THus hauynge▪ ended the ¶ The de­scription of Wales description of Scotland, with y ^e Ilandes liyng thereabout: let vs now proceede to wales, the third part of Bri­tayne. The same is deuided frō Lhoëgr, y ^t is England: by the Riuers Seuern, & Dee, and on euery other side is enuiro­ned by the Vergiuiū, or Iris he Oceane. And it was called Cambria, as our Chronacles doo report of Camber, the thyrde sonne of Brutus, like as Lhoëgr of Locrinus, and Albania of Albanactus Cambria. his other sonnes also. This same only, [Page 50] with Cornwal, a most auncient country of Britaynes: enioyeth as yet y ^e olde in­habitants. The welshmen vse the Bri­tish tongue, and are the very true Bri­taynes by birth. And although some doo write, y ^t VVales doth not stretch foorth on this side the Riuer Vaga, or VVye: this can be no fraud to vs. For we haue taken in hand to describe Cambria, and not VVallia, Wales, as it is now cal­led by a new name, and vnacquaynted to the welshmen. In Northwales, the welshmen, keepe their olde boundes. But in Southwales: the Englishmen are come ouer Seuern, and haue posses­sed al the lande between it, and VVye. So that al Herefordshyre, & the Forest of Deane, and Glocestreshyre, & a great part of worcestershyre, & Schreupshyre on this side Seuern: are inhabited by Englishmen, at this day.

These regions, w ^t certayne corners of Fluitenshyre, and Denbyghshyre, were sumtime vnder y ^e kings of March. And our countrymen, vnto this day, do call their neare borderers Gwyry Mers, that is to say, the men of March.

[Page]For OFFA, a most mightie kynge of March, the yere of the incarnate worde seuen hundred, and seuentie, to the in­tent that the boundes of his kyngdome towardes y ^e Britaynes in Wales, might the better be knowne: caused a verie deepe ditch, with an exceedynge high wall to be made, from the water Deua­nus, a litle aboue the Castle called Fi­lix, through [...]ie hilles, and deepe val­leyes, Fennes, Kockes, Cliffes, & Ri­uers, vnto the mouth of the Riuer wye, about an hundred myles longe. The same, reseruyng the olde name (for of our countrymen it is called Clauddh Offa, that is to say, Offas ditch) it may easely be seene of all, throughout the whole coast. And all the townes, and villages almost, whiche be on the East side therof: haue their names endynge in these terminations, ton, or ham, wherby it appeareth, that the Saxons, sometime dwelled there. Howbeit now, the VVelshmen, in all places, beyond that ditch towards Ihoëgr: haue planted them selues. The inhabitants of this region, are called in their mo­ther [Page 51] tongue, Cymbri. In whiche word, the force of the sounde of the letter B, is scarcely perceaued in pronouncing.

And it is very likely, that this was the moste auncient name, and that Cam­bria a region of England, was therof so called.

When I perceaued that the Cymbri, Cymbri. whiche fought with the Romans so ma­nie blouddy battels, were called by the same name that ours are: it came into my mynde, to enquyre, and search what good writers haue thought of the begin­nyng of that nation. And hauyng read much therof: I founde also very much, wherby I am so perswaded, that I dare auouche that it was this our British nation. First the name is all one with ours, then their tongue, which is a very great argument. For Plinius in his Plin. lib. 4. cap. 13. fourth booke, and. 13. chapter saieth, that Philemō was of y ^e Cymbri, called Mori marussium, that is to say, Mare mortuū the Dead Sea, vnto the promontory Rubeas. &c. And our countrimen call the Dead Sea, in their tongue: Mor Marw. And as for these words: neither [Page] the Germans, neither y ^e Danes, neither Suenones, neither the Slaui, neither the Lithuani, nor the Lyuones, doo vnder­stand them. Wherfore it is manifest, that the Cymbri were none of these na­tions. But our Cymbri doo speake so: wherfore it is euident, that they were of the same name, and tongue.

Moreouer, Plutarchus in the life of Marius: affirmeth, that they departed out of a farre country, and that it was not knowne whence they came, nor whether they went, but y ^e like cloudes, they issued into Fraunce, and Italy, with the Almaynes. Whervpon the Romans supposed, that they had byn Germans, because they had bigge bodies, with sharpe and horrible eyes. Thus much [...]e. Since therfore he hath left their ori­ginall vnknowne, and our Chronacles doo testifie, how that the Britaynes had alwayes greate familiaritie with the Northerne Germans: it is like enough that the Britysh Cymbri, passed ouer into Denmark, whereby it was termed Cymbrica, and so ioynyng with the Al­maynes: made warre vpon the Romans [Page 52] and first vanquished Papirius, with his armie in Illyrica. Afterward ouercame Aurelius Scaurus with his Legions in Fraunce, him self being slayne by kinge Belus, whiche name is also familiar a­mongst the welshmen at this day. Be­sides that: Manlius, and Caepio, were discomfited nigh Rhodanus, when there were. 12000. of the Romans slayne.

In the ende, at Athesis in Italy, they were ouerthrowen, and almost al slain. And those whiche remayned after the battayle: escaped into Germany, and were deuided into two partes. Wher­of thone returnyng into Britayne: gaue name to y ^e countrie Cymbria, the other departyng out of Germany: rested nigh to the Sea Balteum, & afterward were called of the Germans, Aestiones, whose Aestiones. tongue, as Tacitus writeth, is like the Britysh. And to confirme all this: I read of late in a most auncient fragmēt of the Britysh tongue, how that, longe since: there departed a very great army of Britaynes into Denmarck. Whiche after many valiant Warres, stoutly made in moste partes of the worlde: [Page] neuer returned agayne.

But wheras diuerse do affirme, that these were the indwellers of the Da­nish Chersonesus: hereby it appeareth false, that the Danes longe before that time, possessed that lande, as their Hy­stories do declare. Neither is there any Danish, or Suetish writer, that euer made mention of the Cymbri. Other­some affirme, that they descended of the inhabitantes of Cymerius Bospho­rus. But neither the nations name, nei­ther their maners, neither their kings names doo agree. Which if you respect ours: are all one. For Clodic, Lhes, Bel, Lhud, Thudfach, Berich, by whiche the kynges of the Cymbri were called, be very common names amongst the Bri­taynes. Their neglectyng of golde, and siluer, the shape of their bodies, theyr sheildes, armour, swordes, yea made of brasse, (wherof I saw twayne, whiche of late were founde in hollow rockes in Northwales) their reuerēce towards women, and preistes, their custome to sacrifice men vnto Mercury: declareth that they were British Cymbri. Nei­ther [Page 53] will I deny that, which many doo write, that the Sicambri, and afterward Sicambri. Franci. the Franci, were of theyr broode, vnlesse that their owne Historicians affirmed, that they were so called three hundred yeres before, of one Cambra daughter Cambra▪ to Belinus, whiche was kynge of Bri­tayne, and maried to Antenor theyr kynge. Wherfore I conclude, that the Cymbri, either departed foorth of Bri­tayne about that time: or els were the remnantes of the greate army, whiche was gatherd in Britayne, and Fraunce, and setled with Brennus in y ^e Marches of Greece, at the same time. For it is vndoubtedly knowen, that Brennus Brennus. was a perfect Britayne, and brother to kynge Belinus, and sonne to Dunwal­lus, which not only our Chronacles doo testifie: but also the countries name, where the ambitious man fought with Belinus his brother, and was called of him Brennich. Diuers riuers also a­mongst vs called by that name, and al­so a most auncient castle, standyng vp­pon the toppe of an exceedyng high hill in Gwania, called Dinas Bran, that is to [Page] say, Brennus Courte or Palace: are a very good argument hereof. Besides this, there remayne most auncient Ri­mes in the prayse of Cornwenna theyr Mother, because that when Brennus came foorthe of Fraunce, with ayde a­gaynst his brother: w ^t her naked breast, and pappes she reconciled them toge­ther, which one hath thus interpreted.

Who then ioyninge theyr armies: [...]anne ouer all Fraunce, and Italy, van­quished the Romans, and tooke the citie, and departed out of Italy, as Polybius reporteth. And Belinus returned into Britayne, but Brennus with. 15000▪ [Page 54] thousand footemen, &. 61200. thousand [...]orsemen, as Pausanias writeth: set vpō the Greekes. And hauyng subdued the Macedonians, Thessalians, Thracians, & the Poeonians: all the other people of y ^e Greekes he ouerthrew at Thermopilae, in a most horrible blouddie battayle. In fine, when as he was aboute to sack the Temple of Apollo of Delphos: his army was wholy almost, miraculously slayne by y ^e fal of a mightie great cliffe, & a wonderfull Rayne from Heauen. Wherwith Brennus beynge strooke w ^t sorowe: a most coragious gentleman as he was: slew him-selfe.

And I wot wel, how Polydorus com­plaineth of y ^e supputation of yeres, whē as in déed, the time agréeth very wel w ^t the British history. But where as he maketh two Brennus: that is altogether beside credit, since no writer before him euer yelded the same to memory. And as concerning the true supputation of the age of y ^e world, diuers authors haue diuersly written. Besides these rea­sons, by theyr owne tongue, whiche is the best proofe that may be, wee will [Page] easely conuince y ^t they were Britaynes, and that Brennus souldiers spake the Britysh tongue, wee will likewyse soone declare

‘ Pausanias in his tenth booke writeth thus. Brennus had with him forth, 20400. thousande horsemen, whiche were all fightynge men, for the truer numbre of them in deede were aboue threescore thousand, and two hundred. For there followed euery horseman, two seruants on horsebacke. These, when their maysters were fightynge: stoode alwayes in the rearewarde, and assisted them, that if by chance they wer vnhorsed: thei shuld se [...] them on theirs, and if the man were slayne, the seruant should succede in his place, but if they were both killed by force of fight: then was the third at hand readie to supplie for them that were dead. If the first, and cheif had receaued a wounde: one of these other conueyed him out of the battayle, & the third fulfilled the room [...]h of him that was hurt. And this practise of fightynge on horsebacke, they terme in their country language, Trimarchi­sia, [Page 55] for they call an horse Marcha. Thus far Pausanias.’

What can be spoken more playn­ly? Trimar­chisia. Our Britaynes at this day cal Tres in the masculine gendre: Tri, and in the feminine Tair, that is, Three. And an horse they call March. Wherby Tri­march, vnto them signifieth three Hor­ses. Hereby therfore all must needes confesse, either that the Frenchmen spake the Britysh tongue (whiche al­most all Hystories doo deny:) or that these were naturall Britaynes. And af­terwarde he saieth, that the Frenchmen call a Shield: Tyren, in their country speache, whiche woorde wee doo like­wise vse at this present, calling a shield Taria. Moreouer Atheneus writeth, that the Reliques of the Frenchmen, vnder Bathanasius their captayne: tooke vp their dwelling about Ister, and after that were parted into twayne. Wher­of the one were called Scordisci, and Scordisci. Brenni. dwelled in Hungarye, the other by the name of Brenni: possessed parte of the Alpes, by the mount Brennerus in Ti­rolensis shier, whom Appianus, calleth [Page] all by the name of Cymbri. Which doo all shew, that they were Britaynes. For Bathynad, in our country language signifieth a formed Iudge. For Bath is beautie or forme: Ynad, with vs, is a Iudge, in authoritie next to the kynge. For when Brennus was dead: they chose him to their captayne. Farther, Yscar, with vs is to seperate, & Yscare­dic, signifieth those which be seperated. Wher of this part of Fraunce, when it departed from the residew: was termed Yscaredic, from whence Scordisci is de­riued, retaynyng the name of Brennus captayne. And Brynn, in British is a Mountayne, or Hill, of whiche woorde Brynnerus was so called. Ouer, and besides this: Gatheli, or the Irishmen, when as about this time, they departed out of Cantabria, now Biscay, wandring vpon the Sea, to seeke new dwellings: called al Britaynes Brennach, of Brennus their famous captayne, by which name they call our countrimen to this day. And thus much sufficeth to haue sayde of Brennus.

But wheras some affirme, that the [Page 56] Frenchmen vsed the British tongue, by certayne French wordes cited by Rhe­nanus, Sidonius, and Lazius, it appea­reth to be most false. Notwithstanding The boūds of Fraunce I can not sufficiently marueyle, that of the tongue of this most mighty nation, whose bowndes are comprised by the Rhyn, the Pyrenei mountes, Appeni­nus, and the Oceane: there is almost no shew, or token to be founde remay­ninge. And that it was most auncient: it appeareth out of Berosus, Annius, Giambularius, and Postellus. Wherby Etymon of Gallia. Gallia, now Fraunce, was so called of Rayne, whiche the Hebrues call GAL, and the Britaynes Glaw, as who should say, berayned, or ouerslowed by the Di­luge. Notwithstanding the Spayniards, Spayni­ardes, although they were afflicted by the Ro­mans, the Catti, the Alani, the Van­dali, the Gothes, the Sueui, and Mauri, or Moores: yet in Cantabria, called now BISCAY, and ASTHVRIA▪ (for these are onlye the verie true Spa­nyardes, and Hiberi) they haue preser­ued their auncient spéeche. For y ^t, which is cōmonly called the Spanish tongue: [Page] is but a medly made out of the Latine, Gothish, and Arabick.

But let vs omit all these thynges, and returne agayne vnto our Cambria, called VVales, whiche wee in our mo­ther tongue doo terme Cymbri. This, more then foure hundred yeres since, as Gyraldus hath very well noted, the Englishmen, after the fashion, and ma­ner of the Germans: haue called VVal­lia, that is VVales. For when the aun­cient Almaines had sometime ioynyng next vnto them of Forreyners, the Frenchmen, whom they called VValli: it came to passe, that afterwarde they called all straungers, and those whiche dwelt in other prouinces: VValli, and VVallisei. Like as at this present, as well Frenchmen, as Italians, and Bur­gundians Walsh▪ and welsh they call VValli, & al thinges that come foorth of strange countries: Walshe. ‘This co [...]ntry I say, whiche (that I may vse the woordes of Gyral­dus) by a false name, yet most frequen­ted at these dayes, but lesse proper, is called VVallia, Wales: conteyneth in length two hundred myles, and aboute [Page 57] one hundred in breadth. For it reacheth in length, from the Hauen Gordwr in Mona, called Anglysey, vnto the hauen Eskewyn in Venta: eight dayes iorney. In breadth from Porth Mawr, that is to say: the greate hauen of Meneuia, vnto Rhyd helig, which the Britaynes cal Va­dū Salicis, the Englishmen Wyllow­ford, aboute foure dayes iorney. A land muche aboundynge, and very well for­tified with high Mountaines, low Ual­leyes, great Woddes, Waters▪ & Fen­nes. In such sort: that from time the Saxons first vsurped this Iland, the re­sidew of the Britaynes, which departed into those coastes, neither by the Eng­lishmen longe agoe, neither since by the Normans, coulde be altogether sub­dued. As for those, which betooke them selues to the South corner, whiche of their Captaynes name was called Co­nauia, bycause it is not so well defen­sed: were not able to resist. For the thyrd part of the Britaynes, whiche doo now remayne, possessyng the Souther­ly sea coast of Fraunce, a singulare good country: was not trāslated thither after [Page] the destruction, & conquest of Britayne: but longe euer that, by Maximus the Tyran. Who, after many sharpe bat­tayles, which the British youth sustay­ned vnder him durynge those warres: was with this farthermoste shoare of Fraunce rewarded, by the Emperours liberalitie. Thus far Gyraldus.’

This country, sometime was in­habited only by the Britaynes, but after ward the Englishmen began to possesse it, vnto Offas ditch, agaynst whom the welshmen made infinite warres, vntill the commynge of VVylliam the Nor­man. Under whose sonne Henry, the Flemminges beyng then driuen out of their country, by breaking in of the sea: tooke vpon them the possession of Rosse, a prouince of Demetia. Who, in many warres were prouoked by the Princes of VVales, but alwayes valiantly de­fended them selues, and theirs, and at this day, differyng from the VVelsh­men in tongue, and maners: are yet in the same place recompted for Flem­mynges. The kynges of Englande, especially Henry the First, the Second, [Page 58] and Third of that name, callynge vnto them the Scots, Irishmen, and Canta­bre Gascons: did very much prouoke, and molest this nation with continuall warres. But the VVelshmen, beyng deuided vnder three kynges, whome they called Princes (whiche was the very cause of theyr destruction) defen­ded them selues, and their owne stout­ly. Howbeit certaine Regions of South wales, as Rosse, Gla Morgan, Wenta, Brechnocke, and parte of Powys, by Ro­bert, sonne to Hammon, and certeyne Noble Erls of Glo­cestre. worthy Erles of Glocester, the Brussij, the Bohunes, Brian Gylford, Adam of Newmercate, but specially by Roger Mountgomery, and his sonnes, Hago whiche was slayne in Anglysey, Ro­bert of BELISINE, and ARNVLPH, whiche builded the Castell of Pen­broke, and the Fytzalanes, Lordes of Oswastrey, & Clun: were quayled, and tamed in many battayles, & came into the right, & possession of y ^e conquerours. And Gwynedh, although that part therof whiche lieth on this side Conway, was first weakned by the erles of Chester, & [Page] afterwarde by the forenamed kynges, which at y ^e Riuer Cluda, sundrie times wasted all with fier, and sworde: nōt­withstandyng after the departure of the kynges: they draue the Englishmen thence, and raced their Castels downe to the grounde, and alwayes defended theyr boundes. Untill the yere of our Lorde a thousande two hundred foure­score & two: Edward the first of y ^t name, Edward the. 1. leading a mighty armie agaynst prince Lew [...]lyn, and an other arriuyng in the Ile of Angly [...]ey, and vanquishynge the same, from whence they entred into Aruon, a region exceedyngly well for­tified by naturall situation, by a bridge made of boates, in the very same place, where sometime Agricola lead ouer his Souldiers. Where the two armies ioynyng together: vanquished a great multitude of the Gascons, and Biernes, with diuers other noble men, & brought them in subiection to the Englishmen. When as also at the same time, his third armie, vnder the Erle of Gloce­st [...]e, and Roger Martumar, sacked, and spoyled Southwales, beyng accompay­ned [Page 59] with many Erles, and Lordes of VVales, which loued not the prince. Untill that the prince him selfe, beyng forsaken by many of his owne men: was by the men of Buelt betrayed, not far from the riuer Vaga, or wye, whe­ther he came with a very few souldiers. And by one Adam Francton, whiche faught vnder the conduct of Helias wal­win: far from the residew of his owne power, beynge accompayned with one only Page, and vnarmed, with certain other noble men of that country, which had tolde y ^• same before to his enemies: was there slayne most dishonorably. After whose death, the VVelshmen came in subiection to the Englishmen, and had alwayes afterwarde to their prince: the kyng of Englandes eldest Prince of Wales. sonne, or daughter, if male issue fayled.

This kynge builded certeyne tow­nes, and Castles there, whiche he com­passed with stone walles, and left gari­sons in them to keepe the VVelshmen in awe. And prouided by special lawes, for that intent made, that VVelshmen should enioy no such liberties, nor free­doms, [Page] as they, and their posteritie had graunted vnto the Englishmen. But by many Edictes, & Decrees set foorth agaynst the VVelshmen, especially by Henry the fourth (who by reason of a Henry the fourth. Owen Glender. Rebellion made by one Owen, whiche dwelt neare the Vally of Dee, was ve­rie highly offended with al that nation) the kynges of England kept them vn­der the yoke of seruitude, & abolishinge their owne proper Lawes: brought in the English Lawes, prouidyng by gene­rall cōmaundement, y ^t no man should vse the welshe tongue in any Court, or Schoole. Howbeit, the honour of th [...] most auncient tongue, so much preuay­led, that not only the welshmen them­selues: but also the inhabitours of the English townes, through VVales, be­yng now called by the name of welsh­men: doo gladly frequent the same. And hath remooued the boundes into Eng­landwardes, ouer the Riuer Dee, cheif­ly since the beginnyng of the reigne of Henry the seuenth, a moste prudent Henry the seuenth. Prince: vntill this day. Who, lineally descēdyng from his grandfather. Owen [Page 60] Tudyr, a welshman, borne in the Ile of Anglysey: quite deliuered all the welsh­men from such lawes of bondage, as in other kynges dayes they were subiect vnto. And the most mightie Prince, kynge Henry the eight, his sonne: deli­uered Henry the eight. them wholy from all seruitude, and made them in all poyncts equall to the Englishmen. Wherby it commeth Commen­dation of welshmē. to passe, that laying aside their old man­ners, they, who before were wonte to liue most sparingly: are now enritched and do imitate the Englishmen in diet, & apparell, howbeit, they be somedeale impatient of labour, and ouermuch bo­astyng of the Nobilitie of their stocke, applying them selues rather to the ser­uice Their skil in seruice. of noble men, then geuynge them selues to the learnyng of handycraftes. So that you shall finde but few noble men in England, but that the greater parte of their retinew (wherin English­men exceede al other nations) are welsh men borne. For men cheifly brought vp with Milke meates, beyng [...]ymble, and well set of bodie: are very apt to do any kynde of businesse.

[Page]Besides, beyng somwhat high minded, and in extreame pouertie, acknowled­gyng the nobilitie of their famely: are more giuen to the culture, and trim­myng of their bodies (like Spayniards) then to ritches, or the belly, and beynge very apt to learne courtlike behauiour: are therfore by the English nobilitie, preferred before Englishmen. How­beit also, of late they haue very com­mendably begun to inhabite Townes, to learne occupations, to exercise mer­chandise, to till the grounde well, and to doo all other kindes of publique, and necessary functions, as wel as English­men. And in this one thing surpassyng Their stu­dies in ler ning. them, that there is no man so poore, but for some space he setteth forth his chil­dren to Schole, and such as profitte in studie: sendeth them vnto the Uniuer­sities, where, for the most part, they en­force them to studie the Ciuile law.

Wherby it chaunceth, that the greater sort of those whiche professe the Ciuile, or Canon lawes in this Realme: are VVelshmen. And you shall finde but few of the ruder sorte, whiche cannot [Page 61] reade, and write their owne name, and play on the Harpe after their maner. And now also the holy Scriptures, and dayly seruice, are printed in their ton­gue. And like as this nation (as Taci­tus reporteth) beyng very impacient of iniuries, was alwayes at variance in continuall warres, and slaughter with­in it self: so now, through feare of lawes whiche they doo very ciuilly obey: they striue in actions, and controuersies vn­to the consumyng of all their gooddes.

And thus much touchinge the man­ners, and demeanure of the VVelsh­men at this day: but now heare of their olde, out of Gyraldus. Whiche writeth thus.

‘If is a light nation, a sharpe nation, rather then a rough, a nation wholy gi­uen vnto warres. For here, not only the noblemen: but all the multitude is redy so arinur. For the Trumpet no sooner soundeth alarme: but the hus­bandman cometh as spedely to battaile from the Plough: as doeth the courtier from the Court. For not here, as in o­ther places. [Page] The Ploughmans toyle in circle rounde doth runne:’

‘For in March, and Aprill only, they steere once for Otes, but they fallow not twise in Sommer, and the thyrde Winter after for wheatland. The most part of the people is fead with Rudder beastes for the payle. They fead on Otes, Cheese, Mylke, and Butter, on Fleash more abundantly, on Breade more sparyngly. They trouble them selues with no Marchandize, with no trauell by Sea, with no handycraftes, neither with any affayres els, sauynge Martial. And yet they seeke for preser­uation of peace, and their liberty. They fight for their country, they labour for theyr libertie. For whiche, not only to blade it out: but also to leese their liues they compt it sweet. Wherby it cometh, that they thinke it shame to die in their Beds, and an honour to die in warre. And these beyng now the rem­nantes of Aeneas trayne: would runne foorthe headlongewise in Armur for their libertie. Of whom this is ve­rie notable to be marked, that many [Page 62] times, beyng naked: they dare encoun­ter with those whiche beare weapon, vnarmed with those which are armed, and footemen with horsemē. In which cōflict, many times, only through their nimblenesse, & courage of minde: they become the conquerours. And are not vnlike vnto those in place, and nature, of whom the Poet speaketh.’

And in another place. ‘A nation slen­derly armed, trustyng rather to theyr a­gilitie, then the force of their men. For if they be ouercome to day, and shame­fully turned in to blouddie fight: not­withstandinge tomorow they prepare a new expedition, not mindefull of theyr losse, nor shame. And althoughe they preuayle not, when Warre is pro­claymed [Page] with open meetynges, yet in secret ambushments, and breakynges in by night, they wil vexe their enemy. So that beyng nothyng troubled with hunger, nor cold, neither wearied with martial affayres, neither fallynge into desperation by aduersitie, but soone re­die to rise vp after a fall, and prest by and by agayne to assay the peril of war, as in battayle easie: so in continuance of warre harde to be ouercome. Wher­by Claudianus, seemeth to speeke of the nature of the same nation, saying:’

Thus much he, and more, whiche shortly god willyng, shalbe set forth. Now let vs come to the description of the lande.

This lande, after the British de­struction: The de­scriptiō of Wales. was deuided into six Regiōs: as I read of late in a very auncient booke, written of the lawes of the Bri­taynes. For (sayth that booke) after that [Page 63] the Saxons had vanquished y ^e Britaynes, & obtayned the Scepter of the Realme, and the crowne of London: all the peo­ple of Wales, assembled together at the mouthe of the Riuer Deuey, to choose a kynge. And yno i Doethant Gwyr Gwy­nedh, à Gwyr Powys, à Gwyr Deheubarth, à Reynnwc, ac Esylluc, à Morganuc. That is to say, and thither came men of Gwy­nedh, and men of Powys, and men of De­heubarth, and of Reynnucia, and of Syl­lucia, and Morgania, & they chose Mayl­gun, whom others call Maclocunius of Maylgun of Gwy­nedh▪ Gwynedh, to be their kynge. This was aboute the yere of our Lorde. [...]60. Howbeit, afterward, in the lamentable conflict agaynst Ethelfredus kynge of Northumberland: are recited the kings of Dynetia, whiche falsly they call De­metia, of Guenta, of Powysia, and of Northwales. And in another place, [...]ention is made of the kinges of Stra­ [...] Cluyde. So that hereby it is easely [...]ered, that this country was subiect [...]iuers petikinges or Erles, vnto Rodericu [...] [...]e of Roderike the great, who ob­ [...] the Monarchie of al VVales, the [Page] yere of our Lorde, 843. deuidyng it in­to three partes, whiche he left in posses­sion of his three sonnes. For vnto Mer­uinius (as Gyraldus termeth him, to whom I consent) his eldest sonne: he gaue Gwynedh, to Anaraudus (whome some make the eldest) Powys, & to Ca­delhus the youngest: Deheubarth. And y ^t I may vse the woords of Gyldas: South­wales was alotted to Cadelhus, with the blessyng, and goodwil of all the people, which they call Deheubarth, which is as much to say: as, the right side. Which, although in quantity it be farre the big­gest: notwithstandyng, by reason of no­ble men, which in the welsh tongue are called Vchelwyr, that is to say, high men wherwith it aboundeth, whiche were wont to rebell agaynst their Lordes, & to defie them in armur: it séemed to be the worser. This diuision (whilst their posteritie contēded among themselues, in Ciuill warre, and ech of them alone with the Englishmen in externall:) at last destroyed the kyngedome of wales.

The cheefest of these kyngdomes, whiche the inhabitantes call Gwynedh, Englishmen Northwales, & the Latine [Page 64] writers corruptly Venodotia: had in Venodotia. auncient time these limites. On the Weast, and North sides it hath Vergi­uiū, or the Irish Oceane, at the South­west and by South: the Riuer Deuye, Wherby it is cut of from Southwales. On the South and East sides, it is se­uered from Powys, and England with high Hilles, and somtime with waters vnto the force of the Riuer Dee. The same also was parted into foure Regi­ons, which conteined fiftéene Cantredi, which signifieth an hundred villages.

The principallest of these Regions, was the Ile of Anglysey, of whom wee haue spoken in another place, & in the same was a kynges Palace, the seate of Northwales, in Aberfraw: whereof the kinges of Gwynedh, haue the name of y ^e kinges of Aberfraw. For in the lawes of Howel Dha (y ^t is to say, good Howel) of walles both kynge and lawier, which I haue seen written both in the British and Latin tongues: it was decreed, that like as the kynge of Aberfraw, ought to pay threescore and thrée poundes for tribute vnto the kynge of London: [Page] So likewise the kinges of Dinesur, an Matrafall, were seuerally bounde to pay so much. Whereby it appeareth, y ^t this Ilandes nigh wa­les. kinge was y ^e cheefest prince of al wales. About Anglysey be diuers litle Ilands as Ynis Adar, that is to say: the Ile of Byrdes sometime, but now it is called Ynis Moylrhoniaid, to witte the Ile of Whales, in English Ysterisd. Also Y­nis Lygod, that is, the Ile of Myse, and the Ile Seirial, in english Preêstholme.

The seconde Region of Gwynedh, called Arfon, as who should say aboue Anglysey, the best fortified parte of all VVales. For it centeyneth the highest Mountaynes, and Rockes of all Bri­tayne, which wee terme Yriri, the En­glishmen Snowdowne, because they ca­rie Snow. For height, and plentie of cattayle: scarce inferiour to the Alpes. It hath in it many Riuers, and stan­ding Waters. Beyonde whose farthest promontory, called Lhynus, lieth an ile, whiche Ptolomaeus termeth Lymnos, our countrymen Eulhi, the Englishmē Bardesey, that is to say: the Ile of the Bardi. In Arfon, oueragaynst Angly­sey: [Page 65] stoode an auncient Citie, called of the Romans Segontiū, of the Britaynes Caërsegont, of a Riuer whiche passeth therby. But now out of the ruynes therof, there is a new Towne, and a Castle founded by Edward the first of Edward the. 1. that name, kyng of England, called Caër Arfon, that is to say: a Towne vpon Anglysey. And not farre from thence, oueragaynst Anglysey, lieth the By­shops See of Banchor. And vpon Con­way water, which there ebbeth, and slo­weth: standeth Conway, of our countrie men called Aberconwy, a walled towne builded by the same kynge. Then follo­weth Meridnia, with vs Merionydh, and Gyraldus calleth it the land of y ^e sonnes of Conauius. ‘The same (as he sayeth) is the most roughest, and sharpest of al VVales, hauynge in it moste highest Mountaynes. The people vse longe Speares, wherwith they be of greate force, as y ^e Southwales men with their Bowes, so that an Harnies cannot beare it of. So much he.’

The Sea coast there, by occasion of Herring [...] taking. great Herryng takyng: is much fre­quented [Page] by people of diuers countries. In the same standeth the Towne Har­lechia, by the Sea side. And within the lande: is the great lake Tegid, through which the riuer Dee, whiche wee call Douerduwy, that is to say, the water of Dee: floweth. Where it is worthe the notyng, that there is in that Ponde a peculiar kinde of Fish, which is neuer founde in the runnynge water, neither the Salmons, wherof the Riuer is full, doo euer entre into the Lake. In this country, and in Arfon, are seene greate multitude of Deare, and Goates vpon the high Hilles. And these two coun­tries, of all Wales: cam last into the po­wer of y ^e Englishmē. Neither did y ^e peo­ple of this country euer frequent dome­stical incursiōs, but before our time, al­waies séemed to obey lawes rightfully.

The farthest, & last part of Gwynedh, is called of our coūtrimen Berfedhwlad that is to say: the inward, and midland region, and is seuered from Arfon, by y ^e ryuer Conway, of whom Antoninus, & Ptolomaeus do speake, vnder the name of Nouius. In this, besides the forena­med [Page 66] Riuer, standeth a most antique ci­tie of the Britaynes, called Dyganwy in Rosse, of the Englishmen Gannock, & Gannock▪ famous in Tacitus by the name of Can­gorum, wherof the people of that coun­trie were called of the Romans CANGI. And Ptolomaeus mentioneth the Pro­montorie of y ^e Iangani, which they call now, Gogarth. A place so fortified by na­ture: that it can scarse be taken by mās strength. This citie (as I say) was the seate, and Palace of the later kynges of Britayne, when, as now their power began to quayle, as namely of Maylgun Caduanus, Cadwalla, whom Bede, ter­meth a most cruell Tyranne, bicause he persecuted his enemies very fierce­ly, and of Cadwalladar, who was the last kynge of Britayne, of the Brittish bloud. This Citie, the yere of our redemption: eight hundred and sixteen Cananus Dyndaythuy, reygnynge in VVales, was stroken with lightnynge from Heauen, and burned in suche sort: that it could neuer be afterwarde restored: howbeit, the name remay­neth to the place to this daye, out o [...] [Page] whose rubbish: Conouia was builded. Henry La­cey Erle of Lincolne.

Moreouer, in this Territory, in Rhy­faniacum: Henry Lacey, Erle of Lin­colne, to whom the conquer our therof, Edward the first, gaue that land: erected a very stoute Castle, not only by natu­rall situation, but also by a Wall of wonderfull thicknesse, made of a very harde kinde of stone, in my opinion the strongest, and best defensed thynge in England. Addyng also therto, a towne walled about, whiche by the auncient name he called Dynbech, although those which cam afterwarde, termed it Den­bigh. This fine Towne, and my sweet Denbigh. country, beynge compassed welnigh a­boute, with very fayre Parkes, & stan­dyng in the entrance of an exceedynge pleasant Ualley: aboundeth plentiful­ly with all thinges, that are necessarie to the vse of man. The Hilles yéelde Fleash, and white meates. The most fertile Ualley: very good Corne and grasse. The sweet Riuers w ^t the Sea, at hande: minister all sortes of Fishe, and Foule. Strange Wynes come thi­ther foorth of Spayne, Fraūce, & Greece, [Page 67] abundantly. And being the cheif towne of the shyre, standyng in y ^e very middle of the countrie: it is a greate market Towne, famous, and much frequented with wares, and people, from al partes of Northwales. The indwellers haue the vse of both tongues. And beyng en­dued by kinges of England, with many Priueledges, and Liberties: are ruled by their owne lawes. The valley, nigh wherto this Towne standeth: is ter­med amongst vs Dyphryn Clwyd, that is to say: the Ualley of Clwyd. It is al­most eighteene miles in length, and in breadth in some place foure miles, in other some sixe. On the East, west, and South sides: it is enuironed with high Hilles, on the North with the Oceane Sea. In the midst, it is cut in twayne by the Riuer Clwyd, wherof it taketh name, into whom, diuers other litle streames fallyng out of the Hilles: doo discharge them selues, by reason wher­of: irriguous, and pleasant Medowes, & plentifull pastures doo lie aboute the bankes therof. In the entrance of whiche Ualley: Ruthyn an auncient [Page] towne, and Castle of the Grayes, from The fame­lie of Graies. whence the most noble famely amōgst the Englishmen tooke beginninge: is to be seene. And not farre from the Sea: standeth Rudhlan, in Tegengyl, sometime a greate Towne, but now a litle Uyllage. In the same Pro­uince is a Cathedrall Churche, of our country men called LHANEL WEY, of the Englishmen, S. Assaph, builded S. Assaph. between twoo Ryuers, CLWYD, and ELWEY.

I remember, that I haue read, that there was one ELBODIVS Arch Elbodius. bis [...]hoppe of Northwales, preferred vnto that honour, by the Byshoppe of Rome. Who fyrst of all, the yere of our, Saluation, seuen hundred thrée score and two: reconciled the VVelsh­men to the Romishe Churche, from whiche before, they had disagreed. For the Britaynes, imitatynge the A­siaticke Churche: celebrated theyr EASTER from the foureteene day of the Moone: vnto the twentie. When the Romans, followynge the Nicene counsell: keepe theyr Easter [Page 68] from the fifteene, to the one and twen­tie. Whereby it commeth to passe, that these Nations, haue celebrated that Feast, on diuers Sundayes. But let the Byshoppes take regarde, how farre they doo erre from the De­crees of the NICENE Counsell, whyle they followe that vncertayne rule of the motion of the Sonne, and Moone, whiche they call the Golden The Goldē number, reproued. Number, beynge therein very fowly deceaued. Whiche thinge, in times paste, was obiected for a cryme, a­gaynst the Britaynes, by the ouer su­perstitious Mounke Augustine, and lykewyse by Bede, whiche to muche attributed vnto suche ti [...]les, in somuch that for the same cause: he durst terme them Heretiques: But now, howbeit vnder curse of the Nicene counsell, it be otherwyse commaunded: it is re­iected by the Prelates them selues, and the whole Churche of Europe. But let vs returne to our purpose.

In that place, where the See of S. Assaph is: was sometime a Colledge [Page] of learned Agonists, y ^t I may vse Cap­graues woordes, celebrated for multi­tude, vnder Centigeme a Scot, whiche was called Elguense, or Eluense, of a Ri­uer. This Prouince Tegenia, is called of the Latines Igenia, and after, beynge vanquished by the Englishmen: began to be termed Tegengel, that is to say: the Englishmens Tegenia. Afterward being inhabited by Britaynes, cūminge foorth of Scotland, & driuyng the Eng­lishmen thence: with the Ualley of Clwyd, Ruthyn, and Rosse, make one kyngdome, whiche Marianus calleth Streudglead, our countrymen terme it Stradclwyd, that is to say: the soyle of Clwyd. For this woord Strat, with the name of some Riuer ioyned therto, doth vsually signifie amongst the welsh men, a veyne, or soyle of lande, nigh to a Riuer, as Strad Alyn, Strad Towyn, with many such like. Theyr last prince called Dunwallon, forsakyng his king­dome, Dunwallō. when the Danes afflicted all Bri­tayne: departed to Rome, the yere af­ter the incarnation, 971. where shortly after he died. In Tegenia, is a well of a [Page 69] meruaylous nature, whiche beyng sixe myles from the Sea, in the parish of Kilken: ebbeth: and floweth twise in one day. Yet haue I marked this of late, when the Moone ascendeth from the East Horizon, to the South (at what time all Seas do flowe) that then the water of this Wel diminisheth and eb­beth. And not far from this place, is the famous Fountayne takynge name of the superstitious worshyppinge of the Wenefri­des well. Uirgin VVenefride, which boyling vp sodenly, out of a place which they call Sychnant, that is to say a drie vallye: rayseth forth of it self a greate streame, which runneth immediatly into Deua­nus. This water, besides that it bredeth Mosse, of a very pleasant sauour: is also most holsome vnto mans body, bothe for washyng, and drinkynge, and of ve­rie good tast, in so much that many be­inge washed therin: were cured of di­uers infirmities, wherwith they were borne. Moreouer, in Tegenia: there is a certayne auncient monument of an olde building, in a place called Pot Vary, somtime renowmed by Roman letters [Page] and Armes. The towne whiche they call Flynt, standynge vpon the water Flint. Deua: is knowne not only to be the head of Tegenia, but also y ^e whole shire.

After the discription of Gwynedh, Powisia. let vs now come to Powys, the seconde kyngedom of VVales. Which in the time of German Altisiodorensis, which preached sometime there, agaynst Pe­lagius Heresie: was of power▪ as is ga­thered out of his life. The kynge wher­of, as is there read, bycause he refused Gods iudge ment▪ to heare that good man: by the secret, and terrible iudgement of God, with his Palace, and all his householde: was swallowed vp into the bowels of the Earth, in that place, whereas, not farre from Oswastry, is now a standyng wa­ter, of an vnknowne depth, called Lhun­clys, that is to say: the deuouryng of the Palace. And there are many Churches founde in the fame Prouince, dedica­ted to the name of German. The Citie of Schreusbury, in olde time, was the Princes seate of this Kyngdome. But when the Englishmen had taken it: it was translated to Mathraual, a place [Page 70] fiue myles from Pole, of Powys. This Region had on the Northside Gwynedh, on the East from Chestre, vnto Her­ford: England, on the South, & West the Riuer Wey, and very high Hylles, whereby it was disioyned from South­wales. And bycause y ^e lande was plain, and neare to England, and much vexed with continuall Warre by English­men, and afterward by the Normans: this parte of VVales did first experi­ment the yoke of English subiection. Which brooding stoute men, and such, whose nature coulde not abide to be at rest, but giuen to Murther, and excur­sions: not only procured infinite trou­ble vnto the kynges of England: but wrought also greate iniurie vnto theyr neighbours the VVelshmen. But af­terward, beynge parted between twoo brothers, as was the custome of y ^e Bri­taynes: it began to wax weake. And y ^e part, which lieth on y ^e Northside of Ta­nat, Murnia, and Seuern: befel vnto Ma­doc, wherof it was called Powys Fadoc. The other parte came bothe in name, and possession of Gwenwynwyn.

[Page]The first lost the name of Powys, for be­yng subdued by the Normans: it came into the power, and right of the conque­rours. The first region therof Mailor, is deuided into twaine, by the Riuer Dee, namely the Saxon, and Welsh, wherof the first: appertayneth vnto Flyntshyre, and the other vnto Denbyghshyre, in the which standeth the Castle of Lion, Castle of Lion. now commonly called Holt. And not farre from thence, are seene the rubbish and relliques of the moste notable, and famous Monasterie of Banchor, while the glory of the Britaynes flowrished. In the same were two thousand, & one hundred Moonkes, very well ordred, & learned, and deuided into seuen sortes, dayly seruyng God. Amongst whom, those whiche were simple, and vnlear­ned: by their handie labour prouided meate, and drinke, and apparell for the learned, and suche as applied their stu­die. And if any thyng were remainyng: they deuided it vnto the poore. That place, hath sent foorth many hundreds of excellētly wel learned men, amongst whom, it hath also vomited forth to the [Page 71] worlde, the most detestable Archehere­tick Pelagius. And afterward, through Pelagius. the enuie, and malice of Augustine, not the Bishop of Hippo, but the most ar­rogant Moonke, and the most cruell ex­ecution of his Ministre Ethelfrede: worthy men, of far more perfect ordre then he was of, were made away, and A wicked deede. the whole house, from the very founda­tions, together with their most noble Liberary, more precious then Golde, was raysed downe, and destroyde with fier, and sworde.

It were ouerlonge to repeate, what Agustine the Moonk. Latine, and British chronicles doo re­porte, of the intollerable pride of this man. For when he, sittyng in his regal seat, disdayned to ryse vp vnto the Bri­tish Bysshops, whiche came vnto him humbly, and meekely, as it became Christians to doo, they beholdynge the same: both iudged, and sayde, that he was not the ministre of y ^• most gentle, and meeke lambe Christe: but of Luci­fer, as they had learned in y ^e holy scrip­tures, & so they departed home againe. For whiche contempt, and reproche, [Page] and partly also, bycause they agréed not in some poynctes, with the Archbishop of Cantorbury, which he had appointed, & with the Church of Rome, he so stir­red the hate of the Englishmen agaynst them: y ^t shortly after, as I sayde, by E­thelfred, through the ayde, and helpe of Ethelbert king of Kent, prouoked ther­to by Augustine: the Mounkes whiche desired peace, were most cruelly slaine. And afterward the Britaynes, vnder the conduct of Brochwell, kynge of Powys: were vanquished. Until that at length, being ayded with power from Belthru­sius, Duke of Cornwall, Caduane kyng of Northwales, Meredoc, kyng of South­wales, and hartned forward by the Ora­tion of their most learned Abbot Du­netus, Dunetus. who commaunded, as our Chro­nacles reporte, that euery one should kisse the grounde, in remembrance of Note this place. the cōmunion of the Body of our Lord, & should take vp water in their handes foorth of the Riuer Dee, and drinke it, in commemoration of the moste sacred Bloud of CHRIST, which was shead for them. Who, hauynge so Commu­nicated: [Page 72] they ouercame the Saxons in a famous battayle, and slew of them, as Huntyngton writeth: a thousande threescore, and sixe, and created Card­uanus theyr kynge, in the Citie of Le­gions. Next ensue Yale, and Chyrk, hilly countries. In this last, standeth that antique Castle, which at this day, is called Brennus Palace. And these apperteyne vnto Denbighshyre. But more to the North: are Stradalin, so named of the Ryuer ALYN, and Hope, of Fluitenshire.

Towardes SCHREVSBVRY, lieth Whitting ton. Fitzalanes VVhittington, and Oswastrey, a noble Market, and enwalled rounde, at the charges of the FITZALANES, a moste auncient famely of Englande, whose inheritaunce it is, and these belonge vnto Schropshire. Aboue these in the West: are the Edeirnion men, ioyned now vnto the Merionydh men, vpon the Ryuer Dee. And all these, at this presente, are called Gwynedhij, or men of Gwynedh, for the name of y ^e mē of Powis, is perished amongst thē. The seconde Region of Powys, conteyned [Page] the same Prouince, whiche now only enioyeth the name of Powys, and some­time stretched very wide, but now con­tayneth only three Cantredes, lyinge wholy on the Northside of the Riuer Seuern, whiche is the seconde riuer of Seuern. Britayne, fallyng from the high Moun­taynes of Plymnonia, and risinge foorth of the same head, with Wey, and Rhyd­wely, and runnyng throuhh Arwistli, and Kedewen in Powys: maketh speede to Schreusbury, and so floweth forward through Brydgenorth, VVorcestre, and Glocestre, from whiche, not farre of, it ebbeth and floweth, and between VVales, Deuonshyre, and Cornwall: beareth name of the Seuern Sea. Our countrymen terme it Hafren, and not Seuern, as the Englishmen doo. The cheif towne, and kyngs seate of Powys, called Matrafal: retayneth the aunciēt name, howbeit the buildynges be defa­ced, and worne. And one myle from Seuern: standeth a Towne, the only market of all that Region, of the Eng­lishmen Pole, of the VVelshmen cal­led Tralhung, that is to say, the towne [Page 73] of the standynge water, so called of the Lake whereto it is nigh, where there stande aloft two Castels, builded some­time by the Princes of Powys. This princedome, came by inheritance vnto a woman, called Hauisia, who beynge maried vnto one Carleton, an English­man: made him Lorde of Powis, from which house, at length it descended vnto the Grayes, in the North. Next vnto that, standeth Cadeuenna, a new towne, aboue whom, towardes the risinge of Seuern,: are Arwistle, and Lhanidlos, countries wel knowne by reason of the Townes. And more by VVest, and by North, at the head of Deuey, Mouthuy, now a portion of Merionedh, & Kefelioc, knowne by the towne Machaulhaith. On the other side of Seuern, beneathe the Region Kerey, there is a Castle by a litle Towne, which VVelshmen call Trefaldwyn, that is to say, Baldwynes towne, but the Englishmen terme it, Roger Mountgo­mer. Montgomery, of the builder Roger of Mont Gomer. From this Towne, all these Regions beyng ioyned together: are called Montgomershyre, a country [Page] brooder sometime of noble horses: now it sendeth foorthe but few, and by the forenamed Roger, and his sonnes, ve­rie valiant, and warlike gentlemen: very sorely afflicted, vntill that Robert beynge accused of high Treason: was enforced to flie his countrie. The re­gion is hilly, and by reason of plenti­fulnesse of Pastures: verie good for grasinge of Cattell, aboundynge with many waters, and bryngynge foorthe tall men, very well fauoured, much ad­dicted vnto Idlenesse, and vnprofita­ble games. Whereby it cometh to passe, that you shall finde many ritche Englishe Farmers amongste them, when as the Landelordes themselues, which will take no paynes: do become very poore. These six shyres, namely Anglysey, Aruon, Merionydh, Den­byghshyre, Fluitense, and Montgo­mershyre: Englishmen comprise vn­der the name of Northwales.

There remayneth yet that parte of Powis, which stretched sometime vnto Wey, whose first Region taketh name of the Riuer Colunwy, and of the Ca­stle, [Page 74] and possession of the Fitzalanes.

Next to Melienyth, and Gurttrenion, hilly countries, and at the South, RA­DENOR, called of the VVelshmen: Maisifod, head of the shyre. Ioynyng vnto these, are the Eluil, with the Ca­stle of Payne, by Wey, which our coun­try men cal Gwy. Beyonde al these, are Prestene, whiche wee call S. Androwes Prestenia. Churche, and Kynton, with the Castle of Huntington. And vpon Themis, of vs called Tefedioc▪ standeth the fayre towne, & Castle of Ludlaw in Schreup­shyre, Ludlaw. in olde time called DINAV, the worke of Roger Mōtgomer. And aboue y ^t: the castle of Wigmore, y ^e patrimony of Wigmore Ca [...]le. the Mortumars. And at Seuern: Bridge­north, & Beaudely, in old time very wel knowne, by the castle Tyrhil▪ And on y ^e Southwest side, vpon Logus, which wee call Lhygwy, on a passyng fertile playn: standeth Lhanlhieni, of the Englishmen Lemstre. And not farre thence, is the auncient Citie Henfford, that is to say [...]: an olde way, of Englishmē, in old time called Ferleg, now Hereford, standinge vpon Wey, or more truly vpon Gwy.

[Page]Towards Seuern: are Maluern hilles, and in the very corner between Seuern and VVey, not farre from the towne of Rosse: is that renowmed Woodde: whiche of the Danes, is called the Fo­rest of Deane. These Regions, with al Herefordshyre, beyonde Wey, before they were possessed by the Englishmen: in olde time, were termed in British, Euryeynnwc, and the inhabitants Eurn­wyr, of whiche name there remayneth yet some signification apparant, in one place of Herefordshire. For that, which the Englishmen called Vrchenfeld: the VVelshmen called Ergnig, and after­ward Ergengel. And no meruayle, since the least portion therof, retayneth now (as I haue sayd) the name of Powis.

There remayneth the thyrd kyng­kingedome dehubarth of VVales, of the English called Southwales, of our countrymen which inhabite the lande: Deheubarth, that is to say: the right, or South part, for so wee vse to terme the South. The same is wholy compassed with the Irish Sea, the streame of Seuern, and the ri­uers Wey, and Dyuei. And although [Page 75] the country be very fertile, & the lande ritche, and far more bigger then Gwy­nedh: notwithstandynge, as Gyraldus sayth, it was compted y ^e worser. And y ^t not only, because Vchelwyr, y ^t is to say: the nobliest, & cheefest men, refused to obey their kynges: but also by reason y ^t the sea coastes therof, were continually molested by the Englishmen, Normans, & Flemmynges. Whereby the Prince, was compelled to forsake Caer mard­thyn his seate, and to apoyncte the prin­cipall place of his regalitie, at Dinefur in Cantremawr. And, although these princes, were of greate authoritie in VVales: yet after y ^t Rhesus, the sonne Rhesus. of Theodore, the greate, was slayne, through the treason of his owne men: they were no longer termed Dukes, nor Princes, but Arglwydhi, that is to say, Lordes. Untill at length, through Ciuile Warres, by deuidyng of their landes amongst many, and also by ex­ternall (whyle the Englishmen endeuo­red to possesse all by force, and crafte:) they were so weakened, that after the death of Rhesus, the sonne of Griffith, a [Page] very noble, and valiant Gentleman: they lost bothe the authority, and name of Princes, and Lordes.

Now let vs descend vnto the descrip­tion of the Prouince, wherof the first Region, which commeth to hande: is y ^t, whiche Gyraldus calleth Ceretica, our countrymen Ceredigion, the English­men Cardigan. Where it is to be no­ted, Cardigan. as in all other, y ^t C, and G, haue the force of Cappa, & Gamma. This region on the North, hath the Irish Sea, on the East, the riuer Dyuei, wherby it is deui­ued from Gwynedh, & towardes Powis, very high Hilles, on y ^e South, Caermyr­thyn, and on the West, Dyfetia.

Their tōgue (as Gyraldus affirmeth) The welsh tongue. is esteemed y ^e finest, of al the other peo­ple of wales. And Gwynedh: the purer, w ^t out permixtion, cōmyng nearest vnto thauncient British. But the Southerne most rudest, & coursest, bycause it hath greatest affinitie with strange tōgues.

The sea coast of this parte: Rychard Richard Clarens. Clarens, a very noble man, comminge in with a nauie, and buildyng Castles at the mouth of Teifi, and Vstwyth: pos­sessed [Page 76] it for his owne, and leauing gari­sons there: returned into England. But when he vnderstoode that his men were besieged by the VVelshmen, be­yng boldned by his great power: he en­tended by an ouer rash enterprise, to go ayde them by lande. But, at Coed Gro­nus, not farre from Abergeueni, he was slayne with all his armie, by Ierwer­thus of Caërlheon. And so those Fortes returned agayne vnto theyr olde lords.

I suppose that the mouthe of Yst­wyth, is of Ptolomaeus called Rotossa, and Tibium: Abertius, but y ^t, through necligence of the transcribers: they were confounded into one. Not farre from this place, standeth Lhanpatern­fawr, that is the Church of Paternus y ^e greate, which in olde time was had in great veneration. For welshmen, aboue all other nations, were accustomed to reuerence Churches, & attribute much honour vnto ecclesiastical persons. For (as Gyraldus reporteth) they vsed not once to touche the most deadlyest foes they had, and such as were accused of Treason, if they escaped vnto y ^e church. [Page] Yea, not so much as their enemies cat­tell, if they fedde in any Pastures, or Leazes, whiche appertayned vnto the Churche. Moreouer, when they be armed, and goynge vnto battell, if they fortune to meete with a Priest on the way: they will cast downe their wea­pons, and require benediction with a stoupyng head. In the same Region, is a place, in whiche (they say) vnder De­uus feete, whom in Lantine they call DAVID, Dauid, whyle he inueyhed agaynst the Pelagians: the earth bellowed, and rose vp in an hill, whiche they terme Lhan­dewybreuy. In the other part of y ^e Regiō is the principall Towne of the Shyre, vpon the riuer Teify, which wee terme Aberteifi, to say, the mouth of Teifus, the Englishmen call it Cardigan. This Riuer only of al Britayne, as Gyraldus reporteth, aboūdeth w ^t Otters, but now our countrimē know not what they ar. The bare name which is Auanc: they take for a Monstre of the water.

Passyng foorth alonge, by the same Sea coaste: there commeth vnto our view, a Region of auncient time, ter­med [Page 77] of our countrymen Dyfed, of Pto­lomaeus, Demetia, for Dynetia, in Eng­lish, VVestwales, and now Penbroke­shyre. The same reacheth from Sea, to Sea, the farther Promontorie wherof: Ptolomaeus calleth Octopitarum, a litle declinyng from y ^e worde Pebidion. By the Northern Ocean, a longe lie: Tref­draeth, & Aberguain, & Cilgaren, within the mayne lande, & in the west Angle, is the Bishops See of Meneue, some­time famous with an Archbishops see. For Deui, who is called Dauid, transla­ted the Archbishopprick from the Citie of Legions, where it was of antiquitie: into Meneue. Afterwhome, there sate there, fiue & twētie Archbishops, whose names are founde in Gyraldus. The Sampson. last wherof, called Samson, in the time of a greuous Plague of Pestilence then reignyng: fled into Armorica, or the lesse Britayne, with his palle, where be­yng chosen Bishop of Dole: he lefte there his Palle, whiche his successours haue enioyed vnto this daye, before whom the Archbyshop of Turo hath preuayled. But ours, by occasion of the [Page] Saxon warre, and their owne pouertie: lost their auncient dignitie, notwithstā ­dyng al Bishops of VVales, were con­secrated by the Bishop of Meneue, and he of them, as his Suffraganes, vntill the dayes of Henry the first, when as Bern­hard, was consecrated by the Archby­shop of Cantorbury, and vsed him selfe longe time after as Archbyshop, vntill in the ende: his action fell at Rome. This much Gyraldus.

Neither was there any Bishop of Meneue before Morgenew: whiche was the. xxxiii. from Dauid: that tasted any fleash. And he, the very same night, when he first tasted fleash: was slayne by Pyrates. This Church hath been very often spoyled, and destroyd by En­glish, and Danish Pyrates. Here, in the valley Rosea, was borne the greate Patricke, who endued Ireland with the Patrick. Christian faith. Hauerfordia, whiche they call now West Hereford, is distāt from this See: xxi. myles, in olde time called of the Britaynes, Aberdaugleddaw that is to say: the mouth of two swords. For so the cheifest Ryuers of all Bri­tayne, [Page 78] which make any hauen: are ter­med. Englishmen call the same Mil­ford, and some Alaunicum, by the La­tin name. The VVelshmen call this Towne now Hulphordh, and the Ha­uen reserueth his antique name. Upon the same crooke, or bosome: standeth Benbrock, head of the shyre, the worke of Arnulph Montgomer, whiche Gi­rarde of VVyndelesour valiantly de­fended agaynst Rhesus, sonne to Theo­dore. And after that peace was establi­shed (as Gyraldus reporteth) he tooke to wife Nessa, the daughter of Thesus, on whom he begat worthy issue, bothe Male, and Female, by whom, both the Sea coast of VVales, remayned vnto the Englishmen: and the force of Ireland was afterward vanquished. At y ^e South Sea lieth Tenbigh, as Englishmen terme it, but welshmen, Dinbegh Ypy­scot, that is to wit, fisshyng Denbygh, so Denbygh. called, for difference twixt it, and the o­ther, which is in Gwynedh. This same part of Demetia, or Dynetia, is at this day possessed, and inhabited by Flem­mynges, sent thither by Henry the first▪ [Page] The people beyng stout, and rough: de­fended them selues, and theirs: valient­ly agaynst the VVelshmen▪ And al­though many times, especially by Cad­walader, Conanus, and Howell, sonnes of Owaen Prince of Gwynedh, and Rhe­sus, sonne to Gryffeth of Northwales, and lastly by Leweline the greate, as Pari­siensis termeth him, who had in his ar­mie thirtie thousande men: they were almost destroyed, and sleyne: yet haue they alwayes recouered their strength agayne, and vnto this day are knowen from VVelshmen by diuersitie of their manners, and tongue.

The thyrde Prouince of Southwa­les, Maridinia: taketh name of Mari­dunum, a very auncient Citie, whereof both Latin, and Greeke writers make mention. By which name, it was so called and knowne, longe before the birth of that very well learned man, whom the Englishmen corruptly call Merlin, but our countrymen Merdhin. Merlin. Neither did the Citie take name of him: but he of that, whereas he was borne. Wee call the same Caer fryd [...]in [Page 79] by reason of proprietie of the tongue, whereby wee change M, into V, the consonant (for whom our countrymen do vse F) in the Castle, & Citie of Mer­dhyn. That same Ambrose, who was borne of a noble Uirgin (whose fathers name is of purpose suppressed) for his passyng skill in the Mathematicals, and wonderful knowledge in al other kinde of learnyng: was by the rude common people reputed to be the sonne of an incubus, or a Male Diuell, whiche in similitude and likenesse of men, do vse carnally to companie with women.

This Towne, as Gyraldus, writeth, was in olde time compassed rounde with a fayre brickewall. And vpon the riuer Clarus, whiche Ptolomaeus, ter­meth Tobius, wee Towi: is sayde that the kynges seat and Palace of South­wales was builded, vntill that it was taken by the Englishmen. After what time it was remooued vnto Dynefur vpon the same Riuer, a place very well fortefied with woodes, and hilles. In this Region, by reason of the stronge situation of places: y ^e princes of South­wales, [Page] made welnigh their continuall abode. Which was deuided from Cere­tica, by the Riuer Tifey, by whose side: Emlyn Ca­stle. standeth the noble Castle of Emlyn. On the other sides, it is enuironed w ^t very high hilles, and with the Sea.

Towards the Sea: is Catguilia, now Cydweili, a country sometime possessed by Mauritius of London. Next whom lieth Gwhir, which ioyneth vnto Mor­gania, with a Towne at the mouthe of Tawai, of vs Abertawai, of Englishmē called Swansei. Morgania, of English­men Glamorgā, of vs called Morganwc, and Gwladforgan, that is to say: the country of Morgan, of one Morgan, Morgan. which was there slayne by his Auntes sonne Cuneda, who was king of Lhoëgr more then twoo thousand yeres since: so called. It lieth on the Seuern Sea, and was alwaies wont to be rebellious agaynst his Prince. Wherfore, when it refused to obey his true, and lawfull Prince: by the iust iudgement of God, Treason and Rebel­lion al­waies pu­nished. which alwayes reuengeth Rebellion, and Treason: it was enforced to come in seruitude vnto straungers. For a­boute [Page 80] the yere of our Lorde, one thou­sand, fourescore, and ten, when Iesti­nus, sonne to Gurgantus, Erle of Mor­gania, refused to obey Rhesus, sonne to Theodore, Prince of Southwales, and sent Aeneas sonne to Cediuorus, some­time Lorde of Demetia, into England, to take muster of Souldiers, and there receaued a great army vnder the con­duct of one Robert, sonne to Hamo, and ioynynge with other Rebelles out of WENTA, and BRECHINIA: mette with RHESVS in Black hill, and there slew him. And so pay­inge the Englishmen theyr Wages: discharged them. But they, takynge regarde vnto the goodnesse of the soyle, and the greate variance whiche was then amongst the VVelshmen: as inforetime the Saxons had done: they turned theyr force of Armes agaynst those, whiche entertayned them, and soone displaced them wholy of all the champion, and the best of the coun­trie. Whiche HAMO deuided amongst Ham [...] ▪ twelue knights, which he brought with him, reseruing y ^e better part to himself. [Page] Who, buildynge there certein Castels and ioynyng their power together: de­fended their Farmes, and Lordeships which they had possessed, and taken. Whose heyres peacebly enioy y ^e same, vnto this day. But Iestinus, scarsly re­serued to him selfe, and his: the hillye countrie. The twelue knightes names were these, London, Stradlyng, Sanct The▪ xii. knightes names. Iohn, Turberuille, Granuille, Humfrey­uille, Sanctquintin, Sorus, Sullius, Ber­kerolus, Syward, and Fleminge. In this prouince are, NETH vpon a Riuer of the same name, Pontfayn, that is to say, Stone brydge, Englishmen falsly call it Cowbridge, Lantwyd, Wenny, Dyn­wyd, Townes and Castels, besides Caër Phili, a most auncient Castle, and Fortresse. Whiche, as reporte goeth, was erected by the Romans, and Caer­did, the principall towne of the shyre, standyng vpon the ryuer Taf, English men terme it Cardyd. And not far from thence is Landaf, to say: a Churche standynge on Tauus, ennobled with a Landaf. Byshops See. Next vnto this region lieth Wenta, vnder Momuthshyre.

[Page 81]This, in olde time was called Siluria, which may easely be proued, contrarie vnto the ridiculous authoritie of Boe­thius, and Polydorus.

And first to beginne with Tacitus, who affirmeth, that the Siluri lye ouer agaynst Spayne. But these are farre more neare Spayne, then any parte of Scotland: wherefore it is more like, that they dwelt here, rather then in Scotland. Moreouer, whereas, in a fayre discourse, he describeth the expe­dition of Agricola, agaynst the Albani, or Scots, and there reciteth all the peo­ple, and nations of Albania: he neuer maketh mention of the Siluri, whiche was the most Warlike nation of them all. And vndoubtedly, if they had bin in Scotland: he would neuer haue pas­sed them ouer with silence. Conside­ring also, how he telleth that ther were exceedyng greate Forestes in Siluria, the tokens whereof remayne as yet in VVenta.

Ptolomaeus also, and after him Ma­rius Niger, layeth the Siluri, next vnto the Demeti, and Maridunum, but som­deale [Page] more Casterly. Besides these au­thorities, the moste auncient booke of the British lawes, mentioneth Syllwc, a prouince of VVales, whose inhabi­tantes wee must needes call in the Bri­tish tongue: Syllwr, wherby they were of the Romans termed Silures. And one parte of VVenta, is at this day called Gwent lhwc, leauyng out one silable, as though it were, Went silluc. Also Chepstow, a fine market Towne in Chepstow. VVenta, before a few yeres since pas­sed: was called by the name of Strigu­lia, whiche seemeth to come somwhat neare to Siluria. Moreouer Antoninus, a very graue author, maketh mention, how Venta of the Siluri, was not farre from this, towardes the ferrie, or place of passedge ouer the Seuern. Wherfore it were but a iest, hence foorth, to seeke for the Siluri in Scotland. And although that Plinius writeth, that out of the Re­gion of the Siluri, ouer into Ireland, was but a very shorte cut: wee must thus take it, that at his time, Britayne was not sufficiently knowne, nor the people of Albania longe after that, sub­dued. [Page 82] Wherby, when certeyne of the Romanes, as Englishmen vse now a dayes, had passed ouer into Ireland, out of Southwales: others, whiche neuer saw Britayne: supposed it to be a very short cut. In this Region is situate the most auncient, & noble citie of Legions Citie of Legions. which our countrymen call Caerlheon ar Wisk, that is to say: the citie of Le­gions vpon Vsk, for difference sake, between it, and the other, which is buil­ded in Northwales, vpon the Riuer Dee. Of whom Gyraldus writeth thus: The same was an auncient, and noble Towne, the tokens where­of remayne as yet, an huge Palace, ‘a Giantlike Tower, goodly Bathes, and Hotte houses, Reliques of Churches, and places like Theatres, compassed with beautifull Walles, partlye yet standynge. Also buildynges vnder the grounde, conductes, secreat passages, and vautes vnder the earth, Stewes framed by wonderfull workemanship. There lie two martyrs Iulius, & Aron, which had churches dedicated vnto thē.’ There was also a Cathedral Church of [Page] an Archbishop, vnder Dubricius, which fell to Dauid. This much he.

Also on the otherside of Vsk, in the way which leadeth to Strigulia, ar seen auncient Ditches, and the remnants of towne Walles of the Siluri of Venta, which now also they call Caerwent, to wit: the Citie Venta, wherof y ^e name grew to the whole countrie. At the mouth of Wey, whiche wee call Gwy: is a famous Market Towne, in olde time Strigulia, but now called the Ca­stle Castle of Gwent. of Gwent. The Erles Martials, & their heirs of this place, did very much weaken the state of VVales. Not farre hence is Monmuth, of vs Monwy, so called by the meeting of Mona, & Wey together, the head of the whole shyre. Aboue, at Osca: are the Castle of Osca called Brynbuga, & in the vpper Venta, at the meetyng of Vsk, and Geuenna: is Abergeuenny, the Lorde whereof, Brienne Guilford: wrought muche Brienne Guilford. mischeif agaynst the VVenti. But af­terwarde, VVillus Brustius, Lorde of Brecknoc, vnder pretence of loue, and freendship: called the nobles of Wenta [Page 83] into this Castle to Feastyng, and Ban­quettynge. Who commynge thither, with Sesylius, sonne to Dunwallan, cheif A cruel deede. man of all that Region, and his sonne Gryf fith, suspectyng no deceate, and vn­armed: were euerychone most cruelly slayne, by Brustius gward, which were put readie in armour for that purpose. And afterward sodenly breakynge into Sesylius house: the vnmercifull But­chers, murdred the yonge Infant, Cad­waladar his sonne despiteously, before the Mothers face. Whose sonnes not­withstandyng, takyng the Castle, and hauyng sleyne Ranulphe Poerius, with many other noble men: at Lhandyuegad manfully reuēged their fathers death. But BRVSTIVS, beyng reserued vn­to greater mischeif: was famished to A iust re­uenge. death, with his Mother in the Castle of VVindelesour.

And here, I thought good to note, that the name of Sesylius, beynge com­mon among the Britaynes and welsh­men: ought to be written not with C. (which alwayes expresseth the nature of the English K,) but with S. For els [Page] it should be read amongst the VVelsh­men: Kyllius. There remayneth yet the last Inland Region of Southwales, which maketh the shyre of Brechnock, the head wherof Brechnock, or as the VVelshmen terme it Aberhodni: stan­deth in vsk, vpon the fall of HODNI. Bernhard of Newmarcat, first of all Bernhard of New­mercate. Englishmen, by force of armes subdued the same. Aboue this Region, lieth Bogwelth, which they terme Buellt, a rough, and hilly countrie, reachynge from VVey to Tobius. Beneath, is Ewias, woonne by the power of Paga­nus, the sonne of Iohn. Which after­ward was parted in twayne, Herold, and Lacey. And not farre thence: is Haya, well knowne by Roman monu­mentes, called TREGELLI, that is to wit: the Towne of Hasels.

These seauen Shyres: Credigion, DWETIA, called also Demetia, and Penbrokes hyre, Caer marthyn, Morga­nic [...], now Glamorgan, Gwenta called also Mon mouth, Brechenoc, and Rade­nor: are by Englyshmen ascribed vnto Southwales.

[Page 84]Thus much when I had written of the true, antique, and now accusto­med names of the Regions, and cities of Britayne: I determined here to haue ended, least by this my vnpolished, and barbarous writyng: I should become tedious to the impatient Reader. But when I called to my remembrance, how Polydorus Virgilius, whose wor­kes be in all mens handes, doth in all places nippe, & gyrde at the Britaynes, endeuorynge in woordes, to extenuate the glory of the British name, and to obscure them with a perpetuall blot, in his history often termynge them a co­wardly, and false generation: I thought it worth the trauell, to brynge foorth a few authorities, out of the bookes of fa­mous writers, and approued Hystori [...] ­graphers. Wherby the indifferent Reader, may easely iudge, what cre­dite is to be giuen to the said Polydorꝰ. And that such as are of the learnedst writers, of the state of Britayne: either he read them not, or els (y ^t is more like) beyng incensed with enuie, and hate of the British name: passed them ouer with silence.

[Page] Caesar him selfe, who first all the Ro­mans, Caesar. made mention of Britayne, how be it, no man is accompted an vpright Iudge in his owne cause: confesseth, y ^t at the first encountre, the Britaynes fought valiantly agaynst the Romans, and that they troubled them very much and afterward, that the Legion whiche was sent for prouision of Corne, and Uitayle, was so pressed by their ene­mies: that they coulde scarse endure it. And that at his commyng, for feare (as he sayeth) they retyred. And that I may vse his owne woordes: ‘ Caesar suppo­singe it to be an vnfit time, to prouoke the enemie, and to giue him battell: kept him selfe in his owne place, and after short time, brought backe his Le­gions into their Tentes.’ This retreat some termed a flight, whiche may also be proued, bycause that shortly after, when it was paste midnight: he tooke shyppyng priuely, and departed out of Britayne. Neither was this the po­wer of all Britayne, but a band of Ken­tyshmen, sodenly gathered, as appea­reth Kentish­men. in his hystory.

[Page 85]After this, in his first booke, he she­weth, y ^t the British wagonners fought stoutly vpon the way, and in another place that they entred forcibly into his Campe. And that the Roman Cohortes or bandes, being [...]feard, when Laberius the Tribune was slaine: salfly returned backe agayne. Which, what other can it signifie, then that they escaped by flight? He confesseth also, how Casiue­lanus, by the fallyng from him of Man­drubatius, and certein his Cities: was especially mooued, not by battell wea­ried, to sende Embassadours vnto him, to intreate of Peace. All these thynges spightfully Polydorus, dissembleth.

Also Diodorus Siculus, who wrote Diodorus Siculus. in the time of Augustus, sayeth: It is reported, that the inhabitantes of Bri­tayne, are Aborigines, that is to say, first borne in the Countrie, leadynge their liues after the maner of men, in olde times. In fight they vse Chari­ots, such as is sayde, the auncient wor­thies of Greece, vsed in the battell of Troye. In behauiour, they are simple, and vpright, farre distant from the craft [Page] and wilinesse of men of our age, Their fare is nothyng excessiue, nor costly, far from the deintie delicates of ritchmen. Thus much he.

Tacitus also, a worthy writer, doth Tacitus. wonderfully commende the puissant deedes of Cataracus, agaynst the people of Rome, and confesseth, that after the takyng of him: they were oftentimes [...]oyled, and discomfited by one only ci­tie of the Siluri. And, as for Venusius, whom he writeth to haue ben fierce, and hatefull agaynst the Romans: he reporteth, that he vanquished, not only the Romans: but such Britaynes also as ayded them. His woordes be these.

The kyngdome to Venusius, and vnto vs remayned Warre. And after it fol­loweth, that he cannot denie, but when queene Boadicia (whom Dion termeth Bundwica) was deseruedly exaspera­ted: Boadicia. she caused. lx. and ten thousande Romans to be slayne. Whose courage more then manlike, and noble deedes worthy to be extolled with prayse vnto Heauen, and equiualent to the actes of renowmed Emperours, and Captaynes [Page 86] Tacitus, & also Dion, ‘mē of great name haue celebrated in fayre, and large dis­course. And in the life of Agricola.’

‘In wishyng for dangers, there is like boldnesse in Britaynes, and Frenche­men. And when they come vnto the pynche, in refusinge of them: like da­sterdnes. Howbeit, the Britaynes re­semblynge more hardinesse, as beynge suche, whome longe rest, and peace had not yet made soft, or effeminate.’

‘For wee haue hearde also, that the Frenchmen haue flowrished in warres. But shortly after, cowardise crepte in through Idlenesse, whereby they loste both manhoode, and libertie, whiche likewise befell to the vanquished Bri­taynes, the residew whereof remayne yet, such as the Frenchemen were.’

‘They are stronge on foote, certeyne of them doo fight in Chariottes, the driuers wherof are coumpted the wor­thier. Whose clientes, and seruantes do fight and defende them. Infore time they were prepared for kyngs, but now through fauour, and faction: euery prince hath gotten them.’

[Page]Neyther were there any thynge more profitable for our vse, agaynst strange, and valiant nations: ‘sauinge that they doo not generally sauegard, and defend all. It is seldome, that twoo, or three Cities do ioyne, to withstande their cō ­mon daunger, so that whylst they fight seuerally: they are ouercome vniuer­sally.’ Also in another place.

‘The Britaynes do muster, pay tri­bute, and fulfil other commaundments of the Empyre, without stay, or grut­chynge, so that there be no iniurie offe­red, which they can hardly abyde. And now they be subdued to obey, but not yet to be slaues. And a litle afterward.’

‘But now they beginne to enstruct the children of Princes, in liberal sciences, sayeth Agricola. And to preferre the wittes of the Britaynes in studie, before the Frenchmens. That they, whiche of late detested the Roman tongue: doo now desier to be eloquent therein. Af­terward, the maiestie of our attyre, and our Gowne was commonly worne, & by litle, and litle, they came to the imi­tation of our vices, and superfluities, [Page 87] as to haue Galleries, Bathes, and to vse our nysenesse in feastyng.Whiche amongst the vnskilfull was termed, humanitie, when as in deede, it is part of seruilitie.’

Dion Cassius, a man that had bin Consul, among other thynges hath left this in writyng vnto posteritie, ‘of Cae­sars expedition into Britayne. The Britaynes durst not set openly vpon the Romans, bycause they kepte diligent watche, and warde, but they tooke cer­teyne whiche were sent, as it were, vn­to their freendes, and confederates Re­gion, to prouide victayle, whom they slew all, exceptyng a few, which Caesar commyng with speede: rescued. Then began they to assault the Campe, wher­in they preuayled not, but were repul­sed, not without slaughter on their side. Howbeit, they neuer tooke peace, before that they had byn many times put to the worst. Caesar, contrary to that he had purposed: ended the warre, requiryng yet moe pleadges, of whom notwith­standyng, he receaued but few. So Cae­sar returned in to the continent, & such [Page] thynges as were vnquiet durynge his absence: he appeased, gayning nothyng to him selfe, nor to the Citie of Rome out of Britayne, but only the glorie of the expedition taken in hande.’

‘Which both he himselfe did very much set foorth in woordes: and the Romans extolled wonderfully at Rome. In so muche, that in consideration of these deedes, so happely atcheeued: they de­creed a supplication, or thankes gy­uyng of twentie dayes. And in ano­ther place.’

‘The Britaynes callyng foorth their fellowes, and communicatynge the ef­fect of their entent vnto Suella, who a­mongst all the Petiroyes, or Erles of that Ilande, was of greatest power: they marched vnto the Roman shyppes where they rode at anker. With whom the Romans meetynge: at the first en­counter, were troubled with the Wa­gons, but anon making a lane amongst them, and auoyding the Wagons: they cast their Dartes agaynst the enemie, which cam runnyng in sidelonge vpon them, and so restored the battell.’

[Page 88]After this battell, bothe partes stoode still in the same place: ‘and in another conflict, when the barbarous people had ouercome the Roman footemen: yet being discomfited by the horsemen: retyred backe to the Riuer Thames.’

Moreouer Herodian, in the life of Seuerus, writeth thus of the Britaynes. ‘For diuers places of Britayne, (sayeth he) by common wasshyng in of the O­ceane, doo become Marish. In these Marishes therefore, the Earbarous people doo swymme, and wade vp to the belly, not regardyng the mierynge, and durteynge of their naked bodies. For they know not y ^e vse of garments, but they arme their bellies & their nec­kes, supposing y ^t to be an ornament, & a token of ritches, like as other barba­rous people doo Golde. They paynte also their bodies with diuers pictures, and shapes of al manners of beastes, & liuyng thynges. Wherfore they weare on nothinge, least thereby they should hide the payntyng of their body. It is a very warlike Nation, and greedie of slaughter, contented only with a narow [Page] Sheild, and a Speare, and a Sworde hangyng downe by their naked side. They are altogether ignorant of the vse of the breastplate, and headpeece, ta­king them to be a let vnto them, in pas­sing ouer the Fennes, and Marishes.’

‘Besides these: Eutropius of y ^e French warre, writeth thus: Caesar passeth ouer into Britayne, hauynge thereto prepa­red. lxxx. shippes, partly for burthen, and partly to fight, and maketh warre vpon the Britaynes. Where, beyng first wearied, with a sharpe battayle, and af­terward fallyng into a cruell tempest: returned into Fraunce, and so foorth. And afterward. Agayne, at the begin­nynge of the sprynge: he sayled into Britayne, where at the first encounter of the Horsemen, he was vanquished, and there was Labienus the Tribune slayne, and at the seconde battayle, with greate perill of his owne men: he ouer­came the Britaynes, and constrayned them to flie.’

Suetonius Tranquillus, affirmeth, that Vespasianus ouercame in battell, two mightie, and valiant nations of [Page 89] Britayne, and y ^t he faught thirtie times with the enemy, which is a token of no cowardly, but of a most stoute, and war­like nation. ‘ Eutropius also in the. ix. booke of his hystory writeth thus. When notwithstandyng Warre was in vayne made agaynst Carausius the Britayne, a man very expert in martial assayres: in the ende peace was con­cluded.’ And Sextus Ruffus, recityng Bandes of Britaynes. the Roman Legions, amonge the Le­gions of the mayster of the footemen: reckneth vp Britannicians, and British, and amonge the Legions Comitalensis the seconde British Legion. And again among the Legions of the mayster of the horsemen: the French Britons, and agayne, Britons. And afterward, with the worthy, & approued erle of Spayne: the inuincible yonger Britons. And in an other place, he numbreth the yonger British carriars, with the Earle of Britayne.

But what shall it be needfull, to tu [...]n ouer the woorkes of so many learned men, that the glory of Britayne may appeare? When as so many puissant [Page] kynges, so many inuincible captaynes so many noble Roman Emperours, spronge forth of the British bloud, haue made manifest vnto the world, by their noble actes, wel worthy immortality: what maner men this Iland bringeth foorth. For, what shall I speake of Brennus, the tamer of the Romans, and Brennus. Grekes, and almost of all the nations in the worlde? What of Caswallan, to Caswaliā. whom, as Lucane reporteth: Iulius Cae­sar did turne his fearfull backe? What Cataracus of Cataracus, who molested the people of Rome with warre, the space of. ix. yeres? What of Bunduica, that vali­ant Bunduica. manlike dame? Who, to beginne with all, and for han [...]ll sake, slew. lxx. thousand Romans. Of whom such feare inuaded Rome, and Italy: (as Virun­nius writeth) as neuer the like before, neither at commynge of Brennus, nor of Hannibal. What of Aruiragus, the Aruiragus inuincible kynge of Britayne? Who, in despite of the Romans, whiche were Lordes of all the worlde, preserued his libertie? What of those noble Cap­taynes, which faught thirtie times w ^t [Page 90] Vespasian? Who also with sorow, and angwise of minde, killed Seuerus, the moste valiant Emperour, bycause he coulde not ouercome them? What (as I say) shal I speake of these? when as Britayne, hath yelded foorth, & commu­nicated to the rest of y ^e world, Constan­tinus Constanti­nus Mag­nus. Magnus, not only a most valiant, and fortunate Captaine: but y ^t more is, a perfect goodman, and the first Empe­rour of the Christians, instructed by Helene his Mother, a Britayne also. How much Fraunce, and Italy for their deliuerie from Tyrannes are indebted vnto Britayne for this man, which was brought foorth out of the midst of the bowels therof: all men do well know, only Polydorus excepted, and William Petit the Monke, his scholemayster, of late brought to light (vnworthy euer to haue seene light) by the slaunderers, & detra [...]tours of the British glory. And, for as much as, a certeine Frēchman of late daies, and also an auncient Greeke author, of the name of Maior, affirme y ^t he was borne at Dyrachiū, called now Durazo: I meane to brynge foorthe [Page] the most auncient wordes of the Pane­gyricus, whiche was pronounced before Constantinus, himselfe. ‘O (sayth he) most fortunate, and now aboue all landes, most blessed Britayne, whiche diddest first beholde Constantinus the Emperour. Nature hath worthely en­dued thee, with all benefites of ayer, and soyle, in whom is neither ouer­much colde of Wynter, nor heate of Summer. Where there is also suche plentie of Corne: that it suffiseth for the vse of Ceres, and Liber, that is to say: for Bread, and Drinke. Where are also Wooddes without wilde, and cruell beastes, the Earth without hurt­full Serpentes. Contrarywise of tame Cattell: an innumerable multitude, stroutyng with Milke, and laden with Flieses, with all other thynges neces­sarie and commodious for our life, ve­rie longe dayes, and no nightes with­out some light, whylst that vttermoste playnes of the Sea shoare rayseth no shadowe, and the shew, and aspect of the Starres of Heauen, deo exceede the boundes of night, that y ^e Sunne, which [Page 91] to vs seemeth to goe downe: appeareth there but to passe by.’ Good lorde, what a thyng is this, y ^t alwayes from some furthermost ende of the worlde, there come downe new powers from God, to be worshipped of all the earth? Thus farre he.

What of Bonosus, out of the cap­taynes of the boundes of Rheticus, a Bonosus. more couragious, then fortunate Em­perour? What of Carausius Augustus, Carausius. who, the space of seuen yeres together, ware his princely Robes, contrary to the will of Iouius, and Herculius?

What of Allectus Caesar, for subdue­ynge Allectus. whom: Mamertinus seemeth to prefer Maximianus before Caesar Iulius whose woordes I will not sticke to al­ledge. And truly (sayth he) & so foorth.

After him sprange the Emperour Maximus. Maximus, a Britayne, and nephew to Helene, a man both stoute, and vertu­ous, and worthy of Augustus, but that in his youth, leadyng an army agaynst Gratianus, whom he vanquished: he had sacked his countrie. Who by He­lene his wife, daughter to Euda: lefte [Page] his sonne Victor Emperour. And as Paulus Diaconus writeth, Bitayne also acknowledgeth Marcus, and Gratianus, the Emperours. Moreouer Con­stantinus, with his Sonne Constans, when Gratianus their countriman was slayne: were created Emperours in Britayne, in name like to the aboue sayde, but not in happinesse, agaynste whom Gerontius theyr Captayne (of whose death there are extant very aun­cient British Rhymes) made another Maximus then y ^e first was, Augustus. And after all these: Ambrosius Aure­lius, is by Panuinius, accompted y ^e last Emperour of the British bloud.

Besides these. xij. Emperous: Bri­tayne hath also brought foorth to the worlde the moste puissant, and in­uincible Kinge Ar­thure. kynge, Arthur, whose euer­lastynge renowme, and moste noble deedes: our freende Mayster Leland, hath set foorthe, and made more ap­parant by infinite testimonies, and moste weightie argumentes agaynst the gnarrynge, and doggysh mouthe, and hatred more then euer was Vati­nians, [Page 92] of Polydorus Vrbine, and of the gresie Monke Rhicuallensis, more con­uersant in the Kitchin, then in the hy­stories of olde writers.

And not only our countrymen: but also Spayniardes, Italians, French­men, and the Sueones, beyonde the Sea Baltheum, (as Gothus reporteth out of their Hystories) doo celebrate, and ad­uance vnto this day, in theyr bookes the worthy actes of this puissant kyng. Caduanne also, who from prince of Gwynedh, became Kynge of the Bri­taynes, and his sonne Cadwalla (whom BEDE calleth a Tyranne, because he persecuted the Saxons with cruell Warre) whil [...]st the BRITISH Em­pyre was in decayinge: were valient Kynges. And after the Brityshe destruction, there rose vp noble gen­telmen in VVales, not to be debar­red of theyr due prayse: as Rodericke the greate, and his Nephue by his Rodericke the greate. Sonne Howell, surnamed GOOD, both famous as wel in warre: as peace. Also Gryffith, the Sonne of Lhewelin, the Sonne of SESYL [...]IVS▪ who most [Page] stoutly defended VVales, his natiue country. And after him Owayn, prince of Gwynedh, who moste hardely with­stoode at COL: Henry the seconde, the Henry the seconde. most mightiest kynge of all that euer reygned in England, thrise entrynge into Wales with greate armies, whose sonne also he slow in Anglysey, and the greater part of his armie, as Gyraldus reporteth. And his nephew likewise, borne of his sonne, Lewellyn the great whose innumerable triumphes (that I may vse the woordes of Parisiensis, the Englishman) doo require speciall treatises.

And not these only: but also the Cor­nishmen, Cornish­men. beynge the remnantes of the olde Britaynes, as they are the stoutest of all the British nations: so are they coumpted to this day, the most valiant in warlike affayres. Neither yet the Britōsnigh Fraunce. Britons, which dwell nigh Fraunce, a nation of the same broode, doo any whit degenerate from their forefathers When as they▪ did not only many hū ­dred yeres prosperously defend, amōgst the thickest of stoute, & sturdie nations, [Page 93] those seates whiche they had purchased with their manhood, and prowes: but also haue vanquished the Gothes, and Frenchmen in great battels, and stout­ly withstoode the most mightie prince Charles the Mayne, put to flight the ar­mie of his sonne Lewes the Emperour, whiche was sent agaynst them, vnder conduct of Murmanus, ouercame Char­les Caluus then Emperour, and kynge of Fraunce in open fight, twise vanqui­shynge his armie, Numenius beynge kynge, the Emperour priuely flyinge thence, leauynge there his Pauilions, and Tentes, and all other his kinglike prouision, as Regino writeth. But He­rispous, sonne to Numenius, compelled the same Charles, to make shamful, and dishonorable truce with him. Whom Salomon also, sonne to Herispous, a va­liant, and warlike gentleman, enforced to retyre backe, when he was cōmynge agaynst him with a mightie armie.

But when Salomon was deade: the Deuisions are daun­gerous. Britons, through desier to reigne, and contention who should next be kynge: fell vnto Ciuile warres amonge them [Page] selues, as Sigisbertus sayth, and so they were constreyned to leaue of y ^e destruc­tion, and ouer runnynge of Fraunce, which they had determined.

What shall I speake of the noble deedes of Vrfandus, an inuincible cap­tayne, Hastinge. agaynst Hastynge the Norman, and Pastquitanus the Briton? Of Iudi­caël also, and Alane, who manfully draue the Normans out of their coastes, which pitifully wasted, and spoyled all Fraunce? What shall I neede to touche such Warres, as they made longe af­ter, vpon the kynges of Fraunce, be­yng therein ayded by th [...]impregnable power of the Englishmen, since it is well knowne to all men, that it was alwayes, a most potent nation?

And, that I may at length stop Poly­dorus Gyldas. mouth, together with his Gyldas: thus much I say, that if he sticke in any poynte vnto him: he was no Hystorio­grapher, but a Preist, and a Preacher. Whose custome is very sharpely to in­ueigh agaynst the faultes of their hea­rers. Wherfore, if wee seeke authori­ties out of Sermons, as Polydorus [Page 94] Vrbine hath done: What Parish, what Towne, what nation, or kyngedome, may escape infamie? What hath Bern­hard written of the Romans? Thus surely, terming them impious, vnfaith full, seditious, dishonest, traytrous, great speakers, but litle doers. These thynges are by Deuines spoken in the Pulpit, according vnto their manner, y ^t the like faultes might be amended, and the life reformed, not that the Romans, or Britaynes were such in deede. Nei­ther is there any man, vnlesse he be a shameles Sycophant, that lieth in wait for al occasions to dispraise, and accuse, which will go aboute by wrestynge of sentences foorth of the sermons of prea­chers: sclaundrously to tax, & infamously to note, any whole couent, shire, citie, or people. Wherfore, let such idle, & ill disposed sclaunderers, leaue of, and suf­fer the true renowme of Britayne ap­peare to the worlde, neither iudge me, good Reader, of two sharpe a tongue. Seyng (so god helpe me) neither enuie of any forreine name, neither thyrst of vayn glory, neither hatred of any natiō [Page] but alonly y ^e loue of my country, which is euill spoken of vndeseruedly, and de­sier to set forth the truth: haue prouo­ked me to write thus much.

And touchyng this rude, and disor­dred litle treatise: truly I woulde not haue suffred it to haue come to light, had I not well hoped, that all learned men, would accept this my endeuour in good parte, and also take occasion by this, whiche I haue rashly enterprised first: to handle the same matter more at large, in fayre discourse, and finer stile. And if they shall thinke any thing herein, spoken ouer sharply, or not wel aduisedly: I submit my self to y ^e iudge­ment of those, that be better learned, and if I be admonished of my faultes: I promise to amende them, when occa­sion shalbe giuen. Thus fare you well.