus is
violated, and what reuengement followeth; king Sweine forced by famine
re|turneth into his owne countrie, he arriueth againe at Sand|wich, why
king Egelred was vnable to preuaile against him, the Danes ouerrun all
places where they come and make cruell waste, king Egelred paieth him
great summes of monie for peace; the mischiefes that light vpon a land by
placing a traitorous stranger in gouernement, how manie acres a hide of
land conteineth, Egelreds order taken for ships and ar|mour, why his
great fleet did him little pleasure; a fresh host of Danes vnder three
capteines arriue at Sandwich, the citizens of Canturburie for monie
purchase safetie, the faithlesse dealing of Edrike against king E|gelred
for the enimies aduantage, what places the Danes ouerran and wasted. The
fourth Chapter.
- King Egelred offereth the Danes great summes of moneie to desist from
destroieng his countrie, their
vnspeakable crueltie, bloud|thir stinesse, and insatiable spoiling of
Canturbu|rie betraied by a churchman; their merciles murthe|ring of
Elphegus archbishop of Canturburie, Turkillus the Dane chiefe lord of
Norfolke and Suffolke, a peace concluded betweene the Danes and the
English vpon hard conditi|ons; Gunthildis a beautifull Danish ladie and
hir husband slaine, hir courage to the death. The fift Chapter.
- Turkillus the Danish capteine telleth
king Swaine the faults of the king, nobles, & commons of this
realme, he inuadeth Eng|land, the Northumbers and others submit
them|selues to him, Danes receiued into seruice vnder E|gelred, London
assalted by Swaine, the citizens behaue them|selues stoutlie, and giue
the Danish host a shamefull repulse, Ethelmere earle of Deuonshire and
his people submit them|selues to Swaine, he returneth into Denmarke,
commeth back againe into England with a fresh power, is incountred
withall of the Englishmen, whose king
Egelred is discomfited, his o|ration to his souldiers touching the
present reliefe of their di|stressed land, their resolution and full
purpose in this their perplexitie, king Egrlred is minded to giue place
to Swaine, lie sendeth his wife and children ouer into Norman|die, the
Londoners yeeld vp their state to Swaine, Egelred saileth ouer into
Normandie, leauing his land to the enimie. The sixt Chapter.
- Swaine king of Denmarke is reputed king of this land, he oppresseth
the English people cruellie, and spoileth religious houses, the strange
and miraculous slaughter of Swaine vaunting of his victories; the Danish
chronicles write parciallie of him and his end, Cnute succeedeth his
father Swaine in regiment, the Englishmen send king Egelred woord of
Swaines death, Edward king Egelreds eldest sonne com|meth ouer into
England to know the state of the countrie and people of certeintie;
Egelred with his power returneth into England; what meanes Cnute made to
establish himselfe king of this land, and to be well thought of among the
English peo|ple, Egelred burneth vp Gainesbrough, and killeth the
inha|bitants therof for their disloialtie; Cnutes flight to Sandwich, his
cruel decree against the English pledges, he returneth in|to Denmarke,
why Turkillus the Danish capteine with his power compounded with the
Englishmen to tarrie in this land, his faithlesse seruice to Egelred, his
drift to make the whole realme subiect to the Danish thraldome. The
seuenth Chapter.
- A great waste by an inundation or in|breaking of the sea, a tribute of
30000 pounds to the Danes, king Egelred holdeth a councell at Oxford,
where he causeth two noble men of the Danes to be murdered by treason,
Ed|mund the king: eldest sonne marieth one of their wiues, and seizeth
vpon his
illegible
lands; Cnute the Damsn king returneth into England, the Damsn and
English armies en|counter, both
illegible
; Cnute maketh waste of certeine
illegible
, Edmund preuenteth
illegible
purposed treason, Edrike de
Streona
illegible
to the Danes, the Westernemen yeeld to Cnute; Mercia refuseth to
be subiect vnto him, Warwikeshire wasted by the Danes; Egelred assembleth
an armie against them in vaine; Edmund & Vtred with ioined forces
lay waste such countries and people as became subiect to Cnute; his
policie to preuent their purpose, through what countries he passed, Vtred
submitteth himselfe to Cnute, and deliuereth pledges, he
illegible
put to death and his lands alienated, Cnute pur|sueth Edmund to
London, and prepareth to besiege the citie, the death and buriall of
Egelred, his wiues, what issue he had by them, his infortunatenesse, and
to what af|fections and vices he was inclined, his too late and bootlesse
seeking to releeue his decaied kingdome.
The eight Chapter.
- Edmund Ironside succedeth his father in the kingdome, the spiritualtie
fauouring Cnute would haue him to be king, the Londo|ners are his backe
friends, they receiue Edmund their king honorablie and ioifullie, Cnute
is proclai|med king at Southampton, manie of the states cleaue vnto him,
he besiegeth London by water and land, the citizens giue him the foile,
he incountreth with king Edmund and is discomfi|ted, two battels fought
betweene the Danes and English with equall fortune and like successe, the
traitorous stratagem of E|drike the Dane, king Edmund aduisedlie
defeateth Edriks tre|cherie, 20000 of both armies slaine, Cnute marching
towards London is pursued of Edmund, the Danes are repelled, in|countred,
and vanquished; queene Emma prouideth for the safetie of hir sonnes; the
Danes seeke a pacification with Edmund, thereby more easilie to betraie
him; Cnute with his armie lieth neere Rochester, king Edmund pursueth
them, both armies haue a long and a sore conflict, the Danes
discom|fited, and manie of them slaine; Cnute with his power assem|ble at
Essex and there make waste, king Edmund pursueth them, Edrike
traitorouslie reuolteth from the English to suc|cour the Danes, king
Edmund is forced to get him out of the field, the Englishmen put to their
hard shifts and slaine by heapes; what noble personages were killed in
this battell, of two dead bodies latelie found in the place where this
hot and heauie skirmish was fought. The ninth Chapter.
- London & other great cities & townes submit themselues
to Cnute, be hasteth af|ter Edmund with his power, both their armies
being readie to incounter by occasion are staied, the oration of a
capteine in the hearing of both hosts; the title and right of the realme
of England is put to the triall of combat betweene Cnute and Edmund,
Cnute is ouermat
illegible
ched, his woords to king Edmund, both kings are pacified
and their armies accorded, the realme
diuided betwixt Cnute and Edmund, king Edmund traitorouslie slaine, the
dissonant re|port of writers touching the maners of his death and both
the kings dealing about the partition of the realme, Cnute causeth Edrike
to be slaine for procuring king Edmunds death, where|in the reward of
treason is noted; how long king Edmund reigned, and where he was buried,
the eclipsed state of England after his death, and in whose time it
recouered some part of it brightnesse. The tenth Chapter.
- Cnute vndertaketh the totall regiment of this land, he assembleth a
councell at London, the nobles doo him homage, he diui|deth the realme
into foure parts to be gouerned by his assignes; Edwin and Edward the
sonnes of Edmund are banished, their good fortune by honorable maria|ges,
King Cnute marieth queene Emma the widow of Egel|red, the wise and
politike conditions wherevpon this mariage was concluded, the English
bloud restored to the crowne and the Danes excluded, queene Emma praised
for hir high wise|dome in choosing an
enimie to hir husband; Cnute dismisseth the Danish armie into Denmarke;
Edrike de Streona bewrai|eth his former trecherie, and procureth his owne
death through rashnesse and follie, the discordant report of writers
touching the maner & cause of his death, what noble men were
executed with him, and banished out of England, Cnute a monarch. The xj.
Chapter.
- Cnute saileth into Denmarke to sub|due the Vandals, earle Goodwins
good ser|uice with the English against the said Vandals, and what benefit
accrewed vnto the English|men by the said good seruice, he returneth into
Eng|land after the discomfiture of the enimie, he saileth ouer a|gaine
into Denmarke and incountreth with the Sweideners, the occasion of this
warre or incounter taken by Ola
illegible
us, his hard hap, vnluckie fortune, and wofull death wrought by the
hands of his owne vnnaturall subiects; Cnuts con|fidence in the
Englishmen, his deuour voiage to Rome, his returne into England, his
subduing of the Scots, his death and interrement. The twelfth
Chapter.
- The trespuissance of Cnute, the am|plenesse of his dominions, the good
and cha|ritable fruits of his voiage to Rome redoun|ding to the common
benefit of all trauellers from England thither, with what great
personages he had conference, and the
honour that was doone him there, his in|tollerable pride in commanding
the waters of the flouds not to rise, he humbleth himselfe and confesseth
Christ Iesus to be king of kings, he refuseth to weare the crowne during
his life, he reproueth a gentleman flatterer, his issue legiti|mate and
illegitimate, his inclination in his latter yeares, what religious places
he erected, repaired, and inriched; what notable men he fauoured and
reuerenced, his lawes; and that in causes as well ecclesiasticall as
tempo|porall he had cheefe and sole gouernement in this land, whereby the
popse vsurped title of vniuersall
supremasie is impeached. The xiij. Chapter.
- Variance amongest the peeres of the realme about the roiall
succession, the king|dome is diuided betwixt Harold the bastard sonne and
Hardicnute the lawfullie begotten son of king Cnute late deceassed,
Harold hath the totall regiment, the authoritie of earle Goodwine gardian
to the queenes sonnes, Harold is proclaimed king, why Elnothus did
stoutlie refuse to consecrate him, why Harold was surnamed Harefoot, he
is supposed to be a shoomakers sonne, and how it came to passe that he was counted king Cnutes bastard;
Al|fred challengeth the crowne from Harold, Goodwine (vnder colour of
friendlie interteinment) procureth his retinues vt|ter vndooing, a
tithing of the Normans by the poll, whether Alfred was interessed in the
crowne, the trecherous letter of Harold written in the name of queene
Emma to hir two sons in Normandie, wherevpon Alfred commeth ouer into
Eng|land, the vnfaithfull dealing of Goodwine with Alfred and his people,
teaching that in trust is treason, a reseruation of euerie tenth norman,
the remanent slaine, the lamentable end of Al|fred, and with what
torments he was put to death; Harold banisheth queene Emma out of
England, he dege|nerateth from his
father, the short time of his reigne, his death and buriall. The xiiij.
Chapter.
- Hardicnute is sent for into England to be made king; alteration in the
state of Norwaie and Denmarke by the death of king Cnute, Hardicnute is
crowned, he sendeth for his mother queene Emma, Normandie ruled by the
French king, Hardicnute reuengeth his mother exile vpon the dead bodie of
his stepbrother Harold, queene Emma and erle Goodwine haue the gouernment
of things in their hands, Hardicnute leuieth a sote tribute vpon his
subiects; contempt of officers & deniall of a prince his tribute
sharpelie punished; prince Edward commeth into England; the bishop of
Wor|cester accused and put from his see for being accessarie to the
murthering of Alfred, his restitution procured by contributi|on; Earle
Goodwine being accused for the same trespasse ex|cuseth himselfe, and
iustifieth his cause by swearing, but speci|allie by presenting the king
with an inestimable gift; the cause why Goodwine purposed Alfreds death;
the English peoples care about the succession to the crowne, moonke
Brightwalds dreame and vision touching that matter; Hardicnute poisoned
at a bridall, his conditions, speciallie his hospitalitie, of him the
Englishmen learned to eate and drinke im|moderatlie, the necessitie of
sobrietie, the end of the Danish regiment in this land, and when they
began first to inuade the English coasts. The xv. Chapter.
- THE EIGHT BOOKE of the Historie of England.
- Edward the third of that name is cho|sen king of England by a generall
consent, ambassadours are sent to attend him home|wardes to his kingdome,
and to informe him of his election, William duke of Normandie
accompani|eth him, Edward is crowned king, the subtill ambition or
am|bitious subtiltie of earle Goodwine in preferring Edward to the crowne and betraieng Alfred; the Danes
expelled and rid out of this land by decree; whether earle Goodwine was
guil|tie of Alfreds death, king Edward marieth the said earles daughter,
he forbeareth to haue carnall knowledge with hir, and why? he vseth his
mother queene Emma verie hardlie, accusations brought against hir, she is
dispossessed of hir goods, and imprisoned for suffering bishop Alwine to
haue the vse of hir bodie, she purgeth and cleareth hir selfe after a
strange sort, hir couetousnesse: mothers are taught (by hir example) to
loue their children with equalitie: hir liberall deuotion to Winchester
church cleared hir from infamie of couetous|nesse, king Edward loued hir
after hir purgation, why Robert archbishop of Canturburie fled out of England into Nor|mandie. The first
Chapter.
- Why Robert archbishop of Canturbu|rie (queene Emmas heauie friend)
fled out of England, the Normans first entrance into this countrie,
dearth by tempests, earle Goodwines sonne banished out of this land, he
returneth in hope of the kings fauour, killeth his coosen earle Bearne
for his good will and forwardnes to set him in credit againe, his flight
into Flanders, his returne into England, the king is pacified with him;
certeine Danish rouers arriue at Sandwich, spoile the coast, inrich
themselues with the spoiles, make sale of their get|tings, and returne to
their countrie; the Welshmen with their princes rebelling are subdued,
king Edward keepeth the seas on Sandwich side in aid of Baldwine earle of
Flanders, a blou|die fraie in Canturburie betwixt the earle of Bullongne
and the townesmen, earle Goodwine fauoureth the Kentishmen a|gainst the
Bullongners, why he refuseth to punish the Cantur|burie men at the kings
commandement for breaking the kings peace; he setteth the king in a
furie, his suborned excuse to shift off his comming to the assemblie of
lords conuented a|bout the foresaid broile; earle Goodwine bandeth
himselfe a|gainst the king, he would haue the strangers deliuered into
his hands, his request is denied; a battell readie to haue bene fought
betweene him and the king, the tumult is pacified and put to a parlement,
earle Goodwines retinue forsake him; he, his sonnes, and their wiues take
their flight beyond the seas. The second Chapter.
- Goodwine and his sonnes are proclai|med outlawes, their lands are
giuen from them, king Edward putteth awaie the queene his wife who was
earle Goodwines daughter, she cleareth hir selfe at the houre of hir
death from suspi|cion of incontinencie and lewdnesse of life, why king
Edward forbare to haue fleshlie pleasure with hir; earle Goodwine and his
sonnes take preies on the coasts of Kent and Sussex; Grif|fin king of
Wales destroieth a great part of Herefordshire, and giueth his
incounterers the ouerthrow; Harold and Leofwine two brethren inuade
Dorset and Summerset shires, they are resisted, but yet preuaile, they
coast about the point of Corn|wall and ioine with their father Goodwine,
king Edward ma|keth out threescore armed ships against them, a thicke
mist se|parateth both sides being readie to graple and fight, a
pacifica|tion betweene the king and earle Goodwine, he is restored to his
lands and libertie, he was well friended, counter|pledges of agreement
interchangablie deliuered; Swanus the eldest sonne of Goodwine a nota|ble
rebell and pirat, his troubled consci|ence, his wicked life and wret|ched
death. The third Chapter.
- At what time William duke of Nor|mandie came ouer into England, king
Ed|ward promiseth to make him his heire to the kingdom and crowne, the
death of queene Emma, earle Goodwine being growne in fauor againe
see|keth new reuenges of old grudges, causing archbishop Robert and
certeine noble Normans his aduersaries to be banished; Stigand intrudeth
himselfe into archbishop Roberts see, his si|monie and lacke of learning;
what maner of men were thought meet to be made bishops in those daies,
king Edward begin|neth to prouide for the good and prosperous state of
his king|dome, his consideration of lawes made in his predecessours times
and abused; the lawes of S. Edward vsuallie called the common lawes, how,
whereof, and wherevpon institured; the death of earle Goodwine being
sudden (as some say) or natu|rall (as others report) his vertues and
vices, his behauiour and his sonnes vpon presumption and will in the time
of their authorities; his two wiues and children; the sudden and
dreadfull death of his mother; hir selling of the beautifull youth male
and female of this land to the Danish people. The fourth Chapter.
- Edward earle of Northumberland dis|comfiteth Mackbeth the vsurper of
the Scotish kingdome and placeth Malcolme in the same, a controuersie whether Siward were at this
discomfiture or no; his stout words when he heard that one of his sonnes
was slaine in the field, bishop Al|dred is sent to fetch home Edward the
sonne of K. Edmund Ironside into England; earle Algar being banished
ioineth with the Welshmen against the English and Normans, and getteh the
victorie; Harold the son of earle Goodwine putteth earle Algar &
his retinue to their shifts by pursute, pacifica|tion betweene the
generals of both armies, their hosts, Si|ward earle of Northumberland
dieth; his giantlike sta|ture, his couragious heart at the time of his
de|ceasse, why Tostie one of Goodwins
sonnes succeeded him in the earle|dome. The fift Chapter.
- Edward the sonne of Edmund Iron|side is sent for to be made heire
apparant to crowne, his death, the deceasse of Leofrike earle of Chester,
the vertues and good deeds of him and his wife Gudwina, Couentrie free
from cu|stome and toll, churches and religious places builded and
re|pared, Algar succeedeth his father Leofrike in the earledome, he is
accused of treason and banished, he recouereth his earle|dome by force of
armes; Harold is sent with a power against Griffin king of Wales; the
countrie wasted, and the people forced
to yeeld, they renounce Griffin their king, kill him, and send his head
to Harold, Griffins brethren rule Wales af|ter him by grant of king
Edward; Harolds infortunate going ouer into Normandie, the earle of
Ponthieu taketh him pri|soner, and releaseth him at the request of
William duke of Normandie, for whose vse Harold sweareth to keepe
possession of the realme of England, the duke promiseth him his daughter
in mariage. The sixt Chapter.
- Harold at his returne into England re|porteth to K. Edward what he had
doone beyond the seas, and what the king said vnto him in that behalfe,
who foresaw the comming of the Normans
into this land to conquer it; when and why king Edward promised to make
duke William his heire, (wherein note his subtiltie) diffention betwixt
Harold and To|stie two brethren the sonnes of earle Goodwine, their
vnnatu|rall and cruell dealing one with another, speciallie of the
ab|hominable and merciles murthers committed by Tostie, a|gainst whome
the Northumbers rebell vpon diuerse occasi|ons, and reward him with
answerable reuengement; Harold is sent against them, but preuaileth not;
they offer to returne home if they might haue a new gouernor; they
renounce To|stie and require Marchar in his roome, Tostie displeased
get|teth him into Flanders; king Edward dieth, his manners and
disposition note woorthie, his charitie and deuotion, the
ver|tue of curing the maladie called
the kings euill deriued from him to the succeeding kings of this land, he
was warned of his death by a ring, he is canonized for a saint, the last
woords that he spake on his death-bed, wherein he vttered to the standers
by a vision, prophesieng that England should be inhabited with strangers,
a description of the kings person, of a blasing starre fore-telling his
death, the progenie of the West|saxon kings, how long they continued, the
names of their predecessors and successors; whence the first kings of
seuen kingdoms of Germanie had their pede|gree, &c. The seuenth Chapter.
- The peeres are in doubt to whome the rule of the land should be
committed, why they durst not that Edgar Edeling should vn|dertake it
though he was interessed to the same, how William duke of Normandie
pretended a right to the crowne, Harold the sonne of earle Goodwine
crowned, proclaimed, and consecrated king; his subtill and
adulatorie meanes to win the peoples
fauour; duke William sendeth am|bassadors to Harold to put him in mind of
a promise passed to the said duke for his furtherance to obteine the
crowne; Ha|rolds negatiue answer to the said ambassage, as also to the
ma|rieng of the dukes daughter which was Harolds owne voluntarie motion;
he prouideth against the inua|sions of the enimie as one doubting
after|claps, a blasing starre of seuen daies continuance. The eight
Chapter.
- Earle Tostie afflicteth his brother Ha|rold on sea and land, he taketh
the repulse, and persuadeth Harfager king of Norwe
illegible
e to attempt the conquest of England against Harold, Harfager
& Tostie with their powers arriue at Hum|ber, they fight with the
Northumbers vnder the conduct of Edwine and Marchar, and discomfit them;
Harold leuieth an armie against them, the rare valiantnes of a Norwegian
souldior; Harfager and Tostie slaine in battell; the Norwegians are
foiled and flie; Harolds vne|quall and parciall diuiding of the spoile,
he goeth to Yorke to reforme things amisse. The ninth Chapter.
- William duke of Normandie prepa|reth to inuade England and to conquere
it, the earle of Flanders and the French king assist him, the number of
his ships, his arriuall at Peuen|sey in Sussex, vpon what occasions he
entred this realme; the pope liked well duke Williams attempt, why king
Harold was hated of the whole court of Rome; why duke Wil|liam would not
suffer his souldiers to wast the countries where they came; Harold goeth
towards his enimies, why his vn|skilfull espials tooke the Normans (being
old beaten souldi|ers) for priests; Girth dissuadeth his brother Harold
from present incountering with the duke; where note the conscience that
is to be had of an oth, and that periurie can not scape vnpunished. The
tenth Chapter.
- After peace offered & refused on each side, both armies meete
in the field, the or|der of the Englishmens attire & arraie, the
ma|ner how the Normans were placed to fight in bat|tell; the dissolute
and
illegible
behauior of
illegible
. En|glishmen the night before the incounter farre deffering from
the Normans deuout demenour; duke Williams speech
illegible
pon occasion of wrong putting on his armour, the battell, betwixt
him and king Harold is valiantlie tried, the English by duke Williams
politike strategem are deceiued, king Harold slaine, his armie put to
flight and manie of them slaine after a long and bloudie incounter, manie
of the Normans, pursuing the English ouerhastilie procure their owne
death, they take the spoile of the English, the dead bodies of both
armies are licen|ced to be buried; the differing reports of writers
touching the maner of Harolds death, a description of his person, his
ambi|tion did him much hurt and hinderance, the number that were slaine
on both sides, his bodie buried at a Waltham, nothing dis|praise
woorthie in him but his ambitious mind, a view of his valiantnesse in a
conflict against the VVelshmen, his rigorous or rather pitilesse handling
of them, his seuere law or decree touching their bounds, they are
vtterlie subdued, and (by the kings leaue) the VVelshwomen marrie with
the Englishmen, the Saxon line ceasseth, how long it lasted, and how long
it was disconti|nued by the inuasion of the Danes. The eleuenth
Chapter.
- The rule of this realme by Gods pro|uidence allotted to duke William,
his des|cent from Rollo the first duke of Normandie downewards to his
particular linage, he was base begotten vpon the bodie of Arlete duke
Roberts concubine, a pleasant speech of hirs to duke Robert on a time
when he was to haue the vse of hir person, a conclusion
in|troductorie for the sequele of the
chronicle from the said duke of Normandies coronation, &c: with a
summarie of the no|table conquests of this Iland. The twelfe
Chapter.
Volume 3
-
Front Matter:
Body Text:
- A TREATISE CON|teining a plaine and perfect description of Ire|land, with
an Introduction to the better vnderstan|ding of the histories
apperteining to that Iland: compiled by Richard Stanihurst.
- The names of Ireland, with the com|passe of the same, also what
shires or coun|ties it conteineth, the diuision or partition
of the land, and of the language of the people. The
first chapter.
- Of the nature of the soile, and
other incidents. The second chapter.
- The names of the ciuities, boroughs and hauen townes in
Ireland.
The third chapter.
- Of the strange and woonderfull places in Ireland. The fourth
chapter.
- Of the lords spirituall of Ireland, their names and
dignities. The fift chapter.
- The lords temporall, as well English as Irish, which inhabit the
countrie of Ireland. The sixt chapter.
- The names or surnames of the lear|ned
men and authors of Ireland, and what bookes they wrote. The
seuenth chapter.
- The disposition and maners of the meere Irish, commonlie
called the wild Irish. The eight chapter.
- The first inhabitation of Ireland, by whome it vvas instructed in the
faith, with the seuerall inuasions of the same, &c.
The authors preface or introduction to the sequele of the
historie.
- THE FIRST INHABI|tation of Ireland, &c.
- The names of the gouernors, lieu|tenants, lord iustices, and deputies of
Ireland, since the conquest thereof by king Henrie the second.
-
The names of all the lords deputies and iustices in Ireland, since
the death of king Henrie the eight 1546, who died in Ianuarie.
- TO THE RIGHT WOR|thie and honorable gentleman sir Walter Raleigh knight,
seneschall of the duchies of Cornewall and Excester, and lord warden of
the stannaries in Deuon and Cornewall: Iohn Hooker wisheth a
long, a happie, and a prosperous life, with the increase of
honour.
- The first preface of Giraldus Cam|brensis vnto his historie of the
conquest of Ireland.
- The second preface of Giraldus Cambrensis vnto the noble Earle of
Poitiers.
- To his most reuerend lord and belo|ued in Christ, Iohn the noble and
worthie king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandie and of
Aquitaine, and earle of Aniou: Giraldus offereth this his simple worke,
and wisheth all health both of bodie and of soule, and a prosperous
successe in all things according to his hearts desire.
- SYLVESTER GIRAL|dus Cambrensis, his vaticinall historie of the Conquest
of Ireland. The figures of (1) (2) (3) &c: set before certeine
words of the chapters, are to be conferred with the like in the scholies or
interpre|tations following euerie chapter, whereby the authors meaning is
opened: this by the waie of a necessarie caueat to the reader in
breuitie.
- How Dermon Mac Morogh king of Leinster fled out of his countrie
vnto Henrie the second king of England for aid and
succour. Chap. 1.
- The returne of Dermon Mac Morogh from king Henrie through England,
and of his abode at Bristow and other places in Wales.
Chap. 2.
- The going ouer and landing of Ro|bert Fitzstephans and of his
companie in Ireland, and of the winning of the towne of
Wexford, Cap. 3.
- Of the ouerthrow giuen in Ossorie, and of the submission of
the king thereof. Chap. 4.
- The conspiracie of Rothorike mo|narch of Ireland, and of the
residue of the princes against Mac Mo|rogh and
Fitzstephans. Chap. 5.
- The description of Dermon Mac Mo|rogh, and of the message of
Rothorike O Connor sent vnto him for peace. Cap. 6.
- The speeches and oration which Rothorike O Connor made vnto
his soldiors. Chap. 7.
- The oration and speeches of Mac Mo|rogh to his souldiors and
people. Cap. 8.
- The oration of Robert Fitzstephans
illegible
his companions and souldiers.
Chap. 9.
- How Rothorike intreateth for peace and obteineth the same.
Chap. 10.
- Of the comming of Maurice
illegible
illegible
illegible
illegible
illegible
. Chap. 11.
- Dermon Mac Morogh sendeth for the earle Richard, who foorthwith
maketh great pre|paration for his comming. Chap. 12.
- Of the arriuall of Reimond le grosse in|to Ireland, and of the
fight which he had against the Waterford men at Dundorogh. Chap.
13.
- The oration of Reimond for the deliuerie of the prisoners
taken. Chap. 14.
- The oration or speech which Herueie made. Chap. 15.
- The comming ouer of Richard Strang|bow earle of Chepstow into
Ireland, and of the taking of the citie of Waterford. Chap.
16.
- The besieging and taking of the citie of Dublin. Chap.
17.
- The councell or synod kept at Armagh. Chap. 18.
- The proclamation of king Henrie the second against the earle, and
of the sending of Reimond to the king. Chap. 19.
- The departure of Reimond to the king, and the death of Dermon
Mac Morogh. Chap. 20.
- The ouerthrow giuen to Hasculphus and the Easterlings or
Norwaie|men at Dublin. Chap. 21.
- Rothorike prince of Connagh and Gotred king of Man do
be|siege the citie of Dublin. Chap. 22.
- The oration of Maurice Fitzgerald. Chap. 23.
- The oration of Reimond. Chap. 24.
- How Rothorike of Connagh, and all his whole armie was
discomfited. Chap. 25.
- The guilefull and treacherous taking of Robert Fitzstephans at the
K
illegible
ecke. Cap. 26.
- The description of Robert Fitzstephans. Chap. 27.
- The description of the earle Strangbow. Chap. 28.
- The earle leauing Wexford vpon the newes that Fitzstephans was in
hold, went to Waterford, and from thence sailed into England,
& was reconciled to the king. Chap. 29.
- Ororike prince of Meth besieging Du|blin, is driuen off by Miles
Cogan, and hath the woorst side. Chap. 30.
- The comming of king Henrie into
Ireland. Chap. 31.
- The citizens of Wexford present vnto the king Robert Fitzstephans,
and sundrie princes of Ireland come and submit themselues to
the king. Chap. 32.
- Rothorike O Connor the monarch and all the princes in Vlster
submit and yeeld themselues vnto the king, as he pas|seth
towards Dublin. Chap. 33.
- The councell or synod kept at Cashill. Chap. 34.
- Constitutions made at the coun|cell
of Cashill. Chap. 35.
- The tempestuous and stormie winter. Chap. 36.
- The conspiracie made against the king by his sonnes, and the
ambassage of the le|gat from the pope vnto him. Chap. 37.
- The king returneth homewards through Westwales, and of the
speaking stone at saint Dauids. Chap. 38.
- The submission of king Henrie to the pope, and his reconciliation,
as also the agreement betweene him and the French king.
Chap. 39.
- The vision which appeared vnto the king at his being at
Cardiffe. Chap. 40.
- The treason and killing of Ororike
prince of Meth. Chap. 41.
- Sundrie examples concerning visions. Chap. 42.
- The description of Maurice Fitzgerald. Chap. 43.
- The first dissention betweene the king and his sonnes. Chap.
44.
- Of the victories of king Henrie the second. Chap. 45.
- The description of king Henrie
the second. Chap. 46.
- SYLVESTER GIRAL|dus Cambrensis, his second booke of the vaticinall
historie of the Conquest of Ireland.
The Proheme of the author.
- THE SECOND BOOKE of the Conquest of Ireland.
- The earle is sent backe againe into Ire|land, and is made generall
of the land, and Reimond is ioined in com|mission with him. Chap.
1.
- The ouerthrow giuen by the Irish|men against the souldiers which
came from Dublin; and what the Osto|men were, of whom mention
is made here and elsewhere. Chap. 2.
- The returning of Reimond into Ire|land, and how he maried Basilia
the sister vnto the earle. Chap. 3.
- The secret practise of Herueie a|gainst Reimond. Chap.
4.
- The obteining of the priuilege at Rome. Chap. 5.
- The titles of the kings of England vnto Ireland. Chap.
6.
- The rebellion of Donald prince of Li|merike, and of the taking of
the citie of Limerike. Chap. 7.
- The oration and speech of Reimond vnto his companie, and of the
recouerie of the citie of Limerike. Chap. 8.
- The description of Reimond. Chap. 9.
- The description of Meilerius. Chap. 10.
- The commendation and praise of Ro|bert
Fitzstephans, and of his cousins. Chap. 11.
- The description of Heruie. Chap. 12.
- The succouring of the garrison at Limerike. Chap. 13.
- The oration of Donold to his soldiers, the recouerie of the citie
of Limerike. Chap. 14.
- The death of the earle Strangbow. Chap. 15.
- The comming of William Fitzaldelme and others ouer into
Ireland. Chap. 16.
- The description of William Fitzaldelme. Chap. 17.
- How Iohn de Courcie inuadeth Vlster. Chap. 18.
- The commendation of Roger Power, and the victorie of Iohn de
Courcie, and of the prophesies of Celodine. Chap. 19.
- The description of Iohn de Courcie. Chap. 20.
- The councell or synod kept at Dublin; of Viuian the popes legat,
and of Miles Co|gans issuing into Connagh. Chap. 21.
- How William Fitzaldelme is sent from home into England, and Hugh
de Lacie put in his place: and how Miles Cogan and Robert
Fitz|stephans haue the kingdome of Corke giuen vnto them.
Chap. 22.
- How Hugh de Lacie builded castels, and fortified in Leinster and
Meth.
Chap. 23.
- The description of Hugh de Lacie. Chap. 24.
- How Hugh de Lacie vpon a vaine sus|picion
was sent for into England, and of his returne againe from
thense. Chap. 25.
- The death of Laurence archbishop
of Dublin, and of Iohn Comin made arch|bishop in his place.
Chap. 26.
- The comming of Iohn the kings sonne into Ireland. Chap.
27.
- The comming of Heraclius the patriarch into England. Chap.
28.
- The answer of the king to the patriarch. Chap. 29.
- The croising of kings. Chap.
30.
- The discord of the kings. Chap. 31.
- A vision and exposition thereof. Chap. 32.
- The memorable euents of
our time. Chap. 33.
- The recapitulation of sundrie acts, and of the commming of Iohn
the kings sonne to Ireland, with his successe there.
Chap. 34.
- The praise and commendation as also the excuse of Robert
Fitzstephans and
the earle Strangbow. Chap. 35.
- The causes of lets whie this con|quest could not nor had his
full perfection. Chap. 36.
- A breefe repetition of certeine things done within the course of
the historie that are omitted. Chap. 37.
- The causes why England could not make the full and finall
conquest of Ireland. Chap.
38.
- Three sorts of people which came and serued in Ireland. Chap.
39.
- How or by what manner the land of Ireland is throughlie to be
conquered. Chap. 40.
- How the Irish people being vanqui|shed are to be gouerned.
Chap. 41.
- The processe of Irish affaires (beginning where Giraldus did end) vntill
this present age, being a wit|nesse of sundrie things as yet fresh in
memorie: which processe from henseforward is intituled the
Chronicles of Ireland.
- THE CHRONICLES of Ireland, &c.
- TO THE RIGHT HO|norable sir Henrie Sidneie knight, lord deputie of
Ireland, lord president of Wales, knight of the most noble order of
the garter, and one of hir maiesties priuie councell within hir
realme of England.
- A continuation of the Chronicles of Ireland, comprising the reigne of
king Henrie the eight.
- THE SVPPLIE OF THIS Irish Chronicle, continued from the death of king
Henrie the eight, 1546, vntill this present yeare 1586, in the 28 yeare of
hir maiesties reigne, sir Iohn Perot residing deputie in
Ireland.
- THE SVPPLIE OF THE Irish Chronicles extended to this present yeare of our
Lord 1586, and the 28 of the reigne of queene Elisabeth.
Volume 4
-
Front Matter:
Body Text:
- The description of Scotland, writ|ten at the first by Hector
Boetius in Latine, and after|ward translated into the Scotish
speech by Iohn Bellenden archdeacon os Mur|rey, and now finallie
into English by W. H.
- The bounds of Albion with the sundrie commodities thereof,
and of the great infirmities that fall vnto the people there for
their intemperancie, and final|lie of the religion vsed there in
old time.
The first Chapter.
- The description of the east, west, and middle borders of Scotland,
with the most notable townes and flouds thereof. The second
Chapter.
- The description of Gallowaie, Kile, Carricke, and Cuningham, with
the notable townes, lakes and riuers
in the same. The third Chapter.
-
The situation of Renfrew, Clides|dale, Lennox, Lowmund, Argile,
Louchquhaber, Lorne, and Ken|tire, with all the notable
things conteined in the same. The fourth Chapter.
- The discourse of Ros, Stranauerne, & Murrey land, with the
lakes, riuers, and notable townes in them. The fift
Chapter.
- Of Boene, Anze, Buchquhane, Mar, Mernis, Fiffe, and Angus, with
the lakes, flouds, abbies, townes, and o|ther notable things
conteined in the same. The sixt Chapter.
-
The description of Louthian, Striue|ling, Menteth, Calidon wood,
Bouge|wall,
Gareoth, with the notable ci|ties, castels, and flouds
thereof. The seuenth Chapter.
- Of the great plentie of hares, red deer, and other wilde beasts in
Scotland, of the strange properties of sun|drie Scotish dogs,
and of the nature of samon.
The eight Chapter.
- Of the sundrie kinds of muskles and cockles in Scotland, and of
pearles gotten in the same: of the vncouth and strange fish
there to be seene, and of the na|ture of the herbe Citisus,
com|monlie called Hadder. The ninth Chapter.
- Of the Iles of Scotland, and such notable things as are to be
found in them. The tenth Chapter.
- Of the nature of the Claike geese, and sundrie maners of their
pro|creation,
and of the Ile of Thule. The
eleuenth Chapter.
- Of the description of Orkeney, and Shetland, with sundrie other
small Iles, and of the maners and conditions of the people
dwelling in the same. The twelfe Chapter.
- Of the maners of the Scots in these daies, and their comparison
with the behauiour of the old, and such as liued long since
within this Iland. The xiij. Chapter.
- The description of an ancient Pict. The 14 Chapter.
- The number of bishops in Scotland. The xv Chapter.
Volume 5
-
Front Matter:
Body Text:
- THE HISTORIE OF Scotland.
- The Chapters of those lawes which yet remaine to be obserued,
are these.
- Lawes made by king Makbeth set foorth according to Hector
Boetius.
- The tenor of the said letter as it is written in the Scotish
toong.
- Iames the fift, king of Scotland, to Immanuell the woorthie
king of Portingale.
- The tenor of the king of Scots letters.
- King Henrie his answer.
- King Iames his quarell vnto the earle of Surrie.
- A declaration conteining the iust causes and considerations of this
present warre with the Scots, wherein also appeareth the true and right
title that the kings most roiall maiestie hath to his souereigntie of
Scotland, and thus it beginneth.
- The forme of the homage.
- The articles of agreement betweene the regent and the lords of
the reformed religion.
- Francis king of France to Iames prior of the monasterie of
saint Andrewes.
- Articles of the peace.
- The tenor of the commission, where|by
Marie the queene of Scots resigneth the crowne to hir sonne,
appointeth his gardians, and maketh the earle of Murreie
regent.
- The commission, authorising certeine noble men in the queens name,
to re|nounce the kingdome to hir sonne, and authorising others to
receiue the same in hir sons name.
- The commission, in which the earle of Murreie is alone appointed
to be re|gent of the yoong king, and of his kingdome.
- THE ANNALES OF Scotland in some part continued from the time in which
Holinshed left, being the yeare of our Lord 1571, vntill the yeare of
our redemption 1586, by Francis Boteuile, commonlie called
Thin.
- THE CONTINVANCE of the annales of Scotland, from the death of the
regent Matthew earle of Leneaux.
- The articles and acts of the parle|ment
holden at Edenborough the 25 of Ianuarie.
- The summons giuen to the castell
of Edenborough.
- The protectors, gouernours, or re|gents of Scotland, during the
kings minori|tie or his insufficiencie of gouernement, or
during his absence
illegible
t of the realme.
- The testimoniall left by the bishop of Rosse with the duke of
Bauier.
- A catalog of all the dukes of Scotland by creation or
descent.
- That diuers of the Scots haue obtei|ned
the title and honor of dukes in forren countries.
- The examinations and answers of the earle of Morton before his
death, but after his condemnation.
- The kings maiesties charge to all commissioners and
ministers, within his realme.
- The kings maiesties declaration of his acts confirmed in
parlement.
- The kings intention drawne into certeine articles, and
published in print.
- The kings speech to the estates, con|cerning a league in religion
with England.
- The proclamation published by the nobilitie of Scotland,
conteining the causes
of their repairing towards the towne of
Sterling to the kings maiestie, the se|cond day of
Nouember.
- The names and times of certeine chancellors of Scotland, gathered
out of the histories of that nation.
- A Cathalog of the archbishops of saint Andrews, collected out of
the histories of Scotland.
- The articles concluded in the assem|blie holden at Edenburgh in
Maie.
- The meanes taken in this generall as|semblie,
touching the bishop of S. Andrews, at the desire of the kings
maiestie.
- The decree of the assemblie at Eden|burgh, concerning the
restitution of the bishop of S. Andrews.
- A generall catalog of the writers of Scotland, with the times in
which they li|ued, as well of the yeare of Christ, as of the
reigne of Scotish kings.
Back Matter:
- The first table alphabeticall Conteining an absolute extract of such
names and matters as the description of Britaine and England doth
afford, by present view whereof the reader may iudge what frutefull
knowledge is to be gathered out of the same: collected by Abraham
Fleming.
-
The second table Alphabeticall, being a complet extract of names
and matters dispersed in the historie of Britaine and England:
wherein the reader is aduisedlie to distinguish of persons and actions
in perusing euerie discourse, least by taking one for another
(diuerse persons being of one name) his memorie be confounded, and some
error or doubt arise. By this table you may obserue how manie archbishops, bishops,
earles, dukes, &c: haue beene in this Iland before the conquest:
as also matter of discourse and woorth the marking, wher|soeuer you
see this word (Note) which dooth oftentimes come to hand. Gathered by
Abraham Fleming.
- The third table for the description, historie, and chronicles of
Ireland: gathered by Iohn Hooker aliàs Vowell,
gentleman. The first number noteth the page, the second the
line.
- The fourth table seruing for the description and historie of
Scotland; conteining iust directions to memorable obseruations both
of names and matters: gathered by Abraham Fleming.
The first number noteth the page, the second the line, a
the first columne, b the second.
- [colophon]
Volume 6
-
Front Matter:
Body Text:
- The politike Conquest of William the first.
- William Rufus or William the Red.
- Henrie the first, yoongest sonne to William the Conquerour.
- Stephan earle of Bullongne.
- Henrie the second, the second sonne ofGeffrey Plantagenet.
- Richard the first, second sonne to Henrie the second.
- Iohn the yongest sonne of Henrie the second.
- Henrie the third, the eldest sonne of king Iohn.
- Edward the first, surnamed Long|shanks, the eldest sonne of Henrie the
third.
- Edward the second, the sonne of Edward the first.
- Edward the third, who came to the crowne by the resignation of his father
Edward the second.
- Richard the second, the second sonne to Edward prince of Wales.
- Henrie the fourth, cousine germane to Richard the second, latelie
depriued.
- Henrie the fift, prince of Wales, sonne and heire to Henrie the
fourth.
- Henrie the sixt, sonne and heire to Henrie the fift.
- Edward the fourth earle of March, sonne and heire to Richard duke of
Yorke.
- The historie of king Edward the fift, and king Richard the third
vnfinished, written by maister Thomas More then one of the vnder shiriffes
of London, about the yeare of our Lord 1513, accor|ding to a copie of his
owne hand, printed among his other workes.
- Richard the third, third sonne to Richard duke ofYorke, and vncle to
Edward the fift.
- Henrie the seauenth, sonne to Ed|mund earle of Richmond, which Edmund was
brother by the moothers side to Henrie the sixt.
- Henrie the eight, sonne and successor to Henrie the seuenth.
- Edward the sixt, sonne and successor to Henrie the eight.
- Marie the eldest daughter of king Henrie the eight successor to Edward
the sixt.
- The peaceable and prosperous regiment of blessed Queene Elisabeth, second
daughter to king Henrie the eight.
- [continuation]
Back Matter:
- The third table for the Chronicles of England from the conquest vntill
this present regiment: wherin the reader is to ob|serue these notes for his
better direction; namelie, to seeke for the surnames of persons as more
commonlie knowne than the proper; and also when the name faileth to looke
for the dignitie, title, office and degree of such persons; as Armenia,
Cipriots, Spaine, France, Portingall, Nauarre, Denmarke, &c; if they
were kings: Archbishop, Bishop, Pope, Car|nall, Legat, &c; if they
were Clergiemen: Chancellors, Treasurors, Lord high constables, Lord wardens
of the cinque ports, &c; Duke, Earle, Marquesse, Queene, Duchesse,
Countesse, &c; if they were great states: Maior, Sargents at law,
Officers, &c: if they were of that degree: knights and esquires
excepted, who as they were of renowme, are accordinglie noted by their
vsuall names. Likewise for such as haue beene executed as notorious
offendors against the prince and the state, to come to the knowledge of
their names, looke for the qualitie of their offense; as counterfeting,
coineclippers, conspiracie and conspirators, murther and murtherers,
rebellion and rebels, treason and trai|tors, preests seminarie, &c:
of all which this table affoordeth infinit examples. Finallie, wheresoeuer
you find this word (Note) there dooth matter of conside|ration come to
hand.
- [errata]
- [colophon]