p. 257. to Canute p. 261. his Victory over Malcolm King of Scots p. 262. 269. he is slain by Turebrand a Danish Lord at Canutes either Command or connivence p. 261. W. WEst-Saxon Kingdom by whom erected p. 121. West-Saxons and their Kings converted to the Christian Faith by Berinus p. 155. Wibba succeeds Crida in the Mercian Kingdom p. 134. Wilbrod a Priest goes over with 12 others to preach the Gospel in Germany p. 168. he is countenanc't by Pepin Chief Regent of the Franks and made first Bishop of that Nation p. 168. 169. Wilfrid Bishop of the Northumbrians depriv'd by Ecfrid of his Bishoprick wanders as far as Rome p. 164. returning plants the Gospel in the Isle of Wight and other places assign'd him p. 164. 165. hath the fourth part of that Island given him by Kedwalla he bestows it on Bertwin a Priest his Sisters Son ibid. William Duke of Normandy honourably entertain'd by King Edward and richly dismist p. 287. he betroths his daughter to Harold and receives his Oath to assist him to the Crown of England p. 295. 296. sending after King Edwards Death to demand performance of his promise is put off with a slight answer p. 300. 301. he lands with an Army at Hastings p. 301. over throws Harold who with his two Brothers is slain in Battel p. 305. he is Crown'd at Westminster by Aldred Archbishop of York ibid. Wipped a Saxon Earl slain at a place call'd Wippeds fleot which thence took denomination p. 116. Withgar see Stuff Withgarburgh in the Isle of Wight so call'd from being the burial-place of Withgar p. 125. Withlaf the successour of Ludiken being vanquisht by Ecbert all Mercia becomes tributary to him p. 187. Wulfer the Son of Penda set up by the Mercian Nobles in the room of his Brother Oswi p. 161. said to have been taken Prisoner by Kenwalk the West-Saxon p. 162. he takes and wasts the Isle of Wight but causeth the Inhabitants to be baptized ibid. gives the Island to Ethelwald King of South-Saxons ibid. sends Jeruvianus to recover the East-Saxons fallen off the second time from Christianity ibid. Lindsey taken from him by Ecfrid of Northumberland p. 163. his Death accompany'd with the stain of Simonie p. 164. Wulfheard King Ethelwolf's Chief Captain drives back the Danes at Southampton with great slaughter p. 192. he dies the same year as it is thought of Age. ibid. Wulktul Earl of Ely put to flight with his whole Army by the Danes p. 201. Y. YMner King of Loegria with others slain in Battel by Dunwallo Mulmutius p. 21. FINIS ERRATA PAge 2. l. 16. for Britains read Britans p. 6. l. 18. for by the same remove r. and by the c. p. 8. l. 28. for bee 't r. be p. 13. l. 24. for be-spoken r. bespoken p. 16. l. 9. for Germannus r. Germanus p. 23. l. 3. for Brother r. his Brother ibid. l. 16. for Allobreges r. Allobroges p. 25. l. 3. for Mertian r. Mercian p. 28. l. 18. for opportunety r. opportunety p. 29. l. 9. for unto r. to p. 29. from the end of l. 26. to the beginning of l. 33. should not have been in a different Character so also a line in the next page p. 35. l. last for Bay-Close inviron'd r. Bay close inviron'd p. 51. l. 20. before made leave out he p. 71. l. 33. for ex'steem'd r. esteem'd p. 102. l. 33. for Durstus r. Durstus p. 119. l. 12. for Andreds League r. Andreds Leage p. 126. l. 18. for Armes r. Artur p. 138. l. 5. for haleluja r. Hallelujah ibid. l. 6. for Benedic r. Benedict p. 139. l. 12. for the r. thir p. 150. l. 17. for and r. as ibid. l. 18. after begin no comma p. 151. l. 9. for yee r. thee p. 157. l. 13. for Daughter r. Sister p. 160. l. 31. for Loyden r. Loydes p. 161. l. 7. for her r. his p. 161. l. 35. for Witgeornesburgh r. Witgeornesburg p. 164. l. 4. for year a af read a year after p. 169. l. 21. for Epitomy r. Epitome p. 170. l. 27. after testifies a period p. 173. l. 1. before far r. by ibid. l. last for Unkle r. Unkle's SSon p. 174. l. 30. for Kuiric r. Kinric p. 176. l. 9. after two r. or three ibid. l. last but one for Royal r. Regal p. 177. l. 19. for Occanford r. Ottanford p. 183. l. 23. after Embassadours leave out the stop ibid. l. 24. after Ecbert two points p. 192. l. last for Ethelhelin helam r. Ethelhelm p. 195. l. 13. for de did r. he did p. 197. l. 23. for West-Saxon r. West-Saxons p. 201. l. 14. for flight r. fight p. 216. l. 13. for Thames there nocomma after Thames but after there p. 225. l. 27. for his r. this p 235. l. 4. for on r. about ibid. l. last but two for the r. that p. 246 l. 17. for Frenar Frana p. 260. l. 23. before spread r. he p. 264. l. 23. for Ocford r. Oxford p. 276. l. 29. for Bishop r. Archbishop p. 277. l. 12. for Brother r. half Brother p. 280. l. 4. for that prompted him r. that now as it were prompted him ibid. after the last line leave out deed p. 281. l. 13. for a youth r. then a youth p. 296. l. 16. for of r. with p. 299. l. 25. after legs no stop after hight a period p 308. the six last lines should have been in no different Character from the rest of the Book and in the last line for revolutions r. revolution besides other literal faults and wrong stops through the Book which the Reader of himself may amend Cas l. 6. Holinshed Henry of Hunting don Matthew of Westminster * Matthew Westmin Huntingd. L. 1. Suetonius vit Caes Suetonius Caesar Com. L. 1. Caesar Com. L. 4. Cic. Att. L. 4. Ep. 17. Camden Valer. Max. Plutarch In Caesarib Dion Caesar Com. 5. Camden Pliny Oros Lib. 6. c. 7. 9. Dion Mela. Caesar Herodian Dion Caesar Strabo Dion Strabo Herodian Solinus Caesar Tacitus Diodor Strabo Lucan Tacitus Mela. Dion Caesar Caesar Strabo L. 2. Dion L. 49. Year before the Birth of Christ 25. Dion L. 53. 24. Strabo L. 4. Tacit. an L. 2. Year after the Birth of Christ 16. Dion Sueton Cal. Dion Sueton. Dion L. 62. Tacit. an 14. Sueton. Claud. 5. 24. Sueton. Vesp Dio. L. 60. Tacit. an 12. Tacit. vit Agric. Tacit. vit Agrio Tacit. Hist 3. Sueton. Dion Dion L. 62. Dion Dion Tacit. vit Agric. Tacit. Hist 8. 1. vit Agric. Tacit. Hist 2. vit Agric. Calvis Tacit. Hist 3. vit Agric Dion L. 66. Dion L. 66. Camden Juvenal sat 2. Eutrop. L. 7. Dion L. 66. Spartianus in vit Hidrian Spartianus ibid. Camden Pausan archad Capitolin vit Anton. Capitolin Marc. Ant. Philos Digest L. 36. Beda Nennius Geff. Mon. Dion L. 72. Lamprid. in comm Capitolin in Pert. Capitolin is Alb. Dion Did. Jul. Spartian in Sever. Herod L. 3. Herod L. 3. Digest L. 28.
the rest Thence An. Dom. 1029 returning King of England Denmarke and Norway yet not secure in his mind under colour of an Embassey he sent into banishment Hacun a powerfull Dane who had married the Daughter of his Sister Gunildis having conceav'd some suspition of his practices against him but such course was tak'n that he never came back either perishing at Sea or slain by contrivance the next year in Orkney Canute An. Dom. 1030 therefore having thus establish't himself by bloodshed and oppression to wash away as he An. Dom. 1031 thought the guilt therof sailing again into Denmark went thence to Rome and offerd there to St. Peter great guifts of Gold and Silver and other pretious things besides the usuall tribute of Romscot giving great Alms by the way both thether and back again freeing many places of Custom and Toll with great expence where strangers were wont to pay having vow'd great amendment of life at the Sepulchre of Peter and Paul and to his whole people in a large letter writt'n from Rome yet extant At his return therfore he built and dedicated An. Dom. 1032 a Church to St. Edmund at Bury whom his Ancestors had slain threw out the secular Priests who had intruded there and plac'd Monks in thir stead then going into Scotland subdu'd and receav'd homage of Malcolm and two other Kings An. Dom. 1035 there Melbeath and Jermare Three years after having made Swane his suppos'd Son by Algiva of Northamton Duke Alshelms Daughter for others say the Son of a Preist whom Algiva barren had got ready at the time of her feign'd labour King of Norway and Hardecnute his Son by Emma King of Denmark and design'd Harold his Son by Algiva of Northamton King of England dy'd at Shaftsbury and was buried at Winchester in the old Monastery This King as appears ended better then he began for though he seems to have had no hand in the Death of Ironside but detested the fact and bringing the murderers who came to him in hope of great reward forth among his Courtiers as it were to receave thanks after they had op'nly related the manner of thir killing him deliver'd them to deserved punishment yet he spar'd Edric whom he knew to be the prime Authour of that detestable fact till willing to be rid of him grown importune upon the confidence of his merits and upbraided by him that he had first relinquisht then extinguisht Edmund for his sake angry to be so upbraided therfore said he with a chang'd countnance Traytor to God and to me thou shalt die thine own mouth accuses thee to have slain thy Master my confederate Brother and the Lords Anointed Whereupon although present and privat Execution was in rage done upon Edric yet he himself in cool blood scrupl'd not to make away the Brother and Children of Edmund who had better right to be the Lords Anointed heer then himself When he had obtain'd in England what he desir'd no wonder if he sought the love of his conquerd Subjects for the love of his own quiet the maintainers of his wealth and state for his own profit For the like reason he is thought to have married Emma and that Richard Duke of Normandy her Brother might the less care what became of Elfred and Edward her Sons by King Ethelred He commanded to be observ'd the antient Saxon Laws â—all'd afterwards the Laws of Edward the Confeâ—â—â—r not that hee made them but strictly observ'd them His Letter from Rome professes if he had done aught amiss in his youth through negligence or want of due temper full resolution with the help of God to make amends by governing justly and piously for the future charges and adjures all his Officers and Vicounts that neither for fear of him or favour of any person or to enrich the King they suffer injustice to be done in the land commands his treasurers to pay all his Debts ere his return home which was by Denmarke to compose matters there and what his Letter profess'd he perform'd all his life after But it is a fond conceit in many great ones and pernicious in the end to cease from no violence till they have attain'd the utmost of thir ambitions and desires then to think God appeas'd by thir seeking to bribe him with a share however large of thir ill-gott'n spoils and then lastly to grow zealous of doing right when they have no longer need to do wrong Howbeit Canute was famous through Europe and much honour'd of Conrade the Emperour then at Rome with rich guifts and many grants of what he there demanded for the freeing of passages from Toll and Custome I must not omit one remarkable action done by him as Huntingdon reports it with great Scene of circumstance and emphatical expression to shew the small power of Kings in respect of God which unless to Court-Parasites needed no such laborious demonstration He caus'd his Royal Seat to be set on the shoar while the Tide was coming in and with all the state that Royalty could put into his countnance said thus to the Sea Thou Sea belongst to me and the Land wheron I sit is mine nor hath any one unpunish'd resisted my commands I charge thee come no furder upon my Land neither presume to wet the Feet of thy Sovran Lord. But the Sea as before came rowling on and without reverence both wet and dash'd him Wherat the King quickly riseing wish'd all about him to behold and consider the weak and frivolous power of a King and that none indeed deserv'd the name of a King but he whose Eternal Laws both Heav'n Earth and Sea obey A truth so evident of it self as I said before that unless to shame his Court Flatterers who would not else be convinc't Canute needed not to have gone wet-shod home The best is from that time forth he never would wear a Crown esteeming Earthly Royalty contemptible and vain Harold HArold for his swiftness surnam'd Harefoot the Son of Canute by Algiva of Northampton though some speak doubtfully as if she bore him not but had him of a Shoo-makers Wife as Swane before of a Priest others of a Maid-Servant to conceal her barrenness in a great Assembly at Oxford was by Duke Leofric and the Mercians with the Londoners according to his Fathers Testament elected King but without the Regal Habiliments which Aelnot the Archbishop having in his Custody refus'd to deliver up but to the Sons of Emma for which Harold ever after hated the Clergy and as the Clergy are wont thence to inferr all Religion Godwin Earl of Kent and the West-Saxons with him stood for Hardecnute Malmsbury saith that the contest was between Dane and English that the Danes and Londoners grown now in a manner Danish were all for Hardecnute but he being then in Denmarke Harold prevail'd yet so as that the Kingdom should be divided between them the West and Southpart reserv'd by
sent against him brings the Welsh to submission p. 293. lurking about the Country he is taken and slain by Griffin Prince of North-Wales ibid. Guendolen the Daughter of Corineus is married to Locrine the Son of Brutus p. 14. being divorc't by him gives him Battel wherein he is slain p. 15. causeth Estrildis whom Locrine had married to be thrown into a River with her Daughter Sabra p. 15. governs 15 years in behalf of her Son Madan ibid. Gueniver the Wife of Melval a British King kept from King Arthur in the Town of Glaston p. 126. Guiderius said to have been the Son of Cunobeline and slain in a Battel against Claudius p. 54. Guitheline succeeds his Father Gurguntius Barbirus in the Kingdom Gunhildis the Sister of Swane with her Husband Earl Palingus and her young Son cruelly murther'd p. 150. Guorangonus a King of Kent before it was given to the Saxons p. 113. Guortigner the Son of Vortiger bends his endeavours to drive out the Saxons p. 113. his success against them in several Battels p. 415. dying he commands his bones to be buried in the Port of Stonar ibid. Gurguntius Barbirus succeeds Belinus in the Kingdom overcomes the Dane and gives incouragement to Bartholinus a Spaniard to settle a plantation in Ireland p. 24. another ancient British King nam'd Gurguntius p. 28. Gurgustius succeeds Rivallo in the Kingdom p. 21. Gyrtha Son of Earl Godwin accompanies his Father into Flanders together with his Brothers Tosti and Swane p. 286. his noble advice to his Brother Harold as he was ready to give Battel to Duke William of Normandy p. 304. he is slain in the said Battel with his Brothers Harold and Leofwin p. 305. Gythro or Gothrun a Danish King baptiz'd and receiv'd out of the Font by King Alfred p. 207. the Kingdom of the East-Angles said to be bestow'd on him to hold of the said Alfred ibid. H. HArdecnute the Son of Canute by Emma call'd over from Bruges and receiv'd King with general acclamation p. 276. he calls Godwin and others to account about the death of Elfred p. 277. enrag'd at the Citizens of Worcester for killing his Tax-gatherers he sends an Army against them and burns the City p. 277 278. he kindly receives and entertains his half Brother Edward p. 278. eating and drinking hard at a great Feast he falls down speechless and soon after expiring is buried at Winchester ibid. Harold sirnamed Harefoot the Son of Canute elected King by Duke Leofric and the Mercians p. 273. he banishes his Mother-in-Law Emma p. 274. his perfidiousness and cruelty towards Elfred the Son of Ethelred p. 274. 276. he dies and is buried at Winchester p. 276. Harold Son of Godwin made Earl of Kent and sent against Prince Griffin of Wales p. 292. he reduces him at last to utmost extremity p. 293. being cast upon the Coast of Normandy and brought to Duke William he promises his endeavours to make him King of England p. 295 296. he takes the Crown himself p. 299. puts off Duke William demanding it with a slighting answer p. 300 301. is invaded by his Brother Tosti p. 300. by Harold Harvager King of Norwey whom he utterly overthrows and slays together with Tosti p. 301 302. is invaded by Duke William of Normandy p. 303. is over-thrown at the Battel of Hastings and slain together with his two Brothers Leofwin and Gyrtha p. 305. Helvius Pertinax succeeds Ulpius Marcellus in the Government of Britain p. 81. Hengist and Horsa with an Army of Saxons Jutes and Angles lands in the Isle of Thanet p. 111 112. Hengist invites over more of his Country-men p. 112. he gains advantages of Vortimer by marrying his Daughter to him p. 113. he takes on him Kingly Title p. 116. his several Battels against the Britans ibid. his treacherous slaughter of 300 British Grandees under pretence of Treaty p. 117. his death p. 119. Henninus Duke of Cornwall hath Regan the Daughter of King Leir given him in Marriage p. 18. Herebert a Saxon Earl slain with most part of his Army by the Danes at a place call'd Mereswar p. 193. Hinguar and Hubba two Danish Brethren how they got footing by degrees in England p. 199 200. Histion said to be descended of Japhet and to have had four Sons who peopled the greatest part of Europe p. 5. Honorius the Emperour sends aid twice to the Britans against their Northern Invaders p. 101. Horsa the Brother of Hengist slain in the Saxons War against the Britans p. 115 116. his Burial-place gave name to Horsted a Town in Kent p. 116. Humbeanna and Albert said by some to have shar'd the Kingdom of East-Angles after one Elfwald p. 187. I. JAgo or Lago succeeds his Vncle Gurgustius in the Kingdom p. 21. Icenians and by their example the Trinobantes rise up in Arms against the Romans p. 63. Ida the Saxon begins the Kingdom of Bernicia in Northumberland p. 126 127. Idwallo learns by his Brother 's ill success to rule well p. 27. Immanuentius slain by Cassibelan p. 46. Immin Eaba and Eadbert Noblemen of Mercia throw off Oswi and set up Wulfer p. 161. Ina succeeds Kedwalla in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons p. 168. he marches into Kent to demand satisfaction for the burning of Mollo ibid. is pacified by Victred with a sum of money and the delivering up of the Accessories ibid. vanquishes Gerent King of Wales p. 170. stays Kenwulf and Albright and vanquishes the East-Angles p. 171. ends his days at Rome ibid. Inniaunus depos'd for his ill courses p. 27. Joseph of Arimathaea said to have first preacht the Christian Faith in this Island p. 80. Jovinus sent Deputy into this Island by the Emperour Valentinian p. 91. Iric a Dane made Earl of Northumberland by Canute in place of Uthred slain p. 261. 268. he is said by some to have made War against Malcolm King of Scots p. 269. his greatness suspected by Canute he is banisht the Realm ibid. Julius Agricola the Emperours Lieutenant in Britain almost extirpates the Ordovices p. 69. finishes the Conquest of the Isle of Mona p. 69. his justice and prudence in Government p. 70. he brings the Britans to Civility Arts and an Imitation of the Roman fashions p. 71. he receives triumphal Honours from Titus p. 71 72. he extends his Conquests to Scotland subdues the Orcades and other Scotch Islands p. 72. he is hard put to it in several Conflicts but comes off victorious p. 74 75 c. he is commanded home by Domitian p. 77. Julius Caesar hath Intelligence that the Britans are aiding to his Enemies the Gauls p. 33. he sends Caius Volusenus to make discovery of the nature of the people and strength of the Country p. 34. after him Comius of Arras to make a party among the Britans p. 35. the stout resistance he meets with from them at his landing p. 36 37. he receives terms of peace from them p. 38. he loses a great part of his Fleet ibid. defeats the Britans and
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
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
Bridge a long hour against the whole English Army with his single resistance delai'd thir Victorie and scorning offerd life till in the end no man dareing to graple with him either dreaded as too strong or contemn'd as one desperate he was at length shot dead with an Arrow and by his fall op'nd the passage of persuit to a compleat Victorie Wherwith Harold lifted up in minde and forgetting now his former shews of popularitie defrauded his Souldiers thir due and well deserved share of the spoils While these things thus past in Northumberland Duke William lay still at St. Valerie his Ships were readie but the wind serv'd not for many days which put the Souldierie into much discouragement and murmur taking this for an unlucky sign of thir success at last the wind came favourable the Duke first under sail awaited the rest at Anchor till all coming forth the whole Fleet of 900 Ships with a prosperous gale arriv'd at Hastings At his going out of the Boat by a slip falling on his hands to correct the Omen a Souldier standing by said aloud that thir Duke had tak'n possession of England Landed he restrein'd his Army from wast and spoil saying that they ought to spare what was thir own But these are things related of Alexander and Caesar and I doubt thence borrow'd by the Monks to inlay thir story The Duke for 15 days after landing kept his men quiet within the Camp having tak'n the Castle of Hastings or built a Fortress there Harold secure the while and proud of his new Victorie thought all his Enemies now under foot but sitting jollily at dinner news is brought him that Duke William of Normandy with a great multitude of Horse and Foot Slingers and Archers besides other choice Auxiliaries which he had hir'd in France was arriv'd at Pevensey Harold who had expected him all the Summer but not so late in the year as now it was for it was October with his Forces much diminish't after two sore conflicts and the departing of many others from him discontented in great hast marches to London Thence not tarrying for supplies which were on thir way towards him hurries into Sussex for he was always in hast since the day of his Coronation and ere the third part of his Army could be well put in order findes the Duke about 9 mile from Hastings and now drawing nigh sent spies before him to survey the strength and number of his Enemies them discoverd such the Duke causing to be led about and after well fill'd with meat and drink sent back They not over-wise brought word that the Dukes Army were most of them Priests for they saw thir faces all over shav'n the English then useing to let grow on thir upper-lip large Mustachio's as did antiently the Britans The King laughing answerd that they were not Priests but valiant and hardy Souldiers Therefore said Girtha his Brother a youth of noble courage and understanding above his Age Forbear thou thy self to fight who art obnoxious to Duke William by Oath let us unsworn undergo the hazard of Battel who may justly fight in the defence of our Country thou reserv'd to fitter time maist either reunite us flying or revenge us dead The King not hark'ning to this least it might seem to argue fear in him or a bad cause with like resolution rejected the offers of Duke William sent to him by a Monk before the Battel with this only answer hastily deliverd let God judge between us The offers were these that Harold would either lay down the Scepter or hold it of him or try his title with him by single Combate in the sight of both Armies or referr it to the Pope These rejected both sides prepar'd to fight the next morning the English from singing and drinking all night the Normans from confession of thir sins and communion of the host The English were in a streit disadvantagious place so that many discourag'd with thir ill ordering scarse having room where to stand slip'd away before the onset the rest in close order with thir Battel-Axes and Shields made an impenetrable Squadron the King himself with his Brothers on foot stood by the Royal Standard wherin the figure of a man fighting was inwov'n with gold and pretious Stones The Norman Foot most Bowmen made the formost Front on either side Wings of Horse somewhat behind The Duke Arming and his Corslet giv'n him on the wrong side said pleasantly the strength of my Dukedom will be turn'd now into a Kingdom Then the whole Army singing the Song of Rowland the remembrance of whose exploits might hart'n them imploring lastly Divine help the Battel began and was fought sorely on either side but the main body of English Foot by no means would be brok'n till the Duke causing his men to feign flight drew them out with desire of pursuit into op'n disorder then turn'd suddenly upon them so routed by themselves which wrought thir overthrow yet so they dy'd not unmanfully but turning oft upon thir Enemies by the advantage of an upper ground beat them down by heaps and fill'd up a great Ditch with thir Carcasses Thus hung the Victory wavering on either side from the third hour of day to Evening when Harold having maintain'd the fight with unspeakable courage and personal valour shot into the head with an Arrow fell at length and left his Souldiers without heart longer to withstand the unwearied Enemy With Harold fell also his two Brothers Leofwin and Girtha with them greatest part of the English Nobility His Body lying dead a Knight or Souldier wounding on the thigh was by the Duke presently turn'd out of military service Of Normans and French were slain no small number the Duke himself also that day not a little hazarded his person having had three choice Horses kill'd under him Victory obtain'd and his dead carefully buried the English also by permission he sent the body of Harold to his mother without ransom though she offerd very much to redeem it which having receav'd she buried at Waltham in a Church built there by Harold In the mean while Edwin and Morcar who had withdrawn themselves from Harold hearing of his Death came to London sending Aldgith the Queen thir Sister with all speed to West-Chester Aldred Archbishop of York and many of the Nobles with the Londoners would have set up Edgar the right Heir and prepar'd themselves to fight for him but Morcar and Edwin not likeing the choice who each of them expected to have been chos'n before him withdrew thir Forces and return'd home Duke William contrary to his former resolution if Florent of Worster and they who follow him say true wasting burning and slaying all in his way or rather as saith Malmsbury not in hostile but in regal manner came up to London met at Barcham by Edgar with the Nobles Bishops Citizens and at length Edwin and Morcar who all submitted to him gave hostages and swore fidelity he to