them there a sharpe battle, wherein Rodericke was slaine, with diverse of his hand. Them which remained and appealed to mercy, he licensed to inhabite the uttermost borders of Scotland: Wives they wanted to encrease their Issue, and because the Brittaines scorned to match their daughters with such a froward and beggerly people, the Picts continued their first acquaintance with the Irish and by entreaty obtained wives from them, conditionally that if the Crowne should happe to fall in question they should then yeeld thus much prerogative to the woman as of the female blood royall, rather then of the male to choose their Prince, which Covenant, saith S. Bede, [1] the Picts are well knowne to keepe at this day.
But long afore this time the Scottish Chronicles mention the arrivall of Almaine Picts into the marches now of England and Scotland, with whom certaine Irish called then also Scotts joyned against the Brittaines,[2] devising to erect a kingdome there, aswell to fortify themselves, as to gratifie the Irish, who detracting their obedience lately promised to Gurguntiils', practised all they might to abridge the kingdome of the Brittaines. First therefore came from Ireland, Fergusius the sonne of Ferchardus, a man very famous for his skill in blasoning of armes.[3] Himselfe bare the
