Letters to every Town and Citty wherby they might be ready all at the same hower which till the appointed time being the 9th of July was conceal'd with great silence and perform'd with much unanimity so generally hated were the Danes Mat. West writes that this execution upon the Danes was ten years after that Huna one of Ethelreds Chief Captains complaining of the Danish insolencies in time of peace thir pride thir ravishing of Matrons and Virgins incited the King to this massacher which in the madness of rage made no difference of innocent or nocent Among these Gunhildis the Sister of Swane was not spar'd though much deserving not pitty only but all protection she with her Husband Earl Palingus coming to live in England and receaving Christianity had her Husband and young Son slain before her face her self then beheaded foretelling and denouncing that her blood would cost England dear Some say this was done by the Traitor Edric to whose custody she was committed but the massacher was some years before Edric's advancement and if it were done by him afterward it seems to contradict the privat correspondence which he was thought to hold with the Danes For Swane breathing revenge An. Dom. 1003 hasted the next year into England and by the treason or negligence of Count Hugh whom Emma had recommended to the Government of Devonshire sack'd the City of Exeter her Wall from East to West-gate brok'n down after this wasting Wiltshire the people of that County and of Hamshire came together in great numbers with resolution stoutly to oppose him but Alfric thir General whose Sons Eyes the King had lately put out madly thinking to revenge himself on the King by ruining his own Country when he should have orderd his Battel the Enemy being at hand fain'd himself tak'n with a vomiting wherby his Army in great discontent destitute of a Commander turn'd from the Enemy who streight took Wilton and Salsbury carrying the pillage therof to his Ships An. Dom. 1004 Thence the next year landing on the Coast of Norfolk he wasted the Country and set Norwich on fire Ulfketel Duke of the East-Angles a man of great valour not having space to gather his Forces after consultation had thought it best to make peace with the Dane which he breaking within three weeks issu'd silently out of his Ships came to Thetford staid there a night and in the Morning left it flameing Vlsketel hearing this commanded some to go and break or burn his Ships but they not dareing or neglecting he in the mean while with what secresie and speed was possible drawing together his Forces went out against the Enemy and gave them a feirce onset retreating to thir Ships but much inferiour in number many of the Cheif East-Angles there lost thir lives Nor did the Danes come off without great slaughter of thir own confessing that they never met in England with so rough a charge The next year whom War could An. Dom. 1005 not a great Famin drove Swane out of the Land But the Summer following another great Fleet of Danes enterd the Port of Sandwich thence powrd An. Dom. 1006 out over all Kent and Sussex made prey of what they found The King levying an Army out of Mercia and the West-Saxons took on him for once the Manhood to go out and face them But they who held it safer to live by rapine then to hazard a Battel shifting lightly from place to place frustrated the slow motions of a heavy Camp following thir wonted course of robbery then running to thir Ships Thus all Autumn they wearied out the Kings Army which gone home to winter they carried all thir pillage to the I le of Wight and there staid till Christmas at which time the King being in Shropshire and but ill imploi'd for by the procurement of Edric he caus'd as is thought Alfhelm a noble Duke treacherously to be slain and the Eyes of his two Sons to be put out they came forth again over-running Hamshire and Barkeshire as far as Reading and Wallingford thence to Ashdune and other places thereabout neither known nor of tolerable pronuntiation and returning by another way found many of the people in Armes by the River Kenet but making thir way through they got safe with vast booty to thir Ships The An. Dom. 1007 King and his Courtiers wearied out with thir last Summers jaunt after the nimble Danes to no purpose which by proof they found too toilsome for thir soft Bones more us'd to Beds and Couches had recourse to thir last and only remedy thir Cofers and send now the fourth time to buy a dishonorable peace every time still dearer not to be had now under 36 thousand pound for the Danes knew how to milk such easie Kine in name of Tribute and expences which out of the people over all England already half beggerd was extorted and paid About the same time Ethelred advanc'd Edric surnam'd Streon from obscure condition to be Duke of Mercia and marry Edgitha the Kings Daughter The cause of his advancement Florent of Worster and Mat. West attribute to his great wealth gott'n by fine polices and a plausible tongue he prov'd a main accessory to the ruin of England as his actions will soon declare Ethelred the next year somewhat An. Dom. 1008 rowsing himself ordain'd that every 310 Hides a Hide is so much land as one Plow can sufficiently till should set out a Ship or Gally and every nine Hides find a Corslet and Head-peice new Ships in every Port were builded vittl'd fraught with stout Mariners and Souldiers and appointed to meet all at Sandwich A man might now think that all would go well when suddenly a new mischief sprung up dissention among the great ones which brought all this diligence to as little success as at other times before Bithric the Brother of Edric falsly accus'd Wulnoth a great Officer set over the South-Saxons who fearing the potency of his Enemies with 20 Ships got to Sea and practis'd piracy on the Coast Against whom reported to be in a place where he might be easily surpris'd Bithrie sets forth with 80 Ships all which driv'n back by a Tempest and wrackt upon the shoar were burnt soon after by Wulnoth Disheart'nd with this misfortune the King returns to London the rest of his Navy after him and all this great preparation to nothing Wherupon Turkill a Danish Earl came with a Navy An. Dom. 1009 to the I le of Tanet and in August a far greater led by Heming and Ilaf joyn'd with him Thence coasting to Sandwich and landed they went onward and began to assault Canterbury but the Citizens and East Kentish men coming to composition with them for three thousand pound they departed thence to the I le of Wight robbing and burning by the way Against these the King levies an Army through all the land and in several quarters places them nigh the Sea but so
requests him to sail with him to Sandwich and reconcile him to the King as he had promis'd Beorn mistrusting no evill where he intended good went with him in his Ship attended by three only of his Servants but Swane set upon barbarous cruelty not reconciliation with the King took Beorn now in his power and bound him then coming to Dertmouth slew and buried him in a deep Ditch After which the men of Hastings took six of his Ships and brought them to the King at Sandwich with the other two he escap'd into Flanders there remaining till Aldred Bishop of Worster by earnest mediation wrought his peace with the King About this time King Edward sent to Pope Leo desiring absolution from a vow which he had made in his younger years to take a journey to Rome if God voutsaf'd him to reign in England the Pope dispenc'd with his vow but not without the expence of his journey giv'n to the poor and a Monastery built or re-edifi'd to St. Peter who in a Vision to a Monk as is said chose Westminster which King Edward thereupon rebuilding endow'd with large privileges and revennues The same year saith Florent of Worster certain Irish Pirats with 36 Ships enterd the mouth of Severn and with the aid of Griffin Prince of South-Wales did some hurt in those parts then passing the River Wey burnt Dunedham and slew all the Inhabitants they found Against whom Aldred Bishop of Worster with a few out of Gloster and Herefordshire went out in hast but Griffin to whom the Welch and Irish had privily sent Messengers came down upon the English with his whole power by night and early in the morning suddenly assaulting them slew many and put the rest to flight The next An. Dom. 1051 year but one King Edward remitted the Danish Tax which had continu'd 38 years heavy upon the land since Ethelred first paid it to the Danes and what remain'd therof in his treasury he sent back to the owners but through imprudence laid the foundation of a far worse mischeif to the English while studying gratitude to those Normans who to him in exile had bin helpfull he call'd them over to public Offices heer whom better he might have repaid out of his privat purse by this means exasperating either Nation one against the other and making way by degrees to the Norman Conquest Robert a Monk of that Country who had bin serviceable to him there in time of need he made Bishop first of London then of Canterbury William his Chaplain Bishop of Dorchester Then began the English to lay aside thir own antient Customes and in many things to imitate French manners the great Peers to speak French in thir Houses in French to write thir Bills and Letters as a great peece of Gentility asham'd of thir own a presage of thir subjection shortly to that people whose fashions and language they affected so slavishly But that which gave begining to many troubles ensueing happ'nd this year and upon this occasion Eustace Earl of Boloign Father of the famous Godfrey who won Jerusalem from the Saracens and Husband to Goda the Kings Sister having bin to visit King Edward and returning by Canterbury to take Ship at Dover one of his Harbingers insolently seeking to lodge by force in a House there provok'd so the Master therof as by chance or heat of anger to kill him The Count with his whole train going to the House where his Servant had bin kill'd slew both the slayer and 18 more who defended him But the Townsmen running to Arms requited him with the slaughter of 21 more of his Servants wounded most of the rest hee himself with one or two hardly escapeing ran back with clamour to the King whom seconded by other Norman Courtiers he stirr'd up to great anger against the Citizens of Canterbury Earl Godwin in hast is sent for the cause related and much aggravated by the King against that City the Earl commanded to raise Forces and use the Cittizens therof as Enemies Godwin sorry to see strangers more favour'd of the King then his native people answerd that it were better to summon first the Cheif men of the Town into the Kings Court to charge them with Sedition where both parties might be heard that not found in fault they might be acquitted if otherwise by fine or loss of life might satisfie the King whose peace they had brok'n and the Count whom they had injur'd till this were done refuseing to prosecute with hostile punishment them of his own County unheard whom his Office was rather to defend The King displeas'd with his refusal and not knowing how to compell him appointed an Assembly of all the Peers to be held at Gloster where the matter might be fully try'd the Assembly was full and frequent according to summons but Godwin mistrusting his own cause or the violence of his adversaries with his two Sons Swane and Harold and a great power gatherd out of his own and his Sons Earldomes which contein'd most of the South-East and West parts of England came no furder then Beverstan giving out that thir Forces were to go against the Welch who intended an irruption into Hereford-shire and Swane under that pretence lay with part of his Army thereabout The Welch understanding this device and with all diligence clearing themselves before the King left Godwin detected of false accusation in great hatred to all the Assembly Leofric therfore and Siward Dukes of great power the former in Mercia the other in all parts beyond Humber both ever faithfull to the King send privily with speed to raise the Forces of thir Provinces Which Godwin not knowing sent boldly to King Edward demanding Count Eustace and his followers together with those Boloignians who as Simeon writes held a Castle in the jurisdiction of Canterbury The King as then having but little force at hand entertain'd him a while with treaties and delays till his summond Army drew nigh then rejected his demands Godwin thus match'd commanded his Sons not to begin fight against the King begun with not to give ground The Kings Forces were the flower of those Counties whence they came and eager to fall on But Leofric and the wiser sort detesting civil War brought the matter to this accord that Hostages giv'n on either side the whole cause should be again debated at London Thether the King and Lords coming with thir Army sent to Godwin and his Sons who with thir powers were come as far as Southwarke commanding thir appearance unarm'd with only 12 attendants and that the rest of thir Souldiers they should deliver over to the King They to appear without pledges before an adverse faction deny'd but to dismiss thir Souldiers refus'd not nor in ought else to obey the King as far as might stand with honour and the just regard of thir safety This answer not pleasing the King an edict was presently issu'd forth that Godwin and his Sons
thy advantage that after these words choak't with the morsel tak'n he sunk down and recover'd not His first wife was the sister of Cannute a woman of much infamy for the trade she drove of buying up English Youths and Maids to sell in Denmarke whereof she made great gain but ere long was struck with thunder and dy'd The year ensuing Siward Earl of An. Dom. 1054 Northumberland with a great number of horse and foot attended also by a strong fleet at the Kings appointment made an expedition into Scotland vanquish't the Tyrant Macbeth slaying many thousands of Scots with those Normans that went thether and plac'd Malcolm Son of the Cumbrian King in his stead yet not without loss of his own Son and many other both English and Danes Told of his Sons Death he ask'd whether he receav'd his Deaths wound before or behind when it was answerd before I am glad saith hee and should not else have thought him though my Son worthy of Burial In the mean while King Edward being without Issue to succeed him sent Aldred Bishop of Winchester with great presents to the Emperour entreating him to prevail with the King of Hungary that Edward the remaining Son of his Brother Edmund Ironside might be sent into England Siward but one year surviving An. Dom. 1055 his great Victory dy'd at Yorke reported by Huntingdon a man of Giant-like stature by his own demeanour at point of Death manifested of a rough and meer souldierly mind For much disdaining to die in bed by a disease not in the field fighting with his enemies he caus'd himself compleatly arm'd and weapon'd with battel-ax and shield to be set in a chair whether to fight with death if he could be so vain or to meet him when far other weapons and preparations were needful in a Martial bravery but true fortitude glories not in the feats of War as they are such but as they serve to end War soonest by a victorious Peace His Earldom the King bestow'd on Tosti the Son of Earl Godwin and soon after in a Convention held at London banish't without visible cause Huntigdon saith for treason Algar the Son of Leofric who passing into Ireland soon return'd with eighteen ships to Griffin Prince of South Wales requesting his aid against King Edward He assembling his Powers enter'd with him into Hereford-shire whom Radulf a timorous Captain Son to the Kings Sister not by Eustace but a former husband met two miles distant from Hereford and having hors'd the English who knew better to fight on foot without stroke he with his French and Normans beginning to flie taught the English by his example Griffin and Algar following the chase slew many wounded more enter'd Hereford slew seven Canons defending the Minster burnt the Monasterie and Reliques then the City killing some leading captive others of the Citizens return'd with great spoils whereof King Edward having notice gather'd a great Army at Gloster under the conduct of Harold now Earl of Kent who strenuously pursuing Griffin enter'd Wales and encamp'd beyond Straddale But the enemy flying before him farther into the Country leaving there the greater part of his Army with such as had charge to fight if occasion were offer'd with the rest he return'd and fortifi'd Hereford with a wall and gates Mean while Griffin and Algar dreading the diligence of Harold after many messages to and fro concluded a Peace with him Algar discharging his fleet with pay at West Chester came to the King and was restor'd to his Earldom But Griffin with breach of faith the next year set upon An. Dom. 1056 Leofgar the Bishop of Hereford and his Clerks then at a place call'd Glastbrig with Agelnoth Vicount of the shire and slew them but Leofric Harold and King Edward by force as is likeliest though it be not said how reduc'd him to Peace The next year An. Dom. 1057 Edward Son of Edmund Ironside for whom his Uncle King Edward had sent to the Emperour came out of Hungary design'd Successor to the Crown but within a few days after his coming dy'd at London leaving behind him Edgar Atheling his Son Margaret and Christina his Daughters About the same time also dy'd Earl Leofric in a good old age a man of no less vertue then power in his time religious prudent and faithful to his Country happily wedded to Godiva a woman of great praise His Son Algar found less favour with King Edward again banish't the year after An. Dom. 1058 his Fathers death but he again by the aid of Griffin and a fleet from Norway maugre the King soon recover'd his Earldom The next year Malcolm An. Dom. 1059 King of Scots coming to visit King Edward was brought on his way by Tosti the Northumbrian Earl to whom he swore brotherhood yet the next year An. Dom. 1061 but one while Tosti was gone to Rome with Aldred Archbishop of York for his Pall this sworn brother taking advantage of his absence roughly harrass'd Northumberland The year passing to an end without other matter of moment save the frequent inrodes and robberies of Griffin whom no bonds of faith could restrain King Edward sent against him after Christmas Harold now Duke of West-Saxons An. Dom. 1062 with no great body of Horse from Gloster where he then kept his Court whose coming heard of Griffin not daring to abide nor in any part of his Land holding himself secure escap't hardly by Sea ere Harold coming to Rudeland burnt his Palace and Ships there returning to Gloster the same day But by the middle An. Dom. 1063 of May setting out with a fleet from Bristow he sail'd about the most part of Wales and met by his brother Tosti with many Troops of Horse as the King had appointed began to waste the Country but the Welch giving pledges yeilded themselves promis'd to become tributary and banish Griffin thir Prince who lurking somewhere was the next year tak'n and An. Dom. 1064 slain by Griffin Prince of North Wales his head with the head and tackle of his Ship sent to Harold by him to the King who of his gentleness made Blechgent and Rithwallon or Rivallon his two Brothers Princes in his stead they to Harold in behalf of the King swore fealty and tribute Yet the next year An. Dom. 1065 Harold having built a fair house at a place call'd Portascith in Monmouth-shire and stor'd it with provision that the King might lodge there in time of hunting Caradoc the Son of Griffin slain the year before came with a number of men slew all he found there and took away the provision Soon after which the Northumbrians in a tumult at York beset the Palace of Tosti their Earl slew more then 200 of his Souldiers and Servants pillag'd his Treasure and put him to flie for his life The cause of this insurrection they alledg'd to be for that the Queen Edith had commanded in her Brother Tosti's behalf
of things requires a several relation THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN The Third Book THis third Book having to tell of accidents as various and exemplary as the intermission or change of Government hath any where brought forth may deserve attention more than common and repay it with like benefit to them who can judiciously read considering especially that the late civil broils had cast us into a condition not much unlike to what the Britans then were in when the imperial jurisdiction departing hence left them to the sway of thir own Councils which times by comparing seriously with these later and that confused Anarchy with this intereign we may be able from two such remarkable turns of State producing like events among us to raise a knowledg of our selves both great and weighty by judging hence what kind of men the Britans generally are in matters of so high enterprise how by nature industry or custom fitted to attempt or undergoe matters of so main consequence for if it be a high point of wisdom in every private man much more is it in a Nation to know it self rather than puft up with vulgar flatteries and encomiums for want of self knowledge to enterprise rashly and come off miserably in great undertakings The Britans thus as we heard being left without protection from the Empire and the Land in a manner emptied of all her youth consumed in Warrs abroad or not caring to return home themselves through long subjection servile in mind sloathful of body and with the use of Arms unacquainted sustain'd but ill for many years the violence of those barbarous Invaders who now daily grew upon them For although at first greedy of change and to be thought the leading Nation to freedom from the Empire they seem'd a while to bestirr them with a shew of diligence in thir new affairs som secretly aspiring to rule others adoring the name of liberty yet so soon as they felt by proof the weight of what it was to govern well themselves and what was wanting within them not stomach or the love of licence but the wisdom the virtue the labour to use and maintain true libertie they soon remitted thir heat and shrunk more wretchedly under the burden of thir own libertie than before under a foren yoke Insomuch that the residue of those Romans which had planted themselves heer despairing of thir ill deportment at home and weak resistance in the field by those few who had the courage or the strength to bear Arms nine years after the sacking of Rome remov'd out of Britain into France An. Dom. 418 hiding for haste great part of thir treasure which was never after found And now again the Britans no longer able to support themselves against the prevailing Enemy sollicit Honorius to thir aid with mournful Letters Embassages and vows of perpetual subjection to Rome if the Northern Foe were but repuls't An. Dom. 422 He at thir request spares them one Legion which with great slaughter of the Scots and Picts drove them beyond the Borders rescu'd the Britans and advis'd them to build a Wall cross the Iland between Sea and Sea from the place where Edinburg now stands to the Frith of Dunbritton by the City Alcluith But the material being only Turf and by the rude multitude unartificially built up without better direction avail'd them little For no sooner was the Legion departed but the greedy spoilers returning land in great numbers from thir Boats and Pinaces wasting slaying and treading down all before them Then are messengers again posted to Rome in lamentable sort beseeching that they would not suffer a whole Province to be destroy'd and the Roman name so honourable yet among them to become the subject of barbarian scorn and insolence An. Dom. 423 The Emperor at thir sad complaint with what speed was possible sends to thir succour Who coming suddenly on those ravenous multitudes that minded only spoil surprise them with a terrible slaughter They who escap'd fled back to those Seas from whence yearly they were wont to arrive and return lad'n with booties But the Romans who came not now to rule but charitably to aid declaring that it stood not longer with the ease of thir Affairs to make such labourious voyages in pursuit of so base and vagabond robbers of whom neither glory was to be got nor gain exhorted them to manage thir own warfare and to defend like men thir Country thir Wives thir Children and what was to be dearer than life thir liberty against an Enemy not stronger than themselves if thir own sloth and cowardise had not made them so if they would but only find hands to grasp defensive Arms rather than basely stretch them out to receave bonds They gave them also thir help to build a new Wall not of earth as the former but of stone both at the public cost and by particular contributions traversing the I le in direct line from East to West between certain Cities plac'd there as Frontiers to bear off the Enemy where Severus had wall'd once before They rais'd it 12 Foot high 8 broad Along the South shoar because from thence also like hostility was fear'd they place Towers by the Sea side at certain distances for safety of the Coast Withall they instruct them in the art of Warr leaving Patterns of thir Arms and Weapons behind them and with animating words and many lessons of valour to a faint-hearted audience bid them finally farewell without purpose to return And these two friendly Expeditions the last of any hither by the Romans were perform'd as may be gather'd out of Beda and Diaconus the two last years of Honorius Thir Leader as som modernly write was Gallio of Ravenna Buchanan who departs not much from the Fables of his Predecessor Boethius names him Maximianus and brings against him to this Battel Fergus first King of Scots after thir second suppos'd coming into Scotland Dursius King of Picts both there slain and Dioneth an imaginary King of Britain or Duke of Cornwall who improbablie sided with them against his own Countrie hardlie escaping With no less exactness of particular circumstances he takes upon him to relate all those tumultuarie inrodes of the Scots and Picts into Britain as if they had but yesterday happen'd thir order of Battel manner of fight number of slain Articles of Peace things whereof Gildas and Beda are utterly silent Authors to whom the Scotch Writers have none to cite comparable in Antiquity no more therefore to be believ'd for bare assertions however quaintlie drest than our Geofry of Monmouth when he varies most from authentick storie But either the inbred vanity of some in that respect unworthily call'd Historians or the fond zeal of praising thir Nations above truth hath so far transported them that where they find nothing faithfully to relate they fall confidently to invent what they think may either best set off thir Historie or
stopping promis'd he would And the other laying his right hand on Edwins head when this sign saith he shall next befall yee remember this time of night and this discourse to perform what thou hast promis'd and with these words disappeering left Edwin much reviv'd but not less fill'd with wonder who this unknown should be When suddenly the friend who had bin gon all this while to list'n furder what was like to be decree'd of Edwin comes back and joyfully bids him rise to his repose for that the Kings mind though for a while drawn aside was now fully resolv'd not only not to betray him but to defend him against all Enemies as he had promis'd This was said to be the cause why Edwin admonish't by the Bishop of a sign which had befaln him so strangely and as he thought so secretly arose to him with that reverence and amazement as to one sent from Heav'n to claim that promise of him which he perceav'd well was due to a Divinepower that had assisted him in his troubles To Paulinus therefore he makes answer that the Christian Beleef he himself ought by promise and intended to receave but would conferr first with his Cheif Peers and Counsellers that if they likewise could be won all at once might be baptiz'd They therfore being ask'd in Counsel what thir opinion was concerning this new Doctrine and well perceaving which way the King enclin'd every one thereafter shap'd his reply The Cheif-Preist speaking first discover'd an old grudge he had against his Gods for advancing others in the Kings Favour above him thir Cheif Preist another hiding his Court-compliance with a grave sentence commended the choise of certain before uncertain upon due examination to like purpose answer'd all the rest of his Sages none op'nly dissenting from what was likely to be the Kings Creed wheras the preaching of Paulinus could work no such effect upon them toiling till that time without success Whereupon Edwin renouncing Heathenism became Christian and the Pagan Preist offring himself freely to demolish the Altars of his former Gods made some amends for his teaching to adore them An. Dom. 627 With Edwin his two Sons Osfrid and Eanfrid born to him by Quenburga Daughter as saith Beda of Kearle King of Mercia in the time of his banishment and with them most of the people both Nobles and Commons easily converted were baptiz'd he with his whole Family at York in a Church hastily built up of Wood the multitude most part in Rivers Northumberland thus christ'nd Paulinus crossing Humber converted also the Province of Lindsey and Blecca the Governour of Lincoln with his Houshold and most of that City wherin he built a Church of Stone curiously wrought but of small continuance for the Roof in Bedas time uncertain whether by neglect or Enemies was down the Walls only standing Mean while in Mercia Kearle a Kinsman of Wibba saith Huntingdon not a Son having long withheld the Kingdome from Penda Wibba's Son left it now at length to the fiftieth year of his Age with whom Kinegils and Cuichelm the West-Saxon Kings An. Dom. 629 two year after having by that time it seems recover'd strength since the Inrode made upon them by Edwin fought at Cirencester then made Truce But Edwin seeking every way to propagate the Faith which with so much deliberation he had receav'd persuaded Eorpwald the Son of Redwald King of East-Angles to imbrace the same beleef An. Dom. 632 willingly or in aw is not known retaining under Edwin the name only of a King But Eorpwald not long surviv'd his conversion slain in fight by Ricbert a Pagan wherby the people having lightly follow'd the Religion of thir King as lightly fell back to thir old superstitions for above 3 years after Edwin in the mean while to his Faith adding vertue by the due administration of justice wrought such peace over all his Territories that from Sea to Sea man or woman might have travail'd in safety His care also was of Fountains by the way side to make them fittest for the use of Travellers And not unmindful of regal State whether in War or Peace he had a Royal Banner carried before him But having reign'd with much honour 17 years he was at length by Kedwalla or Cadwallon King of the Britans who with aid of the Mercian Penda had rebell'd against him slain in a Battel with his Son Osfrid at a place call'd Hethseild and his whole Army overthrown or disperst in the year 633. and the 47th of his Age An. Dom. 633 in the Eye of man worthy a more peacefull end His Head brought to York was there buried in the Church by him begun Sad was this overthrow both to Church and State of the Northumbrians for Penda being a Heathen and the British King though in name a Christian yet in deeds more bloody then the Pagan nothing was omitted of barbarous cruelty in the slaughter of Sex or Age Kedwalla threatning to root out the whole Nation though then newly Christian For the Britans and as Beda saith eev'n to his dayes accounted Saxon Christianity no better then Paganism and with them held as little Communion From these calamities no refuge being left but flight Paulinus taking with him Ethilburga the Queen and her Children aided by Bassus one of Edwins Captains made escape by Sea to Eadbald King of Kent who receaving his Sister with all kindness made Paulinus Bishop of Rochester where he ended his days After Edwin the Kingdom of Northumberland became divided as before each rightfull Heir seising his part in Deira Osric the Son of Elfric Edwins Uncle by profession a Christian and baptiz'd by Paulinus in Bernicia Eanfrid the Son of Ethelfrid who all the time of Edwin with his Brother Oswald and many of the young Nobility liv'd in Scotland exil'd and had bin there taught and baptiz'd No sooner had they gott'n each a Kingdom but both turn'd recreant sliding back into their old Religion and both were the same year slain Osric by a sudden eruption of Kedwalla whom he in a strong Town had unadvisedly beseig'd Eanfrid seeking peace and inconsideratly with a few surrendring himself Kedwalla now rang'd at will through both those Provinces useing cruelly his Conquest when Oswald the Brother of Eanfrid with a small but Christian Army An. Dom. 634 unexpectedly coming on defeated and destroy'd both him and his huge Forces which he boasted to be invincible by a little River running into Tine neer the antient Roman Wall then call'd Denisburn the place afterwards Heav'n field from the Cross reported miraculous for Cures which Oswald there erected before the Battail in tok'n of his Faith against the great number of his Enemies Obtaining the Kingdom he took care to instruct again the people in Christianity Sending therfore to the Scotish Elders Beda so terms them among whom he had receav'd Baptism requested of them som faithfull Teacher who might again settle Religion in his Realm which the late troubles had
things to his charge he was by Edmund forbidd'n the Court but by the earnest mediation saith Ingulf of Turkitul the Chancellour receav'd at length to favour and made Abbot of Glaston lastly by Edgar and the generall Vote Archbishop of Canterbury Not long after his Death the Danes arriving in Devonshire were met by Goda Lieutenant of that Country and Strenwold a valiant Leader who put back the Danes but with loss of thir own lives The third year following under the conduct of Justin An. Dom. 991 and Guthmund the Son of Steytan they landed and spoil'd Ipswich fought with Britnoth Duke of the East-Angles about Maldon where they slew him the slaughter else had bin equal on both sides These and the like depredations on every side the English not able to resist by counsel of Siric then Arch-bishop of Canterbury and two Dukes Ethelward and Alfric it was thought best for the present to buy that with Silver which they could not gain with thir Iron and Ten Thousand pound was paid to the Danes for peace Which for a while contented but taught them the ready way how easiest to come by more The next year but one they took by storm and rifl'd Bebbanburg an antient City nigh Durham An. Dom. 993 sailing thence into the mouth of Humber they wasted both sides therof Yorkeshire and Lindsey burning and destroying all before them Against these went out three Noblemen Frena Frithegist and Godwin but being all Danes by the Fathers side willingly began flight and forsook thir own Forces betray'd to the Enemy No less treachery was at Sea for Alfric the Son of Elfer Duke of Mercia whom the King for some offence had banish'd but now recall'd sent from London with a Fleet to surprise the Danes in some place of disadvantage gave them over night intelligence therof then fled to them himself which his Fleet saith Florent perceaveing persu'd took the Ship but miss'd of his person the Londoners by chance grapling with the East-Angles made them fewer saith my Authour by many thousands Others say that by this notice of Alfric the Danes not only escap'd but with a greater Fleet An. Dom. 994 set upon the English took many of thir Ships and in tryumph brought them up the Thames intending to beseige London for Anlaf King of Norway and Swane of Denmarke at the head of these came with 94 Gallies The King for this treason of Alfric put out his Sons Eyes but the Londoners both by land and water so valiantly resisted thir beseigers that they were forc't in one day with great loss to give over But what they could not on the City they wreck'd themselves on the Countries round about wasting with Sword and fire all Essex Kent and Sussex Thence horsing thir Foot diffus'd far wider thir outragious incursions without mercy either to Sex or Age. The slothfull King instead of Warlike opposition in the Field sends Embassadors to treat about another payment the sum promisd was now 16 thousand pound till which paid the Danes winterd at Southampton Ethelred inviteing Anlaf to come and visit him at Andover where he was royally entertain'd some say baptiz'd or confirm'd adopted Son by the King and dismis't with great presents promising by Oath to depart and molest the Kingdome no more which he perform'd but the calamity ended not so for after some intermission of thir rage for three years the other Navy An. Dom. 997 of Danes sailing about to the West enterd Severn and wasted one while South Wales then Cornwall and Devonshire till at length they winterd about Tavistoc For it were an endless work to relate how they wallow'd up and down to every particular place and to repeat as oft what devastations they wrought what desolations left behinde them easie to be imagin'd In summ the next year they afflicted An. Dom. 998 Dorsetshire Hamshire and the I le of Wight by the English many resolutions were tak'n many Armies rais'd but either betray'd by the falshood or discourag'd by the weakness of thir Leaders they were put to rout or disbanded themselves For Souldiers most commonly are as thir Commanders without much odds of valour in one Nation or other only as they are more or less wisely disciplin'd and conducted The following year brought them back An. Dom. 999 upon Kent where they enterd Medway and beseig'd Rochester but the Kentish men assembling gave them a sharp encounter yet that suffic'd not to hinder them from doing as they had done in other places Against these depopulations the King levied an Army but the unskillfull Leaders not knowing what to do with it when they had it did but drive out time burd'ning and impoverishing the people consuming the publick treasure and more imboldning the Enemy then if they had sat quiet at home What cause mov'd the Danes next year to pass into Normandy is not recorded but that An. Dom. 1000 they return'd thence more outragious then before Mean while the King to make some diversion undertak's an expedition both by Land and Sea into Cumberland where the Danes were most planted there and in the I le of Man or as Camden saith Anglesey imitating his Enemies in spoiling and unpeopleing the Danes from Normandy arriving in the River Ex laid seige to Exeter but the Cittizens as those of London valorously defending themselves An. Dom. 1001 they wreck'd thir anger as before on the Villages round about The Country people of Somerset and Devonshire assembling themselves at Penho shew'd thir readiness but wanted a head and besides being then but few in number were easily put to flight the Enemy plundring all at will with loaded spoils pass'd into the I le of Wight from whence all Dorsetshire and Hamshire felt again thir fury The Saxon Annals write that before thir coming to Exeter the Hamshire men had a bickering with them wherin Ethelward the Kings General was slain adding other things hardly to be understood An. Dom. 1002 and in one antient Copy so end Ethelred whom no adversity could awake from his soft and sluggish life still coming by the worse at fighting by the advice of his Peers not unlike himself sends one of his gay Courtiers though looking loftily to stoop basely and propose a third tribute to the Danes they willingly hark'n but the summ is enhaunc't now to 24 thousand pound and paid the Danes therupon abstaining from hostility But the King to strengthen his House by some potent affinity marries Emma whom the Saxons call Elgiva Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy With him Ethelred formerly had War or no good correspondence as appears by a Letter of Pope John the 15th who made peace between them about eleaven years before puft up now with his suppos'd access of strength by this affinity he caus'd the Danes all over England though now living peaceably in one day perfidiously to be massacherd both Men Women and Childern sending privat