Ailesforde, or Eilcsforde, calleth in Bryttish (as Master Camden citeth out of Nennius) Sassenaighai Bail, of the overthrowe of the Saxons, called in some Saxon copies, Gjelej-jzojib, that is, the Foorde, or passage over the River Egle, or Eile: or rather the passage at Ecclef which is a place in this parish: In others [Greek Text], which is, the passage of the Angles, or English men ft is falsly tearmed of some, Alencester, of some Allepord, and of others Aelstrea, by depravation of the writers out of the sundry copies as I suspect.

Within a fewe yeeres after the arrivall of the Saxons, the Britons (perceiving that Vortiger their King was withdrawen by his wife from them, and drawen to the part of their enimies) made election of Vortimer his sonne, for their Lord and leader: by whose manhood arid prowesse, they in short time so prevailed against the Saxons, that (sleying Horsa, one of the Chieftaines, in an encounter given at this place, and discomfiting the residue) they first chased them from hence, as far as Tanet (in memorie of which flight, happily this place, was called Anglesford, that is, the passage of the Angles or Saxons) and after that compelled them to forsake the lande, to take shipping towarde their owne countrie, and to seeke a new supplie: Howbeit, as in warre and battaile, the victorie is commonly deere bought and paied for: So in this selfe conflicte (otherwise verie fortunate) the death of Horsa was recompenpensed with the losse of Categern, one of the brothers of King Vortimer. And truely, had not the untimely death of King Vortimer himselfe also immediately succeeded, it was to be hoped, that the Saxons should never after have returned into this Hand.

But the want of that one man, both quailed the courage of the Britons, gave newe matter of stomackc to the Saxons to repaire their forces, and brought upon this Realme an alteration of the whole Estate and Government. The Britons neverthelesse in the meane space followed their victorie (as I saide) and returning from the chase, erected to the memorie of Categerne (as I suppose) that monument of foure huge and hard stones, which are yet standing in this parish, pitched upright in the ground, covered after the manner of Stonage (that famous Sepulchre of the Britons upon Salisburie plaine) and now tearmed of the common people heere Citscotehouse [Map]. For I cannot so as suspect, that this should be that, which Beda and the others (of whom I spake in Chetham before) do assigne to be the Tombe of Horsa, which also was there slaine at the same time: partly bicause this fashion of monument was peculiar to the Britons, of which nation Categerne was, but chieflie for that the memorie of Horsa was by all likelyhoodleft at Horsted, a place not farre off, and both then and yet so called of his name, as I have already tolde you.