of their Native Country King Laws Liberties Properties Estates Lives against forein Invaders and â—â—urpers 2ly Because they more or less relate to my forementioned Propositions touch-the fundamental Rights Liberties Properties of the English Nation 3ly Because they shew forth unto us the true original grounds causes motives necessities and manner of granting the very first Civil Tax and Tribute mentioned in our Histories by the King and his Nobles in their General Councils to the Danish invaders to purchase peace and the true nature use of our antient Danegelt and rectifie some mistakes in our common late Eâ—glish Historians Immediately after King Ethelreds decease Episcopi Abbates Duces et quique Nobiliores Angliae in unum congregati as Wâ—gornienâ—â—s Hoveden Sâ—meon Dunelmeâ—â—is Radulphus de Diceto Bromton â— Or Maxima pars Regni tam Clericorum quam Laicorum in unum congregati as Matthew VVestminster â— Or Proceres Regni cum Clero as Knâ—â—hton expresses iâ— Pari consensu in Dominum et Regem Canntum eligere All the Bishops Abbots Dukes and Nobles of England and the greatest part of the chief Clergy and Laity assembled together in a kind of Parliamentary Counciâ—◠〈◊〉 unanimous consent elected Cnute for their Lord aâ—â— King notwithstanding their solemn Vow and Engagement but the year before never to suffer a Danish King to reign over them Whereupon â—heâ— all repaired to Cnute to Southampton omnemque Progeniem Regis Ethelredi coram illo abhorrentes et abnegando repudiantes aâ— Wigorniensis Huntindon Knyghton and others record and there in his presence abhorring and utterly renouncing and abjuring all the Progeny of King Ethelred they submitted themselves and swore fealty to him as to their only King and Soveraign he reciprocally then swearing unto them That he would be a faithfull Lord unto themâ— both in things appertaining to God and the World which our Historians thus express Quibus ille juravit quod secundum Deum secundum seculum fidelis illis foret Dominus Only the City of London anâ— part of the Nobles then in it unanimously chose and cryed up Ed. Ironside King Ethelreds 3. son by Elgina his first Wife Daughter to Duke Thored as Speed and oâ—hers relate though Matthew Westminstâ—r and others register his birâ—h Non ex Emma Regina sed ex quadam ignobili foemina generatus qui utique matris suae ignobilitatem generis mentis ingenuitate corporis streuuit te redintegrando redemit After Edmonds election he was crowned King by Liuing Archbishop of Canterbury at Kingston upon Thames where our Kiugs in that age were usually crowned No sooner was he thus advanced to the Regal dignity but he presently marched undauntedly into VVest-Sex and being there receiâ—ed by all the People with great gratulation and joy he moâ—t speedily subjâ—cted it to his Dominion Which being divulg'd in other parts many Counties of England deserting Cnute voluntarily submitted themselves unto him such is the fickleness of â—he People unconstancy of worldly power and affairs Cnute in â—he mean time to be revenged of the Londoners for making Edmond King marched to London with his whole Army and Fleet besieged and blocked up the City with his Ships drawn up the Thames on the West-side of the Bridge and then drew a large and deep trench round about the City from the Southside of the River whereby he intercepted all ingress and egress to the Citizens and others whom he shut up so close that none could go in or out of the City and endeavoured by many strong assaults to force it but being still repulsed by the Citizenâ— who valiantly defended the walls he left off the siege with great confusion and loss as well as dishonor Thence he marched with his Army into Dorsetshire to subdue it Where King Edmond meeting him with such forces as he could suddenly raise gave him battel at Penham near Gillingham where after a blâ—udy and cruel encounter he put Cnute and his Army to flight and slew many of them Not long after they recruiting their forces both Armies meeting at Steorstan King Edmond resolving there to give Cnute battel placed the most expert and valiantest of his Souldiers in the front and the rest of the English who came flocking in to him he kept for a reserve in the rear Then calling upon every of them by name he exhorted and informâ—d them That they now fought for their Country for their Children for their Wives for their Houses and Liberties inâ—laming the minds of his Souldiers with his excellent Speeches in this battel with the Enemy he exercised the Oâ—fices of a valiant Soldier and good General charging very couragiously But because that most perâ—idious Duke Edric Almar and Algar and others of the great men who ought to have assisted him with the Inhabitants of Southampton VViltshire and innumeâ—able other English joyned with the Danes the battel continued all day from morning to night with equal fortune till both sides being tiâ—ed out and many of each party slain the night constrained them to march one from another But their bloud not being cold the next day they buckled together again with no less courage than before till at last in the very heat of the battel the most perfidious Duke Edric perceiving the Danes like to be totally routed and the English in great forwardness of victory cut off the head of a Souldier named Osmeranus very like to King Edmund both in hair and countenance and shaking his bloody sword with the half gasping head in his hand which he lifted up on high cryed out to the English Army O ye Dorsetshire men Devonshire men and othâ—r English flee and get away for your head is lost beâ—old here is the head of your King Edmund which I hold in my hand therefore hasten hence with all speed and save your lives Which when the English heard and saw they were more affrighted with the atrocity of the thing than with the belief of the Speaker whereupon all the more unconstant of the Army were ready to fly away But Edmond having present notice of this treacherous stratagem and seeing his men ready to give over the fight hasted where he might be best seen and posting from rank to rank encouraged them to fight like Englishmen who thereupon resuming their courage charged the Danes more fiercely than beâ—ore and bending their force against the Traytor had shot him to death but that he retreated presently to the Enemy the English reviving and manfully continuing the battel again till the darkness of the night caused both Armies voluntarily to retreat from each other into their Tents When much of the night was spent Cnute commanded his men in great silence to break up their Camp and marched to his Ships and soon after whiles King Edmond was recruiting his Army in West-Sex besieged London againâ— whereupon Edmond marching to London with a select company of Souldiers chased Cnute and his Army to their ships removed the
or Orencester not Winchester the 4th year of his reign wherin by the Counsel of Queen Emma and of his Bishops and Barons he placed Monks in the Monasterie of Bederichesiorthe where St. Edmund was interred and endowed the Monastery of St. Edmond with so many farmes and other goods as made it one of the richest in all England as those Historians witness Whose Name and date the ignorant comâ—iler oâ— this Manuscript mistook whose Antiquitie and reputation is very suspiâ—ious as Sir Henry Spelman informs us First because Sir Henry could never gain the sight of it from Sir Edward Cook though he oft-times promised to lend it him to peruse for his satisfaction And that which dares not abide the sight and test of such a judicious learned Antiquary when desired may justly be deemed an Imposture 2ly Sir Henry Spelman conceives the Author of this Manuscript writ not before the end of King Henry the 3d if so soon seeing he calls the Great Council of the Realm so frequently a Parliament which Title was not given it in Manuscripts or Historians till the end of King Henry the 3d. or aâ—ter his reign And Wigorniensis Matthew Westminster Hoveden and Simeon Dunelmensis all stile it onely CONCILIUM not Parliamentum 3ly Because he certainly mistakes in his Chronology in making Aegelnoth Archbishop of Canterbury in the reign of King Hardecnute when as he died and Eadsi was made Archbishop thereof two years before Hardicnuâ—es reign which Eadsi crown'd him King as Matt. Westminster An. 1038. together with Matthew Parker and Godwin attest And therefore he might as grosly mistake in other things 4ly It appears by the recital it self that it was writ above 130 years at least after this Council under Cnute because it recites it preceeded the Decrees made so long after under Pope Eugenius An. 1150. 5ly The form of the Prologue Haec sunt Statuta c. coupled with ad suum convocans Parliamentum in suo publico Parliamento and aliis Episcopis ipsorum Suffraganeis prove it not to be written before King Edward the first his reign when such phrases came first in vse Sir Edward Cooke himself informing us in his Epistle that in Cnute his reign such State-Assemblies were stiled Uenerandum Concilium Sapientum sic enim apuâ— majores Parliamentum illud Latine redditur 6ly Becauâ—e it â—ubjoins cum quamplurimis gregarâ—s militibus ac cum populi multitudine copiosa as if â—hey had been personally present in this Parliamentary Council as well as the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Dukes and Nobles of which there is not one syllable in our four antient Historians which mention this Council at Cirencester Neither can these Gregarii milites be intended Knights of shires nor populi multitudine copiosa Commoners or Burgesses elected to serve in Parliament by and for the people as Sir Edward Cooke and others fancy there being no mâ—ntion of any such chosen Kngihâ—s of Counties Citizens Burgesses or Commons in that or succeeding ages till about the reign of King Hâ—nry the 3d. but only ordinary Souldiers and the Vulgar sort of people admitted to be present in the Council at the reading and passing of the Charter to St. Edmond as they are now admitted into the Lords House together with the Knights and Burgesses at the beginnings and ending of our Parliaments and upon publike Trials Conferences and Occasions at which times there are more common people ten to one usually present to see and hear what is acted who are no members then there are Members of the Commons House which never sate together with the Lords for ought appears much less in this Parliament as some confidently inferr â—rom this Spurious Aâ—tiquity which Sir Edward Cooke little versed in Antiquities and oft mistaken in them so much magnifies and insists on In the year of Christ 1021. King Cnute uppon occasions and offences taken by him banished Duke Turkell to whom he had formerly committed East England with Edgitha his wife and Hirc Duke of Northumberland out of England Turkell no sooner arived in Denmark but he was there slain by the Dukes of the Country by divine vengeance he being a chief inciter of the death of St. Alphege The English Danes An. 1022. in Colloquio apud Oxoniam celebrato de Legibus Regi Edwardi prâ—mitenendis coucorâ—es facti sunt Unde â—isdem Legibus jubente Rege Cnutone ab Anglica lingua in Latinam translatis tà m in Dania quà m in Angliaâ— propter earum aequitatem à Rege praefato observari jubentur as Mat. Westminster relates Anno 1022. So as he imposed no New Laws on them nor revived old but only by common consent in a Parliamentary Council both of English and Danes King Cnute in the year 1023. did so carefully endeavour to reform all things wherein himâ—elf or his Ancestors had offended as he seemed to wipe away Prioris Injustitiae Naevum the Blot of his former Injustice as well with God as with men And by the exhortation of Queen Emma studying to reconcile all the English to himself he bestowed many Gifts upon them et insuper bonas Leges omnibus et placentes promisit and moreover promised good and pleasing Lawes to all The best means to win and knit the peoples hearts Anno 1024. Cnute leading an Army of English and Danes against the Swedes whereof he lost many in the first battel the next day when he appointed again to fight with them Earl Godwin General of the Enlish Militia without King Cnutes privity resolved with his English forces alone to invade the Swedish Enemies in the night Whereupon using this Speech to his Souldiers ut pristinae gloriae memores robur suum oculis novi Domini assererent c. they alâ— valiantly assaulted the Enemies at unawares put them all to flight slew an innumerable multitude of them and compelled the Kings of that Nation Ulf and Eglaf to yield to terms of Peace Cnute preparing to fight very early the next morning thought the English had been either fled away or revoâ—ted to the Enemies but marching to the Enemies tents and finding nothing but the bloud and carcasses of those the English had slain he thereupon ever after had the English in great esteem who by this their Victory Comitatum Duci sibi laudem paraverunt writes Malmsbury Cnute returning joyfull of this Victory into England and bestowing an Earldom on Godwin for this Service In the year 1027. Cnute hearing that the Norwegians disesteemed Olaus their King by reason of his simplicity bribed his Nobles with great sums of gold and silver to reject Olaus and elect him for their King which they promising to do the next year he failed into Norwey with 50 ships thrust Olaus out of his kingdom by consent of his Nobles and subdued his Realm to himself wheâ—ce returning into England An. 1029. Hâ—conem Danicum Comitem quasi Legationis causa in Exilium misit
inducing this King to grant it Beorredus laâ—giente Dei gratia Rex Merciorum omnibus provinciis populis earum universam Merciam inhabitantibus fidem Catholicam conservantibus salutem sempiternam in Domino nostro Jesu Christo. Quoniam peccatis nostris exigentibus manum Domini super nos extensum quotidiè cum virgâ ferreâ cernimus cervicibus nostris imminere Necessarium nobis salubre arbitror piis sanctae matris ecclesiae precibus Eleemosynarumque liberis largitionibus iratum Dominum placatum reddere et dignis devotionibus ejus gratiam in nostris necessitaâ—ibus auxiliariam imploraâ—e Ideoque et ad petitionem strenâ—i Comitis mihi meritoque dilectissimi concessi regio Chirographo meo Theodoro Abbati Croyland Tam donum dicti Comitis Algari quam dona aliorum fidelium praeterit orum ac praesentium c. And it concludes thus Istud Regium Chirographum meum Anno Incarnationis Domini nostri Jesu Christi 868. Calendis Augusti apud Snothingham coram fratribus amicis omni populo meo in obsidione Paganorum congregatis sanctae crucis munimine confirmaviâ— Then follow the subscriptions and confirmations of Ceolnoth Archbishop of Canterbury 5 Bishops 3 Abbots Ethelred king of West-Saxons and Alfred his Brother Edmund king of East-Angle 2 Dukes and twelve Earls who all ratified this Charter After which Charter confirmed this king Beorred renders special thanks to all his Army for their assistance against the Danes especially to the Bishops Abbots and other inferior Ecclesiastical Persons for their voluntary assistance of him in those wars against these Enemies norwithstanding his Fathers exemption of them by his Charter from all military expeditions and secular services thus recorded by Ingulphus and most worthy observation Ego Beorredus Rex Merciorum Intimo animi affectu totisque praecordiis gratias exolvo speciales omni exercitui meo maximè tamen Viris Ecclesiasticis Episcopis Abbatibus aliis etiam inferioribus status dignitatis Qui licèt piissimae memoriae Rex quondam Eâ—helwulfus pater meus per sacratisâ—imam Chartam suam ab omni expeditione militari vos liberos reddiderit ab omni servitio saeculari penitus absolutos dignisâ—â—ma tamen miseratione super oppressiones Christianae plebis Ecclesiarumque Monasteriorum destructiones luctuosas benignissimè compassi contra nefandissimos Paganos in exercitum domini prompti spontanei convenistis ut tanquam Martyres Christi cultus sanguine vestro augeatur barbarorum superstitiosa crudelitas effugetur From these last Passages it is apparent first That in those days our Saxon Kings made War and Peace by the advice and consent of their Nobles and Parliamentary great Councils 2ly That in cases of common invasion and danger by forein Enemies all the forces raised and ways and means to resist them were concluded on by advice and consent of these great Councils and not by the kings absolute power 3ly That all or most Church-men and their Church-lands in those days were absolutely freed and discharged from all military expeditions Contributions Aids and Assistance against Enemies by express Charters but only such as themselves voluntarily anâ—â—reely contributed in cases of incumbent great Danger and Necessity without compulsion for which their kings rendred them special and hearty thanks acknowledging and confirming these their Immunities not violating them upon such Necessities as this Notable passage of Ingulphus attests together with that of Mat. West An. 867. Concerning Alstan Bishop of Sherborne a man of very great Power and Counsel in the Realm Contra Danos quoque qui tunc primò insulam infestabant Regis Aethelulfi saevitiam exacuit Ipse ex fisco pecuniam accipiens ipse excercitum componens Martiis felix eventibus contra hostes bella plurima constanter peregit receiving Mony out of the Kings Exchequer not the Peoples Purses or Contributions to manage these Wars and not warring on his own expences 4ly That the Nobles Gentry and People of the Realm were the only standing Militâ—â— in that Age to defend it against forein Enemies in times of danger or actual invasion when they marched out of their own Counties against them voluntarily and freely adventuring their lives for defence of their King Country Religion Liberties Properties as they did at this siege of Nottingham and during all the long-lasting Danish Wars Invasions and Depredations both by Land and Sea 5ly That our Christian Kings Nobles and great Councils of those days in times of greatest danger Invasion and Wars held it most seasonable and necessary to confirm and enlarge the Churches Patrimony Liberties and Privileges thereby to stir up their Clergy-men more earnestly to assist them with their Prayers not to diminish invade or infringe them under pretext of Real inevitable necessiâ—y and danger the practice of late and present times Whereupon they granted and confirmed this forecited Charter in the very Armie during the siege of Notingham before all the Kings Princes Prelates Dukes Earls and people there present In the year 870. Inguar and Hubba with the rest of the Danes comming into Kesteven in Lincoln-shire wasting and slaying all the Country with fire and sword thereupon Earl Algarus Osgot Sheriff of Lincoln and all the Gentry and People in those parts with the Band of the Abby of Croyland under the Command of Toâ—â—us a Monk formerly a Souldier consisting of 200 stout men most of them Fugitives thither for Sanctuary uniting all their forces together in Kesteven on the Feast of St. Maurice fought with the Danes and slew 3 of their Kings with a great multitude of their forces That night the other Danish Kings dispersed abroad to pillage the Country with a great booty many captains coming to the tents of their routed Companions with a numerous Army were inraged with the slaughter of their Confederates in their absence Whereupon most of the English secretly fled away from the Earl and their Captains in the night through fear who early in the morning having heard divine Offices and receiving the Sacrament resolved not to retreat but manfully to fight with the Danes though not above 700 to their many thousands being most ready to die for the defence of the faith of Christ and of their Country Whereupon the Danes assailing them with great multitudes and fury they all standing and fighting close together valiantly susteined their assaults from morning till evening without giving ground Upon which the Danes to sever them purposely feigned a Flight and began to leave the Fieldâ— Hereupon the English contrary to the commands of their Captains dissolving their Ranks and dispersing themselves to pursue the Danes they suddenlâ— returned and slew most of the English who fought gallantly with them to the last gasp some few of them only escaping After which the Danes marching to the Abby of Croyland put the Abbot with all the Monks and Persons they there found one Child excepted to the Sword after they had extremely
tortured them to discover where their Treasures were broke up all the Tombs pillaged and burnt the Abby with all the Edifices thereof leaving it a meer ruinous heap then marching on laying all the Country waste before them with fire and Sword sparing neither person age nor sex they cast down burnt destroyed and levelled to the Ground the goodly Monasteries of Bradney Peterborough Huntingdon Ely with sundry others murthering as well all the Monks as Nuns therein which their merciless Swords after they had first polluted them To avoid whose barbarous rape Ebba Abbess of Coldingham and her Nuns by her example and perswasion cut off their upper Lips and Noses to deform themselves to their lascivious eyes which bloody Spectacle preserved their Chastity from their Lust but not their Monasterie or bodies from their Cruelty they burning them and their Nunnery to Ashes After which the same year Inguar and Hubba marched against St. Edmund who in the year 855. was chosen King of the East-Saxons Ab omnibus Regionis illius magnatibus et populis by all the Noblesâ— and People of that Realm being sprung from the antient Royal blood of the Saxons and compelled to take the Government on him much against his will being then but 13 years old and consecrated King by Bishop Humbert in the Royal Town called Bury The reason of their malice to this King as some of our Historians write was this that he was maliciously accused to have murthered their Father Lothbroc driven by a sudden storm in a small boat into England as he was hawking at Fowl by this Kings Faulkoner who having murthered himself out of meer malice was by judgement of the Knights and Lawyers banished the Realm and put alone into Lothbrocs Boat without Oâ—re or Sails for murthering him and so sent to Sea being driven in it into Denmark to excuse himself he maliciouslie accused the King of this Murther to these his Sons Who thereupon invaded England with an Army to revenge their Fathers death And the Reason why they at this time so extraordinarily prevailed aâ—d over-run the Land was the Civil Discords Wars and Emulations amongst the Saxon kings who either out of Malice or Ambition to advance their own Dominion or base unworthy fears would rather induce these common Enemies to over-run them than assist one another against them which William of Malmesburie thus expresseth Meminerit interea lector quod interim Reges Merciorum et Northanimbrorum captata occasione â—dventus Danorum quorum bellis Ethelredus iâ—sudabat a servitio West-Saxonum respirantes dominaâ—ionem suam penè asseruerant Ardebant ergo cunctae saevis popularibus provinciae unusquisque Regum inimicos magis in suis sedibus sustinere quam compatrioâ—is Laborantibus opem porrigere curabat Ita dum maluit vindicare quam praevenire injuriam socordiâ suâ exanguem reddiderunt Patriam Dani sine obstaculo succressere dum et provincialibus timor incresceret et proxima quaeq victoria per additamentum Captiâ—orum instrumentum sequentis fieret c. Northanimbri jamdudâ—m civilibus dissentionibus â—luctuantes adventante hoste correxerunt discordiam Itaque Osbirthum Regem quem expulerant in solium reformaâ—tes magnosque moliti paratus obviam procâ—dunt sed facilè pulsi infra Urbem Eboracum se includunt quâ mox à victoribus succensâ cum laxos crines effusior flamma produceret tota depascens maenia ipsi quoque conflagrati patriam ossibus texêre suis Mercii non semel obtriti obsidatu miserias suas levaverunt At vero Ethelredus multis laboribus infractus obiit Orientalium Anglorum pagi cum urbibus et vicis à praedonibus possessi Rex eorum sanctus Edmundus ab eisdem interemptust Anno Dominicae Incarnationis 870. 12 Calendas Decembris temporaneae mortis compendio regnum emit aeternum The manner of King Edmunds Martyrdom Historians thus relate An. 870. Hinguar King of the Danes invading King Edmunds Realm with a great Power sent a Messenger to King Edmund to demand the half of his Treasure and Wealth and that he should hold his Realm under him threatning otherwise to waste his Kingdom and extirpaâ—e him and his Pâ—ople Sed nimis fraudulentèr Hinguar thesauros exigebat qui Clementissimi Regis caput potius quam pecuntas sitiebat writes Matthew Westminster Where upon Bishop Humbeâ—t advising him to fly â—rom the Danes who approached with their forces towards him to save his life The King wisheâ— Would to God that I might preserve the lives of my Subjects for whom I desire to lay down my life for this is my chiâ—fest wish that I may not survive my faithfull Subjects and most dear friends which this Cruâ—l Pirate hath thâ—evishly slain neither will I stain my glory by slâ—ght who never yet sustained the reproaches of Waâ—re The Heavenly King also is my Witness that no fear of the Barbarians shall separate me from the Love of Christ whether living or dead Then turning to the Messenger of Hinguar he said Thou art worthy to suffer the punishment of death being wâ—t with the blood of my people But imitating the example of my Christ If it should so happen I am not afraid willingly to die for them Return therefore speedily to thy Master and carry my answers to him Although thou takest away my Treasures and riches whiâ—h the Divine Clemency hath given me by thy power yet thou shalt never subject me to thy infidelity for it is an honest thing to defend perpetual liberty together with purity of Religion for which also if there be need we think it not unprofitable to die Therfore as thy proud cruâ—lâ—y hath begun after the servants slaughter cut thou the Kings throatâ— because the King of Kings seeing these things will translate me into Heaven there to reign eternally The Messenger departing the King commanded his Souldiers to run to their Arms aâ—firmingâ— that it was a worthy thing to fight both for their Faith and Country leâ—t they shouâ—d prove deâ—erâ—ers of their Realm and betrayers of the people And being incouraged by Bishop Humbert his Nobles and fellow Souldiers he marched against the Enemy and near Thedford fought a bloody battel with the Danes from morning to night the place being all dyed red with the blood of the slain Aâ— which grievoâ—â—â—ight King Edmund was much grieved not only for the great slaughter of his own Soâ—ldiors â—ightâ—ing for their Country native liberty the faith of Iesus Christ so alreâ—dy â—rouned with Mâ—rtyrdome But likewise for the death of the Barbarous Infidels sent down to Hell in great numbers which he overmuch lamented After which battel retiring to Hegelsdun with his forces that were left he immutably resolved in his mind never to fight battel with the Enemies more saying only this that it was necessary that he alone should die for the People and not the whole Nation perish Soon after Hinguars Army being recruted by the access of Hubba to
bloud of their Neighbours and Friends was to be revenged Where upon Swain a cruel man prone to shed bloud animated to revenge by his Messengers and Letters commanded all the Warriers of his Kingdom and charged all the souldierâ— in â—orein Regions greedy of gain to assist him in this expedition against the English which they cheerfully did he having now a fairer shew to do foully than ever wrong having now made him a right of invasion who had none before Anno 1003. King Swain ariving with a great Navy and Army in England by the negligence and treachery of one Hugh a Norman whom Qâ—een Emma had made Earl of Devonshire took and spoyled the City of Exeter rased the wall thereof to the ground and burnt the City to ashes returning with a great prey to his ships leaving nothing behind them but the ashes After which wasting the Province of Wiltshire a strong Army congregated out of Hamshire and Wiltshire went wiâ—h a resolution manfully and constantly to fight with the Enemy but when both Armies were in view of each other ready to joyn battel Earl Edric their General a constant Traytor to his Country and secret friend to the Danes feigned himself to be very sick and began to vomit so that he could not possibly fight Whâ—re upon the Army seeing his slothfulness and fearfullness departed most sorroâ—full from â—heir Enemies without â—ighting being disheartned by the Cowardise of their Captain Which Swane perceiving he marched to Wilton and Sarisbery which he took pillaged and burnt to the ground returning with the spoil to his Ships in triumph The next year Swane to whom God had designed the kingdom of England as some old Historians write sailing with his Fleet to Norwich pillaged and burnt it to the ground Whereupon Ulfketel Duke of East-England â— man of great valour seeing himself surprized and wanting time to raise an Army to resist the Danes cum Majoribus East-Angliae habito Consilio taking Counâ—el â—ith the Great men of East England made peace with Swane which he treacherouâ—ly breaking within three weeks after suddenly issuing out of his ships surprized pillaged and burnt Thetford to the ground and covering the Câ—untry like Locusts spoyled all things and slaughtered the Country-men without resistance Which Duke Ulfketel being informed of commanded some of his Country-men to break his ships in pieces in his absence from them which they not dared or neglected to do and he in the mean time raising an Army with as much speed as he could boldly marched against the Enemy retuâ—ning with great booties to their Ships where after a long and sharp incounter on both sides the English being over-powered by the multitude of the Danes were totally roâ—ted and all the Nobles of East-England there slain in their Countries defence who fought so valiantly that the Danes confessed they had never an harder or sharper battel in Eâ—gland than this The great loss the Danes sustained in it though they got the â—ield and an extraordinary â—amine in England the year following greater than any in the memory of man caused Swane to return into Denmark to refresh and recruit his Army King Ethelred quit of these Enemies Anno 1006 deprived Wulfgate the Son of Leonne whom he had loved more than all men of his â—ossessions and all his honours propter injusta judicia for his unjust judgements and proud works and likewise commanded the eyes of the two Sons of that Arch-Trait or Edric Streona to be put out at Cocham where he kept his Courâ— because Edric had treacherously inticed a bloody Butcher Godwin Porthound whom he corrupted with great gifts to murder the Noble Duke Althelin at Scoborbyrig as he was hunting whom Edric purpâ—sâ—ly invited to a Feast that he might thus treacherously murder him While these things were acting in the month of Iuly the Danes returning with an innumerable Navy into England landing at Sandwich consumed all things with fire and sword taking great booties sometimes in Sussex sometimes in Kent Whereupon King Ethelred gathered a great Army out of Mercia and the West-parts of England resolving valiantly to fight with the Daâ—es who declining any open fight and returning to their Ships landed sometimes in one place sometimes in another and so pillaging the Country returned with the booty to the Ships before the English Army could encounter them which they vexed all the Autumn in marching after them from place to place to no purpose The English Army returning home when Winâ—et began to approach the Danes with an extraordinary booty sayled to the Isle of Wight where they continued till the Feast of Chriâ—ts Nativity which Feast they turned into sorrow For then they marching into Hampshire and Berkeshire pillaged and burnt down Reading Wallingford Colesey Essington and very many Villages Quocunque enim peragâ—bant quae parata erant hilariter comedentes cum discederent in retribuâ—ionem procurationis reddebant hospiti caedem hospitio flammam as Huntindon Bromton and others story As they were returning another way to their ships with their booty they found the Inhabitants ready to give them battel at Kenet whom the Danes presently fighting with and routing returned wiâ—h triumph to their ships enriched with the new sâ—oils of the routed English King Ethelred lying all this time in Shropshire unable to resist the Danes Anno 1007. cum Consilio Primatum suorum as Florentius Wigorniensis Simeon Dunelmensis Polycâ—ronicon and others express it by the Counsel of his Nobles sent Messengers to the Danes â— commanding them to tell them quod sumptus et Tributum illis dare vellent that they wouâ—d give â—hem Coâ—ts and Tribute upon this Condition That they should desist from rapines and hold a firm peace with them to which request they consentedâ— and from that time Costs were given them and a Tribute paid them of thirty six thousand pounds out of aâ—l England Henry Hunâ—iâ—don Brâ—mton thus relaâ—e the business Rex et Senatus Anglorum dubii quid agerent quid omitterent communi deliberatione gravem conventioneÌ„ cum exercitu fecerunt ad pacis observationeÌ„ 36000 mil. librar ei dederunt A clear evidence that this Agreement and Peace was made and money granted and raised in England by common advice consent in Parliament or Council Inâ—renduit Anglia toâ—a velut arundinem Zephiro vibrante collisum Unde Rex Ethelredus confusione magna consternatus pecunia pacem ad tempus quam armis non potuit adquisivit writes Matthew Westminster Rex Anglorum Ethelredus pro bono pacis Tributum 36 mil. librarum persâ—lvit Dacis as Radulphus de Diceto words it After which the King this year made Edric aforementioned Duke of Mercia and that by the Providence of God to the destruction of the English a man of base parentage but extraordinary crafty eloquent witty and unconstant surpassing all of that age in envy perfidiousness pride cruelty and Treason who
Civibus magna ope conantibus dum unusqâ—â—sque sudâ—â—es suos Principi ostentare et pro eo pulchrum putaret emori Hostium pars prostrata pars in flumine Thamesi necuta Hereupon Swain despairing to take the City marched with his torn shattered Army first to Wallingford plundering and demolishing all things they met with in their wayâ— after â—heir wonted manner and at last they came to Bath where Ethelmere Earl of the West Country with all his people came and submitted to him giving him hostages for their loyalty Having thus finished all things according to his desire he returned with his Hostages to his Navy being both called and reputed King by all the People of England London excepted si Rex jure queat vocari qui fere cuncta Tyrannice faciebat â—ite Florence oâ— Worceste Simeon Dâ—nelmensis verâ— caâ—eâ—oâ—sly Nec adhuc flecterentur Londinenses tota jam Anglia in clientelam ejus inclinata nisi Ethelredus praesentia eos destitueret sua as Malmesbury observes King Ethelred being a man given to sloathfullness and through consciousness of his own demerits very fearful deeming no man faithfull to him by reason of the tragical death of his Brother Edwaod for which he felt this Divine revenge not daring to raise an Army not fight the Enemy wiâ—h it when raised Ne Nobiles Regni quos injuste exhaeredaverat lest the Nobles of the Reaâ—m whom he had unjuâ—â—ly dis-inherited should desert and deliver him up to the Enemy declining the necessity of war and of a new siege most unâ—orthily deserted the Londoners his faithfull valiant Subjects and Proâ—ectors in the midst of their dangers Enemies â—lying away secretly fâ—oÌ„ them to Hamshire by secret journies from wâ—ence he sailed to the Isle of Wight Hereupon the Londoners Laudandi prorsus viâ—i quos Mars ipse collata non sperneret hasta si Ducem habuissent Cuâ—us dum vel sola umbra protegerentur totius pugnae aleam ipsam obsidionem etiam non paucis mensibus luserunt Seeing themselves thus unworthily deserted by their Soveraign in their extremities moved by the example of the rest of their Countrymen submitted themselves likewise to King Swain sending Hostages to and making their peace wiâ—h him the rather for that they feared Swains fury was so much incensed against them for his former shamefull repulses by them that if they submitted not to â—â—m of their own accords he would not only spoil them of all their goods but likewise command either all their eyes to be pulled out or their hands and feet to be cut off iâ— he subdued them by force Iohn Speed against the current of other Historians informs us That Swain after his repulse from London having received a certain sum of money went back into Denmark for want of victuals and to recruit his shattered Army whence returning soon after he was immediatly met by the English where betwixt them was struck a sore battel which had been with good success had not the Treason of some hindred it in turning to the Danes King Ethelred therefore seeing himself and the Land betrayed on this manner to those few true English that were left used this Speech as followeth If there wanted in me a fatherly care either for the defence of the Kingdom or adâ—inisâ—ration of Justice in the Commonwealth or in you the carriage of Souldiers for defence of your Native Country then truly silent would I be for ever and bear those calamities with a more dejected mind but as the case stands be it as it is I for my part am resolved to rush into the midst of the Enemy and to lose my life for my kingdom and Crown And you I am sure hold it a worthy death that is purchased for the Liberties of your selves and kindred and therein I pray you let us all die for I see both God and destiny against us and the name of the English Nation brought almost to the last period for we are overcome not by weapons and hostile warr but by Treason and domâ—stick falshood our Navy betrayed into the Danes hands our battel weakned by the revolt of our Captains our designs betrayed to them by our own Counsellers and they also inforcing composition of dishonourable Peace I my self disesteemed and in scorn termed Ethelred the unready Your valour and loyalty betrayed by your own Leaders and all our poverty yearly augmented by the payment of their Danegelt which how to reâ—ress God only knoweth and we are to seek For if we pay money for peace and that confirmed by Oath these Enemies soon break it as a people that neiâ—her regard God nor man contrary to equity and the Laws of Warâ— and of Nations and so fâ—r off is all hope of better success as we have cause to fear the losse of our kingdom you the extinction of the English Nations revenue Therefore seeing our enemies are at hand and their hands at our throats let us by fore-sight and counsel save our own lives or else by courage sheath our swords in their bowels either of which I am willing to enter into to secure our Estate and Nation from an irrecoverable Ruine After which Speech he and his Army retreated and gave way to the prevailing Enemy Swain herepon setling all things according to his own will when as he knew that no man durst resist him commanded himself to be called King of England Dum non fuit alius qui pro jure regni decertare vel se regem confiteri aâ—sus fuisset as Matt. Westminster and others write Such a strange fear and stupidity was then fallen upon Ethelred and the whole English Nation After this Ethelred privily departed from London to Hampton and from thence to the Isle of Weight as aforesaid where advising with the Abbots and Bishops there assembled in Council what course was best to steer he spake thus unto them the History whereof I shall fully relate in William of Malmesbury his words Ibi Abbates et Episcoposâ— Qui nec in tali necessitate Dominum suum deserendum putarent in hanc convenit sententiam Videâ—ent quam in angusto res essent suae et suorum se perfidia Ducum avito extorrem solio et opis egentem aâ—iâ—nae in cujus manu alâ—orum â—olebat salus pendere quondam Monarcham et Potentem modo miserum et exulem dolendum sibi hanc commutationem quia facilius toleres oâ—es non habuisse quam habitas amisisse Pudendam Anglis eo magis quod deserti Ducis exempluâ— processurum sit in orbem terrarum Iâ—â—os amore sui sine sumptibus voluntariam sube untes fugam domos et facultates suas praedonibus exposuisse in arcto esse victum omnibus vestitum deesse pluribus probare se fidem illorum â— sed non reperire salutem adeo jam subjugata terra observari littora ut nusquam sine periculo sit exitus Quapropter considerent in mâ—dium quid
apud Greenwic â—acuiâ— Tributum quod erat 30. millia librarum pendi mandavit to wit to the Fleet under Turkell the Dane who instead of defending did but help to pillage and oppress the English Huntindon wriâ—es it was but 21 thousand pounds and Bromton aversâ— that it was Cnute not Ethelred who commanded it to be paid to his Navy Soon after which the Sea rising higher than it was accustomed drowned an innumerable Company of Villages people and cattel After Cnutes departure King Ethelred summoned a Parliamentaty Council at Oxford Anno 1015. both of the Danes and English Malmsbury expressly stiles it MAGNUM CONCILIUM Wigorniensis Hovedâ—n Sim. Dunelmensis MAGNUM PLACITUM Matthew Westminster and others MAGNVM COLLOQUIUM our later English Historians a Great Council and Parliament The King by the ill advise of that Arch Traytor Duke Edric at this Great Council commanded some Nobleâ— of the Danes to be sodenly and secretly slain quasi de Regia proditione notatos ac perfidiae apud se insimulatos the chiefest of them were Sygeforth and Morcar whom Edric treacherously invited to his chamber and there making them drunk caused his armed guards there placed secretly to murder them which they did Hereupon their Servants endeavouring to revenge their Lords deaths being digniores et potentiores ex Scovengensibus they were repulâ—ed wiâ—h arms and forced to slye into the Tower of St. Frideswides Church for safety whence when they could not be forcibly expelled they were all there burnt together The King presently seised upon their lands and goods the chief cause of their murder as some conceived and sent the relict of Sygeforth a very Noble beautifull and vertuous Lady prisoner to Malmsbury whither Edmond the Kings base Son as some affirm posâ—ed without his fathers privity and being enamored with her beauty first carnally abused then afterward maried her and by her advice forcibly invaded and seised upon the Lands of her husband and Morcar which were very great and the Earldom of Northumberland which his father denied him upon his request Whereupon all the Inhabitants of that County readily submitted to him Whiles these things were acting Cnute having setled his affairs in Denmark and made a League with his neighbour Kings recruiâ—ed his Army and Navy and returned into England with a resolution either to win it or to lose his life in the attempt Ariving first at Sandwich and sailing thence to the West he pillaged Dorsetshire Somersetshire and Wiltshire filling all places with slaughters and plunders King Ethelred lying then sick at Cosham his son Edmond Ironside and Duke Edric raised an Army against Cnute but when both their forces were united to fight him the old perfidious Traytor Edric endeavoured by all means to betray Edmond to the Danes or treacherously to slay him which being discovered to Edmond thereupon they severed their forces from each other and gave place to the Enemies without giving them battel Not long after Edric inticing to him 40 of the Kings ships furnished with Danish Mariners and Souldiers openly revolted and went with them to Cnute subjecting himself to his dominion as his Soveraign by whose example all West-Sex submitted to him as their Kihg delivering him hostages for their fidelity resigning up all their arms to him and providing both horse and arms for his Danish Army The Mercians offred themselves alone to resist the Danes but through the Kings sloathfulness the business of war received delay and the enemies proceeded in their rapines without opposition In the year 1016. King Cnute and treacherous Duke Edric came with 200 sail of ships into the river of Thames whence they marched by land with a great Army of horse and foot and invaded Mercia in an hostile manner burning all the Towns and Villages and slaying all the men they met with in Warwickshire and other places whereupon King Ethelred as Huntindon Wigorniensis and others record made an Edict Ut quicunque Anglorum sanus esset secum in bello procederet That every Englishman who was in health should go with him in battel against the Danes An innumerable multitude of people upon this assembled together to assist him But when his and his son Edmonds forces were conjoyned in one body the King was informed that some of his auxiliaries were ready to betray and deliver him up to the enemies unless he took care to prevent it and save himself and as some write the Mercians refused to â—ight with the VVest-Saxons and Danes whereupon the expedition was given over and every man returned to his own home After this Edmund Ironside raised a greater Army than before against Cnute and sent Messengers to King Ethelred to London to raise as many men as possible he could and speedily to come and joyn with him against the Danes but he for fear of being betrayed to the Enemy presently dismissed the Army without fighting and returned to London Hereupon Edâ— Ironside went into Northumberland where some imagined he would raise a greater Army against Cnute the Dane but he and Vhâ—red Earl of Northumberland instead of incountring Cnute wasted the Counties of Stafford Shrewsbury and Leicester because they would not go forth to fight against the Danes Army in defence of their Country and King Cnute on the other side wasting with fire and sword the Counties of Buckingham Bedford Huntindon Northampton Lincoln Nottingham and after that Northumberland Which Edmond being informed of returned to London to his Father and Earl Uhtred returning home being compelled by necessity repaired to Cnute and submitted himself to him with all the Northumbrians making a Peace with him and giving him hostages for performance thereof and for his and their fidelity Not long after Uhtred and Turketel Earls of Northumberland were both treacherously slain by Turebrand a Dane by Cnutes command or Commission Which done Cnute made one Hirc some stile him Egric Earl of Northumberland in his place and then returned with all his army to his Ships in triumph a little before the feast of Easter with a very great booty Not long after King Ethelred born to troubles and mischief after manifold labours vexations treacheries and incessant tribulations ended his wretched life in London where he died May 9th Anno 1016. being there buried in St Pauls Church finding rest in his Grave by death which he could never find in hiâ— Throne all his life having attaineâ— it by Treachery â—nd his Brothers Soveraigns murder whose Ghost as Malmesbury and others writeâ— did perpetually vex and haunt him all his râ—ign and made him so subject to and fearfull of plots and treacheries that he knew not whom to trust nor ever deemed himself secure even in the midst of his oft raised Armies Nobles People though ready to adventure theiâ— Lives for his defence I have related these Passages of the Danish warsâ— and invasions during Ethelreds reign more largely than I intended 1. Because on the Englishmens parts they were meerly defensive
themselves suspected thought it not safe for them to come thither without an armed Guard whereupon they encampâ—d at Brâ—verstone with a great host and there stayed giving out a report among the people that they had therefore gathered an Army together out of Kent Surry Yorkshire Oxfordshire Glocestershire Somersetshire Herfordshire Essâ—x Notinghamshire and other parts that they might curbe the Welshmen who meditating Tyranny and Rebellion against the King had fortified a Town in Herefordshire where Swane one of the Earl Godwins Sonnes then pretended to keep watch and ward against them The King hearing that Godwin and his Sonnâ—s had raised a great Army of men out of all these Counties upon this false pretext presently sent Messengers to Syward Earle of Northumberland and Leofric Earle of Mercia to hasten to him being in great danger with all the forces they could raise Who repairing to him at the first with small forces so soon as they knew how the matter went sending their Officers through their Coâ—ntries together with Earle Ralph in his Countrey speedily assembled a great Army to assist the King ready to encounter these enemies if there were a necessity In the mean time Godwin marching with his Army into Glocestershire sent messengers to the King as Matthew VVestminster and some others story commanding him to deliver up Earle Eustace with his companions the Normans Bonomans who then held the Castls of Dovâ—r to him else he should denounce war against him To whom the King being sufficiently furnished with military forces sent this answer That he would not deliver up Earl Eustace to him commanding moreover Ut qui exercitum contra ipsum collegerat sine eâ—us licentia pacem regnâ— perturbaverat veniret ad eum die statuta sâ—per hac injuria sibi responsurus juri pariturus Godwin and his Sonnes being accused of A CONSPIRACY against the King and made odious to the whole Court by the VVelshmen and Normans so that a rumor was spread abroad that the Kings Army would assault them in the same place where they quartered and were unanimously resolved and ready to fight with Godwins Army being much incensed against him if the King would have permitted them Quo accepto Godwinus ad Conjuratos classicum cecinit Ut ultro Domino regi non resisterent sed si conuenti suissent quin se ulciscerentur loco non cederent profecto facinus miserabile plus quam civile bellum fuisset nisi maturiora consilia interessent writes Malmsbury But because the best and greatest men of all England were engaged on the one side and other it seemed a great unadvisednesse to Earl Leofric and others that they should fight a battle and wage war with their own Countrymen and thereupon they advised That hostages being given on both sides the King and Godwin should meet at London on a certain day to plead togâ—ther which Counsel being approved of and mesâ—engers running to and fro between them hostages being given and received and some small agreement made between them at the present thereupon the Earle returned into VVest-Sax and the King increasing his Army both out of Mercia and Northumberland returned with them to London by agreement between both parties Iterumque praeceptum ut Londini Concilium coageretur and it was again commanded by the King that A COVNCEL or PARLIAMENT as Trevisa Speed and others render iâ— should be assembled at London Swane the Son of Godwin was commanded to mitigate the Kings anger by his flight Godwin and Harold were ordered to come to this Councel with twelve men only in their company and that they should resigne up to the King the services of all the Knights and Souldiers which they had thoroughout England But Godwin and his Sonnes as they durst not wage war against the King so ad Curiam ejus venire Iuri parituri negabant They would not come to his Court to put themselves upon a legal tryall alleadging That they would not goe to a Conventicle of factious persons without pledges and hostages that they would obey their Lord in the surrender of all their Knights services and in all things else without the perill of their honour and safety That if they came thither unarmed they might fear the losse of lifâ— if with a few followers it would be a reproach to their honour But the King being so resolute in his minde that he would not recede from what he had resolved by their intreaties â—pon their refusal to come unto his Court to justify themselves Rex in suo Concilio communi Curiae suae judicio by the common judgement of his Court in this Parliamentary Councel Et omnis exercitus unanimi consensu and by the unanimâ—us consent of his whole Army as Flo-rence of VVorcester and his followers subjoyne banished Godwin himself and his five Sons out of England whereupon prolatum Edictum est A Decree Proclamation was then published that within five dayes they should dâ—part out of England Godwin perceving that his souldiers deserted him some some â—or fear of the Kings Army and displeasure thereupon he and his wife Gâ—va and his three sonnes Swane Gurth and Tosti with his wife Iudith daughter to the Earle of Flanders departed presently out of England by the Isle of Thanet into Flanders to Earle Baldwin with much treasure but his other two soâ—nâ—s Harold and Leofric sailed by Bristol into Ireland Moreover the King put away his Qâ—een Edâ—tha for her Father Godwins sake thrust her into the Abbie of Warwel or Redwel without worship with one maid only to attend her committing her to the custody of the Abbess his own sister taking away all her substance without leaving her so much as one penny ne scilicet omnibus suis parentibus patriam suspirantâ—bus sola sterteret in pluma Harolds Earldom and County wâ—a bestowed on Algarus who ruled it nobly and he with good will resigned it up to Harold upon his returne These things being done William Duke of Normandy came to visit the King with a great multitude of Normans and Souldiers whom King Edward honorably received and magnificently entertained for a season carrying him about to all his royal Castles and Cities and at last sent back into Normandy with many and great presents bestowed on him and his followers De successione autem Regni spes adhuc aut menâ—io nulla facta inter eos fuit writes Iâ—gulphus King Edward In Parliamento Pleno having in Plain or full Parliament as Radulphus Cestrensis Knighton de eventibus Angliae l. 1. c. 10. Trevisa and others relate thus banished and outlawed Godwin and his sons in which in condition as some write they continued two ful years Thereupon in the year 1052. Harold and Leofric by way of reveng coming out of Ireland with such ships and forces as they could there raise pâ—llaged the western parts of England â— infesting the shores with continual robberies carrying away rich booties
last invading Northumberland and joyning with the Danes against his own brother King Harold was there slain by him in battel with all his forces His daughter Queen Egitha besides her forementioned repudiation by King Edward and the imprisonment and disgraces put upon her by him for her Fathers sake was never carnally known by him as his wife out of a detestation to her Father Godwin because he would not ingender heirs to succeed him in the royal Throne out of the Race and séed of such a Traytor as many Historians assert â—ven so let all other such like perfidious Traytors their Posterities perish who imitate him and them in their Treasons Perjuries Rebellions and will not be warned nor reclaimed by his or their sad examples The same year Earl Godwin thus perished Rheese brother of Griffin King of Southwales was slain by King Edwards command and his head brought to Glocester to the King on the Vigil of Epiphany for his manifold Treasons rebellions and frequent depredations upon his English Subjects King Edward Anno 1054. commanded Sywarâ— the valiant Duke of Northumberland to invade Scotland with an Army of horse and a strong Navy to remove Mackbeoth K. of Scots to whom he had formerly given the Realm of Scotland to hold it of him and make Malcolm the King of Cumberlands Son King in his place Who thereupon entring Scotland with a puissant Army fought a set battle with Mackbeoth slew many thousands of the Scots and all the Normans who went to him out of England chased him out of Scotland then totally wasted and subdued by Syward and deprived him both of his Life and Realm Which being effected King Edward gave the Realm of Scotland to Malcolm to be held from and under himself Not long after Duke Syward being likely to die of a flux when he saw death approaching said What a shame is it that I who could not die in so many battels and warrs should be reserved to die with disgrace like a Cow Wherefore put upon me my impenetrable coat of male gird me with my sword set my helmet upon my head put my buckhandler in my left hand and my gilt battel-ax in my right hand that being the strongest of all Souldiers I may die like a Souldier Whereupon being thus armed as he commanded he said Thus it becomes a Souldier to die and not lying down in his bed like an Ox and so he most honourably gave up the Ghost But because Waltâ—of his Son was then but an inâ—ant his Earldom was given by the King to Toâ—ti son of Earl Godwin â— whose Earldom after Godwins sudden death was bestowed on Harold and Harolds Earldom given to Algarus Earl of Chester Earldoms in that age being only for life not hereditary In the year 1055. King Edward Habito Londoniae Concilio holding a Parliamentary Councill at London banished Algarus Son of Earl Leofric quia de Proditione Regis in Concilio convictus fuerat because he had been convicted in the Council of Treason against the King as Henry Huntindon Bromtons Chronicle and Hygden record Yet Florentius Wigorniensis Simeon Dunelmensis Hoveden Henry de Knyghton and others write He was banished sine culpa without any crime Whereupon passing over into Ireland he soon after repaired with 18. piratical Ships to Griffin King of Wales requesting him to give him aid against King Edward Who thereupon forthwith assembling a very great Army out of all his Realm commanded Algarus to meet him and his Army with all his forces at a certain place where uniting their forces together they entred into Herefordshire to spoil and depopulate it Against whom timorous Earl Ralph King Edwardâ— Sisters Son raising an Army and meeting them two miles from the City of Hereford commanded the English to fight on horseback contrary to their custom But when they were about to joyn battel the Earl with his French and Normans fled away first of all which the English perceiving followed their Captain in flying whom the Enemies pursuing slew four or five hundred of them and wounded many more and having gained the Victory took the City of Herford slew some of the Citizens carried away many of them captives annd having burnt and pillaged the City returned enriched with great booties The King being infoâ—med of it commanded an Army to be presently assembled out of all England which meeting together at Glousester he made valiant Earl Harold their General who devoutly obeying his commands diligently pursued Griffin and Algarus and boldly entring into the coasts of Wales encamped at Straddle But they knowing him to be a valiant man not daring to fight with him fled into South-wales Upon which Harold leaving the greatest part of his Army there commanded them manfully to resist the Enemies if there were cause and returning with the rest of the multitude to Herâ—ford he enviroâ—ed it with a broad and deep trench and fortified it with gates and barrs At last Messengers passing between them and Harold they made a firm Peace betweeâ— them Whereupon Earl Algarus his Navy returning to Chester there exacted the wages he had promised them but he repairing to the King received his Earldom from him again This same year Herman Bishop of Salisbury requested of the King and almost obtained leave to remove his See from Ramesberg to the Monastery of Malmsbury sed Rege juxta Consilium Procerum id nolente he thereupon resigned his Bishoprick went beyond the Seâ—s and took upon him the habit of a Monk but repenting of his rashness he returned into England three years after and held the Bishopricks of Salisbury and Sherborne united together till the 9th year of King William the Conqueror In the year 1057. Prince Edward son of Edmond Ironside came out of Hungary where he had long lived an Exile into England being sent for thence by his Unkle King Edward who had decreed to make him heir to the Crown after himself but he died at London soon after his return leaving onely Edgar Athelin his son very young and two daughters Margaret and Christiana under the Kings custody and tuition This same year Earl Leofric at the request of his devout Noble Countess Godina freed the City of Coventry from a most grievous dishonest servitude and heavy Tribute wherewith he had formerly oppressed the Citizens being very much offended with them which though frequently importuned by her he would remit upon no other condition but this That his Lady Godina should ride naked through the street of the City from the one end of the market to the other when the people were there assembled Which she to obtain their Liberties from this Servitude and Tribute performed covering her self so with her long fair hair that she was seen and discerned by no body Whereâ—pon the Earl her husband by his Charter exempted the Citizens of Coventry for ever from many payments which he formerly imposed and exacted from them the wisdom of which
of the Nobles and common Souldiers were so incensed that detesting the covetousness of their Prince they unanimously deparâ—ed from his service and refused to march wiâ—h him against the Normans This triumphant victory so puffed up Harold that he thought himself secure in the Throne beyond the fear or reach of any adversity and instead of a King became a TYRANT Whilst Harold with all his Land and Sea forces were thus buâ—ied in the North of England Duke VVilliam in August assembled all his Land Army and Navy consisting of 900 ships at the Port of S. Valerie to invade England in the South then wholly destitute of all Guards by Land and Navy by Sea to resist his landing And to satisfie his Souldiers and all others of the justice of his undertaking he alleged these three causes thereof which Henry de Knyghton devides into four The first was to revenge the cruel murther of his Cousin Prince Alfred King Edmunds brother and of the Normans who came with him to assist him to recover the Crown of England to which he was right heir whom Godwin and his Sons had shamefully dishonoured treacherously betrayed and barbarously murdered which fact he ascribed principally to Harold The second was because Godwin and his Sons by their cunning had injuriously banished Robert Archbishop of Canterbury Earl Odo and all the French and Normans out of England which wrong he would revenge on Harold as done principally by his means and labour The third and chief ground was because Harold falling headlong into perjury had without any right usurped the Crown and Realm of England which of due belonged unto him both by right of Kinred to and gift by King Edward his Nephew and by Harolds own solemn Oath and promise made to him in Normandy to preserve the Kingdom for his use after King Edwards death without children according to King Edwards command While Duke William with his ships and Army lay many days together at S. Valerie expecting a fair gale for England the winds being cross many of the common souldiers there lying in Tents thus muttered one to another That the man was mad who would by force invade and make another mans Country and Realm his own That God did fight against them in withdrawing the winds That his Father attempted the same thing in the same manner and was hindered and inhibited therein That it was fatal to his family that aspiring to things above their power they should find God opposite to them These speeches bruted abroad which might enfeeble the strength and abate the courage even of valiant men The Duke thereupon taking Counsel with his Senators caused the Corps of St. Valerie to be brought forth to procure a wind presently a prosperous gale filling their sayles the Duke himself first took ship and launched forth and all the rest after him then casting Anchor till the Fleet came round about him they all sailing with a gentle course landed at Hastings and Pevemsy The Duke stepping forth of the ship upon the shore one of his feet slipped so that he fell down into the mud one of his hands being filled with sand whch he interpreted as an ill omen and sinister event But one of his Souldiers who stood next him lifting him up from his fall whiles he held the mud in his hand changed this event into a better interpretation saying Most happy Duke thou already possessest England and plowest it up Behold the land is in thy hand Lift up thy self with good hope thou shalt be King of England ere long No sooner was the Army landed but the King strictly charged them to forbear pluâ—dering and take no booties seeing they ought to spare the things that should be his own nor to wrong any of their persons who should ere long become his Subjects Richard Vestegan records out of a French Historian that Duke VVilliam the same day he landed in England caused divers of his chief Officers and Friends to dine with him and chancing at dinner to talk of an Astrologer who by the conjunction of the Planets had assured him at St. Valerie That Harold should never withstand him but submit himself unto him and yeeld him faith and homage willed now that the said Astrologer should be brought unto him whom he had caused to be imbarqued for that voyage But it was told him that the Ship wherein the said Astrologer sailed was cast away at Sea anâ— he drowned in it Whereunto the Duke replyed That man was not wise who had more regard â—o the good or ill fortune of another than unto his own I am now thanks be to God come over I know not how the rest will succeed How false this Star-gazers prediction proved the sequel will manifest Duke VVilliam after his arrival rested quietly 15. days without acting any thing as if he minded nothing less than war After which to cut off all occasion or hopes of return from his Souldieâ—s he fired all his ships or as some write drew them all a shore and intrenched them as others erecting only a Castle on the shore for a retiring place for his Souldiers if need were From Pevensy he marched to Hastings where he built another Fort. Henry de Knyghton records that the first night he lodged in England in his Pavillion there came a voice unto him saying William William be thou a good man because thou shalt obtain the Crown of the Realm and shalt be King of England and when thou shalt vanquish the enemy cause a Church to be built in the same place in my name so many hundred foot in length as in number of years the seed of thy bloud shall possess the Government of the Realm of England and reign in England an 150. years But Matthew Westminster writes this voice was after the battel with Harold not before it and the subsequent words in Knyghton touching his march to London import as much Harold residing in the North after his great victory there when he deemed all his Enemies totally broken in pieces received certain intelligence that Duke William was safely arived at Pevensey with his Fleet and an innâ—merable company of valiant Horsemen Slingers Archers and Footmen whom he had hired out of all France Whereupon he presently marched with his army in great haste towards London and although he well knew that most of the valiant men in all England were slain in the two late Battels against Tosti and the Danes that many of the Nobility and Common Souldiers had quite deserted him refusing to march with him in that necssity because he permitted them not to share with him in the great booties they had won with their bloud and that half his Army wâ—re not come togetherâ— yet he resolved forthwith to march into Sussex against the Enemy and fight them with those small forces tired he then had being most of them Mercenaries and Stipendiaries except those English Noblemen Gentlâ—men and Freemen who
English till then were frée-born and the name of bondage never heard among them and they amongst the rest but now nothing but servitude attended them in case they unworthily yielded as others had done to the insolency of this griping Enemy Whereupon by common advice all the people decreed and declared to meeâ— Duke William et cum eo pro Patrâ—is Legibus certare and to fight with him for the Lawes of their Country chusing rather to end an unhappy life by fighting for them in the field than to undergoe the unaccustomed yoak of bondage or to be reduced from their accustomed liberty to an unknown and unsure Slavery The Archbishop and Abbot chusing rather to die in battel than to behold the miseries of their Nation after the example of the holy Maccabees became the Captains of the Kentish Army resolving to die in defence of their Country and Laws whereupon they all resolved to meet together at Swanscomb two miles from Gravesend at a set time Where assembling accordingly they secretly kept together in the woods watching the Dukes approach all joyntly agreeing to block up his passage on all sides and to surround the Duke and his Army on a sudden that they might not escape them every one of the Horse and Footmen carrying a green bough in his hand that they might not be discovered and wherewith if need were they might impeach and hedge up the Normans passage The Duke marching the next day through the fields near Swanscomb the whole multitude of the Kentishmen like a moveable wood surrounded him approaching nearer and nearer to him with a loâ—t pace Which stratagem so daunted the Duke even with the very sight of their approach who being as he thoughâ— free from all Enemies was now suddenly beset on all sides with these moving woods that he knew not but all the other vast woods he saw might be of the like nature neither had he time to avoid the danger The Kentishmen having thus enclosed him round about casting down their boughs bended their bowes drew out their swords shaked their pikes held forth their other arms displayed their banners and sounded their trumpets in token of battel The Duke and his Army being herewith astonished though so puffed up with their former late victory that they had even now to their seeming the whole Realm of England in their hand were so extraordinarily terrified herewith that they stood in danger not only of the losse of the Victory and Army but he even of his own life Whereupon he desired a parley with the Kentish before the battel was joyned Upon this Stigand and Egelsine their Generals were sent Embassadors to the Duke on the behalf of the rest who spake thus to him in their Kentishmens names Most Noble Duke behold the people of Kent are come forth to meet thee as thy friends and are ready to receive and obey thee as their Liege Lord if â—hou shalt grant their most just requâ—stâ— demanding only such things as make for peace and such as only tend to retain the Liberty received from their Ancestors and preserve the Laws and Customs of their Country Neither will they be reduced under Bondage never yet felt by them nor tolerate any new Lawes For they can bear Royal Authority but not Lordly Tyranny Wherefore receive the Kentishmen not as thy Servants but as thy loyal loving and affectionate Subjects Yet upon this condition That all the People of Kent may for ever enjoy their antient Liberty without diminution and use the Laws and Liberties of their Country But if thou endeavourest to take away their Liberty and the Immunity of their Laws thou shalt likewise take away their Lives together with them they being all ready at present to give thee and thine battel and to try the uncertain chance of Warr Being fully resolved rather to die in the field than in any sort to depart with their Countries Laws and Customs or to live under strange Laws or servile Bondage the name and nature whereof is and ever shall be strange unto us For although the rest of the English can submit themselves to Slavery yet Liberty is the proper badge of Kentish men The Duke astonâ—shed with this Oratâ—on and his new troubles with a perplexed troubled mind advised hereupon with his Counsellors and wisely considering that the event of the battel would be very doubtfull that if he should depart without accomplishing his designe or if he should suffer any repulse or inconvenience from this warlike people that it would not onely redound to his great infamy but that it would endanger the loss of his new-acquired kingdom undo what ever he had hitherto effected and turn all his hopes and security into danger if he should not joyne Kent the key of the whole Realm to the rest of the Kingdom and retain it more by friendship and compact thus offered to him than by force And considering likewise that their demands were not unreasonable he thereupon not so willingly as wisely rather out of necessity than voluntarily granted to the Kentish men that they should live freely according to their antient Laws and Customes Whereupon there being a League made between William and the Kentishmen and Hostages given on both sides for performance of it they thereupon laid down their arms and the joyful Kenâ—ish men conducted the joyous Normans to Rochester where they resigned up to Duke William both the County of Kent and noble Castle of Dover And thus the antient Liberty Laws Usage and Custom of the English called Gavelkind in the municipal English Laws which was frequently and equally used throughout the whole Realm of England before the comming of Duke William afterward taken from others continued more inviolable even till these our dayes in Kent alone by the industry courage intercession and earnest vehemency of Stigand and Egelsine Which thing is sufficiently proved out of antient Writings concerning the customs of Kent wherein it is thus recorded Dicit Comitatus quod in Comitatu isto de jure debâ—t de ejusmodi gravamine esse liber quia dicit quod â—omâ—tatâ—s iste ut residuum Angliae nunquam fuit Conquestus sed per pacem factam se reddidit Conquestioris dominationi Salvis sibi omnibus Libertatibus suis et liberis consuâ—tudibus primo habitis et usitatis And from this valour and prowesse of the Kentishmen in standing thus manfully for the Laws Cnstoms and Liberties of their Country both against Duke William and the Danes before him when as the other English basely submitted their necks to their Vassalage they first obtained and for many years after claimed enjoyed this special priviledge That in all Armies and Baâ—taliaes of the English they had the honour of the Van and foreward and were worthily placed in the front in all conflicts with the Enemy they above all other Englishmen retaining still the badges of their antieut worthinesse and Liberty Duke William having thus rather reconciled than subdued Kent to