Here note by the waie a thing not to be forgotten, that of the
[Sidenote: Whereof the Ile of Elie tooke name.]
foresaid Helie the last of the said 33 kings, the Ile of Elie tooke
the name, bicause that he most commonlie did there inhabit, building
in the same a goodly palace, and making great reparations of the
sluces, ditches & causies about that Ile, for conueiance awaie of the
water, that els would sore haue indamaged the countrie. There be that
haue mainteined, that this Ile should rather take name of the great
abundance of éeles that are found in these waters and fennes wherwith
this Ile is inuironed. But Humfrey Llhoyd holdeth, that it tooke name
of this British word Helig, which signifieth willowes, wherwith those
fennes abound.
[Sidenote: LUD.]
After the decesse of the same Helie, his eldest son Lud began his
reigne, in the yéere after the creation of the world 3895, after the
building of the citie of Rome 679, before the comming of Christ 72,
[Sidenote: A worthie prince.]
and before the Romanes entred Britaine 19 yéeres. This Lud proued a
right worthie prince, amending the lawes of the realme that were
defectiue, abolishing euill customs and maners vsed amongst his
people, and repairing old cities and townes which were decaied: but
speciallie he delited most to beautifie and inlarge with buildings the
[Sidenote: London inclosed with a wal.]
[Sidenote: _Iohn Hard._]
citie of Troinouant, which he compassed with a strong wall made of
lime and stone, in the best maner fortified with diuerse faire towers:
and in the west part of the same wall he erected a strong gate, which
he commanded to be called after his name, Luds gate, and so vnto this
daie it is called Ludgate, (S) onelie drowned in pronuntiation of the
word.
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon._]
[Sidenote: _Matt. West._]
In the same citie also he soiorned for the more part, by reason
whereof the inhabitants increased, and manie habitations were builded
to receiue them, and he himselfe caused buildings to be made betwixt
London stone and Ludgate, and builded for himselfe not farre from the
[Sidenote: The bishops palace.]
said gate a faire palace, which is the bishop of Londons palace beside
Paules at this daie, as some thinke; yet Harison supposeth it to haue
bin Bainards castell, where the blacke friers now standeth. He also
builded a fairer temple néere to his said palace, which temple (as
some take it) was after turned to a church, and at this daie called
Paules. By reason that king Lud so much esteemed that citie before all
other of his realme, inlarging it so greatlie as he did, and
[Sidenote: The name of Troinouant changed and called London.]
continuallie in manner remained there, the name was changed, so that
it was called Caerlud, that is to saie, Luds towne: and after by
corruption of spéech it was named London.
Beside the princelie dooings of this Lud touching the aduancement of
the common wealth by studies apperteining to the time of peace, he was
also strong & valiant in armes, in subduing his enimies, bountious and
liberall both in gifts and kéeping a plentifull house, so that he was
greatlie beloued of all the Britaines. Finallie, when he had reigned
with great honour for the space of 11 yéeres, he died, and was buried
néere Ludgate, leauing after him two sons, Androgeus and Theomancius
or Tenancius.
* * * * *
_Of Cassibellane and his noble mind, Iulius Cæsar sendeth Caius
Volusenus to suruey the coasts of this Iland, he lieth with his fleet
at Calice, purposing to inuade the countrie, his attempt is bewraied
and withstood by the Britains._