initial commit of ebook 16610HEADmain

1 files changed, 5440 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/16610-0.txt b/16610-0.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62c1c59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16610-0.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5440 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of
+England (6 of 8), by Raphael Holinshed
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (6 of 8)
+       The Sixt Booke of the Historie of England
+
+Author: Raphael Holinshed
+
+Release Date: August 27, 2005 [eBook #16610]
+[Most recently updated: November 19, 2022]
+
+Language: English
+
+Produced by: Jonathan Ingram, Lesley Halamek and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORIE OF ENGLAND ***
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXT BOOKE
+
+OF THE
+
+HISTORIE OF ENGLAND.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Inas king of the Westsaxons, the whole monarchie of the realme
+falleth into their hands, Inas for a summe of monie granteth peace
+to the Kentishmen, whom he was purposed to haue destroied, he & his
+coosen Nun fight with Gerent king of the Britains, and Cheolred king
+of Mercia, and Ealdbright king of Southsaxons, the end of their
+kingdoms, Inas giueth ouer his roialtie, goeth in pilgrimage to
+Rome, and there dieth; his lawes written in the Saxon toong; of what
+buildings he was the founder, queene Ethelburgas deuise to persuade
+Inas to forsake the world, he was the first procurer of Peter pence
+to be paid to Rome; king Ethelred, king Kenred, and king Offa become
+moonks; the setting vp of images in this land authorised by a vision;
+king Ethelbalds exploits, he is slaine of his owne subiects by the
+suggestion of Bernred the vsurper, Boniface his letter of commendation
+to king Ethelbald, nuns kept for concubines, their pilgrimage._
+
+THE FIRST CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: INAS. 689.]
+After that Ceadwalla, late K. of the Westsaxons was gone to Rome,
+where he departed this life (as afore is shewed) his coosen Inas or
+Ine was made king of the Westsaxons, begining his reigne in the yéere
+of our Lord 689, in the third yeere of the emperor Iustinianus the
+third, the 11 yéere of the reigne of Theodoricus K. of France, and
+[Sidenote: The Britains ceasse to reigne in this land]
+about the second yéere of the reigne of Eugenius king of Scots. Now
+because the rule of the Britains commonlie called Welshmen, ceassed in
+this realme, as by confession of their owne writers it appéereth, and
+that in the end the whole monarchie of the same realme came to the
+hands of the kings of Westsaxons, we haue thought méet to refer things
+generall vnto the reignes of the same kings, as before we did in the
+Britaine kings, reseruing the particular dooings to the kings of the
+other prouinces or kingdoms, as the same haue fallen out, and shall
+come to hand.
+
+[Sidenote: _Fabian_. _H. Hunt._]
+This Inas, whome some (mistaking N for V) doo wrongfullie name Iue
+or Iewe, prooued a right excellent prince, he was descended of the
+ancient linage of the kings of the Westsaxons, as sonne to one Kenred,
+that was sonne to Ceolwald the son of Cutha or Cutwine, that was sonne
+to Kenricke the sonne of Certicus, the first king of Westsaxons. But
+he was admitted to the kingdome more for the valiant prowes knowne to
+rest in his woorthie person, than for the successiue ofspring of which
+he was descended. The first voiage that he made, was against the
+Kentishmen, on whome he purposed to reuenge the death of his coosen
+[Sidenote: _Matt. Westm._ _Wil. Malm._]
+Mollo, the griefe whereof as yet he kept in fresh memorie. But when
+the Kentishmen perceiued, that to resist him by force, they were
+nothing able, they attempted by monie to buy their peace, and so
+obteined their purpose, vpon paiment made to him of thirtie thousand
+marks of siluer.
+
+[Sidenote: Anno 708 as is noted by _Matt. West._ _H. Hunt._]
+After this, about the 21 yéere of his reigne, king Inas and his
+coosen Nun fought with Gerent king of the Britains. In the beginning
+of the battell, one Higelbald a noble man of the Westsaxons part was
+slaine, but in the end Gerent with his Britains was chased. In the
+[Sidenote: _Matt. West._ saith 718]
+26 yéere of his reigne; the same Inas fought a mightie battell against
+Cheolred king of Mercia, at Wodenessburie, with doubtfull victorie,
+for it could not well be iudged whether part susteined greater losse.
+In the 36 yéere of his reigne, king Inas inuaded the Southsaxons with
+a mightie armie, and slue in battell Ealdbright or Aldinius king of
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ saith 722. The end of the kingdome of
+the Southsaxons.]
+the Southsaxons, and ioined that kingdome vnto the kingdome of
+the Westsaxons: so that from thencefoorth the kingdome of those
+Southsaxons ceassed, after they had reigned in that kingdome by the
+space of five kings successiuelie, that is to say, Ella, Cissa,
+Ethelwalke, Berutius, and this last Aldinius or Ealdbright.
+
+Finallie, when Inas had reigned 37 yéeres, and 10 or 11 od moneths,
+[Sidenote: Inas went to Rome and there died.]
+he renounced the rule of his kingdome, togither with all worldlie
+pompe, and went vnto Rome as a poore pilgrime, and there ended his
+life: but before this, during the time of his reigne, he shewed
+himselfe verie deuout and zealous towards the aduancement of the
+christian religion. He made and ordeined also good & wholesome lawes
+for the amendment of maners in the people, which are yet extant and to
+be read, written in the Saxon toong, and translated into the Latine in
+times past, and now latelie againe by William Lambert gentleman, and
+printed by Iohn Day, in the yéere 1568, togither with the lawes and
+statutes of other kings before the conquest, as to the learned maie
+appéere.
+
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+Moreouer, king Ine builded the monasterie of Glastenburie, where
+Ioseph of Arimathea in times past builded an oratorie or chappell (as
+before is recited) when he with other christians came into this land
+in the daies of Aruiragus, & taught the gospell heere to the Britains,
+conuerting manie of them to the faith. Moreouer, king Ine or Inas
+builded the church of Welles, dedicating it vnto saint Andrew,
+where afterwards a bishops sée was placed, which at length was
+[Sidenote: Ethelburga.]
+translated vnto Salisburie. He had to wife one Ethelburga, a woman of
+noble linage, who had béene earnest with him a long time to persuade
+him to forsake the world: but she could by no meanes bring hir purpose
+to passe, till vpon a time the king and she had lodged at a manor
+[Sidenote: _Will. Malmes._]
+place in the countrie, where all prouision had béene made for the
+receiuing of them and their traine in most sumptuous maner that might
+be, as well in rich furniture of houshold, as also in costlie viands,
+and all other things needfull, or that might serue for pleasure,
+[Sidenote: The deuise of quéene Ethelburga to persuade hir husband to
+forsake the world.]
+and when they were departed, the quéene the foresaid Ethelburga caused
+the keeper of that house to remooue all the bedding, hangings, and
+other such things as had béen brought thither and ordeined for the
+beautifull setting foorth of the house, and in place thereof to bring
+ordure, straw, & such like filth, as well into the chambers and hall,
+as into all the houses of office, and that doone, to laie a sow with
+pigs in the place where before the kings bed had stood. Héerevpon
+when she had knowledge that euerie thing was ordered according to hir
+appointment, she persuaded the king to returne thither againe, feining
+occasions great and necessarie.
+
+Now when he was returned to that house, which before séemed to the eie
+a palace of most pleasure, and now finding it in such a filthie state
+as might loath the stomach of anie man to behold the same, she tooke
+occasion therevpon to persuade him to the consideration of the vaine
+pleasures of this world, which in a moment turne to naught, togither
+with the corruption of the flesh, being a filthie lumpe of claie,
+after it should once be disolued by death: and in fine, where before
+she had spent much labour to mooue him to renounce the world, though
+all in vaine, yet now the beholding of that change in his pleasant
+palace, wherein so late he had taken great delight, wrought such an
+alteration in his mind, that hir woords lastlie tooke effect: so that
+he resigned the kingdome to his coosen Ethelard, and went himselfe to
+Rome (as aboue is mentioned) and his wife became a nun in the abbeie
+of Barking, where she was made abbesse, and finallie there ended hir
+[Sidenote: Peter pence.]
+life. This Inas was the first that caused the monie called Peter
+pence, to be paid vnto the bishop of Rome, which was for euerie
+houshold within his dominion a penie.
+
+[Sidenote: King Ethelred becommeth a moonk.]
+In this meane time Edilred or Ethelred, hauing gouerned the
+kingdome of Mercia by the tearme of 29 yéeres, became a moonke in the
+abbeie of Bardenie, and after was made abbat of that house. He had
+[Sidenote: Ostrida.]
+to wife one Ostrida the sister of Egfride king of Northumberland, by
+whome he had a sonne named Ceolred. But he appointed Kenred the sonne
+of his brother Vulfher to succéed him in the kingdome. The said
+[Sidenote: _Beda in Epit._ 697.]
+Ostrida was cruellie slaine by the treason of hir husbands subiects,
+[Sidenote: King Kenred.]
+about the yéere of our Lord 697. And as for Kenred, he was a
+prince of great vertue, deuout towards God, a furtherer of the
+commonwealth of his countrie, and passed his life in great sinceritie
+of maners. In the fift yéere of his reigne, he renounced the world,
+and went to Rome, togither with Offa king of the Eastsaxons, where
+[Sidenote: 711.]
+he was made a moonke: and finallie died there, in the yéere of our
+[Sidenote: _Nauclerus_. Egwin bishop of Worcester.]
+Lord 711. By the aid and furtherance of this Kenred, a moonke of
+saint Benets order (called Egwin) builded the abbeie of Eueshame, who
+afterwards was made bishop of Worcester.
+
+[Sidenote: A fabulous and trifling deuise.]
+¶ We find recorded by writers, that this Egwin had warning giuen
+him by visions (as he constantlie affirmed before pope Constantine)
+to set vp an image of our ladie in his church. Wherevpon the pope
+approuing the testifications of this bishop by his buls, writ to
+Brightwald archbishop of Canturburie, to assemble a synod, and by
+authoritie thereof to establish the vse of images, charging the kings
+of this land to be present at the same synod, vpon paine of
+[Sidenote: _Bale_. 712.]
+excommunication. This synod was holden about the yéere of our Lord
+712, in the daies of Inas king of Westsaxons, and of Ceolred king of
+Mercia successor to the foresaid Kenred.
+
+After Kenred succéeded Ceolred, the sonne of his vncle Edilred, & died
+[Sidenote: _H. Hunt._]
+in the 8 yeere of his reigne, and was buried at Lichfield. Then
+succéeded Ethelbaldus that was descended of Eopa the brother of king
+Penda, as the fourth from him by lineall succession. This man gouerned
+a long time without anie notable trouble: some warres he had, and sped
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Cestren._]
+diuerslie. In the 18 yéere of his reigne, he besieged Sommerton
+and wan it. He also inuaded Northumberland, and got there great riches
+by spoile and pillage, which he brought from thence without anie
+battell offered to him.
+
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._]
+He ouercame the Welshmen in battell, being then at quiet, and
+[Sidenote: Bereford. 755.]
+ioined as confederats with Cuthred K. of Westsaxons. But in the
+37 yéere of his reigne, he was ouercome in battell at Bereford by the
+same Cuthred, with whome he was fallen at variance, and within foure
+yéeres after, that is to say, in the 41 yéere of his reigne he was
+[Sidenote: Thrée miles from Tamworth. _Wil. Malm._ 758.]
+slaine in battell at Secandon, or Sekenton, by his owne subiects,
+which arreared warres against him, by the procurement and leading of
+one Bernred, who after he had slaine his naturall prince, tooke vpon
+him the kingdome: but he prospered not long, being slaine by Offa that
+succéeded him in rule of the kingdome of Mercia, as after shall be
+shewed. The bodie of Ethelbald was buried at Ripton.
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
+
+[Sidenote: The historie of Magd.]
+Bonifacius the archbishop of Mentiz or Moguntz, hauing assembled a
+councell with other bishops and doctors, deuised a letter, and sent it
+vnto this Ethelbald, commending him for his good deuotion and charitie
+in almes-giuing to the reliefe of the poore, and also for his vpright
+dealing in administration of iustice, to the punishment of robbers
+and such like misdooers: but in that he absteined from mariage, and
+wallowed in filthie lecherie with diuerse women, and namelie with
+nuns, they sore blamed him, and withall declared in what infamie the
+whole English nation in those daies remained by common report in other
+countries for their licentious liuing in sinfull fornication, and
+namelie the most part of the noble men of Mercia by his euill example
+did forsake their wiues, and defloured other women which they kept
+[Sidenote: Nuns kept for concubines.]
+in adulterie, as nuns and others. Moreouer, he shewed how that such
+euill women, as well nuns as other, vsed to make awaie in secret wise
+their children which they bare out of wedlocke, and so filled the
+graues with dead bodies, and hell with damned soules. The same
+Bonifacius in an other espistle wich he wrote vnto Cutbert the
+[Sidenote: Pilgrimage of nuns.]
+archbishop of Canturburie, counselled him not to permit the
+English nuns to wander abroad so often on pilgrimage, bicause there
+were few cities either in France or Lombardie, wherein might not be
+found English women, that liued wantonlie in fornication and whordome.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Offa king of the Eastsaxons with other go to Rome, he is shauen and
+becommeth a moonke, succession in the kingdome of the Eastsaxons and
+Eastangles, Osred king of Northumberland hath carnall knowledge
+with nuns, he is slaine in battell, Osrike renouncing his kingdome
+becommeth a moonke, bishop Wilfrid twise restored to his see,
+Westsaxonie diuided in two diocesses, bishop Aldhelme a founder of
+religious houses; Ethelard succeedeth Inas in regiment, two blasing
+starres seene at once, and what insued, the king dieth: the successiue
+reigne of Wichtreds three sonnes ouer Kent, what prouinces were
+gouerned by bishops; of what puissance Ethelbald king of Mercia was,
+Egbert archbishop of Yorke aduanceth his see; a notable remembrance of
+that excellent man Beda, his death._
+
+THE SECOND CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Kings of the Eastsaxons. _Beda lib. 5. cap. 20_.
+Offa king of Eastsaxons.]
+In this meane time Sighard and Seufred, kings of the Eastsaxons,
+being departed this life, one Offa that was sonne to Sigerius
+succéeded in gouernment of that kingdome, a man of great towardnesse,
+and of right comelie countenance: but after he had ruled a certeine
+time, being mooued with a religious deuotion, he went to Rome in
+companie of Kenred king of Mercia, and of one Egwine bishop of
+Worcester, and being there shauen into the order of moonks, so
+[Sidenote: King Selred.]
+continued till he died. After him one Selred the sonne of Sigbert the
+good, ruled the Eastsaxons the tearme of 38 yéeres. After Aldulfe the
+[Sidenote: 688.]
+king of Eastangles departed this fraile life, which chanced about
+the yéere of our Lord 688, his brother Elcwold or Akwold succéeded
+him, and reigned about twelue yéeres. After whose decease one Beorne
+was made king of Eastangles, and reigned about 26 yéeres. In this
+[Sidenote: 705. _Wil. Malm._ Osred king of Northumberland.]
+meane while, that is to say, in the yeere of our Lord 705, Alfride
+king of Northumberland being dead, his sonne Osred, a child of 8
+yéeres of age succeeded him in the kingdome, and reigned 11 yéeres,
+spending his time when he came to ripe yeeres in filthie abusing his
+bodie with nuns, and other religious women.
+
+About the seuenth yéere of his reigne, that is to say, in the yéere of
+[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._ Picts ouerthrowne by the Northumbers.]
+our Lord 711, one of his capteins named earle Berthfride fought
+with the Picts, betwixt two places called Heue and Cere, and obteining
+the victorie, slue an huge number of the enimies. At length king Osred
+by the traitorous means of his coosens that arreared warre against
+[Sidenote: King Osred slaine in batell.]
+him, was slaine in battell, and so ended his reigne, leauing to
+those that procured his death the like fortune in time to come. For
+Kenred reigning two yéeres, and Osricke ten yeeres, were famous onelie
+in this, that being worthilie punished for shedding the bloud of their
+naturall prince and souereigne lord, they finished their liues with
+dishonourable deaths, as they had well deserued. Osricke before
+[Sidenote: 729.]
+his death, which chanced in the yéere of our Lord 729, appointed
+Ceolwolfe the brother of his predecessor Kenred, to succeed him in the
+kingdome, which he did, reigning as king of the Northumbers by the
+space of 8 yéeres currant, and then renouncing his kingdom, became a
+moonke in the Ile of Lindesferne.
+
+[Sidenote: _Beda_. Acca bishop of Hexham.]
+In this meane while, bishop Wilfride being dead, one Acca that was
+his chapline was made bishop of Hexham. The said Wilfride had béene
+bishop by the space of 45 yéeres: but he liued a long time in exile.
+For first being archbishop of Yorke, and exercising his iurisdiction
+ouer all the north parts, he was after banished by king Egbert, and
+againe restored to the sée of Hexham in the second yeere of king
+Alfride, and within fiue yéeres after eftsoones banished by the same
+Alfride, and the second time restored by his successor king Osred,
+in the fourth yeere of whose reigne, being the yéere after the
+incarnation of our Sauiour 709, he departed this life, and was buried
+at Rippon. Moreouer, after Iohn the archbishop of Yorke had resigned,
+one Wilfride surnamed the second was made archbishop of that sée:
+which Wilfride was chapline to the said Iohn, and gouerned that sée by
+[Sidenote: 710.]
+the space of fiftéene yéeres, and then died. About the yéere of
+our Lord 710, the abbat Adrian which came into this land with Theodore
+the archbishop of Canturburie (as before ye haue heard) departed this
+life, about 39 yéeres after his comming thither.
+
+[Sidenote: Two bishops sées _Matth. West._ Bishop Daniell.]
+Also Inas the king of Westsaxons, about the 20 yeere of his
+reigne, diuided the prouince of the Westsaxons into two bishops sées,
+whereas before they had but one. Daniell was ordeined to gouerne the
+one of those sees, being placed at Winchester, hauing vnder him
+[Sidenote: Bishop Aldhelme.]
+Sussex, Southerie and Hamshire. And Aldhelme was appointed to
+Shireburne, hauing vnder him, Barkeshire, Wiltshire, Sommersetshire,
+Dorsetshire, Deuonshire, and Cornwall. This Aldhelme was a learned
+[Sidenote: The abbeie of Malmesburie.]
+man, and was first made abbat of Malmesburie, in the yéere of our Lord
+675 by Eleutherius then bishop of the Westsaxons, by whose diligence
+that abbeie was greatlie aduanced, being afore that time founded by
+one Medulfe a Scotish man, but of so small reuenues afore Aldhelms
+time, that the moonks were scarse able to liue thereon. Also the same
+Aldhelme was a great furtherer vnto king Inas in the building of
+Glastenburie.
+
+[Sidenote: ETHELARD. 728. _Matth. West._ saith 727.]
+Ethelard, the coosen of king Inas, to whome the same Inas resigned
+his kingdome, began to gouerne the Westsaxons in the yéere of our
+Lord 728, or rather 27, which was in the 11 yéere of the emperor Leo
+Isaurus, in the second yeere of Theodorus king of France, and about
+the 8 or 9 yéere of Mordacke king of the Scots. In the first yéere
+of Ethelards reigne, he was disquieted with ciuill warre, which one
+Oswald a noble man, descended of the roiall bloud of the Westsaxon
+kings, procured against him: but in the end, when he perceiued that
+the kings power was too strong for him, he fled out of the countrie,
+leauing it thereby in rest.
+
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ 729. Blasing stars.]
+In the yéere 729, in the moneth of Ianuarie there appeered two
+comets or blasing starres, verie terrible to behold, the one rising in
+the morning before the rising of the sunne, and the other after the
+setting thereof: so that the one came before the breake of the day,
+and the other before the closing of the night, stretching foorth their
+fierie brands toward the north; and they appeered thus euerie morning
+and euening for the space of a fortnight togither, menacing as it
+were some great destruction or common mishap to follow. The Saracens
+shortlie after entred France, and were ouerthrowne. Finallie, when
+king Ethelard had reigned the terme of fouretéene yeeres currant, he
+departed this life.
+
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm. _]
+Now when Wichtred king of Kent had gouerned the Kentishmen by the
+space of 33 yéeres, with great commendation for the good orders which
+he caused to be obserued amongst them, as well concerning matters
+ecclesiasticall as temporal, he departed this life, leauing behind him
+thrée sonnes, who successiuelie reigned as heires to him one after
+another (that is to say) Edbert 23 yéeres, Ethelbert 11 yeeres
+currant, and Alrike 34 yeeres, the which three princes following
+the steps of their father in the obseruance of politike orders &
+commendable lawes, vsed for the more part their fathers good lucke and
+[Sidenote: _Beda. lib. 5. cap. 24_.]
+fortune, except that in Ethelberts time the citie of Canturburie
+was burned by casuall fire, and Alrike lost a battell against them of
+Mercia, whereby the glorie of their times was somewhat blemished: for
+so it came to passe, that whatsoeuer chanced euill, was kept still in
+memorie, and the good haps that came forward, were soone forgotten and
+[Sidenote: 731.]
+put out of remembrance. In the yéere of our Lord 731, Betrwald
+archbishop of Canturburie departed this life in the fift ides of
+Ianuarie, after he had gouerned that see by the space of 27 yéeres, 6
+moneths, and 14 daies: in whose place the same yéere one Tacwine was
+ordeined archbishop, that before was a priest in the monasterie of
+Bruidon within the prouince of Mercia. He was consecrated in the citie
+of Canturburie, by the reuerend fathers Daniell bishop of Winchester,
+Ingwald bishop of London, Aldwin bishop of Lichfield, and Aldwulfe
+bishop of Rochester, the tenth day of Iune being sundaie.
+[Sidenote: Bishops what parishes they governed.]
+¶ As touching the state of the English church for ecclesiasticall
+gouernours, certeine it is, that the same was as hereafter followeth.
+The prouince of Canturburie was gouerned touching the ecclesiasticall
+state by archbishop Tacwine, and bishop Aldwulfe. The prouince of the
+Eastsaxons by bishop Ingwald. The prouince of Eastangles by bishop
+Eadbertus and Hadulacus, the one kéeping his sée at Elsham, and the
+other at Dunwich. The prouince of the Westsaxons was gouerned by the
+foresaid Daniell and by Forthere, who succéeded next after Aldhelme in
+the sée of Shereburne. This Forthere in the yéere of our Lord 738,
+[Sidenote: _Matth, West._]
+left his bishoprike, and went to Rome in companie of the quéene of the
+Westsaxons. Many as well kings as bishops, noble and vnnoble, priests
+and laiemen, togither with women, vsed to make such iournies thither
+in those daies. The prouince of Mercia was ruled by the foresaid
+Aldwine bishop of Lichfield, and one bishop Walstod holding his sée
+at Herford gouerned those people that inhabited beyond the riuer of
+Sauerne toward the west. The prouince of Wiccies, that is, Worcester,
+one Wilfride gouerned. The Southsaxons and the Ile of Wight were vnder
+the bishop of Winchester. In the prouince of the Northumbers were
+foure bishops, that is to say, Wilfride archbishop of Yorke, Edilwald
+bishop of Lindisferne, Acca bishop of Hexham, and Pecthelmus bishop
+of Whiterne, otherwise called Candida Casa, he was the first that
+gouerned that church after the same was made a bishops sée. And thus
+stood the state of the English church for ecclesiasticall gouernors in
+that season.
+
+[Sidenote: Ethelbald K. of Mercia, of what puissance he was.]
+And as for temporall gouernement, king Ceolvulfe had the
+souereigne dominion ouer all the Northumbers: but all the prouinces
+on the southside of Humber, with their kings and rulers, were subiect
+vnto Edilbald or Ethelbald king of Mercia. The nation of the Picts
+were in league with the English men, and gladlie became partakers of
+the catholike faith and veritie of the vniuersall church. Those Scots
+which inhabited Britaine, contenting themselues with their owne
+bounds, went not about to practise anie deceitfull traines nor
+fraudulent deuises against the Englishmen. The Britains otherwise
+called Welshmen, though for the more part of a peculiar hatred they
+did impugne the English nation, & the obseruance of the feast of Ester
+appointed by the whole catholike church, yet (both diuine and humane
+force vtterlie resisting them) they were not able in neither behalfe
+to atteine to their wished intentions, as they which though they were
+partlie frée, yet in some point remained still as thrall and mancipate
+to the subiection of the Englishmen: who (saith Beda) now in the
+acceptable time of peace and quietnesse, manie amongst them of
+Northumberland, laieng armour and weapon aside, applied themselues
+to the reading of holie scriptures, more desirous to be professed in
+religious houses, than to exercise feates of warre: but what will come
+therof (saith he) the age that followeth shall sée and behold. With
+these words dooth Beda end his historie, continued till the yéere of
+our Lord 731, which was from the comming of the Englishmen into this
+land, about 285 yéeres, according to his account.
+
+[Sidenote: 732. _Wil. Malm._]
+In the yéere following, that is to say 732, in place of Wilfrid
+the second, Egbert was ordeined bishop of Yorke. This Egbert was
+brother vnto an other Egbert, who as then was king of Northumberland,
+by whose helpe he greatlie aduanced the see of Yorke, and recouered
+the pall: so that where all the other bishops that held the same sée
+before him sith Paulins daies, wanted the pall, and so were counted
+simplie but particular bishops: now was he intituled by the name of
+archbishop. He also got togither a great number of good books,
+[Sidenote: 733.]
+which he bestowed in a librarie at Yorke. ¶ In the yéere 733, on the
+18 kalends of September, the sunne suffered a great eclipse about
+three of the clocke in the after noone, in somuch that the earth
+seemed to be couered with a blacke and horrible penthouse.
+
+[Sidenote: 735 _Beda_ departed this life]
+In the yéere 735, that reuerend and profound learned man Beda
+departed this life, being 82 yéeres of age, vpon Ascension day, which
+was the 7 kalends of Iune, and 26 of Maie, as Matt. Westm. hath
+diligentlie obserued. W. Harison addeth hitherto, that it is to be
+read in an old epistle of Cutbert moonke of the same house vnto
+Cuthwine, that the said Beda lieng in his death-bed, translated the
+gospell of saint Iohn into English, and commanded his brethren to
+be diligent in reading and contemplation of good bookes, and not to
+exercise themselues with fables and friuolous matters. Finallie he was
+buried in the abbeie of Geruie, distant fiue miles from Wiremouth, an
+abbeie also in the north parts, not far from Newcastell (as is before
+remembred.) He was brought vp in those two abbeies, and was scholar
+to John of Beuerley. How throughlie he was séene in all kinds of good
+literature, the bookes which hée wrote doo manifestlie beare witnesse.
+His judgement also was so much estéemed ouer all, that Sergius the
+bishop of Rome wrote vnto Celfride the abbat of Wiremouth, requiring
+him to send Beda vnto the court of Rome for the deciding of certein
+questions mooued there, which without his opinion might séeme to rest
+doubtful. But whether he went thither or not we can not affirme: but
+as it is thought by men worthie of credit, he neuer went out of this
+land, but continued for the most part of his life in the abbeies of
+Geruie and Wiremouth, first vnder Benet the first abbat and founder of
+the same abbeies, and after vnder the said Celfride, in whose time he
+receiued orders of priesthood at the hands of bishop Iohn, surnamed
+of Beuerley: so that it may be maruelled that a man, borne in the
+vttermost corner of the world, should proue so excellent in all
+knowledge and learning, that his fame should so spread ouer the whole
+[Sidenote: _Crantzius_.]
+earth, and went neuer out of his natiue countrie to séeke it. But
+who that marketh in reading old histories the state of abbeies and
+monasteries in those daies, shall well perceiue that they were ordered
+after the maner of our schooles or colleges, hauing in them diuerse
+learned men, that attended onelie to teach & bring vp youth in
+knowledge of good learning, or else to go abroad and preach the word
+of God in townes and villages adjoining.
+
+[Sidenote: 735.]
+The same yéere died archbishop Tacuine, and in the yéere following,
+that is to say 735, Nothelmus was ordeined archbishop of Canturburie
+in his place, and Egbert the archbishop of Yorke the same yéere got
+his pall from Rome, and so was confirmed archbishop, and ordeined two
+bishops, Fruidberd, and Fruidwald. But some refer it to the yéere 744.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Cuthred king of the Westsaxons, he is greatlie troubled by Ethelbald
+king of Mercia, they are pacified; Kenric king Cuthreds sonne slaine,
+earle Adelme rebelleth against him whom the king pardoneth; Cuthred
+fighteth with Ethelbald at Hereford, he hath the victorie, he falleth
+sicke and dieth; Sigebert succedeth him in the kingdome, he is cruell
+to his people, he is expelled from his roiall estate, murther reuenged
+with murther, succession in the kingdome of Eastangles, kings change
+their crownes for moonks cowles; the Britaines subiect to the king of
+Northumberland and the king of Picts, the moone eclipsed._
+
+THE THIRD CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: CUTHRED.]
+After the decease of Ethelard king of Westsaxons, his coosine
+Cuthred was made king and gouernour of those people, reigning the
+tearme of 16 yéeres. He began his reigne in the yeere of our Lord
+[Sidenote: 740.]
+740, in the twentie fourth yere of the emperour Leo Isaurus, in the
+14 yéere of the reigne of the second Theodorus Cala K. of France, and
+about the 6 yéere of Ethfine king of Scots. This Cuthred had much to
+[Sidenote: _Matt. West._ _Hen. Hunt._]
+doo against Edilbald king of Mercia, who one while with stirring
+his owne subiects the Westsaxons to rebellion, an other while with
+open warre, and sometime by secret craft and subtill practises sought
+to disquiet him. Howbeit, in the fourth yeere of his reigne, a peace
+was concluded betwixt them, and then ioining their powers togither,
+they went against the Welshmen, & gaue them a great ouerthrow, as
+[Sidenote: Kenric the kings sonne slaine.]
+before is partlie touched. In the 9 yeere of this Cuthreds reigne,
+his sonne Kenric was slaine in a seditious tumult amongst his men of
+warre, a gentleman yoong in yeeres, but of a stout courage, and
+[Sidenote: 749.]
+verie forward, wherby (as was thought) he came the sooner to his
+wofull end.
+
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
+[Sidenote: 751.]
+In the 11 yeere of his reigne, Cuthred had wars against one of his
+earls called Adelme, who raising a commotion against him, aduentured
+to giue battell though he had the smaller number of men, and yet was
+at point to haue gone away with victorie, if by a wound at that
+instant receiued, his periurie had not béene punished, and the kings
+[Sidenote: 752 _Matt. West._]
+iust cause aduanced to triumph ouer his aduersarie, whom yet by
+way of reconciliation he pardoned. In the 13 yeere of his reigne,
+king Cuthred being not well able to susteine the proud exactions
+and hard dooings of Edilbald king of Mercia, raised his power, and
+encountered with the same Edilbald at Hereford, hauing before him the
+said earle Adelme, in whose valiant prowesse he put great hope to
+atteine victorie: neither was he deceiued, for by the stout conduct
+and noble courage of the said Adelme, the loftie pride of king
+[Sidenote: K. Edilbald put to flight.]
+Edelbald was abated, so that he was there put to flight, and all
+his armie discomfited, after sore and terrible fight continued and
+mainteined euen to the vttermost point. In the 24 yeere of his reigne,
+this Cuthred fought eftsoones with the Welshmen, and obteined the
+vpper hand, without anie great losse of his people: for the enimies
+were easilie put to flight and chased, to their owne destruction. In
+the yeere after, king Cuthred fell sicke, and in the 16 yéere of his
+reigne he departed this life, after so manie great victories got
+against his enimies.
+
+
+[Sidenote: SIGIBERT. 755.]
+After him succéeded one Sigibert, a cruell and vnmercifull prince
+at home, but yet a coward abroad. This Sigbert or Sigibert began his
+reigne in the yeare of our Lord 755, verie néere ended. He intreated
+his subjects verie euill, setting law and reason at naught. He could
+not abide to heare his faults told him, and therefore he cruellie
+put to death an earle named Cumbra, which was of his councell, and
+faithfullie admonished him to reforme his euill dooings: wherevpon
+the rest of his nobles assembled themselues togither with a great
+multitude of people, and expelled him out of his estate in the
+beginning of the second, or (as some say) the first yeare of his
+reigne. Then Sigibert, as he was fearefull of nature; fearing to be
+apprehended, got him into the wood called as then Andredeswald, and
+there hid himselfe, but by chance a swineheard that belonged to the
+late earle Cumbra at Priuets-floud found him out, and perceiuing what
+he was, slue him in reuenge of his maisters death.
+
+¶ Lo here you may sée how the righteous iustice of God rewardeth
+wicked dooings in this world with worthie recompense, as well as in
+the world to come, appointing euill princes sometimes to reigne for
+the punishment of the people, according as they deserue, permitting
+some of them to haue gouernement a long time, that both the froward
+nations may suffer long for their sins, and that such wicked princes
+may in an other world tast the more bitter torments. Againe, other
+he taketh out of the waie, that the people may be deliuered from
+oppression, and also that the naughtie ruler for his misdemeanour may
+spéedilie receiue due punishment.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Ethelred. 738.]
+After Beorne king of Eastangles one Ethelred succéeded in gouernment
+of that kingdome a man noted to be of good and vertuous qualities,
+in that he brought vp his sonne Ethelred (which succéeded him) so in
+the feare of the Lord, that he prooued a right godlie prince. This
+Ethelbert reigned (as writers say) the terme of 52 yeares.
+
+[Sidenote: Egbert king of Northumberland. 758.]
+After that Ceolvulfe king of Northumberland was become a moonke in
+the abbie of Lindesferne, his vncles sonne Egbert (by order taken by
+the said Ceolvulfe) succeeded him in the kingdome, and gouerned the
+same right woorthilie for the terme of 24 yeares, and then became a
+moonke, by the example both of his predecessor the forsaid Ceolvulfe,
+[Sidenote: Changing of crownes for moonkes cowles. 756.]
+and also of diuers other kings in those daies, so that he was the
+eight king who in this land had changed a kings crowne for a moonks
+cowle (as Simon Dunel. writeth.)
+
+This Egbert (in the 18 yeare of his reigne) and Vngust king of Picts
+came to the citie of Alcluid with their armies, and there receiued the
+Britains into their subiection, the first-day of August: but the tenth
+day of the same month, the armie which he led from Ouan vnto Newbourgh,
+was for the more part lost and destroied. ¶ The same yeare on the 8
+kalends of December, the moone being as then in hir full, appeared to be
+of a bloudie colour, but at length she came to hir accustomed shew,
+after a maruellous meanes, for a starre which followed hir, passed by
+hir, & went before hir, the like dist[=a]ce as it kept in following hir
+before she lost hir vsuall light.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Offa king of Mercia, his manhood and victories against the Kentishmen
+and Westsaxons, he killeth Egilbert king of Eastangles by a policie
+or subtill deuise of profered curtesie, he inuadeth his kingdome,
+and possesseth it, the archbishops see of Canturburie remoued to
+Lichfield; archbishop Lambert laboring to defend his prerogatiue is
+depriued by king Offa, he seizeth vpon churches and religious houses;
+mistrusting his estate, he alieth himselfe with other princes; he
+maketh amends for the wrongs that he had doone to churches and
+religious houses, he goeth to Rome, maketh his realme tributarie to
+the said see, Peter pence paid, he falleth sicke and dieth, places to
+this day bearing his name in memorie of him, the short reigne of his
+sonne._
+
+THE FOURTH CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: OFFA. 758.]
+After that Offa had slaine Bernred the vsurper of the kingdome
+of Mercia (as before is mentioned) the same Offa tooke vppon him the
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ _Wil. Malm._]
+gouernment of that kingdome 758, a man of such stoutnesse of
+stomach, that he thought he should be able to bring to passe all
+things whatsoeuer he conceiued in his mind. He reigned 39 yeares. His
+dooings were great and maruellous, and such as some times his vertues
+surpassed his vices, and sometime againe his vices seemed to
+[Sidenote: The victories of king Offa. _Matth. West._ 779.]
+ouermatch his vertues. He ouercame the Kentishmen in a great battell
+at Otteford, and the Northumbers also were by him vanquished, and in
+battell put to flight. With Kenvulfe king of Westsaxons he fought in
+open battell, and obteined a noble victorie, with small losse of his
+people, although the same Kenwulfe was a right valiant prince, and a
+good capteine.
+
+[Sidenote: Falsehood in fellowship.]
+Againe, perceiuing that to procéed with craft, should sooner
+aduance his purpose, than to vse open force against Egilbert king of
+Eastangles, vnder faire promises to giue vnto him his daughter in
+mariage, he allured him to come into Mercia, and receiuing him into
+his palace, caused his head to be striken off, and after by wrongfull
+meanes inuaded his kingdome, and got it into his possession: yet he
+caused the bones of the first martyr of this land saint Albane (by a
+miraculous meanes brought to light) to be taken vp, and put in a rich
+shrine adorned with gold and stone, building a goodlie church of
+excellent woorkmanship, and founding a monasterie in that place in
+honor of the same saint, which he indowed with great possessions.
+[Sidenote: The archbishops sée remoued from Canturburie to Lichfield.
+785.]
+He remoued the archbishops see from Canturburie vnto Lichfield,
+thereby to aduance his kingdome of Mercia, as well in dignitie &
+preheminence of spirituall power as temporall. He made great suit to
+bring his purpose to passe in the court of Rome, and at length by
+[Sidenote: _Matt. West._]
+great gifts and rewards obteined it at the hands of pope Adrian the
+first, then gouerning the Romane sée. And so Eadulfus then bishop of
+Lichfield was adorned with the pall, and taken for archbishop,
+hauing all those bishops within the limits of king Offa his dominion
+suffragans vnto him; namelie, Denebertus bishop of Worcester,
+Werebertus bishop of Chester, Eadulfus bishop of Dorcester, Wilnardus
+bishop of Hereford, Halard bishop of Elsham, and Cedferth bishop of
+Donwich. There remained onelie to the archbishop of Canturburie, the
+bishops of London, Winchester, Rochester, and Shireburne.
+
+[Sidenote: The archbishop Lambert defended his cause.]
+This separation continued all the life time of the archbishop
+Lambert, although he trauelled earnestlie to mainteine his
+prerogatiue. Now, for that he still defended his cause, and would
+not reuolt from his will, Offa depriued him of all his possessions &
+reuenues that he held or inioied within anie part of his dominions.
+Neither was Offa satisfied herewith, but he also tooke into his hands
+the possessions of manie other churches, and fléeced the house of
+[Sidenote: Offa alieth himselfe with other princes.]
+Malmesburie of a part of hir reuenues. Because of these & other his
+hard dooings, doubting the malice of his enimies, he procured the
+friendship of forren princes. Vnto Brightricke king of the
+[Sidenote: _Matt. Westm._]
+Westsaxons he gaue his daughter Ethelburga in mariage. And sending
+diuers ambassadours ouer vnto Charles the great, that was both emperor
+& king of France, he purchased his friendship at length, although
+[Sidenote: The intercourse of merchants staied.]
+before there had depended a péece of displeasure betwixt them,
+insomuch that the intercourse for trade of merchandize was staied for
+a time. One of the ambassadours that was sent vnto the said Charles
+[Sidenote: Alcwine an Englishman.]
+(as is reported) was that famous clearke Albine or Alcwine, by
+whose persuasion the same Charles erected two vniuersities, as in
+place due and conuenient may more largelie appeare.
+
+Finallie king Offa (as it were for a meane to appease Gods wrath,
+which he doubted to be iustlie conceiued towards him for his sinnes
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+and wickednesse) granted the tenth part of all his goods vnto
+churchmen, and to poore people. He also indowed the church of Hereford
+with great reuenues, and (as some write) he builded the abbeie of
+Bath, placing moonkes in the same, of the order of saint Benet, as
+[Sidenote: 775.]
+before he had doone at saint Albons. Moreouer he went vnto Rome,
+about the yeare of our Lord 775, and there following the example of
+Inas king of the Westsaxons, made his realme subiect by way of tribute
+[Sidenote: Peter pence, or Rome Scot. _Will. Malmes._ 797.]
+vnto the church of Rome, appointing that euerie house within the
+limits of his dominions, should yearelie pay vnto the apostolike see
+one pennie, which paiment was after named, Rome Scot, and Peter pence.
+After his returne from Rome, perceiuing himselfe to draw into yeares,
+[Sidenote: Offa departed this life.]
+he caused his sonne Egfrid to be ordeined king in his life time:
+and shortlie after departing out of this world, left the kingdome vnto
+him, after he had gouerned it by the space of 39 yeares.
+
+Amongst other the dooings of this Offa, which suerlie were great and
+maruellous, this may not passe with silence, that he caused a mightie
+great ditch to be cast betwixt the marshes of his countrie, and the
+Welsh confines, to diuide thereby the bounds of their dominions.
+[Sidenote: Offditch.]
+This ditch was called Offditch euer after, and stretched from the
+south side by Bristow, vnder the mountaines of Wales, running
+northward ouer the riuers of Seuerne and Dée, vnto the verie mouth
+of Dee, where that riuer falleth into the sea. He likewise builded a
+church in Warwikeshire, whereof the towne there taketh name, and is
+[Sidenote: Egfrid king of Mercia.]
+called Offchurch euen to this day. Egfrid taking vpon him the
+rule, began to follow the approoued good dooings of his father, and
+first restored vnto the churches their ancient priuileges, which his
+father sometimes had taken from them. Great hope was conceiued of his
+further good procéeding, but death cut off the same, taking him out of
+this life, after he had reigned the space of foure moneths, not for
+his owne offenses (as was thought) but rather for that his father had
+caused so much bloud to be spilt for the confirming of him in the
+kingdome, which so small a time he now inioied.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Osulph king of Northumberland traitorouslie murthered, Edilwald
+succeedeth him, the reward of rebellion, a great mortalitie of foules
+fishes and fruits, moonkes licenced to drinke wine, great wast by
+fire, Edelred king of Northumberland is driuen out of his countrie by
+two dukes of the same, Ethelbert king of the Eastangles commended for
+his vertues, Alfred the daughter of king Mercia is affianced to him,
+tokens of missehaps towards him, his destruction intended by queene
+Quendred, hir platforme of the practise to kill him, Offa inuadeth
+Ethelberts kingdome, Alfred his betrothed wife taketh his death
+greuouslie, and becommeth a nun, the decaie of the kingdome of
+Eastangles, succession in the regiment of the Westsaxons, the end of
+the gouernement of the Eastsaxons, prince Algar is smitten blind for
+seeking to rauish virgine Friswide, and at hir praiers restored to his
+sight._
+
+THE FIFT CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: EADBERT king of Northumberland. 758.]
+When Eadbert or Egbert K. of Northumberland was become a moonke,
+his sonne Osulphus succéeded him: but after he had reigned onelie
+one yeare, he was traitorouslie murthered by his owne seruants at
+Mikilwongton, on the 9 kalends of August. Then succéeded one Moll,
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ _Hen. Hunt._ Edilwold king of Northumberland.
+_Simon Dun._ _Henr. Hunt._]
+otherwise called Edilwold or Edilwald, but not immediatlie, for he
+began not his reigne till the nones of August in the yeare following,
+which was after the birth of our sauiour 759.
+
+This man prooued right valiant in gouernement of his subiects. He
+slue in battell an earle of his countrie named Oswin, who arrearing
+warre against him, fought with him in a pitcht field at Eadwines
+Cliue, and receiued the worthie reward of rebellion.
+
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ 764.]
+This chanced in the third yeare of his reigne, and shortlie after,
+that is to say, in the yeare of our Lord 764, there fell such a
+maruellous great snow, and therwith so extreame a frost, as the like
+had not béene heard of, continuing from the beginning of the winter,
+almost till the middest of the spring, with the rigour whereof, trees
+and fruits withered awaie, and lost their liuelie shape and growth:
+and not onelie feathered foules, but also beasts on the land, & fishes
+in the sea died in great numbers. The same yeare died Ceolwulf then
+king of Northumberland, vnto whome Beda did dedicate his booke of
+[Sidenote: Moonks licenced to drinke wine.]
+histories of the English nation. After that he was become a moonke
+in the monasterie of Lindesferne, the moonks of that house had licence
+to drinke wine, or ale, whereas before they might not drinke anie
+other thing than milke, or water, by the ancient rule prescribed them
+of the bishop Aidan first founder of the place. The same yeare sundrie
+cities, townes, and monasteries were defaced and sore wasted with fier
+chancing on the sudden, as Stretehu, Giwento, Anwicke, London, Yorke,
+Doncaster, &c.
+
+After that Moll had reigned 6 yeares, he resigned his kingdome. But
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ Altred began his reigne in the yeare 765 as
+_Sim. Dun._ saith.]
+other write that he reigned 11 yeares, and was in the end slaine by
+treason of his successor Altred. This Altred reigned ten years ouer
+the Northumbers, and was then expelled out of his kingdome by his
+[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._ _Matth. West._ Ethelbert.]
+owne subiects. Then was Ethelbert, named also Edelred, the sonne of
+the foresaid Moll, made king of Northumberland, and in the fift yeare
+of his reigne, he was driuen out of his kingdome by two dukes of his
+countrie named Edelbald and Herebert, who mouing warre against him,
+had slaine first Aldulfe the sonne of Bosa the generall of his armie
+at Kingescliffe; and after Kinewulfe and Egga, other two of his dukes,
+at Helatherne in a sore foughten field: so that Ethelbert despairing
+of all recouerie, was constrained to get him out of the countrie.
+And thus was the kingdome of Northumberland brought into a miserable
+state, by the ambitious working of the princes and nobles of the same.
+
+[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._ _Iohn Capgraue_. _Matth. West._ and others.
+Ethelbert king of Eastangles.]
+After that Ethelbert king of Eastangles was dead, his sonne
+Ethelbert succéeded him, a prince of great towardnesse, and so
+vertuouslie brought vp by his fathers circumspect care and diligence,
+that he vtterlie abhorred vice, and delighted onelie in vertue and
+commendable exercises, for the better atteining to knowledge and
+vnderstanding of good sciences. There remaine manie sundrie saiengs &
+dooings of him, manifestlie bearing witnesse that there could not
+[Sidenote: The saieng of king Ethelbert.]
+be a man more honorable, thankefull, courteous or gentle. Amongest
+other he had this saieng oftentimes in his mouth, that the greater
+that men were, the more humble they ought to beare themselues: for the
+Lord putteth proud and mightie men from their seates, and exalteth the
+humble and méeke.
+
+Moreouer he did not onelie shew himselfe wise in words, but desired
+also to excell in staiednesse of maners, and continencie of life.
+Whereby he wan to him the hearts of his people, who perceiuing that he
+was nothing delighted in the companie of women, and therefore minded
+not mariage, they of a singular loue and fauour towards him, required
+that he should in anie wise yet take a wife, that he might haue issue
+to succéed him. At length the matter being referred to his councell,
+he was persuaded to follow their aduises. And so Alfreda the daughter
+of Offa king of Mercia was affianced to him: so that he himselfe
+appointed (as meanes to procure more fauour at his father in lawes
+hands) to go fetch the bride from hir fathers house.
+
+Manie strange things that happened to him in taking vpon him this
+[Sidenote: Tokens of mishap to follow.]
+iournie, put him in great doubt of that which should follow. He was
+no sooner mounted on his horsse, but that (as séemed to him) the earth
+shooke vnder him: againe, as he was in his iournie, about the mid-time
+of the day, such a darke mist compassed him on ech side, that he could
+not sée nor discerne for a certeine time anie thing about him at all:
+lastlie, as he laie one night asléepe, he thought he saw in a dreame
+the roofe of his owne palace fall downe to the ground. But though
+with these things he was brought into great feare, yet he kept on his
+[Sidenote: The innocent mistrustfull of no euill.]
+iournie, as he that mistrusted no deceit, measuring other mens
+maners by his owne. King Offa right honourablie receiued him: but his
+wife named Quendred, a wise woman, but therewith wicked, conceiued a
+malicious deuise in hir hart, & streightwaies went about to persuade
+hir husband to put it in execution, which was to murther king
+Ethelbert, and after to take into his hands his kingdome.
+
+Offa at the first was offended with his wife for this motion, but
+[Sidenote: _Iohn Capgr._ Winnebert.]
+in the end, through the importunate request of the woman, he
+consented to hir mind. The order of the murther was committed vnto one
+Winnebert, that had serued both the said Ethelbert & his father
+[Sidenote: _Sim. Dun._ saith 771.]
+before time, the which feining as though he had béene sent from Offa
+[Sidenote: Offa conquereth Eastangles.]
+to will Ethelbert to come vnto him in the night season, slue
+him that once mistrusted not anie such treason. Offa hauing thus
+dispatched Ethelbert, inuaded his kingdome, and conquered it.
+
+But when the bride Alfreda vnderstood the death of hir liked make and
+bridegrome, abhorring the fact, she curssed father and mother, and
+as it were inspired with the spirit of prophesie, pronounced that
+woorthie punishment would shortlie fall on hir wicked mother for
+hir heinous crime committed in persuading so detestable a déed: and
+[Sidenote: Alfreda a nun. _Beda_. _Matth. West._]
+according to hir woords it came to passe, for hir mother died
+miserablie within three moneths after. The maid Alfreda refusing the
+world, professed hirselfe a nun at Crowland, the which place began
+to wax famous about the yéere of our Lord 695, by the meanes of one
+Gutlake, a man esteemed of great vertue and holinesse, which chose to
+himselfe an habitation there, and departing this life about the yéere
+of our Lord 714, was buried in that place, where afterwards an abbeie
+of moonks was builded of saint Benets order. The bodie of K. Ethelbert
+at length was buried at Hereford, though first it was committed to
+buriall in a vile place, néere to the banke of a riuer called Lug.
+
+The kingdome of Eastangles from thencefoorth was brought so into
+decaie, that it remained subiect one while vnto them of Mercia, an
+other while vnto the Westsaxons, and somewhile vnto them of Kent, till
+that Edmund surnamed the martyr got the gouernment thereof (as after
+shall appéere.) After that Selred king of the Eastsaxons had gouerned
+[Sidenote: _H. Hunt._]
+the tearme of 38 yéeres, he was slaine, but in what maner, writers
+haue not expressed. After him succéeded one Swithed or Swithred, the
+11 and last in number that particularlie gouerned those people. He was
+finallie expelled by Egbert K. of Westsaxons, the same yéere that the
+said Egbert ouercame the Kentishmen (as after shall be shewed) and so
+the kings of that kingdome of the Eastsaxons ceassed and tooke end.
+
+[Sidenote: Friswide a virgine.]
+¶ About this time, there was a maid in Oxford named Friswide,
+daughter to a certeine duke or noble man called Didanus, with whome
+one Algar a prince in those parties fell in loue, and would haue
+rauished hir, but God the reuenger of sinnes was at hand (as the
+storie saith.) For when Algar followed the maid that fled before him,
+she getting into the towne, the gate was shut against him, and his
+sight also was suddenlie taken from him. But the maid by hir praiers
+pacified Gods wrath towards him, so that his sight was againe restored
+to him. But whether this be a fable or a true tale, héereof grew the
+report, that the kings of this realme long times after were afraid to
+enter into the citie of Oxford. So easilie is the mind of man turned
+to superstition (as saith Polydor.)
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Kinewulfe king of Westsaxons, his conquest ouer the Britains, his
+securitie and negligence, he is slaine by conspirators, inquisition
+for Kineard the principall procurer of that mischiefe, he is slaine in
+fight; legats from the pope to the kings and archbishops of this land
+about reformation in the church, a councell holden at Mercia;
+iudge Bearne burnt to death for crueltie, Alfwold reigneth ouer
+Northumberland, his owne subiects murther him; a booke of articles
+sent by Charles king of France into Britaine quite contrarie to the
+christian faith, Albinus writeth against it; great waste by tempests
+of wind and rage of fire._
+
+THE SIXT CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: KINEWULF. _Hen. Hunt._ 756.]
+After that the Westsaxons had depriued their vnprofitable king
+Sigibert, they aduanced Kinewulfe, or Cinevulfus, the which began his
+reigne about the yéere of our Lord 756, which was in the 16 yéere of
+the emperor Constantinus, surnamed Copronimos, in the 6 yéere of
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun. saith 755_.]
+the reigne of Pipin king of France, and about the 22 yéere of Ethfine
+king of Scots. This Kinewulfe prooued a right woorthie and valiant
+prince, and was descended of the right line of Cerdicus. He obteined
+[Sidenote: The Britains vanquished.]
+great victories against the Britains or Welshmen, but at Bensington
+or Benton he lost a battell against Offa king of Mercia, in the 24
+yéere of his reigne: and from that time forward tasting manie
+displeasures, at length through his owne follie came vnto a shamefull
+end. For whereas he had reigned a long time neither slouthfullie nor
+presumptuouslie, yet now as it were aduanced with the glorie of things
+passed, he either thought that nothing could go against him, or else
+doubted the suertie of their state whom he should leaue behind him,
+and therefore he confined one Kineard the brother of Sigibert, whose
+fame he perceiued to increase more than he would haue wished.
+
+This Kineard dissembling the matter, as he that could giue place to
+time, got him out of the countrie, and after by a secret conspiracie
+assembled togither a knot of vngratious companie, and returning
+priuilie into the countrie againe, watched his time, till he espied
+that the king with a small number of his seruants was come vnto the
+house of a noble woman, whome he kept a paramour at Merton, wherevpon
+the said Kineard vpon the sudden beset the house round about. The king
+perceiuing himselfe thus besieged of his enimies, at the first caused
+the doores to be shut, supposing either by curteous woords to appease
+his enimies, or with his princelie authoritie to put them in feare.
+
+But when he saw that by neither meane he could doo good, in a great
+chafe he brake foorth of the house vpon Kineard, and went verie néere
+to haue killed him: but being compassed about with multitude of
+enimies, whilest he stood at defense, thinking it a dishonour for
+[Sidenote: Kinewulfe slaine by conspirators.]
+him to flée, he was beaten downe and slaine, togither with those few
+of his seruants which he had there with him, who chose rather to die
+in séeking reuenge of their maisters death than by cowardise to yéeld
+themselues into the murtherers hands. There escaped none except one
+Welshman or Britaine, an hostage, who was neuerthelesse sore wounded
+and hurt.
+
+The brute of such an heinous act was streightwaies blowne ouer all,
+and brought with speed to the eares of the noble men and peeres of the
+realme, which were not farre off the place where this slaughter had
+béene committed. Amongst other, one Osrike, for his age and wisedome
+accounted of most authoritie, exhorted the residue that in no wise
+they should suffer the death of their souereigne lord to passe
+vnpunished vnto their perpetuall shame and reproofe. Wherevpon in all
+hast they ran to the place where they knew to find Kineard, who at the
+first began to please his cause, to make large promises, to pretend
+coosenage, and so foorth: but when he perceiued all that he could
+say or doo might not preuaile, he incouraged his companie to shew
+themselues valiant, and to resist their enimies to the vttermost of
+their powers. Heerevpon followed a doubtfull fight, the one part
+striuing to saue their liues, and the other to atteine honour, and
+punish the slaughter of their souereigne lord. At length the victorie
+rested on the side where the right was, so that the wicked murtherer
+after he had fought a while, at length was slaine, togither with
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ _H. Hunt_]
+fourescore and eight of his mates. The kings bodie was buried at
+Winchester, & the murtherers at Repingdon. Such was the end of king
+Kinewulfe, after he had reigned the tearme of 31 yéeres.
+
+[Sidenote: _Eccle. hist. Magd._ 786]
+In the yeere of our Lord 786, pope Adrian sent two legats into
+England, Gregorie, or (as some copies haue) George bishop of Ostia,
+and Theophylactus bishop of Tuderto, with letters commendatorie vnto
+Offa king of Mercia, Alfwold king of Northumberland, Ieanbright or
+Lambert archbishop of Canturburie, and Eaubald archbishop of Yorke.
+[Sidenote: _H. Hunt._ Legats from the pope.]
+These legats were gladlie receiued, not onlie by the foresaid
+kings and archbishops, but also of all other the high estates, aswell
+spirituall as temporall of the land, & namelie of Kinewulfe king of
+the Westsaxons, which repaired vnto king Offa to take counsell with
+him for reformation of such articles as were conteined in the popes
+letters.
+
+[Sidenote: Twentie articles which the legats had to propone.]
+There were twentie seuerall articles which they had to propone on
+the popes behalfe, as touching the receiuing of the faith or articles
+established by the Nicene councell, and obeieng of the other generall
+councels, with instructions concerning baptisme and kéeping of synods
+yéerelie, for the examination of priests and ministers, and reforming
+of naughtie liuers. Moreouer touching discretion to be vsed in
+admitting of gouernors in monasteries, and curats or priests to the
+ministerie in churches: and further for the behauior of priests in
+wearing their apparell, namelie that they should not presume to come
+to the altar bare legged, lest their dishonestie might be discouered.
+And that in no wise the chalice or paten were made of the horne of an
+oxe, bicause the same is bloudie of nature: nor the host of a crust,
+but of pure bread. Also whereas bishops vsed to sit in councels to
+iudge in secular causes, they were now forbidden so to doo.
+
+Manie other things were as meanes of reformation articled, both for
+spirituall causes, and also concerning ciuill ordinances, as disabling
+children to be heirs to the parents, which by them were not begot
+[Sidenote: Nuns concubines.]
+in lawfull matrimonie but on concubines, whether they were nunnes
+or secular women. Also of paiment of tithes, performing of vowes,
+auoiding of vndecent apparell, and abolishing of all maner of
+heathenish vsages and customes that sounded contrarie to the order
+[Sidenote: Curtailing of horsses.]
+of christanitie, as curtailing of horsses, and eating of horsses
+flesh. These things with manie other expressed in 20 principall
+articles (as we haue said) were first concluded to be receiued by the
+church of the Northumbers in a councell holden there, and subscribed
+by Alfwold king of the Northumbers, by Delberike bishop of Hexham, by
+Eubald archbishop of Yorke, Higwald bishop of Lindisferne, Edelbert
+bishop of Whiterne, Aldulfe bishop of Mieth, Ethelwine also another
+bishop by his deputies, with a number of other of the clergie; and
+lords also of the temporaltie, as duke Alrike, duke Segwulfe, abbat
+Alebericke, and abbat Erhard. After this confirmation had of the
+Northumbers, there was also a councell holden in Mercia at Cealtide,
+in the which these persons subscribed, Iambert or Lambert archbishop
+of Canturburie, Offa king of Mercia, Hughbright bishop of Lichfield,
+Edeulfe bishop of Faron, with Vnwone bishop of Ligor, and nine other
+bishops, besides abbats; and thrée dukes, as Brorda, Farwald, and
+Bercoald, with earle Othbald.
+
+But now to returne backe to speake of other dooings, as in other parts
+of this land they fell out. About the yéere of our Lord 764, the sée
+of Canturburie being void, one Iambert or Lambert was elected
+[Sidenote: 764.]
+archbishop there, and in the yéere 766, the archbishop of Yorke Egbert
+[Sidenote: _Sim. Dun._ saith 780]
+departed this life, in whose place one Adelbert succéeded. About
+the 25 yéere of Kenwulf king of Westsaxons, the Northumbers hauing to
+their capteine two noble men, Osbald and Ethelherard, burned one
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+of their iudges named Bearne, bicause he was more cruell in iudgement
+(as they tooke the matter) than reason required. In which vengeance
+executed vpon the cruell iudge (if he were so seuere as this attempt
+of the two noble men dooth offer the readers to suspect) all such of
+his liuerie & calling are taught lenitie & mildnes, wherwith they
+should leuen the rigor of the lawe. For
+
+  [Sidenote: _Ouid. lib. 2. de art. am._]
+
+  ------capit indulgentia mentes,
+  Asperitas odium sæuáque bella mouet.
+  Odimus accipitrem, quia viuit semper in armis,
+  Er pauidum solitos in pecus ire lupos.
+  At caret insidijs hominum, quia mitis hirundo est,
+  Quásque colat turres Chaonîs ales habet.
+
+At the same time, one Aswald or Alfewald reigned ouer the Northumbers,
+being admitted K. after that Ethelbert was expelled, and when the
+[Sidenote: He began his reigne _ann._ 779, as saith _Simon Dun._ and
+reigned but ten yéeres.]
+same Alfwald had reigned 10, or (as some say) 11 yéeres, he was
+traitorouslie and without all guilt made away; the chéefe conspirator
+was named Siga. The same Alfwald was a iust prince, and woorthilie
+gouerned the Northumbers to his high praise and commendation. He was
+murthered by his owne people (as before ye haue heard) the 23 of
+September, in the yéere of our Lord 788, and was buried at Hexham.
+
+[Sidenote: 788. _Matth. West._ _Simon Dun._ 792.]
+In the yéere 792, Charles king of France sent a booke into
+Britaine, which was sent vnto him from Constantinople, conteining
+certeine articles agreed vpon in a synod (wherein were present aboue
+the number of thrée hundred bishops) quite contrarie and disagréeing
+from the true faith, namelie in this, that images ought to be
+worshipped, which the church of God vtterlie abhorreth. Against this
+booke Albinus that famous clearke wrote a treatise confirmed with
+places taken out of holie scripture, which treatise, with the booke in
+[Sidenote: _Sim. Dunel._ 800.]
+name of all the bishops and princes of Britaine, he presented vnto
+the king of France. ¶ In the yéere 800, on Christmasse éeuen chanced a
+maruellous tempest of wind, which ouerthrew whole cities and townes in
+diuerse places, and trees in great number, beside other harmes which
+it did, as by death of cattell, &c. In the yeere following a great
+part of London was consumed by fire.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Britricus K. of the Westsaxons, his inclination, Egbert being of the
+bloud roiall is banished the land, & why; crosses of bloudie colour
+and drops of bloud fell from heauen, what they did prognosticate; the
+first Danes that arriued on the English coasts, and the cause of their
+comming; firie dragons flieng in the aire foretokens of famine
+and warre; Britricus is poisoned of his wife Ethelburga, hir ill
+qualities; why the kings of the Westsaxons decreed that their wiues
+should not be called queenes, the miserable end of Ethelburga; Kenulfe
+king of Mercia, his vertues, he restoreth the archbishops see to
+Canturburie which was translated to Lichfield, he inuadeth Kent,
+taketh the king prisoner in the field, and bountifullie setteth him at
+libertie, the great ioy of the people therevpon; his rare liberalitie
+to churchmen, his death and buriall._
+
+THE SEUENTH CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: BRITRICUS. _Hen. Hunt._ _Matt. West._ saith 787.
+_Simon Dun._ saith 786.]
+After Kenwulfe, one Britricus or Brightrike was ordeined king of
+Westsaxons, and began his reigne in the yéere of our Lord 787, which
+was about the 8 yéere of the gouernment of the empresse Eirene with
+hir son Constantinus, and about the second yeere of the reigne of
+Achaius K. of Scots. This Brightrike was descended of the line of
+Cerdicus the first king of Westsaxons, the 16 in number from him. He
+was a man of nature quiet & temperate, more desirous of peace than of
+warre, and therefore he stood in doubt of the noble valiancie of one
+Egbert, which after succéeded him in the kingdome. The linage of
+Cerdicus was in that season so confounded and mingled, that euerie
+one as he grew in greatest power, stroue to be king and supreame
+gouernour. But speciallie Egbertus was knowne to be one that coueted
+that place, as he that was of the bloud roiall, and a man of great
+[Sidenote: Egbert banished.]
+power and lustie courage. King Brightrike therefore to liue in more
+safetie, banished him the land, and appointed him to go into France.
+Egbert vnderstanding certeinlie that this his departure into a
+forreine countrie should aduance him in time, obeied the kings
+pleasure.
+
+[Sidenote: A strange woonder.]
+About the third yéere of Brightrikes reigne, there fell vpon mens
+garments, as they walked abroad, crosses of bloudie colour, and bloud
+fell from heauen as drops of raine. Some tooke this woonder for
+[Sidenote: _Matt. West._ _Wil. Malm._ _Hen. Hunt._
+Danes.]
+a signification of the persecution that followed by the Danes: for
+shortlie after, in the yeere insuing, there arriued thrée Danish ships
+vpon the English coasts, against whome the lieutenant of the parties
+adjoining made foorth, to apprehend those that were come on land,
+howbeit aduenturing himselfe ouer rashlie amongst them, he was slaine:
+but afterwards when the Danes perceiued that the people of the
+countries about began to assemble, and were comming against them, they
+fled to their ships, and left their prey and spoile behind them for
+that time. These were the first Danes that arriued here in this land,
+being onelie sent (as was perceiued after) to view the countrie and
+coasts of the same, to vnderstand how with a greater power they might
+be able to inuade it, as shortlie after they did, and warred so with
+the Englishmen, that they got a great part of the land, and held it in
+their owne possession. In the tenth yéere of king Brightrikes reigne,
+there were séene in the aire firie dragons flieng, which betokened
+(as was thought) two grieuous plagues that followed. First a great
+[Sidenote: Famin & war signified.]
+dearth and famine: and secondlie a cruell war of the Danes, which
+shortlie followed, as ye shall heare.
+
+Finallie, after that Brightrike had reigned the space of 16 yéeres, he
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Cest. lib. 5. cap. 25_. Brightrike departed this life.]
+departed this life, and was buried at Warham. Some write that he
+was poisoned by his wife Ethelburga daughter vnto Offa king of Mercia
+(as before ye haue heard) and he maried hir in the fourth yere of
+his reigne. She is noted by writers to haue bin a verie euill woman,
+proud, and high-minded as Lucifer, and therewith disdainful. She bare
+[Sidenote: Ethelburga hir conditions and wicked nature.]
+hir the more statelie, by reason of hir fathers great fame and
+magnificence: whome she hated she would accuse to hir husband, and so
+put them in danger of their liues. And if she might not so wreake hir
+rancour, she would not sticke to poison them.
+
+It happened one day, as she meant to haue poisoned a yoong gentleman,
+against whome she had a quarell, the king chanced to tast of that cup,
+and died thereof (as before ye haue heard.) Hir purpose indeed was not
+to haue poisoned the king, but onelie the yoong gentleman, the which
+drinking after the king, died also, the poison was so strong and
+[Sidenote: A decrée of the kings of the Westsaxons against their
+wiues.]
+vehement. For hir heinous crime it is said that the kings of the
+Westsaxons would not suffer their wiues to be called quéenes, nor
+permit them to sit with them in open places (where their maiesties
+should bée shewed) manie yéeres after. Ethelburga fearing punishment,
+fled into France with great riches and treasure, & was well cherished
+[Sidenote: The end of Ethelburga. _Simon Dun._]
+in the court of king Charles at the first, but after she was thrust
+into an abbeie, and demeaned hirselfe so lewdlie there, in keeping
+companie with one of hir owne countriemen, that she was banished the
+house, and after died in great miserie.
+
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ Kenulfe.]
+Egbert king of Mercia departing this life, after he had reigned
+foure moneths, ordeined his coosine Kenulfe to succeed in his place,
+which Kenulfe was come of the line of Penda king of Mercia, as
+rightlie descended from his brother Kenwalke. This Kenulfe for his
+noble courage, wisdome, and vpright dealing, was woorthie to be
+compared with the best princes that haue reigned. His vertues passed
+his fame: nothing he did that enuie could with iust cause reprooue. At
+home he shewed himselfe godlie and religious, in warre he became
+[Sidenote: The archbishops sée restored to Canturburie.]
+victorious, he restored the archbishops sée againe to Canturburie,
+wherein his humblenes was to be praised, that made no account of
+worldlie honour in his prouince, so that the order of the ancient
+canons might be obserued. He had wars left him as it were by
+succession from his predecessour Offa against them of Kent, and
+thervpon entring that countrie with a mightie armie, wasted and
+[Sidenote: The king of Kent taken prisoner.]
+spoiled the same, and encountering in battell with king Edbert or
+Ethelbert, otherwise called Prenne, ouerthrew his armie, and tooke him
+prisoner in the field, but afterwards he released him to his
+great praise and commendation. For whereas he builded a church at
+Winchcombe, vpon the day of the dedication thereof, he led the Kentish
+king as then his prisoner, vp to the high altar, and there set him at
+libertie, declaring thereby a great proofe of his good nature.
+
+There were present at that sight, Cuthred whom he had made king of
+Kent in place of Ethelbert, or Edbert, with 13 bishops, and 10 dukes.
+The noise that was made of the people in reioising at the kings
+bountious liberalitie was maruellous. For not onelie he thus
+[Sidenote: Kenulfs liberalitie towards churchmen which was not
+forgotten by them in their histories.]
+restored the Kentish king to libertie, but also bestowed great rewards
+vpon all the prelates and noble men that were come to the feast,
+euerie priest had a peece of gold, and euerie moonke a shilling. Also
+he dealt and gaue away great gifts amongst the people, and founded
+in that place an abbeie, indowing the same with great possessions.
+Finallie, after he had reigned 24 yéeres, he departed this life, and
+appointed his buriall to be in the same abbeie of Winchcombe, leauing
+behind him a sonne named Kenelme, who succeeded his father in the
+kingdome, but was soone murthered by his vnnaturall sister Quendred,
+the 17 of Iulie, as hereafter shall be shewed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Osrike king of Northumberland leaueth the kingdome to Edelbert
+reuoked out of exile, king Alfwalds sons miserablie slaine, Osred is
+put to death, Ethelbert putteth away his wife and marieth another, his
+people rise against him therefore and kill him, Oswald succeeding him
+is driuen out of the land; Ardulfe king of Northumberland, duke Wade
+raiseth warre against him and is discomfited; duke Aldred is slaine;
+a sore battell fought in Northumberland, the English men aflict one
+another with ciuill warres; king Ardulfe deposed from his estate;
+the regiment of the Northumbers refused as dangerous and deadlie by
+destinie, what befell them in lieu of their disloialtie; the Danes
+inuade their land and are vanquished; the roiall race of the Kentish
+kings decaieth, the state of that kingdome; the primasie restored to
+the see of Canturburie, Egbert (after the death of Britricus) is sent
+for to vndertake the gouernement of the Westsaxons, his linage._
+
+THE EIGHT CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: OSRED. 788.]
+When Aswald king of Northumberland was made away, his brother
+Osred the sonne of Alred tooke vpon him the rule of that kingdom anno
+788, and within one yeere was expelled, and left the kingdome to
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ _Matth. West._ _Hen. Hunt._
+_Simon Dun._]
+Ethelbert or Edelred as then reuoked out of exile, in which he had
+remained for the space of 12 yéeres, and now being restored, he
+continued in gouernement of the Northumbers 4 yéeres, or (as some say)
+[Sidenote: Duke Ardulf taken and wounded.]
+7 yéeres; in the second yéere whereof duke Eardulfe was taken and
+led to Ripon, and there without the gate of the monasterie wounded
+(as was thought) to death by the said king, but the moonks taking his
+bodie, and laieng it in a tent without the church, after midnight he
+was found aliue in the church.
+
+Moreouer, about the same time the sonnes of king Alfwald were by
+force drawne out of the citie of Yorke, but first by a wile they were
+trained out of the head church where they had taken sanctuarie, and so
+at length miserablie slaine by king Ethelbert in Wonwaldremere,
+one of them was named Alfus, & the other Alfwin. In the yéere of our
+[Sidenote: 792]
+Lord 792, Osred vpon trust of the others and promises of diuerse noble
+men, secretly returned into Northumberland, but his owne souldiers
+forsooke him, and so was he taken, and by king Ethelberts commandment
+put to death at Cunbridge on the 14 day of September.
+
+The same yéere king Ethelbert maried the ladie Alfled the daughter of
+Offa king of Mercia, forsaking his former wife which he had, & hauing
+no iust cause of diuorce giuen on hir part, wherby his people tooke
+such displeasure against him, that finallie after he had reigned now
+this second time 4 yéeres, or (as other say) seuen yéeres, he could
+not auoid the destinie of his predecessors, but was miserablie killed
+by his owne subiects at Cobre, the 18 of Aprill. After whome, one
+Oswald a noble man was ordeined king, and within 27 or 28 daies after
+[Sidenote: Holie Iland.]
+was expelled, and constreined to flie first into the Ile of
+Lindesferne, and from thence vnto the king of the Picts.
+
+[Sidenote: Ardulfe.]
+Then Ardulfe that was a duke and sonne to one Arnulfe was reuoked
+out of exile, made king, & consecrated also at Yorke by the archbishop
+Cumhald, and thrée other bishops, the 25 of June, in the yéere
+[Sidenote: 796.]
+796. About two yeeres after, to wit, in the yéere 798 one duke
+Wade, and other conspirators which had beene also partakers in the
+[Sidenote: Walalege.]
+murthering of king Ethelbert, raised warre against king Ardulfe,
+and fought a battell with him at Walleg, but king Ardulfe got the
+vpper hand, and chased Wade and other his enimies out of the
+[Sidenote: 799.]
+field. In the yéere 799, duke Aldred that had murthered Ethelbert or
+Athelred king of Northumberland, was slaine by another duke called
+Chorthmond in reuenge of the death of his maister the said Ethelbert.
+Shortlie after, about the same time that Brightrike king of
+Westsaxons departed this life, there was a sore battell foughten
+in Northumberland at Wellehare, in the which Alricke the sonne of
+Herbert, and manie other with him were slaine: but to rehearse all the
+battels with their successes and issues, it should be too tedious and
+irkesome to the readers, for the English people being naturallie hard
+[Sidenote: The English men afflicted each other with ciuill warre.]
+and high-minded, continuallie scourged each other with intestine
+warres. About six or seuen yéeres after this battell, king Ardulfe was
+expelled out of the state.
+
+¶ Thus ye may consider in what plight things stood in Northumberland,
+by the often seditions, tumults and changings of gouernors, so that
+there be which haue written, how after the death of king Ethelbert,
+otherwise called Edelred, diuers bishops and other of the chiefest
+nobles of the countrie disdaining such traitorous prince-killings,
+ciuill seditions, and iniurious dealings, as it were put in dailie
+practise amongst the Northumbers, departed out of their natiue borders
+into voluntarie exile, and that from thencefoorth there was not anie
+of the nobilitie that durst take vpon him the kinglie gouernement
+amongst them, fearing the fatall prerogatiue thereof, as if it had
+béene Scians horsse, whose rider came euer to some euill end. But
+yet by that which is héeretofore shewed out of Simon Dunelm, it is
+euident, that there reigned kings ouer the Northumbers, but in what
+authoritie and power to command, it may be doubted.
+
+Howbeit this is certeine, that the sundrie murtherings and banishments
+of their kings and dukes giue vs greatlie to gesse, that there was but
+sorie obedience vsed in the countrie, whereby for no small space of
+time that kingdome remained without an head gouernor, being set open
+to the prey and iniurie of them that were borderers vnto it, and
+likewise vnto strangers. For the Danes, which in those daies were
+great rouers, had landed before in the north parts, & spoiled the
+[Sidenote: This chanced in the yéere of our Lord 700,
+as _Simon Dun._ saith.]
+abbeie of Lindesferne otherwise called holie Iland, and perceiuing
+the fruitfulnesse of the countrie, and easinesse for their people to
+inuade it (bicause that through their priuate quarelling there was
+little publike resistance to be looked for) at their comming home,
+[Sidenote: The Danes inuade Northumberland.]
+entised their countriemen to make voiages into England, and so landing
+in Northumberland did much hurt, and obtained a great part of the
+countrie in manner without resistance, bicause there was no ruler
+there able to raise anie power of men by publike authoritie to
+incounter with the common enimies, whereby the countrie was brought
+into great miserie, partlie with war of the Danes, and ciuill
+dissention amongest the nobles and people themselues, no man being of
+authoritie (I say) able to reforme such misorders. Yet we find
+[Sidenote: The Danes vanquished. This was in anno 794
+as _Simon Dun._ saith.]
+that the nobles and capteines of the countrie assembling togither
+at one time against the Danes that were landed about Tinmouth,
+constreined them by sharpe fight to flée backe to their ships, and
+tooke certeine of them in the field, whose heads they stroke off there
+vpon the shore. The other that got to their ships, suffered great
+losse of men, and likewise of their vessels by tempest.
+
+¶ Here then we are taught that the safest way to mainteine a
+monarchie, is when all degrées liue in loialtie. And that it is
+necessarie there should be one supereminent, vnto whome all the
+residue should stoope: this fraile bodie of ours may giue vs
+sufficient instruction. For reason ruleth in the mind as souereigne,
+and hath subiect vnto it all the affections and inward motions, yea
+the naturall actions are directed by hir gouernement: whereto if the
+will be obedient there cannot créepe in anie outrage or disorder. Such
+should be the sole regiment of a king in his kingdome; otherwise he
+may be called "Rex á regendo, as Mons a mouendo." For there is not a
+greater enimie to that estate, than to admit participants in roialtie,
+which as it is a readie way to cause a subuersion of a monarchie; so
+it is the shortest cut ouer to a disordered anarchie. But to procéed
+in the historie.
+
+After that Alrike (the last of king Witchreds sonnes, which reigned in
+Kent successiuelie after their father) was dead, the noble ofspring of
+the kings there so decaied, and began to vade awaie, that euerie one
+which either by flattering had got rithes togither, or by seditious
+partaking was had in estimation, sought to haue the gouernement, and
+to vsurp the title of king, abusing by vnworthie means the honor and
+dignitie of so high an office. Amongest others, one Edbert or
+[Sidenote: Edelbert.]
+Edelbert, surnamed also Prenne, gouerned the Kentishmen for the space
+of two yeares, and was in the end vanquished by them of Mercia, and
+taken prisoner, as before is said: so that for a time he liued in
+captiuitie; and although afterwards he was set at libertie, yet was he
+not receiued againe to the kingdome, so that it is vncerteine what end
+he made. Cuthred that was appointed by Kinevulfe the king of Mercia,
+to reigne in place of the same Edbert or Edelbert, continued in
+the gouernement eight yéeres as king, rather by name than by act,
+inheriting his predecessors euill hap and calamitie, through factions
+and ciuill discord.
+
+[Sidenote: Lambert.]
+After that Iambrith or Lambert the archbishop of Canturburie was
+departed this life, one Edelred was ordeined in his place, vnto whome
+the primasie was restored, which in his predecessors time was taken
+awaie by Offa king of Mercia, as before is recited. Also after the
+death of Eubald archbishop of Yorke, another of the same name called
+Eubald the second was admitted to succeed in that sée. After that
+Brightrike the king of Westsaxons was departed this life, messengers
+were sent with all spéed into France, to giue knowledge thereof
+vnto Egbert, which as before is shewed, was constreined by the said
+Brightrike to depart the countrie. At the first, he withdrew vnto Offa
+king of Mercia, with whome he remained for a time, till at length
+(through suit made by Brightrike) he perceiued he might not longer
+continue there without danger to be deliuered into his enimies hands;
+and so, Offa winking at the matter, he departed out of his countrie,
+and got him ouer into France. But being now aduertised of Brightriks
+death, and required by earnest letters sent from his friends to come
+and receiue the gouernement of the kingdome, he returned with all
+[Sidenote: Egbert receiued a king of Westsaxons His linage.]
+conuenient spéed into his countrie, and was receiued immediatlie
+for king, by the generall consent of the Westsaxons, as well in
+respect of the good hope which they had conceiued of his woorthie
+qualities and aptnesse to haue gouernement, as of his roiall linage,
+being lineallie descended from Inigils the brother of king Inas, as
+sonne to Alkemound, that was the sonne of one Eaffa, which Eaffa was
+sonne to Ope the sonne of the foresaid Inigils.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Egbert reigneth ouer the Westsaxons, his practise or exercise in the
+time of his exile, his martiall exploits against the Cornishmen and
+Welshmen, Bernulfe king of Mercia taketh indignation at Egbert for the
+inlarging of his roiall authoritie, they fight a sore battell, Egbert
+ouercommeth, great ods betweene their souldiers, bishop Alstan a
+warriour; Kent, Essex, Southerie, Sussex, and Eastangles subiect to
+Egbert; he killeth Bernulfe K. of Mercia, and conquereth the whole
+kingdome, Whitlafe the king thereof becommeth his tributarie, the
+Northumbers submit themselues to Egbert, he conquereth Northwales and
+the citie of Chester, he is crowned supreme gouernour of the whole
+land, when this Ile was called England, the Danes inuade the land,
+they discomfit Egberts host, the Welshmen ioine with the Danes against
+Egbert, they are both vanquished, Egbert dieth._
+
+THE NINTH CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: EGBERT. 802 as _Simon Dunel._
+and _M.W._ hath noted but 801.]
+This Egbert began his reigne in the yeare of our Lord 800, which
+was the 4 yeare almost ended, after that the emperour Eirine began the
+second time to rule the empire, and in the 24 yeare of the reigne of
+Charles the great king of France, which also was in the same yeare
+after he was made emperour of the west, and about the second yeare
+of Conwall king of Scots. Whilest this Egbert remained in exile, he
+turned his aduersaries into an occasion of his valiancie, as it had
+béene a grindstone to grind awaie and remoue the rust of sluggish
+slouthfulnes, in so much that hawnting the wars in France, in seruice
+of Charles the great, he atteined to great knowledge and experience,
+both in matters appertaining to the wars, and likewise to the well
+ordering of the common wealth in time of peace. The first wars that he
+tooke in hand, after he had atteined to the kingdome, was against the
+Cornishmen, a remnant of the old Britains, whome he shortlie ouercame
+and subdued. Then he thought good to tame the vnquiet Welshmen, the
+which still were readie to moue rebellion against the Englishmen,
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ _Hen. Hunt._]
+as they that being vanquished, would not yet seeme to be subdued,
+wherefore about the 14 yeare of his reigne, he inuaded the countrie of
+Wales, and went through the same from east to west, not finding anie
+person that durst resist him.
+
+King Egbert hauing ouercome his enimies of Wales and Cornewall, began
+to grow in authoritie aboue all the other rulers within this land, in
+somuch that euerie of them began to feare their owne estate, but
+[Sidenote: Bernulf king of Mercia.]
+namelie Bernulfe king of Mercia sore stomached the matter, as he that
+was wise, and of a loftie courage, and yet doubted to haue to doo with
+Egbert, who was knowen also to be a man both skilfull and valiant. At
+length yet considering with himselfe, that if his chance should be
+to speed well, so much the more should his praise be increased, he
+determined to attempt the fortune of warre, and therevpon intimated
+the same vnto Egbert, who supposing it should be a dishonor vnto him
+[Sidenote: A battell fought at Ellendon.]
+to giue place, boldlie prepared to méete Bernulfe in the field.
+Herevpon they incountred togither at Ellendon, & fought a sore
+battell, in the which a huge number of men were slaine, what on the
+one part, and on the other but in the end the victorie remained with
+Egbert, although he had not the like host for number vnto Bernulfe,
+[Sidenote: Egbert won the victorie.]
+but he was a politike prince, and of great experience, hauing chosen
+his souldiers of nimble, leane, and hartie men; where Bernulfs
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ 826.]
+souldiers (through long ease) were cowardlie persons, and
+ouercharged with flesh. The battell was fought in the yeare of our
+Lord 826.
+
+King Egbert hauing got this victorie, was aduanced into such hope,
+that he persuaded himselfe to be able without great adoo to ouercome
+the residue of his neighbours, whose estates he saw plainlie sore
+weakened and fallen into great decaie. Herevpon before all other, he
+determined to assaile Edelvulfe king of Kent, whome he knew to be
+a man in no estimation amongest his subiects. A competent armie
+therefore being leuied, he appointed his sonne Ethelwulfe & Alstan
+[Sidenote: Alstan bishop of Shireborn a warrior.]
+bishop of Shireborne, with earle Walhard to haue the conduct therof,
+and sent them with the same into Kent, where they wrought such
+maisteries, that they chased both the king and all other that would
+not submit themselues, out of the countrie, constreining them to
+[Sidenote: The conquests of the Westsaxons.]
+passe ouer the Thames. And herewith the Westsaxons following the
+victorie, brought vnder subiection of king Egbert the countries of
+Kent, Essex, Southerie, and Sussex. The Eastangles also about
+[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._]
+the same time receiued king Egbert for their souereigne Lord, and
+comforted by his setting on against Bernulfe king of Mercia, inuaded
+the confines of his kingdome, in reuenge of displeasures which he had
+doone to them latelie before, by inuading their countrie, and as it
+[Sidenote: Bernulf king of Mercia slaine.]
+came to passe, incountring with the said Bernulfe which came against
+them to defend his countrie, they slue him in the field.
+
+Thus their minds on both parts being kindled into further wrath,
+the Eastangles eftsoones in the yeare following fought with them of
+Mercia, and ouercame them againe, and slue their king Ludicenus, who
+succéeded Bernulfe in that kingdome, with 5 of his earles. The state
+of the kingdome of Mercia being weakened, Egbert conceiued an assured
+hope of good successe, & in the 27 yeare of his reigne, made an open
+inuasion into the countrie, and chasing Whitlafe king of Mercia (that
+succéeded Ludicenus) out of his estate, conquered the whole kingdome
+of the Mercies. But yet in the yéere next following, or in the third
+yeare after, he restored it againe to Whitlafe, with condition, that
+he should inioy the same as tributarie to him, and acknowledge him
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+for his supreme gouernour. The same yeare that Bernulfe king of
+[Sidenote: These were the Cornish men as is to be supposed.]
+Mercia was slaine by the Eastangles, there was a sore battell foughten
+at Gauelford, betwixt them of Deuonshire, and the Britains, in the
+which manie thousands died on both parts.
+
+King Egbert hauing conquered all the English people inhabiting on
+the south side of Humber, led foorth his armie against them of
+Northumberland: but the Northumbers being not onelie vexed with ciuill
+sedition, but also with the often inuasion of Danes, perceiued not
+[Sidenote: King Egbert inuadeth Northumberland.
+The Northumbers submit themselues to king Egbert.]
+how they should be able to resist the power of king Egbert: and
+therefore vpon good aduisement taken in the matter, they resolued to
+submit themselues, and therevpon sent ambassadors to him to offer
+their submission, committing themselues wholie vnto his protection.
+King Egbert gladlie receiued them, and promised to defend them from
+all forren enimies. Thus the kingdome of Northumberland was brought
+vnder subiection to the kings of the Westsaxons, after the state
+had béen sore weakened with contention and ciuill discord that had
+continued amongst the nobles of the countrie, for the space of manie
+yeeres, beside the inuasion made by outward enimies, to the gréeuous
+damage of the people.
+
+After that king Egbert had finished his businesse in Northumberland,
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ Northwales and the citie of Chester conquered
+by Egbert.]
+he turned his power towards the countrie of Northwales, and
+subdued the same, with the citie of Chester, which till those daies,
+the Britains or Welshmen had kept in their possession. When king
+Egbert had obteined these victories, and made such conquests as before
+is mentioned, of the people héere in this land, he caused a councell
+to be assembled at Winchester, and there by aduise of the high
+estates, he was crowned king, as souereigne gouernour and supreame
+lord of the whole land. It is also recorded, that he caused a
+commission to be directed foorth into all parts of the realme, to
+giue commandement, that from thence forward all the people inhabiting
+within this land, should be called English men, and not Saxons, and
+[Sidenote: The name of this ile when it was changed.]
+likewise the land should be called England by one generall name,
+though it should appéere (as before is mentioned) that it was so
+called shortlie after the first time that the Angles and Saxons got
+possession thereof.
+
+Now was king Egbert setled in good quiet, and his dominions reduced
+[Sidenote: The Danes.]
+out of the troubles of warre, when suddenlie newes came, that the
+Danes with a nauie of 35 ships, were arriued on the English coasts,
+and began to make sore warre in the land. K. Egbert being thereof
+aduertised, with all conuenient spéed got togither an armie, and went
+foorth to giue battell to the enimies. Heerevpon incountring with
+them, there was a sore foughten field betwixt them, which continued
+with great slaughter on both sides, till the night came on, and then
+by chance of warre the Englishmen, which before were at point to haue
+[Sidenote: The Englishmen discomfited by Danes. _Simon Dun._ _H. Hunt._
+_Matth. West._]
+gone awaie with victorie, were vanquished and put to flight, yet
+king Egbert by couert of the night escaped his enimies hands: but two
+of his chiefe capteins Dudda and Osmond, with two bishops, to wit,
+Herferd of Winchester, and Vigferd of Shireborne, were slaine in that
+battell, which was foughten at Carrum, about the 834 of Christ, and 34
+yéere of king Egberts reigne.
+
+[Sidenote: 834.]
+In the yeere following, the Danes with their nauie came into
+Westwales, and there the Welshmen ioining with them, rose against king
+Egbert, but he with prosperous fortune vanquished and slue both
+[Sidenote: Danes and Welshmen vanquished.]
+the Danes and Welshmen, and that in great number, at a place called
+Hengistenton. The next yéere after also, which was 836, he ouerthrew
+[Sidenote: 836.]
+another armie of Danes which came against him, as one autor
+writeth. Finallie, when king Egbert had reigned the tearme of 36
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
+yéeres and seuen moneths with great glorie for the inlarging of his
+[Sidenote: Egbert departeth this life. 837.]
+kingdome with wide bounds, which when he receiued was but of
+small compasse, he departed this life, leauing to his issue matter of
+woorthie praise to mainteine that with order which he with painefull
+diligence had ioined togither. His bodie was buried at Winchester, and
+he left behind him two sonnes Ethelwulfe, otherwise named Athaulfe and
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
+Adelstan. The first he appointed to succéed him in the kingdome of
+Westsaxons, and Adelstan he ordeined to haue the gouernment of Kent,
+Sussex, and Essex.
+
+¶ Héere we sée the paterne of a fortunate prince in all his affaires,
+as well forren as domesticall, wherein is first to be obserued the
+order of his education in his tender yéeres, which agreeing well with
+a princes nature, could not but in the progresse of his age bring
+great matters to passe, his manifold victories are an argument that as
+he lacked no policie, so he had prowesse inough to incounter with his
+enimies, to whome he gaue manie a fowle discomfiture. But among all
+other notes of his skill and hope of happie successe in his martiall
+affaires, was the good choise that he made of seruiceable souldiers,
+being such as knew how to get the victorie, and hauing gotten it,
+were not vntaught to vse it to their benefit, by their warinesse and
+héedtaking; for
+
+  Sæpiùs incautæ nocuit victoria turbæ.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_The kingdome of Kent annexed to the kingdome of the Westsaxons,
+the end of the kingdome of Kent and Essex; Kenelme king of Mercia
+murthered by the meanes of his owne sister Quendred, the order of hir
+wicked practise; his death prophesied or foreshewed by a signe, the
+kings of Mercia put by their roialtie one after another, the kingdome
+of Britaine beginneth to be a monarchie; Ethelwulfe king of the
+Westsaxons, he marrieth his butlers daughter, his disposition; the
+fourth destruction of this land by forren enimies, the Danes sought
+the ruine of this Ile, how long they afflicted and troubled the same;
+two notable bishops and verie seruiceable to king Ethelwulfe in
+warre, the Danes discomfited, the Englishmen chased, Ethelwulfs great
+victorie ouer the Danes, a great slaughter of them at Tenet, king
+Ethelwulfs deuotion and liberalitie to churches, Peter pence paid
+to Rome, he marieth the ladie Iudith, his two sonnes conspire (vpon
+occasion of breaking a law) to depose him, king Ethelwulfe dieth,
+his foure sonnes by his first wife Osburga, how he bequeathed his
+kingdoms._
+
+THE TENTH CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+When Cuthred K. of Kent had reigned 8 yeeres, as before is
+mentioned, he was constreined to giue place vnto one Baldred, that
+tooke vpon him the gouernment, & reigned the space of 18 yéeres,
+without anie great authoritie, for his subiects regarded him but
+sorilie, so that in the end, when his countrie was inuaded by the
+Westsaxons, he was easilie constreined to depart into exile. And thus
+was the kingdome of Kent annexed to the kingdome of the Westsaxons,
+after the same kingdome had continued in gouernment of kings created
+of the same nation for the space of 382 yéers, that is to say, from
+the yéere of our Lord 464, vnto the yéere 827. Suithred or Suthred
+[Sidenote: The end of the kingdome of Kent. 827.]
+king of Essex was vanquished and expelled out of his kingdome by
+Egbert king of Westsaxons (as before ye maie read) in the same yéere
+that the Kentishmen were subdued by the said Egbert, or else verie
+[Sidenote: The end of the kingdome of Essex.]
+shortlie after. This kingdome continued 281 yeeres, from the yéere
+614, vnto the yeere 795, as by the table of the Heptarchie set foorth
+by Alexander Neuill appéereth. After the deceasse of Kenwulfe king
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ 821]
+of Mercia, his sonne Kenelme a child of the age of seuen yéeres was
+admitted king, about the yeere of our Lord 821. He had two sisters,
+Quendred and Burgenild, of the which the one (that is to say)
+[Sidenote: The wickedness of Quendred.]
+Quendred, of a malicious mind, mooued through ambition, enuied hir
+brothers aduancement, and sought to make him awaie, so that in the
+end she corrupted the gouernour of his person one Ashbert, with great
+rewards and high promises persuading him to dispatch hir innocent
+brother out of life, that she might reigne in his place. Ashbert one
+day vnder a colour to haue the yoong king foorth on hunting, led him
+into a thicke wood, and there cut off the head from his bodie, an impe
+by reason of his tender yéeres and innocent age, vnto the world
+[Sidenote: King Kenelm murthered.]
+void of gilt, and yet thus traitorouslie murthered without cause or
+crime: he was afterwards reputed for a martyr.
+
+[Sidenote: _Sée legenda aurea. fol. 165_. in the life of S. Kenelme.]
+There hath gone a tale that his death should be signified at Rome,
+and the place where the murther was committed, by a strange manner:
+for (as they say) a white doue came and lighted vpon the altar of
+saint Peter, bearing a scroll in hir bill, which she let fall on the
+same altar, in which scroll among other things this was conteined, "In
+clenc kou bath, Kenelme kinbarne lieth vnder thorne, heaued bereaued:"
+that is, at Clenc in a cow pasture, Kenelme the kings child lieth
+beheaded vnder a thorne. This tale I rehearse, not for anie credit
+I thinke it woorthie of, but onelie for that it séemeth to note the
+place where the yoong prince innocentlie lost his life.
+
+[Sidenote: Ceolwulfe K. of Mercia 823.]
+After that Kenelme was thus made awaie, his vncle Ceolwulfe the
+brother of king Kenulfe was created king of Mercia, and in the second
+yéere of his reigne was expelled by Bernwulfe. Bernwulfe in the third
+yéere of his reigne, was vanquished and put to flight in battell
+by Egbert king of Westsaxons, and shortlie after slaine of the
+Eastangles, as before ye haue heard. Then one Ludicenus or Ludicanus
+was created king of Mercia, and within two yeeres after came to the
+like end that happened to his predecessor before him, as he went about
+to reuenge his death, so that the kingdome of Britaine began now to
+réele from their owne estate, and leane to an alteration, which
+grew in the end to the erection of a perfect monarchie, and finall
+subuersion of their particular estates and regiments. After Ludicenus,
+[Sidenote: _Matt. Westm._ 728.]
+succeeded Wightlafe, who first being vanquisht by Egbert king
+of Westsaxons, was afterwards restored to the kingdome by the same
+Egbert, and reigned 13 yeeres, whereof twelue at the least were vnder
+tribute which he paied to the said Egbert and to his sonne, as to his
+souereignes and supreame gouernours. The kingdome of Northumberland
+[Sidenote: 828.]
+was brought in subjection to the kings of Westsaxons, as before
+is mentioned, in the yéere of our Lord 828, and in the yéere of the
+reigne of king Egbert 28, but yet héere it tooke not end, as after
+shall appéere.
+
+[Sidenote: ETHELWULFUS]
+Ethelwulfus, otherwise called by some writers Athaulfus, began his
+reigne ouer the Westsaxons in the yéere 837, which was in the 24 yéere
+of the emperor Ludouicus Pius that was also K. of France, in the tenth
+yéere of Theophilus the emperor of the East, & about the third yéere
+of Kenneth, the second of that name king of Scots. This Ethelwulfe
+minding in his youth to haue béene a priest, entered into the orders
+[Sidenote: _Henrie Hunt._ _Matth. West._]
+as subdeacon, and as some write, he was bishop of Winchester: but
+howsoeuer the matter stood, or whether he was or not, sure it is, that
+shortlie after he was absolued of his vowes by authoritie of pope Leo,
+and then maried a proper gentlewoman named Osburga, which was his
+butlers daughter. He was of nature courteous, and rather desirous to
+liue in quiet rest, than to be troubled with the gouernment of
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+manie countries, so that contenting himselfe with the kingdome of
+Westsaxons, he permitted his brother Adelstan to inioy the residue of
+the countries which his father had subdued, as Kent and Essex, with
+other. He aided Burthred the king of Mercia against the Welshmen, and
+greatlie aduanced his estimation, by giuing vnto him his daughter in
+mariage.
+
+[Sidenote: Foure especiall destructions of this land.]
+But now the fourth destruction which chanced to this land by
+forren enimies, was at hand: for the people of Denmarke, Norway, and
+other of those northeast regions, which in that season were great
+rouers by sea, had tasted the wealth of this land by such spoiles and
+preies as they had taken in the same, so that perceiuing they could
+not purchase more profit anie where else, they set their minds to
+inuade the same on ech side, as they had partlie begun in the daies of
+the late kings Brightrike and Egbert. The persecution vsed by these
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ _Hen. Hunt._]
+Danes séemed more gréeuous, than anie of the other persecutions,
+either before or sithens that time: for the Romans hauing quicklie
+subdued the land, gouerned it noblie without seeking the subuersion
+thereof. The Scots and Picts onelie inuaded the north parts. And the
+Saxons seeking the conquest of the land, when they had once got it,
+they kept it, and did what they could, to better and aduance it to a
+flourishing estate.
+
+The Normans likewise hauing made a conquest, granted both life,
+libertie, and ancient lawes to the former inhabitants: but the Danes
+long time and often assailing the land on euerie side, now inuading it
+in this place, and now in that, did not at the first so much couet to
+conquer it, as to spoile it, nor to beare rule in it, as to waste and
+destroie it: who if they were at anie time, ouercome, the victors were
+nothing the more in quiet: for a new nauie, and a greater armie
+[Sidenote: The Danes sought the destruction of this land.]
+was readie to make some new inuasion, neither did they enter all at
+one place, nor at once, but one companie on the east side, and an
+other in the west, or in the north and south coasts, in such sort,
+that the Englishmen knew not whether they should first go to make
+[Sidenote: How long the persecution of the Danes lasted. _Will. Malmes._]
+resistance against them.
+
+This mischiefe began chieflie in the daies of this king Ethelwulfe,
+but it continued about the space of two hundred yeeres, as by the
+sequele of this booke it shall appéere. King Ethelwulfe was not so
+much giuen to ease, but that vpon occasion for defense of his countrie
+and subiects, he was readie to take order for the beating backe of the
+enimies, as occasion serued, and speciallie chose such to be of his
+counsell, as were men of great experience and [Sidenote: Two notable
+bishops in Ethelwulfs daies.] wisedome. Amongst other, there were two
+notable prelats, Suithune bishop of Winchester, and Adelstan bishop of
+Shireborne, who were readie euer to giue him good aduise. Suithune was
+not so much expert in worldlie matters as Adelstan was, & therefore
+chieflie counselled the king in things apperteining to his soules
+health: but Adelstan tooke in hand to order matters apperteining to
+the state of the commonwealth, as prouiding of monie, and furnishing
+foorth of men to withstand the Danes, so that by him manie things were
+both boldlie begun, and happilie atchiued, as by writers hath béene
+recorded. He gouerned the sée of Shireborne the space of 50 yéeres, by
+the good counsell and faithfull aduise of those two prelats.
+
+King Ethelwulfe gouerned his subiects verie politikelie, and by
+himselfe and his capteins oftentimes put the Danes to flight, though
+as chance of warre falleth out, he also receiued at their hands
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ _Hen. Hunt._]
+great losses, and sundrie sore detriments. In the first yéere of his
+reigne, the Danes arriued at Hampton, with 33 ships, against whome he
+sent earle Wulhard with part of his armie, the which giuing battell to
+the enimies, made great slaughter of them, and obteined a noble
+[Sidenote: Danes discomfited. _Matth. West._]
+victorie. He sent also earle Adelhelme with the Dorsetshire
+men against an other number of the Danes, which were landed at
+Portesmouth, but after long fight, the said Adelhelme was slaine,
+[Sidenote: Englishmen put to flight. They are eftsoones vanquished.]
+and the Danes obteined the victorie. In the yéere following, earle
+Herbert fought against the Danes at Merseware, and was there slaine,
+and his men chased. The same yeere, a great armie of Danes passing by
+the east parts of the land, as through Lindsey, Eastangle, and Kent,
+slue and murthered an huge number of people. The next yéere after
+this, they entered further into the land, and about Canturburie,
+Rochester, and London, did much mischiefe.
+
+King Ethelwulfe in the fift yéere of his reigne, with a part of his
+[Sidenote: Carrum.]
+armie incountred with the Danes at Carrum, the which were arriued
+in those parties with 30 ships, hauing their full fraught of men, so
+that for so small a number of vessels, there was a great power of
+[Sidenote: The Danes wan the victorie in battell. Danes are vanquished.
+_Simon Dun._ 851.]
+men of warre, in so much that they obteined the victorie at that
+time, and put the king to the woorse. About the tenth yéere of king
+Ethelwulfs reigne, one of his capteins called Ernwulfe, and bishop
+Adelstan, with the Summersetshire men, and an other capteine called
+Osred, with the Dorsetshire men, fought against the Danes, at a place
+called Pedredesmuth, and vanquished them with great triumph. In the
+sixtéenth yeere of his reigne, king Ethelwulfe and his sonne Edelbald
+hauing assembled all their powers togither, gaue battell at Ocley,
+[Sidenote: Ocley. Two hundred and fiftie ships saith _Hen. Hunt._]
+to an huge host of Danes, the which with foure hundred and fiftie
+ships had arriued at Thames mouth, and destroied the famous cities of
+London and Canturburie, and also had chased Brightwulfe king of Mercia
+in battell, and being now entered into Southerie, were incountered by
+king Ethelwulfe at Ocley aforesaid, & after sore fight and incredible
+slaughter made on both sides, in the end, the victorie by the power of
+God was giuen to those that beléeued on him, and the losse rested with
+great confusion to the miscreants.
+
+[Sidenote: The Danes eftsoones vanquished. Danes ouercome by sea.]
+Thus king Ethelwulfe obteined a glorious victorie in so mightie a
+battell, as a greater had not beene lightlie heard of to chance within
+the English dominions. The same yeere also Athelstan king of Kent and
+duke Ealhere fought by sea with the Danes, and tooke 9 of their ships,
+and chased the residue. Moreouer, one earle Ceorle hauing with him the
+[Sidenote: The Deuonshire men vanquish the Danes.]
+power of Deuonshire, fought with the Danes at Winleshore, and got
+the victorie. This yéere was verie luckie to the English nation, but
+yet the armie of the Danes lodged all the winter season in the Ile of
+Tenet. And this was the first time that they remained héere all the
+winter, vsing afore time but to come and make an inuasion in one place
+or other, and immediatlie to returne home with the prey.
+
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ 852.]
+In the 18 yeere of king Ethelwulfes reigne, he aided Burthred king
+of Mercia against the Welshmen (as before is mentioned) and gaue to
+him his daughter in marriage, the solemnization whereof was kept at
+Chipnham. The same yéere king Ethelwulfe sent his sonne Alured as then
+but fiue yeeres of age to Rome, where he was consecrated K. by pope
+Leo the fourth, and was receiued of him as if he had beene his owne
+sonne. Duke Ealhere or Eachere with the Kentishmen, and one Huda or
+[Sidenote: Great slaughter of Danes at Tenet.]
+rather Wada, with the men of Southerie, fought against the armie
+of Danes at Tenet, where great slaughter was made on both sides, the
+Englishmen preuailing in the beginning, but in the end, both their
+foresaid dukes or leaders died in that battell, beside manie other
+that were slaine and drowned.
+
+In the 19 yéere of his reigne, king Ethelwulfe ordeined that the
+tenths or tithes of all lands due to be paid to the church, should be
+frée from all tribute, duties, or seruices regall. And afterwards,
+with great deuotion he went to Rome, where he was receiued with great
+honour, and taried there one whole yéere: he tooke with him his sonne
+[Sidenote: The Saxons schoole.]
+Alured, who had béene there before as ye haue heard. He repaired
+the Saxons schoole, which Offa king of Mercia had sometime founded in
+that citie, and latelie had béene sore decaied by fire. He confirmed
+the grant of Peter pence, to the intent that no Englishmen from
+[Sidenote: King Ethelwulfs liberalitie to churches. _Will. Malmes._
+_Simon Dun._ Mancusæ.]
+thence-foorth should doo penance in bounds as he saw some there to
+doo before his face. It is also written, that he should acquit all the
+churches of his realme of paieng tribute to his coffers (as before ye
+haue heard) & moreouer couenanted to send vnto Rome euerie yéere three
+hundred marks, that is to say, one hundred marks to saint Peters
+church, an other hundred marks to saint Paules light, and the third
+hundred marks to the Pope.
+
+[Sidenote: The ladie Iudith.]
+In his returne thorough France, he married the ladie Iudith,
+daughter to Charles the bald, then K. of France, and bringing hir with
+him into his countrie, placed hir by him in a chaire of estate, with
+which déed he offended so the minds of his subiects, bicause it was
+against the order taken before him, for the offense of Ethelburga,
+that his sonne Ethelbald and Adelstan bishop of Shireborne, with
+Enwulfe earle of Summerset, conspired to depose him from his
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+kinglie authoritie; but by mediation of friends, the matter was taken
+vp, and so ordered, that the kingdome was diuided betwixt the father
+and the sonne, with such parcialitie, that the sonne had the better
+part lieng westward, and the father was constreined to content
+himselfe with the east part being the woorst.
+
+[Sidenote: 857.]
+Of this trouble of Ethelwulfe some write otherwise, after this
+manner word for word. ¶ Ethelwulfe king of the Westsaxons being
+returned from Rome & the parties beyond the seas, was prohibited
+the entrance into his realme by Adelstane bishop of Shireborne, and
+Ethelbald his eldest sonne; pretending outwardlie the coronation of
+Alfride, the mariage of Iudith the French kings daughter, and open
+eating with hir at the table, to be the onelie cause of this their
+manifest rebellion. Whereby he séemeth to inferre, that this reuolting
+of Adelstane and his son, should procéed of the ambitious desire
+of Ethelbald to reigne, and likelie inough, or else this vnequall
+partition should neuer haue béene made.
+
+But howsoeuer the matter stood, king Ethelwulfe liued not long after
+his returne from Rome, but departed this life, after he had ruled the
+kingdome of the Westsaxons the space of 20 yéeres and od moneths.
+His bodie was buried at Winchester. He left behind him foure sonnes,
+Ethelbald, Ethelbert or Ethelbright, Ethelred, and Alsred or Alured,
+which was begotten of his first wife Osburga. A little before his
+[Sidenote: Onelie Westsex saith _Matt. Westm._ and _Sim. Dunel._
+saith that Ethelbright had Sussex also, and so dooth _H. Hunt._
+_Matth. Paris_.]
+death he made his testament and last will, appointing his sonne
+Ethelbald to succéed him in the whole regiment of his kingdoms of
+Westsex and Sussex, which he held by inheritance: but the kingdoms of
+Kent and Essex he assigned to his son Ethelbright. About the same time
+also the Danes soiourned all the winter season in the Ile of Shepie.
+
+¶ The old Saxons doo bring the genealogie of this Ethelwulfe to Adam,
+after this maner following.
+
+Ethelwulfe the sonne of Egbert,
+the son of Alcmund,
+the son of Eaffa,
+the son of Eoppa,
+the son of Ingils,
+the son of Kenred,
+the son of Coelwald,
+the son of Cudwine,
+the son of Ceawlin,
+the son of Kenric,
+the son of Cerdic,
+the son of Eslie,
+the son of Gewise,
+the son of Wingie,
+the son of Freawin,
+the son of Fridagare,
+the son of Brendie,
+the son of Beldegie,
+the son of Woden,
+the son of Frethelwold,
+the son of Freolaffe,
+the son of Frethewolfe,
+the son of Finnie,
+the son of Godulfe,
+[Sidenote: _*De quo Sedulius in car. pasch_]
+the son of *Geta,
+the son of Teathwie,
+the son of Beame,
+the son of Sceldie,
+the son of Seafe,
+the son of Heremod,
+the son of Itermod,
+the son of Hordie,
+the son of Wale,
+the son of Bedwie,
+the son of Sem,
+the son of Noah,
+and so foorth to Adam, as you
+shall find it by retrogradation from the 32 verse vnto the first
+of the fift chapter of Genesis. Which genealogicall recapitulation in
+their nationall families and tribes, other people also haue obserued;
+as the Spaniards, who reckon their descent from Hesperus, before the
+Gothes and Moors ouerran their land; the Italians from Aeneas, before
+they were mingled with the Vandals and Lumbards; the Saxons from
+Woden, before they were mixed with the Danes and Normans; the
+Frenchmen at this day from the Thracians; the Germans from
+[Sidenote: _Iohn Castor._ _Simon Dun._ _Matt. Parker_.
+A kings son and heire a bishop.]
+the children of Gwiston; and other people from their farre fetcht
+ancestrie. To conclude, of this Ethelwulfe it is written, that he was
+so well learned & deuout, that the clerks of the church of Winchester
+did chuse him in his youth to be bishop, which function he vndertooke,
+and was bishop of the said see by the space of seuen yéeres before he
+was king.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Bertwolfe king of Mercia tributarie to the Westsaxons, the fame of
+Modwen an Irish virgine, she was a great builder of monasteries, she
+had the gift of healing diseases, Ethelbald and Ethelbright diuide
+their fathers kingdome betwixt them, Ethelbald marieth his mother,
+he dieth, Winchester destroied by the Danes, they plaied the
+trucebreakers and did much mischiefe in Kent, Ethelbright dieth;
+Ethelred king of the Westsaxons, his commendable qualities, his
+regiment was full of trouble, he fought against the Danes nine times
+in one yere with happie successe, the kings of Mercia fall from their
+fealtie and allegiance to Ethelred; Hungar & Vbba two Danish capteines
+with their power lie in Eastangle, Osbright and Ella kings of
+Northumberland slaine of the Danes in battell, they set Yorke on fire,
+a commendation of bishop Adelstan, his departure out of this life._
+
+THE ELEUENTH CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Bertwolfe. of Mercia.]
+After Wightlafe king of Mercia, one Bertwolfe reigned as tributarie
+vnto the Westsaxons, the space of 13 yeeres, about the end of which
+tearme he was chased out of his countrie by the Danes, and then one
+Burthred was made king of that kingdome, which maried Ethelswida
+[Sidenote: _Matt. West._ saith the daughter. _Ranulf. Cest._
+_Iohn Capgraue_.]
+the sister of Ethelwolfe king of Westsaxons. In this season, one
+Modwen a virgine in Ireland was greatlie renowmed in the world, vnto
+whome the forenamed king Ethelwolfe sent his sonne Alfred to be
+cured of a disease, that was thought incurable: but by hir meanes he
+recouered health, and therefore when hir monasterie was destroied in
+Ireland, Modwen came ouer into England, vnto whom king Ethelwolfe gaue
+land to build two abbeies, and also deliuered vnto hir his sister
+Edith to be professed a nun. Modwen herevpon built two monasteries,
+one at Pouleswoorth, ioining to the bounds of Arderne, wherein she
+placed the foresaid Edith, with Osith and Athea: the other, whether
+it was a monasterie or cell, she founded in Strenshall or Trentsall,
+where she hir selfe remained solitarie a certeine time in praier, and
+other vertuous exercises. And (as it is reported) she went thrice to
+Rome, and finallie died, being 130 yéeres of age. Hir bodie was first
+buried in an Iland compassed about with the riuer of Trent called
+Andresey, taking that name of a church or chappell of saint Andrew,
+which she had built in the same Iland, and dwelled therein for the
+space of seuen yéeres. Manie monasteries she builded, both in
+England (as partlie aboue is mentioned) and also in Scotland, as at
+Striueling, Edenbrough; and in Ireland, at Celestline, and elsewhere.
+
+[Sidenote: ETHELBALD AND ETHELBRIGHT. 857.]
+Ethelbald and Ethelbright diuiding their fathers kingdom betwixt
+them, began to reigne, Ethelbald ouer the Westsaxons and the
+Southsaxons, and Ethelbright ouer them of Kent and Essex, in the yéere
+of our Lord 857, which was in the second yéere of the emperor Lewes
+the second, & the 17 of Charles surnamed Caluus or the bald king of
+France, and about the first yéere of Donald the fift of that name king
+[Sidenote: The vnlawful mariage of Ethelbald. _Wil. Malm._]
+of Scots. The said Ethelbald greatlie to his reproch tooke to wife
+his mother in law quéene Iudith, or rather (as some write) his owne
+mother, whom his father had kept as concubine. He liued not past fiue
+yéeres in gouernement of the kingdome, but was taken out of this life
+to the great sorrow of his subiects whome he ruled right worthilie,
+and so as they had him in great loue and estimation. Then his brother
+Ethelbright tooke on him the rule of the whole gouernment, as well
+ouer the Westsaxons & them of Sussex, as ouer the Kentishmen and them
+of Essex.
+
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ Winchester destroied by Danes.]
+In his daies the Danes came on land, and destroid the citie of
+Winchester: but duke Osrike with them of Hamshire, and duke Adelwolfe
+[Sidenote: Danes vanquished.]
+with the Barkeshire men gaue the enimies battell, & vanquishing
+them, slue of them a great number. In the fift yeere of Ethelbrights
+reigne, a nauie of Danes arriued in the Ile of Tenet, vnto whome when
+the Kentishmen had promised a summe of monie to haue a truce granted
+for a time, the Danes one night, before the tearme of that truce was
+expired, brake foorth and wasted all the east part of Kent: wherevpon
+the Kentishmen assembled togither, made towardes those trucebreakers,
+and caused them to depart out of the countrie. The same yéere, after
+that Ethelbright had ruled well and peaceably the Westsaxons fiue
+yeeres, and the Kentishmen ten yéeres, he ended his life, and was
+buried at Shireborne, as his brother Ethelbald was before him.
+
+[Sidenote: ETHELRED. 867.]
+After Ethelbright succéeded his brother Ethelred, and began his
+reigne ouer the Westsaxons and the more part of the English people, in
+the yéere of our Lord 867, and in the 12 yéere of the emperour Lewes,
+in the 27 yéere of the reigne of Charles Caluus king of France, and
+about the 6 yéere of Constantine the second king of Scots. Touching
+this Ethelred, he was in time of peace a most courteous prince, and
+one that by all kind of meanes sought to win the hearts of the
+people: but abroad in the warres he was sharpe and sterne, as he that
+vnderstood what apperteined to good order, so that he would suffer no
+offense to escape vnpunished. By which meanes he was famous both
+in peace and warre: but he neither liued any long time in the
+gouernement, nor yet was suffered to passe the short space that he
+reigned in rest and quietnesse.
+
+[Sidenote: Foure yéeres six moneths saith _Harison_. _Wil. Malm._
+Ethelred fought with the Danes nine times in one yéere.]
+For whereas he reigned not past six yeeres, he was continuallie
+during that tearme vexed with the inuasion of the Danes, and
+speciallie towards the latter end, insomuch that (as hath béene
+reported of writers) he fought with them nine times in one yéere: and
+although with diuers and variable fortune, yet for the more part he
+went away with the victorie. Beside that, he oftentimes lay in wait
+for their forragers, and such as straied abroad to rob and spoile the
+countrie, whom he met withall and ouerthrew. There were slaine in his
+time nine earles of those Danes, and one king, beside other of the
+meaner sort without number.
+
+But here is to be vnderstood, that in this meane time, whilest
+Ethelred was busied in warre to resist the inuasions of the Danes in
+the south and west parts of this land, the kings and rulers of
+[Sidenote: The kings of Mercia and Northumberland neglect their duties.]
+Mercia and Northumberland taking occasion therof, began to withdraw
+their couenanted subiection from the Westsaxons, and tooke vpon them
+as it were the absolute gouernment and rule of their countries,
+without respect to aid one another, but rather were contented to
+susteine the enimies within their dominions, than to preuent the
+iniurie with dutifull assistance to those, whom by allegiance they
+were bound to serue and obeie.
+
+[Sidenote: The Danes grow in puisance.]
+By reason hereof, the Danes without resistance grew into greater
+power amongst them, whilest the inhabitants were still put in feare
+each day more than other, and euerie late gotten victorie by the
+enimies by the increase of prisoners, ministred occasion of some other
+conquest to follow. Euen about the beginning of Ethelreds reigne,
+[Sidenote: Hungar and Vbba.]
+there arriued vpon the English coasts an huge armie of the Danes,
+vnder the conduct of two renowmed capteins Hungar and Vbba, men of
+maruellous strength and valiancie, but both of them passing cruell of
+nature. They lay all the winter season in Estangle, compounding with
+them of the countrie for truce vpon certeine conditions, sparing for a
+time to shew their force for quietnesse sake.
+
+In the second yéere of king Ethelred, the said capteins came with
+their armies into Yorkshire, finding the country vnprouided of
+necessarie defense bicause of the ciuill discord that reigned
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ King Osbright deposed and Ella placed.]
+among the Northumbers, the which had latelie expelled king Osbright,
+that had the gouernement of those parts, and placed one Ella in his
+roome: howbeit now they were constreined to reuoke him home againe,
+and sought to accord him and Ella. But it was long yer that might
+be brought to passe, notwithstanding yet at length they were made
+friends, by reason of this inuasion attempted by forren enimies, and
+then raising their powers they came to Yorke, where the Danes, hauing
+wasted the countrie euen to the riuer of Tine, were lodged.
+
+The English host entring the citie, began to fight with the Danes, by
+[Sidenote: Osbright and Ella kings of Northumberland slaine.]
+reason whereof a sore battell insued betwixt them: but in the end
+the two kings Osbright and Ella were slaine, and a great number of the
+Northumbers, what within the citie, and what without lost their liues
+at that time, the residue were constreined to take truce with the
+[Sidenote: It must be vpon the 10 kalends of Aprill, or else it will
+not concurre with Palmsunday.
+Sée _Mat. West._]
+Danes. This battell was fought the 21 day of March being in Lent,
+on the Friday before Palmsunday, in the yere 657.
+
+¶ Some haue written otherwise of this battell, reporting that the
+Northumbers calling home king Osbright (whome before they had
+banished) incountred with the Danes in the field, without the walles
+of Yorke, but they were easilie beaten backe, and chased into the
+[Sidenote: Yorke burnt by Danes.]
+citie, the which by the Danes pursuing the victorie, was set on
+fier and burnt, togither with the king and people that were fled into
+it for succour. How soeuer it came about, certeine it is, that the
+Danes got the victorie, and now hauing subdued the Northumbers,
+appointed one Egbert to reigne ouer them as king, vnder their
+protection, which Egbert reigned in that sort six yeares ouer those
+which inhabited beyond the riuer of Tine. In the same yeare, Adelstane
+bishop of Shireborne departed this life, hauing gouerned that sée the
+[Sidenote: The commendation of Adelstan bishop of Shirborne.]
+terme of 50 yeares. This Adelstane was a man of high wisedome, and
+one that had borne no small rule in the kingdome of the Westsaxons, as
+hereby it may be coniectured, that when king Ethelwulfe returned from
+Rome, he would not suffer him to be admitted king, because he had
+doone in certeine points contrarie to the ordinances and lawes of the
+same kingdome, wherevpon by this bishops means Ethelbald the sonne of
+the same king Ethelwulfe was established king, and so continued till
+by agréement the kingdome was diuided betwixt them, as before is
+mentioned. Finallie, he greatlie inriched the sée of Shireborne,
+[Sidenote: Bishop Adelstan couetous. _Hen. Hunt._]
+and yet though he was feruentlie set on couetousnesse, he was
+neuerthelesse verie free and liberall in gifts: which contrarie
+extremities so ill matched, though in him (the time wherein he liued
+being considered) they might seeme somewhat tollerable; yet simplie &
+in truth they were vtterlie repugnant to the law of the spirit, which
+biddeth that none should doo euill that good may come thereof. Against
+which precept because Adelstane could not but offend in the heat of
+his couetousnes, which is termed the root of all mischiefe, though he
+was excéeding bountifull and large in distributing the wealth he had
+gréedilie gotten togither, he must néeds incur reprehension. But this
+is so much the lesse to be imputed vnto him as a fault, by how much
+he was ignorant what (by the rule of equitie and conscience) was
+requirable in a christian man, or one of his vocation.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Burthred king of Mercia with aid beseegeth the Danes in Notingham,
+Basreeg and Halden two Danish kings with their powers inuade the
+Westsaxons, they are incountred by Ethelwulfe earle of Barkeshire;
+King Ethelred giueth them and their cheefe guides a sore discomfiture;
+what Polydor Virgil recordeth touching one Iuarus king of the Danes,
+and the warres that Ethelred had with them, his death; Edmund king of
+Eastangles giueth battell to the Danes, he yeeldeth himselfe, and
+for christian religion sake is by them most cruellie murthered, the
+kingdome of the Eastangles endeth, Guthrun a Dane gouerneth the whole
+countrie, K. Osbright rauisheth the wife of one Bearne a noble man,
+a bloodie battell insueth therevpon, wherein Osbright and Ella are
+slaine._
+
+THE TWELFT CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: BURTHRED king of Mercia.]
+In the yeare following, that is to say, in the third yéere of
+Ethelreds reigne, he with his brother Alured went to aid Burthred king
+of Mercia, against the two foresaid Danish capteines Hungar and Vbba,
+the which were entred into Mercia, and had woon the towne for the
+winter season. Wherevpon the foresaid Ethelred and Burthred with their
+[Sidenote: Danes besieged in Notingham.]
+powers came to Notingham, and besieged the Danes within it. The
+Danes perceiuing themselues in danger, made suite for a truce &
+abstinence from war, which they obteined, and then departed backe to
+Yorke, where they soiourned the most part of all that yeare.
+
+In the sixt yeare of king Ethelreds reigne, a new armie of great force
+[Sidenote: Basreeg and Halden.]
+and power came into the countrie of the Westsaxons vnder two
+leaders or kings of the Danes, Basréeg and Halden. They lodged at
+Reding with their maine armie, and within thrée daies after the
+[Sidenote: Edelwulfe, erle of Barkshire fought at Englefield with the
+Danes.]
+earle of Berrockshire Edelwulfe fought at Englefield with two earles
+of those Danes, vanquished them, and slue the one of those earles,
+whose name was Sidroc. After this king Ethelred and his brother Alured
+came with a great host vnto Reding, and there gaue battell vnto the
+armie of Danes, so that an huge number of people died on both parts,
+but the Danes had the victorie.
+
+[Sidenote: The Danes wan the victory at Reading.]
+After this also king Ethelred and his brother Alured fought againe
+with those Danes at Aschdon, where the armies on both sides were
+diuided into two parts, so that the two Danish kings lead the one
+part of their armie, & certeine of their earles lead the other part.
+Likewise on the English side king Ethelred was placed with one part of
+the host against the Danish kings, and Alured with the other part was
+appointed to incounter with the earles. Herevpon they being on both
+parts readie to giue battell, the euening comming on caused them to
+deferre it till the morow. And so earlie in the morning when the
+armies should ioine, king Ethelred staied in his tent to heare
+diuine seruice, whilest his brother vpon a forward courage hasted to
+incounter his enimies, the which receiued him so sharplie, and with
+so cruell fight, that at length, the Englishmen were at point to haue
+turned their backs. But herewith came king Ethelred and manfullie
+ended the battell, staied his people from running away, and so
+encouraged them, and discouraged the enimies, that by the power of God
+(whom as was thought in the morning he had serued) the Danes finallie
+[Sidenote: The Danes discomfited.]
+were chased and put to flight, losing one of their kings (that is
+to say) Basreeg or Osreeg, and 5 earles, Sidroc the elder, and Sidroc
+the yoonger, Osberne, Freine, and Harold. This battell was sore
+foughten, and continued till night, with the slaughter of manie
+thousands of Danes. About 14 daies after, king Ethelred and his
+brother Alured fought eftsoones with the Danish armie at Basing,
+[Sidenote: A battell at Merton.]
+where the Danes had the victorie. Also two moneths after this they
+likewise fought with the Danes at Merton. And there the Danes, after
+they had béene put to the woorse, & pursued in chase a long time, yet
+at length they also got the victorie, in which battell Edmund
+[Sidenote: He was bishop of Shireborne as _Matt. West._ saith.]
+bishop of Shireborne was slaine, and manie other that were men of
+woorthie fame and good account.
+
+In the summer following, a mightie host of the Danes came to Reading,
+[Sidenote: _Polyd. Virg._ Iuarus.]
+and there soiourned for a time. ¶ These things agrée not with that
+which Polydor Virgil hath written of these warres which king Ethelred
+had with the Danes: for he maketh mention of one Iuarus a king of the
+Danes, who landed (as he writeth) at the mouth of Humber, and like a
+stout enimie inuaded the countrie adioining. Against whome Ethelred
+with his brother Alured came with an armie, and incountring the Danes,
+fought with them by the space of a whole day togither, and was in
+danger to haue béene put to the woorse, but that the night seuered
+them asunder. In the morning they ioined againe: but the death of
+Iuarus, who chanced to be slaine in the beginning of the battell,
+[Sidenote: Danes put to flight.]
+discouraged the Danes, so that they were easilie put to flight,
+of whome (before they could get out of danger) a great number were
+slaine. But after that they had recouered themselues togither, and
+[Sidenote: Agnerus and Hubba.]
+found but a conuenient place where to pitch their campe, they
+chose to their capteines Agnerus, and Hubba, two brethren, which
+indeuored themselues by all meanes possible to repaire their armie:
+so that within 15 daies after, the Danes eftsoones fought with the
+Englishmen, and gaue them such an ouerthrow, that little wanted
+of making an end of all incounters to be attempted after by the
+Englishmen.
+
+But yet within a few daies after this, as the Danes attended their
+market to spoile the countrie and range somewhat licentiouslie abroad,
+they fell within the danger of such ambushes as were laid for them by
+king Ethelred, that no small slaughter was made of them, but yet
+not without some losse of the Englishmen. Amongest others, Ethelred
+himselfe receiued a wound, whereof he shortlie after died. Thus saith
+Polydor touching the warres which king Ethelred had with the Danes,
+who yet confesseth (as the trueth is) that such authors as he herein
+followed, varie much from that which the Danish writers doo record of
+these matters, and namelie touching the dooings of Iuarus, as in the
+Danish historie you may sée more at large.
+
+But now to our purpose touching the death of king Ethelred, whether by
+reason of hurt receiued in fight against the Danes (as Polydor saith)
+or otherwise, certeine it is, that Ethelred anon after Easter
+[Sidenote: Winborne abbeie.]
+departed this life, in the sixt yeare of his reigne, and was buried
+at Winborne abbey. In the daies of this Ethelred, the foresaid Danish
+[Sidenote: Agnerus. _Fabian_. 870.]
+capteins, Hungar, otherwise called Agnerus, and Hubba returning
+from the north parts into the countrie of the Eastangles, came
+[Sidenote: Edmund K. of the Eastangles.]
+vnto Thetford, whereof Edmund, who reigned as king in that season ouer
+the Eastangles, being aduertised, raised an armie of men, and went
+foorth to giue battell vnto this armie of the Danes. But he with his
+people was chased out of the field, and fled to the castell of
+[Sidenote: Framingham castell.]
+Framingham, where being enuironed with a siege by his enimies, he
+yéelded himselfe vnto them. And because he would not renounce the
+[Sidenote: King Edmund shot to death.]
+christian faith, they bound him to a trée, and shot arrowes at
+him till he died: and afterwards cut off his head from his bodie,
+and threw the same into a thicke groue of bushes. But afterwards his
+[Sidenote: Eglesdon.]
+friends tooke the bodie with the head, and buried the same at
+Eglesdon: where afterward also a faire monasterie was builded by one
+bishop Aswin, and changing the name of the place, it was after called
+saint Edmundsburie. Thus was king Edmund put to death by the cruell
+Danes for his constant confessing the name of Christ, in the 16 yeare
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ Eastangles without a gouernour.]
+of his reigne, and so ceased the kingdome of Eastangles. For after
+that the Danes had thus slaine that blessed man, they conquered all
+the countrie, & wasted it, so that through their tyrannie it remained
+without anie gouernor by the space of nine yeares, and then they
+[Sidenote: Guthrun a Dane king of Eastangles.]
+appointed a king to rule ouer it, whose name was Guthrun, one
+of their owne nation, who gouerned both the Eastangles and the
+Eastsaxons.
+
+Ye haue heard how the Danes slue Osrike and Ella kings of
+Northumberland. After which victorie by them obteined, they did much
+[Sidenote: _Polychron._]
+hurt in the north parts of this land, and amongest other cruell
+deeds, they destroied the citie of Acluid, which was a famous citie
+in the time of the old Saxons, as by Beda and other writers dooth
+[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
+manifestlie appeare. Here is to be remembred, that some
+writers rehearse the cause to be this. Osbright or Osrike king of
+Northumberland rauished the wife of one Berne that was a noble man of
+the countrie about Yorke, who tooke such great despight thereat, that
+he fled out of the land, and went into Denmarke, and there complained
+vnto the king of Denmarke his coosin of the iniurie doone to him by
+king Osbright. Wherevpon the king of Denmarke, glad to haue so iust a
+quarell against them of Northumberland, furnished foorth an armie, and
+sent the same by sea (vnder the leading of his two brethren Hungar
+and Hubba) into Northumberland, where they slue first the said king
+Osbright, and after king Ella, at a place besides Yorke, which vnto
+this day is called Ellas croft, taking that name of the said Ella,
+being there slaine in defense of his countrie against the Danes. Which
+Ella (as we find registred by writers) was elected king by such of
+the Northumbers, as in fauour of Berne had refused to be subiect vnto
+Osbright.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Alfred ruleth ouer the Westsaxons and the greatest part of England,
+the Danes afflict him with sore warre, and cruellie make wast of his
+kingdome, they lie at London a whole winter, they inuade Mercia, the
+king whereof (Burthred by name) forsaketh his countrie and goeth
+to Rome, his death and buriall; Halden king of the Danes diuideth
+Northumberland among his people; Alfred incountreth with the Danes
+vpon the sea, they sweare to him that they will depart out of his
+kingdome, they breake the truce which was made betwixt him and them,
+he giueth them battell, and (besides a great discomfiture) killeth
+manie of their capteines, the Danes and English fight neere Abington,
+the victorie vncerteine, seuen foughten fieldes betwixt them in one
+yeare, the Danes soiourne at London._
+
+THE XIIJ. CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: ALURED OR ALFRED. 871. as _Mat. West._ & _Sim. Dunelmen._
+ doo note it. _Henr. Hunt._]
+After the decease of king Ethelred, his brother Alured or Alfred
+succéeded him, and began his reigne ouer the Westsaxons, and other
+the more part of the people of England, in the yeare of our Lord 872,
+which was in the 19 yeare of the emperour Lewes the second, and 32
+yeare of the reigne of Charles the bald, king of France, and about the
+eleuenth yeare of Constantine the second king of Scotland. Although
+this Alured was consecrated king in his fathers life time by pope Leo
+(as before ye haue heard) yet was he not admitted king at home, till
+after the decease of his thrée elder brethren: for he being the
+yoongest, was kept backe from the gouernement, though he were for his
+wisdome and policie most highlie estéemed and had in all honour.
+
+[Sidenote: Alured persecuted by Danes. _Matt. Westm._]
+In the beginning of his reigne he was wrapped in manie great
+troubles and miseries, speciallie by the persecution of the Danes,
+which made sore and greeuous wars in sundrie parts of this land,
+destroieng the same in most cruell wise. About a moneth after he was
+[Sidenote: The Danes obteine the victorie.]
+made king, he gaue battell to the Danes of Wilton, hauing with him
+no great number of people, so that although in the beginning the Danes
+that day were put to the woorse, yet in the end they obteined the
+victorie. Shortlie after, a truce was taken betwixt the Danes and the
+[Sidenote: The Danes wintered at London. 874.]
+Westsaxons. And the Danes that had lien at Reading, remoued from
+thence vnto London, where they lay all the winter season. In the
+second yeare of Alured his reigne, the Danish king Halden led the same
+armie from London into Lindseie, and there lodged all that winter at
+[Sidenote: Repton.]
+Torkseie. In the yeare following, the same Halden inuaded Mercia,
+and wintered at Ripindon. There were come to him thrée other leaders
+of Danes which our writers name to be kings, Godrun, Esketell, &
+[Sidenote: Burthred king of Mercia.]
+Ammond, so that their power was greatlie increased. Burthred king of
+Mercia which had gouerned that countrie by the space of 22 yéeres, was
+not able to withstand the puissance of those enimies: wherevpon he was
+constreined to auoid the countrie, and went to Rome, where he departed
+this life, and was buried in the church of our ladie, néere to the
+English schoole.
+
+[Sidenote: 875.]
+In the fourth yeare of king Alured the armie of the Danes diuided
+it selfe into two parts, so that king Halden with one part thereof
+went into Northumberland, and lay in the winter, season néere to
+[Sidenote: The Danes went into Northumberland.]
+the riuer of Tine, where hee diuided the countrie amongest his men,
+and remained there for the space of two yeares, and oftentimes fetched
+thither booties and preis out of the countrie of the Picts. The other
+part of the Danish armie with the thrée foresaid kings or leaders
+[Sidenote: The Danes at Cambridge. 876.]
+came vnto Cambridge, and remained there a whole yeare. In the same
+yeare king Alured fought by sea with 7 ships of Danes, tooke one of
+them, & chased the residue. In the yeare next insuing, the Danes came
+into the countrie of the Westsaxons, and king Alured tooke truce with
+them againe, and they sware to him (which they had not vsed to doo
+[Sidenote: The Danes tooke an oth. _Hen. Hunt._]
+to anie afore that time) that they would depart the countrie. Their
+armie by sea sailing from Warham toward Excester, susteined great
+losse by tempest, for there perished 120 ships at Swanewicke.
+
+[Sidenote: The Danes went to Excester.]
+Moreouer the armie of the Danes by land went to Excester in breach
+of the truce, and king Alured followed them, but could not ouertake
+them till they came to Excester, and there he approched them in such
+wise, that they were glad to deliuer pledges for performance of
+[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._]
+such couenants as were accorded betwixt him and them. And so then
+they departed out of the countrie, and drew into Mercia. But shortlie
+after, when they had the whole gouernment of the land, from Thames
+northward, they thought it not good to suffer king Alured to continue
+in rest with the residue of the countries beyond Thames. And therefore
+the thrée foresaid rulers of Danes, Godrun, Esketell, and Ammond,
+inuading the countrie of Westsaxons came to Chipnam, distant 17 miles
+from Bristow, & there pitched their tents.
+[Sidenote: 877.]
+
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+King Alured aduertised hereof, hasted thither, and lodging with
+his armie néere to the enimies, prouoked them to battell. The Danes
+perceiuing that either they must fight for their liues, or die with
+shame, boldlie came foorth, and gaue battell. The Englishmen rashlie
+incountered with them, and though they were ouermatched in number, yet
+with such violence they gaue the onset, that the enimies at the first
+were abashed at their hardie assaults. But when as it was perceiued
+that their slender ranks were not able to resist the thicke leghers of
+the enimies, they began to shrinke & looke backe one vpon an other,
+and so of force were constrained to retire: and therewithal did cast
+themselues into a ring, which though it séemed to be the best way that
+could be deuised for their safetie, yet by the great force and number
+of their enimies on each side assailing them, they were so thronged
+togither on heaps, that they had no roome to stir their weapons. Which
+[Sidenote: Hubba slaine.]
+disaduantage notwithstanding, they slue a great number of the
+Danes, and amongest other, Hubba the brother of Agner, with manie
+other of the Danish capteins. At length the Englishmen hauing
+valiantlie foughten a long time with the enimies, which had compassed
+[Sidenote: The victorie doubtful.]
+them about, at last brake out and got them to their campe. To be
+briefe, this battell was foughten with so equall fortune, that no man
+knew to whether part the victorie ought to be ascribed. But after they
+were once seuered, they tooke care to cure their hurt men, and to
+burie the dead bodies, namelie the Danes interred the bodie of their
+capteine Hubba with great funerall pompe and solemnitie: which
+[Sidenote: Abington.]
+doone, they held out their iournie till they came to Abington, whither
+the English armie shortlie after came also, and incamped fast by the
+enimies.
+
+In this meane while, the rumor was spread abroad that king Alured had
+béene discomfited by the Danes, bicause that in the last battell he
+withdrew to his campe. This turned greatlie to his aduantage: for
+thereby a great number of Englishmen hasted to come to his succour.
+[Sidenote: The Danes and Englishmen fight néer to Abington.]
+On the morrow after his comming to Abington, he brought his armie
+readie to fight into the field: neither were the enimies slacke, on
+their parts to receiue the battell, and so the two armies ioined and
+fought verie sore on both sides: so that it séemed the Englishmen
+men had not to doo with those Danes, which had béene diuerse times
+before discomfited and put to flight, but rather with some new people
+fresh and lustie. But neither the one part nor the other was minded
+to giue ouer: in so much that the horssemen alighting on foot, and
+putting their horsses from them, entered the battell amongst the
+footmen, and thus they continued with equall aduantage till night came
+on, which parted the affraie, being one of the sorest foughten
+[Sidenote: Vncerteine victorie Thus farre _Polydor_.]
+fields that had beene heard of in those daies. To whether partie a man
+might iustlie attribute the victorie, it was vtterlie vncerteine, with
+so like losse & gaine the matter was tried & ended betwixt them. With
+the semblable chance of danger and glorie seuen times that yéere
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._]
+did the English and Danes incounter in battell, as writers haue
+[Sidenote: A peace agreed vpon.]
+recorded. At length, when their powers on both parts were sore
+diminished, they agréed vpon a peace, with these conditions, that the
+Danes should not attempt anie further warre against the Englishmen,
+nor bring into this land anie new supplie of souldiers out of
+Denmarke. But this peace by those peacemakers was violated and broken,
+in so much as they ment nothing lesse than to fall from the conceiued
+hope which they had of bearing rule in this land, and of inriching
+themselues with the goods, possessions, rents and reuenues of the
+[Sidenote: The Danes sojourned at London.]
+inhabitants. The same yéere the Danes soiorned in the winter
+season at London, according as they had doone often times before.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Rollo a noble man of Denmarke with a fresh power entreth England, and
+beginneth to waste it, king Alured giueth him batell, Rollo saileth
+ouer into France; who first inhabited Normandie, and whereof it tooke
+that name; the Danes breake the peace which was made betwixt them
+and Alured, he is driuen to his shifts by their inuasions into his
+kingdome, a vision appeereth to him and his mother; king Alured
+disguising himselfe like a minstrell entereth the Danish campe,
+marketh their behauiour unsuspected, assalteth them on the sudden with
+a fresh power, and killeth manie of them at aduantage; the Deuonshire
+men giue the Danes battell vnder the conduct of Haldens brother, and
+are discomfited; Alured fighteth with them at Edanton, they giue him
+hostages, Gurthrun their king is baptised and named Adelstan, a league
+concluded betwixt both the kings, the bounds of Alureds kingdome._
+
+THE XIIIJ. CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Ann. 876. saith _Simon Dun._]
+About the same time, or shortlie after, there came into England
+one Rollo, a noble man of Denmarke or Norway, with a great armie, and
+(notwithstanding the peace concluded betweene the Englishmen and the
+Danes) began to waste and destroy the countrie. King Alured hearing
+these newes, with all spéed thought best in the beginning to stop
+such a common mischiefe, and immediatlie assembling his people, went
+against the enimies, and gaue them battell, in the which there died a
+great number of men on both sides, but the greater losse fell to Rollo
+his armie. Yet Matthew Westmin. saith that the Englishmen were put to
+flight. After this, it chanced that Rollo being warned in a dreame,
+left England, & sailed ouer into France, where he found fortune so
+fauourable to him, that he obteined in that region for him and his
+[Sidenote: 30 yéeres after this he was baptised.]
+people a countrie, the which was afterwards named Normandie, of those
+northerne people which then began to inhabit the same, as in the
+histories of France you maie sée more at large.
+
+The Danes which had concluded peace with king Alured (as before you
+haue heard) shortlie after vpon the first occasion, brake the
+same, and by often inuasions which they made into the countrie of
+Westsaxons, brought the matter to that passe, that there remained to
+[Sidenote: King Alured driuen to his shifts.]
+king Alured but onlie the three countries of Hamshire, Wiltshire, &
+Summersetshire, in so much that he was constreined for a time to
+kéepe himselfe close within the fennes and maresh grounds of
+Summersetshire, with such small companies as he had about him,
+constreined to get their liuing with fishing, hunting, and other
+such shifts. He remained for the most part within an Ile called
+[Sidenote: Edlingsey.]
+Edlingsey, that is to say, the Iland of noble men, enuironed about
+with fennes and mareshes.
+
+[Sidenote: A vision if it be true.]
+Whiles he was thus shut vp within this Iland, he was by dreame
+aduertised of better hap shortlie to follow: for as it hath béene
+said, saint Cuthbert appéered to him as he laie in sléepe, and
+comforted him, declaring to him, that within a while fortune should so
+turne, that he should recouer againe his kingdome to the confusion of
+his enimies. And to assure him that this should prooue true, he told
+him that his men which were gone abroad to catch fish, should bring
+home great plentie, although the season was against them, by reason
+that the waters were frosen, and that a cold rime fell that morning,
+to the hinderance of their purpose. His mother also at that time being
+in sleepe, saw the like vision. And as they had dreamed, so it came to
+passe: for being awakened out of their sleepe, in came his men with so
+great foison of fish, that the same might haue sufficed a great armie
+of men, for the vittelling of them at that season.
+
+[Sidenote: King Alured disguiseth himselfe. _Polydor, Fabian_.]
+Shortlie after, king Alured tooke vpon him the habit of a
+minstrell, and going foorth of his closure, repaired to the campe of
+the Danish king, onelie accompanied with one trustie seruant, and
+tarrieng there certeine daies togither, was suffered to go into euerie
+part, and plaie on his instrument, as well afore the king as others,
+so that there was no secret, but that he vnderstood it. Now when he
+had séene and learned the demeanour of his enimies, he returned againe
+to his people at Edlingsey, and there declared to his nobles what he
+had séene and heard, what negligence was amongst the enimies, and how
+easie a matter it should be for him to indamage them. Wherevpon they
+conceiuing a maruellous good hope, and imboldened with his words, a
+power was assembled togither, and spies sent foorth to learne and
+bring woord where the Danes lodged: which being doone, and certificat
+[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._ 877.]
+made accordinglie, king Alured comming vpon them on the sudden,
+slue of them a great number, hauing them at great aduantage.
+
+[Sidenote: 878.]
+About the same time the brother of king Halden came with thirtie
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
+and three ships out of Wales into the countrie of Westsaxons, on
+the coast of Deuonshire, where the Deuonshire men gaue him battell,
+and slue him with 840 persons of his retinue. Other write, that Halden
+himselfe was present at this conflict, with Inguare, otherwise called
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+Hungar, and that they were both slaine there, with twelue hundred
+of their companie (before a certeine castell called Kinwith) receiuing
+as they had deserued for their cruell dealing latelie by them
+practised in the parties of Southwales, where they had wasted all
+afore them with fire and swoord, not sparing abbeies more than other
+common buildings.
+
+King Alured being with that good lucke the more comforted, builded a
+[Sidenote: Athelney.]
+fortresse in the Ile of Edlingsey, afterwards called Athelney, and
+breaking out oftentimes vpon the enimies, distressed them at sundrie
+times with the aid of the Summersetshire men, which were at hand.
+About the seuenth wéeke after Easter, in the seuenth yéere of his
+reigne, king Alured went to Eglerighston, on the east part of Selwood,
+where there came to him the people of Summersetshire, Wiltshire, &
+Hamshire, reioising greatlie to sée him abroad. From thence he
+[Sidenote: Edantdune. This battell should séeme the same that _Polydor_
+speaketh of fought at Abingdon. _Polychron._ _Iohn Pike_.]
+went to Edanton, & there fought against the armie of the Danes, and
+chased them vnto their strength, where he remained afore them the
+space of fouretéene daies. Then the armie of the Danes deliuered him
+hostages and couenants to depart out of his dominions, and that their
+king should be baptised, which was accomplished: for Gurthrun, whome
+[Sidenote: Gurthrun or Gurmund baptised, and named Adelstan is made
+king of Eastangle.]
+some name Gurmond, a prince or king amongst these Danes, came to
+Alured and was baptised, king Alured receiuing him at the fontstone,
+named him Adelstan, and gaue to him the countrie of Eastangle, which
+he gouerned (or rather spoiled) by the space of twelue yéeres.
+
+Diuerse other of the Danish nobilitie to the number of thirtie (as
+Simon Dunelmensis saith) came at the same time in companie of their
+king Gurthrun, and were likewise baptised, on whòme king Alured
+bestowed manie rich gifts. At the same time (as is to be thought) was
+the league concluded betwixt king Alured and the said Gurthrun or
+Gurmond, in which the bounds of king Alureds kingdome are set foorth
+thus: "First therefore let the bounds or marshes of our dominion
+stretch vnto the riuer of Thames, and from thence to the water of Lée,
+euen vnto the head of the same water, and so foorth streight vnto
+Bedford: and finallie going alongst by the riuer of Ouse, let them end
+at Watlingstréet."
+
+This league being made with the aduise of the same sage personages
+as well English as those that inhabited within east England, is set
+foorth in maister Lamberts booke of the old English lawes, in the end
+of those lawes or ordinances which were established by the same king
+Alured, as in the same booke ye may sée more at large.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Th' English called diuers people Danes whom the French named Normans,
+whervpon that generall name was giuen them; Gurmo Anglicus K. of
+Denmark, whose father Frotto was baptised in England; the Danes
+besiege Rochester, Alfred putteth them to flight, recouereth London
+out of their hands, and committeth it to the custodie of duke Eldred
+his sonne in law; he assaulteth Hasting a capteine of the Danes,
+causeth him to take an oth, his two sonnes are baptised; he goeth
+foorth to spoile Alfreds countrie, his wife, children, and goods,
+&c: are taken, and fauourablie giuen him againe; the Danes besiege
+Excester, they flie to their ships, gaine with great losse, they are
+vanquished by the Londoners, the death of Alfred, his issue male and
+female._
+
+THE XV. CHAPTER.
+
+
+Here is to be noted, that writers name diuerse of the Danish capteins,
+kings (of which no mention is made in the Danish chronicles) to reigne
+in those parties. But true it is, that in those daies, not onelie the
+Danish people, but also other of those northeast countries or regions,
+as Swedeners, Norwegians, the Wondens, and such other (which the
+English people called by one generall name Danes, and the Frenchmen
+Normans) vsed to roaue on the seas, and to inuade forren regions, as
+England, France, Flanders, and others, as in conuenient places ye may
+find, as well in our histories, as also in the writers of the French
+histories, and likewise in the chronicles of those north regions. The
+[Sidenote: Gurmo.]
+writers verelie of the Danish chronicles make mention of one Gurmo,
+whome they name Anglicus, bicause he was borne here in England,
+which succeeded his father Frotto in gouernement of the kingdome of
+Denmarke, which Frotto receiued baptisme in England, as their stories
+tell.
+
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ 878.]
+In the eight yéere of king Alfred his reigne, the armie of the
+Danes wintered at Cirencester, and the same yéere an other armie of
+strangers called Wincigi laie at Fulham, and in the yéere following
+departed foorth of England, and went into France, and the armie of
+[Sidenote: 879.]
+king Godrun or Gurmo departed from Cirencester, and came into
+Eastangle, and there diuiding the countrie amongst them, began to
+inhabit the same. In the 14 yéere of king Alfred his reigne, part
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ _Matth. West_]
+of the Danish armie which was gone ouer into France, returned into
+[Sidenote: Rochester beseiged. 885.]
+England and besieged Rochester. But when Alfred approched to the
+reskue, the enimies fled to their ships, and passed ouer the sea
+againe. King Alfred sent a nauie of his ships well furnished with men
+of warre into Eastangle, the which at the mouth of the riuer called
+Sture, incountering with 16 ships of the Danes, set vpon them, and
+ouercame them in fight: but as they returned with their prises, they
+incountered with another mightie armie of the enimies, and fighting
+with them were ouercome and vanquished. In the yeere following,
+[Sidenote: 889.]
+king Alfred besieged the citie of London, the Danes that were within
+fled from thence, and the Englishmen that were inhabitants thereof
+[Sidenote: London recouered out of the hands of the Danes.]
+gladlie receiued him, reioising that there was such a prince bred
+of their nation, that was of power able to reduce them into libertie.
+This citie being at that season the chiefe of all Mercia, he deliuered
+into the kéeping of duke Eldred, which had maried his daughter
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ Ethelfleda. Colwolphas.]
+Ethelfleda, & held a great portion of Mercia, which Colwolphus before
+time possesed by the grant of the Danes, after they had subdued K.
+Burthred (as before is said.) About the 21 yere of K. Alfred, an
+[Sidenote: Limer, now Rother. Andredeslegia. A castell built at
+Appledore. 893]
+armie of those Danes & Normans, which had béene in France, returned
+into England, and arriued in the hauen or riuer of Limene in the east
+part of Kent, néere to the great wood called Andredesley, which did
+conteine in times past 120 miles in length, and thirtie in breadth.
+These Danes landing with their people builded a castle at Appledore.
+
+In the meane time came Hasting with 80 ships into the Thames, and
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ At Milton. Hasting the capteine of the Danes
+besieged. He receiueth an oth.]
+builded a castle at Middleton, but he was constreined by siege
+which king Alfred planted about him, to receiue an oth that he should
+not in any wise annoie the dominion of king Alfred, who vpon his
+promise to depart, gaue great gifts as well to him as to his wife and
+children. One of his sonnes also king Alfred held at the fontstone,
+and to the other duke Aldred was god father. For (as it were to win
+credit, and to auoid present danger) Hasting sent vnto Alfred these
+his two sonnes, signifieng that if it stood with his pleasure, he
+could be content that they should be baptised. But neuerthelesse this
+Hasting was euer most vntrue of word and déed, he builded a castle at
+Beamfield. And as he was going foorth to spoile and wast the kings
+[Sidenote: Beanfield saith _M. West._]
+countries, Alfred tooke that castle, with his wife, children, ships
+[Sidenote: This enterprise was atchiued by Etheldred duke of Mercia
+in the absence of the king, as _Matth. West._ hath noted]
+and goods, which he got togither of such spoiles as he had abroad:
+but he restored vnto Hasting his wife and children, bicause he was
+their godfather.
+
+Shortlie after, newes came that a great number of other ships of
+[Sidenote: Excester besieged.]
+Danes were come out of Northumberland, and had besieged Excester.
+Whilest king Alfred went then against them, the other armie which lay
+at Appledore inuaded Essex, and built a castell in that countrie, and
+after went into the borders of Wales, and builded another castell
+[Sidenote: Seuerne.]
+neere vnto the riuer of Seuerne: but being driuen out of that
+countrie, they returned againe into Essex. Those that had besieged
+Excester, vpon knowledge had of king Alfreds comming, fled to their
+ships, and so remaining on the sea, roaued abroad, séeking preies.
+[Sidenote: Chester taken by Danes.]
+Besides this, other armies there were sent foorth, which comming
+out of Northumberland tooke the citie of Chester, but there they
+[Sidenote: Great famine]
+were so beset about with their enimies, that they were constreined to
+eate their horsses. At length, in the 24 yéere of king Alfred, they
+left that citie, and fetcht a compas about Northwales, and so
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._]
+meaning to saile round about the coast to come into Northumberland,
+they arriued in Essex, and in the winter following drew their ships by
+[Sidenote: The water of Luie, now Lée.]
+the Thames into the water of Luie. That armie of Danes which had
+besieged Excester, tooke preies about Chichester, and was met with, so
+that they lost manie of their men, and also diuerse of their ships.
+
+In the yéere following, the other armie which had brought the ships
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._]
+into the riuer Luie, began to build a castell néere to the same
+riuer, twentie miles distant from London: but the Londoners came
+[Sidenote: The Londoners victors against the Danes.]
+thither, and giuing battell to the Danes, slue foure of the chiefe
+capteins. But by Simon Dunel. and Matt. Westm. it should seeme, that
+the Londoners were at this time put to flight, and that foure of the
+kings barons were slaine in fight, Howbeit Henrie Hunt. hath written
+as before I haue recited; and further saith, that when the Danes fled
+for their refuge to the castell, king Alfred caused the water of Luie
+to be diuided into thrée chanels, so that the Danes should not bring
+backe their ships out of the place where they laie at anchor. When the
+Danes perceiued this, they left their ships behind them, and went
+[Sidenote: Quathbridge or Wakebridge.]
+into the borders of Wales, where at Cartbridge vpon Seuerne they built
+another castell, and lay there all the winter following, hauing left
+their wiues and children in the countrie of Eastangles. King Alfred
+pursued them, but the Londoners tooke the enimies ships, and brought
+some of them to the citie, and the rest they burnt.
+
+Thus for the space of thrée yéeres after the arriuing of the maine
+armie of the Danes in the hauen of Luie, they sore indamaged the
+English people, although the Danes themselues susteined more losse at
+the Englishmens hands than they did to them with all pilfering and
+[Sidenote: The Danish armie diuided into parts.]
+spoiling. In the fourth yéere after their comming, the armie was
+diuided, so that one part of them went into Northumberland, part of
+them remained in the countrie of Eastangles, & another part went
+into France. Also certeine of their ships came vpon the coast of the
+Westsaxons, oftentimes setting their men on land to rob and spoile the
+countrie. But king Alfred tooke order in the best wise he might for
+defense of his countrie and people, and caused certeine mightie
+vessels to be builded, which he appointed foorth to incounter with the
+enimies ships.
+
+[Sidenote: The death of king Alfred.]
+Thus like a worthie prince and politike gouernor, he preuented
+each way to resist the force of his enimies, and to safegard his
+subiects. Finallie after he had reigned 29 yéeres and an halfe, he
+departed this life the 28 day of October. His bodie was buried at
+[Sidenote: His issue.]
+Winchester: he left behind him issue by his wife Ethelwitha the
+daughter vnto earle Ethelred of Mercia, two sonnes, Edward surnamed
+the elder, which succéeded him, and Adelwold: also thrée
+[Sidenote: Elfleda.]
+daughters, Elfleda or Ethelfleda, Ethelgeda or Edgiua, and Ethelwitha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_How Elfleda king Alfreds daughter (being maried) contemned fleshlie
+pleasure; the praise of Alfred for his good qualities, his lawes for
+the redresse of theeues, his diuiding of countries into hundreds and
+tithings, of what monasteries he was founder, he began the foundation
+of the vniuersitie of Oxford, which is not so ancient as Cambridge by
+265 yeeres; king Alfred was learned, his zeale to traine his people
+to lead an honest life, what learned men were about him, the pitifull
+murthering of Iohn Scot by his owne scholers, how Alfred diuided the
+24 houres of the day and the night for his necessarie purposes, his
+last will and bequests; the end of the kingdome of Mercia, the Danes
+haue it in their hands, and dispose it as they list, Eastangle and
+Northumberland are subiect vnto them, the Northumbers expell Egbert
+their king, his death; the Danes make Guthred king of Northumberland,
+priuileges granted to S. Cuthberts shrine; the death of Guthred, and
+who succeeded him in the seat roiall._
+
+THE XVJ. CHAPTER.
+
+
+In the end of the former chapter we shewed what children Alfred had,
+their number & names, among whome we made report of Elfleda, who (as
+you haue heard) was maried vnto duke Edelred. This gentlewoman left a
+notable example behind hir of despising fleshlie plesure, for bearing
+hir husband one child, and sore handled before she could be deliuered,
+[Sidenote: The notable saieng of Elfleda.]
+she euer after forbare to companie with hir husband, saieng that
+it was great foolishnesse to vse such pleasure which therwith should
+bring so great griefe.
+
+To speake sufficientlie of the woorthie praise due to so noble a
+prince as Alfred was, might require eloquence, learning, and a large
+volume. He was of person comelie and beautifull, and better beloued of
+his father and mother than his other brethren. And although he was
+[Sidenote: _Will. Malmes._]
+(as before is touched) greatly disquieted with the inuasion of forren
+enimies, yet did he both manfullie from time to time indeuour himselfe
+to repell them, and also attempted to sée his subiects gouerned in
+[Sidenote: King Alfred his lawes.]
+good and vpright iustice. And albeit that good lawes amongst
+the clinking noise of armor are oftentimes put to silence, yet he
+perceiuing how his people were gréeued with theeues and robbers,
+which in time of warre grew and increased, deuised good statutes and
+wholsome ordinances for punishing of such offenders.
+
+Amongst other things he ordeined that the countries should be diuided
+into hundreds and tithings, that is to say, quarters conteining a
+certeine number of towneships adioining togither, so that euerie
+Englishman liuing vnder prescript of lawes, should haue both his
+hundred and tithing; that if anie man were accused of anie offense, he
+should find suertie for his good demeanor: and if he could not find
+such as would answer for him, then should he tast extremitie of the
+lawes. And if anie man that was giltie fled before he found suertie,
+or after: all the inhabitants of the hundred or tithing where he
+dwelt, shuld be put to their fine. By this deuise he brought his
+countrie into good tranquillitie, so that he caused bracelets of gold
+to be hanged vp aloft on hils where anie common waies lay, to sée
+if anie durst be so hardie to take them away by stealth. He was a
+liberall prince namely in relieuing of the poore. To churches he
+confirmed such priuileges as his father had granted before him, and he
+also sent rewards by way of deuotion vnto Rome, and to the bodie of
+saint Thomas in India. Sighelmus the bishop of Shireborne bare
+the same, and brought from thence rich stones, and swéet oiles of
+inestimable valure. From Rome also he brought a péece of the holy
+crosse which pope Martinus did send for a present vnto king Alfred.
+
+[Sidenote: Foundation of monastaries.]
+Moreouer king Alfred founded three goodlie monasteries, one at
+Edlingsey, where he liued sometime when the Danes had bereaued him
+almost of all his kingdome, which was after called Athelney, distant
+from Taunton in Sumersetshire about fiue miles: the second he builded
+at Winchester, called the new minster: and the third at Shaftesburie,
+which was an house of nuns, where he made his daughter Ethelgeda or
+Edgiua abbesse. But the foundation of the vniuersitie of Oxford
+passed all the residue of his buildings, which he began by the good
+exhortation and aduise of Neotus an abbat, in those daies highlie
+estéemed for his vertue and lerning with Alfred. This worke he tooke
+in hand about the 23 yéere of his reigne, which was in the yéere
+[Sidenote: 895.]
+of our Lord 895. So that the vniuersitie of Cambridge was founded
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_. The vniuersitie of Oxford erected.]
+before this other of Oxford about 265 yéeres, as Polydor gathereth.
+For Sigebert king of the Eastangles began to erect that vniuersitie at
+Cambridge about the yéere of our Lord 630.
+
+King Alfred was learned himselfe, and giuen much to studie, insomuch
+that beside diuerse good lawes which he translated into the English
+toong, gathered togither and published, he also translated diuerse
+other bookes out of Latine into English, as _Orosius_, _Pastorale
+Gregorij_, _Beda de gestis Anglorum_, _Boetius de consolatione
+philosophiæ_, and the booke of Psalmes; but this he finished not,
+being preuented by death. So this worthie prince minded well toward
+the common wealth of his people, in that season when learning was
+little estéemed amongst the west nations, did studie by all meanes
+[Sidenote: The vertuous zeale of Alured to bring his people to an
+honest trade of life.]
+possible to instruct his subiects in the trade of leading an honest
+life, and to incourage them generallie to imbrace learning. He would
+not suffer anie to beare office in the court, except he were lerned:
+and yet he himselfe was twelue yéeres of age before he could read
+[Sidenote: He is persuaded by his mother, to applie himselfe to
+learning.]
+a word on the booke, and was then trained by his mothers persuasion to
+studie, promising him a goodlie booke which she had in hir hands, if
+he would learne to read it.
+
+Herevpon going to his booke in sport, he so earnestlie set his mind
+thereto, that within a small time he profited maruellouslie, and
+became such a fauorer of learned men, that he delighted most in their
+companie, to haue conference with them, and allured diuerse to come
+[Sidenote: Asserius Meuenensis. Werefridus. Iohn Scot.]
+vnto him out of other countries, as Asserius Meneuensis bishop
+of Shirborne, & Werefridus the bishop of Worcester, who by his
+commandement translated the bookes of Gregories dialogs into English.
+Also I. Scot, who whiles he was in France translated the book of
+Dionysius Ariopagita, intituled _Hierarchia_, out of Gréeke into
+Latine, and after was schoolemaister in the abbeie of Malmesburie, and
+there murthered by his scholars with penkniues. He had diuerse
+other about him, both Englishmen & strangers, as Pleimond afterward
+[Sidenote: Grimbald.]
+archbishop of Canturburie, Grimbald gouernor of the new monasterie
+at Winchester, with others.
+
+[Sidenote: Alured diuides the time for his necessarie vses.]
+But to conclude with this noble prince king Alured, he was so
+carefull in his office, that he diuided the 24 houres which conteine
+the day and night, in thrée parts, so that eight houres he spent in
+writing, reading, and making his praiers, other eight he emploied in
+relieuing his bodie with meat, drinke and sléepe, and the other eight
+he bestowed in dispatching of businesse concerning the gouernement of
+the realme. He had in his chapell a candle of 24 parts, whereof euerie
+one lasted an houre: so that the sexton, to whome that charge was
+committed, by burning of this candle warned the king euar how the time
+[Sidenote: His last will and testament.]
+passed away. A little before his death, he ordeined his last will
+and testament, bequeathing halfe the portion of all his goods iustlie
+gotten, vnto such monasteries as he had founded. All his rents and
+reuenues he diuided into two equall parts, and the first part he
+diuided into thrée, bestowing the first vpon his seruants in houshold,
+the second to such labourers and workemen as he kept in his works of
+sundrie new buildings, the third part he gaue to strangers. The second
+whole part of his reuenues was so diuided, that the first portion
+thereof was dispersed amongst the poore people of his countrie, the
+second to monasteries, the third to the finding of poore scholers,
+and the fourth part to churches beyond the sea. He was diligent in
+inquirie how the iudges of his land behaued themselues in their
+iudgements, and was a sharpe corrector of them which transgressed in
+that behalfe. To be briefe, he liued so as he was had in great fauour
+of his neighbours, & highlie honored among strangers. He maried
+his daughter Ethelswida or rather Elstride vnto Baldwine earle of
+Flanders, of whome he had two sonnes Arnulfe and Adulfe, the first
+succéeding in the erledome of Flanders, and the yoonger was made earle
+of Bullogne.
+
+The bodie of king Alured was first buried in the bishops church: but
+afterwards, because the Canons raised a fond tale that the same
+should walke a nights, his sonne king Edward remoued it into the new
+monasterie which he in his life time had founded. Finallie, in memorie
+of him a certeine learned clarke made an epitath in Latine, which for
+the woorthinesse thereof is likewise (verse for verse, and in a maner
+word for word) translated by Abraham Fleming into English, whose no
+litle labor hath béene diligentlie imploied in supplieng sundrie
+insufficiences found in this huge volume.
+
+  NOBILITAS innata tibi probitatis honorem
+  _Nobilitie by birth to the (ó Alfred strong in armes)_
+  (Armipotens Alfrede) dedit, probitásque laborem,
+  _Of goodnes hath the honor giuen, and honor toilesome harmes,_
+  Perpetuúmque labor nomen, cui mixta dolori
+  _And toilesome harmes an endlesse name, whose ioies were alwaies mext_
+  Gaudia semper erant, spes semper mixta timori.
+  _With sorow, and whose hope with feare was euermore perplext_.
+  Si modò victor eras, ad crastina bella pauebas,
+  _If this day thou wert conqueror, the next daies warre thou dredst,_
+  Si modò victus eras, in crastina bella parabas,
+  _If this day thou wert conquered, to next daies war thou spedst,_
+  Cui vestes sudore iugi, cui sica cruore,
+  _Whose clothing wet with dailie swet, whose blade with bloudie stainte,_
+  Tincta iugi, quantum sit onus regnare probârunt,
+  _Do proue how great a burthen tis in roialtie to raine,_
+  Non fuit immensi quisquam per climata mundi,
+  _There hath not beene in anie part of all the world so wide,_
+  Cui tot in aduersis vel respirare liceret,
+  _One that was able breath to take, and troubles such abide,_
+  Nec tamen aut ferro contritus ponere ferrum,
+  _And yet with weapons wearie would not weapons lay aside,_
+  Aut gladio potuit vitæ finisse labores:
+  _Or with the sword the toilesomnesse of life by death diuide_.
+  Iam post transactos regni vitæque labores,
+  _Now after labours past of realme and life (which he did spend)_
+  Christus ei fit vera quies sceptrúmque perenne.
+  _Christ is to him true quietnesse and scepter void of end_.
+
+In the daies of the foresaid king Alured, the kingdome of Mercia tooke
+end. For after that the Danes had expelled king Burthred, when he had
+reigned 22 yeares, he went to Rome, and there died, his wife also
+Ethelswida, the daughter of king Athulfe that was sonne to king Egbert
+followed him, and died in Pauia in Lumbardie. The Danes hauing got the
+[Sidenote: Cewulfe.]
+countrie into their possession, made one Cewulfe K. thereof, whome
+they bound with an oth and deliuerie of pledges, that he should not
+longer kéepe the state with their pleasure, and further should be
+readie at all times to aid them with such power as he should be able
+to make. This Cewulfe was the seruant of king Burthred. Within foure
+yeares after the Danes returned, and tooke one part of that kingdome
+into their owne hands, and left the residue vnto Cewulfe. But within
+a few yeares after, king Alured obteined that part of Mercia which
+Cewulfe ruled, as he did all the rest of this land, except those
+parcels which the Danes held, as Northumberland, the countries of the
+Eastangles, some part of Mercia, and other.
+
+The yeare, in the which king Alured thus obteined all the dominion of
+[Sidenote: 886. _Matth. West._]
+that part of Mercia, which Cewulfe had in gouernance, was after
+the birth of our Sauiour 886, so that the foresaid kingdome continued
+the space of 302 yeares vnder 22 kings, from Crida to this last
+Cewulfe. But there be that account the continuance of this kingdome,
+onelie from the beginning of Penda, vnto the last yeare of Burthred,
+by which reckoning it stood not past 270 yeares vnder 18, or rather 17
+kings, counting the last Cewulfe for none, who began his reigne vnder
+the subiection of the Danes, about the yeare of our Lord 874, where
+Penda began his reigne 604.
+
+The Eastangles and the Northumbers in these dales were vnder
+subiection of the Danes, as partlie may be perceiued by that which
+[Sidenote: Guthrun K. of the eastangles died 890.]
+before is rehearsed. After Guthrun that gouerned the Eastangles by
+the terme of 12 yeares, one Edhirike or Edrike had the rule in those
+parts, a Dane also, and reigned 14 yeares, and was at length bereued
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+of his gouernement by king Edward the sonne of king Alured, as
+after shall appeare. But now, although that the Northumbers were
+brought greatlie vnder foot by the Danes, yet could they not forget
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+their old accustomed maner to stirre tumults and rebellion against
+[Sidenote: 872. Egbert king of Northumberland expelled from his
+kingdome.]
+their gouernours, insomuch that in the yeare 872, they expelled
+not onelie Egbert, whome the Danes had appointed king ouer one part
+of the countrie (as before you haue heard) but also their archbishop
+[Sidenote: Egbert departed this life. Riesig.]
+Wilfehere. In the yeare following, the same Egbert departed this
+life, after whome one Rigsig or Ricsige succéeded as king, and the
+archbishop Wolfehere was restored home.
+
+[Sidenote: The Danes winter in Lindsie.]
+In the same yeare the armie of Danes which had wintered at London,
+came from thence into Northumberland, and wintered in Lindseie, at a
+place called Torkseie, and went the next yeare into Mercia. And
+[Sidenote: 975.]
+in the yeare 975, a part of them returned into Northumberland, as
+[Sidenote: Riesig departed this life.]
+before ye haue heard. In the yeare following, Riesig the king of
+[Sidenote: 983.]
+Northumberland departed this life: after whome an other Egbert
+succéeded. And in the yeare 983, the armie of the Danes meaning to
+inhabit in Northumberland, and to settle themselues there, chose
+[Sidenote: Guthred ordeined king of Northumberland.]
+Guthrid the sonne of one Hardicnute to their king, whome they had
+sometime sold to a certeine widow at Witingham. But now by the aduise
+of an abbat called Aldred, they redéemed his libertie, and ordeined
+him king to rule both Danes and Englishmen in that countrie. It was
+said, that the same Aldred being abbat of holie Iland, was warned in
+a vision by S. Cuthberd, to giue counsell both to the Danes and
+Englishmen, to make the same Guthrid king. This chanced about the 13
+yeare of the reigne of Alured king of Westsaxons.
+
+[Sidenote: The bishops sée remoued fr[=o] holie iland to Chester in
+the stréet.]
+When Guthrid was established king, he caused the bishops see to
+be remoued from holie Iland vnto Chester in the stréet, and for an
+augmentation of the reuenues and iurisdiction belonging thereto, he
+assigned and gaue vnto saint Cuthbert all that countrie which lieth
+betwixt the riuers of Teise and Tine. ¶ Which christian act of the
+king, liuing in a time of palpable blindnesse and mistie superstition,
+may notwithstanding be a light to the great men and péeres of this age
+(who pretend religion with zeale, and professe (in shew) the truth
+with feruencie) not to impouerish the patrimonie of the church to
+inrich themselues and their posteritie, not to pull from bishoprikes
+their ancient reuenues to make their owne greater, not to alienate
+ecclesiasticall liuings into temporall commodities, not to seeke the
+conuersion of college lands into their priuat possessions; not to
+intend the subuersion of cathedrall churches to fill their owne
+cofers, not to ferret out concealed lands for the supporte of their
+owne priuat lordlines; not to destroy whole towneships for the
+erection of one statelie manour; not to take and pale in the
+commons to inlarge their seueralles; but like good and gratious
+common-wealth-men, in all things to preferre the peoples publike
+profit before their owne gaine and glorie, before their owne pompe and
+pleasure, before the satisfieng of their owne inordinate desires.
+
+[Sidenote: Priuiledges granted to S. Cuthberts shrine.]
+Moreouer, this priuiledge was granted vnto saint Cuthberts shrine:
+that whosoeuer fled vnto the same for succour and safegard, should not
+be touched or troubled in anie wise for the space of thirtie, & seuen
+daies. And this freedome was confirmed not onelie by king Guthrid, but
+also by king Alured. Finallie king Guthrid departed this life in the
+[Sidenote: 894.]
+yeare of our Lord 894, after he had ruled the Northumbers with
+much crueltie (as some say) by the terme of 11 yeares, or somewhat
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_. _Will. Malmes._]
+more. He is named by some writers Gurmond, and also Gurmo, & thought
+to be the same whome king Alured caused to be baptised. Whereas other
+affirme, that Guthrid, who ruled the Eastangles, was he that Alured
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ Sithrike.]
+receiued at the fontstone: William Malmesburie taketh them to be
+but one man, which is not like to be true. After this Guthrid or Gurmo
+his sonne Sithrike succeeded, and after him other of that line, till
+king Adelstane depriued them of the dominion, and tooke it into his
+owne hands.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Edward succeedeth his father Alured in regiment, he is disquieted by
+his brother Adelwold a man of a defiled life, he flieth to the Danes
+and is of them receiued, king Edwards prouision against the irruptions
+and forraies of the Danes, Adelwold with a nauie of Danes entreth
+Eastangles, the Essex men submit themselues, he inuadeth Mercia,
+and maketh great wast, the Kentishmens disobedience preiudiciall to
+themselues, they and the Danes haue a great conflict, king Edward
+concludeth a truce with them, he maketh a great slaughter of them by
+his Westsaxons and Mercians, what lands came to king Edward by the
+death of Edred duke of Mercia, he recouereth diuers places out of the
+Danes hands, and giueth them manie a foile, what castels he builded,
+he inuadeth Eastangles, putteth Ericke a Danish king therof to flight,
+his owne subiects murther him for his crueltie, his kingdome returneth
+to the right of king Edward with other lands by him thereto annexed,
+his sister Elfleda gouerned the countrie of Mercia during hir life._
+
+
+THE XVIJ. CHAPTER.
+
+[Sidenote: EDWARD THE ELDER. 901.]
+After the deceasse of Alured, his sonne Edward surnamed the elder
+began his reigne ouer the more part of England, in the yeare of our
+Lord 901, which was in the second yeare of the emperor Lewes, in the
+eight yeare of the reigne of Charles surnamed Simplex king of
+France, and about the eight yeare or Donald king of Scotland. He was
+consecrated after the maner of other kings his ancestors by Athelred
+the archbishop of Canturburie. This Edward was not so learned as his
+father, but in princelie power more high and honorable, for he ioined
+the kingdome of Eastangles and Mercia with other vnto his dominion, as
+after shall be shewed, and vanquished the Danes, Scots, and Welshmen,
+to his great glorie and high commendation.
+
+In the beginning of his reigne he was disquieted by his brother
+[Sidenote: Winborne.]
+Adelwold, which tooke the towne of Winborne besides Bath, and
+maried a nun there, whome he had defloured, & attempted manie things
+against his brother. Wherevpon the king came to Bath, and though
+Adelwold shewed a countenance as if he would haue abidden the chance
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ Adelwold fleeth to the Danes. _Wil. Malm._]
+of warre within Winborne, yet he stole awaie in the night, and fled
+into Northumberland, where he was ioifullie receiued of the Danes. The
+king tooke his wife being left behind, and restored hir to the house
+from whence she was taken. ¶ Some haue written, that this Adelwold or
+Ethelwold was not brother vnto king Edward, but his vncles sonne.
+
+After this, king Edward prouiding for the suertie of his subiects
+against the forraies, which the Danes vsed to make, fortified diuers
+cities and townes, and stuffed them with great garrisons of
+[Sidenote: The English nation practised in wars go commonlie awaie
+with the victorie.]
+souldiers, to defend the inhabitants, and to expell the enimies. And
+suerlie the Englishmen were so invred with warres in those daies, that
+the people being aduertised of the inuasion of the enimies in anie
+part of their countrie, would assemble oftentimes without knowledge of
+king or capteine, and setting vpon the enimies, went commonlie awaie
+with victorie, by reason that they ouermatched them both in number and
+practise. So were the enimies despised of the English souldiers,
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._]
+and laughed to scorne of the king for their foolish attempts. Yet in
+the third yeare of king Edwards reigne, Adelwold his brother came with
+a nauie of Danes into the parties of the Eastangles, and euen
+[Sidenote: Essex yéelded to Adelwold. _Ran. Higd._]
+at the first the Essex men yeelded themselues vnto him. In the yéere
+following he inuaded the countrie of Mercia with a great armie,
+wasting and spoiling the same vnto Crikelade, and there passing ouer
+[Sidenote: Brittenden.]
+the Thames, rode foorth till he came to Basingstoke, or (as some
+bookes haue) Brittenden, harieng the countrie on each side, and so
+returned backe vnto Eastangles with great ioy and triumph.
+
+[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._]
+King Edward awakened héerewith assembled his people, and followed
+the enimies, wasting all the countries betwixt the riuer of Ouse and
+saint Edmunds ditch. And when he should returne, he gaue commandement
+that no man should staie behind him, but come backe togither for
+[Sidenote: The Kentishmen disobeing the kings commandement, are
+surprised by the enimies. Adelwold king Edwards brother.]
+doubt to be forelaid by the enimies. The Kentishmen notwithstanding
+this ordinance and commandement, remained behind, although the king
+sent seuen messengers for them. The Danes awaiting their aduantage,
+came togither, and fiercelie fought with the Kentishmen, which a long
+time valiantlie defended themselues. But in the end the Danes obtained
+the victorie, although they lost more people there than the Kentishmen
+did: and amongst other, there were slaine the foresaid Adelwold, and
+diuerse of the chiefe capteins amongst the Danes. Likewise of the
+English side, there died two dukes, Siwolfe & Singlem or Sigbelme,
+with sundrie other men of name, both temporall and also spirituall
+lords and abbats. In the fift yéere of his reigne, king Edward
+concluded a truce with the Danes of Eastangle and Northumberland at
+Itingford. But in the yéere following, he sent an armie against them
+[Sidenote: Fortie daies saith _Simon Dun._]
+of Northumberland, which slue manie of the Danes, and tooke great
+booties both of people and cattell, remaining in the countrie the
+space of fiue weekes.
+
+The yéere next insuing, the Danes with a great armie entered into
+Mercia, to rob & spoile the countrie, against whome king Edward sent a
+mightie host, assembled togither of the Westsaxons & them of Mercia,
+which set vpon the Danes, as they were returning homeward, and slue
+of them an huge multitude, togither with their chiefe capteins and
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._]
+leaders, as king Halden, and king Eolwils, earle Vter, earle
+Scurfa, and diuerse other. In the yéere 912, or (as Simon Dunel.
+saith) 908, the duke of Mercia Edred or Etheldred departed this life,
+and then king Edward seized into his hands the cities of London and
+Oxford, and all that part of Mercia which he held. But afterwards he
+suffered his sister Elfleda to inioy the most part thereof, except the
+said cities of London and Oxford, which he still reteined in his owne
+hand. This Elfleda was wife to the said duke Edred or Etheldred, as
+before you haue heard: of whose woorthie acts more shall be said
+heereafter.
+
+In the ninth yéere of his reigne, king Edward built a castell at
+[Sidenote: Wightham.]
+Hertford, and likewise he builded a towne in Essex at Wightham,
+and lay himselfe in the meane time at Maldon, otherwise Meauldun,
+bringing a great part of the countrie vnder his subiection, which
+before was subiect to the Danes. In the yéere following, the armie of
+[Sidenote: Chester, or rather Leicester, as I thinke. Digetune.]
+the Danes departed from Northampton and Chester in breach of
+the former truce, and slue a great number of men at Hochnerton in
+Oxfordshire. And shortlie after their returne home, an other companie
+of them went foorth, and came to Leighton, where the people of the
+countrie being assembled togither, fought with them & put them to
+flight, taking from them all the spoile which they had got, and also
+their horsses.
+
+In the 11 yéere of king Edward, a fleet of Danes compassed about the
+west parts, & came to the mouth of Seuerne, and so tooke preies in
+Wales: they also tooke prisoner a Welsh bishop named Camelgaret,
+[Sidenote: Irchenfield.]
+at Irchenfield, whome they led to their ships: but king Edward
+redéemed him out of their hands, paieng them fortie pounds for his
+ransome. After that the armie of Danes went foorth to spoile the
+countrie about Irchenfield, but the people of Chester, Hereford, and
+other townes and countries thereabout assembled togither, and giuing
+battell to the enimies, put them to flight, and slue one of their
+[Sidenote: Danes discomfited.]
+noble men called earle Rehald, and Geolcil the brother of earle
+Vter, with a great part of their armie, & draue the residue into a
+castell, which they besieged till the Danes within it gaue hostages,
+and couenanted to depart out of the kings land. The king caused the
+coasts about Seuerne to be watched, that they should not breake into
+his countrie: but yet they stale twise into the borders: neuerthelesse
+they were chased and slaine as manie as could not swim, and so get to
+[Sidenote: The Ile of Stepen. Deomedun.]
+their ships. Then they remained in the Ile of Stepen, in great
+miserie for lacke of vittels, bicause they could not go abroad to
+[Sidenote: Danes saile into Ireland.]
+get anie. At length they departed into Northwales, and from thence
+sailed into Ireland.
+
+The same yéere king Edward came to Buckingham with an armie, and there
+taried a whole moneth, building two castels, the one vpon the one side
+of the water of Ouse, and the other vpon the other side of the
+[Sidenote: Turketillus an earle.]
+same riuer. He also subdued Turketillus an earle of the Danes that
+dwelt in that countrie, with all the residue of the noble men and
+barons of the shires of Bedford and Northampton. In the 12 yéere of
+king Edwards reigne, the Kentishmen and Danes fought togither at
+Holme: but whether partie had the victorie, writers haue not declared.
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+Simon Dunelm. speaketh of a battell which the citizens of
+Canturburie fought against a number of Danish rouers at Holme, where
+the Danes were put to flight, but that should be (as he noteth) 8
+yéeres before this supposed time, as in the yéere 904, which was about
+the third yéere of king Edwards reigne.
+
+[Sidenote: _Anno_ 911. _Simon Dun._]
+After this, other of the Danes assembled themselues togither,
+and in Staffordshire at a place called Tottenhall fought with the
+Englishmen, and after great slaughter made on both parties, the Danes
+were ouercome: and so likewise were they shortlie after at Woodfield
+or Wodenfield. And thus king Edward put the Danes to the woorse
+in each place commonlie where he came, and hearing that those in
+Northumberland ment to breake the peace: he inuaded the countrie, and
+so afflicted the same, that the Danes which were inhabitants there,
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_. Ericke king of Eastangles.]
+gladlie continued in rest and peace. But in this meane time,
+Ericke the king of those Danes which held the countrie of Eastangle,
+was about to procure new warre, and to allure other of the Danes to
+ioine with him against the Englishmen, that with common agréement they
+might set vpon the English nation, and vtterlie subdue them.
+
+[Sidenote: King Edward inuadeth the countrie of the Eastangles.]
+King Edward hauing intelligence héereof, purposed to preuent him,
+and therevpon entering with an armie into his countrie, cruellie
+wasted and spoiled the same. King Ericke hauing alreadie his people
+in armor through displeasure conceiued heereof, and desire to be
+reuenged, hasted foorth to incounter his enimies: and so they met in
+[Sidenote: Ericke put to flight.]
+the field, and fiercelie assailed ech other. But as the battell
+was rashlie begun on king Ericks side, so was the end verie harmefull
+to him: for with small adoo, after great losse on both sides, he was
+vanquished and put to flight.
+
+After his comming home, bicause of his great ouerthrow and fowle
+discomfiture, he began to gouerne his people with more rigor & sharper
+dealing than before time he had vsed. Whereby he prouoked the malice
+of the Eastangles so highlie against him, that they fell vpon him and
+murthered him: yet did they not gaine so much hereby as they looked to
+haue doone: for shortlie after, they being brought low, and not able
+to defend their countrie, were compelled to submit themselues vnto
+[Sidenote: The kingdom of the Eastangles subdued by K. Edward.]
+king Edward. And so was that kingdome ioined vnto the other dominions
+of the same king Edward, who shortlie after annexed the kingdome of
+Mercia vnto other of his dominions, immediatlie vpon the death of his
+sister Elfleda, whom he permitted to rule that land all hir life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Elfleda the sister of king Edward highlie commended for government,
+what a necessarie staie she was vnto him in hir life time, what townes
+she builded and repared, hir warlike exploits against the Danes,
+hir death and buriall; the greatest part of Britaine in K. Edwards
+dominion, he is a great builder and reparer of townes, his death, the
+dreame of his wife Egina, and the issue of the same, what children
+king Edward had by his wiues, and how they were emploied, the decay of
+the church by the meanes of troubles procured by the Danes, England
+first curssed and why; a prouinciall councell summoned for the reliefe
+of the churches ruine, Pleimond archbishop of Canturburie sent to
+Rome, bishops ordeined in sundrie prouinces; dissention among writers
+what pope should denounce the foresaid cursse; a succession of
+archbishops in the see of Canturburie, one brother killeth another._
+
+THE XVIIJ. CHAPTER.
+
+
+Not without good reason did king Edward permit vnto his sister Elfleda
+the gouernment of Mercia, during hir life time: for by hir wise and
+politike order vsed in all hir dooings, he was greatlie furthered &
+assisted; but speciallie in reparing and building of townes & castels,
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ _Matth. West._ _Simon Dun._]
+wherein she shewed hir noble magnificence, in so much that during
+hir government, which continued about eight yéeres, it is recorded by
+writers, that she did build and repare these towns, whose
+[Sidenote: Tamwoorth was by hir repared, anno 914. Eadsburie and
+Warwike. 915.]
+names here insue: Tamwoorth beside Lichfield, Stafford, Warwike,
+Shrewsburie, Watersburie or Weddesburie, Elilsburie or rather
+Eadsburie, in the forrest of De la mere besides Chester, Brimsburie
+bridge vpon Seuerne, Rouncorne at the mouth of the riuer Mercia with
+other. Moreouer, by hir helpe the citie of Chester, which by Danes had
+[Sidenote: Chester repared, 905. _Sim. Dun._]
+beene greatlie defaced, was newlie repared, fortified with walls
+and turrets, and greatlie inlarged. So that the castell which stood
+without the walls before that time, was now brought within compasse of
+the new wall.
+
+Moreouer she boldlie assalted hir enimies which went about to trouble
+the state of the countrie, as the Welshmen and Danes. She sent an
+armie into Wales, and tooke the towne of Brecknocke with the queene
+[Sidenote: Quéene of the Welshmen taken. Brecenamere. _Ran. Higd._
+_Hen. Hunt._ 918. Darbie won from the Danes.]
+of the Welshmen at Bricenamere. Also she wan from the Danes the towne
+of Darbie, and the countrie adioining. In this enterprise she put hir
+owne person in great aduenture: for a great multitude of Danes that
+were withdrawen into Darbie, valiantlie defended the gates and entries,
+in so much that they slue foure of hir chiefe men of warre, which were
+named wardens of hir person, euen fast by hir at the verie entrie of
+the gates. But this notwithstanding, with valiant fight hir people
+entered, and so the towne was woon: she got diuerse other places out
+of their hands, & constreined them of Yorkeshire to agree with hir, so
+that some of them promised to become hir subiects: some vowed to aid
+hir, and some sware to be at hir commandement.
+
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt. Anno Christie_ 919.]
+Finallie, this martiall ladie and manlie Elfleda, the supporter
+of hir countriemen, and terrour of the enimies, departed this life at
+Tamwoorth about the 12 of Iune, in the 18 or rather 19 yéere of
+[Sidenote: _Matt. West._ _Simon Dun._]
+hir brother king Edwards reigne, as by Matth. West it should appeere.
+But Simon Dunelm. writeth, that she deceassed in the yeere of Christ
+915, which should be about the 14 yéere of king Edwards reigne.
+Hir bodie was conueied to Glocester, and there buried within the
+monasterie of S. Peter, which hir husband and she in their life time
+had builded, and translated thither the bones of saint Oswill from
+Bardona. The same monasterie was after destroied by Danes. But
+[Sidenote: _Ranul._]
+Aldredus the archbishop of Yorke, who was also bishop of Worcester,
+repared an other in the same citie, that was after the chiefe abbeie
+there. Finallie, in memorie of the said Elfleds magnanimitie and
+valorous mind, this epitaph was fixed on hir toome.
+
+  _O Elfleda potens, ô terror virgo virorum,
+  O Elfleda potens, nomine digna viri.
+  Te quóque splendidior fecit natura puellam,
+  Te probitas fecit nomen habere viri.
+  Te mutare decet sed solum nomina sexus,
+  Tu regina potens rexque trophea parans.
+  Iam nec Cæsareos tantum mirere triumphos,
+  Cæsare splendidior virgo virago, vale._
+
+  [Sidenote: Translated by _Abraham Fleming_.]
+  O puissant Elfled, ô thou maid
+    of men the dread and feare,
+  O puissant Elfled woorthie maid
+    the name of man to beare.
+  A noble nature hath thee made
+    a maiden mild to bee,
+  Thy vertue also hath procurde
+    a manlie name to thee.
+  It dooth but onelie thee become,
+    of sex to change the name,
+  A puissant queene, a king art thou
+    preparing trophes of fame.
+  Now maruell not so much at Cæsars
+    triumphs [trim to vieu;]
+  O manlike maiden more renowmd
+    than Cæsar was, adieu.
+
+[Sidenote: This Alfwen was sister to Edelfled, as _H. Hunt._ saith.]
+After the deceasse of Elfleda, king Edward tooke the dominion of
+Mercia (as before we haue said) into his owne hands, and so disherited
+his néece Alfwen or Elswen, the daughter of Elfleda, taking hir
+awaie with him into the countrie of Westsaxons. By this meanes he so
+amplified the bounds of his kingdome, that he had the most part of all
+[Sidenote: Stratcluid or Stretcled, a kingdome in Wales.]
+this Iland of Britaine at his commandement: for the kings of the
+Welshmen; namelie the king of Stretcled, and of the Scots,
+acknowledging him to be their chiefe souereigne lord, and the Danes
+in Northumberland were kept so short, that they durst attempt nothing
+[Sidenote: K. Edward a great builder and reparer of townes.]
+against him in his latter daies: so that he had time to applie the
+building and reparing of cities, townes, and castels, wherein he so
+much delighted. He builded a new towne at Notingham on the southside
+[Sidenote: Notingham bridge built. _Matt. West._]
+of Trent, and made a bridge ouer that riuer betwixt the old towne
+[Sidenote: Manchester repared. Anno 816. _Simon Dun._]
+and the new. He also repared Manchester beyond the riuer of Mercia
+in Lancashire, accounted as then in the south end of Northumberland,
+and he built a towne of ancient writers called Thilwall, neere to the
+same riuer of Mercia, and placed therein a garrison of souldiers:
+[Sidenote: _Henr. Hunt._]
+diuerse other townes and castels he built, as two at Buckingham on
+either side of the water of Ouse (as before is shewed) and also one at
+the mouth of the riuer of Auon. He likewise built or new repared
+the townes of Tocetor and Wigmore, with diuerse other, as one at
+Glademuth, about the last yéere of his reigne. Some also he destroied
+which séemed to serue the enimies turne for harborough, as a castell
+at Temnesford, which the Danes builded and fortified.
+
+At length, after that this noble prince king Edward had reigned
+somewhat aboue the tearme of 23 yéeres, he was taken out of this life
+at Faringdon: his bodie was conueied from thence vnto Winchester, and
+there buried in the new abbeie. He had thrée wiues, or (as some haue
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+written) but two, affirming that Edgiua was not his wife, but his
+concubine, of whome he begat his eldest sonne Adelstan, who succéeded
+him in the kingdome. This Edgiua (as hath béene reported) dreamed
+[Sidenote: A dreame.]
+on a time that there rose a moone out of hir bellie, which with the
+bright shine thereof gaue light ouer all England: and telling hir
+dreame to an ancient gentlewoman, who coniecturing by the dreame that
+which followed, tooke care of hir, and caused hir to be brought vp in
+good manners and like a gentlewoman, though she were borne but of base
+parentage.
+
+Heerevpon when she came to ripe yéeres, king Edward by chance comming
+to the place where she was remaining, vpon the first sight was
+streight rauished with hir beautie (which in déed excelled) that she
+could not rest till he had his pleasure of hir, and so begot of hir
+the foresaid Adelstan: by hir he had also a daughter that was maried
+[Sidenote: _Matt. West._ _Polydor_.]
+vnto Sithrike a Dane and K. of Northumberland. The Scotish writers
+name hir Beatrice, but our writers name hir Editha. His second or
+rather his first wife (if he were not maried to Eguina mother to
+Adelstan) was called Elfleda or Elfrida, daughter to one earle
+Ethelme, by whom he had issue; to wit, two sonnes Ethelward and
+[Sidenote: The issue of K. Edward.]
+Edwin, which immediatlie departed this life after their father; and
+six daughters, Elfleda, Edgiua, Ethelhilda, Ethilda, Edgitha, and
+Elfgiua. Elfleda became a nun, and Ethelhilda also liued in perpetuall
+virginitie, but yet in a laie habit.
+
+[Sidenote: Alias Edgiua. _Wil. Malm._]
+Edgitha was maried to Charles king of France, surnamed Simplex.
+And Ethilda by helpe of hir brother Adelstan was bestowed vpon Hugh
+sonne to Robert earle of Paris, for hir singular beautie most highlie
+estéemed: sith nature in hir had shewed as it were hir whole cunning,
+in perfecting hir with all gifts and properties of a comelie
+personage. Edgiua and Elgiua were sent by their brother Adelstan into
+Germanie, vnto the emperor Henrie, who bestowed one of them vpon his
+sonne Otho, that was after emperor, the first of that name; and the
+other vpon a duke inhabiting about the Alpes: by his last wife named
+Edgiua, he had also two sonnes, Edmund & Eldred, the which both
+reigned after their brother Adestan successiuelie. Also he had by hir
+two daughters, Edburge that was made a nun, and Edgiue a ladie of
+excellent beautie, whom hir brother Adelstan gaue in mariage vnto
+Lewes king of Aquitaine.
+
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ _Wil. Malm._ _Matth. West._]
+Whilest this land was in continuall trouble of warres against the
+Danes, as before is touched, small regard was had to the state of the
+church, in somuch that the whole countrie of the Westsaxons by the
+space of seuen yéeres togither (in the daies of this king Edward)
+remained without anie bishop, to take order in matters apperteining to
+[Sidenote: England first accurssed.]
+the church. Wherevpon the pope had accurssed the English people,
+bicause they suffred the bishops sees to be vacant so long a time.
+[Sidenote: Anno 903.]
+King Edward to auoid the cursse, assembled a prouinciall councell,
+905, in the which the archbishop of Canturburie Pleimond was
+president. Wherein it was ordeined, that whereas the prouince of
+Westsaxons in times past had but two bishops, now it should be diuided
+into fiue diocesses, euerie of them to haue a peculiar bishop.
+
+When all things were ordered and concluded in this synod (as was
+thought requisite) the archbishop was sent to Rome with rich presents,
+to appease the popes displeasure. When the pope had heard what order
+the king had taken, he was contented therewith. And so the archbishop
+returned into his countrie, and in one day at Canturburie ordeined
+[Sidenote: Winchester. Cornewall. Shireborne. Welles. Kirton. Mercia.]
+seuen bishops, as fiue to the prouince of Westsaxons, that is to
+say, Fridestane to the sée of Winchester, Adelstan to S. German in
+Cornwall, Werstan to Shireborne, Adelme to Welles, and Edulfe to
+Kirton. Also to the prouince of Sussex he ordeined one Bernegus, and
+to Dorchester for the prouince of Mercia one Cenulfus.
+
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ saith that pope Formosus pronounced this cursse.
+904.]
+¶ Heere ye must note, that where William Malme. Polychro. and
+other doo affirme, that pope Formosus did accursse king Edward and the
+English nation, for suffering the bishops sees to be vacant, it can
+not stand with the agreement or the time, vnlesse that the cursse
+pronounced by Formosus for this matter long afore was not regarded,
+vntill Edward had respect thereto. For the same Formosus began to
+gouerne the Romane see about the yéere of our Lord 892, and liued
+in the papasie not past six yéeres, so that he was dead before king
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+Edward came to the crowne. But how so euer this matter maie fall
+out, this ye haue to consider: although that Pleimond was sent vnto
+Rome to aduertise the pope what the king had decréed & doone, in the
+ordeining of bishops to their seuerall sées, as before ye haue heard,
+yet (as maister Fox hath noted) the gouernance and direction of the
+church depended chieflie vpon the kings of this land in those daies,
+as it manifestlie appeereth, as well by the decrees of king Alfred, as
+of this king Edward, whose authoritie in the election of bishops (as
+before ye haue heard) seemed then alone to be sufficient.
+
+Moreouer, I thinke it good to aduertise you in this place, that this
+Pleimond archbishop of Canturburie (of whome ye haue heard before) was
+the 19 in number from Augustine the first archbishop there: for after
+Brightwold that was the 8 in number, and first of the English nation
+that gouerned the sée, succeeded Taduin, that sat three yeeres,
+Notelin fiue yéeres, Cuthbert 18 yéeres, Brethwin thrée yéeres,
+Lambert 27 yéeres, Adelard 13 yéeres, Wilfred 28 yéeres, Theologildus
+or Pleogildus 3 yéeres, Celuotus or Chelutus 10 yéeres. Then succéeded
+Aldred, of whome king Edward receiued the crowne, and he was
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._]
+predecessor to Pleimond. A litle before the death of king Edward,
+Sithrike the king of Northumberland killed his brother Nigellus, and
+then king Reinold conquered the citie of Yorke.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Adelstane succeedeth his father Edward in the kingdome, Alfred
+practising by treason to keepe him from the gouernement, sanke downe
+suddenlie as he was taking his oth for his purgation; the cause why
+Alfred opposed himselfe against Adelstane, whose praise is notable,
+what he did to satisfie the expectation of his people, ladie Beatrice
+king Edwards daughter maried to Sithrike a Danish gouernor of the
+Northumbers, by whose meanes Edwin king Edwards brother was drowned,
+practises of treason, the ladie Beatrice strangelie put to death by
+hir stepsons for being of counsell to poison hir husband Sithrike, hir
+death reuenged vpon the tormentors by hir father king Edward, and how
+chronographers varie in the report of this historie._
+
+THE XIX. CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: ADELSTAN. _Matt. West._ _Will. Malmes._ 924.]
+Adelstane the eldest sonne of king Edward began his reigne ouer the
+more part of all England, the yéere of our Lord 924, which was in the
+6 yere of the emperour Henrie the first, in the 31 yéere of the reigne
+of Charles surnamed Simplex king of France, thrée moneths after the
+burning of Pauie, & about the 22 or 23 yéere of Constantine the third,
+king of Scotland. This Adelstane was crowned and consecrated king at
+Kingstone vpon Thames, of Aldelme the archbishop of Canturburie, who
+succéeded Pleimond. He was the 24 king in number from Cerdicus or
+Cerdike the first king of the Westsaxons. There were in the
+[Sidenote: Alfred striueth in vaine to kéepe Adelstane from the
+gouernment. _Wil. Malm._
+See more hereof in the acts and monuments set foorth by _M. Fox,_
+vol. 1. leafe 195.]
+beginning some that set themselues against him, as one Alfred a noble
+man, which practised by treason to haue kept him from the gouernement:
+but he was apprehended yer he could bring his purpose to passe, and
+sent to Rome there to trie himselfe giltie or not giltie. And as he
+tooke his oth for his purgation before the altar of saint Peter, he
+suddenlie fell downe to the earth, so that his seruants tooke him vp,
+and bare him into the English schoole or hospitall, where the third
+night after he died.
+
+Pope Iohn the tenth sent vnto king Adelstane, to know if he would that
+his bodie should be laid in Christian buriall or not. The king at the
+contemplation of Alfreds friends and kinsfolks, signified to the pope
+that he was contented that his bodie should be interred amongst other
+christians. His lands being forfeited were giuen by the king vnto God
+and saint Peter. The cause that mooued Alfred and other his complices
+against the king, was (as some haue alledged) his bastardie. But
+whether that allegation were true or but a slander, this is certeine,
+that except that steine of his honor, there was nothing in this
+Adelstane worthie of blame: so that he darkened all the glorious
+fame of his predecessors, both in vertuous conditions and victorious
+triumphs. Such difference is there to haue that in thy selfe wherein
+to excell, rather than to stand vpon the woorthinesse of thine
+ancestors, sith that can not rightlie be called a mans owne.
+
+After that king Adelstane was established in the estate, he indeuored
+himselfe to answer the expectation of his people; which hoped for
+great wealth to insue by his noble and prudent gouernance. First
+[Sidenote: _Anno 925_. _Simon Dun._ _Polydor_.]
+therfore meaning to prouide for the suertie of his countrie, he
+concluded a peace with Sithrike king of the Northumbers, vnto whome
+(as ye haue heard) he gaue one of his sisters named Editha in mariage.
+Sithrike liued not past one yéere after he had so maried hir. And then
+Adelstane brought the prouince of the Northumbers vnto his subiection,
+expelling one Aldulph out of the same that rebelled against him.
+There be that write, that Godfrie and Aulafe the sonnes of Sithrike
+succéeding their father in the gouernement of Northumberland, by
+practising to mooue warre against king Adelstane, occasioned him to
+inuade their countrie, and to chase them out of the same, so that
+Aulafe fled into Ireland, & Godfrie into Scotland: but other write,
+that Godfrie was the father of Reignold which wan Yorke, after that
+[Sidenote: _H. Hunt._]
+Sithrike had slaine his brother Nigellus, as before is mentioned.
+
+[Sidenote: _Hect. Boetius_. The Scotish writers varie from our
+English authors.
+Beatrice daughter to K. Edward as the Scotish writers say. Edwin was
+not brother to K. Edward but son to him.]
+¶ The Scotish chronicles varie in report of these matters from the
+English writers: whose chronicles affirme, that in the life time of
+king Edward, his daughter Beatrice was giuen in mariage to Sithrike,
+the gouernor of the Danes in Northumberland, with condition that if
+anie male were procreated in that mariage, the same should inherit the
+dominions of king Edward after his decease. King Edward had a brother
+(as they say) named Edwin, a iolie gentleman, and of great estimation
+amongst the Englishmen. He by Sithrikes procurement was sent into
+Flanders in a ship that leaked, and so was drowned, to the great
+reioising of all the Danes, least if he had suruiued his brother, he
+would haue made some businesse for the crowne.
+
+[Sidenote: Adelstane flieth the realme.]
+About the same time Adelstane a base sonne of K. Edward fled the
+realme, for doubt to be made away by some like traitorous practise of
+the Danes. Shortlie after, king Edward vnderstanding that Sithrike
+went about some mischiefe toward him, persuaded his daughter to poison
+hir husband the said Sithrike. Then Aulafe or Aualassus, and Godfrie
+the sonnes of Sithrike, finding out by diligent examination, that
+Beatrice was of counsell in poisoning hir husband, they caused hir to
+be apprehended and put to death on this wise. She was set naked
+[Sidenote: Beatrice put to death by hir stepsons.]
+vpon a smithes cold anuill or stithie, and therewith hard rosted egs
+being taken out of the hot imbers were put vnder hir armepits, and hir
+armes fast bound to hir bodie with a cord, and so in that state she
+remained till hir life passed from hir. King Edward in reuenge of his
+daughters death mooued warre against the two brethren, Aulafe and
+Godfrie, and in battell finallie vanquished them, but was slaine in
+the same battell himselfe.
+
+Thus haue the Scotish chronicles recorded of these matters, as an
+induction to the warres which followed betwixt the Scots and Danes as
+confederates against king Adelstane: but the truth thereof we leaue to
+the readers owne iudgement. For in our English writers we find no such
+matter, but that a daughter of king Edward named Edgitha or Editha,
+after hir fathers deceasse was by hir brother king Adelstane, about
+the first yéere of his reigne, giuen in mariage (as before ye haue
+heard) vnto the foresaid Sithrike king of Northumberland, that was
+descended of the Danish bloud, who for the loue of the yoong ladie,
+renounced his heathenish religion and became a christian; but shortlie
+after, forsaking both his wife and the christian faith, he set vp
+againe the worshipping of idols, and within a while after, as an
+apostata miserablie ended his life. Whervpon the yoong ladie, hir
+[Sidenote: Editha a virgine.]
+virginitie being preserued, and hir bodie vndefiled (as they write)
+passed the residue of hir daies at Polleswoorth in Warwikeshire,
+spending hir time (as the same writers affirme) in fasting, watching,
+praieng, and dooing of almesdéedes, and so at length departed out of
+this world. Thus our writers differ from the Scotish historie, both in
+name and maner of end as concerning the daughter of king Edward that
+was coupled in mariage with Sithrike.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Adelstane subdueth Constantine king of Scots, Howell king of Wales,
+and Wulferth king of Northwales, the Scots possesse a great part of
+the north countries, Adelstane conquereth the Scots for aiding Godfrie
+his enimie; a miracle declaring that the Scots ought to obey the king
+of England; king Adelstane banisheth his brother Edwin, he is for a
+conspiracie drowned in the sea, Adelstane repenteth him of his rigour
+(in respect of that misfortune) against his brother; Aulafe sometimes
+king of Northumberland inuadeth England, he disguiseth himselfe like
+a minstrell and surueieth the English campe unsuspected, he is
+discouered after his departure, be assaileth the English campe,
+Adelstane being comforted with a miracle discomfiteth his enimies, he
+maketh them of Northwales his tributaries, be subdueth the Cornishmen,
+his death; the description of his person, his vertues, of what abbeis
+& monasteries he was founder, his estimation in forren realmes,
+what pretious presents were sent him from other princes, and how he
+bestowed them; a remembrance of Guy the erle of Warwike._
+
+THE XX. CHAPTER.
+
+
+After that king Adelstane had subdued them of Northumberland, he
+was aduertised, that not onelie Constantine king of Scots, but also
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+Huduale or Howell K. of Wales went about a priuie conspiracie
+against him. Herevpon with all conuenient spéed assembling his power,
+he went against them, and with like good fortune subdued them both,
+and also Vimer or Wulferth K. of Northwales, so that they were
+constreined to submit themselues vnto him, who shortlie after moued
+with pitie in considering their sudden fall, restored them all three
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ The noble saieng of king Adelstane. 926.]
+to their former estates, but so as they should acknowledge
+themselues to gouerne vnder him, pronouncing withall this notable
+saieng, that More honorable it was to make a king, than to be a king.
+
+Ye must vnderstand, that (as it appeareth in the Scotish chronicles)
+the Scotishmen in time of wars that the Danes gaue the English nation,
+got a part of Cumberland and other the north countries into their
+possession, and so by reason of their néere adioining vnto the
+confines of the English kings, there chanced occasions of warre
+betwixt them, as well in the daies of king Edward, as of this
+Adelstane his sonne, although in déed the Danes held the more part of
+the north countries, till that this Adelstane conquered the same
+out of their hands, and ioined it vnto other of his dominions,
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+constreining as well the Danes (of whome the more part of the
+inhabitants then consisted) as also the Englishmen, to obey him as
+their king and gouernour. Godfrie (as is said) being fled to the
+Scots, did so much preuaile there by earnest sute made to king
+Constantine, that he got a power of men, and entring with the same
+into Northumberland, besiged the citie of Duresme, soliciting the
+citizens to receiue him, which they would gladlie haue doone, if they
+had not perceiued how he was not of power able to resist the puissance
+of king Adelstane: and therefore doubting to be punished for their
+offenses if they reuolted, they kept the enimies out. King
+[Sidenote: 934.]
+Adelstane being sore moued against the king of Scots, that thus aided
+his enimies, raised an armie, and went northward, purposing to reuenge
+that iniurie.
+
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._]
+At his comming into Yorkshire, he turned out of the way, to visit
+the place where saint Iohn of Beuerlie was buried, and there offered
+his knife, promising that if he returned with victorie, he would
+redéeme the same with a woorthie price: and so proceeded and went
+[Sidenote: _Sim. Dun._]
+forwards on his iournie, and entring Scotland, wasted the countrie by
+land vnto Dunfoader and Wertermore, and his nauie by sea destroied the
+coasts alongst the shore, euen to Catnesse, and so he brought the
+[Sidenote: The Scots subdued.]
+king of Scots and other his enimies to subiection at his pleasure,
+constreining the same K. of Scots to deliuer him his son in hostage.
+
+[Sidenote: A token shewed miraculouslie that the Scots ought to be
+subiect to the kings of England.]
+It is said, that being in his iournie néere vnto the towne of
+Dunbar, he praied vnto God, that at the instance of saint Iohn of
+Beuerlie, it would please him to grant, that he might shew some open
+token, whereby it should appeare to all them that then liued, and
+should hereafter succéed, that the Scots ought to be subiect vnto the
+kings of England. Herewith, the king with his sword smote vpon a great
+stone standing néere to the castle of Dunbar, and with the stroke,
+there appeared a clift in the same stone to the length of an elme,
+which remained to be shewed as a witnesse of that thing manie yeares
+after. At his comming backe to Beuerlie, he redéemed his knife with a
+large price, as before he had promised.
+
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ _Matt. Westm._ 934.]
+After this was Edwin the kings brother accused of some conspiracie
+by him begun against the king, wherevpon he was banished the land, and
+sent out in an old rotten vessell without rower or mariner, onelie
+accompanied with one esquier, so that being lanched foorth from
+the shore, through despaire Edwin leapt into the sea, and drowned
+himselfe, but the esquier that was with him recouered his bodie, and
+brought it to land at Withsand besides Canturburie. But Iames Maier in
+the annales of Flanders saieth, that he was drowned by fortune of the
+seas in a small vessell, and being cast vp into a créeke on the coast
+of Picardie, was found by Adolfe earle of Bullongne that was his
+coosin germane, and honorablie buried by the same Adolfe in the church
+of Bertine. In consideration of which déed of pietie and dutie of
+mindfull consanguinitie, the king of England both hartilie thanked
+[Sidenote: Repentance too late.]
+earle Adolfe, and bestowed great gifts vpon the church where
+his brother was thus buried. For verelie king Adelstane after his
+displeasure was asswaged, and hearing of this miserable end of his
+brother, sore repented himselfe of his rigour so extended towards
+him, in so much that he could neuer abide the man that had giuen the
+information against him, which was his cupbearer, so that on a time as
+the said cupbearer serued him at the table, and came towards him with
+a cup of wine, one of his féet chanced to slide, but he recouered
+himselfe with the helpe of the other foot, saieng, "One brother yet
+hath holpen & succored the other:" which words cost him his life. For
+the king remembring that by his accusation he had lost his brother
+that might haue béene an aid to him, caused this said cupbearer to be
+straight put to death.
+
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+In this meane while, Aulafe the sonne of Sitherike, late king
+of Northumberland (who is also named by writers to be king of the
+Irishmen, and of manie Ilands) assembled a great power of Danes,
+Irishmen, Scots, and other people of the out Iles, and imbarked them
+in 615 ships and craiers, with the which he arriued in the mouth of
+[Sidenote: 937.]
+Humber, and there comming on land, began to inuade the countrie.
+This Aulafe had maried the daughter of Constantine king of Scots, by
+whose procurement, notwithstanding his late submission, Aulafe
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+tooke in hand this iournie. King Adelstane aduertised of his enimies
+arriuall, gathered his people, and with all conuenient spéed hasted
+towards them, and approching néerer vnto them, pitcht downe his
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ _Wil. Malm._]
+field at a place called by some Brimesburie, by others Brimesford, and
+also Brunaubright, and by the Scotish writers Browmingfield.
+
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ _Hector Boet._ _Ran. Higd._
+Aulafe disguised, cometh to view the English camp.]
+When knowledge hereof was had in the enimies campe, Aulafe
+enterprised a maruelous exploit, for taking with him an harpe, he came
+into the English campe, offring himselfe disguised as a minstrell, to
+shew some part of his cunning in musicke vpon his instrument: and so
+being suffered to passe from tent to tent, and admitted also to plaie
+afore the king, surueied the whole state and order of the armie. This
+doone, he returned, meaning by a cammisado to set vpon the kings tent.
+But one that had serued as a souldier sometime vnder Aulafe, chanced
+by marking his demeanour to know him, and after he was gone, vttered
+to the king what he knew. The king séemed to be displeased, in that
+he had not told him so much before Aulafs departure: but in excusing
+himselfe, the souldier said: "Ye must remember (if it like your grace)
+that the same faith which I haue giuen vnto you, I sometime owght vnto
+Aulafe, therfore if I should haue betraied him now, you might well
+stand in doubt least I should hereafter doo the like to you: but if
+you will follow mine aduise, remoue your tent, least happilie he
+assaile you vnwares." The king did so, and as it chanced in the
+[Sidenote: Aulafe assaileth the English camp.]
+night following, Aulafe came to assaile the English campe, and by
+fortune comming to the place where the kings tent stood before, he
+found a bishop lodged, which with his companie was come the same day
+to the armie, and had pitcht vp his tent in that place from whence the
+king was remoued: and so was the same bishop, and most part of his men
+there slaine, which slaughter executed, Aulafe passed forward, and
+came to the kings tent, who in this meane time, by reason of the
+alarum raised, was got vp, and taking to him his sword in that sudden
+fright, by chance it fell out of the scabbard, so that he could
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._]
+not find it, but calling to God and S. Aldelme (as saith Polychron.)
+his sword was restored to the scabbard againe. The king comforted
+with that miracle, boldlie preased foorth vpon his enimies, and so
+valiantlie resisted them, that in the end he put them to flight, and
+chased them all that morning and day following, so that he slue of
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ The enimies discomfited.]
+them an huge number. Some haue written, that Constantine king of
+Scots was slaine at this ouerthrow, and fiue other small kings or
+rulers, with 12 dukes, and welnéere all the armie of those strange
+nations which Aulafe had gathered togither. But the Scotish chronicles
+affirme, that Constantine was not there himselfe, but sent his sonne
+Malcolme, which yet escaped sore hurt and wounded from the battell, as
+in the same chronicles ye may sée more at large.
+
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._]
+When K. Adelstane had thus vanquished his enimies in the north
+parties of England, he went against them of Northwales, whose rulers
+and princes he caused to come before him at Hereford, and there
+handled them in such sort, that they couenanted to pay him yeerlie
+[Sidenote: Tribute. The Cornish men subdued.]
+in lieu of a tribute 20 pounds of gold, 300 pounds of siluer, and 25
+head of neate, with hawks and hownds a certeine number. After this, he
+subdued the Cornishmen: and whereas till those daies they inhabited
+the citie of Excester, mingled amongest the Englishmen, so that the
+one nation was as strong within that citie as the other, he rid them
+[Sidenote: Excester repaired. 940.]
+quite out of the same, and repared the walles, and fortified them
+with ditches and turrets as the maner then was, and so remoued the
+Cornish men further into the west parts of the countrie, that he made
+Tamer water to be the confines betwéene the Englishmen and them.
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ The decease of king Adelstane.]
+Finallie the noble prince king Adelstane departed out of this
+world, the 26 day of October, after he had reigned the tearme of 16
+yeares. His bodie was buried at Malmesburie.
+
+[Sidenote: The description of king Adelstane.]
+He was of such a stature, as exceeded not the common sort of men,
+stooping somewhat, and yellowe haired, for his valiancie ioined with
+courtesie beloued of all men, yet sharpe against rebels, and of
+inuincible constancie: his great deuotion toward the church appeared
+in the building, adorning & indowing of monasteries and abbeis. He
+built one at Wilton within the diocesse of Salisburie, and an other at
+Michelnie in Summersetshire. But besides these foundations, there were
+few famous monasteries within this land, but that he adorned the same
+either with some new péece of building, iewels, bookes, or portion of
+[Sidenote: Wolstan archbishop of Yorke. His estimation in forain realmes.]
+lands. He had in excéeding fauour Wolstan archbishop of Yorke
+that liued in his daies, for whose sake he greatlie inriched that
+bishoprike. His fame spread ouer all the parties of Europe, so that
+sundrie princes thought themselues happie if they might haue his
+friendship, either by affinitie or otherwise: by meanes whereof, he
+bestowed his sisters so highlie in mariage as before ye haue heard. He
+receiued manie noble and rich presents from diuers princes, as from
+Hugh king of France, horsses and sundrie rich iewels, with certeine
+relikes: as Constantines sword, in the hilt whereof was set one of
+the nailes wherewith Christ was fastened to the crosse, the speare of
+Charles the great, which was thought to be the same wherewith the side
+of our sauiour was pearced, the banner of saint Maurice, with a part
+of the holie crosse, and likewise a part of the thorned crowne: yet
+Mandeuile saw the one halfe of this crowne in France, and the other at
+Constantinople, almost 400 yeares after this time, as he writeth. Of
+these iewels king Adelstane gaue part to the abbie of saint Swithon at
+Winchester, and part to the abbie of Malmesburie. Moreouer, the king
+of Norwaie sent vnto him a goodlie ship of fine woorkmanship, with
+gilt sterne and purple sailes, furnished round about the decke within
+with a rowe of gilt pauises. ¶ In the daies of this Adelstane
+[Sidenote: _Harding_.]
+reigned that right worthie Guy earle of Warwike, who (as some writers
+haue recorded) fought with a mightie giant of the Danes in a singular
+combat, and vanquished him.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Edmund succeedeth Adelstane in the kingdome, the Danes of
+Northumberland rebell against him, a peace concluded betwene Aulafe
+their king and king Edmund vpon conditions, Aulafe dieth, another
+of that name succeedeth him; king Edmund subdueth the Danes, and
+compelleth them to receiue the christian faith, Reinold and Aulafe are
+baptised, they violate their fealtie vowed to king Edmund, they are
+put to perpetuall exile; why king Edmund wasted all Northumberland,
+caused the eies of king Dunmails sonnes to be put out, and assigned
+the said countrie to Malcolme king of Scots; the Scotish chroniclers
+error in peruerting the time & order of the English kings, king
+Edmunds lawes, by what misfortune he came to his end, how his death
+was foreshewed to Dunstane in a vision, a tale of the vertue of the
+crosse, Dunstane reproueth duke Elstane, his dreame, and how the
+interpretation thereof came to passe._
+
+THE XXJ. CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: EDMUND.]
+After that Adelstane was departed this life, without leauing issue
+behind to succéed him in the kingdome, his brother Edmund, sonne of
+Edward the elder, borne of his last wife Edgiue, tooke vpon him the
+gouernement of this land, and began his reigne in the yeare of our
+Lord 940, which was in the fift yeare of the emperor Otho the 1, in
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ 940.]
+the 13 of Lewes surnamed Transmarinus king of France, and about
+the 38 yeare of Constantine the third king of Scotland. The Danes of
+Northumberland rebelled against this Edmund, and ordeined Aulafe to
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+be their king, whom they had called out of Ireland. Some write that
+this Aulafe, which now in the beginning of Edmunds reigne came into
+Northumberland, was king of Norwaie, & hauing a great power of men
+with him, marched foorth towards the south parts of this land, in
+purpose to subdue the whole: but king Edmund raised a mightie armie,
+and incountred with his enimies at Leicester. Howbeit, yer the matter
+came to the vttermost triall of battell, through the earnest sute of
+the archbishop of Canturburie and Yorke Odo and Wolstan, a peace was
+concluded; so as Edmund should inioy all that part of the land
+[Sidenote: A peace concluded. 941.]
+which lieth from Watlingstréet southward, & Aulafe should inioy the
+other part as it lieth from the same street northward. Then Aulafe
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ Aulafe deceaseth. Another Aulafe taketh upon
+him to rule.]
+tooke to wife the ladie Alditha, daughter to earle Ormus, by whose
+counsell and assistance he had thus obtained the vpper hand. But this
+Aulafe in the yeare following, after he had destroied the church of
+saint Balter, and burned Tinningham, departed this life. Then the
+other Aulafe that was sonne to king Sithrike, tooke vpon him to
+gouerne the Northumbers.
+
+[Sidenote: 942.]
+After this, in the yeare 942, king Edmund assembling an armie,
+first subdued those Danes which had got into their possession the
+cities and towns of Lincolne, Leicester, Darbie, Stafford, and
+Notingham, constreining them to receiue the christian faith, and
+reduced all the countries euen vnto Humber vnder his subiection. This
+doone, Aulafe and Reinold the sonne of Gurmo, who (as you haue heard)
+[Sidenote: Gurmo or Godfrey. _Wil. Malm._]
+subdued Yorke, as a meane the sooner to obteine peace, offered
+to become christians, & to submit themselues vnto him: wherevpon he
+receiued them to his peace. There be that write, that this Aulafe is
+not that Aulafe which was sonne to king Sithrike, but rather that the
+other was he with whom king Edmund made partition of the realme: but
+they agree, that this second Aulafe was a Dane also, & being conuerted
+to the faith as well through constraint of the kings puissance, as
+through the preaching of the gospell, was baptised, king Edmund being
+godfather both vnto him, and vnto the foresaid Reinold, to Aulafe at
+the verie fontstone, and to Reinold at his confirmation at the bishops
+hands. Neuerthelesse, their wicked natures could not rest in quiet,
+[Sidenote: 944.]
+so that they brake both promise to God, and to their prince, and
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+were therefore in the yeare next following driuen both out of
+the countrie, and punished by perpetuall exile. And so king Edmund
+adioined Northumberland, without admitting anie other immediat
+gouernor, vnto his owne estate.
+
+[Sidenote: Leolin king of Southwales aided king Edmund in this enterprise.
+946.]
+Moreouer, he wasted and spoiled whole Cumberland, because he
+could not reduce the people of that countrie vnto due obeisance,
+and conformable subiection. The two sonnes of Dunmaile king of that
+prouince he apprehended, and caused their eies to be put out. Herewith
+vpon consideration either of such aid as he had receiued of the Scots
+at that time, or some other friendlie respect, he assigned the said
+countrie of Cumberland vnto Malcolme king of Scots, to hold the
+same by fealtie of him and his successors. The Scotish chronicles,
+peruerting the time and order of the acts and doings of the English
+kings which reigned about this season, affirme, that by couenants of
+peace concluded betwixt Malcolme king of Scotland, and Adelstan king
+of England, it was agréed, that Cumberland should remaine to the
+Scots: as in their chronicles you may find at full expressed. And
+againe, that Indulfe, who succéeded Malcolme in the kingdome of
+Scotland, aided king Edmund against Aulafe, whom the same chronicles
+name Aualassus, but the time which they attribute vnto the reignes of
+their kings, will not alow the same to stand. For by account of their
+writers, king Malcolme began not his reigne till after the deceasse of
+king Adelstan, who departed this life in the yeare 940. And Malcolme
+succéeded Constantine the third in the yeare 944, which was about the
+third yeare of king Edmunds reigne, and after Malcolme (that reigned
+15 yeares) succeeded Indulfe in the yeare 959. The like discordance
+precedeth and followeth in their writers, as to the diligent reader,
+in conferring their chronicles with ours, manifestlie appeareth.
+We therefore (to satisfie the desirous to vnderstand and sée the
+diuersitie of writers) haue for the more part in their chronicles left
+the same as we found it.
+
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_. The lawes of king Edmund.]
+But now to the other dooings of king Edmund: it is recorded, that
+he ordeined diuers good and wholsome lawes, verie profitable and
+necessarie for the commonwealth, which lawes with diuers other of like
+antiquitie are forgot and blotted out by rust of time, the consumer of
+things woorthie of long remembrance (as saith Polydor:) but sithens
+his time they haue béene recouered for the more part, & by maister
+[Sidenote: Five yeares and 7 months hath _Si. Dun._]
+William Lambert turned into Latine, & were imprinted by Iohn Day,
+in the yeare 1568, as before I haue said. Finallie, this prince king
+Edmund, after he had reigned sixe yeares and a halfe, he came to his
+end by great misfortune. For (as some say) it chanced, that espieng
+where one of his seruants was in danger to be slaine amongest his
+enimies that were about him with drawen swords, as he stepped in to
+haue holpen his seruant, he was slaine at a place called Pulcher
+church, or (as other haue) Michelsbourgh.
+
+[Sidenote: Pridecire. saith _Si. Dun._ _Will. Malm._ _Matth. West._
+946.]
+Other say, that kéeping a great feast at the aforesaid place on
+the day of saint Augustine the English apostle (which is the 26 of
+Maie, and as that yeare came about, it fell on the tuesday) as he was
+set at the table, he espied where a common robber was placed neere
+vnto him, whome sometime he had banished the land, and now being
+returned without licence, he presumed to come into the kings presence,
+wherewith the king was so moued with high disdaine, that he suddenlie
+arose from the table, and flew vpon the théefe, and catching him by
+the heare of the head, threw him vnder his féet, wherewith the théefe,
+hauing fast hold on the king, brought him downe vpon him also, and
+with his knife stroke him into the bellie, in such wise, that the
+kings bowels fell out of his chest, and there presentlie died. The
+theefe was hewen in péeces by the kings seruants, but yet he slue
+and hurt diuers before they could dispatch him. This chance was
+lamentable, namelie to the English people, which by the ouertimelie
+death of their king, in whome appeared manie euident tokens of great
+excellencie, lost the hope which they had conceiued of great wealth to
+increase by his prudent and most princelie gouernement. His bodie was
+buried at Glastenburie where Dunstane was then abbat.
+
+There be that write, that the death of king Edmund was signified
+[Sidenote: _Capgraue_. A vaine tale.]
+aforehand to Dunstane, who about the same time attending vpon
+the same king, as he remooued from one place to an other, chanced to
+accompanie himselfe with a noble man, one duke Elstane, and as they
+rode togither, behold suddenlie Dunstane saw in the waie before him,
+where the kings musicians rode, the diuell running and leaping amongst
+the same musicians after a reioising maner, whome after he had beheld
+a good while, he said to the duke; Is it possible that you may see
+that which I sée? The duke answered that he saw nothing otherwise than
+[Sidenote: Crossing bringeth sight of the diuels, and crossing driueth
+them away.]
+he ought to sée. Then said Dunstane, Blesse your eies with the
+signe of the crosse, and trie whether you can see that I sée. And
+when he had doone as Dunstane appointed him, he saw also the féend
+in likenesse of a little short euill fauoured Aethiopian dansing and
+leaping, whereby they gathered that some euill hap was towards some of
+the companie: but when they had crossed and blessed them, the foule
+spirit vanished out of their sight.
+
+[Sidenote: Dunstane an interpreter of dreames.]
+Now after they had talked of this vision, and made an end of their
+talke touching the same, the duke required of Dunstane to interpret a
+dreame which he had of late in sléepe, and that was this: He thought
+that he saw in a vision the king with all his nobles sit in his dining
+chamber at meate, and as they were there making merrie togither, the
+king chanced to fall into a dead sléepe, and all the noble men, and
+those of his councell that were about him were changed into robucks
+and goats. Dunstane quicklie declared that this dreame signified
+[Sidenote: Dunstan séeth the diuell often, but now he was become a
+waiter at the table when Dunstane sat with the king.]
+the kings death, and the changing of the nobles into dum and
+insensible beasts betokened that the princes & gouernors of the realme
+should decline from the waie of truth, and wander as foolish beasts
+without a guide to rule them. Also the night after this talke when the
+king was set at supper, Dunstane saw the same spirit, or some other,
+walke vp and downe amongst them that waited at the table, and within
+thrée daies after, the king was slaine, as before ye haue heard.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Edred succedeth his brother Edmund in the realme of England, the
+Northumbers rebell against him, they and the Scots sweare to be his
+true subiects, they breake their oth and ioine with Aulafe the Dane,
+who returneth into Northumberland, and is made king thereof, the
+people expell him and erect Hericius in his roome, king Edred taketh
+reuenge on the Northumbers for their disloialtie, the rereward of his
+armie is assalted by an host of his enimies issuing out of Yorke, the
+Northumbers submit themselues, and put awaie Hericius their king,
+Wolstane archbishop of Yorke punished for his disloialtie, whereto
+Edred applied himselfe after the appeasing of ciuill tumults, his
+death and buriall, a speciall signe of Edreds loue to Dunstane abbat
+of Glastenburie, his practise of cousenage touching king Edreds
+treasure._
+
+THE XXIJ. CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: EDRED. 946.]
+Edred the brother of Edmund, and sonne to Edward the elder and to
+Edgiue his last wife, began his reigne ouer the realme of England in
+the yéere of our Lord 946, or (as other say) 997, which was in the
+twelfe yéere of the emperor Otho the first, and in the 21 yéere of the
+reigne of Lewes K. of France, & about the third or fourth yéere of
+Malcolme the first of that name, king of Scotland. He was crowned
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._]
+and annointed the 16 day of August by Odo the archbishop of
+Canturburie at Kingstone vpon Thames. In the first yéere of his
+[Sidenote: The Northumbers rebell and are subdued.]
+reigne, the Northumbers rebelled against him, wherevpon he raised an
+armie, inuaded their countrie, and subdued them by force. This doone,
+he went forward into Scotland: but the Scots without shewing anie
+resistance submitted themselues vnto him, and so both Scots and
+Northumbers receiued an oth to be true vnto him, which they obserued
+but a small while, for he was no sooner returned into the south parts,
+[Sidenote: Aulafe returned into Northumberland.]
+but that Aulafe which had beene chased out of the countrie by king
+Edmund, as before ye haue heard, returned into Northumberland with a
+great nauie of ships, and was ioifullie receiued of the inhabitants,
+and restored againe to the kingdome, which he held by the space
+of foure yéeres, and then by the accustomed disloialtie of the
+Northumbers he was by them expelled, and then they set vp one
+[Sidenote: Hirke or Hericius. _Wil. Malm._ The disloialtie of the
+Northumbers punished.]
+Hirke or Hericius the sonne of one Harrold to reigne ouer them, who
+held not the estate anie long time. For in the third yeere of his
+reigne, Edred in the reuenge of such disloiall dealings in the
+Northumbers, destroied the countrie with fire & swoord, sleaing the
+most part of the inhabitants. He burnt the abbeie of Rippon, which was
+kept against him.
+
+As he was returning homeward, an host of enimies brake out of Yorke,
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ _Simon Dun._ Easterford.]
+and setting vpon the rereward of the kings armie at a place called
+Easterford, made great slaughter of the same. Wherefore the king in
+his rage ment to haue begun a new spoile and destruction, but the
+Northumbers humbled themselues so vnto him, that putting awaie their
+forsaid king Hirke or Hericius, and offering great rewards and gifts
+to buy their peace, they obteined pardon. But bicause that Wolstane
+the archbishop of Yorke was of counsell with his countriemen in
+reuolting from king Edred, and aduancing of Hericius, king Edred tooke
+him and kept him in prison a long time after, but at length in respect
+of the reuerence which he bare to his calling, he set him at libertie,
+and pardoned him his offense. Matth. Westm. reciteth an other
+[Sidenote: The archbishop of Yorke imprisoned. _Matth. West._ 951.]
+cause of Wolstans imprisonment, as thus. In the yéere of Grace, saith
+he, 951, king Edred put the archbishop of Yorke in close prison,
+bicause of often complaints exhibited against him, as he which had
+commanded manie townesmen of Theadford to be put to death, in reuenge
+of the abbat Aldelme by them vniustlie slaine and murthered.
+
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+After this, when Edred had appeased all ciuill tumults and
+dissentions within his land, he applied him selfe to the aduancing of
+religion, wholie following the mind of Dunstane, by whose exhortation
+he suffered patientlie manie torments of the bodie, and exercised
+himselfe in praier and other deuout studies. This Edred in his latter
+daies being greatlie addicted to deuotion & religious priests, at the
+request of his mother Edgiua, restored the abbeie of Abington which
+was built first by king Inas, but in these daies sore decaied and
+[Sidenote: Edredus departeth this life.]
+fallen into ruine. Finallie, after he had reigned nine yéeres and
+a halfe, he departed this life to the great gréeuance of men, and
+reioising of angels (as it is written) and was buried at Winchester in
+the cathedrall church there. ¶ Heere is to be noted, that the foresaid
+Edred, when he came first to the crowne, vpon a singular and most
+[Sidenote: Dunstane in fauour.]
+especiall fauour which he bare towards Dunstane the abbat of
+Glastenburie, committed vnto him the chiefest part of all his
+treasure, as charters of lands with other monuments, and such ancient
+princelie iewels as belonged to the former kings, with other such as
+he got of his owne, willing him to lay the same in safe kéeping within
+his monasterie of Glastenburie.
+
+Afterward, when king Edred perceiued himselfe to be in danger of death
+by force of that sickenesse, which in déed made an end of his life, he
+sent into all parties to such as had anie of his treasure in kéeping,
+to bring the same vnto him with all spéed, that he might dispose
+[Sidenote: But was not this a deuise thereby to deteine the treasure?
+for I doo not read that he deliuered it out of his hands.]
+thereof before his departure out of this life, as he should sée cause.
+Dunstane tooke such things as he had vnder his hands, & hasted forward
+to deliuer the same vnto the king, and to visit him in that time of
+his sickenesse according to his dutie: but as he was vpon the waie,
+a voice spake to him from heauen, saieng; Behold king Edred is now
+departed in peace. At the hearing of this voice, the horsse whereon
+Dunstane rode fell downe and died, being not able to abide the
+presence of the angell that thus spake to Dunstane. And when he came
+to the court, he vnderstood that the king died the same houre in which
+[Sidenote: An angell, or as some think a woorse creature.]
+it was told him by the angell, as before ye haue heard.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Edwin succeedeth Edred in the kingdome of England, his beastlie and
+incestuous carnalite with a kinswoman of his on the verie day of
+his coronation, he is reproued of Dunstane and giueth ouer the
+gentlewomans companie, Dunstane is banished for rebuking king Edwin
+for his unlawfull lust and lewd life, the diuell reioised at his
+exile, what reuenging mischiefs the king did for displeasure sake
+against the said Dunstane in exile, the middle part of England
+rebelleth against king Edwin, and erecteth his brother Edgar in roiall
+roome ouer them, he taketh thought and dieth; Edgar succeedeth him, he
+is a fauourer of moonks, his prouision for defense of his realme, his
+policie and discretion in gouernment, what kings he bound by oth to be
+true vnto him, eight princes row his barge in signe of submission,
+the vicious inconueniences that grew among the Englishmen vpon his
+fauouring of the Danes, a restraint of excessiue quaffing; Dunstane is
+made bishop of Worcester and Ethelwold bishop of Wincester; iustice in
+Edgars time seuerelie executed, theft punished with death, a tribute
+of woolfs skins paid him out of Wales, and the benefit of that
+tribute._
+
+THE XXIIJ. CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: EDWIN. 955.]
+After the deceasse of Edred, his nephue Edwin the eldest sonne of
+king Edmund was made king of England, and began his reigne ouer the
+same in the yeere of our Lord 955, & in the 20 yéere of the emperor
+Otho the first, in the 28 and last yéere of the reigne of Lewes king
+of France, and about the twelfe yeere of Malcolme the first of that
+name, king of Scotland. He was consecrated at Kingston vpon Thames by
+Odo the archbishop of Canturburie. On the verie day of his coronation,
+as the lords were set in councell about weightie matters touching
+[Sidenote: _Will. Malmes._ _Polydor_.]
+the gouernment of the realme, he rose from the place, gat him into a
+chamber with one of his néere kinswomen, and there had to doo with
+hir, without anie respect or regard had to his roiall estate
+and princelie dignitie. Dunstane latelie before named abbat of
+Glastenburie, did not onlie without feare of displeasure reprooue
+the K. for such shamefull abusing of his bodie, but also caused the
+archbishop of Canturburie to constreine him to forsake that woman whom
+vnlawfullie he kept.
+
+[Sidenote: _Iohn Capgrave_.]
+There be that write, that there were two women, both mother and
+daughter, whome king Edward kept as concubines: for the mother being
+of noble parentage, sought to satisfie the kings lust, in hope that
+either he would take hir or hir daughter vnto wife. And therefore
+perceiuing that Dunstane was sore against such wanton pastime as the
+[Sidenote: Dunstane banished the realme.]
+king vsed in their companie, she so wrought, that Dunstane was
+through hir earnest trauell banished the land. This is also reported,
+that when he should depart the realme, the diuell was heard in the
+west end of the church, taking vp a great laughter after his roring
+[Sidenote: Dunstane séeth not the diuell.]
+maner, as though he should shew himselfe glad and ioifull at
+Dunstanes going into exile. But Dunstane perceiuing his behauiour,
+spake to him, and said: Well thou aduersarie, doo not so greatly
+reioise at the matter, for thou dooest not now so much reioise at
+my departure, but by Gods grace thou shalt be as sorrowfull for my
+returne.
+
+[Sidenote: Dunstane departed into exile.]
+Thus was Dunstane banished by king Edwine, so that he was compelled
+to passe ouer into Flanders, where he remained for a time within
+a monasterie at Gant, finding much friendship at the hands of the
+gouernor of that countrie. Also the more to wreake his wrath, the
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ Edwine displaceth monks and putteth secular
+preists in their roomes.]
+king spoiled manie religious houses of their goods, and droue out
+the monks, placing secular priests in their roomes, as namelie at
+Malmesburie, where yet the house was not empaired, but rather inriched
+in lands and ornaments by the kings liberalitie, and the industrious
+meanes of the same priests, which tooke vp the bones of saint Aldelme,
+[Sidenote: Rebellion raised against king Edwine. _Simon Dun._]
+and put the same into a shrine. At length the inhabitants of the
+middle part of England, euen from Humber to Thames rebelled against
+him, and elected his brother Edgar, to haue the gouernement ouer them,
+wherwith king Edwine tooke such griefe, for that he saw no meane at
+hand how to remedie the matter, that shortlie after, when he had
+[Sidenote: Edwin departeth this life.]
+reigned somewhat more than foure yéeres, he died, and his bodie was
+buried at Winchester in the new abbeie.
+
+[Sidenote: EDGAR. 959.]
+Edgar the second sonne of Edmund late king of England, after the
+decease of his elder brother the foresaid Edwine, began his reigne
+ouer this realme of England in the yeere of our Lord God 959, in the
+22 yéere of the emperour Otho the first, in the fourth yéere of the
+reigne of Lotharius king of France, 510 almost ended after the comming
+of the Saxons, 124 after the arriuall of the Danes, and in the last
+yéere of Malcolme king of Scotland. He was crowned & consecrated
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+at Bath, or (as some say) at Kingstone vpon Thames by Odo the
+archbishop of Canturburie, being as then not past 16 yéeres of
+age, when he was thus admitted king. He was no lesse indued with
+commendable gifts of mind, than with strength and force of bodie.
+[Sidenote: Edgar a fauorer of moonks.]
+He was a great fauorer of moonks, and speciallie had Dunstane in high
+estimation. Aboue all things in this world he regarded peace, and
+studied dailie how to preserue the same, to the commoditie and
+aduancement of his subiects.
+
+[Sidenote: The diligent prouision of K. Edgar for defense of the realme.]
+When he had established things in good quiet, and set an order in
+matters as seemed to him best for the peaceable gouernement of his
+people, he prepared a great nauie of ships, diuiding them in thrée
+parts, he appointed euerie part to a quarter of the realme, to waft
+about the coast, that no forren enimie should approch the land, but
+that they might be incountered and put backe, before they could take
+land. And euerie yéere after Easter, he vsed to giue order, that his
+ships should assemble togither in their due places: and then would he
+with the east nauie saile to the west parts of his realme, and sending
+those ships backe, he would with the west nauie saile into the north
+parts; and with the north nauie come backe againe into the east.
+This custome he vsed, that he might scowre the seas of all pirats &
+theeues. In the winter season and spring time, he would ride through
+the prouinces of his realme, searching out how the iudges and great
+lords demeaned themselues in the administration of iustice, sharpelie
+punishing those that were found guiltie of extortion, or had done
+otherwise in anie point than dutie required. In all things he vsed
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+such politike discretion, that neither was he put in danger by
+treason of his subiects, nor molested by forren enimies.
+
+He caused diuerse kings to bind themselues by oth to be true and
+[Sidenote: Mascutius.]
+faithfull vnto him, as Kinadius or rather Induf king of Scotland,
+Malcolme king of Cumberland, Mascutius an archpirat, or (as we may
+[Sidenote: Kings of Welshmen.]
+call him) a maister rouer, and also all the kings of the Welshmen, as
+Duffnall, Girffith, Duvall, Iacob, and Iudithill, all which came to
+his court, and by their solemne othes receiued, sware to be at his
+commandement. And for the more manifest testimonie therof, he
+[Sidenote: King Edgar roweth on the water of Dée.]
+hauing them with him at Chester, caused them to enter into a barge
+vpon the water of Dée, and placing himselfe in the forepart of the
+barge, at the helme, he caused those eight high princes to row
+the barge vp and downe the water, shewing thereby his princelie
+prerogatiue and roial magnificence, in that he might vse the seruice
+of so manie kings that were his subiects. And therevpon he said (as
+hath bin reported) that then might his successours account themselues
+kings of England, when they inioied such prerogatiue of high and
+supreme honor.
+
+The fame of this noble prince was spred ouer all, as well on this side
+the sea as beyond, insomuch that great resort of strangers chanced in
+his daies, which came euer into this land to serue him, and to sée the
+state of his court, as Saxons and other, yea and also Danes, which
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ King Edgar fauoureth Danes.]
+became verie familiar with him. He fauored in déed the Danes (as hath
+béene said) more than stood with the commoditie of his subiects, for
+scarse was anie stréet in England, but Danes had their dwelling in the
+same among the Englishmen, whereby came great harme: for whereas
+[Sidenote: English learned to quaffe of the Danes. _Will Malm._]
+the Danes by nature were great drinkers, the Englishmen by continuall
+conuersation with them learned the same vice. King Edgar to reforme in
+part such excessiue quaffing as then began to grow in vse, caused by
+the procurement of Dunstane, nailes to be set in cups of a certeine
+measure, marked for the purpose, that none should drinke more than was
+assigned by such measured cups. Englishmen also learned of the Saxons,
+[Sidenote: Englishmen learne other vices of strangers.]
+Flemings, and other strangers, their peculiar kind of vices, as of
+the Saxons a disordered fiercenesse of mind, or the Flemings a féeble
+tendernesse of bodie: where before they reioised in their owne
+simplicitie, and estéemed not the lewd and vnprofitable manners of
+strangers.
+
+Dunstane was made bishop of Worcester, and had also the administration
+of the sée of London committed vnto him. He was in such fauor with the
+[Sidenote: Ethelwold made bishop of Winchester.]
+king, that he ruled most things at his pleasure. Ethelwold, which
+being first a moonke of Glastenburie, and after abbat of Abington, was
+likewise made bishop of Winchester, and might doo verie much with
+[Sidenote: Oswald. Floriacum.]
+the king. Also Oswald, which had beene a moonke in the abbeie of
+Florie in France, and after was made bishop of Worcester, and from
+thence remooued to the sée of Yorke, was highlie in fauor with this
+king, so that by these thrée prelates he was most counselled. Iustice
+[Sidenote: Moonks must néeds write much in praise of Edgar who had men
+of their cote in such estimati[=o].]
+in his daies was strictlie obserued, for although he were
+courteous and gentle towards his friends, yet was he sharpe and hard
+to offenders, so that no person of what estate or degree soeuer he
+was escaped worthie punishment, if he did transgresse the lawes and
+ordinances of the realme. There was no priuie theefe nor common robber
+that durst lay hands vpon other mens goods, but he might looke to make
+amends with losse of his life, if he were knowne to be giltie. For how
+might men that did offend, thinke to escape his hands, which deuised
+waies how to rid the countrie of all wild rauening beasts, that liued
+vpon sucking the bloud of others? For as it is said, he appointed
+Iudweall or Ludweall king of Wales to present him thrée hundred
+[Sidenote: A tribute instituted of woolf-skins.]
+woolues yéerelie in name of a tribute, but after thrée yéeres space,
+there was not a woolfe to be found, and so that tribute ceased in the
+fourth yéere after it began to be paid.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_The death of Alfred king Edgars wife (or concubine) causeth him to
+fall into a fowle offense, an example teaching men to take heed how
+they put others in trust to woo for them; earle Ethelwold cooseneth
+the king of his wife, the danger of beholding a womans beautie with
+lustfull eies; king Edgar killeth earle Ethelwold to marrie faire
+Alfred his wife; the bloudie and unnaturall speach of Ethelwolds base
+sonne: examples of king Edgars great incontinencie and lewd life;
+Dunstane putteth the king to penance for his vnchastitie, the Welshmen
+rebell against him and are corrected, king Edgars vision before his
+death, of what religious buildings he was founder, his example a spur
+to others to doo the like, moonks esteemed and secular priests little
+regarded, king Edgars deformed reformation, his vices, stature, and
+bodilie qualities, he offereth to fight hand to hand with Kinadius
+king of Scots vpon occasion of words euill taken, Kinadius submitteth
+himselfe and is pardoned; his wiues and children, the good state of
+the realme in king Edgars time, the amplenesse of his dominions._
+
+THE XXIIIJ. CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: _Osborne_ and _Capgraue_ hold that she was not his wife but
+a nun.]
+In this meane time, Alfred the wife of king Edgar (as some say) or
+rather (as others write) his concubine died, of whome he had begot a
+sonne named Edward. The death of this woman caused the king to commit
+an heinous offense. For albeit at the same time the fame went,
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ Horger.]
+that Horgerius duke of Cornewall, or rather Deuonshire, had a daughter
+named Alfred, a damosell of excellent beautie, whome Edgar minding
+to haue in mariage, appointed one of his noble men called earle
+Ethelwold, to go with all speed into Cornewall or Deuonshire, to sée
+if the yoong ladies beautie answered the report that went of hir, and
+so to breake the matter to hir father in his behalfe: yet Ethelwold
+being a yong iollie gentleman, tooke his iournie into Cornewall,
+and comming to the duke, was well receiued, and had a sight of his
+daughter, with whose beautie he was streight rauished so far in loue,
+[Sidenote: Erle Ethelwold deceiueth the king of his wife.]
+that not regarding the kings pleasure, who had sent him thither,
+he began to purchase the good will of both father and daughter for
+himselfe, and did so much that he obteined the same in déed. Herevpon
+returning to the king, he informed him that the damosell was not of
+such beautie and comelie personage, as might be thought woorthie to
+match in mariage with his maiestie.
+
+Shortlie after perceiuing the kings mind by his wrongfull misreport to
+be turned, and nothing bent that way, he began to sue to him that he
+might with his fauour marie the same damosell: which the king granted,
+as one that cared not for hir, bicause of the credit which he gaue to
+Ethelwolds words. And so by this meanes Ethelwold obteined Alfred in
+mariage, which was to his owne destruction, as the case fell out. For
+when the fame of hir passing beautie did spread ouer all the realme,
+now that she was maried and came more abroad in sight of the people,
+the king chanced to heare thereof, and desirous to sée hir, deuised
+vnder colour of hunting to come vnto the house of Ethelwold, and so
+did: where he had no sooner set his eie vpon hir, but he was so farre
+[Sidenote: King Edgar séeketh the destruction of earle Ethelwold.]
+wrapped in the chaine of burning concupiscence, that to obteine
+his purpose, he shortlie after contriued Ethelwolds death, and maried
+his wife.
+
+Some say, that the woman kindled the brand of purpose: for when it was
+knowne, that the king would sée hir, Ethelwold willed hir in no wise
+to trim vp hir selfe, but rather to disfigure hir in fowle garments,
+and some euil fauored attire, that hir natiue beautie should not
+appeare: but she perceiuing how the matter went, of spite set out hir
+selfe to the vttermost, so that the king vpon the first sight of hir,
+became so farre inamored of hir beautie, that taking hir husband
+[Sidenote: King Edgar a murtherer.]
+foorth with him on hunting into a forrest or wood then called
+Warlewood, & after Horewood, not shewing that he meant him anie hurt,
+till at length he had got him within the thicke of the wood, where he
+suddenlie stroke him through with his dart. Now as his bastard son
+came to the place, the king asked him how he liked the maner of
+hunting, wherto he answered; "Verie well if it like your grace, for
+that that liketh you, ought not to displease me." With which answer
+the king was so pacified, that he indeuored by pretending his fauor
+towards the sonne, to extenuat the tyrannicall murther of the father.
+Then did the king marie the countesse Alfred, and of hir begat two
+sonnes, Edmund which died yoong, and Etheldred or Egelred.
+
+Besides this cruell act wrought by king Edgar, for the satisfieng of
+his fleshlie lust, he also plaied another part greatlie to the staine
+of his honor, mooued also by wanton loue, with a yoong damosell named
+Wilfrid, for after that she had (to auoid the danger of him) either
+professed hir selfe a nun, or else for colour (as the most part of
+writers agrée) got hirselfe into a nunrie, and clad hir in a nuns
+wéed, he tooke hir foorth of hir cloister, and lay by hir sundrie
+times, and begat on hir a daughter named Edith, who comming to
+[Sidenote: His licentious life & incontinencie.]
+conuenient age, was made a nun. A third example of his incontinencie
+is written by authors, and that is this. It chanced on a time that he
+lodged one night at Andeuer, and hauing a mind to a lords daughter
+there, he commanded that she should bee brought to his bed. But the
+mother of the gentlewoman would not that hir daughter should be
+defloured: and therefore in the darke of the night brought one of hir
+maidseruants, and laid hir in the kings bed, she being both faire,
+proper, and pleasant.
+
+In the morning when the day began to appeare, she made hast to arise:
+and being asked of the king why she so hasted; That I may go to my
+daies worke if it please your grace (quoth she.) Herewith she being
+staied by the king, as it were against hir will, she fell downe on hir
+knées, and required of him that she might be made frée, in guerdon of
+hir nights worke. For (saith she) it is not for your honor, that the
+woman which hath tasted the pleasure of the kings bodie should anie
+more suffer seruitude vnder the rule and appointment of a sharpe and
+rough mistresse.
+
+The king then being mooued in his spirits, laughed at the matter,
+though not from the heart, as he that tooke great indignation at the
+dooings of the dutchesse, and pitied the case of the poore wench. But
+yet in fine (turning earnest to a iest) he pardoned all the parties,
+and aduanced the wench to high honor, farre aboue those that had rule
+of hir afore, so that she ruled them (willed they nilled they:) for he
+vsed hir as his paramour, till he maried the foresaid Alfred.
+
+For these youthfull parts, & namelie for the rauishing of Wilfride
+(which though she were no nun, yet the offense seemed heinous, for
+[Sidenote: Note the déep hypocrisie of Dunstane.]
+that he should not once touch anie woman shadowed vnder that
+habit) he greatlie displeased Dunstane, so that by him he was put to
+his seuen yéeres penance, and kept from the crowne till the 12 yeere
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ _Fabian_ out of _Guido de Cobeman_. _Wil. Malm._]
+of his reigne or more. For some write that he was not crowned nor
+annointed king, till the 30 yéere of his age, which should be about
+the 13 or 14 yeere of his reigne by that account, sith he entred into
+the rule of the kingdome about the 16 yeere of his age. In déed one
+author witnesseth, that he was consecrated at Bath on a Whitsunday,
+the 13 yéere of his reigne, and that by Dunstane archbishop of
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ _Ranul. Hig._]
+Canturburie, and Oswold archbishop of Yorke. But some which suppose
+that he was consecrated king immediatlie vpon the death of Edridus,
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+affirme that he was crowned and annointed king by the archbishop
+Odo, Dunstane as then remaining in exile, from whence he was
+immediatlie reuoked by Edgar, and first made bishop of Worcester (as
+hath beene said) and after the decease of Odo was aduanced to be
+archbishop of Canturburie. But by some writers it appeareth, that
+[Sidenote: _Matt. West._ _Simon Dun._]
+Dunstane was reuoked out of exile immediatlie vpon partition of the
+realme betwixt Edwin and Edgar, which chanced in the yéere 957, by the
+rebellion of the people of Mercia, & others (as before ye haue heard:)
+and that in the yéere following the archbishop Odo died, after whome
+succéeded Alfin bishop of Winchester, who also died the same yéere
+that king Edward deceassed, as he went to fetch his pall from Rome,
+and then Brighthelme bishop of Dorchester was elected archbishop. But
+bicause he was not able to discharge so great an office, by K. Edgars
+commandement he was forced to giue place to Dunstane.
+
+[Sidenote: _Fabian_. _Ran. Higd._ The Welshmen rebel and are chastised.]
+Toward the latter end of king Edgars daies, the Welshmen mooued
+some rebellion against him. Wherevpon he assembled an armie, and
+entering the countrie of Glamorgan, did much hurt in the same,
+chastising the inhabitants verie sharpelie for their rebellious
+attempts. Amongst other spoiles taken in those parties at that time by
+the men of war, the bell of saint Ellutus was taken away, and hanged
+about a horsses necke, and (as hath béene reported) in the after
+noone, it chanced that king Edgar laid him downe to rest, wherevpon in
+sleepe there appeared one vnto him, and smote him on the breast with a
+speare. By reason of which vision he caused all things that had beene
+taken away to be restored againe. But within nine daies after the
+[Sidenote: _Will Malmes._ King Edgar departeth this life.]
+king died. Whether anie such thing chanced, or that he had anie such
+vision it forceth not. But truth it is, that in the 37 yeere of his
+age, after he had reigned 16 yéeres and two moneths he departed this
+life, the 8 day of Iulie, and was buried at Glastenburie.
+
+[Sidenote: Wherefore Edgar is praised of some writers.]
+This Edgar is highlie renowmed of writers for such princelie
+qualities as appeared in him, but chieflie for that he was so
+beneficiall to the church, namelie to moonks, the aduancement of whome
+he greatlie sought, both in building abbeies new from the ground, in
+reparing those that were decaied: also by inriching them with great
+reuenues, and in conuerting collegiat churches into monasteries,
+remoouing secular priests, and bringing in moonks in their places.
+There passed no one yéere of his reigne, wherin he founded not one
+abbeie or other. The abbeie of Glastenburie which his father had begun
+he finished. The abbeie of Abington also he accomplished and set in
+good order. The abbeies of Peterborough & Thornie he established. The
+nunrie of Wilton he founded and richlie endowed, where his daughter
+Editha was professed, and at length became abbesse there. To be
+briefe, he builded (as the chronicles record) to the number of 40
+[Sidenote: _Fabian_. _Ran. Higd._ _Hen. Hunt._]
+abbeies and monasteries, in some of which he placed moonks, and in
+some nuns. By his example in those daies, other nobles, as also
+prelates, & some of the laitie, did begin the foundation of sundrie
+abbeies and monasteries: as Adelwold bishop of Winchester builded
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+the abbeie of Elie, and (as some say) Peterborough & Thornie, though
+they were established by the king (as before is mentioned.) Also earle
+[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._]
+Ailewin, at the exhortation of the same bishop Adelwold, builded
+the abbeie of Ramsey, though some attribute the dooing thereof vnto
+Oswald the archbishop of Yorke, and some to king Edward the elder.
+
+[Sidenote: _Matt. West._ Moonks esteemed & secular priests little
+regarded.]
+To conclude, the religious orders of moonks and nuns in these
+daies florished, and the state of secular priests was smallie
+regarded, insomuch that they were constreined to auoid out of diuerse
+colleges, and to leaue the same vnto moonks, as at Worcester and
+Winchester, wherein the new monasterie, bicause the kings liued not in
+such sort as was then thought requisite, the prebends were taken
+[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ _lib. 6 cap. 9_]
+from them and giuen to vicars. But when the vicars were thought to vse
+themselues no better, but rather worse than the other before them,
+they were likewise put out, and moonks placed in their roomes
+by authoritie of pope John the 13. This reformation, or rather
+deformation was vsed by king Edgar in many other places of the realme.
+
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ _Ran. Higd._ _Tho. Eliot_.]
+He was (as appeareth by diuers writers) namelie in his beginning,
+cruell against his owne people, and wanton in lusting after yoong
+women (as you haue heard before.) Of stature & proportion of bodie
+[Sidenote: Edgar small of stature but strong and hardie.]
+he was but small and low, but yet nature had inclosed within so little
+a personage such strength, that he durst incounter and combat with him
+that was thought most strong, onelie doubting this, least he which
+should haue to doo with him should stand in feare of him. And as it
+chanced at a great feast (where oftentimes men vse their toongs more
+[Sidenote: Kenneth king of Scots.]
+liberallie than néedeth) Kenneth the king of Scots cast out
+certeine words in this maner: "It may (saith hée) séeme a maruell that
+so manie countries and prouinces should be subiect to such a little
+sillie bodie as Edgar is." These words being borne awaie by a iester
+or minstrell, and afterwards vttered to Edgar with great reproch,
+he wiselie dissembled the matter for a time, although he kept the
+remembrance thereof inclosed within his breast: and vpon occasion, at
+length feigned to go on hunting, taking the king of Scots forth with
+him: and hauing caused one of his seruants to conuey two swords into a
+place within the forrest by him appointed in secret wise, of purpose
+he withdrew from the residue of his companie, and there accompanied
+onelie with the Scotish king, came to the place where the swords were
+[Sidenote: The noble courage of king Edgar.]
+laid; and there taking the one of them, deliuered the other to the
+Scotish king, willing him now to assaie his strength, that they might
+shew by proofe whether of them ought to be subiect to the other;
+"Start not, but trie it with me (saith he:) for it is a shame for a
+king to be full of brags at bankets, and not to be readie to fight
+when triall should be made abroad." The Scotish king herewith being
+astonied and maruellouslie abashed, fell downe at his féet, and with
+much humilitie confessed his fault, & desired pardon for the same,
+which vpon such his humble submission king Edward easilie granted.
+
+This noble prince had two wiues, Egelfrida or Elfrida, surnamed the
+white, the daughter of a mightie duke named Ordiner, by whome he had
+issue a sonne named Edward that succéeded him. His second wife was
+called Alfreda the daughter of Orgar duke of Deuon or Cornewall (as
+some saie) by whome he had issue Edmund that died before his father,
+and Egelred which afterwards was king. Also he had issue a base
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+daughter named Editha, begotten of his concubine Wilfrid (as
+before ye haue heard.) The state of the realme in king Edgars daies
+was in good point, for both the earth gaue hir increase verie
+plentiouslie, the elements shewed themselues verie fauorable,
+according to the course of times: peace was mainteined, and no
+inuasion by forraine enimies attempted. For Edgar had not onelie
+all the whole Ile of Britaine in subiection, but also was ruler &
+souereigne lord ouer all the kings of the out Iles that lie within
+the seas about all the coasts of the same Britaine euen vnto the
+[Sidenote: Ireland subiect to king Edgar.]
+realme of Norwaie. He brought also a great part of Ireland vnder his
+subiection, with the citie of Dublin, as by authentike recordes it
+dooth and may appeare.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_Contention amongest the peeres and states about succession to the
+crowne, the moonkes remoued and the canons and secular priests
+restored by Alfer duke of Mercia and his adherents, a blasing starre
+with the euents insuing the same, the rood of Winchester speaketh, a
+prettie shift of moonks to defeat the priests of their possessions,
+the controuersie betwene the moonks and the priests ended by a
+miracle of archbishop Dunstane, great hope that Edward would tread his
+fathers steps, the reuerent loue he bare his stepmother queene Alfred
+and hir sonne Egelred, hir diuelish purpose to murther Edward hir
+step-sonne accomplished, his obscure funerall in respect of pompe,
+but famous by meanes of miracles wrought by and about his sepulture,
+queene Alfred repenting hir of the said prepensed murther, dooth
+penance, and imploieth hir substance in good woorkes as satisfactorie
+for hir sinnes, king Edwards bodie remoued, and solemnlie buried by
+Alfer duke of Mercia, who was eaten up with lice for being against the
+said Edwards aduancement to the crowne, queene Alfreds offense by no
+meanes excusable._
+
+THE XXV. CHAPTER.
+
+
+[Sidenote: EDWARD.]
+After the deceasse of king Edgar, there was some strife and
+[Sidenote: Some write that the father king Edgar appointed Edward to
+succeed him. _Simon Dun._ _Iohn Capg._]
+contention amongst the lords & péeres of the realme about the
+succession of the crowne: for Alfred the mother of Egelredus or
+Ethelredus, and diuers other of hir opinion, would gladlie haue
+aduanced the same Egelredus to the rule: but the archbishop Dunstan
+taking in his hands the baner of the crucifix, presented his elder
+brother Edward vnto the lords as they were assembled togither, and
+there pronounced him king, notwithstanding that both queene Alfred and
+hir friends, namelie Alfer the duke of Mercia were sore against him,
+especiallie for that he was begot in vnlawfull bed of Elfleda the nun,
+for which offense he did seuen yeares penance, and not for lieng with
+Wilfrid (as maister Fox thinketh.) But Dunstane iudging (as is to be
+[Sidenote: Alfer duke of Mercia and other immediately upon Edgars
+death before the crowne was established, renounced the moonks and
+restored the canons. _Simon Dun._]
+thought) that Edward was more fit for their behoofe to continue
+the world in the former course as Edgar had left it, than his brother
+Egelred (whose mother and such as tooke part with hir vnder hir sonnes
+authoritie were likelie inough to turne all vpside downe) vsed the
+matter so, that with helpe of Oswald the archbishop of Yorke, and
+other bishops, abbats, and certeine of the nobilitie, as the earle of
+Essex and such like, he preuailed in his purpose, so that (as before
+is said) the said Edward, being the second of that name which gouerned
+this land before the conquest, was admitted king, and began his reigne
+ouer England in the yeare of our Lord 975, in the third yeare of
+[Sidenote: 975.]
+the emperour Otho the second, in the 20 yeare of the reigne of Lothar
+king of France, and about the fourth yeare of Cumelerne king of
+Scotland. He was consecrated by archb. Dunstane at Kingston vpon
+Thames, to the great griefe of his mother in law Alfred and hir
+friends. ¶ About the beginning of his reigne a blasing starre was
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+seene, signifieng (as was thought) the miserable haps that
+followed. And first there insued barrennesse of ground, and thereby
+famine amongest the people, and morraine of cattell.
+
+[Sidenote: Alfer or Elfer, duke of Mercia.]
+Also duke Alfer or Elfer of Mercia, and other noble men destroyed
+the abbies which king Edgar and bishop Adelwold had builded within the
+limits of Mercia. The priests or canons, which had béene expelled in
+Edgars time out of the prebends and benefices, began to complaine of
+the wrongs that were doone to them, in that they had beene put out of
+possession from their liuings, alleging it to be a great offense
+and miserable case, that a stranger should come and remoue an old
+inhabitant, for such maner of dooing could not please God, not yet be
+allowed of anie good man, which ought of reason to doubt least the
+same should hap to him which he might sée to haue béene another mans
+vndooing. About this matter was hard hold, for manie of the temporall
+lords, and namelie the same Alfer, iudged that the priests had
+[Sidenote: _Iohn Capg._ _Wil. Malm._ _Ran. Higd._ _Matt. West._
+_Simon Dun._]
+wrong. In so much that they remoued the moonks out of their places,
+and brought into the monasteries secular priests with their wiues. But
+Edelwin duke of the Eastangles, & Alfred his brother, with Brightnoth
+or Brightnode earle of Essex, withstood this dooing, & gathering an
+armie, with great valiancie mainteined the moonks in their houses,
+[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._]
+within the countrie of Eastangles. Herevpon were councels holden,
+as at Winchester, at Kirthling in Eastangle, and at Calne.
+
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+At Winchester, when the matter was brought to that passe that the
+priests were like to haue had their purpose, an image of the rood that
+stood there in the refectorie where they sat in councell, vttered
+[Sidenote: A pretie shift of the moonks to disappoint the priests.
+_Polydor_.]
+certeine woords in this wise; God forbid it should be so, God forbid
+it should be so: ye iudged well once, but ye may not change well
+againe. As though (saith Polydor Virgil) the moonks had more right,
+which had bereft other men of their possessions, than the priests
+which required restitution of their owne. But (saith he) bicause the
+image of Christ hanging on the crosse was thought to speake these
+words, such credit was giuen thereto, as it had béene an oracle, that
+the priests had their sute dashed, and all the trouble was ceassed. So
+the moonks held those possessions, howsoeuer they came to them, by the
+helpe of God, or rather (as saith the same Polydor) by the helpe of
+man. For there were euen then diuers that thought this to be rather an
+oracle of Phebus than of God, that is to say, not published by Gods
+power, but by the fraud and craftie deceit of men.
+
+[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._]
+The matter therefore was not so quieted, but that vpon new trouble
+an other councell was had at a manour house belonging to the king,
+called Calne, where they that were appointed to haue the hearing of
+the matter, sat in an vpper loft. The king by reason of his yoong
+yéeres was spared, so that he came not there. Héere as they were
+busied in arguing the matter, either part laieng for himselfe what
+could be said, Dunstane was sore reuiled, and had sundrie reproches
+laid against him: but suddenlie euen in the verie heat of their
+communication, the ioists of the loft failed, and downe came all the
+companie, so that manie were slaine and hurt, but Dunstane alone
+[Sidenote: Dunstane by woorking miracles had his will, when
+arguments failed.]
+standing vpon one of the ioists that fell not, escaped safe and sound.
+And so this miracle with the other made an end of the controuersie
+betwéene the priests and moonks, all the English people following the
+mind of the archbishop Dunstane, who by meanes thereof had his will.
+
+In this meane while, king Edward ruling himselfe by good counsell of
+such as were thought discréet and sage persons, gaue great hope to the
+world that he would walke in his fathers vertuous steps, as alreadie
+he well began, and bearing alwaie a reuerence to his mother in law,
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_. _Will. Malms._]
+and a brotherlie loue to hir sonne Egelred, vsed himselfe as
+became him towards them both. Afterward by chance as he was hunting in
+a foruest néere the castell of Corfe, where his mother in law and his
+brother the said Egelred then soiourned, when all his companie were
+spred abroad in following the game, so that he was left alone, he
+[Sidenote: The wicked purpose of quéene Alfred.]
+tooke the waie streight vnto his mother in lawes house, to visit
+hir and his brother. The quéene hearing that he was come, was verie
+glad thereof, for that she had occasion offered to woorke that which
+she had of long time before imagined, that was, to slea the king hir
+sonne in law, that hir owne sonne might inioy the garland. Wherefore
+she required him to alight, which he in no wise would yéeld vnto, but
+said that he had stolne from his companie, and was onelie come to see
+hir and his brother, and to drinke with them, and therefore would
+returne to the forrest againe to sée some more sport.
+
+[Sidenote: The shameful murther of K. Edward.]
+The queene perceiuing that he would not alight, caused drinke to
+be fetched, and as he had the cup at his mouth, by hir appointment,
+one of hir seruants stroke him into the bodie with a knife, wherevpon
+féeling himselfe wounded, he set spurres to the horsse thinking to
+gallop awaie, and so to get to his companie. But being hurt to the
+death, he fell from his horsse, so as one of his féet was fastened in
+the stirrup, by reason whereof his horsse drew him foorth through
+[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ _Fabian_. _Sim. Dun._ _Wil. Malm._]
+woods and launds, & the bloud which gushed out of the wound shewed
+token of his death to such as followed him, and the waie to the place
+where the horsse had left him. That place was called Corphes gate or
+Corfes gate. His bodie being found was buried without anie solemne
+funeralls at Warham. For they which enuied that he should inioy the
+crowne, enuied also the buriall of his bodie within the church: but
+the memorie of his fame could not so secretlie be buried with the
+bodie, as they imagined. For sundrie miracles shewed at the place
+where his bodie was interred, made the same famous (as diuerse haue
+[Sidenote: Miracles.]
+reported) for there was sight restored to the blind, health to the
+sicke, and hearing to the deafe, which are easilier to be told than
+beleeued.
+
+Queene Alfred also would haue ridden to the place where he laie,
+mooued with repentance (as hath beene said) but the horsse wherevpon
+she rode would not come neere the graue, for anie thing that could be
+doone to him. Neither by changing the said horsse could the matter
+be holpen: for euen the same thing happened to the other horsses.
+Heerevpon the woman perceiued hir great offense towards God for
+murthering the innocent, and did so repent hir afterward for the same,
+that besides the chastising of hir bodie in fasting, and other
+[Sidenote: Building of abbeies in those daies was thought to be a full
+satisfaction for all manner of sinnes.]
+kind of penance, she imploied all hir substance and patrimonie on the
+poore, and in building and reparing of churches and monasteries. She
+founded two houses of nuns (as is said) the one at Warwell, the other
+at Ambresburie, and finallie professed hirselfe a nun in one of them,
+that is to say, at Warwell, which house she builded (as some affirme)
+in remembrance of hir first husband that was slaine there by king
+Edgar for hir sake (as before is mentioned.)
+
+The bodie of this Edward the second, and surnamed the martyr, after
+that it had remained thrée yéeres at Warham where it was first buried,
+was remooued vnto Shaftesburie, and with great reuerence buried
+[Sidenote: Elferus.]
+there by the forenamed Alfer or Elfer, duke of Mercia, who also did
+sore repent himselfe, in that he had beene against the aduancement of
+the said king Edward (as ye haue heard.) But yet did not he escape
+woorthie punishment: for within one yéere after, he was eaten to
+[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
+death with lice (if the historie be true.) King Edward came to his
+[Sidenote: _Will. Malmes._]
+death after he had reigned thrée yéeres, or (as other write) thrée
+yéeres and eight moneths. ¶ Whatsoeuer hath béene reported by writers
+of the murther committed on the person of this king Edward, sure it
+is that if he were base begotten (as by writers of no meane credit it
+should appéere he was in déed) great occasion vndoubtedlie was giuen
+vnto quéene Alfred to seeke reuenge for the wrongfull keeping backe
+of hir son Egelred from his rightfull succession to the crowne: but
+whether that Edward was legitimate or not, she might yet haue deuised
+some other lawfull meane to haue come by hir purpose, and not so to
+haue procured the murther of the young prince in such vnlawfull
+maner. For hir dooing therein can neither be woorthilie allowed, nor
+throughlie excused, although those that occasioned the mischiefe by
+aduancing hir stepsonne to an other mans right, deserued most blame in
+this matter.
+
+
+_Thus farre the sixt booke comprising the first arriuall of the Danes
+in this land, which was in king Britricus his reigne, pag. 652, at
+which time the most miserable state of England tooke beginning._
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORIE OF ENGLAND ***
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will
+be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright
+law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works,
+so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the
+United States without permission and without paying copyright
+royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part
+of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
+concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark,
+and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following
+the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use
+of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for
+copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very
+easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation
+of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project
+Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may
+do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected
+by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark
+license, especially commercial redistribution.
+
+START: FULL LICENSE
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full
+Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at
+www.gutenberg.org/license.
+
+Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+
+1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or
+destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your
+possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a
+Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound
+by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the
+person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph
+1.E.8.
+
+1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See
+paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this
+agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the
+Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection
+of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual
+works in the collection are in the public domain in the United
+States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the
+United States and you are located in the United States, we do not
+claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing,
+displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as
+all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope
+that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting
+free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm
+works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the
+Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily
+comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the
+same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when
+you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are
+in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States,
+check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this
+agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing,
+distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any
+other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no
+representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any
+country other than the United States.
+
+1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other
+immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear
+prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work
+on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed,
+performed, viewed, copied or distributed:
+
+  This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+  most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no
+  restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it
+  under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this
+  eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the
+  United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where
+  you are located before using this eBook.
+
+1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is
+derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not
+contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the
+copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in
+the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are
+redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply
+either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or
+obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm
+trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any
+additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms
+will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works
+posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the
+beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including
+any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access
+to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format
+other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official
+version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website
+(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense
+to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means
+of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain
+Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the
+full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+provided that:
+
+* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+  the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+  you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed
+  to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has
+  agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project
+  Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid
+  within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are
+  legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty
+  payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project
+  Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in
+  Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg
+  Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+  you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+  does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+  License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all
+  copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue
+  all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm
+  works.
+
+* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of
+  any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+  electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of
+  receipt of the work.
+
+* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+  distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than
+are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing
+from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of
+the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set
+forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project
+Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may
+contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate
+or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
+intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or
+other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or
+cannot be read by your equipment.
+
+1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium
+with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you
+with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in
+lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person
+or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second
+opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If
+the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing
+without further opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO
+OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT
+LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of
+damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement
+violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the
+agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or
+limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or
+unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the
+remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in
+accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the
+production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses,
+including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of
+the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this
+or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or
+additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any
+Defect you cause.
+
+Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of
+computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It
+exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations
+from people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future
+generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see
+Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at
+www.gutenberg.org
+
+Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by
+U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West,
+Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up
+to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website
+and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact
+
+Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without
+widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND
+DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular
+state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To
+donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate
+
+Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be
+freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and
+distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of
+volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in
+the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not
+necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper
+edition.
+
+Most people start at our website which has the main PG search
+facility: www.gutenberg.org
+
+This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.