HOLINSHED'S
CHRONICLES
_ENGLAND_, _SCOTLAND_,
AND
_IRELAND_.
IN SIX VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
ENGLAND.
_LONDON:_
PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON; F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON; T. PAYNE; WILKIE
AND ROBINSON; LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME;
CADELL AND DAVIES; AND J. MAWMAN.
1807.
AMS PRESS INC.
NEW YORK
AMS PRESS INC.
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10003
1965
MANUFACTURED in the U.S.A.
[_Original Title._]
THE
FIRST AND SECOND VOLUMES
OF
CHRONICLES,
COMPRISING
1 =The description and historie of England=,
2 =The description and historie of Ireland=,
3 =The description and historie of Scotland=:
FIRST COLLECTED AND PUBLISHED
BY
RAPHAELL HOLINSHED,
WILLIAM HARRISON, AND OTHERS:
_Now newlie augmented and continued (with manifold matters of
singular note and worthie memorie)_
TO THE YEARE 1586,
By JOHN HOOKER aliàs VOWELL Gent.
AND OTHERS.
WITH CONUENIENT TABLES AT THE END OF THESE VOLUMES.
HISTORIÆ PLACEANT NOSTRATES AC PEREGRINÆ.
ADVERTISEMENT.
THE CHRONICLES of HOLINSHED having become exceedingly scarce, and,
from their Rarity and Value, having always brought a high Price
whenever they have appeared for Sale, the Publishers have thought they
should perform an acceptable Service to the Public by reprinting them
in a uniform, handsome, and modern Form.
It cannot now be necessary to state the Importance and interesting
Nature of this Work. The high Price for which it has always sold, is a
sufficient Testimony of the Esteem in which it has been held.
Holinshed's Description of Britain is allowed to contain the most
curious and authentic Account of the Manners and Customs of our Island
in the Reign of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, in which it was written.
His History of the Transactions of the British Isles, during these
Periods, possesses all the Force and Value of contemporary Evidence,
collected by a most skilful Observer; and the peculiar Style and
Orthography in which the Work is written, furnish a very interesting
Document to illustrate the History of the English Language.
The original Edition of the Chronicles of Holinshed, it is well known,
was published by their Author in a mutilated State. A Number of Pages,
which had obviously been printed with the rest of the Work, were found
to be omitted, except in a few Copies obtained by some favoured
Persons. In the present Edition, these Castrations are faithfully
restored; and in order that the Purchaser may depend upon finding an
exact as well as a perfect Copy, it has been a Law with the
Publishers, not to alter a single Letter, but to print the Work with
the utmost Fidelity from the best preceding Edition, with the Author's
own Orthography, and with his marginal Notes. The only Liberty taken,
has been to use the Types of the present Day, instead of the old
English Letter of the Time of Elizabeth.
The Publishers submit to the Public this Edition of a curious and
valuable Chronicle of our History, with a confident Hope, that it will
gratify both the Historical Student and the General Reader. If it meet
with the Reception which they anticipate, they will be encouraged to
select some others of the rarest and most important of our ancient
Chronicles, and reprint them, in like Manner, for the Convenience and
Gratification of the Public.
TO THE
RIGHT HONORABLE, AND HIS SINGULAR GOOD LORD AND MAISTER,
_S. WILLIAM BROOKE KNIGHT_,
LORD WARDEN OF THE CINQUE PORTS, AND BARON OF COBHAM, ALL
INCREASE OF THE FEARE AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, FIRME OBEDIENCE
TOWARD HIS PRINCE, INFALLIBLE LOUE TO THE COMMON WEALTH, AND
COMMENDABLE RENOWME HERE IN THIS WORLD, AND IN THE WORLD TO COME
LIFE EUERLASTING.
Hauing had iust occasion, Right Honorable, to remaine in London,
during the time of Trinitie terme last passed, and being earnestlie
required of diuers my freends, to set downe some breefe discourse of
parcell of those things, which I had obserued in the reading of such
manifold antiquities as I had perused toward the furniture of a
Chronologie, which I haue yet in hand; I was at the first verie loth
to yeeld to their desires: first, for that I thought my selfe vnable
for want of skill and iudgment, so suddenlie & with so hastie speed to
take such a charge vpon me: secondlie, bicause the dealing therein
might prooue an hinderance and impechment vnto mine owne Treatise: and
finallie, for that I had giuen ouer all earnest studie of histories,
as iudging the time spent about the same, to be an hinderance vnto my
more necessarie dealings in that vocation & function wherevnto I am
called in the ministerie. But when they were so importunate with me,
that no reasonable excuse could serue to put by this trauell, I
condescended at the length vnto their yrkesome sute, promising that I
would spend such void time as I had to spare, whilest I should be
inforced to tarie in the citie, vpon some thing or other that should
satisfie their request; and stand in lieu of a description of my
Countrie. For their parts also they assured me of such helps as they
could purchase: and thus with hope of good, although no gaie successe,
I went in hand withall, then almost as one leaning altogither vnto
memorie, sith my books and I were parted by fourtie miles in sunder.
In this order also I spent a part of Michaelmas and Hilarie termes
insuing, being inforced thereto I say by other businesses which
compelled me to keepe in the citie, and absent my selfe from my
charge, though in the meane season I had some repaire vnto my poore
librarie, but not so great as the dignitie of the matter required, and
yet far greater than the Printers hast would suffer. One helpe, and
none of the smallest that I obtained herein, was by such commentaries
as _Leland_ had somtime collected of the state of Britaine, books
vtterlie mangled, defaced with wet and weather, and finallie vnperfect
through want of sundrie volumes: secondlie, I gat some knowledge of
things by letters and pamphlets, from sundrie places & shires of
England, but so discordant now and then amongst themselues,
especiallie in the names and courses of riuers and situation of
townes, that I had oft greater trouble to reconcile them one with an
other, than orderlie to pen the whole discourse of such points as they
contained: the third aid did grow by conference with diuers, either at
the table or secretlie alone, wherein I marked in what things the
talkers did agree, and wherin they impugned ech other, choosing in the
end the former, and reiecting the later, as one desirous to set foorth
the truth absolutelie, or such things in deed as were most likelie to
be true. The last comfort arose by mine owne reading of such writers
as haue heretofore made mention of the condition of our countrie, in
speaking wherof, if I should make account of the successe, &
extraordinarie c[=o]ming by sundrie treatises not supposed to be
extant, I should but seeme to pronounce more than may well be said
with modestie, & say farder of my selfe than this Treatise can beare
witnes of. Howbeit, I refer not this successe wholie vnto my purpose
about this Description, but rather giue notice thereof to come to
passe in the penning of my Chronologie, whose crums as it were fell
out verie well in the framing of this Pamphlet. In the processe
therefore of this Booke, if your Honor regard the substance of that
which is here declared, I must needs confesse that it is none of mine
owne: but if your Lordship haue consideration of the barbarous
composition shewed herein, that I may boldlie claime and challenge for
mine owne, sith there is no man of any so slender skill, that will
defraud me of that reproch, which is due vnto me for the meere
negligence, disorder, and euill disposition of matter comprehended in
the same. Certes I protest before God and your Honour, that I neuer
made any choise of stile, or words, neither regarded to handle this
Treatise in such precise order and method as manie other would haue
done, thinking it sufficient, truelie and plainelie to set foorth such
things as I minded to intreat of, rather than with vaine affectation
of eloquence to paint out a rotten sepulchre; a thing neither
commendable in a writer, nor profitable to the reader. How other
affaires troubled me in the writing hereof manie know, and
peraduenture the slacknesse shewed herein can better testifie: but
howsoeuer it be done, & whatsoeuer I haue done, I haue had an
especiall eye vnto the truth of things, and for the rest, I hope that
this foule frizeled Treatise of mine will prooue a spur to others
better learned, more skilfull in Chorographie, and of greater
iudgement in choise of matter to handle the selfe same argument, if in
my life time I doo not peruse it againe. It is possible also that your
Honour will mislike hereof, for that I haue not by mine owne trauell
and eysight viewed such things as I doo here intreat of. In deed I
must needs confesse, that vntill now of late, except it were from the
parish where I dwell, vnto your Honour in Kent; or out of London where
I was borne, vnto Oxford & Cambridge where I haue bene brought vp, I
neuer trauelled 40. miles foorthright and at one iourney in all my
life; neuerthelesse in my report of these things, I vse their
authorities, who either haue performed in their persons, or left in
writing vpon sufficient ground (as I said before) whatsoeuer is
wanting in mine. It may be in like sort that your Honour will take
offense at my rash and retchlesse behauiour vsed in the composition of
this volume, and much more that being scambled vp after this maner, I
dare presume to make tendour of the protection therof vnto your
Lordships hands. But when I consider the singular affection that your
Honour dooth beare to those that in any wise will trauell to set
foorth such profitable things as lie hidden, and therevnto doo weigh
on mine owne behalfe my bounden dutie and gratefull mind to such a one
as hath so manie and sundrie waies benefited me that otherwise can
make no recompense, I can not but cut off all such occasion of doubt,
and therevpon exhibit it, such as it is, and so penned as it is, vnto
your Lordships tuition, vnto whome if it may seeme in anie wise
acceptable, I haue my whole desire. And as I am the first that
(notwithstanding the great repugnancie to be seene among our writers)
hath taken vpon him so particularlie to describe this Ile of Britaine;
so I hope the learned and godlie will beare withall, & reforme with
charitie where I doo tread amisse. As for the curious, and such as can
rather euill fauouredlie espie than skilfullie correct an error, and
sooner carpe at another mans dooings than publish any thing of their
owne, (keeping themselues close with an obscure admiration of learning
& knowledge among the common sort) I force not what they saie hereof:
for whether it doo please or displease them, all is one to me, sith I
referre my whole trauell in the gratification of your Honour, and such
as are of experience to consider of my trauell, and the large scope of
things purposed in this Treatise, of whome my seruice in this behalfe
may be taken in good part, that I will repute for my full recompense,
and large guerdon of my labours. The Almightie God preserue your
Lordship in continuall health, wealth, and prosperitie, with my good
Ladie your wife, your Honours children, (whom God hath indued with a
singular towardnesse vnto all vertue and learning) and the rest of
your reformed familie, vnto whom I wish farder increase of his holie
spirit, vnderstanding of his word, augmentation of honor, and
continuance of zeale to follow his commandements.
_Your Lordships humble seruant
and houshold Chaplein._
W. H.
¶ THE NAMES OF THE AUTHORS
FROM WHOME THIS
_HISTORIE OF ENGLAND_
IS COLLECTED.
A.
Aelius Spartianus.
Aelius Lampridius.
Asserius Meneuensis.
Alfridus Beuerlacensis.
Aeneas Syluius Senensis.
Auentinus.
Adam Merimouth with additions.
Antoninus Archiepiscopus Florentinus.
Albertus Crantz.
Alexander Neuill.
Arnoldus Ferronius.
Annius Viterbiensis.
Amianus Marcellinus.
Alliances genealogiques des Roys & Princes de France.
Annales D. Aquitaine per Iean Bouchet.
Annales de Bourgoigne per Guilamme Paradin.
Annales de France per Nicol Giles.
Annales rerum Flandricarum per Jacobum Meir.
Antonius Sabellicus.
Antonius Nebricensis.
Aurea Historia.
B.
Biblia Sacra.
Beda venerabilis.
Berosus.
Brian Tuke knight.
Blondus Forliuiensis.
Berdmondsey, a Register booke belonging to that house.
C.
Cæsars Commentaries.
Cornelius Tacitus.
Chronica Chronicorum.
Chronica de Dunstable, a booke of Annales belonging to the Abbey
there.
Chronicon Io. Tilij.
Chronica de Eyton, an historie belonging to that colledge, although
compiled by some Northernman, as some suppose named Otherborne.
Chronicles of S. Albon.
Chronica de Abingdon, a booke of Annales belonging to that house.
Chronica de Teukesburie.
Claudianus.
Chronicon Genebrard.
Chroniques de Normandie.
Chroniques de Britaine.
Chroniques de Flanders published by Denis Sauage.
Continuation de Historie and Chroniques de Flanders by the same
Sauage.
Couper.
Cuspinianus.
Chronica Sancti Albani.
Caxtons Chronicles.
Carion with additions.
Crockesden, a Register booke belonging to an house of that name in
Staffordshire.
D.
Diodorus Siculus.
Dion Cassius.
Dominicus Marius Niger.
E.
Edmerus.
Eusebius.
Eutropius.
Encomium Emmæ, an old Pamphlet written to hir, conteining much good
matter for the vnderstanding of the state of this realme in hir
time, wherein hir praise is not pretermitted, and so hath
obteined by reason thereof that title.
Enguerant de Monstrellet.
Eulogium.
Edmund Campian.
F.
Fabian.
Froissart.
Franciscus Tarapha.
Franciscus Petrarcha.
Flauius Vopiscus Siracusanus.
Floriacensis Vigorinensis.
G.
Gviciardini Francisco.
Guiciardini Ludouico.
Gildas Sapiens.
Galfridus Monemutensis, aliàs Geffrey of Monmouth.
Giraldus Cambrensis.
Guilielmus Malmesburiensis.
Galfridus Vinsauf.
Guilielmus Nouoburgensis.
Guilielmus Thorne.
Gualterus Hemmingford, aliàs Gisburnensis.
Geruasius Dorobernensis.
Geruasius Tilberiensis.
Guilielmus Gemeticensis de ducibus Normaniæ.
Guilielmus Rishanger.
Guilielmus Lambert.
Georgius Lillie.
Guilamme Paradin.
H.
Higinus.
Henricus Huntingtonensis.
Henricus Leicestrensis.
Hector Boece.
Historie Daniou.
Historia Ecclesiastica Magdeburgensis.
Henricus Mutius.
Historia quadripartita seu quadrilogium.
Hardings Chronicle.
Halles Chronicle.
Henricus Bradshaw.
Henricus Marleburgensis.
Herodianus.
Humfrey Luyd.
I.
Iohannes Bale.
Iohannes Leland.
Iacobus Philippus Bergomas.
Iulius Capitolinus.
Iulius Solinus.
Iohannes Pike with additions.
Iohannes Functius.
Iohn Price knight.
Iohannes Textor.
Iohannes Bodinus.
Iohannes Sleidan.
Iohannes Euersden a Monke of Berry.
Iohannes or rather Giouan villani a Florentine.
Iohannes Baptista Egnatius.
Iohannes Capgraue.
Iohannes Fourden.
Iohannes Caius.
Iacob de Voragine Bishop of Nebio.
Iean de Bauge a Frenchman wrote a pamphlet of the warres in
Scotland, during the time that Monsieur de Desse remained
there.
Iohn Fox.
Iohannes Maior.
Iohn Stow, by whose diligent collected summarie, I haue beene not
onelie aided, but also by diuers rare monuments, ancient
writers, and necessarie register bookes of his, which he hath
lent me out of his own Librarie.
Iosephus.
L.
Liber constitutionum London.
Lucan.
Lælius Giraldus.
M.
Marianus Scotus.
Matthæus Paris.
Matthaeus Westmonaster. aliàs Flores historiarum.
Martin du Bellay, aliàs Mons. de Langey.
Mamertinus in Panegyricis.
Memoires de la Marche.
N.
Nicephorus.
Nennius.
Nicholaus Treuet with additions.
O.
Orosius Dorobernensis.
Osbernus Dorobernensis.
Otho Phrisingensis.
P.
Pausanias.
Paulus Diaconus.
Paulus Aemilius.
Ponticus Virunius.
Pomponius Lætus.
Philip de Cumeins, aliàs M. de Argenton.
Polydor Virgil.
Paulus Iouius.
Platina.
Philippus Melancthon.
Peucerus.
Pomponius Mela.
R.
Rogerus Houeden.
Ranulfus Higeden, aliàs Cestrensis the author of Polychronicon.
Radulfus Cogheshall.
Radulfus Niger.
Register of the Garter.
Records of Battell Abbey.
Richardus Southwell.
Robert Greene.
Radulfus de Diceto.
Robert Gaguin.
Rodericus Archiepiscopus Toletanus.
Records and rolles diuerse.
S.
Strabo.
Suetonius.
Sigebertus Gemblacensis.
Sidon Appollinaris.
Simon Dunelmensis.
Sextus Aurelius Victor.
T.
Trebellius Pollio.
Thomas More knight.
Thomas Spot.
Thomas Walsingham.
Titus Liuius de Foroliuisijs de vita Henrici. 5.
Titus Liuius Patauiensis.
Thomas Lanquet.
Thomas Couper.
Taxtor a Monke of Berry.
Theuet.
Thomas de la More.
Tripartita Historia.
V.
Vvlcatius Gallicanus.
Volfgangus Lazius.
W.
Whethamsted, a learned man, sometime Abbat of Saint Albons a
Chronicler.
William Harrison.
William Patten of the expedition into Scotland. 1574.
William Proctor of Wiats rebellion.
Besides these, diuers other bookes and treatises of historicall matter
I haue seene and perused, the names of the authors being vtterlie
vnknowne.
REGVM ANGLIÆ
SERIES & CATALOGUS.
[Sidenote: Wil. Conqu.]
[Sidenote: Wil. Rufus.]
[Sidenote: Henricus 1.]
[Sidenote: Stephanus.]
[Sidenote: Henricus 2.]
[Sidenote: Richardus 1.]
[Sidenote: Ioannes.]
[Sidenote: Henricus 3.]
[Sidenote: Eduardus 1.]
[Sidenote: Eduardus 2.]
[Sidenote: Eduardus 3.]
[Sidenote: Richardus 2.]
[Sidenote: Henricus 4.]
[Sidenote: Henricus 5.]
[Sidenote: Henricus 6.]
[Sidenote: Eduardus 4.]
[Sidenote: Eduardus 5.]
[Sidenote: Richardus 3.]
[Sidenote: Henricus 7.]
[Sidenote: Henricus 8.]
[Sidenote: Eduardus 6.]
[Sidenote: Phil. & Mar.]
[Sidenote: Elisabeth.]
Conquestor, Rufus, prior Henricus, Stephanúsque,
Alter & Henricus, Leonino corde Richardus,
Rex & Ioannes, Henricus tertius inde:
Eduardus primus, Gnatúsque, Nepósque sequuntur:
His inf[oe]licem Richardum iunge secundum:
Henricus quartus soboles Gandaui Ioannis,
Præcedit Gnato quinto, sextóque Nepoti:
Eduardus quartus, quintus, homicida Richardus,
Septimi & Henricus octauus clara propago:
Eduardus sextus, regina Maria, Philippus:
Elisabeth longos regnet victura per annos,
Seráque promisso f[oe]lix potiatur olympo.
CARMEN CHRONOLOGICON
THOMÆ NEWTONI CESTRESHYRIJ.
[Sidenote: Loydus.]
[Sidenote: Lelandus.]
[Sidenote: Prisius.]
[Sidenote: Stous.]
[Sidenote: Holinshedius.]
[Sidenote: Lambardus.]
[Sidenote: Morus.]
[Sidenote: Camdenus.]
[Sidenote: Thinnius.]
[Sidenote: Hallus.]
[Sidenote: Vocalis aliàs Hookerus.]
[Sidenote: Graftonus.]
[Sidenote: Foxius.]
[Sidenote: Harrisonus.]
[Sidenote: Hardingus.]
[Sidenote: Gildas.]
[Sidenote: Staniherstus.]
[Sidenote: Beda.]
[Sidenote: Neuillus.]
[Sidenote: Flemingus.]
[Sidenote: Parkerus.]
Gramine, fluminibus, grege, principe, fruge, metallis,
Lacte, feris, armis, vrbibus, arte, foris,
Quæ viget ac floret generosa Britannia, quæque,
Obruta puluereo squalluit ante situ:
Exerit ecce caput, genuinum nacta nitorem,
Et rutilum emittit cum grauitate iubar.
Et quod blæsa hominum mutilarat tempore lingua,
Illud habet rectum pumice tersa nouo.
Loydus in hac pridem gnauus prolusit arena,
Lelandus, Prisius, Stous, Holinshedius,
Lambardus, Morus, Camdenus, Thinnius, Hallus,
Vocalis, Grafton, Foxius, Harrisonus,
Hardingus, Gildas, Staniherstus, Beda, Neuillus,
Doctáque Flemingi lima poliuit opus:
Nec te cane senex, magne ô Parkere, silebo,
Cui decus attulerat pontificalis apex.
Omnibus his meritò est laus debita & optima merces,
Quòd patriæ accendant lumina clara suæ.
Longa dies opus hoc peperit, longæua senectus,
Et libri authores perbeet, atque librum.
AN
HISTORICALL DESCRIPTION
OF
THE ILAND OF BRITAINE;
WITH A BRIEFE REHERSALL OF
THE NATURE AND QUALITIES OF THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND,
AND
SUCH COMMODITIES AS ARE TO BE FOUND IN THE SAME.
_COMPREHENDED IN THREE BOOKES, AND WRITTEN BY W. H._
A TABLE OF SUCH CHAPITERS AS ARE CONTEINED IN THE FIRST BOOKE OF THIS
DESCRIPTION.
1 _Of the diuision of the whole earth._
2 _Of the position, circuit, forme, and quantitie of the Ile of
Britaine._
3 _Of the ancient denominations of this Iland._
4 _What sundrie nations haue dwelled in Albion._
5 _Whether it be likelie that anie giants were, and whether they
inhabited in this Ile or not._
6 _Of the languages spoken in this Iland._
7 _Into how manie kingdoms this Iland hath beene diuided._
8 _The names of such kings and princes as haue reigned in this
Iland._
9 _Of the ancient religion vsed in Albion._
10 _Of such Ilands as are to be seene vpon the coasts of Britaine._
11 _Of riuers, and first of the Thames, and such riuers as fall into
it._
12 _Of such streames as fall into the sea, betweene the Thames and
the mouth of Sauerne._
13 _The description of the Sauerne, and such waters as discharge
themselues into the same._
14 _Of such waters as fall into the sea in compasse of the Iland,
betweene the Sauerne and the Humber._
15 _The description of the Humber or Isis, and such water-courses as
doo increase hir chanell._
16 _Of such fals of waters as ioine with the sea, betweene Humber
and the Thames._
17 _Of such ports and creeks as our sea-faring men doo note for
their benefit vpon the coasts of England._
18 _Of the aire, soile, and commodities of this Iland._
19 _Of the foure high waies sometime made in Britaine by the princes
of this Iland._
20 _Of the generall constitution of the bodies of the Britons._
21 _How Britaine at the first grew to be diuided into three
portions._
22 _After what maner the souereigntie of this Ile dooth remaine to
the princes of Lhoegres or kings of England._
23 _Of the wall sometime builded for a partition betweene England
and the Picts and Scots._
24 _Of the maruels of England._
OF THE DIUISION OF THE WHOLE EARTH.
CHAPTER I.
[Sidenote: Noah first diuided the earth among his sonnes.]
We read that the earth hath beene diuided into thrée parts, euen
sithens the generall floud. And the common opinion is, that Noah
limited and bestowed it vpon his three sons, Japhet, Cham, and Sem,
preserued with him in the Arke, giuing vnto each of them such portions
thereof as to him séemed good, and neuerthelesse reteining the
souereigntie of the whole still vnto himselfe: albeit as yet it be
left vncertaine how those seuerall parts were bounded, and from whome
they tooke such names as in our times are attributed to each of them.
Certes the words, Asia, Europa, and Africa, are denominations giuen
but of late (to speake of) vnto them, and it is to be doubted, whether
sithens the time of Noah, the sea hath in sundrie places wonne or
lost, added or diminished to and from each of them; or whether Europa,
and Lybia were but one portion; and the same westerlie regions of late
discouered (and now called America,) was the third part (counting Asia
for the second) or the selfe region of the Atlantides, which Plato and
others, for want of traffike thither in their times, supposed to be
dissolued and sunke into the sea: as by their writings appeereth.
[Sidenote: The diuision of the earth not yet certeinlie knowne.]
Not long before my time, we reckoned Asia, Europa, and Africa, for a
full and perfect diuision of the whole earth, which are parcels onelie
of that huge Iland that lieth east of the Atlantike sea, and whereof
the first is diuided from the second by Tanais (which riseth in the
rocks of Caucasus, and hideth it selfe in the Meotine moores) and the
Ocean sea; and the last from them both by the Mediterrane and red sea,
otherwise called Mare Erythræum. But now all men, especially the
learned, begin to doubt of the soundnes of that partition; bicause a
no lesse part than the greatest of the thrée ioined with those Ilands
and maine which lie vnder the north and Southpoles, if not double in
quantitie vnto the same, are found out and discouered by the diligence
of our trauellers. Hereby it appeereth, that either the earth was not
exactlie diuided in time past by antiquitie; or els, that the true
diuision thereof came not to the hands and notice of their posteritie,
so that our ancestors haue hitherto as it were laboured in the
Cimmerian darkenesse, and were vtterlie ignorant of the truth of that
whereabout they indeuoured to shew their trauels and knowledge in
their writings. Some peece of this confusion also is to be found
amongst the ancient and Romane writers, who (notwithstanding their
large conquests) did sticke in the same mire with their successors,
not being able (as appeereth by their treatises) to deliuer and set
[Sidenote: Variance among the writers
about the diuision of the earth.]
downe the veritie. For Salust in his booke De bello Iugurthino cannot
tell whether Africa be parcell of Asia or not. And with the same
scruple Varro in his booke De lingua Lat. is not a litle incumbred,
who in the end concludeth, that the whole earth is diuided into Asia
and Europa: so that Africa is excluded and driuen out of his place.
Silius also writeth of Africa, (as one not yet resolued wherevnto to
leane,) that it is;
Aut ingens Asiæ latus, aut pars tertia rerum.
Wherein Lucane lib. 9. sheweth himselfe to be far of another
iudgement, in that he ascribeth it to Europa, saieng after this maner:
Tertia pars rerum Lybia: si credere famæ
Cuncta velis, si ventos c[oe]lúmque sequaris,
Pars erit Europæ, nec enim plus littora Nili
Quàm Scythicus Tanais primis à gradibus absunt.
Whereby (I saie) we may well vnderstand, that in the time of Augustus
Tiberius, Claudius & Nero, the Romanes were not yet resolued of the
diuision of the earth. For my part, as I indeuour not to remooue the
credit of that which antiquitie hath deliuered (and yet loth to
continue and maintaine any corruption that may be redressed) so I
[Sidenote: The earth diuided into fiue parts, whereas _Belforest_
hath but foure, in _Prefat. lib. 4._]
thinke good to giue foorth a new diuision more probable, & better
agreeing with a truth. And therefore I diuide the whole into fiue
seuerall parcels, reteining the common diuision in the first three, as
before; and vnto the fourth allowing not onelie all that portion that
lieth by north of the Magellan streicts, and those Hyperborean Ilands
which lie west of the line of longitude, of late discouered by
Frobisher, and called by hir Maiestie Meta incognita: but likewise so
manie Ilands as are within 180. degrees Westwards from our beginning
or common line of longitude, whereby they are parted from those, which
by this diuision are allotted vnto Asia, and the portion it selfe made
equipollent with the same for greatnes, and far excéeding either
Europa or Africa, if it be not fullie so much in quantitie as they
both vnited and laid togither. The fift & last part is the Antartike
portion with hir Ilands annexed, that region (I meane) which lieth
vnder the South pole, cut off from America, or the fourth part by the
Magellan streicts; & from Africa by the sea which passeth by the Cape
[Sidenote: Cape di bona Speranza.]
of good hope; a countrie no lesse large for limits and bounds than
Africa or America, and therefore right worthie to be called the fift:
howsoeuer it shall please the curious to mislike of this diuision.
This also I will adde, that albeit the continent hereof doo not extend
[Sidenote: The forme of the fift part.]
it selfe vnto the verie Antartike point, but lieth as it were a long
table betwéene two seas, of which the later is vnder the South poole,
and as I may call it a maine sea vnder the aforesaid pricke, yet is it
not without sundrie Ilands also adjoining vnto it, and the inner most
sea not destitute of manie, as by experience hath béene of late
confirmed. Furthermore, whereas our describers of the earth haue made
it such in their descriptions, as hath reached litle or nothing into
the peaceable sea without the Antartike circle: it is now found by
Theuet and others, that it extendeth it selfe northwards into that
trace, by no small number of leagues, euen in maner to the Equator, in
so much that the westerlie part thereof from America, is supposed to
reach northward so far from the Antartike article, as Africa dooth
southwards from the tropike of Cancer, which is no small portion of
ground; & I maruell why not obserued by such as heretofore haue
written of the same. But they excuse themselues by the ingratitude of
the Portingals and Spaniards, who haue of purpose concealed manie
things found out in their trauell, least they should séeme to open a
gap by dooing otherwise, for strangers to enter into their conquests.
As for those Ilands also which lie in the peaceable sea, scattered
here and there, as Iaua the greater, the lesser Sumatra, Iapan,
Burneo, &c: with a number of other, I refer them still unto Asia, as
before, so as they be without the compasse of 90. degrees eastward
from the line of longitude, & not aboue 180. as I doo the Ile of S.
Laurence, and a number of other vnto Africa within the said
proportion, wishing so little alteration as I may: and yet not
yeelding vnto any confusion, whereby the truth of the diuision should
hereafter be impeached.
And whereas by Virgil (speaking of our Iland) saith;
Et penitùs toto diuisos orbe Britannos,
[Sidenote: Unto what portion Britaine is referred.]
And some other authors not vnworthie to be read and perused, it is not
certeine vnto which portion of the earth our Ilands, and Thule, with
sundrie the like scattered in the north seas should be ascribed,
bicause they excluded them (as you sée) from the rest of the whole
earth: I have thought good, for facilitie sake of diuision, to refer
them all which lie within the first minute of longitude, set downe by
Ptolome, to Europa, and that as reason requireth: so that the
aforesaid line shall henceforth be their Meta & partition from such as
are to be ascribed to America; albeit they come verie neere vnto the
aforesaid portion, & may otherwise (without prejudice) be numbred with
the same. It may be that some will thinke this my dealing either to be
superfluous, or to procéed from (I wot not what) foolish curiositie:
for the world is now growne to be very apt and readie to iudge the
hardest of euerie attempt. But forsomuch as my purpose is to leaue a
plaine report of such matter as I doo write of, and deliuer such
things as I intreat of in distinct and vpright order; though method
now and then doo faile, I will go forward with my indeuour, referring
the examination of my dooings to the indifferent and learned eare,
without regard what the other doo conceiue and imagine of me. In the
meane season therefore it shall suffice to say at this time, that
Albion as the mother, and the rest of the Ilands as hir daughters,
lieng east of the line of longitude, be still ascribed vnto Europa:
wherevnto some good authours heretofore in their writings, & their
owne proper or naturall situations also haue not amisse referred them.
OF THE POSITION, CIRCUIT, FORME, AND QUANTITIE OF THE ILE OF BRITAINE.
CAP. II.
[Sidenote: How Britaine lieth from the maine.]
Britannia or Britain, as we now terme it in our English toong, or
Brutania as some pronounce it (by reason of the letter y in the first
syllable of the word, as antiquitie did sometime deliuer it) is an Ile
lieng in the Ocean sea, directlie ouer against that part of France
which conteineth Picardie, Normandie, and thereto the greatest part of
little Britaine, which later region was called in time past Armorica,
of the situation thereof vpon the sea coast, vntill such time as a
companie of Britons (either led ouer by some of the Romane Emperours,
or flieng thither from the tyrannie of such as oppressed them here in
this Iland) did setle themselues there, and called it Britaine, after
the name of their owne countrie, from whence they aduentured thither.
It hath Ireland vpon the west side, on the north the maine sea, euen
to Thule and the Hyperboreans; and on the east side also the Germane
Ocean, by which we passe dailie through the trade of merchandize, not
onlie into the low countries of Belgie, now miserablie afflicted
betwéene the Spanish power and popish inquisition (as spice betweene
the morter and the pestell) but also into Germanie, Friezeland,
Denmarke, and Norwaie, carrieng from hence thither, and bringing from
thence hither, all such necessarie commodities as the seuerall
countries doo yeeld: through which meanes, and besides common amitie
conserued, traffike is mainteined, and the necessitie of each partie
abundantlie reléeued.
[Sidenote: The longitude and latitude of this Ile.]
It conteineth in longitude taken by the middest of the region 19.
degrees exactlie: and in latitude 53. degrées, and thirtie min. after
the opinions of those that haue diligentlie obserued the same in our
daies, and the faithfull report of such writers as haue left notice
thereof vnto vs, in their learned treatises to be perpetuallie
remembred. Howbeit, whereas some in setting downe of these two lines,
haue seemed to varie about the placing of the same, each of them
diuerslie remembring the names of sundrie cities and townes, whereby
they affirme them to haue their seuerall courses: for my part I haue
thought good to procéed somewhat after another sort; that is, by
diuiding the latest and best chards each way into two equall parts (so
neere as I can possiblie bring the same to passe) wherby for the
[Sidenote: Longest day.]
middle of latitude, I product Caerlile and Newcastell vpon Tine,
(whose longest day consisteth of sixteene houres, 48. minuts) and for
the longitude, Newberie, Warwike, Sheffield, Skipton, &c: which
dealing, in mine opinion, is most easie and indifferent, and likeliest
meane to come by the certeine standing and situation of our Iland.
[Sidenote: The compasse of Britaine.]
Touching the length and bredth of the same, I find some variance
amongst writers: for after some, there are from the Piere or point of
Douer, vnto the farthest part of Cornewall westwards 320. miles: from
thence againe to the point of Cathnesse by the Irish sea 800. Wherby
Polydore and other doo gather, that the circuit of the whole Iland of
Britaine is 1720. miles, which is full 280. lesse than Cæsar dooth set
downe, except there be some difference betwéene the Romane and British
miles, as there is indeed; wherof hereafter I may make some farther
conference.
Martianus writing of the bredth of Britaine, hath onlie 300. miles,
but Orosius hath 1200. in the whole compasse. Ethicus also agreeing
with Plinie, Martianus, and Solinus, hath 800. miles of length, but in
the breadth he commeth short of their account by 120. miles. In like
maner Dion in Seuero maketh the one of 891. miles: but the other; to
wit, where it is broadest, of 289. and where it is narrowest, of 37.
Finally, Diodorus Siculus affirmeth the south coast to conteine 7000.
furlongs, the second; to wit, à Carione ad Promontorium 15000. the
third 20000. and the whole circuit to consist of 42000. But in our
time we reckon the breadth from Douer to Cornewall, not to be aboue
300. miles, and the length from Douer to Cathnesse, no more than 500.
which neuerthelesse must be measured by a right line, for otherwise I
see not how the said diuision can hold.
[Sidenote: The forme.]
The forme and fashion of this Ile is thrée-cornered, as some have
deuised, like vnto a triangle, bastard sword, wedge, or partesant,
being broadest in the south part, and gathering still narrower and
narrower, till it come to the farthest point of Cathnesse northward,
where it is narrowest of all, & there endeth in maner of a promontorie
called Caledonium & Orchas in British Morwerydh, which is not aboue
30. miles ouer, as dailie experience by actuall trauell dooth
confirme.
[Sidenote: Promontories of Britaine.]
The old writers giue vnto the thrée principall corners, crags, points,
and promontories of this Iland, thrée seuerall names. As vnto that of
Kent, Cantium, that of Cornewall, Hellenes, and of Scotland,
Caledonium, and Orchas; and these are called principall, in respect of
the other, which are Taruisium, Nonantum, Epidium, Gangacum,
Octapites, Herculeum, Antiuesteum, Ocrinum, Berubium, Taizalum,
Acantium, &c: of which I thought good also to leaue this notice, to
the end that such as shall come after, may thereby take occasion to
seeke out their true places, wherof as yet I am in maner ignorant, I
meane for the most part; bicause I haue no sound author that dooth
leade mée to their knowledge.
[Sidenote: The distance from the maine.]
Furthermore, the shortest and most vsuall cut that we haue out of our
Iland to the maine, is from Douer (the farthest part of Kent eastward)
unto Calice a towne in Picardie 1300. miles from Rome, in old time
called Petressa and Scalas, though some like better of blacknesse
where the breadth of the sea is not aboue thirtie miles. Which course,
as it is now frequented and vsed for the most common and safe passage
of such as come into our countrie out of France and diuers other
realms, so it hath not beene vnknowne of old time vnto the Romans, who
for the most part vsed these two hauens for their passage and
repassage to and fro; although we finde, that now and then diuerse of
them came also from Bullen, and landed at Sandwich, or some other
places of the coast more toward the west, or betweene Hide and Lid; to
wit, Romneie marsh, (which in old time was called Romania or Romanorum
insula) as to auoid the force of the wind & weather, that often
molesteth seafaringmen in these narrowe seas, best liked them for
their safegards. Betweene the part of Holland also, which lieth néere
the mouth of the Rhene and this our Iland, are 900. furlongs, as
Sosimus saith; and besides him, diuers other writers, which being
conuerted into English miles, doo yeeld 112. and foure od furlongs,
whereby the iust distance of the neerest part of Britaine, from that
part of the maine also, dooth certeinlie appéere to be much lesse than
the common maps of our countrie haue hitherto set downe.
OF THE ANCIENT NAMES OR DENOMINATIONS OF THIS ILAND.
CAP. III.
[Sidenote: Dis, Samothes.]
In the diligent perusall of their treatises, who haue written of the
state of this our Iland, I find that at the first it séemed to be a
parcell of the Celtike kingdome, whereof Dis otherwise called
Samothes, one of the sonnes of Japhet was the Saturne or originall
beginner, and of him thencefoorth for a long while called Samothea.
Afterward in processe of time, when desire of rule began to take hold
in the minds of men, and ech prince endeuoured to enlarge his owne
[Sidenote: Neptunus Marioticus.]
dominions: Albion the sonne of Neptune, Amphitrite surnamed Marioticus
(bicause his dominions laie among the ilands of the Mediterran sea, as
those of Plutus did on the lower grounds neere vnto shore, as
contrariwise his father Jupiter dwelled on the high hils néerer to
heauen) hearing of the commodities of the countrie, and plentifulnesse
[Sidenote: The first conquest of Britaine.]
of soile here, made a voiage ouer, and finding the thing not onelie
correspondent vnto, but also farre surmounting the report that went of
this Iland, it was not long after yer he inuaded the same by force of
armes, brought it to his subiection in the 29. yeare after his
grandfathers decease, and finallie changed the name thereof into
Albion, whereby the former denomination after Samothes did grow out of
mind, and fall into vtter forgetfulnesse. And thus was this Iland
bereft at on time both of hir ancient name, and also of hir lawfull
succession of princes descended of the line of Japhet, vnder whom it
[Sidenote: Britaine under the Celts 341. yeares.]
had continued by the space of 341. yeres and nine princes, as by the
Chronologie following shall easilie appeere.
Goropius our neighbor being verie nice in the denomination of our
Iland, as in most other points of his huge volume of the originall of
Antwarpe lib. 6. (whom Buchanan also followeth in part) is brought
into great doubt, whether Britaine was called Albion of the word Alb,
white; or Alp an hill; as Bodinus is no lesse troubled with fetching
the same ab Oibijs, or as he wresteth it, ab Albijs gallis. But here
his inconstancie appeareth, in that in his Gotthadamca liber. 7. he
taketh no lesse paines to bring the Britaines out of Denmarke, whereby
the name of the Iland should be called Vridania, Freedania, Brithania,
or Bridania, tanquam libera Dania, as another also dooth to fetch the
originall out of Spaine, where Breta signifieth soile or earth. But as
such as walke in darkenesse doo often straie, bicause they wot not
whither they go: euen so doo these men, whilest they séeke to
extenuate the certeintie of our histories, and bring vs altogither to
uncerteinties & their coniectures. They in like maner, which will haue
the Welshmen come from the French with this one question, vnde Walli
nisi a Gallis, or from some Spanish colonie, doo greatlie bewraie
their oversights; but most of all they erre that endeuour to fetch it
from Albine the imagined daughter of a forged Dioclesian, wherewith
our ignorant writers haue of late not a little stained our historie,
and brought the sound part thereof into some discredit and mistrust:
but more of this hereafter.
[Sidenote: Neptune God of the sea.]
Now to speake somewhat also of Neptune as by the waie (sith I haue
made mention of him in this place) it shall not be altogither
impertinent. Wherfore you shall vnderstand, that for his excellent
knowledge in the art of nauigation (as nauigation then went) he was
reputed the most skilfull prince that liued in his time. And therfore,
and likewise for his courage & boldnesse in aduenturing to and fro, he
was after his decease honoured as a god, and the protection of such as
[Sidenote: The maner of dressing of ships in old time.]
trauelled by sea committed to his charge. So rude also was the making
of ships wherewith to saile in his time (which were for the most part
flat bottomed and broad) that for lacke of better experience to calke
and trim the same after they were builded, they vsed to naile them
ouer with rawe hides of bulles, buffles, and such like, and with such
a kind of nauie (as they say) first Samothes, & then Albion arriued in
this Iland, which vnto me doth not séeme a thing impossible. The
northerlie or artike regions, doo not naile their ships with iron,
which they vtterly want, but with wooden pins, or els they bind the
planks togither verie artificiallie with bast ropes, osiers, rinds of
trées, or twigs of popler, the substance of those vessels being either
of fir or pine, sith oke is verie deintie & hard to be had amongst
them. Of their wooden anchors I speake not (which neuerthelesse are
common to them, and to the Gothlanders) more than of ships wrought of
wickers, sometime vsed in our Britaine, and couered with leather euen
in the time of Plinie, lib. 7. cap. 56. as also botes made of rushes
and réeds, &c. Neither haue I iust occasion to speake of ships made of
canes, of which sort Staurobates, king of India fighting against
Semiramis, brought 4000. with him and fought with hir the first
battell on the water that euer I read of, and vpon the riuer Indus,
but to his losse, for he was ouercome by hir power, & his nauie either
drowned or burned by the furie of hir souldiers.
But to proceed, when the said Albion had gouerned here in this
countrie by the space of seauen yeares, it came to passe that both he
and his brother Bergion were killed by Hercules at the mouth of
Rhodanus, as the said Hercules passed out of Spaine by the Celtes to
go ouer into Italie, and vpon this occasion (as I gather among the
writers) not vnworthie to be remembred. It happened in time of Lucus
[Sidenote: Lestrigo.]
king of the Celts, that Lestrigo and his issue (whom Osyris his
[Sidenote: Janigenes were the posteritie of Noah in Italie.]
grandfather had placed ouer the Janigenes) did exercise great
tyrannie, not onelie ouer his owne kingdome, but also in molestation
of such princes as inhabited round about him in most intollerable
maner. Moreouer he was not a little incouraged in these his dooings by
[Sidenote: Neptune had xxxiii. sonnes.]
Neptune his father, who thirsted greatly to leaue his xxxiii. sonnes
settled in the mightiest kingdoms of the world, as men of whom he had
alreadie conceiued this opinion, that if they had once gotten foot
into any region whatsoeuer, it would not be long yer they did by some
meanes or other, not onelie establish their seats, but also increase
their limits to the better maintenance of themselues and their
posteritie for euermore. To be short therefore, after the giants, and
great princes, or mightie men of the world had conspired and slaine
the aforsaid Osyris, onlie for that he was an obstacle vnto them in
their tyrannous dealing; Hercules his sonne, surnamed Laabin, Lubim,
or Libius, in the reuenge of his fathers death, proclaimed open warres
against them all, and going from place to place, he ceased not to
spoile their kingdomes, and therewithall to kill them with great
courage that fell into his hands. Finallie, hauing among sundrie other
[Sidenote: Lomnimi. Geriones.]
ouercome the Lomnimi or Geriones in Spaine, and vnderstanding that
Lestrigo and his sonnes did yet remaine in Italie, he directed his
viage into those parts, and taking the kingdome of the Celts in his
waie, he remained for a season with Lucus the king of that countrie,
[Sidenote: Galathea. Galates, or Kelts.]
where he also maried his daughter Galathea, and begat a sonne by hir,
calling him after his mothers name Galates, of whom in my said
Chronologie I haue spoken more at large.
In the meane time Albion vnderstanding how Hercules intended to make
warres against his brother Lestrigo, he thought good if it were
possible to stop him that tide, and therefore sending for his brother
[Sidenote: Bergion.]
Bergion out of the Orchades (where he also reigned as supreame lord
and gouernour) they ioined their powers, and sailed ouer into France.
[Sidenote: _Pomponius Mela cap. de Gallia._]
Being arriued there, it was not long yer they met with Hercules and
his armie, neare vnto the mouth of the riuer called Roen (or the
Rhodanus) where happened a cruell conflict betwéene them, in which
Hercules and his men were like to haue lost the day, for that they
were in maner wearied with long warres, and their munition sore wasted
in the last viage that he had made for Spaine. Herevpon Hercules
perceiuing the courages of his souldiours somewhat to abate, and
seeing the want of artillerie like to be the cause of his fatall daie
and present ouerthrowe at hand, it came suddenlie into his mind to
will each of them to defend himselfe by throwing stones at his enimie,
whereof there laie great store then scattered in the place. The
[Sidenote: _Strabo, lib. 4._]
policie was no sooner published than hearkened vnto and put in
execution, whereby they so preuailed in the end, that Hercules wan the
field, their enimies were put to flight, and Albion and his brother
both slaine, and buried in that plot. Thus was Britaine rid of a
tyrant, Lucus king of the Celts deliuered from an vsurper (that dailie
incroched vpon him, building sundrie cities and holds, of which some
were placed among the Alps & called after his owne name, and other
also euen in his owne kingdome on that side) and Lestrigo greatlie
weakened by the slaughter of his brethren. Of this inuention of
Hercules in like sort it commeth, that Jupiter father vnto Hercules
(who indeed was none other but Osyris) is feigned to throw downe
stones from heauen vpon Albion and Bergion, in the defense of his
sonne: which came so thicke vpon them, as if great drops of raine or
haile should haue descended from aboue, no man well knowing which waie
to turne him from their force, they came so fast and with so great a
violence.