Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (3 of 8)Holinshed, Raphael
History
Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (3 of 8)
Holinshed, Raphael
Great Britain -- History -- To 55 B.C.
[Sidenote: _Cæsar de bello Gallico. lib._ 4.]
¶ Thus writeth Cesar touching his first iournie made into
Britaine. But the British historie (which Polydor calleth the new
historie) declareth that Cesar in a pitcht field was vanquished at the
first encounter, and so withdrew backe into France. Beda also writeth,
that Cesar comming into the countrie of Gallia, where the people then
called Morini inhabited (which are at this day the same that inhabit
the diocesse of Terwine) from whence lieth the shortest passage ouer
into Britaine, now called England, got togither 80 saile of great
ships and row gallies, wherewith he passed ouer into Britaine, & there
at the first being wearied with sharpe and sore fight, and after taken
with a grieuous tempest, he lost the greater part of his nauie, with
no small number of his souldiers, and almost all his horssemen: and
therwith being returned into Gallia, placed his souldiers in stéeds
to soiourne there for the winter season. Thus saith Bede. The British
historie moreouer maketh mention of thrée vnder-kings that aided
Cassibellane in this first battell fought with Cesar, as Cridiorus
alias Ederus, king of Albania, now called Scotland: Guitethus king of
Venedocia, that is Northwales: and Britaell king of Demetia, at this
day called Southwales.
The same historie also maketh mention of one Belinus that was
generall of Cassibellanes armie, and likewise of Nenius brother to
Cassibellane, who in fight happened to get Cesars swoord fastened in
his shield by a blow which Cesar stroke at him. Androgeus also and
Tenancius were at the battell in aid of Cassibellane. But Nenius died
within 15 daies after the battell of the hurt receiued at Cesars hand,
although after he was so hurt, he slue Labienus one of the Romane
tribunes: all which may well be true, sith Cesar either maketh the
best of things for his owne honour, or else coueting to write but
commentaries, maketh no account to declare the néedeles circumstances,
or anie more of the matter, than the chiefe points of his dealing.
[Sidenote: _Hector Boet._]
Againe, the Scotish historiographers write, that when it was first
knowne to the Britains, that Cesar would inuade them, there came from
Cassibellane king of Britaine an ambassador vnto Ederus king of Scots,
who in the name of king Cassibellane required aid against the common
enimies the Romains, which request was granted, and 10 thousand Scots
sent to the aid of Cassibellane. At their comming to London, they were
most ioifullie receiued of Cassibellane, who at the same time had
knowledge that the Romans were come on land, and had beaten such
Britains backe as were appointed to resist their landing. Wherevpon
Cassibellane with all his whole puissance mightilie augmented, not
onlie with the succours of the Scots, but also of the Picts (which in
that common cause had sent also of their people to aid the Britains)
set forward towards the place where he vnderstood the enimies to be.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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