Illustration: Saxon Britain
(Click here for larger version)

        When the Roman Empire, under Valentinian the younger, was declining; and Britain both robbed of her ablest men by frequent levies, and abandoned by the Roman garrisons, was not in a condition to withstand the incursions of the Picts and Scots; Vortigern, (who either was constituted general by the Britons, or, as some think, usurped that title) in order to confirm his own government, and to recover the sinking state, sends for the Saxons out of Germany to his relief. He was, (says Nennius) apprehensive of danger from the Picts and Scots, from the Roman power, and from Aurelius Ambrosius. The Saxons immediately, under the command of Hengist and Horsa, arrived in Britain with their ciules, (for so they called their flat-bottomed boats or pinnaces) and by their success against the Scots and Picts in two several engagements, raised their reputation considerably. And because the Britons did absolutely depend upon their conduct, they sent for fresh supplies out of Germany, partly to man the frontier garrisons, and partly to divert the enemy upon the seacoast. Guortigern, (says Nennius) at the instance of Hengist, sent for Octha and Ebissa to come and aid him; and they, with forty of their ciules, sailing round the Picts' coasts, wasted the Orcades, and possessed themselves of a great many islands and countries beyond the firth, even as far as the borders of the Picts. At length, being mightily satisfied with the lands, customs, and plenty of Britain, and building upon the cowardice of the natives; under the pretence of ill pay and short diet, they enter into a league with the Picts, raise a most bloody war against their entertainers, the Britons, in all parts put the poor frighted inhabitants to the sword, waste their lands, raze their cities; and after many turns and changes in their several battles with Aurelius Ambrosius, (who had took upon him the government, in the administration whereof his parents had lost their lives) and the warlike Arthur: at length dispossess the Britons of the best part of the island, and their hereditary estates. At which time (in a word) the miserable natives suffered whatever a conqueror may be imagined to inflict, or the conquered fear. For auxiliary troops flocking daily out of Germany, still engaged a fresh the harrassed Britons: such were the Saxons, the Jutes, (for that is their right name, not Vites,) and the Angles. They were indeed distinguished by these names, but promiscuously called Angles and Saxons. But of each of them let us treat severally and briefly, that, so far as is possible, we may discover the originals of our own nation.

            only, I must beg leave first to insert what Witichindus, a Saxon born, and an ancient writer, has left us concerning the coming over of the Saxons. Britain, being by Vespasian Emperor reduced into the form of a province, and flourishing a long time under the protection of the Romans; was at last invaded by the neighbouring nations, as seeming to be abandoned by the Roman aids. For the Romans, after Martian Emperor was murdered by his own soldiers, were heavily annoyed with foreign wars, and so were not able to furnish their allies with aids, as they had formerly done. However, before they quitted this nation, they built a large wall for its defence, going along the borders from sea to sea, where they imagined the enemy would make the most vigorous assaults. But after a soft and lazy people were left to encounter a resolute and well-disciplined enemy, it was found no hard matter to demolish that work. In the meantime, the Saxons grew famous for their success in arms, and to them they dispatch a humble embassy to desire their assistance. The ambassadors being admitted to audience, made their addresses as follows:

            "Most noble Saxons, the miserable Britons, shattered and quite worn out by the frequent incursions of their enemies, upon the news of your many signal victories, have sent us to you, humbly requesting that you would assist them at this juncture. A land large and spacious, abounding with all manner of necessaries, they give up entirely to your disposal. Hitherto, we have lived happily under the government and protection of the Romans; next to the Romans, we know none of greater valour than yourselves, and therefore in your courage do now seek refuge. Let but that courage and those arms make us conquerors, and we refuse no service you shall please to impose."

`           The Saxon nobles returned them this short answer. "Assure yourselves, the Saxons will be true friends to the Britons; and as such, shall be always ready both to relieve their necessities, and to advance their interest."

             The ambassadors pleased with the answer, return home, and comfort their countrymen with the welcome news. Accordingly, the succours they had promised being dispatched for Britain, are received gratefully by their allies; and in a very little time clear the kingdom of invaders, and restore the country to the inhabitants. And indeed, there was no great difficulty in doing that, since the fame of the Saxon courage had so far terrified them, that their very presence was enough to drive them back. The people who infested the Britons, were the Scots and Picts; and the Saxons were supplied by the Britons with all necessaries to carry on the war against them. Upon which, they stayed in the country for some time, and lived in very good friendship with the Britons; till the commanders (observing that the land was large and fruitful, that the natives were no way inclined to war; and considering that themselves, and the greatest part of the Saxons, had no fixed home) send over for more forces, and striking up a peace with the Scots and Picts, make one body against the Britons, force them out of the nation, and divide the country among their own people. Thus much Witichindus.

            the origin and etymology of the Saxons, like as of other nations, has been confounded with fabulous conjectures, not only by monks, who understood nothing of antiquity, but even by some modern men, who pretend to an accuracy of judgment. One will have them derived from Saxo, son of Negnon, and brother of Vandalus; another from their stony temper; a third from the remains of the Macedonian army; a fourth from certain knives; which gave occasion to that rhime in Engelhusius,

quippe brevis gladius apud illos saxa vocatur,
unde sibi Saxo nomen traxisse putatur.
the Saxon people did, as most believe,
their name from Saxa, a short sword, receive.

            crantzius fetches them from the German Catti, and the learned Capnio from the Phrygians. Of these every man is at liberty to take his choice; nor shall I make it my business to confute such fabulous opinions. Only, I think the conjecture of those learned Germans, who imagine that the Saxons are descended from the Sacae, the most powerful people of Asia; that they are so called, as if one should say Sacasones, that is, the sons of the Sacae; and that out of Scythia or Sarmatia Asiatica, they poured by little and little into Europe, along with the Getes, the Swevi, and the Daci; this in my judgement deserves credit the best of any other. And indeed, the opinions of those men, who fetch the Saxons out of Asia, where mankind had its rise and growth, does not want some colour of reason. For besides that, Strabo affirms, that the Sacae (as before the Cimerii had done) did invade remote countries, and called a part of Armenia Sacacena, after their own name; Ptolemy likewise places the Sassones, Suevi, Massagetes, and Dahi, in that part of Scythia: and Cisner has observed, that those nations, after they came into Europe, retained the same vicinity they had formerly in Asia.

            nor is it less probable that our Saxons came from either the Sacae or Sassones of Asia, than it is that the Germans are descended from the Germani of Persia, mentioned by Herodotus; which they almost positively conclude from the affinity of those languages. For that admirable scholar, Joseph Scaliger, has told us, that fader, muder, brader, tutchter, band, and such like, are still used in the Persian language, in the same sense as we say, father, mother, brother, daughter, bond. But when the Saxons first began to have any name in the world, they lived in Cimbrica Chersonesus; which we now call Denmark; where they are placed by Ptolemy, who is the first that makes any mention of them. And in that place of Lucan,

longisque leves Axones in armis.
—light Axons in long arms.

            we are not to read Saxones (as some copies have it) but the truer reading is Axones. While they lived in this Cimbrica Chersonesus, in the time of Diocletian, they came along with their neighbours the Franks, and mightily infested our coasts; so that the Romans appointed Carausius to repel them. afterwards, passing the river Albis, part of them broke in by degrees upon the Suevian territories (which at this day is the dukedom of Saxony) and part took possession of Frisia and Batavia, which the Franks had quitted. For the Franks, who had formerly inhabited the inmost of those fens in Friesland (some whereof are now washed into that sea, which at this day we call the Zuider-Zee) and afterwards had possessed themselves of Holland, being received into protection by Constantius Chlorus, Constantine the Great, and his sons, and sent to cultivate the more desart parts of Gaul: these (I say) either forcing a passage with the sword into more plentiful countries, or else, (as Zosimus tells us) driven out by the Saxons, left Holland. From which time, all the inhabitants of that sea-coast in Germany, who lived by piracy, have gone under the name of Saxons, as before they were called Franks. Those (I mean) who lived in Jutland, Schleswig, Holstein, Ditmarschen, the Bishopric of Bremen; the county of Oldenburg, East and West Friesland, and Holland. For the Saxon nation (as is observed by Fabius Quaestor Ethelwerd, who was of the royal line of the Saxons) included all the sea-coast, between the river Rhine, and the city Donia, which now is commonly called Dane-Marc. This author (not to conceal a person, who has been so serviceable to me) was first discovered by the eminent Mr. Thomas Allen of Oxford (a person of great learning) and amongst many others, communicated to me.

            from this coast it was, that the Saxons, encouraged by the many slaughters of the Romans, frequently broke into the Roman provinces, and for a long time annoyed this island, till at last Hengist himself came. That this Hengist set sail for England out of Batavia or Holland, and built the castle of Leyden, is confirmed not only by the annals of Holland, but also by the noble Janus Dousa, a man of admirable parts and learning, who of that burg or tower, writes thus.

quem circinato moenium ut ambitu,
sic arcuatis fornicibus novum
putatur Hengistus Britanno
orbe redux posuisse victor.
the mighty Hengist, if we credit fame,
on circling arches raised this stately pile,
o'er British seas when he in triumph came,
and brought new laurels from the conquered isle.

            the Jutes, so called (as many think) from the Gutes, Getes, or Goths, (for a manuscript copy reads Geatun) did no doubt inhabit the upper part of Cimbrica Chersonesus, which the Danes to this day call Jutland. 'Tis possible they may have descended from the Gutti, whom Ptolemy places in Scandia, and whose present seat is Gothland. But here I must caution you against assenting to the opinion of Jornandes, that this was the country of those Goths, who conquered and over-run Europe; since the most ancient, and best approved writers have told us, that they lived beyond the Ister, near the Euxine sea, and were formerly called Getes.

            in what place the Angles lived, is a thing debated, and the opinions concerning it are several. Most authors place them in Westphalia, where Engern now stands, and where the Suevi-Angli, mentioned by Tacitus and Ptolemy, had their abode. With whom I agree, if they mean only of Tacitus's age; but I fancy they came down afterwards to the sea-coasts. Others seek for them in Pomerania, where there is a very considerable town called Angloen [Anklam]. But seeing these reach into the more inland parts of Germany, at so great a distance from the sea, we must seek out some other place where to seat our Angles; and Bede has directed us to seek them between the Saxons and the Jutes. The Angles (says he) came out of that country, which is called Angulus, and is said from that time to lie waste, between the countries of the Jutes and Saxons. But since between Jutland and Holsatia (the ancient seat of the Saxons) there is a small province in the kingdom of Denmark and under the city of Flemsberg, called at this day Angel, which Lindebergius, in his epistles, terms Little-England; I am pretty well assured that I have found the ancient seat of our fore-fathers; and that from this very place the Angles came into our island. And what makes me more confident in my assertion, is the authority of that ancient author Ethelwerd, who writes thus; old Anglia is situated between the Saxons and Giots, the capital town whereof is called in Saxon Sleswick, but by the Danes Haithby. In the very same place Ptolemy seems to seat the Saxons; so that the middle-age poet is probably in the right.

—Saxonia protulit anglos,
hoc patet in lingua, niveoque colore.—
their rise to Saxony the Angles owe,
their language, this, and native whiteness show.

            part of these Angles marching into the inner quarters of Germany, and mixing themselves with the Longobards and Suevians, broke into Italy, and are generally supposed to have left behind them some relics of their name; such are Engelheim, the native country of Charles the Great, Ingolstad, Engleburg, Englerute in Germany, and Angleria in Italy. What the etymology of the name is, I dare not positively say: however, I utterly reject that Angulus, son of Humblus, and Queen Angela, whom some silly people would have to be the founders of our nation. Nor can I believe that it had its name from angulus, a corner (as if it were a corner of the world) which is intimated in those common verses.

anglia terra ferax, & fertilis angulus orbis,
insula praedives quae toto vix eget orbe.
with richest wares, that take their happy birth,
or from the face, or bowels of the earth,
our fruitful corner of the world is blessed,
not joined, and scarce beholden to the rest.

            and as for Goropius's conjecture, that the Angli are derived from an angle, i.e., a fishing-rod, or fishing-hook, because (as he adds) they hook all to them, and are, as we commonly say, good anglers; this does not deserve so much to be credited, as laughed at. But whoever finds out the etymology of Engelbert, Engelhard, and such like German names, does in all probability at the same time discover the original of the Angli. That the Frisians came along with them into Britain, seems pretty plain from Procopius. And because that book is not extant, it may not be amiss to give you the place entire, as I had it transcribed from a copy in the King's library at Paris, by that singular good man, and complete antiquary, Franciscus Pithaeus (in my rude translation;) The island Britain is inhabited by three most populous nations, each whereof has their several kings. The names of the people are the Angles, the Frisones, and those of the same name with the island, the Britons. As to the inhabitants, they seem to be so numerous, that every year they flock over in great companies, with their wives and children, to the Franks, who assign them that part of their island which is least cultivated. Upon this, they pretend a claim to the whole island of [Britain,] and 'tis not long, since the King of the Franks, dispatching some of his own subjects on an embassy to Constantinople to Justinian, sent along with them some of the Angles, out of pure ostentation, as if the island were under his dominions.

            these are the several people of Germany, who seated themselves in Britain. That they were but one nation, and called by one general name, sometimes Saxons, sometimes Angles, or (to distinguish them from those left behind in Germany) Anglo-Saxons; is pretty plain from Gildas, Boniface, Bede, Paulus Diaconus, and others. But in Latin they are most frequently termed Gens Anglorum (i.e. the nation of the Angles) and in their own language, to the same sense, Engla-theod.

            The exact time when the Saxons were invited into Britain by Vortigern, is a dispute amongst writers: but to waive the rest, Bede and his followers do thus settle the chronology of those dark times.

            in the 23rd year of Theodosius the younger, and that of Christ 430, the Britons over-powered by the Picts and Scots, desire aid of Aetius, then in his third consulship; but without success.

            under Valentinian the third, St. Germain came over into Britain two several times, to oppose Pelagianism; and leading up the Britons, the Picts, and Saxons, by virtue of his intercession to God, gained them the victory.

            in the first year of Martian, and that of Christ 449, the nation of the English Saxons came over into Britain.

            but since 'tis evident from the calendar of the consuls, that the third consulship of Aetius fell in the xxxixth year of that Theodosius, and of Christ 446, and since it appears by the most authentic writers, that St. Germain died in the year of Christ 435, there is some ground to suspect that the numerals in Bede have been corrupted, and that the Saxons came over hither before the year of Christ 449. For otherwise, how is it possible that St. Germain, who died in 435, should lead up the Britons against the Saxons, who by that computation were not then come over? Besides, Nennius affirms, that St. Germain returned out of Britain into his own country after the death of Vortigern, who was the person that invited the Saxons into Britain: so that their coming over must necessarily be before the year 435, the last of St. Germain's life. Farther yet, the second year after Leo the Great was made Pope (which falls in with that of Christ 443) Prosper Tiro, who lived at the same time, tells us, that Britain, after several engagements, was at last subdued to the Saxons. Which puts it beyond all dispute, that they came over before the year, I mean 449. But to remove all scruples about that matter, let me add this one chronological note, which is at the end of some copies of Nennius, and satisfies me beyond all the rest.

            from the consulship of the two Gemini, Rufus and Rubellius, to that of Stilico, 373 years.

            from Stilico to Valentinian, son of Placidia, and to the reign of Vortigern, 28 years.

            from the reign of Vortigern, to the difference between Gaitolinus and Ambrosius, are 12 years: which is Guoloppum, i.e. Cathguoloph.

            Vortigern reigned in Britain when Theodosius and Valentinian were consuls; and in the fourth year of his reign the Saxons came over, and were received by Vortigern, when Felix and Taurus were consuls.

            from the year that the Saxons came into Britain, and were received by Vortigern; to Decius Valerianus, are 69 years.

            now by this computation, the English-Saxons must have come into Britain in the 21st year of Theodosius the younger, which is nearest to Bede's account of it, that is, the year of Christ 428. For then Felix and Taurus were consuls; and other circumstances, both of person and time, agree to it.

            I think fit to advertise the reader of one thing more (not in the meantime to assume the character of a critic) that in many copies of Gildas, from whence Bede took that passage about Aetius, 'tis read Agitio III. Consuli: in others, the numerals are omitted, and 'tis writ Aegitio; and in one Aequitio Cos. But I could never find in the Fasti, any consul of that name, unless we can imagine that he was some extraordinary one.

            well, what time soever they came over, 'tis certain they showed a wonderful courage, which was yet tempered with great prudence. For in a very short time, they became so considerable, both for numbers, good customs, and large estates, that they were in a most prosperous and powerful condition, and their victory in a manner entire and absolute. All the conquered, setting aside some few, who took refuge in the uncultivated western parts, yielded themselves, and embraced their laws, name, and language. For besides England, the English-Saxons possessed themselves of the greatest part of Scotland (and the Highlanders, who are the true Scots, call them Sassons to this day:) where they use the same tongue with us, only varying a little in the dialect. And this language we and they have kept in a manner incorrupt, along with the kingdom, for 1150 years. By which it appears how trivial and false that is (amongst others of the same nature) which the Saxon prophets foretold, when they set sail for this island, that they should stay here only 300 years, and that 150 of these should be mostly taken up in wasting the country.

            the subject matter and place seem next to require that something be added concerning the customs of our fore-fathers the Saxons; and therefore I shall set down what I have observed upon that head.

            the Saxons were in general a warlike nation; and (as Zosimus has told us) were looked upon to be the most valiant of all the Germans, both for a greatness of soul, strength of body, and a hardy temper. Marcellinus observes, that the Romans dreaded them above all others, because their motions were always sudden. And Orosius says, for their courage and activity they were terrible. Saxony is a place inaccessible by reason of the marshes, and the frontiers of it are unpassable. But though this may seem to secure them in a great measure against invasions, and though the captive Saxons frequently made up a part in the Roman triumphs; yet are they accounted a most stout sort of men, excelling all others in piracies: wherein they rely more upon their fly-boats than their own courage, and make it their business, not so much to fight, as to run. Thus far Egesippus; who is followed by Isidorus: the Saxons [says he] situate upon the seashore, and among fens unpassable, are very stout and very active. From whence they took their names, as being a hardy resolute sort of men, and in piracy outdoing all others. They were eminent for tallness, symmetry of parts, and exactness of features, which gave Witichindus the monk occasion to leave us this description of them. The Franks were amazed to see men of such vast bodies, and so great souls. They wondered at their strange habit and armour, at their hair dangling down upon their shoulders, and above all at their courage and resolution. Their clothes were close-coats; their arms, long spears: when they stood, they leaned upon little shields; and they wore a sort of large knives hanging before. But formerly they used to shave their heads to the very skin, except a little about the crown; and wore a plate round their heads: as Sidonius Apollinaris plainly intimates in those verses.

istic Saxona caerulum videmus
adsuetum ante salo solum timere,
cujus verticis extimas per oras
non contenta suos tenere morsus
altat lamina marginem comarum,
et sic crinibus ad cutem rescissis,
decrescit caput, additurque vultus.
here 'twas we saw the purple Saxon stand,
used to rough seas, yet shaking on the land.
the frozen plate that on their crown they wear,
in one great turf drives up their bushy hair:
the rest they keep close shaved; and thus their face
appears still bigger, as their head grows less.

            what their habits were, may be learnt from Paulus Diaconus's observation upon the Longobards: their clothes were loose, and generally linen, such as the English Saxons use; the trimming, broad, made up of several colours.

            they were admirably skilled in marine affairs; and by their constant piracies for so long, had inured themselves so to the sea, that (as the same author observes) they dreaded the land. They disturbed the sea-coasts of Britain and France, even as far as Spain, to that degree, that 'twas found necessary to guard the shores of both kingdoms with officers and soldiers, against any attempts they might make upon them. And those for that reason were called the counts of the Saxon Shore, along Britain and France. But for all that, by the help of their nimble fly-boats, they made a shift very frequently to prey upon our coasts. To which allude those verses of Sidonius Apollinaris;

quin & Aremoricus piratam Saxona tractus
sperabat, cui pelle salum sulcare Britannum
ludus, & assuto glaucum mare findere lembo.
Armorica the Saxon pirates feared,
that on the British coasts in shoals appeared,
and through the narrow sea in boats of leather steered.

            but in France, near little Britain, they got possession of all that part about Bayeux, and kept it too for a long time; as is evident from Gregorius Turonensis, who calls them Saxones Baiocassini, as the vulgar term them Sesnes Bessins.

            with what barbarity they preyed upon our coasts, Sidonius himself will tell you. The messenger (says he) whom we discoursed pretty largely about your affairs, assured us you had lately charged the enemy at sea, that you were wholly taken up between rowing and fighting, and that you were upon the winding sea-coasts, giving chase to the fly-boats of the Saxons, and in these assure yourself of as many head-pirates as there are rowers: they are all at the same time both masters and servants, all teach and learn in this their trade of robbing. So that a caution to have a special care of yourself, is highly necessary at this time. He's ths worst enemy you can engage. He takes you unawares, is gone in a moment, despises all opposition, and certainly worsts you, if you are not very well provided. If he pursue, he undoubtedly catches you; if he flies, he always escapes. Shipwrecks are so far from frighting him, that they harden him. These people do not only understand all the dangers of the seas, but are intimately acquainted with them. In a tempest, if they are pursued, it gives them an opportunity of escaping; if they are pursuing, it secures them against being discovered at any considerable distance. They'll willingly venture their lives among waves and rocks, if there's any hopes of surprising the enemy. Always before they disanchor and set sail homewards, their custom is, to take every tenth captive and put them to death by equal and exquisite tortures; which is the more melancholy, because it proceeds from superstition: and after those who are to die, are got together, they pretend to temper the injustice of their death, by a seeming equity of lots.

            such are their vows, and with such victims do they discharge them; thus being rather polluted with sacrilege, than purified by sacrifices, those bloody murderers look upon it as a greater piece of religion to rack a poor captive, than to let him be ransomed. To this purpose is that fragment of an ancient history we find in Isidore. The Saxon nation relies more upon their fly-boats than their courage; and are always provided rather to run than fight. And that of Salvian, who lived in those times, concerning the barbarous nations. The Alani are immodest, but not treacherous; the Franks are treacherous, but very courteous; the Saxons are very cruel, but exceeding chaste. Of so much constancy and resolution were they (if a man may so call it,) that they would rather choose to murder themselves, and throw away their lives, than be exposed to the contempt of others. So that when Symmachus had provided a number of them against the public shows, that very day they were to be brought into the theatre, they strangled themselves, and so baulked the people of that piece of diversion. Of these, Symmachus himself writes thus: the number of the Saxons is lessened by death; for the private guards not watching narrowly enough the wicked hands of that desperate nation, the first day of the sword-play-show discovered nine and twenty of them strangled, without a halter.

            this Saxon nation was likewise strangely superstitious; for which reason, whenever they had any weighty matters under debate, besides their sooth-saying they were principally directed by the neighing of horses, which they looked upon as fore-boding, and this may possibly be the reason why the Dukes of Saxony bore in their arms a horse. But why our Hengist and Horsa were called so from an horse, (for both these names in Saxon signify an horse) is a mystery to me; unless perhaps designed to portend their warlike courage; according to that of Virgil,

bello armantur equi, bella haec armenta minantur.
Horses are armed for war, approaching war
such beasts presage.—

            they also very much used casting of lots; and cutting a branch off some fruit-tree, divided it into little slips: each of these they distinguished by several marks, and so cast them promiscuously upon a white cloth. Next, if the consultation was upon public affairs, the priest; but if upon private, the master of the family, after intercessions to the gods, looking up to heaven, took each of them up three several times, and then gave an interpretation according to the mark set upon them. To foresee the events of wars, they used to take a captive of that nation they had a design upon, and oblige him to fight a duel with some one of their own country: each was to fight with the arms of his country; and by the issue of this, they concluded which side would be conqueror. The God they most worshipped was Mercury, whom they called Woden; his sacrifices were men, and the day consecrated to him, the fourth of the week, which we therefore at this day call Wednesday. The sixth, they consecrated to Venus, whom they called Frea, and Frico, from whence we call that day Friday: As Tuesday is derived from Tuisco, the founder of the German nation. They had a goddesss they called Eoster, to whom they sacrificed in the month April; upon which, says Bede, they called April Eoster-Monath; and we at this day call that season the feast of Easter. The Angles (saith Tacitus) as do the other neighbouring nations, worshiped Herthus, i.e. their mother earth; imagining that she interested herself in the affairs of men and nations. In our language, that word still signifies earth, but not in the German; for they use arden to signify earth. The same Ethelwerd before mentioned has left us this account of their superstitions, as to what relates to his own times. The northern infidels have been seduced to such a degree, that to this day the Danes, Normans, and Suevians, worship Woden as their Lord. And in another place: The barbarous nations honoured Woden as a God; and those pagans offered sacrifice to him, to make them victorious and valiant.

            but Adam Bremensis gives a more full account of those matters. In a temple (called in their vulgar tongue Ubsola, the furniture whereof is all of gold) the people worship the statues of three gods. Thor, the most powerful of them, has a room by himself in the middle; on each side of him are Woden and Fricco. The emblems of them are these: Thor they take to be the ruler of the air, and to send, as he sees convenient, thunder and lightning, winds and showers, fair weather and fruit. Wodan, the second, is more valiant; 'tis he that manages wars, and inspires people with courage against their enemies. Fricco, the third, presents men with peace and pleasure; and his statue is cut with a large privy-member. They engrave Woden armed, as Mars is with us. Thor seems to be represented with the sceptre of Jupiter. But these errors have at length given way to the truth of Christianity.

            after they had fixed themselves in Britain, they divided it into seven kingdoms, and made of it a heptarchy. But even in that, he who was most powerful,  was (as Bede has observed) styled King of the English nation; so that in the very heptarchy, there seems always to have been a sort of monarchy. Afterwards Austin, who is commonly called the English apostle, was dispatched hither by Gregory the Great; and banishing those monsters of heathenish profaneness, did with wonderful success plant Christ in their hearts, and convert them to the Christian faith. How it came to pass that Gregory should have so peculiar a concern for the conversion of the English nation, we may learn from venerable Bede, who has left us what himself had by tradition. The report goes, that on a certain day, when the merchants were newly come ashore, and great variety of wares was exposed to sale, many chapmen flocked together, and amongst the rest Gregory himself. He took notice, amongst other things, of some boys that were to be sold: their bodies were white, their looks sweet, and their hair lovely. After he had viewed them, he enquired (as the story goes) from what country or nation they came? They told him from the isle of Britain, the inhabitants whereof were all of that beautiful complexion. Next, he asked them, whether the people of that island were Christians, or were yet involved in the errors of paganism? The answer was, that they were pagans. At which, fetching a deep sigh, alas! (says he) that the father of darkness should be master of such bright faces, and that such comely looks should carry along with them a mind void of internal grace. Another question he put to them, was about the name of that country. They told him the people were called Angles. And (says he) not amiss: for as they have angelical looks, so it is fit that such should be fellow-heirs with the angels in heaven. But what was the name of that peculiar province from whence these were brought? 'Twas answered, the inhabitants of it were called Deiri. Yes (says he) Deiri, as much as de ira eruti, i.e. delivered from wrath, and invited to the mercy of Christ. What is the King's name of that province? They told him, Aello, and alluding to the name, 'tis fitting (says he) that Alleluia should be sung in those parts to the praise of God our creator. Upon this, going to the Pope, (for it happened before he was made Pope himself) he begged of him to send the English nation some ministers of the gospel into Britain, by whose preaching they might be converted to Christ; adding, that himself was ready, by the assistance of God, to finish this great work, if it should please his holiness to have it carried on.

            concerning the same conversion, Gregory the great writes thus: Behold how it has pierced into the hearts of all nations! How the very bounds of East and West are joined in one common faith! Even the British tongue, which used to mutter nothing but barbarity, has a good while since begun to echo forth the Hebrew Halleluia in divine anthems. And in a letter to Austin himself: Who can express the general satisfaction among all faithful people, since the English nation (by the operating grace of almighty God, and the endeavours of you our brother) has quitted those black errors, and is enlightned with the beams of our holy faith; since with a most pious zeal they now tread under foot those idols, before which they formerly kneeled with a blind sort of veneration. In an ancient fragment of that age, we read thus: Upon one single Christmas Day, (to the eternal honour of the English nation) Austin baptized above ten thousand men, besides an infinite number of women and children. But pray, how should priests, or any others in holy orders, be got to baptize such a prodigious number? The Archbishop, after he had consecrated the river Swale, ordered by the criers and principal men, that they should with faith go in two by two, and in the name of the Holy Trinity baptize each other. Thus were they all regenerate, by as great a miracle, as once the people of Israel passed over the divided sea, and Jordan, when 'twas turned back. For in the same manner here, so great a variety, both of sex and age, passed such a deep channel, and yet (which is almost incredible) not one received any harm. A strange miracle this was: but what is yet a greater, the river cures all diseases and infirmities. Whoever steps in faint and disordered, comes out sound and whole. What a joyful sight was this for angels and men! So many thousands of a proselyte nation, coming out of the Channel of the same river, as if it had been out of the womb of one mother! One single pool preparing so many inhabitants for the heavenly mansions! Hereupon his holiness Pope Gregory (with all the companies of the saints above) broke forth into joy; and could not rest till he had writ to Eulogius, the holy patriarch of Alexandria, to join with him in that his transport, for so vast a number being baptized on one Christmas day.

            no sooner was the name of Christ preached in the English nation, but with a most fervent zeal they consecrated themselves to it, and laid out their utmost endeavours to promote it, by discharging all the duties of Christian piety, by erecting churches, and endowing them: so that no part of the Christian world could show either more or richer monasteries. Nay, even some kings preferred a religious life before their very crowns. So many holy men did it produce, who for their firm profession of the Christian religion, their resolute perseverance in it, and their unfeigned piety, were sainted; that in this point 'tis equal to any country in the whole Christian world. And as that profane Porphyry styled Britain a province fruitful in tyrants, so England might justly be called an island fruitful in saints.

            afterwards, they begun to promote human learning, and by the help of Winifrid, Willebrod, and others, conveyed that and the gospel together into Germany; as a German poet has told us in these verses:

haec tamen Arctois laus est aeterna Britannis,
quod post Pannonicis vastatum incursibus orbem,
illa bonas artes, & graiae munera linguae,
stellarumque vias, & magni sydera coeli
observans, iterum turbatis intulit oris.
quin se religio, multum debere Britannis
servata, & late circum dispersa fatetur:
quis nomen, Winfride, tuum, quis munera nescit?
te duce, Germanis pietas se vera, fidesque
insinuans, coepit ritus abolere prophanos.
quid non Alcuino facunda Lutetia debes?
instaurare bonas ibi qui foeliciter artes,
barbariemque procul solus depellere coepit.
quid? Tibi divinumque Bedam, doctisssmus olim
tam varias unus bene qui cognoverat artes
debemus.—
let this to Britain's lasting fame be said,
when barbarous troops the civil world o'erspread,
and persecuted science into exile fled:
'Twas happy she did all those arts restore,
that Greece or Rome had boasted of before:
taught the rude world to climb the untrod spheres,
and trace th'eternal courses of the stars.
nor learning only, but religion too,
her rise and growth to British soil doth owe.
'Twas thou, blessed Winifred, whose virtue's light
from our dull climate chased the fogs of night:
profanest rites thy pious charms obeyed,
and trembling superstition owned thy power and fled.
nor smaller tokens of esteem from France
alcuinus claims, who durst himself advance
single against whole troops of ignorance.
'Twas he transported Britain's richest ware,
language and arts, and kindly taught them here.
with him his master Bede shall ever live,
and all the learning he engrossed, survive.

            and Peter Ramus farther adds, that Britain was twice school-mistress to France; meaning, first by the Druids, and then by Alcuinus, who was the main instrument made use of by Charles the Great, towards erecting an university at Paris.

            and as they furnished Germany with learning and religion, so also with military discipline. Nay, what is more, those Saxons who live in the dukedom of Saxony are descended from them, if we may depend upon Eginhardus's words. The Saxon nation (as antiquities tell us) leaving those Angles which inhabit Britain, out of a desire, or rather necessity of settling in some new home, marched over sea, towards the German coasts, and came ashore at a place named Haduloha, 'twas about that time, Theoderic King of the Franks made war upon Hirminfrid, Duke of the Thuringi, his son-in-law, and barbarously wasted their land with fire and sword. After two set battles, the victory was still depending, though there had been considerable losses on both sides. Upon  which, Theoderic disappointed of his hopes of conquest, sent ambassadors to the Saxons. Their Duke at that time was one Hadugato; who, as soon as he heard their business, and their proposals of living together in case of victory, marched with an army to their assistance. By the help of these, (who fought it out stoutly, like men that dispute for liberty and property) he conquered the enemy, spoiled the inhabitants, put most of them to the sword, and according to promise yielded the land to the auxiliaries. They divided it by lot; and because the war had reduced them to so small a number that they could not people the whole, part of it, especially all that which lies eastward, they let out to the boors; each of which, according to his quantity, was to pay a certain rent. The rest they cultivated themselves. On the South side of them lived the Franks, and a party of the Thuringi, who had not been engaged in the late war; from whom they were divided by the river Unstrote. On the North side, the Normans, a most resolute nation: on the East, the Obotriti; and on the West, the Frisians. Against these they were always maintaining their ground, either by truces, or continual skirmishes. But now let us return to our English Saxons.

            the Saxons for a long time lived under their heptarchy in a flourishing condition; till at last, all the other kingdoms, shattered with civil wars, were subdued to that of the West Saxons. For Egbert, King of the West Saxons, after he had conquered four of these kingdoms, and had a fair prospect of the other two; to unite them in name, as he had already done in government, and to keep up the memory of his own nation, published an edict, wherein 'twas ordered that the whole heptarchy, which the Saxons had possessed themselves of, should be called Englelond, i.e. The land of the Angles. From hence came the Latin Anglia, taking that name from the Angles, who of the three nations [that came over] were most numerous and most valiant. The kingdoms of Northumberland and Mercia, two of the largest, with that of the East Angles, were theirs; whereas the Jutes had no more than Kent, and the Isle of Wight; and the Saxons, East, West, and South Saxony; very narrow bounds, if compared with those large territories of the Angles. From these, now time out of mind, they have been called by one general name, Angles, and in their own language, Englatheod, Anglcynne, Englcynne, Englisomon; though at the same time every particular kingdom had a distinct name of its own. And this, as it is evident from other writers, so especially from Bede, who entitles his history, the history of the English nation. So even in the Heptarchy, the kings that were more powerful than the rest, were styled the kings of the English nation. Then it was that the name of Britain fell into disuse in this island; and was only to be found in books, being never heard in common talk. So that Boniface, Bishop of Mainz, an English-man born, terms our nation Transmarine Saxony. But King Eadred, as appears from some charters, about the year 948, styled himself King of Great Britain; and Edgar, about 970, used the title of Monarch of All Albion.

            when 'twas called England, then were the Angles in the height of their glory; and as such (according to the common revolution of things) were ready for a fall. For the Danes, after they had preyed upon our coasts for many years together, began at last to make miserable havoc of the nation itself.

Prev Next