The Scituation, Foundation, and Auncient Names of the Famous Towne of Sallop

Front matter

THE SCITUATION,

FOUNDATION,

AND

The Scituacion, Foundation, and auncient Names of the famous Towne of Sallop

-2em

This most auncient and famous Towne was first fownded by the noble and victorious kinge of Brutaines, Dyffenwall Moell myd, whom the Romanes, Saxons, Normanes and Danes called Mulmutius Dunwallo. The which Fowndation was first begonne abouts 669. yeres after Brutus first entraunce into Brutaine, which before was called Albion, anno mundi 3525. before the Incarnation of our Savioure Christe 438. This most noble kinge, Dyffenwall Moell myd, made the Castle there, and the North Gate, and a Wall from the Castle to Seaverne, and also from the Castle to Seaverne on the North side, leavinge Seaverne to be a Wall and a Defence to the Towne round abouts, savinge the Wall before mentioned, and called the Towne by her first Name Caer Odder yn hafren which is, by enterpretation, the Cittie or the Towne of fallinge or slydinge ground within the wombe of Seaverne. Which most famous river, beinge the second navigable river in the realme of Brutaine, descendeth or beginneth out of the highe and pleasaunt hill Plimhimon or Plimonia, with her twoe Sisters, cominge from the said Hill, Gowe or Wy and Ryndiocke or Ryed wely. Seaverne descendinge, as aforesaide, from Plimhimnon, beinge in the furthest part of Mountgomery shire adjoyninge to Cardigan shire and Merioneth shire, cometh to Arnstlie, and by the most auncient decaied Cittie Caer Souse or Caer Souswen throughe Redewen in Powys, and so to Sallop, and from thence to Rockcestre, to Bridgenorth, to Bewdley, Worcestre, Gloucestre, and not farr from the Cittie of Gloucestre it ebbeth and floweth. Betwixte Walshe, Devonshire and Cornewall it beareth the name of Seavrne or Hafren Sea, and was the olde division or partition betwixt Lloiger and Cambria from Roccestre or Caer Belin to the Sea at Cornewall. In the old tyme of the Brutaines Goverment all the land above the Ryver belonged to Camera, nowe called Walshe, of Idwall, sonne to kinge Caddwalader, and was enjoyed by the Canmer Brutaines, and all under the River was called Lloyger. The Towne of Sallop was repayred by the fiftie Christian brethren, which were of the Christian Fraternity of Bangor in old Powies; which fiftie Christian bretheren escaped from the wicked pagan kinges of Saxons, called Ethelridus kinge of Northumberland and Alured kinge of Kente, and Gurmundus the Irishe African, which pagan kings were in mortall warrs with the Christian Browchwell, kinge or prince of Old Powys and Bangor, did kill and murther a thowsand Christian brethren of the Fraternitie of Bangor, bicause they praied for the prosperous successe of the prince Broughwell, and for his preservation from the forenamed pagan kinges. For as longe as the Christian brethren praied for prince Broughwell, the pagan kings could not obtaine aine victory against him: therefore the foresaid pagan kings divelishlie and most cruellie commaunded theire armed men, to kill and murther the unarmed Christian brethren, beinge kneelinge upon their knees at prayer, and some of them barefooted, wearinge next theire skins shirts of haire. Some of them escaped to Lichfield, and there were murdered by the pagan Saxons, and Irishe pagans, and the rest of the thowsand were in like cruell manner slayne, without mercy, of the forenamed enemies at Westchester and Bangor. All which furious pagan enemies, sett on by the bloudy Romaines, destroied the Towne and Universitie of Bangor, and burnte theire most auncient Brittaine librarie, more precious then gould. The bookes therein were the workes of the learned Brutaines Assur, Beda, Gildas sapiens, Geraldus Camberensis, Alfridus de Beverley, Gulielmus de Mawmbry, and the auncient learned bookes of all the auncient learned Brutaines, especiallie of Northwalshe. But from the said cruell and bloudy massacre and murther, there escaped, as before is said, fiftie of the Christian brethren of Bangor, and cam with theire prince Broughwell to Sallop, beinge then the chiefest place or pallace of the Kinge or Prince of old Powys, and then called Pen gwerne Powys, bicause there did then growe a greate nomber of Oller trees, and bicause that the king’s house did stand at the upper end, or head end, of the same Oller trees. And after theire cominge to Sallop, the said fiftie brethren did build them fower Sinagouges or Churches, after the manner as the Christian Jewes did build and make theire Churches. Theis Christian brethren did build and make the said Churches with theire owne handes, without the helpe or assistaunce of anie other, and there dwelt and contynued the space of five hundred and twentie yeres, before theire religious houses were suppressed. And after they had made theire temples, they served the Lord there, and wrought with theire owne hands, and with the sweate of theire browes gote theire livinges, and preached and served the Lord, according as theire predeceassors had taught them, and had learned of Josephe of Arimathea, a disciple of our Saviour Christe, who buried his blessed bodie, and was conversaunte with Christ’s appostles, disciples and Sainctts, where and when they learned the true religion, and did understand the lawes of Christe and his blessed Gospell, as Josephus afirmeth, and came into this land of Brutaine abouts xvien. or xvii. yeres after our Saviour Christ’s Ascention. The worthie Mr. Foxe recordeth the same at large. And nowe to retorne to the fiftie brethren of Sallop, after they had escaped the cruell pagan mortheringe enemies the Saxons and Irishe men, sett on by the Romaines, and had bin in the Towne a tyme, and there had kepte and shrowded themselves from theire mortall enemies, they tourned the name of the Towne from Penne gwerne Powys to Shrowsbury, because they there kepte and shrowded themselves, as aforesaid, from theire enemies, and scithence to this daie the Towne hathe bin and is called Shrowsbury. The said fiftie brethren were called, or named, by the names of Saints, or sainted, to the end the difference might be knowen betwixt them and the vulgar or comon sorte of people. And after they remained and contynued there in peace and quietnes, and had forgon all anger, which they counted a dangerous estate to remaine and contynue in, they beinge learned Brittaines named the Towne in the Brittaines langwage Ymwythige or Ymygige, which is by enterpretation to saie, we have forgon anger, or wee will no more be angrie, and so the auncient Brittaines call the Towne to this daie Ymythyge, or shire Ymythige. The Towne then beinge smallie builded, and the Walls verie sclender, and most parte unwalled, saveinge on the North side, as before I have said, by the Castell, the said late Bangorian brethren cast trenches abouts the Towne betwixt Seavron and the Towne, to keepe that the water should not waste the Ground above the Trenches, which they made abouts the Water side for savegard of the Ground, and they sett Sallie trees or Withie trees to growe all abouts the Towne, and when the said Sallies were growen bigge, and were verie manie abouts the same Towne, they afterwards called the Towne Sallopsbury or Saliopsbury, of Sallopia, or shorter Sallop, all which last names were meant and derived of the aboundaunce of Sally trees, thereaboutes growinge. This famous Towne of Sallop was formerlie repayred and augmented by kinge Malquin Gwynyth, and the said Browghwell y scydroe prince of Powys, which Broughwell brought with him to Sallop the fiftie brethren from Bangor, as aforesaid. And afterwards in the tyme of Prince Llewellin vawr, or Llewellin Magnus, and others, the Towne was repayred and augmented, but especiallie by Llewellin the greate, who was also called Llewellin Drowin Donne, who made the Westbridge over the River of Seavron, and built the worthy Tower thereon, and caused his Monument or Picture to be made and putt upon the same Tower on the Welshbridge, with his face lookinge towards Northwales, of which Countrie he was Prince; and likewiese he made a stone wall, with divers Towers thereupon, abouts the same Towne, from the Walshbridge unto the Stone gate. And after wards Edward the first kinge of England after the Conquest, beinge a deadlie guilefull and cruell morthering enemie of the Brittaines nobles and princes, to deface the auncient Monument and Picture of Llewellin Drowin Don, caused the armes of England to be drawen on the picture of Prince Lewellin; but bicause of the Nose of Prince Llewellin Drowin Don, which was flatt, they could not alter the Picture, but the Picture of the flatt Nose still remayneth, and is yet to be seene, and that was the Cause whie the Picture was not altered, as more at large yt may appeare in the Englishe Chronicles recorded. But to retorne to the fiftie brethren of Bangor, abouts anno Christi 1220, the said godlie brethren were examined by Comission from the Pope and the Archbishop of Caunterbury, whether they would obey the Pope’s Lawes, Ceremonies and Decrees, or not. The which to doe theis godlie brethren refused to doe, bicause they sawe and well perceived, that those Lawes and Ceremonies, which the Pope mainteyned, were not agreeable, but farre differed from those lawes, which they had learned from theire predecessors, and which theire predecessors had learned of Josephe of Arimathea, who had bin a Disciple of our Saviour Christ, and had bin conversaunt with his Disciples and Appostles, and had learned theire faithe and religion, which did verie much differ from that faithe and religion, which the Pope and his Adherents professed, which was the onlie cause, why they refused to submitt themselves to the Pope’s hereticall Lawes, Ceremonies and Ordinaunces. Upon which refusall of the godlie Christian brethren, one Austen a fryer procured a Comission from the Pope and from the said Archbishop of Caunterbury, for the disolution of theire houses, and to confiscate theire said houses and theire goodes, and to discharge the said godlie brethren of Sallop thence, alleadginge against them, that they were infected with the Pelagian Heresie, which was nothinge soe, but onlie a Cloke to cover the cruell and unjust Dealinge of the Romaines. For the Pelagian Heresie first began in Roome in the tyme of Constantius, Father to Constantine the Greate, who was sonne to the sanctified Hellen, the Brutaine Queene. So that this Heresie beinge begunne at Roome, might by the Pope have there bin staied from cominge into England, as yt is well knowen all or most Heresies doe begin and arise at Roome. And althoughe theis Christian bretheren were driven quite from theire houses, as aforesaid, yet the reliques and monnements of theire fower houses doe remaine, and are yet to be seene in Sallop in the places where they stood, and the said brethren, havinge no other meanes to gett theire livings, did worke and labour for the same in Masons worke, and bestowed their tyme in makinge of Churches and Steeples, and there are divers Churches in Wales which they made, and cauled them after theire owne Names, as one called Syllyn made a Churche, and called yt Llan Syllyn; another called Dryneo made Llan Dryneo; and another called Gyrryge made Llangyrryge; and so throughe Northwales they made manie Churches, and called them after theire owne names, as yt appeareth and is well knowen amongst the auncient Brutaines. But of the godlie lives, usages, and behaviour of the said godlie brethren, I meane, at some other tyme, to write more at large. But yet, to speake somwhat more at large of the cruell and deceitfull dealinge of the said Edward the first, which he used towards the Brutaines, the said Edward the first, after that his Father Henry the third, and kinge John, had cruellie slaine the Princes and Nobilitie of Wales, and dispossessed them of theire lands and livings, placinge Normans and Saxons in theire Castles, Lands and Livings, especiallie in Northwales, the said Edward the first guilefullie and deceitfullie procured the noble men of the Brutaines, to consent, that he should name one to be theire Prince of Wales, provided allwaies, that he should be borne in Wales, and one that could not speake anie Englishe. Whereupon he priviley and guilfullie caused his wieffe to be kepte and brought to bed at Caernarvon Castle, where shee was delivered of a Sonne named Edward, whom his Father kinge Edward the first nominated to be Prince of Wales, and so by his wily Craftines frustrated the expectation of the Brutaines, who onlie expected a Prince of theire owne Nation. And yet notwithstandinge all theis coseninge feats, and that the said kinge Edward had, by fraudulent meanes, so made his sonne Edward Prince of Wales, yet could he not therewith be contented, but contynued furth still his bloody minde towards them, murtheringe theire noble men and chieffe men of theire Countrey, and makinge straite lawes against them and theire children, as the lawe for the Division of lands amongst theire sonnes, of purpose to bringe them and theire children to beggerie (as he and the Normans thought.) And the Brutaines lookinge for theire Deliveraunce from the cruell bondage, wherein the Normans and Saxons deteyned them, trusted to the Prophecy of the Eagle at Caer Septer, alias Shaftsbury, in the tyme of kinge Hudibras or Ryon balader bras, the eight kinge after Brutus, 237. after Brutus first entraunce, and also to the Prophecy of Merlin Dall Yesin, who prophesied of theire deliveraunce, which caused them to make manie insurrections against the Normans, lookinge for theire Deliveraunce before the tyme, which wrought them much sorrowe. Yet at the last, when yt was thought past all hope, yt pleased thallmightie to send them a Moses to deliver them, kinge Henry the seaventh and his worthie sonne kinge Henry the eight. But yet concerninge Edward the second, borne at Carnarvon, as is beforesaid, by treacherous meanes, after that he became Prince of Wales, he shewed not himself like a Welshman, nor like unto a man borne in Wales, but followinge the steps of his Auncestors, bothe he and kinge Henry the fowerth made cruell, straite and servile Lawes against the Brutaines, debarringe them from all liberties, makinge them and theire Children verie bondmen unto the Saxons and Normans. The like did kinge Richard the second; and so they contynued in vile servile slaverie, untill (as before I have said) yt pleased the Allmightie, to send kinge Henry the 7. and his sonne kinge Henry the eight, to deliver them from bondage, who made them as free as anie of theire enemies, either Saxons or Normanes.

But nowe yf there be anie Brittaine, that demaundeth of us, wher be the Aucthors for this my Work, I referr him to the most worthy Brittaine records of Assur and Beda or Bedoe, and the learned Brittaine Gildas, and he shall finde this most true, yf he can have their auncient records in the auncient Brittaines langwage; or yf he be a Saxon or Norman, let him learne the Brittaines language, and then peruse the forenamed Aucthors, and the truthe will appeare to be as I have said.

THE AUNCIENT NAMES OF SALLOP.

Caer Odder yn Hafren. Penne Gwerne Powys. Shroudsbury. Ymythyge, derived of anger. Sallop or Sallopia, of the sallie trees there growinge.

A Coppie of Oliver Mathewes Letter

2em

Mr. Phillip Jenkins my naturall Countreyman, and Mr. Thomas Taylor my loving and faithfull frind. I hartelie thancke you bothe for your kinde letters, and for your remembraunce of the most worthie and victorious kinges of famous memorie, Belinus and Brenus, bretheren twinnes and sonnes of Mulmutius Donwallo, whom we true Brittaines doe call Dyffnwall Moell Mydd, and of Cornwenna theire moth . . . . . . . Mulmutius was first Duke of Cornewall, and by his wisdome, prowes and . . . . . . brought this Iland of Greate Brittaine into one Monarchie 440. Yeres before the Incarnation of Christe, and after the arivall of Brute 616. yeres. And whereas this noble Iland, after the Deathe of Ferrex and Porrex, being the last of Brutus line, was, throughe Civill Warres, wasted, and spoiled, and devided into 5. kingdomes, he, the said Mulmutius, quieted his Subjects, and ordained for them profittable and holesome lawes, and gave priviledges to temples and ploughes. And whereas the waies and passages of this Realme were with warres growen out of use, and unknowen to travellers, he ordeyned the four notable highe waies throughe the whole Ile, causinge pavements and causways to be made in all deepe and marishe places, and bridges to be builded over the Waters and Ryvers, and provided, that martiall Lawe should be dulie executed upon all suche, as should robbe, kill, or hurte anie Traveller upon those waies, by puttinge them to death in the same places, where the yfils were committed. Theis 4. waies are called by the Bruttaines Ped . . . . pry for the ye Brenyn, and are knowen by theis names in the Saxons language, Kennynge streete, Watlinge streete, Rennynge streete, and Fosse streete. This kinge builded Templum pacis in London, which some thincke to be Saint-Paule’s Churche, and some thincke yt to be Blackwell Hall. And so he havinge brought this land into greate quietnes, after hee had reigned verie honorablie 40. yeres, he dyed, and was buried in the temple of peace at Newe Troye, now called London. After his Death his twoe twinnes, Belinus and Bremnius, devided the whole Iland betweene them. To Belinus was assigned England, Wales, and Cornewall, and to Brennius all beyond the ryver of Humber. But Brennius not contented with this division, raised warre against his brother Belinus, and fought divers battells, but the last battaile theire twoe mightie armies beinge ready to encounter in a pitched field, Queene Cornewenna theire Mother came to them, and opened her naked breasts, and with weepinge teares said:

Oh! out alas! what meaneth this, Doe you my bowells harme? What wicked cause doeth move Twoe brethren’s powers to be so warme? Cannot all Brittaine you conteyne, Since it is verie sure, That bothe you twaine within this wombe Of myne did once endure? . . . . . . ur moth . . . . . . . . . . . . air . . . . . . . . Nor dolefull naked breastes In tender age which bothe did suck!

The twoe brethren, moved with theire mother’s teares and speeches, reconciled themselves, and became greate frends and kissed eache other. Then Brennus, desirous of glorie and dominion, and beinge whollie given to the study of warres, left his Countrey to the governaunce of his brother, and went into Fraunce, where, in the province of Lyons, for his exellent qualities and prowes, he was highlie esteemed of Sygwynus, the kinge of the Countrey, whose daughter he married, and of the Galls he was made soveraigne Capteyne, and the kinge Sigwynus, perceavinge that Brenus was whollie addicted to warres, appointed to him certeine bands of expert Souldiers, to assist him in his warres. Which Souldiers, together with his Brittaine forces, he did leade couragiouslie over the highe Hills, called the Alpes, which no man had ever done before, and therefore the Brittaines called his name Brane, but the Galls called his name Brentius. And after he passed the Alpes, he erected Castles and Houldes under the Hills, and therein placed Garrisons and Souldiers, and wan Millaine, Pavy, Belligarne, Brixia, Verona, Trydentum, and Vincentia, and reedified them, and beseiged Rome and overcame the Romaines, but the Galls, desirous of money, tooke of the Romaines a thousand pownd weight of gould to raise the seige. Whereupon Brennus, beinge discontented with the Galles, retorned againe with manie of his Brutaine Souldiers into Brittaine, and withall brought with him of the most cuninge and skillfull builders, and artificiall Masons, out of Italie, and so builded the Cittie of Bristowe, which was formerlie begonne by his father Mulmutius, and he made yt after the example and paterne, which he had taken of other Citties in Italie, makinge it a conveniente place for shippinge, and for Marchandize, and beawtified yt with Temples, Stone walls, Pavements and Valts under the Earthe, to convey from the Cittie all filthines, which might anoye the Cittizens, and called yt after his owne name Kaer Brane, which to saie in the Englishe tongue is, Brennus towne, and nowe, by shortnes of speeche, called Bristowe, (as Ludstowe is nowe, by abbreviation of speeche, called London) the auncient monument whereof remayneth to this daie upon one of the gates of the same Cittie, called St. Jones, where the twoe Pictures of Belinus and Breennus are curiouslie engraven; as also there is a most auncient Castell standinge upon the topp of an exceedinge highe hill in Gwania, called Dinas Brane, that is to saie Brennus Courte or Pallace. Further, it is verie credible, and to be proved by good Aucthors, that Breennus, in his second Voyage to Italy, with fifteene thowsand footemen, and LVI. thowsand and 2. hundred of horsemen, havinge overcome the Romaines, and slaine Camillus, he marched into Græcia, and havinge subdued the Macedonians, Thessalians, Thracians, and Peonians, he finallie, overthrewe all the Power of Greece, in a most horrible and bloudy battell at Thermopolie; for prooffe whereof a Greeke Writer, called Pausanias, in his tenthe Booke writethe thus: “Brennus had in his Army 20400. horsemen, and there followed every horseman twoe servaunts upon horsebacke. Those twoe servaunts, when theire Master was fightinge, stood in the rereward, and helped them, and, yf by anie hap anie of them were unhorsed, they should sett them upon theires, and, yf the Master were slaine, the servaunt should succeede in his place, but yf they were bothe slaine by force of fight . . . . . . . . was this . . . . . . at han . . . . readie to . . . . . . ie for . . che of th . . . . that were slaine, and this practize of fightinge upon horsebacke they tearme, in theire Countrey speeche, Trymartia.” Thus writeth Pausanias. What can be more plaine for prooffe that Brennus and his company were Brittaines, sithe Try, in the Brittishe or Walshe speeche, signifieth three in Englishe, and March in the Brittishe or Walshe speeche is a horse? In fine, he sheweth, that, when Brennus was about to sacke the Temple of Apollo in Delphos, a greate Companie of his army were slaine miraculously by the fall of a highe and mightie Cliffe of a Rocke, and wonderfull raine from heaven; whereupon Brennus for sorrowe dyed. These warrs of Brennus are recorded in the Histories of thesetenide, and proved by Mr. Hughe Broughton in his exposition of Daniell, upon the eleventh Chapter, and how that Antiochus, the sonne of Selucus, was surnamed Soter, bicause he drove the Galls out of Asia, of whom Brennus was Capteyne, and doeth most fitlie agree with this Historie for the tyme. Moreover, Athenæus writeth, that, after the death of Brennus, the souldiers, under Bathanasius theire Capteyne, tooke up theire dwellinge about Ister, and afterwards they were devided into twoe partes, the one whereof dwelt in Hungarie, and the other parte, by the name of Brenni, possessed parte of the Alpes by the mount Brennerus, in the Countie of Tirulensis, whom Appianus calleth all by the name of Cymbri, which sheweth that they were Brittaines. Over and besides theis things, the Irish men, called Gatheli, when, in the tyme of Brennus, they departed out of Biscay, 375. yeres before our Saviour’s Incarnation, to seeke newe Dwellings, and were placed in Ireland, they called all the Brittaines Brennach, from the name of Brennius theire noble Capteyne, by which name they call our Nacion to this daie. Theis Antiquities our Countreyman Mr. Humffrey Lloyd diligently searched out. So that there is no man can doubt of noble Brennus, but that he was the Brother of Belinus, and the fownder and builder of your famous Cittie, whose actes and warres are famous in many Historiographers, and albeit B......... and his souldiers are termed by manie writers to be Galli, and not Brittanni, yet, as I wrote before, Pausanias and Athenæus make it plaine enoughe, that they were not Galli but Brittanni or Cymbri. Finally, it is well knowne, that, amonge auncient Writers, Gallia was devided into twoe Partes, that is, Cisalpina and Transalpina. Cisalpina was called Italy, and all Countreys beyond the Alpes, from Roome hitherward, were called Transalpina, where nowe Fraunce and Brittaine stand. And thus haveinge shewed you my knowledge and judgement, as towchinge the Antiquitie and Foundation of your famous Cittie of Brennus Towne, which was built abouts 369. yeres before Christ’s Incarnation by Brennus, that noble Brittaine, I, beinge aged 95. yeres, and by reason thereof decayed in memorie, praie you, to have me excused, yf I have not performed to the full your expectacion herein. And nowe, not ever thinckinge to see you in this transitory World, I take my last and ultimum vale of you bothe, bequeathinge unto you, and to that famous Cittie of Brennus, and to Mr. Maior, with the Magistrates and Commynaltie thereof, my best love, wishinge yt with all my harte all prosperity and happines. Dated at Snead neere Bu...... .. Castle the xviiith daie of March, anno Domini. 1615.

Your old Frind and Brittaine, OLIVER MATHEWS.

An Abreviation of divers most true and auncient Brutaine Cronicles

2em

Maie, 1616.

That Caer Souse or Dinas Southwen is one of the most auncient Citties in Greate Brutaine, yt appearethe by all true Brutains Chronicles, which was builte by Locrinus, eldest sonne to Brutus, abouts the yeare of the World 2877. before Christe his Incarnation 1086. for his Concubine Souchwen, late Wieffe to Humber, kinge of Hunnes. Which People of Hunnes entered into Albania, nowe called Scotland, spoiled and wasted the Countrey, and slew theire kinge, called Albanactus, after Brutains entred into Brutaine 22. yeres, before Salomon built the famous Temple of Jerusalem 67. yeres, before the buildinge of Roome by the Bastard Brethren Remus and Romulus 333. yeres, before Dyffall Muell Myd, late Duke of Cornewall, 569. yeres, before Julius Cæsar’s entraunce into Brittaine 1018. before the birth of Saviour 1709. yeres, before kinge Cadwalader’s Departure to Roome, and that this land was called England and Wales, 1571. yeres, before Canutus and Swaine the Danes entraunce 1882. before William Bastard’s Conquest 2802. before the Brutaine kinge Henry 7. 3001 yere, from the buildinge of Caer Southe untill this present yere 1616, 3231. yeres. And after that Locrinus had drowned Humber in the River, nowe called by the same name, (which River in some Places devided Lloyckier or Loiger from Albanie, nowe called Scotland) he brought Humber’s wieffe, whom the Brutaines called Souse or Souchwen, with him as his Concubine to Cambria, nowe called Wales, by Idwall sonne to Cadd the last kinge of Brutaines. And then did the said kinge Locinus build, for his said Concubine, a Cittie, which nowe is in the County of Montgomery, and was of auncient time parte of Powes land in the Lordshipp of Arwistly, in a most pleasaunt, fruitfull and comodious place, with pleasaunt Rivers, and a pleasaunt Forrest or Wood called Koyd Maur, and a pleasaunt Parke called Caer Souch Parke, with most fruitfull and large Commons thereunto adjoyninge, then called Hirrdowell and Carno, which Parke and Comons were after converted for the keepinge of the king’s breedinge Mares till of late. And after the Death of Troenius, Duke of Cornwall, who was afterward called Coreneus, Locrinus was divorced from Gwendolen his lawfull wieffe, daughter to the said Coreneus, and married to his said Concubine Sousewen, and for the most parte remained with her at Caer Souse, which Cittie Locrinus endued with great Liberties, Priveledges, Customes, Lawes and Graunts, as the yerelie choosinge of theire Maior or chieffe Officer, with other inferiour Officers, grounded upon the Trojans Lawes and Customes, as by theire severall Graunts maie appeare, which Graunts were confirmed by divers Kings and Princes. Caer Souse was built after London 22. yeres. And whiles Kinge Locrinus contynued with his said Concubine Sousewen at Caer Souse, Gwendolen, the lawfull wieffe of the said Locrinus, who was before divorced from him, as aforesaid, raised an Army of her Frends and Kinsmen out of Cornewall, called of Brutaines Gwyer y Kerren, and gave battell to the Kinge Locrinus, and overcame him, and slewe him and his said Concubine Sousewen, with theire bastard daughter Haverwen or Havfren, and also destroyed or defaced the said Cittie, called Caer Souse, after the said Locrinus had reigned xxty. yeres. Which Locrinus left behinde him a noble sonne, begotten upon his said wieffe Gwendolen, called Madocke or Madon. Nowe shall you understand the manner of Sousewen’s Death. After that Gwendolen had overcomen and slaine the King Locrinus, and that he was buried at London, Gwendolin repayred to Cambria with her Cornishe Souldiers, and came to Caersouse, where shee found Sousewen, and her daughter Haverwen or Havfren, where shee slewe both the mother and daughter, and caused theire bodies to be cast into a famous river, runninge by the said Cittie, begininge or yssuinge out of the famous Hill Plymnon or Plymnonia, with her twoe Sisters Wye and Rhydall, in the County of Mountgomery; which pleasaunte and fruitfvll ryver, wherein they were drowned, tooke her name from the bastard maybe, which was so drowned, called Haverwen. And so is the River called at this time of the Brutaines Haverne. After that the Romaines came to beare rule in this land, they called the said Souswen by the name of faier Elstride, and her daughter Sabrina or Severne. And althoughe Gwendoline defaced and destroied the said famous Cittie Caersouse, and rased the same to the ground, yet are the Maior and other Officers yerelie made, accordinge to theire Customes and Lawes, Liberties and Graunts, which Locrinus had graunted them, which Lawes were grounded upon the Trojanes Lawes, as aforesaid. And nowe of late divers Tradesmen doe inhabite there, and builde them Houses, to the Encreasement of the Cittie, and doe keepe theire most auncient Customes and Liberties. Also there are many worshipfull and good Gentlemen, that are Burgesses of that auncient Cittie, and so have remained from the begininge of the same Cittie by discent of blood, who dwell within the same Cittie, or withln the Liberties thereof. And when anie Officer is chosen, theire Care is allwaies in keepinge and defendinge theire Liberties, Lawes and Customes, with theire pleasaunte Comons and Woodes, althoughe muche of the Woodes be wasted, and the Commons somewhat encroached by the Lordes Owners thereof, and the Parkes given awaie from the Burgesses longe since, to keepe the King’s breedinge Mares, untill that nowe of late it is otherwise used as please the Owners thereof. And nowe to shewe the Certeintie of the Brutaines Cronicles, and the Uncertentie of the Romaines, Saxons and Normanes Cronicles, you shall understand, that I finde such greate difference betweene the auncient Brutaines Records, and the Romanes, Saxons and Normans Cronicles, and sa manie untruthes of the Romaines reportes of the Britaines in writinge, and reportinge of the Brutaines histories, usages and behaviour, untrulie blasinge out divers vices, which they alleadged to be in the Brutaines, and deteyninge in obscuritie manie generous vertues, which did florishe amonge them, and would (yf they could) have quite suppressed the memorie of theire famous actes and monuments: whether yt were bicause Romanes were not acquainted with the Brutaines for the space of 1821. yeres, and that Romaines were ignoraunte in the Brutaines Langwage, or ells of envie and malice which they allwaies bare to the Brutaines; but the errour should seeme to proceed from bothe ignoraunce and envie, as yt appearethe by Julius Cæsar in his firste booke of Comentaries, where he falslie and wrongfullie writeth, that the Brutaines were Cowards, and not given to Warrs, affirminge, that they were clothed in leather closse to theire bodies, and, for the most parte, went naked, and peinted theire bodies with wood blewe, and had manie wieves, and used Copulation with theire Sisters, Doughters and Brothers, which was most untrue, and mistaken by Ceafar, as hereafter shall appeare, and the untrue reports of the Brutaines apperrell, manhood and prowes in warres, be made manifest; so that the Brutaines were nothinge inferiour unto the Romaines in Chivalrie. For those people, whom Ceasar maketh mencion of in his Comentaries, were not Brutaines, but Hunns and Picts, who were Tributories to the Brutaines, inhabitinge the Hill Countrey of Albania, nowe called Scotland, which said Countrey was given them to inhabite in by the said Kinge Locrinus, after he had vanquished and slaine parte of them with theire Kinge Humber, as is before rehearsed. It is marvell yf Julius Ceasar did write those untruthes himselfe. I rather thincke yt to be some of his Servaunts. For he himself did knowe, howe valiauntlie the Brutaines did resist and withstand him, at his first Attempt of Entraunce into Brutaine, and how manfullie they fought against him, and slewe his chieffe Capteines and Horsemen, and himself forced to retire and winter in Fraunce, and there to encrease his Armie, and the second time, at which retorne his chieffe Captaines and Horsemen were slaine by the Brutaines, Labiens and Tribunes. And Ceasar had not conquered and overcome the Brutaines, but by the helpe, ayde and treacherie of Androgus and Tenewan or Theomansionse, who were sonnes to Kinge Ludd, for malice they bare to theire uncle Kinge Caswallon or Cassibellanus, for keepinge and hindringe them from theire right, which they had to the Kingdome of Brutaine. And further, Ceasar did knowe before, yf he had bin an indifferent Judge, that the Brutaine Kinge Brennius or Bran, second sonne to Dyffwall Moell Mud, with his Army of Brutaines and Galles conquered Roome, and slewe theire Capteynes and Cenators. And after he had repayred, and built in Italie the Citties Milleine, Pavewey, Burgoinum, Tridentum, Vincentia, Comeum, Beronia and Brixia, and others, he retorned to Brutaine, leavinge armies of Soldiers in everie of the foresaid Citties, so by him made, and brought with him, out of Italie and Fraunce, manie cunninge workemen, anno mundi 3577. Before our Saviour’s birthe 386. yeres, after Brutaines entraunce into Brutaine 721. yere, he retorned, with his Companie of cunninge and curious workemen, to Brutaine, and there did finishe and repayer the Cittie, begonne by his Father Dyffwall Moell Myd, called Caer Odder or Nante Baddanr and builded yt with most excellent valtes, hollowe in the ground, for Conveyaunce of all filthe by water out of the Cittie, by flowinge tydes to the maine Ryver. Also he made therein a mightie Temple, with Walls and curious Towers thereon, with Havens and famous Bridges, and when he had fullie finished the worthie and most famous Cittie, he named Caer or Dinas Bran, as the use of the Brutaines was, when they had made anie Cittie, to name yt after theire owne names. As his Brother Kinge Belinus, after he had made with Walls, Haven and Towers, and made the Tower of London, he named Troy novaunt Dinas Belin, which name remained till Kinge Ludd after Belinus 316. yeres. And the noble and victorious Kinge Brennus caused his picture or monument, with the like picture of his noble brother Kinge Belinus, to be curiouslie made, and to be sett upon St. Jone’s gate in his then Cittie, Caer Brann or Brenn’s Towne, for an everlastinge Memoriall of his Name and Cittie, which is nowe, by corruption of language, called by the Saxons Bristowe. Also the said noble and victorious Kinge Brennus, hearinge, that the Romaine Captayne Camillus slewe the Galls, lefte to governe the Cittie of Roome, and other Citties in Italie, duringe Brennus absence, the which wronge, so to his soldiers done, Brennus to revenge, repayred a most puissaunt Armye of Brutaines and Gaules, and with his noble brother Belinus repayred to Roome, and slewe the noble capteine Camillus, conquered Roome the second tyme, burnte the Cittie, and slewe the Senators, as they sate in theire seates, and, after the finishinge of the same wars, Kinge Belinus retorned home to Brutaine, with the nobles of Roome Prisoners to his Cittie Caer Belin, now called Rochcester, so called of the famous Hill by yt called the Wreken. But Brennus, desirous of Warrs, repaired and augmented his Armie, and wente towardes Greece, to be avenged on the Grecians. for wronge and crueltie done to his Auncestors the Trojans, and, after he had conquered most parte of Greece, and the Countreys thereabouts, he went to robb and spoile the Temple of Apollo at Delphos, it happened that most monstrous raine and tempest scattered and spoiled his Army, and parte of the said Temple and a Rocke thereby fell upon his souldiers, and destroyed many of them, and himselfe, beinge a most couragious Gen. seeinge his misadventure, slewe himself with his sworde, after whose deathe the rest of his Souldiers conquered most parte of Græcia. By all which yt appeareth, that Ceasar’s reports are untrue, and that the Brutaines were not Cowards. But what marvell is it, that the Romaines should, by unjust reports. wronge the Brutaines, when theire Demeanour, towards theire owne neerest frinds, was such, that they rewarded theire best benefactors with outragious tyrrannie, and most cruell and bloody murther? And yet, of all other theire monstrous factes, they dealt verie cowardlie and fearfullie with Brutaines. For, after they had (as before is declared) conquered theire Realme throughe Treacherie, they feared to leave the Brutaines noble Men, Capteins and Warriours in the land of Brutaine. For then they knewe, that they coulde not holde the Brutaines in subjection; but to prevent them from recoveringe theire auncient libertie, they tooke awaie with them all the nobilitie of Brutaine, with all theire renowned Capteynes and Warriours, whom they placed in divers provinces belonginge to the Romaines, and placed here in Brutaine Romaine Capteynes and Souldiers, prohibitinge all Brittaines, of what degree soever, upon paine of punishment, from usinge anie manner of weapon, but that they should whollie give themselves to Husbandrie; by which facte manifestlie appeared the haughtie and noble Courage of Brutaines, and the timerous Cowardlines of the Romaines. Let the indifferent Reader judge betwene bothe Nations. And nowe to proceed, to the settinge foorthe of the noble Actes and Monuments, done and made by the Brutaines, it is most evident in Brutaine Records and Cronicles, that, 1040. yeres before the Romaines were acquainted with the land of Brutaine, that it was land greatlie feared of all other Nations, and called Ynis Kedirin, and the People y Kadaren wier. Also most of the auncient and famous Citties, Temples, Castles, Bridges and Monuments were made before the Romaines did knowe this Realme, and before either Saxon or Norman was acquainted with it, as yt partlie appearethe in that which I have formerlie spoken, and the rest shal he manifested hereafter, all which are verie apparaunte in Brutaine Cronicles. And first, for an inducement unto the rest of the Brutaine Monuments, in the 2855. yeres after the World’s Creation, Brutus built Troy Newethe, now called of the Brutaines Caer Ludd or London. Member, sonne to Madan, began Caer Member, after called of Brutaines Rhed Ochen or Oxenford. Ebranck, called by the Brutaines Evirocke Kadarn, builded Caer Evirocke or Yorke, Donbard or Donbritaine, Edenburghe Castle, and other Monuments in Albania, then parte of Greate Brutaine, and nowe called Scotland. Also Brutus Daran las, 2d. sonne to Ebrancke Ileon or Lliell, sonne to Brutus Daran las, builded Caer liell or Chester. Kinge Runbalader bras builded Caer Kente alias Canterbury, and Caer Wente or Wynchestre, and Caer Balader alias Shaftesbury or Caer Cepter. Bleidud or Bladud, son to Run, made the Citie of Bathe, who, beinge brought up at Athens at Schoole, did by arte finde out the Hotte Bathes, beinge one of the wonders of this land. His sonne Lier builded Caer Lier, or Leicester, with the Temple thereof. Janus Conandan or Conedagus, sonne to Henwen, daughter to Kinge Lier, builded three Townes with three mightie Temples, one in Albanie, called Perche or St. Jones in Scotland, then belonginge to the Kings of Brutaine, with a Temple to Mars; another in Wales in Gowenith, called Bangor, and a Temple to Minerve, and another at Cornewall, where he was borne, and a Temple to Mercury. Dyffywall or Mulmutius began Bristowe, and called yt Caer Odder or Nant Badan, that is, the Cittie of the wastinge or slidinge Ground. Also he began the Cittie of Caer Odder yn Hafren, that is, the Cittie of slidinge or wastinge Ground within the wombe of Seaverne. For the River Hafren, serveth as a Wall, and compasseth the Towne abouts, savinge the Northe parte, where the Castle with the Wall and Gate defendeth the Towne. Also he repayred and builded the greate Temple of Apollo at Newe Troy begonne by Brutus. Also he began the fower King’s Waies throughe his Dominion, makinge Bridges and Foordes over all Rivers and Waters, where they were needfull. Which highe Waies were called of the Brutaines Peeder Priforthe y Brenin, and are one of the Wonders of this Realme of Brutaine. Which fower waies were mended, repayred and finished by Belinus, eldest sonne to Dyffywall; who also repayred Troy with Walles, Havens and Gates; and likewiese he beautified the same Towne of London greatlie. And for the furthur understandinge of the Brutaines Actes and Monuments, I doe referr you to the perusinge, as well of the Brutaines, as also the Romaines, Saxons, and Normans Cronicles, the truthe whereof you shall the better understand, yf you be acquainted with the Brutaines langwage. Nowe you shall further understand, that I doe hold the Brutaine Cronicles to be most true, for bicause I finde, that the Romaines doe differ in Computation of yeres, in the time of xxiiiity. Brutaine Kinges, 286. yeres, some of which yeres I will here rehearse, and referr you to searche out the rest, by the perusinge of Brutaines Cronicles. And first, the Brutaines record, that Kinge Lucius lived 67. yeres, the Englishe or Romaine Cronicles record he lived but 15. yeres. Also the Brutaines record, that Kinge Bladius or Bladud lived 33. yeres, the Saxons record but 2 yeres. The Brutaines record, that Kinge Capenus or Caphe lived 30. yeres, Saxons reporte but 3. yeres. Kinge Arthelus by the Records of Brutaines lived 27. yeres, by Saxons reports but 3. yeres. Kinge Elidurus by Brutaines Cronicles lived 19. yeres, the Saxons recorde but 5. yeres. All the rest you shall finde out, by comparinge the Brutaine Cronicles with the Saxons, Romaines and Normans Cronicles, as in the tyme of the Reigne of Kinge Rodianus, Samelus, Idall and others. And further, the Romaines, Saxons, and Normans doe mistake the Names of the Brutaine Kings. For they name the noble Kinge Dyffwall Moell Mud, Mulmutius Dunwallo. Also they called Gurgant varfe Druche, Gurgustus Barbatious; and so erroniouslie use to record the Kings Names and Times of theire Reignes. Whether yt were bicause the Brutaines were dwellinge in the Land so manie hondred yeres, before the Romaines, Saxons or Normans as aforesaid, so that they could not be acquainted trulie with the Times of the Brutaine Kings Reigne. or that of envye they would dimme and obscure the famous Renowne of the Brutaines, by robbinge them of theire right Names, and givinge them other Names as should best serve theire envious humor. But bicause it shall appeare, that I am neither drawen by Partialitie, nor fraughted with Envy. I will here brieffelie expresse my Aucthors, from whence I have derived this little peiece of Worke; as first, Assur of Meneva or St. Davies in Cambria, a famous Brutaine; also the learned and holie Man Beda or Bedoe a Brutaine, Gildas Sapientius of Bangor in Cambria a Brutaine, Alfredus de Beverley a learned Brutaine, Geraldus Cambrensius a learned Brutaine, Jeffrey de Monmouth a learned Brittaine, Gulielmus de Mamsbury a Brutaine, who wrote divers Brutaine Bookes in the Brutain Langwage. Theis learned Brutaines, who wrote the auncient Histories, Actes and Monuments of Brutaines, and did understand the Brittans Langwage, have I made choise of for my Aucthors herein. And whereas I declared, that the Romaines did unnaturally murther their best Benefactors, some of the bloodie Actes I will here make mention. And first, in the verie Foundation of Roome, when yt was founded in the Mount Palantine, a verie small City, and used as a Refuge for Theeves and Outlawes to flie unto, Remus and Romulus, twoe brethren beinge the Founders thereof, Romulus, to thend that he might have the onlie Goverment thereof, slewe his Brother Remus; so that the verie foundation thereof was stained with Brother’s bloud. And also, after that the noble and victorious Emperour Pompeius had luckelie delivered Rome from her enemies, the Gothians and Vandalls, and had also subdued, conquered and made Tributories to the Romaines, the Kings of Armenia, Capadocia, Paphaglonia, Media, Chubus, Iberia, Albania, Cicilia, India, Mesopotamia, Arabia, Spaine and Africa, and brought theire Kings and Substaunce captive to Roome, he was cruellie murthered at Roome by the Frends of Julius Ceasar, and Julius Ceasar, the mightie emperour, after he had subdued the whole World to the Romaine Empire, was cruellie murthered with bodkins, in the Cenate House, by the children of Pompey. After the Death of Julius Cesar, the twoe noble Romaine Capteines, Belizarus and Nearsses, who conquered and brought Prisoners to Roome the Kings of the Gothes and Vandalls, and had dispossessed the said Gothes and Vandalls of Spaine, Italie and Roome, which they had conquered, and held as theire owne; After which victorious Conquests, the said famous Capteines were discharged by the Romanes, without anie manner of Recompence or Reward. So that in theire old age, they were, throughe Povertie, enforced to begge theire Bread as by the Romaine Records, unto theire great shame, it appeareth. Which Ex amples of Crueltie, I thincke, are sufficient to prove, the inhumane Tyranny, which naturallie is gounded in the proud Romaines. And nowe that I have brieffelie sett forthe the Wronges and Injuries, which the worthie Brittaines receaved by the Romaines, I will also compendiously dilate of manie wronges and inormious abuses, which the Brutaines, throughe Treacherie, receaved at divers pagan Nations, as Saxons, Danes, Normans, &c. Abouts anno Domini 435. the Pagan Saxons were sent for by Kinge Vortiger, to aide and defend him and his Realme of Brutaine against Picts and Scotts, which then did greate harme with robbinge and spoilinge. Vortiger, knowinge Brutaine to be unprovided of men of Warr, by reason that the Romaines had taken moste of them awaie, as before is shewed, and that the Romaine Legions were likewise departed out of this Realme, bicause the Romaine Goverment in Brittaine was then ended, and also bicause that Constantine the Greate, and his Christen Mother Helen, had taken out of Brutaine with them all the able men, that then were in the Lande, by all which reasons yt is manifest, that Brutaine was then verie weake of yt self, which made other Nations the bolder to doe them wronge. So that Vortiger was enforced to seeke aide from the Saxons, and also to augment the weaknenes of Brutaine, the tyraunt Maximus, called of Brutaines Maxen grilion, bicause he cruellie persecuted the Christians, tooke out of Brutaine all the able men of his time, and placed them, with theire Kinge Conon Meridiocke, in Litle Brittaine neere Fraunce, called of Britaines, Llidawe Brutaine. Beinge thus weakned by the reasons aforesaid, and continuallie vexed with the robbinge of the Pictes and Scotts, who put all to Sword and Fire as they went, Vortiger the Kinge sent into Germanie for aid against the Pictes and Scotts, his enemies, and to his succour came out of Germanie and Saxonie a greate nomber of Souldiers, under the Conducte of Angli Hengiste and Hersus, who beinge arrived in Brittaine, agreed with the Kinge Vortiger for Wages, to serve him and the Brutaines, and to defend the Kinge and his Realme from theire Enemies. And after that Vortiger, by the helpe of the said Saxons, had expulsed the Pictes and Scotts, abouts anno Domini 444. theis treacherous Pagans Saxons Angli and Hengistus willed all the Nobilitie of Brutaine, with theire Kinge Vortiger, to meete them on the Plaine of Salisbury, to comune and entreate of Matters, concerninge the Defence of the Realme; where when they were mett, there was placed a Saxon betwene every twoe Brutaine Lordes. So the Brutaines, not suspectinge anie harme to be done them by theire owne hired servaunts, the cruell murtheringe Saxons had prepared eache man in his bootes twoe longe murtheringe Knives. So that every Saxon did therewith stabb the twoe next Brutaine Lords, which were by him. Which bloodie Murther was effected when this watchword was given them, viz., nempi your Sæxys. Then did every Saxon slaie two Brittaine Lords. So there were slaine that tyme of the Brittaines of Earles, Lordes and Barons iiiiCLX. and Kinge Vortiger himself taken Prisonner, who, for his Enlargement, give to the Saxons three Countreys in Brutaine, viz. Kente, Southsex, and Northfolke. So the Saxons slewe traiterouslie most parte of the Nobilitie of Brutaine. For a Memoriall of which detestable Butcherie, and bloudy Murther, a Brittaine Earle of the Company, called Iddall or Edall, Earle either of Gloucester or Chester, escaped from the slaughter, and with an Iron barre, being the Steckles of a Doore, he slewe 18. of the murderinge treacherous Pagan Saxons, the moniment whereof is sett upon Dover Castle, for a remembraunce of his famous Acte. Kinge Emris Welidgia, called of the Saxons Aurelius Ambrose, with help of Merlin caused the Stones to be fetcht out of Ireland, out of the Mountaine called Carrliria, and to be sett up in the plaine of Salisburie, for a Monument or everlastinge remembraunce of the Brutaine Lords, there so treacherouslie murthered, and to the perpetuall infamie and shame of the Saxons, the Authors and Actors of the same Murther; which Monument, so by Merlin made, is called by the Name of Stonage, and is one of the Wonders of the Land of Brutaine. And, after that the traiterous Saxons had, by suche bloodie treacherie, possessed themselves of the said iii. Countreys in Brutaine, Hingist, willinge to putt in practise every Mischieffe he could devise against the Brutaines, and perceavinge Vortiger the Kinge to be viciouslie given, brought with him his faier vicious Pagan Witche and whorishe Daughter Rowan, called of Brutaines Ronwen, who, with her whorishe beawtie, witchcrafte and sorcery, by the Sutteltie of her Father Hengist, so wrought with the Kinge Vortiger, that he divorced himself from his Christen Wieffe, by whom he had 3. noble sonnes, and married the Pagan Witch Ronwen, which afterward was the Cause of his Destruction. Moreover, Ronwen and her Father Hingist caused theire Graundfather Waden, and theire Grandmother Fria, to be theire God and Goddesse, and caused twoe Daies in the Weeke to be called after theire Names, Waden daie, nowe called Wensdaie, and Fria Daie, nowe called Fridaie. Which Daies the Brittaines and other Nations call, after the Plannetts, Dies Mercurii, and Dies Veneris. Likewiese they caused the Ymages of Waden and Fria to be sett up and worshipped in all the Saxons Churches in Brutaine. Scithence which tyme the Saxons, Normaines and Brutaines, have those two Idolatrouse Daies in Reverence, above all other Daies of the Weeke (the Sabboathe onlie excepted.) Also the Pagan Saxon Kings Ethelfride of Northumberland, and Alured Kinge of Kente, with Gormundus Kinge of Ireland, beinge sett forward by the proud Romishe Monke Augustine, anno Christi 585, cruellie slewe and murthered of the auncient Brutaines Bretheren of Bangor in Powys, not beinge Monckes, as Romaines and Saxons called them, but, as the Brutaines called them, yr Brodder fowth lin Cristinogen a fregeth wier feithe ac evengell akusers Jesy grist ac gwithweir er egllosy ar ssarney druweynys, Brutaines havinge the true lawe and religion, which they had first receaved and learned from Josephe of Arimathea, a Disciple of our Saviour Christe, who buried him, and was conversaunte withe the Appostles and Disciples, and came to this Realme of Brutaine within 17. yeres after our Saviour’s Ascention, to teache the Brutaines the Faithe and Religion, that he had learned of Jesus and his Disciples, and to baptize them. His first abode was in Ynys Evallon, where he, with xi. other Disciples, taughte the Brutaines the Faithe of Christe, and baptized them, and made there the first Christian Churche in the Realme of Brutaine, called of Brutaines, yr reglos fothen kynta yn ynnys Brittaninet, which Churche was enlarged and built by Kinge Inner, sonne to King Allen of Litle Brittaine, who came with his Brother Yvor with an hoste of Christian Brutaines, after Cadwalader’s Departure to Roome, to aide Idwall, sonne to Cadwalader, against the Saxons; which Inner the Saxons untrulie call Inne, and saie, that he was a Saxon, and accounte him to be decended of the Pagan Saxons, because he and his Men spake the Frenche language. He was Kinge of the West Brittaines or Saxons, and in his olde age he left his Kingdome, and went to Roome to visite the Sepulchre of his Cosin Kinge Cadwalader, after he had reigned Kinge xxxvii. yeres, and had vanquished the Pagan Saxons of Kente, and builded the Abbey of Glastenbury, and Colledge of Wells. But nowe to retorne, to shewe the bloodie murther of the faithfull Christen Brutaines, who were learned and famous Brethren of the Universitie of Bangor in oulde Powys in Cambria, the Pagan Saxons and Irishe Nation, sett on by the procurement of Augustine, a proud and arrogant Monke of Roome, slewe of the unarmed Christen preachers at Bangor, Chester and Lichfield, 1000. and destroied theire Universitie of Bangor, and theire most learned Librarie. Fiftie of the Christen brethren escaped from the Slaughter to Shroudsburie, so called, bicause there they shrowded themselves from the furious persecution of theire Enemies. This Towne was first called Pengwerne Powys, whither the said fiftie Brethren, with Broughwell theire Kinge, resorted, where thcy builte them three Temples or Sinagouges, after the manner of Christen Jewes, and there preached and served the Lorde. The Romaines, Saxons and Normans called them the Moncks of Bangor; which Name they liked not of, nor of anie other Romlshe Name or Secte, which was used at Roome. And bicause that Brutaines should not longe tyme have rest in theire native soile, Offa, Kinge of Mercia, which was by the Saxons newlie called England of Anglia and Hingest, the treacherous Pagan Saxons, who, as before is declared, came first into Brutaine in the tyme of King Vortiger, and served him as his Servants and Souldiers, to aide him then against Pictes and Scotts in his Warrs, this said Offa did bereave the Brutaines of all theire good and fruitfull Lands, Citties and Townes, Villages, Castles and Holdes, which the Brutaines had above Seaverne or Haferne toward Walshe or Idwall’s Countrey in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire, and after he had driven the Brutaines out of theire Lands and Hereditaments, which they had possessed since Brutus first Entraunce into this Land, the said Saxon Offa made a greate Ditche betwene him and the Brutaines, and called yt Claweth or Offa Ditche, and made and ordeyned Statutes and cruell Lawes, that, yf anie Brutaine should come over the same Ditche, except yt were to Marketts, or should come with anie weapons abouts them, or should come under the same Ditche above twoe at once, then they were to be fined and ymprisoned. In the later yeres and reigne of which said cruell and covetuous Kinge Offa, Kinge of Mercia, abouts anno Christi 800. the most cruell and mightie Pagan Danes entered into Newe England, the Saxons beinge latelie become Christians, who with sword and fier vexed the land of the newe and late Christen Saxons, without sparinge of man, woman and childe, overthrowinge Churches, burninge Townes, defacinge Castles and strong Holdes; and althoughe the Saxons did, at theire first Enteraunce, expulse them, and drive them out of this Realme, yet did the said Danes still contynue to invade the Realme divers times, and in divers places, till, at lengthe, the Pagan Danes compelled the Saxons to paie the Kinge of Denmark 4000li. a yere for Tribute, called the Danes Gilde; which payment contynued untill Kinge Edward the Sainct’s tyme anno Domini 1043. and further, the Pagan Danes putt in every Saxon’s House, to be Master over the Housholder, one Dane, which Dane should have Goverment, not onlie of the Housholder, but also of his Wieffe, Sonnes, Daughters and Servaunts, who most holde him as theire Lorde, and so was he called Lord Dane. And further, the said Pagan Danes dispossessed the Saxons of the Lands, which the cruell Kinge Offa had latelie gotton of the Brutaines, the Saxons olde Frinds, as in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Cheshire; and in Gloucestershire, in the same lands that Kinge Offa tooke from the Brutaines, the Danes made, for theire Habitations, Mucheldene, Overdene and Litle Dene, and many other Townes, and there made the famous Forrest of Danes, and in Herefordshire they made the Towne and Churche of Priestdene, and other Townes in Shropshire and Cheshire. So by God’s Permission, the cruell Saxons were rewarded for their Crueltie to the Brutaines. And besides all this, the cruell Saxon Kinge Egbert and Redburga his cruell and covetuos Wieffe, for Envie and Malice they had to the Brutaines, and bicause they would have had the Brutaines lands in more larger manner to belonge to England, much like unto a covetuous Achab and divelishe Jessabell, made Proclamation, that, upon paine of Deathe, all the auncient and Christen Brutaines should, with theire Wieffes and Children, departe and goe out of theire Lands, Citties, Townes and Castles, which they had built and possessed since Brutus first entraunce into Brutaine, being abouts 1880. yeres. It was in anno Christi 766. or thereabouts, that the proclamation was made by Egberte and his Wieffe Jesabell, against the Brutaines, to departe out of theire lands and livings in England to Wild Walshe, above Offa Ditche, and allso to Cornewall, Scotland and Ireland. After the Brutanes were departed out of Ingland, as aforesaid, Kinge Egbert caused Lloiger or Locrine to be called Ingland, abouts the yeres above written. The wicked Saxon Rowone or Ronwen, Daughter to Hengiste, as aforesaid, after that Vortiger, her husband, was, for her sake, deposed from his Kingdome, and Vortimerus his Sonne chosen Kinge in his steed, Vortimer the newe Kinge was cruellie poisoned by the said Rowon or Ronwen his Stepmother, after he had reigned five yeres. Further, she caused the noble Kinge Emris Welidgia by her meanes to be poisned, because the said Kinge Emris Welidgia had burnte Vortiger her husband, at his Castle of Caer Marthen. For she was verie skilfull in the arte of Poisninge. The cruell Pagan Danes destroied most parte of the newe Abbeys, latelie erected by the newe Christened Saxons, which the said Saxons, then and yet called Englishemen, had robbed and spoiled from the Brutaines, to whom they were sometime servaunts; of which Abbeys, by them destroyed and defaced, the proud and arrogant Kinge Edgar reedified seaven and fortie. The reason why Edgar was called the proud Kinge was, bicause he used to be rowed in his barge at Westchester with viii. Kinges, that is to saie, Rinoch Kinge of Scottes, Macolme Kinge of Comberland, Macon Kinge of Man, Duffnwall, Systerthe, and Huwall three Kings of Walshe, James Kinge of Norway, and Jukill Kinge of Westmerland. Abouts anno Domini 913, the said Danes did winne and conquere from the Saxon Kinge of Mercia, muche of his Lands abouts Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Gloucestreshire, as Deyntree, Dane Churche, or Donchurche, Myrryden, and Wallingford Castle and Towne, with the three Deanes or Danes Townes, with the famous Forrest of Dane, which Lands the Danes possessed, till yt pleased God to disposesse them of all theire right, which they claymed in England, by William Ismall, who conquered them and others anno 1066. Canutus the Dane abouts 1036. after he had subdued Scotland, as appearethe by his Records, was Kinge of fower Kingdomes, viz. England, Denmarke, Scotland and Norway, whiche he held not longe.