destroied. The faithfull people were slaine, their bookes burnt,
[Sidenote: _Ran. Cestren._]
and churches ouerthrowne. It is recorded that in one moneths space
[Sidenote: _Matth. West. Constantius_.]
in diuers places of the world there were 17000 godlie men and women
put to death, for professing the christian faith in the daies of that
tyrant Dioclesian and his fellow Maximian.

[Sidenote: COELUS. 262.]
Coelus earle of Colchester began his dominion ouer the Britains in
the yeere of our Lord 262. This Coelus or Coell ruled the land for
a certeine time, so as the Britains were well content with his
gouernement, and liued the longer in rest from inuasion of the Romans,
bicause they were occupied in other places: but finallie they finding
[Sidenote: _Fabian_.]
time for their purpose, appointed one Constantius to passe ouer
into this Ile with an armie, the which Constantius put Coelus in
such dread, that immediatlie vpon his arriuall Coelus sent to him an
ambassage, and concluded a peace with him, couenanting to pay the
[Sidenote:_Gal. Mon._ _Fabian_. _Caxton_.]
accustomed tribute, & gaue to Constantius his daughter in mariage
called Helen, a noble ladie and a learned. Shortlie after king Coell
died, when he had reigned (as some write) 27 yeeres or (as other haue)
but 13 yeeres.

¶ But by the way touching this Coelus, I will not denie, but assuredly
such a prince there was: howbeit that he had a daughter named Helen,
whom he maried vnto Constantius the Romane lieutenant that was after
emperor, I leaue that to be decided of the learned. For if the whole
course of the liues, as well of the father and the sonne Constantius