Raphael Holinshed - Chronicles 1 (of 6): The Historie of England 5 (of 8)
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Raphael Holinshed >> Chronicles 1 (of 6): The Historie of England 5 (of 8)
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15 THE FIFT BOOKE
OF THE
HISTORIE OF ENGLAND.
* * * * *
_Constantinus at the generall sute of the Britains vndertaketh to
gouerne this Iland, he is crowned king, his three sonnes, he is
traitorouslie slaine of a Pict, Constantius the eldest sonne of
Constantine hauing bene a monke is created king, the ambitious & slie
practises of duke Vortigerne to aspire to the gouernment, he procureth
certeine Picts and Scots to kill the king who had reteined them for
the gard of his person, his craftie deuises and deepe dissimulation
vnder the pretense of innocencie, he winneth the peoples harts, and is
chosen their king._
THE FIRST CHAPTER.
Having ended our former booke with the end of the Romane power ouer
this Iland, wherein the state of the Iland vnder them is at full
described; it remaineth now that we proceed to declare, in what state
they were after the Romans had refused to gouerne them anie longer.
Wherefore we will addresse our selues to saie somewhat touching the
succession of the British kings, as their histories make mention.
[Sidenote: CONSTANTINUS. _Gal. Mon._ _Matt. Westm._]
Constantinus the brother of Aldroenus king of little Britaine, at
the sute and earnest request of the archbishop of London, made in name
of all the Britains in the Ile of great Britaine, was sent into the
same Ile by his said brother Aldroenus vpon couenants ratified in
manner as before is recited, and brought with him a conuenient power,
landing with the same at Totnesse in Deuonshire. Immediatlie after his
[Sidenote: _Caxton_ saith 12000. but _Gal._ and others say
but 2000.]
c[=o]ming on land, he gathered to him a great power of Britains,
which before his landing were hid in diuerse places of the Ile. Then
went he foorth with them, and gaue battell to the enimies, whom he
vanquished: & slue that tyrannicall king Guanius there in the field
[Sidenote: The British historie disagreeth from the Scotish.]
(as some bookes haue.) Howbeit, this agreeth not with the Scotish
writers, which affirme that they got the field, but yet lost their
king named Dongard (as in their historie ye maie read.)
But to proceed as our writers report the matter. When the Britains had
thus ouercome their enimies, they conueied their capteine the said
Constantine vnto Cicester, and there in fulfilling their promise and
couenant made to his brother, crowned him king of great Britaine,
in the yeere of our Lord 433, which was about the fift yeere of the
emperour Valentinianus the second, and third yeere of Clodius king
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ saith 435.]
of the Frankners after called Frenchmen, which then began to settle
themselues in Gallia, whereby the name of that countrie was afterwards
changed and called France. Constantine being thus established king,
ruled the land well and noblie, and defended it from all inuasion of
enimies during his life. He begat of his wife three sonnes (as the
British historie affirmeth) Constantius, Aurelius Ambrosius, and Vter
surnamed named Pendragon. The eldest, bicause he perceiued him to be
but dull of wit, and not verie toward, he made a moonke, placing him
within the abbie of Amphibalus in Winchester.
[Sidenote: In a groue of bushes as _Gal._ saith. _Matth. West._
_Beda_. _Orosius_. _Blondus_.]
Finallie this Constantine, after he had reigned ten yeeres, was
traitorouslie slaine one day in his owne chamber (as some write) by a
Pict, who was in such fauor with him, that he might at all times haue
free accesse to him at his pleasure. Neither the Romane writers,
nor Beda, make anie mention of this Constantine: but of the other
Constantine they write, which immediatlie after the vsurper Gratian
was dispatched out of the way (as before ye haue heard) was aduanced
to the rule of this land, and title of emperour, onelie in hope of his
name, and for no other respect of towardnesse in him, afore time
being but a meane souldier, without anie degree of honour. The same
Constantine (as writers record) going ouer into Gallia, adorned his
sonne Constantius with the title and dignitie of Cesar, the which
before was a moonke, and finallie as well the one as the other were
slaine, the father at Arles by earle Constantius, that was sent
against him by the emperour Honorius; and the sonne at Vienna (as
before ye haue heard) by one of his owne court called Gerontius (as in
the Italian historie ye may see more at large.) This chanced about the
yeere of our Lord 415.
[Sidenote: 415.]
¶ This haue we thought good to repeat in this place, for that some may
suppose that this Constantine is the same that our writers take to be
the brother of Aldroenus king of little Britaine, as the circumstance
of the time and other things to be considered may giue them occasion
to thinke, for that there is not so much credit to be yeelded to them
that haue written the British histories, but that in some part men may
with iust cause doubt of sundrie matters conteined in the same: and
therfore haue we in this booke beene the more diligent to shew what
the Romans and other forreine writers haue registred in their bookes
of histories touching the affaires of Britaine, that the reader may be
the better satisfied in the truth. But now to returne to the
sequele of the historie as we find the same written by the British
chroniclers.
[Sidenote: This Vortigerne was duke of the Geuisses and Cornewall, as
_Rad. Cestr._ reporteth. _Gal. Mon._]
After that Constantine was murthered (as before ye haue heard) one
Vortigerus, or Vortigernus, a man of great authoritie amongst the
Britains, wrought so with the residue of the British nobilitie,
that Constantius the eldest sonne of their king the fore-remembred
Constantine, was taken out of the abbie of Winchester where he
remained, and was streightwaies created king, as lawfull inheritour to
his father.
Ye haue heard how Constantius was made a moonke in his fathers life
time, bicause he was thought to be too soft and childish in wit, to
haue anie publike rule committed to his hands: but for that cause
speciallie did Vortigerne seeke t'aduance him, to the end that the
king being not able to gouerne of himselfe, he might haue the chiefest
swaie, and so rule all things as it were vnder him, preparing thereby
a way for himselfe to atteine at length to the kingdome as by that
which followed was more apparentlie perceiued.
[Sidenote: CONSTANTIUS. _Matt. West._ saith 445.]
This Constantius then the sonne of Constantine, by the helpe (as
before ye haue heard) of Vortigerne, was made king of Britaine, in the
yere of our Lord 443. But Constantius bare but the name of king: for
Vortigerne abusing his innocencie and simple discretion to order
things as was requisite, had all the rule of the land, and did what
pleased him. Wherevpon first, where there had beene a league concluded
betwixt the Britains, Scots and Picts, in the daies of the late king
Constantine, Vortigerne caused the same league to be renewed, &
[Sidenote: _Hector Boet._]
waged an hundred Picts, and as manie Scots to be attendant as a gard
vpon the kings person, diuers of the which (corrupting them with faire
[Sidenote: Constantius murthered.]
promises) he procured by subtile meanes in the end to murther the
king, and immediatlie vpon the deed doone, he caused the murtherers to
be strangled, that they should not afterwards disclose by whose
[Sidenote: The subtile dealing of Vortigerne.]
procurement they did that deed. Then caused he all the residue of the
Scots and Picts to be apprehended, and as it had beene vpon a zeale
to see the death of Constantius seuerelie punished, he framed such
inditements and accusations against them, that chieflie by his meanes
(as appeared) the giltlesse persons were condemned and hanged,
the multitude of the British people beeing woonderfullie pleased
therewith, and giuing great commendations to Vortigerne for that deed.
Thus Constantius was made awaie in maner as before ye haue heard,
after he had reigned (as most writers affirme) the space of fiue
yeeres.
After his death was knowne, those that had the bringing vp and
[Sidenote: Aurelius Ambrosius. Vter Pendragon.]
custodie of his two yoonger brethren, Aurelius Ambrose, and
Vter Pendragon, mistrusting the wicked intent of Vortigerne, whose
dissimulation and mischieuous meaning by some great likelihoods they
suspected, with all speed got them to the sea, and fled into litle
Britaine, there keeping them till it pleased God otherwise to prouide
for them. But Vortigerne could so well dissemble his craftie workings,
and with such conueiance and cloked maner could shadow and colour the
matter, that most men thought and iudged him verie innocent and void
of euill meaning: insomuch that he obteined the fauour of the people
so greatlie, that he was reputed for the onelie staie and defender of
the common wealth. Herevpon it came to passe, that when the councell
was assembled to elect a new king, for so much as the other sonnes of
[Sidenote: Vortigerne chosen king of Britaine.]
king Constantine were not of age sufficient to rule, Vortigerne
himselfe was chosen, diuers of the nobles (whom he had procured
thereto) giuing their voices to this his preferment, as to one best
deseruing the same in their opinion and judgement. This Vortigerne,
as by indirect meanes and sinister proceedings he aspired to the
regiment, hauing no title therevnto, otherwise than as blind fortune
vouchsafed him the preferment: so when he was possessed, but not
interessed in the same, he vncased the crooked conditions which he had
couertlie concealed, and in the end (as by the sequele you shall see)
did pull shame and infamie vpon himselfe.
* * * * *
_Vortigerne furnisheth the tower with a garrison, he bewraieth his
crueltie, Aurelius and Pendragon brethren to the late king Constantius
flie into Britaine Armorike, what common abuses and sinnes did
vniuersally concurre with a plentifull yeere, the Scots and Picts
reuenge the death of their countrimen, Vortigerne is in doubt of his
estate, the Britains send for succour to the Saxons, they come vnder
the conduct of Hengist and Horsus two brethren, where they are
assigned to be seated, they vanquish the Scots, disagreement in
writers touching the Saxons first comming into this Iland._
THE SECOND CHAPTER.
[Sidenote: VORTIGERNE. 446.]
Vortigerne, by such diuelish meanes and vnconscionable practises
(as you heare) stealing away the hearts of the people, was chosen
and made king of Britaine, in the yeere of our Lord 446, in the 3
consulship of Aetius, 1197 of Rome, 4 of the 305 Olympiad, 4112 of the
world, the dominicall letter going by F, the prime by 10, which fell
about the 21 yeere of the emperour Valentinianus, the same yeere that
Meroneus began to reigne ouer the Frenchmen. Before he was made king,
he was earle or duke of the Geuisses, a people which held that part of
Britaine where afterwards the west Saxons inhabited. Now when he
[Sidenote; _Hector Boet._]
had with treason, fraud, and great deceit at length obteined that for
the which he had long looked, he first of all furnished the tower of
London with a strong garrison of men of warre.
Then studieng to aduance such onelie as he knew to be his speciall
[Sidenote: 415.]
friends and fauourers, he sought by all meanes how to oppresse
other, of whose good will he had neuer so litle mistrust, and namelie
those that were affectionate towards the linage of Constantine he
hated deadlie, and deuised by secret meanes which way he might best
destroy them. But these his practises being at the first perceiued,
caused such as had the gouernance of the two yoong gentlemen with
[Sidenote: _Fabian_.]
all speed to get them ouer (as ye haue heard) into Britaine Armorike,
there to remaine out of danger with their vncle the king of that land.
Diuers of the Britains also, that knew themselues to be in Vortigerne
his displeasure, sailed ouer dailie vnto them, which thing brought
Vortigerne into great doubt and feare of his estate.
[Sidenote: _Gyldas_. Plentie of wealth accompanied with store of
sinnes.]
It chanced also the same time, that there was great plentie of
corne, & store of fruit, the like wherof had not beene seene in manie
yeeres before, and therevpon insued riot, strife, lecherie, and other
vices verie heinous, & yet accounted as then for small or rather none
offenses at all. These abuses & great enormities reigned not onelie in
the temporaltie, but also in the spiritualtie and cheefe rulers in the
same: so that euerie man turned the point of his speare (euen as he
had consented of purpose) against the true and innocent person. The
commons also gaue themselues to voluptuous lust, drunkennesse, and
idle loitering, whereof followed fighting, contention, enuie, and much
debate. Of this plentie therefore insued great pride, and of this
abundance no lesse hautinesse of mind, wherevpon followed great
wickednesse, lacke of good gouernement and sober temperancie, and in
the necke of these as a iust punishment, death and mortalitie, so that
in some countries scarse the quicke sufficed to burie the dead.
[Sidenote: Scots and Picts inuade the Britains.]
And for an augmentation of more mischeefe, the Scots and Picts
hearing how their countrimen through the false suggestion of
Vortigerne, had bene wrongfullie and most cruellie put to death at
London, began with fire & sword to make sharpe & cruell warre against
the Britains, wasting their countrie, spoiling and burning their
townes, and giuing them the ouerthrow in a pitcht field, as in the
Scotish historie more plainlie appeareth. To be breefe, the Britains
were brought into such danger and miserie, that they knew not what way
to take for remedie in such present perill, likelie to be ouerrun and
vtterlie vanquished of their enimies. In the meane time Vortigerne
not onelie troubled with these imminent euils, but fearing also the
returne of the two brethren, Aurelius Ambrose, and Vter Pendragon,
began to consider of the state of things, and esteeming it most sure
to worke by aduise, called togither the principall lords and cheefe
men of the realme to haue their counsell and opinion, how to proceed
in such a weightie businesse: and so debating the matter with them,
measured both his owne force, and also the force of his enimies,
and according to the condition and state of the time, diligentlie
considered and searched out what remedie was to be had and prouided.
[Sidenote: _Gyldas_. _Wil. Malm._ _Beda_. The Saxons sent for. 10000
hath _Hector Boet._ _Gyldas_ and _Beda_ mention onelie but of
3 plates or gallies, but _Hector Boet_. hath 30.]
At length after they had throughlie pondered all things, the more
part of the nobles with the king also were of this mind, that there
could be no better way deuised, than to send into Germanie for the
Saxons to come to their aid: the which Saxons in that season were
highlie renowmed for their valiancie in armes, and manifold aduentures
heretofore atchiued. And so forthwith messengers were dispatched into
Germanie, the which with monie, gifts, and promises, might procure the
Saxons to come to the aid of the Britains against the Scots and Picts.
The Saxons glad of this message, as people desirous of intertainment
to serue in warres, choosing forth a picked companie of lustie yoong
men vnder the leading of two brethren Hingist and Horsus, got them
aboord into certeine vessels appointed for the purpose, and so with
all speed directed their course towards great Britaine.
[Sidenote: 449.]
This was in the yeare of our Lord 449, and in the second yeare
of Vortigerns reigne, as the most autentike writers both British
and English seeme to gather, although the Scotish writers, and
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
namelie, Hector Boetius doo varie herein, touching the iust account of
yeares, as to the perusers of the writings aswell of the one as the
other may appeare. But others take it to be in the 4 yeere of his
reigne: whereto Beda seemeth to agree, who noteth it in the same yeare
that Martianus the emperour began to rule the empire, which was (as
appeareth by the consularie table) in the consulship of Protogenes and
Austerius, and third yeere of Meroneus king of France.
These Saxons thus arriuing in Britaine, were courteouslie receiued, &
hartilie welcomed of king Vortigerne, who assigned to them places in
Kent to inhabit, and foorthwith led them against the Scots and Picts,
which were entred into Britaine, wasting & destroieng the countrie
before them. Heerevpon comming to ioine in battell, there was a sore
fight betwixt the parties for a while. But at length when the Saxons
called to their remembrance that the same was the day which should
either purchase to them an euerlasting name of manhood by
[Sidenote: Scots vanquished by the Saxons.]
victorie, or else of reproch by repulse, began to renew the fight with
such violence, that the enimies not able to abide their fierce charge,
were scattered and beaten downe on ech side with great slaughter.
The king hauing gotten this victorie, highlie rewarded the strangers
[Sidenote: _Henrie Hunt._]
according to their well deseruings, as by whose prowesse he had
thus vanquished his enimies, which (as some write) were come as farre
as Stamford, and vsed at that time to fight with long darts and
speares, whereas the Saxons fought onelie with long swords and axes.
[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon._]
¶ Some haue written that the Saxons were not sent for, but came by
chance into the Ile, and the occasion to be this. There was an ancient
custome among the English Saxons a people in Germanie, as was also at
the first among other nations, that when the multitude of them was so
increased, that the countrie was not able to susteine and find them,
by commandement of their princes, they should choose out by lots a
number of yoong and able personages fit for the warrs, which should go
foorth to seeke them new habitations: and so it chanced to these, that
they came into great Britaine, and promised to serue the king for
wages in his warres.
* * * * *
_Hengistus the Saxon shooteth at the crowne and scepter of the
kingdome by craftie and subtile practises, a great number of forren
people arriue in Britaine for the augmentation of his power, of the
faire ladie Rowen his daughter, whereof Wednesdaie and Fridaie tooke
their name, of the Iutes, Saxons, and Angles, Vortigerne being
inflamed with the loue of Hengists daughter forsaketh his owne wife
and marrieth hir, Vortigerne giueth Hengist all Kent, the Saxons come
ouer by heaps to inhabit the land, the British nobilitie moue the
king to auoid them, he is depriued of his kingdome, the miserable
destruction made by the Saxons in this land, skirmishes betwixt them
and the Britains._
THE THIRD CHAPTER.
[Sidenote: Hengist purposeth at the first to conquere the
Britains.]
Now Hengistus, being a man of great wit, rare policie, and high
wisedome, vnderstanding the kings mind, who wholie trusted to the
valiancie of the Saxons, & herewithall perceiuing the fruitfulnesse
of the countrie, presentlie began to consider with himselfe, by what
wiles and craft he might by little little settle heere, and obteine
a kingdome in the Ile, and so establish the same to him and his for
euer.
[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
Therefore first he endeuored with all speed possible to fense that
part of the countrie, which was giuen him and his people, and to
inlarge and furnish it with garisons appointed in places most
conuenient. After this he did what he could to persuade the king, that
a great power of men might be brought ouer out of Germanie, that the
[Side note: _Wil. Malm._ 18 Foists or plates saie the
Scotish writers, and 5000 men in the same. The Saxons call
these vessels Ceoles, or Keeles, and our old histories
Cogiones.]
land being fortified with such strength, the enimies might be put
in feare, and his subiects holden in rest. The king not foreseeing the
hap that was to come, did not despise this counsell tending to the
destruction of his kingdome, and so was more aid sent for into
Germanie: wherevpon now at this second time there arriued heere 16
vessels fraught with people, and at the same time came the ladie
Rowen or Ronix (daughter to Hengist) a maid of excellent beautie and
comelinesse, able to delight the eies of them that should behold
hir, and speciallie to win the heart of Vortigerne with the dart of
concupiscence, wherevnto he was of nature much inclined, and that did
Hengist well perceiue.
[Sidenote: The _Vitae_ or _Iutae_ are called Ibitri.
_Alex. Now._]
There came ouer into this land at that time, and soone after, three
maner of people of the Germane nation, as Saxons, Vitae or Iutes, and
Angles, ouer the which the said Hengist and Horse being brethren, were
capteines & rulers, men of right noble parentage in their countrie,
as descended of that ancient, prince Woden, of whom the English
Saxon kings doo for the more part fetch their pedegree, as lineallie
descended from him, vnto whome also the English people (falselie
[Sidenote: Wednesdaie, and Fridaie, whereof they came.]
reputing him for a god) consecrated the fourth daie of the weeke, as
they did the sixt to his wife Frea: so that the same daies tooke name
of them, the one being called Wodensdaie, and the other Freadaie,
which woords after in continuance of time by corruption of speech were
somewhat altered, though not much, as from Wodensdaie, to Wednesdaie,
[Sidenote: _Beda_.]
and from Freadaie to Fridaie. The foresaid Woden was father to
Vecta, the father of Wergistus that was father to the foresaid
Hengistus and Horsus.
But now to rehearse further touching those three people which at this
time came ouer into Britaine out of Germanie. Of the Vites or Iutes
(as Beda recordeth) are the Kentishmen descended, and the people of
the Ile of Wight, with those also that inhabit ouer against the same
Ile. Of the Saxons came the east, the south, & the west Saxons.
Moreouer, of the Angles proceeded the east Angles, the middle Angles
or Mercies, and the Northerne men. That these Angles were a people
[Sidenote: _Cor. Tacitus_.]
of Germanie, it appeareth also by Cornelius Tacitus, who called them
Anglij, which word is of three syllables (as Polydor saith:) but some
write it Angli, with two syllables. And that these Angli, or Anglij
were of no small force and authoritie in Germanie before their comming
into this land, maie appeare, in that they are numbred amongst the
twelue nations there, which had lawes and ancient ordinances apart by
themselues, according to the which the state of their common wealth
was gouerned, they being the same and one people with the Thuringers,
as in the title of the old Thuringers lawes we find recorded, which is
thus: "Lex Angliorum & Werinorum, hoc est Thuringorum," The law of the
Angles and Werinians that is to saie the Thuringers, which Thuringers
are a people in Saxonie, as in the description of that countrie it
maie appeare.
[Sidenote: _Polydor_. Rowen, or Ronowen Hengists daughter.]
But now to the matter. Hengist perceiuing that his people were
highlie in Vortigernes fauour, began to handle him craftilie, deuising
by what means he might bring him in loue with his daughter Ronix, or
Rowen, or Ronowen (as some write) which he beleeued well would easilie
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
be brought to passe, bicause he vnderstood that the king was much
giuen to sensuall lust, which is the thing that often blindeth wise
mens vnderstanding, and maketh them to dote, and to lose their perfect
wits: yea, and oftentimes bringeth them to destruction, though by such
pleasant poison they feele no bitter taste, till they be brought to
the extreame point of confusion in deed.
[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon._]
A great supper therefore was prepared by Hengist, at the which
it pleased the king to be present, and appointed his daughter, when
euerie man began to be somewhat merrie with drinke, to bring in a cup
of gold full of good and pleasant wine, and to present it to the king,
saieng; Wassail. Which she did in such comelie and decent maner, as
she that knew how to doo it well inough, so as the king maruelled
greatlie thereat, and not vnderstanding what she ment by that
salutation, demanded what it signified. To whom it was answered by
[Sidenote: Wassail, what it signifieth.]
Hengist, that she wished him well, and the meaning of it was, that he
should drinke after hir, ioining thereto this answer, Drinke haile.
Wherevpon the king (as he was informed) tooke the cup at the damsels
hand, and dranke.
Finallie, this yoong ladie behaued hir selfe with such pleasant
woords, comelie countenance, and amiable grace, that the king beheld
hir so long, till he felt himselfe so farre in loue with hir person,
that he burned in continuall desire to inioy the same: insomuch that
[Sidenote: _Polydor_. _Fabian_.]
shortlie after he forsooke his owne wife, by the which he had
three sonnes, named Vortimerus, Catagrinus, and Pascentius, and
required of Hengist to haue his daughter, the said Rowen, or Ronowen
in mariage. Hengist at the first seemed strange to grant to his
request, and excused the matter, for that his daughter was not of
estate and dignitie meet to be matched with his maiestie. But at
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
length as it had beene halfe against his will he consented, and so
the mariage was concluded & solemnized, all Kent being assigned vnto
Hengist in reward, the which countrie was before that time gouerned by
one Guorongus (though not with most equall Justice) which Guorongus
was subiect vnto Vortigerne, as all other the potentats of the Ile
were.
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