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name of the Parisians there inhabiting: for, called it was by the
Britans Caer Segonte, that is to say, the Citie of the
Segontiaci. And so Ninnius in his catalogue of cities named it:
wee at this day called Silcester: and Higden seemeth to clepe it
of the Britans Britenden: but this was the antient Vindonum, I am
induced to thinke by reason of the distance of Vindonum in
Antoninus, from Gallena or Guallenford, and Venta or Winchester:
and the rather because between this Vindonum and Venta, there is
still to bee seene a causey, or street-way. Ninnius recordeth,
that it was built by Constantius the sonne of Constantine the
Great, and called sometime Murimintum, happly, for Muri-vindum,
that is the wals of Vindon. For, this word Mur borrowed from the
provinciall language, the Britans retained still, and V. the
consonant, they change oftentimes in their speech and writing in
M. And to use the veri words [o]f Afinnius, though they seeme
ridiculous, the said Constantius, sowed upon the soile of this
citie three seedes, that none should be poore that dwelt therein
at any time. Like as Dinocrates, when Alexandria in AEgypt was a
building, strewed it with meale or flower (as Marcellinus
writeth) al the circular lines of the dr[a]ught, which being done
by chance, was taken for a fore-token, that the citie should
abound with al maner of victuails. He reporteth also, that
Constantius died here, and that his Sepulcher was to bee seene at
one of the gates, as the inscription sheweth. But in these
matters let Ninnius cleere his owne credit; for, stuffed hee hath
that little booke with many a pretty lie. Yet this I may be bold
to affirme, that it flourished in great honour about that time;
and I my selfe have lighted here upon verie many peeces, of the
coine of Constantine, the younger sonne to Constantine the Great:
which in their reverse have the portraict of an house with this
inscription PROVIDENTIA CAES. Now that this Constantius whom he
maketh the builder of this citie, died at Mopsuestia in Cilicia,
and was interred in Constantinople in the Sepulcher of his
Ancestours, it is knowen for certaine and confessed. Yet I will
not denie, but that he might have in this citie a monumnent
erected in honour and remembrance of him. For, many there were
that had such monuments built, about which the souldiers, werre
wont yeerely to just, and keepe solemne turneaments in honour of
the dead.
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When the declining Romane Empire hastened to an end, and
barbarous nations began everie where to waste and spoile the
Provinces: their armies heere in Britaine, fearing least the
flame of this fire, wherewith their next neighbours in France,
were consumed, would catch hold of them, set up and created
Emperours to themselves: first Marcus, then Gratian, whom they
soone slew: and last of all in the yeare after Christs birth 407,
our Constantine for his names sake, they forced wild he, nild he,
to usurpe the Empire, & to put on the imperiall purple robe in
citie Caer Segont, as both Ninnius and Gervais of Canterburie,
doe witnesse. This Constantine putting to sea out of Britaine,
landed at Bologne in France and drew all the Romane armies, even
as farre as the Alpes to side and joine with him in his warres.
Hee stoutly defended the Valentia in France, against the power of
Honorius the Emperour: the River Rhene which long before had
beene neglected, he fortified with a garrison. Upon the Alpes,
where any passage was, hee built fortresses. In Spaine, under the
conduct of his sonne Constans, whom of a Monke he had declared
Emperour, he warred fortunately: and afterwards having sent his
letters unto Honorius, and craved pardon for suffering the
souldiours: to put upon him the purple perforce, whether hee
would or no; he accepted at his hands the imperiall investure,
which he freely gave him. Whereupon being puffed up with pride,
after hee had passed the Alpes, his mind was wholy set upon a
journey Rome. but hearing that Alarichus the Gothe who had
favoured his part was dead, hee returned to Arles, where hee
settled his imperiall seat, casued the citie to bee called
Constantina, and commanded the courts and assemblies of seven
Proviinces, there to be holden. In the meane time Gerontius
excited the soldiers against their Lord, and when he had
treacherously slaine his sonne Constans aat Vienna in France,
besieged Constantine also himselfe within Arles. But after that
one Constantiius sent by Honorius with a great armie, made head
against him, Gerontius killed himselfe. And Constantine being now
streit
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