The British histories affirme, that whilest the Britains were thus
persecuted by these two most cruell and fierce nations the Scots and
Picts, the noble and chiefest men amongst them consulted togither,
[Sidenote: An ambassage sent from the Britains vnto Aldroenus king of
Britaine in France.]
& concluded to send an honorable ambassage vnto Aldroenus as then king
of little Britaine in Gallia, which Aldroenus was the fourth from
Conan Meridoc the first king there of the British nation. Of this
ambassage the archbishop of London named Guetheline or Gosseline was
appointed the chiefe and principall, who passing ouer into little
Britaine, and comming before the presence of Aldroenus, so declared
[Sidenote: Constantine the brother of Aldroenus]
the effect of his message, that his suit was granted. For
Aldroenus agreed to send his brother Constantine ouer into great
Britaine with a conuenient power, vpon condition, that the victorie
being obteined against the enimies, the Britains should make him king
of great Britaine.
ΒΆ Thus it is apparent, that this land of Britaine was without anie
certeine gouernour (after that Gratian the vsurper was dispatched) a
number of yeeres togither, but how manie, writers in their account
[Sidenote: _Fabian_.]
do varie. Fabian deposeth by diuers coniecturs that the space betwixt
the death of Gratian, and the beginning of the reigne of the said
Constantine, brother to Aldroenus, continued nine and thirtie yeeres,
during which time the Britains were sore and miserablie afflicted
by the inuasions of the Scots and Picts, as before ye haue heard by
testimonies taken out of Beda, Gyldas, Geffrey of Monmouth, and other
writers both British and English.
Pages:
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189