4 8 THE mod notable ANTIQUITY O F q%_EAT M.t6. Bifhops and Clergy of that Age. Their power moreover, and preheminence was not confined within the Ariel: limits of facred matters, but en- joying a more large prerogative, temporall negotiations, and affairs of State were tranfatled by them : the managing of Peace and War was ufually remitted to their Authority, even when Armies were ready to joyn in BattelU Tublica its (faith Strabo) isr prnvata judicia committuntur, & aliquando cau~ Strab, iib.tf fis bellorum difceptandisjam acie congrejfuros compofuerunt. Judges they were (faith CtfarAio) in almoft all civill and crimi- C£ f ar ji b6t nail caufes : fentence they gave in cafe of life and death : de- cide they did controverfies, and debates betwixt party and party: finally, whatever ehe was requifite and convenient to keep the people in due obedience to their Princes, they wholly took the care and charge of. Thefe were the maine affaires wherein the employment of the Druides confifted, and whereunto they wholly ad- dicted themfelves. Whofoever defires to know more of them, may read Qtftr, Viodorus Siculus y Strabo J mides } certainly, Stoneheng could not be builded by them, in regard, I find no mention, they were at any time either ftudious in Architecture, ( which in this fubjeel: is chiefly to be refpe&ed) or skiltull in any thing elfe condu- cing thereunto. For, Academies of Defigne were unknown unto them : publiquc Lectures in the Mathematics not read amongft them : nothing of their Painting, not one word of their Sculpture is to be found, or fcarce of any Sci- ence (Philofopbyznd Aftronomy excepted) proper to informe the judgement of an Jrchitett; who, (as VitruYms faith) Vitnli.%, Chould be peritus Graphidos, eruditus Geometria, O* Optices non B 2 ignarus 4 Stoneheng reftored. ignarus Sec. perfetl inDefigne, expert in Geometry, Toettfeenin the Opticks, skilfull in Jritbmetick, a good Hiftorian, a diligent bearer of fhilofopbers, well experienced in Thyfick, Mufick, Law and Aftrologie, Of all that have written of the Druid's, no Author knew them better then Ctfar , neither hath any more fully de- fcribed them 5 who after a large diicourfe of their CafarM.6. difcipline, priviledges, and Ibeologie, Multa de ftderibus ( faith he ) at que eorum mom, de mundi ae terrarum magnitti" dine, de rerum mtura, <&-c. difputant } thcmfclves and Religion both to be wholly extirpated and laid a fide. Tomponius Mela difcourfing of the Vruides, Vocent multa p omf , mylib.i6. Service, as flood only upon Okes • nay they fokmnized no Sacrifice, nor performed any facred Ceremonies without the branches, and leaves thereof^ from whence they mayfeem well enough to be named Dryada: in Greek, which figmfies a* much as Oke Priefts. The 'Ifymans having forced their paflage, and gained vi- ctory over the Vrutd's in Angle fey, cut down their woods and groves, amongft them reckoned holy, and confecrated to their execrable fuperftitions. Excifi luci (faith Tacitus) fevis /; f "£ fuperfiitionibusjacri. To this purpofe, Humphrey Lloid, in his hiftory of Wales, The vaft woods growing in thatlfland, were not only by the (Romans, but afterwards, when the Cbrifti.m Faith took place in this Nation, by the Chriftidns alfb fell'd and rooted out. And why ? becaufe of the idolatry (faith he) and ah- furd Religion ufed in them. Again, in his Epiftle to Orte- lius concerning the Ifle of Angkfey, the fame Author affirmes ; Though there is little wood now growing there, yet every day the roots and bodies of huge trees of a wonderfull length and bignefle are by the inhabitants found,and digged out of the earth, in divers places in low grounds, and cham- pion fields. Now, if in ftead of thefe roots, and bodies of trees, the mines of ancient Structures had been there found, it might per- 6 Stoneheng rejlored. peradventure, with fome probability, have been prefumed either that the.Druid's ufed Temples, or fome other buildings of ftone. For jtheir ancient feat was in the Ifle of Mom now Anglcfey, whence modern Writers ftyle it Infulam Druidum, the Ifland of the Druid's and fedem Druidum , the feat of the Druid's. And from hence, queftionlefle , it came to pafTe, the Romans, with fuch difficulty, under the con- duct of Suetonius Taulinus, brought that Ifland under their power ; nor was it wholly fubdued to their Empire, untill Julius Agricola's time. For, whereas in other parts of ( Britain y the people contended for Liberty only, there, they fought pro arts O'focis, for Liberty, and Religion both. Tacit Ann There it was the !BritiJh armies (faith Tacitus) being im- lihfii, battailed, the women ran to and fro amongft them in fable weeds, their hair about their ears, and fire-brands in their hands, like infernall furies, the Druid's round about them alio, lifting up their hands to Heaven, and pouring forth deadly curfes ; the novelty of which fight bred fuch amaze- ment in the (Roman Legions, (the Romans here, itfeems, were unacquainted with the Druid's till then) that they flood ftock ftill, and dole together, not once moving a foot, as if poflefied with a refolution to act nothing at all, but receive their deaths tamely and without any great refiftance. Wherefore, befides, that Hiftory hath not remembred the ruines of any ancient buildings digged up in Anglefey } if ei- ther, this Antiquity had been remaining in that Ifla?id } or any Author delivered fuch Actions of the Druid's, as aforefaid, performed about the place, where Stoneheng remains (land- ing, there might have been fome advantage made thereof to the purpofe now in hand. But Anglefey excepted, ancient Writers give them refidence in no part of Britain befide, nor are they remembred by any, to have been found elfewhere, throughout the whole Nation. With refpect whereunto, if the Druid's had knowledge, either to build the like magni- ficent ftructures, or ufe, for any fuch, [they would, without all peradventurc, have erected them upon the fame place ra- ther where themlelves rcfided, then elfwhere. Nci- Stoneheng reftored. 7 Neither are we to wonder, they chofe fuch an out-nook or corner as Anglefey i to reiide in ; in regard, there, they lived remote, and (binary ; there, were ftore of caves, and dens to inftruct their Scholars in,clofe and retired places for their own habitations, and plenty of groves to perform their facred myfteries in. Moreover, they paft their days there, like the Hermits of old time, according to their own de- fire, in full contentment, and with free liberty to ftudy, and contemplate what they pleafed. For, Anglefey (we muft know) in thole times of yore, was wholly overgrown with defert Woods, and oblcure forrefts, from whence the ancient Britans call'd it Tins t>owil y the fhadowy or dark Ifland. Which name it ftill retains, and is well known there- by to the now inhabitants, who are, even at this day, like- wife cnclined, (yea, they ulually accuftome themselves ) to commit things more to Memory ,then Writing ; and,as ha- ving received it by tradition from their Anceftors, living in thofe ancient times, ftill endevour to obferve that cuftom of the Druid's, "who held it unlawful! to commit any thing to writing. As Ctfar (in the fixth book of his Commenta- c ^f 6 ries of the Gaulifh War) delivers. Concerning the Britans in the next place, The condition of thofe ancient inhabitants of this Ifland in the Vruid'sumc duly confidered, (Vt%. in what manner they lived, how un- skilfull in all Sciences, and civill cuftoms, what Deities they had, in what places they adored them, and what man- ner of buildings, or facred orfecular, wereufed by them) as little reafon appears, that this Antiquity was by them erected. As for their manner of living, the Britans were then a fa- vage and barbarous people, knowing no ufe at all of gar- ments. Veftis ufum noncognofcunt (faith Heiodian.) Now, if /; /™ deftitute of the knowledge, even to clothe themlelves, much leflc any knowledge had they to erect ftately ftructures, or fuch remarkable works as Stoneheng. What faflhions they ufed to adorn their bodies with, the fame Author tells us. As a rare and rich habiliment , they ieore about their Wafts and om. lib.6. •Z- 8 Stoneheng rejlored. and necks ornaments of iron (faith he) and did pounce and colour their bodies with fundry forms , in rude manner repre- senting feVerall creatures. In which regard , they would not be otherwifc clothed, left conftrain'd thereby to hide fuch their fimple ( though with them much efteemed ) bravery. Again, in other their civill cuftoms, they were no lefle rude and ignorant j yea, fo barbarous, even in things ap- pertaining to common fuftenance, and whatever husban- Strabo li.$. dry ; that (as Strabo) Quidam eorum ob imperitiam cafeos nulhs confetant, cum tamen latle abundent : alii bortos coltndi, tsr aliarum partium agriculture ignarifunt. Many of them } though they had great plenty of milk^ytt their want of skill "was fuch } they knew not how to make cheefe : others fo fimple , they knew not to order their gardens or orchards, or any thing be longing thereunto. Their Countrey alio then lay uncultivated,no cern fbwn: Qti£\>is herba ood } faith DiodormSi- culus. ^ In the Northern parts they live in tents. Degunt in tento- riis, (faith Dion, epitomis'd by Xiphiline.) Their Cities were without walls, the Country without Strab. IH4. Towns. Urbium loco ipfisfunt nemora, (faith Strabo) woods Jiand them tnjiead of Cities or Towns. Arboribus enim dejeclis ubi amplum circulumfepieruntj ipfi cafas ibidem fibi ponunt, & peconfiabula con- dunt, ad ufum quidem non longi temporis. For when by felling of trees f they have inclofed, and fenced therewith a large circuit of wood, therein they raife cabbins and cottages for themfehes, and hovels for their cat- tell, of no great continuance, but only to fupply their prefent ufe and occafion. ' CdUrJib*. Opidum Britanni Vocant (faith Cdfar) quumfihas impeditas vaUo atque fojja munierunt, quo incur fionis hojlium toneljengeottt of 3)relantr 5 fptaKetl) ti)e ^f£ ttft) ftojp, if it t^oulD lawfully be ptroifceo. It appears, ${ainulph of Chcfler, as cafic credit as he gave to Grange ftories, had not much confidence in this : and if, according to Geffrey Monmouth, or Matthew Weflminfltr, I fhould fet it down, I prefume you would be or his mind. But, laffecl: not fuch conceits, they are neither fitting my dilcourfe, nor your perufall. Neverthelefle, feeing none of them tell us, by what ways,or Arts, Giants (as they will have it) brought them from the remoteft parts or Africk into Ire- land (for it feems they could not hanfomly find a Merlin to help them therein alfo) I fhall take lo much leave, follow- ing Geffrey Monmoutbs fteps, as to give you, at leaft, fome part of the ftory, and relate (according to their opinions ) how they came from Ireland hither. After Geffrey Monmouths dii- couvfe of Uter Tendragons \i£toty over the Injb, who with A/w/w* forfooth and a great Army, were fent by A.Amhrojms to fetch the Giants dance, Lapidum flrutlwam adepti (lakh he) gavjfifunt eaks them: life now your utm^fl flrength young men, that in taking amy thefe flows } you may difcoVer y whe- ther Art to ftrength, or ftrength gives place to Art. At his command therefore, they bring feVer all forts of engines, and addrefje them- f ehes to pulling it down. Some ropes, fome cables, fome had made la- thers ready, that what they fo much defired^ might be effetled, but in no wife able to atcheive their pwpofe. Defcientibus cun&is, jolutus eft Merlinus in rifum (faith Geffrey) (srfuat machin.ttwnes confe- cit, penique cum qmeque neceffaria appofuijfet - levius quam credi potefl Stoneheng reftored. 19 poteft lapides depofuit : depofitis autem y fecit deferri ad naVes, f rom the hiftorics of thofe times, further anfwer fo.91. thereunto ; Matbw Weftminfler eels us, A* Amhofw having com- Stoncheng rejlored. z } compleated his victories over Htngtfl, and fubdued his Tons at York ; Veinde porrexiffe ad monafterium Ambri, ubi principes defuntlijacebant, quos Hengiftus prodiderat ; from thence came to the Monafiery at Ambresbury, where the deceajed Nobles , whom Hengift betrayed , lay buried. And Geffrey Monmouth, profecu- cMgn.H.2. ting the fame ftoiy, affirms alfo, that A. Ambrofius being come to the Monastery, ut locum quo defuncliJAcebant ciicumfpe- xit, pietate motus in lachrymal folutusefl, dignum namqjue memoria cenfebat cejpitem, qui tot nobiles pro patria defunclos proteg.bat. So foon as he caflhis eyes upon the place where the Jl.mghtered Prin- ces lay interred, deplored them j efleeming that Very ground febich covered jo many Nobles y dying for their Comtreys cauje, worthy eter- nall memory. Upon this confideration, ( Pr 2 S- themfehes and Britans : whatfoeVer, remembred after Chrift taught inthislflandjofthefiiji Victories of the Saxons, being both t.iken up upon trujlfrom the mouth of the common people, and committed to Wri- ting from njulgar reports only. Neither the Britans, utterly worn out withfo many wars, had (as the fame Author hath it) or defire, or opportunity, had they defied it } to btftow their pains in compiling any whatever hifory, that might commend their atlions to fucceeding Ages. But, it may be objected : If Tolydore VirgiU^ and Geffrey Monmouth could neither bceye-witnefles themfelves,nor have authority from other more ancient Authors for what rela- ted by them concerning Stoneheng : and that from whatever writings ancient or modern, not any thing of certainty can be found out concerning the fame ; from whence then ap- pear, for what ule, or by whom Stoneheng erected ? I an- lwer, though not appear from Hiftories written either by the 'Britans or Saxons • yet, as Gildas profefling he wrote his Hiftory (for the former reafons ) by relations from beyond Sea : and, as Njnnim his out of the Annals and Chronicles of the holy Fathers as aforefaid : io, feverali other ways a poffibility of truth may be gathered, namely, from the au- thority of other Nations ; from the concurrence of time for fuch undertakings ; from the cuftoms of forepafled Ages in like works ; from the manner and form of building proper to feverali Countries; from the ufe to which fuch buildings applied, and the like. Upon which, as occafion ferves, intending hereafter more largely to infift, 1 fhall in the mean while fet down the judgement our late Writers give of this yintiqutty. Cam- 3 1 Stonebeng rejlored. Camden,* diligent fearcher after Antiquities of our Nation, having, in his Chorography of Wiltflme, collected all the afore- faid opinions, together with his own, gives a fummary de- Cam.fo.i51. icription of Stonebeng,ia words as follow. Towards the North, about fix milts from Salisbury, in the plain, is to befeen a huge and monfrous per ce of work, fucb as Cicero termetb mfanam fubftru- ctionem. For, within the circuit of a ditch, there are erected in manner (fa Crown j in three ranks or courfes one within another pertain mighty and unwroughtjlones, whereof fome are twenty eight foot high, <^" J even foot broad , upon the heads of which others , like oVerthwart peeces, do bear and rift cr of -wife, with afmall tenon and mortaifefo as the whole frame feemctb to bang ; whereof lee call it Stoneheng,//'ta as our old Hifonans termed it for thegreatnef theGiants dance.Our Countrimen reckon this for one of our wonders , and miracles. And much they mar- Veil, from whence fucb bugejlones were brought, confidering that in all tbofe quarters bordering thereupon, there is hardly to be found any common f one at all for building : as alfo, by what means thy werefet up. For mine own part about tbefe points I am not cunoufly to argue and difpute, but rather to lament "frith much grief, that the Authors of fo notable a Monument are thus buried in oblivion. Yet fame there are, that think them to be no natural! Jlones hewn out of the rock, but artificially made of pure find, and byjome glewy and unctuous mat- ter knit and incorporate together , like as tbofe ancient trophies or monuments of victory "which 1 haVe fen in Yorkfhire. And what marVcll? (Read we not 1 pray you in Pliny, that the find or duflof Puteoli , being covered over with water, becometh forthwith a very flow, that the cifterns in Rome of find, digged out of the ground, and tbeflrongefi kind of lime "wrought together grow fo bard, that they (can fones indeed? and that flatues and images of marble fialings and \mall grit grow together fo compact and firm, that they "were dee- med entire andjolid marble ? The common faying is, that Ambrofius Anrelianus, or bis bi other Uther did rear them up, by the art of Merlin,^ Thus far Camden, it being needlefle to repeat more from himjiaving already delivered the ftory from the Authors themfelves. Yet here neverthelefle, as neceflanly in- duced thereunto, 1 fhall take leave to oblerve fomething more remarkable to our purpofe in hand,upon his words. In Stoneheng refiored. . 3 3 In the fit ft place then, Stoneheng is by him called a huge and monfkrous pd'ce of ipo/k, terming it from Cicero, infanam fub- ftrutlionm. To which 1 fay, had Camden as well attained other abilities of an Architect, as he was skilfull in Antiqui- ties: or been as converfantin Antiquities abroad, as learned in thofe of his own Nation, he would have given a far dif- ferent judgement hereof. For, whofocver is acquainted with the ancient ruines yet remaining in and about Italy y mayeafily perceive this no fuch huge building, either for the circuit of the work, or bignefte of the ftones, they being as manageable to the ^oman Architects y as amongft us to raife a May-pole, or mart of a Ship. And, if this fty led huge and monjlrous^ what may be faid of Diocletians baths ? the great Cirque ? Marcellus his Theater ? Vefpafians Temple of Peace? and other prodigious works of the Romans ? the very re- mainders whereof now lying in the duft,breed amazement and wonder (not without juft reafon too) in whoibever beholds them with attcntivenefle and judgement. Nay, whereas he ftyles it infanam fubflrutlionem , it's demon- ftrable, that betwixt this Ifland of great 'Britain^ and fay what they pleafe, Henry Huntingdon (his Contemporary, if not more Ancient) H.Uunting. is mine Author, Nee poteft aliquis excogitare 3 qua arte tanti la~ W.i. pides adeoin altum eleVatiJunt, Vel quare ibi conftruSli funt. 7>{o man knows (faith Huntingdon) for "tobatcaufe Stoneheng eretled, or (which is fully anfwered already) by what Art fuch huge ftones were raifed to fo great a height. Take with you alfo Dray- tons judgement in his Toly-olbion couched under the fiction of old Wanfdikes depraving Stoneheng. (Wan/dike being a huge C4m.fo.2p. Ditch in Wtltftrire fo called, anciently, as Camden opines, di- viding the two Kingdomes of the Mertians and Wejl Saxons afunderj Poij-oibm Whom for a paltry ditch , W;e« Stone nc\ge pleas' d t 'upbraid , Mt.$. jj ?£ Q jj mm ta fo n g h e art } thus to that Trophy J aid j Dull heap, that thus thy head above the reft dojl reare^ (Precifely yet not know ft who fir ft did place thee there • ButTraytor bajely turnd to Merlins skill doft flie, And with his Magicks doft thy Makers truth bdie. For, as for that ridiculous Fable, of Merlins tranfporting the ftones out of Ireland by Magick, it's an idle conceit. As alfo, that old wives tale, that for the greatnefle it was in elder times called the Giants dance. The name of the dance of Giants by which it is ftyled in Monmouth ,hath nothing allufive, no not fo much as to the tale he tels us, faith a modern Writer in the life of Nero C ts or Dejign, of which Jrchitetlure chief, were utterly loft even in Rome it lelf , much more in Britain, being then but a Tempeft-beaten Province, and utterly abando- ned by the 'Romans, Britain, therefore, being over-run w ith enemies, and the know ledge of Arts then loft amongft them : none^ueftionleflejCan reafonably apprehend Co no- table a work as Stoneheng could in fuch times be built. That, amongft the Romans and Britans b.ith, A. Ambrojius governing here, all Sciences were utterly peiifhed, is evi- dently manifeft. For, the Goths had then invaded Italy • and thatvaft Empire drooping with extreme Age, by the fatall irruption of ftrange Nations, was not only torn in peeces, but Stoneheng rejlored. 4 i but Bdthmfme having trod learning under foot, and the fword bearing more fway then letters, or learned men, all Sciences were neglected ; and particularly that of 'Building fell into fuch decay, that till or Jare about the year one thou- fand five hundred and ten, it lay (wallowed up, and (as! may fo fay) buried in oblivion. When one Bramante of the Dutchy of Urbin f attaining admirable perfection in Ar» S&U&4& chitetlure, reftored to the woild again, the true rules of buil- ding, according to thole Orders, by the ancient Romans in their moft flour ifhing times oblerved. Furthermore, not onely liberall Sciences and Architecture, but Art military alfo, about the time or J. Ambrojius, was Co tar loft amongft the %?mans, thauhey were ignorant, yea, in the very rudi- ments ot War. lnfomuch, (as ( Procopius in his fecond Book of the Gothick Wars relate) B^bartjm had bereft them of the skill, even in what manner to found a retreat. With us here al(b, the Saxons domineer'd over all, and A. jimbrofius with the Britans had enough to do, in endea- vouring the recovery of their loft Countrey from a mighry prevailing Enemy, that in few years afterwards (maug-e all the ways which force or policy could invent) conquered the whole Nation. Among other calamities attending that milerable Age, Camden (from William ofMalmsbury) direct- ly to the purpoic in hand tels us. Cum Tyrannt ntdlum in agris /-J.g. * pr{orthamptonfhire y then, confining the Iceman Dominion to the Weftward. Which Troops there- fore, lay doubtlelTe, in very great danger if not timely re- lieved ; eipecially in cafe Boaiicia fhould conduct her Ar- my that way ; as, ere long afterwards fhe did fo far as Veru- lam ; this courfe being taken by her, not improbably, in purfuit of Suetonius, Neither was it very dangerous for the ijtymun Generall to lead his Forces that way, the Enemies main ftreng h lying about Camalodumm. Howfoever,whc- ther he marched up to them or no, concluded it is, he made his recreat towards hom(he marched flraight againfl her foes, And them Vnwares bejides the Seuerne did enclofe, Suetonius, when refolving for fight, deligit locum artis fau- Sal **" ^ nu » ^ * te, &° fi^* daufum, jam cognito, nihil hojlium nifi in fronte, isr apertam planitiem ejje fine metu infidiarum. Choofed a pi ice with a narrow entrance, enclojed behind "frith a wood, being well afjwed, he had no enemies but before him, and the Plain being open wm without fear ofAmbufh, Thus Tacitus describes the field, the tinman Stoneheng rejlored. 49 ( I(pman Army confifting of fcarce ten thoufand armed men. In what pare of 'Britain ibever this Plain lay, it was, for cer- tain, of no great extent, being hardly able to contain the vaft multitudes of 'Boadicia 's Army ; computed two hundred and thirty thouland fighting men, by 'Dion, and therefore could not poflibly be Salisbury Plain. For, the Britans placing their carts and wagons fupra extrcmum ambitum campi, in the titmoft borders of the field, had fo environed their Army there- with, that upon the rout given, they could hardly flee away, quia circumjetla having in lib, 61. Stoneheng reflored. 5 1 in her fpeech before the Battell infmuated the fenny pares thereof, as a refuge if the worft mould happen. In what C untreys elfe could they recruit ? where falling lick fhe died, (whether by violent or naturall death is not materi- all) and as ever obferved among all Nations, was, no doubt, buried in her own territories, among the graves of her renowned Anceftors. That the®/ itms, unt\\\ Julius Jgricolas time, had learned Ner.Caf, nothing (as Jnonymus takes fpeciall notice) but to fight , and f°- n 7- Ti?ere no I ■andicraftjmen, whereby they might be capable of erecting luch works as Stoneheng, being already fully proved from Tacitus, I will adde, the ringleaders or heads of com- motions againft Empires and Commonwealths were an- ciently, (in many Countreys at this day) not only them- felves punifhableby the Laws with death, but their whole families and kindred though guiklefle, fuflered in like man- ner • their very houfes alio, being razed to the ground, left any knowledge of fuch pernicious undertakings fhould re- main vifible topofterity : and a capitall crime ic was, in whomfoever that reftor'd them. How comes it then, 'Boa- dicta the pnncipall promoter, and Head of an infurrection s >*non.i» fo farall, as accounted by Suetonim Tranquillus , among the infortunate lolTes of the (Roman Empire, and the more igno- Dim c r minious by a womans conduct, fhould be permitted by the Hb.6z. conquering Romans, a monument to eternize her fame to fucceeding Ages ? Boadicia y t-hat ript up the bellies of the (Roman Legionaries, and cutting out their bowels impal'd their bodies upon burning (takes , that hanged up the moft noble and honourable (Roman Dames naked, and llicing off their paps,fowed them to their mouths, as in act of eating them ■ that in fcalding water boiled the (Roman infants, and young children to death ; their Parents, Husbands, and Commanders unable to relieve them, but enforced to give way, and happy in fo faving themfelves from the cruell in- humanities or the Conquerejfe. We fought for to li\e, faith Taci- tus. Yet, when ere long afterwards, victorioufly recovering 'Britain to C whom the Senate and People of (Rome, in all fblemne manner deified : What opprefled Brifrm, durfi undertake the railing a publick Monument to the honour ofvancjuifhedSo^Vw, whom the State (in all reafon) Stone -heng rejlored. ^ reafon) for ever declared enemy to the Q^oman Empire ? And though, after a long fucceilion of years, the Romans abandoned this Ifland, yet, when departed, the Britain were left in fuch deplorable condition, (at large declared before) that, albek her name never (b glorious among them, they had much more to do, in faving their own miierable lives from plague, famine, and the fword, then any opportunity, or ability to erect whatever Monument to the glory of ffoadi- cia. But, of this enough ; the invalidity oiAnonymus opini- on efpecially refpedted. The difcovering the original! foun- dation of an Antiquity Co famous,being not to be enforced by jealous fufpicions, raifed upon bare and groundlefle con- jectures. THIS Antiquity (call'd by Henry Huntingdon, Tlxfecond: by Toly-olbion Fir ft "bonder of the land ) becaule the Architraves are let upon the heads of the upright ftones , and hang ( as it were ) in the air , is generally known by the name o£Stone-beng. It is fited upon the Plain in the County of Wilt/hire in England, not far from Ambref- bury (the foundations of whofe ancient buildings,frequently digged up, render it to have been in times paft a Town of no fmall fame) fix miles at lcaft from ncvjSalisbury northwards. The whole work,in generall, being of a circular form,is one hundred and ten foot diameter, double winged about without a roof, anciently environed with a deepTrench,ftill appearing about thirty foot broad. So that, betwixt it, and the work it felf, a large and void fpace of ground being left, it had, from the Plain, three open entrances, the moft con- spicuous thereof lying North-eaft. At each of which, was raifed, on the outfide of the Trench aforefaid, two huge ftones gate-wife, parallel whereunto, on the infide two others of lefle proportion. The inner part of the work,con- fifting of an ExagonaU figure, was raifed, by due fymmetry, upon the tales of four equilaterall triangles, (which for- med the whole ftructurej this inner part likewife was double, %6 Stone-heng rejlored. double, having, within italfo, another Exagon railed, and all that part within the Trench ficed upon a commanding ground, eminent, and higher by much, then any of the Plain lying without, and, in the midil thereof, upon a foun- dation of hard chalk, the work it felf was placed. Info- much, from what part foever they came unto it, they rofe by an eafie afcending hill. Which, that it may be the more clearly demonftrated, (being by mc, with no little pains, and charge meafured, and the foundations thereof diligently fearched) I have reduced into T>efy\ y not onely as the ruine thereof now ap- pears, but as (in my judgement) it was in its priftine per- fection. And that the groundplot, with the uprights, and profyleofthe whole Work may the morediftin&ly beun- derftood, I have purpofely counterfigncd each Dcfign of them with Numbers, and the particular parts thereof with Letters. Nu. i Signifies the Plant of the whole work in general!, with the Trench round about it, drawn by a fmall fcale, that it may be feen all at one view. A The Trench. B The Intcrvall betwixt the Trench and Work. C The Work it (elf; in the inmoft part whereof, there is a ftone appearing not much above the furface of the earth, (and lying towards the Eaft) four foot broad, and fixteen foot in length. Which, whether it might be an Altar or no, I leave to the judgement of others, becaufe fo overwhelmed with the mines of the Work, that I could make no fearch after ic, but even with much difficulty, took the aforefaid proportion thereof. Yet for my part, I can apprehend no valid reafon to the contrary, except that the whole con- ftru&ure Stoneheng reftored. 57 ftructure being circular in form, the Altar fliould rather have been placed upon the center of the Circle, then encli- ningto the circumference. Neverthelefle it cannot be deni- ed, but being fo fited, the (///(as 1 may call it) was there- by left more free, for the due performance of thole feverall fuperftitious rites, which their Idolatry led them to. Be- fides, though the Akare amongft the Ancients was exalted and raifed fomwhat high above the earth ,• yet, their Am was made quadrangular, not very high, and as fome will have ic clofe to the ground, being conlecrated as well to the fupernall as infernall Deities : and therefore in re- Rofm.Ub.%, fpect of the form, it may hold well enough it was anci- ently an Altar. 9 D Thefuppofed Altar, E The great ftones which made the entrances from the outfide of the Trench, feven foot broad, three foot thick, and twenty foot high. F The parallel ftones, on the infide of the Trench, four foot broad, and three foot thick ; but they lie fo broken, and ruined by time, that their proportion in height cannot bediftinguifht, much lefle exactly meafured. G The fcale of fifty foot. The Vefign follows* NU.: Stoneheng rejlored. 5P Dililt, in a les making npofed. lire&Iy op- !, (even foot fifteen foot ins mortai- i, through- ntraVes, be- the perpen- equallbta- n wrought, : concluded ut this out> Foot and an ligh. Thefe d perpendi- 10 Architrave 5 being coo ig alfo too richout dan- there could .ining for a y the great- The Stoneheng reflored. 59 Nu. 2 The Groundplotof the work, as when firft built, in a greater form, with the foure equilaterall triangles making the Scbeame, by which the whole work was compofed. H The fix principall entrances, three whereofdirectly op- pofite to thofe of the Trench. I The ftones which made the outward Circle, (even foot in breadth; three foot and an half thick, and fifteen foot and an half high: each ftone having two tenons mortai- fed into the Architrave, continuing upon them, through- out the whole circumference. For, thefe Architraves, be- ing joynted directly in the middle of each of the perpen- dicular ftones that their weight might have an equall bea- ring, and upon each fide of the joynt a tenon wrought, (as remains yet to befeen) it may pofitively be concluded thereby , the Architrave continued round about this ouc» ward circle. K Thefmaller ftones of the inner circle, one foot and an half in bredth, one foot thick, and fix foot high. Thefe had no Architraves upon them, but were railed perpendi- cular, ofapyramidallform. That, there was no Architrave upon thefe, may be hence concluded, the ftones being coo fmall to carry fuch a weight, the fpaces being alfo too wide, to admit of an Architrave upon them without dan- ger of breaking, and being but fix foot high, there could not, poflibly, be a convenient head-height remaining for a palTage underneath, Specially, confidering fully the great- nefTe of the whole work. The 6o Stoneheng rejlored. L The ftones of the greater Hexagon^ feven foot and an half in breadth, three root nine inches thick, and twenty foot high, each ftone having one tenon in the middle. M The ftones of the Hexagon within, two foot fix inches in breadth, one foot and an half thick, and eight foot high, in form pyramidall, like thofe of the inner circle. The Scale which hath this mark, X, is of thirty foot, by which likewife all the enfuing Veftgns are drawn. The Defegn follows. Nu. 3 SffineViPticr vpflnrfiA. 1 | .-■■ f- ' H .- • . . hich the :ounter- i being each of foot and ,t ftones fixteen ree foot :ly from a void :en con- ccflarily the faid rg difpo- j and yec tided. joxkj as ldploc. Nu.5 61 Stoneheng re/lored. 6 1 Nu.3 The upright of the work, as when entire, in which the perpendicular ftones of the outward circle, are counter- figned with the Letter/, as in the groundplot. The Architrave lying round about upon them, being mortaifed into them, and joynted in the middle of each of the perpendicular ftones. This Architrave is three foot and an half broad, and two foot and an half high. The Architrave lying on the top of the great ftones of the Hexagon, and mortaifed alio into them, fixteen foot long, three foot nine inches broad, and three foot four inches high. This Architrave continuing onely from ftone to ftone, left betwixt every two and two, a void {pace free to the Air uncovered. For, if they had been con- tinued throughout the whole Hexagon, then neceffarily there muft have been two tenons upon each of the faid ftones, as thole of the outward circle had, but being difpo- fed as aforefaid,that one, which was in the middle, and yet remains apparent, was fufficient for the thing intended. 'Nu. 4 The Profyle, or cut, through the middle of the work, as entire, counterfigned with the Letters of the Groundplot. . The Vefigns follow. Nu.5 Ml Stoneheng rejlored* 6) Nu.5 The whole work in ProJpettiVe, as when entire, whereby the generall compofure of the particular parts of the up- rights, are together all feen : and, by which alio, the ftately Alpecl:, and magnificent greatnefle thereof, are fully, and more apparently confpicuous. Nu. 6 The Groundplot of the work, as it now Hands, counter- figned with the fame Letters by which the Plant marked Nk.2 is defcribed. The ftones of the greater Hexagon, and outward circle, after fo long conteft with the violence of time, and injury of weather, are for the raoft part ftanding at this day - which, though not all at their full height, as when flrft fet up,yet the Footfteps nevertheleiTe^of fo many of them as expreft in the Defign, are mil remaining in their proper places. Thole of the inner circle, and lelTer Hexa- gon, not only expofed to the fury of all devouring Age, but to the rage of men like wife, have been more fubject to ru- ine. For, being of no extraordinary proportions , they might eafily be beaten down, or digged up, and at pleafure, made ufe of for other occasions. Which, I am the rather enduced to beleeve, becaule, fincemy flrft meafuring the work, not one fragment of fome then ftanding, are now to be found. Nu.7 The Ruine yet remaining drawn in Pro/fre Stive.

. lo- oil re- lik •W- ild ip- n g the al- o - 3m stly fo- or, ith aye iers ion cu- lay €«- Lire of iny f M IO Ml c o # # ^ nay loft ei- ,as un- lci- ivi- ow Set- :re- uik Sri- uld iip- mg the al- 3m sdy fo- < ith lers ion cu- lay €«"- iire of my i s ft J_J I ' t I l i l_J l_J L ^'■^^^ » ■It*»Twt«Tt tj Tt ^f| «» >?■ .if Stoneheng reftored. 6"joyned. If then, becaufe Tacitus affirms in generall terms only, fever all ways enjoyned, Camden confidently concludes them (fioman "barks, no %oman Hiftory otherwife remembring them,- Why may it not , the fame Tacitus telling us in like manner, Agricola exhorted the Britans in private, and helpt them in common, to build Temples, tioufes, and Places of pubUck refer t, as perem- ptorily be in f en c\,Stonelxng was a work built by the ^omans y though not particularly remembred by them in their ftories? Tatim. * n a wor£ ^, Temples and places of publick refort, the Romans Bed*. built here, and were the firft that did fo, leaving it to after, ages to find out by their Manner of building , Order in building and Tower and Means for building, fuch lofty ruines,as appears in this Antiquity j could be remains of none but tinman building. The next thing to be enquired after, is, in what time Stoneheng built. Happily, about thofe times, when the 1{p- mans having feded the Country here under their own Em- pire , and, together with bringing over Colonies reduced the naturall inhabitants of this Ifland unto the fociety of civill life, by training them up in the liberall Sciences. For, Camden l ^ m a ^f° (faith Camden) did they frrnifh the Britans, with goodly fo.63. houfes, and Jlately buildings, in fuch fort, that the reliaues and rub- biJJ? of their mines, caufe the beholder snow, exceedingly to admire the fame, and the common fort of People plainly fay, thofe Roman ft>orks were made by Giants, of fuch exceeding great admiration, and fumptuous magnificence they are. This Stonehcng refiored. 7} This relation of Camdens, reflects chiefly upon the time of AgicoU ; neverthele(Te, that Stoneheng (though fabled Giants work) was then built, I dare not affirm : the great work's o[\.\\e { Romans, brought to perfection in this Ifland, being not the work of a day. It hath been the invention of wife (Romans of old, affecting civility, to raiie goodly buildings here : but the precife times when, in things fo far from all knowledge, cannot be with any certainty avouched. For my part, Khouldchoofe toaffign thofc times for building thereof, when the Romans in their chief profperity mod fiourifhed here, and refer the firft erection to the time be- twixt Agricolas government formerly mentioned, and the reign of Conftantine the Great : in order to which, the times rather fomwhat after Agricola 1 if not during his own LieV- tenancy, then next preceding Conftantine. For, long before Qmjlant'me acquired the Sovcraignty (which was not till the year of our Lord three hundred and ten) the magnifi- cent fplendor of that mighty Empire began fenfibly to wane, and the ambition of the great Captains of (Rome, (Tome few excepted) tended rather to make parties for obtaining the tPu/ple (Robe, then (after the manner of their anceftors) to eternife their names by great and admirable works, or pa- tronizing good Arts, for want whereof they began like- wife to decay apace •, Serty in his third Book fpeaking of thofe times, telling us, that id tempom Architetli, ficumfupe- riorihus conferantur, rudires & ineptiores extitijfe Yidentur. In thofe days although there loere many Architects, yet, compared with fuch m lived in the preceding Ages, they were Very rude and unsk.it- full. Befides, the condition wherein this Ifland was, divers years preceding Conftantine, would not admit fuch underta- kings. For, by the civil difcord of the (Romans 3 the