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MATTHEW OF WESTMINSTER
The flowers of history, especially such as relate to the affairs of Britain. Vol. I. B.C. 4004 to A.D. 1066.
page 264
A.D. 518. HOmFA.CE PLACED IK THE B0MA9 CHAIB. 255
done, Dubritius, archbishop of the city of London, in union with the bishops and nobles of the land, made Arthur, his son, a youth of fifteen years of age, king, with great pomp. He was a man of unheard-of valour and liberality, by which he became so popular, that he was praised by all men, even by his enemies; for such a host of soldiers flocked to his standard, and so great was the number of those who wished to serve under him, that he had not sufficient means to supply pay for them. At that time the Saxons had invited over their fellowcountrymen from Germany ; and, under their leader, Colgrin, had subjugated the whole of that part of the island which extends from the Hum ber to the sea of Caithness. And whenx Arthur heard that, he, with those who owed allegiance to him, marched to York, which had been already subdued by the Saxons. But Colgrin, hearing of the advance of Arthur, went to meet him with a very numerous army, near the river Douglas, and a battle took place, in which Arthur put Colgrin toflight, and pursued him as far as York, and there blockaded him in that city. But Baldulph, the brother of Colgrin, while awaiting àie arrival of the Saxons on the coast, proposed to make a night attack upon Arthur. Arthur, however, being forewarned of this by his spies, sent Cador, duke of Cornwall, with six hundred cavalry and three thousand infantry, on the road by which the enemy would come ; and they, attacking them unexpectedly, killed and wounded a great many of them, and put the rest to flight.
A.D. 517. Duke Cheldric came from Germany with seven hundred ships, and landed in Scotland, and the Britons were afraid to enter in a contest, of which they thought the result doubtful, with so great a force ; therefore, Arthur raised the aiege of York, and retreated to the city of London with his army. Then, having taken counsel of his friends, he sent messengers into Brittany, to king Hoel, to tell him of the difficulties of Britain. But Hoel was the son of Arthur's sister, by Dubritius, king of the Armorican Britons ; and he, hearing of the danger with which his uncle was threatened, ordered a largefleet to be prepared ; and, having collected fifteen thousand armed men, arrived with a fair wind at the port of Southampton. Arthur received him with joy and due honour. The same year the holy virgin Bridget departed to the Lord.
A.D. 518. Boniface waa placed in the Roman chair, which
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