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.
But when he saw the senat grudge at the free & liberall granting of
a grace in that behalfe, and perceiued how they refused to attribute
diuine honors vnto him, in recompense of so foolish an enterprise,
it wanted little that he had not slaine them euerie one. From thence
therefore he went vp into a throne or royall seate, and calling
therewith the common people about him, he told them a long tale what
aduentures had chanced to him in his conquest of the Ocean. And when
he had perceiued them to shout and crie, as if they had consented that
he should haue béene a god for this his great trauell and valiant
prowesse, he to increase their clamour, caused great quantities of
gold & siluer to be scattered amongst them, in the gathering whereof,
manie were pressed to death, and diuers also slaine with the inuenomed
caltrops of iron, which he did cast out with the same monie, of
purpose to doo mischiefe, the same caltrops being in forme small &
sharp, so that by reason of the prease of people, much hurt was
doone by them yer they were perceiued. And this was the end of the
ridiculous voiage of Caligula attempted against the Britains.
[Sidenote: _Suetonius._]
But after the death of this Caligula, the emperour Claudius (as
Suetonius saith) moued warre against the Britains, because of a sturre
and rebellion raised in that land, for that such fugitiues as were
fled from thence, were not againe restored when request was made for
the same.
[Sidenote: Dion Cassius.]
Dion Cassius writeth, that one Bericus, being expelled out of
Britaine, persuaded the emperour Claudius to take the warre in hand at
this time against the Britains, so that one Aulus Plautius a senatour,
and as then pretor, was appointed to take the armie that soiourned
in France then called Gallia, and to passe ouer with the same into
Britaine. The souldiers hearing of this voiage, were loth to go with
him, as men not willing to make warre in another world: and therefore
delaied time, till at length one Narcissus was sent from Claudius, as
it were to appease the souldiers, & procure them to set forward. But
when this Narcissus went vp into the tribunall throne of Plautius,
to declare the cause of his comming, the souldiers taking great
indignation therewith cried, _O Saturnalia,_ as if they should haue
celebrated their feast daie so called.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account