Northumberland p. 134. he wasts the Britans p. 141. overthrows Edan King of Scots ibid. in a Battel at Westchester against the British Forces he slays above 1200 Monks p. 144. Ethelmund and Weolstan the opposite Leaders of each party in a fight between the Worster-shire men and Wilt-shire men slain p. 184. Ethelred succeeding his Brother Wulfer in the Kingdom of Mercia recovers Lindsey and other parts p. 164. invades the Kingdom of Kent ibid. a sore Battel between him and Ecfrid the Northumbrian p. 166. after the violent death of his Queen he exchanges his Crown for a Monks Cowl p. 169. Ethelred the Soâ— of Mollo the Vsurper Alcled being forsaken bâ— the Northumbrians and depos'd is crown'd in his stead p. 177. having caused three of his Noblemen to be treacherously slain he is driven into banishment ibid. after 10 year's banishment restor'd again p. 179. he cruelly and treacherously puts to death Oelf and Oelfwin the Sons of Elfwald formerly King p. 180. and afterwards Osred who though shaven a Monk attempted again upon the Kingdom ibid. he marries Elfled the Daughter of Offa p. 180. is miserably slain by his people p. 182. Ethelred the Son of Eandred driven out in his 4. year p. 193. is re-exalted to his Seat but slain the 4. year after ibid. Ethelred the third Son of Ethelwolf the third Monarch of the English-Saxons infested with fresh Invasions of the Danes p. 199. he fights several great Battels with the Danes with various success p. 202 203 he dies in the 5. year of his Reign and is buried at Winburn p. 203. Ethelred the Son of Edgar by Elfrida crown'd at Kingston p. 243. Dunstan at his Baptism presages ill of his future slothful Reign ibid. new Invasions of the Danes and great spoils committed by them in his Reign p. 244 245 c. being reduc't to streights by the Danes he retires into Normandy p. 258. is recall'd by his people and joyfully received ibid. drives Canute the Dane back to his Ships p. 259. he dies at London p. 262. Ethelric Ida's Son expels Edwin the Son of Alla out of the Kingdom of Deira p. 133. Ethelwald the Son of Oswald King of Deira taking part with the Mercians withdraws his Forces p. 160. Ethelwald the Brother of Edelhere succeeds him in the Kingdom of the East-Angles p. 161. Ethelwald sirnamed Mollo set up King of the Northumbrians in the room of Oswulf p. 177. he slays in Battel Oswin a Lord that rebell'd against him ib. is set upon by Alcled who assumes his place ibid. Ethelwolf the second Monarch of the English-Saxons of a mild nature not warlike or ambitious p. 192. he with his Son Ethelbald gives the Danes a total defeat at Ak-Lea or Oak-Lea p. 194. he dedicatea the tenth of his whole Kingdom toward the maintenance of Masses and Psalms for the prospering of him and his Captains against the Danes p. 195. takes a journey to Rome with his Son Alfrid and marries Judith the Daughter of Charles the Bald of France ibid. he is driven by a Conspiracy to consign half his Kingdom to his Son Ethelbald p. 195. dies and is buried at Winchester p. 197. Ethelwolf Earl of Bark-shire obtains a Victory against the Danes at Englefield p. 201 202. in another Battel is slain himself p. 202. Ethildrith refusing for 12 years her Husband Ecfrids Bed at length veils her self a Nun and is made Abbess of Ely p. 167. Eustace Count of Boloign revenging the death of one of his servants is set upon by the Citizens of Canterbury p. 284. he complains to King Edward who takes his part against the Canterburians and commands Earl Godwin against them but in vain p. 284 285. F. FAganus and Deruvianus said to have preach't the Gospel here and to have converted almost the whole Island p. 79. Faustus incestuously born of Vortimer and his Daughter lives a devout life in Glamorgan-shire p. 115. Fergus King of Scots said to be slain by the joynt Forces of the Britans and Romans p. 102. Ferrex the Son of Gorbogudo slays in fight his Brother Porrex though assisted with Forces out of France p. 21. is in revenge slain himself in bed by his Mother Videna ibid. Flattery odious and contemptible to a generous Spirit p. 273. Francus nam'd among the four Sons of Istion sprung of Japhet and from him the Francs said to be deriv'd p. 5. Fulgenius reckon'd among the ancient British Kings p. 28. the Commander in chief of the Caledonians against Septimius Severus so call'd by Geoffry of Monmouth p. 84. G. GAlgacus heads the Britans against Julius Agricola p. 74. Germanus in a publick disputation at Verulam puts to silence the chief of the Pelagians p. 104. he is intreated by the Britans to head them against the Picts and Saxons p. 104. he gains the Victory by a religious Stratagem p. 105. his death p. 108. Gerontius a Britan by his valour advances the success of Constantine the Vsurper in France and Spain p. 95. displac't by him he calls in the Vanâ—â—â—â— against him ibid. deserted by his Souldiers he depands himself valiantly with the slaughter of 300 of his enemies p. 96. he kills his Wife Nonnichia refusing to out-live him ibid. Geruntius the Son of Elidure not his immediate Successor p. 28. Godwin Earl of Kent and the West-Saxons stand for Hardecnute p. 274. he betrays Prince Elfred to Harold p. 274. 276. being called to account by Hardecnute he appeaseth him with a very rich Present p. 277. he earnestly exhorts Edward to take upon him the Crown of England p. 280. marries his Daughter to King Edward p. 281. he raises Forces in opposition of the French whom the King favour'd p. 285. is banisht p. 286. he and his Sons uniting in a great Fleet grow formidable p. 288. coming up to London with his Ships and preparing for Battel a Reconciliation is suddenly made between him and the King p. 289. sitting with the King at Table he suddenly sinks down dead in his seat p. 290. Gomer the eldest Son of Japhet believ'd the first that peopled these West and Northern Climes p. 4. Gonorill gains upon the affection of her Father King Lier by her dissimulation p. 17. she is married with Maglaunus Duke of Albania p. 18. her ingratitude to her Father after she had gain'd from him what she could p. 19. Gorbogudo or Gorbodego succeeds Kinmarcus in the Kingdom p. 21. Gorbonian succeeds Morindus in the Kingdom p. 25. his justice and piety p. 25 26. Gratianus Funarius the Father of Valentinian Commander in chief of the Roman Armies in Britain p. 89. Gregory Archdeacon of Rome and afterward Pope procures the sending over of Abbot Austin and others to preach the Gospel to the Saxons in this Island p. 138. Griffin Prince of South-Wales joyning with Algar and committing great spoil in Hereford is pursued by Harold Earl of Kent p. 292. after a peace concluded he breaks his faith and returns to Hostility ibid. is again reduc't ibid. Harold
the King who still laid at him and little expected such assassination mortally into the brest The matter was done in a moment ere men set at Table could turn them or imagin at first what the stir meant till perceaving the King deadly wounded they flew upon the murderer and hew'd him to peeces who like a wild Beast at abbay seeing himself surrounded desperatly laid about him wounding some in his fall The King was buried at Glaston wherof Dunstan was then Abbot his Laws yet remain to be seen among the Laws of other Saxon Kings Edred EDred the third Brother of Athelstan the Sons of Edmund being yet but Children next reign'd not degenerating from his worthy predecessors and Crown'd at Kingston Northumberland he throughly subdu'd the Scots without refusal swore him Allegiance yet the Northumbrians ever of doubtfull Faith soon after chose to themselves one Eric a Dane Huntingdon still haunts us with this Anlaf of whom we gladly would have bin ridd and will have him before Eric recall'd once more and reign fowr years then again put to his shifts But An. Dom. 950 Edred entring into Northumberland and with spoils returning Eric the King fell upon his rear Edred turning about both shook off the Enemy and prepar'd to make a second inroad which the Northumbrians dreading rejected Eric slew Amanous the Son of Anlaf and with many presents appeasing Edred submitted again to his Goverment nor from that time had Kings but were govern'd by Earls of whom Osulf was the first About this time Wulstan An. Dom. 953 Archbishop of York accus'd to have slain certain men of Thetford in revenge of thir Abbot whom the Townsmen had slain was committed by the King to close Custody but soon after enlarg'd was restor'd to his place Malmsbury writes that his crime was to have conniv'd at the revolt of his Countrymen but An. Dom. 955 King Edred two years after sick'ning in the flowr of his youth dy'd much lamented and was buried at Winchester Edwi EDwi the Son of Edmund now come to Age after his Uncle Edred's Death took on him the Goverment and was Crown'd at Kingston His lovely person sirnam'd him the Fair his actions are diversly reported by Huntingdon not thought illaudable But Malnisbury and such as follow him write far otherwise that he married or kept as Concubine his neer Kinswoman some say both her and her Daughter so inordinatly giv'n to his pleasure that on the very day of his Coronation he abruptly withdrew himself from the Company of his Peers whether in Banquet or Consultation to sit wantoning in the Chamber with this Algiva so was her name who had such power over him Wherat his Barons offended sent Bishop Dunstan the boldest among them to request his return he going to the Chamber not only interrupted his dalliance and rebuk'd the Lady but takeing him by the hand between force and persuasion brought him back to his Nobles The King highly displeas'd and instigated perhaps An. Dom. 956 by her who was so prevalent with him not long after sent Dunstan into banishment caus'd his Monastery to be rifl'd and became an Enemy to all Monks Wherupon Odo Archbishop of Canterbury pronounc't a separation or divorce of the King from Algiva But that which most incited William of Malmsbury against him he gave that Monastery to be dwelt in by secular Preists or to use his own phrase made it a stable of Clerks at length these affronts done to the Church were so resented by the people that the Mercians and Northumbrians revolted from him and set up Edgar his Brother leaving to Edwi the An. Dom. 957 An. Dom. 958 West-Saxons only bounded by the River Thames with greif wherof as is thought he soon after ended his daies and was buried at Winchester Mean while Elfsin Bishop of that place after the Death of Odo ascending by Simony to the Chair of Canterbury and going to Rome the same year for his Pall was froz'n to Death in the Alps. Edgar Edgar by his Brothers Death now King of all England at 16 years of Age call'd home Dunstan An. Dom. 959 out of Flanders where he liv'd in exile This King had no War all his Reign yet allways well prepar'd for War govern'd the Kingdom in great Peace Honour and Prosperity gaining thence the Sirname of Peaceable much extoll'd for Justice Clemency and all Kingly Vertues the more ye may be sure by Monks for his building so many Monasteries as some write every year one for he much favour'd the Monks against secular Preists who in the time of Edwi had got possession in most of thir Covents His care and wisdome was great in guarding the Coast round with stout ships to the number of 3600 Mat. West reck'ns them 4800 divided into fowr Squadrons to sail to and fro on the fowr quarters of the land meeting each other the first of 1200 sail from East to West the second of as many from West to East the third and fowrth between North and South himself in the Summer time with his Fleet. Thus he kept out wisely the force of Strangers and prevented Forein War but by thir too frequent resort hither in time of peace and his too much favouring them he let in thir vices unaware Thence the people saith Malmsbury learnt of the out-landish Saxons rudeness of the Flemish daintiness and softness of the Danes Drunk'ness though I doubt these vices are as naturally home-bred heer as in any of those Countries Yet in the Winter and Spring time he usually rode the Circuit as a Judge Itinerant through all his Provinces to see justice well administerd and the poor not oppress'd Theeves and Robbers he rooted almost out of the Land and wild Beasts of prey altogether enjoining Ludwal King of Wales to pay the yearly tribute of 300 Wolves which he did for two years together till the third year no more were to be found nor ever after but his Laws may be read yet extant Whatever was the cause he was not Crown'd till the 30. of his Age but then with great An. Dom. 973 An. Dom. 974 splendor and magnificence at the City of Bath in the Feast of Pentecost This year dy'd Swarling a Monk of Croyland the 142. year of his Age and another soon after him in the 115th in the Fenn and watrish air the more remarkable King Edgar the next year went to Chester and summoning to his Court there all the Kings that held of him took homage of them thir names are Kened King of Scots Malcolm of Cumberland Maccuse of the Iles five of Wales Duswal Huwal Grifith Jacob Judethil these he had in such aw that going one day into a Gally he caus'd them to take each man his Oar and row him down the River Dee while he himself sat at the Stern which might be done in meriment and easily obei'd if with a serious brow discoverd rather vain glory and insulting haughtiness then
thir decline and ruin under a double Conquest and the causes foregoing which not to blur or taint the praises of thir former actions and liberty well defended shall stand severally related and will be more then long enough for another Book The End of the Fifth Book THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN The Sixth Book Edward the Younger EDward the eldest Son of Edgar by Egelfieda his first Wife the Daughter of Duke Ordmer was according to right and his Fathers Will plac'd in the Throne Elfrida his second Wife and her faction only repineing who labour'd to have had her Son Ethelred a Child of 7 years preferr'd before him that she under that pretence might have rul'd all Mean while Comets were seen in Heav'n portending not Famin only which follow'd the next year but the troubl'd State of the whole Realm not long after to ensue The troubles begun in Edwi's daies between Monks and secular Priests now reviv'd and drew on either side many of the Nobles into parties For Elfere Duke of the Mercians with many other Pecrs corrupted as is said with guifts drove the Monks out of those Monasteries where Edgar had plac'd them and in thir stead put secular Priests with thir Wives But Ethelwin Duke of East-Angles with his Brother Elfwold and Earl Britnoth oppos'd them and gathering an Army defended the Abbies of East-Angles from such intruders To appease these tumults a Synod was call'd at Winchester and nothing there concluded a general Councel both of Nobles and Prelates was held at Caln in Wiltshire where while the dispute was hot but chiefly against Dunstan the room wherin they sat fell upon thir heads killing some maiming others Dunstan only escaping upon a beam that fell not and the King absent by reason of his tender Age. This accident quieted the controversie and brought both parts to hold with Dunstan and the Monks Mean while the King addicted to a Religious life and of a mild Spirit simply permitted all things to the ambitious will of his Step-mother and her Son Ethelred to whom she displeas'd that the name only of King was wanting practis'd thenceforth to remove King Edward out of the way which in this manner she brought about Edward on a day wearied with hunting thirsty and alone while his attendance follow'd the Dogs hearing that Ethelred and his mother lodg'd at Corvesgate Corse Castle saith Camden in the I le of Purbeck innocently went thether She with all shew of kindness welcoming him commanded drink to be brought forth for it seems he lighted not from his Horse and while he was drinking caus'd one of her Servants privately before instructed to stab him with a poignard The poor youth who little expected such unkindness there turning speedily the Reins fled bleeding till through loss of blood falling from his Horse and expiring yet held with one foot in the Stirrop he was dragg'd along the way trac'd by his blood and buried without honour at Werham having reign'd about 3 years but the place of his burial An. Dom. 978 not long after grew famous for miracles After which by Duke Elfer who as Malmsbury saith had a hand in his Death he was Royally enterr'd at Skepton or Shaftsbury The murdress Elfrida at length repenting spent the residue of her daies in sorrow and great penance Ethelred EThelred second Son of Edgar by Elfrida for Edmund An. Dom. 979 dy'd a Child his Brother Edward wickedly remov'd was now next in right to succeed and accordingly Crown'd at Kingston reported by some fair of visage comly of person elegant of behaviour but the event will shew that with many sluggish and ignoble vices he quickly sham'd his outside born and prolong'd a fatal mischeif of the people and the ruin of his Country whereof he gave early signes from his first infancy bewraying the Font and Water while the Bishop was baptizing him Whereat Dunstan much troubl'd for he stood by and saw it to them next him broke into these words By God and Gods Mother this Boy will prove a Sluggard Another thing is writt'n of him in his Childhood which argu'd no bad nature that hearing of his Brother Edwards cruel Death he made loud lamentation but his furious mother offended therwith and having no rod at hand beat him so with great Wax Candles that he hated the sight of them ever after Dunstan though unwilling set the Crown upon his head but at the same time foretold op'nly as is reported the great evils that were to come upon him and the Land in avengment of his Brothers innocent blood And about the same time one midnight a Cloud sometimes bloody sometimes fiery was seen over all England and within three years An. Dom. 982 the Danish Tempest which had long surceast revolv'd again upon this Iland To the more ample relating whereof the Danish History at least thir latest and diligentest Historian as neither from the first landing of Danes in the Reign of West-Saxon Brithric so now again from first to last contributes nothing busied more then anough to make out the bare names and successions of thir uncertain Kings and thir small actions at home unless out of him I should transcribe what hee takes and I better may from our own Annals the surer and the sadder witnesses of thir doings here not glorious as they vainly boast but most inhumanly Barbarous For the Danes well understanding that England had now a slothfull King to thir wish first landing at Southampton from 7 great Ships took the Town spoil'd the Country and carried away with them great pillage nor was Devonshire and Cornwall uninfested on the shore Pirats of Norway also harried the Coast of West-Chester and to add a worse calamity the City of London was burnt casually or not is not writt'n An. Dom. 986 It chanc'd fowr years after that Ethelred beseig'd Rochester some way or other offended by the Bishop therof Dunstan not approving the cause sent to warn him that he provoke not St. Andrew the Patron of that City nor wast his Lands an old craft of the Clergy to secure thir Church Lands by entailing them on some Saint the King not hark'ning Dunstan on this condition that the seige might be rais'd sent him a hundred pound the money was accepted and the seige dissolv'd Dunstan reprehending his avarice sent him again this word because thou hast respected money more then Religion the evils which I foretold shall the sooner come upon thee but not in my days for so God hath spok'n The next year An. Dom. 987 An. Dom. 988 was calamitous bringing strange fluxes upon men and murren upon Cattel Dunstan the year following dy'd a strenuous Bishop zealous without dread of person and for ought appeers the best of many Ages if he busied not himself too much in secular affairs He was Chaplain at first to King Athelstan and Edmund who succeeded much imploi'd in Court affairs till envi'd by some who laid many
Letters to every Town and Citty wherby they might be ready all at the same hower which till the appointed time being the 9th of July was conceal'd with great silence and perform'd with much unanimity so generally hated were the Danes Mat. West writes that this execution upon the Danes was ten years after that Huna one of Ethelreds Chief Captains complaining of the Danish insolencies in time of peace thir pride thir ravishing of Matrons and Virgins incited the King to this massacher which in the madness of rage made no difference of innocent or nocent Among these Gunhildis the Sister of Swane was not spar'd though much deserving not pitty only but all protection she with her Husband Earl Palingus coming to live in England and receaving Christianity had her Husband and young Son slain before her face her self then beheaded foretelling and denouncing that her blood would cost England dear Some say this was done by the Traitor Edric to whose custody she was committed but the massacher was some years before Edric's advancement and if it were done by him afterward it seems to contradict the privat correspondence which he was thought to hold with the Danes For Swane breathing revenge An. Dom. 1003 hasted the next year into England and by the treason or negligence of Count Hugh whom Emma had recommended to the Government of Devonshire sack'd the City of Exeter her Wall from East to West-gate brok'n down after this wasting Wiltshire the people of that County and of Hamshire came together in great numbers with resolution stoutly to oppose him but Alfric thir General whose Sons Eyes the King had lately put out madly thinking to revenge himself on the King by ruining his own Country when he should have orderd his Battel the Enemy being at hand fain'd himself tak'n with a vomiting wherby his Army in great discontent destitute of a Commander turn'd from the Enemy who streight took Wilton and Salsbury carrying the pillage therof to his Ships An. Dom. 1004 Thence the next year landing on the Coast of Norfolk he wasted the Country and set Norwich on fire Ulfketel Duke of the East-Angles a man of great valour not having space to gather his Forces after consultation had thought it best to make peace with the Dane which he breaking within three weeks issu'd silently out of his Ships came to Thetford staid there a night and in the Morning left it flameing Vlsketel hearing this commanded some to go and break or burn his Ships but they not dareing or neglecting he in the mean while with what secresie and speed was possible drawing together his Forces went out against the Enemy and gave them a feirce onset retreating to thir Ships but much inferiour in number many of the Cheif East-Angles there lost thir lives Nor did the Danes come off without great slaughter of thir own confessing that they never met in England with so rough a charge The next year whom War could An. Dom. 1005 not a great Famin drove Swane out of the Land But the Summer following another great Fleet of Danes enterd the Port of Sandwich thence powrd An. Dom. 1006 out over all Kent and Sussex made prey of what they found The King levying an Army out of Mercia and the West-Saxons took on him for once the Manhood to go out and face them But they who held it safer to live by rapine then to hazard a Battel shifting lightly from place to place frustrated the slow motions of a heavy Camp following thir wonted course of robbery then running to thir Ships Thus all Autumn they wearied out the Kings Army which gone home to winter they carried all thir pillage to the I le of Wight and there staid till Christmas at which time the King being in Shropshire and but ill imploi'd for by the procurement of Edric he caus'd as is thought Alfhelm a noble Duke treacherously to be slain and the Eyes of his two Sons to be put out they came forth again over-running Hamshire and Barkeshire as far as Reading and Wallingford thence to Ashdune and other places thereabout neither known nor of tolerable pronuntiation and returning by another way found many of the people in Armes by the River Kenet but making thir way through they got safe with vast booty to thir Ships The An. Dom. 1007 King and his Courtiers wearied out with thir last Summers jaunt after the nimble Danes to no purpose which by proof they found too toilsome for thir soft Bones more us'd to Beds and Couches had recourse to thir last and only remedy thir Cofers and send now the fourth time to buy a dishonorable peace every time still dearer not to be had now under 36 thousand pound for the Danes knew how to milk such easie Kine in name of Tribute and expences which out of the people over all England already half beggerd was extorted and paid About the same time Ethelred advanc'd Edric surnam'd Streon from obscure condition to be Duke of Mercia and marry Edgitha the Kings Daughter The cause of his advancement Florent of Worster and Mat. West attribute to his great wealth gott'n by fine polices and a plausible tongue he prov'd a main accessory to the ruin of England as his actions will soon declare Ethelred the next year somewhat An. Dom. 1008 rowsing himself ordain'd that every 310 Hides a Hide is so much land as one Plow can sufficiently till should set out a Ship or Gally and every nine Hides find a Corslet and Head-peice new Ships in every Port were builded vittl'd fraught with stout Mariners and Souldiers and appointed to meet all at Sandwich A man might now think that all would go well when suddenly a new mischief sprung up dissention among the great ones which brought all this diligence to as little success as at other times before Bithric the Brother of Edric falsly accus'd Wulnoth a great Officer set over the South-Saxons who fearing the potency of his Enemies with 20 Ships got to Sea and practis'd piracy on the Coast Against whom reported to be in a place where he might be easily surpris'd Bithrie sets forth with 80 Ships all which driv'n back by a Tempest and wrackt upon the shoar were burnt soon after by Wulnoth Disheart'nd with this misfortune the King returns to London the rest of his Navy after him and all this great preparation to nothing Wherupon Turkill a Danish Earl came with a Navy An. Dom. 1009 to the I le of Tanet and in August a far greater led by Heming and Ilaf joyn'd with him Thence coasting to Sandwich and landed they went onward and began to assault Canterbury but the Citizens and East Kentish men coming to composition with them for three thousand pound they departed thence to the I le of Wight robbing and burning by the way Against these the King levies an Army through all the land and in several quarters places them nigh the Sea but so
to divide the Kingdome this offer pleasing both Armies Edmund was not difficult to consent and the decision was that he as his hereditary Kingdome should rule the West-Saxons and all the South Canute the Mercians and the North. Huntingdon follow'd by Mat. West relates that the Peers on every side wearied out with continuall warfare and not refraining to affirm op'nly that they two who expected to reign singly had most reason to fight singly the Kings were content the Iland was thir lists the Combate Knightly till Knute finding himself too weak began to parle which ended as is said before After which the Londoners bought thir peace of the Danes and permitted them to winter in the City But King Edmund about the Feast of St. Andrew unexpectedly deceas'd at London and was buried neer to Edgar his Grandfather at Glaston The cause of his so sudden death is uncertain common fame saith Malmsbury laies the guilt therof upon Edric who to please Canute allur'd with promise of reward two of the Kings Privy Chamber though at first abhorring the fact to assassinate him at the stool by thrusting a sharp Iron into his hinder parts Huntingdon and Mat. West relate it done at Oxford by the Son of Edric and something vary in the manner not worth recital Edmund dead Canute meaning to reign sole King of England calls to him all the Dukes Barons and Bishops of the Land cunningly demanding of them who were witnesses what agreement was made between him and Edmund dividing the Kingdome whether the Sons and Brothers of Edmund were to govern the West-Saxons after him Canute living they who understood his meaning and fear'd to undergo his anger timorously answerd that Edmund they knew had left no part therof to his Sons or Brethren living or dying but that he intended Canute should be thir Guardian till they came to age of reigning Simeon affirms that for fear or hope of reward they attested what was not true notwithstanding which he put many of them to death not long after Canute or Knute CAnute having thus sounded the Nobility and An. Dom. 1017 by them understood receav'd thir Oath of fealty they the pledge of his bare hand and Oath from the Danish Nobles wherupon the House of Edmund was renounc't and Canute Crown'd Then they enacted that Edwi Brother of Edmund a Prince of great hope should be banish't the Realm But Canute not thinking himself secure while Edwi liv'd consulted with Edric how to make him away who told him of one Ethelward a decay'd Nobleman likeliest to do the work Ethelward sent for and tempted by the King in privat with largest rewards but abhorring in his mind the deed promisd to do it when he saw his opportunity and so still deferr'd it But Edwi afterwards receav'd into favour as a snare was by him or some other of his false freinds Canute contriving it the same year slain Edric also counsel'd him to dispatch Edward and Edmund the Sons of Ironside but the King doubting that the fact would seem too foul done in England sent them to the King of Sweden with like intent but he disdaining the Office sent them for better safety to Solomon King of Hungary where Edmund at length dy'd but Edward married Agatha Daughter to Henry the German Emperour A digression in the Laws of Edward Confessor under the Title of Lex Noricorum saith that this Edward for fear of Canute fled of his own accord to Malesclot King of the Rugians who receav'd him honourably and of that Country gave him a Wife Canute settl'd in his Throne divided the Government of his Kingdom into fowr parts the West-Saxons to himself the East-Angles to Earl Turkill the Mercians to Edric the Northumbrians to Eric then made peace with all Princes round about him and his former Wife being dead in July married Emma the Widow of King Ethelred The Christmas following was an ill Feast to Edric of whose Treason the King having now made use as much as serv'd his turn and fearing himself to be the next betray'd caus'd him to be slain at London in the Palace thrown over the City Wall and there to lie unburied the head of Edric fixt on a pole he commanded to be set on the highest Tower of London as in a double sence he had promis'd him for the murder of King Edmund to exalt him above all the Peers of England Huntingdon Malmsbury and Mat. West write that suspecting the Kings intention to degrade him from his Mercian Dukedome and upbraiding him with his merits the King enrag'd caus'd him to be strangl'd in the room and out at a Window thrown into the Thames Another writes that Eric at the Kings command struck off his head Other great men though without fault as Duke Norman the Son of Leofwin Ethelward Son of Duke Agelmar he put to death at the same time jealous of thir power or familiarity with Edric and notwithstanding peace kept still his Army to maintain which the next An. Dom. 1018 year he squees'd out of the English though now his subjects not his Enemies 72 some say 82 thousand pound besides 15 thousand out of London Mean while great War arose at Carr between Vthred Son of Waldef Earl of Northumberland and Malcolm Son of Kened King of Scots with whom held Eugenius King of Lothian But heer Simeon the relater seems to have committed some mistake having slain Vthred by Canute two years before and set Eric in his place Eric therfore it must needs be not Vthred who manag'd this War against the Scots About which time in a Convention of Danes at Oxford it was agreed on both parties to keep the Laws of Edgar Mat. West saith of Edward the Elder The An. Dom. 1019 next year Canute sail'd into Denmarke and there abode all Winter Huntingdon and Mat. West say he went thether to repress the Swedes and that the night before a Battel to be fought with them Godwin stealing out of the Camp with his English assaulted the Swedes and had got the Victory ere Canute in the morning knew of any fight For which bold enterprise though against Discipline he had the English in more esteem ever after In the Spring An. Dom. 1020 at his return into England he held in the time of Easter a great assembly at Chirchester and the same year was with Turkill the Dane at the dedication of a Church by them built at Assendune in the place of that great Victory which won him the Crown But suspecting his greatness the year following banish'd An. Dom. 1021 An. Dom. 1028 him the Realm and found occasion to do the like by Eric the Northumbrian Earl upon the same jealousie Nor yet content with his Conquest of England though now above ten years enjoy'd he pass'd with 50 Ships into Norway dispossess'd Olave thir King and subdu'd the land first with great summes of money sent the year before to gain him a party then coming with an Army to compell
the rest Thence An. Dom. 1029 returning King of England Denmarke and Norway yet not secure in his mind under colour of an Embassey he sent into banishment Hacun a powerfull Dane who had married the Daughter of his Sister Gunildis having conceav'd some suspition of his practices against him but such course was tak'n that he never came back either perishing at Sea or slain by contrivance the next year in Orkney Canute An. Dom. 1030 therefore having thus establish't himself by bloodshed and oppression to wash away as he An. Dom. 1031 thought the guilt therof sailing again into Denmark went thence to Rome and offerd there to St. Peter great guifts of Gold and Silver and other pretious things besides the usuall tribute of Romscot giving great Alms by the way both thether and back again freeing many places of Custom and Toll with great expence where strangers were wont to pay having vow'd great amendment of life at the Sepulchre of Peter and Paul and to his whole people in a large letter writt'n from Rome yet extant At his return therfore he built and dedicated An. Dom. 1032 a Church to St. Edmund at Bury whom his Ancestors had slain threw out the secular Priests who had intruded there and plac'd Monks in thir stead then going into Scotland subdu'd and receav'd homage of Malcolm and two other Kings An. Dom. 1035 there Melbeath and Jermare Three years after having made Swane his suppos'd Son by Algiva of Northamton Duke Alshelms Daughter for others say the Son of a Preist whom Algiva barren had got ready at the time of her feign'd labour King of Norway and Hardecnute his Son by Emma King of Denmark and design'd Harold his Son by Algiva of Northamton King of England dy'd at Shaftsbury and was buried at Winchester in the old Monastery This King as appears ended better then he began for though he seems to have had no hand in the Death of Ironside but detested the fact and bringing the murderers who came to him in hope of great reward forth among his Courtiers as it were to receave thanks after they had op'nly related the manner of thir killing him deliver'd them to deserved punishment yet he spar'd Edric whom he knew to be the prime Authour of that detestable fact till willing to be rid of him grown importune upon the confidence of his merits and upbraided by him that he had first relinquisht then extinguisht Edmund for his sake angry to be so upbraided therfore said he with a chang'd countnance Traytor to God and to me thou shalt die thine own mouth accuses thee to have slain thy Master my confederate Brother and the Lords Anointed Whereupon although present and privat Execution was in rage done upon Edric yet he himself in cool blood scrupl'd not to make away the Brother and Children of Edmund who had better right to be the Lords Anointed heer then himself When he had obtain'd in England what he desir'd no wonder if he sought the love of his conquerd Subjects for the love of his own quiet the maintainers of his wealth and state for his own profit For the like reason he is thought to have married Emma and that Richard Duke of Normandy her Brother might the less care what became of Elfred and Edward her Sons by King Ethelred He commanded to be observ'd the antient Saxon Laws â—all'd afterwards the Laws of Edward the Confeâ—â—â—r not that hee made them but strictly observ'd them His Letter from Rome professes if he had done aught amiss in his youth through negligence or want of due temper full resolution with the help of God to make amends by governing justly and piously for the future charges and adjures all his Officers and Vicounts that neither for fear of him or favour of any person or to enrich the King they suffer injustice to be done in the land commands his treasurers to pay all his Debts ere his return home which was by Denmarke to compose matters there and what his Letter profess'd he perform'd all his life after But it is a fond conceit in many great ones and pernicious in the end to cease from no violence till they have attain'd the utmost of thir ambitions and desires then to think God appeas'd by thir seeking to bribe him with a share however large of thir ill-gott'n spoils and then lastly to grow zealous of doing right when they have no longer need to do wrong Howbeit Canute was famous through Europe and much honour'd of Conrade the Emperour then at Rome with rich guifts and many grants of what he there demanded for the freeing of passages from Toll and Custome I must not omit one remarkable action done by him as Huntingdon reports it with great Scene of circumstance and emphatical expression to shew the small power of Kings in respect of God which unless to Court-Parasites needed no such laborious demonstration He caus'd his Royal Seat to be set on the shoar while the Tide was coming in and with all the state that Royalty could put into his countnance said thus to the Sea Thou Sea belongst to me and the Land wheron I sit is mine nor hath any one unpunish'd resisted my commands I charge thee come no furder upon my Land neither presume to wet the Feet of thy Sovran Lord. But the Sea as before came rowling on and without reverence both wet and dash'd him Wherat the King quickly riseing wish'd all about him to behold and consider the weak and frivolous power of a King and that none indeed deserv'd the name of a King but he whose Eternal Laws both Heav'n Earth and Sea obey A truth so evident of it self as I said before that unless to shame his Court Flatterers who would not else be convinc't Canute needed not to have gone wet-shod home The best is from that time forth he never would wear a Crown esteeming Earthly Royalty contemptible and vain Harold HArold for his swiftness surnam'd Harefoot the Son of Canute by Algiva of Northampton though some speak doubtfully as if she bore him not but had him of a Shoo-makers Wife as Swane before of a Priest others of a Maid-Servant to conceal her barrenness in a great Assembly at Oxford was by Duke Leofric and the Mercians with the Londoners according to his Fathers Testament elected King but without the Regal Habiliments which Aelnot the Archbishop having in his Custody refus'd to deliver up but to the Sons of Emma for which Harold ever after hated the Clergy and as the Clergy are wont thence to inferr all Religion Godwin Earl of Kent and the West-Saxons with him stood for Hardecnute Malmsbury saith that the contest was between Dane and English that the Danes and Londoners grown now in a manner Danish were all for Hardecnute but he being then in Denmarke Harold prevail'd yet so as that the Kingdom should be divided between them the West and Southpart reserv'd by
thir old Religion fell off the second time to Infidelity Which the Mercian King Wulfer understanding sent Jarumannus a Faithfull Bishop who with other his fellow Labourers by sound Doctrin and gentle dealing soon recur'd them of thir second relaps In Kent Ercombert expiring was succeeded by his Son Ecbert An. Dom. 668 In whose fowrth year by means of Theodore a learned Greekish Monk of Tarsus whom Pope Vitalian had ordain'd Archbishop of Canterbury the Greek and Latin Tongue with other liberal Arts Arithmetic Music Astronomie and the like began first to flourish among the Saxons as did also the whole Land under potent and religious Kings more then ever before as Bede affirms till his own days An. Dom. 670 Two years after in Northumberland dy'd Oswi much addicted to Romish Rites and resolv'd had his Disease releas'd him to have ended his days at Rome Ecfrid the eldest of his Sons begot in Wedlock succeeded him An. Dom. 673 After other three years Ecbert in Kent deceasing left nothing memorable behind him but the general suspition to have slain or conniv'd at the slaughter of his Uncles two Sons Elbert and Egelbright In recompence wherof he gave to the Mother of them part of Tanet wherein to build an Abbey the Kingdom fell to his Brother Lothair And much about this time by best account it should be however plac'd in Beda that Ecfrid of Northumberland having War with the Mercian Wulfer won from him Lindsey and the Country thereabout Sebbi having reign'd over the East-Saxons 30 years not long before his Death though long before desireing took on him the Habit of a Monk and drew his Wife at length though unwilling to the same Devotion Kenwalk also dying left the Government to Sexburga his Wife who out-liv'd him in it but one year driv'n out saith Mat. West by the Nobles disdaining Female Government An. Dom. 674 After whom several petty Kings as Beda calls them for ten years space divided the West-Saxons others name two Escwin the Nephew of Kinigils and Kentwin the Son not petty by thir deeds for Escwin fought a Battell with Wulfer at Bedanhafde and about year a afboth deceas'd An. Dom. 676 but Wulfer not without a stain left behind him of selling the Bishoprick of London to Wini the first Simonist we read of in this story Kenwalk had before expell'd him from his Chair at Winchester Ethelred the Brother of Wulfer obtaining next the Kingdom of Mercia not only recoverd Lindsey and what besides in those parts Wulfer had lost to Ecfrid some years before but found himself strong enough to extend his Armes another way as far as Kent wasting that Country without respect to Church or Monastery much also endamaging the City of Rochester Notwithstanding what resistance Lothair could make against him An. Dom. 678 In August 678. was seen a Morning Comet for 3 Months following in manner of a fiery Pillar And the South-Saxons about this time were converted to the Christian Faith upon this occasion Wilsrid Bishop of the Northumbrians entring into contention with Ecfrid the King was by him depriv'd of his Bishoprick and long wandring up and down as far as Rome An. Dom. 679 return'd at length into England but not dareing to approach the North whence he was banish'd bethought him where he might to best purpose elsewhere exercise his Ministery The South of all other Saxons remain'd yet Heathen but Edilwalk thir King not long before had bin baptiz'd in Mercia persuaded by Wulfer and by him as hath bin said receav'd out of the Font. For which relations sake he had the I le of Wight and a Province of the Meannari adjoining giv'n him on the Continent about Meanesborow in Hantshir which Wulfer had a little before gott'n from Kenwalk Thether Wilfrid takes his journey and with the help of other Spiritual Labourers about him in short time planted there the Gospel It had not rain'd as is said of three years before in that Country whence many of the people daily perish'd by Famin till on the first day of thir public Baptism soft and plentifull showers descending restor'd all abundance to the Summer following An. Dom. 681 Two years after this Kentwin the other West-Saxon King above-nam'd chac'd the Welch-Britans as is Chronicl'd without circumstance to the very Sea shoar An. Dom. 683 But in the year by Beda's reck'ning 683 Kedwalla a West-Saxon of the Royal Line whom the Welch will have to be Cadwallader last King of the Britans thrown out by faction return'd from banishment and invaded both Kentwin if then living or whoever else had divided the succession of Kenwalk slaying in fight Edelwalk the South-Saxon who oppos'd him in their aid but soon after was repuls'd by two of his Captains Bertune and Andune who for a while held the province in thir power But Kedwalla gathering new force with the slaughter of Berâ—une An. Dom. 684 and also of Edric the successor of Edelwalk won the Kingdome But reduc'd the people to heavy thraldome Then addressing to Conquer the I le of Wight till that time Pagan saith Beda others otherwise as above hath bin related made a vow though himself yet unbaptiz'd to devote the fowrth part of that Iland and the spoils therof to holy uses Conquest obtain'd paying his vow as then was the beleef he gave hiâ— fowrth to Bishop Wilsrid by chance there present and he to Bertwin a Priest his Sisters Son with commission to baptise all the vanquisht who meant to save thir lives But the two young Sons of Arwald King of that Iland met with much more hostility for they at the Enemies approach flying out of the I le and betray'd where they were hid not far from thence were led to Kedwalla who lay then under Cure of some wounds receav'd and by his appointment after instruction and Baptism first giv'n them harshly put to death which the youths are said above thir Age to have Christianly sufferd In Kent Lothair dy'd this year of his wounds receav'd in fight against the South-Saxons led on by Edric who descending from Ermenred it seems challeng'd the Crown and wore it though not commendably one year and a half An. Dom. 685 but coming to a violent Death left the land expos'd a prey either to home-bred usurpers or neighbouring invaders Among whom Kedwalla taking advantage from thir civil distempers and marching easily through the South-Saxons whom he had subdu'd sorely harrass'd the Country untouch'd of a long time by any hostile incursion But the Kentish men all parties uniteing against a common Enemy with joint power so oppos'd him that he was constrain'd to retire back his Brother Mollo in the flight with 12 men of his Company seeking shelter in a House was beset and therin burnt by the persuers Kedwalla much troubl'd at so great a loss recalling and soon rallying his disorderd Forces return'd fiercely upon the chaseing Enemy An. Dom. 686 nor could be got
of his Reign for his vitious life and incest committed with Nuns was by Kenred fucceeded and aveng'd he reigning two years left Osric in his room An. Dom. 718 In whose 7th year if Beda calculate right Victred King of Kent deceas'd having reign'd 34 years and some part of them with Suebhard as Beda testifies he left behind him three Sons Ethelbert Eadbert and Alric his Heirs An. Dom. 725 Three years after which An. Dom. 728 appear'd two Comets about the Sun terrible to behold the one before him in the Morning the other after him in the Evening for the space of two weeks in January bending thir blaze toward the North at which time the Saracens furiously invaded France but were expell'd soon after with great overthrow The same year in Northumberland Osric dying or slain adopted Kelwulf the Brother of Kenred his Successor to whom Beda dedicates his story but writes this only of him that the beginning and the process of his Reign met with many adverse commotions wherof the event was then doubtfully expected Mean while Ina7 years before having slain Kenwuls to whom Florent gives the addition of Clito giv'n usually to none but of the blood Royal and the 4th year after overthrown and slain Albright another Clito driv'n from Taunton to the South-Saxons for aid vanquish't also the East-Angles in more then one Battel as Malmsbury writes but not the year whether to expiate so much blood or infected with the contagious humour of those times Malmsbury saith at the persuasion of Ethelburga his Wife went to Rome and there ended his dayes yet this praise left behind him to have made good Laws the first of Saxon that remain extant to this day and to his Kinsman Edelard bequeath'd the Crown No less then the whole Monarchy of England and Wales For Ina if we beleeve a digression in the Laws of Edward Confessor was the first King Crown'd of English and British since the Saxons entrance of the British by means of his second Wife some way related to Cadwallader last King of Wales which I had not noted being unlikely but for the place where I found it After Ina by a surer Author An. Dom. 731 Ethelbald King of Mercia commanded all the Provinces on this side Humber with thir Kings the Picts were in league with the English the Scots peaceable within thir bounds and the Britans part were in thir own Goverment part subject to the English In which peacefull state of the land many in Northumberland both Nobles and Commons laying aside the exercise of Armes betook them to the Cloister and not content so to do at home many in the days of Ina Clerks and Laics Men and Woemen hasting to Rome in Herds thought themselves no where sure of Eternal Life till they were Cloisterd there Thus representing the state of things in this Iland Beda surceas'd to write Out of whom cheifly hath bin gatherd since the Saxons arrival such as hath bin deliverd a scatterd story pickt out heer and there with some trouble and tedious work from among his many Legends of Visions and Miracles toward the latter end so bare of civill matters as what can be thence collected may seem a Calendar rather then a History tak'n up for the most part with succession of Kings and computation of years yet those hard to be reconcil'd with the Saxon Annals Thir actions we read of were most commonly Wars but for what cause wag'd or by what Councells carried on no care was had to let us know wherby thir strength and violence we understand of thir wisedom reason or justice little or nothing the rest superstition and monastical affectation Kings one after another leaving thir Kingly Charge to run thir heads fondly into a Monks Cowle which leaves us uncertain whether Beda was wanting to his matter or his matter to him Yet from hence to the Danish Invasion it will be worse with us destitute of Beda Left only to obscure and blockish Chronicles whom Malmsbury and Huntingdon for neither they then we had better Authors of those times ambitious to adorn the History make no scruple oft-times I doubt to interline with conjectures and surmises of thir own them rather then imitate I shall choose to represent the truth naked though as lean as a plain Journal Yet William of Malmsbury must be acknowledg'd both for stile and judgment to be far the best Writer of them all but what labour is to be endur'd turning over Volumes of Rubbish in the rest Florence of Worster Huntingdon Simeon of Durham Hoveden Mathew of Westminster and many others of obscurer note with all thir monachisms is a penance to think Yet these are our only Registers transcribers one after another for the most part and somtimes worthy enough for the things they register This travail rather then not know at once what may be known of our antient story sifted from Fables and impertinences I voluntarily undergo and to save others if they please the like unpleasing labour except those who take pleasure to be all thir life time rakeing in the Foundations of old Abbies and Cathedrals but to my task now as it befalls An. Dom. 733 In the year 733. on the 18th Kalends of September was an Eclipse of the Sun about the third howr of day obscureing almost his whole Orb as with a black sheild Ethelbald of Mercia beseig'd and took the Castle or Town of Somerton An. Dom. 735 and two years after Beda our Historian dy'd some say the year before An. Dom. 738 Kelwulf in Northumberland three years after became Monk in Lindisfarne yet none of the severest for he brought those Monks from milk and water to Wine and Ale in which doctrin no doubt but they were soon docil and well might for Kelwulf brought with him good provision great treasure and revenues of land recited by Simeon yet all under pretense of following I use the Authors words poor Christ by voluntary poverty no marvel then if such applause were giv'n by Monkish Writers to Kings turning Monks and much cunning perhaps us'd to allure them To Eadbert his Uncle he left the Kingdom whose brother Ecbert Archbishop of York built a Library there An. Dom. 740 But two years after while Eadbert was busied in War against the Picts Ethelbald the Mercian by foul fraud assaulted part of Northumberland in his absence as the supplement of Beda's Epitomy records In the West-Saxons Edelard who succeeded Ina having bin much molested in the beginning of his Reign with the Rebellion of Oswald his Kinsman who contended with him for the right of succession overcoming at last those troubles dy'd in Peace 741 An. Dom. 741 leaving Cuthred one of the same linage to succeed him who at first had much War with Ethelbald the Mercian and various success but joyning with him in League two years after An. Dom. 743 made War on the Welch Huntingdon doubts not to give them a great Victory An. Dom. 744
a sickness ended his Reign And to Kenulf next in right of the same Progeny bequeath'd his Kingdome Mean while the Danish Pirats who still wasted Northumberland ventring on shoar to spoil another Monastery at the mouth of the River Don were assail'd by the English thir Cheif Captain slain on the place then returning to Sea were most of them Ship-wrack'd others driv'n again on shoar were put all to the Sword Simeon attributes this thir punishment to the power of St. Cudbert offended with them for the rifling of his Covent An. Dom. 796 Two years after this dy'd Ethelred twice King but not exempted at last from the fate of many his predecessors miserably slain by his people some say deservedly as not inconscious with them who train'd Osred to his ruin Osbald a Nobleman exalted to the Throne and in less then a month deserted and expell'd was forc'd to fly at last from Lindisfarne by Sea to the Pictish King and dy'd an Abbot Eardulf whom Ethelred six years before had commanded to be put to Death at Ripun before the Abbey-Gate dead as was suppos'd and with solemn Dirge carried into the Church after midnight found there alive I read not how then banish'd now recall'd was in Yorke created King In Kent Ethelbert or Pren whom the Annals call Eadbright so different they often are one from another both in timeing and in nameing by some means having usurp'd regal power after two years Reign contending with Kenulf the Mercian was by him tak'n Pris'ner and soon after out of pious commiseration let go but not receav'd of his own what became of him Malmsbury leaves in doubt Simeon writes that Kenulf commanded to put out his Eyes and lop off his hands but whether the sentence were executed or not is left as much in doubt by his want of expression An. Dom. 798 The second year after this they in Northumberland who had conspir'd against Ethelred now also raising War against Eardulf under Wada thir Cheif Captain after much havock on either side at Langho by Whaley in Lancashire the Conspirators at last flying Eardulf return'd with Victory The same year London with a great multitude of her Inhabitants by a sudden fire was consum'd An. Dom. 800 The year 800. made way for great alteration in England uniting her seaven Kingdoms into one by Echert the famous West-Saxon him Birthric dying Childless left next to reign the only surviver of that linage descended from Inegild the Brother of King Ina. And according to his Birth liberally bred he began early from his youth to give signal hopes of more then ordinary worth growing up in him which Birthric fearing and with all his juster title to the Crown secretly sought his life and Ecbert perceaving fled to Offa the Mercian but he having married Eadburg his Daughter to Birthric easily gave ear to his Embassadors coming to require Ecbert he again put to his shifts escap'd thence into France but after three years banishment there which perhaps contributed much to his education Charles the Great then reigning he was call'd over by the publick voice for Birthric was newly dead and with general applause created King of West-Saxons The same day Ethelmund at Kinneresford passing over with the Worcestershire men was met by Weolstan another Nobleman with those of Wiltshire between whom happ'nd a great fray wherin the Wiltshire men overcame but both Dukes were slain no reason of thir quarrel writ'n such bickerings to recount met oft'n in these our Writers what more worth is it then to Chronicle the Wars of Kites or Crows flocking and fighting in the Air An. Dom. 801 The year following Eardulf the Northumbrian leading forth an Army against Kenulf the Mercian for harboring certain of his Enemies by the diligent mediation of other Princes and Prelats Armes were laid aside and amity soon sworn between them But Eadburga the Wife of Birthric a woeman every way wicked in malice especially cruel An. Dom. 802 could not or car'd not to appease the general hatred justly conceiv'd against her accustom'd in her Husbands days to accuse any whom she spighted and not prevailing to his ruin her practice was by poison secretly to contrive his Death It fortun'd that the King her Husband lighting on a Cup which she had temperd not for him but for one of his great Favourites whom she could not harm by accuseing sip'd therof only and in a while after still pineing away ended his days the favourite drinking deeper found speedier the operation She fearing to be questiond for these facts with what treasure she had pass'd over-sea to Charles the Great whom with rich guifts coming to his presence the Emperour courtly receav'd with this pleasant proposal Choose Eadburga which of us two thou wilt me or my Son for his Son stood by him to be thy Husband She no dissembler of what she lik'd best made easie answer Were it in my choise I should choose of the two your Son rather as the younger man To whom the Emperour between jest and earnest hadst thou chosen me I had bestow'd on thee my Son but since thou hast chos'n him thou shalt have neither him nor me Nevertheless he assign'd her a rich Monastery to dwell in as Abbess for that life it may seem she chose next to profess but being a while after detected of unchastity with one of her followers she was commanded to depart thence from that time wandring poorly up and down with one Servant in Pavia a City of Italy she finish'd at last in beggery her shamefull life An. Dom. 805 In the year 805. Cuthred whom Kenuls the Mercian had instead of Pren made King in Kent having obscurely reign'd 8 years deceas'd An. Dom. 806 In Northumberland Eardulf the year following was driv'n out of his Realm by Alfwold who Reign'd two years in his room after whom Eandred Son of Eardulf 33 years An. Dom. 808 but I see not how this can stand with the sequel of story out of better Authors An. Dom. 809 Much less that which Buchanan relates the year following of Acaius King of Scots who having reign'd 32 years and dying in 809 had formerly aided but in what year of his Reign tells not Hungus King of Picts with 10000 Scots against Athelstan a Saxon or English-man then wasting the Pictish Borders that Hungus by the aid of those Scots and the help of St. Andrew thir Patron in a Vision by night and the appearance of his cross by day routed the astonisht English and slew Athelstan in fight Who this Athelstan was I believe no man knows Buchanan supposes him to have been some Danish Commander on whom King Alured or Alfred had bestow'd Northumberland but of this I find no footsteps in our antient Writers and if any such thing were done in the time of Alfred it must be little less then 100. years after this Athelstan therefore and this great overthrow seems rather to have bin the fancy of
subjection These things flowing to his wish he betook him to his Navy from that time still'd and accounted King of England if a Tyrant saith Simeon may be call'd a King The Londoners also sent him hostages and made thir peace for they fear'd his fury Ethelred thus reduc't to narrow compass sent Emma his Queen with his two Sons had by her and all his treasure to Richard the 2d her Brother Duke of Normandy himself with his Danish Fleet abode some while at Greenwich then sailing to the I le of Wight pass'd after Christmas into Normandy where he was honourably receav'd at Roan by the Duke though known to have born himself churlishly and proudly towards Emma his Sister besides his dissolute Company with other women Mean while Swane ceas'd not to exact almost insupportable tribute of the people spoiling them when he listed besides the like did Turkill at Greenwich The next An. Dom. 1014 year beginning Swane sickens and dyes some say terrifi'd and smitt'n by an appearing shape of St. Edmund arm'd whose Church at Bury he had threat'nd to demolish but the authority hereof relies only upon the Legend of St. Edmund After his Death the Danish Army and Fleet made his Son Canute thir King but the Nobility and States of England sent Messengers to Ethelred declareing that they preferr'd none before thir Native Sovran if he would promise to govern them better then he had done and with more Clemency Wherat the King rejoicing sends over his Son Edward with Embassadors to Court both high and low and win thir love promising largly to be thir mild and devoted Lord to consent in all things to thir will follow thir counsel and whatever had been done or spok'n by any man against him freely to pardon if they would loyally restore him to be thir King To this the people cheerfully answer'd and amity was both promisd and confirm'd on both sides An Embassey of Lords is sent to bring back the King honourably he returns in Lent and is joyfully receav'd of the people marches with a strong Army against Canute who having got Horses and joyn'd with the men of Lindsey was preparing to make spoil in the Countries adjoining but by Ethelred unexpectedly coming upon him was soon driv'n to his Ships and his Confederats of Lindsey left to the anger of thir Country-men executed without mercy both by fire and Sword Canute in all hast sailing back to Sandwich took the hostages giv'n to his Father from all parts of England and with slit Noses Ears cropt and hands chop 't off setting them ashore departed into Denmarke Yet the people were not disburd'nd for the King rais'd out of them 30 thousand pound to pay his Fleet of Danes at Greenwich To these evills the Sea in October pass'd his bounds overwhelming many Towns in England and of thir inhabitants many thousands The year following an An. Dom. 1015 Assembly being at Oxford Edric of Streon having invited two Noblemen Sigeferth and Morcar the Sons of Earngrun of Seav'nburg to his Lodging secretly murderd them the King for what cause is unknown seis'd thir Estates and caus'd Algith the Wife of Sigeferth to be kept at Maidulfsburg now Malmsbury whom Edmund the Prince there married against his Fathers minde then went and possesd thir lands making the people there subject to him Mat. West saith that these two were of the Danes who had seated themselves in Northumberland slain by Edric under colour of Treason laid to thir charge They who attended them without tumulting at the Death of thir Maisters were beat'n back and driv'n into a Church and defending themselves were burnt there in the Steeple Mean while Canute returning from Denmarke with a great Navy 200 Ships richly gilded and adorn'd well fraught with Arms and all provision and which Encomium Emmae mentions not two other Kings Lachman of Sweden Olav of Norway arriv'd at Sandwich And as the same Authour then living writes sent out spies to discover what resistance on land was to be expected who return'd with certain report that a great Army of English was in readiness to oppose them Turkill who upon the arrival of these Danish Powers kept faith no longer with the English but joining now with Canute as it were to reingratiate himself after his revolt whether real or complotted councell'd him being yet young not to land but leave to him the management of this first Battel the King assented and he with the Forces which he had brought and part of those which arriv'd with Canute landing to thir wish encounterd the English though double in number at a place call'd Scorastan and was at first beaten back with much loss But at length animating his men with rage only and despair obtain'd a clear Victory which won him great reward and possessions from Canute But of this action no other writer makes mention from Sandwich therefore sailing about to the River Frome and there landing over all Dorset Sommerset and Wiltshire spread wastfull hostility The King lay then sick at Cosham in this County though it may seem strange how he could lie sick there in the midst of his Enemies Howbeit Edmund in one part and Edric of Streon in another rais'd Forces by themselves but so soon as both Armies were united the Traytor Edric being found to practice against the life of Edmund he remov'd with his Army from him whereof the Enemy took great advantage Edric easily enticeing the 40 Ships of Danes to side with him revolted to Canute the West-Saxons also gave pledges and furnished him with Horses By which means the year ensueing An. Dom. 1016 he with Edric the Traytor passing the Thames at Creâ—lad about twelftide enterd into Mercia and especially Warwickshire depopulating all places in thir way Against these Prince Edmund for his hardiness call'd Ironside gather'd an Army but the Mercians refus'd to fight unless Ethelred with the Londoners came to aid them and so every man return'd home After the Festival Edmund gathering another Army besought his Father to come with the Londoners and what force besides he was able they came with great strength gott'n together but being come and in a hopefull way of good success it was told the King that unless he took the better heed some of his own Forces would fall off and betray him The King daunted with this perhaps cunning whisper of the Enemy disbanding his Army returns to London Edmund betook him into Northumberland as some thought to raise fresh Forces but he with Earl Vthred on the one side and Canute with Edric on the other did little else but wast the Provinces Canute to Conquer them Edmund to punish them who stood neuter for which cause Stafford Shropshire and Lestershire felt heavily his hand while Canute who was ruining the more Southern Shires at length march'd into Northumberland which Edmund hearing dismiss'd his Forces and came to London Vthred the Earl hasted back to Northumberland and finding no
Emma for Hardecnute till his return But Harold once advanc't into the Throne banish'd Emma his Mother-in-law seis'd on his Fathers Treasure at Winchester and there remain'd Emma not holding it safe to abide An. Dom. 1036 in Normandy while Duke William the Bastard was yet under Age retir'd to Baldwin Earl of Flanders In the mean while Alfred and Edward Sons of Ethelred accompanied with a small number of Norman Souldiers in a few Ships coming to visit thir mother Emma not yet departed the land and perhaps to see how the people were inclin'd to restore them thir right Elfred was sent for by the King then at London but in his way met at Guilford by Earl Godwin who with all seeming friendship entertain'd him was in the night surpris'd and made Prisner most of his Company put to various sorts of cruel Death decimated twice over then brought to London was by the King sent bound to Eely had his Eyes put out by the way and deliverd to the Monks there dy'd soon after in thir Custody Malmsbury gives little credit to this story of Elfred as not Chronicl'd in his time but rumour'd only Which Emma however hearing sent away her Son Edward who by good hap accompanied not his Brother with all speed into Normandy But the Authour of Encomium Emmae who seems plainly though nameless to have been some Monk yet liv'd and perhaps wrote within the same year when these things were done by his relation differing from all others much aggravates the cruelty of Harold that he not content to have practis'd in secret for op'nly he durst not against the life of Emma sought many treacherous ways to get her Son within his power and resolv'd at length to forge a Letter in the name of thir mother inviting them into England the Copy of which Letter he produces writt'n to this purpose EMma in name only Queen to her Sons Edward and Alfrid imparts motherly salutation While we severally bewail the Death of our Lord the King most Dear Sons and while daily yee are depriv'd more and more of the Kingdom your Inheritance I admire what Counsel yee take knowing that your intermitted delay is a daily strengthning to the Reign of your Vsurper who incessantly goes about from Town to City gaining the Chief Nobles to his party either by gifts prayers or threats But they had much rather one of you should reign over them then to be held under the power of him who now over-rules them I entreat therefore that one of you come to me speedily and privatly to receive from me wholsom Counsel and to know how the business which I intend shall be accomplisht By this Messenger present send back what you determine Farewell as dear both as my own Heart These Letters were sent to the Princes then in Normandy by express Messengers with presents also as from thir mother which they joyfully receiving return word by the same Messengers that one of them will be with her shortly naming both the time and place Alfrid therefore the younger for so it was thought best at the appointed time with a few Ships and small numbers about him appearing on the Coast no sooner came ashore but fell into the snare of Earl Godwin sent on purpose to betray him as above was related Emma greatly sorrowing for the loss of her Son thus cruelly made away fled immediatly with some of the Nobles her faithfullest adherents into Flanders had her dwelling assign'd at Bruges by the Earl where having remain'd about two years she was visited out of An. Dom. 1039 Denmarke by Hardecnute her Son and he not long had remain'd with her there when Harold in England having done nothing the while worth memory save the taxing of every Port at 8 marks of Silver An. Dom. 1040 to 16 Ships dy'd at London some say at Oxford and was buried at Winchester After which most of the Nobility both Danes and English now agreeing send Embassadors to Hardecnute still at Bruges with his mother entreating him to come and receave as his right the Scepter who before Midsomer came with 60 Ships and many Souldiers out of Denmarke Hardecnute HArdecnute receav'd with acclamation and seated in the Throne first call'd to mind the injuries done to him or his Mother Emma in the time of Harold sent Alfric Bishop of Yorke Godwin and others with Troud his Executioner to London commanding them to dig up the body of King Harold and throw it into a Ditch but by a second order into the Thames Whence tak'n up by a Fisherman and convei'd to a Church-yard in London belonging to the Danes it was enterr'd again with honour This done he levied a sore Tax that 8 marks to every Rower and twelve to every Officer in his Fleet should be paid throughout England by which time they who were so forward to call him over had anough of him for he as they thought had too much of theirs After this he call'd to account Godwin Earl of Kent and Leving Bishop of Worster about the Death of Elfred his Brother which Alfric the Archbishop laid to thir charge the King depriv'd Leving of his Bishoprick and gave it to his accuser but the year following pacifi'd with a round summe restor'd it to Leving Godwin made his peace by a sumptuous present a Gally with a guilded stem bravely rigg'd and 80 Souldiers in her every one with Bracelets of gold on each Arm weighing 16 ounces Helmet Corslet and Hilts of his Sword guilded a Danish Curtax listed with gold or silver hung on his left shoulder a Sheild with boss and nales guilded in his left hand in his right a Launce besides this he took his Cath before the King that neither of his own councel or will but by the command of Harold he had done what he did to the putting out of Elfreds Eyes The like Oath took most of the Nobility for themselves or in his behalf The next year Hardecnute sending An. Dom. 1041 his House Earls so they call'd his Officers to gather the Tribute impos'd two of them rigorous in thir Office were slain at Worster by the people wherat the King enrag'd sent Leofric Duke of Mercia and Seward of Northumberland with great Forces and Commission to slay the Cittizens rifle and burn the City wast the whole Province Affrighted with such news all the people fled the Country-men whither they could the Cittizens to a small Iland in Severn call'd Beverege which they fortifi'd and defended stoutly till peace was granted them and freely to return home But thir City they found sack't and burnt wherwith the King was appeas'd This was commendable in him however cruel to others that toward his half brethren though Rivals of his Crown he shew'd himself alwayes tenderly affectiond as now towards Edward who without fear came to him out of Normandy and with unfeigned kindness receav'd remain'd safely and honorably in his Court But Hardecnute An. Dom. 1042 the year following
requests him to sail with him to Sandwich and reconcile him to the King as he had promis'd Beorn mistrusting no evill where he intended good went with him in his Ship attended by three only of his Servants but Swane set upon barbarous cruelty not reconciliation with the King took Beorn now in his power and bound him then coming to Dertmouth slew and buried him in a deep Ditch After which the men of Hastings took six of his Ships and brought them to the King at Sandwich with the other two he escap'd into Flanders there remaining till Aldred Bishop of Worster by earnest mediation wrought his peace with the King About this time King Edward sent to Pope Leo desiring absolution from a vow which he had made in his younger years to take a journey to Rome if God voutsaf'd him to reign in England the Pope dispenc'd with his vow but not without the expence of his journey giv'n to the poor and a Monastery built or re-edifi'd to St. Peter who in a Vision to a Monk as is said chose Westminster which King Edward thereupon rebuilding endow'd with large privileges and revennues The same year saith Florent of Worster certain Irish Pirats with 36 Ships enterd the mouth of Severn and with the aid of Griffin Prince of South-Wales did some hurt in those parts then passing the River Wey burnt Dunedham and slew all the Inhabitants they found Against whom Aldred Bishop of Worster with a few out of Gloster and Herefordshire went out in hast but Griffin to whom the Welch and Irish had privily sent Messengers came down upon the English with his whole power by night and early in the morning suddenly assaulting them slew many and put the rest to flight The next An. Dom. 1051 year but one King Edward remitted the Danish Tax which had continu'd 38 years heavy upon the land since Ethelred first paid it to the Danes and what remain'd therof in his treasury he sent back to the owners but through imprudence laid the foundation of a far worse mischeif to the English while studying gratitude to those Normans who to him in exile had bin helpfull he call'd them over to public Offices heer whom better he might have repaid out of his privat purse by this means exasperating either Nation one against the other and making way by degrees to the Norman Conquest Robert a Monk of that Country who had bin serviceable to him there in time of need he made Bishop first of London then of Canterbury William his Chaplain Bishop of Dorchester Then began the English to lay aside thir own antient Customes and in many things to imitate French manners the great Peers to speak French in thir Houses in French to write thir Bills and Letters as a great peece of Gentility asham'd of thir own a presage of thir subjection shortly to that people whose fashions and language they affected so slavishly But that which gave begining to many troubles ensueing happ'nd this year and upon this occasion Eustace Earl of Boloign Father of the famous Godfrey who won Jerusalem from the Saracens and Husband to Goda the Kings Sister having bin to visit King Edward and returning by Canterbury to take Ship at Dover one of his Harbingers insolently seeking to lodge by force in a House there provok'd so the Master therof as by chance or heat of anger to kill him The Count with his whole train going to the House where his Servant had bin kill'd slew both the slayer and 18 more who defended him But the Townsmen running to Arms requited him with the slaughter of 21 more of his Servants wounded most of the rest hee himself with one or two hardly escapeing ran back with clamour to the King whom seconded by other Norman Courtiers he stirr'd up to great anger against the Citizens of Canterbury Earl Godwin in hast is sent for the cause related and much aggravated by the King against that City the Earl commanded to raise Forces and use the Cittizens therof as Enemies Godwin sorry to see strangers more favour'd of the King then his native people answerd that it were better to summon first the Cheif men of the Town into the Kings Court to charge them with Sedition where both parties might be heard that not found in fault they might be acquitted if otherwise by fine or loss of life might satisfie the King whose peace they had brok'n and the Count whom they had injur'd till this were done refuseing to prosecute with hostile punishment them of his own County unheard whom his Office was rather to defend The King displeas'd with his refusal and not knowing how to compell him appointed an Assembly of all the Peers to be held at Gloster where the matter might be fully try'd the Assembly was full and frequent according to summons but Godwin mistrusting his own cause or the violence of his adversaries with his two Sons Swane and Harold and a great power gatherd out of his own and his Sons Earldomes which contein'd most of the South-East and West parts of England came no furder then Beverstan giving out that thir Forces were to go against the Welch who intended an irruption into Hereford-shire and Swane under that pretence lay with part of his Army thereabout The Welch understanding this device and with all diligence clearing themselves before the King left Godwin detected of false accusation in great hatred to all the Assembly Leofric therfore and Siward Dukes of great power the former in Mercia the other in all parts beyond Humber both ever faithfull to the King send privily with speed to raise the Forces of thir Provinces Which Godwin not knowing sent boldly to King Edward demanding Count Eustace and his followers together with those Boloignians who as Simeon writes held a Castle in the jurisdiction of Canterbury The King as then having but little force at hand entertain'd him a while with treaties and delays till his summond Army drew nigh then rejected his demands Godwin thus match'd commanded his Sons not to begin fight against the King begun with not to give ground The Kings Forces were the flower of those Counties whence they came and eager to fall on But Leofric and the wiser sort detesting civil War brought the matter to this accord that Hostages giv'n on either side the whole cause should be again debated at London Thether the King and Lords coming with thir Army sent to Godwin and his Sons who with thir powers were come as far as Southwarke commanding thir appearance unarm'd with only 12 attendants and that the rest of thir Souldiers they should deliver over to the King They to appear without pledges before an adverse faction deny'd but to dismiss thir Souldiers refus'd not nor in ought else to obey the King as far as might stand with honour and the just regard of thir safety This answer not pleasing the King an edict was presently issu'd forth that Godwin and his Sons
within five days depart the Land He who perceav'd now his numbers to diminish readily obey'd and with his Wife and three Sons Tosti Swane and Gyrtha with as much treasure as thir Ship could carry embarking at Thorney sail'd into Flanders to Earl Baldwin whose Daughter Judith Tosti had married for Wulnod his fourth Son was then hostage to the King in Normandy his other two Harold and Leoswin taking Ship at Bristow in a Vessel that lay ready there belonging to Swane pass'd into Ireland King Edward persueing his displeasure divorc'd his Wife Edith Earl Godwins Daughter sending her despoil'd of all her Ornaments to Warewel with one waiting Maid to be kept in custody by his Sister the Abbess there His reason of so doing was as harsh as his act that she only while her neerest relations were in banishment might not though innocent enjoy ease at home After this William Duke of Normandy with a great number of followers coming into England was by King Edward honorably entertain'd and led about the Cities and Castles as it were to shew him what ere long was to be his own though at that time saith Ingulf no mention thereof pass'd between them then after some time of his abode heer presented richly and dismiss'd he return'd home The next year Queen Emma dy'd and was buried at Winchester The Chronicle attributed An. Dom. 1052 to John Bromton a Yorkshire Abbot but rather of some nameless Author living under Edward the 3d. or later reports that the year before by Robert the Archbishop she was accus'd both of consenting to the Death of her Son Alfred and of prepareing poyson for Edward also lastly of too much familiarity with Alwin Bishop of Winchester that to approve her innocence praying over-night to St. Swithun she offerd to pass blindfold between certain Plow-shares red hot according to the Ordalian Law which without harm she perform'd that the King therupon receav'd her to honour and from her and the Bishop penance for his credulity that the Archbishop asham'd of his accusation fled out of England which besides the silence of antienter Authors for the Bishop fled not till a year after brings the whole story into suspition in this more probable if it can be proov'd that in memory of this deliverance from the nine burning Plow-shares Queen Emma gave to the Abbey of St. Swithune nine Mannors and Bishop Alwin other nine About this time Griffin Prince of South-Wales wasted Herefordshire to oppose whom the people of that Country with many Normans garrisond in the Castle of Hereford went out in Armes but were put to the worse many slain and much booty driv'n away by the Welch Soon after which Harold and Leofwin Sons of Godwin coming into Severn with many Ships in the Confines of Somerset and Dorset-shire spoil'd many Villages and resisted by those of Somerset and Devonshire slew in fight more then 30 of thir principal men many of the common sort and return'd with much booty to thir Fleet. King Edward on the other side made ready above 60 Ships at Sandwich well stor'd with men and provision under the conduct of Odo and Radulf two of his Norman Kindred enjoyning them to find out Godwin whom he heard to be at Sea To quick'n them he himself lay on ship-broad oft-times watch'd and sail'd up and down in search of those Pirats But Godwin whether in a mist or by other accident passing by them arriv'd in another part of Kent and dispersing secret messengers abroad by fair words allur'd the cheif men of Kent Sussex Surrey and Essex to his party which news coming to the Kings fleet at Sandwich they hasted to find him out but missing of him again came up without effect to London Godwin advertisd of this forthwith sail'd to the I le of Wight where at length his two sons Harold and Leofwin finding him with thir united Navy lay on the coast forbearing other hostility then to furnish themselves with fresh victual from Land as they needed Thence as one fleet they set forward to Sandwich using all fair means by the way to encrease thir numbers both of Mariners and Souldiers The King then at London startl'd at these tydings gave speedy order to raise Forces in all parts which had not revolted from him but now too late for Godwin within a few days after with his Ships or Gallies came up the River Thames to Southwark and till the tide return'd had conference with the Londoners whom by fair speeches for he was held a good Speaker in those times he brought to his bent The tide returning and none upon the Bridge hindring he row'd up in his Gallies along the South bank where his Land-army now come to him in array of battel stood on the shore then turning toward the North side of the River where the Kings Gallies lay in some readiness and Land-forces also not far off he made shew as offring to fight but they understood one another and the souldiers on either side soon declar'd thir resolution not to fight English against English Thence coming to treaty the King and the Earl reconcil'd both armies were dissolv'd Godwin and his sons restor'd to their former dignities except Swane who touch't in conscience for the slaughter of Beorn his kinsman was gone bare-foot to Jerusalem and returning home dy'd by sickness or Saracens in Lycia his wife Edith Godwins daughter King Edward took to him again dignify'd as before Then were the Normans who had done many unjust things under the Kings authority and giv'n him ill counsel against his people banish't the Realm some of them not blameable permitted to stay Robert Archbishop of Canterbury William of London Vlf of Lincoln all Normans hardly escaping with thir followers got to Sea The Archbishop went with his complaint to Rome but returning dy'd in Normandy at the same Monastery from whence he came Osbern and Hugh surrender'd thir Castles and by permission of Leofric pass'd through his Counties with thir Normans to Macbeth King of Scotland The year following Rhese An. Dom. 1053 brother to Griffin Prince of South Wales who by inrodes had done much damage to the English tak'n at Bulendun was put to death by the Kings appointment and his head brought to him at Gloster The same year at Winchester on the second holy-day of Easter Earl Godwin sitting with the King at table sunk down suddenly in his seat as dead his three sons Harold Tosti and Gyrtha forthwith carried him into the Kings Chamber hoping he might revive but the malady had so seis'd him that the fifth day after he expir'd The Normans who hated Godwin give out saith Malmsbury that mention happ'ning to be made of Elfred and the King thereat looking sowerly upon Godwin he to vindicate himself utter'd these words Thou O King at every mention made of thy brother Elsred look'st frowningly upon me but let God not suffer me to swallow this morsel if I be guilty of ought done against his life or
Gospatric a noble man of that Country to be treacherously slain in the Kings Court and that Tosti himself the year before with like treachery had caus'd to be slain in his Chamber Gamel and Vls two other of thir noble men besides his intolerable exactions and oppressions Then in a manner the whole Country coming up to complain of their grievances met with Harold at Northampton whom the King at Tosti's request had sent to pacifie the Northumbrians but they laying op'n the cruelty of his Government and thir own birth-right of freedom not to endure the tyranny of any Governour whatsoever with absolute refusal to admit him again and Harold hearing reason all the complices of Tosti were expell'd the Earldom He himself banish't the Realm went in Flanders Morcar the Son of Algar made Earl in his stead Huntingdon tells another cause of Tosti's banishment that one day at Windsor while Harold reach'd the Cup to King Edward Tosti envying to see his younger Brother in greater favour then himself could not forbear to run furiously upon him and catching hold of his Hair the scuflle was soon parted by other attendants rushing between and Tosti forbidd'n the Court He with continu'd fury rideing to Hereford where Harold had many Servants preparing an entertainment for the King came to the House and set upon them with his followers then lopping off Hands Armes Legs of some Heads of others threw them into Butts of Wine Meath or Ale which were laid in for the Kings drinking and at his going away charg'd them to send him this word that of other fresh meats he might bring with him to his Farm what he pleas'd but of Sowce he should find plenty provided ready for him that for this barbarous Act the King pronounc't him banish'd that the Northumbrians taking advantage at the Kings displeasure and sentence against him rose also to be reveng'd of his cruelties done to themselves but this no way agrees for why then should Harold or the King so much labour with the Northumbrians to re-admit him if he were a banish'd man for his Crimes done before About this time it happ'nd that Harold putting to Sea one day for his pleasure in a Fisher Boat from his Mannor at Boseham in Sussex caught with a Tempest too far off land was carried into Normandy and by the Earl of Pontiew on whose Coast he was driv'n at his own request brought to Duke William who entertaining him with great courtesie so far won him as to promise the Duke by Oath of his own accord not only the Castle of Dover then in his tenure but the Kingdome also after King Edwards Death to his utmost endeavour therupon betrothing the Dukes Daughter then too young for marriage and departing richly presented Others say that King Edward himself after the Death of Edward his Nephew sent Harold thether on purpose to acquaint Duke William with his intention to bequeath him his Kingdom but Malmsbury accounts the former story to be the truer Ingulf writes that King Edward now grown old and perceaving Edgar his Nephew both in body and mind unfit to govern especially against the pride and insolence of Godwins Sons who would never obey him Duke William on the other side of high merit and his Kinsman by the Mother had sent Robert Archbishop of Canterbury to acquaint the Duke of his purpose not long before Harold came thether The former part may be true that King Edward upon such considerations had sent one or other but Arch-bishop Robert was fled the land and dead many years before Eadmer and Simeon write that Harold went of his own accord into Normandy by the Kings permission or connivence to get free his Brother Wulnod and Nephew Hacun the Son of Swane whom the King had tak'n hostages of Godwin and sent into Normandy that King Edward foretold Harold his journey thether would be to the detriment of all England and his own reproach that Duke William then acquainted Harold how Edward ere his coming to the Crown had promisd if ever he attain'd it to leave Duke William Successor after him Last of these Mathew Paris writes that Harold to get free of Duke William affirm'd his coming thether not to have been by accident or force of Tempest but on set purpose in that privat manner to enter with him into secret confederacie so variously are these things reported After this King Edward An. Dom. 1066 grew sickly yet as he was able kept his Christmas at London and was at the Dedication of St. Peters Church in Westminster which he had rebuilt but on the Eve of Epiphanie or Twelftide deceas'd much lamented and in the Church was Entoomb'd That he was harmless and simple is conjecturd by his words in anger to a Peasant who had cross'd his Game for with Hunting and Hawking he was much delighted by God and Gods Mother said hee I shall do you as shrew'd a turn if I can observing that Law-Maxim the best of all his Successors that the King of England can do no wrong The softness of his Nature gave growth to factions of those about him Normans especially and English these complaining that Robert the Archbishop was a sower of dissention between the King and his people a traducer of the English the other side that Godwin and his Sons bore themselves arrogantly and proudly towards the King usurping to themselves equall share in the Government oft-times making sport with his simplicity that through thir power in the land they made no scruple to kill men of whose inheritance they took a likeing and so to take possession The truth is that Godwin and his Sons did many things boistrously and violently much against the Kings minde which not able to resist he had as some say his Wife Edith Godwins Daughter in such aversation as in bed never to have touch'd her whether for this cause or mistak'n Chastitie not commendable to enquire further is not material His Laws held good and just and long after desir'd by the English of thir Norman Kings are yet extant He is said to be at Table not excessive at Festivals nothing puft up with the costly Robes he wore which his Queen with curious Art had woven for him in Gold He was full of Alms-deeds and exhorted the Monks to like Charitie He is said to be the first of English Kings that cur'd the Disease call'd thence the Kings Evil yet Malmsbury blames them who attribute that Cure to his Royaltie not to his Sanctitie said also to have cur'd certain blinde men with the water wherin he had wash'd his hands A little before his Death lying speechless two days the third day after a deep sleep he was heard to pray that if it were a true Vision not an Illusion which he had seen God would give him strength to utter it otherwise not Then he related how he had seen two devout Monks whom he knew in Normandy to have liv'd and dy'd well who appearing told him
sent against him brings the Welsh to submission p. 293. lurking about the Country he is taken and slain by Griffin Prince of North-Wales ibid. Guendolen the Daughter of Corineus is married to Locrine the Son of Brutus p. 14. being divorc't by him gives him Battel wherein he is slain p. 15. causeth Estrildis whom Locrine had married to be thrown into a River with her Daughter Sabra p. 15. governs 15 years in behalf of her Son Madan ibid. Gueniver the Wife of Melval a British King kept from King Arthur in the Town of Glaston p. 126. Guiderius said to have been the Son of Cunobeline and slain in a Battel against Claudius p. 54. Guitheline succeeds his Father Gurguntius Barbirus in the Kingdom Gunhildis the Sister of Swane with her Husband Earl Palingus and her young Son cruelly murther'd p. 150. Guorangonus a King of Kent before it was given to the Saxons p. 113. Guortigner the Son of Vortiger bends his endeavours to drive out the Saxons p. 113. his success against them in several Battels p. 415. dying he commands his bones to be buried in the Port of Stonar ibid. Gurguntius Barbirus succeeds Belinus in the Kingdom overcomes the Dane and gives incouragement to Bartholinus a Spaniard to settle a plantation in Ireland p. 24. another ancient British King nam'd Gurguntius p. 28. Gurgustius succeeds Rivallo in the Kingdom p. 21. Gyrtha Son of Earl Godwin accompanies his Father into Flanders together with his Brothers Tosti and Swane p. 286. his noble advice to his Brother Harold as he was ready to give Battel to Duke William of Normandy p. 304. he is slain in the said Battel with his Brothers Harold and Leofwin p. 305. Gythro or Gothrun a Danish King baptiz'd and receiv'd out of the Font by King Alfred p. 207. the Kingdom of the East-Angles said to be bestow'd on him to hold of the said Alfred ibid. H. HArdecnute the Son of Canute by Emma call'd over from Bruges and receiv'd King with general acclamation p. 276. he calls Godwin and others to account about the death of Elfred p. 277. enrag'd at the Citizens of Worcester for killing his Tax-gatherers he sends an Army against them and burns the City p. 277 278. he kindly receives and entertains his half Brother Edward p. 278. eating and drinking hard at a great Feast he falls down speechless and soon after expiring is buried at Winchester ibid. Harold sirnamed Harefoot the Son of Canute elected King by Duke Leofric and the Mercians p. 273. he banishes his Mother-in-Law Emma p. 274. his perfidiousness and cruelty towards Elfred the Son of Ethelred p. 274. 276. he dies and is buried at Winchester p. 276. Harold Son of Godwin made Earl of Kent and sent against Prince Griffin of Wales p. 292. he reduces him at last to utmost extremity p. 293. being cast upon the Coast of Normandy and brought to Duke William he promises his endeavours to make him King of England p. 295 296. he takes the Crown himself p. 299. puts off Duke William demanding it with a slighting answer p. 300 301. is invaded by his Brother Tosti p. 300. by Harold Harvager King of Norwey whom he utterly overthrows and slays together with Tosti p. 301 302. is invaded by Duke William of Normandy p. 303. is over-thrown at the Battel of Hastings and slain together with his two Brothers Leofwin and Gyrtha p. 305. Helvius Pertinax succeeds Ulpius Marcellus in the Government of Britain p. 81. Hengist and Horsa with an Army of Saxons Jutes and Angles lands in the Isle of Thanet p. 111 112. Hengist invites over more of his Country-men p. 112. he gains advantages of Vortimer by marrying his Daughter to him p. 113. he takes on him Kingly Title p. 116. his several Battels against the Britans ibid. his treacherous slaughter of 300 British Grandees under pretence of Treaty p. 117. his death p. 119. Henninus Duke of Cornwall hath Regan the Daughter of King Leir given him in Marriage p. 18. Herebert a Saxon Earl slain with most part of his Army by the Danes at a place call'd Mereswar p. 193. Hinguar and Hubba two Danish Brethren how they got footing by degrees in England p. 199 200. Histion said to be descended of Japhet and to have had four Sons who peopled the greatest part of Europe p. 5. Honorius the Emperour sends aid twice to the Britans against their Northern Invaders p. 101. Horsa the Brother of Hengist slain in the Saxons War against the Britans p. 115 116. his Burial-place gave name to Horsted a Town in Kent p. 116. Humbeanna and Albert said by some to have shar'd the Kingdom of East-Angles after one Elfwald p. 187. I. JAgo or Lago succeeds his Vncle Gurgustius in the Kingdom p. 21. Icenians and by their example the Trinobantes rise up in Arms against the Romans p. 63. Ida the Saxon begins the Kingdom of Bernicia in Northumberland p. 126 127. Idwallo learns by his Brother 's ill success to rule well p. 27. Immanuentius slain by Cassibelan p. 46. Immin Eaba and Eadbert Noblemen of Mercia throw off Oswi and set up Wulfer p. 161. Ina succeeds Kedwalla in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons p. 168. he marches into Kent to demand satisfaction for the burning of Mollo ibid. is pacified by Victred with a sum of money and the delivering up of the Accessories ibid. vanquishes Gerent King of Wales p. 170. stays Kenwulf and Albright and vanquishes the East-Angles p. 171. ends his days at Rome ibid. Inniaunus depos'd for his ill courses p. 27. Joseph of Arimathaea said to have first preacht the Christian Faith in this Island p. 80. Jovinus sent Deputy into this Island by the Emperour Valentinian p. 91. Iric a Dane made Earl of Northumberland by Canute in place of Uthred slain p. 261. 268. he is said by some to have made War against Malcolm King of Scots p. 269. his greatness suspected by Canute he is banisht the Realm ibid. Julius Agricola the Emperours Lieutenant in Britain almost extirpates the Ordovices p. 69. finishes the Conquest of the Isle of Mona p. 69. his justice and prudence in Government p. 70. he brings the Britans to Civility Arts and an Imitation of the Roman fashions p. 71. he receives triumphal Honours from Titus p. 71 72. he extends his Conquests to Scotland subdues the Orcades and other Scotch Islands p. 72. he is hard put to it in several Conflicts but comes off victorious p. 74 75 c. he is commanded home by Domitian p. 77. Julius Caesar hath Intelligence that the Britans are aiding to his Enemies the Gauls p. 33. he sends Caius Volusenus to make discovery of the nature of the people and strength of the Country p. 34. after him Comius of Arras to make a party among the Britans p. 35. the stout resistance he meets with from them at his landing p. 36 37. he receives terms of peace from them p. 38. he loses a great part of his Fleet ibid. defeats the Britans and
the Romans p. 56. they continue the War after Caractacus was taken against Ostorius and others p. 59. 60. 61. Simon Zelotes by some said to have preacht the Christian Faith in this Island p. 80. Sisillius succeeds Jago p. 21. Sisilius the Son of Guitheline succeeds his Mother Martia p. 25. another of that name reckon'd in the number of the ancient Brittish Kings p. 28. Siward Earl of Northumberland sent by Hardecnute together with Leofric against the people of Worcester p. 277. 278. he and Leofric raise Forces for King Edward against Earl Godwin p. 285. he makes an expedition into Scotland vanquishes Macbeth and placeth in his stead Malcolm Son of the Cumbrian King p. 290. 291. he dies at York in an armed posture p. 291. Sleda erects the Kingdom of the East-Saxons p. 121. South-Saxon Kingdom by whom erected p. 119. South-Saxons upon what occasion converted to the Christian Faith p. 164. Staterius King of Albany is defeated and slain in fight by Dunwallo Mulmutius p. 21. Stilicho represses the invading Scots and Picts p. 93. Stuff and Withgar the Nephews of Kerdic bring him new levies p. 120. they inherit what he won in the Isle of Wight p. 125. Suetonius Paulinus Lieutenant in Britain attaques the Isle of Mona or Anglesey p. 61. Suidhelm succeeds Sigebert in the Kingdom of the East-Saxons p. 61. he is baptiz'd by Kedda ibid. Swane in revenge of his Sisters Death makes great devastations in the West of England p. 250. he carries all before him as far as London but is there repell'd p. 257. is stil'd King of England ibid. he sickens and dies p. 258. Swane the Son of Earl Godwin treacherously murthers his Kinsman Beorn p. 282. his peace wrought with the King by Aldred Bishop of Worcester ibid. toucht in Conscience for the slaughter of Beorn he goes barefoot to Rome and returning home dies in Lycia p. 289. Swithred the last King of the East-Saxon Kingdom driven out by Eâ—bert the West-Saxon p. 174. 187. T. TAximagulus a petty King anciently in Britain one of the four Kings that assaulted Caesar's Camp p. 46. Tenuantius one of the Sons of Lud hath Cornwal allotted him p. 28. made King after the Death of Cassibelan p. 50. Tendric a Warlike King of Britain said to have exchang'd his Crown for a Hermitage p. 134. to have taken up Arms again in aid of his Son Mouric ibid. Theobale the Brother of King Ethelfrid slain at Degiastan p. 141. Theodore a Monk of Tarsus ordain'd Bishop of Canterbury by P. Vitalian p. 163. by his means the Liberal Arts and the Greek and Latin Tongues flourish among the Saxons ibid. Theodosius sent over by the Emperour Valentinian enters London victoriously p. 91. sends for Civilis and Dulcitius p. 92. punishes Valentinus a Pannonian conspiring against him ibid. he returns with applause to Valentinian p. 92. 93. Theodosius the Son of the former preferr'd to the Empire p. 93. overcomes and slays Maximus usurping the Empire p. 93. Thurfert and dirers other Danish Lords submit to King Edward the Elder p. 220. Titulus succeeds his Father Uffa in the Kingdom of the East-Angles p. 121. Togodumnus the second Son of Cunobeline succeeds in the Kingdom p. 51. is overthrown by Aulus Plautius p. 52. slain in Battel p. 53. Tosti the Son of Godwin made Earl of Northumberland in the room of Siward p. 291. he swears Brotherhood with Malcolm King of Scotland p. 293. goes to Rome with Aldred Bishop of York ibid. the Northumbrians rise against him and expel him p. 294. 295. a story of great outrage and cruelty committed by him at Hereford p. 295. making War against his Brother King Harold he is driven out of the Country by Edwin and Morcar p. 300. joining with Harold Harfager King of Norway against his Brother he is slain together with Harfager in the Battel p. 302. Trebellius Maximus sent into Britain in the room of Petronius Turpilianus p. 68. Trinobantes fall off from Cassibelan and submit to Caesar and recommend Mandubratius to his protection p. 45. 46. Turkil a Danish Earl assaults Canterbury but is bought off p. 253. he swears Allegiance to King Ethelred that under that pretence he might stay and give intelligence to Swane p. 256. he leaves the English again and joins with Canute p. 260. his greatness suspected by Canute he is banisht the Realm p. 269. Turquetill a Danish Leader submitting to King Edward obtains leave of him to go and try his Fortune in France p. 219. V. VAlentinian the Emperour sends over several Deputies successively into this Island p. 91. Vectius Bolanus sent into Britain in the room of Trebellius Maximus p. 68. Vellocatus see Venutius and Cartismandua Venutius a King of the Brigantes deserted by his Wife Cartismandua who marries his Squire Vellocatus p. 60. he rights himself against her by Arms ibid. makes War successfully against those taking part with his Wife p. 60. 61. Verannius succeeds A. Didius in the Brittish Wars p. 61. Vertue ever highly rewarded by the ancient Romans p. 55. Vespasian valiantly fighting under Plautius against the Britans is rescued from danger by his Son Titus p. 55. for his eminent services here he receives triumphal Ornaments at Rome p. 55. Uffa erects the Kingdom of the East-Angles p. 121. from him his successours call'd Uffings p. 121. Victorinus a Moor appeaseth a Commotion in Britain by slaying a Governour of his own recommending p. 85. Victorinus of Tolosa made Prefect of this Island p. 94. Victred the Son of Ecbert obtaining the Kingdom of Kent settles all things in peace p. 166. after 34 years Reign he deceaseth p. 170. Videna slays her Son Ferrex in revenge of her other Son Porrex p. 21. Vigenius and Peredure expelling their Brother Elidure share the Kingdom between them p. 27. Virius Lupus hath the North part of the Government assign'd him by Severus the Emperour p. 81. Ulfketel Duke of the East-Angles sets upon the Danes with great valour p. 250. his Army defeated through the subtlety of a Danish Servant p. 254. he is slain with several other Dukes at the fatal Battel of Assandune p. 264. Ulpius Marcellus sent Lieutenant into Britain by Commodus ends the War by his Valour and Prudence p. 8. Vortipor reigns in Demetia or South-Wales p. 132. Vortigern's Character p. 109. he is advis'd by his Council to invite in the Saxons against the Scots and Picts ibid. he bestows upon Hengist and the Saxons the Isle of Thanet p. 112. then all Kent upon a marriage with Rowen Hengist's Daughter p. 113. condemn'd in a Synod for incest with his Daughter he retires to a Castle in Radnorshire built for the purpose p. 115. his Son Guortimer dead heresumes the Government p. 116. is drawn into a snare by Hengist p. 117. retiring again is burnt in his Tower p. 117. Urianus reckon'd in the number of ancient Brittish Kings p. 28. Utherpendragon thought to be the same with Natanleod p. 120. Uthred submits himself with the Northumbrians to Swane
p. 257. to Canute p. 261. his Victory over Malcolm King of Scots p. 262. 269. he is slain by Turebrand a Danish Lord at Canutes either Command or connivence p. 261. W. WEst-Saxon Kingdom by whom erected p. 121. West-Saxons and their Kings converted to the Christian Faith by Berinus p. 155. Wibba succeeds Crida in the Mercian Kingdom p. 134. Wilbrod a Priest goes over with 12 others to preach the Gospel in Germany p. 168. he is countenanc't by Pepin Chief Regent of the Franks and made first Bishop of that Nation p. 168. 169. Wilfrid Bishop of the Northumbrians depriv'd by Ecfrid of his Bishoprick wanders as far as Rome p. 164. returning plants the Gospel in the Isle of Wight and other places assign'd him p. 164. 165. hath the fourth part of that Island given him by Kedwalla he bestows it on Bertwin a Priest his Sisters Son ibid. William Duke of Normandy honourably entertain'd by King Edward and richly dismist p. 287. he betroths his daughter to Harold and receives his Oath to assist him to the Crown of England p. 295. 296. sending after King Edwards Death to demand performance of his promise is put off with a slight answer p. 300. 301. he lands with an Army at Hastings p. 301. over throws Harold who with his two Brothers is slain in Battel p. 305. he is Crown'd at Westminster by Aldred Archbishop of York ibid. Wipped a Saxon Earl slain at a place call'd Wippeds fleot which thence took denomination p. 116. Withgar see Stuff Withgarburgh in the Isle of Wight so call'd from being the burial-place of Withgar p. 125. Withlaf the successour of Ludiken being vanquisht by Ecbert all Mercia becomes tributary to him p. 187. Wulfer the Son of Penda set up by the Mercian Nobles in the room of his Brother Oswi p. 161. said to have been taken Prisoner by Kenwalk the West-Saxon p. 162. he takes and wasts the Isle of Wight but causeth the Inhabitants to be baptized ibid. gives the Island to Ethelwald King of South-Saxons ibid. sends Jeruvianus to recover the East-Saxons fallen off the second time from Christianity ibid. Lindsey taken from him by Ecfrid of Northumberland p. 163. his Death accompany'd with the stain of Simonie p. 164. Wulfheard King Ethelwolf's Chief Captain drives back the Danes at Southampton with great slaughter p. 192. he dies the same year as it is thought of Age. ibid. Wulktul Earl of Ely put to flight with his whole Army by the Danes p. 201. Y. YMner King of Loegria with others slain in Battel by Dunwallo Mulmutius p. 21. FINIS ERRATA PAge 2. l. 16. for Britains read Britans p. 6. l. 18. for by the same remove r. and by the c. p. 8. l. 28. for bee 't r. be p. 13. l. 24. for be-spoken r. bespoken p. 16. l. 9. for Germannus r. Germanus p. 23. l. 3. for Brother r. his Brother ibid. l. 16. for Allobreges r. Allobroges p. 25. l. 3. for Mertian r. Mercian p. 28. l. 18. for opportunety r. opportunety p. 29. l. 9. for unto r. to p. 29. from the end of l. 26. to the beginning of l. 33. should not have been in a different Character so also a line in the next page p. 35. l. last for Bay-Close inviron'd r. Bay close inviron'd p. 51. l. 20. before made leave out he p. 71. l. 33. for ex'steem'd r. esteem'd p. 102. l. 33. for Durstus r. Durstus p. 119. l. 12. for Andreds League r. Andreds Leage p. 126. l. 18. for Armes r. Artur p. 138. l. 5. for haleluja r. Hallelujah ibid. l. 6. for Benedic r. Benedict p. 139. l. 12. for the r. thir p. 150. l. 17. for and r. as ibid. l. 18. after begin no comma p. 151. l. 9. for yee r. thee p. 157. l. 13. for Daughter r. Sister p. 160. l. 31. for Loyden r. Loydes p. 161. l. 7. for her r. his p. 161. l. 35. for Witgeornesburgh r. Witgeornesburg p. 164. l. 4. for year a af read a year after p. 169. l. 21. for Epitomy r. Epitome p. 170. l. 27. after testifies a period p. 173. l. 1. before far r. by ibid. l. last for Unkle r. Unkle's SSon p. 174. l. 30. for Kuiric r. Kinric p. 176. l. 9. after two r. or three ibid. l. last but one for Royal r. Regal p. 177. l. 19. for Occanford r. Ottanford p. 183. l. 23. after Embassadours leave out the stop ibid. l. 24. after Ecbert two points p. 192. l. last for Ethelhelin helam r. Ethelhelm p. 195. l. 13. for de did r. he did p. 197. l. 23. for West-Saxon r. West-Saxons p. 201. l. 14. for flight r. fight p. 216. l. 13. for Thames there nocomma after Thames but after there p. 225. l. 27. for his r. this p 235. l. 4. for on r. about ibid. l. last but two for the r. that p. 246 l. 17. for Frenar Frana p. 260. l. 23. before spread r. he p. 264. l. 23. for Ocford r. Oxford p. 276. l. 29. for Bishop r. Archbishop p. 277. l. 12. for Brother r. half Brother p. 280. l. 4. for that prompted him r. that now as it were prompted him ibid. after the last line leave out deed p. 281. l. 13. for a youth r. then a youth p. 296. l. 16. for of r. with p. 299. l. 25. after legs no stop after hight a period p 308. the six last lines should have been in no different Character from the rest of the Book and in the last line for revolutions r. revolution besides other literal faults and wrong stops through the Book which the Reader of himself may amend Cas l. 6. Holinshed Henry of Hunting don Matthew of Westminster * Matthew Westmin Huntingd. L. 1. Suetonius vit Caes Suetonius Caesar Com. L. 1. Caesar Com. L. 4. Cic. Att. L. 4. Ep. 17. Camden Valer. Max. Plutarch In Caesarib Dion Caesar Com. 5. Camden Pliny Oros Lib. 6. c. 7. 9. Dion Mela. Caesar Herodian Dion Caesar Strabo Dion Strabo Herodian Solinus Caesar Tacitus Diodor Strabo Lucan Tacitus Mela. Dion Caesar Caesar Strabo L. 2. Dion L. 49. Year before the Birth of Christ 25. Dion L. 53. 24. Strabo L. 4. Tacit. an L. 2. Year after the Birth of Christ 16. Dion Sueton Cal. Dion Sueton. Dion L. 62. Tacit. an 14. Sueton. Claud. 5. 24. Sueton. Vesp Dio. L. 60. Tacit. an 12. Tacit. vit Agric. Tacit. vit Agrio Tacit. Hist 3. Sueton. Dion Dion L. 62. Dion Dion Tacit. vit Agric. Tacit. Hist 8. 1. vit Agric. Tacit. Hist 2. vit Agric. Calvis Tacit. Hist 3. vit Agric Dion L. 66. Dion L. 66. Camden Juvenal sat 2. Eutrop. L. 7. Dion L. 66. Spartianus in vit Hidrian Spartianus ibid. Camden Pausan archad Capitolin vit Anton. Capitolin Marc. Ant. Philos Digest L. 36. Beda Nennius Geff. Mon. Dion L. 72. Lamprid. in comm Capitolin in Pert. Capitolin is Alb. Dion Did. Jul. Spartian in Sever. Herod L. 3. Herod L. 3. Digest L. 28.