Westmoreland I suppose they are omitted in this Catalogue because in the Times not long before the Conquest the first was under the Power of the Scots and consequently under their Laws as the two latter were under that of their own Earls who ruled those Counties as Feudatary Princes under the Kings of England tho thus much is certain that the Danish Laws took Place there as well as in Yorkshire BUT after King Edward the Confessor came to the Crown he reduced the whole Kingdom under one General for thus says Ranulph Higden as he is cited by Sir Henry Spelman in his Glossary Tit. Lex Ex tribus his Legibus Sanctus Edwardus unam Legem Communem edidit quas Leges Sancti Edwardi usque hodie vocant Brompton says the like Iste Supradictus Rex Sanct. Ed. Conf. dictus est Edwardus Tertius qui Leges Communes Anglorum Genti tempore suo ordinavit quia proantè Leges nimìs partiales editae fuerant But Roger Hoveden carries them up higher in his History of Henry the Second for he says Quod istae Leges primùm inventae institutae erant tempore Edgari Avi sui sed postquam Edwardus venit ad Regnum Consilio Baronum Angliae Legem per 48. Annos sopitâ—m excitavit excitatam reparavit reparatam decoravit decoratam confirmavit confirmata verò vocata est Lex Edwardi Regis non quià ipse invenisset eam prius sed cum praetermissa fuerat Oblivioni penitùs data è Diebus Avi sui Edgari qui primus Inventor ejus fuisse dicitur usque ad sua tempora quià justa honesta erant è profundo Abysso extraxit eam revocavit ut suam observandam tradidit But the true Reason why it is called the Common Law is because it is the Common or Municipal Law of this Kingdom so that Lex Communis or Jus Patriae is all one with Lex Patriae or Jus Patrium and it is also called the Common Law in other Countries as Lex Communis Norica Burgundica Lombardica c. And from this latter they were so called by William the First in his Confirmation of them HAVING now given you the Original of our Laws in General we will next proceed to shew you what they were in particular as far as they concern those two great Branches of all Municipal Laws viz. the Civil or the Criminal The former oâ— which concerns Lands and Goods and the latter the Nature and Punishments of Criminal Offences TO begin with the former as far as it concerns Lands I shall satisfy my self with what Dr. Brady hath with great Industry and Exactness extracted in the first part of his Compleat History of England out of those Learned Authors you will find there cited in the Margin which is as follows Mr. Somner says there were but two sorts of Tenures here in the Saxon times before the Conquest Bocland and Folkland to which two all other sorts of Land might be reduced Bocland as Lambard says was Free and Hereditary and was a Possession by Writing the other without That by Writing was possessed by the Free or Nobler sort that without called Folkland was holden by paying Annual Rent or performance of Services and was possessed by the Rural People Rusticks Colons or Clowns in those Times these Writings were called in Latin Libelli Terrarum Landboc's and Telligraphia and Livery and Seizin was then made and given by delivery of a Turf taken from the Land with the Writings This was called Terra Testamentalis hereditaria Land Inheritable and devisable by Will unless the first Purchaser or Acquirer by Writing or Witness had prohibited it and then it could not be sold or disposed of from the nearest Kindred This Bocland was of the same Nature with Allodium in Doomsday holden without any Paiments nor chargeable with Services to any Lord or Seignory and though the Name was almost quite lost yet the thing remained under the Name of Allodium and the Lands possessed by the Allodiarii frequently mentioned in Doomsday I have been the more exact in putting down this Passage because it plainly proves from the learned Doctor 's own shewing that if the greatest part of the Lands before the Conquest held by Men of any Quality were Bocland and that this Bocland was the same as he grants with Lands held in Allodio and I have already proved that such Lands were held without any Paiments or Services other than such publick Taxes as were imposed by the Great Council of the Kingdom that is Danegelt with such other Duties as all Lands whatsoever were liable to then is it also as evident that these Lands which were far the greatest part of the Lands in the Kingdom were not held by Knight's Service and consequently their Owners could not be Tenants in Capite as this Author is pleased in other Places to suppose and therefore these Tenants in Allodio could never be so represented by such Military Persons as that they alone could either make Laws for them or lay Taxes on their Estates without their Consents either by themselves or Representatives in the Great Councils or Parliaments of those Times and therefore such free Tenants must have either appeared for themselves in Person or have chosen others to represent them AND if any Man doubt whether these Lands held in Allodio were before the Conquest the greatest part of the Lands of the Kingdom I must refer them for their Satisfaction to Mr. Somners and Mr. Taylor 's Treatises upon Gavelkind as also to Mr. Lambard's Discourse of the Customs of Kent at the end of his Perambulation of that County who there fully prove that the Antient Bocland descending to all the Male Issue alike was not meer Socage Tenure but Allodial 2 dly That this was the general Tenure of all Lands not held by Knights Service before the Conquest as well Gavelkind as others and that not only at the Common Law but confirmed by divers Saxon Kings as by that Law of King Edmund Si quis intestatus obierit Liberi ejus haereditatem aequalitèr dividant So likewise by the 68 th and 75 th Laws of King Cnute as also by those of Edward the Confessor confirmed by William the Conqueror Cap. 36. And therefore Mr. Somner in his said Treatise of Gavelkind farther proves that this was a Liberty left to the Kentish Men by William the Conqueror when all the rest of England changed its Antient Tenure and Mr. Taylor in his History of Gavelkind Chap. 6 7 8. hath proved this to have been a general Custom not only in Kent but in Wales and several parts of England I shall not any further pursue what the Doctor has said of Lands holden by Military Service before the Conquest or of the Herriots or Reliefs that were due upon them which were payable out of the Feudal Lands of the Ealdormen middle and less Thanes but shall refer
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
SAXONUM paritèr ELIGIMVS Benedictionum tuarum Dona multiplica as also what follows in the same Chapter in the Blessing after the Coronation in giving him the Scepter Benedic Domine hunc PRE-ELECTVM Principem qui Regna omnium Regum à saeculo moderaris Amen NOW from both these Places above quoted we may safely conclude that an Election did most commonly precede the Coronation of our English Saxon Kings which I think is made so evident by these Authorities that it needs no farther Enlargement nor should I trouble my self about it were it not to expose the Obstinacy of some Men as well as to continue the Series of this Succession which perhaps would seem lame to others without it down to the Conquest TO go on therefore where we left off after the Death of King Ethelred the Saxon Annals tell us that Omnes Proceres qui in Londonia erant Cives eligerunt Eadmundum in Regem i. e. All the Chief Men or Witan as it is in the Saxon i. e. Wise Men that were at London and the Citizens chose Edmund for their King and yet he was his Father's eldest Son tho whether Legitimate or not is uncertain for we do not find any antient Author till after the Conquest that mentions Ethelred's being married to the Mother of this Prince and if he was not this Son of his could have no other Title but Election This is also confirmed by Ingulph who says Cui Ethelredo successit in Regnum Londonensium West-Saxonum Electione Filius ejus primogenitus Edmundus c. i. e. Edmund his eldest Son succeeded his Father Ethelred by the Election of the Londoners and West-Saxons in the Kingdom BUT tho our Saxon Annals are silent of it yet an Antient Manuscript Chronicle wrote about the Time of the Conquest now in the Cottonian Library relates that about the same Time that King Edmund was thus Elected Episcopi Abbates quique Nobiliores Angliae Canutum in Regem eligere the Bishops Abbots and several of the Chief Men of England chose Cnute for their King which is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester in these words under this very Year Post cujus mortem maxima pars Regni tà m Clericorum quà m Laicorum in unum congregati pari consensu Cnutonem in Regem eligerunt ad eum Suthamptoniam veniens pacem cum eo pepigerunt fidelitatem jurabant i. e. after whose Death viz. of King Ethelred the greatest part of the Kingdom as well of the Clergy as Laity being met together chose Cnute for their King and coming to Southampton made Peace with him and swore Fidelity but he there says nothing of his Coronation THESE Testimonies concerning Ethelred and Edmund being thus plain I confess Dr. Brady has been so just as to cite them and fairly to translate that Passage in Ingulph by the word Election whereas it should have been Recognition if it had suited with his Hypothesis as he does also that of Florence of Worcester rendring the word Eligerunt by chose him King if therefore it were a true Election in one case then surely it must be so in the other for the same Reason BUT the nameless Author of the Great Point of Succession discuss'd tho he does wilfully conceal all the printed Authorities above mentioned yet being hard press'd with this Passage of King Cnute has no other way to evade it but by saying That Canutus by the Terror of his Arms having the greatest part of the Island at his Devotion forced them to acknowledg and receive him for their King which they being under an apparent Force could not refuse to do THE falseness of which Assertion I will not go about to prove in this Place but refer the Reader to the ensuing History where he will find that the Persons abovemention'd were not so forced by the Terror of his Arms as to acknowledg him for their King since London then as still the Capital City of the Nation with many others of the Nobility had before Chosen King Edmund who by their Assistance was strong enough immediately after his Election to fight the Danes at the great Battel at Assendune and therefore if voluntarily yet it was treacherously done of them to quit the Prince who ought to have been Elected and to choose a Stranger and an Invader over his Head and whether the Gentleman this Author writes against had ridiculously called King Cnute's Accession to the Throne an Election as he would have it I shall leave to the impartial Reader 's Judgment AFTER the Death of King Cnute our Annals relate that at a Witena-Gemot or Great Council being held at Oxford Leofricus Comes omnes propè Thani à Boreali parte Thamisis Nautae de Lundonia eligerunt Haroldum in Regem totius Angliae dum ejus Frater Hardcnutus esset in Denmearcia i.e. Leofric the Earl and almost all the Thanes North of the Thames and the Sea-men of London chose Harold King of all England whilst his Brother Hardecnute was in Denmark which is also confirmed by Ingulph and William of Malmesbury who farther report That the English had a Mind to chuse Edward the Son of Ethelred or at least Hardecnute the Son of Cnute by Emme his Wife the Widow of King Ethelred who was then in Denmark BUT Henry of Huntington says expresly Haroldus filius Cnuti in Regem Electus est But Radulphus de Diceto is yet more express as to this Election of Harold as appears by this Passage under An. 1038. Haroldus Rex Merciorum Northymbrorum ut per totam regnaret Angliam à Principibus omni Populo Eligitur i. e. Harold King of the Mercians and Northumbers that he might reign over all England is Chosen by the chief Men and all the People whence you may observe that tho he were then King of the Mercians and Northumbers yet that still needed a new Election to make him King of all England NOW if this were so as the Doctor himself has ingenuously cited it in his said Treatise I desire he would let us know where was then the Right of Lineal Succession when the People of England would fain have chosen Edward who could not be Right Heir of the Crown so long as the Children of his Elder Brother were alive tho then in Exile nor could Hardecnute have any Right so long as Harold his Elder Brother was alive whom also as our Historians relate his Father had appointed Successor at his Death tho whether that be true or no is much to be doubted BUT the Author of the aforementioned Great Point of Succession c. to evade this Proof of Harold's Election will have all this Point in Controversy to have been who had the most Right and best Title to the Crown of those two Harold or Hardecnute and that Earl Godwin objected Harold's Illegitimacy and the Will of the deceased King of all which there is not one word mentioned in any of our most
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
his Son-in-Law whom he denotes by this Title Ethelredo Principi meae Militiae THE other viz. the Great Civil Officer was that of Chancellour so called from the barbarous Latin word Cancellare from his cancelling or striking out what he pleased in Men's Grants and Petitions And as for his Power we find it thus expressed in Ingulf upon K. Edward the Elder 's having made his Cousin Turketule Chancellor Quaecúnque negotia temporalia vel spiritualia Regis Judicium expectabant illius consilio tam sanctae fidei tam profundi ingenii tenebatur omnia tractarentur tractata irrefragabilem sententiam sortirentur from whence we may observe that the King did not only in that Age determine Civil but Spiritual Causes too in his own Person and had his Chancellor for his Assistant in his Judgments which being so given irrefragabilem sententiam sortirentur i.e. they obtained an uncontroulable Sentence beyond which there then lay no Appeal and this I suppose was done in that great Court we now call the King's Bench for as for the Court of Chancery in Causes relating to Equity Sir Edward Coke tells us in his 4 th Institutes that there are no Precedents of it before the Reign of King Henry VI. BUT that it was the business of the Chancellor to draw up the King's Charters and also to sign them before the Conquest you will find at the end of the last Charter of King Edward the Confessor to the Abbey of Westminster in the first Volume of Sir H. Spelman's Councils where Aelfgeat a Notary signs it vice Reynbaldi Regis Edwardi Cancellarii THE next Degree was that of Ealdorman which was not only Titular as to the Person but an Office and signified as you will find all along in our Annals those great Magistrates under the King who being called in Latin Subreguli Principes Consules in some of our Antient Charters and sometimes in Saxon Cynings i.e. petty Kings had the subordinate Government of Cities Counties and often too of whole Provinces in all Affairs both Civil and Military and were of much greater Power before King Alfred's Reign than afterwards for whereas before his Time they had the chief Authority in all Places belonging to their Jurisdiction they seem after the word Eorle came in use with the Danes to have lost much of their Power tho they still retained the Title And it is observed by Sir Henry Spelman in his Glossary that he who was called the Ealdorman of the County signified in the Laws of King Athelstane something between the Earl and the Sheriff and therefore seems to have been him who under the Earl governed the County or Province and was his Deputy or Judg in the County Court in his Absence For in those Laws the Value of an Arch-bishop and Earl's Head is set at fifteen thousand Thrimsaes whereas the Bishop's and Ealdorman's was but at eight thousand YET notwithstanding this Title did not cease to be esteemed very honourable many Years after that Time for we find in Camden's Britannia that the Tomb of Ailwin founder of the Abby of Ramsey was inscribed with the Title of Ealdorman of all England which as Mr. Selden says could only mean that he was somewhat like the Antient Chief Justiciary of England or Chief Director of the Affairs of the whole Kingdom or Viceroy Regiae dignitatis consors nominis or half Cyning as the Book of Ramsey has it NOT but that this word was also of a much more inferior Signification seeing we find frequent mention in the Laws of Edward the Confessor as well as in those Kings immediately after the Conquest of Aldermannus Hundredi seu Wapentachii as also of Aldermannus Civitatis vel Burgi whence the Title of our present Aldermen of Cities and great Towns are derived tho of a far different Signification as well as a much later Institution and this I suppose happened by reason of the Paucity of words in the Saxon Tongue which called Grave Men distinguished by any Office or Dignity by the Title of Ealdormen because they were at first bestowed on Men of elder Years tho afterwards as the Auctuary to King Edward's Laws informs us they were not so stiled propter senectutem cum quidam Adolescentes essent sed propter sapientiam Therefore I cannot forbear taking notice that whereas Bede speaking of K. Oswald's sending ad Majores natu Scotorum to the Elders of the Scots for Bishops King Alfred in his Translation of Bede calls them the Ealdormen of the Scots that is the Great or Chief Men of that Nation I must here beg the Reader 's Pardon for a Mistake I have committed in the rendring of that Passage into English in the ensuing History for not having the Saxon Version by me but only a Latin Copy when I wrote it nor having then consulted Mr. Selden to whom I confess my self much beholden for this Criticism I have there translated the words Majores Natu Scotish Bishops because I thought it most proper for them to be sent to about an Affair concerning Religion I have no more to say on this Head only that I have left this word Ealdorman so often used in our Annals untranslated for tho I grant he is frequently stiled Dux or Comes in Latin yet it would not bear being rendred Duke or Earl in English because that those Titles are not only very different but were unknown in our Saxon Tongue till many Years after that Government was setled in England I come now to the Title Earl or Eorle which being altogether Danish was not commonly used here till the Reign of King Cnute tho we now and then find it mentioned in our Annals before his Time but as for its Power and Authority it being much what the same with that of Ealdorman abovementioned I think I need say no more of it only that neither of them were then Hereditary nor descended to Sons or Brothers tho they often continued in the same Family when the King was pleased so to confer it And both the Title and the Office were liable to be forfeited upon any great Male-Administration as you will find in divers Instances in this Book THE next Title and Office I shall mention is that of Heretoch which was wholly Military and as Sir Henry Spelman in his Glossary supposes was the same with that of the Holde or Commander in War mentioned in the Laws of King Athelstan because his Wiregild is made equal to that of a High-Gerife viz. four thousand Thrymsa's THIS Heretoch seems to have been somewhat like our Lord-Lieutenant of a County at this Day and was chosen for some extraordinary Occasion as upon a sudden Invasion or Expedition against the Scots or Welshmen Which being over their Commission also ceased but they themselves were still had in high Esteem and Honour if they had prudently and couragiously discharged that great Trust. And as the
of which he had no great cause to boast since had it not been for his own good conduct assisted by the timorousness of the Britains he had never return'd to make this relation but this much is to be acknowledged that his landing here is a noble monument of his skill in Military affairs for Cicero writing to his friend Atticus tells him in one of his Epistles that the accesses to the Island were wonderously fortify'd with strong works or banks But Valerius Maximus as also Plutarch in his Life of Caesar have given us a noble Example of the Roman Courage as well as discipline who both relate that in the confused fight which happen'd at Caesar's first landing Sceva a Roman Souldier having pressed too far among the Enemies and being beset round after incredible valour shewn single against a Multitude swam back safe to his General and in the very place that rung aloud with his praises earnestly desired pardon for his rash adventure against Military discipline which modest confessing his fault after no bad event for such an action wherein Valour and ingenuity outweighed the transgression of Discipline easily gain'd him pardon and preferr'd him to be a Centurion this was that Sceva who afterwards gave good occasion to have his name remembred at the Battle of Dyrachium between Caesar and Pompey whose side he had then took Thâ—s is all we can find concerning Caesar's first Expedition into Britain either from himself or others more than that Orosius in his History from some accounts that are now lost tells us that most of Caesar's great Ships which were to bring over his Horse were cast away in that violent Storm he hath already told us of The Winter following Caesar returned into Italy as his Custome was for some Years before but upon his return thence finding that most of the Britains had neglected to send him their Hostages according to their former agreement he resolved to make a fresh descent upon them and in order to this in the Fifth Book of his Commentaries he tells us that upon his going into â—taly he had commanded his Lieutenants whom he had set over the Legions that they should take care to build as many new Ships as possibly they could that Winter and to repair the old ones shewing them the model of those that he would have built And for the more ready taking in of Men and Horses to be of somewhat a lower make than those that are used of in the Mediterranean Sea and for the more speedy lading and unlading them to be also somewhat broader and flatter bottomed than ordinary as well for the transporting of the Horses as baggage but to be all made to be rowed with Oaâ—s to which purpose their low building contrâ—buted much but all things necessary for the rigging out of these Ships he ordered to be brought out of Spain Caesar upon his return from Italy having settled all things in the hither Gallia made a short Expedition into Illyricum and having settled affairs there return'd into Gaul where he found built by the extraordinary industry of his Souldiers about Six hundred Vessels of that kind already described notwithstanding the great scarcity of all necessary materials together with Twenty Eight Gallies all which did not want much of being ready to be launched within a few days so having much commended his Souldiers and Overseers of the Work he then commanded them all to meet at the Port called Ictius from which he had already known was the most convenient passage into Britain being about Thirty Miles from the Continent Concerning which Port give me leave to say somewhat by the bye since there are so many several Opinions whether it be still in being or else is destroyed by the Sands and indeed there is such a great difference about this Port that there is scarce a Haven or Creek upon all the Coast of Flanders and France from Bruges to Bulogin but some Writer or other would make to be this Portus Ictius now mentioned by Caesar but since there can be but Three places on this Coast viz. Calice Whitsand and Buloign that can with any probability pretend to have been this Portus Ictius I shall neglect to speak of any of the rest except these Three As for the first of these though it be the nearest cut between France and England yet it is not likely to have been that Ancient Haven For though it be the shortest yet it was not the most convenient passage in Caesar's time both which are to be taken notice of since he himself in his former Book calls it the shortest but in this the most convenient passage and therefore cannot answer the distance from Calice to Dover which is but Twenty Miles whereas Caesar describes this Port to be about Thirty Miles distant from Britain nor was this place so much as known in Caesar's time being never used as a Port till of latter Ages that Whitsand was quite stopped up by the Sands driven into it Nor was Calice ever commonly used for a Port till Philip Earl of Buloign built and walled this Town before which time there is little mention made of it But as for Whitsand though it had much fairer pretences than Calice as having been the ancient Port from whence Men usually passed from France into England for above Five hundred Years before till it was at last about the Fourteenth Century become utterly unserviceable for the Reason already given Yet that this could not be the Portus Ictius is proved by the learned Cluverius in his Goegraphy nor was it any ancient Port being seldom or never made use of as such in the Roman's time none of the Military ways leading at all to it And therefore only Buloign can with any probability pretend to be this Portus Ictius as being the antient Gessoriacum from whence the Romans most commonly passed into Britain and best agrees with the distance that Caesar here sets down being also proved by the above cited Cluverius and by our Learned Antiquary Mr. Somner to have been the true Portus Ictius by many unanswerable Arguments and Authorities And as for the only Objection made against it that it is not likely that one Place should have so many several Names It signifies not much since the same Place might be called by several Names in different Ages That which was Portus Ictius in Caesar's Time being afterwards when a Town came to be Built there called Gessoriacum which in after-times was named Bononia and now Buloigne But whosoever desires to know more concerning this Matter may consult the said Cluverius's Antient Germany as also his Geography but especially that Treatise of Mr. Somners wherein he proves against Monsieur Chrisâ—et that neither St Omers nor Mardick could be the Portus Ictus mention'd by Caesar Which Treatise together with another of the Learned Monsieur Dâ— Fresne's upon the same Subject hath bin lately Publish'd in Latin by my worthy Friend Mr. Edmund Gibson of Queen's
take in all the County of Northumberland lying between Tine and Tweed to the utmost Orcades this is by no means to be admitted since as the Lord Primate Usher learnedly observes That Country had long after not only English but Danish Kings as shall in the pursuit of this History be clearly made out and after those were extinct we may read in Turgot's Chronicle of the Bishops of Durham the Earls appointed by the Kings of England under them Governed that Country For as Roger Hoveden in the Year 953 expresly relates after Eric to whom the Northumbers had sworn Allegiance that Province was committed by K. Edred to Earl Oswald who afterwards in the Reign of King Edgar had one Olsac assigned him as a partner in that Government the former Commanding all that lay on the North side of Tyne and the latter all York-shire there also follow all the Successours of these Earls as low as the Time of Edward the Confessour under whom Tosti Governed it who loosing his Earldom by reason of his Tyranny it was by King Edward committed to Earl Morchar but he being taken up with great Imployments committed the Government of that part of it beyond Tyne to one Oswulf who afterwards by the Gift of K. William enjoyed the Government of the whole Country But that Loden and the other Low-Land Countries of Scotland as far as Edinburgh were long after in the possession of the English shall be shewn when we come to the Reign of King Edgar About this Time Eanred King of Northumberland dying Ethelred his Son succeeded him as Simeon of Durham and Mat. of Westminster relate thô the latter places this the Year before But to give some account of the Affairs of Wales from Caradoc's Chronicle About this time was fought the Battle of Ketell betwixt Burthred King of Mercia and the Britains wherein as some do write Mervyn Vrych King of the Britains was Slain leaving behind him a Son afterwards called Rodri Mawr that is to say Redoric the Great yet according to Nennius this King Mervyn was alive Anno Dom. 854 which was the Twenty Fourth Year of this Kings Reign and in which that Authour in his Preface says He wrote his History but I believe there is either an errour in Nennius's Account or else in the Transcribers since all the Welsh Chronicles agree that about this time Mervyn dyed and Rodri succeeded him This Prince Commonly called Rodoric the Great began his Reign over Wales this Year it was he who divided all Wales into three Territories of Aberfraw Dineuawr and Mathraval he had great Wars with Burhred King of Mercia who by the aid of King Ethelulph entred North Wales with a great Power and destroyed Anglesey and fought with the Welshmen of Northwales divers times and slew Meyric a great Prince among them This Year according to Mat. Westminster Aethelred King of Northumberland was driven from his Kingdom I suppose by a Rebellion the usual method in that unquiet Country and one Redwald succeeded him who as soon as ever he was made King fought a Battle with the Danes at a place called Aluethelie where the King and Earl Alfred were slain with the greatest part of their Army and that then K. Ethelred was again restored to the Throne but this Authour does not tell us by what means nor is the Year expressed and thô this Action is found in no other Authour yet is it likely enough to be true for Simeon of Durham in his History of that Church thô he does not mention this Kings Expulsion and Restitution to the Throne yet he there expresly mentions King Ethelred to have about this time succeeded his Father Eandred This Year according to our Annals Eanwulf the Ealdorman with the Somerset-shire Men Men and Ealstan the Bishop and Osric the Ealdorman with the Dorset-shire Men fought with the Danish Army at the mouth of Pedidan called by Hoveden Pendred's Mouth and was indeed the River Parret in Somerset-shire where they made a great slaughter of them and obtained the Victory over the Danes after which the Kingdom enjoyed Peace for divers Years But the Northumbers still continued their old custom of driving out or killing their Kings for about 3 Years after as Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham relate Ethelred King of the Northumbers being Slain Osbert Reigned in his stead Eighteen Years and the same Year there was an Eclipse of the Sun about the Sixth Hour of the Day on the Kal. of October this is that King Osbert who was afterwards killed by the Danes According to Florence and Mat. Westminster a Son called Aelfred was now Born to King Ethelwulf at Wanating now Wantige in Berk-shire his Mother was Osberge the Daughter of Aslat or Oslac chief Butler to King Aethelwulf who was related to Stuffe and Whitgar first Princes of the Isle of Wight she was a Woman as remarkable for her Piety as her Birth and deserved to be the Mother of him who was afterwards to prove so great a Prince The same Year also from the same Authours Berthferth the Son of Bertwulf King of Mercia wickedly slew his Cousin Wulstan who was Nephew to both the late Kings of Mercia but his Body was buried at the Famous Monastery of Rependun now Repton in Darby-shire in the Tomb of Wiglaf his Grandfather and if we may believe our Historians a Pillar of Light reaching up to Heaven stood over the place for Thirty Days which procured him the Title of a Saint This Year the Pagan Danes returned hither and Ceorl the Ealdorman together with the Forces of Devonshire fought with their Army at Wicganbeorch supposed to be Wenbury in Devon-shire and there obtained the Victory And the same Year also King Aethelstan and Duke Ealcher fought with them a Sea Fight and routed a great Fleet of them near Sandwic now Sandwich in Kent took 9 Ships and put the rest to Flight now also the Danes Wintered in the Isle of Thanet or as Asser in his Annals relates in the Isle of Sheppy and the same Year came 300 of their Ships into the Mouth of Thames and the Danes landing took Canterbury and London and routed Beorthwulf King of the Mercians with his whole Army who had come out to Fight with them after which the Danes marched Southward beyond Thames into Surry and there K. Aethelwulf and his Son Aethelbald with the Forces of the West-Saxons fought against them at Aclea now called Oakley in Surry where they made a greater slaughter of the Pagan Army than had been heard of at any time before so that the greatest part of them were destroyed The same Year also according to sir H. Spelman's 1. Vol. of Councils was held the Council of Kingsbury under Berthwulf King of the Mercians Ceolnoth Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with the other Bishops and Wise Men of the Province being present wherein besides the publick business of the Kingdom several grievances of the Monks were redressed
they designed and that a great part of them had entred the City the Pagans being compelled by Necessity and Despair broke out upon them and killed routed and put to flight the whole Army as well within as without the Town so that both the Kings were slain together with many Noblemen and a vast number of Common Souldiers and a great many were taken Prisoners and those that remained alive were forced to make Peace with the Danes who according to the Chronicle of Mailross made one Egbert King over the Northumbers that were left thô under the Danish Dominion but it seems it was over those that lay on the North side of the River Time as Simeon of Darham in his History of that Church relates The same Year also died Aethstan the Bishop after he had held his See of Scireborne 50 Years whose Body was buried in that Town But since the Chronicle that goes under the Name of Abbot Bromton undertakes to give some probable Account how the Danes came to invade the Kingdom of Northumberland thô it looks somewhat like a Romance yet I shall here give it you since it is found in no other Author that I know of being thus Osbriht King of Northumberland going one day a hunting as he returned home went privately to the House of one of his Noblemen called Bruern Brocard to refresh himself Bruern knowing nothing of the King 's coming was gone to the Sea side according to his Custom to secure the Shoar against Pirats but his Wife a Woman of great Beauty entertained the King at Dinner very splendidly The King have dined took her by the Hand and led her to her Chamber telling her He must speak with her in private and there removing all out of the way but such as were privy to his Secrets he by Force and Violence lay with her Having thus had his Will he speedily returned to York whilst she so lamented and wept that her Face was extremely altered which caused her Husband at his return to ask the cause of so sudden a Change and such an unusual Sadness Whereupon she told him the whole Matter how the King had forced her which having heard he comforted her bidding her not to afflict her self since she was not able to resist a Man so potent assuring her because she had told him the Truth he would not love her less than he had done before and if GOD gave him leave he would Revenge both himself and her upon him that had committed the Crime Then did Bruern being a Man both Noble and Powerful call his Kindred together to whom he revealed the Affront put upon him and his Intention speedily to Revenge it To which they all consenting and approving his Purpose he with them took Horse and rode to York The King upon sight of him called him to him very civilly but he having all his Relations at his Back defied him renouncing his Allegiance giving up his Land and whatsoever else he held of him This said without any more Words he withdrew making no stay at all at Court So his Friends consenting he went straitways over to Denmark where he made a great Complaint to the King of the Affront offered to him and his Wife by K. Osbriht desiring his speedy Relief and Supplies to put him into a Capacity to revenge himself At this News Godrin and his Danes conceived very great Joy having now some Reason to induce them to invade the English and revenge the Injury offered to Bruern who was descended of his Blood whereupon he speedily prepared a great Army over which he made Captains two Brothers called Inguar and Hubba most valiant Souldiers and to them he gave a Navy furnished with all Necessaries to transport an innumerable Company of Men. These Adventurers landing in the Northern Parts and taking their way through Holderness destroyed all the Towns with their Inhabitants and coming to York provoked Osbriht to come out and fight them where he and his Brother-King were both slain as you have already heard This Year the Danish Army marched into Mercia as far as Snotingaham now Nottingham and there took up their Quarters but Burhred King of the Mercians with his Great or Wise Men entreated Aethelred King of the West Saxons and Aelfred his Brother to help them to fight against the Pagans whereupon they likewise marched to the same place where finding the Danish Army strongly fortified they only besieged Nottingham But as Asser and Ingulph relate the Christians not being able to take either the Town or Castle there was very little fighting so that the Mercians were forced to make Peace with the Pagans whereupon the Danes marched back again into the Kingdom of Northumberland The same Year Asser in his Life of K. Alfred tells us That the King married the Daughter of Aethelred the Ealdorman of the Gaini i. e. of the Country about Gainesburrough in Yorkshire But the next Year the Danish Army returned again to York and there stayed Twelve Months and now there was also a great Mortality both of Men and Beasts But we cannot here omit the Relation of Mat. Westminster under this Year concerning what the Danes did before they left the North of England where he says they slew both Old and Young not sparing the Lives or Chastities so much as of the Nuns where he gives us a strange Example of an Heroick if not too Great a Love of Chastity for Ebba afterwards Sainted then Abbess of Coldingham Nunnery in Yorkshire being more afraid of the loss of her Virginity than her Life calling her Nuns into the Chapter-house there made a Speech to them setting forth the Lust and Cruelty of the Danes and also exhorting them to follow her Example in avoiding it which they all promising to observe she then took a Razour and cut off her own Nose and upper Lip in which she was immediately followed by all the Sisters which being done those cruel Tyrants Hinguar and Hubba coming thither the next day together with their Forces and seeing so horrible a Spectacle they not only ran out of the Monastery and left them but also gave order to their Followers that they should set the House on fire which they forthwith did so it was burnt to Ashes together with the Abbess and all her Nuns who thought themselves happy in thus suffering Martyrdom for the preservation of that which was dearer to them than their Lives Nor did they discharge their Fury upon this Nunnery alone but upon all the rest of the Monasteries of the Northumbrian Kingdom having not long before destroyed the Monasteries and Church of Linaisfarne with those of Girwy and Weremuth besides the famous Nunneries of Streanshale and Tinmuth most of which were never rebuilt and those that were not till several Ages after But to proceed with our Annals In the Peterborough Copy it follows thus Then the Danes quitting the North and mounting themselves on Horseback marched through Mercia into East
and instead thereof engaged the Prince of Wales to send him a Yearly Tribute of so many Wolves Heads in lieu of that Tribute which the said Prince performed till within some Years there being no more Wolves to be found either in England or Wales that Tribute ceased But to proceed with our Annals This Year deceased Aelfgar Cousin to the King and Earl also of Devonshire whose Body lies buried at Wilton Sigeferth likewise here called a King though he was indeed no more than Vice-King or Earl of some Province now made himself away and was buried at Winborne The same Year was a great Mortality of Men and a very Malignant Feaver raged at London Also the Church of St. Pauls at London was this Year burnt and soon after rebuilt and Athelmod the Priest went to Rome and there died I have nothing else to add that is remarkable under this Year but the Foundation of the Abby of Tavistock by Ordgar Earl of Devonshire afterwards Father-in-law to King Edgar though it was within less than fifty years after its foundation burnt down by the Danes in the Reign of King Ethelred but was afterwards rebuilt more stately than before This Year Wolfstan the Deacon deceased and afterwards Gyric the Priest These I suppose were some men of remarkable Sanctity in that Monastery to which this Copy of these Annals did once belong The same Year also Abbot Athelwald received the Bishoprick of Winchester and was consecrated on a Sunday being the Vigil of St. Andrew The second year after his Consecration he repaired divers Monasteries and drove the Clerks i. e. Canons from that Bishoprick because they would observe no Rule and placed Monks in their stead He also founded two Abbies the one of Monks and the other of Nuns and afterwards going to King Edgar he desired him to bestow upon him all the Monasteries the Danes had before destroyed because he intended to rebuild them which the King willingly granted Then the Bishop went to Elig where St. Etheldrith lieth buried and caused that Monastery to be rebuilt and then gave it to the care of one of his Monks named Brightnoth and afterwards made him Abbot of the Monks of that Monastery where there had been Nuns before Then Bishop Athelwald went to the Monastery which is called Medeshamstead which had also been destroyed by the Danes where he found nothing but old Walls with Trees and Bushes growing among them but at last he spied hidden in one of these Walls that Charter which Abbot Headda had formerly wrote in which it appeared that King Wulfher and Ethelred his Brother had founded this Monastery and that the King with the Bishop had freed it from all secular servitude and Pope Agatho had confirmed it by his Bull as also the Archbishop Deus Dedit Which Charter I suppose is that the Substance of which is already recited in the Fourth book Anno 656. and which I have there proved to be forged for the Monks had then a very fair opportunity to forge that Charter and afterwards to pretend they found it in an old Wall But letting that pass thus much is certain from the Peterburgh Copy of these Annals That the said Bishop then caused this Monastery to be rebuilt placing a new Set of Monks therein over whom he appointed an Abbot called Aldulf Then went the Bishop to the King and shewed him the Charter he had lately found whereby he not only obtained a new Charter of Confirmation of all the Lands and Privileges formerly granted by the Mercian Kings but also many other Townships and Lands there recited as particularly Vndale with the Hundred adjoining in Northamptonshire which had formerly been a Monastery of it self as may be observed in the account we have already given of the Life of the Archbishop Wilfrid The King likewise granted That the Lands belonging to that Monastery should be a distinct Shire having Sac and Soc Tol and Team and Infangentheof which terms I shall explain in another place the King there also grants them a Market with the Toll thereof and that there should be no other Market between Stamford and Huntington and to the former of these the King also granted the Abbot a Mint But as for the Names of the Lands given together with the Limits and the Tolls of the Market there mentioned I refer the Reader to the Charter it self Then follows the Subscription of the King with the Sign of the Cross and next the Confirmation of the Archbishop of Canterbury with a dreadful Curse on those that should violate it as also the Confirmation of Oswald Archbishop of York Athelwald Bishop of Winchester with several other Bishops Abbots Ealdormen and Wisemen who all confirmed it and signed it with the Cross This was done Anno Dom. 972. of our Lord's Nativity and in the sixteenth year of the King's Reign which shews this Coppy of the Annals to be written divers years after these things were done as does also more particularly that short History concerning the Affairs of this Abby and the Succession of its Abbots for many years after this time As how Abbot Adulf bought many more Lands wherewith he highly enriched that Monastery where he continued Abbot till Oswald Archbishop of York deceased and he succeeded him in the Archbishoprick and then there was another chosen Abbot of the said Monastery named Kenulph who was afterwards Bishop of Winchester he first built a Wall round the Monastery and gave it the name of Burgh which was before called Medeshamested but he being sometime after made Bishop of Winchester another Abbot was chosen from the same Abby called Aelfi who continued Abbot fifty years He removed the Bodies of St. Kyneburge and St. Cynesuith which lay buried at Castra and St. Tibba which lay entomb'd at Rehala i. e. Ryal in Rutlandshire and brought them to Burgh and dedicated them to St. Peter keeping them there as long as he continued Abbot I have been the more particular in the Account of this so Ancient and Famous Monastery as having been the Episcopal See of the Bishops of Peterburgh almost ever since the Dissolution of that Abby in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth This Year also according to Simeon of Durham King Edgar married Ethelfreda the Daughter of Ordgar Earl of Devonshire after the Death of her Husband Ethelwald Earl of the East-Angles Of her he begot two Sons Edwald and Ethelred the former of whom died in his Infancy but the latter lived to be King of England But before he married this Lady it is certain he had an Elder Son by Elfleda sirnamed The Fair Daughter of Earl Eodmar of whom he begot King Edward called the Martyr But whether King Edgar was ever lawfully married to her may also be doubted since Osbern in his Life of St. Dunstan says That this Saint baptized the Child begotten on Ethelfleda the King's Concubine with whom also agrees Nicholas Trevet in his Chronicle though I confess the Major
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
the Welsh to come into England or the English to enter Wales except received at either Bank by the Borderers who shall take care for their safe conduct and return And in case any Borderer be accused of false dealing herein and cannot by witness disprove it he should be fined King EDMUND sirnamed Ironside AFter the Death of King Ethelred all the Wise and Great Men who were then at London together with the Citizens of that place elected Eadmund the Eldest Son of that King to reign over them who held it but a short time and that with great difficulty William of Malmesbury says he was born of a Woman whose name he did not know but Ethelred Abbot de Rievallis saith she was the only Daughter of Toret a Noble Earl whom the Chronicle of John of Wallingford calls Ethelred's first Wife But Mat. Westminster relates otherwise that he was not born of Queen Emma who was his only Wife but of a certain Ignoble Woman yet besides the Obscurity of his Birth he was a Man without all exception both for Strength of Body and Mind and therefore called by the English Ironside He would have made amends both for his Father's Cowardise and his Mother's want of Birth had he been but allowed some longer time to have lived So that it appears by these Authors that this King Edmund was born of a Concubine But to come to our History When King Edmund was thus declared King at London as Simeon of Durham tells us with great Acclamations of Joy he also relates That many of the Bishops Abbots and Noblemen of England coming to Southampton abjuring the Progeny of King Ethelred at the same time chose Cnute for their King who according to our Annals immediately came with his Fleet to Grenawic about Lent and within a short time after marched up to London where they dug a great Trench on the South-side of the River and drew their Ships to the West-side of the Bridge and besieged the City insomuch that none could go in or out making such frequent Assaults upon it yet the Citizens resisted them vigorously But King Eadmund was marched out before into West-Saxony where all that Nation willingly submitted themselves to him Not long after he fought with the Danes at Peonnan now Pen near Gillingam in Somersetshire But Cnute not being there they do not tell us who commanded in his stead for he was then with his Fleet at the Siege of London ' After Midsummer King Eadmund fought another Battel at Sceorstan which place is supposed to be a Stone that now parts the four Counties of Oxfordshire Gloucestershire Worcestershire and Warwickshire But our Annals do not mention who had the Victory only That there were many kill'd on both sides and that the two Armies marched off from each other of their own accord for Eadric the Ealdorman and Aelmer then joined with the Danes against King Edmund But as William of Malmesbury tells us Eadric the Traytor was the cause of the King's Soldiers running away for holding up his Sword dipped in the Blood of some mean person or as Simeon says his Head which was very like King Edmund's whom he had newly killed he cried out to the English to fly for their King was dead Yet R. Hoveden adds That the Fight was very bloody and both Parties were forced to leave off being quite tired Our Annals do then thus proceed That King Edmund having gathered an Army the third time march'd to London and raised the Siege driving the Danes to their Ships and within two days after the King passed over at Brentford and there fought the Danes and put them to flight but many of the English were drrown'd by their own negligence as they ran before the Army being greedy of spoil After this the King marched down toward the West-Saxons and there reinforced his Army whilst in the mean time the Danish Forces returned to London and besieged that City assaulting it both by Land and Water but God at that time also delivered it whereupon the Danes departed from London with their Ships into Arwan and there landing marched up into Mercia killing and burning all they met with according to their old custom and there furnished themselves with Provisions and then drew all their Ships with their Spoil up the Medway But where this Arwan abovementioned lay is very uncertain That it could not be the River Arrow in Warwickshire as some fancy is plain that being no where Navigable Therefore the Ingenious Editor of these Annals in the explication of the Proper Names of Places at the end of the Book does very probably guess that this River was either that which we now call Orwell which divides Essex from Suffolk or else that there is an Error in the Saxon Copy and instead of into Arwan it should be read to Waran that is they went up the River Lee as far as Ware But this I leave to the Reader 's Judgment and shall again return to the Annals themselves Then King Eadmund assembled the whole English Nation a fourth time and passed the Thames again at Brentford and from thence went into Kent and there put the Danish Horse to flight in Seapige and killed as many of them as they could meet with But Eadric the Ealdorman by his subtle Artifices persuaded the King to stay at Aeglesford which was the most perfidious advice that could be given him Florence of Worcester and William of Malmesbury are more particular in this Transaction and say That the Traitorous Earl above-mentioned so over-persuaded the King by his plausible Insinuations that he did not pursue the Danes when almost routed or else he might have obtained an absolute Victory Then according to our Annals the Danes turned against the West-Saxons and marched into Mercia killing all before them but when the King understood that the Danes were gone thither he drew all the English Forces together the fifth time and following them himself in the Rear overtook them near a Hill called Assandun now Ashdown in Essex where they had a very sharp Engagement but there Eadric the Ealdorman playing his old pranks first of all began the flight with the Magesaetons by Cambden supposed to be the Radnorshire men and so once more deceived his Natural Lord and the whole Nation But here though I cannot but admire the wonderful Courage and Constancy of this Brave Prince yet can I not commed his Prudence who could thus trust a known Traytor that had not only betrayed himself but his Father before him But I need make no long reflections upon this since we find few Princes guilty of the like Easiness in later Ages But this is certain from our Annals That Cnute now obtained the Victory against the greatest part of the English Nation and there were slain on the spot Eadnoth the Bishop and Wilfsige the Abbot Aelfric and Godwin the Ealdormen and Wulfkytel Earl of east-East-England and most of the English Nobility William of Malmesbury
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
Horses whereof two with Furniture and two without two Swords four Spears and as many Shields one Helmet one Corslet and fifty Mancuses of Gold The Herriot of an inferior Thane an Horse with Furniture and Arms or amongst the West-Saxons the Sum of Money that is paid called Halfange in Mercia and East-England two Pounds But amongst the Danes the Herriot of a King's Thane who hath free Jurisdiction is four Pounds and if he be nearer to the King his Herriot is two Horses whereof the one with Furniture and the other without a Sword two Spears as many Targets and fifty Mancuses of Gold But the Herriot of a Thane of the lowest condition is two Pounds This word Herriot or as the true Saxon word is written Herëgeate signifies Furniture for War given by the Vassal to his Lord probably at first designed for the driving away Thieves and Robbers which abounded when the Danish or Northern Nations so frequently invaded the Land For though the word Here does in the Saxon Language signify an Army yet it is in our Saxon Authors when without composition generally taken in the worst sense for Invaders and Spoilers A Lawful Army collected by the King for the defence of the Nation being called by the name of Fyrd The seventy first requires Widows to continue in Widowhood for the space of Twelve Months and then permits them to marry If a Woman marry before her Twelve Months be out she shall lose her Dower with all that her Husband left her which is to come in such case to the next of kin and he that marries her shall pay the value of his Head to the King or to whomsoever he assigns it The seventy fifth Law deprives him of Life and Estate who either in an Expedition by Land or Sea deserts his Lord or his Fellow-Soldier and in such case the Lord is to have back the Land he gave him or if it was Bocland it goes to the King But in case any one dye in Fight in the presence of his Lord either at home or abroad his Herriot shall be remitted and his Children shall succeed both to his Goods and Lands and equally divide them The seventy sixth gives him liberty that hath defended his Land and cleared it from all doubts and incumbrances in the Sciregemote or County-Court to possess it quietly whilst he lives and to leave it to whom he pleases when he dies From whence we may observe that before the Conquest men might bequeath their Lands by their Last Will. The seventy seventh gives liberty to every man to hunt in his own Grounds but forbids all men under a Penalty to meddle with the King's Game especially in those places which he had fenced by Privilege By those places thus privileged he means those which afterwards the Normans called Forests being Ground Desart and Woody lying open to the King 's Deer not fenced about with any Hedge or Wall but circumscribed and privileged or as here he words it fenced with certain Bounds Laws and Immunities under Magistrates Judges Officers c. Concerning these Forests the King published certain Constitutions Thirty four in number which you may see at large in Sir Hen. Spelman's Glossary tit Foresta But because he mentions them not in this nor any other of his Laws they seem to have been made afterwards But the Thirtieth Article is therein almost the very same with this Law forbidding all men to meddle with his Game and yet permitting them to hunt in their own Grounds sine Chasea but what that signifies unless it be following their Game out of their own Grounds I will not take upon me to determine King HAROLD sirnamed Harefoot NOT long after the Death of King Cnate our Annals relate That there was a great Witena Gemot or Council of the Wise Men held at Oxnaford where Earl Leofric and almost all the Thanes on the East part of Thames with the Seamen of London chose Harold for King of all England whilst his Brother Hardecnute was in Denmark But Earl Godwin and all the Great Men of the West-Saxons withstood it as much as they could though they were not able to prevail against them Then was it also decreed That Elgiva or Emma the Mother of Hardecnute should reside at Winchester with the Domesâ—ick Servants of the late King and should possess all West-Saxony where Earl Godwin was Governor or Lord Lieutenant It is said also by some concerning this King Harold that he was the Son of King Cnute and of Aelgiva the Daughter of Aelfhelm the Ealdorman but that seems scarce probable to many however he was full or Real King of all England That which gave cause to this suspicion was as Florence of Worcester and Radulph de Diceto relate That this Aelgiva not being able to have Children by King Cnute commanded the Son of a certain Shoomaker then newly born to be brought to her and feigning a formal Lying in to have imposed upon the credulous King her Husband that she was really brought to bed of a Son which if true shews that it is no new or strange thing for a Queen of England to impose a supposititious Birth upon the King her Husband and the whole Nation But this Contention about the Election of Harold gives us great reason to doubt the Truth of the Relation in Simeon of Durham and other Authors of this Harold's being appointed by his Father's Will to succeed in the Kingdom of England such a Nomination or Recommendation seldom or never failing to be observed by the States of the Kingdom without any dispute at the Election of a New King And besides Queen Aemma his Mother who had then the greatest power with King Cnute would sure much rather have had her own Son Hardecnute to have succeeded him in the Kingdom of England than Harold at best supposed to be her Husband's Son by another Woman So that if Harold was now chosen King it is most likely that it was not in pursuance of King Cnute's Will but purely from the prevailing Faction of the Danes and Londoners who as William of Malmesbury tells us were by their long conversation with them become wholly Danish in their Inclinations But if Ingulph may be believed who lived as well before as after the Conquest there was then so great a Dispute about the Election of a King that many fearing a Civil War would ensue it caused multitudes of people to quit their Habitations and betake themselves into Waterish and Fenny Places where they thought the Enemy could not or would no easily pursue them and particularly to the Monastery of Croyland where they caused such a disturbance that the Monks of that place could neither meet in the Church nor in the Refectory When at last to avoid the Effusion of Christian Blood it was agreed at the aforesaid Council at Oxnaford That the Kingdom should be divided between the two Brothers Harold and Hardecnute so that the former should have all the Countries
the Meat should be taken away untouched from such as were invited than that those who were not invited should complain for want of Victuals whereas saith he the custom of our time is either out of Covetousness or as they pretend because their people cannot eat for Great Men to allow their Followers but one Meal a day which shews that the custom of Set Suppers hath had divers Vicissitudeâ— being not commonly used in England in Great Mens Families at the time when H. Huntington wrote and therefore is an English Custom prevailing since that time the Norman Fashions being then most used John Rouse also in his Manuscript Treatise de Regibus Ang. already cited relates That the day of King Hardâ—cnute's Death was in his time kept by the English as an Holiday being called Hock-Wednesday on which they danced and drew Cords cross the way as they do in several Parishes in England even at this day to stop people till they will pay them some Money King Edward called the Confessor BEfore King Hardecnute was buried all the People chose Edward Aethâ—ling King at London who reigned as long as God permitted him But William of Malmesbury with greater probability says That this King did not come to the Crown without some difficulty for when he had received the News of his Brother Hardecnute's Death he was in great perplexity what was most advisable for him to do at last after mature deliberation he thought it the safest course to trust his Fortune to Earl Godwin's Advice who being sent for to a friendly Conference for some time he was considering whether he should come to him or not but at length he agreed to speak with him and upon the Enterview Edward was about to lay himself at his Feet but that he would by no means suffer Then the Prince earnestly desired he would assist him in his safe return to Normandy when immediately Godwin gave him this unexpected answer That he had better live gloriously King of England than dye ignominiously in Exile That the Crown did of Right belong to him as Son of Ethelred and Grandchild of Edgar That he was one of mature Age inur'd to Labour and who had learnt by experience how to order Publick Affairs with Justice and had been taught by his own late Afflictions how to remove and prevent the Miseries of the People That to bring this about there would be no great Obstacle for if he would but trust himself to him he should find that his Interest was very powerful in the Nation and that Fortune would be favourable to his just Pretensions and if he would accept of the Royal Dignity he was confident there would be none to oppose it but on condition that he would establish a firm Friendship with him and his Family by promising to prefer his Sons and marry his Daughter that then he should soon find himself a King Edward's case at this time was such as not to reject so fair Proposals but rather agree to any Conditions and comply with the present state of Affairs whatsoever therefore Godwin required he promised and swore to perform Now the Earl was a Man fitted by Nature for managing such an Intrigue having a very smooth and plausible Tongue so Eloquent that he could move and charm the Affections of the People insinuate into them whatsoever he pleased and bring them entirely over to his Interest and Service Upon this he procures a Great Council to be summoned at Gillingham some Copies have it at London and there he influenced some by his own Authority gain'd over others by his Promises and those who were inclined before to Prince Edward's Cause he fully settled and confirmed to his Party the rest that made opposition being over-power'd were first of all turn'd out of their Places and then banished the Land The Annals of the Abby of Winchester printed in the Monast. Ang. from the Manuscript in the Cottonian Library not only agree with William of Malmesbury in this Relation but are also much more particular viz. That Prince Edward coming to Godwin one morning in disguise to London fell at his Feet begging him to preserve his Life but the Earl taking him up promised to use him like his Son and also gave him farther Encouragements and Assurance so that Edward returning again to Winchester to his Mother Godwin shortly after summoned all the Great Men of the Kingdom to meet there to consult about making a New King Then these Annals proceed to relate the manner of this Election Viz. That Earl Godwin raising the Prince from the place where he sate at his feet being then incognito having his Hood over his Face said thus Behold your King This is Prince Edward the Son of King Ethelred and Queen Emma This is He whom I Elect c. and so first did him Homage Then after some Debates among themselves they all at last consented to his Election so that if it displeased any there they durst not shew their Discontent since Earl Godwin would have it so and Edward being thus Elected was not long after crown'd at Westminster Which is also confirmed by an Ancient Chronicle in the Cottonian Library already cited ending with this Prince which saith That Hardecnute being dead Eadward was advanced to the Crown by the endeavours chiefly of Earl Godwin and Living Bishop of Worcester Bromton's Chronicle farther adds That at this Grand Council all the Great Men of England agreed and swore with one consent That no Danes should reign over them any more because of the great Affronts and Contempts they had received from that Nation For they held the English in such servile subjection That if an Englishman had met a Dane upon a Bridge he was obliged to stand still till the other had passed by and if he had not bowed to the Dane he was sure to be well basted for his neglect so that as soon as King Hardecnute was dead the English drove all the Danes out of the Kingdom But notwithstanding the great happiness the English now received by having a King of their own Nation yet it seems This year was unfortunate for the Intemperance of the Season which as our Annals relate destroyed the Fruits of the Earth so that a great number of Cattel died Also about this time Aelf Abbot of Burgh deceased and Arnwi a Monk was chosen Abbot being a mild and good man About the same time also according to the Welsh Chronicle Prince Conan the Son of Jago who had fled into Ireland to save his life and coming now over from thence being assisted with the Forces of Alfred the Danish King of Dublin entred North-Wales by surprize took Prince Griffyth Prisoner and was carrying him away to his Ships But the people of the Countrey hearing of it they immediately rose and pursued the Irishmen and at last overtaking them rescued their Prince and made a great flaughter among them the rest with much difficulty got to their Ships and returned with
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
of those Favours the King had promised him so he had only four days allowed him to go back again to his Ships In the mean time a Report was brought to the King That a Fleet of Enemies were landed on the Coast of the East-Angles and there taking of Prey Then Earl Godwin sail'd about toward the East with two of the King's Ships one of which his Son Harold commanded and the other Earl Totsige his Brother and also Two and forty Sail of the people of the Countrey Then was Earl Harold with the King's Ships driven by a Storm into Pevensee and there detain'd by contrary Winds but within two days after Earl Sweyn came thither and had Conference with his Father Earl Godwin and Earl Beorne whom he intreated to accompany him to the King at Sandwic and there use their interest to make his Reconciliation with him but whilst they were on their way Sweyne begged of Beorne his Cousin that he would go back along with him to his Ships saying He feared lest his men would desert him unless he speedily returned whereupon complying with him they went back to the place where the Ships rode and there Sweyn was very importunate with him to go on Ship-board but he utterly refusing that the Mariners bound him and then put him into a Pinnace and so carried him on board by force then hoisting up Sail they steered Eastward to Axamutha and there kept him till they had made him away Then they took his Body and buried it in a certain Church but afterwards his Relations and the Mariners of London came and digging up his Body carried it with them to the old Church of Winchester where they buried it near his Uncle King Cnute Then Sweyn sailing Eastward towards Flanders staid there a whole Winter in Brycge with Earl Baldwin's good leave The same year deceased Eadnoth Bishop in the North parts and one Vlf was consecrated Bishop in his stead This year was a great Council held at London in Midlent and there were sent out Nine Ships well mann'd with Seamen Five only being left in Port also this very year Earl Sweyn return'd into England For Aldred Bishop of Worcester had by his Intercession made his Peace with the King The same year was a Great Synod assembled at Rome whither King Eadward sent the Bishops Hereman and Aldred who arrived there on Easter-Eve after which the Pope held a Synod at Vercelle whither was sent Bishop Vlf who was afterwards like to be deprived because he could not perform his Function as he ought had he not paid a good round Sum of Money This year also deceased Eadsige the Archbishop 4 o Kal. Novemb. King Edward now appointed Rodbyrd Bishop of London to be Archbishop of Canterbury in Lent who immediately went to Rome to obtain his Pall Then the King bestowed the Bishoprick of London on Sparhafoc Abbot of Abbandune and gave that Abby to Bishop Rothulf his Kinsman About the same time the Archbishop returning from Rome the day before the Vigil of St. Peter was Installed in the Episcopal Throne at Christ-Church on St. Peter's Day Then came to him Sparhafoc with the King's Letters and Seal commanding that he should consecrate him Bishop of London but the Archbishop refusing it said The Pope had forbad him to do it After which the Abbot return'd to the Archbishop and desired his Episcopal Orders but he peremptorily denied them saying The Pope had strictly charged him not to do it Then the Abbot went to London and held the Bishoprick nothwithstanding all that Summer and the Autumn following Then Eustatius Earl of Boloigne the King's Brother-in-Law came from beyond the Seas and having been with the King and told him his Business he return'd homewards and when he came to Canterbury he refreshed himself and his Company and so went on to Dofra i. e. Dover but when he was within a Mile of this side thereof he and his Retinue put on their Breast-plates and so entred the Town As soon as they were come thither they took up their Quarters in what Houses they liked best but one of his Followers resolving to quarter in the House of an Inhabitant there whether he would or no because he told him he should not he wounded him whereupon the Master killed him At which News Earl Eustatius being very much incensed mounted to Horse with all his Followers and setting upon the Good Man of the House killed him even within his own doors and then going into the Town they killed partly within and partly without more than Twenty men But the Townsmen to be even with them killed Nineteen of their men and wounded many more Upon this Earl Eustatius making his Escape with a few Followers went to the King and told him what had happen'd so much as made to his purpose at which the King being highly provoked with the Townsmen sent Earl Godwin and commanded him to march to Dofra in a Hostile manner for Eustatius had only insinuated to the King as if what had happen'd had been wholly through the Townsmens fault though indeed it was quite otherwise But the Earl was very unwilling to go into Kent because he looked on it as an odious thing for him to destroy his own people For as William of Malmesbury farther relates he plainly saw the King was imposed on and had passed sentence upon them when he had only heard one side And indeed the Earl was much concerned to see Strangers find greater favour with the King than his own Subjects for Eustatius had got a Friend near the King who had very much exasperated him against them therefore though the King continually press'd Earl Godwin to go into Kent with an Army to be revenged of the men of Dofra yet he still declined it which much displeased the King yet nevertheless the Earl's Proposal seem'd but just and reasonable That the Officers of the Castle who it seems had a hand in this business should be first summoned to answer in the King 's Curia or Court concerning this Sedition and that if they could clear themselves there they might be discharged but if not that they might make satisfaction to the King and the Earl with their Bodies and Estates for Earl Godwin told the King that it would seem very unjust to condemn those unheard whom he ought chiefly to protect and defend And so far no doubt the Earl was in the right and behaved himself like a true Englishman in thus declining to execute the King's unjust Commands though not in what he did afterwards But to return again to our Annals The King hereupon summoned all his Chief and Wise Men to appear at Gloucester a little after the Feast of St. Mary for the Welshmen had in the mean time built a Castle in Herefordshire upon the Lands of Earl Sweyn and had done a great deal of mischief to the King's Liege-People in the Neighbourhood Then Earl Godwin with Sweyn and Harold his Sons met
at Byferstane i. e. Beverston in Gloucestershire together with a great many in their Retinue to attend on the King their Natural Lord and all the Chief and Wise Men that waited on him whereby they might have the King's Consent and Assistance as also that of his Great Council to revenge the Affront and Dishonour which had been lately done to the King and the whole Nation But the Welshmen getting first to the King highly accused the Earls insomuch that they durst not appear in his presence for they said they only came thither to betray him But then there came to the King the Earls Syward and Leofric with many others from the North parts being as William of Malmesbury relates almost all the Nobility of England who had been summoned by the King to come thither But whilst according to our Annals it was told Earl Godwin and his Sons that the King and those that were with him were taking Counsel against them they on the other side stood resolutely on their own defence though it seem'd an hard thing for them to act any thing against their Natural Lord. But William of Malmesbury adds farther That Earl Godwin commanded those of his Party not to fight against the King yet if they were set upon that they should defend themselves so that there had then like to have happen'd a Cruel Civil War if calmer Counsels had not prevailed By this you may see the great Power of Earl Godwin and his Sons who could thus withstand the King and all the Nobility that were with him But to proceed with our Annals Then it was agreed by the chief men on both sides that they should desist from any further violence and thereupon the King gave them God's Peace and his own Word After this the King and his Great Men about him resolved a second time to summon a Witena Gemot or Great Council at London at the beginning of September He also commanded an Army to be raised as great as ever had been seen in England both from the North and South side of Thames When this Council met Earl Sweyn was declared outlaw'd and Earl Godwin and Earl Harold were cited to appear at the Council with all speed As soon as they were come there they desired Peace i. e. Security and also Pledges to be given them whereby they might have safe ingress and regress to and from the Council But the King required all the Earl's Servants to deliver them up into his hands after which the King sent to them commanding them to come with Twelve men to the Great Council but the Earl again demanded Securities and Pledges to be given him and then he promised to clear himself from all Crimes laid to his charge But the Pledges were still denied him and there was only granted him a five days Peace or Truce in which he might depart the Land Then Earl Godwin and Earl Sweyn his Son went to Bosenham in Sussex and their Ships being brought out of the Harbour they sail'd beyond the Seas and sought the Protection of Earl Baldwin staying with him all that Winter but Earl Harold sailed Eastward into Ireland and there took up his Residence under that King's Protection Soon after this the King sent away his Wife who had been crown'd Queen and suffer'd all her Money Lands and Goods to be taken from her and then committed her to the Custody of his Sister at the Nunnery of Werwell But note that Florence of Worcester places this Quarrel with Earl Godwin and his Sons three years later viz. under Anno 1051 and farther adds That the reason why Earl Godwin fled thus privately away was that his Army had forsook him so that he durst not plead the matter with the King but fled away the night following with his five Sons carrying away all their Treasure with them into Flanders This is the Relation which Florence and the Printed Copy of these Annals give us of this great difference between the King and Earl Godwin and his two Sons in the carriage of which both Parties are to be blamed the King in yielding so easy an ear to the false Accusations brought against them and they in refusing to stand to the Determination of the Great Council of the Kingdom without Pledges first given them by the King which is more than any Subject ought to require from his Prince But certainly the King shewed himself a very Weak Man in being persuaded to deal thus severely with his Innocent Queen for the Faults of her Father and Brothers which it was not in her power to help But to conclude the Affairs of this unhappy year our Annals proceed to tell us That About the same time the Abbot Sparhafoc was deposed from the Bishoprick of London and William the King's Chaplain ordained to that See Also Earl Odda was appointed Governor of Defenascire Somersetscire and Dorsetscire and of all the Welsh and the Earldom which Earl Harold lately held was given to Aelfgar the Son of Earl Leofric About this time the Bishoprick of Credington in Cornwal was as we find in the Monasticon at the Request of Pope Leo removed from thence to Exeter where the Monastery of St. Peter and St. Paul was made a Bishop's See the Monks being removed from thence to Westminster and Secular Chanons placed in their stead Which shews that the humour of Monkery did not so much prevail now as in the days of King Edgar And this year Leofric Bishop of that Diocess was enthron'd at Exeter after a solemn Procession where the Bishop walked to Church between King Edward and Queen Editha his Wife This year according to Florence of Worcester the King released the Nation from that cruel Burthen of Danegelt under which it had for so many years groaned but I will not pass my word for the truth of the occasion why he did it though related by Ingulph viz. That King Edward going into his Treasury where this Tax had been laid up saw the Devil capering and dancing upon the Money-bags which it seems no body else could see but himself at which he was so concerned that he ordered all the Money to be restored to the right Owners and forbad its being gathered any more Not long after according to the same Author William Duke of Normandy the King's Cousin coming over into England was honourably received here and had Noble Presents made him and as some relate too that King Edward promised to make him his Successor in the Kingdom This year also according to Florence of Worcester Alfric Archbishop of York deceased and Kinsing the King's Chaplain succeeded him This year deceased Aelgiva alias Ymma the Mother of King Eadward and King Hardecnute She hath a various Character given her by our Historians William of Malmesbury represents her to be very Covetous and Unkind to her first Husbands Children which seems to have been true enough But then she was very Devout and had a great Respect for
do not now know and others Northward to a Castle of Archbishop Rodbert's who together with Bishop Vlf and all their Party going out at the East Gate I suppose of London kill'd and wounded many young men who I suppose went about to seize them thence they went directly to Ealdulphe's Naese now the Nesse-Point in Essex where the Archbishop going on board a small Vessel left his Pall and Bishoprick behind him as God would have it since he had attain'd that Honour without God's Approbation From all which Transactions we may draw these Observations That all this Contest between the King and Earl Godwin seems to have been chiefly from the two great Factions that of the Normans whom the King brought over with him and that of his English Subjects and which happening under a Weak and Easy King that had neither the Prudence nor Courage to keep the Balance even it produced this Pyratical War made by Earl Godwin and his Sons to force the King to restore them to their Estates All which not only shews the great Power of this Earl and his Partizans but also that those who have the Command at Sea may force a King of England to what Terms they please It is also evident that these Annals were wrote by some Monk of the English Party who was wholly of Earl Godwin's side But to return again to them Then was appointed a Great Council without London where all the Earls and Chief Men then in England were present and there Earl Godwin pleaded for himself and was acquitted before the King and the whole Nation and affirmed that he and Harold his Son with the rest of his Children were innocent of the Crimes whereof they stood accused Whereupon the King received the Earl and his Sons with all those of his Party into his full Grace and Favour restoring him to his Earldom and whatsoever else he before enjoyed as likewise to every one his own again And then too the King restored to the Queen his Wife who had been before sent away whatsoever she had been possessed of but Archbishop Rodbert and all the Frenchmen were outlaw'd and banish'd because they were those who had been the chief Incendiaries of this Quarrel between the King and the Earl and Bishop Stigand was then made Archbishop of Canterbury Though our Annals are in the Relation of what passed at this Great Council much more particular than most of our Historians yet in the Account of this War between the King and Earl Godwin there are some things to be further taken notice of as what Simeon of Durham relates That Earl Harold when he came out of Ireland first entred the Mouth of Severne and there spoiled the Coast of Somersetshire plundering both the Towns and Countrey round about and then coming back to his Ships loaden with Prey he presently sail'd round Penwithstâ—ot i. e. the Land's-End and met his Father as you have heard before and when it was told King Edward that Earl Godwin was come to Sandwic he commanded all those who had not revolted from him to make haste to his Assistance but they delay'd so long their coming up that in the mean while Godwin with his Fleet sail'd up the River Thames as far as Southweork and there lay till the Tide but yet not without sending Messengers to some of the chief Citizens of London whom he had before drawn over to his Party by fair Promises and so far prevailed with them that they absolutely engaged themselves to be at his service and do whatever he would command them Then all things being thus prepared the next Tide they weighed Anchor and sail'd Southward up the Stream no body opposing them on the Bridge From whence we may observe that those Ships he had were only small Galleys with Masts to be taken up and down at pleasure much like our Huoys at this day Then came the Earl's Land-Army and flanking themselves all along the side of the River made a very thick and terrible Body insomuch that he turned his Fleet toward the Northern Shore as if he were resolved to have encompassed that of the King's which it seems then lay above-Bridge over-against London And though He had at that time both a Fleet and a Numerous Land-Army of Foot-Soldiers yet they being all English abhorred to fight against their own Kinsfolks and Countreymen and therefore the wiser sort of both sides laid hold on this Opportunity and became such powerful Mediators between the King and the Earl as made them mutually to strike up a Peace and so dismiss their Armies The next day the King held a Great Council and restored Earl Godwin and his Sons to their former Honours and Estates except Sweyn who being prick'd in Conscience for the Murther of his Cousin Beorn was gone from Flanders barefoot as far as Jerusalem and in his return homeward died in Lycia of a Disease contracted through extreme Cold. A firm Concord and Peace being thus concluded both the King and the Earl promised right Law i. e. Justice to all people and banished all those Normans that had introduced unjust Laws and given false Judgments and committed many Outrages upon the English though some of them were permitted to stay as Robert the Deacon and Richard Fitzscrob his Son-in-Law as also Alred the Yeoman of the King's Stirrup Anfred sirnamed Cocksfoot and some others who had been the King's greatest Favourites and always faithful to him and the People all the rest were sent away and amongst them was also William Bishop of London but he being a good honest man was called back again in a short time Osbern sirnamed Pentecost from whom the Castle above-mention'd was so called and his Companion Hugh surrender'd their Castles and by the License of Earl Leofric passing through his Earldom of Mercia went into Scotland and were there kindly received by King Macbeth Mr. Selden in his Titles of Honour refers that Relation in Bromton's Chronicle to this Great Council held this very year in which the manner of King Edward's Reconciliation with Earl Godwin is more particularly set down viz. That the King having summoned a Great Council as soon as he there beheld Earl Godwin immediately accused him before them all of having betrayed and murthered his Brother Prince Alfred in these words Thou Traytor Godwin I accuse thee of the Death of Alfred my Brother whom thou hast traitorously murthered and for the Proof of this I refer my self to the Judgment of Curiae Vestrae i. e. your Court. Then the King proceeded thus ' You most Noble Lords the Earls and Barons of the Kingdom where note That by Barons are to be understood Thanes for they were one and the same before the Conquest You who are my Liege-men being here assembled have heard my Appeal as also the Answer of Earl Godwin I will that you now give a Right Sentence between us in this my Appeal and afford due Justice therein Then the Earls and Barons having maturely debated
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
so that the Inhabitants giving them Hostages became subject to King Edward Afterwards marching farther they slew King Griffyth and brought his Head to Harold who placed another King there All this though done in the two following years is here related all at once But Simeon of Durham and Florence of Worcester are much more large in their Account of these Welsh Affairs which they give us under the following year viz. Griffyn Prince of Wales having by his frequent Inroads highly exasperated King Edward being then at Gloucester he after the Christmas Holidays from thence dispatch'd Earl Harold against him with a strong Party of Horse if possible to surprize him yet he got timely notice of his coming and by that means made a shift to escape but left behind him most of his Ships which the Earl taking commanded to be burnt and so returned into England But about Rogation Week Harold having got a Fleet in readiness he set sail from Bristol and compassing the greatest part of Wales joined himself to the Horse with which his Brother Tostige met him and did so much mischief in Wales that tho Prince Griffyn had mustered up an Army to oppose them yet the Welshmen being thus hard put to it at last yielded themselves to Earl Harold delivering up Hostages and consented to pay him Tribute and absolutely renounced Griffyth their Prince So that not long after Prince Griffyth being betrayed by his own People was by them murthered and his Head being cut off was sent to Earl Harold together with the Gilded Stern of his Ship all which the Earl immediately caused to be carried to the King Thus fell Griffyth ap Lhewelyn to whom the Welsh Chronicles give a Noble Character of a Valiant and Generous Prince who had been hitherto for the most part victorious in all his Undertakings till now he perished by the Treachery of his own Servants After this King Edward as Simeon of Durham relates made Blechen and Rithwalla whom the Welsh Chronicles call Blethyn and Rithwallen Joint-Princes of North-Wales being Half-Brethren to Griffyth the last Prince on the Mother's side as being Sons to Angharat Daughter to Meredyth Prince of Wales Florence of Worcester also adds That these Welsh Princes above-mentioned when they received from the King this Grant of North-Wales swore Fealty not only to Him but also to Earl Harold who it seems delivered it to them swearing to perform their Commands both by Sea and Land and to pay those Tributes which had been formerly paid to King Edward's Predecessors Which if true shews that Earl Harold was already adopted and declared Heir of the Crown But this being not found in our Annals nor in any other Historian I cannot pass my word for the Truth of it This year also according to the Annals the Northumbers took Arms against Tostige their Earl and slew as many of his Servants as they could lay hold on as well English as Danes they also seized upon all his Arms that were in York and his Treasure where ever they could find it and then sent for Earl Morchar the Son of Earl Aelfgar and chose him for their Earl who then marched Southward with all that Province as also all the men of Snotingaham Deorbie and Lincolnascires till they came even to Northamtune where his Brother Eadwin with all his Company met him But there Earl Harold came against them to whom they sent a Message which they desired might be conveyed to the King as also the Messengers by whom they besought to let them have Morchar for their Earl The King hereupon granting their Request afterwards sent Earl Harold to them to Hamtune at the Feast of St. Simon and Jude farther assuring them of it and he also at their request confirmed and renewed the Laws of King Cnute But the Northern men had done much damage to the Countrey about Hamtune whilst their Message was thus transacting for they slew their Men and burnt the Houses and Corn and took away several Thousand Head of Cattel together with some Hundreds of Men whom they carried Captives into the North-Parts so that this Country and the others adjacent felt the damage for many years after But Earl Tostige with his Wife and as many as were of their Party went over to Earl Baldwin where they tarried all that Winter The occasion of which Insurrection as Florence and Simeon of Durham inform us was this There was one Gospatrick a great Officer in Northumberland with whom Earl Tostige having a Quarrel his Sister Queen Edgitha caused him to be murthered at Court the Christmas before though this seems very unsuitable to the Meek and Pious Temper of this good Queen Yet however so much is certain That this Gospatrick being slain the Earl also killed in his own Lodgings two of his Friends viz. Gammel the Son of Orne and Vlf the Son of Dolphin having treacherously drawn them thither and had besides laid intolerable Impositions on the People all which so incensed them against him that three or four of the principal Thanes of that Countrey viz. Gammelbearne Dimstan the Son of Agelnoth and Gloincorn the Son of Eardulf with Four hundred Florence says Twenty thousand men in Arms entred York a little after Michaelmass and there first slew two of the Earl's Huisceorles i. e. Domestick Servants Amund and Ravensheart though fled out of the City and the day following above Two hundred more of his men on the North-side of the River Humber Tostige hereupon made loud Complaints to the King and at his Request Harold his Brother and others were appointed to take up the business but as they were going down into the North for this purpose the whole Countrey in a manner rose and met them at Northampton where as also afterwards at Oxford they strenuously refused to receive Earl Tostige and by no means would admit of a Reconciliation And so violent were they and resolute that after the Feast of All-Saints they caused both him and his Adherents to be banished the Land William of Malmesbury also adds the reason which the Northumbers gave to justify this their Rising viz. That they were Freemen born and as freely educated and that they would not endure the Insolence of an Earl for they had learned from their Ancestors to chuse either Liberty or Death In short if the King meant to have them still his Subjects he should set Earl Morchar over them and then he should soon find they could if kindly used willingly submit This was the most probable occasion of Tostige's Banishment Tho H. Huntington who lived after the Conquest and had heard many Tales of the Hatred which Earl Godwin's Sons bore to each other tells us another story of this matter viz. That as the King sate at Dinner at Windsor he commanded Earl Harold to serve him with the Cup Tostige his Brother being present and not able to endure that his younger Brother should be preferred before himself in the King 's very presence flew
in his face and catching him by the hair flung him on the ground The Scuffle being ended the King foretold that their Destruction was nigh and that the Wrath of God would not much longer be deferred For says this Author they were come to that height of Barbarism and Cruelty that if they but liked the House or Possessions of any one they would by night procure the Owner to be murthered with all his Children to get his Estate and these were at that time the chief Justiciaries of the Kingdom But this seems to have been a story invented long since out of hatred to the Memory of Harold afterwards King for he hath the Character of a Valiant and Worthy Prince and who as William of Malmesbury relates in this Quarrel with the Northumbers preferred the Peace of his Countrey to his Brother 's private Interests But Tostige in a great Rage leaving the Court went to a House at Hereford where at that time he heard his Brother Harold had order'd mighty Preparations for the Entertainment of the King and there made a most terrible havock of his Servants divers of whom being killed he flung their mangled Members into all the Vessels of Wine Mead Ale and other Liquors and then sent word to his Brother That he need take no care for Pickled Meats but as for all other sorts he might bring them down along with him And it was therefore for this most horrid Villany that the King commanded him to be banished which the Northumbers understanding for this as well as several other Murthers he had committed they expell'd him their Countrey as hath been already shewn But this does not well agree with what Simeon of Durham hath already with more probability related of him for if Earl Tostige had been found guilty of so great an Insolence and that he was thereupon banished the Kingdom it had certainly been very needless for the Northumbers to have rose up against him and to have driven him out of the Countrey or at least to have desired another Earl in his room since the King would have appointed them a new one without giving them so just an Occasion for a Rebellion against him To this year also we may refer Earl Harold's going over into Normandy which some of our Historians place a year or two sooner but they differ much more about the manner and occasion of it some making it to be a meer Casualty others saying it was on purpose But William of Malmesbury's account of it is thus That Harold being at his House at Bosenham in Sussex near the Sea-side he for his Recreation with some of his Retinue took a Fisher-boat meaning only to row up and down but sailing a little further to Sea than they were aware a Tempest rose and carried them cross the Channel to the French Coast where glad to be safe any where they were forced to land in the Territories of the Earl of Ponthieu the men of that Countrey according to their custom and that barbarous practise which is in use in most places to make a Prey of the distressed and shipwrack'd presently fell upon them and being many and well arm'd they easily seiz'd upon Earl Harold and his Followers who were without Weapons so that they not only took them Prisoners but also fetter'd them Then Harold considering with himself what was to be done hired a Messenger to go to Duke William and acquaint him how he was sent over by the King of England by his Word and Presence to confirm what other lesser Envoys had only whispered but that he was kept Prisoner and hinder'd from the discharge of his Message by Gwido Earl of Ponthieu and that it would become a man of so great Honour as himself not to suffer a Villany so derogatory to his Authority to go unpunished since he had appealed to his Justice But if his Liberty was to be purchased with Money he would willingly pay the Price to Earl William but not to such a mean-spirited man as Gwido Upon this Harold by the Command of Duke William was soon set at liberty and sent to Court where being honourably received he was also invited to an Expedition into Little-Britain where at that time the Norman Duke made War But by his Wit and Valour he so well approved himself to the Duke that he was very much taken with him to whom that he might also the more endear himself he promised by Oath That in case King Edward died he would deliver up to him the Castle of Dover which was then under his Command and procure him to succeed in the Kingdom of England Hereupon the Duke's Daughter as yet too young for Marriage was betrothed to him and so he was sent home with very rich Presents This is William of Malmesbury's and divers other Historians Relation of it but Bromton's Chronicle as he is singular in many things so he is in this and relates the Cause of Harold's Voyage into Normandy thus viz. That he had asked leave of King Edward to go over to Duke William to procure him to set his Brother Wulnoth and his Nephew Hacune free who were there detain'd as Hostages whereupon the King told him he might go with his Leave but not by his Advice for said he I foresee that nothing but Damage and Ruin can happen to England thereby for I know Earl William will not be so ignorant and impolitick as to grant their Delivery unless it shall tend to his own advantage So Harold going on Shipboard and intending for Normandy was driven by a Tempest on the Coast of Picardy and there seized by the Earl of Ponthieu and by him at last was sent to Duke William as hath been already related The rest of the Story is much the same with the former and needs no Repetition only this is added That Earl Harold at his Return home having told the King all that had happened to him in France the King is said to reply thus Did not I tell thee that this Voyage would prove neither for thy Profit nor that of the Kingdom But one may plainly perceive this Story to have been feigned by one of the later Monks to prove that King Edward had the Spirit of Prophecy and would not have been omitted by William of Malmesbury if he had known it or thought it to have been true This year also as Florence of Worcester tells us Harold Earl of West-Saxony having built a House in South-Wales at a place called Portascith and made great Preparations for the King's Entertainment who was to come thither a hunting when Caradoc or Cradoc Son to Griffyn Prince of South-Wales whom Griffyn Prince of North-Wales had slain some years before came to this place about St. Bartholomew-day and there not only slew all the Workmen and Servants but carried away all the Goods that had been brought thither This year was consecrated the Monastery of Westminster on the Feast of the Holy Innocents This Church as
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
Duke William being return'd without any satisfactory Answer from King Harold the Duke employed the rest of the year in preparing all things necessary for his Expedition hiring Soldiers out of his own Countrey with large Pay and inviting Strangers from abroad with greater Allowances so that upon the Muster of his Forces he found that they did not only excel in strength of Body and height of Stature but also the chief Commanders and Captains of them were as remarkable for their Valour as for their Experience and Conduct Also his Bishops and Abbots strove with the Nobility who should by their liberal Contributions most advance this Enterprize But that the Duke might not prejudice the Equity of his Cause by precipitation he sent Ambassadors to Pope Alexander who did with great Eloquence set forth the Justice of the War which their Prince was going to undertake and that Harold not only had broken his Oath with him but refused to give him any Satisfaction either because that now he was a Crown'd Head or else that he distrusted his Cause Whereupon the Pope taking into his serious consideration this weighty matter approved of the Enterprize and sent the Duke a Consecrated Banner as an Omen of Victory which when the Duke had received he called a Great Council of his Nobility at Lillebone to ask all their Opinions in this great Affair and when they had all encouraged his Undertaking by great Promises of Assistance he appointed an Assessment for his Fleet and Army according to their several respective Estates and so they departed home till the time appointed for a General Rendezvouz But Mr. Cambden from the Authority of some Ancient Norman Writers I have not yet met with makes this Enterprize much more difficult than our Historians commonly do as that though he found his Chief Officers to whom he communicated his Design very chearful and resolute to follow him yet all the Skill lay how to bear the Charge of so great a War for when in an Assembly of all the States of Normandy a Subsidy was propounded their Answer was That in the late War against the French their Wealth was so much exhausted that if a new War should happen they should scarce be able to hold and defend their own and therefore that they were more obliged to look after the Defence of their own than to think of Invading the Territories of others That this intended War though never so just yet did not seem so necessary at that time as it was apparently hazardous and that besides the Normans were not by their Allegiance bound to Military Service in Foreign Parts Neither could they by any means be brought to grant a General Tax although William Fitz-osbern a man in high favour with the Duke and as gracious among the People endeavoured what he could to effect it and to draw in others by his own example promised to set out forty Ships at his own proper Charges Duke William then perceiving he could not bring this about in a Publick Meeting went another way to work and therefore sends for the wealthiest men of his Dutchy severally one by one to come to him then he speaks them fair and desires them to contribute somewhat toward this War Whereupon as if they had strove who should most largely assist their Prince they promised him liberally and he causing to be presently registred whatsoever they had promised it amounted to a vast Sum more than most men could reasonably ever have believed This Affair being thus dispatch'd he next craves Aid of the Princes his Neighbours to wit of the Earls of Anjou Poictou Maine and Bretaigne unto these he promised large Tracks of Land and great Possessions in England But how much each of these Princes contributed to this Expedition is not known tho as for Alan Earl of Bretaigne he certainly was so great an Assistant to Duke William that he was after this Conquest of King Harold made Earl of Richmond and had great part of the Country thereabouts given him by William when he came to be King to be held by Knights Service And for the rest of the Princes above-mentioned it is certain that they permitted Duke William to raise great store of men in their Territories who being headed by divers Noble Volunteers of those Countries at their own Charges afterwards enjoyed great Possessions in England as a Reward of their Services Duke William also made his Addresses to Philip King of France and went in Person to solicite his Assistance in this intended War against Harold voluntarily offering that King that in case he would assist him and that he thereby became victorious to hold England of him as his Vassal which King Philip refused to accept thinking it against the interest of France to make the Duke of Normandy greater than he was already who now began not to be so pliant to his Interests as he thought the many Obligations which Duke William owed the King his Father required Therefore as the growing Greatness of a Neighbouring Prince was then is and will ever be suspected by him who is his Rival in Power and Empire so King Philip was so far from giving the Duke any Assistance that he wholly dissuaded him from this Enterprize which nevertheless he vigorously pursued notwithstanding this discouragement But leaving Duke William to his Warlike Preparations we will return into England where our Annals tell us That Earl Tostige had been met upon the Northern Coast with three hundred Norwegian Ships commanded by Harold King of Norway to whom when he had joined those he had with them they all sail'd up the Humber till they came as far as York where the Earls Brothers Morcar and Eadwin met and fought them but it seems the King of Norway gain'd the Victory Ingulph is more express in this affair and says that Harold King of Norway sail'd up the River Ouse as far as York where the Fleet being left under a strong Guard they landed and stormed York and soon plundered it and slew many of the poor Inhabitants But the two Earls abovementioned having gotten together a small Recruit of ill-arm'd Countreymen were easily routed and according to our Annals when King Harold heard of it he immediately marched against the King of Norway and meeting him at Staenford-briâ—ge in Yorkshire there fought and slew that King with Earl Tostige his own Brother Ingulph adds That the Norwegians made a very stout resistance great multitudes of them being slain together with their Chief Commanders so that King Harold obtain'd an entire Victory only Prince Olave Son to Harold King of Norway and Paul Earl of Orcades were permitted quietly to return home with twenty Ships But before I dismiss this Relation I cannot omit a remarkable Example of one single Norwegian who standing upon the Bridge above-mentioned killed more than forty Englishmen with his Battel-Axe making good his Post against the whole Army till three a Clock in the Afternoon and then one going in
the Benedictine Order Id. p. 167. Augustine's Ake scituate on the Confines of the Wectii l. 4. p. 160. Augustus Caesar his coming as far as Gallia twice to reduce Britain under his Obedience l. 2. p. 36. Vid. Caesar. Avon the River anciently called Antona l. 2. p. 41. Aurelian L. Domitius the Emperor killed by Mnestheus his Secretary The Ninth Persecution under him l. a. p. 82. Aurelius Ambrosius his Success against the Saxons when l. 3. p. 127. Elected General of the Britains Vortigern being as then King though only in name so Id. p. 129 130. His mighty victory over the Saxons and his ordering the Churches to be repaired which the Saxons had destroyed p. 130. Marches up to London and going about to repair that He is crowned at Stonehenge and not long after buried there At a solemn Council he appoints two Metropolitans for the Vacant Sees viz. York and Caer-Leon Id. p. 131. A Rebellion raised against him in the North among the Britains who were put to flight Ibid. Chosen King of the Britains and reigned 19 years Id. p. 132. Died being poysoned by procurement of Pascentius Son to Vortigern who before had rebelled against him Id. p. 131 133. Aurelius Atticus Commander in Chief of a Roman Cohort slain by the Britains in the Battel between Agricola and Galgacus l. 2. p. 62. Aurelius Conan King of Powis-Land or else some other Southern Province l. 3. p. 139 146. Aurelius Marcus succeeds Antoninus Pius in the Empire the Britains raise new Commotion against him but they lasted not long after Calphurnius Agricola's Arrival l. 2. p. 68. Aust where is a Ferry to pass out of Somersetshire into Wales anciently called Austelin l. 5. p. 328. Axanminster now Axminster in Devonshire l. 4. p. 233. B BAchfeg a Danish King whom their History calls Ivor the Son of Reynere is slain by King Aethelred and Aelfred his Brother in Battel near Reading where most of his Troops being cut off the rest were forced to fly l. 5. p. 275. Badon-hill supposed to be the same with Banesdown near Bathe where the great Battel was fought by Prince Arthur against the Saxons l. 3. p. 136. Bakewell in Derbyshire anciently called Bedecanwell l. 5. p. 324. Balbinus Clodius with Pupienus Maximus elected Emperors by the Senate but were soon after slain by the Praetorian Bands l. 2. p. 81. Baldred King of Kent forced to fly from King Egbert's Army over the Thames into the Northern parts l. 5. p. 253. Bestows the Manner of Mallings in Sussex on Christ's Church at Canterbury which being afterwards taken away for some reasons was confirmed to it by the Common-Council of the whole Kingdom under King Egbert Id. p. 257. Baldwin Earl of Flanders assigns Aelgiva whom Harold had banished England Bruges for her Retirement and both protected and provided for her as long as she staid there l. 6. p. 64. Bamborough Castle in Northumberland anciently called Bebbanburgh when built and by whom l. 3. p. 142 143. l. 4. p. 230. Assaulted and set on fire by King Penda's Orders l. 4. p. 185. The Town destroyed by the Danes and the great Booty they got there l. 6. p. 24. Banbury anciently called Berinbyrig where Cynric and Ceawlin his Son fought with the Britains and routed them l. 3. p. 143. Bangor built by Malgoclunus near the River Menai Id. Ib. One Dynoth the Abbot there pretended he was instructed and by whom how to know whether Augustine's Preaching was from God or not l. 4. p. 161 162. Is not far from the River Dee in Flintshire Id. p. 164. The Massacre of the Monks there Ib. p. 165. Lands and Possesions given to this Church by Prince Anarawd l. 5. p. 317. Banner the famous one called Reafan that is The Raven which was so enchanted by Magick Art that it would clap its Wings upon the prospect of good Success or let them fall at that of bad as if it were alive l. 5. p. 281 282. Banuwelle Monastery to whom granted by King Alfred l. 5. p. 307. Baptism Priests obliged to explain this and the Mass l. 4. p. 225. To be performed at the times appointed by the former Canons of the Church Id. p. 233. Bardeney in Lincolnshire anciently called Bardenigge l. 5. p. 315. Bardsey-Island where Archbishop Dubritius became an Anchoret l. 3. p. 149. Barnwood Forest near Bury-hill in Bucks where the Danes went out to plunder l. 5. p. 321. Barons by this word Thanes are to be understood l. 6. p. 83. Edward the Confessor's Law about Tythes made à Rege Baronibus Populo Id. p. 100. The Law concerning those Barons who have Courts and Customs of their own Id. p. 102. St. Bartholomew called an Indian Apostle because of his Martyrdom there l. 5. p. 286. St. Basile the Monks of that Order were the same with the Monks of Ireland and those Monasteries founded in the Kingdom of Northumberland followed this Rule l. 4. p. 167. Basse the Priest builds the Monastery of Reculver in Kent l. 4. p. 192. Bassianus Eldest Son of Severus the Emperor by his wicked Carriage gave him perpetual trouble for as soon as he had Power he aimed to kill both his Brother and Father l. 2. p. 77. Was not long after his Father's Death destroyed Id. Ib. Cruelly murthered his Brother Geta in his Mother's Arms and would have had Papinian the great Civil Lawyer to have wrote a Defence of it Id. p. 79. Bassus a valiant Captain of King Edwin's conducted Aethelburga c. into Kent from Cadwalla's Rage and Cruelty l. 4. p. 176. Bastardy the first Decree found in this kind That Bastards and those begotten of Nuns should not inherit l. 4. p. 234. Bathan so called by the Inhabitants the ancient City of Akmancester where King Edgar was crowned l. 6. p. 7. Bathe called Caer-Baden built by Bladud who is said by his skill in Magick to have found out there those Medicinal Waters l. 1. p. 10. Called likewise Bathoncester l. 3. p. 146. A Nunnery built here by Osric and afterwards it was turned to a House of Secular Chanons l. 4. p. 196. Beadricesworth i. e. St. Edmundsbury where King Cnute built a Noble Monastery l. 5. p. 323. King Edmund gave this Royal Town and divers other Lands to build a Church and Monastery in memory of St. Edmund the Martyr l. 5. p. 345. Beamdune now Bindon in Dorsetshire where a great Battel was fought between the West-Saxons and the Britains and the latter were overcome l. 4. p. 166. Beamfleet Castle or Fort built by Hastings the Danish Pyrate l. 5. p. 299. Demolished and his Army routed by King Alfred's Forces Id. p. 300. Becancelde perhaps Beckenham near Surrey but not certain l. 4. p. 209. The great Council held here under Withred King of Kent Id. p. 209 210. Another held here under Kenwult King of the Mercians Id. p. 241. Bedanhealfde supposed by some to be Bedwyn in Wiltshire near Berkshire l. 4. p. 195. Bede the ancientest English-Saxon
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.
their former Privileges to endure for ever by a perpetual Right Id. p. 317 318. Builds Two Forts on both sides the River Ouse in Buckinghamshire to oppose the Danes who at last almost all submit to him Id. p. 319 320. Has the Town of Bedford surrendred to him where he built a Castle Rebuilds and Fortifies the Town of Maldon and makes the whole Nation of the Mercians submit to him Id. p. 320. Overcomes Leofred the Dane and Griffyth ap Madac Brother-in-Law to the Prince of West-Wales Id. p. 321. The several Towns he ordered to be rebuilt l. 5. p. 321 322 323 324. Is accepted for Lord and Protector by several Countries under the Danish Dominions and adds the Kingdom of the East-Angles to his own Id. p. 322 323. Several other Kings make their Submission to him Id. p. 324. His Decease at Fearndune in the Province of the Mercians Id. p. 324. Aelfleda the Daughter of the Earl Aethelem was his Queen and Wife Id. p. 327. The Laws both Civil and Ecclesiastical made in his Reign Id. p. 325 326. His Children how bred up and bestowed in Marriage c. Id. p. 327. His Character of being Mild and Humble as well as Couragious Id. p. 328. No Martyr as Buchanan in his History fancies him and why Id. p. 332. Edward Aetheling Son of King Edmund sirnamed Ironside Marries Agatha the Queen of Hungary's Sister his Issue by her l. 6. p. 49. Is sought by Ambassy to return into England which he did about Three years after together with his Children and soon after Dies his Body being Buried in St. Paul's Church Id. p. 86 87. Edward Sirnamed the Martyr is Elected in a great Council and presently Anointed King according to his Father Edgar's Appointment l. 6. p. 15. Not present at the Council of Calne in Wiltshire upon the persuasion of Archbishop Dunstan as supposed Id. p. 16 17. Is Killed by whom and by what at Corfesgeate now Corfe-Castle in the Isle of Purbeck and buried at Werham without any Royal Pomp having Reigned Three years and a half Id. p. 17 18. His Character Ibid. His Body taken up and carried and Buried at Shaftsbury with great Solemnity Id. p. 20. Edward the Confessor Son of King Ethelred comes into England from Normandy and returns no more back but tarried till his Brother Hardecnute died l. 6. p. 66 67. His Advancement to the Crown by Election in the Great Council and how it is effected Id. p. 69 70. His undutifulness to his Mother by taking from her all the Gold and Silver she had with other things because of her severity to him formerly shews him not to be altogether so great a Saint as the Monks represent him Id. p. 71 97. Marries Edgitha or Editha the Daughter of Earl Godwin who was not only Beautiful and Pious but Learned above the Women of her Age but he never carnally knew her l. 6. p. 72 73 97. Sends Bishops to the Great Council at St. Remy to know what was there decreed concerning the Christian Faith Id. p. 74. The Difference between the King and Earl Godwin and his Sons and what the ground of it Id. p. 75 77 78 81. Sends away his Wife who had been Crowned Queen committing her to the Custody of his Sister at the Nunnery of Werwel and takes away almost all she had Id. p. 78. Begs his Mother's Pardon for having suffered her to undergo the Ordeal and upon what Account Id. p. 79. Hearing Earl Godwin was come with his Ships for England he orders his Fleet to pursue him whereupon he returns to Bruges but soon after comes again and commits many Insults upon the Sea-coasts Id. p. 80 81. Restores to the Queen his Wife upon his Peace with Earl Godwin whatsoever she had been before possessed of Id. p. 81. In a great Council is Reconciled to Earl Godwin whom he restores to his former Honours and Estate Id. p. 82 83. Commands Rees the Brother of Griffyn King of South-Wales his Head to be cut off and sent him to Gloucester for his Insolencies against the English Id. p. 85. His Forces under Siward the Valiant Earl of Northumberland are said to Conquer Scotland Id. p. 86. Aelfgar's Rebellion against him twice and yet he was forced to Pardon him Ibid. p. 87.88 Confirms by his Charter the Foundation of the Abbey of the Holy-Cross at Waltham in Essex Id. p. 89. Wales Subdued and becomes subject to him the Inhabitants giving Hostages Ibid. After which he makes Two Brothers Joint-Princes of North-Wales l. 6. p. 90. Confirms and renews the Laws of King Cnute at the Request of the Northumbers Ibid. Builds Westminster Church and Abbey its Consecration Calls his Curia or Great Council to confirm his Charter of Endowment of this Monastery His Sickness and Speech to those about him concerning the Vision he had seen of Two Holy Monks that told him of the Misery which would befall this Nation after his Death Id. p. 93 94 95. The Application of it with what befell the Kingdom in succeeding Reigns Id. p. 96. Recommends upon his Death-bed the Queen to her Brother c. and highly extols her Chastity and Obedience Id. p. 96. His last Words Death and Burial in St. Peter's Church at Westminster Ibid. p. 97. The various reports of his Bequeathing the Crown to his Cousin William Duke of Normandy Id. p. 96 97. His Character and the story of the Boy that Robbed his Chest he being then in the Room Id. p. 97 98 104. His Miracles of Curing the Blind and those Sores we now call the King 's Evil and of his being Elected King by his Father's Command in a Great Council whilst he was in his Mother's Belly Id. p. 98. His Laws or those which bear his Name because he renewed the Observance of them shew what Liberty English Subjects enjoyed before the Conquest Id. p. 99 100 101 102 103 104. By the Laws of St. Edward are meant the English-Saxon Laws Id. p. 104. Edwi When he Began his Reign and where and by whom Crowned he turns the Monks out of Glastenbury and out of the greatest Monasteries in England placing Secular Channons therein l. 3. p. 353. The Mercians and Northumbrians Deposing him Elect Edgar his Brother for their King which is confirmed by the Common Council of the Kingdom Edwi having no more left him than that of the West-Saxons for his share Id. p. 354. His Death and Character and Burial at Winchester Id. p. 355. Edwin of the Blood-Royal of Northumberland being the Son of Aella is forced to fly from Ethelfrid as a Banished Man with the cause of his future Conversion l. 4. p. 169. The wonderful Vision he had and the Success of it He succeds Ethelfrid and Banishes his Sons Id. p. 170. Being Converted to the Christian Faith he receives Baptism with all his Noblemen and a great many of the common people Id. p. 171 172 173 174. At last is killed by the Pagans and his whole Army routed Id.
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
Goths by Honorius l. 2. p. 105. Gemote or Hundred-Court every one ought to be present at it l. 6. p. 13 14. General if his heart fails the Army flies A Cowardly General often makes Cowardly Soldiers l. 6. p. 30 87. Gentlemen of ordinary Estates had in King Alfred's time Villages and Townships of their own as well as the King and the Great Men and they received the Penalties due for Breach of the Peace l. 5. p. 295. Geoffrey of Monmouth is the chief if not the only Author of Brutus and his Successors and his History cried out against almost as soon as published l. 1. p. 6. His story of the British War in Claudius the Emperor's time different frrom the Roman Accounts and wherein l. 2. p. 39 40. A notorious Falshood in him about Severus his Death Id. p. 78. His story of Constantine's being elected King by the Britains proved false l. 3. p. 116. His story as to its truth enquired into of Augustine's persuading King Ethelbert to incite Ethelfrid King of Northumberland to make War on the Britains l. 4. p. 164 165. His Account of Cadwallo's being buried at London and his Body put into a Brazen Statue of a Man on Horseback and set over Ludgate for a Terror to the Saxons all false Id. p. 177. Gerent King of the Britains fights with King Ina and Nun his Kinsman l. 4. p. 215. Is supposed to have been King of Cornwall and why Id. p. 216. Germanus and Lupus sent from France to confirm Britain in the Catholick Faith l. 2. p. 107. His second Voyage to Britain upon the renewed Addresses of the Britains to defend God's Cause against Pelagianism l. 3. p. 117. The Miracle he wrought upon a Magistrate's Son the Sinews of whose Legs had been long shrunk up which by his stroking he restored whole as the other Id. Ibid. Gerontius General to Constans brings all Spain under his Obedience l. 2. p. 103. But being turned out of his Command revolts and sets up Maximus one of his Creatures for Emperor His cruel End Id. Ib. Gessoriacum Portus Iccius in Caesar's time afterwards Bononia and now Buloigne l. 2. p. 31 40. Geta Severus the Emperor's Younger Son Governor of the Southern part of this Island l. 2. p. 75. Is killed by the Treachery of his Brother Bassianus in his Mother's Arms Id. p. 77. And Bassianus had taken the Sirname of Antonini Ib. 79. His Name commanded to be razed out of all Monuments by this his wicked Brother which was done accordingly Id. p. 79. Gethic the ancient Scythic or Gethic Tongue the Mother of the German l. 3. p. 122. Gewisses the Nation of the West-Saxons anciently so called received the Christian Faith in the Reign of Cynegils by the preaching of Byrinus an Italian who came hither by the order of Pope Honorius l. 4. p. 179. Gildas designed not any exact History of the Affairs of his Countrey but only to give a short Account of the Causes of the Ruin of it by the Scots Picts and Saxons l. 3. p. 137. His sharp Invective against the British Kings accusing Five of them of very heinous Enormities Id. p. 139. His severe Character of the British Clergy Id. p. 140 141. That he could not Study at Oxford as is supposed by some for the Pagan-Saxons were then Masters of that part of England l. 5. p. 290. Girwy now Yarrow near the mouth of the River Tyne where a Monastery was built in Honour of St. Paul l. 4. p. 194 205 222. Gisa succeeds Duduc in the Bishoprick of Somersetshire i. e. Wells l. 6. p. 88. Glan-Morgan in Wales had its Name from one Morgan who was driven thither by his Brother Cunedage and there slain l. 1. p. 11. Glappa King of Bernicia Reigned for Two years but who he was or how Descended the Authors are silent in l. 3. p. 144. His Death Id. p. 145. Osgat Glappa the Danish Earl when he was Expelled England l. 6. p. 73. Glass when the Art of making it was first taught the English Nation l. 4. p. 194. Glastenbury Besieged by King Arthur in Gildas his time with a great Army out of Cornwal and Devonshire because Queen Gueniver his Wife had been Ravished from him by Melvas who then Reigned in Somersetshire l. 3. p. 135. The Ancient Registers of this Monastery are not to be wholly slighted as false since King Arthur was there Buried and his Tomb discovered about the end of the Reign of King Henry the Second Id. p. 137. This Ancient Monastery was new built by King Ina with large Endowments and Exemptions from Episcopal Jurisdictions c. l. 4. p. 218 219. King Edmund's Body was brought from a place called Pucklekirk where he was killed hither and here buried l. 5. p. 345. And so likewise King Edgar's with great Solemnity for he had been a very liberal Benefactor to this Monastery l. 6. p. 9. As was Edmund Sirnamed Ironside his Grandson's This was by all the Saxons called Glaestingabyrig Id. p. 48. Gleni a River but where is not by our Authors mentioned l. 4. p. 174. Glewancester now called Gloucester l. 3. p. 145. Glotta and Bodotria two Streights now the Fâ—iths of Edinburgh and Dunbritton in Scotland l. 2. p. 99. God in Bede's time was served in Five several Languâ—ges l. 1. p. 5. Goda Earl of Devonshire marching out with one Strenwald a Valiant Knight to fight the Danes they were both killed l. 6. p. 22. Godfathers answerable for those Children for whom they stand till they come to years capable of Learning the Creed and the Lord's Prayer l. 4. p. 233. Godfred Son of Harold the Dane subdues the whole Isle of Anglesey and spoils all the Land of Dywet with the Church of St. David's c. l. 6. p. 7.20 Godiva a Foundress with her Husband Leofrick Earl of the Mercians of the Monastery of Coventry and how she freed the said Town from the Grievous Taxes imposed on it l. 6. p. 71. Godmundingham the place where an Idol-Temple stood in King Edwin's time not far from York Eastward near the River Darwent l. 4. p. 174. Godwin Earl Governor or Lord Lieutenant of West-Saxony l. 6. p. 61. His Treachery to Alfred one of King Ethelred's Sons whom by a Forged Letter in the Name of Queen Emma his Mother he enticed over into England then made him Prisoner at Guilford and sent him up to Harold and what afterwards became of him and his Six hundred followers his Eyes put out and he not long survived their loss and most of them suffered various kinds of cruel Deaths Id. p. 62 63. Is accused of the Villany by Aelfrick Archbishop of York and how he purchased his Reconciliation to King Hardecnute Id. p. 67. By his Interest gets Edward the Confessor the Brother of the abovementioned Alfred to be Elected and afterwards Crowned King at Westminster Id. p. 69 70. His own and his Son 's great Power in being able to withstand the King and all the Nobility that
were with him at a Great Council at Gloucester Id. p. 77 81. But being summoned to appear at another Curia held at London he and Earl Sweyn his Son fled to Baldwin Earl of Flanders for Protection Id. p. 77 78. His sailing for England but being pursued he returns to Bruges and coming again soon after commits a thousand Ravages Id. p. 80 81. What the ground of all this contest between the King and him at last in a Great Council a Peace was made and Hostages given on both sides Id. p. 81. Is Accused by King Edward for the Death of his Brother in the Great Council and how he made his Peace Id. p. 83. He and his Sons restored to their former Honours and Estates in a Great Council Id. p. 82 83 84. His Death and Burial in the old Monastery of Winchester Id. p. 84 85. His Character Wives and Issue Id. p. 85. Gogmagog the mighty Gyant in Cornwall taken up by Corinaeus in his Arms though he was no Gyant himself and flung off by him if you will believe the Fable from a Cliff into the Sea l. 1. p. 9. Gordianus M. Anton. elected Emperor by the Praetorian Bands had an Army in Britain though nothing was done by what can be found l. 2. p. 81. Gormond an African King comes out of Ireland to fight Careticus and what the success l. 3. p. 148. Gospatrick a great Officer in Northumberland murthered upon the account of a quarrel between him and Earl Tostige l. 6. p. 90. Gospel supposed to be first preached in this Island in the Reigns of either Claudius or Nero though by whom unknown l. 2. p. 51 52. The story of Joseph of Arimathea and his Twelve Companions coming to preach the Gospel in Britain Id. p. 52 53. Christ was preached here as early as the first Conquest of it by the Britains Id. p. 69. Who first preached the Gospel in the Countrey of the Grisons l. 2. p. 70. The first preaching of the Gospel in Germany and by whom l. 4. p. 211. The joyful Tidings of it first brought to us from Canterbury l. 6. p. 36. Government devolved on the People when the Emperor acquitted the Britains of the Roman Jurisdiction l. 2. p. 104. Graetanleage the Laws that were made there by King Athelstan in a Great Council l. 5. p. 339 340 341. Grand Inquest Vid. Inquest Gratian the Emperor creates Theodosius the Younger his Partner in the Empire assigning him the East for his share l. 2. p. 95. Being routed by the Forces of Maximus is forced to fly with Three hundred Horse towards the Alps but Andragathius with some Light-Horse being sent after him overtakes him near the Bridge of Singidunum and there kills him Id. Ibid. Gratianus sirnamed Funarius from his great strength in pulling a Rope from Four Men made General of all the Forces throughout Britain l. 2. p. 89. The British Army elected him Emperor and cloathed him with the Imperial Purple Id. p. 102. But he is soon after deprived both of his Life and Empire Id. p. 104 105. Gregory made Bishop of Rome in what year l. 3. p. 149. Sirnamed the Great to whom the English Nation owed its Conversion l. 4. p. 152. Would have come himself to preach God's Word to the English but the Citizens of Rome would by no means suffer him to go so far from them l. 4. p. 153. In the Fourth Year of his Pontificate he sends Augustine with many Monks over to the Britains to preach Gospel to them Calls the Emperor his Lord and dates his Letters by the year of His Reign and not that of his own l. 3. p. 149. l. 4. p. 153 158. His Decease the Account of his life may be read in Bede Id. p. 163 165. Griffyn Prince of Wales entring England spoils great part of Herefordshire and carries away much Booty l. 6. p. 84 86 87. The Son of Ratherch ap Justin raises a great Army against Griffyth Prince of North-Wales and what the success Id. p. 85. A Peace mediated between Edward the Confessor and this Prince Id. p. 87. How he restores Aelfgar to his Earldom after he was a second time banished by King Edward Id. p. 88. Is slain by his own people and his Head sent to Earl Harold and the gilded Stern of his Ship which he caused to be carried to King Edward Id. p. 89. Griffyth ap Lewellin ap Sitsylt raises a great Army against Prince Jago of North-Wales whose Soldiers deserting him he was soon overthrown and slain l. 6. p. 64. His good Government afterwards over those of North-Wales and his total subduction of South-Wales and his other Conquests Howel ap Edwin narrowly escapes him but he took his Wife Prisoner whom he liked so well that he kept her for his Mistress Ibid. He is taken Prisoner by surprize but is immediately rescued Id. p. 70. His Engagement with Ritherch and Rees and the success thereof Id. p. 71. Revenges the death of One hundred and forty of his best Soldiers treacherously killed by the Gentlemen of Ystrad Towy Id. p. 73. Griffyth ap Madoc designing to bring all Wales c. under his subjection was slain by the Princes Edmund and Edred who brought his Head to their Father l. 5. p. 321. St. Grimbald the University of Oxford founded in the second year of his coming over into England the difference between him and those he brought over with him and the Old Scholars whom he found there l. 5. p. 288 289 290 306. St. Grimbald sent for from France by King Alfred to assist him in his Learning l. 5. p. 306. His Decease Id. p. 312. Grime King of the Scots refusing to pay part of a Tribute to the Danes which King Ethelred demanded of him had his Countrey of Cumberland laid almost waste l. 6. p. 28. Grisons make Lucius to have been their Apostle and first to have Preached the Gospel in their Countrey and shew his Tomb at Cloir at this day l. 2. p. 70. Grymkyrel made upon the Death of Ethelric Bishop of the South-Saxons that is of Selsey l. 6. p. 65. His Decease Id. p. 73. Guarinus King of the Huns l. 2. p. 96. Gueld that is Tribute l. 4. p. 187. Guendelew Son of Keidiaw a Prince of the North parts of Britain l. 3. p. 146. Gueniver Vid. Glastenbury Guiderac in the British Tongue is Mould in Flintshire in the English the place is called Maes German that is German's Field where the Britains got a great Victory over the Picts and Saxons by the means of Germanus a French Bishop l. 2. p. 108 109. Guild or Fraternity signified sometimes such as were Fellow-Contributors to the same Parish-Feast in honour of the Saints sometimes such as were bound together in the same Decennary or Tything l. 5. p. 294. Guintelin his Character his Virtuous Wife Maetia and his Reign l. 1. p. 13. Gunhilda Cnute's Niece being his Sister's Daughter Marries Hacun a Danish Earl l. 6. p. 53. Hardecnute's
Sister sent over to the Emperor Henry to whom she had been before Betrothed and was kindly received by him for some time till she was accused of Adultery and how her Honour was vindicated at last be her little Page Id. p. 66 67. But it made her forsake her Husband and retire into a Monastery for all her life afeer Id. p. 67. The Noble Matron was Banished England with her Two Sons Id. p. 73. Gunhildis a Beautiful Young Lady Sweyn's Sister Beheaded and bore her death with great bravery having seen her Husband and her Son slain before her face l. 6. p. 37. Gurgi a British Prince Son of Gliver Gosgard Vawr a Prince of Cumberland l. 3. p. 147. Gurguint in his Reign the Danes refused to pay him the Tribute which had been imposed by Belinus l. 1. p. 13. Guthfrith or Godfred Son to Syhtric a Danish King of Northumberland succeeds his Father there but was soon expelled by Athelstan who added those Dominions to his own l. 5. p. 330. Flie into Scotland and raises a Rebellion against Athelstan but he makes him submit to him The Civil Treatment Athelstan gives him and his Revolt from him afterwards Id. p. 331 332 333. Guthlac first a Monk then a professed Anchoriâ—e builds a Cell at Croyland the incredible Miracles told of him l. 4. p. 216. A Monastery founded in honour of him by Ethelbald King of the Mercians who was then lately deceased Id. p. 218. The Danes break open his Tomb and those of the Princes there buried and finding no plunder set the Church on fire and burn their dead bodies l. 5. p. 271. Guthrun Gythram or Gorman their Leader or King was promised by the Danes to become a Christian and accordingly King Alfred was his Godfather at his Baptism l. 5. p. 283 284 298. The Kingdom of the East-Angles delivered up to him Id. p. 283. The League between King Alfred and him as also the Secular and Ecclesiastical Laws that were made then by them Id. p. 283 284 285. His Christian Name Ethelstan called King of the Normans his Decease l. 5. p. 298. He died Ten years before King Alfred therefore no Ecclesiastical Laws could be made between him and Edward the Elder who was Alfred's Son and Successor Id. p. 326. Guy Earl of Warwick returning from the Holy Land in a Pilgrim's Habit Fights one Colebrand a Monstrous Danish Giant near Winchester and kills him and retiring to a Hermitage near Warwick there ends his days l. 5. p. 337 338. Gwgan King or Prince of Cardigan his death some say he was drowned by misfortune l. 5. p. 277. Gwido Earl of Ponthieu detains Earl Harold Prisoner but soon sets him at Liberty by the Command of William Duke of Normandy l. 6. p. 92. Gwyn or Gwyr a Countrey in North-Wales subdued by Eneon Son of Owen Prince of South-Wales l. 6. p. 6. Is destroyed a second time by the same Person Id. p. 16. Gwyneth that is North-Wales l. 3. p. 147. l. 5. p. 317. Gyrth King Harold's Youngest Brother his excellent Advice to him not to fight in Person against Duke William rejected which cost Harold his Life l. 6. p. 111. H HAcun a Danish Earl Banished England under pretence of an Ambassy by King Cnute who was afraid of him and why l. 6. p. 53. Hadrian Aelius a Spaniard succeeds his Uncle Trajan in the Empire his Politicks l. 2. p. 67. Comes over into Britain and reduces the Inhabitants he builds a wall of Eighty Miles in lâ—ngth cross the Island Id. p. 67 76. Haefe supposed to be Hatfield in Northumberland l. 4. p. 215. Halfdene Marches with one half of the Danish Army into the Kingdom of Northumberland and there soon conquers the whole Countrey spoiling as far as Galloway l. 5. p. 277 315. Divides that Kingdom amongst his People from whence they date their Reign there Id. p. 278. Is slain by King Alfred Id. p. 286. Hamtun that is now Southampton where Wulfheard the Ealdorman fights with a Fleet of Three and thirty Danish Pyrates and obtains a signal Victory over them l. 5. p. 258. Hardecnute Son to King Cnute by Queen Emma is appointed by his Father to be King of Denmark l. 6. p. 56. But is Decreed in the Great Council at Oxnaford upon the fierce disputes of the contending Parties That this Kingdom should be divided between Harold and him and Hardecnute to enjoy all the Southern Provinces but he never did all the time of his Brother Harold Id. p. 62. He being at Harold's Death in Bruges with his Mother is invited by the Chief Men of England to come over and receive the Crown which he accordingly did with all possible convenience and so is Elected King The several Taxes he raises His Consecration His revenging the Injury Harold did to his Mother and sending his Sister Gunhilda to the Emperor Henry to whom she had been before Betroth'd and the Feast he first kept for her Nuptials Id. p. 66. Is incensed against Bishop Lifing and Earl Godwin for the Death of his Half-Brother Alfred and how the business was made up and he reconciled to them Id. p. 67. Plunders and Burns the City and wastes the County of Worcester and upon what account Deceases at Lambeth and is Buried in the New Monastery of Winchester His Character A Holyday kept to his remembrance Id. p. 68. Harold King of Norway his Present to King Athelstan of a Ship whose Stern was Gilded and it's Sails Purple l. 5. p. 339. Harold Son to King Cnute by Aelgiva he appoints to be King of England after him l. 6. p. 56. Is Chosen King by the Great Council held at Oxnaford though opposed by the Great Men of the West-Saxons upon the pretence of a Supposititious Birth and the Disputes rise so high about the Election that many fearing it would issue in a Civil War left their Habitations upon it Id. p. 61 62. Sends a Guard to Winchester and Tyrannically seizes on his Father's Treasures there which he had bequeathed to the Queen his Mother-in-law Id. p. 62. Dies at Oxnaford and is Buried at Westminster how long he Governed England Id. p. 65. The Tax he raised for setting out Sixteen Sail of Ships whereof every Port was to bear their proportion incenses the minds of the English against him His Character and the reason of his being called Harefoot l. 6. p. 65. His Body is dug up by Hardecnute's Order his Head cut off and flung into the Thames buâ— afterwards taken up by Fishermen and Buried in St. Clement's Curch-yard Id. p. 66. Harold sirnamed Hairfax King of Norway and Brother to King Olaf putting Sweyn King of Denmark to flight subdues that Kingdom but dying soon after Sweyn recovers it again l. 6. p. 74. Harold Son of Earl Godwin the Quarrel that arose between Edward the Confessor and his Father his Brother Sweyn and him and how he is forced to fly into Ireland for Protection l. 6. p. 75 77 78. Returns from Ireland and kills and
plunders all that comes in his way but is in a Great Council restored to his former Honour and Estate Id. p. 80 81 82. Is Founder of the Abbey of the Holy Cross at Waltham in Essex goes with Earl Tostige his Brother with a great Army both by Land and Sea into Wales and subdues that Countrey Id. p. 89. Seems to be the Adopted and Declared Heir of the Crown Id. p. 90. Endeavours to appease the Northumbers about his Brother Tostige but in vain his Character of being a Valiant and Worthy Prince Id. p. 90 91. His going over into Normandy and the occasion of it His promises to Duke William there That when King Edward died he would deliver up Dover-Castle to him and procure him the Succession but yet he succeeded the Confessor who declared him his Successor in the Kingdom Id. p. 92. The various Reports how he was advanced to it whether by Election or otherwise Id. p. 105. The wise course he takes to preserve himself in that Dignity he had got Id. p. 106. The several Invasions designed and preparing against him and his great Care and Industry in opposing them both by Sea and Land Id. p. 106 108 109. An Ambassador sent to him from Duke William to put him in mind of the Breach of his Word and threatning to force him to perform it with Harold's Answer l. 6. p. 107. His Victory over the King of Norway and his Brother Tostige Id. p. 109. His going against Duke William who landed at Hastings with but part of his Forces with a Resolution to fight him and his preparations for it Id. p. 110 111. The precipitate Answer he gave to the Monk whom Duke William sent to him with Proposals telling him He would leave it to God to determine between them Id. p. 111. The manner how he drew up his Army in order to a Battel Id. p. 111 112. His Foot breaking in pursuit of the Enemy who they thought were flying lost him the Victory his Crown and Life for he was slain by an Arrow shot through his Brains his Standard taken and sent to the Pope Id. p. 112 113. How his Body came to be known amidst the Crowd of the slain and not long after buried in the Abbey-Church of Waltham His Character His Wives and Children and the Law he made Id. p. 114 115. Harwood-Forest anciently called Warewell where Athelwold was slain with a Dart by whom and upon what account l. 6. p. 10. Hastings or Haestein the Dane his arrival in Kent and the Ravages he makes there but is at last forced to surrender to King Alfred with his Wife and two Sons and to become a Christian and accept of Conditions which he soon after broke l. 5. p. 299 300. His Ships broke to Pieces the best of them being saved and carried into Port Id. p. 300. Hatred too many men's natures to hate those that have too much obliged them l. 2. p. 64 65. Heacca Bishop of the South-Saxons that is of Chichester his Decease l. 6. p. 88. Headda Abbot of Medeshamsted the Charter said to be wrote by him l. 6. p. 4 5. Heads Oswald's Head and Arms cut off by Penda's Order and set on a Pole for a Trophy of his Victory l. 4. p. 181. Scotch slain in War set upon high Poles round about the Walls of Durham l. 6. p. 27. Healfange that is what is paid in Commutation for the Punishment of hanging by the Neck to the King or Lord l. 5. p. 347. Vid. l. 6. p. 59. Healfden a Danish King is slain in Battel with several Earls and many Thousand Soldiers by King Edward the Elder 's Army l. 5. p. 315. Heathens and Pagans by these names are meant the Danes and Norwegians together with the Goths Swedes and Vandals which for so long together wasted England l. 5. p. 255 256. Heavens a Red-Cross appeared in the Heavens after Sun-set l. 4. p. 230. Hedda when he sate as first Bishop of Winchester Id. p. 181. Took the Bishoprick of the East-Saxons Id. p. 196. His Death and Excellent Character Id. p. 212 213. Heddi consecrated Bishop of Winchester that is of the West-Saxons by Archbishop Theodore when l. 4. p. 193. Heddi Stephen the Author of the Life of St. Wilfrid his Account of the Quarrel between Egfrid King of Northumberland and that Bishop l. 4. p. 197. Heliogabolus Anton. succeeds Opilius Macrinus in the Empire but after three years Reign is killed by the Praetorian Band l. 2. p. 80. Helmestan Bishop of Winchester and the Dean of that Church had the Education of Prince Ethelwulf during the Life of his Elder Brother l. 5. p. 257. Helmham in Norfolk a Bishop's See taken out of the Bishoprick of Dunmoc l. 4. p. 193. Is continued to be the sole Bishop's See for the Kingdom of the East-Angles till long after that it was removed to Norwich l. 5. p. 274. Hemeida a Welsh King expelled the Bishops of St. Davids and Archbishop Novis but at last he and all the Inhabitants of South-Wales and Rodri with his Six Sons submit to Alfred l. 5. p. 306. Hengest and Horsa their first coming over to Britain l. 3. p. 118. They were originally Saxons by Descent Ib. p. 120. Those that came over with them were rather Frisians Id. p. 120. Were the Sons of Witgilfus who was the Son of Witta and he the Son of Vecta and he the Son of Woden Id. p. 121. Hengest demands of King Vortigern the Countrey of Kent for his Daughter and has it Id. p. 126. Sends over for Octa and Ebusa his Son and Nephew Ibid. p. 142. Is chosen King by the Saxons and made to retire into the Isle of Thanet Id. p. 128. When he and his Son Aesk fought against the Britains and obtained a great Victory l. 3. p. 129. When he and his Brother fought again with them and took much spoil Id. p. 131. His Death Id. p. 132. With Alrick King of Kent ended the Race of Hengest l. 4. p. 238. His Brother Horsa slain at Engleford in Kent l. 3. p. 128. Hengestdune now Hengston in Cornwal where King Egbert beats the Danes and Western Welsh l. 5. p. 257. Henwald two Priests of this name barbarously murthered by the Old Saxons and their Bodies flung into the Rhine but their Murther was notoriously revenged l. 4. p. 212. Heofenfield or Heaven-field lying near to what we call the Picts-Wall l. 4. p. 177. Heraclitus made by Severus Lieutenant of the Southern Parts of Britain l. 2. p. 74. Herefrith Bishop of Winchester his Decease l. 5. p. 257. Hereman King Edward the Confessor's Chaplain succeeds Brightwulf in the Bishoprick of Shireburne l. 6. p. 73. Is sent with Bishop Aldred to the great Synod held at Rome and for what Id. p. 75. Heresy Arrian when it first began to infect Britain l. 2. p. 106. Pelagian when it was broached here by a British Monk for absolute Freewill without the Assisting Grace of God l. 2. p. 107. Of
Crucifix in a Great Council at Winchester Id. p. 16. Edward the Confessor's Curing the Blind and what we call now the King 's Evil and his being Elected King by his Father's Command in a Great Council whilst he was in his Mother's Womb Id. p. 98. Modwina an Irish Abbess who first bred up Edgithe King Egbert's Daughter l. 5. p. 257. Mollo Brother to Ceadwalla is Burnt in Kent and Twelve others with him but his Body not being reduced to Ashes Buried in the Church of the Abbey of St. Augustine Cant. l. 4. p. 204. Mona is now known by the Name of Anglesey l. 2. p. 46. Upon Agricola's coming to subdue it desires Peace and delivers up the Island Id. p. 55. Monarch this Title the Saxon Kings never took upon them though our Historians have unjustly given it them for it could not properly belong to those who had divers others under them with like Jurisdiction within their own Territories l. 5. p. 254. Monasteries the only Universities wherein the Liberal Arts and Sciences were Taught l. 4. p. 151. That of Christ-Church in Canterbury when Founded Id. p. 167. One in a Town called Cnobsbury enriched afterwards with Noble Buildings and Revenues Id. p. 180. Of Brige Cale and Andelegium in the Kingdom of the Franks where many of the Britains used to send their Children to be taught and professed there being then but very few here Id. Ib. Of Reculf l. 4. p. 182. now Reculver in Kent Id. p. 205. Of Ingerlingum and upon what account it was built l. 4. p. 183. Of Streanshale by whom founded and where it was Id. p. 188 189. It was burnt and destroyed by the Danish cruel Tyrants l. â— p. 269. Of St. Peter in the Bishoprick of Durham by King Egfrid's Consent and License freed from all Secular Servitude l. 4. p. 194. Of St. Paul at Girwy now Yarrow near Tyne Id. p. 194 205. Of Abington founded by one Hean Id. p. 196. Of Berking and Chertsey by Erkenwald Id. p. 196. Of Ely built by Queen Etheldrethe Id. p. 198. Burnt and all killed in it c. l. 5. p. 272. And is rebuilt l. 6. p. 4. Of Coludesburgh for Monks and Nuns but afterwards was called Coldingham in the Marches of Scotland l. 4. p. 198 199. Of Medeshamsted l. 4. p. 187 200. The Charter of it justly suspected of Forgery Id. p. 200 201. l. 5. p. 271. Of Lindisfarne l. 4. p. 201. Destroyed l. 5. p. 269. Of Derawnde now Beverley l. 4. p. 202. Of Glastingabyrig now Glastenbury Id. p. 204 218 219. Of Wiremouth and Girwy built by Abbot Benedict l. 4. p. 205. And is destroyed l. 5. p. 269. Bardeney Abbey l. 4. p. 212. Destroyed l. 5. p. 270. Of Selsey where Ceadbert the Abbot of that place was consecrated the first Bishop of the Province of the South-Saxons l. 4. p. 214. Of Evesham founded by Egwin Bishop of Worcester and on what occassion Id. p. 216 217. Of Theoewkesbury in Gloucester founded for Benedictine Monks Id. p. 217. Of Winburne built by Cuthburgh Sister to King Ina Id. p. 218. Of Berodune in the Kingdom of the Mercians Id. p. 221. Of Vocingas freed from all Duties besides St. Peter and the Abbot Id. p. 230 231. Of Chester where Werburh Wife of King Ceolred was Abbess Id. p. 232. Of Winchelcomb in Gloucestershire for Three hundred Benedictine Monks founded by Kenwulf King of the Mercians and its Consecration Id. p. 242. l. 5. p. 251. Of Cotham and St. Saviour's in Canterbury l. 4. p. 243. At Wilton founded by Alburge Sister to King Egbert for Benedictine Nuns l. 5. p. 248. Some Disputes determined in a Synodal Council at Cloveshoe concerning this of Westburgh l. 5. p. 253. Of Croyland Egbert's Confirmation of the Lands and Priviledges belonging to it in the Great Council of the whole Kingdom Id. p. 254. Of Polesworth whereof Edgithe King Egbert's Daughter was Abbess Id. p. 257 330. Of Rependun now Repton in Derbyshire Id. p. 261. Of Coldingham Nunnery the Chastity of the Abbess Id. p. 269. Of Tinmouth destroyed by the Danes Id. Ib. Of Athelney in Somersetshire built by King Alfred for men Id. p. 298 307. Of Shaftsbury for Nuns built by the same King Ibid. Of Ambresbyri in Wiltshire and Banuwelle to whom granted by Alfred Id. p. 307. Of Exeter anciently called Exancester l. 5. p. 307. Of Winchester its Consecration when Id. p. 312. Abbey of Hyde near Winchester Id. p. 318. Of Rochester Id. p. 320. Of Badricesworth now St. Edmundsbury Id. p. 323. l. 6. p. 52. Of Middletune in Dorsetshire founded by King Athelstan l. 5. p. 337. l. 6. p. 6. Of Tavistock by whom founded and how soon after burnt l. 6. p. 4. Of Undale in Northamptonshire Id. p. 5. Of Winchester both old and new Id. p. 6. Of Chertsey in Surrey Id. p. 6. Of Rumsey in Hampshire founded by King Edward Id. p. 6. Of Ramsey founded by Aylwin the Ealdorman Id. p. 6 7. Of St. John Baptist Id. p. 8. Of Cerne in Dorsetshire founded by whom l. 6. p. 22. Of Burton in Staffordshire built by one of King Ethelbert's Courtiers during the cruel Wars in the Eastern and Southern parts of England who endowed it with his Paternal Inheritance and purchased the King's Confirmation of what he had done Id. p. 31. Of St. Bennet's in Holme founded by King Cnute for Benedictines Id. p. 54. Of Coventry founded by Leofric Earl of the Mercians and the Lady Godiva l. 6. p. 71. Of Leon or Lemster near Hereford Repaired by the said Earl and Lady Id. p. 72. Of Wenlock Repaired by the said Earl and Lady Id. p. 72. Of St. Wereburga in Chester Repaired by the said Earl and Lady Id. p. 72. Of St. John in Worcester Repaired by the said Earl and Lady Id. p. 72. Of Evesham Repaired by the said Earl and Lady Id. p. 72. Of Burgh richly endowed by Abbot Leofric and called the Golden Burgh Id. p. 84. Of St. Aethelbert in Hereford City burnt and by whom Id. p. 86 87. Of the Holy Cross at Waltham in Essex founded by Earl Harold who was afterwards King of England Id. p. 89. Of Westminster by whom founded and when consecrated Id. p. 93. Money King Athelstan's Law That through all his Dominions one and the same Money be current l. 5. p. 314. The same enacted by the last Law of King Edgar l. 6. p. 14. The same Punishment for wittingly receiving as for making Bad Money and for Merchants that import any Counterfeit Money Id. p 44. No more Money ought to be raised by any unjust Exactions Id. p. 55. One and the same to be current and none to refuse it Embasing the Coin punishable by cutting off the guilty person's Hands without Redemption Cnute's Law Id. p. 58. How Money brought to a Town and said to be found shall be disposed of Id. p. 103. Monks formerly almost the only Historians as well as Divines and from them we are to have our Accounts both of
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
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-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
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
great Easiness and Remissness in Discipline and thereupon by the Appointment and Assent of his Barons he caused him to retire to the Cure of his former Church of Dorchester By which it is evident that this Author living in the Reign of Henry the Third was very well satisfied that the Temporal as well as the Spiritual Barons were concerned in this Deprivation I was likewise from the Authority of the Saxon Annals as also of William of Malmesbury about to have here also added the Deprivation of one Siward who is reported by the Annals An. 1043. to have been privately Consecrated to the See of Canterbury with the King 's good liking by Arch-bishop Eadsige and who then laid down that Charge and of which Siward William of Malmesbury farther tells us that he was afterwards deprived for his Ingratitude to Arch-Bishop Eadsige in denying him necessary Maintenance but since there is no such Person as this Sâ—â—ard in the Catalogues of the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and that upon a more nice Examination I find in the Learned Mr. Wharton's Treatise De Successione Archiepis Cantuar. that this Siward who was also Abbot of Abingdon was never Consecrated Arch-Bishop but only Chorepiscopus or Substitute to Arch-bishop Eadsige who was then unable to perform his Function by reason of his Infirmities which upon a review of this Passage in William of Malmesbury I find also confirmed by him in calling him no more than Successor Designatus and who being put by for his Ingratitude was preferred no higher than to be Bishop of Rochester but this is denied by the abovecited Mr. Wharton who says expresly that this Siward Abbot of Abingdon and Substitute to the Arch-bishop was never Bishop of that See but died at Abingdon of a long Sickness before Arch-Bishop Eadsige So much I thought fit to let the Reader know because in this History under Anno 1043 being deceived by the express words of the Annals I have there made this Siward to have been Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and deprived for his Ingratitude to his Predecessor which I am upon better Consideration now convinced to have been a Mistake I shall conclude with our Saxon Annals which under the Year 1052. relate that Earl Godwin having in a Great Council held at London purged himself and his Sons of the Crimes laid to their Charge and being thereupon restored Arch-Bishop Robert the Norman his Enemy having just before fled away into his own Country was not only by a Decree of this Council banisâ—ed but also deprived of his Arch-bishoprick and Stigand then was advanced to that See in his stead which certainly was done by the same Authority as deprived the former and if so then I think none can deny but that Power might also have deprived any other inferior Bishop and yet we do no where find there was any Schism in England among the Clergy at that Time because these two Primates of the Church had been deprived without their own Consent by the Lay as well as Spiritual part of the Great Council HAVING now finished all I had to say concerning the Power of the King and the Witena-Gemote in Ecclesiastical Matters I would not be thought to assert that they have the like Authorities in Matters of meer Spiritual Cognizance since I am very well satisfied of the Primitive Institution of the Episcopal Order from the first Preaching of Christianity in the Time of the Romans to the Restoration of it in this Island upon the Conversion of the Saxons which is not liable to be abrogated by any Temporal Power and which has been continued among the Britains or Welsh without any Interruption from thence even to our own Times BUT as for the Ecclesiastical Power it was at first settled under the two Arch-bishops of Canterbury and York who had then no Jurisdiction or Preheminence the one over the other the former being Primate of the Southern as the latter was of the Northern parts of England only I cannot but observe that the Church of St. Martin's without the City of Canterbury was till after the Conquest the See of a Bishop called in Latin Core Episcopus who always remaining in the Countrey supplied the Absence of the Metropolitan that for the most part followed the Court and that as well in governing the Monks as in performing the Solemnities of the Church and in exercising the Authority of an Arch-Deacon AND no doubt had also the Episcopal Powers of Ordination and Confirmation or else he could have been no Bishop I observe this to let you see that the English were not then so strictly tied up as not to allow of more than one Bishop in one City BUT since I have chiefly designed to speak of Civil Affairs I shall not here meddle with the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Bishops or their Courts or the Officers belonging to them but will leave them to those to whose Province it does more peculiarly appertain HAVING thus dispatched what I had to say concerning the Synods and Great Councils of the Kingdom in the Saxon Times I shall in the next Place treat of the English Laws before the Conquest and they were of two kinds viz. either the particular Customs or Laws of the several divisions of the Kingdom in which those Customs were in use or else such Additions to or Emendations of them as were made from time to time by the Great Council of the whole Kingdom concerning the Punishment of Crimes the manner of holding Men to their good Behaviour or relating to the Alteration of Property either in Lands or Goods with divers other particulars for which I refer you to the Laws themselves as I have extracted them from Sir Henry Spelman and Mr. Lambard their Learned Collections and some concerning each of these particulars I have given you in the following Work BUT to shew you in the first place the Original of the Saxon Customary Laws they were certainly derived from each of the Great Nations that settled themselves in this Island before the Heptarchy was reduced into one Kingdom but indeed after the Danes had settled themselves here in England we find they were divided into these three sorts of Laws in the beginning of Edward the Confessor's Reign according to the several parts of the Kingdom wherein they prevailed as 1. MERCHEN-LAGE or the Mercian Law which took place in the Counties of Glocester Worcester Hereford Warwick Oxon Chester Salop and Stafford 2. WEST-Saxon-Lage or the Law of the West-Saxons which was in use in the Counties of Kent Sussex Surrey Berks Southampton Somerset Dorset Devon and Cornwal I mean that part of it which spoke English the rest being governed by their own i. e. the British Laws 3. DANE-Lage or the Laws which the Danes introduced here into those Counties where they chiefly fixed viz. in those of York Derby Nottingham Leicester Lincoln Northampton Bucks Hertford Essex Middlesex Suffolk and Cambridg BUT as for Cumberland Northumberland and