Part 6
That the _Britans_, untill _Julius Agricolas_ time, had learned nothing (as _Anonymus_ takes speciall notice) but _to fight, and were no handicraftsmen_, whereby they might be capable of erecting such works as _Stoneheng_, being already fully proved from _Tacitus_, I will adde, the ringleaders or heads of commotions against Empires and Commonwealths were anciently, (in many Countreys at this day) not only themselves punishable by the Laws with death, but their whole families and kindred though guiltlesse, suffered in like manner; their very houses also, being razed to the ground, lest any knowledge of such pernicious undertakings should remain visible to posterity: and a capitall crime it was, in whomsoever that restor’d them. How comes it then, _Boadicia_ the principall promoter, and Head of an insurrection so fatall, as accounted by _Suetonius Tranquillus_, among the infortunate losses of the _Roman_ Empire, and the more ignominious by a womans conduct, should be permitted by the conquering _Romans_, a monument to eternize her fame to succeeding Ages? _Boadicia_, that ript up the bellies of the _Roman_ Legionaries, and cutting out their bowels impal’d their bodies upon burning stakes; that hanged up the most noble and honourable _Roman Dames_ naked, and slicing off their paps, sowed them to their mouths, as in act of eating them; that in scalding 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 so saving themselves from the cruell inhumanities of the _Conqueresse_. _We fought for to live_, saith _Tacitus_. Yet, when ere long afterwards, victoriously recovering _Britain_ to _Cæsar_, by so memorable a battell as compared to their victories of old, should the _Romans_ suffer the enthralled _Britans_ to erect a Trophy to her memory, whose purpose was absolutely to root out all that was _Roman_ here? what greater infamy to the _Roman_ name, except the permission of it? They, who rased and broke in peeces whatever titles and inscriptions, bearing the names of their _Cæsars_; pulled down and demolished the royall _Ensigns_, _Trophies_, _Statues_, _Temples_, or whatever else sacred, to their own Emperors, when actively administring to the prejudice of the _Romane_ State; would they permit any publick monuments be erected to the memory of a conquered Prince, of an Enemy so barbarously cruell as _Boadicia_? That she lives in History, they could not prevent; so live their worst of Emperors. Moreover, publick Monuments were in all ages set up in honour of the Vanquishers, not vanquished; respecting which, _Anonymus_ should also, either have made _Boadicia_ Victresse, or never supposed _Stoneheng_ her Sepulchre.
[Sidenote: _Ner. Cæs. fo. 182._]
[Sidenote: _Tacit. Ann. lib. 14._]
The time assigned by _Anonymus_, for erecting these _orderly irregular, and formlesse uniform heaps of massive marble_, (as he cals them) _to the everlasting remembrance of Boadicia_, is much above fifteen hundred years since: _Petronius Turpilianus_ succeeding _Suetonius Paulinus_ in the Leivtenancy of _Britain_; who by his idle and lazy life, making the world beleeve there was peace here: _Anonymus_ will have it a proper time, for permitting _such an office to the Britans_, in _Boadicia’s_ honour. Times of peace, ’tis confest, when _Arts_ flourish under nobly minded Governours, are chiefly proper for erecting magnificent buildings. The Government under _Petronius_ was guilty of none of these. As for the State of _Britain_ in generall, _Tacitus_ in the life of _Agricola_ tels us, _Petronius_ had composed the former troubles; but in what sort, the fourteenth book of his _Annals_ declares; _non irritato hoste, neque lacessitus, neither the Enemy, incensed him; nor he, provoked the Enemy_: otherwise _Petronius_ durst not do. And, if peace setled, why doth the Historian call them Enemies? Concerning his own person in particular, _Petronius_ gave himself over to an unprofitable life, disguising it under the honourable name of peace. _Honestum pacis nomen segni otio imposuit_, saith _Tacitus_. And, the _Britans_ (as said before) were not then civilized, nor friends to such Arts as either nourish or are nourished by peace, therefore such a work of wonder as this _Antiquity_ famed, not to be expected from them. For, as through the malignities of the Age, wherein _Aurelius Ambrosius_ lived, the _Britans_ had utterly lost the practice of all those _Sciences_, in times foregoing, learned by their Auncestors from the _Romans_: so, through the neglect of civil policy in the preceding _Roman_ Governours, in this Leivtenancy of _Petronius_, the _Britans_ had not attained the knowledge of any those _Arts_, not many years afterwards, taught their posterity by the _Romans_. Whole imperiall Eagles took not wing in _Britain_ with such lofty speed, as over other Countreys; _The_ Britans _being a fierce Nation, slowly giving ear to any peace_, the _Romans_ had work enough in subduing them. _Julius Cæsar_ rather shewed the Island to his successors, then left them possession of it: _Augustus_ and _Tiberius_ held it policy to neglect it: _Caligula_ intending to invade _Britain_, was diverted by his Wars in _Germany_: _Claudius_ first prosecuting the conquest with effect, established the colony at _Camalodunum_, and his Leivtenants _Aulus Plautius_, _Flavius Vespasianus_, _Ostorius Scapula_, and _Didius Gallus_ by little and little, after much contest, and various successe, subdued certain Countries; and reducing the nearest part of the Island to the form of a Province, built also, or rather cast up some few fortifications further within the land: _Nero’s_ Generals had much to do in keeping, what their predecessors gained; _Suetonius Paulinus_ (under him) struck that fortunate battell with _Boadicia_, else the _Romans_ beaten out of all. So that, in the time of _Petronius_, the _Romans_ having obtained no such assured dominion over the _Britans_, as might make them, themselves confident to undertake great and stately buildings here, for their own either publick, or private accommodations; (the ruine of _Camalodunum_ being too fresh in memory) occasion was not offered, nor the time yet come, to let the _Britans_ know by what _Arts_ all civill Nations of the world, did erect their excessive, rather then not magnificent structures, for eternizing their names to succeeding generations. And therefore, the Leivtenancy of _Petronius Turpilianus_, not proper for building this _stony marvell_, as _Anonymus_ suspects. For, beside what’s delivered, whensoever _Stoneheng_ built, the preparation only of materials for the work, and bringing them to the place, what _Engines_ or _Arts_ soever used, necessarily, spent more time, then _Petronius_ consumed in the whole continuance of his government here. What tumults succeeded him, let others declare.
[Sidenote: _Suet. in Vespas._]
Furthermore, _if those_ times of _Petronius_ would not, _yet_ (saith _Anonymus_) _other ensuing seasons might permit such an office to the_ Britans, _her name for ever glorious among them_. The hainousnesse of her Rebellion, horridnesse of her cruelties, and inveterate hatred _Boadicia_ bore to the _Romans_, whereby _her name for ever infamous among them_, clearly manifest all other _ensuing seasons_, equally improper for those ancient inhabitants of this Island, to erect _Stoneheng_. If the _Britans_, once attaining the _Romane_ manner of _Architecture_, in any succeeding times had expelled the _Romans_, and been triumphant; some probable reason, at least, _Anonymus_ might have alledged, towards advancing his opinion. But _Boadicia_ and her _Complices_ overthrown, the _Roman_ Power in this Island encreasing dayly, and the liberty of the _Britans_ as fast declining, no following _season_ could be opportunely favourable, for undertaking such a work by them; the erecting whereof, yea the sole endeavouring to commemorate by such publick means, so mortall an enemy to the _Romans_ as _Boadicia_: nothing but the dearest lives of the bold attempters, could, certainly, expiate. The _Temple_ upon Mount _Cœlius_ at _Rome_, begun to _Claudius_ sacred memory by _Agrippina_, was destroyed to the very foundations by _Nero_. If then, insulting _Agrippina_ might not erect a memorable structure, to the glory of her deceased _Cæsar_; whom the _Senate_ and _People_ of _Rome_, in all solemne manner deified: What oppressed _Britan_, durst undertake the raising a publick Monument to the honour of vanquished _Boadicia_, whom the State (in all reason) for ever declared enemy to the _Roman_ Empire? And though, after a long succession of years, the _Romans_ abandoned this Island, yet, when departed, the _Britans_ were left in such deplorable condition, (at large declared before) that, albeit _her name_ never so glorious among them, they had much more to do, in saving their own miserable lives from plague, famine, and the sword, then any opportunity, or ability to erect whatever Monument to the glory of _Boadicia_. But, of this enough; the invalidity of _Anonymus_ opinion especially respected. The discovering the originall foundation of an _Antiquity_ so famous, being not to be enforced by jealous suspicions, raised upon bare and groundlesse conjectures.
• • • • •
This _Antiquity_ (call’d by _Henry Huntingdon, The second_: by _Poly-olbion_
——_First wonder of the land_)
because the _Architraves_ are set upon the heads of the upright stones, and hang (as it were) in the air, is generally known by the name of _Stone-heng_. It is sited upon the Plain in the County of _Wiltshire_ in _England_, not far from _Ambresbury_ (the foundations of whose ancient buildings, frequently digged up, render it to have been in times past a _Town_ of no small fame) six miles at least from new _Salisbury_ 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 deep Trench, still appearing about thirty foot broad. So that, betwixt it, and the work it self, a large and void space of ground being left, it had, from the Plain, three open entrances, the most conspicuous thereof lying North-east. At each of which, was raised, on the outside of the Trench aforesaid, two huge stones gate-wise, parallel whereunto, on the inside two others of lesse proportion. The inner part of the work, consisting of an _Exagonall_ figure, was raised, by due symmetry, upon the bases of four equilaterall triangles, (which formed the whole structure) this inner part likewise was double, having, within it also, another _Exagon_ raised, and all that part within the Trench sited upon a commanding ground, eminent, and higher by much, then any of the Plain lying without, and, in the midst thereof, upon a foundation of hard chalk, the work it self was placed. Insomuch, from what part soever they came unto it, they rose by an easie ascending hill.
Which, that it may be the more clearly demonstrated, (being by me, with no little pains, and charge measured, and the foundations thereof diligently searched) I have reduced into _Design_, not onely as the ruine thereof now appears, but as (in my judgement) it was in its pristine perfection. And that the groundplot, with the uprights, and profyle of the whole work may the more distinctly be understood, I have purposely countersigned each _Design_ of them with _Numbers_, and the particular parts thereof with _Letters_.
Nu. 1
Signifies the Plant of the whole work in generall, with the Trench round about it, drawn by a small scale, that it may be seen all at one view.
_A_
The Trench.
_B_
The Intervall betwixt the Trench and Work.
_C_
[Sidenote: _Rosin. lib. 2._]
The Work it self; in the inmost part whereof, there is a stone appearing not much above the surface of the earth, (and lying towards the East) four foot broad, and sixteen foot in length. Which, whether it might be an _Altar_ or no, I leave to the judgement of others, because so overwhelmed with the ruines of the Work, that I could make no search after it, but even with much difficulty, took the aforesaid proportion thereof. Yet for my part, I can apprehend no valid reason to the contrary, except that the whole constructure being circular in form, the Altar should rather have been placed upon the center of the Circle, then enclining to the circumference. Neverthelesse it cannot be denied, but being so sited, the _Cell_ (as I may call it) was thereby left more free, for the due performance of those severall superstitious rites, which their Idolatry led them to. Besides, though the _Altare_ amongst the _Ancients_ was exalted and raised somwhat high above the earth; yet, their _Ara_ was made quadrangular, not very high, and as some will have it close to the ground, being consecrated as well to the supernall as infernall Deities: and therefore in respect of the form, it may hold well enough it was anciently an Altar.
_D_
The supposed Altar.
_E_
The great stones which made the entrances from the outside of the Trench, seven foot broad, three foot thick, and twenty foot high.
_F_
The parallel stones, on the inside of the Trench, four foot broad, and three foot thick; but they lie so broken, and ruined by time, that their proportion in height cannot be distinguisht, much lesse exactly measured.
_G_
The scale of fifty foot.
• • • • •
The _Design_ follows.
Nu. 2
The Groundplot of the work, as when first built, in a greater form, with the foure equilaterall triangles making the _Scheame_, by which the whole work was composed.
_H_
The six principall entrances, three whereof directly opposite to those of the Trench.
_I_
The stones which made the outward Circle, seven foot in breadth; three foot and an half thick, and fifteen foot and an half high: each stone having two tenons mortaised into the _Architrave_, continuing upon them, throughout the whole circumference. For, these _Architraves_, being joynted directly in the middle of each of the perpendicular stones that their weight might have an equall bearing, and upon each side of the joynt a tenon wrought, (as remains yet to be seen) it may positively be concluded thereby, the _Architrave_ continued round about this outward circle.
_K_
The smaller stones of the inner circle, one foot and an half in bredth, one foot thick, and six foot high. These had no _Architraves_ upon them, but were raised perpendicular, of a pyramidall form. That, there was no _Architrave_ upon these, may be hence concluded, the stones being too small to carry such a weight, the spaces being also too wide, to admit of an _Architrave_ upon them without danger of breaking, and being but six foot high, there could not, possibly, be a convenient head-height remaining for a passage underneath, especially, considering fully the greatnesse of the whole work.
_L_
The stones of the greater _Hexagon_, seven foot and an half in breadth, three foot nine inches thick, and twenty foot high, each stone having one tenon in the middle.
_M_
The stones of the _Hexagon_ within, two foot six inches in breadth, one foot and an half thick, and eight foot high, in form pyramidall, like those of the inner circle.
• • • • •
The Scale which hath this mark, _X_, is of thirty foot, by which likewise all the ensuing _Designs_ are drawn.
• • • • •
The _Design_ follows.
Nu. 3
The upright of the work, as when entire, in which the perpendicular stones of the outward circle, are countersigned with the Letter _I_, as in the groundplot.
_N_
The _Architrave_ lying round about upon them, being mortaised into them, and joynted in the middle of each of the perpendicular stones. This _Architrave_ is three foot and an half broad, and two foot and an half high.
_O_
The _Architrave_ lying on the top of the great stones of the _Hexagon_, and mortaised also into them, sixteen foot long, three foot nine inches broad, and three foot four inches high. This _Architrave_ continuing onely from stone to stone, left betwixt every two and two, a void space free to the Air uncovered. For, if they had been continued throughout the whole _Hexagon_, then necessarily there must have been two tenons upon each of the said stones, as those of the outward circle had, but being disposed as aforesaid, that one, which was in the middle, and yet remains apparent, was sufficient for the thing intended.
Nu. 4
The Profyle, or cut, through the middle of the work, as entire, countersigned with the Letters of the Groundplot.
The _Designs_ follow.
Nu. 5
The whole work in _Prospective_, as when entire, whereby the generall composure of the particular parts of the uprights, are together all seen: and, by which also, the stately Aspect, and magnificent greatnesse thereof, are fully, and more apparently conspicuous.
Nu. 6
The Groundplot of the work, as it now stands, countersigned with the same Letters by which the Plant marked _Nu. 2_ is described. The stones of the greater _Hexagon_, and outward circle, after so long contest with the violence of time, and injury of weather, are for the most part standing at this day; which, though not all at their full height, as when first set up, yet the Footsteps neverthelesse, of so many of them as exprest in the _Design_, are still remaining in their proper places. Those of the inner circle, and lesser _Hexagon_, not only exposed to the fury of all devouring Age, but to the rage of men likewise, have been more subject to ruine. For, being of no extraordinary proportions, they might easily be beaten down, or digged up, and at pleasure, made use of for other occasions. Which, I am the rather enduced to beleeve, because, since my first measuring the work, not one fragment of some then standing, are now to be found.
Nu. 7
The Ruine yet remaining drawn in _Prospective_.
_P_
The manner of the tenons, of a round form, mortaised into the _Architrave_ of the outward Circle.
_Q_
The tenons of like form in the middle of the stones of the greater _Hexagon_.
_R_
The English foot (by which the work it self was measured) divided into twelve inches, and each inch subdivided into four parts.
The _Designs_ follow.
Hitherto, upon what occasion _Stoneheng_ built (you may easily perceive) is very doubtfull, the true History of those times, when first erected, and by which the memory of things especially made over to succeeding Ages, being either not written, or if written, utterly lost. Likewise, as for what use set up, not yet known; so, by whom also founded, is equally uncertain.
You cannot but remember, in what manner the ancient Inhabitants of this Island lived, before reduced to civility by the _Romans_ I have formerly delivered: also, how they were first instructed by them, in severall _Arts_ and _Sciences_, whereof the _Britans_ wholly ignorant, before the _Romans_ arrivall here, and teaching them. I have given you in like manner, a full description of this _Antiquity_, whereby doubtlesse it appears to you, as in truth it is, a work built with much _Art_, _Order_ and _Proportion_. That the ancient _Britans_, before the discovery of this Island by the _Romans_, could not be the _Founders_ thereof, by the former reasons, I suppose, is clearly manifested. For, where _Art_ is not, nothing can be performed by _Art_. As, for that which concerns the _British_ Nobility, _Aurelius Ambrosius_, or _Boadicia_, enough already.
It rests now, to endeavor the discovering by whom _Stoneheng_ built; in what time, and, for what use anciently erected. But, it is not expected (I hope) any absolute resolution should be given by me, in so doubtfull a matter; for, _as it hath been always lawfull for every man in such like matters_ (saith _Camden_) _both to think what he will, and relate what others have thought_: So pardon me, if I take upon me, what others have done before me, and interpose mine own opinion also, grounded neverthelesse upon such Authorities, customes, and concurrence of time, as very probably may satisfie judicious and impartiall Readers.
[Sidenote: _Pausan. fo. 392._]
[Sidenote: _Idem fo. 75_:]
[Sidenote: _In Vitr. lib. 4._]
Touching the _Founders_ of _Stoneheng_. Among the _Ægyptian Antiquities_, or those _Eastern_ Nations from whom the _Græcians_ deduced their learning, I find not any such composure ever used: or with the _Greeks_ themselves, mention made of any work conformable to this, in point of _Order_, (as the mod conversant in those Histories cannot contradict) I read neverthelesse, in _Pausanias_, of a _Temple_ amongst the _Eleans_ erected without walls: _novam quandam in_ Eleorum _foro templi formam vidi. I saw_ (saith he) _in the market place of the_ Eleans, _a Temple of a new form. Modicæ est ædes altitudinis, sine parietibus, tectum è quercu dolatis fulcientibus tibicinibus. A low thing, without walls, having the roof supported with props of oaken timber_ (instead, it seems, of Columnes) _neatly wrought_. He remembers a _Temple_ also in _Attica_ sacred to _Jove_ without a roof. The _Thracians_ (as I read likewise) used to build _Temples_ dedicated to _Sol_, _of a round form, open in the middle_, and also without a _roof_: by the form, or roundnesse thereof, they signified the Suns figure; by making them open, and rooflesse, they expressed his surmounting, and dilating light equally to all things. _Thraces soli rotunda templa faciebant_ (saith _Daniel Barbaro_) _in medio sub divo, & aperta erant: hac forma Solis figuram innuebant: quòd autem aperta essent, & sine tecto, innuebant Solem supra omnia esse, & lumen suum diffundere_.
[Sidenote: _Scamoz. lib. 1. fo. 9._]
[Sidenote: _Camden fo. 64._]