TO THE INGENVOVS Reader.
As it hath been a custome of long continuance,
as well in Rome the Capitall City, as in diuers
other renowned Cities of the world, to haue
the liues of Princes and worthy men, acted in
their Theatres, and especially the conquests &
victories which their owne Princes and Captains had obtained,
thereby to incourage their youths to follow the steps of
their ancesters; which custome euen for the same purpose, is
tolerated in our Age, although some peeuish people
seeme to dislike of it: Amongst so many valiant Princes of
our English Nation, vvhose liues haue already euen cloyed
the Stage, I searched the Chronicles of elder ages, vvherein
I found amongst diuers renovvned persons, one Brittish
Prince, who of his enemies, receiued the title of Ualiant Brittaine,
his name was Caradoc, he was King of Siluria, Ordonica,
and March, which Countries are now called, South-Wales,
North-Wales, and the Marches; and therefore being borne in
Wales, and King of Wales, I called him the valiant Welshman;
he liued about the yere of our Lord, 70. Cornelius Tacitus in
his 12. booke, sayth, that hee held warres 9. years against all
the Romane puissance; but in the end hee was betrayed by
Cartismanda Queene of Brigance, and so conuayed to Rome
in triumph, so that the name of Caradoc was famous in Rome
at that time: wherefore finding him so highly commended
amongst the Romans, who were then Lords of all the world,
and his enemies; I thought it fit amongst so many Worthies,
whose liues haue already been both acted and printed, his life
hauing already bin acted with good applause, to be likewise
worthy the printing; Hoping that you will censure indifferently
of it; and so I bid you farevvell.
