Thus by that which Gyldas writeth of the kings and rulers of the Britains, which liued in his daies, ye may perceiue that they were giuen to all manner of wickednesse, and namelie to ciuill dissention, rapine, adulterie, and fornication:  so that it may be thought, that GOD stirred vp the Saxons to be a scourge to them, and to worke his iust vengeance vpon them for their wickednesses and abhominable offenses dailie c[=o]mitted against his diuine maiestie, so that we find recorded by writers, how that the Saxons in diuers conflicts against the Britains had the better, and also tooke from them diuers townes, as alreadie partly hath beene and also hereafter shall be shewed.

It is furthermore to be remembred, that about the 14 yeere of the [Sidenote:  559. Hen Hunt.] Britaine king Conanus his reigne, which was about the end of the yere of Christ 559, Kenrike king of the Westsaxons, departed this life, after he had reigned xxv. yeeres complet.  This Kenrike was a victorious prince, and fought diuers battels against the Britains.  In the 18 yeere of his reigne which was the 551 of Christ, we find that he fought against them, being come at that time vnto Salisburie, and after great slaughter made on both parts, at length the victorie remained with the Saxons, and the Britains were chased.  Againe in the two and twentith yeere of his reigne, and 555 yeere of Christ, the same Kenrike and his sonne Cheuling fought with a great power of Britains at Branburie.

The Britains were diuided into nine companies, three in the fore ward, three in the battell, and three in the rere ward, with their horssemen and archers, after the maner of the Romans.  The Saxons being ranged in one entire battell, valiantlie assailed them, and notwithstanding the shot of the Britains, yet they brought the matter to the triall of handblowes, till at length by the comming on of the night, the victorie remained doubtfull:  and no maruell is to be made therof (saith Henrie archdeacon of Huntington) sith the Saxons were men of huge stature, great force & valiant courage.  The same yeere that Kenrike deceassed, Ida the king of Northumberland also died:  he was (as ye haue heard) a right valiant prince, & inlarged the dominion of the Saxons greatlie, he ouercame Loth king of the Picts in battell, and Corran king of Scots.

[Sidenote:  560. Hen Hunt.] Also about the yeere of Christ 560, Conanus (as yet gouerning the Britains) Irmenrike king of Kent departed this life, of whome ye haue heard before, & Ethelbert his sonne succeeded him 52 yeeres.  Then after that the foresaid three princes were dead (as before ye haue heard) they had that succeeded them in their estates as here followeth.  After Kenrike, his sonne Ceaulinus or Cheuling succeeded in gouernement of the Westsaxons:  and after Ida, one Ella or Alla reigned in Northumberland:  after Irmenrike followed his sonne Ethelbert in rule ouer the Kentish Saxons.