¶ How the land of Englond was fyrst named Albyon / And by what encheson it was so named

In the noble land of Sirrie / ther was a noble kyng & myghty & a man of grete renome / that me callid Dioclisian , that well & worthely hym gouerned & ruled thurgh his noble chyualrye / so that he conquerd all the londes about hym / so that almost al the kynges of the world to him were entendant / Hit befel thus that this dyoclisian spoused a gentil damisel / that was wonder fayr that was his emes doughter labana / and she loued hym as reson wold / so that he gate vpon hir xxxiij doughters / of the which the eldest me callid Albyne / & these damisels whan they come vnto age bicome so fair that it was wonder / wherfor that this dyoclisian anon lete make a somenyng / & commaunded by his lrens / that all the kynges that helden of him shold come at a certayn day . as in his lrens were conteyned to make a ryal feste / At whiche daye thider they comen / & brought with hem amyrals prynces & dukes , & noble chiualrye / The feste was ryally awayed / & ther they lyued in ioye & myrthe ynough , that it was wonder to wyt / And it befel thus that this dyoclisian thought to marye his doughters amonge alle the kynges that tho were at that solempnyte / & so they spaken and dide that albyne his eldest doughter / & al hir sustres richely were maried vnto xxxiij kynges / that were lordes of grece honour and of power at this solempnyte / And whan the solempnite was done , euery kynge toke his wyf & lad hem in to her owne countrey / & ther made hem quenes / And it befel thus afterward / that this dame Albyne bycome so stoute & so sterne / that she told lytel prys of her lord / & of hym had scorne & despyte / & wold not done hys wyll / but she wold haue hir owne wyll in dyuerse maters / and all hir other sustres euerychone bere hem so euyl ayenst hir lordes that it was wonder to wytte / & for as moch as hem thought that hir husbondes were nought of so hye parage comen as hir fader / But tho kynges that were hir lordes wold haue chastysed hem with fayr speche & behestes , and also by yeftes / & warned hem in fair maner vpon al loue & frendship that they shold amende her lither condicions / but al was for nought / for they dyden her owne wyll in all thynge / that hem lyked . & had of power / wherfore tho / xxxiij / kynges vpon a tyme & oftymes beten theyr wynes for they wende that they wolde haue amended her tatches / & hyr wicked thewes / but of suche condicions they were / that for fayre speche & warnynge , they dydden al the wers / and for setynges ●…ones moche wers / wherfor the kyng that had wedded albyne wrote the tatches and condicions of his wyf albyn and the letter sent to dioclisian her fader , And whan the other kynges herd that albynes lord had sent a letter to dyoclisian / anone they sente lrens ensealed with hir seales the condicions / & the tatches of hir wyues . Whan the kyng dyoclisian saw & herd so many playntes of his doughters / he was soore ashamed / & byoome wonder angry & wroth towarde his doughters / & thought both nyght & day yf he myght tho amende it / that they so mysdid / & anon sent his letters vnto the xxxiij kynges / that they sholde come to hym / & brynge with hem her wyues euerychone at a certayne daye / for he wolde ther chastyse them of theyr wyckednes / yf he myght in ony maner wyse / soo that the kynges comen al at that daye & tyme that tho was sette bitwene hem & the kyng . Dioclisian hem vnderfeng with moche honour and made a solempne fest to al that were vnder his lorship / & the thyrdde day . after this solempnyte . the kyng Dioclisian sent after his xxxiij doughters that they shold come & speke with hym in his chambre / & whan they were come / he spa●… vnto hem of theyr wykkednesse & of her cruelte & despitously hem reproued & vndernam / & to them he said / yf they wold not be chasty sed / they shold his loue lese for euermore / & whan the ladyes herd all thie they bycomen abasshed & gretely ashamed . & to her fader they said that they wold make al amendes / & so they departed out from hir faders chambre / & dame albyn that was the eldest suster lad hem al in to hir chambre / & tho made wide al that were therin soo that no lyf was amonges hem / but she & hir sustres y fere / Tho said this albyne , my fair sistres wel we knowen that the king our fader vs hath reproued shamed & despised for enchesen to make vs obedyent vnto oure husbondes / but certes that shal I neuer whiles that I lyue / syth that I am come of a more hyer kynges blode than myn husbonde is / And whan she had thus sayd alle hir sustres said the same / And tho sayd albyne / ful wel I wote fair sustres that our husbondes haue pleyned vnto our fader vpon vs / wherfor he hath vs thus fowlo reproued & despysed / wherfor susters my counseyl is that this nyght when our husbondes ben a bed / al we with one assent cutten her throtes / & than we may ben in pees of hem / and better we may do thys thyng vnder our faders power . than elles where / And anone al the ladyes consented and graunted to this counseyl / And whan nyght was come the lordes & ladyes went to bedde / & anone as hyr lordes were in slepe they cut al hir husbondes throtes . & so they slowen hem alle whan that dioclosyan the kyng her fader herd of this thynge , he bycome hugely wroth ayenst his doughters / & anone wolde hem al / haue brente / but al the barons and lordes of firrie counseylled not so for to doo suche sternesse to his owne doughters / but only shold wide the land of hem for euermore / so that they neuer shold come ayene / & so he dyde / And dioclisyan that was her fader anon commaunded hem to goo in to ship / and delyuerd to hem vytaylles for half a yere / And whan this was done / alle the sustren wente in to the ship . and sayled forth in the see / and bytoke all her frendes to appolyn that was hir god / And so long they saylled in the see / til atte last they come and arryued in an yle that was al wil dernesse / And whanne dame albyne was come to that londe / and all hir sustres / this albyne went forth oute of the ship / and sayd to hir other sustres / For as moche quod she as I am the ol 〈◊〉 suster of all this companye / and fyrst this lande haue taken / and for as moche as my name is Albyne / I wyll that this lond be callyd albyon after myne owne name / And anone all hir sustres graunted to hyr with a good wyll , Tho went out alle the sustres of the ship / and token the land albion as hir suster callyd it / and ther they went vp and downe / and fonde nether man ne woman ne child but wild beestes of dyuerse kyndes / & whan hyr vytayl les were dyspended and hem fayled / they fedde hem with herbes and frutes in season of the yere . and soo they lyued as they best myght / and after that they toke Flesshe of dyuerse beestes / and bycame wonder fat / and so they desyred mannys companye and mannys kynde that hem faylled / & for hete they woxen wonder coragyous of kynde / so that they desyred more mannys company than ony othir solace or myrth / whan the deuyl that perceyued and went by dyuerse countreys / & toke body of the eyr & lykyng natures shad of men / and ●…e in to the lande of albyon & laye by tho wymmen / and shad tho natures vpon hem / and they conceyued . after they brought forth geantz . of the whiche me callyd one Gogmagog . and another laugherigan / and so they were named by dyuerse / names / and in this maner they come forth and were borne horryble geants in albyon / and they dwellyd in caues and hilles at her wyll / and had the londe of albyon as hem liked vnto the tyme that Brute arryued and come to Totnesse / that was in the yle of albyon / and ther this brute conquerd and discomfyted these geants aboue sayd

〈◊〉 endeth the prologue of Albyon . that tho was an yle & her●…eneth now how brute was goten / & how he slowe first his moder / & afterward his fader / and how he conquerd Albyon / that after he named Brytayn after his owne name / that now is called Englond after the name of Engyst of Saxon

Ca / j

In the noble Cyte of grete Troye ther was a noble knyght / & a man of grete power that was callyd Eneas / & whan the Cyte of troye was lost & destro yed thurgh hem of grece / this encas with alle his meyne fled thens and come in to lombardye that tho was lord and gouernour of that lond a kyng that was cal led Latyn / and another kyng ther was that was callyd turocelyne that strongly werrid vpon this king latyn & oftymes dyd hym moche harme / And whan this kyng latyn herde that eneas was comen / he vnderfenge him with moche honoure / & hym with helde / for as moch as he had herd of hym / & wist wel that he was a noble knyght & a worthy of his body & of his dedes / This ene as helpe kyng latyn in his werre / & shortly for to telle so well & worthyly / he dyd that he slowe Turocelyne & discomfyted hym & all his peple / & whan all this was done / kyng latyn yaf al that lond that was turecelinis to eneas in maryage / with lauyne his doughter the moost fayr crature / that ony man wyst / & so they lyued to geder in io●… & murthe all hir lyfes tyme . and after he wedded a wyf / and vpon hir he bygate a sone / that was callyd Silueyne / & this silueyne whan he coude some reson of man vnwyting his fader & ageynst his will acqueynted with a damisel that was cosyn to lauyne / that was kyng latynes doughter the quene / that was eneas wyf / & brought the damysel with child / and whan ascamus his fader it wyste / anon lete enquere of the wysest maistres & of the grettest clerkes / what child the damisel sholde bringe forth / & they ansuerd & said / that she shold bryng forth a sone that shold slee both fader & moder / & so he dyd . for his mother dyed in beryng of hym / & whan this child was born / his fader le●…e calle hym Brute / And the maystres sayd that he shold do moche harme & sorow in many dyuerse places / & after he shold come to grete honour & worship . This kyng ascam●… deyde whan god wold / & silueyne his sone receyued the lande / & made hym won derlych wel byloued among his peple / and whan brute that was silueynus sone was xv yere olde / he went vpon a daye with his fadre for to play & solace / and as this brute shold shete vnto an hert his arowe myshapped & glaced / and so there Brute quelled his fader /

How Brute was dryuen oute of the lande / And how he helde hym in grece / Ca / ij

And whan this myschance befalle was the peple of the lande made sorwe ynow / and were sore an angred / & for encheson therof / they dryuen brute out of the lond / & wold not suffre hym amongys hem / & he saugh that he muste not abyde / & wente fro thens in to Grece / & there he fonde / vij / 〈◊〉 men / that were of the linage and kynred of Troye that were comen of grete blode as the storye tellyth as of men and women & childeren / the whiche were alle holden in thraldome and bondage of the kynge Pandras of grece for the deth of achilles / that was bitraid & slayne at troye This Brute was a wonder fayre man and a stronge & huge of his age & of glad chere and semblaunt / and also worthy of body and was wel beloued among his people / This kynge Pandras herde speke of his goodnes and his condicions / and anone made hym duelle with him . soo that brute bycome wonder priue & moche beloued with the kyng / so that long tyme brute duelled with the kyng / soo at the last they of Troye and brute spaken to geder of kynred & of lignage and of acqueyntaunce / and ther pleyned hem vnto brute of hir sorowe and of hir bondage and of many other shames that the kyng paudras had hem done and to brute / they saiden vpon a tyme / Ye be a lord of our lignage . & a strong man and a myghty . be ye our capitayn & lord / and we wylle bycome your men / and your cōmandementz done in al manere thynges / and brynge ye vs oute of this wrecchednesse and bondage and fyght we with the kyng / for thorugh the grace of the grete god we shal hym ouercome & we shal make you kynge of the lond & to you done homage / and of yow we shul holde euermore / Brute had tho grete pyte of hyr bondage that they were broughte in / & preuelich went hym from the kynges court / and al tho that were of Troye went and put hem in to wodes and in to montaygnes and hem helde / and sente vnto kynge pandras / that he shold yeue hem leue sauelych for to wend out of the land / for they nold no lenger duelle in his bondage / The kyng pandras was tho sore an noyed / & tho swore that he wold slee hem euerychone / & ordeined a grete power . and went towardes hem al for to fight / but brute & his men manlyche hem defended / & fyersly foughten & slewe all the kynges men that none of hem escaped and token the kyng and hym helde in pryson & ordeyned counceyll bytwene hem what they myght done / some sayd that he shold be put to deth / & somme sayd that he shold be exyled out of the lande / & somme sayd that he shold be 〈◊〉 . And tho spak a wyse knyght that was called memprys & sayd to bru●… and to al tho of Tooye / yf kyn●… Pand●…as wolde yelde hym and haue his lyf / I counseylle that he yeue vnto Brute that is our duke and our soueraygne his doughter Gennogen to a wyfe and in maryage with her an honderd shippes wel arayd and alle his tresoure of gold & siluer of corne & of wyn / and as moche as vs nedeth to haue of one thyng and other and than goo we oute of his land / and ordeyne we vs lande elleswher for we ne none of our kynred that comen after vs shal neuer haue pees in this lande amonges hem of grece / for we haue slayne so many of hyr knyghtes & of her other frendes that euermore warre and contake shold bene amonges vs / brute tho and all his folke consentyd well to that counseylle / and this thyng they tolden to kyng pandras and therfor to haue hys lyf graunted as moche as they axed . and anone yaf vnto Brute Gennogen his doughter to wif and the honderd shippis with as moche as hem neded of all vitayllis as before was ordeyned / brute tho toke his wyf / and all his men that forsoke the land of grece and wenten hem vnto the see and hadden wynde and weder at wyss / and comen the thyrdde day in to an yle that was callyd ●…or g●… / Brute anon sente of his men a londe for to aspye the maner of the contre / and they founden an old Cyte al wasted and forlet that na●… theryn nether man ne woman / ne no thyng duellyng and in the myddel of this Cyte they founden an old temple of a fayre lady that that callyd Dyane the goddesse and they comen ayene vn to Brute and told hym what they had seen and founden and counceylled hym to gone and to doo sacryfyce vnto dame Diane . For she was woned to yeue answer of what thyng that euer men prayde her / and namely vn to them that her honoured with sacrifice / Brute went to that ymage & said Diane noble goddesse lady that al thyng hast in myght and in thy power / wyn des wat●…s wodes feldes and alle thynges of the world and alle maner beestes that ther in bene to yow / I make my prayer that ye me conncelle & telle where and in what place I shal haue a couenable duellyng for me and for my peple / and ther I shal ma ste 〈◊〉 honoure of you a wel fayre temple and noble / wheryn ye shull euermore ben honoured / whan he had done his prayer dy●… n●… ansuerd in this maner Brute quod she go euen forth thy wey ouer the see in to fraunce toward the west / and ther ye shul finde an yse that is callyd Albyon / & that yle is bycompassed al with the see / and no man may come theryn / but it ben with shippes / & in that ●…ude ●…ere wont to be geantz / but no wit is nat so but al wildernes and that londe is to yow destenyed and ordeyned for yow and for youre peple

How Coryn became brutes man / And how kyng Gossar was dysconfyted Capitulo tercio

WHan Brute herde this ansuer of dyane the goddesse / an●…ne he lette the ankers winde vp and sayled in to the high 〈◊〉 whanne he and his men hadde sayled . xx / dayes and moo they founden fast beside a cost of the se●… a thousand men of the lygnage ▪ kynred of Troye / & hyr souerayne & hir mayster of al was cal led Corin / And whan brute wyst whennes they were / he 〈◊〉 vnderfenge hem with mochel ioye in to his shippes / & hem lad fo●…th with hym . This Coryn tho become brutes man / and to hym 〈◊〉 fea●…lte and homage and so longe they sayled forth in the s●… till they comen in to gascoyn / and anone they arriued in the ●…auen of liegers / and there they dwellyd . viij / dayes hem for to reste : hy●… sailles to amende ther that it was nede / ●…idyng sone come to ●…ng Goffar that was lord of the lande / how that moche f●…lk of 〈◊〉ge lande weren arryued in his land in the hauen of l●…gers ▪ w●… ▪ fore he was sore angred and ano●…ed that they comen & 〈◊〉 in his lande withoute loue / & anon he ordeyned hym a grete 〈◊〉 to dryuen oute and to shend brute with his peple / but kyng goffar was discomfyted and all his folke / & hym self fledde in to ●…raunce to seke help & socour / And in that tyme regned in fraunce / ●…n kynges ▪ & the x●… assembled a grete power for to help goffar for to fight ayenst brute / Goffor duelled with them of fraunce halfe a yere & more / and brute in the mene tyme and his company destroyed all the lond of gascoyne / and let take al the tresou●… that kyng gof far had and let brynge it in to his shippes / and this brute fonde in that land a fayre place and a couenable / & there Bru●… made a fayre castel and a stronge / whan that was done kyng Goffar come froo fraunce / and x●… kynges with hym & broughten xx ▪ 〈◊〉 . men for to fyght with brute and his company / & 〈◊〉 had but vn m & CCCC men / netheles whan the two hoostes met ●…n to gedre / brutes folk thorugh help of him self & of turin his cosyn & of Coryn that wel and manlych hym defended & foughte so that in a lytel tyme they had slayn of the frensshmen / ij / m & mo / And tho that were alyue fledde a wey . And in this bataill Turyn that was brutes cosyn was slayne and Brute let●…e en●…er worthyly hym whan he had space & leyser in the castel that he had made / and tho lete calle the castel Tours for the name of Turyne that ther was entered / & yet in to this day ther is a noble cyte that is called Tours / when kyng goffar wyst that Turin was dede / he come ageyne with his men & after yafe a stronge bataylle vnto Brute / but Brute and his men were so wery o●… fyghtyng that they myght no lenger endure / but maugre hym & all his / Brute went in to his castel with al his men and made the yates fast for to saue hem self / & for to taste counseyl among hem what were best for to done / Brute & coryn toke counseyl & ordeyned that Co●…n p●…uely shold go out & bussh hym in a Wode tyll a 〈◊〉 / So that in the mornyng whan brute shold fyght with his enemyes . Coryn shold come with his folke in that one syde / and 〈◊〉 / and done al the harme that he myght / And amornyng in the d●…wenynge / brute went oute of the castel and fought with his enemyes and they fyersly defended / but within a lytel tyme Brute and his folke slewe . viij / C / of goffars men / & tho come Coryn fro the busshement / and smete to grounde he and his compa nye al that wolde stonde or abyde / soo that kyng Goffar and his folk were disconfyted / and fast they ganne to flee . And brute and Coryn with her companye fiersly hem poursued and quelled mo of hem in the fleyng than they dyden in bataylle / And in that maner Brute had the vyctorye / and netheles brute made moche sorow for his cosyn Coryn / that ther was slayne / and for other also that he had lost of his men / that is to seyn / vij / c / & x●… the whiche nobly he let entier in the castel of Tours / ther that he had entered Turyn his cosyn

How Brute arryued at Totnesse in the yle of Albyon / And of the / bataylle that was bitwene Coryn / and Gogmagog Capitulo quarto

WHan all this was done / brute wold no lenger ther duelle for to fyght . ne no mo lese of his peple / For kyng Goffayus peple myght euery day encresse mo and mo / and Brutes lassen / and therfor he toke al his men . and went vnto the see / & had wynd and weder at wyll / and the fyfthe day afterward they arriued in an hauen at Totnesse and comen in to the yle of Albyon and ther fonde nether man nethir woman as the storye tellith ▪ but Geants / & they dwellyd in hilles & in caues / Brute sawe the sonde was fayr & at his lykyng . & good also for hym & for his folk as dyane the goddesse had hym byhyght / Tho was brute wonder glad / and late assemble vpon a day all his folk to make a solempne sacrifice & a grete fest in honour & reuerence of diane the goddesse thurgh whos counseyll he was comen in to that land / And whan they had hir solempnite made / as they vpon a day sate at mete / ther comen in vpon hem sodenly xxx geantz / & slewe of brutes men xxx / Brute & his men anone starten vp & foughten with the geantz & slewe hem euerychone / but one geant that was mayster of all that was callyd gogmagog that was stronger and hygher than ony of the other geants / & brute kepte hym & saued his lif / for enchesen that he shold wrestel with Corin / for corin was gretter & higher than ony of brutes men from the gerdelstede vpward Gogmagog and Corin vndertoke for to wrastlyn y fere / and so to geder they wrestled long tyme / but at the last gogmagog helde Corin so fast / that he brake two rybbes of his side / wherfor Corin was sore angry / & toke tho gogmagog bitwene his armes & cast hym doune vpon a roche / so that gogmagog brake al to pyeces & so dyed an euyl deth / & therfore the place is callyd yet vnto thys day the saute of gogmagog / and tho yaf brute all that countre to Corin / and Corin called it after his name cornewayle & his men he called Cornewaylles . and so shal men of that countre ben callid for euermore / And in that countre duellid Corin & his men & made tounes & howses & inhabyted the lond at hir wylle /

How Brute made london & called this lond Brytaygne / and Scotland Albyne / and walys Cambyr / Capitulo quinto

BRute and his men wenten forth / and sawe about in diuerse places where they myght fynde a good place and couenable / that they myght make a Cyte for hym and for hys folke / soo at the last they comen by a fayre ryuer / that is callyd the thamys / & there brute bygan a fayr cyte & lete calle it newe Troye in mynde & remembraunce of the grete troye / from whiche place all hir lygnage was comen / & this brute lete falle a doune wodes / and lete erye and sowe londes & done mowe medes for sustenaunce of him & of his peple / & he departed the land to hem / so that euerychone of hem hadde a certayne place for to duelle vpon And Brute lete calle al this lond britayne after his owne name and his folk he lete calle bretons / And this brute had goten on his wyf Gennogen thre sonnes / that were worthy of dedes / the fyrste was callyd lotryn / the second albanac / & the thyrd Camber / and Brute bare corone in the cyte of newe troye . xx . yere after tyme that the cite was made / and ther he made the lawes that the bretons holden / and this Brute was wonderly wel byloued among all men / and brutes sones also loued wonderly wel to geder / And whan brute had sought al the land in lengthe and in brede / he fonde a lande that Ioyned to brytayne in the north / and that lond Brute yaf to albanac his sone & lete calle it Albania after his name / that now is callyd Scotland / And Brute fond an other countre toward the weste / and that yaf to cambyr hys other sone / and he lete calle it Camber after his name / and now it is called wales / And whan brute had regned / xx . yere / as byfore is sayd ▪ he dyed in the cyte of newe troye / and there his sone him entered with moche honour / and lotryn brutes sone was crouned kyng with moche solempnyte of al the land of Britayne / & after whan he was crowned albanac and camber his two bretheren wente ageyne in to her owne countrey ▪ & lyued with mykel honour / And lotryn her broder regned and was kyng and gouerned the lande wel & wysely for he was a good man and wonder wel byloued of all his lond / And it befell so that Albanak duellyd in his owne lande with moche honoure and worship / & thenne cam kynge humbar of hunland with a grete power & arriued in albanye / and wold haue conquerd the land / and began to werre vpon albanac and hym slewe in batayl / whan Albanac was slayne the folk of the lond fled vnto lotryn / and tolde hym for he was kynge of bretayne / how that his brother was slayne and prayd hym of help for to auenge his broders deth /

Lotryne anone lete assemble alle the Brytons of kent of douer in to derewent of Norfolk and Southfolke of kestefen and of lyndesey / and whanne they were al assembled they sped fase toward their enemies for to yeue hem batail / Lotrine had sent to Camber his broder that he shold come also to hym with al the power that he myght make hym for to helpe / and soo he dyd with good wyll / and so they comen al to geders / and toke her wey preuelyche for to seche humbar / where they myght hym fynde / And so it befell that this humbar was besides a water that was 〈◊〉 grete riuer with his folk / hym for to disporte / and tho come Lotryn and camber his broder with al hir folke sodaynly / ●…r that ony of that other wyst / And whan humbar saw hem come he was sore adrad / for as moche as his men wist it not / & also they were vnarmed / and Anone humbar for drede lepte in to the wa●…er / and drenchyd hym self ▪ and so dyed he / and his men were alle slayne that none of hem escaped / and therfor is that water callyd hum bar / and euermore shal be callyd thus for enchesen that kynge humbar was theryn drenchyd /

And after that Lotryne wente to his shippes / and toke there gold and syluer . and as moche as he fand vnto hym self / and alle that other pilfre / he yaf vnto other folke of the hoost / 〈◊〉 they founden in one of the shippes a fair damisel that was kyng humb●…rs doughter / and was callyd estrylde / And whan Lotryne saw her he toke hir with hym for hyr fayrenesse / & for her was ouert●… with loue / & wold haue wedded her / Thise tydynges come ●…o 〈◊〉 ryn / anone he thought to auenge him vpon lotryne / For as moch as Lotryne had made couenaunt for to spousen Corines dough●…r that was callyd guentolen / And Corin in hast went to hym vnto the newe Troye / and thus said to Lotryne / now 〈◊〉 quod 〈◊〉 ye rewarde me full euyll / for al the paynes that I suffryd and haue hadde many tymes for Brute youre fader / and therfor I wyll now anenge me vpon yow / & dro●…e his fauchon an 〈◊〉 and wolde haue slayne Lotryne / but the damisell went bytwene hem / & made hem acorded in this maner . that Lotryne shold spo●… se guentolen that was Corynes doughter / And so Lotryne dyd And netheles that he had spoused Guentolen Corynes doughter preuelych he come to Estryld / and brought hyr with child & gate on hir a doughter that was callyd Abren / Hit befelle anone after that Corin dyed and anone as he was 〈◊〉 Lotryne forsoke guentolen his wif / & made estrylde quene / And Guento len wente thens al in wrath in to Cornewayll and seysed al the folke / soo at the last they comen by à fayre ryuer / that is callyd the thamys / & there brute bygan a fayr cyte & bete calle it newe Troye in mynde & remembraunce of the grete troye / from whiche place all hir lygnage was comen / & this brute lete falle a doune wodes / and lete erye and sowe londes & done mowe medes for sustenaunce of him & of his peple / & he departed the land to hem / so that euerychone of hem hadde a certayne place for to duelle vpon And Brute lete calle al this lond britayne after his owne name and his folk he lete calle bretons / And this brute bad goten on his wyf Gennogen thre sonnes / that were worthy of dedes / the fyrste was callyd lotryn / the second albanac / & the thyrd Camber / and Brute bare corone in the cyte of newe troye . xx . yere after tyme that the cite was made / and ther he made the lawes that the bretons holden / and this Brute was wonderly wel byloued among all men / and brutes sones also loued wonderly wel to geder / And whan brute had sought al the land in lengthe and in brede / he fonde a lande that Ioyned to brytayne in the north / and that lond Brute yaf to albanac his sone & lete calle it Albania after his name / that now is callyd Scotland / And Brute fond an other countre toward the weste / and that yaf to cambyr hys other sone / and he lete calle it Camber after his name / and now it is called wales / And whan brute had regned / xx . yere / as byfore is sayd / he dyed in the cyte of newe troye / and there his sone him entered with moche honour / and lotryn brutes sone was crouned kyng with moche solempnyte of al the land of Britayne / & after whan he was crowned albanac and camber his two bretheren wente ageyne in to her owne countrey . & lyued with mykel honour / And lotryn her broder regned and was kyng and gouerned the lande wel & wysely for he was a good man and wonder wel byloued of all his lond / And it befell so that Albanak duellyd in his owne lande with moche honoure and worship / & thenne c●…in kynge humbar of hunland with a grete power & arriued in albanye / and wold haue conquerd the land / and began to werre vpon albanac and hym slewe in batayl / whan Albanac was slayne the folk of the lond fled vnto lotryn / and tolde hym for he was kynge of bretayne / how that his brother was slayne and prayd hym of help for to auenge his broders deth /

Lotryne anone lete assemble alle the Brytons of kent of douer in to derewent of Norfolk and Southfolke of kestefen and of lyndesey / and whanne they were al assembled they sped fast toward their enemies for to yeue hem batail / Lotrine had sent to Camber his broder that he shold come also to hym with al the power that he myght make hym for to helpe / and soo he dyd with good wyll / and so they comen al to geders / and toke her wey preuelyche for to seche humbar / where they myght hym fynde / And so it befell that this humbar was besides a water that was 〈◊〉 grete riuer with his folk / hym for to disporte / and tho come Lotryn and camber his broder with al hir folke sodaynly / er that ony of that other wyst / And whan humbar saw hem come he was sore adrad / for as moche as his men wist it not / & also they were vnarmed / and Anone humbar for drede lepte in to the water / and drenchyd hym self . and so dyed he / and his men were alle slayne that none of hem escaped / and therfor is that water callyd hum bar / and euermore shal be callyd thus for enchesen that kynge humbar was theryn drenchyd /

And after that Lotryne wente to his shippes / and toke there gold and syluer . and as moche as he fand vnto hym self / and alle that other pilfre / he yaf vnto other folke of the hoost / & they founden in one of the shippes a fair damisel that was kyng humbers doughter / and was callyd estrylde / And whan Lotryne saw hyr he toke hir with hym for hyr fayrenesse / & for her was ouertaken with loue / & wold haue wedded her / Thise tydynges come to Coryn / anone he thought to auenge him vpon lotryne / For as moch as Lotryne had made couenaunt for to spousen Corines dough●…r that was callyd guentolen / And Corin in hast went to hym vnto the newe Troye / and thus said to Lotryne / now certeo quod he ye rewarde me full euyll / for al the paynes that I suffryd and haue hadde many tymes for Brute youre fader / and therfor I wyll now anenge me vpon yow / & drowe his fauchon an hyg●… and wolde haue slayne Lotryne / but the damisell went bytwene hem / & made hem acorded in this maner . that Lotryne shold spou se guentolen that was Corynes doughter / And so Lotryne dyd And netheles that he had spoused Guentolen Corynes doughter preuelych he come to Estryld / and brought hyr with child & gate on hir a doughter that was callyd Abren / Hit befelle anone after that Corin dyed / and anone as he was dede Lotryne forsoke guentolen his wif / & made estrylde quene / And Guento len wente thens al in wrath in to Cornewayll and seysed al the londe in to hyr honde / for as moche as she was hir faders heyr / & vnderfong feaulte & homages of al the men of the lond / and after assembled a grete hoost and a grete power for to ben vpon Lotryne auengyd that was hir lord / & to hym come / & yafe hym a strong batail / & ther was lotryne slayne / & his men discomfyted the / v●…yere of his regne / Guentolen lete take estrild & Abram hir doughter / & bynde bothe hondes & feete and caste hem in to water And so they were drenchyd / wherfore that water was euermore callyd after abram after the name of the damysel that was estril dys doughter . and englyssh men callith that water Seuerne and walsshmen calle it abram in to this day / And whan this was done Guentolen lete crowne her quene of that londe / and gouerned the land ful wel & wysely vnto the tyme that madan hyr sone that lotryne had begete vpon hir were of xx wynter age that he myght be kyng / so that the quene regned xv yere / & tho lete she croune hyr sone / & he regned & gouerned the land wel & honourably & she went in to cornewayl . & ther she duellid al hir lifs time

Of kyng Madan how he regned in pees al his life / and of menprys and of Mawlyn his sones / And how Menprys slowe maulyn his broder / & how wolues drow him al to pyeces / Ca / vj

WHan Madan had regned xxx yere / he dyed / & lyeth buryed in newe troye / & he had two sones / that one me callyd menprys / & that other maulyn . & these two bretheren after hir faders deth stryuen fast for the lande / and Menprys for encheson that he was the eldest sone wolde haue had al that lond / & maulyn wold not suffre hym / so that they token a daye of loue & acorde / And at this day menprys lete quelle his broder thurgh treson & hym self afterward helde the londe / & anone lete crowne hym kyng / & regned / & after bycame so lither a man / that he destroyed in a whyle all the men of his londe / & atte laste he bycame so wykked and so lecherous / that he forsoke his owne wif / & vsed the synne of sodo mye / wherfore almyghty god was wroth / & vpon hym toke vengeaunce . For on a day as he went in a wode a huntyng / he lost his folke / & went al one vp & doune cryeng after his men . and there come wolues / & al to drow hym in to pyeces / whan he had regned xxiiij yere . And whan his peple wist / that he was dede / they made Ioye ynowe / And anone made ebranc his sone kyng / and regned with moche honoure /

Of kyng Ebranc how he conquerd Fraunce . and bygate . xx soues / and xxiij doughters /

THis Ebranc regned ●…x yere / and a strong man was and a myghty / And this ebranc thurgh his myghte & help of his bretons conquerd al Fraunce / and wan ther so moche gold and filuer / that whan he come ageyne in to his lande . he made a noble cite / & after his name lete calle it ebranc / that is called euerwik And this kyng made the castel of maydenes / that now is callid Edenburgh / This kyng had xx / sones / & xxiij doughters . by dy uerse wymmen goten / & the sones were callid / as ye shal here / brute grenescheld / Margand / Seisel / Morghwith / Flengham / Bladud / Iakyn / Kymbar / Rocelyn / Spadoch / Godeherl / Thormnan Eldaugh / Iozkangut / Haibor ketin / Rother kater / and assaruth And the doughters highten . as ye shal here after / Elegyne . ymogen / Oghdas / Guenbran gnardych . Angarel guenthold / Tangus tel / Gorgon / Myckel / medhan / maylour . Ondur / Cambredan . Ragan / Renthely / Neest / Cheghan / Skaldud / Gladus / Herberhin / abalage / & Blandan / & these were tho xxiij doughters / & the bretheren bycame good knyghtes / and worthy in many Countrees /

Of the kyng Brute grenesheld the fyrst sone of Ebranc the kynge / Capitulo / 8

AFter the deth of kyng ebranc / regned Brute grenesheld his sone xxx yere / that was Ebranks first sone / that wel & nobly regned / And whan tyme came / he dyed / And lyeth at york /

Of kyng leyl / Capitulo / ix

ANd whan Brute grenesheld was dede / regned his sone 〈◊〉 xxij yere / & he made a fair toune / & lete calle it Carlylle after his name / & was a worthy man / & moche byloued of his peple And whan he had regned xxij . yere he dyed / & lyeth at Caerlyll And in his tyme regned kynge Salamon in I●…in / & made the noble temple / and to hym come Sibelle / quene of Saba for to here and see yf It were soth / that men spekyn of the grete & noble wit and wisedome of king Salamon / & she fonde it soth that men had hyr tolde /

Of kyng lud ludybras / that was kyng leyles sone / Ca / x

ANd after this kyng leyl regned / his sone lud ludibras that made the cyte of Caunterbury . and of wynchestre / & he regned xxiij yere / and dyed / & lyeth at wynchestre /

Of kyng Bladud / that was ludibras sone how he regned / & was a good man / and a nygromancer / Ca / xj /

ANd after this . Iud ludibras regned bladud his sone a grete nygromancer / and thurgh his craft of nygromancye he made the merueyllo●… hote bath / as the geste tellyth . & he regned xxj yere / And he lyeth at newe Troye /

Of kynge leyr / and of the answer of his yongest doughter that graciously was maryed to the kyng of Fraunce / Ca / xij /

AFter this kyng bladud regned leyr his sone / and thys leyr made the toune of leycestre / and lete calle the toune after his name / & he gouerned the toune wel & nobly / This kyng leyr had thre doughters . the fyrst was callyd gonoryll . the second Rygan / & the thyrd cordeyl / and the yongest doughter was fayrest / & best of condicions / The kyng hyr fadre bycame an old man & wold that his doughters were maryed / er that he deyde / but first he thought to assay / which of hem loned hym moost / & best / for she that loued hym best / shold best ben maryed / & he axed of the first doughter / how moche she him loued . & she answerd and seid better than hir own lyf / now certes quod the fader that is a grete loue Tho axed he of the second doughter / how moch she him louid / & she said more & passyng al the creatures of the world / per ma foy qd the fadre / I may no more axe / & tho axed he of the third doughter / how moche she hym loued / certes fadre quod she . my sustres haue told you glosyng wordes . but forsoth I shal telle trouth / for I loue yow as moche / as I ought to loue my fadre / & for to bung yow more in certayn how I loue yow / I shal yow telle . as moch as ye ben worthe / so moche shal ye be loued / The kyng hyr fadre wente that she had scorned him / & become wonder wroth & swore / by beuen & erth she shold neuer haue good of him / but his douhtres that loned hym so moche / shold ben wel auaunced / & maryed / And the fyrst doughter he maryed to maugles kyng of scotland / and the second he maryed to hauemos erle of cornewaylle and so they ordeyned & spake bytwene hem that they shold departe the royame bytwene hem twoo after the deth of kyng leyr hyr fadre / so that Cordeill his yongest doughter shold no thyng haue of his land / but this Cordeyl was wonder fayr / and of so good●… condycyons and maners / that the kyng of Fraunce agampe herd of hyr speke . and sente to the kyng leyr hir fadre for to haue hyr vnto his wif / & prayd hym therof / and kyng leyr hyr fader sent hym word that he had departed the lond vnto his two doughters and sayd he hadde noo more land wherwith her to maryen / And whan agampe herd this ansner he sent anon ageyne to leir and said that he axed no thyng with hyr / but only her / clothyng and hyr body / & anon kyng leyr sente hyr ouer the see to the kyng of feaunce / And he resseyued hir with moche worship / and with moche solempnyte hir spoused / and made hyr quene of Fraunce / How kynge leyr was dryuen out of his lande thurgh his folye / and how Cordeyll his yongest doughter halp hym in his nede /