Britains in fine depriued him of all kinglie honour, after that he had
reigned 16 yéeres, and in his steed crowned his sonne Vortimer.

[Sidenote: _Gyldas_. _Beda_. _H. Hunt._]
Gyldas and Beda make no mention of Vortimer, but declare that
after the Saxons were receiued into this land, there was a couenant
made betwixt them and the Britains, that the Saxons should defend the
countrie from the inuasion of enimies by their knightlie force: and
that in consideration therof, the Britains should find them prouision
of vittels: wherewith they held them contented for a time. But
afterwards they began to pike quarrels, as though they were not
sufficientlie furnished of their due proportion of vittels,
threatening that if they were not prouided more largelie thereof, they
would surelie spoile the countrie. So that without deferring of
[Sidenote: The miserable destruction made by the Saxons in
this land.]
time, they performed their woords with effect of deeds, beginning
in the east part of the Ile, & with fire and swoord passed foorth,
wasting and destroieng the countrie, till they came to the vttermost
part of the west: so that from sea to sea, the land was wasted and
destroied in such cruell and outragious manner, that neither citie,
towne, nor church was regarded, but all committed to the fire: the
priests slaine and murthered euen afore the altars, and the prelats
with the people without anie reuerence of their estate or degrée
dispatched with fire and swoord, most lamentablie to behold.

Manie of the Britains séeing the demeanour of the Saxons, fled to
the mounteins, of the which diuers being apprehended, were cruellie
slaine, and other were glad to come foorth and yeeld themselues to
eternall bondage, for to haue reléefe of meate and drinke to asswage