After that Britaine was thus recouered by the Romans, Dioclesian and
Maximian ruling the empire, the Iland tasted of the crueltie that
Dioclesian exercised against the christians, in persecuting them with
all extremities, continuallie for the space of ten yéeres. Amongst
other, one Alban a citizen of Werlamchester, a towne now bearing his
name, was the first that suffered here in Britaine in this
persecution, being conuerted to the faith by the zealous christian
Amphibalus, whom he receiued into his house: insomuch that when there
[Sidenote: _Beda_ and _Gyldas._]
came sergeants to séeke for the same Amphibalus, the foresaid Alban to
preserue Amphibalus out of danger, presented himselfe in the apparell
of the said Amphibalus, & so being apprehended in his stead, was
brought before the iudge and examined: and for that he refused to doo
sacrifice to the false gods, he was beheaded on the top of an hill
ouer against the towne of Werlamchester aforesaid where afterwards was
builded a church and monasterie in remembrance of his martyrdome,
insomuch that the towne there restored, after that Werlamchester was
destroied, tooke name of him, and so is vnto this day called saint
Albons.
It is reported by writers, that diuers miracles were wrought at the
[Sidenote: _Beda._]
[Sidenote: Sée the booke of acts and monuments set forth by master
Fox.]
time of his death, insomuch that one which was appointed to doo the
execution, was conuerted, and refusing to doo that office, suffered
also with him: but he that tooke vpon him to doo it, reioised nothing
thereat, for his eies fell out of his head downe to the ground,
togither with the head of that holie man which he had then cut off.
There were also martyred about the same time two constant witnesses of
Christ his religion, Aaron and Iulius, citizens of Caerleon Arwiske.
[Sidenote: _Iohn Rossus._]
[Sidenote: _Warwicens. in lib. de Wigorniens. epis._]
Moreouer, a great number of Christians which were assembled togither
to heare the word of life, preached by that vertuous man Amphibalus,
[Sidenote: Lichfield whereof it tooke name.]
were slaine by the wicked pagans at Lichfield, whereof that towne
tooke name, as you would say, The field of dead corpses.
To be briefe, this persecution was so great and greeuous, and thereto
[Sidenote: _Gyldas._]
so vniuersall, that in maner the Christian religion was thereby
destroied. The faithfull people were slaine, their bookes burnt, and
[Sidenote: _Ran. Cestren._]
churches ouerthrowne. It is recorded that in one moneths space in
diuers places of the world there were 17000 godlie men and women put
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
[Sidenote: _Constantius._]
to death, for professing the christian faith in the daies of that
tyrant Dioclesian and his fellow Maximian.
[Sidenote: COELUS.]
[Sidenote: 262.]
COELUS earle of Colchester began his dominion ouer the Britains in the
yeere of our Lord 262. This Coelus or Coell ruled the land for a
certeine time, so as the Britains were well content with his
gouernement, and liued the longer in rest from inuasion of the Romans,
bicause they were occupied in other places: but finallie they finding
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
time for their purpose, appointed one Constantius to passe ouer into
this Ile with an armie, the which Constantius put Coelus in such
dread, that immediatlie vpon his arriuall Coelus sent to him an
ambassage, and concluded a peace with him, couenanting to pay the
[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon._]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
accustomed tribute, & gaue to Constantius his daughter in mariage
called Helen, a noble ladie and a learned. Shortlie after king Coell
died, when he had reigned (as some write) 27 yeeres or (as other haue)
but 13 yeeres.
¶ But by the way touching this Coelus, I will not denie, but assuredly
such a prince there was: howbeit that he had a daughter named Helen,
whom he maried vnto Constantius the Romane lieutenant that was after
emperor, I leaue that to be decided of the learned. For if the whole
course of the liues, as well of the father and the sonne Constantius
and Constantine, as likewise of the mother Helen, be consideratelie
marked from time to time, and yeere to yéere, as out of authors both
[Sidenote: _Lib._ 7. _cap._ 18.]
Greeke and Latine the same may be gathered, I feare least such doubt
maie rise in this matter, that it will be harder to prooue Helen a
Britane, than Constantine to be borne in Bithynia (as Nicephorus
auoucheth.) But forsomuch as I meane not to step from the course of
our countrie writers in such points, where the receiued opinion may
séeme to warrant the credit of the historie, I will with other admit
both the mother and sonne to be Britains in the whole discourse of the
historie following, as though I had forgot what in this place I haue
said.
* * * * *
_A further discourse of the forenamed Constantius and Helen, his
regiment ouer this Iland, his behauiour and talke to his sonne and
councellors as he lay on his death-bed, a deuise that he put in
practise to vnderstand what true Christians he had in his court, his
commendable vertues, that the Britains in his time imbraced the
christian faith is prooued._