[1] _NOw Plautius had much adoo to find out the Bri|tains in their lur|king holes and co|uerts; howbeit when he had traced them out, first he vanquished Cata|ratacus, and after Togodumnus the sonnes of Cyno|bellinus: for their father was dead not verie long before. These therefore fléeing their waies,Bodumni. Plautus receiued part of the people called Bodumni (which were subiects vnto them that were called Catuellani) into the obeisance of the Ro|mans: and so leauing there a garrison of souldiors,Catuellani. passed further till he came to a riuer which could not well be passed without a bridge: wherevpon the Bri|tains tooke small regard to defend the passage, as though they had béene sure inough. But Plautius appointed a certeine number of Germans which he had there with him (being vsed to swim ouer riuers, although neuer so swift) to get ouer, which they did, sleaing and wounding the Britains horsses, which were fastened to their wagons or chariots, so that the Britains were not able to doo anie péece of their ac|customed seruice with the same.
[1] Herewithall was Flauius Uespasianus (that af|terwards was emperour) with his brother Sabi|nus sent ouer that riuer, which being got to the fur|ther side, slue a great number of the enimies. The residue of the Britains fled, but the next day proffe|red a new battell, in the which they fought so stout|lie, that the victorie depended long in doubtfull ba|lance, till Caius Sidius Geta being almost at point to be taken, did so handle the matter, that the Bri|tains finallie were put to flight: for the which his va|liant dooings, triumphant honors were bestowed vpon him, although he was no consull.
[1] The Britains after this battell, withdrew to the riuer of Thames, néere to the place where it falleth into the sea, and knowing the shallowes and firme places thereof, easilie passed ouer to the further side, whom the Romans following, through lacke of knowledge in the nature of the places, they fell into the marish grounds, and so came to lose manie of [page 35] their men, namelie of the Germans, which were the first that passed ouer the riuer to follow the Bri|tains, partlie by a bridge which lay within the coun|trie ouer the said riuer, and partlie by swimming, and other such shift as they presentlie made.
[1] [2] The Britains hauing lost one of their rulers,Togodum|nus. namelie Togodumnus (of whom ye haue heard be|fore) were nothing discouraged, but rather more e|gerlie set on reuenge. Plautius perceiuing their fiercenesse, went no further, but staid and placed gar|risons in steeds where néed required, to kéepe those places which he had gotten, and with all spéed sent ad|uertisement vnto Claudius, according to that he had in commandement, if anie vrgent necessitie should so mooue him. Claudius therefore hauing all things before hand in a readinesse, straightwaies vpon the receiuing of the aduertisement, departed from Rome, and came by water vnto Ostia, and from thence vnto Massilia, and so through France sped his iournies till he came to the side of the Ocean sea, and then imbarking himselfe with his people, passed ouer into Britaine, and came to his armie which abode his comming néere the Thames side, where being ioined, they passed the riuer againe, fought with the Britains in a pitcht field, and getting the victorie, tooke the towne of Camelodunum (which some count to be Colchester) being the chiefest citie apperteining vnto Cynobelinus. He reduced also manie other people into his subiection, some by force, and some by surrender, whereof he was called oftentimes by the name of emperour, which was a|gainst the ordinance of the Romans: for it was not lawfull for anie to take that name vpon him oftener than once in anie one voiage. Moreouer, Claudius tooke from the Britains their armor and weapons, and committed the gouernment of them vnto Plau|tius, commanding him to endeuour himselfe to subdue the residue.
[1] [2] Thus hauing brought vnder a part of Britaine,Dion Cassius. and hauing made his abode therin not past a sixtene daies, he departed and came backe againe to Rome with victorie in the sixt month after his setting foorth from thence,Suetonius. giuing after his returne, to his sonne, the surname of Britannicus. This warre he finished in maner as before is said, in the fourth yéere of his reigne, which fell in the yéere of the world 4011, after the birth of our Sauiour 44, and after the building of Rome 79.