prisoner and slain by this Usurper at Tymmouth Upon occasion of which Insurrections and Wars I conceive this Council was most probably summoned Soon after this usurping Regicide Ethelred was slain himself even by those seditious Subjects who expelled and slew Osred to advance him to the Throne The common fate of bloody Usurpers especially in this kingdom of Northumberland as our Historians observe King Offa in the year 793. called a Provincial Parliamentary Council where Archbishop Humbert and his Suffragaâ—s with all the Primates and Nobles were present wherein he treated with thâ—m about founding the Monastery of St. Albane the first Martyr in the place where his Corps was found â—ndowing it with lands and Privileges Placuit omnibus Regis propositum Whereupon they concluded the King should go to Rome in person and procure from the Pope the Canonization of St. Albane and a Confirmation of Privileges to the Abbey he intended to build He repairing to Rome accordingly the Pope commending his Devotion gave him his full aâ—…ent both to found a Monastery and endow it with all such Privileges as he desired enjoyning him that returning to his Country ex Consilio Episcoporum Optimatum suorum by advice of his Bishops 〈…〉 he should confer to the Monastery of St. Albane what Possessions or Privileges he would which he 〈◊〉 grant or confirm to it by his special Charter first and afterwards he would confirm his original with his Privilege and Bull. The king hereupon receiving the Popes Benediction returned home and held two great Councils for the setliug of the Lands Privileges and Liberties of St. Albanes The one at Celcyth where were present 9 Kings 15 Bishops and 20 Dukes as John Stow relates in his Chronicle who all subscribed and ratified his Charter 〈◊〉 Lands and Privileges granted to St. Albane The other Council was held at Verolam which Matthew Westminster thus expresseth Congregato apud Verolamium Episcoporum Optimatum Concilio unanimi omnium consensu voluntate beato Albano Amplas contulit terras possessiones innumeras Quas multiplici Libertatum privilegio insignivit Monachorum vero conventum ex Domibus bene Religiosis ad Tumbam Martyris congregavit Abbatem eis Nomine Willegodum praefecit cui cum ipso Monasterio Jura Regalia concessit This king then reigning over 20 Shires at the same time by the unanimous assent of the Bishops and Nobles z gave out of all those Counties to the English School at Rome Peter-Pence in English called Romescot Yet he privileged the Church of St. Albane with so great Liberty that this Church alone should be quit of the Apostolical Custom and Tribute called Romescot when as neither the King nor Archbishop nor any Bishop Abbot or Prior or any other in the Realm was exempted frow this payment And likewise granted that the Church of St. Albane should faithfully collect the said Romescot from all the County of Hertford wherein the said Church is situated and receive the money collected to that Churches own use And that the Abbot thereof or a Monk constituted his Archdeacon under him should exercise Episcopal Authority over all the Priests Laymen within the possessions belonging to the Abbey and that he should make subjection to no Archbishop Bishop or Legate but only to the Pope himself So as that Church hath omnia jura Regalia and the Abbot thereof for the time being Pontificalia ornamenta And that by the great Charter of this king then made with the unanimous consent of all his Bishops and Nobles in this great Council What Lands he gave to the Monastery of St. Augustines and Christ-church in Canterbury and the Archbishops there you may read at large in the Chronicles of William Thorne col 1775. and Evidentiae Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis col 2203 2219. King Offa deceasing An. 797. his Son Egfrid so soon as he was settled in his Fathers kingdom imitating the pious footsteps of his Father devoutly conferred many Lands and possessions on the Church of St. Albanes and confirmed them by his Charter and Privilege with all those other Lands Privileges and Royal Liberties which his Father had conferred on the said Church to enjoy them in the freest manner Et ejus Donatio ut perpetuae firmitatis Robur obtineret juxta morem Romananae Ecclesiae omnium Episcoporum Comitum et Baronum totius imperii sui assembled in a general Council of the Realm Subscriptionem signum crucis apposuit Causing all his Bishops Earâ—s and Barons of his whole Realm to subscribe and ratifie his Charter and Donation with the sign of the Cross after the manner of the Roman Church That it might be of perpetual force and validity Moreover declining his Fathers covetousness in all things whatever he for the exaltation of his Kingdom had diminished out of the possessions of divers Monasteries he out of a pious devotion restored and confirmed with his Privilege or Charter to all who desired it This pious King Egfrid as our Historians observe and let others note it who gain their Kingdoms Powers Possessions by Bloodshed and Treason was taken away by sudden death on the 141 day after his Fathers decease which gave great cause of grief to all the people of his Realm not for his own sins which is not to be supposed but because his Father pro Regni sui confirmatione sanguinem â—…ffudit for the confirmation of his Kingdom shed much blood For he came to the Crown by the slaughter or King Bernred forementioned deposed and slain by him for his usurpation Tyranny and Mis-government then he invaded and â—â—ew with his own hand Alrick King of Kent routed his forces and reduced that kingdom under his own After this marching from South to North even beyond Humber he made Havock of all that stood in his way Whence returning in Triumph he set upon the West-Saxons and vanquished them forced their king Kenwolf to fly into Wales to the Britons for aid then entred into Wales routed their King Marmodius for breaking his Truce made a great slaughter of the Britons after ten years prosperous wars to conquer others returned victoriously into his own territories After his return thither to compleat his bloody Tragedies Ethelberâ— King of East-Angles coming upon solemn invitation to his Court in great state to marry his Daughter was there treacherously murdered by his Wife Quendreda's solicitation and practice with his privity and consent who caused a deep pit to be digged in his Bed chamber under his Chair of State or Bed into which he falling was there treacherously murdered and his head cut off by Gaymbertus who presented it all bloody to King Offa who to colour the business seeming to be sorrowfull for this murder shut himself up in his Chamber and there fasted 8 days space but then sending a great Army into the Kingdom of this murthered Prince seised on united it to his own Empire But Gods exemplary
vengeance pursued this hainous bloody Treachery notwithstanding all his feigned magnified Saintship and works of Charity and Piety for within one year after this bloody fact committed both Queendreda Offa and their Son Egfrid the only joy and pride of his Parents all died and his very kingdom it self was translated from the Mercians to the West-Saxons whom he â—…quered and oppressed O that all men of blood and unjust invaders of others Crowns Realms Possessions by war bloodshed and Treachery would seriously consider this President with all others of this nature both at home and abroad collected to their hands by Sir Walter Raughly in his excellent Preface before his famous History of the World About the year of Christ 797. Cynwolfe or Kenulph King of West-Saxons held a Council wherein he with his Bishops una cum caterva Satraparum and likewise with a great company of his Nobles there assembled writ a Letter to Lullus Bishop of Mentz touching some matters of Religion then in Debate In the year 798. the third of King Kenulph his reign there was a great Parliamentary Synod assemat Pinchamhalch wherein Eanbaldus or Embaldus Archbishop of Yorksate President with very many wise and great Men by whose Wisdom and Justice the Kingdom of Northumberland was then much advanced and renowned Who after they had debated many things concerning the benefit of holy Church and profit of all the Provinces of the People of Northumberland the observation of Easter and of Divine and secular Laws the increase of Gode service and the honours and necessities of the servants of God rehearsed and ratified the faith of the 5 first General Councils concerning the Trinity in brief and pithy expressions sit now to be revived in these times of Heresie and Blasphemy The same year there was another Great Council held at Bacanceld wherein Kenulph King of Mercians sate President Athelardus Archbishop of Canterbury 17 other Bishops sundry Abbots Arch-deacons and other fit persons being there likewise present Wherein by the command of Pope Leo it was decreed That from thenceforth no Laymen should exercise Dominion over the Lords Inheritance and Churches but that they should be governed by Holy Canons and the Rules of their first founders and possessors under pain of Excommunication and that Christ-church in Canterbury should be restored to its antient Metropolitan Jurisdiction Which all the Prelates and Abbots confirmed with their Subscriptions And this year this King consecrated the Church of Winchelcumbe endowing it with great gifts and possessions in a kind of Parliamentary Assembly of 13 Bishops and 10 Dukes where he manumitted and set free at the high Altar Edbert King of Kent surnamed Pren whom he had taken prisoner in Battel Moreover Eanbaldus Archbishop of York this year assembled a Synod at Finchale most likely for the assistance of Eardulfus King of Northumberland against Duke Wadus and other Conspirators who rose up against him whom he vanquished and utterly routed after a long and bloody battle at Bilingeho where many were slain on both sides which History Matthew Westminster couples with this Synod An. 798. King Kenulph in the year 799. By the consent of his Bishops and Priuces at the request of Athelardus Archbishop of Canterbury restored to Christ-Church in Canterbury four parcels of Land which king Offa had formerly taken from it and gave to his Servants free from all secular service and Regal Tribute ratifying this restitution by his Charter signed with the Cross that it might remain inviolable by their concurrent assent There was a Provincial Council held at Clovesho or Clyffe In the year of our Lord 800. by Kenulf king of Mercians Athelwerdus Archbishop of Canterbury and all the Bishops Dukes Abbots â—â—juscunque dignitatis viâ—os and men of all sorts of dignity where after some inquiry how the Catholique Faith was kept and Christian Religion practiced amongst them The Lands which king Offa and king Kenulph had forcibly taken away from Christ-Church with the Nunnery of Cotham and the Hides of Land called Burnam were Synodali Judicio by the Judgement of the Council restored to Christ-Church Et omnium voce Decretum est and It was decreed by the voice of all the Council upon sight of the Books and Deeds there produced before them by the Archbishop that it was just Cotham should be restored to Christ-Church being given to it by King Aethelbald by his Charter of which it had for a long time unjustly been spoiled notwithstanding the frequent complaints made by Archbishop Bregwin and Iambert in every of their Synods In hoc Concilio annuente ipso Rege Athelandus recuper avit dignitates possessiores quas Offa Rex Merciorum abstulerat Iamberto writes Gervasius After which the Archbishop in this Council made this Exchange with Cynedritha then Abbess of Cotham that she and her successors should enjoy all the Lands and Nunnery of Cotham in lieu whereof she should give to him one hundred and ten Hydes of Land in Kent lying in Fleot Tenaham and Creges together with all the writings thereto belonging which exchange was made before confirmed and attested by this Noble Synod that so no Controversie might arise between them their Heirs and Successors or King Offa ' s in future times concerning the same but that they might peaceably injoy them without interruption for ever And more over the Archbishop gave unto Cynedrytha the Monastery called Pretanege which king Egfrid gave to him his heirs Which proves the Gâ—eat Councils and Synods in that age to be Parliaments and that they judicially restored Lands â—â—justly taken away by Kings upon complaint examination anâ— due proof made thereof as well as inquired of errors and abuses in religion In this Councilâ—… conceive i was that Kenulph with his Bishops Dukes et omni sub nostra Ditione Dignatis gradu compiled and â—â—nâ— a Letter to Pope Leo the third promising obedience to his commands requesting that the ancient Canons might be observed and the Jurisdiction and Power of the See of Canterbury which King Offa and Pope Adrian had diminished and divided into two Provinces or Archbishopricks might be restored and united again thereto to avoid Scisms and craving the Popes answer to these their requests which he returned in a special Letter to the King restoring to Athelardus and his successors the Bishopricks substracted from his Province with the Metropolitan Jurisdiction over them as amply as before Hereupon in the year 802. or thereabouts there was another Parliamentary Council assembled at Clovesho wherein the Archbishoprick of Litchfield was dissolved the See of Canterbury restored to its former plenary Metropolitical Jurisdiction according to Pope Leo his Decree By the advice and Decree of the whole Council which commanded in the name of God That no Kings nor Bishops nor Princes neque ullius Tyrannicae potestatis Homines should diminish the honour of the Metropolitical See or presume to divide
periculum ducitâ—â— in itinere obvium habuerit potestatem habeat eripiendi eum ab imminen i periculo in toto Regno meo The old Charter begins thus In nomine Domini nostri Jesu Christi Quamvis Decreta Pontificum verba Sacerdotum inconvulsis ligaminibus velut fundamenta montium fixa sunt tamen plerumque tempestatibus turbinibus saecularium rerum Religio sanctae Ecclesiae maculis reproborum dissipatur ac â—…itur Iccirco profuâ—… succedentibus posteris esse decrevimus ut ea quae salubri Consilio et communi assensu definiuntur nostris literis roborata firmentur c. Hoc itaque Dunstano Doroberniensi at que Oswaldo Eboracensi Episcopo adhortantibus consentiente etiamer annuente Brithelmo Fontanensi Episcopo caeterisque Episcopis Abbatibus et Primatibus Ego Edgar divina dâ—â—poâ—…one Rex Anglorum c. And it concludes thus Acta est haec Privilegii â—aginâ— confirmata apud Londonium Communi Concilio omnium Primatum meorum Then follow the subscriptions of King Egar Alfgina his Mother Prince Edward Kinred King of Scots Mascusius the chief Admiral both the Archbishops 6 Bishops 8 Abbots 3 Dukes and other Officers Which Charter and Privileges at the Kings request were ratified by Pope John the 13 in a general Council at Rome Anno Dom. 971. by a special Bull that they might remain inviolable yet both the Abbey it self Lands Privileges are long since demolished dissipated annihilated such is the mutabiliunity of all sublunary things The self same year Anno 970. King Edgar by his Charter granted and confirmed sundry Lands and Privileges to the Monastery of Medeshamsted formerly demolished by the Danes which Bishop Aethelwold had repaired and named Burgh perpetually exempting it from all Episcopal jurisdiction yoak and exaction Quatenus nec Rex nec Comes nec Episcopus praeter Christianâ—â—atem attinentium Parochiarum nec vicecomes nec ulla alia major minorve persona ulla dominatione occupari praesumat excepta moderata expeditione Pontis Arcisve constructione VVhich Charter was ratified by the kings own subscription both the Archbishops sundry Bishops Abbots Dukes and other chief Officers and the sign of the Cross after each of their Names In the year 973. King Edgar after his seven years penance expired on the Feast of Pentecost in the 30th year of his age was solemnly Crowned and consecrated King and wore his Crown with great glory at Akemancester alias Bath both the Archbishops Dunstan and Oswald with all the rest of the Bishops of England ac Magnatibus universis and all the Nobles being there preâ—ent at his Coronation and received the accustomed Gifts usually given to the Nobles being at such inaugurations Soon after the same year this King with a very great Fleet and Army sayling round about the Northern parts of England came to Westchester where his eight tributary Kings or Vice-royes namely Kyneth king of Scots Malcome King of Cumberland Marcus king of Man and many other Ilands and the other 5 kings of Wales Dufnall Siferth Howel Iames and Iuchill met him as he had commanded them and swore alleâ—i nce to him in these words That they would be faithfull and assisting to him both by Land and Sea Which done he on a certain day entred with them into a Barge and placing them at the Oares himself took the Helm and steered the Barge very skilfully whiles they rowed it down the River of Dee from his Palace to the Monastery of St. John Bapist on the other side all his Dukes and Nobles following and accompanying him in other Barges where having made his Prayers they all rowed him thence back again in like pompe to his Royal Palace which when he had entred he said to his Nobles That any of his Successors might then say he was King of England when with so many Kings following and subject to him he should enjoy the Prerogative of the like pompe and power But Mr. Fox subjoyns In my mind this king had said much better God forbid that I should glory in any thing but in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ The year following An. 974. Certain Merchants comming from York arived in the Islle of Thanet in Kent where they were presently taken by the Ilanders and spoyled of all their goods which king Edgar being informed of was so far incensed against these Plunderers that he spoyled them of all their Goods and deprived some of them of their lives Which Huntingdon and Bromton thus record Rex Edgarus undecimo Anno Regni sui jussit praedari Insulam Tenet Quia jure Regalia spreverant non ut host is insaniens sed ut Rex malo mala puniens The same year as Malmesbury Ingulphus and others write king Edgar by his regal Charter caused the secular Priests to be removed out of the Monastery of Malmesbury and introducing Monks in their places restored to them the Lands and Possessions of the monastery which the secular Priests formerly enjoyed and had leased 〈◊〉 that upon a full hearing before the Wise-men Bishops others in his presence most likely in a Parliamentary Council as this clause in his Charter intimates Haec a praedictis accommodata Clericis a contensioso possessa est Edebnoto sed superstitiosa subtilique ejus disceptatione aSapientibns meis audita et conflictatione illius mendosa ab eisdem me praesente convicta Monasteriali a me reaâ— â—a est usui If the Council of Winchester hereafter cited Anno 975. was held in King Edgars life time as some affirm most probably this debate here mentioned touching these Lands was held in and before that Council and this Charter therein made and ratified with the subscriptions of the Kings Arch-bishops Bishops Abbots and Dukes thereto annexed according to the custome of that age Although King Edgar in his younger daies was subject to many Vices and committed some injurious Tyrannical Acts recorded by Malmesbury Fox Speed and others yet repenting of these his youthfull lustfull Vices he proved such a just and prudent King that our Historians of elder and later ages give these large Encomiums of his Justice Prudence Piety Vertues and politique Government worâ—hy perpetual memory and immitation So excellent was he in Justice So sharp was he in correction of Vices as well in his Magistrates Officers and other Subjects that never before his days was less felony by Robbers nor less extortion or Bribery by false Officers such as were wicked he kept under them that were Rebels he repulsed the godly he maintained and the just and modest he loved the learned and virtuous he encouraged He would suffer no man of what degree or quality soever he were to elude or violate his Laws without condigne punishment In his time there was neither any private Pilferer nor publike Theef but he that in stealing other mens Goods would venture and suffer as he was sure the loss of his own Goods and
Saint he fell off from his horse and continued in great torment till night and so ended his life with a miserable death Swane being deâ—d the whole Navy and Nation of the Danes Elected and made â—…te his son their King and Lord 〈…〉 Majores Natu totius Angliae The Nobles and Senators of all England liking nothing â—eâ—s than bondages especially under such new tyrannizing forein Intrâ—… thinking it now or never the time to shake ofâ— their new yoak pronounced their Natural Lord to be dearer to them than any Foreiner Si regalius se quam consuâ—verat ageret Whereupon with unanimous consent and great joy and speed they sent messengers â—…o Normandy to Ethelred to inform him Nullum eo libentius se in Regem recepturos si ipse vel rectius gubernare vel mitius eos tractare vellet quam prius tractaverat and to hasten his return unto them Who thereupon presently sent over his son Edward qui fidem Principum favoremque vulgi praesens specularetur who together with his Embassadors assured both the Nobles and Commons of the English Nation That he would for time to come be their mild and devout Lord consent to their wills in all things acquiesce in their Counsels and if he had offended in any kinde he would reform it according as they should think fit and with a ready mind pardon whatsoever had been contemptuously or disgracefully spoken or acted by them against him or his if they would all unanimously receive him again as their King into the Kingdom To which they all gave a favourable and satisfactory answer Whereupon a plenary reconciliation was ratified between them on both sides both by words and compact Moreover The Nobles unanimously and fréely agreed and voted That they would never more admit a Danish King into England to reign over them These things concluded King Ethelred speedily returns into England where he was honourably and joyfully received by the English And that he might seem to cast off his former sloathfulness he hastned to raise an Army against Cnute who remaining with his Navy in Lindesey made an agreement with the inhabitants exacting men and horses from them that he might surprise Ethelred at unawares and threatning grievously to punish all such as revolted from him But Cnute being taken in his own craft Ethelred marching thither with a strong army before he was provided to receive him fled from thence with his Hostages Army and Navy to Sandwich whereupon Ethelred depopulated all Lindesey wasting the Country with fire and sword slaying all the Inhabitants as Traitors to him and their Native Country Cnute by way of revenge humano et divino Jure contempto in insontes grassatus cuts off the hands and ears and â—â—its the Noses of all the most Noble and beautiful Hostages throughout England given to his father and so dismissing them sailed into Denmark to settle his affairs and augment his sorces resolving to return the year following After his departure King Ethelred this very year Super haec omnia mala Classi quae apud Greenwic â—acuiâ— Tributum quod erat 30. millia librarum pendi mandavit to wit to the Fleet under Turkell the Dane who instead of defending did but help to pillage and oppress the English Huntindon writes it was but 21 thousand pounds and Bromton avers that it was Cnute not Ethelred who commanded it to be paid to his Navy Soon after which the Sea rising higher than it was accustomed drowned an innumerable Company of Villages people and cartel After Cnutes departure King Ethelred summoned a Parliamentary Council at Oxford Anno 1015 both of the Danes and English Malmsbury expressly stiles it MAGNUM CONCILIUM Wigorniensis Hoveden Sim. Dunelmensis MAGNUM PLACITUM Matthew Westminster and others MAGNUM COLLOQUIUM our later English Historians a Great Council and Parliament The King by the ill advise of that Arch Traytor Duke Edric at this Great Council commanded some Nobles of the Danes to be sodenly and secretly slain quasi de Regia proditione notatos ac persidiae apud se insimulatos the chiefest of them were Sygeforth and Morcar whom Edric treacherously invited to his chamber and there making them drunk caused his armed guards there placed secretly to murder them which they did Hereupon their Servants endeavouring to revenge their Lords deaths being digniores et potentiores ex Seovengensibus they were repulsed with arms and forced to slye into the Tower of St. Frideswides Church for safety whence when they could not be forcibly expelled they were all there burnt together The King presently seised upon their lands and goods the chief cause of their murder as some conceived and sent the relict of Sygeforth a very Noble beautifull and vertuous Lady prisoner to Malmsbury whither Edmond the Kings base Son as some affirm posted without his fathers privity and being enamored with her beauty first carnally abused then afterward maried her and by her advice forcibly invaded and seised upon the Lands of her husband and Morcar which were very great and the Earldom of Northumberland which his father denied him upon his request Whereupon all the Inhabitants of that County readily submitted to him Whiles these things were acting d Cnute having setled his affairs in Denmark and made a League with his neighbour Kings recruired his Army and Navy and returned into England with a resolution either to win it or to lose his life in the attempt Ariving first at Sandwich and sailing thence to the West he pillaged Dorsetshire Somersetshire and Wiltshire filling all places with slaughters and plunders King Ethelred lying then sick at Cosham his son Edmond Ironside and Duke Edric raised an Army against Cnute but when both their forces were united to fight him the old persidious Traytor Edric endeavoured by all means to betray Edmond to the Danes or treacherously to slay him which being discovered to Edmond thereupon they severed their forces from each other and gave place to the Enemies without giving them battel Not long after Edric inticing to him 40 of the Kings ships furnished with Danish Mariners and Souldiers openly revolted and went with them to Cnute subjecting himself to his dominion as his Soveraign by whose example all West-Sex submitted to him as their Kiâ—g delivering him hostages for their fidelity resigning up all their arms to him and providing both horse and arms for his Danish Army The Mercians offred themselves alone to resist the Danes but through the Kings sloathfulness the business of war received delay and the enemies proceeded in their rapines without opposition In the year 1016. King Cnute and treacherous Duke Edric came with 200 sail of ships into the river of Thames whence they marched by land with a great Army of horse and foot and invaded Mercia in an hostile manner burning all the Towns and Villages and slaying all the men they met with in Warwickshire and other places whereupon King Ethelred as
the Realm as well of the Temporalty as of the Spiritualty before he be crowned of the Archbishops and Bishops Three Servants the King ought to have under his feet as Vassals Fleshly Lust Avarice and Greedy desire whom if he keep under as his Seruants and Slaves he shall reign well and honourably in his Kingdom All things are to be done with good advisement and premeditation and that properly belongeth to a King For hasty rashness bringeth all things to ruine according to the saying of the Gospel Every kingdom divided in it self shall be desolate c. A clear evidence that our Saxon Kings had no arbitrary nor tyrannical power to condemn banish imprison oppresse or Tax their Subjects in any kinde against their Laws Liberties Properties And thus much touching King Edwards Laws Qui ob vitae integritatem Regnandi Iustitiam clementiam Legumque sive à se latarum sive ex veteribus sumptarum Equitatem inter Sanctos relatus est as Matthew Parker records of him In the year of Christ 1053. as many or 1054. as others compute it that old perjured Traytor Earl Godwin came to a most soddein shamefull exemplary death by divine justice which the marginal Historians thus relate and Abbot Ailred thus prefaceth Inserendum arbitror quomodo Godwinum proditionum suarum donatum stipendiis divini judicii ultrix ira consumpserit detest andique facinoris quod in Regem fratremque ejus cōmiserat populo spectante ipsam quam meruerat poenam exolverat This Godwin being the Kings Father-in-law abusing his simplicity multa in regno contra jus et fas pro potestate faciebat did many things in the Realm against Law and right by his power and often attempted to incline the Kings minde to his Injustice At last his subtilty proceeded so farr that by fraud deceit and circumvention he banished out of the land almost all the Kings kinred and friends whom he had either brought with him or called out of Normandy as well Bishops as Clerks and Laymen of other dignities believing that all things would succeed according to his desires if the King deprived of all his friends should make use only of his Counsels But Edward dissembling all things in regard of time place and out of religion addicted himself wholly to divine duties sometimes predicting That divine Justice would at some time or other revenge so great malice of the Earl and telling Godwin himself so much Whereupon on a certain day when the King was celebrating the Feast of Easter at Winchester as most or at Windsor as some or Hodiam as others relate which feast was famous among the people the King sitting at his royal Table at dinner the Kings Cup-bearer Harold Godwins own Son as some record bringing the Kings cup filled with Wine towards the Table striking one of his feet very hard against a stumbling block on the pavement fell almost to the ground but his other foot going straight on recovered him again and set him upright so that he had no harm nor shed any of the wine Upon which many discoursing touching this event and rejoycing that one foot helped the other Earl Godwin who customarily sate next to the King at Table being his Father-in-law laughing thereat said by way of merriment Here a brother helped a brother as some or So is a Brother helping to a Brother and one assisting another in necessity as others report his words To whom the King upon this occasion ironically answering said Thus my Brother Alfred might have assisted me had it not been for Godwins Treachery who would not permit him Which Speech of the Kings Godwin taking over-grievously was sore afraid and with a very pale and sad countenance replied I know O King I know it hath been often reported to thee that I have sought to betray thee and that thou O King dost as yet accuse and suspect me concerning the death of thy Brother Alfred neither yet doest thou think that those are to be discredited who call me either his or thy Traytor or betrayer But let thy God who is true and just and knoweth all secrets judge between us and let him never suffer this piece of bread I now hold in my hand to pass down my throat without choaking me if I be guilty of any Treason at all against thee or had ever so much as a thought to betray thee Or if I be guilty of thy Brothers death or if ever thy brother by me or my counsel was nearer to death or remoter from life And so may I safely swallow down this morsel of bread in my hand as I am guiltlesse of these facts When he had thus spoken the King blessed the piece of bread whereupon Godwin putting it into his mouth swallowed it down to the midst of his throat where it stuck so fast that he could neither get it down nor cast it up by any means till through the cooperation of divine vengeance he was so choaked with it that his breath was quite stopped his eyes turned upside down his arms grew stiff being conscious to himself of what he thus abjured and so he fell down dead under the Table Deus autem justus et verax audivit vocem Proditoris et mox eodem pane strangulatus mortem praegustavit aeternam writes Radulphus de Diceto The King seeing him pale and dead and that divine judgement and vengeance had thus passed upon him said to those who stood by Dragg out of this dog this Traytor and bury him in the high way for he is unworthy of Christian burial Whereupon his Sonnes there present beholding this Spectacle drew him from under the Table into a Bedchamber ubi debitum proditoris sortitus est sinem and immediately after they buried him privily in the old Monastery at Winchester without honour or solemnity Abbot Ingulphus thus briefly relates the story of this his death Anno Domini 1053. cum Godwinus Comes in mensa Regis de nece sui fratris impeteretur ille post multa Sacramenta tandem per buccellam deglutiendam abjuravit buccella gustata continuo suffocatus interiit As this judgement of God upon Earl Godwin for murdering Prince Alfred right heir to the Crown and the Normans who accompanied him 17 years after the fact was most exemplary so Gods justice upon his posterity is remarkable which to omit their forementioned exiles troubles are thus epitomized by Will. Malmsb. Godwin in his younger years had the Sister of Cnute for his wife on whom he begat a Son who having passed the first years of his childhood whiles he was riding on a horse given to him by his Grandfather in a proud childish bravado giving him the spurr and rains the horse carried him into the swift stream of the River of Thames where he was drowned His Mother also was slain with the stroke of a thunderbolt receiving the punishment of her cruelty who was reported to buy whole droves of slaves
his See from Ramesberg to the Monastery of Malmsbury sed Rege jnxta Consilium Procerum id nolente he thereupon resigned his Bishoprick went beyond the Seas and took upon him the habit of a Monk but repenting of his rashness he returned into England three years after and held the Bishopricks of Salisbury and Sherborne united together till the 9th year of King William the Conqueror In the year 1057. Prince Edward son of Edmond Ironside came out of Hungary where he had long lived an Exile into England being sent for thence by his Unkle King Edward who had decreed to make him heir to the Crown after himself but he died at London soon after his return leaving onely Edgar Athelin his son very young and two daughters Margaret and Christiana under the Kings custody and tuition This same year Earl Leofric at the request of his devout Noble Countess Godina freed the City of Coventry from a most grievous dishonest servitude and heavy Tribute wherewith he had formerly oppressed the Citizens being very much offended with them which though frequently importuned by her he would remit upon no other condition but this That his Lady Godina should ride naked through the street of the City from the one end of the market to the other when the people were there assembled Which she to obtain their Liberties from this Servitude and Tribute performed covering her self so with her long fair hair that she was seen and discerned by no body Whereupon the Earl her husband by his Charter exempted the Citizens of Coventry for ever from many payments which he formerly imposed and exacted from them the wisdom of which Earl much benefited the King and people whiles he lived t Algarus his son succeeding him in the Earldom of Mercia in the year 1058. was banished the second time by Kiag Edward but by the assistance of Griffin King of Wales and help of the Norwey fleet which beyond expectation came to assist him he suddenly recovered his Earldom again by force of which he conceived himself unjustly deprived against Law Griffin King of Wales having contrary to his former league and agreement invaded infested England slain the Bishop of Hereford burnt the City harrowed the Country and twice assisted Earl Algarus against King Edward thereupon Anno 1063. Duke Harold by King Edwards command marched hostilely into Wales with his forces to infest Griffin who having notice of his comming took Ship and hardly escaped his hands Hereupon Harold raised a greater Army and likewise provided Ships and furniture after this his brother Tosti and he joyning their forces together by the Kings command began to depopulate Wales and invaded it both by Sea and Land whereupon the Welshmen compelled by necessity gave them Hostages and promised That they would thenceforth pay aTribute to K. Edward as their Soveraign and banish their King Griffin whom they expelled accordingly that year and An. 1064. they out off their King Griffins head and sent it unto Harold who presently transmitted it to K. Edward whereupon the King made Griffins Brothers Blethagent and Redwallo Kings over the Welshmen to whom he gave that land who sware Fealty to King Edward and Harold et ad imperium illorum mari terraque se fore paratos ac omnia quae prius de terra illa Regibus anterioribus fuâ—rant pensa obedienter se pensuros responderunt as Wigorniensis Hoveden Simeon Dunelmensis and others record their Oath The next year Tosti Earl of Northumberland moved with envy against his Brother Harold in the Kings own presence at Winsore took Harold by the hair as he was drinking wine to the King and violently struck the Cup out of his hand using him most dishonourably all the Kings Houshold admiring at it Upon which Harold provoked to revenge taking Tosti between his arms and lifting him up on high threw and dashed him violently against the pavement At which sight the Souldiers round about ran in on all sides and parting the began fray perforce between these Brothers and stout Warriers severed them one from the other But the King upon this predicted that the destruction of these two Brothers was now near at hand and that their deadly fâ—ud was not long to be deferred For all the sons of the Traytor Earl Godwin were so ungracious covetous oppressive and so extremely unjust that if they had seen any fair Mannor or Mansion place they would procure the owner thereof to be slain in the night withall his posterity and kinred that so they might get possession thereof for themselves Who notwithstanding which their soft and honied speeches although they were but swords did so circumvent the over-credulous simplicity of King Edward that after many enormous wickednesses committed by them he made them Regni Iusticiarios Regni Rectores Dispositores both Justices Rulers and Disposers of the kingdom and likewise Generals and Admirals of his forces both by Land and Sea The many acts of Injustice committed by the sway of power and passion by Earl Godwin and his sons proportionate greatness and the Kings weakness did much blacken that bright time of Peace and made a good man not by acting but induring ill held to be a bad King Tosti after this contest and quarrel with his brother Harold departing in a rage from the Kings Court and comming to the City of Hereford where his Brother Harold had provided a great intertainment for the King slew and cut all his Servants in pieces and put either a legg arm or some other member of their bodies thus mangled into every vessel of wine meade bear and other sorts of liquors he there found wherin they lay steeping stopping up the Vessels again Which done he sent word to the King that when he came to his Farm at Hereford he should find his flesh well powdered and that he would provide him sweetmeats The King being informed of this his barbarous villany and scoff commanded that he should be banished for this detestable wickedness which he abhorred Soon after Tosti departing into Northumberland about the 5. of October divers Gentlemen and others of that Country assembling together came with about 200. armed men to York where Tosti then resided both to revenge the execrable murder of some Noble Northumberlanders servants to Gospatric whom Queen Egitha in the cause of her brother Tosti had commanded treacherously to be slain on the 4th day of the precedent Christmass and of Gamel the son of Orue and Ulfe son of Delfin whom Tosti the year before had commanded to be treacherously murdered in his chamber at York under pretext of making a Peace with them necnon pro immanitate Tributi quod de tota Northimbria injuste acceperat as also for the excesliveness of the Tribute which he had unjustly received out of all Northumberland without their common consent and grant These chasing the Earl himself out of the Country pro contuitu Ducatus
battel in a tumultuous manner were routed by them many of them being slain in the field and the rest inforced to fly into York for shelter which the Enemies besieging was presently surrendred up to them and hostages delivered them after the slaughter of many Citizens Nobles and Clergy-men Upon this King Harold recollecting his disbanded Army and Navy marched with all speed towards York against the Danes Norwegeans and his brother Tosti but coming to Hamford Bridge one valiant Dane with his Battle Axe slew 40 of his men and made good the Bridge against the whole Army for a long space till at last some going under the Bridge in a Boat slew him with a spear Both Armies joyning battel after a long and bloudy fight Harfager and Tosti with may other of Note were slain their whole Army routed all their Ships taken with the loss of many of the bravest English Souldiers and 20 of their Ships only permitted to depart into Denmark with their wounded men and Olaus Harfagers Son who to save his life took an Oath never from thenceforth to attempt any hostility or invasion against the English This victory Abbot Ailred a ascribes to the merits of Edward the Confessor who promised to be the Captain and Protector of the English Nation against those Enemies who invaded the Realm contrary to right and Law and promised them the victory over them But Harold ascribing it to his own valour instead of rewarding his Souldiers with the spoils of the vanquished enemies as the price of their bloud out of a base unworthy a varice converted all the spoils and booty to his own private use giving no part of them to any other Wherewith many of the Nobles and common Souldiers were so incensed that detesting the covetousness of their Prince they unanimously departed from his service and refused to march with him against the Normans This triumphant victory so puffed up Harold that he thought himself secure in the Throne beyond the fear or reach of any adversity and instead of a King became a TYRANT Whilst Harold with all his Land and Sea forces were thus busied in the North of England Duke VVilliam in August assembled all his Land Army and Navy consisting of 900 ships at the Port of S. Valerie to invade England in the South then wholly destitute of all Guards by Land and Navy by Sea to resist his landing And to satissie his Souldiers and all others of the justice of his undertaking he alleged these three causes thereof which Henry de Knyghton devides into four The first was to revenge the cruel murther of his Cousin Prince Alfred King Edmunds brother and of the Normans who came with him to assist him to recover the Crown of England to which he was right heir whom Godwin and his Sons had shamefully dishonoured treacherously betrayed and barbarously murdered which fact he ascribed principally to Harold The second was because Godwin and his Sons by their cunning had injuriously banished Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury Earl Odo and all the French and Normans out of England which wrong he would revenge on Harold as done principally by his means and labour The third and chief ground was because Harold falling headlong into perjury had without any right usurped the Crown and Realm of England which of due belonged unto him both by right of Kinred to and gift by King Edward his Nephew and by Harolds own solemn Oath and promise made to him in Normandy to preserve the Kingdom for his use after King Edwards death without children according to King Edwards command While Duke William with his ships and Army lay many days together at S. Valerie expecting a fair gale for England the winds being cross many of the common souldiers there lying in Tents thus muttered one to another That the man was mad who would by force invade and make another mans Country and Realm his own That God did fight against them in withdrawing the winds That his Father attempted the same thing in the same manner and was hindered and inhibited therein That it was fatal to his family that aspiring to things above their power they should find God opposite to them These speeches bruted abroad which might enfeeble the strength and abate the courage even of valiant men The Duke thereupon taking Counsel with his Senators caused the Corps of St. Valerie to be brought forth to procure a wind presently a prosperous gale filling their sayles the Duke himself first took ship and launched forth and all the rest after him then casting Anchor till the Fleeâ— came round about him they all sailing with a gentle course landed at Hastings and Pevemsy The Duke stepping forth of the ship upon the shore one of his feet slipped so that he fell down into the mud one of his hands being filled with sand whch he interpreted as an ill omen and sinister event But one of his Souldiers who stood next him lifting him up from his fall whiles he held the mud in his hand changed this event into a better interpretation saying Most happy Duke thou already possessest England and plowest it up Behold the land is in thy hand Lift up thy self with good hope thou sha't be King of England ere long No sooner was the Army landed m but the King strictly charged them to forbear plundering and take no booties seeing they ought to spare the things that should be his own nor to wrong any of their persons who should ere long become his Subjects Richard Vestegan records out of a French Historian that Duke VVilliam the same day he landed in England caused divers of his chief Officers and Friends to dine with him and chancing at dinner to talk of an Astrologer who by the conjunction of the Planets had assured him at St. Valerie That Harold should never withstand him but submit himself unto him and yeeld him faith and homage willed now that the said Astrologer should be brought unto him whom he had caused to be imbarqued for that voyage But it was told him that the Ship wherein the said Astrologer sailed was cast away at Sea and he drowned in it Where unto the Duke replyed That man was not wise who had more regard to the good or â—ll fortune of another than unto his own I am now thanks be to God come over I know not how the rest will succeed How false this Star-gazers prediction proved the sequel will manifest Duke VVilliam after his arrival rested quietly 15. days without acting any thing as if he minded nothing less than war After which to cut off all occasion or hopes of return from his Souldiets he fired all his ships or as some write drew them all a shore and intrenched them as others erecting only a Castle on the shore for a retiring place for his Souldiers if need were From Pevensy he marched to Hastings where he built another Fort. Henry de Knyghton records that the first
services Fiscal tributes except these three Expedition Building of Castle and Bridge The next in time is the Grant of Lotharius King of Kent Anno 679. of certain Lands in the Isle of Thannet to the Monastery of Raculph free from all secular services except these three Expedition Building of Bridge and Castle To which I might annex these ensuing Grants and Charters which I shall only name The Grant of King Egfrid and his Queen Etheldrida of Hestodesham to Bishop Wilfrid Anno 674. The Charter and Grant of Ceadwalla a foresaid and Kendritha his wife of 4 plough-Lands to Archbishop Theodor and the Family of Christ-Church in Canterbury free from all secular services but those 3 forementioned An. 687. of Withrid King of Kent Anno. 694 of King Offa An. 774 of King Edmund An. 784. of King Kenewlfe An. 791 814 815 822. of King Wilof An. 829. of King Athulfus An. 832 833 834. of King Ethelstan An. 927 940. of King Edred An. 941 948 949. of King Egered An. 979 980. and of King Cnute An. Dom. 1016. To pretermit others of this kind All which Grants being for the most part only of their own private Lands gotten by Purchase or Conquest not of the Lands or Demesnes of their Crowns passed by their own Charters alone without any confirmation or assent of their Nobles in a Parliamentary Council not mentioned at all in them But no grants of any Lands Rents or Revenues of their Crowns to pious or other uses were then either valid in Law or obligatory to their successors without common consent and ratifications of their Nobles in Parliamentary Councils which for this reason is still mentioned in all their Charters and donations of such Lands and Rents to pious uses Neither could they exempt those Lands from any of these three forenamed publick charges for the common defence and benefit of their Realms by their own royal Charters alone unless ratified by the Nobles in their great Councils Whereupon in all these forecited Charters and other grants of Lands by particular persons ratified by these Kings they exempted them only from all secular services exceptis Expeditione Pontis Arcis constructione which they could not discharge them from but by special Grants in General Parliamentary Assemblies as subsequent Presidents will more fully demonstrate Theodor Archbishop of Canterbury Anno 685. held a Council at Twyford in the presence of Egfrid King or Northumberland who going in person to St. Cutbert when as he neither by Letters nor Messengers could be drawn out of his Iland Lindesfarne to the Synod brought him to it much against his will where by the command of all the Synod he was constrained to take upon him the Office of a Bishop Whereupon King Egfrid by the advice of Archbishop Theodor Bishop Trumwin totius Concilii and of the whole Council for the salvation of his and his successors souls by his Charter gave to St. Cutbert and all his successors the Village called Creic and 3 mile in circuit round about it together with the City called Lugabadia and 15 miles circuit round about it to have to him and his successors for the service of God for ever as freely and quietly as he himself enjoyed them and to dispose thereof at his pleasure which Charter the Arch-Bishop and Bishops present in the Conncil confirmed with their Subscriptions What other Councils and Synods were held under this Arch-Bishop Theodor at Hartford Clovesho Heathfield or Hatfeild and what Canons were made in them for the confirmation of the Christian faith the 5 first General Councils c. you may read at leisure in Gervasius Doroberniensis Matthew Parker and Godwin in his life where they are recorded and in Matthew Westminster An. 880. Chronicon Johannis Bromton Col. 741 756 799 780. Radul de Diceto Abbreviationes Chronic. Col. 441. Chronica Wil. Thorne col 1770 Henry Huntindon Historiarum lib. 3. p. 335 Spelmanni Concilia p. 152. Beda Ecclesiastieae Historiae l. 4. c. 5 17 18. Mr. Fox Acts and Monuments vol. 1. p. 160 161. To which I shall refer you About the year of Christ 692. Ina King of the West-Saxons who succeeded Ceadwalla by the exhortation and advice of Cenred his Father Hedda and Erkenwald his Bishops and of all his Aldermen or Senators and of all the Elders and Wisemen of his Realm in a great Assembly of the Servants of God for the salvation of his peoples souls and the common conservation of his Realm Enacted sundry Ecclesiastical and civil wholsom Laws that by them just judgements might be founded and established throughout his Dominions and that from thenceforth it might be lawfull for no Alderman Senator or other person living within his Realm to abolish these his Laws tending all to advance Piety Justice Peace and preserve his people from violence rapine oppression and all Punishments Taxes Fines but such only as were imposed ascertained by his Laws and Parliamentary Councils as you may read at large in the Laws themselves especially Lex 2 3 4 6 9 10 11 16 17 51 73 74. In the year 694 Withred King of Kent summoned Brithwald Archbishop of Canterbury Toby Bishop of Rochester with the other Abbots Abbesses Priests Deacons Dukes and Earls to a great Council at Beccanceld or Baccanceld as others write it where consulting all together concerning the State of the Churches of God within that Realm how they might establish and perpetuate to them to the end of the World those Lands and Revenues which their plous Kings and Ancestors had granted and appropriated to God and his Church as their perpetual inheritance without substraction or diminution They thereupon enacted decreed and in the name of God Almighty commanded that all their successours both Kings and Princes with allother Laymen whatsoever should not invade the Rights Lands or Dominions of the Churches which they then confirmed nor presume to violate the Privileges granted to them and specially by king Withreds Charter which they ratified in this Council with all their subscriptions wherein he and they exempted Churches from all secular services and Tributes but such as they should voluntarily and freely render without compulsion which should not be drawn into custom to their prejudice witnesâ—e this Clause of the Charter and exemption then confirmed ab omni debito vel pulsatione Regalium Tributorum nisi suâ spontanea voluntate ex largitate beneficiorum quid facere velint tamen hoc imposterum non servetur nec habeatur in malam consuetudinem The same King Withred in the Parliamentary Council of Berghamsteed Anno 697. by the advice and common consent of his Bishops and other Ecclesiastical Orders cum viris quibusdam militaribus enacted sundry Ecclesiastical and civil Laws to be added to the former Laws and customs of Kent the first whereof is this That the Church shall be free and enjoy her Judgements Rents and Pensions And
then to mary his daughter Godith to Edward the younger Brother and to make him King as being of a more milde and simple disposition apt to be ruled by him Hereupon Godwin went to Southampton to meet with the two Brothers at their landing It fell out that the Messengers sent into Normandy found only Alfred there Edward being then gone into Hungarie to speak with his Cosen Edward the Outlaw Ironsides son When Alfred heard these Messengers tydings he thanked God and in all hast sped him to England ariving at Southampton with some of his Mothers kinred and many of his fellow-Souldiers of like age who were Normans Whereupon Godwin intimated to the Nobles of England That Alfred had brought over too great a company of Normans with him and had likewise promised the lands of the Englishmen to them and therefore it would not be safe to instirpate such a valiant and crafty Nation amongst them That these ought to undergoe exemplary punishment lest others by reason of their alliance to the King should presume to intrude themselves amongst the English And then posting to Southampton welcomed and received Alfred with much joy pretending to conduct him safe to London where the Barons waited for to make him King and expected his comming and so they passed forth together towards London But when they came to Guild-down Godwin said to Alfred Look round about thee on thy right hand and left and behold what a kingdom shall be subjugated to thy Dominion Upon which Alfred giving thanks to God presently promised that if it happened hâ— should be crowned King He would constitute such Laws as should be pleasing and acceptable both to God and Man Which words were no sooner uttered but the Traytor Godwin commanded all his men to apprehend Alfred and to slay all the Normans that came with him in his company and after that to carry Alfred into the Isle of Ely and there to put out both his eys and to pull out his bowels which they accordingly executed as aforesaid And so died this innocent Alfred right heir to the Crown through the Treason of wicked Godwin When the Lords of England heard thereof and how Alfred that should have been their King was put to death through the false Treason of Godwin against their wills tâ—…ey were wonderfull â—orrow â—ll and wroth and swore before God and Man that he should die a worser Death than did Edric which destroyed his Lord Edmond Ironside and would immediately have put him to death but that the Traytor fled and escaped into Denmark and there continued 4. yeares and more and lost all his Lands Rents Goods and Chattels in England confiscated in the mean time for this his Treason These Historians though they somewhat vary in the time and occasion of Prince Alfreds death yet they all agree in the substance of his and of his Norman Souldiers and Campanions treacherous barbarous murders by the joynt or separate treacherie of Earl Godwin and his son Harold Which how fatal it proved to them both by Gods avenging Justice you shall hear in its due place and what divine vengeance it drew at last on the whole English Nation religious and judicious Mr. John Fox informes us in these words This cruel fact of Godwin and his men against the innocent Normans whether it came of himself or of the Kings setting on seemeth to me to be the cause why the justice of God did shortly after avenge the quarrel of these Normans in conquering and subduing the English Nationâ—… by William the Conquerour and the Normans which came with him For so just and right it was that as the Normans coming with a natural English Prince were murdered of English men so afterwards the Englishmen should be slain and conquered by the Normans coming with a forein King being none of their natural Country After the banishment of Queen Emma out of and murder of Prince Alfred in England Harde-Cnute delaying the time in Denmark and deferring his coming into England thereupon Harold formerly King only of the Mercians and Northumbrians that he might reign over all England in the year 1037. A Principibns et omni Populo Rex eligitnr was elected King by all the Nobles and People Harde Cnutus verò quia in Denmarchia mansâ—rat et ad Anglian ut rogabatur venire distulit penitus abjicitur as Florentius Wigorniensis Simeon Dunelmensis Hoveden Bromton Radulphus de Diceto and others inform us After which King Harold degenerating from Cnute his Father in all things took no care at all either of military or civil affairs nor of his own Courtly honour doing only his own will and contrary to his royal estate going more willingly on foot of which he was so swift that he was named Harefoot than riding on Horseback In his dayes there were rendred and paid to 16 Ships from every Port not In-land Towns 8. marks of Silver as in the time of his Father as Henry Huntindon records to which John Speed subjoynes This Dane seeing his hazards prevented sought to secure himself and with 16 Ships of the Danish Fleet kept the Seas which continued ever in a readiness and wafted from port to port to the maintenance whereof he charged the English with great payments to their no little grudge and reviling whereby he lost the love of his Subjects before it had taken root in their hearts Neither held he long those disloyal courses for that his speedy death did cut off the infamy of a longer life he dying at Oxford where he was elected King without wife or children to survive his person or revive his name when he had reigned only 4. years and as many moneths Anno 1040. Upon the death of Harold Proceres tam Anglorum quam Danorum in unum concordantes sententiam the Nobles both of the English and Danes aâ—â—embling together in a Parliamentary Council and concording in one opinion sent Embassadours to Harde-Cnute then at Bruges in Flanders visiting Queen Emma his Mother where he had made great preparation of ships and land forces to recover the Crown of England which belonged to him both by birth and compact from his brother Harold beseeching him to make hast into England and to take possession of the Crown thereof Whereupon he immediately consenting to the Counsel of the Nobles came speedily into England with 60 as some or 40 ships as others write furnished with Danish Souldiers and Mariners where he was received with great joy elected King both by the English and Danes and solemnty crowned at London by â—lnothus Archbishop of Canterbury Soon after he commanded Alfric Arch-bishop of Yorke Earl Godwin and others to digg up the interred corps of his brother King Harold out of his grave in London and his head to be cut off by the hangman and then both head and corps to be thrown into the Common sink and after that into the Thames And that partly in revenge of the injuries
regnum fecerat sibi super hoc posteâ— secundum quos dam solemnes nuncios ut praemitâ—…ur destinaverat non obstante Abbot Ailred thus registers Harolds usurpation and the sad events thereof Interea Haroldus Godwini filius Regnum Angliae quod secundum fidem Sacramenti debuerat servasse Willielmo Regis Edmundi consobrino â—ibi nec Iure debitum nec Natura â—rreverenter usurpans malum quod Angliae secundum Sancti Regis oraculum Dominus praeparaverat transgressione pacti et â—â—dei acceleravit laesione Ut autem attenuati viribus facilius ab hiis quos injustè provocaveraâ— hostibus vinceretur susâ—iâ—avit ei a parte aquilonis inimicos Haroldum cognomento Harfar Norwagenorum regem et Tostium fratremsum quem de Anglia ipse expulerat c. p Tho. Walsingham thus stories it Cujus regnum Haroldus continuo invasit ex fidelitate pejuratus quam Duci juraverat Ad quem Legatos direxit protinus hortans ut ab hac vesania resipisceret et fidem quam juramento sposponderat cum digna subjectione servaret Sed ille hoc non solum audire contempsit verum omnem ab illo Anglorum gentem infideliter avertit Hygden in his Polychronicon l. 6. c. 28. Mr John Fox Acts and Monuments Vol. 1. p. 214. Mr. Cambden in his Britannia p 145 146. Holinshed Sir John Hayward Sir Richard Baker affirm the like and incline to this opinion That Harold by his might power craft policy usurped and invaded the Crown without any right against his Oath I shall summ up all their Opinions in the words of Iohn Speed After King Edwards death the Statesmen perplexed for choice of a new Edgar Athelings title was worthy more respect than it found for him they held too young for government besides a stranger born scarce speaking English and withall the prophecies of Edward touching the alienation of the Crown the interest of the Danes and the claim of Duke William made both by gift and consanguinity bred great distractions of desires and opinions but nothing concluded for setling the State no man assuming or possessing the diadem because none had the power or right to adorn therewith his own head In this calm conference a sudden gale arose which blew all the sails spred for that wind into one port Harold son to Earl Godwin a man duly prizing his many worthy parts not unmeet for a Kingdom next Edward his Brorher-in-law in the kingdom courteous in speech and behaviour in martial prowesse the only man qui vivente Edwardo quaecunque contra eum bella incensa sunt virtute sua compressit cupiens se Provincialibns ostentare in regnum scilicet spe prurienti anhelans as Malmsbury writes of him friended by affinity of many of the Nobles expected to be both sided and assisted if his cause came either to trial or voice seeing the time well fitted his entrance Swane King of Denmark most dreaded by the English being then intangled with the Sweden wars William the Norman that made claim from King Edward then absent and at variance with Philip the French King the friends of Edgar in Hungary and himself a Stranger over young for to rule all which concurrent made Harold without deliberation or order from the States to set the Crown on his own head regardlesse of all ceremony and solemn celebration for which act as a violater of holy rites he too too-much offended the Clergy none either greatly applauding or disapproving his presumption except only for the omission of manner and form Harold having gotten actual possession of the Crown Marianus Scotus Florentius Wigorniensis Huntindon Hoveden Sim. Dunelmensis Radulphus de Diceto Hygden Fabian Grafton Holinshed Cambden and Speed record that to ingratiate himself with the Clergy people He began to destroy evil Laws and Customs before used and stablished just and good Laws especially such as were for the defence of holy Church He likewise became a Patron of Churches and Monasteries respected and reverenced Bishops Abbots Monks and Clergymen shewed himself pious humble affable to all good men and hatefull to all Malefactors publickly commanding all his Dukes Earls Sheriffs and other Officers to apprehend all Thieves Robbers and Disturbers of the Realm himself likewise taking extraordinary paines and care for the defence and guarding of the Realm both by Land and Sea Whereunto John Speed superadds He remitted or diminished the grievous customs and Tribute which his Predecessors had raised a course ever powerfull to win the hearts of the Commons to Churchmen he was very munificent and carefull of their advancement and to grow more deeply in their venerable esteem he repaired their Monasteries especially that at Waltham which he sumptuously new built and richly endowed Moreover to satisfie such Nobles as affected young Edgar he created him Earl of Oxford and held him in special favour In brief unto the poor his hand was ever open unto the oppressed he administred Justice and all to hold that Crown upright which he had set on his own head with an unsure hand and deprived him of unto whom he was Protector But these Encomiums of his Justice and Government seem to me to be rather forged than real For how could he reform ill Laws and Customs and enact good Laws when King Edward had so newly and exactly done it before him that there was no need of such a reformation neither finde we the least mention of any Laws made by Harold Or how could he remit or diminish those grievous customs and Tributes which King Edward had totally remitted before him unless himself first revived them Or how could he court the Prelates and Clergy when as he refused to be consecrated by them for which he incurred their disfavour I rather therefore incline to the quite contrary Characters which other Historians give of him and his Government as most consonant to truth Henry de Knyghton though he recites what some forementioned write in his favour yet gives us this account of his proceedings himself Iste devenit nimis e latus et cupidus in collectione auri et argenti et thesaurorum nec aliquam uxorem ducere voluit vi oppressit filias Baronum Procerum atque Militum de regno quod ipsi aegrè ferebant Et de Forestis suis tantam ferocitateÌ„ severitatem erga adjacentes Nobiliores exercuit quod quamplures adnihâ—lavit et multos depaupâ—ravit Nec mirum quamvis ex hiis et aliis nimis odiosus devenit populis suis Et ideo pars Comitum et Baronum ad invicem conferebant decentes ipsum non esse fortunae deditum nec verum esse Regem sed per intrusionem erectum et ideo infauste regere populum suum Et mandaverunt Willielmo Duci Normanniae ut in Angliam venir et eorum Consilio et Auxilio Ius Regni prosecuturus feceruntque ei fidelem securitatem veniendi et consensit And Matthew Westminster gives us