[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
to hir sonne the said Constantine, the which he caused to be closed
within an image that represented his person, standing vpon a piller
in the market place of Constantine, or (as some late writers haue) he
caused it to be inclosed in a coffer of gold, adorned with rich stones
and pearls, placing it in a church called Sessoriana, the which church
he indued with manie great gifts and precious ornaments. Manie works
of great zeale and vertue are remembered by writers to haue béene
doone by this Constantine and his mother Helen, to the setting foorth
of Gods glorie, and the aduancing of the faith of Christ. But to be
[Sidenote: The commendation of Constantine.]
briefe, he was a man in whome manie excellent vertues and good
qualities both of mind and bodie manifestlie appéered, chieflie he was
a prince of great knowledge and experience in warre, and therewith
verie fortunate, an earnest louer of iustice, and to conclude, borne
to all honour.

But now to speake somewhat of the state of Britaine in his time, ye
shall vnderstand, that as before is recorded, at his going ouer into
France, after that he was proclaimed emperour, he left behind him in
Britaine certeine gouernours to rule the land, and amongst other one
Maximinus a right valiant capteine. He tooke with him a great part
of the youth of Britaine, and diuerse of the chiefe men amongst the
nobilitie, in whose approoued manhood, loialtie, and constancie, he
conceiued a great hope to go thorough with all his enterprises, as
with the which being accompanied and compassed about, he passed ouer
into Gallia, entred into Italie, and in euerie place ouercame his
enimies.

[Sidenote: _Gulielmus Malmes._ Britains seruing in the warres vnder