95. Gratian Municeps At this time the Picts and Scots harass the Britons, who apply to the Romans. 86. Constantine, prince of Armorica, comes to assist the Britons 87. Constans 89. Aurelius Ambrosius 90. Utherpendragon = Igerna VIII. 2. VIII. 17. 38. Vortigern usurps the throne (VI. 9) and calls in the VIII. 19. King Arthur dies, A.D. 542 (XI. 3.) 92. Constantine 93. Aurelius Conan 94. Wortiporius 95. Malgo Cadwallader goes to Rome, where he is confirmed in the faith of Christ by pope Sergius, and dies A. D. 689. CHAP. VI.-RICHARD OF CIRENCESTER. THE supposed chronicle of Richard of Cirencester was first brought before the public by Charles Julius Bertram, Professor of the English Language in the Royal Marine Academy, at Copenhagen, in the year 1757. Since the publication of the volume, it has been conclusively proved to be a modern forgery. The editor's remarks on that portion of the volume are therefore omitted, though the document is retained on the supposition that it may be convenient to some readers to have the text of a composition which was extensively used before its spurious character was ascertained. THE CHRONICLE ОР FABIUS ETHELWERD, 30M THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 975. IN FOUR BOOKS. To Matilda, the most eloquent and true handmaid of Christ, Ethelwerd the patrician, health in the Lord! I have received, dearest sister, your letter which I longed for, and I not only read it with kisses, but laid it up in the treasury of my heart. Often and often do I pray the grace of the Most High, to preserve you in safety during this life present, and after death to lead you to his everlasting mansions. But as I once before briefly hinted to you by letter, I now, with God's help, intend to begin in the way of annals from the beginning of the world, and explain to you more fully about our common lineage and descent, to the end that the reader's task may be lightened, and the pleasure of the hearer may be augmented, whilst he listens to it. Concerning the coming of our first parents out of Germany into Britain, their numberless wars and slaughters, and the dangers which they encountered on ship-board among the waves of the ocean, in the following pages you will find a full description. In the present letter therefore I have written, without perplexity of style, of our modern lineage and relationship, who were our elations, and how, and where they came from as far as our emory can go, and according as our parents taught us. For instance king Alfred was son of king Ethelwulf, from whom we derive our origin, and who had five sons, one of whom was king Ethelred* my ancestor, and another king Alfred • Ethelred died and Alfred succeeded him A. d. 871, who was yours. This king Alfred sent his daughter Ethelswitha into Germany to be the wife of Baldwin,* who had by her two sons Ethelwulf and Arnulf, also two daughters Elswid and Armentruth. Now from Ethelswitha is descended count Arnulf, your neighbour. The daughter of king Edward son of the above named king Alfred was named Edgiva, and was sent by your aunt into Gaul to marry Charles the Simple. Ethilda also was sent to be the wife of Hugh, son of Robert: and two others were sent by king Athelstan to Otho that he might choose which of them he liked best to be his wife. He chose Edgitha, from whom you derive your lineage; and united the other in marriage to a certain kings§ near the Jupiterean Mountains, of whose family no memorial has reached us, partly from the distance and partly from the confusion of the times. It is your province to inform us of these particulars, not only from your relationship, but also because no lack of ability or interval of space prevents you. HERE ENDS THE PROLOGUE. BOOK THE FIRST BEGINS. The beginning of the world comes first. For on the first day God, in the apparition of the light, created the angels: on the second day, under the name of the firmament he created the heavens ; &c. &c. T Rome was destroyed by the Goths in the eleven hundred and forty-sixth year after it was built. From that time the Roman authority ceased in the island of Britain, and in many other countries which they had held under the yoke of slavery. For it was now four hundred and eighty-five years, * Baldwin, count of Flanders died A. D. 918. See Malmesbury, p. 121, Arnulf, count of Flanders, A. D. 965. The emperor Otho married Edgitha A. D. 930. per The writer adds the barbarous verse, "Esto mihi valens cunctis beginning with Caius Julius Caesar, that they had held the island above mentioned, wherein they had built cities and castles, bridges and streets of admirable construction, which are seen among us even to the present day. But whilst the people of Britain were living carelessly within the wall, which had been built by Severus to protect them, there arose two nations, the Picts in the north and the Scots in the west, and leading an army against them, devastated their country, and inflicted many sufferings upon them for many years. The Britons being unable to bear their misery, by a wise device send to Rome a mournful letter* the army returned victorious to Rome. But the Scots and Picts, hearing that the hostile army was gone, rejoiced with no little joy. Again they take up arms, and like wolves attack the sheepfoid which is left without a protector: they devastate the northern districts as far as the ditch of Severus: the Britons man the wall and fortify it with their arms; but fortune denied them success in the war. The cunning Scots, knowing what to do against the high wall and the deep trench, contrive iron goads with mechanical art, and dragging down those who were standing on the wall, slay them without mercy: they remain victors both within and without; they at once plunder and take possession; and a slaughter is made worse than all that had been before. Thus ended the four hundred and forty-fourth year since the incarnation of our Lord The Britons, seeing themselves on every side vanquished, and that they could have no more hopes from Rome, devise, in their agony and lamentations, a plan to adopt. For in those days they heard, that the race of the Saxons were active, in piratical enterprises, throughout the whole. coast, from the river Rhine to the Danish city,† which is now commonly called Denmark, and strong in all matters connected with war. They therefore send to them messengers, bearing gifts, and ask assistance, promising them their alliance when they should be at peace. But the mind of that degraded race was debased by ignorance, and they saw not that they • There is evidently a hiatus in this passage, but see Bede i. 13, p. 22 Urbs, "city," seems here rather to designate country or territory. |