liv'd at Comkyl, and who had the Repute of a Wizard, what his Success would be in this War. Her Answer was, That the King should not live long, and bis Danger would arife, not from his Enemies, but from his Domeftics. Whereupon he prefs'd the Woman to tell him, which of his Servants would be the Man. She Anfwer'd, Even from thy felf, Sir. Upon this, he laugh'd at her, not thinking it poffible that he could be tempted to do fuch an Action: But, as he return'd Home, he begun to think with himself, that the Woman's Answer could not be conceal'd from the King; and that it was not fafe for him to tell it, for Fear of raifing Nathalocus's Jealoufy against him; and confidering likewise, how much he was hated by the whole Nation, he refolv'd to Murder him, not doubting thereby to ingratiate himfelf with Findochus,the Lawful Heir of the Crown. So foon then as he arriv'd at the Court, Nathalocus call'd him into his Chamber, being anxious to know what Answer he had got; and Nathalocus being troubled with a Flux and having gone to eafe Nature, Murray took the Opportunity of stabbing him with a Dagger, whilft he was expecting no fuch Treatment from him, after he had Ufurp'd the Crown, Eleven Years, and in the Year of our Lord 253. Murray, after this Action, posted to the Army of the Royalists, and acquainted them with what he had done. Whereupon FINDOCHUS, Atbirco's Eldeft Son, was immediately Proclaim'd King. This Prince was endow'd with many Natural Accomplishments, being very Beautiful, of a tall Stature, and in the Flower of his Age, which render'd him very acceptable to his Subjects. Neither did he deceive their Expectations; for, in his ordinary Deportment, he was very Courteous; in Adminiftrating of Juftice, Equal and Impartial; and a Conscientious Performer of all his Promises. In the Beginning of his Reign, Donald of the Illes, fo call'd, because he was the Principal Chiftain amongst the Islanders, rofe up in Rebellion, under the Pretence of Revenging Nathalocus's Death: But he was overthrown by Findochus, and Drown'd in a Boat, in which he was endeavouring to make his Efcape. His Son, Donald, attempted to Revenge his Father's Death: But Findochus overcame him likewife, and oblig'd him to fly into Ire land, where he ftaid for fome Years; and, upon the King's promifing him his Protection, he return'd, yet not with a Defign of becoming a Dutiful and Loyal Subject, but of Murdering the King fecretly. For that End, being afraid to trust himself to the King's Clemency, he fent Two of his Friends to the Court; who, when there, told the King of the great Severities they had met with from Donald, upon the Account of their Loyalty to him, on purpose to ingratiate themselves with the King: But, he not trufting them, they ventur'd to reveal their De fign to Carantius the King's Brother, whom they found to be a Prince of an Unbounded Ambition. He, encouraging the Defign, got them the Liberty of being frequently admitted in the King's Train, when he went to the Hunting; and one Day, as they were at this Sport with the King, having got him all alone, they run him thro' with a Hunting Spear, in the Tenth Year of his Reign, and in the Year of our Lord 263. when the rest were gone off in Queft of the Game: But they no fooner return'd to the Place where they had left the King, and found him Murder'd, than they pursued the Murderers, and catch'd them, K who, who, upon their having confefs'd all that was laid to their Charge, were torn to Pieces Alive. Carantius made his Escape unto the Romans, and became afterwards very Famous for his Martial Atchievements, under the Reign of Probus and Dioclefian, as the Reader will find afterward. DONALD II. fucceeded to his Brother Findochus. Donald of the Iles, being advertis'd of the Succefs of his Defign against Findochus, march'd into Murray, with a Powerful Army of Robbers and Thieves, who came to him from all Parts of the Country: Whereupon the King, with a few of his Army, went ftraight against him, having left a Command for the reft to follow. Donald, being inform'd by his Spies, that he had but a finall Force with him,march'd Day and Night; and, by this means, surpriz'd the King, and put him upon the Neceffity of Fighting, before the reft of his Army could come up. Nevertheless the King perform'd more than could have been expected from fo fmall a Number: But at length, he was overcome by the Multitude of his Enemies, and, being fore wounded, was taken Prifoner, with Thirty of his Nobility: Befides, there were 3000 Soldiers flain, and 2000 taken. The King Died within Three Days after, either of his Wounds, or for the Grief of his Overthrow, in the First Year of his Reign, and in the Year of our Lord 264. Crathilinthus, the Son of King Findochus, at this time had not fully attain'd to the Age, that was fit for Heading any Party or Army; and therefore he was kept fecretly, for fome Years, with his Foster-Father. Mean while,DONALD of the Ifles Ufurp'd the Crown. Never was there a more Bloody Tyrant than he prov'd: For, he put a great Number of the Nobility to Death; and he was never obferv'd to Smile, but when they told him of fome Murder or Diffention, that had hapned. At length Carthilinthus, having attain'd to a competent Age, discover'd himself to those of the Nobility, whom he trufted moft to; and, having got a small Party of them together, he attack'd this ufurper, amidft his Guards, at Enverlochy, and kill'd him with Two Hundred of them; and the reft who fled into Athol,were most of them put to Death there,upon the News of Crathilinthus his appearing, whom they suspected to have been Dead. This Ufurper was kill'd in the Twelfth Year of his Reign, and in the Year of our Lord 273. CRATHILINTHUS, Son to Findochus, being Proclaim'd King,and acknowledg'd as the only Lawful Heir of the Crown, the First thing he did, was to take effectual Methods for fuppreffing of any Infurrections that might be attempted by the Islanders; whereby he put it out of their Power to Difturb his Government. Then he Travel'd over all the Kingdom, and Rectify'd such Abuses, as had been committed during the late ufurpation; and Administrated Juftice impartially to all his Subjects. After this, he renew'd the Ancient League,between the Scots and Picts, with Thalargus King of the Picts. But, at a Match of Hunting between them, upon the Grampian Hills, they were like to have been at greater Discord than ever. For, the Pits having taken away one of Crathilintbus's Hounds,the Mafter of the Game was fent to demand him back again. This being not only refus'd, but he himself kill'd in endeavouring to recover the Hound, the Attendants upon the Two Kings immediately fell in Blood, and there were 3000 Scots, and 2000 Picts kill'd upon the Place. About About this time Carantius,or Caraufius as the Romans call him (g), Findochus's Brother, formerly mention'd, having, by his great Courage, rais'd his Reputation amongst the Romans, was imploy'd to fecure the Belgic and Armorican Coafts, then infefted by the Francs and Saxons. By this, he fo enrich'd himself, that the Emperor Dioclefian begun to be afraid of him; and therefore Order'd his Partner, in the Empire, Maximian, to put him to Death. Carantius, being inform'd of this, affum'd to himself the Title of Emperor; and, knowing how acceptable it would be to the Scots and Picts, that the Romans fhould be expel'd out of Britain, he came with his Fleet,and Landed his Forces upon the Coast nigh to the Dominions of the Scots and Picts. Then hearing, that these Two Nations were at Variance,he fent to his Nephew Crathilinthus an Account of his Adventures, and how that he had rais'd himself to fuch Greatness meerly by his Valour; that all he defign'd, was to be King of that Part of Britain, which the Romans Poffefs'd; that he was altogether Innocent of what had been laid to his Charge,about his Brother's Death; that he would willingly meet with him, and agree Matters betwixt him and the Picts. Crathilinthus willingly embrac'd the Propofal, and met with him at the River Carron,which had its Name from him, if we may believe Nennius. Here the Two Kings were not only reconcil'd to one another, but likewife they join'd their Forces, with Carantius, to affift him in the Conqueft of South Britain. After this, Carantius Fought and Defeat Baffanus, the Roman Lieutenant, and reduc'd all South Britain to his Obedience. Then he strengthned his Fleet, by building feveral Ships after the Roman Fashion, prefs'd the Gallic Merchants to his Service, Garifon'd Bononia in Gaul, and Converted the Revenues of Britain and Battavia to his own Ufe. Moreover, by the Hopes of Booty in the Provinces, he drew no fmall Forces of the Barbarians to his Alliance, particularly the Francs, whom he had train'd to Sea-fervice, and infefted all the Sea-coafts about him. Maximian, with a brave Army, march'd against him; and being advanc'd to the Sea-coaft, the want of Sea-Men, and the Danger of the British Seas, occafion'd him to make a Hault, and to come to a Treaty, in which it was concluded, That Carantius fhould enjoy the Government of South Britain, as the propereft Perfon to Defend the Inhabitants, tpon the account, no doubt, of his Relation to the Scots and Pictish Kings. This he held, with great Authority and Perfect Peace, for Seven Years together: But, when Conftantius was made Cæfar by Maximian, and took the Town of Bononia, Carantius was treacherously flain by Allectus his Bofom Friend and Prime Minister. This Account, which our Hiftorians give of the Birth and Rife of Carantius, fays the Learn'd and Judicious Lord Ormond, has a greater Air of Truth and Probability in it, when duly confider'd, than to think, as others have afferted, that he was a Roman Exile, and a Britain of a Mean and Unknown Extract. Towards the later End of Crathilinthus's Reign, there was a dreadful Perfecution of the Christians, by the Emperor Dioclefian. Whereupon feverals of them, are faid to have come here; and that Crathilinthus built a Church for them in the Isle of Man, and made Amphibalus, their Bishop. Amongst these Chriftians,our Hiftorians mention Amphibalus, Modocus, Prifcus, Calanus, Ferranus, Ambianus, Carnocus, &c. But the (6) Vid. Eutrop. Paul. Diacon. Pomp. Læt. &c, K 2 Nar Narratives of their Christian Zeal and Courage are so obscur'd by the Fictitious Fancies of After-ages, that we can fcarce difcover, what thefe Perfons were, nor the Place or manner of their Living. Amidst these Tranfactions, King Crathilinthus Died in the Thirty Fourth Year of his Reign, and in the Year of our Lord 313. FINCOR MACHUS, his Coufin-German fucceeded him. In the Beginning of this Prince's Reign, Octavius, whom the South Britains had made Choice of for their King, receiv'd an Overthrow from Traberus, the Roman Lieutenant for Conftantine the Great; and having fled for Protection to Fincormachus, Traberus demanded him, otherwise he Threatned to make him know, what it was to refift the Romans. Fincormachus, in Answer to this, sent the Roman Lieutenant word, that he would not only Protect Octavius, but come with an Army, and restore him to his Throne, in fpite of the Roman Power. Accordingly he came with an Army of 30000 Scots, 20000 Picts and 10000 Britains, fought Traherus, kill'd 15000 of his Men,and himself was oblig'd to fly to France, as fome fay; or to the Ifle of Wight, as others affirm. The Britains were fo Senfible of the Good Service, that Fincormachus had done them at this Juncture, that they confirm'd the Gift of the Lands of Cumberland and Weftmorland to the King of Scots and his Pofterity, which had been formerly given to them by Carantius. Thereafter Octavius, beginning to Repent of what he had done, was preparing to make War against the Scots, for recovering of these Countries: But he was surpriz'd and defeat by Traherus, who had return'd with 20000 Men; and not daring, because of his Breach of Faith, to fly either to the Scots or Picts, he fail'd over to Norway. Yet upon the Death of Traberus he return'd, and was reftor'd to his Throne, for a Third Time. After this, he liv'd in Great Friendship and Peace with the Picts and Scots. Mean while, Fincormachus Died in the Fourty Seventh Year of his Reign, being the Year of our Lord 358. Fincormachus left Two Sons behind him, Ethodius and Eugenius, who, being of Nonage, were Transported, by their Friends, to the Isle of Man; whilft there arofe a great Conteft for the Crown between Three Coufin-Germans, begot by the Three Brothers of Crathilinthus, viz. Romachus, Fethelmachus and Angufianus or Eneanus. ROMACHUS, being the Eldeft Brother-Son, and affifted by the King of the Picts, who was his Coufin-German, expel'd the other Two, and was Declar'd King. But he was fo hated for his Tyranny and Avarice, that the People rofe up in Arms against him, defeat his Forces,and endeavouring to make his Efcape to the Picts, he was taken in his Flight, had his Head cut off and expos'd to the Mob,in the Third Year of his Reign, and in the Year of our Lord 361. Upon the Death of Romachus, ANGUSIANUS was recall'd, and Declared King in his Place. In the Beginning of his Reign, Nectanus, King of the Picts, invaded his Dominions, to Revenge the Death of his Coufin, Romachus: But Angufianus overcame him in Battel, and Pursued him the length of Cumelon. Yet notwithstanding of this Victory, Angufianus made Offers of a Peace to the Pics, very wifely confidering, how much their Mutual Jarrs might weaken them, and expofe them to their Enemies, the South Britains and Romans. Nevertheless Nectanus -was fo bent upon Revenge,that he would hear of no Conditions, but rais'd a a Powerful Army, and march'd into Caledonia, where he was met by Angufianus; and, after a Bloody Conflict, in which both the Kings were kill'd, the Armies retired to their refpective Countries, none of them having reason to boast of the Victory; and a Peace, for fome time, was agreed betwixt them. Angufianus was kill'd in the Second Year of his Reign, and in the Year of our Lord 363. In this King's Reign, liv'd S. Cataldus, Bishop of Tarentum, whose Life you have in the First Volume of this Work, Page 343. FETHELMACHUS fucceeded to Angufianus. In the Beginning of his Reign, he invaded the Pictish Dominions, laid waste the Countries of Angus and Fife, kill'd Nectamus their King, Brother to the former Nectanus, in Battel; and brought them to fuch a low Condition, that, finding themselves too weak to oppofe the Scots by Arms, their King, Herguftus, had Recourfe to Fraud and Treachery; and by the Means of two Pics, who feign'd themselves to be Scots Men, and fuborned one of his Harpers, they Stabbed Fethelmachus, with a Dagger, in the Night-time, in the Seventh Year of his Reign, and in the Year of our Lord 369. The Murderers were apprehended, and torn in Pieces by Wild Horfes. In this King's Reign, S. Regulus came to the Pidifh Dominions, with the Relicts of S. Andrew. The Hiftory of which you have in the First Volume of this Work, Page 237. and 238. Upon the Death of Fethelmachus, EUGENIUS I. Son to Fincormacbus, who had now attain'd to a competent Age, was Declar'd King. Maximus, the Roman Lieutenant in Britain, being inform'd to what a low Pals the Picts were reduc'd to, by the Scots, made an Offer, of his Friendship to their King Herguftus: Which he, no ways fufpecting his Defign of bringing them both under Subjection, willingly embrac'd. So the Roman and Pictish Forces, being join'd, march'd against Eugenius, and defeat him and his Army, upon the Banks of the River of Cree, in Galloway: But, an Infurrection arifing amongst the South Britains, Maximus was oblig'd to return with his Forces, without purfuing the Victory any further. The Scots,upon this,made an Incurfion upon the Pidifh Dominions, and laid waste their whole Country. The next Year, Maximus return'd with a great Army, and, being join'd by the Pics, fought a Bloody Battel with Eugenius, upon the Banks of the River Munda; where the Scots were entirely overthrown, and Eugenius was kill'd, fighting valiantly for his Country; and his Brother, Etbodius, was taken Prifoner. The Old Men, amongst the Caledonians, who had gather'd,from all the Parts of the Kingdom,to fee the Event of this Battel, and had follow'd the Army at a Diftance, seeing, from the tops of the Mountains, that all was going to Ruine, came down upon the Romans with a huge Shout and Noife: But they were involv'd in the fame Calamity, and had no other Satisfaction fave that of Sacrificing their Lives for their Country. After this, Maximus was willing to take the Scots under his Protection, upon the fame Conditions that the other Conquer'd Nations were. But the Picts were fo bent upon Revenge, that they earnestly infifted, that the Scots fhould all of them be cut off, Root and Branch. Maximus, aiming then at the Empire; was unwilling to give such early Proofs of his Tyrannical Nature:Therefore he only Order'd, by an Edict, That, against fuch a Day, all the Scots, of what Age, Sex or Condition foever, fhould Depart from their L Na: |