Friends not only to marry her but also to fulfil the Covenants made between them and shall also engage to maintain her After that the Bridegroom is to declare what he will give his Bride besides that which she formerly made choice of with his good liking if she survive him In case they so agree it provides that after his Decease she shall have the one half of all his Estate and if they have a Child betwixt them the whole till such time as â—he marry again Then when they have agreed on all things the Kindred of the Bride shall contract her to him and engage for her Honesty and at the same time they shall give Caution for the Celebration of the Marriage The rest being not very material I omit and have only set down these to let the Reader see the Antiquity of Covenants before Marriage and of Bonds for the performance of them as also of Jointures the Thirds of the Estate not being then settled by Law as Dower by what I can find Having now finished the Reign of King Edmund I have no more to observe but that though he left two Sons by the Queen his Wife viz. Edwi and Edgar yet notwithstanding his Brother Edred succeeded to him as Next Heir for so Ethelwerd as well as Florence of Worcester stiles him King EDRED THIS year according to our Annals Eadred Aetheling after his Brother's Decease was made King and presently reduced all Northumberland under his Obedience Upon which the Scots also swore to perform whatever he would require of them But the Manuscript Life of St Dunstan written by a Monk of those times and which is now in the Cottonian Library is much more particular concerning this King's Succession saying That King Edmund being slain Eadred took the Kingdom succeeding to his Brother as his Heir Which is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester who says That Edred being Next Heir to his Brother succeeded him And Ethelwerd gives us the reason of it more fully That he succeeded him quippe ejus Haeres because he was Next Heir And Simeon of Durham further adds That this King was Crowned at Kingston by Odo Archbishop of Canterbury H. Huntington and Mat. Westminster give us the Particulars of this War against the Northumbers and Scots more at large viz. That he subdued the Northumbrians with a powerful Army they refusing to submit to his Dominion and that the Scots thereupon being afraid submitted themselves to him without any War at all and that the King of the Scots swore Fidelity to him It seems here by Ingulph that this Submission of the Northumbers was wrought by the means of Turketule Chancellor to King Edred and afterwards Abbot of Croyland who was now sent Ambassador to the Northumbers to reduce them to their Duty which he upon his Arrival at York performed with that Prudence and Diligence that he brought back the Archbishop and all the People of that City to their former Allegiance But R. Hoveden places the Oath taken by the Northumbrians under this year and that Wulstan Archbishop of York and all the Northumbrian Lords swore Fealty to King Edred in a Town called Tadencliff though they did not long observe it Under this year most of the Welsh Chronicles place the death of that Worthy Prince Howel Dha and say That he left his four Sons Owen Run Roderic and Edwin his Heirs of all his Territories in south-South-Wales But as for North Wales it returned to the two Sons of Edwal Voel called Jevaf and Jago because Meyric their Elder Brother was not thought fit to govern These as being of the Elder House would have had the Supreme Government of all Wales which being denied them by the Sons of Howel caused great and long Wars between them Yet nothwithstanding other of the Welsh Chronicles place the death of Howel Dha much later for they make him Contemporary with our King Edgar as shall be shewn when we come to the History of his Reign in the next Book Also the same year according to R. Hoveden King Edred being much provoked by the Treachery of the Northumbers laid all Northumberland waste in which devastation the Monastery of Ripun which had been built by Bishop Wilfrid was burnt But our Annals defer this Rebellion of the Northumbers to the year following When Anlaf again returned into the Countrey of the Northumbers This is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester and H. Huntington viz. That King Edred being returned into the Southern parts of the Kingdom Anlaf who had been formerly expell'd the Kingdom of Northumberland reâ—urned thither with a great Navy and being received with joy by the people was again restored to his Kingdom About this time Jago and Jevaf Princes of north-North-Wales entred south-South-Wales with a great and powerful Army against whom came over the Eldest Son of Howel with his Brethren and fought a Battel at the Hills of Carne where Jevaf and Jago obtained the Victory And the year following the same Princes twice invaded south-South-Wales and spoiled Dyvet and slew Dunwallon Lord thereof And to place these Welsh Wars together in the year 952. the said Sons of Howel Dha gathered their Forces together against Jevaf and Jago and entred their Countrey as far as the River Coâ—â—y where they fought a cruel bloody Battel at a place called Gwrhustu or Llanrwst Multitudes being slain on both sides as Edwin the Son of Howel Dha with other Welsh Princes and the Sons of Howel being vanquish'd Jevaf and Jago pursued them as far as Curdigan destroying their Countrey with Fire and Sword This year according to the Annals Aelfeag Bishop of Winchester deceased at the Feast of St. Gregory The Northumbers again expelled King Anlaf and set up Eric the Son of Harold for their King This is the same with Eric mentioned by Hoveden who yet did not immediately enter upon the Throne as that Author supposes till Anlaf had been expell'd but Florence of Worcester and the Chronicle of Mailrosse place the expulsion of Anlaf and the setting up of Eric two years sooner and perhaps with better reason For the same year according to Hoveden King Edred made Wulstan Archbishop of York close Prisoner at Witharbirig because he had been often accused to him upon divers accounts Yet Will. Malmesbury tells us expresly it was for favouring or conniving at his Countreymen in their late Rebellion But after he had kept him a long time in Prison he thought fit to pardon him out of reverence to his Function And the year following the Chronicle of Mailrosse relates that Archbishop Wulstan being set free was restored to his Episcopal Function at Doncacester But this is certain King Edred could not have done this till after Eric had been driven out as this Author more truly reckons tho our Annals do it the next year saying That The Northumbers drove out King Eric and King Eadred again possessed himself of that Kingdom With which also H.
part of our Historians do make her to have been his Lawful Wife And it was upon this Pretence of Illegitimacy that Queen Elfleda and those of her Party would have afterwards put by Prince Edward her Son from being chosen King as shall be further related in its proper place But Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden place King Edgar's Marriage with this Lady under the next year This year King Edgar expelled the Priests or Chanons both from the old and new Monastery of Winchester as also from Ceortesige or Chertsy and Middletune and put Monks in their rooms he also ordained Aethelgar Abbot of the new Monastery and Ordbryght Abbot of Ceortesige and Cyneweard of Middletune But as soon as Dunstan was made Archbishop he went to Rome and there obtained his Pall of the Pope This Year also the Irishmen according to the Welsh Chronicles landed in Anglesey and destroyed Aberfraw and also slew Rodoric one of the Sons of Edwal Voel late Prince of Wales King Edgar according to R. Hoveden and Simeon of Durham placed Nuns in the Monastery of Rumsey in Hampshire which his Grandfather King Edward had founded and made his Daughter Merwina Abbess over them About this time as Caradoc's Chronicle relates there arose a great Quarrel between the two Brothers Princes of north-North-Wales Jevaf and Jago who had governed jointly ever since the death of Howel Dha till then when Jago seizing upon his Brother Jevaf by force kept him cruelly in Prison for near six years about which time also Eneon the Son of Owen Prince of South Wales taking advantage of these Civil Dissentions made War upon north-North-Wales and subdued all the Country of Gwyn So that it is no wonder if the English were too hard for these British Princes since they never could agree amongst themselves King Edgar this year commanded all the Countrey of Thanet to be laid waste As Bromton's Chronicle informs us the King did not do as an Insulting Enemy but as a King who punished one Evil with another because the Inhabitants of that Island had despised his Royal Laws But Matthew Westminster's account of the reason of the King 's severe proceeding with them seems far more satisfactory viz. That it was because certain Merchants coming with Goods from York and touching upon this Island the Inhabitants seized the men and plunder'd them of what they brought This Year also according to the History of the Abby of Ramsey Aylwin the Ealdorman by the persuasion of Oswald Archbishop of York and with the consent of King Edgar founded the Abby of Ramsey to the Honour of St. Mary and St. Benedict as appears by the Charter of King Edgar which you will find at large in Monast. Anglican AIR King Edgar at the persuasion of Bishop Athelwald now caused the Chanons to be driven out of all the greater Monasteries in Mercia and Monks to be put in their places This Year Archbishop Oskitel deceased who was first consecrated Bishop of Dorcester and afterwards by the consent of King Edward and all his Wise-Men consecrated Archbishop of York He was Two and twenty years Bishop and deceased on the Vigils of All-Saints at Thame but Thurkytel being his Kinsman carried the Bishop's Body to Bedford because he was Abbot there at that time But there is certainly a mistake in the King's Name and instead of Edward it should be Edred for King Edward the Elder was dead long before this Bishop's Consecration Eadmund Etheling Son to King Edgar died this year whose Body lies buried at Rumseig i.e. Rumsey in Hampshire Oskytel Archbishop of York deceasing his Kinsman Oswald Bishop of Worcester succeeded him as Florence of Worcester relates About this time also Godfred the Son of Harold the Dane subdued the whole Isle of Anglesey which yet he enjoyed not long This year Edgar Ruler of the English was with great Honour crowned King in the Ancient City called Akmanceaster which the Inhabitants called Bathan so that there was great Joy among all men that happy Day being that which is commonly called Pentecost where was a frequent Assembly of Priests and Monks as also a great Council of the Wites or Wisemen This happen'd in the Thousandth Year of Christ wanting but 27 and in the Thirtieth Year of this King's Age. Also about this time according to Caradoc's Chronicle Howel the Son of Jevaf having raised great Forces against his Uncle Jago above-mentioned to deliver his Father out of Prison and having vanquish'd his Uncle and driven him out of the Countrey restor'd his Father to his Liberty though not to his Dominion for he took upon himself the sole Government of all North Wales But Mr. Vaughan in his Additional Notes to this Chronicle farther relates from some other Welsh Annals That Jago being thus expelled fled to King Edgar and prevailed so far that he brought an Army into North Wales to restore him but coming as far as Bangor Howel met him and at the King's request consented that his Uncle Jago should enjoy that part of the Countrey which he had in his Father Jevaf's time so King Edgar having founded a new Church at Bangor and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary returned with great Honour to Chester having these two Welsh Princes in his Company where also met him by his appointment Six other Princes as shall be farther related by and by It hath been much questioned what should be the reason that this King should thus long defer his Coronation Some of the Monks impute it to the Pennance imposed upon him by Archbishop Dunstan for debauching the Nun above mentioned but that is not at all likely since that Penance was but for Seven Years whereas he had now reigned twice as long since that Sin was committed But I do rather suppose that he was Crowned long before in the very beginning of his Reign though our Monkish Chroniclers have either forgot to mention it or else have omitted it on purpose to add the greater Lustre to Archbishop Dunstan For it is very certain that neither in this King's time nor long after the Conquest was it ever known that the King Elect took the Title of King till after his Coronation Now that our Kings did upon some great occasion repeat the Ceremony of their Coronation I shall prove from the Examples both of King Ethelred as well as of King Richard the First and Henry the Third and why it might not be so in the Reign of this King as well as in either of them I can see no reason though the occasion of it is not any where expressed as I know of But to return to our Annals After this the King sail'd with all his Fleet to Legancester i.e. West-Chester where met him Six Kings who all making a League with him promised to be his Assistants both by Sea and Land And now we have spoke of this King's Fleet it is fit we give a larger Relation of it as also of
if they cannot get them then they should take him alive or dead and seize on all his Estate whereof the Complaining Party having received such a share as should satisfy him the one half of the remainder shall go to the Lord of the Soil and the other half to the Hundred And if any of that Court being either akin to the Party or a stranger to his Blood refuse to go to put this in execution he should forfeit 120 shillings to the King And farther That such as are taken in the very act of stealing or betraying their Masters should not be pardoned during life The Eighth and last ordains That one and the same Money should be current throughout the King's Dominions which no man must refuse and that the measure of Winchester should be the Standard and that a Weigh of Wool should be fold for half a Pound of Money and no more The former of those is the first Law whereby the Private Mints to the Archbishops and several Abbots being forbid the King's Coin was only to pass But to return to our Annals Ten days before the Death of King Edgar Bishop Cyneward departed this life King EDWARD sirnamed the Martyr KING Edgar being dead as you have now heard Prince Edward succeeded his Father though not without some difficulty for as William of Malmesbury and R. Hoveden relate the Great Men of the Kingdom were then divided Archbishop Dunstan and all the rest of the Bishops being for Prince Edward the Eldest Son of King Edgar whilst Queen Aelfreda Widow to the King and many of her Faction were for setting up her Son Ethelred being then about Seven Years of Age that so she might govern under his Name But besides the pretence was which how well they made out I know not That King Edgar had never been lawfully married to Prince Edward's Mother Whereupon the Archbishops Dunstan and Oswald with the Bishops Abbots and many of the Ealdormen of the Kingdom met together in a Great Council and chose Prince Edward King as his Father before his Death had ordained and being thus Elected they presently Anointed him being then but a Youth of about Fifteen Years of Age. But it seems not long after the Death of King Edgar though before the Coronation of King Edward Roger Hoveden and Simeon of Durham tell us that Elfer Earl of the Mercians being lustily bribed by large Presents drove the Abbots and Monks out of the Monasteries in which they had been settled by King Edgar and in their places brought in the Clerks i.e. Secular Chanons with their Wives but Ethelwin Ealdorman of the East-Angles and his Brother Elfwold and Earl Brythnoth opposed it and being in the Common Council or Synod plainly said They would never endure that the Monks should be cast out of the Kingdom who contributed so much to the Maintenance of Religion and so raising an Army they bravely defended the Monasteries of the East-Angles so it seems that during this Interregnum arose this Civil War about the Monks and the above-mentioned Dissention amongst the Nobility concerning the Election of a new King But this serves to explain that Passage in our Annals which would have been otherwise very obscure viz. That then there was viz. upon the Death of King Edgar great Grief and Trouble in Mercia among those that loved God because many of his Servants that is the Monks were turned out till God being slighted shewed Miracles on their behalf and that then also Duke Oslack was unjustly banished beyond the Seas a Nobleman who for his Long Head of Hair but more for his Wisdom was very remarkable And that then also strange Prodigies were seen in the Heavens such as Astrologers call Comets and as a Punishment from God upon this Nation there followed a great Famine Which shews this Copy of the Annals was written about this very time And then the Author concludes with Aelfer the Ealdorman's commanding many Monasteries to be spoiled which King Edgar had commanded Bishop Athelwold to repair All which being in the Cottonian Copy serves to explain what has been already related But the next year ' Was the great Famine in England as just now mentioned About the same time according to Caradoc's Chronicle Aeneon the Son of Owen Prince of south-South-Wales destroyed the Land of Gwyr the second time This year after Easter was that great Synod at Kirtlingtun which Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden call Kyrleing but where that place was is very uncertain Florence places it in East-England but Sir H. Spelman acknowledges that he does not know any place in those parts that ever bore that name but supposes it to have been the same with Cartlage now the Seat of the Lord North But had not Florence placed it in East-England that Town whose name comes nearest to it is Kyrtlington in Oxfordshire which is also the more confirmed by that which follows in these Annals viz. That Sydeman the Bishop of Devonshire i. e. of Wells died here suddenly who desired his Body might be buried at Krydeanton his Episcopal See but King Edward and Archbishop Dunstan order'd it to be carried to St. Maâ—ies in Abingdon were he was honourably Interr'd in the North Isle of St. Paul's Church Therefore it is highly probable that the place where this Bishop died was not far from Abingdon where he was buried as Kirtlington indeed is But what was done in this Council can we no where find only it is to be supposed that it was concerning this great Difference between the Monks and the Secular Chanons as the former Council was The same year also were great Commotions in Wales for Howel ap Jevaf Prince of north-North-Wales with a great Army both of Welsh and Englishmen made War upon all who defended or succoured his Uncle Jago and spoiled the Countries of Lhyn Kelynnoc Vawr so that Jago was shortly after taken Prisoner by Prince Howel's men who after that enjoyed his part of the Countrey in peace Nor can I here omit what some of our Monkish Writers and particularly John Pike in his compendious Supplement of the Kings of England now in Manuscript in the Cottonian Library relates That there being this year a Great Council held at Winchester again to debate this great Affair concerning the turning out of the Monks and restoring the Secular Chanons and it being like to be carried in their favour a Crucifix which then stood in the room spoke thus God forbid it should be so This amazing them they resolved to leave the Monks in the condition they then were But whether these words were ever spoke at all or if they were whether it might not be by some person that stood unseen behind the Crucifix I shall leave to the Reader to determine as he pleases Next year all the Grave and Wise Men of the English Nation being met about the same Affair at Calne in Wiltshire fell down together from a certain Upper Room where they were assembled
him so unmercifully with a Wax Taper which she then light upon that he was almost dead which caused in him such an aversion to Wax-Lights ever after that he could never endure any such to be brought before him But this sounds too Romantick and therefore I leave it to the Reader 's discretion what credit to give it But to come to somewhat more certain and material all Authors agree that Archbishop Dunstan crown'd this King with great reluctancy yet he was forced to do it as not having any of the Blood Royal fit to set up But because the Monks will have their St. Dunstan to have had the Spirit of Prophecy like the Prophets in the Old Testament they relate that denouncing God's Judgments against this King at his Coronation he said thus Because thou hast aspired to the Kingdom by the Death of thy Brother thus saith the Lord God The Sin of thine Ignominious Mother shall not be expiated neither the Sin of those that were her Counsellors but by great Bloodshed of thy miserable People for such Miseries shall come upon England as it never underwent since it had that name But this Doom was very unjust for it is certain that the King never knew of nor desired his Brother's Death and it was very hard to denounce God's Judgments upon the whole Nation for the Contrivance of one wicked Woman and which was put in execution by but a few of her Accomplices So that if the Nation was guilty of any fault it was only in so far conniving at the Crime as out of fear or partiality to permit the Authors of it to pass unpunished and for this the Bishops they having then so great a sway in the whole Council of the Nation had as much to answer for as any of the Laity But passing by God's Judgments which are too deep for us to fathom About this time as the Welsh Chronicles relate Custenyn Dhu i. e. Constantine the Black Son to Prince Jago then a Prisoner hired Godfryd the Dane to bring his men against his Cousin Howel ap Jevaf Prince of north-North-Wales so joining their Forces together they destroyed Anglesey and Lhyn Whereupon Prince Howel gathered an Army and setting upon the Danes and Welshmen who assisted them at a place called Gwayth Horborth routed them and Constantine was slain I shall now return to our Annals which under the next year relate That Archbishop Dunstan and Elfer the Ealdorman having taken up the Body of King Edward which lay buried at Werham they carried and buried it at Scaeftesbyrig i. e. Sbaftsbury with great Funeral Pomp. The occasion of which Removal by Elfer Earl of the Mercians according to Bromton's Chronicle was that old sign of an English Saxon Saint so often repeated in this History whether true or false I shall not affirm viz. a Column of Light streaming down from Heaven over the place where his Body lay buried as also that when it was taken up out of the Grave it was as whole and uncorrupt as when it was first buried three years before whereupon having washed and dressed it in new Cloathes they buried it with great Solemnity at the Monastery above-mentioned where his Sister Edith the Daughter of King Edgar by Wulfritha the Nun was then her self professed But as for the strange Miracles which are here related to have been done at his Tomb I willingly omit them But William of Malmesbury further adds about this Queen Elfreda That she took upon her the Habit of a Nun at Werewell a Nunnery which she lately founded and there passed the rest of her days in great Austerities and Devotions She also about the same time built another Nunnery at Ambresbury in Wiltshire this being the usual way to expiate the most horrid Murthers in those dark times This year came seven Danish Ships full of Pyrates and destroyed Southampton and as Florence adds though under the year before plundered the Town and either killed or carried away the Townsmen Prisoners William of Malmesbury also takes notice of this because they were so much talked of as being the first that had invaded England after above 60 years intermission and were only the forerunners of many more that follow'd To which we may also refer that which is added by Simeon of Durham under the year before but should be put under this That the same Fleet also wasted Taenetland that is the Isle of Thanet and the same year also the Province of Chester was much spoiled by the Norwegian Pyrates The same year the Danish Pyrates landed in Cornwal and burnt the Church and Monastery of St. Petroc Also Godfryd the Son of Harold the Dane landed with a great Army of his Countreymen in West-Wales where spoiling all the Land of Dyvet with the Church of St. Davids he fought the Battel of Lhanwanoc though who had the Victory the Welshmen or the Danes Caradoc's Chronicle which gives us this relation does not tell us This year according to R. Hoveden Three Ships of these Pyrates landed in Dorsetshire and spoiled the Isle of Portland The same year also the City of London was miserably destroyed by Fire About this time also according to the same Author Alfred and Ealdorman or English Earl joining as the Welsh Manuscript Annals relate with Howel the Son of Edwal destroyed Brecknock and spoil'd a great part of the Lands of Owen Prince of south-South-Wales against whom Eneon the Son of the said Owen and Howel King of north-North-Wales raising an Army met with them and totally defeated them so that the greatest part of Earl Alfred's Army was slain and the rest put to flight Also about this time the Churches of Wales began first to acknowlege the Superiority of the Archbishops of Canterbury Gacon Bishop of Landaffe being now consecrated by Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury This year Aelfer the Ealdorman deceased and Aelfric his Son took his Government some of the Monks further add That he was eaten up with Lice the reason is plain for this Aelfer had not long before turn'd the Monks out of their Cloysters as you have heard and they seldom fail'd to revenge such an Affront upon those that did so either alive or dead And the same year the Gentlemen of Gwentland in Southwales rebelled against their Prince and cruelly slew Eneon the Son of Prince Owen though he came only to appease them This Eneon was a Gallant Young Prince that did many brave Actions for the Defence of his Countrey in his Father's life time he left behind him Two Sons Edwyn and Theodore from whom descended the Princes of south-South-Wales This year deceased Athelwald that good Bishop of Winchester who was the Father of the Monks And well might they call him so for he rebuilt or repaired above a dozen great Monasteries so that as William of Malmesbury observes it is a great wonder how a Bishop's Purse could afford to do that in those days which a King could scarce perform when he
wrote but the wonder will be much abated when we consider that he had the King's Purse at his command besides those of other people who then looked upon such Works as meritorious But to return to our Annals Elfeage whose sirname was Goodwin succeeded Athelwald and was consecrated 14. Kal. Novemb. but was enthron'd at Winchester at the Feast of St. Simon and Jude R. Hoveden tells us he was first Abbot of Bathe and then Archbishop of Canterbury but at last was killed by the Danes being a man of great Sanctity of Life Also the same year Howel ap Jevaf Prince of north-North-Wales came into England with an Army where he was fought with and slain in Battel but the place is not mentioned This Howel having no Issue his Brother Cadwalhan succeeded him This year according to the Saxon Annals Aelfric the Ealdorman was banish'd the Land Mat. Westminster stiles him Earl of Mercia and says he was Son to Earl Alfure but neither of them inform us of the Crime for which he suffered that Punishment King Ethelred laid waste the Bishoprick of Rochester and also there was a great Mortality of Cattel in England William of Malmesbury and R. Hoveden do here add much light to our Annals That the King because of some Dissentions between him and the Bishop of Rochester besieged that City but not being able to take it went and wasted the Lands of St. Andrew i. e. those belonging to that Bishoprick but being commanded by the Archbishop to desist from his Fury and not provoke the Saint to whom that Church is dedicated the King despised his Admonition till such time as he had an Hundred Pounds sent to him and then he drew off his Forces but the Archbishop abhorring his sordid Covetousness is there said to have denounced fearful Judgments against him though they were not to be inflicted till after the Archbishop's death This year as the Welsh Chronicles relate Meredyth Son to Owen Prince of south-South-Wales entred north-North-Wales with what Forces he could raise and slew Cadwalhon ap Jevaf in a Fight together with Meyric his Brother and conquered the whole Countrey to himself Wherein we may observe how God punished the wrong which Jevaf and Jago did to their eldest Brother Meyric who being disinherited had his eyes put out for first Jevaf was imprisoned by Jago as Jago himself was by Howel the Son of Jevaf and then this Howel and his Brethren Cadwalhon and Meyric were slain and lost their Dominions This year Weedport that is Watchet in Somersetshire was destroyed by the Danes About this time as appears by the Charter in the Monast. Angl. p. 284. the Abby of Cerne in Dorsetshire was founded by Ailmer Earl of Cornwall near to a Fountain where it was said that St. Augustine had formerly baptized many Pagans And where also long after Prince Edwold Brother to St. Edmund the Martyr quitting his Countrey then over run by the Danes lived and died an Hermit But it seems from the Manuscript History of Walter of Coventry this Abby was only enlarged by this Earl Ailmer having been built some years before by one Alward his Father a Rich and Powerful Person in those Parts Goda a Thane was killed and there was a great Slaughter But the same Author last mentioned writing from some other Copy of Annals relates this Story another way That this Goda being Earl of Devonshire together with one Strenwald a valiant Knight marching out to fight the Danes they were both there killed but there being more of them destroyed than of the English the latter kept the field But to return to our Annals This year Dunstan that Holy Archbishop exchanged this Terrestrial Life for a Heavenly one and Ethelgar Bishop of Selsey succeeded him but lived not long after viz. only One Year and Three Months This is that Great Archbishop called St. Dunstan who was the Restorer of the Monkish Discipline in England and who made a Collection of Ordinances for the Benedictine Order by which he thought the Rule of that Order might be more strictly observed in all the Monasteries of England Edwin the Abbot I suppose of Peterborough deceased and Wulfgar succeeded him The same year also Bishop Syric was consecrated Archbishop in the room of Ethelgar abovementioned and afterwards he went to Rome to obtain his Pall. This man is commonly written Siricins but his Name in English Saxon was Syric or Sigeric About this time according to the Welsh Chronicle Meredyth Prince of North Wales destroyed the Town of Radnor whilst his Nephew Edwin or as some Copies call him Owen the Son of Eneon assisted by a great Army of English under Earl Adelf spoiled all the Lands of Prince Meredyth in south-South-Wales as Cardigan c. as far as St. Davids taking Pledges of all the Chief Men of those Countries whilst in the mean time Prince Meredyth with his Forces spoiled the Countrey of Glamorgan So that no place in those parts was free from Fire and Sword Yet at last Prince Meredyth and Edwin his Nephew coming to an agreement were made Friends But whilst Meredyth was thus taken up in south-South-Wales North-Wales lay open to the Danes who about this time arriving in Anglesey destroyed the whole Isle This year Gipiswic was wasted by the Danes this was Ipswich in Suffolk and shortly after Brightnoth the Ealdorman was slain at Maldune All which mischief Florence of Worcester tells us was done by the Danes whose Captains were Justin and Guthmund when the Person abovementioned fighting with them at Maldon there was a great multitude slain on both sides and the said Earl or Ealdorman was slain there so that the Danes had the Victory The same year also according to the Annals it was first decreed that Tribute should be paid to the Danes because of the great Terror which they gave the Inhabitants of the Sea-Coast The first Payment was Ten thousand Pounds and it is said Archbishop Syric first gave this Counsel To which also R. Hoveden adds That Adwald and Alfric the Ealdormen join'd with him in it but which as William of Malmesbury well observes served only to satisfy for a time the Covetousness of the Danes and being a thing of infamous example a generous Mind would never have been prevailed upon by any violence to have submitted to for when the Danes had once tasted the sweetness of this Money they never left off exacting still more so long as there was any left but they now met with a weak and unwarlike Prince most of whose Nobility were no better than himself and so as the same Author farther observes they were fain to buy off those with Silver who ought to have been repell'd with Iron This year Oswald that blessed Archbishop of York departed this life as also did Ethelwin the Ealdorman The former of them Simeon of Durham tells us had the year before consecrated the Abby Church of Ramsey which the latter had newly founded and
as Florence adds was buried in the Church of St. Mary in Worcester which he had newly built The same year also the King and all his Wise and Great Men decreed That all the stronger Ships should be got together at London and the King made Ealfric and Thorod the Ealdormen Admirals of this Fleet as also Aelfstan and Aestwig Bishops commanding them that they should endeavour if it were possible to encompass the Danish Fleet but Ealfric sent to them underhand to take care of themselves and the Night before they were to give Battel he to his perpetual Infamy secretly withdrew himself from the King 's to the Danish Fleet so that all the Danes escaped by flight But Florence is more plain than the Annals in the Relation of this Flight and tells us that the King's Fleet immediately pursued them and took one of their Ships all the rest escaping only the Londoners meeting with the Ships of the East-Angles by chance and fighting with them killed many Thousands of the Danes and took the Ship wherein Earl Ealfric was with all the men himself hardly escaping The same year the Inhabitants of the Isle of Anglesey having been cruelly harass'd by the Danes and finding no Protection or Defence from Meredyth their Prince then employed in other Wars as you have already heard they cast him off and received Edwal ap Meyric the right Heir of north-North-Wales for their Prince who better defended his Subjects from Foreign Invasions for not long after Meredyth Prince of north-North-Wales resolving again to recover so considerable a part of his Dominion entring Anglesey Prince Edwal with his Forces met him at Lhangwin and routed him in a set Battel so Theodor or Tewdor Mawr Nephew to Prince Meredyth was there slain and he himself forced to fly This year also according to our Annals Vnlaf or Anlaf the Dane came with Ninety three Ships as far as Stane now Staines upon the River Thames and there wasted the Countrey round about and from thence they went to Sandwic and from thence to Gypswic and spoiled all that Countrey But I suppose this is a Mistake in the Cambridge Copy of these Annals which repeat that Action of the Danes together with the Death of Duke Bryghtnoth which had been already said in the Laudean and Cottonian Copies to have happened Anno 991 and therefore what follows seems likewise misplaced in this Copy concerning the Receiving and Baptizing of this King Anlaf which it makes to be the effect of the Victory now obtain'd for Anlaf was not baptized till the year following as will by and by appear But this is more certain which comes after viz. That this year the Town of Bebanburgh i.e. Banborow in Northumberland was destroyed by the Danes and a great Prey there taken after which the Danes came up the River Humber and did much mischief as well to those of Lindsige as the Northumbers Then were muster'd together a great number of Soldiers but when they were going to give them Battel they fled the first Encouragers of their flight being their own Captains Fraena Godwin and Frithegist all Three of the Danish Race This year also according to the same Copy King Ethelred commanded the Eyes of Ealfric the Ealdorman's Son to be put out But it does not tell us for what But William of Malmesbury is more express and says it was a Punishment for his Father's Perfidiousness which if done now was not only very unjust to punish the Son for the Father's faults but also ill tim'd to do it so long after the Crime had been committed But he further tells us that he not only revolted once but again and so perhaps it was for this last Rebellion that the King inflicted this cruel Punishment upon his Son for had the Father been in his power it is most likely he would have made him to have suffer'd himself But this being so much in the dark I shall leave it to the Reader to make what he please on 't There having been for some time great Enmity between Richard Duke of Normandy which it seems had broke out into open War Pope John sent Leo Bishop of Treve as his Nuncio first to the King of England who having received the Pope's Letters called a Council of all the Great and Wise Men of the Nation who agreed That upon the Pope's Admonition Ambassadors should be sent to the Marquess of Normandy for so he called to treat of a Peace and when they were there the said Marquess agreed to a lasting Peace upon the Pope's Admonition so that none for the future should receive each other's Enemies All which appears in the Epistle of the said Pope John concerning this affair which is recited at large in William of Malmesbury in his Reign of this King to which I refer the Reader About this time according to the Welsh Chronicles Sweyn the Son of Harold the Dane having destroyed the Isle of Man enter'd North-Wales and slew Edwal ap Meyric in Battel This Prince left behind him one Son an Infant who at last came to be Prince of Wales So that it seems there was an Anarchy in North Wales for some time unless Owen formerly expell'd now recover'd his Principality which my Author does not mention This year Sigeric or Syric Archbishop of Canterbury deceased and Aelfric Bishop of Winchester was elected in his stead on Easter-Day at Ambresbyrig by King Ethelred and all his Wise Men. This same year also Anlaf and Sweyn came to London on the Nativity of St. Mary with Ninety four Ships and assaulted the City very sharply endeavouring to burn it but here they received much more damage than they believed it to be in the power of the Citizens ever to have done them for the Holy Mother of God out of her great mercy took care of the Citizens and delivered them from their Enemies Or as William of Malmesbury more plainly tells us the Besiegers despairing of taking the City because the Citizens made so vigorous a defence were forced to march away But as they went off they did as much mischief as any Army ever did by burning and wasting the whole Countrey thereabouts and killing all the Inhabitants in Essex Kent and Sussex as also in Hampshire And as Florence relates sparing neither Man Woman nor Child But at last they provided themselves with Horses and riding where-ever they pleased did unspeakable Mischiefs Whereupon it was ordained by the King and his Wise Men That Messengers should be sent to them promising them both Tribute and Provisions if they would desist from their Spoil and Rapine To which request they consented and so the whole Army came to Hamtune and there took up their Winter-Quarters and in the mean time the West-Saxon Kingdom was forced to maintain them and Sixteen thousand Pounds were given to them besides their maintenance Then the King sent Bishop Elfeage to King Anlaf as also Aethelward the Ealdorman and leaving Hostages at the Ships they
Letters were privately dispatch'd all over England to make away the Danes in one Night But so much Innocent Blood being thus perfidiously shed cry'd aloud to Heaven for Vengeance and the Clamours of it likewise quickly reached as far as Denmark And Walsingham hath given us in his History a particular Account of the manner of it for on the day when this barbarous Decree was executed at London certain young men of the Danish Nation being too nimble for their Pursuers got into a small Vessel then in the Thames and by that means escaped and fled to Denmark where they certified King Sweyn of what had passed in England who being moved with indignation at this treatment thereupon called a great Council of all the Chief Men of his Kingdom and declaring to them this Cruel Massacre desired their Advice what was best to be done and they being inflamed with Rage and Grief for the loss of so many of their Friends and Kindred decreed with one consent That they ought to revenge it with all the Forces of their Nation Upon which great Preparations were made in the several Provinces and Messengers sent to other Nations to desire their Alliance with him promising them their share in the Spoils of that Countrey which they were going to conquer So King Sweyn having got ready a vast Fleet of above Three hundred Sail arrived in England But as Bromton's Chronicle relates The year following Sweyn King of Denmark hearing of the Death of his Subjects sail'd with a mighty Fleet to the Coast of Cornwall where he landed and marched up to Eaxceaster which as our Annals tell us by the Carelesness or Cowardise of a certain Norman one Count Hugh whom the Queen had made Governor there the Pagans took and quite destroyed the City and carried thence a great Booty Then a Numerous Army was raised from Wiltshire and Hampshire and being very unanimous they all marched briskly against the Danes but Aelfric the Ealdorman who commanded in chief here shewed his wonted tricks for as soon as both Armies were in sight of each other he feigned himself sick and began to vomit pretending he had got some violent Distemper and by that means betray'd those whom he ought to have led to Victory according to the Proverb If the General 's heart fails the Army flies But though this was very ill done of Aelfrick thus to betray his trust yet certainly the King was no less to be blamed himself for trusting a man that had so often betray'd him and whom he had already sufficiently provoked by putting out the Eyes of his Son as you have already heard But to return to our Annals Sweyn now finding the Cowardise or Inconstancy of the English marched with his Forces to Wiltune which Town he burnt from thence he marched to Syrbirig i. e. Old Sarum which they also burnt and from thence to the Sea-side to their Ships After the death of Edwal ap Meyric and Meredyth ap Owen Princes of north-North-Wales as you have already heard north-North-Wales having for some years continued under a sort of Anarchy without any Prince Meredyth leaving behind him no Issue Male and Edwal but one Son an Infant it gave occasion as the Welsh Chronicles relate to great disturbances for one Aedan ap Blegored or Bledhemeyd as the Cottonian Copy of the Welsh Annals call him tho an absolute stranger to the British Blood-Royal about this time possessed himself of the Principality of north-North-Wales and held it about twelve years but whether he came in by Election or Force is not said only that one Conan ap Howel who fought with this Aedan for the Dominion was this year slain in Battel So that Aedan for a time held that Countrey peaceably since we do not read of any other Wars he had till the last year of his Reign This year Sweyn came with his Fleet to Northwick i. e. Norwich the River it seems being navigable up to it in those days and wholly destroyed and burnt that City then Vlfkytel the Ealdorman consulted with the Wise and Great Men of East-England and by them it was judged most expedient to buy Peace of the Danish Army to prevent their doing any more mischief for the Danes had taken them unprovided before they had time to draw their Forces together But these Danes not valuing the Peace which they had newly made stole away with all their Ships and sailed to Theatford which as soon as Vlfkytel had learnt he sent a Messenger with Commands to break or burn all their Ships which notwithstanding the English neglected to do whilst he in the mean time tried to get together his Forces with what speed he could But the Danes coming to Theodford three Weeks after the destruction of Norwich stayed within the Town of Theodford only one night and then burnt and laid it in ashes But the next morning as they returned to their Ships Vlkytel met with them and there began a very sharp Fight which ended in a very great slaughter on both sides and abundance of the English Nobility were there killed but if all the English Forces had been there the Danes had never reached their Ships But notwithstanding these cruel Wars in the Eastern and Southern Parts of England Wulfric Spot an Officer in the Court of King Ethelred now built the Monastery of Burton in Staffordshire and endowed it with all his Paternal Inheritance which was very great and gave that King Three hundred Mancuses of Gold to purchase his Confirmation of what he had done This Monastery though its Rents at the Dissolution were somewhat below the Value of Five hundred Pounds per Annum yet being an Abby of great Note in those Parts and also render'd more famous from its Annals publish'd at Oxford I thought good to take particular notice of it This year Aelfric Archbishop of Canterbury deceased and Aelfeag Bishop of Winchester was made Archbishop But the Laudean and Cottonian Copies place this under the next year So cruel a Famine also raged here as England never suffer'd a worse Florence relates the Famine to be so great that England was not able to subsist The same year also King Sweyn with the Danish Fleet sail'd into Denmark but in a short time return'd hither again This year Aelfeage was now consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and Brightwald took the Bishoprick of Wiltonshire as also Wulfgeat was deprived of all his Honours and Wulfeath had his Eyes put out These were Noblemen who suffered under the King's displeasure but what the cause of it was I find not And this year Bishop Kenwulph deceased Then after Midsummer the Danish Fleet came to Sandwic and did as they used to do killing wasting and plundering whatever they met with Therefore the King commanded all the West Saxon and Mercian Nations to be assembled who kept watch all the Autumn by Companies against the Danes but all this signified no more than what they had done often before for
him to govern as a Conqueror From which also you may observe the flourishing Trade and Wealth of that City in those days since it could even at that time pay above a Seventh of this excessive Taxation Then also a great part of the Danish Army return'd into Denmark and only forty Ships remain'd with King Cnute the Danes and English were likewise now reconciled and united at Oxnaford Bromton says it was done at a Great Council or Parliament at Oxford where King Cnute ordained the Laws of King Edgar i. e. of England to be observed The same year also Aethelsige Abbot of Abbandune deceased and Aethelwin succeeded him This year King Cnute returned into Denmark and there stayed all the Winter Bromton's Chronicle says he went over to subdue the Vandals who then made War against him and carried along with him an Army both of English and Danes the former being commanded by Earl Godwin set upon the Enemies by surprize and put them to flight after which the King had the English in as much as esteem as his own Danish Subjects But the year following He returned into England and then held a Mycel Gemot or Great Council at Cyrencester where Ethelward the Earldorman was outlaw'd The same year also King Cnute went to Assandune the place where he had before fought the great Battel with King Edmund and there caused a Church to be built of Lime and Stone for the souls of those men that had been slain there Which being as R. Hoveden relates consecrated in the King's presence by Wulstan Archbishop of York and divers other Bishops was committed to the care of his Chaplain whose Name was Stigand Also Archbishop Living deceased and Ethelnoth a Monk and Dean of Canterbury was consecrated Bishop by Wulstan Archbishop of York But before we proceed farther I will give you some account of the Affairs of Wales in these times Where after the death of Kynan or Conan the Usurping Prince of south-South-Wales above-mentioned Lewelyn Prince of north-North-Wales had according to Caradoc's Chronicle possessed himself of South-Wales and had for some years governed both those Countries with great Peace and Prosperity so that from the North to the South Sea there was not a Beggar in the whole Countrey but every man had sufficient to live of his own insomuch that the Countrey grew daily more and more populous But this year produced a notable Impostor for a certain Scot of mean Birth came now into south-South-Wales and called him self Run or Reyn as the Manuscript Copies have it the Son of Meredyth ap Owen late Prince of Wales as you have already heard Upon which the Nobility of that Countrey who loved not Lewelyn set up this Run or Reyn to be their Prince But Lewelyn hearing of it assembled all the Forces of north-North-Wales and marched against this Run who had now also got all the strength of South-Wales together and going as far as Abergwily i. e. the mouth of the River Gwily there waited the coming of Lewelyn but when he arrived and both Armies were ready to join Battel Run full of outward confidence encouraged his men to fight yet no sooner was the Battel begun but this Impostor soon discovered what he was by withdrawing himself pâ—â—â—ly out of the fight whereas on the contrary Lewelyn like a Couragious Prince standing in the Head of his Army called out aloud for this base Scot Run who durst so belye the Blood of the British Princes Both Armies then meeting fought for a while with great Courage and Malice to each other but it seems the south-South-Wales men being not so resolute in the Quarrel of this Impostor as those of North-Wales were to defend the Right of their Lawful Prince the latter being also encouraged by the Speeches and Prowess of their Prince put the former to the Rout and pursued this Run so closely that he had much ado to escape Prince Lewelyn having got thus a great deal of Spoil return'd home and for a short time govern'd these Countries in Peace But to return to our Annals This year about Martinmass King Cnute outlaw'd i. e. banished Earl Thurkyl But they tell us not the Crime Yet William of Malmesbury makes it a Judgment for being the principal Promoter of the Murther of Archbishop Aelfeage and that as soon as he return'd into Denmark he was killed by some Noblemen of that Nation This year also according to an Old Manuscript belonging to St. Edmundsbury and cited by the Lord Chief Justice Coke in the Preface to the 9 th Book of his Reports King Cnute held a Parliament at Winchester wherein were present the two Archbishops and all the other Bishops as also many Ealdormen and Earls with divers Abbots together with a great many Knights and a vast multitude of People and there in pursuance of the King's desires it was decreed That the Monastery of St. Edmund the King should be free and for ever exempt from all Jurisdiction of the Bishops and Earls of that Country But Sir H. Spelman here very well observes that this Manuscript could be no Ancienter than the Reign of Henry the Third because the word Parliament was not in use before that time Though thus much is certain That King Cnute the year before founded this Monastery afterwards called St. Edmundsbury but then known to the Saxons by the name of Beadrichesworth where there had been a Church built before and King Edward the Elder in the year 942 had also given several Lands to it and upon which Foundation King Cnute had lately built and endowed the said Abby which was one of the Largest and Richest in all England Lewelyn ap Sitsylt Prince of Wales but a short time enjoyed the fruits of his late Victory for this year the Welsh Chronicles tell us he was slain by Howel and Meredyth the Sons of Prince Edwin or Owen above-mentioned who yet did not succeed in the Principality for Jâ—go Son to Edwal late Prince of Wales was now advanced to the Throne as Lawful Heir having been long debarr'd of his Right But it seems he could not do the like in South-Wales which one Rytheric ap Justin seiz'd upon and held by force This year King Cnute sail'd with his Fleet to the Isle of Wight but upon what account our Annals do not shew us Also Archbishop Aethelnoth went to Rome and was there received by Pope Benedict with great Honour who put on his Pall with his own hands and being so habited celebrated Mass as the Pope commanded him and then after he had dined with him return'd home with his Benediction Also Leofwin the Abbot who had been unjustly expell'd from the Monastery of Elig was his Companion and there cleared himself of those Crimes of which he had been accused before the Pope the Archbishop and all the Company that were there present testifying on his behalf Wulstan Archbishop of York deceased and Aelfric succeeded Edelnoth the Archbishop consecrating him at Canterbury Also this
5. p. 326 327. Eighth the Eighth an Island so called in the River Severne anciently known by the name of Olanege where a League was concluded between Edmund sirnamed Ironside and King Cnute l. 6. p. 47. Elbodius a Learned and Pious Bishop of North-Wales gets it decreed in a general Synod of the British Nation That Easter should be kept after the Romish Custom l. 4. p. 229. Archbishop of North-Wales that is of St. Asaph deceases but when uncertain l. 5. p. 249. Election of Kings Vid. Kings Eleutherius Bishop of Rome when chosen Pope The story of Lucius his sending to him to receive Christianity of suspicious credit l. 2. p. 69. His Letters to King Lucius the Contents of them discover their Imposture Id. p. 70. Elfeage succeeds Byrnstan in the Archbishoprick of Winchester l. 5. p. 333. Deceases at the Feast of St. Gregory Anno 951. Id. p. 350. Elfeage whose Sirname was Goodwin succeeds Athelwald in the Bishoprick of Winchester He was first Abbot of Bathe and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury at last was killed by the Danes l. 6. p. 21. Is sent to King Anlaff with Aethelward the Ealdorman and upon what occaslon Id. p. 25. When made and consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury Id. p. 31. Is taken Prisoner by the Danes and killed because they had not Three thousand Pounds in Silver for his Ransom he is buried in St. Paul's Minster Id. p. 36. His Reliques translated from London to Canterbury by Archbishop Ethelnoth Id. p. 53. Elfer Ealdorman of the Mercians drives the Monks out of the Monasteries and commands them to be spoiled l. 6. p. 15. His Death is reported by the Monks that he was eaten up with Lice Id. p. 21. Elfgar Cousin to King Edgar and Earl of Devonshire his Death l. 6. p. 4. The Son of Earl Leofric had the Earldom given him which Harold formerly enjoyed Id. p. 78. Is outlaw'd in a Great Council and convicted for being a Traytor to the King and whole Nation His going to Griffyn Prince of north-North-Wales and their burning Hereford City Id. p. 86 87. At length is restored to the Peace and to his former Earldom Id. p. 87. Upon the Decease of his Father Leofric he receives the Earldom of Mercia and is banished a second time but soon restored to his Earldom and by what Force Id. p. 88. Elfin Bishop of Winchester succeeds Odo in the Archbishoprick of Canterbury his trampling on the Tombstone of that Pious Prelate c. Going to Rome for his Pall upon the Alps is found frozen to death l. 6. p. 2. Elfleda or Egelfleda the Fair Daughter of Earl Eodmar or Ordmar by whom King Edgar had a Son called Edward the Martyr but whether this Lady was married to the King or not is uncertain l. 6. p. 6 12. Elfric Archbishop turns the Secular Chanons out of the Cathedral of Christ-Church in Canterbury and places Monks in their rooms l. 4. p. 167. Elfwald King of the East-Angles his Death l. 4. p. 225. Vid. Alfwald Elfwinna Daughter and Heir of Aethelfleda is deprived of the Dominion of the Mercians by King Edward the Elder upon Contracting her self in Marriage with Reginald King of the Danes and brought into West-Seax by him l. 3. p. 320. Elgiva Vid. Aelgiva Elidurus the Pious Resigns the Crown which the Kingdom had given him to Reinstate his Brother who had been Deposed l. 1. p. 14. After his Brother's Death he receives the Crown the Second time but is soon Deposed by the Ambition of his Brethren who Seized and Confined his Person to the Tower of London for several years whilst they divided the Kingdom betwixt them but they dying he Resumes the Crown the Third Time and Governs for Four years to the general satisfaction of all Id. p. 15. Ellendune supposed to be Wilton near Salisbury where a Battel was Fought between Egbert King of the West-Saxons and Beornwulf King of the Mercians l. 5. p. 253. Ellwye in North-Wales a Bishoprick now known by the Name of St. Asaph l. 3. p. 149. Elutherius a Priest comes from France to King Cenwalc and is Ordained Bishop of the West-Saxons that is Winchester by Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury l. 4. p. 182 192. His Death and Succession Id. p. 193. Ely-Monastery Founded by Etheldrethe late Wife to King Egfrid in which she became the first Abbess l. 4. p. 193. Is destroyed by the Danes and when and afterwards Re-edified by King Edgar Ibid. Emma said to be King Ethelred's only Wife had Edward and Alfred by him l. 6. p. 45. Is Married afterwards to King Cnute and how she is Censured for it Id. p. 51. Her Son Hardecnute his Father before his Death appointed to be King of Denmark Id. p. 56. Decreed in a Great Council that she should reside at Winchester with the Domesticks of the late King her Husband and possess all West-Saxony She is also called Elgiva Id. p. 61. Her Decease and Character is accused of having been too Familiar with Bishop Alwyn for which she undergoes the Ordeal Id. p. 79. Emperor the First Emperors that were not Romans were Trajan and Hadrian who were both Spaniards l. 2. p. 67. Eneon the Son of Owen Prince of south-South-Wales subdues all the Countrey of Gwin or Gwyr in North-Wales l 6. p. 6. Destroys it again the second time Id. p. 16. The greatest part of Earl Alfred's Army is slain by him and his Forces and the rest put to flight But the Year after the Gentlemen of Guentland in South-Wales cruelly slay him His Character Id. p. 21. England Old England seated between the Saxons and the Jutes having for its Capital City that which is called in the Saxon Tongue Sleswic but by the Danes Heathaby l. 3. p. 118. When the Nation came under this General Name l. 5. p. 246 247 255. Never had any long respite from Invasions by the Danes c. from King Egbert's time to the beginning of the Reign of William the First l. 5. p. 247. Wasted for many years by the Danes Norwegians Goths Sweeds and Vandals Id. p. 255. Is divided first into Counties and those inâ—o Hundreds and Tythings by King Alfred Id. p. 291. Englisherie what and the Law made concerning it in Edward the Confessor's time l. 6. p. 101. English-men by the general Consent of the Clerus and Populus Assembled in the Great Council it is Enacted That those who before were called Jutes or Saxons should now be call'd by this Name l. 5. p. 255 292. English-Saxons their Character vid. Saxons In one year had fought eight or nine Battles against the Danes c. besides innumerable Skirmishes l. 5. p. 277. Entail of the Crown mentioned by Alfred in his last Will to have been made formerly in a General Council of the West-Saxon Nobility at Swinburne l. 5. p. 309. Of Lands also to be in force in his time Ibid. 310. Eoppa who he was and what his Pedigree l. 4. p. 217. Eoric a Danish King of the East-Angles killed in
Sister sent over to the Emperor Henry to whom she had been before Betrothed and was kindly received by him for some time till she was accused of Adultery and how her Honour was vindicated at last be her little Page Id. p. 66 67. But it made her forsake her Husband and retire into a Monastery for all her life afeer Id. p. 67. The Noble Matron was Banished England with her Two Sons Id. p. 73. Gunhildis a Beautiful Young Lady Sweyn's Sister Beheaded and bore her death with great bravery having seen her Husband and her Son slain before her face l. 6. p. 37. Gurgi a British Prince Son of Gliver Gosgard Vawr a Prince of Cumberland l. 3. p. 147. Gurguint in his Reign the Danes refused to pay him the Tribute which had been imposed by Belinus l. 1. p. 13. Guthfrith or Godfred Son to Syhtric a Danish King of Northumberland succeeds his Father there but was soon expelled by Athelstan who added those Dominions to his own l. 5. p. 330. Flie into Scotland and raises a Rebellion against Athelstan but he makes him submit to him The Civil Treatment Athelstan gives him and his Revolt from him afterwards Id. p. 331 332 333. Guthlac first a Monk then a professed Anchoriâ—e builds a Cell at Croyland the incredible Miracles told of him l. 4. p. 216. A Monastery founded in honour of him by Ethelbald King of the Mercians who was then lately deceased Id. p. 218. The Danes break open his Tomb and those of the Princes there buried and finding no plunder set the Church on fire and burn their dead bodies l. 5. p. 271. Guthrun Gythram or Gorman their Leader or King was promised by the Danes to become a Christian and accordingly King Alfred was his Godfather at his Baptism l. 5. p. 283 284 298. The Kingdom of the East-Angles delivered up to him Id. p. 283. The League between King Alfred and him as also the Secular and Ecclesiastical Laws that were made then by them Id. p. 283 284 285. His Christian Name Ethelstan called King of the Normans his Decease l. 5. p. 298. He died Ten years before King Alfred therefore no Ecclesiastical Laws could be made between him and Edward the Elder who was Alfred's Son and Successor Id. p. 326. Guy Earl of Warwick returning from the Holy Land in a Pilgrim's Habit Fights one Colebrand a Monstrous Danish Giant near Winchester and kills him and retiring to a Hermitage near Warwick there ends his days l. 5. p. 337 338. Gwgan King or Prince of Cardigan his death some say he was drowned by misfortune l. 5. p. 277. Gwido Earl of Ponthieu detains Earl Harold Prisoner but soon sets him at Liberty by the Command of William Duke of Normandy l. 6. p. 92. Gwyn or Gwyr a Countrey in north-North-Wales subdued by Eneon Son of Owen Prince of south-South-Wales l. 6. p. 6. Is destroyed a second time by the same Person Id. p. 16. Gwyneth that is North-Wales l. 3. p. 147. l. 5. p. 317. Gyrth King Harold's Youngest Brother his excellent Advice to him not to fight in Person against Duke William rejected which cost Harold his Life l. 6. p. 111. H HAcun a Danish Earl Banished England under pretence of an Ambassy by King Cnute who was afraid of him and why l. 6. p. 53. Hadrian Aelius a Spaniard succeeds his Uncle Trajan in the Empire his Politicks l. 2. p. 67. Comes over into Britain and reduces the Inhabitants he builds a wall of Eighty Miles in lâ—ngth cross the Island Id. p. 67 76. Haefe supposed to be Hatfield in Northumberland l. 4. p. 215. Halfdene Marches with one half of the Danish Army into the Kingdom of Northumberland and there soon conquers the whole Countrey spoiling as far as Galloway l. 5. p. 277 315. Divides that Kingdom amongst his People from whence they date their Reign there Id. p. 278. Is slain by King Alfred Id. p. 286. Hamtun that is now Southampton where Wulfheard the Ealdorman fights with a Fleet of Three and thirty Danish Pyrates and obtains a signal Victory over them l. 5. p. 258. Hardecnute Son to King Cnute by Queen Emma is appointed by his Father to be King of Denmark l. 6. p. 56. But is Decreed in the Great Council at Oxnaford upon the fierce disputes of the contending Parties That this Kingdom should be divided between Harold and him and Hardecnute to enjoy all the Southern Provinces but he never did all the time of his Brother Harold Id. p. 62. He being at Harold's Death in Bruges with his Mother is invited by the Chief Men of England to come over and receive the Crown which he accordingly did with all possible convenience and so is Elected King The several Taxes he raises His Consecration His revenging the Injury Harold did to his Mother and sending his Sister Gunhilda to the Emperor Henry to whom she had been before Betroth'd and the Feast he first kept for her Nuptials Id. p. 66. Is incensed against Bishop Lifing and Earl Godwin for the Death of his Half-Brother Alfred and how the business was made up and he reconciled to them Id. p. 67. Plunders and Burns the City and wastes the County of Worcester and upon what account Deceases at Lambeth and is Buried in the New Monastery of Winchester His Character A Holyday kept to his remembrance Id. p. 68. Harold King of Norway his Present to King Athelstan of a Ship whose Stern was Gilded and it's Sails Purple l. 5. p. 339. Harold Son to King Cnute by Aelgiva he appoints to be King of England after him l. 6. p. 56. Is Chosen King by the Great Council held at Oxnaford though opposed by the Great Men of the West-Saxons upon the pretence of a Supposititious Birth and the Disputes rise so high about the Election that many fearing it would issue in a Civil War left their Habitations upon it Id. p. 61 62. Sends a Guard to Winchester and Tyrannically seizes on his Father's Treasures there which he had bequeathed to the Queen his Mother-in-law Id. p. 62. Dies at Oxnaford and is Buried at Westminster how long he Governed England Id. p. 65. The Tax he raised for setting out Sixteen Sail of Ships whereof every Port was to bear their proportion incenses the minds of the English against him His Character and the reason of his being called Harefoot l. 6. p. 65. His Body is dug up by Hardecnute's Order his Head cut off and flung into the Thames buâ— afterwards taken up by Fishermen and Buried in St. Clement's Curch-yard Id. p. 66. Harold sirnamed Hairfax King of Norway and Brother to King Olaf putting Sweyn King of Denmark to flight subdues that Kingdom but dying soon after Sweyn recovers it again l. 6. p. 74. Harold Son of Earl Godwin the Quarrel that arose between Edward the Confessor and his Father his Brother Sweyn and him and how he is forced to fly into Ireland for Protection l. 6. p. 75 77 78. Returns from Ireland and kills and
Eutiches who maintained but One Will and Person in Christ condemned in a Synod at Heathfield in Hertfordshire l. 4. p. 199. Herethaland that is the Countrey of Pyrates l. 4. p. 235. Heriots King Cnute's Law concerning them settling the Rates of them according to every one's Rank and Dignity l. 6. p. 59 60. Hethfield supposed Hatfield in Yorkshire where King Edwin was slain and his whole Army quite routed l. 4. p. 176. In Hertfordshire where Theodore the Archbishop summoned a Synod in which the Five First General Councils were not only received and confirmed but the latter held at Rome under Pope Martyn I. l. 4. p. 199. Hiberni whether Irish-men or Scotch understood by that name l. 2. p. 83 84. Higbald consecrated at Soccabrig to be Bishop of Lindisfarne l. 4. p. 232. When he deceased and who was his Successor l. 5. p. 248. Higbert consecrated Bishop of Hagulstad in the room of Bishop Alchmund l. 4. p. 232. Or Higebryht chosen Archbishop of Litchfield by King Offa Id. p. 233. Hilda founds the Monastery of Streanshale in which she lived and died Abbess l. 4. p. 188 199. Grand-Niece to King Edwin and converted by Paulinus Her severe Sanctity Id. p. 199. Very much against Bishop Wilfrid upon substantial reasons Id. p. 215. Hinguar and Hubba two cruel Danish Tyrants burnt Coldingham-Nunnery with the Abbess and all her Nuns in it and many other Monasteries l. 5. p. 269 270. And destroys the whole Countrey of the East-Angles and Edmund their King l. 5. p. 270 271 272 273 274. Makes a great slaughter of the Britains but is slain with 1200 men near the Castle of Kenwith Id. p. 281. Hlothe Vid. Troops Hock-Wednesday a Holiday in Memory of Hardecnute's Death on which the people danced and drew Cords across the ways as they do now on stated days in several Parishes in England to stop Passengers till they get some Money from them l. 6. p. 68. Holland in Lincolnshire anciently called Hoyland whence all the Youth were drawn out against the Danes and their Success l. 5. p. 270. Homage whether the Submission the King of Scots paid to King Edward the Elder amounted to it questioned l. 5. p. 323. The story of Llewelyn Prince of north-North-Wales his doing Homage to Edward the Elder very suspicious and the reason why Id. p. 328. Godwin's performing it shews this Tenure to be in use before the Conquest l. 6. p. 83. Vid. Fealty Honorius the Emperor of the West had during his Minority Stilico appointed for his Governor l. 2. p. 97. Admits Constantine Partner with him in the Empire l. 2. p. 102. Delivers Gaule up to the Goths and did not in his time recover the Province of Britain Id. p. 105. Honorius Archbishop of Canterbury received his Ordination from Paulinus l. 4. p. 175. Consecrates Ithamar a Kentish-man Bishop of Rochester in the room of Paulinus who was equal to his Predecessors in Learning and Piety Id. p. 181. His Death and who succeeded him in the Archbishoprick Id. p. 185 186. Honorius Succeeds Boniface in the Roman See and sends Paulinus upon his hearing the Northumbrians had received the Christian Faith by his Preaching an Archiepiscopal Pall c. l. 4. p. 175. Another Pope of the same Name by his Bull not only ratifies all the Privileges confirmed by former Popes to the Abbey of St. Albans but grants to that and his Successors Episcopal Rights c. Id. p. 237 238. Hoocnorton in Oxfordshire anciently Hocneratune where the Danes committed great Ravages and Slaughter l. 5. p. 319. Horesti supposed to be the Inhabitants of Eskdale in Scotland l. 2. p. 63. Horsa Vid. Hengest Horses Forbidden by King Athelstane's Law to be Transported out of England l. 5. p. 341. St. Dunstan's Horse falling down dead under him upon his hearing a voice from Heaven crying aloud King Edred is dead as true as that the Sea burns Id. p. 351. Hostages given to Sweyn the Dane where-ever he came l. 6. p. 37 38. Hostilianus Trebonianus Gallus Deposed from the Empire by the Soldiers that first raised him to it l. 2. p. 81. Houses Religious Vid. Monasteries Howel Brother to Conan Prince of Wales upon a Quarrel betwixt them obtains the Victory it was upon his claiming the Isle of Anglesey l. 5. p. 250. Howel the Son of Jevaf restores his Father to his Liberty but takes upon himself the sole Government of all north-North-Wales l. 6. p. 7 9. His being Subject to King Edgar Id. p. 9. Makes War upon all who Succour his Uncle Jago and the Countries he Spoils Id. p. 16. Routs the Danes and Welsh-men assisted Constantine the Black Son to Prince Jago who is there slain in the Field Id. p. 20. Comes into England with an Army where he was fought with and killed in Battel leaving no Issue of his Body Id. p. 21. Howel and Meredyth the Sons of Edwin or Owen how they came to get the Government of south-South-Wales l. 6. p. 56. Is forced to fly his Countrey from Griffyth ap Lewelin ap Sitsylt Id. p. 64. Is slain and his Army routed by Prince Griffyth Id. p. 71. Howel Dha Succeeds his Father Cadelh in the Principality of south-South-Wales l. 5. p. 315. Takes upon him the Government of all Wales His Laws and Character Id. p. 337. A worthy Prince his Death and Issue and whom he left his Heirs to all south-South-Wales Id. p. 349. l. 6. p. 9. His Sons engaged in long Wars with Jago and Jevaf Princes of north-North-Wales Id. p. 349 350. Hubba Vid. the next Word Hubblestones or Hubblestow in Devonshire had its Name from a Danish Captain one Hubba being slain by Odun Earl of that County and there buried under a heap of stones l. 5. p. 281. Huda and his Surrey-men with Ealcher and his Kentish-men fight the Danish Army in the Isle of Thanet and their Success l. 5. p. 262. Huena General of King Ethelred's Forces his advice to have all the Danes in England slain and for what reason which was barbarously put in execution l. 6. p. 29 30. Hugh King of the French sends an Ambassador to King Athelstan to demand his Sister in Marriage l. 5. p. 339. Hundred-Courts every one to be present at them l. 6. p. 13 14. Hundreds when the Counties were first thus divided by King Alfred l. 5. p. 291. Every one of Free Condition ought to enter himself into some Hundred l. 6. p. 58 104. The punishment of them how it came to be in use where a Murther could not be found Id. p. 101. Hunferth has the Bishoprick of Winchester resigned to him by Daniel Bishop thereof and why l. 4. p. 224. He dies and who succeeds him l. 4. p. 226. Hungus King of the Picts by Achaius King of the Scots his helping him with a Thousand Men beats the English and slays one King Athelstan in fight A mere fancy the whole story l. 5. p. 250. Hunting Liberty for every Man to Hunt in his own ground but none to meddle with
Gratian the Emperor who is killed by him l. 2. p. 95. His Image is sent to Alexandria and set up in the Market-place to be Reverenced l. 2. p. 96. His great concern for the Catholick Religion and Execution of Persons for meer matters of Faith His Death Id. Ib. Meanwari supposed to be People of that part of Hampshire lying over against the Isle of Wight l. 4. p. 188. Medcant now called Turne-Island l. 3. p. 146. Medeshamhamsted a Monastery built in Honour of Christ and St. Peter it had its Name from a Well there called Medeswell l. 4. p. 186. The manner of erecting this Foundation Id. p. 186 187. Pope Agatho's Bull of Priviledges to it supposed to be Forged long after and by whom l. 4. p. 200. l. 6. p. 4 5. Is burnt and destroyed by the Danes who killed all the Abbots and Monks they found there with a Noble Library and all its Charters and they carried away all the rich spoil of that place l. 5. p. 270 271 272. Afterwards the Bodies of above Fourscore Monks with their Abbot there slain were Buried in one Grave in the Church-yard and putting a Pyramidal Stone over them the Images of the Abbot and Monks about him were Carved on it Id. p. 172. Is rebuilt by Athelwald Bishop of Winchester who is said to have found the Charter which Abbot Headda had formerly wrote l. 6. p. 4 5. A new Charter of Confirmation with many other Endowments granted by King Edgar the Lands granted by him to this Monastery to be a distinct Shire having Sac Soc c. Is more enriched in Lands by Abbot Adulf who is succeeded by Kenulf that changed its name into Burgh It has been the Episcopal See of the Bishops of Peterburgh almost ever since the Dissolution of this Abbey in H. VIII's time Id. p. 5. Melgas King of the Picts the Story of the Virgins that were Killed or made Slaves by him a notorious Invention l. 2. p. 96. Mellitus is sent to Preach the Word in Britain and Letters of Instruction sent afterwards by the Pope to him concerning the Idol-Temples l. 4. p. 157 158. Ordained by Augustine Bishop of the East-Saxons he was to fix his Episcopal See at London l. 4. p. 159 165 166. Sent to Rome to confer with Pope Boniface about the necessary Affairs of the English Church Id. p. 166. His departure into France and for what reason Id. p. 169. Succeeâ—s Lawrence in the Archbishoprick of Canterbury stops a great Fire there by his Prayers Id. p. 171. Members loss of any for Crimes of the Party survived it Four Nights he with the Bishops leave might be helped which before was unlawful l. 5. p. 285. Menai a River near to which Bangor was built and by whom l. 3. p. 143. Iâ— parts Caernarvonshire from the Isle of Wight l. 4. p. 165. Menaevia now is called St. David's in Pembrokeshire l. 3. p. 149. Mercevenlage from whence the Laws were so called l. 1. p. 13. Mercia when this Kingdom began it was one of the largest of the English-Saxon Kingdoms and one of the last conquered by the West-Saxons l. 3. p. 147. The People received the Christian Faith under Peadda their Ealdorman l. 4. p. 183 186. The Province of the Mercians is divided into Five Diocesses Id. p. 199 200. The Mercians or Southumbers Kill Ostrythe the Wife of Ethelred their late King Id. p. 210 212. A great part of it destroyed with Fire and Sword by the South-Welshmen Id. p. 231. Anciently was called Merscwarum l. 5. p. 259. Is forced to come to a Peace with the Danes Id. p. 269. Mercy King Cnute's Law to have it used and that none should die for small Offences l. 6. p. 58 59. Meredyth Conquers the whole Countrey of North-Wales for himself l. 6. p. 22. Others laying waste his Countrey of South-Wales Id. p. 23. Cast off by the Inhabitants of the Isle of Anglesey for not well Protecting them but afterwards resolving if he could to recover so considerable a part of his Dominions he Fights with Edwal ap Meyric who had Usurped upon him but is worsted by him in a set Battel Id. p. 24. Meredyth and Howel the Sons of Edwin or Owen how they got the Government of south-South-Wales but were afterwards slain by the Sons of Conan ap Sitsylt Brother to Prince Lewelin l. 6. p. 56. Merehwit Bishop of Somersetshire that is Wells Deceases and is Buried at Glastenbury l. 6. p. 56. Meresige now Mercey in Essex an Island near the Sea l. 5. p. 301. Merton in Surrey anciently called Merinton l. 4. p. 232. Merwina an Abbess of the Nunnery of Rumsey in Hampshire l. 6. p. 6. Midletune in Kent where the Danes built a Fort to infest the English l. 5. p. 298 300. Militia King Athelstan's Law that for every Plow a man shall keep Two well-furnished Horsemen is one of the Ancientest of this kind in England being laid according to the rate of Estates l. 5. p. 341. Milred Bishop of the Wiccij that is of the Diocess of Worcester his Character and death l. 4. p. 230. Milton his History of England commended by the Author l. 2. p. 20. Mints places appointed for them by King Athelstan's Law l. 5. p. 341. One granted to the Abbot of Stamford by King Edgar l. 6. p. 5. The first Law whereby the private Mints to the Archbishops and Abbots were forbid Id. p. 14. Miracles Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops recover a Magistrate's Daughter Aged Ten Years of Blindness which the Pelagians refused to attempt l. 2. p. 107 108. A great Fire in Canterbury suddenly stopp'd by the Prayers of Mellitus the Archbishop which caused the Wind to blow directly contrary to what it had done before l. 4. p. 171. Of Oswald King of Northumberland after his Death Id. p. 180. Of one Eardulf who after he was commanded to be put to death was found alive Id. p. 236. On Pope Leo who received his Sight and Hands after the one was put out and the other cut off Id. p. 241. About Kenelm King of the Mercians whom Quedride his Sister made away out of an Ambition of Reigning her self l. 5. p. 251. A Pillar of Light reaching up to Heaven stood over Wiglaff's Tomb in Repton-Monastery where Wulstan was Buried for Thirty days which procured him the Title of a Saint l. 5. p. 261. Of the Earth's Opening and swallowing up a whole Army of Scots who came to fight with King Cuthred l. 5. p. 286. Of Athelstan's striking a Rock with his Sword near the Castle of Dunbar which made a Gap in it an Ell deep Id. p. 337. Of St. Dunstan's Horse falling down dead under him at the Hearing of a Voice from Heaven which the Horse it seems perfectly understood Id. p. 351. Of his Harp Playing a whole Psalm as it hung against the Wall without any hands to touch it and his taking the Devil by the Nose with red hot Tongs l. 6. p. 3. Of the speaking of a
likely propagated here by some Apostle of the Eastern or Asiatick Church Id. p. 162. The state of it here before the coming in of William the Conqueror l. 6. p. 116. Religious Houses Vid. Monasteries Resignation of Bishopricks and why l. 3. p. 149. l. 4. p. 224 232. Restitutus Bishop of the City of London is sent with others to the Council of Arles in Gallia l. 2. p. 88. Revenge none to take it for any Injury done him before publick Justice be demanded and the Penalty on those that do l. 4. p. 208. Rhine fortified with Garisons by Constantine l. 2. p. 102. Richard the Elder took upon him the Dukedome of Normandy and Governed it Two and fifty Years l. 5. p. 343. His Enmity to and War with Pope John l. 6. p. 24. His Death and who succeeded him in that Dutchy Id. p. 26. Richbert a Heathen slays Eorpwald not long after he had received the Christian Faith l. 4. p. 175. Ricsige succeeded Egbert in the Kingdom of Northumberland l. 5. p. 277. His Death and who his Successor Id. p. 278. Ripendune alias Hrepton Abbey now Repton in Derbyshire Founded by King Aethelbald the most famous one of that Age l. 4. p. 227. l. 5. p. 277. Ripon in Yorkshire the Monastery Burnt which had been Built by Bishop Wilfrid l. 5. p. 350. Ritheric ap Justin on the Death of Llewelyn ap Sitsylt Seizes upon South-Wales and holds it by Force l. 6. p. 53. Is slain in Battel by Howel and Meredyth with the assistance of the Irish Scots l. 6. p. 56. Ritherch and Rees the Sons of Ritheric ap Justin their Engagement with Griffith Prince of Wales and the Success thereof l. 6. p. 71. Robber his Punishment who called Robbers l. 4. p. 209. Robert Duke of Normandy sends Ambassadors to King Cnute to demand that his Nephews viz. Edward and Alfred King Ethelred's Two Sons might be restored to their Right and upon his refusing he prepares a great Navy to force him to it and what happened thereupon l. 6. p. 54. To whom he recommends his Son William a Child of Seven Years Old afterwards King of England whilst he undertakes his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he Dies Ibid. p. 56. Robert a Norman Monk made Bishop of London by Edward the Confessor l. 6. p. 73. And upon the Death of Eadsige made Archbishop of Canterbury He immediately went to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 75. Accuses Queen Emma of being too Familiar with Alwin Bishop of Winchester Id. p. 79. His flight out of England variously reported Id. p. 80 81. Is Banished and Outlawed for being a Chief Incendiary in the Quarrel between Edward the Confessor and Earl Godwin Id. p. 81. But having made his Peace King Edward sends him Ambassador to Duke William to acquaint him That he had designed him his Successor Id. p. 96 97 Rodoric or Rodri when he began to Reign over the Britains in Wales l. 4. p. 218. Another Rodoric one of the Sons of Edwal Voel Prince of Wales is slain by Irishmen l. 6. p. 6. Rodri Maur that is Rodoric the Great succeeds his Father Merwyn Urych in the Kingdom of the Britains and divides Wales into three Territories His Wars and Death l. 5. p. 260 278. His Wife and Children and Bequests amongst them Id. p. 278 279. Esteemed by all Writers to be sole King of all Wales and in what Right His Laws Id. p. 279. The several Ordinances he made about paying the Ancient Tribute to the King of London and acknowledging his Sovereigâ—ty as also about who should decide the differences that might arise between any of his Children Id. p. 279. l. 6. p. 3. Rofcaester or Hrofcester now Rochester l. 4. p. 159. l. 5. p. 259. St. Andrew's Church there built by Ethelbert King of Kent l. 4. p. 160. Tobias the Bishop there dies Id. p. 219. Dun consecrated Bishop here after the Death of Eadulph Id. p. 224. Rollo the Dane or Norman wastes Neustria afterwards called Normandy and not long after made an entire Conquest of it reigning there fifty years His Dream l. 5. p. 278. Roman Affairs when they became desperate in Britain l. 2. p. 105 106. Empire what fell with it in Britain l. 3. p. 113. Language Gaâ—â— and Gown came to be in fashion among the Britains in Agricola's time l. 2. p. 57. Romans left the â—ritains at their departure Paterns of the Arms and Weapons they would have them make to defend themselves l. 2. p. 100. Though they subdued Britain to their Empire yet they used their Victory with Moderation l. 5. p. 246. Romanus Bishop of Rochester drowned in going on a Message to Rome l. 4. p. 176. Rome taken by Alaric King of the Goths l. 2. p. 104. Romescot said to be first given to the Pope by King Ina but much doubted l. 4. p. 219. Then by King Offa supposed to be confirm'd by the great Council's consent Id. p. 239. Aethelwulf by his Last Will orders to be sent every year to Rome Three hundred Mancuses l. 5. p. 264 265. Vid. Peter-pence Rowena Hengest's Daughter her Arrival into Britain c. l. 3. p. 125. Rufina Claudia Wife of Pudens a Senator famous for her Beauty in the Elegant Epigram of Martial Some assert she was the same St. Paul makes mention of in his second Epistle to Timothy l. 2. p. 66. Run or Reyn the pretended Son of Meredyth ap Owen a vile Scotch Impostâ—r thâ—t sets up for Prince of Soâ—th Waleâ— but he is soon rouâ—ed and all his Paâ—â—y l. 6. p. 52. Runick Characters found upon a few Stones in England l. 3. p. 113. Runkhorne in Cheshire anciently called Run-cafan l. 5. p. 316. Rusticus Decimius from Master of his Offices is advanced by Constans to â—e Praefect l. 2. p. 103. Ryal in Rutlandshire anciently called Rehala where St. Tibba's â—ody lay entomb'd l. 6. p. 5. S SAcriledge what Punishments to be inflicted on those who commit it l. 4. p. 156 163. Salaries usually allowed to those that hâ—d been Proconsuls l. 2. p. 64. Safe of Goods c. Vid. Traffick Sampson Scholar to Iltutus and afterwards Archbishop of Dole in Britain l. 3. p. 149. Sanctuaries very ancient in England l. 4. p. 208 209. l. 5. p. 296 â—97 Their Design primitively very good only to stay there for a time till the Offender could agree with his Advâ—rsary l. 5. p. 297. The Punishment of him who 〈◊〉 â—ny one that sâ—es to a Church The Knigâ—t Hoâ—se no shelâ—er to him thâ—â— sheds bloâ—d l. 5. p. 347. Graâ—ted 〈◊〉 Westminster â—y Edward â—he Confessor Charter and confirmed by the Great Council l. 6. p. 94. The Laws concerning them confirmâ—d Id. p. 99. Sandwicâ— anciently câ—â—led Rutipae l. â— p. 90. and Sandwiâ— l. 5. p. 261. The Port given by King Cnute in Christ-Church in Canterbury with all the Issues c. l. 6. p. 54. Saragosa in Spain anciently called Caesar Augustâ— a corrupted Compouâ—d of thâ—se two words destroyed by
him ordered to be slain which when the Abbot of Reodford heard as having his Monastery not far from thence he went to the King who then lay private in those Parts to be cured of the Wounds he had received in taking of the Island and desired of him if the Youths must needs dye that they might first received Baptism which the King granted whereupon the Abbot immediately instructed and then Baptized them so when the Executitioner came to put them to Death they chearfully underwent it because they hoped thereby to obtain an Eternal Kingdom Thus the Isle of Wight did thô last of all receive the Christian Faith and that upon very harsh terms as if God would make them suffer for their so long refusal of the Gospel The same Year also Ceadwalla and Mollo or Mull his Brother wasted Kent And W. Malmesbury adds That the occasion of this War was to be revenged of King Edric who had killed Lothair his Predecessour and that falling upon that Province now grown Esseminate with long Peace he committed a great deal of Spoil throughout the Country but at last meeting with the Kentish Men was repulsed with loss This Year also according to Stephen Hâ—ddis's Life of Bishop Wilfrid he was re-called home by King Alfred and restored to his Sees of York and Hagulstad the Bishop that then enjoyed them being turned out The same Year also Cuthbert that Pious Bishop of Lindisfarne having resigned his Bishoprick and retired again to Farne-Island there deceased but his Body was translated to Lindisfarne which being taken up Eleven Years after was found as entire as when it was first buried This Year Mollo or Mull the Brother of King Ceadwalla but now mentioned was burnt in Kent and Twelve others with him but Ceadwalla afterwards wasted Kent the same Year which action Will. of Malmesbury and H. Huntington relate more at large That Ceadwalla in the second Year of his Reign sent his Brother Mollo at his own request to Ravage and Pâ—under the Province of Kent out of a Desire of Spoil and Ambition of Glory so marching into Kent then divided into divers Factions and finding none there to resist him he laid all the Country waste but when he despised his Enemies and thought he might do what he pleased with them going about to plunder a certain House and having no more thâ—n Twelve Men in his Company being there encompassed on the sudden with far greater Forces and not daring to sally out upon them they set the House on Fire about his Ears where He with Twelve Knights were burnt And thus this brave Army consisting of the Flower of the West-Saxon Youth came to nothing But Will. Thorne in his Chronicle of the Abbots of St. Augustine Cant. relates the Death of this Prince with more Circumstances vâ—z That he invading and spoiling Kent and coming before the City of Canterbury and being there stoutly resisted by the Citizens till almost all his Men were killed was at last constrained to flee to a certain House where the Men of Canterbury burnt him to Death as hath been already related but it seems his Body not being reduced to Ashes was taken up and buried in the Church of the Abby of St. Augustine with the Kings of Kent this I thought fit to add as not being found elsewhere But when Ceadwalla heard this news being extremely enraged at it he again entred Kent and there satiating himself with Spoil and Slaughter when he had left nothing worth carrying away returned home Victorious This Year King Ceadwalla after he had Reign'd 2 Years perhaps having some remorse for his former Cruelties went to Rome and there received Baptism from Pope Sergius who gave him the Name of Peter where he not long after dyed and was buried in the Church of St. Peter to whom Ina succeeded in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and Reigned Thirty Seven Years He also built the Monastery at Glastingabyrig now Glastenbury and also went to Rome and there remained until his Death Bede who has given us a long Epitaph on Ceadwalla both in Verse and Prose places this Prince's Baptism by the Pope in Anno 689 which might very well be for he resigned his Kingdom the Year above mentioned and it was ended by that time he could be baptized and so the Saxon Annalist might well place both that and his Baptism under one and the same Year The British Historians confounded this Ceadwalla with their King Ceadwallo who slew King Edwin but he lived above Twenty Years before this time as hath been already observed But Dr. Powel and Mr. Vaughan in their Learned Notes upon Caradoc's Welsh Chronicle do suppose with great probability that this Cadwallo was Edwal sirnamed Ywrch Prince of Wales who about this time began to Reign being the Son of Cadwallader and may also very well agree with what Guidonius writeth of one Ethwal Prince of Wales who about this time went to Rome and there dyed for in proper Names it is an easie matter for a Capital C to creep in since it was commonly used in old hands at the beginning of a Paragraph and might by an Ignorant Copier be added to the Name it self and so of Edwal make Cadwal and from thence Cadwallader But the Year after Ceadwalla dyed at Rome according to Bede as well as our Annals Theodorus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury also deceased being Eighty Eight Years of Age having sate Arch-Bishop Twenty Two Years and was buried in the Church of St. Peter in Canterbury Bede tells us That the English Church never attained to that height of perfection under any Arch-Bishops Government as it did under his he being the first Arch-Bishop who Exercised his Metropolitan Jurisdiction over all the Bishops as well beyond as on this side of Humber Berthwald who now succeeded Theodore in the Arch-Bishoprick had been Abbot of a certain Monastery called Raculf now Reculver in Kent near the Isle of Thanet and was a Man well read in the Scriptures and skil'd in Ecclesiastical Discipline but yet he ought not to be compared to his Predecessours he was Elected this Year but it seems his Consecration was deferr'd till near Three Years after when the Saxon Chronicle likewise recites it This Year also according to Florence Ina a Prince of the Royal Blood took the Kingdom of the West-Saxons being the Son of Kenred the Son of Ceolwald Yet it seems he had no right by Succession for Will of Malmesbury tells us expresly That it was more in respect to his own Natural Vertue than to the Right of a successive descent that he was now made King and indeed How could it be otherwise his Father Kenred being then alive This Year also Abbot Benedict above-mentioned dyed after a long Sickness of whom Bede in his Life already cited gives us a large Account that having been at first a Servant to King Oswin and receiving from him a competent Estate for his Quality he quited
Cuthred fought against the Britains But of this the Welsh Chronicles are silent as well as other Authors The same Year also being the 12th Year of his Reign King Cuthred fought against Aethelbald King of the Mercians at Beorgford now Burford in Oxfordshire and there put him to flight But H. Huntington gives us this Battle more at large That King Cuthred being not any longer able to bear the Insolencies and Impositions of that proud King Ethelbald took Arms and met him with an Army in the Field preferring his Liberty before his Life being encouraged by Earl Ethelune above-mentioned who it seems was now cured and reconciled to the King relying upon whose Courage and Council he resolved to undertake this War but Ethelbald as a King of Kings had brought along with him besides his own Mercians the Kentish Men with the East Angles and Saxons which made all together a very great Army and being both drawn up on the Spot they approached each other whilst Earl Athelune marching before the West Saxons carried the Royal Standard being a Golden Dragon and in the beginning of the Battle challenging him to a single Combat there slew the Standard-bearer of the Enemy upon which a great Shout being given Cuthred's Souldiers were very much encouraged then both Armies engaging there followed a great and bloody Fight of which our Author gives us a long and pompous Relation Pride and Ambition says he inciting the Mercians and fear of Servitude provoking the West Saxons to fight it to the last but wherever Earl Ethelune charged the Enemies he with the force of his invincible Battle-Axe destroyed all before him but at last K. Ethelbald and the Earl meeting they fought together with great Obstinacy and Resolution till GOD who resisteth the Proud so discouraged this King that he turned his Back and fled whilst his Men still fought on yet at last they were all routed nor from that time to the day of his Death did GOD give him any more Success Cuthred King of the West Saxons departed this Life and according to Simeon Sigebert his Cousin succeeded him Also Cyneheard succeeded in the Bishoprick of Winchester after Hunferth and the same year the City of Canterbury was burnt This Year was very remarkable for now as our Annals inform us Cynwulf with the Wife and Noble Men of the West Saxons deprived King Sigebert of the whole Kingdom for his Cruelty and Injustice except Hampshire which he kept for some time until he slew one Cumbran an Ealderman who had continued longest with him so that at last Sigebert was driven into Andred's Wood where he remained till such time as a certain Hogheard ran him through with a Lance at Pruutes-Flood and thereby revenged the Death of Cumbran the Ealderman This King Cynwulf often overcame the Britains in Fight but after he had governed the Kingdom about 30 Years he was slain by Cyneheard Aetheling brother to Sigebert as shall be shewn hereafter H. Huntington is very particular in the Reasons and manner of King Sigebert's Deposition and tells us That being puff'd up with the good Succâ—ss of his Predecessours he grew intollerable to his Subjects for he had oppressed them by all manner of ways and wrested the Laws for his own Advantage insomuch that this Cumbran one of his noblest Earls at the Desire of the People represented their Grievances to this cruel King who because he perswaded him that he should govern them more gently and thereby become more beloved both by God and Man he presently commanded him to be slain and so daily increased in his Tyranny till in the beginning of his Second Year the Great Men and People of the whole Kingdom being gathered together by the Provident Deliberation and Unanimous Consent of them All he was expell'd the Kingdom and Cinewulf a notable young Man of the Blood Royal was Elected King in his room This is the first Example we have in our English History of the Solemn Deposition of a King by the Authority of the Great Council of the Kingdom concerning whom our Author bids us remark the manifold Justice and Providence of God how sometimes it doth not only recompence Kings according to their Merits in the World to come but also in this for oftentimes setting up Wicked Kings for the Deserved Punishment of their Subjects he lets some of them Tyrannize a great while that so a wicked People might be punished and the King becoming more wicked may be tormented for ever as may be seen in Aethelbald King of Mercia above-mentioned whilst God cuts others short by a speedy Destruction lest his People being oppress'd by too great Tyranny should not be able to subsist under it so that the immoderate Wickedness of a Prince does often accelerate his Punishment The same Year according to Caradoc's Chronicle published by Dr. Powel Conan Tindaethwy Son of Rodri Molwynoc began his Reign over the Britains in Wales This Year also according to the Saxon Annals Aethelbald King of the Mercians was slain at Seccandune now Secington in Warwickshire after he had reigned 41 Years and then Beornred usurped the Kingdom and held it but a little while and that with great Trouble for the same year King Offa expelled Beornred and taking Possession of the Throne held it 39 Years but his Son Egberth no more than 140 Days This Offa was the Son of Thincerth and he the Son of Eanwulf The rest of his Pedigree as far as Woden I omit Abbot Bromton's Chronicle farther adds concerning the Death of King Ethelbald That he was slain in a Fight at the Place above-mention'd yet was it not by the Enemy but by the Treachery of this Beornred Ingulph in his History of Croyland tells us That King Ethelbald having founded the Abby of Ripendune now Repton in Derbyshire being the most famous of that Age was there buried and also of this Beornred whom he calls a Tyrant that he did not long enjoy his Usurpation for it seems he was not of the Blood Royal of the Mercian Kings but when he was Expelled Offa succeeded him by the General Consent of the Nobles of Mercia but Mat. Westminster who puts the Succession of King Offa two Years later is more particular in this Transaction and relates That this Beornred governing very Tyrannically the whole Nation of the Mercians rose up against him so that both the Nobility and Commons joyning together under the Conduct of Offa a valiant young Man Nephew to the late King Aethelbald they expelled Beornred the Kingdom and then Offa by the General Consent of the Clergy and Laity of that Kingdom was crowned King This was that King Offa who afterwards became a Terrour to all the Kings of England Eadbert King of Northumberland and Unust King of the Picts brought an Army against the City Alkuith which the Britains delivered upon Conditions This is from the Authority of Simeon of Durham and lets us see that this City now in Scotland was then in the Hands
leaving Hreoptun became divided into two and Halfden their Commander marched with one part of it into the Kingdom of Northumberland and there took up his Winter-Quarters near the River Tine where they conquered the whole Country and also spoiled the Country between the Picts and the Straecled Welsh-men who then inhabited part of Galloway in Scotland whilst another part of them under the Command of Godrun Oskytel and Amwynd three of their Kings marched to Grantbridge and there Wintered And the same Summer King Aelfred fought at Sea against seven of their Ships and took one of them the rest escaping This Year as Asser and the Saxon Annals relate Rollo the Dan◠or Norman wasted Neustria afterwards called Normandy and in some time after made an entire Conquest of it Asser also says that this Rollo having had a Dream of a Swarm of Bees flying towards the South he chose to leave England and go over into France though as other Authours affirm it was because he was so warmly received by King Alfred that he did not like to stay here but rather chose to pass into another Country of easier Conquest as Normandy indeed proved for he reigned there fifty Years The same Year according to the Chronicle of Mailrosse and Simeon of Durham Ricsig King of Northumberland dying another Egbert succeeded him but we have no account of his Actions more than that he reigned beyond Tyne as a Tributary to the Danes who possessed all the rest of the Country as you will find by the Saxon Annals The same Year accordingly the Danes stealing away by Night from Grantbridge where they had long encamped marched to Werham now Warham in Dorsetshire being then a strong Castle of the West-Saxons this place they took and destroyed together with the Nunnery there then passing higher as into a secure Harbour they drew up all their Ships so that now King Alfred was reduced to such great streights that he was forced to make Peace with him and they gave the King for Pledges some of the Noblest Persons in their Army and took an Oath upon a sacred Bracelet they had which Oath they would never take to any Nation before that they would presently depart the Kingdom but in the mean while that part of the Army which had Horses stole away to Exanceaster now Exeter whereupon the King put all their Hostages to Death The same Year in the Month of August Healfden the Danish King divided the Kingdom of the Northumbers among his People who now settling there ploughed and sowed from whence the Danes date their Reign over that Kingdom But the Year following The Danes having left Werham and come to Exeter as you have already heard their Fleet in the mean time fetching a compass sailing towards the West I suppose to Exmouth there arose so violent a Storm as that 120 of their Ships were cast away near Swandwic now Swanwick in Hampshire then King Aelfred followed that part of the Army as far as Exeter thô he could not overtake them till they had got into the Castle which proved so strong that no body could come at them but he streightning them there they gave him what Hostages he required and took fresh Oaths and for a small time observed the league they had made yet nevertheless in the Month of August following the same Danish Army marched into the Province of the Mercians where dividing part of it between themselves they left the rest to Ceolwulf above mentioned About this time also according to Caradoc's Chronicle the English having entred Wales the Year before fought a Bloody Battel with the Welshmen though this Authour neither tells who were the Commanders nor who had the Victory and the Year following there was another Battel between them wherein Rodorick Sirnamed The Great King or Prince of Wales and Guyriad his Brother or as some say his Son were slain This Rodorick had by his Wife Engharaud the Daughter of Prince Meyric several Sons as Anarawd his Eldest to whom he gave Aberffraw with North Wales Cadelh the second to whom he left Dynevowr with south-South-Wales who also took by force Marthraval and Powysland after the Death of Mervyn the third Son to whom their Father Rodorick had given the same To which Dr. Powel likewise adds That this Rodorick is esteemed by all Writers to be sole King of all Wales North-Wales descending to him from his Mother Esylcht the Daughter and sole Heir of Conan Tindaethwy but South-Wales he had in Right of his Wife the Daughter and Heir of Meyric ap Dyfnwal King of Cardigan Powis he had by Nest the Sister and Heir of Congen ap Cadhel King of Powis his Father's Mother These three Dominions he appointed under their Meeres and Bounds with a Princely House in each of them These he had named Ytair Talaeth and left them unto three of his Sons Anarawd Cadhel and Mervyn who were called Ytrit Twysoc Talaethioc that is the three Crown'd Princes because each of them did wear upon his Bonnet or Helmet a Coronet of Gold being a broad Lace or Head-band indented upwards set and wrought with precious Stones which in the British or Welsh Speech is called Talaeth and to which Mr. Vaughan in his Additional Notes to Caradoc's History hath added out of an ancient Welsh Manuscript That this Rodorick is said to have corrected some of the old British Laws and to have appointed new ones He also ordained that his Eldest Son should have the Crown or Coronet of Aberffraw with the Fifteen Cantreds thereunto belonging This Aberffraw is now a small Village in the Isle of Anglesey and was anciently the chief Seat of the Princes of Guyneth or north-North-Wales He left to his second the Crown or Coronet of Dinevowr or Cardigan with its fifteen Cantreds extending from the Mouth of the River Devi to the Mouth of Severne and also that his Son should have the Crown or Coronet of Mathraval with the Fifteen Cantreds of Powis from the mouth of the River Dee to the bridge over Severne at Gloucester He ordained also That his Eldest Son and his successours should continue the payment of the ancient tribute to the King of London i. e. King of England and that the other two their Heirs and Successours should acknowledge his Sovereignty and pay the like tribute to him and his Successours and that upon the Invasions of Strangers they should all send him aid and be also ready to protect them when there should be need Moreover he ordained That when any difference should arise between the Princes of Aberffraw and Cardigan the Three Princes should meet at Bwlchy Pawl and after hearing of Council on both sides the Prince of Powis should be Umpire between them And if the difference were between the Kings of Aberffraw and Powis that they should likewise all Three meet at Dolhrianedd perchance Morvarhianed on the Bank of the River Dee where the King of Cardigan was to end the Controversie And if
there should be any difference between the Kings of Powis and Cardigan the meeting should be at Llyswen upon the River Wy and the King of Aberffraw to decide it This thô it seems to have been as wise a course as could be taken to maintain amity in a divided Kingdom yet did prove of no effect for it seems the Princes of these Countries did not long observe this Constitution of their Ancestour King Rodoric but perpetually weakned each other with Civil Wars so that the English taking advantage of their mutual divisions by assisting the weaker Prince against the stronger they at last by degrees reduced them all under the English Dominion as shall be further shewn in its proper place About this time Anarawd the Eldest Son of Rodorick above mentioned began his Reign over north-North-Wales This Year according to Asser the Danes stealing away privately after the Feast of Epiphany to Cypenham and having now got Horses marched through all the Country of the West-Saxons and there began to fix their Quarters forcing many of the Inhabitants beyond Sea and subjecting the rest of their Dominion in so much that King Alfred was forced with a few of his Nobles and with some Souldiers and Vassals to lurk among the Woody and Boggy parts of Somerset-shire where he led a very uneasie Life in great Trouble and Scarcity having no Provisions but what he could take away by frequent incursions from the Enemies or else those Christians who had submitted themselves to their Dominion and it is found in the Life of St. Neot as he lay hid with a certain Cow-herd it happened one day that as his Wife was making of Cakes the King sate by the Fire fitting up his Bow and Arrows and other Weapons but when the Woman saw the Cakes which lay before the fire begin to burn she presently ran and removed them and chiding the King whom she did not know said thus Doest thou Fellow think much to turn these Cakes which thou can'st eat fast enough when they are baked At which the King laughing took all in good part but be the Story true or false this much is certain that the King lay at this time so private that neither his Friends nor Enemies could tell where he was in so much that all this while the Royal Patrimony became a prey as well to the revolting English as to the Danes themselves But the Monkish writers of these times according to their usual Custom of interpreting all misfortunes to be God's Judgments will needs have this to be a judgment upon this King because that in the beginning of his Reign being taken up with the desire of Learning or else diverted by Hunting and other Juvenile Pleasures he had too much neglected the public affairs and that being admonished by St. Neot and refusing to amend the Holy Man foretold there would be a time when he should be driven from his Kingdom and from his own House But be this as it will whilest King Alfred was thus over-powered by the great multitude of Danes that daily entred the Kingdom he was forced to retreat yet even then being followed by a small band of Stout and Loyal Souldiers he often set upon the Enemies by surprize and with so good success that he let them see though he was overcome by numbers yet he was not vanquished since he remained formidable even in his flight but to this Retreat the then Woody and Bogy parts of Somersetshire between the Rivers Thone and Parret chiefly contributed which were then almost an Island and not to be enter'd without a Boat unless by one narrow way as Leland in his Itinerary hath rightly observed but Will of Malmesbury tells us That it is to no purpose to relate all the little Skirmishes and Adventures of this King during his Retreat only one passage will not be unpleasant whether it be true or false it happen'd one Day that whil'st King Alfred lay pivate in a little Castle or Fort in the Wood Athelney it being Winter time and the Waters frozen up he sent out his followers to seek for some Fish or Fowle whereby they might sustain Nature so that none were left at home but himself and his Mother for it seems the Queen his Wife was either dead or else lay concealed some where else but the King having to pass away the time taken up a Book and began to read as his custom was when he had nothing else to do a certain poor Man knocked at the door and begged an Alms whereupon the King calling to his Mother desired her to see if there was any thing for him to eat but she told him that there was no more than one Loaf left and this would not be enough for the whole Company when they returned home the King hearing this said no more but let God be blessed for all his gifts then praying his Mother to bestow half of it upon this poor Christian further added that he who had fed 5000 Men with Five Loaves and Two small Fishes could also if he pleased make half a Loaf suffice their necessities whereupon his Mother complying with his desire and the poor Man having got more than he looked for went his way but the King having read till he was tired happened to fall asleep and dreamt that he saw St. Cuthbert formerly Bishop of Lindisfarne coming to him and telling him that he was sent from God to let him know that he was now resolved to put an end to the long and grievous punishments which the English had hitherto suffered for their Sins and that the Alms which he had just now bestowed was so acceptable in his sight that he would restore him to his Kingdom and said as a sign of this his Servants who were then gone out a Fishing thô with very small hopes of catching any thing should return home so loaded that he should look upon it with wonder but that which is more strange his Mother fell also a sleep and dreamed the like Dream at the same time as she told the King her Son when he awaked her but whilest they with great astonishment discoursed of this Miracle his followers returned home bringing Fish enough with them to have served a little Army if there had been occasion But be this Story true or false it is certain that not long after the King received news that Hinguar and Hubba returning out of Wales where having made a great slaughter of the Britains they had past the Winter and being lately landed in Devon-shire with Twenty three Ships there met with some of the King's party by whom their Captain with 1200 Souldiers were slain near the Castle of Kenwith the manner of which was thus Odun Earl of Devon-shire with many others of the King's Subjects upon the arrival of Hubba had fled hither for refuge but when the Danes knew the Castle was but weakly fortified and they within were not provided of things necessary for a Siege they then
Bishop of Shireborne This Year Elfred who was Gerefe of Bathe died and about the same time there was a Peace made between King Edward and those of East-England and Northumberland That is as Florence interprets it with the Danish Army inhabiting those Provinces at Ityngaford but where the place was is now unknown to us unless it be Ilford near Christ-Church in Hampshire which is seated in the new Forest called Itene in English-Saxon This Year also Ligceaster now Leicester was repaired And Florence of Worcester likewise relates it to have been done in the Year 908. by the care of Ethelred Duke of Mercia and the Lady Elfleda his Wife and this Author does also inform us That this Year the King subdued Eastseax East-England and Northumberland with many other Provinces which the Danes had a long time been possessed of but East-England was not reduced till some Years after also that he conquered the borders of the Scots Cumbrians and Galloway Men with the Western Britains and forced their Kings to yield themselves to him and then he returned home with great Glory and Honour This Year also Cadelh Prince of South Wales died he was second Son to Roderic the Great and Father to Howel Dha i. e. the Good who succeeded him in that Dominion Some of the South Wales Antiquaries have endeavoured to prove this Cadelh to have been the eldest Son of Roderic the Great but Mr. Vaughan hath so Learnedly confuted this Mistake in a small Treatise which he published on that Subject at Oxford 1663 that I think no Man can have any Reason to be dissatisfied with it This Year according to Florence of Worcester the ancient City of Caerlegion that is in the English Legeceaster and now Westchester was by the Command of Earl Ethered and Ethelflede his Wife repaired Which thô Mr. Camden in his Britannia will needs have to be Leicester yet that it was not so may appear from the British Name of Caerlegion which was never given to Leicester but only to Westchester by the ancient British Inhabitants ' This Year deceased Denulph who was Bishop of Winchester This is he of whom our Historians tell us That the King lighting on him as he lay concealed at Athelney being then but a Swineheard and finding him a Man of excellent Natural Parts set him to School to learn and he became so good a Proficient in Letters that he was made first a Doctor and afterwards a Bishop This Year also the Body of St. Oswald was translated from Bardenigge that is Bardeney in Lincolnshire into Mercia Frithâ—stan now took the Bishoprick of Winchester and Bishop Asser also deceased soon after who was Bishop of Shireburne Also the same Year King Edward sent an Army of the West Saxons together with the Mercians who very much wasted Northumberland and staying there five Weeks destroyed many of the Danes Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham give us a very good Reason for this Action viz. That the Danes had now broken the League they had entred into with King Edward so that he never lest them till he had forced their Kings and Commanders again to renew the Peace which however it seems they kept not long For the next Year our Annals tell us That the Danish Army in Northumberland not regarding the Peace which King Edward and his Son had made with them again wasted the Province of the Mercians but the King being then in Kent had got together about 100 Ships which sailed toward the South-East to meet them and then the Danes supposing that the greatest part of the King's Forces were in his Fleet thought they might march safely whither they would without fighting but so soon as the King understood they were gone out to plunder he sent an Army consisting of West Saxons and Mercians who following the Danes in the Rear as they returned home met with them in a place called Wodnesfield and fought with them routing and killing many Thousands of them with Eowils and Healfden their Kings with several Earls and Chief Commanders of their Army whose Names I forbear to give because I would tire my Reader as little as I could But to these Kings as the Annals of Winchelcombâ— inform us one Reginald succeeded Also the same Year as Florence hath it there was a remarkable Battle between the English and the Danes in Staffordshire but the former obtained the Victory This Year Aethered the Ealdorman of the Mercians deceased and the King then took the Cities of London and Oxenford into his own hands with all the Territories belonging to them But it seems the Lady Elflede now a Widow kept all the rest of Mercia for this Year the Annals say That she being Lady of the Mercians came on the Vigil of the Feast of Holyrood to a place called Sceargeat which is now unknown and there built a Castle and the same Year did the like at Bricge which Mr. Camden supposes to be Bridgenorth in Shropshire that Town being called Brigge by the common People at this day And Florence also adds That about this time she built the Town of Bremesbyrig Now about the Feast of St. Martin King Edward Commanded the Town of Heortford to be new built lying between the Rivers Memar Benefican and Lygean the first and second of which Rivers is now hard to name right only it is certain they were two Rivulets that discharged themselves into the River Lee then called Lygean between Hartford and Ware After this the Summer following between Lent and Midsummer the King marched with part of his Forces into East-Seax as far as Maeldune now Maldon and there encamped whilst a Town could be built and fortified at Witham near adjoyning and then a great part of the People who had before been under the Danish Dominion became subject to him In the mean time whilst part of his Forces built the Town of Heortford on the South side of Lee the Lady Aethelfleda marched with all the Mercians to Tamaweorthige now Tamworth in Staffordshire and there built a Castle and before the Feast of All-Saints did the like at Staeford and the Year following she built another at Eadesbyrig supposed by Mr. Camden to be Edesbury in Cheshire and also the same Year about the end of Autumn she built another at Weringwic now Warwick and the Year following that another at Cyricbyrig now Cherbury in Shropshire and another at Wearbyrig supposed by Mr. Camden to be Wedesbury in Staffordshire and before Christmas another at Run-Cafan that is Runckhorne in Cheshire But Florence places these Actions more rightly three Years after All which Castles being built in the space of the two following Years must be supposed to have been done not casually but as the exigence of Affairs required to secure the Mercian Frontiers against the Danish as well as the Welsh Incursions But it is now time to cast our Eyes a little on the Affairs of that part of
year according to Florence King Athelstan founded the Abby of Middleton in Dorsetshire to expiate the Death of his Brother Prince Edwin whom through false suggestions he had destroy'd as you have already heard About this time also according to the Welsh Chronicle Howel Dha Prince of south-South-Wales and Powis after the death of Edwal Voel his Cousin Prince of north-North-Wales took upon him the Government of all Wales the Sons of Edwal being then in Minority This Howel made that Excellent Body of Laws that go under his Name and which you may find in Sir H. Spelman's first Volume of Councils This Prince for his Discreet and Just Government not only made himself highly beloved but also rendred his Memory very glorious to After-Ages But it seems King Athelstan did not long survive this Victory for as our Annals relate he deceased this year on the 6 th Kal. Novemb. just Forty years after the death of King Alfred his Grandfather having reigned Fourteen Years and Ten Months But there is certainly an Error in this Account for either this King must have reigned a year less or else the King his Father must have died a year sooner than our Annals allow him and perhaps with greater Certainty for Florence of Worcester places his Death in Anno Dom. 924. Nor can we before we finish this King's Life omit taking notice That Bromton's Chronicle and other Modern Writers do place the long Story of the Danes invading England in this King's Reign and that one Guy Earl of Warwick returning home by chance from the Holy Land in the Habit of a Pilgrim just when King Athelstan was in great distress for a Champion to fight with one Colebrand a monstrous Danish Gyant whom the King of the Danes had set up to fight with any Champion the English King should bring into the field that Earl Guy accepted this Challenge and without being known to any man but the King fought the Gyant near Winchester and killing him the Danes yielded the Victory whilst Earl Guy privately retired to a Hermitage near Warwick and there living a Hermit's life ended his days But though John Rouse in his Manuscript Treatise de Regibus Anglorum places this Action under Anno 926 as soon as ever King Athelstan came to the Crown and that Tho. Rudburne in his History of Winchester says That this Gyant 's Sword being kept in the Treasury of the Abby of Winchester was shewn in his time yet since neither the Saxon Annals nor any other Ancient Historian mention any Invasion of the Danes in this King's Reign nor any thing of such a Combat it ought to be looked upon as a Monkish Tale only fit for Ballads and Children But since the Monks are very profuse in the Praises of this Prince I will give you William of Malmesbury's Character of him That as for his Person he did not exceed the ordinary Stature being of a slender Body his Hair as he had seen by his Reliques was Yellow that as for his Natural Temper and Disposition he was always kind to God's Servants i. e. the Monks for there was scarce a Monastery in England but what had been adorned by him with Buildings Books or Reliques And though he was grave and serious amongst his Nobles yet was he affable to the Inferior sort often laying aside the Majesty of a King to converse the more freely with ordinary men This made him as much admired by his Subjects for his Humility as he was fear'd by his Enemies and Rebels for his Invincible Courage and Constancy An Eminent Instance of this was in that he compell'd the Kings of North-Wales for some time standing out to meet him at Hereford and submit themselves to him I wish our Author had told us the Year when it was done since our Annals have wholly omitted it for tho Ran. Higden in his Polychronicon has put it under Anno 937 and also relates from Alfred of Beverly that this King restored both Constantine King of Scots and Hoel King of the Britains to their Kingdoms saying It was more glorious to make a King than to be one yet I do not see any Authority for it But this is agreed upon by all That Athelstan did about that time enter Wales with a powerful Army and effected what no King had ever presumed to think of before for he imposed a Yearly Tribute upon those Kings of Twenty Pounds in Gold and Three hundred Pounds in Silver and Twenty five thousand Head of Cattel Yet the Laws of Howel Dha appointed the King of Aberfraw to pay yearly to the King of London no more than Sixty six Pounds for a Tribute besides Hawks and Hounds John of Wallingford makes this King the first who reduced all England into one Monarchy by his Conquest of Northumberland Cumberland and Wales yet that he was in his own nature a Lover of Peace and whatever he had heard from his Grandfather or observed in his Father he put in practice being Just in his Judgments and by a happy conjunction of many Virtues so beloved by all men that to this day Fame which is wont to be too severe to the Faults of Great Men can relate nothing to his prejudice William of Malmesbury also gives us a short Account of his Life and Actions from his very Childhood wherein he tells us That this Prince when he was but a Youth was highly beloved by his Grandfather King Alfred insomuch that he made him a Knight girding him with a Belt set with Precious Stones and whereat hung a Golden-hilted Sword in a Rich Scabbard after which he was sent to be bred under his Uncle Ethelred Earl of Mercia to learn all those Warlike Exercises that were befitting a Young Prince Nor does he only relate him to have been Valiant but also competently Learned as he had been informed from a certain old Author he had seen who compared him to Tully for Eloquence though as he rightly observes the Custom of that Age might very well dispense with that Talent and perhaps a too great Affection to King Athelstan then living might excuse this Author 's over-large Commendations But this must be acknowledged that all Europe then spoke highly in his Praise and extoll'd his Valour to the Skies Neighbouring Kings thinking themselves happy if they could purchase his Friendship either by his Alliance or their Presents Harold King of Norway sent him a Ship whose Stern was Gilded and its Sails Purple and the Ambassadors by whom he sent it being Royally received in the City of York were rewarded with Noble Presents Hugh King of the French sent Anwulf Son of Baldwin Earl of Flanders Grandson to King Edward by Aethelswine his Daughter as his Ambassador to demand his Sister in Marriage who when in a Great Assembly of the Nobility at Abingdon he had declared the Desires of this Royal Woer besides Noble Presents of Spices and Precious Stones especially Emeralds such as had never been seen in England before
Edmund But it seems R. Hoveden and Mat. Westminster make this latter Anlaf a quite different person from the former who is supposed to have reigned in Ireland whereas this was the Son of Sihtric late King of Northumberland and whom we shall meet with again more than once in the following History But John of Walingford's Chronicle makes this King whom he calls Olaf a Norwegian whom the Northumbers had called in and bestowed upon him the Title of King and under him rebelled against K. Edmund As for this Reginald her mentioned in our Annals I suppose he is the same whom H. Huntington calls King of York because he had conquered the Countrey But tho the History of these Transactions are very short and obscure yet that which has been already related from these Authors will serve to explain what would have been otherwise in the dark viz. how the Cities and Towns above-mentioned now came to be recovered from the Danes as having been taken by their King Anlaf aforesaid This year Queen Aelgiva was brought to Bed of Prince Edgar afterwards King as Florence relates Yet she lived not long after but died the year following according to Ethelward's Chronicle King Edmund reduced all the Countrey of Northumberland under his own Dominion expelling thence the two Kings Anlaf the Son of Sihtric and Reginald the Son of Guthferth But Ethelwerd relates this action to have been done by this King's Lieutenants viz. Bishop Wulstan and the Ealdorman of Mercia whose Name he does not give us only that these two expelled certain Deserters viz. Reginald and Anlaf out of the City of York and reduced it wholly under this King's Power John of Wallingford also makes this Anlaf to be the King's Nephew and different from Anlaf the Norwegian King Eadmund subdued the whole Countrey of Cumberland and gave it to Malcolme King of Scots upon condition that he should assist him in his Wars both by Sea and Land For the Reader is to observe that hitherto the Britains though much disturbed by their Neighbours the Picts Scots and English had ever since the coming in of the Saxons still there continued a distinct Principality and after several of them had been wearied out they retired into North Wales and there erected the Colony of Straetcluyd as we formerly said though the History and Succession of these Kings are wholly lost unless it be such scattered Remains as we have given you in the former Book But Mat. Westminster though under the next year adds that which is very unlikely to be true that King Edmund conquered this Countrey by the Assistance of Lewellyn Prince of Wales and put out the Eyes of the two Sons of Dunmaile King of that Province though what he adds further appears somewhat more probable That he granted it to the King of Scots upon this condition viz. To defend the North-parts of England from the Invasion of Enemies both by Sea and Land To which Bromton's Chronicle adds likewise That he was also to attend the King of England at several Great Feasts in the year when he held his Common Council and that the King of Scots had for that end several Houses assigned him to lye at by the way Also this year Mat. Westminster relates that King Edmund gave one of his Royal Towns then called Beadricesworth with divers other Lands to build a Church and Monastery in Memory of St. Edmund the Martyr whose Body was there enshrin'd This year likewise as Florence relates King Edmund sent Ambassadors to Prince Hugh of France for the Restitution of King Lewis whereupon the said Prince held a Solemn Council with all the Chief Men of the Kingdom concerning it But not long after King Edmund deceased at the Feast of St. Augustin having held the Kingdom Six Years and an half But the Laudean or Peterburgh Copy of these Annals as also Ethelwerd's Chronicle place the Death of this King Anno Dom. 948 which without doubt is the truest Account So that he died in the very Flower of his Age being not yet Five and twenty years old But we shall give you the manner of his Death from William of Malmesbury as well as from other Authors since he met with such an End the like to which I have not read of any other Prince taking all the Circumstances together And thus we find it He having made a Great Entertainment at a place called Pucklekirk upon the Holiday of St. Augustin Archbishop of Canterbury for all his Nobility and Chief Men and there spying towards the end of Dinner a certain Notorious Thief called Leof sitting at the Table whom he had before banished commanded Leon his Sewer to lay hold on him But the Thief not only resisted him but was also like to have killed the Sewer Whereupon the King leaping from the Table and going to rescue him out of the Villain 's hands and having now laid hold on him and thrown him on the ground he twisted his hands in his hair upon which the Thief pulling out a Dagger stabbed the King who lay upon him into the Breast so that he immediately expired but the King's Servants presently coming in soon cut the Villain to pieces though some of them were first wounded by him The King's Body was thereupon carried to Glastenbury and there buried and the Town wherein he was killed was bestowed on the same Monastery to sing Masses for his Soul To this Place the Prince as well as his Brother was a great Benefactor as appears by his recited Charter in William of Malmesbury whereby he confers divers large Privileges upon that Abby of which St. Dunstan was then the Abbot And it is also to be observed that He there stiles himself in the beginning of his Charter Edmund King of the English and Governor and Ruler of the other Nations round about and says That with the Advice and by the Consent of his Chief Men and for the Remission of his Sins He made that Grant to the Church of St. Mary at Glastenbury This Charter bore date Anno 944. in Letters of Gold and was written at the end of a Book of Gospels which he had given to the same Church most curiously bound So that it is no wonder if he had the good words of the Monks though he might also very well deserve them yet this last Action speaks him to have been extremely transported with Passion thus to debase the Majesty of a King in going about to seize a common Malefactor with his own hands and indeed he paid too dear for thus acting below his Character This King made divers good Laws which since the Title does not recite in what year they were made I have referred to this place some of which I shall here give you translated from the Latin Copies in Abbot Bromton's Chronicle as well as from Mr. Lambard's Collection In the Preface of which we are told That at the solemn Feast of Easter the King had held a Great
these Princes that here met him from William of Malmesbury Florence of Worcester and other Authors who increase their Number to Eight Thousand which being so glorious for our Nation I shall here set down at large This King was the first who was truly Lord of our Seas for every Summer saith William of Malmesbury immediately after Easter commanding his Ships from every Shore to be brought into one collected Body he sailed usually with the Eastern Fleet to the Western part of the Island and then sending it back sailed with the Western Fleet unto the Northern and thence with the Northern he returned to the Eastern Coasts sailing in this manner quite round the Island being exceeding diligent to prevent the Incursions of Pyrates and couragious in the defence of his Kingdom against Foreigners and diligent in the training up of himself and his People for Military Employments Each of these Fleets as we are told consisted of One thousand and two hundred Ships and these also very stout ones for those times So that the number of all must have amounted to Three thousand and six hundred Sail as some of our Author expresly relate but others Four thousand Vessels and there are some also that add to these Three a Fourth Fleet by which means the Number will be increased to Four thousand and eight hundred Sail as may be seen in Mathew Westminster To sustain which Charge besides the private Contributions of his Subjects he had also in the latter end of his Reign Six Petty Kings under him who were bound by Oath to be ready at his Command to serve him both by Sea and Land which Oath they took at Chester as the Annals relate where he had given them order to meet him as he sailed about the North of Britain with a great Navy Their Names are Kened or Kineth King of the Scots Malcolm King of Cumberland who at this time it seems were so called though as we said the Cumbrians had now thrown off that Title and taken that of Earls Maccuse Lord of the Isles with five Princes of Wales the Names of whom were Dusnal Griffyth Huuald Jacob and Judethil who all meeting him at his Court at Chester to set forth the Splendor and Greatness of his Dominion one day he went into a Galley and caused himself to be rowed by these Petty Princes he himself holding the Stern and steering the Vessel along the River Dee was waited on by all his Nobles in another Barge so he sailed to the Monastery of St. John Baptist where an Oration being made to him in the same State and Pomp he retutned to his Palace Where when he arrived he is said to have told his Nobles about him That then his Successors might boast themselves to be truly Kings of England when they should be like him attended by so many Princes his Vassals as Florence of Worcester and William of Malmesbury relate it As for these Petty Kings above-mentioned Maccuse by the said Florence Matthew of Westminster and R. Hoveden is called a King of Man and many other Islands but William of Malmesbury stiles him an Arch-pirate by which word a Robber is not to be understood but as Asser and others of that Age use that Appellation one skilled in Sea Affairs or a Seaman so called from Pira which in the Attique Tongue signifies a Craft or Art but afterward it came to be applicable only to such as without any Right infested the Seas Another of the Kings and that of Wales was Huual or Hewal who tho he be not placed the first in order yet if we follow the account of some Authors must have been the chief of them all the Prince to whom all the rest performed Obedience The Book of Landaff bids us take notice that at the same time with Edgar lived Howel Dha and Morgan Heu which two yet were the Subjects of King Edgar But in this either that Author or the Chronicle of Caradoc must be mistaken who places the Death of Howel Dha under the year 948 And therefore it is more likely that the Howel here mentioned was not Howel Dha but Howel the Son of Jevaf who had the year before expell'd his Uncle and taken upon himself the Principality of Wales notwithstanding his Father was then alive But as for all the rest of these Welsh Princes I do not know how to make them out from their Chronicles which give no account of this Action only I take Dufnal to be the Son of Howel Dha and as Matthew of Westminster says was then Prince of south-South-Wales As for Jacob and Judethel I suppose they must have been the same with Jevaf and Jago as they are called in the Welsh Chronicles But as for this Prince Gryffith I can find none such among any of the Welsh Princes ruling at that time But to return to our Annals This year Eadgar King of the English changed this frail Life for another more Glorious on the 18 th day of July But his Body was buried with great Solemnity at the Abby of Glastenbury to which he himself had been a great Benefactor as appears by his Charter recited at large by William of Malmesbury in his Treatise of the Antiquity of that Monastery in which Charter he also stiles himself Totius Britanniae Basileus i. e. King of all Britain But since our Historians are so very large and full in their Commendations of his Prince as that he was most Religious Valiant and Wise and exceeded all his Predecessors except King Alfred and King Athelstan it will not I hope be amiss to shew you how partial these Monks were to the Memory of this Prince who though they will needs have to be a Saint because the either built or repaired so many Monasteries yet was certainly if the same Monkish Writers are to be believed guilty of as great Excesses of Lust and Cruelty as any of his Predecessors for William of Malmesbury tells us that Ordgar Duke of Devonshire had a Daughter named Elfreda fam'd for an extraordinary Beauty which caus'd the King to have great Inclinations for her upon the bare Report made of her to him but to be more certain he sent a Knight called Athelwold his Confident to see her resolving to marry her if she were found to be handsome as she was reported Athelwold made haste and got a sight of her wherewith he was so smitten that he concealed the Errand on which he came and resolved to obtain her for himself which being easily done he lessened her to the King as a Woman but very ordinary and of so small a Stature as would misbecome his Royal Bed so that he married her with the King's consent whose Thoughts were now diverted to other Objects But at last the Earl's Enemies discovered the Intrigue and told the King how he had deceived him and whom the more to enrage they omitted no words whereby to set out and enhance the extraordinary Beauty of the Lady Upon which
brought Anlaf with great Honour to the King to Andefer that is Andover in Hampshire then King Aethelred received him at his Confirmation from the Bishop's hand whereupon Anlaf promised him which he also performed that he would never again infest the English Nation And as Florence farther adds he now returned into his own Countrey So it seems the Kingdom was rid of Anlaf but what became of Sweyen or Sweyn the Annals do not tell us for we hear no more of him till Anno 1004 as you will find by and by So that whether he went away with Anlaf or commanded those who infested the Kingdom the next year is uncertain But perhaps we may to this time refer that which Adam of Bremen relates of this King Sweyn who having made War upon his Father Harwold the Great whom he outed of his Kingdom and Life together was afterwards himself overcome and expelled his Kingdom by Aerick King of Sweden thus justly rewarded for his horrid Crimes he wander'd up and down without relief Thrucco the Son of Haco then Prince of the Normans rejected him as a Pagan and Ethelred the Son of Edgar he calls him Adalred remembring what mischiefs the Danes had brought on England with scorn repell'd him So that at length he was entertained by the King of the Scots who taking compassion on him gave him free Quarter for Fourteen years together But so enraged was he at the repulse given him by the King of England that ever after he studied all he could how to plague and afflict that Countrey one while by his own particular Forces and another by the assistance of others How true this Story is we cannot affirm the Affairs of the Northern Nations as to those Times being involved in so great an obscurity However we thought it not amiss to give it you as suiting with the Fortunes and Inclinations of this man which proved so great a Plague to this our Countrey that he seems to have been acted by some extraordinary Passion whether of Ambition or Revenge or both together But to return to our Annals This year also Richard the Elder Duke of Normandy died and Richard his Son succeeded him and reigned One and thirty years ' This year appeared a Comet Also the same year as Simeon of Durham relates Aldune Bishop of Lindisfarne removed the Body of St. Cuthbert which had for above an Hundred years remained at Cunecaeaster that is Chester in the Bishoprick of Durham to the place where the City of Durham was afterwards built it being then altogether uninhabited Here Bishop Aldune built a small Church of Stone dedicating it to St. Cuthbert and a Town being here shortly after built it was called Durham ' The Kingdom had rest this year as also the next but The Danes sail'd round about Devonshire to the mouth of the River Severne and there took much Plunder as well among the North Welsh as in Cornwall and Devonshire Yet here it seems that North-Wales was mis-put in these Annals instead of the South for no part of the Severn Sea borders upon North-Wales But after this the Danes going up as far as Wecedport or Watchet they did much hurt both by burning the Houses and killing the Inhabitants whereever they came After this they sail'd round Penwithsteort i. e. the Point called the Land's-End toward the South Coast and sailing up the River Thames went with their Ships as far as Hildaford now Lideford burning and killing whatever they met as they passed along They also burnt the Monastery of Ordulph which had been lately built by him at Aetesingstoce now Tavistock in Devonshire and carried a very great deal of Plunder along with them to their Ships This year also Aelfric the Archbishop went to Rome to obtain his Pall. Then the Danes turned toward the East up the mouth of the River Frome and there marched as far as they would into Dorseta i. e. Dorsetshire where an Army got together against them but as often as the English fought with them so often were they by some misfortune or other put to flight so that the Danes still obtain'd the Victory After this they quarter'd in the Isle of Wight but fetch'd their Provisions from Hamptunseire and Southseax Also this year according to Caradoc's Chronicle the Danes landing again in South-Wales destroyed St. Davids and slew Vrgeney Bishop of that See And now Meredyth ap Owen Prince of north-North-Wales deceased leaving one only Daughter who was married to Lewelyn ap Sitsylt afterward in her Right Prince of north-North-Wales But after the death of this Prince Owen Edwin his Nephew above-mentioned as the Manuscript Chronicle relates possessed himself of south-South-Wales and reigned there some years This year the Danes sail'd up the River Thames and from thence went into the Medway to Rofceaster where the Kentish Forces met them and there was a very sharp Dispute but alas they presently gave place to their Enemies and fled because they had not assistance enough so that the Danes kept the field and then getting Horses rode whereever they pleased spoiling and laying waste all the Western part of Kent Then it was ordained by the King and his Wise Men that an Army should be forthwith raised against them both by Sea and Land but when the Ships were ready they delayed the time from day to day oppressing the poor people that served on board and if at any time the Fleet was ready to sail it was still put off from one time to another so that they suffered the Enemies Forces to increase and when the Danes retired from the Sea-Coast then our Fleet was wont to go out so that at the last these Naval Forces served for no other end but to harass the People spend their Money and provoke the Enemy This year as Simeon of Durham relates Malcolm King of the Scots with a great Army wasted the Province of the Northumbers and besieged Durham At that time Waltheof Earl of the Northumbers being very old and unable to fight with the Enemies enclosed himself in Bebbanburgh whilst Vthred his Son a Valiant Young Man assembling an Army out of Northumberland and Yorkshire fought with the Scots and destroyed in a manner their whole Army insomuch that the King himself very hardly escaped After this he made choice of a certain number of slain Scotchmen's Heads the best adorn'd with Hair he could get and gave them to an Old Woman to wash allowing her for each Head a Cow for her pains these Heads when wash'd he set upon high Poles round about the Walls of Durham King Ethelred being informed of this Action sent for the Young Man and as a Reward for his Valour not only gave him his Father's Countrey but added to it that of Yorkshire Upon this Vthred returning home dismissed his Wife the Daughter of Aeldhure Bishop of Durham but because he cast her off contrary to his Promise he surrender'd up to her Six Mannors which the Bishop her Father
her upon the great fame of her Beauty and Virtue having seen her and presently falling in Love with her he there married her Florence and Mat. Westminster do also farther relate that not only these two Noblemen but also divers of the Nobility appeared there who though they were of Danish Blood yet stood firm to King Ethelred's Interest the chief of these were Sigefert and Morchar above-mentioned men of great Riches and Power in the Northern Parts and that perfidious Earl Edric who gaping after their Estates accused them secretly of Treason to King Ethelred by whose Order the Earl invited them all with great shew of kindness to a Feast where he caused them to be treacherously murther'd But their Dependants who went about to revenge their Lords death were repulsed and forced to fly into the Tower of St. Frideswide's Church in Oxford from whence when they could not easily be driven the Tower was set on fire and they consumed with it But presently after the King repenting of his Cruelty caused the Church to be cleansed and repaired This year also Lhewelyn ap Sitsylt who was married to Angharat only Daughter to Meredyth Prince of Wales as you have already heard raised great Forces against Aedan ap Blegored the usurping Prince of North Wales and fighting a bloody Battel with him there slew him with his four Sons but the place is not mentioned where this Fight was After which Lhewelyn took upon him the Principality of North Wales for one Kynan or Conan then held South-Wales but though this Lhewelyn was descended by his Mother's side from Howel Dha yet notwithstanding he was not the Lawful Heir of North-Wales but Jago Son to Prince Edwal above-mentioned who after the death of this Lhewelyn succeeded him as you will hear in due time After this about the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Edmund Aetheling marched toward the Five Burghs places in the North of England to us unknown and presently invading the Lands of the said Sigeferth and Morchar subdued all that Countrey About the same time King Cnute arrived at Sandwic and forthwith sail'd round about Kent to the West-Saxons till he came to the mouth of the River Frome and there landing plunder'd all about Wiltshire Dorsetscire and Sumersetscire At the same time King Ethelred lay sick at Cosham in Wiltshire and then Earl Eadric got together an Army and Edmund Aetheling another in the Northern parts but when they came near one another the Ealdorman lay in wait to entrap Prince Edward and cut him off but was not able to effect it for his Design was discovered whereupon they shiered off without fighting at all and by that means yielded the field to their Enemies Then Eadric having first gained over to him Forty of the King 's Royal Navy submitted to Cnute as did also the West-Saxons and gave him Hostages and provided Horses for his Army and there he stay'd among them till Christmass This year King Cnute came with his Fleet of a Hundred and sixty Sail and with him Eadric the Ealdorman over the Thames into Mercia as far as Crecilade on the North-side of Wiltshire and then towards Christmass they turned about to Waeringscire i. e. Warwickshire where they plunder'd without mercy burning Towns and killing all that came in their way Upon this Aedmund Aetheling began to raise an Army against them but when his Forces were got together they were but of little service to him because that neither the King was present there nor did the Citizens of London come up to his assistance so that Expedition was utterly lost and every man went home again about his own business But after the Holidays were over another Expedition was appointed under a great Penalty upon every one that should not appear at the Muster though he lived never so far off And a Messenger was sent to the King at London humbly beseeching him to come and meet the Prince's Army with all the Forces he could raise but it seems when they were all got together they signified no more than what they had often done formerly for it was told the King that some in the Army conspired against him whereupon he dismissed his Forces and so return'd to London So that whoever reads this History may perceive that this King through his own Cowardise or Ill Fortune was constantly attended with ill success where ever he went Then Prince Edmund rode down to the Northumbers to Earl Vhtred and all men thought they were about to raise another Army against King Cnute but they went into Staeford and Scrobbesbyrig and Legacesterscires plundering in all places where they came whilst Cnute did the like in his Quarters marching through Buckingahamshire and from thence into Bedafordshire and so through Huntingtonshire over the Fens to Stanford and from thence into Lincolnescire and afterwards into Nottinghamshire and so into Northumberland towards Eoforwic i.e. York which when Vhtred had heard he desisted from spoiling the Northern Parts and so being compell'd through necessity submitted himself together with all the Northumbers and tho he gave Hostages yet he was shortly after slain by King Cnute's Orders as was also Thurkytel the Son of Nafan as Florence relates by Thorebrand a certain Noble Dane but according to Malmesbury it was done at the Command of Cnute himself After this Cnute appointed Yric to be Earl of the Northumbers instead of Vhtred and then returned Southward another way by the Western Coasts so that his whole Army arrived at their Ships before Easter but Edmund Aetheling returned to London to his Father After the Holidays King Cnute with all his Ships sail'd towards London but it happened that before the Danish Fleet arrived there King Ethelred deceased on the Feast of St. George after he had suffer'd many Afflictions and Miseries in this life And was buried at St. Paul's in London This Prince has the Ill Character from William of Malmesbury and the rest of our Historians of being given to Wine and Women and that neglecting the Company of the Queen his Wife he debased the Royal Majesty by frequenting Mistresses of mean Quality which very much alienated his Consort 's Affections from him though she had two Children by him viz. Elfred and Edward He is also said to have been Tyrannical to his own Subjects taking away their Lives and Estates only for pretended Crimes That he was also both Cowardly and Cruel appears by that Barbarous Massacre of the Danes in time of Peace But William of Malmesbury says it was a wretched and miserable time for every one was obliged to give up or murther his dearest Guests nay those whom a nearer Relation had yet render'd dearer to him That this King was likewise Timerous and Unfortunate in all his Undertakings appears through the whole course of his Reign from whence he has the Title among our English Historians of Ethelred the Vnready because his Preparations were always either ill-tim'd or unsuccessful but as he was a
or Imposition He had also complained to the Pope that his Archbishops paid vast Sums of Money before they could obtain their Palls which Grievance was by the Pope's Decree taken off All these Immunities procured from the Pope the Emperor Rodolph King of France and all other Princes throughout whose Territories he travelled were confirmed by Oath under the Testimonies of Four Archbishops and Twenty Bishops with an innumerable Company of Dukes and other Noblemen there present Then follows a Thanksgiving to Almighty God for giving him such Success in what he had undertaken After this he desires it might be published to all the world that having devoted his Life to Godâ—s service he resolved to govern the People subject to him in all Piety Justice and Equity And in case any thing blameworthy had been done by him in his Youth by the help of God he was now ready to make full amends for it Therefore he charges all his Ministers whatsoever as well Sheriffs as others That for fear of him they should not pervert Justice because there was no necessity that Money should be raised by any unjust exactions And at last after great Asseverations how much he studied the Profit and Conveniency of his People he adjures all his Ministers before he arrived in England that they should procure all Dues to be paid according to the ancient Custom as the Alms of the Plow the Tythes of all Cattel brought forth in the same year Peter-Pence in August with the Tythes of Corn and at Martinmass the First fruits of the same called Curcescot or Cyrescot i.e. Money given to the Church in case this was not paid before his Return he threatens severely to animadvert upon every one according to the Laws William of Malmesbury further adds That at his Return he was as good as his word for he commanded all the Laws which had been made by former English Kings and chiefly by Ethelred his Predecessor to be observed under great Penalties for the true observation whereof our Kings says he are at this very day sworn under the name of the Good Laws of King Edward not that he only ordain'd them but because he observed them So that from hence we may take notice That Kings who have the least of Hereditary Title if they mean to reign happily ought in Policy as well as Conscience to observe the Laws of that Kingdom to which they have been advanced without any Right of Blood But to return again to our Annals they further tell us That upon the King's return from Rome where it seems he staid not long after he marched into Scotland and there King Malcolm became subject to him with two other Kings of the Isles called Maelbaerth and Jehmarc The same year also Robert Earl of Normandy went to Jerusalem and there died and William who was afterwards King of England began to reign being an Infant From whence we may plainly see that the Cottonian Copy of these Annals was wrote in the form we have them after the Conquest and though the other Copies do not expresly call him King of England yet they give him the Title of King William which is all one About this time as the Welsh Chronicles relate the Irish Scots invaded South-Wales by the means of Howel and Meredyth the Sons of Edwin above-mentioned who hired them against Rythaerch ap Jestyn the Usurping Prince of that Countrey whom by the assistance of these Scots they slew in Battel and by that means got the Government of south-South-Wales which they ruled jointly but with small quiet for the Sons of Rythaerch gathered together a great number of their Father's Friends to revenge his death with whom Prince Howel and Meredyth meeting at Hyarthwy after a long Fight routed them and made them fly but the year following Prince Meredyth himself was slain by the Sons of Conan ap Sitsylt Brother to Prince Lewelyn to revenge their Father's death whom Meredyth and his Brother Howel had slain This year appeared a strange kind of Wild-Fire such as no man ever remembred and did a great deal of mischief in divers places The same year also deceased Aelfsige Bishop of Winchester and Aelfwin the King's Chaplain succeeded in that See Merehwit Bishop of Somersetshire i. e. Wells deceased and was buried at Glastingabyrig ' Aetheric the Bishop died the Annals tell us not of what See But Simeon of Durham and R. Hoveden add That Malcolm King of Scots died this year to whom succeeded Mactade The same Authors farther tell us That King Cnute before his Death appointed Swane his Eldest Son to be King of Norway and Hardecnute his Son by Queen Aemma to be King of Denmark and Harold his Son by Aelgiva a Hampshire Lady to be King of England after himself This year King Cnute deceased at Scaeftesbyrig and was buried at the new Monastery at Winchester having been King of England almost twenty years There is no King that can deserve a more various Character than this since none who came in so roughly after govern'd more mildly He was naturally Cruel and very Ambitious and stuck not at any thing to gain a Kingdom as appears by his dealing with his Predecessor's Children and Brothers but more particularly with Olaf King of Norway whom Simeon of Durham relates to have been turn'd out of it by the secret Practices and Bribes which he liberally bestow'd upon the Great and Factious men of that Kingdom but however toward his latter end he reigned both prudently and moderately and we may say of him what a Roman Author does of one of his Emperors That it had been well for this Kingdom if he had never reign'd at all or else had continued longer none of his Sons resembling him either in Valour or Wisdom But to let you see that this King was really sensible before his death of the Vanity of Worldly Empire I shall to divert the Reader give you this story of him out of H. Huntington who thus relates it viz. That King Cnute being once at Southampton caus'd his Royal Seat to be plac'd on the shore while the Tide was coming in and with a Majestick Air said thus Thou Sea belongest to me and the Land whereon I sit is mine nor hath any one unpunished resisted my Commands I charge thee therefore come no further upon my Land neither presume to wet the Feet of thy Sovereign Lord. But the Sea as before came rowling on and without any Reverence at all not only wet but dashed him whereupon the King quickly rising up bade those that were about him to consider the weak and bounded Power of Kings and how none indeed deserved that Title but He whose Eternal Laws both Heaven and Earth and Seas obey A Truth so evident of it self that were it not to shame his Court-Flatterers who would not else be convinced Cnute needed not to have gone wet-shod home From thenceforth he would never afterwards wear his Crown but commanded it to
the Meat should be taken away untouched from such as were invited than that those who were not invited should complain for want of Victuals whereas saith he the custom of our time is either out of Covetousness or as they pretend because their people cannot eat for Great Men to allow their Followers but one Meal a day which shews that the custom of Set Suppers hath had divers Vicissitudeâ— being not commonly used in England in Great Mens Families at the time when H. Huntington wrote and therefore is an English Custom prevailing since that time the Norman Fashions being then most used John Rouse also in his Manuscript Treatise de Regibus Ang. already cited relates That the day of King Hardâ—cnute's Death was in his time kept by the English as an Holiday being called Hock-Wednesday on which they danced and drew Cords cross the way as they do in several Parishes in England even at this day to stop people till they will pay them some Money King Edward called the Confessor BEfore King Hardecnute was buried all the People chose Edward Aethâ—ling King at London who reigned as long as God permitted him But William of Malmesbury with greater probability says That this King did not come to the Crown without some difficulty for when he had received the News of his Brother Hardecnute's Death he was in great perplexity what was most advisable for him to do at last after mature deliberation he thought it the safest course to trust his Fortune to Earl Godwin's Advice who being sent for to a friendly Conference for some time he was considering whether he should come to him or not but at length he agreed to speak with him and upon the Enterview Edward was about to lay himself at his Feet but that he would by no means suffer Then the Prince earnestly desired he would assist him in his safe return to Normandy when immediately Godwin gave him this unexpected answer That he had better live gloriously King of England than dye ignominiously in Exile That the Crown did of Right belong to him as Son of Ethelred and Grandchild of Edgar That he was one of mature Age inur'd to Labour and who had learnt by experience how to order Publick Affairs with Justice and had been taught by his own late Afflictions how to remove and prevent the Miseries of the People That to bring this about there would be no great Obstacle for if he would but trust himself to him he should find that his Interest was very powerful in the Nation and that Fortune would be favourable to his just Pretensions and if he would accept of the Royal Dignity he was confident there would be none to oppose it but on condition that he would establish a firm Friendship with him and his Family by promising to prefer his Sons and marry his Daughter that then he should soon find himself a King Edward's case at this time was such as not to reject so fair Proposals but rather agree to any Conditions and comply with the present state of Affairs whatsoever therefore Godwin required he promised and swore to perform Now the Earl was a Man fitted by Nature for managing such an Intrigue having a very smooth and plausible Tongue so Eloquent that he could move and charm the Affections of the People insinuate into them whatsoever he pleased and bring them entirely over to his Interest and Service Upon this he procures a Great Council to be summoned at Gillingham some Copies have it at London and there he influenced some by his own Authority gain'd over others by his Promises and those who were inclined before to Prince Edward's Cause he fully settled and confirmed to his Party the rest that made opposition being over-power'd were first of all turn'd out of their Places and then banished the Land The Annals of the Abby of Winchester printed in the Monast. Ang. from the Manuscript in the Cottonian Library not only agree with William of Malmesbury in this Relation but are also much more particular viz. That Prince Edward coming to Godwin one morning in disguise to London fell at his Feet begging him to preserve his Life but the Earl taking him up promised to use him like his Son and also gave him farther Encouragements and Assurance so that Edward returning again to Winchester to his Mother Godwin shortly after summoned all the Great Men of the Kingdom to meet there to consult about making a New King Then these Annals proceed to relate the manner of this Election Viz. That Earl Godwin raising the Prince from the place where he sate at his feet being then incognito having his Hood over his Face said thus Behold your King This is Prince Edward the Son of King Ethelred and Queen Emma This is He whom I Elect c. and so first did him Homage Then after some Debates among themselves they all at last consented to his Election so that if it displeased any there they durst not shew their Discontent since Earl Godwin would have it so and Edward being thus Elected was not long after crown'd at Westminster Which is also confirmed by an Ancient Chronicle in the Cottonian Library already cited ending with this Prince which saith That Hardecnute being dead Eadward was advanced to the Crown by the endeavours chiefly of Earl Godwin and Living Bishop of Worcester Bromton's Chronicle farther adds That at this Grand Council all the Great Men of England agreed and swore with one consent That no Danes should reign over them any more because of the great Affronts and Contempts they had received from that Nation For they held the English in such servile subjection That if an Englishman had met a Dane upon a Bridge he was obliged to stand still till the other had passed by and if he had not bowed to the Dane he was sure to be well basted for his neglect so that as soon as King Hardecnute was dead the English drove all the Danes out of the Kingdom But notwithstanding the great happiness the English now received by having a King of their own Nation yet it seems This year was unfortunate for the Intemperance of the Season which as our Annals relate destroyed the Fruits of the Earth so that a great number of Cattel died Also about this time Aelf Abbot of Burgh deceased and Arnwi a Monk was chosen Abbot being a mild and good man About the same time also according to the Welsh Chronicle Prince Conan the Son of Jago who had fled into Ireland to save his life and coming now over from thence being assisted with the Forces of Alfred the Danish King of Dublin entred north-North-Wales by surprize took Prince Griffyth Prisoner and was carrying him away to his Ships But the people of the Countrey hearing of it they immediately rose and pursued the Irishmen and at last overtaking them rescued their Prince and made a great flaughter among them the rest with much difficulty got to their Ships and returned with
Victory being thus easily obtained the Prince and the Earl entred Hereford and having killed seven of the Chanons that defended the doors of the Church they burnt it together with the Monastery above-mention'd with all the Reliques of St. Aethelbert and the Rich Ornaments that were in it and so having slain divers of the Citizens and carried away great Numbers of them Prisoners they returned home laden with Booty But as soon as the King was acquainted with it he presently commanded an Army to be raised through all England which being mustered at Gloucester He appointed the Valiant Earl Harold to be Commander in chief who obeying the King's Orders immediately pursued Prince Griffyn and Earl Aelfgar and entring the Borders of Wales pitched his Camp beyond Straetdale as far as Snowdon but they who knew him to be a Brave and Warlike Commander not daring to engage him fled into South-Wales which Harold perceiving left there the greater part of his men with Orders to fight the Enemy if they could come at them and with the rest he returned to Hereford which he fortified by drawing a new Trench about it But whilst he was thus employed the two Captains on the contrary side thinking it best for them to make Peace sent Messengers to him and at last procuring a Meeting at a place called Byligeseage a firm Peace and Friendship was there concluded in pursuance whereof Earl Aelfgar sent his Ships to Chester till they could be paid off and he himself went up to the King from whom he received his former Earldom Henry Emperor of the Germans now died and Henry his Son succeeded him This is only mentioned in the Latin Copy of these Annals But the same year according to Simeon of Durham and R. Hoveden Leofgar who was lately ordained Bishop of Hereford in the room of Bishop Athelstan deceased being together with his Clerks and the Sheriff Agelnoth set upon by Griffyn Prince of Wales at a place called Glastbyrig and was there slain with all his followers after which Aldred Bishop of Worcester to whom the King had committed the Bishoprick of Hereford as also the Earls Leofric and Harold mediated a Peace between King Edward and the said Griffyn This year Edward Aetheling Son to King Edmund returned into this Kingdom together with his Children and shortly after deceased whose Body lies buried in St. Paul's Church at London Also Pope Victor now dying Stephanus Abbot of Mountcassin was consecrated in his stead But the Cottonian Copy of these Annals as also Florence of Worcester place the death of this Pope under the year preceding Earl Leofric also deceased and Aelfgar his Son received the Earldom which his Father enjoyed This is that Leofric Earl of Mercia who together with his Wife Godiva built the rich and stately Monastery of Coventry as hath been already related in which Church he was buried He died this year in a good Old Age whose Wisdom and Counsel was often profitable to England This year Pope Stephanus deceased and Benedict was consecrated in his stead This Pope sent the Pall to Archbishop Stigand Upon whom William of Malmesbury is here very sharp saying That Stigand was so intolerably Covetous that he held both the Bishoprick of Winchester and that of Canterbury at the same time but could never obtain the Pall from the Apostolick See until this Benedict an Intruder as he calls him sent it to him either as first being brib'd by Money or else because as is observed evil men love to favour one another The same year also according to the Annals deceased Heacca Bishop of the South-Saxons i. e. of Chichester and Archbishop Stigand consecrated Aegelric a Monk of Christ-Church Bishop of that See as also Syward the Abbot Bishop of Rochester Also this year according to Simeon of Durham and Florence of Worcester Earl Aelfgar was the second time banished by King Edward but by the help of Griffyn Prince of Wales and of a Norwegian Fleet which came to his assistance he was soon restored to his Earldom again though it was by force In so deplorable a condition was this poor King Edward that those of his Nobility who were strong enough to make any Resistance were sure to be pardoned The same year also according to the above-mentioned Authors Aldred Bishop of Worcester having newly rebuilt the Church of St. Peter in Gloucester went on Pilgrimage through Hungary to Jerusalem as says Simeon of Durham which no English Archbishop or Bishop was ever known to have done before This year Nicholaus Bishop of Florence was made Pope and Benedict was expell'd who was Pope before him Kynsige Archbishop of York deceased the xi Kal. Jan. and Bishop Ealdred succeeded in that See This was that Aldred Bishop of Worcester who had been lately at Rome Also Walter was now made Bishop of Hereford And in the Latin Copy of the Annals it is related That Henry King of France now dying Philip his Son succeeded him This year also deceased Duduc Bishop of Somersetshire i. e. Wells and Gisa was his Successor The same year also deceased Bishop Godwin at St. Martins vii Id. Martii Also Wulfrick Abbot of St. Augustine's in Canterbury deceased in the Easter Week xiv Kal. Maii. Which News being brought to the King he appointed Aethelsige a Monk of the old Church at Winchester to be Abbot who was consecrated by Archbishop Stigand at Windlesore i. e. Windsor at the Feast of St. Augustine And this year according to Simeon of Durham Aldred Archbishop of York went with Earl Tostige to Rome and there received his Pall from Pope Nicholaus But in the mean time Malcolm King of Scots entred Northumberland and depopulated the Earldom of Tostige formerly his sworn Brother This year according to the Latin Copy of our Annals the City of Man was taken by William Duke of Normandy Also about this time Earl Harold afterwards King of England founded the Abby of the Holy Cross at Waltham in Essex so called from a certain Crucifix said to be found by a Vision to a Carpenter at a place called Montacute which Crucifix being brought to Waltham and many Miraculous Stories told there of it one Tovi the Stallere or Chief Standard-Bearer to King Cnute built here a Church for two Priests to keep it which place coming into the hands of Earl Harold he built this Church anew together with a Noble Monastery for a Dean and Twelve Secular Chanons which in the time of Henry the Second were turned to Chanons Regular This Abby being richly endow'd the Foundation was confirmed by King Edward as may be seen by his Charter bearing date Anno 1062. All which appears from an Ancient Manuscript History of the Foundation of this Abby now in the Cottonian Library This year according to our Annals Earl Harold and Earl Tostige his Brother marched with a great Army both by Land and Sea into Brytland i. e. Wales and subdued that Countrey
so that the Inhabitants giving them Hostages became subject to King Edward Afterwards marching farther they slew King Griffyth and brought his Head to Harold who placed another King there All this though done in the two following years is here related all at once But Simeon of Durham and Florence of Worcester are much more large in their Account of these Welsh Affairs which they give us under the following year viz. Griffyn Prince of Wales having by his frequent Inroads highly exasperated King Edward being then at Gloucester he after the Christmas Holidays from thence dispatch'd Earl Harold against him with a strong Party of Horse if possible to surprize him yet he got timely notice of his coming and by that means made a shift to escape but left behind him most of his Ships which the Earl taking commanded to be burnt and so returned into England But about Rogation Week Harold having got a Fleet in readiness he set sail from Bristol and compassing the greatest part of Wales joined himself to the Horse with which his Brother Tostige met him and did so much mischief in Wales that tho Prince Griffyn had mustered up an Army to oppose them yet the Welshmen being thus hard put to it at last yielded themselves to Earl Harold delivering up Hostages and consented to pay him Tribute and absolutely renounced Griffyth their Prince So that not long after Prince Griffyth being betrayed by his own People was by them murthered and his Head being cut off was sent to Earl Harold together with the Gilded Stern of his Ship all which the Earl immediately caused to be carried to the King Thus fell Griffyth ap Lhewelyn to whom the Welsh Chronicles give a Noble Character of a Valiant and Generous Prince who had been hitherto for the most part victorious in all his Undertakings till now he perished by the Treachery of his own Servants After this King Edward as Simeon of Durham relates made Blechen and Rithwalla whom the Welsh Chronicles call Blethyn and Rithwallen joint-Joint-Princes of north-North-Wales being Half-Brethren to Griffyth the last Prince on the Mother's side as being Sons to Angharat Daughter to Meredyth Prince of Wales Florence of Worcester also adds That these Welsh Princes above-mentioned when they received from the King this Grant of north-North-Wales swore Fealty not only to Him but also to Earl Harold who it seems delivered it to them swearing to perform their Commands both by Sea and Land and to pay those Tributes which had been formerly paid to King Edward's Predecessors Which if true shews that Earl Harold was already adopted and declared Heir of the Crown But this being not found in our Annals nor in any other Historian I cannot pass my word for the Truth of it This year also according to the Annals the Northumbers took Arms against Tostige their Earl and slew as many of his Servants as they could lay hold on as well English as Danes they also seized upon all his Arms that were in York and his Treasure where ever they could find it and then sent for Earl Morchar the Son of Earl Aelfgar and chose him for their Earl who then marched Southward with all that Province as also all the men of Snotingaham Deorbie and Lincolnascires till they came even to Northamtune where his Brother Eadwin with all his Company met him But there Earl Harold came against them to whom they sent a Message which they desired might be conveyed to the King as also the Messengers by whom they besought to let them have Morchar for their Earl The King hereupon granting their Request afterwards sent Earl Harold to them to Hamtune at the Feast of St. Simon and Jude farther assuring them of it and he also at their request confirmed and renewed the Laws of King Cnute But the Northern men had done much damage to the Countrey about Hamtune whilst their Message was thus transacting for they slew their Men and burnt the Houses and Corn and took away several Thousand Head of Cattel together with some Hundreds of Men whom they carried Captives into the North-Parts so that this Country and the others adjacent felt the damage for many years after But Earl Tostige with his Wife and as many as were of their Party went over to Earl Baldwin where they tarried all that Winter The occasion of which Insurrection as Florence and Simeon of Durham inform us was this There was one Gospatrick a great Officer in Northumberland with whom Earl Tostige having a Quarrel his Sister Queen Edgitha caused him to be murthered at Court the Christmas before though this seems very unsuitable to the Meek and Pious Temper of this good Queen Yet however so much is certain That this Gospatrick being slain the Earl also killed in his own Lodgings two of his Friends viz. Gammel the Son of Orne and Vlf the Son of Dolphin having treacherously drawn them thither and had besides laid intolerable Impositions on the People all which so incensed them against him that three or four of the principal Thanes of that Countrey viz. Gammelbearne Dimstan the Son of Agelnoth and Gloincorn the Son of Eardulf with Four hundred Florence says Twenty thousand men in Arms entred York a little after Michaelmass and there first slew two of the Earl's Huisceorles i. e. Domestick Servants Amund and Ravensheart though fled out of the City and the day following above Two hundred more of his men on the North-side of the River Humber Tostige hereupon made loud Complaints to the King and at his Request Harold his Brother and others were appointed to take up the business but as they were going down into the North for this purpose the whole Countrey in a manner rose and met them at Northampton where as also afterwards at Oxford they strenuously refused to receive Earl Tostige and by no means would admit of a Reconciliation And so violent were they and resolute that after the Feast of All-Saints they caused both him and his Adherents to be banished the Land William of Malmesbury also adds the reason which the Northumbers gave to justify this their Rising viz. That they were Freemen born and as freely educated and that they would not endure the Insolence of an Earl for they had learned from their Ancestors to chuse either Liberty or Death In short if the King meant to have them still his Subjects he should set Earl Morchar over them and then he should soon find they could if kindly used willingly submit This was the most probable occasion of Tostige's Banishment Tho H. Huntington who lived after the Conquest and had heard many Tales of the Hatred which Earl Godwin's Sons bore to each other tells us another story of this matter viz. That as the King sate at Dinner at Windsor he commanded Earl Harold to serve him with the Cup Tostige his Brother being present and not able to endure that his younger Brother should be preferred before himself in the King 's very presence flew
their own Nation to reign over them they were thereby brought under the subjection of Strangers Indeed Guilel Gemeticensis and Ordoricus Vitalis relate That the Noblemen and Bishops who had retired to London actually chose Edgar Atheling King but this seems not at all probable since none of our own Writers mention it and had Edgar been once elected it is not likely that King William would have been so easily reconciled to him and have not only given him his Liberty but preferred him Having from our Historians of best Credit given you this Account of our English Monarchs most of whom mixing Piety with Civil Prudence reigned gloriously for many Generations it will not be amiss for a Conclusion to let the Reader see how not long before this sad Catastrophe all sorts and degrees of men were now much degenerated from the Simplicity and Sobriety of their Ancestors And first as for the state of Religion in this Island for some Ages before the coming in of the Normans William of Malmesbury observes that Piety and all good Literature were commonly grown so much out of fashion even amongst the Clergy that resting content with a very small share of Devotion as well as Learning they could scarce read Divine Service nay the very Monks were clad in fine Stuffs and made no difference of Days and Meat which tho perhaps no fault in it self yet to them who were under other Principles it was certainly much otherwise Also that the Great Men being given up to Gluttony and a dissolute Life oppressed and made a Prey of the Common People debauching their Daughters whom they had in their Service and then turning them off to the Stews Whilst the meaner sort sat tipling night and day and spent all they had in Rioting and Drunkenness and those attended with other Vices which effeminate men's minds Therefore it came to pass through the just Judgment of God that King Harold and those of his Party being carried away with Rashness and Fury rather than any True Valour or Military Experience gave Duke William this great Advantage over them as hath been but now set forth Not says he but that some few of the Clergy as well as Laity were much better yet for the most part they were as hath been here described But as the long-suffering of God often permits the Bad as well as the Good to enjoy the like Prosperity so likewise his Justice in punishing oft-times does not exempt even Good Men from partaking in the common Calamities of their Countrey Therefore I shall conclude this Volume with the like Admonition as Mr. Milton does his Saxon History viz. That if these were in all probability the Causes of God's heavy Judgments on our Ancestors surely every man ought in this corrupt Age to take care to avoid them lest in the height of a seeming Security their long continuance in a course of Vice and Luxury should without a speedy Amendment meet with as severe if not much worse Punishment FINIS A TABLE of the Succession of the remaining English-Saxon Kings in this last Period The Northumbrian Kings being supplied from Simeon of Durham and the Chronicles of Mailrosse and the Welsh Princes are taken from Caradoc's Chronicle and the old Annals at the end of the lesser Volume of Domes-day Book Tab. 3. Anno Dom. Kings of Kent Anno Dom. Kings of England Anno Dom. Kings of Northumberland Anno Dom. Kings of the East-Angles Anno Dom. Kings of the Mercians Anno Dom. Kings of Wales  Cuthred eight Years 802 Ecgbert reigned 36 Years  Eardulf was expelled his Kingdom Anno Dom. 806. then succeeded 859 St. Edmund reigned 11 Years who being martyr'd by the Danes that Kingdom remain'd without a King until  Kenwulf 22 Years  Caradoc King of North Wales         819 Kenelm a Child his Son murdered by his Aunt Quendrida then 806 Conan Tyndaethwy King of South Wales and afterwards King of North Wales 805 Baldred eighteen Years He being the last King of Kent was expelled his Kingdom by King Egbert 837 Ethelwolf his Son 18 Years and an half 806 Aelfwold who reigned two Years then           808 Eanred Son of Eardulph reigned 32 Years         857 Ethelbald his Son two Years and an half 840 Ethelred his Son reigned 9 Years 870    817 Mervyn-wrych and Esylht his Wife the Daughter of Conan     849 Osbert 13 Years whom was driven out by   820 Ceolwulf his Uncle reigned one Year     860 Ethelbert his Brother reigned five Years and an half 862 Aella an Usurper but both these Kings being slain by the Danes they seized upon that Kingdom and made     843 Rodoric the Great Son or Grandson to Mervyn last mentioned         821 Beornwulf 3 Years           824 Ludican one Year and an half 877 Anarawd Son of Rodoric Prince of North Wales   866 Ethered his Brother five Years 866 Egbert King who was soon expelled by them and then they made 878 Guthrum the Dane was made King by the Concession of K. Alfred and reigned 12 Years 825 Wiglaf 14 Years 913 Edwal Voel Son to Anarawd 838 Athelstan natural Son to K. Ethelwolf made K. of Kent Eastsex and Surry by his Father he died without Issue after which it was again united to the rest of King Ethelwolf's Dominions 871 Alfred his Brother reigned 29 Years and an half  Ricsig a Dane their King who reigned 10 Years then   839 Bertwulf 13 Years These four last Kings were all of them tributary to the Kings of the West Saxons as was also 940 Howel-Dha King of South Wales and after the Death of Edwal he took upon him the Government of all Wales     872 Another Egbert was by them made King who dying the Danes Northumbers remained without any Kâ—ng till         901 Edward his Son sirnamed the Elder 24 Years             883 Guthred a poor Slave was chosen King he reigned over Yorkshire about 11 Years then     948 Jevaf and Jago Sons of Edwal Voel Princes of North Wales whilst the Sons of Howel-Dha ruled South Wales at the same time   925 Athelstan his Son 16 Years     852 Burhed who reigned 22 Years and being expell'd his Kingdom by the Danes they then gave it to one       894 King Alfred seized his share of that Kingdom whilst in the morâ— Northern Parts reigned at the same timâ— Osbert a Dane who was expelled his â—ingdom 890 Eoric the Dane was by Guthrum made his Successor after whose Decease K. Edward the Elder
subduing the Danes added that Kingdom to his own       941 Edmund his Brother five Years                   973 Howel ap Jevaf   946 Edred his Brother 9 Years       984 Cadwalhon ap Jevaf Brother to Howel     902 Ricsig another Danish Kâ—ng who being slain was succeeded by         955 Edwi Son to Edmond two Years     874 Ceolmulf who held it but a short time the Danes taking it again and being driven out by King Edward the Elder he committed the Government of it to Ethered under the Title of Earl who having married Ethelfleda that King's Sister she also govern'd it after his Death but King Edward seizing it after her Decease added it to the rest of his Dominions 986 Meridith ap Owen Grand-son to Howel-Dha     903 Reginald and Niel both Dâ—â—es who reigned at once they having aâ—ter King Alfred's Death taken the wholâ— Kingdom but Niel being slain by         957 Edgar his Brother 16 Years       992 Edwal ap Meryc           1003 Aedan ap Blegored not of the Blood of the Welsh Princes   973 Edward his Son sirnamed the Martyr reigned 5 Years             914 Sihtric his Brother he reigned in his stead     1015 Lhewelyn ap Sits-sylht in right of Angerat his Wife the Daughter of Prince Merydith     919 Inguald another Danish Kâ—ng reigned about the same time as did alsâ— Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 978 Ethelred his Brother 38 Years             926 Guthfert Son to Sihtric hâ— was expelled by K. Athelstan after whiâ—h Anlaf King of Norway seized this Kingdom for a time but being expelled by tâ—e Northumbers      Jago ap Edwal   1016 Edmund sir-named Iron-side reigned 9 Months       1022 Gryffith ap Lhewelyn whilst Howel ap Edwin reigned in South Wales at the same time   1017 Cnute King of Denmark reigned 19 Years  Another Anlaf Son to Sihtâ—ic was by them made King He was also expelled by King Edmund and restored fâ—r two Years but then was again driven â—ut by K. Edred yet after this the Northâ—mbers made Eoric of Danish Race their Kâ—ng but he being again deserted by theâ— they returned to K. Edred's Allegiance who thereupon added that Kingdom to his own     1064 Blethyn and Rywalhon Sons of Convin and half Brothers to the former Prince were made by King Edward the Confessor Princes of Wales after Gryffith their Brother was slain     944          1036 Harold his Son three Years 945            947    920      1039 Hardecnute his Brother two Years and an half 948                956 Edgar Brother to K. Edwi chosen King of Mercia and Northumberland reigned there one Year before his Brother's Decease     1042 Edward the Confessor reigned 24 Years             952 From which time the Kiâ—gs of Northumberland failing it was eâ—er after governed by Earls         1066 Harold Son to Earl Godwin reigned 9 Months             953 Oswulf being by K. Edreâ— made the first Earl but King Edgar â—â—vided it into two Earldoms       Having hitherto omitted the Genealogies of the English-Saxon Kings as they 〈…〉 be found in the Annals I thought it best to refer them to this Table where you may view them altogether as they are derived from GEAT who is supposed to have been 〈◊〉 â—ommon Ancestor of the Getae or Gothes and I could have carried it very much higher but that before this Geat they are so extreamly uncertain Note These are extracted not 〈◊〉 from the Annals but from three choice Manuscript Copies of Florence of Worcester compar'd with that Pedegree in the Textus Roffensis published by the Reverend Dr. Gale at 〈◊〉 â—nd of his last Volume but it must be acknowledged that the Genealogies in Florence differ from those in the Textus Roffensis in many Particulars GEAT Godwulf Fin Fritholwulf Fretholaf or Frealaf Woden The common Ancestor of all the English-Saxon Kings Wehta Waegdaeg Withgils Witta Hengest Casar Tytimon Trigils Rothmund Rippan or Hrip Guithelm or Withelm Webha Vffa Aeaxneat or Seaxnet Gesecg Ansecg Sweppa Sigefuget Bedca Offa Aescwine or Erkenwine Waegdeg Sigear or Siggar Swebdeg Sigeat or Wiggeat Saebald Sweort Seafugel Seomnel Westerwacna Wilgils Vscfrea Yffe Aella Beldeg Brand Freothgar or Freodegar Freawine Wig. Gewis Esla Elesa Cerdic Beorne or Beornic Waegbrand Ingebrand Elusa or Aloc Angelgeot or Angenwit Aethelbert Eosa Eoppa Ida Wythelgeat or Weodgeat Waga Wihtlaeg Waeremund Offa. Ingeltheot Eomar Icel Kwebba Cynewald Cryda or Creoda The rest that follow you may see in the former Tables of the Kings That the Succession of the West-Saxon Kings may be the better understood as being those from whom all the Kings of England both before and since the Conquest are descended I have here added their Pedigree down as low as King Edward the Consessor which I have taken from the Saxon Annals Florence of Worcester and other Authentick Authors Tab. Vlt. Note That R. signifies Rex and the Number following is in what Order that King reigned Cerdic I. King of the West-Saxons Cynrâ—c R. II. 3 Cutha 1 Ceol or Ceola Cynegils R. VI. 1 Cwichelm R. VII Cuthred 2 Cenwalh R. VIII -Sexburga Reg. to whom her Husband left the Crown 2 Ceolwulf R. V. 2 Cuthwulf Ceolric R. IV. 1 Ceawling or Celm R. III. 2 Cuthwine Cutha or Cuthwulf Ceolwald Cenred 1 Ina R. XI Aethelheard R. XII Cuthred R. XIII Sigebert R. XIV Cynewulf R. XV. Brihtric R. XVI 2 Ingild Eoppa Eafa Ealhmund Egbert R. XVII Ethelwulf R. XVIII 4 Aelfred R. XXII 1 Ethelwerd 2 Edward the Elder R. XXIII 6 Edred R. XXVI 5 Aelfred 4 Edmund R. XXV Ethelfleda-2 Edgar R. XXVIII -Elfreda supposed to be a Concubine Emma-2 Ethelred R. XXX-Elgiva 2 Edward the Confessor R. XXXII 1 Edmund Ironside R. XXXI 1 Edmund died without Issue 2 Edward sirnamed the Outlaw Edgar
of Land to one Wulfred By the Assistance of King Aethelwulf made North-Wales subject to him Marries Aethelwulf's Daughter with great Solemnity l. 5. p. 261 262. Is forced by the Danes to desert his Kingdom and pass the Seas to Rome where not long after he died and was buried at the English College in the Church of St. Mary Id. p. 277. Byrinus an Italian coming hither by his Preaching converts the West-Saxons and had a City in Oxfordshire conferred on him to fix his Episcopal See in l. 4. p. 179. Baptizes Cuthred at Dorchester being a Prince of the Blood-Royal Id. p. 180. Byrnstan consecrated Bishop of Winchester and how long he held it l. 5. p. 331. His Death and Burial at Winchester Id. p. 332 333. C CAdelh Prince of south-South-Wales is fallen upon by his Brother Anarawd who grievously spoils his Countries l. 5. p. 299. Second Son to Rodoric the Great and Father to Howel Dha his Decease Id. p. 315. Cadocus Abbot of Lancarvan in Glamorganshire His Life written by John of Tinmouth l. 3. p. 149. Cadwallader his supposed Journey to Rome l. 3. p. 145. The last King of the Britains His death l. 4. p. 190 191. Cadwallo King of the Britains an Account of his being routed and killed l. 4. p. 177. Cadwallo and Ceadwalla these two Names are confounded together by the British Historians Id. p. 204. Cadwallo supposed to be Edwal sirnamed Ywrch and for what reason Id. p. 205. Cadwallo succeeds his Father Cadwan in the Kingdom of Britain Id. p. 171. Is overcome by Edwin and flies to Ireland but returning afterwards he beats Penda and they joining together fight Edwin and slay him and rout his whole Army He is in Profession a Christian but in his Actions shews himself worse than a Pagan Id. p. 176. Cuts off Osric on a sudden and all his Army and basely kills Eanfrid Id. p. 177. Cadwan Prince of north-North-Wales is chose King of all the Britains l. 3. p. 149. Caedmon the English-Saxon Poet what he wrote and what he printed l. 4. p. 199. Caerialis Petilius sent hither as soon as Vespatian was acknowledged in Britain as his Lieutenant He had inured Agricola to Labours and Dangers l. 2. p. 54. Caer-Leon upon Usk in South-Wales an Archiepiscopal See l. 3. p. 149. Caesar's landing in Britain in the Reign of Cassibelan a small Inland Prince l. 1. p. 19. l. 2. p. 33. His Account of the Inhabitants their Religion and Manner of living l. 2. p. 21. The Pretences he made for his Expedition hither l. 2. p. 24. But first he sends Ca. Volusenus to make his Observations of the Countrey and then upon on his Arrival Ambassadors come to him from divers Princes and States of this Island promising Obedience to the Roman Empire Id. p. 25. He had no great cause to boast of his first Expedition and why l. 2. p. 29. Most of his Horse were cast away in a violent Storm therefore goes into Italy resolving to make another Descent upon them and orders new Ships to be built and directs after what Model whereupon six hundred such were built besides eight and twenty Gallies Id. p. 30. Setting sail again for Britain and landing he fought and conquered the next day he had news That by a great Tempest rising that night forty of his Ships had fallen foul upon one another and were lost and the rest much shatter'd Id. p. 31 32. His care about the remainder and directions for others to be built His Engagements with the Britains and their various successes Id. p. 32 33 34. His description of a British Town Id. p. 35. Makes Cassibelan submit and give Hostages to him and then goes over to the Continent and at his Return to Rome he offers to Venus a Breast-plate covered with British Pearl Id. Ib. Calais never used for a Port until Philip Earl of Buloigne built and walled the Town l. 2. p. 31. Calcuithe the troublesome Synod there where Archbishop Janbryht lost part of his Province to the See of Litchfield l. 4. p. 233 235. The Nicene Creed and the Seven first General Councils received and confirmed in it and many Canons made concerning Matters of Religion and Ecclesiastical Discipline Id. p. 233. There were two distinct Sessions of it Id. p. 234. It was supposed to be held in the Kingdom of Mercia Ibid. A Synod held there under Wilfrid Archbishop of Canterbury and Kenwulf King of the Mercians l. 5. p. 251. Caledonians make great Preparations for War in shew more than in reality against Agricola l. 2. p. 58. But they were miserably routed by his Forces Id. p. 59. Rodorick King of the Picts aids them but is slain by Marius Id. p. 66. Caligula Caius the Magnificent Letters he sent to Rome l. 2. p. 37. Marches his Army to the Belgick Shore and his foolish Bravado after he had put a little to Sea in a Galley and then returned to Land carrying the Shells that he and his Army had gathered on the shore to Rome and his Galleys and demands a Triumph but the Senate refused it and at last he was murthered Id. p. 38. Camalodunum now Maldon in Essex where Andraste supposed to have been the Goddess of Victory had a Temple l. 2. p. 24. On the Reverse of Kynobelin's Coin is CAM signifying Camalodunum which was his Royal Seat Id. p. 37 40. Taken by Claudius who obtaining a Victory over the Britains left them to the Government of Plautius Id. p. 40. Cambden's History in Latin commended highly by this Author l. 2. p. 20. Cambria Vid. Wales Cambridge anciently called Caer-grant and Grant-Chester l. 1. p. 14. Grantbridge l. 5. p. 272 322. l. 6. p. 34. Quatbridge l. 5. p. 302. And Grantecester l. 5. p. 318. Lay in the Kingdom of the East Angles and had no University or School there in the time of King Alfred l. 4. p. 179 180. The Antiquity of this University illustrated l. 5. p. 318. All their former Privileges confirmed by King Edward the Elder 's Charter to them for ever to endure by a perpetual Right Id. p. 317 318. Improbable that it should have continued an University during the Danish Wars under the Possession of Three Danish Kings but this Edward did restore the University Id. p. 318. Is burnt by the Danes with Oxford likewise and then all Studies ceased at both places till about 1133. from which time the Scholars have continued at both Universities l. 6. p. 34 35. Camelford in Cornwall anciently Gafulford where was a Battel fought between the Britains and Devonshire-men the latter getting the Victory l. 5. p. 253. Candida Casa Vid. Witerne Candidus a Presbyter whom the Pope sent to receive and dispose of the Church's Revenues in France l. 4. p. 153. Canterbury anciently called Caerkin by whom it was first pretended to be built l. 1. p. 10. And Cantwic l. 5. p. 259. The Metropolis of King Ethelbert's Kingdom appointed for the Residence of Augustine and his Monks l. 4. p. 153
Was not long after poysoned by Martia his Concubine Id. p. 72. Commons of England highly probable that they had now their Representatives in the Great Council of the Kingdom and why l. 5. p. 294. Compurgators the Antiquity of them and of what number l. 6. p. 43. Conan Duke of Britain Geoffrey of Monmouth's story of him l. 2. p. 96. Conan Aurelius King of Powis-Land or some other Southern Province l. 3. p. 139 146. Conan King or Prince of north-North-Wales fights with Howel upon his claiming the Isle of Mon or Anglesey but loses the Victory l. 5. p. 250. Afterwards chases his Brother out of the Isle of Anglesey and compells him to fly into that of Man and a little after dies Id. p. 251. Conan or Kynan a Prince in Possession of south-South-Wales l. 6. p. 40. The Son of Jago his Enterprize upon north-North-Wales and the Success of it Id. p. 70. Conan Tindaethwy when he began his Reign over the Britains in Wales l. 4. p. 227. Congal an Abbot of Bangor l. 3. p. 149. Constans the Son of Constantine his Success Declension and Death l. 2. p. 103. Constantine the Great Son of Constantius Chlorus succeeding his Father is saluted Emperor by the whole Army Probably born in Britain Overthrows near Rome the Tyrant Maxentius and declares himself a Christian l. 2. p. 87. Subdues the Britains that had revolted from him Id. p. 87 88. His death and how be divided the Empire Id. p. 88. His Example proposed to King Ethelbert by Pope Gregory l. 4. p. 159. Constantine an Usurper declared Emperor by the Britains for the good Omen of his Name but of what Birth uncertain His Actions and Successes l. 2. p. 102 103. Makes his Son Constans from a Monk Caesar. Settles his Imperial Seat at Arles and hath it called Constantia Id. p. 103. Flings off his Purple Robes and takes Priests Orders in hopes thereby to save his life but all in vain for being carried into Italy he was there beheaded Ibid. The story of his being elected King in Britain very Fabulous and False l. 3. p. 116. Constantine called The Tyrannical Whelp of an Impure Damonian Lioness accused of murthering two Innocent Royal Youths at the very Altar l. 3. p. 139. Builds a Monastery in Ireland and takes on him the Habit of a Monk Id. p. 148. Constantine King of Scots beaten by Athelstane and his Army renews the War with him but is again most miserably beaten l. 5. p. 332 333 334. And at last killed by Singin a Captain of the Worcestershire-men though his Death is denied by the Scotch Historians but he became a Monk and was Abbot among the Culdees of St. Andrews Id. p. 335 336. Constantine the Black Son to Prince Jago hires Godfryd the Dane to engage with him against his Cousin ap Jevaf and what success they met with l. 6. p. 20. Constantius overcomes Magnentius and what Blot is cast upon his Reign by the Severities of Paulus a malicious Inquisitor and Oppressor Calls the Council of Ariminum the most numerous that had ever yet appeared l. 2. p. 89. Dies of a Feaver at Mopsvestia on the borders of Cilicia Id. p. 91. Constantius Comes General to the Emperor Honorius hinders Gerontius from taking of Arles l. 2. p. 103. Corfesgeate now Corfe-Castle in the Isle of Purbeck l. 6. p. 17. Cornwall bestowed by Brute on Corinaeus a Trojan l. 1. p. 9. And Devonshire conquered by Ivour and the various stories of it l. 3. p. 145. Coronation None either before or long after the Conquest took upon them the Title of King till they were crowned And the Ceremony of Coronation was often in ancient times repeated upon some great occasion l. 6. p. 8. Corrodies came first from King Aethelwulph's Last Will whereby he ordained That his Successors through all his own Hereditary Lands should maintain out of every Tâ—n Families one Poor Person with Meat Drink and Apparrel l. 5. p. 264. Coventry derives its Name from the Convent built there by Earl Leofric and his Lady Godiva l. 6. p. 71. How the Town came to be freed from all Taxes imposed upon it by this Lady's riding through it naked at Midnight Id. p. 71 72. Councils of Arles in Gallia when held and what British Bishops were sent to it l. 2. p. 88. Of Nice a great one assembled Anno Dom. 325. at which it appears plain that some of the Bishops of Britain assisted Ibid. Of Sardica when called and wherein appeared the Bishops of Britain Id. p. 89. Of Ariminum called by Constantius the most numerous that ever yet appeared wherein were above Four hundred Bishops of the Eastern and Western Churches The Bishops that were sent to it from Britain Id. p. 89 90. Of Bourdeaux wherein Priscilla and other Hereticks of Maximus his Party being condemned and excomunicated upon their appeal to the Emperor's Tribunal are by him sentenc'd to be beheaded Id. p. 96. Sâ—veral Councils in France and Africa condemn Pelagianism Id. p. 107. A great one called by King Ethelbert of both Clergy and Laity and what transacted therein l. 4. p. 163. Held by King Edwin and his Wise Men concerning the Christian Doctrine and Worship Id. p. 173. Ina's great one of all the Bishops with the Great and Wise Men of the Kingdom the first whose Laws are come down to us entire Id. p. 208. Another great one at Becanceld and what done therein and who present thereat Id. p. 209 210 241. Another held at Berghamsted in Kent and what Laws made therein by the Common and Unanimous Consent of them All they are called the Judgments or Dooms of King Wightred Id. p. 210 211. One in the Kingdom of Kent at a place called Cylling to confirm what had been done in that of Becanceld six years before Id. p. 212. A great one held in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons in which after the death of Bishop Hedda that Bishoprick was divided into two Id. p. 213. A great one called at Verulam now St. Albans wherein the Tribute of Romescot or Peter-pence is confirmed to be paid to the Pope by their general Consent Id. p. 239. Of Cloveshoe under Kenwulf King of the Mercians and what is transacted therein Id. p. 243. Croyland-Abbey its Lands and Privileges confirmed by King Egbert in a great Council l. 5. p. 254. A General one of the whole Kingdom at London under King Egbert and King Withlaff and what done therein Id. p. 257. A Common Council of the whole Kingdom under Egbert King of the West-Saxons where the Grant of the Mannor of Mallings in Sussex formerly bestowed on Christ-Church in Canterbury was confirmed Ibid. The Council of Kingsbury under Berthwulf King of the Mercians who present and what done therein l. 5. p. 261. The Famous and Solemn Grant of King Aethelwulf concerning Tythes and the Form of passing it into an Act in the Great Council of the Kingdom and who the Parties to it Id. p. 262 263. The League or Agreement made
Subscribes King Edward's Charter of Endowment of the Abbey of Westminster Id. p. 94. Vid. more in Tit. Edward the Confessor Edinburgh anciently called Mount-Agned built by Ebrank the Son of Manlius l. 1. p. 10. In the Possession of the English-Saxons when and how long l. 5. p. 249. Editha Daughter to King Edgar by Wilfreda whom he took out of a Cloyster at Wilton and who was afterwards Abbess of the said Nunnery l. 6. p. 3 12 20. Edmund the Martyr anointed King of the East-Angles by Bishop Humbert at fifteen years of Age at Buram then the Royal Seat l. 5. p. 265. An Account of his Pedigree Education living in Germany Return into England and Election to the Kingdom which as well as himself he submitted to the direction of Bishop Humbert his Reign Fourteen Years in Peace and his Glorious End of Martyrdom Ibid. p. 273. Fighting with the Danes they slew him and wholly conquer that Kingdom Id. p. 269 273. A particular Account both of his Life and Martyrdom Id. p. 272 273 274. Had a Church and Monastery erected to his Memory Id. p. 274 323. Edmund Prince Son to Edward the Elder the relation of his commanding part of his Father's Army with his Brother Edred cannot be true for he was but Four Years old when his Father died l. 5. p. 321. A great Benefactor to the Church built over the Tomb of King Edmund the Martyr Id. p. 323. He and his Brother Athelstan overcome the Scots about Bromrige in the North Id. p. 334. Succeeds his Brother Athelstan in the Kingdom at eighteen years of Age. Invades Mercia and forces Leicester Lincoln Nottingham Stamford and Derby all then under the Power of the Danes to submit to him The Battel he had with Anlaff and the Agreement made at last between these two Kings Id. p. 343. Conquers Anlaff expels him the Kingdom of Northumberland and adds it to his own Dominions Ibid. p. 344. Subdues the whole Countrey of Cumberland giving it to Malcolme King of Scots upon this Condition That he should assist him both by Sea and Land Id. p. 344. Sends Ambassadors to Prince Hugh of France to restore King Lewis His decease and the manner of it His Burial at Glastenbury with his great Benefaction to that Abbey He stiles himself in his Charter King of the English and Governor and Ruler of the other Nations round about Id. p. 345. The Laws he made in the Great Council he held at London Id. p. 346 347 348. The Legend of St. Edmund's Ghost stabbing King Sweyn the Dane l. 6. p. 39 40. Edmund a Son of King Alfred born before Prince Edward commonly called the Elder is crowned King by his Father 's Appointment in his Life-time but dying before him he was buried in the Abbey-Church of Winchester l. 5. p. 311. Edmund Aetheling marries the Widow of Sigeferth who was lately murthered against his Father's Will upon the Fame of her Beauty and Virtue And invades all the Countrey where her Husband's Lands lay l. 6. p. 40. His Expedition against Cnute and Aedric of little service to him and why Id. p. 41. Is Elected King by all the Great and Wise Men then at London together with the Citizens upon his Father's decease though he held it but a short time and that with great difficulty He is called Ironside for his Strength both of Body and Mind and born of a Concubine Id. p. 45. The several Battels he fought with Cnute and his Party Id. p. 45 46 47. His Prudence not to be commended though his Courage and Constancy were praise-worthy Id. p. 46. Concludes a Peace with King Cnute and the Particulars of it Id. p. 47 48. His Decease being murthered and Burial at Glastenbury with his Grandfather King Edgar Id. p. 48 49. His Children Edward and Edmund excluded from the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and by whom They were sent to the King of Sweden to be made away but he generously conveyed them to Solyman King of Hungary to be educated where Edmund died Id. p. 49. St. Edmundsbury anciently called Badricesworth where King Cnute built a Noble Monastery l. 5. p. 323. Is given by King Edmund with divers other Lands to build a Church and Monastery in Memory of St. Edmund the Martyr Id. p. 345. For ever exempt from all Jurisdiction of the Bishops and Earls of that Countrey by Parliament according to the MS. l. 6. p. 52. Edred an Abbot of Northumberland made a certain Youth sold to a Widow at Withingham whom he redeemed King and by that means the Church got all that Countrey now called the Bishoprick of Durham l. 5. p. 286. Edred Brother to King Athelstan and Edmund takes upon him the Title of First Monarch l. 5. p. 331. Is made King and the manner of his Succession Crowned at Kingston reduces all Northumberland under his Obedience and upon their relapse lays the whole Country waste Id. p. 349 350. Their continual Rebellions against him and his regaining that Kingdom Id. p. 350. The First King of England that stiled himself Rex Magnae Britanniae as appears by a Charter of his to the Abbey of Croyland Id. p. 351. Dies in the Flower of his Age of what his Character and Issue Id. p. 351 352. Edric vid. Aedric Edwal ap Meyric is received by the Inhabitants of the Isle of Anglesey for their Prince he was the right Heir of north-North-Wales routs Meredith in a set Battel l. 6. p. 24. But is slain in Battel by Sweyne the Son of Harold the Dane Id. p. 25. Edwal Ugel that is the Bald Succeeds his Father Anarawd and is stiled by Historians Supreme King of all Wales l. 5. p. 316. Edwal Ywrch Son of Cadwallader Prince of Wales began to Reign upon his Father's supposed Journey to Rome l. 3. p. 145. Conjectured to be Cadwallo by Dr. Powel and Mr. Vaughan l. 4. p. 205. Edward the First commonly called the Elder the Son of King Alfred when he began his Reign he was Elected by all the Chief Men of the Kingdom l. 5. p. 311. Meets with a great Disturbance at his first entrance to the Crown from Aethelwald his Cousin-German Ibid. p. 312. Builds new Towns and repairs Cities that had been before destroyed Id. p. 312. Has great Battels with the Danes but at last he overcomes them all calls a great Council though the place where is not specified but wherein Plegmund presided which appoints Bishops over each of the Western-Counties and makes Five out of Two Diocesses Id. p. 313. Subdues East-Sex East-England and Northumberland with many other Provinces which the Danes had long before been possessed of Id. p. 314 315. Very much wasts Northumberland with his Army and destroys many Danes Id. p. 315. Takes the Cities of London and Oxenford into his own hands Commands the Town of Hertford to be New Built Builds and Fortifies another Town at Witham near Maldon in Essex Id. p. 316. Confirms to the Doctors and Scholars of Cambridg by Charter all
Battel by the Kentish men l. 5. p. 313. After his Death the Danes there yielded themselves up to Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 322 323. The Ecclesiastical Laws made between this Eoric who succeeded Gutherne in the Government of East-England and King Edward Id. p. 326. Eorpenwald King of the East-Angles Son to Redwald when he began his Reign l. 4. p. 157. Is succeeded by his Brother Sigebert whom formerly he had Banished Id. p. 179. Eorpwald or Eorpald King of the East-Saxons Baptized but not long after is slain by one Richbert a Heathen l. 4. p. 175. Eowils slain in battel with many thousands of his Danes at a place called Wodnesfield by King Edward the Elder 's Army l. 5. p. 315. Ercenbright or Ercombert Vid. Earcombert Eric the Son of Harold whom the Northumbers set up for their King and about a year or two after drove him out again l. 5. p. 350. Erkenwald Younger Son to Anna King of the East-Angles is Consecrated Bishop of London by Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury He founded Two Monasteries before he came to be Bishop and for whom l. 4. p. 196. Continued Bishop thereof till after the Reign of King Ina Id. p. 201. Ermenred The Eldest Son of Eadbald craftily supplanted by his Younger Brother Earcombert who got the Kingdom from him He had Two Sons who were cruelly Murthered by Thunore one of the King's Thanes whom he employed in that Execucution l. 4. p. 180 185. Esylht Daughter to Conan King or Prince of north-North-Wales Marries Merwyn Urych a Nobleman the Son of Gwyriad who afterwards was King in her Right l. 5. p. 251. Ethelard Ordained Archbishop of York l. 4. p. 238. Ethelbald succeeds Ceolred in the Kingdom of Mercia and holds it One and Forty years l. 4. p. 217. Ethelbald after his Father's Death succeeds him in West-Saxony l. 5. p. 265. Marries his Father's Widow but afterwards Repenting of the Incest puts her away from him His Character Reign Death and Burial Id. p. 266. Vid Aethelbald Ethelbert King of Kent in his time Pope Gregory made the English-Saxons Christians l. 3. p. 143 153. Beaten by Ceawlin and Cutha his Brother his double Character and Alliance l. 3. p. 145. The most powerful Prince that had Reigned in Kent having extended the bounds of his Dominions as far as Humber he Marries Bertha a Christian Lady the King of France his Sister and upon what Conditions l. 4. p. 153. By Augustin's persuasion builds the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Canterbury Id. p. 157. Is Baptized in St. Pancrace Church there which before had been a Heathen Temple Ibid. Had many noble Presents sent him by Pope Gregory with a Letter full of Sanatory Advice Id. p. 158 159. Builds the Church of St. Andrew at Rochester and endows it Id. p. 160. Confirms in a Great Council both of Clergy and Laity all the Grants and Charters whereby he had settled great Endowments on both Christ-Church and that of St. Pancrace Ibid. But his Charters are very suspitious of being Forged in many respects Id. p. 163. The Secular Laws that were Enacted in the Great Council in his time Id. Ibid. His Death and Burial in St. Martin's Porch in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul He was the First English King that ever received Baptism and lived above Twenty years after his Conversion Id. p. 168. He was the Third King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Ethelbert is Consecrated Bishop of Witerne called in Latin Candida Casa at York l. 4. p. 231. One of his Name Bishop of Hagulstad Deceases l. 4. p. 241. Ethelbert the Son of Ethelred King of the East-Angles is slain in the Court of King Offa and by whose Instigations l. 4. p. 237. Ethelbert or Aethelbryht after his Brother Ethelbald's Decease takes the Kingdom and holds it in great Peace and Quiet from Domestick Commotions l. 5. p. 266. His Death lamented after having Governed Five years to general satisfaction buried at Shireburne and is supposed to have a Son called Ethelwald Id. p. 267. Ethelbryht the Son of King Withred succeeds Eadbryht King of Kent l. 4. p. 225. Nothing remarkable but that the City of Canterbury was Burnt in his Reign Id. p. 228. His Death Ibid. Ethelburgh Vid. Aethelburga Etheldrethe twice married but would let neither of her Husbands enjoy her which was accounted in those days a great piece of Sanctity l. 4. p. 193 198. Is Foundress of the Monastery of Ely in which she her self became the First Abbess Id. p. 193. Daughter to Anna King of the East-Saxons her Death and after Sixteen Years Burial her Body being taken up as whole as at first she was Canonized and called St. Audrey of Ely Id. p. 198 199. Etheldrith Daughter to King Offa and once the Spouse of Ethelbert King of the East-Angles a holy Virgin that lived in a Cell wherein Withlaff King of the Mercians found a safe Retreat from the high Displeasure of Egbert for Four Months till he was reconciled to him l. 5. p. 254. Etheler King of the East-Angles taking part with Penda against Oswy is slain l. 4. p. 185. Ethelfleda the Lady of Mercia builds many Castles to secure the Mercian Frontiers against the Danes and Welsh l. 5. p. 316. Sends an Army against the Welsh which took Brecenanmere supposed to be Brecknock Castle and the King's Wife and about Four and thirty Prisoners Id. p. 319. Takes the Town of Derby and the City of Canterbury Reduces Leicester under her Dominion and the Danes become subject to her Dies at Tamworth in the Eighth Year of her Government and lies buried at Gloucester in the East-Isle of St. Peter's Church Her Character Id. p. 320. Vid. Ethelred Duke of Mercia her Husband Ethelfred the Son of Ethelric the Son of Ida reigns over both the Northumbrian Kingdoms l. 3. p. 148. l. 4. p. 159. A Warlike Prince that wasted the Britains more than any other Saxon Kings l. 4. p. 159. Leads his Army to Leger-Ceaster and theâ—e slays a great multitude of Britains Id. p. 164. His Pursuit of Edwin after his Banishment though he was of the Blood-Royal Id. p. 169. Is slain by Redwald King of the East-Angles and his Sons banished by Edwin Id. p. 170. Ethelfreda or Elfreda Daughter to Earl Ordgar and Widow of Ethelwald Earl of the East-Angles married to King Edgar and her Children by him l. 6. p. 5 6. The Trick her first Husband plaid to obtain her and the return she made him for it Id. p. 9 10. Builds a Nunnery in the place where her first Husband was slain Id. p. 10 20. She is crowned Queen to the great displeasure of Archbishop Dunstan Id. p. 10. Contrives the Death of Edward the Martyr and how but being convinced of her wickedness for it she betook her self to very severe Penalties Id. p. 17 18. Her violent Passion to her Son Ethelred a Youth in beating him unmercifully with a Wax-Taper and why Id. p. 19. Takes
were with him at a Great Council at Gloucester Id. p. 77 81. But being summoned to appear at another Curia held at London he and Earl Sweyn his Son fled to Baldwin Earl of Flanders for Protection Id. p. 77 78. His sailing for England but being pursued he returns to Bruges and coming again soon after commits a thousand Ravages Id. p. 80 81. What the ground of all this contest between the King and him at last in a Great Council a Peace was made and Hostages given on both sides Id. p. 81. Is Accused by King Edward for the Death of his Brother in the Great Council and how he made his Peace Id. p. 83. He and his Sons restored to their former Honours and Estates in a Great Council Id. p. 82 83 84. His Death and Burial in the old Monastery of Winchester Id. p. 84 85. His Character Wives and Issue Id. p. 85. Gogmagog the mighty Gyant in Cornwall taken up by Corinaeus in his Arms though he was no Gyant himself and flung off by him if you will believe the Fable from a Cliff into the Sea l. 1. p. 9. Gordianus M. Anton. elected Emperor by the Praetorian Bands had an Army in Britain though nothing was done by what can be found l. 2. p. 81. Gormond an African King comes out of Ireland to fight Careticus and what the success l. 3. p. 148. Gospatrick a great Officer in Northumberland murthered upon the account of a quarrel between him and Earl Tostige l. 6. p. 90. Gospel supposed to be first preached in this Island in the Reigns of either Claudius or Nero though by whom unknown l. 2. p. 51 52. The story of Joseph of Arimathea and his Twelve Companions coming to preach the Gospel in Britain Id. p. 52 53. Christ was preached here as early as the first Conquest of it by the Britains Id. p. 69. Who first preached the Gospel in the Countrey of the Grisons l. 2. p. 70. The first preaching of the Gospel in Germany and by whom l. 4. p. 211. The joyful Tidings of it first brought to us from Canterbury l. 6. p. 36. Government devolved on the People when the Emperor acquitted the Britains of the Roman Jurisdiction l. 2. p. 104. Graetanleage the Laws that were made there by King Athelstan in a Great Council l. 5. p. 339 340 341. Grand Inquest Vid. Inquest Gratian the Emperor creates Theodosius the Younger his Partner in the Empire assigning him the East for his share l. 2. p. 95. Being routed by the Forces of Maximus is forced to fly with Three hundred Horse towards the Alps but Andragathius with some Light-Horse being sent after him overtakes him near the Bridge of Singidunum and there kills him Id. Ibid. Gratianus sirnamed Funarius from his great strength in pulling a Rope from Four Men made General of all the Forces throughout Britain l. 2. p. 89. The British Army elected him Emperor and cloathed him with the Imperial Purple Id. p. 102. But he is soon after deprived both of his Life and Empire Id. p. 104 105. Gregory made Bishop of Rome in what year l. 3. p. 149. Sirnamed the Great to whom the English Nation owed its Conversion l. 4. p. 152. Would have come himself to preach God's Word to the English but the Citizens of Rome would by no means suffer him to go so far from them l. 4. p. 153. In the Fourth Year of his Pontificate he sends Augustine with many Monks over to the Britains to preach Gospel to them Calls the Emperor his Lord and dates his Letters by the year of His Reign and not that of his own l. 3. p. 149. l. 4. p. 153 158. His Decease the Account of his life may be read in Bede Id. p. 163 165. Griffyn Prince of Wales entring England spoils great part of Herefordshire and carries away much Booty l. 6. p. 84 86 87. The Son of Ratherch ap Justin raises a great Army against Griffyth Prince of north-North-Wales and what the success Id. p. 85. A Peace mediated between Edward the Confessor and this Prince Id. p. 87. How he restores Aelfgar to his Earldom after he was a second time banished by King Edward Id. p. 88. Is slain by his own people and his Head sent to Earl Harold and the gilded Stern of his Ship which he caused to be carried to King Edward Id. p. 89. Griffyth ap Lewellin ap Sitsylt raises a great Army against Prince Jago of north-North-Wales whose Soldiers deserting him he was soon overthrown and slain l. 6. p. 64. His good Government afterwards over those of North-Wales and his total subduction of South-Wales and his other Conquests Howel ap Edwin narrowly escapes him but he took his Wife Prisoner whom he liked so well that he kept her for his Mistress Ibid. He is taken Prisoner by surprize but is immediately rescued Id. p. 70. His Engagement with Ritherch and Rees and the success thereof Id. p. 71. Revenges the death of One hundred and forty of his best Soldiers treacherously killed by the Gentlemen of Ystrad Towy Id. p. 73. Griffyth ap Madoc designing to bring all Wales c. under his subjection was slain by the Princes Edmund and Edred who brought his Head to their Father l. 5. p. 321. St. Grimbald the University of Oxford founded in the second year of his coming over into England the difference between him and those he brought over with him and the Old Scholars whom he found there l. 5. p. 288 289 290 306. St. Grimbald sent for from France by King Alfred to assist him in his Learning l. 5. p. 306. His Decease Id. p. 312. Grime King of the Scots refusing to pay part of a Tribute to the Danes which King Ethelred demanded of him had his Countrey of Cumberland laid almost waste l. 6. p. 28. Grisons make Lucius to have been their Apostle and first to have Preached the Gospel in their Countrey and shew his Tomb at Cloir at this day l. 2. p. 70. Grymkyrel made upon the Death of Ethelric Bishop of the South-Saxons that is of Selsey l. 6. p. 65. His Decease Id. p. 73. Guarinus King of the Huns l. 2. p. 96. Gueld that is Tribute l. 4. p. 187. Guendelew Son of Keidiaw a Prince of the North parts of Britain l. 3. p. 146. Gueniver Vid. Glastenbury Guiderac in the British Tongue is Mould in Flintshire in the English the place is called Maes German that is German's Field where the Britains got a great Victory over the Picts and Saxons by the means of Germanus a French Bishop l. 2. p. 108 109. Guild or Fraternity signified sometimes such as were Fellow-Contributors to the same Parish-Feast in honour of the Saints sometimes such as were bound together in the same Decennary or Tything l. 5. p. 294. Guintelin his Character his Virtuous Wife Maetia and his Reign l. 1. p. 13. Gunhilda Cnute's Niece being his Sister's Daughter Marries Hacun a Danish Earl l. 6. p. 53. Hardecnute's
the King's Game under a penalty l. 6. p. 60. Huntington anciently called Huntandune l. 5. p. 321. Is repaired and rebuilt in those places that had been destroyed by the Command of King Edward the Elder Id. p. 322. Hussa Succeeds Freodguald in the Kingdom of Bernicia l. 3. p. 146. Hyde and Abbey called by this Name near Winchester l. 5. p. 318. Hye an Island that had always a Bishop residing in it l. 3. p. 143 144. The Monks of Hye Converted by Egbert to the Right Faith in making them to observe Easter Orthodoxly as also the Ecclesiastical Tonsure l. 4. p. 217. I JAgo and Jevaf Princes of north-North-Wales raise great and long Wars to get the Supreme Government of all Wales as being of the Elder House to the Sons of Howel l. 5. p. 349 350. Civil Wars between them Jago keeping his Brother Prisoner by force for near six years l. 6. p. 6. Jevaf restored to his Liberty by his Son Howel and Jago driven out of the Countrey but by Edgar's mediation with Howel his Uncle was restored to what he held in Jevaf's time Id. p. 7. Great Commotions in Wales upon these Princes and their Sons accounts and the issue thereof Id. p. 16 20 21 22 23. Jago Son to Edwal a Prince of Wales is advanced to the Throne as lawful Heir but could not be admitted to South-Wales Id. p. 53. His Soldiers deserting him he is slain in Battel by Griffyth ap Lewelin Id. p. 64. Janbryht also called Lambert Consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury received the Pall l. 4. p. 228 229. Lost part of his Province to the See of Litchfield Id. p. 233. His Death and who succeeded him Id. p. 236. Japhet very probable that Europe was Peopled by his Posterity l. 1. p. 4. From him originally descended the Saxons that first came into Britain l. 3. p. 121. Iberi were the Spaniards by whom the Southern part of Britain was Peopled l. 1. p. 4. Icanho supposed to be Boston in Lincolnshire where one Bottulf began to build a Monastery l. 4. p. 185. Iceni those who inhabited Suffolk Norfolk Camebridge and Huntingtonshire l. 2. p. 42. Their being overcome by Ostorius Scapula Id. Ib. Are turned out of their ancient Estates and treated like Slaves Id. p. 47. With the Trinobantes rise up in Arms against the Romans to deliver themselves from their hated servitude Id. p. 47 48. Ida the first that took upon him the Title of King of the Northumbrian Kingdom who had Twelve Sons partly by Wives partly by Concubines with his Sons he came into Britain and landed at Flensburgh with Forty Ships and built Bamborough Castle in Northumberland l. 3. p. 142. He hath the Character of being a very Gallant Man but dies within a few years Id. p. 143. Idel a River on the Mercian Border now in Nottinghamshire l. 4. p. 170 171. Idols Their Temples Pope Gregory would not have pulled down but a-new Consecrated l. 4. p. 158. Coisi Burns and utterly destroys the Idol Temples l. 4. p. 173 174. Are destroyed at Earcombert's Command throughout his Kingdom of Kent Id. p. 180. Jerne that is according to the Scottish Writers the Province of Strathern l. 2. p. 98. Jerusalem the Temple there laboured though in vain to be rebuilt by Alypius a Heathen l. 2. p. 90. Jews all that were in the Kingdom to be under the Protection of the King l. 6. p. 102. Iffi the Son of Prince Osfrid received Baptism l. 4. p. 174 176. Dies in France under King Dagobert's Tuition in his Infancy Id. p. 176. Igmond the Dane with a great Number of Soldiers Lands in the Isle of Anglesey where they obtain a Victory over the Welsh-men who gave them Battel l. 5. p. 303. Ilford near Christ-Church in Hampshire seated in the New Forest called Itene in English-Saxon perhaps it anciently went by the Name of Ityngaford l. 5. p. 314. Iltutus a Pious and Learned Britain of Glamorganshire l. 3. p. 149. Images not introduced into the English-Saxon Church at the foundation of the Abbey of Evesham by Edwin Bishop of Worcester as is pretended by some l. 4. p. 216 217. Image-Worship the Church of God wholly abominated as practised in the Greek and Roman Churches and was not then receiv'd in England l. 4. p. 236 237. Impostor a notable Scotch one who called himself Run sets up for Prince of south-South-Wales but he and his Army soon put to the Rout l. 6. p. 52. Ina King of the West-Saxons builds a Monastery at Glastenbury endows it with divers Lands and exempts it from all Episcopal Jurisdiction Reigns Seven and thirty years goes to Rome and there Dies l. 4. p. 204 218 219 220. The Son of Kenred the Son of Ceolwald when he took the Kingdom but without any Right of Successive Descent Id. p. 205. Summons the first Authentick Great Council whose Laws are come to us entire Id. p. 208 209. The Kentish-men enter into a League with him and give him Thirty thousand Pounds for his Friendship and why Id. p. 209. And Nun his Kinsman fight with Gerent King of the Britains Id. p. 215. And Ceolred fight a bloody Battel at Wodensburgh in Wiltshire Id. p. 217. Fights with the South-Saxons and slays Eadbert Aetheling whom before he had banished Id. p. 218. Romescot is conferred on the Bishop of Rome first by him but if so it must be with the Consent of the Great Council of the Kingdom Id. p. 219. A Great Example of his Magnanimity and Justice Piety and Devotion Id. p. 219 220. His being King of Wales as well as England and his marrying Guala the Daughter of Cadwallader King of the Britains a groundless and fabulous story Id. p. 220. Indian Apostles St. Thomas and St. Bartholomew were so called because they were there martyr'd l. 5. p. 286. Indians their deadly Feud against all the Kindred of one that murthers any of them l. 5. p. 347. Ingerlingum the place where King Oswin was treacherously murthered and where afterwards a Monastery was built l. 4. p. 182 183. Ingild the Brother of King Ina his Death l. 4. p. 218. Ingwar a Danish Captain who held London is slain by King Alfred l. 5. p. 286. Inquest Grand the Antiquity of Trials by them of more than twelve men l. 6. p. 43. Intestates how the Goods of those who dye so are to be distributed l. 6. p. 59. Inundation a mighty one about Greenwich that drowned both many People and Towns l. 6. p. 39. Invasion Of the Romans upon the Britains an Account thereof as also of that of the Picts and Scots and then of the English-Saxons after that of the Danes and lastly of the Normans Ep. Dedic l. 5. p. 246. John of Beverlie first he was Bishop of Hagulstad then of York l. 4. p. 202 213 215. He was Bishop Three and thirty Years and Eight Months then dies and is buried at Beverlie and afterwards canonized by the name of St. John of Beverlie Id. p. 218. John
with Archbishop Athelnoth to Rome and there clears himself before the Pope of what he had been accused l. 6. p. 53. Leotheta in French Judith Daughter of Charles the Bald King of the Franks Married to Ethelwulf King of the West-Saxons l. 5. p. 263. Places her by him on his Royal Throne but the Nation would not permit her to be called Queen for there was formerly a Law made against it upon account of a certain wicked Queen called Eadburga Wife to King Brythtric Id. p. 264. Lethard Bishop to Bertha Wife of Ethelbert King of Kent whom she brings over with her from France to assist and strengthen her in the Christian Faith l. 4. p. 153. Levatriae now Bows upon Standmore in Richmondshire l. 2. p. 74. Vid. Stanmore Leutherius or Lothair Bishop of Winchester l. 4. p. 192. Vid. Eleutherius A Grant of Lands from him to build the Abbey of Malmesbury Id. p. 195. Llewelin Prince of north-North-Wales surely mistastaken and put instead of Howel King of South-Wales l. 5. p. 328. Llewelin ap Sitsylt in Right of his Wife Prince of south-South-Wales l. 6. p. 27. Raises great Forces against Aedan ap Blegored the Usurper of his Countrey and in a bloody Battel Kills him with his Four Sons His Descent Id. p. 40. After Conan's Death he possesses himself of south-South-Wales and Governs both the Countries with great Peace and Prosperity Id. p. 51 52. Slain by Howel and Meredith the Sons of Prince Edwin or Owen Id. p. 53. Liblacum signifies the Art of Conjuration or Witchcraft that sort of it particularly called Fascination l. 5. p. 340. Licinius Priscus Propraetor or Lieutenant in this Island in Hadrian's time l. 2. p. 67. Lideford anciently called Hildaford l. 6. p. 26. Lising made Archbishop of Canterbury l. 6. p. 37. Deceases and who succeeds in his room Id. p. 51. Lightning such fell as the Age had never seen before it appeared as if the stars shot from Heaven l. 4. p. 224. l. 5. p. 261. Vid. Miracles and Prodigies Strange kind of Wild-Fire appeared such as none ever remembred and did a great deal of mischief l. 6. p. 56. Limene a River lying from the Eastern part of Kent as far as the East-end of that great Wood called Andred l. 5. p. 299. Lindisfarne an Isle and Episcopal See till that Church was destroyed by the Danes and then the See was removed to Durham l. 3. p. 144. Desired by Aidan of Oswald for his Episcopal See it is a Peninsula except when the Sea quite overflows that Neck of Land which joins it to England l. 4. p. 178 183. Ceolwulf professes himself a Monk in this Monastery who brought great Treasures and Revenues in Land to it Id. p. 223. Eadbert King of Northumberland causes the Cathedral Church to be besieged Id. p. 225. Lindisse the Danes landing at Humberstan spoil all that Countrey l. 4. p. 170. Lindissi now Lincoln l. 4. p. 175. Litchfield anciently called Licetfield l. 4. p. 217. Two Bishops ordained in this Diocess on the Death of Alwin Id. p. 223. Becomes an Archbishoprick the Bishops of the Provinces of the Kingdom of Mercia and the East-Angles subject to it obtained of the Pope by Offa Id. p. 229 233. The Archbishoprick confirm'd by a General Synod of the Kingdom Id. p. 233. Becomes again an ordinary Bishoprick subject to the See of Canterbury Id. p. 235. Living Abbot of Tavistock brings the Letter that Cnute wrote upon his Return from Rome and sent into England the Purport of which is there set down l. 6. p. 55. Succeeded in the Bishopricks of Worcester and Gloucester Id. p. 65. Is accused to King Hardecnute and deprived of his Bishoprick Id. p. 67. Living Bishop of Devonshire that is Exeter deceases and who succeeds him Id. p. 73. London said though without any ground of truth to be called by Brute Troja Nova which in time was changed to Trinobantum or Troynovant l. 1. p. 9. Mellitus made Bishop of London l. 4. p. 159 166. When it had been part of the East-Saxon Kingdom for above One hundred years Id. p. 177. When it suffered great mischief by Fire Id. p. 229. With a great Multitude of its Inhabitants consumed by a sudden Fire Id. p. 242. Taken by the Danes Three hundred of their Ships coming into the Mouth of Thames l. 5. p. 261. Tribute due from the King of Aberfraw to the King of London l. 5. p. 229. l. 6. p. 3. Taken from the Danes by King Alfred who repairs it l. 5. p. 288. The City miserably destroyed by Fire l. 6. p. 21. Besieged by the Danes but they were forced to draw off Id. p. 25. Always gave the Danes an ill Reception Id. p. 34. Becomes subject and gives Hostages to Sweyn the Dane Id. p. 38. Besieged by the Danish Forces both by Land and Sea but God delivers it from their fury Id. p. 46. Submits to the Danes as part of the Mercian Kingdom who take up their Winter-Quarters there Id. p. 48. The flourishing Trade and Wealth of it that in Cnute's time could pay above a seventh part of that excessive Tax of Danegelt which was laid on the whole Nation Id. p. 51. Lords to have none of the Intestate's Goods but what is due to them as a Heriot l. 6. p. 59. Lord's-Day if any Servant do then any work by his Master's order he shall be free and his Master fined Thirty Shillings but if he does it of his own accord he shall be beaten c. The Punishment of a Freeman or Priest that worketh on that day l. 4. p. 208 211. l. 5. p. 285. Strictly observed in the Saxon times l. 4. p. 209. No Market to be held on this day under Penalty of the Wares and a Mulct of Thirty Shillings besides by King Athelstan's twenty fourth Law l. 5. p. 341. Edgar's Law for keeping this day like the Jewish Sabbath l. 6. p. 13. Lord's-Prayer Vid. Creed Lothaire King of Kent his Death l. 4. p. 202. Lothair Nephew of Bishop Agelbert takes on him the Episcopal Charge over the West-Saxons l. 4. p. 192. Lothebroc descended from the Royal Family in Denmark the story of his coming hither into Norfolk and being killed by King Edmund's Huntsman the Body found out by his own Greyhound l. 5. p. 272 273. Lots none to be cast for deciding of Civil Controversies l. 4. p. 234. Lucius succeeds his Father Coil the Tributary King of the Britains is called Lees sirnamed by the Britains Lever-Maur that is the Great Light l. 2. p. 68. In the beginning of Commodus his Reign he sends to Eleutherius then Bishop of Rome desiring by his means to be made a Christian Id. p. 68 69. But the story seems to be of very suspicious credit Id. p. 69. His Conversion when it happened Ibid. Had Regal Authority under the Romans in some part of this Island Id. Ib. Lucullus Salustius Legate of Britain in the days of Domitian l. 2. p. 65. Ludgate received its name from King Lud
the Monk that wrote this Chronicle for Asser himself in his Life of King Alfred tells us of Hemeid Prince of south-South-wales That Nobis Archiepiscopum Propinquum meum me expulit viz. from the Church of St. Davids which word Nobis the Learned Dr. Gale reads Novis and so makes it good Sense that otherwise seems Non-sense in the printed Copies The false reading of which Word as well as this Chronological mistake of Florence abovementioned led Bale into the belief that the Arch-bishop above-mentioned must have been that Asser whom Caradoc's Chronicle publish'd by Dr. Powel makes to have died Anno Dom. 906. and which Authority led the Lord Primate Usher into that small Mistake in his Index Chronologicus at the end of his Britan. Eccles. Antiquitat of supposing this Asser to have been the Author of the History of King Alfred and not he who was Bishop of Shireburn AND the right reading of this word Nobis in Asser also proves the falshood of that Welsh Annal but now mentioned for if Novis was expell'd his Bishoprick not long before Asser was sent for by King Alfred which was about Anno 885. then Novis could not be dead in Anno 872. as that Chronicle makes him nor yet could Asser succeed Novis Anno Dom. 909. for then there would have been a Vacancy of near 40 Years in that See whereas the Saxon Annals rightly place the Death of our Asser Bishop of Shireburn under this very Year SO that upon the whole Matter it is the Judgment of the Reverend and Learned the now Lord Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry That there never was but one Asser who was also Bishop of Shireburn and that as for this Asser Bishop of St. Davids he had never any Being in Nature but in the Brain of some ignorant Monks who would for the Honour of their Church have made this Asser to have been Bishop not only of St. Davids but of Britain contrary to the Truth of all Chronology as well as Matter of Fact I have no more to remark of this Asser but that Ingulph not only says he was Bishop of Shireburn but also Abbot of Bangor which I find not related by Asser himself nor by any other Author and therefore I look upon it as a Mistake either in Ingulph or his Transcriber in writing Bangor instead of Banwell which was one of those Abbeys that Asser says King Alfred bestowed upon him FROM this Asser to Ethelwerd who calls himself Quaestor i. e. Treasurer and wrote in the beginning of the Reign of King Edgar being descended from the Saxon Blood-Royal by King Alfred his Great-Grandfather there flourished no Historian nor are we indeed so much the better for him as I could wish for unless it be in the right settling of the Reigns and Deaths of some of our Saxon Kings who lived not long before him about which the several Copies of the Saxon Annals do differ there is not much to be learnt from him but what is in the Annals themselves or else in the last mentioned Author from both which one may perceive that he had borrowed the most part of what he there writes So that partly from the affected Obscurity of his Stile and partly from the bad Copy from which it was printed being that which is now in the Cottonian Library in many Places we do not understand his meaning but as far as we are able to do it we have given you a true Account of what he has added to this History BVT either from the Laziness or Ignorance of the Monks who were almost the only Writers of that Age from the Time that Ethelwerd left off to some Years after the Conquest we meet with no Historians except Osbern and another Monk that is Anonymous the former of whom writing the Lives of St. Dunstan and St. Alphege has afforded us some Passages relating to this History as has also the latter in his Life of St. Dunstan which is still in Manuscript in the Cottonian Library But as for Osbern he is published in the first Volume of Anglia Sacra And from these that Age gives us none unless the Author whose Name we know not that wrote that short Account of the Times immediately preceding the Reign of Edward the Confessor called Encomium Emmae until Ingulph Abbot of Croyland finished the History of that Abbey about the latter end of the Reign of William the First And tho he did not take upon him to write a History of more Affairs than those of his own Monastery yet he hath by the by interspersed many considerable Passages relating to the Publick Transactions of this Kingdom which I likewise have here inserted FROM him to Eadmerus we find no Historian and He only relating the Ecclesiastical History during the Reign of William the First and his Sons William Rufus and Henry is of no use to us in this Volume here published IN the beginning of the Reign of Henry the First we find a most Laborious and Diligent Chronologer viz. Florence of Worcester who continuing and enlarging the History of Marianus Scotus hath among the various Transactions of the rest of Europe given us at the end of almost every Year out of the Saxon Annals an exact Account of the Affairs of England to which he hath also added divers very curious Memoirs and Illustrations of his own and besides what is printed there is also in Manuscript in the Bodleian Library a fair and perfect Copy of this Author which once belonged to the Monastery of St. Edmundsbury to which I have been much beholding not only for some things concerning that Abbey but also for several choice Passages relating to this our History which are neither to be found in the printed Editions of this Author nor any where else that I know of therefore where-ever the Reader shall meet with any thing cited from Florence which is not found in Print he may be assured it is in that Manuscript under the Year there set down in the Margin this I mention that the Reader may not be startled if he does not find the Passage I cite in the printed Copies since I had not always time to compare them together FLORENCE was immediately followed by Simeon of Durham who did not only Copy from him but also added several Remarkable things particularly relating to the Northumbrian Kingdom as well before as after it came under the Government of Earls Tho Mr. Selden in his Preface to the Decem-scriptores will not allow this Simeon to have been the Author of this Work but that he was a Plagiary and stole it from Turgot a Monk of the said Church who was also afterwards ordained Bishop of St. Andrews in Scotland and Simeon only adding some things to it of his own took the whole Honour to himself his History reaches no farther than 1129. but was continued by John Prior of Hagulstad to Anno 1154. TO whom we may adjoin Richard a Monk of the same Monastery
Antient Historians only he cites a Scrap in the Margin as he thinks ouâ— of Brompton but it should be Simeon of Durhaâ— for no such thing is to be found in the former Author viz. That Harold quasi just us haeres coepit regnare nec tamen ità potentèr ut Canutus quia justior haeres expectabatur Hardicanutus i. e. as just Heir but yet not so absolutely as Cnute because the juster Heir Sâ—il Hâ—rdecanute was expected which he is pleased to call him because he falsly supposes that none could have a Right to the Crown but one of Queen Emma's Children But this Writer cunningly leaves out the preceding Words with a dash because they make against him which I shall here add 〈◊〉 consentientibus quamplurimis MAJORIBVS natu Aâ—glia quasi Justus haeres c. So that it seems his Right to reign proceeded from the Consent of the Estates of the Kingdom SO that granting as this Author supposes That Hardecnute had been left Heir by his Father King Cnute's Testament yet you see this could only give him a Precedency of being first Proposed and Elected HAROLD dying after a few Years Reign Hardecnute was sent for out of Elanders to succeed him yet this could not be as his Heir being but of the half Blood and his supposed Brother only by his Father's side and therefore Henry of Huntington says expresly that Post Mortem Harolds Hardecnute filius Regis Cnuti illicò susceptus est ELECTVS in Regeni ab Anglis DACIS i. e. After the Death of Harold Hardecnute the Son of King Cnute was presently received and Elected King by the English and Danes HARDECNVTE dying suddenly after about two Years Reign the abovecited Antient Chronicle in the Cottonian Library proceeds to tell us that Mortuo Hardecanuto Eadwardus Annitentibus maximè Comite Godwino Wigornensi Livingo levatar Londoniae in Regem i. e. that Hardecnute being dead Edward by the Assistance chiefly of Earl Godwin and Living Bishop of Worcester was advanced to the Throne at London WILLIAM of Malmesbury words it thus speaking of Earl Godwin Nec mora congregato concilio Londoniae rationibus suis explicitis Regem effecit From whence it appears that by Godwin's means he was made King at a Common-Council of the Kingdom BUT Ingulph is yet more express who says Post ejus Sâ—il Hardecanuti obitum Omnium Electione in Edwardum concordatur maximè cohortante Godwino Comite i. e. that after the Death of Hardecnute it was unanimously agreed upon to Elect Prince Edward Earl Godwin chiefly advising it AND Henry Huntington goes yet a step higher and writes thus Edwardus cum paucis venit in Angliam Electus est in Regem ab omni populo Prince Edward coming into England with but a few Men was Elected King by all the People which is also confirmed by an Antient Manuscript Chronicle of Thomas of Chesterton Canon of Litchfield in the Cottonian Library who under Anno 1042. says thus Edwardus filius Athelredi Regis ab omni Populo in Regem Electus Consecratus est BUT the Doctor very cunningly conceals all this concerning his Election and only gives us a shred out of Guilielmus Gemeticensis in these words Hardecanutus Edwardum totius Regni reliquit haeredem that is left Edward Heir of the whole Kingdom but so far indeed the Doctor is in the Right That he could be no other than a Testamentary Heir there being other Heirs of the Right Line both of Saxon and Danish Blood before him But it may well be doubted whether the Author last mentioned being a Foreigner may not be mistaken if he means the words haeredem reliquit for a Bequest by Will since no English Historian that I know of mentions any such thing and indeed it is highly improbable that this Prince made any Will at all since all Writers agree that he died suddenly at a Drunken Feast in the very Flower of his Age and as it is not likely he made any Will before so it was impossible he could do it at his Death BUT this Election of King Edward farther appears from the mean and abject Carriage which this Prince shewed as you will find William of Malmesbury towards Earl Godwin when he was so far from claiming the Crown that he only desired he would save his Life till the Earl encouraging him put him in hopes of obtaining the Kingdom upon Promise of marrying his Daughter which he would never have done had he had so â—air a Pretence as the last Will of his Brother Hardecnute to recommended him to the favour of the Estates of the Kingdom and if that alone would have done to what purpose should he need afterwards to be Elected THIS is in part acknowledged by the Doctor but to palliate it he will have Godwin a Council being immediately called by his Reason and Rhetorick to make him King it seems then he was to be made so but he dares not say one word of his Election for fear it would betray the Cause which he has so strenuously laboured to advance AND therefore he thinks he has now nothing more to do but to expose and ridicule the Legend of the Abbot of Rievalle in making Edwards the Confessor to be elected King in his Mother's Womb which tho I grant to be as absurd as to drink Prince of Wales his Health before he is born yet the Abbot had certainly no ground for this Story unless he had been sufficiently convinced that this was an Elective Kingdom in the Time of King Ethelred his Father BUT if the Reader desires further Satisfaction concerning the Circumstances of this King's Election I shall refer him to the Antient Annals of the Church of Winchester which I have faithfully transcribed out of the first Volume of Monasticon Anglicanum and inserted into this Volume under Anno 1041. where he will find the whole History of this Prince's Election and Coronation written by a Monk of that Church not long after the Conquest these Annals are also in Manuscript in the Cottonian Library to which I must likewise by the Favour of its honourable Possessor own my self highly obliged for several considerable Remarks in this History of the Succession of our Saxon Kings BUT to draw to a Conclusion upon this Subject King Edward as appears by our Annals in the Year 957 sent over for his Cousin Prince Edward sirnamed the Out-Law Son of King Edmund out of Hungary as Simeon of Durham relates Illum se Regni haeredem constituere that he might appoint him Heir of the Kingdom which had been a very idle Thing had the Kingdom been Hereditary and that it had been his undoubted Right by Proximity of Blood THIS Prince dying soon after his coming over we no where find that King Edward ever offered to do the like for his Cousin Edgar Atheling but on the contrary forgetting his own Family Ingulph tells us that the Year before his Death
King Arthur died this Year as all the British Writers agree but as for the manner of his Death it is uncertain The British Chronicles suppose him to have been slain in a Fight at Camala against his own Nephew Mordred who had usurped the Crown in his absence It is more uncertain who succeeded him Geoffery of Monmouth makes Arthur at his Death to have bequeath'd the Crown to one Constantine his Cousin Son of Cador Duke of Cornwal whom he makes to have fought several times with the Sons of Mordred that he slew them and after 4 Years Reign died But divers of the ancientest British Chronicles we have seen make no mention of this Constantine but leave here an Inter-regnum of near 11 Years But to return to our Saxon Annals Withgar died and was buried at Withgarasbyrig which Place being called after his own Name was certainly some Place in the Isle of Wight and is supposed to be the same with Caresbrook Castle in the same Island Let us now look back to the British Affairs King Constantine being supposed by Geoffery to have died about this time he makes his Nephew Aurelius Conan to have succeeded him who Reigning about two Years was followed by Vortipore who also dying four Years after was succeeded by Malgo called by Gildas Malgoclunus and is supposed to be the same with Maelgwn Guined so often mentioned in the Welsh Annals so that according to Geoffery these three Princes reigned successively after one another which can by no means to reconciled with Gildas's Epistle who speaks to all of them as living and reigning at one and the same time so that it is most likely that Malgo or Malgocunus was only King of north-North-Wales or else of the Northern Parts of Britain as some of the Welsh Chronicles affirm but that Vortipore was King of that part of South-Wales called Demetia Gildas himself relates whilst Aurelius Conan ruled in Powis Land or some other Southern Province as Arch-Bishop Usher with preat probability supposes but Gildas's Epistle wherein he so sharply inveighs against all these British Kings above-mentioned is to this effect Britain has Kings yet Tyrants it has Judges but preying upon and oppressing the Innocent their Kings have Wives of their own yet are Whoremongers often Swearing yet as often Perjuring themselves often making Wars but those unjust or Civil Ones prosecuting Thieves yet having the greatest near them even at their own Tables sitting in the Seat of Justice yet not observing the Rules of right Judgment despising the Innocent and Peaceable and countenancing the Bloody and Adulterous keeping Men in Prison whom they have put there rather out of Malice than Desert And then proceeds particularly to all the Kings then reigning beginning with Constantine whom he calls The Tyrannical Whelp of an impure Damonian Lioness and accuses him this very Year in which he wrote that Letter to have been guilty of murdering two innocent Youths of Royal Blood at the very Altar and under the Cope of the holy Abbot These are supposed to have been the two Sons of Mordred He likewise accuses this Prince that being polluted with frequent Adulteries he had contrary to Christ's Precept put away his own Wife In the next place applying himself to Aurelius Conan he accuses him of the like if not worse Parricides besides Fornications and Adulteries and that hateing the Peace of his Country he had out of desire of Prey fomented Civil Wars In the third place he comes to Vortipore whom he calls The wicked Son of a good Father and Tyrant of the Demetae that is South-Welshmen and whom he accuses of the like Faults and that thô his Head were then grey yet he was guilty of Adultery his Wife being put away him he also advises to Repentance Next he proceeds to Cuneglasus who is supposed by some Antiquaries to have been King of the Northern or Cambrian Britains but this is to be observed that Geoffery of Monmouth takes no notice of him which shews that either he never saw this Copy of Gildas or else if he did knew not where to place this Prince having already made as many Kings to succeed each other as the Time he had to bestow upon them would allow But whoever he was Gildas accuses him for fighting both against GOD and Men against Men by taking Arms against his own Country-men against God by infinite Wickedness and besides his other Faults that having put away his own Wife he had married her Cousin who had vowed perpetual Chastity Then he concludes with a sharp Reproof of Maglocunus whom he calls the Island Dragon and the Expeller of many other Tyrants he also accuses him of Sodomy asking him Why being taller in Stature and greater in Power than all the rest of the Princes in Britain he had made himself in stead of being better far worse than they Upbraiding him that in his Youth he had murdered the King his Uncle with many of his Men. After many other Reproofs threatens him with speedy Destruction unless he repent This is the Substance of Gildas's Reproof to the British Princes from which all that we can gather is First that there were no less than five Kings at this time in Britain thô by what Means or Title they came to the Crown is uncertain more than that it seems probable some of these Princes here mentioned were descended from Aurelius Ambrosius thô as Gildas observes highly degenerated from the Virtue of their Ancestors But what great Actions these Kings did during their Reigns or what good Qualities they were indued with is not known so that there is but a slender Account of them in the Rolls of Fame which may make us suspect they were guilty of but very few good Qualities because we here find a large Catalogue of their bad Ones Who succeeded each of these Kings in their distinct Territories the most authentick British Chronicles do not mention and therefore thô Geoffery makes one Careticus to have now governed that part of Britain which was still left unconquered by the Saxons and whom he will have to succeed Malgo and that thereupon the Saxons sent for one Gormund an African King with a great Army of his Country-men who making a League with the Saxons set upon Careticus and besieged him in the City of Circester and taking and burning it afterwards fought with Careticus and forced him to flie beyond the Mountains of Wales Yet since neither in our Saxon Annals nor any other good Historian there is any thing to be found concerning these Kings or any Africans that ever invaded Britain it is to be looked upon as no better than one of the bold Inventions of this Author But as I have given you Gildas's Character of their Kings so I shall now give you that of their Clergy whom he thus reproves Britain says he hath Bishops but without Discretion many Ministers but those Impudent many Clerks but subtle Prowlers Pastors in Name but indeed Wolves
Lindisfarn where he was with his Clergy and there he was Abbot with his Monks who all belong to the Care of the Bishop where he was also succeeded by divers other Bishops till that Church being destroyed by the Danes the Bishop's See was removed to Durham I need say no more upon this Subject but shall refer the Reader to the said Learned Bishop's Dissertation to prove that no other Church-Government but Episcopal was ever setled amongst the Scots Picts or Saxons upon their Conversion to Christianity But that we may return again to our Saxon Annals Adda King of Bernicia dying this Year as Florence of Worcester and Mâ—tthew of Westminster relate one Glappa reigned in his stead two Years but who he was or how descended these Authors do not tell us The same Year died Maelgwn Guineth King of the Britains after five Years Reign over all that part of Britain that was left them This is according to the account of that Learned Antiquary Mr. Robert Vaughan thô Mat. of Westminster Dr. Powell and Sir John Price make him to have began his Reign long after viz. the former of these in 581 and the latter in 590 both which Opinions the said Mr. Vaughan Learnedly confutes in a Manuscript I have now in my possession but who succeeded Maelgwn Guineth as King of all the Britains since the Welsh Annals are silent I shall be so too for as to those Successors which Geoffery hath given him I have already said sufficient to destroy his Credit in this matter and Will of Newberie's Censure of him is not less sharp than true That concerning the Successors of Arthur he does not lie with less Impudence when he gives them the Monarchy of all Britain even to the 7th Generation The next year Ceawlin and Cutha his Brother beginning a Civil War fought with King Ethelbert and drove him back into Kent and killed two of his Commanders Oslac and Cnebba at Wibbendon now Wimbledon in Surrey This King Ethelbert as Will. of Malmesbury observes was in the beginning of his Reign a Scorn to the Neighbouring Princes for being beaten in one or two Battels he could scarce defend his own Territories But when in his riper Years he learned more Experience in War in a short time he brought under his Subjection all the Nations of the English-Saxons except the Northumbrians and that he might also gain the Friendship of Foreigners he became allied to the King of the Franks by the Marriage of Bertha his Daughter But of this King we hear no more for many years till his Conversion to the Christian Faith Glappa King of Bernicia dying Theodwulf succeeded him for one year But then he also deceasing Frâ—othwulf reigned after him for seven or eight years more We are beholding for the Succession of these two Kings to Florence of Worcester and Rog. Hoveden being omitted by all other Authors they are also more exact in distinguishing this Kingdom from that of Deira most of the rest confounding them together Cuthwulf the Brother of Ceawlin as it is in H. Huntington fought against the Britains at Bedicanford now Bedford and took four Towns viz. Lugeanburh now Loughborough in Leicestershire or else Leighton in Bedfordshire and Eglesburh now Ailesbury in Bucks with Bennington and Egonesham now called Bensington and Enisham in Oxfordshire About this time as is supposed for the Year is not set down in the Saxon Annals nor any other Historian began the Kingdom of the East-Angles under Vffa the Eighth from Woden tho it seems there were before him divers other petty Saxon Princes who had invaded and fixed themselves in the Countries we now call Norfolk and Suffolk for in one Copy of Matth. of Westminster which Mr. Twine had seen tho it be not found in our printed ones he saith That Anno 527. the Pagans came out of Germany and took possession of the Countrey of the East-Angles and tormented the Christians with all sorts of Cruelty but it seems this Vffa in Strength and Policy overpowering the rest of those Petty Princes got himself made sole King and governed with that Glory that H. Huntingdon tells us the Kings descended from him were called Vffings though how long he reigned is uncertain only that dying he left the Crown to Titul or Titillus his Son of whom likewise nothing is recorded and therefore Will. of Malmesbury takes no notice of these two Princes The first he speaks of is Redwald the Tenth from Woden whom he calls the greatest King of the East-Angles but since his Reign began after this Period I shall reserve the speaking further of him to the next Book To return to the Saxon Annals This year Ceawlin and Cuthwin his Son fought with and slew three British Kings viz. Commail Candidan and Farinmaile at a place which is called Deorham now Durham in Gloucestershire and then took three Cities Glewancester now Glocester Cirencester and Bathoncester now Bathe Who these three Kings were is very doubtful some suppose the first and second of them to be Cuniglasus and Aurelius Conan both mentioned by Gildas but for the third I cannot tell what to make of him there being no such King mentioned in any of the old British Chronicles so all that we can guess is that he was some Petty Prince whose Name is wholly omitted in the Welsh Annals or else mistaken in ours From the time of this Battel the Britains or Welshmen as the English call them being driven into that rough and mountainous Countrey we now call Wales lying beyond the Rivers of Dee and Severn made fewer Invasions into what we call England This year as the Welsh Chronicle called Triades relates being an Ancient Manuscript written near 1000 years ago the Battel of Arderydd was fought on the Borders of Scotland between Aeddan Vradog i. e. the Treacherous and Guendelew Son of Keidiaw British Princes of the North Parts of Britain on the one side and Reiderch-hoel i. e. the Liberal a British King of Cumberland on the other side and that upon a very slight occasion a Lark's-Nest and two Dogs In which Battel Guendelew was slain though his men fought and skirmish'd with the other Britains for Six Weeks to revenge his Death After which Fight Aedan being there overcome fled into the Isle of Man The like Story is related by Hector Boethius concerning the Battel between Aedan King of the Scots and the Picts upon the like occasion so that either the Scots borrowed it from the British History or else this had it from them though the former be the most likely But how this can agree with our Saxon Annals who make Adda King of Bernicia to have died Ten Years before I know not one of them must certainly be mistaken since there was but one King of Northumberland who was called Adda This year or the next King Freothwulf dying Theodoric the Son of Ida according to Florence of Worcester and Matth. Westminster
succeeded him in the Kingdom of Bernicia Aella still reigning in Deira This Theodoric and his Sons according to the Ancient Author of the English-Saxon Genealogies at the end of Nennius lately put forth by Dr. Gale fought with Vrbgen or Vrien King of Cumberland and his Sons with various Success who besieged Theodoric in the Isle of Medcant now Turne Island until by the means of Morgant a Prince of the same Countrey who envied his Valour Vrien was in that Expedition murthered by his own men But the Succession of these Kings of Northumberland is very obscure and uncertain For the Author of the abovecited Genealogies makes one Freodguald to have succeeded this Theodoric or Deoric as he calls him but whether he was the same with Freothwulf mentioned by Florence is hard to determine and after this Freodguald who reigned seven years one Hussa is said to have succeeded who reigned seven years likewise but whether in Deira or Bernicia he does not say in which he is also followed by Rog. Hoveden in his Prologue to his History but the Succession of these Kings having no certain Time assigned them I can only set them down as I find them Here is a large Gap left in the Saxon Annals where nothing occurs further of English Affairs for seven years To supply which we must have recourse to the British Affairs in those Countries we now call Wales Where to shew you the Uncertainty of the British Chronology According to Matthew of Westminster Malgo or Magoclunus whom the Welsh Annals call Mael Guineth was elected King of all the Britains of Wales having been long before King of North-Wales as the word Gwineth in the Welsh Tongue signifies And Humphrey Lloyd in his Fragment of the Description of Wales from an Ancient Book of British Laws thus gives us the manner of his Election After the Saxons had obtained the Kingdom and Crown of London upon the Expulsion of the Britains all the People of Wales met at the mouth of the River Dee to Elect a King and thither came the men of Gwineth or North-Wales the men of Powis-land the men of Dehaubarth Glamorgan and divers other Countries who all elected Mael Gwineth King Whom Geoffry of Monmouth fables to have been King not only of all this Island but also to have conquered Ireland Iceland Gothland Norway Denmark and the Orcades a story so ridiculous that the very telling it is a sufficient Confutation And all this he collects from those words of Gildas wherein he calls him the Island-Dragon and a driver out of many Tyrants and because to express his great wickedness he says He was drunk with the Wine of Sodom Geoffry will needs conclude him to have been guilty of Sodomy This Prince is supposed to have reigned as Supreme King of Wales about six years Ceawlin King of the West-Saxons and Cutha fought against the Britains at a place called Frethanleag now Frethern in Gloucestershire where Cutha was slain yet Ceawlin now took many Towns with great Treasures and other Spoil and so returned home As H. Huntington relates the Britains had at first the better but Ceawlin having sent for fresh Recruits overcame the Conquerors William of Malmesbury mentions a Son of Ceawlin's of the same Name to have been killed before his face but either the Copy he had of these Annals differed from those we have left us or else he was no other than this Cutha here mentioned who was his Brother About this time began the Kingdom of the Mercians according to H. Huntington and Matth. of Westminster whose first King was Crida or Creoda this though the last erected yet was one of the largest of the English Saxon Kingdoms and was also one of the last that was conquered by the West-Saxons This Year also according to the Welsh Annals happened a great Slaughter of the Britains of the North for now Gurgi and Fredur two British Princes being Brothers and Twins the Sons of Oliver Gosgard Vawr i. e. Oliver with the great Train a Prince of Cumberland fought with Aedda or Adda the Saxon King of Northumberland at a place called Caergrew where both the Brothers were slain many of their men treacherously deserting them the Night before the Battel ' This year Aella King of Deira died after 30 years Reign and Athelric succeeded him and reigned 5 years over all Northumberland having as Will. of Malmesbury relates obtained the Kingdom in his Old Age his Youth being spent in a very narrow Fortune yet having according to Florence of Worcester's Account reigned two years over Bernicia in Aella's time And this year also according to Matth. of Westminster this Athelric for so I suppose it should be and not Ethelfrid who had not yet begun to reign married Acca Daughter to Aella King of Deira and on her got seven Sons whose Names he there gives us Also this year in the Welsh Annals as well as those of Vlster Constantine is mention'd to be converted to the Lord whom Archbishop Vsher understands to have been that wicked Constantine King of Devonshire and Cornwall whom Gildas has before inveighed against and who at this time being now bereft of his Wife and Children was also weary of his Kingdom and therefore went privately into Ireland and there building a Monastery took upon him the Habit of a Monk as John of Tinmouth in his Life of St. David relates And this Constantine Hector Boethius in his Scotish History will have to have been sent over by a certain Irish Bishop to preach the Gospel to the Scots and being by them martyr'd to have been some Ages after canonized for a Saint But this sounds like a Legend since the Scots had been long before converted by St. Patrick to the Christian Faith This year there was a great and bloody Battel fought at Wodensbeorge now called Wodensburg a little Village in Wiltshire between the Britains and the Saxons though it is not here said who were the Generals on either side only H. Huntington tells us that the Britains having drawn up their Army after the Roman manner and the Saxons charging them boldly but confusedly there followed a sharp Battel in which GOD gave the Victory to the Britains for the Saxons being wont to have the better in all their Wars being now grown more careless were vanquished and the whole Army almost destroyed which as W. of Malmesbury relates happened through the English joining with the Britains against him though of what Countrey the English were he does not tell us so that Ceawlin being driven out of his Kingdom and Ceolric Son to his Brother Cuthwalf obtaining it reigned five years Ceawlin being thus expell'd after 31 years Reign was forced to take Refuge in some other Kingdom but whether in this Island or else beyond Sea our Histories are silent He had been a little before the greatest and most powerful of all the English-Saxon Kings his Atchievements being a Wonder to the English and
till then a Terror to the Welsh or British About this time Geoffry of Monmouth makes Careticus above mentioned to have succeeded Malgo who perhaps was the same with Mael Gwineth in the Kingdom of the Britains whom he describes to have been a lover of Civil Wars and to be hateful to God and all the Britains so that the Saxons seeing his weakness invited Gormund an African King out of Ireland to Invade England with Six thousand Africans who joining with the Saxons invaded the Territories of Careticus and beating him in many Battels at last besieged him in the City of Cirencester which being taken and burnt he again joined Battel with Careticus and forced him to fly beyond Severne into Wales and then Gormund destroying all the Neighbouring Cities never left till he had destroyed the whole Island from Sea to Sea and so for a time obtained the Supreme Dominion of the whole Kingdom But of these Kings Gareticus and Garmund since not only the most Authentick Welsh Chronicles but the Saxon Annals are wholly silent I suppose them to have been only Romances and invented by Geoffrey to fill up this Gap in his British History not that I will deny that one Gormund a Danish King might reign in Ireland about this time but that he ever reigned in England is utterly false no other Historian but himself and those that borrow from him making any mention of it This year Gregory was made Bishop of Rome Ceawlin late King of the West Saxons died in Banishment and the same year died Cwichelm his Brother together with Cryda King of the Mercians to whom succeeded his Son Wipha or Wippa and Ethelfred began also to reign over both the Northumbrian Kingdoms being the Son of Ethelric the Son of Ida. This Prince did not only defend his own Territories but also invaded and seized those of others But the third year after was very remarkable For now Pope Gregory sent Augustine into Britain with many Monks to preach the Word to the English Nation As for the British Affairs we have but little more to remark ever since the Death of Maelgwin Gwineth for the space of 24 years only we find in the Book of Landaffe that about this time Tudric King of Glamorgan who was still Victorious is said to have exchanged his Crown for an Hermitage till going in Aid of his Son Mouric whom the Saxons had reduced to great extremity taking up Arms again he defended him against them at Tinterne by the River Wye but he himself received a Mortal Wound But about the end of this Century as Geoffry of Monmouth relates when the Britains could not agree for 24 years who should be their Governor at last they chose Cadwan Prince of North Wales to be King of all the Britains but the year of this Election is not set down by Geoffry nor is this Prince mentioned by any other British Author or Chronicle before he wrote But I shall defer speaking farther of this Prince till I come to the next Book Ceolwulf began to reign over the West-Saxons who making continual Wars all his time fought sometimes against the other English-Saxons sometimes against the Britains or else against the Picts and Scots but what is more remarkable this year Augustine the Monk with his Companions arrived in Britain But before I conclude this Period I cannot omit taking some further notice of the Civil as well as Ecclesiastical Affairs in that part of Britain now called Wales where the Remainders of Christianity in this side of our Island were now wholly confined Bangor in the North and Caer-Leon upon Vsk in South-Wales being the chief Places for Learning as well as Religion the last of these being also the See of an Archbishop where was likewise a College of Philosophers of which as Alex. Elsebiensis relates Dubritius Archbishop of that City was the Founder who resigning his Bishoprick became an Anchoret in the Isle of Bardsey to whom succeeded David afterwards Sainted who flourished about the year 509 and is said to have been Uncle by the Mother's side to King Arthur he removed the Episcopal See from Caer-Leon to Menevia now called St. David's in Pembrockshire Nor can I pass by several Learned and Holy Men among the Britains of this Age as first Daniel the most Pious Bishop of Bangor Cadocus Abbot of Lancarvan in Glamorganshire whose Life is written by John of Tinmouth In the same Age also flourished Iltutus a Pious and Learned Man of that Countrey to whom we may also add Sampson his Scholar consecrated Bishop by Dubritius Successor to St. David this Sampson was afterwards Archbishop of Dole in Britain having upon his leaving Britain carried away the Pall along with him as hath been already mentioned Not to omit Patern and Petroc the former a Preacher at Llan Patern in Cardiganshire and the other in Cornwal besides Congal Abbot of Bangor and Kentigern the famous Bishop of Ellwye in North-Wales as also Asaph his Scholar and Successor in the same See now from him called St. Asaph to whom I may also add Taliessen the famous British Poet whose Verses are preserved to this day All these flourished from the beginning till the middle of the Sixth Century which now as much abounded in Learned and Pious Men as the former Age was wanting of them Thus omitting Fables we have given you a View of whatever we find can be relied on for Truth transacted in Britain since the Romans first conquered and then forsook it Wherein we may observe the many Miseries and Desolations brought by Divine Providence on a wicked and perverse Nation driven when nothing else would reform them out of a Rich Countrey into a Mountainous and Barren Corner by Strangers and Heathens So much more intolerable in the Eye of Heaven is the dishonouring the Christian Faith and Religion by Unchristian Works than downright Infidelity Yet am I not of Bede's Opinion That the Britains omission to preach the Gospel to the English-Saxons though they inhabited the same Island was any of their crying Sins since it was not to be expected that they could either Preach or the Saxons would ever Receive the Gospel from those who were their utter Enemies and had taken their Countrey from them by Violence Yet God was not wanting to this Nation but appointed other Preachers to convert it to the Christian Faith which how it was brought about shall be the Subject of the ensuing Book The End of the Third Book Least the Names of the English-Saxon Kings which have been in tâ—â— former Book set down promiscuously according to the Years in which they began to reign should render their Succession perplexed and hard to be remembred I have from the Saxon Annals Florence of Worcester and Mat. Westminster placed the several Kingdoms of the Saâ—â—n Heptarchy together with their Kings in a Chronological Order as far as the End of this Period viz. Anno Dom. 597. Note The Years in
he had founded at Oundale in Northamptonshire being there seized with the same Sickness which had often attacked him before thô what it was this Author does not tell us he there died having before made his Will and given a great deal both in ready Money and Jewels to the Monasteries he had founded His Body was carried with great Pomp and Attendance of many Abbots and Monks to his Abbey of Rypon and there buried This Year Acca the principal Chaplain of Bishop Wilfred succeeded him in his Bishoprick of Hagulstad To this Bishop Florence of Worcester gives the Character of a skilful Singer and Learned in the Scriptures Also this Year Beorthfrith the Ealderman fought against the Picts between Haefe and Caere supposed to be Carehouse and Hatfeild in Northumberland and also King Ina and Nun his Kinsman fought with Gerent King of the Britains and the same Year Hygbald was slain Mat. Westminster places this Action in Anno 708 and makes this Hygbald to have been killed in the beginning of the Fight by the Welsh King above mentioned and He being there put to flight left great spoils behind him to the English who as Florence adds obtained the Victory This British Prince here mentioned is supposed to have been King of Cornwall for we can find no such name in the Catalogue of the Princes of North or south-South-Wales About this time according to Bede Naitan King of the Picts being convinced by the frequent reading of divers Ecclesiastical Writers renounced his Error concerning the Celebration of Easter and that he might likewise reclaim his Subjects with greater Authority he desired the assistance of the English Nation and therefore sent Messengers to Ceolfrid Abbot of the Monastery of Wyremouth desiring some Exhortatory Letters from him whereby he might confute those who presumed not to keep Easter at the due time as also concerning the true manner of shaving of Priest's Crowns he likewise desired some Architects that might build a Church for him after the Roman fashion which he promised to Dedicate in honour of St. Peter To which Pious requests Ceolfrid assenting did not only send him the Architect he desired but also writ him a long Epistle upon those two Questions in which he desired to be satisfied which you may see at large in Bede where besides many notable Arguments for keeping Easter on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon that follows the Vernal Equinox and besides some others there is this doughty Reason against the Scotch way of shaving Crowns that it was the Tonsure of Simon Magus and then what good Christian could not but abhor it as much as Magick it self This Year Guthlac dyed as also Pipin King of France this Guthlac here mentioned was at first a Monk at Repandun Abbey but afterwards professing himself an Anchorite he retired into the Fens and built himself a Cell at Croyland of him the Monkish Writers of those times relate incredible Miracles of his Temptations Sufferings by and Victories over Evil Spirits which then haunted that place at which some Years after the Abbey of Croyland was founded The same Year also Egwin Bishop of Worcester founded the Abbey of Evesham upon this occasion the Virgin Mary as the Monks relate had appeared about this place to one Eoves a Shepheard and not long after to the Bishop himself having a Book in her hand bringing two Female Attendants with her though who they were it seems she did not declare whereupon the Bishop there founded this Monastery testifying this Vision in the Charter of the Foundation which you may see at large in Monast. Anglic. as also in Sir H. Spelman's first Volume of Councils but as for the Story related by the Magdeburg Centuriators that the Virgin Mary did then Command her Image to be set up and worshiped in that Church there being no colour for it in the pretended Charter of the Bishop himself that must be certainly forged for as Sir H. Spelman has very well observed Arch-Bishop Brightwald is said to have writ this Charter by the command of the Pope whereas this Arch-Bishop was never at Rome nor was the Council in which it is said to have been confirmed held till after Bishop Egwin's Return home into England and as for the Kings Kenred and Offa who are made to witness and confirm it they had both of them resigned their Crowns and gone to Rome Five Years before the date of this Charter which is Anno Dom. 714 therefore I shall pass it by as a mere Fable since it is certain that the worship of Images was not then not long after introduced into the English-Saxon Church But before I dismiss this Subject concerning the foundation of the Abby of Evesham I cannot forbear taking notice of another Charter pretended to be made Anno Dom. 709 by King Kenred and King Offa above mentioned wherein they grant those Lands in which the Virgin Mary was supposed to appear to Bishop Egwin for the building of a Monastery according to the Rule of St. Benedict in which Charter thô the Lands are particularly named and set out yet it is as justly suspicious as the other to have been forged by the Monks of that Abby in after times as Sir H. Spelman very well observes who hath Printed both these Charters in his first Volume of Councils the former of which is dated at Rome Five Years before the other of Bishop Egwin's and is supposed to be subscribed by the Pope this Bishop himself and the two Kings who there stile themselves the former by the Title of King of Mercia and the latter by that of King of the East-Angles whereas it is apparent both from our Annals and Historians that they had both then resigned their Kingdoms to their Successours before they went to Rome and which is worse Offa was not King of the East-Angles but of the East-Saxons as Bede expresly relates nor can the fault be laid upon the Transcribers since the Error is in the Original Charter it self neither do we read of any King of the East-Angles all that time till King Offa upon the Murther of King Ethelbert seized that Kingdom but enough if not too much of these Monkish Forgeries we shall now return to our Annals King Ina and Ceolred fought at Wodensburh in Wiltshire a great and bloody Battle and now also Dagobert King of the French deceased This Year was founded at Theoewkesbury in Glocester-shire a noble Monastery for Bendictine Monks by Odo and Dodo Ealdermen of Mercia The same Year Osred King of Northumberland was killed near the Southern borders Mat. Westminster relates it was in a Fight near the Sea but names not the Enemy with whom he fought This Osred held the Kingdom Eleven Years then Cenred took it and held it Two Years and after him Osric who held it Eleven Years The same Year also Ceolred King of the Mercians Dyed and lyeth Buried in Licetfield now Lichfield Then Ethelbald succeeded
Saxons marching in an Hostile manner into Cornwal absolutely subdued it and added it to his own Kingdom many being there slain on both sides The same Year also according to Caradoc's Chronicle Run King of Dyvet and Cadhel King of Powis deceased Charles the Emperour made Peace with Nicephorus Emperour of Constantinople This Year also according to the same Caradoc Elbods Arch-Bishop of North Wales i. e. of St. Asaph deceased before whose Death was a great Eclipse of the Sun But as the Reverend Lord Bishop of Bangor in his Catalogue of the Welsh Kings which he has been pleased to communicate to me well observes That Eclipse falling out Anno 810 the Bishops Death must do so likewise and therefore in this the Chronicles must needs be mistaken Also according to Mat. Westminster Aelfwold King of Northumberland dying Earnred succeeded him and held it for 32 Years which is also confirmed by Simeon of Durham thô this can by no means agree with the Chronicle of Mailross which says That Eardulf being expelled his Kingdom it continued without any King for many Years but William of Malmesbury makes this Anarchy to have begun from the murther of King Ethered Anno 794 as hath been already observed in the last Book and that this Confusion lasted for about 33 Years during which time that Province became a Scorn to its Neighbours But it seems they still had Kings thô very obscure and but of small Account But of greater certainty is that which Mat. Westminster relates under this Year viz. That King Egbert subdued the Northern Welsh-men and made them Tributary to him But it is wholly incredible what Buchanan in his Scotish History relates in the Year following to wit That Achaius King of Scots having reigned 32 Years and had formerly aided but in what Year of his Reign he tells us not Hungus King of the Picts with 10000 Scots against one Athelstan then wasting the Pictish Borders and that Hungus by the Aid of those Scots and the Help of St. Andrew their Patron in a Vision by Night and the Appearance of a Cross by Day routed the astonished English and slew this Athelstan in Fight But who this Athelstan was I believe no Man knows Buchanan supposes him to have been some Danish Commander on whom King Alured or Alfred had bestowed Northumberland Yet of this I find no Foot-steps in our ancient Writers and if any such Thing were done in the time of Alfred it must be above 60 Years after for King Alfred began not to Reign till Anno 871. And John Fordun in his Scotish History is also as much mistaken making this Athelstan to be the Son of King Ethelwulf who then governed the Northern Provinces under his Father which also fails almost as much in point of time this Prince Athelstan here mentioned being as appears by the Saxon Annals alive and engaged in a Sea-Fight against the Danes above 40 Years after as you will find in its due place set down This Athelstan therefore and this great Overthrow seems rather to have been a meer Fancy of some idle Monk And this Year according to Mat. Westminster as King Egbert had the Year before subdued the Welsh-men so it seems upon some fresh Rebellion of theirs he again entred their Borders and laid them waste from North to South with Fire and Sword and then returned home Victorious But notwithstanding the Wars the Welsh had from abroad it seems they had also time enough for Civil Wars at home for now according to Caradoc's Chronicle Conan Prince of Wales and his Brother Howel could not agree insomuch that they tried the Matter by Battle where Howel had the Victory to which Dr. Powel hath here added this Observation That this Howel the Brother of Conan King or Prince of North Wales did claim the Isle of Mon or Anglesey for part of his Father's Inheritance which Conan refusing to give him thereupon they fell at Variance and consequently made War the one against the other And here says he I think fit to say somewhat of the old Custom and Tenure of Wales from whence this Mischief grew that is the Division of the Father's Inheritance amongst all the Sons commonly called Gauel kind Gauel is a British Term signifying a Hold because every one of the Sons did hold some portion of his Father's Lands as his lawful Son and Successour This was the Cause not only of the Overthrow of all the ancient Nobility of Wales for by that means the Inheritance being continually divided and subdivided amongst the Children and Children's Children it was at length brought to nothing but also of much Bloodshed unnatural Strife and Contention amongst Brethren as we have here an Example and many others in this History This kind of Partition is very good to plant and settle a Nation in a large Country not inhabited but in a populous Country already furnished with Inhabitants it is the utter Decay of great Families and as I said before the cause of constant Strife and Debate But some Years after Howel gave his Brother Conan another Defeat and slew a great many of his People Whereupon Conan levied an Army in the Year 817 and chased his Brother Howel out of the Isle of Anglesey compelling him to flee into that of Man and a little after died Conan chief King of the Britains or Welsh-men leaving behind him a Daughter named Esylht who was married to a Nobleman called Mâ—rvyn Vrych the Son of Gwyriad who was afterwards King in her Right This Year also as the Manuscript Annals of the Abbey of Winchelcomb relate the Charter of this Monastery was granted by King Kenulph as appears by a Copy there inserted which shews what Orders of Men were summoned by that King to be present at the Council in which this Charter was confirmed viz. Merciorum optimates Episcopos Principes Comites Procuratores meosque i. e. Regis Propinquos which Terms having already been explained in the Introduction to this Book I need noâ—â—ere repeat There were also present Cuthred King of Kent his 〈…〉 King of the East-Saxons with all others who should be present at those Synodal Councils Then follow the Subscriptions of K. Kenulph as also of both the said Kings and of Wilfred Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with the rest of the Bishops and Ealdermen there stiled Duces This Year according to our Annals the Emperour Charles the Great departed this Life when he had Reigned Forty Five Years also Wilfred the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Wigbright the Bishop of the West-Saxons went to Rome But here our Annals are mistaken for this Emperour dyed not till the Year 814. Mat. Westminster also adds that these Bishops above-mentioned went to Rome about the Affairs of the English Church Arch-Bishop Wilfred having received the Benediction of Pope Leo returned again to his Bishoprick and the same Year King Egbert wasted the Western Welsh from the South to the West This seems but to have been the
take in all the County of Northumberland lying between Tine and Tweed to the utmost Orcades this is by no means to be admitted since as the Lord Primate Usher learnedly observes That Country had long after not only English but Danish Kings as shall in the pursuit of this History be clearly made out and after those were extinct we may read in Turgot's Chronicle of the Bishops of Durham the Earls appointed by the Kings of England under them Governed that Country For as Roger Hoveden in the Year 953 expresly relates after Eric to whom the Northumbers had sworn Allegiance that Province was committed by K. Edred to Earl Oswald who afterwards in the Reign of King Edgar had one Olsac assigned him as a partner in that Government the former Commanding all that lay on the North side of Tyne and the latter all York-shire there also follow all the Successours of these Earls as low as the Time of Edward the Confessour under whom Tosti Governed it who loosing his Earldom by reason of his Tyranny it was by King Edward committed to Earl Morchar but he being taken up with great Imployments committed the Government of that part of it beyond Tyne to one Oswulf who afterwards by the Gift of K. William enjoyed the Government of the whole Country But that Loden and the other Low-Land Countries of Scotland as far as Edinburgh were long after in the possession of the English shall be shewn when we come to the Reign of King Edgar About this Time Eanred King of Northumberland dying Ethelred his Son succeeded him as Simeon of Durham and Mat. of Westminster relate thô the latter places this the Year before But to give some account of the Affairs of Wales from Caradoc's Chronicle About this time was fought the Battle of Ketell betwixt Burthred King of Mercia and the Britains wherein as some do write Mervyn Vrych King of the Britains was Slain leaving behind him a Son afterwards called Rodri Mawr that is to say Redoric the Great yet according to Nennius this King Mervyn was alive Anno Dom. 854 which was the Twenty Fourth Year of this Kings Reign and in which that Authour in his Preface says He wrote his History but I believe there is either an errour in Nennius's Account or else in the Transcribers since all the Welsh Chronicles agree that about this time Mervyn dyed and Rodri succeeded him This Prince Commonly called Rodoric the Great began his Reign over Wales this Year it was he who divided all Wales into three Territories of Aberfraw Dineuawr and Mathraval he had great Wars with Burhred King of Mercia who by the aid of King Ethelulph entred North Wales with a great Power and destroyed Anglesey and fought with the Welshmen of Northwales divers times and slew Meyric a great Prince among them This Year according to Mat. Westminster Aethelred King of Northumberland was driven from his Kingdom I suppose by a Rebellion the usual method in that unquiet Country and one Redwald succeeded him who as soon as ever he was made King fought a Battle with the Danes at a place called Aluethelie where the King and Earl Alfred were slain with the greatest part of their Army and that then K. Ethelred was again restored to the Throne but this Authour does not tell us by what means nor is the Year expressed and thô this Action is found in no other Authour yet is it likely enough to be true for Simeon of Durham in his History of that Church thô he does not mention this Kings Expulsion and Restitution to the Throne yet he there expresly mentions King Ethelred to have about this time succeeded his Father Eandred This Year according to our Annals Eanwulf the Ealdorman with the Somerset-shire Men Men and Ealstan the Bishop and Osric the Ealdorman with the Dorset-shire Men fought with the Danish Army at the mouth of Pedidan called by Hoveden Pendred's Mouth and was indeed the River Parret in Somerset-shire where they made a great slaughter of them and obtained the Victory over the Danes after which the Kingdom enjoyed Peace for divers Years But the Northumbers still continued their old custom of driving out or killing their Kings for about 3 Years after as Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham relate Ethelred King of the Northumbers being Slain Osbert Reigned in his stead Eighteen Years and the same Year there was an Eclipse of the Sun about the Sixth Hour of the Day on the Kal. of October this is that King Osbert who was afterwards killed by the Danes According to Florence and Mat. Westminster a Son called Aelfred was now Born to King Ethelwulf at Wanating now Wantige in Berk-shire his Mother was Osberge the Daughter of Aslat or Oslac chief Butler to King Aethelwulf who was related to Stuffe and Whitgar first Princes of the Isle of Wight she was a Woman as remarkable for her Piety as her Birth and deserved to be the Mother of him who was afterwards to prove so great a Prince The same Year also from the same Authours Berthferth the Son of Bertwulf King of Mercia wickedly slew his Cousin Wulstan who was Nephew to both the late Kings of Mercia but his Body was buried at the Famous Monastery of Rependun now Repton in Darby-shire in the Tomb of Wiglaf his Grandfather and if we may believe our Historians a Pillar of Light reaching up to Heaven stood over the place for Thirty Days which procured him the Title of a Saint This Year the Pagan Danes returned hither and Ceorl the Ealdorman together with the Forces of Devonshire fought with their Army at Wicganbeorch supposed to be Wenbury in Devon-shire and there obtained the Victory And the same Year also King Aethelstan and Duke Ealcher fought with them a Sea Fight and routed a great Fleet of them near Sandwic now Sandwich in Kent took 9 Ships and put the rest to Flight now also the Danes Wintered in the Isle of Thanet or as Asser in his Annals relates in the Isle of Sheppy and the same Year came 300 of their Ships into the Mouth of Thames and the Danes landing took Canterbury and London and routed Beorthwulf King of the Mercians with his whole Army who had come out to Fight with them after which the Danes marched Southward beyond Thames into Surry and there K. Aethelwulf and his Son Aethelbald with the Forces of the West-Saxons fought against them at Aclea now called Oakley in Surry where they made a greater slaughter of the Pagan Army than had been heard of at any time before so that the greatest part of them were destroyed The same Year also according to sir H. Spelman's 1. Vol. of Councils was held the Council of Kingsbury under Berthwulf King of the Mercians Ceolnoth Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with the other Bishops and Wise Men of the Province being present wherein besides the publick business of the Kingdom several grievances of the Monks were redressed
Shiping in Two Hundred and Fifty Vessels together with their Horses they arrived in the Mouth of the River Limene which then lay from the Eastern Part of Kent as far as the East End of that great Wood which is called Andred which Wood or Forest is in length from East to West at least an Hundred and Twenty Miles and in breadth Thirty containing all that which we call the Weald of Kent to this Day as also the Woodland part of Sussex as far as Hamptshire but up this River Limene they drew their Ships as far as the said Wood or Forest viz. Four Miles from the furthest part where the Sea flows up and there they made a Fort in that Fen which was raised by a few of their Ceorls or Villains And not long after arrived Haestein the Dane who entring the Mouth of Thames with Eighty Vessels Built a Fort at Middletune in Kent whil'st another part of the Army did the same at Apuldre or Apultre now called Apledore in the same County where as Ethelward relates They took and destroyed an Old Castle being defended only by a few Country People he also makes Haestein to have Fortified Middleton after Apuldere and his Army to have Winter'd in both places ' This Year also Wulfhere Arch-Bishop of the Northumbers decased But to look a little upon the Affairs of Wales The same Year Anarawd Prince of north-North-Wales came with a great number of English Men whom he had got to join with him and made War upon his Brother Cadelh Prince of Southwales and spoiled the Countries of Cardigan and Ystradgwy What the Danes did immediately after their Landing our Annals mention not but we may with great probability hither refer that Action touched upon in our Annals which are very confused and obscure in the Relation of this War viz. That it is most likely the Kings Army besieged Haestein either at Middleton or Beamfleot where not long after his Landing he had built a strong Fort on the opposite Shore and being reduced by the King to great Extremities he was forced to surrender himself with his Wife and his Two Sons to the King's Mercy upon Condition that they should be Christened which being done the King and Aethered Ealdorman of Mercia being their Godfather Haesten gave the King Hostages and solemnly swore to depart the Kingdom but as soon he got loose he broke all those Agreements and retiring into Beamfleot there fortified himself a fresh And the Spring after Aethelward assures us That passing along the great Forest of Andredeswood they then wasted the adjacent Countries of Hamptshire and Berkshire but the Saxon Annals affirm that about a Year after the Danes had raised that Fort I suppose of Middleton above-mentioned in the East part of the Kingdom K. Alfred the better to secure himself caused the Danes of Northumberland and East England to take an Oath to be true to him and the King also compell'd the East Angles to give him Hostages yet nevertheless they broke this Peace for when the Danes in Kent went out of their Ships in Troops to Plunder they also went with them or else the Danes carried the Prey into their Territories wherefore King Alfred gathering together his Army and marching forward Encamp'd between Two Parties of these Danish Robbers where by reason of Woods as also of Water on both sides he had a very convenient place for that purpose insomuch that he could set upon either Party whenever they marched into the Country to Plunder but they Robb'd in Troops as well on Horse-back as on Foot in all Parts where the King's Army was not yet were repulsed almost every Day as well by the King's Forces as by the Neighbouring Towns For the King had now divided his Forces into two Bodies so that one half of them remained always at home whilest the other marched out except those whose business it was to defend the Towns but the Danes oftener sallied out of their Camp than the King's Men For the 〈◊〉 in one Body sallied not out of their Camp but twice Once when they first Landed and another time when they were about to Decamp and then having taken a great Booty they endeavoured to carry it over the Thames into Essex toward their Ships But the King's Forces prevented them and fought them near Fernham and put them to flight and rescued the Prey from whence they fled beyond the Thames and thence by the River Colne into a certain Island called by Mr. Speed Brecklesey where the King's Army besieged them as long as their own Provisions lasted for they had only Victuals for a small time Then the King marched thither with the Forces of that Province whil'st the former returned home but the Danes in the mean time remained there because they could not carry away their King being then wounded along with them but those Danes that Inhabited Northumberland and East England got together an Hundred Ships with which they sailed about the South Parts whil'st with Forty others they did the like in the North with the former they besieged a certain strong place lying on the Northern Coast of Devonshire and then fetching a Compass towards the South besieged Exancester now Exceter which when the King heard he turned all his Forces toward that place but the Danes as Florence relates affrighted at the News of his approach got again to their Ships carrying their Prey to Cisseancester now Chichester in Sussex where they were repulsed by the Citizens and great part of their Army killed but in the mean time while one Party of the King's Army remained behind the other marched on to London and then proceeded Eastward with the Citizens of that place and other Auxiliaries that came from the West as far as Beamfleot now South Bemfleet in Essex whither Haestein was come with the Forces which had been before quartered at Middleton to which also were joined those that first arrived at Apuldre in the Mouth of the River Limene for Haesten had built a strong Fort at Beamfleot and was from thence marched out to Plunder whil'st great part of his Army remained at home but when the King's Forces came thither they soon put his Army to flight and demolished the Fort taking all that was within it together with their Goods Wives and Children carrying them to London and as for their Ships part of them they broke to pieces but carried the best of them to Rochester and London and burnt the rest but the Wife of Haesten and his Two Sons being brought to the King he not long after sent them back to him at his request because one of the Boys had been the King's and the other Earl Aethered's Godson as hath been already said H. Huntington places the Siege of Exester after the taking of Bemfleet whereas the Annals suppose it to be done about the same time but be it as it will they all agree that whilest the King was detained in the West at that Siege
of England gives us a very good Reason if true why the King dealt thus severely with this young Princess his Niece which was this That Aelfwinna not making the King her Uncle whom her Mother had appointed her Guardian privy to her Designs had contracted a Mariage with Reginald King of the Danes Whereupon King Edward to prevent his Enemy entred the Country of Mercia and took it into his own Hands and also carried the said Lady away with him The same Author likewise reporteth That about this time Leofred a Dane and Griffyth ap Madoc Brother-in-Law to the Prince of west-West-Wales came from Ireland with a great Army to Snowdon in Caernarvonshire and designing to bring all Wales and the Marches thereof to their subjection over-ran and subdued all the Countrey as far as Chester before ever King Edward had Intelligence of their Arrival whereat he was very much offended but being loath to trouble his Subjects in that behalf he made a Vow That he and his Sons with their own people would be revenged on Leofred and Griffyth and thereupon he came to Chester and took the City from them After this he made two Divisions of his Army whereof he and his Son Athelstan led the first and Edmund and Edred the second and followed them with such Celerity that he overtook them at the Forest of Walewode now Sherwood where Leofred and Griffyth set upon him so fiercely that the King at the beginning was in some distress until Prince Athelstan stepped in between his Father and Leofred and gave the Dane such a Wound in the Arm that it disabled him from holding his Spear whereupon he was soon taken and committed to the Custody of Athelstan In the mean time Prince Edmund and Edred encountering with Griffyth slew him and brought his Head to their Father Upon that Athelstan caused Leofred to be beheaded likewise and so both their Heads were set up together on the top of the Tower of Chester and Edward and his Sons returned home with a great Triumph But it appears by the Age of Prince Edmund when he came to the Crown that this Relation concerning himself and his Brother Edred's commanding part of their Father's Army cannot be true for he was not above Four years old when King Edward his Father died and not above Eighteen when he began to reign This year according to our Annals King Edward commanded his men to go to the Town of Tofeceaster now Tocester in Northamptonshire and to rebuild it after which the same year about Lent he commanded the Town of Wigingamere now Wigmore in Herefordshire to be rebuilt But the same Summer between Whitsuntide and Midsummer the Danes of Hamptune i. e. Northampton as was said before and Ligeracester and those that lay Northward broke the Peace and marched to Tofeceaster and assaulting the Town a whole day hoped to take it but those that were within defending it until such time as more men could come to their assistance the Danes were forced to leave the Town and march'd off After this they often went out by night to plunder and falling upon those that were unprovided took a great many men and much Cattle between Barnewoode and Eglesbyrig the former of which was Barnwood Forest near Bury-hill and the latter Alisbury both in Buckinghamshire About the same time the Danes of Huntandune i. e. Huntington and the East-Angles marched out and built a Castle at Temsford where they settled themselves for they had left that at Huntandune supposing that from thence they might recover a greater share of the Countrey and so they march'd till they came to Bedanford but the men who were within it going out to meet them killed great numbers of them putting the rest to flight After this a great Army of Danes being got together advanced to the Town of Wiggingamere and stormed it for most part of the day but those who were within defending it very well they were forced to leave the Town and retreat carrying away with them all the Cattel they found thereabouts After this also the same Summer there were great Forces assembled of King Edward's Subjects from the Towns round about Temesford whither they went and laying close Siege to the Town they at length took it and kill'd a Danish King and Taglosse an Earl and Mannan his Son together with his Brother and all those who defended the Town From which time according to Florence the Danish Power did by little and little decrease and that of the English increase But this Author places all these actions of this year under Anno 917. The same year a great many men assembled together in Autumn as well from Kent Surry and Essex as from the neighbouring Towns and marching to Colneceaster i.e. Colchester assaulted that City till they took it and all the Plunder they found in it and killed all the men except those that escaped over the Wall After which also the same Autumn a great Army of Danes were got together with the East-Angles both Land-Soldiers and Pyrates whom they had invited to their assistance hoping thereby to revenge the Defeat they had lately received wherefore they went directly to Maeldune and besieged that Town till such time that more men coming to its assistance the Danes were forced to quit it and retreat but the men who were within it together with those that came to their assistance overtaking the Danes killed many hundreds of the Land-men as well as Pyrates not long after which King Edward marched with an Army of South-Saxons to Passenham i. e. Pasham in Northamptonshire and there continued till the Town of Tofeceaster could be encompassed with a Stone-Wall where Earl Thurferth and the chief Commander of the Danish Forces that belonged to Hamtune with all towards the North as far as Weolade that is the River Weland accepted King Edward for their Lord and Protector but about the time that the King's Army was to return home he sent out fresh Forces to the Town of Huntandune who repaired and rebuilt it in those places that were destroyed according to the King's Command so that all the people of that Countrey that ramained alive surrendred themselves to King Edward and sought his Peace and Protection Likewise this very year before Martinmass the King marched with an Army of West-Saxons to Colneceaster and rebuilt the Wall and repaired all places which were ruinous Then many as well of the East-Angles as also of the East-Saxons who were before under the Danish Dominion and had been so for above thirty years now delivered themselves up to the King and also all the Danish Army in East-England swore Allegiance to him promising to do whatever he thought good and to defend his Subjects as well by Sea as by Land but the Army that belonged to Grantanbyrig i. e. Cambridge did by themselves chuse the King for their Lord and Patron confirming it by their Oaths as he had appointed him This year also Sytric the Danish King
slew Neil his Brother And under this year I suppose we may justly place the total subduing of the Danes and subjection of the East-Angles and consequently their being freed from the Danish Yoak under which they had groaned for above fifty years though what Government they had from the Death of the last Danish King Eoric is hard to determine William of Malmesbury the only Ancient Author that hath mentioned these Affairs telling us in general That after the Death of this Eoric the Danish Earls or Governors either oppressed them or else excited them against the West-Saxon Kings until this King Edward by driving out the Danes restored the English to their Liberties and added this Kingdom to his own Dominions fifty years after the death of King Edmund which falls out much about this time But Polidore Virgil I know not from what Author hath a long Story how King Eoric above-mentioned made War against King Edward and being routed by him in a great Battel and returning home fell so far into the Hatred and Contempt of his Subjects that they rose up against him and being then divided into Factions were forced to submit themselves to King Edward This if it were true would give a great light into this dark part of the History of the East-Angles of which we have but a very imperfect Account But since this Relation is found in no other Author except Polydore and besides expresly contradicting the Testimony of William of Malmesbury a much more Authentick Writer by whose Account as well as by the Saxon Annals it appears that this Eoric was dead long before I think we may justly look upon Polydore's Relation as a mere Fiction either invented by himself or else taken from some Modern Author of no great Credit Therefore I must now warn the Reader concerning this Historian That though he had the Perusal of a great many Rare Manuscripts yet since he very seldom cites any Authors and that we find he sometimes differs from our most Ancient Writers and is plainly mistaken in divers Relations we have great reason to refuse his Testimony where it is not agreeable with more Authentick Authorities I have nothing else to add under this year but that as William of Malmesbury tells us the Body of King Edmund the Martyr having lain for above Fifty Years obscurely buried at a place called Halesdon in Suffolk was now by some devout people removed to a Town adjoining called Badricesworth now St. Edmundsbury where there was quickly a Church built over him and unto which King Edmund Brother to King Athelstan was a great Benefactor though this place was not much taken notice of until King Cnute to gain the Favour of this Saint whom his Countreymen had murthered here afterwards built a Noble Monastery This year also according to Florence of Worcester and Mat. Westminster the King of Scots Reginald the Danish King of Northumberland with the Duke or Earl of the Gallawy Welshmen or Britains came to King Edward and submitting themselves to him made a firm League with him This is the first time we find any Submission of the King of Scots which whether it amounted to a downright Homage and to hold that Kingdom of the Crown of England may be much questioned and is absolutely denied by the Scotish Historians Between Lent and Midsummer King Edward march'd with his Army to Stanford and there commanded a Castle to be built on the South-side of the River Weland so that all the people who dwelt in the Town on the North-side of that River submitted themselves and besought him to be their Lord. Also according to the Cottonian Copy of these Annals Howel and Cledauc and Jeothwell Prince of Wales with all the Nation of the Northern Britains desired to take the King for their Lord. But in this the Welsh Chronicles are wholly silent as commonly they are of any action that tends to the lessening of their Countrey Out of Wales the King marched to Snottingaham and took the Town and commanded it to be repaired and Garison'd with Danes as well as English and then all the people in the Province of Mercia of both those Nations came over to him This year also according to Florence Athelward Brother to King Edward died and was buried at Winchester This is that Learned Prince Son to King Alfred whose Character we have already given This year King Edward carried his Army about the end of Autumn to Thaelwale that is Thaelwalle in Cheshire and which is supposed to have been so called from its being encompassed at first with a Wall made of Bodies of Trees called in the Saxon Tongue Thal where he ordered that Town to be repaired and he commanded another part of his Forces whilst he stayed there to march out of Mercia to Manigeceaster now Manchester in the Kingdom of Northumberland and order'd it to be rebuilt and strengthened with a Garison This year also Plegmond Archbishop of Canterbury deceased and Reginold the Danish King took Eoferwick that is York Before Midsummer King Edward marched with his Army to Snottingaham and ordered a new Town to be built on the South-side of the River Trent over-against that on the other side and made a Bridge over the River between the two Towns from thence the King went into Peakland that is the Peak in that Shire to Bedecanwell which is supposed may be Bakewell in Dâ—rbyshire and commanded a Town to be built near to it and to be fortified with a Garison Then also the King of Scots with all the Scotish Nation and Reginald the Son of Eardulph the Danish King of Northumberland with all the Inhabitants of that Kingdom whether English or Danes together with the King of the Straecled Welshmen and all his Subjects did chuse King Edward for their Patron and Lord. But this year's actions are placed by Florence of Worcester and Mat. Westminster three years sooner which shews the Copies they had of these Annals differ'd from those we have though which of them is the truest I shall not now take upon me to affirm but it sufficiently shews that both these Copies were not written at one and the same time And now King Edward deceased at Fearndune in the Province of the Mercians now called Farrington in Berkshire and Aelsweard his Son also deceased not long after him at Oxnaford i. e. Oxford But the Canterbury Copy of these Annals as also Florence of Worcester place the Death of these two Princes under the foregoing year and indeed they seem to have been in the right But this is most certain that this Prince who is called Aethelward by William of Malmesbury was his Eldest Son by Queen Aelfleda his Wife the Daughter of Earl Aethelune and being very well instructed in Learning did much resemble King Aelfred his Grandfather as well in Face as Disposition yet though he survived his Father he never took upon him the Title of King because he outlived him so
one Egwinna a Lady the Daughter of a Nobleman whose Name though William of Malmesbury does not tell us because he says he had not found it in writing yet the Chronicle ascribed to Abbot Bromton tells us a long and improbable Story of the getting and Birth of this Prince which being no where else to be found as I know of I shall here give you That in the Reign of King Aelfred when his Son Edward was young there was in a Village of the West-Saxons the Daughter of a certain Shephard called Egwinna who falling asleep dreamed that the Moon shone out of her Womb so bright that all England was enlighten'd by its Splendor This Dream she told to a Grave Matron that had been Nurse to several of the King's Children Upon this she takes her into her house and educates her as carefully as if she had been her own Daughter instructing her so to demean her self as might become a Person both of Birth and Breeding In process of time it happen'd that Prince Edward the King 's Eldest Son passing upon some occasion through this Town thought himself obliged in Honour and Good Nature to visit his Nurse by which means he got sight of this Maid and she being exceeding beautiful fell passionately in love with her and by his violent Importunity he got her Consent to lye with him and by one Night's Lodging she proved with Child and being afterwards delivered of a Son in respect to the Mother's Dream the Father gave him the Name of Athelstan which signifies The most Noble If this Story be true that he married this Woman without the Consent of his Father and kept the Marriage private the Authors above-cited had good cause to suppose her to have been rather his Concubine than his Queen though there be also other Historians who make her to have been his Lawful Wife But thus much is more certain That King Edward had Prince Ethelward above-mentioned by his Wife Aelfleda the Daughter of Earl Aethelem as also another Son called Edwin of the manner of whose Death William of Malmesbury says he cannot certainly tell us but gives us an exact account of what became of all the rest of his Children He had also by her six Daughters viz. Edelfleda Edgiva Ethelhilda Ethilda Edgitha and Elgiva of whom the first and third vowed their Virginity to God and both of them lye buried by their Mother in the Monastery of Winchester as for Edgiva her Father bestowed her upon Charles King of France and for Ethilda her Brother King Athelstan bestowed her in Marriage upon Hugo a King or Prince of the French and Edgitha and Elgiva their Brother sent to Henry the German Emperor the Second of which he married to Otho his Son and the Elder to a certain Duke near the Alpes King Edward also begot of his Third Wife Edgiva Edmund and Edred who both reigned successively after their Brother King Athelstan as also two other Daughters Eadburga and Edgiva the former became a Nun but the latter being a great Beauty was bestowed in Marriage by her Brother Athelstan on Lewis Prince or Duke of Aquitain But King Edward had so well bred all his said Daughters from their Infancy that they were wont all of them to bestow their leisure time upon good Letters and after that were wont to exercise both their Distaff and the Needle and in this manner they passed the first years of their Virginity Likewise his Sons were so inured to Learning that not being rude and ignorant in Knowledge they became like Plato's Philosophers fit to Govern the Common-wealth as our Author handsomly expresses it This King seems by his History to have been a Prince of great Mildness and Humility as well as Courage which appears by this Story but tho it be not found in any of our Historians is yet related by Walter Mape in his Nugis Curialium in Manuscript as follows That when K. Edward the Elder came to Austelin I suppose that which we now call Aust where is a Ferry to pass out of Somersetshire into Wales Lewelyn Prince of north-North-Wales came to Bethesley about a Treaty of Peace he refused first to cross the Severne but when King Edward heard it he took Boat and rowed towards him but the Prince being then by the Water-side when he saw him and knew who he was he cast off the Rich Robe he then had on which he had provided for that meeting and entring the River breast-high taking hold of the end of the Boat submissively said Most Sage King thy Humility hath overcome my Insolence and thy Wisdom triumph'd over my Folly Come pray Sir get upon this Neck which I like a Fool as I am have lifted up against thee and thus enter that Land which thy benign Clemency hath made this day thine own So taking the King upon his Shoulders and setting him on shore he made him to sit down upon his own Royal Robe and putting his own hands between the King 's there did him Homage But this Circumstance only serves to bring all the rest of this Story into question for it is certain this Ceremony of doing Homage was not in use till after the coming in of the Normans Besides the Welsh Chronicles mention no such thing nor can I find any Prince either of North or South Wales called Lewelyn at that time till Anno 1015 in the Reign of King Cnute above a hundred year after the death of King Edward the Elder but perhaps the Story may be true being told by Tradition though the Name of the Prince may be mistaken and Lewelyn put instead of Howel who was now King of south-South-Wales and in whose Territories this Action must have happen'd But whether this Relation be true or false we may from it draw this Observation That it is not always Wisdom in Princes to insist too nicely upon Circumstances especially in Ceremony but that sometimes to recede from them may tend to the greater Advantage of that Prince that doth it King ATHELSTAN THE same year not long after King Edward's decease the Saxon Annals tell us That Aethelstan was elected King by the Mercians and afterwards Crowned at Kingstune upon Thames being then a Royal Town Note He was crowned in the midst of the Town upon a Scaffold built on purpose whereon the Ceremony of the Coronation was performed in the open view of all men by Athelm Archbishop of Canterbury with great Acclamations of the People Also St. Dunstan was born and Wulfhelme was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury upon the Death of Athelm From whence you may observe the Mercians had not yet lost their Ancient Right of chusing their own King and no doubt but the West-Saxons did so likewise though it be not particularly express'd in the Annals For an Ancient Manuscript Chronicle in the * Cottonian Library says only Electus est in Regem And you may also hence observe That the King's Consecration or Coronation is placed as a different
and instead thereof engaged the Prince of Wales to send him a Yearly Tribute of so many Wolves Heads in lieu of that Tribute which the said Prince performed till within some Years there being no more Wolves to be found either in England or Wales that Tribute ceased But to proceed with our Annals This Year deceased Aelfgar Cousin to the King and Earl also of Devonshire whose Body lies buried at Wilton Sigeferth likewise here called a King though he was indeed no more than Vice-King or Earl of some Province now made himself away and was buried at Winborne The same Year was a great Mortality of Men and a very Malignant Feaver raged at London Also the Church of St. Pauls at London was this Year burnt and soon after rebuilt and Athelmod the Priest went to Rome and there died I have nothing else to add that is remarkable under this Year but the Foundation of the Abby of Tavistock by Ordgar Earl of Devonshire afterwards Father-in-law to King Edgar though it was within less than fifty years after its foundation burnt down by the Danes in the Reign of King Ethelred but was afterwards rebuilt more stately than before This Year Wolfstan the Deacon deceased and afterwards Gyric the Priest These I suppose were some men of remarkable Sanctity in that Monastery to which this Copy of these Annals did once belong The same Year also Abbot Athelwald received the Bishoprick of Winchester and was consecrated on a Sunday being the Vigil of St. Andrew The second year after his Consecration he repaired divers Monasteries and drove the Clerks i. e. Canons from that Bishoprick because they would observe no Rule and placed Monks in their stead He also founded two Abbies the one of Monks and the other of Nuns and afterwards going to King Edgar he desired him to bestow upon him all the Monasteries the Danes had before destroyed because he intended to rebuild them which the King willingly granted Then the Bishop went to Elig where St. Etheldrith lieth buried and caused that Monastery to be rebuilt and then gave it to the care of one of his Monks named Brightnoth and afterwards made him Abbot of the Monks of that Monastery where there had been Nuns before Then Bishop Athelwald went to the Monastery which is called Medeshamstead which had also been destroyed by the Danes where he found nothing but old Walls with Trees and Bushes growing among them but at last he spied hidden in one of these Walls that Charter which Abbot Headda had formerly wrote in which it appeared that King Wulfher and Ethelred his Brother had founded this Monastery and that the King with the Bishop had freed it from all secular servitude and Pope Agatho had confirmed it by his Bull as also the Archbishop Deus Dedit Which Charter I suppose is that the Substance of which is already recited in the Fourth book Anno 656. and which I have there proved to be forged for the Monks had then a very fair opportunity to forge that Charter and afterwards to pretend they found it in an old Wall But letting that pass thus much is certain from the Peterburgh Copy of these Annals That the said Bishop then caused this Monastery to be rebuilt placing a new Set of Monks therein over whom he appointed an Abbot called Aldulf Then went the Bishop to the King and shewed him the Charter he had lately found whereby he not only obtained a new Charter of Confirmation of all the Lands and Privileges formerly granted by the Mercian Kings but also many other Townships and Lands there recited as particularly Vndale with the Hundred adjoining in Northamptonshire which had formerly been a Monastery of it self as may be observed in the account we have already given of the Life of the Archbishop Wilfrid The King likewise granted That the Lands belonging to that Monastery should be a distinct Shire having Sac and Soc Tol and Team and Infangentheof which terms I shall explain in another place the King there also grants them a Market with the Toll thereof and that there should be no other Market between Stamford and Huntington and to the former of these the King also granted the Abbot a Mint But as for the Names of the Lands given together with the Limits and the Tolls of the Market there mentioned I refer the Reader to the Charter it self Then follows the Subscription of the King with the Sign of the Cross and next the Confirmation of the Archbishop of Canterbury with a dreadful Curse on those that should violate it as also the Confirmation of Oswald Archbishop of York Athelwald Bishop of Winchester with several other Bishops Abbots Ealdormen and Wisemen who all confirmed it and signed it with the Cross This was done Anno Dom. 972. of our Lord's Nativity and in the sixteenth year of the King's Reign which shews this Coppy of the Annals to be written divers years after these things were done as does also more particularly that short History concerning the Affairs of this Abby and the Succession of its Abbots for many years after this time As how Abbot Adulf bought many more Lands wherewith he highly enriched that Monastery where he continued Abbot till Oswald Archbishop of York deceased and he succeeded him in the Archbishoprick and then there was another chosen Abbot of the said Monastery named Kenulph who was afterwards Bishop of Winchester he first built a Wall round the Monastery and gave it the name of Burgh which was before called Medeshamested but he being sometime after made Bishop of Winchester another Abbot was chosen from the same Abby called Aelfi who continued Abbot fifty years He removed the Bodies of St. Kyneburge and St. Cynesuith which lay buried at Castra and St. Tibba which lay entomb'd at Rehala i. e. Ryal in Rutlandshire and brought them to Burgh and dedicated them to St. Peter keeping them there as long as he continued Abbot I have been the more particular in the Account of this so Ancient and Famous Monastery as having been the Episcopal See of the Bishops of Peterburgh almost ever since the Dissolution of that Abby in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth This Year also according to Simeon of Durham King Edgar married Ethelfreda the Daughter of Ordgar Earl of Devonshire after the Death of her Husband Ethelwald Earl of the East-Angles Of her he begot two Sons Edwald and Ethelred the former of whom died in his Infancy but the latter lived to be King of England But before he married this Lady it is certain he had an Elder Son by Elfleda sirnamed The Fair Daughter of Earl Eodmar of whom he begot King Edward called the Martyr But whether King Edgar was ever lawfully married to her may also be doubted since Osbern in his Life of St. Dunstan says That this Saint baptized the Child begotten on Ethelfleda the King's Concubine with whom also agrees Nicholas Trevet in his Chronicle though I confess the Major
the King concealed his Anger but was resolved by another Stratagem to over-reach him And the better to effect what he intended he one day told him pleasantly that at such a time he would come and see whether his Wife was so fair as she was represented to be This unexpected Surprize so exceedingly struck him that he earnestly begg'd of her to consult his Preservation by putting on her worst Cloaths and deforming her self by what other means she thought best for she had now perceived that instead of a King she had married a Subject though an Earl which raised such a Female Indignation in her that against the coming of King Edgar she dressed her self in the most Gay and Charming manner her Pride and Resentment to be thus cheated could devise which had such powerful effects upon him that his Love being so much the more inflamed as it had been so long defrauded he for a Blind appointed a day of hunting in the Forest called Warewell now Harwood Forest and there slew Athelwold with a Dart. The Earl's Son coming by when the Fact was just committed and looking upon his Father's dead Body the King asked him How he liked this Game To which he answered That whatsoever pleased the King ought not to displease him With which flattering Reply the King 's angry Mind was so appeased that he ever after highly favoured the Youth and expiated the Crime committed upon the Father by the great kindness he shewed to the Son But aâ— Ancient Manuscript called Brutus now in the Archbishop's Library at Lambeth relates the latter end of this Story somewhat more for King Edgar's Reputation which since I meet with no where else I shall here give you It is That King Edgar not long after sending this Athelwold now made an Earl to secure the Coast of Northumberland against the Danes then like to invade it as he was in his way thither he was set upon by certain unknown Soldiers who there slew him but whether by the King's Order or no is not said As soon as the Earl was dead the King made Love to his fair Widow and marrying her caused her to be crowned Queen though it much displeased Archbishop Dunstan who could never after this endure her But William of Malmesbury adds that to expiate the Murther of her first Husband she built a Nunnery in the place where he was slain Another thing laid to this charge and which shews him to have been more constant in his Love than could be expected from a Young Prince so universally addicted as he was to the Fair Sex of which you have several Instances in Story one of them here shall suffice It seems coming one time to Andover a Town not far from Winchester he would have had the enjoyment of a certain Ealdorman's Daughter mightily celebrated for her Beauty and commanded her to be brought to his Bed The Mother of the Virgin not daring flatly to deny yet abhorring to be a Bawd to her own Daughter resolved to put a Trick on him by the favour of the Night and so sent a Waiting-Maid she had in her room one that was Handsome enough and not Unwitty as she quickly made to appear for as soon as it was morning she offering to get up the King asked her Why she would make such haste from him She replied she could no longer have the Happiness of his Company because her Lady had set her some Work to do He startling at this wonder'd what she meant for he did not in the least question but that his Bedfellow had been the Earl's real Daughter she then most passionately besought him to set her free from the hard and cruel Service of her Lady as a Reward for her lost Virginity But the King being confounded at his disappointment was for some time divided between Compassion for the poor Maid and Anger at his being thus abused but at last he put it off with a Jest and setting her free carried her along with him and loved her to that degree that he kept himself to her alone until such time as he married Elfreda above-mentioned These were the Stories commonly told in those days of King Edgar and of which more noise had been made by the Monks if he had not built so many Monasteries which stopp'd their mouths from saying much ill of one so devoted to their Order and who perhaps admired Chastity in others though he could not practise it himself But it 's certain England highly flourished under his Government being a Man so truly answering Homer's Description of a King that not only secured his people from Foreign Enemies but Savage Beasts by laying a Yearly Tribute of Three hundred Wolve's Heads on the Prince of Wales as hath been already related What his Employment was in Summer we have already seen in Winter he hunted but in the Spring he usually rode a kind of Circuit round the Kingdom to administer Justice to his People and take care that his Officers did the like He was small of Stature and Slender yet of such mighty Courage and Strength that he would challenge the most Robust to wrestle with him forbidding them to spare him out of respect to his Person It happen'd one time that Kened King of the Scots came to his Court to whom as Matthew Westminster relates he gave Rich Presents with the whole Countrey of Lothian on condition that he and his Successors at his Festivals should come and attend on the Kings of England when they sate Crowned besides he assign'd certain Lodgings for them by the way which to ease them in their Journey were till the time of King Henry the Second held by the Kings of Scotland This Kened as he once sate at his Cups with his Courtiers said jestingly to them It was very strange that so many Provinces should obey such a Little Contemptible Figure of a Man as this Edgar was These Words soon reach'd the King's ears upon which he presently sends for Kened and as if he had a mind to consult him about some Important Affair carries him into a Wood where none being present besides themselves he delivers into his hands one of the two Swords he had brought along with him and then tells him That as they were now alone so they had a very good opportunity to try their Strength and Skill and therefore he was resolved to have it forthwith determined which of them ought to Rule and which to Obey commanding him not to stir a foot but decide the Controversy with him for it was a base and pitiful thing for a King to vapour loud at a Feast and not to be as forward to shew his Courage at a Fray Kened being struck out of countenance at these words fell down at his feet and earnestly begged his Pardon for what he had spoken in Jest without any design of Malice in the least Upon which the King being as Generous as he was Couragious freely forgave him But though this King
since this Story transacted not many years before the Conquest is told so many several ways This year according to our Annals Aelgiva the Widow of King Cnute and Mother of King Hardecnute and King Edward was banished but going over to Baldwin Earl of Flanders he assign'd her Bricge i. e. Bruges for her Retirement where he protected her and provided for her as long as she staid there But the Reader is to take notice that this Queen who is here called Aelgiva in the English-Saxon is the same with Emma in the Norman-French Dialect and who was now banished England by King Harold as all Writers agree But the reason why this Queen did not retire into Normandy her own Countrey was that her Father and Brother were both dead and though William her Nephew then succeeded in the Dukedom yet he was but an Infant under the Tutelage of the King of France This year also produced a great Revolution in Wales for Griffyth ap Lewelyn ap Sitsylt sometimes Prince of Wales raised a great Army against Prince Jago who now enjoyed the Principality of north-North-Wales as you have already heard and Jago also provided for himself as well as he could but the greater part and the better Soldiers were of Griffyth's side for the love they bore to his Father as plainly appeared when it came to a trial for after the Battel was joined Jago his Soldiers deserting him was soon overthrown and slain and then Griffyth reigned in his stead From whence we may observe the strange fickleness of the Welsh Nation in those times who notwithstanding their seeming Affection to this Prince the Right Heir yet left him as soon as ever they met with one of the same Race whom they liked better From which evil custom these Countries were never long without Civil Wars till the total Conquest of them by the English But Griffyth ap Lewelyn after he had thus slain Prince Jago governed north-North-Wales very well following his Father's steps and in the very first year of his Government he fought with the Englishmen and Danes at Crosford upon Severne and from thence he led his Army to Lhanpadarn vawr in Caerdiganshire and destroyed that place and thence passing into South-Wales totally subdued it Howel ap Edwin at that time Prince thereof being forced to fly his Countrey and when he had thus reduced south-South-Wales he returned home again with Honour But the next year Howel Prince of south-South-Wales as the English as well as Welsh Chronicles relate having now procured Edwin the Brother of Leofric Earl of Mercia to assist him marched with a great Army of English and Danes against Prince Griffyth who meeting them in the field overcame them and slew Edwin at Pencadair and pursued Howel so closely that though he escaped himself yet his Wife was taken Prisoner whom Griffyth like so well that he kept her for his Mistress But though Howel after this made several Attempts to regain his Countrey yet he could never succeed for that Prince Griffyth held it all his time But the Cottonian Chronicle relates that fighting afterwards with Griffyth at a place called Paldiwach he obtained the Victory and again made himself Prince of south-South-Wales But this I leave to the Reader 's Judgment To return again to our Annals Ethelnoth Archbishop of Canterbury deceased and a little after Ethelric Bishop of the South-Saxons and also a little before Christmas Bryteh Bishop of Worcester and a little after Aelfric Bishop of the East Angles Then Aeadsige was made Archbishop and Grymkytel Bishop of the South-Saxons and Living succeeded in the Bishopricks of Worcester and Gloucester This year King Harold deceased at Oxnaford 16. Kal. April and was buried at Westminster He governed England Four Years and Sixteen Weeks But there is certainly an Error in this Copy of the Annals for either he deceased not till the next year as the Cambridge Copy and Mat. Westminster place it or else he could reign but Three Years and perhaps so many odd Weeks as these Annals mention In his time was again paid a great Tax for the setting out Sixteen Sail to wit Eight Marks to every Rower which shews it consisted of only Gallies and not Ships and as Florence also adds Twelve Marks more to every Master which he order'd to be rais'd through all England as was before done in the Reign of King Cnute But it seems every Port was bound to pay such a proportion to set out these Sixteen Sail as H. Huntington relates whereby nevertheless he so much incensed the minds of the English against him that the Welsh perceiving it or else for some other reason began to be very unruly insomuch that some Insurrections happened thereupon wherein many of the English Nobility were slain as Edwin Brother to Earl Leofric Turketil and Algeat the Sons of Effi both of them Great Persons and several others And to this time I suppose we may refer what Caradoc in his Welsh Chronicle relates That Griffyth ap Lewelyn Prince of north-North-Wales in the first year of his Reign fought with the English and Danes at Crossford upon Severne and put them to flight and from thence he led his Army to Lhanpadan vawr in Caerdiganshire and destroyed the place utterly and from thence passed all over South-Wales receiving the people into his subjection for Howel ap Edwin their King fled before him and forsook the Land As for the Character of this King Harold and the reason why he was called Harefoot they are very uncertain H. Knighton in his Chronicle writes very oddly That he had a Body like a Hare sure he means hairy like that Creature and from thence was called Harefoot which is very improbable But others with more appearance of truth derive it from his Swiftness of Foot Bromton gives him this Character That in all respects he degenerated from the Worth of his Father King Cnute insomuch that divers suspected him not to have been his Son for he was altogether careless both as to matters of War and Peace only he would pursue his own Will and Pleasure and what was very unbecoming his Royal Estate chusing rather to go on foot than ride whence for the lightness and swiftness of his Feet he seems to have been called Harefoot As for his Laws we have only this one mentioned by Mr. Selden in his Janus Anglorum which was That whatever Welshman coming into England without leave was taken on this side Offa's Ditch should have his Right Hand cut off by the King's Officers King HARDECNUTE KING Harold dying thus suddenly the Chief Men of England with whom also the Londoners now joined sent Messengers to Hardecnute who was then at Bruges with his Mother intreating him to come and receive the Crown whereupon he hasted into Denmark there to settle his Affairs which when he had done with Forty or as some say Sixty Ships well mann'd with Danish Soldiers according to our Annals he arrived at Sandwich seven days before
Conan into Ireland But notwithstanding K. Edward had been elected King ever since the last Summer yet was he not Anointed or Crowned till this year when as our Annals relate that Ceremony was performed on Easter-day with great Solemnity by Eadsige the Archbishop who also preached before the people and instructed them for the King 's good as well as their own advantage This is the first Discourse or Sermon that we can find was ever made of this nature at any King's Coronation The same year also Stig and the Priest was consecrated Bishop of the East-Angles and presently after the King ordered all the Lands his Mother held from him to be surveyed taking from her whatsoever Gold and Silver she had with many other things because she had been too severe to him as well before he was King as after and as Roger Hoveden observes had given him less than he expected from her So that in this Undutifulness to his Mother he does not shew himself so great a Saint as the Monks represent him But they say for his excuse that he did it by the Advice of the Earls Leofric Godwin and Syward by whom this Weak and Easy Prince was chiefly managed This year also according to the Welsh Chronicles Howel ap Edwin late Prince of south-South-Wales with all the Forces he could raise of his own Countrey-men and the English entred South Wales and began to spoil and havock it of which when Prince Griffyth was informed he gathered his People together in north-North-Wales and came courageously to meet his Enemies whom he had twice before discomfited and overcame and chased them the third time as far as the Spring of the River Towy where after a long and dangerous Battel Howel was slain and his Army routed and was so closely pursued that few or none escaped alive After whose Death Rytherch and Rees the Sons of Rythaerch ap Jestyn aspiring again to the Rule and Government of South-Wales which their Father had once before acquired gathered a great Army as well of strangers as out of Guentland and Glamorgan and meeting with Griffyth Prince of Wales he courageously animated his men with the remembrance of their former Victories under his Standard and joined Battel with his Enemies whom he found disposed to try if they could regain the Honour which before they had lost Wherefore when they were come up to engage the Fight was so bloody and desperate that it continued till night parted both Armies and then being quite spent they retreated But still each being fearful of one another they thought it their best way to return to their own Countries to raise fresh Recruits About this time was founded a Noble Monastery near Coventry in Warwickshire by Leofric Earl of the Mercians and the Lady Godiva his Wife who was not only one of the most Beautiful but most Pious Women of that Age they also enriched this Monastery with great Presents both of Gold and Silver By reason of which Monastery the Town adjoining became much more flourishing and took the name of Coventry from this Convent And we farther read in Bromton's Chronicle That this worthy Lady Godiva being desirous to exempt the said Town from the grievous Taxes and Tolls imposed on it she earnestly and frequently sollicited her Husband to take them off but yet was still denied However she ceasing not to renew her request he told her jestingly at last That if she would be content to ride naked through the Town he would grant her Petition which she readily undertook to do and so commanding all people at that time to keep within doors she covered her Body with her own Hair of which she had so great a quantity that it served instead of a Mantle Thus did she generously free the Citizens from those heavy Exactions which they then lay under though by the no-very-decent exposing of her self and afterwards gave them a Charter of Exemptions affixing her Husband's and her own Seal to it Now how the Episcopal See came afterwards to be removed hither from Litchfield and Chester we shall in its due place declare The Charter of the Foundation of this Monastery dedicated to our Blessed Lady St. Peter and all the Saints is printed in Monast. Angl. though without any date wherein are named all the Mannors given by the said Munificent Founder and the same is ratified by the Charter of King Edward and a Bull of Pope Alexander bearing date Anno Dom. 1042. Neither did the Piety of these Liberal Persons rest here for Earl Leofric with the Assent of his Lady Godiva repaired also the Monasteries of Leon or Lemster near Hereford of Wenlock of St. Wereburga in Chester of St. John in Worcester and lastly that of Evesham This year Archbishop Eadsige resigned his Archbishoprick by reason of great Bodily Infirmities and by the King's leave and the advice of Earl Godwin he consecrated Syward Abbot of Abbandune to succeed him which thing was known but to few till it was actually done because the Archbishop was afraid lest some other less Learned and Able would either by Money or Interest obtain that See if so be it was once divulged before it was done But of this Syward William of Malmesbury tells us That though he was thus consecrated Archbishop yet notwithstanding he was soon after deposed for his Ingratitude to his Predecessor in that he defrauded the weak Old Man of his necessary maintenance But however to make this Syward some amends he was translated to the Bishoprick of Rochester which was a great Fall indeed from the See of an Archbishop to that of his principal Chaplain but it seems he was resolved to be a Bishop though a mean one comparatively The Annals also relate That this year there was so great a Famine in England that a Sester of Wheat which as Roger Hoveden tells us was then a Horse-load was sold for Sixty Pence and more Which was then a great deal of Money considering the scarcity of Silver in those times and that every Penny then weighed Four Pence of our Money Also the same year the King sail'd to Sandwic with Five and thirty Ships And as R. Hoveden informs us it was to meet Magnus King of Norway then designing to invade England but a War breaking out with Sweyn King of Denmark it put an end to that Expedition Also Aethelstan the Oeconomus or Steward of the Abby of Abbingdon was made Abbot and Stigand again received his Bishoprick of the East-Angles from which it seems by the cunning and Simoniacal practices of Bishop Grymkytel he had been before deprived The same year King Edward married the Daughter of Earl Godwin whose Name was Edgitha or Editha A Woman as William of Malmesbury says not only of great Beauty and Piety but also Learned above what Women usually were in that Age wherein he lived insomuch that Ingulph tells us when he was but a Boy and lived at Court with his Father she was
this matter among themselves some were for giving Judgment for the King but others differed from them saying That Earl Godwin had never been obliged to the King by either Homage Service or Fealty and therefore could be no Traytor to him and besides that he had not kill'd the Prince with his own hands But others replied That no Earl Baron nor any other Subject of the King could by Law wage Battel against him in his Appeal but ought upon the whole matter to submit himself to the King's Mercy and offer him reasonable Amends Then Leofric Earl of Chester who was an upright and sincere man both with respect to God and the world spoke thus Earl Godwin who next to the King is indeed a Person of the best Quality in England cannot deny but that by his Counsel Alfred the King's Brother was killed and therefore my opinion is That both he himself and his Sons and Twelve of us Earls that are his Friends and Kinsmen should appear humbly before the King each of us carrying as much Gold and Silver as he can bold in his Arms and offering it to him most humbly supplicate for his Pardon and then the King should remit to the Earl all Rancor and Anger whatsoever against him and having received his Homage and Fealty peacebly restore him to all his Lands To this the Assembly agreed and those that were appointed loading themselves with Treasure after the manner aforesaid went unto the King shewing him the order and manner of their Judgment which he being unwilling to contradict complied with and so ratified whatever they had before decreed This tho written a long time after the Conquest as appears by the Words there used viz. Parliament Baron Homage and Fealty yet it might be true in the main as being transcribed out of some Ancient Records of the Great Councils of those times which are now lost and if so would be a Notable Precedent of the large Authority of the Witena Gemot or Great Council of the Nation not only in assenting to new Laws but also of their Judicial Authority in giving Judgment upon all Suits or Complaints brought before them as well in Appeals between Subject and Subject as also where the King himself was a Party and if Authentick would also shew not only that this Tenure of the King by Homage and Fealty was in use before the Conquest but also according to the Judgment of this Great Council that there was no Allegiance due by Birth nor until a man had actually performed his Homage or sworn Fealty to the King and lastly that a satisfaction made by Money was looked upon as sufficient for the Death even of the King 's own Brother Yet to deal ingenuously with the Reader notwithstanding this fair story Bromton himself seems to doubt the truth of it for after he hath there told us from some nameless Author that Earl Godwin out of fear of some of the English Nobility who had sworn to be revenged of him for the murther of Prince Alfred retired into Denmark during the Reign of King Hardecnute but returning in the beginning of King Edward's Reign he appeared at a Parliament at London where the King impeached him of the Death of his Brother in the manner as you have already heard and if so this could not fall out as Mr. Selden supposes in this Great Council after this last return of Earl Godwin which happen'd not in the beginning but the middle of this King's Reign With which Relation also agree two Ancient Chronicles in French written in the time of Edward the Third and are both in the Cottonian Library And Bromton himself acknowledges that according to most Authors Earl Godwin never went into Denmark at all nor left England during the Reign of King Hardecnute so that this Transaction if it ever happen'd at all seems most likely to have fell out in the Reign of King Hardecnute when that King charged Earl Godwin with his Brother's Death and made him redeem it with a great Present as we have above told you But to conclude this year From the Peterburgh Copy of these Annals it appears that about this time Arnwy Abbot of Burgh resigned his Dignity by reason of his bad Health and conferred it with the King's License and the Consent of the Monks upon Leofriâ— a Monk of that Abby But Abbot Arnwy lived eight years after During which time Abbot Leofric so adorned that Monastery with rich Guildings that it was called the Golden Burgh he also endowed it very much with Lands as well as other Treasures This year according to Florence of Worcester Griffyn Prince of Wales entring England spoiled great part of Hâ—refordshire against whom many Inhabitants of that County marched together with the Norman Garison of Hereford Castle but Prince Griffyn meeting with them killed a great many and putting the rest to flight carried away a great deal of Booty This year Earl Godwin deceased 17 th Kal. of May and was buried in the Old Monastery of Winchester Of the manner of whose Death though our Annals are silent yet I shall here set down what I find concerning it by almost all our Historians and it is thus That King Edward celebrating the Feast of Easter at Winchester or at Windsor as some will have it Earl Godwin as his Custom was sitting at Table with him was suddenly seized with so violent a Distemper that it struck him speechless and made him fall off from the Chair on which he sate and his Three Sons Harold Tosti and Gyrth being present they immediately removed him into the King's Chamber hoping it was but a sudden Fit and would be speedily over but he lay in that languishing condition four days and died on the fifth This is the account of his Death to which the Norman Monks and such as write in favour of them add other Circumstances which shew either his Guilt or their Malice since they relate That mention being made by somebody at the King's Table of Alfred his late Brother he thereupon looked very angrily at Earl Godwin when he to vindicate himself told King Edward He perceived that upon the least mentioning of that Prince he cast a frowning Countenance upon him But saith he let not God suffer me to swallow this Morsel if I am guilty of any thing done either toward the taking away his Life or against your Interest After which words being presently choaked with the Bit he had just before put into his Mouth he sunk immediately down and never recovered more But let the manner of his death be as it will he was a Man of an Active and Turbulent Spirit not over-nicely conscientious either in getting or keeping what he could not to be excused for his too much forcing his Sovereign to whatever he listed But had he not been so great a Lover of his Countrey and an Enemy to Strangers those that wrote in the Norman times and who durst not write any thing but
what they knew would please their Masters would have passed him over without this Story and have given him a fairer Character His first Wife was the Sister of King Cnute by whom he had a Son but in his Infancy happening to mount an unruly Horse that was presented him by his Grandfather he was run away with into the Thames and there drowned His Mother was kill'd by Thunder which as then was believed fell upon her as a Judgment on the account of her great Cruelty for she made a Trade of selling handsome English Boys and Girls into Denmark After her Death Earl Godwin married another Wife and by her had Six Sons viz. Harold Sweyn Wined Tosti Gyrth and Leofwin His Earldom of West-Seaâ— was given to his Son Harold and the Earldom that Harold had before viz. Essex was conferred on Alfgar the Son of Leofric Earl of Mercia which is also confirmed by our Annals And the same year according to Simeon of Durham Rees the Brother of Griffyn King of South-Wales being taken Prisoner for the many Insolences he had committed against the English was by the Command of King Edward put to death at a place called Bulendun and his Head sent to the King then lying at Gloucester on the Vigil of Epiphany But this is omitted in the Welsh Chronicles as commonly every thing is that makes to the disadvantage of their own Nation This year Leo that Holy Pope of Rome deceased and Victor was elected in his stead And there was also so great a Murrain of all sorts of Cattel in England that none could ever remember the like And now according to the Welsh Chronicles Griffyth the Son of Ratherch ap Justin raised a great Army both of Strangers and others against Griffyth Prince of North Wales who delaying no time but getting all the Forces of that Countrey together and meeting the other Griffyth fought with him and slew him on the place though none of these Chronicles have told us where that was This was the last Rebellion or Welsh Civil War that happened in this Prince's Reign The same year according to Simeon of Durham and Roger Hoveden Siward that Valiant Earl of Northumberland at the Command of King Edward being attended with a powerful Army and a strong Fleet marched into Scotland to restore Malcolm the Right Heir to the Crown of that Kingdom where joining Battel with Macbeth the then Usurping King of Scots many both of that Nation and of the Normans who took their part were slain and the Earl put the Usurper to flight But in this Battel the Earl's Son and several of the English and Danes were slain H. Huntington further adds That when the News was brought to the Earl of the Death of his Son he presently asked Whether he had received the Wound behind or before And being told it was before he only replied I am glad to hear that for so it became my Son to dye He says also That this Son of his whom he does not name had been sent into Scotland before his Father and was there killed and that Earl Siward did not subdue Macbeth till the second Expedition in which he differs from all the rest of the English and Scotish Historians Buchanan indeed acknowledges that this Prince Malcolm having taken Refuge in the Court of England obtain'd of King Edward the Assistance of Ten thousand men under the Conduct of Earl Siward and that the rest were raised for him by Macduf and others of his Party that took Arms on his behalf But John Fordun in his History writes much more improbably and though he allows that King Edward offered Malcolm an Army sufficient to place him on the Throne yet that he refused it with Thanks and only took Earl Siward of all the English Lords along with him as if this Earl's single Might though he was a Man of great Strength and Stature signified any thing against the Forces of Macbeth unless he had also brought a powerful Army along with him Mat. Westminster also adds That Scotland being thus conquered by the Forces of King Edward he bestowed it upon King Malcolm to be held of himself But since this is not found in any of our Ancient Historians and this Author does not acquaint us from whence he had it I do not look upon it as worthy of any great Credit About this time according to Simeon Aldred Bishop of Worcester was sent Ambassador to the Emperor with Noble Presents and being received with great Honour by him as likewise by Herman Archbishop of Cologne he staid in Germany a whole year to prevail with the Emperor on the King's behalf to send Ambassadors into Hungary to bring back Prince Edward the King's Cousin Son of King Edmund Ironside into England The same year also according to the Latin Copy of the Annals ' Was a Battel at Mortimer in Normandy But though they do not tell us by whom it was fought yet from others we learn it was between William Duke of Normandy and the King of France where the former obtain'd a most signal Victory This year Siward Earl of Northumberland deceased and the King gave that Earldom to Tostig Son of Earl Godwin Of this Siward's death our Historians give us divers remarkable Circumstances That being near his End by a Bloody-Flux he said He was asham'd to dye thus like a Beast so causing himself to be compleatly Armed and taking his Sword in his hand as if he would have fought even Death it self he in this Posture expired as he supposed like a Man of Honour King Edward not long after this summoned a Witena Gemot or Great Council seven days before Midlent wherein Earl Aelfgar was outlaw'd upon a Charge of being a Traytor to the King and the whole Nation and of this he was convicted before all there assembled Then Earl Aelfgar went to the Castle of Prince Griffyn in north-North-Wales and the same year they both together burnt the City of Hereford with the Monastery of St. Aethelbert once King of the East-Angles whose Bones were here enshrin'd This Earl had the greater reason to do what he did having been unjustly banish'd as most of our Historians write Simeon of Durham is somewhat larger in his account of this Affair and says That this Earl Aelfgar first went to Ireland and there procuring Eighteen Pyrate-Ships sail'd with them into Wales to assist Prince Griffyn against King Edward where joining with the Welshmen they laid waste the Countrey about Hereford with Fire and Sword against whom was sent that Cowardly Earl Rodolph King Edward's Sister's Son who gathering an Army and meeting with the Welshmen about two miles from that City he commanded the Englishmen contrary to their custom to fight on Horseback but so soon as they were ready to join Battel Rodulph with all his Frenchmen ran away which the English seeing quickly followed By which you may see that it is no new thing for a Cowardly General to make Cowardly Soldiers The
in his face and catching him by the hair flung him on the ground The Scuffle being ended the King foretold that their Destruction was nigh and that the Wrath of God would not much longer be deferred For says this Author they were come to that height of Barbarism and Cruelty that if they but liked the House or Possessions of any one they would by night procure the Owner to be murthered with all his Children to get his Estate and these were at that time the chief Justiciaries of the Kingdom But this seems to have been a story invented long since out of hatred to the Memory of Harold afterwards King for he hath the Character of a Valiant and Worthy Prince and who as William of Malmesbury relates in this Quarrel with the Northumbers preferred the Peace of his Countrey to his Brother 's private Interests But Tostige in a great Rage leaving the Court went to a House at Hereford where at that time he heard his Brother Harold had order'd mighty Preparations for the Entertainment of the King and there made a most terrible havock of his Servants divers of whom being killed he flung their mangled Members into all the Vessels of Wine Mead Ale and other Liquors and then sent word to his Brother That he need take no care for Pickled Meats but as for all other sorts he might bring them down along with him And it was therefore for this most horrid Villany that the King commanded him to be banished which the Northumbers understanding for this as well as several other Murthers he had committed they expell'd him their Countrey as hath been already shewn But this does not well agree with what Simeon of Durham hath already with more probability related of him for if Earl Tostige had been found guilty of so great an Insolence and that he was thereupon banished the Kingdom it had certainly been very needless for the Northumbers to have rose up against him and to have driven him out of the Countrey or at least to have desired another Earl in his room since the King would have appointed them a new one without giving them so just an Occasion for a Rebellion against him To this year also we may refer Earl Harold's going over into Normandy which some of our Historians place a year or two sooner but they differ much more about the manner and occasion of it some making it to be a meer Casualty others saying it was on purpose But William of Malmesbury's account of it is thus That Harold being at his House at Bosenham in Sussex near the Sea-side he for his Recreation with some of his Retinue took a Fisher-boat meaning only to row up and down but sailing a little further to Sea than they were aware a Tempest rose and carried them cross the Channel to the French Coast where glad to be safe any where they were forced to land in the Territories of the Earl of Ponthieu the men of that Countrey according to their custom and that barbarous practise which is in use in most places to make a Prey of the distressed and shipwrack'd presently fell upon them and being many and well arm'd they easily seiz'd upon Earl Harold and his Followers who were without Weapons so that they not only took them Prisoners but also fetter'd them Then Harold considering with himself what was to be done hired a Messenger to go to Duke William and acquaint him how he was sent over by the King of England by his Word and Presence to confirm what other lesser Envoys had only whispered but that he was kept Prisoner and hinder'd from the discharge of his Message by Gwido Earl of Ponthieu and that it would become a man of so great Honour as himself not to suffer a Villany so derogatory to his Authority to go unpunished since he had appealed to his Justice But if his Liberty was to be purchased with Money he would willingly pay the Price to Earl William but not to such a mean-spirited man as Gwido Upon this Harold by the Command of Duke William was soon set at liberty and sent to Court where being honourably received he was also invited to an Expedition into Little-Britain where at that time the Norman Duke made War But by his Wit and Valour he so well approved himself to the Duke that he was very much taken with him to whom that he might also the more endear himself he promised by Oath That in case King Edward died he would deliver up to him the Castle of Dover which was then under his Command and procure him to succeed in the Kingdom of England Hereupon the Duke's Daughter as yet too young for Marriage was betrothed to him and so he was sent home with very rich Presents This is William of Malmesbury's and divers other Historians Relation of it but Bromton's Chronicle as he is singular in many things so he is in this and relates the Cause of Harold's Voyage into Normandy thus viz. That he had asked leave of King Edward to go over to Duke William to procure him to set his Brother Wulnoth and his Nephew Hacune free who were there detain'd as Hostages whereupon the King told him he might go with his Leave but not by his Advice for said he I foresee that nothing but Damage and Ruin can happen to England thereby for I know Earl William will not be so ignorant and impolitick as to grant their Delivery unless it shall tend to his own advantage So Harold going on Shipboard and intending for Normandy was driven by a Tempest on the Coast of Picardy and there seized by the Earl of Ponthieu and by him at last was sent to Duke William as hath been already related The rest of the Story is much the same with the former and needs no Repetition only this is added That Earl Harold at his Return home having told the King all that had happened to him in France the King is said to reply thus Did not I tell thee that this Voyage would prove neither for thy Profit nor that of the Kingdom But one may plainly perceive this Story to have been feigned by one of the later Monks to prove that King Edward had the Spirit of Prophecy and would not have been omitted by William of Malmesbury if he had known it or thought it to have been true This year also as Florence of Worcester tells us Harold Earl of West-Saxony having built a House in South-Wales at a place called Portascith and made great Preparations for the King's Entertainment who was to come thither a hunting when Caradoc or Cradoc Son to Griffyn Prince of south-South-Wales whom Griffyn Prince of north-North-Wales had slain some years before came to this place about St. Bartholomew-day and there not only slew all the Workmen and Servants but carried away all the Goods that had been brought thither This year was consecrated the Monastery of Westminster on the Feast of the Holy Innocents This Church as
and Decisive Battel which yet is very imperfect since no Historians that I know of either English or Normans have given us the Number of the Armies on both sides or how many were slain perhaps because both had a mind to conceal what they thought did not make for their Credit Only it is acknowledged on all hands that they were so many on the Normans side as well as the English that nothing but the over-ruling Providence of God by the Death of their King could have given it away from them to their Enemies In this Battel King Harold and his two Brothers Gyrth and Leofwin with most of the English Nobility were slain and an Ancient Manuscript in the Cottonian Library farther relates That the King's Body was hard to be certainly known by reason of its being so much disfigured by Wounds yet was at last discovered by one who had been formerly his Mistress and that by the means of certain private Marks known only to her self and being taken up and wash'd by two of the Chanons of Waltham which Monastery he had founded was ordered by Duke William to be delivered to his Mother and that without any Ransom though she would have given a considerable Sum for it but it was not long after buried in the Abby-Church of Waltham Yet notwithstanding Henry de Knyghton from Giraldus Cambrensis gives a quite different account what became of this Prince for he says that he was not slain in this Battel but retiring privately out of it lived and died an Anchoret in a Cell near St. John's Church in Chester as was owned by himself at his last Confession when he lay a dying and farther that in memory thereof they shewed his Tomb when that Author wrote But the concurrent Testimony of so many English Writers concerning his being slain and buried at Waltham is certainly to be preferred before one single Evidence not but that it might be true that somebody might thus personate Harold and have his Tomb afterwards shewn as his But where or however he died he was certainly a Prince of a Noble Presence and of as Great a Mind and had he not by a preposterous Ambition of gaining a Kingdom to which he had no Right as well as by a Notorious Violation of his Solemn Oath given Duke William a just Occasion of making War upon him wherein he not only lost his own Life but also was the occasion of the Ruin of so many of his Countreymen he might have had as great a Character in History as any Prince of his time He had two Wives the first he buried long before he was King but none of our Writers mention her Name His second was Algithe Widow of Griffyth ap Lhewelyn King of north-North-Wales Sister of Edwi and Morchar Earls of Yorkshire and Chester By the former it is recorded that he had Children then of such an Age that they waged War against K. William in the second year of his Reign The first was Godwin who with his Brother Edmund after his Father's Death and Overthrow fled into Ireland but returning again into Somersetshire slew Ednoth one of his Father's Ealdormen who encounter'd him and then making great spoil in Devonshire and Cornwal departed The next year fighting with Beorne an Ealdorman of Cornwal he afterwards returned into Ireland and from thence went to Denmark to King Sweyn where he continued the Residue of his Life The second was Edmund who engaged with him in all his abovesaid Brother's Invasions and Wars depending absolutely upon him whilst he lived and died as he did in Denmark Magnus his third Son went with his two Brothers into Ireland and came back with them the first time into England but we find nothing of him after this unless he was that Magnus who afterwards became an Anchoret Wolfe his fourth Son seems to be born of Queen Algithe and probably at King William's Entrance here he was but an Infant yet after his Death he is named among his Prisoners but by William Rufus was released and by him honoured with the Order of Knighthood Gunhilde a Daughter of Harold's is mentioned by John Capgrave in the Life of Wolstan Bishop of Worcester and that she was a Nun but where is not mentioned and being in most mens opinion's wholly blind this Wolstan if you will believe it from Capgrave by a Miracle restor'd her absolutely to her Eyesight Another Daughter of Harold's is mentioned by Saxo Grammaticus in his Danish History to have been well received by her Kinsman King Sweyn the younger and afterwards married to Waldemar King of the Russians and to have had a Daughter by him who was the Mother of Waldemar the first King of Denmark of that Name from whom all the Danish Kings for many Ages after succeeded This Account I have borrowed from Mr. Speed who is very exact in the Pedigrees of our English-Saxon Kings We find no Laws made in this King's time only this mentioned by Ingulph viz. That King Harold made a Law that whatever Welshman were found without leave on this side Offa's Ditch he should have his Right-hand cut off by the King's Officers Which Law I suppose was made to restrain the pilfering Incursions of the Welsh who were wont to come in small Companies into the English Borders to rob and carry away Cattel But as for the Earls Syward of Mercia and Morchar of Northumberland Brothers it is said they withdrew themselves out of the Battel with their Followers almost as soon as it began either because they liked not the streightness of the Place where they were drawn up or else were discontented with the King's Conduct so marching immediately up to London they there met with Aldred Archbishop of York and Edgar Atheling with divers other Noblemen and Bishops and consulted whom they should make King divers of them were for Edgar Atheling as the only remaining Branch of the Saxon Blood-Royal under whom they resolved to renew the War but he being young and unexperienced and the Major Part of the Bishops being against it nothing was done William of Malmesbury relates That the two Earls above-mentioned solicited the Londoners to make one of them King which when they found they could not prevail upon them so to do taking their Sister the Widow of King Harold along with them and leaving her for security at Chester they retired into Northumberland supposing that Duke William would never march so far that Winter But how much they were mistaken and how they were forced to submit themselves to him when the City of London and all the rest of the Kingdom had acknowledg'd him must be reserved for the next Volume In the mean time the Nobility and Clergy being thus divided in their sentiments all their designs came to nothing Thus as the same Author well observes that as the English if they had been all of one mind might have prevented the Ruin of their Countrey so since they could not agree to have one of
Wigheard Wight Wightred Wigmore Wilbrode Wilfreda St. Wilfrid Wilfrid 2. William Wills Last Vid. Testament Wilton Wiltshire Wina Vid. Wini Winandermere Winchelcomb Winchester Winchester-Measure Winfrid Winâ— Wipâ—â— or Wippa Wir Wiregild Wiremouth Witchcraft Wite Witena-Gemote Witerne St. Withburg Wiâ—hgar Withlaff Withred Wittereden Woden Wodensbeorge Wolves Woodstock in Mercia Worcester Wounds and Maims Wulfheard Wulfhelme Wulfher 2. Wulfnoth Wulfric Vid. Spoâ— Wulstan 3. Y YArrow Year Year and Day York Yric Yrling Ywrch Edwal Z ZEal Directions to the BINDER PLace the Table beginning Least the Names c. between P. 150 and 151. Place Table 2. between P. 244 and 245. Place Table 3. at the End of the Sixth Book Place the Two Pedegrees of Kings immediately after it and just before this Index Viz. That first beginning with Geat AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF THE Principal Matters contained in this History A ABbey Vid. Monastery Abbey-Lands the form of leasing them out which required the Solemnity of the Common-Council of the Kingdom to confirm it Lib. 5. Pag. 261 262. Abbot The Bishop of Norwich notwithstanding the Dissolution of Monasteries retains still the Title of an Abbot l. 6. p. 54. An Abbot of Evesham was chosen in a Great Council held at London Id. p. 73. Seldom chosen out of Monks of the same Abbey Id. p. 74. Aberfraw now a small Village in the Isle of Anglesey but anciently the chief Seat of the Princes of Gwyneth or north-North-Wales l. 5. p. 279. Tribute due from the King hereof to the King of London l. 6. p. 3. Destroyed by the Irishmen who landed in Anglesey Id. p. 6. Abingdon the Abbey when and by whom founded at first called Sheovesham l. 4. p. 196. Or Secvesham Id. p. 224. Burnt by the Danes rebuilt by Ordgar and had great Endowments Ibid. Anciently a Royal Seat of the Kings of Mercia l. 4. p. 224. Abjuring the Realm the Antiquity of this Law for such great Offences to which the King's Pardon did not in Edward the Confessor's time absolutely extend l. 6. p. 103. Acca succeeds Wilfrid in the Bishoprick of Hagulstade l. 4. p. 215. Is driven out as supposed by the King of Northumberland Id. p. 221. His Death Had in great Reverence both before and after it for his Sanctity c. l. 4. p. 223 224. Achaius King of Scots having aided Hungus King of the Picts with Ten thousand men against one Athelstan he routed the English and killed Athelstan but this is look'd upon as a mere idle Monkish Fancy l. 5. p. 250. Adda King of Bernicia the Eldest Son of Ida l. 3. p. 143. His Death Id. p. 144. Vid. p. 147 148. Adelphius Bishop of the City of Colchester is sent to the Council of Arles in Gallia and for what l. 2. p. 88. Adian or Aedan or Aegthan coming against Ethelfrid is routed l. 4. p. 159. Admurum that is Wall-Town near the Picts Wall l. 4. p. 184. Adrian the Abbot of Canterbury l. 4. p. 165 194. The Pope when he departed this life l. 4. p. 238. Vid. Hadrian Adulf or Eadulf Abbot of Medeshamstead enriched that Monastery with divers Lands that he added to it l. 6. p. 5. Succeeds Oswald in the Archbishoprick of York Ibid. His Decease l. 6. p. 29. Adultery King Withred's Law against it under a Punishment and what a Military what a Countrey-man was to pay that was guilty of it l. 4. p. 211. Alfred's Law increased the Fine according to the Estate or Quality of him against whom the Offence was committed l. 5. p. 293. Vid. Fornification Aeadsige after the death of Ethelnoth made Archbishop of Canterbury l. 6. p. 65. Went to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 66. Crowned Edward the Confessor and made the first Sermon that is to be found at any King's Coronation Id. p. 70. Resigned his Archbishoprick by reason of his great Infirmities Id. p. 72. Resumes it p. 74. His Death p. 75. Aealmond Father of King Egbert when he began to reign in Kent The Annals mistaken as to his ever being King thereof l. 4. p. 233. Aealhstan Bishop of London his decease l. 5. p. 303. Vid. Alstan Aedan Vradog i. e. the Treacherous a Prince of the North parts of Britain l. 3. p. 146. Aedan ap Blegored or Bledhemeyd an absolute Stranger to the British Blood-Royal got the Principality of north-North-Wales and held it about twelve years but whether it was by Election or Force uncertain l. 6. p. 30 31. Is killed with his four Sons in a bloody Fight by Lhewelyn ap â—itsylt Id. p. 40. Aedric made Ealdorman over all the Kingdom of Mercia Married the King's Daughter His Treachery l. 6. p. 32. By that he kept the King's Army from falling 〈…〉 Dâ—nâ—s when it had hâ—mmed theâ— in and were just ready to give them Battel Id. p. 34. Siâ—named Streon Id. p. 36. Treacherously in his own Chamber caused to be stai◠〈◊〉 Danes of great Riches and Power in the Northern parts and why Id. p. 40. His going over to King Cnute with forty of the Royal Navy and submitting to him l. 6. p. 41 45. The many other perfidious Tricks he plays Id. p. 45 46 47. Traiterously murthers his Natural King and Lord Edmund Ironside and salâ—ting Cnute first sole King of all England he met with a just reward if true Id. p. 48 49. His death occasioned by his upbraiding King Cnute with his Services telling him how that for his sake he had bâ—trayed one King and made away another Id. p. 50. Aegelbyerâ—h or Agebert after Byrinâ—s took upon him the Bishoprick of the West-Saxons l. 4. p. â—82 192. Vid. Agelbert Aegelric a Monk of Christ-Church consecrated Bishop of Chichester l. 6. p. 88. Aelfeage Vid. Elfeage Aelfer Vid. Elfer Aelfgar Vid. Elfgar Aelfleda Wife to King Edmund the Elder the Daughter of Earl Aethelune her numerous Children and how educated and bestowed l. 5. p. 324 327. Aelfred Vid. Alfred Aelfric upon the death of his Father Aelfer was Ealdorman of Mercia and two years after banished the Land l. 6. p. 21. Vid. Ealfric Aelfric Bishop of Winchester elected Archbishop of Canterbury by King Ethelred and all his Wise Men l. 6. p. 25. Went to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 26. Deceased and who succeeded him Id. p. 31. Aelfric succeeds Wulstan in the Archbishoprick and by whom consecrated l. 6. p. 53. His accusing Bishop Living and Earl Godwin of persuading Harold to use Prince Alfred so cruelly as he did Id p. 67. His decease Id. p. 79. Aelfweard Son of King Edward the Elder died at Oxnaford not long after his Father who his Mother and what his Character l. 5. p. 324 327. Aelfwinna Vid. Elfwinna Aelfwold drove Eardulf out of the Kingdom of the Northumbers and reigned two years in his stead l. 5. p. 249. His Death But his Successor somewhat doubtful Ibid. Aelgiva Queen brought to bed of Prince Edgar and died the year after l. 5. p. 344. Aelgiva married to King Ethelred l. 6. p. 29. 〈◊〉
Makes War upon his Brother Cadelh Prince of south-South-Wales and destroys his Countries Id. p. 299. Submits himself and all his Subjects to King Alfred's Dominion Id. p. 306 307. His Decease and Issue Id. p. 316. Pitying the distressed condition of the Northern Britains gave them great part of Cheshire to dwell in if they could beat out the Saxons thence Id. p. 317. After a bloody Fight with the Saxons obtains a compleat Victory over them Ibid. Andate the Goddess of Victory among the Britains l. 2. p. 48. Andover a Town not far from Winchester in Hampshire l. 6. p. 10. Anciently called Andefer Id. p. 25. Andragatius Maximus his General kills the Emperor Gratian near the Bridge of Singidunum and establishes his Master in his usurped Empire l. 2. p. 95. And hearing of the ill news of Maximus casts himsâ—lf headlong out of a Ship being then at Sea and so drowns himself Id. p. 96. Andredswood in Kent and Sussex is in length from East to West at least One hundred and twenty Miles and in breadth Thirty containing all that which is called the Wilde of Kent l. 5. p. 299. St. Andrew's Church at Rochester built by Ethelbert King of Kent l. 4. p. 160. Angild the Forfeiture of the whole value of a man's Head and that Hand which stole was to be cut off unless redeemed l. 5. p. 297. Angles supposed to be derived from the Ancient Cimbri l. 3. p. 123. Anglesey anciently called Mona l. 2. p. 46. and Manige l. 6. p. 28. The whole Isle subdued by Godfred the Son of Harold the Dane Id. p. 7 20. Destroyed by the Danes Id. p. 23. And by King Ethelred's Fleet Id. p. 28. They cast off Meredyth and receive Edwal ap Meyric for their Prince Id. p. 24. Anglia Sacra publish'd by the Learned Mr. Wharton l. 4. p. 166. Anlaff Son of Syhtric King of Northumberland flies into Ireland l. 5. p. 332. Supposed the Son of Syhtric His getting into Athelstan's Camp in the disguise of a Musician and the Observations he made there Id. p. 335. His ravaging and wasting the Countries where-ever he came the Battel he had with King Edmund and the Agreement between them both at last His marrying Alditha the Daughter of Earl Orme Id. p. 343. Called Olaf a Dane and Norwegian by Extract who had been expelled in the time of King Athelstan the Kingdom of Northumberland but being some time after recalled by those Rebels he was again expelled by King Edmund who added that Countrey to his own Dominions Id. p. 343 344. Returns again in King Edred's time and with joy is restored to his Kingdom by the People three years after they expel him a third time and set up Eric for their King Id. p. 350. Another of this Name Son to the King of Dublin comes with a great Fleet into Yorkshire or Lincolnshire and lands but he is miserably beaten by King Athelstan Id. p. 334 335. Anlaff or Unlaff King of Norway the Ravages he commits and where l. 6. p. 24 25. Is brought with great honour to King Ethelred After Baptism he returned into his own Countrey Id. p. 25. Anna King of the East-Angles enriches Cnobsbury Monastery with Noble Buildings and Revenues l. 4. p. 180. Is slain in fight by King Penda together with his whole Army Id. p. 185. His youngest Son Erkenwald wâ—s made Bishop of London Id. p. 196. Annals Saxon first collected and written in divers Monasteries of England l. 4. p. 151. The Cottonian Copy of them in the Form we now have them was wrote after the Conquest l. 6. p. 56. Antenor with his Trojans joining Brute their Expedition and the Accidents that befel them l. 1. p. 9. Anwulf Son of Baldwin Earl of Flanders sent Ambassador from Hugh King of the French to King Athelstan to demand his Sister in Marriage l. 5. p. 339. Aper kills Numerianus and is killed by Dioclesian l. 2. p. 83. Appeals none to the King in Suits unless Justice can't otherwise be had l. 6. p. 13. Appledore anciently called Apuldre or Apultre in Kent l. 5. p. 299 300. Arbogastes General to Eugenius sets him up in the Empire of the West against Valentinian the Second but his Master being overcome by Theodosius and put to death he soon after made himself away l. 2. p. 97. Arcadius Emperor of the East Eldest Son to Theodosius Id. ib. Archbishop its Title not known here in the time of Lucius l. 2. p. 69. His ancient Power as Governor of the Church of England l. 2. p. 210. None but Monks made Archbishops of Canterbury l. 5. p. 333. Brythelme resigns at the Command of the King and whole Nation l. 6. p. 2. When the Churches of Wales first owned the Archbishop of Canterbury's Superiority l. 6. p. 21. Archenfield in Herefordshire anciently called Yrcingafield l. 5. p. 319. Archigallo for his Tyranny is deposed by his Nobles but restored to it by the kind Artifice of his Brother l. 1. p. 14. Arch-pyrate anciently did not signify a Robber but one skill'd in Sea-Affairs or a Seaman derived from Pyra which in the Attick Tongue was as much as Craft or Art l. 6. p. 9. Arderydd a Battel fought there on the Borders of Scotland l. 3. p. 146. Areans removed by Theodosius from their stations but who these were is unknown l. 2. p. 93. Ariminum the Council called there by Constantius l. 2. p. 89. Our Bishops sent to it and what was done there Id. p. 90. Arles in Gallia the Council there when held and what British Bishops were sent to it l. 2. p. 88. Is made the Imperial Seat of Constantine and called Constantia it was besieged by Gerontius but he was hinder'd from taking it l. 2. p. 103. Armorica now Britain in France l. 1. p. 13. l. 5. p. 287. A Fleet prepared for the Armorican War l. 2. p. 25. The people there refuse to accept Charles King of the Almans for their King l. 5. p. 287. Armour whence arose the Custom of hanging up the Armour of Great Men in Churches as Offerings made to God for the Honour they had gained to themselves or Benefit to their Countrey through his Assistance and Blessing l. 6. p. 57. Army a Lawful one raised by the King for the Defence of the Nation called anciently by the name of Fyrd l. 6. p. 60. Arnulf the Emperor with the Assistance of the French Saxon and Bavarian Horse put the Danish Foot to flight l. 5. p. 298. Arnwy Abbot of Burgh resigns his Dignity by reason of his ill state of health and with the King's License and the Consent of the Monks confers it upon another Monk of that Abbey l. 6. p. 84. Arrian Heresy when it first infested Britain l. 2. p. 106. Arthur what he was King of who was his Father and the many considerable Victories he gained over the Saxons and when he carried the Picture of Christ's Cross and of the Virgin Mary on his back l. 3. p. 134 135. He besieges
154. When the See remained void for four years l. 4. p. 189. The Ancient Power of the Archbishop of this See as Governor of the Church of England when under the Power of the Pope in Ecclesiastical Matters l. 4. p. 209 210. The City is burnt Id. p. 226 228. The Violence done to it by removing the See from thence to Litchfield Id. p. 234 235. Is restored to its ancient Rights which it had been deprived of by King Offa's taking away all its Lands which lay within the Kingdom of Mercia Id. p. 229 235. By the See of Litchfield's being made an Archbishoprick no more were under this Jurisdiction than the Bishops of London Winchester Rochester and Shireburne Id. p. 235. Forbid on pain of Damnation if not repented of for any one hereafter to violate the Rights of this Ancient See l. 5. p. 248. Is taken by the Danes who then routed Beorthwulf the King of the Mercians and his whole Army Id. p. 261. And is retaken by the Lady Aethelfleda with the Assistance of the King her Brother wherein a great many Danes were killed Id. p. 320. Humbly beseeches a Peace of the Danes which at the Price of Three thousand Pounds is concluded l. 6. p. 33. Is besieged again and taken by the Treachery of the Danes Id. p. 35 36. Caractacus and Togodumnus the Sons of Kynobelin overcome by the Romans l. 2. p. 39. His Engagement with Ostorius Scapula and the Success of it Id. p. 42 43. Though he was taken Prisoner yet his Fame was celebrated as far as Italy Id. p. 43. His Manly Procession at Rome and the Noble Speech he made to Caesar His Pardon and Acknowledgment Id. p. 44. Caradoc or Cradoc Son to Gryffin Prince of south-South-Wales his barbarous Cruelty and Ill Usage both of the House of Harold Earl of West-Saxony and of his Servants l. 6. p. 93. Carausius a man of mean Parentage who through all Military degrees advanced himself to be Governor of Bononia now Buloigne c. takes on him the Imperial Purple and makes Maximilian to conclude a Peace and yield him up Britain making the Picts his Confederates l. 2. p. 83. Repairs the Pict's-Walls with Castles c. and at last is slain by the Treachery of Allectus Id. p. 84. Carehouse in Northumberland supposed to be Caere in the time of the Saxons l. 4. p. 215. Careticus succeeds Malgo in the Kingdom of the Britains His Character l. 3. p. 148. Carlisle built by Leil in the days of Solomon l. 1. p. 10. Was afterwards by the Romans called Lugubalia Ib. l. 2. p. 66. Carron a River which had its name from Carausius where it is l. 2. p. 84. Carrum now Charmouth in Dorsetshire where a Battel was fought between Egbert and the Danes and the latter kept the field l. 5. p. 256. Another Battel sought there between Ethelwulf and the Danes Id. p. 259. Cartismandua Queen of the Brigantes to whose fidelity Caractacus having committed himself she delivered him up bound to the Roman Victors l. 2. p. 43. Despises her Husband Venutius and a Civil War arising between them the issue of it Id. p. 45 46. Carus Marc. Aurel succeeds Probus in the Empire and invading the Persians dies suddenly l. 2. p. 83. He created his Son Carinus Caesar and gave him the Charge of Britain and the rest of the Western Provinces Is slain by Dioclesian Ibid. Cassibelan by his worthy Demeanour so wrought upon the people that he easily got the Kingdom for himself l. 1. p. 16. But he was not sole King of this Island only a small Inland Prince l. 2. p. 33. In his Reign Caesar landed in Britain but he engaging with him and his Romans was forced to submit to Caesar and to give him Hostages l. 1. p. 19. l. 2. p. 33 34 35. After the departure of the Romans he is said to reign ten years which time he spent in taking revenge on the Citâ—es and States that had revolted from him during his Wars with Caesar Id. p. 36. Cassiterides these Western Islands were so called by the Greeks l. 1. p. 2 3. Castinus sent into Spain by Honorius against the Vandals l. 2. p. 105. Castor the Worthiest Man in Severus his Court and Chief of his Bed-Chamber the same as Lord-Chamberlain with us l. 2. p. 75. Castra Exploratorum a place in Cumberland l. 2. p. 81. Cataract a fair City in Yorkshire burnt by Beornred the Mercian Tyrant l. 4. p. 229. Cattle that are brought into a Town and said to be found how to be disposed of and who to have the Custody of them l. 6. p. 103. Caedda is consecrated Bishop of Litchfield l. 4. p. 189 195. Renews his Ordination according to the Catholick Rites Id. p. 191. Is deprived of his Bishoprick as being unduly elected Id. p. 192. His Death and Character called by us at this day St. Chad Id. p. 193. Ceadwalla Vid. Cadwallo with whom he is confounded as he is also with Cadwallader l. 3. p. 145. l. 4. p. 204. Subdues the Petty Princes of the West-Saxons and takes the Kingdom to himself according to Bede Id. p. 193. Succeeds to the Kingdom of the West-Saxons after the death of Kentwin He was the Grandson of Ceawlin by his Brother Cutha Id. p. 202. Subdues the Isle of Wight and gives the fourth part of his Conquests to God Id. p. 203. He and Moll his Brother waste Kent l. 4. p. 203 204. Goes to Rome and is there baptized by Pope Sergius by the name of Peter but dies soon after and is buried in the Church of St. Peter Id. p. 204 205. Ceawlin and Cutha fight with and drive Ethelbert into Kent l. 3. p. 145 146. And Cuthwi kill three other Kings and take there three Cities Id. p. 145. Fights against the Britains and takes away several Towns from them but is driven out of his Kingdom after one and thirty years reign His Banishment and Character Id. p. 147 148. His Death in Exile Id. p. 149. Vid. Cuthwulf Ceawlin King of the West-Saxons and Ethelfrid fight with Adian wherein Cutha Ceawlin's Son is slain l. 4. p. 159. Ceawlin the second King of the West-Saxons that ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Cedda ordained a Bishop over the Nation of the East-Saxons l. 4. p. 184. Baptizes Swidhelm King thereof in the Province of the East-Angles Id. p. 189. Cendrythe an Abbess is forced to make satisfaction to Archbishop Wilfrid for the wrongs that King Kenwulf her Father had done to the Church of Canterbury l. 5. p. 253. The same with Quendride where see more of her Cenered King of Mercia or Southumbers succeeds Ethelred by his own appointment who himself resigned and turned Monk l. 4. p. 207 212. Cenwall or Cenwalch succeeds his Father Cynegils in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and being soon after driven out of it by Penda King of the Mercians he retires to Anna King of the East-Angles and there receives Baptism l. 4. p. 181.
of the Lands and Privileges of Croyland Monastery in a Great Council Id. p. 254. Of King Berthwulf to the Abbey of Croyland confirmed under the Rule of St. Benedict in a Great Council of the Kingdom at Kingsbury Id. p. 261. Of King Edgar about his subduing the greatest part of Ireland with the City of Dublin and to be Lord of all the Isles as far as Norway doubtless fictitious l. 6. p. 12. By an Extract from King Cnute's Charter preserved in the Evidences of that Church the Port of Sandwich is given to Christ-Church in Canterbury with all the Issues c. Id. p. 54. Of King Cnute's to the Monastery of St. Edmundsbury grants and confirms all its Lands and Privileges The Beginning of it somewhat remarkable Ibid. Of the Foundation of the Monastery of Coventry ratified by the Charter of King Edward and a Bull of Pope Alexander Id. p. 72. Of Edward the Confessor to confirm the Foundation of Waltham-Abbey Id. p. 89. The Curia or Great Council of the Kingdom confirm his Charter of Endowment of the Monastery of Westminster part of which is there set down Id. p. 94. Charters and other Writings when they began to be made after the French way Id. p. 98. Chastity Queen Etheldrith though twice married yet would not suffer either of her Husbands to know her l. 4. p. 198 199. An Heroick Example of it in the Abbess of Coldingham Nunnery in Yorkshire l. 5. p. 269. King Edgar perhaps loved it in others though he did not mucâ— practise it himself l. 6. p. 11. Edward the Confessor highly extols his Wife for her Chastity Id. p. 96. Cherbury in Shropshire anciently called Cyricbyrig l. 5. p. 316. Chertsey in Surrey anciently called Ceortesige l. 6. p. 6. Chester anciently called Legions l. 4. p. 164. Legacester l. 5. p. 301. l. 6. p. 8. Concacestre l. 5. p. 286. Called also Caerlegion l. 5. p. 315. And Cunaeceaster l. 6. p. 26. The Place where the Danes took up their Quarters against King Alfred's Forces which made them suffer great extremities l. 5. p. 301. Repaired by the Command of Earl Ethelred and his Wife Ethelfleda Id. p. 315. The Heads of Leofred a Dane and Gryffyth ap Madoc set up on the top of the Tower there Id. p. 321. The Province much spoiled and ruined by the Norwegian Pyrates l. 6. p. 20. Chichester the Bishop's See was formerly at Selsey l. 4. p. 198. Anciently Cisseancester in Sussex where the Danes carried their Prey from Alfred l. 5. p. 300. The Bishoprick was called that of the South-Saxons l. 6. p. 88. Chiltern the Woody Countrey of Bucks and Oxfordshire anciently called Clytern l. 6. p. 34. Chipnam Vid. Cippenham Choisy anciently Cazii signifies a Royal Village it is in France l. 5. p. 290. Christianity first preached in this Island when and by whom l. 2. p. 51 52. When and by whom first preach'd in Germany l. 4. p. 211. Christ-Church in Canterbury had the Port in Sandwich given to it by King Cnute with all the Issues and Profits c. l. 6. p. 54. Chrysanthius the Son of Marcian a Novatian Bishop supposed to be sent into Britain by Theodosius as his Lieutenant l. 2. p. 97. Church Pope Gregory's Determination concerning the Customs of the Church l. 4. p. 156. When their Dues ought to be brought in and the Punishment for Non-Payment of them A Sanctuary to those that fly to it who are guilty of a Capital Crime The Punishment those are to undergo that fight in a Church Id. p. 208. Withred's great care of the Churches in Kent Id. p. 210 211. Are freed from all Publick Payments and Tributes whatsoever Id. p. 212. With how bright a Lustre Religion shined in the Primitive Church l. 5. p. 24â— Alfred's Law entituled The Immunity of the Church Id. p. 292 296 297. The Forfeiture for stealing any thing from thence Id. p. 297. How necessary it was in ancient times for Princes themselves to be blindly obedient to the Discipline of it l. 6. p. 3. Edgar's Law concerning the Immunities of the Church l. 6. p. 13. When Churches in Wales began to acknowledge the Superiority of the Archbishops of Canterbury Id. p. 21. The Original of Coat-Armour its being hung up in Churches from whence supposed Id. p. 57. In all Courts of Civil Pleas Causes concerning Holy Church were to be first determined Id. p. 99. Those that hold of the Church not to be compelled to plead out of the Ecclesiastical Courts unless Justice be wanting there Ibid. The Law concerning those who violate the Peace of it Ibid. When the Church was not excused from paying of Danegelt Id. p. 100. In what cases the Church was to have one Moiety of Treasure-trove Id. p. 101. Cimbric Chersonese now called Jutland l. 3. p. 121. Cimerii and Cimbri derived from Gomer by whom the Ancient Gallia waâ— first inhabited l. 1. p. 4. Cippenham now Chipnam in Wiltshire l. 5. p. 262 283. Cirencester the City besieged taken and burnt and by whom l. 3. p. 148. Civilis sent for by Theodosius to govern Britain as Vice-Praefect l. 2. p. 93. Civil War between Cartismandua and Venutius l. 2. p. 45 46. Between Otho and Vitellius Id. p. 53. Claudia Rufina Wife of Pudens a Senator of Rome l. 2. p. 66. Vid. Rufina Claudian his Verses in De Bello Getico supposed to be designed for the second Departure of the Roman Legions l. 2. p. 101. Claudius the Emperor as he was coming to invade the Britains had twice like to have been cast away by Foul Weather but at last obtains a Victory over them and at his Return to Rome the Senate decree him a Triumph and Annual Games with two Triumphal Arches l. 2. p. 39 40. Lived about three years after his sending Aulus Didius into Britain His Death supposed of Poyson given him by his Wife Agrippina Id. p. 45. A Temple dedicated to him looked on as a Badge of their Eternal Slavery Id. p. 47. Claudius Marc. Aurel. Flav. elected Emperor Gallienus being slain performed several great Actions and dies suddenly l. 2. p. 82. Clergy the British Gildas his Character and Reproof of them l. 3. p. 140. May marry if out of Holy Orders and that they cannot otherwise contain Great care was to be had of their Stipends to make them more diligent in Service And of their Hospitality l. 4. p. 155. To receive no Reward for baptizing or for the other Sacraments Id. p. 225. Several Constitutions made against their committing Offences l. 5. p. 284 285. Their Goods and Possessions established to them by Edward the Confessor's Laws l. 6. p. 99. Chlodius Balbinus Vid. Balbinus Chlorus Constantius adopted Caesar by Maximinian is sent by him against Carausius l. 2. p. 83. Fires his own Ships that so his Soldiers might have no hopes left them of Safety but in Victory Id. p. 84. Chuses the Empire of the Western Provinces whereof Britain was one and puts a stop to the Persecution here raised
their former Privileges to endure for ever by a perpetual Right Id. p. 317 318. Builds Two Forts on both sides the River Ouse in Buckinghamshire to oppose the Danes who at last almost all submit to him Id. p. 319 320. Has the Town of Bedford surrendred to him where he built a Castle Rebuilds and Fortifies the Town of Maldon and makes the whole Nation of the Mercians submit to him Id. p. 320. Overcomes Leofred the Dane and Griffyth ap Madac Brother-in-Law to the Prince of west-West-Wales Id. p. 321. The several Towns he ordered to be rebuilt l. 5. p. 321 322 323 324. Is accepted for Lord and Protector by several Countries under the Danish Dominions and adds the Kingdom of the East-Angles to his own Id. p. 322 323. Several other Kings make their Submission to him Id. p. 324. His Decease at Fearndune in the Province of the Mercians Id. p. 324. Aelfleda the Daughter of the Earl Aethelem was his Queen and Wife Id. p. 327. The Laws both Civil and Ecclesiastical made in his Reign Id. p. 325 326. His Children how bred up and bestowed in Marriage c. Id. p. 327. His Character of being Mild and Humble as well as Couragious Id. p. 328. No Martyr as Buchanan in his History fancies him and why Id. p. 332. Edward Aetheling Son of King Edmund sirnamed Ironside Marries Agatha the Queen of Hungary's Sister his Issue by her l. 6. p. 49. Is sought by Ambassy to return into England which he did about Three years after together with his Children and soon after Dies his Body being Buried in St. Paul's Church Id. p. 86 87. Edward Sirnamed the Martyr is Elected in a great Council and presently Anointed King according to his Father Edgar's Appointment l. 6. p. 15. Not present at the Council of Calne in Wiltshire upon the persuasion of Archbishop Dunstan as supposed Id. p. 16 17. Is Killed by whom and by what at Corfesgeate now Corfe-Castle in the Isle of Purbeck and buried at Werham without any Royal Pomp having Reigned Three years and a half Id. p. 17 18. His Character Ibid. His Body taken up and carried and Buried at Shaftsbury with great Solemnity Id. p. 20. Edward the Confessor Son of King Ethelred comes into England from Normandy and returns no more back but tarried till his Brother Hardecnute died l. 6. p. 66 67. His Advancement to the Crown by Election in the Great Council and how it is effected Id. p. 69 70. His undutifulness to his Mother by taking from her all the Gold and Silver she had with other things because of her severity to him formerly shews him not to be altogether so great a Saint as the Monks represent him Id. p. 71 97. Marries Edgitha or Editha the Daughter of Earl Godwin who was not only Beautiful and Pious but Learned above the Women of her Age but he never carnally knew her l. 6. p. 72 73 97. Sends Bishops to the Great Council at St. Remy to know what was there decreed concerning the Christian Faith Id. p. 74. The Difference between the King and Earl Godwin and his Sons and what the ground of it Id. p. 75 77 78 81. Sends away his Wife who had been Crowned Queen committing her to the Custody of his Sister at the Nunnery of Werwel and takes away almost all she had Id. p. 78. Begs his Mother's Pardon for having suffered her to undergo the Ordeal and upon what Account Id. p. 79. Hearing Earl Godwin was come with his Ships for England he orders his Fleet to pursue him whereupon he returns to Bruges but soon after comes again and commits many Insults upon the Sea-coasts Id. p. 80 81. Restores to the Queen his Wife upon his Peace with Earl Godwin whatsoever she had been before possessed of Id. p. 81. In a great Council is Reconciled to Earl Godwin whom he restores to his former Honours and Estate Id. p. 82 83. Commands Rees the Brother of Griffyn King of South-Wales his Head to be cut off and sent him to Gloucester for his Insolencies against the English Id. p. 85. His Forces under Siward the Valiant Earl of Northumberland are said to Conquer Scotland Id. p. 86. Aelfgar's Rebellion against him twice and yet he was forced to Pardon him Ibid. p. 87.88 Confirms by his Charter the Foundation of the Abbey of the Holy-Cross at Waltham in Essex Id. p. 89. Wales Subdued and becomes subject to him the Inhabitants giving Hostages Ibid. After which he makes Two Brothers joint-Joint-Princes of north-North-Wales l. 6. p. 90. Confirms and renews the Laws of King Cnute at the Request of the Northumbers Ibid. Builds Westminster Church and Abbey its Consecration Calls his Curia or Great Council to confirm his Charter of Endowment of this Monastery His Sickness and Speech to those about him concerning the Vision he had seen of Two Holy Monks that told him of the Misery which would befall this Nation after his Death Id. p. 93 94 95. The Application of it with what befell the Kingdom in succeeding Reigns Id. p. 96. Recommends upon his Death-bed the Queen to her Brother c. and highly extols her Chastity and Obedience Id. p. 96. His last Words Death and Burial in St. Peter's Church at Westminster Ibid. p. 97. The various reports of his Bequeathing the Crown to his Cousin William Duke of Normandy Id. p. 96 97. His Character and the story of the Boy that Robbed his Chest he being then in the Room Id. p. 97 98 104. His Miracles of Curing the Blind and those Sores we now call the King 's Evil and of his being Elected King by his Father's Command in a Great Council whilst he was in his Mother's Belly Id. p. 98. His Laws or those which bear his Name because he renewed the Observance of them shew what Liberty English Subjects enjoyed before the Conquest Id. p. 99 100 101 102 103 104. By the Laws of St. Edward are meant the English-Saxon Laws Id. p. 104. Edwi When he Began his Reign and where and by whom Crowned he turns the Monks out of Glastenbury and out of the greatest Monasteries in England placing Secular Channons therein l. 3. p. 353. The Mercians and Northumbrians Deposing him Elect Edgar his Brother for their King which is confirmed by the Common Council of the Kingdom Edwi having no more left him than that of the West-Saxons for his share Id. p. 354. His Death and Character and Burial at Winchester Id. p. 355. Edwin of the Blood-Royal of Northumberland being the Son of Aella is forced to fly from Ethelfrid as a Banished Man with the cause of his future Conversion l. 4. p. 169. The wonderful Vision he had and the Success of it He succeds Ethelfrid and Banishes his Sons Id. p. 170. Being Converted to the Christian Faith he receives Baptism with all his Noblemen and a great many of the common people Id. p. 171 172 173 174. At last is killed by the Pagans and his whole Army routed Id.
p. 38 39. But he was not very long mindful of his Promise to his Subjects Id. p. 40. Through his Cowardice or Ill Fortune he was constantly attended with ill success Id. p. 41. He is called THE UNREADY and justly by our English Historians His Decease and Burial at St. Paul's Church in London Id. p. 42. His Character and excellent Laws Id. p. 19 42 43. The Issue he had by his Queen Id. p. 38 42. Ethelwald succeeds his Brother Etheler in the Kingdom of the East-Angles l. 4. p. 186. His Death and who succeeds him Id. p. 190. Ethelwald Earl of the East-Angles by what Trick he got Ethelfreda for his Wife from King Edgar but which cost him his Life l. 6. p. 9 10. Ethelward the Third Synod at Cloveshoe was held undâ—r him and twelve Bishops of his Province and what was therein transacted The next year he dies l. 5. p. 248. Ethelwerd King Alfred's Youngest Child bred up at Oxford his Death and Issue l. 5. p. 311. Was learned above that Age. He was buried at Winchester Id. p. 324. Ethelwin Vid. Edwin and Ethelwin Ethelwold Bishop by King Edgar's Command turns out the Chanons at Winchester and places Benedictines in their rooms l. 4. p. 181. His Decease when Id. p. 223. Ethelwold sirnamed Moll when he began to reign over the Northumbers Slays Duke Oswin in a Fight at Edwinscliffe l. 4. p. 228. Is murthered by the Treachery of Alhred who succeded him Id. p. 229. Ethelwulf the Son succeeds Egbert in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons who gave him good Advice how he might be happy in his Kingdom l. 5. p. 257 258. Comes to the Crown by virtue of his Father's Testament His Education and Tutors during his Elder Brother's life His Character and what Kingdoms he made over to Athelstan his Son Id. p. 258. Fights against Five and thirty Danish Ships at Charmouth Id. p. 251. A Son called Aelfred is born to him by Osberge his Wife Id. p. 261. He and Ethelbald his Son with the Forces of the West-Saxons fight with the Pagan Danes and make a greater slaughter of them than ever before Ibid. Assisting Burhred makes the men of North-Wales subject to him Id. p. 262. His Famous and Solemn Grant of Tythes throughout his Kingdom Id. p. 262 263. Goes to Rome carrying Aelfred his Son along with him Id. p. 263. In his return marries Leotheta the Daughter of Charles the Bald King of the Franks Ibid. A most infamous Conspiracy is formed in the West of England against him on the account of his new Wife Id. p. 263 264. Divides the Kingdom which was before united with the Consent of all his Nobility between him and his Son Ethelbald And to prevent Quarrels between his Sons he orders by his Will how his Kingdom should be enjoyed amongst them l. 5. p. 264. By his Last Will grants Corrodies for the Maintenance of Poor People a Yearly Allowance of Three hundred Mancuses to Rome and one hundred of them to the Pope His Death and Burial at Winchester after he had reigned Twenty Years Id. p. 264 265. St. Swithune Bishop of Winchester and Alstan Bishop of Shireborne were this King 's two Principal Counsellors in all Affairs Id. p. 267. Evesham-Abbey concerning the Forging of the Charters about it l. 4. p. 216 217. Is repaired by Leofric with the Consent of his Lady Godiva l. 6. p. 72. Eugenius set up against Valentinian the second by Arbogastes the former's General but he was soon after put to death by Theodosius l. 2. p. 97. Eugenius Prince of Cumberland assists Anlaff against King Athelstan l. 5. p. 334 335. The Scotch call him King of Deira and own he died in this Battel Id. p. 336. Evil Councils bring all the Miserie 's imaginable on a Nation l. 6. p. 23 27 32 35. Europe first peopled by the Posterity of Japhet either from one Alanus supposed to have been his Grandson or from Gomer his Son l. 1. p. 4. Eustatius Earl of Boloigne Edward the Confessor's Brother-in-Law with his Retinue entring Dover and resolving to quarter where they pleased was resisted by the Townsmen upon which ensued a great deal of Bloodshed on both sides l. 6. p. 76. Eutherius Archbishop of Arles Augustine and the Monks recommended to his Care and Protection l. 4. p. 153. Ordains Augustine Archbishop of the English Nation Id. p. 154. Excommunication had in King Withred's time no other Temporal punishment than a pecuniary Mulct l. 4. p. 211. Exeter anciently Exancester Besieged and where King Alfred pursued the Danes l. 5. p. 300 306. The removal of the See from Crediton to this City l. 5. p. 333. Is made a Bishops See instead of Credington in Cornwal at the request of Pope Leo l. 6. p. 78. Exmouth anciently called Exanmuthan l. 6. p. 28. F FAith the first People that were ever Executed by any Christian Prince for meer matters of Faith l. 2. p. 96. False News the spreaders of it against the Government to be punished with loss of Tongue or to Redeem themselves by the value of their Head and to be of no credit afterwards l. 5. p. 294. Famine a dreadful one about the Year CCCCXLVI in Britain l. 3. p. 115. Another among the South-Saxons wherein multitudes of the poorer People perished daily it being said not to have rained in that Countrey for Three years before l. 4 p. 198. A cruel one followed strange Prodigies in the Countrey of Northumberland Id. p. 238. A little after the Death of King Edgar a very great Famine happened l. 6. p. 15 16. In Ethelred the Unready's time so great a Famine raged as England never underwent a worse Id. p. 31. And in the Reign of Edward the Confessor there was another so great here that a Sester of Wheat was sold for Sixty Pence and more Id. p. 72. Farrington in Berkshire anciently called Fearndune where King Edward the Elder died l. 5. p. 324. Fealty or Fidelity the Oath required by Law to be taken by all Persons to King Edmund l. 5. p. 346. King of the Scots Swears Fidelity to King Edmund and all the Northumbrian Lords do the same Id. p. 349. Two joint Princes of north-North-Wales upon his Grant of it to them Swear Fealty to Edward the Confessor and likewise to Earl Harold l. 6. p. 90. Fee or Feuds the first footsteps of Military Feuds afterwards so much in use amongst the Goths Normans and other Nations l. 2. p. 80. Fee-tayl-Estate much more Ancient than the Thirteenth of Edward the First appears by the Thirty seventh Law of King Alfred concerning Bockland l. 5. p. 295 296. Feologild the Abbot his being said to be chosen Archbishop of Canterbury but certainly a mistake His Death l. 5. p. 255. Fergus the Son of Erk bringing great Supplies of the Scots from Ireland and Norway they came to recover their Countrey With a Relation of Fergus his Action l. 2. p 98. King of the Scots is slain in Battel and by whom
or Incest l. 4. p. 233 234. Honour and Obedience to be rendered to them and none to speak evil of them The Punishment either for Conspiring the Death of Kings or actually Killing of them Id. p. 234. l. 6. p. 59. Chief Lords of any Countrey in Wales when called Kings l. 4. p. 241. The Supreme Dominion of One English King over all the rest no new thing in King Egbert's time l. 5. p. 254. At the Great Councils they used to appear in State with the Crown on their Heads Id. p. 261. A weak Prince by the assistance of Able and Faithful Councellors may Govern his Kingdom prudently and happily Id. p. 267. King of England was anciently called King of London Id. p. 279. Alfred's Law concerning the Death of the King Id. p. 292. In Athelstan's time the Mercians had not lost their Ancient Right of chusing their own Kings Id. p. 329. The King's House no shelter to him that sheds Blood l. 5. p. 347. How dangerous it was for Kings to provoke the Ruling part of the Priests and People Id. p. 354. Neither in Edgar's time nor long after the Conquest did any King Elect take the Title of King till after his Coronation l. 6. p. 8. To be blamed for trusting those who had before betrayed them Id. p. 30. Sworn to observe the good Laws of King Edward not that he only Ordained but obser-served them Id. p. 56. Provision for his Houshold how to be made not to Oppress the Subject Id. p. 59. No Subjâ—ct in their Hunting to meddle with the King's Game Id. p. 60. His Office how declared by Edward the Confessor's Law His power to pardon Life and loss of Member but with a Proviso Id. p. 102. Kingsbury a Council held there under Berthwulf King of the Mercians l. 5. p. 261. King's-Evil Edward the Confessor the first that Cured it by his bare washing the Sores with his own hands l. 6. p. 98. King's Houshold Vid. Provision Kingsige King Edward the Confessor's Chaplain succeeds Aelfric in the Archbishoprick of York l. 6. p. 79. His Deatâ— Id. p. 88. Knight's-Service in England in King Wightred's time l. 4. p. 211. Knute vid. Cnute Kynan vid. Conan Prince of south-South-Wales Kynobelin at Rome saluted by the Emperor a Friend of the Commonwealth l. 2. p. 36. Being King he caused Coins to be stamp'd after the Roman manner Ibid. Died not long before the Roman Invasion by Claudius Id. p. 38. L LAncaster anciently called Caer-Werith supposed to be built by Gurguint l. 1. p. 13. Lands-End the Point anciently called Penwithsteort l. 6. p. 26 82. Langoemagog that is the Giants Leap from a persons taking up the mighty Giant Gogmagog in his Arms and flinging him off from a Cliff in Cornwal into the Sea l. 1. p. 9. Lanthorns first Invented in England by King Alfred of Cow's-Horns cut into thin plates l. 5. p. 305. Lashlite a Fine or Mulct the English and Danes were to pay according to the value of their heads for the Violation of the Laws made between them l. 5. p. 284. Lawrence a Priest and Peter a Monk sent to the Pope to acquaint him that by Augustine and his Monks their Preaching the English had received the Christian Faith and to have his Opinion about certain Questions l. 4. p. 155 165. Consecrates the Old Church rebuilt by Augustine at Canterbury and succeeds him as Archbishop there Id. p. 157 166. Draganus refuses to Eat with him and why Id p. 166. What happened to him upon his going to desert his Flock in Britain Id. p. 169. His Death and Burial Id. p. 171. Laws called Mercevenlage from whence said to be derived l. 1. p. 13. What those were in King Ethelbert's Reign l. 4. p. 163. Ecclesiastical Laws made between King Alfred and Guthrune the Dane l. 5. p. 284 285. Every man to enjoy the benefit of the Law and to have equal Justice done him l. 6. p. 13 58. Three sorts of Laws in use in Brompton the Chronicler's time viz. Merchenlage West-Saxonlage and Danelage Id. p. 103. League or Agreement made between King Alfred and King Guthrune setting out the Territories of each of those Princes l. 5. p. 283 284. Between Edward the Elder and the Danes Inhabiting East-England and Northumberland l. 5. p. 314. Vide Peace Learning reduced to a very low ebb in King Alfred's time by reason of the Danish Wars l. 5. p. 304. Lease of Abbey-Lands made in a Great Council the first Example of it l. 4. p. 230. Lee a River anciently called Ligan which divides Middlesex and Essex l. 5. p. 301.316 Leeds in Yorkshire anciently called Loyden where the Battel was fought between Oswy King of Northumberland and Penda King of the Mercians l. 4. p. 185. Legancester that is West-Chester Vide Chester Legion Roman being sent over to Britain made a great Slaughter of their Enemies driving the rest out of the British Borders and so delivered the Inhabitants from being destroyed l. 2. p. 99 100. Legions a City now Caerleon upon Uske l. 2. p. 85. Westchester was anciently called by this Name l. 4. p. 164. Leicester anciently Caer-Leir by whom said to be first Built l. 1. p. 11. Tocca the first Bishop there which continued a Bishop's See for divers Ages l. 4. p. 223. Anciently called Ligceaster and when Repaired l. 5. p. 314. And Ligraceaster Id. p. 319. Leighton in Bedfordshire anciently called Ligtune l. 3. p. 145. l. 5. p. 319. Lent by the Authority of Earcombert Ordained to be observed which seems to have been the first observed in England by a Law l. 4. p. 180. Leo the Pope whom the Romans took and cut out his Tongue and put out his Eyes Deposing him but he was Restored to every thing he had lost Miraculously l. 4. p. 241. When he Died l. 5. p. 251. Leo Bishop of Treve sent by Pope John as his Nuntio to King Ethelred with Letters of Complaint against the Marquiss of Normandy l. 6. p. 24. Leof a notorious Thief Banished by King Edmund but be returned and at a great Entertainment of the King 's Stabs him so that he instantly died l. 5. p. 345. Leofgar Ordained Bishop of Hereford in the room of Bishop Athelstane together with his Clerks is Slain by Griffyn Prince of Wales l. 6. p. 87. Leofred a Dane his Ravages in Wales but at last is Beheaded by Athelstan's Order l. 5. p. 321. Leofric Earl of Mercia with his Lady Godiva Founders of the Monastery of Coventry and the Repairers of several others l. 6. p. 71 72. Comes to the Great Council at Glocester about Earl Godwin Id. p. 77. His Death and Burial in the Church of the Monastery of Coventry Id. p. 88. Leofric King Edward the Confessor's Chaplain succeeds Living Bishop of Devonshire that is of Exeter l. 6. p. 73. Is Enthroned there be walking to Church between the King and Queen Editha his Wife Id. p. 78. Leofwin the Abbot is unjustly Expelled from the Monastery of Elig goes
Wulfher Archbishop of York Id. p. 277. Rebel against King Athelstan and the Event of their so doing Id. p. 330. Beat the Scotchmen many of whose Heads were afterwards set upon Poles round the Walls of Durham l. 6. p. 27. Take Arms against their Earl Tostige slaying his Servants and seizing his Treasures committing a world of Outrages and Desolations And what the ground of this Insurrection Id. p. 90 91 Northumbrian Kingdom began in Ida and when l. 3. p. 142. Becomes divided into Two viz. Deira and Bernicia Id. p. 143. The Custom of this Nation was anciently to sell their own Children or other near Relations to Foreign Merchants l. 4. p. 152. A perverse and perfidious Nation worse than Pagans Id. p. 240. A certain Youth is made King hereof by the joint Consent of both the English and Danes King Alfred himself confirming the Election l. 5. p. 286. North-Wales a part of the Roman Province anciently called Genoani or Guinethia l. 2. p. 68. l. 5. p. 317 All the Coasts thereabouts spoiled by the Danes l. 5. p. 319. Upon the Death of Howel Dha it returned to the Two Sons of Edwal Voel l. 5. p. 349. Is sorely harrassed by King Edgar and the cause of the War l. 6. p. 3 4. War is made upon it by Eneon who subdues all the Countrey of Gwin or Gwir Id. p. 6 16. Is Conquered by Meredyth Prince of south-South-Wales for himself Id. p. 22. On the Death of Edwal ap Meyric it was under an Anarchy for some time l. 6. p. 25. It gave occasion to great disturbances till Aedan got and held it for Twelve Years but whether by Election or Force uncertain Id. p. 30 31. Blithen and Rithwallen made Joint Princes thereof by King Edward the Confessor Id. p. 90. Norway Harold Harfager their King coming with a great Fleet to Invade England Lands in Yorkshire but is slain in Battel with most of his Men l. 6. p. 109. Norwich the only Bishop in England since the Dissolution of Monasteries that has still the Title of an Abbot l. 6. p. 54. Nothelm receives his Pall from Rome and is made Archbishop of Canterbury after Tatwin l. 4. p. 223. His Death and who is Consecrated in his room Id. p. 224. Numerianus the Son of the Emperor Carus made Caesar by him whom he takes with him into the East but this pious Son was slain by Aper one of his Captains l. 2. p. 83. Nunnery Vid. Monastery Nunnichia the Wife of Gerontius her extraordinary Courage and Affection to her Husband who was prevailed upon to slay her by her own Importunity rather than she would be left behind him exposed to the violence of an enraged Multitude l. 2. p. 103. O OAkly in Surrey anciently called Aclea where the Danes were beaten by King Aethelwulf l. 5. p. 261. Oath of Fidelity Vid. Fealty The Oath the Danes took to King Alfred which they ne'er would take before to any Nation upon a Sacred Bracelet to depart the Kingdom l. 5. p. 278. Or Pledge i. e. a man's Promise to observe the Law and keep the Peace to be strictly kept and the Punishment in breaking it made by King Alfred Id. p. 292. To give Security by Oath at twelve years of Age and for what l. 6. p. 58. Vid. Purgation Odo Bishop of Wells succeeds Wulfhelme in the Archbishoprick of Canterbury His Character l. 5. p. 333. Is severely revenged on the Lady Athelgiva for causing King Edwi to turn all the Monks out of divers Monasteries and putting Secular Channons in their rooms Id. p. 354. His Decease l. 6. p. 2. Offa the Son of Sigher King of the East-Saxons marries Keneswith but not long after through her persuasions takes upon him a Monastick Life and goes to Rome for that end l. 4. p. 214. Vid. 217. Is proposed as a Pattern for all other Princes to follow Id p. 214. Offa expels the Usurper Beornred King of the Mercians His Pedigree and succeeds him by the General Consent of the Nobles and afterwards becomes a Terror to all the Kings of England Id. p. 227. Obtains of the Pope a Pall for the See of Litchfield to become an Archbishoprick Id. p. 229. Subdues the Nation of the Hestings but who they were is not known Id. p. 230. And Cynwulf King of the West-Saxons fight at Bensington in Oxfordshire where Offa prevails Id. Ib. p. 236. Is forced to make a Peace with the Saxon Kings Id. p. 231. Seizes on the whole Countrey of North and South-Wales planting Saxons in their places and annexes them to his own Kingdom making a famous Ditch from Sea to Sea to defend his Countrey from the Incursions of the Welsh called Offa's Ditch Ibid. p. 239. His Eldest Son Egfred or Egbert as in the Saxon Annals is anointed and crowned King with him l. 4. p. 233 235. Builds a new Church and Monastery in honour of St. Alban Id. p. 237. His Death after he had reigned forty years and Burial in a Chappel at Bedford near the River Ouse He had a great mixture in him of Virtues and Vices and seems to have been the first of our English-Saxon Kings who maintained any great Correspondence with Foreign Princes Id. p. 238. His Enmity with Charles the Great and afterwards his firm League with him Id. p. 239. Offerings at the Altar Pope Gregory determines how they were to be divided l. 4. p. 155. Olaff is driven out of Norway Cnute conquering that Countrey for himself l. 6. p. 53. Returning to regain his Right he was slain by the people but afterwards was canonized under the Title of a Martyr Id. p. 54. Olanaege an Island in the River Severne now called the Eighth l. 6. p. 47. Old Saxony Vid. Northalbingia Orcades the Islands in the Northern Ocean near Scotland l. 2. p. 94. Governed long by English and Danish Kings l. 5. p. 259. Ordeal not to be used to a person accused of a Crime unless there be no direct proof against him l. 5. p. 285. A simple and a threefold Ordeal Id. p. 340. l. 6. p. 59. A Danish Custom and grew more in request in the Reign of King Cnute l. 6. p. 43. After what manner this Judgment was to be executed by the Bishop's Officer Id. p. 100. Order that of St. Basil l. 4. p. 167. That of St. Benedict Id. p. 167 168. Of St. Equitus Id. p. 168. Ordgar the Abbot rebuilds the Abbey of Abingdon which had been destroyed by the Danes l. 4. p. 196. Ordgar Earl of Devonshire and afterwards Father-in-Law to King Edgar founded the Abbey of Tavistock which was not long after burnt by the Danes l. 6. p. 4. Ordination of a Bishop whether without the presence of other Bishops or not l. 4. p. 156. Ceadda renews his Ordination and upon what account Id. p. 191. Bishop Wilfrid is sent into France to be re-ordained Id. p. 192. Ordovices those people now of North-Wales l. 2. p. 42. Almost destroyed a whole Squadron of Roman
the Lord's-Prayer and Creed in English Id. p. 225. Predur a British Prince Son of Oliver Gosgard Vawr a Prince of Cumberland l. 3. p. 147. Prerogative a pretence of King Offa's unlimited Power in Ecclesiastical as well as Civil Matters l. 4. p. 239. Danegelt how by constant usage it became a Prerogative l. 6. p. 66. That of Pardoning in the King not to extend to the Prejudice of the Party injured c. Id. p. 102. To set at liberty any Captive or Prisoner when the King comes into a City c. Id. Ib. Priests that are not able to contain may marry l. 4. p. 155. To learn the Creed and Lord's-Prayer in English and to interpret the Mass and Baptism Id. p. 225. By the King's Priest must be meant either his Chaplain or Bishop l. 5. p. 295. Breach of the Peace by Priests how punishable Id. p. 297. Priscilla and other Hereticks of his Party were sentenced to Death by Maximus the Emperor l. 2. p. 96. Probus M. Aurel. Valer. succeeds Claudius Tacitus in the Empire vanquishes Bonosus who upon it Hang'd himself prevents a new Rebellion in Britain gains other Victories elsewhere and at last is slain by his own Army l. 2. p. 82. Prodigies a great fight and slaughter of Birds in the Air l. 4. p. 192. A Comet continuing Three Months carrying with it every morning a large Tail like a Pillar Id. p. 196. Another appeared in King Ethelheard's time l. 4. p. 220. A Red Cross appeared in the Heavens after Sun set Id. p. 230. The sign of the Cross appeared of it self upon men's Clothes Id. p. 235. A Light frequently seen from Heaven over the place where Alfwold was Murthered Id. p. 236. Immoderate Lightnings Meteors like fiery Dragons flying in the Air Id. p. 238. Sign of the Cross seen in the Moon 2d Nones June in the Morning and on the 3d. Kal. September a wonderful Circle seen round the Sun l. 5. p. 248. An appearance of a Cross in day-time Id. p. 250. Strange Prodigies seen in the Heavens l. 6. p. 15. A strange cloud appeared about midnight all over England in divers Colours Id. p. 18. A Column of Light streaming down from Heaven over St. Edward the Martyr's Grave Id. p. 20. Protection granted anciently by the King not only to Persons but to Places by way of Privilege the several sorts of giving it and what this Peace as it was called was to free Persons from l. 6. p. 100 101. Provision for the King's Houshold how to be made not to oppress the Subjects l. 6. p. 59. Punishments all Crimes Redeemable by Pecuniary Fines in Edward the Elder 's time and some Ages after l. 5. p. 326. Anciently consisted in Pecuniary Fines rather than in Blood Id. p. 342. In Edgar's time Fines were not Arbitrary nor set above a constant rate l. 6. p. 13. For what Crimes no Satisfaction should be made by way of Mulct Id. p. 59. Purgation in case a man be of good Repute his own should be accepted but otherwise either a Threefold one or his single Oath in Three Hundreds l. 6. p. 58 59. Pusa Abbot of the Monastery of Vocingas and whom he succeeded l. 4. p. 231. Putta Bishop of Rochester is forced to retire to the Bishop of the Mercians by his Church's being destroyed and there died This very Man is made the first Bishop of Hereford l. 4. p. 196. Q QUarrel or Deadly Feud King Alfred's Law concerning it l. 5. p. 296. King Edmund's Law about it Id. p. 347. The Indians Deadly Feud against all the Kindred of one that Murthers any of them Id. Ib. Queen upon the Account of Eadburga's ill conduct of her self both as Wife to Brihtric King of the West-Saxons whom she Poisoned and as Widow upon divers other accounts a Law was made That for the future no King's Consort should be so called l. 5. p. 264. Quenburga Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia and Wife to King Edwin l. 4. p. 174. Quendride Sister to King Kenelm Son to Kenwulf King of Mercia makes her Brother away out of a wicked Ambition of Reigning her self and the dreadful Judgement that befel her upon it l. 5. p. 252. Is forced to make satisfaction to Archbishop Wilfrid for the Wrongs that King Kenwulf her Father had done to the Church of Canterbury afterwards professed her self a Nun and at this time was an Abbess Id. p. 253. Quendrith by her wicked Instigations Ethelbert the Son of Ethelred King of the East-Angles is slain going to Offa's Court in order to Woo his Daughter l. 4. p. 237. Quichelme Bishop of Rochester when he Governed that See l. 4. p. 201. R RAdnor the Town destroyed by Meredyth Prince of north-North-Wales l. 6. p. 23. Radnorshire-men supposed by Cambden to be meant by the Magaesetons l. 6. p. 46. Raven the Raven-Banner Vid. Banner Reculf a Monastery built by Basse a Priest l. 4.192 Now known by the name of Reculver in Kent Id. p. 205. Redburge Wife of King Egbert was according to the then West-Saxon Law never called Queen What Law she is said to have procured from her Husband l. 5. p. 257. Redwald called the greatest King of the East-Angles the Tenth from Woden l. 3. p. 146. l. 4. p. 171. His Death Id. p. 157. Receives Edwin who had been forced to fly the Countrey of Northumberland very kindly Id. p. 169. Slays Ethelfrid in Battel Id. p. 170. Had been Baptized in Kent by the means of Eadbald but was afterwards by his Wife and others perverted from the true Faith Id. p. 175. He was the Fourth King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Succeeds Ethelred who was driven out of his Kingdom of Northumberland but soon after fighting with the Danes at Alvethelie he and Earl Alfred were slain l. 5. p. 260. Rees the Brother of Griffyn King of South-Wales was by the Command of Edward the Confessor put to death for his Insosolencies against the English and his Head sent to the King l. 6. p. 85. Reginald succeeds Eowils and Healfden as King over the Danes l. 5. p. 315. Enters into a Contract of Marriage with Aelfwinna Daughter of Aethelfleda and Heir of the Kingdom of Mercia Id. p. 320. Submits his Kingdom of Northumberland to King Edward the Elder Id. p. 323 324. He takes York Id. p. 324. Was the Son of Eardulph Id. Ibid. Eadmund receiveâ— him at his confirmation Id. p. 3â—3 Is called King of York because he had conquered that Countrey Id. p. 344. Regni those Parts we now call Surrey and Sussex l. 2. p. 69. Reiderch-hoel that is the Liberal a British King of Cumberland l. 3. p. 146 147. Religion none ought to be Compelled to receive it for the Service of Christ is to be Voluntary l. 4. p. 154. The state of it in the Western Church when Augustine came over hither Id. p. 155. The Christian Religion came not first into Britain by the Preaching of any Persons sent from Rome but it was most
bloody slaughter on both sides l. 6. p. 31. University of Paris by whose means erected Alcuinus an Englishman reading there Logick Rhetorick and Astronomy l. 4. p. 244. Of Oxford and Cambridge Vid. their particular Heads Unust King of the Picts Vid. Eadbert King of Northumberland Vortigern is chosen King by the Britains l. 3. p. 116. By the Advice of his Council he sent for the Heathen Saxons to repel the Scots and Picts Id. p. 117. Falls passionately in Love with Rowena Hengest's daughter Id. p. 125. Marries her and is divorced from his former Wife Id. p. 126. The story of his taking his own Daughter to Wife and having a Son by her is all unlikely Id. p. 127 128. Is deposed and Vortimer his Son is chosen King by the British Nobles Id. p. 128. Is restored wages War with the Saxons but by the Treachery of Hengest is taken Prisoner and for his Ransom gives up East-Sex Middlesex and Sussex Id. p. 129. Uncertain what at last became of him but was again deposed and thought to be burnt in his Castle by his Successor Aurelius Ambrosius Id. p. 131. Vortimer obtainâ— a great Victory over the Saxons l. 3. p. 128. Drives them into Germany for all his lifâ—time Id. Ib. Dies supposed by Poyson of his Mother-in-Law Rowena's Procurement Id. p. 129. Vortipore King of that part of South-Wales called Demetia l. 3. p. 139. Urbgen or Urien King of Cumberland and his Sons fight with Theodoric and his Sons and where l. 3. p. 146. Urbicus Lollius drives back the Brigantes draws another Wall beyond that of Hadrian and keeps out the Incursions of the Northern Britains l. 2. p. 68. Urgeney Bishop of St. David's is slain by the Danes l. 6. p. 27. Urych Merwin King of the Britains slain at the Battel of Ketell l. 5. p. 260. Uscfrea a Son of King Edwin's l. 4. p. 176. Usurers not to continue in the Kingdom but if any were convicted to forfeit their Goods and be look'd on as outlaw'd l. 6. p. 102. Uther Pendragon look'd on by the British Antiquaries as a mere imaginary King l. 3. p. 133. Uthred his Bravery against the Scots and the Reward he met with for it from King Ethelred casts off his Wife but gives her back her Fortune and marries another one Sigâ— l. 6. p. 27. Submits with all his Northumbrian Kingdom to King Sweyn the Dane and the mischiefs he his Son and their Army did both there and where ever they went Id. p. 37 38. He with Edmund Etheling plunders all places where ever they come Id. p. 41. But at last submits to Cnute and though he gave Hostages was soon after slain and some say by Cnute's Orders Id. Ib. Utrecht in the Gallick Tongue Trajectum in the old Language Wiltaburg l. 4. p. 212. Vulgar or Common People the Care the English-Saxons had of the Persons and Chastity of their meanest Subjects l. 5. p. 293 294. W WAda a Rebel in chief in Northumberland that leads out the Conspirators to Battel against King Eardwulf at Billingahoth near Whalie in Lancashire l. 4. p. 241. Wakes or Parish Feasts their Antiquity in several parts of England l. 6. p. 99. Wales anciently called Cambria by some supposed to come from the King Ina's marrying Gualla the Daughter of Cadwallader King of the Britains but it is certainly a notorious Falshood l. 4. p. 220. Their Chief Lords of any Countrey there called Kings Id. p. 241. Kings of Cardigan Divet and Powis died in one year Id. p. 243. The several Princes of Wales were perpetually weakning each other with Civil Wars which the English observing at last reduced them all under their Dominion l. 5. p. 279 280. Great Commotions there between Jevaf and Jago and their Children after them sevâ—ral Countries being thereby spoiled l. 6. p. 16 20 21 22. Laws concerning the Inabitants of the Mountains of this Countrey Id. p. 44. A great Revolution happen'd there from the fickleness of the Nation Id. p. 64. The last Civil War or Rebellion there that happen'd in Edward the Confessor's Reign Id. p. 85. Is called Brytland and subdued by E. Harold and E. Tostige Id. p. 89. Wall That which Severus built from Sea to Sea 132 miles in length which procured him the stile of Britannicus l. 2. p. 76. Is repaired and fortified with Castles c. by Carausius Id. p. 84. Built cross the Island between the two Seas or Streights called then Glotta and Bodotria now the Friths of Edinburgh and Dunbritton with Turf instead of Stone Id. p. 99 100. A Description of the other Wall of Stone Id. p. 100. Wall-brook whence it had its name l. 2. p. 85. Waltham-Abbey the Foundation of it and the story of the Crucifix brought thither and the Miracles said to be effected by it l. 6. p. 89. King Harold is buried in the Abbey-Church there Id. p. 144. Wall-Town near the Picts-Wall anciently called Admurum l. 4. p. 184. Wanating now Wantige in Berkshire l. 5. p. 261. l. 6. p. 43. Warewell now Harwood Forest l. 6. p. 10. Warham in Dorfetshire formerly Werham a strong Castle of the West-Saxons is taken and destroyed by the Danes together with the Nunnery there l. 5. p. 278. Warwick anciently called Caer-Gaurvie supposed to be built by Gurgwint l. 1. p. 13. And Weringwic l. 5. p. 316. l. 6. p. 41. Watchet in Somersetshire anciently called Weced l. 5. p. 319. And Weedport destroyed by the Danes l. 6. p. 22 26. Wax-Tapers hated by King Ethelred because of his Mother 's unmercifully beating him with one and for what reason l. 6. p. 19. Wectij or Wiccij now Worcester l. 4. p. 160 197.230 The same Shire also anciently called Wiccon l. 4. p. 242. l. 5. p. 247. Vid. the City and County of Worcester Wedesbury in Staffordshire anciently supposed to be called Wearbyrig l. 5. p. 316. Weland River in Northamptonshire on the side of Rutland anciently called Weolade l. 5. p. 322. Welsh the Chronicle called Triades l. 3. p. 140. Manuscript of Britain the Credit of it arraign'd by a late Romish Writer l. 4. p. 162. Are forced to quit all the plain Countrey bâ—tween Severne and Wye and to retire to the Mountains l. 4. p. 231. Western-Welsh that is Cornish-men where a great Fleet of Danes landed l. 5. p. 257. The Welsh beaten by Igmond the Dane Id. p. 303. Are forbid to come into England or the English to enter Wales l. 6. p. 44. Raise some Insurrections in Harold's time and upon what account Id. p. 65. A Law that no Welshman should pass over Offa's Ditch on pain of death Id. Ib. And on the Penalty of losing his Right Hand Id. p. 115. Vid. Britains Build a Castle in Herefordshire upon the Lands of Earl Sweyn and what ensued thereupon Id. p. 77. Wenbury in Devonshire by the Saxons called Wicganbeorch a place where Earl Ceorle with his Forces fights the Pagan Danes and gets the Victory l. 5. p. 261. Werfriht Bishop of Worcester one