Books into which I have divided this Volume I will now proceed to acquaint you with the rest of my Authors from whom I have collected it nor will I give you only their Names which has been done by so many already but a brief Censure of them and their Works and in what Time they wrote being such as lived either before or after the Conquest Of the former sort there are but few since from Bede to Asser. Menev. there flourish'd no general Historian for William of Malmsbury himself confesses that after Bede all liberal Studies more and more declining those that followed spent their Lives in Idleness or Silence yet during even that Period there were some Writers of this kind viz. certain Monks in the greater Monasteries whose business it was to set down in short by way of Annals the most remarkable Passages of their own Times in their own Language nay Learning was in that King's Reign fallen to so low an Ebb that even King Alfred tells us in his Preface to the Saxon Version of Gregory's Pastoral That in the beginning of his Reign there were few on this side Humber who could understand their own Prayers much less turn a piece of Latin into English and where then were our supposed flourishing Vniversities AND I shall here begin with Asserius Menevensis who was so called because he was a Monk of Menevia or St. Davids This was he who being sent for by King Alfred out of Wales assisted him in his Studies and besides taught his Children and others of the Nobility Latin after this King Alfred sent him with others to fetch Grimbald out of Flanders into England and after the Schools were opened at Oxford the latter there professed Divinity and the former Grammar and Rhetorick as you may find in the Annals of Hyde cited in the ensuing History THIS Monk being Learned above the Age in which he lived first wrote the Annals that go under his Name which having long continued in the Cottonian and other Libraries in Manuscript have been lately published by the Learned Dr. Gale in his last Volume of Historians printed at Oxon. After these Annals it is certain Asser also wrote the whole History of King Alfred's Life under the Title of de Gestis Regis Aelfredi which were first published by the Reverend Arch-bishop Parker in Saxon Characters according to the Copy now in the Cottonian Library and was also again put out by Mr. Camden in another Edition at Frankford But it must be confessed there is some difference between these two Copies concerning the Vniversity of Oxford which is taken notice of in this Work in its proper Place but that the Annals abovementioned were written before his History of King Alfred's Life is plain for he there refers you to those Annals which he has also inserted in the Life almost word for word But tho the former of these is continued to the Death of King Alfred and the latter as far as the 14th Year of the Reign of K. Edward the Elder yet it is evident that he himself wrote neither the one nor the other after the Year 893 being the 45th of King Alfred's Age and this appears from the Life it self in which the Author particularly mentions it nor could he extend the Annals any farther because they were written before he wrote the Life This I observe to let the Reader understand that whatever he finds farther in the Annals or Life the Substance of both which I have given him in this Volume were continued by some other Hand and as for the Annals they sufficiently declare it for towards the latter end under Anno Dom. 909. you may meet with this Passage hoc Anno Asserius Episcopus Scireburnensis obiit which was no other than our Author himself yet this must be farther observed of him that he was so extreamly negligent in his Account of Time that he begins the first Year of King Alfred's Reign sometimes at one Year of our Lord and sometimes at another so that no Man can tell by him when it commenced BVT why he left off Writing so many Years before King Alfred died and never finish'd his Life though he survived him nine Years I confess I know not unless being preferred about the Time when he had finish'd it to the Bishoprick of Shireburne he left the King's Service and going to reside at his own See had other Business on his Hands than Writing And that the same Asser who taught King Alfred was also by him made Bishop of Shireburne appears from this King's Preface to the Saxon Translation of St. Gregorie's Pastoral in which he tells you he was assisted by Plegmund his Archbishop and Asser his Bishop to whom the said King in his Will after the Archbishop and some other Bishops bequeathed a 100 Marks by the Title of Asser Bishop of Shireburne from whence it is manifest that the same Person who was King Alfred's Instructor was also Bishop of Shireburne which Bishoprick was certainly bestowed on him after he had done Writing since tho he mentions the Abbeys of Banwell Ambresbury and Exceter to have been bestowed upon him by the King yet he is utterly silent of his being made Bishop which he would not surely have omitted if he had been then so preferred but how long he held this Bishoprick we can say little positively because we do not find when it was first given him but as for the time of his Death not only the Annals that go under his Name but the Saxon Chronicle also places it under Anno 909. So that I think there can be no reasonable cause to doubt of that BVT what should lead such a careful Chronographer as Florence of Worcester into so great a Mistake as to place this Bishop's Death under Anno 883 I know not unless he had some other Copies of the Saxon Annals by him than are now extant but the Fasti of the Saxon Kings and Bishops publish'd by Sir H. Savil at the end of William of Malmesbury and other Writers are guilty of the like Mistake making this Asser to have succeeded Sighelm Bishop of Shireburn and to have died Anno 883 whereas it appears from our Annals that Sighelm whom William of Malmesbury makes to be the same Person with the Bishop abovementioned this very Year carried King Alfred's Alms to Rome and afterwards went himself as far as India however this Mistake of Florence as also the pretended Authority of our Welsh Chronicle hath as I suppose led divers other Learned Men and particularly Bishop Godwin and Arch-bishop Usher into a Belief of two Assers both Bishops the one of whom died Anno 883 and the other to have been Arch-bishop of St. Davids and to have succeeded Novis who according to the Chronicle of that Church publish'd in the 2d Volume of Anglia Sacra died Anno 872 and there immediately follows under Anno 909 Asserius Episcopus Britanniae fit which must certainly be an Errour in
and Offa King of the Mercians departed this Life the Latter after he had Reigned Forty Years Yet notwithstanding the Printed Copies of the Saxon Annals have placed the King's Death under this Year Yet the rest of the Copies do not agree with this Account for the Laudean Manuscript Copy in the Bodlean Library places this King's Death in Anno. Dom. 896 and that with greater Truth for first Pope Adrian above-mentioned died not till Two Years after the time here specified And it appears farther in a Letter written by the Emperour Charles the Great to this King Offa and which is recited at large by William of Malmesbury in his Life of this King that Pope Adrian was dead some time before the date of that Letter viz. Anno. Dom. 796 Thô it is certain King Offa did not survive long after I thought to give the Reader notice of this because it puts the Death of this King and the Succession of all his Successours just Two Years later than the common Printed Accounts But whenever this King here died he is said by William of Malmesbury to have been buried in a Chapel at Bedford near the River Ouse whose frequent Inundations had in his time carried away both the Chapel and the Tomb into the River So that it could not be seen unless sometimes by those who washed themselves in that River This Prince is also described by the same Author to have had so great a Mixture of Vertues and Vices that he does not know well what Character to give him The Reason that so confounded him was That thô he was a Cruel and Perfidious Prince yet he Built the Monastery of St. Albans as you have heard but for all that he cannot give him many good words because he took away abundance of good Farms from his Abbey This seems to have been the first of our English Saxon Kings who maintained any great correspondence with Foreign Princes for thô he had first great Enmity with Charles the Great which proceeded so far as to the interdicting of all Commerce yet at last it was changed into as much Amity so that a firm League was made between them as appears by a Letter of the said Charles to Offa extant in William of Malmesbury in which also is mentioned that he sent him many Noble Presents Also he granted saith Henry Huntington a perpetual Tribute to the Pope out of every House in his Kingdom and this perhaps for his consenting to translate the Primacy from Canterbury to Litchfield in his own Dominions He also drew a Trench of a wondrous length between Mercia and the British or Welsh Territories thereby to hinder the Incursions of the Welsh-men called to this day in the Welsh Tongue Claudh Offa i.e. Offa's Dike But from the Grant of the above-mention'd Pension some Men of different Perswasions have drawn as different Consequences Pol. Virgil and divers of the Romish Writers have from thence concluded That King Offa by this Act made his Kingdom Tributary to the Pope whereas indeed it was no such Thing for it had been also granted by King Ina long before as hath been already observed for the Kingdom of the West Saxons whose Example King Offa seemed now to follow and indeed was no more than a Voluntary Annual Alms or Benevolence as it is expresly called in our Saxon Annals as shall be shewn further hereafter This is also urged by some high Promoters of the Royal Prerogative to prove this King 's unlimited Power in Ecclesiastical as well as Civil Matters since He as they suppose could without the Consent of the Great Council of the Kingdom charge all the Houses in his Dominions to pay each of them one Penny to the Pope But this if it be closely looked into will prove a Mistake for thô it be true that upon King Offa's going to Rome he is said to have granted this Alms called Rome's Scot or Peter-pence to the Pope yet Anno 794 immediately upon his Return you will find in Sir H. Spelman's Councils he called a Great Council at Verulam now St. Alban's where this Tribute might be confirmed by the Consent of the Estates of his Kingdom Nor is the Silence of our Histories or of the Acts of this Council it self any material Argument to the contrary since that Law might be lost or omitted by which it was confirmed as well as several other Councils of that Age there being no more mention made of this King's Confirmation of the Lands given to this Monastery in the great Council at Verulam than what is cited in Sir H. Spelman's Councils out of a Manuscript History of St. Alban's all the Acts of that Council being now lost But to return to our Annals The same Year Ethelred who had been twice King of Northumberland was slain by his own People 13 o Kal. Maii and that deservedly as R. Hoveden relates as having been the Death of King Osred his Predecessour After Ethelred one Osbald a Nobleman was made King but held the Throne but a small time being deserted by his Subjects and at last forced to flee the Kingdom going by Sea from Lindisfarne and then taking Refuge with the King of the Picts there died an Abbot Who was most in fault in all these frequent Rebellions and Changes of Kings among the Northumbers is hard to decide since all the Annals as well as Historians are very short in their Relations of these Transactions but it is certain that the People as well as Princes must have suffered much by such frequent Revolutions And it is also very well observed by H. Huntington that these frequent Rebellions and Expulsion of their Kings proceeded in great part from the proud and turbulent Temper of the Northumbrian Angles The same Year according to our Annals Bishop Ceolwulf and Bishop Eadbald departed from the Northumbers and Egferth Son to Offa began his Reign over the Mercians and within a few Months after deceased having scarce reigned half a Year It is also further to be noted That this Prince being of great Hopes and Worth had been crowned King 9 Years before in his Father's Life-time and after his Death restored to the Church whatever he had violently seized on but before he died he left the Crown to Kenwulf the next of the Royal Line But the Monks do ascribe the short Reign of this good Prince to his Father's Sins but of these Things it belongs not to us to determine Also this Year Eadbert or Ethelbert Sirnamed Praen began to Reign in Kent and also Ethelred the Ealderman deceased This Man had been a famous Commander in his time but was then a Monk in the City of York and now also according to the Annals the Heathen Danes destroyed Northumberland and robbed the Monastery built by Egbert which is at the Mouth of the River Weri but there one of the Danish Captains was slain and divers of their Ships destroyed by a Tempest and many of their Men drowned but some of
the Monk that wrote this Chronicle for Asser himself in his Life of King Alfred tells us of Hemeid Prince of South-wales That Nobis Archiepiscopum Propinquum meum me expulit viz. from the Church of St. Davids which word Nobis the Learned Dr. Gale reads Novis and so makes it good Sense that otherwise seems Non-sense in the printed Copies The false reading of which Word as well as this Chronological mistake of Florence abovementioned led Bale into the belief that the Arch-bishop above-mentioned must have been that Asser whom Caradoc's Chronicle publish'd by Dr. Powel makes to have died Anno Dom. 906. and which Authority led the Lord Primate Usher into that small Mistake in his Index Chronologicus at the end of his Britan. Eccles. Antiquitat of supposing this Asser to have been the Author of the History of King Alfred and not he who was Bishop of Shireburn AND the right reading of this word Nobis in Asser also proves the falshood of that Welsh Annal but now mentioned for if Novis was expell'd his Bishoprick not long before Asser was sent for by King Alfred which was about Anno 885. then Novis could not be dead in Anno 872. as that Chronicle makes him nor yet could Asser succeed Novis Anno Dom. 909. for then there would have been a Vacancy of near 40 Years in that See whereas the Saxon Annals rightly place the Death of our Asser Bishop of Shireburn under this very Year SO that upon the whole Matter it is the Judgment of the Reverend and Learned the now Lord Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry That there never was but one Asser who was also Bishop of Shireburn and that as for this Asser Bishop of St. Davids he had never any Being in Nature but in the Brain of some ignorant Monks who would for the Honour of their Church have made this Asser to have been Bishop not only of St. Davids but of Britain contrary to the Truth of all Chronology as well as Matter of Fact I have no more to remark of this Asser but that Ingulph not only says he was Bishop of Shireburn but also Abbot of Bangor which I find not related by Asser himself nor by any other Author and therefore I look upon it as a Mistake either in Ingulph or his Transcriber in writing Bangor instead of Banwell which was one of those Abbeys that Asser says King Alfred bestowed upon him FROM this Asser to Ethelwerd who calls himself Quaestor i. e. Treasurer and wrote in the beginning of the Reign of King Edgar being descended from the Saxon Blood-Royal by King Alfred his Great-Grandfather there flourished no Historian nor are we indeed so much the better for him as I could wish for unless it be in the right settling of the Reigns and Deaths of some of our Saxon Kings who lived not long before him about which the several Copies of the Saxon Annals do differ there is not much to be learnt from him but what is in the Annals themselves or else in the last mentioned Author from both which one may perceive that he had borrowed the most part of what he there writes So that partly from the affected Obscurity of his Stile and partly from the bad Copy from which it was printed being that which is now in the Cottonian Library in many Places we do not understand his meaning but as far as we are able to do it we have given you a true Account of what he has added to this History BVT either from the Laziness or Ignorance of the Monks who were almost the only Writers of that Age from the Time that Ethelwerd left off to some Years after the Conquest we meet with no Historians except Osbern and another Monk that is Anonymous the former of whom writing the Lives of St. Dunstan and St. Alphege has afforded us some Passages relating to this History as has also the latter in his Life of St. Dunstan which is still in Manuscript in the Cottonian Library But as for Osbern he is published in the first Volume of Anglia Sacra And from these that Age gives us none unless the Author whose Name we know not that wrote that short Account of the Times immediately preceding the Reign of Edward the Confessor called Encomium Emmae until Ingulph Abbot of Croyland finished the History of that Abbey about the latter end of the Reign of William the First And tho he did not take upon him to write a History of more Affairs than those of his own Monastery yet he hath by the by interspersed many considerable Passages relating to the Publick Transactions of this Kingdom which I likewise have here inserted FROM him to Eadmerus we find no Historian and He only relating the Ecclesiastical History during the Reign of William the First and his Sons William Rufus and Henry is of no use to us in this Volume here published IN the beginning of the Reign of Henry the First we find a most Laborious and Diligent Chronologer viz. Florence of Worcester who continuing and enlarging the History of Marianus Scotus hath among the various Transactions of the rest of Europe given us at the end of almost every Year out of the Saxon Annals an exact Account of the Affairs of England to which he hath also added divers very curious Memoirs and Illustrations of his own and besides what is printed there is also in Manuscript in the Bodleian Library a fair and perfect Copy of this Author which once belonged to the Monastery of St. Edmundsbury to which I have been much beholding not only for some things concerning that Abbey but also for several choice Passages relating to this our History which are neither to be found in the printed Editions of this Author nor any where else that I know of therefore where-ever the Reader shall meet with any thing cited from Florence which is not found in Print he may be assured it is in that Manuscript under the Year there set down in the Margin this I mention that the Reader may not be startled if he does not find the Passage I cite in the printed Copies since I had not always time to compare them together FLORENCE was immediately followed by Simeon of Durham who did not only Copy from him but also added several Remarkable things particularly relating to the Northumbrian Kingdom as well before as after it came under the Government of Earls Tho Mr. Selden in his Preface to the Decem-scriptores will not allow this Simeon to have been the Author of this Work but that he was a Plagiary and stole it from Turgot a Monk of the said Church who was also afterwards ordained Bishop of St. Andrews in Scotland and Simeon only adding some things to it of his own took the whole Honour to himself his History reaches no farther than 1129. but was continued by John Prior of Hagulstad to Anno 1154. TO whom we may adjoin Richard a Monk of the same Monastery
we here omit several other Pieces of less Bulk and Note published since that Volume last mentioned containing the Chronicles and Histories of divers Cathedrals and Abbeys such as are the Annals of the Abbey of Winchester c. which have been published from the Cottonian and other Libraries in Monasticon Anglicanum and the first Volume of Anglia Sacra lately published by the late Learned and Industrious Mr. Wharton TO these likewise may be added the Histories of the Monasteries of Ely and Ramsey as also of Glastenbury by William of Malmesbury from whom we have taken several Things not only relating to that Abbey but the General History of England nor can I omit the History of John of Wallingford whom Matthew Paris mentions in his Lives of the Abbots of St. Albans as the 21st Abbot of St. Albans he wrote the History of the Kings of England as far as the 42d of King Henry the Third the first Part of which down to the Norman Conquest hath been published in the aforesaid last Volume at Oxford by the Learned Dr. Gale From all which last mentioned tho mingled with abundance of Monkish Trash we have here and there excerpted several excellent Remarks WE have also sometimes made use of Ranulph Higden his Polychronicon who was a Monk of Chester the first Part of which is published also by the said Dr. Gale as far as the Conquest and Matthew a Monk of Westminster his Flores Historiarum these Authors being Cotemporaries and collecting to the Reign of Edward the Third from all the rest of the Antient Writers abovementioned I have seldom used but as subsidiary Helps when the Passages they relate are not to be found any where else several other Authors they borrowed from being now lost or very rare to be met with HAVING now done with our printed Authors I proceed to those that continue still in Manuscript in the Bodleian and Cottonian Libraries and also in those of Lambeth Gresham's College and the Heraulds Office such as are John of Tinmouth his Historia Aurea Johannes Castorius in English Beaver his History of the Kings of England and John Rouse of Warwick his Collections on the same Subject together with above forty or fifty nameless Authors which I have perused to see what I could find in any of them that had not been taken notice of by others but how little they have answered in my Expectations the small Additions I have made from them I hope will satisfy the unprejudiced Reader and for any that are otherwise if they please to take the same Pains that I have done I wish their Labours may be better requited BVT as for the Extracts of Ecclesiastical Canons and Laws which I have inserted at the end of divers King's Reigns I have faithfully transcribed them ou◠of Sir Henry Spelman's first Volume of British Councils and Mr. Lambard's Archaionomia under their respective Years and have also compared and corrected them in a great Part from the Manuscript Notes of the Learned Junius at the end of the Cambridg Edition of Bede which is in the Bodleian Library or else by another Latin Manuscript Version of the Industrious Mr. Somner's And I do not know of any other Saxon Laws unless there be some of King Cnute's which remain as yet in Manuscript untranslated in the Bodleian Library as also in the Hands of Dr. Gale as I am well informed I hope they may be one day added to a new Edition of Mr. Lambard's most useful Work THVS having gone through all the chiefest English Historians both in Print and Manuscript that I know of relating to the Times before the Conquest which I think are as many and of as good Credit as any Countrey in Europe can shew in the like space of Time it may be expected I should say something in their Vindication since I find they have been attacked in a post-humous Treatise long since written by a Learned Civilian Sir Thomas Craig in Latin in answer to what Mr. Hollingshead has published concerning the Homage that was due from the Kings of Scotland to those of England and is lately translated into English by the Ingenious Mr. Ridpath and as I shall here faithfully give you his Arguments against the Antiquity and Credit of our Writers so I hope I shall return such Answers to them as will satisfy all impartial Readers HIS first Objection is That from the Death of Bede whose Credit he says he will every where preserve entire the English have no certain History nor Writer to the Reign of King Henry the First except that Fragment of Ethelwerd's for says he I do not acknowledg that Fragment of Ingulphus who preceded Ethelwerd twenty Years as an History nor Asserius Menevensis who wrote only concerning the Transactions of his own King Alfred And lest he should be thought to affirm any thing rashly He brings William of Malmesbury to witness the Matter saying That all the Memorials of Transactions from the Death of Bede to his own Time which was in the Reign of Henry I. about 1142. were utterly lost nor was there any who followed that Study or indeavoured to pursue the thread of History till himself NOW to give an Answer to this Learned Advocate and take him Point by Point as he goes on in the first Place I am sorry to find a Person otherwise every ways Able and Skillful in his own Profession so ignorant in our English Historians since if he had not been so he could not have committed almost as many Mistakes as he hath wrote Lines for in the first Place he calls Ingulph and Ethelwerd two Fragments whereas if he had been pleased to have looked upon either of them he would have found them entire Pieces so far as they went and we call Polybius Diodorus Siculus Salust Livy Historians not Fragments altho each of them be imperfect only the Edition that was then published of Ingulph wanted the Laws of William the Conqueror and some few Sheets at the Conclusion which have been since added AND whereas he says that Ingulph preceded Ethelwerd twenty Years he is so far from being in the right of that that the direct contrary is true for Ingulph lived and wrote above one hundred Years after Ethelwerd had finished his History with King Edgar's Reign whose Eulogy he only gives us in barbarous Verse AND as for what the Advocate says concerning William of Malmesbury he much misrepresents the Sense of this Author who does not affirm that there were no Memorials from the Death of Bede to his Time but the contrary for he mentions the Saxon Annals in his Proem in these words Sunt sanè quaedam vetustatis Indicia patrio Sermone chronico more per annos Domini ordinata also in his Book de Antiquitate Glastoniae published by Dr. Gale as above he citeth them as good Authority Tradunt Annales bonae credulitatis c. Nay Sir Thomas Craig himself I suppose through Forgetfulness has allowed
no less than three Writers of part of our History who lived before Malmesbury as you may see above and therefore he must also be understood only in this Sense that till himself there was none had undertaken an entire Latin Body of English History for he distinguishing between an History and Annals did not reckon it seems these Saxon Annals as such though he often mentions them by the Name of the English Chronicles being as I said before the ground-Work upon which that Author as well as others that followed him built their History and these Annals remaining in Manuscript till long after Sir Thomas Craig's Death gave him perhaps occasion to affirm in the same Place That there is nothing of certainty to be found in the British History from 734. which was the Year of Bede's Death to the Year 957. but all things were founded upon the Rumours of Antient Men and it may be old Wives Fables which being collected together into one Book and put in a Latin Dress made up as it were the shadow of a History from whence Hollingshead does nevertheless bring most certain Arguments to establish his fictitious Homage THIS Point concerning the Homage I shall not take upon me here to decide but tho I confess there is no express mention of it in the Annals yet I must needs say there is somewhat to be met with in them that comes very near it for under Anno 924. they relate thus of King Edward the Elder That the King and whole Nation of the Scots chose him in Patrem Dominum in the Latin Version i. e. for their Father and Lord which is word for word the same with the Saxon Original which I omit because not commonly understood or read in that Character But because he supposes that Florence of Worcester was the first Author that wrote this Homage and Fealty therefore he must be the first that ever mentioned the Submission of the Scotish King to the King of England I desire those of Sir Thomas his Opinion to tell me tho the formal Ceremonies of Homage and Fealty which in different Ages and divers Countries even where the Feudal Law was obtained were very different were not brought up till after the Norman William came hither yet what could those words in Patrem Dominum signify but such an Acknowledgment or Dependance upon a Superior Lord as was tantamount And it is the more remarkable because this is mentioned above 20 Years before The same Annals relate that King Edmund the Younger Son to King Edward bestowed Cumberland upon Malcolm King of Scots viz. Anno 945. on condition that he should serve him in his Expeditions by Sea and Land for which alone the Scotish Writers will allow this Homage to have been due AND in the Year following we find in the same Annals that K. Eadred Brother to Edmund having reduced all Northumberland into his Power which then took in almost all the Low-Lands of Scotland as far as Edinburgh thereupon Scoti etiam ei juramenta praestiterunt sese velle quiâ—quid is vellet i. e. the Scotish Nation by which I suppose must be understood the King as well as the People took an Oath to King Eadred to perform whatsoever he should please to command them But that Florence of Worcester understood this to be an Oath of Fealty appears by his Paraphrase of these words in the Annals thus Edredus à Scotis ut sibi fideles essent juramentum accepit BVT that if not Homage yet somewhat very like it was rendered in that Age by the Kings of Scotland to those of England for the best part of what is now called the Lowlands may appear from the Testimony of John of Wallingford who in his History relates that Keneth King of Scots received Lothian from King Edgar under the Condition of doing Homage to himself and his Successors which if it had not then the direct Ceremony of Homage which perhaps came in with the Normans yet that it was somewhat very near it John Fordun the antientest Scotish Historian acknowledges in these words That King Edmund viz. of England gave the Province of Cumberland to Malcolm King of Scots sub fidelitate Juramenti and it was afterwards agreed between the said King Edmund and King Malcolm that Prince Indulf his next Heir and all the future Heirs of Scotland successively should pay to King Edmund and his Successors for the same Homagium fidelitatis Sacramentum so that if our English Writers have been mistaken in calling that Submission which the Kings and Princes of Scotland then payed to England Homage you may here see the most Antient Scotish Historian guilty of the same Error which was indeed an Oath of Fidelity if not the same yet very like what the Scotish Kings afterwards took when they did Homage to our Kings of England after the Conquest HAVING said thus much I shall now leave it to the Reader 's Judgment when he has gone through our Annals to consider whether this Author's Censure of our English History from the Year 734. when Bede ended his to the Year 957. be just that they were only things as he says founded upon the Rumours of Antient Men and it may be old Wives Fables and so being collected together in one Book dress'd up in Latin made up as it were the shadow of a History AS also whether what Florence is cited by the Author to say That after Bede's Death the English History ceased and that for his own part he had left things to Posterity either as he found them in the Text of the English Chronicles or as he had them from the relations of Men worthy of Credit or heard and saw them himself deserves that rash Censure not only concerning these Annals now published but of Florence himself viz. as to what concerned the Text of the English Chronicles he mentioned them that he might deceive his Reader with the greater Facility whereas Florence was accounted always a Writer of unquestionable Diligence and Veracity as appears by the several Testimonies of Learned Men before his History BVT the reason of this Author's Triumph before the Victory was that he did not believe any such thing as a Saxon Chronicle could be found for says he immediately after If there were any Chronicles of those Times seeing Florence lived about the Year 1148. they must still remain in the Archives which hitherto no English Author did ever alledg or hath been able to demonstrate for that Chronicle as is observed by the Prologue did only set down the number of Years And so he proceeds to invalidate the Credit of Florence of Worcester as if he had had no Voucher to warrant his Chronicle BVT I hope this Translation I here present you with will satisfy all ordinary Readers that the Saxon Annals do contain much more than the bare numbers of Years and the Edition first published by Mr. Wheelock in Saxon and Latin from two Copies in
Government that succeeded upon the Romans deserting of this Island we can say no more of it than that it was Regal but that it was all subject to one Monarch I no where find For tho it appears from Gildas and Nennius that Vortigerne was made King not long after the Romans leaving it yet does it not follow from thence that there were no more Kings than he at the same time since it seems very unlikely that all Britain properly so called which in the time of the Romans was divided into so many distinct Provinces each of which had their particular Praefects or Deputies should so unanimously agree in the Choice of this Vortigerne whom Geoffrey preposterously relates to have been then Count of the Gewises when indeed there were no such People of that Name in Being till the erecting of the West-Saxon Kingdom those People being then and not before so called from one Gewis an Ancestor of Hengist And Gildas who lived within fourscore Years after the Reign of this Vortigerne tells us of no less than four distinct Kings reigning together in this Part of the Island and mentions not a Word of its ever being otherwise BUT that the Titles of those Kings who reigned here during the first Wars between the Britains and the Saxons were oftner by Election than Succession may appear not only from Geoffrey himself but also from Gildas and Nennius who are Authors of better Credit and they relate Vortimer the eldest Son of Vortigerne to have been elected upon his Father's Deposition King of the Britains and after his Death and the second Desertion of Vortigerne that Aurelius Ambrosius was elected first General and some time afterwards King of the Britains NOR can we believe that these Kings were Absolute or Despotick Monarchs since we find that Government unsutable to the Temper of the British Nation both then and in succeeding times having not only frequently cast off the Government of the Roman Emperors but also of their own Kings for their cruel Tyranny and Oppression AND that this way of the Election of one supream King over the rest was after often used by the Britains you will find in the History it self not but that it must be confessed that the several petty Kingdoms oâ— Principalities which the Britains still possessed and that go under the Name of North and South-Wales did commonly descend and were divisable among the several Sons of the deceased Prince tho it was with great Inequality and Confusion which often produced frequent Civil Wars between the Contending Competitors and became the Ruin of them all at last BUT to pass from these British Princes and the manner of their Government as well before the coming in as after the Desertion of the Romans and which tho not in its due order of Time I have here put together that the Reader might have a full View of it all at once I proceed now to the Civil and Military Aâ—ministration of the Romans whilst they continued Masters of this Part of Britain JVLIVS Caesar when he had rather view'd than conquer'd this Island left it upon the Delivery of some Hostages and the Promise of sending over more into Gaul together with a certain Tribute to the Senate and People of Rome neither of which the Britains ever perform'd but during the Civil Wars which not longer after ensued they recovered their antient Liberty which for divers Years they enjoyed till the Emperor Claudius at the Instigation of one Bericus a Fugitive and upon a Pretence of their denying the Romans to trade here sent over first Aulus Plautius as his Lieutenant and then following presently afterwards himself in Person made the Britains I mean the greatest part of them partly by Force and partly by Fear submit themselves to his Empire tho in a great measure under the Regiment of their own Kings who only paid Tribute and received Roman Garisons and suffered them to erect Colonies where they pleas'd during which time the Government of the Romans was rather Military than Civil the People living after their own Laws NOR were the Britains wholly subdued by them till upon their Insurrection under Queen Boadicia in the Time of Nero when Paulus Suetonius being Legate or Lieutenant here reduced them tho with great difficulty under the Roman Yoke BUT the Civil Wars that afterwards happened upon the Death of Nero hindred their entire Conquest until such time as the Emperor Vespasian sent over that famous Commander Agricola to be his General here who in a few Years having laid aside their petty Kings brought it into the Form of a Province under the Roman Governours sometimes stiled Presidents sometimes Consulares and sometimes Legati or Procuratores as the Emperor's Commission or the various Appellations of the Roman Historians are pleased to entitle them AND then it was I suppose this Part of the Island was first divided into several Praefectships or Governments tho how many they were cannot be ascertained only we find from the Breviary of Sextus Rufus that in the Reign of Constantine it was parcell'd into these four for its better Administration viz. Britannia prima which is conjectured to have been that Part of the Countrey lying from the Gallic Sea to the River Thames and the Mouth of the Severn Britannia secunda which reached from the Severn to the Irish Sea Flavia Caesariensis which was enclosed by the Rivers Thames Severn and Humber and Maxima Caesariensis lying betwixt Humber and Hadrian's Wall to which was afterwards added by Theodosius the Elder the Province of Valentia so called from the Emperor Valentinian and which having been taken out of Maxima Caesariensis lay betwixt the Wall of Hadrian and the Friths of Glotta and Bodotria which now are those of Edinburgh and Dunbritton EACH of which Provinces were under their particular Magistrates some whereof had the Title of Consulares and others of Praesides all which according to the Notitia Romani Imperii were by Constantine's new Constitutions made subject to the Vicarius of Britain as he was to the Praefectus Praetorii of Gaul who was one of the Four Praefecti of Constantine's Erection THIS Vicar of Britain had also several inferiour Officers under him for the Civil Administration as first he had his Princeps or Lieutenant out of the Agentes in rebus that is from the Chief of the Agents Solicitors or Attorney-Generals he had also from the Ducenarii or Society of the Emperors Pursuivants a Cornicularius i. e. one that wrote and published the Sentences and Decrees of the Presidents and other Magistrates and had his Name from Cornu a Horn by the sounding whereof he is supposed to command silence in the Court then two Numerarii i. e. Clerks Accountants who did set down all the Sums of the publick Revenues then a Commentariensis i. e. the Jailor or Keeper of the Prison and was so called from the Commentaria or Kalendars which he kept of the Prisoners and delivered to the Judges then certain
of the Northumbers which contained Lancashire Yorkshire the Bishoprick of Duresme Cumberland Westmorland Northumberland and part of Scotland as far as Edinburgh Frith THIS Kingdom after the Death of Ida was divided into two parts the first whereof containing all the Countries lying on this side the River Tyne was called the Kingdom of Deira and that on the other side of it was called Bernicia and so continued for several Descents till King Oswy about the Year 643. upon the Murder of King Oswin his Cousin again reduced them into one and they continued thus united till such time as the Southern Provinces were overrun by the Danes as the more Northern were by the Scots and have ever since remained part of that Kingdom and hence it is the Low-Lands of Scotland that is all the Countrey from the River Tyne to the Friths of Edinburgh and Dunbritton antiently spoke the English Saxon Tongue which in succeeding Times was changed into that English Dialect they call the Modern Scotch and consists of the old Saxon with no little mixture of the Danish Language this I suppose proceeded from the great Conquests and settling so many of that Nation in those Northern Parts THIS is in great measure confirmed by John of Wallingford publish'd by the Learned Dr. Gale where he relates that Keneth King of Scots received Lothian from King Edgar under the Condition of a Homage from himself and his Successors Kings of Scotland to the King of England as also that the People of that Countrey should enjoy their Laws and Customs as also the use of the English Tongue BUT as for the true and genuine Scotish which they now call the Speech of the Highlanders because by them only spoken at this day it is no other than the antient Irish which the Scots brought over with them from thence when they first came over to inhabit there as you will find in the Beginning of Bede's History THE sixth Kingdom was that of the East-Angles which contained Norfolk Suffolk Cambridgshire with the Isle of Ely THE seventh was that of the Mercians containing Gloucestershire Herefordshire Worcestershire Warwickshire Leicestershire Rutlandshire Northamptonshire Lincolnshire Huntingtonshire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Staffordshire Shropshire Nottinghamshire Cheshire and part of Hertfordshire BUT as for the Names of the Kings who reigned in each of these Kingdoms till they were all brought under that of the West-Saxons I shall refer you to the Tables at the end of the third fourth and fifth Books of this Volume wherein you have at one view all the Kings that succeeded in each of those Periods as also those of that part of Britain we now call Wales and for the more exact Chronology of the first British Princes I must own my self obliged to the exact account of the Right Reverend the present Lord Bishop of Bangor who I hope one day will let the World see some of his Learned Labours on that Subject THIS is a short Scheme of the several Kingdoms into which that Part of Britain we now call England was divided in the Saxon Times I should next proceed to the particular Laws and Forms of Government in each respective Kingdom but since we have no Remains of those left us for want of Letters before the Preaching of Christianity here we can only say in the general that without doubt each of these Kingdoms had its own particular Laws and Customs and tho they might perhaps differ one from the other in some Points yet they all agreed in the main as to the most Material and Fundamental Constitutions of their Government and long received Laws and Customs before ever they arrived in England as proceeding from the same Common Ancestors AND tho the English-Saxons were not immediately derived from the Germans but Goths as you will find in the third Book of this Volume yet since even the Germans themselves were derived from the same Gothick Original with all the rest of those Northern People as the Sweeds Danes and Norwegians as appears by the Agreement of their Language Customs and Laws I shall therefore suppose that in the main likewise they agreed with the Antient Germans as they are described by Tacitus in their Laws Manners and Religion and therefore I shall from him give you some of the most considerable of them as they are collected by Mr. Selden in his Learned Treatise called Jani Anglorum Facies altera THE first of which is In conciliis Rex vel Princeps prout Aetas cuique prout Nobilitas prout Decus Bellorum prout Facundia est audiuntur Auctoritate suadendi magis quà m jubendi potestate Si displicuit Sententia fremitu aspernantur sin placuit frameas concutiunt Honoratissimum assensûs Genus est Armis laudare Which for the Benefit of the Common Readers I will take upon me to translate into English viz. IN their Councils the King or some principal Person according to every one's respective Age Nobility Reputation in Arms or Eloquence are heard rather by the Authority of Perswading than the Power of Commanding if their Opinions displeased them they shewed their dislike by their Clamour but if they approved of what was spoken they struck their Launces one against another This was thought the most Honourable way of giving their Assent to approve by Arms. THE second is Eliguntur in iisdem Conciliis Principes qui Jura per pagos vicosque reddunt Centeni singulis ex plebe Comites Consilium simul Auctoritas adsunt viz. IN those Councils such chief Men are Elected as judge Causes in Towns and Villages A hundred Assessors chosen out of the common People are added to each of them as well for Counsel as Authority From whence Mr. Selden here supposes our Hundreds had their Original which antiently consisted of the Masters of one hundred Families THE third goes on thus Nihil publicae vel privatae Rei nisi Armati agunt sed Arma sumere non antè cuiquam moris quam Civitas suffecturum probaverit Tum in ipso Concilio vel Principum aliquis vel pater vel propinquus scuto frameâque Juvenem ornant haec apud illos Toga hic primus juventae honos ante hoc Domus pars videntur mox Reipublicae viz. THEY transact nothing either of Publick or Private Concern without their Arms but it was not a Custom for any to assume those Arms before the Common-Wealth had approved of his Ability Then in this very Council either one of the principal Men or his Father or his near Kinsman adorned the Youth with the Shield and Lance. This served them instead of a Gown and was the first Honour of their Youth before they only seemed as part of the Family but now they became a Member of the Common-Wealth And here Mr. Selden discovers the first Footsteps of Knighthood THE fourth is Insignis Nobilitas aut magna patrûm merita Principis dignationem etià m Adolescentulis assignant viz. EMINENT Nobility or the signal Merits
the Saxons being invited by the Britains over hither ever mention their being sent by any of their Kings but only by the Saxon Nation in general and if it continued thus in Bede's Time it ought reasonably to be concluded that it was likewise so before their coming over unless any Man can shew me some better Authority than ever I have yet met with to the contrary AND that this likewise continued so not only in Bede's Time but many Years after may appear from this Testimony of Johan Pomarius in his Saxon Chronicle which tho written in Latin yet not being able as yet to procure the sight of it I shall give you what he says almost to the same effect out of Verstegan's Restitution of decayed Intelligence As for the General Government of the Countrey they ordained twelve Noble-men chosen from among others for their Worthiness and Sufficiency These in the Time of Peace rode their several Circuits to see Justice and good Customs observed and they often of Course â—t appointed Times met all together to consult and give Order in Publick Affairs but ever in Time of War one of these twelve was chosen to be King and so to remain as long only as the War lasted and that being ended his Name and Dignity of King also ceased and he became as before and this Custom continued among them until the Time of their Wars with the Emperor Charles the Great at which time Wittekind one of the Twelve as aforesaid a Nobleman of Angria in Westphalia bore over the rest the Name and Authority of King and he being afterwards by the means of the said Emperor converted to the Faith of Christ had by him his mutable Title of King turned into the induring Title and Honour of Duke and the eleven others were in like manner by the said Emperor advanced to the honourable Titles of Earls and Lords with Establishment for the continual remaining of these Titles and Dignities unto them and their Heirs of whose Descents are since issued the greatest Princes at this present in Germany FROM what now I have given you I think nothing is more evident than that the Government of the Antient English Saxons was rather Aristocratical than Monarchical and admitting they allowed the King they had set over them somewhat more Power than those Noblemen abovementioned by whom they where governed in their own Countrey in time of Peace yet was this Power of theirs far short of that absolute Dominion which Dr. Howell in his Discourse of the Polity of the English-Saxons supposes tho without any just Ground that these Kings enjoyed and therefore he would have it That the Government was Monarchical and that not only in respect of the particular Kingdoms during the Heptarchy which had their peculiar Kings but even of the whole Body of the Nation which was usually commanded by one of the Seven of all which Bede takes notice in his Time BUT if every one of these Kings were no more a Monarch than he who was sometimes Supream or Chief above the Rest I doubt he will fall very short of that Title which is not found either in Bede or in the Saxon Annals or yet in any other Antient Writer before the Conquest until the Time of King Edred BUT I have said enough to confute this Notion I hope in the Preface THE Doctor 's next Argument is from the Nature of the Monarchy which he says We must believe at the first followed the Condition of the Tenure absolute Conquests and Territories both got and held by the Sword alone usually producing absolute Governments which many times either by reason of the infirm Foundation laid by the Conquerors themselves the Humour of the People not induring such Subjection or other Accidents change into more Moderate and less Arbitrary That Hengest Aella and the other Captains where they first erected their Dominations governed their Souldiers whom now being Kings they called Subjects with as great Authority and as full Command as formerly we little doubt IN answer to this and to shew you that notwithstanding what this Author hath alledged we have still great reason to doubt the Truth of it as being founded on no Authority but rather the quite contrary appears I shall therefore only desire the Reader in the first place to take notice that it is no good Argument at all to say that because the Saxon Princes were Conquerors by the means of their Followers therefore they must have submitted themselves absolutely to their Dominion when the War was over FOR the better Proof of which I would farther intreat the Reader to observe FIRST That those Princes or Generals over the English-Saxons thô all of them were descended from Woden their Common Ancestor knew no such Power as that of Kings of Home according to Bede or if we believe Pomarius the Title of King lasted at the most no longer than the War nor could those Princes be made Kings by their own Nation before they came over since being only meer Souldiers of Fortune they had as yet conquered no Dominions from whence they could receive that Denomination so that then it must fall out that they could only be so by the Election of their Souldiers and Followers that came over along with them which may be also proved from the ensuing Annals themselves FOR first they call Hengest and Horsa the two Brothers who came over hither only Heretogan i.e. Leaders or Captains of the Jutes that accompanied them as you may see An. 449. of these Annals NOR secondly do they begin the Reign of Hengest till the Death of Horsa his Brother Anno 455. six Years after his coming over so that it is plain he could have no other Right to his Kingdom of Kent but the free Election of the People that came over with him or else followed him not long afterwards THE like I might say of all the rest of the Kingdoms of the Heptarchy for the same Reason were there no express Authorities to prove it which yet also are not wanting FOR as to the Kingdom of the West-Saxons which afterwards swallowed up all the rest our Annals Anno 495. tell us Of Cerdic and Cynric his Son their landing in Britain with five Ships and having fought with the Britains they about six Years after their coming over upon their conquering the Countrey of the West-Saxons became their first Kings which is further confirmed under Anno 519. where it is expresly related that Cerdic and Cynric then began their Reigns over the West-Saxon Kingdom So likewise in Anno 547. it is there said that Ida began first to reign from whom is derived the Royal Stock of the Northumbrian Kings AND yet we find from Nennius and Malmesbury and all our other Historians who treat of this Matter that Octa and Ebusa Son and Nephew to Hengest had landed in the Northern Parts of England not long after Hengest himself and having conquered those Countries they and their Descendants ruled there
his Cousin-German succeeded him in Deira whilst Eanfrid the Son of Ethelfrith was made King of Bernicia but he soon after being killed by Cadwallo King of the Britains Oswald his Brother succeeded him who being also slain by the said Penda Oswin his younger Brother was made King whilst Oswy the Son of Osric reigned in Bernicia and having cruelly murdered Oswin made himself Master of both Kingdoms but whether it was done by the Power of the Sword or by Election since our Authors are silent in this Matter I will not determine I have only set down the Succession of these first Kings to shew that there was not often any Hereditary Lineal Right to the Crown observed among them AS for the Kingdom of the East-Angles the Antient Annals and Histories of that Countrey having been all destroyed by the Danes we have little more than the Names and Successions of their Kings left us nor yet of those higher than Vffa tho it is certain the East-Angles had fixed themselves in those Parts long before he began to reign and those but very lame and defective For from Ethelbert who was murdered by King Offa for above threescore Years we have no Account of what Kings reigned in that Kingdom and it is certain that upon the Death of Offa and his Son Egfert the People of the East-Angles freed themselves from the Mercian Yoke but about the Year 855. as Asser in his Annals and Florence of Worcester assure us Edmund after called the Martyr being then but fifteen Years old was Elected and Crowned King of the East-Angles by the general Consent of the People of that Kingdom but they do not inform us who was his Father yet if we may give Credit to John of Tinmouth in his Sanctilogium he makes him to be the Son of one Alcmond a Nobleman of the Blood Royal. I have given you this Instance to let you see that they were no Strangers to Elective Kings for if his Blood alone would have fixed in him any Title there would have been no need at all of his Election but this King being afterwards murdered by the Danes they also seized on his Kingdom and held it till it was reconquered by King Edward the Elder NOR have we much to remark of the manner of the Succession of the Mercian Kings for tho the Son very frequently succeeded the Father or one Brother or Cousin to another yet it is as certain that it must have been chiefly by an Elective Right notwithstanding the Annals and our Historians do not expresly mention it For Beornred having in the Year 755. treacherously slain Ethelbald King of the Mercians Offa a young Man of the Blood Royal raising Forces against him and having driven him out of the Kingdom he was as Ingulph relates made King in his room by the General Consent of the Nobles of Mercia or as Matthew Westminster words it He was by the unanimous Consent of the Clergy and Laiety of that Kingdom Elected and Crowned King which without doubt was done in a Great Council of that Nation for we find that to secure the Crown to his own Family Matthew Paris in his Life of King Offa tells us that in a Great Council assembled at Calcuith Anno 787. he caused Egfrid his eldest on a comely and valiant Youth to be crowned King who jointly reigned with him as long as he lived and that this could not be done without the Consent and Election of this Great Council appears by the twelfth Law or Decree made therein entituled De ordinatione Regum viz. That at the Election or Ordination of Kings no Man should permit the Assent or Vote of evil Men to prevail but Kings shall be lawfully Elected by the Clergy and Elders i.e. chief Men of the Kingdom and not begotten of Adultery or Incest because an Adulterer according to the Canons cannot arrive to the Priesthood so neither can he be the Lord 's Anointed and Heir of his Countrey or King of the whole Kingdom who is not begot of Lawful Matrimony FROM hence the Reader may observe that he who is appointed to be Elected is also called Haeres Patriae to let us see that he who was to come in by an Elective Right was also accounted the Right Heir of the Kingdom AFTER Egfrid succeeded Kenwulfe who certainly came in by Election being himself very remote from the Crown for William of Malmesbury says he was in the fifth Descent from Cenwalch the Brother of Penda one of the first Mercian Kings a Title too stale in that Age to give a Right without a new Election since his Predecessor King Offa could not be admitted to obtain the Crown without it tho he was in Blood almost as near to it being in the fifth Descent from Wibba or Wippa who was the Father of the aforesaid Penda BUT were there no other Proof of this the Decree of the Council abovementioned sufficiently evinces this Kingdom to have been elective at that Time TO Kenwulf abovementioned succeeded Kenelme a Child and he is the first Example of an Infant 's succeeding when there was a Male Heir of full Age alive viz. Ceolwulf the Brother of the said Kenwulf which I suppose proceeded from the great Love they bore to their late deceased King and some Aversion they had to his Brother as you will see by and by BUT if John of Tinmouth in his Historia Aurea still in Manuscript in several Libraries may be credited tho he wrote long after those Times yet out of antient Manuscripts not now extant he says expresly Kenelmum aetate parvulum sed animo pietate magnificum ad Regem elegerat Amor Populi sui i. e. the Love of the People had elected Kenelm to be their King tho an Infant in Years yet remarkable for Spirit and Piety BUT King Kenelme being murdered by his Sister Quendride and she frustrated in her expectations of the Crown our Annals tell us that then Ceolwulf was advanced to it without making any mention at all of King Kenelme and the next Year expelled his Kingdom by the Faction and Contrivance of Bernulph a potent Nobleman but however no way related to the Blood-Royal and so consequently could have no other Title or Pretence but Election however unjustly he came by it THE like I may say of his Successors Ludican Wiglaff Bertwulf and Burhed the former of whom was only a remote Kinsman of Bernulph's and the three latter were all of them of quite different Families but as for Ceolwulf who was the last that bore the Title of King of Mercia he deserves not to be mentioned being only for a Time made King by the Danes to serve their turns and was quickly after deposed by them I have but lightly run over the Succession of these Kings and refer you for the farther Proof to the following History where you will find all the Authors fairly quoted BUT now I come to the Succession of
Antient Historians only he cites a Scrap in the Margin as he thinks ouâ— of Brompton but it should be Simeon of Durhaâ— for no such thing is to be found in the former Author viz. That Harold quasi just us haeres coepit regnare nec tamen ità potentèr ut Canutus quia justior haeres expectabatur Hardicanutus i. e. as just Heir but yet not so absolutely as Cnute because the juster Heir Sâ—il Hâ—rdecanute was expected which he is pleased to call him because he falsly supposes that none could have a Right to the Crown but one of Queen Emma's Children But this Writer cunningly leaves out the preceding Words with a dash because they make against him which I shall here add 〈◊〉 consentientibus quamplurimis MAJORIBVS natu Aâ—glia quasi Justus haeres c. So that it seems his Right to reign proceeded from the Consent of the Estates of the Kingdom SO that granting as this Author supposes That Hardecnute had been left Heir by his Father King Cnute's Testament yet you see this could only give him a Precedency of being first Proposed and Elected HAROLD dying after a few Years Reign Hardecnute was sent for out of Elanders to succeed him yet this could not be as his Heir being but of the half Blood and his supposed Brother only by his Father's side and therefore Henry of Huntington says expresly that Post Mortem Harolds Hardecnute filius Regis Cnuti illicò susceptus est ELECTVS in Regeni ab Anglis DACIS i. e. After the Death of Harold Hardecnute the Son of King Cnute was presently received and Elected King by the English and Danes HARDECNVTE dying suddenly after about two Years Reign the abovecited Antient Chronicle in the Cottonian Library proceeds to tell us that Mortuo Hardecanuto Eadwardus Annitentibus maximè Comite Godwino Wigornensi Livingo levatar Londoniae in Regem i. e. that Hardecnute being dead Edward by the Assistance chiefly of Earl Godwin and Living Bishop of Worcester was advanced to the Throne at London WILLIAM of Malmesbury words it thus speaking of Earl Godwin Nec mora congregato concilio Londoniae rationibus suis explicitis Regem effecit From whence it appears that by Godwin's means he was made King at a Common-Council of the Kingdom BUT Ingulph is yet more express who says Post ejus Sâ—il Hardecanuti obitum Omnium Electione in Edwardum concordatur maximè cohortante Godwino Comite i. e. that after the Death of Hardecnute it was unanimously agreed upon to Elect Prince Edward Earl Godwin chiefly advising it AND Henry Huntington goes yet a step higher and writes thus Edwardus cum paucis venit in Angliam Electus est in Regem ab omni populo Prince Edward coming into England with but a few Men was Elected King by all the People which is also confirmed by an Antient Manuscript Chronicle of Thomas of Chesterton Canon of Litchfield in the Cottonian Library who under Anno 1042. says thus Edwardus filius Athelredi Regis ab omni Populo in Regem Electus Consecratus est BUT the Doctor very cunningly conceals all this concerning his Election and only gives us a shred out of Guilielmus Gemeticensis in these words Hardecanutus Edwardum totius Regni reliquit haeredem that is left Edward Heir of the whole Kingdom but so far indeed the Doctor is in the Right That he could be no other than a Testamentary Heir there being other Heirs of the Right Line both of Saxon and Danish Blood before him But it may well be doubted whether the Author last mentioned being a Foreigner may not be mistaken if he means the words haeredem reliquit for a Bequest by Will since no English Historian that I know of mentions any such thing and indeed it is highly improbable that this Prince made any Will at all since all Writers agree that he died suddenly at a Drunken Feast in the very Flower of his Age and as it is not likely he made any Will before so it was impossible he could do it at his Death BUT this Election of King Edward farther appears from the mean and abject Carriage which this Prince shewed as you will find William of Malmesbury towards Earl Godwin when he was so far from claiming the Crown that he only desired he would save his Life till the Earl encouraging him put him in hopes of obtaining the Kingdom upon Promise of marrying his Daughter which he would never have done had he had so â—air a Pretence as the last Will of his Brother Hardecnute to recommended him to the favour of the Estates of the Kingdom and if that alone would have done to what purpose should he need afterwards to be Elected THIS is in part acknowledged by the Doctor but to palliate it he will have Godwin a Council being immediately called by his Reason and Rhetorick to make him King it seems then he was to be made so but he dares not say one word of his Election for fear it would betray the Cause which he has so strenuously laboured to advance AND therefore he thinks he has now nothing more to do but to expose and ridicule the Legend of the Abbot of Rievalle in making Edwards the Confessor to be elected King in his Mother's Womb which tho I grant to be as absurd as to drink Prince of Wales his Health before he is born yet the Abbot had certainly no ground for this Story unless he had been sufficiently convinced that this was an Elective Kingdom in the Time of King Ethelred his Father BUT if the Reader desires further Satisfaction concerning the Circumstances of this King's Election I shall refer him to the Antient Annals of the Church of Winchester which I have faithfully transcribed out of the first Volume of Monasticon Anglicanum and inserted into this Volume under Anno 1041. where he will find the whole History of this Prince's Election and Coronation written by a Monk of that Church not long after the Conquest these Annals are also in Manuscript in the Cottonian Library to which I must likewise by the Favour of its honourable Possessor own my self highly obliged for several considerable Remarks in this History of the Succession of our Saxon Kings BUT to draw to a Conclusion upon this Subject King Edward as appears by our Annals in the Year 957 sent over for his Cousin Prince Edward sirnamed the Out-Law Son of King Edmund out of Hungary as Simeon of Durham relates Illum se Regni haeredem constituere that he might appoint him Heir of the Kingdom which had been a very idle Thing had the Kingdom been Hereditary and that it had been his undoubted Right by Proximity of Blood THIS Prince dying soon after his coming over we no where find that King Edward ever offered to do the like for his Cousin Edgar Atheling but on the contrary forgetting his own Family Ingulph tells us that the Year before his Death
Saxon Times I shall proceed in the next place to discourse somewhat of the manner of the disposing of their Goods and Personal Estates which they might do either by Deed or last Will in Writing as at this day But if they happened at any time to die intestate then their Goods were equally divided between the Wife and Children of the Deceased tho by a Law of King Edmund the Relict or Widow was to have half her Husband's Goods yet by the Laws of Edward the Confessor it was declared that in case any one died Intestate then the Children were equally to divide the Goods which I take to be understood with a Salvo of the Wife's Dower or Portion As yet therefore the Ordinaries had nothing to do with the Administration for Goods passed by Descent as well as Lands and upon this Custom the Writ de Rationabili parte Bonorum was grounded at the Common Law as well for the Children as the Wife's Part according as by the Body of the Writ may appear THE antientest Will that Mr. Selden says he hath observed before the Conquest is one of King Edgar's time which Mr. Lambard has given us in his Perambulation of Kent and that is of one Brithric a Gentleman or Thane and his Wife Elswithe wherein they devised both their Lands and Goods and also gave his chief Lord and the Lady his Wife several noble Legacies to prevail with him that his Will might stand good By which it should seem the Lands bequeathed were Feudal Lands held by Knights Service which could not be alienated without the Lord's Consent But Mr. Selden there further takes notice That the Protection or Execution of this Testament as well as the Probate were within the Jurisdiction of the Lord's Court and that especially because divers Lords of Mannors have to this day the Probate of Testaments by Custom continued against that which is otherwise regularly settled in the Church BUT as for Intestates Goods he says The Disposition or Administration of them was in the Saxon times in the chief Lord of him that died in case the Intestate were an immediate Tenant and died at home in Peace But in case he were no Tenant or died in his Lord's Army then it was it seems as other Inheritance under the Jurisdiction of that Temporal Court within whose Territory the Goods were This may be proved out of the Laws of that Time which ordain that upon the Death of an Intestate whom they call CWIALE AWE the Lord is only to have the Heriots due to him which are also appointed by the Laws of the same time that by his the Lord's Advice or Judgment his the Intestate's Goods be divided among his Wife and Children and the next of kin according as to every one of them of right belongs that is according to the nearness of Kindred if no Children or Nephews from them be for it must I suppose be understood that the Succession was such that the Children excluded all their Kindred and of their Kindred the next succeeded according to that in Tacitus of his Germans whose Customs were doubtless mixed with our English-Saxons Haeredes says he successorésque sint cuique liberi nullum Testamentum But it seems Christianity afterwards brought in the free Power of making Testaments amongst them Si liberi non sunt proximus gradus in possessione Fratres Patrui Avunculi BUT this is express'd only in case the Tenant died at home and in Peace for if he died in his Lord's Army both the Heriot was forgiven and the Inheritance both of Goods and Lands was to be divided as it ought which was it seems by the Jurisdiction of the Temporal Court within whose Territory the Death of the Intestate or Goods were for in that case it is not said that the Lord's Judgment was to be used but that the Heirs should divide all or as the words in the Confessor's Law are habeant Haeredes ejus pecuniam terram ejus sine aliqua Diminutione rectè dividant inter se where the Right of the Heir both to Lands and Goods is expresly designed but the Judg that should give it them not mentioned Therefore it seems it remained as other Parts of the Common Law under the Temporal Jurisdiction as by the Civil Law it was under the Praetors Thus far this learned and great Author FROM whence we may make this Note that the Probate of Wills was a Matter of Civil Cognizance before the Conquest and for some time after till the Canon Law being more generally received in England the Bishops Courts took this Power to themselves supposed by Mr. Selden in his 6 th Chapter of his said Treatise to be about the time of Henry the Second WE shall now in the last place go on to the Criminal part of the English-Saxon Laws viz. the manner of Trial Judgment and Execution pass'd and inflicted on Offenders in those Times ALL Trials for Criminal Matters were then either in the Court-Leets the Sheriffs-turn or the County-Courts in which last the greater Offenders were commonly tried and that most antiently by Witnesses and Juries as at this day for we find in the Mirror of Justices that King Alfred commanded one of his Justices to be put to death for passing Sentence upon a Verdict corruptly obtained upon the Votes of the Jurors whereof three of the Twelve were in the Negative And the same King put another of his Justices to death for passing Sentence of Death upon an Ignoramus return'd by the Jury BUT the first Law we read of that defined the Number of Jury-men to be Twelve was that of Aetheldred I. above two hundred Years before the Conquest which says In singulis Centuriis c. in English thus In every Century or Hundred let there be a Court and let Twelve Antient Freemen together with the Lord of the Hundred be sworn that they will not condemn the Innocent nor acquit the Guilty BUT whether there were any such thing as a Grand Jury or Inquest we do not particularly find only we may reasonably conclude there was because in the same Mirror we read that a Justice suffered Death for passing Sentence only upon the Coroner's Record and another Justice had the same Punishment for condemning one without any preceding Appeal or Indictment YET the first time that we find any mention of a Jury by Mens Peers or Equals is in the Agreement between Alfred and Guthrune the Dane in these words in English viz. That if a Lord or a Baron be accused of Homicide he shall be acquitted by twelve Lords but if of inferiour Rank he shall be acquitted by eleven of his Equals and one Lord. BUT in Cases very doubtful and where there was not sufficient Evidence by Witnesses but only strong Presumptions of Guilt in the times after King Alfred Trials by Ordeal came in which Somner in his Glossary says was
Alba then King of Italy to be provided with Husbands because he had heard that the Sabines would not give their Daughters in Marriage to the Latins which is so very ridiculous that it needs no Confutation This Prince dying after he had reign'd about Forty Years left the Kingdom to Brute Sir-named Greenshield from the colour of his Target he revenged those Indignities which had been put upon his Father by Brunchild Prince of Hannonia or Hainault Conquering him near the banks of the Scaldis i. e. the Scheld but the modern names of Hainault and Brunchild sufficiently betray the Novelty of this Fable He hath the Character of an Excellent Prince Just Merciful and a most exact observer of his Word and reigned Twelve Years to whom succeeded Leil his Son who built the City of Carlisle in the Days of Solomon after called by the Romans Lugubalia and did also repair Caerleon now called Chester he was a good Prince till the latter end of his days when falling into several Vices he occasioned great dissentions in the Kingdom which did not end with his life but after he had reigned Twenty five Years left the Kingdom to Rudhudibras or Hudibras who compos'd the disturbances begun in his Fathers days and studying nothing more than to strengthen and adorn his Kingdom built several Cities as Caerkin now Canterbury likewise Caer Guent now Winchester as also Mount Paladur after Septonia or Shaftsbury and having reigned Twenty nine Years was succeeded by Bladud his Son who is said to have been skill'd in Magick and thereby to have found out those Medicinal Waters now called the Bath where he also built a City called Caer Baden he is said to be a Man of a good Invention and having made himself Wings to flye fell down from the Temple of Apollo in Trinovant and broke his Neck having governed Britain Twenty Years To him succeeded Leir his Son who built Caer Leir now called Leicester He had only Three Daughters Gonnilla Râ—gana and Cordiella his darling but in his old Age being jealous of their Affections he called them before him and demanded that they would give him some assurance of their Love the two Eldest called Heaven and Earth to witness that they loved him Ten thousand times dearer than their own Souls and that they were not able to Express their infinite kindness for him and at last concluded their flatteries with horrid Oaths and asseverations of their Sincerity but Cordiella the Youngest though having before her Eyes the present reward of an easie flattery yet could not be moved from giving him this downright honest Answer Father saith she my Love toward you is as my Duty bids What should a Father seek What can a Child promise more They who pretend beyond this flatter This short Answer not at all satisfied the old suspicious King for he shewed his resentments by his neglect of her and the suddain advancement of her Sisters Marrying Regana to the Duke of Cornwall and Gonarilla to the Duke of Albania reserving no portion at all for Cordiella but it so happen'd that Aganippus a Prince of Gaul however he came by this Greek Name hearing of her Vertue and Beauty desired her in Marriage to whom she was welcome without any other Dower but her own Vertues King Leir having thus disposed of his two Eldest Daughters and dividing half his Kingdom between them they within some time by their subtile practices work him out of all so that he was forced to sojourn with his Daughters by turns who being set on by their Husbands put so many affronts and Indignities upon him needless here to be recited that in the end he was constrained to leave the Realm and take refuge with Cordiella This rejected Daughter received him with all the Duty and Affection imaginable and then appeared the difference between the down-right Love of some Children to their Parents and the over talkative obsequiousness of others while the hopes of a large Inheritance obliges their Tongues to Express more Duty than ever they mean to perform but what was more significant than Words she assisted her Father with powerful aids and in Person went to revenge his wrongs So that bringing a great Army into Britain she destroyed his Enemies and restored him to his Crown which he held but for the space of Two Years whose Reign in all is computed to be about Forty Years and then dying left the Throne to Cordilla who Governed the Kingdom for Five Years but in the mean time her Husband Aganippus dying Morgan and Cunedage her Nephews by her Sisters Gonorilla and Regana disdaining to be under the Government of a Woman rebelled against her and so prevailed that they took her Prisoner but she being a Woman of a high Spirit slew her self rather than to live under their Tyranny Whereupon Cunedage and Morgan possessing the whole Government divided the Island between them to Morgan fell Albania to Cunedage all the Land on this side Humber Morgan not being content with his Portion Invaded his Brother but being driven by him into Wales and there Slain gave the Name of Glan-Morgan to that Country Cunedage now Ruling alone built many Temples to his Gods and dying was buried at Trinovant after he had Ruled Thirty three Years to whom succeeded Rivallo the Son of Cunedage in his time it rain'd Blood for Three Days together from whose Putrefaction Noisom and Venemous Flies were bred which in Swarms infested the whole Land and brought great Contagion both upon Men and Beasts He after he had Ruled Forty six Years was succeeded by Gurgust his Son of whom nothing is recorded worth mentioning he is said to have Reign'd Thirty seven Years Nor is there more left of Jago his Nephew Nor yet of Sillius or Sicillius thô how related to the former is not said But to him after Forty nine Years Reign succeeded Kâ—nemare said to be Brother of Jago of whom there is nothing Recorded but that he was Buried at York To whom succeeded Gorâ—odug the Son of Kinemare he is noted for Tyranny But dying he left behind him two Sons Ferrex and Porrex who Reigning joyntly at first did within a few Years begin to contend who should have the whole Kingdom in which Contention after a great Battle Fought between them Ferrex was Slain whose Death affected his Mother with so great a Grief that transported by Revenge she by the help of her Maidens Slew her other Son Porrex whilst he was a Sleep an unheard of Example and too strange to be true After his Death the Blood Royal of Brute being extinguished by his Death there happned cruel Wars so that the Kingdom was rent into five parts one Pinnor made himself King of Loegria or England Stator seized Albania Rudock Cambria and Cloten Cornwall But as to the fifth division the Story is silent this Pentarchie is supposed to have lasted above Fifty Years the Kingdom in the mean time being miserably harrassed by Civil Wars until Dunwallo Molmutius Son
and erecting new ones in several Places in his Dominions He is said to have built Grantham in Lincolnshire and some say Cambridge antiently called Caer-Grant and Grant Chester He Reigned Ten Years and was succeeded by his Brother Archigallo the Second Son of Morindus he endeavoured to depress the Nobility by depriving them of all Power and Command and preferring Mean and unworthy Men and by taking away Men's Estates to enrich his own Treasure all which Oppressions the Nobility of the Kingdom not being any longer to bear they rose up in Arms and deposing him placed Elidure his Brother in the Throne he was called by his Subjects Elidure the Pious for as he went on Hunting one Day in the Wood Calater in the midst of the Forest he met with his Brother Archigallo and being struck with Pity of his Misfortunes he secretly conveyed him Home to his own House at the City of Alchluid where feigning himself sick he assembled all the Nobles of his Realm and there partly by Perswasions partly by Commands he engaged them again to receive his Brother Archigallo for their Sovereign and afterwards calling a general Assembly of his People at York he there publickly resigned his Crown and taking it off his own Head placed it on his Brother's after he had Reigned Three Years Archigallo being thus Restored by his wise and sober Deportment regained the Affections of his People for he discarded his former Favourites and adhered to the prudent Advice of his Nobility and Reigning to the general Liking of his Subjects for the space of Ten Years died and was buried at Caer-brank or York Elidure after the Death of his Brother became once more King of Britain and so with much Honour and Reputation received the second time the Crown but was soon deposed by the Ambition of his Brethren Vigenius and Peridurus after One Year's Government when being seized by them and his Person confined to the Tower of London they divided the Kingdom between them Peridurus took Albania and Vigenius all the Country on this side Humber for his share Vigenius dying after he had Reigned Seven Years the whole Kingdom devolved to Peridurus who managed it with great Moderation and Justice and having governed Nine Years died then Elidure again resumed the Crown being delivered out of Prison by his Subjects and after he had Reigned Four Years to the general Satisfaction of all Men then dying was succeeded by his Nephew or Grandson the Son of Gorbonian who is called Regin by Mat of Westminster though not named particularly by Geoffrey He was a worthy Prince and Reigned with the general Approbation of all his People to whom succeeded Morgan or Margan the Son of Arâ—igallo he Reigned Fourteen Years in Tranquillity After him Ennian or Emerian another Son of Archigallo's was advanced to the Throne who quite different from his Brother govern'd Tyrannically and was in the Sixth Year of his Reign Depos'd and then succeeded Ydwallo the Son of Vigenius who warned by the Misfortune of his Predecessor avoided Tyranny after whom Reigned Rinco the Son of Peridurus an heroic Prince and a great Warriour Then next follows in Geoffrey of Monmouth a long descent of Kings who either did nothing or had no Body to Record it these make up Seventeen Kings in all viz. Gerantius the Son of Elidurus to whom succeeded Catellus his Son then Coillus and after him Porrex the Second then Cherin or Cherim then succeeded Fulgentius the Eldest Son of Cherin next him Androgeus the Third Son of Cherim enjoyed the Crown then after him Urianus the Son of Androgeus began to Reign who giving himself up to all Riot and Intemperance soon died and to him succeeded Eliod then Elidavius then Cledanus or Cletanus called also by others Detonus but here arises so great a Difference amongst the Writers of this long Bed-Roll of British Kings that there is nothing of Certainty concerning their very Names much less of their Actions for their Names are variously recited by Geoffrey and those Authors that lived after him and pretend to correct or enlarge him but you must take them as we find them Then succeeded Gurgurntius then Merianus and after him Bledunus then Capenus next to him Sisilius the Third then Blegabred who is said to have been excellently well Skill'd in Vocal as well as Instrumental Musick he Reigned Ten Years After him succeeded Arthimallo his Brother and after him Eldâ—l Then follow Nine Kings more without any thing Recorded of them but their bare Names viz. Rodianus or Redian then Redarchius or Redargius then Samuil then Penisill then Carpoir or Corporius and after him Geiduâ—llus or Dinellus the Son of Carpoir a Prince Modest and Prudent in all his Actions who left his Son Heli his Successor who Reign'd Forty Years and was succeeded by Lud his Eldest Son who is reported to have been a Vertuous Princâ— making divers excellent Laws and Correcting many Abuses in the Government he Adorn'd the City of London with new Walls and Towers and therein built a Gate which is still called after his Name Lud-Gate and is said to have built himself a Palace not far from it And after he had Reigned Eleven Years died leaving behind him two Sons Anarogeus and Theomantius under the Tuition of his Brother Cassibelan whose Bounty and Worthy demeanour so wrought upon the People that he easily got the Kingdom transferr'd upon himself yet nevertheless shewing some Favour to his Nephews he conferred freely upon Androgeus London with Kent and upon Theomantius Cornwall reserving to himself a Superiority over them both till the Romans for a while eclipsed his Power I shall not here trouble my self to set down much less to confute the Errors that may be found in the Chronology of these Kings Reigns since Geoffrey of Monmouth from whom they are taken hath bin so cautious as not to give us any account in what Year of the World they Reign'd sometimes telling us tho' with no certainty at all the Names of the Judges and Kings of Israel whom he makes Contemporary with them But as for his last Nine and Twenty Kings from Elidure to Lud he has given us nothing but their bare Names without so much as setting down how many Years they reign'd as if he himself or those Authors he had Translated had bin ashamed or weary of their own tedious Stories and so would make it as short as they could But as for Mat. of Westminster Ponticus Virunnius Polydore Virgil and one Richard White who calls himself Basinstoke I do not think it worth while to put down their pretended Corrections Emendations and Additions of Geoffrey's History since if he had no Authority to invent I am sure they can less pretend to Correct his Inventions or alter his Course of Succession of the British Kings as Polydore has done under pretence of making them more suitable to his own Accounts of time But White has exceeded all others in this making bold with Geoffrey not onâ—y altering the
Son were made Emperors by the Army in Africa but being in a â—hort time both made away Pupienus Maximus and Clodius Balbinus were both together elected Emperors by the Senate and were both slain by the Praetorian Bands during whose short continuance in Power we find not the least Remembrance of them in our Island These two before their Deaths adopted M. Anton. Gordianus the Grand-son of Gordian the Elder who was also elected Emperor by the Praetorian Bands by whom though we find nothing done in Britain yet that he had an Army here under the Command of Nonnius Phillipus his Lieutenant appears by an Altar-Stone found in Cumberland at a place then called Castra Exploratorum with a votive Inscription for the Health of this Emperor Marcus Julius Phillipus an Arabian having deposed and murthered Gordian succeeded in the Empire but was himself also made away by his Army He is said by Eusebius Orosius and other Authors to have been the first Christian Emperor but this hath been confuted and sufficiently exploded by Scaliger and other learned Men. His Memory is preserved in Britain by an Inscription upon a Pyramidal Stone dug out of the Earth not far from Carlifle which is dedicated to this Emperor as also to his Son Philip then Caesar. I shall here omit two other Emperors which are mentioned by Zozimus to have reigned at the same time with this Philip one in the East and the other in Panonia And shall pass on to Quintus Trujanus Decius who was elected Emperor by the Persian Legions He was a great Enemy of the Christians and raised the Seventh Persecution against them but having seen his Son Decius whom he had made his Associate in the Empire slain by the Goths with whom he fought being betray'd by Hostilian his General in his Flight he fell into a Bog or whirle Pool To whom succeeded Trebonianus Gallus Hostilianus who had betrayed him into that ruin but he being in a short time depos'd and slain by the same Soldiers that had advanced him to the Imperial Throne Then Aemilianus succeeded him but enjoyed the Imperial Throne but three months and then the Legions near the Alps created Publius Licinius Valerianus Emperour who being taken Prisoner in a Battel against Sapores King of Persia for 7 Years lived in a most miserable Captivity being made the Foot-stool of that Tyrant till at last by being flead alive he died But before his Death Publius Licinius Galienus his Son Governed in his stead his elder Brother of the same Name who had been Associate in the Empire with his Father being dead long before this Galienus being given up to Lust Gluttony and Riot and careless of the common Danger and through a haughty Ignorance unapprehensive of his own met with that Fate which commonly attends such Princes So that in his time the Empire was on all sides invaded by the barbarous Nations bordering upon it and had been utterly ruined through his careless Neglect had not divers Generals in several places undertaken the Defence of it they were near Thirty together who all assumed the Imperial Purple and are call'd by Historians the Thirty Tyrants Six of them namely Lollianus Victorianus Posthumus the two Tetrici Father and Son with Marius are conjectured to have ruled in this Island as appeareth by many of their Coins found in England but especially about Colchester whence Porphirius the Philosopher who lived in those Times said That Britain was a Soil fruitful of Tyrants Gallienus being slain by the Treachery of three of his own Captains Mar. Aurel. Flau. Claudius was chosen Emperor in his stead who having performed several great Actions and intending to reduce the Roman Empire again under one Head died suddenly as he was making Preparations against Tetricus who then held the Western Provinces together with Britain To whom succeeded L. Domitius Aurelianus who being chosen Emperor by the Souldiers and confirmed by the Senate set himself immediately to reduce the Empire again under one Head a Work wherein Claudius his Predecessor had been prevented by Death which was at last worthily performed by this Emperor for Tetricus who ruled in Gaul and Britain by the Terror of his Arms being brought to submit himself was led in Triumph through Rome Aurelian was afterwards killed by Mnesttheus his Secretary This Emperor raised the Ninth Persecution against the Christians After him M. Claudius Tacitus descended from Tacitus the Historian was elected Emperor by the Senate and Army though much against his Will He reigned but Six Months and died of a Fever but before his Death he adopted M. Aurelius Valer. Probus who succeeded him in whose Reign Bonosus the Son of a Pretorian Souldier bred in Spain though by Descent a Britain and a matchless Drinker not so much to be blamed if as they write he were still wisest in his Cups having attained by the course of War to great military Honours thô at last in his Charge over the German Navy having willingly as was thought suffered the Ships to be burnt trusting on his Interest with the Western Legions he joined with one Proculus and seizing upon Spain Gaul and Britain made himself as Emperor for a time but after a long and bloody Fight near Collen being vanquished by Probus he hang'd himself and gave occasion of that sharp Epitaph made upon him for his great Drinking Here hangs a Tankard After this Probus prevented a new Rebellion in Britain by the severe Loyalty of Victorinus a Moor one of his Ministers at whose Recommendation he had placed a Lieutenant here whom Mr. Camden supposes to have been Cornelius Lallianus since his Coins are found in this Island but in no other Countrey who rebelled and set up for Emperor but Probus upbraiding Victorinus with the Disloyalty of him whom he had recommended he undertook to rectifie this Mistake so hastning over hither and finding the Governor in actual Rebellion by some Contrivance not mentioned by our Historians he privately in the Night found means to kill him Eutropius also relates that Probus was the first Emperor who gave leave to the Spaniards Gauls and Britains to plant Vines and to make Wine But he having subdued the Vandals and Burgundians in a great Battel sent over many of them to inhabit in Britain where they did good Service to the Roman Empire when any Insurrection hapned in this Isle They are supposed to have had their Camp upon those Hills near Cambridge commonly called Gogmagog-Hills where on the top of a Hill may be seen at this day a Plain encompassed round with Trenches of a large Circumference with only one Entrance But though this Emperor well deserved the Name of Probus yet could he not avoid the Fate of his Predecessors being slain by his own Army the occasion whereof was that worthy Saying of his That in a short time he hoped to bring it to
Empire amongst his Three Sons Constantinus Constans and Constantius to the Eldest he gave Britain France and Spain with part of Germany but he not content with his share in the Empire though most considerable invaded the Right and Possession of his Brother Constans and was by him Slain he is reported to have been kill'd by his Brother's Generals near to the City of Aquileia in Italy Whereupon Constans his Brother seized upon his Dominions and together with his Brother Constantius though in Winter time sailed into Britain that they might quiet the Commotions of the Northern Britains as Libanius and Julius Firmicus witness but as for Ecclesiastical Affairs in this Emperour's Reign the Council of Sardica being called by these Emperours Anno Dom. 347 It is certain that the Bishops of Britain appeared there as is acknowledged by Athanasius in the beginning of his Second Apology against the Arrians But Magnentius whose Father was a Britain conspiring against this Emperour and having beset him in a Town in Gaul called Hellena as he was hunting thereabouts with a small Retinue there slew him whereupon though the Western Empire oâ—ght by right to have fallen to Constantius yet Magnentius having possest himself of it and having drawn in the Britains to side with him in his Rebellion he maintained it for Three Years against Constantius the success at first was various but at last the heat of the Revolt being pretty well over and Constantius still by degrees increasing upon him he was no longer able to hold up his Head so that at last he slew himself at Lyons The peaceable possession of this part of Britain being thereupon left to Constantius About this time the General of all the Forces throughout Britain was Gratianus Sirnamed Funarius from his great strength in pulling a Rope from Four Men thô not long after this as Ammianus Marcellinus relates one Paulus a notary was sent into Britain that he might enquire what Military Men were engaged in the Rebellion of Magnentius many of whom he maliciously prosecuted carrying away like a Flood the Fortunes of divers Innocent Men imprisoning the Free-born Subjects and putting others into Irons and Fetters heaping together false Accusations against them by which severity he committed such great oppressions as cast an eternal blot on the Reign of Constantius who supported him in his Cruelties But one Martinus then Governing those Provinces as Praefect grievously lamenting the sufferings of these Innocent Men often beseeching him that he would spare them who when he could not prevail threatned that he would depart hence hoping that this malicious Inquisitor might at last cease from his so violent prosecution But Paulus fearing his trade might by this means decay being cruelly artificial in framing of Counterfeit Plots from whence he obtained this Sirname of Catena brought the Praefect himself into a participiation of those very dangers resolving to send him with divers Tribunes and Prisoners to the Empâ—rour with which the Praefect being provoked endeavoured to Stab Paâ—lus but missing his pass he thrust the same Sword into his own body and so unfortunately perish'd this Honest Man who lost his life in trying to relieve the miserable Fortunes of others All which things being thus wickedly perform'd Paulus stain'd with Innocent Blood return'd to the Emperours Presence against whose coming with his Prisoners all sorts of Tortures and Executioners were prepared so that many of them were proscribed and Out-law'd some banished and others most cruelly put to Death But God some Years after justly punish'd this Villain when by the Command of Julian the Emperour he was burnt alive Sometime after this the Council of Arimium was called by Constantius being the most numerous that ever had yet appear'd as consisting of above Four Hundred Bishops both of the Eastern and Western Churches and in which Council by the Emperour 's long detaining the Bishops against their wills till they were quite tired out the major part of them was forced to subscribe the New Creed made not long before at the pretended Council of Syrmium wherein the Word Omoousios being omitted the Son of God was declared only to be Omoiousios i. e. of like substance with the Father I have been the more particular as to this Council in respect to the Bishops sent from Britain to whom as well as to the rest Sulpicius Severus tells us the Emperour allowed all sorts of Provisions which seemed undecent to the Aquitanian Gallick and British Bishops to accept of who therefore refusing the publick allowance chose rather to live at their own Charges only Three Bishops of Britain for want of Revenues were forced to make use of the publick stipend when they had refused a Contribution offer'd them by the rest thinking it more honourable for a publick Service to subsist on the publick Treasury than to be burthensome to private Men and this must be said in commendation of most of the Western Bishops that notwithstanding their being out Voted yet if Athanasius tells true in a Letter he writ to the Emperour Jovian the most part of them still persisted in the Faith profest by the Council of Nice But to return again to Civil Affairs from whence we have made too long a Digression about these times Alypius a Heathen was Lieutenant of Britain who afterwards bestowed much labour thô in vain to Rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem but the Year following this Council Ammianus Macellinus relates that the fierce Nations of the Scots and Picts combining together breaking the Peace wasted all places near the borders by a cruel Incursion so that the fear of it terrified the other Provinces already wearied out with a continued succession of so many Calamities But Julian then lately made Caesar who was afterwards Emperour Wintering then at Paris hearing this ill news was distracted in his Thoughts what to do fearing to leave Gaul to the Almans then preparing for War therefore he resolved to send Lupicinus at that time Keeper of the Arms and Warlike Stores into this Island to compose these Troubles being a Man Warlike and well skill'd in Military Affairs but of a haughty boasting humour Besides it was much doubted whether he were more Covetous or Cruel But having raised an Army of Light-armed Men to which were added the Herculians Batavians and many companies of Misians being now made General and arriving at Bononia having put all his Men on Board passed over with a prosperous Wind and landed at Rutipae now called Sandwich near Richborough Castle in Kent and from thence marched to London and there taking Council according to the exigency of Affairs made haste to meet the Enemy but what he did against them it is great pity this Author hath not told us all he says further of this Lupicinus being only this that when the Army had saluted Julian Emperour and that a War was like to happen with Constantius Lupicinus was feared thô absent
places of his History he plainly shews that by the Wall of Severus he meant that which is now called the Picts Wall which began from the River Tyne but since the Passages in which he shews this to have been his meaning are too long here to be set down I have put them in the Margin for which the Reader may consult the Author if he pleases So that Bede is only mistaken in this that being deceived with the equivocal use of the words Murus and Vallum which as Arch-Bishop Usher very well proves were used promiscuously in Roman Authors either for a Trench or a Wall when he supposes that of Severus to have been no more than a Vallum or Trench cast up of Earth and Turfs whereas it was indeed a Wall of solid Stone as hath been already shewn nor does the Arch-Bishop think this Author less mistaken in supposing the first Wall of Turfs to have been in Scotland but this last of Stone to have been in England whereas it was not at all likely as the Arch-Bishop very well observes that the Britains should have retreated above 100 Miles backward and have quitted so great an extent of Ground as lies between the two Walls if it could have been as easily maintained and fortified as the other much more when it was so much easier to be done the space between the two Rivers Tine and Esk being above thrice as large as that between the two Friths above-mentioned had they not found that they could not keep those Countries and therefore were resolved to give those Nations that invaded them as much Elbow room as possible so that they might have no occasion to invade their Territories But to return to our History from which I hope we have not made too long a Digression since it hath served not only to confute a Mistake in so eelebrated an Historian as Buchanan but also to settle so considerable a Point in Antiquity I suppose it was to this second departure of the Roman Legions that Claudian designed these Verses in his Poem De Bello Getico when describing the Forces which were mustered together for that VVar to the General Rendezvous he also mentions who came from this Island Venit extremis Legio praetenta Britannis Quae Scoto dat frena truci ferroque notatis Perlegit exangues Picto moriente figuras Hither the Legion too from Britain came VVhich curbs the Scots and does fierce Nations tame VVho whilst the painted Picts expiring lie Surveys those bloodless Figures as they die But before I dismiss the History of these Affairs give me leave to take notice of a great Errour in Hector Boetius and Buchanan as concerning this last VVar between the Romans and the Britains where in the Year of our Lord 403 he does not only make one Maximinian to have then commanded the Roman Legion last mentioned but also to have fought against Fergus King of the Scots and Durstus King of the Picts together with one Dionethius a Britain whom against all Reason and Probability he makes to have brought them Aids against his own Country-men and a Fight ensuing that the Scots were repelled and yet that this Maximinian having but few Souldiers then in his Army was forced to retreat into the inland parts of his Province whilst Dionethius made himself King of the Britains without any Subjects to make him so but that Maximinian being vexed at this Disgrace reinforcing his Troops with fresh Supplies marched against the Scots and Picts where a great Battel ensuing Fergus and Durstus were slain but King Dionethius whom I suppose to be the same with Geoffery's Dionatus Duke of Cornwal already mentioned was carried off much wounded But of this King neither Gildas Nennius nor Bede no nor so much as Geoffery says any thing and therefore not being to be found in any Historian before Hector all this Tale concerning this imaginary King is to be looked upon as a pure Invention of his own But this is certain that the Britains being thus deserted by the Romans for 19 Years after the Death of Maximus as Zosimus relates viz. about the Year 406 or 407 the British Army all in a mutiny Elected one Marcus to be their Emperour a Man of great Power in this Island and perhaps Lieutenant here whom not answering their Expectations they soon took off and then set up one Gratianus making him put on the Imperial Purple who seems to be a Native of Britain for so much Orosius his words imply when he calls him Municeps ejusdem Insulae but he not pleasing them after 4 Months Reign they deprived him both of his Life and Empire Of him Nennius saith nothing but mentions one Severus between Maximus and Constantius whom others omit but Geoffery of Monmouth makes this Gratian to have assumed the Royal Authority as soon as he heard of the Death of Maximus and that he was so Cruel and Tyrannical that the common People rose up and killed him and that after his Death the Britains sent to Rome to beg Help against the Picts and Scots But Zosimus and Orosius both relate That after the Death of this Gratian the Roman Britains set up one Constantine an ordinary Souldier chiefly for the good Omen of his Name yet Procopius differs somewhat from the former Authors and calls this Constantine no obscure Man but whether he meant for Valour or Nobility I will not determine but however he being by them declared Emperour gathered what Forces together he could being the remainder of those that had been carried away before by Maximus and putting to Sea from Britain landed at Boloigne and by the Terrour of his Name and the Numbers of his Followers easily brought over to his Party all the Roman Forces on this side the Alps Valentia in France he manfully defended against the Puissance of Honorius the Rhine which long time before had been neglected he fortified with Garisons and even upon the very Alps and towards the Sea-Coasts wherever the Passages lay open he built Forts and Castles whilst in Spain under the Conduct of his Son Constans whom of a Monk he had made Caesar he waged War with the like good Fortune And now grown Insolent by this constant Current of Success not content that Honorius had admitted him his Partner in the Empire and upon an Embassy sent to him on purpose accepted his Excuse That the Souldiers had advanced him to the Throne against his Will in hostile manner he passed the Alps intending to march directly against Rome but on the sudden he returned to Arles where he settled his Imperial Seat and commanded that City to be called Constantia after his own Name Whilst with the like Success his Son Constans by the Conduct of Gerontius his General he brought all Spain under his Obedience But when Constans upon some Suspicions turned Gerontius out of his Command for the Cause is not expressed the Affairs both of the Father and Son
presently declined for as he returned from Constantine out of Gaul into Spain by the way he received the unwelcome News of Gerontius's having revolted from his Obedience and set up one Maximus one of his own Creatures for Emperour and that having raised a powerful Army consisting of divers barbarous Nations that he was upon his march against him Constans allarmed with these Tydings immediately dispatched away one Eddobeccus unto the Germans whilst himself attended with Decimius Rusticus who of the Master of his Offices was advanced to be Praefect and accompanied with an Army of Francks Almans and other Nations passed into Gaul intending with all speed to return again to his Father but being intercepted by Gerontius and by him besieged in Vienna in Dauphine the City being taken he was there slain Then Gerontius marching to meet Constantine found him at Arles against which City he laid close Siege but was hindred from taking it by the sudden coming of Constantius Comes whom the Emperour Honorius had newly made his General at whose arrival with an Army out of Italy Gerontius being deserted by his own Souldiers retired into Spain where growing also into Contempt and Hatred with those few that remained his House in the Night being beset by them he with his own Servants manfully defended himself and slew above 300 of them and when his Darts and other Weapons were spent thô he might have escaped at a back Door as his Servants had done yet out of kindness to his Friend Allan and his Wife Nunnichia he refused it and having first cut off the Head of his Friend as was agreed between them he then slew his Wife thô with great Reluctancy being prevailed upon by her Importunity so to do refusing to out live her Husband and desiring to be freed from the Violence of the inraged Multitude for which her Resolution Sozomen the Ecclesiastical Historian gives her great Commendations This done Gerontius turned his Sword against himself but failing in his Design he finished it with his Dagger This Man being supposed to be a Britain I have been the more particular in his History and Humphrey Lloyd in his Discourse concerning Britain makes him to have been so famous here as to be celebrated by the British Bards whose Verses upon his Death he there gives you But in the mean while Constantine now streighten'd on all sides and discouraged with the ill Success of Eddobeccus who was slain but a little before after having been besieged 4 Months with his other Son Julian in the City of Arles there flings off his Purple Robes and entred into Priests Order hoping under that Protection to secure his Life and so not long after surrendred the Town But his new Habit proved no Sanctuary to him for he was carried into Italy and there beheaded by the Emperour's Order together with his Son Julian and Brother named Sebastian Whilst these Things were acting the Scots Picts and Vandals taking advantage of the Negligence of Constantine who whilst he stayed at Arles and minded his Pleasures more than publick Affairs invaded his Territories the latter breaking into Gaul and then invading Britain but the Britains now destitute of the Roman Aids and kept under by them who had not Power to protect them as Zosimus relates as well the Gauls as Britains forthwith took Arms and resolving to stand on their own Defence renounced all further Obedience to the Roman Empire which they believed they might justifie being then left without its Protection Being thus harrassed by their wonted Enemies having before sent Messages to Honorius for Relief but all to no purpose for he at that time not being able to defend Rome it self which the same Year was taken by Alaric King of the Goths the Emperour permitted them by his Letters to provide for their own safety acquitting them of the Roman Jurisdiction They therefore being thus deserted the Government of course devolved to the People who thenceforth betook themselves to live after their own Laws and to defend their Country as well as they were able But since the Chronology of these Times we are now Treating of is very perplexed and obscure by reason of the great scarcity of good Authors and since some Writers place the Britains casting off their Subjection to the Roman Empire immediately after the Death of this Constantine above-mentioned and others defer it 20 Years later give me leave here to subjoyn what the Learned Dr. Stillingfleet hath said in his above-cited Treatise concerning the time when this great Change happened in this Island for it hath been already proved for though all Authors agree that the Britains petitioned the Emperour Honorius for the first Supplies against the Picts and Scots that then invaded them yet they differ about the time I shall therefore first take notice what Bede saith concerning this matter who makes Gratianus Municeps to be set up two Years before the sacking of Rome by Alaric which happened Anno Dom. 410 and he also therein follows Orosius's Relation concerning Constantine and his Son Constans without ever mentioning their continuing to Govern here and much less losing their Lives in Britain as Nennius falsly supposes but then he applies that Passage in Gildas concerning that lamentable condition of the Britains and there first demanding Help from the Romans to the Times immediately following the Death of Constantine whereas Gildas indeed mentions it as happening upon the Usurpation of Maximus and his withdrawing the Forces from hence and that therefore this first Invasion of the Picts and Scots was between the Death of Maximus and the setting up of Gratianus Municeps when the Britains so earnestly suing for Assistance had a Roman Governour and a Legion sent to their Relief And Mr. Camden in his Introduction to his Britannia supposes that Claudius Rutilius mentions Victorinus as a Roman Governour here about that time but this is very uncertain when he there only speaks of the taking Tholouse by the Goths which was done by Ataulphus some time after the Death of Alaric and therefore could not be before the time of Gratian and Constantine Now that the first Supplies that were sent over into Britain were all of them sent before the Death of Stilico the said Learned Dr. Stillingflâ—et in his above-cited Treatise goes on to prove in the same place It is evident says he from many Passages in Claudian that Stilico took particular care of sending Supplies to the Britains against the Scots and Picts but Stilico was killed by the Army when Bassus and Philippus were Consuls Anno Dom. 408 before the first Siege of Rome by the Goths and therefore the Roman Forces sent by him must be before the Usurpatâ—on of Gratianus and Constantine Stillico being killed the same Year that these Usurpers were set up in Britain it is not possible he should do it after their Death and it seems not probable that any Supplies should be sent through Gaul while Constantine
by the Saxons who fled thither for Refuge But that the Britains of Armorica were setled there long before the Britains here were driven out by the Saxons is proved by the above-cited Doctor Stillingfleet in his Antiquities of the British Churches which he proves by these Authorities First from Sidonius Appollinaris in whom there are two Passages which tend to the clearing this matter The first is concerning Arnâ—ndus accused at Rome of Treason in the time of Anthemius for persuading the King of the Goths to make War upon the Greek Emperour i. e. Anthemius who then came out of Greece And upon the Britains on the Loir as Sidonius Appolinaris expresly affirms who lived at that time and pitied his Case This hapned about Anno Dom. 467 before Anthemius was the second time Consul from whence it appears not only that there were Britains then setled on the Loir but that their Strength and Forces were considerable which cannot be supposed to consist of such miserable People as only fled from hence for fear of the Saxons and not being able to keep their own Country it is not likely they could that of others And it is farther observable that about this time Aurelius Ambrosius had success against the Saxons and either by Vortimer's Means or his the Britains were in great likelihood of driving them quite out of Britain so that there is no probability that the Warlike Britains should at that time leave their native Country A second Passage is concerning Riothamus a King of these Armorian Britains in the time of Sidonius Appollinaris and to whom he wrote who went with 12000 Britains to assist the Romans against Euricus King of the Goths but were intercepted by him as Jornandes relates the Story and Sigibert places it Anno Dom. 470 Now What clearer Evidence can be desired than this to prove that a considerable number of Britains were there setled and in a condition not only to defend themselves but to assist the Romans which cannot be imagined of such as meerly fled thither for Refuge after the Saxons coming into Britain Besides we find in Sirmondus's Gallican Councils Mansuetus a Bishop of the Britains subscribing to the first Council at Tours which was held Anno Dom. 461 by which we see the Britains had so full a Settlement then as not only to have Inhabitants but a King and Bishops of their own which was the great Encouragement for other Britains to go over when they found themselves so hard press'd by the Saxons at home For a People frighted from hence would hardly have ventured into a Foreign Country unless they had been secure before hand of a kind Reception there And if they must have fought for a Dwelling had they not far better have done it in their own Country From whence I conclude that there was a large Colony of Britains in Armorica before those Numbers went over upon the Saxon Cruelties of which Eginhardus and other Foreign Historians speak Though how it should come to be setled there unless some Colonies were carried over before by Maximus or Constantine the last Usurper of the Empire I know not but as for this it being very obscure I determine nothing K. Vortigern nothing bettered by these Calamities is said to have added this to his other Crimes that he took his own Daughter to Wife who brought forth a Son who according to Nennius was called Faustus and proved a Religious Man living in great Devotion by the River Rennis in Glamorganshire but for the rest of his Stories concerning the Dialogue between Vortigern and St. German and that the King was condemn'd for this Incest in a great Synod or Council of Clergy-men and Laicks in which St. German presided is certainly false he being then dead as appears from the best approved Authours the year before the Saxons arrived in Britain And indeed this whole Story of Vortigern's committing Incest with his own Daughter seems altogether unlikely for when should he do it Not before he married Rowena for Nennius places it afterwards nor could it well be during the time of his Marriage with her since as the same Authour relates she continued his Wife long after when he was taken Prisoner by Hengist and it is very strange he should fall in love with his own Daughter when at the same time he had another Wife whom he is said to have loved so well that he was divorced from his first Wife for her sake Geoffery of Monmouth relates That the Nobles of Britain being highly displeased at King Vortigern for the great Partiality he shewed to the Saxons and for the ill Success that followed it beseeched the King wholly to desert him but he refusing so to do they deposed him and chose his Son Vortimer King who following their Advice began to Expel the Saxons pursuing them as far as the River Diervent or Darent in Kent where obtaining the Victory he made a great Slaughter of them besides which that he fought also another Battle with them near the Ford which is called in the Saxon Tongue Episford and in the British Tongue Sathenegabail which is also confirmed by the Saxon Annals which say That Hengist and Horsa fought with King Vortigern at a place called Eglesford now Aylesford in Kent and that Horsa was there slain Nennius says by Cartigern the Brother of King Vortimer and that afterwards Hengist and his Son Aesk obtained the Kingdom of Kent and Matthew of Westminster relates that after the Death of his Brother Horsa the Saxons chose Hengist for their King being 8 Years after his arrival in England And yet after this Nennius supposes Vortimer to have fought a third Battle with them in a Field which was near the Stone Titulus which was fixed near the Shore of the Gallic Sea which place Arch-Bishop Usher will have to be Stonar in the Isle of Thanet but Mr. Somner in his Treatise of the Roman Ports and Forts in Kent supposes it should be written Lapis Populi in stead of Tituli and then Folkstone in Kent is most likely to be the place where this Battle was fought it having the same Signification as Lapis Populi in the Latin Geoffery of Monmouth and from him Matthew Westminster further relate That Hengist not being able to withstand the Valour of K. Vortimer was made to retire into the Isle of Thanet whither he was also pursued by the Sea and that at last the Saxons being forced on board their Ships returned into Germany Nennius adds That they durst not return again into this Island till after the Death of Vortimer which thô not mentioned in our English Saxon Annals yet is very likely to be true since Bede relates That about this time the Saxon Army returned home when the Natives thô before driven out or dispers'd began again to take fresh Courage and come out of their Hiding-Places and Retreats This Year Vortimer having obtained many Battels against the Saxons is
fought near the Mouth of the River which is called Glein or Gleni which is supposed by some to have been in Devonshire but by others and that more likely to have been Glein in Lincolnshire the Second Third Fourth and Fifth Battels were near another River called Duglâ—s which is in the Country of Linvis or Linnis by some supposed to be the River Dug or Due in Lincâ—lnshire but others place it in Lancashire where there is a River called Dugles near Wigan the Sixth Battel was by a River called Bassas which is supposed to run by Boston in Lincoln-shire the Eighth Battel was near the Castle of Gunion or Guinion in which Arthur carried the Picture of Christ's Cross and of the Virgin Mary upon his back or as Mat. Westminster has it painted on his Target and the Pagans were that day put to flight and many of them slain so that they received a very great overthrow the Ninth Battel was fought near the City of Legions that is in the British Tongue Kaer-Leon now Chester the Tenth was near a River called Ribroit or Arderic the Eleventh was upon the Mountain which is called Agâ—ed Cath Reginian which is some place in Somerset-shire but by Humphrey Lloyd it is supposed to have been Edinburgh H. Huntington confesses these places to be unknown in his time and therefore can be only guessed at in ours As for the Twelfth Battel since the certain time of it is fixed we shall speak of that by and by but the learned Dr. Gale to whom we are beholding for this last Edition of Gildas and Nennius printed at Oxon as also for the various readings and Notes at the end of him supposes that all the Battels here reckoned up were performed in the space of Forty Years aforegoing and althô they may be here attributed to King Arthur yet might be fought under Vortigern Ambrosius and others but that some of these Battles were really fought by King Arthur against the Saxons is acknowledged by all our English Writers and Ranulph Higden in his Polychronicon expresly relates that it is found in some ancient Chronicles that K. Cerdic fighting often with Arthur thô he were overcome yet still came on again more fiercely until Arthur being quite wearied out after the Six and Twentieth Year of Cerdic's coming over gave him up Hampshire and Somersetshire which Countries he then called West-Sexe And Thomas Rudburne in his greater Chronicle about this time we now treat of relates That Cerdic fought oftentimes with King Arthur who being at last weary of War made a League with Cerdic who thereupon granted to the Cornish-men to enjoy the Christian Religion under a Yearly Tribute which is likely enough to be true supposing as we have already said that he was only King of Cornwal and which shews this Prince not to have been such a mighty Monarch as Geoffery of Monmouth would make him Which is likewise confessed by the Welsh Historian Caradoc of Lancarvan in his Life of Gildas where he relates That Glastenbury was in Gildas his time besieged by King Arthur with a great Army out of Cornwal and Devonshire because Queen Gueniver his Wife had been ravish'd from him by Melvas who then Reigned in Somersetshire and that she was there kept by him because of the Strength of that Place whereupon King Arthur raising a great Army out of Cornwal and Devonshire marched to take the Town when the Abbot of Glastenbury accompanied with Gildas went between the two Armies and perswaded Melvas his King to restore the ravish'd Wife which being done both Kings were reconciled Which plainly shews this Arthur to have been but of small Power as well as Reputation who could thus tamely swallow such an Affront But to return to the Saxon Annals which relate That Stufe and Withgar Nephews to King Cerdic arrived in Britain with three Ships at the Port called Cerdics-Ora and fighting against the Britains put them to flight H. Huntington makes a long Description of this Battel which since it is not much to the purpose I omit only he tells us That the British Army was drawn up on a Hill side as also in the Valley which at first put the Saxons in much fear till recovering themselves they put them all to the Rout. Under this Year also Ranulph Higden in Polychron places the Death of Aesc the Son of Hengist to whom succeeded Otta his Son who Reigned 22 Years without any thing related of him either in the Saxon Annals or any other History About this time also thô without assigning the Year the same Author places the Death of Aella King of the South-Saxons who had all the Kings and chief Men in Britain under his Command to whom succeeded his Son Cyssa but in a short time his Posterity whose Names are no where mentioned grew weaker and weaker till they became subject to other Kings This Year Cerdic and Cynric took upon them the Title of Kings of the West-Saxons and the same Year fought against the Britains at a place called Cerdice's-Ford now Charford in Hampshire from which time the Royal Race of the Saxon Kings have reigned there and the same Year the Emperour Justin the Elder began to reign It seems King Cerdic was hitherto very modest for tho he had now been a Conquerour for 24 Years yet did he never take upon him the Title of King till now when he had gained a very large Territory and his Affairs were well established by this great Victory at Cerdice's-Ford but the Time when this Kingdom began is the more observable because at last it conquered all the other six Saxon Kingdoms and so obtained the sole Command of all England so that says H. Huntingdon the Times of all other Kingdoms being applied to these Kings may be by them the better distinguished In this Year as all the best British Manuscripts as well as printed Chronicles relate was fought the great Battel of Badon-Hill which is supposed to be the same with Banesdown near Bathe where the British Writers suppose King Arthur to have Commanded in Person thô divers of our Authors make him to have been only General to Aurelius Ambrosius which is not at all likely since according to the best British Accounts Aurelius died above 20 Years before this Battel This Nennius makes to be the twelfth Battel he had fought with the Saxons yet since Mr. Milton as well as others have been pleased to question whether there was ever any such King who Reigned in Britain it were not amiss if we did a little clear and establish that Point before we proceed any further since so great and remarkable a part of the History of the British Kings depends upon it The Objections that are made against Arthur's being a King in Britain are these First That Gildas makes no mention of him Secondly That he is not so much as mentioned by any ancient British Historian except Nennius who lived near 300 Years after and whom all
King Arthur died this Year as all the British Writers agree but as for the manner of his Death it is uncertain The British Chronicles suppose him to have been slain in a Fight at Camala against his own Nephew Mordred who had usurped the Crown in his absence It is more uncertain who succeeded him Geoffery of Monmouth makes Arthur at his Death to have bequeath'd the Crown to one Constantine his Cousin Son of Cador Duke of Cornwal whom he makes to have fought several times with the Sons of Mordred that he slew them and after 4 Years Reign died But divers of the ancientest British Chronicles we have seen make no mention of this Constantine but leave here an Inter-regnum of near 11 Years But to return to our Saxon Annals Withgar died and was buried at Withgarasbyrig which Place being called after his own Name was certainly some Place in the Isle of Wight and is supposed to be the same with Caresbrook Castle in the same Island Let us now look back to the British Affairs King Constantine being supposed by Geoffery to have died about this time he makes his Nephew Aurelius Conan to have succeeded him who Reigning about two Years was followed by Vortipore who also dying four Years after was succeeded by Malgo called by Gildas Malgoclunus and is supposed to be the same with Maelgwn Guined so often mentioned in the Welsh Annals so that according to Geoffery these three Princes reigned successively after one another which can by no means to reconciled with Gildas's Epistle who speaks to all of them as living and reigning at one and the same time so that it is most likely that Malgo or Malgocunus was only King of North-Wales or else of the Northern Parts of Britain as some of the Welsh Chronicles affirm but that Vortipore was King of that part of South-Wales called Demetia Gildas himself relates whilst Aurelius Conan ruled in Powis Land or some other Southern Province as Arch-Bishop Usher with preat probability supposes but Gildas's Epistle wherein he so sharply inveighs against all these British Kings above-mentioned is to this effect Britain has Kings yet Tyrants it has Judges but preying upon and oppressing the Innocent their Kings have Wives of their own yet are Whoremongers often Swearing yet as often Perjuring themselves often making Wars but those unjust or Civil Ones prosecuting Thieves yet having the greatest near them even at their own Tables sitting in the Seat of Justice yet not observing the Rules of right Judgment despising the Innocent and Peaceable and countenancing the Bloody and Adulterous keeping Men in Prison whom they have put there rather out of Malice than Desert And then proceeds particularly to all the Kings then reigning beginning with Constantine whom he calls The Tyrannical Whelp of an impure Damonian Lioness and accuses him this very Year in which he wrote that Letter to have been guilty of murdering two innocent Youths of Royal Blood at the very Altar and under the Cope of the holy Abbot These are supposed to have been the two Sons of Mordred He likewise accuses this Prince that being polluted with frequent Adulteries he had contrary to Christ's Precept put away his own Wife In the next place applying himself to Aurelius Conan he accuses him of the like if not worse Parricides besides Fornications and Adulteries and that hateing the Peace of his Country he had out of desire of Prey fomented Civil Wars In the third place he comes to Vortipore whom he calls The wicked Son of a good Father and Tyrant of the Demetae that is South-Welshmen and whom he accuses of the like Faults and that thô his Head were then grey yet he was guilty of Adultery his Wife being put away him he also advises to Repentance Next he proceeds to Cuneglasus who is supposed by some Antiquaries to have been King of the Northern or Cambrian Britains but this is to be observed that Geoffery of Monmouth takes no notice of him which shews that either he never saw this Copy of Gildas or else if he did knew not where to place this Prince having already made as many Kings to succeed each other as the Time he had to bestow upon them would allow But whoever he was Gildas accuses him for fighting both against GOD and Men against Men by taking Arms against his own Country-men against God by infinite Wickedness and besides his other Faults that having put away his own Wife he had married her Cousin who had vowed perpetual Chastity Then he concludes with a sharp Reproof of Maglocunus whom he calls the Island Dragon and the Expeller of many other Tyrants he also accuses him of Sodomy asking him Why being taller in Stature and greater in Power than all the rest of the Princes in Britain he had made himself in stead of being better far worse than they Upbraiding him that in his Youth he had murdered the King his Uncle with many of his Men. After many other Reproofs threatens him with speedy Destruction unless he repent This is the Substance of Gildas's Reproof to the British Princes from which all that we can gather is First that there were no less than five Kings at this time in Britain thô by what Means or Title they came to the Crown is uncertain more than that it seems probable some of these Princes here mentioned were descended from Aurelius Ambrosius thô as Gildas observes highly degenerated from the Virtue of their Ancestors But what great Actions these Kings did during their Reigns or what good Qualities they were indued with is not known so that there is but a slender Account of them in the Rolls of Fame which may make us suspect they were guilty of but very few good Qualities because we here find a large Catalogue of their bad Ones Who succeeded each of these Kings in their distinct Territories the most authentick British Chronicles do not mention and therefore thô Geoffery makes one Careticus to have now governed that part of Britain which was still left unconquered by the Saxons and whom he will have to succeed Malgo and that thereupon the Saxons sent for one Gormund an African King with a great Army of his Country-men who making a League with the Saxons set upon Careticus and besieged him in the City of Circester and taking and burning it afterwards fought with Careticus and forced him to flie beyond the Mountains of Wales Yet since neither in our Saxon Annals nor any other good Historian there is any thing to be found concerning these Kings or any Africans that ever invaded Britain it is to be looked upon as no better than one of the bold Inventions of this Author But as I have given you Gildas's Character of their Kings so I shall now give you that of their Clergy whom he thus reproves Britain says he hath Bishops but without Discretion many Ministers but those Impudent many Clerks but subtle Prowlers Pastors in Name but indeed Wolves
till then a Terror to the Welsh or British About this time Geoffry of Monmouth makes Careticus above mentioned to have succeeded Malgo who perhaps was the same with Mael Gwineth in the Kingdom of the Britains whom he describes to have been a lover of Civil Wars and to be hateful to God and all the Britains so that the Saxons seeing his weakness invited Gormund an African King out of Ireland to Invade England with Six thousand Africans who joining with the Saxons invaded the Territories of Careticus and beating him in many Battels at last besieged him in the City of Cirencester which being taken and burnt he again joined Battel with Careticus and forced him to fly beyond Severne into Wales and then Gormund destroying all the Neighbouring Cities never left till he had destroyed the whole Island from Sea to Sea and so for a time obtained the Supreme Dominion of the whole Kingdom But of these Kings Gareticus and Garmund since not only the most Authentick Welsh Chronicles but the Saxon Annals are wholly silent I suppose them to have been only Romances and invented by Geoffrey to fill up this Gap in his British History not that I will deny that one Gormund a Danish King might reign in Ireland about this time but that he ever reigned in England is utterly false no other Historian but himself and those that borrow from him making any mention of it This year Gregory was made Bishop of Rome Ceawlin late King of the West Saxons died in Banishment and the same year died Cwichelm his Brother together with Cryda King of the Mercians to whom succeeded his Son Wipha or Wippa and Ethelfred began also to reign over both the Northumbrian Kingdoms being the Son of Ethelric the Son of Ida. This Prince did not only defend his own Territories but also invaded and seized those of others But the third year after was very remarkable For now Pope Gregory sent Augustine into Britain with many Monks to preach the Word to the English Nation As for the British Affairs we have but little more to remark ever since the Death of Maelgwin Gwineth for the space of 24 years only we find in the Book of Landaffe that about this time Tudric King of Glamorgan who was still Victorious is said to have exchanged his Crown for an Hermitage till going in Aid of his Son Mouric whom the Saxons had reduced to great extremity taking up Arms again he defended him against them at Tinterne by the River Wye but he himself received a Mortal Wound But about the end of this Century as Geoffry of Monmouth relates when the Britains could not agree for 24 years who should be their Governor at last they chose Cadwan Prince of North Wales to be King of all the Britains but the year of this Election is not set down by Geoffry nor is this Prince mentioned by any other British Author or Chronicle before he wrote But I shall defer speaking farther of this Prince till I come to the next Book Ceolwulf began to reign over the West-Saxons who making continual Wars all his time fought sometimes against the other English-Saxons sometimes against the Britains or else against the Picts and Scots but what is more remarkable this year Augustine the Monk with his Companions arrived in Britain But before I conclude this Period I cannot omit taking some further notice of the Civil as well as Ecclesiastical Affairs in that part of Britain now called Wales where the Remainders of Christianity in this side of our Island were now wholly confined Bangor in the North and Caer-Leon upon Vsk in South-Wales being the chief Places for Learning as well as Religion the last of these being also the See of an Archbishop where was likewise a College of Philosophers of which as Alex. Elsebiensis relates Dubritius Archbishop of that City was the Founder who resigning his Bishoprick became an Anchoret in the Isle of Bardsey to whom succeeded David afterwards Sainted who flourished about the year 509 and is said to have been Uncle by the Mother's side to King Arthur he removed the Episcopal See from Caer-Leon to Menevia now called St. David's in Pembrockshire Nor can I pass by several Learned and Holy Men among the Britains of this Age as first Daniel the most Pious Bishop of Bangor Cadocus Abbot of Lancarvan in Glamorganshire whose Life is written by John of Tinmouth In the same Age also flourished Iltutus a Pious and Learned Man of that Countrey to whom we may also add Sampson his Scholar consecrated Bishop by Dubritius Successor to St. David this Sampson was afterwards Archbishop of Dole in Britain having upon his leaving Britain carried away the Pall along with him as hath been already mentioned Not to omit Patern and Petroc the former a Preacher at Llan Patern in Cardiganshire and the other in Cornwal besides Congal Abbot of Bangor and Kentigern the famous Bishop of Ellwye in North-Wales as also Asaph his Scholar and Successor in the same See now from him called St. Asaph to whom I may also add Taliessen the famous British Poet whose Verses are preserved to this day All these flourished from the beginning till the middle of the Sixth Century which now as much abounded in Learned and Pious Men as the former Age was wanting of them Thus omitting Fables we have given you a View of whatever we find can be relied on for Truth transacted in Britain since the Romans first conquered and then forsook it Wherein we may observe the many Miseries and Desolations brought by Divine Providence on a wicked and perverse Nation driven when nothing else would reform them out of a Rich Countrey into a Mountainous and Barren Corner by Strangers and Heathens So much more intolerable in the Eye of Heaven is the dishonouring the Christian Faith and Religion by Unchristian Works than downright Infidelity Yet am I not of Bede's Opinion That the Britains omission to preach the Gospel to the English-Saxons though they inhabited the same Island was any of their crying Sins since it was not to be expected that they could either Preach or the Saxons would ever Receive the Gospel from those who were their utter Enemies and had taken their Countrey from them by Violence Yet God was not wanting to this Nation but appointed other Preachers to convert it to the Christian Faith which how it was brought about shall be the Subject of the ensuing Book The End of the Third Book Least the Names of the English-Saxon Kings which have been in tâ—â— former Book set down promiscuously according to the Years in which they began to reign should render their Succession perplexed and hard to be remembred I have from the Saxon Annals Florence of Worcester and Mat. Westminster placed the several Kingdoms of the Saâ—â—n Heptarchy together with their Kings in a Chronological Order as far as the End of this Period viz. Anno Dom. 597. Note The Years in
this Table do not always follow the Printed Text of the Saxon Annâ—â— since the Copies often differ sometimes one year and sometimes more and then I have always followed that which I thought to be the best Account The Succession of British Kings is accâ—â—â—ing to the Account I received from the Most Reverend Father in God Humphrey Lord Bishop of Bangor Anno Dom. Kings of Kent Anno Dom. Kings of the South-Saxons Anno Dom. Kings of the West-Saxons Anno Dom. Kings of the East-Saxons Kâ—â—gs of Northumberland in the Provinces called Anno Dom. Kings of the East-Angles Anno Dom. Kings of Mercia Anno Dom. Kings of the Britains         〈…〉 Bernicia Anno Dom. Deira       457 Hengist reigned 31 years               445 Vortiger                 454 Vortimer his Son his Father being Deposed 488 Aesk or Oric his Son 24 years 491 Aella reigned 24 years             458 Vortiger again restored after the Death of his Son 512 Otha or Oisc his Son 20 years               465 Aurelius Ambrosius made General of the Britains Vortiger still living 532 Ermenric his Son 29 years 515 Cissa reigned uncertain how many years 519 Cerdic reigned 15 years 527 Erkenwin or Escwin 〈◊〉 Ida Son of Eoppa reigned over both Kingdoms 12 years       481 Aurelius chosen King after the Death of Vortiger     534 Cynric his Son reigned 26 years  Sigebert 〈◊〉 Adda or Odda his Son reigned 5 years 559 Aella the Son of Yffi reigned near 30 years          After whom reigned divers Kings whose Names are not to be found in our Annals or Historians   535 Swithelm 〈◊〉 Clappa 7 years    Uffa reigned uncertain how long   508 Nazaleod or Nathanleod Chief King of the Britains who whether he was not the same with Aurelius Ambrosius is doubtful 561 Ethelbert his Son   560 Ceawlin his Son 31 years   〈◊〉 Theodwulf 1 year                 〈◊〉 Freothwulf 7 years   578 Titylus or Tytila his Son reigned uncertain too how long           587 Sledda 9 years 〈◊〉 Theodoric 7 years     585 Crida or Creoda how long he reigned is uncertain  Here follows an Inter-regnum of about six years         〈◊〉 Aethelric 2 years                 These two last were Sons of Ida and rul'd here whilst Aella reigned in Deira 589 Edwin his Son who being soon expell'd by Aethelfrid King of Bernicia reigned over both Kingdoms 14 years till Edwin was again restored     515 K. Arthur reigned twenty seven years     591 Ceolric his Kinsman 5 years    This Aethelric last mention'd began also to reign over both these Kingdoms after the death of Aella and reigned in all 5 years      Wippa or Pybba his Son the like 542 After whose Death followed Nine years Interregnum            593 Redwald his Son   551 Mailgwin Gwined was elected King of all the Britains     597 Ceolwulf 14 years 596 Seaber◠〈◊〉 Aethelfred his Son reigned 24 over both Kingdoms      Ceorl the like 586 Mailgwin died after whom was a 17 years Interregnum THE General History OF BRITAIN NOW CALLED ENGLAND As well Ecclesiastical as Civil BOOK IV. From the Preaching of the Christian Religion by AUGUSTINE the Monk to ECBERT the first Chief or Supreme King of ENGLAND containing Two Hundred and Three Years THIS Fourth Period will give us a new and more pleasant Prospect of the Affairs of Britain For as the Gospel of Christ did now dispel that Egyptian Darkness of Paganism under which it had so long laboured so together with Christianity Human Learning and consequently the Art of composing Histories or Annals entred also with it the Monasteries which were not long after founded being then the only Universities in which the Liberal Arts and Sciences were in those times chiefly taught and professed which though it was not without a great mixture of that Gothic Barbarism that had then overspread all Europe and even Italy it self yet was it sufficient in some measure to instruct men not only in Divine but Civil Knowledge the Monks of that Age possessing the greatest share of Learning and being almost the only Historians as well as Divines Therefore we must be beholding to them for what Accounts we have not only of the Ecclesiastical but Civil Affairs of those Times for Bede our first English Historian was himself a Monk And the Saxon Annals which we here give you were first collected and written in divers Monasteries of England and to which is to be ascribed that difference which is found between the Copies of that Chronicle as to the Dates of Years and other Matters for before there was scarce any thing remembred by Tradition but the great Wars and Battels fought by the Saxon Kings against the Britains so after the Monks came to commit things to writing they began to make us understand somewhat of their Civil Constitutions and the Acts of Peace as well as War tho it must be confessed they are not so exact in the former as they might and ought to have been minding more the relating of Visions and Miracles which they supposed to have happen'd and been done in those times for the Confirmation of some new Doctrines then not fully received Yet however I doubt not but from those Remains they have left us both the Constitution of their Governmâ—nt and the manner of the Succession of their Kings may be clearly made out of both which in the former Period we were wholly ignorant But for this we are chiefly beholding to those English-Saxon Laws that are left us which were made by the Sâ—preme Aâ—thority of each Kingdom â—n their Wittenâ— Geâ—ot Myceâ— Gemot or great Counâ—il which we now caâ—â— a Parliament from which times most of the Laws made in those Councils were carefully preserv'd and would have been convey'd to us more entire had it not been for the loss of so many curious Monuments of Antiquity at the suppression of Monasteries in the Reign of King Henry VIII But since it must be confessed that it was to the Learning which Christianity brought in that we owe
Pope as well as the English did afterwards therefore it is most likely according to the Traditions given you in the Second Book that it was first preached and propagated here by some Apostle or Disciple of the Eastern or Asiatick Church And thô a late Romish Writer very much arraigns the Credit of this Manuscript as made since the Days of King Henry the Eighth and cavils at the Welsh thereof as Modern and full of false Spelling yet is not this any material Exception against it since the Welsh used in it is not so Modern as he would make it as I am credibly informed by those who are Criticks in that Language and as for the Spelling that may be the fault of the Transcribers And thô the Archiepiscopal See was then removed from Caer-Leon to St. David's yet it might still retain the former Title as of the first and most famous Place About which time Arch-Bishop Augustine is supposed by the best Chronologers to have departed this Life thô the certain Year of his Death is not to be found either in Bede or the Saxon Chronicle His Body was buried abroad near the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul till that could be finished and dedicated which as soon as that was done was decently buried in the Porch on the North-side of the Church in which were also buried all the succeeding Arch-Bishops except two viz. Theodore and Birthwald who were buried in the Church because the Porch would contain no more but his Epitaph thô it mentions his being sent by the Pope to convert the English Nation and his being the first Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and that he died in the 7th of the Kalends of June in the Reign of King Ethelbert yet omits the Year of that King's Reign as well as that of our Lord in which he died I suppose because the Year of Christ was not then commonly made use of either in the Ecclesiastical or Civil Accounts of that Time but of this we shall treat further hereafter Under this Year Bede also places the Death of Pope Gregory the Great of whose Life and Actions he gives us a long Account to which I refer you but the Saxon Chronicle puts off the Death of this Pope to the next Year but I rather follow Bede as the ancienter and more authentick Author The same Year is also very remarkable for Civil as well as Ecclesiastical Affairs in this Island for now King Ethelbert summoned a Mycel Synod or Great Council as well of the Clergy as Laity wherein by their common Consent and Approbation all the Grants and Charters of this King whereby he had settled great Endowments on Christ-Church and that of St. Pancrace in Canterbury were confirmed which had been before the old ruinous Church of St. Martin without the City already mentioned but the Charters now made and confirmed by King Ethelbert in this Council are almost word for word the same with those he had made by himself before with heavy Imprecations against any who should dare to infringe them as you may see in Sir H. Spelman's First-Volume of British Councils where this Learned Author in his Notes farther shews us that these Charters above-mentioned are very suspicious of being forged in many respects as First That this King there stiles himself King of the English in general whereas indeed he was no more than King of Kent Secondly Because the Year of our Lord is expressed at their Conclusion which was not in use till long after Besides an old Manuscript of the Church of Canterbury says expresly That the Monks of the Monastery had their Lands and Priviledges by a long and peaceable Possession according to Custom until King Wightred Anno Dom. 693 made them a confirmation of all their Priviledges by a Charter under his Soul There are also other Exceptions against the Bull that is there recited to be Arch-Bishop Augustine's which you may see at large in those Learned Notes above-mentioned In this great Council or Synod among many other Secular Laws and Decrees these deserve particularly to be taken notice of the first Law assigns the Penalty of Sacriledge appointing what Amends is to be made for Things taken from a Bishop by a Restitution of nine times the value from a Priest by a Ninth and from a Deacon by a Threefold Restitution The Second Law is That if the King summon'd his People and any Man should presume then to do them Injury he shall make double Amends to the Party and besides shall pay Fifty Shillings to the King The Third Law is That if the King shall drink in a Man's House and there be any Injury done in his Presence the Party so doing it shall make double Satisfaction the rest that follow since they belong only to the Correction of Manners are omitted To these Laws Bede relates when he says That King Ethelbert amongst other good Things which he conferr'd upon his Nation appointed certain Laws concerning Judgments by the Councel of his wise Men according to the Example of the Romans which being written in the English Tongue were yet kept and observed by them to this time and then mentions some of those Laws to the same effect as they are already expressed This Year was fulfilled Arch-Bishop Augustine's Prediction upon the Britains for as Bede and the Saxon Annals relate Ethelfrid King of Northumberland now led his Army to Leger-Ceaster and there killed a great multitude of Britains and so was fulfilled the Prophecy of Augustine above-mentioned and there were then killed 200 Priests or Monks who came thither to prey for the British Army but in Florence of Worcester's Copy it was 2200 but Brockmaile who was to be their Protector escaped with about 50 Men. H. Huntington gives a more particular account of this Action and says That King Ethelfrid having gathered together a powerful Army made a great Slaughter of the Britains near the City of Legions which is called by the English Lege Cestre but more rightly by the Britains Caerlegion so that it is evident it cannot be Leicester as our common Historians write but West-Chester which lay near the Borders of King Ethelfrid's Kingdom where this Battle was fought This Author further adds That when the King saw those Priests or Monks of the Abby of Bangor who came out to pray for the Army ranged by themselves in a place of Safety having one Brockmaile for their Defender and that the King knew for what end they came thither he presently said If these Men pray to their GOD against us though they do not make use of Arms yet do they as â—eally fight against us as if they did And so he commanded his Forces to be first turned upon them who being all cut off he presently defeated the rest of the Army without any great difficulty and he also agrees with Florence of Worcester's Relation of the number of the Monks there slain and accuses their Defender Brockmaile of Cowardice
who left the poor Monks whom he was to defend to be cut to pieces But William of Malmesbury relates this Matter somewhat otherwise thô he says expresly that this Fight was at Chester then in the hands of the Britains which when King Ethelfrid went about to besiege the Townsmen resolving to suffer any thing rather than a Siege trusting in their Numbers sallied out to fight whom when by an Ambush laid near the City he had easily overcome he then falling upon the Monks who were come in great Numbers to pray for the Success of the British Army of which says this Author there must certainly have been an incredible Number since even in his time there were left such vast Remains of Churches and Cloysters and so great a heap of Ruines as you can scarce says he find any where else The Place is called Bangor which was then an Abby of Monks but is now turned into a Bishoprick yet here our Author was mistaken for this Bangor where the Monastery was is in Flintshire not far from the River Dee whereas that which is the Seat of the Bishoprick is in Caernarvanshire not far from the River or Streight of Menai which parts that Country from the Isle of Anglesey But of all these great Ruines mentioned by Malmesbury there is now nothing left save those of the two principal Gates of this old City the one of which is on that side towards England and the other towards Wales being about a Mile asunder the River Dee running betwixt them But before we proceed further it is fit we enquire into the Truth of that Story of Geâ—ffeâ—y of Monmouth who will needs have Arch-Bishop Augustine to have perswaded King Ethelbert to incite Ethelfrid King of Northumberland thus to make War upon the Britains and to destroy these Monks as you have heard in which he is also followed by other later Writers and particularly by Nicholas Trivet an ancient Author in his History lately printed at Paris among the Collections of Monsieur Dachery as also by Arch-Bishop Parker Author of the Latin History De Antiquitate Ecclesiae Anglicanae and likewise in Bishop Jewel's Apology the former of which thô Bede hath expresly told us that Augâ—stine was dead long before this happened yet will have these Words of Bede to have been foisted in contrary to the old Saxon Manuscripts which is not so for it is found in them all thô not in the Saxon Version but besides the Respect which we ought to have for so good a Man as Augustine is supposed to have been and which inclines us to believe that it was not likely he should have a Hand in so cruel an Action I doubt not but to prove from other Arguments supposing this Passage of Bede not to be his that Augustine died about the Year 605 where I have already placed it In the first place therefore I shall not deny that William of Malmesbury in his First Book De Gest. Pontif. Anglor as well as divers other Historians of later Times suppose Augustine to have sate Arch-Bishop 15 and in some Copies 16 Years and then he must certainly have survived this Massacre of the Monks of Bangor but if I can prove they were mistaken in this Account all that had been said to prove Augustine guilty of it will signifie nothing For First Bede relates that Augustine being yet alive ordained Laurence for his Successor lest himself being dead the yet weak State of that Church if vacant thô for never so small a time might happen to suffer which it must be supposed he did when he found himself in a declining condition and not like long to survive Now that this happened in the Year 605 may be also proved by these Circumstances Bede hath already told us that Augustine in the Year 604 had ordained Mellitus and Justus Bishops immediately after which Relation follows that concerning Augustine's Death which he would scarce have mentioned there had not one followed the other within a short time and that it was so appears in the Manuscript Text of Adrian the Abbot of Canterbury who lived within less than 60 Years after and who obtained a Priviledge from Pope Deusdedit concerning the Free Election of the Abbot of that Monastery at the end of which there is this Passage Anno Dom. 605. died the holy Bishop Gregory IV o Idus Martii and in the same Year also Bishop Augustine VII o Kal. Junii with whom also agree Marianus Scotus and Florence of Worcester in their Chronicles the former of whom under Anno Dom. 605 hath these Words Augustine having ordained Laurence the Presbyter Arch-Bishop in his stead after a short time departed to the Heavenly Kingdom thô in Florence's Copy it is placed under the Year 604 which Difference might easily happen by the carelesness of Transcribers This is also observed by Will. Thorne the Historian and Monk of Canterbury from an old Book of the Life and Miracles of this St. Augustine that now is lost who in his Chronicle says expresly That many have erred concerning the Death of St. Augustine thinking him to have died Anno Dom. 613 The cause of which Errour is owing to the false Dates of some Chronicles who make him to have sate Arch-Bishop Sixteen Years whereas Bede in his second Book says That he ordained Mellitus and Justus to be Bishops a little before his Death and there gives us the same reason as I have already done with whom also agrees an ancient Anonymous Chronicle in the Library at Lambeth as also the short Annals of the Church of Rochester which contain the Successions of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury both which place the Death of Arch-Bishop Augustine and the Succession of Laurentius in Anno Dom. 604 but of this you may see more in the First Volume of Anglia Sacra published by the learned Mr. Wharton deceased wherein you may also find a short dissertation on this Subject and to whom I own my self obliged for the light I have had towards settling this obscure Question Now having cleared Arch-Bishop Augustine's Memory of that Crime which is laid to his Charge I shall proceed to the Ecclesiastical History of this time Laurentius who succeeded Augustine in the See of Canterbury having seen the English Church not only foundâ—d but much encreased began about this time to bestow his Pastoral care not only upon the English and British Inhabitants of this Island but also upon the Scots who inhabited Ireland because he knew that at that time they as well as the Britains did not observe Easter according to the Nicene Canon the occasion of which Controversie I have already given you Therefore the new Arch-Bishop thought it fit to write an Epistle on purpose to the Irish Bishops wherein he exhorted them to maintain the Catholick Unity in the observation of Easter in which Letters this is remarkable That they are directed to all the Bishops per Universam Scotiam That is through out
all Ireland for so it was then commonly called for near Four Hundred Years after this and he therein complains of Draganus an Irish Bishop who coming over hither would not so much as Eat in the same House with him at which time also Laurentius wrote Letters not only to his fellow Bishops in Ireland but also to the British Clergy in Wales to the same purpose as the former but how well he succeeded therein the present time says Bede declares about which Year also Mellitus Bishop of London was sent to Rome to confer with Pope Boniface concerning the necessary Affairs of the English Church when the Pope held a Synod at Rome with the Bishops of Italy concerning the Life and Conversation of the Monks where he sate with them This Synod was held in the Eighth Year of Emperour Phocas and the Bishop at his return brought back the Decrees of that Council together with the Pope's Letters to Arch-Bishop Laurence and all the Clergy as also to King Ethelbert and the whole English Nation This Year also Sebert King of the East-Saxons Founded the Church and Abbey of Westminster and Mellitus the Bishop Dedicated it to St. Peter thô for what Order of Monks is uncertain since they were driven out after the Death of Sebert by his Successours who continued Pagans for many Years after This Year according to Florence Ceolwulf dying Cynegils began to Reign over the West Saxons for Thirty One Years being the Son of Ceolric who was the Son of Cutha who as we have heard was slain fighting against the Britains some Years before Cynegils and Cwichelme fought against the Britains at Beamdune now Bindon in Dorsetshire and there slew Two Thousand and Forty Six Men which Battel H. Huntington thus describes The Saxon and British Troops being drawn up in Battel Array the Fight immediately began when the Britains fearing the weight of the Saxon Battel Axes and long Launces turn'd their backs and fled so that the Saxons obtain'd the Victory without any great loss on their side and he also agrees pretty near in the number of the slain with our Saxon Annals This Cwichelme here mentioned is by Will of Malmesbury said to be Brother of Cynegils and to be by him taken as his Partner in the Royal Power But Florence of Worcester and Mat. Westminster do make Cwichelme to have been the Son of Cinegils thô the former Opinion be the more likely but let it be either of them it is certain that they were both of them Stout and good natured Persons who governed with that mutual Love and Concord as it was a wonder to the Age in which they liv'd so ought it to be an example to all future times Thô the Cathedral of Christ Church in Canterbury had been already built about Twenty Years yet it seems the Monastery adjoyning to it was not founded till this Year as appears not only from the Manuscript above mentioned once belonging to the Monastery of St. Augustine but also from Will of Malmesbury that in the time of Arch-Bishop Laurence and about this very Year that it was first replenished with Monks as appears by a Letter of Pope Boniface to King Ethelbert whereby he approves of and confirms the Foundation of the said Abby by the said Arch-Bishop which Letter though Will. of Malmesbury had promised to recite yet being by him forgot or else ommitted in our Printed Copies is to be found at large in the said Manuscript concerning which Monastery the afore-cited Author farther adds That though some had said that Arch-Bishop Aelfric had thrust out the Clerks i. e. secular Chanons out of that Church and had placed Monks in their rooms yet was it not at all probable since it appeared by the said Epistle of Pope Boniface that there had been Monks in the Church of St. Saviour from the first foundation of that Monastery in the time of Arch-Bishop Laurence who succeeded St. Augustine But it hath been denyed by Cardinal Baronius in his Annals as also by some later Antiquaries of what Order these Monks were whom Augustine and Laurentius placed in these two Monasteries above mention'd and that a late ingenious Authour in his Preface to a Treatise called Notitia Monastica hath questioned whether they were of the Benedictine Order since he rather supposes That the Benedictine Rule was scarce heard of in England till some Hundreds of Years after and never perfectly observed till after the Conquest but he should have done well to have told us what other Order they were of since the general Tradition in most of the Ancient English Monasteries of the Benedâ—ctine Order was That they had observed that Rule from their first foundation And the Saxon Annals under the Year 509 do expresly affirm That St. Benedict the Father of all the Monks dyed that Year And he had long before his Death founded his Order in Italy and of which Augustine himself is supposed to have been and though I also acknowledge that all the ancient Monasteries of England were not at first of that Order since those that were founded in the Kingdom of Northumberland by the Bishops Aidan and Coleman followed the same Rule with the Monks of Ireland and Scotland viz. That of St. Basil which all the Eastern Monks did then and do to this day observe yet even these did about an Hundred Years after quit that Rule and follow the more Modern one of St. Benedict and therefore Stephen Heddie in his Life of St. Wilfred Bishop of York lately published by the learned Dr. Gale hath expresly told us That the said Bishop returning home into his own Country i. e. the Kingdom of Northumberland and carrying along with him the Rule of St. Benedict very much improved the Constitutions of God's Churches by which he meant the Monasteries of those Parts And therefore the Chronology once belonging to the Abby of St. Augustine's in Canterbury printed in the Decem scriptores after Will. Thornes Chronicle under Anno 666 upon very good grounds thus observes That this Year Bishop Wilfred caused the Rule of St. Benedict to be observed in England That is in the North Parts into which he then went for if that Rule had not been observed in the Southern Parts before How could it be said that he carried it out from thence along with him but to conclude there having been a dispute among the Roman Catholicks beyond the Seas about Seventy Years ago concerning this matter some of them affirming that all the ancient English Monks before the Conquest were of the Order of St. Equitus or else of some other Order whereupon those of the Benedictine Order wrote over to our Antiquaries in England viz. Sir Robert Cotton Sir H. Spelman Mr. Camden and Mr. Selden appealing to their Judgment herein From whom they received a Letter under all their Hands wherein they expresly certified that there was never any such Order as that of St. Equitus and further
growing Greatness of King Edwin sent privily one Eomer an hired Cut-Throat to assassinate him He under pretence of delivering a Message from his Master with a poyson'd Weapon stabs at Edwin whil'st he was discoursing with him in his House by the River Derwent in Yorkshire on an Easter-day which Lilla one of the King 's Attendants at the lucky instant perceiving having no other Means to defend him interposed his own Body to receive the Blow thrô which notwithstanding it reached the King's Person with a dangerous Wound the Murtherer being now encompassed with many Swords and made more desperate by his own Danger slew another of the King's Servants in the same manner That Night the Queen brought forth a Daughter who was called Eanfled and when the King in the presence of Paulinus gave Thanks to his Gods for the Birth of his Daughter the Bishop on the contrary gave Thanks to our Lord Christ that the Queen was safely delivered by his Prayers At which the King being well pleased promised the Bishop to renounce his Idols and become the Servant of Christ if he would grant him Life and Victory against that King who had thus sent a Murtherer to kill him and as an earnest thereof he gave his new-born Daughter to be bred up in that Religion who with 12 other of his Family on the day of Pentecost was baptised and by that time being well recovered of his Wound to punish the Authors of so foul a Fact he march'd with an Army against the West Saxons whom having subdued and put some of those to Death who had conspired against him and received others to Mercy he return'd home victorious But I cannot omit here taking notice of a great Mistake in Mat. Westminster's Flores Historiarum who under this Year makes K. Cuichelme abovementioned to have been kill'd in this Battle though from what Authority I know not whereas it will appear by our Annals that he was alive and Christned near ten Years after But thô after this Victory K. Edwin forbore to worship Idols yet ventured he not presently to receive Baptism but first took care to be instructed aright by the Bishop Paulinus in the Principles of the Christian Faith still conferring with himself and others of his chief Men whom he thought most wise what was best to be done in so weighty an Affair and he himself being a Man of a piercing Understanding when he was alone often considered with himself which Religion was best to be followed About this time also he received Letters from the Pope wherein having briefly set forth the Doctrine of the Trinity as the Foundation of the Christian Faith and having extolled the Conversion of King Eadbald and Piety of the Queen his own Wife he exhorts him to imitate their Examples and casting away his Idols to receive Christ. The Pope writ also Letters at the same time to Queen Ethelâ—urga his Wife wherein he congratulated her Conversion and praised her Piety exhorting her to persist in the Course she had begun and to do her Endeavour to reclaim her Husband from his Infidelity But thô the King joyfully received these Letters yet did they not so much prevail with him as the wonderful fulfilling of the Prediction of the Vision above-mentioned for when the King still deferred the declaring himself a Christian Bishop Aidan as it is supposed had that Transaction revealed to him for one day coming in to the King on a sudden he laid his Hand upon his Head and desired him to remember that Sign whereupon the King being much surprised fell down at his Feet but the Bishop raising him up said thus GOD hath delivered you from your Enemies and given you the Kingdom as you desired perform now what so long since you promised him and receive his Doctrine which I now bring you and that Faith which will not only save your Soul from perpetual Torments but also make you a Partaker of Eternal Happiness Which when the King heard he confessed That he would nay ought to receive this Faith but said he I must first consult further with my chief Friends and Councellors concerning this Matter that if they should likewise receive it we might all be Converted and Baptized together Which Paulinus agreeing to and the King there holding a Council with his wise Men asked them severally What they thought of this new Doctrine and Worship which had been as yet unknown among them To whom Coifi chief of the Idol-Priests presently answered You may Sir consider what is now preached to you but to tell you freely my Opinion the Religion we profess is good for nothing for although no Man hath more studiously observed the Worship of our Gods than my self yet nevertheless there are many who have received greater Benefits and Dignities from you than I have done and have been more Happy and Prosperous in all their Undertakings whereas if these Gods had any Power they would rather have assisted me who took such care to serve them Wherefore if upon a good Examination you find that the New Doctrine now preached is far better than the Old let us then receive it without delay To which Opinion another of the great Men also yielding his Assent further said It seems Sir to me that the present Life of Man upon Earth in comparison of that Time which to us is unknown is like unto a little Sparrow which whilst you feasted in your Presence-Chamber flew in at one Window and out at another we saw it that short time it remained in the House and it was then well shelter'd from Wind and Weather but as soon as it got out into the cold Air whither it went we were altogether as ignorant as from whence it came Thus we can give some Account of our Souls during its abode in the Body whilst hoâ—sed and harboured therein but where it was before or how it fareth afterwardâ— is to us altogether unknown If therefore Paulinus his Preaching can certainly inform us herein it deserveth in my Opinion to be well received To which Discourses Coifi also further added That he desired to hear Paulinus himself preach concerning his God Which when he had performed as the King had commanded him Coifi cried out I have long since understood that what we worshipped was nothing for the more I sought to understand the Truth in that Religion the less still I found of it So that it is in this Doctrine alone that Truth clearly shines and which is able to confer upon us Eternal Happiness In short the King not only gave Paulinus his Consent to preach publickly but also renouncing his Idolatry received the Christian Faith But Coifi the Chief Priest did not only declare That the Temples and Altars of their false Gods should be pulled down and destroyed but when the King asked him who should undertake it he freely offered himself to do it and so desiring of him a Horse and Arms taking a Lance in his Hand he
his room who coming to Paulinus as far as Lincolne was there by him ordained Archbishop of Canterbury Cadwallo King of the Britains having been as Geoffrey of Monmouth relates conquered by King Edwin lost so great a part of his Kingdom that he was forced to fly into Ireland from whence soon after returning with a great Army of Irish he overcame Penda King of the Mercians in fight and then made him join his Forces against King Edwin All which is probable enough for Bede also tells us That Cadwallo this year rebelling against King Edwin together with Penda invaded the Kingdom of Northumberland when King Edwin raising an Army met them at a place called Hethfield now Hatfield in Yorkshire and there fought a bloody Battel wherein King Edwin himself was slain and his whole Army quite routed in which Fight Osfrid his Son a Warlike Young Prince also fell but Edfrid the Younger being compelled by necessity to surrender himself to Penda was afterwards by him murthered contrary to his Oath This happen'd in the 17 th year of King Edwin's Reign having till now been successful in all his Undertakings But there now ensued a very sad Destruction of the English Nation of the Northumbers since of these two Generals the one was a professed Pagan and the other though a Christian in Name yet shewed himself worse than a Pagan for Cadwallo altho he professed Christianity yet was so barbarous that he spared neither Age not Sex but put all to death with great Cruelty tyranizing for a long while over all those Provinces and seeming resolved quite to extirpate the English Nation nor did he shew any respect to Churches or other Sacred Places it being then the custom of the Britains in Bede's time to set at nought the Faith and Religion of the English-Saxons neither would they have any thing to do with them more than with Pagans But the Head of the slain King was brought to York and there deposited in the Church of St. Peter which he himself had begun and Oswald his Successor finished All things being thus in confusion in those parts and no Refuge or Safety any where to be expected Queen Aethelburga returned by Sea into Kent together with Paulinus the Archbishop and was there received with great Honour by King Eadbald and Archbishop Honorius she was conducted thither by Basse a Valiant Captain of King Edwin's who also brought with him Eanfrede the King's Daughter as also Vscfrea his Son and Iffi his Grandson by Osfrid whom their Mother afterward for fear of the Kings Eadbald and Oswald sent into France to King Dagobert to be brought up where they both died in their Infancy At which time also the Church of Rochester wanting a Pastor Romanus the Bishop having been drowned in going on a Message to Rome Paulinus at the request of King Eadbald and Archbishop Honorius took upon him the care of that Church which he held as long as he lived After the Death of King Edwin Osric the Son of Elfric his Uncle by the Father's side obtained the Kingdom of Deira who had been before received by Paulinus whilst Eanfrid of the same Blood-Royal as being the Son of Ethelfrid the last King before Edwin ruled the Kingdom of Bernicia so that during the Reign of Edwin all the Sons of Ethelfrid with many more of the Young Nobility of that Country lived in Exile either with the Scots or Picts by whom they were instructed in their Religious Rites whilst both these Kings last mentioned abjured the Christian Religion which they had before learnt and professed and relapsing to their old Idolatry were shortly after cut off by Cadwalla King of the Britains for the next Summer Osric having besieged him in a certain Town Cadwallo sallying out with his Men cut him off on a sudden with all his Army and then when he had ravaged the Northumbrian Provinces nor as a King but a cruel Tyrant and that at length Eanfrid came to him imprudently with only Twelve Select Knights in his Company to treat of Peace he put him to Death as he had done his Cousin before That Year saith Bede Is still at this day accounted unlucky and hateful to all good Men both in respect of the Apostacy of these Princes who renounced their Baptism as also for the Tyranny of this British King Whereupon it was agreed by those who computed the Reigns of the Northumbrian Kings to abolish the Memory of these Infidels and to cast this Year into the Reign of the Pious King Oswald who succeeding after the Death of his Brother Eanfrid and marching with a small Force but fortified by Faith in Christ routed Ceadwalla that Prince of the Britains with his vast Army which nothing could resist as he boasted and who was slain in a place which in the English Tongue is called Denisesbourn or Brook the place saith our Authour is shewn at this day and had in great Veneration where Oswald being to give Battle erected a large Wooden-Cross and he himself laboured in setting of it up which when he had finished he thus spoke to his Army Let us now kneel down and joyntly pray unto the Omnipotent and only true God that he would mercifully defend us from this proud Enemy for he knows that we undertake a just War for defence of our Nation and Religion The place is in the English Tongue called Heofenfield or Heavenfield lying near to the Wall which the Romans built from Sea to Sea which we now call the Pict's Wall The rest of Bede's Miracles concerning this place and Cross I omit as very incredible and Superstitious But before we leave this great Action of the Death of Cadwallo I cannot omit taking notice of the Confidence of Geoffrey of Monmouth who notwithstanding this express Testimony of Bede to the contrary will make this Cadwallo not only to have overcome Edwin and other Saxon Kings in divers Battles and to have forced them to submit themselves to him and do him Homage at London and that living and dying Victorious he was there buried and his Body being put into a Brasen Statue of a Man on Horse-back was set over Ludgate for a terror to the Saxons having Reigned Forty Eight Years all which is notoriously false for London had been part of the East-Saxon Kingdom for above One Hundred Years when this King was kill'd who did not Reign Twenty Years in all But the same King Oswald as soon as ever he came to the Kingdom desiring that all his Subjects might profess the Christian Faith sent to the Scotch Bishops for so I suppose the Words Majores natu in Bede are to be rendered among whom whil'st he was in Banishment he had together with his followers received Baptism desiring them that a Bishop might be sent him by whose Preaching the People whom he Govern'd might be grounded in the Christian Religion and receive Baptism nor was he long without an answer to his request
received Schoolmasters out of Kent but two Years after this King being weary of Worldly Affairs resigned the Kingdom to his Cousin Egric and became a Monk in a Monastery of his own founding Nor can I here omit taking notice that from Bedâ—'s thus mentioning King Sigebert's founding this School Polâ—dore Virgil and Leland conclude that this School was in Cambridge and that it gave Being to that University and all the reason they have for it is only because Cambridge was in the Kingdom of the East-Angles whereas neither Bede nor any other ancient Author specifies the Place where it was erected And so it might be any where else as well as in Cambridge or if there it was no better than a School to teach Boys the Latin Tongue And it is certain that in the time of King Alfred there was no School much less an University there But before I leave this King's Reign I cannot forbear mentioning what Bede there tells us That in his Reign one Furseus or Fursee came out of Ireland and preached the Gospel to the East-Angles converting many and confirming divers others in the Faith and having had a terrible Vision of the Pains of Hell did by the Assistance of King Sigebert erect a Monastery in a Town called Cnobsbury which afterward Anna King of the East-Angles enriched with noble Buildings and Revenues This Year is remarkable for Byrinus baptized King Cuthred at Dorceaster and at the Font received him for his Godson This Cuthred thô here called King yet was only a Prince of the Blood Royal the Title of Cyning being often given to those Princes in our Saxon Annals This Year Eadbald King of Kent departing this Life having reigned 25 Years left the Kingdom to Earcombert his Son who held it 24 Years and some Months The Saxon Annals say This King Eadbald had two Sons Ermeâ—red and Earcombert but Mat. Westminster I know not from what Author adds That the Younger craftily supplanted the Elder and got the Kingdom from him This Earcombert was the first English King who commanded Idols to be destroyed throughout his whole Kingdom and who also by his Authority ordained That the Forty Days before Easter now called Lent should be observed and that it should not be contemned appointed competent Punishments for those that should dare to transgress it This seems to have been the First Lent that was observed in England by a Law this King's Daughter called Earcongath or Earcongota being a Virgin of great Piety constantly served God in a Monastery in the Kingdom of the Franks founded by a noble Abbess in the Town called Brige now Bruges in Flanders for there being at that time not many Monasteries in Britain many who desired to undertake those Vows used to go over to the French Monasteries or else sent their Daughters to be taught and professed there chiefly in the Monasteries of Brige Cale and Andelegium The Saxon Annals here also mention one Ermenred to have been Brother to King Earcombert and to have begot two Sons Ethelbert and Ethelred who afterwards suffered Death by the Hands of Thunâ—re one of his Thanes whom the King employed in this cruel Execution When Oswald the Most Christian King of Northumberland had now reigned 9 Years taking in that Year in which the two Apostate Kings were killed who were left out of the Catalogue as has been already said he fought a great Battle with Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians in a place called Maser-Field now Oswestre in Shropshire and was there unfortunately slain in the 38th Year of his Age the Greatness of whose Faith and Devotion towards GOD appeared saith Bede by the many Miracles there wrought after his Death which being both tedious and improbable I omit and refer those that are Curious in such Matters to the Author himself but that they were long after generally believed appears by these Passages in the Saxon Chronicle viz. That his Holiness and Miracles were afterwards highly celebrated through the whole Island and that his Hand was still preserved at Bebban-burg uncorrupt For Penda had most inhumanly caused his Body to be dismembred and his Head and Arms being cut off to be set upon a Pole for a Trophie of his Victory The same Year also Penda King of Mercia making War against the East-Angles and still getting the better of them they urged Sigebert who had been formerly their King but was now retired into a Monastery to come out to Battle to encourage the Souldiers and so fetching him out whether he would or no as hoping that the Souldiers would be less apt to fly having with them one who had been so stout a Commander But he being mindful of his Vow carrying nothing but a Staff in his Hand was there slain together with Egric the present King and all the whole Army was routed and dispersed But Anna the Son of Eni of the Royal Stock succeeded them being an excellent Man but who also underwent the same Fate from this Pagan King as shall be shewn in due time This Year Cenwall or Cenwalc succeeded Cynegils his Father in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and reigned 31 Years This King commanded the old Church of Winchester to be built which had been designed by his Father Cynegils thô he never lived to finish it but Hedda sate there as the first Bishop This King also gave to this Church and Bishoprick all the Lands lying about Winchester for the space of 7 Leucas or Leagues which Grant was also confirmed by King Kenwalk Note That at the first Foundation this Monastery was for Secular Chanons till the Year 963 that Bishop Ethelwold by the Command of King Edgar turned out these Chanons and placed Benedictine Monks in their rooms This Year Paulinus deceased at Rochester who had been first Arch-Bishop of York and afterwards Bishop in this City and was Bishop 21 Years 2 Months and 12 Days Oswin the Son of Osric the Cousin of Edwin was made King of Deira and reigned 7 Years The next Year In the room of Paulinus Arch-Bishop Honorius consecrated Ithamar a Kentish Man who was equal to his Predecessors in Learning and Piety Cenwalc was driven out of his Kingdom by Penda King of the Mercians Of which Bede gives us a more particular Account That refusing to receive the Christian Faith he not long after lost his Kingdom for having divorced his Wife the Sister of Penda King of the Mercians he had therefore not only War made upon him but was driven out of his Kingdom upon that account so that he was forced to retire to Anna King of the East-Angles with whom remaining 3 Years in Banishment he came first to the knowledge of and there received the true Faith for that King was a good Man and happy in a pious Issue ' This Year King Cenwalc was baptized And as William of Malmesbury relates after 3 Years banishment gathering fresh Forces
recovered his Kingdom and proved the greatest of the West-Saxon Kings that had reigned hitherto as shall be in due time related But Bede tells us That after this King had been some time restored there came out of Ireland a certain Bishop called Agelbert a French Man who offered himself to the King to preach the Gospel whose Learning and Industry when the King understood he offered him the Bishoprick of that Province and consenting to the King's Desires he remained there Bishop several Years till the King finding he could not learn English and growing weary of his bad Pronunciation introduced another Bishop one Wini of his own Nation over his Head who had been ordained in France and so dividing the Province into two Diocesses settled the latter in his Episcopal See at Winchester at which Agelbert being offended because the King had done it without his Knowledge and Consent he returned into France and there accepting of the Bishoprick of Paris died an old Man but not many Years after his daparture Wini being driven from his Bishoprick retired to Wulfer King of Mercia and buying of him the Episcopal See of the City of London for a Sum of Money sate there Bishop as long as he lived thus Simony crept very early into the English Saxon Church So the Kingdom of the West-Saxons was no small time without a Bishop whereupon King Cenwalc being afflicted with great losses in his Wars sent Messengers into France to Bishop Agelbert desiring him to return and reassume the Bishoprick he had left but he excused himself that he could not return being already engaged in another Charge yet to comply as far as he could to the King's desires he sent him his Nephew Elutherius a Priest to be ordained Bishop if he pleased who being Honourably received by the King and People and having been ordained Bishop by Theodorus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did for many Years Govern alone the Diocess of the West-Saxons This thô happening in a course of some Years is by Bede related as one continued Story This Year Cenwalc King of the West-Saxons gave Cuthred his Cousin Three Thousand Hides of Land near Aescasdune now called Aston near Wallingford This Cuthred was the Son of Cwichelme and he the Son of Cynegils But two years after Aegelbyerth a Bishop who came from France after Byrinus undertook the Bishoprick of the West-Saxons as has been already related at large by Bede This Year K. Oswin was slain xii Kal. of September And within twelve days afterwards died also Aidan the Bishop But the manner of this King's Death is by Bede thus related That King Oswin who succeeded K. Oswald his Brother had from the beginning of his Reign a Consort or Sharer of the Royal Dignity of the Northumbrian Kingdom called Oswi the Son of Usric of the Posterity of King Edwin whilst Oswin govern'd the Province of Dâ—ira for Seven Years with great Happiness and Love of his Subjects But Oswy who reigned in the Kingdom of Bernicia would not long maintain Peace with him 'till at last fresh Dissentions still arising between them he destroyed Oswin by Treachery for both their Armies now lying near each other as ready to fight when Oswin saw that being weaker in Force he was not able to wage Battle with him who came against him with a much greater Army he judged it better to lay aside all Thoughts of fighting and to preserve himself and his Men for some better Opportunity So he sent home his Army from a place called Wilfers Dun and himself retired with only one faithful Follower to lie concealed in the House of Earl Hunwald whom he supposed to have been faithful to him but it proved far otherwise for by him he was betray'd and there slain by the Command of K. Oswi together with his faithful Servant Tondhere in the ninth year of his Reign at a place called Iâ—gerlingum This Fact of King Oswy as it was detestable to all Men so it afterwards proved most hateful to himself who repenting of it built there a Monastery to expiate the Crime and to pray as well for his own Soul as for that of the King he had kill'd This King Oswin was a Man of a beautiful Aspect tall of Stature affable and very bountiful all which excellent Endowments both of Mind and Body procured him such Reputation that he was generally beloved and many Noble Persons out of all the English Provinces thought themselves happy if they could get into his Service but above all his Humility and singular Modesty were most remarkable whereof Bede gives us this Instance K. Oswin had bestowed an excellent Horse upon Aidan that charitable B of Lindisfarne but the Bishop when a poor Man ask'd an Alms gave him the Horse with all the rich Furniture upon him The King hearing of this as they were going to Dinner said to him My Lord Bishop Why would you give that Noble Horse that I bestowed upon you for your own Saddle to a poor Man Have we not many worse Horses and other Things which would better serve the Poor instead of this Horse I made choice of for your own riding The Bishop instantly replied Sir What do you say Is that Son of a Mare more dear to you than the Son of GOD With that they went to Dinner the Bishop took his Seat but the King being newly come in from Hunting fate down by the Fire with his Attendants but remembring what the Bishop had said he rose suddenly up and giving his Sword to his Servant ran hastily to the Bishop and falling down at his Feet besought him not to be angry affirming he would never after speak or concern himself whatever he gave to the Children of GOD. The Bishop being wonderfully amazed and rising hastily from his Seat raised him up telling him he was very well pleased if he would but sit down to Dinner and be chearful The King then at his Request began to be merry but the Bishop to be sad in so much that he shed Tears of which his Priest taking Notice and in their own Language being the Scottish which neither Oswin nor his Servants understood demanded the Reason I know saith he that the King will not live long for till now I never beheld an humble King whence I apprehend that he will speedily be taken away from us for this Nation is not worthy of such a Governor Not long after this Prelage of the Bishop was fulfilled in the Murther of Oswin as you have heard But Aidan lived 'till the twelfth day after his Death and then died himself on the last of August Of the Miracles of which Bishop Bede gives uâ— too long and 〈◊〉 incredible Account either to be believed or inserted here This Year Cenwal King of the West-Saxons fought at Bradenford near the River Aftâ—ne in Wiltshire but it is pity that our Annals had not told us against whom he fought which I cannot find in any Author thô it is
Slain amongst whom was Ethelher King of the East-Angles who forgeting the Death of his Brother K. Anna formerly Slain by Penda now took part with him and was the chief Authour of this War many as they were flying were drown'd in the River Winved then swoln above her Banks The death of Penda that Cruel and Heathen King caused a General rejoycing among the Christians according to the Old English saying mentioned by Mathew Westminster at Winved So that after Penda had been the death of no less than Four or Five Christian Kings whom he slew in Battle he himself underwent the same Fate so little Difference is there between the deaths of Good and Bad Princes only the former are called God's Corrections but the latter his Judgments But to Ethelher succeeded Ethelwald his Brother and to Penda his Son Peadda who being a Christian and Son in Law to Oswi himself he allowed him to hold the Province of South Mercia divided from the Northern by the River of Trent then containing according to Bede Five Thousand Families to be held as Tributary to the Northumbrian Kingdom After this the Mercians became all Christians by the means of King Oswi and Peadda and here that Copy of the Saxon Chronicle Written in the Abby of Peterburgh gives us a large account of the Foundation of that Abby which is thus That in the Time of this Peadda he and Oswi the Brother of King Oswald met and conferred about building a Monastery in honour of Christ and St. Peter which they afterwards did and gave it the Name of Medeshamsted from a certain Well which is there called Medeswell so they laid the Foundations and when they had near finished the Work they committed it to the Care of a certain Monk called Saxulf who was dear to God and beloved of all the Nation for he was a Rich and Noble Person in his time but is now much richer in Christ. This Year also Honorius the Archbishop deceasing on the 7th of the Calends of April Ithamer Bishop of Rochester Consecrated Deus Dedit to be Arch-Bishop of Canterbury This was the first English Monk that had ever been chosen Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and was also the first that was Consecrated but by one Bishop for the better sound sake he changed his Name to Deus Dedit having been before called Fridonà or Fridon This Year was Peadda Slain about Easter by the Treachery of his Wife the Daughter of K. Oswy and Wulfher his Brother the Son of Penda succeeded him Thô not until some Years after for upon the Death of Peadda King Oswi seized also that part of the Kingdom and held and laid it to his own Dominions Here the Saxon Chronicle proceeds to give us a further account concerning the finishing of the aforesaid Monastery of Peterburgh but thô it was done some Years after and the Relation be somewhat long yet because it shews more plainly than any other History the Form and Manner of erecting such a Foundation I shall give you the substance of it omitting what is not pertinent to our purpose The said Chronicle proceeds thus That in his viz. Wulfher's Reign the Abby of Medeshamsted was greatly encreased in Riches for that King favoured it very much for the sake of his own Brother Peadda and of Oswie his Brother in the Christian Faith as also of Saxulf the Abbot wherefore he said that he would render it yet more famous and would highly adorn it being thereunto perswaded By his Brothers Ethelred and Merwalla and his Sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith as also by Arch-Bishop Deus Dedit and all his Wise Men both Clerks and Laicks that were in his Kingdom then the King sending for the said Abbot told him that since his Bâ—other Peadda and his Friend Oswie had begun this Monastery and that he was Departed this Life therefore the Abbot should take diligent care to see it finished and he would provide all things as both Gold and Silver Lands and possessions and whatever else was needful for it whereupon the Abbot went home and setting to the Work so far advanced it that in few Years it was finished which when it was told the King he was very joyful and sent to give notice of it to all his Thanes throughout the whole Nation as also the Arch-Bishop Bishops Earls and all who loved God that they should come to him so he appointed them a day when the Monastery should be Consecrated at which Consecration King Wulfer and his Brother Ethelred and his Sisters were all present as was also Arch-Bishop Deus Dedit and Ithamer Bishop of Rochester together with Wina Bishop of London and several other Bishops There were also present all the Thanes that were in his Kingdom when this Monastery was Consecrated in the Names of St. Peter St. Paul and St. Andrew Then the King rising up from his Chair spoke thus with a loud Voice before all his Thanes Thanks be to the most High and Omnipotent GOD for this honour which he hath done me and I will That you all confirm my Words I Wulfer do give this Day to St. Peter and to Saxulf and to the Monks of this Monastery all these Lands Waters c. and all the Territories lying round about them which are of my Royal Patrimony so freely that no Man shall have thence any Tribute or Revenue besides the Abbot and Monks which Gift is this Then the King proceeded to declare the Meets and Bounds of the Lands which he had given which because they are not to our purpose I omit only that they reach'd as far as Stamford and were above Threescore Miles about then said the King The Gift indeed is small but I will that they hold it so freely that none may exact any Gueld or Tribute out of it but what is paid to the Monks and I do hereby free this Monastery from being subject to any but the See of Rome but I will also That all those who cannot go thither should here implore to St. Peter When the King had spoke these things the Abbot made a request to him in the behalf of certain Religious Monks who desired to lead the Lives of Anchorites and therefore prayed that on a certain Island a small Monastery should be Built wherein they might live in Peace and Solitude which was presently granted by the King then he also desired his Brothers and Sisters that for the good of their Souls they would be witnesses to his Charter conjuring all thosâ— who should succeed him to preserve his Gift Inviolate as they hoped to be partakers of Eternal Life and would escape Eternal Torments then follow the Names of the Witnesses who were present and who subscribed and with the sign of the Cross confirmed it by their consents that is King Wulfer who first of all confirmed it with his Word and then sign'd it with the Cross and then spake thus I King Wulfer with the Earls Heoretoghs and Thanes being Witnesses of my
Gift do confirm it with Christ's Cross before the Arch-Bishop Deus Dedit Then follow the Subscriptions of the Kings and others of the Blood Royal viz. Oswi King of Northumberland King Sygar King Sibbi Ethelred the King's Brother together with his Sisters above named as also of Deus Dedit Arch-Bishop of Canterbury after whom follow the Subscriptions of the rest of the Bishops together with some Presbyters and Saxulf the Abbot as also of divers Eoldermen or Governours of Countries who with divers others of the King 's great Men did likewise confirm it This Charter was made in the Year after our Lord's Nativity 664 being the Seventh Year of King Wulfer's Reign they did then also denounce the Curse of God and all his Saints against all that should violate any thing that was there done to which they all answered Amen As soon as this was over the King sent to Rome to Pope Vitalian desiring him to confirm all that he had granted by his Letters or Bull which the Pope immediately performed being to the same effect with the King's Charter already mentioned in this manner was the Monastery of Medeshamsted Founded which was afterwards called Burgh now Peterburgh But to return again to Civil Affairs having dwelt I doubt too long upon Ecclesiastical This Year Kenwalk King of the West-Saxons fought against the Welsh at a place called Peonnum and pursued them as far as Pedridan Of which Fight H. Huntington gives us this further Account That at the first Onset the Britains were too hard for the English but they abhoring flight as bad as Death it self persisted in fighting with them till the Britains growing tired and disheartened fled and were pursued as hath been already said so that they received a very great blow This Year according to Florence of Worcester Hilda the Abbess Founded a Monastery at a place called Streanshale wherein she lived and dyed Abbess The same Year also according to the same Author Inumin Eaba and Eadbert Eoldermen of Mercia rebelled against King Oswi and proclaimed for their King Wulfer the Son of Penda whom they had hitherto kept concealed Also Aedelbert or Agâ—â—bert the Bishop left King Cenwalch and took the Bishoprick of Paris and Wina held the Bishoprick of Winchester of both which Bede hath already given us a particular account The same Year also according to Florence of Worcester Cuthred the Son of Cuichelm a Cousin to King Cenwalch as also Kenbryht the Eolderman great Grandson to King Ceawlin and Father of King Cadwalla dyed This Year according to the Saxon Annals King Cenwalch fought about the time of Easter with King Wulfher at Posentesbyrig supposed to be Pontesbury in Shropshire and Wulfher the Son of Penda wasted the Country as far as Aescesdune now Aston near Wallingford and Cuthred the Son of Culthelm as also King Kenbryht dyed The same Year according to Bede Wulfher took the Isle of Wight with the Country of the Meanvari and gave them to Athelwald King of the South Saxons because he had been that King's Godfather at his Baptism and Eoppa the Priest at the Command of Bishop Wilfrid and King Wulfher first of all offered Baptism to the Inhabitants of that Island whether they accepted it or not is very uncertain But I cannot but here observe the uncertainty of the History of these Times for Ethelwerd in his Chronicle under this Year and at this very place above mentioned relates that Cenwalk had the Victory and carried away Wulfher Prisoner These Meanvari here mentioned by Bede are supposed by Mr. Camden in his Britannia to have been the People of that part of Hampshire lying over against the Isle of Wight This Year also Sigebert King of the East-Saxons thô standing firm in the Christian Faith was as Bede tells us wickedly Murder'd by the Conspiracy of two Brethren in places near about him who being asked what moved them to do so wicked a Deeed gave no other than this Barbarous Answer That they were angry with him for being so gentle to his Enemies as to forgive them their Injuries when ever they besought him But the occasion of his death is much more remarkable for one of those Earls who slew him living in unlawful Wedlock stood thereof excommunicated by the Bishop so that no man might presume to enter into his House much less to Eat with him the King not regarding this Church-Censure went to a Feast at his House upon an Invitation whom the Bishop meeting in his return thô penitent for what he had done and fallen at his Feet yet gently touched with the Rod in his Hand and being provoked thus foretold Because thou hast neglected to abstain from the House of this Excommunicate in that House thou shalt dye and so it fell out not long after perhaps from that Prediction God then bearing witness to his Minister in the due power of Church Discipline when Spiritually executed on the Contemner thereof Yet Bede is so Charitable as to believe that the unfortunate Death of this Religious Prince did not only attone for his fault but might also increase his merit To Sigebert Swidhelm the Son of Sexbald succeeded in that Kingdom who was Baptized by Bishop Cedda in the Province of the East-Angles in the Royal Village called Rendlesham Edelwald King of that Country who was the Brother of King Anna being his Godfather The Sun was now eclipsed V o Non Maij and Ercenbryht King of Kent departed this Life and Ecgbryht his Son succeeded him in that Kingdom As for King Ercombert Will. Malmesbury gives him a very good Character being famous for his Religion to God and his Love to his Country but he had no Right to the Crown save only by Election having an Elder Brother called Ermenred who was alive at the beginning of his Reign and left two Sons behind him Coleman also with his Companions then departed to his own Nation the same Year there was a great Plague over all the Isle of Britain in which perished Tuda the Bishop and was buried at Wagele which Bede calls Pegnaleth also Ceadda and Wilverth were now Consecrated Bishops and the same Year too the Archbishop Deus Dedit dyed after whom the See remained void for Four Years But of the occasion of this departure of Coleman Bede hath given us a long and particular account viz. That a Synod being called at Strean-shall now Whitby in York-shire by the procurement of Hilda the Abbess of that place thô by the Authority of King Oswi who was there present concerning the old Difference about the observation of Easter Wilfred the Abbot and Romanus a Priest were very earnest for the observation of it according to the Order of the Church of Rome and Coleman Bishop of Lindisfarne was as zealous on the other side but after many Arguments pro and con which you may find at large in Bede the Synod at last determining in favour of the Romish Easter it so far displeased
Coleman that he was resolved to quit his Bishoprick and depart into Scotland to the Isle of Hye from whence he cam◠rather than to comply with it from whence he also departed into Ireland here called Scotland where he built a Monastery in that Country and lived all the rest of his days and in which only English Men were admitted at the time when Bede wrote his History But after the departure of Coleman one Tuda who had been ordained Bishop among the Southern Scots was made Bishop of Lindisfarne but he enjoyed that Bishoprick but a very little while But after the Death of Bishop Tuda according to the Life of Bishop Wilfrid King Oswi held a great Council with the Wise Men of his Nation whom they should chuse in the vacant See as most fit for that holy Function when they all with one Consent nominated and chose Abbot Wilfrid as the fittest and worthiest Person to succeed him but being to be Consecrated he refused it from any Bishop at home because he look'd upon them all as Uncanonical being all ordained by Scotish Bishops who differed from the Roman Church about this Point of keeping Easter so that he would needs go over into France for Ordination where staying too long the King put Ceadda who had lately come out of Ireland into his Place which Wilfred upon his return much resenting retired to his Monastery at Ripon and there resided as also sometimes with Wulfher King of Mercia or else with Ecghert King of Kent till he was restored to his See Bede tells us that the above-mentioned Eclipse was followed by a sudden Pestilence the same Year which first depopulating the Southern Parts of Britain then proceeded to the Northern wherein Bishop Tuda deceased it also invaded Ireland and there took off many Religious as well as Secular Persons The same Year also according to Florence Ercombert King of Kent dying left that Kingdom to Egbert his Son Also Ethelwald King of the East Angles dying this Year Aldulf succeeded him About this time according to Bede Siger and Sebba succeeding Swidhelm in the Kingdom of the East Saxons being unsteady in the Faith and supposing the late great Pestilence to have fell upon them for renouncing their old Superstition relapsed again to Idolatry and rebuilt the Idol-Temples hoping by that means to be defended from the present Mortality but as soon as Wulfher King of the Mercians to whom this Kingdom was then subject heard of it he sent Bishop Jaruman to them who together with their Fellow-Labourers by their sound Doctrine and gentle Dealing soon reclaimed them from their Apostacy This Mortality is also partly confirmed by Mat. Westminster who the next Year relates so great a Mortality to have raged in England that many Men going in Troops to the Sea-side cast themselves in headlong preferring a speedy Death before the Torments of a long and painful Sickness thô this seems to be no other than the great Pestilence which raged the Year before unless we suppose it to have lasted for 2 Years successively The same Year also according to the Account of an ancient British Chronicle lately in the Possession of Mr. Robert Vaughan Cadwallader last King of the Britains having been forced by a great Famine and Mortality to quit his Native Country and to sojourn with Alan King of Armorica finding no hopes of ever recovering his Kingdom from thence went to Rome where professing himself a Monk he died about 8 Years after Now thô the British History of Caradoc Translated by Humphrey Lloyd and Published by Dr. Powel places Cadwallader's going to Rome Anno 680 which Mr. Vaughan in the Manuscript I have by me and which is already cited in the former Book proves can neither agree with the Account of the said old Chronicle nor yet with the Time of the great Mortality above-mentioned for Caradoc and Geoffery of Monmouth do both place Cadwallader's going to Rome in the Year of the great Pestilence which as Bede and Mat. Westminster testifie fell out in the Year 664 or 665 and therefore that learned Antiquary very well observes That as for their Calculation who prolong Cadwallader's Life to the Year 688 or 689 and place his going to Rome in Pope Sergius's time he thinks they had no better Warrant for it than their mistaking Ceadwalla King of the West Saxons who then indeed went to Rome and there died for this Cadwallader who lived near 20 Years before whereby they have confounded this History and brought it into a great deal of uncertainty whereas that ancient Appendix annex'd to the Manuscript Nennius in the Cottonian Library whose Author lived above 300 Years before either Geoffery or Caradoc doth clearly shew that this Monastery above-mentioned and consequently Cadwallader's going to Rome happened in the Reign of Oswi King of Northumberland who according to the Saxon Annals began to Reign Anno 642 and died Anno 670 and therefore no other Mortality ought to be assigned for Cadwallader's going to Rome than this in King Oswi's Reign Anno 665 for the Words of the said old Author are these Oswi the Son of Ethelfred reigned 28 Years and 6 Months and whilst he reigned there happened a great Mortality of Men Catwalater so he spells it then reigning over the Britains after his Father and therein perished Now the Case is clear if these Words in the Latin Et in ea periit have relation to Cadwallader as most likely they have considering Oswi lived 5 Years after the Year 665 wherein this Mortality raged then Cadwallader never went to Rome at all but died of this Plague but of this I dare not positively determine since the greater part of the Welsh Chronicles are so positive in Cadwallader's dying at Rome But to return to our Annals This Year Oswi King of Northumberland and Ecgbrith King of Kent with the Consent of the whole English Church as Bede relates sent Wigheard the Presbyter to Rome to be there made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury but he died almost as soon as he arrived So that Theodorus being the next Year consecrated Arch-Bishop was sent into Britain Of which Transaction Bede gives us this particular Account About this time also as Bede relates Wina Bishop of Winchester being driven from his See by King Kenwalch went and bought the See of London of King Wulfher This is the first Example of Simony in the English Church The See of Canterbury had been now vacant for above 3 Years for the Pope was resolved himself to Ordain an Arch-Bishop and at last at the Recommendation of one Adrian a Greek Monk who might have been Arch-Bishop himself but refused it the Pope chose this Theodorus then a Monk and a Native of Tharsus in Cilicia who being an excellent Scholar brought the knowledge of the Greek Tongue as also Arithmetick Musick and Astronomy in use among the English Saxons This Arch-Bishop immediately upon his coming into England made a thorough Visitation of
his Province and as Bede tells us surveyed all Things and ordained Bishops in fit Places and those Things which he found less perfect than they should be he by their Assistance corrected among which when he found fault with Bishop Ceadda as not having been rightly Consecrated he humbly and modestly replied If you believe that I have not rightly undertook the Episcopal Charge I willingly quit it since as I never thought my self worthy so I never consented to accept it but in obedience to the Commands of my Superiours But the Arch-Bishop seeing his Humility answered That he would not have him lay aside his Episcopacy and so he again renewed his Ordination according to the Catholick Rites From whence it appears that this Arch-Bishop then thought the Ordination of the English and Scotish Bishops who differed from the Church of Rome as to the time of keeping Easter to be Uncanonical and for this reason Bede here also tells us That Bishop Wilfrid was sent into France to be Ordained But as for this Bishop Ceadda Florence of Worcester informs us That he was now also deprived of his Bishoprick and Wilfrid restored to it as having been unduly Elected thereunto which thô Bede doth not tell us in express Words yet he confirms it in the very next Chapter where he tells us That Jaruman Bishop of the Mercians being now dead King Wulfher did not ask Arch-Bishop Theodorus to Ordain a new One but only desired of King Oswi that Bishop Ceadda the Brother of Cedda should be sent to him to take that Charge who lived privately at his Monastery of Lestinghen where he was then Abbot Wilfrid then not only Governing the Diocess of York and all the Northumbers but also Picts as far as King Oswi's Dominions extended But to return again to the Saxon Annals This Year King Ecgbert gave to Basse the Priest Reculf where he built a Monastery This was afterwards called Reculver in Kent Oswi King of Northumberland died xv Kal. Martij and was buried at Streanshale Monastery and Ecverth or Egfrid his Son reigned after him also Lothaire Nephew of Bishop Agelbert took upon him the Episcopal Charge over the West Saxons and held it 7 Years Arch-Bishop Theodorus Consecrated him He whom these Annals call Lothair was the same with Leutherius Bishop of Winchester Bede tells us further of King Oswi That being worn out with a long Infirmity he was so much in love with the Roman Rites that if he had recovered of the Sickness of which he died he had resolved to go to Rome and end his Days at the Holy Places having engaged Bishop Wilfrid to be the Guide and Companion of his Journey promising him no small Rewards for his Pains ' This Year was a great slaughter of Birds H. Huntington renders it a great Fight of Birds which seems to have been some remarkable Combat of Crows or Jackdaws in the Air of which we have several wonderful Relations in our Histories Mat. Westminster relates that the strange Birds seemed to flie before those of this Country but that many Thousands were killed This next Year Cenwalch King of the West Saxons died and Sexburga his Wife held the Kingdom after him for one Year Of whom William of Malmesbury gives this Account That this King dying left the Kingdom to Sexburga his Wife nor did she want Spirit or Courage to discharge all the Functions of a King for she straitways began to raise new Forces as also to keep the Old to their Duty to govern her Subjects with moderation and to keep her Enemies in awe and in short to do such great Things that there was no Difference but the Sex between Her and a King But as she aimed at more than Feminine Undertakings so she left this Life when she had scarce Reigned a Year about But Mat. Westminster says she was expelled the Kingdom by the Nobles who despised Female Government But what Authority he had for this I know not for I do not find it in any other Author whereas if what William of Malmesbury says of her be true it was not likely they should Rebel against so good a Governess who seems to have been the perfect Pattern of an Excellent Queen After the Death of King Cenwalch and as I suppose Queen Sexburga likewise Bede relates That the Great Men or Petty Princes of that Kingdom divided it among them and so held it for 10 Years in which time Eleutherius Bishop of the West Saxons i. e. of Winchester dying Heddi was Consecrated by Arch-Bishop Theodorus in his stead in whose time those Petty Princes being all subdued Ceadwalla took the Kingdom but this does not agree with the Saxon Annals About this time thô Bede does not set down the Year King Egfrid of Northumberland waging War with Wulfher King of Mercia won from him all the Country of Lindsey About this time also died Ceadda Bishop of Litchfield according to Ran. Higden's Polychron but Bede does not tell us the time of his Death thô he mentions it and there gives a large Account of the great Humility and Piety of that good Bishop and of the Pious End he made He is called by us at this day St. Chad. This Year Egber◠King of Kent deceased according to Bede's Epitome who as says Math. Westminster gave part of the Isle of Thanet to build a Monastery to explate the Murder of his Cousins whom he had caused to be slain as you have already heard The same Year was a Synod of all the Bishops and great Men of England held at Heartford now Hartford which Synod as Bede tells us was called by Arch-Bishop Theodorus where Wilfred Bishop of York with all the rest of the Bishops of England were either in Person or by their Deputies as Florence relates and in which divers Decrees were made for the Reformation of the Church the first and chiefest of which was That Easter should be kept on the first Lord's Day after the Fourteenth Moon of the First Month i. e. 〈◊〉 which thô it had been before appointed by the Synod at Streanshale above-mentioned yet that being not looked upon as a General Council of the whole Kingdom it was now again renewed the rest of them concerning the Jurisdictions of the Bishops and the Priviledges and Exemptions of Monasteries I pass over and refer you to Sir H. Spelman's First Volume of Councils for farther satisfaction But I cannot omit that it was here first Ordained That thô Synods ought to be held twice a Year yet since divers Causes might hinder it therefore it seem'd good to the whole Council that a Synod should be assembled once a Year at a place called Cloveshoe This Year also the Saxon Annals relate That Etheldrethe late Wife to Egfrid King of Northumberland founded the Monastery of Ely in which she her self became the first Abbess She as Bede tells us had been twice married but would never let either
his side Bede he gives us a more particular Account of the rest of his Actions that thô he were thus expelled his Bishoprick yet that he could not be restrained from Preaching the Gospel for retiring to the Kingdom of the South Saxons which lies between that of Kent and that of the West Saxons where Edilwalch then King and who had not been long before Baptized at the perswasion of King Wulfher as has been already said gave him Commission to Convert and Baptize not only the Principal Officers and Knights of that Province but divers Presbyters there named who came along with him did then or not long after Christen the rest of the common People and Ebba the Queen was also baptized in the Province of the Wectii but what Queen this was Bede does not tell us So that before this it seems thô the King was a Christian yet the whole Province of the South Saxons were as yet unconverted to the Christian Faith of which the Author of the Life of Bishop Wilfrid gives this Reason that this Province by reason of the multitude of the Rocks and thickness of the Woods was hitherto almost inaccessible to strangers But Bede further tells us That then there lived a certain Irish or Scotch Monk named Dicul who had a little Monastery in a place called Bosanham encompassed with Woods and the Sea where he with five or six Brethren served God in great Poverty and Humility yet would not any of the People imitate their Lives or hear their Preaching but when Bishop Wilfrid preach'd the Gospel to them he did not only free them from Eternal Torments but also from present destruction for it had not rained as my Author says for Three Years before in that Country whence multitudes of the poorer sort of People daily perished by Famine so that many becoming desperate Forty or Fifty Men in a Company being almost starved would all take hands together and at once leap down a Rock into the Sea But on the first day of their publick Baptism soft and plentiful showres descending restored plenty to the Summer following so this People casting away their Idolatry became not only enrich'd with Spiritual but Temporal Blessings for when the Bishop came into this Province and saw so dismal a Famine he taught them how to get their livings by fishing for though the Sea and Rivers abounded plentifully with Fish yet had not they the Wit to make Nets to take any but Eels whereupon the Bishop taught them by joyning many of those small Nets together to make them serve to catch Sea-Fish of which they took so great a multitude that they maintained themselves with them till other Provisions could be had At this time also King Edelwalch gave Bishop Wilfrid a certain Island called Seolesen that is in the old English Saxon the Island of Seales or Sea Calves where Wilfrid founded a small Monastery consisting chiefly of those Brethren he brought with him and which his Successours hold to this day viz. in Bede's time for this place after called Selsey was made the seat of the Bishop of that Province until it was long after removed to Chichester here Bishop Wilfrid lived and exercised his Episcopal Functions till the death of King Egfrid The same Year according to the Saxon Annals Escwin was slain near Trent in which place also King Egfrid and Ethelfred fought the same Year and now also St. Etheldrith deceased and Coludesburgh was burnt H. Huntington more at large relates this Fight between the Kings of Northumberland and Mercia and Bede also tells us This Young Prince mentioned in the Annals being the King of Northumberland's Brother and then about Eighteen Years of Age was slain and extreamly lamented in both Kingdoms For King Ethelred had Married Ostrithe his Sister but when Arch-Bishop Theodore saw the causes of their Intestine Quarrels daily to encrease he by his intercession and perswasions made Peace between the two Kings on this condition that King Ethelred should pay King Egfrid a pecuniary Mulct for his Brother who was slain This Queen Etheldrith here mentioned in the Annals was Daughter to Anna King of the East-Saxons and Wife of King Egfrid who yet remained a Virgin for thô she had been twice Married yet would she never let either of her Husbands lye with her but she dyed at last Abbess of the Monastery of Eli which she her self built and of whom Bede makes a large Elegy both in Prose and Verse and that after she had been there buried Sixteen Years her body being taken up as whole as at first she was canonized and called St. Audrey of Ely but this Coludesburgh here mentioned in the Annals was a great Monastery of Monks and Nuns together afterwards called Coldingham in the Marches of Scotland which as Bede tells us was a very magnificent building for that Age but by the just judgment of God for the loose living of the Monks and Nuns was burnt thô it happen'd not by any Miracle but by meer carelesness of the Servants About this time also according to an ancient Manuscript Copy of Florence of Worcester's Chronicle in the Bodleian Library the Province of the Mercians was by the Common Council or consent of Ethelred King of that Kingdom and of Theodore Arch-Bishop of Canterbuâ—y divided into Five Diocesses Bosel being ordained Bishop of the Wicii who had his seat Worcester whilest Cuthwian was ordained to the Diocess of Litchfield Saxulf was pleased to continue Bishop over midle England having his See at Leicester and Ethelwine was set over the Province of Lindisse having his See at Cidnacester but as for the See of Hereford that had been founded about Three Years before by Bishop Putta by the means and consent of Bishop Saxulf as hath been now observed But to return to our Annals This Year Theodore the Arch-Bishop summon'd a Synod at Heathfield now Hatfield in Hartfordshire that he might correct divers errours concerning the Christian Faith but Bede gives us a fuller account of it and tells us it was summoned to condemn the Heresie of Eutyches who then maintained but one will and Person in Christ and which then troubled the Latin as well as Greek Church and therefore the Arch-Bishop being resolved to prevent it held this Synod in which the Five first General Councils were not only received and confirm'd but also the latter held at Rome under Pope Martyn I. in the Reign of the Emperour Constantine Bede also tells us That there was present at this Council John the Praecentor or chief Chanter of the Church of St. Peters in Rome whom Pope Agatho had sent hither not only to instruct the English Monasteries how to Sing after the Roman Fashion but also to give him an account of the Faith of the English Church which he did at his Return to Rome much to its advantage And the same Year according to Bede and the Saxon Annals Hilda the Holy
assistance to revenge their quarrel which happen'd the next Year as the same Authour relates For This Year not long before the Death of King Egfrid that Holy Man Cuthbert was by the same King ordered to be ordained Bishop of Lindisfarne thô he was at first chosen to be Bishop of Hagulstaed instead of Trumbert who had been before deposed from that Bishoprick yet because Cuthbert liked the Church of Lindisfarne better in which he had so long convers'd Eatta was made to return to the See of Hagulstad to which he was at first ordained whilest Cuthbert took the Bishoprick of Lindisfarne But I shall now give you from Bede a farther account of the Life of this good Bishop he had been first bred in the Monastery of Mailross and was afterwards made Abbot of the Monastery of Lindisfarne retiring from whence he had for a long time lived the Life of an Anchorite in the Isle of Farne not far distant but when there was a great Synod assembled King Egfrid being present at a place called Twiford near the River Alne where Arch-Bishop Theodore presiding Cuthbert was by the general consent of them all chosen Bishop who when he could not by any Messages or Letters be drawn from his Cell at length the King himself with Bishop Trumwin and other Noble and Religious Persons sailed thither where they at last after many intreaties prevailed upon him to go with them to the Synod and when he came there thô he very much opposed it yet he was forced to accept the Episcopal Charge and so was consecrated Bishop the Easter following and after his Consecration in imitation of the blessed Appostles he adorned his calling by his good Works for he constantly taught the People commited to his Charge and incited them to the love of Heaven by his constant Prayers and Exhoâ—tations and which is the chief part of a Teacher whatsoever he Taught he himself first practised so having lived in this manner about Two Years being then sensible that the time of his Death or rather of his future Life drew near he again retired to the same Island and Hermitage from whence he came The same Year also King Egfrid rashly lead out his Army to destroy the Province of the Picts thô his Friends and principally Bishop Cuthbert did all they could to hinder it and having now entred the Country he was brought before he was aware by the feigned flight of his Enemies between the streights of certain inaccessible Mountains where he with the greatest part of his Forces he had brought with him were all cut off in the Fortieth Year of his Age and the Fifteenth of his Reign And as the Year aforegoing he refused to hear Bishop Cuthbert who diswaded him from invading Ireland which did him no harm so Bede observes it was a just Judgment upon him for that Sin that he would not hear those who would then have prevented his Ruine From this time the Grandeur and Valour of this Kingdom of the Northumbers began to decline for the Picts now recovered their Country which the English had taken away and the Scots that were in Britain with some part of the Britains themselves regain'd their Liberty which they did enjoy for the space of Forty Six Years after when Bede wrote his History But Alfred Brother to this King succeeding him quickly recovered his Kingdom thô reduced into narrower bounds He was also a Prince very well read in the Holy Scriptures The same Year as the Saxon Annals relate Kentwin King of the West-Saxons dying Ceadwalla began to Reign over that Kingdom whose Pedegree is there inserted which I shall refer to another place and the same Year also died Lothair King of Kent as Bede relates of the Wounds he had received in a Fight against the South Saxons in which Edric his Brother Egbert's Son Commanded against him and reigned in his stead This Year also according to the Annals John was consecrated Bishop of Hugulstad and remained so till Bishop Wilfrith's return but afterwards Bishop Bosâ— dying John became Bishop of York but from thence many Years after retired to his Monastry in Derawnde now called Beverlie in York-shire This Year it rained Blood in Britain and also Milk and Butter were now turned into somewhat like Blood You are here to take notice that this Bishop John above mentioned is the famous St. John of Beverlie of whom Bede in the next Book tells so many Miracles But our Annals do here require some farther Illustration for this Ceadwalla here mentioned was the Grandson of Ceawlin by his Brother Cutha who being a Youth of great hopes was driven into Banishment by his Predecessour and as Stephen Heddi in Bishop Wilfrid's Life relates lay concealed among the Woods and Desarts of Chyltern and Ondred and there remained for a long time till raising an Army thô Bede does not say from whence he slew Aldelwald King of the South-Saxons and seized upon his Province but was soon driven out by two of that King's Captains viz. Bertune and Autune who for some time kept that Kingdom to themselves the former of whom was afterwards slain by the same Ceadwalla when he became King of the West-Saxons but the other who reigned after him again set it free from that servitude for many Years from whence it happen'd that all that time they had no Bishop of their own for when Wilfrid return'd home they became subject to the Bishop of the West-Saxons that is of Dorchester which return as the Author of Wilfrid's Life relates happen'd this Year being the Second of King Alfred's Reign who then invited him home and restored him to his Bishoprick as also to his Monastery at Rypun together with all his other Revenues according to the Decree of Pope Agatho and the Council at Rome above mentioned all which he enjoyed till his second Expulsion as you will hear in due time After Ceadwalla had obtain'd the Kingdom he subdued the Isle of Wight which was as yet infected with Idolatry and therefore this King resolved to destroy all the Inhabitants and to Plant the Island with his own Subjects obliging himself by a Vow althô he himself as it is reported was not yet baptized that he would give the Fourth part of his Conquests to God which he made good by offering it to Bishop Wilfrid who was then come thither by chance out of his own Country The Island consisted of about Two Thousand Families and the King bestowed upon this Bishop as much Land there as then maintained Three Hundred Families the Care of all which the Bishop committed to one of his Clerks named Bernwin his Sisters Son who was to Baptize all those that would be saved Bede also adds That amongst the first Fruits of Believers in that Island there were two Royal Youths Brothers who were the Sons of Arwald late King thereof who having hid themselves for fear of King Ceadwalla were at last discovered and by
him ordered to be slain which when the Abbot of Reodford heard as having his Monastery not far from thence he went to the King who then lay private in those Parts to be cured of the Wounds he had received in taking of the Island and desired of him if the Youths must needs dye that they might first received Baptism which the King granted whereupon the Abbot immediately instructed and then Baptized them so when the Executitioner came to put them to Death they chearfully underwent it because they hoped thereby to obtain an Eternal Kingdom Thus the Isle of Wight did thô last of all receive the Christian Faith and that upon very harsh terms as if God would make them suffer for their so long refusal of the Gospel The same Year also Ceadwalla and Mollo or Mull his Brother wasted Kent And W. Malmesbury adds That the occasion of this War was to be revenged of King Edric who had killed Lothair his Predecessour and that falling upon that Province now grown Esseminate with long Peace he committed a great deal of Spoil throughout the Country but at last meeting with the Kentish Men was repulsed with loss This Year also according to Stephen Hâ—ddis's Life of Bishop Wilfrid he was re-called home by King Alfred and restored to his Sees of York and Hagulstad the Bishop that then enjoyed them being turned out The same Year also Cuthbert that Pious Bishop of Lindisfarne having resigned his Bishoprick and retired again to Farne-Island there deceased but his Body was translated to Lindisfarne which being taken up Eleven Years after was found as entire as when it was first buried This Year Mollo or Mull the Brother of King Ceadwalla but now mentioned was burnt in Kent and Twelve others with him but Ceadwalla afterwards wasted Kent the same Year which action Will. of Malmesbury and H. Huntington relate more at large That Ceadwalla in the second Year of his Reign sent his Brother Mollo at his own request to Ravage and Pâ—under the Province of Kent out of a Desire of Spoil and Ambition of Glory so marching into Kent then divided into divers Factions and finding none there to resist him he laid all the Country waste but when he despised his Enemies and thought he might do what he pleased with them going about to plunder a certain House and having no more thâ—n Twelve Men in his Company being there encompassed on the sudden with far greater Forces and not daring to sally out upon them they set the House on Fire about his Ears where He with Twelve Knights were burnt And thus this brave Army consisting of the Flower of the West-Saxon Youth came to nothing But Will. Thorne in his Chronicle of the Abbots of St. Augustine Cant. relates the Death of this Prince with more Circumstances vâ—z That he invading and spoiling Kent and coming before the City of Canterbury and being there stoutly resisted by the Citizens till almost all his Men were killed was at last constrained to flee to a certain House where the Men of Canterbury burnt him to Death as hath been already related but it seems his Body not being reduced to Ashes was taken up and buried in the Church of the Abby of St. Augustine with the Kings of Kent this I thought fit to add as not being found elsewhere But when Ceadwalla heard this news being extremely enraged at it he again entred Kent and there satiating himself with Spoil and Slaughter when he had left nothing worth carrying away returned home Victorious This Year King Ceadwalla after he had Reign'd 2 Years perhaps having some remorse for his former Cruelties went to Rome and there received Baptism from Pope Sergius who gave him the Name of Peter where he not long after dyed and was buried in the Church of St. Peter to whom Ina succeeded in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and Reigned Thirty Seven Years He also built the Monastery at Glastingabyrig now Glastenbury and also went to Rome and there remained until his Death Bede who has given us a long Epitaph on Ceadwalla both in Verse and Prose places this Prince's Baptism by the Pope in Anno 689 which might very well be for he resigned his Kingdom the Year above mentioned and it was ended by that time he could be baptized and so the Saxon Annalist might well place both that and his Baptism under one and the same Year The British Historians confounded this Ceadwalla with their King Ceadwallo who slew King Edwin but he lived above Twenty Years before this time as hath been already observed But Dr. Powel and Mr. Vaughan in their Learned Notes upon Caradoc's Welsh Chronicle do suppose with great probability that this Cadwallo was Edwal sirnamed Ywrch Prince of Wales who about this time began to Reign being the Son of Cadwallader and may also very well agree with what Guidonius writeth of one Ethwal Prince of Wales who about this time went to Rome and there dyed for in proper Names it is an easie matter for a Capital C to creep in since it was commonly used in old hands at the beginning of a Paragraph and might by an Ignorant Copier be added to the Name it self and so of Edwal make Cadwal and from thence Cadwallader But the Year after Ceadwalla dyed at Rome according to Bede as well as our Annals Theodorus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury also deceased being Eighty Eight Years of Age having sate Arch-Bishop Twenty Two Years and was buried in the Church of St. Peter in Canterbury Bede tells us That the English Church never attained to that height of perfection under any Arch-Bishops Government as it did under his he being the first Arch-Bishop who Exercised his Metropolitan Jurisdiction over all the Bishops as well beyond as on this side of Humber Berthwald who now succeeded Theodore in the Arch-Bishoprick had been Abbot of a certain Monastery called Raculf now Reculver in Kent near the Isle of Thanet and was a Man well read in the Scriptures and skil'd in Ecclesiastical Discipline but yet he ought not to be compared to his Predecessours he was Elected this Year but it seems his Consecration was deferr'd till near Three Years after when the Saxon Chronicle likewise recites it This Year also according to Florence Ina a Prince of the Royal Blood took the Kingdom of the West-Saxons being the Son of Kenred the Son of Ceolwald Yet it seems he had no right by Succession for Will of Malmesbury tells us expresly That it was more in respect to his own Natural Vertue than to the Right of a successive descent that he was now made King and indeed How could it be otherwise his Father Kenred being then alive This Year also Abbot Benedict above-mentioned dyed after a long Sickness of whom Bede in his Life already cited gives us a large Account that having been at first a Servant to King Oswin and receiving from him a competent Estate for his Quality he quited
in Ireland being hindred by a Storm that forced him back from Preaching the Gospel as he intended in Germany he perswaded one Wilbrode his Country man to do it who having obtain'd the Pope's License to Preach to the Heathen Nations he performed it first by preaching the Gospel in old Frizeland which then included not only those Provinces called East and West Frizeland to this day but also Holland and Zealand and divers others of the Belgic Provinces where he converted all those Nations to the Christian Faith and was afterwards at the desire of Pipin father to King Charles ordained by the Pope Arch-Bishop of the Frisons Anno Dom. 596 and upon his return to Rome Pipin being then Major of the Palace or General of France gave him for his Episcopal See that famous Castle which is called in the Old Language of that Nation Wiltaburg but in the Gallic Tongue Trajectum at this day Utrecht But not long after two Priests each of them named Henwald and for distinction Sirnamed from the colour of their Hair the Black and the White being by his Example piously affected to the Souls of their Country-men the Old Saxons at their coming into Old Saxony to convert them met with much worse Entertainment for being in the House of a Farmer who had promised to convey them as they desired to the Governour of that Country and being discovered by their daily Ceremonies to be Christian Priests and the cause of their coming also known they were by him and his Heathen Neighbours cruelly butcher'd and their Bodies flung into the Rhine but the Governour coming to the knowledge of it being enraged at such Violence offered to two Strangers sent Armed Men and slew all those wicked Inhabitants and burnt their Village About this time Sir H. Spelman in his first Volume of Councils records a Charter of Priviledge granted by King Wythred in a General Council or Synod of Kent whereby with the Consent of the Chief Men of his Kingdom he freed all the Churches thereof from all Publick Payments or Tributes whatsoever provided they yielded the King and his Successours the same Honour and Obedience as they had done his Predecessours under whom hitherto they had enjoyed all Justice and Liberty This was done in the Eighth Year of his Reign at a Place called Cylling which seems to be no more than a Confirmation of what had been done 6 Years before in the Council of Becanceld But to return to our Annals ' This Year Cenred began to Reign over the Southumbers i. e. the Mercians as has been already said Hedda the Bishop departed this Life he held the Bishoprick of Winchester 27 Years This Hedda is he of whom Bede gives the Character of an Excellent Bishop and one who Adorn'd the Episcopal See converting more by his Example than Preaching Ethelred the Son of Penda King of the Mercians became a Monk at Bardeney Abbey having reigned 29 or rather 30 Years and Cenred succeeded him who was his Cousin-German William of Malmesbury further adds That from a Monk he came to be Abbot of that Monastery wherein he died and that of Osgilde the Sister of Egfrid King of Northumberland he begat a Son called Ceolred yet for all this Ethelred passing him by he appointed Cenred the Son of his Brother Wulfher for his Successour who reigned with great Love to his Country and a singular Probity of Manners till in the Fifth Year of his Reign he went to Rome and as Bede tells us taking upon him the Habit of a Monk during the Papacy of Pope Constantine there ended his Days in Prayers Fasting and Alms. Ealfert or Alfred King of the Northumbers deceased on the 19 o Kal. Jan. at Driffeild in the 12th Year of his Reign Osred his Son succeeding in that Kingdom But Stephen Heddi in his Life of Bishop Wilfrid and who lived at that time hath given us a more accurate Account of the Death of this King and of his Successours viz. That King Alfred lying now sick upon his Death-bed repented of what he had done toward Bishop Wilfrid and promised That if ever he recovered of that Sickness he would restore the Bishop and in all Things observe the Decree of the Apostolick See but if he died he enjoyn'd who ever should succeed him to be reconciled with that Bishop for the good of both their Souls but this King dying one Eardwulf succeeded him thô but for a small time and the Bishop going to him and carrying that King's Son along with him he sent Messengers before supposing him to be his Friend but the King being perswaded by his Councellors and also prompted by his own natural Wickedness sent the Bishop word binding it with an Oath That unless he departed his Kingdom within the space of six Days whosoever he found of his Company should be put to Death Not long after which harsh Message a Plot being laid against him he was driven out of the Kingdom which he had scarce enjoyed two Months and so the Royal Youth Osred Son of the late King Alfred succeeded in the Kingdom and became Bishop Wilfrid's adopted Son In the first Year of which King the Author above-mentioned hath given us the following Account concerning the Restitution of the said Bishop viz. That Berthwald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury came about this time from the South together with all the Bishops Abbots and Chief Men of the whole Kingdom by the Precept of the Apostolical See to hold a Synod at a Place lying on the East-side of the River Nid in Northumberland where the King with his Bishops and Chief Men being met the Arch-Bishop made a Speech to them setting forth the Letters from the Pope which Bishop Wilfrid had brought directed to himself and which he desired might be read the Purport whereof was to the same effect as you have already heard Then Aelfleda the Abbess Daughter to the late King as also Berechtfrid the second Man in the Kingdom set forth the Will of the late King and therefore that it was fit to obey it as well as the Commands of the Apostolical See whereupon the King with his Great Men and all the Bishops upon mature Deliberation resolved to be reconciled to Bishop Wilfrid and that his two Monasteries of Rypon and Hagulstad together with all their Revenues should be restored to him and so a firm Reconciliation being made all the Bishops departed in Peace But yet for all this by what Richard Prior of Hagulstad hath left us of this matter it appears that Wilfrid did not carry the Cause so clearly as this Author would make it for he only was restored to the Bishoprick of Hagulstad and Bishop John above-named was from thence translated to York which Bishop Wilfrid had held before only Bishop John parted with Hagulstad for Peace-sake I have been the more exact in this Transaction because it has never been done by any body in our Language before Also
it is to this Year we are to refer the great Council which Bede tells us was held in the Kingdom of the West Saxons in which after the Death of Bishop Hedda the Bishoprick of that Province became divided into two one whereof was conferred on Daniel who held it at the time when Bede wrote his History and the other was bestowed upon Aldhelm above-mentioned then Abbot of Malmesbury who was now made Bishop of Shireburn and when he was only an Abbot did at the Command of a Synod of the whole Nation write an excellent Book against that Errour of the Britains in not keeping Easter at the due time whereby he converted many of those Britains which were then subject to the West Saxons to the Catholick Observation thereof Of whose other Works likewise Bede gives us there a Catalogue being a Person says he admirable in all Civil as well as Ecclesiastical and Divine Learning and as William of Malmesbury further informs us was the first of the English Saxons who wrote Latin Verses with a Roman Genius There is here in the Saxon Annals a Gap for the space of 3 Years in which I think we may according to H. Huntington's Account place what Bede relates in the Chapter and Book last cited viz. That Daniel and Aldhelm yet holding their Sees it was ordained by a Synodal Decree That the Province of the South Saxons which had hitherto belonged to the Diocess of Winchester should now be an Episcopal See and have a Bishop of its own and so Ceadbert who was then Abbot of the Monastery of Selsey was consecrated first Bishop of that Place who dying Ceolla succeeded in that Bishoprick but he likewise dying some Years before Bede wrote his History that Bishoprick then ceased This Year the Saxon Annals began with the Death of Bishop Aldhelm whom it calls Bishop of Westwude for so Shireburne was then called after whom one Forther took the Bishoprick and this year Ceolred succeeded in the Kingdom of the Mercians for now Kenred King of the West Saxons went to Rome and Offa with him and Kenred remained there to his Live's end and the same year Bishop Wilferth or Wilfred deceased at Undale his Body was brought to Rypon in Yorkshire This is the Bishop whom King Egferth long since forced to go to Rome There being divers Things put very close together under this Year they will need some Explanation This Offa here mentioned was as Bede and William of Malmesbury relate the Son of Sigher King of the East Saxons who being a young Man of a sweet Behaviour as well as handsom Face in the Flower of his Youth and highly beloved by his People and having not long before succeeded to the Kingdom after Sighard and Senfrid above-mentioned he courted Keneswith the Daughter of King Penda whom he desired to marry but it seems not long after their Marriage she over-perswaded him to embrace a Monastick Life so that he now went to Rome for that End And Bede tells us expresly that both these Kings left their Wives Relations and Countries for Christ's sake But to this Offa succeeded Selred the Son of Sigebert the Good in the Kingdom of the East Saxons H. Huntington proposes King Offa as a Pattern to all other Princes to follow and makes a long Exhortation to them to that purpose as if a King could not do GOD better Service nor more Good to Mankind by well-governing his People than by renouncing the World and hiding his Head in a Cell But such was the Fashion or rather Humour of that Age and the Affairs as well as Consciences of Princes being then altogether Govern'd by Monks it is no wonder if they extoll'd their own Profession as the only One wherein Salvation could certainly be obtained But since I have already given you from Bede and Stephen Heddi a large Account of Bishop Wilfred's Life and Actions above-mentioned I shall not need to add any more to it He was certainly a Man who had tried all the Vicissitudes of an adverse as well as a prosperous Fortune having been no less than three times deprived of his Bishoprick the first time unjustly but whether we may say the same of both the other seems doubtful for let his Friends say what they will it is evident he was at first deprived for opposing a very good Design viz. That of dividing the Northumbrian Kingdom into more Diocesses and he having the rich Monastery of Hagulstad under his Charge would not permit it to be made a Bishoprick thô the Diocess was more than he could well manage and this seems to have been the true Original of that great Quarrel between him and the two Kings Egfrâ—d and Alfred as you have already heard so it should seem the Wrong pretended to have been done him was none at all or else such holy Men as St. Cuthbert St. John of Beverlie and Eatta are described to be would never have accepted of the Bishopricks of York and Hagulstad during the time of his Deprivation and it is very strange that two Arch-Bishops successively with the greater part of the Bishops of England should have agreed to his Deprivation if there had not been great Cause for it nor would so holy and knowing a Woman as the Abbess Hilda have been so much against him had not there been some substantial Reason to justifie it but he had the Pope on his side who always encouraged Appeals to Rome and then it was no wonder if he prevailed but he was certainly a Prelate of a high Spirit and great Parts and who building a great many Monasteries by the Benevolence of the Kings and Princes of that Time and himself thô a Bishop being Abbot of two of them at once it was no wonder if he grew very rich which together with his high way of Living being the first Bishop of that Age who used Silver Vessels it procured him the Envy of those Princes but he was a grand Patron of the Monks and therefore it is not to be wondred at if they cried him up for a Saint of whom the Writer of his Life which he Dedicates to Acca his Successour relates too many Miracles to be believed raising the Dead cuting the Lame being very ordinary Feats but the Monks being the only Writers of that Age we must be contented with what Accounts they will give us thô thus much must be acknowledged in his Commendation That he converted great Multitudes to the Christian Faith and caused the Four Gospels to be written in Letters of Gold But having given you this Account of Bishop Wilfred's Life it is fit I say somewhat further of his Death concerning which the Author above-mentioned tells us That having lived 4 Years in Peace after his last Restitution he at last went to visit the Monasteries which he had founded in the South Parts of England where he was received by his Abbots whom he had put in with great Joy till coming to a Monastery which
him in the Kingdom of Mercia and held it Forty One Years Of this King Osred above mentioned Will. of Malmesbury gives a very bad Character that he stained his Reign by Debauching the Chastity of the Profess'd Nuns and that he was at last Slain by the Treachery of his Relations who also brought the same fate upon themselves But this King Ethelbald above mentioned was the Son of Alwer and he of Eoppa whose pedegree is already set down Also this Year Egbert that venerable person converted the Monks of Hii to the right Faith so that they afterwards observed Easter Orthodoxly as also the Ecclesiastical Tonsure the relation of which Bede hath given us at large being in short that Egbert the Priest above mentioned coming out of Ireland on purpose to convert those Monks they were so moved by his Pious Exhortations that leaving the Traditions of their Fore-fathers they afterwards observed the Catholic i. e. Roman Rites Egbert after he had lived with these Monks in this Island for Thirteen Years dyed there This Year Ingild the Brother of King Ina deceased whose Sisters were Werburgh and Cuthburgh the latter of whom Built the Monastery of Winburne She was once Married to Eadbert King of Northumberland but whil'st he lived they were made to renounce each other 's Bed In this Year also as Ingulphus in his History of the Monastery of Croyland relates that Abby was founded by Ethelbald King of the Mercians in honour of St. Guthlac the Anchorite then lately deceased it was for Benedictines You may see this King's Charter in the aforesaid Authour whereby he granted to this Monastery the whole Isle of Croyland then containing Four Leagues in length and Three in breadth with all the Marshes adjoyning there particularly mentioned About this time according to the Welsh Chronicle Roderic or Rodri the Son of Edwal Ywrich began to Reign over the Britains in Wales This Year Daniel Bishop of Winchester went to Rome and the same Year Ina slew Cinewoulf Athcling that is Prince of the Blood Royal and the same Year St. John Bishop of Hagulstad deceased who was Bishop Thirty Three Years and Eight Months whose Body was buried at Beverlie This was he who being first Bishop of Hagulstad and then of York was after his Death Canonised by the Name of St. John of Beverlie to whose shrine many Pilgrimages were made and of whom the Monkish Legends relate many incredible Miracles nor is Bede himself wanting in his Stories of this Bishop which notwithstanding I think are better omitted But Bede under this Year gives us this account of him that when he was not able by reason of his Age to perform his Episcopal Functions having ordained Wilfred his Presbyter Bishop of York in his room he retired to his Monastery in the Forrest of Deira where he finished his Life in a Heavenly Conversation This Year Queen Ethelburg destroyed the Castle of Taunton now Taunton-Dean in Somersetshire which Ina had before built and Eadbert was forced to flye into Surry to the South-Saxons where Ina also fought with them H. Huntington tells us That the reason why Queen Ethelburgh destroyed this Castle was because Eadbert a Rebellious Prince of the Blood Royal had taken it and made it the seat of this Rebellious War It being now according to Bede the Seventh Year of the Reign of Osric King of Northumberland King Wythred dyed who was Son of Egbert King of Kent after having reigned Thirty Four Years and an half He left Three Sons Ethelbert Eadbert and Aldric his Heirs Will. Malmesbury gives him this Character that he was gentle at home invincible in War and who strictly observed the Christian Religion but according to our Annals Eadbert his Son succeeded alone to him in the Kingdom This Year also according to our Annals Ina fought again with the South-Saxons and there slew Eadbert Aetheling whom he had before banished H. Huntington farther informs us That King Ina pursued Eadbert into Southsex and a nameless Authour adds That he then slew Aldwin King of the South-Saxons who took his part and Conquered that Countrey Also the same Year King Ina new built the Ancient Monastery of Glastenbury endowing it with divers Lands and also granted it an Exemption from all Episcopal Jurisdiction with divers other priviledges as you may find in his Charter confirmed by a great Council of the whole West-Saxon Kingdom the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Baldred King of Kent with divers other Bishops and Great Men being present and subscribing to it in the presence of all the Lay-people This Charter is in the Manuscript in the Library of Trinity Coll. in Cambridge and is also Printed by Sir H. Spelman in his First Volume of British Councils It was also sent to Rome and there confirmed by the Pope as the Book of Glastenbury relates About this time as Ranulph of Chichester in Polychronichon relates that Ina King of the West-Saxons first confered upon St. Peter that is the Bishop of Rome a Penny from every House in his Kingdom which was called by the English-Saxons-Romescot and in Latin Donarius Sancti Petri i. e. Peterpence which is also allowed by Polydore Virgil in his History who was once the Pope's Collector of this Tax in England but since I do not find this confirmed by any Ancient Authour or Council I suspend â—y my belief of it since I do not look upon the bare Testimony of the Collector of Polychronicon as of sufficient Authority for a mâ—tter of this Moment but if it were ever granted by this King it is likewise as certain that it could not be done without the consent of the Mycel-Synod or great Council of the Kingdom though that be not now to be found This Year according to Bede and the Saxon Annals deceased Tobias Bishop of Rochester a most learned Man for he was bred under the discipline of Arch-Bishop Theodorus and Abbot Adrian and was so well skill'd in the Greek and Latin that they were as perfect and familiar to him as his Mother Tongue he was buried at Rochester in St. Paul's Porch adjoining to the Church of St. Andrew after whom Aldwulf was made Bishop of that See Arch-Bishop Bertwald consecrating him King Ina went to Rome and there dyed and Ethelheard his Kinsman succeeded him in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and held it Fourteen Years William of Malmesbury and H. Huntington do both give King Ina great Commendations proposing him as an Example not only of Magnanimity and Justice by the good Laws he made but also of Piety and Devotion in that he was perswaded to quit all Worldly Vanities for a Monastick Life and that by the frequent Exhortations of the Queen his Wife who when she saw nothing would prevail upon him took this course which thô none of the cleanliest I will here give you Once when the King had made a great Entertainment at one of his Country-houses as soon as the Company was gone the
Queen ordered the Steward to defile all the Rooms with Cow-dung and other filth and also put a Sow and Pigs into the Bed where they had lain the Night before but when the King and Queen had gone some part of their Journey she perswaded him to return back again to the same place otherwise he would run a great hazard which being done when the King saw the place which was yesterday fit to entertain a Prince now thus spoiled being much troubled at it he went to the Queen and complain'd to her of it at which she laughing replied My Lord and Husband See what is become of all that Feasting and Magnificence we saw Yesterday Are they not all gone and past like Water that runs into the Sea so of all those Vanities there remains nothing but this Dung and Filth that only serves to represent the Corruption of the Soul by such Excesses think then Sir how soon that Flesh will rot that is now pamper'd by Luxury and the greater and more powerful we are the greater will our Torments be hereafter She needed to say no more for she had now brought over her Husband to her Sentiments which she had for some Years before constantly instill'd thô hitherto in vain thus after so many warlike Triumphs being at the highest pitch of Humane Felicity he went to Rome where he shewed not the least Pride in his Conversation but without exposing himself to publick view being there shorn a Monk grew old in that mean Habit nor was his Wife who had been the Authour of this Resolution wanting in following the same Example accompanying him thither her self comforting him and confirming him in that Course he had undertaken by her own Example so not living far from each other in Mutual Love they at last departed this Life not without doing divers Miracles if our Author may be credited But before we dismiss the History of this â—ing it is fit we should take notice of a notorious falshood inserted by some Ignorant trifling Monk among the Laws of King Edward the Confessour concerning this King Ina's Marrying Guala the Daughter of Cadwallader King of the Britains from which Daughter we are there told that Country was called Wallia which in Ancienter times had the name of Cambria and that all the English who lived at that time took their Wives from the British Stock as they did also from the English and that this was done by the Advice of a Common Council of the Kingdom and that in this manner they were made one Nation and one People by God's mercy throughout the whole Kingdom of Britain which hath given occasion to some fabulous Historians to make this Ina King of Wales as well as England though without any ground Since none of the Ancient British or English Chronicles do ever mention any such thing For during the Reign of this Ina Ivour the Son of Alan Duke of Britain is Recorded by the Welsh Chronicles to have Reigned in Wales but the likeness of these two Names I suppose gave the first occasion to this Fable The same Year that Ina went to Rome the Saxon Annals relate That King Ethelhard his Successour fought with Oswald Aetheling which Oswald was the Son of Aethelbald and he the Son of Cynebald Grandson to King Ceawlin who as H. Huntington and Will of Malmesbury tell us Being a Young Prince of the Blood Royal and raising a Rebellion against him in the beginning of his Reign endeavoured to obtain the Kingdom for himself but being worsted was forced to Flee This Year appeared a Comet and that Holy Man Ecgbert dyed at Hye This Ecgbert was the person above mentioned who brought over the Monks of that Monastery to keep Easter after the Roman manner This Year Oswald Aetheling dyed as it is supposed in Banishment This Year Osric King of Northumberland was slain and Ceolwulf succeeded him and held it Eight Years who was the Son of Cutha and he the Son of Cuthwin where follows his Pedigree as far as Eoppa This Year Bede also tells us Bertwald the Arch-Bishop Deceased being worn out with Age and Infirmities having held that See Thirty Seven Years and Six Months in whose room Tatwin was made Arch-Bishop who had been a Priest in the Monastery of Berodune in the Kingdom of the Mercians he was consecrated at Canterbury by Daniel Bishop of Winchester Inguald Bishop of London Aldwin Bishop of Leichfield and Aldulf Bishop of Rochester he was a Man famous for Religion and Prudence and very well skill'd in the Scriptures he sate Arch-Bishop till Bede's Death and lived but Three Years after here also follow in Bede the Names of the rest of the Bishops that were his Contemporaries which is unnecessary here to be inserted But as for the state of Civil Affairs when Bede finished his History he gives us this brief Account viz. That Ceolwulf who was then King of Northumberland had been in the beginning of his Reign perplexed with great Troubles the end of which Bede could not then foresee the Nation of the Picts at this time kept their league with the English Nation and rejoyced to be partakers of the Catholick Peace and Truth with the Universal Church This he speaks because Natan King of the Picts had been but a little before brought over to imbrace the Romish observation of Easter and to their manner of shaving Priest's Crowns Also the Scots who Inhabit Britain being kept in within their own limits did practise no Treachery against the English Nation as to the Britains thô the greatest part from a natural hatred to the English Nation did oppose the Catholick observation of Easter yet the Divine Power as well as Human Force being against them they could not obtain their desires for though they were partly at their own disposal yet were they in great measure subject to the English in this Peaceable and quiet time the most part of the Northumbrian Nation as well Nobles as Private Persons chose rather to make themselves and their Children Monks than to Educate them in a Military Life which says he What end it will have the next Age will shew And so indeed it did not long after Bede's Death for when the best Men thus retired into Monasteries none but the worser or meaner sort being left they soon fell into horrid Rebellions and Civil Wars one King driving out and Murdering another leaving the People an easie Prey to the Danes who in the next Generation Invaded them This as Bede relates was the Present State of Britain in his Time about 285 Years after the Arrival of the English Saxons We being now bereft of the assistance of so good an Authour must for the future wholly rely upon the Saxon Annals together with the other Monkish Writers thô indeed for near the space of above Thirty Years last past Bede growing more intent upon Ecclesiastical than Civil Affairs being all most wholly taken up with the reciteing of Visions and
relates Swebriht King of the East-Saxons died this Year Eadbriht or Egbert the Son of Eatta who was the Son of Leodwald began to Reign in the Kingdom of the Northumbers and held it One and Twenty Years Egbert Arch-Bishop of York was his Brother who were both buried in the City of York in the same Church-Porch But it there is an over-sight in these Annals for this Eadbriht above mentioned must be the same with Eadbriht under the former Year This Year also according to Simeon of Durham Swebright King of the East-Saxons died Ceolwulf late King of Northumberland died this Year according to Mat. Westminster in the Monastery of Lindisfarne Also as Simeon of Durham relates Nothelm Arch-Bishop of Canterbury deceased but the Saxon Annals defer his Death two Years longer This Year Acca Bishop of Hagulstad deceased who as the same Author relates was had in great Reverence not only during his Life but also after his Decease for his great Sanctity and supposed Miracles King Ethelred deceased and Cuthred his Cousin succeeded in the Kingdom of the West Saxons and held it 16 Years This King made sharp War against Ethelbald King of the Mercians and that with various Success as H. Huntington tells us sometimes making Peace and then again renewing the War This Year also Nothelm the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury deceased and Cuthbriht was Consecrated in his stead as was also Dun Bishop of Rochester after the Death of Eadulph ' This Year also the City of York was burnt together with the Monastery as Simeon has it Now was held the great Synod at Cloveshoe where were present Ethelbald King of the Mercians and Cuthbert the Arch-Bishop with many other wise Men. Where this Cloveshoe was is now very uncertain since the Name is wholly lost some suppose it to have been Cliffe in Kent near Gravesend but it is not likely that Ethelbald being now the chief King of England would permit this Council to have been held out of his own Dominions so that others suppose it to have been Abingdon in Berkshire which was anciently called Secvesham where as the old Book of that Abbey tells us was anciently a Royal Seat of the Kings and where there used to be great Assemblies of the People concerning the arduous Affairs of the Mercian Kingdom But thô we are more certain of the Decrees of this Council than of the Place where it was held yet since it was a meer Ecclesiastical Synod and no great Council of that Kingdom and that its Decrees were chiefly made in Confirmation of the Charter of King Withred concerning free Elections to Monasteries in Kent according to the Directions of the Archbishop of Canterbury I shall refer you to the Canons themselves as they are to be found in the Decem Scriptores and Sir H. Spelman's British Councils and shall only take notice of this one that now Bishops were first ordered to visit their Diocesses once a Year This Year Ethelbald King of the Mercians and Cuthred King of the West Saxons fought against the Britains H. Huntington tell us That these two Kings now joyning their Forces brought two great Armies into the Field against the Welsh-men who not being able to defend themselves were forced to flie leaving great Spoils behind them so both the Kings returned home Victorious According to Florence of Worcester Wilfred the second Bishop of York of that Name died after he had fate 30 Years Also this Year according to the Annals Daniel resigned the Bishoprick of Winchester being worn out by Age and Hunferth succeeded him and they say the Stars seemed to fall from Heaven But Simeon of Durham calls them with more probability such Lightnings as those of that Age had never before seen About this time also according to Simeon there happened a great Fight between the Picts and the Britains I suppose he means those of Camberland for no other Britains lay near the Picts This year Bishop Daniel above-mentioned deceased after he had been 43 years Bishop ' This year Selred King of the East-Saxons was slain But by whom or which way is not here said This Selred was Sirnamed The Good and reigned 38 years Switheard King of the East-Angles dying Elfwold succeeded him as the Chronicle of Mailros relates This Year also was held the second Council at Cloveshoe under Cuthbert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury there being present beside the Bishops Abbots and many Ecclesiasticks Ethelbald King of the Mercians with his chief Men and Ealdermen In which besides many Decrees concerning the Unity of the Church and for promoting Peace which you may see at large in Sir H. Spelman's First Volume of Councils and after the reading of Pope Zachary's Letters to the People of England to live more continently These among other Decrees were likewise passed viz. 1. That the Reading of the Holy Scriptures be more constantly used in Monasteries 2. That Priests receive no Reward for baptizing Children or for other Sacraments 3. That they learn the Creed and the Lord's Prayer in English and are likewise to understand and interpret into their own Tongue the Words of Consecration in the Celebration of Mass and also of Baptism c. This year Cynric Aetheling that is Prince of the Blood-Royal of the West Saxons was slain and Eadbriht King of Kent died after six Years Reign and Ethelbryht the Son of King Withred succeeded him This Cynric was he whom H. Huntington relates to be Son of Cuthred King of the West Saxons who thô young in Years was a great Warriour for his time yet perished in a sudden Sedition of his own Souldiers but where he does not say Simeon affirms That Elfwald King of the East Angles now dying Hunbeanna and Albert divided that Kingdom between them but what relation they had to the late King he does not tell us This year Cuthred King of the West Saxons in the 12th Year of his Reign fought against Ethelune that couragious Ealderman H. Huntington calls him a bold Earl who moved Sedition against his Lord and thô he were inferiour in the number of his Souldiers yet maintained the Fight a great while by his sole Courage and Conduct but while he was ready to get the Victory a Wound he then unfortunately received so disabled him and disheartened his Men that the King's being the stronger as well as the juster Side did thereby prevail Also the same Year according to Simeon of Durham and the Chronicle of Mailros Eadbert King of Northumberland led Kynwulf Bishop of Lindisfarne Prisoner to the City of Beban who it seems had some ways rebelled against him for he then also caused the Cathedral Church of Lindisfarne to be besieged The same Year as Bede's Continuator relates Eadbert King of Northumberland made War upon the Picts and subdued all the Country of Kyle with other Territories joyning them to his own Dominions This Year according to the Saxon Annals King
Cuthred fought against the Britains But of this the Welsh Chronicles are silent as well as other Authors The same Year also being the 12th Year of his Reign King Cuthred fought against Aethelbald King of the Mercians at Beorgford now Burford in Oxfordshire and there put him to flight But H. Huntington gives us this Battle more at large That King Cuthred being not any longer able to bear the Insolencies and Impositions of that proud King Ethelbald took Arms and met him with an Army in the Field preferring his Liberty before his Life being encouraged by Earl Ethelune above-mentioned who it seems was now cured and reconciled to the King relying upon whose Courage and Council he resolved to undertake this War but Ethelbald as a King of Kings had brought along with him besides his own Mercians the Kentish Men with the East Angles and Saxons which made all together a very great Army and being both drawn up on the Spot they approached each other whilst Earl Athelune marching before the West Saxons carried the Royal Standard being a Golden Dragon and in the beginning of the Battle challenging him to a single Combat there slew the Standard-bearer of the Enemy upon which a great Shout being given Cuthred's Souldiers were very much encouraged then both Armies engaging there followed a great and bloody Fight of which our Author gives us a long and pompous Relation Pride and Ambition says he inciting the Mercians and fear of Servitude provoking the West Saxons to fight it to the last but wherever Earl Ethelune charged the Enemies he with the force of his invincible Battle-Axe destroyed all before him but at last K. Ethelbald and the Earl meeting they fought together with great Obstinacy and Resolution till GOD who resisteth the Proud so discouraged this King that he turned his Back and fled whilst his Men still fought on yet at last they were all routed nor from that time to the day of his Death did GOD give him any more Success Cuthred King of the West Saxons departed this Life and according to Simeon Sigebert his Cousin succeeded him Also Cyneheard succeeded in the Bishoprick of Winchester after Hunferth and the same year the City of Canterbury was burnt This Year was very remarkable for now as our Annals inform us Cynwulf with the Wife and Noble Men of the West Saxons deprived King Sigebert of the whole Kingdom for his Cruelty and Injustice except Hampshire which he kept for some time until he slew one Cumbran an Ealderman who had continued longest with him so that at last Sigebert was driven into Andred's Wood where he remained till such time as a certain Hogheard ran him through with a Lance at Pruutes-Flood and thereby revenged the Death of Cumbran the Ealderman This King Cynwulf often overcame the Britains in Fight but after he had governed the Kingdom about 30 Years he was slain by Cyneheard Aetheling brother to Sigebert as shall be shewn hereafter H. Huntington is very particular in the Reasons and manner of King Sigebert's Deposition and tells us That being puff'd up with the good Succâ—ss of his Predecessours he grew intollerable to his Subjects for he had oppressed them by all manner of ways and wrested the Laws for his own Advantage insomuch that this Cumbran one of his noblest Earls at the Desire of the People represented their Grievances to this cruel King who because he perswaded him that he should govern them more gently and thereby become more beloved both by God and Man he presently commanded him to be slain and so daily increased in his Tyranny till in the beginning of his Second Year the Great Men and People of the whole Kingdom being gathered together by the Provident Deliberation and Unanimous Consent of them All he was expell'd the Kingdom and Cinewulf a notable young Man of the Blood Royal was Elected King in his room This is the first Example we have in our English History of the Solemn Deposition of a King by the Authority of the Great Council of the Kingdom concerning whom our Author bids us remark the manifold Justice and Providence of God how sometimes it doth not only recompence Kings according to their Merits in the World to come but also in this for oftentimes setting up Wicked Kings for the Deserved Punishment of their Subjects he lets some of them Tyrannize a great while that so a wicked People might be punished and the King becoming more wicked may be tormented for ever as may be seen in Aethelbald King of Mercia above-mentioned whilst God cuts others short by a speedy Destruction lest his People being oppress'd by too great Tyranny should not be able to subsist under it so that the immoderate Wickedness of a Prince does often accelerate his Punishment The same Year according to Caradoc's Chronicle published by Dr. Powel Conan Tindaethwy Son of Rodri Molwynoc began his Reign over the Britains in Wales This Year also according to the Saxon Annals Aethelbald King of the Mercians was slain at Seccandune now Secington in Warwickshire after he had reigned 41 Years and then Beornred usurped the Kingdom and held it but a little while and that with great Trouble for the same year King Offa expelled Beornred and taking Possession of the Throne held it 39 Years but his Son Egberth no more than 140 Days This Offa was the Son of Thincerth and he the Son of Eanwulf The rest of his Pedigree as far as Woden I omit Abbot Bromton's Chronicle farther adds concerning the Death of King Ethelbald That he was slain in a Fight at the Place above-mention'd yet was it not by the Enemy but by the Treachery of this Beornred Ingulph in his History of Croyland tells us That King Ethelbald having founded the Abby of Ripendune now Repton in Derbyshire being the most famous of that Age was there buried and also of this Beornred whom he calls a Tyrant that he did not long enjoy his Usurpation for it seems he was not of the Blood Royal of the Mercian Kings but when he was Expelled Offa succeeded him by the General Consent of the Nobles of Mercia but Mat. Westminster who puts the Succession of King Offa two Years later is more particular in this Transaction and relates That this Beornred governing very Tyrannically the whole Nation of the Mercians rose up against him so that both the Nobility and Commons joyning together under the Conduct of Offa a valiant young Man Nephew to the late King Aethelbald they expelled Beornred the Kingdom and then Offa by the General Consent of the Clergy and Laity of that Kingdom was crowned King This was that King Offa who afterwards became a Terrour to all the Kings of England Eadbert King of Northumberland and Unust King of the Picts brought an Army against the City Alkuith which the Britains delivered upon Conditions This is from the Authority of Simeon of Durham and lets us see that this City now in Scotland was then in the Hands
King of the Mercians fought against Kenwulf King of the West-Saxons at the Siege of Bensington Castle But Kenwulf being worsted was forced to flee and so Offa took the Castle Now Janbryht the Archbishop deceased and Ethelheard the Abbot was elected Archbishop Also Osred King of the Northumbers was betray'd and driven out of his Kingdom and Ethelred the Son of Ethelwald Sirnamed Mull reigned after him or rather was again restored to the Kingdom having reigned there before as hath been already shewn But Simeon of Durham adds farther that this Osred the late King of this Kingdom having been also shaven a Monk against his Will escaped again out of the Monastery into the Isle of Man But the next Year As Simeon relates Oelf and Oelfwin Sons of Alfwold formerly King of Northumberland were drawn by fair Promises from the Principal Church of York and afterwards at the Command of King Ethelred cruelly put to Death at Wonwalderemâ—re a Village by the great Pool in Lancashire now called Winanderemere Also about this time according to the same Author one Eardulf an Earl being taken and brought to Ripun was there Sentenced by the said King to be put to Death without the Gate of the Monastery whose Body when the Monks had carried to the Church with solemn Dirges and placed under a Pavilion was about Midnight found alive But this Relation is very imperfect for it neither tells us how he escaped Death nor how he was conveyed away though we find him five Years after this made King of Northumberland This Year as Simeon of Durham and Mat. Westminster relate Charles King of France sent certain Synodal Decrees into England in which alas for with great Grief our Author speaks it were found many inconvenient things and altogether contrary to the true Faith For it had been decreed in a Council at Constantinople by more than Three Hundred Bishops that Images ought to be adored which the Church of God does say they wholly abominate Then Albinus that is our Alcuin wrote an Epistle wherein he proved it by the Authority of the Holy Scriptures to be utterly Unlawful and this he offered together with the Book it self to the King of France on the behalf of all our Bishops and Great Men and this Letter of Alcuinus is thought to have wrought such an effect on the Synod of Francfort assembled about two Years after that the Worship of Images was therein solemnly condemned From which it is evident that Image-Worship as now practised in the Greek and Roman Churches was not then received in England And this Year also according to the same Author Osred late King of Nortbumberland being deceived by the Oaths of some great Men returned privately from the Isle of Man when his Souldiers deserting him and being taken Prisoner by King Ethelred he was by his Command put to Death at a Place called Aynsburg but his Body was buried at the famous Monastery at the mouth of Tine and the same Year King Ethelred betrothed Elfrede the Daughter of King Offa. In whom also there was found as little Faith as Mercy for this Year according to our Annals Will. of Malmesbury and Mat. Westminster Ethelbert the Son of Ethelred King of the East-Angles notwithstanding the disswasions of his Mother going to the Court of King Offa in order to Wooe his Daughter was there slain by the wicked instigations of Queen Quendrith so that out of an Ambition to seize his Kingdom Offa was perswaded to make him away but by what means it is not agreed The Annals relate him to have been beheaded But the same Annals and Florence of Worcester agree That his Body was buried in the Monastery at Tinmouth But the Chronicle ascribed to Abbot Bromton as also Mat. Westminster have given us long and Legendary Accounts of the Death of this Prince and the latter of these as well as other Monks who were favourers of this King Offa would have this Murther to be committed without this King's knowledge and Mat. Westminster has a long Story about it but not all probable especially since the King was so well pleased with the Fact when it was done that he presently seized the Kingdom of this poor Murthered Prince and added it to his own Dominions This Year as Mat. Paris and his Namesake of Westminster relate King Offa was warned by an Angel to remove the Reliques of St. Alban into a more noble Shrine and so either for this cause or else which is more likely to expiate the several Murthers he had committed began to build a new Church and Monastery in honour of St. Alban and thither removing his Bones into a Silver shrine all gilt and adorned with precious Stones he placed them in the new Church that he had built without the Town where as the Monks pretended they wrought great Miracles This King having made a journey on purpose to Rome obtained of Pope Adrian to have him Canonized King Offa also conferred upon this Monastery very great Privileges and vast Possessions all which he confirmed by his Charter which you may find in the first Volume of Monast. Anglic. as that also Anno. Dom. 1154. One Nicholas having been first a Servant in this Abbey and afterwards was Bishop of Alba Elected Pope by the name of Adrian IV he by his Bull ordained that as St. Alban was the first Martyr of England so this Abbot should be the first in Dignity of all the Abbots in England and Pope Honorius did by a Bull in the Year 1118 not only ratifie all the Privileges made and confirmed by former Popes but also granted to the Abbot and his Successours Episcopal Rights together with the Habit and that he and his Monks should be exempt from all Jurisdiction to the Bishop of Lincoln with other Exemptions too long here to be set down Also this Year there appeared strange Prodigies in the Country of Northumberland which mightily terrified the People of that Province viz. immoderate Lightnings there were also seen Meteors like fiery Dragons flying in the Air after which signs followed a cruel Famine and a little after the same Year 6 o Idus Jan. certain Heathens i.e. Danes miserably destroyed the Church of God in Lindisfarne committing great Spoils and Murthers Simeon of Durham says These Danes not only pillaged that Monastery but killing divers of the Friers carried away the rest Captive sparing neither Priests nor Laymen This Year also Sicga died he who killed the good King Alfwold who now as Roger Hoveden relates slew himself And the same Year according to Florence of Worcester Ethelard was ordained Arch-Bishop of York and as Simeon of Durham relates the same Year died Alric Third Son to Withred King of Kent after a long Reign of Thirty Four Years in whom ended the Race of Hengist Thenceforth as Will. of Malmesbury observes whomsoever Wealth or Faction advanced took on him the Title of King of that Province This Year both Pope Adrian
them reaching the Shore were presently slain at the Mouth of the same River But Simeon of Durham imputes this to a Judgment inflicted on them by St. Cuthbert for thus spoiling his Monastery The Moon was Eclipsed 5 o Kal. Aprilis from the Cock crowing till the Morning Eardwulf also began to reign over Northumberland 1 o Idus Maii and was afterwards Consecrated and placed on the Throne 7 o Kal. Junii at York by Eanbald the Arch-Bishop and by the Bishops Ethelbert Higbald and Badewulf This Eardwulf as Florence of Worcester informs us was he who 5 Years before had so strangely escaped Death at Ripun after he had been carried out to be buried but the Chronicle of Mailross does here give great Light of the Saxon Annals for it tells us that now the Northumbers murthered their King Ethelred the Son of Moll Simeon places it a Year after but says The Murther was committed on the 14th of the Kalends of May at a Place called Cobene but they both agree that immediately after his Death one Osbald a Nobleman of that Country was made King but reigned only 27 Days and that then being forsaken by the Chief Men of his Kingdom he was driven into the Isle of Lindisfarne with a few Followers from whence he fled by Sea to the King of the Picts where he became a Monk And this Eardwulf reigned of his stead William of Malmesbury further adds that Alcuin writing to King Offa tells him That King Charles so soon as he heard of this Murther of King Ethelred above-mentioned and of the Perfidiousness of the Northumbrian Nation not only stopt the Gifts he was then sending but falling into a Passion against them called them a perverse and perfidious Nation and worse than Pagans so that if Alcuin had not interceded for them he would have done them all the Mischief he could About this time also the Welsh Chronicles relate there was a great Battle fought at Ruthlan between the Saxons and the Britains where Caradoc ap Gwin King of North Wales was slain But as Dr. Powel observed in his Notes upon Caradoc's Chronicle in those Times there was no settled Government in Wales therefore such as were Chief Lords of any Country there are in this History called Kings This Year died Eanbald Arch-bishop of York the 4th of the Ides of August whose Body was there buried also the same Year Bishop Ceolwulf died and another Eanbald was Consecrated in his stead This Year likewise Cenwulf King of the Mercians destroyed Kent to the Borders of Mercia and took Eadbert or Ethelbert Sirnamed Praen and carryed him Prisoner into Mercia and there caused his Eyes to be put out and his Hands to be cut off Also Ethelheard Arch-bishop of Canterbury called a Synod which by the Command of Pope Leo established and confirmed all those things relating to God's Church which had been before constituted in the Reign of King Withgar and then the Arch-bishop said thus I Ethelheard Arch-bishop of Canterbury with the Unanimous Consent of the whole Synod and of the whole Body of all the Monasteries to whom Exemption hath been granted of Old Times by Believers in the Name of GOD and by his fearful Judgments and as I have received Command from Pope Leo do Decree That for the future none shall presume to Elect themselves Covâ—rnours amongst Lay-men over GOD's Heritage but as it is contained in the Charter or Bulls which the Pope hath granted or Holy Men to wit our Kings and Ancestors have ordained concerning the Holy Monasteries so let them remain inviolate without any gain-saying and if there be any one who shall refuse to obey this Command from GOD the Pope and Us but shall despise it and count it as nothing let him know that he shall give an Account of it before the Tribunal of GOD. And I Aethelheard the Archbishop with Twelve Bishops and Three and Twenty Abbots do hereby establish and confirm this Decree with the Sign of the Cross. This Council thô the Annals do not expresly mention it under that Title is that great Council of Becanceld placed in Sir H. Spelman's Collection under Anno 798 being held under Cenwulf King of the Mercians Aethelheard Arch-bishop of Canterbury with 17 Bishops more who all subscribed to this Decree thô the Annals mention no more than 12 Bishops to have been there This Year the Romans took Pope Leo and cut out his Tongue and put cut his Eyes and deposed him but presently after if it may be believed he could both see and speak by the help of GOD as well as he could before and was also restored to the Papacy by the Emperour Charles Also Eanbald the Arch-bishop of York received the Pall and Ethelbert Bishop of Hagulstad deceased 3 o Kal. Nov. This Year was a bloody Battle in the Province of Northumberland in Lent-time at Wealaege now called Whalie in Lancashire where was slain Alric the Son of Heardbert and many others with him The occasion of which Civil War Simeon of Durham hath thus given us â—iz That besides Alric there were divers others in Northumberland who had formerly conspired against King Ethelred and now raising a Rebellion against Eardwulf under Wadâ— their Captain after much slaughter on both sides at Billangahoth near Whalie in Lancashire the Conspirators being at last put to flight King Eardwulf returned home Victorious The same Year London according to the same Author with a great multitude of its Inhabitants by a sudden Fire was Consumed And now according both to Simeon of Durham and Roger Hoveden was held the Second Council of Pinchinhale in the Kingdom of Northumberland under Eanbald Arch-bishop of York and divers other Principal and Ecclesiastical Men where many things were ordained for the Profit of GOD's Church and of the Northumbrian Nation as concerning the keeping Easter and other Matters not particularly mentioned The same Year also according to Monasticon Anglicanum Kenwulf King of the Mercians founded a stately Abbey at Winchelcomb in Glocestershire for 300 Benedictine Monks and when it was Dedicated in the Presence of Wilfrid Arch-bishop of Canterbury and 13 other Bishops he then set free before the High Altar Eadbert King of Kent who was then his Prisoner of War But having before most cruelly put out his Eyes and cut off his Hands and disposed of his Kingdom to another I doubt that Liberty proved but a small Satisfaction to his poor injured Prince But such was the Superstitious Zeal of that Age the Foundation of a Monastery was counted a sufficient Atonement to GOD for whatsoever Cruelties or Injustice Princes hath then committed This Year Ethâ—lheard the Arclt-bishop and Cynebriht Bishop of the West Saxons went to Rome the latter to take the Habit of a Monk and Bishop Alfwin deceased at Southburg now Sutbury in Suffolk and was buried at Domuc now Dunwich in the same County being then the Seat of that Bishoprick and Tidfrith was chosen in his Room
Also this Year the Body of St. Wihtburh was found at Durham entire and uncorrupt after she had been dead 55 Years And the same Year according to Roger Hoveden Osâ—ald who had been before King of Northumberland died an Abbot and was buried in York Minster and Alred the Ealderman who slew King Aethelred was also killed by one Thormond in Revenge of the Death of his Lord. Also the Moon was Eclipsed in the second Hour of the Night 17 o Kal. Feb. Also this Year Beorthric or Brihtrick King of the West Saxons deceased As also Worre an Ealderman Then also Ecgbriht began to Reign over the West Saxons and the same Day or Year as Florence of Worcester hath it Aethelmond Ealderman of Wiccon that is Worcestershire pass'd the River Severne at Cynesmeresford suppose to be Kemsford in Glocestershire and there met him Weoxton the Ealdormen with the Wiltshire Men who gained the Victory I cannot find in any Author the occasion of this Quarrel only that it was fought between these Earls one of the West Saxons and the other of the Mercians but such Bickerings we often meet with in these Writers and so related are of no more use to Human Life than to Chronicle the Skirmishes of Crows or Jack daws flocking together and Fighting in Air. The same Year is very remarkable because as our Annals relate Charles the Great was first made Emperour and saluted Augustus by the Romans he then condemned those to Death who had before outraged Pope Leo but by the Pope's Intercession they were pardoned as to Life and only banished but Pope Leo himself anointed him Emperour Also this Year according to the Welsh Chronicles Publisht by Arthen ap Sitsilt King of Cardigan and Run King of Divet and Cadel King of Powâ—s all three died Now also according to Florence and Simeon Alchmaid Son to Ethelred late King of Northumberland being taken by the Guards of K. Eardulf was by his Command slain but without telling us any Reason why Also about this time according to Sir H. Spelman's First Volume of Councils was held the Third Council of Cloveshoe under Kenwulf King of the Mercians and Athelherd or Ethelhard Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with all the Bishops Ealderman Abbots and other Dignified Persons of that Province in which few Things were transacted concerning the Faith only the Lands of a certain Monastery called Cotham which had been given by Ethelbald King of the Mercians to the Monastery of St. Saviours's in Canterbury and had been upon the Embezeling the Deeds unjustly taken away by King Kenwulph but he now repenting of it desired they should be restored whereupon Cynedrith his Daughter then Abbess of that Monastery gave the said Arch-Bishop other Lands in Kent there mentioned in exchange for the same But since I am come to the Conclusion of this Period I cannot omit giving you a fuller Account of the Character and Death of Brithric King of the West Saxons and of the Succession of Egbert who afterwards became the Chief or Supreme King of this Kingdom and to whom all those Kings that remained were forced to become Tributary As for King Britric he is noted by Will of Malmesbury to have been more desirous of Peace than War and to that end courted the Friendship of Foreign Princes to have been easie to his Subjects in such Things as did not weaken his Government yet being jealous of Prince Egbert who afterwards succeeded him he forced him to flee to King Offa for Refuge but upon the coming of certain Ambassadours to Treat of a Marriage between King Brithric and the Daughter of King Offa he retired into France till that King was made away by the means of his Wife Aeadburga the Daughter of King Offa who having prepared a Cup of poisoned Wine for one of his Favourites whom she hated the King coming in by chance tasted of it and so pined away After whose Death Asser in his Annals relates That when this Queen could live no longer among the English being so hated by them for her violent and wicked Actions she went into France where she was kindly Entertained by Charles the Great and there making that Emperour many great Presents for which he bidding her chuse whom she would have for a Husband himself or his Son she foolishly chose his Son whereupon the Emperour laughing said If thou hadst chosen me thou shouldest have had my Son but now thou shalt have neither A just Return for her desiring to marry one so much younger than her self So the Emperour put her into a Monastery where she lived for some Years as an Abbess but being Expelled thence for her Incontinency she wandred about with only one Servant and begged her Bread in Pavia in Italy till she died But as for Egbert above mentioned when he had been for about three Years banished into France where as William of Malmesbury tells us he polished the Roughness of his own Country Manners the French Nation being at that time the most Civilized of any of those Gothic and German Nations who had some Ages before as hath been already related settled themselves in this side of Europe But upon the Death of King Brihtric without any Issue as the same Author relates he was recalled by the Nobility of the West Saxon Kingdom and being there ordained King reigned with great Glory and Honour exceeding all the English Saxon Kings that went before him as shall be declared in the ensuing Book But before I conclude this I cannot forbear mentioning a Learned English-man who flourished about this time called Alcuinus or Albinus who going into France was in great Favour with Charles the Great whom he taught the Liberal Arts and by his means erected the University of Paris where he read Logic Rhetoric and Astronomy being the most Learned Man of all the English-men if not of all others in his Time He died Abbot of St. Martins at Tours which that King bestowed upon him He wrote elegantly in Verse as well as Prose considering the Age he lived in as appears by his Poem De Pontificibus Sanctis Ecclesiae Eboracencis lately Published by the Reverend and Learned Dr. Gale in his last Volume of English Historians So having arrived to the end of this Period I shall in the next Book shew how King Egbert obtained not only the Crown of the West Saxon Kingdom but also the Supreme Dominion of the English Nation The End of the Fourth Book A Continuation of the Succession of the English-Saxon Kings contaiâ—ed in the former Book from the Saxon Annals Florence of 〈◊〉 and Simeon of Durham Note That the last King of each Column in the former Table is again repeated in this that the 〈◊〉 the better see how the Series is continued This Account differs sometimes from the Annals some few Years wherein they are certainly mistakâ—n The Chronology of the Kings of Wales is according to the Account of Mr Robert Vaughan and 〈◊〉 Maâ—uscript Welsh Châ—onicle
at the end of Domesday-Book Anno Dom. Kings of Kent Anno Dom. Kings of the South-Saxons Anno Dom. Kings of the West-Saxons Anno Dom. Kings of the East-Saxons Aâ—no Dâ—m Kings of Northumberland Anno Dom. Kings of the East-Angles Anno Dom. Kings of Mercia Anno Dom. 〈…〉 560 Ethelbert reigned 56 years   597 Ceolwulf reigned 14 years 566 Sebert 47 years  Ethelfrid reigned 24 years over both Kingdoms 599 Eorpwald or Earpenwald  Ceorl 658 〈…〉 616 Eadbald or Ethelbald his Son 24 years     617 Sexred Seward and Sigebert being brothers 6 years â—17 Edwin Son of Aella reigned likewise over both 17 years but he being slain they became again divided for then in 636 Sigebert the Great         611 Cynegils and     638 Egric his Cousin 627 Penda a Prince of the Royal Blood reigned 30 years   640 Ercombert his Son 24 years  In the Succession of this Kingdom we find a great Chasm until 613 Cwichelm his Son who lived not long but Cynegils reigned 31 years     643 Anna Nephew to Redwald   660 〈…〉 664 Egbriht his Son 9 years     623 Sigebert the little their Cousin 25 years  Deira  Bernicia 654 Ethelthere his Brother   634 〈…〉 673 Lothair his Brother 12 years       â—34 Osric Son to Alfrid reigned one year 634 Eanfred Son to Ethelfrid late King reigned one year 656 Aethelwald his Cousin 655 Peada his Son one year after whom   685 Eadric a Stranger to the Royal Line 680 Ethelwalch or Athelwald who being slain in Battel by Ceadwalla he for some time added that Kingdom to his own till he was driven out by Bertune and Autune two Commanders of the late King Ethelwalch's These divided the Kingdom between them after whom followed divers Kings who being obscure we know not their Names until one 643 Kenewalch his Son 648 Sigebert the Good     664 Aldwulf Son to Ethelhere 656 Oswie King of Northumberland held that Kingdom three years but he being expell'd 665 〈…〉     672 Sexburge his Queen 661 Swithelme his Brother 2 years  Then these being both slain in the same year 683 Aelfwold his Brother     686 Wittred Waebberd these also usurped not being of the Blood-Royal and reigned at once       â—34 Oswald Brother to Eanfrid reigned over both Kingdoms 9 years who being also slain 690 Beorne one of another Family   668 〈…〉     674 Aeskwine Cousin to the late King reigned 2 years 663 Sigher and Sebba Cousins the former reigned a small time the latter 30 years    Note That under An. 749. Sim. of Durham and the Chronicle of Mailross make Hunbean and Albert to have succeeded Aelfwold and divided the Kingdom between them But since Mat. Westm. calls them Beorna and Athelbert I take this Hunbean to be the same with Beorne above-mâ—ntioned and Athelbert to be the same with             â—42 Oswie Brother to Oswald reigned in Bernicia 9 years 644 Oswin Son to Osric reigned in Deira until after 7 years reign being slain by   659 Wulfher Son to Penda was made King   694 Wightred who restored the Royal Line and dying left three Sons that all reigned one after another viz.   676 Centwine Son to Cynegils reigned 9 years         675 Ethelred his Brother 39 Brother 39 years       685 Ceadwalla three years and an half 693 Sigehard and Swenfred 7 years 651 Oswie last mention'd he then united both these Kingdoms into one and so they afterwards continued He reigned 28 years   704 Kenred Cousin 5 years   727 Ethelbert who reign'd 22 years   688 Ina his Cousin reign'd 39 years 700 Offa reigned 9 years 670 Egfrid or Egfert Son to Oswie reigned 15 years   709 Ceolred Son of Ethelred 9 years   749 Eadbert 11 years               760 Alric in whom the Royal Line being extinct sev'ral strangers were advanced to the Throne viz.   728 Aethelheard his Kinsman reigned 14 years and an half 709 Selred his Cousin reigned 37 years and an half 685 Alfred his Brother 20 years     700 〈…〉         705 Osred Son to Alfred 11 years   719 Ethelbald the Proud his Cousin tho far remote 36 years           716 Kenred Son of Cuthelm 2 years     720 〈…〉       746 Swithred 718 Osric Brother to Kenred 11 years           741 Cuthred his Cousin  After whose death as Florence tells us few Kings reigned over the East-Saxons for the same year in which the South-Saxons and Kentish-men submitted themselves to King Egbert the East-Saxons did so likâ—wise 729 Ceolwulf Cousin to Kenred 8 years       764 Heahbert and Sigared these reigned at once and divided the Kingdom between them 725 Aldwin who being slain by Ina King of the West-Saxons he by conquering this Kingdom added it to his own     737 Eadbert 21 years 749 Ethelred Son to Aethelwald who after the death of Beorne reigned alone tho the time when is uncertain 755 Beornred an Usurper half a year 752 〈…〉     754 Sigebert his Cousin 13 years   758 Osulph his Son 1 year               759 Ethelwald sirnamed Moll 6 years   756 Offa Nephew to Ethelbald 40 years       755 Cynewulf reigned 29 years   765 Alhred Great Grandson to Ida 16 years     755 〈…〉 778 Egfert another Usurper       774 Ethelred or Ethelbert Son to Moll 4 years       786 Eadbert or Ethelbert sirnamed Praen taken Prisoner by Kenwulf King of the Mercians who bestowed this Kingdom upon   784 Brihtric his Cousin 18 years   778 Alfwold 11 years  Aethelbert Son to Ethelred murther'd by K. Offa who seized his Kingdom after whom were many Kings of small note for 61 years until 796 Egfert his Son about half a year       802 Egbert his Cousin though far remote   789 Osred his Nephew Son to Alred 1 year 793              790 Ethelred or Ethelbert again restored
Saxons marching in an Hostile manner into Cornwal absolutely subdued it and added it to his own Kingdom many being there slain on both sides The same Year also according to Caradoc's Chronicle Run King of Dyvet and Cadhel King of Powis deceased Charles the Emperour made Peace with Nicephorus Emperour of Constantinople This Year also according to the same Caradoc Elbods Arch-Bishop of North Wales i. e. of St. Asaph deceased before whose Death was a great Eclipse of the Sun But as the Reverend Lord Bishop of Bangor in his Catalogue of the Welsh Kings which he has been pleased to communicate to me well observes That Eclipse falling out Anno 810 the Bishops Death must do so likewise and therefore in this the Chronicles must needs be mistaken Also according to Mat. Westminster Aelfwold King of Northumberland dying Earnred succeeded him and held it for 32 Years which is also confirmed by Simeon of Durham thô this can by no means agree with the Chronicle of Mailross which says That Eardulf being expelled his Kingdom it continued without any King for many Years but William of Malmesbury makes this Anarchy to have begun from the murther of King Ethered Anno 794 as hath been already observed in the last Book and that this Confusion lasted for about 33 Years during which time that Province became a Scorn to its Neighbours But it seems they still had Kings thô very obscure and but of small Account But of greater certainty is that which Mat. Westminster relates under this Year viz. That King Egbert subdued the Northern Welsh-men and made them Tributary to him But it is wholly incredible what Buchanan in his Scotish History relates in the Year following to wit That Achaius King of Scots having reigned 32 Years and had formerly aided but in what Year of his Reign he tells us not Hungus King of the Picts with 10000 Scots against one Athelstan then wasting the Pictish Borders and that Hungus by the Aid of those Scots and the Help of St. Andrew their Patron in a Vision by Night and the Appearance of a Cross by Day routed the astonished English and slew this Athelstan in Fight But who this Athelstan was I believe no Man knows Buchanan supposes him to have been some Danish Commander on whom King Alured or Alfred had bestowed Northumberland Yet of this I find no Foot-steps in our ancient Writers and if any such Thing were done in the time of Alfred it must be above 60 Years after for King Alfred began not to Reign till Anno 871. And John Fordun in his Scotish History is also as much mistaken making this Athelstan to be the Son of King Ethelwulf who then governed the Northern Provinces under his Father which also fails almost as much in point of time this Prince Athelstan here mentioned being as appears by the Saxon Annals alive and engaged in a Sea-Fight against the Danes above 40 Years after as you will find in its due place set down This Athelstan therefore and this great Overthrow seems rather to have been a meer Fancy of some idle Monk And this Year according to Mat. Westminster as King Egbert had the Year before subdued the Welsh-men so it seems upon some fresh Rebellion of theirs he again entred their Borders and laid them waste from North to South with Fire and Sword and then returned home Victorious But notwithstanding the Wars the Welsh had from abroad it seems they had also time enough for Civil Wars at home for now according to Caradoc's Chronicle Conan Prince of Wales and his Brother Howel could not agree insomuch that they tried the Matter by Battle where Howel had the Victory to which Dr. Powel hath here added this Observation That this Howel the Brother of Conan King or Prince of North Wales did claim the Isle of Mon or Anglesey for part of his Father's Inheritance which Conan refusing to give him thereupon they fell at Variance and consequently made War the one against the other And here says he I think fit to say somewhat of the old Custom and Tenure of Wales from whence this Mischief grew that is the Division of the Father's Inheritance amongst all the Sons commonly called Gauel kind Gauel is a British Term signifying a Hold because every one of the Sons did hold some portion of his Father's Lands as his lawful Son and Successour This was the Cause not only of the Overthrow of all the ancient Nobility of Wales for by that means the Inheritance being continually divided and subdivided amongst the Children and Children's Children it was at length brought to nothing but also of much Bloodshed unnatural Strife and Contention amongst Brethren as we have here an Example and many others in this History This kind of Partition is very good to plant and settle a Nation in a large Country not inhabited but in a populous Country already furnished with Inhabitants it is the utter Decay of great Families and as I said before the cause of constant Strife and Debate But some Years after Howel gave his Brother Conan another Defeat and slew a great many of his People Whereupon Conan levied an Army in the Year 817 and chased his Brother Howel out of the Isle of Anglesey compelling him to flee into that of Man and a little after died Conan chief King of the Britains or Welsh-men leaving behind him a Daughter named Esylht who was married to a Nobleman called Mâ—rvyn Vrych the Son of Gwyriad who was afterwards King in her Right This Year also as the Manuscript Annals of the Abbey of Winchelcomb relate the Charter of this Monastery was granted by King Kenulph as appears by a Copy there inserted which shews what Orders of Men were summoned by that King to be present at the Council in which this Charter was confirmed viz. Merciorum optimates Episcopos Principes Comites Procuratores meosque i. e. Regis Propinquos which Terms having already been explained in the Introduction to this Book I need noâ—â—ere repeat There were also present Cuthred King of Kent his 〈…〉 King of the East-Saxons with all others who should be present at those Synodal Councils Then follow the Subscriptions of K. Kenulph as also of both the said Kings and of Wilfred Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with the rest of the Bishops and Ealdermen there stiled Duces This Year according to our Annals the Emperour Charles the Great departed this Life when he had Reigned Forty Five Years also Wilfred the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Wigbright the Bishop of the West-Saxons went to Rome But here our Annals are mistaken for this Emperour dyed not till the Year 814. Mat. Westminster also adds that these Bishops above-mentioned went to Rome about the Affairs of the English Church Arch-Bishop Wilfred having received the Benediction of Pope Leo returned again to his Bishoprick and the same Year King Egbert wasted the Western Welsh from the South to the West This seems but to have been the
same Invasion mentioned by Mat. Westminster under An. 811. This Year Leo that worthy and Holy Pope deceased and Stephanus succeeded in the Popedome but Florence of Worcester more rightly places the Death of this Pope Two Years later Pope Stephanus deceased and Pascalis was consecrated Pope in his stead and the same Year the School or College of the English Nation 〈◊〉 Rome was burnt But Mat. Westminster does more rightly place the Death of Pope Stephanus the Year following At this time was held the Synod at Calcuith under Wilfred Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Kenulph King of the Mercians who was there present but the Decrees being wholly Ecclesiastical I pass them by and refer the curious to Sir H. Spelman's 1. Volume of Councils only shall here take notice of this one passage that now Bishops Abbots and Abbesses were first forbid by the Seventh Canon of this Synod to alien their Lands committed to their trust in Fee or for longer time then one Life and that with the consent of the House Cenwulf King of the Mercians deceased and Ceolwulf began to Reign in his stead also Eadbyrht the Ealderman dyed But the Saxon Annals do here omit that which is very remarkable that not Ceolwulf but Kenelm Son to King Kenwulf being a Child of Seven Years Old succeeded his Father under the tutelage of his Sister Quendride who being tempted by a wicked Ambition of Reigning was by her made away and thereby he obtained the Name of a Martyr The manner of which thô it is certainly but a Legend I shall to divert the Reader relate out of Will of Malmesbury and Mat. Westminster This young Prince was committed by his Sister to an Attendant on purpose to be made away who carrying him into a Wood under pretence of Hunting cut off his Head and threw his Body into a Thicket of Bushes his Sister presently seizing the Kingdom straitly forbad all inquiry to be made after her lost Brother But sure it was Miraculous That a thing done so privately in England should be first known at Rome but so it came to pass by Divine Revelation for upon the Altar of St. Peter a White Dove let fall a certain Paper which discovered both the Death of King Kenelm and also the place of his Burial which being Written in Golden Letters was thus In Clent Cow-batch Kenelme King Bearne lieth under a Thorne heaved bereaved Which being in Saxon may be thus Translated into English Rhime In Clent-cow-pasture under a Thorne Of Head bereft lies Kenelme King Born But it seems the Characters were so hard to be read that all the Roman Clerks there present attempted in vain at the Pope's Command to read this writing but an English Man by chance standing by whom to make the Miracle the greater Mat. Westminster reading Angelus instead of Anglus calls an Angel and Translating this writing into Latin caused the Pope by an Epistle sent by him on purpose to give notice to the English Kings of their Martyr'd Country-man whose Body being thus Miraculously discovered was in a great Assembly of Clerks and Nobles taken out of the hole where it was laid and carried to Winchelcombe in Gloucester-shire and there buried in the Church of that Abbey which his Father had founded which after some time brought no small profit to that Monastery by frequent Pilgrimages made to the Tomb of this little Saint But now my hand is in pray take all the rest of the Story When the Body of this Young Prince was brought home the Murdress his Sister being vexed with the Singing of those Clerks and Laicks that attended the Corps and looking out of her Chamber Window in pure Spite repeated the Psalm backward which they then Sung thereby to disturb the Harmony of the Chorus but as the same Authour adds whilest she was thus singing both her Eyes fell out of her Head upon the Psalter she held in her Hands and the Psalter it self set in Silver and besmeared with the Blood of her Eyes being then to be seen gave a pregnant Testimony of her Crime as well as punishment yet it seems Will. of Malmesbury knew nothing of this Legend of the finding the Body but only says it was discovered by Miraculous Rays of a vast Light which shining all Night over the place where it lay was the occasion of its being found out but no matter for the manner both of them being alike credible This is enough if not too much of this Boy King and Martyr And this is certain that his unnatural Sister did not enjoy the Fruits of her wicked Ambition long for Ceolwulf Brother to King Kenwulf succeeded in the Kingdom thô he likewise Reigned but little more than one Year For the next Year he was deprived of his Kingdom as Ingulphus relates by one Bernulph an Ambitious Man of great Riches and Power thô no way related to the Blood Royal. ' This Year Two Ealdermen were slain Burkelm and Muca but who these were our Annals do not acquaint us There was also this Year held a Synod at Cloveshoe under King Beornwulf and Arch-Bishop Wilfred whose Constitutions relating wholly to Ecclesiastical Affairs you may find in Sir H. Spelman's 1. Vol. The only Civil Business was that of the Abbess Cendrythe's being forced to make satisfaction to Archbishop Wilfred by rendering 100 Manses or Farmes for the wrongs which King Cenwulf her Father had done to the Church of Canterbury This Cendrythe is the same with Quendrithe or Quendrida as she was called by our Latin Authors who made away her Brother K. Kenelme as you have already heard and who to Expiate for the Death of her Brother since she could not be a Queen had professed her self a Nun and was now an Abbess There was a Fight between the Britains and Devonshire Men at Gafulford now Camelford in Cornwall and Florence of Worcester tells us That the Britains were slain by those of Devonshire The same Year also according to our Annals Ecbriht King of the West-Saxons and Beornwulf King of the Mercians fought at Ellendune supposed to be Wilton near Salisbury where Ecbriht obtained the Victory a great slaughter being there made after which King Ecbright sent Aethelwulf his Son and Ealstan his Bishop and Wulfheard his Ealderman with a great Army into Kent where they forced King Baldred to Fly over Thames into the Northern parts then the Kentishmen and those of Surry together with the South-Saxons and East-Saxons submitted themselves to King Egbert which last Nation had been unjustly wrested from his Family and had as Florence relates for the space of several Years been subject to Kings that were strangers the same Year also the King of the East-Angles together with the whole Nation beseeched King Ecbriht to grant them Peace and be their Protector for fear of the Mercians And the same Year the East-Angles slew Beornwulf King of the Mercians because as Mat. Westminster relates he challenged their Kingdom
Arch-Bishop for in the next Year it is thus corrected viz. This Year Ceolnoth was Elected and Consecrated Arch-Bishop and Feologild the Abbot deceased ' And the Year following Ceolnoth the Arch-BP received his Pall from Rome This Year certain Heathens or Pagans wasted Sceapige now the Isle of Sheppey in Kent But since this is the first time that these Heathens are mentioned in the Saxon Annals it is fit we should tell you a little more exactly who they were and from whence they came for they were indeed no other than that Nation which was before in our Saxon Annals called Northmanna and sometimes Deanscan i. e. Danes the Etymology of which Name since I find writers are so divided about I will not take upon me to determine not that all these People came out of that Country which is at this day called Denmark for it is impossible that so narrow a Region thô you should likewise include whatsoever that Kingdom did then or does now enjoy upon the Continent of Swedeland and Jutland could ever send out such vast Shoales of People as for near Two Thousand Years before the Norman Conquest over-ran and destroyed France the Low Countries and also this Island but you may from what has been already said observe that H. Huntington in the Prologue to his Book above cited does besides the Danes add also the Norwegians together with the Goths Swedes and Vandals to have been those Nations which for so many Years wasted England and that he did not deliver this without Book but had sufficient Authority for what he wrote I shall further make out from the Testimony of those Writers who lived in that very Age when these Nations first infested those parts of Europe For Eginhart who was Son-in-Law and Chancellour to Charles the Great thus writes in his History of that Prince which I shall here faithfully Translate In like manner the Danes and Sweones with those whom we call Normans do possess the Northern Shore of Scandinavia together with all the Islands adjoyning to it whil'st the Sclavi with divers other Nations inhabit the Southern Coasts but the Norwegans or rather Northern Men for so they are called by the Swedes because they lye more Northerly than the greater part of that Nation and indeed all those that inhabit Scanzia are by those People of Europe that lye more remote with very good reason called in the German Tongue i.e. Northland Men. Next to Eginhart Adam of Bremen who lived about Two Hundred Years after does not only insert these very words of the aforesaid Authour but also adds this further that the Danes and Swedes with the other Nations beyond the River Danabius are by the French Historians all called Normans so likewise Albertus Abbot of Stade who wrote about the Year 1250 says likewise that the Danes and other Nations who lived beyond Denmark are all called Normans from which Authorities the learned Grotius in his Prolegomena to his Gothic History lays it down as an undeniable Truth that whatever we find among any writers of that Age concerning the Normans does rightly belong to the Swedes who were then one of the greatest and most powerful of those Northern Nations that were all then called by one general Name of Normans But as for their Religion I need say no more of it since I have already told you in the beginning of the Third Book that all those Nations had the same common Deities viz. Woden and Thor c. whose Names I have there already set down to which last Deities as Ubbo Emmius relates they before any great exepedition sacrificed a Captive by knocking out his Brains and smearing their Faces in his Blood immediately marched against their Enemies but that they were extreamly given to Witchcraft and Inchantments all their own Authours relate which would be too tedious here to repeat since you will meer with some Instances of it in the following History But to return again to our Annals This Year is very remarkable for King Egbert encountred Thirty Five Ships of Danish Pyrates at Carrum now called Charmouth in Dorsetshire where there was a great slaughter but the Danes kept the Field whereby we may guess that they had the advantage yet it seems before this time even in this very Year the Danes had been vanquished and put to flight at Dunmouth now called Tinmouth from whence having now spoiled the Isle of Sheppey they Sail'd to Charmouth above-mentioned This shews us as Will. of Malmesbury well observes the Instability of all Worldly grandeur for now King Egbert being arrived at the height of Empire met with this unlooked for Enemy who harrassed him and his Posterity for divers Generations And thô in this Sea Fight last mentioned he had the better for the greater part of the Day yet towards Night he lost the Victory thô by the help of it he retreated and so saved the disgrace of an entire defeat this was the only time that Fortune ceased to favour King Egbert's Undertakings This Year also according to our Annals Herefrith Bishop of Winchester and Wigen or Sighelm Bishop of Scirborne and also Two Ealdormen Dudda and Osmund deceased The same Year was held that General Council of the whole Kingdom at London at the Feast of St. Augustin the English Apostle Egbert King of West Saxony and Withlaf King of the Mercians with both the Arch-Bishops and all the other Bishops and Chief Men of England being present at which besides a Consultation how to restrain the Invasion of the Danes the Privileges and Concessâ—ons of the said King Withlaf to the Monastery of Croyland were also confirmed by the said Council and were subscribed to by King Withlaf and both the Arch-Bishops and most of 〈◊〉 Bishops of England The next Year a great Fleet of Danes landed amongst the Western Welsh i. e. Cornishmen who being joyned with them in a League against King Egbert offered him Battle which he accepting of streight ways marched against them with his whole Army and at Hengestdune now Hengston in Cornwal put both the Britains and Danes to flight and as Mat. Westminster adds freed his Kingdom at this time from the Invasion of those barbarous Enemies King Egbryht departed this Life having Reigned Thirty Seven Years and Seven Months but the Annals must needs be mistaken either in the time of his Reign or else in the Year of his Death for if he began to Reign Anno Dom. 800 and Reigned Thirty Seven Years and an half it is evident he must have dyed Anno Dom. 838 the Printed Copy of Will of Malmesbury places his Death Anno Dom. 837 and another reading in the Margin in 838 but Florence of Worcester places it according to the Annals in 836. This King as the same Authour relates governed his Subjects with great Clemency and was as terrible to his Enemies and for Nine Years Reigned Supream King over all Britain Before his Death he is
said by Will of Malmesbury to have told his Son Ethelwulf whom he left his Successour That he might be happy if he did not permit the Kingdom which he had now laid together with great Industry to be spoiled by sloathfulness to which this Nation had been too much addicted There is little mention of this King's Children except Ethelwulf only it is said by John of Tinmouth that he had also a Daughter called Edgithe who being first bred up under an Irish Abbess called Modwina was made Abbess of the Nunnery at Polesworth but this since we have no better Authority than modern hands for it I cannot be certain of but as for the Wife of King Egbert who was according to the late West-Saxon Law never called Queen her Name was Redburge and she is mentioned by John Beaver to have procured that Law from her Husband that no Welshman should without leave pass over Offa's Ditch upon pain of Death But the same Year that King Egbert dyed was held a Common Council of the whole Kingdom at Kingston upon Thames where were present Egbert King of the West-Saxons and Ethelwulf his Son with Ceolnoth Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and other Bishops and Chief Men of England where among other things the manner of Mallings in Sussex having been bestowed by Baldred King of Kent on Christ Church Cant. and being afterwards taken away from it because the great Men of that Kingdom would not ratifie the Donation it was now by the consent of the King and all his Chief and Wise Men again confirmed King ETHELWULF with his Son King ATHELSTAN No sooner was King Egbert's Body buried at Winchester but King Ethelwulf succeeded to the Throne and though none of our Historians mention any former Election or Coronation of this King yet it is certain he came to the Crown by Vertue of his Father's Testament Henry Huntington and Roger Hoveden telling us expresly That he left his Two Sons Ethelwulf and Athelstan his Heirs which though it be in part a mistake since this Athelstan was not Son but Brother to King Ethelwulf yet that concerning the King's bequeathing the Crown is very probable it being according to the Custom of that time but that this alone would not have been sufficient shall be shewn in another place This Prince as Thomas Rudborn in his History of the Church of Winchester relates had been during the Life of his Elder Brother whose Name we know not educated in the Monastery of Winchester under the Tuition of Helmestan Bishop and Swithune Praepositus or Dean of that Church and had there taken the Order of a Subdeacon with an intent as is supposed to have professed himself a Monk not that he was ever made Bishop of that Church thô it is so related by H. Huntington and other Writers But King Egbert having no other Son living he was dispenced with to Marry and returning very early to a Secular Life helped his Father in his Wars after whose Death he was advanced to the Throne yet he always retained a great deal of the Monk loved his ease and had very little Ambition and therefore not caring to trouble himself with the Governing of many Provinces he rested contented with his Paternal Kingdom of West Saxony and made over the Kingdoms of Kent and of the South and East Saxons being his Father's Conquests to Athelstan his Son as the Saxon Annals and Will of Malmesbury expresly call him and which is more Ethelwerd in his Chronicle gives us the Names of Five Sons of King Ethelwuâ—f of which says he Athelstan who Reigned together with his Father was the Eldest that Alfred the Fifth Son Reigned after them all yet most of the other Historians going directly contrary to those Authorities will needs have him to be his Brother I suppose to save this Pious Prince's Reputation but Mat. Westminster says That he was his base Son which is most probable since he had not any Legitimate Son then old enough to Govern a Kingdom as this Athelstan at that time was and whom we shall often find mentioned in this History thô when or how he dyed all our Writers are silent This Year according to the Saxon Annals Wulfheard the Ealdorman fought at Hamtun i. e. Southampton with a Fleet of Thirty Three Danish Pyrates and there making a great slaughter of them obtained the Victory The same Year this Wulfheard deceased Also Aethelm another Ealdorman fought with the Danish Army at Port now called Portland where he being assisted by the Dorset-shire Men soon put them to flight but how this can consist with what follows I know not viz. That the Danes notwithstanding kept the Field where the Battle was Fought and slew the Chief Commander being an Ealdorman unless it relate to the Year following when Hâ—rebryht the Ealdorman was killed by the Danes and many others with him in Merscwarum that is Mercia also the same Year in Lindisse as also among the East Angles and in Kent many were Slain by their Forces for there according to Mat. Westminster the above said Earl or Ealdormen was slain the Danes obtaining the Victory destroying all places with Fire and Sword And the same Year according to Florence of Worcester Wiglaf King of Mercia dying Bertulf succeeded him There was this Year a great slaughter made by the Danes about London Cantwic i. e. Canterbury and Hrofcester that is Rochester So that now it seems the Danes had entred farther into the Land making havock of all where ever they came This Year King Ethelwulf fought at Carrum i. e. Charmouth against 35 Danish Ships who kept the Field where the Battle was fought So that according to H. Huntington they here obtained the Victory for though the number of their Ships were but small yet they were very large and full of Men. ' This Year also the Emperour Lewis the Pious dyed Nor can I here omit what the Scotish Historians place under the former Year but ours under this viz. The total Conquest of the Picts by Kened the first King of Scotland after many fierce Battles in the last of which Drusken King of the Picts being Slain that Kingdom was totally destroyed and as H. Huntington long since observed not only their Laws but also their very Language except what remains in the Names of places is now totally lost and that Nation being long since incorporated with that of the Antient Scots and Saxons shews us that even whole Kingdoms and Nations have both their Originals and fatal periods as well as particular Persons But thô the Scotish Historians do justly date the Empire of their Kings over all Scotland from this Total Conquest of the Picts by King Kened according to that old Verse Primus in Albania fertur regnasse Kenedus Yet when those Historians will by this Conquest extend the limits of this King and his Successour's Dominions so far beyond Edenburgh Southward making him to have Reigned from the River Tyne and so would
leaving Hreoptun became divided into two and Halfden their Commander marched with one part of it into the Kingdom of Northumberland and there took up his Winter-Quarters near the River Tine where they conquered the whole Country and also spoiled the Country between the Picts and the Straecled Welsh-men who then inhabited part of Galloway in Scotland whilst another part of them under the Command of Godrun Oskytel and Amwynd three of their Kings marched to Grantbridge and there Wintered And the same Summer King Aelfred fought at Sea against seven of their Ships and took one of them the rest escaping This Year as Asser and the Saxon Annals relate Rollo the Dan◠or Norman wasted Neustria afterwards called Normandy and in some time after made an entire Conquest of it Asser also says that this Rollo having had a Dream of a Swarm of Bees flying towards the South he chose to leave England and go over into France though as other Authours affirm it was because he was so warmly received by King Alfred that he did not like to stay here but rather chose to pass into another Country of easier Conquest as Normandy indeed proved for he reigned there fifty Years The same Year according to the Chronicle of Mailrosse and Simeon of Durham Ricsig King of Northumberland dying another Egbert succeeded him but we have no account of his Actions more than that he reigned beyond Tyne as a Tributary to the Danes who possessed all the rest of the Country as you will find by the Saxon Annals The same Year accordingly the Danes stealing away by Night from Grantbridge where they had long encamped marched to Werham now Warham in Dorsetshire being then a strong Castle of the West-Saxons this place they took and destroyed together with the Nunnery there then passing higher as into a secure Harbour they drew up all their Ships so that now King Alfred was reduced to such great streights that he was forced to make Peace with him and they gave the King for Pledges some of the Noblest Persons in their Army and took an Oath upon a sacred Bracelet they had which Oath they would never take to any Nation before that they would presently depart the Kingdom but in the mean while that part of the Army which had Horses stole away to Exanceaster now Exeter whereupon the King put all their Hostages to Death The same Year in the Month of August Healfden the Danish King divided the Kingdom of the Northumbers among his People who now settling there ploughed and sowed from whence the Danes date their Reign over that Kingdom But the Year following The Danes having left Werham and come to Exeter as you have already heard their Fleet in the mean time fetching a compass sailing towards the West I suppose to Exmouth there arose so violent a Storm as that 120 of their Ships were cast away near Swandwic now Swanwick in Hampshire then King Aelfred followed that part of the Army as far as Exeter thô he could not overtake them till they had got into the Castle which proved so strong that no body could come at them but he streightning them there they gave him what Hostages he required and took fresh Oaths and for a small time observed the league they had made yet nevertheless in the Month of August following the same Danish Army marched into the Province of the Mercians where dividing part of it between themselves they left the rest to Ceolwulf above mentioned About this time also according to Caradoc's Chronicle the English having entred Wales the Year before fought a Bloody Battel with the Welshmen though this Authour neither tells who were the Commanders nor who had the Victory and the Year following there was another Battel between them wherein Rodorick Sirnamed The Great King or Prince of Wales and Guyriad his Brother or as some say his Son were slain This Rodorick had by his Wife Engharaud the Daughter of Prince Meyric several Sons as Anarawd his Eldest to whom he gave Aberffraw with North Wales Cadelh the second to whom he left Dynevowr with South-Wales who also took by force Marthraval and Powysland after the Death of Mervyn the third Son to whom their Father Rodorick had given the same To which Dr. Powel likewise adds That this Rodorick is esteemed by all Writers to be sole King of all Wales North-Wales descending to him from his Mother Esylcht the Daughter and sole Heir of Conan Tindaethwy but South-Wales he had in Right of his Wife the Daughter and Heir of Meyric ap Dyfnwal King of Cardigan Powis he had by Nest the Sister and Heir of Congen ap Cadhel King of Powis his Father's Mother These three Dominions he appointed under their Meeres and Bounds with a Princely House in each of them These he had named Ytair Talaeth and left them unto three of his Sons Anarawd Cadhel and Mervyn who were called Ytrit Twysoc Talaethioc that is the three Crown'd Princes because each of them did wear upon his Bonnet or Helmet a Coronet of Gold being a broad Lace or Head-band indented upwards set and wrought with precious Stones which in the British or Welsh Speech is called Talaeth and to which Mr. Vaughan in his Additional Notes to Caradoc's History hath added out of an ancient Welsh Manuscript That this Rodorick is said to have corrected some of the old British Laws and to have appointed new ones He also ordained that his Eldest Son should have the Crown or Coronet of Aberffraw with the Fifteen Cantreds thereunto belonging This Aberffraw is now a small Village in the Isle of Anglesey and was anciently the chief Seat of the Princes of Guyneth or North-Wales He left to his second the Crown or Coronet of Dinevowr or Cardigan with its fifteen Cantreds extending from the Mouth of the River Devi to the Mouth of Severne and also that his Son should have the Crown or Coronet of Mathraval with the Fifteen Cantreds of Powis from the mouth of the River Dee to the bridge over Severne at Gloucester He ordained also That his Eldest Son and his successours should continue the payment of the ancient tribute to the King of London i. e. King of England and that the other two their Heirs and Successours should acknowledge his Sovereignty and pay the like tribute to him and his Successours and that upon the Invasions of Strangers they should all send him aid and be also ready to protect them when there should be need Moreover he ordained That when any difference should arise between the Princes of Aberffraw and Cardigan the Three Princes should meet at Bwlchy Pawl and after hearing of Council on both sides the Prince of Powis should be Umpire between them And if the difference were between the Kings of Aberffraw and Powis that they should likewise all Three meet at Dolhrianedd perchance Morvarhianed on the Bank of the River Dee where the King of Cardigan was to end the Controversie And if
resolved to sit down before it supposing that the English would quickly surrender for want of Provisions which they being also sensible of were endeavouring to prevent and resolving either to obtain the Victory or dye they sallyed out early one Morning upon the Enemy who lay Encamp'd without any good Guards so falling upon them at unawares slew Hubba their Leader with his whole Army except a few who were forced to flee to their Ships And this Hubba being here buried under a heap of Stones gave name to the place being called Hubblestones to this day but the English having stripped the dead bodies they there found among the spoils that famous Banner called Reafan that is the Raven being the Picture of a Raven embroidered by the Three Sisters of Hinguar and Hubba in one forenoon on purpose for this Expedition and which being Enchanted by their Magic Arts they put so great a confidence in it that they believed if they were to meet with good success this figure would clap its Wings as if it were alive but if otherwise would let them fall but be this Story true or false it seems they now lost their Oracle before they had time to consult it and the loss of it was certainly a great discouragement to them King Aelfred being now much encouraged with the news of this good success of the Devon-shire-men began to consider how he might perform some worthy action against the Enemy therefore this Year as the Saxon Annals relate having first fortified with his slender Forces a small Castle or Fort at Aetheling-gaige now called Athelney in Somersetshire where he had resided hitherto he marched from thence the Seventh Week after and with his Subjects and Vassals there to fight against the Pagans and it is also about this time that we may place that memorable action of this King which is thus related by Ingulph and Will of Malmesbury which if true shews not only his great Courage but Conduct too for knowing the Enemy to exceed him in numbers as well as other advantages and that if he should set upon them with open Force he would be able to do them little or no prejudice nor could he hope for any better success unless he knew in what condition the Enemie's Army was and not having any one whose Sagacity or Fidelity he could well trust he was resolved to go himself to spy out the Enemie's Camp so taking upon him the Habit of a Country Minstrel or Fidler he went with only one Companion into the Danish Camp where he became so acceptable as well for his Singing as Playing that at last he was introduced to the King's Tent and when he had there as well as in the rest of the Danish Camp learnt as much as he had a mind to know he again returned to his Castle at Athelne where having called together all his chief followers he related to them the careless condition of the Enemies Camp and with what ease they might be destroyed whereat they being extraordinarily surprised he then resolved to muster up what Forces he could So the Seventh Week after Easter he march'd to Ecgbyrth-stan now supposed to be Brixstan in Somerset-shire lying on the East side of Selwood Forest where met him all the Wilt-shire Somerset-shire and Hamptshire Men who were mightily pleased to behold their King after so many hazards but staying there only one night he marched away to Iglay where the place was is not very well known and there encamped another night in which as Asser relates St. Neot who had been formerly his Kinsman and Friend appeared to him in a Dream and bid him not be afraid of the great Army of the Pagans because God would now have mercy upon him and his People and that what had happen'd to him was for his too great Arrogance in his Youth and that God would Fight for him and his People The King you may be sure was much rejoyced at this Dream and failed not to encourage his Men with it so the next Morning removing his Camp from thence he came in one Day more to Ethandune but where it is we cannot tell where the Danes lay encamped and marching against them in very close order he fought their whole Army and though they did for a long time stoutly resist the frequent charges the King's Men made upon them yet at last they gave ground and beginning to flee he obtained a notable Victory making a great slâ—ughter of the Pagans as they retreated to a certain Castle not far off and at which they lay encamped where the King besieged them for Fourteen Days till being overcome by hunger they were reduced to that necessity as to desire Peace on these Conditions That the King should receive from them what Hostages He should name but He not to return any to them so they made such a Peace with him as they had never done with any King before for they swore that they would depart his Kingdom and that Gythram or Gutrum their King should become a Christian all which was performed for about Three Weeks after the said King with about Thirty more of his Chief Noblemen came to the King being then at Alrey the place is now unknown only that it lay near Athelney above-mentioned where King Alfred receiving him from the Font at his Baptism became his Goâ—father and took him for his adopted Son But he did not receive the Chrisme till Eight Days after at a Town of the Kings called Wedmore where he staid with him for the space of Twelve Days who presented him and all those that accompanied him not only with Money but Houses and Lands being now resolved to fix here So this next Year the Danes according to their promise removed from Cippenham i. e. Chippenham in Wiltshire to Cirenceaster and there staid one Year But now another Army of Pagans arriving from beyond the Sea sailed up the River Thames to whom notwithstanding their former Oaths the Army that was here before also join'd and took up their Winter Quarters at Fullanham now Fulham not far from London and the same Year according to the Annals the Sun was Eclipsed for one whole hour also now part of the Pagans who had quartered at Cirencester as say the Annals and Asser marched from thence under the Conduct of King Gythrum into the Kingdom of the East-Angles and dividing the Country among them began to inhabit it which having been in their possession ever since the Death of King Edmund King Alfred now yielded up to their King Gythram but those Danes who had before staid at Fulham now sailed into Frankland and quartered at Ghent for one whole Year from whence you may observe that what we now call Flanders was then accounted part of France or Frankland And to this time we may also refer that League or Agreement made between King Alfred and King Guthram which sets out the Territories of each of these Princes The First
yet there might very well have been before that time a publick School or Studium as it was then call'd where the Liberal Arts were taught as for the other Objection of the improbability of the old Scholars falling out with the new Professors in the very first Year of the Institution of the University that is as soon as ever they came thither this may be also answered by supposing that those Annals were written many Years after the Death of King Alfred from a Common received Tradition and so this transaction might have been dated there or Four Years later than it really happened as John Rouse in his Manuscript History of the Kings of England also places it I confess there is one Objection which I wish I could Answer and that is How Gildas and Nennius could study at Oxford when the latter was not so much as Born till about the Conclusion of this or Beginning of the following Century and much less the Former when even by the best Accounts of those Times the Pagan Saxons were then Masters of that part of England Having said thus much concerning the Antiquity of that Famous University to which I owe my Education I shall not trouble my self with enquiry into the Reality of those supposed Ancient Schools of Creeklad and Leacklade which the Monkish writers suppose to have been anciently called Greeklade and Latinelade the latter of which Derivations thô Mr. Camden justly explodes yet he seems to have more Veneration for the former since in the place from whence I have transcribed the above-cited Quotations he also tells us That the Muses were transported to Oxford from Creeklade now a small Town in Wilt-shire All the Authority for which that I know of beside uncertain Tradition depends upon the Credit of a Manuscript lately in the Liberary of Trinity Hall in Cambridge and is cited by Mr. Wheelock in his Notes upon Bede where speaking of Theodorus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury he says That he held or maintained Schools in a Village near the Water which is called Greekislake but Mr. Somner in his Learned Glossary hath given us a much more likely Derivation of this place viz. from the Old Saxon Word Creek signifying a River or Torrent running either into some River or else into the Sea and Gelad which signified an emptying for it was anciently written Crecca Gelade and not Greeklade as some would now write it This Year the Pagans passing under the Bridge of Paris and from thence by the Seine up the River Meterne now called Marne as far as Cazii now Choisy and which Florence says signified a Royal Village where and at Jona a place we know not they staid Two Years also the same Year Deceased Charles the Grosse King of the Franks but Earnwulf his Brother's Son had expell'd him out of his Kingdom six Weeks before his Death after which it was divided into five Parts over whom were set five Kings but this partition was with Earnewulf's good leave for they all promised to Govern under him because none of them was Heir on the Fathers side besides himself alone therefore Earnwulf fixed the Seat of his Kingdom in the Countries lying on the East side of the Rhine whilst Rodâ—lf took the middle or inward part of the Kingdom and Odo or Otto the Western Part and Beorngar and Witha called in Latine Beringarius and Wido held Lombardy and all the Countries on that side the Mountains all which Kingdoms they held with much Discord Fighting two great Battles and wasting those Countries till such time as each of them had expell'd the other from his Kingdom also the same Year Ethelelm the Ealdorman carried the Alms of King Alfred and the West Saxons to Rome This was the Benevolence called Peter Pence which is here justly termed an Alms and not a Tribute as Modern Popish Writers have termed it But to return to our own Domestick Affairs Asser above-mentioned informs us that the Kingdom being now pretty well at quiet from the Danes the King began to mind his Civil Government to repair his Cities and Castles and also to build others in the most necessary places altering the whole face of the Country into a much better form and having walled several Towers and Castles he made them defensible against the Pagans Nor was he less careful in the Political Affairs of his Kingdom for divers of his own Subjects having under the name of Danes committed great Spoils and Rapines these the King resolving to punish and restrain from these Excesses he first of all divided all the Provinces of England into Counties and those again into Hundreds and Tythings so that every Legal Subject should dwell in some Hundred or Tything whereby if any were suspected of Robbery and being thereof Condemned or absolved by his Hundred or Tything they should either undergo due punishment or else if Innocent be acquitted But the Governours of Provinces who were before called Vice Domini and in English Saxon Geriffs he divided into two Offices That is into Judges whom we now call Justices and into Sheriffs who do yet retain that name and by the Kings care and industry in a short time there was so great a Tranquility through out the whole Kingdom that if a Traveller had happen'd to have lost a Bag of Money in the High-way he might have found it again untouched the next day And Bromton's Chronicle relates That thô there were Gold Bracelets hung up at the parting of several High-ways yet Justice was so strictly executed that no Man durst presume to touch them But in the Distribution of his own Family he followed the Example of King Solomon for dividing it into Three Companies or Bands he set a Chief over each of them so that every Captain with his Band performed his Service in the King's Palace for the space of one Month and then going with his Company to his own Estate he looked after his private Affairs for Two Months and so did each of them in their Order which Rotation of Officers this King observed all the rest of his Reign And to this Year also Sir H. Spelman refers that Great Council wherein King Alfred made those Laws that go under his Name in which after a Preface wherein he first recites and confirms the Ten Commandments as also divers other Laws which are set down in Exodus and Leviticus he concludes to this effect That whatsoever he found worthy of Observation either in the time of K. Ina his Kinsman or Offa King of the Mercians or of Ethelbert the first Christened King he had gathered them all together and committed those to writing which he thought most deserving omitting others which he judged less convenient in doing of which he had taken the Advice and had the Consent of his Wise-Men and having revised the Laws of those Princes he transcribed such of them as he liked into his own and by the Consent of the said Wise-men he thereof made a Collection and
it would not be better if the Law were so at this day since it would not only prevent the too great Favour of Juries in some Cases but also their over-Severity in others by often giving either very small or else excessive Damages according as the Plaintiff or Defendant is more or less known to them or that they have a greater or less Kindness for them There was likewise made in the same Synod divers Ecclesiastical Canons some of which taken from amongst the Civil Ones I shall here likewise set down The first is concerning the Immunities of the Churches by which it is ordained That if a Man guilty of any little Crime flie to a Church which does not belong to the King or the Family of a private Person he shall have three Nights to provide for himself unless in the mean time he can make his Peace But if any Man within that Term shall inflict upon him either Bonds or Blows he shall pay the Price of his Head according to the Custom of the Country and also to the Ministers or Officers of the Church 120 Shillings for violating the Peace thereof The next Law but one is likewise to the same effect whereby is granted to every Church consecrated by the Bishop the like Peace and if any Offender shall flie to it none shall take him thence for seven Days if any Man shall presume to do so he shall be culpable of breaking the King's and Churche's Peace If the Officers shall have need of their Church in the mean time he shall be put into another House which has no more Doors than the Church only the Elder i.e. Presbyter of that Church shall take Care he have no Meat given him But if he will surrender himself and his Arms to his Enemies he shall be kept thirty Nights and then be delivered up to his Kinsmen Also whosoever shall flie to a Church for any Crime which he hath not yet confess'd if he shall there make Confession of it in God's Name half the Penalty shall be remitted to him From whence you may observe the Antiquity and Design of Sanctuaries in England which were not then as they were afterwards abused being at first only intended for Places where Offenders might stay for a time 'till they could agree with their Adversaries or Prosecutors as well as they could since almost all Crimes whatever were redeemable with pecuniary Mulcts in those days The 5th Law is that if one shall steal any thing out of a Church he must restore the value and also forfeit as belongs to an Angild the meaning of which you may see in the next Law The 6th Law is That if any one shall steal on the Sunday or on Christmas or Easter or Ascension-days the Forfeiture should be as belongs to an Angild i. e. the whole value of his Head Also the Hand with which he stole was to be cut off But if he would redeem his Hand it should be permitted him to compound for it according as it should appertain to his Were i. e. the Price of his Head Besides which Laws Alfred Abbot of Rieval in his Geneal Regum Angliae mentions another Law of this King 's whereby every Freeman of the Kingdom having two Hides of Land was obliged to keep his Sons at School 'till they were 15 Years of Age that so they might become Men of Understanding and live happily for said the King in this Law a Man Free-born and unlettered is to be regarded no otherwise than a Beast or a Man void of Understanding The 12th is concerning the Breach of the Peace by Priests If a Priest kill any one he should be taken and all his Estate confiscated and also the Bishop should degrade him and put him out from the Church unless his Lord would obtain his Pardon by the Price of his Head The rest being concerning the Penalties for the Violation of Nuns I omit I have been the more particular in the reciting of these Laws of King Alfred as well Ecclesiastical as Civil that the Reader may see the Penalties that were inflicted upon Offenders in that Age and how different they were from ours But to return to our Annals This Year Beocca the Ealderman carried the Alms of the West-Saxons as well as the King 's to Rome Also Queen Aethelswith who was the Sister of K. Aelfred and Widow of Burhed King of Menia died in her Journey thither whose Body was buried at Pavia And the same Year Aethered Archbishop of Canterbury and Aethelwald the Ealderman deceased in the same Month. About this time also according to Asser King Alfred built two Monasteries the one for Men at Ethelingaie now Athelney that is The Isle of Nobles where he had before lain so concealed and the other for Nuns at Shaftsbury where he made Algiva his own Daughter Abbess endowing them both with great Revenues ' This Year none went to Rome unless two ordinary Messengers whom the King sent with Letters yet nevertheless Florence of Worcester affirms the King Commanded all the Bishops and Religious Men of England to Collect the Alms of the Faithful in order to sen◠them to Rome and Jerusalem And The next Year according to the same Annals Beornhelm Abbot of the West Saxons carried those Alms to Rome and also Goarun or Gythrum King of the Normans i.e. Danes deceased and being God-Son to King Aelfred his Christian Name was Ethelstan this was he who possessed the Country of the East-Angles after the Death of King Edmund Also the same Year the Danes left the River Seine and came to Sand-Laudan which place lyes between the Bretons and the French but the Bretons fighting with them obtained the Victory and drove them into a River where many of them were drown'd This Year also the Annals relate That Plegmond was Elected by God and all his Holy Men to the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury thô Florence of Worcester places it and that more rightly under the Year before The Danes again Invaded the Eastern Franckland and Arnulf the Emperour being assisted by the French Saxons and Bavarian Horse fought with the Danish Foot and put them to flight Also Three Scots came now to King Alfred from Ireland in one Boat made of Hides having quitted their Country because they would live the Life of Pilgrims i. e. a Wandring Life for God's sake not being solicitous about any place wherefore they had brought only one Week's Provision with them and after about Seven Days being at Sea landing in Cornwall they were presently brought to King Alfred their Names were Dubslane Macbeth and Maelinmun also Swifneh who was chief Preacher amongst the Irish Scots deceased The same Year after Easter appeared a Comet This Year after Eight Years Intermission the Kingdom became again infested worse than ever by a fresh Invasion of the Danes for their Army above-mentioned being driven by the Emperour Arnwulf out of France marched Westward to Bunnan now Boloign where taking
he should leave them as free as the Thought of Man could make them This is the substance of King Alfred's Will which I have been the more particular in reciting because it is one of the most Remarkable Pieces in our English Saxon Antiquities and shews us the manner of Succession not only to private Estates but to the Crown it self in those Days Thô we could have wished that the Original had been preserved being in the English Saxon Tongue of which this is only a Translation made by Asser at the end of this King's Life The Latine of which is indeed so barbarous and obscure that I would rather advise the curious Reader to peruse the Original itself then venture to give him an imperfect interpretation of any more of it having here already set down the most material heads and which I thought did principally conduce to our present design King Alfred had born to him by the Queen his Wife above-mention'd Aethelflede his Eldest Daughter and after her Eadward his Eldest Son then Aethelgeofeu or Ethelgiva then Aelfthryth and lastly Ethelweard besides those who died in their Infancy Aethelflede when she came to mature Years was Married to Eadred Earl of the Mercians Aethelgiva vowing Chastity undertook a Monastic Life Ethelward the youngest Child was by the King 's prudent Order put to School under careful Masters together with most of the Nobility's Sons of the Kingdom in which School both Latin and Saxon Books were constantly read and here they also learned to write So that before they were admitted to Hunt or handle Arms they were well improved in the Liberal Arts As for this Prince Ethelward Thomas Rudburne relates from the Annals of Winchester that he was bred up at Oxford and became learned above that Age but being more given to Letters than Arms we find nothing of him in our Annals more than the time of his Death tho' he lived till he was about Forty Years of Age but he had two Sons Edwin and Ethelwin of a more Warlike Temper who being Slain in a Fight against Anlafe King of the Danes were by their Cousin King Athelstan's appointment buried in the Church of the Abbey of Malmsbury as our William the Monk of that place recites As for the Princess Aethelflede she will make so great a Figure in her Brother's Reign that I shall suspend saying any more of her here Besides these Children of King Alfred mentioned by Asser the Chronicle of St. Swithune tells us of another Son born before Prince Edward called Edmund who lived to be Crowned King by by his Father's appointment in his Life-time but dying before him he was buried under a Marble-Stone on the North side of the Altar of the Abbey Church of Winchester So that we may hence perhaps supply that Chasme in Asser's Life of this Prince where speaking of those Children of his who died Young says In quorum numero est but no Name being found in any of the Copies extant it possibly ought to be supplied with Edmundus But since this Prince is not mentioned in any other Historian or Pedigree of our Kings I leave it to the Reader 's discretion to determine as he pleases concerning him As for the other Sons Edward and Elfrithe they were Educated in the King's Court with great care of their Governors and were taught by them to shew great respect toward Strangers and a tender love to their own People with a most Dutiful observance of their Father Immediately after his Excellent King's Death and Burial his Eldest Son succeeded him under the Title of King EDWARD commonly called the Elder THis Prince according to Annals now began his Reign being as Asser and Bromton in his Chronicle relate anointed King at Kingston by Plegmund Arch-Bishop of Canterbury of whom Ethelwerd in his History expresly tells us That he succeeded to the Monarchy and tho' the Eldest Son of King Alfred yet was he Elected by all the Chief Men of the Kingdom and Crowned on Whitsunday Will. of Malmsbury observes that tho' this Prince was much inferior to his Father in Learning and Knowledge yet far exceeded him in Power and Grandeur enjoying the benefit of those Labours which his Father had undergone But so soon as ever he came to the Crown as the Saxon Annals relate he met with a very great disturbance for Aethelwald his Cousin German Son as is supposed to Ethered his Father's Elder Brother pretending he had better right to the Crown than King Edward Rebelled against him and went over to the Danes So the Prince presently invaded the King's Territories and possessed himself of the Royal Towns of Tweoneam now Tweoxbeam and Winburne without the King's privity whereupon he advanced his Army and pitched his Camp at a place called Baddanbyrig a Hill near Winburne but Aethelwald with those Men who were joined with him kept themselves within the Town and having shut up all the Gates King Edward commanded them to Surrender but he Swore that he would there either Conquer or Die yet notwithstanding all this blustring he privately withdrew himself by Night and marched back to the Danish Army in Northumberland Upon this the King gave Orders to his Men to pursue him yet tho' they did so they could not overtake him so he got safe to the Danish Army where they joyfully received him for their King But Ranulh Higden in his Polychron tells us That having taken away a Nun along with him out of the Monastry of Winburne he went over to the Danes which if so as is most likely the King could not then Apprehend her but it seems King Edward followed him so close that he forced him to go over into France as Mat. of Westminster relates that he might there obtain more Recruits to give the King fresh disturbance and therefore it is most probable what Mat. Westminster and Bromton's Chronicle tells us That the King after Aethelwald's departure seized his Wife whom having been a Nun he had taken against the Command of the Bishop from the Monastry above-named whither she was now brought back again In the mean time according to Mat. Westminster the King improved his Dominions by building new Towns and repairing some Cities which had been before destroyed This Year was fought a Battle at Holme between the Kentish Men and the Danes But Florence of Worcester with greater probability places this Action two Years after when Adelwald as he there calls him was now returned out of France About this time deceased Athulf the Ealdorman Brother of Q. Ealswithe King Edward's mother as also Virgilius the Scotish Abbot and Grimbald the Priest one of King Alfred's Instructors 8 Ides of July This Year also was consecrated the new Monastery of Winchester about the Feast of St. Judoc Here was also a Colledge of Secular Chanons first placed by King Edward according to the will of his Father King Alfred and it was called the New Minster to distinguish it from the
England and sojourned with the most Holy and Religious Monks in the City of Winchester Helmestan Abbot of the said Cathedral Church and the Venerable Swithune Praepositus i. e. Bishop of the same who had been before in Professione sacrae Theologiae in Studio Canterbriggiensi Cathedratus i. e. Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge had often relieved him during the many Hardships he suffered in his Banishment with special Favour he desired always should be acknowledged If we were assured that this Epistle was Genuine it would advance the Antiquity of this University far higher than the time we are now treating of and would make it Ancienter than the time of King Alfred in the latter end of whose Reign St. Swithune sate Bishop of Winchester But since we have not the Originals but only Citations from these ancient Pieces I shall not take upon me to determine of their Validity but leave that as also this Authors Credit to the Reader 's Judgment But to return to our Annals This Year Egbriht the innocent Abbot was slain on the 16th Kal. of July a little before the Summer Solstice and about three Days after Aethelfleda sent an Army against the Welsh which took Brecenanmere supposed to be either Brecknock Castle or else some place near it and there she took the King's Wife and about thirty four Prisoners The Danes marching now on Horseback after Easter from Hamtune i. e. Northampton and Lygraceaster now Leicester slew many Men at Hocneratune now Hoocnorton in Oxfordshire and the places adjoyning and as soon as they had returned home again they sent out another Company of Robbers which marched towards Ligtune most likely to be Leighton in Bedfordshire but the People of that Country being forewarned of their coming fought with them and not only put them to flight but also recovered whatsoever they had taken away so that they left a great many of their Horses and Arms behind them Now a great Fleet sailed from the Southern Parts of Armorica under the Command of two Earls Ohtor and Rhoald and sailing about toward the East entred the Mouth of the River Severne and there spoiled all the Coasts of North Wales toward the Sea as far as they could and they also took Cumeleac the Welsh Bishop in Yrcingafield now Archenfield in Herefordshire and carried him Prisoner to their Ships but King Edward within some time Ransomed him for Forty Pounds but after this the Danes quitting their Ships marched again towards Yrcingafeild where the Men of Hereford and Gleawcester and the neighbouring Towns fought them and put them to flight and there slew Rhoald and a Brother of Earl Ohtor's with a great part of their Army and drove them into a certain Wood where they besieged them till they made them give Hostages to depart out of King Edward's Kingdom But at last it seemed advisable for the King to place a good Guard from the South part of the Mouth of Severne and from the West of Wales toward the East as far as the River Avon that so the Danes might not Land any more on that side nevertheless leaving their Ships they stole away privately by Night in two Companies to plunder the one to Weced now Watchet in Somersetshire and the other to Portlocan now Portlochbay in the same County but they were routed in both places insomuch that few of them escaped alive unless it were those who swam off to their Ships Then they besieged an Island at Bradanrelic Florence calls it Reoric which is supposed to be a little Island now called Shepholm in the Mouth of Severne where they were in such great want of Victuals that many died with Hunger because they could get no Provisions there After this they went to Deomed supposed to be South Wales from whence they passed into Ireland All this happened in Autumn And the same Year a little before Martinmass King Edward marched with his Army to Buckingaham and there stayed a Month building two Forts on each side the River Ouse before he parted thence Thurkytel the Danish Earl owned him for his Lord as also all their chief Commanders and almost all their Noblemen who were at Bedanford now Bedford with many of them that belonged to Hamptune This Year also Ethelfleda Lady of the Mercians before Whitsontide took the Town of Deorby where within the Gates were killed four Thanes who were very dear to her Also we read in the Collections of that Learned Antiquary Mr. Lambert and by him given to the Cottonian Library that it is found in an Ancient Chronicle once belonging to the Monastry of Rochester and collected by one Edmund de Hadenham That this Year the Lady Elfleda by the Assistance of the King her Brother besieged the City of Canterbury and taking it slew a great many Danes that were therein King Edward marching with his Army to Bedanford about Martinmass had the Town surrendred to him and then all the Inhabitants who were his Subjects returned thither and there he stayed a Month and before he departed he commanded a Castle to be built there on the South-side of the River After this King Edward went to Maeldune now Maldon and rebuilt the Town and saw it fortified whilst he was there Also Earl Thurkytel passed over into France by K. Edward's Leave and Convoy with all those Danes that would follow him as likewise Aethelfleda brought under her Dominion the Town of Legracester now Leicester and a great many of the Danes belonging to that place became subject to her as also those who were at York nay some of them confirmed it both with an Oath and by giving of Hostages that they would continue so but as soon as this was done she departed this Life twelve days before Midsummer at Tammeworth it being the Eighth Year of her Government over the Mercians after her Husband's Death with great Moderation and Justice Her Body lies buried at Gleawcester in the East Isle of St. Peter's Church This Lady's Death is placed in our printed Annals under the Year 918 and that more rightly for the Cottonian Copy of these Annals is certainly mistaken in putting the Death of this Princess two Years later than this viz. 920. though they all agree in Substance viz. that she died at Tamworth about a Fortnight before Midsummer and that thereupon King Edward going thither the whole Nation of the Mercians submitted to him But whenever this Princess died she was certainly a Woman of great Virtue Prudence and Courage and truly resembled her worthy Father King Alfred as far as the Difference of Sex would permit But to return again to our Annals The same Year the Daughter and Heir of Ethered Lord of the Mercians called Aelfwinna whom her Mother had left her Heir was deprived by the King of that Dominion and she was about three weeks before Christmas brought into West-Seax John Bevour who calls himself Castoreus in his Manuscript History of the Kings
slew Neil his Brother And under this year I suppose we may justly place the total subduing of the Danes and subjection of the East-Angles and consequently their being freed from the Danish Yoak under which they had groaned for above fifty years though what Government they had from the Death of the last Danish King Eoric is hard to determine William of Malmesbury the only Ancient Author that hath mentioned these Affairs telling us in general That after the Death of this Eoric the Danish Earls or Governors either oppressed them or else excited them against the West-Saxon Kings until this King Edward by driving out the Danes restored the English to their Liberties and added this Kingdom to his own Dominions fifty years after the death of King Edmund which falls out much about this time But Polidore Virgil I know not from what Author hath a long Story how King Eoric above-mentioned made War against King Edward and being routed by him in a great Battel and returning home fell so far into the Hatred and Contempt of his Subjects that they rose up against him and being then divided into Factions were forced to submit themselves to King Edward This if it were true would give a great light into this dark part of the History of the East-Angles of which we have but a very imperfect Account But since this Relation is found in no other Author except Polydore and besides expresly contradicting the Testimony of William of Malmesbury a much more Authentick Writer by whose Account as well as by the Saxon Annals it appears that this Eoric was dead long before I think we may justly look upon Polydore's Relation as a mere Fiction either invented by himself or else taken from some Modern Author of no great Credit Therefore I must now warn the Reader concerning this Historian That though he had the Perusal of a great many Rare Manuscripts yet since he very seldom cites any Authors and that we find he sometimes differs from our most Ancient Writers and is plainly mistaken in divers Relations we have great reason to refuse his Testimony where it is not agreeable with more Authentick Authorities I have nothing else to add under this year but that as William of Malmesbury tells us the Body of King Edmund the Martyr having lain for above Fifty Years obscurely buried at a place called Halesdon in Suffolk was now by some devout people removed to a Town adjoining called Badricesworth now St. Edmundsbury where there was quickly a Church built over him and unto which King Edmund Brother to King Athelstan was a great Benefactor though this place was not much taken notice of until King Cnute to gain the Favour of this Saint whom his Countreymen had murthered here afterwards built a Noble Monastery This year also according to Florence of Worcester and Mat. Westminster the King of Scots Reginald the Danish King of Northumberland with the Duke or Earl of the Gallawy Welshmen or Britains came to King Edward and submitting themselves to him made a firm League with him This is the first time we find any Submission of the King of Scots which whether it amounted to a downright Homage and to hold that Kingdom of the Crown of England may be much questioned and is absolutely denied by the Scotish Historians Between Lent and Midsummer King Edward march'd with his Army to Stanford and there commanded a Castle to be built on the South-side of the River Weland so that all the people who dwelt in the Town on the North-side of that River submitted themselves and besought him to be their Lord. Also according to the Cottonian Copy of these Annals Howel and Cledauc and Jeothwell Prince of Wales with all the Nation of the Northern Britains desired to take the King for their Lord. But in this the Welsh Chronicles are wholly silent as commonly they are of any action that tends to the lessening of their Countrey Out of Wales the King marched to Snottingaham and took the Town and commanded it to be repaired and Garison'd with Danes as well as English and then all the people in the Province of Mercia of both those Nations came over to him This year also according to Florence Athelward Brother to King Edward died and was buried at Winchester This is that Learned Prince Son to King Alfred whose Character we have already given This year King Edward carried his Army about the end of Autumn to Thaelwale that is Thaelwalle in Cheshire and which is supposed to have been so called from its being encompassed at first with a Wall made of Bodies of Trees called in the Saxon Tongue Thal where he ordered that Town to be repaired and he commanded another part of his Forces whilst he stayed there to march out of Mercia to Manigeceaster now Manchester in the Kingdom of Northumberland and order'd it to be rebuilt and strengthened with a Garison This year also Plegmond Archbishop of Canterbury deceased and Reginold the Danish King took Eoferwick that is York Before Midsummer King Edward marched with his Army to Snottingaham and ordered a new Town to be built on the South-side of the River Trent over-against that on the other side and made a Bridge over the River between the two Towns from thence the King went into Peakland that is the Peak in that Shire to Bedecanwell which is supposed may be Bakewell in Dâ—rbyshire and commanded a Town to be built near to it and to be fortified with a Garison Then also the King of Scots with all the Scotish Nation and Reginald the Son of Eardulph the Danish King of Northumberland with all the Inhabitants of that Kingdom whether English or Danes together with the King of the Straecled Welshmen and all his Subjects did chuse King Edward for their Patron and Lord. But this year's actions are placed by Florence of Worcester and Mat. Westminster three years sooner which shews the Copies they had of these Annals differ'd from those we have though which of them is the truest I shall not now take upon me to affirm but it sufficiently shews that both these Copies were not written at one and the same time And now King Edward deceased at Fearndune in the Province of the Mercians now called Farrington in Berkshire and Aelsweard his Son also deceased not long after him at Oxnaford i. e. Oxford But the Canterbury Copy of these Annals as also Florence of Worcester place the Death of these two Princes under the foregoing year and indeed they seem to have been in the right But this is most certain that this Prince who is called Aethelward by William of Malmesbury was his Eldest Son by Queen Aelfleda his Wife the Daughter of Earl Aethelune and being very well instructed in Learning did much resemble King Aelfred his Grandfather as well in Face as Disposition yet though he survived his Father he never took upon him the Title of King because he outlived him so
action from his Election as it is also in the Author last cited and in H. Huntington who therein follow our Annals and say expresly That he was Elected But it seems before his Election one Alfred with some factious men of his Party endeavour'd to hinder King Athelstan's coming to the Crown because he was begot on a Concubine which says William of Malmesbury if it were true as he seems there to doubt yet had he nothing else ignoble in him for he surpassed all his Predecessors as well in his Devotion as his Victories So much better is it as he well observes to excel in good Qualities than in his Ancestors the former only being truly a man 's own Hither we may also refer what the same Author tells us concerning this Alfred above-mentioned out of the Preface to King Athelstan's Charter whereby he confers the Lands once belonging to this Alfred upon the Church of Malmesbury for the Souls of his Cousins Ethelred Edwin and Ethelwin there buried And to testify to the world that he gave what was his own he there at large relates the whole Conspiracy which Alfred had laid together with his Complices to seize him in the City of Winchester and to put out his Eyes but the Plot being happily discovered and Alfred denying it he was sent to Rome there to purge himself before Pope John where coming to take his Oath at the Altar of St. Peter he fell down and being carried by his Servants into the English School there died the third night after but it seems the Pope would not dispose of his Body till he had sent to ask King Athelstan's Judgment what should be done with it when by the Advice and at the Request of the Chief Men the King assented that it should though unworthy of that Honour be laid among the Bodies of other Christians but his whole Estate was adjudged confiscated for so black a Treason But one of the first things this King performed after his coming to the Crown as we find in Florence of Worcester was his bestowing his Sister Edgitha in Marriage to Sihtric the Danish King of Northumberland who desired the Alliance of King Athelstan And as Matthew Westminster relates this Prince professing himself a Christian was a little before his Marriage baptized but did not long continue so for he relapsed again to his former Paganism And the next year According to Florence and Simeon of Durham he deceased after whose death the Lady above-mentioned retiring to her Brother King Athelstan became a Nun at Pollesworth Nor can I here omit the Falshood of the Scotish Historians who out of spight to King Athelstan's Memory make Sihtric to have been poyson'd by this Lady whom they call Beatrix and that at the Instigation of her Brother King Athelstan whereas her Name was not Beatrix but Edgitha or Orgiva and was a Woman of as great Reputation for her Sanctity as the King her Brother was for his Valour and other Noble Virtues which render'd him above the putting his Sister upon so base an Action But before I dismiss this Relation I cannot omit what John of Wallingford adds concerning this King Sihtric whom he calls Sictric viz. That upon this Marriage with King Athelstan's Sister he advanced him to the Title of King that his Sister might not stoop so low as to that of Countess and that Sictric then had for his Kingdom all the Countrey from the River Theys as far as Edinburgh from which time the Danes began to settle in those parts who before rambled about over all England to which Settlement as also to a fresh accession of more the Northerly Situation of that Countrey lying over-against Denmark contributed very much as this Author well observes This year according to Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham Sihtric King of the Northumbers departed this life so that it seems that this King survived his Marriage but a small time Also the same year according to Florence Hugh the Son of Robert King of the French married King Athelstan's Sister and after the death of King Sihtric Guthfrith his Son succeeded him though but for a little while for the year following our Annals tell us That King Aethelstan expelled the said Guthfryth King of Northumberland and added his Dominions to his own And the same year Wulfhelm the Archbishop went to Rome From which Conquest of the Kingdom of Northumberland we may observe That as King Edward had before conquered the Danes of East-England and had also added Mercia to his own Kingdom so King Athelstan by the Expulsion of King Guthfrith who was also of the Danish Race became the first King that ruled all England without any King under him Of this Prince also John of Wallingford relates That being a Young Man he was stirred up to this Rebellion by the suggestion of the Northumbers who told him that their Countrey had always enjoyed a King of their own without being Tributary to the Southern English And indeed from the first arrival of the English Saxons they had been never subject to any of the West-Saxon Kings except King Athelstan Therefore this Guithfrith or Gutred moved by these instigations took upon him the Name of King without King Athelstan's consent and casting out the Garisons seized all the Forts and Castles of that Country and flatly denied to pay the Tribute imposed upon his Father with which K. Athelstan being much provoked he not only raised great Forces of his own Subjects but also sent for Aid to his Friends in Neighbouring Kingdoms and so in few days gathering together a great Army totally expell'd him his Kingdom And therefore Alfred of Beverly an Ancient Author still in Manuscript very well observes of this Prince That by subduing the Scots Welsh and all the Kings of Britain he justly deserved the Title of the first Monarch though his Modesty was so great that he never gave himself that Title but left it to his Brother Edred to take as shall be shewn in his Reign This year William Son to Rollo succeeded to the Dukedom of Normandy and held it fifteen years Byrnstan was consecrated Bishop of Winchester and held that Bishoprick two years and an half The year following ' Frithelstan the Bishop deceased Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham as also the Chronicle of Mailrosse do all agree that this Bishop Frithelstan did before his death ordain Bishop Byrnstan in his room and if so he resigned the Bishoprick of Winchester to him and lived only one year after it Also the same year according to our Annals Edwin Aetheling was drowned This Edwin here mentioned in our Annals was Brother to King Athelstan whose Death being the greatest Blot of this King's Reign divers Authors have concealed it but notwithstanding it is thus given us by William of Malmesbury and the Chronicle called Abbot Bromton's Alfred above-mentioned having conspired against King Athelstan as you have already heard had several
Complices in that Treason and there were not wanting some Court Sycophants to accuse Prince Edwin of being in that Plot for he was the eldest Legitimate Son then living of King Edward by his Lawful Wife since therefore the apprehension of a Rival usually overpowers all Obligations both of Friendship and Nature though Edwin both by Word of Mouth and by Oaths and Imprecations protested his Innocence yet all this would not prevail against these Court-Whisperers who affirmed that if he were only banished he would be commiserated by Foreign Princes and still more endanger the King's safety whereupon such a way was found out that under the Notion of Banishment he might with the least appearance of Cruelty be dispatch'd In short an old rotten Vessel was provided and only the Prince and his Esquire were put into it without any Pilot or other body to steer or manage it and thus for some time they weather'd it at Sea but the Young Prince being brought up tenderly and not used to hardship despairing of his Life cast himself headlong out of the Vessel and so perished in the Ocean whilst his Servant being more couragious was resolved to save himself if he could and meeting with better fortune was driven on shore at a place called Whitsand on the Coast of Picardy not far from Dover The Fact was not long done before Athelstan sorely repented of it which he is said by a Seven Years Penance to have testified to the world as also by the Punishment of him who was the principal Instrument in this Fratricide and had whispered this Jealousy into his Breast who being his Cup-bearer as he was going to present a Cup of Drink to him one of his Feet slipped but by the Nimbleness of the other recovering himself he said Thus one Brother helps another which the King hearing and sadly calling to mind how little he himself had assisted his Brother oppressed by the Calumnies of this Parasite caused him to be put to death This is the Tale told by William of Malmesbury and the other Author the latter of whom delivers it as a certain Truth whilst the former tells it only as an old Story sung in certain Ballads and of which he himself doubted the Truth But Buchanan the Scotch Historian I suppose out of malice to this King's Memory for routing his Countreymen makes King Athelstan not only to have procured the Death of his Brother Edwin but also of his Father King Edward whom he therefore fancies to have been called Edward the Martyr and not content with this neither he adds that he put his Brother Edred to death also Yet certainly there can scarce be more Mistakes committed in so few Lines than he has been guilty of in these for in the first place it is agreed by all our Historians that King Edward died a Natural Death and as for him whom he calls the Martyr he was the Son of King Edgar nor did he begin to reign till above an hundred and fifty years after as shall be shewn when we come to his Reign But as for what Buchanan objects against some of our later Historians for making Athelstan to be King of all Britain and to have restored Constantine King of Scots to his Kingdom and to have forced him to do him Homage for it we must confess that Buchanan is so far in the right that neither our Saxon Annals nor Marianus Scotus nor Florence of Worcester mention any thing of it though they all do relate the great Victory which King Athelstan obtain'd over the Scots but yet are wholly silent either about his driving of the King of Scotland out of his Kingdom or of causing him to do him Homage for restoring him to it This is to shew that I would not be partial to the Historians of our own Countrey as if they could not also be sometimes guilty of great Errors and therefore I thought good to take notice of it here This year as our Annals relate King Athelstan made an Expedition into Scotland with a great Army by Land as also with a considerable Fleet by Sea and laid wast great part of that Kingdom The same year also Bishop Byrnstan deceased at Winchester on the Feast of All Saints But as for the Causes of this War made by King Athelstan against Scotland since not only our Annals but many of our other Authors are silent in it we must supply that defect from William of Malmesbury and Roger Hoveden and the Chronicles of Mailrosse who relate that Anlaf the Son of Sihtric King of Northumberland having fled into Ireland and the late King Godefrid his Brother into Scotland King Athâ—lstan sent Ambassadors to Constantine King of Scots demanding the Fugitive to be given up to him or else upon his Refusal denouncing a speedy War against him which War indeed he made for marching into Scotland with a great Army both by Sea and Land he drove his Enemies before him as far as Dunfeodor and Wertermore and by Sea as far as Cathness but Malmesbury affirms that they not daring in any thing to displease him went to a place called Dacor or Dacre in Cumberland where each surrender'd up himself and all his into the hands of the English King who was Godfather to the Son of Constantine and now ordered him to be baptized in testimony of that Accord whom also together with great Presents he left as a Hostage with the King and so Peace being thus happily concluded he returned home into his own Countrey But the Scotish Historians do not mention this Invasion at all nor will allow King Constantine to have had any Son And indeed it seems improbable that if Constantine had now given his Son to King Athelstan as a Hostage he would have dar'd to renew the War again so soon after this Agreement But for all this Godefrid escaped while they were preparing for the Journey and travelling with one Turfrid into several parts of the Countrey at length got some men together and laid Siege to York the Inhabitants of which they tempted both by fair and foul means to let them in but not being able to prevail with 'em they went their ways and were both taken shortly after and shut up in a Castle from whence making their escape by deluding their Keepers Turfrid not long after was shipwreck'd at Sea and became a Prey to the Fish but Godefrid endured much more misery both by Sea and Land and at last came as a Suppliant to the King's Court who kindly received him but after he had been profusely feasted for four days together he got away again to his Ships and then returned to his old trade of Piracy In the mean time Athelstan demolished a Castle which the Danes had fortified at York that so they might not shelter themselves any more there and the large Booty he found in it he divided amongst his Soldiers to every one a share For so Worthy and Liberal was this Prince that he
year according to Florence King Athelstan founded the Abby of Middleton in Dorsetshire to expiate the Death of his Brother Prince Edwin whom through false suggestions he had destroy'd as you have already heard About this time also according to the Welsh Chronicle Howel Dha Prince of South-Wales and Powis after the death of Edwal Voel his Cousin Prince of North-Wales took upon him the Government of all Wales the Sons of Edwal being then in Minority This Howel made that Excellent Body of Laws that go under his Name and which you may find in Sir H. Spelman's first Volume of Councils This Prince for his Discreet and Just Government not only made himself highly beloved but also rendred his Memory very glorious to After-Ages But it seems King Athelstan did not long survive this Victory for as our Annals relate he deceased this year on the 6 th Kal. Novemb. just Forty years after the death of King Alfred his Grandfather having reigned Fourteen Years and Ten Months But there is certainly an Error in this Account for either this King must have reigned a year less or else the King his Father must have died a year sooner than our Annals allow him and perhaps with greater Certainty for Florence of Worcester places his Death in Anno Dom. 924. Nor can we before we finish this King's Life omit taking notice That Bromton's Chronicle and other Modern Writers do place the long Story of the Danes invading England in this King's Reign and that one Guy Earl of Warwick returning home by chance from the Holy Land in the Habit of a Pilgrim just when King Athelstan was in great distress for a Champion to fight with one Colebrand a monstrous Danish Gyant whom the King of the Danes had set up to fight with any Champion the English King should bring into the field that Earl Guy accepted this Challenge and without being known to any man but the King fought the Gyant near Winchester and killing him the Danes yielded the Victory whilst Earl Guy privately retired to a Hermitage near Warwick and there living a Hermit's life ended his days But though John Rouse in his Manuscript Treatise de Regibus Anglorum places this Action under Anno 926 as soon as ever King Athelstan came to the Crown and that Tho. Rudburne in his History of Winchester says That this Gyant 's Sword being kept in the Treasury of the Abby of Winchester was shewn in his time yet since neither the Saxon Annals nor any other Ancient Historian mention any Invasion of the Danes in this King's Reign nor any thing of such a Combat it ought to be looked upon as a Monkish Tale only fit for Ballads and Children But since the Monks are very profuse in the Praises of this Prince I will give you William of Malmesbury's Character of him That as for his Person he did not exceed the ordinary Stature being of a slender Body his Hair as he had seen by his Reliques was Yellow that as for his Natural Temper and Disposition he was always kind to God's Servants i. e. the Monks for there was scarce a Monastery in England but what had been adorned by him with Buildings Books or Reliques And though he was grave and serious amongst his Nobles yet was he affable to the Inferior sort often laying aside the Majesty of a King to converse the more freely with ordinary men This made him as much admired by his Subjects for his Humility as he was fear'd by his Enemies and Rebels for his Invincible Courage and Constancy An Eminent Instance of this was in that he compell'd the Kings of North-Wales for some time standing out to meet him at Hereford and submit themselves to him I wish our Author had told us the Year when it was done since our Annals have wholly omitted it for tho Ran. Higden in his Polychronicon has put it under Anno 937 and also relates from Alfred of Beverly that this King restored both Constantine King of Scots and Hoel King of the Britains to their Kingdoms saying It was more glorious to make a King than to be one yet I do not see any Authority for it But this is agreed upon by all That Athelstan did about that time enter Wales with a powerful Army and effected what no King had ever presumed to think of before for he imposed a Yearly Tribute upon those Kings of Twenty Pounds in Gold and Three hundred Pounds in Silver and Twenty five thousand Head of Cattel Yet the Laws of Howel Dha appointed the King of Aberfraw to pay yearly to the King of London no more than Sixty six Pounds for a Tribute besides Hawks and Hounds John of Wallingford makes this King the first who reduced all England into one Monarchy by his Conquest of Northumberland Cumberland and Wales yet that he was in his own nature a Lover of Peace and whatever he had heard from his Grandfather or observed in his Father he put in practice being Just in his Judgments and by a happy conjunction of many Virtues so beloved by all men that to this day Fame which is wont to be too severe to the Faults of Great Men can relate nothing to his prejudice William of Malmesbury also gives us a short Account of his Life and Actions from his very Childhood wherein he tells us That this Prince when he was but a Youth was highly beloved by his Grandfather King Alfred insomuch that he made him a Knight girding him with a Belt set with Precious Stones and whereat hung a Golden-hilted Sword in a Rich Scabbard after which he was sent to be bred under his Uncle Ethelred Earl of Mercia to learn all those Warlike Exercises that were befitting a Young Prince Nor does he only relate him to have been Valiant but also competently Learned as he had been informed from a certain old Author he had seen who compared him to Tully for Eloquence though as he rightly observes the Custom of that Age might very well dispense with that Talent and perhaps a too great Affection to King Athelstan then living might excuse this Author 's over-large Commendations But this must be acknowledged that all Europe then spoke highly in his Praise and extoll'd his Valour to the Skies Neighbouring Kings thinking themselves happy if they could purchase his Friendship either by his Alliance or their Presents Harold King of Norway sent him a Ship whose Stern was Gilded and its Sails Purple and the Ambassadors by whom he sent it being Royally received in the City of York were rewarded with Noble Presents Hugh King of the French sent Anwulf Son of Baldwin Earl of Flanders Grandson to King Edward by Aethelswine his Daughter as his Ambassador to demand his Sister in Marriage who when in a Great Assembly of the Nobility at Abingdon he had declared the Desires of this Royal Woer besides Noble Presents of Spices and Precious Stones especially Emeralds such as had never been seen in England before
Edmund But it seems R. Hoveden and Mat. Westminster make this latter Anlaf a quite different person from the former who is supposed to have reigned in Ireland whereas this was the Son of Sihtric late King of Northumberland and whom we shall meet with again more than once in the following History But John of Walingford's Chronicle makes this King whom he calls Olaf a Norwegian whom the Northumbers had called in and bestowed upon him the Title of King and under him rebelled against K. Edmund As for this Reginald her mentioned in our Annals I suppose he is the same whom H. Huntington calls King of York because he had conquered the Countrey But tho the History of these Transactions are very short and obscure yet that which has been already related from these Authors will serve to explain what would have been otherwise in the dark viz. how the Cities and Towns above-mentioned now came to be recovered from the Danes as having been taken by their King Anlaf aforesaid This year Queen Aelgiva was brought to Bed of Prince Edgar afterwards King as Florence relates Yet she lived not long after but died the year following according to Ethelward's Chronicle King Edmund reduced all the Countrey of Northumberland under his own Dominion expelling thence the two Kings Anlaf the Son of Sihtric and Reginald the Son of Guthferth But Ethelwerd relates this action to have been done by this King's Lieutenants viz. Bishop Wulstan and the Ealdorman of Mercia whose Name he does not give us only that these two expelled certain Deserters viz. Reginald and Anlaf out of the City of York and reduced it wholly under this King's Power John of Wallingford also makes this Anlaf to be the King's Nephew and different from Anlaf the Norwegian King Eadmund subdued the whole Countrey of Cumberland and gave it to Malcolme King of Scots upon condition that he should assist him in his Wars both by Sea and Land For the Reader is to observe that hitherto the Britains though much disturbed by their Neighbours the Picts Scots and English had ever since the coming in of the Saxons still there continued a distinct Principality and after several of them had been wearied out they retired into North Wales and there erected the Colony of Straetcluyd as we formerly said though the History and Succession of these Kings are wholly lost unless it be such scattered Remains as we have given you in the former Book But Mat. Westminster though under the next year adds that which is very unlikely to be true that King Edmund conquered this Countrey by the Assistance of Lewellyn Prince of Wales and put out the Eyes of the two Sons of Dunmaile King of that Province though what he adds further appears somewhat more probable That he granted it to the King of Scots upon this condition viz. To defend the North-parts of England from the Invasion of Enemies both by Sea and Land To which Bromton's Chronicle adds likewise That he was also to attend the King of England at several Great Feasts in the year when he held his Common Council and that the King of Scots had for that end several Houses assigned him to lye at by the way Also this year Mat. Westminster relates that King Edmund gave one of his Royal Towns then called Beadricesworth with divers other Lands to build a Church and Monastery in Memory of St. Edmund the Martyr whose Body was there enshrin'd This year likewise as Florence relates King Edmund sent Ambassadors to Prince Hugh of France for the Restitution of King Lewis whereupon the said Prince held a Solemn Council with all the Chief Men of the Kingdom concerning it But not long after King Edmund deceased at the Feast of St. Augustin having held the Kingdom Six Years and an half But the Laudean or Peterburgh Copy of these Annals as also Ethelwerd's Chronicle place the Death of this King Anno Dom. 948 which without doubt is the truest Account So that he died in the very Flower of his Age being not yet Five and twenty years old But we shall give you the manner of his Death from William of Malmesbury as well as from other Authors since he met with such an End the like to which I have not read of any other Prince taking all the Circumstances together And thus we find it He having made a Great Entertainment at a place called Pucklekirk upon the Holiday of St. Augustin Archbishop of Canterbury for all his Nobility and Chief Men and there spying towards the end of Dinner a certain Notorious Thief called Leof sitting at the Table whom he had before banished commanded Leon his Sewer to lay hold on him But the Thief not only resisted him but was also like to have killed the Sewer Whereupon the King leaping from the Table and going to rescue him out of the Villain 's hands and having now laid hold on him and thrown him on the ground he twisted his hands in his hair upon which the Thief pulling out a Dagger stabbed the King who lay upon him into the Breast so that he immediately expired but the King's Servants presently coming in soon cut the Villain to pieces though some of them were first wounded by him The King's Body was thereupon carried to Glastenbury and there buried and the Town wherein he was killed was bestowed on the same Monastery to sing Masses for his Soul To this Place the Prince as well as his Brother was a great Benefactor as appears by his recited Charter in William of Malmesbury whereby he confers divers large Privileges upon that Abby of which St. Dunstan was then the Abbot And it is also to be observed that He there stiles himself in the beginning of his Charter Edmund King of the English and Governor and Ruler of the other Nations round about and says That with the Advice and by the Consent of his Chief Men and for the Remission of his Sins He made that Grant to the Church of St. Mary at Glastenbury This Charter bore date Anno 944. in Letters of Gold and was written at the end of a Book of Gospels which he had given to the same Church most curiously bound So that it is no wonder if he had the good words of the Monks though he might also very well deserve them yet this last Action speaks him to have been extremely transported with Passion thus to debase the Majesty of a King in going about to seize a common Malefactor with his own hands and indeed he paid too dear for thus acting below his Character This King made divers good Laws which since the Title does not recite in what year they were made I have referred to this place some of which I shall here give you translated from the Latin Copies in Abbot Bromton's Chronicle as well as from Mr. Lambard's Collection In the Preface of which we are told That at the solemn Feast of Easter the King had held a Great
Friends not only to marry her but also to fulfil the Covenants made between them and shall also engage to maintain her After that the Bridegroom is to declare what he will give his Bride besides that which she formerly made choice of with his good liking if she survive him In case they so agree it provides that after his Decease she shall have the one half of all his Estate and if they have a Child betwixt them the whole till such time as â—he marry again Then when they have agreed on all things the Kindred of the Bride shall contract her to him and engage for her Honesty and at the same time they shall give Caution for the Celebration of the Marriage The rest being not very material I omit and have only set down these to let the Reader see the Antiquity of Covenants before Marriage and of Bonds for the performance of them as also of Jointures the Thirds of the Estate not being then settled by Law as Dower by what I can find Having now finished the Reign of King Edmund I have no more to observe but that though he left two Sons by the Queen his Wife viz. Edwi and Edgar yet notwithstanding his Brother Edred succeeded to him as Next Heir for so Ethelwerd as well as Florence of Worcester stiles him King EDRED THIS year according to our Annals Eadred Aetheling after his Brother's Decease was made King and presently reduced all Northumberland under his Obedience Upon which the Scots also swore to perform whatever he would require of them But the Manuscript Life of St Dunstan written by a Monk of those times and which is now in the Cottonian Library is much more particular concerning this King's Succession saying That King Edmund being slain Eadred took the Kingdom succeeding to his Brother as his Heir Which is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester who says That Edred being Next Heir to his Brother succeeded him And Ethelwerd gives us the reason of it more fully That he succeeded him quippe ejus Haeres because he was Next Heir And Simeon of Durham further adds That this King was Crowned at Kingston by Odo Archbishop of Canterbury H. Huntington and Mat. Westminster give us the Particulars of this War against the Northumbers and Scots more at large viz. That he subdued the Northumbrians with a powerful Army they refusing to submit to his Dominion and that the Scots thereupon being afraid submitted themselves to him without any War at all and that the King of the Scots swore Fidelity to him It seems here by Ingulph that this Submission of the Northumbers was wrought by the means of Turketule Chancellor to King Edred and afterwards Abbot of Croyland who was now sent Ambassador to the Northumbers to reduce them to their Duty which he upon his Arrival at York performed with that Prudence and Diligence that he brought back the Archbishop and all the People of that City to their former Allegiance But R. Hoveden places the Oath taken by the Northumbrians under this year and that Wulstan Archbishop of York and all the Northumbrian Lords swore Fealty to King Edred in a Town called Tadencliff though they did not long observe it Under this year most of the Welsh Chronicles place the death of that Worthy Prince Howel Dha and say That he left his four Sons Owen Run Roderic and Edwin his Heirs of all his Territories in South-Wales But as for North Wales it returned to the two Sons of Edwal Voel called Jevaf and Jago because Meyric their Elder Brother was not thought fit to govern These as being of the Elder House would have had the Supreme Government of all Wales which being denied them by the Sons of Howel caused great and long Wars between them Yet nothwithstanding other of the Welsh Chronicles place the death of Howel Dha much later for they make him Contemporary with our King Edgar as shall be shewn when we come to the History of his Reign in the next Book Also the same year according to R. Hoveden King Edred being much provoked by the Treachery of the Northumbers laid all Northumberland waste in which devastation the Monastery of Ripun which had been built by Bishop Wilfrid was burnt But our Annals defer this Rebellion of the Northumbers to the year following When Anlaf again returned into the Countrey of the Northumbers This is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester and H. Huntington viz. That King Edred being returned into the Southern parts of the Kingdom Anlaf who had been formerly expell'd the Kingdom of Northumberland reâ—urned thither with a great Navy and being received with joy by the people was again restored to his Kingdom About this time Jago and Jevaf Princes of North-Wales entred South-Wales with a great and powerful Army against whom came over the Eldest Son of Howel with his Brethren and fought a Battel at the Hills of Carne where Jevaf and Jago obtained the Victory And the year following the same Princes twice invaded South-Wales and spoiled Dyvet and slew Dunwallon Lord thereof And to place these Welsh Wars together in the year 952. the said Sons of Howel Dha gathered their Forces together against Jevaf and Jago and entred their Countrey as far as the River Coâ—â—y where they fought a cruel bloody Battel at a place called Gwrhustu or Llanrwst Multitudes being slain on both sides as Edwin the Son of Howel Dha with other Welsh Princes and the Sons of Howel being vanquish'd Jevaf and Jago pursued them as far as Curdigan destroying their Countrey with Fire and Sword This year according to the Annals Aelfeag Bishop of Winchester deceased at the Feast of St. Gregory The Northumbers again expelled King Anlaf and set up Eric the Son of Harold for their King This is the same with Eric mentioned by Hoveden who yet did not immediately enter upon the Throne as that Author supposes till Anlaf had been expell'd but Florence of Worcester and the Chronicle of Mailrosse place the expulsion of Anlaf and the setting up of Eric two years sooner and perhaps with better reason For the same year according to Hoveden King Edred made Wulstan Archbishop of York close Prisoner at Witharbirig because he had been often accused to him upon divers accounts Yet Will. Malmesbury tells us expresly it was for favouring or conniving at his Countreymen in their late Rebellion But after he had kept him a long time in Prison he thought fit to pardon him out of reverence to his Function And the year following the Chronicle of Mailrosse relates that Archbishop Wulstan being set free was restored to his Episcopal Function at Doncacester But this is certain King Edred could not have done this till after Eric had been driven out as this Author more truly reckons tho our Annals do it the next year saying That The Northumbers drove out King Eric and King Eadred again possessed himself of that Kingdom With which also H.
But tho the King's violence to Abbot Dunstan and the Monks is by no means to be justified yet this rudeness to the King and pressing upon his privacy and carrying him by force out of the Room from his Mistress or Wife for some Historians tell us that he had been privately married to her can as little be excused So that no wonder if a young King and an enraged Woman did all they could to revenge so great an Affront Yet it seems by the same Author of St. Dunstan's Life that Archbishop Odo was severely revenged on this Lady for he not only sent Armed men to take her out of the Court by force but also branded her with a hot Iron on the Cheeks to take off the King's Affections from her and then caused her to be sent into Ireland but whether this was done by the Great Council of the Kingdom or by his own Authority I do not find But it seems upon her return thence again being on her way to the King the said Archbishop's Officers met her and cut her Hamstrings so that not being able to stir she is supposed to have died not long after of this cruel Treatment But however this did not happen immediately but some time after for this Year all the People North of Humber together with the Mercians as far as the River Thames rose against King Edwi with an intention to expel him the Kingdom for his violence done to the Monks so that as Osborne in the Life of Dunstan relates he was forced to fly with his Adulteress to the City of Glocester But Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham are more particular in this Relation saying that the Mercians and Northumbrians hating and despising King Edwi for his Evil Government deserted him and having deposed him they elected his Brother Prince Edgar King over them which it seems was also confirmed by the Common Council of the Kingdom for the above-cited Author of the Life of St. Dunstan saith it was done by the Common Consent of all the Wise men of the Kingdom So that Edwi having no more left him than the Kingdom of the West Saxons for his share the River Thames was made the Boundary between their two Kingdoms Henry de Knighton out of some Ancient Chronicles then preserved in the Abbey of Legcester here farther relates That after the Expulsion of King Edwi for his Evil Life and the Enormous Deeds which he committed against the Church the Throne was vacant for above a year and many Murthers and Robberies and other Mischiefs were committed in the Kingdom for want of Government till some Good men of the Clergy and Laity seeking God by frequent Prayers heard at last a Voice from Heaven commanding them to Crown Prince Edgar being yet a Youth their King which they immediately obeyed But this sounds like a Monkish Legend only to enhance the Excellency of King Edgar's Reign which with them must owe its Original to no less an Author than Heaven it self but no other Historians mention any such thing but agree that King Edwi was never deprived of more than the Kingdoms of Mercia and Northumberland and there was no Vacancy of the Throne that Division being made presently upon the aforesaid Defection of the People of these Kingdoms and immediately confirmed by an Act of the Witena Gemote as hath been already related But however it happened King Edwi was forced to rest contented with this unequal division since not having the good-will of his Subjects it was well he could keep what he had From whence we may observe how dangerous a thing it was for Princes to provoke the Ruling Part of the Priests and People of those times who could so easily turn the hearts of their Subjects against them Our Annals though they are very short in this Relation yet confirm the deposing of King Edwi viz. That this Year Edgar Atheling took upon him the Kingdom of the Mercians and also adds That not long before Wulstan Archbishop of York deceased Although the printed Copy of the Saxon Annals place the Death of King Edwi under the year 957 yet it appears by the Manuscript Laudean Copy of these Annals as also by Florence of Worcester that he died not till this very year for we cannot otherwise make up the space of near four years which all our Historians allow to this King's Reign Of whom they give us this Character That though he was extraordinary Handsome yet he abused that Comeliness of his Person by his excessive Lust and yet we do not hear of above one Mistress he kept and that too whom he was either married to or else lived withal like a Wife But it is no wonder if he have a very bad Character of them when the Monks his Enemies are the only persons that have given it to us But H. Huntington who was a Secular Priest and no Monk is more moderate by telling us that this King did not uncommendably hold the Scepter But when in the beginning of his Reign his Kingdom began to flourish an Untimely Death put a stop to those happy Expectations from him His Body was buried at Winchester with his Uncle's And with this King's Reign I shall also put a Period to this Book lest it should swell beyond a due proportion The End of the Fifth Book THE General History OF BRITAIN NOW CALLED ENGLAND As well Ecclesiastical as Civil BOOK VI. Containing the General History of England from the Reign of King EDGAR to the Death of King HAROLD being One hundred and seventeen Years King EDGAR I Have begun this Period with this Prince's Reign for though it does not exactly divide the Space of Time between King Egbert and the coming in of King William sirnamed the Conqueror into two equal parts yet will it much better suit with the Proportion of the Books into which we have divided this Period Besides King Edgar by again reuniting the Kingdom and enjoying by his Valour as well as his good Fortune a happy and peaceable Reign though he was not the first Prince who took upon him the Title of Monarch of all Albion or England as hath been already shewn yet since all the Kings of this Island did willingly submit themselves to his Dominion he seems to have best deserved that Title of any I can find King Edwy being now dead as our Annals have related King Edgar his Brother began to reign not only over the Mercians and Northumbers but also over all the West-Saxon Kingdom that is as the Manuscript Author of St. Dunstan's Life relates he succeeded in his Brother's Kingdom as Heir and was elected by the Clergy as well as Laity over both Kingdoms Which is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden who expresly tells us he was elected King by the whole English Nation in the Sixteenth Year of his Age So that as the Annals observe In his days all things succeeded prosperously God giving him Peace as long as he lived
part of our Historians do make her to have been his Lawful Wife And it was upon this Pretence of Illegitimacy that Queen Elfleda and those of her Party would have afterwards put by Prince Edward her Son from being chosen King as shall be further related in its proper place But Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden place King Edgar's Marriage with this Lady under the next year This year King Edgar expelled the Priests or Chanons both from the old and new Monastery of Winchester as also from Ceortesige or Chertsy and Middletune and put Monks in their rooms he also ordained Aethelgar Abbot of the new Monastery and Ordbryght Abbot of Ceortesige and Cyneweard of Middletune But as soon as Dunstan was made Archbishop he went to Rome and there obtained his Pall of the Pope This Year also the Irishmen according to the Welsh Chronicles landed in Anglesey and destroyed Aberfraw and also slew Rodoric one of the Sons of Edwal Voel late Prince of Wales King Edgar according to R. Hoveden and Simeon of Durham placed Nuns in the Monastery of Rumsey in Hampshire which his Grandfather King Edward had founded and made his Daughter Merwina Abbess over them About this time as Caradoc's Chronicle relates there arose a great Quarrel between the two Brothers Princes of North-Wales Jevaf and Jago who had governed jointly ever since the death of Howel Dha till then when Jago seizing upon his Brother Jevaf by force kept him cruelly in Prison for near six years about which time also Eneon the Son of Owen Prince of South Wales taking advantage of these Civil Dissentions made War upon North-Wales and subdued all the Country of Gwyn So that it is no wonder if the English were too hard for these British Princes since they never could agree amongst themselves King Edgar this year commanded all the Countrey of Thanet to be laid waste As Bromton's Chronicle informs us the King did not do as an Insulting Enemy but as a King who punished one Evil with another because the Inhabitants of that Island had despised his Royal Laws But Matthew Westminster's account of the reason of the King 's severe proceeding with them seems far more satisfactory viz. That it was because certain Merchants coming with Goods from York and touching upon this Island the Inhabitants seized the men and plunder'd them of what they brought This Year also according to the History of the Abby of Ramsey Aylwin the Ealdorman by the persuasion of Oswald Archbishop of York and with the consent of King Edgar founded the Abby of Ramsey to the Honour of St. Mary and St. Benedict as appears by the Charter of King Edgar which you will find at large in Monast. Anglican AIR King Edgar at the persuasion of Bishop Athelwald now caused the Chanons to be driven out of all the greater Monasteries in Mercia and Monks to be put in their places This Year Archbishop Oskitel deceased who was first consecrated Bishop of Dorcester and afterwards by the consent of King Edward and all his Wise-Men consecrated Archbishop of York He was Two and twenty years Bishop and deceased on the Vigils of All-Saints at Thame but Thurkytel being his Kinsman carried the Bishop's Body to Bedford because he was Abbot there at that time But there is certainly a mistake in the King's Name and instead of Edward it should be Edred for King Edward the Elder was dead long before this Bishop's Consecration Eadmund Etheling Son to King Edgar died this year whose Body lies buried at Rumseig i.e. Rumsey in Hampshire Oskytel Archbishop of York deceasing his Kinsman Oswald Bishop of Worcester succeeded him as Florence of Worcester relates About this time also Godfred the Son of Harold the Dane subdued the whole Isle of Anglesey which yet he enjoyed not long This year Edgar Ruler of the English was with great Honour crowned King in the Ancient City called Akmanceaster which the Inhabitants called Bathan so that there was great Joy among all men that happy Day being that which is commonly called Pentecost where was a frequent Assembly of Priests and Monks as also a great Council of the Wites or Wisemen This happen'd in the Thousandth Year of Christ wanting but 27 and in the Thirtieth Year of this King's Age. Also about this time according to Caradoc's Chronicle Howel the Son of Jevaf having raised great Forces against his Uncle Jago above-mentioned to deliver his Father out of Prison and having vanquish'd his Uncle and driven him out of the Countrey restor'd his Father to his Liberty though not to his Dominion for he took upon himself the sole Government of all North Wales But Mr. Vaughan in his Additional Notes to this Chronicle farther relates from some other Welsh Annals That Jago being thus expelled fled to King Edgar and prevailed so far that he brought an Army into North Wales to restore him but coming as far as Bangor Howel met him and at the King's request consented that his Uncle Jago should enjoy that part of the Countrey which he had in his Father Jevaf's time so King Edgar having founded a new Church at Bangor and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary returned with great Honour to Chester having these two Welsh Princes in his Company where also met him by his appointment Six other Princes as shall be farther related by and by It hath been much questioned what should be the reason that this King should thus long defer his Coronation Some of the Monks impute it to the Pennance imposed upon him by Archbishop Dunstan for debauching the Nun above mentioned but that is not at all likely since that Penance was but for Seven Years whereas he had now reigned twice as long since that Sin was committed But I do rather suppose that he was Crowned long before in the very beginning of his Reign though our Monkish Chroniclers have either forgot to mention it or else have omitted it on purpose to add the greater Lustre to Archbishop Dunstan For it is very certain that neither in this King's time nor long after the Conquest was it ever known that the King Elect took the Title of King till after his Coronation Now that our Kings did upon some great occasion repeat the Ceremony of their Coronation I shall prove from the Examples both of King Ethelred as well as of King Richard the First and Henry the Third and why it might not be so in the Reign of this King as well as in either of them I can see no reason though the occasion of it is not any where expressed as I know of But to return to our Annals After this the King sail'd with all his Fleet to Legancester i.e. West-Chester where met him Six Kings who all making a League with him promised to be his Assistants both by Sea and Land And now we have spoke of this King's Fleet it is fit we give a larger Relation of it as also of
these Princes that here met him from William of Malmesbury Florence of Worcester and other Authors who increase their Number to Eight Thousand which being so glorious for our Nation I shall here set down at large This King was the first who was truly Lord of our Seas for every Summer saith William of Malmesbury immediately after Easter commanding his Ships from every Shore to be brought into one collected Body he sailed usually with the Eastern Fleet to the Western part of the Island and then sending it back sailed with the Western Fleet unto the Northern and thence with the Northern he returned to the Eastern Coasts sailing in this manner quite round the Island being exceeding diligent to prevent the Incursions of Pyrates and couragious in the defence of his Kingdom against Foreigners and diligent in the training up of himself and his People for Military Employments Each of these Fleets as we are told consisted of One thousand and two hundred Ships and these also very stout ones for those times So that the number of all must have amounted to Three thousand and six hundred Sail as some of our Author expresly relate but others Four thousand Vessels and there are some also that add to these Three a Fourth Fleet by which means the Number will be increased to Four thousand and eight hundred Sail as may be seen in Mathew Westminster To sustain which Charge besides the private Contributions of his Subjects he had also in the latter end of his Reign Six Petty Kings under him who were bound by Oath to be ready at his Command to serve him both by Sea and Land which Oath they took at Chester as the Annals relate where he had given them order to meet him as he sailed about the North of Britain with a great Navy Their Names are Kened or Kineth King of the Scots Malcolm King of Cumberland who at this time it seems were so called though as we said the Cumbrians had now thrown off that Title and taken that of Earls Maccuse Lord of the Isles with five Princes of Wales the Names of whom were Dusnal Griffyth Huuald Jacob and Judethil who all meeting him at his Court at Chester to set forth the Splendor and Greatness of his Dominion one day he went into a Galley and caused himself to be rowed by these Petty Princes he himself holding the Stern and steering the Vessel along the River Dee was waited on by all his Nobles in another Barge so he sailed to the Monastery of St. John Baptist where an Oration being made to him in the same State and Pomp he retutned to his Palace Where when he arrived he is said to have told his Nobles about him That then his Successors might boast themselves to be truly Kings of England when they should be like him attended by so many Princes his Vassals as Florence of Worcester and William of Malmesbury relate it As for these Petty Kings above-mentioned Maccuse by the said Florence Matthew of Westminster and R. Hoveden is called a King of Man and many other Islands but William of Malmesbury stiles him an Arch-pirate by which word a Robber is not to be understood but as Asser and others of that Age use that Appellation one skilled in Sea Affairs or a Seaman so called from Pira which in the Attique Tongue signifies a Craft or Art but afterward it came to be applicable only to such as without any Right infested the Seas Another of the Kings and that of Wales was Huual or Hewal who tho he be not placed the first in order yet if we follow the account of some Authors must have been the chief of them all the Prince to whom all the rest performed Obedience The Book of Landaff bids us take notice that at the same time with Edgar lived Howel Dha and Morgan Heu which two yet were the Subjects of King Edgar But in this either that Author or the Chronicle of Caradoc must be mistaken who places the Death of Howel Dha under the year 948 And therefore it is more likely that the Howel here mentioned was not Howel Dha but Howel the Son of Jevaf who had the year before expell'd his Uncle and taken upon himself the Principality of Wales notwithstanding his Father was then alive But as for all the rest of these Welsh Princes I do not know how to make them out from their Chronicles which give no account of this Action only I take Dufnal to be the Son of Howel Dha and as Matthew of Westminster says was then Prince of South-Wales As for Jacob and Judethel I suppose they must have been the same with Jevaf and Jago as they are called in the Welsh Chronicles But as for this Prince Gryffith I can find none such among any of the Welsh Princes ruling at that time But to return to our Annals This year Eadgar King of the English changed this frail Life for another more Glorious on the 18 th day of July But his Body was buried with great Solemnity at the Abby of Glastenbury to which he himself had been a great Benefactor as appears by his Charter recited at large by William of Malmesbury in his Treatise of the Antiquity of that Monastery in which Charter he also stiles himself Totius Britanniae Basileus i. e. King of all Britain But since our Historians are so very large and full in their Commendations of his Prince as that he was most Religious Valiant and Wise and exceeded all his Predecessors except King Alfred and King Athelstan it will not I hope be amiss to shew you how partial these Monks were to the Memory of this Prince who though they will needs have to be a Saint because the either built or repaired so many Monasteries yet was certainly if the same Monkish Writers are to be believed guilty of as great Excesses of Lust and Cruelty as any of his Predecessors for William of Malmesbury tells us that Ordgar Duke of Devonshire had a Daughter named Elfreda fam'd for an extraordinary Beauty which caus'd the King to have great Inclinations for her upon the bare Report made of her to him but to be more certain he sent a Knight called Athelwold his Confident to see her resolving to marry her if she were found to be handsome as she was reported Athelwold made haste and got a sight of her wherewith he was so smitten that he concealed the Errand on which he came and resolved to obtain her for himself which being easily done he lessened her to the King as a Woman but very ordinary and of so small a Stature as would misbecome his Royal Bed so that he married her with the King's consent whose Thoughts were now diverted to other Objects But at last the Earl's Enemies discovered the Intrigue and told the King how he had deceived him and whom the more to enrage they omitted no words whereby to set out and enhance the extraordinary Beauty of the Lady Upon which
if they cannot get them then they should take him alive or dead and seize on all his Estate whereof the Complaining Party having received such a share as should satisfy him the one half of the remainder shall go to the Lord of the Soil and the other half to the Hundred And if any of that Court being either akin to the Party or a stranger to his Blood refuse to go to put this in execution he should forfeit 120 shillings to the King And farther That such as are taken in the very act of stealing or betraying their Masters should not be pardoned during life The Eighth and last ordains That one and the same Money should be current throughout the King's Dominions which no man must refuse and that the measure of Winchester should be the Standard and that a Weigh of Wool should be fold for half a Pound of Money and no more The former of those is the first Law whereby the Private Mints to the Archbishops and several Abbots being forbid the King's Coin was only to pass But to return to our Annals Ten days before the Death of King Edgar Bishop Cyneward departed this life King EDWARD sirnamed the Martyr KING Edgar being dead as you have now heard Prince Edward succeeded his Father though not without some difficulty for as William of Malmesbury and R. Hoveden relate the Great Men of the Kingdom were then divided Archbishop Dunstan and all the rest of the Bishops being for Prince Edward the Eldest Son of King Edgar whilst Queen Aelfreda Widow to the King and many of her Faction were for setting up her Son Ethelred being then about Seven Years of Age that so she might govern under his Name But besides the pretence was which how well they made out I know not That King Edgar had never been lawfully married to Prince Edward's Mother Whereupon the Archbishops Dunstan and Oswald with the Bishops Abbots and many of the Ealdormen of the Kingdom met together in a Great Council and chose Prince Edward King as his Father before his Death had ordained and being thus Elected they presently Anointed him being then but a Youth of about Fifteen Years of Age. But it seems not long after the Death of King Edgar though before the Coronation of King Edward Roger Hoveden and Simeon of Durham tell us that Elfer Earl of the Mercians being lustily bribed by large Presents drove the Abbots and Monks out of the Monasteries in which they had been settled by King Edgar and in their places brought in the Clerks i.e. Secular Chanons with their Wives but Ethelwin Ealdorman of the East-Angles and his Brother Elfwold and Earl Brythnoth opposed it and being in the Common Council or Synod plainly said They would never endure that the Monks should be cast out of the Kingdom who contributed so much to the Maintenance of Religion and so raising an Army they bravely defended the Monasteries of the East-Angles so it seems that during this Interregnum arose this Civil War about the Monks and the above-mentioned Dissention amongst the Nobility concerning the Election of a new King But this serves to explain that Passage in our Annals which would have been otherwise very obscure viz. That then there was viz. upon the Death of King Edgar great Grief and Trouble in Mercia among those that loved God because many of his Servants that is the Monks were turned out till God being slighted shewed Miracles on their behalf and that then also Duke Oslack was unjustly banished beyond the Seas a Nobleman who for his Long Head of Hair but more for his Wisdom was very remarkable And that then also strange Prodigies were seen in the Heavens such as Astrologers call Comets and as a Punishment from God upon this Nation there followed a great Famine Which shews this Copy of the Annals was written about this very time And then the Author concludes with Aelfer the Ealdorman's commanding many Monasteries to be spoiled which King Edgar had commanded Bishop Athelwold to repair All which being in the Cottonian Copy serves to explain what has been already related But the next year ' Was the great Famine in England as just now mentioned About the same time according to Caradoc's Chronicle Aeneon the Son of Owen Prince of South-Wales destroyed the Land of Gwyr the second time This year after Easter was that great Synod at Kirtlingtun which Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden call Kyrleing but where that place was is very uncertain Florence places it in East-England but Sir H. Spelman acknowledges that he does not know any place in those parts that ever bore that name but supposes it to have been the same with Cartlage now the Seat of the Lord North But had not Florence placed it in East-England that Town whose name comes nearest to it is Kyrtlington in Oxfordshire which is also the more confirmed by that which follows in these Annals viz. That Sydeman the Bishop of Devonshire i. e. of Wells died here suddenly who desired his Body might be buried at Krydeanton his Episcopal See but King Edward and Archbishop Dunstan order'd it to be carried to St. Maâ—ies in Abingdon were he was honourably Interr'd in the North Isle of St. Paul's Church Therefore it is highly probable that the place where this Bishop died was not far from Abingdon where he was buried as Kirtlington indeed is But what was done in this Council can we no where find only it is to be supposed that it was concerning this great Difference between the Monks and the Secular Chanons as the former Council was The same year also were great Commotions in Wales for Howel ap Jevaf Prince of North-Wales with a great Army both of Welsh and Englishmen made War upon all who defended or succoured his Uncle Jago and spoiled the Countries of Lhyn Kelynnoc Vawr so that Jago was shortly after taken Prisoner by Prince Howel's men who after that enjoyed his part of the Countrey in peace Nor can I here omit what some of our Monkish Writers and particularly John Pike in his compendious Supplement of the Kings of England now in Manuscript in the Cottonian Library relates That there being this year a Great Council held at Winchester again to debate this great Affair concerning the turning out of the Monks and restoring the Secular Chanons and it being like to be carried in their favour a Crucifix which then stood in the room spoke thus God forbid it should be so This amazing them they resolved to leave the Monks in the condition they then were But whether these words were ever spoke at all or if they were whether it might not be by some person that stood unseen behind the Crucifix I shall leave to the Reader to determine as he pleases Next year all the Grave and Wise Men of the English Nation being met about the same Affair at Calne in Wiltshire fell down together from a certain Upper Room where they were assembled
in Council unless it were St. Dunstan the Archbishop who fixed his foot upon a certain Beam but some were sadly bruised and hurt whilst others were killed outright But since William of Malmesbury hath given us a larger account of this Council and what was done in it I shall give it you in his words But mens minds being not yet settled another Council was summoned at Calne in Wiltshire but the King was absent by reason of his Youth where the same Affair was again debated with great Heat and Contention But when many Reproaches were cast upon Archbishop Dunstan that Bulwark of the Church who could by no means be shaken upon a sudden the Floor of the Chamber fell down all there present being very much bruised except Dunstan who escaped upon a Beam all the rest being either hurt or killed This Miracle says he obtained quiet for the Archbishop and all the Monks of England who were for ever after of his opinion This Accident is also related by Mat. Westminster and copied by Cardinal Baronius into his Annals and is likewise mentioned by other Authors But it is very probable that this Misfortune did not happen without the fore-knowledge if not the Contrivance of Archbishop Dunstan since he had now persuaded the King not to be there though he was present at the last Council But H. Huntington would have it be a sign from Heaven that they should fall from God's love and be oppress'd by Foreign Nations as followed not long after And according to Florence of Worcester there was a Third Synod at Ambresbury but what was done there he does not tell us But to return to our Annals The same year King Edward was killed at Corfesgeate now Corfe-Castle in the Isle of Purbeck on the 15 th of the Kalends of April and was buried at Werham without any Royal Pomp. There was not since the time that the English Nation came into Britain any thing done more wickedly than this But though men murthered him yet God exalted him and he that was an Earthly King is now a Saint in Heaven and though his Relations would not revenge his Death yet God perform'd it severely The rest to the same effect in these Annals I omit because I would not be tedious But I shall give you a more particular account of the manner of this Prince's Death from William of Malmesbury and the Chronicle called Bromton's the former of which relates it thus That as for King Edward he was of so extraordinary Religious and Mild a Nature that for quietness sake he let his Mother-in-Law order all things as she pleased giving her all Respects as to his own Mother and regarding his Younger Brother with all the tenderness imaginable She on the contrary from his Kindness and Love conceives greater and more implacable Malice against him and with the Sovereignty she already enjoyed was so ill satisfied that she must needs take from him the very Title also This Design she covered with notable dissimulation till a convenient opportunity presented it self for the execution of it At length the poor Innocent Prince being one day wearied with hunting and being very thirsty while his Companions followed the Game and minded not what became of him knowing that the Queen's House was not far off rode thither all alone fearing nothing because of his own Innocence and supposing every one meant as honestly as himself Whereupon the Queen receives him with all the seeming kindness imaginable and fain would have had him to light from his Horse but he refusing that and only asking to see his Brother she caused some Drink to be presently brought him but whilest the Cup was at his mouth one of her Servants privately before instructed stabbed him with a Dagger in the Back He exceedingly astonished at this unexpected ill treatment clapp'd Spurs to his Horse and fled away as fast as he could towards his Company but the Wound being Mortal and he spent with loss of blood fell to the ground and having one foot in the Stirrup was dragged through By-ways but being trac'd by his Blood by those she sent after him they brought back the Dead Corps which they buried privately at Werham where they imagin'd they had also buried his Memory as well as his Body but the place of his Sepulture as it 's said soon grew famous for Miracles Queen Elfreda was upon this so convinced of her Wickedness that from her Courtly and Delicate Way of Living she betook her self to very severe Penances as wearing Hair-cloath sleeping on the ground without a Pillow with such other Austerities as were used in that Age and herein she continued all her life So fell this good King Edward after he had only born the Name of King Three years and an half who for his Innocence and the Miracles supposod to be wrought after his Death obtained the Sirname of Martyr Which opinion of his Sanctity was the more confirmed by other great Miseries which shortly after befel the Land which the people did verily believe were inflicted on them for his Murther This year according to Florence a strange Cloud appeared about Midnight all over England being first seen of the Colour of Blood then of Fire and then like a Rainbow of divers Colours King ETHELRED IMmediately after the unfortunate Murther of King Edward there being no other Male Issue of King Edgar left alive Ethelred his Brother was without any difficulty Elected as the Ancient Annals of Thorney Abby preserved in the Cottonian Library relate and was also Crowned King by the Archbishop Dunstan and Oswald and ten other Bishops at Kingston the 8 th Kal. May he being as R. Hoveden describes him a Youth of a most Comely Aspect but not being above Twelve Years of Age William of Malmesbury gives us this short Character of Him and his Reign That he rather distressed than governed the Kingdom for Seven and thirty years that the course of his Life was cruel at the beginning miserable in the middle and dishonourable in the conclusion To Cruelty he attributes the Death of his Brother which he seemed to approve of because he did not punish he was remarkable for his Cowardice and Laziness and miserable in respect of his Death His Sluggishness was predicted by Archbishop Dunstan when at his Christening he superadded his own Water to that of the Font and thereupon Mat. Westminster makes him to swear By God and St. Mary this Boy will prove a Lazy Fellow But all this looks like a Monkish Story invented by those who did not love his Memory since the same thing though of somewhat a grosser nature is likewise related of the Emperor Constantine from thence named Copronymus Yet sure it was no sign of ill nature if what William of Malmesbury and Bromton's Chronicle relate be true That when he wept at the News of his Brother's Death it put his Mother into such a violent Passion that having not a Rod by her she beat
wrote but the wonder will be much abated when we consider that he had the King's Purse at his command besides those of other people who then looked upon such Works as meritorious But to return to our Annals Elfeage whose sirname was Goodwin succeeded Athelwald and was consecrated 14. Kal. Novemb. but was enthron'd at Winchester at the Feast of St. Simon and Jude R. Hoveden tells us he was first Abbot of Bathe and then Archbishop of Canterbury but at last was killed by the Danes being a man of great Sanctity of Life Also the same year Howel ap Jevaf Prince of North-Wales came into England with an Army where he was fought with and slain in Battel but the place is not mentioned This Howel having no Issue his Brother Cadwalhan succeeded him This year according to the Saxon Annals Aelfric the Ealdorman was banish'd the Land Mat. Westminster stiles him Earl of Mercia and says he was Son to Earl Alfure but neither of them inform us of the Crime for which he suffered that Punishment King Ethelred laid waste the Bishoprick of Rochester and also there was a great Mortality of Cattel in England William of Malmesbury and R. Hoveden do here add much light to our Annals That the King because of some Dissentions between him and the Bishop of Rochester besieged that City but not being able to take it went and wasted the Lands of St. Andrew i. e. those belonging to that Bishoprick but being commanded by the Archbishop to desist from his Fury and not provoke the Saint to whom that Church is dedicated the King despised his Admonition till such time as he had an Hundred Pounds sent to him and then he drew off his Forces but the Archbishop abhorring his sordid Covetousness is there said to have denounced fearful Judgments against him though they were not to be inflicted till after the Archbishop's death This year as the Welsh Chronicles relate Meredyth Son to Owen Prince of South-Wales entred North-Wales with what Forces he could raise and slew Cadwalhon ap Jevaf in a Fight together with Meyric his Brother and conquered the whole Countrey to himself Wherein we may observe how God punished the wrong which Jevaf and Jago did to their eldest Brother Meyric who being disinherited had his eyes put out for first Jevaf was imprisoned by Jago as Jago himself was by Howel the Son of Jevaf and then this Howel and his Brethren Cadwalhon and Meyric were slain and lost their Dominions This year Weedport that is Watchet in Somersetshire was destroyed by the Danes About this time as appears by the Charter in the Monast. Angl. p. 284. the Abby of Cerne in Dorsetshire was founded by Ailmer Earl of Cornwall near to a Fountain where it was said that St. Augustine had formerly baptized many Pagans And where also long after Prince Edwold Brother to St. Edmund the Martyr quitting his Countrey then over run by the Danes lived and died an Hermit But it seems from the Manuscript History of Walter of Coventry this Abby was only enlarged by this Earl Ailmer having been built some years before by one Alward his Father a Rich and Powerful Person in those Parts Goda a Thane was killed and there was a great Slaughter But the same Author last mentioned writing from some other Copy of Annals relates this Story another way That this Goda being Earl of Devonshire together with one Strenwald a valiant Knight marching out to fight the Danes they were both there killed but there being more of them destroyed than of the English the latter kept the field But to return to our Annals This year Dunstan that Holy Archbishop exchanged this Terrestrial Life for a Heavenly one and Ethelgar Bishop of Selsey succeeded him but lived not long after viz. only One Year and Three Months This is that Great Archbishop called St. Dunstan who was the Restorer of the Monkish Discipline in England and who made a Collection of Ordinances for the Benedictine Order by which he thought the Rule of that Order might be more strictly observed in all the Monasteries of England Edwin the Abbot I suppose of Peterborough deceased and Wulfgar succeeded him The same year also Bishop Syric was consecrated Archbishop in the room of Ethelgar abovementioned and afterwards he went to Rome to obtain his Pall. This man is commonly written Siricins but his Name in English Saxon was Syric or Sigeric About this time according to the Welsh Chronicle Meredyth Prince of North Wales destroyed the Town of Radnor whilst his Nephew Edwin or as some Copies call him Owen the Son of Eneon assisted by a great Army of English under Earl Adelf spoiled all the Lands of Prince Meredyth in South-Wales as Cardigan c. as far as St. Davids taking Pledges of all the Chief Men of those Countries whilst in the mean time Prince Meredyth with his Forces spoiled the Countrey of Glamorgan So that no place in those parts was free from Fire and Sword Yet at last Prince Meredyth and Edwin his Nephew coming to an agreement were made Friends But whilst Meredyth was thus taken up in South-Wales North-Wales lay open to the Danes who about this time arriving in Anglesey destroyed the whole Isle This year Gipiswic was wasted by the Danes this was Ipswich in Suffolk and shortly after Brightnoth the Ealdorman was slain at Maldune All which mischief Florence of Worcester tells us was done by the Danes whose Captains were Justin and Guthmund when the Person abovementioned fighting with them at Maldon there was a great multitude slain on both sides and the said Earl or Ealdorman was slain there so that the Danes had the Victory The same year also according to the Annals it was first decreed that Tribute should be paid to the Danes because of the great Terror which they gave the Inhabitants of the Sea-Coast The first Payment was Ten thousand Pounds and it is said Archbishop Syric first gave this Counsel To which also R. Hoveden adds That Adwald and Alfric the Ealdormen join'd with him in it but which as William of Malmesbury well observes served only to satisfy for a time the Covetousness of the Danes and being a thing of infamous example a generous Mind would never have been prevailed upon by any violence to have submitted to for when the Danes had once tasted the sweetness of this Money they never left off exacting still more so long as there was any left but they now met with a weak and unwarlike Prince most of whose Nobility were no better than himself and so as the same Author farther observes they were fain to buy off those with Silver who ought to have been repell'd with Iron This year Oswald that blessed Archbishop of York departed this life as also did Ethelwin the Ealdorman The former of them Simeon of Durham tells us had the year before consecrated the Abby Church of Ramsey which the latter had newly founded and
brought Anlaf with great Honour to the King to Andefer that is Andover in Hampshire then King Aethelred received him at his Confirmation from the Bishop's hand whereupon Anlaf promised him which he also performed that he would never again infest the English Nation And as Florence farther adds he now returned into his own Countrey So it seems the Kingdom was rid of Anlaf but what became of Sweyen or Sweyn the Annals do not tell us for we hear no more of him till Anno 1004 as you will find by and by So that whether he went away with Anlaf or commanded those who infested the Kingdom the next year is uncertain But perhaps we may to this time refer that which Adam of Bremen relates of this King Sweyn who having made War upon his Father Harwold the Great whom he outed of his Kingdom and Life together was afterwards himself overcome and expelled his Kingdom by Aerick King of Sweden thus justly rewarded for his horrid Crimes he wander'd up and down without relief Thrucco the Son of Haco then Prince of the Normans rejected him as a Pagan and Ethelred the Son of Edgar he calls him Adalred remembring what mischiefs the Danes had brought on England with scorn repell'd him So that at length he was entertained by the King of the Scots who taking compassion on him gave him free Quarter for Fourteen years together But so enraged was he at the repulse given him by the King of England that ever after he studied all he could how to plague and afflict that Countrey one while by his own particular Forces and another by the assistance of others How true this Story is we cannot affirm the Affairs of the Northern Nations as to those Times being involved in so great an obscurity However we thought it not amiss to give it you as suiting with the Fortunes and Inclinations of this man which proved so great a Plague to this our Countrey that he seems to have been acted by some extraordinary Passion whether of Ambition or Revenge or both together But to return to our Annals This year also Richard the Elder Duke of Normandy died and Richard his Son succeeded him and reigned One and thirty years ' This year appeared a Comet Also the same year as Simeon of Durham relates Aldune Bishop of Lindisfarne removed the Body of St. Cuthbert which had for above an Hundred years remained at Cunecaeaster that is Chester in the Bishoprick of Durham to the place where the City of Durham was afterwards built it being then altogether uninhabited Here Bishop Aldune built a small Church of Stone dedicating it to St. Cuthbert and a Town being here shortly after built it was called Durham ' The Kingdom had rest this year as also the next but The Danes sail'd round about Devonshire to the mouth of the River Severne and there took much Plunder as well among the North Welsh as in Cornwall and Devonshire Yet here it seems that North-Wales was mis-put in these Annals instead of the South for no part of the Severn Sea borders upon North-Wales But after this the Danes going up as far as Wecedport or Watchet they did much hurt both by burning the Houses and killing the Inhabitants whereever they came After this they sail'd round Penwithsteort i. e. the Point called the Land's-End toward the South Coast and sailing up the River Thames went with their Ships as far as Hildaford now Lideford burning and killing whatever they met as they passed along They also burnt the Monastery of Ordulph which had been lately built by him at Aetesingstoce now Tavistock in Devonshire and carried a very great deal of Plunder along with them to their Ships This year also Aelfric the Archbishop went to Rome to obtain his Pall. Then the Danes turned toward the East up the mouth of the River Frome and there marched as far as they would into Dorseta i. e. Dorsetshire where an Army got together against them but as often as the English fought with them so often were they by some misfortune or other put to flight so that the Danes still obtain'd the Victory After this they quarter'd in the Isle of Wight but fetch'd their Provisions from Hamptunseire and Southseax Also this year according to Caradoc's Chronicle the Danes landing again in South-Wales destroyed St. Davids and slew Vrgeney Bishop of that See And now Meredyth ap Owen Prince of North-Wales deceased leaving one only Daughter who was married to Lewelyn ap Sitsylt afterward in her Right Prince of North-Wales But after the death of this Prince Owen Edwin his Nephew above-mentioned as the Manuscript Chronicle relates possessed himself of South-Wales and reigned there some years This year the Danes sail'd up the River Thames and from thence went into the Medway to Rofceaster where the Kentish Forces met them and there was a very sharp Dispute but alas they presently gave place to their Enemies and fled because they had not assistance enough so that the Danes kept the field and then getting Horses rode whereever they pleased spoiling and laying waste all the Western part of Kent Then it was ordained by the King and his Wise Men that an Army should be forthwith raised against them both by Sea and Land but when the Ships were ready they delayed the time from day to day oppressing the poor people that served on board and if at any time the Fleet was ready to sail it was still put off from one time to another so that they suffered the Enemies Forces to increase and when the Danes retired from the Sea-Coast then our Fleet was wont to go out so that at the last these Naval Forces served for no other end but to harass the People spend their Money and provoke the Enemy This year as Simeon of Durham relates Malcolm King of the Scots with a great Army wasted the Province of the Northumbers and besieged Durham At that time Waltheof Earl of the Northumbers being very old and unable to fight with the Enemies enclosed himself in Bebbanburgh whilst Vthred his Son a Valiant Young Man assembling an Army out of Northumberland and Yorkshire fought with the Scots and destroyed in a manner their whole Army insomuch that the King himself very hardly escaped After this he made choice of a certain number of slain Scotchmen's Heads the best adorn'd with Hair he could get and gave them to an Old Woman to wash allowing her for each Head a Cow for her pains these Heads when wash'd he set upon high Poles round about the Walls of Durham King Ethelred being informed of this Action sent for the Young Man and as a Reward for his Valour not only gave him his Father's Countrey but added to it that of Yorkshire Upon this Vthred returning home dismissed his Wife the Daughter of Aeldhure Bishop of Durham but because he cast her off contrary to his Promise he surrender'd up to her Six Mannors which the Bishop her Father
Letters were privately dispatch'd all over England to make away the Danes in one Night But so much Innocent Blood being thus perfidiously shed cry'd aloud to Heaven for Vengeance and the Clamours of it likewise quickly reached as far as Denmark And Walsingham hath given us in his History a particular Account of the manner of it for on the day when this barbarous Decree was executed at London certain young men of the Danish Nation being too nimble for their Pursuers got into a small Vessel then in the Thames and by that means escaped and fled to Denmark where they certified King Sweyn of what had passed in England who being moved with indignation at this treatment thereupon called a great Council of all the Chief Men of his Kingdom and declaring to them this Cruel Massacre desired their Advice what was best to be done and they being inflamed with Rage and Grief for the loss of so many of their Friends and Kindred decreed with one consent That they ought to revenge it with all the Forces of their Nation Upon which great Preparations were made in the several Provinces and Messengers sent to other Nations to desire their Alliance with him promising them their share in the Spoils of that Countrey which they were going to conquer So King Sweyn having got ready a vast Fleet of above Three hundred Sail arrived in England But as Bromton's Chronicle relates The year following Sweyn King of Denmark hearing of the Death of his Subjects sail'd with a mighty Fleet to the Coast of Cornwall where he landed and marched up to Eaxceaster which as our Annals tell us by the Carelesness or Cowardise of a certain Norman one Count Hugh whom the Queen had made Governor there the Pagans took and quite destroyed the City and carried thence a great Booty Then a Numerous Army was raised from Wiltshire and Hampshire and being very unanimous they all marched briskly against the Danes but Aelfric the Ealdorman who commanded in chief here shewed his wonted tricks for as soon as both Armies were in sight of each other he feigned himself sick and began to vomit pretending he had got some violent Distemper and by that means betray'd those whom he ought to have led to Victory according to the Proverb If the General 's heart fails the Army flies But though this was very ill done of Aelfrick thus to betray his trust yet certainly the King was no less to be blamed himself for trusting a man that had so often betray'd him and whom he had already sufficiently provoked by putting out the Eyes of his Son as you have already heard But to return to our Annals Sweyn now finding the Cowardise or Inconstancy of the English marched with his Forces to Wiltune which Town he burnt from thence he marched to Syrbirig i. e. Old Sarum which they also burnt and from thence to the Sea-side to their Ships After the death of Edwal ap Meyric and Meredyth ap Owen Princes of North-Wales as you have already heard North-Wales having for some years continued under a sort of Anarchy without any Prince Meredyth leaving behind him no Issue Male and Edwal but one Son an Infant it gave occasion as the Welsh Chronicles relate to great disturbances for one Aedan ap Blegored or Bledhemeyd as the Cottonian Copy of the Welsh Annals call him tho an absolute stranger to the British Blood-Royal about this time possessed himself of the Principality of North-Wales and held it about twelve years but whether he came in by Election or Force is not said only that one Conan ap Howel who fought with this Aedan for the Dominion was this year slain in Battel So that Aedan for a time held that Countrey peaceably since we do not read of any other Wars he had till the last year of his Reign This year Sweyn came with his Fleet to Northwick i. e. Norwich the River it seems being navigable up to it in those days and wholly destroyed and burnt that City then Vlfkytel the Ealdorman consulted with the Wise and Great Men of East-England and by them it was judged most expedient to buy Peace of the Danish Army to prevent their doing any more mischief for the Danes had taken them unprovided before they had time to draw their Forces together But these Danes not valuing the Peace which they had newly made stole away with all their Ships and sailed to Theatford which as soon as Vlfkytel had learnt he sent a Messenger with Commands to break or burn all their Ships which notwithstanding the English neglected to do whilst he in the mean time tried to get together his Forces with what speed he could But the Danes coming to Theodford three Weeks after the destruction of Norwich stayed within the Town of Theodford only one night and then burnt and laid it in ashes But the next morning as they returned to their Ships Vlkytel met with them and there began a very sharp Fight which ended in a very great slaughter on both sides and abundance of the English Nobility were there killed but if all the English Forces had been there the Danes had never reached their Ships But notwithstanding these cruel Wars in the Eastern and Southern Parts of England Wulfric Spot an Officer in the Court of King Ethelred now built the Monastery of Burton in Staffordshire and endowed it with all his Paternal Inheritance which was very great and gave that King Three hundred Mancuses of Gold to purchase his Confirmation of what he had done This Monastery though its Rents at the Dissolution were somewhat below the Value of Five hundred Pounds per Annum yet being an Abby of great Note in those Parts and also render'd more famous from its Annals publish'd at Oxford I thought good to take particular notice of it This year Aelfric Archbishop of Canterbury deceased and Aelfeag Bishop of Winchester was made Archbishop But the Laudean and Cottonian Copies place this under the next year So cruel a Famine also raged here as England never suffer'd a worse Florence relates the Famine to be so great that England was not able to subsist The same year also King Sweyn with the Danish Fleet sail'd into Denmark but in a short time return'd hither again This year Aelfeage was now consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and Brightwald took the Bishoprick of Wiltonshire as also Wulfgeat was deprived of all his Honours and Wulfeath had his Eyes put out These were Noblemen who suffered under the King's displeasure but what the cause of it was I find not And this year Bishop Kenwulph deceased Then after Midsummer the Danish Fleet came to Sandwic and did as they used to do killing wasting and plundering whatever they met with Therefore the King commanded all the West Saxon and Mercian Nations to be assembled who kept watch all the Autumn by Companies against the Danes but all this signified no more than what they had done often before for
City from whence was first brought to us the joyful Tidings of the Gospel But they detain'd the Archbishop Prisoner near Seven Months till such time as they martyr'd him Osbern in his Life of St. Elfeage relates That this Archbishop sent to the Danes when they came before the Town desiring them to spare so many innocent Christians lives but they despising his request fell to battering the Walls and so throwing Firebrands into the City set it on fire so that whilst the Citizens ran to save their Houses Aelmeric the Archdeacon let the Danes into the City Florence here adds That the Monks and Laity were decimated after a strange manner so that out of every Ten Persons only the Tenth was to be kept alive and that only Four Monks and about Eight hundred Laymen remain'd after this Decimation And that not long after above Two thousand Danes perished by divers inward Torments and the rest were admonish'd to make satisfaction to the Bishop but yet they obstinately refused it Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden also relate That the Danes destroyed many of the Prisoners they had taken with cruel Torments and various Deaths This year Eadric the Ealdorman sirnamed Streon and all the Wise and Chief Men both Clerks and Laicks of the English Nation came to London before Easter which fell out then the day before the Ides of April and there stayed until such time as the above-mentioned Tribute could be paid which was not done till after Easter and was then Eight thousand Pounds In the mean time being about Six Months after upon a Saturday the Danish Army being highly incensed against Archbishop Aelfeage because he would neither promise them Money himself nor yet would suffer any body else to give them any thing for his Ransom for which as Osbern in his Life relates they demanded no less than Three thousand Pounds in Silver a vast Sum in those days which being denied them and many of them being got drunk they laid hold on the Archbishop and led him to their Council on the Saturday after Easter and there knocked him on the head as the Annals relate with Stones and Cows Horns till at last one of them striking him with an Axe on the Head he fell down dead with the Blow Florence says that this was done by one Thrum a Dane whom he had the day before confirmed being thereunto moved by an Impious Piety But John of Tinmouth in his Manuscript History of Saints called Historia Aurea now in the Library at Lambeth relates that when Archbishop Elfeage was thus killed the Danes threw his Body into the River which was soon taken out again by those whom he had converted But our Annals here farther That the Bishops Eadnoth and Aelfhune the former of Lincoln and the latter of London took away his sacred Body early the next morning and buried it in St. Paul's Minster where God now shews the power of this Holy Martyr But as soon as the Tribute was paid and the Peace confirmed by Oath the Danish Army was loosely dispersed abroad being before closely compacted together then Five and forty of their Ships submitted to the King and promised him to defend the Kingdom provided he would allow them Victuals and Apparel The year after Archbishop Aelfeage was thus martyr'd the King made one Lifing Archbishop of Canterbury Also the same year before the Month of August King Sweyn came with his Fleet to Sandwich and soon after sailing about East-England arrived in the Mouth of Humber and from thence up the River Trent till they came to Gegnesburgh now Gainsborough in Lincolnshire Which mischief according to William of Malmesbury proceeded from Turkil a Dane who was the great Inciter of the Death of the Archbishop and who had then the East-English subjected to his will This man sent Messengers into his own Countrey to King Sweyn letting him know that he should come again into England for the King was given so much to Wine and Women that he minded nothing else wherefore he was hated by his Subjects and contemned by Strangers that his Commanders were Cowards the Natives weak and who would run away at the first sound of his Trumpets Though this seems not very probable for Earl Turkil was then of King Ethelred's side as you will see by and by King Sweyn being prone enough to slaughter needed no great Intreaties to bring him over he had been here eight years before and why he stayed away so long I wish our Authors would have told us But William of Malmesbury further adds That one chief end of his coming over was to revenge the death of his Sister Gunhildis who being a Beautiful Young Lady had come over into England with Palling her Husband a powerful Danish Earl and receiving the Christian Religion became her self a Hostage of the Peace that had been formerly concluded But tho the unhappy Fury of Edric had commanded her to be beheaded together with some other of her Countreymen yet she bore her Death with an undaunted Spirit having seen her Husband and a Son a Youth of great and promising hopes slain before her face But to come again to our Annals So soon as King Sweyn arrived in the North Earl Vhtred and all the Countrey of the Northumbers with all the people in Lindesige and the people of the five Burghs or Towns but what these were we now know not lying on the other side Waetlingastreet submitted themselves to him There were also Hostages given him out of every Shire but when he found that all the people were now become subject to him he commanded them to provide his Forces both with Horses and Provisions whilst he in the mean time marched toward the South with great expedition committing the Ships and Hostages to Knute his Son And after he had passed Waetlingastreet they did as much mischief as any Army could do Then they turn'd to Oxnaford whose Citizens presently submitted themselves to him from thence he went to Wincester where the Inhabitants did the same and from thence they marched Eastward towards London near which many of his men were drown'd in the Thames because they would not stay to find a Bridge but when they came thither the Citizens would not submit but sallying out had a sharp Engagement with them because King Ethelred was there and Earl Turkil with him Wherefore King Sweyn departed thence to Wealingaford and then over Thames Westward to Bathe and there sate down with his whole Army whither came to him Aethelmar the Ealdorman of Devonshire with all the Western Thanes who all submitted themselves to him and gave him Hostages When he had subdued all these places he marched Northwards to his Ships and then almost the whole Nation received and acknowledged him for their real King And after this the Citizens of London became subject to him and gave him Hostages because otherwise they fear'd they should be utterly destroy'd for Sweyn demanded that they should give full
one of Edric's Sons who at the command of his Father stabbed him in the Hinder Parts with a long sharp Knife and left the Weapon sticking in his Body But H. Huntington and Alred Abbot of Rievalle say that Edric was the first who saluted Cnute Sole King of all England to whom when he had told all the matter the King answer'd Well for so great a Good Turn I will advance thy Head above all the Lords in England and thereupon commanding him to be beheaded order'd his Head to be set upon the Tower of London But this being related by no other Author besides Mat. Westminster is not probable for all others make him to have been alive some time after this But Simeon of Durham and R. Hoveden do with greater certainty relate That as soon as he received the News of Edmund's Death he order'd all the Bishops Ealdormen and Chief Men throughout England to be summoned to London and when they appeared before him he cunningly asked them If they were Witnesses of the Agreement which had been made between him and King Edmund concerning the Division of the Kingdom and whether there was any Condition inserted That either his Sons or his Brethren should succeed him in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons Then they all began with one accord to say They did not know that King Edmund had left any part of the Kingdom to his Brethren either living or dying but as for his Sons they knew very well that Edmund would have left him to be the Protector of his Children till they should come of fitting age to reign But they likewise add that they bore false witness and lied grosly because they hop'd to make King Cnute the more favourable to them and should thereby receive the greater Rewards for their pains But some of them had a just Recompence for their Perjury by being not long after put to death Hereupon King Cnute after he had thus taken their Testimonies received the Oaths of Fidelity from the said Great Men and Bishops who all swore that they would chuse him for their King and willingly raise Taxes to pay his Army and at the same time also they renounced the Sons of King Edmund Edward and Edmund from ever being Kings of this Nation But King Cnute growing jealous of these Young Princes sent them to the King of Sweden that they might by him be made away which he out of compassion not only refused but generously sent them to Solomon King of Hungary to be educated and being there kindly received for some time Edmund the elder of them died but Edward the younger marrying Agatha the Queen's Sister had by her Edgar sirnamed Aetheling Christina a Nun and Margaret afterwards married to Malcolme King of Scotland of whom we shall have occasion to speak further before we come to the end of this Book King CNUTE THis year according to our Annals Cnute King of Denmark began to reign over all England which he divided into four Parts or Governments reserving West Saxony to himself committing East-England to Earl Thurkyl Mercia to Eadric and the Northumbers to Yric but not long after the said Eadric the Ealdorman was killed The manner of which Bromton's Chronicle thus relates That at Christmass the King being at London in a certain upper room on the other side of the Thames it happened that the Traytor Eadric upbraided the King with his services How that for his sake he had betrayed King Ethelred and also made away Edmund his own King and yet he had received no very extraordinary advantage or benefit thereby according to his Merits to be sure as he himself thought at which Cnute being highly enraged answered Out of thy own mouth shalt thou be judged who plainly confessest thy self a Traytor against both thy former Kings therefore thou shalt certainly dye So he immediately commanded him to be tied hand and foot and flung out of the Window into the River though some other Authors relate that he was first strangled But we cannot find for certain which way it was done for William of Malmesbury and R. Hoveden only say this That the King commanded Eadric sirnamed Streon to be slain in the Palace because he was afraid of being circumvented by his Treacheries and ordered likewise his Body to be flung over the Wall of the City and there to lye unburied The Annals do here further add That Northman Son to Earl Leofwin and Aethelward Son to Aethelmaer the Great and Brihtric Son to Aelfger Earl of Defenanscire were also put to death but their Crimes are not set down Therefore R. Hoveden supposes them to have been only the King's Jealousy of their too great Power being all English Noblemen though I suspect they were guilty of somewhat more than what we find related The same year also the King banished Eadwig Aetheling called Ceorles Cyng i.e. King of the Clowns Brother to King Eadmund But the Annals seem to make this Eadwig two persons though for what reason I know not but however he was not immediately banished after Cnute came to the Crown as some Writers suppose neither yet was he put to death as Simeon of Durham and Bromton relate for the latter tells us this Story of him That Cnute not thinking himself safe so long as Edwig was alive consulted with Earl Eadric how to have him dispatched out of the way by whose advice the King sent for one Ethelward and tempted him privately with large Rewards but he abhorring in his heart so foul a deed however promised to do it as soon as he found a fitting opportunity and by this means still deferred it But then the same Author adds That having by the said Eadric's Counsel banished Prince Edwin the year following under a feign'd Reconciliation he was by King Cnute's Order made away which is contrary to what William of Malmesbury relates for he says that this Prince having been long tossed about both by Sea and Land and being broken as well in Body as in Mind secretly return'd into England and lay conceal'd till he died and then was buried at Tavistock But the Annals further say That before the Kal. of August the King commanded Queen Emma Widow of the late King his Predecessor to be brought over to him and some time after took her for his Consort This he did to gain the Friendship of the Duke of Normandy her Father but she is highly censured for marrying the sworn Enemy of her Husband and her Children Though this only let us see that it is no new thing for Princes to prefer the wearing of a Crown even before their own Honour Now again according to our Annals was paid that Tax or Tribute called Danegelt throughout all the English Nation to wit Seventy two thousand Pounds besides that which the Citizens of London paid viz. Eleven thousand Pounds more Which Tax being raised when there seemed to be no more fear of the Danes it looks as if King Cnute 〈◊〉 took upon
him to govern as a Conqueror From which also you may observe the flourishing Trade and Wealth of that City in those days since it could even at that time pay above a Seventh of this excessive Taxation Then also a great part of the Danish Army return'd into Denmark and only forty Ships remain'd with King Cnute the Danes and English were likewise now reconciled and united at Oxnaford Bromton says it was done at a Great Council or Parliament at Oxford where King Cnute ordained the Laws of King Edgar i. e. of England to be observed The same year also Aethelsige Abbot of Abbandune deceased and Aethelwin succeeded him This year King Cnute returned into Denmark and there stayed all the Winter Bromton's Chronicle says he went over to subdue the Vandals who then made War against him and carried along with him an Army both of English and Danes the former being commanded by Earl Godwin set upon the Enemies by surprize and put them to flight after which the King had the English in as much as esteem as his own Danish Subjects But the year following He returned into England and then held a Mycel Gemot or Great Council at Cyrencester where Ethelward the Earldorman was outlaw'd The same year also King Cnute went to Assandune the place where he had before fought the great Battel with King Edmund and there caused a Church to be built of Lime and Stone for the souls of those men that had been slain there Which being as R. Hoveden relates consecrated in the King's presence by Wulstan Archbishop of York and divers other Bishops was committed to the care of his Chaplain whose Name was Stigand Also Archbishop Living deceased and Ethelnoth a Monk and Dean of Canterbury was consecrated Bishop by Wulstan Archbishop of York But before we proceed farther I will give you some account of the Affairs of Wales in these times Where after the death of Kynan or Conan the Usurping Prince of South-Wales above-mentioned Lewelyn Prince of North-Wales had according to Caradoc's Chronicle possessed himself of South-Wales and had for some years governed both those Countries with great Peace and Prosperity so that from the North to the South Sea there was not a Beggar in the whole Countrey but every man had sufficient to live of his own insomuch that the Countrey grew daily more and more populous But this year produced a notable Impostor for a certain Scot of mean Birth came now into South-Wales and called him self Run or Reyn as the Manuscript Copies have it the Son of Meredyth ap Owen late Prince of Wales as you have already heard Upon which the Nobility of that Countrey who loved not Lewelyn set up this Run or Reyn to be their Prince But Lewelyn hearing of it assembled all the Forces of North-Wales and marched against this Run who had now also got all the strength of South-Wales together and going as far as Abergwily i. e. the mouth of the River Gwily there waited the coming of Lewelyn but when he arrived and both Armies were ready to join Battel Run full of outward confidence encouraged his men to fight yet no sooner was the Battel begun but this Impostor soon discovered what he was by withdrawing himself pâ—â—â—ly out of the fight whereas on the contrary Lewelyn like a Couragious Prince standing in the Head of his Army called out aloud for this base Scot Run who durst so belye the Blood of the British Princes Both Armies then meeting fought for a while with great Courage and Malice to each other but it seems the South-Wales men being not so resolute in the Quarrel of this Impostor as those of North-Wales were to defend the Right of their Lawful Prince the latter being also encouraged by the Speeches and Prowess of their Prince put the former to the Rout and pursued this Run so closely that he had much ado to escape Prince Lewelyn having got thus a great deal of Spoil return'd home and for a short time govern'd these Countries in Peace But to return to our Annals This year about Martinmass King Cnute outlaw'd i. e. banished Earl Thurkyl But they tell us not the Crime Yet William of Malmesbury makes it a Judgment for being the principal Promoter of the Murther of Archbishop Aelfeage and that as soon as he return'd into Denmark he was killed by some Noblemen of that Nation This year also according to an Old Manuscript belonging to St. Edmundsbury and cited by the Lord Chief Justice Coke in the Preface to the 9 th Book of his Reports King Cnute held a Parliament at Winchester wherein were present the two Archbishops and all the other Bishops as also many Ealdormen and Earls with divers Abbots together with a great many Knights and a vast multitude of People and there in pursuance of the King's desires it was decreed That the Monastery of St. Edmund the King should be free and for ever exempt from all Jurisdiction of the Bishops and Earls of that Country But Sir H. Spelman here very well observes that this Manuscript could be no Ancienter than the Reign of Henry the Third because the word Parliament was not in use before that time Though thus much is certain That King Cnute the year before founded this Monastery afterwards called St. Edmundsbury but then known to the Saxons by the name of Beadrichesworth where there had been a Church built before and King Edward the Elder in the year 942 had also given several Lands to it and upon which Foundation King Cnute had lately built and endowed the said Abby which was one of the Largest and Richest in all England Lewelyn ap Sitsylt Prince of Wales but a short time enjoyed the fruits of his late Victory for this year the Welsh Chronicles tell us he was slain by Howel and Meredyth the Sons of Prince Edwin or Owen above-mentioned who yet did not succeed in the Principality for Jâ—go Son to Edwal late Prince of Wales was now advanced to the Throne as Lawful Heir having been long debarr'd of his Right But it seems he could not do the like in South-Wales which one Rytheric ap Justin seiz'd upon and held by force This year King Cnute sail'd with his Fleet to the Isle of Wight but upon what account our Annals do not shew us Also Archbishop Aethelnoth went to Rome and was there received by Pope Benedict with great Honour who put on his Pall with his own hands and being so habited celebrated Mass as the Pope commanded him and then after he had dined with him return'd home with his Benediction Also Leofwin the Abbot who had been unjustly expell'd from the Monastery of Elig was his Companion and there cleared himself of those Crimes of which he had been accused before the Pope the Archbishop and all the Company that were there present testifying on his behalf Wulstan Archbishop of York deceased and Aelfric succeeded Edelnoth the Archbishop consecrating him at Canterbury Also this
or Imposition He had also complained to the Pope that his Archbishops paid vast Sums of Money before they could obtain their Palls which Grievance was by the Pope's Decree taken off All these Immunities procured from the Pope the Emperor Rodolph King of France and all other Princes throughout whose Territories he travelled were confirmed by Oath under the Testimonies of Four Archbishops and Twenty Bishops with an innumerable Company of Dukes and other Noblemen there present Then follows a Thanksgiving to Almighty God for giving him such Success in what he had undertaken After this he desires it might be published to all the world that having devoted his Life to Godâ—s service he resolved to govern the People subject to him in all Piety Justice and Equity And in case any thing blameworthy had been done by him in his Youth by the help of God he was now ready to make full amends for it Therefore he charges all his Ministers whatsoever as well Sheriffs as others That for fear of him they should not pervert Justice because there was no necessity that Money should be raised by any unjust exactions And at last after great Asseverations how much he studied the Profit and Conveniency of his People he adjures all his Ministers before he arrived in England that they should procure all Dues to be paid according to the ancient Custom as the Alms of the Plow the Tythes of all Cattel brought forth in the same year Peter-Pence in August with the Tythes of Corn and at Martinmass the First fruits of the same called Curcescot or Cyrescot i.e. Money given to the Church in case this was not paid before his Return he threatens severely to animadvert upon every one according to the Laws William of Malmesbury further adds That at his Return he was as good as his word for he commanded all the Laws which had been made by former English Kings and chiefly by Ethelred his Predecessor to be observed under great Penalties for the true observation whereof our Kings says he are at this very day sworn under the name of the Good Laws of King Edward not that he only ordain'd them but because he observed them So that from hence we may take notice That Kings who have the least of Hereditary Title if they mean to reign happily ought in Policy as well as Conscience to observe the Laws of that Kingdom to which they have been advanced without any Right of Blood But to return again to our Annals they further tell us That upon the King's return from Rome where it seems he staid not long after he marched into Scotland and there King Malcolm became subject to him with two other Kings of the Isles called Maelbaerth and Jehmarc The same year also Robert Earl of Normandy went to Jerusalem and there died and William who was afterwards King of England began to reign being an Infant From whence we may plainly see that the Cottonian Copy of these Annals was wrote in the form we have them after the Conquest and though the other Copies do not expresly call him King of England yet they give him the Title of King William which is all one About this time as the Welsh Chronicles relate the Irish Scots invaded South-Wales by the means of Howel and Meredyth the Sons of Edwin above-mentioned who hired them against Rythaerch ap Jestyn the Usurping Prince of that Countrey whom by the assistance of these Scots they slew in Battel and by that means got the Government of South-Wales which they ruled jointly but with small quiet for the Sons of Rythaerch gathered together a great number of their Father's Friends to revenge his death with whom Prince Howel and Meredyth meeting at Hyarthwy after a long Fight routed them and made them fly but the year following Prince Meredyth himself was slain by the Sons of Conan ap Sitsylt Brother to Prince Lewelyn to revenge their Father's death whom Meredyth and his Brother Howel had slain This year appeared a strange kind of Wild-Fire such as no man ever remembred and did a great deal of mischief in divers places The same year also deceased Aelfsige Bishop of Winchester and Aelfwin the King's Chaplain succeeded in that See Merehwit Bishop of Somersetshire i. e. Wells deceased and was buried at Glastingabyrig ' Aetheric the Bishop died the Annals tell us not of what See But Simeon of Durham and R. Hoveden add That Malcolm King of Scots died this year to whom succeeded Mactade The same Authors farther tell us That King Cnute before his Death appointed Swane his Eldest Son to be King of Norway and Hardecnute his Son by Queen Aemma to be King of Denmark and Harold his Son by Aelgiva a Hampshire Lady to be King of England after himself This year King Cnute deceased at Scaeftesbyrig and was buried at the new Monastery at Winchester having been King of England almost twenty years There is no King that can deserve a more various Character than this since none who came in so roughly after govern'd more mildly He was naturally Cruel and very Ambitious and stuck not at any thing to gain a Kingdom as appears by his dealing with his Predecessor's Children and Brothers but more particularly with Olaf King of Norway whom Simeon of Durham relates to have been turn'd out of it by the secret Practices and Bribes which he liberally bestow'd upon the Great and Factious men of that Kingdom but however toward his latter end he reigned both prudently and moderately and we may say of him what a Roman Author does of one of his Emperors That it had been well for this Kingdom if he had never reign'd at all or else had continued longer none of his Sons resembling him either in Valour or Wisdom But to let you see that this King was really sensible before his death of the Vanity of Worldly Empire I shall to divert the Reader give you this story of him out of H. Huntington who thus relates it viz. That King Cnute being once at Southampton caus'd his Royal Seat to be plac'd on the shore while the Tide was coming in and with a Majestick Air said thus Thou Sea belongest to me and the Land whereon I sit is mine nor hath any one unpunished resisted my Commands I charge thee therefore come no further upon my Land neither presume to wet the Feet of thy Sovereign Lord. But the Sea as before came rowling on and without any Reverence at all not only wet but dashed him whereupon the King quickly rising up bade those that were about him to consider the weak and bounded Power of Kings and how none indeed deserved that Title but He whose Eternal Laws both Heaven and Earth and Seas obey A Truth so evident of it self that were it not to shame his Court-Flatterers who would not else be convinced Cnute needed not to have gone wet-shod home From thenceforth he would never afterwards wear his Crown but commanded it to
wont to meet him as he came from School and took delight to pose him in Verses and would also passing from Grammar argue with him in Logick in which she was well skill'd and when she had done would order her Waiting-Woman to give him some Money But as King Edward had till now deferr'd the performance of his Promise in marrying this Lady ever since he came to the Crown so it had been no great matter whether he had married her or not because he never enjoyed her But notwithstanding the temptation of so fair a Lady he not only kept his own Virginity inviolable but also persuaded her to do the like and this as the Abbot of Rieval in his Life relates he did not do out of any hatred to her Father as is commonly reported by several of our other Historians but because the English Nobility being desirous that one from his Loins should succeed him had importun'd him to marry which he could not well refuse for then the secret Resolution of his dying a Virgin would have been disclosed therefore he wedded her both to secure himself against her Father as also to make the Virtue of his Continence appear more conspicuous which as this Author tells us was no Secret being then divulged and believed all over England and divers Censures passed concerning the motives why he did so The same year Brightwulf Bishop of Scirebone deceased who had held that Bishoprick Thirty eight years and Hereman the King's Chaplain succeeded to that Bishoprick Also Wulfric was consecrated Abbot of St. Austin's at Christmas with the King 's good Consent because of the great Bodily Infirmity of Aelfstan the former Abbot This year deceased Living Bishop of Devonshire i.e. of Exeter and Leofric the King's Chaplain succeeded thereunto The same year Aelfstan Abbot of St. Augustin's in Canterbury deceased and also Osgot Glappa the Danish Earl was expelled England The same year likewise according to Simeon of Durham and William of Malmesbury Alwold Bishop of London who had been before Abbot of Evesham being by reason of his great weakness unable to perform his Episcopal Function would have retired to his old Monastery but the Monks not permitting it he resented it so ill at their hands that taking away all the Books and other Ornaments which he had conferred upon them and retiring to the Abby of Ramsey he bestowed them all upon them and there within a short time after ended his days and then King Edward made one Robert a Norman Monk Bishop of London Also the same year the Noble Matron Gunhilda Niece to King Cnute was banished England together with her two Sons This year likewise in a great Council held at London as Florence relates Wulmar a Religious Monk of Evesham was chosen Abbot of that Monastery and was ordained the 4 th of the Ides of August following About this time according to the Welsh Chronicles Prince Griffâ—th having ruled in Peace ever since the last great Battel above-mentioned till now the Gentlemen of Ystrad Towy did by Treachery kill a Hundred and forty of his best Soldiers so that to revenge their deaths the Prince destroyed all those Countries Grymkitel Bishop of the South-Saxons i. e. Selsey deceased as did also the same year Aelfwin Bishop of Winchester and Stigand who was before Bishop in the North-East parts i. e. of Helmham succeeded in that See And Earl Sweyn the Son of Godwin went over to Baldwin Earl of Flanders to Brycge and staid there all Winter and at Summer departed being it seems at that time in disgrace at Court for deflow'ring an Abbess whom he loved This year Aethelstan Abbot of Abbandune deceased to whom succeeded Sparhafock a Monk of St. Edmundsbury Whence you may observe that the Abbots were at that time seldom chosen out of Monks of the same Abby Also this year Bishop Syward deceased and then Archbishop Eadsige retook that Bishoprick Which is contrary to what William of Malmesbury hath already related The same year likewise Lothen and Yrling Danes came to Sandwic with Twenty five Ships and there landing committed great havock and carried away abundance of Booty as well of Gold as Silver so that no man can tell how great it was From whence they sailed about Thanet and attempting there to commit the like Outrages the people of that Countrey vigorously resisted them and hindred their landing and so made them to direct their course towards Essex where they committed the like Barbarities carrying away all the men they could lay hold on and then passing over into the Territories of Earl Baldwin and there selling all their Plunder they sail'd towards the East from whence they came Also the same year according to Simeon of Durham Harold sirnamed Hairfax Brother to the late King Olaf having put Sweyn King of Denmark to flight subdued that Kingdom King Sweyn being thus driven out of his Countrey sent Ambassadors to King Edward desiring his Assistance with his Fleet against the King of Norway which Earl Godwin much approved of but the rest of the Great Men dissuading him from it nothing was done but the King of Norway dying soon after Sweyn recovered his Kingdom But Florence of Worcester places this Transaction two years later but which of them is in the right I will not dispute Also this year according to our Annals as well as other Authors was the great Battel of Vallesdune in Normandy between Henry King of France and the Nobility of that Dukedom because they refused to receive William the Bastard for their Duke But when he afterwards got them into his power he beheaded some of them and others he banished I have mentioned this to let you see with how great difficulty this young Duke who was afterwards King of England was settled in that Dutchy which he could never have obtained without the Protection and Assistance of the King of France About this time also the Welsh Chronicles tell us South-Wales was so infested by the Danish Pyrates that the Sea-Coasts were almost quite deserted The same year or else in 1048 as it is in the Cottonian Copy of the Annals was held the great Synod or Council at St. Remy where were present Pope Leo and the Archbishop of Burgundy i. e. of Besanson tho they are here mentioned as two several Archbishopricks as also the Archbishop of Treves and Remes with many other Wise Men both of the Clergy and Laity and thither King Edward sent Bishop Dudoce and Wulfric Abbot of St. Augustine's with Abbot Aelfwin that they might acquaint the King what was there decreed concerning the Christian Faith This year King Edward sail'd to Sandwic with a great Fleet and there met Earl Sweyn who came with seven Ships at Bosenham i.e. Bosham in Sussex where he made a League with the King and received a Promise from him to be restored to all his possessions but Earl Harold his Brother and Beorne very much opposed him saying He was utterly unworthy
this matter among themselves some were for giving Judgment for the King but others differed from them saying That Earl Godwin had never been obliged to the King by either Homage Service or Fealty and therefore could be no Traytor to him and besides that he had not kill'd the Prince with his own hands But others replied That no Earl Baron nor any other Subject of the King could by Law wage Battel against him in his Appeal but ought upon the whole matter to submit himself to the King's Mercy and offer him reasonable Amends Then Leofric Earl of Chester who was an upright and sincere man both with respect to God and the world spoke thus Earl Godwin who next to the King is indeed a Person of the best Quality in England cannot deny but that by his Counsel Alfred the King's Brother was killed and therefore my opinion is That both he himself and his Sons and Twelve of us Earls that are his Friends and Kinsmen should appear humbly before the King each of us carrying as much Gold and Silver as he can bold in his Arms and offering it to him most humbly supplicate for his Pardon and then the King should remit to the Earl all Rancor and Anger whatsoever against him and having received his Homage and Fealty peacebly restore him to all his Lands To this the Assembly agreed and those that were appointed loading themselves with Treasure after the manner aforesaid went unto the King shewing him the order and manner of their Judgment which he being unwilling to contradict complied with and so ratified whatever they had before decreed This tho written a long time after the Conquest as appears by the Words there used viz. Parliament Baron Homage and Fealty yet it might be true in the main as being transcribed out of some Ancient Records of the Great Councils of those times which are now lost and if so would be a Notable Precedent of the large Authority of the Witena Gemot or Great Council of the Nation not only in assenting to new Laws but also of their Judicial Authority in giving Judgment upon all Suits or Complaints brought before them as well in Appeals between Subject and Subject as also where the King himself was a Party and if Authentick would also shew not only that this Tenure of the King by Homage and Fealty was in use before the Conquest but also according to the Judgment of this Great Council that there was no Allegiance due by Birth nor until a man had actually performed his Homage or sworn Fealty to the King and lastly that a satisfaction made by Money was looked upon as sufficient for the Death even of the King 's own Brother Yet to deal ingenuously with the Reader notwithstanding this fair story Bromton himself seems to doubt the truth of it for after he hath there told us from some nameless Author that Earl Godwin out of fear of some of the English Nobility who had sworn to be revenged of him for the murther of Prince Alfred retired into Denmark during the Reign of King Hardecnute but returning in the beginning of King Edward's Reign he appeared at a Parliament at London where the King impeached him of the Death of his Brother in the manner as you have already heard and if so this could not fall out as Mr. Selden supposes in this Great Council after this last return of Earl Godwin which happen'd not in the beginning but the middle of this King's Reign With which Relation also agree two Ancient Chronicles in French written in the time of Edward the Third and are both in the Cottonian Library And Bromton himself acknowledges that according to most Authors Earl Godwin never went into Denmark at all nor left England during the Reign of King Hardecnute so that this Transaction if it ever happen'd at all seems most likely to have fell out in the Reign of King Hardecnute when that King charged Earl Godwin with his Brother's Death and made him redeem it with a great Present as we have above told you But to conclude this year From the Peterburgh Copy of these Annals it appears that about this time Arnwy Abbot of Burgh resigned his Dignity by reason of his bad Health and conferred it with the King's License and the Consent of the Monks upon Leofriâ— a Monk of that Abby But Abbot Arnwy lived eight years after During which time Abbot Leofric so adorned that Monastery with rich Guildings that it was called the Golden Burgh he also endowed it very much with Lands as well as other Treasures This year according to Florence of Worcester Griffyn Prince of Wales entring England spoiled great part of Hâ—refordshire against whom many Inhabitants of that County marched together with the Norman Garison of Hereford Castle but Prince Griffyn meeting with them killed a great many and putting the rest to flight carried away a great deal of Booty This year Earl Godwin deceased 17 th Kal. of May and was buried in the Old Monastery of Winchester Of the manner of whose Death though our Annals are silent yet I shall here set down what I find concerning it by almost all our Historians and it is thus That King Edward celebrating the Feast of Easter at Winchester or at Windsor as some will have it Earl Godwin as his Custom was sitting at Table with him was suddenly seized with so violent a Distemper that it struck him speechless and made him fall off from the Chair on which he sate and his Three Sons Harold Tosti and Gyrth being present they immediately removed him into the King's Chamber hoping it was but a sudden Fit and would be speedily over but he lay in that languishing condition four days and died on the fifth This is the account of his Death to which the Norman Monks and such as write in favour of them add other Circumstances which shew either his Guilt or their Malice since they relate That mention being made by somebody at the King's Table of Alfred his late Brother he thereupon looked very angrily at Earl Godwin when he to vindicate himself told King Edward He perceived that upon the least mentioning of that Prince he cast a frowning Countenance upon him But saith he let not God suffer me to swallow this Morsel if I am guilty of any thing done either toward the taking away his Life or against your Interest After which words being presently choaked with the Bit he had just before put into his Mouth he sunk immediately down and never recovered more But let the manner of his death be as it will he was a Man of an Active and Turbulent Spirit not over-nicely conscientious either in getting or keeping what he could not to be excused for his too much forcing his Sovereign to whatever he listed But had he not been so great a Lover of his Countrey and an Enemy to Strangers those that wrote in the Norman times and who durst not write any thing but
what they knew would please their Masters would have passed him over without this Story and have given him a fairer Character His first Wife was the Sister of King Cnute by whom he had a Son but in his Infancy happening to mount an unruly Horse that was presented him by his Grandfather he was run away with into the Thames and there drowned His Mother was kill'd by Thunder which as then was believed fell upon her as a Judgment on the account of her great Cruelty for she made a Trade of selling handsome English Boys and Girls into Denmark After her Death Earl Godwin married another Wife and by her had Six Sons viz. Harold Sweyn Wined Tosti Gyrth and Leofwin His Earldom of West-Seaâ— was given to his Son Harold and the Earldom that Harold had before viz. Essex was conferred on Alfgar the Son of Leofric Earl of Mercia which is also confirmed by our Annals And the same year according to Simeon of Durham Rees the Brother of Griffyn King of South-Wales being taken Prisoner for the many Insolences he had committed against the English was by the Command of King Edward put to death at a place called Bulendun and his Head sent to the King then lying at Gloucester on the Vigil of Epiphany But this is omitted in the Welsh Chronicles as commonly every thing is that makes to the disadvantage of their own Nation This year Leo that Holy Pope of Rome deceased and Victor was elected in his stead And there was also so great a Murrain of all sorts of Cattel in England that none could ever remember the like And now according to the Welsh Chronicles Griffyth the Son of Ratherch ap Justin raised a great Army both of Strangers and others against Griffyth Prince of North Wales who delaying no time but getting all the Forces of that Countrey together and meeting the other Griffyth fought with him and slew him on the place though none of these Chronicles have told us where that was This was the last Rebellion or Welsh Civil War that happened in this Prince's Reign The same year according to Simeon of Durham and Roger Hoveden Siward that Valiant Earl of Northumberland at the Command of King Edward being attended with a powerful Army and a strong Fleet marched into Scotland to restore Malcolm the Right Heir to the Crown of that Kingdom where joining Battel with Macbeth the then Usurping King of Scots many both of that Nation and of the Normans who took their part were slain and the Earl put the Usurper to flight But in this Battel the Earl's Son and several of the English and Danes were slain H. Huntington further adds That when the News was brought to the Earl of the Death of his Son he presently asked Whether he had received the Wound behind or before And being told it was before he only replied I am glad to hear that for so it became my Son to dye He says also That this Son of his whom he does not name had been sent into Scotland before his Father and was there killed and that Earl Siward did not subdue Macbeth till the second Expedition in which he differs from all the rest of the English and Scotish Historians Buchanan indeed acknowledges that this Prince Malcolm having taken Refuge in the Court of England obtain'd of King Edward the Assistance of Ten thousand men under the Conduct of Earl Siward and that the rest were raised for him by Macduf and others of his Party that took Arms on his behalf But John Fordun in his History writes much more improbably and though he allows that King Edward offered Malcolm an Army sufficient to place him on the Throne yet that he refused it with Thanks and only took Earl Siward of all the English Lords along with him as if this Earl's single Might though he was a Man of great Strength and Stature signified any thing against the Forces of Macbeth unless he had also brought a powerful Army along with him Mat. Westminster also adds That Scotland being thus conquered by the Forces of King Edward he bestowed it upon King Malcolm to be held of himself But since this is not found in any of our Ancient Historians and this Author does not acquaint us from whence he had it I do not look upon it as worthy of any great Credit About this time according to Simeon Aldred Bishop of Worcester was sent Ambassador to the Emperor with Noble Presents and being received with great Honour by him as likewise by Herman Archbishop of Cologne he staid in Germany a whole year to prevail with the Emperor on the King's behalf to send Ambassadors into Hungary to bring back Prince Edward the King's Cousin Son of King Edmund Ironside into England The same year also according to the Latin Copy of the Annals ' Was a Battel at Mortimer in Normandy But though they do not tell us by whom it was fought yet from others we learn it was between William Duke of Normandy and the King of France where the former obtain'd a most signal Victory This year Siward Earl of Northumberland deceased and the King gave that Earldom to Tostig Son of Earl Godwin Of this Siward's death our Historians give us divers remarkable Circumstances That being near his End by a Bloody-Flux he said He was asham'd to dye thus like a Beast so causing himself to be compleatly Armed and taking his Sword in his hand as if he would have fought even Death it self he in this Posture expired as he supposed like a Man of Honour King Edward not long after this summoned a Witena Gemot or Great Council seven days before Midlent wherein Earl Aelfgar was outlaw'd upon a Charge of being a Traytor to the King and the whole Nation and of this he was convicted before all there assembled Then Earl Aelfgar went to the Castle of Prince Griffyn in North-Wales and the same year they both together burnt the City of Hereford with the Monastery of St. Aethelbert once King of the East-Angles whose Bones were here enshrin'd This Earl had the greater reason to do what he did having been unjustly banish'd as most of our Historians write Simeon of Durham is somewhat larger in his account of this Affair and says That this Earl Aelfgar first went to Ireland and there procuring Eighteen Pyrate-Ships sail'd with them into Wales to assist Prince Griffyn against King Edward where joining with the Welshmen they laid waste the Countrey about Hereford with Fire and Sword against whom was sent that Cowardly Earl Rodolph King Edward's Sister's Son who gathering an Army and meeting with the Welshmen about two miles from that City he commanded the Englishmen contrary to their custom to fight on Horseback but so soon as they were ready to join Battel Rodulph with all his Frenchmen ran away which the English seeing quickly followed By which you may see that it is no new thing for a Cowardly General to make Cowardly Soldiers The
Victory being thus easily obtained the Prince and the Earl entred Hereford and having killed seven of the Chanons that defended the doors of the Church they burnt it together with the Monastery above-mention'd with all the Reliques of St. Aethelbert and the Rich Ornaments that were in it and so having slain divers of the Citizens and carried away great Numbers of them Prisoners they returned home laden with Booty But as soon as the King was acquainted with it he presently commanded an Army to be raised through all England which being mustered at Gloucester He appointed the Valiant Earl Harold to be Commander in chief who obeying the King's Orders immediately pursued Prince Griffyn and Earl Aelfgar and entring the Borders of Wales pitched his Camp beyond Straetdale as far as Snowdon but they who knew him to be a Brave and Warlike Commander not daring to engage him fled into South-Wales which Harold perceiving left there the greater part of his men with Orders to fight the Enemy if they could come at them and with the rest he returned to Hereford which he fortified by drawing a new Trench about it But whilst he was thus employed the two Captains on the contrary side thinking it best for them to make Peace sent Messengers to him and at last procuring a Meeting at a place called Byligeseage a firm Peace and Friendship was there concluded in pursuance whereof Earl Aelfgar sent his Ships to Chester till they could be paid off and he himself went up to the King from whom he received his former Earldom Henry Emperor of the Germans now died and Henry his Son succeeded him This is only mentioned in the Latin Copy of these Annals But the same year according to Simeon of Durham and R. Hoveden Leofgar who was lately ordained Bishop of Hereford in the room of Bishop Athelstan deceased being together with his Clerks and the Sheriff Agelnoth set upon by Griffyn Prince of Wales at a place called Glastbyrig and was there slain with all his followers after which Aldred Bishop of Worcester to whom the King had committed the Bishoprick of Hereford as also the Earls Leofric and Harold mediated a Peace between King Edward and the said Griffyn This year Edward Aetheling Son to King Edmund returned into this Kingdom together with his Children and shortly after deceased whose Body lies buried in St. Paul's Church at London Also Pope Victor now dying Stephanus Abbot of Mountcassin was consecrated in his stead But the Cottonian Copy of these Annals as also Florence of Worcester place the death of this Pope under the year preceding Earl Leofric also deceased and Aelfgar his Son received the Earldom which his Father enjoyed This is that Leofric Earl of Mercia who together with his Wife Godiva built the rich and stately Monastery of Coventry as hath been already related in which Church he was buried He died this year in a good Old Age whose Wisdom and Counsel was often profitable to England This year Pope Stephanus deceased and Benedict was consecrated in his stead This Pope sent the Pall to Archbishop Stigand Upon whom William of Malmesbury is here very sharp saying That Stigand was so intolerably Covetous that he held both the Bishoprick of Winchester and that of Canterbury at the same time but could never obtain the Pall from the Apostolick See until this Benedict an Intruder as he calls him sent it to him either as first being brib'd by Money or else because as is observed evil men love to favour one another The same year also according to the Annals deceased Heacca Bishop of the South-Saxons i. e. of Chichester and Archbishop Stigand consecrated Aegelric a Monk of Christ-Church Bishop of that See as also Syward the Abbot Bishop of Rochester Also this year according to Simeon of Durham and Florence of Worcester Earl Aelfgar was the second time banished by King Edward but by the help of Griffyn Prince of Wales and of a Norwegian Fleet which came to his assistance he was soon restored to his Earldom again though it was by force In so deplorable a condition was this poor King Edward that those of his Nobility who were strong enough to make any Resistance were sure to be pardoned The same year also according to the above-mentioned Authors Aldred Bishop of Worcester having newly rebuilt the Church of St. Peter in Gloucester went on Pilgrimage through Hungary to Jerusalem as says Simeon of Durham which no English Archbishop or Bishop was ever known to have done before This year Nicholaus Bishop of Florence was made Pope and Benedict was expell'd who was Pope before him Kynsige Archbishop of York deceased the xi Kal. Jan. and Bishop Ealdred succeeded in that See This was that Aldred Bishop of Worcester who had been lately at Rome Also Walter was now made Bishop of Hereford And in the Latin Copy of the Annals it is related That Henry King of France now dying Philip his Son succeeded him This year also deceased Duduc Bishop of Somersetshire i. e. Wells and Gisa was his Successor The same year also deceased Bishop Godwin at St. Martins vii Id. Martii Also Wulfrick Abbot of St. Augustine's in Canterbury deceased in the Easter Week xiv Kal. Maii. Which News being brought to the King he appointed Aethelsige a Monk of the old Church at Winchester to be Abbot who was consecrated by Archbishop Stigand at Windlesore i. e. Windsor at the Feast of St. Augustine And this year according to Simeon of Durham Aldred Archbishop of York went with Earl Tostige to Rome and there received his Pall from Pope Nicholaus But in the mean time Malcolm King of Scots entred Northumberland and depopulated the Earldom of Tostige formerly his sworn Brother This year according to the Latin Copy of our Annals the City of Man was taken by William Duke of Normandy Also about this time Earl Harold afterwards King of England founded the Abby of the Holy Cross at Waltham in Essex so called from a certain Crucifix said to be found by a Vision to a Carpenter at a place called Montacute which Crucifix being brought to Waltham and many Miraculous Stories told there of it one Tovi the Stallere or Chief Standard-Bearer to King Cnute built here a Church for two Priests to keep it which place coming into the hands of Earl Harold he built this Church anew together with a Noble Monastery for a Dean and Twelve Secular Chanons which in the time of Henry the Second were turned to Chanons Regular This Abby being richly endow'd the Foundation was confirmed by King Edward as may be seen by his Charter bearing date Anno 1062. All which appears from an Ancient Manuscript History of the Foundation of this Abby now in the Cottonian Library This year according to our Annals Earl Harold and Earl Tostige his Brother marched with a great Army both by Land and Sea into Brytland i. e. Wales and subdued that Countrey
the English being now full had provoked the Divine Vengeance for that the Priests despising God's Law treated Holy Things with corrupt hearts and polluted hands and not being true Pastors but Mercenaries exposed the Sheep to the Wolves seeking the Wool and the Milk more than the Sheep themselves That the Chief Men of the Land were Infidels Companions of the Thieves and Robbers of their Countrey who neither feared God nor honoured his Law to whom Truth was a Burthen Justice a Maygame and Cruelty a Delight And that therefore since neither the Rulers observed Justice nor the Ruled Discipline the Lord had drawn his Sword and bent his Bow and made it ready for that he would shew this People his Wrath and Indignation by sending Evil Angels to punish them for a year and a day with Fire and Sword But when the King replied to them That he would admonish his People to repent them of the evil of their ways and doings and then he hoped God would not bring these dreadful Judgments upon them but would again receive them into his Mercy To this they answered That now it could not be because the hearts of this people were hardened and their eyes blinded and their ears stopped so that they would neither hear those that would instruct them nor be advised by those that should admonish them being neither to be terrified by his Threatnings nor melted by his Benefits And the King asking them when there would be an end of all these Judgments and what comfort they might be like to receive under all these great afflictions those holy men only answered him in a Parable of a certain Green Tree that should be cut down and removed from the Root about the distance of Three Acres and when without any human hand the Tree should be restored to its Ancient Root and flourish and bear Fruit then and not till then was there any Comfort to be hoped for But this Author's application of the Tree that was to be cut down to the English-Saxon Royal Family's being for a time destroyed and its Separation to the distance of three Acres to Harold and the two first Norman Kings and its Restitution again to King Henry the first by his marrying of Queen Mathildis and its flourishing again in the Empress her Daughter and then its bearing Fruit to the Succession of Henry the second do sufficiently shew that great part of this Vision was made and accommodated for the Reigns of these Princes William of Malmesbury indeed recites the same Vision though in fewer words but without any Interpretation of the Parable But be this Vision true or false I think we may have reason to pray to God that neither our Clergy nor Laity by falling into the like wicked and deplorable state above described may ever bring the like Judgments upon this Nation But when the Queen Robert the Lord Chamberlain and Earl Harold who are said to have been present at the Relation of this Vision seemed very much concern'd Archbishop Stigand received it with a Smile saying That the good Old Man was only delirous by reason of his Distemper But says Malmesbury we have too dearly tried the Truth of this Vision England being now made the Habitation of Strangers and groaning under the Dominion of Foreigners there being says he at this day i. e. at the time when he wrote no Englishman either an Earl a Bishop or an Abbot but Strangers devour the Riches and gnaw even the very Bowels of England neither is there a prospect of having any End of these Miseries This it seems was written in the beginning of the Reign of Henry the First and before he had seen the more Happy Times that succeeded in that of Henry the Second when the Abbot above-mentioned tells us That England had then a King of the Ancient Blood Royal as also Bishops and Abbots of the same Nation with many Earls Barons and Knights who as being descended both from the French and English Blood were an Honour to the One and a Comfort to the Other But to come to the Death and Last Words of this most Pious King The Abbot above-mentioned gives us an Excellent Discourse which he made before his Death recommending the Queen to her Brother and the Nobility there present and highly extolling her Chastity and Obedience who though she appeared publickly his Wife yet was privately rather like a Sister or Daughter desiring of them That whatsoever he had left her for her Jointure should never be taken from her He also recommended to them his Servants who had followed him out of Normandy and that they should have their free choice either of returning home to their own Countrey or staying here After which he appointed his Body to be buried in St. Peter's Church at Westminster which he had so newly dedicated and so having received the Blessed Eucharist and recommended his Soul to God he quietly departed this Life having reigned Three and twenty Years Six Months and Seven and twenty Days It is very observable That this Abbot does not tell us that he said any thing concerning who should be his Successor whereas many of the Monks of those Times make him to have bequeathed the Crown at his Death to his Cousin William Duke of Normandy and Ingulph further says That King Edward â—â—me years before his Death had sent Robert Archbishop of Canterbury as an Ambassador to him to let him know that he had design'd him his Successor both because he was of his Blood and also Eminent for his Virtue What Pretences the Duke might have to the Crown by the latter I know not but it is certain the former could give him no Title to it since all the Relation that was between King Edward and Duke William was by Queen Emma who was Mother to the King and Aunt to the Duke so that it is evident on the score of this Relation that Duke William could have no pretence by Blood to the Crown of England But it is very suspicious that this Story of Archbishop Robert's being sent into Normandy upon this Errand was but a Fiction since he sate but three years in that See before his Expulsion and that happened near ten years before after which King Edward sent over for his Cousin Edward sirnamed The Outlaw to make him his Heir King Edward being dead they made great haste to bury him for his Funerals were performed the next day with as great Solemnity as the shortness of that time would admit of but it was sufficient that all the Bishops and Nobility of the Kingdom attended his Body to the Grave in the Church aforesaid where his Tomb is at this day to be seen behind the Altar and his Body was afterwards preserved in a Rich Shrine of Gold and Silver till the Reign of Henry the Eighth As for the Character which the Writers of the following Age give this Prince it is such as they thought was due to One whom they took to be
Deanry the Peace was broken The thirty sixth Article directs how that after a man is killed as a Thief or a Robber if any Complaint be made by his nearest Relation to the Justice that the man was wrongfully put to death and lies buried among Thieves and that such Relations offer to make it good in such case they shall first give security for so doing and then it follows in what manner the Party slain may be cleared in his Reputation and what satisfaction shall be made to his Friends for it in case it appears he was killed unjustly These are the Laws which bear the Name of Edward the Confessor though they are not properly so because many of them were made long before his time and there are so many things in the Latin Original which are rather Explanations of Laws than Laws themselves that they more truly seem to have been collected and written by some ignorant Sciolist or pretender about Henry the First 's time For though Roger Hoveden hath given us this Collection of those Laws which we now have yet it is plain that there was no Original of them extant at the time when Hoveden wrote nor long before or else he need not have told us that King William the Conqueror in the fourth year of his Reign summoned so many Noble and Wise Men of the English Nation only to enquire into and acquaint him what those Laws were But Bromton's Chronicle gives us a short History of the several Laws that had been used in England and tells us of three sorts of Laws then in use viz Merchenlage West-Saxonlage and Danelage and that King Edward made one Common Law out of them all which are called the Laws of King Edward to this day yet of these he gives us no more than the bare Explanation of some Words or Terms frequently used in them but without setting down any of the Laws themselves which whether he did out of ignorance or on purpose I will not determine though the former is most likely seeing he had before given us all the Laws he could meet with of the precedent English-Saxon Kings So that when the Reader hears the Laws of St. Edward so much talked of and so much contended for after the Conquest he must not understand these here set down to have been the only Laws above-mentioned For those are but some parts of them recited and commented upon by after-Writers And indeed these Laws were first said to be the Laws of Edward the Confessor after the Normans coming over not because King Edward made them but renewed the observance of them as William of Malmesbury expresly tells us of one of those that King Cnute also revived being in substance the same with that formerly ordained by King Alfred Commanding every one above Twelve years old to be entred into some Decenary Tything or Hundred But Bracton also ascribes it to King Edward So likewise this Interpolator or Noter himself tells you That those Laws of St. Edward so much desired and at length obtained from William the Conqueror were ordained in the time of King Edgar his Grandfather but after his death were laid aside for sixty eight years but because they were just and honest King Edward revived them and delivered them to be observed as his own By these and other circumstances we may gather That the whole Body of these Laws we have now recited were such as were approved and confirmed by King Edward who was a Prince of great Mercy and Indulgence to his People so that such written Laws as were in force in his time and such Customs as had been all along observed in the Saxon times and had been still kept on foot in his days were after the Norman Conquest when both the People of the Norman as well as English Extraction so earnestly contended for their Liberties called by the name of the Laws of St. Edward thereby being indeed meant the English-Saxon Laws which then received Denomination from him being in effect the last King of that Race and one whose Memory the People reverenced in an especial manner for the high Reputation he had gained for his great Sanctity and Clemency to his Subjects King HAROLD KING Edward's Funerals being over our Annals proceed to tell us how that Earl Harold succeeded in the Kingdom as King Edward had appointed and that the People elected him to that Dignity as also that he was anointed King on the Feast of Epiphany but he held the Kingdom only forty weeks and one day Thus the Laudean or Peterburgh Copy relates it being written by some Monk that favour'd King Harold's Title to the Crown But R. Hoveden with other of the English Writers tell us expresly That King Edward being buried Earl Harold whom the King had before his decease declared his Successor being by all the Chief Men of England elected to the Throne was the same day anointed King by Aldred Archbishop of York Which is also confirmed by the Manuscript Chronicle of one Henry de Silgrave who wrote about the Reign of King Edward the First and is now in the Cottonian Library And the relation of this Affair being found no where else I shall here recite leaving the Credit thereof to the Reader 's Judgment which is thus That King Edward lying on his Death-bed Earl Harold came to him and desired him to appoint him for his Successor to which the King replied That he had already made Duke William his Heir But the Earl and his Friends still persisting in their Request the King turning his Face to the Wall replied thus When I am dead let the English make either the Duke or the Earl their King Which if true shews that it was but a Consent in part and was also extorted from him But this Relation being found in no other Author I shall not pass my word for the Truth of it But William of Malmesbury and such Writers as prefer the Title of King William tell another story and say That King Harold on the very day of the King's Funeral having extorted an Oath of Fidelity from the Chief Men snatch'd up the Crown of his own accord although the English say it was bequeathed him by King Edward which yet he says he believes to be rather asserted by them out of partiality than by any true judgment or knowledge of the thing H. Huntington does not mention any such Election of Harold but says on the contrary that divers of the English would have advanced Edgar Aetheling to be King But Ingulph is more cautious and does not determine one way or other of this matter only says in general That the day after the King's Funeral Harold wickedly forgetting his Oath which he had formerly made to Duke William intruded himself into the Throne and was solemnly Crowned by Alred Archbishop of York As for Edgar Aetheling the only surviving Male of the Ancient Royal Family he was but Young and being a Stranger born had neither
and Decisive Battel which yet is very imperfect since no Historians that I know of either English or Normans have given us the Number of the Armies on both sides or how many were slain perhaps because both had a mind to conceal what they thought did not make for their Credit Only it is acknowledged on all hands that they were so many on the Normans side as well as the English that nothing but the over-ruling Providence of God by the Death of their King could have given it away from them to their Enemies In this Battel King Harold and his two Brothers Gyrth and Leofwin with most of the English Nobility were slain and an Ancient Manuscript in the Cottonian Library farther relates That the King's Body was hard to be certainly known by reason of its being so much disfigured by Wounds yet was at last discovered by one who had been formerly his Mistress and that by the means of certain private Marks known only to her self and being taken up and wash'd by two of the Chanons of Waltham which Monastery he had founded was ordered by Duke William to be delivered to his Mother and that without any Ransom though she would have given a considerable Sum for it but it was not long after buried in the Abby-Church of Waltham Yet notwithstanding Henry de Knyghton from Giraldus Cambrensis gives a quite different account what became of this Prince for he says that he was not slain in this Battel but retiring privately out of it lived and died an Anchoret in a Cell near St. John's Church in Chester as was owned by himself at his last Confession when he lay a dying and farther that in memory thereof they shewed his Tomb when that Author wrote But the concurrent Testimony of so many English Writers concerning his being slain and buried at Waltham is certainly to be preferred before one single Evidence not but that it might be true that somebody might thus personate Harold and have his Tomb afterwards shewn as his But where or however he died he was certainly a Prince of a Noble Presence and of as Great a Mind and had he not by a preposterous Ambition of gaining a Kingdom to which he had no Right as well as by a Notorious Violation of his Solemn Oath given Duke William a just Occasion of making War upon him wherein he not only lost his own Life but also was the occasion of the Ruin of so many of his Countreymen he might have had as great a Character in History as any Prince of his time He had two Wives the first he buried long before he was King but none of our Writers mention her Name His second was Algithe Widow of Griffyth ap Lhewelyn King of North-Wales Sister of Edwi and Morchar Earls of Yorkshire and Chester By the former it is recorded that he had Children then of such an Age that they waged War against K. William in the second year of his Reign The first was Godwin who with his Brother Edmund after his Father's Death and Overthrow fled into Ireland but returning again into Somersetshire slew Ednoth one of his Father's Ealdormen who encounter'd him and then making great spoil in Devonshire and Cornwal departed The next year fighting with Beorne an Ealdorman of Cornwal he afterwards returned into Ireland and from thence went to Denmark to King Sweyn where he continued the Residue of his Life The second was Edmund who engaged with him in all his abovesaid Brother's Invasions and Wars depending absolutely upon him whilst he lived and died as he did in Denmark Magnus his third Son went with his two Brothers into Ireland and came back with them the first time into England but we find nothing of him after this unless he was that Magnus who afterwards became an Anchoret Wolfe his fourth Son seems to be born of Queen Algithe and probably at King William's Entrance here he was but an Infant yet after his Death he is named among his Prisoners but by William Rufus was released and by him honoured with the Order of Knighthood Gunhilde a Daughter of Harold's is mentioned by John Capgrave in the Life of Wolstan Bishop of Worcester and that she was a Nun but where is not mentioned and being in most mens opinion's wholly blind this Wolstan if you will believe it from Capgrave by a Miracle restor'd her absolutely to her Eyesight Another Daughter of Harold's is mentioned by Saxo Grammaticus in his Danish History to have been well received by her Kinsman King Sweyn the younger and afterwards married to Waldemar King of the Russians and to have had a Daughter by him who was the Mother of Waldemar the first King of Denmark of that Name from whom all the Danish Kings for many Ages after succeeded This Account I have borrowed from Mr. Speed who is very exact in the Pedigrees of our English-Saxon Kings We find no Laws made in this King's time only this mentioned by Ingulph viz. That King Harold made a Law that whatever Welshman were found without leave on this side Offa's Ditch he should have his Right-hand cut off by the King's Officers Which Law I suppose was made to restrain the pilfering Incursions of the Welsh who were wont to come in small Companies into the English Borders to rob and carry away Cattel But as for the Earls Syward of Mercia and Morchar of Northumberland Brothers it is said they withdrew themselves out of the Battel with their Followers almost as soon as it began either because they liked not the streightness of the Place where they were drawn up or else were discontented with the King's Conduct so marching immediately up to London they there met with Aldred Archbishop of York and Edgar Atheling with divers other Noblemen and Bishops and consulted whom they should make King divers of them were for Edgar Atheling as the only remaining Branch of the Saxon Blood-Royal under whom they resolved to renew the War but he being young and unexperienced and the Major Part of the Bishops being against it nothing was done William of Malmesbury relates That the two Earls above-mentioned solicited the Londoners to make one of them King which when they found they could not prevail upon them so to do taking their Sister the Widow of King Harold along with them and leaving her for security at Chester they retired into Northumberland supposing that Duke William would never march so far that Winter But how much they were mistaken and how they were forced to submit themselves to him when the City of London and all the rest of the Kingdom had acknowledg'd him must be reserved for the next Volume In the mean time the Nobility and Clergy being thus divided in their sentiments all their designs came to nothing Thus as the same Author well observes that as the English if they had been all of one mind might have prevented the Ruin of their Countrey so since they could not agree to have one of
subduing the Danes added that Kingdom to his own       941 Edmund his Brother five Years                   973 Howel ap Jevaf   946 Edred his Brother 9 Years       984 Cadwalhon ap Jevaf Brother to Howel     902 Ricsig another Danish Kâ—ng who being slain was succeeded by         955 Edwi Son to Edmond two Years     874 Ceolmulf who held it but a short time the Danes taking it again and being driven out by King Edward the Elder he committed the Government of it to Ethered under the Title of Earl who having married Ethelfleda that King's Sister she also govern'd it after his Death but King Edward seizing it after her Decease added it to the rest of his Dominions 986 Meridith ap Owen Grand-son to Howel-Dha     903 Reginald and Niel both Dâ—â—es who reigned at once they having aâ—ter King Alfred's Death taken the wholâ— Kingdom but Niel being slain by         957 Edgar his Brother 16 Years       992 Edwal ap Meryc           1003 Aedan ap Blegored not of the Blood of the Welsh Princes   973 Edward his Son sirnamed the Martyr reigned 5 Years             914 Sihtric his Brother he reigned in his stead     1015 Lhewelyn ap Sits-sylht in right of Angerat his Wife the Daughter of Prince Merydith     919 Inguald another Danish Kâ—ng reigned about the same time as did alsâ— Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 978 Ethelred his Brother 38 Years             926 Guthfert Son to Sihtric hâ— was expelled by K. Athelstan after whiâ—h Anlaf King of Norway seized this Kingdom for a time but being expelled by tâ—e Northumbers      Jago ap Edwal   1016 Edmund sir-named Iron-side reigned 9 Months       1022 Gryffith ap Lhewelyn whilst Howel ap Edwin reigned in South Wales at the same time   1017 Cnute King of Denmark reigned 19 Years  Another Anlaf Son to Sihtâ—ic was by them made King He was also expelled by King Edmund and restored fâ—r two Years but then was again driven â—ut by K. Edred yet after this the Northâ—mbers made Eoric of Danish Race their Kâ—ng but he being again deserted by theâ— they returned to K. Edred's Allegiance who thereupon added that Kingdom to his own     1064 Blethyn and Rywalhon Sons of Convin and half Brothers to the former Prince were made by King Edward the Confessor Princes of Wales after Gryffith their Brother was slain     944          1036 Harold his Son three Years 945            947    920      1039 Hardecnute his Brother two Years and an half 948                956 Edgar Brother to K. Edwi chosen King of Mercia and Northumberland reigned there one Year before his Brother's Decease     1042 Edward the Confessor reigned 24 Years             952 From which time the Kiâ—gs of Northumberland failing it was eâ—er after governed by Earls         1066 Harold Son to Earl Godwin reigned 9 Months             953 Oswulf being by K. Edreâ— made the first Earl but King Edgar â—â—vided it into two Earldoms       Having hitherto omitted the Genealogies of the English-Saxon Kings as they 〈…〉 be found in the Annals I thought it best to refer them to this Table where you may view them altogether as they are derived from GEAT who is supposed to have been 〈◊〉 â—ommon Ancestor of the Getae or Gothes and I could have carried it very much higher but that before this Geat they are so extreamly uncertain Note These are extracted not 〈◊〉 from the Annals but from three choice Manuscript Copies of Florence of Worcester compar'd with that Pedegree in the Textus Roffensis published by the Reverend Dr. Gale at 〈◊〉 â—nd of his last Volume but it must be acknowledged that the Genealogies in Florence differ from those in the Textus Roffensis in many Particulars GEAT Godwulf Fin Fritholwulf Fretholaf or Frealaf Woden The common Ancestor of all the English-Saxon Kings Wehta Waegdaeg Withgils Witta Hengest Casar Tytimon Trigils Rothmund Rippan or Hrip Guithelm or Withelm Webha Vffa Aeaxneat or Seaxnet Gesecg Ansecg Sweppa Sigefuget Bedca Offa Aescwine or Erkenwine Waegdeg Sigear or Siggar Swebdeg Sigeat or Wiggeat Saebald Sweort Seafugel Seomnel Westerwacna Wilgils Vscfrea Yffe Aella Beldeg Brand Freothgar or Freodegar Freawine Wig. Gewis Esla Elesa Cerdic Beorne or Beornic Waegbrand Ingebrand Elusa or Aloc Angelgeot or Angenwit Aethelbert Eosa Eoppa Ida Wythelgeat or Weodgeat Waga Wihtlaeg Waeremund Offa. Ingeltheot Eomar Icel Kwebba Cynewald Cryda or Creoda The rest that follow you may see in the former Tables of the Kings That the Succession of the West-Saxon Kings may be the better understood as being those from whom all the Kings of England both before and since the Conquest are descended I have here added their Pedigree down as low as King Edward the Consessor which I have taken from the Saxon Annals Florence of Worcester and other Authentick Authors Tab. Vlt. Note That R. signifies Rex and the Number following is in what Order that King reigned Cerdic I. King of the West-Saxons Cynrâ—c R. II. 3 Cutha 1 Ceol or Ceola Cynegils R. VI. 1 Cwichelm R. VII Cuthred 2 Cenwalh R. VIII -Sexburga Reg. to whom her Husband left the Crown 2 Ceolwulf R. V. 2 Cuthwulf Ceolric R. IV. 1 Ceawling or Celm R. III. 2 Cuthwine Cutha or Cuthwulf Ceolwald Cenred 1 Ina R. XI Aethelheard R. XII Cuthred R. XIII Sigebert R. XIV Cynewulf R. XV. Brihtric R. XVI 2 Ingild Eoppa Eafa Ealhmund Egbert R. XVII Ethelwulf R. XVIII 4 Aelfred R. XXII 1 Ethelwerd 2 Edward the Elder R. XXIII 6 Edred R. XXVI 5 Aelfred 4 Edmund R. XXV Ethelfleda-2 Edgar R. XXVIII -Elfreda supposed to be a Concubine Emma-2 Ethelred R. XXX-Elgiva 2 Edward the Confessor R. XXXII 1 Edmund Ironside R. XXXI 1 Edmund died without Issue 2 Edward sirnamed the Outlaw Edgar
Wigheard Wight Wightred Wigmore Wilbrode Wilfreda St. Wilfrid Wilfrid 2. William Wills Last Vid. Testament Wilton Wiltshire Wina Vid. Wini Winandermere Winchelcomb Winchester Winchester-Measure Winfrid Winâ— Wipâ—â— or Wippa Wir Wiregild Wiremouth Witchcraft Wite Witena-Gemote Witerne St. Withburg Wiâ—hgar Withlaff Withred Wittereden Woden Wodensbeorge Wolves Woodstock in Mercia Worcester Wounds and Maims Wulfheard Wulfhelme Wulfher 2. Wulfnoth Wulfric Vid. Spoâ— Wulstan 3. Y YArrow Year Year and Day York Yric Yrling Ywrch Edwal Z ZEal Directions to the BINDER PLace the Table beginning Least the Names c. between P. 150 and 151. Place Table 2. between P. 244 and 245. Place Table 3. at the End of the Sixth Book Place the Two Pedegrees of Kings immediately after it and just before this Index Viz. That first beginning with Geat AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF THE Principal Matters contained in this History A ABbey Vid. Monastery Abbey-Lands the form of leasing them out which required the Solemnity of the Common-Council of the Kingdom to confirm it Lib. 5. Pag. 261 262. Abbot The Bishop of Norwich notwithstanding the Dissolution of Monasteries retains still the Title of an Abbot l. 6. p. 54. An Abbot of Evesham was chosen in a Great Council held at London Id. p. 73. Seldom chosen out of Monks of the same Abbey Id. p. 74. Aberfraw now a small Village in the Isle of Anglesey but anciently the chief Seat of the Princes of Gwyneth or North-Wales l. 5. p. 279. Tribute due from the King hereof to the King of London l. 6. p. 3. Destroyed by the Irishmen who landed in Anglesey Id. p. 6. Abingdon the Abbey when and by whom founded at first called Sheovesham l. 4. p. 196. Or Secvesham Id. p. 224. Burnt by the Danes rebuilt by Ordgar and had great Endowments Ibid. Anciently a Royal Seat of the Kings of Mercia l. 4. p. 224. Abjuring the Realm the Antiquity of this Law for such great Offences to which the King's Pardon did not in Edward the Confessor's time absolutely extend l. 6. p. 103. Acca succeeds Wilfrid in the Bishoprick of Hagulstade l. 4. p. 215. Is driven out as supposed by the King of Northumberland Id. p. 221. His Death Had in great Reverence both before and after it for his Sanctity c. l. 4. p. 223 224. Achaius King of Scots having aided Hungus King of the Picts with Ten thousand men against one Athelstan he routed the English and killed Athelstan but this is look'd upon as a mere idle Monkish Fancy l. 5. p. 250. Adda King of Bernicia the Eldest Son of Ida l. 3. p. 143. His Death Id. p. 144. Vid. p. 147 148. Adelphius Bishop of the City of Colchester is sent to the Council of Arles in Gallia and for what l. 2. p. 88. Adian or Aedan or Aegthan coming against Ethelfrid is routed l. 4. p. 159. Admurum that is Wall-Town near the Picts Wall l. 4. p. 184. Adrian the Abbot of Canterbury l. 4. p. 165 194. The Pope when he departed this life l. 4. p. 238. Vid. Hadrian Adulf or Eadulf Abbot of Medeshamstead enriched that Monastery with divers Lands that he added to it l. 6. p. 5. Succeeds Oswald in the Archbishoprick of York Ibid. His Decease l. 6. p. 29. Adultery King Withred's Law against it under a Punishment and what a Military what a Countrey-man was to pay that was guilty of it l. 4. p. 211. Alfred's Law increased the Fine according to the Estate or Quality of him against whom the Offence was committed l. 5. p. 293. Vid. Fornification Aeadsige after the death of Ethelnoth made Archbishop of Canterbury l. 6. p. 65. Went to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 66. Crowned Edward the Confessor and made the first Sermon that is to be found at any King's Coronation Id. p. 70. Resigned his Archbishoprick by reason of his great Infirmities Id. p. 72. Resumes it p. 74. His Death p. 75. Aealmond Father of King Egbert when he began to reign in Kent The Annals mistaken as to his ever being King thereof l. 4. p. 233. Aealhstan Bishop of London his decease l. 5. p. 303. Vid. Alstan Aedan Vradog i. e. the Treacherous a Prince of the North parts of Britain l. 3. p. 146. Aedan ap Blegored or Bledhemeyd an absolute Stranger to the British Blood-Royal got the Principality of North-Wales and held it about twelve years but whether it was by Election or Force uncertain l. 6. p. 30 31. Is killed with his four Sons in a bloody Fight by Lhewelyn ap â—itsylt Id. p. 40. Aedric made Ealdorman over all the Kingdom of Mercia Married the King's Daughter His Treachery l. 6. p. 32. By that he kept the King's Army from falling 〈…〉 Dâ—nâ—s when it had hâ—mmed theâ— in and were just ready to give them Battel Id. p. 34. Siâ—named Streon Id. p. 36. Treacherously in his own Chamber caused to be stai◠〈◊〉 Danes of great Riches and Power in the Northern parts and why Id. p. 40. His going over to King Cnute with forty of the Royal Navy and submitting to him l. 6. p. 41 45. The many other perfidious Tricks he plays Id. p. 45 46 47. Traiterously murthers his Natural King and Lord Edmund Ironside and salâ—ting Cnute first sole King of all England he met with a just reward if true Id. p. 48 49. His death occasioned by his upbraiding King Cnute with his Services telling him how that for his sake he had bâ—trayed one King and made away another Id. p. 50. Aegelbyerâ—h or Agebert after Byrinâ—s took upon him the Bishoprick of the West-Saxons l. 4. p. â—82 192. Vid. Agelbert Aegelric a Monk of Christ-Church consecrated Bishop of Chichester l. 6. p. 88. Aelfeage Vid. Elfeage Aelfer Vid. Elfer Aelfgar Vid. Elfgar Aelfleda Wife to King Edmund the Elder the Daughter of Earl Aethelune her numerous Children and how educated and bestowed l. 5. p. 324 327. Aelfred Vid. Alfred Aelfric upon the death of his Father Aelfer was Ealdorman of Mercia and two years after banished the Land l. 6. p. 21. Vid. Ealfric Aelfric Bishop of Winchester elected Archbishop of Canterbury by King Ethelred and all his Wise Men l. 6. p. 25. Went to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 26. Deceased and who succeeded him Id. p. 31. Aelfric succeeds Wulstan in the Archbishoprick and by whom consecrated l. 6. p. 53. His accusing Bishop Living and Earl Godwin of persuading Harold to use Prince Alfred so cruelly as he did Id p. 67. His decease Id. p. 79. Aelfweard Son of King Edward the Elder died at Oxnaford not long after his Father who his Mother and what his Character l. 5. p. 324 327. Aelfwinna Vid. Elfwinna Aelfwold drove Eardulf out of the Kingdom of the Northumbers and reigned two years in his stead l. 5. p. 249. His Death But his Successor somewhat doubtful Ibid. Aelgiva Queen brought to bed of Prince Edgar and died the year after l. 5. p. 344. Aelgiva married to King Ethelred l. 6. p. 29. 〈◊〉
forced to retire beyond 〈…〉 her Brother of Normandy for safety Id. p. 38. Aelgiva a Hampshire Lady Daughter of Aelfhelm the Ealdorman one of Cnute's Wives bore him Harold whom before his death his Father appointed to be King of England after him l. 6. â— 56. But the Story seems a littlâ— improbable for it is said she was barren and therefore â—â—etenâ—ing a Big-Belly imposed on the credulous King a Supposititious Birth viz. the Son of a Shoemaker then newly born Id. p. 61. In the English-Saxon is the same with Emma in the Norman-French Dialect the Widow of King Cnute who was banished England by King Harold Id. p. 64. Aella with his three Sons slew a great many of the Britains and possessed themselves of all the Sea-Coast of Sussex l. 3. p. 132. He and Ciffa receiving fresh Supplies besieged Anâ—redesceaster and â—ook it by force and put all the Britains to the Sword Ibid. His Death Id. p. 136. Is said to be the first that ruled all over Britain l. 5. p. 254. Aella King of Deira l. 3. p. 147. A general Name given to the Kings of Deira l. 4. p. 152. His Death l. 3. p. 148. Aella a Tyrant and Usurper made King of that Countrey by the Northumbers who had expelled Osbryht newly before who was their lawful King l. 5. p. 267. Aelmer an Archdeacon betrays Canterbury to the Danes l. 6. p. 35 36. Aemilianus Emperor of Rome but three Months l. 2. p. 81. Aeneon Vid. Eneon Aescasdune now called Aston near Wallingford l. 4. p. 182 188. l. 5. p. 275. Aescwin reigns over the West-Saxons is supposed to be the next of the Royal Line l. 4. p. 194. Son of Cenwulf the Battel he fought and with whom His Death Id. 195 198. Aescwin Bishop of the East-Saxons his Death and who succeeded him l. 4. p. 196. Aesk also called Oisk and Osric Hengest's Son began his Reign when and how long he continued it l. 3. p. 132. His Death Id. p. 136. Aestel the signification of it uncertain l. 5. p. 304. Aethelbald King of the Mercians held it forty years l. 4. p. 217. His Pedigree Ibid. Took Somerton and was that great and powerful King as not to be ashamed of committing Uncleanness even with Consecrated Nuns Id. p. 221 222. Made all the rest of the Provinces of England and their Kings subject to him as far as the Humber l. 4. p. 222. Wasted the Countrey of Northumberland and carried away with him great Spoil Id. p. 223. His War with Cuthred King of the West-Saxons and the various success of it Id. p. 224 226. Slain at Seccandune in Warwickshire and buried in Ripendune Abbey which he himself had founded Id. p. 227. Aethelbald Son of Ethelwulf King of the West-Saxons and his Father made a greater slaughter of the Danes than ever was done before l. 5. p. 261. Forms a most wicked Conspiracy in the West of England against his Father upon the account of his new Wife and so gets the Kingdom divided betwixt his Father and him which before was united l. 5. p. 263 264. Vid. Ethelbald Aethelbryght Vid. Ethelbert Aethelburga returns by Sea into Kent with Paulinus the Archbishop and is received with great Honour by King Eadbald and Archbishop Honorius l. 4. p. 176. Destroys the Castle of Taunton-Dean in Somersetshire and for what reason Id. p. 218. Aethelfleda King Alfred's Eldest Daughter married to Eadred or Ethelred King of the Mercians l. 5. p. 311. Vid. Ethelfleda Aethelgiva Vid. Algiva Aethelheard the Bishop dies at York l. 4. p. 232. Vid. Ethelheard Aethelred Vid. Ethelred Aethelswithe Queen Sister to King Alfred and Widow of Burhred King of Mercia dies in her Journey to Rome l. 5. p. 298. Aethelwald Edward the Elder 's Cousin-German rebels against him and going over to the Danish Army they joyfully received him for their King He takes a Nun out of the Monastery of Winburn and marries her but going over to France to raise new Recruits King Edward seizes her and brings her back again l. 5. p. 312. Returns from France and with a mighty Army coming into Kent gets much Plunder there and then ravages over other Countries but at last is killed in fight Id. p. 313. Aethelwald Abbot received the Bishoprick of Winchester and is consecrated His many good Works and what Monasteries he repaired and built l. 6. p. 4 21. Was Father of the Monks His Decease Id. p. 21. Aethelwulf Vid. Ethelwulf Aetius somewhat recovered the Credit of the Roman Empire in Gaul l. 2. p. 106. Received doleful Latters from the Britains imploring Assistance l. 3. p. 115. Expecting a War with Attila King of the Huns Ibid. Agatha the Queen of Hungary's Sister is married to Prince Edward Son to Edmund Ironside l. 6. p. 49. Agatho the Pope his Bull to the Abbey of Medeshamstead supposed to be forgâ—d long after by the Monks of Peterburgh l. 4. p. 200. Agelbert Bishop of Kent but turned out and wherefore l. 4. p. 181 182. Left King Cenwalch and took the Bishoprick of Paris l. 4. p. 182 188. Vid. Aegelbyerth Agricola sent into Britain in Vespasian the Emperor's time as his Lieutenant Almost cut 's off the whole Nation of the Ordovices Going with his men to subdue Mona the Island sues for Peace and delivers â—t self up to him Increases his Fame by his Successes and Moderation l. 2. p. 55. His wise Conduct both in his own Family and in Britain Id. p. 56. Brought here in fashion the Roman Language Garb and Gown No Castle of his ever taken by force Rewarded with Triumphal Ornaments His farther Conquests Places Garisons in that part of Britain that lay over-against Ireland Id. p. 57. Carries on the War both by Sea and Land and overcomes the Caledonians Id. p. 58 59. Which is confessed to be more owing to his own Conduct than the Courage of the Roman Soldiers Id. p. 59. His Speech to his Soldiers and after what manner he ordered the Battel against Galgacus Id. p. 61. Overthrows and puts the Britains to flight His Ruin secretly designed by his Prince Id. p. 62 63. How at his Return he is received at Rome Accused to Domitian but acquitted Oftâ—n near his Ruin as well by his own Virtues as by the Vices of others The Proconsulship of Africa seemingly offered to him void by the Death of Civica Id. p. 64. His Death whether by Poyson or otherwise uncertain He carried the Roman Eagles to the utmost Bounds of Britain Id. p. 65. He was the Son of Severian a Pelagian Bishop Id. p. 107. Agrippina presiding over the Roman Ensigns l. 2. p. 44. Aidan a Scotch Bishop desires Edwin to remember his Vision and Promise and become a Christian l. 4. p. 173. Is sent to Oswald to ground his Subjects in the Christian Faith from the Monâ—stery of the Isle of Hye Id. 177 178. His Character being an excellent Pattern for succeeding Bishops and Clâ—rgymen to follow Id. p. 178. His Death Id. p. 182 183.
Ailesbury in Buckinghamshire anciently called Eglesbyrig l. 5. p. 321. Ailmer Earl of Cornwal Founder of the Abbey of Cerne in Dorsetshirâ— l. 6. p. 22. Ailnoth Vid. Ethelnoth Ailwin the Ealdorman Founder of the Abbey of Ramsey l. 6. p. 6 7. Akmanceaster an Ancient City called Bathan by the Inhabitants l. 6. p. 7. Alan King of Armorica receives Cadwallader l. 4. p. 190. Alan Earl of Britain so great an Assistant to William Duke of Normandy that after his Conquest he made him Earl of Richmond and had great part of the Countrey thereabouts given him l. 6. p. 109. Alaric King of the Goths takes Rome l. 2 p. 104. St. Alban an Account of his Martyrdom l. 2. p. 85 86. The Miracles thereat Ibid. p. 107 108. Is privately buried that Age being ignorant of the virtue of keeping Saints Relicks Id. p. 86. Offa is warned by an Angel to remove his Relicks to a more Noble Shrine He builds a new Church and Monastery in honour of him who was after canonized l. 4. p. 237. As he was the first Martyr of England so the Abbot thereof ought to be the first in Dignity of all the Abbots in England Ib. p. 238. Pope Honorius ratified the Privileges formerly granted and gave to this Abbot and his Successors Episcopal Rights together with the Habit c. Jd. Ib. St. Albans anciently called Verulam where a Great Council was held by King Offa Id. p. 239. Albania now Scotland Northwest of the Mountains of Braid-Albain and its extent l. 2. p. 83 98. Albert ordained Archbishop of York l. 4. p. 229. Receives his Pall for the Archbishoprick from Pope Adrian Id. p. 230. Albinus Chlodius made Lieutenant of Britain by Commodus the Emperor who would have created him Caesar and permitted him in his presence to wear the Purple Robe but he refused them then yet afterwards assumed the Titles and Honour and died in asserting his Right to the Imperial Purple l. 2. p. 71 73. Is dismissed from the Government of Britain but retained it under both Pertinax and Didius Julianus Takes upon him the Title of Caesar under Severus had Statues erected and Money coin'd with his Image Forced the Messengers sent by the Emperor to dispatch him by Torture to confess the Design Id. p. 72. But is obliged at last to run himself through with his own Sword Id. p. 73. Alburge Sister to King Egbert Foundress of a Benedictine Nunnery at Wilton l. 5. p. 248. Alcluid now called Dunbritton in Scotland l. 2. p. 101. Is destroyed by the Danes l. 5. p. 277. Alchmuid Son to Ethelred King of Northumberland being taken by the Guards of King Eardulf is slain by his Command l. 4. p. 243. Alchmund Bishop of Hagulstade his Decease l. 4. p. 232. Alcuin or Albinus writes an Epistle wherein he proves Image-Worship utterly unlawful l. 4. p. 237. At his Intercession the Northumbrian Kingdom is spared from Ruin Id. p. 240. Goes into France and is much in favour with Charles the Great whom he taught the Liberal Arts and by his means the University of Paris is erected His Death and Character Id. p. 244. Aldhelm made Bishop of Shireburn and by whom l. 4. p. 213. A Catalogue of his Works given us by Bede Id. p. 213 214. His Death and Character Id. p. 214. Aldred Bishop of Worcester by his Intercession makes Sweyn's Peace with Edward the Confessor and goes with Bishop Hereman to the great Synod assembled at Rome l. 6. p. 75. Is sent Ambassador to the Emperor with Noble Presents to prevail with him to send Ambassadors into Hungary to bring back Prince Edward the King's Cousin Son of King Edmund Ironside into England Id. p. 86. His rebuilding the Church of St. Peter in Gloucester and going on Pilgrimage through Hungary to Jerusalem Id. p. 88. Is made Archbishop of York and goes with Earl Tostige to Rome where he receives his Pall Ibid. Crowns Harold King of England Id. p. 105. Aldune Bishop of Lindisfarne removes the Body of St. Cuthbert from Chester after a hundred years lying there to Durham and there builds a small Church dedicating it to him l. 6. p. 26. Alehouses how anciently these have been here with the Consequences thereof viz. quarrelling and breaking of the Peace l. 6. p. 43. Alemond Father to Edmund the King and Martyr whom he had by his Wife Cywara in old Saxony l. 5. p. 265. Alfleda Daughter to Ceolwulf King of the Mercians is married to Wimond Son of Withlaff an Ealdorman there who is afterwards made King by the Consent of the People l. 5. p. 253. Alfred King of Northumberland would not alter the Judgment against Bishop Wilfrid for any Letter from the Pope l. 4. p. 207. Deceases at Driffield and on his Death-bed repents of what he had done towards the Bishop Id. p. 212 213. Alfred King of the West-Saxons was the fifth Son of King Aethelwulf Id. p. 258. When born of Osberge his Mother at Wantige in Berkshire l. 5. p. 261. Is anointed King by the Pope as a Prophetical Presage of his future Royal Dignity Id. p. 262 265. Married to Alswitha the Daughter of Aethelred the Ealdorman of the Gaini l. 5. p. 269. He with his Brother Ethelred made a great slaughter of the Danes Id. p. 275. By the general Consent of the whole Kingdom is advanced to the Throne Id. p. 276. Fights with the Danes and the various success of his Fortune Ibid. Fights at Sea against seven of their Ships and takes one the rest escaping Id. p. 277. Is forced to make Peace with them and what Hostages they give him to depart the Kingdom but upon breach of Oath he puts them all to death The Danes make another Peace with him but did not long observed it Id. p. 278. Leads an uneasy Life upon their account beiâ—g forced to hide and lurk among the Woody parts of Somersetshire Id. p. 280. His excessive Charity to a poor man in the midst of his own Extremity Id. p. 280 281. Goes into the Danish Army in the habit of a Countrey Fidler discovers their weakness and by that means obtain a signal Victory over them Id. p. 282. Delivers the Kingdom of the East-Angles up to Guthrune and the League made between them setting out the Extent of each other's Territories Id. p. 283 284. The Subjection or Dependance the Danes shew'd to this King by their consenting to the Laws made in a Common-Council of the Kingdom Id. p. 285. Fights against four Danish Pyrate-ships takes two the other two surrender Id. p. 285 286. Pope Martinus sends some of the Wood of our Lord's Cross to him and in return he sends to Rome the Alms he had vowed Id. p. 286. Setting upon the Danish Pyrates with his Fleet takes them all with great Spoils and kills most of their men but returning home and meeting with another Fleet of them they prove too hard for him Id. p. 286 287. Takes the City of London from the Danes who had kept it
Glastenbury and for what reason Id. Ib. Commands in Person at the great Battel of Badon Hill which is said to be the twelfth Battel he had fought with them Id. p. 136. He began his Reign over the Britains in the tenth year of King Cerdic Id. p. 137. Objections against his ever being a King in Britain answered His Death but the manner uncertain his Burial at Glastenbury His Tomb found about the end of the Reign of Henry the Second and the many Fables the Britains invented of him Id. p. 136 137 138. Arviragus doubtful whether any such person but if there was he lived in the Reign of Domitian l. 2. p. 56. Under his Conduct the Britains receive fresh Strength and Courage Id. p. 65. Is supposed to have deceased towards the end of Domitian's Reign Id. p. 66. Arwald King of the Isle of Wight his two Sons executed by the Order of Ceadwalla but were first made Christians by Baptism by Abbot Reodford l. 4. p. 203. Arwan a River where uncertain but several Conjectures about it l. 6. p. 46. Asaph Scholar to Kentigern and his Successor in the See of Ellwye in North-Wales now from him called St. Asaph l. 3. p. 149. Asclepiodotus Praefect to Constantius his Slaughter of the Franks and Victory over London l. 2. p. 84 85. Ashdown in Essex called in the Saxon times Assandum l. 6. p. 46 47. Cnute builds a Church here to pray for the Souls that were slain in the Battel he had fought there with Edmund Ironside he consecrates and bestows it Id. p. 51. Assault upon any one the Punishment of it by King Alfred's Law l. 5. p. 292 295. Asser Bishop of Shireburne his Decease l. 5. p. 286 315. Assize-charges the Antiquity of them l. 6. p. 13. Asterius Bishop of Genova ordains Byrinus an Italian l. 4. p. 179. Ataulphus takes Tholouse sometime after the Death of Alaric l. 2. p. 104. Athelgiva Mistress or Wife to King Edwi for it is variously reported the story of her l. 5. p. 353. The Revenge that was taken on her by Odo Archbishop of Canterbury Her being sent into Ireland from the King with her Return and Death Id. p. 354. Athelm Archbishop of Canterbury performed the Office of Athelstan's Coronation His Death l. 5. p. 329. Athelney in Somersetshire anciently called Aetheling-gaige l. 5. p. 282 298. That is the Isle of Nobles where Alfred had lain concealed Id. p. 298. A Monastery built there by King Alfred for Monks of divers Nations Id. p. 298 307. Athelric King of all Northumberland reigned two years over Bernicia married Acca Daughter to Aella King of Deira l. 3. p. 148. Athelstan slain in fight by Hungus King of the Picts with the assistance of Ten thousand Scots sent him by Achaius King of that Countrey all an idle story l. 5. p. 250. Who this Athelstan was 't is supposed none knows Ibid. Athelstan supposed to be Natural Son to King Ethelwulf often mentioned in this History but our Writers are silent as to his Death l. 5. p. 258. Fought with the Danes at Sea and routed them taking nine Ships and patting the rest to flight Id. p. 261. Athelstan Son to Edward the Elder commanding one Division of his Father's Army against Leofred a Dane and Griffyth ap Madoc the Success thereof l. 5. p. 321. The Name signifies The most Noble Appointed by his Father's Testament to succeed him in the Kingdom not born of the Queen but of one Egwinna l. 5. p. 326 327. His Election by the Mercians and the manner of his Coronation Id. p. 329. Marries his Sister Edgitha to Sihtric a Danish King of Northumberland with an account of him and his Death Id. p. 330. Adds the Kingdom of Northumberland to his own Id. Ib. 331. His seven years Penance on the account of his Brother Edwin's being drowned Id. p. 331 332. The great Victory he obtained over the Scots and what was the occassion of his warring with them He demolishes the Castle the Danes had fortified at York and taking great Booty there distributes it among his Soldiers Drove the Welsh cut of Exeter and built new walls about it Id. p. 332 333. The great Victory he gain'd over the Scotch Irish and Danes Id. p. 334 335 336. Took Cumberland and Westmorland from the Scots and recovered Northumberland from the Danes Pawn'd his Knife at the Altar as he went to make War against the Scots promising to redeem it at his return with Victory Founded the Abbey of Middleton in Dorsetshire and upon what account Reign'd fourteen years and tâ—n months and then died at Gloucester Id. p. 337. Is said to be the first that reduced all England into one Monarchy Imposeth a Yearly Tribute upon Constantine King of the Scots and Howell King of the Britains of 20 l. in Gold and 300 l. in Silver and 25000 Head of Cattel Id. p. 337 338. The Rich Presents were sent to him from divers Kings Id. p. 339. Made many good Laws and some of the most remarkable may be seen in p. 339 340 341. Buried in the Abbey of Malmesbury bred up under his Uncle Ethelred Earl of Mercia His Character Id. p. 329 338 339. Athelwald King of the South-Saxons had the Isle of Wight given him by Wulfher l. 4. p. 188. Is slain by Ceadwalla who seized on his Province Id. p. 203. Athelward Vid. Ethelward Athelwold Vid. Ethelwald Attacotti who these were that Ammianus joins with the Scoti has very much perplexed the Modern Criticks l. 2. p. 91 92. Atticus Vid. Aurelius Augusta that ancient City now called London l. 2. p. 92. Augustine sent into Britain with many Monks to preach the Gospel l. 3. p. 148. His Arrival in Britain in the year 597. Id. p. 149. l. 4. p. 153. How he came to be sent and the Accidents that happen'd to him by the way with his Landing in the Isle of Thanet on the East part of Kent l. 4. p. 152 153. Residence appointed by King Ethelbert's Order for him and his Monks at Canterbury which was the Metropolis of his Kingdom How his preaching to him and his Nobles there was received Id. p. 154. Ordained Archbishop of the British Nation and by whom as also his sending to the Pope to desire his Opinion about certain Questions Wherein is seen the state of Religion in the Western Church at his coming over Id. p. 155. Rebuilt an old Church first erected by the Christian Romans appointing it a See for himself and his Successors Id. 154 157. Had an Archiepiscopal Pall sent him with power to ordain twelve Bishops l. 4. p. 157 158. His Legantine Authority over all the Bishops of Britain Id. p. 160. Summons a Synod at Augustine's Ake or Oak in Worcestershire Ib. p. 161. His miraculous Cure of a Blind Man upon which the Britains believed his Doctrine to be true Id. Ib. His Death and place of his Burial Id. p. 162 165. His Prediction on the Britains fulfilled Id. p. 164. Supposed to be of
Bondman he that is cast by the Ordeal to be branded with a hot Iron for the first Offence and for the second to be put to death l. 6. p. 42. Bonosus a matchless Drinker made himself as Emperor for a time but being vanquished by the Emperor Probus he hanged himself He was by Descent a Britain l. 2. p. 82. Bosa Bishop of Dunmoc now Dunwich in Suffolk deprived by reason of his great Infirmities l. 4. p. 193. Governed the Province of Deira having his Episcopal See at the City of York l. 4. p. 197. Bosenham that is Bosham in Sussex where Sweyne made a League with Edward the Confessor l. 6. p. 74. Boston in Lincolnshire supposed anciently to be called Icanho l. 4. p. 185. Bottulf when he began to build a Monastery at Icanho Id. Ib. Bounds The old ones continued in the year 395. between the Picts and the Britains l. 2. p. 100. Bracelets The Oath the Danes took to King Alfred upon a Sacred Bracelet they had which Oath they would never take to any Nation before immediately to depart the Kingdom l. 5. p. 278. Of Gold if hung up at the parting of several Highways in Alfred's time none would dare to touch them Justice was so strictly observed Id. p. 291. Bradanford in Wiltshire now Bradford l. 4. p. 183. Brandanrelie supposed to be a little Island now called Shepholm in the mouth of Severn l. 5. p. 319. Breach of the Peace Alfred's Laws about it l. 5. p. 292 295 297. What he shall forfeit that sets upon a man in his own house l. 5. p. 347. The Punishment of this Offence in several Instances l. 6. p. 43. Brecklesey-Island whither the Danes fled when they were beaten by King Alfred l. 5. p. 300. Brecknock-Castle supposed by Brecenanmere which Aethelfleda took with her Army l. 5. p. 319. In Wales destroyed by Earl Alfred who joined with Howel the Son of Edwal l. 6. p. 21. Bregowin consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury but enjoyed that See not long for his Death happen'd about three years after l. 4. p. 228. Brennus and Belinus divided the Kingdom between them and what happen'd afterwards l. 1. p. 12 13. Brigantes supposed to be the Inhabitants of Yorkshire Lancashire and the other Northern Countries l. 2. p. 42. Their State attack'd by Petilius Caerialis most of which he conquered Id. p. 54. Under the Conduct of a Woman had almost quite destroy'd the Romans Id. p. 60. Breaking in upon Genoani or North-Wales were driven back by Lollius Urbicus Id. p. 68. No mention of them beyond the River Tweed Id. p. 91. Brige now Bruges in Flanders where Earcongota the Daughter of Earcombert a Virgin of great Piety went to be a Nun in a Monastery built there by a Noble Abbess there being at that time not many Monasteries in Britain l. 4. p. 180. Bridgenorth in Shropshire anciently Bricge and the Town is generally called by the common people Brigge at this day l. 5. p. 316. Brightnoth a Monk made Abbot of Elig Monastery where there had been Nuns before l. 6. p. 4. Brihtric when he began to reign over the West-Saxons when he died and where he was buried l. 4. p. 233 242. Married Eadburghe the Daughter of King Offa and for what reason of State Id. p. 235 243. A fuller Account of his Death and Character Id. p. 243. Brihtric accuses Wulfnoth to King Ethelred and pursuing him by Sea loses all his part of the Fleet and how l. 6. p. 33. Britain briefly described anciently called Albion and whence its Name l. 1. p. 1 2. First discovered by the Phoenicians known to the Greeks though Mr. Cambden seems to deny it Who the first Inhabitants l. 1. p. 2 3 4 6 7. Generally speaking no body came hither besides Merchants l. 2. p. 24. Was divided into many Petty States or Principalities in the Romans time and subject to divers Kings l. 1. p. 6. Id. p. 33 39. Invaded by the Emperor Claudius in the Reign of Togodumnus supposed to be the same with Guidar or Guinder Id. p. 38 39. During the Reigns of the succeeding Emperors to Domitian as far as the Friths of Dunbritton and Edinburgh it was entirely redated into the Form of a Roman Province Id. p. 65. Hadrian though he restrained the Limits yet by no means would part with this Province Id. p. 67. Is divided into two Governments by Severus the Emperor Id. p. 73. Continued a Roman Province in Opilius Macrinus his time and had its Propraetors Id. p. 80. The Occasion of Porphyrius the Philosopher's saying That Britain was a Soil fruitful of Tyrants Id. p. 81 91. The Province wholly recovered to the Roman Empire by Constantius and Asclepiodotus after it had been Ten Years in Rebellion Id. p. 84. Great store of good Workmen and excellent Builders in those times of Publick Disturbance Id. p. 85. The ancient Divisions of it alter'd by Constantine Id. p. 88. Reduced to the last Extremities in Valentinian's time Id. p. 92. The Northern Province of it being by Theodosius restored to its former condition he ordered it for the future to be called Valentia in honour of Valentinian the Emperor Id. p. 93. It s History very obscure and uncertain espâ—cially as to the times when things were done from the Death of Maximus to the coming in of the Saxons Id. p. 99. Ow'd its first Ruin to Maximus his carrying over so many Britains and Romans into Gaul Ibid. Bede ascribes the chief Causes of its Ruin to God's Vengeance on the Inhabitants for their great Wickedness and Corruption of Manners l. 3. p. 137. By what means she was brought to the Knowledge of Christ l. 4. p. 152. The present state of it when Bede wrote his History l. 4. p. 221. Though subdued to the Roman Empire yet they used their Victory with moderation making the conquer'd partakers both of their Laws and Civility l. 5. p. 246. Great Britain Edred was the first who stiled himself King of Great Britain in a Charter to the Abbey of Croyland l. 6. p. 351. Britains had no Notion of the Unalterable Right of Succession in the Eldest Brother over all the rest no not after they became Christians l. 1. p. 17. An Account of the Inhabitants their Religion Customs and Manner of living l. 2. p. 21 22 23. Would not suffer their Kings by becoming Tyrants to make their people Slaves l. 1. p. 18 l. 2. p. 22. Not much different in several respects from the naked Indians of some parts of America l. 2. p. 23. Hinder'd the Romans from landing though with much difficulty but being afterwards worsted by them they desired Peace which was granted and Hostages sent but they soon again take up Arms Id. p. 26 27 28. Treat of Peace but now a double number of Hostages being required only two Estates of all Britain sent them Id. p. 29. Their Engagement with Caesar and his Romans in his second Expedition Id. p. 33. Cassibelan is forced to make Peace with
Fights at Bradenford near the River Aftene in Wiltshire most likely with the Mercians Id. p. 183. Fights against the Welsh at Peonnum and the success he met with as also against Wulfher at Posentesbyrig who had wasted his Countrey as far as Aescasdune Id. p. 188. Dies and leaves the Kingdom to Sexburga his Wife Id. p. 192. Cenwulf King of the Mercians restores the Archbishoprick of Canterbury to its former Rights l. 4. p. 235 248. Had the Crown of Mercia left him by King Egferth as being the Next of the Royal Line Id. p. 240. The Great Council of Becancelde held under him and what Decrees past therein Id. p. 241. Destroys Kent and takes Eadbert Praen and carries him Prisoner to Mercia and there causes his eyes to be put out and his hands to be cut off Ibid. Founds the stately Abbey of Winchelcomb for Three hundred Benedictine Monks Id. p. 242. Holds a Third Council at Cloveshoe and what was done therein Id. p. 243. He and Eardulf King of the Northumbers going to engage each other a sudden Peace is concluded on and confirmed by Oath by the means of King Egbert Id. p. 248. His Death and who said to succeed him Id. p. 251 252. Vid. Kenwulf Cenwulf Bishop of Lindisfarne his Death l. 4. p. 232. Ceolfus or Ceulfus King of the West-Saxons reigned four and twenty years l. 4. p. 157. Ceolnoth elected and consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and when he received his Pall from Rome l. 5. p. 255. Consecrates Swythune Bishop of Winchester with the Unanimous Consent of the whole Clergy of that Diocess Id. p. 266. His Decease and who elected in his stead Ibid. Ceolred King of the Mercians and Ina fight a bloody Battel at Wodensburh in Wiltshire l. 4. p. 214 217. His Death and Burial at Litchfield Id. p. 217. The Decease of his Wife Queen Werburh at the Nunnery of Chester where she was an Abbess Id. p. 232. Ceolred Abbot of Medeshamsted and his Monks lease out to Wulfred certain Lands on condition that after his Death they should revert to the Monastery paying in the mean time an Annual Rent l. 5. p. 261 262. Ceolric Son to Cuthwulf obtains the Kingdom of the West-Saxons which Ceawlin was driven out of l. 3. p. 148. His Death l. 4. p. 157. Ceolwulf began to reign over the West-Saxons making continual Wars all his time l. 3. p. 149. Ceolwulf succeeds Osric in the Kingdom of Northumberland His Pedigree l. 4. p. 220 221. Surrenders his Kingdom to Eadbert his Cousin Id. p. 223. Dies a Monk in the Isle of Lindisfarne Id. p. 224 228. Ceolwulf Bishop when he departed from the Northumbers l. 4. p. 240. His Death Id. p. 241. Ceolwulf when he began his Reign over the Kingdom of the Mercians l. 5. p. 251. Reigned but little more than one year Id. p. 252 253. Ceolwulf an Inconsiderable Fellow made King of Mercia by the Danes upon sad Conditions l. 5. p. 277. Cerdic the Tenth in Descent from Woden reigned Five and twenty years he and his â—ons in six years conquered all the Countrey of the West-Saxons l. 3. p. 133. He and his Son Cynric slew the great British King Natanleod or Nazaleod with Five thousand men Id. p. 134. Fought often with King Arthur and so wearied him out that he gave him up Hampshire and Somersetshire Id. p. 135. He and Cynric took on them the Title of Kings of the West-Saxons they obtained a great Victory at Cerdicsford Id. p. 136. They fought against the Britains at Cerdic's-Leah conquered the Isle of Wight and slew a great many men at Withgarabyrig His Death Id. p. 138. Cerdicsford now Charford in Hampshire where Cerdic and Cynric fought against the Britains l. 3. p. 136. Cerne an Abbey in Dorsetshire near to a Fountain where St. Augustine had formerly baptized many Pagans l. 6. p. 22. Chacea the signification of the word l. 6 p. 60. St. Chad. Vid. Ceadda Chanons Secular Archbishop Elfric turns them out of the Cathedral of Christ-Church in Canterbury and places Monks in their room l. 4. p. 167. Put into all the Abbeys from whence King Edwi had expelled the Monks l. 5. p. 353. King Edgar displaced these and put Monks in their Rooms l. 6. p. 5 6. The Monks turned out and these put in again which occasioned a Civil War Id. p. 15 16 17. Vid. Monks and Benedictines Charges at Assizes Vid. Assize-Charges Charles King of the Franks when he began to reign l. 4. p. 229 Enters Spain and destroys the Cities of Pampelona and Caesar Augusta now Saragosa Id. p. 231. Gains a Victory over the ancient Saxons and laid theirs to his own Dominions Id. p. 232. Passes through Almany to the very Borders of Bavaria and sends certain Synodal Decrees into England Id. p. 236. Would have done the Northumbrian Kingdom all the mischief he could for their so basely murthering their King Ethelred but for Alcuin's Intercession Id. p. 240. Charles the Great when first made Emperor and saluted Augustus and anointed by Pope Leo Id. p. 242. Receives Aeadburga Widow to Brihtric very kindly but at last puts her into a Monastery as an Abbess being expelled thence for her Incontinency she makes a miserable End Id. p. 243. Is taught the Liberal Arts by Alcuin a most Learned Englishman Id. p. 244. Restores by his Assistance Eardulf to his Kingdom from which he had been expelled Makes Peace with Nicephorus Emperor of Constantinople Id. p. 249. The different Accounts of the Time of his Death l. 5. p. 251. Charles King of the Western-Franks killed by a Wild-Boar his Pedigree And Charles King of the Almans received all the Kingdoms of the Western-Franks by the voluntary Consent of all the People The Extent of his Dominion his Pedigree l. 5. p. 287. Charles the Gross King of the Franks his Death but he was expelled his Kingdom six Weeks before his Death by Earnwulf his Brother's Son who divided it into five Partitions Id. p. 290. Charters all of King Ethelbert's whereby he had settled great Endowments on Christ-Church and that of St. Pancrace in Canterbury which were confirmed in the Mycel Synod or Great Council of the Kingdom but they are much suspected of being forged in many respects l. 4. p. 163. Of King Wulfher at the Consecration of the Abbey of Medeshamsted Id. p. 187. Of the Foundation of Evesham Abbey certainly forged and the Reasons why Id. p. 216 217. Of the Foundation of Winburn Monastery built by Cuthburgh one of King Ina's Sisters by Ethelbald King of the Mercians whereby he granted to it the whole Isle of Croyland Id. p. 218. Of King Offa to the Monastery of St. Albans whereby were confirmed very great Privileges and vast Possessions which he had before given to it Id. p. 237. Imbezeling the Deeds belonging to the Monastery of Cotham by King Cenwulf l. 4. p. 243. Of Winchelcomb confirmed by a Great Council and what Orders of men were present thereat l. 5. p. 251. Of Confirmation
by Dioclesian Id. p. 87. Died at York Ibid. Vid. Constantine the Great Cloveshoe a Synod appointed to be assembled there once a year l. 4. p. 193. The Great Synod where were present Ethelbald the Mercian King and Archbishop Cuthbert where the place was is uncertain several Supposals and Conjectures about it Id. p. 224. The second Council held here and what was decreed in it Id. p. 225. The third Council held here under King Kenwulf and what was transacted therein Id. p. 243. l. 5. p. 248. A Synod held here under King Beornwulf and Archbishop Wilfrid whose Constitutions wholly relate to Ecclesiastical Affairs l. 5. p. 253. Another Synodal Council held here by Beornwulf c. wherein some Disputes about Lands between Heabert Bishop of Worcester and the Monastery of Westburgh are determined Ibid. Cnobsbury a Town wherein Fursaeus by the help of King Sigebert erects a Monastery which afterwards Anna King of the East-Angles richly endows l. 4. p. 180. Cnute having obtained the Crown of England restores its ancient Laws and Liberties l. 5. p. 246. Builds a Noble Monastery at Beadricesworth now St. Edmundsbury whither the Body of Edmund the Martyr was removed some time before l. 5. p. 323. Is chosen King by all the Danish Fleet and Army after the Death of his Father Sweyn l. 6. p. 39. Puts the Hostages on Shore at Sandwich that were given to his Father but first cuts off their Hands and Noses Ibid. Plunders all about Wiltshire Dorsetshire and Somersetshire c. and Aedric and the West-Saxons Submission to him Id. p. 40 41 42. Is chosen King by several of the Bishops Abbots and Noblemen of England upon which he comes up with his Fleet to Greenwich to besiege London and the Battels he fought with King Edmund and those that espoused his Interest Id. p. 45 46 47. A Peace concluded on between him and Edmund Ironside with an Account of the Particulars of it Id. p. 47 48. The Council he summoned to London about making him King of all England and setting aside his Children and Brethren from the Kingdom of the West-Saxons Id. p. 49. When he began his Reign divides all England into four Parts or Governments râ—serving West-Saxony to himself Id. p. 50. Marries Emma Widow of the King his Predecessor and the Reason of State for it Goes to Denmark to subdue the Vandals carrying along with him an Army of English and Danes the former behaving themselves so bravely against the Enemy that after that Battel he had the English in as much esteem at his own Native Subjects Holds a Great Council at Cyrencester and what is â—ransacted therein Id. p. 51. A Parliament called by him at Winchester and who present and what decreed therein l. 6. p. 52. Founds the Monastery of Beadricesworth where a Church had been built before and endows it which was one of the Largest and Richest in England Ibid. Goes again into Denmark with his Fleet and engages with the Swedes both by Land and Sea the latter getting the Victory Two years after he drives Olaf out of Norway and conquers it for himself Ranishes Hacun a Danish Earl his Nephew by Marriage under pretence of an Embassy Id. p. 53. Agrees with Robert Duke of Normandy That King Ethelred's two Sons should have half the Kingdom peaceably during his life Gives the Port of Sandwich to Christ-Church in Canterbury with all the Issues c. And founds a Monastery for Benedictines in Norfolk called St. Bennet's in Holme Id. p. 54. Goes to Rome and what he does there he declares in a Letter he sent upon his return from thence into England to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York Id. p. 55. Goes into Scotland and there King Malcolme becomes subject to him Before his Death he appoints Swayn his Eldest Son King of Norway Hardecnute his Son by Queen Emma King of Denmark and Harold his Son by Elgiva King of England after him Id. p. 56 61. Dies at Shaftsbury and is buried at the new Monastery of Winchester having reigned almost Twenty Years His Character A pretty Story about the sense he had of the Vanity of Worldly Empire Id. p. 57. The Laws he ordains with the Consent of his Wise Men at Winchester Id. p. 57 58 59 60. His Laws afterwards confirm'd and renew'd by King Edward the Confessor at the Request of the Northumbers Id. p. 90. Coelestine the Pope sends Palladius the Bishop to the Scots to confirm their Faith l. 2. p. 109 110. Cogidunus held several British Cities of Ostorius Scapula as Tributary to the Roman Empire l. 2. p. 41. Coifi chief of King Edwin's Idol Priests consents to receive the Christian Religion confessing his own to be good for nothing l. 4. p. 173. Burns the Idol Temples and demolishes the Altars of his former Gods Id. p. 174. Coil the Son of Marius succeeds him in Britain loves the Romans and is honoured by them and governs the Kingdom long and peaceably l. 2. p. 67. Dies towards the end of Marcus Aurelius the Emperor's Reign Id. p. 68. Coinage King Athelstan's Law That no Money be coined out of some Town no embasing to be of the Coin under Forfeiture of the loss of the Hand c. l. 5. p. 340. Though not Treason in King Ethelred's time yet punishable at the King's discretion either by Fine or Death l. 6. p. 44. Vid. Money Colchester anciently called Colnaceastre taken from the Danes by the men of Kent Surrey and Essex and the neighbouring Towns The Wall rebuilt and all ruinous places repaired by the Command of King Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 322. Coldingham the Monastery Vid. Monastery of Coludesburgh Coleman Bishop of Lindisfarne departs to Scotland and upon what account l. 4. p. 189. Coludesburgh a great Monastery of Monks and Nuns together called afterwards Coldingham in the Marches of Scotland burnt and how l. 4. p. 198 199. Columba the Priest or Presbyter comes out of Ireland to preach the Word of God to the Northern Picts and receives the Island of Hy to build a Monastery in l. 3. p. 143. Comets one appeared in King Egfrid's time that continued three Months carrying with it every morning a large Tail like a Pillar l. 4. p. 196. Another in Ethelheard's time l. 4. p. 220. One appeared some time after Easter in the year 891. l. 5. p. 298. Another appeared about the time of Queen Ealswithe's Death Id. p. 313. Another was seen in the year 995. l. 6. p. 26. A dreadful one appeared which was visible in all these parts of the world Id. p. 106. Commodus succeeds his Father Marcus Aurelius in the Empire l. 2. p. 68. In his Reign the Britains and other Countries were much infested with Wars and Seditions Id. p. 70. Makes Helvius Pertinax Lieutenant in Britain but was soon dismissed of his Government there Id. p. 70 71 He was odious to the Commonwealth because of his Vices by which he not only destroyed it but disgraced himself Id. p. 71.
between King Alfred and Guthrum the Dane together with their Ecclesiastical Laws in a Common Council of the Kingdom l. 5. p. 283 284 285. A great one wherein King Alfred made those Laws that go under his Name Id. p. 291 c. A great one held by King Edward the Elder where Plegmund presided in the Province of the Gewisses about making of Bishops Id. p. 313 314. The Laws made by King Edward the Elder in a Common Council of the Kingdom tho in what or in what year uncertain Id. p. 325 c. A great Council held by King Athelstan at Graetanleage and the Laws past therein Id. p. 339 340 c. King Edmund's great Council where held and the Constitutions of Civil Concernment made therein Id. p. 346 347 348. A great one meets and chuses Prince Edward sirnamed the Martyr for their King l. 6. p. 15. Those at Kirtlingtune Winchester and Calne in Wiltshire called to debate that Great Affair concerning the turning out of the Monks and restoring the Secular Chanons at the last of them the floor of the room failed and killed and hurt abundance there Id. p. 16 17. One called to consult about Pope John's Letters sent to King Ethelred Id. p. 24 25. King Ethelred and his Wise Men in Council ordain to raise an Army both by Sea and Land against the Danes Id. p. 27. Another Council summoned who instead of consulting the Publick Good fall to impeach one another and to spend the whole time in their own private quarrels Id. p. 35. A great one held under King Cnute at Cyrencester wherein Ethelward the Eorlderman is outlaw'd Id. p. 51. Another of his Mycel Synods held at Winchester and what Laws made therein Id. p. 57 58 59 60. In a great Council held at London a Religious Monk of Evesham is chosen Abbot of that Monastery Id. p. 73. A great one held at London in Mid-lent Id. p. 75. Another at Gloucester to determine a Difference between Earl Godwin and the Welshmen Id. p. 77. A great one without London about determining the Quarrel between Edward the Confessor and Eâ—rl Godwin Id. p. 81. One hâ—ld at Westminster to confirm Edward the Confessor's Charter of Endowment of the Church of Westminster Id. p. 94. Counties When England was first thus divided by King Alfred l. 5. p. 291. Countreymen by King Alfred's Law not to be unjustly imprisoned nor any way misused under such and such Penalties l. 5. p. 293 294. Their very Homestalls are secured in Peace and Quietness Id. p. 295. County Court the Antiquity and Power of it held every Month as now l. 5. p. 326. Coway-stakes near Lalam in Middlesex where the Britains placed Piles to hinder Caesar and his Romans Passage to them some of which were lately there to be seen l. 2. p. 34. Crayford in Kent anciently called Crecanford l. 5. p. 313. Creed The Bishops at Ariminun forced by the Emperor to subscribe the New Creed made not long before at the pretended Council of Syrmium wherein the Son of God was declared to be only of like Substance with the Father l. 2. p. 89 90. Priests obliged to learn it and the Lord's Prayer in English l. 4. p. 225. All men in general commanded to learn it and the Lord's Prayer Id. p. 233. Creeklade now a small Town in Wiltshire from whence the Muses are said to be carried to Oxford supposed an Ancient Great School It s Derivation l. 5. p. 290. Creoda or Crida first King of the Mercians one of the lâ—rgest of the English-Saxon Kingdoms and one of the last conquered by the West-Saxons His Death l. 3. p. 147 149. Crimes all redeemable by Fines in Edward the Elder 's time and long after l. 5. p. 326. Punishable rather by Mulcts than by Blood in King Athelstan's time Id. p. 342. For what no satisfaction should be made by way of Compensation l. 6. p. 59. Criminal none knowingly and voluntarily to have Peace with or harbour any one that is condemned and what such forfeit that act contrary to this Law l. 5. p. 326. None to absent themselves from the Gemots or Hundred-Courts and if any do what course shall be taken about him l. 6. p. 14. No petty Offendor to be put to Death by Cnute's Law Id. p. 58. Crown After Cnute had found the weak and bounded Power of Kings by the Tide 's refusing to obey his Majestick Commands he returns home and would wear his Crown no longer but orders it to be hung on the head of the Crucifix at Winchester l. 6. p. 57. Croyland the whole Isle granted by King Ethelbald's Charter to this Monastery l. 4. p. 218. The Lands and Privileges of the Abbey confirmed by King Egbert in a Great Council l. 5. p. 254. The Privileges and Grants of King Withlaff to this Monastery confirmed in a General Council of the whole Kingdom Id. p. 257. The Charter of King Berthwulf to this Abbey confirmed under the Rule of St. Benedict at Kingsbury supposed to be a Great Council of the Kingdom Id. p. 261. The Monastery and Church with a Noble Library of Books and all its Charters burnt and utterly destroyed by the Danes Id. p. 271 272. Is repaired and much enriched by Abbot Turketule who by adding six more to the two Bells there made the first tuneable Ring of Bells in England l. 6. p. 12. Crysanthius sent by Theodosius as his Lieutenant to suppress the Incursions of the Picts and Scots l. 2. p. 97. Cuckamsley-hill in Berkshire by the Saxons called Cwichelmeslaw l. 6. p. 32. Cumbran a most Noble Ealdorman for representing the People's Grievances to cruel King Sigebert at the Request of the Subjects is stain by him l. 4. p. 226 227 Cuneglasus supposed by some Antiquaries to have been King of the Northern or Cambrian Britains l. 3. p. 139 145. Curescot or Cyrescot that is First-Fruits or Money given to the Church l. 6. p. 55 56. Cutha Vid. Cuthwulf Cuthbert ordained Bishop of Lindisfarne His Noble Character and approaching Death l. 4. p. 201 202. Retires after he had resigned his Bishoprick to Farne-Island and there deceases but his Body is translated to Lindisfarne Id. p 204. Called St. Cuthbert and esteemed to have been a very holy man Id. p. 215. l. 5. p. 286. Cuthbryht or Cuthbert upon the Death of Nothelm is consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury l. 4. p. 224. Sate Archbishop eighteen years and then dâ—ceases Id. p. 228. His Body after a hundred years removed by Aldune from Cunecaeaster i.e. Chester to the place where the City of Durham was afterwards built l. 6. p. 26. Cuthred had Three thousand Hides of Land given him by Cenwalc King of the West-Saxons near Aescasdune l. 4. p. 182. He was the Son of Cwichelme Ibid. His Death Id. p. 186. Cuthred Cousin to Ethelred succeeds him in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons Hâ—s War with Ethelbald King of the Mercians with various Successes He and Ethelbald fight against the Britains l. 4. p.
224 226. In the Twelfth Year of his Reign fighâ—s against Ethelune the Ealdorman and prevails Id. p. 225. He and Ethelune reconciled and both fight against Ethelbald who fled His Decease and Sigebert his Cousin succeeds to him Id. p. 226. Cuthred King of Kent made King â—hereof by Kenwulf instead of Ethelbert called Praen His Death l. 5. p. 248 251. Cuthwulf or Cutha Brother to Ceawlin fights against the Britains at Bedicanford and takes Four Towns l. 3. p. 145. They both fight against the Britains at a place called Frethanleag where Cutha is slain Id. p. 147. l. 4. p. 159. Cwichelme Brother to Ceawlin his Death l. 3. p. 149. Cwichelme and Cynegils fight with the Britains at Beamdune and there slay Two thousand and forty six men l. 4. p. 166. His Character and how related to Cynegils Id. p. 167. Matthew Westminster's mistake concerning his Death Id. p. 172. Fights with Penda King of Mercia at Cirencester and at last a League is made betwâ—en them Id. p. 174. Is converted and baptized into the Christian Faith and soon after dies Id. p. 179. Cycle of Eighty four years an account of it the uâ—e of which the Romans having left off took up another of nineteen years l 4. p. 160. Cynebald the Bishop resigns his See at Lindisfarne l. 4. p. 232. Cynebryht Bishop of the West-Saxons goes to Rome to take the Habit of a Monk l. 4. p. 242. Cynegils when he began to reign over the West-Saxons and whose Son he was l. 4. p. 166. Vid. Cwichelme His Character Id. p. 167. Fights with Penda at Cirencester and the Success thereof Id. p. 174. The West-Saxons receive the Christian Faith in his Reign and himself too Id. p. 179. Cyneheard succeeds Hunferth in the Bishoprick of Winchester l. 4. p. 226. Cyneheard Aetheling Brother to Sigebert kills Cynwulf l. 4. p. 226 232. Is slain by the Thanes of King Cynewulf and lies buried at Axminster Id. p. 233. Cynoth King of the Picts to whom Alhred King of the Northumbers fled after he was deposed l. 4. p. 230. Cynric fights against the Britains at Searebyrig i. e. Old Sarum and puts them to flight l. 3. p. 142. And at Banbury anciently called Berinbyrig Id. p. 24â— His Death and Ceawlin his Son reigns after him Ibid. Cynric Aetheling a Prince of the Blood-Royal of the West-Saxons is slain Son of Cuthred a great Warrior for his time and how he fell l. 4. p. 225. Cynwulf with the Great Council deposes Sigebert King of the West-Saxons and by thâ—m is unanimously elected King in his room He often overcomes the Britains in fight but at last is slain l. 4. p. 226 227. And Offa King of the Mercians fight at Bensington in Oxfordshire Id. p. 230. Is slain by Cyneheard but he fâ—ll likewise with him Id. p. 232. Buried at Wintencester he was descended from Cerdic Id. p. 233. Vid. Kenwulf D DAgobert King of the French his Death l. 4. p. 217. Dalliance with other men's Wiveâ— the Fine imposed for it by Alfred's Law l. 5. p. 293. Danegelt viz. Seventy two thousand Pounds paid as a Tribute throughout England besides Eleven thousand Pounds more which the Citizens of London paid l. 6. p. 51. Vid. Tribute and Tax It was now by constant Usage become a Prerogative Id. p. 66. This cruel Burthen taken off the Nation by Edward the Confessor and how it came to pass Id. p. 78. What it was and upon what occasion it was first imposed The Church always excused from this Payment till Will Rufus's time Id. p. 100. Danes upon their first arrival in England were forced to fly to their Ships again These and the Normans then looked upon to be but one and the same People l. 4. p. 235. Miserably destroying the Churches of God in Lindisfarne and committing great Ravages Id. p. 238. Destroy Northumberland and rob the Monastery built there by Egbert Id. p. 240. Their Invasion and Conquest of several Principalities till expelled by King Alfred and his Son Edward the Elder when these Kingdoms became united under the general name of England An account of their Invasion both as to its Causes and Instruments by which effected being the fiercest and most cruel that this Island ever felt Id. p. 246. Their Nation in the Saxon Annals called sometimes Northmanna and sometimes Deanscan l. 5. p. 256. They keep the Fiâ—ld at the Battel of Carrum now Charmouth in Dorsetshire from Egbert Id. p. 256. Consultation in a General Council of the whole Kingdom how to prevent their Invasion A great Fleet of them land among the Western-Welsh that is Cornish-Men and fight Egbert Id. p. 257. Danish Pyrates beaten at Southampton by Wulfheard the Ealdorman they fight again and their various Successes Id. p. 258 259. Fight with the Somersetshire and Dorsetshire Men but are miserably worsted Id p. 260. Their several Battels and Successes Id. p. 261 262. They take Winchester from King Ethelbert Id. p. 266. Make a League with the Kentish-men but for all that they waste all the East part of it as knowing they could get more by Plunder than peace A great Army of them land here and take up their Winter-quarters among the East-Angles who are forced to make Peace with them then they march to York Kill the Two Kings there and put to flight the whole Army as well within as without the Town Id. p. 267. Make one Egbert King over the Northumbers though under the Danish Dominion Id. p. 268. Force the Mercians to make Peace with them Id. p. 269. Return to York where they stay Twelve Months and commit horrible Cruelties there and in the Kingdom of the East-Angles which they wholly conquer Id. p. 269 270. Landing in Lincolnshire they spoil all that Country committing Murthers and Desolations without mercy though not without great losses to themselves Id. p. 271 272. The reason of their Invading the Kingdom of the East-Angles Id. p. 272 273. Going into the West-Saxon Kingdom to Reading in Berkshire are routed Id. 274 275. In other places meet with various Successes of good and evil fortune Id. p. 276. Enter into a Peace with the English Saxons to depart the Kingdom which they did not long observe for the next year they land again and take up their Winter-Quarters in London and the Mercians forced to make Pâ—ace with thâ—m They destroy Alcluid in Scotland oblige Burhred King of Mercia to desert his Kingdom and go to Rome and bring the whole Kingdom under their Dominion and Vassalage Id. p. 277. Destroy the whole Countrey of Northumberland and ravag up to Galloway ruin Warham in Dorsetshire a strong Castle of the West-Saxons give Hostages to King Alfred but upon breach of their Oath are all put to death From whence they date their Reign over the King of Northumbers A Hundred and twenty of their Ships cast away in a storm near Swanwick in Hampshire Id. p. 278. Fix their Quarters in West-Saxony and make Aelfred very uneasy Id.
p. 280. Hinguar their Captain with Twelve Hundred Men slain near the Castle of Kenwith Id. p. 281. Are signally beaten by King Aelfred so as to desire Peace on Conditions Id. p. 282 283. The Laws made between them and King Aelfred in a Common Council of the Kingdom acknowledging his Superiority over them Id. p. 285. Besiege the City of Rochester build a strong Fort before the Gates of it but however they are forced to retire and go to their Ships Id. p. 286. One Fleet of theirs beaten by King Alfred another meeting him on his Return home prove too hard for him The Peace lately made with King Alfred broke by the Danes of East-England Id. p. 286 287. Beaten by the Bretons and by Arnulf the Emperor Id. p. 298. Infest the Kingdom for Three years worse than ever their landing in Kent and their various Successes Id. p. 298 299 300 301 302. Fight at Holme with the Kentish-men and their success l. 5. p. 312 313. Break their League with King Edward the Elder afterwards are beaten by the English in Staffordshire Id. p. 315 316. Commit great Ravage and Slaughter in Oxfordshire and several other Countries but often worsted Id. p. 319 321. Their power beginning to decrease and that of the English to increase Id. p. 321 322. Burn Tavistock in less than Fifty years after it was founded l. 6. p. 4. With the Welshmen that assisted them routed by Howel ap Jevaf their Pyrates destroy Southampton and commit great Ravage there They land in Cornwal and Burn the Church and Monastery of St. Petroc Id. p. 20. They land in Dorsetshire and spoil the Isle of Portland Id. p. 21. Destroy Weedport that is Watchet in Somersetshire Id. p. 22. As likewise the whole Isle of Anglesey and the Town of Ipswich in Suffolk Id. p. 23. Several Tributes paid them and yet those did not long satisfy their Covetousness Id. p. 25 29 32. Their Fleet escape by flight from being encompassed by King Ethelred's Id. p. 23. Come hither again with Ninety three Ships and ravaging several Countries Id. p. 24 25. Maintained by the West-Saxons and received a great Tribute besides Id. p. 25. Take much plunder from the Welsh Cornwal and Devonshire c. Id. p. 26 27. And the Spoils Burnings and Desolations they made where-ever they came Id. p. 28.29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 45 46 47 74. Leagues made with them but they never regarded them long Id. 28 31. King Ethelred commands all the Danes that could be found in England to be slain with the reason why which was most barbarously put in Execution especially at London but not long after it was bloodily revenged Id. p. 29 30 31. They insolently demand greater Tribute of the King and Kingdom l. 6. p. 35. Two thousand of them perish by divers inward Torments Their submission to King Ethelred upon Conditions Id. p. 36 37. Upon a Peace with Edmond Ironside they take up their Winter-Quarters at London Id. p. 48. They and the English are reconciled and united at Oxford at a Great Council Id. p. 51. At the Election of Edward the Confessor the Great Council agreed and Swore That no Danes should Reign over them any more and why Id. p. 70. Lothen and Yrling Danes with Five and twenty Ships landing at Sandwic commit great havock and carry off abundance of Booty Id. p. 74. Daniel the Learned and most Pious Bishop of Bangor in what Age he lived among the Britains l. 3. p. 149. Daniel being worn out by Age resigns the Bishoprick of Winchester to Hunferth l. 4. p. 224. His Death after he had been Three and forty years a Bishop Id. p. 225. Darwent a River near York not far from which stood an Idol-Temple called Godmundingham in King Edwin's time l. 4. p. 174. David afterwards Sainted succeeds Dubritius in the Archbishoprick of Caer-Leon l. 3. p. 149. Is said to have been Uncle by the Mother side to King Athur Ibid. St. Davids destroyed by the Danes who slew Urgeney the Bishop of that See l. 6. p. 27. Deadly Feuds vid. Quarrels Death None to Die for small offences but Mercy to be shewn to such Criminals by King Cnute's Law l. 6. p. 58. He that dies in fight c. his Heriot shâ—ll be remitted and his Children shall equally divide his Goods and Lands between them Id. p. 60. Decennary every one of Twelve years old to be entered into it l. 6. p. 58 104. Decianus Catus solicited by the Romans here to send them some Assistance against the Iceni and Trinobantes l. 2. p. 47 48. Decimation a very strange one indeed which the Danes made both of the Monks and Laity so that but One out of Ten persons was kept alive l. 6. p. 36. Decius Scil. Quintus Trajanus a great Enemy to Christianity he raised the Seventh Persecution l. 2. p. 81. Defamation punishable by cutting out the Tongue of the Party or redeeming it with the Value of his Head l. 6. p. 13. Degradation of a Priest for Murther as well as Confiscation of all his Estate unless his Lord will obtain his Pardon by the Price of his Head l. 5. p. 297. Degsa-stan or Degstan where Adian jealous of Ethelfrid's great Success came against him with a powerful Army but was routed l. 4. p. 159. Deira a Kingdom in Northumberland whose Kings were generally named Ella l. 4. p. 152. And Bernicia united into one Kingdom in Oswald's time Id. p. 178. Demetae that is South-Welshmen l. 3. p. 139 Vid. Venedoti Denulp Bishop of Winchester his Education Advancement and Death l. 5. p. 315. Deomed supposed to be South-Wales l. 5. p. 319. Deorham now Durham in Gloucestershire l. 3. p. 146. Deposition the first Instance of it by the Authority of the Great Council l. 4. p. 227. Alhred deposed by the Common Council and Consent of his own Subjects Id. p. 230. Of Edwi confirmed by the Common Council of the Kingdom l. 5. p. 354. Sparsim Deprivation of Bosa Bishop of Dunmoc and for what l. 4. p. 193. Derawnde now called Beverley in Yorkshire l. 4. p. 202. Desertion he that deserts his Lord or Fellow-Soldier either by Land or Sea in an Expedition is deprived both of Life and Estate l. 6. p. 60. Devils-Ditch formerly divided the Mercian Kingdom from that of the East-Angles l. 4. p. 239. l. 5. p. 313. Devise of Lands by Will Vid. Testament Deusdedit the Pope grants Adrian the Abbot of Canterbury a Privilege concerning the free Election of the Abbot of that Monastery l. 4. p. 165. Deusdedit consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and was the first English Monk that had ever been chosen Archbishop of that See and the first Bishop consecrated but by one he changed his Name to this having before been called Fridona or Fridon l. 4. p. 186. His Death Id. p. 189. Dicul an Irish or Scotch Monk that lived in a little Monastery at a place called Bosenham with five or six Brethren in great
Ethelbert sirnamed Praen begins to reign in Kent l. 4. p. 240. Hath his Eyes put out and his Hands cut off by the order of Cenwulf King of Mercia whither he is carried Prisoner Id. p. 241. Is set free before the High Altar being then a Prisoner of War upon the Dedication of the Abbey of Winchelcomb Id. p. 242. Eadbriht King of Kent his Death after he had reigned Six Years l. 4. p. 225. Eadburga Daughter to King Offa Marries Brithtrick King of the West-Saxons l. 4. p. 235. Makes away her Husband by Poison designed indeed for one of his Favourites whom she could not endure Id. p. 243. Retires into France is put there into a Nunnery and why and being expelled thence for her Incontinency she begg'd her bread in Italy till she died l. 4. p. 243. A Law made upon her account That the King's Consort for the future should not be called Queen l. 5. p. 264. Eadesbyrig supposed by Mr. Cambden to be Edesbury in Cheshire where Aethelfleda Lady of the Mercians built a Castle l. 5. p. 316. Eadfrid a Son of King Edwin by his Wife Quenburga who was Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia l. 4. p. 174. Surrenders up himself to Penda King of the Mercians Id. p. 176. Eadhed is Ordained Bishop in the Province of Lindisse and afterwards Governed the Church of Rippon l. 4. p. 196. Eadmund Etheling Son to King Edgar his Death and Burial at Rumsey in Hampshire l. 6. p. 7. Eadred or Ethelred King of the Mercians Marries Ethelfleda King Alfred's Eldest Daughter l. 5. p. 311. Vid. Ethelred Duke of Mercia Eadsige vid. Aeadsige Eadulf vid. Adulf Eadwig Etheling called Ceorle's Cyng that is King of the Clowns Brother to King Edward is Banished the whole story of him he is made Two Persons by the Annals l. 6. p. 50 51. Eadwin vid. Edwin Eagle the Roman Ensigns were in Caesar's time all Eagles l. 2. p. 26. Ealcher and his Kentish-men with Huda and his Surry-men fight with the Danish Army in the Isle of Thanet and the Success thereof l. 5. p. 261 262. Ealchstan Bishop of Scireborne and Prince Aethelbald join in a most wicked Conspiracy to remove Aethelwulf out of his Kingdom l. 5. p. 263. Ealerd a Daughter of King Edwin's by Queen Aethelburga l. 4. p. 176. Ealfert or Alfred King of the Northumbers his Decease l. 4. p. 213. Ealfric an Ealdorman and one of King Ethelred's Admirals who was to have encompass'd the Danish Fleet by surpise but underhand he betrays the design sending them notice to take care of themselves and the night before the intended Engagement goes over to them himself l. 6. p. 23 24. Several other Treacheries he plays as leaving the Army whereof he was General c. Id. p. 30. Ealswithe The Daughter of Aethelred Ealdorman of the Gaini is Married to King Alfred l. 5. p. 269 313. Her Children by him and her Decease Id. p. 310 311 313. Eanbald Consecrated Archbishop to the See of York on the Death of Ethelheard The Pall demanded for him of the Pope by Alwold King of the Northumbers l. 4. p. 232. Departs from the Northumbers and afterwards Consecrates and places on the Throne Eardwulf who had begun his Reign over Northumberland about a Month before Id. p. 240. His Death and Burial at York the Year after Id. p. 241. Another of the same Name upon his Decease was Consecrated Archbishop of York and the Year following he received the Pall Ibid. This Eanbald held the Second Council at Pinchinhale and what was done therein Id. p. 242. Eanbryht Bishop of Hagulstad his Decease l. 5. p. 248. Eanfrid or Earlfrid the Son of Ethelfrid the last King before Edwin Ruled the Kingdom of Bernicia and Abjured the Christian Religion which before he had Professed l. 4. p. 176. Is basely put to Death by Cadwallo when he imprudently came to him with only Twelve Select Knights in his Company to Treat of Peace Id. p. 177. Earcombert the First English King viz. of Kent who Commanded Idols to be destroyed and ordered Lent to be observed l. 4. p. 180. His Death and who succeeded him Id. p. 185 190. His Character Id. p. 189. Earcongath or Earcongata Daughter to Earcombert a Virgin of great Piety constantly serving God in a Monastery of the Kingdom of the Franks in the Town of Bruges in Flanders l. 4. p. 180. Eardulf succeeds Alfred or Ealfert in the Kingdom of the Northumbers but is expelled from it within Two Months by a Plot laid against him l. 4. p. 213. Eardwulf an Earl commanded to be put to death is found afterwards alive and after that made King of Northumberland Id. p. 236. When he began to Reign there and whom he succeeded Id. p. 240. Returns home Victorious by destroying the Rebels that rose up against him Id. p. 241. Leads an Army against Kenwulf King of Mercia for Harbouring his Enemies but by the Intercession of King Egbert a Peace is agreed on and confirmed by Oath l. 5. p. 248. About Three years after he is driven out of his Kingdom and by whom Ibid. p. 249. The Son of Eardulf the first King of that Name there restored to his Kingdom by the Assistance of the Emperor Charles the Great l. 5. p. 249. Earnred succeeds Aelfwold King of Northumberland l. 5. p. 249. Holds his Kingdom as Tributary to Egbert Chief King of the English who had grievously wasted it with his Arms Id. p. 248 255. His Death his Son succeeding him Id. p. 260. Earnwulf Charles the Gross King of the Franks his Brother's Son expels his Uncle his Kingdom dividing it into Five parts and each of the Kings to Govern under him l. 5.290 East-Angles the Countries we now call Norfolk and Suffolk the Kingdom of it supposed to begin about Anno 575. under Uffa the Eighth King from Woden l. 3. p. 145. The Gospel is preached to them by Furseus which Converted many of them l. 4. p. 180. The Kingdom thereof divided between Hunbeanna and Albert Id. p. 225. They slay Beornwulf King of the Mercians for Challenging this Kingdom as his own l. 5. p. 253. Edmund their King fighting with the Danes they obtain the Victory kill him and wholly Conquer that Kingdom Id. p. 269 272 273 274. Their Subjection and Freedom from the Danish Yoke Id. p. 322 Easter it 's Observation according to the manner prescribed in the Council of Nice l. 2. p. 88. l. 4. p. 166. The Difference about the Rule of keeping it in Augustin's time l. 4. p. 160 161. How it was observed by Bishop Aidan Id. p. 177. Is Commanded to be kept according to the Order of the Church of Rome Id. p. 189. Appointed by the Synod at Hartford in Anno 673. to be kept on the First Lord's Day after the Fourteenth Moon of the First Month that is January this was a General Council of the whole Kingdom Id. p. 193. Aldhelm Abbot of Malmesbury wrote an excellent Book about the Keeping of Easter
whereby he converted many of the Britains then Subject to the West-Saxons Id. p. 213. Naitan King of the Picts concerns himself about the Celebration of Easter and it is appointed to be kept on the First Sunday after the First Full Moon that follows the Vernal Equinox l. 4. p. 216. Decreed to be kept after the Custom of Rome in a General Synod of the British Nation Id. p. 229. Ordinances touching the Keeping of Easter made at the Second Council of Pinchinhale Id. p. 242 East-Saxons the beginning of this Kingdom 〈◊〉 Erchenwin the Son of Offa according to H. Huntington l. 3. p. 13â— It had London the Chief City of England under its Dominion Ibid. This Kingdom was divided from that of Kent by the River Thames c. l. 4. p. 159. Upon the Death of Sebert his Three Sons whom he left Heirs to the Kingdom all relapse to Paganism and great part of the Nation with them Id. p. 168. But between Thirty and Forty years after at the Instance of King Oswy they again receive the Christian Faith Id. p. 184. Eatta Bishop of the Province of Bernicia had his Episcopal See at Hagulstad l. 4. p. 197. Reckoned to be a very Holy Man Id. p. 215. Ebba a Queen is Converted and Baptized in the Province of the Wectij but what Queen Bede says not l. 4. p. 197. Ebba Abbess of Coldingham-Nunnery in Yorkshire an Heroine Example of Chastity in her and all her Sisters l. 5. p. 269. Eborius Bishop of the City of Eboracum is sent with others to the Council of Arles in Gallia as one of the Deputies for the rest of the Bishops of Britain l. 2. p. 88. Eclipses of the Sun one from early in the Morning till Nine a Clock another where the Stars shewed themselves for near half an hour after Nine in the Morning l. 3. p. 138. Of the Sun which was so great that it 's whole Orb seemed as it were covered with a black Shield Another of the Moon appearing first as stained with Blood which lasted a whole hour and then a Blackness following it returned to its own Colour l. 4. p. 222. One of the Moon From the Cock Crowing till the morning Id. p. 240. One of the Moon In the Second hour of the night 17. Kal. Feb. Id. p. 242. One of the Moon On the 13th Kal. of January l. 5. p. 248. One of the Moon And on the Kal. of September l. 5. p. 248. Of the Sun on the 7th Kal. of August about the fifth hour of the day Id. p. 249. Of the Moon on Christmas-day at night Id. p. 254. Of the Sun About the sixth hour of the day on the Kal. of October Id. p. 260. Of the Sun For one whole hour Id. p. 283. One of the Moon appeared Id. p. 313. Eddobeccus is dispatched away by Constans to the Germans with an Account of Gerontius his Revolt l. 2. p. 103. Edelwalch King of the West-Saxons when he was baptized l. 4. p. 195. Gives Wilfrid Commission to convert and baptize in his Province Id. p. 197. Edgar Son of Edmund and Elgiva afterwards King his Birth l. 5. p. 344. Is elected by the Mercians and Northumbrians their King and confirmed so by the Common Council of the Kingdom Id. p. 354. On the death of his Brother Edwi is elected by the Clergy and Laity King of the West-Saxons and though he was not the first yet he was the best that deserved the Title of First Monarch of all England l. 6. p. 1. And so he stiles himself in his Charter to the Abbey of Glastenbury Id. p. 9. His great Charity and the Nation 's happiness under him Id. p. 2 11. Seven years Penance is imposed upon him by Archbishop Dunstan part of which was That he should not wear his Crown all that time and that for taking a Nun out of a Cloyster and then debauching her Id. p. 3. Harasses North-Wales with War till he forces a Peace upon this Condition That the Tribute in Money should be turned into that of so many Wolves-Heads yearly Id. p. 3 4 11. Grants a New Charter of Confirmation with divers additional Endowments of Lands and Privileges to the Monastery of Medeshamsted Id. p. 5. Marries Ethelfreda or Elfreda Daughter of Ordgar Earl of Devonshire and his Issue by her Id. p. 5 6. Hath an Elder Son by Elfleda sirnamed The â—air Daughter of Earl Eodmar who is called afterwards Edward the Martyr but doubtful whether he was married to her or not Id. p. 6. Places Nuns in the Monastery of Rumsey in Hampshire commands all the Countrey of Thanet to be laid waste and for what reason Ibid. Causes the Chanons to be driven out of all the greatâ—r Monasteries in Mercia and Monks to be put in their places Id. p. 7. Is crowned King in the ancient City of Ackmanceaster called Bathan by the Inhabitants with Remarks about his Coronation then for he was crowned before And founds a new Church at Bangor dedicating it to the Virgin Mary Id. p. 7 8. Six Kings make League with him promising upon Oath their Assistance both by Sea and Land An Account who they were and of his Fleet at West-Chester where they all met him He is the first that was truly Lord of our Seas Id. p. 8. His Death and Burial at Glastenbury and Character The great Kindnesses he shewed to Ethelfreda's first Husband's Son Id. p. 9 10 11. A mighty Lover of the Fair Sex Id. p. 3 5 6 9 10 11. A Famous Instance of his great Courage and Strength though but little of Stature Id. p. 11. His Charter about having subdued all Ireland c. much suspected to be fictitious With this King fell all the Glory of the English Nation Id. p. 12. The Laws he made with the Council by the Consent of his Wise-Men Id. p. 12 13 14. Great Dissention amongst the Nobility after his Death about the Election of a New King Id. p. 15. Edgar sirnamed Aetheling the Son of Prince Edward by Agatha Id. p. 49. Edgar Aetheling how he was put by from the Throne though the only surviving Male of the Ancient Royal Family l. 6. p. 105 106. Is proposed to be made King upon Harold's Death but his Party were not prevalent enough to carry it Id. p. 115 116. Edgitha Daughter of King Egbert is first bred up under an Irish Abbess and then made Abbess her self of the Nunnery of Polesworth l. 5. p. 257. Another of this Name King Athelstan's Sister her Marriage with Sihtric the Danish King of Northumberland and being afterwards a Widow she became a Nun at Polesworth Her Character and the False Story of the Scots upon her Id. p. 330. Edgitha or Editha Daughter of Earl Godwin married to Edward the Confessor a Lady not only Beautiful and Pious but Learned above her Sex in that Age l. 6. p. 72 73 96. An improbable Story of her causing Gospatrick to be murthered upon the Account of her Brother Tostige l. 6. p. 90.
p. 174 176. Had after Redwald's death the Kingdom of the East-Angles delivered up to him by the People Id. p. 175. Causes Brass-Pots to be set upon Posts at Fountains near the High-ways for Travellers to drink in and had a Banner carried before him as he went through the streets Ibid. Chief King over all the English-Saxons overcomes Cadwallo King of the Britains and conquers almost all his Countrey Id. p. 176. His Head brought to York and deposited in St. Peter's Church there which he had begun to build Ibid. He was the fifth King that ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Edwin and Ethelwin Sons of Prince Ethelwerd are slain in a fight against Anlaff King of the Danes and buried in the Church of the Abbey of Malmesbury l. 5. p. 311. Edwin Aetheling drowned with an Account how the greatest Blot in King Athelstan's Reign l. 5. p. 331 337. Edwin the Brother of Leofric Earl of Mercia is overcome by Griffyth ap Lewellin ap Sitsylt and slain at Pencadair l. 6. p. 64 65. Edwold Brother to St. Edmund the Martyr lived and died a Hermit in the Abbey of Cerne in Dorsetshire l. 6. p. 22. Egbert succeeds his Father Ercenbryht in the Kingdom of Kent l. 4. p. 189. Gives Reculf to Basse the Priest and at his Death bestows part of the Isle of Thanet to build a Monastery for expiating the Murther of his Cousins whom he had caused to be slain His decease Id. p. 192 193. Egbert the Priest a Venerable Person coming out of Ireland converts the Monks of Hij to the right Faith so that they afterwards observed the Catholick Rites and when he had lived with them here thirteen years dies l. 4. p. 217 220. Egbert made Bishop of York and the next year after receives a Pall from the Pope whereby he became an Archbishop and so Metropolitan of all the Northumbrian Provinces and had supreme Jurisdiction over all the Bishops in Deira and Bernicia l. 4. p. 222 223. His Death and Burial He was base Brother to the King of the same Name who regained the Pall to that See Built a Noble Library in York accounted then one of the best in Europe Id. p. 223 229. Egbert the Son of Aealmond was the Father of Athulf or Athelwulf l. 4. p. 233. Egbert or Egferth the Son of Offa King of the Mercians is anointed King with him l. 4. p. 233 235. When he began his Reign but within a few Months after dies Id. p. 240. Egbert or Ecgbryht King of the West-Saxons when he began to reign l. 4. p. 242. His Succession to Brihtric and afterwards Chief or Supreme King of this Kingdom Id. p. 243. l. 5. p. 254. Through Brihtric's jealousy he is forced to fly to King Offa for Refuge from him he retires into France where he tarries three years and so polishes the roughness of his own Countrey Manners Id. p. 243. But is upon Brihtric's Death without Issue recalled by the West-Saxon Nobility and ordained King and reigned with great Glory and Honour Id. p. 244. He unites all the Heptarchy into one Kingdom to the lasting Peace of the English Nation l. 5. p. 245. Leaves the Mercians Northumbrians and East-Angles to be held by their respective Princes as Tributaries to his Crown Id. p. 2 46 253 254 255. Is ordained King which Ethelwerd expresly terms his Election as being the only surviving Prince of the Blood-Royal of the West-Saxon Kings as great Nephew so Ina by his Brother Inegilds Id. p. 247 255. And in a Parliament at Winchester by the Consent of his People he changes the name of this Kingdom into that of England Id. Ibid. Makes up a Peace between Eardulf and Kenwulf and hath it confirmed by Oath l. 5. p. 248. Absolutely subdues Cornwall and adds it to his own Kingdom Id. p. 249. Subdues the Northern Welsh-men making them Tributary to him and enters again their Borders upon a fresh Rebellion and lays them wast from North to South with Fire and Sword Id. p. 250 251 254 255. Obtains a great Victory over Beornwulf King of the Mercians the Kentish and Surrey men the South and East-Saxons all submit to him Id. p. 253 254 255. Subdues the Kingdom of Mercia and all the South of Humber He was the Eighth King that ruled over all Britain the Seven before him are there enumerated Id. p. 254. Is offered Peace and due Subjection by the Northumbers having led an Army against them as far as Dore a place supposed to be beyond Humber He was the greatest King that till then had ever reigned in England He expels Withlaff King of Mercia and adds it to his own Kingdom Id. Ibid. Vanquishes Switherd King of the East-Saxons and drives him out of the Kingdom which ever after that Expulsion the West-Saxon Kings possessed He wastes Northumberland and makes Eanred the King thereof his Tributary Is crowned King of Britain by the Consent of the Clerus and Populus in a Great Council which he summoned to meet at Winchester Ibid. Encounters Thirty Ships of Danish Pyrates at Carrum in Gloucestershire but after a great slaughter the latter kept the field being the only time that Fortune ceased to favour his Undertakings Id. p. 256. Fights the Danes and Cornish-men at Hengston in Cornwall and beats them His Death having reigned thirty seven years and seven months and Character For nine years reigned Supreme King over all Britain Id. p. 257. His Burial at Winchester Id. p. 258. Egbert King of the Northumbers is by them expelled His Death and who succeeded to him l. 5. p. 277. Egelfleda sirnamed the Fair the Daughter of Earl Ordmar whether King Edgar's Wife or Concubine uncertain l. 6. p. 12. Egelnoth Vid. Ethelnoth Egfrid or Ecverth succeeds Oswi in the Kingdom of Northumberland l. 4. p. 192. Wages War with Wulfher and wins from him all the Countrey of Lindsey Id. p. 193 196. Gives Abbot Benedict as much Land as served Seventy Families lying near the Mouth of the River Wir in the Bishoprick of Durham Id. p. 194. Had a great Contention with Bishop Wilfrid who was expelled his Bishoprick Id. p. 196 197. Fights with Ethelfred near Trent Id. p. 198. Sends a great Army to Ireland which miserably wastes that Nation Id. p. 201. He and his Army through rashness are all cut off by the Picts Id. p. 202 211. Eglesburh now called Alesbury in Buckinghamshire l. 3. p. 145. Egonesham now Enisham in Oxfordshire Id. Ib. Egric upon King Sigebert's Resignation and turning Monk becomes King of the East-Angles l. 4. p. 179. His Death Id. p. 181. Egwin Bishop of Worcester founds the Abbey of Evesham and upon what occasion râ—ported l. 4. p. 216 217. Egwinna a Lady the Daughter of a Noblâ—man whose Name is not certainly known Her strange Dream and how she came afterwards to yield to the Importunities of Prince Edward the Elder on whom he begot Athelstan that is The most Noble that succeeded him in the Kingdom l.
5. p. 326 327. Eighth the Eighth an Island so called in the River Severne anciently known by the name of Olanege where a League was concluded between Edmund sirnamed Ironside and King Cnute l. 6. p. 47. Elbodius a Learned and Pious Bishop of North-Wales gets it decreed in a general Synod of the British Nation That Easter should be kept after the Romish Custom l. 4. p. 229. Archbishop of North-Wales that is of St. Asaph deceases but when uncertain l. 5. p. 249. Election of Kings Vid. Kings Eleutherius Bishop of Rome when chosen Pope The story of Lucius his sending to him to receive Christianity of suspicious credit l. 2. p. 69. His Letters to King Lucius the Contents of them discover their Imposture Id. p. 70. Elfeage succeeds Byrnstan in the Archbishoprick of Winchester l. 5. p. 333. Deceases at the Feast of St. Gregory Anno 951. Id. p. 350. Elfeage whose Sirname was Goodwin succeeds Athelwald in the Bishoprick of Winchester He was first Abbot of Bathe and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury at last was killed by the Danes l. 6. p. 21. Is sent to King Anlaff with Aethelward the Ealdorman and upon what occaslon Id. p. 25. When made and consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury Id. p. 31. Is taken Prisoner by the Danes and killed because they had not Three thousand Pounds in Silver for his Ransom he is buried in St. Paul's Minster Id. p. 36. His Reliques translated from London to Canterbury by Archbishop Ethelnoth Id. p. 53. Elfer Ealdorman of the Mercians drives the Monks out of the Monasteries and commands them to be spoiled l. 6. p. 15. His Death is reported by the Monks that he was eaten up with Lice Id. p. 21. Elfgar Cousin to King Edgar and Earl of Devonshire his Death l. 6. p. 4. The Son of Earl Leofric had the Earldom given him which Harold formerly enjoyed Id. p. 78. Is outlaw'd in a Great Council and convicted for being a Traytor to the King and whole Nation His going to Griffyn Prince of North-Wales and their burning Hereford City Id. p. 86 87. At length is restored to the Peace and to his former Earldom Id. p. 87. Upon the Decease of his Father Leofric he receives the Earldom of Mercia and is banished a second time but soon restored to his Earldom and by what Force Id. p. 88. Elfin Bishop of Winchester succeeds Odo in the Archbishoprick of Canterbury his trampling on the Tombstone of that Pious Prelate c. Going to Rome for his Pall upon the Alps is found frozen to death l. 6. p. 2. Elfleda or Egelfleda the Fair Daughter of Earl Eodmar or Ordmar by whom King Edgar had a Son called Edward the Martyr but whether this Lady was married to the King or not is uncertain l. 6. p. 6 12. Elfric Archbishop turns the Secular Chanons out of the Cathedral of Christ-Church in Canterbury and places Monks in their rooms l. 4. p. 167. Elfwald King of the East-Angles his Death l. 4. p. 225. Vid. Alfwald Elfwinna Daughter and Heir of Aethelfleda is deprived of the Dominion of the Mercians by King Edward the Elder upon Contracting her self in Marriage with Reginald King of the Danes and brought into West-Seax by him l. 3. p. 320. Elgiva Vid. Aelgiva Elidurus the Pious Resigns the Crown which the Kingdom had given him to Reinstate his Brother who had been Deposed l. 1. p. 14. After his Brother's Death he receives the Crown the Second time but is soon Deposed by the Ambition of his Brethren who Seized and Confined his Person to the Tower of London for several years whilst they divided the Kingdom betwixt them but they dying he Resumes the Crown the Third Time and Governs for Four years to the general satisfaction of all Id. p. 15. Ellendune supposed to be Wilton near Salisbury where a Battel was Fought between Egbert King of the West-Saxons and Beornwulf King of the Mercians l. 5. p. 253. Ellwye in North-Wales a Bishoprick now known by the Name of St. Asaph l. 3. p. 149. Elutherius a Priest comes from France to King Cenwalc and is Ordained Bishop of the West-Saxons that is Winchester by Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury l. 4. p. 182 192. His Death and Succession Id. p. 193. Ely-Monastery Founded by Etheldrethe late Wife to King Egfrid in which she became the first Abbess l. 4. p. 193. Is destroyed by the Danes and when and afterwards Re-edified by King Edgar Ibid. Emma said to be King Ethelred's only Wife had Edward and Alfred by him l. 6. p. 45. Is Married afterwards to King Cnute and how she is Censured for it Id. p. 51. Her Son Hardecnute his Father before his Death appointed to be King of Denmark Id. p. 56. Decreed in a Great Council that she should reside at Winchester with the Domesticks of the late King her Husband and possess all West-Saxony She is also called Elgiva Id. p. 61. Her Decease and Character is accused of having been too Familiar with Bishop Alwyn for which she undergoes the Ordeal Id. p. 79. Emperor the First Emperors that were not Romans were Trajan and Hadrian who were both Spaniards l. 2. p. 67. Eneon the Son of Owen Prince of South-Wales subdues all the Countrey of Gwin or Gwyr in North-Wales l 6. p. 6. Destroys it again the second time Id. p. 16. The greatest part of Earl Alfred's Army is slain by him and his Forces and the rest put to flight But the Year after the Gentlemen of Guentland in South-Wales cruelly slay him His Character Id. p. 21. England Old England seated between the Saxons and the Jutes having for its Capital City that which is called in the Saxon Tongue Sleswic but by the Danes Heathaby l. 3. p. 118. When the Nation came under this General Name l. 5. p. 246 247 255. Never had any long respite from Invasions by the Danes c. from King Egbert's time to the beginning of the Reign of William the First l. 5. p. 247. Wasted for many years by the Danes Norwegians Goths Sweeds and Vandals Id. p. 255. Is divided first into Counties and those inâ—o Hundreds and Tythings by King Alfred Id. p. 291. Englisherie what and the Law made concerning it in Edward the Confessor's time l. 6. p. 101. English-men by the general Consent of the Clerus and Populus Assembled in the Great Council it is Enacted That those who before were called Jutes or Saxons should now be call'd by this Name l. 5. p. 255 292. English-Saxons their Character vid. Saxons In one year had fought eight or nine Battles against the Danes c. besides innumerable Skirmishes l. 5. p. 277. Entail of the Crown mentioned by Alfred in his last Will to have been made formerly in a General Council of the West-Saxon Nobility at Swinburne l. 5. p. 309. Of Lands also to be in force in his time Ibid. 310. Eoppa who he was and what his Pedigree l. 4. p. 217. Eoric a Danish King of the East-Angles killed in
Battel by the Kentish men l. 5. p. 313. After his Death the Danes there yielded themselves up to Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 322 323. The Ecclesiastical Laws made between this Eoric who succeeded Gutherne in the Government of East-England and King Edward Id. p. 326. Eorpenwald King of the East-Angles Son to Redwald when he began his Reign l. 4. p. 157. Is succeeded by his Brother Sigebert whom formerly he had Banished Id. p. 179. Eorpwald or Eorpald King of the East-Saxons Baptized but not long after is slain by one Richbert a Heathen l. 4. p. 175. Eowils slain in battel with many thousands of his Danes at a place called Wodnesfield by King Edward the Elder 's Army l. 5. p. 315. Ercenbright or Ercombert Vid. Earcombert Eric the Son of Harold whom the Northumbers set up for their King and about a year or two after drove him out again l. 5. p. 350. Erkenwald Younger Son to Anna King of the East-Angles is Consecrated Bishop of London by Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury He founded Two Monasteries before he came to be Bishop and for whom l. 4. p. 196. Continued Bishop thereof till after the Reign of King Ina Id. p. 201. Ermenred The Eldest Son of Eadbald craftily supplanted by his Younger Brother Earcombert who got the Kingdom from him He had Two Sons who were cruelly Murthered by Thunore one of the King's Thanes whom he employed in that Execucution l. 4. p. 180 185. Esylht Daughter to Conan King or Prince of North-Wales Marries Merwyn Urych a Nobleman the Son of Gwyriad who afterwards was King in her Right l. 5. p. 251. Ethelard Ordained Archbishop of York l. 4. p. 238. Ethelbald succeeds Ceolred in the Kingdom of Mercia and holds it One and Forty years l. 4. p. 217. Ethelbald after his Father's Death succeeds him in West-Saxony l. 5. p. 265. Marries his Father's Widow but afterwards Repenting of the Incest puts her away from him His Character Reign Death and Burial Id. p. 266. Vid Aethelbald Ethelbert King of Kent in his time Pope Gregory made the English-Saxons Christians l. 3. p. 143 153. Beaten by Ceawlin and Cutha his Brother his double Character and Alliance l. 3. p. 145. The most powerful Prince that had Reigned in Kent having extended the bounds of his Dominions as far as Humber he Marries Bertha a Christian Lady the King of France his Sister and upon what Conditions l. 4. p. 153. By Augustin's persuasion builds the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Canterbury Id. p. 157. Is Baptized in St. Pancrace Church there which before had been a Heathen Temple Ibid. Had many noble Presents sent him by Pope Gregory with a Letter full of Sanatory Advice Id. p. 158 159. Builds the Church of St. Andrew at Rochester and endows it Id. p. 160. Confirms in a Great Council both of Clergy and Laity all the Grants and Charters whereby he had settled great Endowments on both Christ-Church and that of St. Pancrace Ibid. But his Charters are very suspitious of being Forged in many respects Id. p. 163. The Secular Laws that were Enacted in the Great Council in his time Id. Ibid. His Death and Burial in St. Martin's Porch in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul He was the First English King that ever received Baptism and lived above Twenty years after his Conversion Id. p. 168. He was the Third King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Ethelbert is Consecrated Bishop of Witerne called in Latin Candida Casa at York l. 4. p. 231. One of his Name Bishop of Hagulstad Deceases l. 4. p. 241. Ethelbert the Son of Ethelred King of the East-Angles is slain in the Court of King Offa and by whose Instigations l. 4. p. 237. Ethelbert or Aethelbryht after his Brother Ethelbald's Decease takes the Kingdom and holds it in great Peace and Quiet from Domestick Commotions l. 5. p. 266. His Death lamented after having Governed Five years to general satisfaction buried at Shireburne and is supposed to have a Son called Ethelwald Id. p. 267. Ethelbryht the Son of King Withred succeeds Eadbryht King of Kent l. 4. p. 225. Nothing remarkable but that the City of Canterbury was Burnt in his Reign Id. p. 228. His Death Ibid. Ethelburgh Vid. Aethelburga Etheldrethe twice married but would let neither of her Husbands enjoy her which was accounted in those days a great piece of Sanctity l. 4. p. 193 198. Is Foundress of the Monastery of Ely in which she her self became the First Abbess Id. p. 193. Daughter to Anna King of the East-Saxons her Death and after Sixteen Years Burial her Body being taken up as whole as at first she was Canonized and called St. Audrey of Ely Id. p. 198 199. Etheldrith Daughter to King Offa and once the Spouse of Ethelbert King of the East-Angles a holy Virgin that lived in a Cell wherein Withlaff King of the Mercians found a safe Retreat from the high Displeasure of Egbert for Four Months till he was reconciled to him l. 5. p. 254. Etheler King of the East-Angles taking part with Penda against Oswy is slain l. 4. p. 185. Ethelfleda the Lady of Mercia builds many Castles to secure the Mercian Frontiers against the Danes and Welsh l. 5. p. 316. Sends an Army against the Welsh which took Brecenanmere supposed to be Brecknock Castle and the King's Wife and about Four and thirty Prisoners Id. p. 319. Takes the Town of Derby and the City of Canterbury Reduces Leicester under her Dominion and the Danes become subject to her Dies at Tamworth in the Eighth Year of her Government and lies buried at Gloucester in the East-Isle of St. Peter's Church Her Character Id. p. 320. Vid. Ethelred Duke of Mercia her Husband Ethelfred the Son of Ethelric the Son of Ida reigns over both the Northumbrian Kingdoms l. 3. p. 148. l. 4. p. 159. A Warlike Prince that wasted the Britains more than any other Saxon Kings l. 4. p. 159. Leads his Army to Leger-Ceaster and theâ—e slays a great multitude of Britains Id. p. 164. His Pursuit of Edwin after his Banishment though he was of the Blood-Royal Id. p. 169. Is slain by Redwald King of the East-Angles and his Sons banished by Edwin Id. p. 170. Ethelfreda or Elfreda Daughter to Earl Ordgar and Widow of Ethelwald Earl of the East-Angles married to King Edgar and her Children by him l. 6. p. 5 6. The Trick her first Husband plaid to obtain her and the return she made him for it Id. p. 9 10. Builds a Nunnery in the place where her first Husband was slain Id. p. 10 20. She is crowned Queen to the great displeasure of Archbishop Dunstan Id. p. 10. Contrives the Death of Edward the Martyr and how but being convinced of her wickedness for it she betook her self to very severe Penalties Id. p. 17 18. Her violent Passion to her Son Ethelred a Youth in beating him unmercifully with a Wax-Taper and why Id. p. 19. Takes
p. 38 39. But he was not very long mindful of his Promise to his Subjects Id. p. 40. Through his Cowardice or Ill Fortune he was constantly attended with ill success Id. p. 41. He is called THE UNREADY and justly by our English Historians His Decease and Burial at St. Paul's Church in London Id. p. 42. His Character and excellent Laws Id. p. 19 42 43. The Issue he had by his Queen Id. p. 38 42. Ethelwald succeeds his Brother Etheler in the Kingdom of the East-Angles l. 4. p. 186. His Death and who succeeds him Id. p. 190. Ethelwald Earl of the East-Angles by what Trick he got Ethelfreda for his Wife from King Edgar but which cost him his Life l. 6. p. 9 10. Ethelward the Third Synod at Cloveshoe was held undâ—r him and twelve Bishops of his Province and what was therein transacted The next year he dies l. 5. p. 248. Ethelwerd King Alfred's Youngest Child bred up at Oxford his Death and Issue l. 5. p. 311. Was learned above that Age. He was buried at Winchester Id. p. 324. Ethelwin Vid. Edwin and Ethelwin Ethelwold Bishop by King Edgar's Command turns out the Chanons at Winchester and places Benedictines in their rooms l. 4. p. 181. His Decease when Id. p. 223. Ethelwold sirnamed Moll when he began to reign over the Northumbers Slays Duke Oswin in a Fight at Edwinscliffe l. 4. p. 228. Is murthered by the Treachery of Alhred who succeded him Id. p. 229. Ethelwulf the Son succeeds Egbert in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons who gave him good Advice how he might be happy in his Kingdom l. 5. p. 257 258. Comes to the Crown by virtue of his Father's Testament His Education and Tutors during his Elder Brother's life His Character and what Kingdoms he made over to Athelstan his Son Id. p. 258. Fights against Five and thirty Danish Ships at Charmouth Id. p. 251. A Son called Aelfred is born to him by Osberge his Wife Id. p. 261. He and Ethelbald his Son with the Forces of the West-Saxons fight with the Pagan Danes and make a greater slaughter of them than ever before Ibid. Assisting Burhred makes the men of North-Wales subject to him Id. p. 262. His Famous and Solemn Grant of Tythes throughout his Kingdom Id. p. 262 263. Goes to Rome carrying Aelfred his Son along with him Id. p. 263. In his return marries Leotheta the Daughter of Charles the Bald King of the Franks Ibid. A most infamous Conspiracy is formed in the West of England against him on the account of his new Wife Id. p. 263 264. Divides the Kingdom which was before united with the Consent of all his Nobility between him and his Son Ethelbald And to prevent Quarrels between his Sons he orders by his Will how his Kingdom should be enjoyed amongst them l. 5. p. 264. By his Last Will grants Corrodies for the Maintenance of Poor People a Yearly Allowance of Three hundred Mancuses to Rome and one hundred of them to the Pope His Death and Burial at Winchester after he had reigned Twenty Years Id. p. 264 265. St. Swithune Bishop of Winchester and Alstan Bishop of Shireborne were this King 's two Principal Counsellors in all Affairs Id. p. 267. Evesham-Abbey concerning the Forging of the Charters about it l. 4. p. 216 217. Is repaired by Leofric with the Consent of his Lady Godiva l. 6. p. 72. Eugenius set up against Valentinian the second by Arbogastes the former's General but he was soon after put to death by Theodosius l. 2. p. 97. Eugenius Prince of Cumberland assists Anlaff against King Athelstan l. 5. p. 334 335. The Scotch call him King of Deira and own he died in this Battel Id. p. 336. Evil Councils bring all the Miserie 's imaginable on a Nation l. 6. p. 23 27 32 35. Europe first peopled by the Posterity of Japhet either from one Alanus supposed to have been his Grandson or from Gomer his Son l. 1. p. 4. Eustatius Earl of Boloigne Edward the Confessor's Brother-in-Law with his Retinue entring Dover and resolving to quarter where they pleased was resisted by the Townsmen upon which ensued a great deal of Bloodshed on both sides l. 6. p. 76. Eutherius Archbishop of Arles Augustine and the Monks recommended to his Care and Protection l. 4. p. 153. Ordains Augustine Archbishop of the English Nation Id. p. 154. Excommunication had in King Withred's time no other Temporal punishment than a pecuniary Mulct l. 4. p. 211. Exeter anciently Exancester Besieged and where King Alfred pursued the Danes l. 5. p. 300 306. The removal of the See from Crediton to this City l. 5. p. 333. Is made a Bishops See instead of Credington in Cornwal at the request of Pope Leo l. 6. p. 78. Exmouth anciently called Exanmuthan l. 6. p. 28. F FAith the first People that were ever Executed by any Christian Prince for meer matters of Faith l. 2. p. 96. False News the spreaders of it against the Government to be punished with loss of Tongue or to Redeem themselves by the value of their Head and to be of no credit afterwards l. 5. p. 294. Famine a dreadful one about the Year CCCCXLVI in Britain l. 3. p. 115. Another among the South-Saxons wherein multitudes of the poorer People perished daily it being said not to have rained in that Countrey for Three years before l. 4 p. 198. A cruel one followed strange Prodigies in the Countrey of Northumberland Id. p. 238. A little after the Death of King Edgar a very great Famine happened l. 6. p. 15 16. In Ethelred the Unready's time so great a Famine raged as England never underwent a worse Id. p. 31. And in the Reign of Edward the Confessor there was another so great here that a Sester of Wheat was sold for Sixty Pence and more Id. p. 72. Farrington in Berkshire anciently called Fearndune where King Edward the Elder died l. 5. p. 324. Fealty or Fidelity the Oath required by Law to be taken by all Persons to King Edmund l. 5. p. 346. King of the Scots Swears Fidelity to King Edmund and all the Northumbrian Lords do the same Id. p. 349. Two joint Princes of North-Wales upon his Grant of it to them Swear Fealty to Edward the Confessor and likewise to Earl Harold l. 6. p. 90. Fee or Feuds the first footsteps of Military Feuds afterwards so much in use amongst the Goths Normans and other Nations l. 2. p. 80. Fee-tayl-Estate much more Ancient than the Thirteenth of Edward the First appears by the Thirty seventh Law of King Alfred concerning Bockland l. 5. p. 295 296. Feologild the Abbot his being said to be chosen Archbishop of Canterbury but certainly a mistake His Death l. 5. p. 255. Fergus the Son of Erk bringing great Supplies of the Scots from Ireland and Norway they came to recover their Countrey With a Relation of Fergus his Action l. 2. p 98. King of the Scots is slain in Battel and by whom
as conjectured l. 1. p. 16. Cadwallo's being in a Brass Statue set over Ludgate false l. 4. p. 177. Ludican King of the Mercians and five of his Ealdormen slain by the East-Angles and upon what occasion l. 5. p. 253. Lugeanburh now Loughburrow in Leicestershire or Leighton in Bedfordshire l. 3. p. 145. Lupicinus sent into Britain by Julian to compose the Troubles there raised by the Scots and Picts l. 2. p. 90. Lupus Bishop of Troyes and Germanus Bishop of Auxerre sent to confirm Britain in the Catholick Faith l. 2. p. 107. Lupus Virius had the Government of the Northern parts of Britain but buys a Peace of the Meatae He gives an Account to Severus of the state of Affairs here l. 2. p. 74. Was left by the Antonini their Lieutenant in Britain Id. p. 79. M MAccuse King of Man and several other Islands l. 6. p. 9. Macrinus Opilius makes away Caracalla and is chosen Emperor by the Army l. 2. p. 79. Maelgwn Gwineth elected King of the Britains in Wales and the manner of it l. 3. p. 146 147. His Decease Id. p. 148. Vid. Malgo. Magnentius slays Constans and keeps the Western Empire from Constantius for three years and then not longer being able to contest it kills himself at Lyons l. 2. p. 89. Maildulf a Scotch Monk and Philosopher l. 4. p. 195. Maims and Wounds King Alfred's Law concerning them l. 5. p. 296. Malcolm King of Scots receives from King Edmund the whole Countrey of Cumberland upon condition to assist him both by Sea and Land l. 5. p. 344. And to attend him at several great Feasts in the year when he held his Common-Council and for that end divers Houses were assigned him to lye at by the way Id. p. 345. Receives Sweyn and gives him free Quarter for fourteen years l. 6. p. 26. Wastes the Province of the Northumbers and besieges Durham Id. p. 27. Another of the same Name becomes subject to King Cnute upon his going thither and three years after dies Id. p. 56. A Third of this Name enters Northumberland and depopulates the Earldom of Tostige formerly his sworn Brother Id. p. 89. Maldon in Essex anciently Maldune rebuilt and fortified by King Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 320. Malgo or Malgoclunus in Welsh Mailgwn Gwineth King of North-Wales or else of the Northern parts of Britain l. 3. p. 139. Called by Gildas the Island-Dragon accused of Sodomy and of murthering the King his Uncle Id. p. 140. Professes himself a Monk but afterwards breaks his Vow and reigns as Supreme or Sole King of the Britains Id. p. 142. The time he reigned afterwards and his Death Id. p. 144. Mallings in Sussex the Mannor given by Baldred King of Kent to Christ-Church in Canterbury but being afterwards taken away it was confirmed by the Common-Council of the Kingdom under King Egbert l. 5. p. 257. Malmesbury the Abbey begun to be built by one Adhelm l. 4. p. 195. Greatly endowed and by whom Id. p. 196. l. 5. p. 329 339. King Athelstan's great Liberality to this Abbey where he was buried Id. p. 339. A Nun is taken from hence by King Edgar and deflowred l. 6. p. 4. Anciently called in Saxon Mealdelnesbyrig Id. p. 40. Man the City taken by William Duke of Normandy l. 6. p. 89. Man the Isle whither Aedan fled from the Borders of Scotland after he was beaten l. 3. p. 147. Destroyed by Sweyn the Son of Harold the Dane l. 6. p. 25. Manchester in the Kingdom of Northumberland anciently called Manigeceaster is rebuilt and fortified with a Garison at the Command of King Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 324. Mancuses what Sum of Money now uncertain but by Ethelwulf's last Will he orders Three hundred to be sent every year to Rome for such and such Uses and One hundred of them for the Pope himself l. 5. p. 264 265. Mandubratius desires to be relieved from the Injuries of Cassibelan l. 2. p. 34. Who thereupon is forbid by Caesar further to molest him Id. p. 35. Is not restored to the Kingdom of the Trinobantes whereupon he attends Caesar to Rome and is there entertained as King of Britain and a Friend to the Roman Commonwealth Id. p. 36. Manslaughter Vid. Murther Marcellus Ulpius sent to stop the Rebellion of the Britains in Commodus his Reign a man not to be corrupted by Money but severe in his Conversation l. 2. p. 70. Marcus Aurelius Vid. Aurelius Marcus is Elected Emperor by the British Army but they soon took him off he not answering their expectations l. 2. p. 102. Margaret Daughter of Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside is married to Malcolm King of Scotland l. 6. p. 49. Mariage concerning the manner and Rights thereof with Covenants the Antiquity of them and of Bonds for Performance l. 5. p. 348. Widows not to marry within the Twelve-Months after their Husbands decease and what they forfeit if they do l. 6. p. 60. Marinus the worthy good Pope sends some Wood of the Holy Cross unto King Alfred l. 5. p. 286. His Decease and freeing the English School at Rome from all Tax and Tribute Id. p. 287. Marius called by our British Writers Meurig succeeds his Father Arviragus and slays Roderick King of the Picts who aided the Caledonians l. 2. p. 66. His Death about what year of our Lord leaving the Kingdom to his Son Coil Id. p. 67. St. Martin an old ruinous Church without the City of Canterbury now St. Pancrace l. 4. p. 163. Martinus a Prefect endeavours to stab Paulus but missing his Pass runs his Sword into his own Body His good Character l. 2. p. 89. Martinus the Pope sends some of the Wood of the Holy Cross to King Alfred and what reâ—urn he makes again l. 5. p. 286. Martyrdom that of St. Alban's a particular Account of it l. 2. p. 85. Of several other Christians at Litchfield and Winchester Id. p. 86. Maserfield now called Oswestre in Shropshire l. 4. p. 180. Maxentius The Tyrant overthrown near Rome by Constantine l. 2. p. 87. Maximinian said to Command the Roman Legion in Britain the Fabulous story of him l. 2. p. 101 102. Marcus Aurelius Maximinianus Associate in the Empire with Dioclesian adopted Constantius Chlorus Caesar constrains him to put away his Wife and to Marry his Daughter is forced to conclude a Peace with Carausius and to yield him up Britain l. 2. p. 83. Maximinus Julius succeeds Alexander Severus but being condemned by the Senate is slain by the Soldiers l. 2. p. 80. Maximus Pupienus Vid. Balbinus Maximus Trebellius hath the Province of Britain delivered to him l. 2. p. 51. Falls into the Hatred and Contempt of his Army for his sordid Covetousness and the Aversion heightned by Roscius Coelius Id. p. 53. Maximus General of the Roman Armies assumes the Imperial Purple drives back and subdues the Scots and Picts l. 2. p. 91. Makes Triers the seat of his Usurped Empire sends Andragathius as his General against
the Ecclesiastical and Civil Affairs of Ancient Times l. 4. p. 151. There were only two Orders of them in use amongst our Ancestors of the English-Saxon Church and what Orders they were Id. p. 168. Most people of all Qualities used to take upon them the Monastick Habit Id. p. 221 223. None but Monks anciently made Archbishops of Canterbury l. 5. p. 333. Turn'd out of divers Monasteries by King EdwiÌ„ and Secular Channons put into their places Id. p. 353. Are restored to them again by King Edgar l. 6. p. 6 7. A Civil War is raised in the Nation about them Id. p. 15 16. Are removed from Exeter to Westminster and Secular Channons placed in their stead Id. p. 78. Morchar a Dane of great Riches and Power in the Northern Parts is Treacherously slain by Edric's Order at his own House when he was invited to a Feast l. 6. p. 40. Morchar the Son of Earl Aelfgar is chosen by the Northumbers to be their Earl Id. p. 90. Morgant a Prince of the Isle of Medcant l. 3. p. 147. Morindus Vid. Morvidus Morini or Moriani a People of Gaul landing in Northumberland with Fire and Sword wast the Countrey but are at last defeated by Morindus and his Army l. 1. p. 14. It was the Province of Picardy l. 2. p. 25. Mortality Vid. Plague Morvidus defeating the Moriani putting all the Prisoners to death with exquisite Torments but at last is devoured by a Monster that came out of the Irish Sâ—a with which he would needs fight l. 1. p. 14. Moston his British Mâ— arraigned as to the credit of it by a late Romish Writer but without any material Objection l. 4. p. 162. Mould in Flintshire in the British Tongue is called Guiderac l. 2. p. 108. Mouric Son of Tudric King of Glamorgan is reduced to great extremity by the Saxons l. 3. p. 148 149. Mulcts Cnute's Law about them for divers Offences l. 6. p. 58. For what Crimes no satisfaction to be made by way of Compensation Id. p. 59. The particular Mulcts of those that Violate the King's Peace Id. p. 103. Vid. Murther Murrain Vid. Plague Murther The Punishment for it Anciently Redeemable by Pecuniary Mulcts l. 4. p. 209. Of Two Priests notably returned on the Murtherers l. 4. p. 209. If a Layman kill a Thief no satisfaction to be made to the Friends of the Party slain Id. p. 211. The Value of a Man slain whether English or Dane Four Marks of Pure Gold and the Redemption of each Four hundred shillings l. 5. p. 283. The Mulct which was to be paid for killing a Woman with Child or of killing in Troops or Companies and to whom Id. p. 293 294. By a Priest his Estate is Confiscated and he Degraded c. Id. p. 297. By Witchcraft the Punishment for it by King Ethelstan's Law Id. p. 340. The Murtherer alone to bear the deadly feud of the Kindred of the Party slain or within a Year to Pay the Value of the slain Man's Head Id. p. 347. The Punishment in case of Manslaughter l. 6. p. 43. Edward the Confessor's Law concerning it Id. p. 101. How the Party wrongfully killed is to be cleared in his Reputation and what satisfaction is to be made to his Friends for it Id. p. 103. Myranheofod that is in Saxon Ant's-head Thurkytell of that Name fled from the Danes and the English Army beaten by them l. 6. p. 34. N NAitan King of the Picts desires the Assistance of the English Nation concerning the Celebration of Easter l. 4. p. 216 221. Nation the Miseries and Desolations that Divine Providence brings upon a Wicked and Perverse People in it l. 3. p. 150. Nazaleod a Great British King some think him Ambrosius others Uther Pendragon his pretended Brother and others again only the General of the King of the Britains l. 3. p. 134. Nennius a British Author of no great Credit Id. p. 114. A credulous trivial Writer who vents a great many Fables l. 3. p. 1â—6 Could not Study at Oxford as is supposed by some Writers and why l. 5. p. 290. St. Neot the Story of King Alfred in the Account of this Saint's Life l. 5. p. 280. Nero his succeeding Claudius in the Empire l. 2. p. 45. Nerva his short Reign and the great Commotions in it in this Island l. 2. p. 66. Nesse-point in Essex called by the Saxons Ealdulfe's Naese l. 6. p. 81. Newenden a Town in Kent quite destroyed by the Saxons and afterwards rebuilt where it stood in the Reign of King Edward the First l. 3. p. 132 133. Nice the Great Council there when Assembled some of our Bishops assisted at it l. 2. p. 88. Nicholaus Bishop of Florence made Pope upon the Expulsion of Pope Benedict l. 6. p. 88. Niger Peseenius Saluted Emperor in Syria War against him by Severus l. 2. p. 72. Is afterwards slain by him Id. p. 73. Night-Mare a Disease whence it came to be so called l. 3. p. 125. Nobility their Domineering and Severity â—ver poor Countreymen restrained by King Alfred's Law l. 5. p. 294. Most of the English Nobility slain at the Battel of Ash-down by Cnute and his Army l. 6. p. 47. King Cnute causes several of them to be put to death but for what Crimes unknown Id. p. 50. Their great Degeneracy before the coming in of William Duke of Normandy Id. p. 116. Normandy formerly called Neustria entirely Conquered by Rollo the Dane who Reigned there Fifty years l. 5. p. 278. The Succession of the Dukes there l. 6. p. 53. The great Battel of Vallesdune between Henry King of France and the Nobility of that Dukedome for their refusing to accept of the Bastard William for their Duke Id. p 74. Normans or Northlandmen were Danes and Swedes their Religion and common Deities l. 5. p. 256. All Banish'd that had introduc'd unjust Laws and given false Judgments and committed many Outrages upon the English except a very few l. 6. p. 82. Too many brought over by Edward the Confessor who soon by their Customs corrupted the English Simplicity Id. p. 98. Before their Engaging King Harold spent the night in Prayers and Confessions c. l. 6. p. 112. Northalbingia formerly Old Saxony it 's extent and bounds l. 3. p. 118. Northampton anciently called Hamtune l. 5. p. 319 321. Northern People of Britain described by Herodian afterwards supposed to be called Picti l. 2. p. 22. Northumbers that is all those English-Saxons who lived North of the River Humber l. 4. p. 171. When most part of this Nation as well Nobles as others retired into Monasteries Id. p. 221. Their frequent Rebellions and Expulsion of their Kings shew them to be of a proud and turbulent Temper Id. p. 239 240. l. 5. p. 260. Kings of England appointed Earls under them to Govern that Countrey l. 5. p. 259. Expel their Lawful King Osbryht and set up a Tyrant and Usurper not Descended from the Royal Line Id. p. 267. Expel Egbert their King and
Wulfher Archbishop of York Id. p. 277. Rebel against King Athelstan and the Event of their so doing Id. p. 330. Beat the Scotchmen many of whose Heads were afterwards set upon Poles round the Walls of Durham l. 6. p. 27. Take Arms against their Earl Tostige slaying his Servants and seizing his Treasures committing a world of Outrages and Desolations And what the ground of this Insurrection Id. p. 90 91 Northumbrian Kingdom began in Ida and when l. 3. p. 142. Becomes divided into Two viz. Deira and Bernicia Id. p. 143. The Custom of this Nation was anciently to sell their own Children or other near Relations to Foreign Merchants l. 4. p. 152. A perverse and perfidious Nation worse than Pagans Id. p. 240. A certain Youth is made King hereof by the joint Consent of both the English and Danes King Alfred himself confirming the Election l. 5. p. 286. North-Wales a part of the Roman Province anciently called Genoani or Guinethia l. 2. p. 68. l. 5. p. 317 All the Coasts thereabouts spoiled by the Danes l. 5. p. 319. Upon the Death of Howel Dha it returned to the Two Sons of Edwal Voel l. 5. p. 349. Is sorely harrassed by King Edgar and the cause of the War l. 6. p. 3 4. War is made upon it by Eneon who subdues all the Countrey of Gwin or Gwir Id. p. 6 16. Is Conquered by Meredyth Prince of South-Wales for himself Id. p. 22. On the Death of Edwal ap Meyric it was under an Anarchy for some time l. 6. p. 25. It gave occasion to great disturbances till Aedan got and held it for Twelve Years but whether by Election or Force uncertain Id. p. 30 31. Blithen and Rithwallen made Joint Princes thereof by King Edward the Confessor Id. p. 90. Norway Harold Harfager their King coming with a great Fleet to Invade England Lands in Yorkshire but is slain in Battel with most of his Men l. 6. p. 109. Norwich the only Bishop in England since the Dissolution of Monasteries that has still the Title of an Abbot l. 6. p. 54. Nothelm receives his Pall from Rome and is made Archbishop of Canterbury after Tatwin l. 4. p. 223. His Death and who is Consecrated in his room Id. p. 224. Numerianus the Son of the Emperor Carus made Caesar by him whom he takes with him into the East but this pious Son was slain by Aper one of his Captains l. 2. p. 83. Nunnery Vid. Monastery Nunnichia the Wife of Gerontius her extraordinary Courage and Affection to her Husband who was prevailed upon to slay her by her own Importunity rather than she would be left behind him exposed to the violence of an enraged Multitude l. 2. p. 103. O OAkly in Surrey anciently called Aclea where the Danes were beaten by King Aethelwulf l. 5. p. 261. Oath of Fidelity Vid. Fealty The Oath the Danes took to King Alfred which they ne'er would take before to any Nation upon a Sacred Bracelet to depart the Kingdom l. 5. p. 278. Or Pledge i. e. a man's Promise to observe the Law and keep the Peace to be strictly kept and the Punishment in breaking it made by King Alfred Id. p. 292. To give Security by Oath at twelve years of Age and for what l. 6. p. 58. Vid. Purgation Odo Bishop of Wells succeeds Wulfhelme in the Archbishoprick of Canterbury His Character l. 5. p. 333. Is severely revenged on the Lady Athelgiva for causing King Edwi to turn all the Monks out of divers Monasteries and putting Secular Channons in their rooms Id. p. 354. His Decease l. 6. p. 2. Offa the Son of Sigher King of the East-Saxons marries Keneswith but not long after through her persuasions takes upon him a Monastick Life and goes to Rome for that end l. 4. p. 214. Vid. 217. Is proposed as a Pattern for all other Princes to follow Id p. 214. Offa expels the Usurper Beornred King of the Mercians His Pedigree and succeeds him by the General Consent of the Nobles and afterwards becomes a Terror to all the Kings of England Id. p. 227. Obtains of the Pope a Pall for the See of Litchfield to become an Archbishoprick Id. p. 229. Subdues the Nation of the Hestings but who they were is not known Id. p. 230. And Cynwulf King of the West-Saxons fight at Bensington in Oxfordshire where Offa prevails Id. Ib. p. 236. Is forced to make a Peace with the Saxon Kings Id. p. 231. Seizes on the whole Countrey of North and South-Wales planting Saxons in their places and annexes them to his own Kingdom making a famous Ditch from Sea to Sea to defend his Countrey from the Incursions of the Welsh called Offa's Ditch Ibid. p. 239. His Eldest Son Egfred or Egbert as in the Saxon Annals is anointed and crowned King with him l. 4. p. 233 235. Builds a new Church and Monastery in honour of St. Alban Id. p. 237. His Death after he had reigned forty years and Burial in a Chappel at Bedford near the River Ouse He had a great mixture in him of Virtues and Vices and seems to have been the first of our English-Saxon Kings who maintained any great Correspondence with Foreign Princes Id. p. 238. His Enmity with Charles the Great and afterwards his firm League with him Id. p. 239. Offerings at the Altar Pope Gregory determines how they were to be divided l. 4. p. 155. Olaff is driven out of Norway Cnute conquering that Countrey for himself l. 6. p. 53. Returning to regain his Right he was slain by the people but afterwards was canonized under the Title of a Martyr Id. p. 54. Olanaege an Island in the River Severne now called the Eighth l. 6. p. 47. Old Saxony Vid. Northalbingia Orcades the Islands in the Northern Ocean near Scotland l. 2. p. 94. Governed long by English and Danish Kings l. 5. p. 259. Ordeal not to be used to a person accused of a Crime unless there be no direct proof against him l. 5. p. 285. A simple and a threefold Ordeal Id. p. 340. l. 6. p. 59. A Danish Custom and grew more in request in the Reign of King Cnute l. 6. p. 43. After what manner this Judgment was to be executed by the Bishop's Officer Id. p. 100. Order that of St. Basil l. 4. p. 167. That of St. Benedict Id. p. 167 168. Of St. Equitus Id. p. 168. Ordgar the Abbot rebuilds the Abbey of Abingdon which had been destroyed by the Danes l. 4. p. 196. Ordgar Earl of Devonshire and afterwards Father-in-Law to King Edgar founded the Abbey of Tavistock which was not long after burnt by the Danes l. 6. p. 4. Ordination of a Bishop whether without the presence of other Bishops or not l. 4. p. 156. Ceadda renews his Ordination and upon what account Id. p. 191. Bishop Wilfrid is sent into France to be re-ordained Id. p. 192. Ordovices those people now of North-Wales l. 2. p. 42. Almost destroyed a whole Squadron of Roman
Horse Id. p. 55. Their whole Nation very near cut off by Agricola Ibid. Orgiva Vid. Edgitha Orkeney the Isles when first discovered by the Romans l. 2. p. 63. Orotius Paulus took what he wrote from an History of Suetonius which is now lost l. 2. p. 35. Osbald a Nobleman is made King of Northumberland but held it not long being forced to fly and going to the King of the Picts dies there an Abbot l. 4. p. 239 240. According to Simeon of Durham he was buried in York Minster Id. p. 242. Osberge the Daughter of Aslat or Oslac chief Butler to King Aethelwulf to whom she was married and became the Mother of Alfred who was afterwards King l. 5. p. 261. Her Character Ibid. Osbert or Osbryght succeeds Ethelred in the Kingdom of Northumberland and afterwards is killed by the Danes l. 5. p. 260. Their lawful King is expelled by the Northumbers who set up an Usurper not descended from the Royal Line Id p. 267. Lies with the Wife of one of his Noblemen who complaining of the Affront to the King of Denmark causes a great Army to come over to revenge that Injury Id. p. 268 269. Osfrid a Son of King Edwin by Quenburga the Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia l. 4. p. 174. Is slain with his Father in the Battel of Hethfield Id. p. 176. Oskytel first consecrated Bishop of Dorchester then made Archbishop of York his Death and Burial l. 6. p. 7. Osmund when he began to reign over the South-Saxons l. 4. p. 228. Osred succeeds his Father Alfred in the Kingdom of the Northumbers l. 4. p. 213. Is reconciled to Wilfrid with his Great Men and Bishops Ibid. Becomes Bishop Wilfrid's adopted Son Id. p. 214. Is killed in a Fight near the Sea on the Southern Borders His Character Id. p. 217. Osred the Son of Alchred Nephew of King Alfwold reigned after him and is betrayed and driven out of his Kingdom and who succeeded l. 4. p. 236. Is put to death by King Ethelred's Command and where buried Id. p. 237. Osric the Son of Elfric obtains the Kingdom of Deira abjures the Christian Religion and is cut off by Cadwallo with all his Army l. 4. p. 176. Osric builds a Nunnery at Bath l. 4. p. 196. And the Nunnery of St. Peter in Gloucester which afterwards was destroyed by the Danes and then rebuilt and after was King of the Northumbers Id. p. 201. Osric King of Northumberland slain and who succeeded him Id. p. 220. Ostorius Scapula succeeds Plautius in the quality of Propraetor and reduces the most Southerly parts of Britain to the form of a Province l. 2. p. 41. Overcomes the Iceni engages with the Silures and Caractacus and his Success over them Id. p. 42 43. Is decreed by the Senate all the Ensigns of a Triumph and being worn out with cares and troubles dies Id. p. 44 45. Oswald and Oswie with Eanfrid their Elder Brother all Sons of King Ethelfrid are banished by Edwin l. 4. p. 170 171. Oswald Edwin's Successor in the Kingdom of Northumberland finishes St. Peter's Church in York Id. p. 174 176 l. 5. p. 254. Routs Cadwallo with all his Forces His Speech to his Army l. 4. p. 177. His Kingdom extended over both Deira and Bernicia He would interpret Bishop Aidan's Sermons to his Subjects that heard but did not understand them In his Reign Churches were built in divers places of his Kingdom His Great Character Id. p. 178. His Charity He was Edwin's Nephew by his Sister Acca Ibid. p. 179. Fights a great Battel with Penda â—und was therein slain Id. p. 180. The many Miracles supposed that he wrought after his death Ibid. He was the sixth King that ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. His Body under the Title of Saint long after translated from Bardeney in Lincolnshire into Mercia l. 5. p. 315. Oswald Aetheling fighting with Ethelhard is worsted and the next year dies l. 4. p. 220. Oswald Son to King Ethelred is mentioned by his Father in his Charter to the Abbey of Abingdon l. 5. p. 276. Oswald Archbishop of York his Decease l. 6. p. 5. Oswald Bishop of Worcester succeeds his Kinsman Oskytell in the Archbishoprick of York l. 6. p. 7. His Death and Burial in the Church of St. Mary in Worcester Id. p. 23. Oswestre in Shropshire anciently called Maserfield where was fought the great Battel between Oswald the most Christian King of Northumberland and Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians l. 4. p. 180. Oswin the Brother of King Oswald is made King of Deira l. 4. p. 181. His Death at Ingerlingum Id. p. 182. His Character Id. p. 183. The Seventh King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Oswulf his Son succeeds Eadbert in the Kingdom of Northumberland but is slain within a Year after by the Treachery of his own Servants l. 4. p. 228. Oswy the Son of Usric King of Bernicia l. 4. p. 182. Treacherously procures Oswin to be slain but afterwards builds a Monastery where the Murther was committed to expiate the Crime Id. p. 183. Overcomes Penda who in the Battel is slain Id. p. 185. The Ealdormen of Mercia Rebel against him Id. p. 188. His Death and Burial at Streanshale-Monastery Id. p. 192. Otford in Kent anciently called Ottanford where the Mercians and Kentishmen had a Battel l. 4. p. 230. Outlawry Ethelward the Ealdorman is Outlaw'd in a Great Council of the Kingdom l. 6. p. 51. Earl Sweyn Son of Godwin is declared Outlaw'd in a Great Council at London Id. p. 77. The Common Law of all Outlaws they are said to have Wulfes hefod i. e. a Wolf's head or as we say in Latin gerere Caput Lupinum Id. p. 99 100. Usurer 's Convicted to be look'd on as Outlaw'd Persons Id. p. 102. Earl Elfgar is Outlaw'd in the Witena-Gemot and for what l. 6. p. 86. Vid. Pledge Oxford the University when Founded and who the first Regents and Professors there The Quarrel that arose betwixt Grimbald and the Old Scholars of Oxford This passage of the Quarrel c. objected against by Sir Henry Spelman and answered l. 5. p. 288 289 290. The flourishing state of Learning here related by Asser very much questioned Id. p. 304. King Alfred assisted by Grimbald and John Scotus in Founding this University Id. p. 306. Is taken and Burnt by the Danes l. 6. p. 34 35. All Studies cease there for a long time after till about the Year Eleven hundred thirty three from which time the Scholars have continued there Id. p. 35. P PAenius Posthumus runs himself through with his own Sword and why l. 2. p. 50. Pagan-Rites the Forbidding of them to be observed by the Decree of Calcuith l. 4. p. 234. Pagans Vid. Heathens Palace-Royal the Punishment on any that fight within it l. 4. p. 208. Palladius the Bishop sent by Pope Caelestine to the Scots to confirm their Faith l. 2. p. 109 110. St. Pancrace Church the first Built
likely propagated here by some Apostle of the Eastern or Asiatick Church Id. p. 162. The state of it here before the coming in of William the Conqueror l. 6. p. 116. Religious Houses Vid. Monasteries Resignation of Bishopricks and why l. 3. p. 149. l. 4. p. 224 232. Restitutus Bishop of the City of London is sent with others to the Council of Arles in Gallia l. 2. p. 88. Revenge none to take it for any Injury done him before publick Justice be demanded and the Penalty on those that do l. 4. p. 208. Rhine fortified with Garisons by Constantine l. 2. p. 102. Richard the Elder took upon him the Dukedome of Normandy and Governed it Two and fifty Years l. 5. p. 343. His Enmity to and War with Pope John l. 6. p. 24. His Death and who succeeded him in that Dutchy Id. p. 26. Richbert a Heathen slays Eorpwald not long after he had received the Christian Faith l. 4. p. 175. Ricsige succeeded Egbert in the Kingdom of Northumberland l. 5. p. 277. His Death and who his Successor Id. p. 278. Ripendune alias Hrepton Abbey now Repton in Derbyshire Founded by King Aethelbald the most famous one of that Age l. 4. p. 227. l. 5. p. 277. Ripon in Yorkshire the Monastery Burnt which had been Built by Bishop Wilfrid l. 5. p. 350. Ritheric ap Justin on the Death of Llewelyn ap Sitsylt Seizes upon South-Wales and holds it by Force l. 6. p. 53. Is slain in Battel by Howel and Meredyth with the assistance of the Irish Scots l. 6. p. 56. Ritherch and Rees the Sons of Ritheric ap Justin their Engagement with Griffith Prince of Wales and the Success thereof l. 6. p. 71. Robber his Punishment who called Robbers l. 4. p. 209. Robert Duke of Normandy sends Ambassadors to King Cnute to demand that his Nephews viz. Edward and Alfred King Ethelred's Two Sons might be restored to their Right and upon his refusing he prepares a great Navy to force him to it and what happened thereupon l. 6. p. 54. To whom he recommends his Son William a Child of Seven Years Old afterwards King of England whilst he undertakes his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he Dies Ibid. p. 56. Robert a Norman Monk made Bishop of London by Edward the Confessor l. 6. p. 73. And upon the Death of Eadsige made Archbishop of Canterbury He immediately went to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 75. Accuses Queen Emma of being too Familiar with Alwin Bishop of Winchester Id. p. 79. His flight out of England variously reported Id. p. 80 81. Is Banished and Outlawed for being a Chief Incendiary in the Quarrel between Edward the Confessor and Earl Godwin Id. p. 81. But having made his Peace King Edward sends him Ambassador to Duke William to acquaint him That he had designed him his Successor Id. p. 96 97 Rodoric or Rodri when he began to Reign over the Britains in Wales l. 4. p. 218. Another Rodoric one of the Sons of Edwal Voel Prince of Wales is slain by Irishmen l. 6. p. 6. Rodri Maur that is Rodoric the Great succeeds his Father Merwyn Urych in the Kingdom of the Britains and divides Wales into three Territories His Wars and Death l. 5. p. 260 278. His Wife and Children and Bequests amongst them Id. p. 278 279. Esteemed by all Writers to be sole King of all Wales and in what Right His Laws Id. p. 279. The several Ordinances he made about paying the Ancient Tribute to the King of London and acknowledging his Sovereigâ—ty as also about who should decide the differences that might arise between any of his Children Id. p. 279. l. 6. p. 3. Rofcaester or Hrofcester now Rochester l. 4. p. 159. l. 5. p. 259. St. Andrew's Church there built by Ethelbert King of Kent l. 4. p. 160. Tobias the Bishop there dies Id. p. 219. Dun consecrated Bishop here after the Death of Eadulph Id. p. 224. Rollo the Dane or Norman wastes Neustria afterwards called Normandy and not long after made an entire Conquest of it reigning there fifty years His Dream l. 5. p. 278. Roman Affairs when they became desperate in Britain l. 2. p. 105 106. Empire what fell with it in Britain l. 3. p. 113. Language Gaâ—â— and Gown came to be in fashion among the Britains in Agricola's time l. 2. p. 57. Romans left the â—ritains at their departure Paterns of the Arms and Weapons they would have them make to defend themselves l. 2. p. 100. Though they subdued Britain to their Empire yet they used their Victory with Moderation l. 5. p. 246. Romanus Bishop of Rochester drowned in going on a Message to Rome l. 4. p. 176. Rome taken by Alaric King of the Goths l. 2. p. 104. Romescot said to be first given to the Pope by King Ina but much doubted l. 4. p. 219. Then by King Offa supposed to be confirm'd by the great Council's consent Id. p. 239. Aethelwulf by his Last Will orders to be sent every year to Rome Three hundred Mancuses l. 5. p. 264 265. Vid. Peter-pence Rowena Hengest's Daughter her Arrival into Britain c. l. 3. p. 125. Rufina Claudia Wife of Pudens a Senator famous for her Beauty in the Elegant Epigram of Martial Some assert she was the same St. Paul makes mention of in his second Epistle to Timothy l. 2. p. 66. Run or Reyn the pretended Son of Meredyth ap Owen a vile Scotch Impostâ—r thâ—t sets up for Prince of Soâ—th Waleâ— but he is soon rouâ—ed and all his Paâ—â—y l. 6. p. 52. Runick Characters found upon a few Stones in England l. 3. p. 113. Runkhorne in Cheshire anciently called Run-cafan l. 5. p. 316. Rusticus Decimius from Master of his Offices is advanced by Constans to â—e Praefect l. 2. p. 103. Ryal in Rutlandshire anciently called Rehala where St. Tibba's â—ody lay entomb'd l. 6. p. 5. S SAcriledge what Punishments to be inflicted on those who commit it l. 4. p. 156 163. Salaries usually allowed to those that hâ—d been Proconsuls l. 2. p. 64. Safe of Goods c. Vid. Traffick Sampson Scholar to Iltutus and afterwards Archbishop of Dole in Britain l. 3. p. 149. Sanctuaries very ancient in England l. 4. p. 208 209. l. 5. p. 296 â—97 Their Design primitively very good only to stay there for a time till the Offender could agree with his Advâ—rsary l. 5. p. 297. The Punishment of him who 〈◊〉 â—ny one that sâ—es to a Church The Knigâ—t Hoâ—se no shelâ—er to him thâ—â— sheds bloâ—d l. 5. p. 347. Graâ—ted 〈◊〉 Westminster â—y Edward â—he Confessor Charter and confirmed by the Great Council l. 6. p. 94. The Laws concerning them confirmâ—d Id. p. 99. Sandwicâ— anciently câ—â—led Rutipae l. â— p. 90. and Sandwiâ— l. 5. p. 261. The Port given by King Cnute in Christ-Church in Canterbury with all the Issues c. l. 6. p. 54. Saragosa in Spain anciently called Caesar Augustâ— a corrupted Compouâ—d of thâ—se two words destroyed by
to be made away Id. p. 75. Is declared outlaw'd in a Great Council held at London Id. p. 77. Going from Flanders to Jerusalem barefoot in Pennance for the Murther of Beorne in his Return home he dies Id. p. 82. Swidhelme the Son of Sexbald succeeds Sigebert and is made a Christian by Cedda l. 4. p. 189. Switheard King of the East-Angles dies and Elfwold succeeds him l. 4. p. 225 228. Swithred King of the East-Saxons is vanquished by King Egbert and driven out of the Kingdom which the West-Saxon Kings enjoyed ever after that Expulsion l. 5. p. 255. St. Swithune Bishop of Winchester his Consecration and Decease and excellent Character l. 5. p. 266 267. Sydeman Bishop of Devonshire that is Wells his Death and Burial l. 6. p. 16. Synod of Augustine at Augustine's-Ake on the Confines of the Wecti now the Diocess of Worcester l. 4. p. 160. Of Streanshale Id. p. 189. At Hertford which appointed when Easter should be kept Id. p. 193. To be assembled once a year at a place called Cloveshoe Id. Ib. At Hatfield where the Five first General Councils were received and confirm'd Id. p. 199. Of all the Bishops of Britain about Bishop Wilfred where held and what done Id. p. 206 207 213. Decree the Province of the South-Saxons to be an Episcopal See but it did not long continue so Id. p. 213 214. Of Cloveshoe its Decrees chiefly made in Confirmation of the Charter of King Withred concerning free Elections to Monasteries in Kent A second Synod held there and what was done in it Id. p. 224 225. At Aclea where the place was uncertain as also under what King and what Decrees were made there l. 4. p. 232 236. The troublesome one of Calcuithe where Archbishop Janbryht lost part of his Province to the See of Litchfield Id. p. 233 l. 5. p. 251. The Dâ—crees made therein Two distinct Sessions of it l. 4. p. 234. At Pinchenhale now Finkley in the Bishoprick of Durham Id. p. 236 242. Of Frankfort solemnly condemns the Worship of Images Id. p. 237. Called by Ethelheard Archbishop of Canterbury at the command of Pope Leo and what was confirmed therein This was the Great Council of Becanceld Id. p. 241. The Third Synod at Cloveshoe when held and by whom Id. p. 243. l. 5. p. 248. Another held there under King Beornwulf and Archbishop Wilfred l. 5. p. 253. The Ecclesiastical Canons that were passed in the Synod held by King Alfred Id. p. 296 297. The Great one King Edmund held at London and what was transacted therein Id. p. 346. A great one held at Kirtlingtun but where this was is uncertain l. 6. p. 16. Others at Winchester Calne and Ambresbury about turning out of the Monks and restoring the Secular Chanons Id. p. 16 17. The Great Synod or Council at St. Remy where Pope Leo was present c. and whom Edward the Confessor sent thither to be informed what was there decreed touching the Christian Faith Id. p. 74. A Great one assembled at Rome and after that another at Vercelle Id. p. 75. Syric or Sigeric consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury in the room of Ethelgar deceased and soon after goes to Rome for his Pall l. 6. p. 22. Advises to give the Danes a Tribute for the great Terror they put the Inhabitants of the Sea-Coasts into Id. p. 23. His Decease Id. p. 24. Syward Abbot of Abingdune succeeds Aeadsige in the Archbishoprick of Canterbury by whom consecrated but soon after deposed for his Ingratitude to his Predecessor and at last translated to the See of Rochester l. 6. p. 72. His Decease Id. p. 74. Syward the Valiant Earl of Northumberland at Edward the Confessor's Command with a powerful Army and a strong Fleet goes against Macbeth the Usurper into Scotland to restore Malcolme the Right Heir to the Crown l. 6. p. 85. Lost his Son in the Engagement and how bravely he bore it Id. p. 85 86. His Decease with divers remarkable Circumstances Id. p. 86. T TAcitus M. Claudius elected Emperor against his Will his Reign and Death l. 2. p. 82. Taliessen a famous British Bard whose Verses are preserved to this day l. 3. p. 150. Tamworth in Staffordshire anciently called Tamaweorthige l. 5. p. 316. Tatwin succeeds Bertwald in the Archbishoprick of Canterbury l. 4. p. 220 221. His Death Id. p. 222. Tavistock-Abbey founded by Ordgar Earl of Devonshire afterwards Father-in-Law to King Edgar and in less than fifty years burnt down by the Danes l. 6. p. 4. Anciently was called Aetesingstoce Id. p. 26. Taunton in Somersetshire called by the Saxons Tengton l. 6. p. 28. Taxes made more easy to the Britains by Agricola l. 2. p. 56. A great one paid in Harold's time for the fitting out sixteen sail and â—very Port was to pay such a proportion towards it l. 6. p. 65. Another great one decreed to be paid of Eight Marks to the Rowers in sixty two sail of Ships and two other great ones viz. of Twenty nine thousand twenty nine pounds for a Military Tax and after this of Eleven thousand forty and eight pounds for thirty two sail of Ships Id. p. 66. Temples of Idols ordered not to be pulled down but new consecrated l. 4. p. 158. Tenantius Vid. Theomantius Testament Lands bequeathable by mens Last Wills before the Conquest l. 6. p. 60. Testudo a kind of Arch made with Shields clapp'd close to each other like the back of a Tortoise from whence it had its name l. 2. p. 32. Tetricus ruled in Gaul and Britain by the Terror of his Arms till Domitius Aurelianus reduced and led him in Triumph to Rome l. 2. p. 82. Thaelwalle in Cheshire anciently Thaelwaele from whence supposed to be so called l. 5. p. 324. Thanet-Island given to the Saxons for their habitation l. 3. p. 118. It lies on the East-part of Kent l. 4. p. 153. Part of it given by King Egbert to build a Monastery Id. p. 193. Commanded to be laid waste by King Edgar and why l. 6. p. 6. Was anciently called Taenet-Land Id. p. 20. Theft the Punishment of it l. 4. p. 209. l. 5. p. 346. l. 6. p. 14. Anciently redeemable by Pecuniary Mulcts l. 4. p. 209. Alfred's Law about the quantity of Mulcts appointed for several Thefts l. 5. p. 293. The Forfeiture of him that steals any thing out of a Church Id. p. 297. If a Servant be accused of it how he is to be discharged or else taken into Custody Id. p. 325. Stealing a second time what the Punishment thereof Id. p. 326 340. Athelstan's Law against Thieves Id. p. 339 340. King Edmund's Law for their Apprehension and the first Law whereby Thieves are expresly ordered to be hanged Id. p. 346. If a Thief goes out of the Sanctuary he forfeits the Priviledge l. 6. p. 99. Theobald Ethelfred's Brother is slain at the Battel of Degstan l. 4. p. 159. Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury is buried in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
there l. 4. p. 162. Another of this name consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury at Rome is sent into Britain Id. p. 191. Makes a thorough Visitation of his Province Id. Ib. Calls a Synod of all the Bishops and Great Men at Hartford Id. p. 193. His Death and Burial Id. p. 205. Theodoric the Son of Ida reigns in Bernicia l. 3. p. 146. Theodosius sent as General by Valentinian to put a stop to the Incursions on the Britains made by several barbarous Nations l. 2. p. 92. Returns to London victorious having recovered the Plunder and Captives and establishes a firm Peace for a long time l. 2. p. 92 93. A Plot contrived against him by Valentinus of Pannonia but he and the Conspirators being seized are commanded to be put to death Id. p. 93. Is received by the Emperor with great Commendations on his being recalled to Rome after he had left Britain in Peace Id. p. 94. Theodosius the Son created by Gratian his Partner in the Empire Id. p. 95. Undertakes his Quarrel against Maximus the Tyrant who seizes him and orders him to be beheaded Id. p. 96. Restores Valentinian the second to the Empire of the West and overcomes Eugenius the Usurper who was deservedly put to death Id. p. 97. Takes the whole Empire to himself both of East and West His death Id. Ib. Theodwulf King of Bernicia for one year and then dies l. 3. p. 146. Theomantius or Tenantius succeeds Cassibelan by the general applause of the people l. 2. p. 36. In his Reign Octavius obtains the Empire of Rome Id. Ib. Tholouse taken by the Goths l. 2. p. 104. St. Thomas called an Indian Apostle because he there suffered Martyrdom l. 5. p. 286. Thunore a Thane cruelly murthers the two Sons of Ermenred l. 4. p. 180 185. Thurkyll appointed Earl over East-England by King Cnute l. 6. p. 50. Is banished by King Cnute but the Crime for which is uncertain though said for being a principal Promoter of Archbishop Aelfeage's Murther Id. p. 52. Thyra King Aethelred's Daughter married to Gormun King of the Danes whose Son by her was Sweyn the Father of King Cnute l. 5. p. 276. Tiberius succeeds Augustus in the Empire and is given up to Ease and Luxury which made him rather have thoughts of contracting than enlarging the Bounds thereof In his time the Britains paid their usual Customs and Tolls for those Commodities they transported to the Romans into Gaul and what they took in exchange from them l. 2. p. 37. Tilabury now called Tilbury near the River Thames l. 4. p. 184. Tinmouth anciently called Dunmouth where the Danes were vanquished l. 5. p. 256. Tiowulfingeeaster a City near the River Trent but where is not known l. 4. p. 175. Titulus or Titillus Son of Uffa King of the East-Angles l. 3. p. 145. Tobias the Bishop dies at Rochester a very Learned man in that Age l. 4. p. 219. Tocester in Northamptonshire anciently called Tofeceaster l. 5. p. 321 322. Torswick anciently Tursige in Lindsey part then of the Northumbrian Kingdom l. 5. p. 277. Tostige Son of Earl Godwin to whom Edward the Confessor gave the Earldom of Northumberland l. 6. p. 86. His Earldom depopulated by Malcolme King of Scots Id. p. 89. The Northumbers rise against him and set him aside and chuse Morchar for their Earl Id. p. 90. His Banishment and what the occasion of it Id. p. 91 92. His Invasion and endeavours to dethrone his Brother Harold with the Ravages he committed up and down the Sea-Coasts Id. p. 106. Joins the King of Norway's Fleet and lands in Yorkshire with them but they are both slain by Harold at Staenford-Bricge Id. p. 109. Tower of London said to be first founded by Belinus l. 1. p. 13. Tradition an uncertain Guide in Matters of Fact l. 3. p. 114. Traffick King Edward the Elder 's Law about it confirming the Fourth Article of the League made between his Father and Guthrun the Dane appointing Vouchers to make good the Sale of any thing l. 5. p. 284 325. Atheltan's Law forbidding any Commutati-of Goods unless in the presence of such as are thereby appointed Id. p. 340 341. Trajan the Emperor soon reduces the Britains that Revolted against him l. 2. p. 66. Paved the publick ways with Stone and raised Cause-ways c. Id. Ib. Transmarine-Nations are the Scots from the North-West and the Picts from the North and why this Name is given to them l. 2. p. 99. Transportation a Law for it as to such and such Criminals though the King should Pardon them as to Life and Member l. 6. p. 102. Traytor Elfgar was so to the King and the whole Nation l. 6. p. 86. Treasure-Trove all to be the King 's unless found in a Church and then too it was the King's if it were Gold but if Silver then he to have one half and the Church the other l. 6. p. 101. Trebellius Maximus Vid. Maximus Trekingham a place so called from Three Danish Kings being Buried there l. 5. p. 270. Triades an Antient Welsh Chronicle so called written near a Thousand Years ago l. 3. p. 146. Tribute Caesar appoints how much should be paid by the Britains to the People of Rome l. 2. p. 35. It ceases during the Residence of Kynobelin at Rome Id. p. 36. Is suspected to be paid in Kynobelin's time by a Coin of his Id. p. 37. A great one is imposed upon North-Wales annually by King Athelstan l. 5. p. 338. War is made upon North-Wales by King Edgar for non-payment of Tribute from the King of Aberfraw to the King of London l. 6. p. 3 4. Ten thousand pounds decreed to be paid to the Danes for the Terror they gave the Inhabitants of the Sea-Coasts but yet this did not long satisfy their Covetousness Id. p. 23. Sixteen thousand pounds Tribute given them beside their maintenance Id. p. 25. Another of Twenty four thousand pound paid them and provision likewise Id. p. 29. Another of Thirty thousand pounds paid them and to find them Provisions during their stay Id. p. 32. And another both of Provisions and Money to make Peace with them which they soon after broke Id. p. 35. Vid. Danegelt Triers The Seat of Maximus his Usurped Empire l. 2. p. 95. Trinobantes submit to Caesar sending him Forty Hostages and Corn for his Army l. 2. p. 34. Moved to Rebel by the Cruelty of the Romans Id. p. 47 48. Triumphal Honours and Ornaments bestowed on C. Sidius though he had never been Consul for Routing the Britains l. 2. p. 39. Given to Flavius Vespatian and two Sacerdotal Dignities with the Consulship and why Id. p. 41. Conferre'd on Agricola By Titus Vespatian for his great Atchievements Id. p. 57. Conferre'd on Agricola And by Domitian with the Honour of a Statue Id. p. 63. Troops or Companies by the Saxons called Hlothe by the Laws of King Ina the Number that constituted one was above thirty The Mulcts payable by those that killed in Troops
and to whom l. 5. p. 293. Trumbrith or Trumbert when consecrated Bishop of Hagulstade l. 4. p. 201. Trumwin consecrated Bishop of the Picts this was the Bishoprick of Wyterne called in Latin Candida Casa l. 4. p. 201. Trutulensis a Port supposed by Mr. Somner to be Richborough near Sandwich l. 2. p. 63. Tryals the Antiquity of them by a Grand Inquest of more than Twelve men l. 6. p. 43. Tuda Bishop of Lindisfarne dies of the Plague and where buried l. 4. p. 189 190. Tudric King of Glamorgan said to have exchanged his Crown for a Hermitage but afterwards going out of it against the Saxons in the defence of his Son Mouric he received a mortal Wound l. 3. p. 148 149. Tudwall Gloff or the Lame why he was so called l. 5. p. 317. Turkytel a Danish Earl owns King Edward the Elder for his Lord l. 5. p. 319. Goes into France with King Edward's leave and Convoy with what Danes would follow him Id. p. 320. The Chancellor his great Valour and Slaughter of Constantine and Anlaff's Army and his narrow Escape from being killed by them Id. p. 335 336. Afterwards he was Abbot of the Abbey of Croyland Id. p. 336 349. Sent Ambassador by King Edred to the Northumbers to reduce them to their Duty Id. p. 349. Carries Archbishop Oskytel his Kinsman's Body to Bedford to be buried l. 6. p. 7. His Death Id. p. 12. Turne-Island formerly called the Isle of Medcant l. 3. p. 146. Turpilianus Petronius sent in Paulinus Suetonius his room as being more exorable to the Britains l. 2. p. 51. Twelfhind-man one that is worth Twelve hundred Shillings of Estate l. 5. p. 346. Twihind-man one worth Two hundred Shillings of Estate they both to join together to apprehend a Thief if known where he is Id. Ib. Tyrants said to be justly removed for being the Occasion of the Destruction of the Military Forces of their Kingdom l. 5. p. 253. Tythes to be paid according to the Scriptures The first Decree of any Council in England concerning the Payment of them and that declares them to be of Divine Right l. 4. p. 234. Aethelwulfe's famous and solemn Grant of them which was the first General Law that ever was made in a Mycel Synod of the whole Kingdom for their Payment Id. p. 263. Edgar's Law concerning them and First-Fruits l. 6. p. 13. Edward the Confessor's Laws concerning what things small Tythes shall be paid out of Id. p. 100. Tythings when Counties were first thus divided by King Alfred l. 5. p. 291. Every man of free Condition obliged to enter himself into some Tything l. 6. p. 58 104. V VAcancy of the Throne in Edwi's time for above a year and what Enormities were committed during that time l. 5. p. 354. Valentia who ordered the Northern Province of Britain to be for the future called Valentia and why l. 2. p. 93. In France defended by Constantine against Honorius Id. p. 102. Valentinian chosen Emperor by the Army at Nice in Bythinia and not long after declares Valens his Brother Partner in the Empire l. 2. p. 91. Is again restored to the Empire of the West by Theodosius but held it not long for he was strangled by Arbogastes at Vienne in Gallia Id. p. 97. Valentinus plotting with some Soldiers against Theodosius they were seized and delivered to Dulcitius to be put to death l. 2. p. 93. Valerianus Pub. Licinius Emperor is made the Footstool of the Tyrant Sapores King of Persia for seven years then flead alive and so died l. 2. p. 81. Valuation The Valuation of mens Heads fâ—om the King 's down to the Countreyman's l. 5. p. 341 342. Vectius Bolanus succeeds Trebellius Maximus in the Government of Britain l. 2. p. 53. Could not attempt any thing on the Britains because of the Factions of the Army Id. p. 54. Venedoti and Daemetae the Inhabitants of Wales l. 2. p. 85. l. 3. p. 139. Venutius a Prince of the Jugantes l. 2. p. 45. Is highly provoked by the Injuries of Queen Cartismandua his Wife he takes up Arms against the Romans she dâ—spises him and embraces an Adulterer Id. Ib. This War is supposed to have begun in Nero's time Id. p. 46. But is carried on against the Romans evâ—n till and in the time of tbe Emperor Vitellius Id. p. 54. Veranius wastes the Silures by many small Iâ—cursions a man of great Vanity and Ambition as appears by his Last Will l. 2. p. 46. Verulam that is St. Albans the Great Council which was held there l. 4. p. 239. Vespasian Flavius afterwards Emperor partly under Claudius partly under Plautius fights thirty Battels with the Britains l. 2. p. 39 41. Brings two powerful Nations and above twenty Towns with the Isle of Wight under his subjection Id. p. 41. Titus his Son serving under him as a Tribune is much renowned for his Valour Id. Ib. Succeeds Vitellius who was deposed about the Tenth Month of his Reign Id. p. 54. His Death when Id. p. 56. Vespatian Titus succeeds and rather exceeds than equals his Father in Valour and Worth l. 2. p. 56. For the great Atchievements of Agricola he was fifteen times saluted Imperator or General is stiled The Delight of Mankind but yet dies as suspected by Poyson Id. p. 57. A Cohort of his having slain a Centurion and other Soldiers deserted and went to Sea turning Pyrates where ever they landed but at last the Suevians and Frisians took and sold them as Pyrates Id. p. 59. Uffa the Eighth King from Woden and First of the East-Angles l. 3. p. 149. Gets himself made sole King and governs with that Glory that it is said the Kings descending from him were called Uffings How long he reigned uncertain Id. Ib. Vice-Domini that is the Governors of Provinces divided by King Alfred into two Offices viz. Judges and Sheriffs l. 5. p. 291. Victor elected Pope in the room of Leo that holy Bishop of Rome l. 6. p. 85. His Decease and who succeeded him Id. p. 87. Victorinus a Roman Governor in Britain l. 2. p. 104. Vienne a City in Dauphine where Constans was slain l. 2. p. 103. Villain if he wrought on Holidays he was to satisfy it with his skin that is by whipping or pay his Head-gild c. l. 5. p. 285. Villains great and prosperous ones often meet with the Punishment they deserveâ— as well the Actors as Contrivers l. 2. p. 96. Virgilius the Scoâ—ish Abbot his Decease l. 5. p. 312. Virgins Geoffrey of Monmouth's Story of Ursula's being sent over to Britain and Eleven thousand Noble Virgins to attend her besides sixty thousand of meaner condition she to be bestowed on Conan and the rest on the other Britains and their End l. 2. p. 96 97. Vitalian the Pope confirms by his Bull King Wulfher's Charter to the Abbey of Medeshamsted l. 4. p. 187. This Bull is confirmed by Pope Agatho Id. p. 200. Ulfkytel the Ealdorman his sharp Engagement with the Danes and the
very well skill'd in the Holy Scriptures sent to King Alfred out of Mercia l. 5. p. 305 306. West-burgh a Monastery in Worcestershire l. 5. p. 253. West-Chester Vid. Chester Westminster Church and Abbey founded by King Sebert Mellitus the Bishop dedicating it to St. Peter l. 4. p. 166. But being destroyed by the Danes it had ever since lain in Ruins till Edward the Confessor built it anew and had it re-consâ—crated l. 6. p. 93 94 95. The Legend of this Church her having been anciently consecrated by St. Peter Id. p. 93. Charter of Endowment and Privileges of this Church confirmed by the Great Council The Greatest and Noblest of any Foundation in England Id. p. 94. West-Saxons when this Kingdom first began l. 3. p. 133. Were conquered by Cerdic and his Sâ—ns Id. Ib. Who first took upon them the Title of the Kings of the West-Saxons and at last they overcome all the other six Kingdoms Id. p. 136. They fight with Ivor and are put to flight Id. p. 145. Cut off Sebert's three Sons who were all Heirs to the East-Saxon Kingdom l. 4. p. 168 169. Their Conversion by the preaching of Byrinus an Italian Id. p. 179. Anciently called Gewisses Id. Ib. Bishop of the West-Saxons that is of Dorchester Id. p. 203. Their Royal Standard a Golden Dragon Id. p. 226. Are forced to maintain the Danes and what Money they give them besides l. 6. p. 25. Submit to King Cnute and give him Hostages and likewise provide Horses for his Army Id. p. 41. Westwude since called Shireburne l. 4. p. 214. Whalie in Lancashire anciently called Wealaege where a bloody Battel was fought and with whom l. 4. p. 241. Wheat at what rate sold in Hardecnute's time Vid. Sester Whipping a Punishment to be inflicted only on Villains l. 5. p. 285. Whitby in Yorkshire anciently called Streanshale l. 4. p. 189. Whitchurch in Hampshire anciently called Whitcircan l. 6. p. 28. Whitsand an ancient Port Five hundred years before Caesar's time l. 2. p. 31. About the Fourteenth Century was made unserviceable being stopp'd up by the Sands Id. Ib. Wibbendon now Wimbledon in Surrey l. 3. p. 145. Wiccon now Worcestershire l. 4. p. 242. l. 5. p. 247. Widow to remain so a Twelvemonth by King Cnute's Law and if she marry within that time to lose her Dower and all that her Husband left her l. 6. p. 60. Wigbryht Bishop of the West-Saxons goes to Rome about the Affairs of the English Church l. 5. p. 251. Wigheard the Presbyter sent to Rome there to be made Archbishop of Canterbury but died almost as soon as he arrived there l. 4. p. 195 205. Wight is brought under subjection by Titus Vespatian l. 2. p. 41. The Isle anciently called Vecta l. 2. p. 84. Is conquered by Cerdic and Cynric who bâ—stow it on Stufe and Withgar Nephews to the former l. 3. p. 138. Is taken by Wulfher King of Mercia l. 4. p. 188. Received at last the Christian Faith though upon hard terms l. 4. p. 203. The Danes quartering here made it their old Sanctuary l. 6. p. 27 31. Wightred confirms all the Privileges of the Monks of the Church of Canterbury by a Charter under his Hand l. 4. p. 163. Wigmore in Herefordshire anciently called Wigingamere l. 5. p. 321. Wilbrode an English Priest converts several Nations in Germany to the Christian Faith is ordained by the Pope Archbishop of the Frisons l. 4. p. 211. His Episcopal See was the famous Castle anciently called Wiltaburg now Utrecht Id. p. 211 212. Wilfreda a Nun taken out of a Cloyster at Wilton by King Edgar by whom he had a Beautiful Daughter that was afterwards Abbess of the said Monastery l. 6. p. 3 12. St. Wilfrid Bishop of York when he caused the Rule of St. Benedict to be observed in England l. 4. p. 167 168. Wilfrid Abbot chosen unanimously by Oswi's Great Council Bishop of Lindisfarne and how he came to lose it upon his refusing Consecration here at home l. 4. p. 190. Is sent into France to be ordained Id. p. 192. A great Contention between King Egfrid and him so that he was expell'd his Bishoprick Id. p. 196. He appeals to Rome and what the success thereof Id. p. 197. By his preaching converts the South-Saxons Id. p. 198. Receives of Ceadwallo as much Land in the Isle of Wight as maintain'd 300 Families Id. p. 203. Is recalled home by King Alfred and restored in a General Synod to his Sees of York and Hagulstad Id. p. 204 213. Is a second time expelled by Alfred and why Id. p. 205 206. Three times deprived the first time unjustly but whether so the other two is doubtful His Decease at Undale and Burial at Ripon in Yorkshire Id. p. 214 215. His Character Is the first Bishop in that Age that ever used Silver Plate Id. p. 215. An Account of his building the Monastery of Ripon l. 5. p. 350. The second Bishop of York of that name his Death l. 4. p. 224. Wilfrid or Wulfred consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury in the room of Ethelward deceased and the next year received his Pall l. 5. p. 248. Goes to Rome about the Affairs of the British Church Id. p. 251. His Death and the different Account who succeeded him Id. p. 255. William the Son of Robert Duke of Normandy by Harlotte his Concubine afterwards King of England to whom recommended whilst his Father made his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem l. 6. p. 54. When he began to reign in Normandy Id. p. 56. The great Battel at Vallesdune in Normandy upon his account Id. p. 74. His coming over into England and noble Reception here with Edward's promising to make him his Successor Id. p. 79. Takes the City of Man l. 6. p. 89. Sets Harold at liberty who was detained by the Earl of Ponthieu contracts Friendship with and betroths his Daughter to him Id. p. 92. Harold promises upon King Edward's death to deliver up Dover-Castle to him and procure his Succession to the Throne Id. Ib. Could have no pretence to the Crown of England by Blood Id. p. 96 97. His great Preparations to invade England and the reasons why first acquainting the Pope with his Design and receiving his Answer with the account of his craving Aid of his People and Neighbour Princes Id. p. 107 108 109. His coming over and landing at Pevensey and Preparations for a Battel but first sends a Monk to Harold with Proposals which he by no means would hearken to Id. p. 110 111. The manner how he drew up his Army in order to fight him Id. p. 112. By seeming to retreat he gets the Victory wherein Harold is slain Id. p. 212 213. Having got Harold's Standard which was curiously embroider'd he sends it to the Pope Id. p. 113. Sends Harold's Body as soon as it was found to his Mother Id. p. 114. Wills Last Vid. Testament Wilton near Salisbury supposed anciently to be Ellendune where a great Battel was fought between
Egbert King of the West-Saxons and Beornwulf King of the Mercians the latter being beaten l. 5. p. 253. Both Town and County take their names from the River Willie Id. p. 276. Wiltshire-men gain the Victory over the Worcestershire-men or Mercians l. 5. p. 247. Wina Vid. Wini. Winandermere anciently called Wonwaldermere a Village by the great Pool in Lancashire l. 4. p. 236. Winchelcomb a Monastery in Gloucestershire for Three hundred Benedictine Monks founded by Kenwulf King of the Mercians and its Consecration l. 4. p. 242. l. 5. p. 251. Kenelm his Son martyr'd by his Sistâ—r Quendride after his Body was found was brought hither and buried in the Church of this Abbey l. 5. p. 252. Winchester anciently called Caer-Guent by whom it is first pretended to be built l. 1. p. 10. The Old Church there commanded to be built by King Cenwall l. 4. p. 181. The Bishoprick is resigned by Daniel by reason of his Old Age to Hunferth Id. p. 224. Is taken from King Ethelbert by the Danes l. 5. p. 266. The Consecration of the New Monastery here l. 5. p. 312. A Great Council held here concerning the turning out of the Monks l. 6. p. 16. Winchester-Measure to be the Standard l. 6. p. 14. Winfrid Bishop of the Mercians deposed by Archbishop Theodore and why l. 4. p. 194. Wini or Wina made Bishop of the West-Saxons and the Province being divided into two Diocesses he is settled in that of Winchester l. 4. p. 182 188. But being driven from his See by King Kenwalch goes and purchases the See of London of King Wulfher The First Example of Simony here Id. p. 191. Wipha or Wippa the Son of Cryda succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of the Mercians l. 3. p. 148. Wir a River in the Bishoprick of Durham l. 4. p. 194. Wiregild is a satisfaction made by a Murtherer to the Friends of the Party slain l. 4. p. 211. The Valuation of a Man's Head l. 5. p. 341. Wiremouth a Monastery built by Abbot Benedict l. 4. p. 194 205. Witchcraft King Athelstan's Law against it l. 5. p. 340. Wite a Fine or Mulct to be paid by the English and Danes upon the violating of their Laws l. 5. p. 284 285. Witena-Gemote their large Authority not only in assenting to new Laws but in their Judicial Power in giving Judgments upâ—n all Suits or Complaints brought before them as well in Appeals between Subject and Subject as when the King himself was a Party l. 6. p. 83. It outlaws and convicts Earl Aelfgar upon a Charge of being a Traytor to the King and the whole Nation Id. p. 86. Witerne a Bishopriâ—k called in Latin Candida Casa belonging to the Kingdom of Northumberland l. 4. p. 201 231. St. Withburg her Body found at Durham entire and uncorrupt after she had been Fifty five years buried l. 4. p. 242. Withgar Nephew to King Cerdick with Stufe put the Britains to flight l. 3. p. 135. His Death and Burial at Withgarasbyrig supposed Caresbrook-Castle in the Isle of Wight Id. p. 138. His Constitutions of the Church confirmed in the Synod called by Archbishop Ethelheard l. 4. p. 241. He and Stufe first Princes of the Isle of Wight l. 5. p. 261. Withlaff an Ealdorman of Mercia created King by the Consent of all the People l. 5. p. 253. Reigns Thirteen Years as Tributary to King Egbert Id. p. 254. Is expelled and upon what account where he lay concealed till he procured Egbert's Reconciliation upon which he was restored paying a Yearly Tribute Ib. Ib. The Privileges and Concessions of this King to the Monastery of Croyland confirmed in a General Council held at London and who were present in it Id. p. 257. His Decease and who succeeded him Id. p. 259. Withred by his Piety and Industry freed Kent from Foreign Invasions l. 4. p. 205. King of Kent elected by the General Consent of his Subjects and held it thirty years l. 4. p. 209. Holds a great Council at Becancelde and who were there present and what was transacted Id. p. 210. Another at Berkhamsted in Kent and what Laws were made there Id. p. 211. His Death His Children and Character Id. p. 218. Wittereden signifies a certain Fine or Forfeiture l. 5. p. 262. Woden King of a City in Asia called Asgard dies in Swedeland counted a great Magician and after his Death is worshipped as a God l. 3. p. 121. Brought back the Goths out of Asia into Europe Ib. p. 122. Wodensbeorge now Wodensburg a little Village in Wiltshire l. 3. p. 148. Wolves a Tribute of so many Wolves Heads to be paid to King Edgar instead of that in Money for his concluding a Peace with North-Wales l. 6. p. 4. Woodstock in Mercia where King Ethelred made several Excellent Laws with the Assistance of his Great Council l. 6. p. 42 43. Worcester anciently was called Vectij l. 4. p. 160 230. Bofel being ordained Bishop of the Wiâ—ij had his See here Id. p. 199 200. The First Bishop hereof was Talfride a Learned Monk but he died before Ordination Id. p. 200. Thiâ— Church was first founded by Athelred King of the Mercians Id. Ib. The City plunder'd and burnt and the Countrey wasted by Hardecnute and why l. 6. p. 67. The Shire anciently called Wicon l. 4. p. 242. l. 5. p. 247. Wounds and Maims King Alfred's Law concerning them l. 5. p. 296. Wulfheard an Ealdorman at Southampton fights 33 Danish Pyrates and makes there a terrible slaughter of them Id. p 258. Wulfhelme consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury l. 5. p. 329. His Decease and who succeeds him Id. p. 333. Wulfher succeeds his Brother Peadda and greatly enriches the Abbey of Medeshamsted with Lands and other Endowments l. 4. p. 186 187. Is proclaimed King by the Ealdormen of Mercia takes the Isle of Wight with the Countrey of the Meanvari Id. p. 188. Fights with Aescwin at Bedanheafde Id. p. 195. Concerning his Baptism and the ridiculous story of his murthering his two Sons with his own hands as also his Death Id. Ib. Wulfher Archbishop of York is expelled by the Northumbers but restored to it the next year after l. 5. p. 277. His Decease Id. p. 299. Wulfnoth Father of Earl Godwin being impeached before King Ethelred and escaping and running away with some of his Ships turns Pyrate and does a world of mischief by burning the rest of the Fleet that had escaped Shipwreck l. 6. p. 33. Wulfric Vid. Spot Wulstan is wickedly slain by his Cousin Berthferth Son of Bertwulf King of Mercia and his Body buried at the Monastery of Rependun in Derbyshire l. 5. p. 261. Wulstan Archbishop of York is made a close Prisoner at Witharbyrig by King Edred and for what but because of his Function he is afterwards pardoned and restored l. 5. p. 350. His Decease Id. p. 355. Wulstan Archbishop of York consecrates Ethelnoth a Monk and Dean of Canterbury Bishop l. 6. p. 51. His Decease and who succeeds him Id. p.
53. Y YArrow near the River Tine anciently called Girwy l. 4. p. 194. Year the English-Saxon Year began not at Lady-day as ours does now but at New-Year's-tide l. 6. p. 93 94. Year and Day allow'd for discovery of Murther l. 6. p. 101. York anciently called Caer-brank by whom built l. 1. p. 10. And Eoferwick l. 5. p. 324. l. 6. p. 41. Augustine had Power from Pope Gregory to ordain whom he pleased Bishop there and he to ordain Twelve Bishops more and enjoy the Honour of a Metropolitan l. 4. p. 158. Paulinus the first Bishop of York Id. p. 173. The City and Monastery of this place burnt Id. p. 224. A Noble Library built there by Bishop Egbert accounted one of the best in Europe Id. p. 229. Is taken by Reginald the Danish King of Northumberland l. 5. p. 324. Stormed plunder'd and many of the Inhabitants slain by the King of Norway l. 6. p. 109. Yric appointed by King Cnute to be Earl of the Northumbers l. 6. p. 41 59. Yrling the Dane and Lothen with Twenty five Ships land at Sandwic and commit great havock l. 6. p. 74. Ywrch Edwal the Son of Cadwallader l. 3. p. 145. Z ZEal the Intemperate Zeal of some Church-men how not to be imitated l. 2. p. 96. The Founding of a Monastery accounted a sufficient Atonement to God for whatsoever Injustices Princes committed so great was the Superstitious Zeal of Ancient Times l. 4. p. 242. Upon Oswy's Repentance for his Treacherous Procurement of King Oswin's Death he builds a Monastery on the Place where the Murther was committed to expiate the Crime and to pray as well for his own Soul as for the King 's he had caused to be killed l. 4. p. 183. Vid. Egbert Id. p. 192 193. The most considerable ERRATA The smaller the Reader may easily amend Book 1. PAge 7. line 21. for his r. certain of his id l. 27 for transactions r. translations p. 13. l. 32. dele now p. 14. l. 38. after longer r. able p. 17. l. 13. for the r. any ib. for originals r. words Book 2. P. 21. in marg for Lib. r. Diod. p. 22. l. 16. for then r. as p. 24. l. 8. for at r. yet id l 48. put the Semicolon after it p. 30. l. 20. d. of p. 46. in marg after History r. Lib. 3. id in marg after Annal d. LXIII p. 54 l. 9. d. partly p. 56. l. 14. for and that r. at an p. 60. l. 26. after Tributes r. they used p 63. l 7. for some r. sometimes p 64. l. 49. for who wanted r. the wonted id l. 52. for bought r. sought p. 66. l. 13. for found r. famed p. 7â— l. 9. r. Choir p. 72. l. 48. for charged r. changed p. 75. l. 2. after all r. things ib. for having r. leaving p. 79. l. 21. for when he r. having id l. penult for and r. he then ib. after Army make a Full Point id l. ult for other r. as many of his Successors within a Parenthesis p. 83. l. 6. r. Vopiscus p. 86. l. 30. for wrote r. wrought p. 87. l. 5. r. Constantius id l. 13. d. Augustus id l. 14. after declared r. Augustus id l. 26. after out r. of p. 88. l 1. for Mercurius r. Maxentius id l. 32. for 114. r. 314. p. 89. l. 34. d. and. id l. 50. r. Ariminum p. 93. l. 33. r. Dulcitius p. 95. l. 4. after former r. of that name p. 96 l. 14. r. Priscillian p. 97. l. 30. r. Honorius p. 98. l. 37. r. Veremundus p. 100. l. 15. for long so r. so long p. 104. l. 22. after for r. as ib. for proved for r. observed p. 106. l. 33. r. 435 Book 3. P. 115. l. 45. for by r. the. p. 118. l. 15. for 149 r. 449. id l. 45. for Elles r. Albis p. 119. l. 20. r. Krantzius p. 122. l. 44. for Ranulphus r. Angrimus Jonas p. 123 l. 20. for names other r. other names p. 124. l. 33. for latter r former p. 128. l. 19. for him r. them p. 133. l. 45. for 500 r 504. p. 137. l. 27. for Thom. Radburne r. and others p. 138. l. 41. r. Camalan p. 141. l. 6. put a Semicolon after one id in marg for Anno DLXIV r. DXLIV. p. 142. in marg for DLXVII r. DXLVII p. 152. l. 30. for England r. Britain Book 4. P. 158 l. 13. for sixty r. six hundred and one p. 159 l. 48. after Sebert d. also baptized Ethelbert p. 161 l. 13. d. as they relate id l. 38. for but r. then p 163. l 28. for Seal r. Hand p 167. l. 26. for denied r. much question'd p 169. l. 3. for them r. him p. 180. l. 37. for one r. this p. 191. l. 7. for Monastery r. Mortality p. 193. l. 27. for January r. March p. 199. l. 15. for Seat r. See at p. 204. l. penult r. Cadwallo p. 205. l 41. for he again r. Benedict p. 211. l. 50. r. 696. p. 219. l. 17. d. by p. 220 in Marg. after cap. r. 35. f. 148. p. 223. l. 23. for 31. r. 21. id l. 36. for Leycester r. Chester p 229. l. 6. for Death r. Resignation p. 231. l. 37. for flight r. fight p. 240. l. 36. after Northumbers r. had the year before id l. 39. r. Cobre p. 241. l. 4. for Bishop r. Dr. p. 242. l. 29. for Rog. Hoveden r. Simeon of Durham ib. r. Osbald Book 5. P. 250. l. 22. for 40 r. 4. p. 255 l. 49. for thousand r. hundred p. 258. l. 8. for was not Son but Brother to r. was Son not Brother to p. 265 l. 43. for Ethelred r. Ethelbert in Capital Letters p. 266. l. 45. d. all p. 272. l. 21. for Britains r. Danes p. 277. l. 19. for Bertulph r. Burhed p. 278. l. 21. for him r. them p. 279. l. 26. after his r. third p. 281. l. 47. for Hubblestones r. Hubbestow p. 286. l. 21. d. and says for p. 289. l 29. d. though p. 298. l. 7. for Menia r. Mercia p. 300. l. 4. for then r. though id l. 5. for sallied r. went ib. d. of their Camp p. 305. l. 46. d. not only p. 306. l. 2. after Asser d. the Parenth r himself id l. 44. r. Brocmail p. 312. l. 27. for some r. new p 324. l. 25. for that r. Derby id l. 26. for Derby r. that shire p. 343. l. 11. for them r. him p. 344. l. 7. d. for this r. the next Book 6. This Book being printed at another Press the Title was forgot to be alter'd like the rest therefore in Page 1. in the Title d. Britain now called r. England and so also in the Titles of all the rest of the Pages P. 3. l. 15. for who r. for he p. 4. l. 7. d. for that Tribute r. in lieu thereof p. 24. l. 50. after Normandy r. and King Ethelred p. 26. l. 22. for whither r. either p. 29. l. 29.
Old Minster or Cathedral The nearness of these two Monasteries afterwards occasioned great differences between them until the Monks of this new Abbey who were placed here in the room of the Secular Chanons by Bishop Ethelwald Anno Dom. 963. were removed without the Walls to a place called Hyde as you shall hear in due time and here also the Bones of King Alfred were new Buried by King Edward his Son as Will. of Malmsbury relates because of some foolish Stories made by those of the Old Monastery concerning the dead King's Ghost walking in some Houses adjacent to the Church This Year also according to our Annals the Moon was Eclipsed The next Year Prince Ethelwald incited the Danish Forces in East-England to Arms so that they over-ran and spoiled all the Country of Mercia as far as Crekelade now Crekelade in Wiltshire and there passing the Thames they took in Braedene now Braedon Forest in Wiltshire whatsoever they could find and then return'd home In the mean time King Edward so soon as he could get his Army together followed them and destroyed all the Country which lies between the Ditch and the River Ouse as far as the Northern Fens By the Ditch above-mention'd Florence of Worcester understands that bound or limit drawn between the Territories of the late King Edmund and the River Ouse which at this day is known by the name of the Devil's Ditch that formerly divided the Mercian Kingdom from that of the East-Angles And Bromton's Chronicle under this Year further adds That Ethelwold having thus passed the Thames at Crekelade took Brithenden and marched as far as Brandenstoke now Bradenstoke in Wiltshire so that as Mr. Camden well observes in his Britannia our Modern Historians have been much mistaken in supposing that place to be Basing-Stoke in Hampshire But to return to our History As soon as the King resolved to quit those parts he order'd it to be proclaimed throughout the whole Army that they should all march off but the Kentishmen staying behind contrary to his command he sent Messengers to them to come away yet it seems before they could do it the Danes had so hemmed them in that they were forced to fight and there Eadwald the King's Thane and Cenwulf the Abbot with many more of the English Nobility were slain and on the Danes part were kill'd Eoric their King and Prince Ethelwald who had stirred them to this Rebellion and Byrtsig the Son of Prince Beornoth and Ysopa General of the King's Army and abundance of others which it would be too tedious to enumerate But it was plain that there was a great slaughter made on both sides yet nevertheless the Danes kept the Field of Battel Also this Year Queen Ealswithe the Mother of King Edward deceased in which also a Comet appeared Who this Eoric King of the Danes was is uncertain I suppose him to have been the Danish King of the East-Angles whose death according to Will of Malmesbury's Account falls about this time for he says thus That this King was killed by the English whom he treated tyrannically but for all this yet they could not recover their Liberty certain Danish Earls still oppressing or else inciting them against the West-Saxon Kings till the Eighteenth Year of this King's Reign when they were all by him overcome and the Country brought under obedience To this time we may also refer that great Council which was held by King Edward the Elder where Plegmond Archbishop of Canterbury presided though the place where is not specified yet the occasion of it as we find from Will of Malmesbury as well as the Register of the Priory of Christ-Church in Canterbury cited by Sir H. Spelman was thus Pope Formosus had sent Letters into England threatning Excommunication and his Curse to King Edward and all his Subjects because the Province of the West-Saxons had been now for Seven Years without any Bishops whereupon the King summoned a great Council or Synod of Wise men of the English Nation wherein the Archbishop read the Pope's Letters then the King and the Bishops with all his Lay-Subjects upon mature deliberation found out a safe course to avoid it by appointing Bishops over each of the Western Counties dividing what Two Bishops had formerly held into Five Diocesses The Council being ended the Archbishop went to Rome and reciting the King's Decree with the Advice and Approbation of the Chief Men of his Kingdom He thereby and with rich Presents so pacified the Pope that Plegmond obtain'd his confirmation thereof and then returning into his own Country he ordained five Bishops in one day to wit Fridestan to the Church of Winchester Aldestan to Cornwall Werstan to Shireborne Athelm to Wells and Eadwulf to Crediton in Devonshire But Archbishop Parker in his Antiq Britannicae under this very Year thus recites this Transaction out of a very Ancient Manuscript Author whom he does not particularly name viz. That Plegmund Archbishop of Canterbury together with King Edward called a great Council of the Bishops Abbots Chief men Subjects and People in the Province of the Gewisses where these two Bishopricks were divided into five So that you see here was no less than five new Diocesses erected at once by the Authority of both the King and the Great Council of the Nation though it seems the Pope took upon him the confirmation of this Decree The same Authors likewise tell us That Archbishop Plegmond ordained two more Bishops over the Ancient Provinces to wit one Bernod for the South Saxons and Cenwulf for the Mercians whose See was at Dorchester in Oxfordshire Cardinal Baronius in his Annals having given us a Copy of these Letters of Pope Formosus hath found a notable Error in the Date of them for being written Anno Dom. 904 or 905. they could not be sent by that Pope who was dead about 9 or 10 years before and therefore the Cardinal would put the time of this Council back to Anno Dom. 894. but then as Sir H. Spelman in his Notes upon it well observes the fault will be as great this way as the other for King Edward under whom this Council was held was not King till above 10 years after therefore some would place this Council in the latter end of King Alfred's Reign after the Kingdom came to be setled upon the expulsion of the Danes but Sir H. Spelman affirms That these things being written long after the time when they were transacted the name of Formosus might be put into the Copies of these Letters instead of Pope Leo the Fifth and then all things will fall right enough But as to Frithestan Bishop of Winchester this Account of Will of Malmesbury will not hold for our Annals tell us That he was not made Bishop till Anno Dom. 910. upon the death of Bishop Denulph and therefore that See could not be so long void as this Relation would have it The like mistake is in making Werstan to be then
Bishop of Shireborne This Year Elfred who was Gerefe of Bathe died and about the same time there was a Peace made between King Edward and those of East-England and Northumberland That is as Florence interprets it with the Danish Army inhabiting those Provinces at Ityngaford but where the place was is now unknown to us unless it be Ilford near Christ-Church in Hampshire which is seated in the new Forest called Itene in English-Saxon This Year also Ligceaster now Leicester was repaired And Florence of Worcester likewise relates it to have been done in the Year 908. by the care of Ethelred Duke of Mercia and the Lady Elfleda his Wife and this Author does also inform us That this Year the King subdued Eastseax East-England and Northumberland with many other Provinces which the Danes had a long time been possessed of but East-England was not reduced till some Years after also that he conquered the borders of the Scots Cumbrians and Galloway Men with the Western Britains and forced their Kings to yield themselves to him and then he returned home with great Glory and Honour This Year also Cadelh Prince of South Wales died he was second Son to Roderic the Great and Father to Howel Dha i. e. the Good who succeeded him in that Dominion Some of the South Wales Antiquaries have endeavoured to prove this Cadelh to have been the eldest Son of Roderic the Great but Mr. Vaughan hath so Learnedly confuted this Mistake in a small Treatise which he published on that Subject at Oxford 1663 that I think no Man can have any Reason to be dissatisfied with it This Year according to Florence of Worcester the ancient City of Caerlegion that is in the English Legeceaster and now Westchester was by the Command of Earl Ethered and Ethelflede his Wife repaired Which thô Mr. Camden in his Britannia will needs have to be Leicester yet that it was not so may appear from the British Name of Caerlegion which was never given to Leicester but only to Westchester by the ancient British Inhabitants ' This Year deceased Denulph who was Bishop of Winchester This is he of whom our Historians tell us That the King lighting on him as he lay concealed at Athelney being then but a Swineheard and finding him a Man of excellent Natural Parts set him to School to learn and he became so good a Proficient in Letters that he was made first a Doctor and afterwards a Bishop This Year also the Body of St. Oswald was translated from Bardenigge that is Bardeney in Lincolnshire into Mercia Frithâ—stan now took the Bishoprick of Winchester and Bishop Asser also deceased soon after who was Bishop of Shireburne Also the same Year King Edward sent an Army of the West Saxons together with the Mercians who very much wasted Northumberland and staying there five Weeks destroyed many of the Danes Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham give us a very good Reason for this Action viz. That the Danes had now broken the League they had entred into with King Edward so that he never lest them till he had forced their Kings and Commanders again to renew the Peace which however it seems they kept not long For the next Year our Annals tell us That the Danish Army in Northumberland not regarding the Peace which King Edward and his Son had made with them again wasted the Province of the Mercians but the King being then in Kent had got together about 100 Ships which sailed toward the South-East to meet them and then the Danes supposing that the greatest part of the King's Forces were in his Fleet thought they might march safely whither they would without fighting but so soon as the King understood they were gone out to plunder he sent an Army consisting of West Saxons and Mercians who following the Danes in the Rear as they returned home met with them in a place called Wodnesfield and fought with them routing and killing many Thousands of them with Eowils and Healfden their Kings with several Earls and Chief Commanders of their Army whose Names I forbear to give because I would tire my Reader as little as I could But to these Kings as the Annals of Winchelcombâ— inform us one Reginald succeeded Also the same Year as Florence hath it there was a remarkable Battle between the English and the Danes in Staffordshire but the former obtained the Victory This Year Aethered the Ealdorman of the Mercians deceased and the King then took the Cities of London and Oxenford into his own hands with all the Territories belonging to them But it seems the Lady Elflede now a Widow kept all the rest of Mercia for this Year the Annals say That she being Lady of the Mercians came on the Vigil of the Feast of Holyrood to a place called Sceargeat which is now unknown and there built a Castle and the same Year did the like at Bricge which Mr. Camden supposes to be Bridgenorth in Shropshire that Town being called Brigge by the common People at this day And Florence also adds That about this time she built the Town of Bremesbyrig Now about the Feast of St. Martin King Edward Commanded the Town of Heortford to be new built lying between the Rivers Memar Benefican and Lygean the first and second of which Rivers is now hard to name right only it is certain they were two Rivulets that discharged themselves into the River Lee then called Lygean between Hartford and Ware After this the Summer following between Lent and Midsummer the King marched with part of his Forces into East-Seax as far as Maeldune now Maldon and there encamped whilst a Town could be built and fortified at Witham near adjoyning and then a great part of the People who had before been under the Danish Dominion became subject to him In the mean time whilst part of his Forces built the Town of Heortford on the South side of Lee the Lady Aethelfleda marched with all the Mercians to Tamaweorthige now Tamworth in Staffordshire and there built a Castle and before the Feast of All-Saints did the like at Staeford and the Year following she built another at Eadesbyrig supposed by Mr. Camden to be Edesbury in Cheshire and also the same Year about the end of Autumn she built another at Weringwic now Warwick and the Year following that another at Cyricbyrig now Cherbury in Shropshire and another at Wearbyrig supposed by Mr. Camden to be Wedesbury in Staffordshire and before Christmas another at Run-Cafan that is Runckhorne in Cheshire But Florence places these Actions more rightly three Years after All which Castles being built in the space of the two following Years must be supposed to have been done not casually but as the exigence of Affairs required to secure the Mercian Frontiers against the Danish as well as the Welsh Incursions But it is now time to cast our Eyes a little on the Affairs of that part of