and built another at Temsford judging that place more opportune from whence to make thir excursions and soon after went forth with design to assail Bedford but the Garrison issuing out slew a great part of them the rest fled After this a greater Army of them gatherd out of Mercia and the East-Angles came and beseig'd the City call'd Wigingmere a whole Day but finding it defended stoutly by them within thence also departed driving away much of thir Cattel wherupon the English from Towns and Citties round about joining Forces laid Seige to the Town and Castle of Temsford and by assault took both slew thir King with Toglea a Duke and Mannan his Son an Earl with all the rest there found who chose to die rather then yeild Encourag'd by this the men of Kent Surrey and part of Essex enterprise the Seige of Colnhester nor gave over till they won it sacking the Town and putting to Sword all the Danes therein except some who escap'd over the Wall To the succour of these a great number of Danes inhabiting Ports and other Towns in the East-Angles united thir Force but coming too late as in revenge beleaguerd Maldon but that Town also timely releiv'd they departed not only frustrate of thir design but so hotly persu'd that many thousands of them lost thir lives in the flight Forthwith King Edward with his West-Saxons went to Passham upon Ouse there to guard the passage while others were building a stone Wall about Torchester to him there Earl Thurfert and other Lord Danes with thir Army thereabout as far as Weolud came and submitted Wherat the Kings Souldiers joyfully cry'd out to be dismiss't home therfore with another part of them he enterd Huntingdon and repair'd it where breaches had bin made all the people thereabout returning to obedience The like was done at Colnchester by the next remove of his Army after which both East and West-Angles and the Danish Forces among them yeilded to the King swearing Allegiance to him both by Sea and Land the Army also of Danes at Grantbrig surrendring themselves took the same Oath The Summer following he came with his Army to Stamford An. Dom. 922 built a Castle there on the South-side of the River where all the people of those quarters acknowledg'd him supream Dureing his abode there Elfled his Sister a martial Woman who after her Husbands Death would no more marry but gave her self to public affairs repairing and fortifying many Towns warring sometimes dy'd at Tamworth the Cheif Seat of Mercia wherof by guift of Alfred her Father she was Lady or Queen wherby that whole Nation became obedient to King Edward as did also North-Wales with Howel Cledaucus and Jeothwell thir Kings Thence passing to Nottingham he enterd and repair'd the Town plac'd there part English part Danes and receav'd fealty from all in Mercia of either Nation The next Autumn coming An. Dom. 923 with his Army into Cheshire he built and fortifi'd Thelwel and while he staid there call'd another Army out of Mercia which he sent to repair and fortifie Manchester About Midsummer following An. Dom. 924 he march'd again to Nottingham built a Town over against it on the South-side of that River and with a Bridg joyn'd them both thence journied to a place call'd Bedecanwillan in Pictland there also built and fenc'd a City on the Borders where the King of Scots did him honour as to his Sovran together with the whole Scotish Nation the like did Reginald and the Son of Eadulf Danish Princes with all the Northumbrians both English and Danes The King also of a people thereabout call'd Streatgledwalli the North Welch as Camden thinks of Strat-Cluid in Denbigh-shire perhaps rather the British of Cumberland did him homage and not undeserv'd For Buchanan himself confesses that this King Edward with a small number of men compar'd to his Enemies overthrew in a great Battel the whole united power both of Scots and Daâ—es slew most of the Scotish Nobility and forc'd Malcolmb whom Constantine the Scotch King had made General and design'd Heir of his Crown to save himself by flight sore wounded Of the English he makes Athelstan the Son of Edward Chief Leader and so far seems to confound times and actions as to make this Battel the same with that fought by Athelstan about 24 years after at Bruneford against Anlaf and Constantine wherof hereafter But here Buchanan takes occasion to inveigh against the English Writers upbraiding them with ignorance who affirm Athelstan to have bin supream King of Britain Constantine the Scotish King with others to have held of him and denies that in the Annals of Marianus Scotus any mention is to be found therof which I shall not stand much to contradict for in Marianus whether by Surname or by Nation Scotus will be found as little mention of any other Scotish affairs till the time of King Dunchad slain by Machetad or Mackbeth in the year 1040. which gives cause of suspition that the affairs of Scotland before that time were so obscure as to be unknown to thir own Countryman who liv'd and wrote his Chronicle not long after But King Edward thus nobly doing and thus honour'd the year following dy'd at Farendon An. Dom. 925 a builder and restorer eev'n in War not a destroyer of his Land He had by several Wives many Childern his eldest Daughter Edgith he gave in marriage to Charles King of France Grand-Child of Charles the Bald above-mention'd of the rest in place convenient His Laws are yet to be seen He was buried at Winchester in the Monastery by Alfred his Father And a few days after him dy'd Ethelwerd his Eldest Son the Heir of his Crown He had the whole Iland in subjection yet so as petty Kings reign'd under him In Northumberland after Ecbert whom the Danes had set up and the Northumbrians yet unruly under thir yoke at the end of 6 years had expell'd one Ricsig was set up King and bore the name 3 years then another Ecbert and Guthred the latter if we beleeve Legends of a Servant made King by command of St. Cudbert in a Vision and enjoyn'd by another Vision of the same Saint to pay well for his Royalty many Lands and privileges to his Church and Monastery But now to the story Athelstan AThelstan next in Age to Ethelward his Brother who deceas'd untimely few days before though born of a Concubine yet for the great appearance of many vertues in him and his Brethren being yet under Age was exalted to the Throne at Kingstone An. Dom. 926 upon Thames and by his Fathers last Will saith Malmsbury yet not without some opposition of one Alfred and his Accomplices who not likeing he should reign had conspir'd to seise on him after his Fathers Death and to put out his Eyes But the Conspiratours discoverd and Alfred denying the Plot was sent to Rome to assert his innocence before the Pope where taking his Oath on
of things requires a several relation THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN The Third Book THis third Book having to tell of accidents as various and exemplary as the intermission or change of Government hath any where brought forth may deserve attention more than common and repay it with like benefit to them who can judiciously read considering especially that the late civil broils had cast us into a condition not much unlike to what the Britans then were in when the imperial jurisdiction departing hence left them to the sway of thir own Councils which times by comparing seriously with these later and that confused Anarchy with this intereign we may be able from two such remarkable turns of State producing like events among us to raise a knowledg of our selves both great and weighty by judging hence what kind of men the Britans generally are in matters of so high enterprise how by nature industry or custom fitted to attempt or undergoe matters of so main consequence for if it be a high point of wisdom in every private man much more is it in a Nation to know it self rather than puft up with vulgar flatteries and encomiums for want of self knowledge to enterprise rashly and come off miserably in great undertakings The Britans thus as we heard being left without protection from the Empire and the Land in a manner emptied of all her youth consumed in Warrs abroad or not caring to return home themselves through long subjection servile in mind sloathful of body and with the use of Arms unacquainted sustain'd but ill for many years the violence of those barbarous Invaders who now daily grew upon them For although at first greedy of change and to be thought the leading Nation to freedom from the Empire they seem'd a while to bestirr them with a shew of diligence in thir new affairs som secretly aspiring to rule others adoring the name of liberty yet so soon as they felt by proof the weight of what it was to govern well themselves and what was wanting within them not stomach or the love of licence but the wisdom the virtue the labour to use and maintain true libertie they soon remitted thir heat and shrunk more wretchedly under the burden of thir own libertie than before under a foren yoke Insomuch that the residue of those Romans which had planted themselves heer despairing of thir ill deportment at home and weak resistance in the field by those few who had the courage or the strength to bear Arms nine years after the sacking of Rome remov'd out of Britain into France An. Dom. 418 hiding for haste great part of thir treasure which was never after found And now again the Britans no longer able to support themselves against the prevailing Enemy sollicit Honorius to thir aid with mournful Letters Embassages and vows of perpetual subjection to Rome if the Northern Foe were but repuls't An. Dom. 422 He at thir request spares them one Legion which with great slaughter of the Scots and Picts drove them beyond the Borders rescu'd the Britans and advis'd them to build a Wall cross the Iland between Sea and Sea from the place where Edinburg now stands to the Frith of Dunbritton by the City Alcluith But the material being only Turf and by the rude multitude unartificially built up without better direction avail'd them little For no sooner was the Legion departed but the greedy spoilers returning land in great numbers from thir Boats and Pinaces wasting slaying and treading down all before them Then are messengers again posted to Rome in lamentable sort beseeching that they would not suffer a whole Province to be destroy'd and the Roman name so honourable yet among them to become the subject of barbarian scorn and insolence An. Dom. 423 The Emperor at thir sad complaint with what speed was possible sends to thir succour Who coming suddenly on those ravenous multitudes that minded only spoil surprise them with a terrible slaughter They who escap'd fled back to those Seas from whence yearly they were wont to arrive and return lad'n with booties But the Romans who came not now to rule but charitably to aid declaring that it stood not longer with the ease of thir Affairs to make such labourious voyages in pursuit of so base and vagabond robbers of whom neither glory was to be got nor gain exhorted them to manage thir own warfare and to defend like men thir Country thir Wives thir Children and what was to be dearer than life thir liberty against an Enemy not stronger than themselves if thir own sloth and cowardise had not made them so if they would but only find hands to grasp defensive Arms rather than basely stretch them out to receave bonds They gave them also thir help to build a new Wall not of earth as the former but of stone both at the public cost and by particular contributions traversing the I le in direct line from East to West between certain Cities plac'd there as Frontiers to bear off the Enemy where Severus had wall'd once before They rais'd it 12 Foot high 8 broad Along the South shoar because from thence also like hostility was fear'd they place Towers by the Sea side at certain distances for safety of the Coast Withall they instruct them in the art of Warr leaving Patterns of thir Arms and Weapons behind them and with animating words and many lessons of valour to a faint-hearted audience bid them finally farewell without purpose to return And these two friendly Expeditions the last of any hither by the Romans were perform'd as may be gather'd out of Beda and Diaconus the two last years of Honorius Thir Leader as som modernly write was Gallio of Ravenna Buchanan who departs not much from the Fables of his Predecessor Boethius names him Maximianus and brings against him to this Battel Fergus first King of Scots after thir second suppos'd coming into Scotland Dursius King of Picts both there slain and Dioneth an imaginary King of Britain or Duke of Cornwall who improbablie sided with them against his own Countrie hardlie escaping With no less exactness of particular circumstances he takes upon him to relate all those tumultuarie inrodes of the Scots and Picts into Britain as if they had but yesterday happen'd thir order of Battel manner of fight number of slain Articles of Peace things whereof Gildas and Beda are utterly silent Authors to whom the Scotch Writers have none to cite comparable in Antiquity no more therefore to be believ'd for bare assertions however quaintlie drest than our Geofry of Monmouth when he varies most from authentick storie But either the inbred vanity of some in that respect unworthily call'd Historians or the fond zeal of praising thir Nations above truth hath so far transported them that where they find nothing faithfully to relate they fall confidently to invent what they think may either best set off thir Historie or
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
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
better pass while severally they sought to repell the danger nigh at hand rather then jointly to prevent it farre off But when God hath decreed servitude on a sinful Nation fitted by thir own vices for no condition but servile all Estates of Government are alike unable to avoid it God had purpos'd to punish our instrumental punishers though now Christians by other Heathen according to his Divine retaliation invasion for invasion spoil for spoil destruction for destruction The Saxons were now full as wicked as the Britans were at their arrival brok'n with luxurie and sloth either secular or superstitious for laying aside the exercise of Arms and the study of all vertuous knowledge some betook them to over-worldly or vitious practice others to religious Idleness and Solitude which brought forth nothing but vain and delusive visions easily perceav'd such by thir commanding of things either not belonging to the Gospel or utterly forbidden Ceremonies Reliques Monasteries Masses Idols add to these ostentation of Alms got oft-times by rapine and oppression or intermixt with violent and lustfull deeds sometimes prodigally bestow'd as the expiation of cruelty and bloodshed What longer suffering could there be when Religion it self grew so void of sincerity and the greatest shews of purity were impur'd Ecbert ECbert in full highth of glory having now enjoy'd his Conquest seaven peacefull years his victorious Army long since disbanded and the exercise of Armes perhaps laid aside the more was found unprovided against a sudden storm of Danes from the Sea who landing in the 32. of his Reign An. Dom. 832 wasted Shepey in Kent Ecbert the next year gathering an Army An. Dom. 833 for he had heard of thir arrival in 35 Ships gave them Battail by the River Carr in Dorsetshire the event wherof was that the Danes kept thir ground and encampt where the field was fought two Saxon Leaders Dudda and Osmund and two Bishops as some say were there slain This was the only check of Fortune we read of that Ecbert in all his time receav'd For the Danes returning two years after with a great Navy An. Dom. 835 and joining Forces with the Cornish who had enterd League with them were overthrown and put to flight Of these invasions against Ecbert the Danish History is not silent whether out of thir own Records or ours may be justly doubted for of these times at home I find them in much uncertainty and beholding rather to Out-landish Chronicles then any Records of thir own The Victor Ecbert as one who had done enough seasonably now after prosperous success An. Dom. 836 the next year with glory ended his days and was buried at Winchester Ethelwolf EThelwolf the Son of Ecbert succeeded by Malmsbury describ'd a man of mild nature not inclin'd to War or delighted with much Dominion that therfore contented with the antient West-Saxon bounds he gave to Ethelstan his Brother or Son as some write the Kingdome of Kent and Essex But the Saxon Annalist whose Autority is Elder saith plainly that both these Countries and Sussex were bequeath'd to Ethelstan by Ecbert his Father The unwarlike disposition of Ethelwolf gave encouragement no doubt and easier entrance to the Danes who came again the next year with 33 Ships An. Dom. 837 but Wulfheard one of the Kings Chief Captains drove them back at Southamton with great slaughter himself dying the same year of Age as I suppose for he seems to have bin one of Ecberts old Commanders who was sent with Ethelwolf to subdue Kent Ethelhelam another of the Kings Captains with the Dorsetshire men had at first like success against the Danes at Portsmouth but they reinforcing stood thir ground and put the English to rout Worse was the success of Earl Herebert at a place call'd Mereswar slain with the most part of his Army An. Dom. 838 The year following in Lindsey also East-Angles and Kent much mischief was don by thir landing An. Dom. 839 where the next year embold'nd by success they came on as far as Canterbury Rochester and London it self with no less cruel hostility and giving no respit to the peaceable mind of Ethelwolf they yet return'd with the next year in 35 Ships fought with him An. Dom. 840 as before with his Father at the River Carr and made good thir ground In Northumberland Eandred the Tributary King deceasing left the same tenure to his Son Ethelred driv'n out in his fowrth year An. Dom. 844 and succeeded by Readwulf who soon after his Coronation hasting forth to Battel against the Danes at Alvetheli fell with the most part of his Army and Ethelred like in fortune to the former Ethelred was re-exalted to his Seat And to be yet further like him in Fate was slain the fowrth year after Osbert succeeded in his room An. Dom. 845 But more southerly the Danes next year after met with some stop in the full course of thir outragious insolences For Earnulf with the men of Somerset Alstan the Bishop and Osric with those of Dorsetshire setting upon them at the Rivers mouth of Pedridan slaughterd them in great numbers and obtain'd a just Victory This repulse queld them for ought we hear the space of six years An. Dom. 851 Then also renewing thir invasion with little better success For Keorle an Earl aided with the Forces of Devonshire assaulted and over-threw them at Wigganbearch with great destruction as prosperously were they fought with the same year at Sandwich by King Ethelstan and Ealker his General thir great Army defeated and nine of thir Ships tak'n the rest driv'n off however to ride out the Winter on that shoar Asser saith they then first winter'd in Shepey I le Hard it is through the bad expression of these Writers to define this fight whether by Sea or Land Hoveden terms it a Sea fight Nevertheless with 50 Ships Asser and others add 300 they enterd the mouth of Thames and made excursions as far as Canterbury and London and as Ethelwerd writes destroy'd both of London Asser signifies only that they pillag'd it Bertulf also the Mercian successor of Withlaf with all his Army they forc'd to fly and him beyond the Sea Then passing over Thames with thir powers into Surrey and the West-Saxons and meeting there with King Ethelwolf and Ethelbald his Son at a place call'd Ak-Lea or Oak-Lea they receav'd a total defeat with memorable slaughter This was counted a lucky year to England and brought to Ethelwolf great reputation An. Dom. 853 Burhed therfore who after Bertulf held of him the Mercian Kingdom two years after this imploring his aid against the North-Welch as then troublesome to his Confines obtain'd it of him in person and therby reduc'd them to obedience This done Ethelwolf sent his Son Alfrid a Child of five years well accompanied to Rome whom Leo the Pope both consecrated to be King afterward and adopted to be his Son at home Ealker with the Forces of Kent
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
Letters to every Town and Citty wherby they might be ready all at the same hower which till the appointed time being the 9th of July was conceal'd with great silence and perform'd with much unanimity so generally hated were the Danes Mat. West writes that this execution upon the Danes was ten years after that Huna one of Ethelreds Chief Captains complaining of the Danish insolencies in time of peace thir pride thir ravishing of Matrons and Virgins incited the King to this massacher which in the madness of rage made no difference of innocent or nocent Among these Gunhildis the Sister of Swane was not spar'd though much deserving not pitty only but all protection she with her Husband Earl Palingus coming to live in England and receaving Christianity had her Husband and young Son slain before her face her self then beheaded foretelling and denouncing that her blood would cost England dear Some say this was done by the Traitor Edric to whose custody she was committed but the massacher was some years before Edric's advancement and if it were done by him afterward it seems to contradict the privat correspondence which he was thought to hold with the Danes For Swane breathing revenge An. Dom. 1003 hasted the next year into England and by the treason or negligence of Count Hugh whom Emma had recommended to the Government of Devonshire sack'd the City of Exeter her Wall from East to West-gate brok'n down after this wasting Wiltshire the people of that County and of Hamshire came together in great numbers with resolution stoutly to oppose him but Alfric thir General whose Sons Eyes the King had lately put out madly thinking to revenge himself on the King by ruining his own Country when he should have orderd his Battel the Enemy being at hand fain'd himself tak'n with a vomiting wherby his Army in great discontent destitute of a Commander turn'd from the Enemy who streight took Wilton and Salsbury carrying the pillage therof to his Ships An. Dom. 1004 Thence the next year landing on the Coast of Norfolk he wasted the Country and set Norwich on fire Ulfketel Duke of the East-Angles a man of great valour not having space to gather his Forces after consultation had thought it best to make peace with the Dane which he breaking within three weeks issu'd silently out of his Ships came to Thetford staid there a night and in the Morning left it flameing Vlsketel hearing this commanded some to go and break or burn his Ships but they not dareing or neglecting he in the mean while with what secresie and speed was possible drawing together his Forces went out against the Enemy and gave them a feirce onset retreating to thir Ships but much inferiour in number many of the Cheif East-Angles there lost thir lives Nor did the Danes come off without great slaughter of thir own confessing that they never met in England with so rough a charge The next year whom War could An. Dom. 1005 not a great Famin drove Swane out of the Land But the Summer following another great Fleet of Danes enterd the Port of Sandwich thence powrd An. Dom. 1006 out over all Kent and Sussex made prey of what they found The King levying an Army out of Mercia and the West-Saxons took on him for once the Manhood to go out and face them But they who held it safer to live by rapine then to hazard a Battel shifting lightly from place to place frustrated the slow motions of a heavy Camp following thir wonted course of robbery then running to thir Ships Thus all Autumn they wearied out the Kings Army which gone home to winter they carried all thir pillage to the I le of Wight and there staid till Christmas at which time the King being in Shropshire and but ill imploi'd for by the procurement of Edric he caus'd as is thought Alfhelm a noble Duke treacherously to be slain and the Eyes of his two Sons to be put out they came forth again over-running Hamshire and Barkeshire as far as Reading and Wallingford thence to Ashdune and other places thereabout neither known nor of tolerable pronuntiation and returning by another way found many of the people in Armes by the River Kenet but making thir way through they got safe with vast booty to thir Ships The An. Dom. 1007 King and his Courtiers wearied out with thir last Summers jaunt after the nimble Danes to no purpose which by proof they found too toilsome for thir soft Bones more us'd to Beds and Couches had recourse to thir last and only remedy thir Cofers and send now the fourth time to buy a dishonorable peace every time still dearer not to be had now under 36 thousand pound for the Danes knew how to milk such easie Kine in name of Tribute and expences which out of the people over all England already half beggerd was extorted and paid About the same time Ethelred advanc'd Edric surnam'd Streon from obscure condition to be Duke of Mercia and marry Edgitha the Kings Daughter The cause of his advancement Florent of Worster and Mat. West attribute to his great wealth gott'n by fine polices and a plausible tongue he prov'd a main accessory to the ruin of England as his actions will soon declare Ethelred the next year somewhat An. Dom. 1008 rowsing himself ordain'd that every 310 Hides a Hide is so much land as one Plow can sufficiently till should set out a Ship or Gally and every nine Hides find a Corslet and Head-peice new Ships in every Port were builded vittl'd fraught with stout Mariners and Souldiers and appointed to meet all at Sandwich A man might now think that all would go well when suddenly a new mischief sprung up dissention among the great ones which brought all this diligence to as little success as at other times before Bithric the Brother of Edric falsly accus'd Wulnoth a great Officer set over the South-Saxons who fearing the potency of his Enemies with 20 Ships got to Sea and practis'd piracy on the Coast Against whom reported to be in a place where he might be easily surpris'd Bithrie sets forth with 80 Ships all which driv'n back by a Tempest and wrackt upon the shoar were burnt soon after by Wulnoth Disheart'nd with this misfortune the King returns to London the rest of his Navy after him and all this great preparation to nothing Wherupon Turkill a Danish Earl came with a Navy An. Dom. 1009 to the I le of Tanet and in August a far greater led by Heming and Ilaf joyn'd with him Thence coasting to Sandwich and landed they went onward and began to assault Canterbury but the Citizens and East Kentish men coming to composition with them for three thousand pound they departed thence to the I le of Wight robbing and burning by the way Against these the King levies an Army through all the land and in several quarters places them nigh the Sea but so
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
them promis'd peace and defence yet permitted his men the while to burn and make prey Coming to London with all his Army he was on Christmass day sollemly Crown'd in the great Church at Westminster by Aldred Archbishop of York having first giv'n his Oath at the Altar in presence of all the people to defend the Church well govern the people maintain right Law prohibit rapine and unjust judgment Thus the English while they agreed not about the choice of thir native King were constrein'd to take the Yoke of an out-landish Conquerer With what minds and by what course of life they had fitted themselves for this servitude William of Malmsbury spares not to lay op'n Not a few years before the Normans came the Clergy though in Edward the Confessors daies had lost all good literature and Religion scarse able to read and understand thir Latin Service he was a miracle to others who knew his Grammar The Monks went clad in fine stuffs and made no difference what they eat which though in it self no fault yet to their Consciences was irreligious The great men giv'n to gluttony and dissolute life made a prey of the common people abuseing thir Daughters whom they had in service then turning them off to the Stews the meaner sort tipling together night and day spent all they had in Drunk'ness attended with other Vices which effeminate mens minds Whence it came to pass that carried on with fury and rashness more then any true fortitude or skill of War they gave to William thir Conquerour so easie a Conquest Not but that some few of all sorts were much better among them but such was the generality And as the long suffering of God permits bad men to enjoy prosperous daies with the good so his severity oft times exempts not good men from thir share in evil times with the bad If these were the Causes of such misery and thraldom to those our Ancestors with what better close can be concluded then here in fit season to remember this Age in the midst of her security to fear from like Vices without amendment the Revolutions of like Calamities FINIS AN INDEX Of all the Chief Persons and material passages contained in the foregoing HISTORY A. ADda succeeds his Father Ida in the Kingdom of Bernicia p. 127. Adminius the Son of Cunobeline banish't his Country flies to the Emperour Caligula and stirs him up against it p. 51. Aganippus a Gaulish King marries Cordelia the Daughter of King Leir p. 20. Agricola Son of Severianus spreads the Pelagian Doctrine in Britain p. 104. Aidan a Scotch Bishop sent for by Oswald to settle Religion p. 155. he hath his Episcopal Seat at Lindisfarne ibid. he dies for grief of the Murder of Oswin p. 157. Alaric takes Rome from the Emperour Honorius p. 97. Alban of Verulam with others suffers Martyrdom under Dioclesian p. 88. Albanact one of the three Sons of Brutus hath Albania now Scotland for his share in the Kingdom p. 14. Albion the ancient name of this Island p. 4 5. whence derived ibid. Albina said to be the Eldest of Dioclesians 50 Daughters p. 5. from her the name Albion derived ibid. Alcled slaying Ethelwald usurps the Kingdom of the Northumbrians p. 177. Aldfrid recall'd from Ireland succeeds his Brother Ecfrid in the Northumbrian Kingdom p. 168. he leaves Osred a Child to succeed him p. 169. Aldulf the Nephew of Ethelwald succeeds King of the East-Angles p. 187. Alectus treacherously slays his friend Carausius to get the Dominion p. 87. is overthrown by Asclepiodotus and slain ibid. Alemannus reported one of the four Sons of Histion descended from Japhet and of whom the Alemanni or Germans p. 5. Alfage Archbishop of Canterbury inhumanly us'd by the Danes p. 256. kill'd outright by Thrum a Dane in commiseration of his misery ibid. Alfred the fourth Son of Ethelwolf and successour of his Brother Ethelred encounters the Danes at Wilton p. 204. he gives Battel to the whole Danish power at Edinton and totally routing them brings them to terms p. 206. 207. he is said to have bestow'd the East-Angles upon Gytro a Danish King who had been lately baptis'd p. 207. a long tedious War afterwards maintain'd between him and the Danes p. 209. 210. c. he dies in the 30th year of his Reign and is buried at Winchester p. 212. his noble Character p. 213. 214. Alfwold driving out Eardulf usurps the Kingdom of Northumberland p. 185. Algar Earl of Howland now Holland Morcard Lord of Brunne and Osgot Governour of Lincoln slaughter a great multitude of the Danes in Battail with three of their Kings p. 201. overpowr'd with numbers and drawn into a snare Algar dies valiantly fighting ibid. Algar the Son of Leofric banisht by King Edward joins with Griffin Prince of South-Wales p. 291. 292. unable to withstand Harold Earl of Kent he submits to the King and is restor'd p. 292. banisht again he recovers his Earldom by force p. 293. Alipius made Deputy of the British Province in the room of Martinus p. 90. Alla begins the Kingdom of Deira in the South-part of Northumberland p. 127. 133. Alric King of Kent after Ethelbert the II. p. 177. with him dying ends the race of Hengist p. 181. Ambrosius Aurelianus dreaded by Vortimer p. 117. defeats the Saxons in a memorable Battel p. 118. uncertain whether the Son of Constantine the Vsurper or the same with Merlin and Son of a Roman Consul p. 118. he succeeds Vortigern as Chief Monarch of the I le ibid. Anacletus the friend of King Pandrasus is taken in fight by Brutus p. 9. he is forc't by Brutus to betray his own Countrymen ibid. Andragius one in the Catalogue of ancient British Kings p. 28. Androgeus one of Lud's Sons hath London assign'd him and Kent p. 29. forsakes his claim to the Kingdom and follows Caesars fortune p. 51. Anlaf the Dane with his Army of Irish and Constantine King of Scotland utterly discomfited by King Athelstan p. 225. 226. c. Anna succeeds Sigebert in the Kingdom of the East-Angles p. 157. he is slain in War by Penda the Mercian p. 159. Antigonus the Brother of King Pandrasus taken in fight by Brutus p. 9. Antoninus sent against the Caledonians by his Father Severus p. 84. after whose Death he takes hostages and departs to Rome ibid. Archigallo depos'd for his Tyranny p. 26. being restor'd by his Brother he becomes a new man and reigns worthily p. 27. Archimailus one in the number of ancient British Kings p. 28. Armorica in France peopled by Britans that fled from the Saxons p. 114. Arthur the Victory at Badon-hill by some ascrib'd to him which by others is attributed to Ambrose p. 122. who he was and whether the Authour of such famous Acts as are related of him p. 122. 123. c. Arviragus ingaging against Claudius keeps up the Battail to a Victory by personating his slain Brother Guiderius p. 54. Athelstan the Son of King Edward the Elder by
the Squadron where those two Kings had plac'd themselvs in fight from that part which they thought securest assaults and dispatches them Then displaying his own Ensignes which before he had conceal'd and sending notice to the other part of his Army what was don adds to them new courage and gains a final Victory This Dunwallo was the first in Britain that wore a Crown of Gold and therfore by som reputed the first King He established the Molmutine Laws famous among the English to this day writt'n long after in Latine by Gildas and in Saxon by King Alfred so saith Geofrey but Gildas denies to have known aught of the Britans before Caesar much less knew Alfred These Laws whoever made them bestow'd on Temples the privilege of Sanctuary to Cities also and the waies thether leading yea to Plows granted a kind of like refuge and made such riddance of Theeves and Robbers that all passages were safe Forty Years he Govern'd alone and was buried nigh to the Temple of Concord which he to the memory of peace restor'd had built in Trinovant His two Sons Belinus and Brennus contending about the Crown by decision of Freinds came at length to an accord Brennus to have the North of Humber Belinus the Sovrantie of all But the younger not long so contented that he as they whisper'd to him whose valour had so oft repell'd the invasions of Ceulphus the Morine Duke should now be subject to his Brother upon new Designe fails into Norway enters League and Affinitie with Elsing that King which Belinus perceaving in his absence disposseses him of all the North. Brennus with a Fleet of Norwegians makes toward Britain but encounter'd by Guithlac the Danish King who laying claim to his Bride pursu'd him on the Sea his hast was retarded and he berest of his Spouse who from the fight by a sudden Tempest was by the Danish King driv'n on Northumberland and brought to Belinus Brennus nevertheless recollecting his Navy lands in Albania and gives Battell to his Brother in the Wood Calaterium but loosing the day escapes with one single Ship into Gaul Mean while the Dane upon his own offer to become tributary sent home with his new prise Belinus returns his thoughts to the administring of Justice and the perfeting of his Fathers Laws and to explain what High-waies might enjoy the foresaid privileges he caus'd to be drawn out and pav'd fowr main Roades to the utmost length and bredth of the Iland and two others athwart which are since attributed to the Romans Bren-Brennus on the other side solliciting to his aid the Kings of Gaul happ'ns at last on Seginus Duke of the Allobreges where his worth and comliness of person wan him the Dukes Daughter and Heir In whose right he shortly succeeding and by obtain'd leave passing with a great Host through the length of Gaul gets footing once again in Britain Nor was Belinus unprepar'd and now the Battell ready to joyn Conuvenna the Mother of them both all in a fright throws her self between and calling earnestly to Brennus her Son whose absence had so long depriv'd her of his sight after imbracements and teares assails him with such a motherly power and the mention of things so dear and reverend as irresistibly wrung from him all his enmity against Belinus Then are hands joyn'd reconciliation made firm and Counsel held to turn thir united preparations on Foren parts Thence that by these two all Gallia was overrun the story tells and what they did in Italy and at Rome if these be they and not Gauls who took that City the Roman Authors can best relate So far from home I undertake not for the Monmouth Chronicle which heer against the stream of History carries up and down these Brethren now into Germany then again to Rome pursuing Gabius and Porsena two unheard of Consuls Thus much is more generally beleev'd that both this Brennus and another famous Captain Britomarus whom the Epitomist Florus and others mention were not Gauls but Britans the name of the first in that Tongue signifying a King and of the other a Great Britan. However Belinus after a while returning home the rest of his daies rul'd in Peace Wealth and Honour above all his Predecessors building som Cities of which one was Caerose upon Osca since Caerlegion beautifying others as Trinovant with a Gate a Hav'n and a Towr on the Thames retaining yet his name on the top wherof his Ashes are said to have bin laid up in a Golden Urne After him Gurguntius Barbirus was King mild and just but yet inheriting his Fathers Courage he subdu'd the Dacian or Dane who refus'd to pay the Tribute Covnanted to Belinus for his enlargement In his return finding about the Orkneies 30 Ships of Spain or Biscay fraught with Men and Women for a Plantation whose Captain also Bartholinus wrongfully banish't as he pleaded besaught him that som part of his Territory might be assign'd them to dwell in he sent with them certain of his own men to Ireland which then lay unpeopl'd and gave them that Iland to hold of him as in Homage He was buried in Caerlegion a City which he had wall'd about Guitheline his Son is also remember'd as a just and good Prince and his Wife Martia to have excell'd so much in wisdom as to venture upon a new Institution of Laws Which King Alfred translating call'd Marchen Leage but more truly therby is meant the Mertian Law not translated by Alfred but digested or incorporated with the West-Saxon In the minority of her Son she had the rule and then as may be suppos'd brought forth these Laws not her self for Laws are Masculin Births but by the advice of her sagest Counselors and therin she might doe vertuously since it befell her to supply the nonage of her Son else nothing more awry from the Law of God and Nature then that a Woman should give Laws to Men. Hir Son Sisilius comming to Yeares receav'd the Rule then in order Kimarus then Danius or Elanius his Brother Then Morindus his Son by Tanguestela a Concubine who is recorded a man of excessive Strength Valiant Liberal and fair of Aspect but immanely Cruell not sparing in his Anger Enemy or Freind if any Weapon were in his hand A certain King of the Morines or Picards invaded Northumberland whose Army this King though not wanting sufficient numbers cheifly by his own prowess overcame But dishonour'd his Victory by the cruel usage of his Prisners whom his own hands or others in his presence put all to several Deaths well fitted to such a bestiall Cruelty was his end for hearing of a huge Monster that from the Irish Sea infested the Coast and in the Pride of his Strength foolishly attempting to set manly valour against a Brute vastness when his Weapons were all in vain by that horrible mouth he was catch't up and devour'd Gorbonian the Eldest of his five Sons then whom a Juster man liv'd not in his Age was a great
restrain them besett the Prefect of his Camp left there with Legionarie Bands to appoint Garrisons and had not speedie aid com in from the neighbouring Holds and Castles had cutt them all off notwithstanding which the Praefect with 8 Centurions and many thir stoubtest men were slaine and upon the neck of this meeting first with Roman Forragers then with other Troops hasting to thir relief utterly foyl'd and broke them also Ostorius sending more after could hardly stay thir flight till the waighty Legions coming on at first poys'd the Battel at length turn'd the Scale to the Britans without much loss for by that time it grew night Then was the Warr shiverd as it were into small frayes and bickerings not unlike sometimes to so many robberies in Woods at Waters as chance or valour advice or rashness led them on commanded or without command That which most exasperated the Silures was a report of certaine words cast out by the Emperor that he would root them out to the verie name Therefore two Cohorts more of Auxiliars by the avarice of thir Leaders too securely pillageing they quite intercepted and bestowing liberally the Spoils and Captives whereof they took plentie drew other Countries to joyne with them These losses falling so thick upon the Romans Ostorius with the thought and anguish thereof ended his daies the Britans rejoycing although no Battel that yet adverse Warr had worne out so great a Souldier Caesar in his place ordaines Aulus Didius but ere his coming though much hastn'd that the Province might not want a Governour the Silures had giv'n an over-throw to Manlius Valens with his Legion rumor'd on both sides greater then was true by the Silures to amate the new Generall by him in a double respect of the more praise if he queld them or the more excuse if he fail'd Meane time the Silures forgett not to infest the Roman pale with wide excursions till Didius marching out kept them somwhat more within bounds Nor were they long to seek who after Caractacus should lead them for next to him in worth and skill of Warr Venutius a Prince of the Brigantes merited to be thir chief He at first faithfull to the Romans and by them protected was the Husband of Cartismandua Q. of the Brigantes himself perhaps reigning elsewhere She who had betray'd Caractacus and her Countrie to adorne the Tryumph of Claudius thereby grown powerfull and gratious with the Romans presuming on the hire of her treason deserted her Husband and marrying Vellocatus one of his Squires conferrs on him the Kingdome also This deed so odious and full of infamie disturb'd the whole State Venutius with other Forces and the help of her own Subjects who detested the example of so foule a fact and with all the uncomeliness of thir Subjection to the Monarchie of a Woeman a peece of manhood not every day to be found among Britans though shee had got by suttle train his Brother with many of his kindred into her hands brought her soon below the confidence of beeing able to resist longer When imploring the Roman aid with much adoe and after many a hard encounter she escap'd the punishment which was readie to have seis'd her Venutius thus debar'd the authority of ruling his own Houshold justly turnes his anger against the Romans themselves whose magnanimitie not wont to undertake dishonorable causes had arrogantly intermeddl'd in his domestic affaires to uphold the Rebelion of an adultress against her Husband And the Kingdome he retain'd against thir utmost opposition and of Warr gave them thir fill first in a sharpe conflict of uncertaine event then against the Legion of Caesius Nasica Insomuch that Didius growing old and mannageing the Warr by Deputies had worke anough to stand on his defence with the gaining now and then of a small Castle And Nero for in that part of the I le things continu'd in the same plight to the Reigne of Vespatian was minded but for shame to have withdrawn the Roman Forces out of Britain In other parts whereof about the same time other things befell Verannius whom Nero sent hither to succeed Didius dying in his first Year save a few inrodes upon the Silures left only a great boast behind him that in two years had he liv'd he would have Conquerd all But Suetonius Paulinus who next was sent hither esteem'd a Souldier equall to the best in that age for two years together went on prosperously both confirming what was got and subdueing onward At last over-confident of his present actions and aemulating others of whose deeds he heard from abroad marches up as farr as Mona the I le of Anglesey a populous place For they it seemes had both entertain'd fugitives and giv'n good assistance to the rest that withstood him He makes him Boates with flat bottoms fitted to the Shallows which he expected in that narrow frith his Foot so pass'd over his Horse waded or swom Thick upon the shoar stood several gross bands of men well weapn'd many women like furies running to and fro in dismal habit with hair loose about thir shoulders held Torches in thir hands The Druids those were thir Priests of whome more in another place with hands lift up to Heav'n uttering direfull praiers astonish'd the Romans who at so strange a sight stood in a-maze though wounded at length awak'd and encourag'd by thir Generall not to feare a barbarous and lunatic rout fall on and beat them down scorch't and rouling in thir own fire Then were they yoak'd with Garrisons and the places consecrate to thir bloodie superstitions destroi'd For whom they took in Warr they held it lawfull to Sacrifice and by the entrails of men us'd divination While thus Paulinus had his thought still fix'd before to goe on winning his back lay broad op'n to occasion of loosing more behind For the Britans urg'd and oppress'd with many unsufferable injuries had all banded themselves to a generall revolt The particular causes are not all writt'n by one Author Tacitus who liv'd next those times of any to us extant writes that Prasutagus King of the Icenians abounding in wealth had left Caesar Coheir with his two Daughters thereby hopeing to have secur'd from all wrong both his Kingdom and his House which fell out farr otherwise For under colour to oversee and take possession of the Emperors new Inheritance his Kingdome became a prey to Centurions his House to rav'ning Officers his Wife Boadicea violated with stripes his Daughters with Rape the wealthiest of his Subjects as it were by the will and testament of thir King thrown out of thir Estates his kindred made little better then slaves The new Colony also at Camalodunum took House or Land from whome they pleas'd terming them Slaves and Vassals the Souldiers complying with the Colony out of hope hereafter to use the same licence themselves Moreover the Temple erected to Claudius as a badge of thir eternal slaverie stood a great Eye sore the Priests whereof under
thou expect from these poor Laity so he goes on these beasts all belly shall these amend thee who are themselves laborious in evil doings shalt thou see with their Eyes who see right forward nothing but gain Leave them rather as bids our Saviour lest ye fall both blind-fold into the same perdition Are all thus Perhaps not all or not so grosly But what avail'd it Eli to be himself blameless while he conniv'd at others that were abominable who of them hath bin envi'd for his better life who of them hath hated to consort with these or withstood thir entring the Ministry or endeavour'd zealously thir casting out Yet som of these perhaps by others are legended for great Saints This was the state of Goverment this of Religion among the Britans in that long calm of peace which the fight at Badon Hill had brought forth Wherby it came to pass that so fair a Victory came to nothing Towns and Citties were not reinhabited but lay ruin'd and wast nor was it long ere domestic War breaking out wasted them more For Britain as at other times had then also several Kings Five of whom Gildas living then in Armorica at a safe distance boldly reproves by name First Constantine fabl'd the Son of Cador Duke of Cornwall Arturs half Brother by the Mothers side who then reign'd in Cornwall and Devon a Tyrannical and bloody King polluted also with many Adulteries he got into his power two young Princes of the Blood Royal uncertain whether before him in right or otherwise suspected and after solemn Oath giv'n of thir safety the year that Gildas wrote slew them with thir two Governours in the Church and in thir Mothers Arms through the Abbots Coap which he had thrown over them thinking by the revernce of his vesture to have withheld the murderer These are commonly suppos'd to be the Sons of Mordred Arturs Nefew said to have revolted from his Uncle giv'n him in a Battel his Deaths wound and by him after to have bin slain Which things were they true would much diminish the blame of cruelty in Constantine revenging Artur on the Sons of so false a Mordred In another part but not express'd where Aurelius Conanus was King him he charges also with Adulteries and Parricide cruelties worse then the former to be a hater of his Countries Peace thirsting after civil War and Prey His condition it seems was not very prosperous for Gildas wishes him being now left alone like a Tree withering in the midst of a barren field to remember the vanity and arrogance of his Father and elder Brethren who came all to untimely Death in thir youth The third reigning in Demetia or South Wales was Vortipor the Son of a good Father he was when Gildas wrote grown old not in years only but in Adulteries and in governing full of falshood and cruel Actions In his latter dales putting away his Wife who dy'd in divorce he became if we mistake not Gildas incestuous with his Daughter The fourth was Cuneglas imbru'd in civil War he also had divorc'd his Wife and tak'n her Sister who had vow'd Widdowhood he was a great Enemy to the Clergy high-minded and trusting to his wealth The last but greatest of all in power was Maglocune and greatest also in wickedness he had driv'n out or slain many other Kings or Tyrants and was called the Island Dragon perhaps having his seat in Anglesey a profuse giver a great Warrior and of a goodly stature While he was yet young he over-threw his Uncle though in the head of a compleat Army and took from him the Kingdom then touch't with remorse of his doings not without deliberation took upon him the profession of a Monk but soon forsook his vow and his wife also which for that vow he had left making love to the wife of his Brothers Son then living Who not refusing the offer if she were not rather the first that entic'd found means both to dispatch her own Husband and the former wife of Maglocune to make her marriage with him the more unquestionable Neither did he this for want of better instructions having had the learnedest and wisest man reputed of all Britain the instituter of his youth Thus much the utmost that can be learnt by truer story of what past among the Britans from the time of their useless Victory at Badon to the time that Gildas wrote that is to say as may be guess't from 527 to 571 is here set down altogether not to be reduc't under any certainty of years But now the Saxons who for the most part all this while had bin still unless among themselves began afresh to assault them and ere long to drive them out of all which they yet maintain'd on this side Wales An. Dom. 571 For Cuthulf the Brother of Reaulin by a Victory obtain'd at Bedanford now Bedford took from them 4 good Towns Liganburgh Eglesburh Besington now Benson in Oxfordshire and Ignesham but outliv'd not many months his good success And after 6 years more Keaulin and Cuthwin his Son An. Dom. 577 gave them a great overthrow at Deorrham in Glostershire slew three of thir Kings Comail Condidan and Farinmaile and took three of thir Cheif Citties Glocester Cirencester and Badencester An. Dom. 584 The Britans notwithstanding after some space of time judging to have out-grown thir losses gather to a head and encounter Keaulin with Cutha his Son at Fethanleage whom valiantly fighting they slew among the thickest and as is said forc'd the Saxons to retire But Keaulin reinforcing the fight put them to a main rout and following his advantage took many Towns and return'd lad'n with rich booty The last of those Saxons who rais'd thir own acheivments to a Monarchy was Crida much about this time first founder of the Mercian Kingdom drawing also his Pedigree from Woden Of whom all to write the several Genealogies though it might be done without long search were in my opinion to encumber the story with a sort of barbarous names to little purpose This may suffice that of Wodens 3 Sons from the Eldest issu'd Hengist and his succession from the second the Kings of Mercia from the third all that reign'd in West-Saxon and most of the Northumbers of whom Alla was one the first King of Deira which after his death the race of Ida seis'd and made it one Kingdom with Bernicia usurping on the Childhood of Edwin Alla's Son Whom Ethelric the Son of Ida expel'd An. Dom. 559 Notwithstanding others write of him that from a poor life and beyond hope in his old Age coming to the Crown he could hardly by the access of a Kingdom have overcome his former obscurity had not the fame of his Son preserv'd him An. Dom. 588 Once more the Britans ere they quitted all on this side the Mountains forgot not to shew some manhood for meeting Keaulin at Wodens Beorth An. Dom. 592 that is to say Wodens
out of the Province till both by fire and Sword he had aveng'd the Death of his Brother An. Dom. 687 At length Victred the Son of Ecbert attaining the Kingdome both settl'd at home all things in peace and secur'd his Borders from all outward Hostility While thus Kedwalla disquieted both West and East after his winning the Crown Ecfrid the Northumbrian and Ethelred the Mercian fought a sore Battel by the River Trent wherin Elswin Brother to Ecfrid a youth of 18 years much belov'd was slain and the accident likely to occasion much more sheding of blood peace was happily made by the grave exhortation of Archbishop Theodore a pecuniary fine only paid to Ecfrid as some satisfaction for the loss of his Brothers life Another adversity befell Ecfrid in his Family by means of Ethildrith his Wife King Anna's Daughter who having tak'n him for hir Husband and professing to love him above all other men persisted twelve years in the obstinat refusal of his bed therby thinking to live the purer life So perversly then was chastity instructed against the Apostles rule At length obtaining of him with much importunity her departure she veild her self a Nun then made Abbess of Ely dy'd 7 years after the pestilence and might with better warrant have kept faithfully her undertak'n Wedlock though now canoniz'd St. Audrey of Ely In the mean while Ecfrid had sent Bertus with a power to subdue Ireland a harmless Nation saith Beda and ever friendly to the English in both which they seem to have left a posterity much unlike them at this day miserably wasted without regard had to places hallow'd or profane they betook them partly to thir Weapons partly to implore divine aid and as was thought obtain'd it in thir full avengement upon Ecfrid For he the next year against the mind and persuasion of his sagest friends and especially of Cudbert a famous Bishop of that Age marching unadvisedly against the Picts who long before had bin subject to Northumberland was by them feigning flight drawn unawares into narrow streights overtopt with Hills and cut off with most of his Army From which time saith Bede military valour began among the Saxons to decay nor only the Picts till then peaceable but some part of the Britans also recover'd by Armes thir liberty for many years after Yet Aldfrid elder but base Brother to Ecfrid a man said to be learned in the Scriptures recall'd from Ireland to which place in his Brothers Reign he had retir'd and now succeeding upheld with much honour though in narrower bounds the residue of his Kingdome Kedwalla having now with great disturbance of his Neighbours reign'd over the West-Saxons two years besides what time he spent in gaining it wearied perhaps with his own turbulence went to Rome desirous there to receave Baptism which till then his worldly affairs had deferr'd and accordingly on Easter Day 689. he was baptiz'd by Sergius An. Dom. 689 the Pope and his name chang'd to Peter All which notwithstanding surpris'd with a Disease he out-liv'd not the Ceremony so far sought much above the space of 5 weeks in the Thirtieth year of his Age and in the Church of St. Peter was there buried with a large Epitaph upon his Tomb. Him succeeded Ina of the Royal Family and from the time of his coming in for many years oppress'd the Land with like greevances as Kedwalla had done before him insomuch that in those times there was no Bishop among them His first expedition was into Kent to demand satisfaction for the burning of Mollo Victred loth to hazard all for the rash act of a few deliver'd up 30 of those that could be found accessory or as others say pacifi'd Ina with a great sum of money Mean while at the incitement of Ecbert a devout Monk Wilbrod a Priest eminent for learning past over Sea having 12 others in Company with intent to preach the Gospel in Germany And coming to â—epin Cheif Regent of the Franks who An. Dom. 694 a little before had conquer'd the hither Frisia by his countnance and protection promise also of many benefits to them who should beleeve they found the work of conversion much the easier and Wilbrod the first Bishoprick in that Nation But two Priests each of them Hewald by name and for distinction surnam'd from the colour of thir Hair the black and the white by his example piously affected to the Souls of thir Country-men the old Saxons at thir coming thether to convert them met with much worse entertainment For in the House of a Farmer who had promis'd to convey them as they desir'd to the Governour of that Country discoverd by thir daily Ceremonies to be Christian Priests and the cause of thir coming suspected they were by him and his Heathen Neighbours cruelly butcherd yet not unaveng'd for the Governour enrag'd at such violence offerd to his Strangers sending Armed Men slew all those Inhabitants and burnt thir Village An. Dom. 697 After three years in Mercia Ostrid the Queen Wife to Ethelred was kill'd by her own Nobles as Beda's Epitomy records Florence calls them Southimbrians negligently omitting the cause of so strange a fact An. Dom. 698 And the year following Bertred a Northumbrian General was slain by the Picts An. Dom. 704 Ethelred 7 years after the violent Death of his Queen put on the Monk and resign'd his Kingdome to Kenred the Son of Wulfer his Brother An. Dom. 705 The next year Aldfrid in Northumberland dy'd leaving Osred a Child of 8 years to succeed him An. Dom. 709 Fowr years after which Kenred having a while with praise govern'd the Mercian Kingdome went to Rome in the time of Pope Constantine and shorn a Monk spent there the residue of his daies Kelred succeeded him the Son of Ethelred who had reign'd the next before With Kenred went Offa the Son of Siger King of East-Saxons and betook him to the same habit leaving his Wife and Native Country a comely Person in the prime of his youth much desir'd of the people and such his vertue by report as might have otherwise bin worthy to have reign'd An. Dom. 710 Ina the West-Saxon one year after fought a Battell at first doubtfull at last successfull against Gerent King of Wales An. Dom. 711 The next year Bertfrid another Northumbrian Captain fought with the Picts and slaughterd them saith Huntingdon to the full avengment of Ecfrids Death An. Dom. 715 The fowrth year after Ina had another doubtfull and cruell Battel at Wodnesburg in Wiltshire with Kelred the Mercian who dy'd the year following a lamentable Death for as he sat one day feasting with his Nobles An. Dom. 716 suddenly possess'd with an evill Spirit he expir'd in despair as Boniface Archbishop of Ments an English man who taxes him for a defiler of Nuns writes by way of caution to Ethelbald his next of Kin who succeeded him Osred also the young Northumbrian King slain by his Kindred in the 11.
of his Reign for his vitious life and incest committed with Nuns was by Kenred fucceeded and aveng'd he reigning two years left Osric in his room An. Dom. 718 In whose 7th year if Beda calculate right Victred King of Kent deceas'd having reign'd 34 years and some part of them with Suebhard as Beda testifies he left behind him three Sons Ethelbert Eadbert and Alric his Heirs An. Dom. 725 Three years after which An. Dom. 728 appear'd two Comets about the Sun terrible to behold the one before him in the Morning the other after him in the Evening for the space of two weeks in January bending thir blaze toward the North at which time the Saracens furiously invaded France but were expell'd soon after with great overthrow The same year in Northumberland Osric dying or slain adopted Kelwulf the Brother of Kenred his Successor to whom Beda dedicates his story but writes this only of him that the beginning and the process of his Reign met with many adverse commotions wherof the event was then doubtfully expected Mean while Ina7 years before having slain Kenwuls to whom Florent gives the addition of Clito giv'n usually to none but of the blood Royal and the 4th year after overthrown and slain Albright another Clito driv'n from Taunton to the South-Saxons for aid vanquish't also the East-Angles in more then one Battel as Malmsbury writes but not the year whether to expiate so much blood or infected with the contagious humour of those times Malmsbury saith at the persuasion of Ethelburga his Wife went to Rome and there ended his dayes yet this praise left behind him to have made good Laws the first of Saxon that remain extant to this day and to his Kinsman Edelard bequeath'd the Crown No less then the whole Monarchy of England and Wales For Ina if we beleeve a digression in the Laws of Edward Confessor was the first King Crown'd of English and British since the Saxons entrance of the British by means of his second Wife some way related to Cadwallader last King of Wales which I had not noted being unlikely but for the place where I found it After Ina by a surer Author An. Dom. 731 Ethelbald King of Mercia commanded all the Provinces on this side Humber with thir Kings the Picts were in league with the English the Scots peaceable within thir bounds and the Britans part were in thir own Goverment part subject to the English In which peacefull state of the land many in Northumberland both Nobles and Commons laying aside the exercise of Armes betook them to the Cloister and not content so to do at home many in the days of Ina Clerks and Laics Men and Woemen hasting to Rome in Herds thought themselves no where sure of Eternal Life till they were Cloisterd there Thus representing the state of things in this Iland Beda surceas'd to write Out of whom cheifly hath bin gatherd since the Saxons arrival such as hath bin deliverd a scatterd story pickt out heer and there with some trouble and tedious work from among his many Legends of Visions and Miracles toward the latter end so bare of civill matters as what can be thence collected may seem a Calendar rather then a History tak'n up for the most part with succession of Kings and computation of years yet those hard to be reconcil'd with the Saxon Annals Thir actions we read of were most commonly Wars but for what cause wag'd or by what Councells carried on no care was had to let us know wherby thir strength and violence we understand of thir wisedom reason or justice little or nothing the rest superstition and monastical affectation Kings one after another leaving thir Kingly Charge to run thir heads fondly into a Monks Cowle which leaves us uncertain whether Beda was wanting to his matter or his matter to him Yet from hence to the Danish Invasion it will be worse with us destitute of Beda Left only to obscure and blockish Chronicles whom Malmsbury and Huntingdon for neither they then we had better Authors of those times ambitious to adorn the History make no scruple oft-times I doubt to interline with conjectures and surmises of thir own them rather then imitate I shall choose to represent the truth naked though as lean as a plain Journal Yet William of Malmsbury must be acknowledg'd both for stile and judgment to be far the best Writer of them all but what labour is to be endur'd turning over Volumes of Rubbish in the rest Florence of Worster Huntingdon Simeon of Durham Hoveden Mathew of Westminster and many others of obscurer note with all thir monachisms is a penance to think Yet these are our only Registers transcribers one after another for the most part and somtimes worthy enough for the things they register This travail rather then not know at once what may be known of our antient story sifted from Fables and impertinences I voluntarily undergo and to save others if they please the like unpleasing labour except those who take pleasure to be all thir life time rakeing in the Foundations of old Abbies and Cathedrals but to my task now as it befalls An. Dom. 733 In the year 733. on the 18th Kalends of September was an Eclipse of the Sun about the third howr of day obscureing almost his whole Orb as with a black sheild Ethelbald of Mercia beseig'd and took the Castle or Town of Somerton An. Dom. 735 and two years after Beda our Historian dy'd some say the year before An. Dom. 738 Kelwulf in Northumberland three years after became Monk in Lindisfarne yet none of the severest for he brought those Monks from milk and water to Wine and Ale in which doctrin no doubt but they were soon docil and well might for Kelwulf brought with him good provision great treasure and revenues of land recited by Simeon yet all under pretense of following I use the Authors words poor Christ by voluntary poverty no marvel then if such applause were giv'n by Monkish Writers to Kings turning Monks and much cunning perhaps us'd to allure them To Eadbert his Uncle he left the Kingdom whose brother Ecbert Archbishop of York built a Library there An. Dom. 740 But two years after while Eadbert was busied in War against the Picts Ethelbald the Mercian by foul fraud assaulted part of Northumberland in his absence as the supplement of Beda's Epitomy records In the West-Saxons Edelard who succeeded Ina having bin much molested in the beginning of his Reign with the Rebellion of Oswald his Kinsman who contended with him for the right of succession overcoming at last those troubles dy'd in Peace 741 An. Dom. 741 leaving Cuthred one of the same linage to succeed him who at first had much War with Ethelbald the Mercian and various success but joyning with him in League two years after An. Dom. 743 made War on the Welch Huntingdon doubts not to give them a great Victory An. Dom. 744
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
hold of him the bounds wherof may be read among the Laws of Alfred Others of them went to Fulham on the Thames and joining there with a great Fleet newly come into the River thence pass't over into France and Flanders both which they enterd so far conquering or wasting as witness'd sufficiently that the French and Flemish were no more able then the English by Policy or prowess to keep off that Danish inundation from thir land Alfred thus rid of them and intending for the future to prevent thir landing Three years after quiet the mean while An. Dom. 882 with more Ships and better provided puts to Sea and at first met with four of theirs wherof two he took throwing the men over-board then with two others wherin were two of thir Princes and took them also but not without some loss of his own After three years another Fleet of them appear'd on An. Dom. 885 these Seas so huge that one part thought themselves sufficient to enter upon East-France the other came to Rochester and beleaguerd it they within stoutly defending themselves till Alfred with great Forces coming down upon the Danes drove them to thir Ships leaving for hast all thir Horses behind them The same year Alfred sent a Fleet toward the East-Angles then inhabited by the Danes which at the mouth of Stour meeting with 16 Danish Ships after some flight took them all and slew the Souldiers aboard but in thir way home lying careless were overtak'n by another part of that Fleet and came off with loss whereupon perhaps those Danes who were settl'd among the East-Angles erected with new hopes violated the peace which they had sworn to Alfred who spent the next year in repairing London An. Dom. 886 beâ—â—â—ging saith Huntingdon much ruind and unpeopl'd by the Danes the Londoners all but those who had bin led away Captive soon return'd to thir dwellings and Ethred Duke of Mercia was by An. Dom. 893 the King appointed thir Governour But after 13 years respite of peace another Danish Fleet of 250 Sail from the East part of France arriv'd at the mouth of a River in East Kent call'd Limen nigh to the great Wood Andred famous for length and bredth into that Wood they drew up thir Ships four mile from the Rivers mouth and built a Fortress After whom Haesten with another Danish Fleet of 80 Ships entring the mouth of Thames built a Fort at Middleton the former Army remaining at a place call'd Apeltre Alfred perceaving this took of those Danes who dwelt in Northumberland a new Oath of Fidelity and of those in Essex hostages lest they should joyn as they were wont with thir Country-men newly arriv'd And by the next year having An. Dom. 894 got together his Forces between either Army of the Danes encamp'd so as to be ready for either of them who first should happ'n to stir forth Troops of Horse also he sent continually abroad assisted by such as could be spar'd from strong places wherever the Countries wanted them to encounter forageing parties of the Enemy The King also divided sometimes his whole Army marching out with one part by turns the other keeping intrencht In conclusion rowling up and down both sides met at Farnham in Surrey where the Danes by Alfreds Horse Troops were put to flight and crossing the Thames to a certain Iland neer Coln in Essex or as Camden thinks by Colebrooke were beseig'd there by Alfred till provision fail'd the the beseigers another part staid behind with thir King wounded Mean while Alfred preparing to reinforce the seige in Colney the Danes of Northumberland breaking Faith came by Sea to the East-Angles and with a hunderd Ships Coasting Southward landed in Devonshire and beseig'd Exeter thether Alfred hasted with his powers except a Squadron of Welch that came to London with whom the Citizens marching forth to Beamflet where Haesten the Dane had built a strong Fort and left a Garrison while he himself with the main of his Army was enterd far into the Country luckily surprise the Fort maister the Garrison make prey of all they find there thir Ships also they burnt or brought away with good booty and many Prisners among whom the Wife and two Sons of Heasten were sent to the King who forthwith set them at liberty Whereupon Heasten gave Oath of Amitie and Hostages to the King he in requital whether freely or by agreement a summe of money Nevertheless without regard of Faith giv'n while Alfred was busied about Exeter joining with the other Danish Army he built another Castle in Essex at Shoberie thence marching Westward by the Thames aided with Northumbrian and East-Anglish Danes they came at length to Severn pillaging all in thir way But Ethred Ethelm and Ethelnoth the Kings Captains with united Forces pitch'd nigh to them at Buttingtun on the Severn Bank in Montgomery-shire the River running between and there many weeks attended the King mean while blocking up the Danes who beseig'd Exeter having eat'n part of thir Horses the rest urg'd with hunger broke forth to thir fellows who lay encamp't on the East-side of the River and were all there discomfitted with some loss of valiant men on the Kings party the rest fled back to Essex and thir Fortress there Then Laf one of their Leaders gatherd before Winter a great Army of Northumbrian and East-Anglish Danes who leaving thir money Ships and Wives with the East-Angles and marching day and night sat down before a City in the West call'd Wirheal neer to Chester and took it ere they could be overtak'n The English after two daies seige hopeless to dislodge them wasted the Country round to cut off from them all provision and departed Soon after which next year the An. Dom. 895 Danes no longer able to hold Wirheal destitute of Vittles enterd North-Wales thence lad'n with spoils part return'd into Northumberland others to the East-Angles as far as Essex where they seis'd on a small Iland call'd Meresig And heer again the Annals record them to beseige Exeter but without coherence of sence or story Others relate to this purpose that returning by Sea from the Seige of Exeter and in thir way landing on the Coast of Sussex they of Cichester sallied out and slew of them many hunderds taking also some of thir Ships The same year they who possess'd Meresig intending to winter thereabout drew up thir Ships some into the Thames others into the River Lee and on the Bank therof built a Castle twenty miles from London to assault which the Londoners aided with other Forces march'd out the Summer following but were soon put to An. Dom. 896 flight loosing fowr of the Kings Captains Huntingdon writes quite the contrary that these fowr were Danish Captains and the overthrow theirs but little credit is to be plac'd in Huntingdon single For the King therupon with his Forces lay encamp't neerer the City that the Danes might not infest
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
Cumbrians and Scots and came at length where constantine himself fought unhors'd him and us'd all means to take him alive but the Scots valiantly defending thir King and laying load upon Turketul which the goodness of his Armour well endur'd he had yet bin beat'n down had not Singin his faithfull second at the same time slain Constantine which once known Analf and the whole Army betook them to flight wherof a huge multitude fell by the Sword This Turketul not long after leaving worldly affairs became Abbot of Croyland which at his own cost he had repair'd from Danish ruins and lest there this memorial of his former actions Athelstan with his Brother Edmund victorious thence turning into Wales with much more ease vanquish'd Ludwal the King and possest his land But Malmsbury writes that commiserating human chance as he displac'd so he restor'd both him and Constantine to thir Regal State for the surrender of King Constantine hath bin above spok'n of However the Welch did him homage at the City of Hereford and covnanted yearly payment of Gold 20 pound of Silver 300 of Oxen 25 thousand besides Hunting Dogs and Hawks He also took Exeter from the Cornish Britans who till that time had equal right there with the English and bounded them with the River Tamar as the other Brittish with Wey Thus dreaded of his Enemies and renown'd far and neer three years after he dy'd at Gloster and was buried with An. Dom. 941 many Trophies at Malmsbury where he had caus'd to be laid his two Cosin Germans Elwin and Ethelstan both slain in the Battel against Anlaf He was 30 years old at his coming to the Crown mature in wisedom from his Childhood comly of person and behaviour so that Alfred his Grandfather in blessing him was wont to pray he might live to have the Kingdome and put him yet a Child into Souldiers habit He had his breeding in the Court of Elfled his Aunt of whose vertues more then female we have related sufficient to evince that his mother though said to be no wedded Wife was yet such of parentage and worth as the Royal line disdain'd not though the Song went in Malmsburies daies for it seems he refus'd not the autority of Ballats for want of better that his mother was a Farmers Daughter but of excellent feature who dreamt one night she brought forth a Moon that should enlight'n the whole land which the Kings Nurse hearing of took her home and bred up Courtly that the King coming one day to visit his Nurse saw there this Damsel lik'd her and by earnest suit prevailing had by her this famous Athelstan a bounteous just and affable King as Malmsbury sets him forth nor less honour'd abroad by Foren Kings who sought his Friendship by great guifts or affinity that Harold King of Noricum sent him a Ship whose Prow was of gold sails purple and other golden things the more to be wonderd at sent from Noricum whether meant Norway or Bavaria the one place so far from such superfluity of wealth the other from all Sea the Embassadors were Helgrim and Offrid who found the King at Yorke His Sisters he gave in marriage to greatest Princes Elgif to Otho Son of Henry the Emperour Egdith to a certain Duke about the Alpes Edgiv to Ludwic King of Aquitain sprung of Charles the Great Ethilda to Hugo King of France who sent Aldulf Son of Baldwin Earl of Flanders to obtain her From all these great suitors especially from the Emperour and King of France came rich presents Horses of excellent Breed gorgeous Trappings and Armour Reliques Jewels Odors Vessels of Onyx and other pretious things which I leave poetically describ'd in Malmsbury tak'n as he confesses out of an old versifier some of whose verses he recites The only blemish left upon him was the exposing of his Brother Edwin who disavow'd by Oath the treason wherof he was accus'd and implor'd an equall hearing But these were Songs as before hath bin said which add also that Athelstan his anger over soon repented of the fact and put to Death his Cup-bearer who had induc't him to suspect and expose his Brother put in mind by a word falling from the Cup-bearers own mouth who slipping one day as he bore the Kings Cup and recovring himself on the other leg said aloud fatally as to him it prov'd one Brother helps the other Which words the King laying to heart and pondring how ill he had done to make away his Brother aveng'd himself first on the adviser of that fact took on him seav'n years penance and as Mat. West saith built two Monasteries for the Soul of his Brother His Laws are extant among the Laws of other Saxon Kings to this day Edmund EDmund not above 18 years old succeeded his Brother Athelstan in courage not inferiour An. Dom. 942 For in the second of his Reign he free'd Mercia of the Danes that remain'd there and took from them the Citties of Lincoln Nottingham Stamsord Darby and Leister where they were plac'd by King Edward but it seems gave not good proof of thir fidelity Simeon writes that Anlaf setting forth from Yorke and having wasted Southward as far as Northampton was met by Edmund at Leister but that ere the Battails join'd peace was made between them by Odo and Wulstan the two Archbishops with conversion of Anlaf for the same year Edmund receav'd at the Font-stone this or another Anlaf as saith Huntingdon not him spok'n of before who dy'd this year so uncertain they are in the story of these times also and held Reginald another King of the Northumbers while the Bishop confirm'd him thir limits were divided North and South by Watling-street But spirituall kindred little avail'd to keep peace between them whoever gave the cause for we read him two years after driving Anlaf whom An. Dom. 944 the Annals now first call the Son of Sitric and Suthfrid Son of Reginald out of Northumberland takeing the whole Country into subjection Edmund the next year harras'd Cumberland then gave An. Dom. 945 it to Malcolm King of Scots thereby bound to assist him in his Wars both by Sea and Land Mat. West adds that in this action Edmund had the aid of Leolin Prince of Northwales against Dummail the Cumbrian King him depriving of his Kingdome and his two Sons of thir sight But the year after he himself An. Dom. 946 by strange accident came to an untimely Death feasting with his Nobles on St. Austins Day at Puclekerke in Glostershire to celebrat the memory of his first converting the Saxons He spi'd Leof a noted Theef whom he had banish'd sitting among his Guests wherat transported with too much vehemence of Spirit though in a just cause riseing from the Table he ran upon the Theef and catching his hair pull'd him to the ground The Theef who doubted from such handling no less then his Death intended thought to die not unreveng'd and with a short Dagger strook
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
things to his charge he was by Edmund forbidd'n the Court but by the earnest mediation saith Ingulf of Turkitul the Chancellour receav'd at length to favour and made Abbot of Glaston lastly by Edgar and the generall Vote Archbishop of Canterbury Not long after his Death the Danes arriving in Devonshire were met by Goda Lieutenant of that Country and Strenwold a valiant Leader who put back the Danes but with loss of thir own lives The third year following under the conduct of Justin An. Dom. 991 and Guthmund the Son of Steytan they landed and spoil'd Ipswich fought with Britnoth Duke of the East-Angles about Maldon where they slew him the slaughter else had bin equal on both sides These and the like depredations on every side the English not able to resist by counsel of Siric then Arch-bishop of Canterbury and two Dukes Ethelward and Alfric it was thought best for the present to buy that with Silver which they could not gain with thir Iron and Ten Thousand pound was paid to the Danes for peace Which for a while contented but taught them the ready way how easiest to come by more The next year but one they took by storm and rifl'd Bebbanburg an antient City nigh Durham An. Dom. 993 sailing thence into the mouth of Humber they wasted both sides therof Yorkeshire and Lindsey burning and destroying all before them Against these went out three Noblemen Frena Frithegist and Godwin but being all Danes by the Fathers side willingly began flight and forsook thir own Forces betray'd to the Enemy No less treachery was at Sea for Alfric the Son of Elfer Duke of Mercia whom the King for some offence had banish'd but now recall'd sent from London with a Fleet to surprise the Danes in some place of disadvantage gave them over night intelligence therof then fled to them himself which his Fleet saith Florent perceaveing persu'd took the Ship but miss'd of his person the Londoners by chance grapling with the East-Angles made them fewer saith my Authour by many thousands Others say that by this notice of Alfric the Danes not only escap'd but with a greater Fleet An. Dom. 994 set upon the English took many of thir Ships and in tryumph brought them up the Thames intending to beseige London for Anlaf King of Norway and Swane of Denmarke at the head of these came with 94 Gallies The King for this treason of Alfric put out his Sons Eyes but the Londoners both by land and water so valiantly resisted thir beseigers that they were forc't in one day with great loss to give over But what they could not on the City they wreck'd themselves on the Countries round about wasting with Sword and fire all Essex Kent and Sussex Thence horsing thir Foot diffus'd far wider thir outragious incursions without mercy either to Sex or Age. The slothfull King instead of Warlike opposition in the Field sends Embassadors to treat about another payment the sum promisd was now 16 thousand pound till which paid the Danes winterd at Southampton Ethelred inviteing Anlaf to come and visit him at Andover where he was royally entertain'd some say baptiz'd or confirm'd adopted Son by the King and dismis't with great presents promising by Oath to depart and molest the Kingdome no more which he perform'd but the calamity ended not so for after some intermission of thir rage for three years the other Navy An. Dom. 997 of Danes sailing about to the West enterd Severn and wasted one while South Wales then Cornwall and Devonshire till at length they winterd about Tavistoc For it were an endless work to relate how they wallow'd up and down to every particular place and to repeat as oft what devastations they wrought what desolations left behinde them easie to be imagin'd In summ the next year they afflicted An. Dom. 998 Dorsetshire Hamshire and the I le of Wight by the English many resolutions were tak'n many Armies rais'd but either betray'd by the falshood or discourag'd by the weakness of thir Leaders they were put to rout or disbanded themselves For Souldiers most commonly are as thir Commanders without much odds of valour in one Nation or other only as they are more or less wisely disciplin'd and conducted The following year brought them back An. Dom. 999 upon Kent where they enterd Medway and beseig'd Rochester but the Kentish men assembling gave them a sharp encounter yet that suffic'd not to hinder them from doing as they had done in other places Against these depopulations the King levied an Army but the unskillfull Leaders not knowing what to do with it when they had it did but drive out time burd'ning and impoverishing the people consuming the publick treasure and more imboldning the Enemy then if they had sat quiet at home What cause mov'd the Danes next year to pass into Normandy is not recorded but that An. Dom. 1000 they return'd thence more outragious then before Mean while the King to make some diversion undertak's an expedition both by Land and Sea into Cumberland where the Danes were most planted there and in the I le of Man or as Camden saith Anglesey imitating his Enemies in spoiling and unpeopleing the Danes from Normandy arriving in the River Ex laid seige to Exeter but the Cittizens as those of London valorously defending themselves An. Dom. 1001 they wreck'd thir anger as before on the Villages round about The Country people of Somerset and Devonshire assembling themselves at Penho shew'd thir readiness but wanted a head and besides being then but few in number were easily put to flight the Enemy plundring all at will with loaded spoils pass'd into the I le of Wight from whence all Dorsetshire and Hamshire felt again thir fury The Saxon Annals write that before thir coming to Exeter the Hamshire men had a bickering with them wherin Ethelward the Kings General was slain adding other things hardly to be understood An. Dom. 1002 and in one antient Copy so end Ethelred whom no adversity could awake from his soft and sluggish life still coming by the worse at fighting by the advice of his Peers not unlike himself sends one of his gay Courtiers though looking loftily to stoop basely and propose a third tribute to the Danes they willingly hark'n but the summ is enhaunc't now to 24 thousand pound and paid the Danes therupon abstaining from hostility But the King to strengthen his House by some potent affinity marries Emma whom the Saxons call Elgiva Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy With him Ethelred formerly had War or no good correspondence as appears by a Letter of Pope John the 15th who made peace between them about eleaven years before puft up now with his suppos'd access of strength by this affinity he caus'd the Danes all over England though now living peaceably in one day perfidiously to be massacherd both Men Women and Childern sending privat
other remedy submitted himself with all the Northumbrians giving hostages to Canute Nevertheless by his command or connivence and the hand of one Turebrand a Danish Lord Vthred was slain and Tric another Dane made Earl in his stead This Vthred Son of Walteof as Simeon writes in his treatise of the Seige of Durham in his youth obtain'd a great Victory against Malcolm Son of Kened King of Scots who with the whole power of his Kingdome was fall'n into Northumberland and laid seige to Durham Walteof the old Earl unable to resist had secur'd himself in Bebbanburg a strong Town but Vthred gathering an Army rais'd the Seige slew most of the Scots thir King narrowly escaping and with the heads of thir slain fixt upon Poles beset round the Walls of Durham The year of this exploit Simeon cleers not for in 969. and in the Reign of Ethelred as he affirms it could not bee Canute by another way returning Southward joyfull of his success before Easter came back with all the Army to his Fleet. About the end of April ensueing Ethelred after a long troublesome and ill govern'd Reign ended his daies at London and was buried in the Church of St. Paul Edmund Ironside AFter the decease of Ethelred they of the Nobility who were then at London together with the Citizens chose Edmund his Son not by Emma but a former Wife the Daughter of Earl Thored in his Fathers room but the Archbishops Abbots and many of the Nobles assembling together elected Canute and coming to Southamton where he then remain'd renounc'd before him all the race of Ethelred and swore him fidelity he also swore to them in matters both religious and secular to be thir faithfull Lord. But Edmund with all speed going to the West-Saxons was joyfully receav'd of them as thir King and of many other Provinces by their example Mean while Canute about mid May came with his whole Fleet up the River to London then causing a great Dike to be made on Surrey side turn'd the stream and drew his Ships thether West of the Bridge then begirting the City with a broad and deep trench assail'd it on every side but repulst as before by the valorous Defendants and in despair of success at that time leaving part of his Army for the defence of his Ships with the rest sped him to the West-Saxons ere Edmund could have time to assemble all his powers who yet with such as were at hand invoking divine aid encounterd the Danes at Pen by Gillingham in Dorsetshire and put him to flight After mid-summer encreast with new Forces he met with him again at a place call'd Sherastan now Sharstan but Edric Almar and Algar with the Hamshire and Wiltshire men then sideing with the Danes he only maintain'd the fight obstinatly fought on both sides till night and weariness parted them Day light returning renu'd the conflict wherein the Danes appearing inferiour Edric to dishart'n the English cuts off the Head of one Osmer in countnance and hair somewhat resembling the King and holding it up cries aloud to the English that Edmund being slain and this his head it was time for them to flie which falacy Edmund perceaving and op'nly shewing himself to his Souldiers by a spear thrown at Edric that missing him yet slew one next him and through him another behinde they recoverd heart and lay sore upon the Danes till night parted them as before for ere the third morn Canute sensible of his loss march'd away by stealth to his Ships at London renuing there his leagre Some would have this Battell at Sherastan the same with that at Scorastan before mention'd but the circumstance of time permits not that having bin before the landing of Canute this a good while after as by the Process of things appears from Sherastan or Sharstan Edmund return'd to the West-Saxons whose valour Edric fearing least it might prevail against the Danes sought pardon of his revolt and obtaining it swore loyalty to the King who now the third time coming with an Army from the West-Saxons to London rais'd the Seige chaseing Canute and his Danes to thir Ships Then after two daies passing the Thames at Branford and so coming on thir backs kept them so turn'd and obtain'd the Victory then returns again to his West Saxons and Canute to his Seige but still in vain riseing therfore thence he enterd with his Ships a River then call'd Arenne and from the Banks therof wasted Mercia thence thir Horse by land thir Foot by Ship came to Medway Edmund in the mean while with multipli'd Forces out of many Shires crossing again at Branford came into Kent seeking Canute encounterd him at Ocford and so defeated that of his Horse they who escap'd fled to the I le of Sheppey and a full Victory he had gain'd had not Edric still the Traytor by some wile or other detain'd his persuit and Edmund who never wanted courage heer wanted prudence to be so misled ever after forsak'n of his wonted Fortune Canute crossing with his Army into Essex thence wasted Mercia worse then before and with heavy prey return'd to his Ships them Edmund with a collected Army persueing overtook at a place call'd Assandune or Asseshill now Ashdown in Essex the Battel on either side was fought with great vehemence but perfidious Edric perceaving the Victory to incline towards Edmund with that part of the Army which was under him fled as he had promis'd Canute and left the King over-match't with numbers by which desertion the English were overthrown Duke Alfric Duke Godwin and Vlfketel the valiant Duke of East-Angles with a great part of the Nobility slain so as the English of a long time had not receav'd a greater blow Yet after a while Edmund not absurdly call'd Ironside preparing to try again his Fortune in another feild was hinderd by Edric and others of his faction adviseing him to make peace and divide the Kingdome with Canute To which Edmund over-rul'd a treaty appointed and pledges mutually giv'n both Kings met together at a place call'd Deorhirst in Glostershire Edmund on the West side of Severn Canute on the East with thir Armies then both in person wafted into an Iland at that time call'd Olanege now Alney in the midst of the River swearing amity and brotherhood they parted the Kingdome between them Then interchanging Armes and the habit they wore assessing also what pay should be allotted to the Navy they departed each his way Concerning this interveiw and the cause therof others write otherwise Malmsbury that Edmund greiving at the loss of so much blood spilt for the ambition only of two men striveing who should reign of his own accord sent to Canute offering him single Combate to prevent in thir own cause the effusion of more blood then thir own that Canute though of courage anough yet not unwisely doubting to adventure his body of small Timber against a man of Iron sides refus'd the Combate offring
to divide the Kingdome this offer pleasing both Armies Edmund was not difficult to consent and the decision was that he as his hereditary Kingdome should rule the West-Saxons and all the South Canute the Mercians and the North. Huntingdon follow'd by Mat. West relates that the Peers on every side wearied out with continuall warfare and not refraining to affirm op'nly that they two who expected to reign singly had most reason to fight singly the Kings were content the Iland was thir lists the Combate Knightly till Knute finding himself too weak began to parle which ended as is said before After which the Londoners bought thir peace of the Danes and permitted them to winter in the City But King Edmund about the Feast of St. Andrew unexpectedly deceas'd at London and was buried neer to Edgar his Grandfather at Glaston The cause of his so sudden death is uncertain common fame saith Malmsbury laies the guilt therof upon Edric who to please Canute allur'd with promise of reward two of the Kings Privy Chamber though at first abhorring the fact to assassinate him at the stool by thrusting a sharp Iron into his hinder parts Huntingdon and Mat. West relate it done at Oxford by the Son of Edric and something vary in the manner not worth recital Edmund dead Canute meaning to reign sole King of England calls to him all the Dukes Barons and Bishops of the Land cunningly demanding of them who were witnesses what agreement was made between him and Edmund dividing the Kingdome whether the Sons and Brothers of Edmund were to govern the West-Saxons after him Canute living they who understood his meaning and fear'd to undergo his anger timorously answerd that Edmund they knew had left no part therof to his Sons or Brethren living or dying but that he intended Canute should be thir Guardian till they came to age of reigning Simeon affirms that for fear or hope of reward they attested what was not true notwithstanding which he put many of them to death not long after Canute or Knute CAnute having thus sounded the Nobility and An. Dom. 1017 by them understood receav'd thir Oath of fealty they the pledge of his bare hand and Oath from the Danish Nobles wherupon the House of Edmund was renounc't and Canute Crown'd Then they enacted that Edwi Brother of Edmund a Prince of great hope should be banish't the Realm But Canute not thinking himself secure while Edwi liv'd consulted with Edric how to make him away who told him of one Ethelward a decay'd Nobleman likeliest to do the work Ethelward sent for and tempted by the King in privat with largest rewards but abhorring in his mind the deed promisd to do it when he saw his opportunity and so still deferr'd it But Edwi afterwards receav'd into favour as a snare was by him or some other of his false freinds Canute contriving it the same year slain Edric also counsel'd him to dispatch Edward and Edmund the Sons of Ironside but the King doubting that the fact would seem too foul done in England sent them to the King of Sweden with like intent but he disdaining the Office sent them for better safety to Solomon King of Hungary where Edmund at length dy'd but Edward married Agatha Daughter to Henry the German Emperour A digression in the Laws of Edward Confessor under the Title of Lex Noricorum saith that this Edward for fear of Canute fled of his own accord to Malesclot King of the Rugians who receav'd him honourably and of that Country gave him a Wife Canute settl'd in his Throne divided the Government of his Kingdom into fowr parts the West-Saxons to himself the East-Angles to Earl Turkill the Mercians to Edric the Northumbrians to Eric then made peace with all Princes round about him and his former Wife being dead in July married Emma the Widow of King Ethelred The Christmas following was an ill Feast to Edric of whose Treason the King having now made use as much as serv'd his turn and fearing himself to be the next betray'd caus'd him to be slain at London in the Palace thrown over the City Wall and there to lie unburied the head of Edric fixt on a pole he commanded to be set on the highest Tower of London as in a double sence he had promis'd him for the murder of King Edmund to exalt him above all the Peers of England Huntingdon Malmsbury and Mat. West write that suspecting the Kings intention to degrade him from his Mercian Dukedome and upbraiding him with his merits the King enrag'd caus'd him to be strangl'd in the room and out at a Window thrown into the Thames Another writes that Eric at the Kings command struck off his head Other great men though without fault as Duke Norman the Son of Leofwin Ethelward Son of Duke Agelmar he put to death at the same time jealous of thir power or familiarity with Edric and notwithstanding peace kept still his Army to maintain which the next An. Dom. 1018 year he squees'd out of the English though now his subjects not his Enemies 72 some say 82 thousand pound besides 15 thousand out of London Mean while great War arose at Carr between Vthred Son of Waldef Earl of Northumberland and Malcolm Son of Kened King of Scots with whom held Eugenius King of Lothian But heer Simeon the relater seems to have committed some mistake having slain Vthred by Canute two years before and set Eric in his place Eric therfore it must needs be not Vthred who manag'd this War against the Scots About which time in a Convention of Danes at Oxford it was agreed on both parties to keep the Laws of Edgar Mat. West saith of Edward the Elder The An. Dom. 1019 next year Canute sail'd into Denmarke and there abode all Winter Huntingdon and Mat. West say he went thether to repress the Swedes and that the night before a Battel to be fought with them Godwin stealing out of the Camp with his English assaulted the Swedes and had got the Victory ere Canute in the morning knew of any fight For which bold enterprise though against Discipline he had the English in more esteem ever after In the Spring An. Dom. 1020 at his return into England he held in the time of Easter a great assembly at Chirchester and the same year was with Turkill the Dane at the dedication of a Church by them built at Assendune in the place of that great Victory which won him the Crown But suspecting his greatness the year following banish'd An. Dom. 1021 An. Dom. 1028 him the Realm and found occasion to do the like by Eric the Northumbrian Earl upon the same jealousie Nor yet content with his Conquest of England though now above ten years enjoy'd he pass'd with 50 Ships into Norway dispossess'd Olave thir King and subdu'd the land first with great summes of money sent the year before to gain him a party then coming with an Army to compell
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
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.