Of the first Planters in Britany.

THe Opinions of Learned Men concerning the Brittish extraction, are various; It may not be improbable that the Grecians, or a Greek Colony, or some Neigh­bours who spake the Greek Language, or a Dialect thereof, first Peopled this Country, for these Reasons. It must be planted (in all likelihood) by Navigators, because it is an Island. The Grecians, and those who liv'd not far from them, about the first known time, were generally account­ed of the best sort. They setled divers Colonies on the Sea-side, quite through the Mediterranean; and passing the Streights, might no doubt fixe several on the Coasts upon the Atlantick Ocea. The Greek Language, worn out of vulgar use among the People, was preserved among the Druids, their Priests, upon the first Discovery by Caesar; and it is not to be found out how they came by it, unless by some Plantation among them; no other common inter­course having been heard of before. And another pre­sumption is, The continuing of the Language has resem­blance to the practise of the Roman Clergy, in keeping up the old Latine Tongue at this day; amongst whom are, as with these were, some interests and considerations of like nature. The Britains fought in Chariots, after the old manner about Greece, when they were first heard of in the Roman Territories, but a peculiar way then of the Brit­tains, except in Gallia abutting; which Caesar in his Com­mentaries tells as a Novelty, in a particular Description of their way of Fight, to his Country-men. If we come to the first Name of the Island, we finde it called Albion, or Alebion; it seems to me to denote a derivation from Lybia, where Greek Colonies had set down. If we look upon the Conjectures of Caesar, he declares his Opinion, that there were here in his dayes two sorts of People, some whom he thought might come from Gallia, seated on those Neighbouring Coasts, upon some Conquests made; and a Nation within the Land of a more ancient settle­ment. Tacitus has much the same Conjectures, adding this, That he conceiv'd a third sort came into the North [Page 4] from the Germans, and founds his opinion on their Com­plexions. This does not disagree with that of Cambden, who would have the Gauls to plant it; sor it is not unlike­ly, some of them might come over into this Country, and yet another People might be here long before. And though I do not believe the reports of Brute in all points, concerning the Trojans, whom one may upon the matter call Grecians, in respect of their Founder, Dardanus a Grecian, and their near scituation to that Country; yet I may reasonably suppose, that either it is true, in some parts, as the story of King Arthur is; but so absurd, by the many additions of fabulous and magnifying Writers, that the certainty thereof, is not only extinguish'd, for a great share, but may be hereafter, as this of the Grecians, with many learned men, utterly doubted. Or else, the Historian, who first brought it to light, finding a great probability, that the Brittish Extraction was chiefly Greekish, or so little distant, that it had great Relishes thereof; and withal, being taken with the same vanity, that some Wri­ters of those times, and long before, did affect, to derive their Original from a Trojan-stock, did put this general truth into that particular shape, which would not bear the observations of learned men. I could add the consonancy of the Greek Language, to the words of vulgar use amongst us at this day, seeming to be the Primitives; and some ob­servations on the credible report of an Altar, dedicated to Ʋlysses, the famous Grecian, as appeared by an Inscription found in the North, with some things more; but this be­ing none of the most useful parts of an History, I will add with Cambden, That the Gauls might be next in some places, and the Germans, with Tacitus, in others; and so pass on to a Search, where they might first land; a que­stion more hardly to be resolved, and I doubt, at the best, can be but conjectured at.

The Places, in which it may be supposed the Plan­ters first sate down: And of the Fortunate Islands.

I Am moved to guess, that they who were in their Pe­regrination, might on their Landing fix on the Isle of Man or Anglesey, or both: for these Reasons. The Druids whose Name Druetes, a Grecian original, when this Island was first discovered to the more known parts of the World, were seated principally in these two, to Anglesey first, and not toward Scotland, a place of more remoteness, and probably of more security (were that the only Reason of their moving this way) as some have thought) the Sou­thern Britains were stil made, as they gave way to the Con­querors, a thing frequent among Colonies, to retire to their Original and Capital Seats, as being generally best fenced, and most affected; and at this day the Welsh-men affirm themselves derived generally from the ancient Brit­tain Stock. The worthy Bishop of Saint Andrews in his History of the Church of Scotland, tells us thus of the Isle of Man, and the Northern Britains his Country-men.

Cratilinth coming to the Crown, in the Year 277, made it one of his first Works, to purge the Kingdom of Heathen­ish Superstition, and expulse the Druids, a sort of Priests held in those dayes in great reputation. Their manner was to Celebrate Sacrifices, and perform their other Rites in Groves, with Leaves and Branches of Oak; and thence, saith Pliny, they were called Druides, for [...] in the Greek Language doth signify an Oak. It is likewise te­stified of them; that they were well learned in all natural Philosophy, Men of moral Conversation; and for Religion not so grosly ignorant and superstitions, as other Heathen Priests: for they taught, There was one only God, and that it was not lawful to present Him in an Image. I suppose this must be meant of a supream God, for they held that the Souls of Men did not perish with the Bodies; and that, after death, Men were rewarded according to the life they led on Earth. They lived likewise in great re­spect with all sorts of People, and ruled their affairs very [Page 6] politickly; for being governed by a President, who kept his Residence in the Isle of Man (which then was under the Dominion of the Scots) they did once every Year meet in that Place, to take Counsel together, for the Ordering of Affairs: and carried matters with such Discretion, that Cratilinth found it difficult enough to expulse them, be­cause of the favour they had among the People. In this Isle King Cratilinth (after their Expulsion) Erected a stately Church to the Honour of our Saviour, which he adorned with all necessary Ornaments, and called Sodo­reuse fanum, that is, the Temple of our Saviour; hence it is that the Bishops of the Isles are stiled Sodoreuses Epis­copi: for so long as that Isle remained in the Possession of the Scots, the Bishops of Isles made that Church their Ca­thedral.

So that I conclude, The Druids, who had superintendency over the Southern Britains, resided metropolitically in Anglesey; and in the Isle of Man, those who governed Scotland, upon some Division at first; or else (upon the blow given those by the Romans, and their Jurisdiction confin'd to the North) they removed their Seat to the Isle of Man, one of the Places of their Original receipt being not Conquered. Caesar speaking of two kinds of People, here in the Southern Parts, to him only Discover­ed, declares the more Novel to have liv'd neer the Gal­lique Coasts, and the more ancient upon the Western: Tacitus to whom was more known of the North, and would have a third sort Landed from the the Germans, as was said before, did in the two first much agree with Caesar, and among his Conjectures, supposes that by the more swarthy Complexions of the Silures, and their Cur­led Hairs, some might come thither from Spain. There is to this day in those Parts a Tradition, Mon mam Cumri, Man is the Mother of the Cumeri or Welshmen: this is interpreted by them, who perhaps never thought of any other Reason, to the plenty of Corn or other Provisions in the Island of Anglesey, in respect of other Parts of their Country, but those that are acquainted with it, and the rest also know, the assistance that comes to this purpose is not of so considerable notice. Now it is of frequent [Page 7] Observation that the Cumeri were the most ancient Nor­thern People, that Inhabited about Britain and Gallia. The two fortunate Islands so much talkt of, and celebra­ted by the ancient Poets, have been for many Ages last past, utterly lost, and not to be discovered. Among ma­ny supposals, let us add some. They were two, and so are these of the Mans: they went both by one general Name, so did these; the one was called the bigger, the other the lesser Mona; one the neerer, the other the more remote. The ancient Philosophers and Poets were great Celebraters of viertue, and thereupon for encouragement to Men, did affirm there was a Place of Pleasure or Rest, whereto after life they were carried, who had lived Re­gularly, and that Place was sometimes called the Elizian-Fields, as at other the Fortunate Islands; they did further fancy, that though there were other delights, yet above all the pleasure of converse with the just, and a relaxa­tion from care, was most valuable. They might therefore conceit the better of these Islands above other Places, because of the strict life of the Druids, a Religious Peo­ple here dwelling, sequestred from the Cares of the World, and doubtless of a great Name for Virtue, at their first sit­ting down, especially (for besides what was observed by the bishop) Caesar tells us, they became Judges of all Controversies in Britain and Gallia, over which at last their Jurisdiction did extend. Their Name imports a Solitary Place, as Monastical among the Religious has the like signification from the Greek Language. The two for­tunate Islands were, in the Judgment of the best Writers, generally, by the Report of a noted N. C. Mythologist, seated upon the Western Coast of Britain: they were in the At­lantick Ocean by common consent, and these are there also; for in ancient time that Tract of Sea lying beyond the Coast of Africa and Europe to the West, was called from the Mountain Atlas, (probably enough) the Atlan­tick Seas, the Streights, thereby being the out-let only to the Grecian and Roman Countreys, who successibely Lord­ed it over this part of the World. The Elizian-Fields or Fortunate Islands, were said to be full of Shades: the Druids here nourished many Woods, to perform their [Page 8] Superstitious Rites in. Anglesey was called Ynis Dowill, a dark or shadowy Island, from the Wood there growing. The Greek and Latine Poets anciently reckoned, the North their right hand, and the South their left, from their way of looking to the West, toward the Elyzian Field. More might be said to this intent, which I pur­posely omit: I will add in the close, the Opinion of some few of Note. Homer thought they were on the Coasts of Britain. Isacius Tzetzes, a Greek Author of account in Cambden's opinion, reports they were with the Britains. And the Story of Plutarch, in the Life of Sertorius I will repeat; which me-thinks is not distant to what we are speaking of. Sertorius, upon his retreat out of Spain, was forc'd to take the Sea, and being there in little quiet al­so, not allow'd to land peaceably on the Spanish or Afri­can Coasts, (being then in the Mediterranean;) at last he passeth the Streights of Gibraltar, turning on the right hand toward the Spanish Shore again, whereto came di­vers Sailers from the Fortunate Islands, seated not farre one from another, about 10000 Furlongs from the Coast of Africa. Sertorius hearing hereof, was so taken with a Resolution of going to live there, retired from the Care of the Warres, that, had not the Pirates of Gilicia forsa­ken him, upon hearing these his Determinations, it is likely he had attempted to go. The Islands of the Moni are much about the same distance. But if these be not they, I will give over my enquiry with Heylin; who ha­ving searcht diligently for them, in all remarkable places of the World, seems at last to leave his hopes in the plain Field, as out of Expectation to finde out where they are: for I think not of any such probable two, on our Coasts, where it was in ancient time strongly reported they were.

Of the Government, Laws and Customes of the Britains.

SOmewhat shall be said of the Government, Laws, and Customes of the British People. It is to be under­stood, they had a double subjection: the one to the Druids, their Priests, which was Universal over the whole Island, and a great part of Gallia; the other to the Civil Magi­stracy, which was divided into many Nations; in Kent alone, being four petty Kingdomes: so that we may con­clude, those had the greatest Power and Interest. The Druids of the South, had each over them a Primate, as also those of the North; if they had not all one at first, they were chosen by Election, and sometimes divers would stand in Competition for the Place, and Warres would thereon ensue. Their Constitution, as Caesar sayes, was reported to have had its Original in Britain, and not un­likely, as we mentioned before in the Isles of Man, their ancient Seats. They had in the greatest esteem the god Mercury, and much for this Reason, because he was sup­posed to have had the care of Travellers, another Argu­ment of their Peregrination. After him, they had in re­verence the other gods, with the same conceits of their Power, as had the Grecian Nation. They wrote in Greek Characters, and in the Grecian Language; but their wri­ting was not much: for as to their Doctrine, they taught the mysteries thereof to their own Order only, and never committed it to any other Record, than that of their own memories. The People, which we call the Laity, had general Notions taught them, of what they were to be­lieve: Such as were of most considerable note were these, That the Souls of Men are immortal, and that rewards and punishments attend them after Death, according as they observ'd the Druids, in their Tenents, concerning Religion and Virtue. Sacrifices they had frequently, the common great advantages of the ancient Priests, and to cover the Art from first sight, it is not unlikely they there­fore taught also, that the Sacrifice of Men was pleasing to [Page 10] the gods: for seeing no other benefit might probably arise thereby to themselves, they might seem to intimate, the gods were well pleased with the very smell of an Obla­tion; and thereupon they did offer promiscuously, Ene­mies, Malefactors, and innocent Natives, whereby they had advantage over the People also, by a Power to determine who were the most fitting for such a purpose, and conse­quently an Universal awe over them. They made espe­cial use of Misseltoe chiefly, that growing on an Oak, in their superstition cutting it down, with a Golden Bill, in very devout manner. They had in great use the Art. Magick, a peculiar attendant on the Doctrine of igno­rance. A Hare, Hen, and Goose, they forbad to eat, though for pleasure they had many. The common People were kept in ignorance, which might serve to them as a Mo­ther of Devotion. The Druids were exempt from Taxes and the Warres, by which immunities, and other advan­tages, many did covet to be of their Order. It is thought that the Christian Religion, when first brought hither, was the easilier admitted, upon the apparent congruity to some of their Principles. They did excommunicate Offenders much in the same manner as it is done with us, excluding them the benefit of Law, all Men shunning their Society, and they had several other ways to punish Contem­ners of their Religion, and considerable rewards to the obedient. The Laity being divided into a great number of petty Governments, had thereupon, doubtless, various Laws and Customes, whereof we will mention a few, but cannot sort them to the particular Nations. Some of their Money was in Brass, other in Iron-Rings; one espe­cial sort, had the Figure of a Shield emboss't, and on that side a certain Image, the Device was within. It is said, that in no other part of the World, but in some places belong­ing to Greece, this last sort of Coin was used, another Argument of their Greekish extraction. For Warre they had Chariots, or Wagons, or both; armed some with Iron, in the fashion of Sithes at the Axle-Tree, to do the more mischief in their motion. In some places the principal Person guided the Horse, in others they had a Chariot­tier. In this last fashion the Person of Condition would [Page 11] alight as he saw occasion, and fight on foot, retiring to the Chariot when he thought convenient. They were made of that fashion, and the Horses so train'd, that they would run very speedily, stay, and turn dextrously, even upon the declivity of a Hill. Some sought with small Shields, and short Pikes, with a Bell at the end thereof, to make a noise, whereby the Enemy might be daunted. They went for the most part naked, having a Sword girt to their Wasts by an Iron Chain, and some had Collars with Links of Iron about their Necks for Ornament. They did wear the Hair of their Heads and upper Lips long, and shav'd it off in all other parts. Some cover'd that which modesty does direct us, others not. Their Bodies were painted with the shapes of Birds, and Beasts, &c. They lived upon Flesh, Milk, and Roots, and some Corn; but of this last they planted not much. Few Towns there were, and but ill built Houses: those which they had were in places full of neighbouring Trees, and fenc'd with Wood cut down, and other materials in a gross manner, wherin they lodg'd Themselves and their Cattle. These things one would think do denote a barbarous People, and, as some have said, an ignorant Nation; and among our Historians, there are such, who make formal Apologies for it. Though I cannot altogether excuse it, yet, in my Opinion, such seeming Barbarisms were for the most part practis'd on choice, and for good Reasons. For it was with them then, as it is now with others, and like enough, will be always (when the Condition of a Country, is, or shall be, as theirs was) in no better nor civiller a plight, as they call it, though it may be somewhat various. It is con­sented to, on all hands generally, that at the same time the Druids, who then spread over the whole Nation, were great Philosophers, learned and civil in their Conversation; and no doubt, divers of the Laity also, though not very many, the Druid-Interest forbidding it. The Country be­ing divided into many petty Nations, of Consequence it must fall out, that they had frequent Warrs, the Confines being small: then to make common Plantations of Corn, and to expect to have a principal maintenance out of it, unless at some special times and places, would, in effect, [Page 12] be to subdue themselves, for thereby they would be sub­ject to the inroads of their Enemies, and, on a destruction thereof, to a Famine. As to their going naked, necessity compelled many of them, for if they kept many Sheep, out of which Men are usually cloathed in cold Countrys, especially of our Clime, such kinde of Cattle are neither capable to be sent readily out of the way from forragers, not protected from Beasts of Prey, as Wolves, and Foxes in great store, probably among the many Woods then in this Island. So then they were driven to live on wild Beasts, and what might be had from Kine, and the na­tural productions of the Earth, which were in less degree subject to such Inconveniencies, and the Hides were of great advantage for Coverings, and several other purposes. As to their dwelling Places, how vain would it be for any Man to spend a considerable part of his sub­stance in building a House, which would be immediatly subject to prostitution, by irruptions of an Enemy, and Wood is so far from being an Argument of a barbarous People, in the sense it is usually receiv'd, that we may more truly say, it is a considerable and judicious protecti­on for Men and Cattle in a small Territory, a little Coun­try, being apt to be over-run and spoyl'd in few days, where all things generally are uncovered, and with small defence: But to come to the History.

Caesar's Design to invade Britany.

JƲlius Caesar abounding in the thoughts of Conquest and Glory, after he had made considerable atchieve­ments in Gallia and Germany, about fifty years before the account used in England, fifty four some have said, takes upon him a resolution to Invade the Britains: moved to it upon expectation of Riches, by the plunder of a large and unexhausted Country (Money being necessary in great Undertakings, and Caesar had then in his mind such as were of no small dimension.) The Pearles of this Coun­try [Page 13] were in great report in those days amongst the Romans, whether by mistake, or that there are none here in the latter Ages, equalling the former, is uncertain. But he gave out, that the Britains, in the Warres of Gallia, had assisted the Galls, and made that the pretence of his In­vasion. The notice of Caesar's intentions, being come to the Britains, several of their States sent Embassadors to him, with tender of submission to the Roman Authority, and offer Hostages for their security; to whom Caesar was courteous, commending their resolutions, and exhorted them to constancy therein, but would not desist his for­mer designs, this notwithstanding, but sent them away with one Comius, whom he had made Prince of the Atre­batij, a Person of Judgment and Fidelity, with directions to him, to manage an Interest amongst the States of Bri­tain, according to certain Instructions, he had received from Caesar. This did not please the Britains: so when they came to Land, it was resolved to lay him in Irons, and effected accordingly, with an unanimous resolution, contriving to defend themselves like Men, against the po­wer of those, whose greediness and ambition, by submit­ting, they could not satisfie. Caesar could not get know­ledge, to any satisfaction, of the People, their ways of Fight, their Laws, Ports or Forces, only some superficial Information he had, by certain Merchants; thereupon he sends Caius Volusenus in a Vessel, to make some disco­very, who return'd, after five days disquisition, and gave Caesar an account of what he had taken notice of; which could not be considerable, sithence he did not dare to land, because of the Enemy on the Coast prepared to re­ceive him. What with Caesar's Warres on the Continent that Summer, which he had but newly pass't over, and what with his preparing for an Invasion by Sea, which must the rather spend him the more time, because it was out of his customary way of fighting, it fell out, that he could not be ready to Ship his Men, till neer Winter, for this very reason, somewhat the more inconvenient to him, because he was to pass an Army of Southern Men, into a more Northern Climate, as also, because of his return by Sea, for so he must, in respect of Winter Provision, [Page 14] which was not to be had, but in Gallia; the Seas being at the following Season, more rough and unconstant, which an Army is less able to endure, because they are in dan­ger of being disperst, the confusion of many Naval de­signs of this nature: but notwithstanding, Caesar trusting to his wonted fortune, was resolved to undertake it, and sa­tisfies himself, with an apprehension, that, if he could but make a discovery, it might recompence his journey, by the advantage he might gain in his preparations, for another Summers expedition.

His Preparations, Voyage, and Landing.

THe Galls and Germans, being but newly quieted, and apt on all occasions, especially the first, to express their distaste of that subjection, with which, as yet they had not well been acquainted, he thereupon left a great party in Gallia, where he had most suspition, and in those pla­ces, whither he intended, at his return to arrive, and strongly fortified the Port, called then Iccius, not farre from the now Callis, if not the same, from whence he did intend to set sayl, as he had design'd likewise to come back to it. Two Legions of Foot, which might each contain about 5000 (for they were somewhat un­certain in their number) he resolv'd to transport, and certain Horse, which if they were the proportion, that was usu­ally with two Legions, might be about a 1000. The Foot lay at the Port before mentioned, with whom Caesar was in Person, and eighty Ships of burden to carry them over, 18 more he intended for the Horse, which to­gether, with that lesser Fleet, were some few Leagues di­stant, and by reason of contrary winds, could not come up to him, before he was in his passage to the Island, with the other part of the Navy. He had also with him seve­ral Gallies, as we may call them, or Ships of War, to what number is not known.

During his expectation of the Horse, the Wind blowed fair, which opportunity, not willing to lose, he [Page 15] thereupon ships his Foot, and weighing Anchor, sets sayl somewhat pass't midnight, sending to the Horse commands to do the like, and follow, and comes himself with the best Sailors, within view of the Island, somewhat before Noon the next Day. The Coast where he arrived, was unfit to Land his Men on, the Rocks hanging over the Sea, and consequently of more advantage to the Defen­ders, than Assaylors, the rather, because the Britains might make great use of their missive Weapons, so he casts An­chor, and stays till the rest of his Fleet, which set sayl with him, came up, which was two or three hours after Noon; when they were neer, he sends for his principal Officers aboard him, and acquaints them with what Vo­lusenus had discovered, telling them further his Intentions to try for a more favourable Shoar, and gives them particular Instructions what they should do, inculcating to them above all, the necessity of being exact in their duties on that unstable Element of the Sea. The Wind and Tide serving Him, he weighs Anchor, and sets Saile a­gain, and within a small time, comes to a place not far distant, where was a plain and open Shore, proper to land his Men on, about Deale in Kent, as is supposed by several Circumstances.

The Britains, who attended Caesar at his Anchor, observing his motion, send their Horse and Chariots, being Lighter of march, before hand, and follow with their Infantry. Caesar had the usual difficulties to encoun­ter with at his landing, especially the disorder of his Men disperst in several Ships, which did draw much Water and so of greater inconvenience. At first he made his attempt without any curious regard to the manner of doing it, not expecting any considerable resistance from naked Men, but not long after finding it otherways, and being of quick apprehension, he ordered divers of those Ships, which were not of burden to be manned with missive Weapons, and plac'd on the Flanks of the Enemy, others that did draw less Water to pass up and down, and relieve such, as at their Landing were opprest; which contrivance was of ex­cellent benefit to him.

The Britains on the other side, notwithstanding this, [Page 16] maintained the Battail with great courage and resolution, insomuch, that the Romans began to fail of their usual forwardness. This was observed by Caesar Himself, who did that day perform all the parts of an able General, making singular benefit of his small shot, and was taken notice of also by many others, and particularly by a Roman Ensign, who carried the Eagle of the tenth Legion, he seeing the report of their peculiar Fame at stake, leaps out of his Ship, with the Eagle in his hand, and first praying to the gods, that what he was undertaking, might prove happy to the Legion, calls upon the daunted and lingering Soul­diers to follow him, unless they did intend to betray their Eagle to the Enemy; for his own part, he was resolved to do his duty to his Country, and his General. Upon this, the Legion provok'd, upon the apprehensions of dishonour in the loss thereof, began one after another to follow him, and the Fight being again renewed, which was at a stay before; when the Romans came at last to firm ground, it fell out, as might be feared, that the valiant, but unarm­ed Britains, did retreat: their natural Skins (in a close Fight especially) being an unfitting match to the Romane, heavy Corslets, at such time chiefly, as they were to en­counter the most choice and victorious Souldiers, under the most able General, one of them, that ever the World had; I call it rather a Retreat, than Flight, though there were great disorder in it, because no chace was made, for want of Horse, who were delay'd in their passage, by se­veral accidents.

The Britains crave Peace; but on a Disaster to the Roman Fleet, take New Councils.

UPon this apparent Discovery of the inequality in the match, betwixt the Roman, and Britain Arms, and Discipline, these, with a general consent, resolve to make their best terms, and submit, and to that purpose send back Comius of Arras, before mentioned, with some of their own Country, as Embassadors, thinking by the one [Page 17] to moderate Caesar's anger, and by the other, in conse­quence to procure a Peace. At their coming, they excuse their resisting Him, imputing it chiefly to the humour of the multitude; and tender Hostages, as a security of their Obedience for the future. Caesar having first expostulated with them the breach of their promise, not to oppose him at his Landing, accepts of their Propositions, and accord­ingly, their Forces sever, many going home, to their own Countries. Pursuant thereunto also, several Hostages from the Neighbour States, are brought into the Camp, the rest being somewhat further off daily coming, and others ex­pected, when on a sudden, an accident fell out, which gave the Britains new and hopeful resolutions.

As it was observed before, the Horse, by reason of con­trary Winds, could not come up to Port Iccius, when Caesar loosed Anchor, being some miles of, and not using a speedy course to Embarque, and take opportunity of the same Wind, that he did, by delay, the Gale became weaker, and they had spent four days, before they were within view of the Romans in Britain, and then on a sud­den arose a violent storm, which disperst them; some be­ing forc'd immediatly to return to the Gallique Coasts, others endeavouring to Anchor on the Brittish, proving very leaky, were compelled to weigh again, and endea­vour in the Night, for the Shoar, from whence they came; a time very dangerous then, especially for Navigation. It fell out likewise, that those Ships which were with Caesar, part whereof were drawn on the Shoar, were extreamly broken with the Tempest, and some made utterly unser­viceable. These things were to the Romans an occasion of sad thoughts, but to the Britains of comfortable ex­pectation; for it was apprehended on all hands, that if they should Winter in Gallia, the Ships were wanting that should transport them, and if in Britain, the Corn was not to be had, which might sufficiently maintain them, and the Horse, which would be very convenient, and al­most necessary, to the providing any considerable stores, was absent. To this, the Britains had an opinion, that the Romans were fewer in number, than in truth they were, collecting it from the smallness of their Camp, [Page 18] which Caesar had contracted, for the ease of his Souldiers to less then the usual bounds, because he had not so ma­ny Carriages, as Armies, did commonly march with. The Roman General on the one hand, having these things in his mind, and suspecting what the Britains might do up­on this grand alteration, especially from the delay, was made, in sending in the compleat number of Hostages, takes great care to provide against the danger, and there­upon causes Corn to be daily brought in, from the Neigh­bouring Fields, where some was standing, and sends for materials out of Gallia, to repair his Ships, which (by his great industry, and the laborious toile of his Souldiers, he brought to this effect, that all, but twelve, were made able to abide the Sea. On the other hand, the Britains resolve to renew the War upon this accident, but judici­ously determine not to sight the Romans in a set Battail, the experience of which they had had before, but to peece the Foxes Tayle to the Lions Skin, and draw the Warre out till Winter, to disturb them as they did see occasion, in their forraging, at some time or another, hoping to have a favourable opportunity to ruine them, suppress't they thought almost to their hand, by the want of necessaries, concluding, that if they could destroy these, it would be a great discouragement to all others, to make any further such attempt upon them for the future: and hereupon they that were in Caesar's Camp of the Britains, with­drew themselves by degrees out of it.

Not long after, the Roman Foot having reapt all the Corn of a Field, (except a small piece, close by cer­tain Wood sides) the Britains guest they would come to it the next day; Whereupon, in the dead of the night before, they convey a great part of their Forces into the Covert, expecting the Enemy would appear and forrage, which accordingly fell out, as was imagined, for the se­venth Legion was sent to cut it, and carry it away, and when they came; laying down their Arms, fell hard to their Harvest, suspecting not in the least the Ambuscado. The Britains having fortune in their lap, arise, and fall with great resolution on them, in this their disorder, and kil­ling many, drove the rest into a heap, whom (having [Page 19] snatch't up their Weapons in hast, and not had time to place themselves regularly, but by chance) the Britains oppressed sorely with their Chariots and Darts. Caesar had notice of this by accident, for those Cohorts which were upon the Guard, before the Camp, taking notice of a great dust arising that way, which the Legion had march't, gave intelligence thereof to Caesar, who immediatly ap­prehending the danger, commanded those to go along with him, some to succeed them in the Guard, and o­ther Forces to follow after. Hastening to the Field, when he came, he found the Legion in great perplexity, and sorely laid to, but by his presence and recruits, he did much revive them, and stay the British fury, yet on the one hand, he thought good to stand still for some time, without provoking the Enemy, supposing this not a pro­per season, his Men having a terror on them, upon the late misfortune, and they would not attempt on him, su­specting greater Forces in the rear: So at last both with­drew, Caesar to his Camp, and the other up into the Country.

The Britains attempt Caesar before his Camp, with ill success, and Caesar's return.

THe Britains being somewhat discouraged in their late thoughts of protracting the Warre, by the expedition and activeness of the Roman General, in the repair of his Ships, and not much hoping for such another advantage, by the Division of the Enemies Forces, they design, while their late success was fresh in memory, to give one manly attempt more, for the recovery of their liberty, notwith­standing the great disadvantage on them, of Arms, Disci­pline and Union, in those they were to sight with. They had this other encouragement, that Caesar could not follow his Chace far, for want of Horse, if they should loose the day, and being Victors, as they spread it up and down they had been, in the last Skirmish, besides the booty they [Page 20] might gain, and a fair expectation of delivering their Country; at this time they were not without confidence of frustrating future attempts, by the terror such a fortune would bring on the Romans; to this may be added, that confederated Forces, are too apt to dissolve on casual con­tingencies, which the late smiles of fortune had kept to­gether and increast. Some few days they were on both sides kept from action, by tempestuous weather, but this being blown over, they draw down a considerable force of Horse and foot toward the Roman Camp. Caesar re­ceives them with his Army, in good order before it, and without much time spent, puts them to flight, chasing them with about thirty Horse, which Comins had brought thither, upon his Embassie, before Caesar's landing; some slaughter was made, and in the close, some Towns were fired that night by the Romans; after which they return to their Camp again. This attempt succeeding so ill, the Britains again resolve to make conditions, and to that purpose, send Embassadors to treat of Peace; the Tearms are agreed on, and amongst the rest, that Hostages should be sent, for the security thereof, after Caesar into Gallia, whether he had now thoughts to return, but with no o­ther intent in him, then to come back the next seasonable time into the Island, into whose weakness, by this his first voyage, he had too deep an insight, and of which, they were not long after sensible.

The Winter drawing on, for September was begun, Caesar makes haste back, suspecting the danger of these Seas in such time, to his crazie and shattered Fleet, and taking the opportunity of a fair Wind, weighs Anchor, and sets sayl, somewhat after midnight; arriving safely with all but eleven Ships of burden, upon the Continent, these not keeping their course, landed somewhat lower at ano­ther Port, and the Souldiers being few in number, the Morini, on whose Coasts they happened to be, falling on them, would have cut them to pieces, but they were re­scued by Caesar; and this was the first attempt made upon the British Coasts, of which we have any sufficient Autho­rity to ground an History on.

Caesar's second Voyage.

CAEsar having made his return into Gallia, according to his customary way, passes into Italy for Rome, there to spend the Winter, in the management of his Ro­mane Interests, leaving behind him, to his principal Offi­cers, command to repair those Vessels, in which he retur­ned, and to fit them according to particular directions he had left of building new ones. He ordered a very great number to be built; that they should be flat bottomed, and lower, in the nature of Gallies, to the intent, they might use them with Oares, be fitter for shipping, and landing his Men, and wider to carry over the more Souldiers, and Provisions for an Army. This was with great diligence and industry, effected according to their instructions, by the Legates, and other Officers left behind. What was want­ing on the Coasts of Gallia, they caused according to di­rection, to be brought from Spain, insomuch that at Caesar's return, he found about six hundred Vessels sitted for this purpose. Observing this, he commended those who were diligent in their care and trust, and setling some disorders that were arising in Gallia, upon the apprehension of his intended absence; He prepares himself for his second Voyage.

Three Legions, and about two thousand Horse he left behind him, neer the Port Iccius, with Instructions to pro­vide necessaries of War, and to secure his return; five Legions he designes to take with him, and two thousand Horse, and to carry over a large number out of the best Families of the Galls, which might be to him in the na­ture of Hostages, cutting off a Prince of the greatest au­thority and interest amongst them, who had with-drawn himself privily, after he could not be excus'd by Caesar, from going along with him, on several pretences of oc­casion to stay. Being ready, not long after, it blew a fair gale, whereupon he ships his Men, setting sayl at the go­ing down of the Sun, with a gentle Wind, standing for the Coasts of Britany, but it left him about midnight fol­lowing; [Page 22] so the Tide prevailing by spring of day, he could perceive they had held a course, which brought them much upon the left hand of that part of the Island, where Caesar had the last year landed his Men, and at what place again for his former good success, and the knowledge of the ground, he did desire to arrive. The Tide turning, and befriending them again; with the benefit of their Oares also, they came by noon the same day to the Coast in­tended, and landed without any disturbance. The Bri­tains having made a retreat, upon the apprehension of his Forces, which they concluded were very great, from the number of the Ships above 800 in all, many being added to carry Provisions and some Officers, having divers for their private use. Caesar, the first thing he did upon land, appointed out a place for a Camp, and causes it to be fortified, wherein he left the baggage, and a party of ten Cohorts, to secure both that and the Fleet, which was at Anchor hard by, and leaving Q. Atrius to command, he begins his march, to finde out the Britains, having been informed by certain Prisoners, which way they had made their retreat. When he had marcht about twelve miles, he found the Britains, with their Horse and Chariots, to have made a stand at a River side, on a piece of ground of advantage, in respect of the height. Caesar charges them, and they receive him valiantly, but being over­matcht, and their apprehensions pressing on them, they make a further retreat into the Woods, to a fortification strong by nature and Art, according to the fashion of their own Country, and divers Trees being cut down and laid across; (I suppose at distances without the Camp;) The Romane Order thereby was much impeaded in their ap­proaches. The Britains made frequent sallies in small parties, and did some mischief to Caesar's Army, but the Souldiers of the seventh Legion raising a Mount and a Testudo, entred their Fortress, and the Britains were con­strained again to dislodge and flie, not much loss being suffered on either side, in respect, the rather the day be­ing spent, and the Country unknown to him, he was un­willing to continue the Chase far, but did desire to im­ploy his Men in the fortifying another Camp for the lodg­ing [Page 23] of his Souldiers that night; an excellent piece of Dis­cipline, whereby to secure and refresh a wearied Army, and of great practise amongst, and conducement to the Romans in all their Conquests.

A Storm does mischief to Caesar's Fleet.

THe next day after, Caesar sent out three Parties of Horse and Foot to finde out the Britains, and take some spoiles of the Country; but presently upon it, news came to him from the Fleet, by certain Horsemen from Q. Atrius, that the night before, almost every Ship had some mischief; divers were broken to pieces, and made utterly uncapable of service, and most cast upon the Shoar, by the violence of a Tempest which had been ra­ging the night before the Anchors coming home, and the industry of the Sea-men little availing. Upon this news, Caesar sends for the Souldiers back again that were on their march, and returns to the Fleet, where he sets him­self diligently to work to repair it. He sends to Labi­enus, whom he had left Commander in chief of his For­ces in Gallia to send him shipwrights, and to build him as many new Vessels as possibly he could; and out of his own Army, he causes divers to be drawn, and imployed in the reparing of his Vessels. In which business he spent a­bout ten Days, not resting in the Night, and with admi­rable industry, brought it to this effect, that not above for­ty were utterly unserviceable and lost. Suspecting the like accident might again happen in his absence, he causes them to be haled on shoar by the Camp side, and enclosed both with one strong Fortification; and then leaving the same party which was there before for a guard, he re­turns with the Forces he brought back to the place where he had lately beaten the Britains.

Cassibelan Elected General, attempts Caesar's Forces several times.

IN the mean while, at a common Consultation the Bri­tains discourse their Condition, and the inconvenien­cies arising to them by the diversity of Councels, and there­upon with one consent Elect Cassibelanus Prince of the Trinobantes for their Generalissimo; a Person of excellent conduct and valour, hoping by the management of their affairs in such a hand to succeed the better. His Royal Seat was at Verulam about a mile from the now St. Albanes, and his Country large, extending it self on the one side to the River of Thames; Cassibelanus being placed in this trust, raises very great forces, and with his Horse and Chariots, falls upon the Enemies cavalry in their march, and gave them, as Caesar acknowledges, a sharp charge, but was not able to maintain the Fight long, against his well-disciplin'd, and well-experienc't Veterans: Being compell'd to make to places of advantage, upon Hills, and among Woods, the Enemies following after them, of whom many were cut off in the pursuit, going too far from their Eagles, and being too eager in the Chase. Cassibelanus, upon the Romans retiring to encamp, returns, and lying upon the edge of the Woods, resolves to observe whether any advantage might be taken on them by acci­dent, with whom he thought he had no equal match in a plain Field. It fell out according to his expectation, for the Army of Caesar was generally disordered in fortifying their Camp, there being a party only, not very consider­able, on the guard before it. Upon these he charges with great resolution, and such a fury, that had not Caesar sent speedily two Cohorts for their rescue, it is not un­likely most had been cut off; for Q. Laberius Durus, a Tribune was that day killed, with many others. These two Cohorts were some small distance from each other, and it should seem, by the report of Caesar in his Com­mentaries, that the Guard was surrounded, and thereupon being over-laid and terrified with an unusual kind of fight, [Page 25] they broke through the Enemy, and either retreated, or plainly fled into the distance betwixt those two Cohorts before mentioned for their security, but several more fresh supplies coming in; the Britains retire themselves, either satisfied with what they had done, or that probably upon the Alarm, they could not do much more.

The manner of this Fight was thus on Cassibelan's side: When he charged the Horse, it was done in small parties with great distances, (the rather it may be, because of their Chariots, which must have compass to turn in) if any had the worst, they retreated, and sometimes in Po­licy did it without any other cause, whom if a few of the Romans followed, they would descend out of their Cha­riots, and fight the Horse on foot, which Caesar declares was not an equal match on the Roman side; and when they charg'd the Foot, if there were reason, they would retire in good Order, and avoid the Chase of the heavy armed Legionaries; if any of their own Parties were over­laid or wearied, through these spaces they sent fresh men. Whether this was their customary way of fighting, or de­signed by Cassibelan to match this kinde of Enemy, is un­certain, but doubtless it was advantageous to the Britains; and had they had as good defensive Weapons as the Ro­mans, it is like enough they might have given a good ac­count of that Days work.

Cassibelan the next day after kept the Hills farre from the Camp, and appeared but little in Parties, in respect of what he had done before, until Noon; at what time Caesar sent out three Legions, and all the Horse to forrage with C. Trebonius, a Legate, whom (encouraged by his former success) he charges very resolutely; but the Romans receiving him with a great force, and preventing the Bri­tish policy, by pressing so hard upon them, that they could neither rally those that were routed, nor relieve such as were hard laid to, at last they were forced to flie, many of his Men being killed in the Battail and pursuit.

Cassibelan's second thoughts.

CAssibelan, upon this, concluding with himself, that no­thing of advantage could be had upon the Romans in a close fight on equal ground, comes in the next place to a resolution of attending Caesar in his march, with a small number of his choice Forces, which accordingly he does, and taking with him about four thousand Wagons. By the advantage he had in the knowledge of the Coun­try, he thought to secure himself the better from being forced to fight, and to keep the Romans from doing much spoile in plundering and firing it; Withall, he conceived he might starve them out at last, by causing all the Cat­tle to be driven into the Woods, where they apprehended the Romans would take their march; this was according­ly put in execution, not without hopes also, as occasion serv'd, to cut some of them off who did straggle, if they could not light upon an opportunity of advantage on the whole body of the Roman Army; a Counsel of good con­trivement and success, for it fell out after, that divers who were spread up and down upon hope of plunder were killed, which occasioned the Romans to march close, put­ting them to some streights for provision, and prevented thereby great mischief to the Towns. Caesar being in his march for the Country of the Trinobantes, intending to pass over the River Thames, at a place fordable, but one thereabouts being known (about Oatlands supposed) by the Captives and Runagates, he understood that the Enemy lay with a good force on the other side, and that the Foard was knock't full of Piles of Wood, sharpned at the upper end, and were all under Water out of sight, to the intent they might annoy, and disorder the Romans in pas­sing the River, being ignorant thereof, and so set upon them at landing in their confusion; which being discover'd, did prevent the hoped for success of Cassibilan's design; for Caesar pass't over with the greater care and expedition, readily provided to receive the Britains, sending the Horse first, and directing the Legions to follow close after them, [Page 27] in whom he had greater confidence against this Enemy, then in the Cavalry, these being frequently in great dan­ger, as Caesar confesseth in their marches, when they were far from the Legions upon any occasion. The Romane Foot having march't through the Water, which was up to their shoulders, and being come to the Bank-side, gave a charge upon the Britains, who not being able to sustain it, gave way, after some contest, and at last fled. Caesar from hence takes his march directly to Verulam, not far from the now St. Albanes, intending to force it, having understood it was a Town of some importance, the prin­cipal Seat of Cassibelan, and full of Cattle driven in thi­ther, upon apprehension of the Roman Army; this he assaults, and possesses himself of it, the People hastening out, not being able to resist him, many of whom were killed in the flight.

All this while Cassibelan waited on Caesar, and out of the Woods, by paths unknown to the Romans, did skir­mish with them now and then, as he contriv'd or found advantage, especially with the Horse, and such parties as were abroad for forrage and plunder, which did occasion more safety to the Britains, and in a great part render Caesar's design of a speedy conquest, and to enrich himself and his Souldiers with the spoile of the Country, fruit­less. Whereupon on the other hand the Roman General casts about to save his honour, and to shift off a War like to be tedious and unprofitable. There was a faction a­gainst Cassibelan, among the Trinobantes, who had sent Commissioners at this time in the name of that State to Caesar, desiring that Mandubratius the Son of Immanuen­tius, who was formerly Prince of their Country, but de­posed and kill'd by Cassibelan, might be restored to them, and withall offer to submit themselves to the Roman Common-wealth, and to give Hostages for security there­of. This opportunity Caesar gladly takes hold on, and accepts the tearmes, requiring forty Hostages, and certain Corn for his Army, which by the policy of the British General would not long have been out of want, had they not receiv'd these Provisions, or gain'd the like by some other means, which would not have been so easie and se­cure. [Page 28] Pursuant hereunto, Caesar sends Mandubratius, who had formerly fled to him out of Gallia, for the security of his life, to this people, according to their request; and his Conditions on the other hand, they punctually and speedily observe: Caesar, desirous to improve the fortune and contrivance, commanding his Souldiers to offer no violence to the Trinobantes, which was punctually obeyed; the consequence whereof brought in five petty States more to Caesar's submission.

The Britains submit, and Caesar leaves the Country.

CAssibelanus, this while expecting the success of a de­sign, he had laid, to fall upon the Romane Camp, in their security, by his Allies, where the shipping was in Kent, though he found a decay of his strength, did for­bear as yet to treat: but that failing also, by a Sally made out of the Camp, the Romans beating them of Kent, who were to execute it, and one of their chief Nobility taken Prisoner, he comes at last to a Resolution of submitting; having performed to his eternal glory all the parts of an able General, with inconsiderable Forces, compared to those of his Enemy, hoping for a better conjuncture of affairs hereafter, which Caesar more willingly accepts, ex­pecting little other good to be done that Summer, and now studying to return to affairs of better expectation.

Cassibelan was a Prince of admirable conduct and va­lour, and inferiour to Caesar only in the quality of his Forces, he commanded, as has appeared by the prudent courses he took at all times in managing the War, and the resolute attempts he made, his ground being won from him by the Inch, and not without puzling the brains of Caesar himself.

It is manifest here was made but an inconsiderable pro­gress by Caesar, yet in his Commentaries he declares he put down what tribute the Britains should pay, as if he had made a compleat Conquest, when Tacitus and other Romane Authors conclude generally, he did little more [Page 29] than shew, than the Country. We will receive it in a fa­vourable sense, that he meant, he had made such tearms with some part of them. Caesar intending for the Conti­nent, and being fuller of baggage at his return than entry, (having many Prisoners also) because he had lost some of his Ships in the tempest, contrives to carry over his Soul­diers at twice, which accordingly he did, after some de­lay, in exspecting the return of certain of the first, that were disperst by contrary Winds: and landed them safe in Gallia, in a good passage thither.

These were the enterprizes of Caesar in this Island: he was of an excellent contrivance, and bold in execution, wary, subtile and circumspect, in all his martial affairs, at­tended almost constantly with success; but was not with­out violencies of lust and ambition in the prosecuting his designs, not shewing at all times that due reverence to the Power above, or respect to man-kinde, as became a Per­son of his endowments, from nature. After great con­tendings amongst his Country-men, not without a large ef­fusion of blood and slaughter, being arrived at a high pitch of Power and fame, in the glory of the Roman state the Senate House, in the close of all his labours and toiles, when he expected to have received some fruits of his sweat and pains, he was murdered at the foot of his Son­in-Law, Pompey's Image, whom not long before he had ruined, with above twenty wounds, his neer relation Bru­tus, whom once he intended a great share of his estate, being a principal contriver; and that Brutus the Son of Servilia, supposed to be his base Childe, giving him a mortal stab in the bottome of his belly.

The State of Britain, during the time of Au­gustus, Tiberius and Caligula.

UPon the return of Caesar, as was before mentioned, to the Continent, the civil Wars of Rome hapned, the principal of their Common-wealth falling out about di­viding [Page 30] the plunder and riches, which in several Ages their Country-men had been acquiring; during which time, the Britains had respite from their Invasions.

Upon the death of Caesar, Augustus after he had con­tended with M. Anthony, and became Superior, not only to him, but all of a contrary faction in Rome, did affect a quiet and peaceable life, supposing it not convenient, as he gave out, to enlarge the Romane Empire, big enough for management already, and thereupon the Britains had stil the greater security. But the tribute set down by Ju­lius Caesar, being neglected to be paid, twice or thrice he intended an Invasion, disdaining to be baffled by a Country of little note in those days; but being on his march in Person, was diverted by revolts on some other remote borders of his Dominions, and withall pacified by some British Embassadors, who renewed their conditions.

Tiberius who succeeded him, had the same resolutions, but was on different reasons moved to it, choosing rather to attend his lust and cruelties at home, than look abroad into forreign Countrys.

Him followed Caligula in the supream Authority, a Prince dissolute, and abounding in vain conceits, as do witness his solemn message to the Senate of Rome of the Conquest of Britain, when neither he or any of his Offi­cers ever set foot thereon. The colour was the receiving of Adminius, a fugitive Britain, the Son of Cunobeline, a Prince in this Island, who fled from his Fathers angel, and submitted himself to Caligula. In his Raign nothing fell out worthy to be reported in the British History, un­less one should remember his frivolous attempt upon the Ocean, at such time as all Men did generally presume, he intended to imbarque for Britain; the Story whereof take from Suetonius in his own words, thus translated; Last of all, as if he were undertaking a War, marching with his Army on the Sea shoar, and placing his Engines of battery, no Man knowing or imagining what he was a­bout to do, on a sudden commands them to fill their Helmets and their Laps with Shells, calling them the Spoils of the Ocean, of right a due to the Capitol and Palace; and as a Trophy of his Victory, erects a most high Tower, [Page 31] out of which, as from a Pharus, Fires might every night shine, to direct the course of Sea-men; and having decla­red a donative of a hundred donaries to every Man, as if he had exceeded all examples of liberality, bids them de­part now joyfull, depart with plenty.

Ʋnder Claudius, by the conduct of A. Plautius.

ALI this while it appears not to the contrary, but that the Britains, who paid their tribute, enjoyed, aswell as the rest of their Country-men, their Laws, Customes, and Liberties. During this long intermission from distur­bance, being divided into many petty Kingdomes and Nations, they were frequently among themselves at War in one place or another; one Interest prevailing sometimes, and at another a different, and upon Victory, many of the adverse party either were banished or fled of themselves. And so it fell out, that Glaudius succeeding Caligula, one Berieus being a British fugitive, instigated him to make an attempt on the Island, which Glaudius did well like of, and thereupon sent Orders to A. Plautius, to transport those Souldiers, which he then commanded in Gallia, in­to this Country; the Souldiery were very unwilling to go, and trifled away their time in a kinde of mutiny, in­somuch that Caesar hearing thereof, sent Narcissus his freed man to hasten their imbarquing, which he accord­ingly did, but not without disdain in them, and a con­tempt of him, in respect of his former condition, having been once a Slave.

The Army was divided into three bodies, intending thereby, that if they were obstructed in one place, by the difficulty thereof, or the strength of the Enemy, they might some of them land in another. Having put to Sea, they met with cross Winds, and foul weather, which was the cause of great disturbance, but a light darting toward the Island, from the place whence they put to Sea, certain who had good wishes for the journey, interpreted it as a direction from some God, that favoured their enterprize, [Page 32] and so encouraged the Fleet, which strugling with the violence of the Tempest, they at last landed on the Bri­tish Coasts.

The Britains not suspecting their arrival, because of the disorder they heard was among the Roman Army in Gal­lia, which was before mentioned, did not oppose their landing; moreover their civil contentions being lately sharp they could not suddenly make such a confederacy, as might probably encounter with a good expectation, the force of the Romans at peace, and marvelously strong in all parts: So they retired into places that were woody and full of bogs, expecting, as Dion says, to weary out the Romans, as Cassibelan their former General had done heretofore with Julius Caesar. Plautius bestows great la­bour in finding out their scattered Forces, and meets with some, to wit with Cataratacus, and Togodumnus, the two Sons of Cunobeline lately dead, whom he easily dissipates, and withall practises to head some of their factions against the other, following the example of Julius Caesar; a thing not difficult, in a Country divided into such a multitude of Nations, as Britany then was: And he finds one proper for his purpose amongst the Boduni, or Dobuni, seated a­bout Oxford and Glocester shires, whom he receives into his protection, having been before subject to the Catuel­lani, a Nation about Buckingham, and the Country of Hart­ford.

Leaving a Garrison among them, he marches to a Ri­ver, intending a passage over, to finde out certain other Britains, who lay in security beyond it, suspecting like­wise nothing, because they thought the Romans could not get to the other side, being the Water was deep, and that there was no Bridge: but Plautius having Germans with him, who were accustomed to Swim through Rivers in Arms, he sent them over first, who falling upon the Britains unexpectedly, did them much mischief, especi­ally by wounding their Horses that drew their Chariots, which in their encountrings they did chiefly aime at; Fla­vius Vespasian, and Sabinus also followed and kill'd ma­ny, not apprehensive thereof till it was too late. But this notwithstanding, they rallied together, and by the bene­fit [Page 33] of the night got into some order, and gave them Bat­tail the next day with great courage; which was for some time doubtful: But the few and naked Britains, by their divisions less able, did yield to the heavy Armed, united, and well disciplined Romans; though like enough they were equal, if not superiour to them in personal resolu­tions. Upon their flight, they pass over the River of Thames, being acquainted with it better than the Romans, at a place not far from that, where it delivers it self into the Sea; The Romans followed, and the Germans again take the Water; others go over at a Bridge somewhat higher; and encompassing the Britains, give them a great slaughter; which was yet in some measure repaid by the Britains, who having kept their Courage, though they lost the Battail, destroyed many of their Enemies, following the Chase too far among the Bogs; but Togodumnus was slain.

But this is said, rather to inflame, than abate the Britain resolutions, for they now having got some time to consi­der of their affairs, put themselves, as is reported, seri­ously to work, to defend their Liberties in a more formi­dable manner, than heretofore they had done; whereupon Plautius, according to his Instructions, if any thing of dan­ger should happen, as Dion delivers it, endeavours the se­curity of what he had got, and sends to Claudius for his direction, in the danger approaching: He upon this news, puts the affairs he had at Rome in order, and comes part­ly by Land, and a considerable way by Sea, where he was in great danger by Tempests, to his Army, expecting him at the River of Thames. Soon after he was with them, he passes the River, gives the Britains Battail, and vanquish­eth them, takes the City Camalodunum, supposed to be the now Maldon in Essex, the then regal Seat of Cunobeline, others upon their submission, he receives to mercy, disarms many, and leaves Plautius to subdue more with these doubts also behind him to after Ages, whether he came thither upon a vanity, affecting a Tryumph, and other me­mories of honour, or that in truth Plautius was hard laid to, and withall no less disputable, whether so much as any considerable Battail was fought the Britains, like enough, [Page 34] yielding upon the extraordinary preparations of the Ro­mans, and good tearms offered them; for the confiscation of their goods was remitted.

Caesar staid here about sixteen days; what was done af­ter his return, by Plautius, is not much taken notice of; but I should think the Conquest of the West about Corn­wall, Somersetshire, and Devonshire, was now perfected, sithence mention is made of his Inroads there toward the Isle of Wight; and I remember not any particular other discourse of their yielding. For the spoils and acquisiti­ons here taken, upon his return to Rome, Claudius did him publick honour. And now is the first time that the Romans may have been said to have taken any possession of this Country, which was about the Year of Grace 44, or 5.

P. Ostorius succeeds Plautius.

OStorius was the next that succeeded A. Plautius, for ought we know of any account in authentick History to the contrary. At his coming, he found those Britains who had conspired with the Romans, to the destruction of their Country, or had made any League or submission to them, over-run by such who were faithful to their Native Soile, and had not submitted, and much waste made in their Fields, not being apprehensive of the Roman Forces, the rather, because their General was not acquainted as yet with his business, and in this colder Climate (Winter being begun) they suspected not much action. Ostorius observing this, takes with him certain Cohorts which were most expedite and ready for his purpose, and sets upon the Britains unexpectedly, routing those that resist, and chasing them that flie.

It should seem, that the Romans, from the former War, had confederacy with, or possession of so much Land, as lay from the River Sabrine and Anton, with bounds from the Ocean to the Sea. These two Rivers do almost meet, and within their compass Southward, lies a very wealthy and rich part of the Island. Now it appears Ostorius [Page 35] (intending to secure what was gain'd, rather than to in­large the Roman Conquests) designed to Fortifie, and close them, as it were with Garrisons: The words of Tacitus are, Cinctos (que) castris Antonam & Sabrinam fluvids cohibere pa­rat, &c. The Sabrine is well known to be the River Se­vern, but this Anton is much doubted of. Mr. Cambden would have it be the River Nen, and that in Tacitus it is transcribed amiss, and should be Aufonam, the Avon, upon a supposition that the Britains call all Rivers Avon; and so Northampton should stand on the North of the A­von; but I doubt thereof, because it seems not much pro­bable, if that River had been ever us'd to have been call'd the Avon, as I finde not: and at this day Men, I fear, think not of such a name; the word Northampton seeming ra­ther to infer, that it is a Town on the North side of a Ham, or Hame; the word Ham signifying generally a hook, from Hamus, and applicable frequently to hooks of Water; so this Town standing on the North side of a hook of water, may have thence its name, as Southampton from a hook of Water in the South of the Town. I take it, that by Anton is meant the River Trent, because it is a more con­siderable River, and fit to bear a name of note, without particular distinction, as did that of Severne: it is accoun­ted the third River of England, and proper to joyn hands with the other, for a boundary to a Roman Province; as it was after upon the division betwixt the North and South. Nor is the name now utterly lost; for there is a River to this day flowing into the Head thereof, called Derwent; there is a House of considerable regard, called Trentum, and several Towns upon it ending in Anton, and of a sound little differing: now Dwr, or Dour, in British signifies Water; and so by vulgar contraction it might be Dwrent or Trent; that is, the Water of Ent for Anton. These are but conje­ctures, and we may have mistaken, because the evidence is not perspicuous; and I should not have made so many words hereof, but for the former, & some reasons following; and that it agrees better likewise with the History it self of the transactions upon these parts. But I will pursue this no further, it being not very much material which it was.

The Iceni being within this Line, did doubtless suspect they might be subjected at last after the Romans were at leasure to conquer them, as well as they had the rest, who were within that compass: To which purpose, those Rivers and Fortifications might be of great disadvantage, by hin­dering succours that might come from the North to their Aide, being all equally concerned at the Bondage now putting on them. Upon this, they Arm, and oppose their Fortifying, exciting several of their Neighbours to joyn with them, and choose a place to Incamp in. Behind there was a rude defence, and a strait passage was before it: But Ostorius, with those Cohorts only, the benefit of his Allies, and his Horse, fell in on their fortified side, which being made in hast, and without good direction, they easi­ly pluck't down. Here the Britains also fought valiantly, but with ill success; and this their loss confirmed such to the Roman Peace, which before stood doubtful.

From these, he brings his Army to the Cangi; I guess they were a People that lived within the Line, and like enough were the Inhabitants betwixt the Iceni and the Humber; these he plunders and wasts their Fields: It is likely they had been assisting to the Iceni, or had made former Inroads upon the Roman Quarters, and their Allies. Meeting no considerable opposition from them, he turns upon the back of the Severne toward the Silures, a Peo­ple that Inhabited about South Wales, with whom he would fain have had a Peace, using all gentle and cruel means to that purpose: but they, partly trusting to the conduct of Caractacus, a Prince grown famous for his skill in martial affairs, and partly to their own courage, refused it. In his Marches, there appeared against him no consi­derable opposition; sometimes in small Parties the Britains would charge the Body, or some Wing of his Army; where loss was on both sides, but chiefly to the Britains.

He had not passed far, but the Brigantes, a People a­bout Lancashire, and the North of Trent took Arms; upon which, suspecting what Inconvenience might be, in lea­ving an Enemy behind him in Arms, to disturb him, or his new Conquests, he turns, and before they could be­come considerable, some few that were up, being slain, [Page 37] the rest (upon his willingness to remit the Commotion) laid down their Arms, and went to their Homes. Where­upon he prosecutes again his Journey to the Silures, send­ing in the mean time to the Colony at Camalodunum to come to him; whom he planted amongst the lately Con­quered, to the intent to restrain the attempts of those, and of such as were confederated with him, whom he had reason notwithstanding to suspect.

Caractacus finding himself weak in the number of his Forces, compared to those of the Romans; and knowing he was in his own Country, bounded on many sides by the Sea, and Severne, and so consequently less apt to be re­lieved, if he should be straitned: while time served, takes his March into North Wales, called then the Country of the Ordovices, a Place less subject to these Inconveniencies, in respect it had more spacious Room of retreat or flight in adverse fortune; and more capacious, as the Roman Conquests then were, of joyning his Arms with thosE of his Confederates, which accordingly afterwards he effected. Ostorius follows him, and when he overtook him, found him resolved, and prepared for Battail; having to that pur­pose chosen a spacious piece of Ground of advantage.

The scite of the Place was a declining Hill; upon the Skirts thereof were Rocks, and unpassable places, with some open; at the bottom a River cross't it: within this he drew his Army up in Battalia, stopping the Avennes on the sides with Stones, in the nature of a Rampart, and draw­ing a Line before it of the same Materials, and in like fa­shion, suspecting the Foard of the River. Before his main Battail, he places a Body of choice Men, in this Or­der expecting the Enemy. In the mean time, the chief Commanders of the several Nations pass't up and down amongst their Forces, setting before them the advantages of a Victory, the miseries of a Battail lost; lessening the causes of fear, and encreasing those of hopes, beyond a just measure, to the intent their minds might be fortified against the apprehension of danger; and with other Arts, that Generals in the like cases use. And Caractacus especially passing with quick motion up and down the Army, did excellently perform that part of a General; being brief, but [Page 38] very eloquent in his Language, and of undaunted resolu­tions. This he told them was the day, and this the Battail that must either recover or determine their Liberties; call­ing frequently upon the names of their noble Progenitors, who had driven Caesar their Dictator out of their Coun­try; thereby delivering them in their Lives, their Estates, Wives and Children, from the violence of the Roman ser­vitude. With these Speeches the Army was much en­couraged, and to testifie and encrease their resolutions, they make solemn Vows and Oaths not to yield to wounds or Darts.

On the other side, the Roman General, by the report of Tacitus, was somewhat apprehensive of the Scite of the place; to him of great disadvantage, but the Souldiery and chief Officers knowing the difficulty, was greatest in com­ing to the naked Britains, and that inconsiderable, despi­sed their rude fortifications, and a River fordable in many places; and thereupon quicking the General, they pass the River by his Command, approaching to the fortifica­tion: at which place the Britains had the advantage in the Fight at a distance, for the Romans throwing heavy Piles up the Hill, and those lighter down, it might follow, that these had the greater slaughter, though their Bodies were exceeding well armed, especially such doubtless, who made the first assault. But the Romans making a Testudo, which was a defence of Tarquets, hanging over one ano­ther, like Tiles on a House toward the Enemy; under the protection thereof, they approacht the works, and pluckt down the ill-built Wall, and so entred. And now the Bri­tains coming to fight hand to hand, having neither Hel­met nor Arms on their Bodies, were forc'd to retire, which they did upwards to the top of the Hill; but the Romans following, had also the better there; several flying away, and others being taken: amongst which, was the Wife and Daughter of Caractacus, and his Brethren also yielded themselves: but Caractacus himself escaped, and fled to Cartismandua Queen of the Brigantes, who afterwards betrayed him unworthily to the Romans, who frequently made use of such treacherous dealings: and Tacitus him­self, though in advantageous language to the Roman glo­ry, [Page 39] does acknowledge by this kinde of means, and by ex­asperating and provoking one Prince against another, they had no small advantage of these Nations. Whereas if they had been unanimous in their Councels, had chosen the right way of managing this War, under a prudent General; which was that which the famous Cassibelan in­tended, on his experience with a flying Army; to which their way of living on Cattle was advantageous, they might have rendered the Roman Conquests vain: But it fell out other ways, as it might reasonably be expected from di­stracted Counsels; for trusting to the nature of the ground, and the weaker fortifications, their great strength, and un­daunted courage came to nothing. Caractacus, with his Wife, Daughters and Brothers were sent to Rome, toge­ther with many more, and several of the spoils taken. And to the intent Claudius might have the greater glory him­self, being the Author and Maintainer of this War, as he had also been the Actor in it some time, they were pub­lickly brought before him, sitting in great State, his Wife Agripina being formally placed by him; and contrivement on all hands to magnifie the Victory to please the Em­perour.

Caractacus at his presentment before the Tribunal, with an undaunted mind in this his Adversity, spake to this effect. If I had carried my self with a moderation in my Prosperity, equal to the Quality of my Birth and Fortune, I might rather now have come to this City as a Friend than Captive; neither would You have thought un­worthily of a Peace made with one descended of ancient and Royal blood, and commanding many Nations. My present Condition is to Me unhappy, to You glorious. I had Horses, Men, Arms, and Wealth; no wonder if I was unwilling to lose them: If You will command all things, it follows that all must obey. If I had presently submit­ted, neither My Fortune, nor Your Glory had been so Re­markable, and My Afflictions had quickly been Forgotten: but if You shew Me Mercy, I shall live to the Eternal Memory of Thy Clemency. Caesar being taken with his behaviour, pardons him, his Wife and Brothers, and cau­ses their Irons to be taken off: upon which they reverence [Page 40] the Emperor and Empress, with many praises and grate­ful acknowledgments; Men commending the shew, and comparing it to what was seen, when Scipio shew'd Syphax and L. Paulus Perses to the Roman People, did declare it an equal Spectacle: and to P. Ostorins the Ornaments of a Triumph were directed.

The success of this Battail had a various event, for it begat carelesness in the Romans, and in the Britains, as it did closer Counsels, so also a more eager mind of Re­venge; to which was added a report bruited up and down, said to be spoken by the Roman General, that as in times past, the Sugambri were expelled their Country, and car­ried into Gallia; so the very name of the Silures should be utterly extinguish't. But being at last well aware of the inequality of their defensive Arms, they resolve to try no more the event of a set Battail, but to take those ad­vantages, which they had of the knowledge of their Coun­try, and with their active motion, to seize on such oppor­tunities, as offered themselves from the Roman care­lesness.

The first that happened was this, the Camp-master (be­ing left behind, with a few Cohorts to fortifie certain places in the Country of the Silures) they fall upon, and enclose them; and had not succour come from the neigh­bouring Towns and Garrisons, they had been all utterly cut off. The Camp-master notwithstanding, and eight Centurions, (of the quality of Captains now with us) to­gether with the most forward Souldiers were slain. Not long after this, they set upon the forragers, and together with them, put certain Horsemen, sent to their rescue, to flight. Ostorius sends before hand several of his Foot, lightly armed, to stay the pursuit, whom the Britains also beat and chase, until the more heavy Armed came up: upon that remarkable disadvantage, the Britains first stay, and then retreat with small loss, the rather, because the Day was almost spent. This way of fighting succeeding well, they continue it, making frequent Sallies out of the Woods and Bogs, (in those Days here being very many) as opportunity served. Encouraged with booty and success, and inflamed with rage to see their Native Soyl a Prey to [Page 41] greedy and unjust Usurpers: doing much mischief to their Enemies, confirming their friends, and gaining fresh; which they procured by Spoils and Captives, frequently sent as Presents.

The third considerable blow they gave the Romans, was upon two Cohorts; they were Auxiliaries, and inter­cepted; forraging too greedily and carelesly by the avarice of their Commanders; but paid dear for it. These occur­ences, together with the care of the War, if they did not break the heart of Ostorius, yet they did at least the more speedily end his Days: at which the Britains did please them­selves, as being a Commander not to be contemned.

A. Didius succeeds.

DIdius was sent by Caesar to supply his place, a Man aged, and careful of his reputation. When he came, he understood of another disaster befell a Roman Legion in the late Interval which Maulius Valens commanded: This was magnified by the Britains, to the intent they might encourage their Friends, and discountenance their Ene­mies. And Didius did not endeavour to silence the re­port, supposing that which way so ever the chance fell, it might be to him of advantage: If he conquered, the ho­nour was the greater; if not, the disgrace the less, and the danger also, under a Prince full of unconstant and violent humours.

The Silures all this while making great depredations, where the Romans had an Intrest; after the taking of Garactacus; Ve­nutius, e Ingantum civitate, says Tacitus, commanded in chief (unless it should be meant the Brigantes Country, which I su­spect I am at a loss to guess where his birth was; but I doubt that, because there must be too great error in the transcribers, perhaps it might be some petty State, not remembred at this day) having married Cartismandua, the Q. of the Brigantes, the Traytoress to her Country, he continued, while affe­ction was betwixt them, obsequious to the Romans, she ha­ving allied her self strictly with them: but unkindnesses [Page 42] arising, by reason of her want of Faith to his Bed; at first they fell out betwixt themselves only; in which contest, by craft she had subtilly intercepted the Brother, and neer relations of Venutius, having assumed Velocatus his Ar­mour-bearer to her embraces. Her Husband being the more inflamed at this, gathers a considerable Force, and intend­ing to give her Battail, the Romans send her relief. The contest was sharp and doubtful for a while, but at last did encline to Cartismandua. Caesius Nasica commanding a Legion, at another time and place had also in another fight somewhat the better: but Didius could do no more than just keep what he had got, and that not without great disturbance.

Veranius succeeds: and him Paulinus Suetonius, with some few others.

VEranius came after him in equal command and suc­cess, and dyed immediatly upon it. And him Pau­linus Suetonius succeeded. The Isle Mona, now called Anglesey, was a Capital place amongst the Ordovices, as being the Seat of the Druids, and stored with wealth, be­cause many had fled thither with a great part of their substance, as to a Place of security, being made an Island by an Arm of the Sea, and not easily passable: he there­upon designs to Invade it; for his Foot, he prepares flat bottomed Boats, in which he transported them, depend­ing most upon the stability of the Legionaries: the Horse followed, sometimes foarding it, and sometimes swim­ing upon the Shoar. The Britains had placed their Battail, and were numerous; the Women, their Hair hanging loose, with Fire-brands in their Hands, passing up and down, and the Druids with their Hands lifted up to Heaven, did pour forth many bitter execrations. At this Novelty, the Roman Souldiery at first seemed to have had some Con­sternation, but after a while, the Commander in Chief en­couraging them, and they also animating one another, with [Page 43] Exhortations to this purpose. That they should not be daun­ted at the sight of Women, and Phanatick Men, they ad­vanc't and charged the Britains: who not appointed with an equal advantage to resist them, suddenly fled; of whom they threw divers into certain Fires made hard by. This done, he plants Garrisons amongst them, and to the in­tent, they might be less subject to sudden Incursions, cau­ses their Woods to be cut down.

As Suetonius was in the Island about setling his Con­quests, there was News brought to him of a revolt of the Province; the occasion that then offered it self was this: Prasutagus, Prince of the Iceni dyed, leaving behind him great store of wealth, and intending to secure his House, makes Caesar his heir, with his two daughters: But this would not prevent the barbarous Lust and Covetousness of the Romans, for they plundered his House, ravished his two Daughters, whipt his Wife Boadicia: The chiefest of the Nobility were turned out of their Inheritances, and the Royal Family accounted as Slaves. These Villanies com­mitted in a Licentious and Insolent manner, did move very much, not only the Iceni, but their Neighbours the Trinobantes, as yet not having lost their ancient courage, though they had been reduc't into the form of a Province, and thereupon they hold secret Counsels, with an intent to revenge themselves, and if it were possible, to put off that Yoak, which the greedy Romans had Imposed. Their hatred was most bitter against the Veterans at Camalodu­num, in the Colony there, (this Camalodunum was the now Maldon in Essex, as is supposed) because they had thrust the ancient Inhabitants out of their Houses and Inheri­tances, calling them Captives and Slaves.

There was a Temple built, and dedicated therein to Claudius: to the Solemn Rites belonging thereunto, were divers Priests appointed, who under Colour of Religion, did most greedily devour the Substance of the Neigh­bouring Britains: to their Aggravations was added an op­portune Season, (to wit) the Roman General was absent, with a considerable part of the Army, and the Town was but ill fortified, by the carelesness of the Roman Officers. These accidents fell out a little before the Attempt: the [Page 44] Image of Victory at Camalodunum fell down, and turned backwards; Women did sing of Destruction, as if they had been Inspired; Howling and Noises were heard in the Theatre and Court; in the Arm of the Sea, not far distant, was seen a strange Apparition, and upon the ebbe, the Bodies of dead Men on the Shoar, which occasioned a great terror to the Romans, and comfortable expectati­ons to the Britains.

The Veterans, because Suetonius was far absent, sent to C. Decianus, a Procurator for Ayde, but he furnish't them with only two hundred, and those ill appointed: So there being not many Souldiers in the Town, the Chief of their dependance was on the strength of their Temple. In this their distraction, Boadicia Commander in Chief of the de­sign, valiantly sets upon them, repaying their cruelty in a just retribution of fury and revenge. Most of the Souldi­ery were got into the Temple, where for two Days they continue, and then it was forced with great Slaughter. The Britains in the current of their Success, march out, and meet P. Cerealis, with the ninth Legion, and certain Horse coming to the Succour of the Veterans, and fight them, routing all, and destroying the Foot; but the Horse fly with Cerealis into the Camp, and there secure them­selves within the Fortifications. Catus a Procurator hear­ing of this Slaughter, and his Avarice in the Province, which had caused him to be hated, coming fresh into his mind, he thought it convenient for himself to fly, and ac­cordingly pass't into Gallia, as a Place of greater safety for such a hatefull memory as he had.

Suetonius hearing of these things, hastens his return, and with an honourable resolution, Marches through the Britain Quarters to London; a Place then famous for Merchan­dise, and plenty of Provisions. Here he consults, whether it were good for him to make that the Seat of War, or not: but considering among other Reasons, his Number was not great, he resolved to march out, and could not be perswaded to stay, by the Importunacy, Cries and Pray­ers of such, as either Age, or Weakness of Sex, or a de­light to the Place had urged to a stay; resolving rather to adventure this Town, though of Concernment, then to [Page 45] put a general hazard on the whole Roman Interest, where­upon he marches out, several going with him, the rest stay­ing behind, who without mercy were after by the Enemy put to the Sword. The same fate fell upon Verulam, a Town favoured by the Romans, in their Liberties; in this heat of revenge, they destroyed in the places before men­tioned, and thereabouts, at the least seventy thousand Romans, and their Confederates, giving no quarter, but executing them with various deaths, giving a full draught of vengeance for their barbarous covetousness, and savage Lust.

Suetonius having with him about ten thousand Men, which consisted of Legionaries, Auxiliaries and Horse, and observing the Resolutions of the Enemy, and that he could not long avoid a Battail, if they would force him to it, very prudently takes in good time the advantage of an excellent place to his purpose, and waits the coming of the Britains. In the entrance it was strait, and encompas­sed with Woods, and he knew the Enemy was before, up­on a Plain, where they could lay no Embascodo. His Le­gionaries upon expectation of a Battail, were close set to­gether; on each Wing were the Horse, and the light Ar­med with missive Weapons placed round about. The Bri­tains transported with their late success, and not enough aware of the disadvantage of a set-Battail, though they had formerly, and their Ancestors sad experience of it, would notwithstanding fight them upon these unequal tearms; for too great joy, and a passion of revenge, do equally, as well as fear, betray the Reason. Suetonius, as was said, had chosen an excellent Place, and put his Men in admirable Order, considering the quality of his own Souldiers, and those of the Britains; for the Legionaries being close plac'd, uncapable of being surrounded, could meet with no more Enemies at one time, then they them­selves were in number; and then being well Armed, the other naked, without some extraordinary contingency, these must yield: nor could a Victory be expected other ways to the Britains, then either by some Stratagem, great Er­ror by the Romans, or having a vast number of Men, by such an opposition and slaughter of themselves, as can [Page 46] hardly be imagined any Men can endure.

Boadicia did appear in the Head of a vast Army with great confidence, but without good Discipline; such was their vanity also, that many of their Wives were brought and plac'd in a kind of Coaches on the Skirts of the Bat­tail, in confidence to see the Slaughter of the Romans. The Queen her self passing up and down with her Daugh­ters in a Chariot, amongst the Forces, discoursing to them to this purpose: that now she did not contend for a King­dome and Wealth, but as one of the meanest, to recover and defend their Liberties, to revenge the barbarous In­juries committed upon her Body, and the chastity of her Daughters. That the Roman Lust was grown to such a pitch, that they neither spared Virgins nor Matrons; that the Gods who were Revengers of such horrible Impieties were present; the Legion that durst give Battail was slain, the others are either hid, or secure themselves in Fortifica­tions: she puts them in mind also of their number, and of the cause of the War, and concludes with an Exhortation to die with honour, rather than live in Slavery: for her own part, this was the Resolution of a Woman, the Men might live, if they pleased, in the condition of Slaves.

On the other hand Suetonius uses all Art, and mixes Exhortations with his good Conduct: he puts them in mind, that the Victory in most Battails, takes its rise from a ve­ry few, and therefore they should not be daunted at the apprehension of the smallness of their number, compared to that of the Britains; their glory would be the greater in a Victory, by the mention of that odds; but indeed many of the great number were Women; and above all, puts them in mind, how well they were Armed, how naked the Britains were, and what their success had been heretofore upon such advantage; desiring them first to throw their Piles, which was a kind of heavy Dart, peculiar to the Ro­mans, and carryed by the Legionaries; and then to follow their work, with their Swords and their Pikes in their Shields, not regarding the Spoyl, till the danger was over, for where it falls, there it will be found by them after the Victory.

The Britains could not forbear, but must charge them rashly in this place of disadvantage, which the Enemy re­ceived [Page 47] without motion, while they were spending their missive Weapons; but immediatly after they Sallied out, and coming to a close Fight, easily made the naked People give way and fly. Their Battail was surrounded with Waggons, so that they had great hinderance in the Flight, whereby the Slaughter was encreast; the insolent and bar­barous among the Romans, spared neither Sex nor Age, Man nor Beast, destroying neer eighty thousand People. Boadicia, upon the fight hereof, with a courage mixt with the sense of a Calamity already come, and to be expe­cted, put a period to her days by poyson, and prevented the future Roman Cruelties.

And Paenius Posthumus, Camp-master of the second Le­gion, hearing of this Victory, and being conscious to him­self, he had not done well in refusing to obey the Gene­rals Order of being here at this Battail with that Legion, fell upon his Sword and dyed.

After this, the Army kept the Field, and Nero, who was now Emperour, sent them as a recruit, two thousand Le­gionary Souldiers out of Germany, eight Cohorts of Aux­iliaries, and one thousand Horse: The Nations which were either doubtful or Enemies, were wasted with Fire and Sword, but nothing did more afflict this distressed People than Famine, the Romans having secured all that they could get, and burnt and destroyed the rest. Julius Clas­sicianus was sent to supply the Office of Cato, with whom Suctonius had some clashes, and that did somewhat ob­struct the Intendments of several Nations to submit to a Peace; for he gave it out, that a new Governor was to be sent, who would treat the People with more moderation, and sent word to Rome, that nothing could be expected of good to the Roman affairs in Britain, until a new Lieu­tenant was sent, laying all the fault of ill success on the frowardness of Suetonius, and all the good on the Roman fortune; thereupon Polycletus a freed Man, was sent into Britain from Rome, to have an Inspection into affairs; here­upon a great expectation from Nero, that he would not only reconcile the discords among the Romans, but also dispose the Britains to a Peace. He came over with a great Army, but it seemed very ridiculous to the Britains [Page 48] that a Slave should command those that had made so great a Conquest.

Not long after Suetonius was recall'd, upon an accident of some loss at Sea which he had sustained, and Petroni­us Turpulianus sent in his room, a Man of an unactive spi­rit, and in whose time, all the care was to continue and encrease that peace, which Suetonius had left the Coun­try in.

Him Trebellius Maximus succeeded, unexpert for War and unfit for action: it fell out in the time of Peace, after the late great Slaughter, the Britains having a deep sense of it, that the Romans in Britany being without an Ene­my, whereof they might be afraid, began to disagree one with another. Roscius Caelius Lieutenant of the Twenty­eth Legion, quarrelled with the Governor, objecting to him his Covetousness, and the other to him his Faction, and by these Accidents, the Legions grew mutinous, and siding with Roscius Caelius, drove Trebellius out of the Country, and for some time the under Officers governed the Army, wherein R. Caelius had the chiefest Interest, as being of the boldest nature.

Vectius Bolanus was by Vitellius the Emperor sent some time after to succeed him, a Man of whom it might be said, that he was not hated for any Crime, and being withall good natured, he did procure to himself, rather Love than Obedience.

Petilius Cerealis came next, a Man of a more warlike disposition, who gave a considerable disturbance to the Nation of the Brigantes, and made some Conquests upon them. Julius Frontinus did something of the like naure upon the Silures, and him succeeded Agricola.

Agricola's Ʋndertakings and Conquests.

A Gricola past the Seas, and came into Britain in the midst of Summer; when he was here, he found the Ordovices had lately cut almost wholly to peeces a party quartered in their Country: Whereupon he summons in many of the Legionaries, and some Auxiliaries scattered in their Quarters, through the whole Province, (the Ro­mans not before supposing there would be any Action that Summer, the Winter drawing on) and with a considerable Body, marches into the Country of the Ordovices: here he made great spoil, revenging the Cruelty lately done up­on the Romans, with an extraordinary and Brutish seve­rity, to the greatest part of the Nation, (which Tacitus his Son in Law does not positively deny: and I fear me not upon the valiant (for they were unwilling to descend out of the Woods and Fastnesses, into places where they were to Fight the Romans, upon so great tearms of disadvantage, as they had lately another fresh experiment) but upon the Women, Children, and more tender People.

Paulinus, as was said before, was recall'd out of Mona the Isle of Anglesey, and it should seem, had not there so perfected his business, but that Agricola thought it might be matter of profit to the Romans, and honour to him­self, to confirm the Conquest; whereupon he marches next way thither, and wanting Ships, upon so suddain a Resolution, he contrives to Swim and Foard over that nar­row Water, which makes an Island of it, distinct from the other Country of Wales, with his Auxiliaries accustomed to such Services. The People remembring their former misery, and how that if they could not withstand the Romans, when they had a less apprehension of them, they were not likely when they had enlarged their Province; without disputing so much as their passage, Surrendred the Island to the mercy of those, that they could not pro­bably resist, with hopes of success.

The Winter following, he contrives to secure what was gained, and among other of his Resolutions, two he did [Page 50] take of especial benefit to the Roman Peace; the one was in the Tributes and Exactions upon the Britains: he took care that there should be an equality, and corrected all those petty Oppressions, in the collecting them, which usu­ally are more grievous, than the burden it self: and as to the Roman Army, he made Election of Officers, accord­ing to Merit, and not by Bribes, and affection, and re­commendation, whereby he rendred it very considerable for the next Expedition.

Summer being come, he assembles them together, and first in discourses, intermixing commendations and chidings, as they had done well or ill, takes afterwards his march, from one Country to another, up and down those Places, which were either not as yet Conquered, or would not willingly submit to Conditions; making great destruction. When the Summer was almost spent, he courts them with good words, and forbearance of Acts of Hostility, into tearms of Peace, which they willingly at last accepted; the Game inclining altogether on the Roman side: So a Peace is made with them, Hostages are given on the Britains part, for the security thereof, and several Garrisons plan­ted on their Borders, with great Judgment, which be­came a strait and sharp bridle to the Britains.

The Winter following, he made a greater Conquest, then he had done the Summer before, but it was of a dif­ferent nature. The Britains divided into petty Nations, had frequent Wars one upon another. So that Houses of value to have been built, would have been ridiculous, see­ing in the frequency of their Wars, they could not have long stood free from Fire; and thereupon many other blan­dishments, as of Gardens, and Orchards, &c. were negle­cted likewise. Their thoughts being active, and not ta­ken up with these things, would be with somewhat else, and nothing was more obvious than the matter of War, whereto they gave their minds upon some necessity also, and in that Military Discipline, which was proper for pet­ty Nations, in Woody and Boggy Countrys, as this then was; They were excellent in Art, and well fitted with strong, resolute and hardy Bodies. Agricola did not much fear an open Invasion, from a People weak by their Divi­sions, [Page 51] and naked; and amongst whom there were many Trayterous to their Country, even Princes themselves cor­rupted by the Romans: yet he might expect great distur­bance in parties out of the Woods, which would much obstruct the quiet of the Country, and might destroy the Fruits of the Land.

Hereupon he gets together about him many of the chief Nobility, commending to them the pleasure and delight of a civil life in fine Buildings, neat Cloaths, Comptness of Language; which some affecting naturally, and others the rather to please the General, do observe and follow. Some distast these things, whom he disgraces and villifies; but the other he commends, and gives them encourage­ment, by granting assistance thereunto. By these means he softned the Nation, and made them more lyable to the Impressions of the Roman steel upon all disturbances; And of Consequence, rendred their Province more secure.

The next Summer he spent in a March Northwardly, Conquering several Nations, (that is to say) destroying their Country, and killing many where he met them, or they would attempt to set upon either his Army, or a party thereof, but this was sparingly done; for whether the Bri­tains were terrified at the apprehensions of the Romans, or this so great an Army, or that they had experimented a plain Field sufficiently to their sorrow already, or that they hoped to protract the War till Winter, expecting then to make use of the advantage they had, by their light Ar­ming; or for some, or all these Reasons, they never at­tempted to joyn their Forces, and to give Battail, but di­vided in Woods, and Bogs, and places inaccessable; make now and then some Incursions on the Romans, but with no considerable effect: and he foreseeing their thoughts prevented their attempts designed for Winter, by fortify­ing divers Castles among them; which was done with ex­cellent Judgment, as to the choice of the scite of the pla­ces, and great Art as to the Model, and stored them with a twelve Months Provision before hand: so that what he gained by a strong hand, he kept by prudent Manage­ments. In this Expedition, he pass't beyond the Borders of Scotland, that now is, to a Water called Taus, beyond [Page 52] Bodotria. The next Winter the Britains assaulted several of these Castles, and made some Incursions into the Ro­man Quarters; but little mischief was done.

The fourth Summer was spent in securing what was gained, and more especially that narrow entrance into the further part of Scotland, lying between Glota and Bodo­tria, two Arms of the opposite Seas, they are now called Dun Britten and Edenburgh friths, which he did with Castles and Forts, as if having enlarged the Province, he desired to make it the bounds of the Romane Empire that way.

But the fifth Summer he pass't beyond it, turning on his left hand, making several Conquests of Copuntrys border­ing on Ireland, and placed many Souldiers therein, affe­cting a Conquest of that Island also: receiving to this pur­pose a Prince of that Country, come out upon private dis­sentions then amongst themselves; to whom he was cour­teous, with an intent to make such use of him, as the Ro­mans had done with several others in Britain heretofore, (that is to say) to betray their Native Countries, to the pride and Luxury of the Romans; for at this time they were fallen from their ancient Virtue, though Agricola himself had some more than ordinary sparks left.

But the sixth Summer, his thoughts were taken up by a diversion on his right hand; for the Britains beyond Bodo­tria intending to assault the Garrisons, and divert his course, had already begun to make some attempts, by seizing the Passes, and assailing certain Castles. Agricola for his further security mann'd that Summer a considerable Fleet, which was of great use to him in his passage into the Country; for his March was by the Sea side, and his sail­ing not far from the Land. So that frequently the Soul­diers both of the Navy and Army met, and were in many respects very useful the one to the other.

Agricola suspecting the Britains might have advantage upon him in number, divided his Army into three Parts, making his March with some Considerable distances, there­by thinking to prevent his being encompassed with a mul­titude: a manifest errour doubtless against a new Enemy, whose valour he had not yet try'd, as appeared by the [Page 53] Consequence, though he might guess shewdly at them, by what he had found in the rest; for which Tacitus makes an excuse that he had heard the Britains were divided in­to Parties, and did intend so to set upon him. They ta­king this advantage in the dead of the Night, set upon the Ninth Legion, being somewhat weak of it self, and with good success; for they kill the Watch, enter the Camp, and therein Fight it manfully with the Romans; and had in all probability cut them off, if Agricola having notice of this accidentally by his Scouts, had not sent the lighter-Armed with all expedition before hand to their succour, and followed himself with the Legions. When the Battail was at last before and behind, the Britains, af­ter a bloody Fight in the entrance of the Camp, the Day appearing, and the Legions also fled into the Woods. Ta­citus tells us that, at the beginning of the Summer, several of his Officers upon a report of the Power of the Enemy, did advise him to retreat within the bounds of the for­merly intended Province for his security, suspecting very much the danger; but after this Victory, the very same did chiefly arrogate to themselves the glory of that battle; an infirmity common to many Men of that disposition to this day.

The Britains with a noble resolution did attribute the loss of this day, not to the valour, but craft and fortune of the Roman General. With this conceit they make very much greater Preparations, confederate themselves by So­lemn Rites, and convey their Wives and Children into places of safety, intending in a Field to try their fortune again with their new-rais'd Forces.

The Britains had thirty thousand Men designed for the main Battail, besides many young and old Voluntiers, who out of an honourable resolution came to partake in the fortune of a Day; over whom, Galgacus of great descent and virtue, to be mentioned not without honour to his name, commanded in Chief. They took up their ground upon the declining of the Hill Grampius, now Grantz­bain; the first Battalion stood upon the Plain, the Chari­ots and Horse passing up and down with great noise be­fore the Battail, expecting the Romans.

The Romans having sent their Fleet before, by frequent and uncertain Landings, as they did some other mischief, so they could not but make some distraction upon the Bri­tains: but at last Agricola takes his March directly to them that were prepar'd to receive him, having with him certain of the Country, whose faith and courage was a long time known to be truer to the Romans, than to their own Na­tion. His Battail he orders thus, eight thousand Auxilia­ries were placed in a Body, and in the Van; on each Wing three thousand Horse were divided, in the Rear his Le­gionaries were; the whole Front being extended beyond a just and usual proportion: Agricola thinking thereby to prevent surrounding by the Enemy which over-numbered him.

The Speech of Galgacus, as it is delivered by Tacitus, is to this purpose. When I consider the cause of this War, and our necessary, I am greatly confident, this day, and this your consent will give a happy beginning to the free­dome of the whole Island. We all have hitherto lived in Liberty; and moreover, no Land remaineth beyond, and no Sea for our safety, the Roman Navy, thus as you see, hanging on our Coasts; So that Arms, which Men of vir­tue desire for honour, the faint-hearted must also use for his security. The former Battails, which have with divers events been fought against the Romans, had their hope and reserves in our hands: For we, the choice of the Bri­tish Nobility, and seated in the furthermost recesses, never yet had view of the enslaved shoares, nor were our eyes offended with the sight of subjection. This inward bo­some hath defended us, the boundary of Land and Li­berty for this Day of Glory. Now the uttermost point of the Country is laid open, and things, the less they have been within knowledge, the greater the glory is to atchieve them. What Nation is there now beyond us, what else but Water and Rocks, and the Romans Lords of all with­in; whose intollerable pride, in vain shall you seek to avoid by service or submiss demeanour; Robbers of the World, that having now left no Land to plunder, search also the Sea it self. If the Enemy be rich, they are greedy of his wealth; if poor, they covet glory: whom not the East [Page 55] nor West have satisfied: they only of all Men, with e­qual lust affecting riches and vanity. To rob, kill, and commit rapine, falsly they terme Empire; and when they have brought desolation to a Country, they call it Peace. Children, and neer Relations, every Man by nature hold­eth most dear, and those are pressed for Souldiers, and carryed away to serve in a slavish condition: Sisters and Wives, though they may escape an open ravishment, are notwithstanding frequently prostituted when they come as Guests, and pretend friendship. The goods and sub­stance of the Conquered they exhaust with Tributes, and rob them of their Corn to supply their Garrisons, weary­ing out their Hands and Bodies in preparing Woods and Fenny places for their purposes, with a thousand stripes and indignities. Slaves which are born to bondage when they are once sold, are after maintained at their Masters expences: but Britain daily buyeth her own bondage, and is at the charge of continuing it. Now as in a pri­vate retinue, the fresh man and last comer is most abused by his very fellow-servants: So in this old servitude of the World, our destruction is sought being the latest, and is most vile in account. We have no Fields to manure, no Mines to be digged, no Ports to trade in, and to what purpose then should they reserve us alive? Moreover the man-hood and fierce courage of the Subject pleaseth not much the jealous Soveraign: and this corner being so se­cret, and out of the way, the more security it yieldeth to us, in them it works the greater suspicion. So seeing all hope of pardon is past, at length all of you take courage, as well these to whom safety, as such to whom glory is in greatest esteem. The Britains led by a Woman, fired the Colony, for­ced the Castles; and if such a lucky beginning had not ended in sloath and security, they might have with ease shak't off the Yoak. We as yet never touched, never sub­dued; and born to be free, not to be Slaves to the Romans: let us shew streight in the first joyning what manner of Men Caledonia reserved in store for her self. Or, do you think the Romans to be as valiant in War, as they are wanton in Peace? No, not by their virtue, but by our discords they are grown into fame: and the faults of their Enemies they [Page 56] abuse, to the glory of their own Army, composed of most divers Nations: and therefore as by the present prosperity holden together, so if fortune do frown, it doubtless dis­solveth them; unless you suppose the Galls and Germans, and to our shame be it spoken, many of our own Nation, which now lend their lives to establish forreign Usurpation; yet have been Enemies longer than Servants, to be led and induced with any true faith and affection. No, it is ter­ror and fear, weak procurers of love, which if you remove, those which shall have ceased to be afraid, will strait be­gin to hate. All things that do incite to the Victory are on our side. No Wife to encourage the Romans, no Pa­rents to upbraid them if they flee; most have either no Country at all, or some other: a few fearfull Persons trembling, and gazing at the strangeness of the Heaven it self, the Sea, and the Woods; whom the Gods have de­livered, mewed up, and as it were fettered into our hands. Let not the vain shew, and glittering of Gold and Silver terrify us: which neither defends nor offendeth amongst the Enemies. We shall finde assistance on our side: The Britains will own their own cause, the Galls will remem­ber their former freedome, the rest of the Germans will leave and forsake them, as of late the Ʋsipians did. And what else have we then to fear? The Castles are empty, the Colonies peopled with Aged and impotent Persons, the free Cities discontent, and in factions, whilst those which are under obey, with ill-will; and they which do Govern, rule against right. Here is the General, and here the Ar­my; there Tributes and Mines, and other miseries insepa­rably following them, who live under subjection of others: which whether we are to continue for ever, or straight to revenge it, lyeth this day in this Field. Wherefore go­ing to Battail, bear in your minds, I beseech you, both your Ancestors, and your Posterity.

Which whether it be the Production only of the Au­thors brain, or that much of it was said, it matters not; however, I think the memory of it is not remembred here amiss. The Speech was received by a various noise of Songs and Acclamations.

Agricola's is thus delivered: fellow Souldiers and Com­panions in Arms, your service and diligence these eight years so painfully shew'd, by the virtue and fortune of the Roman Empire hath Conquered Britain. In so many Battails we had of necessity to shew our selves either valiant against the Enemy, or patient and laborious almost against Nature it self. In which exploits we have born us both hitherto, so that neither did I desire better Souldiers, nor you other Cap­tain. We have exceeded the limits, I of my Predeces­sors, and you likewise of yours. The end of Britain is found, not by fame and report, but we are with our Arms and Pavilions really invested thereof, Britany is found and subdued. In Marching, when the passing of Boggs or Mountains, and Rivers troubled and tired you out, how oft have I heard the valiant Souldier say? When will the Enemy shew himself, when shall we Fight? see now they are before you, you have here your wishes, and a place for your virtue to be shewn in, and all things to follow in an easie and expedite course if you win; if you loose, all against you. For as to have gone so much ground, e­scaped the Woods, passed over the Firthes, is honourable forward; so if we do flee the vantages, we have this day will become our chief hurt. For we are not skilled so well in the Countrys, we have not the like store of Pro­vision, but Hands we have and Weapons, and therein all things included. For my part, I have been long since re­solved, that to shew their backs, is neither safety for Soul­dier nor General: and therefore a commendable death is better, than life with reproach; and surety and honour are commonly dwelling together: or if ought should mishap­pen, even this will be a glory, to have died in the utter­most end of the World and nature. If new Nations and Souldiers unknown were in the Field, I would by the ex­amples of other Arms put you in courage: now recount you your own victorious exploits, and ask your own eyes. These are the same Men which the last year assailed one Legion by stealth in the night, and were with small work overthrown: These of all other Britains have been the most nimble in running away, and therefore have esca­ped [Page 58] the longest alive. For as in Forrests and Woods the strongest Beasts are chased away by main force, the cow­ardly and fearfull are frighted by the noise of the Hunt­ers. So the valiant of the British Nation we have alrea­dy dispatched, the timerous and most inconsiderable on­ly remain; whom at length you have found, not as ha­ving intended to stay and make Head, but at last over­taken, and by extream passion of fear standing as stocks presenting occasion to us in this place of a worthy and memorable Victory. Make an end therfore of your war­fare, and to fifty years travels, let this day impose a glo­rious conclusion: approve to your Country that the Army could never justly be charged either with protracting the War, or pretences for not accomplishing the Conquest. This was received with great Alacrity.

The Battail it self also, because it does consummate the Conquest of this Island, and is by Tacitus not only excellently, but very indifferently described, take also from him. Agricola leaving his Horse, advanced himself before the Ensigns of Foot: In the first encounter, before joyning, both sides discharged, and threw their missive Weapons: wherein the Britains employing both Art and Valour, with their great Swords and little Targets avoid­ed our throws, or shook them off, darting withall great store of theirs against us: till at length Agricola spying his advantage, exhorted three Batavian Cohorts, and two of the Tungrians to press forward, and bring the matter to a close Fight, (a thing which they in respect of long ser­vice were able readily to perform, and contrarily to the Enemies prejudicial) and hurtful by reason of their little Bucklers and huge Swords; for the Swords of the Britains being blunt pointed, were no way fit for close or open Fight. Now as the Batavians began to strike with their Swords, and thrust with the Pikes of their Bucklers, to mangle their Faces, and (having over-born in the Plain all that resisted them,) to March up the Mountains, the rest of the Cohorts gathering courage, upon emulation, violently beat down all about them, and many half dead, or wholly untouched, were left, for hast of winning the Field. In the mean time the Chariots mingled themselves with the [Page 59] Battel of the Footmen, and the Troops of the Horsemen began to flee: who, albeit they had lately terrified others, were now distressed themselves by the unevenness of the ground, and thick Forces of their Enemies. Neither was the form of the Fight like a loose Skirmish of Horse­men to and fro, but standing still, and maintaining their places, they sought by main weight of Horses to break and bear down one another. The wandring Waggons also, and masterless Horses, afrighted as it hapned them by fear to be guided, overbare many which met them, or thwarted their way. Now the Britains which stood a loof from the Battel, on the height of the Hi'ls, and at their good leasure disdaining our fewness, began to come down by little and little, and to compass a­bout the backs of our men, which were now in probable expectation of winning the Field. But Agricola, suspecting, as much, opposed against them four Wings of Horsemen, pur­posely retained about him for sudden dispatches & chances of War, and repulsed them back as sharply, as fiercely they ran to assail. So the Counsel of the Britains turned upon their own heads: and the Wings were commanded to for­sake the Battel, and follow the flight. Then might you have seen in the open fields a great & horrid spectacle; pursuing, wounding, taking, and killing of them which were taken, when others came in the way. Now whole Regiments of the Enemies, according to their several dispositions, though Armed, and more in number, turned their backs to the fewer others unarmed, and sought their own death, offering themselves voluntarily to the slaughter. Every where Wea­pons lay scattered, and Bodies, and mangled Limbs; the Ground every where imbrued with Blood, and sometimes, even in them which were overcome, appeared now at their end both Anger and Valour. When they approached the Woods, uniting themselves, they entraped unawares some of the foremost of our men, which unadvisedly followed, not knowing the Countrey: And unless Agricola had with his presence every where assisted at need, setting about them of his bravest and most ready foot-men, as it were in form of a Toyl, and commanding some of his Cavalry to leave their Horses, where the passages were narrow, and others [Page 60] where the Woods were thin, to ride up and down moun­ted; no doubt, sayes he, we had taken some blow by our overmuch boldness. But after they did see our men again in strong array to follow the chase in good order, they fled, (not in Troops as before, and attending each other, but ut­terly disbanded, and single, eschewing all company) toward the Desart, and far distant places. The night, and our fulness of blood, made an end of the chase. Of the Ene­mies side, Ten thousand were slain: Three hundred and forty of ours, amongst whom was Aulus Atticus, Com­mander in chief of a Cohort, upon a youthful heat, and through the fierceness of Horse, being carried into the mid­dle of his Enemies.

That night the Winners, for their parts, solaced them­selves with the Victory and Spoil: and the Britains being utterly broken, crying out, and howling; men and women together take and draw with them their hurt persons, call not hurt, forsake their own Houses, and in despite also set them on fire themselves; choose out Holes for to lurk in, and streightwayes forsook them; communicate some Coun­sels together, and then have some glimmering of hope: sometimes at the sight of their dearest beloved they are moved to pitty, more often stirred to rage: and certain it is, that some, as by way of compassion and mercy, slew their own Children and Wives. The day following, discovered more plainly the greatness of the Victory; every where de­solation and silence; no stirring in the Mountains; the Houses fired and smoaking far off: no man to meet with our Scouts: who being sent abroad into all the Quarters, found by their footsteps the flight was uncertain, and that they were no where in Companies together.

Hereupon Agricola, because the Summer was spent, and the War could not conveniently be divided, bringing his Army into the Borders of the Horrestians, supposed in Esk­dale, where receiving Hostages, he commanded the Ad­miral of the Navie to Sail about Britain, lending him Soul­diers and strength for that purpose, and the terror of the Roman Name was gone before already; and he with easie and gentle Journeys, to terrifie the new conquered Nations, with the very stay of his passage, disposed his Footmen and [Page 61] Horsemen into their Wintering Places: and withall, the Navy with prosperous Wind and success, arrived at the Port Trutulensis, from whence it departed; and coasting along the neerest side of Britain, returned thither again, having invaded in its passage the Isles of Orkney.

After this, Domitian the Emperor, envying his Glory, sent for him home, when he had compleated the Conquest of so much of Britain, as was formed into a Roman Pro­vince, from the two Arms of Glota and Bodotria before mentioned, to the Southward, inclusive of that part of the Island; more doubtless he did design to invade and pos­sess, and like enough he had effected it upon all the North, and Ireland also, if Domitian's apprehensions had not re­call'd and prevented him.

The Conclusion of the Roman Conquests in this Island.

THus all on the Southern part of Glota and Bodotria, about the year of Grace, eighty six, was by degrees brought under subjection to the Romans, and formed in­to a Province, or rather three; the Trent and Severne ma­king the Divisions; that part next Rome, being called Britania prima; the Capital place London: from which Canterbury took after the dignity of the Seat, to the Arch-Bishop of that Province; for the Divisions of Eccle­siastical Jurisdiction, did follow those of the Temporal in their first appointments. That which was beyond Se­verne was called Secunda: Caer Leon upon Ʋske in Mon­mouthshire, being then the principal place, and Arch-Bi­shops Seat. Maxima Caesariensis was that, beyond Trent; York being the chief Residence and See.

Hence it might be, that when Wales was in the Princes of their Country, and disunited; that which remained in England, was divided betwixt the Justices in Eyre, by the River Trent, in affairs concerning the Forrest; and the He­ralds in their proper business. Hence it might be, that in the piece of Money, expos'd to view by Mr. Cambden, where on one side, was this Inscription, Hadrianus Aug. Consul [Page 62] iij. Pater Patriae, and on the other, Exercitus Britanicus; three Souldiers being Pourtrayed on this, and the Empe­rors Effigies on the other side, (which the same Author would have to signify the three Legions, that served here about his time; that is to say, Secunda Augusta, Sexta Victrix, and Vicessima Victrix:) like enough it is, they had particular Relation to the three several Provinces. And hence it might be that Geoffry of Monmouth did feigne the Division of the Country into Loegria Cambria and Albania, to come from the three Sons of Brute, Locrine, Camber and Albanact; because he thought it necessary to deliver Fathers to the several Divisions of the Country he found here.

The Provinces continued for some hundreds of years under the Roman Jurisdiction, the Limits a little varyed and drawn back, and some Disturbances falling out, but neither very considerable.

And now was founded that Government, as I take it, here in England, which has continued in the bulk and gross thereof through many Ages, to this day, or at least not ex­tinguish't at any time, though not without certain addings and substraction, and now and then somekind of interrup­tions; but yet did they never so far proceed, as utterly to discontinue that Series, which had its root even in the ve­ry time of Romulus, at the Foundation of Rome. And upon the coming in of the Romans, here was also introdu­ced one other form of Government, which having its Rise in the dayes of Moses among the Israelites, with a fortune not unlike the other; first insinuating it self into the Roman Veins, upon the Conquest of Jury, and then spreading into all the parts thereof, came hither also, being a Member of it, and did so incorporate into that Body, varying fre­quently in outward appearance, by divers Factions; but continuing in a great part the same to this day among us: both being alike, cut off from the main Body; the first ma­ny Ages agoe, the last in the dayes of Henry the Eighth, and united in the Person of one single Monarch: both still retaining a great Portion of the same Nature they had ori­ginally, though in some particulars altered as in such anti­ent things it cannot be otherwise expected. But because [Page 63] much of this many do not think of, and our Historiogra­phers do generally give a much later Original to certain Laws, and Customs, and Divisions of our Countrey in the Civil Government; yet reprehended some of them in the times they are positive in, by my Lord Cook, Mr. Camden, Mr. Selden, Sir H. Spelman, and other eminent Antiqua­ries: We will leave this Argument at present, and close with certain words of Doctor HEYLIN, an Excel­lent and Judicious Geographer, of the like Nature. He having Discoursed some time of EƲROPE upon the whole, comes at last to begin his particular Descripti­on in these words. And this shall serve for Europe in the general Notion: Descend we now to the particular King­doms, Regions & Islands of it, beginning first of all with Ita­ly, contrary to the usage of most Geographers, who com­monly begin with Spain or Ireland, as being the farthest Countreys Westward, and consequently nearest to the first Meridian, from whence the Longitude was reckoned. Which we shall do by reason of that great influence which the Ro­mans had in most parts of Europe, and many parts of the World besides, in matters as well Civil as Ecclesiastical, which much depended on the Power of that Empire for­merly, and on the usurpation of that Church in the latter dayes.