After that these things were thus ordered, Cesar because the moneth
of September was well-neare halfe spent, and that winter hasted on (a
season not meet for his weake and bruised ships to brooke the seas)
determined not to staie anie longer, but hauing wind and weather for
his purpose, got himselfe aboord with his people, and returned into
Gallia.
[Sidenote: _Caesar de bello Gallico. lib._ 4.]
ΒΆ Thus writeth Cesar touching his first iournie made into
Britaine. But the British historie (which Polydor calleth the new
historie) declareth that Cesar in a pitcht field was vanquished at the
first encounter, and so withdrew backe into France. Beda also writeth,
that Cesar comming into the countrie of Gallia, where the people then
called Morini inhabited (which are at this day the same that inhabit
the diocesse of Terwine) from whence lieth the shortest passage ouer
into Britaine, now called England, got togither 80 saile of great
ships and row gallies, wherewith he passed ouer into Britaine, & there
at the first being wearied with sharpe and sore fight, and after taken
with a grieuous tempest, he lost the greater part of his nauie, with
no small number of his souldiers, and almost all his horssemen: and
therwith being returned into Gallia, placed his souldiers in steeds
to soiourne there for the winter season.
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