and his three sons, among whom the whole earth was divided: and to which of their portions this Isle of Britain befell.
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| AN APPENDIX TO THE FORMER CHAPTER | 431 |
| THE THIRD CHAPTER | 432 |
The order observed in the description of Britain, by reason of the necessary division thereof into books and chapters growing out of the variety of matters therein contained, seemed (in my judgment) so convenient a course devised by the writer, as I was easily induced thereby to digest the history of England immediately following into the like method: so that as in the one, so likewise in the other, by summary contents foregoing every chapter, as also by certain material titles added at the head of every page of the said history, it is a thing of no difficulty to comprehend what is discoursed and discussed in the same.
Wherein (since histories are said to be the registers of memory and the monuments of virtue) all lovers of knowledge, especially historical, are advisedly to mark (among other points) the several and successive alterations of regiments in this land: whereof it was my meaning to have Page. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 26, 27, 28, 49, 50, 51, of the description: and page. 765, 766, of the history of England. made an abstract, but that the same is sufficiently handled in the first book and fourth chapter of the description of Britain; whereto if the seventh chapter of the same book be also annexed, there is little or no defect at all in that case whereof justly to make complaint.
Wherefore by remitting the readers to those, I reap this advantage, namely a discharge of a forethought and purposed labor, which as to reduce into some plausible form was a work both of time, pain and study: so seeming unlikely to be comprised in few words (being a matter of necessary and important observation) occasion of tediousness is to and fro avoided; especially to the reader, who is further to be advised, that the computations of years here and there expressed, according to the indirect direction of the copies whence they were derived and drawn, is not so absolute (in some men's opinion) as it might have been: howbeit justifiable by their originals.
Wherein hereafter (God prolonging peace in the church and commonwealth[Page 426] that the use of books may not be abridged) such diligent care shall be had, that in whatsoever the help of books will do good, or conference with antiquaries avail, there shall want no will to use the one and the other. And yet it is not a work for every common capacity, no it is a toil without head or tail even for extraordinary wits, to correct the accounts of former ages so many hundred years received, out of uncertainties to raise certainties, and to reconcile writers dissenting in opinion and report. But as this is impossible, so is no more to be looked for than may be performed: and further to inquire as it is against reason, so to undertake more than may commendably be achieved, were foul folly.
ABRAHAM FLEMING.
Who inhabited this Island before the coming of Brute: of
Noah
and his three sons, among whom the whole earth was divided: and to which of their portions this Isle of Britain befell.
1) What manner of people did first inhabit this our country, which hath most generally and of longest continuance been known among all nations by the name of Britain as yet is not certainly known; neither can it be decided from whence the first inhabitants thereof came, by reason of such diversities in judgments as have risen amongst the learned in this The origination of nations for the most part uncertain. behalf. But since the original in manner of all nations is doubtful, and even the same for the more part fabulous (that always excepted which we find in the holy scriptures) I wish not any man to lean to that which shall be here set down as to an infallible truth, since I do but only show other men's conjectures, grounded nevertheless upon likelier reasons, concerning that matter whereof there is now left but little other certainty, or rather none at all.
Whither Britain were an Island at the first. Geog. com. lib. No Islands at the first, as some conjecture.2) To fetch therefore the matter from the farthest, and so to stretch it forward, it seemed by the report of Dominicus Marius Niger [(fl. c. 1490 AD), geographer]. that in the beginning, when God framed the world, and divided the waters apart from the earth, this Isle was then a parcel of the continent, and joined without any separation of sea to the mainland. But this opinion (as all other like uncertainties) I leave to be discussed by the learned: howbeit for the first inhabitation of this Isle with people, I have thought good to set down in part, what may be gathered out of such writers as have touched that matter, and may seem to give some light unto the knowledge thereof.
In the 1st part of the acts of the English votaries. Britain inhabited before the flood. Genesis 6. Berosus ant. lib. 1.3) First therefore
John Bale
[1495-1563 AD] our countryman, who in his time greatly traveled in the search of such antiquities, does probably conjecture, that this land was inhabited and replenished with people long before the flood, at that time in the which the generation of mankind (as
Moses
[Hebrew:
מֹשֶׁה]writes) began to multiply upon the universal face of the earth: and therefore it follows, that as well this land was inhabited with people long before the days of
Noah
[Hebrew: נֹחַ, נוֹחַ the tenth and last of the
antediluvian
Patriarchs, 1050-2000 AM], as any the other countries and parts of the world beside. But when they had once forsaken the ordinances appointed them by God, and betaken them to new ways invented of themselves, such looseness of life ensued everywhere, as brought upon them the great deluge and universal flood,
in the which perished as well the inhabitants of these quarters, as the residue of the race of mankind, generally dispersed in every other part of the whole world, only
Noah
and his family excepted, who by the providence and pleasure of the almighty God was preserved from the rage of those waters, to reconstitute and repair the new generation of man of upon earth.
Noah. In comment. super 4. lib. Berosus de antiquit. lib. 1 Annius vt suor.4) After the flood (as Anniu de Viterbo[c.1432-13Nov1502 AD] records) and reason also[Page 428] ensures us,
Noah
was the only monarch of all the world, and as the same Annius gathered by the account of Moses in the APD 100th year after the flood,
Noah
divided the earth among his three sons; assigning to the possession of his eldest son all that portion of land which now is known by the name of Asia; to his second son Ham, he appointed all that part of the world which now is called Africa: and to his third son
Japheth
[יפת , Ιάφεθ,
b. Tammuz 1556 AM, July 2447 BC] was allotted all Europe, with all the Isles thereto belonging, wherein among other was contained this our Isle of Britain, with the other Isles thereto pertaining.
Japheth and his sons. Johannes Bodinus ad fac. hist. cogn. Franciscus Tarapha.5)
Japheth
[Hebrew
יפת] the 3rd son of
Noah
, of some called Iapetus, and of others, Atlas Maurus (because he departed this life in Mauritania) was the first (as Bodinus affirms by the authority and consent of the Hebrew, Greeks and Latin writers)
that peopled the countries of Europe, which afterward he divided among his sons: of whom Tubal (as Tarapha [Francisco Tarafa, 1495-1556],affirms) obtained the Kingdom of Spain. Gomer had dominion over the Italians, and (as
Berosus and many other authors agree) Samothes was the founder of
Celtica
, which contained in it (as
John Bale
witnesses) a great part of Europe, but especially those countries which now are called by the names of Gallia and Britannia.
Britain inhabited shortly after the flood.
6)Thus was this Island inhabited and peopled within APD 200 after the flood by the children of
Japheth
the son of
Noah
and this is not only proved by Annius [Annius of Viterbo, c.1432?13Nov1502], writing upon Berosus, but also confirmed by
Moses
in the scripture, where he writes, that of the offspring of
Japheth
, the Isles of the Gentiles (whereof Britain is one) were sorted into regions in the time of
Peleg
[Hebrew: פֶּלֶג / פָּלֶג , Phaleg,
Ge 11:16-19, d.239 yrs.] the son of
Eber
[Hebrew: עֵבֶר,
Ge 11:14-17, Heber, d.464 yrs.] who was borne at the time of the division of languages. Whereupon Theophilus
[Theophilus was the 6th bishop of Antioch who lived during the last half of the 2nd century] has these words:
"Cùm priscis temporibus pauci forent homines in Arabia & Chaldæa, post linguarum diuisionem aucti & multiplicati paulatim sunt: hinc quidam abierunt versus orientem, quidam concessere ad partes maioris continentis, alij porrò profecti sunt ad septentrionem sedes quæsituri, nec priùs desierunt terram vbiq; occupare, quàm etiam Britannos in Arctois climatibus accesserint, &c."That is; "When at the first there were not many men in Arabia and Chald?, it came to pass, that after the division of tongues, they began somewhat better to increase and multiply, by which occasion some of them went toward the east, and some toward the parts of the great mainland: divers of them went also northwards to seek them dwelling places, neither staid they to replenish the earth as they went, until they came unto the Isles of Britain, lying under the north pole." Thus for Theophilus.
7) These things considered,
Gildas
[St. Gildas, c.504-570 AD] the Britain had great reason to think, that this country had been inhabited from the beginning. And Polydor Virgil was with no less consideration hereby induced to confess, that the Isle of Britain had received inhabitants forthwith after the flood.
Of Samothes, Magus, Sarron,
Druis, and Bardus, 5 Kings succeeding each other in regiment over the
Celts
and Samotheans, and how many hundred years the
Celts
inhabited this Island.
Gen. 2.1) Samothes
[ruled 46yrs] the 6th [
Ge 10:2 ] [1st King of
Celtica
] begotten son of
Japheth
called by
Moses
, Meshech
[שך
,
meˈʃex], by
De migr. gen. others Dis, received for his portion (according to the report of Wolfgangus Lazius
[Wolfgang Laz, 1514-1565 AD]) all the country lying between the river of Rhine and the Pyrenean mountains, where he founded the Kingdom of
Celtica
Cent. 1. over his people called Celt? Which name Bale affirms to have been indifferent to the inhabitants both of the country of Gallia, and the
Anti. lib. 1. Bale
Script. Brit. cent.1. Isle of Britain, and that he planted colonies of men (brought forth of the east parts) in either of them, 1st in the mainland, and after in the Island. He is reported by Berosus to have excelled all men of that age in learning and knowledge: and also is thought by
Bale to have imparted the same among his people; namely, the understanding[Page 429]
C?ar. comment. lib.8.
of the sundry courses of the stars, the order of inferior things, with many other matters incident to the moral and political government of man's life: and to have delivered the same in the Phoenician letters: out of which the Greeks (according to the opinion of Archilochus
[Ἀρχίλοχος, Arkhilokhus, c.680-c.645 BC]
In epithet. temp. De ?uinorus contra Appionem. devised and derived the Greeks characters, insomuch that Xenophon[Ancient Greek
Ξενοφῶν
,
Ksenofontas; c.430?354 BC]
and Josephus [Flavius] do constantly report (although Diogenes Laertius
[ancient Greek:
Διογένης Λαέρτιος, c.222?235 BC]
be against it) that both the Greeks and other nations received their letters and learning first from these countries. Of this King (Samothes) and his learning arose
Lib. de Magic.
success. lib. 22.
a sect of philosophers (says Annius) 1st in Britain, and after in Gallia, the which of his name were called Samothei. They (as
Aristotle [384-322 BC] and Secion [Socion,
Sotion, Greek
doxographer, c.200 BC?170 BC] write) were passing skilful both in the law of God and man:
Script. Brit. cent. I. and for that cause exceedingly given to religion, especially the inhabitants of this Isle of Britain, insomuch that the whole nation did not only take the name of them, but the Island itself (as Bale
De ant. Cant. cent.
lib. I.
and Doctor Gaius
[Acilius, 155 BC] agree) came to be called Samothea, which was the first peculiar name that ever it had, and by the which it was especially
This Isle called Samothea. known before the arrival of Albion.
Magus the son of
Samothes. Lib. 9.
Annius in commen.
super eundem.
Geogr.2) Magus
[ruled 51yrs] the son of Samothes
[Meshech,שך
,
meˈʃex, 1:2.1] "price" or "precious" [Ge 10:2; 1Chr 1:5], after the death of his father, was the 2nd King of
Celtica
, by whom (as Berosus[Berossus,
Βήρωσσος, 3rd century BC]
writes) there were many towns built among the
Celts
, which by the witness of Annius did bear the addition of their founder Magus: of which towns many are to be found in
Ptolemy
[Claudius Ptolemaeus, c.90-168 AD]. And Antoninus
[of
Florence, 1389-1459 AD] a painful surveyor of the world and searcher of cities, makes mention of 4 of them here in Britain, Sitomagus, Neomagus , Niomagus, and Nouiomagus [Noviomagus,
ambiguation]. Neomagus, Sir Thomas Eliot writes, to have stood where the city of Chester [Chichester] now stands; Niomagus, George Lillie places where the town of Buckingham
is now remaining. Beside this, Bale does so highly commend the foresaid Magus for his learning renowned over all the world, that he would have the Persians, and other nations of the south and west parts, to derive the name of their diviners called Magi from him. In deed Ravisius Textor
[Johannes, 1480-1524 BC], and Sir John Prise affirm, that in the days of Pliny[the Elder, 23-79 AD], the Britons were so expert in art magic, that they might be thought to have first delivered the same to the Persians. What the name of Magus
De diui. lib. 1. De fastis li. 5. infers, and of what profession the Magi were, Tullie [Marco Tulio Cicer?, Jan. 3, 106 BC-Dec.
7, 43 BC] declares at large, and Mantuan [Baptista Mantuanus, 1448-1516 AD] in brief, after this manner:
Ille penes Persas Magus est, qui sidera norit,
Qui sciat herbarum vires cultúmq; deorum,
Persepoli facit ista Magos prudentia triplex.
The Persians term him Magus, that
the course of stars does know,
The power of herbs, and worship due
to God that man does owe,
By threefold knowledge thus the name
of Magus then does grow.
H.F.
Ssrron the
son of Magus.
De ant. Cant. lib. 1.3)
Bale. script. Brit. cent. I.
Sarron
[ruled 61 yrs.] the 3rd King of the
Celts
succeeded his father Magus
[ruled 51 yrs.] in government of the country of Gallia, and the Isle of
Samothea, wherein as (Dr. Gaius writes) he founded certain public places for them that professed learning, which Berosus affirmed to be done, to the intent to restrain the willful outrage of men,
being as then but raw and void of all civility. Also it is thought by Annius, that he was the first author of those kind of philosophers, which were called Sarronides, of whom Diodorus
[Διόδωρος, Siculus, 1st century BC] wrote (of) in this sort: "There are (said he) among
Lib. 6.the
Celts
certain diviners and philosophers called Sarronides, whom above all other they have in great estimation. For it is the manner among them, not without a philosopher to make any sacrifice: thus they are of (a)
belief, that sacrifices ought only to be made by such as are skillful in the divine mysteries, as of those who are nearest unto God, by whose intercession they think all good things are to be required of God, and whose advise they use and follow, as well in war as in peace."
¶3 note) Sarronides, the so called descendants of Drui, son of Sarron, son of
Japheth
. They were generally called Samothei or Semnothei. Aristotle, in his De Magia, calls them Gauls, alias Celts or Celto-Britons (cf. the Greco-Gauls and the Greco-Celts mentioned by Diodorus etc.).
Aristotle adds that they were the first to bring the knowledge of letters and good learning to the Greeks alias the Post-Celtic Achaeans.
Druis the son of Sarron. De morte Claud.
4) Druis
[ruled 14 yrs.], whom Seneca called Dryus, being the son of Sarron
[ruled 61 yrs.], was after his father established the 4th King of
Celtica
, indifferently reigning as well over the Celts as Britons, or rather (as the inhabitants of this Isle were then called) Samotheans. This prince is commended by
Berosus to be so plentifully endued with wisdom and learning, that[Page 430]
Annius took him to be the undoubted author of the beginning and name of the philosophers called Druids, whom C?ar and all other ancient Greeks and Latin writers do affirm to have had their beginnings in Britain, and to have been brought from thence into Gallia, insomuch that when there arose any doubt in that country touching any point of their discipline, they did make resolve therein to be in Britain, where, especially in the Isle of Anglesey (as Humfrey Lloyd
[Humphrey Llwyd, Lhuyd, 1527?1568] witnessed) they
Anti. lib. 5. Annius super eundem. De bello Gallico. lib. 9. De bello Gallico. 6.
made their principal abode. Touching (on) their usages many things are written by Aristotle
[384?322 BC], Socion [Secion,
Sotion, Greek
doxographer, c.200 BC?170 BC], Pliny[the Elder, 23-79 AD], Laertius
[Diogenes, 3rd century AD] , Bodinus [Bodin, Jean, (Joannes) Advocatus, "Methodus, ad facilem Historiarum Cognitionem" (Method for the easy knowledge of history, 1566), 1530-1596 AD]
, and others: which I will gather in brief, and set down as follows... They (the Sarronides, 1:2.3) had (as C
æsar said) the charge of common (public) and private sacrifices, the discussing of points of religion, the bringing up of youth, the determining of matters in variance with full power to interdict so many from the sacrifice of their God's and the company of men, as disobeyed
Hist. an. lib. 1.
their award. Polydore affirms, how they taught, that men's' souls could not die, but departed from one body to another, and that to the intent
De diui. lib. 1.
to make men valiant and fearless of death. Tullie [Marco Tulio Cicer?, Jan. 3, 106 BC-Dec. 7,
43 BC] writes that, partly by tokens, and partly by surmises, they would foretell things to come. And by the report of Hector Boetius
[Boethius, or Boyce,1465?1536 AD], some of them were not ignorant of the immortality of the one and everlasting God. All these
Hist. Scoti. li. 2.
De migr. gen. lib.
2. Marcellinus.
things they had written in the Greek tongue, insomuch that Wolf Lazius [Wolfgang Lazius Karten,
October 31,
1514
-June 19, 1565 AD]
(upon the report of
Marcellinus[Ammianus, c.325-391 AD]) declared how the Greeks letters were first brought to Athens by Timagenes
[Τιμαγένης, was a
Greek writer, c.55 BC] from the Druids. And hereupon it comes also to pass, that the British tongue has in it remaining at this day some smattering of the Greeks. Among other abuses of the Druids, they had (according to Diodorus
[Διόδωρος, Siculus, 1st century BC] one custom to kill men, and by the falling, bleeding, and dismembering of them, to divine of things to come: for the which and other wicked practices, their sect was first condemned for abominable (as some have written) and dissolved in Gallia (as Auentinus [Johannes Aventinus, July4,1477?January9,1534 AD] witnesses) by Tiberius [Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus, 42 BC ? 37 AD] and Claudius [Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, 41-54 AD] the Emperors; and
Anna. Boiorum.
lib. 22. lastly abolished here in Britain (by the report of Gaius) when the gospel of Christ by the preaching of Fugatius and Damianus [Fuganus (Phagan) and Duvianus]
was received
De ant. Cant.
among the British, under Lucius, King of Britain, about the year of our Savior
AD 179.
Bardus the son of Druis. Berosus ant. lib. 2. Annius in commen. super eundem. Ant. Cant li. 1. script. Britan. cent. 1. Nonnius. Marcel. Strabo. Diodor. Sicul. lib. 6. Carol. Stepha. in dict. hist. Bale. John Prise.5) Bardus
[ruled 75 yrs.] the son of Druis succeeded his father in the Kingdom of
Celtica
, and was the 5th King over the
Celts
and Samotheans, amongst whom he was highly renowned (as it appeared to by Berosus[Βήρωσσος, Berossus, 3rd century BC] for invention of dities [little tunes] and music, wherein Annius of Viterbo [Annio da Viterbo, c.1432-1502 AD] writes, that he trained his people: and of such as excelled in this knowledge, he made an order of philosophical poets or heralds, calling them by his own name Bardi. And it should seem by Doctor Gaius
[Gaius Asinius Pollio, 40 BC] and Master Bale, that C?ar found some of them here at his arrival in this Isle, and reported that they had also their first beginning in the same. The profession and usages of these Bardi, Nonnius
[Nonius Marcellus, 3rd - 4th century BC], Strabo[Στράβων, c.63 BC-c.24 AD], Diodorus, Stephanus [a Bard, ?de Stephanus, 669 AD, in Ripon], Bale, and Sir John Prise
[c.1502-1555], are in effect reported after this sort. They did use to record the noble exploits of the ancient captains, and to draw the pedigrees and genealogies of such as were living. They would frame pleasant dities [little tunes] and songs, and learn the same by heart, and sing them with instruments at solemn feasts and assemblies of noble men and gentlemen. Wherefore they were had in so high estimation, that if 2 hosts had been ready ranged to join in battle, and that any of them had fortuned to enter among them, both the hosts (as well the enemies as the friends) would have stilled their hands, given ear unto them, and ceased from fight, until these Bards
Lucan. lib. 1.
had gone out of the battle. Of these Bards, Lucane
[Lucan, Marcus Annaeus Lucanus, 39-65 AD] says,
Vos quoq; qui fortes animas bell?; peremptas,
Laudius in longum vares dimitt?is ?um,
Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi:
II. F.
And you ?poet Bards from danger
void that dities [little tunes] sound,
Of souls of fearless men, whom rage
of battle would confound,
And make their lasting praise to time
of later age rebound.
6) Because the names of these poets were neither discrepant from the[Page 431]
civilities of the Romans, nor repugnant to the religion of the Christians, they (of all the other sects before specified) were suffered only to continue un-abolished in all ages, insomuch that there flourished of them among the British (according to Bale) before the birth of Christ,
John Bale script.
Britan. cent. 2. John
Prise defen hist.
Brit. Gaius de ant.
Cant. lib. 1. John
Leland syllab. ant
dict. Hum. Lloyd
de Mona insula
Plenidius [Plemmydius, learned in Greek and Latin] and Oronius [a Poet]: after Christ (as (John) Prise recounted) Thalestine, and the 2 Merlins, Melkin and Elaskirion, and others: and of late days among the Welshmen, David Die, Joslo Gough, David ap William, with an infinite number more.
And in Wales there are sundries of them (as Gaius
reported) remaining unto this day, where they are in their language called (as John
Lelandwrites [c.1503-1552 AD]) Barthes. Also by the witness of Humphrey Lloyd, there is an Island near unto Wales, called Insula Bardorum
[Welsh:Ynys Enlli], and Bardsey, whereof the one name in Latin, and the other in Saxon or old English, signifies the Island of the Bardes or Barthes.
¶6 note) King Arthur is said to have been brought to Bardsey Island after his final battle with Mordred. The island is claimed to be his burial site.
Thus far the government of the Celts in this Isle
Bale
1) After Bardus
[ruled 75 yrs.], the Celts (as Bale says) loathing the strict ordinances of their ancient Kings, and betaking themselves to pleasure and idleness, were in short time, and with small labor brought under the subjection of the giant
Albion, the son of Neptune, who altering the state of things in this Island, restricted the name of
Celtica
and the
Celts
within the bounds of Gallia, from whence they came first to inhabit this land under the conduct of Samothes
[aka Zames Ninyas,
Zeus or Jupiter, Meshech
שך
,
meˈʃex, 1:2.1, ruled 26 yrs.], as before you have heard (1:2.2), accordingly as Annius
Annius
hath gathered out of Berosus the Chaldean, who therein agrees also with
Theophilus.
the scripture, the saying of Theophilus the Doctor, and the general consent of all writers, which fully consent, that the first inhabitants of this Isle came out of the parties of Gallia, although some of them dissent about the time and manner of their coming.
Sir Brian Tuke
Sir Brian Tuke thought it to be meant of the arrival of Brute, when he came out of
C?ar.those countries into this Isle. C?ar [probably Gaius Julius C?ar, 100-44 BC] and Tacitus
[Publius Cornelius Tacitus, 56 ? 117 AD] seem to be of opinion, that those
Celts
which first inhabited here, came over to view the
Tacitus. Bodinus. country for trade of merchandize. Bodinus would have them to come in (a God's name) from Languedoc [France], and so to name this land Albion
[Ἀλβιών], of a city in
Beda. Polydor.Languedoc named Albie. Beda
[Beda Venerabilis, 673-735 AD], and likewise Polydore (who follows him) affirm that they came from the coasts of Armorica, which is now called
little Britain.
¶1
note) After Bardus, was Longho (of Scandanavia) [ruled 28 yrs.], then Bardus II [ruled 37 yrs.], then Lucus Protector [ruled 11 yrs.], then Celtes (from whom the
Celts
are named.) [ruled 13 yrs].
2) But that the authorities afore recited are sufficient to prove the time that this Island was first inhabited by the
Celts
, the old possessors of Gallia; not only the nearness of the regions, but the congruence of languages, two great arguments of originals do fully confirm
Bodinus.
the same. Bodinus wrote upon report, that the British and Celtic language was all one. But whether that be true or not, I am not able to affirm, because the Celtic tongues long since grown wholly out of use. Howbeit some such Celtic words as remain in the writings of old authors may be perceived to agree with the Welsh tongue, being the
Pausanias
uncorrupted speech of the ancient British. In deed Pausanias
[Παυσανίας,
2nd century AD], the Grecian, makes mention of how the
Celts
in their language called a horse Marc: and by that name do the Welshmen call a horse to this day: and the word Trimarc in Pausanias, signifies in the Celtic tongue, three horses.
¶2 note) The famous Trimarc "Three-horse" system of the
Celts
was to have 2 cavalrymen in reserve of 1 cavalryman. One was to rush in to replace him if he became incapacitated. -Pausanius
3) Thus it appeared by the authority of writers, by situation of place, and by affinities of language, that this Island was first found and inhabited by the
Celts
, that there name from Samothes to Albion continued here the space of 310 years or there about. And, finally, it is likely
John Bale.
that as well the progeny as the speech of them is partly remaining in this Isle among the inhabitants, and especially the British, even unto this day.
[Page 432] Of the giant Albion, of his coming into this Island, many opinions why it was called Albion: why Albion and Bergion were slain by Hercules: of Danaus and of his 50 daughters.
Bale. Annius de Viterbo. Diodorus Sicubis. Pinnesses or galleys. Higinus. Pictonius.1) Neptunus
[Poseidon], called by
Moses
(or, as some take it) Nephtlim [Naphtuhim, "And Mizraim (Egypt, Menes, Min, Ge 10:6; 1Ch 1:11) begat Iudun, Enamim, Leabim, Naphtuhim," (Jsr 10:21, Pathrusim, Casluchim and Caphturim, seven families) English, Renaissance, Tyndale Bible - 1526 AD, Ge 10:13], the 6th son of Osiris[King Oswiris, Great grandson of Ham, Jsr 14:2,30], after the account of Annius, and the brother of Hercules [[(Lehabim, Ge 10:13) son of (Zeus) Osiris, by Alemene (Isis) of Thebes, in Boetia], had appointed him of his father (as Diodorus writes) the government of the ocean sea: wherefore he furnished himself of sundry light ships for the more ready passage by water, which in the end grew to the number of a full navy and so by continual exercise he became so skillful, and therewith so mighty upon the waters (as Higinus
[Gaius Julius Hyginus, c.64 BC?17 AD] and Pictonius do write) that he was not only called the King [Neptunus], but also esteemed the god of the seas. He had to wife a lady called Amphitrita [Amphitrite
(Ἀμφιτρίτη) was a sea-goddess and wife of Poseidon], who was also honored as a goddess of the seas, of whose body he begat many children: and (as Bale reported) he made every
Scrip. Bri. cent. 1.
one of them King of an Island. In the Isle of Britain he landed his 4th son called [King] Albion the giant, who brought the same under his subjection.
Ioh. Textor.
Polydor.
And hereupon it rests, that John Textor
[Jean Ravisius Tixier, c.1480-1524 AD] and Polydor Virgil
[PV Castellensis, c.1470-1555 AD]
made mention, that light ships were first invented in the British seas, and that the same were covered round with the hides of beasts, for defending them from the surges and waves of the water.
¶1 note) Albion was the son of Neptunus [Neptune] and nephew (1:3.7) to Hercules. No logical explanation as to calling Naphtuhim [Neptune] the "6th" son of Osiris [Mizraim, or Egyptus, Mizraim's sons were Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim, Caphtorim]. He appears to be the "4th" son.
2) This Albion being put by his father in possession of this Isle of Britain, within short time subdued the Samotheans, the first inhabitants thereof, without finding any great resistance, for that (as before ye have heard) they had given over the practice of all warlike and other painful exercises, and through use of effeminate pleasures, whereunto they had given themselves over, they were become now unable to withstand the force of their enemies: and so (by the testimony of
Nichol. Perot. Rigmanus Philesius. Aristotle. Hum Lhoyd.
Nicholaus Perottus
[1429-1480 AD], Rigmanus Philesius
[Mathius Ringmann Philesius, 1482-1511 AD], Aristotle [Ἀριστοτέλης,
384-322 BC]
, and Humphrey Lloyd
[1527?1568 AD], with many other, both foreign and home-writers) this Island was first called by the name of
Albion [Ἀλβιών], having at one time both the name and inhabitants changed from the line of
Japheth
unto the accursed race of Ham.
3) This Albion (that thus changed the name of this Isle) and his company, are called giants, which signifies none other than a tall kind of men, of that uncorrupt stature and highness naturally incident to the first
Berosus.
age (which Berosus also seems to allow, where he wrote, that
Noah
was one of the giants) and were not so called only of their monstrous greatness, as the common people think (although in deed they exceeded the usual stature of men now in these days) but also for that they took their name of the soil where they were borne: for Gigantes signifies
What Gigantes signifies the "sons of the earth:" the Aborigines, or (as Cæsar called them) Indigenæ; that is, born and bred out of the earth where they inhabited.
4) Thus some think, but verily although that their opinion is not to be allowed in any condition, which maintain that there should not be any Against the opinion of the Aborigines. Aborigines, or other kind of men than those of Adam's line; yet that there have been men of far greater stature than are now to be found, is sufficiently proved by the huge bones of those that have been found in our time, or lately before: whereof here to make further relation it shall not need, since in the description of Britain you shall find it sufficiently declared. Bale. Bergion brother to Albion. Hercules Lybicus. But now to our purpose. As Albion [Ἀλεβίων or Ἀλβίων] held Britain in subjection, so his brother Bergion [Dercynus] kept Ireland [Hibernia] and the Orkneys under his rule and dominion, and hearing that their cousin [uncle? see vs. 5] Hercules Lybicus [Lehabim] having finished his conquests in Spain, meant to pass through Gallia[France] into Italy [Liguria], against their brother Lestrigo [Ligys] that oppressed Italy, under subjection of him and other of his brothers, the sons also of Neptune [Roman, Greek: Poseidon]; as well as Albion[MuseOticus, Latin origin unk.] and Bergion [Dercynus] [sons of Poseidon, Neptune] assembling their powers together, passed over into Gallia, to stop the passage of Hercules, whose intention was to vanquish and destroy those tyrants, the sons of Neptune, and their accomplices that kept many countries and regions under the painful yoke of their heavy thralldom.
The cause why Hercules pursued his cousins5) The cause that moved Hercules thus to pursue upon those tyrants now[Page 433] reigning thus in the world, was, for that not long before, the greatest part of them had conspired together and slain his father Osiris [Oswiris], notwithstanding that they were nephews to the same Osiris [Oswiris], as sons to his brother Neptune, and not contented with his slaughter, they divided his carcass also amongst them, so that each of them got a peace in token of rejoicing at their murderous achieved enterprise.
6) For this cause Hercules (whom
Moses
called Laabin [Lehabim]) proclaimed wars against them all in revenge of his father's death [Osiris]: and first he killed Triphon and Busiris in Egypt, then Anteus in Mauritania, and the Gerions in Spain, which enterprise achieved, he led his army towards Italy, and by the way passed through a part of Gallia, where Albion and Bergion
Pomp. Mela. having united their powers together, were ready to receive him with battle: and so near to the mouth of the River called Rhosne, in Latin
Rhodanus, they met and fought. At the first there was a right terrible and cruel conflict between them. And albeit that Hercules had the greatest number of men, yet was it very doubtfully a great while, to whether part the glory of that days work would bend. Whereupon when the victory began outright to turn unto Albion, and to his brother Bergion, Hercules [Albion's uncle (1:3.7)] perceiving the danger and likelihood of utter loss of that battle, especially for that his men had wasted their weapons, he caused those that stood still and were not otherwise occupied, to stoop down, and to gather up stones, whereof in that place there was great plentiful, which by his commandment they bestowed so freely upon
Hercules discomforted his enemies. Albion is slain
their enemies, that in the end he obtained the victory, and did not only put his adversaries to flight, but also slew Albion there in the field, together with his brother Bergion, and the most part of all their whole army. This was the end of Albion
[reigned 44 yrs.], and his brother Bergion, by the valiant prowess of [their uncle (1:3.7)] Hercules, who as one appointed by God's providence to subdue the cruel and unmerciful tyrants, spent his time to the benefit of mankind, delivering the oppressed from the heavy yoke of miserable thralldom, in every place where he came.
The occasion of the fable of Jupiter helping his son Hercules.7) And by the order of this battle we may learn whereof the poets had their invention, when they feign in their writings, that Jupiter helped his son Hercules, by throwing down stones from heaven in this battle against Albion and Bergion. Moreover, from henceforth was this Isle of
How this Isle was
called Albion, of
the giant Albion.
John Bale. Britain called
Albion [Ἀλβιών] (as before we have said) after the name of the said Albion: because he was established chief ruler and King thereof both by his grandfather Osiris [Oswiris] and his father Neptune that cunning sailor reigning therein (as Bale says) by the space of 44 years, until finally he was slain in manner afore remembered by his uncle Hercules Libicus.
8) After that Hercules had thus vanquished and destroyed his enemies, he passed to and fro thorough Gallia [France], suppressing the tyrants in every part where he came, and restoring the people unto a reasonable kind of liberty, under lawful governors. This Hercules (as we find) built the city Alexia in Burgongne [Burgundy (French Region)], now called Alize. Moreover, by Lilius Giraldus[Lilius Gregorius Gyraldus, 1479-1552 AD] in the life of Hercules it is avouched, that the same Hercules
came over hither into Britain. And this does Giraldus write by warrant of such Britons as (says he) have so written themselves, which thing peradventure he hath read in
Gildas
, the ancient British poet: a book that (as he confessed in the 5th dialog of his histories of poets) he hath seen. The same thing also is confirmed by the name of an head of land in Britain called
Promontorium Herculis, as in Ptolemy ye may read, which is thought to take name of his arrival at that place. Thus much for Albion and Hercules.
Many opinions why this Isle was called Albion. See more hereof in the discription.9) But now, whereas it is not denied of any, that this Isle was called anciently by the name of Albion [Ἀλβιών]: yet there be many opinions how it came by that name: for many do not allow of this history of Albion the giant. But for so much as it appertained rather to the description than to the history of this Isle, to rip up and lay forth the secret mysteries of such matters: and because I think that this opinion which is here avouched, how it took that name of the aforesaid Albion, son to Neptune [Poseidon], may be confirmed with as good authority as some of the other, I here pass over the rest, and proceed with the history.
10) When Albion, chief captain of the giants was slain, the residue that[Page 434] remained at home in the Isle, continued without any rule or restraint of law, in so much that they fell to such a dissolute order of life, that they seemed little or nothing to differ from brute beasts: and those are they which our ancient chronicles call the giants, who were so named, as well for the huge proportion of their stature (since, as before is said, that age brought forth far greater men than are now living) as also for that they were the first, or at the least the furthest in remembrance of any that had inhabited this country. For this word Gigines, or Gegines, from whence our word giant (as some take it) is derived, is a Greeks word, and signifies, Borne or bred of or in the earth, for our fore-elders, especially the Gentiles, being ignorant of the true beginning of mankind, were persuaded, that the first inhabitants of any country were bred out of the earth, and therefore when they could go no higher, Terr?filius what it signifies. reckoning the descents of their predecessors, they would name him Terr? filius, "The son of the earth:" and so the giants whom the poets feign to have sought to make battle against heaven, are called the sons of the earth: and the first inhabitants generally of every country were of the Greeks called Gigines, or Gegines, and of the Latins Aborigines.Indigen? Aborigines, and Indigen? that is, people borne of the earth from the beginning, and coming from no other country, but bred within the same.
11) These giants and first inhabitants of this Isle continued in their beastly kind of life unto the arrival of the Ladies, which some of our chronicles ignorantly write to be the daughters of Dioclesian the King of Assyria, whereas in deed they have been deceived, in taking the
The mistaking of the name of Dioclesianus for Danaus.
word Danaus to be short written for Dioclesianus: and by the same means have many words and names been mistaken, both in our chronicles, and in many other ancient written works. But this is a fault that learned men should not so much trouble themselves about, considering the
Hugh the Italian.
Harding. John
Rous out of
David Pencair.
same hath bin already found by sundry authors long since, as Hugh the Italian, John Harding, John Rouse of Warwike, and others, especially by the help of David Pencair a British history, who recite the history under the name of Danaus [Danaos] and his daughters. And because we would not any man to think, that the history of these daughters
of Danaus is only of purpose devised, and brought in place of Dioclesianus, to excuse the imperfection of our writers, whereas there was either no such history (or at the least no such women that
Nennius. arrived in this Isle) the authority of Nennius a Brittish writer may be avouched, who wrote about 900 years past, and makes mention of the arrival of such Ladies.
Belus priscus. Danaidarium porticani. (text unclear)
12) To be short, the history is thus. Belus the son of Epaphus, or (as some writers have) of Neptune and Libies [Libya] (whom Isis after the death of Apis married) had issue two sons: the first Danaus, called also Armeus; and
Aegyptus called also Rameses: these two were Kings among the Egyptians, Danaus the elder of the two, having in his rule the
Danaus. Aegyptus.
Higinus. upper region of Egypt, had by sundry wives, 50 daughters, with whom his brother Egyptus, gaping for the dominion of the whole, did instantly labor, that his sons being also 50 in number, might match. But Danaus having knowledge by some prophesy or oracle, that a son-in-law of his should be his death, refused so to bestow his daughters. Hereupon grew war between the brothers, in the end whereof, Danaus being the weaker, was forced to flee his country, and so prepared a navy, embarked himself and his daughters, and with them passed over into Greece, where he found means to dispossess Gelenor (son to Stenelas, King of Argos) of his rightful inheritance, driving him out of his country, and reigned in his place by the assistance of the Argives that had conceived an hatred towards Gelenor, and a great liking towards Danaus, who in very deed did so far excel the Kings that had reigned there before him, that the Greeks in remembrance of him were after called Danai.
¶12 note) This appears to be c.1486 BC [Chronological antiquities, by Jackson (1752 AD, p.81]. These daughters of Danaus carried the Caberic Mysteries of Isis (Egypt) to Greece, after Cadmus. Saturn died 809 APD, 2360 BC. Isis (w. of Osiris) died 818 ADP, 2351 BC. Osiris [Menes, reigned 62 yrs. over Egypt] died 995 APD, 2173 BC. Caberic Mysteries instituted in Greece 1004 APD, 2164 BC.[-Manetho, Chronological antiquities, by Jackson, 1752 AD, p. 82]Danaus appears to be s. of Belus, (s. of Libya wife of Epaphus, s. of Io) [-Manetho, Chronological antiquities, by Jackson, 1752 AD, p. 309,314]
13) But his brother Egyptus, taking great disdain for that he and his sons were in such sort despised of Danaus [Danaos], sent his sons with a great army to make war against their uncle, giving them in charge not to return, until they had either slain Danaus, or obtained his daughters in marriage. The young gentlemen according to their fathers commandment, being arrived in Greece, made such war against Danaus, that in the end he was constrained to give unto those his 50 nephews, his 50 daughters,[Page 435] to join with them in marriage, and so they were. But as the proverb says, "In trust appeared treachery." For on the first night of the marriage, Danaus delivered to each of his daughters a sword, charging them that when their husbands after their banquets and pastimes were once brought into a sound sleep, each of them should slay her husband, menacing them with death unless they fulfilled his commandment. They all therefore obeyed the will of their father, Hypermnestra only excepted, with whom prevailed more the love of kindred and wedlock, than the fear of her fathers displeasure: for she alone spared the life of her husband Lynceus, waking him out of his sleep, and warning him to depart and flee into Egypt to his father. He therefore having all the wicked practices revealed to him by his wife, followed her advice, and so escaped.
Pausanias.14) Now when Danaus perceived how all his daughters had accomplished his commandment, saving only Hypermnestra, he caused her to be brought forth into judgment, for disobeying him in a matter wherein both the safety and loss of his life rested: but she was acquitted by the Argives, and discharged. Howbeit her father kept her in prison, and seeking to find out other husbands for his other daughters that had obeyed his pleasure in slaying their first husbands, long it was ere he could find any to match with them: for the heinous offense committed in the slaughter of their late husbands, was yet too fresh in memory, and their blood not wiped out of mind. Nevertheless, to bring his purpose the better to pass, he made proclamation, that his daughters should demand no jointures, and every suitor should take his choice without respect to the age of the lady, or ability of him that came to make his choice, but so as first come best served, according to their own fantasies and likings. Howbeit when this policy also failed, and would not serve his turn, he devised a game of running, ordaining therewith, that whosoever got the best price should have the first choice among all the sisters; and he that got the second, should choose next to the first; and so forth, each one after an other, according to the trial of their swiftness of foot.
15) How much this practice availed, I know not: but certain it is, many of them were bestowed, either by this or some other means, for we find that Autonomes was married to Architeles, Chrysanta or (as Pausanias says) Scea was matched with Archandrus, Amaome with Neptunus Equestris, on whom he begat Nauplius.
Higinus.16) But now to return unto Lynceus, whom his wife Hypermnestra preserved, as before ye have heard. After he was once got out of the reach and danger of his father-in-law, King Danaus, he gave knowledge thereof to his wife, in Pausanias. raising a fire on height beacon wise, accordingly as she had requested him to do at his departure from her: and this was at a place which afterwards took name of him, and was called Lyncea. Upon his return into Egypt, he gave his father to understand the whole circumstance of the treacherous cruelty used by his uncle and his daughters in the murder of his brothers, and how hardly he himself had escaped death out of his uncles hands. Whereupon at time a convenient he was furnished forth with men and ships by his father, for the speedy revenge of that heinous, unnatural and most disloyal murder, in which enterprise he sped him forth with such diligence, that in short time he found means to dispatch his uncle Danaus, set his wife Hypermnestra at liberty, and subdued the whole Kingdom of the Argives.
17) This done, he caused the daughters of Danaus [Danaos] (so many as remained within the limits of his dominion) to be sent for, whom he thought not worthy to live, because of the cruel murder which they had committed on his brothers: but yet for that they were his wives' sisters, he would not put them to death, but commanded them to be thrust into a ship, without master, mate or mariner, and so to be turned into the main ocean sea, and to take and abide such fortune as should chance unto them. These Harding and John Rouse out of David Pencair. ladies thus embarked and left to the mercy of the seas, by hap were brought to the coasts of this Isle then called Albion [Ἀλβιών], where they took land, and in seeking to provide themselves of victuals by pursuit of wild beasts, met with no other inhabitants, than the rude and savage giants mentioned before, whom our historians for their beastly kind of[Page 436] life do call devils. With these monsters did these ladies (finding none other to satisfy the motions of their sensual lust) join in the act of venery [the hunt], and engendered a race of people in proportion nothing differing from their fathers that begat them, nor in conditions from their mothers that bare them.
18) But now peradventure you will think that I have forgotten myself, in rehearsing this history of the ladies arrival here, because I make no mention of Albina, which should be the eldest of the sisters, of whom this land should also take the name of Albion. To this we answer, that as the name of their father hath been mistaken, so likewise hath the whole course of the history in this behalf. For though we shall admit that to be true which is mentioned (in manner as before ye have heard) of the arrival here of those ladies; yet certain it is that none of them bare the name of Albina, from whom this land might be called Albion. For further assurance whereof, if any man be desirous to know all their Higinus. The names of the daughters of Danaus. names, we have thought good here to rehearse them as they be found in Higinus, Pausanias, and others. 1 Idea, 2 Philomela, 3 Scillo, 4 Phicomene, 5 Euippe, 6 Demoditas, 7 Hyale, 8 Trite, 9 Damone, 10 Hippothoe, 11 Mirmidone, 12 Euridice, 13 Chleo, 14 Vrania, 15 Cleopatra, 16 Phylea, 17 Hypareta, 18 Chrysothemis, 19 Heranta, 20 Armoaste, 21 Danaes, 22 Scea, 23 Glaucippe, 24 DemophIsle, 25 Autodice, 26 Polyxena, 27 Hecate, 28 AChamantis, 29 Arsalte, 30 Monuste, 31 Amimone, 32 Helice, 33 Amaome, 34 Polybe, 35 Helicte, 36 Electra, 37 Eubule, 38 Daphildice, 39 Hero, 40 Europomene, 41 Critomedia, 42 Pyrene, 43 Eupheno, 44 Themistagora, 45 Paleno, 46 Erato, 47 Autonomes, 48 Itea, 49 Chrysanta, 50 Hypermnestra. These were the names of those ladies the daughters of Danaus: howbeit, which they were that should arrive in this Isle, we can not say: but it is sufficient to understand, that none of them was Albina. So that, whether the history of their landing here should be true or not, it is all one for the matter concerning the name of this Isle, which undoubtedly was (see more in the description.) called Albion [Ἀλβιών], either of Albion the giant as before I have said or by some other occasion.
19) And thus much for the ladies, whose strange adventure of their arrival here, as it may seem to many and (with good cause) incredible, so without further avouching it for truth I leave it to the consideration of the reader, to think thereof as reason shall moue him since I see not how either in this, or in other things of such antiquity,
we cannot have sufficient warrant otherwise than by likely conjectures. Which as in this history of the Ladies they are not most probable, yet have we showed the likeliest, that (as we think) may be deemed to agree with those authors that have written of their coming into this Isle. But as for an assured proof that this Isle was inhabited
with people before the coming of Brute, I trust it may suffice which before is recited out of Annius de Viterbo, Theophilus,
Gildas
, and other, although much more might be said: as of the coming hither of Osiris [Oswiris], as well as in the
Ulysses in Britain. other parties of the world: and likewise of Ulysses his being here, who in performing some vow which he either then did make, or before had made, erected an altar in that part of Scotland which was anciently called
Julius Solinus.Caledonia, as Julius Solinus Polyhistor in plain words does record.
¶19 note) Upon these considerations I have no doubt to deliver unto the reader, the opinion of those that think this land to have been inhabited before the arrival here of Brute, trusting it may be taken in good part, since we have but showed the conjectures of others, until time that some sufficient learned man shall take upon him to decipher the doubts of all these matters. Nevertheless, I think good to advise the reader that these stories of Samothes, Magus, Sarron, Druis, and Bardus, do rely only upon the authority of Berosus, whom most diligent antiquaries do reject as a fabulous and counterfeit author, and Vacerius has labored to prove the same by a special treatise lately published at Rome.