red to him a great power of Britains,
which before his landing were hid in diuerse places of the Ile. Then
went he foorth with them, and gaue battell to the enimies, whom he
vanquished: & slue that tyrannicall king Guanius there in the field
[Sidenote: The British historie disagreeth from the Scotish.]
(as some bookes haue.) Howbeit, this agreeth not with the Scotish
writers, which affirme that they got the field, but yet lost their
king named Dongard (as in their historie ye maie read.)

But to proceed as our writers report the matter. When the Britains had
thus ouercome their enimies, they conueied their capteine the said
Constantine vnto Cicester, and there in fulfilling their promise and
couenant made to his brother, crowned him king of great Britaine,
in the yeere of our Lord 433, which was about the fift yeere of the
emperour Valentinianus the second, and third yeere of Clodius king
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ saith 435.]
of the Frankners after called Frenchmen, which then began to settle
themselues in Gallia, whereby the name of that countrie was afterwards
changed and called France. Constantine being thus established king,
ruled the land well and noblie, and defended it from all inuasion of
enimies during his life. He begat of his wife three sonnes (as the
British historie affirmeth) Constantius, Aurelius Ambrosius, and Vter
surnamed named Pendragon. The eldest, bicause he perceiued him to be
but dull of wit, and not verie toward, he made a moonke, placing him
within the abbie of Amphibalus in Winchester.

[Sidenote: In a groue of bushes as _Gal._ saith. _Matth. West._
_Beda_. _Orosius_. _Blondus_.]
Finallie this Constantine, after he had reigned ten yeeres, was
traitorouslie slaine one day in his owne chamber (as some write) by a
Pict, who was in such fauor with him, that he might at all times haue
free accesse to him at his pleasure. Neither the Romane writers,
nor Beda, make anie mention of this Constantine: but of the other
Constantine they write, which immediatlie after the vsurper Gratian
was dispatched out of the way (as before ye haue heard) was aduanced
to the rule of this land, and title of emperour, onelie in hope of his
name, and for no other respect of towardnesse in him, afore time
being but a meane souldier, without anie degree of honour. The same
Constantine (as writers record) going ouer into Gallia, adorned his
sonne Constantius with the title and dignitie of Cesar, the which
before was a moon