Alba then King of Italy to be provided with Husbands because he had heard that the Sabines would not give their Daughters in Marriage to the Latins which is so very ridiculous that it needs no Confutation This Prince dying after he had reign'd about Forty Years left the Kingdom to Brute Sir-named Greenshield from the colour of his Target he revenged those Indignities which had been put upon his Father by Brunchild Prince of Hannonia or Hainault Conquering him near the banks of the Scaldis i. e. the Scheld but the modern names of Hainault and Brunchild sufficiently betray the Novelty of this Fable He hath the Character of an Excellent Prince Just Merciful and a most exact observer of his Word and reigned Twelve Years to whom succeeded Leil his Son who built the City of Carlisle in the Days of Solomon after called by the Romans Lugubalia and did also repair Caerleon now called Chester he was a good Prince till the latter end of his days when falling into several Vices he occasioned great dissentions in the Kingdom which did not end with his life but after he had reigned Twenty five Years left the Kingdom to Rudhudibras or Hudibras who compos'd the disturbances begun in his Fathers days and studying nothing more than to strengthen and adorn his Kingdom built several Cities as Caerkin now Canterbury likewise Caer Guent now Winchester as also Mount Paladur after Septonia or Shaftsbury and having reigned Twenty nine Years was succeeded by Bladud his Son who is said to have been skill'd in Magick and thereby to have found out those Medicinal Waters now called the Bath where he also built a City called Caer Baden he is said to be a Man of a good Invention and having made himself Wings to flye fell down from the Temple of Apollo in Trinovant and broke his Neck having governed Britain Twenty Years To him succeeded Leir his Son who built Caer Leir now called Leicester He had only Three Daughters Gonnilla Râgana and Cordiella his darling but in his old Age being jealous of their Affections he called them before him and demanded that they would give him some assurance of their Love the two Eldest called Heaven and Earth to witness that they loved him Ten thousand times dearer than their own Souls and that they were not able to Express their infinite kindness for him and at last concluded their flatteries with horrid Oaths and asseverations of their Sincerity but Cordiella the Youngest though having before her Eyes the present reward of an easie flattery yet could not be moved from giving him this downright honest Answer Father saith she my Love toward you is as my Duty bids What should a Father seek What can a Child promise more They who pretend beyond this flatter This short Answer not at all satisfied the old suspicious King for he shewed his resentments by his neglect of her and the suddain advancement of her Sisters Marrying Regana to the Duke of Cornwall and Gonarilla to the Duke of Albania reserving no portion at all for Cordiella but it so happen'd that Aganippus a Prince of Gaul however he came by this Greek Name hearing of her Vertue and Beauty desired her in Marriage to whom she was welcome without any other Dower but her own Vertues King Leir having thus disposed of his two Eldest Daughters and dividing half his Kingdom between them they within some time by their subtile practices work him out of all so that he was forced to sojourn with his Daughters by turns who being set on by their Husbands put so many affronts and Indignities upon him needless here to be recited that in the end he was constrained to leave the Realm and take refuge with Cordiella This rejected Daughter received him with all the Duty and Affection imaginable and then appeared the difference between the down-right Love of some Children to their Parents and the over talkative obsequiousness of others while the hopes of a large Inheritance obliges their Tongues to Express more Duty than ever they mean to perform but what was more significant than Words she assisted her Father with powerful aids and in Person went to revenge his wrongs So that bringing a great Army into Britain she destroyed his Enemies and restored him to his Crown which he held but for the space of Two Years whose Reign in all is computed to be about Forty Years and then dying left the Throne to Cordilla who Governed the Kingdom for Five Years but in the mean time her Husband Aganippus dying Morgan and Cunedage her Nephews by her Sisters Gonorilla and Regana disdaining to be under the Government of a Woman rebelled against her and so prevailed that they took her Prisoner but she being a Woman of a high Spirit slew her self rather than to live under their Tyranny Whereupon Cunedage and Morgan possessing the whole Government divided the Island between them to Morgan fell Albania to Cunedage all the Land on this side Humber Morgan not being content with his Portion Invaded his Brother but being driven by him into Wales and there Slain gave the Name of Glan-Morgan to that Country Cunedage now Ruling alone built many Temples to his Gods and dying was buried at Trinovant after he had Ruled Thirty three Years to whom succeeded Rivallo the Son of Cunedage in his time it rain'd Blood for Three Days together from whose Putrefaction Noisom and Venemous Flies were bred which in Swarms infested the whole Land and brought great Contagion both upon Men and Beasts He after he had Ruled Forty six Years was succeeded by Gurgust his Son of whom nothing is recorded worth mentioning he is said to have Reign'd Thirty seven Years Nor is there more left of Jago his Nephew Nor yet of Sillius or Sicillius thô how related to the former is not said But to him after Forty nine Years Reign succeeded Kânemare said to be Brother of Jago of whom there is nothing Recorded but that he was Buried at York To whom succeeded Gorâodug the Son of Kinemare he is noted for Tyranny But dying he left behind him two Sons Ferrex and Porrex who Reigning joyntly at first did within a few Years begin to contend who should have the whole Kingdom in which Contention after a great Battle Fought between them Ferrex was Slain whose Death affected his Mother with so great a Grief that transported by Revenge she by the help of her Maidens Slew her other Son Porrex whilst he was a Sleep an unheard of Example and too strange to be true After his Death the Blood Royal of Brute being extinguished by his Death there happned cruel Wars so that the Kingdom was rent into five parts one Pinnor made himself King of Loegria or England Stator seized Albania Rudock Cambria and Cloten Cornwall But as to the fifth division the Story is silent this Pentarchie is supposed to have lasted above Fifty Years the Kingdom in the mean time being miserably harrassed by Civil Wars until Dunwallo Molmutius Son
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-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 theâe 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
that gave Oracles whereupon Brutus consulting with his Diviner and Twelve other of the Ancients was advised to invoke the Goddess to tell him in what Land or Region he should find a place to settle in and accordingly as we find it in Geoffrey of Monmouth he is said to Adress her thus Diva potens Nemorum terror Sylvestribus apris Cui licet anfractus ire per aethereos Infernasque domos Terrestria Jura resolve Et dic quas terras nos habitare velis Dic certam sedem quâ te veneremur in aevum Quâ tibi Virgineis Templa dicabo Choris Thus excellently well translated by the Learned Mr. Milton Goddess of Shades and Huntress who at will Walk'st on the rouling Sphere and through the deep On thy third Reign the Earth look now and tell What Land what Seat of rest thou bidst me seek What certain Seat where I may worship thee For ay with Temples vow'd and Virgin Quires Whereupon the Goddess returned this following Answer Brute sub Occasum solis trans Gallica regna Insula in Oecano est undique cincta Mari. Insula in Oceano est habitata Gigantibus olim Nunc deserta quidem Gentibus apta tuis Hanc pete namque tibi sedes erit illa perennis Haec fiet natis altera Troja tuis Hic de prole tua Reges nascentur illis Totius Terrae subditus Orbis erit Rendred thus Brutus far to the West in th' Ocean wide Beyond the Realm of Gaul a Land there lies Sea-Girt it lies where Giants dwelt of old Now void it fits thy People thither bend Thy Course there shalt thou find a lasting Seat There to thy Sons another Troy shall rise And Kings be born of thee whose dreaded Might Shall awe the World and Conquer Nations bold But these Verses being in Latin when there was no such Language spâke in the World sufficiently betray the moderness of the invention So that were it no more to please then instruct I should not have inserted them here And now Brute being guided as he thought by a Divine Conduct Sails again towards the West and Landing in Italy meets with some other Trojans who had come thither with Antenor many of whom he takes along with him together with one Corinaeus their Chief With this recruit Bruââ puts again to Sea and passing the Pillars of Hercules at the mouth of Ligeris in Aquitania casts Anchor where they were set upon by one Goffarius a Pictish King of that Country now called Poictou with whom having several Battles Brute at last Conquered and Expellâd him his Kingdom but he solliciting the other Kings of Gaul to his assistance Brute thereupon finding himself too weak for so great a force called a Council where 't was resolved that since this was not the Land promised them by the Oracle they should again put to Sea So embarking all their Forces after a few days Sail they arrived at Albion and Landed at a Haven now called Totuesse in Devonshire The time of which enterprize is supposed to be about 1200 Years after the Flood and about 66. Years after the Destruction of Troy if any certain time can be assigned for so uncertain a relation But Bruâe having at length through many dangers and difficulties attained this long wish'd for Island Lands his Trojans and marches up into the Country to take possession of it which he found in great part desart or Inhabited only by some Gyants these he quickly destroys and to his People divides the Land which in allusion to his own Name he called Britain On Corinaeus Cornwall as we now call it was bestowed But here I omit as a Fable only fit to be told Children how this Hero though no Gyant himself yet took up the mighty Gyant Gogmagog in his Arms and flung him off from a Cliff into the Sea from whence the place hath been ever since called Langoemagog that is to say the Gyant 's Leap After Brute had thus conquer'd the Island he chose a fit place to build a City which he called Troja Nova for it seems he spoke Latin though it were not then used in Italy which Cities Name was changed in time to Trinobantum or Troynovant after to London This he made the Seat of his Kingdom Eli being then High Priest in Judea where he enacted several Laws and having reign'd here Fifteen Years he divided his Kingdom among his Three Sons Locrinus the Eldest had that part called Loegria now England Camber the second possessed Cambria now Wales And Albanactus Albania now Scotland but he some time after being invaded by one Humber King of the Huns was slain in Fight and his People driven back into Loegria whereupon King Locrinus and his Brother Camber march'd against this Humber who fighting with them and being overcome and drown'd in a River left his Name to it I designedly omit the long story of the Lady Estrildis whom Locrinus then taking Prisoner he fell in Love with and privately enjoy'd and would have Married had it not been for fear of Corinaeus whose Daughter Gwendolin he had already betroathed but no sooner was Corinaeus dead but he owned Estrildis for his Queen which so incensed Gwendolin that although Locrinus was strengthened by the addition of Cambria upon the Death of his Broâher yet she goes into Cornwall and by powerful sollicitations in the behalf of her self and her young Son Madan the Cornish are brought to assist her With these Forces she marched against Locrinus and in a pitch'd Battle nigh the River Stour he was overcome and Slain in the 20th Year of his Reign upon this just as she would have it the Kingdom fell to her Son Madan the Son of Locrinus by Gwendolin although a Child yet succeeded his Father but under the Regency of the Queen his Mother who out of Revenge drown'd Estrildis and her Daughter Sabra in a River which from her was called Sabrina in English Severne Gwendolin her Son coming to full Age resigned her Power and retired into Cornwall after she had Govern'd Fifteen Years But Madan having had the fame of Ruling well for the space of Forty Years in all left behind him two Sons Mempritius and Manlius Mempritius the Eldest Son of Madan is supposed to have ruled over the whole Island but Manlius his Younger Brother rebelling against him he desired a treaty with him who giving his Brother a meeting he treacherously murdered him and now having put an end to that trouble giving himself up to Luxury and Cruelty and at last to unnatural Lust hunting in a Forrest was devoured by Wolves to whom succeeded Ebrank his Son who was a Man of mighty Strength and Stature hâ first after Brutus wasted Gâul and returning rich and prosperous built Caerbranc now York and in Albania the Town of Mount Agned now Edinburgh He is said to have had Twenty Wives and by them Twenty Sons and Thirty Daughters which as our Author relates were sent under the Conduct of their Brother to Sylvius
received Schoolmasters out of Kent but two Years after this King being weary of Worldly Affairs resigned the Kingdom to his Cousin Egric and became a Monk in a Monastery of his own founding Nor can I here omit taking notice that from Bedâ's thus mentioning King Sigebert's founding this School Polâdore Virgil and Leland conclude that this School was in Cambridge and that it gave Being to that University and all the reason they have for it is only because Cambridge was in the Kingdom of the East-Angles whereas neither Bede nor any other ancient Author specifies the Place where it was erected And so it might be any where else as well as in Cambridge or if there it was no better than a School to teach Boys the Latin Tongue And it is certain that in the time of King Alfred there was no School much less an University there But before I leave this King's Reign I cannot forbear mentioning what Bede there tells us That in his Reign one Furseus or Fursee came out of Ireland and preached the Gospel to the East-Angles converting many and confirming divers others in the Faith and having had a terrible Vision of the Pains of Hell did by the Assistance of King Sigebert erect a Monastery in a Town called Cnobsbury which afterward Anna King of the East-Angles enriched with noble Buildings and Revenues This Year is remarkable for Byrinus baptized King Cuthred at Dorceaster and at the Font received him for his Godson This Cuthred thô here called King yet was only a Prince of the Blood Royal the Title of Cyning being often given to those Princes in our Saxon Annals This Year Eadbald King of Kent departing this Life having reigned 25 Years left the Kingdom to Earcombert his Son who held it 24 Years and some Months The Saxon Annals say This King Eadbald had two Sons Ermeâred and Earcombert but Mat. Westminster I know not from what Author adds That the Younger craftily supplanted the Elder and got the Kingdom from him This Earcombert was the first English King who commanded Idols to be destroyed throughout his whole Kingdom and who also by his Authority ordained That the Forty Days before Easter now called Lent should be observed and that it should not be contemned appointed competent Punishments for those that should dare to transgress it This seems to have been the First Lent that was observed in England by a Law this King's Daughter called Earcongath or Earcongota being a Virgin of great Piety constantly served God in a Monastery in the Kingdom of the Franks founded by a noble Abbess in the Town called Brige now Bruges in Flanders for there being at that time not many Monasteries in Britain many who desired to undertake those Vows used to go over to the French Monasteries or else sent their Daughters to be taught and professed there chiefly in the Monasteries of Brige Cale and Andelegium The Saxon Annals here also mention one Ermenred to have been Brother to King Earcombert and to have begot two Sons Ethelbert and Ethelred who afterwards suffered Death by the Hands of Thunâre one of his Thanes whom the King employed in this cruel Execution When Oswald the Most Christian King of Northumberland had now reigned 9 Years taking in that Year in which the two Apostate Kings were killed who were left out of the Catalogue as has been already said he fought a great Battle with Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians in a place called Maser-Field now Oswestre in Shropshire and was there unfortunately slain in the 38th Year of his Age the Greatness of whose Faith and Devotion towards GOD appeared saith Bede by the many Miracles there wrought after his Death which being both tedious and improbable I omit and refer those that are Curious in such Matters to the Author himself but that they were long after generally believed appears by these Passages in the Saxon Chronicle viz. That his Holiness and Miracles were afterwards highly celebrated through the whole Island and that his Hand was still preserved at Bebban-burg uncorrupt For Penda had most inhumanly caused his Body to be dismembred and his Head and Arms being cut off to be set upon a Pole for a Trophie of his Victory The same Year also Penda King of Mercia making War against the East-Angles and still getting the better of them they urged Sigebert who had been formerly their King but was now retired into a Monastery to come out to Battle to encourage the Souldiers and so fetching him out whether he would or no as hoping that the Souldiers would be less apt to fly having with them one who had been so stout a Commander But he being mindful of his Vow carrying nothing but a Staff in his Hand was there slain together with Egric the present King and all the whole Army was routed and dispersed But Anna the Son of Eni of the Royal Stock succeeded them being an excellent Man but who also underwent the same Fate from this Pagan King as shall be shewn in due time This Year Cenwall or Cenwalc succeeded Cynegils his Father in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and reigned 31 Years This King commanded the old Church of Winchester to be built which had been designed by his Father Cynegils thô he never lived to finish it but Hedda sate there as the first Bishop This King also gave to this Church and Bishoprick all the Lands lying about Winchester for the space of 7 Leucas or Leagues which Grant was also confirmed by King Kenwalk Note That at the first Foundation this Monastery was for Secular Chanons till the Year 963 that Bishop Ethelwold by the Command of King Edgar turned out these Chanons and placed Benedictine Monks in their rooms This Year Paulinus deceased at Rochester who had been first Arch-Bishop of York and afterwards Bishop in this City and was Bishop 21 Years 2 Months and 12 Days Oswin the Son of Osric the Cousin of Edwin was made King of Deira and reigned 7 Years The next Year In the room of Paulinus Arch-Bishop Honorius consecrated Ithamar a Kentish Man who was equal to his Predecessors in Learning and Piety Cenwalc was driven out of his Kingdom by Penda King of the Mercians Of which Bede gives us a more particular Account That refusing to receive the Christian Faith he not long after lost his Kingdom for having divorced his Wife the Sister of Penda King of the Mercians he had therefore not only War made upon him but was driven out of his Kingdom upon that account so that he was forced to retire to Anna King of the East-Angles with whom remaining 3 Years in Banishment he came first to the knowledge of and there received the true Faith for that King was a good Man and happy in a pious Issue ' This Year King Cenwalc was baptized And as William of Malmesbury relates after 3 Years banishment gathering fresh Forces
Slain amongst whom was Ethelher King of the East-Angles who forgeting the Death of his Brother K. Anna formerly Slain by Penda now took part with him and was the chief Authour of this War many as they were flying were drown'd in the River Winved then swoln above her Banks The death of Penda that Cruel and Heathen King caused a General rejoycing among the Christians according to the Old English saying mentioned by Mathew Westminster at Winved So that after Penda had been the death of no less than Four or Five Christian Kings whom he slew in Battle he himself underwent the same Fate so little Difference is there between the deaths of Good and Bad Princes only the former are called God's Corrections but the latter his Judgments But to Ethelher succeeded Ethelwald his Brother and to Penda his Son Peadda who being a Christian and Son in Law to Oswi himself he allowed him to hold the Province of South Mercia divided from the Northern by the River of Trent then containing according to Bede Five Thousand Families to be held as Tributary to the Northumbrian Kingdom After this the Mercians became all Christians by the means of King Oswi and Peadda and here that Copy of the Saxon Chronicle Written in the Abby of Peterburgh gives us a large account of the Foundation of that Abby which is thus That in the Time of this Peadda he and Oswi the Brother of King Oswald met and conferred about building a Monastery in honour of Christ and St. Peter which they afterwards did and gave it the Name of Medeshamsted from a certain Well which is there called Medeswell so they laid the Foundations and when they had near finished the Work they committed it to the Care of a certain Monk called Saxulf who was dear to God and beloved of all the Nation for he was a Rich and Noble Person in his time but is now much richer in Christ. This Year also Honorius the Archbishop deceasing on the 7th of the Calends of April Ithamer Bishop of Rochester Consecrated Deus Dedit to be Arch-Bishop of Canterbury This was the first English Monk that had ever been chosen Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and was also the first that was Consecrated but by one Bishop for the better sound sake he changed his Name to Deus Dedit having been before called Fridonà or Fridon This Year was Peadda Slain about Easter by the Treachery of his Wife the Daughter of K. Oswy and Wulfher his Brother the Son of Penda succeeded him Thô not until some Years after for upon the Death of Peadda King Oswi seized also that part of the Kingdom and held and laid it to his own Dominions Here the Saxon Chronicle proceeds to give us a further account concerning the finishing of the aforesaid Monastery of Peterburgh but thô it was done some Years after and the Relation be somewhat long yet because it shews more plainly than any other History the Form and Manner of erecting such a Foundation I shall give you the substance of it omitting what is not pertinent to our purpose The said Chronicle proceeds thus That in his viz. Wulfher's Reign the Abby of Medeshamsted was greatly encreased in Riches for that King favoured it very much for the sake of his own Brother Peadda and of Oswie his Brother in the Christian Faith as also of Saxulf the Abbot wherefore he said that he would render it yet more famous and would highly adorn it being thereunto perswaded By his Brothers Ethelred and Merwalla and his Sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith as also by Arch-Bishop Deus Dedit and all his Wise Men both Clerks and Laicks that were in his Kingdom then the King sending for the said Abbot told him that since his Bâother Peadda and his Friend Oswie had begun this Monastery and that he was Departed this Life therefore the Abbot should take diligent care to see it finished and he would provide all things as both Gold and Silver Lands and possessions and whatever else was needful for it whereupon the Abbot went home and setting to the Work so far advanced it that in few Years it was finished which when it was told the King he was very joyful and sent to give notice of it to all his Thanes throughout the whole Nation as also the Arch-Bishop Bishops Earls and all who loved God that they should come to him so he appointed them a day when the Monastery should be Consecrated at which Consecration King Wulfer and his Brother Ethelred and his Sisters were all present as was also Arch-Bishop Deus Dedit and Ithamer Bishop of Rochester together with Wina Bishop of London and several other Bishops There were also present all the Thanes that were in his Kingdom when this Monastery was Consecrated in the Names of St. Peter St. Paul and St. Andrew Then the King rising up from his Chair spoke thus with a loud Voice before all his Thanes Thanks be to the most High and Omnipotent GOD for this honour which he hath done me and I will That you all confirm my Words I Wulfer do give this Day to St. Peter and to Saxulf and to the Monks of this Monastery all these Lands Waters c. and all the Territories lying round about them which are of my Royal Patrimony so freely that no Man shall have thence any Tribute or Revenue besides the Abbot and Monks which Gift is this Then the King proceeded to declare the Meets and Bounds of the Lands which he had given which because they are not to our purpose I omit only that they reach'd as far as Stamford and were above Threescore Miles about then said the King The Gift indeed is small but I will that they hold it so freely that none may exact any Gueld or Tribute out of it but what is paid to the Monks and I do hereby free this Monastery from being subject to any but the See of Rome but I will also That all those who cannot go thither should here implore to St. Peter When the King had spoke these things the Abbot made a request to him in the behalf of certain Religious Monks who desired to lead the Lives of Anchorites and therefore prayed that on a certain Island a small Monastery should be Built wherein they might live in Peace and Solitude which was presently granted by the King then he also desired his Brothers and Sisters that for the good of their Souls they would be witnesses to his Charter conjuring all thosâ who should succeed him to preserve his Gift Inviolate as they hoped to be partakers of Eternal Life and would escape Eternal Torments then follow the Names of the Witnesses who were present and who subscribed and with the sign of the Cross confirmed it by their consents that is King Wulfer who first of all confirmed it with his Word and then sign'd it with the Cross and then spake thus I King Wulfer with the Earls Heoretoghs and Thanes being Witnesses of my
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 Mârvyn 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 noââere repeat There were also present Cuthred King of Kent his ãâ¦ã 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
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 Danâ 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-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-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
Records that are now lost may be credited this King condemn'd no less than Fourty four inferior Judges in Hundred and County Courts to be hanged in one Year for their false Judgments either in condemning or acquitting Men without the Verdict of the Jury but the particular Cases being many and long I refer you to the Authour himself wherein you will see the Difference between the manner of Judicial Proceedings in those Times from what they were presently after the Norman Conquest But some of our Historians as particularly Harding in his Chronicle made this King to have collected a Body of Laws not only out of the Old and New Testament but also from the Greek Roman British and Danish Laws which if it were ever done is not now extant Having thus finished the Life of King Alfred I cannot but take Notice of his last Will and Testament the only one we have left of all the English-Saxon Kings wherein at the very beginning he styles himself By the Divine Grace King of the West-Saxons with the Means and Assistance of Athelred the Archbishop as also with the Assent and Consent of the Nobility of all West-Saxony whom he there summons as Witnesses of this his last Will and to be Trustees and Overseers of his Goods and Estate for the good of his Soul as well of the Inheritance which GOD and the chief Men together with the Ealdormen of the People had affectionately and bountifully bestowed upon him as also of the Inheritance which his Father Aethelwulf had bequeathed to him and his three Brothers viz. Aethelbald Aethered and himself so as that the Survivor of them should enjoy the entire Dominion of the whole Kingdom And then proceeds to shew the particular force of that Entail according to his said Father's Will in these Words as he gives it us speaking in the first Person That if it should happen That Aethelbald the eldest Son of our Father should first decease then Aethered together with the Nobility of all West-Saxony should be Witnesses for us of our Share in the said Kingdom on the Day of his Coronation whom we should with all our Might endeavour to advance to the Throne after the Death of Aethelbald our eldest Brother according to the Agreement he made with us viz. That the said King Aethered should permit us to enjoy our Distributions as we had them before our said Brother's Coronation And also the Engagement he stood in to us concerning the said Hereditary Distribution was confirmed in like manner to wit that the Lands and Territories which K. Aethered by our Assistance and the Power of our Men should acquire to himself as also the Dominions which should fall to him by Hereditary Right he should in Brotherly Love proportionably divide with us But yet if it should so happen that Aethered should succeed to the Kingdom he himself was to promise the same thing But he refusing as this Testament particularly takes notice to observe this Agreement only promised That as for the Lands and Territories which he by Alfred's and his People's Assistance should acquire to his Dominions as also the Inheritance to which he was born he would after his decease confer upon none else but my self And being thus pacified I thereupon remitted all further Complaints against my Brother Then he proceeds farther That in case it should happen that we all should fall by the hands of our Danish Enemies then it was especially provided that every one of us should so dispose of our Estates to our Sons that each of them should successively enjoy our Inheritance and our Lands and Possessions in like manner as the Inheritance it self with the Dominions Lands and Possessions which had been before conferred upon us And then he goes on to recite what had been formerly done in a General Council of the West Saxon Nobility at Swinbourne wherein he had adjured them all to bear witness of the manner and intent of the former Entail the sum of which was That since K. Aethered his Elder Brother was deceased there was then none left but himself who had any writing or Testimony concerning this Inheritance nor any other Heir besides himself and that if any one should offer to claim the said Inheritance he should lose his Right unless he forthwith produced witnesses of it but then he heard that all his Kinsmen were dead and so the whole Inheritance of King Aethelwulf his Father was devolved upon him by a Charter made thereof at his General Council at Langdene which Charter he had then likewise wife commanded to be read before the Witnesses of all West Saxony and after it was read he ordered all there present to declare whether they had heard or knew of any Man who could justly claim any Right to his Inheritance which had never come to his Knowledge before because it was his intent to disinherit none of his Kinsmen of any thing and then all the Princes and Ealdormen of his People did firmly and positively declare that they never heard of any who had a juster Title to it than himself and then they gave him full power to make his Will and bequeath his Estate to his Kinsmen and Friends in such manner as best pleased him Next King Alfred proceeds in the presence of the said Witnesses to make his last Will and to confer upon his Eldest Son Edward divers Lands and Territories there particularly mentioned lying in divers Countries in England but without any mention of the Crown he also leaves other Lands there recited to his Younger Son the like he does for each of his Daughters to whom he gives divers Lands there particularly set down and then bequeaths to Athelm and Aethelwald his Brother's Sons divers Towns there also particularly recited then follow his Legacies in Money to his Sons Daughters and Servants and to his Kinsmen above mentioned as also to Ethelred General of his Militia and to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Asser Bishop of Shireburne and several other Bishops all which would be too tedious here to be set down And to let you see that Entails were then in force He farther Wills That those to whom he had given his Free-Hold-Lands should not alienate them beyond their own Lives and if they had no Children they should go to the next of Kin especially to the Eldest Son as long as any one of them remain'd alive for so his Father had bequeathed his Inheritance but if it should any ways happen that his said Lands should come into the hands of Women then he Wills That after their Decease those Lands should revert to his next Male Kindred descending from their bodies c. And then concludes with an earnest Exhortation and desire that none of his Relations should any ways disquiet each other concerning those things which he had already given and bequeathed to them since the whole Nobility of the West Saxon Nation had already agreed with him that it was but Just and Right that
Goths by Honorius l. 2. p. 105. Gemote or Hundred-Court every one ought to be present at it l. 6. p. 13 14. General if his heart fails the Army flies A Cowardly General often makes Cowardly Soldiers l. 6. p. 30 87. Gentlemen of ordinary Estates had in King Alfred's time Villages and Townships of their own as well as the King and the Great Men and they received the Penalties due for Breach of the Peace l. 5. p. 295. Geoffrey of Monmouth is the chief if not the only Author of Brutus and his Successors and his History cried out against almost as soon as published l. 1. p. 6. His story of the British War in Claudius the Emperor's time different frrom the Roman Accounts and wherein l. 2. p. 39 40. A notorious Falshood in him about Severus his Death Id. p. 78. His story of Constantine's being elected King by the Britains proved false l. 3. p. 116. His story as to its truth enquired into of Augustine's persuading King Ethelbert to incite Ethelfrid King of Northumberland to make War on the Britains l. 4. p. 164 165. His Account of Cadwallo's being buried at London and his Body put into a Brazen Statue of a Man on Horseback and set over Ludgate for a Terror to the Saxons all false Id. p. 177. Gerent King of the Britains fights with King Ina and Nun his Kinsman l. 4. p. 215. Is supposed to have been King of Cornwall and why Id. p. 216. Germanus and Lupus sent from France to confirm Britain in the Catholick Faith l. 2. p. 107. His second Voyage to Britain upon the renewed Addresses of the Britains to defend God's Cause against Pelagianism l. 3. p. 117. The Miracle he wrought upon a Magistrate's Son the Sinews of whose Legs had been long shrunk up which by his stroking he restored whole as the other Id. Ibid. Gerontius General to Constans brings all Spain under his Obedience l. 2. p. 103. But being turned out of his Command revolts and sets up Maximus one of his Creatures for Emperor His cruel End Id. Ib. Gessoriacum Portus Iccius in Caesar's time afterwards Bononia and now Buloigne l. 2. p. 31 40. Geta Severus the Emperor's Younger Son Governor of the Southern part of this Island l. 2. p. 75. Is killed by the Treachery of his Brother Bassianus in his Mother's Arms Id. p. 77. And Bassianus had taken the Sirname of Antonini Ib. 79. His Name commanded to be razed out of all Monuments by this his wicked Brother which was done accordingly Id. p. 79. Gethic the ancient Scythic or Gethic Tongue the Mother of the German l. 3. p. 122. Gewisses the Nation of the West-Saxons anciently so called received the Christian Faith in the Reign of Cynegils by the preaching of Byrinus an Italian who came hither by the order of Pope Honorius l. 4. p. 179. Gildas designed not any exact History of the Affairs of his Countrey but only to give a short Account of the Causes of the Ruin of it by the Scots Picts and Saxons l. 3. p. 137. His sharp Invective against the British Kings accusing Five of them of very heinous Enormities Id. p. 139. His severe Character of the British Clergy Id. p. 140 141. That he could not Study at Oxford as is supposed by some for the Pagan-Saxons were then Masters of that part of England l. 5. p. 290. Girwy now Yarrow near the mouth of the River Tyne where a Monastery was built in Honour of St. Paul l. 4. p. 194 205 222. Gisa succeeds Duduc in the Bishoprick of Somersetshire i. e. Wells l. 6. p. 88. Glan-Morgan in Wales had its Name from one Morgan who was driven thither by his Brother Cunedage and there slain l. 1. p. 11. Glappa King of Bernicia Reigned for Two years but who he was or how Descended the Authors are silent in l. 3. p. 144. His Death Id. p. 145. Osgat Glappa the Danish Earl when he was Expelled England l. 6. p. 73. Glass when the Art of making it was first taught the English Nation l. 4. p. 194. Glastenbury Besieged by King Arthur in Gildas his time with a great Army out of Cornwal and Devonshire because Queen Gueniver his Wife had been Ravished from him by Melvas who then Reigned in Somersetshire l. 3. p. 135. The Ancient Registers of this Monastery are not to be wholly slighted as false since King Arthur was there Buried and his Tomb discovered about the end of the Reign of King Henry the Second Id. p. 137. This Ancient Monastery was new built by King Ina with large Endowments and Exemptions from Episcopal Jurisdictions c. l. 4. p. 218 219. King Edmund's Body was brought from a place called Pucklekirk where he was killed hither and here buried l. 5. p. 345. And so likewise King Edgar's with great Solemnity for he had been a very liberal Benefactor to this Monastery l. 6. p. 9. As was Edmund Sirnamed Ironside his Grandson's This was by all the Saxons called Glaestingabyrig Id. p. 48. Gleni a River but where is not by our Authors mentioned l. 4. p. 174. Glewancester now called Gloucester l. 3. p. 145. Glotta and Bodotria two Streights now the Fâiths of Edinburgh and Dunbritton in Scotland l. 2. p. 99. God in Bede's time was served in Five several Languâges l. 1. p. 5. Goda Earl of Devonshire marching out with one Strenwald a Valiant Knight to fight the Danes they were both killed l. 6. p. 22. Godfathers answerable for those Children for whom they stand till they come to years capable of Learning the Creed and the Lord's Prayer l. 4. p. 233. Godfred Son of Harold the Dane subdues the whole Isle of Anglesey and spoils all the Land of Dywet with the Church of St. David's c. l. 6. p. 7.20 Godiva a Foundress with her Husband Leofrick Earl of the Mercians of the Monastery of Coventry and how she freed the said Town from the Grievous Taxes imposed on it l. 6. p. 71. Godmundingham the place where an Idol-Temple stood in King Edwin's time not far from York Eastward near the River Darwent l. 4. p. 174. Godwin Earl Governor or Lord Lieutenant of West-Saxony l. 6. p. 61. His Treachery to Alfred one of King Ethelred's Sons whom by a Forged Letter in the Name of Queen Emma his Mother he enticed over into England then made him Prisoner at Guilford and sent him up to Harold and what afterwards became of him and his Six hundred followers his Eyes put out and he not long survived their loss and most of them suffered various kinds of cruel Deaths Id. p. 62 63. Is accused of the Villany by Aelfrick Archbishop of York and how he purchased his Reconciliation to King Hardecnute Id. p. 67. By his Interest gets Edward the Confessor the Brother of the abovementioned Alfred to be Elected and afterwards Crowned King at Westminster Id. p. 69 70. His own and his Son 's great Power in being able to withstand the King and all the Nobility that
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 Anchoriâe 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-Wales subdued by Eneon Son of Owen Prince of 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 lângth 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
for near 100 Years tho without the Title of Kings but only as subordinate Lords or Earls under the Kings of Kent till this Ida obtained the Kingdom but whether by Succession or Election William of Malmesbury cannot tell us but rather inclines to the latter and tho it be true that these Annals mention no other Kingdoms of the Heptarchy than these three last yet it appears from very good Testimonies in the ensuing History that Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgshire being the Countrey of the East-Angles were conquered by them under several petty Princes that ruled there long before Vffa who was made the first King of that whole Countrey THE like I may say for the Mercian Kingdom where Creoda or Crida began his Reign about Anno 585. above 60 Years after the East-Angles first settled in those Parts HAVING now I hope sufficiently proved this Point against the Learned Dr. Howell I think it will plainly follow that all those Kings above-mentioned could have no other Title to their Crowns besides Election who from Captains and Generals in time of War became Kings in time of Peace over the Countries they had conquered I will here therefore leave it to the Impartial Reader to consider whether what Dr. Howell asserts is at all likely to be true viz. That the Power of these Kings commencing by the Sword was as absolute in Time of Peace as in that of War for we plainly see that these were a free People and it is in no ways probable that they should contrary to the Genius of so noble and free a Nation submit themselves to the absolute Dominion of one Man who owed his delegated Power to themselves BESIDES this the original Constitution of all these several Kingdoms speaks the quite contrary for we find in the following History frequent mention made of great Councils of the Wites i. e. the chief or wise Men of the whole Kingdom which Councils were established to curb the exorbitant Power of their Kings since by these they were elected and by these too they were likewise often deposed when ever their Tyranny rendered them insupportable as you will see in several Instances when you peruse the following Books in this Volume AND thus having traced as far as we are able the Original of the first English-Saxon Kings we shall now in the next Place treat of the manner of their Succession to the Crown which some of our Modern Authors fancy to have been by a Lineal Succession because we find the Son to have often succeeded the Father in most of these Kingdoms for several Descents But if this should be granted yet is it no good Argument to prove a Lineal Succession by Blood for tho I am sensible that the Saxon Annals as well as all other Historians are very obscure in this Point not declaring which way those Princes came to the Crown whether by Succession or Election because it was omitted in the old Saxon Annals out of which they wrote and which we find very short in that particular yet this will by no means warrant those Kingdoms to have been only Successive as some Men fondly suppose seeing we may observe that in the German Empire which every one knows to be Elective the Son hath succeeded the Father or a younger Brother the Elder for above 150 Years ever since the Time of the Emperor Ferdinand Brother to Charles the Fifth however I hope no Body will have the Confidence to affirm that the Empire hath been only Successive and not Elective all this while THE same I may say concerning the Succession of our English-Saxon Kings in which tho we find the Son often succeeded the Father or one Brother another yet does not this prove that the Succession went by right of Inheritance as it does at this day I MAY say the like as to Denmark and Sweden the latter of which has been by Succession but little above fourscore Years from Charles the Ninth and as for the former it has become so even in our own Memories and yet for many Successions in both these Kingdoms he that was the next Heir by Lineal Descent was most commonly chosen King after the Death of his Father Uncle or Brother but before this Election he could claim no Legal Right to the Crown by the Laws of these Kingdoms of which I shall give you divers Instances And I think we may affirm this of all the Kingdoms of the Saxon Heptarchy where tho the Mycel-Gemots commonly obliged themselves to choose one of the Blood-Royal and the next Heir rather than any other provided he were equally fit to govern especially if he were recommended or designed for Successor by the Will of the last King however in this they took a great Latitude as will evidently appear in the pursuit of this Discourse BUT I must confess the manner how the Saxon Kings came to the Throne is but darkly expressed by the words FENG to RICE in Saxon in Latin Regnum capessit which we have commonly rendered succeeded in or to the Kingdom yet those words do not signify any Lineal Succession but are often promiscuously used when the next Successor could have no Title but Election as shall be farther shewn by and by NOW the best way to prove this I think will be briefly to survey the Successions of each Kingdom and the several Breaches and Alterations that were made therein upon this supposed Lineal Succession And first to begin with the Kingdom of Kent of which we indeed have scarce any more than the bare Names of the Kings with but very little of their Actions for about four Descents till Ethelbert the first Christian King there began to reign only that the Son still succeeded the Father SO likewise from this Ethelbert to Earcombert his Grandson for two Descents more we find the like seeming Lineal Succession yet for all this doth it not therefore follow that there might not have been either elder Brothers or the Sons of them who were excluded during that Time seeing that we only meet with the next Successor mentioned without telling us whether there were not such Heirs put by for under the Year 640. we learn from our Annals that Earcombert King of Kent succeeded Eadbald his Father abovementioned who yet left an elder Son named Ermenred that according to the Course of Lineal Descent ought to have succeeded to the Kingdom before his younger Brother Earcombert but whether he was disinherited by his Father or rejected by the People our Annals mention not only that this Ermenred left two Sons who afterwards were made away by one Thunor Servant to King Earcombert AFTER him Egbert his Son succeeded leaving a Son called Eadric yet he did not succeed as he ought to have done according to our Modern Opinions by Hereditary Right but Lothaire his Uncle that kept the Kingdom twelve Years from him But whether he came in by the Testament of his Brother or Election of the People or by both neither Bede
nor any other Author give us an Account tho it must be confessed that this Eadric was discontented at his being thus put by and therefore fled to the South-Saxons and joined with them who were then in actual War against Lothaire who happening to be worsted in the Fight where this Eadric commanded and dying of the Wounds he therein received Eadric succeeded but whether by Right of Lineal Descent or Election is no where said Nor doth his thus making War upon his Uncle prove his Right since we find that King Edward the Elder suffered the like Disturbance from Prince Ethelwald the Son of King Ethelred his Father's elder Brother as you will see in the beginning of the Reign of that King which ended not but with the Life of the said Prince Ethelwald who pretended to the Crown NOR were Foreign Princes any better satisfied with Eadric's Right for William of Malmesbury tells us that Ceadwalla made War upon him and destroyed his Countrey to revenge the Death of King Lothaire his Predecessor BUT after this Eadric two Princes called Webba and Seward held the Kingdom which must certainly have been by Election because it is not related whether they were of the Royal Family or no but they reigned not long for Whitred Brother to Eadric succeeded them after whom this Kingdom seems to have gone in a Lineal Succession for three Descents as far as to his Sons Eadbert Ethelbert and Alric tho these Princes might have been also elected for ought we know to the contrary for they all reigned successively after each other But whether any of these left Sons is uncertain for Malmesbury tells us That after them the Kentish Royal Family decaying any bold Aspirer whom Wealth or Faction made formidable obtained that Crown but how Most Likely by the Election of their Great Councils for Usurpations by Force could not well be practised in Kingdoms where there being no standing Army the King in great measure depended on the general good Will of the People BUT as for the next Kingdom viz. that of the South-Saxons there is so little said of them by any of our Historians and they were so soon swallowed up by the Kingdom of the West-Saxons that we can only guess they succeeded to the Crown but it is most probable that it was after the same manner as the Kings did in all the other Kingdoms I should next treat of the Kingdom of the West-Saxons according to the course of Time wherein it begun but I intend to reserve that to the last because it is from them that all our English-Saxon Kings descended till the Conquest AND therefore I will now give you a brief Succession of the Kings of the East-Saxons where they seem to have followed in a Lineal Descent till Sebert the first Christian King and he dying as Bede relates left his three Sons joint Heirs of his Kingdom tho we can find no more than the Names of two of them viz. Sexred and Seward who being both slain in Battel against the West-Saxons Sigbert the Son of Seward succeeded him THIS I remark to shew you that this Kingdom did not always go according to a Lineal Succession for all the three Brothers were Heirs alike and that the Testament of the King alone had not the Power to do this without the concurring Assent of the Great Council of the Kingdom I shall prove when I come to discourse of the Succession of the West-Saxon Kings since it is most reasonable to suppose the same General Laws or Constitutions concerning it to have been in use among them all until any one can prove the contrary I have no more to say concerning these Kings of the East-Saxons but that after the Death of King Sebbi or Sebba we are informed by Bede that Siggard and Swithered his two Brothers reigned jointly after him which I observe only the further to make good the former Instance of more Heirs than one at a Time AND now I come to the Kingdom of the Northumbers the Lineal Succession whereof being so often broken and so very perplexed it would be tiresome to give you all the particular Instances in which the next Heirs by Descent were put by and other Princes of the Blood more remote chosen by the People in their Rooms so that from Ida their first King for near three hundred Years we shall scarce ever find that Crown settled in any one Family for above three Descents but that it was still translated to some other Prince of the Blood Royal which seems to have been the most general Rule they observed as any one may see who will please to consult their Pedigree at the end of Florence of Worcester AND indeed the frequent Rebellions of this Nation against their Kings and the Deposing of them so as they did being not only observed but frequently blamed by William of Malmesbury and our other Antient Historians I shall not draw any Precedents from thence but such as we find in the very beginning of this Kingdom and before that People were infected with that turbulent Humour of casting off their Kings whenever they displeased them TO begin with Ida their first King 't is true William of Malmesbury will not affirm whether he made himself King by his own Power or else became so by Consent of the People because he owns it to be very much in the dark yet Henry Huntington is positive that he was chosen to this Dignity by the Consent of the Great or chief Men but after his Death tho a Prince of great Merit the Kingdom became divided and Adda his Son only obtained the Kingdom of Bernicia whilst Aella the Son of Yffi of the same Royal Lineage succeeded him in that of Deira which how it could be unless by Election I do not understand NOR did any of the Sons of Adda succeed him in that Kingdom but three other Princes viz. Glappa Theodulf and Frethulf whose Relation to the Northumbrian Blood Royal our Authors do not declare nor yet how they stood in Consanguinity to each other only they say that after them Thedorick first and then Ethelrick the Sons of Ida succeeded in the Bernician Kingdom which how they could do otherwise than by Election I do not find AND note that these six Princes last mentioned governed Bernicia whilst Aella being yet alive still reigned in Deira nor did he for all he ruled above thirty Years long secure the Kingdom to his Son Eadwin for he was soon expelled by Ethelfrith the Son of King Ethelrick who forced him to fly his Countrey whilst he commanded both Nations for several Years till being at last overcome and slain in Battel by Redwald King of the East-Angles Eadwin again recovered not only his own Kingdom but that of Deira also BUT yet he did not enjoy what he had thus obtained many Years for he lost his Life in a fight with Penda King of the Mercians and then Osric
his Cousin-German succeeded him in Deira whilst Eanfrid the Son of Ethelfrith was made King of Bernicia but he soon after being killed by Cadwallo King of the Britains Oswald his Brother succeeded him who being also slain by the said Penda Oswin his younger Brother was made King whilst Oswy the Son of Osric reigned in Bernicia and having cruelly murdered Oswin made himself Master of both Kingdoms but whether it was done by the Power of the Sword or by Election since our Authors are silent in this Matter I will not determine I have only set down the Succession of these first Kings to shew that there was not often any Hereditary Lineal Right to the Crown observed among them AS for the Kingdom of the East-Angles the Antient Annals and Histories of that Countrey having been all destroyed by the Danes we have little more than the Names and Successions of their Kings left us nor yet of those higher than Vffa tho it is certain the East-Angles had fixed themselves in those Parts long before he began to reign and those but very lame and defective For from Ethelbert who was murdered by King Offa for above threescore Years we have no Account of what Kings reigned in that Kingdom and it is certain that upon the Death of Offa and his Son Egfert the People of the East-Angles freed themselves from the Mercian Yoke but about the Year 855. as Asser in his Annals and Florence of Worcester assure us Edmund after called the Martyr being then but fifteen Years old was Elected and Crowned King of the East-Angles by the general Consent of the People of that Kingdom but they do not inform us who was his Father yet if we may give Credit to John of Tinmouth in his Sanctilogium he makes him to be the Son of one Alcmond a Nobleman of the Blood Royal. I have given you this Instance to let you see that they were no Strangers to Elective Kings for if his Blood alone would have fixed in him any Title there would have been no need at all of his Election but this King being afterwards murdered by the Danes they also seized on his Kingdom and held it till it was reconquered by King Edward the Elder NOR have we much to remark of the manner of the Succession of the Mercian Kings for tho the Son very frequently succeeded the Father or one Brother or Cousin to another yet it is as certain that it must have been chiefly by an Elective Right notwithstanding the Annals and our Historians do not expresly mention it For Beornred having in the Year 755. treacherously slain Ethelbald King of the Mercians Offa a young Man of the Blood Royal raising Forces against him and having driven him out of the Kingdom he was as Ingulph relates made King in his room by the General Consent of the Nobles of Mercia or as Matthew Westminster words it He was by the unanimous Consent of the Clergy and Laiety of that Kingdom Elected and Crowned King which without doubt was done in a Great Council of that Nation for we find that to secure the Crown to his own Family Matthew Paris in his Life of King Offa tells us that in a Great Council assembled at Calcuith Anno 787. he caused Egfrid his eldest on a comely and valiant Youth to be crowned King who jointly reigned with him as long as he lived and that this could not be done without the Consent and Election of this Great Council appears by the twelfth Law or Decree made therein entituled De ordinatione Regum viz. That at the Election or Ordination of Kings no Man should permit the Assent or Vote of evil Men to prevail but Kings shall be lawfully Elected by the Clergy and Elders i.e. chief Men of the Kingdom and not begotten of Adultery or Incest because an Adulterer according to the Canons cannot arrive to the Priesthood so neither can he be the Lord 's Anointed and Heir of his Countrey or King of the whole Kingdom who is not begot of Lawful Matrimony FROM hence the Reader may observe that he who is appointed to be Elected is also called Haeres Patriae to let us see that he who was to come in by an Elective Right was also accounted the Right Heir of the Kingdom AFTER Egfrid succeeded Kenwulfe who certainly came in by Election being himself very remote from the Crown for William of Malmesbury says he was in the fifth Descent from Cenwalch the Brother of Penda one of the first Mercian Kings a Title too stale in that Age to give a Right without a new Election since his Predecessor King Offa could not be admitted to obtain the Crown without it tho he was in Blood almost as near to it being in the fifth Descent from Wibba or Wippa who was the Father of the aforesaid Penda BUT were there no other Proof of this the Decree of the Council abovementioned sufficiently evinces this Kingdom to have been elective at that Time TO Kenwulf abovementioned succeeded Kenelme a Child and he is the first Example of an Infant 's succeeding when there was a Male Heir of full Age alive viz. Ceolwulf the Brother of the said Kenwulf which I suppose proceeded from the great Love they bore to their late deceased King and some Aversion they had to his Brother as you will see by and by BUT if John of Tinmouth in his Historia Aurea still in Manuscript in several Libraries may be credited tho he wrote long after those Times yet out of antient Manuscripts not now extant he says expresly Kenelmum aetate parvulum sed animo pietate magnificum ad Regem elegerat Amor Populi sui i. e. the Love of the People had elected Kenelm to be their King tho an Infant in Years yet remarkable for Spirit and Piety BUT King Kenelme being murdered by his Sister Quendride and she frustrated in her expectations of the Crown our Annals tell us that then Ceolwulf was advanced to it without making any mention at all of King Kenelme and the next Year expelled his Kingdom by the Faction and Contrivance of Bernulph a potent Nobleman but however no way related to the Blood-Royal and so consequently could have no other Title or Pretence but Election however unjustly he came by it THE like I may say of his Successors Ludican Wiglaff Bertwulf and Burhed the former of whom was only a remote Kinsman of Bernulph's and the three latter were all of them of quite different Families but as for Ceolwulf who was the last that bore the Title of King of Mercia he deserves not to be mentioned being only for a Time made King by the Danes to serve their turns and was quickly after deposed by them I have but lightly run over the Succession of these Kings and refer you for the farther Proof to the following History where you will find all the Authors fairly quoted BUT now I come to the Succession of
the Kings of the West-Saxons from whom our English Monarchs derive their Pedigree to this Day and therefore I shall be the more particular in my Quotations out of the Antient Authors concerning the Right which those Princes had to the Crown and the manner how they attained it AS for Cerdic and his Son Cynric the first Kings of the West-Saxons it is certain that they had not the title of Kings before they came over which the Annals place under Anno 495. as we have already observed nor is it likely that they claimed by any other Title than the Election of their Followers because we find by the same Annals that it was above twenty Years before they took upon them the Name of Kings for An. 519. they say Hoc Anno Cerdicus Cynricus Occidentalium Saxonum Regnum susceperunt à quo usque die regnavit Occidentalium Saxonum proles Regia This Year Cerdic and Cynric began to reign over the West-Saxons and from that Time the Royal Race of the West-Saxons have reigned to this day BUT it must be confessed that the Crown from Cerdic to Ceawlin went lineally in three Descents from Father to Son however this doth not prove but that it might also have been Elective for the Reasons at first given THE same may likewise be said for Ceolric and Ceolwulph the Nephews of Ceawlin but that the former of these came in by Election is apparent for upon Ceawlin's being expelled the Kingdom Cwichelme his Brother ought to have succeeded him in case he had no Sons as we do not read he had and yet notwithstanding Ceolric was made King and this Cwichelme died in the same Year with his Brother viz. DXCIII as you may see in the Annals AND to Ceolwulf succeeded Cynegils Son of Ceol Brother to the King last mentioned and that he also came in by Election is highly probable because another Cwichelme who was his Brother was made Partner with him in the Kingdom which could not have been done by his sole Authority his own Power at that Time not being absolute THIS Cwichelme William of Malmesbury makes to be his Brother but Florence of Worcester and Matthew Westminster call him his Son but let him have been whether you please it is certain here was no Monarchy the Kingdom being divided between two who had equal Power But Cwichelme dying before Cynegills his Brother or Son the latter left the Kingdom to Cenwalch his Son tho if Cwichelme was his Son then Cuthred his Nephew the Son of Cwichelme ought by right of Blood to have succeeded his Father BUT this King dying without any Issue left the Kingdom to Sexburge his Consort by his Testament AND tho this Example may seem to make good Dr. Brady's assertion viz. that the West-Saxon Kings might bequeath the Crown to whom they would yet that they could not do this without the Consent of the Estates of the Great Council of the Kingdom I hope I shall fully make out before I have done BUT this Queen Sexburge dying or being deposed as Matth. Westminster relates after somewhat more than a Year's Reign Aescwin a remote Kinsman succeeded her tho he was six Degrees off from Cerdic the first King and therefore he is not likely to have had any better Title than his Predecessors for the Reason already given under the Kings of Mercia and if that will not satisfy then I say Centwin his Successor was much nearer to the Crown than he being younger Son to Cynegils who had reigned within two Successions before as you may see by the Pedigree at the end of the fourth Book where are exactly set down either from the Annals or Antient Manuscripts in what manner these several Kings stood related to each other BUT before the Death of Aescwin it seems by the Saxon Annals Anno 785. That Ceadwalla a Prince of the Blood Royal taking Arms began to contend for the Crown of that Kingdom tho he was very far removed from it being descended from Cutha the younger Son of Ceawlin TO Ceadwalla succeeded Ina to whom that King upon his going to Rome left the Crown tho he was no nearer to it than his Predecessor being descended from Cuthwin the youngest Son of Ceawlin abovementioned and could for certain have had no other Right than that of Election because Cenred his Father was alive at the same time as you may see in the Preface to this King's Laws where he is expresly so called BUT as for the five next Princes viz. Athelhard Cuthred Sigebyrht Cynewulf and Bryhtric it is most probable that they neither could have any other Title than Election since being only Kinsmen and not Sons to each other it is very unlikely that so many of them should have died without leaving any Son to succeed them which is also as good as confessed by William of Malmesbury in these words Nam ipse Brihtricus caeteri infra Inam Reges licet naturalium splendore gloriantes quippe qui à Cerdicio originem traherent non parum tamen à linea Regiae stirpis exorbitaverant i. e. For tho Brihtric himself and the rest of the Kings since Ina tho boasting of their Royal Lineage as drawing their Origine from Cerdic yet did they not a little deviate from the right Royal Line that is they were not Lineal Heirs by Blood and if so what other Right could they have except that of Election by the People Therefore since neither our Annals nor any other Author that I know of have given us their Pedigrees I have been forced to set down the Names of these last five Kings by themselves without being able to shew you what Relation they had to each other BUT as for Cynewulf that he could have no Title to the Crown but what Election gave him it is certain for our Annals inform us under Anno 755. That he with the Wife and Noble Men of the West-Saxons deprived King Sigebert of the whole Kingdom for his Cruelty and Injustice And certainly then the same Authority that Deposed the one must also Elect and set up the other since he could by no means succeed him as his Heir because we find in the same Annals That Cyneheard the Brother of the late King Sigebert conspiring against King Cynewulf set upon him in a certain Woman's House at Merton in Surrey and there slew him and was at last also killed himself after whom Bryhtric began to reign who was in a Right Line descended from Cerdic BUT we are now come out of the Dark into clearer Times for K. Egbert succeeding Bryhtric came in by Election being as our Annals likewise inform us four Descents removed from Ingilds the Brother of King Ina and that his best Title was Election appears from the Testimonies of our most antient Historians viz. Ethelwerd who says expresly Itáque ordinatur Egberht super-Occidentales Saxones in Regnum this must signify that he was set over the
Kingdom And further to confirm that Ordinatur here signifies the same with Eligitur see the Law abovementioned concerning the Election of the Mercian Kings the Title of it in Sir Henry Spelman's first Volume of Councils is de Ordinatione Regum i.e. of the Election of Kings AND that by this word Ordinatur cannot be meant any Lineal Succession in Ethelwerd will further appear from him where he says Post Obitum Athulfi Regis ordinati sunt filii ejus in Regnum which must be understood either an Appointment by the Father's Will or else a new Election since these Sons of King Aethelwulf could never be thus appointed or ordained Kings by the Law of Lineal Succession because each of these Brothers except the Eldest left Sons BUT William of Malmesbury does likewise as good as own that King Egbert came in by Election when he says that upon the Death of Brytrich Egbert at the frequent Solicitations of his Countrey-men coming over into Britain Móxque imperare jussus Patriae Desideriis satisfecit being immediately commanded to reign did thereupon satisfy the Desires of his Countrey Now I would fain know if he had come in by virtue of a Lineal Descent why he should have needed the being commanded to reign since he ought rather to have commanded their Allegiance as his Due AND either to this Time or rather to the latter end of this King 's Reigny as you may find in the ensuing History I suppose may be referred what the Author of the Mirror of Justices in the very beginning of the Book says concerning the first Election of a King to reign over the rest of the Saxon Sovereign Princes viz. That forty of them made him to swear that he would maintain the Holy Christian Faith with all his Power and govern his People according to Right without regard to any Person and that he should be liable to suffer Right i. e. Judgment as well as others of his People THIS Passage tho it be accounted by some of but a doubtful Authority because of the forty Princes abovementioned whereas we never read of above seven or eight Saxon Kings to have reigned at once and those âoo were by this Egbert reduced to three besides himself viz. the East-Angles Mercia and Northumberland yet if by the Princes here mentioned we understand not Sovereign Princes but Ealdormen of Counties and Great Cities who as Mr. Selden shews us in his Titles of Honour are commonly stiled in the old Saxon Charters Principes and by this Author in his French Original rendred Princes these meeting together in a Great Council did as the chief Magistrates of the Cities and Counties from whence they came injoin the King this Oath which was taken at the General Council mentioned in the ensuing History under Anno 803 or else 828. This Passage in the Mirrour of Jâsticâs if it were taken out of some old Saxon Monument now lost as I have great reason to believe it was since the Laws which he here relates concerning King Alfred are admitted by the Learned Author of the Notes upon his Life printed at Oxford to have been transcribed by him from some Antient Commentaries of that King which Laws he there a little after recites I say this Passage may serve as a great Proof not only of this King's Election to be the Chief or Supream King of all England but also it gives us the Original Contract if I may so call it which he then entred into with this Nation at the time of his Election and Coronation TO Egbert succeeded Athelwulf his Son who though I grant it is no where said that he was Elected yet if his Father were so as it is most evident he was it is not likely that the Kingdom should become Successive in one Descent especially if we consider the manner of all his five Sons coming to the Kingdom either in his Life-time or after him FOR as to Athelstane his eldest Son on whom he bestowed almost as soon as he came to the Crown the Kingdom of Kent with the South and East-Saxons I have proved in the ensuing History from Matthew Westminster and other Authors that he was Illegitimate and so could have no Legal Right of Succession nor does it seem probable he should be set over those Kingdoms by his Father without any previous Election or Consent of those People AND as for his other four Legitimate Sons Ethelbald the Eldest of them did by the General Consent of the King and the whole Nation which amounts to an Election divide the Kingdom with his Father he himself enjoying that of the West-Saxons whilst his Father ruled over the rest And by the virtue of his Testament confirmed likewise by the General Consent of the Kingdom Ethelbald remained only King of the West-Saxons whilst Ethelbert his second Brother reigned in Kent as also over the East and South-Saxons which had been his Brother Aethelstane's share who died without Issue for ought we can find BUT after King Ethelbald's Death Ethelbert succeeded in the whole Kingdom and he likewise dying Ethelred his Brother succeeded him after whose Death also Alfred the youngest Brother came to the Throne THIS short Account is the Truth of the Matter of Fact yet there requires a great deal to be said to have it well understood since Dr. Brady in his true and exact History of the Succession of the Crown Vol. 1. of his Introduction will needs derive the whole Right which these Princes had to the Kingdom from the Entail of it by their Father's Will abovementioned and if the Testament of a King then Regnant could dispose of the Crown to the prejudice of the Right Heirs by Lineal Descent I desire this Learned Antiquary to satisfy us how this could consist with his supposed Right of Lineal Succession at the same Time BUT the Truth is this worthy Doctor as well as the Author of the great Point of Succession discussed here deal with us like some crafty Witnesses who indeed speak the Truth but not the whole Truth if they find it will make against them For the Doctor in the first Place conceals and the nameless Author of the other Pamphlet either wilfully or ignorantly positively denies that King Alfred's three elder Brothers who reigned before him left any Issue Male whereas it is most certain that two of them if not all Three left Sons behind them for Athelm and Aethelwold to whom King Alfred by his Testament bequeaths divers Lands therein mentioned under the Title of his Brother's Sons are supposed by the Learned Author of the Notes upon his Life to have been the Children of King Ethelbald his eldest Brother tho whether they were so or no I will not be so confident as to affirm But that they were either the Sons of Ethelbald or Ethelbert is most certain and consequently they ought to have reigned before him who was but their Uncle AS for King Ethelred he had
also two Sons if no more viz. Alfred supposed to be Grandfather to Elthelwerd the Historian and Oswald whom Mr. Speed in the Reign of this King says was a Witness to his Father's Charter to the Abbey of Abington but the Author of the Notes to King Alfred's Life being convinced of this to solve an Objection so directly contrary to the received Hypothesis of a Lineal Succession is feign to take refuge in a supposed Arbitrary Power the English-Saxon Kings had of disposing of their Kingdom as a Fee-Simple which is such a Conceit that if he would but have been pleased to put down the first seven or eight Lines of King Alfred's Testament instead of that Scrap he has there given us of it it would have sufficiently confuted that Assertion Therefore since he has been so fair as to give us this Testament at full length in the second Appendix to the said Life I will make bold to transcribe so much as will be enough to evince the contrary and leave the Reader to consult the rest at his leisure Testamentum Alfredi Regis EGO Aelfredus Divino Munere labore ac studio Athelredi Archiepiscopi nec non totius West-Saxoniae Nobilitatis Consensu paritèr Assensu Occidentalium Saxonum Rex quos in testimonium meae ultimae Volantatis complementi ut sint advocati in disponendis pro salute Animae meae Regali Electione confirmo tà m de hereditate quam Deus ac Principes eum senioribus populi misericorditèr ac benignè dederunt quà m de haereditate quam pater meus Aethelwulfus Rex nobis tribus fratribus delegavit videlicet Aethelbaldo Aetheredo Mihi ità quod qui nostrum diutius foret superstes Ille totius Regni Dominio congauderet NOW I would gladly be satisfied from the Author abovementioned in these three Points if King Aethelwulf had full Power to bequeath the Kingdom to his Sons and to turn it from a Fee-Simple into a Fee-Tail FIRST Why K. Alfred in the very first Line of this Testament calls himself King of all West-Saxony by the Divine Donation and the Assent and Consent of the whole West-Saxon Nobility if he had not been Elected or at least Confirmed by them in the Possession of the Crown so bequeathed to him by his Father SECONDLY When he here summoned them to be Witnesses to the compleating and confirming of this his last Will why he distinguishes that private Inheritance which he had given him by the Grace of God and the Favour and Bounty of his Nobility and People from that publick Inheritance which his Father had bestowed on him and his two Brothers so that the longest Liver of them should enjoy the whole Kingdom But THIRDLY if his Father's Testament alone could have given his Brothers and him an absolute Right to the Kingdom how came it to pass that he stiles himself King by the Assistance of Arch-Bp Athelred with the Assent and Consent of the whole West-Saxon Nobility and what necessity was there for him to summon them only to be Witnesses thereof if their Confirmation were no ways necessary thereunto I fear he will not be able to answer these Queries unless he will grant that this last Will of King Alfred wanted as much their Confirmation as that of his Father had done before AND this may be plainly proved not only from the beginning of the Will it self but also from an Agreement therein recited to have been made between the three Brothers abovementioned by Virtue of which they dying the whole Inheritance of King Ethelwolf his Father was devolved upon him by a certain Charter made in the Mycel Gemote or General Council of the Kingdom at Langdene which being read before the Witnesses i.e. all the Estates of all West-Saxony they unanimously declared that they knew of none who had a juster Title than himself And yet you must not forget that both his said elder Brothers had left Children behind them WHEREUPON the said Estates farther declared thus Ecce jam habes tuam hereditatem iterum in Manibus tuis Nunc de Bonis Possessionibus conde Testamentum tuum lega dona tuo proximo sanguini vel Amicis tuis Cognatis sicut tibi placuerit To which the King replied Et Omnes illi firmitâtem irrevocabilem mihi fecerunt subscripserunt ipsos nunquam hereditatem meam alicui homini alitèr pervertendo daturos praeterquam cui Egomet legabo die proximo jam instante FROM whence it is most evident that it was to the Consent of the Estates of the Kingdom that King Alfred owed the Power of making this his last Will and of bequeathing only the private Inheritance which his Father and Brothers had left him and where tho he disposes of the several Lands therein mentioned first to his eldest Son Edward then also to his younger Son whom he does not name and his two Nephews and others yet he pretends to make no Bequest of the Crown which one would think he would by no means have omitted had he had any such unlimited Prerogative abstracted from the Consent of the Kingdom to have disposed of or entailed it as his Father had done before him tho not without or against the said Consent to which it appears every one of his Predecessors chiefly owed his Title NOW give me leave to draw two Conclusions from the whole Will which I have almost translated verbatim at the end of King Alfred's Life in the following History FIRST That it was then indeed in the Power of the King to make his Will and bequeath his Kingdom but how with the Consent and Assent of the Estates and the Person or Persons to whom it was thus entailed came in successively by virtue of such Designation and therefore Asser very well and justly calls King Athelwolf's Will Hereditariam vel Commendatoriam Epistolam i. e. a recommendatory Letter to the Estates of the Kingdom to elect his Sons but if no such Bequest was made and so confirmed as aforesaid then the Estates of the Kingdom were at liberty to choose the Eldest Son or next Brother or Kinsman if he were of fit Age and Capacity for their Sovereign nay the King's Testament or Adoption preceding a meer Stranger to the Royal Blood might be capable of succeeding provided he also had the Election or Confirmation of the Great Council of the Kingdom as I suppose Queen Sexburgha the Wife of King Cenwalch had and as you will further find Harold the Son of Harl Godwin obtained towards the end of this Volume SECONDLY That the Person so designed was called the Heir of the preceding King and enjoyed the Inheritance thus acquired Jure Haereditario i. e. by Hereditary Right tho he was not the next Heir in Blood to him that went before him as is clearly manifest from this Testament it self wherein King Alfred plainly distinguishes between the Dominions which he and his Brother King Ethered were to conquer and those that came to
him Jure Haereditario i. e. by Hereditary Right viz. by Virtue of his Father King Ethelwulf's Will therefore when the Crown fell to King Alfred by virtue of that Entail Abbot Ailred expresly says ad Eum totum Regnum jure Haereditario transiit c. And yet King Alfred could not be Lineal Heir to his Brothers since they both left Sons behind them as hath been already observed AND in the same Sense King Edward the Confessor in the Preface to his Charter to the Abbey of Westminster which you may find at large in Monast. Anglican having recited the Miseries the Nation had undergone from Wars raised by Strangers which were to that extremity Adeo ut pene periclitata sit haereditaria Regum Successio magnúmque esset interstitium inter fratrem meum Edmundum qui Patri meo successit méque habitum sit invadentibus Regnum Sweyno Cnuto filio ejus c. where you may observe he calls his own Succession to his Brother Haereditaria Successio and yet his Brother left a Son behind him who was Living when he was chosen King Thus also Eadmerus relates that Duke William claimed the Crown of England Jure Haereditario from King Edward the Confessor's Testament but certainly the Duke could have no pretence to it by Right of Blood being no ways descended from the English-Saxon Kings SO that it is a manifest Errour in some of our Modern Writers of the Succession who will needs understand these words jus Haereditarium to have been used in the same Sense in those as they have been taken in later Ages since the Crown came to be claimed by a Lineal Descent of Blood But indeed Eadmerus his Sense of these words is most agreeable to the Civil Law wherein he is called HAERES EXASSE who comes in as Heir by Testament to the whole Inheritance tho no way related to the Testator for that Law describes an Heir thus Haeredis significatione omnes significari Successores etsi verbis non expressi And therefore our Bracton derives the word Haeres ab Haereditamento for says he Inheritance is a Succession to all the Right which the Predecessor he does not say Ancestor enjoyed from whence you may observe that in Bracton's Time this word Haeres was not even by our Law limited only to an Heir by Blood or Descent HAVING said thus much of our Saxon Kings Accession to the Throne as far as King Alfred I shall in the next Place proceed to give you the Succession of all the rest down to the pretended Conquest from the most Antient Authors who lived either a good while before or else not long after that Time before Men's Minds became prejudiced by those Notions of Lineal Succession which began to be in Vogue about the Time of Edward the Third when the Crown had descended from Father to Son for four Descents tho not without somewhat that was tantamount to an Election in that Prince himself TO King Alfred succeeded his Son King Edward the Elder who not having the Crown bequeathed to him as his Father had viz. by Will confirmed by an Act of the Great Council was fain to be Elected as Ethelwerd expresly tells us in these words Successor equidèm Monarchiae post filius supra memorati Regis coronatur ipse Stemmate Regali à Primatis ELECTVS Pentecostis in die that is afterwards Edward the Son of the abovementioned King being Successor of the Monarchy was Crowned and being descended of the Blood Royal was Elected by the Chief Men of the Kingdom on the day of Pentecost i. e. Whitsunday AFTER this Edward's Decease Aethelstan his Son succeeded him whom most Antient Writers as well in Print as Manuscript relate to have been begot of a Concubine and therefore could have no Legal Right and tho William of Malmesbury endeavours to palliate it yet he is almost forced to confess it at last by saying Sed Ipse praeter hanc Notam si tamen vera est nihil ignobile habuit i. e. that he had no other Mark of ill upon him but this if it were true BUT tho Dr. Brady will have this Prince to have succeeded wholly by virtue of his Father's Will and cites William of Malmesbury for it who he says has these words in the History of Edward the Elder Jussu Patris in Testamento Aethelstanus in Regem acclamatus est by the Command of his Father in his Will Aethelstan was proclaimed King yet he might have been so fair and ingenuous as to have given us the words that are in the very beginning of this Chapter in the same Author viz. Itáque magno Consensu Optimatum ibidèm Athelstanus ELECTVS apud Regiam Villam quae vocatur Kingston Coronatus est i. e. That thereupon by the General Consent of the Chief Men or Estates of the Kingdom Athelstan being Elected was Crowned at the Royal Town of Kingston but this did not agree with the Doctor 's Hypothesis and so I suppose he thought it best to leave it out THIS Passage was borrowed by William of Malmesbury from a much Antienter Author viz. the Compiler of the Saxon Annals who under Anno 925. expresly tells us That he was Electus in Regem apud Cingestune Consecratus Elected King and Anointed at Kingston from both which it appears that the Election and Consecration were then two different Actions AFTER Athelstan succeeded Edmund his Brother and indeed ought to have been King before him he being Legitimate whereas the other was only a Natural Son BUT he dying and leaving two Sons behind him Edwy and Edgar neither of them but Edred King Edmund's younger Brother was advanced to the Throne which how it could be done unless by Election I confess I do not understand and therefore this might be omitted as to this Prince as well as the Coronation of King Edgar and other of our English-Saxon Kings are both by our Annals and Antient Historians for I must own I cannot find that the word Electus is used in his Advancement to the Throne for Ethelwerd tells us expresly ejus Successor extitit Eadred in Regnum suus quippe frater that Eadred his Successor obtained the Kingdom because he was his own Brother AND in this he is followed by Florence of Worcester who expresses it thus Edredus proximus haeres fratris succedens Regnum suscepit Edred succeeding as next Heir to his Brother enjoyed the Kingdom Dr. Brady in his above-cited Treatise will needs solve this open Breach of a Lineal Succession by the Nonage of King Edmund's Sons and the Nation 's then being under great Difficulties The former of these I grant to be a good Excuse but as for the latter it was not at all true since King Edmund by subduing both Northumberland and Cumberland driving the Danes out of the one and delivering the other to the King of Scots to be enjoyed as his Vassal had thereby sufficiently settled the Peace of the Nation so that let the
Doctor take his choice and either allow this King to have succeeded by Election or else if by Succession it was no Lineal one as the Doctor would maintain because these Historians tell us he succeeded his Brother as next Heir when at the same time they confess too that he left two Sons behind him and if the Nation 's lying then under great Difficulties will be a good Warrant to set by a Right Heir I desire he would be pleased to satisfy me why it may not always be a justifiable Reason to make a Breach upon the Succession in the like Cases AS for Edwy Nephew to this King indeed I do not find any thing mentioned in the Annals or other printed Authors of his Election yet the Antient Manuscript Life of Arch-bishop Odo now in the Cottonian Library and which seems to have been written by some Monk not long after that Time says expresly Edwigus Filius Aedmundi in Regem ELECTVS est Nor indeed could he succeed as Heir to his Uncle for his Lineal Right was before him nor does the Expression commonly used in the Saxon Annals viz. FENG to RICE which is rendered in the Latin by capessit Regnum signify any thing concerning the manner of this or any other King 's coming to the Crown These being as the Doctor himself acknowledges the usual Saxon and Latin words by which the Succession is expressed being variously rendered by Translators by Regnum capessit successit or Electus est and thus we likewise find the same words are used in the Annals to express King Aethelstan's and Eadred's nay Harold's Accession to the Throne tho it is evident none of them could claim by any Lineal Succession AND these are not the only words made use of in the Saxon Chronicle when an Election is signified for An. 1015 we find these words concerning the Election of K. Edmund Ironside that the Wites or Wise Men who were at London and the Citizens Gecuron Eadmund to Cynge i. e. chose Edmund King So likewise Anno 1036. concerning the Election of Harold Harefoot that all the Thanes North of Thames and the Seamen of London Gecuron Harold to rule over all England the same word we also find Anno 1066. where after the words FENG to RICE abovementioned these likewise follow and eac men Hine haer to Gecâron i. e. all Men Elected him viz. Harold to the Crown AND that there may be no dispute about the meaning of this word Gecuron we find it often used in these Annals for the Election of the Pope as e. g. Anno 1054. upon the Death of Pope Leo Victor waes gecuron to Papan So likewise Anno 1057. upon the Death of Victor waes Stephanus Gecoren to Papan and I think the Doctor might with as much appearance of Truth have maintained that the Saxon word Gecaron here rendred by the Latin Electus in these Annals signified not the Election but Recognition of the Pope as to assert as he does with so much Confidence that Eligerunt in all Historians signifies no more than Recognoverunt when used concerning our English Saxon Kings i. e. the Subjects acknowledged owned or submitted to him as their King as he says concerning King Edgar and others BUT King Edwy being cast off by the Mercians and Northumbers our Annals inform us that Eadgar Aetheling FENG TO RICE i. e. succeeded to the Mercian Kingdom which yet was no otherwise than by Election for an Antient Manuscript Life of Arch-bishop Dunstan written before the Conquest and now in the Cottonian Library shews us plainly that both the Mercians and Northumbers Elected him for their King the words are these Hoc ità que Omnium Conspiratione relicto eligêre sibi Domino dictante Eadgarum ejusdem Germanum in Regem i. e. This King Edwy by the Consent of all Men being thus deserted they chose the Lord directing them Eadgar his Brother for their King AND hereupon the Kingdom becoming divided between him and the King his Brother that Division was also confirmed by a publick Act of the Estates as the same Author testifies Sicque Vniverso populo testante Publica Res Regum ex Definitione Sagacium segregata est ità ut famosum Flumen Thamensis Regnum disterminavit Amborum tunc Edgarus à praedicto populo sic sortitus ad Regnum c. i. e. So that all the People being Witnesses each of these King's shares were apportioned and set out by the Decree of the Wites or Wise Men and the Noble River of Thames was the Boundary of both their Kingdoms then Edgar was advanced to the Kingdom by the aforesaid People BUT Edwy dying not long after the same Author relates of this Edgar that Regnum illius velut aequus haeres ab utróque populo ELECTVS suscepit that is that upon his Death Edgar as Right Heir being Elected both by Clergy and Laity succeeded to his Kingdom FROM whence we may observe that the same Person who is here called the Right Heir yet needed an Election upon his Brother's Death to confirm his Title and gain him an Admission to the Throne of the whole Kingdom which is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester whose Citation the Doctor himself here makes use of thus Ab omni Anglorum populo Electus Regnum suscepit which shews that a new Election by all the People of England was necessary tho he was King of part of it before AFTER the Death of King Edgar our Historians tell us there was a Contest between Prince Edward and his Brother Ethelred concerning their Succession to the Crown which says William of Malmesbury was set on foot by Elfrida the Wife of King Edgar and Mother-in-Law to Edward which divers of our Authors tell us was because those of her Faction pretended that Egelfrida the Mother of Prince Edward was never married to King Edgar for otherwise there could have been no Colour why the elder Son should not be preferred before the Younger especially since he was also recommended by his Father's Will and indeed it is left very much in the dark whether the Lady last mentioned were ever Edgar's lawful Wife or not For the Annals and more Antient Historians are wholly silent in it nor does any Writer make mention of that Lady as King Edgar's Wife till John of Wallingford who lived in the Reign of King Henry the Third BUT be it as it will whether Prince Edward was Legitimate or not his Father however had left him as Florence of Worcester says Heir of his Kingdom as well as of his Vertues yet we also learn from Simeon of Durham that Quidam Regis filium Edwardum Quidam illius fratrem eligerunt Ethelredum quam ob causam Archipraesules Dunstanus Oswaldus cum Co-episcopis Abbatibus Ducibusque quamplurimis in unum convenerunt Edwardum ut pater ejus praeceperat eligerunt electum consecrarunt in Regem unxerunt Some Elected Edward the King's Son Edmund some his Brother Ethelred wherefore the Arch-Bishops
SAXONUM paritèr ELIGIMVS Benedictionum tuarum Dona multiplica as also what follows in the same Chapter in the Blessing after the Coronation in giving him the Scepter Benedic Domine hunc PRE-ELECTVM Principem qui Regna omnium Regum à saeculo moderaris Amen NOW from both these Places above quoted we may safely conclude that an Election did most commonly precede the Coronation of our English Saxon Kings which I think is made so evident by these Authorities that it needs no farther Enlargement nor should I trouble my self about it were it not to expose the Obstinacy of some Men as well as to continue the Series of this Succession which perhaps would seem lame to others without it down to the Conquest TO go on therefore where we left off after the Death of King Ethelred the Saxon Annals tell us that Omnes Proceres qui in Londonia erant Cives eligerunt Eadmundum in Regem i. e. All the Chief Men or Witan as it is in the Saxon i. e. Wise Men that were at London and the Citizens chose Edmund for their King and yet he was his Father's eldest Son tho whether Legitimate or not is uncertain for we do not find any antient Author till after the Conquest that mentions Ethelred's being married to the Mother of this Prince and if he was not this Son of his could have no other Title but Election This is also confirmed by Ingulph who says Cui Ethelredo successit in Regnum Londonensium West-Saxonum Electione Filius ejus primogenitus Edmundus c. i. e. Edmund his eldest Son succeeded his Father Ethelred by the Election of the Londoners and West-Saxons in the Kingdom BUT tho our Saxon Annals are silent of it yet an Antient Manuscript Chronicle wrote about the Time of the Conquest now in the Cottonian Library relates that about the same Time that King Edmund was thus Elected Episcopi Abbates quique Nobiliores Angliae Canutum in Regem eligere the Bishops Abbots and several of the Chief Men of England chose Cnute for their King which is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester in these words under this very Year Post cujus mortem maxima pars Regni tà m Clericorum quà m Laicorum in unum congregati pari consensu Cnutonem in Regem eligerunt ad eum Suthamptoniam veniens pacem cum eo pepigerunt fidelitatem jurabant i. e. after whose Death viz. of King Ethelred the greatest part of the Kingdom as well of the Clergy as Laity being met together chose Cnute for their King and coming to Southampton made Peace with him and swore Fidelity but he there says nothing of his Coronation THESE Testimonies concerning Ethelred and Edmund being thus plain I confess Dr. Brady has been so just as to cite them and fairly to translate that Passage in Ingulph by the word Election whereas it should have been Recognition if it had suited with his Hypothesis as he does also that of Florence of Worcester rendring the word Eligerunt by chose him King if therefore it were a true Election in one case then surely it must be so in the other for the same Reason BUT the nameless Author of the Great Point of Succession discuss'd tho he does wilfully conceal all the printed Authorities above mentioned yet being hard press'd with this Passage of King Cnute has no other way to evade it but by saying That Canutus by the Terror of his Arms having the greatest part of the Island at his Devotion forced them to acknowledg and receive him for their King which they being under an apparent Force could not refuse to do THE falseness of which Assertion I will not go about to prove in this Place but refer the Reader to the ensuing History where he will find that the Persons abovemention'd were not so forced by the Terror of his Arms as to acknowledg him for their King since London then as still the Capital City of the Nation with many others of the Nobility had before Chosen King Edmund who by their Assistance was strong enough immediately after his Election to fight the Danes at the great Battel at Assendune and therefore if voluntarily yet it was treacherously done of them to quit the Prince who ought to have been Elected and to choose a Stranger and an Invader over his Head and whether the Gentleman this Author writes against had ridiculously called King Cnute's Accession to the Throne an Election as he would have it I shall leave to the impartial Reader 's Judgment AFTER the Death of King Cnute our Annals relate that at a Witena-Gemot or Great Council being held at Oxford Leofricus Comes omnes propè Thani à Boreali parte Thamisis Nautae de Lundonia eligerunt Haroldum in Regem totius Angliae dum ejus Frater Hardcnutus esset in Denmearcia i.e. Leofric the Earl and almost all the Thanes North of the Thames and the Sea-men of London chose Harold King of all England whilst his Brother Hardecnute was in Denmark which is also confirmed by Ingulph and William of Malmesbury who farther report That the English had a Mind to chuse Edward the Son of Ethelred or at least Hardecnute the Son of Cnute by Emme his Wife the Widow of King Ethelred who was then in Denmark BUT Henry of Huntington says expresly Haroldus filius Cnuti in Regem Electus est But Radulphus de Diceto is yet more express as to this Election of Harold as appears by this Passage under An. 1038. Haroldus Rex Merciorum Northymbrorum ut per totam regnaret Angliam à Principibus omni Populo Eligitur i. e. Harold King of the Mercians and Northumbers that he might reign over all England is Chosen by the chief Men and all the People whence you may observe that tho he were then King of the Mercians and Northumbers yet that still needed a new Election to make him King of all England NOW if this were so as the Doctor himself has ingenuously cited it in his said Treatise I desire he would let us know where was then the Right of Lineal Succession when the People of England would fain have chosen Edward who could not be Right Heir of the Crown so long as the Children of his Elder Brother were alive tho then in Exile nor could Hardecnute have any Right so long as Harold his Elder Brother was alive whom also as our Historians relate his Father had appointed Successor at his Death tho whether that be true or no is much to be doubted BUT the Author of the aforementioned Great Point of Succession c. to evade this Proof of Harold's Election will have all this Point in Controversy to have been who had the most Right and best Title to the Crown of those two Harold or Hardecnute and that Earl Godwin objected Harold's Illegitimacy and the Will of the deceased King of all which there is not one word mentioned in any of our most
he sent Robert Arch-Bp of Canterbury his Ambassadour to let William Duke of Normandy know Illum designatum esse sui Regni successorem that he had appointed him Heir of his Kingdom which relation tho I have proved to be false as to Arch-bishop Robert towards the end of this ensuing History yet might it be true in the main and some other Bishop might have gone over to Duke William on that Message but however for all this King Edward afterwards adopted Earl Harold upon his Death-bed for which we have very good Authority since our Saxon Annals testify it in these words Tunc Haroldus Comes capessit Regnum sicut Rex ei concesserat omnésque ad id Eum eligebant consecratus est in Regem in Festo Epiphaniae which was the same day that King Edward was Buried THIS is also confirmed by the History of the Abby of Ely written not long after the Conquest and lately published by the Learned Dr. Gale Quo Scil. Edwardo tumulato subregulus Haraldus Godwini Ducis Filius quem Rex antè suam Decessionem Regni Successorem eligerat à totius Angliae Primatibus ad Regale Culmen ELECTVS est Die eodem ab Aldredo Eboracensi Archiepiscopo in Regem honorificè consecratus which also agrees with Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham under Anno 1066. almost in the very same words and by Eadmerus who lived not long after the Conquest in these words Juxtà quod Edwardus ante mortem statuerat successit HARALDVS FROM all which remarkable Testimonies I shall draw these two Conclusions FIRST That this Testamentary Designation of Harold by King Edward for his Heir was not sufficient alone to make him King but it also required a subsequent Election of the Estates of the Kingdom SECONDLY That there is an apparent Distinction here made between his Election and Consecration AND I think this enough had I no more to say to settle this Point but to let the Reader know the utmost that may be objected against these Authorities I must freely confess that divers Writers of good Credit and Reputation who lived after the Conquest viz. Ingulph of Croyland William of Malmesbury Ailred Abbot of Rievalle and Henry of Huntington look upon this Donation of King Edward as a meer Pretence invented by the English in Prejudice of the Norman Duke BUT how they will be able to answer those plain and full Authorities I have before cited I know not for William of Malmesbury himself was also forced to confess that King Harold claimed not only by virtue of Edward's Designation but by the Election of the Great Council of the Kingdom as appears by this Memorable Passage viz. Ille scilicet Haraldus in his Answer to William then Duke of Normandy de puellae nuptiis referens de Regno addebat praesumptuosum fuisse quod absque generali Senatûs Populi Conventu Edicto alienam illi haereditatem juraverit i. e. That Harold speaking of the Marriage of the Duke's Sister further added that it was a very presumptuous thing to swear away another's Inheritance to him without the General Act and Appointment of the Senate and People that is the Nobility and Commons THIS shews that it would have been a most notorious Falshood for Harold thus to have gone about to impose upon Duke William had there never been any such thing as a Real and Solemn Election which our abovementioned Authors have related NOR is Dr. Brady's Objection against this at all material in saying that those who thus set him up were only a Court Faction for the People all England over could never have notice to come to or send their Representatives to such a Solemnity as to elect and crown him King in four and twenty Hour's Time and therefore should his Election be granted he could not be chosen by the People who had neither Notice nor Knowledg of it but only received and submitted to him as their King NOW in answer to this I need only say that if the Doctor would have been so fair as to have consulted Sir Henry Spelman's first Volume of Councils or the first Volume of Monasticon Anglicanum he would have found in both of them in the Charters of the Foundation of the Abby of Westminster and the History of that Church printed in the Latter that it was not as he says never to have been imagined for it was really true that the Estates of the Kingdom did meet a little before Christmass secundùm Morem according to Custom and not only so but were expresly summoned to be present at the Great Solemnity of the Consecration of that Abbey which was as our Annals inform us on St. Innocent's day and the King dying on the Twefth-day following this Great Council which certainly was a full one was so far from being then Dissolved that it chose Harold for their succeeding King as the said Annals relate The nicety of the Dissolution of a Parliament upon the King's Decease not being at that time known I think this is sufficient to answer all that the Doctor has or I suppose can say upon this Head therefore I will now leave it to the Reader to consider how far any of his Assertions are true AS first Whether the sure Rule of Succession was either Right of Blood OR Secondly Whether the bare Nomination or Appointment of the preceding King was then thought and allowed as Cause sufficient for the Father to prefer his Brother's Son before his own or a Bastard before his Lawful Issue or that the Instances which he hath produced will be able to make it out or else whether those very Instances which I have here set in their true Light do not directly evince the contrary THIRDLY Whether from this foregoing History of the Succession it appears also to be true what he asserts viz. That from Egbert the first Saxon Monarch to Ethelred the last by Right of Blood we do not read of many Elections for the space of two hundred and sixteen Years and that those we meet with are bound and limited by Proximity of Blood or Nomination of the Successor by the Predecessor and that where the word Election or any thing in that Sense is used it signifies only a Recognition and Submission And I will now leave it to the Reader 's Judgment if I have not given sufficient Instances to the contrary in every one of these Particulars there being not above two Kings in all this long Series of more than two hundred and sixty Years concerning whom I have not brought express Testimonies from Authors of undoubted Credit both in Print and Manuscript of their Election by the Estates of the Kingdom Or FOURTHLY Whether his last Assertion be any truer than the former viz. That the Danish Kings after Sweyn had conquered the Kingdom whose best Title was the Sword either brought hither the Custom of the Predecessor naming or giving the Kingdom to the Successor as
of Cloten King of Cornwall excelling in Valour and Comliness of Person by subduing the other four Princes reduced the whole Island again into a Monarchy and is said to be the First in Britain that wore a Crown of Gold and therefore by some reputed the first King But what he got by Force he managed with great Prudence and Moderation Enacting several excellent Laws which Geoffrey says were translated into Latin by Gildas and in Saxon afterwards by King Alfred But since no such work of his is any where extant I shall not give them so much Credit as to recite them though Mr. Selden hath not thought them unworthy of a place in his learned Treatise called Janus Anglorum But this King after he had governed Forty Years died and was buried at Tâinovant to whom succeeded his two Sons Belinus and Brennus who after some Controversies divided the Kingdom between them Brennus being to have all that lay North of Humber and Bâlinus the rest but the Younger being not long so contented did upon new designs Sail into Norway and enter into a League with Elsing King of that Country and Married his Daughter which Belinus hearing of did in his absence dispossess him of his Kingdom Brennus with a Fleet of Norwegians makes toward Britain but is encounter'd by Guithlac a Danish King who laying claim to his Bride pursued him at Sea and being there vanquish'd in a Fight was forced to get away with a few Ships but Brennus nevertheless recollecting his shattered Navy landed in Albania and gave Battle to his Brother who totally routed him and forced him to fly into Gaul with no more than one single Vessel But Belinus being now rid of his Brother turns his Thoughts to Arts of Peace and amongst other things they reckon his making the Four great Ways or Streets which are still to be seen to run cross the Kingdom which they will have him and not the Romans to have first laid Brennus in the mean while having been kindly received by Seguinus King of Armorica now Britagn in France and having Married his Daughter was by him assisted with a powerful Army to regain his Kingdom and Landing in Britain was now ready to give Battel to his Brother when their Mother Conwenna mediated between them and so perswaded them that embracing each other they were perfectly reconciled so that going to Trinovant they resolved to turn their united Forces on Foreign Parts and then Sailing into Gaul the Author tells us that under these two not only all that Country but also Italy was Conquered as you may find in the Roman Authors If those were Britains and not Gauls which took Rome which is not worth our while to Dispute Some say that Belinus went not into Gaul with his Brother or if he did that he soon returned After which he made it his Business to adorn his Kingdom Building some Cities of which Caer-Uske now Caer-Leon upon Uske was one and he also adorn'd Trinovant with a Gate called to this Day Belin's Gate having a Tower on the Top of it at the Foot of which he made a Harbour for Ships He is also said to be the first Founder of the Tower of London After he had Reigned Twenty-six Years died and his Body being burnt on a Funeral Pile his Ashes were put in a golden Urn and placed on the Top of the Tower that he himself had Built Gurguint Sirnamed Brabtruc his Son succeeded him in whose Reign the Danes refused the Payment of the Tribute which had bin imposed by Belinus when their King Guithlac being driven by force of Weather upon the Coast of Northumberland was made a Prisoner nor could be set free without an Engagement to pay Tribute for himself and Successors which being now denied Gurguint now Sailed into Denmark and by force of Arms obliged the Danes to renew their Treaty and received Homage of their King and Chief Nobility and then Embarqued again for Britain In his return he met with a Fleet of Thirty Sail about the Isle of Orkeney these he encountred and having taken their Captain Bartholain he demanded of him what he was and the Reason of his coming into those Parts Bartholain answered that he and his Followers were named Balences being banished from Spain their Country with their Wives and Children and thereupon had put to Sea to seek out new Habitations whereupon it is said this King assigned them Ireland being a Place not then Peopled This King is supposed to have Built Caer-Werith or Lancaster Caer-Peris or Portchester in Hampshire and Caer-Gaurvie now Warwick where he was buried after he had Reigned Nineteen Years to whom succeeded Guintelin his Son he was a Prince Learned Prudent and of singular Justice and Moderation he is said to have had a Wife of as great Vertue named Martia to whom Geoffrey falsly Attributes the making of the Laws called Merceuenlage which was indeed so called not from her but but from the Mercians by whose Kings they were first enacted This King is also said to have Reigned Twenty-six Years and was succeeded by Sicilius the II. his Son being about Seven Years of Age but under the Government of his Mother Martia he is supposed to have Reign'd Fifteen Years Seven under the Tuition of his Mother and Eight after his full Age and having given all the Signs of a hopeful Prince he was suddenly snatched away by Death and then the Crown fell to Kimarus the Son of Sicilius but he being of a wild and ungovernable Temper and wholly given up to all manner of Exorbitances was killed in the Woods in pursuit after his Game some say by an Ambush others by wild Beasts He Reigned but three Years then Elanius or Danius his Brother succeeded This King was not Inferior to his Predecessor in Wickedness of Life insomuch that some make them the same Person so exactly did these two Princes correspond in their Vices He held the Scepter about Ten Years the succeeded his Son Morvidus or Morindus by a Concubine a Man of great strength and Comeliness as to the Qualities of his Mind he was Liberal but withal exceeding Passionate In his Days the Moriani or rather Morini a People of Gaul Landing in Northumberland with Fire and Sword wasted that Country which Morindus hearing of with all Expedition gathered his Forces and with long and wearifom Marches made up to them and in one Baâtel utterly defeated them and then put all the Prisoners to Death with exquisite Torments but not long after hearing of an hideous Monster which coming out of the Irish Sea seized and devoured many that lived near the Shore The King beholding the lamentable Destruction of his Subjects fought the Monster himself the Contest held for a while doubtful but at last the Monster prevailed and devoured the King This is said to have happened in the Ninth Year of his Reign to whom succeeded Gorbonian his eldest Son a religious Prince which he evidenced to the World by repairing decay'd Temples
and erecting new ones in several Places in his Dominions He is said to have built Grantham in Lincolnshire and some say Cambridge antiently called Caer-Grant and Grant Chester He Reigned Ten Years and was succeeded by his Brother Archigallo the Second Son of Morindus he endeavoured to depress the Nobility by depriving them of all Power and Command and preferring Mean and unworthy Men and by taking away Men's Estates to enrich his own Treasure all which Oppressions the Nobility of the Kingdom not being any longer to bear they rose up in Arms and deposing him placed Elidure his Brother in the Throne he was called by his Subjects Elidure the Pious for as he went on Hunting one Day in the Wood Calater in the midst of the Forest he met with his Brother Archigallo and being struck with Pity of his Misfortunes he secretly conveyed him Home to his own House at the City of Alchluid where feigning himself sick he assembled all the Nobles of his Realm and there partly by Perswasions partly by Commands he engaged them again to receive his Brother Archigallo for their Sovereign and afterwards calling a general Assembly of his People at York he there publickly resigned his Crown and taking it off his own Head placed it on his Brother's after he had Reigned Three Years Archigallo being thus Restored by his wise and sober Deportment regained the Affections of his People for he discarded his former Favourites and adhered to the prudent Advice of his Nobility and Reigning to the general Liking of his Subjects for the space of Ten Years died and was buried at Caer-brank or York Elidure after the Death of his Brother became once more King of Britain and so with much Honour and Reputation received the second time the Crown but was soon deposed by the Ambition of his Brethren Vigenius and Peridurus after One Year's Government when being seized by them and his Person confined to the Tower of London they divided the Kingdom between them Peridurus took Albania and Vigenius all the Country on this side Humber for his share Vigenius dying after he had Reigned Seven Years the whole Kingdom devolved to Peridurus who managed it with great Moderation and Justice and having governed Nine Years died then Elidure again resumed the Crown being delivered out of Prison by his Subjects and after he had Reigned Four Years to the general Satisfaction of all Men then dying was succeeded by his Nephew or Grandson the Son of Gorbonian who is called Regin by Mat of Westminster though not named particularly by Geoffrey He was a worthy Prince and Reigned with the general Approbation of all his People to whom succeeded Morgan or Margan the Son of Arâigallo he Reigned Fourteen Years in Tranquillity After him Ennian or Emerian another Son of Archigallo's was advanced to the Throne who quite different from his Brother govern'd Tyrannically and was in the Sixth Year of his Reign Depos'd and then succeeded Ydwallo the Son of Vigenius who warned by the Misfortune of his Predecessor avoided Tyranny after whom Reigned Rinco the Son of Peridurus an heroic Prince and a great Warriour Then next follows in Geoffrey of Monmouth a long descent of Kings who either did nothing or had no Body to Record it these make up Seventeen Kings in all viz. Gerantius the Son of Elidurus to whom succeeded Catellus his Son then Coillus and after him Porrex the Second then Cherin or Cherim then succeeded Fulgentius the Eldest Son of Cherin next him Androgeus the Third Son of Cherim enjoyed the Crown then after him Urianus the Son of Androgeus began to Reign who giving himself up to all Riot and Intemperance soon died and to him succeeded Eliod then Elidavius then Cledanus or Cletanus called also by others Detonus but here arises so great a Difference amongst the Writers of this long Bed-Roll of British Kings that there is nothing of Certainty concerning their very Names much less of their Actions for their Names are variously recited by Geoffrey and those Authors that lived after him and pretend to correct or enlarge him but you must take them as we find them Then succeeded Gurgurntius then Merianus and after him Bledunus then Capenus next to him Sisilius the Third then Blegabred who is said to have been excellently well Skill'd in Vocal as well as Instrumental Musick he Reigned Ten Years After him succeeded Arthimallo his Brother and after him Eldâl Then follow Nine Kings more without any thing Recorded of them but their bare Names viz. Rodianus or Redian then Redarchius or Redargius then Samuil then Penisill then Carpoir or Corporius and after him Geiduâllus or Dinellus the Son of Carpoir a Prince Modest and Prudent in all his Actions who left his Son Heli his Successor who Reign'd Forty Years and was succeeded by Lud his Eldest Son who is reported to have been a Vertuous Princâ making divers excellent Laws and Correcting many Abuses in the Government he Adorn'd the City of London with new Walls and Towers and therein built a Gate which is still called after his Name Lud-Gate and is said to have built himself a Palace not far from it And after he had Reigned Eleven Years died leaving behind him two Sons Anarogeus and Theomantius under the Tuition of his Brother Cassibelan whose Bounty and Worthy demeanour so wrought upon the People that he easily got the Kingdom transferr'd upon himself yet nevertheless shewing some Favour to his Nephews he conferred freely upon Androgeus London with Kent and upon Theomantius Cornwall reserving to himself a Superiority over them both till the Romans for a while eclipsed his Power I shall not here trouble my self to set down much less to confute the Errors that may be found in the Chronology of these Kings Reigns since Geoffrey of Monmouth from whom they are taken hath bin so cautious as not to give us any account in what Year of the World they Reign'd sometimes telling us tho' with no certainty at all the Names of the Judges and Kings of Israel whom he makes Contemporary with them But as for his last Nine and Twenty Kings from Elidure to Lud he has given us nothing but their bare Names without so much as setting down how many Years they reign'd as if he himself or those Authors he had Translated had bin ashamed or weary of their own tedious Stories and so would make it as short as they could But as for Mat. of Westminster Ponticus Virunnius Polydore Virgil and one Richard White who calls himself Basinstoke I do not think it worth while to put down their pretended Corrections Emendations and Additions of Geoffrey's History since if he had no Authority to invent I am sure they can less pretend to Correct his Inventions or alter his Course of Succession of the British Kings as Polydore has done under pretence of making them more suitable to his own Accounts of time But White has exceeded all others in this making bold with Geoffrey not onây altering the
Names of his Kings and their Course of Succession in many Places but also referring them in particular to the Years of the World in which he supposes them to have Reigned adding also the Years of their Reigns where-ever he thought Geoffrey to be deficient but without vouchsafing to give us the Names of any Authors from whence he took them So that since we have indeed no better Authorities than Geoffrey himself I shall not go about to Confute the Faults that might be found in the Chronology which Mr. White has given us of these Kings Reigns though it were no hard Matter to shew diverse Absurdities in it But this much is evident from the disagreement of these Authors about the Names of their Kings and the Years of their Reigns that they had nothing but their own Fancies to rely upon for what they wrote whence proceeds so great a Confusion in this part of their British History that no Body can certainly conclude any thing from hence unless that they were all mistaken Nor is it only the uncertainty of Kings Names and Successions that we here find fault with but the great Improbability I might say Impossibility of divers Matters of Fact related by Geoffrey of Monmouth in this History of the British Kings As for Instance that of King Ebrane's sending his Thirty Daughters to find Husbands in Italy which Story plainly took its rise from the Sabines denying their Daughters to those People which Romulus many Years after got together Not to mention the Story of Morindus's being devoured by a Sea-Monster whereas neither our Seas nor Rivers do now or ever did afford any such noxious Creatures divers other more improbable Relations because I would not tire the Reader with such Fooleries I have here omitted Besides all which the very Names of many of these Kings such as Jaco which is the same with James in English Molmutius Morindus as also Archigallo Gorbonian Ennianus Geruntius Fulgentius Androgeus Archimalus Rodianus sufficiently betray some a Phoenician some a Grecian and some a Roman Original and could never be derived from the British Oâiginals Lastly There is great difference between this part of the British History especially from Elidure to Lud and all other Histories for whereas these commonly are barren of particular Transactions in their beginning and afterwards enlarge themselves still more and more the further they proceed This History is quite contrary and the farther we go the more confused we find the Succession of their Kings and the less there is Recorded of their Actions for from Elidure to Lud there are Nine and Twenty Kings of whom nothing almost is Recorded but their bare Names and which is also very remarkable from this Elidure Geoffrey makes no mention of the Years of their Reigns What we find of this kind hath been added by those that writ long after him who have done it very preposterously allowing not above Ten Years one with another to Thirty Kings which are supposed to have Reign'd in about Two Hundred Years so that if there were any Truth in this History it seems more rational to believe these Kings not to have succeeded each other but many of them to have bin Contemporary Rulers of particular Provinces of this Island I shall therefore conclude this Part of the History with Mr. Milton's Words concerning these Kings Thus far have we gone relying upon the Credit of Geoffrey of Monmouth and his Assertors though for the Reasons above-mentioned I have not thought it beside my Purpose to relate what I have found whereto I neither oblige the Belief of other Persons nor shall over-hastily subscribe my own Yet granting these things not to have been true but invented by the Author above-mentioned yet since even Romances as well as true Histories may furnish us with Observations sufficient to Instruct us not only in the Humours and Passions of Mankind but also in the Causes as well as Effects of human Actions And since Ambition Lust and the Desire of Revenge are commonly in their turns the Motives that incite Princes as well as private Men to Transgress the Laws of Reason let us look back and survey some of the most remarkable Actions of those Princes whose History we have here cited From those frequent Divisions we here read to have been made of the Kingdom between several Brothers we may learn that the Britains had no Notion of any Right in the Eldest Brother to Command over all the Rest no not after they became Christians the Welch Princes still dividing their Territories among all their Sons alike though we may see the Inconvenience of this Course by their making War upon each other about their particular Shares Whence we may conclude that Sovereignty ought to be left undivided and the more Shares there are in it the more Causes there are of Civil Wars and Divisions nor have any prov'd more fatal than those among Brothers of which we have sufficient Examples not only in this but other Histories From so many Kings being depos'd for their Tyranny we may observe that the ancient Britains though under a Monarchy yet did not think themselves oblig'd to suffer their Kings by becoming Tyrants to make their People Slaves but knew how to cast off that Yoke when it grew insupportable Lastly from Cassibelan's being made a King by the People for his Valour and Worth it plainly appears that if the Kingdom were then Hereditary yet the Estates did then reserve a Power to themselves during the Minority of the Right Heir to place in the Throne that Prince of the Blood-Royal who was like to prove most able to defend them either against Foreign or Domestick Enemies as this Prince in the War with Caesar evidenced to the World I have made bold to add these few political Observations that the Reader as well as my self may profit somewhat by Reading a History otherwise so dry and uninstructive THE General History OF BRITAIN NOW CALLED ENGLAND As well Ecclesiastical as Civil BOOK II. Containing the Annals of ENGLAND from the First Landing of JULIUS CAESAR to the Romans Total Desertion thereof being about Four Hundred and Ninety Years HAVING in the former Book deduced the Succession of British Kings as well as I was able from Brute to the Beginning of the Reign of Cassibelan in whose Time Caesar Landed in Britain and having hitherto wandred through divers Ages of Fictions or Uncertainties at best like a Man in a dark Night who knows not well whether he is in or out of his Road yet is still forced to Travel on till Day-light overtake him So we having hitherto gone forward though in the dark are at last arrived at a Period which will give us a more certain Light into our British History though no Roman or Greek Historian did ever undertake to write a History on purpose concerning this Island during all the time that the Roman Emperors govern'd here either in Person or by their Lieutenants For those Authors that are
Famine invaded not only Britain but extended it self as far as Constantinople where the Famine together with the corrupt Air produced a great Pestilence whilst this Scarcity prevailed in this Isle it forced many of the Britains to yield themselves up to their Enemies that they might get wherewith to sustain Nature thô others of them chose rather to sally out and resist them from the Woods and Mountains to which they retreated yet now it was as Gildaâ tells us that not putting their Trust in Man but in God alone they first of all made some slaughter of their Enemies which had preyed upon their Country for so many Years but thô the Boldness of their Enemies was abated for a while yet so was not the Wickedness of the Britains Wâo as the same Author describes them were very backward to perform the Duties proper to Peace viz. Justice and Truth but were prone to Lies and all Wickedness so that says he thô these impudent Robbers the Irish went home yet it was to return again within a short time whilst the Picts remained being both then and long afterwards in the farther Parts of the Island sometimes taking Prey and making Incursions so that during the Truce whilst this Wound was slightly skin'd over another Malady more Contagious was breeding For thô during this short interval of Peace there succeeded so great a Plenty of all sorts of Provisions that no Man's Memory could parallel yet was it attended with great Luxury and all sorts of Wickedness began also to increase but chiefly Cruelty together with the Hatred of the Truth and the Love of Lies the taking Evil for Good and the Love of Darkness rather than Light so that what was pleasing to God or not pleasing with them weighed both alike and the worst side of the Cause most commonly prevailed whilst all Things were done contrary to the Publick Good and Safety nay not only by Secular Men but even the Clergy whose Example should have guided others were grown Vicious and Corrupt many of them being given to Drunkenness or swoln with Pride or else full of Envy and Contention indiscreet and incompetent Judges of what in the common Practice of Life was good or evil lawful or unlawful This is the general Character that Gildas and Bede give us both of the British Clergy and Laity of these Times from whence we may easily conclude that People of this temper were not fit to be trusted with the Government of themselves but being more fond of the Name of Liberty than apprehensive of the Charge of Governing well they grew heady and violent in their Affairs and positive in what they understood not none being more stout and daring in Councels none so fearful when it came to Action all pretending to know what ought to be done yet all drawing back in the Performance Thus in a short time when the Heat of Liberty was once spent and the Enemy daily encreased they quickly found their old Temper returning upon them a slavishness of Mind and slothfulness of Body then they might have perceived it was not meer Stomach or a hot and sudden Love of Liberty that could protect them but that Diligence Wisdom and a publick Spirit were still wanting so that they shrunk by degrees into their former tameness of Mind and grew as weary of their new-tried Liberty as they had been of their old Subjection which made them write those Abject Letters to Aetius but now mentioned What particular Kings or Governours the Britains set up after they were set free from the Roman Empire is hard to determine only Gildas tells us in general That Kings were by them anointed but none of God's anointing but such as were most cruel who were soon after as inconsiderately laid aside without any Examination of the Truth whilst some were put to Death by their Anointers to set up others more Fierce and Tyrannical but if any of them seemed Milder and more inclined to the Truth against him as the Subverter of his Country the general Hatred of all Men was presently directed So that the Office of a King seems to have been a very dangerous Employment in those wicked and turbulent Times thô by what we can guess by Gildas's Epistle setting forth the Faults of all Orders and Degrees of Men there had been divers Kings ruling in Britain at once not only in his own but in former Times but who they were he does not particularly mention But to fill up this Interval Geoffery of Monmouth furnisheth us with one Constantine Brother of Adroenus King of Armorica This Constantine he makes to have been elected King and crowned at Cirencester and being killed by a Pict was succeeded by his eldest Son Constans who from a Monk at Winchester was made King and that he being made away by the Procurement of Vortigern he caused himself being at that time Consul or Count of the Gevises to be elected King in his room but if you please to look back into the former Book you will there find how Constantine the Usurper with his Son Constans the Monk the one being made Emperour and the other Caesar perished in France may easily confute the falshood of this Story But since neither Gildas Nennius nor any other British Historian make mention of this Constantine or his Son all that we can conclude to be true in this Relation is That the Britains about this time finding themselves quite deserted by the Romans and being now without any Head and hard pressed by the Scots and Picts chose this Vortigern being then a popular Man thô he proved neither Wise Valiant nor Virtuous for their King in the beginning of whose Reign God was willing to purge his Family as Gildas words it the Britains not being amended with so many Corrections were again frighted with a fresh Rumour that the Scots and Picts were returning with greater Forces than ever and that they threatned the Destruction of the whole Country and intended no less than to plant themselves from one end thereof to the other but before their arrival as if the Instruments of Divine Vengeance were at strife which should first destroy a wicked Nation The residue that the Sword and Famine had left alive were now swept away with a sore Pestilence insomuch that the living scarce sufficed to bury their Dead but neither were the Britains at all amended for all this for now it seems the time drew near that the measure of their Iniquities were full But before we relate how this Vengeance was executed we shall here set down from the aforesaid Authors Constantius and Bede Germanus's Second Voyage to Britain the substance of which is That it being told Germanus that Pelagianism prevailed here again thorough some promoters of it the British Clergy too weak it seems at dispute renewed their addresses to him that he would come over and defend God's Cause which he had once before undertaken which Petition
by the Saxons who fled thither for Refuge But that the Britains of Armorica were setled there long before the Britains here were driven out by the Saxons is proved by the above-cited Doctor Stillingfleet in his Antiquities of the British Churches which he proves by these Authorities First from Sidonius Appollinaris in whom there are two Passages which tend to the clearing this matter The first is concerning Arnândus accused at Rome of Treason in the time of Anthemius for persuading the King of the Goths to make War upon the Greek Emperour i. e. Anthemius who then came out of Greece And upon the Britains on the Loir as Sidonius Appolinaris expresly affirms who lived at that time and pitied his Case This hapned about Anno Dom. 467 before Anthemius was the second time Consul from whence it appears not only that there were Britains then setled on the Loir but that their Strength and Forces were considerable which cannot be supposed to consist of such miserable People as only fled from hence for fear of the Saxons and not being able to keep their own Country it is not likely they could that of others And it is farther observable that about this time Aurelius Ambrosius had success against the Saxons and either by Vortimer's Means or his the Britains were in great likelihood of driving them quite out of Britain so that there is no probability that the Warlike Britains should at that time leave their native Country A second Passage is concerning Riothamus a King of these Armorian Britains in the time of Sidonius Appollinaris and to whom he wrote who went with 12000 Britains to assist the Romans against Euricus King of the Goths but were intercepted by him as Jornandes relates the Story and Sigibert places it Anno Dom. 470 Now What clearer Evidence can be desired than this to prove that a considerable number of Britains were there setled and in a condition not only to defend themselves but to assist the Romans which cannot be imagined of such as meerly fled thither for Refuge after the Saxons coming into Britain Besides we find in Sirmondus's Gallican Councils Mansuetus a Bishop of the Britains subscribing to the first Council at Tours which was held Anno Dom. 461 by which we see the Britains had so full a Settlement then as not only to have Inhabitants but a King and Bishops of their own which was the great Encouragement for other Britains to go over when they found themselves so hard press'd by the Saxons at home For a People frighted from hence would hardly have ventured into a Foreign Country unless they had been secure before hand of a kind Reception there And if they must have fought for a Dwelling had they not far better have done it in their own Country From whence I conclude that there was a large Colony of Britains in Armorica before those Numbers went over upon the Saxon Cruelties of which Eginhardus and other Foreign Historians speak Though how it should come to be setled there unless some Colonies were carried over before by Maximus or Constantine the last Usurper of the Empire I know not but as for this it being very obscure I determine nothing K. Vortigern nothing bettered by these Calamities is said to have added this to his other Crimes that he took his own Daughter to Wife who brought forth a Son who according to Nennius was called Faustus and proved a Religious Man living in great Devotion by the River Rennis in Glamorganshire but for the rest of his Stories concerning the Dialogue between Vortigern and St. German and that the King was condemn'd for this Incest in a great Synod or Council of Clergy-men and Laicks in which St. German presided is certainly false he being then dead as appears from the best approved Authours the year before the Saxons arrived in Britain And indeed this whole Story of Vortigern's committing Incest with his own Daughter seems altogether unlikely for when should he do it Not before he married Rowena for Nennius places it afterwards nor could it well be during the time of his Marriage with her since as the same Authour relates she continued his Wife long after when he was taken Prisoner by Hengist and it is very strange he should fall in love with his own Daughter when at the same time he had another Wife whom he is said to have loved so well that he was divorced from his first Wife for her sake Geoffery of Monmouth relates That the Nobles of Britain being highly displeased at King Vortigern for the great Partiality he shewed to the Saxons and for the ill Success that followed it beseeched the King wholly to desert him but he refusing so to do they deposed him and chose his Son Vortimer King who following their Advice began to Expel the Saxons pursuing them as far as the River Diervent or Darent in Kent where obtaining the Victory he made a great Slaughter of them besides which that he fought also another Battle with them near the Ford which is called in the Saxon Tongue Episford and in the British Tongue Sathenegabail which is also confirmed by the Saxon Annals which say That Hengist and Horsa fought with King Vortigern at a place called Eglesford now Aylesford in Kent and that Horsa was there slain Nennius says by Cartigern the Brother of King Vortimer and that afterwards Hengist and his Son Aesk obtained the Kingdom of Kent and Matthew of Westminster relates that after the Death of his Brother Horsa the Saxons chose Hengist for their King being 8 Years after his arrival in England And yet after this Nennius supposes Vortimer to have fought a third Battle with them in a Field which was near the Stone Titulus which was fixed near the Shore of the Gallic Sea which place Arch-Bishop Usher will have to be Stonar in the Isle of Thanet but Mr. Somner in his Treatise of the Roman Ports and Forts in Kent supposes it should be written Lapis Populi in stead of Tituli and then Folkstone in Kent is most likely to be the place where this Battle was fought it having the same Signification as Lapis Populi in the Latin Geoffery of Monmouth and from him Matthew Westminster further relate That Hengist not being able to withstand the Valour of K. Vortimer was made to retire into the Isle of Thanet whither he was also pursued by the Sea and that at last the Saxons being forced on board their Ships returned into Germany Nennius adds That they durst not return again into this Island till after the Death of Vortimer which thô not mentioned in our English Saxon Annals yet is very likely to be true since Bede relates That about this time the Saxon Army returned home when the Natives thô before driven out or dispers'd began again to take fresh Courage and come out of their Hiding-Places and Retreats This Year Vortimer having obtained many Battels against the Saxons is
supposed by our British Historians to have died Geoffery makes him to have been poisoned by the Procurement of his Mother-in-Law Rowena and Nennius adds That Vortimer lying upon his Death-bed desired his Servants to bury him near the place where the Saxons used to land saying If that were done thô they might take some other Haven in Britain yet they should never have that but notwithstanding he is said contrary to his own will to have been buried at Lincoln After whose Decease Nennius and Geoffery make Vortigern to have been again restored to the Throne It is much more certain which the Saxon Annals relate that Hengist and his Son Aesk this Year fought against the Britains in a place which is called Creecanford and there killed four principal Men but in Florence of Worcester's Copy of these Annals which seems to have been truest it was 4000 Men and the Britains then left Kent and fled in great fear to London From which Victory Ran. Higden in his Polychronicon dates the beginning of the Kingdom of Kent under Hengist who Reigned Twenty four Years For Hengist being now returned out of Germany as it is related by Nennius King Vortigern still maintained the War against the Saxons who thereupon took Councel how they might intrap Vortigern and his Army wherefore they sent Ambassadours to him offering Peace and that the former Friendship might be renewed between them whereupon Vortigern taking Advice with his wise Men they all agreed to make Peace So it was consented to on both sides That the Britains and Saxons meeting together without any Arms a firm League should be made between them But the treacherous Hengist commanded all his Followers to take their Daggers or Seaxes along with them under their Coats and that when he gave the Word and cried out in his own Tongue Nimed yeur Saexes that is Pull out your Daggers that they should then fall upon the Britains and kill them but spare their King and for his Wife's sake only take him Prisoner because it would be more for their advantage so to do that he might be Ransomed And thus being met according to Agreement at a Feast or Drinking-bout they talked at first very Friendly together being placed every Saxon by a Britain but Hengist giving the Word they rose up on a sudden and dispatched 300 Geoffery says 470 of the British Nobles Vortigern alone being then taken alive and put in Fetters was forced for his Ransom to surrender to the Saxons all those Countries that were afterwards called Eastsex Middlesex and Sussex which is also recited by William of Malmesbury who adds That at this Entertainment the Company growing in drink Hengist on purpose pick'd a Quarrel and some hard Words passing they fell to blows where the Britains were slain But here being a considerable Interval in the Saxon Chronicle we may very well fill it up with British Affairs for it is about this time that the Welsh Chronicles suppose that Aurelius was elected General of the Britains Vortigern being as yet King thô but in Name having retired as Nennius relates to a Castle built by him in South-Wales And to this time we may refer that Passage in Gildas That when those cruel Robbers the Saxons were gone home the Remainders of the Britains being strengthened by GOD came together from divers Places and praying to him with all their Hearts that he would not totally destroy them chose Ambrosius Aurelian a modest Man for their General and who alone was found stout and faithful as being of Roman Race who in so great a confusion remained alive his Parents who had enjoyed the Crown having been killed but whether by the Scots and Picts or else which is most likely were murdered by their Subjects he leaves it uncertain But Nennius saith little more than that Vortigern was afraid of him and then immediately he confounds himself with Merlin who being a Boy tells Vortigern after the Story of his being born without a Father That he had concealed his Father's Name out of fear but that he was one of the Roman Consuls whereupon Vortigern gave him a Castle together with all the Western Parts of Britain which is as true as being born without a Father But if Geoffery were to be believed he tells us very plainly That he was one of the Sons of Constantine King of Britain who was forced to fly from Vortigern after the murder of their Brother Constans by his contrivance but we know that Constantine and his Sons Constans and Julian were killed abroad many Years before and it is not probable the Romans would have permitted any one of his Sons to have remained here or if they did this Ambrosius must have been by this time near 60 Years of Age supposing him to have been but One Year old when his Father died And besides it is certain that Constantine was slain in the Reigns of Honorius and Theodosius the Second An. Dom. 411 and Aurelius is not supposed to be chosen General or King of the Britains till the Year 465. But immediately after Aurelius was thus made General of the Britains it is certain that he obtained a great Victory over the Saxons thô the place where be not named by Gildas But afterwards he says sometimes his Country-men and sometimes their Enemies prevailed and that thus it continued till the Year of the Siege of Mount Badon where was the latest and not the least slaughter made of the Pagan Saxons but that the Saxons about this time received a great defeat their own Annals intimate though they are ashamed to confess it in express words being thus related under this very Year Hengist and Aesc fought with the Britains near Wippedes Fleat and there slew Twelve British Commanders but lost one Man of note on the Saxons side whose Name was Wypped who it seems left his name to that place H. Huntington adds that this Victory was very fatal even to the Saxons themselves both parties being thereby so weakned that neither the Saxons durst enter the British borders for a long time nor yet the Britains presume to Invade Kent however the Britains thô Foreign Wars were now for a time intermitted did not cease to raise Civil ones among themselves But this much appears even from the silence of Saxon Annals that for Twelve Years following there was no considerable action passed on either side or else that the Britains had the better of it under the conduct of Aurelius Ambrosius which is most agreeable to Gildas's Relation It is also very probable which Geoffery of Monmouth now relates and which is followed by many of our English Historians that Aurelius Ambrosius after his first Victory over the Saxons called the Princes and Great Men together at York and gave Order for the repairing the Churches which the Saxons had destroyed and that after due care taken in other places he marched to London which had suffered as well as other
iâtent upon all Occasions not to feed the Flock but to pamper and well line themsâlves making use of their Churches only for Lucre's sake teaching the People sound Doctrine but they themselves shewing evil Example rarely Officiating at the Altar and then scarce ever standing there with pure Hearts not correcting the People for their Sins as guilty of the same themselves despising the Precepts of Christ and fulfilling their own Lusts usurping the Chair of Peter but through the blindness of their own worldly Lusts stumbling upon the Seat of Judas deadly haters of Truth and lovers of Lies looking upon the poor Christians with Eyes of Pride and Contempt but fawning upon the wickedest rich Men without Shame great Promoters of other Men's Alms with set Exhortations but themselves ever contributing least concealing or slightly touching the reigning Sins of the Age but highly aggravating their own Injuries as done to Christ himself seeking Preferments and Dâgrees in the Church more than Heaven and having so gained them make it more their study how to keep than to illustrate them by their good Examples dull and stupid to the Reproofs of holy Men if ever they hear them at all but shew themselves very attentive to the trivial Discourses of the Laity ready to act any unlawful Things carrying their heads a loft but having their affections nothwithstanding the checks of their own Consciences as low as Hell sad at the loss of a penny but joyed if they can get one in Apostolical Censures either through their own Ignorance or the greatness of the Sins Dull and Mute but very skillful in the cheating Tricks of Worldly business from which wicked sort of Conversation many run into Priests Orders which they buy for Money taking the Priesthood without observing its Rules and Institution or knowing what belongs to matters of Faith or Manners And then proceeding in a tedious invective against Simony he at last thus addresses himself to the Laity What can ye expect O unhappy People from these Beasts all Bellies Shall these amend thee who as the Prophet says weary themselves in commiting Iniquity Shalt thou sâe with their Eyes which regard only those ways that lead to Hell leave them rather as bids our Saviour least ye fall both blindfold into the same Perdition But are all thus Perhaps not all or not so grosly But what did it avail Eli to be himself blameless whil'st he connived at his Sons that were wicked Who of these hath been envied for his better Life Who of them have hated to consârt with such or withstood their entring into the Ministry or zealously endeavoured their casting out This is the Sense of what he there says it being not only tedious but impossible to Translate Verbatim so barbarous and obscure a Writer thô otherwise he seems to have been a Man of great Wit and ardent Piety above what that Age would admit of But hence we may learn what the State of the Government and Religion among the Britains was in that long Calm of Peace which the Victory at Badon Hill had produced Also at the end of his History he gives a farther account of the sad state of Affairs and great corruption of Manners in those Times And complains That the Cities of his Country were not then inhabited as before but lay ruined and deserted for though Foreign Wars were ceased for a time yet so were not the Civil so that there did still remain upon the face of the Island evident marks of so miserable a destruction but that also as long as the memory of that unlooked for assistance lasted their Kings as well as their Bishops and Priests did pretty well observe due Orders but those deceasing as the next Generation succeeded which had not seen the former Calamities and were only sensible of the present Prosperity all the Principles of Truth and Justice were totally shaken and subverted So that scarce any footsteps remained of them in all the Orders and Degrees of Men above mentioned except some and those but few very few in respect of those who go to Hell so that although they are the only true Sons of our Mother the Church yet by reason of the smallness of their number she can scarce take any notice of them albeit they lye in her very Bosome This much may suffice to give an account as well of this Epistle of Gildas as of his History which Caradoc of Lancarvon in his Legendary Life of this Author supposes to have been writ whil'st he lived at Glastenbury But these passages I thought good to Transcribe from him as not unuseful to be inserted in these Annals not out of any desire to rip up or expose the faults of the ancient British Clergy or Nation much less to insult over their Calamities but rather to serve as a warning to us who live in this loose and corrupt Age that we may avoid the like Sins lest we provoke God to send the like Judgments upon us But to return to the Saxon Chronicle This Year began the Northumbrian Kingdom or in the Words of our Annals Ida began to Reign from whom is derived the Royal Family of the Northumbrian Kings the Saxon Annals here give us a long pedegree of this Ida who reigned Twelve Years and built Bebbanburgh now Bamborough Castle in Northumberland which was at first encompassed only with a Trench and afterwards with a Wall H. Huntington says This Prince was always in War and Will of Malmesbury and Mat. Westminster make him to have had Twelve Sons partly by Wives and partly by Concubines And the latter also tells us that he together with his Sons came into Britain and landed at Plensburgh with Forty Ships But though Ida was the first that took upon him the Title of King yet there were Princes of the Saxons in that Country many Years before for the same Authors tell us That Hengist had long before sent his Brother Ottha and his Son Ebusa Men of great Experience in War to Conquer the North Parts of Britain who pursuing his directions met with a success answerable to their endeavours for fighting often times with the Natives of the Country and conquering all those who indeavoured to resist them they received the rest into their Protection and so enjoyed the fruits of Peace But though they had by their own industry as well as the consent of their Subjects gained some Power in those Parts yet did they never till now take upon them the Title of Kings the same moderation descending also to their Posterity So that for near an Hundred Years the Princes Earls or Dukes of Northumberland lived like Vassals under the Protection of the Kings of Kent But this Nation being naturally haughty in the Year above recited that is Sixty Years after the Death of Hengist this Principality was changed into a Kingdom Ida first reigning there who without doubt was a very gallant Man being then in the prime of his Youth but whether he
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 tââ 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 Saâân 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
all Ireland for so it was then commonly called for near Four Hundred Years after this and he therein complains of Draganus an Irish Bishop who coming over hither would not so much as Eat in the same House with him at which time also Laurentius wrote Letters not only to his fellow Bishops in Ireland but also to the British Clergy in Wales to the same purpose as the former but how well he succeeded therein the present time says Bede declares about which Year also Mellitus Bishop of London was sent to Rome to confer with Pope Boniface concerning the necessary Affairs of the English Church when the Pope held a Synod at Rome with the Bishops of Italy concerning the Life and Conversation of the Monks where he sate with them This Synod was held in the Eighth Year of Emperour Phocas and the Bishop at his return brought back the Decrees of that Council together with the Pope's Letters to Arch-Bishop Laurence and all the Clergy as also to King Ethelbert and the whole English Nation This Year also Sebert King of the East-Saxons Founded the Church and Abbey of Westminster and Mellitus the Bishop Dedicated it to St. Peter thô for what Order of Monks is uncertain since they were driven out after the Death of Sebert by his Successours who continued Pagans for many Years after This Year according to Florence Ceolwulf dying Cynegils began to Reign over the West Saxons for Thirty One Years being the Son of Ceolric who was the Son of Cutha who as we have heard was slain fighting against the Britains some Years before Cynegils and Cwichelme fought against the Britains at Beamdune now Bindon in Dorsetshire and there slew Two Thousand and Forty Six Men which Battel H. Huntington thus describes The Saxon and British Troops being drawn up in Battel Array the Fight immediately began when the Britains fearing the weight of the Saxon Battel Axes and long Launces turn'd their backs and fled so that the Saxons obtain'd the Victory without any great loss on their side and he also agrees pretty near in the number of the slain with our Saxon Annals This Cwichelme here mentioned is by Will of Malmesbury said to be Brother of Cynegils and to be by him taken as his Partner in the Royal Power But Florence of Worcester and Mat. Westminster do make Cwichelme to have been the Son of Cinegils thô the former Opinion be the more likely but let it be either of them it is certain that they were both of them Stout and good natured Persons who governed with that mutual Love and Concord as it was a wonder to the Age in which they liv'd so ought it to be an example to all future times Thô the Cathedral of Christ Church in Canterbury had been already built about Twenty Years yet it seems the Monastery adjoyning to it was not founded till this Year as appears not only from the Manuscript above mentioned once belonging to the Monastery of St. Augustine but also from Will of Malmesbury that in the time of Arch-Bishop Laurence and about this very Year that it was first replenished with Monks as appears by a Letter of Pope Boniface to King Ethelbert whereby he approves of and confirms the Foundation of the said Abby by the said Arch-Bishop which Letter though Will. of Malmesbury had promised to recite yet being by him forgot or else ommitted in our Printed Copies is to be found at large in the said Manuscript concerning which Monastery the afore-cited Author farther adds That though some had said that Arch-Bishop Aelfric had thrust out the Clerks i. e. secular Chanons out of that Church and had placed Monks in their rooms yet was it not at all probable since it appeared by the said Epistle of Pope Boniface that there had been Monks in the Church of St. Saviour from the first foundation of that Monastery in the time of Arch-Bishop Laurence who succeeded St. Augustine But it hath been denyed by Cardinal Baronius in his Annals as also by some later Antiquaries of what Order these Monks were whom Augustine and Laurentius placed in these two Monasteries above mention'd and that a late ingenious Authour in his Preface to a Treatise called Notitia Monastica hath questioned whether they were of the Benedictine Order since he rather supposes That the Benedictine Rule was scarce heard of in England till some Hundreds of Years after and never perfectly observed till after the Conquest but he should have done well to have told us what other Order they were of since the general Tradition in most of the Ancient English Monasteries of the Benedâctine Order was That they had observed that Rule from their first foundation And the Saxon Annals under the Year 509 do expresly affirm That St. Benedict the Father of all the Monks dyed that Year And he had long before his Death founded his Order in Italy and of which Augustine himself is supposed to have been and though I also acknowledge that all the ancient Monasteries of England were not at first of that Order since those that were founded in the Kingdom of Northumberland by the Bishops Aidan and Coleman followed the same Rule with the Monks of Ireland and Scotland viz. That of St. Basil which all the Eastern Monks did then and do to this day observe yet even these did about an Hundred Years after quit that Rule and follow the more Modern one of St. Benedict and therefore Stephen Heddie in his Life of St. Wilfred Bishop of York lately published by the learned Dr. Gale hath expresly told us That the said Bishop returning home into his own Country i. e. the Kingdom of Northumberland and carrying along with him the Rule of St. Benedict very much improved the Constitutions of God's Churches by which he meant the Monasteries of those Parts And therefore the Chronology once belonging to the Abby of St. Augustine's in Canterbury printed in the Decem scriptores after Will. Thornes Chronicle under Anno 666 upon very good grounds thus observes That this Year Bishop Wilfred caused the Rule of St. Benedict to be observed in England That is in the North Parts into which he then went for if that Rule had not been observed in the Southern Parts before How could it be said that he carried it out from thence along with him but to conclude there having been a dispute among the Roman Catholicks beyond the Seas about Seventy Years ago concerning this matter some of them affirming that all the ancient English Monks before the Conquest were of the Order of St. Equitus or else of some other Order whereupon those of the Benedictine Order wrote over to our Antiquaries in England viz. Sir Robert Cotton Sir H. Spelman Mr. Camden and Mr. Selden appealing to their Judgment herein From whom they received a Letter under all their Hands wherein they expresly certified that there was never any such Order as that of St. Equitus and further
recovered his Kingdom and proved the greatest of the West-Saxon Kings that had reigned hitherto as shall be in due time related But Bede tells us That after this King had been some time restored there came out of Ireland a certain Bishop called Agelbert a French Man who offered himself to the King to preach the Gospel whose Learning and Industry when the King understood he offered him the Bishoprick of that Province and consenting to the King's Desires he remained there Bishop several Years till the King finding he could not learn English and growing weary of his bad Pronunciation introduced another Bishop one Wini of his own Nation over his Head who had been ordained in France and so dividing the Province into two Diocesses settled the latter in his Episcopal See at Winchester at which Agelbert being offended because the King had done it without his Knowledge and Consent he returned into France and there accepting of the Bishoprick of Paris died an old Man but not many Years after his daparture Wini being driven from his Bishoprick retired to Wulfer King of Mercia and buying of him the Episcopal See of the City of London for a Sum of Money sate there Bishop as long as he lived thus Simony crept very early into the English Saxon Church So the Kingdom of the West-Saxons was no small time without a Bishop whereupon King Cenwalc being afflicted with great losses in his Wars sent Messengers into France to Bishop Agelbert desiring him to return and reassume the Bishoprick he had left but he excused himself that he could not return being already engaged in another Charge yet to comply as far as he could to the King's desires he sent him his Nephew Elutherius a Priest to be ordained Bishop if he pleased who being Honourably received by the King and People and having been ordained Bishop by Theodorus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did for many Years Govern alone the Diocess of the West-Saxons This thô happening in a course of some Years is by Bede related as one continued Story This Year Cenwalc King of the West-Saxons gave Cuthred his Cousin Three Thousand Hides of Land near Aescasdune now called Aston near Wallingford This Cuthred was the Son of Cwichelme and he the Son of Cynegils But two years after Aegelbyerth a Bishop who came from France after Byrinus undertook the Bishoprick of the West-Saxons as has been already related at large by Bede This Year K. Oswin was slain xii Kal. of September And within twelve days afterwards died also Aidan the Bishop But the manner of this King's Death is by Bede thus related That King Oswin who succeeded K. Oswald his Brother had from the beginning of his Reign a Consort or Sharer of the Royal Dignity of the Northumbrian Kingdom called Oswi the Son of Usric of the Posterity of King Edwin whilst Oswin govern'd the Province of Dâira for Seven Years with great Happiness and Love of his Subjects But Oswy who reigned in the Kingdom of Bernicia would not long maintain Peace with him 'till at last fresh Dissentions still arising between them he destroyed Oswin by Treachery for both their Armies now lying near each other as ready to fight when Oswin saw that being weaker in Force he was not able to wage Battle with him who came against him with a much greater Army he judged it better to lay aside all Thoughts of fighting and to preserve himself and his Men for some better Opportunity So he sent home his Army from a place called Wilfers Dun and himself retired with only one faithful Follower to lie concealed in the House of Earl Hunwald whom he supposed to have been faithful to him but it proved far otherwise for by him he was betray'd and there slain by the Command of K. Oswi together with his faithful Servant Tondhere in the ninth year of his Reign at a place called Iâgerlingum This Fact of King Oswy as it was detestable to all Men so it afterwards proved most hateful to himself who repenting of it built there a Monastery to expiate the Crime and to pray as well for his own Soul as for that of the King he had kill'd This King Oswin was a Man of a beautiful Aspect tall of Stature affable and very bountiful all which excellent Endowments both of Mind and Body procured him such Reputation that he was generally beloved and many Noble Persons out of all the English Provinces thought themselves happy if they could get into his Service but above all his Humility and singular Modesty were most remarkable whereof Bede gives us this Instance K. Oswin had bestowed an excellent Horse upon Aidan that charitable B of Lindisfarne but the Bishop when a poor Man ask'd an Alms gave him the Horse with all the rich Furniture upon him The King hearing of this as they were going to Dinner said to him My Lord Bishop Why would you give that Noble Horse that I bestowed upon you for your own Saddle to a poor Man Have we not many worse Horses and other Things which would better serve the Poor instead of this Horse I made choice of for your own riding The Bishop instantly replied Sir What do you say Is that Son of a Mare more dear to you than the Son of GOD With that they went to Dinner the Bishop took his Seat but the King being newly come in from Hunting fate down by the Fire with his Attendants but remembring what the Bishop had said he rose suddenly up and giving his Sword to his Servant ran hastily to the Bishop and falling down at his Feet besought him not to be angry affirming he would never after speak or concern himself whatever he gave to the Children of GOD. The Bishop being wonderfully amazed and rising hastily from his Seat raised him up telling him he was very well pleased if he would but sit down to Dinner and be chearful The King then at his Request began to be merry but the Bishop to be sad in so much that he shed Tears of which his Priest taking Notice and in their own Language being the Scottish which neither Oswin nor his Servants understood demanded the Reason I know saith he that the King will not live long for till now I never beheld an humble King whence I apprehend that he will speedily be taken away from us for this Nation is not worthy of such a Governor Not long after this Prelage of the Bishop was fulfilled in the Murther of Oswin as you have heard But Aidan lived 'till the twelfth day after his Death and then died himself on the last of August Of the Miracles of which Bishop Bede gives uâ too long and ãâã incredible Account either to be believed or inserted here This Year Cenwal King of the West-Saxons fought at Bradenford near the River Aftâne in Wiltshire but it is pity that our Annals had not told us against whom he fought which I cannot find in any Author thô it is
Gift do confirm it with Christ's Cross before the Arch-Bishop Deus Dedit Then follow the Subscriptions of the Kings and others of the Blood Royal viz. Oswi King of Northumberland King Sygar King Sibbi Ethelred the King's Brother together with his Sisters above named as also of Deus Dedit Arch-Bishop of Canterbury after whom follow the Subscriptions of the rest of the Bishops together with some Presbyters and Saxulf the Abbot as also of divers Eoldermen or Governours of Countries who with divers others of the King 's great Men did likewise confirm it This Charter was made in the Year after our Lord's Nativity 664 being the Seventh Year of King Wulfer's Reign they did then also denounce the Curse of God and all his Saints against all that should violate any thing that was there done to which they all answered Amen As soon as this was over the King sent to Rome to Pope Vitalian desiring him to confirm all that he had granted by his Letters or Bull which the Pope immediately performed being to the same effect with the King's Charter already mentioned in this manner was the Monastery of Medeshamsted Founded which was afterwards called Burgh now Peterburgh But to return again to Civil Affairs having dwelt I doubt too long upon Ecclesiastical This Year Kenwalk King of the West-Saxons fought against the Welsh at a place called Peonnum and pursued them as far as Pedridan Of which Fight H. Huntington gives us this further Account That at the first Onset the Britains were too hard for the English but they abhoring flight as bad as Death it self persisted in fighting with them till the Britains growing tired and disheartened fled and were pursued as hath been already said so that they received a very great blow This Year according to Florence of Worcester Hilda the Abbess Founded a Monastery at a place called Streanshale wherein she lived and dyed Abbess The same Year also according to the same Author Inumin Eaba and Eadbert Eoldermen of Mercia rebelled against King Oswi and proclaimed for their King Wulfer the Son of Penda whom they had hitherto kept concealed Also Aedelbert or Agââbert the Bishop left King Cenwalch and took the Bishoprick of Paris and Wina held the Bishoprick of Winchester of both which Bede hath already given us a particular account The same Year also according to Florence of Worcester Cuthred the Son of Cuichelm a Cousin to King Cenwalch as also Kenbryht the Eolderman great Grandson to King Ceawlin and Father of King Cadwalla dyed This Year according to the Saxon Annals King Cenwalch fought about the time of Easter with King Wulfher at Posentesbyrig supposed to be Pontesbury in Shropshire and Wulfher the Son of Penda wasted the Country as far as Aescesdune now Aston near Wallingford and Cuthred the Son of Culthelm as also King Kenbryht dyed The same Year according to Bede Wulfher took the Isle of Wight with the Country of the Meanvari and gave them to Athelwald King of the South Saxons because he had been that King's Godfather at his Baptism and Eoppa the Priest at the Command of Bishop Wilfrid and King Wulfher first of all offered Baptism to the Inhabitants of that Island whether they accepted it or not is very uncertain But I cannot but here observe the uncertainty of the History of these Times for Ethelwerd in his Chronicle under this Year and at this very place above mentioned relates that Cenwalk had the Victory and carried away Wulfher Prisoner These Meanvari here mentioned by Bede are supposed by Mr. Camden in his Britannia to have been the People of that part of Hampshire lying over against the Isle of Wight This Year also Sigebert King of the East-Saxons thô standing firm in the Christian Faith was as Bede tells us wickedly Murder'd by the Conspiracy of two Brethren in places near about him who being asked what moved them to do so wicked a Deeed gave no other than this Barbarous Answer That they were angry with him for being so gentle to his Enemies as to forgive them their Injuries when ever they besought him But the occasion of his death is much more remarkable for one of those Earls who slew him living in unlawful Wedlock stood thereof excommunicated by the Bishop so that no man might presume to enter into his House much less to Eat with him the King not regarding this Church-Censure went to a Feast at his House upon an Invitation whom the Bishop meeting in his return thô penitent for what he had done and fallen at his Feet yet gently touched with the Rod in his Hand and being provoked thus foretold Because thou hast neglected to abstain from the House of this Excommunicate in that House thou shalt dye and so it fell out not long after perhaps from that Prediction God then bearing witness to his Minister in the due power of Church Discipline when Spiritually executed on the Contemner thereof Yet Bede is so Charitable as to believe that the unfortunate Death of this Religious Prince did not only attone for his fault but might also increase his merit To Sigebert Swidhelm the Son of Sexbald succeeded in that Kingdom who was Baptized by Bishop Cedda in the Province of the East-Angles in the Royal Village called Rendlesham Edelwald King of that Country who was the Brother of King Anna being his Godfather The Sun was now eclipsed V o Non Maij and Ercenbryht King of Kent departed this Life and Ecgbryht his Son succeeded him in that Kingdom As for King Ercombert Will. Malmesbury gives him a very good Character being famous for his Religion to God and his Love to his Country but he had no Right to the Crown save only by Election having an Elder Brother called Ermenred who was alive at the beginning of his Reign and left two Sons behind him Coleman also with his Companions then departed to his own Nation the same Year there was a great Plague over all the Isle of Britain in which perished Tuda the Bishop and was buried at Wagele which Bede calls Pegnaleth also Ceadda and Wilverth were now Consecrated Bishops and the same Year too the Archbishop Deus Dedit dyed after whom the See remained void for Four Years But of the occasion of this departure of Coleman Bede hath given us a long and particular account viz. That a Synod being called at Strean-shall now Whitby in York-shire by the procurement of Hilda the Abbess of that place thô by the Authority of King Oswi who was there present concerning the old Difference about the observation of Easter Wilfred the Abbot and Romanus a Priest were very earnest for the observation of it according to the Order of the Church of Rome and Coleman Bishop of Lindisfarne was as zealous on the other side but after many Arguments pro and con which you may find at large in Bede the Synod at last determining in favour of the Romish Easter it so far displeased
of her Husbands enjoy her and at last with much ado obtained Leave of this King to quit his Palace and retire into a Nunnery which perverting of the Ends of Marriage was counted a great piece of Sanctity in those Times But the Monastery above-mentioned being burnt and destroyed by the Danes Anno 870 was afterwards re-edified by King Edgar as shall be in due time more particularly related Also Egbright King of Kent deceased and Lothair his Brother succeeded him This Year also according to Bede Bosa Bishop of Dunmoc being deprived by reason of his Infirmities two Bishops viz. Acca and Bedwin were placed in that Diocess one of whom had his See at Dunmoc now Dunwich in Suffolk and the other at Helmham in Norfolk ' This Year Aescwin began to Reign over the West Saxons Here also follows his Pedigree needless to be repeated for William of Malmesbury remarks no more of him than that he was supposed to be the next of the Royal Line as being the great Nephew of Cynegils by his Brother Cuthgils The same Year as Bede tells us in his Lives of the Abbots of Wiremuth and Girwy Abbot Benedict I suppose from his Episcopal Actions Sirnamed Biscop having before come over with Arch-Bishop Theodorus was by him made Abbot of the Monastery of St. Peter in Canterbury which he 2 Years after resigning and Adrian that great Scholar succeeding him he went again to Rome and then returning into Britain brought along with him many Books of Divine Knowledge and then applying himself to Egfrid King of Northumberland he obtained of him as much Land as served 70 Families lying near the Mouth of the River Wir in the Bishoprick of Durham where he began a Monastery in Honour of St. Peter but before it was finished he went into France and from thence brought Masons who built the Church of Stone after the Roman fashion and the Work being near finished he sent into the same Country for Artificers who understood the making of Glass which till then had been unknown in Britain wherewith he glazed the Windows of the Church and Monastery he had there built and thereby taught the English Nation the Art of Glass-making which says my Author hath proved so useful in making of Lamps for Churches and also other Vessels so necessary for divers Uses And because this Island nor yet France it self could then afford all the Ornaments requisite for the Altar he took care to fetch them from Rome whither he went for that purpose from whence again returning he brought a great many choice Books of all sorts together with divers Relicks of Saints and curious Pictures with which he adorned the Church he had built and he likewise received a Bull from Pope Agatho whereby the Monastery also by the Consent and License of King Egfrid was freed from all Secular Servitude But some time after Simeon of Durham says 8 Years King Egfrid being very well satisfied with what Benedict had done bestowed as much more Land upon him as then maintained 40 Families for the building of another Monastery at a Place called Girwy now Tarroâ near the Mouth of the River Tine which was built in Honour of St. Paul when also by reason of his frequent Absence and Employment in other Affairs he appointed one Easterwine his Kinsman Abbot of that of St. Peter and Ceolfrid a Monk of the same Monastery over that of S. Paul in which Charges they continued several Years under his Inspection till at last after the decease of Easterwine and another Abbot called Sigfrid Ceolfrid above-mentioned was made Abbot of both Monasteries which he Governed many Years untill He resigning that Charge went to end his Days at Rome but died by the way in France These Transactions thô happening in the space of about 40 Years I have here put together that you may have at once the History of these two ancient and famous Monasteries in the latter of which Bede himself the Author of this Account lived and died a Monk as shall be related hereafter About this time also thô Bede does not set down the Year Arch-Bishop Theodore deposed Winfrid Bishop of the Mercians for some Canonical Disobedience and ordained Sexwulf Abbot of Medeshamsted in his Room But to return to the Annals This Year Wulfher the Son of Penda and Aescwin Son of Genwulf fought at Bedanheafde and also King Wulfher deceased the same Year Where that Place was is uncertain thô some suppose it to be Bedwin in Wiltshire lying near Berkshire H. Huntington describes this Battle to have been very sharp but that the Mercian King inheriting his Father's and his Grandfather's Courage was somewhat superior yet that both Armies were terribly shattered and many Thousands slain on both Sides on which our Author makes this just Reflection That from hence it is worth while to observe how Vile the Actions of Men and how Vain those Wars are which Princes call Glorious Undertakings for when these Kings had brought so great a Destruction upon their own Nations both of them survived not long after For according to Florence's Chronicle King Wulfher deceased this Year having destroyed the Worship of Idols throughout his Kingdom and caused the Gospel to be preached in all Places of his Dominions and Ethelred his Brother succeeded him in the Kingdom whom William of Malmesbury describes to have been more famous for Devotion than Fighting unless when he shewed his Courage in a notable Expedition against Kent or else when he met and repell'd Egfrid King of Northumberland and forced him to return home recovering from him all Lindsey which Wulfher had taken away before thô with the loss of his Brother Edwin in that Expedition after which he spent all the rest of his Life in Peace About this time also according to Math. Westminster for Bede hath not set down the Years Erkenwald younger Son of Anna King of the East Angles was by Arch-Bishop Theodore ordained Bishop of London being a Man of great Worth and Piety This Year also according to Florence King Wulfher was first baptized but the Saxon Annals mention no such thing and therefore I wonder from whence he had it for it is quite contrary to what Bede relates concerning his being Baptized long before or else How could he be Godfather to Edelwalch King of the West Saxons who was Baptized near 20 Years before But I suppose Florence had it from some old Monkish Legend if not from the Roman Martyrology it self in which is related that incredible Story of King Wulfher's murdering of his two Sons Ulfwald and Rufin with his own Hands because they had been instructed in the Christian Faith by Ceadda Bishop of Litchfield And Mr. Stow in his Chronicle having found the same Story in an old Ledger-Book of that Church hath thought fit to insert it into his History placing the Year of their Suffering in Anno 668 when all our Historians do at that time relate him to have been a Christian. But this Book
assistance to revenge their quarrel which happen'd the next Year as the same Authour relates For This Year not long before the Death of King Egfrid that Holy Man Cuthbert was by the same King ordered to be ordained Bishop of Lindisfarne thô he was at first chosen to be Bishop of Hagulstaed instead of Trumbert who had been before deposed from that Bishoprick yet because Cuthbert liked the Church of Lindisfarne better in which he had so long convers'd Eatta was made to return to the See of Hagulstad to which he was at first ordained whilest Cuthbert took the Bishoprick of Lindisfarne But I shall now give you from Bede a farther account of the Life of this good Bishop he had been first bred in the Monastery of Mailross and was afterwards made Abbot of the Monastery of Lindisfarne retiring from whence he had for a long time lived the Life of an Anchorite in the Isle of Farne not far distant but when there was a great Synod assembled King Egfrid being present at a place called Twiford near the River Alne where Arch-Bishop Theodore presiding Cuthbert was by the general consent of them all chosen Bishop who when he could not by any Messages or Letters be drawn from his Cell at length the King himself with Bishop Trumwin and other Noble and Religious Persons sailed thither where they at last after many intreaties prevailed upon him to go with them to the Synod and when he came there thô he very much opposed it yet he was forced to accept the Episcopal Charge and so was consecrated Bishop the Easter following and after his Consecration in imitation of the blessed Appostles he adorned his calling by his good Works for he constantly taught the People commited to his Charge and incited them to the love of Heaven by his constant Prayers and Exhoâtations and which is the chief part of a Teacher whatsoever he Taught he himself first practised so having lived in this manner about Two Years being then sensible that the time of his Death or rather of his future Life drew near he again retired to the same Island and Hermitage from whence he came The same Year also King Egfrid rashly lead out his Army to destroy the Province of the Picts thô his Friends and principally Bishop Cuthbert did all they could to hinder it and having now entred the Country he was brought before he was aware by the feigned flight of his Enemies between the streights of certain inaccessible Mountains where he with the greatest part of his Forces he had brought with him were all cut off in the Fortieth Year of his Age and the Fifteenth of his Reign And as the Year aforegoing he refused to hear Bishop Cuthbert who diswaded him from invading Ireland which did him no harm so Bede observes it was a just Judgment upon him for that Sin that he would not hear those who would then have prevented his Ruine From this time the Grandeur and Valour of this Kingdom of the Northumbers began to decline for the Picts now recovered their Country which the English had taken away and the Scots that were in Britain with some part of the Britains themselves regain'd their Liberty which they did enjoy for the space of Forty Six Years after when Bede wrote his History But Alfred Brother to this King succeeding him quickly recovered his Kingdom thô reduced into narrower bounds He was also a Prince very well read in the Holy Scriptures The same Year as the Saxon Annals relate Kentwin King of the West-Saxons dying Ceadwalla began to Reign over that Kingdom whose Pedegree is there inserted which I shall refer to another place and the same Year also died Lothair King of Kent as Bede relates of the Wounds he had received in a Fight against the South Saxons in which Edric his Brother Egbert's Son Commanded against him and reigned in his stead This Year also according to the Annals John was consecrated Bishop of Hugulstad and remained so till Bishop Wilfrith's return but afterwards Bishop Bosâ dying John became Bishop of York but from thence many Years after retired to his Monastry in Derawnde now called Beverlie in York-shire This Year it rained Blood in Britain and also Milk and Butter were now turned into somewhat like Blood You are here to take notice that this Bishop John above mentioned is the famous St. John of Beverlie of whom Bede in the next Book tells so many Miracles But our Annals do here require some farther Illustration for this Ceadwalla here mentioned was the Grandson of Ceawlin by his Brother Cutha who being a Youth of great hopes was driven into Banishment by his Predecessour and as Stephen Heddi in Bishop Wilfrid's Life relates lay concealed among the Woods and Desarts of Chyltern and Ondred and there remained for a long time till raising an Army thô Bede does not say from whence he slew Aldelwald King of the South-Saxons and seized upon his Province but was soon driven out by two of that King's Captains viz. Bertune and Autune who for some time kept that Kingdom to themselves the former of whom was afterwards slain by the same Ceadwalla when he became King of the West-Saxons but the other who reigned after him again set it free from that servitude for many Years from whence it happen'd that all that time they had no Bishop of their own for when Wilfrid return'd home they became subject to the Bishop of the West-Saxons that is of Dorchester which return as the Author of Wilfrid's Life relates happen'd this Year being the Second of King Alfred's Reign who then invited him home and restored him to his Bishoprick as also to his Monastery at Rypun together with all his other Revenues according to the Decree of Pope Agatho and the Council at Rome above mentioned all which he enjoyed till his second Expulsion as you will hear in due time After Ceadwalla had obtain'd the Kingdom he subdued the Isle of Wight which was as yet infected with Idolatry and therefore this King resolved to destroy all the Inhabitants and to Plant the Island with his own Subjects obliging himself by a Vow althô he himself as it is reported was not yet baptized that he would give the Fourth part of his Conquests to God which he made good by offering it to Bishop Wilfrid who was then come thither by chance out of his own Country The Island consisted of about Two Thousand Families and the King bestowed upon this Bishop as much Land there as then maintained Three Hundred Families the Care of all which the Bishop committed to one of his Clerks named Bernwin his Sisters Son who was to Baptize all those that would be saved Bede also adds That amongst the first Fruits of Believers in that Island there were two Royal Youths Brothers who were the Sons of Arwald late King thereof who having hid themselves for fear of King Ceadwalla were at last discovered and by
at the end of Domesday-Book Anno Dom. Kings of Kent Anno Dom. Kings of the South-Saxons Anno Dom. Kings of the West-Saxons Anno Dom. Kings of the East-Saxons Aâno Dâm Kings of Northumberland Anno Dom. Kings of the East-Angles Anno Dom. Kings of Mercia Anno Dom. ãâ¦ã 560 Ethelbert reigned 56 years   597 Ceolwulf reigned 14 years 566 Sebert 47 years  Ethelfrid reigned 24 years over both Kingdoms 599 Eorpwald or Earpenwald  Ceorl 658 ãâ¦ã 616 Eadbald or Ethelbald his Son 24 years     617 Sexred Seward and Sigebert being brothers 6 years â17 Edwin Son of Aella reigned likewise over both 17 years but he being slain they became again divided for then in 636 Sigebert the Great         611 Cynegils and     638 Egric his Cousin 627 Penda a Prince of the Royal Blood reigned 30 years   640 Ercombert his Son 24 years  In the Succession of this Kingdom we find a great Chasm until 613 Cwichelm his Son who lived not long but Cynegils reigned 31 years     643 Anna Nephew to Redwald   660 ãâ¦ã 664 Egbriht his Son 9 years     623 Sigebert the little their Cousin 25 years  Deira  Bernicia 654 Ethelthere his Brother   634 ãâ¦ã 673 Lothair his Brother 12 years       â34 Osric Son to Alfrid reigned one year 634 Eanfred Son to Ethelfrid late King reigned one year 656 Aethelwald his Cousin 655 Peada his Son one year after whom   685 Eadric a Stranger to the Royal Line 680 Ethelwalch or Athelwald who being slain in Battel by Ceadwalla he for some time added that Kingdom to his own till he was driven out by Bertune and Autune two Commanders of the late King Ethelwalch's These divided the Kingdom between them after whom followed divers Kings who being obscure we know not their Names until one 643 Kenewalch his Son 648 Sigebert the Good     664 Aldwulf Son to Ethelhere 656 Oswie King of Northumberland held that Kingdom three years but he being expell'd 665 ãâ¦ã     672 Sexburge his Queen 661 Swithelme his Brother 2 years  Then these being both slain in the same year 683 Aelfwold his Brother     686 Wittred Waebberd these also usurped not being of the Blood-Royal and reigned at once       â34 Oswald Brother to Eanfrid reigned over both Kingdoms 9 years who being also slain 690 Beorne one of another Family   668 ãâ¦ã     674 Aeskwine Cousin to the late King reigned 2 years 663 Sigher and Sebba Cousins the former reigned a small time the latter 30 years    Note That under An. 749. Sim. of Durham and the Chronicle of Mailross make Hunbean and Albert to have succeeded Aelfwold and divided the Kingdom between them But since Mat. Westm. calls them Beorna and Athelbert I take this Hunbean to be the same with Beorne above-mântioned and Athelbert to be the same with             â42 Oswie Brother to Oswald reigned in Bernicia 9 years 644 Oswin Son to Osric reigned in Deira until after 7 years reign being slain by   659 Wulfher Son to Penda was made King   694 Wightred who restored the Royal Line and dying left three Sons that all reigned one after another viz.   676 Centwine Son to Cynegils reigned 9 years         675 Ethelred his Brother 39 Brother 39 years       685 Ceadwalla three years and an half 693 Sigehard and Swenfred 7 years 651 Oswie last mention'd he then united both these Kingdoms into one and so they afterwards continued He reigned 28 years   704 Kenred Cousin 5 years   727 Ethelbert who reign'd 22 years   688 Ina his Cousin reign'd 39 years 700 Offa reigned 9 years 670 Egfrid or Egfert Son to Oswie reigned 15 years   709 Ceolred Son of Ethelred 9 years   749 Eadbert 11 years               760 Alric in whom the Royal Line being extinct sev'ral strangers were advanced to the Throne viz.   728 Aethelheard his Kinsman reigned 14 years and an half 709 Selred his Cousin reigned 37 years and an half 685 Alfred his Brother 20 years     700 ãâ¦ã         705 Osred Son to Alfred 11 years   719 Ethelbald the Proud his Cousin tho far remote 36 years           716 Kenred Son of Cuthelm 2 years     720 ãâ¦ã       746 Swithred 718 Osric Brother to Kenred 11 years           741 Cuthred his Cousin  After whose death as Florence tells us few Kings reigned over the East-Saxons for the same year in which the South-Saxons and Kentish-men submitted themselves to King Egbert the East-Saxons did so likâwise 729 Ceolwulf Cousin to Kenred 8 years       764 Heahbert and Sigared these reigned at once and divided the Kingdom between them 725 Aldwin who being slain by Ina King of the West-Saxons he by conquering this Kingdom added it to his own     737 Eadbert 21 years 749 Ethelred Son to Aethelwald who after the death of Beorne reigned alone tho the time when is uncertain 755 Beornred an Usurper half a year 752 ãâ¦ã     754 Sigebert his Cousin 13 years   758 Osulph his Son 1 year               759 Ethelwald sirnamed Moll 6 years   756 Offa Nephew to Ethelbald 40 years       755 Cynewulf reigned 29 years   765 Alhred Great Grandson to Ida 16 years     755 ãâ¦ã 778 Egfert another Usurper       774 Ethelred or Ethelbert Son to Moll 4 years       786 Eadbert or Ethelbert sirnamed Praen taken Prisoner by Kenwulf King of the Mercians who bestowed this Kingdom upon   784 Brihtric his Cousin 18 years   778 Alfwold 11 years  Aethelbert Son to Ethelred murther'd by K. Offa who seized his Kingdom after whom were many Kings of small note for 61 years until 796 Egfert his Son about half a year       802 Egbert his Cousin though far remote   789 Osred his Nephew Son to Alred 1 year 793              790 Ethelred or Ethelbert again restored
said by Will of Malmesbury to have told his Son Ethelwulf whom he left his Successour That he might be happy if he did not permit the Kingdom which he had now laid together with great Industry to be spoiled by sloathfulness to which this Nation had been too much addicted There is little mention of this King's Children except Ethelwulf only it is said by John of Tinmouth that he had also a Daughter called Edgithe who being first bred up under an Irish Abbess called Modwina was made Abbess of the Nunnery at Polesworth but this since we have no better Authority than modern hands for it I cannot be certain of but as for the Wife of King Egbert who was according to the late West-Saxon Law never called Queen her Name was Redburge and she is mentioned by John Beaver to have procured that Law from her Husband that no Welshman should without leave pass over Offa's Ditch upon pain of Death But the same Year that King Egbert dyed was held a Common Council of the whole Kingdom at Kingston upon Thames where were present Egbert King of the West-Saxons and Ethelwulf his Son with Ceolnoth Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and other Bishops and Chief Men of England where among other things the manner of Mallings in Sussex having been bestowed by Baldred King of Kent on Christ Church Cant. and being afterwards taken away from it because the great Men of that Kingdom would not ratifie the Donation it was now by the consent of the King and all his Chief and Wise Men again confirmed King ETHELWULF with his Son King ATHELSTAN No sooner was King Egbert's Body buried at Winchester but King Ethelwulf succeeded to the Throne and though none of our Historians mention any former Election or Coronation of this King yet it is certain he came to the Crown by Vertue of his Father's Testament Henry Huntington and Roger Hoveden telling us expresly That he left his Two Sons Ethelwulf and Athelstan his Heirs which though it be in part a mistake since this Athelstan was not Son but Brother to King Ethelwulf yet that concerning the King's bequeathing the Crown is very probable it being according to the Custom of that time but that this alone would not have been sufficient shall be shewn in another place This Prince as Thomas Rudborn in his History of the Church of Winchester relates had been during the Life of his Elder Brother whose Name we know not educated in the Monastery of Winchester under the Tuition of Helmestan Bishop and Swithune Praepositus or Dean of that Church and had there taken the Order of a Subdeacon with an intent as is supposed to have professed himself a Monk not that he was ever made Bishop of that Church thô it is so related by H. Huntington and other Writers But King Egbert having no other Son living he was dispenced with to Marry and returning very early to a Secular Life helped his Father in his Wars after whose Death he was advanced to the Throne yet he always retained a great deal of the Monk loved his ease and had very little Ambition and therefore not caring to trouble himself with the Governing of many Provinces he rested contented with his Paternal Kingdom of West Saxony and made over the Kingdoms of Kent and of the South and East Saxons being his Father's Conquests to Athelstan his Son as the Saxon Annals and Will of Malmesbury expresly call him and which is more Ethelwerd in his Chronicle gives us the Names of Five Sons of King Ethelwuâf of which says he Athelstan who Reigned together with his Father was the Eldest that Alfred the Fifth Son Reigned after them all yet most of the other Historians going directly contrary to those Authorities will needs have him to be his Brother I suppose to save this Pious Prince's Reputation but Mat. Westminster says That he was his base Son which is most probable since he had not any Legitimate Son then old enough to Govern a Kingdom as this Athelstan at that time was and whom we shall often find mentioned in this History thô when or how he dyed all our Writers are silent This Year according to the Saxon Annals Wulfheard the Ealdorman fought at Hamtun i. e. Southampton with a Fleet of Thirty Three Danish Pyrates and there making a great slaughter of them obtained the Victory The same Year this Wulfheard deceased Also Aethelm another Ealdorman fought with the Danish Army at Port now called Portland where he being assisted by the Dorset-shire Men soon put them to flight but how this can consist with what follows I know not viz. That the Danes notwithstanding kept the Field where the Battle was Fought and slew the Chief Commander being an Ealdorman unless it relate to the Year following when Hârebryht the Ealdorman was killed by the Danes and many others with him in Merscwarum that is Mercia also the same Year in Lindisse as also among the East Angles and in Kent many were Slain by their Forces for there according to Mat. Westminster the above said Earl or Ealdormen was slain the Danes obtaining the Victory destroying all places with Fire and Sword And the same Year according to Florence of Worcester Wiglaf King of Mercia dying Bertulf succeeded him There was this Year a great slaughter made by the Danes about London Cantwic i. e. Canterbury and Hrofcester that is Rochester So that now it seems the Danes had entred farther into the Land making havock of all where ever they came This Year King Ethelwulf fought at Carrum i. e. Charmouth against 35 Danish Ships who kept the Field where the Battle was fought So that according to H. Huntington they here obtained the Victory for though the number of their Ships were but small yet they were very large and full of Men. ' This Year also the Emperour Lewis the Pious dyed Nor can I here omit what the Scotish Historians place under the former Year but ours under this viz. The total Conquest of the Picts by Kened the first King of Scotland after many fierce Battles in the last of which Drusken King of the Picts being Slain that Kingdom was totally destroyed and as H. Huntington long since observed not only their Laws but also their very Language except what remains in the Names of places is now totally lost and that Nation being long since incorporated with that of the Antient Scots and Saxons shews us that even whole Kingdoms and Nations have both their Originals and fatal periods as well as particular Persons But thô the Scotish Historians do justly date the Empire of their Kings over all Scotland from this Total Conquest of the Picts by King Kened according to that old Verse Primus in Albania fertur regnasse Kenedus Yet when those Historians will by this Conquest extend the limits of this King and his Successour's Dominions so far beyond Edenburgh Southward making him to have Reigned from the River Tyne and so would
the Ruines which the Mercian Arms and Tyranny had brought upon the Churches of the East Angles reduced by War to extream Poverty and consequently to a Neglect of Piety and Ecclesiastical Discipline And thus he Reigned 14 Years in Peace with the Affection of all his Subjects till GOD was pleased by sending the Pagan Danes as a Scourge to his Country to render this Prince a high Example of Christian Fortitude and Constancy King ETHELBALD and King ETHELRED After the Death of Ethelwulf King of the West Saxons his two eldest Sons divided their Father's Kingdom according to his Will Ethelbald his eldest Son succeeded him in West Saxony whilst his younger Brother Ethelred Reigned in Kent as also over the East and South Saxons And now according to our Annals the Pope hearing of the Death of King Ethelwulf anointed Alfred to be King and also delivered him to a Bishop to be Confirmed If this was so the King his Father must have left him behind at Rome for Asser says expresly That he went thither with him but over what Kingdom the Pope should Anoint him I know not unless foretold by way of Prophecy he would be King after his Brothers But as for King Ethelbald above-mentioned both Ingulph and Will of Malmesbury give him a very bad Character That he married Judeth his Father's Widow and was also besides both Lazy and Perfidious but Thomas Redborne in his larger History of Winchester says That by the Admonition of Swithin Bishop of that Church he repented of his Incest and put away Judeth his Mother-in-Law and observed all Things that the Bishop enjoyned him This Author farther relates from one Gerard of Cornwal's History of the West Saxon Kings not now extant that I know of That he died in a few Years after without doing or suffering any thing that deserves to be mentioned for we do not find that the Danes troubled this Kingdom all his Reign concerning the Length of which there is very different Relations amongst our Historians the Saxon Annals and William of Malmesbury making him to have reigned 5 Years whereas Asser and Ingulph allow him but Two and an half which seems to be the truer Account for if King Ethelwulf returned from Rome in the Year 855 and lived above Two Years after it is plain King Ethelbald could not Reign above Two Years and an half for the Saxon Annals tell us that in the next Year but one viz. King Ethelbald deceased and that his Body was buried at Scireborne King ETHELBERT alone Theâ Aethelbryght his Brother took the Kingdom and held it in great Concord and Quiet I suppose our Author means from Domestick Commotions for he immediately tells us That in this King's time there came an Army of Danes from the Sea and took Winchester with whom in their return to their Ships Osric and Aethelwulf the Ealdormen with the Hampshire and Berkshire-men fought and put the Danes to flight and kept the Field of Battle but the Annals do not tell us in what Year of his Reign this Invasion happened ' This Year deceased St. Swithune Bishop of Winchester Now concerning this holy Bishop as also Alstan Bishop of Shirbone William of Malmesbury gives us this Character which omitting all the Bedroll of Miracles that follow I shall here set down King Aethelwulf bearing a great Reverence to St. Swithune whom he calls his Teacher and Master desisted not till he had honoured him with the Government of the said Bishoprick so that he was Consecrated with the Unanimous Consent and Joy of all the whole Clergy of that Diocess by Cealâoth Arch Bishop of Canterbury hereby Bishop Swithune's Authority encreasing his Councels for the Good of the Kingdom proved of greater weight so that by his Admonitions both the Church and State received great Benefit And indeed he was a rich Treasure of all Virtues but those in which he took most Delight were Humility and Clemency and in the discharge of his Episcopal Function he omitted nothing belonging to a True Pastor By his Assistance principally together with that of the Prudent and Couragious Prelate Alstan Bishop of Shirborne King Aethelwulf was enabled to support the Calamities his Kingdom suffered by the frequent Irruptions of the Danes for these two were his principal Councellours in all Affairs Bishop Swithune who contemned Worldly Things informed his Lord in all Matters which concerned his Soul whilst Alstan judging that Temporal Advantages were not to be neglected encouraged him to oppose the Danes and provided Money for his Exchequer and also ordered his Armies so that thô this King was of a slow unactive Nature yet by the Admonitions of these two worthy Councellours he Governed his Kingdom prudently and happily Many noble Designs for the good of the Church and State being well begun were prosperously executed in his Reign This Year the Danish Army landed in Thanet and wintering there made a League with the Kentish-men who promised them Money provided they would keep the Peace under pretence of which and of the Money promised the Danes stole out of their Camp and wasted all the East part of Kent For as Asser well observes they knew they could get more by Plunder than by Peace Now according to the same Annals King Aethelbryht died to the great Grief of his Subjects having governed the Kingdom 5 Years with a general Satisfaction and was buried at Scyreburne near to his Brother This Prince is supposed to have had a Son call'd Ethelwald whom you will find in this History to have raised a Rebellion against King Edward the elder many Years after King ETHELRED Then according to the Annals Aethelred Brother to the late King began his Reign and the same Year a great Army of Danes landed in England and took up their Winter Quarters among the East Angles and there turned Horsemen and that Nation was forced to make Peace with them Then the Pagan Army sailed from the East Angles and went up the River Humber to the City of York where was at that time great Discord between the People of that Nation I shall here give you Asser's Account of this Transaction being to the same effect thô more particular than that in the Annals themselves For says he the Northumbers had now expelled Osbright their lawful King and had set up a Tyrant or Usurper one Aella who was not descended of the Royal Line but now when the Pagans invaded them by the Intercession of the great Men and for the Common Safety the two Kings joyned their Forces and so marched to York at whose coming the Danes presently fled and endeavoured to defend themselves within the City which the Christians perceiving resolved to follow them to the very Walls and breaking in and entering the Town with them for it seems that City had not in those Times such strong Walls as they had when Asser wrote his History therefore when the Christians had made a Breach in the Wall as
Men being very much wounded and tired in the Fight surrendred themselves The Danes sailed up the Skeld to Cundoth which was then a Monastery and is now supposed to be Conde upon the River Escaut where they stayed a whole Year Now also Marinus that Religious Pope sent some of the Wood of our LORD's Cross to Alfred and in Return the King sent to Rome the Alms he had vowed by the Hands of Sighelm and Ethelstan Also he sent other Alms into India to St. Thomas and St. Bartholomew who being there martyr'd are accounted the Indian Apostles And about that time the English Army lay encamped against the Danes who held London where yet thanks be to GOD all Things succeeded prosperously Also this Year according to the Chronicle of Mailross and Simeon of Durham King Alfred having slain the two Danish Captains Ingwar and Halfdene caused the wasted Parts of Northumberland to be again Inhabited then Edred the Abbot being so commanded by Cuthbert in a Vision redeemed a certain Youth who had been sold to a Widow at Withingham and made him King of Northumberland by the joynt Consent both of the English and Danes King Alfred himself confirming the Election This King Guthred in Gratitude to St. Cuthbert did also bestow all the Land between the Rivers of Weol and Tyne and says upon that Saint that is upon the Bishop of Lindisfarne who this Year removed the Bishop's See from thence to a place then called Concacestre now Chester and thither they also removed the Body of St. Cuthbert But as for the Miracle of the Earth's opening and swallowing up a whole Army of Scots who came to fight with King Cuthred I leave it to the Monks to be believed by them if they please This is certain that thus making this poor Youth King the Church got all that Country now called the Bishoprick of Durham And who can tell but all this Vision was a Contrivance of Abbot Edred's for that very Design yet if it were so it was but a Pious Fraud which highly tended to the enriching of that Church The same Year according to Florence of Worcester died Asser Bishop of Shirburne who could not be the same with that Asser who writ the Life and Actions of King Alfred since that Author writ to Anno 993 being the 45th Year of King Alfred's Age as appears by that Work Arch Bishop Usher supposes this Asser the Historian to have been he who was afterwards the Bishop of St. David's and was the second of that Name who sate in that See but without any good Authority This Year the Danes sailed up the River Sunne i. e. Some as far as Embenum now Amiens in Picardy where they remained one whole Year And now also deceased the worthy Bishop Athelwold The Danes being thus employed abroad did nothing this Year in England but the next we find in Asser that the Pagan Army divided it self into two Bodies the one whereof sailed to the East Parts of France whilst the other making up the Rivers of Thames and Medway besieged the City of Rochester and having built a strong Fort before the Gates from thence assaulted the City yet could by no means take it because the Citizens valianty defended themselves until such times as King Aelfred came to their Assistance with a powerful Army which when the Pagans saw quitting their Forts and all the Horses which they had brought with them out of France together with a great many Prisoners to the English they in great hast fled away to their Ships and being compelled by necessity passed again that Summer in France King Aelfred having now reinforced his Fleet was resolved to fall upon the Danish Pyrates who then sheltered among their Country Men of East England upon which he sent his Fleet that he had got ready in Kent being very well Mann'd into the mouth of the River Stoure not that in Kent but another that runs by Harwich where they were met by Sixteen Danish Pyrates who lay there watching for a Prey and immediately setting upon them after a sharp resistance the King's Men boarding thâm they were all taken together with great Spoils and most of the Men killed But as the King's Fleet were returning home they fell among another Fleet of Danes much stronger with whom fighting again the Danes obtained the Victory thô with what Loss to the English the Annals do not say But the rest of the Danes of East England were so much incensed at this Victory as also with the slaughter of their Country Men that setting out a greet Fleet very well Mann'd they sail'd to the mouth of Thames where setting upon divers of the King's Ships by surprize in the Night when all the Men were asleep they had much the better of them but what damage the King's Ships received and how many Men were lost our Authour does not tell us The same Year somewhat before Christmass Charles King of the Western Franks was killed by a wild Boar which he was then hunting but his Brother Lewis dyed the Year before They were both Sons to that King Lewis who deceased the Year of the last Eclipse and he was the Son of that Charles whose Daughter Ethelwulf King of the West Saxons had married The same Year happened a great Sea Fight among the ancient Saxons of Germany but the Annals do not acquaint us with whom they fought However it is supposed to have been with the Danes and they further add That they fought twice this Year where the Saxons being assisted by the Frisians obtained the Victory Here also Asser as well as our Annals proceed to give us a further account of the French and German affairs with a brief descent of their Kings from Charles the Great as that this Year Charles King of the Allmans received all the Kingdoms of the Western Franks which lye between the Mediteranean Sea and that Bay which was between the Ancient Saxons and the Gauls by the voluntary consent of all the People the Kingdom of Armorica that is of lesâer Britain only excepted This Charles was the Son of Lewis Brother of that Charles last mention'd and both the Kings were the Sons of Lewis the Younger Son of Charles the Great who was the Son of King Pipin The same Year also the good Pope Marinus deceased who freed the English School at Rome at the entreaty of King Aelfred from all Tax and Tribute Also about the same time the Danes of East England broke the Peace which they had lately made with King Aelfred The Pagans who had before Invaded the East quitting that now marched towards the West parts of France and passing up the River Seine took their Winter Quarters at Paris The same Year according to Asser as well as the Annals King Alfred after so many Cities being burnt and such great destruction of People not only took the City of London from the Danes who had it long in their Possession but he
yet there might very well have been before that time a publick School or Studium as it was then call'd where the Liberal Arts were taught as for the other Objection of the improbability of the old Scholars falling out with the new Professors in the very first Year of the Institution of the University that is as soon as ever they came thither this may be also answered by supposing that those Annals were written many Years after the Death of King Alfred from a Common received Tradition and so this transaction might have been dated there or Four Years later than it really happened as John Rouse in his Manuscript History of the Kings of England also places it I confess there is one Objection which I wish I could Answer and that is How Gildas and Nennius could study at Oxford when the latter was not so much as Born till about the Conclusion of this or Beginning of the following Century and much less the Former when even by the best Accounts of those Times the Pagan Saxons were then Masters of that part of England Having said thus much concerning the Antiquity of that Famous University to which I owe my Education I shall not trouble my self with enquiry into the Reality of those supposed Ancient Schools of Creeklad and Leacklade which the Monkish writers suppose to have been anciently called Greeklade and Latinelade the latter of which Derivations thô Mr. Camden justly explodes yet he seems to have more Veneration for the former since in the place from whence I have transcribed the above-cited Quotations he also tells us That the Muses were transported to Oxford from Creeklade now a small Town in Wilt-shire All the Authority for which that I know of beside uncertain Tradition depends upon the Credit of a Manuscript lately in the Liberary of Trinity Hall in Cambridge and is cited by Mr. Wheelock in his Notes upon Bede where speaking of Theodorus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury he says That he held or maintained Schools in a Village near the Water which is called Greekislake but Mr. Somner in his Learned Glossary hath given us a much more likely Derivation of this place viz. from the Old Saxon Word Creek signifying a River or Torrent running either into some River or else into the Sea and Gelad which signified an emptying for it was anciently written Crecca Gelade and not Greeklade as some would now write it This Year the Pagans passing under the Bridge of Paris and from thence by the Seine up the River Meterne now called Marne as far as Cazii now Choisy and which Florence says signified a Royal Village where and at Jona a place we know not they staid Two Years also the same Year Deceased Charles the Grosse King of the Franks but Earnwulf his Brother's Son had expell'd him out of his Kingdom six Weeks before his Death after which it was divided into five Parts over whom were set five Kings but this partition was with Earnewulf's good leave for they all promised to Govern under him because none of them was Heir on the Fathers side besides himself alone therefore Earnwulf fixed the Seat of his Kingdom in the Countries lying on the East side of the Rhine whilst Rodâlf took the middle or inward part of the Kingdom and Odo or Otto the Western Part and Beorngar and Witha called in Latine Beringarius and Wido held Lombardy and all the Countries on that side the Mountains all which Kingdoms they held with much Discord Fighting two great Battles and wasting those Countries till such time as each of them had expell'd the other from his Kingdom also the same Year Ethelelm the Ealdorman carried the Alms of King Alfred and the West Saxons to Rome This was the Benevolence called Peter Pence which is here justly termed an Alms and not a Tribute as Modern Popish Writers have termed it But to return to our own Domestick Affairs Asser above-mentioned informs us that the Kingdom being now pretty well at quiet from the Danes the King began to mind his Civil Government to repair his Cities and Castles and also to build others in the most necessary places altering the whole face of the Country into a much better form and having walled several Towers and Castles he made them defensible against the Pagans Nor was he less careful in the Political Affairs of his Kingdom for divers of his own Subjects having under the name of Danes committed great Spoils and Rapines these the King resolving to punish and restrain from these Excesses he first of all divided all the Provinces of England into Counties and those again into Hundreds and Tythings so that every Legal Subject should dwell in some Hundred or Tything whereby if any were suspected of Robbery and being thereof Condemned or absolved by his Hundred or Tything they should either undergo due punishment or else if Innocent be acquitted But the Governours of Provinces who were before called Vice Domini and in English Saxon Geriffs he divided into two Offices That is into Judges whom we now call Justices and into Sheriffs who do yet retain that name and by the Kings care and industry in a short time there was so great a Tranquility through out the whole Kingdom that if a Traveller had happen'd to have lost a Bag of Money in the High-way he might have found it again untouched the next day And Bromton's Chronicle relates That thô there were Gold Bracelets hung up at the parting of several High-ways yet Justice was so strictly executed that no Man durst presume to touch them But in the Distribution of his own Family he followed the Example of King Solomon for dividing it into Three Companies or Bands he set a Chief over each of them so that every Captain with his Band performed his Service in the King's Palace for the space of one Month and then going with his Company to his own Estate he looked after his private Affairs for Two Months and so did each of them in their Order which Rotation of Officers this King observed all the rest of his Reign And to this Year also Sir H. Spelman refers that Great Council wherein King Alfred made those Laws that go under his Name in which after a Preface wherein he first recites and confirms the Ten Commandments as also divers other Laws which are set down in Exodus and Leviticus he concludes to this effect That whatsoever he found worthy of Observation either in the time of K. Ina his Kinsman or Offa King of the Mercians or of Ethelbert the first Christened King he had gathered them all together and committed those to writing which he thought most deserving omitting others which he judged less convenient in doing of which he had taken the Advice and had the Consent of his Wise-Men and having revised the Laws of those Princes he transcribed such of them as he liked into his own and by the Consent of the said Wise-men he thereof made a Collection and
he should leave them as free as the Thought of Man could make them This is the substance of King Alfred's Will which I have been the more particular in reciting because it is one of the most Remarkable Pieces in our English Saxon Antiquities and shews us the manner of Succession not only to private Estates but to the Crown it self in those Days Thô we could have wished that the Original had been preserved being in the English Saxon Tongue of which this is only a Translation made by Asser at the end of this King's Life The Latine of which is indeed so barbarous and obscure that I would rather advise the curious Reader to peruse the Original itself then venture to give him an imperfect interpretation of any more of it having here already set down the most material heads and which I thought did principally conduce to our present design King Alfred had born to him by the Queen his Wife above-mention'd Aethelflede his Eldest Daughter and after her Eadward his Eldest Son then Aethelgeofeu or Ethelgiva then Aelfthryth and lastly Ethelweard besides those who died in their Infancy Aethelflede when she came to mature Years was Married to Eadred Earl of the Mercians Aethelgiva vowing Chastity undertook a Monastic Life Ethelward the youngest Child was by the King 's prudent Order put to School under careful Masters together with most of the Nobility's Sons of the Kingdom in which School both Latin and Saxon Books were constantly read and here they also learned to write So that before they were admitted to Hunt or handle Arms they were well improved in the Liberal Arts As for this Prince Ethelward Thomas Rudburne relates from the Annals of Winchester that he was bred up at Oxford and became learned above that Age but being more given to Letters than Arms we find nothing of him in our Annals more than the time of his Death tho' he lived till he was about Forty Years of Age but he had two Sons Edwin and Ethelwin of a more Warlike Temper who being Slain in a Fight against Anlafe King of the Danes were by their Cousin King Athelstan's appointment buried in the Church of the Abbey of Malmsbury as our William the Monk of that place recites As for the Princess Aethelflede she will make so great a Figure in her Brother's Reign that I shall suspend saying any more of her here Besides these Children of King Alfred mentioned by Asser the Chronicle of St. Swithune tells us of another Son born before Prince Edward called Edmund who lived to be Crowned King by by his Father's appointment in his Life-time but dying before him he was buried under a Marble-Stone on the North side of the Altar of the Abbey Church of Winchester So that we may hence perhaps supply that Chasme in Asser's Life of this Prince where speaking of those Children of his who died Young says In quorum numero est but no Name being found in any of the Copies extant it possibly ought to be supplied with Edmundus But since this Prince is not mentioned in any other Historian or Pedigree of our Kings I leave it to the Reader 's discretion to determine as he pleases concerning him As for the other Sons Edward and Elfrithe they were Educated in the King's Court with great care of their Governors and were taught by them to shew great respect toward Strangers and a tender love to their own People with a most Dutiful observance of their Father Immediately after his Excellent King's Death and Burial his Eldest Son succeeded him under the Title of King EDWARD commonly called the Elder THis Prince according to Annals now began his Reign being as Asser and Bromton in his Chronicle relate anointed King at Kingston by Plegmund Arch-Bishop of Canterbury of whom Ethelwerd in his History expresly tells us That he succeeded to the Monarchy and tho' the Eldest Son of King Alfred yet was he Elected by all the Chief Men of the Kingdom and Crowned on Whitsunday Will. of Malmsbury observes that tho' this Prince was much inferior to his Father in Learning and Knowledge yet far exceeded him in Power and Grandeur enjoying the benefit of those Labours which his Father had undergone But so soon as ever he came to the Crown as the Saxon Annals relate he met with a very great disturbance for Aethelwald his Cousin German Son as is supposed to Ethered his Father's Elder Brother pretending he had better right to the Crown than King Edward Rebelled against him and went over to the Danes So the Prince presently invaded the King's Territories and possessed himself of the Royal Towns of Tweoneam now Tweoxbeam and Winburne without the King's privity whereupon he advanced his Army and pitched his Camp at a place called Baddanbyrig a Hill near Winburne but Aethelwald with those Men who were joined with him kept themselves within the Town and having shut up all the Gates King Edward commanded them to Surrender but he Swore that he would there either Conquer or Die yet notwithstanding all this blustring he privately withdrew himself by Night and marched back to the Danish Army in Northumberland Upon this the King gave Orders to his Men to pursue him yet tho' they did so they could not overtake him so he got safe to the Danish Army where they joyfully received him for their King But Ranulh Higden in his Polychron tells us That having taken away a Nun along with him out of the Monastry of Winburne he went over to the Danes which if so as is most likely the King could not then Apprehend her but it seems King Edward followed him so close that he forced him to go over into France as Mat. of Westminster relates that he might there obtain more Recruits to give the King fresh disturbance and therefore it is most probable what Mat. Westminster and Bromton's Chronicle tells us That the King after Aethelwald's departure seized his Wife whom having been a Nun he had taken against the Command of the Bishop from the Monastry above-named whither she was now brought back again In the mean time according to Mat. Westminster the King improved his Dominions by building new Towns and repairing some Cities which had been before destroyed This Year was fought a Battle at Holme between the Kentish Men and the Danes But Florence of Worcester with greater probability places this Action two Years after when Adelwald as he there calls him was now returned out of France About this time deceased Athulf the Ealdorman Brother of Q. Ealswithe King Edward's mother as also Virgilius the Scotish Abbot and Grimbald the Priest one of King Alfred's Instructors 8 Ides of July This Year also was consecrated the new Monastery of Winchester about the Feast of St. Judoc Here was also a Colledge of Secular Chanons first placed by King Edward according to the will of his Father King Alfred and it was called the New Minster to distinguish it from the
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 Dârbyshire 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-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-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
action from his Election as it is also in the Author last cited and in H. Huntington who therein follow our Annals and say expresly That he was Elected But it seems before his Election one Alfred with some factious men of his Party endeavour'd to hinder King Athelstan's coming to the Crown because he was begot on a Concubine which says William of Malmesbury if it were true as he seems there to doubt yet had he nothing else ignoble in him for he surpassed all his Predecessors as well in his Devotion as his Victories So much better is it as he well observes to excel in good Qualities than in his Ancestors the former only being truly a man 's own Hither we may also refer what the same Author tells us concerning this Alfred above-mentioned out of the Preface to King Athelstan's Charter whereby he confers the Lands once belonging to this Alfred upon the Church of Malmesbury for the Souls of his Cousins Ethelred Edwin and Ethelwin there buried And to testify to the world that he gave what was his own he there at large relates the whole Conspiracy which Alfred had laid together with his Complices to seize him in the City of Winchester and to put out his Eyes but the Plot being happily discovered and Alfred denying it he was sent to Rome there to purge himself before Pope John where coming to take his Oath at the Altar of St. Peter he fell down and being carried by his Servants into the English School there died the third night after but it seems the Pope would not dispose of his Body till he had sent to ask King Athelstan's Judgment what should be done with it when by the Advice and at the Request of the Chief Men the King assented that it should though unworthy of that Honour be laid among the Bodies of other Christians but his whole Estate was adjudged confiscated for so black a Treason But one of the first things this King performed after his coming to the Crown as we find in Florence of Worcester was his bestowing his Sister Edgitha in Marriage to Sihtric the Danish King of Northumberland who desired the Alliance of King Athelstan And as Matthew Westminster relates this Prince professing himself a Christian was a little before his Marriage baptized but did not long continue so for he relapsed again to his former Paganism And the next year According to Florence and Simeon of Durham he deceased after whose death the Lady above-mentioned retiring to her Brother King Athelstan became a Nun at Pollesworth Nor can I here omit the Falshood of the Scotish Historians who out of spight to King Athelstan's Memory make Sihtric to have been poyson'd by this Lady whom they call Beatrix and that at the Instigation of her Brother King Athelstan whereas her Name was not Beatrix but Edgitha or Orgiva and was a Woman of as great Reputation for her Sanctity as the King her Brother was for his Valour and other Noble Virtues which render'd him above the putting his Sister upon so base an Action But before I dismiss this Relation I cannot omit what John of Wallingford adds concerning this King Sihtric whom he calls Sictric viz. That upon this Marriage with King Athelstan's Sister he advanced him to the Title of King that his Sister might not stoop so low as to that of Countess and that Sictric then had for his Kingdom all the Countrey from the River Theys as far as Edinburgh from which time the Danes began to settle in those parts who before rambled about over all England to which Settlement as also to a fresh accession of more the Northerly Situation of that Countrey lying over-against Denmark contributed very much as this Author well observes This year according to Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham Sihtric King of the Northumbers departed this life so that it seems that this King survived his Marriage but a small time Also the same year according to Florence Hugh the Son of Robert King of the French married King Athelstan's Sister and after the death of King Sihtric Guthfrith his Son succeeded him though but for a little while for the year following our Annals tell us That King Aethelstan expelled the said Guthfryth King of Northumberland and added his Dominions to his own And the same year Wulfhelm the Archbishop went to Rome From which Conquest of the Kingdom of Northumberland we may observe That as King Edward had before conquered the Danes of East-England and had also added Mercia to his own Kingdom so King Athelstan by the Expulsion of King Guthfrith who was also of the Danish Race became the first King that ruled all England without any King under him Of this Prince also John of Wallingford relates That being a Young Man he was stirred up to this Rebellion by the suggestion of the Northumbers who told him that their Countrey had always enjoyed a King of their own without being Tributary to the Southern English And indeed from the first arrival of the English Saxons they had been never subject to any of the West-Saxon Kings except King Athelstan Therefore this Guithfrith or Gutred moved by these instigations took upon him the Name of King without King Athelstan's consent and casting out the Garisons seized all the Forts and Castles of that Country and flatly denied to pay the Tribute imposed upon his Father with which K. Athelstan being much provoked he not only raised great Forces of his own Subjects but also sent for Aid to his Friends in Neighbouring Kingdoms and so in few days gathering together a great Army totally expell'd him his Kingdom And therefore Alfred of Beverly an Ancient Author still in Manuscript very well observes of this Prince That by subduing the Scots Welsh and all the Kings of Britain he justly deserved the Title of the first Monarch though his Modesty was so great that he never gave himself that Title but left it to his Brother Edred to take as shall be shewn in his Reign This year William Son to Rollo succeeded to the Dukedom of Normandy and held it fifteen years Byrnstan was consecrated Bishop of Winchester and held that Bishoprick two years and an half The year following ' Frithelstan the Bishop deceased Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham as also the Chronicle of Mailrosse do all agree that this Bishop Frithelstan did before his death ordain Bishop Byrnstan in his room and if so he resigned the Bishoprick of Winchester to him and lived only one year after it Also the same year according to our Annals Edwin Aetheling was drowned This Edwin here mentioned in our Annals was Brother to King Athelstan whose Death being the greatest Blot of this King's Reign divers Authors have concealed it but notwithstanding it is thus given us by William of Malmesbury and the Chronicle called Abbot Bromton's Alfred above-mentioned having conspired against King Athelstan as you have already heard had several
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 âhe 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-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 reâurned 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-Wales entred 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-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 Coâây 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.
Huntington agrees tho he places it a year sooner relating That then the Northumbers being weary of the Government of this Eric did as easily cast him off as they had before lightly received him and calling in Edred they again placed him on the Throne though this does not accord with William of Malmesbury his Account that King Edred expell'd Eric by force and wasted all that Kingdom with fire and sword After which the Northumbrians being wholly subdued were no more governed by Kings but Earls a Catalogue of which Roger Hoveden hath there given us as far as the Conquest King Edred having been as Malmesbury informs us long tormented with frequent Convulsions in several parts of his Body being admonished by Archbishop Dunstan of his approaching death did not only bear that affliction with Patience but spending his time in acts of Devotion made his Palace a School of all Vertues and being at length consumed by a tedious long sickness he according to the Annals departed this life at the Feast of St. Clement in the very flower of his Age to the great grief of all his Subjects after having Reigned Nine Years and an half But the Manuscript life of St. Dunstan already cited is much more particular as to the Disease he died of viz. that not being able to swallow his Meat he could only eat Broth so that being wasted away he died This Relation of King Edred's not being able to swallow his Meat gave occasion to John of Wallingford absurdly to tell us in his Chronicle not long since Printed that King Edred having his Teeth fallen out by reason of Old Age could not Chew his Meat and the Broths they made for him were not sufficient to keep him alive and so he died of Hunger But this is altogether as true as the story that follows not only in this Author but in most other Monkish Writers of the History of those times from the Relation of the above-cited Author of St. Dunstan's Life that St. Dunstan hearing how dangerously Ill the King was and making haste to Visit him before he died as he rode on the way thither there came a Voice from Heaven which cried aloud to him King Edred is now dead at which all present being astonished the poor Horse upon which St. Dunstan was then Mounted immediately fell down dead But William of Malmesbury though he mentions this story of the Voice yet is so wise as to pass by the death of the Horse being sensible it was a Pill too large to be easily swallowed As for the Character of this King the Monkish Writers of those times give him that of a most Vertuous and Pious Prince and as to his Valour William of Malmesbury saith he was not inferior in Magnanimity to either of his Brothers he was also the first King of England who as I can find stiled himself Rex Magnae Britanniae King of Great Britain in a Charter to the Abbey of Croyland recited by Ingulphus as also in another Charter to the Abbey of Reculver in Monast. Anglic. he stiles himself Totius Albionis Monarchus i. e. Monarch of all England In which Stile he was also followed by his Nephew King Edgar from whence we may observe That King James was not the first who took upon him the Title of King of Great Britain though as being also King of Scotland he did much better deserve it than the former But as for King Edred he could not fail of the good will of the Monks since the same Manuscript Author of St. Dunstan's Life relates That he put such great confidence in that Holy Abbot that he committed the chief Muniments and Treasures of his Kingdom to his Care to be kept at his Abby of Glastenbury and that as the King lay on his Death-bed St. Dunstan was then carrying them back to him to be disposed of as he should think fit but he just before received the News of his death as you have already heard Nor did this King die without Issue as many believe for Mr. Speed proves the contrary from certain ancient Charters Cited by him at the end of this King's Life wherein you will find that his Two Sons Elfrid and Bertfrid were Witnesses to them tho they did not Succeed their Father but Edwi Son to his Elder Brother Edmund King EDWI IMmediately after King Edmund's decease our Annals tell us Edwig Son to the late King Edmund and Elgiva began his Reign and he banisht St. Dunstan out of England This King as all our Historians agree was crowned at Kingston by Odo Archbishop of Canterbury but William of Malmesbury gives us the cause of this Disgrace of St. Dunstan to this effect That this King being a Youth of great Beauty and amorous above his years was mightily in love with a young Lady his near Kinswoman whom he fain would have married but the Bishops and Nobles of his Kingdom were utterly averse to it not only because of the nearness of their Relation but because she had none of the best Reputation as to her Chastity But though William of Malmesbury gives us all the rest of this Story yet I shall rather chuse to take it from the Manusâript Life of St. Dunstan who lived about the same time and out of which that Author borrowed it and it is thus That on the very day that by the common Election of all the chief Men of England Edwig was anointed King after the Coronation-Dinner was over he and the chief Bishops and Nobility being retired into a private Room there treating of the Great Affairs of the Kingdom the King perhaps at that Critical Juncture being weary of their company stole into the Apartment of this Beautiful Lady to enjoy some pleasurable moments with her which the Nobility hearing of they highly resented it but none would adventure to bring him back only Abbot Dunstan and a Bishop whose Name was Cynesius the King's Cousin went boldly into the Chamber where they found him with his Crown off his head lying between the Mother of this Lady and her Daughter upon which they not only reproved him but putting on his Crown again and taking him by the hand they pulled him away from them and carried him back by force into the Room where his Nobles were but Athelgiva for it seems so was this Lady sometimes called being highly provoked at this Affront did not fail to exasperate the King against Dunstan so that in revenge he banished him the Kingdom who thereupon as R. Hoveden relates retired to a Monastery in Flanders Nor did the King's Resentments stop here but out of hatred to Dunstan he not only turned the Monks out of Glastenbury but out of divers of the greatest Monasteries in England where also as William of Malmesbury words it his own Abbey was turned into a Stable for Clerks that is Secular Chanons were put in their places not only there but in all other Abbeys where the Monks were expelled
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-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-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
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-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-Wales entred 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-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-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
Pay and Victuals to his Army and that Winter Thurkil demanded the same for King Ethelred's Forces which lay at Grenawic i. e. Greenwich But both the Armies refrain'd not a jot the less from plundering where they pleased so that the Nation both as well in the North as in the South was no longer able bear it After this the King stayed some time with his Fleet which lay then in the Thames whilst the Queen retired beyond Sea to her Brother Earl Richard in Normandy and Elsige Abbot of Burgh went along with her the King also sent thither the Princes Eadward and Aelfred with Bishop Aelfune to be their Governor Then the King went with his Fleet about Christmass into Wihtland and there kept the Festival and afterwards passed over to Earl Richard and there stayed with him till Sweyn died There is in the Peterburgh Copy of these Annals this following Relation That whilst the Queen thus remained beyond Sea Elsige Abbot of Burgh who was then with her went to the Monastery called Boneval where the Body of Saint Florentine lay buried This place he found almost wholly deserted and the poor Abbot and Monks in a miserable condition having been robbed of all they had then he bought of the Abbot and Monks the whole Body except the Head for Five thousand Pounds and at his return into England dedicated it to Christ and St. Peter that is he placed it in the Church of Peterburgh of which he was then Abbot This was a vast Sum of Money in those days to be given for the Bones of one dead Carkass and not entire neither but such was the Superstition of that Age. This year King Sweyn ended his Life about Candlemas Then all the Danish Fleet and Army chose Cnute his Son to be their King But all the Wise or Chief Men of the English Nation as well of the Clergy as Laity sent to King Aethelred to let him know that there was no Prince dearer to them than their own Natural Lord provided he would govern them better than he had hitherto done Upon this the King sent Prince Edward his Son and several others Attendants into this Kingdom with Orders to recommend him to the whole Nation in his Name promising them to be a faithful and kind Lord to them and that he would redress whatever Grievances they had suffer'd and would also pardon whatsoever had been done against him either by Words or Deeds provided they would all sincerely return to their Allegiance Then a full and firm Amity being concluded on both by Words and Deeds and Hostages being given on both sides they decreed the Danish King for ever banished England After which King Ethelred return'd about Lent into his own Countrey and was chearfully received by all men The Bodleian Copy of Florence here adds That Queen Elfgiva or Emma with the Two Young Princes her Sons remained still in Normandy until she was after the Death of her Husband sent for over by King Cnute and the Common-Council of the Kingdom and being married to him was solemnly crowned at Westminster in the presence of all the Bishops and Great Men of England After Sweyn was dead Cnute his Son staid with his Army at Gegnesburgh until Easter and there agreed with the people of Lindesige that they should provide his Army with Horses and then that all of them should march out together to plunder but King Ethelred came thither with a strong Army before they were ready to execute their Design and spoiled and burnt all places killing all the men they could meet with therefore King Cnute departed thence with his Fleet leaving the poor miserable people to shift for themselves and sail'd Southward till he came to Sandwic and there put the Hostages on shore which had been given to his Father having first cut off their Hands and Noses But for an addition to all these Calamities the King commanded Twenty one thousand Pounds to be paid to the Army that then lay at Grenawic Also this year on the Vigil of St. Michael happen'd a great Inundation of the Sea all along this Coast insomuch that it spread further than ever it had yet done so that it drowned many Towns and an innumerable company of men We have nothing further to add under this year more than to observe the various Relations of our Monkish Writers concerning the sudden death of King Sweyn which they will needs have to be a Judgment upon him for wasting the Lands belonging to the Monastery of Badricesworth and for giving opprobrious language against the Memory of St. Edmund who was then enshrin'd But because their Relation of this matter is very remarkable I shall give you both Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham their Account of it which is thus That King Sweyn lying then at Gainsborough there held a General Assembly of his Great Officers and when it grew toward evening being encircled with his Armed Men he cast out Threats that he would send and spoil that Monastery whereupon he presently thought he saw St. Edmund coming all Armed toward him which made him cry out vehemently Help help Fellow-soldiers look here King Edmund comes to kill me and as he uttered these words he received a Mortal Blow by the Saint's hands and so fell from his Horse and lying till the dusk of the evening in great torment he expired on the second of February and was carried to York and there buried So these Writers report from the Legend of St. Edmund Yet John of Tinmouth makes St. Edmund's Ghost to have stabbed him with his Dagger as he sate in his Chair But William of Malmesbury tells us That St. Edmund appeared to him in his sleep and smote him whilst he was in bed because he answered him rudely But they all agree that he died of the Blow which St. Edmund had given him But I do believe that there may be so much Truth in this story that King Sweyn being mortally wounded by some unknown hand who had the good fortune to make his escape gave occasion to the Monks of St. Edmundsbury to invent this Legend for the Honour of their Saint and also to deter others from daring to violate that place which was then accounted sacred But is seems King Ethelred was not much better'd by Affliction nor did he long observe his Promise of governing according to Law for the next year A Mycel Gemot or Great Council being now held at Oxnaford Earl Eadrâc there betray'd Sigeferth and Morcar two Danish Thanes of the Seafenburghs that is the Seven Towns but where they lay we know not and inviting them all into his Chamber they were there treacherously slain Then the King seized upon all their Goods and commanded the Widow of Sigeferth to be secured and carried to Meadelnesbyrig i. e. Malmesbury But some short time after Edmund Aetheling coming thither married this Woman against his Father's will For the Prince going as William of Malmesbury relates to see
Horses whereof two with Furniture and two without two Swords four Spears and as many Shields one Helmet one Corslet and fifty Mancuses of Gold The Herriot of an inferior Thane an Horse with Furniture and Arms or amongst the West-Saxons the Sum of Money that is paid called Halfange in Mercia and East-England two Pounds But amongst the Danes the Herriot of a King's Thane who hath free Jurisdiction is four Pounds and if he be nearer to the King his Herriot is two Horses whereof the one with Furniture and the other without a Sword two Spears as many Targets and fifty Mancuses of Gold But the Herriot of a Thane of the lowest condition is two Pounds This word Herriot or as the true Saxon word is written Herëgeate signifies Furniture for War given by the Vassal to his Lord probably at first designed for the driving away Thieves and Robbers which abounded when the Danish or Northern Nations so frequently invaded the Land For though the word Here does in the Saxon Language signify an Army yet it is in our Saxon Authors when without composition generally taken in the worst sense for Invaders and Spoilers A Lawful Army collected by the King for the defence of the Nation being called by the name of Fyrd The seventy first requires Widows to continue in Widowhood for the space of Twelve Months and then permits them to marry If a Woman marry before her Twelve Months be out she shall lose her Dower with all that her Husband left her which is to come in such case to the next of kin and he that marries her shall pay the value of his Head to the King or to whomsoever he assigns it The seventy fifth Law deprives him of Life and Estate who either in an Expedition by Land or Sea deserts his Lord or his Fellow-Soldier and in such case the Lord is to have back the Land he gave him or if it was Bocland it goes to the King But in case any one dye in Fight in the presence of his Lord either at home or abroad his Herriot shall be remitted and his Children shall succeed both to his Goods and Lands and equally divide them The seventy sixth gives him liberty that hath defended his Land and cleared it from all doubts and incumbrances in the Sciregemote or County-Court to possess it quietly whilst he lives and to leave it to whom he pleases when he dies From whence we may observe that before the Conquest men might bequeath their Lands by their Last Will. The seventy seventh gives liberty to every man to hunt in his own Grounds but forbids all men under a Penalty to meddle with the King's Game especially in those places which he had fenced by Privilege By those places thus privileged he means those which afterwards the Normans called Forests being Ground Desart and Woody lying open to the King 's Deer not fenced about with any Hedge or Wall but circumscribed and privileged or as here he words it fenced with certain Bounds Laws and Immunities under Magistrates Judges Officers c. Concerning these Forests the King published certain Constitutions Thirty four in number which you may see at large in Sir Hen. Spelman's Glossary tit Foresta But because he mentions them not in this nor any other of his Laws they seem to have been made afterwards But the Thirtieth Article is therein almost the very same with this Law forbidding all men to meddle with his Game and yet permitting them to hunt in their own Grounds sine Chasea but what that signifies unless it be following their Game out of their own Grounds I will not take upon me to determine King HAROLD sirnamed Harefoot NOT long after the Death of King Cnate our Annals relate That there was a great Witena Gemot or Council of the Wise Men held at Oxnaford where Earl Leofric and almost all the Thanes on the East part of Thames with the Seamen of London chose Harold for King of all England whilst his Brother Hardecnute was in Denmark But Earl Godwin and all the Great Men of the West-Saxons withstood it as much as they could though they were not able to prevail against them Then was it also decreed That Elgiva or Emma the Mother of Hardecnute should reside at Winchester with the Domesâick Servants of the late King and should possess all West-Saxony where Earl Godwin was Governor or Lord Lieutenant It is said also by some concerning this King Harold that he was the Son of King Cnute and of Aelgiva the Daughter of Aelfhelm the Ealdorman but that seems scarce probable to many however he was full or Real King of all England That which gave cause to this suspicion was as Florence of Worcester and Radulph de Diceto relate That this Aelgiva not being able to have Children by King Cnute commanded the Son of a certain Shoomaker then newly born to be brought to her and feigning a formal Lying in to have imposed upon the credulous King her Husband that she was really brought to bed of a Son which if true shews that it is no new or strange thing for a Queen of England to impose a supposititious Birth upon the King her Husband and the whole Nation But this Contention about the Election of Harold gives us great reason to doubt the Truth of the Relation in Simeon of Durham and other Authors of this Harold's being appointed by his Father's Will to succeed in the Kingdom of England such a Nomination or Recommendation seldom or never failing to be observed by the States of the Kingdom without any dispute at the Election of a New King And besides Queen Aemma his Mother who had then the greatest power with King Cnute would sure much rather have had her own Son Hardecnute to have succeeded him in the Kingdom of England than Harold at best supposed to be her Husband's Son by another Woman So that if Harold was now chosen King it is most likely that it was not in pursuance of King Cnute's Will but purely from the prevailing Faction of the Danes and Londoners who as William of Malmesbury tells us were by their long conversation with them become wholly Danish in their Inclinations But if Ingulph may be believed who lived as well before as after the Conquest there was then so great a Dispute about the Election of a King that many fearing a Civil War would ensue it caused multitudes of people to quit their Habitations and betake themselves into Waterish and Fenny Places where they thought the Enemy could not or would no easily pursue them and particularly to the Monastery of Croyland where they caused such a disturbance that the Monks of that place could neither meet in the Church nor in the Refectory When at last to avoid the Effusion of Christian Blood it was agreed at the aforesaid Council at Oxnaford That the Kingdom should be divided between the two Brothers Harold and Hardecnute so that the former should have all the Countries
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-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-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-Wales he returned home again with Honour But the next year Howel Prince of 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-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-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
Midsummer being joyfully received both by the Danes and English and as H. Huntington relates was by both of them elected King though afterwards the Great Men that did it paid dearly for it for not long after it was decreed That a Tax of Eight Marks should be again paid to the Rowers in Sixty two Sail of Ships The same year also a Sâster i. e. a Horse-load of Wheat was sold for Fifty five Pence and more This year Eadsige the Archbishop went to Rome and also another Military Tax was paid of Twenty nine thousand twenty nine pounds And after this was paid Eleven thousand forty eight pounds for two and thirty Sail of Ships But whether these Taxes were raised by Authority of the Great Council of the Kingdom our Authors do not mention but I believe not for this Danegelt was now by constant usage become a Prerogative The same year came Eadward the Son of King Aethelred into this Kingdom from Wealand by which our Annals mean Normandy After which time Prince Edward returned no more thither but staid in England till his Brother died But the same year not long after his Coronation he sent Alfric Archbishop of York and Earl Godwin and divers Great Men of his Court to London attended by the Hangman and out of Hatred to his Brother Harold and Revenge of the Injuries done to his Mother as he pretended commanded his Body to be dug up and the Head to be cut off and flung into the Thames but some Fishermen afterwards pulling it up with their Nets buried it again in St. Clement's Church-yard being then the Burying-place of the Danes The same year also according to Bromton's Chronicle King Hardecnute sent over his Sister Gunhilda to the Emperor Henry to whom she had been in her Father's life-time betroth'd But before she went the King kept the Nuptial Feast with that Magnificence in Cloaths Equipage and Feasting that as Mat. Westminster relates it was remembred in his time and sung by Musicians at all great Entertainments But this Lady was received and treated by the Emperor her Husband with great kindness for some time till being accused of Adultery she could find it seems no beter a Champion to vindicate her Honour than a certain little Page she had brought out of England with her who undertaking her defence fought in a single Combat against a man of a vast Stature named Rodingar and by cutting his Hamstrings with his Sword and falling down he obtained the Victory and so cleared his Lady's Honour of which she yet received so little satisfaction that she forsook her Husband and retired into a Monastery where she ended her days About this time also as Simeon of Durham Bromton's Chronicle and other Authors inform us King Hardecnute was highly incensed against Living Bishop of Worcester and Earl Godwin for the death of his Half Brother Alfred Son to King Ethelred Alfric Archbishop of York accusing them both of having persuaded King Harold to use him so cruelly as you have already heard The Bishop and Earl being thus accused before King Hardecnute the former was deprived of his Bishoprick and the latter was also in very great danger But not long after the King being appeased with Money the Bishop was again restored and as for Earl Godwin he had also incurred some heavy Punishment had he not been so cunning as to buy his peace as these Authors relate by presenting the King with a Galley most magnificently equipp'd having a gilded Stern and furnished with all Conveniences both for War and Pleasure and mann'd with Eighty choice Soldiers every one of whom had upon each Arm a Golden Bracelet weighing sixteen Ounces with Helmet and Corslet all gilt as were also the Hilts of their Swords having a Danish Battel-Axe adorned with Silver and Gold hung on his Left Shoulder whilst in his Left Hand he held a Shield the Boss and Nails of which were also gilded and in his Right a Launce in the English-Saxon Tongue called a Tegar But all this would not serve his turn without an Oath That Prince Alfred had not his eyes put out by his Advice but he therein merely obeyed Harold's Commands being at that time his King and Master This year according to Simeon of Durham King Hardecnute sent his Huisceorles i. e. his Domestick Servants or Guards to exact the Tax which he had lately imposed But the Citizens of Worcester and the Worcestershire men rising slew two of them called Feadar and Turstan having fled into a Tower belonging to a Monastery of that City Thereupon Hardecnute being exceedingly provoked to hear of their deaths sent to revenge it Leofric Ealdorman of the Mercians Godwin of the West-Saxons Siward of the Northumbrians and others with great Forces and orders to kill all the men plunder and burn the City and waste the Countrey round about On the evening preceding the thirteenth of November they began to put his Commands in execution and continued both wasting and spoiling the City and Countrey for four days together but few of the Inhabitants themselves could be laid hold of the Countrey-men shifting for themselves every man as well as they could and the Citizens betaking themselves to a little Island in the Severne called Beverege which they fortified and vigorously stood upon their Defence till their Opposers being tired out and spent were forced to make Peace with them and so suffered them to return quietly home This was not done till the fifth day when the City being burnt the Army retreated loaded with the Plunder they had got Simeon next after this cruel Expedition places the coming over of Prince Edward but our Annals with greater probability put his Return under the year before This year also King Hardecnute deceased at Lambeth 6. Id. Junii He was King of England two years wanting seven days and was buried in the New Monastery of Winchester his Mother giving the Head of St. Valentine to pray for his Soul But since our Annals are very short in the Relation of his Death we must take it from other Authors who all agree That the King being invited to a Wedding at the place above-mentioned which with great Pomp and Luxury was solemnized betwixt Tovy sirnamed Prudan a Danish Nobleman and Githa the Daughter of Osgod Clappa a great Lord also of that Nation as he was very jolly and merry carousing it with the Bridegroom and some of the Company he fell down speechless and died in the Flower of his Age. He is to be commended for his Piety and Good Nature to his Mother and Brother Prince Edward But the great Faults laid to this Prince's charge are Cruelty Gluttony and Drunkenness For the first of these you have had a late Example and for the latter take what H. Huntington relates That Four Meals a day he allowed his Court and it must be then supposed he loved eating well himself though this Author attributes it to his Bounty and how he rather desired that
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 Hârefordshire 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
Duke William being return'd without any satisfactory Answer from King Harold the Duke employed the rest of the year in preparing all things necessary for his Expedition hiring Soldiers out of his own Countrey with large Pay and inviting Strangers from abroad with greater Allowances so that upon the Muster of his Forces he found that they did not only excel in strength of Body and height of Stature but also the chief Commanders and Captains of them were as remarkable for their Valour as for their Experience and Conduct Also his Bishops and Abbots strove with the Nobility who should by their liberal Contributions most advance this Enterprize But that the Duke might not prejudice the Equity of his Cause by precipitation he sent Ambassadors to Pope Alexander who did with great Eloquence set forth the Justice of the War which their Prince was going to undertake and that Harold not only had broken his Oath with him but refused to give him any Satisfaction either because that now he was a Crown'd Head or else that he distrusted his Cause Whereupon the Pope taking into his serious consideration this weighty matter approved of the Enterprize and sent the Duke a Consecrated Banner as an Omen of Victory which when the Duke had received he called a Great Council of his Nobility at Lillebone to ask all their Opinions in this great Affair and when they had all encouraged his Undertaking by great Promises of Assistance he appointed an Assessment for his Fleet and Army according to their several respective Estates and so they departed home till the time appointed for a General Rendezvouz But Mr. Cambden from the Authority of some Ancient Norman Writers I have not yet met with makes this Enterprize much more difficult than our Historians commonly do as that though he found his Chief Officers to whom he communicated his Design very chearful and resolute to follow him yet all the Skill lay how to bear the Charge of so great a War for when in an Assembly of all the States of Normandy a Subsidy was propounded their Answer was That in the late War against the French their Wealth was so much exhausted that if a new War should happen they should scarce be able to hold and defend their own and therefore that they were more obliged to look after the Defence of their own than to think of Invading the Territories of others That this intended War though never so just yet did not seem so necessary at that time as it was apparently hazardous and that besides the Normans were not by their Allegiance bound to Military Service in Foreign Parts Neither could they by any means be brought to grant a General Tax although William Fitz-osbern a man in high favour with the Duke and as gracious among the People endeavoured what he could to effect it and to draw in others by his own example promised to set out forty Ships at his own proper Charges Duke William then perceiving he could not bring this about in a Publick Meeting went another way to work and therefore sends for the wealthiest men of his Dutchy severally one by one to come to him then he speaks them fair and desires them to contribute somewhat toward this War Whereupon as if they had strove who should most largely assist their Prince they promised him liberally and he causing to be presently registred whatsoever they had promised it amounted to a vast Sum more than most men could reasonably ever have believed This Affair being thus dispatch'd he next craves Aid of the Princes his Neighbours to wit of the Earls of Anjou Poictou Maine and Bretaigne unto these he promised large Tracks of Land and great Possessions in England But how much each of these Princes contributed to this Expedition is not known tho as for Alan Earl of Bretaigne he certainly was so great an Assistant to Duke William that he was after this Conquest of King Harold made Earl of Richmond and had great part of the Country thereabouts given him by William when he came to be King to be held by Knights Service And for the rest of the Princes above-mentioned it is certain that they permitted Duke William to raise great store of men in their Territories who being headed by divers Noble Volunteers of those Countries at their own Charges afterwards enjoyed great Possessions in England as a Reward of their Services Duke William also made his Addresses to Philip King of France and went in Person to solicite his Assistance in this intended War against Harold voluntarily offering that King that in case he would assist him and that he thereby became victorious to hold England of him as his Vassal which King Philip refused to accept thinking it against the interest of France to make the Duke of Normandy greater than he was already who now began not to be so pliant to his Interests as he thought the many Obligations which Duke William owed the King his Father required Therefore as the growing Greatness of a Neighbouring Prince was then is and will ever be suspected by him who is his Rival in Power and Empire so King Philip was so far from giving the Duke any Assistance that he wholly dissuaded him from this Enterprize which nevertheless he vigorously pursued notwithstanding this discouragement But leaving Duke William to his Warlike Preparations we will return into England where our Annals tell us That Earl Tostige had been met upon the Northern Coast with three hundred Norwegian Ships commanded by Harold King of Norway to whom when he had joined those he had with them they all sail'd up the Humber till they came as far as York where the Earls Brothers Morcar and Eadwin met and fought them but it seems the King of Norway gain'd the Victory Ingulph is more express in this affair and says that Harold King of Norway sail'd up the River Ouse as far as York where the Fleet being left under a strong Guard they landed and stormed York and soon plundered it and slew many of the poor Inhabitants But the two Earls abovementioned having gotten together a small Recruit of ill-arm'd Countreymen were easily routed and according to our Annals when King Harold heard of it he immediately marched against the King of Norway and meeting him at Staenford-briâge in Yorkshire there fought and slew that King with Earl Tostige his own Brother Ingulph adds That the Norwegians made a very stout resistance great multitudes of them being slain together with their Chief Commanders so that King Harold obtain'd an entire Victory only Prince Olave Son to Harold King of Norway and Paul Earl of Orcades were permitted quietly to return home with twenty Ships But before I dismiss this Relation I cannot omit a remarkable Example of one single Norwegian who standing upon the Bridge above-mentioned killed more than forty Englishmen with his Battel-Axe making good his Post against the whole Army till three a Clock in the Afternoon and then one going in
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-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
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 Kâng 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 âingdom 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 Kâng 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 Dââes who reigned at once they having aâter 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 Kâng reigned about the same time as did alsâ         978 Ethelred his Brother 38 Years             926 Guthfert Son to Sihtric hâ was expelled by K. Athelstan after whiâh Anlaf King of Norway seized this Kingdom for a time but being expelled by tâe 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 Sihtâic was by them made King He was also expelled by King Edmund and restored fâr two Years but then was again driven âut by K. Edred yet after this the Northâmbers made Eoric of Danish Race their Kâng 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 Kiâgs of Northumberland failing it was eâer 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 ââvided it into two Earldoms       Having hitherto omitted the Genealogies of the English-Saxon Kings as they ãâ¦ã 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 ãâã âommon 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 ãâã 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 ãâã ând 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 Cynrâc 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
Etheling Margaret married to Malcolm King of Scots from whom all the Kings of England since King Henry I. are descended Christina a Nun at Wilton 1 Edward the Martyr R. XXIX 1 Edwie R. XXVII 3 Edwin 2 Athelstan Illegitimate R. XXIV Kings of the Danish Race who reigned between King Edmund Ironside and Edward the Confessor Cnute King of England Denmark and Norway 1 Harold sirnamed Harefoot esteemed Supposititious 2 Hardecnute succeeded his Brother Harold He was Son to Queen Emma 1 Aethelward or Aelfweard 3 Aethelred R. XXI 1 Aelfred 2 Oswald 2 Aethelbert R. XX. 2 Athelm 1 Aethelwald 1 Aethelbald R. XIX 1 Cutha Cada Cenbyrht 2 Mulla or Moll 1 Ceadwalla R. X. 4 Ceolwulf Cuthgils Cenferth Cenfus Aescwine R. IX 5 Cwichelm INDEX Note The Numbers signify so many of the same Name A ABbey Abbey-Lands Abbot Aberfraw Abingdon Abjuring Acca Achaius Adda Adelphius Adian Admurum Adrian Adulf Adultery Aeadsige Aealmond Aealhstan Aedan Vradog Aedan ap Blegored Aedric Aegelbyerth Aegelric Aelfeage Aelfer Aelfgar Aelfleda Aelfred or Alfred Aelfric 3. Aelfweard Aelfwinna Aelfwold Aelgiva 3. Aella 3. Aelmer Aemilianus Aeneon Aescasdune Aescwin 2. Aesk Aestel Aethelbald 2. Aethelbryht Aethelburga Aethelfleda Aethelgiva Aethelheard Aethelred Aethelswithe Aethelwald 2. Aethelwulf Aetius Agatha Agatho Agelbert Agricola Agrippina Aidan Ailesbury Ailmer Ailnoth Ailwin Akmanceaster Alan 2. Alaric St. Alban Albania Albert Albinus Chlodius Alburge Alchluid Alchmuid Alchmund Alcuin Aldhelm Aldred Aldune Alehouses Alemond Alfleda Alfred 5. Alfweard Alfwin Alfwold Algithe Algiva Alhred 2. Alienation Alkuith Allectus Allegiance Alms Alrich 2. Alstan Alton Alwin Alwold Alypius Ambresburg Ambrosius Amiens Ammianus Marcellinus Anarawd Andate Andover Andragatius Andredswood Angild Angles Anglesey Anglia Sacra Anlaff 2. Anna Annals Saxon Antenor Anwulf Aper Appeals Vid. Pope Appledore Arbogastes Arcadius Archbishop Archenfield Archigallo Arch-pyrate Arderydd Areans Ariminum Arles Armorica Armour Army Arnulf Arnwy Arrian Heresy Arthur Arviragus Arwald Arwan Asaph Asclepiodotus Ashdown Assault Asser Assize-Charges Asterius Ataulphus Athelgiââ Athelm Athelney Athelric Athelstan 3. Athelwald Athelward Athelwold Attacotti Atticus Augusta Augustine Augustine's-Ake Augustus Caesar Avon Aurelian Aurelius Ambrosius Atticus Conan Marcus Aust Axanminster B BAchseg Badon-Hill Bakewell Balbinus Clodius Baldred Baldwin Bamborough-Castle Banbury Bangor Banner Banuwelle Baptism Bardeney Bardsey-Island Barnwood Barons St. Bartholomew St. Basile Basse Bassianus Bassus Bastardy Bathan Bathe Beadricesworth Beamdune Beamfleet-Castle Becancelde Bedanhealfde Bede Bedicanford Belinus Bells Benedict Benedictines St. Bennet 's in Holme Bennington Beonna Beormond Beorne 4. Beornred Beornwulf Berferth Berkshire Bernicia Bertha Bertulf Beverlie Bevorstone Billingsgate Birds Birth Supposititious Birthwald Bishops Blecca Blood Boadicia Bocland Bodotria Boetius Hector Bolanus Bonagratia de Villa Dei Bondland Bondman Bonosus Bosa Bosenham Boston Bottulf Bounds Bracelets Bradanford Brandanrelie Breach of the Peace Brecklesey-Island Brecknock-Castle Bregowin Brennus Bridgenorth Brigantes Brige Brightnoth Brihtric 2. Britain Great Britain Britains Britains of Armorica British Church Brixstan Brockmaile Bromrige Bruerne Brocard Brun-Albin Brute Bryâhtwald Bryghtwulf Brythelme Buchanan Budington Buloigne Buoy in the Nore Burford Burgh Burghmotes Burhred Byrinus Byrnstan C CAdelh Cadocus Cadwallader Cadwallo 3. Cadwan Caedmon Caerialis Petilius Caer-Leon Caesar Calais Calcuithe Caledonians Caligula Camalodunum Cambden Cambria Cambridge Camelford Candida Casa Candidus Canterbury Caractacus Caradoc Carausius Carehouse Careticus Carlisle Carron Carrum Cartismandua Carus Cassibelan Cassiterides Castinus Castor Castra Exploratorum Cataract Cattle Ceadda Ceadwalla Ceawlin 3. Cedda Cendrythe Cenered Cenwall Cenwulf 2. Ceolfus Ceolnoth Ceolred 2. Ceolric Ceolwulf 5. Cerdic Cerdicsford Cerne Chacea St. Chad Chanons Secular Charges at Assizes Charles 5. Charters Chastity Cherbury Chertsey Chester Chichester Chiltern Chipnam Choisy Christianity Christ Church Cant. Chrysanthius Church Cimbric Chersonese Cimerii Cippenham Cirencester Civilis Civil War Claudia Rufina Claudian Claudius 2. Clergy Clodius Balbinus Chlorus Constantius Cloveshoe Cnobsbury Cnute Coelestine Cogidunus Coifi Coil Coinage Colchester Coldingham Coleman Coludesburgh Columba Comets Commodus Commons of England Compurgators Conan 5. Congal Constans Constantine 5. Constantius 2. Corfesgeate Cornwal Coronation Corrodies Coventry Councils Counties Countreymen County-Court Coway-stakes Crayford Creed Creeklade Creoda or Crida Crimes Criminal Crown Croyland Chrysanthius Cuckamsley-hill Cumbran Cuneglasus Curescot Cutha Cuthbert Cuthbryht Cuthred 3. Cuthwulf Cwichelme 2. Cycle Cynebald Cynebryht Cynegils Cyneheard 2. Cynoth Cynric 2. Cynwulf D DAgobert Dalliance Danegelt Danes Daniel 2. Darwent David St. Davids Deadly Feuds Death Decennary Decianus Decimation Decius Defamation Degradation Degsa-stan Deira Demetae Denulph Deomed Deorham Deposition Deprivation Derawnde Desertion Devils-Ditch Devise of Lands Deusdedit 2. Dicul Didius Difilina Dinoth Diocesses Dioclesian Dionotus Domitian Dorinea Dover Dower Draganus Drinking Druids Dublin Dubritius Duduc Dulcitius Dun Dunbritton Dunmoc St. Dunstan Dunwallo Molmutius Dunwich Durham Duty to Parents E EAdbald 2. Eadbert 2. Eadbryht Eadburga Eadesbyrig Eadfrid Eadhed Eadmund Aetheling Eadred Eadsige Eadulf Eadwig Aetheling Eadwin Eagle Ealcher Ealchstan Ealerd Ealfert Ealfric Ealswithe Eanbald Eanbryht Eanfrid Earcombert Earcongath Eardulf Eardwulf Earnred Earnwulf East-Angles Easter East-Saxons Eatta Ebba 2. Eborius Eclipses Eddobeccus Edelwalch Edgar Edgar Aetheling 2. Edgitha 2. Edingburgh Editha Edmund the Martyr Edmund Son to Edward the Elder Edmund Son of King Alfred Edmund Aetheling St. Edmundsbury Edred 2. Edric Edwal ap Meyric Edwal Ugel Edwal Ywrch Edward the Elder Edward Aetheling Edward the Martyr Edward the Confessor Edwi Edwin 3. Edwin Aetheling Edwold Egbert 7. Egelfleda Egelnoth Egfrid Eglesburgh Egonesham Egric Egwin Egwinna Eighth Elbodius Election of King V. Kings Sparsim Eleutherius Elfeage 2. Elfer Elfgar Elfin Elfleda Elfric Elfwald Elfwinna Elgiva V. Aelgiva Elidurus Ellendune Ellwye Elutherius Ely-Monastery Emma Emperor Eneon England Englisherie English-men English-Saxons Entail Eoppa Eoric Eorpenwald Eorpwald Eowils Ercenbryht Eric Erkenwald Ermenred Esylht Ethelard Ethelbald 2. Ethelbert 4. Ethelbryht Ethelburgh Etheldrethe Etheldrith Etheler Ethelfleda Ethelfred Ethelfreda Ethelfrid Ethelgar Ethelheard 2. Ethelnoth Ethelred 8. Ethelwald 2. Ethelward Ethelwerd Ethelwin Ethelwold 2. Ethelwulf Evesham Eugenius 2. Evil Councils Europe Eustatius Eutherius Excommuication Exeter Exmouth F FAith False News Famine Farrington Fealty Fee or Feuds Fee-tayl Estate Feologild Fergus Fernham Festidus Fidelity Fighting Finan Fines Finkley Fire First Fruits Five Burghs Flanders Flattery Fleet Foelix Folcmote Folcstone Foreign Tongue Forests Forfeitures Formosus Fornication Framarius France Frank-pledges Franks Freemen Freodguald Freothwulf Frethanleage Friburg Friesland Frisians Frithestan Frithogithe Frithwald Fugitives Fullenham Furseus G GAcon Gaini Gainsborough Galgacus Galienus Gallio Game Gavelkind Gaule Gemote General Gentlemen Geoffrey of Monmouth Gerent Germanus Gerontius Gessoriacum Geta Gethic Gewisses Gildas Girwy Gisa Glan-morgan Glappa 2. Glass Glastenbury Gleni Glewancester Glotta and Bodotria God Goda Godfathers Godfred Godiva Godmundingham Godwin Gogmagog Gordianus Gormond Gospatrick Gospel Government Graetanleage Grand Inquest Vid. Inquest Gratian Gratianus Gregory Griffyn Griffyth ap Llewelin ap Sitsylt Griffyth ap Madoc St. Grimbald Grime Grisons Grymkytel Guarinus Gueld Guendelew Gueniver Guiderac Guild Guintelin
long in their Possession and repairs it and all the English as well as the West-Saxons come under his Subjection Id. p. 288. His first founding of Schools at Oxford and making it an University and the quarrel that happen'd upon it between the old Scholars and Grimbald the Monk Ib. p. 289. The Alms of this King and the West-Saxons sent to Rome by Ethelelm the Ealdorman Id. p. 291. Repairs his Cities and Castles and builds others in the most necessary places of the Kingdom and minds the Political Affairs thereof dividing England into Counties and those into Hundreds and Tythings together with his Civil Oeconomy of Judges and Sheriffs insomuch that no Robberies durst be committed on the Highways Ibid. His Laws Civil and Ecclesiastical when made and in what Great Council l. 5. p. 291 292 293 294 295 296 297. Builds two Monasteries the one for men at Athelney in Somersetshire the other for Nuns at Shaftsbury where Algiva his Daughter was Abbess Id. p. 298. Overcomes Hastings the Danish Commander who was forced to surrender and accept of Conditions of Peace Id. p. 299 300. Fights the Danes near Fernham c. and puts them to flight recovering great Prey Id. p. 300 301. Builds divers Galleys after a new Model such as he thought more advantagious Id. p. 302. His Death Burial Character and Devotion Id. p. 304 305 306 307. His Translation of several Books into the English-Saxon Tongue Id. p. 304. Builds divers Houses with great Magnificence His division of the Hours both by Night and day before Clocks were known The first Inventer of Lanthorns in England Id. p. 305. The Bishops and Priests who assisted him in his Learning and in founding the University of Oxford Id. p. 306. The several Kings of Wales that sought his Protection and submitted to him His wonderful Bounty Generosity and Justice to his People Id. p. 306 307 308. His Last Will and Testament Id. p. 308 309 310. His Issue Id. p. 310 311. To what place the Bones of this King were râmoved by his Son King Edward the Elder Id. p. 312. Alfred Son to King Ethelred supposed to be Grandfather to Ethelwerd called Quaestor the Historian l. 5. p. 276. Alfred some considerable Person with the factious men of his Party conspires against Athelstan's coming to the Crown whereby he forfeited his Lands which the King conferâ'd on the Church of Malmesbury He is sent to Rome to purge himself of this Treason and dyes there l. 5. p. 329 331. Alfred and Edward his Brother Sons to King Ethelred Cnute agreed with Robert Duke of Normandy their Unkle that they should peaceably enjoy one half of the Kingdom during his life though they never did but continued still in Exile l. 6. p. 54. The most treacherouâ and cruel treatment of this Prince and his Followers by King Harold through Godwin's Instâgations who caused his eyes to be put out so that he died soon after Id. p. 62 63. Earl Godwin accused by Edward the Confessor in the Great Council of being the cause of this Prince's Murther Id. p. 83. Alfweard or Aelfweard Son of King Edward the Elder deceased at Oxnaford not long after his Father His Mother was Aelfleda the Daughter of Earl Aethelem His Character l. 5. p. 324 327. Alfwin the Bishop deceases at Sutbury in Suffolk and is buried at Dunwich l. 4. p. 242. Alfwold the Son of Oswulf takes the Kingdom of the Northumbers Ethelred being expelled the Land l. 4. p. 231. Sends to Rome to demand the Pall for Eanbald Archbishop of York Id. p. 232. Is slain by Sicga one of his chief Noblemen by treachery at Cilceaster near the Picts-Wall and where buried His Character Id. 231 236. Algithe King Harold's second Wife Widow âf Griffyth ap Lhewelyn King of Nort-Wales l. 6. p. 114. Algiva or Aethelgiva King Alfred's Daughter Abbess of Shaftsbury which Monastery her Father built l. 5. p. 298 307 311. Alhred King of Northumberland when he began and how he came to reign He was of the Offspring of Ida l. 4. p. 299. Is expelled by the Northumbrians who chose Ethelred the Son of Moll for their King Id. p. 230 236. Alred the Ealdorman who slew King Ethelred killed by one Thormond l. 4. p. 242. Alienation of Lands by Bishops c. committed to their trust in Fee or for longer than one Life without the Consent of the House forbidden by the Seventh Canon of the Synod at Calcuith l. 5. p. 251. Alkuith a City in Scotland delivered up to Eadbert King of Northumberland l. 4. p. 227 228. Allectus slays Carausius by Treachery in Britain and for three years usurped the Empire Encounter'd by Asclepiodotus was overcome and slain with little loss to the Romans l. 2. p. 84. Allegiance if due by Birth in the Saxon times or not till a man had actually perform'd his Homage or sworn Fealty to the King l. 6. p. 83. Alms or Peter-pence of King Alfred how rewarded l. 5. p. 281. Alfred sends the Alms he had vowed to Rome and other Alms into India Id. p. 286 291 298. Alrich King of Kent why neither He nor his Noblemen would be at the Council of Calcuith l. 4. p. 235. Son to Withred reigned 34 years dies and in him the Race of Hengest ended Id. p. 238. Alric the Son of Eadbert slain in the Battel of Whalie in Lancashire l. 4. p. 241. Alstan or Aealhstan Bishop of Shireburne by the Wisdom of this Bishop and St. Swithune Bishop of Winchester Ethelwulf was enabled to support the Calamities the Kingdom suffered by the frequent Irruptions of the Danes l. 5. p. 266 267. After he had held the See fifty years died and was buried in the Town l. 5. p. 268. Alswithe King Alfred's Consort Vid. Ealswithe Alton in Hampshire anciently supposed to be called Aetheling-gadene l. 6. p. 28. Alwin Bishop of Winchester reported to have been too familiar with Queen Emma and committed to Prison upon that Accusation l. 6. p. 79. Alwold Bishop of London before Abbot of Evesham being unable to perform his Episcopal Function would have retired to his old Monastery but the Monks being against it he resented it so ill that he goes to the Abbey of Ramsey with all his Books and other Ornaments which he bestowed on that Abbey though formerly they had been conferr'd on the other and soon after dies l. 6. p. 73. Alypius a Heathen Lieutenant of Britain l. 2. p. 90. Ambresburg or Ambresburi a Town that had some relation to Ambrosius l. 3. p. 131. A Monastery in Wiltshire to whom it was granted by King Alfred l. 5. p. 307. A great Synod or Council held there l. 6. p. 17. A Nunnery there built by Ethelfreda Id. p. 20. Ambrosius Vid. Aurelius Amiens in Picardy anciently called Embenum l. 5. p. 286. Ammianus Marcellinus the first Roman Author that mentions the Scots l. 2. p. 91. Anarawd the Eldest Son of Rodoric the Great when he began his Reign over North-Wales l. 5. p. 280.
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-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-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
Fights at Bradenford near the River Aftene in Wiltshire most likely with the Mercians Id. p. 183. Fights against the Welsh at Peonnum and the success he met with as also against Wulfher at Posentesbyrig who had wasted his Countrey as far as Aescasdune Id. p. 188. Dies and leaves the Kingdom to Sexburga his Wife Id. p. 192. Cenwulf King of the Mercians restores the Archbishoprick of Canterbury to its former Rights l. 4. p. 235 248. Had the Crown of Mercia left him by King Egferth as being the Next of the Royal Line Id. p. 240. The Great Council of Becancelde held under him and what Decrees past therein Id. p. 241. Destroys Kent and takes Eadbert Praen and carries him Prisoner to Mercia and there causes his eyes to be put out and his hands to be cut off Ibid. Founds the stately Abbey of Winchelcomb for Three hundred Benedictine Monks Id. p. 242. Holds a Third Council at Cloveshoe and what was done therein Id. p. 243. He and Eardulf King of the Northumbers going to engage each other a sudden Peace is concluded on and confirmed by Oath by the means of King Egbert Id. p. 248. His Death and who said to succeed him Id. p. 251 252. Vid. Kenwulf Cenwulf Bishop of Lindisfarne his Death l. 4. p. 232. Ceolfus or Ceulfus King of the West-Saxons reigned four and twenty years l. 4. p. 157. Ceolnoth elected and consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and when he received his Pall from Rome l. 5. p. 255. Consecrates Swythune Bishop of Winchester with the Unanimous Consent of the whole Clergy of that Diocess Id. p. 266. His Decease and who elected in his stead Ibid. Ceolred King of the Mercians and Ina fight a bloody Battel at Wodensburh in Wiltshire l. 4. p. 214 217. His Death and Burial at Litchfield Id. p. 217. The Decease of his Wife Queen Werburh at the Nunnery of Chester where she was an Abbess Id. p. 232. Ceolred Abbot of Medeshamsted and his Monks lease out to Wulfred certain Lands on condition that after his Death they should revert to the Monastery paying in the mean time an Annual Rent l. 5. p. 261 262. Ceolric Son to Cuthwulf obtains the Kingdom of the West-Saxons which Ceawlin was driven out of l. 3. p. 148. His Death l. 4. p. 157. Ceolwulf began to reign over the West-Saxons making continual Wars all his time l. 3. p. 149. Ceolwulf succeeds Osric in the Kingdom of Northumberland His Pedigree l. 4. p. 220 221. Surrenders his Kingdom to Eadbert his Cousin Id. p. 223. Dies a Monk in the Isle of Lindisfarne Id. p. 224 228. Ceolwulf Bishop when he departed from the Northumbers l. 4. p. 240. His Death Id. p. 241. Ceolwulf when he began his Reign over the Kingdom of the Mercians l. 5. p. 251. Reigned but little more than one year Id. p. 252 253. Ceolwulf an Inconsiderable Fellow made King of Mercia by the Danes upon sad Conditions l. 5. p. 277. Cerdic the Tenth in Descent from Woden reigned Five and twenty years he and his âons in six years conquered all the Countrey of the West-Saxons l. 3. p. 133. He and his Son Cynric slew the great British King Natanleod or Nazaleod with Five thousand men Id. p. 134. Fought often with King Arthur and so wearied him out that he gave him up Hampshire and Somersetshire Id. p. 135. He and Cynric took on them the Title of Kings of the West-Saxons they obtained a great Victory at Cerdicsford Id. p. 136. They fought against the Britains at Cerdic's-Leah conquered the Isle of Wight and slew a great many men at Withgarabyrig His Death Id. p. 138. Cerdicsford now Charford in Hampshire where Cerdic and Cynric fought against the Britains l. 3. p. 136. Cerne an Abbey in Dorsetshire near to a Fountain where St. Augustine had formerly baptized many Pagans l. 6. p. 22. Chacea the signification of the word l. 6 p. 60. St. Chad. Vid. Ceadda Chanons Secular Archbishop Elfric turns them out of the Cathedral of Christ-Church in Canterbury and places Monks in their room l. 4. p. 167. Put into all the Abbeys from whence King Edwi had expelled the Monks l. 5. p. 353. King Edgar displaced these and put Monks in their Rooms l. 6. p. 5 6. The Monks turned out and these put in again which occasioned a Civil War Id. p. 15 16 17. Vid. Monks and Benedictines Charges at Assizes Vid. Assize-Charges Charles King of the Franks when he began to reign l. 4. p. 229 Enters Spain and destroys the Cities of Pampelona and Caesar Augusta now Saragosa Id. p. 231. Gains a Victory over the ancient Saxons and laid theirs to his own Dominions Id. p. 232. Passes through Almany to the very Borders of Bavaria and sends certain Synodal Decrees into England Id. p. 236. Would have done the Northumbrian Kingdom all the mischief he could for their so basely murthering their King Ethelred but for Alcuin's Intercession Id. p. 240. Charles the Great when first made Emperor and saluted Augustus and anointed by Pope Leo Id. p. 242. Receives Aeadburga Widow to Brihtric very kindly but at last puts her into a Monastery as an Abbess being expelled thence for her Incontinency she makes a miserable End Id. p. 243. Is taught the Liberal Arts by Alcuin a most Learned Englishman Id. p. 244. Restores by his Assistance Eardulf to his Kingdom from which he had been expelled Makes Peace with Nicephorus Emperor of Constantinople Id. p. 249. The different Accounts of the Time of his Death l. 5. p. 251. Charles King of the Western-Franks killed by a Wild-Boar his Pedigree And Charles King of the Almans received all the Kingdoms of the Western-Franks by the voluntary Consent of all the People The Extent of his Dominion his Pedigree l. 5. p. 287. Charles the Gross King of the Franks his Death but he was expelled his Kingdom six Weeks before his Death by Earnwulf his Brother's Son who divided it into five Partitions Id. p. 290. Charters all of King Ethelbert's whereby he had settled great Endowments on Christ-Church and that of St. Pancrace in Canterbury which were confirmed in the Mycel Synod or Great Council of the Kingdom but they are much suspected of being forged in many respects l. 4. p. 163. Of King Wulfher at the Consecration of the Abbey of Medeshamsted Id. p. 187. Of the Foundation of Evesham Abbey certainly forged and the Reasons why Id. p. 216 217. Of the Foundation of Winburn Monastery built by Cuthburgh one of King Ina's Sisters by Ethelbald King of the Mercians whereby he granted to it the whole Isle of Croyland Id. p. 218. Of King Offa to the Monastery of St. Albans whereby were confirmed very great Privileges and vast Possessions which he had before given to it Id. p. 237. Imbezeling the Deeds belonging to the Monastery of Cotham by King Cenwulf l. 4. p. 243. Of Winchelcomb confirmed by a Great Council and what Orders of men were present thereat l. 5. p. 251. Of Confirmation
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-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-Wales l. 6. p. 40. The Son of Jago his Enterprize upon 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 Tân 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. Sâveral 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
Ethelbert sirnamed Praen begins to reign in Kent l. 4. p. 240. Hath his Eyes put out and his Hands cut off by the order of Cenwulf King of Mercia whither he is carried Prisoner Id. p. 241. Is set free before the High Altar being then a Prisoner of War upon the Dedication of the Abbey of Winchelcomb Id. p. 242. Eadbriht King of Kent his Death after he had reigned Six Years l. 4. p. 225. Eadburga Daughter to King Offa Marries Brithtrick King of the West-Saxons l. 4. p. 235. Makes away her Husband by Poison designed indeed for one of his Favourites whom she could not endure Id. p. 243. Retires into France is put there into a Nunnery and why and being expelled thence for her Incontinency she begg'd her bread in Italy till she died l. 4. p. 243. A Law made upon her account That the King's Consort for the future should not be called Queen l. 5. p. 264. Eadesbyrig supposed by Mr. Cambden to be Edesbury in Cheshire where Aethelfleda Lady of the Mercians built a Castle l. 5. p. 316. Eadfrid a Son of King Edwin by his Wife Quenburga who was Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia l. 4. p. 174. Surrenders up himself to Penda King of the Mercians Id. p. 176. Eadhed is Ordained Bishop in the Province of Lindisse and afterwards Governed the Church of Rippon l. 4. p. 196. Eadmund Etheling Son to King Edgar his Death and Burial at Rumsey in Hampshire l. 6. p. 7. Eadred or Ethelred King of the Mercians Marries Ethelfleda King Alfred's Eldest Daughter l. 5. p. 311. Vid. Ethelred Duke of Mercia Eadsige vid. Aeadsige Eadulf vid. Adulf Eadwig Etheling called Ceorle's Cyng that is King of the Clowns Brother to King Edward is Banished the whole story of him he is made Two Persons by the Annals l. 6. p. 50 51. Eadwin vid. Edwin Eagle the Roman Ensigns were in Caesar's time all Eagles l. 2. p. 26. Ealcher and his Kentish-men with Huda and his Surry-men fight with the Danish Army in the Isle of Thanet and the Success thereof l. 5. p. 261 262. Ealchstan Bishop of Scireborne and Prince Aethelbald join in a most wicked Conspiracy to remove Aethelwulf out of his Kingdom l. 5. p. 263. Ealerd a Daughter of King Edwin's by Queen Aethelburga l. 4. p. 176. Ealfert or Alfred King of the Northumbers his Decease l. 4. p. 213. Ealfric an Ealdorman and one of King Ethelred's Admirals who was to have encompass'd the Danish Fleet by surpise but underhand he betrays the design sending them notice to take care of themselves and the night before the intended Engagement goes over to them himself l. 6. p. 23 24. Several other Treacheries he plays as leaving the Army whereof he was General c. Id. p. 30. Ealswithe The Daughter of Aethelred Ealdorman of the Gaini is Married to King Alfred l. 5. p. 269 313. Her Children by him and her Decease Id. p. 310 311 313. Eanbald Consecrated Archbishop to the See of York on the Death of Ethelheard The Pall demanded for him of the Pope by Alwold King of the Northumbers l. 4. p. 232. Departs from the Northumbers and afterwards Consecrates and places on the Throne Eardwulf who had begun his Reign over Northumberland about a Month before Id. p. 240. His Death and Burial at York the Year after Id. p. 241. Another of the same Name upon his Decease was Consecrated Archbishop of York and the Year following he received the Pall Ibid. This Eanbald held the Second Council at Pinchinhale and what was done therein Id. p. 242. Eanbryht Bishop of Hagulstad his Decease l. 5. p. 248. Eanfrid or Earlfrid the Son of Ethelfrid the last King before Edwin Ruled the Kingdom of Bernicia and Abjured the Christian Religion which before he had Professed l. 4. p. 176. Is basely put to Death by Cadwallo when he imprudently came to him with only Twelve Select Knights in his Company to Treat of Peace Id. p. 177. Earcombert the First English King viz. of Kent who Commanded Idols to be destroyed and ordered Lent to be observed l. 4. p. 180. His Death and who succeeded him Id. p. 185 190. His Character Id. p. 189. Earcongath or Earcongata Daughter to Earcombert a Virgin of great Piety constantly serving God in a Monastery of the Kingdom of the Franks in the Town of Bruges in Flanders l. 4. p. 180. Eardulf succeeds Alfred or Ealfert in the Kingdom of the Northumbers but is expelled from it within Two Months by a Plot laid against him l. 4. p. 213. Eardwulf an Earl commanded to be put to death is found afterwards alive and after that made King of Northumberland Id. p. 236. When he began to Reign there and whom he succeeded Id. p. 240. Returns home Victorious by destroying the Rebels that rose up against him Id. p. 241. Leads an Army against Kenwulf King of Mercia for Harbouring his Enemies but by the Intercession of King Egbert a Peace is agreed on and confirmed by Oath l. 5. p. 248. About Three years after he is driven out of his Kingdom and by whom Ibid. p. 249. The Son of Eardulf the first King of that Name there restored to his Kingdom by the Assistance of the Emperor Charles the Great l. 5. p. 249. Earnred succeeds Aelfwold King of Northumberland l. 5. p. 249. Holds his Kingdom as Tributary to Egbert Chief King of the English who had grievously wasted it with his Arms Id. p. 248 255. His Death his Son succeeding him Id. p. 260. Earnwulf Charles the Gross King of the Franks his Brother's Son expels his Uncle his Kingdom dividing it into Five parts and each of the Kings to Govern under him l. 5.290 East-Angles the Countries we now call Norfolk and Suffolk the Kingdom of it supposed to begin about Anno 575. under Uffa the Eighth King from Woden l. 3. p. 145. The Gospel is preached to them by Furseus which Converted many of them l. 4. p. 180. The Kingdom thereof divided between Hunbeanna and Albert Id. p. 225. They slay Beornwulf King of the Mercians for Challenging this Kingdom as his own l. 5. p. 253. Edmund their King fighting with the Danes they obtain the Victory kill him and wholly Conquer that Kingdom Id. p. 269 272 273 274. Their Subjection and Freedom from the Danish Yoke Id. p. 322 Easter it 's Observation according to the manner prescribed in the Council of Nice l. 2. p. 88. l. 4. p. 166. The Difference about the Rule of keeping it in Augustin's time l. 4. p. 160 161. How it was observed by Bishop Aidan Id. p. 177. Is Commanded to be kept according to the Order of the Church of Rome Id. p. 189. Appointed by the Synod at Hartford in Anno 673. to be kept on the First Lord's Day after the Fourteenth Moon of the First Month that is January this was a General Council of the whole Kingdom Id. p. 193. Aldhelm Abbot of Malmesbury wrote an excellent Book about the Keeping of Easter
p. 174 176. Had after Redwald's death the Kingdom of the East-Angles delivered up to him by the People Id. p. 175. Causes Brass-Pots to be set upon Posts at Fountains near the High-ways for Travellers to drink in and had a Banner carried before him as he went through the streets Ibid. Chief King over all the English-Saxons overcomes Cadwallo King of the Britains and conquers almost all his Countrey Id. p. 176. His Head brought to York and deposited in St. Peter's Church there which he had begun to build Ibid. He was the fifth King that ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Edwin and Ethelwin Sons of Prince Ethelwerd are slain in a fight against Anlaff King of the Danes and buried in the Church of the Abbey of Malmesbury l. 5. p. 311. Edwin Aetheling drowned with an Account how the greatest Blot in King Athelstan's Reign l. 5. p. 331 337. Edwin the Brother of Leofric Earl of Mercia is overcome by Griffyth ap Lewellin ap Sitsylt and slain at Pencadair l. 6. p. 64 65. Edwold Brother to St. Edmund the Martyr lived and died a Hermit in the Abbey of Cerne in Dorsetshire l. 6. p. 22. Egbert succeeds his Father Ercenbryht in the Kingdom of Kent l. 4. p. 189. Gives Reculf to Basse the Priest and at his Death bestows part of the Isle of Thanet to build a Monastery for expiating the Murther of his Cousins whom he had caused to be slain His decease Id. p. 192 193. Egbert the Priest a Venerable Person coming out of Ireland converts the Monks of Hij to the right Faith so that they afterwards observed the Catholick Rites and when he had lived with them here thirteen years dies l. 4. p. 217 220. Egbert made Bishop of York and the next year after receives a Pall from the Pope whereby he became an Archbishop and so Metropolitan of all the Northumbrian Provinces and had supreme Jurisdiction over all the Bishops in Deira and Bernicia l. 4. p. 222 223. His Death and Burial He was base Brother to the King of the same Name who regained the Pall to that See Built a Noble Library in York accounted then one of the best in Europe Id. p. 223 229. Egbert the Son of Aealmond was the Father of Athulf or Athelwulf l. 4. p. 233. Egbert or Egferth the Son of Offa King of the Mercians is anointed King with him l. 4. p. 233 235. When he began his Reign but within a few Months after dies Id. p. 240. Egbert or Ecgbryht King of the West-Saxons when he began to reign l. 4. p. 242. His Succession to Brihtric and afterwards Chief or Supreme King of this Kingdom Id. p. 243. l. 5. p. 254. Through Brihtric's jealousy he is forced to fly to King Offa for Refuge from him he retires into France where he tarries three years and so polishes the roughness of his own Countrey Manners Id. p. 243. But is upon Brihtric's Death without Issue recalled by the West-Saxon Nobility and ordained King and reigned with great Glory and Honour Id. p. 244. He unites all the Heptarchy into one Kingdom to the lasting Peace of the English Nation l. 5. p. 245. Leaves the Mercians Northumbrians and East-Angles to be held by their respective Princes as Tributaries to his Crown Id. p. 2 46 253 254 255. Is ordained King which Ethelwerd expresly terms his Election as being the only surviving Prince of the Blood-Royal of the West-Saxon Kings as great Nephew so Ina by his Brother Inegilds Id. p. 247 255. And in a Parliament at Winchester by the Consent of his People he changes the name of this Kingdom into that of England Id. Ibid. Makes up a Peace between Eardulf and Kenwulf and hath it confirmed by Oath l. 5. p. 248. Absolutely subdues Cornwall and adds it to his own Kingdom Id. p. 249. Subdues the Northern Welsh-men making them Tributary to him and enters again their Borders upon a fresh Rebellion and lays them wast from North to South with Fire and Sword Id. p. 250 251 254 255. Obtains a great Victory over Beornwulf King of the Mercians the Kentish and Surrey men the South and East-Saxons all submit to him Id. p. 253 254 255. Subdues the Kingdom of Mercia and all the South of Humber He was the Eighth King that ruled over all Britain the Seven before him are there enumerated Id. p. 254. Is offered Peace and due Subjection by the Northumbers having led an Army against them as far as Dore a place supposed to be beyond Humber He was the greatest King that till then had ever reigned in England He expels Withlaff King of Mercia and adds it to his own Kingdom Id. Ibid. Vanquishes Switherd King of the East-Saxons and drives him out of the Kingdom which ever after that Expulsion the West-Saxon Kings possessed He wastes Northumberland and makes Eanred the King thereof his Tributary Is crowned King of Britain by the Consent of the Clerus and Populus in a Great Council which he summoned to meet at Winchester Ibid. Encounters Thirty Ships of Danish Pyrates at Carrum in Gloucestershire but after a great slaughter the latter kept the field being the only time that Fortune ceased to favour his Undertakings Id. p. 256. Fights the Danes and Cornish-men at Hengston in Cornwall and beats them His Death having reigned thirty seven years and seven months and Character For nine years reigned Supreme King over all Britain Id. p. 257. His Burial at Winchester Id. p. 258. Egbert King of the Northumbers is by them expelled His Death and who succeeded to him l. 5. p. 277. Egelfleda sirnamed the Fair the Daughter of Earl Ordmar whether King Edgar's Wife or Concubine uncertain l. 6. p. 12. Egelnoth Vid. Ethelnoth Egfrid or Ecverth succeeds Oswi in the Kingdom of Northumberland l. 4. p. 192. Wages War with Wulfher and wins from him all the Countrey of Lindsey Id. p. 193 196. Gives Abbot Benedict as much Land as served Seventy Families lying near the Mouth of the River Wir in the Bishoprick of Durham Id. p. 194. Had a great Contention with Bishop Wilfrid who was expelled his Bishoprick Id. p. 196 197. Fights with Ethelfred near Trent Id. p. 198. Sends a great Army to Ireland which miserably wastes that Nation Id. p. 201. He and his Army through rashness are all cut off by the Picts Id. p. 202 211. Eglesburh now called Alesbury in Buckinghamshire l. 3. p. 145. Egonesham now Enisham in Oxfordshire Id. Ib. Egric upon King Sigebert's Resignation and turning Monk becomes King of the East-Angles l. 4. p. 179. His Death Id. p. 181. Egwin Bishop of Worcester founds the Abbey of Evesham and upon what occasion râported l. 4. p. 216 217. Egwinna a Lady the Daughter of a Noblâman whose Name is not certainly known Her strange Dream and how she came afterwards to yield to the Importunities of Prince Edward the Elder on whom he begot Athelstan that is The most Noble that succeeded him in the Kingdom l.
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-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-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 inâo 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
upon her the Habit of a Nun at Were-well a Nunnery which she had lately founded and also builds another at Ambresbury Id. p. 20. Ethelfrid a Prince most skilful in War though utterly ignorant of the Christian Religion l. 4. p. 171. Ethelgar Bishop of Selsey succeeds Archbishop Dunstan in the See of Canterbury enjoys it but a Year and Three Months and then dies l. 6. p. 22. Ethelheard his Kinsman succeeds Ina in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons l. 4. p. 219. Fights with and worsts Oswald Aetheling the Son of Aethelbald and forces him to flee l. 4. p. 220. Ethelheard Vid. Aethelheard The Abbot is elected Archbishop of Canterbury upon the Death of Janbryht l. 4. p. 236. Calls a Synod that confirms all things relating to the Church which had been made before the King Withgar Id. p. 241. Goes to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 242. Ethelnoth Ailnoth or Egelnoth a Monk and Dean of Canterbury is consecrated Archbishop of that See by Wulstan Archbishop of York l. 6. p. 51. Goes to Rome and is honourably received by Pope Benedict who put on his Pall with his own hands Id. p. 53. Consecrates Aelfric Archbishop of York at Canterbury and translates the Reliques of Aelfeage his Predecessor from London to Canterbury Id. Ib. A Letter sent to him by Cnute upon his Return from Rome of what he did there Id. p. 55. His Decease Id. p. 65. Ethelred Brother to Wulfher succeeds him in the Kingdom of Mercia his notable Expedition into Kent and recovering all Lindsey from Egfrid and his Fame for Devotion l. 4. p. 195 196. Wastes Kent destroys Rochester and carries away a great deal of Spoil Id. p. 196. A Battel fought and Peace made on condition that this King should pay Egfrid a Pecuniary Mulct Id. p. 198. His Charter to the Monastery of Medeshamsted justly suspected of Forgery Id. p. 200 201. He receives Bishop Wilfrid with great Honour Id. p. 206. Resigns his Kingdom passing by his Son Ceolred whom he had by his Wife Osgilde to his Cousin-German Cenered Son of his Brother Wulfher and himself turns Monk Id. p. 212. Ethelred the Son of Moll is chosen by the Northumbrians for their King in the room of Alhred whom they had expelled from York l. 4. p. 230 236. Is expelled the Land for causing three of his Nobles to be treacherously slain by two of the same Order Id. p. 231. Is again restored to the Kingdom upon Osred's being driven out Id. p. 236 239. Betroths Elfreda the Daughter of King Offa Id. p. 237. Is slain by his own People and said deservedly as having been the Death of Osred his Predecessor Id. p. 239 240. Ethelred the Ealdorman deceases a famous Commander at first but a Monk in the City of York when he died l. 4. p. 240. Ethelred Son to Eanred succeeds his Father in the Kingdom of Northumberland is driven out from his Kingdom but soon after restored to it and about three years after is slain l. 5. p. 260. Ethelred Son of King Ethelwulf reigned in Kent as also over the East and South-Saxons l. 5. p. 265. Began his Reign in West-Saxony after his Brother Ethelbert's Decease Id. p. 267. Makes with his Brother Aelfred a great Slaughter of the Danes at Reading Id. p. 275. Deceases and is buried in the Monastery of Winburne in Dorsetshire but whether slain in Battel or died a Natural Death of the Plague which then reigned is uncertain though this latter is the more probable Id. p. 276. An Account of his Children Ibid. Ethelred Bishop of Wiltunscire is elected Archbishop of Canterbury upon the Decease of Ceolnoth his Predecessor l. 5. p. 274. His Death Id. p. 298. Ethelred Duke or Ealdorman of Mercia and Elfleda his Wife by their Care is Leicester repaired l. 5. p. 314. By their command Caer-Legion that is now Westchester is repaired Id. p. 315. His Decease Id. p. 316. Ethelred Brother to Edward the Martyr elected King and crowned being a lovely Youth l. 6. p. 19. He rather distressed than governed the Kingdom for Seven and thirty years His aversion to Wax-Lights and for what reason Ibid. Lays waste the Bishoprick of Rochester because of some Dissentions between him and the Bishop His sordid Covetousness Id. p. 21 22. A weak and unwarlike Prince and most of the Nobility as bad as himself His Fleet designed to encompass that of the Danes but he was betrayed by Aelfric one of his Admirals who went over to them Id. p. 23. Commands the Eyes of Aelfric's Son to be put out and for what Id. p. 24. Calls a Council who agree upon reading the Pope's Letters to the King to send Ambassadors to the Marquis of Normandy to treat of Peace He receives King Anlaff with great Honour who promises never to insest the English Nation more Id. p. 24 25. Sends for the valiant Son of Waltheof Earl of the Northumbers and for a Reward of his Bravery in overcoming the Scots gives him not only his Father's Countrey but adds to it that of Yorkshire Id. p. 27. Lays Cumberland almost waste because the Prince thereof denied to bear his share in the Tribute paid to the Danes Id. p. 28. Aelgiva Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy comes hither to be married to the King Id. p. 29. At the instigation of Huena one of his Evil Counsellors he commands all the Danes in England to be slain at the Feast of St. Brice because he was told that they endeavoured to deprive him and all his Great Men of their Lives and to seize the Kingdom for themselves Ibid. The Calamities that befel him and his Kingdom hereupon by the coming over King Sweyn from Denmark with a mighty Fleet Id. p. 30. His Displeasure against two Noblemen depriving one of all his Honours and putting out the eyes of the other Id. p. 31. Enters into several Treaties of Peace with the Danes and pays them Tributes in Money as well as Maintenance and Provision but nothing did long oblige them Id. p. 25 29 32 Perceiving his error in the want of a good Fleet commands over all England That out of every Hundred and ten Hides of Land a Ship should be built c. But his Fleet is much destroyed either by Tempest or Fire Id. p. 33. Is betrayed and hindred from falling upon the Danes when his whole Army had hemm'd them in and were just ready to give them Battel His Forces too signified but little to him for when the Enemy went East they were sure to be taken up in the West c. Id. p. 34. He demands of the Londoners full Pay and Victuals for his Army and is in such distress by Sweyn that he is forced to send his Wife and Children into Normandy and afterwards to go thither himself where he tarried till Sweyn died But upon his return to his own Kingdom he is received on conditions to govern them better that he had done before and then is again solemnly crowned at Westminster 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 undâr 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-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
Id. p. 102. Fernham the place where King Alfred fought with the Danes and put them to flight l. 5. p. 300. Festidus a Learned British Bishop if not an Archbishop l. 2. p. 107 Fidelity vid. Fealty Fighting the Punishment of such as do so either in the King's House Church or Earldorman's Nobleman's or Villager's House or in the open Field l. 4. p. 208. The Punishment of those in Holy Orders if they chance to fight l. 5. p. 284. The Law against Fighters in the King's Palace and the punishment of an Offender that flies Id. p. 293 295. No Fyhtwite or Manbote that is Fine for Fighting or Killing to be Remitted Id. p. 347. Finan a Bishop calling to him Two other Bishops Ordains Cedda Bishop over the East-Saxons l. 4. p. 184. Fines vid. Pecuniary Fines and Mulcts Finkley in the Bishoprick of Durham and Kingdom of the Northumbers anciently called Pynchanhale or Finekanhale where a General Synod Assembled l. 4. p. 236. Fire great mischief done thereby at London Winchester and other places l. 4. p. 229. Vid. London and Winchester First-Fruits vid. Tythes Five Burghs not known where but somewhere in Northumberland l. 6. p. 37 40. Flanders what we now call so was anciently accounted part of France or Frankland l. 5. p. 283. Flattery notorious in Two of King Leir's Daughters to their Father l. 1. p. 11. Of the Bishops Ealdormen and Chief Men throughout the Kingdom about making Cnute upon the Death of Edmund Ironside King of all England to the Exclusion of his Children and Brethren l. 6. p. 49. Fleet set out against the Danes but continually delayed from doing any good l. 6. p. 27 33. Out of so many Hydes of Land to build a Ship in order to set out a great Fleet against the Danes Id. p. 33. Absolutely necessary for an Island to maintain a Powerful Fleet Id. p. 35. Foelix a Bishop Preached the Faith of Christ to the East-Angles he was a Burgundian and the first Bishop in Dunwich in Suffolk l. 4. p. 179. Folemote Strangers to be brought before the King's Officers there by the Merchants that so their Numbers might be known and they forthcoming upon occasion l. 5. p. 294. The Punishment of striking therein before the King 's Ealdorman Id. p. 295. If any Absent himself thrice he is to be Punished as Contumacious to the King and in case of refusal to do right all he hath is to be seized and he to give security for his appearance Id. p. 341. Folcstone in Kent anciently called Folcestane where Earl Godwin took all the Ships he could find l. 6. p. 80. Foreign-Tongue where it prevails generally speaking it is reckoned half a Conquest l. 6. p. 98. Forests are priviledg'd places fenced in with certain Bounds Laws and Immunities under Magistrates Judges Officer's c. for the King's Service and Game l. 6. p. 60. Forfeitures those the King challenges as due to himself in the County of West-Saxony l. 6. p. 58. Formosus the Pope sends Letters to England threatning Excommunication and his Curse to King Edward the Elder and all his Subjects for suffering the Province of the West-Saxons to be Seven years without Bishops l. 5. p. 313. A notable Error either in the Date of these Letters or of the Name of the Pope Id. p. 314. Fornication if any one in Holy Orders commit it what his Punishment l. 5. p. 284 346. vid. Adultery Framarius King of the Almans sent by the Emperor Valentinian into Britain though with no higher a Command than that of a Tribune c. l. 2. p. 94. France how early it became the most Civilized of those Gothic and German Nations that had some Ages before settled themselves in this part of Europe l. 4. p. 243. Frank-pledges the Antiquity of them no Norman Invention as some People pretend l. 6. p. 14. Franks the Kingdom so called divided by Earnwulf Charles the Gross his Brother's Son into Five parts and each King to Govern under Earnwulf and where their several Kingdoms were fixed l. 5. p. 290. Freemen no English Freeman could in the Saxon times be hanged for any Crime but Treason l. 4. p. 209. Every one to find Sureties that he shall do right if accused l. 6. p. 42. Every one to enter himself into some Hundred or Tything Id. p. 58. Freodguald Succeeds Theodoric in the Kingdom of Bernicia l. 3. p. 146. Freothwulf Reigned in Bernicia Seven or Eight years l. 3. p. 145. His Decease Id. p. 146. Frethanleage now Fretherne in Gloucestershire l. 3. p. 147. Friburg that is Barons to have their Dependants forth-coming or to answer for them upon any complaint l. 6. p. 102. Friesland Old the Gospel first preached there and by whom l. 4. p. 211. The English-Saxons derived from the Frisians l. 3. p. 120. Frisians assist the ancient Saxons of Germany against the Danes in a Sea-fight l. 5 p. 287. Frithestan when he was Ordained and took the Bishoprick of Winchester l. 5. p. 314.315 Edward the Elder 's Charter of Confirmation of the Priviledges of Cambridge directed to this Frithestan then Chancellor and Doctor but the Charter is grievously suspected Id. p. 318. His Decease Id. p. 331. Frithogithe Queen of the West-Saxons went with Forthere Bishop of Shireburne to Rome l. 4. p. 223. Frithwald Bishop of Wytherne died when he was Consecrated and how long he continued a Bishop l. 4. p. 228. Fugitives King Edward the Elder 's Law against them l. 5. p. 325 326. What the Forfeiture of relieving or harbouring any l. 6. p. 58. Fullenham now Fulham not far from London l. 5. p. 283. Furfeus or Fursee comes out of Ireland to preach the Gospel to the East-Angles and converts many people l. 4. p. 180. G GAcon Bishop of Landaff the First of the Welsh-Bishops that was consecrated by an Archbishop of Canterbury l. 6. p. 21. Gaini anciently the Country about Gainsborough in Yorkshire l. 5. p. 269. Gainsborough in Lincolnshire anciently called Gegnesburgh l. 6. p. 37 39. Galgacus Chief of the Britains in Authority and Birth makes a Noble Oration to his Army l. 2. p. 60. Their utter Overthrow and Flight Id. p. 62 63. Galienus Pub. Licinius Emperor in his Father Valerian's life-time The Empire had been quite ruined through his Excesses and Carelessness had not the Thirty Tyrants as they are called undertaken its Defence l. 2. p. 81. Is at last slain by the Treachery of three of his own Captains Ibid. Gallio of Ravenna sent against Bonifitius in Africa but the year before he was sent into Britain upon their earnest soliciting the Romans the second time for Supplies which in all probability were brought hither in the beginning of the Reign of Valentinian the third l. 2. p. 105 106. Game None in hunting to meddle with the King's Game l. 6. p. 60. Gavelkind That old Custom or Tenure first set up in Wales and the great mischief it occasioned l. 5. p. 250. Gaule upon composition delivered up to the
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-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-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
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-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-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-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-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-Wales Id. p. 349. l. 6. p. 9. His Sons engaged in long Wars with Jago and Jevaf Princes of 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
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-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-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
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-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
Horse Id. p. 55. Their whole Nation very near cut off by Agricola Ibid. Orgiva Vid. Edgitha Orkeney the Isles when first discovered by the Romans l. 2. p. 63. Orotius Paulus took what he wrote from an History of Suetonius which is now lost l. 2. p. 35. Osbald a Nobleman is made King of Northumberland but held it not long being forced to fly and going to the King of the Picts dies there an Abbot l. 4. p. 239 240. According to Simeon of Durham he was buried in York Minster Id. p. 242. Osberge the Daughter of Aslat or Oslac chief Butler to King Aethelwulf to whom she was married and became the Mother of Alfred who was afterwards King l. 5. p. 261. Her Character Ibid. Osbert or Osbryght succeeds Ethelred in the Kingdom of Northumberland and afterwards is killed by the Danes l. 5. p. 260. Their lawful King is expelled by the Northumbers who set up an Usurper not descended from the Royal Line Id p. 267. Lies with the Wife of one of his Noblemen who complaining of the Affront to the King of Denmark causes a great Army to come over to revenge that Injury Id. p. 268 269. Osfrid a Son of King Edwin by Quenburga the Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia l. 4. p. 174. Is slain with his Father in the Battel of Hethfield Id. p. 176. Oskytel first consecrated Bishop of Dorchester then made Archbishop of York his Death and Burial l. 6. p. 7. Osmund when he began to reign over the South-Saxons l. 4. p. 228. Osred succeeds his Father Alfred in the Kingdom of the Northumbers l. 4. p. 213. Is reconciled to Wilfrid with his Great Men and Bishops Ibid. Becomes Bishop Wilfrid's adopted Son Id. p. 214. Is killed in a Fight near the Sea on the Southern Borders His Character Id. p. 217. Osred the Son of Alchred Nephew of King Alfwold reigned after him and is betrayed and driven out of his Kingdom and who succeeded l. 4. p. 236. Is put to death by King Ethelred's Command and where buried Id. p. 237. Osric the Son of Elfric obtains the Kingdom of Deira abjures the Christian Religion and is cut off by Cadwallo with all his Army l. 4. p. 176. Osric builds a Nunnery at Bath l. 4. p. 196. And the Nunnery of St. Peter in Gloucester which afterwards was destroyed by the Danes and then rebuilt and after was King of the Northumbers Id. p. 201. Osric King of Northumberland slain and who succeeded him Id. p. 220. Ostorius Scapula succeeds Plautius in the quality of Propraetor and reduces the most Southerly parts of Britain to the form of a Province l. 2. p. 41. Overcomes the Iceni engages with the Silures and Caractacus and his Success over them Id. p. 42 43. Is decreed by the Senate all the Ensigns of a Triumph and being worn out with cares and troubles dies Id. p. 44 45. Oswald and Oswie with Eanfrid their Elder Brother all Sons of King Ethelfrid are banished by Edwin l. 4. p. 170 171. Oswald Edwin's Successor in the Kingdom of Northumberland finishes St. Peter's Church in York Id. p. 174 176 l. 5. p. 254. Routs Cadwallo with all his Forces His Speech to his Army l. 4. p. 177. His Kingdom extended over both Deira and Bernicia He would interpret Bishop Aidan's Sermons to his Subjects that heard but did not understand them In his Reign Churches were built in divers places of his Kingdom His Great Character Id. p. 178. His Charity He was Edwin's Nephew by his Sister Acca Ibid. p. 179. Fights a great Battel with Penda âund was therein slain Id. p. 180. The many Miracles supposed that he wrought after his death Ibid. He was the sixth King that ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. His Body under the Title of Saint long after translated from Bardeney in Lincolnshire into Mercia l. 5. p. 315. Oswald Aetheling fighting with Ethelhard is worsted and the next year dies l. 4. p. 220. Oswald Son to King Ethelred is mentioned by his Father in his Charter to the Abbey of Abingdon l. 5. p. 276. Oswald Archbishop of York his Decease l. 6. p. 5. Oswald Bishop of Worcester succeeds his Kinsman Oskytell in the Archbishoprick of York l. 6. p. 7. His Death and Burial in the Church of St. Mary in Worcester Id. p. 23. Oswestre in Shropshire anciently called Maserfield where was fought the great Battel between Oswald the most Christian King of Northumberland and Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians l. 4. p. 180. Oswin the Brother of King Oswald is made King of Deira l. 4. p. 181. His Death at Ingerlingum Id. p. 182. His Character Id. p. 183. The Seventh King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Oswulf his Son succeeds Eadbert in the Kingdom of Northumberland but is slain within a Year after by the Treachery of his own Servants l. 4. p. 228. Oswy the Son of Usric King of Bernicia l. 4. p. 182. Treacherously procures Oswin to be slain but afterwards builds a Monastery where the Murther was committed to expiate the Crime Id. p. 183. Overcomes Penda who in the Battel is slain Id. p. 185. The Ealdormen of Mercia Rebel against him Id. p. 188. His Death and Burial at Streanshale-Monastery Id. p. 192. Otford in Kent anciently called Ottanford where the Mercians and Kentishmen had a Battel l. 4. p. 230. Outlawry Ethelward the Ealdorman is Outlaw'd in a Great Council of the Kingdom l. 6. p. 51. Earl Sweyn Son of Godwin is declared Outlaw'd in a Great Council at London Id. p. 77. The Common Law of all Outlaws they are said to have Wulfes hefod i. e. a Wolf's head or as we say in Latin gerere Caput Lupinum Id. p. 99 100. Usurer 's Convicted to be look'd on as Outlaw'd Persons Id. p. 102. Earl Elfgar is Outlaw'd in the Witena-Gemot and for what l. 6. p. 86. Vid. Pledge Oxford the University when Founded and who the first Regents and Professors there The Quarrel that arose betwixt Grimbald and the Old Scholars of Oxford This passage of the Quarrel c. objected against by Sir Henry Spelman and answered l. 5. p. 288 289 290. The flourishing state of Learning here related by Asser very much questioned Id. p. 304. King Alfred assisted by Grimbald and John Scotus in Founding this University Id. p. 306. Is taken and Burnt by the Danes l. 6. p. 34 35. All Studies cease there for a long time after till about the Year Eleven hundred thirty three from which time the Scholars have continued there Id. p. 35. P PAenius Posthumus runs himself through with his own Sword and why l. 2. p. 50. Pagan-Rites the Forbidding of them to be observed by the Decree of Calcuith l. 4. p. 234. Pagans Vid. Heathens Palace-Royal the Punishment on any that fight within it l. 4. p. 208. Palladius the Bishop sent by Pope Caelestine to the Scots to confirm their Faith l. 2. p. 109 110. St. Pancrace Church the first Built
53. Y YArrow near the River Tine anciently called Girwy l. 4. p. 194. Year the English-Saxon Year began not at Lady-day as ours does now but at New-Year's-tide l. 6. p. 93 94. Year and Day allow'd for discovery of Murther l. 6. p. 101. York anciently called Caer-brank by whom built l. 1. p. 10. And Eoferwick l. 5. p. 324. l. 6. p. 41. Augustine had Power from Pope Gregory to ordain whom he pleased Bishop there and he to ordain Twelve Bishops more and enjoy the Honour of a Metropolitan l. 4. p. 158. Paulinus the first Bishop of York Id. p. 173. The City and Monastery of this place burnt Id. p. 224. A Noble Library built there by Bishop Egbert accounted one of the best in Europe Id. p. 229. Is taken by Reginald the Danish King of Northumberland l. 5. p. 324. Stormed plunder'd and many of the Inhabitants slain by the King of Norway l. 6. p. 109. Yric appointed by King Cnute to be Earl of the Northumbers l. 6. p. 41 59. Yrling the Dane and Lothen with Twenty five Ships land at Sandwic and commit great havock l. 6. p. 74. Ywrch Edwal the Son of Cadwallader l. 3. p. 145. Z ZEal the Intemperate Zeal of some Church-men how not to be imitated l. 2. p. 96. The Founding of a Monastery accounted a sufficient Atonement to God for whatsoever Injustices Princes committed so great was the Superstitious Zeal of Ancient Times l. 4. p. 242. Upon Oswy's Repentance for his Treacherous Procurement of King Oswin's Death he builds a Monastery on the Place where the Murther was committed to expiate the Crime and to pray as well for his own Soul as for the King 's he had caused to be killed l. 4. p. 183. Vid. Egbert Id. p. 192 193. The most considerable ERRATA The smaller the Reader may easily amend Book 1. PAge 7. line 21. for his r. certain of his id l. 27 for transactions r. translations p. 13. l. 32. dele now p. 14. l. 38. after longer r. able p. 17. l. 13. for the r. any ib. for originals r. words Book 2. P. 21. in marg for Lib. r. Diod. p. 22. l. 16. for then r. as p. 24. l. 8. for at r. yet id l 48. put the Semicolon after it p. 30. l. 20. d. of p. 46. in marg after History r. Lib. 3. id in marg after Annal d. LXIII p. 54 l. 9. d. partly p. 56. l. 14. for and that r. at an p. 60. l. 26. after Tributes r. they used p 63. l 7. for some r. sometimes p 64. l. 49. for who wanted r. the wonted id l. 52. for bought r. sought p. 66. l. 13. for found r. famed p. 7â l. 9. r. Choir p. 72. l. 48. for charged r. changed p. 75. l. 2. after all r. things ib. for having r. leaving p. 79. l. 21. for when he r. having id l. penult for and r. he then ib. after Army make a Full Point id l. ult for other r. as many of his Successors within a Parenthesis p. 83. l. 6. r. Vopiscus p. 86. l. 30. for wrote r. wrought p. 87. l. 5. r. Constantius id l. 13. d. Augustus id l. 14. after declared r. Augustus id l. 26. after out r. of p. 88. l 1. for Mercurius r. Maxentius id l. 32. for 114. r. 314. p. 89. l. 34. d. and. id l. 50. r. Ariminum p. 93. l. 33. r. Dulcitius p. 95. l. 4. after former r. of that name p. 96 l. 14. r. Priscillian p. 97. l. 30. r. Honorius p. 98. l. 37. r. Veremundus p. 100. l. 15. for long so r. so long p. 104. l. 22. after for r. as ib. for proved for r. observed p. 106. l. 33. r. 435 Book 3. P. 115. l. 45. for by r. the. p. 118. l. 15. for 149 r. 449. id l. 45. for Elles r. Albis p. 119. l. 20. r. Krantzius p. 122. l. 44. for Ranulphus r. Angrimus Jonas p. 123 l. 20. for names other r. other names p. 124. l. 33. for latter r former p. 128. l. 19. for him r. them p. 133. l. 45. for 500 r 504. p. 137. l. 27. for Thom. Radburne r. and others p. 138. l. 41. r. Camalan p. 141. l. 6. put a Semicolon after one id in marg for Anno DLXIV r. DXLIV. p. 142. in marg for DLXVII r. DXLVII p. 152. l. 30. for England r. Britain Book 4. P. 158 l. 13. for sixty r. six hundred and one p. 159 l. 48. after Sebert d. also baptized Ethelbert p. 161 l. 13. d. as they relate id l. 38. for but r. then p 163. l 28. for Seal r. Hand p 167. l. 26. for denied r. much question'd p 169. l. 3. for them r. him p. 180. l. 37. for one r. this p. 191. l. 7. for Monastery r. Mortality p. 193. l. 27. for January r. March p. 199. l. 15. for Seat r. See at p. 204. l. penult r. Cadwallo p. 205. l 41. for he again r. Benedict p. 211. l. 50. r. 696. p. 219. l. 17. d. by p. 220 in Marg. after cap. r. 35. f. 148. p. 223. l. 23. for 31. r. 21. id l. 36. for Leycester r. Chester p 229. l. 6. for Death r. Resignation p. 231. l. 37. for flight r. fight p. 240. l. 36. after Northumbers r. had the year before id l. 39. r. Cobre p. 241. l. 4. for Bishop r. Dr. p. 242. l. 29. for Rog. Hoveden r. Simeon of Durham ib. r. Osbald Book 5. P. 250. l. 22. for 40 r. 4. p. 255 l. 49. for thousand r. hundred p. 258. l. 8. for was not Son but Brother to r. was Son not Brother to p. 265 l. 43. for Ethelred r. Ethelbert in Capital Letters p. 266. l. 45. d. all p. 272. l. 21. for Britains r. Danes p. 277. l. 19. for Bertulph r. Burhed p. 278. l. 21. for him r. them p. 279. l. 26. after his r. third p. 281. l. 47. for Hubblestones r. Hubbestow p. 286. l. 21. d. and says for p. 289. l 29. d. though p. 298. l. 7. for Menia r. Mercia p. 300. l. 4. for then r. though id l. 5. for sallied r. went ib. d. of their Camp p. 305. l. 46. d. not only p. 306. l. 2. after Asser d. the Parenth r himself id l. 44. r. Brocmail p. 312. l. 27. for some r. new p 324. l. 25. for that r. Derby id l. 26. for Derby r. that shire p. 343. l. 11. for them r. him p. 344. l. 7. d. for this r. the next Book 6. This Book being printed at another Press the Title was forgot to be alter'd like the rest therefore in Page 1. in the Title d. Britain now called r. England and so also in the Titles of all the rest of the Pages P. 3. l. 15. for who r. for he p. 4. l. 7. d. for that Tribute r. in lieu thereof p. 24. l. 50. after Normandy r. and King Ethelred p. 26. l. 22. for whither r. either p. 29. l. 29.
whereby he converted many of the Britains then Subject to the West-Saxons Id. p. 213. Naitan King of the Picts concerns himself about the Celebration of Easter and it is appointed to be kept on the First Sunday after the First Full Moon that follows the Vernal Equinox l. 4. p. 216. Decreed to be kept after the Custom of Rome in a General Synod of the British Nation Id. p. 229. Ordinances touching the Keeping of Easter made at the Second Council of Pinchinhale Id. p. 242 East-Saxons the beginning of this Kingdom ãâã Erchenwin the Son of Offa according to H. Huntington l. 3. p. 13â It had London the Chief City of England under its Dominion Ibid. This Kingdom was divided from that of Kent by the River Thames c. l. 4. p. 159. Upon the Death of Sebert his Three Sons whom he left Heirs to the Kingdom all relapse to Paganism and great part of the Nation with them Id. p. 168. But between Thirty and Forty years after at the Instance of King Oswy they again receive the Christian Faith Id. p. 184. Eatta Bishop of the Province of Bernicia had his Episcopal See at Hagulstad l. 4. p. 197. Reckoned to be a very Holy Man Id. p. 215. Ebba a Queen is Converted and Baptized in the Province of the Wectij but what Queen Bede says not l. 4. p. 197. Ebba Abbess of Coldingham-Nunnery in Yorkshire an Heroine Example of Chastity in her and all her Sisters l. 5. p. 269. Eborius Bishop of the City of Eboracum is sent with others to the Council of Arles in Gallia as one of the Deputies for the rest of the Bishops of Britain l. 2. p. 88. Eclipses of the Sun one from early in the Morning till Nine a Clock another where the Stars shewed themselves for near half an hour after Nine in the Morning l. 3. p. 138. Of the Sun which was so great that it 's whole Orb seemed as it were covered with a black Shield Another of the Moon appearing first as stained with Blood which lasted a whole hour and then a Blackness following it returned to its own Colour l. 4. p. 222. One of the Moon From the Cock Crowing till the morning Id. p. 240. One of the Moon In the Second hour of the night 17. Kal. Feb. Id. p. 242. One of the Moon On the 13th Kal. of January l. 5. p. 248. One of the Moon And on the Kal. of September l. 5. p. 248. Of the Sun on the 7th Kal. of August about the fifth hour of the day Id. p. 249. Of the Moon on Christmas-day at night Id. p. 254. Of the Sun About the sixth hour of the day on the Kal. of October Id. p. 260. Of the Sun For one whole hour Id. p. 283. One of the Moon appeared Id. p. 313. Eddobeccus is dispatched away by Constans to the Germans with an Account of Gerontius his Revolt l. 2. p. 103. Edelwalch King of the West-Saxons when he was baptized l. 4. p. 195. Gives Wilfrid Commission to convert and baptize in his Province Id. p. 197. Edgar Son of Edmund and Elgiva afterwards King his Birth l. 5. p. 344. Is elected by the Mercians and Northumbrians their King and confirmed so by the Common Council of the Kingdom Id. p. 354. On the death of his Brother Edwi is elected by the Clergy and Laity King of the West-Saxons and though he was not the first yet he was the best that deserved the Title of First Monarch of all England l. 6. p. 1. And so he stiles himself in his Charter to the Abbey of Glastenbury Id. p. 9. His great Charity and the Nation 's happiness under him Id. p. 2 11. Seven years Penance is imposed upon him by Archbishop Dunstan part of which was That he should not wear his Crown all that time and that for taking a Nun out of a Cloyster and then debauching her Id. p. 3. Harasses North-Wales with War till he forces a Peace upon this Condition That the Tribute in Money should be turned into that of so many Wolves-Heads yearly Id. p. 3 4 11. Grants a New Charter of Confirmation with divers additional Endowments of Lands and Privileges to the Monastery of Medeshamsted Id. p. 5. Marries Ethelfreda or Elfreda Daughter of Ordgar Earl of Devonshire and his Issue by her Id. p. 5 6. Hath an Elder Son by Elfleda sirnamed The âair Daughter of Earl Eodmar who is called afterwards Edward the Martyr but doubtful whether he was married to her or not Id. p. 6. Places Nuns in the Monastery of Rumsey in Hampshire commands all the Countrey of Thanet to be laid waste and for what reason Ibid. Causes the Chanons to be driven out of all the greatâr Monasteries in Mercia and Monks to be put in their places Id. p. 7. Is crowned King in the ancient City of Ackmanceaster called Bathan by the Inhabitants with Remarks about his Coronation then for he was crowned before And founds a new Church at Bangor dedicating it to the Virgin Mary Id. p. 7 8. Six Kings make League with him promising upon Oath their Assistance both by Sea and Land An Account who they were and of his Fleet at West-Chester where they all met him He is the first that was truly Lord of our Seas Id. p. 8. His Death and Burial at Glastenbury and Character The great Kindnesses he shewed to Ethelfreda's first Husband's Son Id. p. 9 10 11. A mighty Lover of the Fair Sex Id. p. 3 5 6 9 10 11. A Famous Instance of his great Courage and Strength though but little of Stature Id. p. 11. His Charter about having subdued all Ireland c. much suspected to be fictitious With this King fell all the Glory of the English Nation Id. p. 12. The Laws he made with the Council by the Consent of his Wise-Men Id. p. 12 13 14. Great Dissention amongst the Nobility after his Death about the Election of a New King Id. p. 15. Edgar sirnamed Aetheling the Son of Prince Edward by Agatha Id. p. 49. Edgar Aetheling how he was put by from the Throne though the only surviving Male of the Ancient Royal Family l. 6. p. 105 106. Is proposed to be made King upon Harold's Death but his Party were not prevalent enough to carry it Id. p. 115 116. Edgitha Daughter of King Egbert is first bred up under an Irish Abbess and then made Abbess her self of the Nunnery of Polesworth l. 5. p. 257. Another of this Name King Athelstan's Sister her Marriage with Sihtric the Danish King of Northumberland and being afterwards a Widow she became a Nun at Polesworth Her Character and the False Story of the Scots upon her Id. p. 330. Edgitha or Editha Daughter of Earl Godwin married to Edward the Confessor a Lady not only Beautiful and Pious but Learned above her Sex in that Age l. 6. p. 72 73 96. An improbable Story of her causing Gospatrick to be murthered upon the Account of her Brother Tostige l. 6. p. 90.
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-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