treitours to his diuine maiestie, and not woorthie to remaine within
the court gates: but those that constantlie stood in the profession
of the christian faith, he greatlie commended, as men woorthie to be
about a prince: and withall declared, that from thencefoorth they
should be as chiefe counsellours and defenders both of his person and
kingdome, estéeming more of them than of all the treasure he had in
his coffers.

To conclude, he was a graue prince, sober, vpright, courteous and
liberall, as he which kept his mind euer frée from couetous desire of
great riches: insomuch that when he should make anie great feast to
his friends, he was not ashamed to borow plate and siluer vessell to
[Sidenote: _Pomponius Lænis_.]
serue his turne, and to furnish his cupbord for the time, being
contented for himselfe to be serued in cruses & earthen vessels. He
was woont to haue this saieng in his mouth, that better it was that
the subiects should haue store of monie and riches, than the prince to
kéepe it close in his treasurie, where it serued to no vse. By such
courteous dealing the prouinces which were in his charge flourished
in great wealth and quietnesse. He was a verie wise and politike
[Sidenote: He died in the yéere 306. as _Matt. West._ hath noted,
and reigned over the Britains but 11. yéeres as _Galf._ saith.]
prince in the ordering of all weightie matters, and verie skillfull in
the practise of warres, so that he stood the Romane empire in great
stéed, and was therefore highlie beloued of the souldiers, insomuch
that immediatlie after his deceasse, they proclaimed his sonne
Constantine emperour.

That the Christian faith was imbraced of the Britains in this season,
it maie appéere, in that Hilarias bishop of Poictiers writeth to his