of much good yet such as being new and uncertain I cannot hastily assent to quitting the Religion which from my Ancestors with all the English Nation so many years I have retain'd Nevertheless because ye are strangers and have endur'd so long a journey to impart us the knowledge of things which I perswade me you believe to be the truest and the best ye may be sure we shall not recompence you with any molestation but shall provide rather how we may friendliest entertain ye nor do we forbid whom ye can by preaching gain to your belief And accordingly thir residence he allotted them in Doroverne or Canturbury his chief Citty and made provision for thir maintenance with free leave to preach their doctrine where they pleased By which and by the example of thir holy life spent in prayer fasting and continual labour in the conversion of Souls they won many on whose bounty and the Kings receiving only what was necessary they subsisted There stood without the Citty on the East-side an ancient Church built in honour of St. Martin while yet the Romans remain'd heer in which Bertha the Queen went out usually to pray Heer they also began first to preach baptize and openly to exercise divine worship An. Dom. 598 But when the King himself convinc't by thir good life miracles became Christian and was baptized which came to pass in the very first year of thir arrival then multitudes daily conforming to thir Prince thought it honour to be reckon'd among those of his faith To whom Ethelbert indeed principally shewed his favour but compell'd none For so he had bin taught by them who were both the Instructors and the Authors of his faith that Christian Religion ought to be voluntary not compell'd About this time Kelwulf the Son of Cutha Keaulins Brother reign'd over the West-Saxons after his Brother Keola or Kelric and had continual War either with English Welch Picts or Scots An. Dom. 601 But Austin whom with his fellows Ethelbert now had endow'd with a better place for thir abode in the Citty and other possessions necessary to livelihood crossing into France was by the Archbishop of Arles at the appointment of Pope Gregory ordain'd Archbishop of the English and returning sent to Rome Laurence and Peter two of his associates to acquaint the Pope of his good success in England and to be resolv'd of certain Theological or rather Levitical questions with answers to which not proper in this place Gregory sends also to the great work of converting that went on so happily a supply of labourers Mellitus Justus Paulinus Rufinian and many others who what they were may be guess't by the stuff which they brought with them vessels and vestments for the Altar Coaps reliques and for the Archbishop Austin a Pall to say Mass in to such a rank superstition that Age was grown though some of them yet retaining an emulation of Apostolic zeal lastly to Ethelbert they brought a letter with many presents Austin thus exalted to Archiepiscopal authority recover'd from the ruins and other profane uses a Christian Church in Canturbury built of old by the Romans which he dedicated by the name of Christs Church and joyning to it built a seat for himself and his successors a Monastery also neer the Citty Eastward where Ethelbert at his motion built St. Peters and enrich't it with great endowments to be a place of burial for the Archbishops and Kings of Kent so quickly they step't up into fellowship of pomp with Kings While thus Ethelbert and his people had thir minds intent Ethelfrid the Northumbrian King was not less bufied in far different affairs for being altogether warlike and covetous of fame he more wasted the Britans then any Saxon King before him winning from them large Territories which either he made tributary or planted with his own Subjects An. Dom. 603 Whence Edan King of those Scots that dwelt in Britain jealous of his successes came against him with a mighty Army to a place call'd Degsastan but in the fight loosing most of his men himself with a few escap'd only Theobald the Kings brother and the whole wing which he commanded unfortunately cut off made the Victory to Ethelfrid less intire Yet from that time no King of Scots in hostile manner durst pass into Britain for a hunderd and more years after and what some years before Kelwulf the West-Saxon is annal'd to have done against the Scots and Picts passing through the Land of Ethelfrid a King so potent unless in his aid and alliance is not likely Buchanan writes as if Ethelfrid assisted by Keaulin whom he mis-titles King of East-Saxons had before this time a battel with Aidan wherein Cutha Keaulins son was slain But Cutha as is above written from better authority was slain in fight against the Welch 20 years before An. Dom. 604 The number of Christians began now to increase so fast that Augustine ordaining Bishops under him two of his assistants Mellitus and Justus sent them out both to the work of thir ministry And Mellitus by preaching converted the East-Saxons over whom Sebert the son of Sleda by permission of Ethelbert being born of his sister Ricula then reign'd Whose conversion Ethelbert to gratulate built them the great Church of St. Paul in London to be their Bishops Cathedral as Justus also had his built at Rochester and both gifted by the same King with fair possessions Hitherto Austin laboured well among Infidels but not with like commendation soon after among Christians For by means of Ethelbert summoning the Britan Bishops to a place on the edge of Worcestershire call'd from that time Augustines Oke he requires them to conform with him in the same day of celebrating Easter and many other points wherein they differ'd from the rites of Rome which when they refus'd to do not prevailing by dispute he appeals to a miracle restoring to sight a blind man whom the Britans could not cure At this something mov'd though not minded to recede from thir own opinions without furder consultation they request a second meeting to which came seven Britan Bishops with many other lerned men especially from the famous Monastery of Bangor in which were said to be so many Monks living all by thir own labour that being divided under seven Rectors none had fewer then 300. One man there was who staid behind a Hermit by the life he led who by his wisdom effected more then all the rest who went being demanded for they held him as an Oracle how they might know Austin to be a man from God that they might follow him he answer'd that if they found him meek and humble they should be taught by him for it was likeliest to be the yoke of Christ both what he bore himself and would have them bear but if he bore himself proudly that they should not regard him for he was then certainly not of God They took his advice and hasted to the place of
miserable and justly to be despis'd who obey not that God in whom they choose to beleeve How well might Penda this Heathen rise up in judgment against many pretending Christians both of his own and these daies yet being a man bred up to War as no less were others then reigning and oft-times one against another though both Christians he warr'd on Anna An. Dom. 654 King of the East-Angles perhaps without cause for Anna was esteem'd a just man and at length slew him About this time the East-Saxons who as above hath bin said had expell'd thir Bishop Mellitus and renounc'd the Faith were by the means of Oswi thus reconverted Sigebert surnam'd the small being the Son of Seward without other memory of his Reign left his Son King of that Province after him Sigebert the Second who coming oft'n to visit Oswi his great friend was by him at several times fervently disuaded from Idolatry and convinc't at length to forsake it was there baptiz'd on his return home taking with him Kedda a laborious Preacher afterwards made Bishop by whose teaching with some help of others the people were again recoverd from misbeleef But Sigebert some years after though standing fast in Religion was by the Conspiracy of two Brethren in place neer about him wickedly murder'd who being ask'd what mov'd them to do a deed so hainous gave no other then this barbarous answer that they were angry with him for being so gentle to his Enemies as to forgive them thir injuries whenever they besought him Yet his Death seems to have happ'nd not without some cause by him giv'n of Divine displeasure For one of those Earls who slew him living in unlawfull wedlock and therfore excommunicated so severely by the Bishop that no man might presume to enter into his House much less to sit at meat with him the King not regarding this Church censure went to feast with him at his invitation Whom the Bishop meeting in his return though penitent for what he had don and faln at his feet touch'd with the rod in his hand and angerly thus foretold because thou hast neglected to abstain from the House of that Excommunicate in that House thou shalt die and so it fell out perhaps from that prediction God bearing witness to his Minister in the power of Church Discipline spiritually executed not juridically on the contemner therof An. Dom. 655 This year 655. prov'd fortunate to Oswi and fatal to Penda for Oswi by the continual inrodes of Penda having long endur'd much devastation to the endangering once by assault and fire Bebbanburg his strongest City now Bamborrow Castle unable to resist him with many rich presents offerd to buy his Peace Which not accepted by the Pagan who intended nothing but destruction to that King though more then once in affinity with him turning guifts into vows he implores Divine Assistance devoting if he were deliverd from his Enemy a Child of one year old his Daughter to be a Nun and 12 portions of land wheron to build Monasteries His vows as may be thought found better success then his profferd guifts for heerupon with his Son Alfrid gathering a small power he encounterd and discomfited the Mercians 30 times exceeding his in number and led on by expert Captains at a place call'd Loyden now Leeds in Yorkeshire Besides this Ethelwald the Son of Oswald who rul'd in Deira took part with the Mercians but in the fight withdrew his Forces and in a safe place expected the event with which unseasonable retreat the Mercians perhaps terrifi'd and misdoubting more danger fled thir Commanders with Penda himself most being slain among whom Edilhere the Brother of Anna who rul'd after him the East-Angles and was the Author of this War many more flying were drown'd in the River which Beda calls Winwed then swoln above her Banks The Death of Penda who had bin the Death of so many good Kings made generall rejoicing as the Song witness'd At the River Winwed Anna was aveng'd To Edelhere succeeded Ethelwald his Brother in the East-Angles to Sigebert in the East-Saxons Suidhelm the Son of Sexbald saith Bede the Brother of Sigebert saith Malmsbury he was baptiz'd by Kedda then residing in the East-Angles and by Ethelwald the King receav'd out of the Font. But Oswi in the strength of his late Victory An. Dom. 658 within three years after subdu'd all Mercia and of the Pictish Nation greatest part at which time he gave to Peada his Son in Law the Kingdome of South-Mercia divided from the Northern by Trent An. Dom. 659 But Peada the Spring following as was said by the Treason of his Wife the Daughter of Oswi married by him for a special Christian on the Feast of Faster not protected by the holy time was slain The Mercian Nobles Immin Eaba and Eadbert throwing off the Government of Oswi set up Wulser the other Son of Penda to be thir King whom till then they had kept hid and with him adherd to the Christian Faith Kenwalk the West-Saxon now settl'd at home and desirous to enlarge his Dominion prepares against the Britans joins Battel with them at Pen in Somerset-shire and over coming persues them to Pedridan Another fight he had with them before at a place call'd Witgeornesburg barely mention'd by the Monk of Malmsbury An. Dom. 661 Nor was it long ere he fell at variance with Wulser the Son of Penda his old Enemy scarce yet warm in his Throne fought with him at Possentesburg on the Easter Holy-days and as Ethelwerd saith took him Prisner but the Saxon Annals quite otherwise that Wulfer winning the field wasted the West-Saxon Country as far as Eskesdun nor staying there took and wasted the I le of Wight but causing the Inhabitants to be baptiz'd till then unbeleevers gave the Iland to Ethelwald King of South-Saxons whom he had receav'd out of the Font. An. Dom. 664 The year 664. a Synod of Scotish and English Bishops in the presence of Oswi and Alfred his Son was held at a Monastery in those parts to debate on what Day Easter should be kept a controverfie which long before had disturb'd the Greek and Latin Churches wherin the Scots not agreeing with the way of Rome nor yeilding to the disputants on that side to whom the King most enclin'd such as were Bishops heer resign'd and return'd home with thir Disciples Another clerical question was there also much controverted not so superstitious in my opinion as ridiculous about the right shaving of crowns The same year was seen an Eclips of the Sun in May followed by a sore pestilence beginning in the South but spreading to the North and over all Ireland with great mortality In which time the East-Saxons after Swithelms Decease being govern'd by Siger the Son of Sigebert the small and Sebbi of Seward though both subject to the Mercians Siger and his people unstedie of Faith supposing that this Plague was come upon them for renouncing
and Huda with those of Surrey fell on the Danes at thir landing in Tanet and at first put them back but the slain and drown'd were at length so many on either side as left the loss equal on both which yet hinderd not the solemnity of a marriage at the feast of Easter between Burhed the Mercian and Ethelswida King Ethelwolf's Daughter An. Dom. 854 Howbeit the Danes next year winterd again in Shepey Whom Ethelwolf not finding human health sufficient to resist growing daily upon him in hope of divine aid registerd in a Book and dedicated to God the tenth part of his own lands and of his whole Kingdome eas'd of all impositions but converted to the maintenance of Masses and Psalms weekly to be sung for the prospering of Ethelwolf and his Captains as appears at large by the Patent it self in William of Malmsbury Asser saith de did it for the redemtion of his Soul and the Soul of his Ancestors After which as having done some great matter to shew himself at Rome and be applauded of the Pope he takes a long and cumbersome journey thether with young Alfrid again and there staies a year An. Dom. 855 when his place requir'd him rather heer in the field against Pagan Enemies left wintring in his land Yet so much manhood he had as to return thence no Monk and in his way home took to Wife Judith Daughter of Charles the bald King of France But ere his return Ethelbald his eldest Son Alstan his trusty Bishop and Enulf Earl of Somerset conspir'd against him thir complaints were that he had tak'n with him Alfrid his youngest Son to be there inaugurated King and brought home with him an out-landish Wife for which they endeavourd to deprive him of his Kingdom The disturbance was expected to bring forth nothing less then War but the King abhorring civil discord after many conferences tending to peace condescended to divide the Kingdom with his Son division was made but the matter so carried that the Eastern and worst part was malignly afforded to the Father The Western and best giv'n to the Son at which many of the Nobles had great indignation offring to the King thir utmost assistance for the recovery of all whom he peacefully dissuading sat down contented with his portion assign'd In the East-Angles Edmund lineal from the antient stock of those Kings a youth of 14 years only but of great hopes was with consent of all but his own Crown'd at Burie An. Dom. 857 About this time as Buchanan relates the Picts who not long before had by the Scots bin driv'n out of thir Countrey part of them coming to Osbert and Ella then Kings of Northumberland obtain'd aid against Donaldus the Scotish King to recover thir antient possession Osbert who in person undertook the expedition marching into Scotland was at first put to a retreat but returning soon after on the Scots over-secure of thir suppos'd Victory put them to flight with great slaughter took Pris'ner thir King and persu'd his Victory beyond Sterlinbridge The Scots unable to resist longer and by Embassadors entreating peace had it granted them on these conditions the Scots were to quit all they had possess'd within the Wall of Severus the limits of Scotland were beneath Sterlin-bridge to be the River Forth and on the other side Dunbritton Frith from that time so call'd of the Brittish then seated in Cumberland who had joind with Osbert in this Action and so far extended on that side the Brittish limits If this be true as the Scotch Writers themselv's witness and who would think them Fabulous to the disparagement of thir own Country how much wanting have bin our Historians to thir Countries Honour in leting pass unmention'd an exploit so memorable by them rememberd and attested who are wont ofter to extenuate then to amplifie aught done in Scotland by the English Donaldus on these conditions releas't soon after dyes according to Buchanan in 858. Ethelwolf Chief King in England had the year before ended his life and was buried as his Father at Winchester He was from his youth much addicted to devotion so that in his Fathers time he was ordain'd Bishop of Winchester and unwillingly for want of other Legitimate Issue succeeded him in the Throne mannaging therfore his greatest affairs by the activity of two Bishops Alstan of Sherburne and Swithine of Winchester But Alstan is noted of Covetousness and Oppression by William of Malmsbury the more vehemently no doubt for doing some notable damage to that Monastery The same Author writes that Ethelwolf at Rome paid a Tribute to the Pope continu'd to his dayes However he were facil to his Son and seditious Nobles in yeilding up part of his Kingdome yet his Queen he treated not the less honourably for whomsoever it displeas'd The West-Saxon had decreed ever since the time of Eadburga the infamous Wife of Birthric that no Queen should sit in State with the King or be dignifi'd with the Title of Queen But Ethelwolf permitted not that Judith his Queen should loose any point of Regal State by that Law At his Death he divided the Kingdom between his two Sons Ethelbald and Ethelbert to the younger Kent Essex Surrey Sussex to the Elder all the rest to Peter and Paul certain revenues yearly for what uses let others relate who write also his Pedigree from Son to Father up to Adam Ethelbald and Ethelbert EThelbald unnatural and disloyal to his Father fell justly into another though contrary sin of too much love to his Fathers Wife and whom at first he oppos'd coming into the Land her now unlawfully marrying he takes into his Bed but not long enjoying dy'd at three years end without doing aught more worthy to be rememberd having reign'd two years with his Father impiously usurping An. Dom. 860 and three after him as unworthily inheriting And his hap was all that while to be unmolested by the Danes not of Divine favour doubtless but to his greater condemnation living the more securely his incestuous life Huntingdon on the other side much praises Ethelbald and writes him buried at Sherburn with great sorrow of the people who miss'd him long after Mat. West saith that he repented of his incest with Judith and dismiss'd her but Asser an Eye witness of those times mentions no such thing Ethelbert alone EThelbald by Death remov'd the whole Kingdom came rightfully to Ethelbert his next Brother Who though a Prince of great Vertue and no blame had as short a Reign allotted him as his faulty Brother nor that so peacefull once or twice invaded by the Danes But they having landed in the West with a great Army and sackt Winchester were met by Osric Earl of Southampton and Ethelwolf of Bark-shire beat'n to thir Ships and forc't to leave thir booty Five years after about the time of his An. Dom. 855 Death they set foot again in Tanet the Kentish men wearied out with
brings them anew to terms of peace and sets sail for Belgia p. 40. the year following he lands his Army again p. 42. he hath a very sharp dispute with the Britans near the Stowr in Kent p. 42 43. he receives terms of peace from the Trinobantes p. 46. he brings Cassibelan to Terms p. 47. he leaves the Island ibid. offers to Venus the Patroness of his Family a Corselet of British Pearl ibid. Julius Frontinus the Emperours Lieutenant in Britain tames the Silures a warlike people p. 69. Julius Severus governs Britain under Adrian the Emperour p. 78. K. KEarl surrenders the Kingdom of Mercia to his Kinsman Penda p. 152. Keaulin succeeds his Father Kenric in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons p. 127. he and his Son Cuthin slay three British Kings at Deorham p. 133. gives the Britans a very great rout at Fethanleage ibid. is totally routed by the Britans at Wodensbeorth and chac't out of his Kingdom dies in poverty p. 134. Kendwalla or Kadwallon a British King joyning with Penda the Mercian slays Edwin in Battel p. 157. Kedwalla a West-Saxon Prince returned from Banishment slays in fight Edelwalk the South-Saxon and after that Edric his Successor p. 165. going to the Isle of Wight he devotes the fourth part thereof to holy uses ibid. the Sons of Arwald King of that Isle slain by his order p. 166. he harrasses the Country of the South-Saxons ibid. is repell'd by the Kentish men ibid. yet revenges the death of his Brother Mollo ibid. going to Rome to be baptiz'd he dies there about five weeks after his Baptism p. 168. Kelred the Son of Ethelred succeeds Kenred in the Mercian Kingdom p. 169. possest with an evil Spirit he dies in despair p. 170. Kelwulf reigns King of the West-Saxons after Keola p. 140. he makes War upon the South-Saxons p. 145. dying leaves the Kingdom to his Brothers Sons ibid. Kenwulf adopted by Osric the Northumbrian to be his Successor in the Kingdom p. 171. he becomes a Monk in Lindisfarn p. 173. Kened King of the Scots does high honour to King Edgar p. 236. receives great favours from him ibid. is challeng'd by him upon some words let fall but soon pacifies him p. 237. Kenelm succeeding a Child in the Kingdom of Mercia after Kenulf is murther'd by order of his Sister Quendrid p. 186. Kenred the Son of Wulfer succeeds Ethelred in the Mercian Kingdom p. 169. having reign'd a while he goes to Rome and is there shorn a Monk ibid. another Kenred succeeds in the Kingdom of Northumberland p. 170. Kenric the Son of Kerdic overthrows the Britans that oppose him p. 120. kills and puts to flight many of the Britans at Searesbirig now Salisbury p. 127. afterwards at Beranvirig now Banbury ibid. Kentwin a West-Saxon King chaces the Welsh-Britans to the Sea-shore p. 165. Kenulf hath the Kingdom of Mercia bequeath'd him by Ecferth p. 182. he leaves behind him the praise of a vertuous Reign p. 186. Kenwalk succeeds his Father Kinegils in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons p. 156. his successes variously deliver'd p. 158. he is said to have discomfited the Britans at Pen in Somerset-shire p. 161. and giving Battel to Wulfer to have taken him prisoner p. 162. dying leaves the Government to Sexburga his Wife p. 163. Kenwulf entituled Clito slain by Ina the West-Saxon p. 171. Kenwulf King of the West-Saxons see Kinwulf Keola the Son of Cuthulf succeeds his Vncle Keaulin in the West-Saxon Kingdom p. 134. Keolwulf the Brother of Kenulf the Mercian after two years reign driven out by Bernulf a Vsurper p. 186. Keorle with the Forces of Devonshire overthrows the Danes at Wigganbeorch p. 193. Kerdic a Saxon Prince lands at Kerdicshore and over-throws the Britans p. 120. defeats their King Natanled in a memorable Battel ibid. founds the Kingdom of the West-Saxons p. 121. he overthrows the Britans again twice at Kerdic's Ford and at Kerdic's League p. 121 122. Kimarus reckon'd among the ancient British Kings p. 25. Kinegils and Cuichelm succeed Kelwulf in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons p. 145. they make Truce with Penda the Mercian p. 152 153. they are converted to the Christian Faith p. 155. Kinegils dying leaves his son Kenwalk to succeed p. 156. Kinmarcus succeeds Sisillius in the Kingdom p. 21. Kinwulf or Kenwulf Sigebert being thrown out and slain by a Swineherd is saluted King of the West-Saxons p. 175. behaves himself valorously in several Battels against the Welsh p. 177. put to the worst at Besington by Offa the Mercian ibid. is routed and slain in Battels by Kineard whom he had commanded into Banishment p. 178. Kymbeline or Cunobeline the Successor of Tenuantius said to be brought up in the Court of Augustus p. 51. his chief Seat Camalodunum or Maldon ibid. L. LEarning and Arts when began to flourish among the Saxons p. 163. Leil succeeds Brute Greensheild and builds Caerleil p. 16. Leofric Duke of Mercia and Siward of Northumberland sent by Hardecnute against the people of Worcester p. 277 278. by their Counsel King Edward seizeth on the Treasures of his Mother Queen Emma p. 281. they raise Forces for the King against Earl Godwin p. 285. Leofric's death p. 293. Leofwin Son of Earl Godwin after his Father Banishment goes over with his Brother Harold into Ireland p. 286. he and Harold assist their Father with a Fleet against King Edward p. 288. be is slain with his Brothers Harold and Gyrtha in the Battel against William Duke of Normandy p. 305. Linceus deliver'd in fabulous story to be the Husband of one of the feign'd 50 Daughters of Dioclesian King of Syria p. 5. the only man sav'd by his Wife when all the rest of the 50 slew their Husbands ib. Locrin the eldest Son of Brutus hath the middle part of this Island call'd Leogria for his share in the Kingdom p. 14. Lollius Urbicus draws a Wall of Turfs between the frith of Dunbritton and Edinborough p. 78. London with a great multitude of her Inhabitants by a sudden fire consumed p. 183. Lothair succeeds his Brother Ecbert in the Kingdom of Kent p. 163. Lucius a King in some part of Britain thought the first of any King in Europe who receiv'd the Christian Faith p. 79. is made the second by descent from Marius ibid. after a long Reign buried at Glocester p. 80. Lud walls about Trinovant and calls it Caer Lud or Luds Town p. 28. Ludiken the Mercian going to avenge Bernulf is surpris'd by the East-Angles and put to the sword p. 187. Lupicinus sent over Deputy into this Island by Julian the Emperour but soon recall'd p. 91. Lupus Bishop of Troyes assistant to Germanus of Auxerre in the Reformation of the British Church p. 104. M. MAdan succeeds his Father Locrin in the Kingdom p. 15. Maglaunus Duke of Albania marries Gonorill eldest Daughter of King Leir p. 18. Magoclune sirnamed the Island Dragon one of the five that reign'd toward the beginning of the Saxon Heptarchy p. 132. Magus
Mount in Wiltshire whether it were by thir own Forces or assisted by the Angles whose hatred Keaulin had incurr'd they ruin'd his whole Army and chas'd him out of his Kingdom from whence flying he dy'd the next year in poverty Who a little before was the most potent and indeed sole King of all the Saxons on this side Humber But who was cheif among the Britans in this exploit had bin worth remembring whether it were Maglocune of whose prowess hath bin spok'n or Tendric King of Glamorgan whom the regest of Landaff recounts to have bin alwaies victorious in fight to have reign'd about this time and at length to have exchang'd his Crown for a Hermitage till in the aid of his Son Mouric whom the Saxons had reduc'd to extremes taking armes again he defeated them at Tinterne by the River Wye but himself receav'd a mortal wound The same year with Keaulin whom Keola the Son of Cuthulf Keaulins Brother succeeded An. Dom. 593 Crida also the Mercian King deceas'd in whose room Wibba succeeded and in Northumberland Ethelfrid in the room of Ethelric reigning 24 years Thus omitting Fables we have the veiw of what with reason can be rely'd on for truth don in Britain since the Romans forsook it Wherin we have heard the many miseries and desolations brought by divine hand on a perverse Nation driv'n when nothing else would reform them out of a fair Country into a Mountanous and Barren Corner by Strangers and Pagans So much more tolerable in the Eye of Heav'n is Infidelity profess't then Christian Faith and Religion dishonoured by unchristian works Yet they also at length renounc'd thir Heathenism which how it came to pass will be the matter next related The End of the Third Book THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN The Fourth Book THE Saxons grown up now to 7 absolute Kingdoms and the latest of them establish'd by succession finding thir power arrive well nigh at the utmost of what was to be gain'd upon the Britans and as little fearing to be displanted by them had time now to survey at leasure one anothers greatness Which quickly bred among them either envy or mutual jealousies till the West Kingdom at length grown over powerful put an end to all the rest Mean while above others Ethelbert of Kent who by this time had well rip'nd his young ambition with more ability of years and experience in War what before he attempted to his loss now successfully attains and by degrees brought all the other Monarchies between Kent and Humber to be at his devotion To which design the Kingdom of West-Saxons being the firmest of them all at that time sore shak'n by thir over-throw at Wodens-beorth and the Death of Keaulin gave him no doubt a main advantage the rest yeilded not subjection but as he earn'd it by continual Victories And to win him the more regard abroad he marries Bertha the French Kings Daughter though a Christian and with this condition to have the free exercise of her Faith under the care and instruction of Letardus a Bishop sent by her Parents along with her the King notwithstanding and his people retaining thir own Religion Beda out of Gildas laies it sadly to the Britans charge that they never would voutsafe thir Saxon Neighbours the means of conversion but how far to blame they were and what hope there was of converting in the midst of so much hostility at least falshood from thir first arrival is not now easie to determin Howbeit not long after they had the Christian Faith preach't to them by a Nation more remote and as a report went accounted old in Bedas time upon this occasion The Northumbrians had a custom at that time and many hunder'd yeares after not abolish't to sell thir Childern for a small value into any Foren Land Of which number two comly youths were brought to Rome whose fair and honest countnances invited Gregory Arch-Deacon of that Citty among others that beheld them pittying thir condition to demand whence they were it was answer'd by som who stood by that they were Angli of the Province Deira subjects to Alla King of Northumberland and by Religion Pagans Which last Gregory deploring fram'd on a sudden this allusion to the three names he heard that the Angli so like to Angels should be snatch't de ira that is from the wrath of God to sing Haleluia and forthwith obtaining licence of Benedic the Pope had come and preach't heer among them had not the Roman people whose love endur'd not the absence of so vigilant a Pastor over them recall'd him then on his journey though but deferr'd his pious intention An. Dom. 596 For a while after succeeding in the Papal Seat and now in his fourth year admonisht saith Beda by divine instinct he sent Augustine whom he had design'd for Bishop of the English Nation and other zealous Monks with him to preach to them the Gospel Who being now on thir way discouraged by some reports or thir own carnal fear sent back Austin in the name of all to beseech Gregory they might return home and not be sent a journey so full of hazard to a fierce and infidel Nation whose tongue they understood not Gregory with pious and Apostolic perswasions exhorts them not to shrink back frō so good a work but cheerfully to go on in the strength of divine assistance The Letter it self yet extant among our Writers of Ecclesiastic story I omit heer as not professing to relate of those matters more then what mixes aptly with civil affairs The Abbot Austin for so he was ordain'd over the rest reincourag'd by the exhortations of Gregory and his fellows by the Letter which he brought them came safe to the I le of Tanet An. Dom. 597 in number about 40 besides some of the French Nation whom they took along as Interpreters Ethelbert the King to whom Austin at his landing had sent a new and wondrous message that he came from Rome to proffer Heav'n and eternal happiness in the knowledge of another God then the Saxons knew appoints them to remain where they landed and necessaries to be provided them consulting in the mean time what was to be done And after certain days coming into the Iland chose a place to meet them under the open Sky possest with an old perswasion that all Spells if they should use any to deceive him so it were not within doors would be unavailable They on the other side call'd to his presence advancing for thir Standard a silver cross and the painted image of our Saviour came slowly forward singing the solemn Litanies which wrought in Ethelbert more suspition perhaps that they us'd enchantments till sitting down as the King will'd them they there preach'd to him and all in that assembly the tidings of Salvation Whom having heard attentively the King thus answer'd Fair indeed and ample are the promises which ye bring and such things as have the appearance in them
puissance of Ethelfrid yeilded at length either to dispatch him or to give him into thir hands but earnestly exhorted by his Wife not to betray the Faith and inviolable Law of Hospitality and refuge giv'n preferrs his first promise as the more Religious nor only resuses to deliver him but since War was thereupon denounc't determins to be beforehand with the danger and with a sudden Army rais'd surprises Ethelfrid little dreaming an invasion and in a fight near to the East-side of the River Idle on the Mercian border now Nottinghamshire slaies him dissipating easily those few Forces which he had got to march out over-hastily with him who yet as a testimony of his Fortune not his Valour to be blam'd slew first with his own hands Reiner the Kings Son His two Sons Oswald and Oswi by Acca Edwins Sister escap'd into Scotland By this Victory Redwald became so far superior to the other Saxon Kings that Beda reck'ns him the next after Ella and Ethelbert who besides this Conquest of the North had likewise all on the hitherside Humber at his obedience He had formerly in Kent receav'd Baptism but coming home and perswaded by his Wife who still it seems was his Chief Counseller to good or bad alike relaps'd into his old Religion yet not willing to forgoe his new thought it not the worst way lest perhaps he might err in either for more assurance to keep them both and in the same Temple erected one Altar to Christ another to his Idols But Edwin as with more deliberation he undertook and with more sincerity retain'd the Christian profession so also in power and extent of dominion far exceeded all before him subdueing all saith Beda English or British eev'n to the Iles then call'd Mevanian Anglesey and Man setl'd in his Kingdome by Redwald he sought in mariage Edelburga whom others call Tate the Daughter of Ethelbert To whose Embassadors Eadbald her Brother made answer that to wed thir Daughter to a Pagan was not the Christian Law Edwin repli'd that to her Religion he would be no hindrance which with her whole Houshold she might freely exercise And moreover that if examin'd it were found the better he would imbrace it An. Dom. 625 These ingenuous offers op'ning so fair a way to the advancement of truth are accepted and Paulinus as a spiritual Guardian sent along with the Virgin He being to that purpose made Bishop by Justus omitted no occasion to plant the Gospel in those parts An. Dom. 626 but with small success till the next year Cuichelm at that time one of the two West-Saxon Kings envious of the greatness which he saw Edwin growing up to sent privily Eumerus a hir'd Sword-man to assassin him who under pretence of doing a message from his Master with a poison'd Weapon stabs at Edwin conferring with him in his House by the River Derwent in Yorkeshire on an Easter-day which Lilla one of the Kings Attendants at the instant perceaving with a loyalty that stood not then to deliberate abandon'd his whole body to the blow which notwithstanding made passage through to the Kings Person with a wound not to be slighted The murderer encompass'd now with Swords and desperate fore-revenges his own fall with the Death of another whom his Poinard reach'd home Paulinus omitting no opportunity to win the King from misbeleef obtain'd at length this promise from him that if Christ whom he so magnifi'd would give him to recover of his wound and victory of his Enemies who had thus assaulted him he would then become Christian in pledge whereof he gave his young Daughter Eanfled to be bred up in Religion who with 12 others of his Family on the day of Pentecost was baptiz'd And by that time well recover'd of his wound to punish the Authors of so foul a fact he went with an Army against the West-Saxons whom having quell'd by War and of such as had conspir'd against him put some to Death others pardon'd he return'd home victorious and from that time worship'd no more his Idols yet ventur'd not rashly into Baptism but first took care to be instructed rightly what he learnt examining and still considering with himself and others whom he held wisest though Boniface the Pope by large Letters of exhortation both to him and his Queen was not wanting to quicken his beleef But while he still deferr'd and his deferring might seem now to have past the maturity of wisedome to a faulty lingring Paulinus by Revelation as was beleev'd coming to the knowledge of a secret which befell him strangly in the time of his troubles on a certain day went in boldly to him and laying his right hand on the head of the King ask'd him if he rememberd what that sign meant the King trembling and in a maze riseing up strait fell at his Feet Behold saith Paulinus raising him from the ground God hath deliver'd you from your Enemies and giv'n you the Kingdome as you desir'd perform now what long since you promis'd him to receave his Doctrine which I now bring you and the Faith which if you accept shall to your temporal felicity add Eternal The promise claim'd of him by Paulinus how and wherefore made though savouring much of Legend is thus related Redwald as we heard before dazl'd with the gold of Ethelfrid or by his threatning over-aw'd having promis'd to yeild up Edwin one of his faithfull Companions of which he had some few with him in the Court of Redwald that never shrunk from his adversity about the first howr of night comes in hast to his Chamber and calling him forth for better secrecy reveles to him his danger offers him his aid to make escape but that course not approv'd and seeming dishonourable without more manifest cause to begin distrust towards one who had so long bin his only refuge the friend departs Edwin left alone without the Palace Gate full of sadness and perplext thoughts discerns about the dead of night a man neither by countnance nor by habit to him known approaching towards him Who after salutation ask'd him why at this howr when all others were at rest he alone so sadly sat waking on a cold Stone Edwin not a little misdoubting who he might be ask'd him again what his sitting within dores or without concern'd him to know To whom he again think not that who thou art or why sitting heer or what danger hangs over thee is to me unknown But what would you promise to that man who ever would befriend you out of all these troubles and perswade Redwald to the like All that I am able answer'd Edwin And he what if the same man should promise to make you greater then any English King hath bin before you I should not doubt quoth Edwin to be answerably gratefull And what if to all this he would inform you said the other in a way to happiness beyond what any of your Ancestors hath known would you hark'n to his Counsel Edwin without
impar'd they as readily hearkning to his request send Aidan a Scotch Monk and Bishop but of singular zeal and meekness with others to assist him whom at thir own desire he seated in Lindisfarne as the Episcopal Seat now Holy Iland and being the Son of Ethelfrid by the Sister of Edwin as right Heir others failing easily reduc'd both Kingdoms of Northumberland as before into one nor of Edwins Dominion lost any part but enlarg'd it rather over all the fowr British Nations Angles Britans Picts and Scots exerciseing regall Authority Of his Devotion Humility and Almes-deeds much is spok'n that he disdain'd not to be the interpreter of Aidan preaching in Scotch or bad English to his Nobles and Houshold Servants and had the poor continually serv'd at his Gate after the promiscuous manner of those times his meaning might be upright but the manner more antient of privat or of Church contribution is doubtless more Evangelical About this time the West-Saxons An. Dom. 635 antiently call'd Gevissi by the preaching of Berinus a Bishop whom Pope Honorius had sent were converted to the Faith with Kinegils thir King him Oswald receav'd out of the Font An. Dom. 636 and his Daughter in mariage The next year Cuichelm was baptiz'd in Dorchester but liv'd not to the years end The East-Angles also this year were reclaim'd to the Faith of Christ which for som years past they had thrown off But Sigbert the Brother of Eorpwald now succeeded in that Kingdom prais'd for a most Christian and Learned Man who while his Brother yet reign'd living in France an exile for some displeasure conceav'd against him by Redwald his Father lern'd there the Christian Faith and reigning soon after in the same instructed his people by the preaching of Felix a Burgundian Bishop An. Dom. 640 In the year 640. Eadbald deceasing left to Ercombert his Son by Emma the French Kings Daughter the Kingdom of Kent recorded the first of English Kings who commanded through his limits the destroying of Idols laudably if all Idols without exception and the first to have establisht Lent among us under strict penalty not worth remembring but only to inform us that no Lent was observ'd heer till his time by compulsion especially being noted by some to have fraudulently usurp'd upon his Elder Brother Ermenred whose right was precedent to the Crown An. Dom. 642 Oswald having reign'd 8 years worthy also as might seem of longer life fell into the same fate with Edwin and from the same hand in a great Battel overcom and slain by Penda at a place call'd Maserfeild now Oswestre in Shropshire miraculous as saith Beda after his Death His Brother Oswi succeeded him reigning though in much trouble 28 years oppos'd either by Penda or his own Son Alfred or his Brothers Son Ethilwald An. Dom. 643 Next year Kinegils the West-Saxon dying left his Son Kenwalk in his stead though as yet unconverted About this time Sigebert King of East-Angles having lernt in France ere his coming to Reign the manner of thir Schools with the assistance of some Teachers out of Kent instituted a School heer after the same Discipline thought to be the University of Cambridge then first founded and at length weary of his Kingly Office betook him to a Monastical life commending the care of Government to his Kinsman Egric who had sustain'd with him part of that burden before It happen'd some years after that Penda made War on the East-Angles they expecting a sharp encounter besought Sigebert whom they esteem'd an expert Leader with his presence to confirm the Souldiery and him refuseing carried by force out of the Monastery into the Camp where acting the Monk rather then the Captain with a single wand in his hand he was slain with Egric and his whole Army put to flight Anna of the Royal Stock as next in right succeeded and hath the praise of a vertuous and most Christian Prince An. Dom. 645 But Kenwalk the West-Saxon having maried the Daughter of Penda and divorc't her was by him with more appearance of a just cause vanquisht in fight and depriv'd of his Crown whence retiring to Anna King of the East-Angles after three years abode in his Court he there became Christian An. Dom. 648 and afterwards regain'd his Kingdom Oswi in the former years of his Reign had sharer with him Oswin Nephew of Edwin who rul'd in Deira 7 years commended much for his zeal in Religion and for comliness of person with other princely qualities belov'd of all Notwithstanding which dissentions growing between them it came to Armes Oswin seeing himself much exceeded in numbers thought it more prudence dismissing his Army to reserve himself for some better occasion But committing his person with one faithfull attendant to the Loyalty of Hunwald an Earl his imagin'd friend he was by him treacherously discoverd and by command of Oswi slain An. Dom. 651 After whom within 12 days and for greif of him whose death he foretold dy'd Bishop Aidan famous for his Charity meekness and labour in the Gospel The fact of Oswi was detestable to all which therfore to expiate a Monastery was built in the place where it was don and Prayers there daily offerd up for the Souls of both Kings the slain and the slayer Kenwalk by this time reinstall'd in his Kingdom kept it long but with various Fortune for Beda relates him oft-times afflicted by his Enemies with great losses An. Dom. 652 and in 652. by the Annals fought a Battel Civil War Ethelwerd calls it at Bradanford by the River Afene against whom and for what cause or who had the Victory they write not Camden names the place Bradford in Wiltshire by the River Avon and Cuthred his neer Kinsman against whom he fought but cites no Autority certain it is that Kenwalk fowr years before had giv'n large possessions to his Nephew Cuthred the more unlikely therefore now to have rebell'd An. Dom. 653 The next year Peada whom his Father Penda though a Heathen had for his Princely Vertues made Prince of Middle-Angles belonging to the Mercians was with that people converted to the Faith For coming to Oswi with request to have in mariage Alfâ—eda his Daughter he was deni'd her but on condition that he with all his people should receave Christianity Heering therefore not unwillingly what was preach't to him of Resurrection and Eternal life much persuaded also by Alfrid the Kings Son who had his Sister Kyniburg to Wife he easily assented for the truths sake only as he profess'd whether he obtain'd the Virgin or no and was baptiz'd with all his followers Returning he took with him fowr Presbyters to teach the people of his Province who by thir daily preaching won many Neither did Penda though himself no Beleever prohibit any in his Kingdome to heer to beleeve the Gospel but rather hated and despis'd those who professing to beleeve atested not thir Faith by good works condemning them for
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
some Legend then any warrantable Record Mean while Ecbert having with much Prudence Justice and Clemency An. Dom. 813 a work of more then one year establisht his Kingdome and himself in the affections of his people turns his first enterprise against the Britans both them of Cornwal and those beyond Seavern subdueing both In Mercia Kenulf the 6th year after having reign'd with great praise of his religious mind and vertues both in Peace and War deceas'd An. Dom. 819 His Son Kenelm a Child of seaven years was committed to the care of his Elder Sister Quendrid who with a female ambition aspiring to the Crown hir'd one who had the charge of his nurture to murder him led into a woody place upon pretence of hunting The murder as is reported was miraculously reveal'd but to tell how by a Dove droping a writt'n note on the Altar at Rome is a long story told though out of order by Malmsbury and under the year 821. by Mat. West where I leave it to be sought by such as are more credulous then I wish my Readers Only the note was to this purpose Low in a mead of Kine under a Thorn Of head bereft li'th poor Kenelm King-born An. Dom. 820 Keolwulf the Brother of Kenulf after one years Reign was driv'n out by one Bernulf an Usurper who in his third year An. Dom. 823 uncertain whether invading or invaded was by Ecbert though with great loss on both sides overthrown and put to flight at Ellandune or Wilton yet Malmsbury accounts this Battel fought in 806 a wide difference but frequently found in thir computations Bernulf thence retireing to the East-Angles as part of his Dominion by the late seisure of Offa was by them met in the field and slain but they doubting what the Mercians might do in revenge hereof forthwith yielded themselves both King and people to the Sovrantie of Ecbert As for the Kings of East-Angles our Annals mention them not since Ethelwald him succeeded his Brothers Sons as we find in Malmsbury Aldulf a good King well acquainted with Bede and Elwold who left the Kingdome to Beorn he to Ethelred the Father of Ethelbrite whom Offa perfidiously put to Death Simeon and Hoveden in the year 749. write that Elfwald King of East-Angles dying Humbeanna and Albert shar'd the Kingdom between them but where to insert this among the former successions is not easie nor much material after Ethelbrite none is nam'd of that Kingdom till thir submitting now to Ecbert he from this Victory against Bernulf sent part of his Army under Ethelwulf his Son with Alstan Bishop of Shirburn and Wulferd a Chief Commander into Kent Who finding Baldred there reigning in his 18th year overcame and drove him over the Thames whereupon all Kent Surrey Sussex and lastly Essex with her King Swithred became subject to the Dominion of Ecbert Neither were these all his exploits of this year the first in order set down in Saxon Annals being his fight against the Devonshire Welch at a place call'd Gasulford now Camelford in Cornwal An. Dom. 825 Ludiken the Mercian after two years preparing to avenge Bernulf his Kinsman on the East-Angles was by them with his five Consuls as the Annals call them surpris'd and put to the Sword and Withlaf his successor first vanquisht then upon submission with all Mercia made tributary to Ecbert Mean while the Northumbrian Kingdom of it self was fall'n to shivers thir Kings one after another so oft'n slain by the people no man dareing though never so ambitious to take up the Scepter which many had found so hot the only effectual cure of ambition that I have read for the space of 33 years after the Death of Ethelred Son of Mollo as Malmsbury writes there was no King many Noblemen and Prelats were fled the Country Which mis-rule among them the Danes having understood oft-times from thir Ships entring far into the land infested those parts with wide depopulations wasting Towns Churches and Monasteries for they were yet Heathen The Lent before whose coming on the North-side of St. Peters Church in Yorke was seen from the roof to rain blood The causes of these calamities and the ruin of that Kingdom Alcuin a learned Monk living in those days attributes in several Epistles and well may to the general ignorance and decay of lerning which crept in among them after the Death of Beda and of Ecbert the Archbishop thir neglect of breeding up youth in the Scriptures the spruce and gay apparel of thir Preists and Nuns discovering thir vain and wanton minds examples are also read eev'n in Beda's days of thir wanton deeds thence Altars defil'd with perjuries Cloisters violated with Adulteries the Land polluted with blood of thir Princes civil dissentions among the people and finally all the same vices which Gildas alledg'd of old to have ruin'd the Britans In this estate Ecbert who had now conquerd all the South finding them in the year 827. An. Dom. 827 for he was march'd thether with an Army to compleat his Conquest of the whole Iland no wonder if they submitted themselves to the yoke without resistance Eandred thir King becoming Tributary An. Dom. 828 Thence turning his forces the year following he subdu'd more throughly what remain'd of North-Wales The End of the Fourth Book THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN The Fifth Book THE sum of things in this Iland or the best part therof reduc't now under the power of one man and him one of the worthiest which as far as can be found in good Authors was by none attain'd at any time heer before unless in Fables men might with some reason have expected from such Union peace and plenty greatness and the flourishing of all Estates and Degrees but far the contrary fell out soon after Invasion Spoil Desolation slaughter of many slavery of the rest by the forcible landing of a fierce Nation Danes commonly call'd and somtimes Dacians by others the same with Normans as barbarous as the Saxons themselves were at first reputed and much more for the Saxons first invited came hither to dwell these unsent for unprovok'd came only to destroy But if the Saxons as is above related came most of them from Jutland and Anglen a part of Denmarke as Danish Writers affirm and that Danes and Normans are the same then in this invasion Danes drove out Danes thir own posterity And Normans afterwards none but antienter Normans Which invasion perhaps had the Heptarchie stood divided as it was had either not bin attempted or not uneasily resisted while each Prince and people excited by thir neerest concernments had more industriously defended thir own bounds then depending on the neglect of a deputed Governour sent oft-times from the remote residence of a secure Monarch Though as it fell out in those troubles the lesser Kingdoms revolting from the West-Saxon yoke and not aiding each other too much concern'd with thir own safety it came to no
not equal in power and extent of Dominion surpassing his Father The beginning of his Reign had much disturbance by Ethelwald an ambitious young man Son of the Kings Uncle or Cosin German or Brother for his Genealogy is variously deliverd He vainly avouching to have equal right An. Dom. 901 with Edward of succession to the Crown posses'd himself of Winburne in Dorset and another Town diversly nam'd giving out that there he would live or dye but encompass'd with the Kings Forces at Badburie a place nigh his heart failing him he stole out by night and fled to the Danish Army beyond Humber The King sent after him but not overtaking found his Wife in the Town whom he had married out of a Nunnery and commanded her to be sent back thether About this time the Kentish An. Dom. 902 men against a multitude of Danish Pirats fought prosperously at a place call'd Holme as Hoveden records Ethelwald aided by the Northumbrians with Shipping three years after sailing to the East-Angles An. Dom. 905 perswaded the Danes there to fall into the Kings Territory who marching with him as far as Crecklad and passing the Thames there wasted as far beyond as they durst venture and lad'n with spoils return'd home The King with his powers makeing speed after them between the Dike and Ouse suppos'd to be Suffolk and Cambridge-shire as far as the Fenns Northward laid wast all before him Thence intending to return he commanded that all his Army should follow him close without delay but the Kentish men though oft'n call'd upon lagging behind the Danish Army prevented them and join'd Battel with the King where Duke Siguls and Earl Sigelm with many other of the Nobles were slain on the Danes part Eoric thir King and Ethelwald the Author of this War with others of high note and of them greater number but with great ruin on both sides yet the Danes kept in thir power the burying of thir slain What ever follow'd upon this conflict which we read not the King two years after An. Dom. 907 with the Danes both of East-Angles and Northumberland concluded peace which continu'd three years by whomsoever brok'n for at the end thereof An. Dom. 910 King Edward raising great Forces out of West-Sex and Mercia sent them against the Danes beyond Humber where staying five weeks they made great spoil and slaughter The King offer'd them terms of peace but they rejecting all enterd with the next year into Mercia rendring no less hostility An. Dom. 911 then they had suffer'd but at Tetnal in Staffordshire saith Florent were by the English in a set Battel overthrown King Edward then in Kent had got together of Ships about a hunderd Sail others gon Southward came back and met him The Danes now supposing that his main Forces were upon the Sea took liberty to rove and plunder up and down as hope of prey led them beyond Severn The King guessing what might imbold'n them sent before him the lightest of his Army to entertain them Then following with the rest set upon them in thir return over Cantbrig in Glostershire and slew many thousands among whom Ecwils Hafden and Hinguar thir Kings and many other harsh names in Huntingdon the place also of this fight is variously writt'n by Ethelwerd and Florent call'd Wodensfeild The year following Ethred Duke of Mercia to whom An. Dom. 912 Alfred had giv'n London with his daughter in marriage now dying King Edward resum'd that City and Oxford with the Countries adjoining into his own hands and the year after built or much repair'd An. Dom. 913 by his Souldiers the Town of Hertford on either side Lee and leaving a sufficient number at the work march'd about middle Summer with the other part of his Forces into Essex and encamp'd at Maldon while his Souldiers built Witham where a good part of the Country subject formerly to the Danes yeilded themselves to his protection Fowr years An. Dom. 917 after Florent allows but one year the Danes from Leister and Northampton falling into Oxfordshire committed much rapine and in some Towns therof great slaughter while another party wasting Hertfordshire met with other Fortune for the Country-people inur'd now to such kind of incursions joining stoutly together fell upon the spoilers recover'd thir own goods with some booty from thir Enemies About the same time Elfled the Kings Sister sent her Army of Mercians into Wales who routed the Welch took the Castle of Brienam-mere by Brecknock and brought away the Kings Wife of that Country with other Prisners Not long after she took Derby from the Danes and the Castle by a sharp assault But the year ensueing brought a new Fleet An. Dom. 918 of Danes to Lidwic in Devonshire under two Leaders Otter and Roald who sailing thence Westward about the lands end came up to the mouth of Severn there landing wasted the Welch Coast and Irchenfeild part of Herefordshire where they took Kuneleac a British Bishop for whose ransome King Edward gave forty pound but the men of Hereford and Glostershire assembling put them to flight slaying Roald and the Brother of Otter with many more persu'd them to a Wood and there beset compel'd them to give hostages of present departure The King with his Army sat not far off securing from the South of Severn to Avon so that op'nly they durst not by night they twice ventur'd to land but found such welcome that few of them came back the rest anchord by a small Iland where many of them famish'd then sailing to a place call'd Deomed they cross'd into Ireland The King with his Army went to Buckingham staid there a moneth and built two Castles or Forts on either Bank of Ouse ere his departing and Turkitel a Danish Leader with those of Bedford and Northampton yeilded him subjection Wherupon the next year he came with An. Dom. 919 his Army to the Town of Bedford took possession therof staid there a month and gave order to build another part of the Town on the South-side of Ouse Thence the year following went again to An. Dom. 920 Maldon repair'd and fortifi'd the Town Turkitel the Dane having small hope to thrive heer where things with such prudence were mannag'd against his interess got leave of the King with as many voluntaries as would follow him to pass into France Early the next year King Edward re-edifi'd Tovechester An. Dom. 921 now Torchester and another City in the Annals call'd Wigingmere Mean while the Danes of Leister and Northampton-shire not likeing perhaps to be neighbour'd with Strong Towns laid Seige to Torchester but they within repelling the assault one whole day till supplies came quitted the Seige by night and persu'd close by the beseig'd between Birnwud and Ailsbury were surpris'd many of them made Prisners and much of thir bagage lost Other of the Danes at Huntingdon aided from the East-Angles finding that Castle not commodious left it
the Altar he fell down immediatly and carried out by his Servants three daies after dy'd Mean while beyond Humber the Danes though much aw'd were not idle Inguald one of thir Kings took possession of Yorke Sitric who some years before had slain Niel his Brother by force took Davenport in Châ—shire and however he defended these doings grew so considerable that Athelstan with great solemnity gave him his Sister Edgith to Wife but he enjoy'd her not long dying ere the years end nor his Sons Anlaf and Guthfert the Kingdome driv'n out the next An. Dom. 927 year by Athelstan not unjustly saith Huntingdon as being first raisers of the War Simeon calls him Gudsrid a British King whom Athelstan this year drove out of his Kingdome and perhaps they were both one the name and time not much differing the place only mistak'n Malmsbury differs in the name also calling him Aldulf a certain Rebel Them also I wish as much mistak'n who write that Athelstan jealous of his younger Brother Edwin's towardly vertues least added to the right of Birth they might some time or other call in question his illegitimate precedence caus'd him to be drown'd in the An. Dom. 933 Sea expos'd some say with one Servant in a rott'n Bark without Sail or Oar where the youth far off land and in rough weather despairing threw himself over-board the Servant more patient got to land and reported the success But this Malmsbury confesses to be sung in old Songs not read in warrantable Authors and Huntingdon speaks as of a sad accident to Athelstan that he lost his Brother Edwin by Sea far the more credible in that Athelstan as is writ'n by all tenderly lov'd and bred up the rest of his Brethren of whom he had no less cause to be jealous And the year following he prosperd better An. Dom. 934 then from so foul a fact passing into Scotland with great Puissance both by Sea and Land and chaceing his Enemies before him by Land as far as Dunseoder and Wertermore by Sea as far as Cathness The cause of this expedition saith Malmsbury was to demand Gudfert the Son of Sitric thether fled though not deny'd at length by Constantine who with Eugenius King of Cumberland at a place call'd Dacor or Dacre in that Shire surrenderd himself and each his Kingdome to Athelstan who brought back with him for hostage the Son of Constantine But Gudfert escaping in the mean while out of Scotland and Constantine exasperated by this invasion perswaded Anlaf the other Son of Sitric then fled into Ireland others write Anlaf King of Ireland and the Iles his An. Dom. 938 Son in law with 615 Ships and the King of Cumberland with other forces to his aid This within fowr years effected they enterd England by Humber and fought with Athelstan at a place call'd Wendune others term it Brunanburg others Bruneford which Ingulf places beyond Humber Camden in Glendale of Northumberland on the Scotch Borders the bloodiest fight say Authors that ever this Iland saw to describe which the Saxon Annalist wont to be sober and succinct whether the same or another writer now labouring under the weight of his Argument and over-charg'd runs on a sudden into such extravagant fansies and metaphors as bare him quite beside the scope of being understood Huntingdon though himself peccant enough in his kind transcribes him word for word as a pastime to his Readers I shall only summe up what of him I can attain in usuall language The Battel was fought eagerly from morning till night some fell of King Edwards old Army try'd in many a Battel before but on the other side great multitudes the rest fled to thir Ships Five Kings and 7 of Anlafs Chief Captains were slain on the place with Froda a Norman Leader Constantine escap'd home but lost his Son in the fight if I understand my Author Anlaf by Sea to Dublin with a small remainder of his great hoast Malmsbury relates this War adding many circumstances after this manner That Anlaf joining with Constantine and the whole power of Scotland besides those which he brought with him out of Ireland came on far Southwards till Athelstan who had retir'd on set purpose to be the surer of his Enimies enclos'd from all succour and retreat met him at Brunesord Anlaf perceaving the valour and resolution of Athelstan and mistrusting his own Forces though numerous resolv'd first to spie in what posture his Enemies lay and imitating perhaps what he heard attempted by King Alfred the Age before in the habit of a Musitian got access by his lute and voice to the Kings tent there playing both the minstrel and the spie then towards Evening dismis't he was observ'd by one who had bin his Souldier and well knew him veiwing earnestly the Kings Tent and what approaches lay about it then in the twilight to depart The Souldier forthwith acquaints the King and by him blam'd for letting go his Enemy answerd that he had giv'n first his military Oath to Anlaf whom if he had betrai'd the King might suspect him of like treasonous minde towards himself which to disprove he advis'd him to remove his Tent a good distance off and so don it happ'nd that a Bishop with his retinue coming that night to the Army pich'd his Tent in the same place from whence the King had remov'd Analf coming by night as he had design'd to assault the Camp and especially the Kings Tent finding there the Bishop in stead flew him with all his followers Athelstan took the Allarm and as it seems was not found so unprovided but that the day now appearing he put his men in order and maintain'd the fight till Evening wherin Constantine himself was slain with five other Kings and twelve Earls the Annals were content with seav'n in the rest not disagreeing Ingulf Abbot of Croyland from the autority of Turketul a principal Leader in this Battel relates it more at large to this effect that Athelstan above a mile distant from the place where execution was done upon the Bishop and his supplies allarm'd at the noise came down by break of day upon Anlaf and his Army over-watch't and wearied now with the slaughter they had made and something out of order yet in two main Battels The King therfore in like manner dividing led the one part consisting most of West Saxons against Anlaf with his Danes and Irish committing the other to his Chancellor Turketul with the Mercians and Londoners against Constantine and his Scots The showr of Arrows and Darts over-pass't both Battells attack'd each other with a close and terrible ingagement for a long space neither side giving ground Till the Chancellor Turketul a man of great stature and strength taking with him a few Londoners of select valour and Singin who led the Worstershire men a Captain of undaunted courage broke into the thickest making his way first through the Picts and Orkeners then through the
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
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
at a Feast wherin Osgod a great Danish Lord gave his Daughter in marriage at Lambeth to Prudon another potent Dane in the midst of his mirth sound and healthfull to sight while he was drinking fell down speechless and so dying was buried at Winchester beside his Father He was it seems a great lover of good chere sitting at Table fowr times a day with great variety of Dishes and superfluity to all Commers Wheras saith Huntingdon in our time Princes in thir houses made but one meal a day He gave his Sister Gunildis a Virgin of rare Beauty in marriage to Henry the Alman Emperour and to send her forth pompously all the Nobility contributed thir Jewels and richest Ornaments But it may seem a wonder that our Historians if they deserve that name should in a matter so remarkable and so neer thir own time so much differ Huntingdon relates against the credit of all other records that Hardecnute thus dead the English rejoycing at this unexpected riddance of the Danish yoke sent over to Elfred the Elder Son of Emma by King Ethelred of whom we heard but now that he dy'd Prisner at Eely sent thether by Harold six year before that he came now out of Normandy with a great number of men to receave the Crown that Earl Codwin aiming to have his Daughter Queen of England by marrying her to Edward a simple youth for he thought Elfred of a higher Spirit then to accept her persuaded the Nobles that Elfred had brought over too many Normans had promis'd them lands heer that it was not safe to suffer a Warlike and suttle Nation to take root in the Land that these were to be so handl'd as none of them might dare for the future to flock hither upon pretence of relation to the King therupon by common consent of the Nobles both Elfred and his Company were dealt with as was above related that they then sent for Edward out of Normandy with hostages to be left there of thir faithfull intentions to make him King and thir desires not to bring over with him many Normans that Edward at thir call came then first out of Normandy wheras all others agree that he came voluntarily over to visit Hardecnute as is before said and was remaining in the Court at the time of his Death For Hardecnute dead saith Malmsbury Edward doubting greatly his own safety determin'd to rely wholly on the advice and favour of Earl Godwin desiring therfore by messengers to have privat speech with him the Earl a while deliberated at last assenting Prince Edward came and would have fall'n at his feet but that not permitted told him the danger wherin he thought himself at present and in great perplexity besought her help to convey him some whether out of the Land Godwin soon apprehending the fair occasion that prompted him how to advance himself and his Family cherfully exhorted him to remember himself the Son of Ethelred the Grandchild of Edgar right Heir to the Crown at full Age not to think of flying but of reigning which might easily be brought about if he would follow his Counsel then setting forth the power and authority which he had in England promis'd it should be all his to set him on the Throne if he on his part would promise and swear to be for ever his friend to preserve the honour of his House and to marry his Daughter Edward as his necessity then was consented easily and swore to whatever Godwin requir'd An Assembly of States therupon met at Gillingham where Edward pleaded his right and by the powerfull influence of Godwin was accepted Others as Bromton with no probability write that Godwin at this time was fled into Denmarke for what he had done to Elfred return'd and submitted himself to Edward then King was by him charg'd op'nly with the Death of Elfred and not without much ado by the intercession of Leofric and other Peers receav'd at length into favour Edward the Confessor GLad were the English deliverd so unexpectedly from thir Danish Maisters and little thought how neer another Conquest was hanging over them Edward the Easter following Crown'd at Winchester An. Dom. 1043 the same year accompanied with Earl Godwin Leofric and Siward came again thether on a sudden and by thir Counsel seis'd on the treasure of his Mother Emma The cause alleg'd is that she was hard to him in the time of his banishment and indeed she is said not much to have lov'd Ethelred her former Husband and thereafter the Childern by him she was moreover noted to be very covetous hard to the poor and profuse to Monasteries About this time also King Edward according to promise took to Wife Edith or Egith Earl Godwins Daughter commended much for beauty modesty and beyond what is requisite in a woman learning Inguls a youth lodging in the Court with his Father saw her oft and coming from the School was sometimes met by her and pos'd not in Grammar only but in Logic. Edward the next year but one made An. Dom. 1045 ready a strong Navy at Sandwich against Magnus King of Norway who threat'nd an invasion had not Swane King of Denmarke diverted him by a War at home to defend his own land not out of good will to Edward as may be suppos'd who at the An. Dom. 1046 same time express'd none to the Danes banishing Gunildis the Neece of Canute with her two Sons and Osgod by sirname Clapa out of the Realm Swane An. Dom. 1047 over-powred by Magnus sent the next year to entreat aid of King Edward Godwin gave counsel to send him 50 Ships fraught with Souldiers but Leofric and the general voice gain-saying none were sent The next year Harold Harvager King of An. Dom. 1048 Norway sending Embassadors made peace with King Edward but an Earthquake at Worster and Darby Pestilence and Famin in many places much lesse'nd the enjoyment therof The next year Henry the An. Dom. 1049 Emperour displeas'd with Baldwin Earl of Flanders had streit'nd him with a great Army by land and sending to King Edward desir'd him with his Ships to hinder what he might his escape by sea The King therfore with a great Navy coming to Sandwich there staid till the Emperour came to an agreement with Earl Baldwin Mean while Swane Son of Earl Godwin who not permitted to marry Edgiva the Abbess of Chester by him deflour'd had left the land came out of Denmarke with 8 Ships feigning a desire to return into the Kings favour and Beorn his Cousin German who commanded part of the Kings Navy promis'd to intercede that his Earldome might be restor'd him Godwin therfore and Beorn with a few Ships the rest of the Fleet gone home coming to Pevensey but Godwin soon departing thence in persuit of 29 Danish Ships who had got much booty on the Coast of Essex and perish'd by tempest in thir return Swane with his Ships comes to Beorn at Pevensey guilefully
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
thy advantage that after these words choak't with the morsel tak'n he sunk down and recover'd not His first wife was the sister of Cannute a woman of much infamy for the trade she drove of buying up English Youths and Maids to sell in Denmarke whereof she made great gain but ere long was struck with thunder and dy'd The year ensuing Siward Earl of An. Dom. 1054 Northumberland with a great number of horse and foot attended also by a strong fleet at the Kings appointment made an expedition into Scotland vanquish't the Tyrant Macbeth slaying many thousands of Scots with those Normans that went thether and plac'd Malcolm Son of the Cumbrian King in his stead yet not without loss of his own Son and many other both English and Danes Told of his Sons Death he ask'd whether he receav'd his Deaths wound before or behind when it was answerd before I am glad saith hee and should not else have thought him though my Son worthy of Burial In the mean while King Edward being without Issue to succeed him sent Aldred Bishop of Winchester with great presents to the Emperour entreating him to prevail with the King of Hungary that Edward the remaining Son of his Brother Edmund Ironside might be sent into England Siward but one year surviving An. Dom. 1055 his great Victory dy'd at Yorke reported by Huntingdon a man of Giant-like stature by his own demeanour at point of Death manifested of a rough and meer souldierly mind For much disdaining to die in bed by a disease not in the field fighting with his enemies he caus'd himself compleatly arm'd and weapon'd with battel-ax and shield to be set in a chair whether to fight with death if he could be so vain or to meet him when far other weapons and preparations were needful in a Martial bravery but true fortitude glories not in the feats of War as they are such but as they serve to end War soonest by a victorious Peace His Earldom the King bestow'd on Tosti the Son of Earl Godwin and soon after in a Convention held at London banish't without visible cause Huntigdon saith for treason Algar the Son of Leofric who passing into Ireland soon return'd with eighteen ships to Griffin Prince of South Wales requesting his aid against King Edward He assembling his Powers enter'd with him into Hereford-shire whom Radulf a timorous Captain Son to the Kings Sister not by Eustace but a former husband met two miles distant from Hereford and having hors'd the English who knew better to fight on foot without stroke he with his French and Normans beginning to flie taught the English by his example Griffin and Algar following the chase slew many wounded more enter'd Hereford slew seven Canons defending the Minster burnt the Monasterie and Reliques then the City killing some leading captive others of the Citizens return'd with great spoils whereof King Edward having notice gather'd a great Army at Gloster under the conduct of Harold now Earl of Kent who strenuously pursuing Griffin enter'd Wales and encamp'd beyond Straddale But the enemy flying before him farther into the Country leaving there the greater part of his Army with such as had charge to fight if occasion were offer'd with the rest he return'd and fortifi'd Hereford with a wall and gates Mean while Griffin and Algar dreading the diligence of Harold after many messages to and fro concluded a Peace with him Algar discharging his fleet with pay at West Chester came to the King and was restor'd to his Earldom But Griffin with breach of faith the next year set upon An. Dom. 1056 Leofgar the Bishop of Hereford and his Clerks then at a place call'd Glastbrig with Agelnoth Vicount of the shire and slew them but Leofric Harold and King Edward by force as is likeliest though it be not said how reduc'd him to Peace The next year An. Dom. 1057 Edward Son of Edmund Ironside for whom his Uncle King Edward had sent to the Emperour came out of Hungary design'd Successor to the Crown but within a few days after his coming dy'd at London leaving behind him Edgar Atheling his Son Margaret and Christina his Daughters About the same time also dy'd Earl Leofric in a good old age a man of no less vertue then power in his time religious prudent and faithful to his Country happily wedded to Godiva a woman of great praise His Son Algar found less favour with King Edward again banish't the year after An. Dom. 1058 his Fathers death but he again by the aid of Griffin and a fleet from Norway maugre the King soon recover'd his Earldom The next year Malcolm An. Dom. 1059 King of Scots coming to visit King Edward was brought on his way by Tosti the Northumbrian Earl to whom he swore brotherhood yet the next year An. Dom. 1061 but one while Tosti was gone to Rome with Aldred Archbishop of York for his Pall this sworn brother taking advantage of his absence roughly harrass'd Northumberland The year passing to an end without other matter of moment save the frequent inrodes and robberies of Griffin whom no bonds of faith could restrain King Edward sent against him after Christmas Harold now Duke of West-Saxons An. Dom. 1062 with no great body of Horse from Gloster where he then kept his Court whose coming heard of Griffin not daring to abide nor in any part of his Land holding himself secure escap't hardly by Sea ere Harold coming to Rudeland burnt his Palace and Ships there returning to Gloster the same day But by the middle An. Dom. 1063 of May setting out with a fleet from Bristow he sail'd about the most part of Wales and met by his brother Tosti with many Troops of Horse as the King had appointed began to waste the Country but the Welch giving pledges yeilded themselves promis'd to become tributary and banish Griffin thir Prince who lurking somewhere was the next year tak'n and An. Dom. 1064 slain by Griffin Prince of North Wales his head with the head and tackle of his Ship sent to Harold by him to the King who of his gentleness made Blechgent and Rithwallon or Rivallon his two Brothers Princes in his stead they to Harold in behalf of the King swore fealty and tribute Yet the next year An. Dom. 1065 Harold having built a fair house at a place call'd Portascith in Monmouth-shire and stor'd it with provision that the King might lodge there in time of hunting Caradoc the Son of Griffin slain the year before came with a number of men slew all he found there and took away the provision Soon after which the Northumbrians in a tumult at York beset the Palace of Tosti their Earl slew more then 200 of his Souldiers and Servants pillag'd his Treasure and put him to flie for his life The cause of this insurrection they alledg'd to be for that the Queen Edith had commanded in her Brother Tosti's behalf
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
a Concubine solemnly Crown'd at Kingston upon Thames p. 223. the Conspiracy of one Alfred and his accomplices against him discover'd ibid. he gives his Sister Edgith to Sitric the Dane but drives out Anlaf and Guthferd out of their Kingdom p. 224. the story of his dealing with his Brother Edwin question'd as improbable ibid. he over-throws a vast Army of Scotch and Irish under Anlaf and Constantine King of Scotland p. 225. 226. c. he dies at Glocester and is buried at Malmsbury p. 228. his Character p. 229. Assaracus a Trojan Prince joins with Brutus against Pandrasus p. 8. Aulus Plautins sent against this Island by the Emperour Claudius p. 52. he overthrows Caractacus and Togodumnus ibid. is very much put to it by the Britans p. 53. sends to Claudius to come over and joins with him ibid. leaves the Country quiet and returns triumphant to Rome p. 54. 55. Aurelius Conanus a British King one of the five that is said to have reign'd toward the beginning of the Saxon Heptarchie p. 131. Austin with others sent over from Rome to preach the Gospel to the Saxons p. 138. he is receiv'd by King Ethelbert who hears him in a great Assembly p. 139. he is ordain'd Archbishop of the English p. 140. he hath his seat at Canterbury p. 141. he summons together the British Bishops requiring them to conform with him in points wherein they differ'd p. 142. upon their refusal he stirs up Ethelfrid against them to the slaughter of 1200 Monks p. 144. B. BArdus one of the first race of Kings fabled to have reign'd in this Island p. 4. descended from Samothes ibid. Beorn precedes Ethelred in the Kingdom of the East-Angles p. 187. Bericus flying to Rome perswades the Emperour Claudius to invade this Island p. 51. Bernulf usurping the Kingdom of Mercia from Keolwulf is overthrown by Ecbert at Ellandune p. 186. flying to the East-Angles is by them slain ib. Berinus a Bishop sent by Pope Honorius converts the West-Saxons and their Kings to Christianity p. 155. Birthric King of the West-Saxons after Kinwulf p. 179. he secretly seeks the Life of Ecbert p. 183. is poison'd by a Cup which his Wife had prepar'd for another p. 184. Bladud the Son of Rudhuddibras builds Caerbadus or Bath p. 17. Bleduno one in the number of the ancient British Kings p. 28. Blegabedus his Excellency in Music p. 28. Boadicia the Wife of Prasutagus together with her Daughters abus'd by the Roman Souldiers p. 62. commands in Chief in the Brittish Army against the Romans p. 65. vanquish't by Suetonius is thought to have poison'd her self p. 67. Bonosus a Britan by descent indeavouring to make himself Emperour but vanquisht by Probus hangs himself p. 84. 85. Brennus and Belinus the Sons of Dunwallo Mulmutius contend about the Kingdom p. 22. after various conflicts they are reconcil'd by their Mother Conuvenna p. 23. they turn their united Forces into Foreign parts but Belinus returns and reigns long in Peace p. 23. 24. Britain the History of the affairs thereof altogether obscure and uncertain till the coming of Julius Caesar p. 2. by whom first peopled p. 4. nam'd first Samothea from Samothes ibid. next Albion and from whence p. 4. 5. Britans stoutly oppose Caesar at his landing in this Island p. 36. 37. they offer him terms of Peace p. 38. their manner of fighting p. 39. 40. they are defeated by Caesar and brought anew to terms of Peace p. 40. a sharp dispute between the Britans and the Romans near the Stowr in Kent p. 42. 43. their Nature and Customs p. 48. 49. their cruel Massacre upon the Romans p. 64. they are acquitted of the Roman jurisdiction by the Emperour Honorius not able to defend them against their Enemies p. 97. they again supplicate Honorius for aid who spares them a Roman Legion p. 101. and again at their renew'd request a new supply ibid. their submissive Letters to Aetius the Roman Consul p. 106. their Luxury and wickedness and the corruption of their Clergy p. 107. 129. 130. their Embassy to the Saxons for their aid against the Scots and Picts with the Saxons answer p. 110. 111. Miserably harrass't by the Saxons whom they call'd in p. 113. 114. routed by Kerdic p. 120. by Kenric and Keaulin p. 127. 133. by Cuthulf p. 132. they totally vanquish Keaulin p. 134. they are put to flight by Kenwalk p. 161. Britto nam'd among the four Sons of Histion sprung of Japhet and from him the Britans said to be deriv'd p. 5. Brutus said to be descended from Aeneas a Trojan Prince p. 7. retiring into Greece after having unfortunately kill'd his Father he delivers his Countrymen from the Bondage of Pandrasus p. 7. 8. c. marries Innogen the eldest Daughter of Pandrasus p. 10. he lands upon a desert Island call'd Leogicia p. 10. where he consults the Oracle of Diana p. 11. meets with Corineus p. 12. overcomes Goffarius Pictus p. 12. 13. arrives in this Island p. 13. builds Troja Nova p. 14. Brutus sirnamed Greenshield succeeds Ebranc and gives Battel to Brunchildis p. 16. Burhead holding of Ethelwolf the Mercian Kingdom after Bertulf reduceth the North Welch to obedience p. 194. he marries Ethelswida the Daughter of King Ethelwolf p. 195. driven out of his Kingdom by the Danes he flies to Rome where dying he is buried in the English School p. 104. his Kingdom let out by the Danes to Kelwulf ibid. C. CAdwallon see Kedwalla Caesar see Julius Caesar Cajus Sidius Geta behaves himself valiantly against the Britans p. 53. Cajus Volusenus sent into Britain by Caesar to make discovery of the Country and people p. 34. Caligula a Roman Emperour p. 51. Camalodunum or Maldon the chief seat of Kymbeline p. 51. made a Roman Colony p. 56. 62. 63. Camber one of the Sons of Brutus hath allotted to him Cambria or Wales p. 14. Canute the Son of Swane chosen King after his Father's Death by the Danish Army and Fleet. p. 258. is driven back to his Ships by Ethelred p. 259. returns with a great Navy from Denmark accompanied with Lachman King of Sweden and Olav of Norway p. 259. 260. after several conflicts with Edmund he at length divides the Kingdom with him by agreement p. 265. after Edmunds Death Reigns sole King p. 267. he endeavours the extirpation of the Saxon line p. 267. he settles his Kingdom and makes peace with the Princes round about him p. 268. he causes Edric whose treason he had made use of to be slain and his body to be thrown over the City Wall c. ibid. he subdues Norway p. 270. takes a Voyage to Rome and offring there rich gifts vows amendment of life ibid. he dies at Shaftsbury and is buried at Winchester p. 271. his censure p. 271. 272. Capis one in the Catalogue of the Ancient Kings p. 28. Capoirus another of the same number p. 28. Caractacus the youngest Son of Cunobeline succeeds in the Kingdom p. 51. is overthrown by Aulus
Plautius p. 53. heads the Silures against the Romans p. 56. 57. is betray'd by Cartismandua to whom he fled for refuge p. 57. is sent to Rome ibid. his Speech to the Emperour p. 58. by the braveness of his carriage he obtains pardon for himself and all his Company ibid. Carausius grown rich with Piracy possesses himself of this Island p. 86. he fortifies the Wall of Severus ibid. in the midst of the great preparations of Constantius Chlorus against him he is slain by his friend Alectus p. 87. Carinus sent by his Father Carus the Emperour to govern this Isle of Britain is overcome and slain by Dioclesian p. 85. Cartismandua Queen of the Brigantes delivers Caractacus bound to the Romans p. 57. deserts her Husband Venutius and gives both her self and Kingdom to Vellocatus one of his Squires p. 60. Carvilius a petty King in Britain assaults the Roman Camp with three others p. 46. Cassibelaun one of the Sons of Heli gains the Kingdom by common consent p. 29. his generosity to his Brothers Sons ibid. he heads the Britans against Julius Caesar and the Romans p. 45. he is deserted by the Trinobantes and why p. 46. he yields to Caesar p. 47. is reported to have had War with Androgeus dies and is buried at York ibid. Cataracta an ancient City in Yorkshire burnt by Arnred a Tyrant Catellus an ancient Brittish King p. 28. Cerdic a Saxon Prince lands at Cerdic shore and overthrows the Britans p. 120. defeats their King Natanleod in a memorable Battel ibid. founds the Kingdom of West-Saxons p. 121. see Kerdic Cherin an ancient Brittish King p. 28. Christian Faith receiv'd in Britain by King Lucius p. 79. said to have been preach't by Faganus and Deruvianus p. 79. others say long before by Simon Zelotes or Joseph of Arimathaea p. 80. upon what occasion preach't to the Saxons p. 137. 138. Chrysanthus the Son of Marcianus a Bishop made Deputy of Britain by Theodosius p. 93. Cingetorix a petty King in Britain assaults the Roman Camp p. 46. is taken Prisoner by Caesar p. 47. Claudius the Emperour is perswaded by Bericus though a Britan to invade this Island p. 51. he sends Aulus Plautius hither with an Army p. 52. he comes over himself and joins with Plautius p. 53. defeats the Britans in a set Battel and takes Camalodunum p. 54. he returns to Rome leaving Plautius behind ibid. he hath excessive honours decreed him by the Senate ibid. Cliguellius an ancient Brittish King p. 28. Clodius Albinus succeeds Pertinax in the Government of Britain for the Romans p. 81. he is vanquish't and slain in a Battel against Septimius Severus p. 81. Coilus the Son of Marius leaves the Kingdom to Lucius p. 79. Coillus an ancient British King p. 28. Comail and two other British Kings slain by Keaulin and his Son Cuthwin p. 133. Comius of Arras sent by Caesar to make a party among the Britans p. 35. Constans of a Monk made a Caesars reduce all Spain to his Father Constantius's Obedience p. 95. displacing Gerontius is oppos'd by him and at last slain ibid. Constantine the Son of Constantius Chlorus saluted Emperour after his Fathers Death p. 88. 89. his Mother said to be Helena the Daughter of Coilus a British Prince p. 89. his eldest Son of the same name enjoys among other Provinces of the Empire this Island also ibid. a common Souldier of the same name saluted Emperour p. 95. by the valour of Oedebecus and Gerontius he gains in France as far as Arles ibid. by the conduct of his Son Constans and of Gerontius he reduces all Spain ibid. Gerontius displac't by him calls in the Vandals against him ibid. beseig'd by Constantius Comes he turns Priest is afterwards carried into Italy and put to Death p. 96. Constantine the Son of Cador sharply inveigh'd against by Gildas p. 131. he is said to have murder'd two young Princes of the blood Royal. ibid. Constantine King of Scotland joining with the Danes and Irish under Anlaf is overthrown by Athelstan p. 225. 226. Constantius Chlorus sent against Carausius p. 86. defeats Alectus who is slain in the Battel p. 87. is acknowledg'd by the Britans as their deliverer p. 88. divides the Empire with Galerius ibid. dies at York ibid. Constantius the Son of Constantine overcomes Magnentius who contested with him for the sole Empire p. 89. Cordeilla's sincere answer to her Father begets his displeasure p. 18. she is married to Aganippus a King in Gaul ibid. she receives her Father rejected by his other Daughters with most dutiful affection p. 19. restores him to his Crown and Reigns after him p. 20. is vanquisht depos'd and imprison'd by her two Sister's Sons ibid. Corineus a Trojan Commander joins Forces with Brutus p. 12. slaies Imbertus ibid. arrives with Brutus in this Island p. 13. Cornwal from him denominated falls to his Lot p. 14. he overcomes the Giant Goemagog p. 14. Crida the first of the Mercian Kingdom p. 133. Cuichelm the West-Saxon sends Eumerus a Sword-man to assassin King Edwin p. 148. is baptis'd in Dorchester but dies the same year p. 155. Cunedagius the Son of Regan deposeth his Aunt Cordelia p. 20. shares the Kingdom with his Cosin Marganus is invaded by him meets him and overcomes him p. 20. Cuneglas a British King Reigns one of five a little before the Saxons were setled p. 131. Cunobeline see Kymbeline Cutha helps his Father Keaulin against Ethelbert p. 128. Cuthred King of West-Saxons joyns with Ethelbald the Mercian and gains a great victory over the Welsh p. 174. he hath a fierce battel with Ethelbald the Mercian which he not long survives p. 175. a King of Kent of the same name p. 185. Cuthulf the Brother of Keaulin vanquisheth the Britains at Bedanford and takes several Towns p. 132. Cuthwin see Keaulin D. DAnes first appear in the West p. 179. they stay the Kings Gatherers of Custom ibid. landing at Lindisfarne in York-shire they pillage that Monastery slay and captivate several both Fryars and others p. 181. attempting to spoil another Monastery they are cut off by the English p. 182. they make very great waste and havock in Northumberland p. 188. they waste Shepey in Kent and engage with Ecbert near the River Carr p. 191. they are overthrown and put to flight by Ecbert p. 192. their various success in the reign of Ethelwolf p. 192 193 c. many great battels between them and the English in the reign of Ethelred with various fortune p. 201 202 c. their whole Army being defeated they are brought to terms by King Alfred p. 207. in the same Kings reign several vast Fleets of Danes arrive with fresh supplies p. 208. a vast Army of them over-thrown by King Athelstan p. 225. a massicre committed upon them by the English in all parts of the Land in the reign of King Ethelred p. 249. Danius reckon'd among the Ancient British Kings p. 25. Deruvianus see Faganus Dinothus Abbot of Bangor his
Speech to Bishop Austin p. 143. Dioclesian supposed a King of Syria and his 50 Daughters having all but one murder'd their Husbands to have been driven upon this Iland p. 5. Dis the first peopler of this Iland as some fabulously affirm p. 9. the same with Samothes ibid. Donaldus said to have headed the Caledonians against Septimius Severus p. 84. Donaldus King of Scotland brought to hard conditions by Osbert and Ella Kings of Northumberland p. 196. Druids falsly alledg'd out of Caesar to have forbidden the Britans to write their memorable deeds p. 2. Druis the third from Samothes fabulously written the ancientest King of this Iland p. 4. Dunstane sent the Nobles to reprove King Edw. for his luxury p. 233. banisht by the King and his Monastery rifled p. 234. recall'd by King Edgar ibid. his miraculous escape when the rest of the company were kill'd by the fall of a house p. 242. Dunwallo Mulmutius Son of Cloten King of Cornwall reduces the whole Iland into a Monarchy p. 21. establisheth the Molmutin Laws p. 22. Durslus King of the Picts said to be slain by the joynt Forces of the Britans and Romans p. 102. E. EAdbald after the death of his Father Ethelbert falls back to Heathenism p. 145. he runs distracted but afterwards returns to his right mind and faith p. 146. by what means it happen'd ibid. he gives his Sister Edelburga in marriage to Edwin ibid. he dies and leaves his Son Ercombert to succeed p. 156. Eadbert shares with his two Brothers in the Kingdom of Kent after Victred p. 170. his death p. 174. Eadbert King of Northumberland after Kelwulf wars against the Picts p. 174. joyns with Unust King of the Picts against the Britans in Cumberland p. 175 176. forsakes his Crown for a Monks hood p. 176. Eatbright otherwise call'd Ethelbert usurping the Kingdom of Kent and contending with Kenulph the Mercian is taken prisoner p. 182. Eadburga by chance poysons her Husband Birthric with a cup which she had prepar'd for another p. 184. the choice propos'd to her by Charles the Great to whom she fled ibid. he assigns her a rich Monastery to dwell in as Abbess ibid. detected of unchastity she is expelled and dies in beggery at Pavia p. 185. Eandred Son of Eardulf reigns 30 years King of Northumberland after Alfwold the Vsurper p. 185. becomes tributary to Ecbert p. 188. Eanfrid the Son of Ethelfrid succeeds in the Kingdom of Bernicia p. 154. Eardulf supposed to have been slain by Ethelred is made King of the Northumbrians in York after Osbald p. 182. in a War rais'd against him by his people he gets the victory p. 183. is driven out of his Kingdom by Alswold p. 185. East-Angle Kingdom by whom erected p. 121. East-Saxon Kingdom by whom hegun p. 121. the people converted by Mellitus p. 142. they expel their Bishop and renounce their faith p. 146. are reconverted by means of Edwi p. 159. Ebranc succeeds his Father Mempricius in the Kingdom of Britain p. 15. builds Caer-Ebranc now York and other places ibid. Ecbert succeeds his Father Ercombert in the Kingdom of Kent p. 163. dying leaves a suspition of having slain his Vncle's Sons Elbert and Egelbright p. 163. Ecbert of the West-Saxon linage flies from Birthric's suspition to Offa and thence into France p. 183. after Birthric's decease is recall'd and with general applause made King ibid. he subdues the Britans of Cornwall and beyond Severn p. 186. overthrows Bernulf the Vsurper of Mercia at Ellandune or Wilton ibid. the East-Angles having slain Bernulf yield to his Soveraignty ibid. drives Baldred King of Kent out of his Kingdom and causeth both Kent and other Provinces to submit to his Scepter p. 187. Withlaf of Mercia becomes tributary to him ibid. he gives the Danes battel by the River Carr p. 191. in another battel he puts to flight a great Army of them together with the Cornish men joyning with them p. 192. he dies and is buried at Winchester ibid. Ecferth the Son of Offa the Mercian within four months ends his Reign p. 181 182. Ecfrid Oswi's eldest Son succeeds him in the Kingdom of Northumberland p. 163. wins Lindsey from Wulfer the Mercian ibid. he wars against Ethelred the Brother of Wulfer p. 166. he sends Bertus with an Army to subdue Ireland p. 167. marching against the Picts is cut off with most of his Army ib. his death reveng'd by Bertfrid a Northumbrian Captain p. 170. Edan a King of the Scots in Britain put to flight by Ethelfrid p. 141. Edelard King of the West-Saxons after Ina molested with the Rebellion of his Kinsman Oswald p. 174. overcoming those troubles dies in peace ibid. Edgar the Brother and Successor of Edwi in the English Monarchy calls home Dunstan from Banishment p. 234. his peaceable and prosperous Reign and his favour towards the Monks ibid. his strict observance of justice and his care to secure the Nation with a strong Fleet p. 235. he is homag'd and row'd down the River Dee by eight Kings p. 236. his expostulation with Kened King of Scotland p. 237. he is cheated by the treacherous Duke Athelwold of Elflida whom avenging himself upon the said Duke he marries p. 237 238. attempting on the chastity of a young Lady at Andover he is pleasantly deceiv'd by the mother p. 239. dying in the height of his glory he is buried at Glaston-Abby p. 236. Edgar sirnamed Atheling his right and title to the Crown of England from his Grandfather Edmund Ironside p. 292. excluded by Harold Son of Earl Godwin p. 299. Edilhere the Brother and Successor of Anna in the Kingdom of the East-Angles slain in a battel against Oswi p. 161. Edilwalk the South-Saxon perswaded to Christianity by Wulfer p. 164. Edmund crown'd King of the East-Angles at Burie p. 196. his whole Army put to flight by the Danes he is taken bound to a stake and shot with arrows p. 201. Edmund the Brother and Successor of Athelstane in the English Monarchy frees Mercia and takes several Towns from the Danes p. 230. he drives Anlaf and Suthfrid out of Northumberland and Dummail out of Cumberland p. 231. the strange manner of his death p. 231 232. Edmund sirnamed Ironside the Son of Ethelred set up by divers of the Nobles against Canute p. 262. in several Battels against the Danes he comes off for the most part victorious p. 263 264. at length consents to divide the Kingdom with him p. 265. his death thought to have been violent and not without Canute's consent p. 266. Edred the third Brother and Successor of Athelstane with much ado reduceth the Northumbrians and puts an end to that Kingdom p. 232. dies in the flower of his age and is buried at Winchester p. 233. Edric the Son of Edelwalk King of South-Saxons slain by Kedwalla the West-Saxon p. 165. Edric sirnamed Streon advanc't by King Ethelred marries his Daughter Elgiva p. 254. he secretly murthers two Noblemen whom he had invited to his Lodging p.
259. he practises against the life of Prince Edmund and revolts to the Danes p. 260. his cunning devices to hinder Edmund in the prosecution of his Victories against Canute p. 263 264. is thought by some to have been the Contriver of King Edmunds murther p. 266. the Government of the Mercians conferr'd upon him p. 268. he is put to death by Canutus and his head stuck upon a pole and set upon the highest Tower in London p. 268. Edward the Elder Son and Successor of King Alfred hath War with Ethelwald his Kinsman who aspiring to the Crown stirs up the Danes against him p. 115 116. he proves successful and potent divers Princes and great Commanders of the Danes submitting to him p. 216 217 c. the King and whole Nation of Scotland with divers other Frinces and people do him homage as their Soveraign p. 221. he dies at Farendon and is buried at Winchester p. 222. Edward sirnamed the Younger Edgar's Son by his first Wife Egelfleda is advanc't to the Throne p. 241. the contest in his Reign between the Monks and secular Priests each abetted by their several parties p. 242. great mischief done by the falling of a house where a general Council for deciding the controversie was held ibid. Edward inhumanely murder'd by the treachery of his step-mother Elfrida p. 243. Edward Son of Edmund Ironside Heir apparent to the Crown dies at London p. 292. Edward sirnamed the Confessor the Son of King Ethelred by Emma after Hardecnute's death is crown'd at Winchester p. 280. he seizeth on the Treasures of his mother Queen Emma p. 281. he marries Edith Earl Godwin's Daughter ibid. he makes preparation against Magnus King of Norway but next year makes peace with Harold Harvager ibid. he advances the Normans in England which proves of ill consequence p. 283. he is oppos'd by Earl Godwin in the Cause of Eustace of Boloign banishes the Earl and divorces his Daughter whom he had married p. 285 286. entertains Duke William of Normandy p. 287. he sends Odo and Radulf with a Fleet against Godwin and his Sons exercising Piracy p. 288. reconciliation at length made he restores the Earl his Sons and Daughter all to their former dignities p. 289. he is said to have design'd Duke William of Normandy his Successor to the Crown p. 296. dies and is buried at Westminster p. 297. his Character p. 297 298. Edwi the Son and Successor of Edmund is crown'd at Kingston p. 233. he banisheth Bishop Dunstan for reproving his wantonness with Algiva and proves an enemy to all Monks p. 233 234. the Mercians and Northumbrians revolt from him and set up his Brother Edgar p. 234. with grief thereof he ends his days and is buried at Winchester ibid. Edwin thrown out of the Kingdom of Deira by Ethelfrid p. 133. 146. flying to Redwall the East-Angle for refuge he is defended against Ethelfrid p. 147. he exceeds in power and extent of Dominion all before him p. 148. marries Edelburga the Sister of Eadbald ibid. he is wounded by an Assassin from Cuichelm ibid. the strange relation of his Conversion to Christianity p. 149. 150. he perswades Eorpald the Son of Redwald to embrace the Christian Faith p. 153. he is slain in a Battel against Kedwalla ibid. Edwin Duke of the Mercians see Morcar Elanius reckon'd in the number of ancient British Kings p. 25. Eldadus p. 28. Eldol ibid. Eledancus ibid. Elfled the Sister of King Edward the Elder takes Derby from the Danes p. 218. her Army of Mercians victorious against the Welsh ibid. after several Martial Acts she dies at Tamworth p. 221. Elfred the Son of King Ethelred by Emma betray'd by Earl Godwin and cruelly made away by Harold p. 274 276. Elfwald the Son of Oswulf succeeding Ethelred in Northumberland is rebell'd against by two of his Noblemen Osbald and Ethelheard p. 177. he is slain by the conspiracy of Siggan one of his Nobles p. 179. Elfwin slain in a Battel between his Brother Ecfrid and Ethelred p. 166. Elidure's noble demeanor towards his deposed Brother p. 26. after Archigallo's death he resumes the Government but is driven out again and imprison'd by his two other Brethren p. 27. Elind reckon'd in the number of ancient British Kings p. 28. Ella the Saxon lands with his three Sons and beats the Britans in two Battels p. 119. he and his Son Cissa take Andredschester in Kent by force ibid. begins his Kingdom of the South-Saxons ibid. Elwold Nephew of Ethelwald reigns King of the East-Angles after Aldulf p. 187. Emeric succeeds Otha in the Kingdom of Kent p. 127. Emma the Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy married first to K. p. 249. afterwards to Canute p. 268. banisht by her Son-in-Law Harold she retires to Flanders and is entertained by Earl Baldwin p. 274. her Treasures seized on by her Son King Edward p. 281. she dies and is buried at Winchester p. 287. a Tradition concerning her question'd ib. Eorpwald the Son of Redwald King of the East-Angles perswaded to Christianity by Edwin p. 113. he is slain in fight by Ricbert a Pagan ibid. Erchenwin said by Huntingdon to be the Erector of the Kingdom of the East-Saxons p. 121. Ercombert succeeds Eadbald in the Kingdom of Kent p. 156. Eric see Iric Ermenred thought to have had more right to the Kingdom than Ercombert p. 156. Escwin and Kenswin the Nephew and Son of Kinegil said to have succeeded Kenwalk in the Government of the West-Saxons p. 164. Escwin joyns Battel with Wulfer at Bedanhafer and not long after deceaseth ibid. Estrildis belov'd by Locrine p. 14. is with her Daughter Sabra thrown into a River p. 15. Ethelbald King of Mercia after Ina commands all the Provinces on this side Humber p. 171. he takes the Town of Somerton p. 173. fraudulently assaults part of Northumberland in Eadberts absence p. 174. his encounter at Beorford with Cuthred the West-Saxon p. 175. in another bloody fight at Secandune he is slain p. 176. Ethelbald and Ethelbert share the English-Saxon Kingdom between them after their Father Ethelwolf Ethelbald marries Judith his Father's Widow p. 198. is buried at Shirburn ibid. Ethelbert succeeds Emeric in the Kingdom of Kent p. 127. he is defeated at Wibbandun by Keaulin and his Son Cutha p. 128. inlarges his Dominions from Kent to Humber p. 137. civilly receives Austin and his Fellow-preachers of the Gospel p. 139. is himself baptiz'd p. 140. mov'd by Austin he builds S. Peters Church in Canterbury and endows it p. 141. he builds and endows S. Paul's Church in London and the Cathedral at Rochester p. 142. his death p. 145. Ethelbert Eadbert and Alric succeed their Father Victred in the Kingdom of Kent p. 170. see Eadbright Ethelbert the Son of Ethelwolf after the death of his Brother Ethelbald enjoys the whole Kingdom to himself p. 198. during his Reign the Danes waste Kent p. 199. he is buried with his Brother at Shirburn ibid. Ethelfrid succeeds Ethelric in the Kingdom of
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
so frequent Alarms came to agreement with them for a certain sum of money but ere the peace could be ratifi'd and the money gatherd the Danes impatient of delay by a sudden eruption in the night soon wasted all the East of Kent Mean while or something before Ethelbert deceasing was buried as his Brother at Sherburne Ethelred EThelred the third Son of Ethelwolf at his first An. Dom. 866 coming to the Crown was entertain'd with a fresh invasion of Danes led by Hinguar and Hubba two Brothers who now had got footing among the East-Angles there they winterd and coming to terms of peace with the Inhabitants furnish'd themselves of Horses forming by that means many Troops with Riders of thir own These Pagans Asser saith came from the River Danubius Fitted An. Dom. 867 thus for a long expedition they ventur'd the next year to make thir way over land and over Humber as far as Yorke them they found to thir hands imbroil'd in civil dissentions thir King Osbert they had thrown out and Ella Leader of another faction chosen in his room who both though late admonish'd by thir common danger towards the years end with united powers made head against the Danes and prevail'd but persueing them over-eagerly into Yorke then but slenderly wall'd the Northumbrians were every where slaughter'd both within and without thir Kings also both slain thir City burnt saith Malmsbury the rest as they could made thir peace over-run and vanquisht as far as the River Tine and Egbert of English race appointed King over them Bromton no antient Author for he wrote since Mat. West nor of much credit writes a particular cause of the Danes coming to Yorke that Bruern a Nobleman whose Wife King Osbert had ravisht call'd in Hinguar and Hubba to revenge him The example is remarkable if the truth were as evident Thence victorious the Danes next year enterd into Mercia towards An. Dom. 868 Nottingham where they spent the Winter Burhed then King of that Country unable to resist implores the aid of Ethelred and young Alfred his Brother they assembling thir Forces and joining with the Mercians about Nottingham offer Battel the Danes not daring to come forth kept themselves within that Town and Castle so that no great fight was hazarded there at length the Mercians weary of long suspence enterd into conditions of peace with thir Enemies After which the Danes returning back to Yorke made thir abode there the space of one year committing some say many cruelties An. Dom. 869 An. Dom. 870 Thence imbarking to Lindsey and all the Summer destroying that Country about September they came with like fury into Kesteven another part of Lincolnshire where Algar the Earl of Howland now Holland with his Forces and two hunderd stout Souldiers belonging to the Abbey of Croiland three hunderd from about Boston Morcard Lord of Brunne with his numerous Family well train'd and arm'd Osgot Governour of Lincoln with 500. of that City all joyning together gave Battel to the Danes slew of them a great multitude with three of thir Kings and persu'd the rest to thir Tents but the night following Gothrun Baseg Osketil Halfden and Hamond five Kings and as many Earls Frena Hinguar Hubba Sidroc the Elder and Younger coming in from several parts with great forces and spoils great part of the English began to slink home Nevertheless Algar with such as forsook him not all next day in order of Battel facing the Danes and sustaining unmov'd the brunt of thir assaults could not withhold his men at last from persueing thir counterfitted flight wherby op'nd and disorder'd they fell into the snare of thir Enemies rushing back upon them Algar and those Captains fore-nam'd with him all resolute men retreating to a hill side and slaying of such as follow'd them manifold thir own number dy'd at length upon heaps of dead which they had made round about them The Danes thence passing on into the Country of East-Angles rifl'd and burnt the Monastery of Elie overthrew Earl Wulketul with his whole Army and lodg'd out the Winter at Thetford where King Edmund assailing them was with his whole Army put to flight himself tak'n bound to a stake and shot to Death with Arrows his whole Country subdu'd The next year An. Dom. 871 with great supplies saith Huntingdon bending thir march toward the West-Saxons the only people now left in whom might seem yet to remain strength or courage likely to oppose them they came to Reading fortifi'd there between the two Rivers of Thames and Kenet and about three dayes after sent out wings of Horse under two Earls to forage the Country but Ethelwulf Earl of Barkshire at Englefeild a Village nigh encounterd them slew one of thir Earls and obtain'd a great Victory Four dayes after came the King himself and his Brother Alfred with the main Battail and the Danes issuing forth a bloody fight began on either side great slaughter in which Earl Ethelwulf lost his life but the Danes loosing no ground kept thir place of standing to the end Neither did the English for this make less hast to another conflict at Escesdunc or Ashdown four dayes after where both Armies with thir whole force on either side met The Danes were imbattail'd in two great Bodies the one led by Bascai and Halfden thir two Kings the other by such Earls as were appointed in like manner the English divided thir powers Ethelred the King stood against their Kings and though on the lower ground and coming later into the Battail from his Orisons gave a fierce onset wherin Bascai the Danish History names him Erazus the Son of Regicerus was slain Alfred was plac'd against the Earls and beginning the Battail ere his Brother came into the field with such resolution charg'd them that in the shock most of them were slain they are nam'd Sidroc Elder and Younger Osbern Frean Harald at length in both Divisions the Danes turn thir backs many thousands of them cut off the rest persu'd till night So much the more it may be wonderd to hear next in the Annals that the Danes 14 days after such an over-throw fighting again with Ethelred and his Brother Alfred at Basing under conduct saith the Danish History of Agnerus and Hubbo Brothers of the slain Evacus should obtain the Victory especially since the new supply of Danes mention'd by Asser arriv'd after this action But after two Months the King and his Brother fought with them again at Mertun in two Squadrons as before in which fight hard it is to understand who had the better so darkly do the Saxon Annals deliver thir meaning with more then wonted infancy Yet these I take for Asser is heer silent to be the Chief Fountain of our story the ground and basis upon which the Monks later in time gloss and comment at thir pleasure Nevertheless it appears that on the Saxon part not Heamund the Bishop only but many valiant men
lost thir lives This fight was follow'd by a heavy Summer Plague wherof as is thought King Ethelred dy'd in the fifth of his Reign and was buried at Winburne where his Epitaph inscribes that he had his Deaths wound by the Danes according to the Danish History 872. Of all these terrible landings and devastations by the Danes from the days of Ethelwolf till thir two last Battels with Ethelred or of thir Leaders whether Kings Dukes or Earls the Danish History of best credit saith nothing So little Wit or Conscience it seems they had to leave any memory of thir brutish rather then manly actions unless we shall suppose them to have come as above was cited out of Asser from Danubius rather then from Denmarke more probable some barbarous Nations of Prussia or Livonia not long before seated more Northward on the Baltic Sea Alfred ALfred the fourth Son of Ethelwols had scarse perform'd his Brothers obsequies and the solemnity of his own Crowning when at the months end in hast with a small power he encounterd the whole Army of Danes at Wilton and most part of the day foyl'd them but unwarily following the Chase gave others of them the advantage to rally who returning upon him now weary remain'd Masters of the field This year as is affirm'd in the Annals nine Battels had bin fought against the Danes on the South-side of Thames besides innumerable excursions made by Alfred and other Leaders one King nine Earls were fall'n in fight so that weary on both sides at the years end League or Truce was concluded Yet next year the Danes took thir march to An. Dom. 872 London now expos'd thir prey there they winterd and thether came the Mercians to renue peace with them The year following they rov'd back to the parts beyond Humber but winter'd at Torksey in Lincolnshire where the Mercians now the third time made peace with them Notwithstanding which An. Dom. 873 An. Dom. 874 removing thir Camp to Rependune in Mercia now Repton upon Trent in Darbishire and there wintring they constrein'd Burhed the King to fly into Forein parts makeing seisure of his Kingdome he running the direct way to Rome with better reason then his Ancestors dy'd there and was buried in a Church by the English School His Kingdom the Danes farm'd out to Kelwulf one of his Houshold Servants or Officers with condition to be resign'd them when they commanded From Rependune they An. Dom. 875 dislodg'd Hafden thir King leading part of his Army Northward winterd by the River Tine and subjecting all those quarters wasted also the Picts and British beyond but Guthrun Oskitell and Anwynd other three of thir Kings moving from Rependune came with a great Army to Grantbrig and remain'd there a whole year Alfred that Summer purposing to try his Fortune with a Fleet at Sea for he had found that the want of Shipping and neglect of Navigation had expos'd the Land to these Piracies met with 7 Danish Rovers took one the rest escaping an acceptable success from so small a begining for the English at that time were but little experienc't in Sea affairs The next years first motion An. Dom. 876 of the Danes was towards Warham Castle where Alfred meeting them either by policy or their doubt of his power Ethelwerd saith by money brought them to such terms of peace as that they swore to him upon a hallow'd Bracelet others say upon certain Reliques a Solemn Oath it seems which they never voutsal'd before to any other Nation forthwith to depart the land but falsifying that Oath by night with all the Horse they had Asser saith slaying all the Horseman he had stole to Exeter and there winterd In Northumberland Hafden thir King began to settle to divide the land to till and to inhabit Mean while they in the West who were march'd to Exeter enterd the City coursing now and then to Warham but thir Fleet the next An. Dom. 877 year sailing or rowing about the West met with such a tempest neer to Swanswich or Gnavewic as wrack'd 120 of thir Ships and left the rest easie to be maisterd by those Gallies which Alfred had set there to guard the Seas and streit'n Exeter of provision He the while beleagering them in the City now humbl'd with the loss of thir Navy two Navies saith Asser the one at Gnavewic the other at Swanwine distress'd them so as that they gave him as many hostages as he requir'd and as many Oaths to keep thir covnanted peace and kept it For the Summer coming on they departed into Mercia wherof part they divided amongst themselves part left to Kelwulf thir substituted King The twelftide An. Dom. 878 following all Oaths forgott'n they came to Chippenham in Wiltshire dispeopleing the Countries round dispossessing some driving others beyond the Sea Alfred himself with a small Company was forc'd to keep within Woods and Fenny places and for some time all alone as Florent saith sojourn'd with Dunwulf a Swine-heard made afterwards for his devotion and aptness to learning Bishop of Winchester Hafden and the Brother of Hinguar coming with 23 Ships from North-wales where they had made great spoil landed in Devonshire nigh to a strong Castle nam'd Kinwith where by the Garrison issuing forth unexpectedly they were slain with 12 hunderd of thir men Mean while the King about Easter not despairing of his affairs built a Fortress at a place call'd Athelney in Somersetshire therin valiantly defending himself and his followers frequently sallying forth The 7th week after he rode out to a place call'd Ecbryt-stone in the East part of Selwood thether resorted to him with much gratulation the Somerset and Wiltshire men with many out of Hamshire some of whom a little before had fled thir Country with these marching to Ethandune now Edindon in Wiltshire he gave Battel to the whole Danish power and put them to flight Then beseiging thir Castle within fourteen days took it Malmsbury writes that in this time of his recess to go a spy into the Danish Camp he took upon him with one Servant the habit of a Fidler by this means gaining access to the Kings Table and somtimes to his Bed-Chamber got knowledge of thir secrets thir careless encamping and thereby this opportunity of assailing them on a sudden The Danes by this misfortune brok'n gave him more hostages and renu'd thir Oaths to depart out of his Kingdom Thir King Gytro or Gothrun offer'd willingly to receave Baptism and accordingly came with 30 of his friends to a place call'd Aldra or Aulre neer to Athelney and were baptiz'd at Wedmore where Alfred receav'd him out of the Font and nam'd him Athelstan After which they abode with him 12 daies and were dismiss'd with rich presents Whereupon An. Dom. 879 the Danes remov'd next year to Cirencester thence peaceably to the East-Angles which Alfred as some write had bestow'd on Gothrun to