Each man would rob his neighbour, though his brother, Wrong was wreaked in the land, woe to the weak! Had Cloten, bold in the land, and tall, and strong And many a well-trained thought was in his mind.1 Of Cloten came a son, the fairest this kingdom ever had, and his name was Donwallo Molinus, or Dunwale; he reconquered the land, and was the first after Brutus who put on the golden crown. He reigned well forty years, and left two sons, Belin and Brennes. Belin gave to Brennes the land by the sea north of Humber, and the brothers were friends five years, till evil counsellors, traitorous Malgod the chief, sowed strife between them. Brennes, too, being in Norway, was wedded against her will to Delgan, the king's daughter there, who had for her true lover Godlac, King of Denmark. When Brennes was about to take her to England, she sent to Godlac that he might rescue her. Godlac, therefore, met with a fleet of forty ships the seven hundred returning ships of Brennes, fought them, dispersed them, and took Delgan out of the Queen's ship, that she might go with him to Denmark. But a fierce storm arose, and cast Godlac and Delgan on the English coast, in Belin's land, where they were taken prisoners. Brennes, returning with four hundred ships, sent with threats for his queen and the King Godlac; but Belin denied them, overcame his brother in battle, and caused him to fly as an exile in a single ship. Then Godlac and Delgan were set free on leaving hostages for payment of ransom and tribute. He After this Belin was sole king, and he made three streets, one called Fosse, from Totness to Caithness, one from Southampton to St. David's, and a third that divided this land in the midst; and he ordained death for any who should on these streets break the king's peace. Brennes went with twelve companions where he became rich, and was much beloved. married the daughter of the lord of Burgundy, and of the Britain that is beyond the sea-strand, and succeeded to his lordship. Then he came to invade the kingdom of his brother; but their mother, the old Queen Tonuenne, walked to him barefoot in a tattered kirtle, embraced him, kissed him, and with tears persuaded him to lay down his red shield, and his long spear, and his strong sword, trust his mother, and love his brother. So the brothers kissed, and trumpets blew, and peace was among the people. But the brothers joined arms to go 1 For the treatment of this story in the play-our first tragedy-see the volume of this Library containing "English Plays," pages 51-61. into France, where there were four kings, and they won the land in fight. After this they agreed to go to Rome and avenge the death of Remus, whom Romulus slew many years there before. They conquered their way to within four days' march of Rome, when the Romans sent traitors compassing their death under promises of submission in the name of their god Dagon. The brothers would go through Lombardy to conquer Germany, and the Alemanish emperor prepared a host, to which the Romans sent ten thousand knights in aid. Then Rome was taken; and Brennes dwelt in it as emperor, and governed Rome for fifteen years. After he died, the Romans took their land again. Belin came home, and made good laws, and went to Wales and built a noble burgh upon the River Usk, and named it Kaer-Usk. And afterwards it was called Caer-Leon, because after Belin's death the Romans, desiring revenge on the Britons who had conquered them, sent four Legions, each of 6,666 men, who harried the people and won Caer-Usk, and held it till there came more of their countrymen. Wherefore the place was called Kaer-Legiun, the City of Legions, and afterwards people called it Kaer-Liun. When Belin had built Kaer-Usk, he went to London, and built the strongest tower in the town, and made a gate thereunder. The men called it Belin's-gate (Billingsgate), and now and evermore the name standeth there. In Belin's days there was so much meat that it was without measure, and so much drink that through it thousands perished. He was so much loved that when he died they put him in a tomb of gold and gems out of his hoard, and raised him high on the top of his tower, so that men might behold it wide over the land. After Belin, came his son, Gurguint Bertruc, a good man, who fought and slew the Danish king, and forced the Danes to pay their tribute. As he came home by Orkney, he found thirty ships containing men and arms, and sent a messenger to bid the seafarers say whence they were and what they sought. Their chief was Pantolaus, driven with his folk from Spain. He sought a land for his people, and offered homage and service in Gurguint's kingdom. The king took the homage, but refused to admit the unknown men into his land. But he gave them steersmen, lent them four hundred of his knights, and sent them into Ireland, where no man ever was since Noah's flood had gone over it. There Pantolaus ruled over his people, who had wandered seven years on the sea; their clothes were much damaged, and evilly they were clad; naked they were, and nothing cared who saw their limbs. After Gurguint, who died in Caer-Leon, reigned his son Guencelin, who had a good and learned wife, Marcie, and she made, and caused to be written, a book of laws called after her, Marcian. Many hundred winters after, came Alfred the King, England's Darling, and wrote the law in English as it was before in British, and changed its name in his day, and called it Marcene law; but it was not Alfred, it was Queen Marcia who made it. This wise woman had a little son, named Sillius, for whom she was Regent till he could be bold on fast. Julius held the sword and Nennius the shield. Long they tugged thus, but Cæsar could not draw the sword out.' Androgeus advanced then to the help of Nennius, and Cæsar, relinquishing his sword, fled empty-handed. Afterwards Nennius drew out the sword. Defeated Cæsar went back with his host to Flanders. Nennius died of his head-wound, and was buried with Cæsar's sword by his side, a sword very broad and long, and engraven with letters saying that it was called CROCEA MORS. horseback. Sillius had two sons, Rummarus and the shield. "Julius wrested it, and the sword stuck Damus. Damus had an illegitimate son, Morpidus, who always slew on the spot the person with whom he was angry, were it right or were it wrong. He slew the Duke of Moraine (Moray), who ravaged his coast and built a castle in Northumberland, and in the same battle slew with his own hand seven hundred. In his time there came a wonderful beast out of the sea from Ireland-ward that slew often a hundred in a day, and went back at night into the sea, its den. Morpidus went to fight with it; and when he gave the beast its death-blow, its last rush and snap bit him in two. This king had five sons, Gorbonian, Argal, Elidur, Jugenes, and Peredur. Gorbonian ruled first, he was prudent and moderate; then Argal, the wickedest man that ever had the kingdom. He being banished, Elidur ruled, a keen good knight. Argal returned to the land in disguise, met his brother hunting in a valley, made himself known with brotherly greeting, and was lovingly and secretly taken to a castle named Clud. Thither King Elidur, feigning himself sick to death, called a council to advise about his burial, and sent in to his chiefs when they were met, bidding them not talk so loudly, because his head ached. Then he sent for them to his chamber one by one, and as each entered, the king leaped upon him with a battle-axe, and surrounded him with knights, and forced him to swear fealty to the king's brother, Argal. So he did with all, and made his brother king again; and ever afterwards was Argal noblest of all kings. When Argal died, Elidur returned to his succession; but his younger brothers, Jugenes and Peredur, rose against him, took him, shut him in a tower, and parted the land between themselves. Jugenes ruled south, Peredur north of the Humber. In seven years Jugenes died, and Peredur had all, but was so wicked that the devil seized him. Then Elidur was released by his people, and was made a third time king. Next follow more kings of divers characters, until we come to Lud, the son of Heli, in whose day Trinovant was named Kaer-Lud, afterwards altered into London. They buried him by a gate that was called Port-Lud, afterwards by the bold Englishmen who came, Ludesgate (Ludgate). Lud left two little children, Androgeus and Tennancius, who were lovingly cared for by his brother Cassibelaunus, who became king, and gave to the children when they grew up two earldoms. Androgeus had Kent, Tennancius Cornwall. Then came the enraged enemy, Julius Cæsar, with an innumerable host from Rome. He had won with his own hand five-and-fifty kingdoms. Here follow the speech of Cæsar on the opposite coast; his letter to Cassibelaunus; the British king's reply; Caesar's speech of wrath thereat; the invasion; the muster of the British; the battle in which Cæsar, keen beyond measure, killed a hundred, fought as a wild boar, and laboured "till he was all lathered in sweat." Nennius, the brother of the British king, smote Cæsar on the helm so that the sword bit. Cæsar smote Nennius so that his helm gave way and his head bled. Cæsar raised his brand again, and Nennius lifted his shield. The sword bit into So the sword hight At his second coming Cæsar was again beaten by the British. But afterwards Evelin, a relative of Androgeus, slew in wrath at a mock combat Herigal, one of the king's kin [this part of the story first appears in Layamon], and fled to Androgeus, in Kent, for protection from the king's wrath. Because Androgeus did not deliver this man up, Cassibelaune took London from him, banished him from court, and slew many of his knights. For which reason Androgeus, who had in Kent twenty strong castles, wrote a letter offering his help to Cæsar. As he gave hostages of his faith, Cæsar came, and he was well received by Androgeus at Dover. So, by help of Androgeus, Cassibelaune was defeated, and had lain three days in distress on a hill when he sent to appease Androgeus. Then Androgeus, going to Cæsar, begged favour for Cassibelaune, promising tribute on his behalf. But Cæsar averted his head wrathfully, on which Androgeus spoke in a bolder tone, and Cæsar replied, “Androgeus, my dear man, all thy will I will do." Cassibelaune, therefore, came down the hill, and was nobly received, and became Cæsar's man, promising three thousand pounds of tribute. Cassi In Cæsar went, taking Androgeus with him to Rome, where Androgeus ruled all that he would. belaune dying in York, Tennancius was king. He reigned twenty-two years, and had a son named Kinbelin, who had gone with his uncle Androgeus to Rome, had been made a knight by Augustus Cæsar, and had defended the Rome folk against foreign nations. He was sent for to succeed his father. his time Our Lord was born. In his day also was a marvellous man in this country named Teilesin (Taliesin). He prophesied of the Saviour. Kinbelin [Shakespeare's Cymbeline] left two sons, Wither (Guiderius) and Arviragus. (Guiderius) and Arviragus. Wither succeeded his father, and refused tribute to Rome. Therefore Claudius, the emperor, landed with an army at Portchester, and destroyed it. King Wither joined battle, and a Roman knight, named Hamun, who could speak British well, treacherously put on the armour of a British knight, and fought by King Wither's side, yet slaying Britons. When the king, hot with battle, went aside from the fight, and let his cuirass drop from his back, treacherous Hamun pierced him with a spear, and fled to his own folk. But Arviragus, who saw this, made haste and put on his brother's armour, mounted his brother's horse, and, as if he were King Wither, led the Britons forward, so that they slew nine thousand Roman knights, and Claudius and his folk fled. They left behind five thousand who were captured in a wood, and Hamun who was torn to pieces with horses; and where that was done, for Hamun's death the king named the place Hamton (Hampton); now and evermore the name standeth there. Claudius went over sea safely, but with a change of wind came back, took Portchester again, and besieged Arviragus in Winchester, where peace was made. Arviragus there agreed to marry the emperor's daughter, Genuis, and pay tribute to Rome. At the wedding there was much rejoicing; and, upon Severn, a fair burgh, raised to celebrate the day, was given by Arviragus to Claudius, with the land thereabout, and called in his honour Kair-Clou. But Claudius loved a fair maid who had been taken by his knights at Portchester, and she was with him at Kair-Clou, and they had there a son, who was baptised Gloi. When the boy grew, Claudius gave him the burgh, and for his son's love named it Gloichestre (Gloucester). [This legend also we have first from Layamon.] After this Claudius went to Rome with the child's mother, for other queen he had not. After the death of Claudius, Arviragus refused tribute, and Vespasian came and besieged Exeter. There was a great battle, but Queen Genuis persuaded her lord to hold by his compact to her father, and on the second day of the battle she rode between the hosts as peace-maker. The son of Arviragus was Maurius. In his reign Rodric from Scythia first came with the Picts into Scotland. [This tradition also is of Layamon's addition to the store.] When Maurius defeated the Picts and slew Rodric, he set up a wonderful stone pillar, and caused thereon to be engraven in strange characters how he slew Rodric, and with horses drew him in pieces, and how he overcame the Picts with his fight. Up he set the stone; yet it there standeth, so it will do as long as the world stands. A name the king shaped to it, and called the stone Westmering, and he took a great part of the land there, and called it West-meringland (Westmoreland); for the name of the stone the land is so called. Fifteen hundred Picts that remained alive were made the king's thrall, and had land, before that time uninhabited, given to them in Caithness. The British refused their petition for wives, so the Picts sent for wives to Gille Coar, King of Ireland, and had Irish women, for which reason their folk began to use the Irish speech. After this was good King Coil, who was succeeded by a dear son Luces (Lucius), the best that ever had ruled in Britain. Through him the land received Christendom. [Then follows the story of the letter of Lucius to Pope Eleutherius.] Luces left no heir. Then Severus came from Rome, and they who resisted him fled to the Picts, who received them, and were led by a noble knight, Fulgenes, who took one end of Scotland in his hand, the end was dear to him, it hight Doira. He leapt into Britain with baleful onset, goods he took, men he slew, he did sorrow enow. Then Severus caused a strong deep dike to be made from sea to sea beside Scotland, and thereupon he made a broad wall, and set knights to guard it day and night. Fulgenes then went into Scythia and brought back a ship-army of Picts, who came by the sea-strand into the land and besieged York. There Britons joined him, Severus attacked him, and in a fierce fight Severus was slain, Fulgenes being wounded so that in three days he died. Severus left two sons, Basian of a British, Geyan of a Roman mother. Between these there was contest for rule; Basian slew Geyan, and the Romanish folk fled. A subtle knight of low birth, named Canais, went to the Emperor Cyrian at Rome, got ships, and returned to harry Britain, where, by help of the Picts, he killed Basian, and got the land. Then came Allec and Livius Gallus from Rome and slew Canais, and Allec took much of the land. The Britons who refused submission took for their king Asclepidiot, Duke of Cornwall, slew Allec, and besieged Livius in London till he was suffered to go forth, swearing never to return. But he and his men met on their way Columban, King of Scots, with men of Galloway and Moray, who said they had no part in the compact, and did not spare them. They smote off the head of Livius Gallus, and cast it in a brook that stood by; and all the dead they brought into the brook; and the Britons, because Gallus was slain, thereby named the brook Galli, and in the English books it is named Walbrook. The story then passes, with curious perversion of history into British romance, through the persecution of Christians under Diocletian; the legend of Helen, wife of Constantine and daughter of King Coel, who slew and succeeded Asclepidiot; the birth and life of Constantine; his war with Maxentius ; Helen's finding of the Cross; the struggle between the Strong Duke Octaves, of Welshland, and Helen's uncle, Trahern; the deeds of Maximian and of the wicked King Gratian. It tells of the coming to Northumberland of Melga and Wanis, with a great army of Gothland outlaws, of men of Denmark and Norway, Irish and Scot; of the departure of the Romans weary of their losses and sorrows in the land; of the despair of the Britons, who once were good knights, but now were helpless and weak; of the ravages of Melga and Wanis; of the fetching of Constantine, the brother of King Aldroein of Brittany, by the Archbishop Guencelin, and of the great battle in which Melga and Wanis were slain, most of the heathens were destroyed, and the fugitives were hunted over hill and dale, and torn to pieces with loud laughter by the women of the country. To Constantine they gave a British wife. His child, Constantius, was made a monk in Winchester. second child was named Aurelius Ambrosius. His last born was Uther, who was the father of King Arthur. His Constantine was stabbed in an orchard by a traitorous Pict, when Ambrosius could not yet ride on a horse, and Uther was at his mother's breast. The people came, therefore, to a husting at London, and would have chosen Ambrosius, but the crafty Vortigern, who was lord of half Welshland, and had forty knights, counselled that they should wait a fortnight. He then went to the child-monk, Constantius, in Winchester, offering to take him from the monastery, and in due time transfer to him the kingdom if he would make him his steward. The boy gladly assented, for he hated his monk's clothes. Vortigern put a knight's cape on the boy, and put a young swain in the monk's habit, and talked to the swain as if he were the monk, while Constance rode away. But when the prince was safely escaped, Vortigern and his people departed, leaving the empty clothes. The abbot rode after them in wrath, but when he was overtaken, Vortigern swore to the abbot that he would hang him if he did not unhood the boy. Then was Constantius unhooded, and gave to the abbot twenty ploughlands. Vortigern came to London, where the knights of the land again held a husting, and said they would have Ambrosius for king, because Uther was too little, and Constance, the eldest, was a monk. Then Vortigern produced Constance, with monks to prove that his abbot had taken off his hood. Vortigern was strong, the archbishop was dead; no bishop dared say that he should not take the monk-child and make him king of Britain. So he was made king, and for want of another to give the blessing, Vortigern gave it himself. Constance deserted God's holy order, therefore he had sorrow. Constance set all his kingdom in Vortigern's hand; he had learnt nothing himself but a monk's duties. Then Vortigern told the king that he must levy force because foreign invaders threatened, and had liberty to do as he would, and went through the land and took fealty, and brought to court as his men three hundred chosen knights of the Picts, despising the Britons. For two years they dwelt with the king, and Vortigern was steward and lord over all. They had drink, they had meat, they had eke much bliss. Then it befell on a day that he made them so drunk that their shanks weakened, told them that he had spent all his own wealth on them because he loved them, and was now so poor that he must seek another king. And he took horse, with twelve men, as if he would depart out of the land. Then the drunken knights were unwilling to lose their friend and be under a monk-king. They said they would go into the king's chamber and drink his beer and revel, and some should stand at the king's door with swords, and some should smite off his head; and then they would send after Vortigern, and he should have all. And so they did. But Vortigern, who was a secret traitor, called a husting, and wept and sighed; but it was in his head, not in his heart. He went with thirty thousand men, and killed the Picts, and their chamber servants, their cooks and their boys. Thus fared Constance; but worldlywise men took charge of his brothers for distrust of Vortigern, and they sent Ambrosius and Uther into Lesser Britain (Brittany) to Biduz, the king, who received them gladly, and they were with him many years. Then Vortigern was king here five-and-twenty years. He was mad, he was wild, he was cruel, he was bold. The Picts afflicted his kingdom to avenge their kin. Then came tidings that Aurelius Ambrosius was knight, and also Uther, and that they would come to this land with a strong army, and avenge their brother Constance, and burn Vortigern to dust. Vortigern sent for foreign knights to defend him. Tidings came that three ships with three hundred strange knights, fairest of men, but heathens, had come with the flood, and were in the Thames. They came to the king at Canterbury, and he was glad, and would take them into his service, but first he would know what knights they were and whence they came. They were Hengist and Hors, heathens, out of Alemaine. In their land many children are born, there are too many people. Every fifteen years the folk is assembled and lots are cast. He upon whom the lot falls, one man in every six, must depart and seek other lands. That lot had fallen upon Hengist and Hors and their companions. The king received them as his defenders. Hengist's swains were better clothed and better fed than Vortigern's knights. With Hengist's help, and the strong knights who came from Saxland, and the brave Alemanish that came thither with Hors, Vortigern overcame the Picts. One day at a feast Hengist told Vortigern how the people said that Ambrosius and Uther would come over sea to avenge Constance, and how they hated Hengist, who had served Vortigern well. For his defence, therefore, Hengist asked that he might have a castle, and then he would bring over his wife, who was a Saxish woman, and his daughter Rouwene, and would serve Vortigern the better. "Send for thy wife," said Vortigern, " and I will give thee wealth, but not a castle." "I will be content,” said Hengist, "with as much land as a bull's hide can cover, far from any castle, in a field." He sent messengers for his wife, found a broad field, cut a small long thong of the bull's hide, and encompassed with it a great deal of land. He dug a ditch round it, walled it, and it was called Kaer Cærri in British. English knights called it Thongchester, till the Danes came, who called it Lane-castel (Lancaster), so it came by its three names. Hengist's wife came with fifteen hundred riders, and many good ships, and much of his kin, and Rouwene, his daughter, who was to him most dear. When the burgh was completed, Hengist bade the king to a banquet, where Rouwene in the best array drank to him from a golden bowl, "Was hæl," in English tongue. Vortigern did not understand, and one explained to him that it was the custom in Saxland when men drink and are merry that friend says to friend, "Was hæl" (wassail, health be to you); the other replies, "Drink hæl.” He who holds the cup empties it, another full cup is brought to his comrade, and when it is come they kiss thrice. These are the customs of Saxland, and in Alemaine they are accounted noble. Vortigern, hearing this, said in British, for he knew no English, "Maiden Rouwene, drink blithely then." The maiden emptied the cup and had it filled again, and gave it to him and kissed him thrice. And through this came into the land the custom of "wassail" and "drinkhail," of which many are glad. Rouwene won the king, and he wedded her, a heathen, without priest, bishop, or handling of God's book, in heathen fashion. The heathens ruled the land, and the king's three sons were grieved that they had a heathen stepmother. The king had after a time a great feast, at which the heathens were blithe, for the king loved them greatly. The Christians stayed away. Hengist counselled the king to send for his son Octa, and Ebissa, his cousin, hardy men both, and give them land in the north; they would defend him, so that he might spend his life in joy. "Send for them," said Vortigern, "and for their friends; though they bring ten thousand knights, they shall be welcome." Hengist was glad, and sent messengers into Saxland, and they gathered three hundred ships. Octa came with thirty thousand men and more. Ebissa followed with numberless men. He led one hundred and fifty ships. Thereafter ships came by five and five, by six, by seven, by ten, by eleven; and thus the land was so full that none might distinguish Christians from heathens. Then the chiefs of the Britons reasoned with Vortigern, and bade him drive out the heathen from the land, for if the heathen became the stronger, they would not have him for king unless he were of the heathen faith. So he should perish and descend to hell. Vortigern held to his heathens, and the Britons turned from him. There was a husting in London, and all the folk that loved Christendom, and the king's three sons, Vortimer, Pascent, and Catiger, went thither. Then was Vortimer made Christian king; and the young king ordered Hengist, and Hors, his brother, to depart, or he would blind them and hang them, and destroy his father and all the heathens. Hengist replied, "Here we abide, winter and summer; we ride and run with King Vortigern, and all that go with Vortimer shall have sorrow and care." Sixty thousand men fought together at Epiford, on the Derwent. Hors was wounded by Catiger, Catiger by Hors. Hengist fled into Kent, followed by Vortimer. Upon the shore Hengist saw ships, and on his right hand the isle of Thanet. Thither he and his men went; thither they were pursued. Then Hengist asked peace, and offered to leave the land. spoke apart with Vortigern. Vortigern went on land with a wand in his hand, and while they spoke of peace the Saxons leapt into their ships, drew their sails, put out into the wild sea, leaving their wives and children, and Vortigern who loved them. Vortigern wandered over the land five years, reproached by every man, but Vortimer was a strong king, and his people loved him. up He Vortimer taught all how to be Christians. He sent letters to Saint Romain, the Pope, and caused two holy bishops, Germain and Louis, to come hither. They set all the land in God's hand, and taught the people. But the sad Vortigern yet loved Rouwene, who sent many messengers to Vortimer asking that she might dwell with Vortigern, his father. He granted her prayer if she became a Christian. She came to his court, and said, "Hail be thou, Britain's darling! I am come. I will receive Christendom what day thou wilt." Then was great feast, and Rouwene drank "Wæs hæl" to Vortimer; and while the king laughed she set the bowl to her chin, and poured into it secretly poison out of a vial. Then she delivered the cup to the king, who knew not the treachery, for he saw Rouwene drink half of the same wine from the same bowl. At night Rouwene stole away with her men to Thongchester, where they shut themselves in a castle, saying to Vortigern that his son would besiege them. Now Vortimer knew that he had taken poison; and he called his knights, and delivered his land to them, and bade them hold the land against the Saxish men, and bury his body by the waterside where Saxish men would land, for if they knew him to be there they would depart again, since, alive or dead, they could not abide him. But they buried him at London, by Belin's Gate, and no whit carried him as he ordered. The Britons then took baleful counsel, and made Vortigern king. Vortigern called Hengist back, "for dead," he said, "is Vortimer my son, but bring with thee a hundred riders, and not much folk, lest my Britons again be angry." Hengist came into the Thames at London with seven hundred ships, and in each ship were three hundred knights, saying that he was come with peace, as a father to his son. He had brought the bravest of his knights, and would lead them all to the king on a set day, when the king should pick three hundred to be his own guard, and the rest should return to Saxland. The day was set when they were to meet in a pleasant plain by Ambresbury; the place then was called Elinge, now it is named Stonehenge. There the false Hengist, or by word or writ, Hengist in grim grip seized him, by the mantle, |