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-briâ—ge 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
of the Northumbers which contained Lancashire Yorkshire the Bishoprick of Duresme Cumberland Westmorland Northumberland and part of Scotland as far as Edinburgh Frith THIS Kingdom after the Death of Ida was divided into two parts the first whereof containing all the Countries lying on this side the River Tyne was called the Kingdom of Deira and that on the other side of it was called Bernicia and so continued for several Descents till King Oswy about the Year 643. upon the Murder of King Oswin his Cousin again reduced them into one and they continued thus united till such time as the Southern Provinces were overrun by the Danes as the more Northern were by the Scots and have ever since remained part of that Kingdom and hence it is the Low-Lands of Scotland that is all the Countrey from the River Tyne to the Friths of Edinburgh and Dunbritton antiently spoke the English Saxon Tongue which in succeeding Times was changed into that English Dialect they call the Modern Scotch and consists of the old Saxon with no little mixture of the Danish Language this I suppose proceeded from the great Conquests and settling so many of that Nation in those Northern Parts THIS is in great measure confirmed by John of Wallingford publish'd by the Learned Dr. Gale where he relates that Keneth King of Scots received Lothian from King Edgar under the Condition of a Homage from himself and his Successors Kings of Scotland to the King of England as also that the People of that Countrey should enjoy their Laws and Customs as also the use of the English Tongue BUT as for the true and genuine Scotish which they now call the Speech of the Highlanders because by them only spoken at this day it is no other than the antient Irish which the Scots brought over with them from thence when they first came over to inhabit there as you will find in the Beginning of Bede's History THE sixth Kingdom was that of the East-Angles which contained Norfolk Suffolk Cambridgshire with the Isle of Ely THE seventh was that of the Mercians containing Gloucestershire Herefordshire Worcestershire Warwickshire Leicestershire Rutlandshire Northamptonshire Lincolnshire Huntingtonshire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Staffordshire Shropshire Nottinghamshire Cheshire and part of Hertfordshire BUT as for the Names of the Kings who reigned in each of these Kingdoms till they were all brought under that of the West-Saxons I shall refer you to the Tables at the end of the third fourth and fifth Books of this Volume wherein you have at one view all the Kings that succeeded in each of those Periods as also those of that part of Britain we now call Wales and for the more exact Chronology of the first British Princes I must own my self obliged to the exact account of the Right Reverend the present Lord Bishop of Bangor who I hope one day will let the World see some of his Learned Labours on that Subject THIS is a short Scheme of the several Kingdoms into which that Part of Britain we now call England was divided in the Saxon Times I should next proceed to the particular Laws and Forms of Government in each respective Kingdom but since we have no Remains of those left us for want of Letters before the Preaching of Christianity here we can only say in the general that without doubt each of these Kingdoms had its own particular Laws and Customs and tho they might perhaps differ one from the other in some Points yet they all agreed in the main as to the most Material and Fundamental Constitutions of their Government and long received Laws and Customs before ever they arrived in England as proceeding from the same Common Ancestors AND tho the English-Saxons were not immediately derived from the Germans but Goths as you will find in the third Book of this Volume yet since even the Germans themselves were derived from the same Gothick Original with all the rest of those Northern People as the Sweeds Danes and Norwegians as appears by the Agreement of their Language Customs and Laws I shall therefore suppose that in the main likewise they agreed with the Antient Germans as they are described by Tacitus in their Laws Manners and Religion and therefore I shall from him give you some of the most considerable of them as they are collected by Mr. Selden in his Learned Treatise called Jani Anglorum Facies altera THE first of which is In conciliis Rex vel Princeps prout Aetas cuique prout Nobilitas prout Decus Bellorum prout Facundia est audiuntur Auctoritate suadendi magis quà m jubendi potestate Si displicuit Sententia fremitu aspernantur sin placuit frameas concutiunt Honoratissimum assensûs Genus est Armis laudare Which for the Benefit of the Common Readers I will take upon me to translate into English viz. IN their Councils the King or some principal Person according to every one's respective Age Nobility Reputation in Arms or Eloquence are heard rather by the Authority of Perswading than the Power of Commanding if their Opinions displeased them they shewed their dislike by their Clamour but if they approved of what was spoken they struck their Launces one against another This was thought the most Honourable way of giving their Assent to approve by Arms. THE second is Eliguntur in iisdem Conciliis Principes qui Jura per pagos vicosque reddunt Centeni singulis ex plebe Comites Consilium simul Auctoritas adsunt viz. IN those Councils such chief Men are Elected as judge Causes in Towns and Villages A hundred Assessors chosen out of the common People are added to each of them as well for Counsel as Authority From whence Mr. Selden here supposes our Hundreds had their Original which antiently consisted of the Masters of one hundred Families THE third goes on thus Nihil publicae vel privatae Rei nisi Armati agunt sed Arma sumere non antè cuiquam moris quam Civitas suffecturum probaverit Tum in ipso Concilio vel Principum aliquis vel pater vel propinquus scuto frameâque Juvenem ornant haec apud illos Toga hic primus juventae honos ante hoc Domus pars videntur mox Reipublicae viz. THEY transact nothing either of Publick or Private Concern without their Arms but it was not a Custom for any to assume those Arms before the Common-Wealth had approved of his Ability Then in this very Council either one of the principal Men or his Father or his near Kinsman adorned the Youth with the Shield and Lance. This served them instead of a Gown and was the first Honour of their Youth before they only seemed as part of the Family but now they became a Member of the Common-Wealth And here Mr. Selden discovers the first Footsteps of Knighthood THE fourth is Insignis Nobilitas aut magna patrûm merita Principis dignationem etià m Adolescentulis assignant viz. EMINENT Nobility or the signal Merits
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 â—oo 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 Jâ—sticâ—s 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
Courts I come now to the chiefest next to that of the Great Council of the Kingdom viz. that which was called Curia Domini Regis Because oftentimes as Sir Wil. Dugdale informs us the King himself sate here in Person having several Justices à latere suo residentes as Bracton expresseth it and in his Absence the Ealdorman or Chief Justiciary of all England supplied his Place CONCERNING this Court tho we have not many Memorials left of it before the Conquest yet it was certainly at that Time in Being since it seems to have been then the Great Court of all Appeals as well Criminal as Civil long after the Conquest before the Court of Common-Pleas was taken out of it for here it was that K. Alfred is supposed to have re-heard and examined the false Judgments of his inferior Judges in the Hundred and County-Courts and here it was also that he condemned above forty of them to be executed in one Year for their erroneous Sentences in Matters of Life and Death as you will find in the Mirror of Justices I need say no more of this Great Court whose Power now resides in that of the King's-Bench and Common-Pleas neither the Chancery nor Exchequer having then any Being the former of which commenc'd long after the Conquest and the latter was erected by King William the First I have but two Observations to make concerning our Antient English Saxon Courts of Justice the FIRST of which is that strict Union there then was as well in the Folk-mote and County-Court as in the Hundred-Court between the Ecclesiastical and Civil State in both which the Bishop and the Sheriff sitting together all Causes both Spiritual and Secular were equally and at one time dispatched to the great Ease and Satisfaction of the Subject who were taught by the Bishop in the Folk-mote what was their Duty towards God and the Church as they were by the Ealdorman or Sheriff what Common Laws they were bound to observe in order to their Honest and Peaceable Living one among another a Custom which when reading of Books was not generally in use among the Laiety was absolutely necessary for the acquainting them with their Duty in imitation of which I suppose our Common Charges at Assizes and Sessions are continued to this Day THE SECOND is the great Ease the Subject must needs find in having Justice administred to him in smaller Actions in the Court of Decenary or Tything even at their own Doors or else in Appeals and greater Actions at the Court of the Trihing or Lathe from whence they might remove it to the County-Court and if they thought themselves aggrieved there then they might bring it before the King himself or his chief Justiciary in the Great Court abovementioned An Admirable and an Excellent Constitution this whilst the Laws of England were few easy and plain before the Partiality and Corruption of Countrey Juries came in and the bandying and Factions of Rich and Powerful Men in the Countrey against each other together with the vast varieties of Determinations of Cases in Law had rendered those inferior Courts not only perplexed but unsafe and vexatious to the Subject I come now to the Supream Court of the whole Kingdom called in Saxon the Wittena-Gemot or Mycel-Synoth in Latin Magnum or Commune Concilium Regni the Great or Common-Council of the Kingdom consisting of the King and the three Estates which we now call our Parliament which Court the Author of the Mirror of Justices expresly tells us That King Alfred ordained for a perpetual Custom that twice in the Year or oftner in Time of Peace if Business so required they should assemble at London to treat of the good Government of God's People and how Folks should be restrained from Offending and live in Quiet and should receive Right by certain Antient Usages and Judgments c. From whence you may observe that in this Author's Time viz. that of Edward I. it was held for Law That the great Council of the Kingdom antiently met of Course twice in the Year without any express Summons from the King and this it seems was afterwards altered to thrice in the Year viz. at the three great Feasts of Christmass Easter and Whitsontide when the King met his Estates with great Solemnity wearing his Crown upon all solemn Days of Entertainment and when the Feasting was over they fell to dispatch the publick Affairs as Sir H. Spelman well observes THESE stated Councils which were then held ex More as our Historians term it i. e. according to antient Custom continued long after the Conquest as shall be farther shewn hereafter but if this Council happened to meet at any other extraordinary Time then the King 's special Summons was requisite as you may find in Ingulf under Anno Dom. 948. where he tells us King Edred summoned the Arch-bishops Bishops and all the Proceres and Optimates i. e. Chief Men of the Kingdom to meet him at London at the Purification of the Virgin Mary Whence we may observe that this Summons was thus issued because this Council was extraordinary as not being held ex more at any of the usual great Feasts abovementioned CONCERNING the Original of this great Assembly since Sir Robert Filmer in all his Works and particularly in his Patriarcha and Dr. Johnston in his Excellency of Monarchical Government Would have this as well as all our other Liberties and Privileges to have been only Royal Abatements of Power and gracious Indulgences and Condescensions of our Kings for the Benefit and Security of the Subject who were pleased to condescend to call some Persons of each of the three Estates it being left to their Discretion whom to summon and whom not and tho many of our Kings have made use of such great Assemblies to consult about important Affairs of State and by their Consent and Approbation to make Laws as well as at their Prayers and Petitions to redress their just Grievances yet they owed their being to our first Monarchs since till about the time of the Conquest there could be no General Assembly of the Estates of the whole Kingdom because till those Times we cannot learn it was entirely united into one but it was either divided into several Kingdoms or governed by several Laws I confess this looks at first like a specious Hypothesis and may serve perhaps to prevail upon some ignorant and unwary Readers who will not or cannot give themselves the trouble of searching to the Bottom to find out the Truth of things But I desire the Favour of those who believe and maintain this Opinion to answer me these few Queries FIRST How it came to pass that in all the Kingdoms of Europe erected out of the Ruines of the Roman Empire as well as those that were not but yet had been constituted according to the same Gothick Model the like General or Great Council of Estates consisting of the same Degrees
and Orders of Men were to be found in every one of those Kingdoms To begin with Sweden and Denmark and then go on to the Kingdom of Germany now called the Empire and so into France and from thence into Spain among all the petty Kingdoms that then composed that Monarchy taking Portugal if you please into the Account you will find that the Estates of all those Kingdoms as representing the whole Body of the same consisted of the Clergy Nobility and Deputies of Cities and great Towns which is briefly comprized by this single Verse of Gonterus an old German Poet concerning the Estate of the Empire in his Time Praelati Proceres missisque potentibus Vrbes SECONDLY How it happened that in all the Kingdoms of the English-Saxon Heptarchy the first Founders of which came out of Frizeland Westphalia Holstein and Jutland the like Great Councils consisting of the King the Clergy and Nobility came to be instituted in each of them For as to the Representatives of Cities and Towns in England since the Framers of the abovementioned Hypothesis deny their appearance here I shall say nothing as yet THIRDLY Whether it be probable that without a General Agreement of Laws and Manners with those People of Germany from whence these English-Saxons came they should by a sort of Natural and Unaccountable Sympathy fall of themselves into the very same Political Form and Constitution FOVRTHLY Whether Princes were above a thousand Years ago so much more Ignorant of the Arts of Government and so little Ambitious of Riches and Power that they should all agree within a Century of Years to set up one uniform Model of Government and admit the People into a share of their Power especially into that Grand Prerogative of laying Taxes which most Princes now do all they can to perform by their own absolute Will FOR as to that of understanding their Subjects Grievances they might either not take notice of them at all or else if they would might have found out a more easy Method to come to the Knowledg of them than by Summoning the Clergy Nobility and People of a whole Kingdom at once to acquaint them therewith FIFTHLY How it came to pass that in all those Countries so long as they continued Elective the States exercised the same Power of Deposing their Kings for Tyranny or Male-Administration Does this look like a precarious and dependent Power And LASTLY Whence happen'd it that in France and England and I believe I could shew the same in other Countries too the Estates of the Kingdom met twice in the Year according to Custom at a certain Time and Place without any Summons from the King NOW when the Gentlemen who maintain the Hypothesis above-mentioned shall return a fair and satisfactory Answer to these Queries I shall not only willingly submit to their Judgments but give them my Thanks for their better Information but till then I think it is much more agreeable to good Sense as well as Matter of Fact to maintain that those Orders and Degrees of Men that did constitute the Great Councils were more Antient than Kingly Government nay Christianity it self among them as appears by those Testimonies I have produced out of Bede and other Authors from all whom it plainly appears that the first Princes in all those Governments were originally Elected of which I hope I have given undeniable Instances out of our own as well as Foreign Histories and certainly that which gives Being to a Thing must be prior in Nature to that which is produced from it HAVING now done with the Original I shall next proceed to the Constituent Parts of this Mycel-Synoth or Wittena-Gemot the last of which words is derived from the Saxon word Wites or Witen i.e. Sapientes or Wise-Men and tho Dr. Brady in his Glossary will have this word mostly to signify Noblemen or Great Lawyers yet I do not find he brings any good Authority for his so doing For granting it is true Wite signifies a Wise-Man however it no ways proves that all Wisemen must be Lawyers much less that those Lawyers were Noblemen and since he himself does not extend this Wisdom only to Knowledg in the Laws I need not say any more to it AS for the rest of his Authorities in this Page whereby he would prove that divers things were done by the Decrees of these Wisemen or Lawyers they sufficiently answer themselves since it appears even by his own shewing that these Sapientes were the Bishops Abbots Aldermen and Thanes and when he makes it out that every one of these Orders of Men were Noblemen or Lawyers I shall come over to his Opinion AS for what he says in the next Page where he gives us the Interpretation of those words of Bede Principibus Consiliariis by Ealdormannum and Witum they are yet less to the purpose since a Man might be a very good Counsellor and yet at the same Time no great Lawyer BUT the Author's seeming stabbing Proof is out of Asser in his Life of King Alfred Who admiring the Ignorance of his Earls and Praefects commanded them either forthwith to lay down their Places of Judicature or else to apply themselves SAPIENTIAE Studiis to the Study of Knowledg or of the Law Here we see again says he who had the Title of SAPIENTES namely the Judges that is the COMITES PRAEPOSITI MINISTRI or Thegnes for these last were the Seminary of Nobility or Great Officers Civil Military and Ecclesiastick amongst the Saxons NOW I desire the Reader to observe that admitting we should take the word Studia SAPIENTIAE here for the Knowledg of the Law does it therefore follow that all that studied it must be Lawyers by Profession when it is very certain that the Study of the Law was not then nor long after a Trade as it is now since all the Freeholders or Thegnes afterwards called Barons were as well as Ealdormen required to have a competent Knowledg of the Laws of their Country or else how could they either plead their own or try each others Causes in the Hundred and County-Courts as they are in the Laws of K. Henry 1. recited to have done before the Profession of Counsellors came up Or how could they sit and judg Causes in the County-Court or Folc-mote when every Thegne or Gentleman in the County was capable of being chosen Sheriff and of sitting Judg in those Courts many Ages before the Office of an Vnder-Sheriff was heard of AND as for the Auctuary to the 35 th Law of Edward the Confessor wherein the HERETOCHS are called BARONES NOBILES insignes SAPIENTES there can be nothing urged less to purpose for then according to the Doctor they must have had all great Titles and have been chosen Generals in War and Leaders of Armies and Pray why because they were SAPIENTES i. e. Great Lawyers But the Doctor had the good luck to find once in his Life that Studia Sapientiae
I may do not prejudice to the Force of his Argument which in short depends upon this single false Supposition viz. that the Compiler or Drawer up of King Edward's Laws imagined that this Law concerning Tithes was made by King Ethelbert and was afterwards confirmed by King Edward near 500 Years after the Law was made when none could tell by what words the first Legislators were express'd BUT if this now should happen to prove otherwise all that the Doctor has said on this Subject will by an unlucky Mischance fall to the Ground AND I shall shew here that first of all his Argument is not cogent that because the words concessa sunt à Rege Baronibus Populo immediately follow those aforegoing viz Haec enim praedicavit B. Augustinus therefore this Law could be made by no other than K. Ethelbert since the words are put indefinitely without mentioning any King in particular FOR St. Augustine might preach up Tithes and yet the Law whereby they were given to the Clergy might be made many Years after and that this was so will appear by a brief History of the Matter of Fact For first there is not nor I believe ever was any Law extant of King Ethelbert concerning Tithes nor is so much as mentioned by any Writer or Historian that I know of the first Law or Canon we find for the paiment of them being that of the Council or Synod of Calcuithe held under King Offa Anno Dom. 536. and which either because it was only an Ecclesiastical Canon or else because it was not made in a General Council of the whole Kingdom was not of any Universal Obligation at least as a Temporal Law before that famous Grant of Tithes made by King Ethelwolf upon his going to Rome and confirmed as a General Law at a Council held at Winchester after his return Anno Dom. 855. and at which not any of the Bishops and Great Lords were present but an infinite Number of other faithful Subjects or Commons as we now call them I shall shew more at large by and by and to this and not to any Law of King Ethelbert's I doubt not but the Compiler of these Laws of King Edward had respect when he tells us that Tithes were granted A REGE BARONIBVS POPVLO that is by the King Barons and People of all England and not by those of one petty Kingdom as Kent was in the Time of King Ethelbert whose Laws could never oblige the whole English Nation and therefore the words that follow viz. sed posteà c. must also refer to the Time of making this Law by King Ethelwolf and not to this imaginary Grant of King Ethelbert which the Compiler of these Laws knew nothing of THIS being so I think all the rest the Doctor says signifies but little for he is much mistaken notwithstanding he so positively affirms that all those words he there mentions were not known here till the coming over of the Normans since he might have found if he had pleased the words Comes and Miles in the singular Number in the Subscriptions of divers Charters and Laws before the Conquest and the word Comites in the Body of the very Charters themselves for which I shall only refer him to the first Volume of Sir Henry Spelman's Councils as well as those in Monasticon Anglicanum AS for the word Baro I grant it did not come into Common or Legal use till after the Time he mentions yet that it was sometimes used before I shall refer him to Asserius his Annals which however it was continued by another Hand till the beginning of the Reign of K. Edward the Elder yet that it was wrote before the Conquest there is no doubt to be made of it and in the very last Page of those Annals he may find the Names of the Barones Normannorum as he calls them who are there related to have been slain AS for Villanus used for a Ceorle's Man or Country-Man you may see an Example of the use of that word in King Athelstan's Law above-cited and the Doctor himself mentions Terra Villanorum i. e. Lands of Villanes or Villagers before the Norman Times AND as for the rest of the words viz. Servientes Servitium Catalla and Manutenere I confess they are not to be met with in the Latin Versions of the Saxon Laws made before the Conquest but I would fain know why they might not have been in use before that Time tho they are not there mentioned I am confident no impartial Reader will grant that a Negative Argument is any good Proof to the contrary BUT should I own that the words Barones and all the rest of them there cited by the Doctor were not commonly in use till after the Conquest yet that would do him but little Service for admit that this Law was only briefly recited by the Collector of them in the Form there set down it will be all one for the People or Commons were represented in the Time of Henry the First when these Laws were drawn up in the Form we now have them or else they could never have been mentioned in this Law as a distinct Order of Men by a Writer who certainly lived long before the 49 th of Henry III. since this Law is found thus worded in Roger Hoveden's Copy of King Edward's Laws which was written by him being Secretary to Henry II. above a hundred Years before the Commons according to the Doctor 's Hypothesis were ever heard of So that unless he can prove that Henry III. was before Henry II. I think he will but Aethiopem lavare BUT indeed if this single uncouth Expression as the Doctor calls it had been found in one Case and upon one Occasion only I confess it might have been as slender a Proof as he would have it but when I have not only given him frequent Instances of the use of this word in our Antient Charters and Laws as contradistinct from all the rest of the Orders abovementioned I think that Pretence will stand him in little stead and if these are not yet sufficient I will superadd a few more from our Antient Historians to the same purpose FIRST From William of Malmesbury and Henry Huntington who both agree almost in the same words concerning the Deposition of Sigebert King of the West-Saxons for Tyranny and Cruelty Anno 754. Huntington expresses it thus viz. Sigebertus Rex in principio secundi Anni Regni sui cum incorrigibilis Superbiae Nequitiae esset congregati sunt PROCERES POPVLVS totius Regni providâ Deliberatione Omnium expulsus est à Regno Kinewulf verò Juvenis egregius de Regiâ stirpe ELECTVS est in Regem SECONDLY From Ailred Abbot of Rievalle who in his Life of Edward the Confessor giving an Account of the manner of that King 's being Elected in his Mother's Womb tells us that Ethelred his Father having convened a Great Council for the
that has not a Fore-head of Brass For the Presence not of the Kings only but of the Duces Principes Satrapae Populus Terrae c. shews sufficiently that neither the Kings and the Clergy without the concurrent Authority of the same Persons that enacted Temporal Laws could prescribe General Laws in Matters of Religion I do not dispute what Orders of Men among the Saxons were described by Duces Principes c. but sure I am that they were Lay-men and as sure that they assented to and confirmed those Laws without whose Assent they were no Laws so that the Kings of those Times had no greater Legislative Power in Ecclesiastical Matters than in Temporal THE tearing the Ecclesiastical Power from the Temporal was the great Root of the Papacy It was that mounted it to this heighth those Powers never were distinct in England nor most other Nations till that See got the Ascendant And it is strange Inconsistency to argue one while that whatever the Pope de facto formerly did by the Canon Law that of Right belongs to our Kings and another while that the several Acts that restore the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction to the Crown are but declarative It shews how little the Supremacy is understood by Modern Assertors of it and how little they are acquainted with the Antient Government of England THE third Period of Time to be considered shall be from the uniting of the several Kingdoms of the Saxons under one Monarchy to the Norman Conquest IN this Division we find a Letter from Pope Formosus to King Edward the Elder wherein the Pope complains that the Country of the West-Saxons had wanted Bishops for seven whole Years Upon the Receipt of this Letter the King calls Synodum Senatorum Gentis Anglorum who being assembled singulis tribubus Gewisiorum i. e. West-Saxonum singulos constituerunt Episcopos quod olìm duo habuerunt in quinque divisêrunt THE Ecclesiastical Laws of King Edward the Elder and Guthrun the Dane begin with this Proemium Haec sunt Senatus-consulta ac Instituta quae primò Aluredus Guthrunus Reges deindè Edwardus Guthrunus Reges illis ipsis temporibus tulêre cum pacis foedus Daci Angli ferierunt Quaeque posteà à sapìentibus Tha Witan saepiùs recitata átque ad Communem Regni utilitatem aucta átque amplificata sunt The Titles of some of these Laws are De Apostatis De Correctione Ordinatorum i. e. Sacris Initiatorum De Incestu De Jejuniis c. all of Ecclesiastical Cognizance or at least of after-times so reputed These are called Senatus-consulta than which a more apposite word could scarce have been used for Acts of Parliament and were assented to by the Witen from which word the Saxon Term for Parliaments Witena-Gemot is derived A Concilium celebre was held under King Athelstan in quo Leges plurimae tùm Civiles tùm Ecclesiasticae statuebantur It 's true the Civil Laws are omitted and Sir Henry Spelman gives us an Account only of the Ecclesiastical Laws made at this Assembly which conclude Decreta Actaque haec sunt in celebri Gratanleano Concilio cui Wulfelmus interfuit Archiepiscopus cùm eo Optimates Sapientes ab Athelstano evocati frequentissimi KING Edmund held a Council Anno 944. where many Ecclesiastical as well as Secular Laws were made as De Vitae castitate eorum qui sacris initiantur De Fani instauratione De pejerantibus De iis qui barbara factitarunt Sacrificia c. And this Council is expressed to have been Conventus tà m Ecclesiasticorum quà m Laicorum celebris tà m Ecclesiasticorum quà m Laicorum frequentia I will give no more Instances before the Conquest tho numbers are to be had which lie scattered up and down in the Monkish Histories which being compared with one another will sufficiently disclose what I assert For sometimes Laws that concert Temporal Affairs as well as Ecclesiastical are said to have been made by such a King in one Author which very Laws another Historian tells us were made in the Great Council for which yet they have no uniform appropriated Expression Term or Denomination Just as we in common Parlance say King Edward the Third or King Henry the Seventh made such a Law which yet every Man understands to have been made in Parliament because else it were not a Law SO far have I made bold with the words of this Learned Gentleman I shall now by way of Confirmation to what he hath said observe from Mr. Lambard's Edition of his English-Saxon Laws which was a different Copy from that from whence Sir Henry Spelman published his Councils that our Saxon Laws both Ecclesiastical and Civil were made by one and the same Authority as appears by the Preface to the Laws of King Edmund which we find runs thus Aedmundus Rex ipso solemni Paschatis Festo frequentem Londini tà m Ecclesiasticorum quà m Laicorum Coetum celebravit c. So likewise in the Laws of King Edgar the Preface of which is thus Leges quas Edgarus Rex frequenti Senatu ad Dei Gloriam Reipublicae utilitatem sancivit In the Saxon Original thus MID HIS WITENA GEHEAHTE GERAED that is with the Council of his Wise-men he established The Laws of King Cnute likewise begin thus Consultum quod Canutus Anglorum Dacorum Norwegiorum Rex ex Sapientûm Concilio sancivit Note the words in the Saxon are the same as above I could illustrate this further by several more Instances out of the same Volume were I not afraid of having already trespassed too much upon you only I desire you would please to take notice that in each Body of these above-mentioned Laws the Ecclesiastical precede and then the Civil or Temporal follow tho being both made at the same time in the same Council and by the joint Authority of the same Parties BUT now to add one thing more from the said Author Mr. Washington which is That Bishopricks and other Ecclesiastical Dignities were in the Saxon Times commonly conferred in Parliament we have the Testimony of Ingulphus who was Abbot of Crowland in King William the Conqueror's Reign à multis annis retroactis nulla erat Electio Praelatorum merè libera Canonica sed omnes Dignitates tà m Episcoporum quà m Abbatum Regis Curia pro suâ complacentiâ conferebat that is says he that for many Years past there was no Election of Prelates absolutely free and Canonical But all Dignities both of Bishops and Abbots were conferred by the King's Court i. e. the Great Council of the Kingdom as I shall prove by and by according to their good Pleasure AFTER which the Person so elected being first consecrated the King invested him with the Temporalties per traditionem Baculi Annuli as you will find in the same Author AND that this Custom was very antient will appear by the Election of Wilfrid to be Bishop of Hagulstade Anno
Interest Education or Course of Life and I cannot but observe that there are a sort of Men whose Heads seem framed for such a set of Notions rather than others which make them that they cannot easily digest any thing that clashes with them BUT I do not pretend to be infallible or to propose my sense as a Rule and Standard to all others Homo sum nihil humanum à me alienum puto as the Comick Poet hath long since well observed ONE thing indeed I think I may pretend to in this Undertaking and that is Integrity for I look upon it a much viler thing either to falsify or conceal part of an Authority that makes against one and use only so much as shall serve a present Turn that it is to pick a Pocket and as it is of far more dangerous Consequence to the Publick if not found out I must say it is likewise more easily to be discovered since every Man may if he please consult the Authors that such Writers make use of and so detect the Fraud BUT for those who think they may differ from me in some things with good Reason and Authority and will please by their learned Labours to give the World any better Information and Account of these Matters than I have done I shall be so far from being displeased at them that I shall upon full Satisfaction readily own my self very much in their Debt for making the World and me so much the Wiser only I must desire to be treated as one who if I chance to be under any Error am not so wilfully nor as I think without great appearance of Reason and Authority on my side since I call God to witness that neither from a vain Ambition of Glory nor prospect of any Temporal Advantage nor design of gratifying any Party or Faction have I wrote any thing that may disgust Men of different Principles and Notions AND I thank God for this great Blessing to us that we live in a Time when we may not only think or speak but also safely write what we believe to be the Truth to which all Mankind do owe Allegiance and therefore I hope I never shall abuse that invaluable Liberty to the Prejudice of the Government or that excellent constituted Church of which I own my self a Member being fully satisfied that the main End of all our Writings ought to be for the Honour of God and the Common Good of Mankind THE TABLE to the Preface and Introduction A. ACtions on the Case how antient page 126 Adultery its Punishment 125 Aetheling the Title what it was 72 St. Albans his Sufferings most probably a Legend 24 25 26 King Alfred his Preface to Pope Gregory's Pastoral 11. His Testament with Observations upon it 51 52 Allodium Lands hâ—ld in Allodio 118 119 Annals Saxon a brief Account of them and their Translation 10 11 Antient Demesne Tenants therein 121 Antiquity of the Ordeal 124. Of the Distinction between Manslaughter and Murder 126 Arch-bishops of Canterbury and York antiently of equal Dignity and Power 116 Asser Menevensis an Account of him and his Writings 12 13 B. BAro its antient Signification 93 94. When it came first in common use 102 Barones Comitatûs what they were 96 Bede the first English Historian 10 Bishopricks and Abbeys often bestowed by the Election of the great Council of the Kingdom in the Saxon-Times 113 114 Bishops sometimes deprived by the same Councils 115 116 Blasphemy vid. Swearing and Cursing Bocland what it was 118. The same with Lands in Allodio 119 Dr. Brady his Errors concerning the English-Saxon Succession 50 51 c. Britain how divided under the Romans pag. 31 32 Bromton John an Account of the Chronicle that passes under his Name 16 Burglary how punishable 126 Burhwitan or Burhwara who they were 80 C. CAradoc of Lancarvon his Welsh Chronicle 15 Ceorl or Ceorl's Man i. e. Country-man his Privileges 77 Chancellor whence derived and the Antiquity of that Office 73 Clipping and Coining of Money its Punishment 126 Coining of Money a Prerogative of the Crown 67 Colonus its Signification 121 Combat single or Duel 125 Comes Littoris Saxonici who he was 33 Commons present in the great Councils of the Kingdom 88-101 To have been also present there in the Reign of K. William I. 97. Prov'd also to have a Right by Prescription before his time 98 Compurgators who 125 Conquests of the Danes and Normans which were no more than Invasions never altered this Government or Laws in any of its substantial parts 127 Contract or Compact Original between the first English Saxon Kings and their Subjects proved 69 70. and that more antient than the Coronation-Oath 71 72 Coronation of our Kings whence derived 16 Coronation-Oath its Form before the pretended Conquest 58 Costs recovering of Costs and Damages how antient pag. 126 Great Council of the Wites for what ends they were established 41 Great Council or Parliament its Original 86-88 The Persons of whom it consisted 87-102 These Councils often met in the open Air 104. It s Power in making Laws 105-08 Counties their Division more antient than the Reign of K. Alfred 84 The County-Court what 84 Courts of Justice in England how many they were under the Saxon Kings 80 85 Court-Barons their Original 82 Craig Sir Thomas his Objections against the Truth and Antiquity of our English Historians considered 18-23 Crown of England not bequeathable by the Testament of the English-Saxon Kings 51 52 Curia Domini Regis its Signification 85 D. DAnegelt first imposed by Authority of the King and his Wites 120 The Decennary or Tything-Court what 81 Defamation how punishable 126 Degrees of Men that constituted the Common-weal 72-80 Demesnes of the Crown could not be granted away even to pious Vses by the English-Saxon Kings without the Consent of the Great Council 68 Deprivation of English Saxon Kings 68. Of Bishops by the Great Council 115 116 Deputies of Cities and great Towns how antient 95 Disposition of Goods and Personal Estates either by Deed or last Will 121 Doom or Judgment-Book 127 Durham Simeon who he was 15 Dux Britanniae what he was 33 E. EAdmerus his History pag. 14 Ealdorman the Title 73 East-Angles the Succession of their Kings 45 East-Saxon Kings their Succession 43 Ecclesiastical Laws by whom made 108-113 Ecclesiastical Power settled at first under the two Arch-bishops of Canâ—erbury and York 116 Eddi Stephen Author of the Life of Bishop Wilfred with a brief account of him 10 Edward the Confessor the manner of his Election 61 Electus eligerunt their true Signification 55 56 Encomium Emmae 14 English-Saxons vid. Saxons Eorl 74 Ethelwerd sirnamed Quaestor an account of him and his Work 14 F. FEng to Rice the meaning of that Saxon Phrase 55 Feudal Lands what 122 Fideles who they were in the Saxon Government 107 Fidelium multitudo in the Charter of King Ethelwulf what it signified 104 105 Fines and Mulcts their difference set down in a
adds further That the Queen Mother to these Princes caused them to be buried under a great heap of Stones and thereby gave Name to the Town of Stone in Staffordshire I thought good to take notice of this Romance because a greater Author viz. Mr. Camden himself hath also thought fit to put it into his Britannia from the Authority of a Manuscript Book once belonging to the Abby of Peterburgh But it is time to look back upon Ecclesiastical Affairs for now according to William of Malmesbury one Adhelm a Monk began to build the Abby of Malmesbury having before obtained a License for so doing together with a Grant of certain Lands called Madulfsburgh from Lutherius Bishop of Winchester the Place being so called from one Maildulf a Scotch Monk and Philosopher under whom Aldhelm had formerly studied who died at this Place where Maildulf had also begun a small Monastery but the few Monks that were there had no Means to subsist but by Alms until such time as this Aldhelm built it anew and got it Endowed by the Charity of Ethelred King of the Mercians Ceadwalla and Ina Kings of the West Saxons with other Noble Benefactors So that it soon became one of the greatest and richest Monasteries in England being at first called Madunesburg and afterwards Malmesbury About the same time also according to the old Book of the Abby of Abingdon in the Cottonian Librarie the Abby of Abingdon was founded by one Hean Nephew to Cissa a Petty Prince under Kentwin King of the West Saxons in Wiltshire and Berkshire the Place at first was called Sheovesham and the Foundation was for no more than an Abbot and 12 Monks but was afterwards much increased by the Charity of succeeding Kings being rebuilt by Abbot Ordgar in the Reign of King Edgar having been burnt and destroyed by the Danes in the time of King Alfred This Year also according to Bede Arch-Bishop Theodore consecrated Erkenwald Bishop of London who was in great Reputation for his Sanctity having before he came to be Bishop founded two Monasteries the one for Ethelburg his Sister at Berking the other for himself at Chertesey in Surrey This Year Escwin Bishop of the East Saxons departed this Life and Hedda took the Bishoprick of that Province and Centwin succeeded in the Kingdom of the West Saxons which Centwin was Son to Cynegils and he the Son of Ceolwulf Also Ethelred King of the Mercians wasted Kent Of which Expedition H. Huntington further relates That this King made War against Lothair King of Kent but he fearing that Valour so Hereditary to the Mercian Family kept out of sight and durst not meet him whereupon the King of Mercia destroyed the City of Rochester and passing through the Kingdom of Kent carried away a great deal of Spoil Bede adds further That he destroyed both Churches and Monasteries without any regard to Religion and so spoiled the Church and Palace of Rochester that Putta the Bishop of that See was forced to retire to Sexwulf Bishop of the Mercians and from him receiving the Possession of a certain Church there ended his Days in Peace This Putta is by Florence of Worcester and William of Malmesbury made the first Bishop of Hereford which Church it seems Sexwulf parted with to him thô Bede does not expresly mention it Also Eadhed was now ordained Bishop in the Province of Lindisse which King Egfrid had lately conquered from Wulfher King of the Mercians But when Ethelred Successour to Wulfher recovered that Province this Bishop retiring from Lindisse governed the Church of Ripon The same Year also Osric a petty Prince of this Country built a Nunnery at Bath which was afterwards turned to a House of Secular Canons but King Edgar turned them out and placed Benedictines in their Places This Year being the Eighth of the Reign of Egfrid King of Northumberland according to Bede and the Saxon Annals there appeared a Comet which continued 3 Months and arising toward Morning carried with it a large Tail like a Pillar in which Year also as Bede relates there arose a great Contention between King Egfrid and Bishop Wilfrid who was expell'd his Bishoprick and two others substituted in his Room over the Northumbrian Nation to wit Bosa who Governed the Province of Deira and Fatta that of Bernicia the former having his Episcopal See at the City of York and the other at Hagulstad being both of them preferred from being Monks Stephen Heddi the Author of St. Wilfrid's Life above-mentioned as also Will. of Malmesbury relate the Quarrel between King Egfrid and the Bishop to have proceeded from the Envy and Ill-will of Erminburge his Queen she making the King jealous of his Secular Glory and Riches and the great Retinue that followed him whereupon the King resolved to be rid of him so that presenting Theodore Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with great Gifts they perswaded him to come into that Province and together with three Bishops he brought with him who were not of the Northern Diocess they not only condemned but deprived Bishop Wilfrid being absent whereupon the Bishop went to the King and the Arch-Bishop and asked them What was the Reason that without any Crime alledged they had robbed him of his Estate that was given him by former Kings for God's sake But if this Author may be credited they gave him a very trifling Answer saying That they found no Fault in him yet would not alter what had been Decreed against him Whereupon the Bishop by the Consent of the rest of his Fellow-Bishops of his Province appealed to Rome But certainly these Bishops could not at that time be many for there were then no more in this Province than Lindisfarne and Whitern in the Picts Country Towards Rome he went the next Year but in his way thither landing in Frizeland he stayed there all that Winter converting the People of that Province And then proceeding in his Journey to Rome the Spring following where arriving he applied himself to the Pope and presented him with a Petition which being read before Pope John and the Synod at Rome he was by the said Pope and all the Bishops there present being 150 in Number Decreed to be restored to his Bishoprick but he could never prevail so far as to get this Council's Decree to be received as long as King Egfrid lived The same Year Bishop Wilfrid returning into England was received by Beorthwald Nephew of Ethelred King of the Mercians who then governed part of that Kingdom under his Uncle who hearing of it his Wife being the Sister of King Egfrid commanded Beorthwald immediately to dismiss him from whence he went to Centwin King of the West Saxons where staying but a little while he was also driven from thence because the Queen was Sister of Queen Erminburge Thus Stephanus Heddy in his Life of Bishop Wilfrid relates but it is to be doubted with too much Partiality on
Miracles and mentioning other things only by the bye hath given us so slender an account of those times that if we had not found some assistance from the Saxon Annals as well as from other Writers the History of that Age though very short and obscure would yet have been much more imperfect without them But to proceed now with our Saxon Annals This Year K. Ethelbald took Sumerton and Acca was driven from his Bishoprick of Hagulstad I suppose by the then King of Northumberland though no Author expresly mentions it Will. of Malmesbury tells us that this Ethelbald was that great and powerful King of the Mercians to whom Boniface Bishop of Mentz being then the Pope's Legat writ a sharp Letter setting forth and reproving the then reigning Vices of this Nation and particularly of that King himself who relying on the vain Confidence of his Justice and Alms was not ashamed no more than the Noblemen of his Kingdom by his Example to commit Uncleanness even with Consecrated Nuns which wicked Actions the Bishop foretells would be the ruin of himself and Kingdom as it proved in the end But King Ethelbald after he had thus taken Somerton with an Army too powerful to be resisted by the K. of the West Saxons became to great that as H. Huntington observes he made all the rest of the Provinces of England together with their Kings subject to him as far as the River Humber This Somerton was anciently a great Town and Castle of the West-Saxon Kings and gave Name to that County which we now call Somersetshire though at present it be but an ordinary Country Village Also this Year the Sun was so much eclipsed that as the Epitome of Bede and Ethelward relate on 13 o Kal. Sept. it s whole Orb seem'd as it were covered with a black Sheild This Year also the Moon appear'd as it were stain'd with Blood and Simeon of Durham saith it lasted one whole hour and then a Blackness following it return'd to its natural Colour Also Tatwin the Archbishop deceased and Egbryht was made Bishop of York Now Bede also died But the Author of his Life in Manuscript in the Cottonian Library refers it to the Year following and the Chronicle of Mailros with greater Truth to the Year 736 for he was as his Life above-cited relates born Anno 677 and deceased in the 59th Year of his Age. But since Bede our Historian deceased about this time and that it is to him we are beholding for the greatest part of the History of this present Period it is fit we give you a short account of his Life He was born in the Province of Northumberland not far from the Monastery of Gyrwie the place is now called Yarrow near the Mouth of the River Were where he was bred up from seven Years of Age and in which being profess'd he lived a Monk all the rest of his Life spending his time in the Study of the Scriptures saying his Prayers or Writing Comments upon the Old and New Testaments as also his Ecclesiastical History so often cited by us besides divers other Books containing the Lives of Saints and other Matters of Humane as well as Divine Learning whose Titles you may find at the end of his said History 'Till at last being wasted by a long Asthma he there made an Heavenly End as may be seen in his Life above-mentioned So that Simeon of Durham very well observes that though he lay as it were hid in the utmost Corner of the World yet after his Death he became known in all Parts by his Learned Writings therefore he hath for his great Piety as well as Learning justly obtained the Title of Venerable Bede After whose decease as Will. of Malmesbury rightly observes all knowledge of Actions passed was almost lost even to his own Times since none proved an Emulator of his Studies nor a Follower of his Learning so that to a slothful Generation one more slothful still succeeding the Love of Learning for a long time grew cold in this whole Island ' This Year Bishop Egbriht received the Pall from Rome but you must here observe that by the Pope's thus sending a Pall to the Bishop of York he now became an Archbishop and consequently Metropolitan of all the Northumbrian Provinces that See having been ever since the Time of Paulinus's Flight out of Northumberland into Kent and carrying the Archiepiscopal Pall along with him no more than an ordinary Bishoprick subject to the Archbishop of Canterbury from whose Power it was from this time exempted and came now to have Supreme Jurisdiction over all the Bishops in Deira and Bernicia as far as the Pictish Kingdom ' The Arch-bishop Nothelm received his Pall from Rome This was the new Archbishop of Canterbury who succeeded Tatwine You may take notice that it was in those Times usual for the Pope to send a Pall to every new Archbishop upon his Consecration to shew his Dependance upon the See of Rome and for which every Archbishop paid a great Sum of Money to the Pope's Treasury This Nothelm when he was a Presbyter of the Church of London was he to whom Bede in the Epistle before his History owns himself beholding for divers ancient Monuments relating to the English Church as also Epistles out of the Pope's Repository This Year Forthere Bishop of Scireburn with Frithogithe Queen of the West-Saxons went to Rome Where as H. Huntington tells us they both took upon them the Monastick Habit which in those days very many of the English Nation of all Degrees and Qualities as well high as low were wont to do For now also as our Annals relate Ceolwulf King of Northumberland surrendred his Kingdom to Eadbert his Cousin who reigned Thirty one Years This Ceolwulf was he to whom Bede dedicated his History who after his professing himself a Monk in the Monastery of Lindisfarne as R. Hoveden relates brought the Monks of that place from the strict discipline of drinking only Milk or Water to drink Wine and Ale and they might very well afford it for he brought along with him good provisions to live easily as great Treasures and Revenues in Land recited at large by Simeon of Durham all which he bestowed on that Monastery no wonder then if such great Commendations be given by Monkish Writers to Kings becoming Monks The same Year also as Simeon of Durham and Mat. of Westminster relates Alwin Bishop of Lichfield dying there were two Bishops ordained in that Diocess viz. Wicca at Lichfield and Tocca the first Bishop of Leycester which Town from this time continued a Bishop's See for divers Ages Also this Year according to the Saxon Annals the Bishops Ethelwald and Acca deceased and Cynwulf was consecrated Bishop and the same Year Ethelbald King of the Mercians wasted the Contry of Northumberland And as H. Huntington adds carried away as much Spoil as he had a mind to from thence Also as Simeon of Durham
Plunder and Spoil But of this we shall speak more in due time and shall now proceed in our History where we left off in our last Book Egbert the only surviving Prince of the Blood-Royal of the West Saxon Kings as great Nephew to Ina by his Brother Inegilds being arrived in England was now ordained King as Ethelwerd expressly terms his Election But since Asser in his Annals places this King 's coming to the Crown under Anno 802. as does Simeon of Durham and also Roger Howden from an Ancient piece of Saxon Chronologie inserted at the beginning of the first Book of his first part and this account being also proved by that great Master in Chronology the now Lord Bishop of Litchfield to be truer then that of the Saxon Annals or Ethelwerd by divers Proofs too long to be here Inserted I have made bold to put this King 's coming to the Crown two Years backwarder then it is in the last Book thô I confess the former Account in the Saxon Annals would have made a more exact Epocha Also about this time as appears from the ancient Register of St. Leonard's Abbey in York cited in Monast. Anglican viz. ' That Anno Dom. 800 Egbert King of all Britain in a Parliament at Winchester by the consent of his People changed the Name of this Kingdom and commanded it to be called England Now thô by the word Parliament here used it is certain that this Register was writ long after the Conquest yet it might be transcribed from some more ancient Monument since Will. of Malmesbury tells us of this King tho' without setting down the time that by the greatness of his Mind he reduced all the Varieties of the English Saxon Kingdoms to one uniform Empire or Dominion which he called England though others perhaps more truly refer it towards the latter end of his Reign as you will find when we come to it This Year Eardulf King of the Northumbers led his Army against Kenwulf King of Mercia for harbouring his Enemies who also gathering together a great Army they approached to each other when by the Advice of the Bishops and Noblemen of England as also by the Intercession of the chief King of the English by whom is meant King Egbert who then passed under that Title They agreed upon a lasting Peace which was also confirmed by Oath on both sides This we find in Simeon of Durham's History of that Church and in no other Authour About this time also St. Alburhe Sister to King Egbert founded a Benedictine Nunnery at Wilton which was long after rebuilt by King Alfred and augmented by King Edgar for Twenty Six Nuns and an Abbess The same Year the Moon was Eclipsed on the 13 Kal. Jan. and ' Beormod was Consecrated Bishop of Rochester About this time in Obedience to a Letter from Pope Leo III. who at the desire of Kenwulf King of the Mercians had Two Years since restored the See of Canterbury to its ancient Primacy was held the Third Synod at Cloveshoe by â—rch bishop Ethelward and 12 Bishops of his Province whereby the See of Canterbury was not only restored to all its ancient Rights and Priviledges but it was also forbid for all times to come upon Pain of Damnation if not repented of for any Man to violate the Rights of that ancient See and thereby to destroy the Unity of Christ's Holy Church then follow the Subscriptions of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and of 12 other Bishops of his Province together with those of many Abbots and Presbyters who never Subscribed before but without the Subcriptions of the King or any of the Lay Nobility Which plainly shews it to have been a meer Ecclesiastical Synod and no great Council of the Kingdom as you may see at large in Sir H. Spelman's 1 Vol of Councils the Decree of which Synod also shews that the Church of England did not then conceive the Authority of the People alone sufficient to disanul what had been solemnly Decreed in a great Council of the Kingdom as was the Removal of the Primacy from Canterbury to Litchfield The next Year According to our Annals Ethelheard Arch-bishop of Canterbury deceased and Wulfred was consecrated Arch-bishop in his stead and Forther the Abbot dyed The same Year also Deceased Higbald Bishop of Lindisfarne 8 o Kal Julii and Eegbert was Consecrated to that See 3 o Ides Junii ' This Year Wulfred the Arch bishop received his Pall. Cuthred King of Kent deceased as did also Ceolburh the Abbess and Heabyrnt the Ealdorman This Cuthred here mentioned was as Will. of Malmesbury informs us he whom Kenulph King of the Mercians hath made King of Kent instead of Ethelbert called Pren. This Year the Moon was Eclipsed on the Kal. of September and Eardwulf King of the Northumbers was driven from his Kingdom and Eanbryth Bishop of Hagulstad Deceased Also this Year 2 o Non Junii the sign of the Cross was seen in the Moon upon Wednesday in the Morning and the same Year on the Third Kal. Septemb. a wonderful Circle was seen round the Sun This Eardwulf above-mentioned is related by Simeon of Durham to have been the Son of Eardulf the first of that Name King of Northumberland and after Ten Years Reign to have been driven out by one Aelfwold who Reigned Two Years in his stead During these Confusions in the Northumbrian Kingdom Arch-Bishop Usher with great probability supposes in his Antiquitat Britan. Eccles. that the Picts and Scots Conquered the Countries of Galloway and Lothian as also those Countries called the Lowlands of Scotland as far as the Friths of Dunbritain and Edenburgh And that this City was also in the possession of the English Saxons about an Hundred Years after this I shall shew in due order of time and that our Kings did long after maintain their claim to Lothian shall be further shewn when I come to it But that all the Lowlands of Scotland as far as the English Saxon Tongue was spoken were anciently part of the Bernician Kingdom the English Language as well as the Names of places which are all English Saxon and neither Scotish nor Pictish do sufficiently make out The Sun was Eclipsed on the 7th Kal. of August about the Fifth Hour of the Day This Year as Sigebert in his Chronicle relates King Eardulph above-mentioned being expelled his Kingdom and coming for Refuge to the Emperour Charles the Great was by his Assistance restored thereunto but since neither the Saxon Annals nor Florence nor yet any of our English Historians do mention it I much doubt the Truth of this Relation thô it must be also acknowledged that it is inserted in the ancient French Annals of that time and recited that this King's Restitution was procured by the Intercession of the Pope's and Emperour's Legates who were sent into England for that purpose This Year according to Mat. Westminster Egbert King of the West
as his own ever since the time that King Offa took it but now the Mercians tried to recover it by Force The same Year was also held another Synodal Council at Cloveshoe for the Kingdom of Mercia under K. Beornwulf and Wilfred Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with all the Bishops and Chief Men of that Kingdom wherein some disputes about Lands between Heabert Bishop of Worcester and a certain Monastery called Westburgh were determined This Year Ludican King of the Mercians and five of his Ealdermen were slain and Wiglaf began to Reign in his stead Ingulf and Will of Malmesbury tell us That this Ludican was Kinsman to the last mentioned King Beornwulf and leading an Army against the East-Angles to revenge his Death was there overcome and Slain and that both these Tyrants were justly removed who had not only made Kings without any Right but had also by their imprudence been the occasion of the destruction of the Military Forces of that Kingdom which had till then proved Victorious and that thereupon one Withlaf being before Ealderman of Mâ—rcia was by the consent of all the People created King whose Son Wimond had Married Alfleda the Daughter of Ceolwulf the late King This King Withlaf Reigned thirteen Years as Tributary to King Egbert as shall be further related anon The Moon was Eclipsed on Christmass day at Night and the same Year King Egbryht subdued the Kingdom of Mercia and all the Country that lay South of Humber He was the Eighth King who Ruled over all Britain but the First who had so great a Command was Aella King of the South Saxons the Second was Ceaâ—lin King of the West-Saxons the Third was Aethelbryght King of Kent the Fourth was Redwald King of the East Angles the Fifth was Edwin King of Northumberland the Sixth was Oswald who succeeded him the Seventh was Oswi the Brother of Oswald and the Eight was Egbryght King of the West-Saxons who not long after led an Army against the Northumbers as far as Dore which place is supposed to have been in York-shire beyond the River Hâ—mber but the Northumâ—ers offering him Peace and due Subjection they parted Friends From which passage in the Saxon Annals it is apparent that this Supream Dominion of one English King over all the rest was no new thing Bede having taken notice of it long before yet did they not therefore take upon them the Title of Monarchs any more than Egbert who now succeeded them in that Power thô most of our Historians who have written the Saxon History in English have but without any just reason given them that Title which could not properly belong to Kings who had divers others under them with the like Regal Jurisdiction within their own Territories not but that King Egbert was in a more peculiar manner the Supream King of England because by his Absolute Conquest of the Kingdoms of Kent and of the South and East Saxons he was the greatest King who had hitherto Reigned in England all the rest of the Kings that remained Reigning by his permission and paying him Tribute a power which never had been exercised by any other King before him But to return to our History it seems that King Egbert was so highly displeased with the Mercians for setting up a King without his consent that Ingulf and Florence of Worcester tell us That as soon as ever Withlaf was made King before he could raise an Army he was expell'd his Kingdom which Egbert added to his own but Withlaf being search'd for by Egbert's Commanders through all Mercia he was by the industry of Seward Abbot of Croyland concealed in the Cell of the Holy Virgin Etheldrith Daughter of King Offa and once the Spouse of Ethelbert King of the East Angles where King Withlaf found a safe retreat for the space of Four Months until such time as by the Mediation of said Abbot Seward he was reconciled to King Egbert and upon promise of the payment of an Yearly Tribute permitted to return to his Kingdom in Peace which is by him acknowledged in that Charter of his that Ingulf hath given us of his Confirmation of the Lands and priviledges of the Abbey of Croyland It was made in the Great Council of the whole Kingdom in the presence of his Lords Egbert King of West-Saxony and his Son Ethelwulf and before the Bishops and great Men of all England Assembled at the City of London to take Counsel against the Daniâ—h Pyrats then infesting the English Coasts And in the Year 833 as you shall see when we come to that Year This Restoration of King Withlaf to his Kingdom is also mentioned in the Saxon Annals of the next Year where it is said That Withlaf again obtained the Kingdom of the Mercians and Bishop Ethelwald deceased also the same Year King Egbryht led an Army against the Northern Britains and reduced them absolutely to his Obedience For it seems they had again rebelled Now likewise as Mat. Westminster relates King Egbert vanquished Swithred King of the East-Saxons and drove him out of his Kingdom upon whose expulsion the West Saxon Kings ever after possest that Kingdom Now according to the same Authour King Egbert having subdued all the South Parts of England led a great Army into the Kingdom of Northumberland and having grievously wasted that Province made King Eandred his Tributary which is also confirmed by Will of Malmesbury who relates that the Northumbers who stood out the last fearing least this King's anger might break out upon them now giving Hostages submitted themselves to his Dominion but they continued still under Kings of their own as you will further find To this Year I think we may also refer that great Transaction which the Annals of the Cathedral Church of Winchester printed in Monast. Angl. from an ancient Manuscript in the Cottonian Library place under the Year following viz. That King Egbert having thus subdued all the Kingdoms above-mentioned and forced them to submit to his Dominions called a great Council at Winchester whereto were summoned all the Great Men of the whole Kingdom and there by the General Consent of the Clerus Populus i. e. the Clergy and Laity King Egbert was crowned King of Britain And at the same time he Enacted That it should be for ever after called England and that those who before were called Jutes or Saxons should now be called English â—en And this I could not omit because thô William of Malmesbury and other Historians agree of the Matter of Fact yet I think this the truest and most particular Account of the Time and manner when it was performed Also this Year Wilfred the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury deceased and Feologild the Abbot was Elected Arch-Bishop 7 Kal. Maij. and was Consecrated 5. Id. Junij being Sunday and dyed the 3. Kal. Sept. after But here is certainly a mistake in this Copy of the Annals for it was not Feologild but Ceolnoth who was then chosen
to what intent having been so lately there before we know not any more than what the King did there unless to repair the English School or Colledge for Youth that had been lately burnt but it is certain he stayed abroad near a Year and in his Return home Charles Sirnamed The Bald King of the Franks gave him his Daughter to Wife who was called Leotheta in French Judith and so together with her he returned into England But as Asser relates there was in the mean time an infamous Conspiracy framed in the Western Parts of England for Prince Aethelbald the King 's eldest Son and Ealchstan Bishop of Scirborne and Aeanwulf Earl of Somerset had plotted together that King Aethelwulf at his Return Home should never be received into his Kingdom most Men laid this to the Charge of this Bishop and Earl only thô many do chiefly attribute it to the Perverseness of this young Prince who was also very obstinate in other Wickedness So the King his Father returning from Rome Prince Ethelbald together with his Councellors contrived this great Villany viz. to expell the King from his own Kingdom thô God would not permit it to take effect neither did all the Noblemen of England consent to it yet lest so great a Mischief should happen that the Father and Son making War on each other the whole Nation should be engaged in mutual Slaughter by the wonderful Clemency of the King and with the Consent of all his Nobility the Kingdom which was before united became now divided between the Father and the Son the Eastern Countries being allotted to the former and the Western to the latter but where the Father ought indeed by Right to have Reigned there Ruled this Rebellious and Undutiful Son for the Western part of the England was always accounted before the Eastern King Ethelwulf therefore coming back from Rom◠the whole Nation as it ought highly rejoyced at his return and would if he had pleased have expelled his wicked Son Aethelbald with all his Adherents out of the Kingdom but the King would by no means suffer it using great Clemency and Prudence lest the Kingdom might thereby be endangered All this Disturbance seems to have been raised by his Son and his Faction because of his marrying this new Wife whom notwithstanding having now brought over with him he placed by him on the Royal Throne as long as he lived without any Dispute or Opposition from his Nobles thô says this Author the Nation of the West Saxons did not permit the Queen to sit by the King or to be called Queen which Custom our Ancestors relate to have proceeded from a certain wicked Queen called Eadburga the Wife of King Bryhtric whose Story Asser in his Annals as also in his De Gestis Alfredi hath given us at large where speaking of the Occasion of this severe Law he tells us it proceeded from the wicked Carriage of that Queen already mentioned at the end of the former Book who abusing her Husband's Affections by untrue Accusations took away many Men's Lives and being hated by the English after that King's Decease they made that Law now mentioned William of Malmesbury and Mat. Westminster do assure us That King Ethelwulf lived but two Years after his return from Rome during which time he thought not only of the World to come but also what should happen in this after his Decease and therefore lest his Sons should quarrel among themselves after his Death he commanded his Testament to be written Asser calls it an Hereditary or Commendatory Epistle in which he ordained his Kingdom should be divided between the two eldest Sons as also his own proper Inheritance between all his Sons and Daughters and near Kinsmen but for his Money he ordered it to be divided between his Sons and his Nobles and what was left to be employed for the good of his Soul to which end he ordained That his Successours throughout all his own Hereditary Lands should maintain out of every Ten Families one Poor Person either Native or Stranger with Meat Drink and Apparel always provided that the Land did not then lie waste but was cultivated by Men and Cattle It is also to be noted That this Grant was wholly different from that of Tythes thô Bromton's Chronicle hath confounded them together and made them all one he also ordered to be sent every Year to Rome 300 Mancuses which William of Malmesbury renders Marks thô what the Sum was is uncertain but it was to be equally distributed between the Churches of St. Peter and St. Paul to provide Lights on Easter Eve and of this 300 Marks the Pope was to have 100 to himself These Grants are supposed by Sir Henry Spelman to have been made in a general Council of the whole Kingdom but after this time we find no more of them for many Years by reason of the frequent Invasions of the Danes But not long after King Ethelwulf died and was buried at Winchester having reigned 20 Years and 5 Months for the Saxon Annals which allow him but 18 Years and an half are certainly mistaken This Year also according to Florence of Worcester Humbert the Bishop anointed that Glorious Martyr Edmund King of the East Angles being then but 15 Years old at a Town called Buram being then the Royal Seat But having no Account of King Edmund's Pedigree or of the Place of his Birth from any of our English Historians you must be content with what Johannes Anglicus of Tinmouth hath told us or in his Legend of Saints called Sanctilogium of this King and Martyr viz. That he was the Son of one Alemond a Nobleman of the Blood Royal of the East Angles who having fled for fear of King Offa into Old Saxony out of which his Family first came had there by his Wife called Cywara a Son whom he named Edmund the pretended Miracles of whose Birth I purposely omit This Prince having been instructed in all Christian and Moral Duties lived in Germany to the 14th Year of his Age and upon his return into England was so acceptable to the East Angles that he was by them Elected King and till his Death continued in the quiet Possession of that Kingdom without any opposition of King Ethelwulf or any of his Sons then Kings of the West Saxons to whose Dominions that Kingdom of the East Angles had lately been made subject and hence it may be reasonably inferred that it was by King Ethelwulf's Consent that Edmund being returned out of Germany took Possession of that Kingdom Being thus made King and by reason of his tender Age not esteeming himself capable of managing the Affairs of the Nation he willingly submitted them and himself to the Direction of the said Bishop of the East Angles by whom he was Crowned and by whose Councel and Direction he behaved himself as became a Prince endued with all Kingly Virtues so that during his Reign his principal Care was to repair
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 Cealâ—oth 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
second assault Tuba the Brother of Count Hubba being knocked down with a Stone was carried off for Dead whereat Hubba was so enraged that breaking into the Monastery he slew all the Monks that came in his way whilest the rest of them destroyed the others till at last all perished so that in short the Monastery was wholly destroyed and the Church together with a noble Library of Books and all its Charters were reduced to Ashes But the fourth day after this the Pagan Army having got together all the spoil they could marched toward Huntington but in their way thither as the two Counts Sidrocs brought up the Rear of the Army which had now passed the River Nene two Waggon loads of rich moveables happened to be sunk in the Ford as also the Beasts that drew them in getting out of which whilest Sidroc and his Men were busied the Boy Turgar slipped away into the next Wood and walking all Night about break of Day he got to Croyland where he found the Monks returned again and busie in quenching the Fire as well as they could to whom he related all that had happened and discovering where the body of the Abbot and most of the Monks lay they removed the rubbish and buried them and then having chosen Godric one of the Monks that escaped for their Abbot they were resolved to go and do the like Pious Office for the late Prior and Monks of Medeshamstead where arriving they buried the Bodies of above fourscore Monks in one Grave in the Church-yard placing over them a Pyramidal Stone of about a Yard high whereon were carved the Images of the Abbot and Monks about him which was then to be seen in Ingulph's time In the mean time the Britains spoiling the Country as far as Grant-bridge now Cambridge they then fell upon and burnt the famous Nunnery of Ely killing all that were therein both Men and Women and carrying away a great deal of Riches which had been brought thither from all parts for their better security from whence they passed over into the Country of the East-Angles where they slew Earl Wulketule coming against them and making a stout resistance with his small Forces from whence they marched against King Edmund himself of whose Life and Martyrdom I shall out of Asser's Annals give you a particular account and thô I will not pass my word for the truth of all his Relation being written after the manner of the Legends of those times yet the substance of it is no doubt true and the rest may serve if not to instruct yet at least to divert the Readers But before I proceed to the Story of the Martyrdom of this King it may not be amiss to relate the occasion why the Danes invaded the Kingdom of the East-Angles and put King Edmund so cruelly to Death which story thô it be not very probable yet since it is found in Mat. Westminsters Flores Historiarum I will from thence repeat it in as few words as I can being to this effect That in the Kingdom of Denmark there was one Lothbrook who being descended from the Royal Family had by his Wife two Sons Inguar and Hubba Lothbrook going to Sea by himself in a Boat with only a Hawke on his Fist to seek for Game in a Neighbouring Island being taken by a sudden and violent Storm was tossed up and down for several Days till at last he was by the Wind and Tide driven upon the Coast of that Country we now call Northfolk where being found alone with his Hawk he is presented to Edmund the King and being kindly received for the comliness of his Person continued in his Court and told the King the Tale of his strange Fortune and often went out in the Field for his Recreation with Beorn the King's Huntsman being extraordinarily dexterous both in Hunting and Fowling for this Reason this Huntsman greatly envied him and as they two were hunting together alone he secretly murdered him and hid his Body in a Wood. Now Lothebroc kept a Greyhound which was exceedingly fond of him and the Huntsman being gone away with the rest of the Dogs he stayed there alone by his Master's Body next day when the King asked for Lothebroc Beorn answered That the day before he stayed in the Wood and since that he had not seen him But behold the Greyhound comes to Court and fawning upon the King as well as others as soon as he had filled his Belly again departed till doing this often he was followed to the place by some of the King's Servants who there found out the Body and brought the Relation of it to the King The Matter being examined and found out the Huntsman is sentenced to be put into the same Boat in which Lothebroc arrived without any Oars or Tackling in which after a few days surely the Boat knew its way he was cast upon the Coast of Denmark where being brought to Lothebroc's Sons and by them examined what was become of their Father whose Boat they sufficiently knew he affirmed That he was killed by Edmund King of the East Angles Whereupon they prepare a Navy and passing into England landed first in the Northern Parts and as was said before they grievously harass'd the Country of the Northumbers and having brought it under Subjection Hinguar quits his Company and with a great Fleet sailed to East England where King Edmund Reigned But Saxo Grammaticus gives us quite another Account of the Death of these Prince's Father whom he calls Regner viz. That he was taken Prisoner in Ireland and there killed in Prison by Snakes where none you must know ever were a Story altogether as probable as the former so I have here given you from several Authors two different Accounts of the Reason of the Danes invading England and shall leave it to the Reader to believe one or neither since as they cannot both be true so neither of them seem very probable This King Edmund had now Reigned five Years with great Affection of his Subjects for being a Prince of great Hopes he was by the Unanimous Favour and Consent of the People of that Province not only Elected but rather forced to Rule over them He had a Majestick Meen that became a King and in his Countenance appeared a certain Air of Piety mixed with Meekness and Devotion It was indeed but a short time he Reigned but in that time he did by his Charity to the Poor and his Care over Widows and Orphans perform all the Duties of a Pious Man as well as of a Good King But to come to the Story it self The Danes having now spoiled the Country and routed the King's Army as you have heard came on a sudden upon a certain City and taking it by Surprise they killed the Inhabitants and ravished the Women sparing neither Age nor Sex but when they had pretty well satiated their Fury Hinguar their Captain examined some of the ordinary People that were left alive
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 thâ—m 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 lesâ—er 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 Rodâ—lf 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
it would not be better if the Law were so at this day since it would not only prevent the too great Favour of Juries in some Cases but also their over-Severity in others by often giving either very small or else excessive Damages according as the Plaintiff or Defendant is more or less known to them or that they have a greater or less Kindness for them There was likewise made in the same Synod divers Ecclesiastical Canons some of which taken from amongst the Civil Ones I shall here likewise set down The first is concerning the Immunities of the Churches by which it is ordained That if a Man guilty of any little Crime flie to a Church which does not belong to the King or the Family of a private Person he shall have three Nights to provide for himself unless in the mean time he can make his Peace But if any Man within that Term shall inflict upon him either Bonds or Blows he shall pay the Price of his Head according to the Custom of the Country and also to the Ministers or Officers of the Church 120 Shillings for violating the Peace thereof The next Law but one is likewise to the same effect whereby is granted to every Church consecrated by the Bishop the like Peace and if any Offender shall flie to it none shall take him thence for seven Days if any Man shall presume to do so he shall be culpable of breaking the King's and Churche's Peace If the Officers shall have need of their Church in the mean time he shall be put into another House which has no more Doors than the Church only the Elder i.e. Presbyter of that Church shall take Care he have no Meat given him But if he will surrender himself and his Arms to his Enemies he shall be kept thirty Nights and then be delivered up to his Kinsmen Also whosoever shall flie to a Church for any Crime which he hath not yet confess'd if he shall there make Confession of it in God's Name half the Penalty shall be remitted to him From whence you may observe the Antiquity and Design of Sanctuaries in England which were not then as they were afterwards abused being at first only intended for Places where Offenders might stay for a time 'till they could agree with their Adversaries or Prosecutors as well as they could since almost all Crimes whatever were redeemable with pecuniary Mulcts in those days The 5th Law is that if one shall steal any thing out of a Church he must restore the value and also forfeit as belongs to an Angild the meaning of which you may see in the next Law The 6th Law is That if any one shall steal on the Sunday or on Christmas or Easter or Ascension-days the Forfeiture should be as belongs to an Angild i. e. the whole value of his Head Also the Hand with which he stole was to be cut off But if he would redeem his Hand it should be permitted him to compound for it according as it should appertain to his Were i. e. the Price of his Head Besides which Laws Alfred Abbot of Rieval in his Geneal Regum Angliae mentions another Law of this King 's whereby every Freeman of the Kingdom having two Hides of Land was obliged to keep his Sons at School 'till they were 15 Years of Age that so they might become Men of Understanding and live happily for said the King in this Law a Man Free-born and unlettered is to be regarded no otherwise than a Beast or a Man void of Understanding The 12th is concerning the Breach of the Peace by Priests If a Priest kill any one he should be taken and all his Estate confiscated and also the Bishop should degrade him and put him out from the Church unless his Lord would obtain his Pardon by the Price of his Head The rest being concerning the Penalties for the Violation of Nuns I omit I have been the more particular in the reciting of these Laws of King Alfred as well Ecclesiastical as Civil that the Reader may see the Penalties that were inflicted upon Offenders in that Age and how different they were from ours But to return to our Annals This Year Beocca the Ealderman carried the Alms of the West-Saxons as well as the King 's to Rome Also Queen Aethelswith who was the Sister of K. Aelfred and Widow of Burhed King of Menia died in her Journey thither whose Body was buried at Pavia And the same Year Aethered Archbishop of Canterbury and Aethelwald the Ealderman deceased in the same Month. About this time also according to Asser King Alfred built two Monasteries the one for Men at Ethelingaie now Athelney that is The Isle of Nobles where he had before lain so concealed and the other for Nuns at Shaftsbury where he made Algiva his own Daughter Abbess endowing them both with great Revenues ' This Year none went to Rome unless two ordinary Messengers whom the King sent with Letters yet nevertheless Florence of Worcester affirms the King Commanded all the Bishops and Religious Men of England to Collect the Alms of the Faithful in order to sen◠them to Rome and Jerusalem And The next Year according to the same Annals Beornhelm Abbot of the West Saxons carried those Alms to Rome and also Goarun or Gythrum King of the Normans i.e. Danes deceased and being God-Son to King Aelfred his Christian Name was Ethelstan this was he who possessed the Country of the East-Angles after the Death of King Edmund Also the same Year the Danes left the River Seine and came to Sand-Laudan which place lyes between the Bretons and the French but the Bretons fighting with them obtained the Victory and drove them into a River where many of them were drown'd This Year also the Annals relate That Plegmond was Elected by God and all his Holy Men to the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury thô Florence of Worcester places it and that more rightly under the Year before The Danes again Invaded the Eastern Franckland and Arnulf the Emperour being assisted by the French Saxons and Bavarian Horse fought with the Danish Foot and put them to flight Also Three Scots came now to King Alfred from Ireland in one Boat made of Hides having quitted their Country because they would live the Life of Pilgrims i. e. a Wandring Life for God's sake not being solicitous about any place wherefore they had brought only one Week's Provision with them and after about Seven Days being at Sea landing in Cornwall they were presently brought to King Alfred their Names were Dubslane Macbeth and Maelinmun also Swifneh who was chief Preacher amongst the Irish Scots deceased The same Year after Easter appeared a Comet This Year after Eight Years Intermission the Kingdom became again infested worse than ever by a fresh Invasion of the Danes for their Army above-mentioned being driven by the Emperour Arnwulf out of France marched Westward to Bunnan now Boloign where taking
both Armies of the Danes viz. as well those which had been before routed at Bemfleet as those which were at the Isle of Brecklesey met at Sceobyrig now South-Shoebury in Essex and there built a Castle and then marching along the Thames a great many of the Danes of East England and Northumberland joined them and so they marched from the Thames as far as the River Severne then Aethered Aethelm and Aethelnoth the Ealdormen and the King's Thanes who were left at home in the Garisons drew all the Men together they could from every Town on the East-side of Pedridan now Parret in Somersetshire and on the West of Selwood Forest as also from both sides of the Thames even as far as North Wales who when they were all assembled followed the Pagans to Butdigingtune on the side of Severne now called Budington in Shropshire and there besieged them on all sides in a certain Fort they had cast up but when they had staid there for divers Weeks Encamp'd on both sides the River the King being then in Devonshire with his Fleet the Pagans pressed with Hunger Eat their Horses and many of them perished with Famine yet at last they broke out upon those who lay on the East side of the River where as Aethelwerd tells us was a very sharp Dispute thô the Christians got the Victory and kept the Field but there Ordhelm the King's Thane was kill'd as also many others of the same Rank but that part of the Danish Army which remained alive escaped by flight And when they were got into their Garisons and Ships in East Saxe just before Winter they Muster'd a great Army from among the East Angles and Northumbers and committing their Wives Ships and Goods to the keeping of the East Angles marched Day and Night till they took up their Quarters at a certain City in Werheal called Legacester now Chester but the Kings Forces could not overtake them before they had got into the Castle which nevertheless they besieged for about Two Days and took away all the Cattle that were in those Parts and kill'd all the Men they could find without the place and partly burnt the Corn and partly devoured it with their Horses This was done about a Twelve Month after the Danes arrival here Not long after this the Pagans went from Werheal into North Wales but they could not stay there long because the Cattle and Corn were all drove away and destroyed so they were forced to march thorough the Country of the Northumbers and East Angles with such speed that the King's Forces could not overtake them till they came into the East part of East Seaxe to a certain Island seated near the Sea called Meresige now Mercey in Essex Also the same Year the Danes who were encamp'd in Meresige drew their Ships up the Thames and thence up the River Ligan now called Lee which divides Middlesex from Essex and there according to Florence they began to raise a Fort this happen'd in the second Year after their arrival The Pagans having raised the Fortification near Ligan above-mentioned about 20 Miles from London this Summer a great part of the Citizens and others marched thither and endeavoured to take and destroy it but they were there forc'd to fly for it and Four of the King's Thanes were kill'd on the spot This Autumn when the King had pitched his Camp in those Parts about Harvest time to hinder the Danes from carrying away their Corn it happen'd one day as the King rode by the River side that he found a place where the River might be so diverted that the Danes should not be able to carry back their Ships and thô they had built two Castles one of each side the River to defend them yet so soon as the Danes saw that the stream being now diverted into several Channels they could not carry back their Ships they quitted them and marched away on Foot till they came to Quatbrige now supposed to be Cambridge not far from the River Severne where they cast up a Fort but the King's Forces pursued them toward the West on Horse-back whilest the Citizens of London seized and broke their Ships and carried all that was worth any thing to the City but the Danes had left their Wives with the East Angles before they departed from that place so that that Winter they staid at Quatbridge being the Third Year since their last arrival But the next Year according to our Annals The Danes marched part of them into East England and part into Northumberland because wanting Money they could only there procure Ships which having got they sailed from thence Southward to the River Seine Thus by God's Mercy this vast Army of Pagans did not wholly ruine the English Nation althô it was very much weaken'd during these Three Years as well by the Murrain of Cattle as also by a great Plague upon Men by which many of the King 's noblest Thanes that were in the Kingdom dyed of which number were Swithulf Bishop of Rochester Beorthalf Ealdorman of the East Saxons Wulfred Ealdorman of Hamptshire and Ethelheard Bishop of Dorchester with many others But I have only noted the most remarkable The same Year those Robbers residing in east-East-England and Northumberland very much infested West Saxony especially the Southern Coasts by their stolen Booties chiefly with their Ships which they had got ready long before for that purpose then King Alfred being it seems at last sensible how much damage the want of a Fleet had done his Country Commanded divers Galleys to be made which were almost twice as long as others some whereof had sixty Rowers they were also swifter higher and less apt to rowle than others formerly built for they were made neither according to the model of the Frisian Vessels nor the Danish but after such a manner as was thought might prove most useful And some time after in this Year there arrived six Danish Ships at the Isle of Wight and Sailing along committed great spoil in Devonshire and all up and down that Coast. Then the King commanded that they should set Sail with the Nine Gallyes newly built and shut up the Enemies Ships from going out of the Harbour where they were upon which the Pyrats sailed out with Three Ships against them the other three being left in the entrance of the Harbour upon the dry ground and the Sea-men gone out of them But the King's Fleet took two of the Danish Ships that came out of the Harbour and slew the Men but the Third escaped though all except Five were kill'd There came also other Ships thither which were somewhat more conveniently posted Three of them being placed in that part of the Sea where the Danish Ships had before taken up their station but all the rest in another part so that they could not assist each other for the Tide had gone back many Furlongs from the King's Ships And so the Danes going out
of their Vessels set upon Three English Ships which lay on the dry ground and Fighting with them there slew Lucomon the King's Admiral and Wulfherd Aebba and Aethelerd being all Frizelanders who it seems then served in the King's Fleet so that of the Frisons and English there were slain Sixty Two of the Danes One Hundred and Twenty But the Tide returning the Danish Ships got away before the English could have out theirs at Sea thô they were so shatter'd that they could scarce reach the Coast of Sussex for two of them were ran on Shore and the Men being brought to the King at Winchester he Commanded them all to be Hang'd But those who were in the Third Ship being very much wounded with great difficulty reached east-East-England The same Year there perished no less than Twenty of their Ships together with the Seamen near the Southern Coast and then also Wulfred Master of the King's Horse Deceased who was a British or Welsh Gerefe or Governour Aethelm Ealdorman of Wiltshire deceased Nine days before Midsummer and the same Year also Aealhstan Bishop of London dyed This Year according to the Welsh Chronicle Igmond the Dane with a great number of Soldiers Landed in the Isle of Man or Anglesey where the Welshmen gave him Battle at a place called Molerain or Meilon wherein we may suppose the Danes got the Victory for their Chronicle says nothing to the contrary and besides Merwy Son to Rodri King of Powis was there slain Also now King Alfred Deceased six days before the Feast of All Saints He was King over all the English Nation except what was under the power of the Danâ—s But since we are come to the end of this King's Life I shall here give you Florence of Worcester's Character of â—him viz. That Famous and Victorious Warriour King Alfred the Defender of Widows and Orphans the most skillful of all the Saxon Poets who excelled in Prudence Justice Fortitude and Temperance being as Discreet and Diligent in hearing of Causes and giving Judgments as he was devout in the Service of God was also most Liberal and affable to all Men so that for these Vertues he was highly beloved by his Subjects now died of an Infirmity under which he had long laboured whose Body lies buried in the new Monastery of Winchester in a stately Tomb of Porphyrie But I shall from Asser's History of this King's Life and Actions give you a larger account of him from his Infancy He was as you have already heard born Anno Dom. 849 and had been twice at Rome but after his last Return together with his Father He tells us He was bred up at Court with the great Care and Affection both of his Father and Mother who loved him above the rest of his Brothers because he was not only more Witty and Handsome but also of a sweeter Disposition and it had been well if he could have improved his own excellent Parts by Humane Learning for to his great regret afterwards by the extream fondness of his Parents or by the negligence of those who had the care of his Education he remained till the Twelfth Year of his Age without so much as being taught his Letters only having an excellent Memory he learned by heart several Saxon Poems being repeated to him by others for he had a great and natural Inclination to Poetry as our Authour himself had often observed and as an instance of the quickness of his Parts gives us this Account That one Day when his Mother shewed him and the rest of his Brothers a certain fine Book in Saxon Verse with which they were very well pleased he being taken with the beauty of the Capital Letters at the beginning of it she promised to give it to him that should soonest understand and get it by heart which Alfred undertaking to do he carried it to his Master and not only learned to Read it but also got it without Book and so repeating it to his Mother had the Book given him for his pains after this he also learned the Daily Office and then some Psalms and Prayers by heart which being writ together in a Book he still carried in his Bosome for his daily use But alas England could not then supply him with any fit Tutors in the Liberal Arts which he often complained was one of the greatest hindrances in his Life that at the time when he had most leasure to learn he had no Masters that could teach him and afterwards when he grew more in Years he was troubled with incessant Pains both Night and Day the causes of which were unknown to Physicians but when he came to be King he was then taken up with the cares of the Government and how to resist the Invasions of the Danes so that he had but little time for Study yet notwithstanding all these impediments from his very Child-hood to the day of his Death he never ceased to have an insatiable desire after knowledge insomuch that he did not only at leisure times learn himself but also communicated that learning to others by translating into the English Saxon Tongue Orosius's Roman and Bede's Ecclesiastical Histories the latter of which Versions is Printed but the former is still in Manuscript in the Library of Corpus Christi Coll. Oxon. as also in other places he had likewise begun to Translate the Psalms of David but was prevented by Death from making an end of it But to how low an Ebb Learning was then reduced by the frequent Wars and devastations of the Danes King Alfred himself tells us in his Preface to St. Gregorie's Pastoral that learning was so decay'd in the English Nation that very few Priests on this side of Humber could understand the Common Service of the Church and he knew none South of Thames who could turn an ordinary piece of Latine into English though things were now somewhat better yet that he himself had turn'd this Book into English by the help of Arch-Bishop Plegmond with Grimbald and John his Priests and had sent one of them to every Bishops See in the Kingdom with an Aestel as the Saxon Word is or Stilus as in the Latin Version upon each Book of fifty Mancuses in value charging them in God's Name neither to take away that Aestel from the Book nor any of those Books out of the Church seeing it was uncertain how long there would continue such Learned Bishops as now God be Thanked were in all parts of this Kingdom But how this can consist with the supposed Relation out of Asser concerning the flourishing state of Learning at Oxford before that King 's Founding the University I do not understand But in the Twentieth Year of his Age as soon as he was Married that Distemper took him which held him till about his Fortieth Year the cause whereof being unknown to his Physicians it was supposed by some that he was bewitched and it was so sharp that he feared the
Old Minster or Cathedral The nearness of these two Monasteries afterwards occasioned great differences between them until the Monks of this new Abbey who were placed here in the room of the Secular Chanons by Bishop Ethelwald Anno Dom. 963. were removed without the Walls to a place called Hyde as you shall hear in due time and here also the Bones of King Alfred were new Buried by King Edward his Son as Will. of Malmsbury relates because of some foolish Stories made by those of the Old Monastery concerning the dead King's Ghost walking in some Houses adjacent to the Church This Year also according to our Annals the Moon was Eclipsed The next Year Prince Ethelwald incited the Danish Forces in East-England to Arms so that they over-ran and spoiled all the Country of Mercia as far as Crekelade now Crekelade in Wiltshire and there passing the Thames they took in Braedene now Braedon Forest in Wiltshire whatsoever they could find and then return'd home In the mean time King Edward so soon as he could get his Army together followed them and destroyed all the Country which lies between the Ditch and the River Ouse as far as the Northern Fens By the Ditch above-mention'd Florence of Worcester understands that bound or limit drawn between the Territories of the late King Edmund and the River Ouse which at this day is known by the name of the Devil's Ditch that formerly divided the Mercian Kingdom from that of the East-Angles And Bromton's Chronicle under this Year further adds That Ethelwold having thus passed the Thames at Crekelade took Brithenden and marched as far as Brandenstoke now Bradenstoke in Wiltshire so that as Mr. Camden well observes in his Britannia our Modern Historians have been much mistaken in supposing that place to be Basing-Stoke in Hampshire But to return to our History As soon as the King resolved to quit those parts he order'd it to be proclaimed throughout the whole Army that they should all march off but the Kentishmen staying behind contrary to his command he sent Messengers to them to come away yet it seems before they could do it the Danes had so hemmed them in that they were forced to fight and there Eadwald the King's Thane and Cenwulf the Abbot with many more of the English Nobility were slain and on the Danes part were kill'd Eoric their King and Prince Ethelwald who had stirred them to this Rebellion and Byrtsig the Son of Prince Beornoth and Ysopa General of the King's Army and abundance of others which it would be too tedious to enumerate But it was plain that there was a great slaughter made on both sides yet nevertheless the Danes kept the Field of Battel Also this Year Queen Ealswithe the Mother of King Edward deceased in which also a Comet appeared Who this Eoric King of the Danes was is uncertain I suppose him to have been the Danish King of the East-Angles whose death according to Will of Malmesbury's Account falls about this time for he says thus That this King was killed by the English whom he treated tyrannically but for all this yet they could not recover their Liberty certain Danish Earls still oppressing or else inciting them against the West-Saxon Kings till the Eighteenth Year of this King's Reign when they were all by him overcome and the Country brought under obedience To this time we may also refer that great Council which was held by King Edward the Elder where Plegmond Archbishop of Canterbury presided though the place where is not specified yet the occasion of it as we find from Will of Malmesbury as well as the Register of the Priory of Christ-Church in Canterbury cited by Sir H. Spelman was thus Pope Formosus had sent Letters into England threatning Excommunication and his Curse to King Edward and all his Subjects because the Province of the West-Saxons had been now for Seven Years without any Bishops whereupon the King summoned a great Council or Synod of Wise men of the English Nation wherein the Archbishop read the Pope's Letters then the King and the Bishops with all his Lay-Subjects upon mature deliberation found out a safe course to avoid it by appointing Bishops over each of the Western Counties dividing what Two Bishops had formerly held into Five Diocesses The Council being ended the Archbishop went to Rome and reciting the King's Decree with the Advice and Approbation of the Chief Men of his Kingdom He thereby and with rich Presents so pacified the Pope that Plegmond obtain'd his confirmation thereof and then returning into his own Country he ordained five Bishops in one day to wit Fridestan to the Church of Winchester Aldestan to Cornwall Werstan to Shireborne Athelm to Wells and Eadwulf to Crediton in Devonshire But Archbishop Parker in his Antiq Britannicae under this very Year thus recites this Transaction out of a very Ancient Manuscript Author whom he does not particularly name viz. That Plegmund Archbishop of Canterbury together with King Edward called a great Council of the Bishops Abbots Chief men Subjects and People in the Province of the Gewisses where these two Bishopricks were divided into five So that you see here was no less than five new Diocesses erected at once by the Authority of both the King and the Great Council of the Nation though it seems the Pope took upon him the confirmation of this Decree The same Authors likewise tell us That Archbishop Plegmond ordained two more Bishops over the Ancient Provinces to wit one Bernod for the South Saxons and Cenwulf for the Mercians whose See was at Dorchester in Oxfordshire Cardinal Baronius in his Annals having given us a Copy of these Letters of Pope Formosus hath found a notable Error in the Date of them for being written Anno Dom. 904 or 905. they could not be sent by that Pope who was dead about 9 or 10 years before and therefore the Cardinal would put the time of this Council back to Anno Dom. 894. but then as Sir H. Spelman in his Notes upon it well observes the fault will be as great this way as the other for King Edward under whom this Council was held was not King till above 10 years after therefore some would place this Council in the latter end of King Alfred's Reign after the Kingdom came to be setled upon the expulsion of the Danes but Sir H. Spelman affirms That these things being written long after the time when they were transacted the name of Formosus might be put into the Copies of these Letters instead of Pope Leo the Fifth and then all things will fall right enough But as to Frithestan Bishop of Winchester this Account of Will of Malmesbury will not hold for our Annals tell us That he was not made Bishop till Anno Dom. 910. upon the death of Bishop Denulph and therefore that See could not be so long void as this Relation would have it The like mistake is in making Werstan to be then
never sought to hoard up Money for himself but bestowed whatever he got either upon those Servants he found faithful to him or else upon Monasteries No wonder then if he won the hearts of all the Monks who were the only Historians of those times Now also as Florence relates Wulfhelm Archbishop of Canterbury deceasing Odo Bishop of Wells succeeded him This Man was of a Danish Race whose Parents had come over hither in King Alfred's Reign but their Son had been first a Soldier under him and then turning Priest was at last by King Athelstan's Recommendation made a Bishop but having never been a Monk and none but Monks having been hitherto made Archbishops of Canterbury he for a long time refused it till at last he was persuaded to go over into France and there taking upon him the Habit of a Monk and returning home was immediately consecrated Archbishop This Man was a Prelate of great Sanctity according to those times and a severe Exactor of Ecclesiastical Discipline as you will find hereafter This year also according to the Annals Bishop Byrnstan above-mentioned deceased at Winchester And the following year ' Bishop Elfeage succeeded him in that Bishoprick About this time according to William of Malmesbury King Athelstan drove the Welsh out of Exeter and built new Walls about it and then founded a Monastery of Benedictines which was afterwards changed upon the removal of the Bishop's See from Credition to this City into a Dean and Secular Chanons as shall be shewn in due time But after two years The War was again renewed between King Athelstan and Constantine King of Scots and a great Battle followed of which our Annals give us contrary to their custom a Poetical if not a Romantick Relation which to translate verbatim would be ridiculous but the Substance of it is thus That this year King Athelstan and his Brother Eadmund Aetheling overcame the Scots in Battel about Brunanburh now Bromrige in the County of Northumberland as Cambden supposes breaking through their Works and killing many of their Noblemen so that both Armies fighting from Sun-rising to Sun-set there perished a great multitude of Scots Irish and Danes For it seems by Florence of Worcester that another Anlaf Son to the King of Dublin being excited by his Father-in Law King Constantine had sail'd up the River Humber with a great Fleet and landing King Athelstan and his Brother Edmund met them with a powerful Army at the place above-mentioned and if so it could not be in Northumberland as Mr. Cambden supposes but rather in Yorkshire or Lincolnshire But to proceed with our Annals the Success of this Fight was That the English-Saxons towards the latter end of the day utterly routed and put to flight the Enemies Forces and pursued them as long as day-light lasted so that in that place there fell no less than five Kings besides seven other Commanders on Anlaf's side not reckoning those of the Naval Forces and the Scots Fleet who were kill'd without number so that Anlaf was forced to save his Life by going on board his Ships with a small Company as also one Froda by flight returned into his own Countrey This Froda was it seems some Norman or Danish Commander who came to assist Anlaf Neither could King Constantine brag much of the success of this Fight among his Relations for they most of them fell that day in Battel the King leaving his Son dead upon the Spot behind him having received many Wounds Nor could King Anlaf himself boast of much better good fortune for they had all reason enough to repent their having tried the Valour of these English Princes And not only the Scotch but Irish King with great difficulty got home to Difiline now Dublin in Ireland But King Athelstan and the Prince his Brother return'd home with Honour and Glory into their own Countrey leaving their Enemies Carcasses to be devoured by the Fowls of the Air and Beasts of the Field insomuch that there never was a greater Slaughter in this Island mentioned by Historians since the time that the English-Saxons conquered this part of Britain So far you have from the Peterburgh Copy of these Annals but that in the Cottonian Library says no more than that This year King Athelstan and King Eadmund his Brother led their Army to Brunanburgh and there fighting with Anlaf by the help of Christ obtained the Victory But having given you a short Relation of this Battel from the Saxon Annals who only relate the Success of this Fight without giving us any Causes or other Circumstances of it I shall both from Ingulph as also from William of Malmesbury give you a more perfect Account of it which is thus Constantine King of the Scots being exasperated by the late Invasion made in his Kingdom joined with Anlaf the Son of Sihtric whom Florence more probably supposes to have been not this Sihtric but some other of his name who was King of Ireland and the Isles adjacent and had married the Daughter of King Constantine who also drew in Eugenius Prince of Cumberland with great Forces which he had raised out of several Countries to their Assistance and after near four years preparation they invaded England by the River Humber and passed through the Countrey to a place called Brunanburgh or Bruneford Athelstan all this time feigning a Retreat on purpose that he might obtain some better advantage against them as some write or as others that they â—eing fearful to grapple with him Anlaf perceiving with whom he had to do puts off his Royal Habit and becomes a Spy upon him in the Disguise of a Musician attending with an Harp in his Hand at Athelstan's Tent by which means he was easily admitted into the King's Presence diverting them by his Musick till such time as they having eaten and drank sufficiently they began to debate seriously about the Work they had in hand and he all the while made what Observation he could at last when he had received his Reward and was commanded out of the Tent he scorning to carry the Money away with him hid it in the Earth which a certain Soldier who had formerly served him taking notice of thereby came to know him and after he was gone acquainted the King who he was but being blamed for not giving him more timely notice the Soldier excused it as having formerly taken a Military Oath in Anlaf's Service affirming that had he betrayed Anlaf he himself to whom now he was in the same Relation might have expected no better Fidelity but however he advised King Athelstan to remove his Tent into another place This Advice was looked upon as good and wholsome and indeed how seasonable it proved very shortly appeared for a certain Bishop coming to the Camp that night pitched his Tent in the same place when Anlaf with a design to destroy the King assaulted that part of the Camp being ignorant of what had passed
year according to Florence King Athelstan founded the Abby of Middleton in Dorsetshire to expiate the Death of his Brother Prince Edwin whom through false suggestions he had destroy'd as you have already heard About this time also according to the Welsh Chronicle Howel Dha Prince of South-Wales and Powis after the death of Edwal Voel his Cousin Prince of North-Wales took upon him the Government of all Wales the Sons of Edwal being then in Minority This Howel made that Excellent Body of Laws that go under his Name and which you may find in Sir H. Spelman's first Volume of Councils This Prince for his Discreet and Just Government not only made himself highly beloved but also rendred his Memory very glorious to After-Ages But it seems King Athelstan did not long survive this Victory for as our Annals relate he deceased this year on the 6 th Kal. Novemb. just Forty years after the death of King Alfred his Grandfather having reigned Fourteen Years and Ten Months But there is certainly an Error in this Account for either this King must have reigned a year less or else the King his Father must have died a year sooner than our Annals allow him and perhaps with greater Certainty for Florence of Worcester places his Death in Anno Dom. 924. Nor can we before we finish this King's Life omit taking notice That Bromton's Chronicle and other Modern Writers do place the long Story of the Danes invading England in this King's Reign and that one Guy Earl of Warwick returning home by chance from the Holy Land in the Habit of a Pilgrim just when King Athelstan was in great distress for a Champion to fight with one Colebrand a monstrous Danish Gyant whom the King of the Danes had set up to fight with any Champion the English King should bring into the field that Earl Guy accepted this Challenge and without being known to any man but the King fought the Gyant near Winchester and killing him the Danes yielded the Victory whilst Earl Guy privately retired to a Hermitage near Warwick and there living a Hermit's life ended his days But though John Rouse in his Manuscript Treatise de Regibus Anglorum places this Action under Anno 926 as soon as ever King Athelstan came to the Crown and that Tho. Rudburne in his History of Winchester says That this Gyant 's Sword being kept in the Treasury of the Abby of Winchester was shewn in his time yet since neither the Saxon Annals nor any other Ancient Historian mention any Invasion of the Danes in this King's Reign nor any thing of such a Combat it ought to be looked upon as a Monkish Tale only fit for Ballads and Children But since the Monks are very profuse in the Praises of this Prince I will give you William of Malmesbury's Character of him That as for his Person he did not exceed the ordinary Stature being of a slender Body his Hair as he had seen by his Reliques was Yellow that as for his Natural Temper and Disposition he was always kind to God's Servants i. e. the Monks for there was scarce a Monastery in England but what had been adorned by him with Buildings Books or Reliques And though he was grave and serious amongst his Nobles yet was he affable to the Inferior sort often laying aside the Majesty of a King to converse the more freely with ordinary men This made him as much admired by his Subjects for his Humility as he was fear'd by his Enemies and Rebels for his Invincible Courage and Constancy An Eminent Instance of this was in that he compell'd the Kings of North-Wales for some time standing out to meet him at Hereford and submit themselves to him I wish our Author had told us the Year when it was done since our Annals have wholly omitted it for tho Ran. Higden in his Polychronicon has put it under Anno 937 and also relates from Alfred of Beverly that this King restored both Constantine King of Scots and Hoel King of the Britains to their Kingdoms saying It was more glorious to make a King than to be one yet I do not see any Authority for it But this is agreed upon by all That Athelstan did about that time enter Wales with a powerful Army and effected what no King had ever presumed to think of before for he imposed a Yearly Tribute upon those Kings of Twenty Pounds in Gold and Three hundred Pounds in Silver and Twenty five thousand Head of Cattel Yet the Laws of Howel Dha appointed the King of Aberfraw to pay yearly to the King of London no more than Sixty six Pounds for a Tribute besides Hawks and Hounds John of Wallingford makes this King the first who reduced all England into one Monarchy by his Conquest of Northumberland Cumberland and Wales yet that he was in his own nature a Lover of Peace and whatever he had heard from his Grandfather or observed in his Father he put in practice being Just in his Judgments and by a happy conjunction of many Virtues so beloved by all men that to this day Fame which is wont to be too severe to the Faults of Great Men can relate nothing to his prejudice William of Malmesbury also gives us a short Account of his Life and Actions from his very Childhood wherein he tells us That this Prince when he was but a Youth was highly beloved by his Grandfather King Alfred insomuch that he made him a Knight girding him with a Belt set with Precious Stones and whereat hung a Golden-hilted Sword in a Rich Scabbard after which he was sent to be bred under his Uncle Ethelred Earl of Mercia to learn all those Warlike Exercises that were befitting a Young Prince Nor does he only relate him to have been Valiant but also competently Learned as he had been informed from a certain old Author he had seen who compared him to Tully for Eloquence though as he rightly observes the Custom of that Age might very well dispense with that Talent and perhaps a too great Affection to King Athelstan then living might excuse this Author 's over-large Commendations But this must be acknowledged that all Europe then spoke highly in his Praise and extoll'd his Valour to the Skies Neighbouring Kings thinking themselves happy if they could purchase his Friendship either by his Alliance or their Presents Harold King of Norway sent him a Ship whose Stern was Gilded and its Sails Purple and the Ambassadors by whom he sent it being Royally received in the City of York were rewarded with Noble Presents Hugh King of the French sent Anwulf Son of Baldwin Earl of Flanders Grandson to King Edward by Aethelswine his Daughter as his Ambassador to demand his Sister in Marriage who when in a Great Assembly of the Nobility at Abingdon he had declared the Desires of this Royal Woer besides Noble Presents of Spices and Precious Stones especially Emeralds such as had never been seen in England before
men accused of any Crime till they have first made satisfaction By this it appears how ancient in this Nation the Custom is of calling a Servant by the word used for the whole Species of Mankind a Phrase in use as well with the Romans and others more ancient as with modern people The twenty fourth is concerning Traffick and in confirmation of former Laws ordains That if a man buy any thing with witness which another man challenges for his own the Seller shall make it good and secure the bargain whether he be Bond or Free But on the Lord's day no Market shall be held under penalty or forfeiture of the Wares and a Mulct of 30 shillings besides The next thing that follows at the end of these Laws relating to the Civil State is the Valuation of mens Heads which we have often heard mentioned by these Laws but never yet to what it particularly amounted First then saith the Text The valuation of the King's Head according to the English Common Laws is thirty thousand Thrymses whereof fifteen thousand are properly the value of his Head the rest being due to the Kingdom so that the latter fifteen belonged to the Nation the former to his Kindred An Archbishop's and Earl's Weregild as the Saxons called the valuation of his Head is fifteen thousand Thrymses A Bishop's and Ealdorman's eight thousand A General 's of an Army or an High Marshal's four thousand Thrymses The valuation of a Spiritual Thane or Priest as also of a Temporal Thane was two thousand Thrymses That of a Countreyman or Câ—orl by the Danish Law was 267 Thrymses But if a Welshman grow so rich as to maintain a Family have Land and pay a yearly Rent to the King he shall be valued at 120 shillings if he possess half a Hide of Land at 80 shillings If he have no Land yet if he be a Freeman the value of his Head shall be seventy shillings If a Ceorl or Countreyman be so wealthy as to possess five Hides of Land in case he be killed the price or value of his Life shall be two thousand Thrymses but if he come to have a Corslet an Helmet and a Gilt Sword tho he have no Land he shall be accounted a Sithcundmon and if his Children or Grandchildren shall grow so rich as to possess five Hides of Land all their Posterity shall be reckoned as so many Sithcundmen and be valued at two thousand Thrymses The Mercians value a Countreyman at two hundred shillings a Thane at twelve hundred They are wont to equal the single value of the King's Head with six thousand Thanes that is thirty thousand Sceats for so much is the value of the King's Head and as much more must be paid as a recompence for his death the value of his Head belongs to his Kindred and the compensation of his Death to the people He that is valued at 1200 shillings his Oath shall be of the same esteem as those of six Countreymen for where such an one is slain six Countreymen would satisfy over and above for the value therefore the value of him and all them shall be the same By the English Law the Oaths of a Priest and a Thane are of the like esteem By these valuations of Heads from the highest to the lowest Rank we may perceive that in those Ancient Times Punishments consisted rather in Mulcts than in Blood contrary to our present Custom whereby small Offences in comparison especially if reiterated are become Capital which whence it hath proceeded whether from this consideration that Crimes in latter Ages do more abound or from other reasons is not evident As for the Sithcundmon mentioned in this Law Mr. Somner derives this word from Syth or Gethysa an Equal or Companion and cund kind and Mon man so that he seems to have been one equal to a Thane King EDMUND NOT long after King Athelstan's Decease Prince Edmund his Brother succeeded him at the Age of Eighteen Years and reigned Six Years and an half This year according to the Annals King Edmund Lord of the English and the Protector of his Subjects invaded Mercia on that side where the River Humber and the Way of the White Fountain divide the Countrey he there took in five Cities viz. Ligoracester now Leicester Lindcolne now Lincoln and Snotingaham Stanford and Deorby which were all before under the power of the Danes being forced to submit to them having been long under their Tyrannical Yoke This seems very strange for most of those places are mentioned to have been before recovered from the Danes by King Edward his Father and how they could be conquered again in the time of so great a Warrier as King Athelstan was I could not understand were it not explained by other Authors The same year King Aeadmund received King Anlaf to Baptism and some time after he likewise received King Reginald at his Confirmation This year also King Anlaf deceased and Richard the Elder took upon him the Dukedom of Normandy and governed it 52 years But R. Hoveden and Mat. Westminster from what Authority I know not relate That this Anlaf the Dane above-mentioned and Norwegian by Extract who had been in the time of King Athelstan expell'd the Kingdom of Northumberland about this time landed in Yorkshire with a great Fleet resolving to subdue the whole Kingdom of England and marching Southward besieged Northampton but not succeeding there he marched back to Tamworth where having wasted the Countrey round about came at last to Legacester now Westchester which when King Edmund heard of he march'd with a powerful Army and met him at that City and having fought with him most part of the day the two Archbishop of Canterbury and York seeing the great Danger and Hazard the Kingdom was then in made an Agreement betwixt the two Kings That Anlaf should possess that part of England lying North of Watlingstreet and King Edmund that part which lay South of it and that the Survivor of them should quietly enjoy the whole Kingdom and thereupon Anlaf married Alditha the Daughter of Earl Orme by whose Counsel and Assistance he obtained the late Victory But William of Malmesbury tells this Story somewhat different viz. That about this time the Northumbers rebelling recalled this Anlaf out of Ireland whom they made their King but whom nevertheless King Edmund conquered and at last expell'd the Kingdom and so once again added Northumberland to his own Dominions which shews the great uncertainty of the History of these times But R. Hoveden and Mat. Westminster do further add That when this Anlaf had not long after his Marriage spoiled and burned the Church of St. Balther and had burnt Tiningaham by the just Judgment of God he miserably ended his Life but without telling us by what means And they both further relate That Anlaf the Son of Sihtric after this reigned again over the Northumbers and was this year expelled that Kingdom by King
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 Manusâ—ript 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
because he loved his Law and consulted the Good and Peace of his People beyond all the Princes that had been in the memory of man before him and therefore that he had greater Honour in all Nations round him as well as in his own and he was by a peculiar Blessing from above so assisted that Kings and Princes every where submitted themselves to him insomuch that he disposed of all things as he pleased without fighting But one of the first things that we find in the said Author of St. Dunstan's Life he did was That a great Council being held at a place called Bradanford now Bradford in Wiltshire Abbot Dunstan was by the general consent of all there present chosen Bishop of Worcester for his great Piety and Prudence And also King Edgar being now well instructed by the said Bishop and other Wise Men of the Kingdom in the Arts of Government began to discountenance the Wicked and Vicious and to favour and advance the Good as also to repair the decay'd and ruined Monasteries and then to replenish them with God's Servants i. e. the Monks and in short to undo whatsoever his Brother had done before This year according to our Annals Odo Archbishop of Canterbury dying Dunstan Bishop of Worcester succeeded in the Archbishoprick But in this the Author of these Annals is mistaken for William of Malmesbury as well as other Authors assure us That it was not Dunstan but Elfin Bishop of Winchester who by the means of some Courtiers whom he had gained over to him by the prevailing Power of his Presents procured King Edgar's Precept to make him Archbishop From whence we may observe That notwithstanding the former Decrees of Synods and Councils in England yet those Elections which were called Canonical were neither then nor a long time after this observed But as for Bishop Elfin he is said by our Authors to have trampled upon the Tombstone of that Pious Archbishop Odo his Predecessor and to have uttered opprobrious Language against his Memory which his Ghost it seems so far resented that appearing to the new Archbishop in a Vision it threatned him with a speedy destruction but he looking upon it only as a Dream made what haste he could to Rome to get the Pope's Confirmation by receiving of his Pall but in his Journey over the Alpes he was frozen to death being found with his Feet in his Horse's belly which had been killed and opened to restore heat to them But no sooner did the News arrive of Elfin's death when according to Florence Brythelm Bishop of Wells was made Archbishop But because neither of these last Archbishops ever received their Palls from Rome which was then counted essential to that Dignity I suppose these two last were omitted in our Annals But this Brythelm being not found sufficiently qualified for so great a Charge he was as Osbern relates commanded by the King and the whole Nation to retire whereupon he quietly submitted and returning again to his former Church Dunstan now Bishop of London who also held the See of Worcester in Commendam was by the general Consent of the King and all his Wise Men in the great Council of the Kingdom elected Archbishop of Canterbury for his supposed great Sanctity Of which the Monks of that Age relate so many Miracles that it is tedious to read much more to repeat such stuff insomuch that one would admire were it not for the extreme Ignorance of that Age how men could ever hope they should be believe in so short a time after they were supposed to be done Such are those of this Bishop's Harp being hung against the Wall and playing a whole Psalm without any hands touching it nay the Monks can tell us not only the Tune but the very Words too Then the stopping of King Edmund's Horse when he was just ready to run down a Precipice at that King 's only pronouncing of St. Dunstan's Name to himself Next his often driving away the Devil with a Staff troubling him at Prayers sometimes in the shape of a Fox sometimes of a Wolf or a Bear But above all his taking the Devil by the Nose with a Pair of red hot Tongs who being it seems an excellent Smith was once at work in his Forge when the Devil appeared in the shape of a Handsome Woman but met with very rough entertainment for going about to tempt his Chastity he took his Devilship by the Nose with a Pair of red hot Tongs till he made him roar Now if such Grave Authors as William of Malmesbury are guilty of relating such Fictions what can we expect from those of less Judgment and Honesty But this must be acknowledged that this Archbishop was a great Propagator of Monkery many Monasteries being either new built or new founded in his time and the Clerks or Secular Canons of divers Churches being now to be turned out were put to their choice either to quit their Habits or their Places most of whom rather chose the former and so gave place to those who being of William of Malmesbury's own Order our Author calls their Betters Archbishop Dunstan also exercised Ecclesiastical Discipline without respect of persons imposing upon King Edgar himself a Seven Years Pennance part of which was to forbear wearing his Crown during all that time and this was for taking a Nun out of a Cloyster at Wilton and then debauching her From all which we may observe how necessary it was in those days for a Prince's Quiet as well as Reputation to be blindly obedient to that which was then called the Church-Discipline since King Edwin having to do but with one Woman whom they did not like is branded as one excessively given to Women whilst King Edgar who gave many more Instances of his Failings in this kind is reckon'd for a Saint But as for this Nun whom they call Wilfrede William of Malmesbury tells us that tho she were bred in that Monastery yet was she not then professed but took upon her the Veil only to avoid the King's Lust which yet it seems could not secure her from it for he begot on her that beautiful Lady Editha who became also a Nun in the same Monastery of Wilton where her Mother had been professed before and of which this Young and Virtuous Lady being made Abbess died in the flower of her Age as William of Malmesbury informs us The same Year also according to the Welsh Chronicle North Wales was sorely harass'd by the Forces of King Edgar The Cause of which War was the Non-Payment of the Tribute due from the King of Aberfraw to the King of London But in the end as John Beaver informs us a Peace was concluded on this condition That King Edgar hearing the great Mischief which both England and Wales then received by the vast multitude of Wolves which then abounded especially in Wales released the Tribute in Money which the King of North-Wales was hitherto obliged to pay
Edgar was certainly a very Great and Heroick Prince yet questionless that Charter which makes him to have subdued the greatest part of Ireland with the City of Dublin and to be Lord of all the Isles as far as Norway is fictitious and nothing but a piece of Monkish Forgery no Author of that Age making mention of any such thing and instead of a Great Warrior he is usually stiled Edgar the Peaceable for he never made any Foreign Wars that we can learn However such was his mighty Fame that if he did not go himself to Foreigners they came to him out of Saxony Flanders Denmark and other places Though William of Malmesbury observes their coming over did much detriment to the Natives who from the Saxons learned Rudeness from the Flemings Effeminacy and from the Danes Drunkenness the English being before free from those gross Vices and contented themselves to defend their own with a natural Simplicity and not given to admire the Customs and Fashions of other Nations Hereupon the Monk tells us he is deservedly blamed in Story for his too great Indulgence to Strangers This Noble Prince died when he had Reigned about Sixteen Years in the very flower of his Age being scarce Two and thirty years old and with him fell all the Glory of the English Nation scarce any thing henceforth being to be heard of among them but Misery and Disorder He had by Egelfleda sirnamed the Fair the Daughter of Earl Ordmer it 's uncertain whether his Wife or Concubine a Son named Edward who succeeded him By Wilfrida the Nun he had a Daughter named Editha who was also a Nun as hath been already related And by Elfreda the Daughter of Duke Ordgar a Son called Edmund who died five years before his Father and another called Ethelrede who reigned after him but was wholly unlike him in Prudence and Courage I have nothing else to add that is considerable under this year but the death of the Noble Turketule Abbot of Croyland whom from Chancellor to King Edred was at his own desire by him made Abbot He repaired and much enriched that Abby after its being ruined by the Danes and was the first that by adding to the Two Great Bells of that Monastery Six more made the first Tuneable Rings of Bells in England as Ingulph at the end of the account he gives of his Life informs us But before I dismiss this King's Reign it is fit I give you a short account of the chief Laws he made which since neither the time nor place of their enacting are any where mention'd I refer to this place The Preface of these Laws is thus This is the Decree or Law which King Edgar made with the counsel or consent of his Wites or Wisemen for the Honour of God the Confirmation of his Royal Dignity and for the Good of his People The Laws themselves begin with some Ecclesiastical Canons the first of which is concerning the Immunities of the Church and about paying Tythes out of the Lands of the Thanes as well as of those of Ceorles or Countrey-men The Second is concerning payment of Tythes and First fruits as well where a Thane had a Church with a Burying-place as also where he had not The Third appoints the times the Tythes should be paid at and what Remedy was to be had in case they were not paid at the time when they were due The Fourth ordains at what time of the year Peter-pence should be paid and the Penalty that should be incurred by those that should neglect to pay them in accordingly The last ordains every Sunday to be kept holy and to begin at Three a Clock in the Afternoon on Saturday and to end at break of day on Monday upon the penalty appointed by the Judiciary Book From which last Law you may observe how early keeping the Sunday like the Jewish Sabbath began in England Then follow the Secular or Temporal Laws The First of which enjoins that every man poor or rich enjoy the benefit of the Law and have equal Justice done him and for Punishments he would have them so moderated that being accommodated to the Divine Clemency they may be the more tolerable unto men The Second forbids Appeals to the King in Suits except Justice cannot otherwise be obtained And if a man be oppressed he may betake himself to the King for relief and in case a Pecuniary Mulct be inflicted for a fault it must not exceed the value of the man's head The Third imposes a Mulct of an Hundred and twenty Shillings to the King upon a Judge that passes an unjust Sentence against any man except such Judge will take his Oath that he did it not out of any malice but only from Unskilfulness and Mistake in Judgment and in such case he is to be removed from his Place except he can obtain favour of the King longer to retain it and then the Bishop of the Diocess is to send the Mulct imposed upon him to the King's Treasure The Fourth commands That whosoever maliciously shall defame another man whereby he receives any damage either in his Body or Estate so that the defam'd Party can clear himself of those Reports and prove them false then the Defamer's Tongue shall either be cut out or he shall redeem it with the value of his Head The Fifth is to the same effect as in another Law we have formerly cited commanding every one to be present at the Gemote or Assembly of the Hundred and further ordains That the Burghmotes or Assemblies of the great Towns or Cities be held thrice a year and the Shiregemotes or general Meeting of the whole County twice whereat were to be present the Bishop and the Ealdorman the one to teach the people God's Law and the other Man's From whence you may observe the Antiquity of our Charges at our Assizes and Sessions which no doubt do succeed those Discourses which the Ealdorman and Bishop then made to the people upon the subjects above-mentioned The Sixth requires that every man find Sureties for his Good Behaviour and in case any one commit a Crime and fly for it the Sureties should undergo what should be laid upon him If he stole any thing and be taken within a Twelvemonth he should be brought to Justice and then the Sureties should receive back what they had paid on his account Hence we may also take notice not only of the Antiquity of Frank-Pledges which had been long before instituted by King Alfred but also the continuation of this Law by King Edgar from whence it appears that it was no Norman invention introduced to keep under the English Commonalty as some men have without any just cause imagined The Seventh ordains That when any one of evil report is again accused of a Crime and absents himself from the Gemotes or publick Meetings some of the Court shall go where he dwells and take Sureties for his Appearance if they may be had but
if they cannot get them then they should take him alive or dead and seize on all his Estate whereof the Complaining Party having received such a share as should satisfy him the one half of the remainder shall go to the Lord of the Soil and the other half to the Hundred And if any of that Court being either akin to the Party or a stranger to his Blood refuse to go to put this in execution he should forfeit 120 shillings to the King And farther That such as are taken in the very act of stealing or betraying their Masters should not be pardoned during life The Eighth and last ordains That one and the same Money should be current throughout the King's Dominions which no man must refuse and that the measure of Winchester should be the Standard and that a Weigh of Wool should be fold for half a Pound of Money and no more The former of those is the first Law whereby the Private Mints to the Archbishops and several Abbots being forbid the King's Coin was only to pass But to return to our Annals Ten days before the Death of King Edgar Bishop Cyneward departed this life King EDWARD sirnamed the Martyr KING Edgar being dead as you have now heard Prince Edward succeeded his Father though not without some difficulty for as William of Malmesbury and R. Hoveden relate the Great Men of the Kingdom were then divided Archbishop Dunstan and all the rest of the Bishops being for Prince Edward the Eldest Son of King Edgar whilst Queen Aelfreda Widow to the King and many of her Faction were for setting up her Son Ethelred being then about Seven Years of Age that so she might govern under his Name But besides the pretence was which how well they made out I know not That King Edgar had never been lawfully married to Prince Edward's Mother Whereupon the Archbishops Dunstan and Oswald with the Bishops Abbots and many of the Ealdormen of the Kingdom met together in a Great Council and chose Prince Edward King as his Father before his Death had ordained and being thus Elected they presently Anointed him being then but a Youth of about Fifteen Years of Age. But it seems not long after the Death of King Edgar though before the Coronation of King Edward Roger Hoveden and Simeon of Durham tell us that Elfer Earl of the Mercians being lustily bribed by large Presents drove the Abbots and Monks out of the Monasteries in which they had been settled by King Edgar and in their places brought in the Clerks i.e. Secular Chanons with their Wives but Ethelwin Ealdorman of the East-Angles and his Brother Elfwold and Earl Brythnoth opposed it and being in the Common Council or Synod plainly said They would never endure that the Monks should be cast out of the Kingdom who contributed so much to the Maintenance of Religion and so raising an Army they bravely defended the Monasteries of the East-Angles so it seems that during this Interregnum arose this Civil War about the Monks and the above-mentioned Dissention amongst the Nobility concerning the Election of a new King But this serves to explain that Passage in our Annals which would have been otherwise very obscure viz. That then there was viz. upon the Death of King Edgar great Grief and Trouble in Mercia among those that loved God because many of his Servants that is the Monks were turned out till God being slighted shewed Miracles on their behalf and that then also Duke Oslack was unjustly banished beyond the Seas a Nobleman who for his Long Head of Hair but more for his Wisdom was very remarkable And that then also strange Prodigies were seen in the Heavens such as Astrologers call Comets and as a Punishment from God upon this Nation there followed a great Famine Which shews this Copy of the Annals was written about this very time And then the Author concludes with Aelfer the Ealdorman's commanding many Monasteries to be spoiled which King Edgar had commanded Bishop Athelwold to repair All which being in the Cottonian Copy serves to explain what has been already related But the next year ' Was the great Famine in England as just now mentioned About the same time according to Caradoc's Chronicle Aeneon the Son of Owen Prince of South-Wales destroyed the Land of Gwyr the second time This year after Easter was that great Synod at Kirtlingtun which Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden call Kyrleing but where that place was is very uncertain Florence places it in east-East-England but Sir H. Spelman acknowledges that he does not know any place in those parts that ever bore that name but supposes it to have been the same with Cartlage now the Seat of the Lord North But had not Florence placed it in East-England that Town whose name comes nearest to it is Kyrtlington in Oxfordshire which is also the more confirmed by that which follows in these Annals viz. That Sydeman the Bishop of Devonshire i. e. of Wells died here suddenly who desired his Body might be buried at Krydeanton his Episcopal See but King Edward and Archbishop Dunstan order'd it to be carried to St. Maâ—ies in Abingdon were he was honourably Interr'd in the North Isle of St. Paul's Church Therefore it is highly probable that the place where this Bishop died was not far from Abingdon where he was buried as Kirtlington indeed is But what was done in this Council can we no where find only it is to be supposed that it was concerning this great Difference between the Monks and the Secular Chanons as the former Council was The same year also were great Commotions in Wales for Howel ap Jevaf Prince of North-Wales with a great Army both of Welsh and Englishmen made War upon all who defended or succoured his Uncle Jago and spoiled the Countries of Lhyn Kelynnoc Vawr so that Jago was shortly after taken Prisoner by Prince Howel's men who after that enjoyed his part of the Countrey in peace Nor can I here omit what some of our Monkish Writers and particularly John Pike in his compendious Supplement of the Kings of England now in Manuscript in the Cottonian Library relates That there being this year a Great Council held at Winchester again to debate this great Affair concerning the turning out of the Monks and restoring the Secular Chanons and it being like to be carried in their favour a Crucifix which then stood in the room spoke thus God forbid it should be so This amazing them they resolved to leave the Monks in the condition they then were But whether these words were ever spoke at all or if they were whether it might not be by some person that stood unseen behind the Crucifix I shall leave to the Reader to determine as he pleases Next year all the Grave and Wise Men of the English Nation being met about the same Affair at Calne in Wiltshire fell down together from a certain Upper Room where they were assembled
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
as Florence adds was buried in the Church of St. Mary in Worcester which he had newly built The same year also the King and all his Wise and Great Men decreed That all the stronger Ships should be got together at London and the King made Ealfric and Thorod the Ealdormen Admirals of this Fleet as also Aelfstan and Aestwig Bishops commanding them that they should endeavour if it were possible to encompass the Danish Fleet but Ealfric sent to them underhand to take care of themselves and the Night before they were to give Battel he to his perpetual Infamy secretly withdrew himself from the King 's to the Danish Fleet so that all the Danes escaped by flight But Florence is more plain than the Annals in the Relation of this Flight and tells us that the King's Fleet immediately pursued them and took one of their Ships all the rest escaping only the Londoners meeting with the Ships of the East-Angles by chance and fighting with them killed many Thousands of the Danes and took the Ship wherein Earl Ealfric was with all the men himself hardly escaping The same year the Inhabitants of the Isle of Anglesey having been cruelly harass'd by the Danes and finding no Protection or Defence from Meredyth their Prince then employed in other Wars as you have already heard they cast him off and received Edwal ap Meyric the right Heir of North-Wales for their Prince who better defended his Subjects from Foreign Invasions for not long after Meredyth Prince of North-Wales resolving again to recover so considerable a part of his Dominion entring Anglesey Prince Edwal with his Forces met him at Lhangwin and routed him in a set Battel so Theodor or Tewdor Mawr Nephew to Prince Meredyth was there slain and he himself forced to fly This year also according to our Annals Vnlaf or Anlaf the Dane came with Ninety three Ships as far as Stane now Staines upon the River Thames and there wasted the Countrey round about and from thence they went to Sandwic and from thence to Gypswic and spoiled all that Countrey But I suppose this is a Mistake in the Cambridge Copy of these Annals which repeat that Action of the Danes together with the Death of Duke Bryghtnoth which had been already said in the Laudean and Cottonian Copies to have happened Anno 991 and therefore what follows seems likewise misplaced in this Copy concerning the Receiving and Baptizing of this King Anlaf which it makes to be the effect of the Victory now obtain'd for Anlaf was not baptized till the year following as will by and by appear But this is more certain which comes after viz. That this year the Town of Bebanburgh i.e. Banborow in Northumberland was destroyed by the Danes and a great Prey there taken after which the Danes came up the River Humber and did much mischief as well to those of Lindsige as the Northumbers Then were muster'd together a great number of Soldiers but when they were going to give them Battel they fled the first Encouragers of their flight being their own Captains Fraena Godwin and Frithegist all Three of the Danish Race This year also according to the same Copy King Ethelred commanded the Eyes of Ealfric the Ealdorman's Son to be put out But it does not tell us for what But William of Malmesbury is more express and says it was a Punishment for his Father's Perfidiousness which if done now was not only very unjust to punish the Son for the Father's faults but also ill tim'd to do it so long after the Crime had been committed But he further tells us that he not only revolted once but again and so perhaps it was for this last Rebellion that the King inflicted this cruel Punishment upon his Son for had the Father been in his power it is most likely he would have made him to have suffer'd himself But this being so much in the dark I shall leave it to the Reader to make what he please on 't There having been for some time great Enmity between Richard Duke of Normandy which it seems had broke out into open War Pope John sent Leo Bishop of Treve as his Nuncio first to the King of England who having received the Pope's Letters called a Council of all the Great and Wise Men of the Nation who agreed That upon the Pope's Admonition Ambassadors should be sent to the Marquess of Normandy for so he called to treat of a Peace and when they were there the said Marquess agreed to a lasting Peace upon the Pope's Admonition so that none for the future should receive each other's Enemies All which appears in the Epistle of the said Pope John concerning this affair which is recited at large in William of Malmesbury in his Reign of this King to which I refer the Reader About this time according to the Welsh Chronicles Sweyn the Son of Harold the Dane having destroyed the Isle of Man enter'd North-Wales and slew Edwal ap Meyric in Battel This Prince left behind him one Son an Infant who at last came to be Prince of Wales So that it seems there was an Anarchy in North Wales for some time unless Owen formerly expell'd now recover'd his Principality which my Author does not mention This year Sigeric or Syric Archbishop of Canterbury deceased and Aelfric Bishop of Winchester was elected in his stead on Easter-Day at Ambresbyrig by King Ethelred and all his Wise Men. This same year also Anlaf and Sweyn came to London on the Nativity of St. Mary with Ninety four Ships and assaulted the City very sharply endeavouring to burn it but here they received much more damage than they believed it to be in the power of the Citizens ever to have done them for the Holy Mother of God out of her great mercy took care of the Citizens and delivered them from their Enemies Or as William of Malmesbury more plainly tells us the Besiegers despairing of taking the City because the Citizens made so vigorous a defence were forced to march away But as they went off they did as much mischief as any Army ever did by burning and wasting the whole Countrey thereabouts and killing all the Inhabitants in Essex Kent and Sussex as also in Hampshire And as Florence relates sparing neither Man Woman nor Child But at last they provided themselves with Horses and riding where-ever they pleased did unspeakable Mischiefs Whereupon it was ordained by the King and his Wise Men That Messengers should be sent to them promising them both Tribute and Provisions if they would desist from their Spoil and Rapine To which request they consented and so the whole Army came to Hamtune and there took up their Winter-Quarters and in the mean time the West-Saxon Kingdom was forced to maintain them and Sixteen thousand Pounds were given to them besides their maintenance Then the King sent Bishop Elfeage to King Anlaf as also Aethelward the Ealdorman and leaving Hostages at the Ships they
brought Anlaf with great Honour to the King to Andefer that is Andover in Hampshire then King Aethelred received him at his Confirmation from the Bishop's hand whereupon Anlaf promised him which he also performed that he would never again infest the English Nation And as Florence farther adds he now returned into his own Countrey So it seems the Kingdom was rid of Anlaf but what became of Sweyen or Sweyn the Annals do not tell us for we hear no more of him till Anno 1004 as you will find by and by So that whether he went away with Anlaf or commanded those who infested the Kingdom the next year is uncertain But perhaps we may to this time refer that which Adam of Bremen relates of this King Sweyn who having made War upon his Father Harwold the Great whom he outed of his Kingdom and Life together was afterwards himself overcome and expelled his Kingdom by Aerick King of Sweden thus justly rewarded for his horrid Crimes he wander'd up and down without relief Thrucco the Son of Haco then Prince of the Normans rejected him as a Pagan and Ethelred the Son of Edgar he calls him Adalred remembring what mischiefs the Danes had brought on England with scorn repell'd him So that at length he was entertained by the King of the Scots who taking compassion on him gave him free Quarter for Fourteen years together But so enraged was he at the repulse given him by the King of England that ever after he studied all he could how to plague and afflict that Countrey one while by his own particular Forces and another by the assistance of others How true this Story is we cannot affirm the Affairs of the Northern Nations as to those Times being involved in so great an obscurity However we thought it not amiss to give it you as suiting with the Fortunes and Inclinations of this man which proved so great a Plague to this our Countrey that he seems to have been acted by some extraordinary Passion whether of Ambition or Revenge or both together But to return to our Annals This year also Richard the Elder Duke of Normandy died and Richard his Son succeeded him and reigned One and thirty years ' This year appeared a Comet Also the same year as Simeon of Durham relates Aldune Bishop of Lindisfarne removed the Body of St. Cuthbert which had for above an Hundred years remained at Cunecaeaster that is Chester in the Bishoprick of Durham to the place where the City of Durham was afterwards built it being then altogether uninhabited Here Bishop Aldune built a small Church of Stone dedicating it to St. Cuthbert and a Town being here shortly after built it was called Durham ' The Kingdom had rest this year as also the next but The Danes sail'd round about Devonshire to the mouth of the River Severne and there took much Plunder as well among the North Welsh as in Cornwall and Devonshire Yet here it seems that North-Wales was mis-put in these Annals instead of the South for no part of the Severn Sea borders upon North-Wales But after this the Danes going up as far as Wecedport or Watchet they did much hurt both by burning the Houses and killing the Inhabitants whereever they came After this they sail'd round Penwithsteort i. e. the Point called the Land's-End toward the South Coast and sailing up the River Thames went with their Ships as far as Hildaford now Lideford burning and killing whatever they met as they passed along They also burnt the Monastery of Ordulph which had been lately built by him at Aetesingstoce now Tavistock in Devonshire and carried a very great deal of Plunder along with them to their Ships This year also Aelfric the Archbishop went to Rome to obtain his Pall. Then the Danes turned toward the East up the mouth of the River Frome and there marched as far as they would into Dorseta i. e. Dorsetshire where an Army got together against them but as often as the English fought with them so often were they by some misfortune or other put to flight so that the Danes still obtain'd the Victory After this they quarter'd in the Isle of Wight but fetch'd their Provisions from Hamptunseire and Southseax Also this year according to Caradoc's Chronicle the Danes landing again in South-Wales destroyed St. Davids and slew Vrgeney Bishop of that See And now Meredyth ap Owen Prince of North-Wales deceased leaving one only Daughter who was married to Lewelyn ap Sitsylt afterward in her Right Prince of North-Wales But after the death of this Prince Owen Edwin his Nephew above-mentioned as the Manuscript Chronicle relates possessed himself of South-Wales and reigned there some years This year the Danes sail'd up the River Thames and from thence went into the Medway to Rofceaster where the Kentish Forces met them and there was a very sharp Dispute but alas they presently gave place to their Enemies and fled because they had not assistance enough so that the Danes kept the field and then getting Horses rode whereever they pleased spoiling and laying waste all the Western part of Kent Then it was ordained by the King and his Wise Men that an Army should be forthwith raised against them both by Sea and Land but when the Ships were ready they delayed the time from day to day oppressing the poor people that served on board and if at any time the Fleet was ready to sail it was still put off from one time to another so that they suffered the Enemies Forces to increase and when the Danes retired from the Sea-Coast then our Fleet was wont to go out so that at the last these Naval Forces served for no other end but to harass the People spend their Money and provoke the Enemy This year as Simeon of Durham relates Malcolm King of the Scots with a great Army wasted the Province of the Northumbers and besieged Durham At that time Waltheof Earl of the Northumbers being very old and unable to fight with the Enemies enclosed himself in Bebbanburgh whilst Vthred his Son a Valiant Young Man assembling an Army out of Northumberland and Yorkshire fought with the Scots and destroyed in a manner their whole Army insomuch that the King himself very hardly escaped After this he made choice of a certain number of slain Scotchmen's Heads the best adorn'd with Hair he could get and gave them to an Old Woman to wash allowing her for each Head a Cow for her pains these Heads when wash'd he set upon high Poles round about the Walls of Durham King Ethelred being informed of this Action sent for the Young Man and as a Reward for his Valour not only gave him his Father's Countrey but added to it that of Yorkshire Upon this Vthred returning home dismissed his Wife the Daughter of Aeldhure Bishop of Durham but because he cast her off contrary to his Promise he surrender'd up to her Six Mannors which the Bishop her Father
had given him with her Then Vthred married Siga the Daughter of Styre the Son of Vlfelme The King marched into Cumerland i. e. Cumberland and laid it almost waste but neither our Annals nor any other Author tell us wherefore he made this War nor upon whom it was made but John Fordon in his Scotch History gives us this Account of it That King Ethelred having paid great Tributes to the Danes sent to Malcolm then Prince of Cumberland under Gryme King of the Scots commanding him that he should make his Subjects of Cumberland pay part of this Tribute as well as the rest of the People of England which he denying sent the King word That neither he nor his Subjects ought to pay any Tribute but only were obliged to be ready at the King's Command to make War together with the rest of the Kingdom whenever he pleased for he said it was much better to fight manfully than only to buy Liberty with Money For this cause as well as for that the King affirmed that the Prince of Cumberland favoured the Danes King Ethelred invaded that Countrey and carried away great spoils from thence but presently after the two Princes being reconciled they entred into a firm Peace for ever after But to proceed with our Annals After the King had thus wasted Cumberland he commanded his Ships to sail round by Legceaster i. e. Chester to meet him there but they could not do it by reason of the contrary Winds so they wasted the Island Manige now called Anglesey for the Danish Fleet was turned this Summer upon the Dukedom of Normandy But the next year Their Fleet being now returned into England there arose great Troubles in this Island by reason of this Fleet which every where spoiled the Countries and burnt the Towns and landing they marched in one day as far as Aetheling gadene which is supposed to be Alton in Hampshire but there the Forces of that County marched against and fought with them and there Aethelweard the King 's High Sheriff and Leofric Gerif of Whitcircan i. e. Whitchurch in Hampshire and Leofwin the King's High-Sheriff and Wulfer the Bishop's Thane and Godwin the Gerif were all slain at Weorthige the place is now unknown as also Aelfsige the Bishop's God-son and of all sorts of men Eighty one yet many more of the Danes were slain there though indeed they kept the Field of Battel But from thence their Fleet sail'd toward the West until they came to Devonshire where met him Pallig with what Ships he could gather together He had revolted from King Ethelred divers times notwithstanding his Faith plighted to him and though the King had largely rewarded him both with Lands and Money Then they burnt Tengton i. e. Taunton and many other good Towns more than we can now name which being done there was a League clapt up with them After this they went to Exanmuthan i. e. Exmouth from whence they marched in one day to Peanhoe now Pen in Somerset-shire where Cola the King's High-Sheriff and Eadsig the King's Gerif met them with what Forces they could but they were put to flight and many of them slain and the Danes kept the Field so the next morning they burnt the Towns of Peanho and Clistune or Clifton and several other good Towns Then the Danes returned to the Isle of Wight and there one morning burnt the Town of Weltham with divers other Villages and presently after a League was made with them and they hearken'd to Terms of Peace But the Laudean and Cottonian Copies differ very much from that of Cambridge in the telling of this story for they make the Danes to have first sailed up the River Exe as far as Eaxcester and to have besieged the City but not being able to take it they raised the Siege and then marched all over the Countrey killing and destroying whatever they met with and that then a strong Army of the Devonshire and Somersetshire men fought with them at Peanho with the success above-mentioned The rest differs but little from the Printed Copy but this last relation seems most likely to be true The year following it was decreed by the King and his Wise Men That a Tribute should be paid to the Danish Fleet and Peace should be concluded with them upon condition that they would cease from doing mischief Then the King sent Leofsig the Ealdorman to the Fleet who treated with them on the behalf of the King and his Council of Wise Men proposing that they would be content with Provisions and Money which they agreed to Then not long after they paid them Four and twenty thousand Pounds In the mean time Leofsig the Ealdorman killed Aelfric the King 's High Sheriff upon which the King banished the other the Kingdom And the Lent afterwards came hither Aelgiva Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy to be married to the King The same Summer Eadulf Archbishop of York deceased And this year also the King commanded all the Danes in England to be slain at the Feast of St. Brice because it was told the King that they endeavoured to deprive him and all his Great and Wise Men of their lives and to seize the Kingdom to themselves without any opposition Matthew of Westminster casts the Odium of this Action from the King and lays it upon one of his Evil Counsellors whom he calls Huena General of the King's Forces â—o manage the chief Affairs of the Kingdom He seeing the Insolencies of the Danes and that after the late Agreement they were grown insupportable to the Kingdom for they violated the Wives and Daughters of Persons of Quality and committed divers other Injuries not to be endured Thereupon he came in great seeming trouble to the King making most dismal Complaints of these unspeakable Outrages at which the King was so incensed that by the Counsel of the said Huena he sent private Letters into all parts of the Kingdom commanding all his Subjects without exception That upon a certain Day they should every where privily set upon the Danes and without mercy cut them off In these Letters was also signified that the Danes had a design to deprive him of his Life and Kingdom and to destroy all the Nobility in order to bring the whole Island under their subjection And thus the Danes who a little before by a League solemnly sworn on both sides had been admitted quietly to inhabit among the English were most treacherously and barbarously murthered not many of them escaping even the very Women were put to death and their Children's Brains dash'd out against the Walls particularly at London when this Bloody Decree was to be executed many of the Danes fled into a certain Church of that City but for all that it proved no Sanctuary to them for they were all there cruelly murthered even at the very Altar H. Huntington moreover adds That he himself being a Child had heard it from certain Old Men that by the King's Command
Letters were privately dispatch'd all over England to make away the Danes in one Night But so much Innocent Blood being thus perfidiously shed cry'd aloud to Heaven for Vengeance and the Clamours of it likewise quickly reached as far as Denmark And Walsingham hath given us in his History a particular Account of the manner of it for on the day when this barbarous Decree was executed at London certain young men of the Danish Nation being too nimble for their Pursuers got into a small Vessel then in the Thames and by that means escaped and fled to Denmark where they certified King Sweyn of what had passed in England who being moved with indignation at this treatment thereupon called a great Council of all the Chief Men of his Kingdom and declaring to them this Cruel Massacre desired their Advice what was best to be done and they being inflamed with Rage and Grief for the loss of so many of their Friends and Kindred decreed with one consent That they ought to revenge it with all the Forces of their Nation Upon which great Preparations were made in the several Provinces and Messengers sent to other Nations to desire their Alliance with him promising them their share in the Spoils of that Countrey which they were going to conquer So King Sweyn having got ready a vast Fleet of above Three hundred Sail arrived in England But as Bromton's Chronicle relates The year following Sweyn King of Denmark hearing of the Death of his Subjects sail'd with a mighty Fleet to the Coast of Cornwall where he landed and marched up to Eaxceaster which as our Annals tell us by the Carelesness or Cowardise of a certain Norman one Count Hugh whom the Queen had made Governor there the Pagans took and quite destroyed the City and carried thence a great Booty Then a Numerous Army was raised from Wiltshire and Hampshire and being very unanimous they all marched briskly against the Danes but Aelfric the Ealdorman who commanded in chief here shewed his wonted tricks for as soon as both Armies were in sight of each other he feigned himself sick and began to vomit pretending he had got some violent Distemper and by that means betray'd those whom he ought to have led to Victory according to the Proverb If the General 's heart fails the Army flies But though this was very ill done of Aelfrick thus to betray his trust yet certainly the King was no less to be blamed himself for trusting a man that had so often betray'd him and whom he had already sufficiently provoked by putting out the Eyes of his Son as you have already heard But to return to our Annals Sweyn now finding the Cowardise or Inconstancy of the English marched with his Forces to Wiltune which Town he burnt from thence he marched to Syrbirig i. e. Old Sarum which they also burnt and from thence to the Sea-side to their Ships After the death of Edwal ap Meyric and Meredyth ap Owen Princes of North-Wales as you have already heard North-Wales having for some years continued under a sort of Anarchy without any Prince Meredyth leaving behind him no Issue Male and Edwal but one Son an Infant it gave occasion as the Welsh Chronicles relate to great disturbances for one Aedan ap Blegored or Bledhemeyd as the Cottonian Copy of the Welsh Annals call him tho an absolute stranger to the British Blood-Royal about this time possessed himself of the Principality of North-Wales and held it about twelve years but whether he came in by Election or Force is not said only that one Conan ap Howel who fought with this Aedan for the Dominion was this year slain in Battel So that Aedan for a time held that Countrey peaceably since we do not read of any other Wars he had till the last year of his Reign This year Sweyn came with his Fleet to Northwick i. e. Norwich the River it seems being navigable up to it in those days and wholly destroyed and burnt that City then Vlfkytel the Ealdorman consulted with the Wise and Great Men of east-East-England and by them it was judged most expedient to buy Peace of the Danish Army to prevent their doing any more mischief for the Danes had taken them unprovided before they had time to draw their Forces together But these Danes not valuing the Peace which they had newly made stole away with all their Ships and sailed to Theatford which as soon as Vlfkytel had learnt he sent a Messenger with Commands to break or burn all their Ships which notwithstanding the English neglected to do whilst he in the mean time tried to get together his Forces with what speed he could But the Danes coming to Theodford three Weeks after the destruction of Norwich stayed within the Town of Theodford only one night and then burnt and laid it in ashes But the next morning as they returned to their Ships Vlkytel met with them and there began a very sharp Fight which ended in a very great slaughter on both sides and abundance of the English Nobility were there killed but if all the English Forces had been there the Danes had never reached their Ships But notwithstanding these cruel Wars in the Eastern and Southern Parts of England Wulfric Spot an Officer in the Court of King Ethelred now built the Monastery of Burton in Staffordshire and endowed it with all his Paternal Inheritance which was very great and gave that King Three hundred Mancuses of Gold to purchase his Confirmation of what he had done This Monastery though its Rents at the Dissolution were somewhat below the Value of Five hundred Pounds per Annum yet being an Abby of great Note in those Parts and also render'd more famous from its Annals publish'd at Oxford I thought good to take particular notice of it This year Aelfric Archbishop of Canterbury deceased and Aelfeag Bishop of Winchester was made Archbishop But the Laudean and Cottonian Copies place this under the next year So cruel a Famine also raged here as England never suffer'd a worse Florence relates the Famine to be so great that England was not able to subsist The same year also King Sweyn with the Danish Fleet sail'd into Denmark but in a short time return'd hither again This year Aelfeage was now consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and Brightwald took the Bishoprick of Wiltonshire as also Wulfgeat was deprived of all his Honours and Wulfeath had his Eyes put out These were Noblemen who suffered under the King's displeasure but what the cause of it was I find not And this year Bishop Kenwulph deceased Then after Midsummer the Danish Fleet came to Sandwic and did as they used to do killing wasting and plundering whatever they met with Therefore the King commanded all the West Saxon and Mercian Nations to be assembled who kept watch all the Autumn by Companies against the Danes but all this signified no more than what they had done often before for
the Danes made no less Incursions but went whereever they pleased and this Expedition did the people more damage than any Army could do Winter coming on the English Forces return'd home and the Danes about Martinmass retired to their old Sanctuary the Isle of Wight whither they carried whatever they had need of and afterwards about Christmass they marched out to seek for fresh Provisions in Hamptunshire and Berrocseire as far as Reading and havocking according to their usual custom burnt the Beacons whereever they found them and from thence they marched to Wealingaford i. e. Wallingford which Town they wholly destroyed Then marching to Aescesdune now Aston near Wallingford they came to Cwicchelmeslaw now Cuckamsley-hill in Berkshire without ever touching near the Sea and at last return'd home another way About the same time an English Army was mustered at Cynet i. e. Kennet in Wiltshire where a Battel was fought but the English Troops were immediately worsted after which the Danes carried off all their Booty to the Sea-side There might one have seen the Wiltshire men like a Cowardly sort of people suffer the Danes to return to the Sea-side even just by their doors with their Provisions and Spoils In the mean time the King marched over Thames into Scrobbesbyrigscire i. e. Shropshire and there kept his Christmass At that time the Danes struck so great a Terror into the English Nation that no man could devise how to get them out of the Kingdom nor how well to maintain it against them because they had destroyed all the Countries of the West-Saxons with Burnings and Devastations Then the King often consulted with his Wise Men about what was best to be done in this case whereby they might save the Countrey before it was quite ruined and after mature deliberation it was at length decreed by them all for the Common Good of the Nation though much against their wills That Tribute should be again paid to the Danes Then the King sent to their Army to let them know that he was contented to enter into a Peace with them and to pay them Tribute and also find them Provisions during their stay To which Terms all the Danes assented So it seems the whole English Nation was forced to maintain them And the beginning of the year following This Tribute was again paid to them to wit Thirty thousand Pounds Also the same year Aedric was made Ealdorman over all the Kingdom of Mercia This Aedric though he had married the King's Daughter is characterized by all our Historians for a Proud False and Unconstant Man and who by his Treachery proved the Ruin of his Countrey as well as of many particular Persons of great Worth For not long before as Florence relates he made away Athelme that Noble Ealdorman at Shrewsbury inviting him to a Feast and afterwards carrying him out a hunting where he hired the City-Hangman to set his Dog upon him called Porthund which tore him to pieces And not long after his two Sons Walfheage and Vflgeat had their Eyes put out by the King's Order at Cotham where he then resided But we may hence observe to how sad a state the Nation was reduced under a Voluptuous and Cowardly King and a Degenerate Nobility And the reason why the Annals say That the People's being kept in Arms all the Winter did them as much harm as the Enemy was because having then no standing Forces the Countrey Militia were fain to be kept upon Duty at their own Charges whilst their Families were ready to starve at home So impossible a thing it is to maintain any long War either at home or abroad without a Standing Army But now the King having too late perceived his Error viz. That the greatest Cause of his Ruin proceeded from the want of a good Fleet He then commanded Ships to be built all over England to wit to every Hundred and ten Hides of Lands one Ship and of every Eight Hides a Helmet and Breast-plate And so by the next year His Ships were all finished and they were both so many and withal so good that as our Histories affirm England never saw the like before Then after they were all well mann'd and victual'd they were brought to Sandwic and there remain'd in order to defend the Kingdom against the Invasion of Strangers yet notwithstanding all those Preparatives the English Nation was so unhappy that this great Fleet met with no better success than often before for it happen'd about this time or a little sooner that Brightric a false and ambitious man the Brother of Aedric above mentioned accused Wulfnoth a Thane of the South Saxons and Father of Earl Godwin to the King upon which Wulfnoth saving himself by flight got together twenty Ships and with them turning Pyrate took Prizes all round the Southern Coast and did a world of mischief but as soon as it was told the King's Fleet that they might easily surprize him if they would but cruise about that place Brightric upon this taking Eighty Sail along with him had mighty hopes by seizing of him either alive or dead to make himself signally famous but as he was sailing thither so great a Tempest arose as never had been in the memory of man by which all his Fleet was shipwrack'd or stranded on the shore and Wulfnoth coming thither presently after burnt all the rest that were left Now when this News came to that part of the Fleet where the King was in Person the whole Action seem'd to be undertaken very precipitately without any good Advice at all And thereupon the King with all his Ealdormen and Great Men return'd home leaving both the Ships and Men to shift for themselves But those that were in them carried them up to London And thus did all the Labour and Expence of the whole Nation come to nothing without in the least diminishing the Power of their Enemies as the people hoped they would have done When all these Naval Preparations were thus defeated there arrived presently after Harvest a mighty Fleet of Danes at Sandwic and after they were landed they immediately marched to Canterbury which City they would forthwith have destroyed had they not humbly besought a Peace of them Upon which all the East Kentish men came and clapt up a Peace with the Danes and purchased it at the Price of Three thousand Pounds But these Heathens presently afterwards sail'd round again till they came to Wihtland i. e. the Isle of Wight and there as also in Southseax Hamtunscire and Bearruscire they plunder'd and burnt Towns as they used to do Hereupon the King commanded the whole Nation to be summoned that every Province should defend it self against them But for all this they still marched whereever they pleased without any body 's disturbing them But one time when the King had hemm'd them in with his whole Army as they were going to their Ships and all his Forces were just ready to fall upon them Aedric
the Ealdorman hinder'd them as he always did For as R. Hoveden relates he over persuaded the King by his cunning and plausible reasons not to run the hazard of a Battel but to let them go off if they would and so they return'd to their Ships with a great deal of joy that they had so well got themselves out of that Toil. Then after Martinmass they return'd again into Kent and took up their Winter-Quarters near the Thames fetching their Provisions from Essex and those Provinces that lay nearest on each side the River and they frequently threatned the City of London but thanks be to God it had hitherto kept it self safe there they met with always but an ill reception After Christmass they made an excursion through Cyltern that is the Chiltern or Woody Countrey of Bucks and Oxfordshire and so to Oxnaford and burnt that City and having plunder'd on both sides the Thames they return'd to their ships but when they heard that an Army was prepared ready against them at London they again passed over the River at Stanes and thus rambled about the Countrey all this Winter yet about Spring they came again into Kent and there refitted their ships But presently after Easter the Danish Army marched out against the English and going on shore at Gypeswic i. e. Ipswich went directly thither where they knew Earl Vlfkitel was encamp'd with his Forces this happen'd on Ascension day in the morning so the East-English presently fled and there were on the spot slain Ethelstan the King's Son-in-Law as also Oswi and his Son and Wulfric the Son of Leofwin with many other Noble Thanes and common Soldiers not to be numbred One Thurkytel sirnamed Myranheafod that is in our present Language Ant's-head first began to fly whereby the Danes kept the field and having provided themselves with Horses they subdued all East-England spoiling and burning for three Months together where they went then marching into the Fens they there destroyed both Men and Cattel and burnt the Towns of Theodford and Grantabyrig i. e. Cambridge Then turning Southward toward the Thames they rode on Horseback to their ships and presently coming out of them again they marched towards the West into Oxnafordscire and from thence into Buckinghamscire and so along the River Owse till they got as far as Bedanford and thence to Temesanford now Temsford burning all the Towns in their way Then again they returned to their ships with all their Plunder and there divided it amongst them But as for the King's Forces when they should have stopped their passage they e'en returned home and when the Danes were in the East they were taken up in the West and whilst they were in the South the others were in the North. And Florence farther adds That in this Expedition into Oxfordshire the Danes not only took but burnt the City of Oxford All which Destructions must needs have proceeded from hence that the Danes making War by Sea as well as by Land could upon the approach of the King's Army sail away to any other part of the Kingdom and from thence march off again before the King's Army could ever come at them which proves how absolutely necessary it is for an Island to maintain a powerful Fleet if ever they mean to be safe But to return to our Annals At last all the Wise Men of the Kingdom were again summoned by the King to consult how they might better defend the Kingdom but it seems whatsover was there resolved on did not continue a month without alteration till at last there were no Commanders that would raise any Forces but every one fled away as fast as they could neither would any one Shire help its Neighbours Insomuch that before the Feast of St. Andrew the Danish Army came to Hamtune which Sea-Town they burnt and took what Plunder they pleased in the Neighbourhood and from thence again passed over the Thames into West-Seax and thence into the Marshes of Kent all which they wholly burnt and destroyed And when they had thus marched where-ever they would about Midsummer they returned again to their Ships Oxford and Cambridge being both burnt this year by the Danes all Studies ceased at each of these Places till long after as Thomas Rudburn relates one Robert Bolean began to read his Lectures on the Scriptures Anno 1133. From which time says he the Scholars have still continued both at Oxford and Cambridge But no wonder that things succeeded no better if what Caxton in his Chronicle relates were true concerning those Times That when the Nobles met in the Great Council of the Kingdom instead of consulting for the good of it they fell to impeaching one another and spent their whole time in their own private Quarrels the Church-men standing upon their Privileges refused to assist the King or to contribute any thing considerable to the Publick Necessities To all which mischiefs were likewise added Robberies and Scarcity of Bread which still encouraged the Danes as they perceived the Kingdom grow weaker and weaker to demand greater Tribute to buy their Peace till at last the Kingdom was quite exhausted of all its Treasure This year the King and his Wise Men sent again to the Danish Army with desires of Peace promising them both Provisions and Money for they had then subjected to them all east-East-England East-Seax Middle-Seax Oxnaford Grantebiryge Heortford Buckingaham Bedanford and Huntandun Scyres and on the South-side of Thames and all the Kentish-men and South-Saxons with the Town of Haestings and besides all these Suthrig i. e. Surrey Bearruc and Hamtune Scires and great part of Wiltunscire all which miseries happen'd to us through evil Council because the Tribute was not paid them time enough and not till they had done all the mischiefs they could Then was a Peace clapp'd up with them Yet nevertheless this League being soon broken they marched about every where in Troops carrying off a world of Booty with them either taking these poor people Prisoners or else slaying them outright Also this year between the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and Michaelmas they besieged Canterbury and took it by Treachery for one Aelmer an Archdeacon whose Life Archbishop Aelfeage had formerly saved betrayed it to them after twenty days Siege then they took Prisoners Archbishop Aelfeage and Aelfwold the King's Sheriff and Leofwin the Abbot and Godwin the Bishop of Rochester but Aelmer Abbot of St. Augustine's they let go They likewise took all in Holy Orders both Men and Women nor can it be told how many these were after which they remain'd in the City as long as they pleased But as soon as they had plunder'd it they went back again to their Ships carrying the Archbishop along with them and he was now become a Captive who but a little before was the Spiritual Head of the English Nation One might there have seen Misery at its full stretch where used to be Joy and Prosperity even in that
City from whence was first brought to us the joyful Tidings of the Gospel But they detain'd the Archbishop Prisoner near Seven Months till such time as they martyr'd him Osbern in his Life of St. Elfeage relates That this Archbishop sent to the Danes when they came before the Town desiring them to spare so many innocent Christians lives but they despising his request fell to battering the Walls and so throwing Firebrands into the City set it on fire so that whilst the Citizens ran to save their Houses Aelmeric the Archdeacon let the Danes into the City Florence here adds That the Monks and Laity were decimated after a strange manner so that out of every Ten Persons only the Tenth was to be kept alive and that only Four Monks and about Eight hundred Laymen remain'd after this Decimation And that not long after above Two thousand Danes perished by divers inward Torments and the rest were admonish'd to make satisfaction to the Bishop but yet they obstinately refused it Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden also relate That the Danes destroyed many of the Prisoners they had taken with cruel Torments and various Deaths This year Eadric the Ealdorman sirnamed Streon and all the Wise and Chief Men both Clerks and Laicks of the English Nation came to London before Easter which fell out then the day before the Ides of April and there stayed until such time as the above-mentioned Tribute could be paid which was not done till after Easter and was then Eight thousand Pounds In the mean time being about Six Months after upon a Saturday the Danish Army being highly incensed against Archbishop Aelfeage because he would neither promise them Money himself nor yet would suffer any body else to give them any thing for his Ransom for which as Osbern in his Life relates they demanded no less than Three thousand Pounds in Silver a vast Sum in those days which being denied them and many of them being got drunk they laid hold on the Archbishop and led him to their Council on the Saturday after Easter and there knocked him on the head as the Annals relate with Stones and Cows Horns till at last one of them striking him with an Axe on the Head he fell down dead with the Blow Florence says that this was done by one Thrum a Dane whom he had the day before confirmed being thereunto moved by an Impious Piety But John of Tinmouth in his Manuscript History of Saints called Historia Aurea now in the Library at Lambeth relates that when Archbishop Elfeage was thus killed the Danes threw his Body into the River which was soon taken out again by those whom he had converted But our Annals here farther That the Bishops Eadnoth and Aelfhune the former of Lincoln and the latter of London took away his sacred Body early the next morning and buried it in St. Paul's Minster where God now shews the power of this Holy Martyr But as soon as the Tribute was paid and the Peace confirmed by Oath the Danish Army was loosely dispersed abroad being before closely compacted together then Five and forty of their Ships submitted to the King and promised him to defend the Kingdom provided he would allow them Victuals and Apparel The year after Archbishop Aelfeage was thus martyr'd the King made one Lifing Archbishop of Canterbury Also the same year before the Month of August King Sweyn came with his Fleet to Sandwich and soon after sailing about East-England arrived in the Mouth of Humber and from thence up the River Trent till they came to Gegnesburgh now Gainsborough in Lincolnshire Which mischief according to William of Malmesbury proceeded from Turkil a Dane who was the great Inciter of the Death of the Archbishop and who had then the East-English subjected to his will This man sent Messengers into his own Countrey to King Sweyn letting him know that he should come again into England for the King was given so much to Wine and Women that he minded nothing else wherefore he was hated by his Subjects and contemned by Strangers that his Commanders were Cowards the Natives weak and who would run away at the first sound of his Trumpets Though this seems not very probable for Earl Turkil was then of King Ethelred's side as you will see by and by King Sweyn being prone enough to slaughter needed no great Intreaties to bring him over he had been here eight years before and why he stayed away so long I wish our Authors would have told us But William of Malmesbury further adds That one chief end of his coming over was to revenge the death of his Sister Gunhildis who being a Beautiful Young Lady had come over into England with Palling her Husband a powerful Danish Earl and receiving the Christian Religion became her self a Hostage of the Peace that had been formerly concluded But tho the unhappy Fury of Edric had commanded her to be beheaded together with some other of her Countreymen yet she bore her Death with an undaunted Spirit having seen her Husband and a Son a Youth of great and promising hopes slain before her face But to come again to our Annals So soon as King Sweyn arrived in the North Earl Vhtred and all the Countrey of the Northumbers with all the people in Lindesige and the people of the five Burghs or Towns but what these were we now know not lying on the other side Waetlingastreet submitted themselves to him There were also Hostages given him out of every Shire but when he found that all the people were now become subject to him he commanded them to provide his Forces both with Horses and Provisions whilst he in the mean time marched toward the South with great expedition committing the Ships and Hostages to Knute his Son And after he had passed Waetlingastreet they did as much mischief as any Army could do Then they turn'd to Oxnaford whose Citizens presently submitted themselves to him from thence he went to Wincester where the Inhabitants did the same and from thence they marched Eastward towards London near which many of his men were drown'd in the Thames because they would not stay to find a Bridge but when they came thither the Citizens would not submit but sallying out had a sharp Engagement with them because King Ethelred was there and Earl Turkil with him Wherefore King Sweyn departed thence to Wealingaford and then over Thames Westward to Bathe and there sate down with his whole Army whither came to him Aethelmar the Ealdorman of Devonshire with all the Western Thanes who all submitted themselves to him and gave him Hostages When he had subdued all these places he marched Northwards to his Ships and then almost the whole Nation received and acknowledged him for their real King And after this the Citizens of London became subject to him and gave him Hostages because otherwise they fear'd they should be utterly destroy'd for Sweyn demanded that they should give full
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 Eadrâ—c 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
the Welsh to come into England or the English to enter Wales except received at either Bank by the Borderers who shall take care for their safe conduct and return And in case any Borderer be accused of false dealing herein and cannot by witness disprove it he should be fined King EDMUND sirnamed Ironside AFter the Death of King Ethelred all the Wise and Great Men who were then at London together with the Citizens of that place elected Eadmund the Eldest Son of that King to reign over them who held it but a short time and that with great difficulty William of Malmesbury says he was born of a Woman whose name he did not know but Ethelred Abbot de Rievallis saith she was the only Daughter of Toret a Noble Earl whom the Chronicle of John of Wallingford calls Ethelred's first Wife But Mat. Westminster relates otherwise that he was not born of Queen Emma who was his only Wife but of a certain Ignoble Woman yet besides the Obscurity of his Birth he was a Man without all exception both for Strength of Body and Mind and therefore called by the English Ironside He would have made amends both for his Father's Cowardise and his Mother's want of Birth had he been but allowed some longer time to have lived So that it appears by these Authors that this King Edmund was born of a Concubine But to come to our History When King Edmund was thus declared King at London as Simeon of Durham tells us with great Acclamations of Joy he also relates That many of the Bishops Abbots and Noblemen of England coming to Southampton abjuring the Progeny of King Ethelred at the same time chose Cnute for their King who according to our Annals immediately came with his Fleet to Grenawic about Lent and within a short time after marched up to London where they dug a great Trench on the South-side of the River and drew their Ships to the West-side of the Bridge and besieged the City insomuch that none could go in or out making such frequent Assaults upon it yet the Citizens resisted them vigorously But King Eadmund was marched out before into West-Saxony where all that Nation willingly submitted themselves to him Not long after he fought with the Danes at Peonnan now Pen near Gillingam in Somersetshire But Cnute not being there they do not tell us who commanded in his stead for he was then with his Fleet at the Siege of London ' After Midsummer King Eadmund fought another Battel at Sceorstan which place is supposed to be a Stone that now parts the four Counties of Oxfordshire Gloucestershire Worcestershire and Warwickshire But our Annals do not mention who had the Victory only That there were many kill'd on both sides and that the two Armies marched off from each other of their own accord for Eadric the Ealdorman and Aelmer then joined with the Danes against King Edmund But as William of Malmesbury tells us Eadric the Traytor was the cause of the King's Soldiers running away for holding up his Sword dipped in the Blood of some mean person or as Simeon says his Head which was very like King Edmund's whom he had newly killed he cried out to the English to fly for their King was dead Yet R. Hoveden adds That the Fight was very bloody and both Parties were forced to leave off being quite tired Our Annals do then thus proceed That King Edmund having gathered an Army the third time march'd to London and raised the Siege driving the Danes to their Ships and within two days after the King passed over at Brentford and there fought the Danes and put them to flight but many of the English were drrown'd by their own negligence as they ran before the Army being greedy of spoil After this the King marched down toward the West-Saxons and there reinforced his Army whilst in the mean time the Danish Forces returned to London and besieged that City assaulting it both by Land and Water but God at that time also delivered it whereupon the Danes departed from London with their Ships into Arwan and there landing marched up into Mercia killing and burning all they met with according to their old custom and there furnished themselves with Provisions and then drew all their Ships with their Spoil up the Medway But where this Arwan abovementioned lay is very uncertain That it could not be the River Arrow in Warwickshire as some fancy is plain that being no where Navigable Therefore the Ingenious Editor of these Annals in the explication of the Proper Names of Places at the end of the Book does very probably guess that this River was either that which we now call Orwell which divides Essex from Suffolk or else that there is an Error in the Saxon Copy and instead of into Arwan it should be read to Waran that is they went up the River Lee as far as Ware But this I leave to the Reader 's Judgment and shall again return to the Annals themselves Then King Eadmund assembled the whole English Nation a fourth time and passed the Thames again at Brentford and from thence went into Kent and there put the Danish Horse to flight in Seapige and killed as many of them as they could meet with But Eadric the Ealdorman by his subtle Artifices persuaded the King to stay at Aeglesford which was the most perfidious advice that could be given him Florence of Worcester and William of Malmesbury are more particular in this Transaction and say That the Traitorous Earl above-mentioned so over-persuaded the King by his plausible Insinuations that he did not pursue the Danes when almost routed or else he might have obtained an absolute Victory Then according to our Annals the Danes turned against the West-Saxons and marched into Mercia killing all before them but when the King understood that the Danes were gone thither he drew all the English Forces together the fifth time and following them himself in the Rear overtook them near a Hill called Assandun now Ashdown in Essex where they had a very sharp Engagement but there Eadric the Ealdorman playing his old pranks first of all began the flight with the Magesaetons by Cambden supposed to be the Radnorshire men and so once more deceived his Natural Lord and the whole Nation But here though I cannot but admire the wonderful Courage and Constancy of this Brave Prince yet can I not commed his Prudence who could thus trust a known Traytor that had not only betrayed himself but his Father before him But I need make no long reflections upon this since we find few Princes guilty of the like Easiness in later Ages But this is certain from our Annals That Cnute now obtained the Victory against the greatest part of the English Nation and there were slain on the spot Eadnoth the Bishop and Wilfsige the Abbot Aelfric and Godwin the Ealdormen and Wulfkytel Earl of east-East-England and most of the English Nobility William of Malmesbury
one of Edric's Sons who at the command of his Father stabbed him in the Hinder Parts with a long sharp Knife and left the Weapon sticking in his Body But H. Huntington and Alred Abbot of Rievalle say that Edric was the first who saluted Cnute Sole King of all England to whom when he had told all the matter the King answer'd Well for so great a Good Turn I will advance thy Head above all the Lords in England and thereupon commanding him to be beheaded order'd his Head to be set upon the Tower of London But this being related by no other Author besides Mat. Westminster is not probable for all others make him to have been alive some time after this But Simeon of Durham and R. Hoveden do with greater certainty relate That as soon as he received the News of Edmund's Death he order'd all the Bishops Ealdormen and Chief Men throughout England to be summoned to London and when they appeared before him he cunningly asked them If they were Witnesses of the Agreement which had been made between him and King Edmund concerning the Division of the Kingdom and whether there was any Condition inserted That either his Sons or his Brethren should succeed him in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons Then they all began with one accord to say They did not know that King Edmund had left any part of the Kingdom to his Brethren either living or dying but as for his Sons they knew very well that Edmund would have left him to be the Protector of his Children till they should come of fitting age to reign But they likewise add that they bore false witness and lied grosly because they hop'd to make King Cnute the more favourable to them and should thereby receive the greater Rewards for their pains But some of them had a just Recompence for their Perjury by being not long after put to death Hereupon King Cnute after he had thus taken their Testimonies received the Oaths of Fidelity from the said Great Men and Bishops who all swore that they would chuse him for their King and willingly raise Taxes to pay his Army and at the same time also they renounced the Sons of King Edmund Edward and Edmund from ever being Kings of this Nation But King Cnute growing jealous of these Young Princes sent them to the King of Sweden that they might by him be made away which he out of compassion not only refused but generously sent them to Solomon King of Hungary to be educated and being there kindly received for some time Edmund the elder of them died but Edward the younger marrying Agatha the Queen's Sister had by her Edgar sirnamed Aetheling Christina a Nun and Margaret afterwards married to Malcolme King of Scotland of whom we shall have occasion to speak further before we come to the end of this Book King CNUTE THis year according to our Annals Cnute King of Denmark began to reign over all England which he divided into four Parts or Governments reserving West Saxony to himself committing East-England to Earl Thurkyl Mercia to Eadric and the Northumbers to Yric but not long after the said Eadric the Ealdorman was killed The manner of which Bromton's Chronicle thus relates That at Christmass the King being at London in a certain upper room on the other side of the Thames it happened that the Traytor Eadric upbraided the King with his services How that for his sake he had betrayed King Ethelred and also made away Edmund his own King and yet he had received no very extraordinary advantage or benefit thereby according to his Merits to be sure as he himself thought at which Cnute being highly enraged answered Out of thy own mouth shalt thou be judged who plainly confessest thy self a Traytor against both thy former Kings therefore thou shalt certainly dye So he immediately commanded him to be tied hand and foot and flung out of the Window into the River though some other Authors relate that he was first strangled But we cannot find for certain which way it was done for William of Malmesbury and R. Hoveden only say this That the King commanded Eadric sirnamed Streon to be slain in the Palace because he was afraid of being circumvented by his Treacheries and ordered likewise his Body to be flung over the Wall of the City and there to lye unburied The Annals do here further add That Northman Son to Earl Leofwin and Aethelward Son to Aethelmaer the Great and Brihtric Son to Aelfger Earl of Defenanscire were also put to death but their Crimes are not set down Therefore R. Hoveden supposes them to have been only the King's Jealousy of their too great Power being all English Noblemen though I suspect they were guilty of somewhat more than what we find related The same year also the King banished Eadwig Aetheling called Ceorles Cyng i.e. King of the Clowns Brother to King Eadmund But the Annals seem to make this Eadwig two persons though for what reason I know not but however he was not immediately banished after Cnute came to the Crown as some Writers suppose neither yet was he put to death as Simeon of Durham and Bromton relate for the latter tells us this Story of him That Cnute not thinking himself safe so long as Edwig was alive consulted with Earl Eadric how to have him dispatched out of the way by whose advice the King sent for one Ethelward and tempted him privately with large Rewards but he abhorring in his heart so foul a deed however promised to do it as soon as he found a fitting opportunity and by this means still deferred it But then the same Author adds That having by the said Eadric's Counsel banished Prince Edwin the year following under a feign'd Reconciliation he was by King Cnute's Order made away which is contrary to what William of Malmesbury relates for he says that this Prince having been long tossed about both by Sea and Land and being broken as well in Body as in Mind secretly return'd into England and lay conceal'd till he died and then was buried at Tavistock But the Annals further say That before the Kal. of August the King commanded Queen Emma Widow of the late King his Predecessor to be brought over to him and some time after took her for his Consort This he did to gain the Friendship of the Duke of Normandy her Father but she is highly censured for marrying the sworn Enemy of her Husband and her Children Though this only let us see that it is no new thing for Princes to prefer the wearing of a Crown even before their own Honour Now again according to our Annals was paid that Tax or Tribute called Danegelt throughout all the English Nation to wit Seventy two thousand Pounds besides that which the Citizens of London paid viz. Eleven thousand Pounds more Which Tax being raised when there seemed to be no more fear of the Danes it looks as if King Cnute 〈◊〉 took upon
him to govern as a Conqueror From which also you may observe the flourishing Trade and Wealth of that City in those days since it could even at that time pay above a Seventh of this excessive Taxation Then also a great part of the Danish Army return'd into Denmark and only forty Ships remain'd with King Cnute the Danes and English were likewise now reconciled and united at Oxnaford Bromton says it was done at a Great Council or Parliament at Oxford where King Cnute ordained the Laws of King Edgar i. e. of England to be observed The same year also Aethelsige Abbot of Abbandune deceased and Aethelwin succeeded him This year King Cnute returned into Denmark and there stayed all the Winter Bromton's Chronicle says he went over to subdue the Vandals who then made War against him and carried along with him an Army both of English and Danes the former being commanded by Earl Godwin set upon the Enemies by surprize and put them to flight after which the King had the English in as much as esteem as his own Danish Subjects But the year following He returned into England and then held a Mycel Gemot or Great Council at Cyrencester where Ethelward the Earldorman was outlaw'd The same year also King Cnute went to Assandune the place where he had before fought the great Battel with King Edmund and there caused a Church to be built of Lime and Stone for the souls of those men that had been slain there Which being as R. Hoveden relates consecrated in the King's presence by Wulstan Archbishop of York and divers other Bishops was committed to the care of his Chaplain whose Name was Stigand Also Archbishop Living deceased and Ethelnoth a Monk and Dean of Canterbury was consecrated Bishop by Wulstan Archbishop of York But before we proceed farther I will give you some account of the Affairs of Wales in these times Where after the death of Kynan or Conan the Usurping Prince of South-Wales above-mentioned Lewelyn Prince of North-Wales had according to Caradoc's Chronicle possessed himself of South-Wales and had for some years governed both those Countries with great Peace and Prosperity so that from the North to the South Sea there was not a Beggar in the whole Countrey but every man had sufficient to live of his own insomuch that the Countrey grew daily more and more populous But this year produced a notable Impostor for a certain Scot of mean Birth came now into South-Wales and called him self Run or Reyn as the Manuscript Copies have it the Son of Meredyth ap Owen late Prince of Wales as you have already heard Upon which the Nobility of that Countrey who loved not Lewelyn set up this Run or Reyn to be their Prince But Lewelyn hearing of it assembled all the Forces of North-Wales and marched against this Run who had now also got all the strength of South-Wales together and going as far as Abergwily i. e. the mouth of the River Gwily there waited the coming of Lewelyn but when he arrived and both Armies were ready to join Battel Run full of outward confidence encouraged his men to fight yet no sooner was the Battel begun but this Impostor soon discovered what he was by withdrawing himself pâ—â—â—ly out of the fight whereas on the contrary Lewelyn like a Couragious Prince standing in the Head of his Army called out aloud for this base Scot Run who durst so belye the Blood of the British Princes Both Armies then meeting fought for a while with great Courage and Malice to each other but it seems the South-Wales men being not so resolute in the Quarrel of this Impostor as those of North-Wales were to defend the Right of their Lawful Prince the latter being also encouraged by the Speeches and Prowess of their Prince put the former to the Rout and pursued this Run so closely that he had much ado to escape Prince Lewelyn having got thus a great deal of Spoil return'd home and for a short time govern'd these Countries in Peace But to return to our Annals This year about Martinmass King Cnute outlaw'd i. e. banished Earl Thurkyl But they tell us not the Crime Yet William of Malmesbury makes it a Judgment for being the principal Promoter of the Murther of Archbishop Aelfeage and that as soon as he return'd into Denmark he was killed by some Noblemen of that Nation This year also according to an Old Manuscript belonging to St. Edmundsbury and cited by the Lord Chief Justice Coke in the Preface to the 9 th Book of his Reports King Cnute held a Parliament at Winchester wherein were present the two Archbishops and all the other Bishops as also many Ealdormen and Earls with divers Abbots together with a great many Knights and a vast multitude of People and there in pursuance of the King's desires it was decreed That the Monastery of St. Edmund the King should be free and for ever exempt from all Jurisdiction of the Bishops and Earls of that Country But Sir H. Spelman here very well observes that this Manuscript could be no Ancienter than the Reign of Henry the Third because the word Parliament was not in use before that time Though thus much is certain That King Cnute the year before founded this Monastery afterwards called St. Edmundsbury but then known to the Saxons by the name of Beadrichesworth where there had been a Church built before and King Edward the Elder in the year 942 had also given several Lands to it and upon which Foundation King Cnute had lately built and endowed the said Abby which was one of the Largest and Richest in all England Lewelyn ap Sitsylt Prince of Wales but a short time enjoyed the fruits of his late Victory for this year the Welsh Chronicles tell us he was slain by Howel and Meredyth the Sons of Prince Edwin or Owen above-mentioned who yet did not succeed in the Principality for Jâ—go Son to Edwal late Prince of Wales was now advanced to the Throne as Lawful Heir having been long debarr'd of his Right But it seems he could not do the like in South-Wales which one Rytheric ap Justin seiz'd upon and held by force This year King Cnute sail'd with his Fleet to the Isle of Wight but upon what account our Annals do not shew us Also Archbishop Aethelnoth went to Rome and was there received by Pope Benedict with great Honour who put on his Pall with his own hands and being so habited celebrated Mass as the Pope commanded him and then after he had dined with him return'd home with his Benediction Also Leofwin the Abbot who had been unjustly expell'd from the Monastery of Elig was his Companion and there cleared himself of those Crimes of which he had been accused before the Pope the Archbishop and all the Company that were there present testifying on his behalf Wulstan Archbishop of York deceased and Aelfric succeeded Edelnoth the Archbishop consecrating him at Canterbury Also this
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 Domesâ—ick 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
lying Northward from the Thames together with the City of London and Hardecnute enjoy all the Southern Provinces But Hardecnute having received his share of the Kingdom went into Denmark where making unnecessary delays Harold seized the whole Kingdom to himself Which is in part confirmed by an Ancient Manuscript Chronicle in the Cottonian Library which relates That Harold King of the Northumbrians and Mercians was elected King of all England and Hardecnute because he staid in Denmark was cast off To which may be added certain old Manuscript Annals now in the same Library part of which is supposed to be written by Henry of Huntington That Harold was elected by the Chief Men of the East-Angles i. e. the Danes of that Countrey together with the Londoners so that he usurped the Kingdom of his Brother Hardecnute being then in Denmark And Simeon of Durham relates That by the Consent of the Great Men of England Harold began to reign as true and just Heir but not so indisputably as King Cnute his Father had done because Hardecnute who was a truer Heir than he was then expected yet that in a short time the Kingdom became divided after the same manner as Ingulph hath related But it seems very unlikely that Hardecnute if he had been chosen King of any part of England would have left it and gone over into Denmark before he was well settled at home It is therefore more likely what Florence of Worcester asserts That Harold was at first elected King only of the Mercians and Northumbers Hardecnute being to enjoy all the rest but that not coming out of Denmark in due time Harold got himself chosen King of the whole Kingdom the year following But leaving this matter concerning Hardecnute's Succession which must be confessed is much in the dark the Author last mentioned does say That Harold after he had obtained the Royal Dignity sent his Guards speedily to Winchester and there tyrannically seized on the greater part of the Treasures of the King his Father which had been bequeathed by Cnute to the Queen his Mother-in-Law But I cannot omit taking notice of the most Cruel and Bloody Treatment of Prince Alfred Brother to King Edward and his Followers which because many of our Best and most Ancient Historians as well Printed as Manuscript refer to this year and that too not long after King Harold's coming to the Crown I shall here set down since it seems most likely to have happened now rather than at any other time For though our Authors differ much about it yet seeing most of the Ancient Manuscript Annals in the Cottonian Library as also that old Treatise called Encomium Emmae being a Panegyrick wrote on that Queen by a Monk of her own time agree in relating the Circumstances of this horrid Action I shall from thence transcribe this following Account of it viz. That King Harold seeking by Treachery how to get those two young Princes Sons to the late King Ethelred into his power forged a Letter in the Name of Queen Emma their Mother inviting them into England wherein personating her she seemed to chide them gently for their delay in not coming over to look after their own concerns seeing they could not but know that it procured the daily confirming of the Usurper in his power who omitted no arts or means whatsoever to gain the chief Nobility over to his Party yet also assures them that the English Nation had much rather have one of them to be their King and in conclusion desires they would come as speedily and as privately as they could to consult with her what course was best to be taken This Letter was sent to the Princes then in Normandy by an express Messenger with Presents also as from their Mother which they joyfully receiving returned word by the same hand That one of them would be with her shortly naming both the Time and Place Alfred who was the younger for so it was thought best at the appointed time with a few Ships and some small number of Normans about him appeared on the Coast and no sooner came ashore but fell into the Snare that Earl Godwin had laid for him being sent on purpose to betray him and being cajoll'd into a belief that he was sent for by the King then at London he was in the way met at Guilford by Earl Godwin who with all seeming Friendship at first kindly entertained him but in the night surprized the Prince and made him Prisoner with all his Company most of whom in all about Six hundred men were put to various kinds of cruel deaths and being twice decimated every Tenth man suffered without mercy The Prince was brought to London and by the King sent bound to Ely and had his eyes put out as soon as he landed there and being delivered to the Monks to be kept died soon after in their Custody but whether of the Pain or Grief or some other Indisposition is left uncertain Yet though this Author makes no mention of Prince Edward his Brother's coming over with him but rather asserting the contrary that he never came at all however several other Historians will have this Prince to have either come over then or some time before and that being with his Mother when his Brother was thus treated she immediately sent him back into Normandy which I must confess seems very improbable since Harold had it then in his power to destroy them both But though it is certain that this unfortunate Prince was made away yet since our Annals are wholly silent in it there is nothing about which our Historians so much vary as concerning the time when it was done William of Malmesbury and Bromton place it after the death of Harold and before the coming over of Hardecnute when they say that Prince Alfred arrived with some expectations of the Kingdom but the former plainly confesses that he related this story only upon common fame yet because the Chronicles i. e. the Saxon Annals are silent he will not affirm it for truth so it seems he had never seen the above-mention'd Encomium Emmae But that Prince Alfred was made away by the means of Earl Godwin we shall further make out when we come to the Reign of King Edward the Confessor And the reason that some of our Historians give for Godwin's cruel usage of Prince Alfred whilst he let his Brother escape is that Godwin was afraid of the High Spirit and Wit of this young Prince because he knew that if ever he came to be King he would never be governed by him nor marry his Daughter both which he hoped for from Edward in case he should be chosen King by his means as afterwards happen'd This whether true or not I will not determine yet it suits well enough with the Interest of that Politick Earl I shall say no more of this only we cannot but hence observe the great Uncertainty of Traditional Accounts though of no long standing
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 Sâ—ster 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
the Meat should be taken away untouched from such as were invited than that those who were not invited should complain for want of Victuals whereas saith he the custom of our time is either out of Covetousness or as they pretend because their people cannot eat for Great Men to allow their Followers but one Meal a day which shews that the custom of Set Suppers hath had divers Vicissitudeâ— being not commonly used in England in Great Mens Families at the time when H. Huntington wrote and therefore is an English Custom prevailing since that time the Norman Fashions being then most used John Rouse also in his Manuscript Treatise de Regibus Ang. already cited relates That the day of King Hardâ—cnute's Death was in his time kept by the English as an Holiday being called Hock-Wednesday on which they danced and drew Cords cross the way as they do in several Parishes in England even at this day to stop people till they will pay them some Money King Edward called the Confessor BEfore King Hardecnute was buried all the People chose Edward Aethâ—ling King at London who reigned as long as God permitted him But William of Malmesbury with greater probability says That this King did not come to the Crown without some difficulty for when he had received the News of his Brother Hardecnute's Death he was in great perplexity what was most advisable for him to do at last after mature deliberation he thought it the safest course to trust his Fortune to Earl Godwin's Advice who being sent for to a friendly Conference for some time he was considering whether he should come to him or not but at length he agreed to speak with him and upon the Enterview Edward was about to lay himself at his Feet but that he would by no means suffer Then the Prince earnestly desired he would assist him in his safe return to Normandy when immediately Godwin gave him this unexpected answer That he had better live gloriously King of England than dye ignominiously in Exile That the Crown did of Right belong to him as Son of Ethelred and Grandchild of Edgar That he was one of mature Age inur'd to Labour and who had learnt by experience how to order Publick Affairs with Justice and had been taught by his own late Afflictions how to remove and prevent the Miseries of the People That to bring this about there would be no great Obstacle for if he would but trust himself to him he should find that his Interest was very powerful in the Nation and that Fortune would be favourable to his just Pretensions and if he would accept of the Royal Dignity he was confident there would be none to oppose it but on condition that he would establish a firm Friendship with him and his Family by promising to prefer his Sons and marry his Daughter that then he should soon find himself a King Edward's case at this time was such as not to reject so fair Proposals but rather agree to any Conditions and comply with the present state of Affairs whatsoever therefore Godwin required he promised and swore to perform Now the Earl was a Man fitted by Nature for managing such an Intrigue having a very smooth and plausible Tongue so Eloquent that he could move and charm the Affections of the People insinuate into them whatsoever he pleased and bring them entirely over to his Interest and Service Upon this he procures a Great Council to be summoned at Gillingham some Copies have it at London and there he influenced some by his own Authority gain'd over others by his Promises and those who were inclined before to Prince Edward's Cause he fully settled and confirmed to his Party the rest that made opposition being over-power'd were first of all turn'd out of their Places and then banished the Land The Annals of the Abby of Winchester printed in the Monast. Ang. from the Manuscript in the Cottonian Library not only agree with William of Malmesbury in this Relation but are also much more particular viz. That Prince Edward coming to Godwin one morning in disguise to London fell at his Feet begging him to preserve his Life but the Earl taking him up promised to use him like his Son and also gave him farther Encouragements and Assurance so that Edward returning again to Winchester to his Mother Godwin shortly after summoned all the Great Men of the Kingdom to meet there to consult about making a New King Then these Annals proceed to relate the manner of this Election Viz. That Earl Godwin raising the Prince from the place where he sate at his feet being then incognito having his Hood over his Face said thus Behold your King This is Prince Edward the Son of King Ethelred and Queen Emma This is He whom I Elect c. and so first did him Homage Then after some Debates among themselves they all at last consented to his Election so that if it displeased any there they durst not shew their Discontent since Earl Godwin would have it so and Edward being thus Elected was not long after crown'd at Westminster Which is also confirmed by an Ancient Chronicle in the Cottonian Library already cited ending with this Prince which saith That Hardecnute being dead Eadward was advanced to the Crown by the endeavours chiefly of Earl Godwin and Living Bishop of Worcester Bromton's Chronicle farther adds That at this Grand Council all the Great Men of England agreed and swore with one consent That no Danes should reign over them any more because of the great Affronts and Contempts they had received from that Nation For they held the English in such servile subjection That if an Englishman had met a Dane upon a Bridge he was obliged to stand still till the other had passed by and if he had not bowed to the Dane he was sure to be well basted for his neglect so that as soon as King Hardecnute was dead the English drove all the Danes out of the Kingdom But notwithstanding the great happiness the English now received by having a King of their own Nation yet it seems This year was unfortunate for the Intemperance of the Season which as our Annals relate destroyed the Fruits of the Earth so that a great number of Cattel died Also about this time Aelf Abbot of Burgh deceased and Arnwi a Monk was chosen Abbot being a mild and good man About the same time also according to the Welsh Chronicle Prince Conan the Son of Jago who had fled into Ireland to save his life and coming now over from thence being assisted with the Forces of Alfred the Danish King of Dublin entred North-Wales by surprize took Prince Griffyth Prisoner and was carrying him away to his Ships But the people of the Countrey hearing of it they immediately rose and pursued the Irishmen and at last overtaking them rescued their Prince and made a great flaughter among them the rest with much difficulty got to their Ships and returned with
Conan into Ireland But notwithstanding K. Edward had been elected King ever since the last Summer yet was he not Anointed or Crowned till this year when as our Annals relate that Ceremony was performed on Easter-day with great Solemnity by Eadsige the Archbishop who also preached before the people and instructed them for the King 's good as well as their own advantage This is the first Discourse or Sermon that we can find was ever made of this nature at any King's Coronation The same year also Stig and the Priest was consecrated Bishop of the East-Angles and presently after the King ordered all the Lands his Mother held from him to be surveyed taking from her whatsoever Gold and Silver she had with many other things because she had been too severe to him as well before he was King as after and as Roger Hoveden observes had given him less than he expected from her So that in this Undutifulness to his Mother he does not shew himself so great a Saint as the Monks represent him But they say for his excuse that he did it by the Advice of the Earls Leofric Godwin and Syward by whom this Weak and Easy Prince was chiefly managed This year also according to the Welsh Chronicles Howel ap Edwin late Prince of South-Wales with all the Forces he could raise of his own Countrey-men and the English entred South Wales and began to spoil and havock it of which when Prince Griffyth was informed he gathered his People together in North-Wales and came courageously to meet his Enemies whom he had twice before discomfited and overcame and chased them the third time as far as the Spring of the River Towy where after a long and dangerous Battel Howel was slain and his Army routed and was so closely pursued that few or none escaped alive After whose Death Rytherch and Rees the Sons of Rythaerch ap Jestyn aspiring again to the Rule and Government of South-Wales which their Father had once before acquired gathered a great Army as well of strangers as out of Guentland and Glamorgan and meeting with Griffyth Prince of Wales he courageously animated his men with the remembrance of their former Victories under his Standard and joined Battel with his Enemies whom he found disposed to try if they could regain the Honour which before they had lost Wherefore when they were come up to engage the Fight was so bloody and desperate that it continued till night parted both Armies and then being quite spent they retreated But still each being fearful of one another they thought it their best way to return to their own Countries to raise fresh Recruits About this time was founded a Noble Monastery near Coventry in Warwickshire by Leofric Earl of the Mercians and the Lady Godiva his Wife who was not only one of the most Beautiful but most Pious Women of that Age they also enriched this Monastery with great Presents both of Gold and Silver By reason of which Monastery the Town adjoining became much more flourishing and took the name of Coventry from this Convent And we farther read in Bromton's Chronicle That this worthy Lady Godiva being desirous to exempt the said Town from the grievous Taxes and Tolls imposed on it she earnestly and frequently sollicited her Husband to take them off but yet was still denied However she ceasing not to renew her request he told her jestingly at last That if she would be content to ride naked through the Town he would grant her Petition which she readily undertook to do and so commanding all people at that time to keep within doors she covered her Body with her own Hair of which she had so great a quantity that it served instead of a Mantle Thus did she generously free the Citizens from those heavy Exactions which they then lay under though by the no-very-decent exposing of her self and afterwards gave them a Charter of Exemptions affixing her Husband's and her own Seal to it Now how the Episcopal See came afterwards to be removed hither from Litchfield and Chester we shall in its due place declare The Charter of the Foundation of this Monastery dedicated to our Blessed Lady St. Peter and all the Saints is printed in Monast. Angl. though without any date wherein are named all the Mannors given by the said Munificent Founder and the same is ratified by the Charter of King Edward and a Bull of Pope Alexander bearing date Anno Dom. 1042. Neither did the Piety of these Liberal Persons rest here for Earl Leofric with the Assent of his Lady Godiva repaired also the Monasteries of Leon or Lemster near Hereford of Wenlock of St. Wereburga in Chester of St. John in Worcester and lastly that of Evesham This year Archbishop Eadsige resigned his Archbishoprick by reason of great Bodily Infirmities and by the King's leave and the advice of Earl Godwin he consecrated Syward Abbot of Abbandune to succeed him which thing was known but to few till it was actually done because the Archbishop was afraid lest some other less Learned and Able would either by Money or Interest obtain that See if so be it was once divulged before it was done But of this Syward William of Malmesbury tells us That though he was thus consecrated Archbishop yet notwithstanding he was soon after deposed for his Ingratitude to his Predecessor in that he defrauded the weak Old Man of his necessary maintenance But however to make this Syward some amends he was translated to the Bishoprick of Rochester which was a great Fall indeed from the See of an Archbishop to that of his principal Chaplain but it seems he was resolved to be a Bishop though a mean one comparatively The Annals also relate That this year there was so great a Famine in England that a Sester of Wheat which as Roger Hoveden tells us was then a Horse-load was sold for Sixty Pence and more Which was then a great deal of Money considering the scarcity of Silver in those times and that every Penny then weighed Four Pence of our Money Also the same year the King sail'd to Sandwic with Five and thirty Ships And as R. Hoveden informs us it was to meet Magnus King of Norway then designing to invade England but a War breaking out with Sweyn King of Denmark it put an end to that Expedition Also Aethelstan the Oeconomus or Steward of the Abby of Abbingdon was made Abbot and Stigand again received his Bishoprick of the East-Angles from which it seems by the cunning and Simoniacal practices of Bishop Grymkytel he had been before deprived The same year King Edward married the Daughter of Earl Godwin whose Name was Edgitha or Editha A Woman as William of Malmesbury says not only of great Beauty and Piety but also Learned above what Women usually were in that Age wherein he lived insomuch that Ingulph tells us when he was but a Boy and lived at Court with his Father she was
wont to meet him as he came from School and took delight to pose him in Verses and would also passing from Grammar argue with him in Logick in which she was well skill'd and when she had done would order her Waiting-Woman to give him some Money But as King Edward had till now deferr'd the performance of his Promise in marrying this Lady ever since he came to the Crown so it had been no great matter whether he had married her or not because he never enjoyed her But notwithstanding the temptation of so fair a Lady he not only kept his own Virginity inviolable but also persuaded her to do the like and this as the Abbot of Rieval in his Life relates he did not do out of any hatred to her Father as is commonly reported by several of our other Historians but because the English Nobility being desirous that one from his Loins should succeed him had importun'd him to marry which he could not well refuse for then the secret Resolution of his dying a Virgin would have been disclosed therefore he wedded her both to secure himself against her Father as also to make the Virtue of his Continence appear more conspicuous which as this Author tells us was no Secret being then divulged and believed all over England and divers Censures passed concerning the motives why he did so The same year Brightwulf Bishop of Scirebone deceased who had held that Bishoprick Thirty eight years and Hereman the King's Chaplain succeeded to that Bishoprick Also Wulfric was consecrated Abbot of St. Austin's at Christmas with the King 's good Consent because of the great Bodily Infirmity of Aelfstan the former Abbot This year deceased Living Bishop of Devonshire i.e. of Exeter and Leofric the King's Chaplain succeeded thereunto The same year Aelfstan Abbot of St. Augustin's in Canterbury deceased and also Osgot Glappa the Danish Earl was expelled England The same year likewise according to Simeon of Durham and William of Malmesbury Alwold Bishop of London who had been before Abbot of Evesham being by reason of his great weakness unable to perform his Episcopal Function would have retired to his old Monastery but the Monks not permitting it he resented it so ill at their hands that taking away all the Books and other Ornaments which he had conferred upon them and retiring to the Abby of Ramsey he bestowed them all upon them and there within a short time after ended his days and then King Edward made one Robert a Norman Monk Bishop of London Also the same year the Noble Matron Gunhilda Niece to King Cnute was banished England together with her two Sons This year likewise in a great Council held at London as Florence relates Wulmar a Religious Monk of Evesham was chosen Abbot of that Monastery and was ordained the 4 th of the Ides of August following About this time according to the Welsh Chronicles Prince Griffâ—th having ruled in Peace ever since the last great Battel above-mentioned till now the Gentlemen of Ystrad Towy did by Treachery kill a Hundred and forty of his best Soldiers so that to revenge their deaths the Prince destroyed all those Countries Grymkitel Bishop of the South-Saxons i. e. Selsey deceased as did also the same year Aelfwin Bishop of Winchester and Stigand who was before Bishop in the North-East parts i. e. of Helmham succeeded in that See And Earl Sweyn the Son of Godwin went over to Baldwin Earl of Flanders to Brycge and staid there all Winter and at Summer departed being it seems at that time in disgrace at Court for deflow'ring an Abbess whom he loved This year Aethelstan Abbot of Abbandune deceased to whom succeeded Sparhafock a Monk of St. Edmundsbury Whence you may observe that the Abbots were at that time seldom chosen out of Monks of the same Abby Also this year Bishop Syward deceased and then Archbishop Eadsige retook that Bishoprick Which is contrary to what William of Malmesbury hath already related The same year likewise Lothen and Yrling Danes came to Sandwic with Twenty five Ships and there landing committed great havock and carried away abundance of Booty as well of Gold as Silver so that no man can tell how great it was From whence they sailed about Thanet and attempting there to commit the like Outrages the people of that Countrey vigorously resisted them and hindred their landing and so made them to direct their course towards Essex where they committed the like Barbarities carrying away all the men they could lay hold on and then passing over into the Territories of Earl Baldwin and there selling all their Plunder they sail'd towards the East from whence they came Also the same year according to Simeon of Durham Harold sirnamed Hairfax Brother to the late King Olaf having put Sweyn King of Denmark to flight subdued that Kingdom King Sweyn being thus driven out of his Countrey sent Ambassadors to King Edward desiring his Assistance with his Fleet against the King of Norway which Earl Godwin much approved of but the rest of the Great Men dissuading him from it nothing was done but the King of Norway dying soon after Sweyn recovered his Kingdom But Florence of Worcester places this Transaction two years later but which of them is in the right I will not dispute Also this year according to our Annals as well as other Authors was the great Battel of Vallesdune in Normandy between Henry King of France and the Nobility of that Dukedom because they refused to receive William the Bastard for their Duke But when he afterwards got them into his power he beheaded some of them and others he banished I have mentioned this to let you see with how great difficulty this young Duke who was afterwards King of England was settled in that Dutchy which he could never have obtained without the Protection and Assistance of the King of France About this time also the Welsh Chronicles tell us South-Wales was so infested by the Danish Pyrates that the Sea-Coasts were almost quite deserted The same year or else in 1048 as it is in the Cottonian Copy of the Annals was held the great Synod or Council at St. Remy where were present Pope Leo and the Archbishop of Burgundy i. e. of Besanson tho they are here mentioned as two several Archbishopricks as also the Archbishop of Treves and Remes with many other Wise Men both of the Clergy and Laity and thither King Edward sent Bishop Dudoce and Wulfric Abbot of St. Augustine's with Abbot Aelfwin that they might acquaint the King what was there decreed concerning the Christian Faith This year King Edward sail'd to Sandwic with a great Fleet and there met Earl Sweyn who came with seven Ships at Bosenham i.e. Bosham in Sussex where he made a League with the King and received a Promise from him to be restored to all his possessions but Earl Harold his Brother and Beorne very much opposed him saying He was utterly unworthy
at Byferstane i. e. Beverston in Gloucestershire together with a great many in their Retinue to attend on the King their Natural Lord and all the Chief and Wise Men that waited on him whereby they might have the King's Consent and Assistance as also that of his Great Council to revenge the Affront and Dishonour which had been lately done to the King and the whole Nation But the Welshmen getting first to the King highly accused the Earls insomuch that they durst not appear in his presence for they said they only came thither to betray him But then there came to the King the Earls Syward and Leofric with many others from the North parts being as William of Malmesbury relates almost all the Nobility of England who had been summoned by the King to come thither But whilst according to our Annals it was told Earl Godwin and his Sons that the King and those that were with him were taking Counsel against them they on the other side stood resolutely on their own defence though it seem'd an hard thing for them to act any thing against their Natural Lord. But William of Malmesbury adds farther That Earl Godwin commanded those of his Party not to fight against the King yet if they were set upon that they should defend themselves so that there had then like to have happen'd a Cruel Civil War if calmer Counsels had not prevailed By this you may see the great Power of Earl Godwin and his Sons who could thus withstand the King and all the Nobility that were with him But to proceed with our Annals Then it was agreed by the chief men on both sides that they should desist from any further violence and thereupon the King gave them God's Peace and his own Word After this the King and his Great Men about him resolved a second time to summon a Witena Gemot or Great Council at London at the beginning of September He also commanded an Army to be raised as great as ever had been seen in England both from the North and South side of Thames When this Council met Earl Sweyn was declared outlaw'd and Earl Godwin and Earl Harold were cited to appear at the Council with all speed As soon as they were come there they desired Peace i. e. Security and also Pledges to be given them whereby they might have safe ingress and regress to and from the Council But the King required all the Earl's Servants to deliver them up into his hands after which the King sent to them commanding them to come with Twelve men to the Great Council but the Earl again demanded Securities and Pledges to be given him and then he promised to clear himself from all Crimes laid to his charge But the Pledges were still denied him and there was only granted him a five days Peace or Truce in which he might depart the Land Then Earl Godwin and Earl Sweyn his Son went to Bosenham in Sussex and their Ships being brought out of the Harbour they sail'd beyond the Seas and sought the Protection of Earl Baldwin staying with him all that Winter but Earl Harold sailed Eastward into Ireland and there took up his Residence under that King's Protection Soon after this the King sent away his Wife who had been crown'd Queen and suffer'd all her Money Lands and Goods to be taken from her and then committed her to the Custody of his Sister at the Nunnery of Werwell But note that Florence of Worcester places this Quarrel with Earl Godwin and his Sons three years later viz. under Anno 1051 and farther adds That the reason why Earl Godwin fled thus privately away was that his Army had forsook him so that he durst not plead the matter with the King but fled away the night following with his five Sons carrying away all their Treasure with them into Flanders This is the Relation which Florence and the Printed Copy of these Annals give us of this great difference between the King and Earl Godwin and his two Sons in the carriage of which both Parties are to be blamed the King in yielding so easy an ear to the false Accusations brought against them and they in refusing to stand to the Determination of the Great Council of the Kingdom without Pledges first given them by the King which is more than any Subject ought to require from his Prince But certainly the King shewed himself a very Weak Man in being persuaded to deal thus severely with his Innocent Queen for the Faults of her Father and Brothers which it was not in her power to help But to conclude the Affairs of this unhappy year our Annals proceed to tell us That About the same time the Abbot Sparhafoc was deposed from the Bishoprick of London and William the King's Chaplain ordained to that See Also Earl Odda was appointed Governor of Defenascire Somersetscire and Dorsetscire and of all the Welsh and the Earldom which Earl Harold lately held was given to Aelfgar the Son of Earl Leofric About this time the Bishoprick of Credington in Cornwal was as we find in the Monasticon at the Request of Pope Leo removed from thence to Exeter where the Monastery of St. Peter and St. Paul was made a Bishop's See the Monks being removed from thence to Westminster and Secular Chanons placed in their stead Which shews that the humour of Monkery did not so much prevail now as in the days of King Edgar And this year Leofric Bishop of that Diocess was enthron'd at Exeter after a solemn Procession where the Bishop walked to Church between King Edward and Queen Editha his Wife This year according to Florence of Worcester the King released the Nation from that cruel Burthen of Danegelt under which it had for so many years groaned but I will not pass my word for the truth of the occasion why he did it though related by Ingulph viz. That King Edward going into his Treasury where this Tax had been laid up saw the Devil capering and dancing upon the Money-bags which it seems no body else could see but himself at which he was so concerned that he ordered all the Money to be restored to the right Owners and forbad its being gathered any more Not long after according to the same Author William Duke of Normandy the King's Cousin coming over into England was honourably received here and had Noble Presents made him and as some relate too that King Edward promised to make him his Successor in the Kingdom This year also according to Florence of Worcester Alfric Archbishop of York deceased and Kinsing the King's Chaplain succeeded him This year deceased Aelgiva alias Ymma the Mother of King Eadward and King Hardecnute She hath a various Character given her by our Historians William of Malmesbury represents her to be very Covetous and Unkind to her first Husbands Children which seems to have been true enough But then she was very Devout and had a great Respect for
do not now know and others Northward to a Castle of Archbishop Rodbert's who together with Bishop Vlf and all their Party going out at the East Gate I suppose of London kill'd and wounded many young men who I suppose went about to seize them thence they went directly to Ealdulphe's Naese now the Nesse-Point in Essex where the Archbishop going on board a small Vessel left his Pall and Bishoprick behind him as God would have it since he had attain'd that Honour without God's Approbation From all which Transactions we may draw these Observations That all this Contest between the King and Earl Godwin seems to have been chiefly from the two great Factions that of the Normans whom the King brought over with him and that of his English Subjects and which happening under a Weak and Easy King that had neither the Prudence nor Courage to keep the Balance even it produced this Pyratical War made by Earl Godwin and his Sons to force the King to restore them to their Estates All which not only shews the great Power of this Earl and his Partizans but also that those who have the Command at Sea may force a King of England to what Terms they please It is also evident that these Annals were wrote by some Monk of the English Party who was wholly of Earl Godwin's side But to return again to them Then was appointed a Great Council without London where all the Earls and Chief Men then in England were present and there Earl Godwin pleaded for himself and was acquitted before the King and the whole Nation and affirmed that he and Harold his Son with the rest of his Children were innocent of the Crimes whereof they stood accused Whereupon the King received the Earl and his Sons with all those of his Party into his full Grace and Favour restoring him to his Earldom and whatsoever else he before enjoyed as likewise to every one his own again And then too the King restored to the Queen his Wife who had been before sent away whatsoever she had been possessed of but Archbishop Rodbert and all the Frenchmen were outlaw'd and banish'd because they were those who had been the chief Incendiaries of this Quarrel between the King and the Earl and Bishop Stigand was then made Archbishop of Canterbury Though our Annals are in the Relation of what passed at this Great Council much more particular than most of our Historians yet in the Account of this War between the King and Earl Godwin there are some things to be further taken notice of as what Simeon of Durham relates That Earl Harold when he came out of Ireland first entred the Mouth of Severne and there spoiled the Coast of Somersetshire plundering both the Towns and Countrey round about and then coming back to his Ships loaden with Prey he presently sail'd round Penwithstâ—ot i. e. the Land's-End and met his Father as you have heard before and when it was told King Edward that Earl Godwin was come to Sandwic he commanded all those who had not revolted from him to make haste to his Assistance but they delay'd so long their coming up that in the mean while Godwin with his Fleet sail'd up the River Thames as far as Southweork and there lay till the Tide but yet not without sending Messengers to some of the chief Citizens of London whom he had before drawn over to his Party by fair Promises and so far prevailed with them that they absolutely engaged themselves to be at his service and do whatever he would command them Then all things being thus prepared the next Tide they weighed Anchor and sail'd Southward up the Stream no body opposing them on the Bridge From whence we may observe that those Ships he had were only small Galleys with Masts to be taken up and down at pleasure much like our Huoys at this day Then came the Earl's Land-Army and flanking themselves all along the side of the River made a very thick and terrible Body insomuch that he turned his Fleet toward the Northern Shore as if he were resolved to have encompassed that of the King's which it seems then lay above-Bridge over-against London And though He had at that time both a Fleet and a Numerous Land-Army of Foot-Soldiers yet they being all English abhorred to fight against their own Kinsfolks and Countreymen and therefore the wiser sort of both sides laid hold on this Opportunity and became such powerful Mediators between the King and the Earl as made them mutually to strike up a Peace and so dismiss their Armies The next day the King held a Great Council and restored Earl Godwin and his Sons to their former Honours and Estates except Sweyn who being prick'd in Conscience for the Murther of his Cousin Beorn was gone from Flanders barefoot as far as Jerusalem and in his return homeward died in Lycia of a Disease contracted through extreme Cold. A firm Concord and Peace being thus concluded both the King and the Earl promised right Law i. e. Justice to all people and banished all those Normans that had introduced unjust Laws and given false Judgments and committed many Outrages upon the English though some of them were permitted to stay as Robert the Deacon and Richard Fitzscrob his Son-in-Law as also Alred the Yeoman of the King's Stirrup Anfred sirnamed Cocksfoot and some others who had been the King's greatest Favourites and always faithful to him and the People all the rest were sent away and amongst them was also William Bishop of London but he being a good honest man was called back again in a short time Osbern sirnamed Pentecost from whom the Castle above-mention'd was so called and his Companion Hugh surrender'd their Castles and by the License of Earl Leofric passing through his Earldom of Mercia went into Scotland and were there kindly received by King Macbeth Mr. Selden in his Titles of Honour refers that Relation in Bromton's Chronicle to this Great Council held this very year in which the manner of King Edward's Reconciliation with Earl Godwin is more particularly set down viz. That the King having summoned a Great Council as soon as he there beheld Earl Godwin immediately accused him before them all of having betrayed and murthered his Brother Prince Alfred in these words Thou Traytor Godwin I accuse thee of the Death of Alfred my Brother whom thou hast traitorously murthered and for the Proof of this I refer my self to the Judgment of Curiae Vestrae i. e. your Court. Then the King proceeded thus ' You most Noble Lords the Earls and Barons of the Kingdom where note That by Barons are to be understood Thanes for they were one and the same before the Conquest You who are my Liege-men being here assembled have heard my Appeal as also the Answer of Earl Godwin I will that you now give a Right Sentence between us in this my Appeal and afford due Justice therein Then the Earls and Barons having maturely debated
this matter among themselves some were for giving Judgment for the King but others differed from them saying That Earl Godwin had never been obliged to the King by either Homage Service or Fealty and therefore could be no Traytor to him and besides that he had not kill'd the Prince with his own hands But others replied That no Earl Baron nor any other Subject of the King could by Law wage Battel against him in his Appeal but ought upon the whole matter to submit himself to the King's Mercy and offer him reasonable Amends Then Leofric Earl of Chester who was an upright and sincere man both with respect to God and the world spoke thus Earl Godwin who next to the King is indeed a Person of the best Quality in England cannot deny but that by his Counsel Alfred the King's Brother was killed and therefore my opinion is That both he himself and his Sons and Twelve of us Earls that are his Friends and Kinsmen should appear humbly before the King each of us carrying as much Gold and Silver as he can bold in his Arms and offering it to him most humbly supplicate for his Pardon and then the King should remit to the Earl all Rancor and Anger whatsoever against him and having received his Homage and Fealty peacebly restore him to all his Lands To this the Assembly agreed and those that were appointed loading themselves with Treasure after the manner aforesaid went unto the King shewing him the order and manner of their Judgment which he being unwilling to contradict complied with and so ratified whatever they had before decreed This tho written a long time after the Conquest as appears by the Words there used viz. Parliament Baron Homage and Fealty yet it might be true in the main as being transcribed out of some Ancient Records of the Great Councils of those times which are now lost and if so would be a Notable Precedent of the large Authority of the Witena Gemot or Great Council of the Nation not only in assenting to new Laws but also of their Judicial Authority in giving Judgment upon all Suits or Complaints brought before them as well in Appeals between Subject and Subject as also where the King himself was a Party and if Authentick would also shew not only that this Tenure of the King by Homage and Fealty was in use before the Conquest but also according to the Judgment of this Great Council that there was no Allegiance due by Birth nor until a man had actually performed his Homage or sworn Fealty to the King and lastly that a satisfaction made by Money was looked upon as sufficient for the Death even of the King 's own Brother Yet to deal ingenuously with the Reader notwithstanding this fair story Bromton himself seems to doubt the truth of it for after he hath there told us from some nameless Author that Earl Godwin out of fear of some of the English Nobility who had sworn to be revenged of him for the murther of Prince Alfred retired into Denmark during the Reign of King Hardecnute but returning in the beginning of King Edward's Reign he appeared at a Parliament at London where the King impeached him of the Death of his Brother in the manner as you have already heard and if so this could not fall out as Mr. Selden supposes in this Great Council after this last return of Earl Godwin which happen'd not in the beginning but the middle of this King's Reign With which Relation also agree two Ancient Chronicles in French written in the time of Edward the Third and are both in the Cottonian Library And Bromton himself acknowledges that according to most Authors Earl Godwin never went into Denmark at all nor left England during the Reign of King Hardecnute so that this Transaction if it ever happen'd at all seems most likely to have fell out in the Reign of King Hardecnute when that King charged Earl Godwin with his Brother's Death and made him redeem it with a great Present as we have above told you But to conclude this year From the Peterburgh Copy of these Annals it appears that about this time Arnwy Abbot of Burgh resigned his Dignity by reason of his bad Health and conferred it with the King's License and the Consent of the Monks upon Leofriâ— a Monk of that Abby But Abbot Arnwy lived eight years after During which time Abbot Leofric so adorned that Monastery with rich Guildings that it was called the Golden Burgh he also endowed it very much with Lands as well as other Treasures This year according to Florence of Worcester Griffyn Prince of Wales entring England spoiled great part of Hâ—refordshire against whom many Inhabitants of that County marched together with the Norman Garison of Hereford Castle but Prince Griffyn meeting with them killed a great many and putting the rest to flight carried away a great deal of Booty This year Earl Godwin deceased 17 th Kal. of May and was buried in the Old Monastery of Winchester Of the manner of whose Death though our Annals are silent yet I shall here set down what I find concerning it by almost all our Historians and it is thus That King Edward celebrating the Feast of Easter at Winchester or at Windsor as some will have it Earl Godwin as his Custom was sitting at Table with him was suddenly seized with so violent a Distemper that it struck him speechless and made him fall off from the Chair on which he sate and his Three Sons Harold Tosti and Gyrth being present they immediately removed him into the King's Chamber hoping it was but a sudden Fit and would be speedily over but he lay in that languishing condition four days and died on the fifth This is the account of his Death to which the Norman Monks and such as write in favour of them add other Circumstances which shew either his Guilt or their Malice since they relate That mention being made by somebody at the King's Table of Alfred his late Brother he thereupon looked very angrily at Earl Godwin when he to vindicate himself told King Edward He perceived that upon the least mentioning of that Prince he cast a frowning Countenance upon him But saith he let not God suffer me to swallow this Morsel if I am guilty of any thing done either toward the taking away his Life or against your Interest After which words being presently choaked with the Bit he had just before put into his Mouth he sunk immediately down and never recovered more But let the manner of his death be as it will he was a Man of an Active and Turbulent Spirit not over-nicely conscientious either in getting or keeping what he could not to be excused for his too much forcing his Sovereign to whatever he listed But had he not been so great a Lover of his Countrey and an Enemy to Strangers those that wrote in the Norman times and who durst not write any thing but
what they knew would please their Masters would have passed him over without this Story and have given him a fairer Character His first Wife was the Sister of King Cnute by whom he had a Son but in his Infancy happening to mount an unruly Horse that was presented him by his Grandfather he was run away with into the Thames and there drowned His Mother was kill'd by Thunder which as then was believed fell upon her as a Judgment on the account of her great Cruelty for she made a Trade of selling handsome English Boys and Girls into Denmark After her Death Earl Godwin married another Wife and by her had Six Sons viz. Harold Sweyn Wined Tosti Gyrth and Leofwin His Earldom of West-Seaâ— was given to his Son Harold and the Earldom that Harold had before viz. Essex was conferred on Alfgar the Son of Leofric Earl of Mercia which is also confirmed by our Annals And the same year according to Simeon of Durham Rees the Brother of Griffyn King of South-Wales being taken Prisoner for the many Insolences he had committed against the English was by the Command of King Edward put to death at a place called Bulendun and his Head sent to the King then lying at Gloucester on the Vigil of Epiphany But this is omitted in the Welsh Chronicles as commonly every thing is that makes to the disadvantage of their own Nation This year Leo that Holy Pope of Rome deceased and Victor was elected in his stead And there was also so great a Murrain of all sorts of Cattel in England that none could ever remember the like And now according to the Welsh Chronicles Griffyth the Son of Ratherch ap Justin raised a great Army both of Strangers and others against Griffyth Prince of North Wales who delaying no time but getting all the Forces of that Countrey together and meeting the other Griffyth fought with him and slew him on the place though none of these Chronicles have told us where that was This was the last Rebellion or Welsh Civil War that happened in this Prince's Reign The same year according to Simeon of Durham and Roger Hoveden Siward that Valiant Earl of Northumberland at the Command of King Edward being attended with a powerful Army and a strong Fleet marched into Scotland to restore Malcolm the Right Heir to the Crown of that Kingdom where joining Battel with Macbeth the then Usurping King of Scots many both of that Nation and of the Normans who took their part were slain and the Earl put the Usurper to flight But in this Battel the Earl's Son and several of the English and Danes were slain H. Huntington further adds That when the News was brought to the Earl of the Death of his Son he presently asked Whether he had received the Wound behind or before And being told it was before he only replied I am glad to hear that for so it became my Son to dye He says also That this Son of his whom he does not name had been sent into Scotland before his Father and was there killed and that Earl Siward did not subdue Macbeth till the second Expedition in which he differs from all the rest of the English and Scotish Historians Buchanan indeed acknowledges that this Prince Malcolm having taken Refuge in the Court of England obtain'd of King Edward the Assistance of Ten thousand men under the Conduct of Earl Siward and that the rest were raised for him by Macduf and others of his Party that took Arms on his behalf But John Fordun in his History writes much more improbably and though he allows that King Edward offered Malcolm an Army sufficient to place him on the Throne yet that he refused it with Thanks and only took Earl Siward of all the English Lords along with him as if this Earl's single Might though he was a Man of great Strength and Stature signified any thing against the Forces of Macbeth unless he had also brought a powerful Army along with him Mat. Westminster also adds That Scotland being thus conquered by the Forces of King Edward he bestowed it upon King Malcolm to be held of himself But since this is not found in any of our Ancient Historians and this Author does not acquaint us from whence he had it I do not look upon it as worthy of any great Credit About this time according to Simeon Aldred Bishop of Worcester was sent Ambassador to the Emperor with Noble Presents and being received with great Honour by him as likewise by Herman Archbishop of Cologne he staid in Germany a whole year to prevail with the Emperor on the King's behalf to send Ambassadors into Hungary to bring back Prince Edward the King's Cousin Son of King Edmund Ironside into England The same year also according to the Latin Copy of the Annals ' Was a Battel at Mortimer in Normandy But though they do not tell us by whom it was fought yet from others we learn it was between William Duke of Normandy and the King of France where the former obtain'd a most signal Victory This year Siward Earl of Northumberland deceased and the King gave that Earldom to Tostig Son of Earl Godwin Of this Siward's death our Historians give us divers remarkable Circumstances That being near his End by a Bloody-Flux he said He was asham'd to dye thus like a Beast so causing himself to be compleatly Armed and taking his Sword in his hand as if he would have fought even Death it self he in this Posture expired as he supposed like a Man of Honour King Edward not long after this summoned a Witena Gemot or Great Council seven days before Midlent wherein Earl Aelfgar was outlaw'd upon a Charge of being a Traytor to the King and the whole Nation and of this he was convicted before all there assembled Then Earl Aelfgar went to the Castle of Prince Griffyn in North-Wales and the same year they both together burnt the City of Hereford with the Monastery of St. Aethelbert once King of the East-Angles whose Bones were here enshrin'd This Earl had the greater reason to do what he did having been unjustly banish'd as most of our Historians write Simeon of Durham is somewhat larger in his account of this Affair and says That this Earl Aelfgar first went to Ireland and there procuring Eighteen Pyrate-Ships sail'd with them into Wales to assist Prince Griffyn against King Edward where joining with the Welshmen they laid waste the Countrey about Hereford with Fire and Sword against whom was sent that Cowardly Earl Rodolph King Edward's Sister's Son who gathering an Army and meeting with the Welshmen about two miles from that City he commanded the Englishmen contrary to their custom to fight on Horseback but so soon as they were ready to join Battel Rodulph with all his Frenchmen ran away which the English seeing quickly followed By which you may see that it is no new thing for a Cowardly General to make Cowardly Soldiers The
Victory being thus easily obtained the Prince and the Earl entred Hereford and having killed seven of the Chanons that defended the doors of the Church they burnt it together with the Monastery above-mention'd with all the Reliques of St. Aethelbert and the Rich Ornaments that were in it and so having slain divers of the Citizens and carried away great Numbers of them Prisoners they returned home laden with Booty But as soon as the King was acquainted with it he presently commanded an Army to be raised through all England which being mustered at Gloucester He appointed the Valiant Earl Harold to be Commander in chief who obeying the King's Orders immediately pursued Prince Griffyn and Earl Aelfgar and entring the Borders of Wales pitched his Camp beyond Straetdale as far as Snowdon but they who knew him to be a Brave and Warlike Commander not daring to engage him fled into South-Wales which Harold perceiving left there the greater part of his men with Orders to fight the Enemy if they could come at them and with the rest he returned to Hereford which he fortified by drawing a new Trench about it But whilst he was thus employed the two Captains on the contrary side thinking it best for them to make Peace sent Messengers to him and at last procuring a Meeting at a place called Byligeseage a firm Peace and Friendship was there concluded in pursuance whereof Earl Aelfgar sent his Ships to Chester till they could be paid off and he himself went up to the King from whom he received his former Earldom Henry Emperor of the Germans now died and Henry his Son succeeded him This is only mentioned in the Latin Copy of these Annals But the same year according to Simeon of Durham and R. Hoveden Leofgar who was lately ordained Bishop of Hereford in the room of Bishop Athelstan deceased being together with his Clerks and the Sheriff Agelnoth set upon by Griffyn Prince of Wales at a place called Glastbyrig and was there slain with all his followers after which Aldred Bishop of Worcester to whom the King had committed the Bishoprick of Hereford as also the Earls Leofric and Harold mediated a Peace between King Edward and the said Griffyn This year Edward Aetheling Son to King Edmund returned into this Kingdom together with his Children and shortly after deceased whose Body lies buried in St. Paul's Church at London Also Pope Victor now dying Stephanus Abbot of Mountcassin was consecrated in his stead But the Cottonian Copy of these Annals as also Florence of Worcester place the death of this Pope under the year preceding Earl Leofric also deceased and Aelfgar his Son received the Earldom which his Father enjoyed This is that Leofric Earl of Mercia who together with his Wife Godiva built the rich and stately Monastery of Coventry as hath been already related in which Church he was buried He died this year in a good Old Age whose Wisdom and Counsel was often profitable to England This year Pope Stephanus deceased and Benedict was consecrated in his stead This Pope sent the Pall to Archbishop Stigand Upon whom William of Malmesbury is here very sharp saying That Stigand was so intolerably Covetous that he held both the Bishoprick of Winchester and that of Canterbury at the same time but could never obtain the Pall from the Apostolick See until this Benedict an Intruder as he calls him sent it to him either as first being brib'd by Money or else because as is observed evil men love to favour one another The same year also according to the Annals deceased Heacca Bishop of the South-Saxons i. e. of Chichester and Archbishop Stigand consecrated Aegelric a Monk of Christ-Church Bishop of that See as also Syward the Abbot Bishop of Rochester Also this year according to Simeon of Durham and Florence of Worcester Earl Aelfgar was the second time banished by King Edward but by the help of Griffyn Prince of Wales and of a Norwegian Fleet which came to his assistance he was soon restored to his Earldom again though it was by force In so deplorable a condition was this poor King Edward that those of his Nobility who were strong enough to make any Resistance were sure to be pardoned The same year also according to the above-mentioned Authors Aldred Bishop of Worcester having newly rebuilt the Church of St. Peter in Gloucester went on Pilgrimage through Hungary to Jerusalem as says Simeon of Durham which no English Archbishop or Bishop was ever known to have done before This year Nicholaus Bishop of Florence was made Pope and Benedict was expell'd who was Pope before him Kynsige Archbishop of York deceased the xi Kal. Jan. and Bishop Ealdred succeeded in that See This was that Aldred Bishop of Worcester who had been lately at Rome Also Walter was now made Bishop of Hereford And in the Latin Copy of the Annals it is related That Henry King of France now dying Philip his Son succeeded him This year also deceased Duduc Bishop of Somersetshire i. e. Wells and Gisa was his Successor The same year also deceased Bishop Godwin at St. Martins vii Id. Martii Also Wulfrick Abbot of St. Augustine's in Canterbury deceased in the Easter Week xiv Kal. Maii. Which News being brought to the King he appointed Aethelsige a Monk of the old Church at Winchester to be Abbot who was consecrated by Archbishop Stigand at Windlesore i. e. Windsor at the Feast of St. Augustine And this year according to Simeon of Durham Aldred Archbishop of York went with Earl Tostige to Rome and there received his Pall from Pope Nicholaus But in the mean time Malcolm King of Scots entred Northumberland and depopulated the Earldom of Tostige formerly his sworn Brother This year according to the Latin Copy of our Annals the City of Man was taken by William Duke of Normandy Also about this time Earl Harold afterwards King of England founded the Abby of the Holy Cross at Waltham in Essex so called from a certain Crucifix said to be found by a Vision to a Carpenter at a place called Montacute which Crucifix being brought to Waltham and many Miraculous Stories told there of it one Tovi the Stallere or Chief Standard-Bearer to King Cnute built here a Church for two Priests to keep it which place coming into the hands of Earl Harold he built this Church anew together with a Noble Monastery for a Dean and Twelve Secular Chanons which in the time of Henry the Second were turned to Chanons Regular This Abby being richly endow'd the Foundation was confirmed by King Edward as may be seen by his Charter bearing date Anno 1062. All which appears from an Ancient Manuscript History of the Foundation of this Abby now in the Cottonian Library This year according to our Annals Earl Harold and Earl Tostige his Brother marched with a great Army both by Land and Sea into Brytland i. e. Wales and subdued that Countrey
the Abbot of Rievalle in his Life of King Edward informs us had been begun some years before in performance of a Vow the King had formerly made to go to Rome but being dissuaded from it by the Chief Men of his Kingdom he sent thither Aldred Archbishop of York and Herman Bishop of Winchester to obtain Pope Leo's Dispensation from that Journey who by the said Bishops returned it him upon these terms That he should bestow the Money he would have spent in that Voyage in building a Stately Church and Monastery in Honour of St. Peter Whereupon the King chose out a place near his own Palace where had anciently stood a Church and Monastery built by Sebert King of the West-Saxons and Mellitus Bishop of London but it being destroyed by the Danes had ever since lain in Ruins But an Ancient Epitome of English Chronicles written by a Monk of Westminster and now in the Cottonian Library relates That Archbishop Dunstan had here before erected a small Monastery for Twelve Monks which was vastly augmented by King Edward Though whether this were so or no is as uncertain as it is incredible what these Monkish Writers tell us of its being anciently consecrated by St. Peter himself which not being mentioned by Bede looks like a Fable invented only to gain a greater Veneration for that Place Here also in the Author above-mentioned follows the King's Letter to Pope Nicholaus That he would please not only to confirm what his Predecessor had done but also grant him new Privileges for the said Monastery and then comes the Pope's Bull or Privilege for that purpose in which is recited this Legend of that Church's having been anciently consecrated by St. Peter But though Simeon of Durham places the Consecration of this Church on the day above-mentioned yet he refers it to the end of the year 1065 and perhaps with more Exactness since the English-Saxon year began then not at Lady-day as it does now but New-years-tide And after this Author farther adds That upon Christmass-day preceding the King held his Curia or Great Council at Westminster where were present King Edward and his Queen Edgitha and Stigand the Archbishop of Canterbury and Aldred Archbishop of York with the other Bishops and Abbots of England together with the King's Chaplains Earls Thanes and Knights Which Council as Sir H. Spelman informs us was summoned to confirm the King's Charter of Endowment of the said Monastery but though it be there imperfect yet you may find it at large in Monast. Anglican wherein after the Recital of the Bull of Pope Leo follows this Clause viz. That the King for the Expiation of his own Vow and also for the Souls of the Kings his Predecessors as well as Successors had granted to that place viz. Westminster all manner of Liberty as far as Earthly Power could reach and that for the Love of God by whose Mercy he was placed in the Royal Throne and now by the Counsel and Decree of the Archbishops Bishops Earls and other of his Great Men and for the Benefit and Advantage of the said Church and all those that should belong to it he had granted these Privileges following not only in present but for future times Then follows an Exemption from all Episcopal Jurisdiction as also another Clause whereby he grants it the Privilege of Sanctuary so that any one of whatsoever condition he be for whatsoever cause that shall fly unto that Holy Place or the Precincts thereof shall be free and obtain full Liberty And at last concludes thus I have commanded this Charter to be written and seal'd and have also signed it with my hand with the Sign of the Cross and have ordered fit Witnesses to subscribe it for its greater Corroboration Then immediately follows the King's Subscription in these words Ego Edwardus Deo largiente Anglorum Rex signum venerandae Crucis impressi Then follows the Subscription of Queen Editha with those of the two Archbishops seven of the Bishops and as many Abbots and so comes on the Subscriptions of the Laity viz. of Raynbald the Chancellor and of the Earls Harold and Edwin who write themselves Duces and six Thanes besides other of inferior Order This Charter bears date on St. Innocents day Anno Dom. 1066. which how it could be so dated four days before New-years-day when the year then began I do not understand Here also follows a Third Charter which is much the same with the former only it contains the King's Letter to Pope Nicholaus and his Bull reciting the Privileges granted to the said Church all which are there at large inserted Then follows the Subscriptions of the King Queen Archbishops Bishops Earls c. almost in the same order as the former only Osbald and another of the King's Chaplains do here subscribe before any of the Lay-Nobility and besides the Thanes there are several who subscribed with the Title of Milites added to their Names I have been the larger upon this Foundation not only because it was the Greatest and Noblest of any in England but also for that it still continues though under another Title to be a Collegiate Church for a Dean and Eight Prebends with an excellent School belonging to it which hath hitherto furnished both the Church and State with as great a number of Learned and Considerable Persons as any in the whole Nation But to return again to our History as it is related by the aforesaid Abbot of Rievâ—lle King Edward having at this Great Assembly of the Estates of his Kingdom appeared solemnly with his Crown on his Head according to custom was a day or two before Christmass in the night-time taken with a Feaver which very much damped the Jollity of that Festival yet he concealed it as much as he could for two or three days still sitting down at Meals with his Bishops and Noblemen till the third day perceiving the time of his Dissolution drew near he commanded all things to be got ready for the Consecration of his New Church which he resolved should be solemnized the next day being the Feast of the Holy Innocents whereat all the Bishops and Great Men of the Kingdom assisted and the King as far as his Health would permit but presently after the King growing worse and worse he was forced to take his Bed the Queen Bishops and the Nobility standing weeping about him and whilst he lay speechless and almost without life for two days and the third awakening as if it were from a Trance both William of Malmesbury and the Abbot above-mentioned relate That after a devout Prayer he told them That in a Vision he had lately seen two holy Monks whom he had in his youth known in Normandy to be men of meek and pious Conversation and whom he therefore had very much loved and now appeared to him as sent from God to tell him what should happen to England after his decease shewing him That the Iniquity of
Friends nor Interest sufficient to oppose so great a Party as Harold had amongst the Lay-Nobility and especially among the Bishops who were all to a man for him And that which made more against Prince Edgar was That he wanted the Nomination of King Edward to recommend him to the Election of the Wittena Gemot or Great Council of the Kingdom which either Duke William or Harold certainly had and perhaps both of them though at different times according as they had the opportunity of making their Interest with that Easy King who certainly was very much to blame not to have better ascertained that great Point of the Succession to the Crown in his own life-time for had he declared either Duke William or Edgar his Heir and procured the Estates of the Kingdom to confirm it in his life-time he might have prevented that Calamity which afterwards fell upon the English Nation from Duke William when he came to be King But to return to our History Harold being thus advanced to the Throne took that course which all Wise Princes who can claim no Right by Blood but only by Election of the People have always taken and that was The abolishing of all unjust Laws and the making good ones in their stead the seizing upon and punishing all Thieves Robbers and Disturbers of the Publick Peace and indeed wholly made it his business to defend the Kingdom from Foreign Invaders both by Sea and Land and that he might become truly popular he was a great Patron of the Churches and Monasteries yielding much Reverence to the Bishops and Abbots shewing himself humble and affable to all that were virtuous and good as he was severe to all others of a contrary Character On the 24 th day of April after his Coronation as Simeon of Durham tells us appeared a Dreadful Comet which was visible in all these parts of the world not long after which followed the Invasion of Tostige who having been banish'd chiefly by his Brother's procurement and now no longer able to digest the Preferment of his Younger Brother to the Royal Dignity in exclusion to him was moved with so much Envy and Indignation as to endeavour all ways possible to dethrone him for which purpose he sailed to Duke William and thence out of Flanders with some Ships to the Isle of Wight where after he had forced Money from the Inhabitants he departed and played the Pyrate upon the Coasts till he came to Sandwich King Harold being then at London upon notice thereof got in readiness both a strong Fleet and a good Party of Horse with which he resolved in Person to go to Sandwich and fight him But Tostige having intelligence of it took along with him all the Seamen he could find and went to the Coast of Lindisse where he burnt several Villages and killed a world of men But Edwin Earl of Mercia and his Brother Morcar Earl of Northumberland hastening to those parts with an Army soon forced him to quit that Countrey And as Florence relates not being able to return into Normandy by reason of contrary Winds he sail'd into Norway and there join'd his Fleet with that which King Harold Harfager was now preparing for the Invasion of England In the mean time King Harold lay at Sandwich expecting his Fleet which when it was got together he sail'd to the Isle of Wight and because William Duke of Normandy was now expected to invade England with an Army he waited his coming over all that Summer and the Autumn following lining all the Sea-Coasts with Land-Forces in order the better to receive him This seems indeed more probable than what William of Malmesbury relates That King Harold did not believe Duke William would undertake so hazardous an Expedition being at that time engaged in Wars with his Neighbouring Princes and had now wholly given himself up to his Ease and Pleasure so that had it not been for his hearing that the King of Norway likewise threaten'd an Invasion he would never have raised any Army at all which seems a very improbable story since he was as you have already heard from Simeon of Durham forced to get out his Fleet and raise an Army to prevent the Incursions of his Brother Tostige But it is fit we now give you some account of the Reasons of these great Preparations made by Duke William to invade England for Ingulph and the Author last mentioned both assure us That so soon as he had heard of King Harold's taking upon him the Crown of England contrary to the Oath he had given him and that he was actually crowned he sent over Ambassadors to put him in mind of the breach of his word threatning to force him to perform it if he would not do it by fair means and that before the year came about Harold's Answer to these Ambassadors as William of Malmesbury relates it was very plausible being to this effect That what he had promised concerning marrying the Duke's Daughter she being dead it could not now be performed but that if he had promised him any thing concerning the Kingdom it was very rashly done of him to have given away that which was not his own without the General Consent and Decree of the Great Council of that Kingdom therefore that a rash Oath was to be broken for if the Oath or Vow of a Virgin made without the consent of her Parents was by the Law of God declared void how much more ought that Oath to be accounted so which he being then under the Authority of his King but compell'd necessity had made concerning the Kingdom who was at that time wholly ignorant of what had been transacted And that the Duke was very unjust in requiring him to resign that Crown which he had so lately received by the General Favour and Consent of the People Bromton's Chronicle further adds That Duke William sent another Message to King Harold whereby he acquainted him That although he had not observed his Faith in other things yet if he would marry his Daughter he would pass by all the rest or otherwise would vindicate his Succession by force of Arms. All which is very improbable since most Historians relate the young Lady to be then dead and it is very unlikely that a Man of King William's Ambition would quit his Pretentions to the Kingdom for so slight a satisfaction as the Marriage of his Daughter But this Author does with more probability reduce the Duke's Quarrel against Harold to these Three Heads First To revenge the death of Prince Alfred his Cousin who had been long since murthered by Earl Godwin the Father of Harold Secondly To restore Archbishop Robert Earl Odo and the rest of the Normans who had been unjustly banished in the late King's life-time Thirdly Because Harold had contrary to his Oath possessed himself of the Kingdom which as well by the Right of Consanguinity as by that of a Double Promise ought to be his But the Ambassadors of
Wigheard Wight Wightred Wigmore Wilbrode Wilfreda St. Wilfrid Wilfrid 2. William Wills Last Vid. Testament Wilton Wiltshire Wina Vid. Wini Winandermere Winchelcomb Winchester Winchester-Measure Winfrid Winâ— Wipâ—â— or Wippa Wir Wiregild Wiremouth Witchcraft Wite Witena-Gemote Witerne St. Withburg Wiâ—hgar Withlaff Withred Wittereden Woden Wodensbeorge Wolves Woodstock in Mercia Worcester Wounds and Maims Wulfheard Wulfhelme Wulfher 2. Wulfnoth Wulfric Vid. Spoâ— Wulstan 3. Y YArrow Year Year and Day York Yric Yrling Ywrch Edwal Z ZEal Directions to the BINDER PLace the Table beginning Least the Names c. between P. 150 and 151. Place Table 2. between P. 244 and 245. Place Table 3. at the End of the Sixth Book Place the Two Pedegrees of Kings immediately after it and just before this Index Viz. That first beginning with Geat AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF THE Principal Matters contained in this History A ABbey Vid. Monastery Abbey-Lands the form of leasing them out which required the Solemnity of the Common-Council of the Kingdom to confirm it Lib. 5. Pag. 261 262. Abbot The Bishop of Norwich notwithstanding the Dissolution of Monasteries retains still the Title of an Abbot l. 6. p. 54. An Abbot of Evesham was chosen in a Great Council held at London Id. p. 73. Seldom chosen out of Monks of the same Abbey Id. p. 74. Aberfraw now a small Village in the Isle of Anglesey but anciently the chief Seat of the Princes of Gwyneth or North-Wales l. 5. p. 279. Tribute due from the King hereof to the King of London l. 6. p. 3. Destroyed by the Irishmen who landed in Anglesey Id. p. 6. Abingdon the Abbey when and by whom founded at first called Sheovesham l. 4. p. 196. Or Secvesham Id. p. 224. Burnt by the Danes rebuilt by Ordgar and had great Endowments Ibid. Anciently a Royal Seat of the Kings of Mercia l. 4. p. 224. Abjuring the Realm the Antiquity of this Law for such great Offences to which the King's Pardon did not in Edward the Confessor's time absolutely extend l. 6. p. 103. Acca succeeds Wilfrid in the Bishoprick of Hagulstade l. 4. p. 215. Is driven out as supposed by the King of Northumberland Id. p. 221. His Death Had in great Reverence both before and after it for his Sanctity c. l. 4. p. 223 224. Achaius King of Scots having aided Hungus King of the Picts with Ten thousand men against one Athelstan he routed the English and killed Athelstan but this is look'd upon as a mere idle Monkish Fancy l. 5. p. 250. Adda King of Bernicia the Eldest Son of Ida l. 3. p. 143. His Death Id. p. 144. Vid. p. 147 148. Adelphius Bishop of the City of Colchester is sent to the Council of Arles in Gallia and for what l. 2. p. 88. Adian or Aedan or Aegthan coming against Ethelfrid is routed l. 4. p. 159. Admurum that is Wall-Town near the Picts Wall l. 4. p. 184. Adrian the Abbot of Canterbury l. 4. p. 165 194. The Pope when he departed this life l. 4. p. 238. Vid. Hadrian Adulf or Eadulf Abbot of Medeshamstead enriched that Monastery with divers Lands that he added to it l. 6. p. 5. Succeeds Oswald in the Archbishoprick of York Ibid. His Decease l. 6. p. 29. Adultery King Withred's Law against it under a Punishment and what a Military what a Countrey-man was to pay that was guilty of it l. 4. p. 211. Alfred's Law increased the Fine according to the Estate or Quality of him against whom the Offence was committed l. 5. p. 293. Vid. Fornification Aeadsige after the death of Ethelnoth made Archbishop of Canterbury l. 6. p. 65. Went to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 66. Crowned Edward the Confessor and made the first Sermon that is to be found at any King's Coronation Id. p. 70. Resigned his Archbishoprick by reason of his great Infirmities Id. p. 72. Resumes it p. 74. His Death p. 75. Aealmond Father of King Egbert when he began to reign in Kent The Annals mistaken as to his ever being King thereof l. 4. p. 233. Aealhstan Bishop of London his decease l. 5. p. 303. Vid. Alstan Aedan Vradog i. e. the Treacherous a Prince of the North parts of Britain l. 3. p. 146. Aedan ap Blegored or Bledhemeyd an absolute Stranger to the British Blood-Royal got the Principality of North-Wales and held it about twelve years but whether it was by Election or Force uncertain l. 6. p. 30 31. Is killed with his four Sons in a bloody Fight by Lhewelyn ap â—itsylt Id. p. 40. Aedric made Ealdorman over all the Kingdom of Mercia Married the King's Daughter His Treachery l. 6. p. 32. By that he kept the King's Army from falling 〈…〉 Dâ—nâ—s when it had hâ—mmed theâ— in and were just ready to give them Battel Id. p. 34. Siâ—named Streon Id. p. 36. Treacherously in his own Chamber caused to be stai◠〈◊〉 Danes of great Riches and Power in the Northern parts and why Id. p. 40. His going over to King Cnute with forty of the Royal Navy and submitting to him l. 6. p. 41 45. The many other perfidious Tricks he plays Id. p. 45 46 47. Traiterously murthers his Natural King and Lord Edmund Ironside and salâ—ting Cnute first sole King of all England he met with a just reward if true Id. p. 48 49. His death occasioned by his upbraiding King Cnute with his Services telling him how that for his sake he had bâ—trayed one King and made away another Id. p. 50. Aegelbyerâ—h or Agebert after Byrinâ—s took upon him the Bishoprick of the West-Saxons l. 4. p. â—82 192. Vid. Agelbert Aegelric a Monk of Christ-Church consecrated Bishop of Chichester l. 6. p. 88. Aelfeage Vid. Elfeage Aelfer Vid. Elfer Aelfgar Vid. Elfgar Aelfleda Wife to King Edmund the Elder the Daughter of Earl Aethelune her numerous Children and how educated and bestowed l. 5. p. 324 327. Aelfred Vid. Alfred Aelfric upon the death of his Father Aelfer was Ealdorman of Mercia and two years after banished the Land l. 6. p. 21. Vid. Ealfric Aelfric Bishop of Winchester elected Archbishop of Canterbury by King Ethelred and all his Wise Men l. 6. p. 25. Went to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 26. Deceased and who succeeded him Id. p. 31. Aelfric succeeds Wulstan in the Archbishoprick and by whom consecrated l. 6. p. 53. His accusing Bishop Living and Earl Godwin of persuading Harold to use Prince Alfred so cruelly as he did Id p. 67. His decease Id. p. 79. Aelfweard Son of King Edward the Elder died at Oxnaford not long after his Father who his Mother and what his Character l. 5. p. 324 327. Aelfwinna Vid. Elfwinna Aelfwold drove Eardulf out of the Kingdom of the Northumbers and reigned two years in his stead l. 5. p. 249. His Death But his Successor somewhat doubtful Ibid. Aelgiva Queen brought to bed of Prince Edgar and died the year after l. 5. p. 344. Aelgiva married to King Ethelred l. 6. p. 29. 〈◊〉
forced to retire beyond 〈…〉 her Brother of Normandy for safety Id. p. 38. Aelgiva a Hampshire Lady Daughter of Aelfhelm the Ealdorman one of Cnute's Wives bore him Harold whom before his death his Father appointed to be King of England after him l. 6. â— 56. But the Story seems a littlâ— improbable for it is said she was barren and therefore â—â—etenâ—ing a Big-Belly imposed on the credulous King a Supposititious Birth viz. the Son of a Shoemaker then newly born Id. p. 61. In the English-Saxon is the same with Emma in the Norman-French Dialect the Widow of King Cnute who was banished England by King Harold Id. p. 64. Aella with his three Sons slew a great many of the Britains and possessed themselves of all the Sea-Coast of Sussex l. 3. p. 132. He and Ciffa receiving fresh Supplies besieged Anâ—redesceaster and â—ook it by force and put all the Britains to the Sword Ibid. His Death Id. p. 136. Is said to be the first that ruled all over Britain l. 5. p. 254. Aella King of Deira l. 3. p. 147. A general Name given to the Kings of Deira l. 4. p. 152. His Death l. 3. p. 148. Aella a Tyrant and Usurper made King of that Countrey by the Northumbers who had expelled Osbryht newly before who was their lawful King l. 5. p. 267. Aelmer an Archdeacon betrays Canterbury to the Danes l. 6. p. 35 36. Aemilianus Emperor of Rome but three Months l. 2. p. 81. Aeneon Vid. Eneon Aescasdune now called Aston near Wallingford l. 4. p. 182 188. l. 5. p. 275. Aescwin reigns over the West-Saxons is supposed to be the next of the Royal Line l. 4. p. 194. Son of Cenwulf the Battel he fought and with whom His Death Id. 195 198. Aescwin Bishop of the East-Saxons his Death and who succeeded him l. 4. p. 196. Aesk also called Oisk and Osric Hengest's Son began his Reign when and how long he continued it l. 3. p. 132. His Death Id. p. 136. Aestel the signification of it uncertain l. 5. p. 304. Aethelbald King of the Mercians held it forty years l. 4. p. 217. His Pedigree Ibid. Took Somerton and was that great and powerful King as not to be ashamed of committing Uncleanness even with Consecrated Nuns Id. p. 221 222. Made all the rest of the Provinces of England and their Kings subject to him as far as the Humber l. 4. p. 222. Wasted the Countrey of Northumberland and carried away with him great Spoil Id. p. 223. His War with Cuthred King of the West-Saxons and the various success of it Id. p. 224 226. Slain at Seccandune in Warwickshire and buried in Ripendune Abbey which he himself had founded Id. p. 227. Aethelbald Son of Ethelwulf King of the West-Saxons and his Father made a greater slaughter of the Danes than ever was done before l. 5. p. 261. Forms a most wicked Conspiracy in the West of England against his Father upon the account of his new Wife and so gets the Kingdom divided betwixt his Father and him which before was united l. 5. p. 263 264. Vid. Ethelbald Aethelbryght Vid. Ethelbert Aethelburga returns by Sea into Kent with Paulinus the Archbishop and is received with great Honour by King Eadbald and Archbishop Honorius l. 4. p. 176. Destroys the Castle of Taunton-Dean in Somersetshire and for what reason Id. p. 218. Aethelfleda King Alfred's Eldest Daughter married to Eadred or Ethelred King of the Mercians l. 5. p. 311. Vid. Ethelfleda Aethelgiva Vid. Algiva Aethelheard the Bishop dies at York l. 4. p. 232. Vid. Ethelheard Aethelred Vid. Ethelred Aethelswithe Queen Sister to King Alfred and Widow of Burhred King of Mercia dies in her Journey to Rome l. 5. p. 298. Aethelwald Edward the Elder 's Cousin-German rebels against him and going over to the Danish Army they joyfully received him for their King He takes a Nun out of the Monastery of Winburn and marries her but going over to France to raise new Recruits King Edward seizes her and brings her back again l. 5. p. 312. Returns from France and with a mighty Army coming into Kent gets much Plunder there and then ravages over other Countries but at last is killed in fight Id. p. 313. Aethelwald Abbot received the Bishoprick of Winchester and is consecrated His many good Works and what Monasteries he repaired and built l. 6. p. 4 21. Was Father of the Monks His Decease Id. p. 21. Aethelwulf Vid. Ethelwulf Aetius somewhat recovered the Credit of the Roman Empire in Gaul l. 2. p. 106. Received doleful Latters from the Britains imploring Assistance l. 3. p. 115. Expecting a War with Attila King of the Huns Ibid. Agatha the Queen of Hungary's Sister is married to Prince Edward Son to Edmund Ironside l. 6. p. 49. Agatho the Pope his Bull to the Abbey of Medeshamstead supposed to be forgâ—d long after by the Monks of Peterburgh l. 4. p. 200. Agelbert Bishop of Kent but turned out and wherefore l. 4. p. 181 182. Left King Cenwalch and took the Bishoprick of Paris l. 4. p. 182 188. Vid. Aegelbyerth Agricola sent into Britain in Vespasian the Emperor's time as his Lieutenant Almost cut 's off the whole Nation of the Ordovices Going with his men to subdue Mona the Island sues for Peace and delivers â—t self up to him Increases his Fame by his Successes and Moderation l. 2. p. 55. His wise Conduct both in his own Family and in Britain Id. p. 56. Brought here in fashion the Roman Language Garb and Gown No Castle of his ever taken by force Rewarded with Triumphal Ornaments His farther Conquests Places Garisons in that part of Britain that lay over-against Ireland Id. p. 57. Carries on the War both by Sea and Land and overcomes the Caledonians Id. p. 58 59. Which is confessed to be more owing to his own Conduct than the Courage of the Roman Soldiers Id. p. 59. His Speech to his Soldiers and after what manner he ordered the Battel against Galgacus Id. p. 61. Overthrows and puts the Britains to flight His Ruin secretly designed by his Prince Id. p. 62 63. How at his Return he is received at Rome Accused to Domitian but acquitted Oftâ—n near his Ruin as well by his own Virtues as by the Vices of others The Proconsulship of Africa seemingly offered to him void by the Death of Civica Id. p. 64. His Death whether by Poyson or otherwise uncertain He carried the Roman Eagles to the utmost Bounds of Britain Id. p. 65. He was the Son of Severian a Pelagian Bishop Id. p. 107. Agrippina presiding over the Roman Ensigns l. 2. p. 44. Aidan a Scotch Bishop desires Edwin to remember his Vision and Promise and become a Christian l. 4. p. 173. Is sent to Oswald to ground his Subjects in the Christian Faith from the Monâ—stery of the Isle of Hye Id. 177 178. His Character being an excellent Pattern for succeeding Bishops and Clâ—rgymen to follow Id. p. 178. His Death Id. p. 182 183.
Ailesbury in Buckinghamshire anciently called Eglesbyrig l. 5. p. 321. Ailmer Earl of Cornwal Founder of the Abbey of Cerne in Dorsetshirâ— l. 6. p. 22. Ailnoth Vid. Ethelnoth Ailwin the Ealdorman Founder of the Abbey of Ramsey l. 6. p. 6 7. Akmanceaster an Ancient City called Bathan by the Inhabitants l. 6. p. 7. Alan King of Armorica receives Cadwallader l. 4. p. 190. Alan Earl of Britain so great an Assistant to William Duke of Normandy that after his Conquest he made him Earl of Richmond and had great part of the Countrey thereabouts given him l. 6. p. 109. Alaric King of the Goths takes Rome l. 2 p. 104. St. Alban an Account of his Martyrdom l. 2. p. 85 86. The Miracles thereat Ibid. p. 107 108. Is privately buried that Age being ignorant of the virtue of keeping Saints Relicks Id. p. 86. Offa is warned by an Angel to remove his Relicks to a more Noble Shrine He builds a new Church and Monastery in honour of him who was after canonized l. 4. p. 237. As he was the first Martyr of England so the Abbot thereof ought to be the first in Dignity of all the Abbots in England Ib. p. 238. Pope Honorius ratified the Privileges formerly granted and gave to this Abbot and his Successors Episcopal Rights together with the Habit c. Jd. Ib. St. Albans anciently called Verulam where a Great Council was held by King Offa Id. p. 239. Albania now Scotland Northwest of the Mountains of Braid-Albain and its extent l. 2. p. 83 98. Albert ordained Archbishop of York l. 4. p. 229. Receives his Pall for the Archbishoprick from Pope Adrian Id. p. 230. Albinus Chlodius made Lieutenant of Britain by Commodus the Emperor who would have created him Caesar and permitted him in his presence to wear the Purple Robe but he refused them then yet afterwards assumed the Titles and Honour and died in asserting his Right to the Imperial Purple l. 2. p. 71 73. Is dismissed from the Government of Britain but retained it under both Pertinax and Didius Julianus Takes upon him the Title of Caesar under Severus had Statues erected and Money coin'd with his Image Forced the Messengers sent by the Emperor to dispatch him by Torture to confess the Design Id. p. 72. But is obliged at last to run himself through with his own Sword Id. p. 73. Alburge Sister to King Egbert Foundress of a Benedictine Nunnery at Wilton l. 5. p. 248. Alcluid now called Dunbritton in Scotland l. 2. p. 101. Is destroyed by the Danes l. 5. p. 277. Alchmuid Son to Ethelred King of Northumberland being taken by the Guards of King Eardulf is slain by his Command l. 4. p. 243. Alchmund Bishop of Hagulstade his Decease l. 4. p. 232. Alcuin or Albinus writes an Epistle wherein he proves Image-Worship utterly unlawful l. 4. p. 237. At his Intercession the Northumbrian Kingdom is spared from Ruin Id. p. 240. Goes into France and is much in favour with Charles the Great whom he taught the Liberal Arts and by his means the University of Paris is erected His Death and Character Id. p. 244. Aldhelm made Bishop of Shireburn and by whom l. 4. p. 213. A Catalogue of his Works given us by Bede Id. p. 213 214. His Death and Character Id. p. 214. Aldred Bishop of Worcester by his Intercession makes Sweyn's Peace with Edward the Confessor and goes with Bishop Hereman to the great Synod assembled at Rome l. 6. p. 75. Is sent Ambassador to the Emperor with Noble Presents to prevail with him to send Ambassadors into Hungary to bring back Prince Edward the King's Cousin Son of King Edmund Ironside into England Id. p. 86. His rebuilding the Church of St. Peter in Gloucester and going on Pilgrimage through Hungary to Jerusalem Id. p. 88. Is made Archbishop of York and goes with Earl Tostige to Rome where he receives his Pall Ibid. Crowns Harold King of England Id. p. 105. Aldune Bishop of Lindisfarne removes the Body of St. Cuthbert from Chester after a hundred years lying there to Durham and there builds a small Church dedicating it to him l. 6. p. 26. Alehouses how anciently these have been here with the Consequences thereof viz. quarrelling and breaking of the Peace l. 6. p. 43. Alemond Father to Edmund the King and Martyr whom he had by his Wife Cywara in old Saxony l. 5. p. 265. Alfleda Daughter to Ceolwulf King of the Mercians is married to Wimond Son of Withlaff an Ealdorman there who is afterwards made King by the Consent of the People l. 5. p. 253. Alfred King of Northumberland would not alter the Judgment against Bishop Wilfrid for any Letter from the Pope l. 4. p. 207. Deceases at Driffield and on his Death-bed repents of what he had done towards the Bishop Id. p. 212 213. Alfred King of the West-Saxons was the fifth Son of King Aethelwulf Id. p. 258. When born of Osberge his Mother at Wantige in Berkshire l. 5. p. 261. Is anointed King by the Pope as a Prophetical Presage of his future Royal Dignity Id. p. 262 265. Married to Alswitha the Daughter of Aethelred the Ealdorman of the Gaini l. 5. p. 269. He with his Brother Ethelred made a great slaughter of the Danes Id. p. 275. By the general Consent of the whole Kingdom is advanced to the Throne Id. p. 276. Fights with the Danes and the various success of his Fortune Ibid. Fights at Sea against seven of their Ships and takes one the rest escaping Id. p. 277. Is forced to make Peace with them and what Hostages they give him to depart the Kingdom but upon breach of Oath he puts them all to death The Danes make another Peace with him but did not long observed it Id. p. 278. Leads an uneasy Life upon their account beiâ—g forced to hide and lurk among the Woody parts of Somersetshire Id. p. 280. His excessive Charity to a poor man in the midst of his own Extremity Id. p. 280 281. Goes into the Danish Army in the habit of a Countrey Fidler discovers their weakness and by that means obtain a signal Victory over them Id. p. 282. Delivers the Kingdom of the East-Angles up to Guthrune and the League made between them setting out the Extent of each other's Territories Id. p. 283 284. The Subjection or Dependance the Danes shew'd to this King by their consenting to the Laws made in a Common-Council of the Kingdom Id. p. 285. Fights against four Danish Pyrate-ships takes two the other two surrender Id. p. 285 286. Pope Martinus sends some of the Wood of our Lord's Cross to him and in return he sends to Rome the Alms he had vowed Id. p. 286. Setting upon the Danish Pyrates with his Fleet takes them all with great Spoils and kills most of their men but returning home and meeting with another Fleet of them they prove too hard for him Id. p. 286 287. Takes the City of London from the Danes who had kept it
224 226. In the Twelfth Year of his Reign fighâ—s against Ethelune the Ealdorman and prevails Id. p. 225. He and Ethelune reconciled and both fight against Ethelbald who fled His Decease and Sigebert his Cousin succeeds to him Id. p. 226. Cuthred King of Kent made King â—hereof by Kenwulf instead of Ethelbert called Praen His Death l. 5. p. 248 251. Cuthwulf or Cutha Brother to Ceawlin fights against the Britains at Bedicanford and takes Four Towns l. 3. p. 145. They both fight against the Britains at a place called Frethanleag where Cutha is slain Id. p. 147. l. 4. p. 159. Cwichelme Brother to Ceawlin his Death l. 3. p. 149. Cwichelme and Cynegils fight with the Britains at Beamdune and there slay Two thousand and forty six men l. 4. p. 166. His Character and how related to Cynegils Id. p. 167. Matthew Westminster's mistake concerning his Death Id. p. 172. Fights with Penda King of Mercia at Cirencester and at last a League is made betwâ—en them Id. p. 174. Is converted and baptized into the Christian Faith and soon after dies Id. p. 179. Cycle of Eighty four years an account of it the uâ—e of which the Romans having left off took up another of nineteen years l 4. p. 160. Cynebald the Bishop resigns his See at Lindisfarne l. 4. p. 232. Cynebryht Bishop of the West-Saxons goes to Rome to take the Habit of a Monk l. 4. p. 242. Cynegils when he began to reign over the West-Saxons and whose Son he was l. 4. p. 166. Vid. Cwichelme His Character Id. p. 167. Fights with Penda at Cirencester and the Success thereof Id. p. 174. The West-Saxons receive the Christian Faith in his Reign and himself too Id. p. 179. Cyneheard succeeds Hunferth in the Bishoprick of Winchester l. 4. p. 226. Cyneheard Aetheling Brother to Sigebert kills Cynwulf l. 4. p. 226 232. Is slain by the Thanes of King Cynewulf and lies buried at Axminster Id. p. 233. Cynoth King of the Picts to whom Alhred King of the Northumbers fled after he was deposed l. 4. p. 230. Cynric fights against the Britains at Searebyrig i. e. Old Sarum and puts them to flight l. 3. p. 142. And at Banbury anciently called Berinbyrig Id. p. 24â— His Death and Ceawlin his Son reigns after him Ibid. Cynric Aetheling a Prince of the Blood-Royal of the West-Saxons is slain Son of Cuthred a great Warrior for his time and how he fell l. 4. p. 225. Cynwulf with the Great Council deposes Sigebert King of the West-Saxons and by thâ—m is unanimously elected King in his room He often overcomes the Britains in fight but at last is slain l. 4. p. 226 227. And Offa King of the Mercians fight at Bensington in Oxfordshire Id. p. 230. Is slain by Cyneheard but he fâ—ll likewise with him Id. p. 232. Buried at Wintencester he was descended from Cerdic Id. p. 233. Vid. Kenwulf D DAgobert King of the French his Death l. 4. p. 217. Dalliance with other men's Wiveâ— the Fine imposed for it by Alfred's Law l. 5. p. 293. Danegelt viz. Seventy two thousand Pounds paid as a Tribute throughout England besides Eleven thousand Pounds more which the Citizens of London paid l. 6. p. 51. Vid. Tribute and Tax It was now by constant Usage become a Prerogative Id. p. 66. This cruel Burthen taken off the Nation by Edward the Confessor and how it came to pass Id. p. 78. What it was and upon what occasion it was first imposed The Church always excused from this Payment till Will Rufus's time Id. p. 100. Danes upon their first arrival in England were forced to fly to their Ships again These and the Normans then looked upon to be but one and the same People l. 4. p. 235. Miserably destroying the Churches of God in Lindisfarne and committing great Ravages Id. p. 238. Destroy Northumberland and rob the Monastery built there by Egbert Id. p. 240. Their Invasion and Conquest of several Principalities till expelled by King Alfred and his Son Edward the Elder when these Kingdoms became united under the general name of England An account of their Invasion both as to its Causes and Instruments by which effected being the fiercest and most cruel that this Island ever felt Id. p. 246. Their Nation in the Saxon Annals called sometimes Northmanna and sometimes Deanscan l. 5. p. 256. They keep the Fiâ—ld at the Battel of Carrum now Charmouth in Dorsetshire from Egbert Id. p. 256. Consultation in a General Council of the whole Kingdom how to prevent their Invasion A great Fleet of them land among the Western-Welsh that is Cornish-Men and fight Egbert Id. p. 257. Danish Pyrates beaten at Southampton by Wulfheard the Ealdorman they fight again and their various Successes Id. p. 258 259. Fight with the Somersetshire and Dorsetshire Men but are miserably worsted Id p. 260. Their several Battels and Successes Id. p. 261 262. They take Winchester from King Ethelbert Id. p. 266. Make a League with the Kentish-men but for all that they waste all the East part of it as knowing they could get more by Plunder than peace A great Army of them land here and take up their Winter-quarters among the East-Angles who are forced to make Peace with them then they march to York Kill the Two Kings there and put to flight the whole Army as well within as without the Town Id. p. 267. Make one Egbert King over the Northumbers though under the Danish Dominion Id. p. 268. Force the Mercians to make Peace with them Id. p. 269. Return to York where they stay Twelve Months and commit horrible Cruelties there and in the Kingdom of the East-Angles which they wholly conquer Id. p. 269 270. Landing in Lincolnshire they spoil all that Country committing Murthers and Desolations without mercy though not without great losses to themselves Id. p. 271 272. The reason of their Invading the Kingdom of the East-Angles Id. p. 272 273. Going into the West-Saxon Kingdom to Reading in Berkshire are routed Id. 274 275. In other places meet with various Successes of good and evil fortune Id. p. 276. Enter into a Peace with the English Saxons to depart the Kingdom which they did not long observe for the next year they land again and take up their Winter-Quarters in London and the Mercians forced to make Pâ—ace with thâ—m They destroy Alcluid in Scotland oblige Burhred King of Mercia to desert his Kingdom and go to Rome and bring the whole Kingdom under their Dominion and Vassalage Id. p. 277. Destroy the whole Countrey of Northumberland and ravag up to Galloway ruin Warham in Dorsetshire a strong Castle of the West-Saxons give Hostages to King Alfred but upon breach of their Oath are all put to death From whence they date their Reign over the King of Northumbers A Hundred and twenty of their Ships cast away in a storm near Swanwick in Hampshire Id. p. 278. Fix their Quarters in West-Saxony and make Aelfred very uneasy Id.
their former Privileges to endure for ever by a perpetual Right Id. p. 317 318. Builds Two Forts on both sides the River Ouse in Buckinghamshire to oppose the Danes who at last almost all submit to him Id. p. 319 320. Has the Town of Bedford surrendred to him where he built a Castle Rebuilds and Fortifies the Town of Maldon and makes the whole Nation of the Mercians submit to him Id. p. 320. Overcomes Leofred the Dane and Griffyth ap Madac Brother-in-Law to the Prince of West-Wales Id. p. 321. The several Towns he ordered to be rebuilt l. 5. p. 321 322 323 324. Is accepted for Lord and Protector by several Countries under the Danish Dominions and adds the Kingdom of the East-Angles to his own Id. p. 322 323. Several other Kings make their Submission to him Id. p. 324. His Decease at Fearndune in the Province of the Mercians Id. p. 324. Aelfleda the Daughter of the Earl Aethelem was his Queen and Wife Id. p. 327. The Laws both Civil and Ecclesiastical made in his Reign Id. p. 325 326. His Children how bred up and bestowed in Marriage c. Id. p. 327. His Character of being Mild and Humble as well as Couragious Id. p. 328. No Martyr as Buchanan in his History fancies him and why Id. p. 332. Edward Aetheling Son of King Edmund sirnamed Ironside Marries Agatha the Queen of Hungary's Sister his Issue by her l. 6. p. 49. Is sought by Ambassy to return into England which he did about Three years after together with his Children and soon after Dies his Body being Buried in St. Paul's Church Id. p. 86 87. Edward Sirnamed the Martyr is Elected in a great Council and presently Anointed King according to his Father Edgar's Appointment l. 6. p. 15. Not present at the Council of Calne in Wiltshire upon the persuasion of Archbishop Dunstan as supposed Id. p. 16 17. Is Killed by whom and by what at Corfesgeate now Corfe-Castle in the Isle of Purbeck and buried at Werham without any Royal Pomp having Reigned Three years and a half Id. p. 17 18. His Character Ibid. His Body taken up and carried and Buried at Shaftsbury with great Solemnity Id. p. 20. Edward the Confessor Son of King Ethelred comes into England from Normandy and returns no more back but tarried till his Brother Hardecnute died l. 6. p. 66 67. His Advancement to the Crown by Election in the Great Council and how it is effected Id. p. 69 70. His undutifulness to his Mother by taking from her all the Gold and Silver she had with other things because of her severity to him formerly shews him not to be altogether so great a Saint as the Monks represent him Id. p. 71 97. Marries Edgitha or Editha the Daughter of Earl Godwin who was not only Beautiful and Pious but Learned above the Women of her Age but he never carnally knew her l. 6. p. 72 73 97. Sends Bishops to the Great Council at St. Remy to know what was there decreed concerning the Christian Faith Id. p. 74. The Difference between the King and Earl Godwin and his Sons and what the ground of it Id. p. 75 77 78 81. Sends away his Wife who had been Crowned Queen committing her to the Custody of his Sister at the Nunnery of Werwel and takes away almost all she had Id. p. 78. Begs his Mother's Pardon for having suffered her to undergo the Ordeal and upon what Account Id. p. 79. Hearing Earl Godwin was come with his Ships for England he orders his Fleet to pursue him whereupon he returns to Bruges but soon after comes again and commits many Insults upon the Sea-coasts Id. p. 80 81. Restores to the Queen his Wife upon his Peace with Earl Godwin whatsoever she had been before possessed of Id. p. 81. In a great Council is Reconciled to Earl Godwin whom he restores to his former Honours and Estate Id. p. 82 83. Commands Rees the Brother of Griffyn King of South-Wales his Head to be cut off and sent him to Gloucester for his Insolencies against the English Id. p. 85. His Forces under Siward the Valiant Earl of Northumberland are said to Conquer Scotland Id. p. 86. Aelfgar's Rebellion against him twice and yet he was forced to Pardon him Ibid. p. 87.88 Confirms by his Charter the Foundation of the Abbey of the Holy-Cross at Waltham in Essex Id. p. 89. Wales Subdued and becomes subject to him the Inhabitants giving Hostages Ibid. After which he makes Two Brothers Joint-Princes of North-Wales l. 6. p. 90. Confirms and renews the Laws of King Cnute at the Request of the Northumbers Ibid. Builds Westminster Church and Abbey its Consecration Calls his Curia or Great Council to confirm his Charter of Endowment of this Monastery His Sickness and Speech to those about him concerning the Vision he had seen of Two Holy Monks that told him of the Misery which would befall this Nation after his Death Id. p. 93 94 95. The Application of it with what befell the Kingdom in succeeding Reigns Id. p. 96. Recommends upon his Death-bed the Queen to her Brother c. and highly extols her Chastity and Obedience Id. p. 96. His last Words Death and Burial in St. Peter's Church at Westminster Ibid. p. 97. The various reports of his Bequeathing the Crown to his Cousin William Duke of Normandy Id. p. 96 97. His Character and the story of the Boy that Robbed his Chest he being then in the Room Id. p. 97 98 104. His Miracles of Curing the Blind and those Sores we now call the King 's Evil and of his being Elected King by his Father's Command in a Great Council whilst he was in his Mother's Belly Id. p. 98. His Laws or those which bear his Name because he renewed the Observance of them shew what Liberty English Subjects enjoyed before the Conquest Id. p. 99 100 101 102 103 104. By the Laws of St. Edward are meant the English-Saxon Laws Id. p. 104. Edwi When he Began his Reign and where and by whom Crowned he turns the Monks out of Glastenbury and out of the greatest Monasteries in England placing Secular Channons therein l. 3. p. 353. The Mercians and Northumbrians Deposing him Elect Edgar his Brother for their King which is confirmed by the Common Council of the Kingdom Edwi having no more left him than that of the West-Saxons for his share Id. p. 354. His Death and Character and Burial at Winchester Id. p. 355. Edwin of the Blood-Royal of Northumberland being the Son of Aella is forced to fly from Ethelfrid as a Banished Man with the cause of his future Conversion l. 4. p. 169. The wonderful Vision he had and the Success of it He succeds Ethelfrid and Banishes his Sons Id. p. 170. Being Converted to the Christian Faith he receives Baptism with all his Noblemen and a great many of the common people Id. p. 171 172 173 174. At last is killed by the Pagans and his whole Army routed Id.
p. 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 râ—ported l. 4. p. 216 217. Egwinna a Lady the Daughter of a Noblâ—man 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.
p. 38 39. But he was not very long mindful of his Promise to his Subjects Id. p. 40. Through his Cowardice or Ill Fortune he was constantly attended with ill success Id. p. 41. He is called THE UNREADY and justly by our English Historians His Decease and Burial at St. Paul's Church in London Id. p. 42. His Character and excellent Laws Id. p. 19 42 43. The Issue he had by his Queen Id. p. 38 42. Ethelwald succeeds his Brother Etheler in the Kingdom of the East-Angles l. 4. p. 186. His Death and who succeeds him Id. p. 190. Ethelwald Earl of the East-Angles by what Trick he got Ethelfreda for his Wife from King Edgar but which cost him his Life l. 6. p. 9 10. Ethelward the Third Synod at Cloveshoe was held undâ—r him and twelve Bishops of his Province and what was therein transacted The next year he dies l. 5. p. 248. Ethelwerd King Alfred's Youngest Child bred up at Oxford his Death and Issue l. 5. p. 311. Was learned above that Age. He was buried at Winchester Id. p. 324. Ethelwin Vid. Edwin and Ethelwin Ethelwold Bishop by King Edgar's Command turns out the Chanons at Winchester and places Benedictines in their rooms l. 4. p. 181. His Decease when Id. p. 223. Ethelwold sirnamed Moll when he began to reign over the Northumbers Slays Duke Oswin in a Fight at Edwinscliffe l. 4. p. 228. Is murthered by the Treachery of Alhred who succeded him Id. p. 229. Ethelwulf the Son succeeds Egbert in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons who gave him good Advice how he might be happy in his Kingdom l. 5. p. 257 258. Comes to the Crown by virtue of his Father's Testament His Education and Tutors during his Elder Brother's life His Character and what Kingdoms he made over to Athelstan his Son Id. p. 258. Fights against Five and thirty Danish Ships at Charmouth Id. p. 251. A Son called Aelfred is born to him by Osberge his Wife Id. p. 261. He and Ethelbald his Son with the Forces of the West-Saxons fight with the Pagan Danes and make a greater slaughter of them than ever before Ibid. Assisting Burhred makes the men of North-Wales subject to him Id. p. 262. His Famous and Solemn Grant of Tythes throughout his Kingdom Id. p. 262 263. Goes to Rome carrying Aelfred his Son along with him Id. p. 263. In his return marries Leotheta the Daughter of Charles the Bald King of the Franks Ibid. A most infamous Conspiracy is formed in the West of England against him on the account of his new Wife Id. p. 263 264. Divides the Kingdom which was before united with the Consent of all his Nobility between him and his Son Ethelbald And to prevent Quarrels between his Sons he orders by his Will how his Kingdom should be enjoyed amongst them l. 5. p. 264. By his Last Will grants Corrodies for the Maintenance of Poor People a Yearly Allowance of Three hundred Mancuses to Rome and one hundred of them to the Pope His Death and Burial at Winchester after he had reigned Twenty Years Id. p. 264 265. St. Swithune Bishop of Winchester and Alstan Bishop of Shireborne were this King 's two Principal Counsellors in all Affairs Id. p. 267. Evesham-Abbey concerning the Forging of the Charters about it l. 4. p. 216 217. Is repaired by Leofric with the Consent of his Lady Godiva l. 6. p. 72. Eugenius set up against Valentinian the second by Arbogastes the former's General but he was soon after put to death by Theodosius l. 2. p. 97. Eugenius Prince of Cumberland assists Anlaff against King Athelstan l. 5. p. 334 335. The Scotch call him King of Deira and own he died in this Battel Id. p. 336. Evil Councils bring all the Miserie 's imaginable on a Nation l. 6. p. 23 27 32 35. Europe first peopled by the Posterity of Japhet either from one Alanus supposed to have been his Grandson or from Gomer his Son l. 1. p. 4. Eustatius Earl of Boloigne Edward the Confessor's Brother-in-Law with his Retinue entring Dover and resolving to quarter where they pleased was resisted by the Townsmen upon which ensued a great deal of Bloodshed on both sides l. 6. p. 76. Eutherius Archbishop of Arles Augustine and the Monks recommended to his Care and Protection l. 4. p. 153. Ordains Augustine Archbishop of the English Nation Id. p. 154. Excommunication had in King Withred's time no other Temporal punishment than a pecuniary Mulct l. 4. p. 211. Exeter anciently Exancester Besieged and where King Alfred pursued the Danes l. 5. p. 300 306. The removal of the See from Crediton to this City l. 5. p. 333. Is made a Bishops See instead of Credington in Cornwal at the request of Pope Leo l. 6. p. 78. Exmouth anciently called Exanmuthan l. 6. p. 28. F FAith the first People that were ever Executed by any Christian Prince for meer matters of Faith l. 2. p. 96. False News the spreaders of it against the Government to be punished with loss of Tongue or to Redeem themselves by the value of their Head and to be of no credit afterwards l. 5. p. 294. Famine a dreadful one about the Year CCCCXLVI in Britain l. 3. p. 115. Another among the South-Saxons wherein multitudes of the poorer People perished daily it being said not to have rained in that Countrey for Three years before l. 4 p. 198. A cruel one followed strange Prodigies in the Countrey of Northumberland Id. p. 238. A little after the Death of King Edgar a very great Famine happened l. 6. p. 15 16. In Ethelred the Unready's time so great a Famine raged as England never underwent a worse Id. p. 31. And in the Reign of Edward the Confessor there was another so great here that a Sester of Wheat was sold for Sixty Pence and more Id. p. 72. Farrington in Berkshire anciently called Fearndune where King Edward the Elder died l. 5. p. 324. Fealty or Fidelity the Oath required by Law to be taken by all Persons to King Edmund l. 5. p. 346. King of the Scots Swears Fidelity to King Edmund and all the Northumbrian Lords do the same Id. p. 349. Two joint Princes of North-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
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
or Incest l. 4. p. 233 234. Honour and Obedience to be rendered to them and none to speak evil of them The Punishment either for Conspiring the Death of Kings or actually Killing of them Id. p. 234. l. 6. p. 59. Chief Lords of any Countrey in Wales when called Kings l. 4. p. 241. The Supreme Dominion of One English King over all the rest no new thing in King Egbert's time l. 5. p. 254. At the Great Councils they used to appear in State with the Crown on their Heads Id. p. 261. A weak Prince by the assistance of Able and Faithful Councellors may Govern his Kingdom prudently and happily Id. p. 267. King of England was anciently called King of London Id. p. 279. Alfred's Law concerning the Death of the King Id. p. 292. In Athelstan's time the Mercians had not lost their Ancient Right of chusing their own Kings Id. p. 329. The King's House no shelter to him that sheds Blood l. 5. p. 347. How dangerous it was for Kings to provoke the Ruling part of the Priests and People Id. p. 354. Neither in Edgar's time nor long after the Conquest did any King Elect take the Title of King till after his Coronation l. 6. p. 8. To be blamed for trusting those who had before betrayed them Id. p. 30. Sworn to observe the good Laws of King Edward not that he only Ordained but obser-served them Id. p. 56. Provision for his Houshold how to be made not to Oppress the Subject Id. p. 59. No Subjâ—ct in their Hunting to meddle with the King's Game Id. p. 60. His Office how declared by Edward the Confessor's Law His power to pardon Life and loss of Member but with a Proviso Id. p. 102. Kingsbury a Council held there under Berthwulf King of the Mercians l. 5. p. 261. King's-Evil Edward the Confessor the first that Cured it by his bare washing the Sores with his own hands l. 6. p. 98. King's Houshold Vid. Provision Kingsige King Edward the Confessor's Chaplain succeeds Aelfric in the Archbishoprick of York l. 6. p. 79. His Deatâ— Id. p. 88. Knight's-Service in England in King Wightred's time l. 4. p. 211. Knute vid. Cnute Kynan vid. Conan Prince of South-Wales Kynobelin at Rome saluted by the Emperor a Friend of the Commonwealth l. 2. p. 36. Being King he caused Coins to be stamp'd after the Roman manner Ibid. Died not long before the Roman Invasion by Claudius Id. p. 38. L LAncaster anciently called Caer-Werith supposed to be built by Gurguint l. 1. p. 13. Lands-End the Point anciently called Penwithsteort l. 6. p. 26 82. Langoemagog that is the Giants Leap from a persons taking up the mighty Giant Gogmagog in his Arms and flinging him off from a Cliff in Cornwal into the Sea l. 1. p. 9. Lanthorns first Invented in England by King Alfred of Cow's-Horns cut into thin plates l. 5. p. 305. Lashlite a Fine or Mulct the English and Danes were to pay according to the value of their heads for the Violation of the Laws made between them l. 5. p. 284. Lawrence a Priest and Peter a Monk sent to the Pope to acquaint him that by Augustine and his Monks their Preaching the English had received the Christian Faith and to have his Opinion about certain Questions l. 4. p. 155 165. Consecrates the Old Church rebuilt by Augustine at Canterbury and succeeds him as Archbishop there Id. p. 157 166. Draganus refuses to Eat with him and why Id p. 166. What happened to him upon his going to desert his Flock in Britain Id. p. 169. His Death and Burial Id. p. 171. Laws called Mercevenlage from whence said to be derived l. 1. p. 13. What those were in King Ethelbert's Reign l. 4. p. 163. Ecclesiastical Laws made between King Alfred and Guthrune the Dane l. 5. p. 284 285. Every man to enjoy the benefit of the Law and to have equal Justice done him l. 6. p. 13 58. Three sorts of Laws in use in Brompton the Chronicler's time viz. Merchenlage West-Saxonlage and Danelage Id. p. 103. League or Agreement made between King Alfred and King Guthrune setting out the Territories of each of those Princes l. 5. p. 283 284. Between Edward the Elder and the Danes Inhabiting East-England and Northumberland l. 5. p. 314. Vide Peace Learning reduced to a very low ebb in King Alfred's time by reason of the Danish Wars l. 5. p. 304. Lease of Abbey-Lands made in a Great Council the first Example of it l. 4. p. 230. Lee a River anciently called Ligan which divides Middlesex and Essex l. 5. p. 301.316 Leeds in Yorkshire anciently called Loyden where the Battel was fought between Oswy King of Northumberland and Penda King of the Mercians l. 4. p. 185. Legancester that is West-Chester Vide Chester Legion Roman being sent over to Britain made a great Slaughter of their Enemies driving the rest out of the British Borders and so delivered the Inhabitants from being destroyed l. 2. p. 99 100. Legions a City now Caerleon upon Uske l. 2. p. 85. Westchester was anciently called by this Name l. 4. p. 164. Leicester anciently Caer-Leir by whom said to be first Built l. 1. p. 11. Tocca the first Bishop there which continued a Bishop's See for divers Ages l. 4. p. 223. Anciently called Ligceaster and when Repaired l. 5. p. 314. And Ligraceaster Id. p. 319. Leighton in Bedfordshire anciently called Ligtune l. 3. p. 145. l. 5. p. 319. Lent by the Authority of Earcombert Ordained to be observed which seems to have been the first observed in England by a Law l. 4. p. 180. Leo the Pope whom the Romans took and cut out his Tongue and put out his Eyes Deposing him but he was Restored to every thing he had lost Miraculously l. 4. p. 241. When he Died l. 5. p. 251. Leo Bishop of Treve sent by Pope John as his Nuntio to King Ethelred with Letters of Complaint against the Marquiss of Normandy l. 6. p. 24. Leof a notorious Thief Banished by King Edmund but be returned and at a great Entertainment of the King 's Stabs him so that he instantly died l. 5. p. 345. Leofgar Ordained Bishop of Hereford in the room of Bishop Athelstane together with his Clerks is Slain by Griffyn Prince of Wales l. 6. p. 87. Leofred a Dane his Ravages in Wales but at last is Beheaded by Athelstan's Order l. 5. p. 321. Leofric Earl of Mercia with his Lady Godiva Founders of the Monastery of Coventry and the Repairers of several others l. 6. p. 71 72. Comes to the Great Council at Glocester about Earl Godwin Id. p. 77. His Death and Burial in the Church of the Monastery of Coventry Id. p. 88. Leofric King Edward the Confessor's Chaplain succeeds Living Bishop of Devonshire that is of Exeter l. 6. p. 73. Is Enthroned there be walking to Church between the King and Queen Editha his Wife Id. p. 78. Leofwin the Abbot is unjustly Expelled from the Monastery of Elig goes
Wulfher Archbishop of York Id. p. 277. Rebel against King Athelstan and the Event of their so doing Id. p. 330. Beat the Scotchmen many of whose Heads were afterwards set upon Poles round the Walls of Durham l. 6. p. 27. Take Arms against their Earl Tostige slaying his Servants and seizing his Treasures committing a world of Outrages and Desolations And what the ground of this Insurrection Id. p. 90 91 Northumbrian Kingdom began in Ida and when l. 3. p. 142. Becomes divided into Two viz. Deira and Bernicia Id. p. 143. The Custom of this Nation was anciently to sell their own Children or other near Relations to Foreign Merchants l. 4. p. 152. A perverse and perfidious Nation worse than Pagans Id. p. 240. A certain Youth is made King hereof by the joint Consent of both the English and Danes King Alfred himself confirming the Election l. 5. p. 286. North-Wales a part of the Roman Province anciently called Genoani or Guinethia l. 2. p. 68. l. 5. p. 317 All the Coasts thereabouts spoiled by the Danes l. 5. p. 319. Upon the Death of Howel Dha it returned to the Two Sons of Edwal Voel l. 5. p. 349. Is sorely harrassed by King Edgar and the cause of the War l. 6. p. 3 4. War is made upon it by Eneon who subdues all the Countrey of Gwin or Gwir Id. p. 6 16. Is Conquered by Meredyth Prince of South-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
likely propagated here by some Apostle of the Eastern or Asiatick Church Id. p. 162. The state of it here before the coming in of William the Conqueror l. 6. p. 116. Religious Houses Vid. Monasteries Resignation of Bishopricks and why l. 3. p. 149. l. 4. p. 224 232. Restitutus Bishop of the City of London is sent with others to the Council of Arles in Gallia l. 2. p. 88. Revenge none to take it for any Injury done him before publick Justice be demanded and the Penalty on those that do l. 4. p. 208. Rhine fortified with Garisons by Constantine l. 2. p. 102. Richard the Elder took upon him the Dukedome of Normandy and Governed it Two and fifty Years l. 5. p. 343. His Enmity to and War with Pope John l. 6. p. 24. His Death and who succeeded him in that Dutchy Id. p. 26. Richbert a Heathen slays Eorpwald not long after he had received the Christian Faith l. 4. p. 175. Ricsige succeeded Egbert in the Kingdom of Northumberland l. 5. p. 277. His Death and who his Successor Id. p. 278. Ripendune alias Hrepton Abbey now Repton in Derbyshire Founded by King Aethelbald the most famous one of that Age l. 4. p. 227. l. 5. p. 277. Ripon in Yorkshire the Monastery Burnt which had been Built by Bishop Wilfrid l. 5. p. 350. Ritheric ap Justin on the Death of Llewelyn ap Sitsylt Seizes upon South-Wales and holds it by Force l. 6. p. 53. Is slain in Battel by Howel and Meredyth with the assistance of the Irish Scots l. 6. p. 56. Ritherch and Rees the Sons of Ritheric ap Justin their Engagement with Griffith Prince of Wales and the Success thereof l. 6. p. 71. Robber his Punishment who called Robbers l. 4. p. 209. Robert Duke of Normandy sends Ambassadors to King Cnute to demand that his Nephews viz. Edward and Alfred King Ethelred's Two Sons might be restored to their Right and upon his refusing he prepares a great Navy to force him to it and what happened thereupon l. 6. p. 54. To whom he recommends his Son William a Child of Seven Years Old afterwards King of England whilst he undertakes his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he Dies Ibid. p. 56. Robert a Norman Monk made Bishop of London by Edward the Confessor l. 6. p. 73. And upon the Death of Eadsige made Archbishop of Canterbury He immediately went to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 75. Accuses Queen Emma of being too Familiar with Alwin Bishop of Winchester Id. p. 79. His flight out of England variously reported Id. p. 80 81. Is Banished and Outlawed for being a Chief Incendiary in the Quarrel between Edward the Confessor and Earl Godwin Id. p. 81. But having made his Peace King Edward sends him Ambassador to Duke William to acquaint him That he had designed him his Successor Id. p. 96 97 Rodoric or Rodri when he began to Reign over the Britains in Wales l. 4. p. 218. Another Rodoric one of the Sons of Edwal Voel Prince of Wales is slain by Irishmen l. 6. p. 6. Rodri Maur that is Rodoric the Great succeeds his Father Merwyn Urych in the Kingdom of the Britains and divides Wales into three Territories His Wars and Death l. 5. p. 260 278. His Wife and Children and Bequests amongst them Id. p. 278 279. Esteemed by all Writers to be sole King of all Wales and in what Right His Laws Id. p. 279. The several Ordinances he made about paying the Ancient Tribute to the King of London and acknowledging his Sovereigâ—ty as also about who should decide the differences that might arise between any of his Children Id. p. 279. l. 6. p. 3. Rofcaester or Hrofcester now Rochester l. 4. p. 159. l. 5. p. 259. St. Andrew's Church there built by Ethelbert King of Kent l. 4. p. 160. Tobias the Bishop there dies Id. p. 219. Dun consecrated Bishop here after the Death of Eadulph Id. p. 224. Rollo the Dane or Norman wastes Neustria afterwards called Normandy and not long after made an entire Conquest of it reigning there fifty years His Dream l. 5. p. 278. Roman Affairs when they became desperate in Britain l. 2. p. 105 106. Empire what fell with it in Britain l. 3. p. 113. Language Gaâ—â— and Gown came to be in fashion among the Britains in Agricola's time l. 2. p. 57. Romans left the â—ritains at their departure Paterns of the Arms and Weapons they would have them make to defend themselves l. 2. p. 100. Though they subdued Britain to their Empire yet they used their Victory with Moderation l. 5. p. 246. Romanus Bishop of Rochester drowned in going on a Message to Rome l. 4. p. 176. Rome taken by Alaric King of the Goths l. 2. p. 104. Romescot said to be first given to the Pope by King Ina but much doubted l. 4. p. 219. Then by King Offa supposed to be confirm'd by the great Council's consent Id. p. 239. Aethelwulf by his Last Will orders to be sent every year to Rome Three hundred Mancuses l. 5. p. 264 265. Vid. Peter-pence Rowena Hengest's Daughter her Arrival into Britain c. l. 3. p. 125. Rufina Claudia Wife of Pudens a Senator famous for her Beauty in the Elegant Epigram of Martial Some assert she was the same St. Paul makes mention of in his second Epistle to Timothy l. 2. p. 66. Run or Reyn the pretended Son of Meredyth ap Owen a vile Scotch Impostâ—r thâ—t sets up for Prince of Soâ—th Waleâ— but he is soon rouâ—ed and all his Paâ—â—y l. 6. p. 52. Runick Characters found upon a few Stones in England l. 3. p. 113. Runkhorne in Cheshire anciently called Run-cafan l. 5. p. 316. Rusticus Decimius from Master of his Offices is advanced by Constans to â—e Praefect l. 2. p. 103. Ryal in Rutlandshire anciently called Rehala where St. Tibba's â—ody lay entomb'd l. 6. p. 5. S SAcriledge what Punishments to be inflicted on those who commit it l. 4. p. 156 163. Salaries usually allowed to those that hâ—d been Proconsuls l. 2. p. 64. Safe of Goods c. Vid. Traffick Sampson Scholar to Iltutus and afterwards Archbishop of Dole in Britain l. 3. p. 149. Sanctuaries very ancient in England l. 4. p. 208 209. l. 5. p. 296 â—97 Their Design primitively very good only to stay there for a time till the Offender could agree with his Advâ—rsary l. 5. p. 297. The Punishment of him who 〈◊〉 â—ny one that sâ—es to a Church The Knigâ—t Hoâ—se no shelâ—er to him thâ—â— sheds bloâ—d l. 5. p. 347. Graâ—ted 〈◊〉 Westminster â—y Edward â—he Confessor Charter and confirmed by the Great Council l. 6. p. 94. The Laws concerning them confirmâ—d Id. p. 99. Sandwicâ— anciently câ—â—led Rutipae l. â— p. 90. and Sandwiâ— l. 5. p. 261. The Port given by King Cnute in Christ-Church in Canterbury with all the Issues c. l. 6. p. 54. Saragosa in Spain anciently called Caesar Augustâ— a corrupted Compouâ—d of thâ—se two words destroyed by
very well skill'd in the Holy Scriptures sent to King Alfred out of Mercia l. 5. p. 305 306. West-burgh a Monastery in Worcestershire l. 5. p. 253. West-Chester Vid. Chester Westminster Church and Abbey founded by King Sebert Mellitus the Bishop dedicating it to St. Peter l. 4. p. 166. But being destroyed by the Danes it had ever since lain in Ruins till Edward the Confessor built it anew and had it re-consâ—crated l. 6. p. 93 94 95. The Legend of this Church her having been anciently consecrated by St. Peter Id. p. 93. Charter of Endowment and Privileges of this Church confirmed by the Great Council The Greatest and Noblest of any Foundation in England Id. p. 94. West-Saxons when this Kingdom first began l. 3. p. 133. Were conquered by Cerdic and his Sâ—ns Id. Ib. Who first took upon them the Title of the Kings of the West-Saxons and at last they overcome all the other six Kingdoms Id. p. 136. They fight with Ivor and are put to flight Id. p. 145. Cut off Sebert's three Sons who were all Heirs to the East-Saxon Kingdom l. 4. p. 168 169. Their Conversion by the preaching of Byrinus an Italian Id. p. 179. Anciently called Gewisses Id. Ib. Bishop of the West-Saxons that is of Dorchester Id. p. 203. Their Royal Standard a Golden Dragon Id. p. 226. Are forced to maintain the Danes and what Money they give them besides l. 6. p. 25. Submit to King Cnute and give him Hostages and likewise provide Horses for his Army Id. p. 41. Westwude since called Shireburne l. 4. p. 214. Whalie in Lancashire anciently called Wealaege where a bloody Battel was fought and with whom l. 4. p. 241. Wheat at what rate sold in Hardecnute's time Vid. Sester Whipping a Punishment to be inflicted only on Villains l. 5. p. 285. Whitby in Yorkshire anciently called Streanshale l. 4. p. 189. Whitchurch in Hampshire anciently called Whitcircan l. 6. p. 28. Whitsand an ancient Port Five hundred years before Caesar's time l. 2. p. 31. About the Fourteenth Century was made unserviceable being stopp'd up by the Sands Id. Ib. Wibbendon now Wimbledon in Surrey l. 3. p. 145. Wiccon now Worcestershire l. 4. p. 242. l. 5. p. 247. Widow to remain so a Twelvemonth by King Cnute's Law and if she marry within that time to lose her Dower and all that her Husband left her l. 6. p. 60. Wigbryht Bishop of the West-Saxons goes to Rome about the Affairs of the English Church l. 5. p. 251. Wigheard the Presbyter sent to Rome there to be made Archbishop of Canterbury but died almost as soon as he arrived there l. 4. p. 195 205. Wight is brought under subjection by Titus Vespatian l. 2. p. 41. The Isle anciently called Vecta l. 2. p. 84. Is conquered by Cerdic and Cynric who bâ—stow it on Stufe and Withgar Nephews to the former l. 3. p. 138. Is taken by Wulfher King of Mercia l. 4. p. 188. Received at last the Christian Faith though upon hard terms l. 4. p. 203. The Danes quartering here made it their old Sanctuary l. 6. p. 27 31. Wightred confirms all the Privileges of the Monks of the Church of Canterbury by a Charter under his Hand l. 4. p. 163. Wigmore in Herefordshire anciently called Wigingamere l. 5. p. 321. Wilbrode an English Priest converts several Nations in Germany to the Christian Faith is ordained by the Pope Archbishop of the Frisons l. 4. p. 211. His Episcopal See was the famous Castle anciently called Wiltaburg now Utrecht Id. p. 211 212. Wilfreda a Nun taken out of a Cloyster at Wilton by King Edgar by whom he had a Beautiful Daughter that was afterwards Abbess of the said Monastery l. 6. p. 3 12. St. Wilfrid Bishop of York when he caused the Rule of St. Benedict to be observed in England l. 4. p. 167 168. Wilfrid Abbot chosen unanimously by Oswi's Great Council Bishop of Lindisfarne and how he came to lose it upon his refusing Consecration here at home l. 4. p. 190. Is sent into France to be ordained Id. p. 192. A great Contention between King Egfrid and him so that he was expell'd his Bishoprick Id. p. 196. He appeals to Rome and what the success thereof Id. p. 197. By his preaching converts the South-Saxons Id. p. 198. Receives of Ceadwallo as much Land in the Isle of Wight as maintain'd 300 Families Id. p. 203. Is recalled home by King Alfred and restored in a General Synod to his Sees of York and Hagulstad Id. p. 204 213. Is a second time expelled by Alfred and why Id. p. 205 206. Three times deprived the first time unjustly but whether so the other two is doubtful His Decease at Undale and Burial at Ripon in Yorkshire Id. p. 214 215. His Character Is the first Bishop in that Age that ever used Silver Plate Id. p. 215. An Account of his building the Monastery of Ripon l. 5. p. 350. The second Bishop of York of that name his Death l. 4. p. 224. Wilfrid or Wulfred consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury in the room of Ethelward deceased and the next year received his Pall l. 5. p. 248. Goes to Rome about the Affairs of the British Church Id. p. 251. His Death and the different Account who succeeded him Id. p. 255. William the Son of Robert Duke of Normandy by Harlotte his Concubine afterwards King of England to whom recommended whilst his Father made his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem l. 6. p. 54. When he began to reign in Normandy Id. p. 56. The great Battel at Vallesdune in Normandy upon his account Id. p. 74. His coming over into England and noble Reception here with Edward's promising to make him his Successor Id. p. 79. Takes the City of Man l. 6. p. 89. Sets Harold at liberty who was detained by the Earl of Ponthieu contracts Friendship with and betroths his Daughter to him Id. p. 92. Harold promises upon King Edward's death to deliver up Dover-Castle to him and procure his Succession to the Throne Id. Ib. Could have no pretence to the Crown of England by Blood Id. p. 96 97. His great Preparations to invade England and the reasons why first acquainting the Pope with his Design and receiving his Answer with the account of his craving Aid of his People and Neighbour Princes Id. p. 107 108 109. His coming over and landing at Pevensey and Preparations for a Battel but first sends a Monk to Harold with Proposals which he by no means would hearken to Id. p. 110 111. The manner how he drew up his Army in order to fight him Id. p. 112. By seeming to retreat he gets the Victory wherein Harold is slain Id. p. 212 213. Having got Harold's Standard which was curiously embroider'd he sends it to the Pope Id. p. 113. Sends Harold's Body as soon as it was found to his Mother Id. p. 114. Wills Last Vid. Testament Wilton near Salisbury supposed anciently to be Ellendune where a great Battel was fought between
talked of Scotish Annals that were kept in the Isle of Jona or Ilcomhil and of their famous Book of the Abbey of Pasely from whence Hector Boethius pretends to have derived the principal Matters that make up the first part of his History Nay what will become of their most creditable Writer John Fordun who bottoms much of his History on the Legends of S. Brendane and others NOR is there any difference that I know of between these Books now mentioned and our Saxon Annals but that these are to be seen I mean the Originals in our Libraries and are also published both in Saxon and Latin and are here translated into English in this ensuing History whilst theirs are not and if Hector Boethius ever saw them is more than we can be sure of since a most Reverend Doctor and now Bishop of our Church hath produced very good Reasons to render it highly suspicious that there never were any such Books at all and if so I wonder what will become of the Credit of all their Antient Scotish History and their long Bedroll of Kings before Fergus the Second AS for the rest of this Author's Objections I shall be very short in my Answers to them THE third of which is that our Authors are not to be credited because they are English-men If this were of any weight I might turn his own Cannon upon him and tell him no more are his Writers who deny this Homage because they are Scots-men and if neither are to be believed I would fain have any Learned Gentleman of that Nation to shew me a Foreign Historian who lived near those Times that denied there was any such thing AS for his last that they were Enemies it is yet more trivial since I have here made use of no Authorities but what were written before the Conquest when there was no War at all between the two Nations but rather a strict Amity or League against their Common Enemy the Danes or else from Florence of Worcester and William of Malmesbury Authors that lived and wrote as hath been already shewn in the very Times when those Homages they mention were done which whether they were for Scotland it self or else for Northumberland and Cumberland which they then held of the Kings of England shall be further considered in my next Volume if God shall permit me to finish it BVT I desire the Reader to take notice that finding the English-Saxon Chronicle to be very dry in many places it giving us only an account of the Succession of their Kings and the Battles they fought against one another without ever telling us what were the Grounds of their falling out the Monks of those Times for want of Civil Affairs or as we call them those of the Cabinet filling up their Annals only with Fighting and Devotion I saw it necessary for me to pursue in great part the Method that Bede had laid down throughout the whole Work and to insert some things relating to Ecclesiastical Affairs to make this History more useful as well as diverting to all sort of Persons AND therefore being sensible of the near Conjunction of the Civil with the Ecclesiastical State which were often united into one Mycel-Synod or Great Council of the whole Nation wherein were made not only Civil Laws but also Ecclesiastical Canons or Constitutions respecting Religion and Discipline as well as Reformation of Manners I have set down both the one and the other whenever I thought they contained any Matter of more than ordinary Notice and as for those Synods or Councils which were wholly Ecclesiastical though I have not always expresly given you all the Canons they made yet I have not failed to refer the Reader for his farther Satisfaction to that rich Treasury of this kind of Knowledg Sir Henry Spelman's first Volume of Councils TO which I have likewise not only added the Succession of some Bishops and Abbots as far as I have found them in the Saxon Annals but have inserted from William of Malmesbury and other Writers whatever I could find relating to them or any other of the same Order remarkable for Learning or Piety especially the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and York whose Successions I have often supplied from other Authors wherein the Annals were silent NOR have I omitted the Foundations of the greater Monasteries as I met with them in the Annals no more than the other Foundations of the same kind set down in Monasticon Anglicanum yet still confining my self to such of them as were valued at 500 l. per annum or more at the time of their Dissolution And I hope no Man that is a Lover of Antiquity or the Honour of his Nation will look upon this as needless any more than the Foundations of our two famous Universities of which I have here given you the earliest Accounts I can find NEITHER do I suppose it will prove tedious if I have here likewise put down the Stories of some Miracles related by Bede and other Monks since I have done it with Moderation and where the Contexture of this Work would have seem'd Lame and Imperfect without it and I only give them you just as I find them leaving every one to make what Judgment he pleases of them I confess I am not satisfied that divers of those Relations swallowed by Bede and other Authors of Note are true they having been since discovered by Men of great Learning and Judgment to carry evident Marks of Forgery along with them such as is that of Joseph of Arimathea his Preaching the Gospel in England which hath been examined with great Accuracy by the Reverend and Learned Dr. Stillingfleet now Lord Bishop of Worcester in his Origines Britannicae so that though I have both from him and others said somewhat upon that Subject yet I must still refer the Reader to the Book it self if he desires farther Satisfaction either in gratifying his Curiosity or informing his Judgment BVT to the foregoing Relations I must needs here add that of the Martyrdom of St. Alban which though the Learned Author last named in his second Chapter of his said Book hath with great Learning proved it if not true yet at least probable I hope he will not take it amiss if I farther examine the Certainty of this Story for notwithstanding it be set down in the old Roman Martyrologies and his Suffering here is also mentioned by Constantius Presbyter who lived above one hundred Years before Bede from whom I have borrowed this yet I must Ingenuously confess I do not see how it can consist with the Ecclesiastical or Civil History of those Times in which it is supposed to have happened For Bede places the Suffering of St. Alban during the Persecution of Dioclesian and after the Recovery of Britain from the Vsurpation of Allectus WHEREAS it is evident from Chronology that Carausius the Vsurper having Anno Dom. 286. rebelled against the Roman Emperors held Britain under his Power for near seven
Nobility wherein Plegmund presided Here he thinks he hath a strong hold and therefore says That this Author tells us the meaning of the long Title of this Synod which just before he had mentioned viz. that the Bishops Abbots FIDELES Proceres POPVLVS were all NOBILES NOBLE-MEN that is the Ecclesiasticks and Laicks or the Bishops and Lay-Nobility and not the Vulgus Commons or ordinary sort of People SO then according to the Doctor 's Construction all the fore-going Relation of the Members of this Council was a jumbled heap of Tautologies of Noble Tenants in Capite Noble-men and Noble People BUT I must needs acknowledg that he is so far in the right that by these words Nobilium Anglorum are not meant the vulgar mean or ordinary sort of People or the Mob as they are now contemptuously term'd for certainly they had never any thing to do in those August Assemblies Nor does Mr. Petyt or my self maintain any such thing and yet for all this I think we may affirm that all the Members that appeared there were not Noble-men or Great Lords only in the sense they are now taken FOR to begin with the word Nobilis which the Doctor so much insists on it is his own too narrow Conception of that Title which has been I think one main Cause of the greatest part of the Quarrel between Mr. Petyt and him for in all the Counties of Europe except England it is very well known that the word Nobilis includes not only Noble-men of Title such as Dukes Marquesses c. but also all Gentlemen of Families who are well born and do not exercise Mechanick Trades Thus Nobilezza in Italian and Noblesse in French comprehends the less as well as the greater Nobility So likewise the word Aedelmen among the Germans comprehends all sorts of Noble-men as well those of Title as others which is owned by Sir H. Spelman in his Glossary in these words Anglorum Legibus Adelingos dici pro Nobilibus in genere qui omnes nobiles Aedelmen vocant à Saxonico Aedel nobilis And so it was here in England long after the Conquest as well as before when Knights and Gentlemen were reckoned inter Nobiles minores before the Title of Noble-men began to be appropriated to the higher Nobility or Peers only which is also owned by Dr. Brady in his Preface to his Compleat History where he tells us of Lands held by Knights Service as well in the Hands of the lower sort of Noblesse as of the greater Noble-men AND this being so I shall easily prove that all the rest of the words insisted upon by the Doctor do not signify only great Lords and Noblemen by Birth To go on therefore to the next word Proceres that neither this does signify only Men Noble by Birth Isidore an antient Spanish Author in his Origines says thus Proceres sunt Principes Civium that is the chiefest of Subjects or Citizens And the Learned Du-Fresne also tells us in his Glossary Proceres appellabantur qui in Civitatibus praecipuos Magistratus gerebant that those were called Proceres who were the chief Magistrates or Rulers in Cities and certainly these could scarce ever be Noble-men by Birth AND as for the word Primates it signifies no more than Principal or Chief Men however born and that it was understood no otherwise among our English-Saxons appears from Aelfric's Glossary above-mentioned at the end of Somner's Saxon Dictionary where he renders the words Primates vel Primores Civitatis seu Burgi by YLDEST BVRHWARA i. e. the Chief Magistrates in a City or Town who were then Persons of very considerable Note in the Nation as I shall prove further by and by I come now to the word Optimates which signifies no more than the better sort of Men and not always Noble-men and great Lords much less as confined to the King's Thanes or Tenants in Capite only since the same Du-Fresne in his Glossary defines Optimates to be Vassalli Barones qui ab ullo Domino ratione Hominii nudè pendent that is the Feudatory Barons that meerly depend on any Superiour Lord by reason of their Homage which tho spoken in relation to France five or six hundred Years ago yet was certainly used in the same sense and no otherwise in England as well before as after that time and did include all the Inferiour as well as Superiour Thanes such as were the only Freeholders in those Ages BUT for the word Principes he that understands any thing of the Latin Tongue knows that it doth not always signify Princes or Men Noble by Birth but any Chief or Principal Man remarkable by Place Office or Dignity and therefore we often read in Livy and other Latin Authors of Principes Civitatis and in the above-cited Laws out of Tacitus de moribus Germanorum it is plain that the word Princeps or Principes in the plural signified no more than chief or considerable Men among the Germans by reason of their Office or present Dignities without any respect to their Birth And in this sense I suppose every Member of Parliament may at this day be reckoned inter Principes among the most considerable or chief Men of the Kingdom BUT the Doctor lays a great stress upon a Passage out of two Manuscript Malmesburies one in the Bodleian Library cited by Sir William Dugdale and the other in the Treasury of the Records of the Church of Canterbury cited by Sir Henry Spelman who both report of this very Council that Edward the Elder Congregavit Synodum Senatorum Gentis Anglorum cui praesidebat Plegmundus c. i. e. convened a Synod of the Senators in Saxon the Aldermen of the English Nation that is such as were usually called to such Councils which were only the Nobiles and Great Men. IN Answer to this I must refer the Doctor again to good old Livy where he will find that the Roman Senators were not all Noble by Birth for they were tà m Patricii quà m Plebeii Ordinis BUT when Mr. Petyt cites William of Malmesbury for calling a Saxon Wittena Gemote Generalis Senatus Populi Conventus to distinguish the lesser Nobility from the greater the Doctor replies There is no heed to be taken how our old Monks and Historians stiled the Saxon Wittena Gemotes or their great and Common-Councils for the same Authors expressed them sometimes one way sometimes another nor were they ever exact and curious in observing and noting the Title or the Constituent Parts or Members of them FROM whence I cannot but observe the Doctor 's great Partiality for his own Opinion for whenever William of Malmesbury in the Manuscript above-cited mentions the word Senatores it must with him immediately signify nothing less than Great Noblemen or what we now call Peers but when the same Author mentions the lower degree of Men whom we now call Commons as a distinct Order from the
Judges or Magistrates Where tho he confounds the King's Judges and Counsellors whose Presence there was not absolutely necessary as not being any constituent Parts or Members thereof with the Bishops Aldermen and Thanes without whose Consent no Laws could be made yet he grants us enough in reckoning other Thanes and Magistrates to have had Places there besides the King 's and who I conceive had a Right to appear there without any particular Summons to each of them and sure all these were not Tenants in Capite NOW having laid down and I hope established a true Notion what sort of Men then constituted the greater part of the Wittena-Gemotes of those Times I come to the next Degree or Order of Men who then most properly represented the Commons of England viz. the Deputies of Cities and Great Towns and tho I confess these are not ordinarily mentioned in any of the Antient Saxon Laws or Charters yet that they were comprehended sometimes under the Title of Procuratores I am very well satisfied as appears from the Annals of Winchelcomb wherein there is a Charter of Kenwulf King of the Mercians bearing date Anno Dom. 811. where all the Orders of Men summoned to be present at that Assembly are thus particularly recited by that King viz. Merciorum Optimates Episcopos Principes Comites PROCVRATORES meósque propinquos nec non Cuthredum Regem Cantuariorum átque Suthredum Regem Oriental Saxon. cum omnibus qui Testes nostris Synodalubus conciliabulis aderant NOW I would be gladly informed by any Man well conversant in Antiquity what the word Procuratores could here signify after Comites unless it were the Deputies or Representatives of the Cities and Towns of Mercia THE like word is also found in a Charter of King Athelstan's dated Anno 931. of certain Lands granted to the Abbey of Abington which Charter is entred in the great Register that belonged to that Abbey and is now in the Cottonian Library and concludes thus Haec Charta in Villa Regali quae Aetwelope nuncupatur Episcopis Abbatibus Ducibus patriae Procuratoribus Regiâ dapsilitate ovantibus perscripta est BY which Patriae Procuratoribus abovementioned I know not what else can be understood but the Deputies or Representatives of the Cities and Chief Towns who then sent Members to those General Councils THO of what sort of Men these Procuratores or Deputies of Cities and Towns then consisted I confess it is hard at this distance of Time to determine when the Original Records of those Councils wherein they appeared are lost and that we have so obscure a mention made of them in the Saxon Laws and Charters But if I may take the Liberty to guess there were not so many Citizens chosen for each City as at this Day but only their Chief Magistrates Rulers or Aldermen which were single Persons and not many for there was then but one Alderman in a Town or else such as were called Port-Gerefas now Port-Reves in divers Places who might appear for them of Course or be constantly Chosen on purpose but if the Charter of King Athelstan abovecited be true as I see no reason to question its Authority it appears that the ordinary Boroughs were then represented by two Burgesses in Parliament as at this Day BUT that these as well as the Magistrates and most considerable Citizens might then all pass and be included under the General Name of Witan or Wites called in Latin Sapientes I have the Authority of the Learned Du Fresne who in his Glossary assures us that antiently among the Lombards Sapientes in Italia appellabantur Civitatum Primarii quorum consilio Respublicae gerebantur i. e. that among the Lombards in Italy the Chief Citizens were called Wise-Men by whose Counsel publick Affairs were transacted and for this he cites Hieron Rubeus who in his History of Ravenna under Anno 1297. hath this remarkable Passage concerning these Sapientes says he Sed longè anteà illud nomen obtinuit in aliis Longabardarum civitatibus ut colligere licet ex Ottone Acerbo Morena in Historia Rerum Lundevetium which Authority tho fetch'd as far as Italy is very pertinent to prove the same Title to have been in use among the English Saxons of the same Age with the Lombards since as Grotius hath learnedly proved in his Preface to his Gothic History the Lombards were but one Stirp or Tribe of those Antient Gothes from whom as I have already proved in the beginning of the third Book of this Volume the English Saxons were also derived BUT that these Citizens of Cities in those Times might deserve the Name of Wites or Sapientes as well for their Prudence as Riches appears from the Charter of K. Edward the Confessor in the great Chartulary of the Abby of Westminster now to be seen in the Cottonian Library which begins thus Edward Cing gret Willem and Leodtan Aelfy Porte-Reven and alle mine Burh-Thanes on LVNDEN Frindlic this tho Saxon yet being so near the English of our own Times I need not translate only I desire the Reader to take notice that the Citizens of London were then so considerable as in this Charter to have had the Title of Thanes as they were often called Barones de London in our Antient Historians after the Conquest AND as for the City of Canterbury in those Times it had not only a Chief Magistrate called in Latin Praepositus in Saxon Port-Gerefa as Mr. Somner in his Antiquities of Canterbury informs us but also in the same Place he has given us a Saxon Deed written some Years before the Conquest and containing an Exchange of certain Lands and Houses in that City made between the Family i. e. Monks of the Cathedral Church and the Crihtan of that City being Merchants or Chapmen and you have already seen that a Merchant having thrice passed the Seas was accounted equal to a Thane and can any one then reasonably doubt that Persons of that Wealth and Dignity were not capable of being chosen Representatives of their Cities in the Saxon Great Councils NOR can I forbear citing before I close up this Subject that remarkable Authority out of Sulcardus's Manuscript Chartulary of the Abby of Westminster where there is entred a Charter of King William the First bearing date An. Dom. 1071. And after the King had subscribed his own Name to it with the Sign of the Cross there are added many of the Bishops Abbots and Temporal Nobility and then instead of cum multis aliis this Clause is subjoined viz. Multis praetereà illustrissimìs Virorum personis Regni Principibus diversi Ordinis omissis qui huic Confirmationi piissimo affectu Testes Fautores fuerunt Hii autèm illo tempore à Regiâ potestate è deversis Provinciis Vrbibus ad Vniversalem Synodum pro causis cujuslibet Christianae Ecclesiae audiendis tractandis ad praescriptum Celeberrimum Coenobium quod Westmonasterium
be shewn any of them wherein the Cities and Great Towns either had not or at least not till of Modern Times their particular Representatives in the Common Councils or Assemblies of the Estates in those Kingdoms SECONDLY Why in England alone whose King was not more Absolute than in other Neighbouring Kingdoms and which was framed after the same Gothic Constitution its Cities and antient Boroughs which were in those Times very considerable for Strength Trade and Wealth and guarded by so many Laws made in the Saxon Times should not be thought considerable enough to have any Delegates in the Common Council of the Kingdom till so long after the Conquest as the 49 th of Hen. 3. which if we may believe the Doctor was also intermitted from that time for above the space of twenty Years till the 18 th of King Edward the First BESIDES which I would also propose these farther Queries concerning the Antiquity of the Commons in general As FIRST If Clerus and Populus signify in our Antient Authors the Clergy and Laity which the Doctor asserts and I will not oppose then I would ask him why the same word Clerus including the inferiour Clergy viz. Deans Arch-deacons c. as well as the superiour viz. Arch-bishops and Bishops c. assembled in our Great Councils or Synods the word Populus must not be allowed the same Latitude of Signification and extend to the Gentry or less Nobility together with the chief Citizens and Burgesses by a like Parity of Reason unless he can make it out that Clerus must be understood in a very comprehensive sense and Populus in a very contracted and narrow one only to mean Great Lords and Noblemen of the higher Rank SECONDLY I would desire to know of him what the words Populus and Populi shall signify when put after and distinct from the words Proceres Optimates Senatores or Senatus c. when these words occur in several antient Charters of our English-Saxon Kings as well as Historians that make any mention of the Great Councils unless they mean the People or Commons distinct from the Great Lords Of which I shall here set down a few Instances out of many both from Charters Laws and Historians THE first whereof is found in the Charter of King Ethelred containing a Grant and Confirmation of several great Privileges to the Monastery of Wolverhampton which concludes in these words Haec Decreta sunt Sigerici Archiepiscopi in placito corà m Rege Ethelredo Eboracensi Archiepiscopo omnibus Episcopis Abbatibus Regionis Britanniae seu Senatoribus Ducibus Populo Terrae THE next is the third Charter of King Edward the Confessor to the Abbey of Westminster made in a Great Council of the Kingdom which was held in the last Year of his Reign and concludes thus Hanc igitùr Chartam meae Donationis Libertatis in die Dedicationis praedictae Ecclesiae recitari jussi corà m Episcopis Abbatibus Comitibus omnibus Optimatibus Angliae omnÃabque Populo audiente vidente NOW from both these Charters it seems evident that by the word Populus the Representatives of Cities and Boroughs are here meant and understood who were present at the sealing of them as well as the greater Nobility viz. the Senators Ealdormen and Earls and the lesser Nobility viz. the Thanes or Freeholders included under the Title of Optimates since the meer Vulgar or Mob could never be admitted into the Place of the Great Council as Witnesses to the solemn reading and sealing of those Charters MY third Instance shall be that famous Law concerning the Grant of Tithes by King Ethelwolf Anno Dom. 855. which is cited in the Laws of Edward the Confessor and confirmed by King William the First under the Title de Apibus de aliis minutis Decimis wherein it is thus expressed Haec scilicet these Tithes concessa sunt à Rege Baronibus Populo Here it is plain that the word Populus must signify a distinct Order or Degree of Men from that of the Barones THIS Law of King Edward the Confessor being urged by Mr. Petyt in his Rights of the Commons asserted the Doctor passes over in silence but when the ingenious Author of Argumentum Anti-Normanicum makes use of the same Authority the Doctor can no longer contain himself but in his Answer to that Book tells him after an insulting diminutive Reflection upon his Person that He thinks this Law was made in King Edward's days and was piping-hot when the Conqueror came in but he says it will prove otherwise upon Examination of it and also doubtful whether there was ever such a Law or not made by a Saxon Monarch or King For after the Law hath enumerated the manner of Tithing in very many things both great and small requiring an exact Tenth to be paid for most of them it says That he which detains the Tenth if need be may be forced to Payment by the Justice of the Bishop and King and then immediately follow these words Haec autèm praedicavit Beatus Augustinus concessa sunt à REGE BARONIBVS POPVLO Sed posteà Instinctu Diaboli multi eam viz. decimam detinuerunt c. These things St. Augustine preached up and they were granted by the King Barons and People c. THE rest of the Latin he there cites being not to the Point in Dispute I pass over yet I cannot but observe that from hence the Doctor believes he hath got a notable Advantage over him for he thus proceeds HENCE 't is evident that these Concessions of Tithes were made in the time of St. Augustine Arch-bishop of Canterbury sent hither from Rome in the Reign of Ethelbert King of Kent for the words concessa sunt à REGE BARONIBVS ET POPVLO can relate to no other than the words immediately preceding haec enim praedicavit Beatus Augustinus And the words next following them do also prove the same sed posteà Instinctu Diaboli Multi eam detinuerunt c. which was after they were granted by the King Barons and People so that this was at most but the Confirmation of a Law made by King Ethelbert and how and by what words the Legislators were expressed near 500 Years after the Law made and how they were rendred in Latin after the coming in of the Normans transiently and without Design to give an Account of them cannot be of much Value to prove who they were and that the Laws of King Edward were made or at least translated into Norman Latin after the Conquest appears by the words Comites Barones Milites Servientes Servitium Villanus Catalla manutenere all Norman words and not known here till their coming hither He that will assert any thing from a single uncouth Expression in one Case and upon one Occasion only brings but a slender Proof for what he says THESE are the Doctor 's own words which I have transcribed almost Verbatim that
great Easiness and Remissness in Discipline and thereupon by the Appointment and Assent of his Barons he caused him to retire to the Cure of his former Church of Dorchester By which it is evident that this Author living in the Reign of Henry the Third was very well satisfied that the Temporal as well as the Spiritual Barons were concerned in this Deprivation I was likewise from the Authority of the Saxon Annals as also of William of Malmesbury about to have here also added the Deprivation of one Siward who is reported by the Annals An. 1043. to have been privately Consecrated to the See of Canterbury with the King 's good liking by Arch-bishop Eadsige and who then laid down that Charge and of which Siward William of Malmesbury farther tells us that he was afterwards deprived for his Ingratitude to Arch-Bishop Eadsige in denying him necessary Maintenance but since there is no such Person as this Sâ—â—ard in the Catalogues of the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and that upon a more nice Examination I find in the Learned Mr. Wharton's Treatise De Successione Archiepis Cantuar. that this Siward who was also Abbot of Abingdon was never Consecrated Arch-Bishop but only Chorepiscopus or Substitute to Arch-bishop Eadsige who was then unable to perform his Function by reason of his Infirmities which upon a review of this Passage in William of Malmesbury I find also confirmed by him in calling him no more than Successor Designatus and who being put by for his Ingratitude was preferred no higher than to be Bishop of Rochester but this is denied by the abovecited Mr. Wharton who says expresly that this Siward Abbot of Abingdon and Substitute to the Arch-bishop was never Bishop of that See but died at Abingdon of a long Sickness before Arch-Bishop Eadsige So much I thought fit to let the Reader know because in this History under Anno 1043 being deceived by the express words of the Annals I have there made this Siward to have been Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and deprived for his Ingratitude to his Predecessor which I am upon better Consideration now convinced to have been a Mistake I shall conclude with our Saxon Annals which under the Year 1052. relate that Earl Godwin having in a Great Council held at London purged himself and his Sons of the Crimes laid to their Charge and being thereupon restored Arch-Bishop Robert the Norman his Enemy having just before fled away into his own Country was not only by a Decree of this Council banisâ—ed but also deprived of his Arch-bishoprick and Stigand then was advanced to that See in his stead which certainly was done by the same Authority as deprived the former and if so then I think none can deny but that Power might also have deprived any other inferior Bishop and yet we do no where find there was any Schism in England among the Clergy at that Time because these two Primates of the Church had been deprived without their own Consent by the Lay as well as Spiritual part of the Great Council HAVING now finished all I had to say concerning the Power of the King and the Witena-Gemote in Ecclesiastical Matters I would not be thought to assert that they have the like Authorities in Matters of meer Spiritual Cognizance since I am very well satisfied of the Primitive Institution of the Episcopal Order from the first Preaching of Christianity in the Time of the Romans to the Restoration of it in this Island upon the Conversion of the Saxons which is not liable to be abrogated by any Temporal Power and which has been continued among the Britains or Welsh without any Interruption from thence even to our own Times BUT as for the Ecclesiastical Power it was at first settled under the two Arch-bishops of Canterbury and York who had then no Jurisdiction or Preheminence the one over the other the former being Primate of the Southern as the latter was of the Northern parts of England only I cannot but observe that the Church of St. Martin's without the City of Canterbury was till after the Conquest the See of a Bishop called in Latin Core Episcopus who always remaining in the Countrey supplied the Absence of the Metropolitan that for the most part followed the Court and that as well in governing the Monks as in performing the Solemnities of the Church and in exercising the Authority of an Arch-Deacon AND no doubt had also the Episcopal Powers of Ordination and Confirmation or else he could have been no Bishop I observe this to let you see that the English were not then so strictly tied up as not to allow of more than one Bishop in one City BUT since I have chiefly designed to speak of Civil Affairs I shall not here meddle with the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Bishops or their Courts or the Officers belonging to them but will leave them to those to whose Province it does more peculiarly appertain HAVING thus dispatched what I had to say concerning the Synods and Great Councils of the Kingdom in the Saxon Times I shall in the next Place treat of the English Laws before the Conquest and they were of two kinds viz. either the particular Customs or Laws of the several divisions of the Kingdom in which those Customs were in use or else such Additions to or Emendations of them as were made from time to time by the Great Council of the whole Kingdom concerning the Punishment of Crimes the manner of holding Men to their good Behaviour or relating to the Alteration of Property either in Lands or Goods with divers other particulars for which I refer you to the Laws themselves as I have extracted them from Sir Henry Spelman and Mr. Lambard their Learned Collections and some concerning each of these particulars I have given you in the following Work BUT to shew you in the first place the Original of the Saxon Customary Laws they were certainly derived from each of the Great Nations that settled themselves in this Island before the Heptarchy was reduced into one Kingdom but indeed after the Danes had settled themselves here in England we find they were divided into these three sorts of Laws in the beginning of Edward the Confessor's Reign according to the several parts of the Kingdom wherein they prevailed as 1. MERCHEN-LAGE or the Mercian Law which took place in the Counties of Glocester Worcester Hereford Warwick Oxon Chester Salop and Stafford 2. WEST-Saxon-Lage or the Law of the West-Saxons which was in use in the Counties of Kent Sussex Surrey Berks Southampton Somerset Dorset Devon and Cornwal I mean that part of it which spoke English the rest being governed by their own i. e. the British Laws 3. DANE-Lage or the Laws which the Danes introduced here into those Counties where they chiefly fixed viz. in those of York Derby Nottingham Leicester Lincoln Northampton Bucks Hertford Essex Middlesex Suffolk and Cambridg BUT as for Cumberland Northumberland and
Westmoreland I suppose they are omitted in this Catalogue because in the Times not long before the Conquest the first was under the Power of the Scots and consequently under their Laws as the two latter were under that of their own Earls who ruled those Counties as Feudatary Princes under the Kings of England tho thus much is certain that the Danish Laws took Place there as well as in Yorkshire BUT after King Edward the Confessor came to the Crown he reduced the whole Kingdom under one General for thus says Ranulph Higden as he is cited by Sir Henry Spelman in his Glossary Tit. Lex Ex tribus his Legibus Sanctus Edwardus unam Legem Communem edidit quas Leges Sancti Edwardi usque hodie vocant Brompton says the like Iste Supradictus Rex Sanct. Ed. Conf. dictus est Edwardus Tertius qui Leges Communes Anglorum Genti tempore suo ordinavit quia proantè Leges nimìs partiales editae fuerant But Roger Hoveden carries them up higher in his History of Henry the Second for he says Quod istae Leges primùm inventae institutae erant tempore Edgari Avi sui sed postquam Edwardus venit ad Regnum Consilio Baronum Angliae Legem per 48. Annos sopitâ—m excitavit excitatam reparavit reparatam decoravit decoratam confirmavit confirmata verò vocata est Lex Edwardi Regis non quià ipse invenisset eam prius sed cum praetermissa fuerat Oblivioni penitùs data è Diebus Avi sui Edgari qui primus Inventor ejus fuisse dicitur usque ad sua tempora quià justa honesta erant è profundo Abysso extraxit eam revocavit ut suam observandam tradidit But the true Reason why it is called the Common Law is because it is the Common or Municipal Law of this Kingdom so that Lex Communis or Jus Patriae is all one with Lex Patriae or Jus Patrium and it is also called the Common Law in other Countries as Lex Communis Norica Burgundica Lombardica c. And from this latter they were so called by William the First in his Confirmation of them HAVING now given you the Original of our Laws in General we will next proceed to shew you what they were in particular as far as they concern those two great Branches of all Municipal Laws viz. the Civil or the Criminal The former oâ— which concerns Lands and Goods and the latter the Nature and Punishments of Criminal Offences TO begin with the former as far as it concerns Lands I shall satisfy my self with what Dr. Brady hath with great Industry and Exactness extracted in the first part of his Compleat History of England out of those Learned Authors you will find there cited in the Margin which is as follows Mr. Somner says there were but two sorts of Tenures here in the Saxon times before the Conquest Bocland and Folkland to which two all other sorts of Land might be reduced Bocland as Lambard says was Free and Hereditary and was a Possession by Writing the other without That by Writing was possessed by the Free or Nobler sort that without called Folkland was holden by paying Annual Rent or performance of Services and was possessed by the Rural People Rusticks Colons or Clowns in those Times these Writings were called in Latin Libelli Terrarum Landboc's and Telligraphia and Livery and Seizin was then made and given by delivery of a Turf taken from the Land with the Writings This was called Terra Testamentalis hereditaria Land Inheritable and devisable by Will unless the first Purchaser or Acquirer by Writing or Witness had prohibited it and then it could not be sold or disposed of from the nearest Kindred This Bocland was of the same Nature with Allodium in Doomsday holden without any Paiments nor chargeable with Services to any Lord or Seignory and though the Name was almost quite lost yet the thing remained under the Name of Allodium and the Lands possessed by the Allodiarii frequently mentioned in Doomsday I have been the more exact in putting down this Passage because it plainly proves from the learned Doctor 's own shewing that if the greatest part of the Lands before the Conquest held by Men of any Quality were Bocland and that this Bocland was the same as he grants with Lands held in Allodio and I have already proved that such Lands were held without any Paiments or Services other than such publick Taxes as were imposed by the Great Council of the Kingdom that is Danegelt with such other Duties as all Lands whatsoever were liable to then is it also as evident that these Lands which were far the greatest part of the Lands in the Kingdom were not held by Knight's Service and consequently their Owners could not be Tenants in Capite as this Author is pleased in other Places to suppose and therefore these Tenants in Allodio could never be so represented by such Military Persons as that they alone could either make Laws for them or lay Taxes on their Estates without their Consents either by themselves or Representatives in the Great Councils or Parliaments of those Times and therefore such free Tenants must have either appeared for themselves in Person or have chosen others to represent them AND if any Man doubt whether these Lands held in Allodio were before the Conquest the greatest part of the Lands of the Kingdom I must refer them for their Satisfaction to Mr. Somners and Mr. Taylor 's Treatises upon Gavelkind as also to Mr. Lambard's Discourse of the Customs of Kent at the end of his Perambulation of that County who there fully prove that the Antient Bocland descending to all the Male Issue alike was not meer Socage Tenure but Allodial 2 dly That this was the general Tenure of all Lands not held by Knights Service before the Conquest as well Gavelkind as others and that not only at the Common Law but confirmed by divers Saxon Kings as by that Law of King Edmund Si quis intestatus obierit Liberi ejus haereditatem aequalitèr dividant So likewise by the 68 th and 75 th Laws of King Cnute as also by those of Edward the Confessor confirmed by William the Conqueror Cap. 36. And therefore Mr. Somner in his said Treatise of Gavelkind farther proves that this was a Liberty left to the Kentish Men by William the Conqueror when all the rest of England changed its Antient Tenure and Mr. Taylor in his History of Gavelkind Chap. 6 7 8. hath proved this to have been a general Custom not only in Kent but in Wales and several parts of England I shall not any further pursue what the Doctor has said of Lands holden by Military Service before the Conquest or of the Herriots or Reliefs that were due upon them which were payable out of the Feudal Lands of the Ealdormen middle and less Thanes but shall refer
Saxon Times I shall proceed in the next place to discourse somewhat of the manner of the disposing of their Goods and Personal Estates which they might do either by Deed or last Will in Writing as at this day But if they happened at any time to die intestate then their Goods were equally divided between the Wife and Children of the Deceased tho by a Law of King Edmund the Relict or Widow was to have half her Husband's Goods yet by the Laws of Edward the Confessor it was declared that in case any one died Intestate then the Children were equally to divide the Goods which I take to be understood with a Salvo of the Wife's Dower or Portion As yet therefore the Ordinaries had nothing to do with the Administration for Goods passed by Descent as well as Lands and upon this Custom the Writ de Rationabili parte Bonorum was grounded at the Common Law as well for the Children as the Wife's Part according as by the Body of the Writ may appear THE antientest Will that Mr. Selden says he hath observed before the Conquest is one of King Edgar's time which Mr. Lambard has given us in his Perambulation of Kent and that is of one Brithric a Gentleman or Thane and his Wife Elswithe wherein they devised both their Lands and Goods and also gave his chief Lord and the Lady his Wife several noble Legacies to prevail with him that his Will might stand good By which it should seem the Lands bequeathed were Feudal Lands held by Knights Service which could not be alienated without the Lord's Consent But Mr. Selden there further takes notice That the Protection or Execution of this Testament as well as the Probate were within the Jurisdiction of the Lord's Court and that especially because divers Lords of Mannors have to this day the Probate of Testaments by Custom continued against that which is otherwise regularly settled in the Church BUT as for Intestates Goods he says The Disposition or Administration of them was in the Saxon times in the chief Lord of him that died in case the Intestate were an immediate Tenant and died at home in Peace But in case he were no Tenant or died in his Lord's Army then it was it seems as other Inheritance under the Jurisdiction of that Temporal Court within whose Territory the Goods were This may be proved out of the Laws of that Time which ordain that upon the Death of an Intestate whom they call CWIALE AWE the Lord is only to have the Heriots due to him which are also appointed by the Laws of the same time that by his the Lord's Advice or Judgment his the Intestate's Goods be divided among his Wife and Children and the next of kin according as to every one of them of right belongs that is according to the nearness of Kindred if no Children or Nephews from them be for it must I suppose be understood that the Succession was such that the Children excluded all their Kindred and of their Kindred the next succeeded according to that in Tacitus of his Germans whose Customs were doubtless mixed with our English-Saxons Haeredes says he successorésque sint cuique liberi nullum Testamentum But it seems Christianity afterwards brought in the free Power of making Testaments amongst them Si liberi non sunt proximus gradus in possessione Fratres Patrui Avunculi BUT this is express'd only in case the Tenant died at home and in Peace for if he died in his Lord's Army both the Heriot was forgiven and the Inheritance both of Goods and Lands was to be divided as it ought which was it seems by the Jurisdiction of the Temporal Court within whose Territory the Death of the Intestate or Goods were for in that case it is not said that the Lord's Judgment was to be used but that the Heirs should divide all or as the words in the Confessor's Law are habeant Haeredes ejus pecuniam terram ejus sine aliqua Diminutione rectè dividant inter se where the Right of the Heir both to Lands and Goods is expresly designed but the Judg that should give it them not mentioned Therefore it seems it remained as other Parts of the Common Law under the Temporal Jurisdiction as by the Civil Law it was under the Praetors Thus far this learned and great Author FROM whence we may make this Note that the Probate of Wills was a Matter of Civil Cognizance before the Conquest and for some time after till the Canon Law being more generally received in England the Bishops Courts took this Power to themselves supposed by Mr. Selden in his 6 th Chapter of his said Treatise to be about the time of Henry the Second WE shall now in the last place go on to the Criminal part of the English-Saxon Laws viz. the manner of Trial Judgment and Execution pass'd and inflicted on Offenders in those Times ALL Trials for Criminal Matters were then either in the Court-Leets the Sheriffs-turn or the County-Courts in which last the greater Offenders were commonly tried and that most antiently by Witnesses and Juries as at this day for we find in the Mirror of Justices that King Alfred commanded one of his Justices to be put to death for passing Sentence upon a Verdict corruptly obtained upon the Votes of the Jurors whereof three of the Twelve were in the Negative And the same King put another of his Justices to death for passing Sentence of Death upon an Ignoramus return'd by the Jury BUT the first Law we read of that defined the Number of Jury-men to be Twelve was that of Aetheldred I. above two hundred Years before the Conquest which says In singulis Centuriis c. in English thus In every Century or Hundred let there be a Court and let Twelve Antient Freemen together with the Lord of the Hundred be sworn that they will not condemn the Innocent nor acquit the Guilty BUT whether there were any such thing as a Grand Jury or Inquest we do not particularly find only we may reasonably conclude there was because in the same Mirror we read that a Justice suffered Death for passing Sentence only upon the Coroner's Record and another Justice had the same Punishment for condemning one without any preceding Appeal or Indictment YET the first time that we find any mention of a Jury by Mens Peers or Equals is in the Agreement between Alfred and Guthrune the Dane in these words in English viz. That if a Lord or a Baron be accused of Homicide he shall be acquitted by twelve Lords but if of inferiour Rank he shall be acquitted by eleven of his Equals and one Lord. BUT in Cases very doubtful and where there was not sufficient Evidence by Witnesses but only strong Presumptions of Guilt in the times after King Alfred Trials by Ordeal came in which Somner in his Glossary says was
Council at York ordained divers things relating to the Publick Affairs of the Kingdom among which he divided the Earldom of Oswulph Earl of Northumberland late deceased into two for the King was not willing to bestow so great a Part of the Kingdom on any as an Inheritance lest the Northumbers should again aspire to their antient Liberty wherefore he bestowed that Part of Northumberland lying between the Humber and the Theys upon Earl Oslac girding him with the Sword of that Earldom But from Theys to Mireferth being the Sea-coast of Deira he bestowed upon Earl Eadulf sirnamed Ethelwald and thus the two Kingdoms became two Earldoms and so continued all the times of the English-Saxon Kings under their Gift and Jurisdiction whilst Lothian lying open to the Incursions of the Scots was of no great concern to our Kings BUT Keneth K. of Scotland receiving a high Character of the Generosity of K. Edgar from the two Earls above-mentioned desired the King 's safe Conduct to come to London to visit him which being granted the said two Earls conducted him thither where he was honourably received by K. Edgar who often conversing friendly and familiarly with Keneth he then represented to K. Edgar that Lothian appertained to him as his Right having been long possessed by the Kings of Scotland as their Inheritance but the King not being willing to do any thing that he might afterwards repent of referred the Determination of this Affair to his great Council where the chief Men of the Kingdom would not assent to part with it unless under a Homage to be yielded by the K. of Scotland to the K. of England and that too only because all Access to that Country was very difficult and its Government of little or no Profit Whereupon K. Keneth assented to this Demand and so received it under that Condition did Homage for it accordingly promising likewise many other things as that the People should still remain under the English Name and Language which continues to this day and so the old Quarrel about Lothian was now happily determined tho some new ones were often started Thus the King of Scots became Feudatary to King Edgar on this occasion whence you may observe how the Scotish Nation became Masters of Lothian where Edinburgh the Capital City of the Kingdom is seated and which City continued in the Hands of the English as Mr. Camden well observes from an antient Manuscript he there cites till the Reign of K. Indulf viz. till about Anno Dom. 960. You may add this to the Laws of King Edgar at the end of his Reign p. 14. This King is also related by William of Malmesbury to have made a Law to restrain excessive drinking of great Draughts by which Law it was ordained that no Man under a great Penalty should drink at one Draught below certain Pins that were ordered to be fixt within the sides of the Cups or Goblets for that purpose Pag. 72. I confess I was so far misled by the Authority of the Saxon Annals and Matth. Westminster as to believe that Siward mentioned under Anno 1043. had been consecrated Arch-bishop of Canterbury but being now satisfied of the contrary and having given good Reasons against it in the Introduction p. 115 116. that Relation of William of Malmesbury from these words l. 20. of which Author may be thus altered That tho he was designed Successor to this Arch-bishop and to that end was consecrated his Corepiscopus i. e. his Coadjutor yet that notwithstanding he was soon after deposed for his Ingratitude in defrauding the weak old Man of his necessary Maintenance But that this also was a mistake in this Author see the Introduction p. 115 116. Thus much I thought fit to advertise the Reader since I had rather confess my own involuntary Mistakes than put another to the trouble of shewing them to the World but however since I do not pretend to be infallible if any Person of greater Skill in our English Histories will take the pains to shew the World any other Errors or Omissions I have been guilty of in this Work I shall be â—o far from taking it ill that for the publick Satisfaction they shall be mended 〈◊〉 the next Edition THE General History OF BRITAIN NOW CALLED ENGLAND As well Ecclesiastical as Civil BOOK I. From the Earliest Accounts of TIME to the First Coming of JULIUS CAESAR SINCE I design with God's Permission to write and digest the most Remarkable Things and Transactions that have occurred in this Kingdom from the earliest Accounts of Time I shall follow Venerable Bede as well as other Historians in first giving a brief Description of this Island Britain the largest of all the Europaean Islands and one of the biggest in this Habitable Globe is scituate between 50 Degrees 16 Minutes and 59 Degrees 30 Minutes North Latitude the whole Isle lying in length from Dunsby-Head the most Northerly Promontory of Scotland to Dover the space of near Six hundred Miles yet is the Climate more mild and temperate than could be expected in so Northerly a Scituation the Winds from the Seas encompassing it on all sides so tempering the Air that it is neither so cold in Winter nor yet so hot in Summer as the opposite Continents of France Germany and the Low-Countries and also by the Indulgence of Heaven as well as the Fertility of its Native Soil it is plentifully furnished with all Things necessary for Human Life It was anciently called by the Greeks Albion but whether from a Giant of that Name feigned to be the Son of Neptune after the Fabulous Humour of those Times in giving Names to Countries from Giants and Heroes or else from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which according to Festus signifies White since this Island is on many sides of it encompassed with Rocks of that Colour or else from the Phoenician word Alp which signifies High or from Alben which in the Hebrew Tongue signifies White is uncertain and therefore needless to be insisted on too much As for the Name of Britain which Nennius and divers other British Writers derive from Brutus whom they likewise call Brito but others of them from the British words Pryd Cain i. e. Forma candida a white Form it seems too far fetch'd and besides we do not find that the Natives of this Isle ever called it Britain Mr. Camden derives it from the Welsh word Brith which signifies Painted for the ancient Britains used to paint themselves of a pale blewish Colour with Glastum or Woad and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in Greek signifies a Region or Country But this Etymology has this Inconvenience in it that it is derived from too far different Languages and besides it seems very improbable that such an Accidental Custom as that of painting their Bodies should give a Name to the whole Island as well as its Inhabitants Nor does this word Brith signifie in the Welsh Tongue Painted but rather
he readily granted taking along with him as an assistant not Lupus but his Scholar Severus who being ordained Bishop of Triers then preached the Gospel to the Germans as soon as it was divulg'd that Germanus was come over one Elaphius a Principal Magistrate of that Country brought a Youth a Son of his the Sinews of one of whose Legs had been long shrunk up and desired Germanus that he would restore them who granting his request immediately upon his stroaking the place with his hand his Leg was restored as the other whereupon both the Priests and the People who had followed Elaphius to the place being astonished at the Miracle were again confirm'd in the Catholick Faith which was followed by an admonition Germanus made them to amend their errours but the Authors of this apostacy being by the sentence of them all banished the Island were delivered up to the Bishops to be carry'd into the Continent that so the People might quietly enjoy the benefit of this Reformation who for the future persisted in the true Faith But after this the Britains being again pressed and over power'd by fresh invasions of the Scots and Picts King Vortigern called a Council to consider what was to be done and where they might best seek assistance to repel these frequent and cruel Invasions of the said Nations whereupon all his Councellours together with the King being as it were blinded found out such a defence as indeed proved the destruction of their Country which was that the Heathen Saxons who were then hateful both to God and Man and whom when absent they fear'd almost as bad as Death it self should be sent for to repel these Northern Nations which seems to have been ordained by Divine providence to take vengeance on so wicked a People as the event more evidently prov'd Though at present the Council seem'd very specious because the Saxons were then a Nation who were very terrible to all others this Council being thus approved of Ambassadours are immediately sent into Germany representing to the Saxons the Britains request and promising them very advantagious Conditions if they would come over to their assistance Witichindus an ancient German Writer in his History De gestis Saxonum represents these Ambassadours making a long Speech wherein they promised an absolute subjection to the Saxons but this being not at all likely nor agreeable to the British account of it I omit only this is certain that the Saxons were very well pleased with this Proposal and their Country being then overcharged with People beyond what it was able to bear immediately yeilding to this request made what haste they could to come away and being as it is said chosen out by Lot were put on board Three long Ships or Vessels called in their Language Chiules under the conduct of Two Captains Hengist and Horsa being Brothers and descended from that ancient Woden from whom almost all the Royal Families of the Saxons derive their descent These leaders together with their followers arriving in Britain at a place called afterwards Towne 's Fleet are welcomed with great joy and applause both of the Prince and People the Isle of Thanet where they landed being given them for their habitation and a League was made with them on these Conditions that the Saxons fighting for and defending the Country against Foreign Enemies should receive their Pay and Maintenance from those for whom they Fought this is said to have happen'd in the beginning of the Reign of the Emperour Martian and in the Four and Twentieth Year of Pharamond first King of the French Anno Dom. 149 as the Saxon Chronicle and almost all our Historians agree What the number was of these Saxon Auxiliaries now brought over is not related in the Saxon Annals or any other but certainly they could not be above 1500 since they all came over in Three Ships and 500 Men was as much as one of those small Vessels could well be supposed to carry But before I proceed further in this History 't is fit we should give some account of the Name Original and Manners of this Great and Warlike Nation of the Saxons whose Posterity enjoy this Kingdom to this very day Bede in the first place tells us that these People came from Three Valiant Nations of Germany viz. the Saxons Angles and Jutes from which latter were derived the Kentish Men and the Inhabitants of the Isle of Wight and of the Province lying over against the said Isle now called Hampshire and which was afterwards part of the Kingdom of the West Saxons was also Peopled by the same Nation From the Saxons that is the Country which was then called old Saxony came the East Saxons South Saxons and West Saxons and from the Angles that is that Country which is called Angulus and which lyes between the Countries of the Jutes and Saxons are derived the East Angles the Middleland Angles or Mercians together with the whole Nation of the Northumbrians that is those Northern People which live beyond the River Humber so far Bede But Ethelwerd one of our most ancient Historians in his Chronicle tells us more plainly that Old England is feared 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 and that Britain taking its Name from its Conquerors is now called England But as for the Bounds and Extent of Old Saxony there is a great difference between the Writers about it yet that it bordered upon Old England they all agree Arch-bishop Usher supposes Old Saxony to be that Country that beginning with the River Ellis is extended towards the North and was afterwards called Northalbingia being bounded in its lower parts by the Rivers Albis Billa and Trava and in its upper by the Rivers Eidora and Slia for Ptolemy appoints the same Southern Bounds to his Saxons placing them between the Bounds of the River Albis and Calusus or Trava which runneth by Lubec but the Northern bounds Egenhardus hath given us in his Annals in the Year of our Lord 808 where speaking of Godefrid King of Denmark he sets it out thus He resolved to fortifie the Limits of his Kingdom which looked towards Saxony with a deep Trench in such a manner as that from that Eastern Bay of the Sea which they call Ostersalt as far as the Western Ocean this Trench should defend all the Northern Banks of the River Eidor And Adam of Bremen in his Treatise concerning the Situation of Denmark and other Northern Nations divides Denmark from the Inhabitants of Saxony whom he calls North Elbings by the River Eidor of which Transelbian Saxons in another Book he reckons up three Nations The first of Dithmars lying upon the Ocean whose chief Church was Mildenthrope the second Holsteiners through which runs the River Sture whose chief Church was Scolenfield the third who were more noble are called Stormars
fought near the Mouth of the River which is called Glein or Gleni which is supposed by some to have been in Devonshire but by others and that more likely to have been Glein in Lincolnshire the Second Third Fourth and Fifth Battels were near another River called Duglâ—s which is in the Country of Linvis or Linnis by some supposed to be the River Dug or Due in Lincâ—lnshire but others place it in Lancashire where there is a River called Dugles near Wigan the Sixth Battel was by a River called Bassas which is supposed to run by Boston in Lincoln-shire the Eighth Battel was near the Castle of Gunion or Guinion in which Arthur carried the Picture of Christ's Cross and of the Virgin Mary upon his back or as Mat. Westminster has it painted on his Target and the Pagans were that day put to flight and many of them slain so that they received a very great overthrow the Ninth Battel was fought near the City of Legions that is in the British Tongue Kaer-Leon now Chester the Tenth was near a River called Ribroit or Arderic the Eleventh was upon the Mountain which is called Agâ—ed Cath Reginian which is some place in Somerset-shire but by Humphrey Lloyd it is supposed to have been Edinburgh H. Huntington confesses these places to be unknown in his time and therefore can be only guessed at in ours As for the Twelfth Battel since the certain time of it is fixed we shall speak of that by and by but the learned Dr. Gale to whom we are beholding for this last Edition of Gildas and Nennius printed at Oxon as also for the various readings and Notes at the end of him supposes that all the Battels here reckoned up were performed in the space of Forty Years aforegoing and althô they may be here attributed to King Arthur yet might be fought under Vortigern Ambrosius and others but that some of these Battles were really fought by King Arthur against the Saxons is acknowledged by all our English Writers and Ranulph Higden in his Polychronicon expresly relates that it is found in some ancient Chronicles that K. Cerdic fighting often with Arthur thô he were overcome yet still came on again more fiercely until Arthur being quite wearied out after the Six and Twentieth Year of Cerdic's coming over gave him up Hampshire and Somersetshire which Countries he then called West-Sexe And Thomas Rudburne in his greater Chronicle about this time we now treat of relates That Cerdic fought oftentimes with King Arthur who being at last weary of War made a League with Cerdic who thereupon granted to the Cornish-men to enjoy the Christian Religion under a Yearly Tribute which is likely enough to be true supposing as we have already said that he was only King of Cornwal and which shews this Prince not to have been such a mighty Monarch as Geoffery of Monmouth would make him Which is likewise confessed by the Welsh Historian Caradoc of Lancarvan in his Life of Gildas where he relates That Glastenbury was in Gildas his time besieged by King Arthur with a great Army out of Cornwal and Devonshire because Queen Gueniver his Wife had been ravish'd from him by Melvas who then Reigned in Somersetshire and that she was there kept by him because of the Strength of that Place whereupon King Arthur raising a great Army out of Cornwal and Devonshire marched to take the Town when the Abbot of Glastenbury accompanied with Gildas went between the two Armies and perswaded Melvas his King to restore the ravish'd Wife which being done both Kings were reconciled Which plainly shews this Arthur to have been but of small Power as well as Reputation who could thus tamely swallow such an Affront But to return to the Saxon Annals which relate That Stufe and Withgar Nephews to King Cerdic arrived in Britain with three Ships at the Port called Cerdics-Ora and fighting against the Britains put them to flight H. Huntington makes a long Description of this Battel which since it is not much to the purpose I omit only he tells us That the British Army was drawn up on a Hill side as also in the Valley which at first put the Saxons in much fear till recovering themselves they put them all to the Rout. Under this Year also Ranulph Higden in Polychron places the Death of Aesc the Son of Hengist to whom succeeded Otta his Son who Reigned 22 Years without any thing related of him either in the Saxon Annals or any other History About this time also thô without assigning the Year the same Author places the Death of Aella King of the South-Saxons who had all the Kings and chief Men in Britain under his Command to whom succeeded his Son Cyssa but in a short time his Posterity whose Names are no where mentioned grew weaker and weaker till they became subject to other Kings This Year Cerdic and Cynric took upon them the Title of Kings of the West-Saxons and the same Year fought against the Britains at a place called Cerdice's-Ford now Charford in Hampshire from which time the Royal Race of the Saxon Kings have reigned there and the same Year the Emperour Justin the Elder began to reign It seems King Cerdic was hitherto very modest for tho he had now been a Conquerour for 24 Years yet did he never take upon him the Title of King till now when he had gained a very large Territory and his Affairs were well established by this great Victory at Cerdice's-Ford but the Time when this Kingdom began is the more observable because at last it conquered all the other six Saxon Kingdoms and so obtained the sole Command of all England so that says H. Huntingdon the Times of all other Kingdoms being applied to these Kings may be by them the better distinguished In this Year as all the best British Manuscripts as well as printed Chronicles relate was fought the great Battel of Badon-Hill which is supposed to be the same with Banesdown near Bathe where the British Writers suppose King Arthur to have Commanded in Person thô divers of our Authors make him to have been only General to Aurelius Ambrosius which is not at all likely since according to the best British Accounts Aurelius died above 20 Years before this Battel This Nennius makes to be the twelfth Battel he had fought with the Saxons yet since Mr. Milton as well as others have been pleased to question whether there was ever any such King who Reigned in Britain it were not amiss if we did a little clear and establish that Point before we proceed any further since so great and remarkable a part of the History of the British Kings depends upon it The Objections that are made against Arthur's being a King in Britain are these First That Gildas makes no mention of him Secondly That he is not so much as mentioned by any ancient British Historian except Nennius who lived near 300 Years after and whom all
who left the poor Monks whom he was to defend to be cut to pieces But William of Malmesbury relates this Matter somewhat otherwise thô he says expresly that this Fight was at Chester then in the hands of the Britains which when King Ethelfrid went about to besiege the Townsmen resolving to suffer any thing rather than a Siege trusting in their Numbers sallied out to fight whom when by an Ambush laid near the City he had easily overcome he then falling upon the Monks who were come in great Numbers to pray for the Success of the British Army of which says this Author there must certainly have been an incredible Number since even in his time there were left such vast Remains of Churches and Cloysters and so great a heap of Ruines as you can scarce says he find any where else The Place is called Bangor which was then an Abby of Monks but is now turned into a Bishoprick yet here our Author was mistaken for this Bangor where the Monastery was is in Flintshire not far from the River Dee whereas that which is the Seat of the Bishoprick is in Caernarvanshire not far from the River or Streight of Menai which parts that Country from the Isle of Anglesey But of all these great Ruines mentioned by Malmesbury there is now nothing left save those of the two principal Gates of this old City the one of which is on that side towards England and the other towards Wales being about a Mile asunder the River Dee running betwixt them But before we proceed further it is fit we enquire into the Truth of that Story of Geâ—ffeâ—y of Monmouth who will needs have Arch-Bishop Augustine to have perswaded King Ethelbert to incite Ethelfrid King of Northumberland thus to make War upon the Britains and to destroy these Monks as you have heard in which he is also followed by other later Writers and particularly by Nicholas Trivet an ancient Author in his History lately printed at Paris among the Collections of Monsieur Dachery as also by Arch-Bishop Parker Author of the Latin History De Antiquitate Ecclesiae Anglicanae and likewise in Bishop Jewel's Apology the former of which thô Bede hath expresly told us that Augâ—stine was dead long before this happened yet will have these Words of Bede to have been foisted in contrary to the old Saxon Manuscripts which is not so for it is found in them all thô not in the Saxon Version but besides the Respect which we ought to have for so good a Man as Augustine is supposed to have been and which inclines us to believe that it was not likely he should have a Hand in so cruel an Action I doubt not but to prove from other Arguments supposing this Passage of Bede not to be his that Augustine died about the Year 605 where I have already placed it In the first place therefore I shall not deny that William of Malmesbury in his First Book De Gest. Pontif. Anglor as well as divers other Historians of later Times suppose Augustine to have sate Arch-Bishop 15 and in some Copies 16 Years and then he must certainly have survived this Massacre of the Monks of Bangor but if I can prove they were mistaken in this Account all that had been said to prove Augustine guilty of it will signifie nothing For First Bede relates that Augustine being yet alive ordained Laurence for his Successor lest himself being dead the yet weak State of that Church if vacant thô for never so small a time might happen to suffer which it must be supposed he did when he found himself in a declining condition and not like long to survive Now that this happened in the Year 605 may be also proved by these Circumstances Bede hath already told us that Augustine in the Year 604 had ordained Mellitus and Justus Bishops immediately after which Relation follows that concerning Augustine's Death which he would scarce have mentioned there had not one followed the other within a short time and that it was so appears in the Manuscript Text of Adrian the Abbot of Canterbury who lived within less than 60 Years after and who obtained a Priviledge from Pope Deusdedit concerning the Free Election of the Abbot of that Monastery at the end of which there is this Passage Anno Dom. 605. died the holy Bishop Gregory IV o Idus Martii and in the same Year also Bishop Augustine VII o Kal. Junii with whom also agree Marianus Scotus and Florence of Worcester in their Chronicles the former of whom under Anno Dom. 605 hath these Words Augustine having ordained Laurence the Presbyter Arch-Bishop in his stead after a short time departed to the Heavenly Kingdom thô in Florence's Copy it is placed under the Year 604 which Difference might easily happen by the carelesness of Transcribers This is also observed by Will. Thorne the Historian and Monk of Canterbury from an old Book of the Life and Miracles of this St. Augustine that now is lost who in his Chronicle says expresly That many have erred concerning the Death of St. Augustine thinking him to have died Anno Dom. 613 The cause of which Errour is owing to the false Dates of some Chronicles who make him to have sate Arch-Bishop Sixteen Years whereas Bede in his second Book says That he ordained Mellitus and Justus to be Bishops a little before his Death and there gives us the same reason as I have already done with whom also agrees an ancient Anonymous Chronicle in the Library at Lambeth as also the short Annals of the Church of Rochester which contain the Successions of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury both which place the Death of Arch-Bishop Augustine and the Succession of Laurentius in Anno Dom. 604 but of this you may see more in the First Volume of Anglia Sacra published by the learned Mr. Wharton deceased wherein you may also find a short dissertation on this Subject and to whom I own my self obliged for the light I have had towards settling this obscure Question Now having cleared Arch-Bishop Augustine's Memory of that Crime which is laid to his Charge I shall proceed to the Ecclesiastical History of this time Laurentius who succeeded Augustine in the See of Canterbury having seen the English Church not only foundâ—d but much encreased began about this time to bestow his Pastoral care not only upon the English and British Inhabitants of this Island but also upon the Scots who inhabited Ireland because he knew that at that time they as well as the Britains did not observe Easter according to the Nicene Canon the occasion of which Controversie I have already given you Therefore the new Arch-Bishop thought it fit to write an Epistle on purpose to the Irish Bishops wherein he exhorted them to maintain the Catholick Unity in the observation of Easter in which Letters this is remarkable That they are directed to all the Bishops per Universam Scotiam That is through out
Coleman that he was resolved to quit his Bishoprick and depart into Scotland to the Isle of Hye from whence he cam◠rather than to comply with it from whence he also departed into Ireland here called Scotland where he built a Monastery in that Country and lived all the rest of his days and in which only English Men were admitted at the time when Bede wrote his History But after the departure of Coleman one Tuda who had been ordained Bishop among the Southern Scots was made Bishop of Lindisfarne but he enjoyed that Bishoprick but a very little while But after the Death of Bishop Tuda according to the Life of Bishop Wilfrid King Oswi held a great Council with the Wise Men of his Nation whom they should chuse in the vacant See as most fit for that holy Function when they all with one Consent nominated and chose Abbot Wilfrid as the fittest and worthiest Person to succeed him but being to be Consecrated he refused it from any Bishop at home because he look'd upon them all as Uncanonical being all ordained by Scotish Bishops who differed from the Roman Church about this Point of keeping Easter so that he would needs go over into France for Ordination where staying too long the King put Ceadda who had lately come out of Ireland into his Place which Wilfred upon his return much resenting retired to his Monastery at Ripon and there resided as also sometimes with Wulfher King of Mercia or else with Ecghert King of Kent till he was restored to his See Bede tells us that the above-mentioned Eclipse was followed by a sudden Pestilence the same Year which first depopulating the Southern Parts of Britain then proceeded to the Northern wherein Bishop Tuda deceased it also invaded Ireland and there took off many Religious as well as Secular Persons The same Year also according to Florence Ercombert King of Kent dying left that Kingdom to Egbert his Son Also Ethelwald King of the East Angles dying this Year Aldulf succeeded him About this time according to Bede Siger and Sebba succeeding Swidhelm in the Kingdom of the East Saxons being unsteady in the Faith and supposing the late great Pestilence to have fell upon them for renouncing their old Superstition relapsed again to Idolatry and rebuilt the Idol-Temples hoping by that means to be defended from the present Mortality but as soon as Wulfher King of the Mercians to whom this Kingdom was then subject heard of it he sent Bishop Jaruman to them who together with their Fellow-Labourers by their sound Doctrine and gentle Dealing soon reclaimed them from their Apostacy This Mortality is also partly confirmed by Mat. Westminster who the next Year relates so great a Mortality to have raged in England that many Men going in Troops to the Sea-side cast themselves in headlong preferring a speedy Death before the Torments of a long and painful Sickness thô this seems to be no other than the great Pestilence which raged the Year before unless we suppose it to have lasted for 2 Years successively The same Year also according to the Account of an ancient British Chronicle lately in the Possession of Mr. Robert Vaughan Cadwallader last King of the Britains having been forced by a great Famine and Mortality to quit his Native Country and to sojourn with Alan King of Armorica finding no hopes of ever recovering his Kingdom from thence went to Rome where professing himself a Monk he died about 8 Years after Now thô the British History of Caradoc Translated by Humphrey Lloyd and Published by Dr. Powel places Cadwallader's going to Rome Anno 680 which Mr. Vaughan in the Manuscript I have by me and which is already cited in the former Book proves can neither agree with the Account of the said old Chronicle nor yet with the Time of the great Mortality above-mentioned for Caradoc and Geoffery of Monmouth do both place Cadwallader's going to Rome in the Year of the great Pestilence which as Bede and Mat. Westminster testifie fell out in the Year 664 or 665 and therefore that learned Antiquary very well observes That as for their Calculation who prolong Cadwallader's Life to the Year 688 or 689 and place his going to Rome in Pope Sergius's time he thinks they had no better Warrant for it than their mistaking Ceadwalla King of the West Saxons who then indeed went to Rome and there died for this Cadwallader who lived near 20 Years before whereby they have confounded this History and brought it into a great deal of uncertainty whereas that ancient Appendix annex'd to the Manuscript Nennius in the Cottonian Library whose Author lived above 300 Years before either Geoffery or Caradoc doth clearly shew that this Monastery above-mentioned and consequently Cadwallader's going to Rome happened in the Reign of Oswi King of Northumberland who according to the Saxon Annals began to Reign Anno 642 and died Anno 670 and therefore no other Mortality ought to be assigned for Cadwallader's going to Rome than this in King Oswi's Reign Anno 665 for the Words of the said old Author are these Oswi the Son of Ethelfred reigned 28 Years and 6 Months and whilst he reigned there happened a great Mortality of Men Catwalater so he spells it then reigning over the Britains after his Father and therein perished Now the Case is clear if these Words in the Latin Et in ea periit have relation to Cadwallader as most likely they have considering Oswi lived 5 Years after the Year 665 wherein this Mortality raged then Cadwallader never went to Rome at all but died of this Plague but of this I dare not positively determine since the greater part of the Welsh Chronicles are so positive in Cadwallader's dying at Rome But to return to our Annals This Year Oswi King of Northumberland and Ecgbrith King of Kent with the Consent of the whole English Church as Bede relates sent Wigheard the Presbyter to Rome to be there made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury but he died almost as soon as he arrived So that Theodorus being the next Year consecrated Arch-Bishop was sent into Britain Of which Transaction Bede gives us this particular Account About this time also as Bede relates Wina Bishop of Winchester being driven from his See by King Kenwalch went and bought the See of London of King Wulfher This is the first Example of Simony in the English Church The See of Canterbury had been now vacant for above 3 Years for the Pope was resolved himself to Ordain an Arch-Bishop and at last at the Recommendation of one Adrian a Greek Monk who might have been Arch-Bishop himself but refused it the Pope chose this Theodorus then a Monk and a Native of Tharsus in Cilicia who being an excellent Scholar brought the knowledge of the Greek Tongue as also Arithmetick Musick and Astronomy in use among the English Saxons This Arch-Bishop immediately upon his coming into England made a thorough Visitation of
his Province and as Bede tells us surveyed all Things and ordained Bishops in fit Places and those Things which he found less perfect than they should be he by their Assistance corrected among which when he found fault with Bishop Ceadda as not having been rightly Consecrated he humbly and modestly replied If you believe that I have not rightly undertook the Episcopal Charge I willingly quit it since as I never thought my self worthy so I never consented to accept it but in obedience to the Commands of my Superiours But the Arch-Bishop seeing his Humility answered That he would not have him lay aside his Episcopacy and so he again renewed his Ordination according to the Catholick Rites From whence it appears that this Arch-Bishop then thought the Ordination of the English and Scotish Bishops who differed from the Church of Rome as to the time of keeping Easter to be Uncanonical and for this reason Bede here also tells us That Bishop Wilfrid was sent into France to be Ordained But as for this Bishop Ceadda Florence of Worcester informs us That he was now also deprived of his Bishoprick and Wilfrid restored to it as having been unduly Elected thereunto which thô Bede doth not tell us in express Words yet he confirms it in the very next Chapter where he tells us That Jaruman Bishop of the Mercians being now dead King Wulfher did not ask Arch-Bishop Theodorus to Ordain a new One but only desired of King Oswi that Bishop Ceadda the Brother of Cedda should be sent to him to take that Charge who lived privately at his Monastery of Lestinghen where he was then Abbot Wilfrid then not only Governing the Diocess of York and all the Northumbers but also Picts as far as King Oswi's Dominions extended But to return again to the Saxon Annals This Year King Ecgbert gave to Basse the Priest Reculf where he built a Monastery This was afterwards called Reculver in Kent Oswi King of Northumberland died xv Kal. Martij and was buried at Streanshale Monastery and Ecverth or Egfrid his Son reigned after him also Lothaire Nephew of Bishop Agelbert took upon him the Episcopal Charge over the West Saxons and held it 7 Years Arch-Bishop Theodorus Consecrated him He whom these Annals call Lothair was the same with Leutherius Bishop of Winchester Bede tells us further of King Oswi That being worn out with a long Infirmity he was so much in love with the Roman Rites that if he had recovered of the Sickness of which he died he had resolved to go to Rome and end his Days at the Holy Places having engaged Bishop Wilfrid to be the Guide and Companion of his Journey promising him no small Rewards for his Pains ' This Year was a great slaughter of Birds H. Huntington renders it a great Fight of Birds which seems to have been some remarkable Combat of Crows or Jackdaws in the Air of which we have several wonderful Relations in our Histories Mat. Westminster relates that the strange Birds seemed to flie before those of this Country but that many Thousands were killed This next Year Cenwalch King of the West Saxons died and Sexburga his Wife held the Kingdom after him for one Year Of whom William of Malmesbury gives this Account That this King dying left the Kingdom to Sexburga his Wife nor did she want Spirit or Courage to discharge all the Functions of a King for she straitways began to raise new Forces as also to keep the Old to their Duty to govern her Subjects with moderation and to keep her Enemies in awe and in short to do such great Things that there was no Difference but the Sex between Her and a King But as she aimed at more than Feminine Undertakings so she left this Life when she had scarce Reigned a Year about But Mat. Westminster says she was expelled the Kingdom by the Nobles who despised Female Government But what Authority he had for this I know not for I do not find it in any other Author whereas if what William of Malmesbury says of her be true it was not likely they should Rebel against so good a Governess who seems to have been the perfect Pattern of an Excellent Queen After the Death of King Cenwalch and as I suppose Queen Sexburga likewise Bede relates That the Great Men or Petty Princes of that Kingdom divided it among them and so held it for 10 Years in which time Eleutherius Bishop of the West Saxons i. e. of Winchester dying Heddi was Consecrated by Arch-Bishop Theodorus in his stead in whose time those Petty Princes being all subdued Ceadwalla took the Kingdom but this does not agree with the Saxon Annals About this time thô Bede does not set down the Year King Egfrid of Northumberland waging War with Wulfher King of Mercia won from him all the Country of Lindsey About this time also died Ceadda Bishop of Litchfield according to Ran. Higden's Polychron but Bede does not tell us the time of his Death thô he mentions it and there gives a large Account of the great Humility and Piety of that good Bishop and of the Pious End he made He is called by us at this day St. Chad. This Year Egber◠King of Kent deceased according to Bede's Epitome who as says Math. Westminster gave part of the Isle of Thanet to build a Monastery to explate the Murder of his Cousins whom he had caused to be slain as you have already heard The same Year was a Synod of all the Bishops and great Men of England held at Heartford now Hartford which Synod as Bede tells us was called by Arch-Bishop Theodorus where Wilfred Bishop of York with all the rest of the Bishops of England were either in Person or by their Deputies as Florence relates and in which divers Decrees were made for the Reformation of the Church the first and chiefest of which was That Easter should be kept on the first Lord's Day after the Fourteenth Moon of the First Month i. e. 〈◊〉 which thô it had been before appointed by the Synod at Streanshale above-mentioned yet that being not looked upon as a General Council of the whole Kingdom it was now again renewed the rest of them concerning the Jurisdictions of the Bishops and the Priviledges and Exemptions of Monasteries I pass over and refer you to Sir H. Spelman's First Volume of Councils for farther satisfaction But I cannot omit that it was here first Ordained That thô Synods ought to be held twice a Year yet since divers Causes might hinder it therefore it seem'd good to the whole Council that a Synod should be assembled once a Year at a place called Cloveshoe This Year also the Saxon Annals relate That Etheldrethe late Wife to Egfrid King of Northumberland founded the Monastery of Ely in which she her self became the first Abbess She as Bede tells us had been twice married but would never let either
Abbess deceased at Streanshale now Whitby in York-shire which she her self had Founded she was Grand Niece to King Edwin and having been converted by Paulinus had been almost ever since her Conversion a professed Nun first in the Monastery of Cale in France and was afterwards Abbess of divers Nunneries in England being esteemed a Lady of great Sanctity and Knowledge At this Monastery of Strean-shale which was then for Men as well as Women lived Caedmon the English Saxon Poet who is supposed by Bede to have been once Divinely inspired in his sleep to make Verses in his own Tongue upon the Creation of the World and ever after kept that faculty upon other Divine Subjects there are divers of his Paraphrases in Saxon Verse still extant upon several Stories in Genesis and Exodus but very hard to be understood by reason of the Obsoleteness of the Saxon Dialect They have been Printed at Oxford by the Learned Junius About this time also according to Florence the Kingdom of the Mercians became divided into five Diocesses and Tulfride a learned Monk of the Abbess Hilda's Monastery was elected first Bishop of Worcester but dyed before his Ordination But the ancient Chronicle of the Church of Worcester now in the Cottonian Library relates the Church of Worcester to have been first founded by Atheâ—red King of the Mercians and Theodore Bishop of Canterbury one Bosel being made the first Bishop of that See and sate therein Eleven Years There was then also founded a Colledge of secular Canons which so continued as the Chapter of this Church till Anno Dom. 991 when Bishop Oswald turned them out and put in Benedictine Monks in their Rooms About the same time also one Oswald Nephew to King Ethelred founded a College for Secular Canons at Pershore in Worcestershire which continued till King Edgar and Bishop Oswald Anno 984. brought in Benedictine Monks in their Places I may also add under this Year that pretended Bull of Pope Agatho's Privileges together with the Charter of this K. Ethelred which is reciâ—â—d in the Peterbâ—rgh Copy of the Saxon Annals under Anno. 675 and is there related to have been about the same time confirmed in the Council at Heathfield above-mentioned whereby were grâ—nted to the Monastery of Mâ—deshaâ—isâ—e ad divers greâ—t Immâ—nities which Bull does not only confirm aâ—d those Privileges formerly granted by Pope Vitalian but there is also further added this that the Abbot should be the Pope's Legat over the whole Isle of Britain and that whatsoever Abbot was elected by the Monks should be immediately consecrated by the Archbishop of Câ—nterbury with divers other Things too tedious here to relate Which 〈◊〉 being recited in the Council above-mentioned was by thâ—m estâ—blished and confirmed which being done the King is said to have made a Speech reciting all the Lands he had given to the said Monastery and then having subscribed the Charter the Queen Adrian the Pope's Legat and all the Bishops and Abbots whose Names are there mentioned did so likewise under drâ—â—dful Curses upon those that should violate the Privileges above-mentioned But notwithstanding the so exact Recital and supposed Confirmation of this Charter in the Council above-mentioned we have very great Reason to suspect this Bull as also the Charter it self to have been forged long after by the Monks of Peterburgh for in the first place the Privileges granted to this Abbey do not only exceed any that had been granted by the Pope to any Monastery in England but also were such as we do not find it ever enjoy'd as particularly that of their Abbot's being the Pope's ordinary Legate all over this Island which had been such a Diminution of the Rights of the Archbishop of Canterbury as he would nover have so easily paâ—s'd over And besides all which the Names of the Bishops who are put to this Charter do not at all agree with the Circumstances of Time for first it is certain that Wilfred is here styled Archbishop of York which Title he never took upon him being then no more but a Bishop under the Jurisdiction of Archbishop Theodore and by whom he at this Time stood deprived and was not present at this Council nor did return this Year from Rome as this Copy of the Annals makes him to have done but was indeed returned from thence near three Years before being at this Time converting the South-Saxons â—s hath been already related Neither was Putta Bishop of Rochester or Waldhere Bishop of London at the time when this Council was held though their Names are also put to this Charter for the former had been dead eleven Years before and one Quiehelme was then Bishop of that See as appears by the Catalogue of the Bishops in Sir H. Spelman's Fasâ—â— at the end of the Volume of English Writers after Bede nor was the latter then Bishop of London but Erkenwald who was elected to that See above fifteen Years before and continued in it 'till after the Reign of King Ina who began not to reign 'till Anno 688 so that upon the whole matter I take this Charter to be a notorious piece of Forgery This Year Trumbrith was consecrated Bishop of Hagulstad and Trumwin Bishop of the Picts This was the Bishoprick of Wyterne called in Latin Candida Casa which at that time as Bede testifies belonged to the Kingdom of Northumberland and also Centwin King of the West-Saxons put the Britains to flight as far as the Sea H. Huntington says That he also wasted all their Country with Fire and Sword but the Welsh Chronicle of Caradoc translated by H. Lloyd relates That this Year Kentwin King of the West-Saxons gathered a great Company of his Nation together and came against the Britains who seem'd ready to receive the Battle but yet when both Armies appeared in sight of each other they were not all desirous to fight for they fell to a friendly composition and agreement viz. That Ivor should take Ethelburga to Wife who was Cousin to Kâ—ntwin and quietly enjoy all that he had got during the Reign of Ivor but of this our English Histories are silent This Year the Nunnery of St. Peter in Glocester was founded by Osriâ— then a petty Prince or Governour under Ethelred King of the Mercians but was afterwards King of the Northumbers This Monastery thô it had the honour of having Three Queens successively Abbesses of it was destroyed by the Danes but afterwards was re-edified for Benedictine Monks by Aldred Bishop of Worcester Anno 1058. This Year also according to Bede Egfrid King of Northumberland sent a great Army into Ireland under one Bert or Bryt his General who miserably wasted that innocent Nation which had been always friendly to the English which Character perhaps might have been due to them in Bede's time and did not so much as spare the Churches or Monasteries but the Islanders as far as they were able repel'd Force with Force and invoked the Divine
it is to this Year we are to refer the great Council which Bede tells us was held in the Kingdom of the West Saxons in which after the Death of Bishop Hedda the Bishoprick of that Province became divided into two one whereof was conferred on Daniel who held it at the time when Bede wrote his History and the other was bestowed upon Aldhelm above-mentioned then Abbot of Malmesbury who was now made Bishop of Shireburn and when he was only an Abbot did at the Command of a Synod of the whole Nation write an excellent Book against that Errour of the Britains in not keeping Easter at the due time whereby he converted many of those Britains which were then subject to the West Saxons to the Catholick Observation thereof Of whose other Works likewise Bede gives us there a Catalogue being a Person says he admirable in all Civil as well as Ecclesiastical and Divine Learning and as William of Malmesbury further informs us was the first of the English Saxons who wrote Latin Verses with a Roman Genius There is here in the Saxon Annals a Gap for the space of 3 Years in which I think we may according to H. Huntington's Account place what Bede relates in the Chapter and Book last cited viz. That Daniel and Aldhelm yet holding their Sees it was ordained by a Synodal Decree That the Province of the South Saxons which had hitherto belonged to the Diocess of Winchester should now be an Episcopal See and have a Bishop of its own and so Ceadbert who was then Abbot of the Monastery of Selsey was consecrated first Bishop of that Place who dying Ceolla succeeded in that Bishoprick but he likewise dying some Years before Bede wrote his History that Bishoprick then ceased This Year the Saxon Annals began with the Death of Bishop Aldhelm whom it calls Bishop of Westwude for so Shireburne was then called after whom one Forther took the Bishoprick and this year Ceolred succeeded in the Kingdom of the Mercians for now Kenred King of the West Saxons went to Rome and Offa with him and Kenred remained there to his Live's end and the same year Bishop Wilferth or Wilfred deceased at Undale his Body was brought to Rypon in Yorkshire This is the Bishop whom King Egferth long since forced to go to Rome There being divers Things put very close together under this Year they will need some Explanation This Offa here mentioned was as Bede and William of Malmesbury relate the Son of Sigher King of the East Saxons who being a young Man of a sweet Behaviour as well as handsom Face in the Flower of his Youth and highly beloved by his People and having not long before succeeded to the Kingdom after Sighard and Senfrid above-mentioned he courted Keneswith the Daughter of King Penda whom he desired to marry but it seems not long after their Marriage she over-perswaded him to embrace a Monastick Life so that he now went to Rome for that End And Bede tells us expresly that both these Kings left their Wives Relations and Countries for Christ's sake But to this Offa succeeded Selred the Son of Sigebert the Good in the Kingdom of the East Saxons H. Huntington proposes King Offa as a Pattern to all other Princes to follow and makes a long Exhortation to them to that purpose as if a King could not do GOD better Service nor more Good to Mankind by well-governing his People than by renouncing the World and hiding his Head in a Cell But such was the Fashion or rather Humour of that Age and the Affairs as well as Consciences of Princes being then altogether Govern'd by Monks it is no wonder if they extoll'd their own Profession as the only One wherein Salvation could certainly be obtained But since I have already given you from Bede and Stephen Heddi a large Account of Bishop Wilfred's Life and Actions above-mentioned I shall not need to add any more to it He was certainly a Man who had tried all the Vicissitudes of an adverse as well as a prosperous Fortune having been no less than three times deprived of his Bishoprick the first time unjustly but whether we may say the same of both the other seems doubtful for let his Friends say what they will it is evident he was at first deprived for opposing a very good Design viz. That of dividing the Northumbrian Kingdom into more Diocesses and he having the rich Monastery of Hagulstad under his Charge would not permit it to be made a Bishoprick thô the Diocess was more than he could well manage and this seems to have been the true Original of that great Quarrel between him and the two Kings Egfrâ—d and Alfred as you have already heard so it should seem the Wrong pretended to have been done him was none at all or else such holy Men as St. Cuthbert St. John of Beverlie and Eatta are described to be would never have accepted of the Bishopricks of York and Hagulstad during the time of his Deprivation and it is very strange that two Arch-Bishops successively with the greater part of the Bishops of England should have agreed to his Deprivation if there had not been great Cause for it nor would so holy and knowing a Woman as the Abbess Hilda have been so much against him had not there been some substantial Reason to justifie it but he had the Pope on his side who always encouraged Appeals to Rome and then it was no wonder if he prevailed but he was certainly a Prelate of a high Spirit and great Parts and who building a great many Monasteries by the Benevolence of the Kings and Princes of that Time and himself thô a Bishop being Abbot of two of them at once it was no wonder if he grew very rich which together with his high way of Living being the first Bishop of that Age who used Silver Vessels it procured him the Envy of those Princes but he was a grand Patron of the Monks and therefore it is not to be wondred at if they cried him up for a Saint of whom the Writer of his Life which he Dedicates to Acca his Successour relates too many Miracles to be believed raising the Dead cuting the Lame being very ordinary Feats but the Monks being the only Writers of that Age we must be contented with what Accounts they will give us thô thus much must be acknowledged in his Commendation That he converted great Multitudes to the Christian Faith and caused the Four Gospels to be written in Letters of Gold But having given you this Account of Bishop Wilfred's Life it is fit I say somewhat further of his Death concerning which the Author above-mentioned tells us That having lived 4 Years in Peace after his last Restitution he at last went to visit the Monasteries which he had founded in the South Parts of England where he was received by his Abbots whom he had put in with great Joy till coming to a Monastery which
there was likewise now a Synod at Aclea But under what King this Council was held or whereabouts the place is or what Decrees were there made our Histories are altogether silent in but Sir H. Spelman in his first Volume of Councils supposes it to have been at a place of that Name in the Bishoprick of Durham where there are two places so called the one Alca and the other Scole Aclea This Year Cyneheard slew Cynewulf King of the West-Saxons but Cyneheard himself was there slain and Eighty Four Men with him but these Annals in the beginning of this King's Reign under Anno Dom. DCCLV have given us a full account of this King 's unfortunate end which I rather chuse to insert in its proper place and was thus That he endeavouring to Expel Cyneheard Brother to the late King Sigebert out of the Kingdom in the mean time when he knew that the King with a small Company was gone to Merinton now called Merton in Surrey to visit a certain Woman he there besieged him and beset the Chamber where he was before the King 's Attendants could know any thing of it which as soon as the King perceived he got out of Doors and Manfully defended himself but all of them assaulting the King at once they in the end slew him thô as Florence relates he first sorely wounded Cynheard but when the King's Thanes who were then in the same House heard the noise they all ran thither as fast as they could get themselves ready but Cyneheard Aetheling promised them great Rewards and Pardon if they would take his part which none of them would agree to but presently all fought against him till they were all killâ—d except one British Hostage who was grievously wounded but the next morning the King's Thanes that remained at home coming to know that he was kill'd viz. Osric the Ealderman and Wiverth his Thane and all those whom he had left behind him they all came thither on Horseback and when they found Cyneheard Aetheling in the Town where the King lay dead and having the doors fast locked upon them as they approached and endeavoured to break in Cynheard promised to grant them all their Liberties and all their Lands and Goods with great Riches and Honours if they would deliver up the Kingdom to him peaceably telling them moreover That he had some of their Kinsmen with him who would never desert him but they answered That none of their Relations were dearer to them than their own Lord and they would never obey his Murderers and they then farther told their Kinsmen That if they would leave their Leader they should all be safe from whom they also received this Answer That the like had been already promised to those who were of the King's Party and said That as they then refused their promise so themselves should now refuse the like from them then they fought at the Gates until they were broken open and the Conspirators forced to retire within them but there Cyneard Aetheling was Slain and all those that were with him except one who was the Ealderman's God-son to whom being grievously wounded he granted his Life This King Cynwulf Reigned One and Thirty Years and his Body lyes buried at Wintencester but that of the Aetheling at Axanmister now Axminster in Devon-shire being both of them descended from Cerdic the first King of that Kingdom This same Year also Brihtic began his Reign over the West-Saxons whose Body lyes buried at Werham and he was also descended from Cerdic in a right Line In those times King Aealmond Reigned in Kent he was the Father of King Egbert and Egbert was the Father of Athulf or Athelwulf But the Authour of these Annals is here mistaken for thô one Aealmond was Father of King Egbert yet was there never any of that Name King of Kent Bothwin Abbot of Ripun deceased this Year and the same Year was held that troublesome Synod at Cealchythe where Arch-Bishop Janbryht lost part of his Province to the See of Litchfield also Higebryht was this Year chosen Arch Bishop of Litchfield by King Offa and Egbert his Son was anointed King with him and in those times there were Legates sent from Pope Adrian to renew the Faith which had been sent us by Augustine Note the Pope had before granted the Pall to Litchfield and thereby made it an Arch-Bishoprick but it was not till the following Year confirmed in a general Synod of the Kingdom This Year that great Synod or Council of Calcuith above mentioned was held by Gregory Bishop of Ostia and Theophilact Bishop of Tudertum then the Pope's Legates in England at which were also present Offa King of the Mercians and Cinwulf King of the West-Saxons where not only the Nicene Creed was again received and confirm'd as also the Seven first General Councils but many Canons were made concerning Matters of Religion and Ecclesiastical Discipline of all which I shall here recite some that I think proper The second of these Decrees is That Baptism be performed at the times appointed by the former Canons of the Church and no other and that all Men in general learn the Creed and the Lord's Prayer that Godfathers shall be answerable for those Children for whom they stand till they come to Years capable of learning the Creed and the Lords Prayer The Twelfth Canon is That in 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 of the People not begot of Adultery or Incest because as in our times an Adulterer according to the Canons cannot arrive to the Priest-hood so neither can he be the Lord 's Anointed and the Heir of his Country and King of the whole Kingdom who is not begot of Lawful Matrimony The rest of it is for rendering Honour and Obedience to Kings without speaking Evil of them and the chief Texts out of St. Peter and St. Paul are cited to that purpose It is also there forbid That any Man should conspire the Death of the King because he is the Lord 's Anointed and if any shall be guilty of that wickedness if he be a Bishop or one in Priest's Orders he shall be deprived as Judas was cast out from his Apostleship There is also here likewise cited out of Scripture several examples of those that have been punished either for conspiring the Death of Kinsg or having actually kill'd them The Sixteenth Canon is That Bastards and those begotten of Nuns shall not inherit which is the first Decree we find of this kind The Seventeenth Canon is That Tythes shall be paid according to the Scriptures viz. Thou shalt bring the Tenth part of all thy encrease when thou bringest thy first fruits into the House of the Lord thy God there is likewise cited the Text in Malachi Chap. 3. concerning the paying of Tythes and therefore says the Canon
and the Charter of that King to the Abby of Croyland is confirmed under the Rule of St. Benedict and is supposed by Sir H. Spelman in his Councils to be a great Council of that Kingdom because it bears date in the Week of Easter when they were Assembled about the publick Affairs of the Kingdom at which time as also at Whitsontide and Christmass the great Men of the Kingdom were wont of course to attend at the King's Court to consult and ordain what should be necessary for the common Good when also the King used to appear in State with his Crown upon his head which custom of holding great Councils was also continued after the Norman Conquest to the middle of the Reign of Henry the Second as Sir H. Spelman learnedly observes in his Notes at the end of this Council This Year according to the Peterburgh Copy of the Saxon Annals Ceolred Abbot of Medeshamstead and his Monks leased out to one Wulfred the Land of Sempigaham perhaps Sempingham in Lincoln-shire on Condition That after his Death it should again revert to the Monastery he paying in the mean time a Yearly Rent of so many Loads of Wood Coals and Turf and so many Barrels of Beer and Ale and other Provisions with Thirty Shillings in Money as is there specified at which Agreement Burherd King of the Mercians who had now succeeded Beorthwulf was present together with Ceolred the Arch-Bishop with divers other Bishops Abbots and Ealdormen I have inserted this to let you see the form of Leasing out the Abbey Lands in those Days and which it seems required the Solemnity of the Common Council of that Kingdom to confirm it The same Year also according to Florence Berthulph King of the Mercians deceased and Burhed succeeded him Who this next Year together with his Wites that is the Wise Men of his Great Council desired King Aethelwulf that he would assist them to subdue the Northern Welshmen which he performed and marching with his Army through Mercia made the Men of North-Wales Subject to King Burhed but of this the Welsh Chronicles are silent This Year also King Aethelwulf sent his Son Aelfred to Pope Leo to Rome who there anointed him King and adopted him for his Episcopal Son It is much disputed among some of our Modern Historians of what the Pope anointed Alfred King whether of any present or else future Dominions But since an ancient Manuscript in the Cottonian Library containing an History of the Kings of England says expresly That he was anointed In Successorem Paterni Regni and that we do not read of any Territories King Alfred enjoyed till after the Death of his Brethren it is most reasonable to understand it in the plain Literal Sense as it is here set down not only in these Annals but in Asser's Account of this King's Life and Actions that the Pope anointed him King as a Prophetical Presage of his future Royal Dignity And the same Year Ealcher with the Kentish-men and Huda with the Surrey-men fought with the Danish Army in the Isle of Thanet and at first had the better of them but there were many killed and drowned on both sides and both the Ealdormen or Chief Commanders perished Also Burhed King of the Mercians now married the Daughter of King Ethelwulf Asser relates the Marriage to have been kept with great Solemnity at a Town of the King 's called Cippenham now Chipnam in Wiltshire This Year the Danes winter'd in Scepige or Sheppie and the same year King Aethelwulf discharged the Tenth part of his Land throughout his whole Kingdom of all Tribute or Taxes for the Honour of God and his own Salvation This being the famous and solemn Grant of King Aethelwulf concerning Tythes requires a more particular Relation and therefore I shall here give you the Words of the said Grant at large I Aethelwulf King of the West Saxons with the Councel or Consent of my Bishops and Chief Men c. have consented That a certain Hereditary Part of the Lands heretofore possess'd by all Orders and Degrees of Persons whether Men or Women Servants of GOD i. e. Monks or Nuns or meer Laicks shall give their Tenth Mansion and where it is least the Tenth Part of all their Goods free and discharged of all Secular Servitude and particularly of all Royal Tributes or Taxations as well the greater as the less which they call Wittereden which signifies a certain Fine or Forfeiture and that they be free from all other Things as Expedition building of a Bridge or fortifying of a Castle c. And that they may the more diligently pour out their Prayers to GOD for us without ceasing we do in some part discharge their other Service These Things were done in Winchester in the Church of St. Peter in the Year of our LORD's Incarnation 855 the Third Indiction on the Nones of November before the great Altar in Honour of the Glorious Virgin Mary the Mother of GOD St. Michael the Arch-Angel and St. Peter Prince of the Apostles as also of our blessed Father Pope Gregory all the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of England being present and subscribing to it as also Beorhed King of Mercia together with the Abbots Abbesses Earls and other chief Men of the whole Kingdom with an infinite multitude of other Believers who all of them have witnessed and consented to the Royal Grant but the Dignitaries have thereunto subscribed their Names But as Ingulph relates King Aethelwulf for the greater firmness thereof offered this Charter at the Altar of St. Peter at Rome but that the Bishops received it in the Faith of God and transmitted it to be published throughout all the Churches in their several Diocesses Thô this Grant of Tithes is mentioned by the Annals as to be made before the King 's going to Rome yet it appears by the Date as also from Asser and Ingulph not to have been done till after his Return from thence which makes Sir H. Spelman conjecture and not without good Grounds that this Grant was twice made once before his going to Rome it being there confirmed by the Pope and was also regranted by a Great Council of the Kingdom after his Return as appears by the Charter here recited I have been the more exact in reciting this Law concerning Tythes both because it gives us the form of passing an Act in the great Council of the Kingdom at that time and who were the Parties to it as also because this was the first general Law that was ever made in a Mycel Synod of the whole Kingdom for the payment of Tythes thô I do not deny but there had been before some particular Laws of King Ina and King Offa to the same effect yet those could only oblige the West Saxon and Mercian Kingdoms The next Year also according to Florence and Asser's Chronicle K. Aethelwulf went to Rome carrying Aelfred his youngest and best beloved Son along with him but
they designed and that a great part of them had entred the City the Pagans being compelled by Necessity and Despair broke out upon them and killed routed and put to flight the whole Army as well within as without the Town so that both the Kings were slain together with many Noblemen and a vast number of Common Souldiers and a great many were taken Prisoners and those that remained alive were forced to make Peace with the Danes who according to the Chronicle of Mailross made one Egbert King over the Northumbers that were left thô under the Danish Dominion but it seems it was over those that lay on the North side of the River Time as Simeon of Darham in his History of that Church relates The same Year also died Aethstan the Bishop after he had held his See of Scireborne 50 Years whose Body was buried in that Town But since the Chronicle that goes under the Name of Abbot Bromton undertakes to give some probable Account how the Danes came to invade the Kingdom of Northumberland thô it looks somewhat like a Romance yet I shall here give it you since it is found in no other Author that I know of being thus Osbriht King of Northumberland going one day a hunting as he returned home went privately to the House of one of his Noblemen called Bruern Brocard to refresh himself Bruern knowing nothing of the King 's coming was gone to the Sea side according to his Custom to secure the Shoar against Pirats but his Wife a Woman of great Beauty entertained the King at Dinner very splendidly The King have dined took her by the Hand and led her to her Chamber telling her He must speak with her in private and there removing all out of the way but such as were privy to his Secrets he by Force and Violence lay with her Having thus had his Will he speedily returned to York whilst she so lamented and wept that her Face was extremely altered which caused her Husband at his return to ask the cause of so sudden a Change and such an unusual Sadness Whereupon she told him the whole Matter how the King had forced her which having heard he comforted her bidding her not to afflict her self since she was not able to resist a Man so potent assuring her because she had told him the Truth he would not love her less than he had done before and if GOD gave him leave he would Revenge both himself and her upon him that had committed the Crime Then did Bruern being a Man both Noble and Powerful call his Kindred together to whom he revealed the Affront put upon him and his Intention speedily to Revenge it To which they all consenting and approving his Purpose he with them took Horse and rode to York The King upon sight of him called him to him very civilly but he having all his Relations at his Back defied him renouncing his Allegiance giving up his Land and whatsoever else he held of him This said without any more Words he withdrew making no stay at all at Court So his Friends consenting he went straitways over to Denmark where he made a great Complaint to the King of the Affront offered to him and his Wife by K. Osbriht desiring his speedy Relief and Supplies to put him into a Capacity to revenge himself At this News Godrin and his Danes conceived very great Joy having now some Reason to induce them to invade the English and revenge the Injury offered to Bruern who was descended of his Blood whereupon he speedily prepared a great Army over which he made Captains two Brothers called Inguar and Hubba most valiant Souldiers and to them he gave a Navy furnished with all Necessaries to transport an innumerable Company of Men. These Adventurers landing in the Northern Parts and taking their way through Holderness destroyed all the Towns with their Inhabitants and coming to York provoked Osbriht to come out and fight them where he and his Brother-King were both slain as you have already heard This Year the Danish Army marched into Mercia as far as Snotingaham now Nottingham and there took up their Quarters but Burhred King of the Mercians with his Great or Wise Men entreated Aethelred King of the West Saxons and Aelfred his Brother to help them to fight against the Pagans whereupon they likewise marched to the same place where finding the Danish Army strongly fortified they only besieged Nottingham But as Asser and Ingulph relate the Christians not being able to take either the Town or Castle there was very little fighting so that the Mercians were forced to make Peace with the Pagans whereupon the Danes marched back again into the Kingdom of Northumberland The same Year Asser in his Life of K. Alfred tells us That the King married the Daughter of Aethelred the Ealdorman of the Gaini i. e. of the Country about Gainesburrough in Yorkshire But the next Year the Danish Army returned again to York and there stayed Twelve Months and now there was also a great Mortality both of Men and Beasts But we cannot here omit the Relation of Mat. Westminster under this Year concerning what the Danes did before they left the North of England where he says they slew both Old and Young not sparing the Lives or Chastities so much as of the Nuns where he gives us a strange Example of an Heroick if not too Great a Love of Chastity for Ebba afterwards Sainted then Abbess of Coldingham Nunnery in Yorkshire being more afraid of the loss of her Virginity than her Life calling her Nuns into the Chapter-house there made a Speech to them setting forth the Lust and Cruelty of the Danes and also exhorting them to follow her Example in avoiding it which they all promising to observe she then took a Razour and cut off her own Nose and upper Lip in which she was immediately followed by all the Sisters which being done those cruel Tyrants Hinguar and Hubba coming thither the next day together with their Forces and seeing so horrible a Spectacle they not only ran out of the Monastery and left them but also gave order to their Followers that they should set the House on fire which they forthwith did so it was burnt to Ashes together with the Abbess and all her Nuns who thought themselves happy in thus suffering Martyrdom for the preservation of that which was dearer to them than their Lives Nor did they discharge their Fury upon this Nunnery alone but upon all the rest of the Monasteries of the Northumbrian Kingdom having not long before destroyed the Monasteries and Church of Linaisfarne with those of Girwy and Weremuth besides the famous Nunneries of Streanshale and Tinmuth most of which were never rebuilt and those that were not till several Ages after But to proceed with our Annals In the Peterborough Copy it follows thus Then the Danes quitting the North and mounting themselves on Horseback marched through Mercia into East
there declare their number that they may be ready to produce them to answer any thing that shall be demanded of them in the said Folcmote and if it happen that they bring many strangers on shore that they also certifie this to the King's Officer in that said Assembly that so they may be forth coming Now considering the Times wherein King Alfred lived when there was such flocking of Strangers being Enemies into England this Law was very justly and seasonably made The Thirty First inflicts upon him that shall put a Ceorles's Man that is an ordinary Country-Man without any fault into Bonds viz. A Mulct of Ten Shillings upon him that beats such a one Twenty Shillings if he hang him up a-loft Thirty Shillings if he cut off his Hair to expose him like a Fool Ten Shillings if he shave his Head like a Priest yet bind him not Thirty Shillings and in case he only cut off his Beard Twenty Shillings but if he bind him and shave his Hair like a Priest then Sixty Shillings Which Law was no doubt made to restrain the Tyranny and Insolence of the English Nobility who were wont before that Law too much to domineer over poor Country-Men here called Ceorles-men and therefore it seems highly probable that the Commons of England had then Representatives in the Great Council or else it is not likely the Nobility would ever have lost that Power they then Usurped over them Wherefore I shall leave it to the Indifferent Reader to Consider whether the Common People of England were then such Slaves as some late Writers would fain make them since not only satisfaction was to be made for their Lives but also for the least injury or abuse that might be committed against their Persons The Thirty Fourth Law imposes upon him that shall strike or fight in open Court before the King 's Ealdorman both the value of his own head and such a Fine besides as shall be thought fit and also 120 Shillings to be paid to the Ealdorman by him that by thus drawing his Weapon shall make any disturbance in the Folcmote or County Court if the Ealdorman were not present but the fact was done before his Substitute or the King's Priest then a Were or Amerciament of Thirty Shillings Here by the King's Priest is meant either the King's Chaplain or Bishop I will not determine whether who as we formerly said in those times presided also in the Folcmotes and there dispatched all business relating to the Church The Thirty Fifth ordains What satisfaction shall be made for breach of the Peace in any other place as for Example he that fights in the home-stall of a Country-man shall pay the said Country-man Six Shillings if he drew his Sword but struck not half as much which Penalty also was to be encreased according to the Estate or Quality of him upon whose ground the Assault was made So that if he fought in the House of one worth 600 Shillings he was to pay Three times as much if of one worth 1200 Shillings then the Amends was to be twice as much as the former The Thirty Six Law of Bâ—rhbrice or breach of the Peace in a Town confirms that part of King Ina's Law concerning that matter in imposing upon the Offender for the breach of the Peace in the King's Town or City by setting the Mulct of an Hundred and Twenty Shillings but if it be done in the Arch-Bishop's Town then Ninety Shillings in that of a Bishop or Ealdorman Sixty Shillings in the Town of a Man valued at 1200 Shillings Estate Thirty Shillings but half as much if done in a Village of one worth but half that Sum. From whence we may observe That in those times not only the King and the Great Men such as Bishops and Ealdormen but also Gentlemen of ordinary Estates had Villages or Townships of their own and they themselves received the Mulcts or Penalties imposed for the breach of the Peace within their Precincts which priviledge they lost I suppose after the coming of King William I. The Thirty Seventh is That Law concerning Bocland by vertue whereof he that holds Lands left him by his Ancestors was forbid to alienate it from his Kindred to others in case it could be proved by Writing or Testimony before the King or the Bishop his Kindred being present that the Man who first granted them forbid him all Alienation and laid on him this Condition From the making of this Law Mr. Selden informs us that we may here find an Estate in Fee-Tail much more ancient than the thirteenth Year of Edward the First The 38th Law is concerning Quarrels or deadly Feuds which since it gives a strange Licence for Men to take Satisfaction on their Enemies even without the Presence of any Officer I shall likewise set down First It forbids any Man to attack his Enemy if he find him in his own House except he first demand of him Satisfaction But if he have force enough he may besiege the House for seven days yet he shall not assault him if he will stay within but if he then surrender himself and his Arms into the Defendant's hands he may keep him thirty Days without hurt but then shall leave him so to his Kindred or Friends In case he flie to a Church the Honour of the Church is to be preserved But if the Demandant have not Strength enough to besiege him in his House he may desire the Assistance of the Ealderman which if he cannot obtain he must appeal to the King before he can assault him If any one by chance light upon his Adversary not knowing that he keeps himself at home and he will deliver up his Arms to him he shall keep him safe thirty Days and then deliver him to his Friends But in case he will not deliver up his Arms then he may fight with him but if he be willing to deliver up himself and his Arms to his Enemy and any other Man sets upon him such a Man shall pay the value of his Head if he kills him or give Satisfaction for his Wounds if any be given him according to the Fact besides which he shall be fined and lose all that may fall to him by reason of Kindred From whence you may observe that the nature of that Rough and Martial Age did allow Men a greater Liberty of righting themselves against those that had injured them than was afterwards thought fit to be allowed in more settled and peaceable Times The last of King Alfred's Laws is concerning Wounds and Maims which being very long I shall only give you an Abstract of it It is in short to appoint what Satisfaction in Money any Man shall pay for wounding or maiming another or for cutting off any Member or part of his Body even to the Nail of his little Finger All which was ascertained according to the particular Sums there set down and I shall leave it to wiser Judgments to consider whether
England and sojourned with the most Holy and Religious Monks in the City of Winchester Helmestan Abbot of the said Cathedral Church and the Venerable Swithune Praepositus i. e. Bishop of the same who had been before in Professione sacrae Theologiae in Studio Canterbriggiensi Cathedratus i. e. Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge had often relieved him during the many Hardships he suffered in his Banishment with special Favour he desired always should be acknowledged If we were assured that this Epistle was Genuine it would advance the Antiquity of this University far higher than the time we are now treating of and would make it Ancienter than the time of King Alfred in the latter end of whose Reign St. Swithune sate Bishop of Winchester But since we have not the Originals but only Citations from these ancient Pieces I shall not take upon me to determine of their Validity but leave that as also this Authors Credit to the Reader 's Judgment But to return to our Annals This Year Egbriht the innocent Abbot was slain on the 16th Kal. of July a little before the Summer Solstice and about three Days after Aethelfleda sent an Army against the Welsh which took Brecenanmere supposed to be either Brecknock Castle or else some place near it and there she took the King's Wife and about thirty four Prisoners The Danes marching now on Horseback after Easter from Hamtune i. e. Northampton and Lygraceaster now Leicester slew many Men at Hocneratune now Hoocnorton in Oxfordshire and the places adjoyning and as soon as they had returned home again they sent out another Company of Robbers which marched towards Ligtune most likely to be Leighton in Bedfordshire but the People of that Country being forewarned of their coming fought with them and not only put them to flight but also recovered whatsoever they had taken away so that they left a great many of their Horses and Arms behind them Now a great Fleet sailed from the Southern Parts of Armorica under the Command of two Earls Ohtor and Rhoald and sailing about toward the East entred the Mouth of the River Severne and there spoiled all the Coasts of North Wales toward the Sea as far as they could and they also took Cumeleac the Welsh Bishop in Yrcingafield now Archenfield in Herefordshire and carried him Prisoner to their Ships but King Edward within some time Ransomed him for Forty Pounds but after this the Danes quitting their Ships marched again towards Yrcingafeild where the Men of Hereford and Gleawcester and the neighbouring Towns fought them and put them to flight and there slew Rhoald and a Brother of Earl Ohtor's with a great part of their Army and drove them into a certain Wood where they besieged them till they made them give Hostages to depart out of King Edward's Kingdom But at last it seemed advisable for the King to place a good Guard from the South part of the Mouth of Severne and from the West of Wales toward the East as far as the River Avon that so the Danes might not Land any more on that side nevertheless leaving their Ships they stole away privately by Night in two Companies to plunder the one to Weced now Watchet in Somersetshire and the other to Portlocan now Portlochbay in the same County but they were routed in both places insomuch that few of them escaped alive unless it were those who swam off to their Ships Then they besieged an Island at Bradanrelic Florence calls it Reoric which is supposed to be a little Island now called Shepholm in the Mouth of Severne where they were in such great want of Victuals that many died with Hunger because they could get no Provisions there After this they went to Deomed supposed to be South Wales from whence they passed into Ireland All this happened in Autumn And the same Year a little before Martinmass King Edward marched with his Army to Buckingaham and there stayed a Month building two Forts on each side the River Ouse before he parted thence Thurkytel the Danish Earl owned him for his Lord as also all their chief Commanders and almost all their Noblemen who were at Bedanford now Bedford with many of them that belonged to Hamptune This Year also Ethelfleda Lady of the Mercians before Whitsontide took the Town of Deorby where within the Gates were killed four Thanes who were very dear to her Also we read in the Collections of that Learned Antiquary Mr. Lambert and by him given to the Cottonian Library that it is found in an Ancient Chronicle once belonging to the Monastry of Rochester and collected by one Edmund de Hadenham That this Year the Lady Elfleda by the Assistance of the King her Brother besieged the City of Canterbury and taking it slew a great many Danes that were therein King Edward marching with his Army to Bedanford about Martinmass had the Town surrendred to him and then all the Inhabitants who were his Subjects returned thither and there he stayed a Month and before he departed he commanded a Castle to be built there on the South-side of the River After this King Edward went to Maeldune now Maldon and rebuilt the Town and saw it fortified whilst he was there Also Earl Thurkytel passed over into France by K. Edward's Leave and Convoy with all those Danes that would follow him as likewise Aethelfleda brought under her Dominion the Town of Legracester now Leicester and a great many of the Danes belonging to that place became subject to her as also those who were at York nay some of them confirmed it both with an Oath and by giving of Hostages that they would continue so but as soon as this was done she departed this Life twelve days before Midsummer at Tammeworth it being the Eighth Year of her Government over the Mercians after her Husband's Death with great Moderation and Justice Her Body lies buried at Gleawcester in the East Isle of St. Peter's Church This Lady's Death is placed in our printed Annals under the Year 918 and that more rightly for the Cottonian Copy of these Annals is certainly mistaken in putting the Death of this Princess two Years later than this viz. 920. though they all agree in Substance viz. that she died at Tamworth about a Fortnight before Midsummer and that thereupon King Edward going thither the whole Nation of the Mercians submitted to him But whenever this Princess died she was certainly a Woman of great Virtue Prudence and Courage and truly resembled her worthy Father King Alfred as far as the Difference of Sex would permit But to return again to our Annals The same Year the Daughter and Heir of Ethered Lord of the Mercians called Aelfwinna whom her Mother had left her Heir was deprived by the King of that Dominion and she was about three weeks before Christmas brought into West-Seax John Bevour who calls himself Castoreus in his Manuscript History of the Kings
of England gives us a very good Reason if true why the King dealt thus severely with this young Princess his Niece which was this That Aelfwinna not making the King her Uncle whom her Mother had appointed her Guardian privy to her Designs had contracted a Mariage with Reginald King of the Danes Whereupon King Edward to prevent his Enemy entred the Country of Mercia and took it into his own Hands and also carried the said Lady away with him The same Author likewise reporteth That about this time Leofred a Dane and Griffyth ap Madoc Brother-in-Law to the Prince of West-Wales came from Ireland with a great Army to Snowdon in Caernarvonshire and designing to bring all Wales and the Marches thereof to their subjection over-ran and subdued all the Countrey as far as Chester before ever King Edward had Intelligence of their Arrival whereat he was very much offended but being loath to trouble his Subjects in that behalf he made a Vow That he and his Sons with their own people would be revenged on Leofred and Griffyth and thereupon he came to Chester and took the City from them After this he made two Divisions of his Army whereof he and his Son Athelstan led the first and Edmund and Edred the second and followed them with such Celerity that he overtook them at the Forest of Walewode now Sherwood where Leofred and Griffyth set upon him so fiercely that the King at the beginning was in some distress until Prince Athelstan stepped in between his Father and Leofred and gave the Dane such a Wound in the Arm that it disabled him from holding his Spear whereupon he was soon taken and committed to the Custody of Athelstan In the mean time Prince Edmund and Edred encountering with Griffyth slew him and brought his Head to their Father Upon that Athelstan caused Leofred to be beheaded likewise and so both their Heads were set up together on the top of the Tower of Chester and Edward and his Sons returned home with a great Triumph But it appears by the Age of Prince Edmund when he came to the Crown that this Relation concerning himself and his Brother Edred's commanding part of their Father's Army cannot be true for he was not above Four years old when King Edward his Father died and not above Eighteen when he began to reign This year according to our Annals King Edward commanded his men to go to the Town of Tofeceaster now Tocester in Northamptonshire and to rebuild it after which the same year about Lent he commanded the Town of Wigingamere now Wigmore in Herefordshire to be rebuilt But the same Summer between Whitsuntide and Midsummer the Danes of Hamptune i. e. Northampton as was said before and Ligeracester and those that lay Northward broke the Peace and marched to Tofeceaster and assaulting the Town a whole day hoped to take it but those that were within defending it until such time as more men could come to their assistance the Danes were forced to leave the Town and march'd off After this they often went out by night to plunder and falling upon those that were unprovided took a great many men and much Cattle between Barnewoode and Eglesbyrig the former of which was Barnwood Forest near Bury-hill and the latter Alisbury both in Buckinghamshire About the same time the Danes of Huntandune i. e. Huntington and the East-Angles marched out and built a Castle at Temsford where they settled themselves for they had left that at Huntandune supposing that from thence they might recover a greater share of the Countrey and so they march'd till they came to Bedanford but the men who were within it going out to meet them killed great numbers of them putting the rest to flight After this a great Army of Danes being got together advanced to the Town of Wiggingamere and stormed it for most part of the day but those who were within defending it very well they were forced to leave the Town and retreat carrying away with them all the Cattel they found thereabouts After this also the same Summer there were great Forces assembled of King Edward's Subjects from the Towns round about Temesford whither they went and laying close Siege to the Town they at length took it and kill'd a Danish King and Taglosse an Earl and Mannan his Son together with his Brother and all those who defended the Town From which time according to Florence the Danish Power did by little and little decrease and that of the English increase But this Author places all these actions of this year under Anno 917. The same year a great many men assembled together in Autumn as well from Kent Surry and Essex as from the neighbouring Towns and marching to Colneceaster i.e. Colchester assaulted that City till they took it and all the Plunder they found in it and killed all the men except those that escaped over the Wall After which also the same Autumn a great Army of Danes were got together with the East-Angles both Land-Soldiers and Pyrates whom they had invited to their assistance hoping thereby to revenge the Defeat they had lately received wherefore they went directly to Maeldune and besieged that Town till such time that more men coming to its assistance the Danes were forced to quit it and retreat but the men who were within it together with those that came to their assistance overtaking the Danes killed many hundreds of the Land-men as well as Pyrates not long after which King Edward marched with an Army of South-Saxons to Passenham i. e. Pasham in Northamptonshire and there continued till the Town of Tofeceaster could be encompassed with a Stone-Wall where Earl Thurferth and the chief Commander of the Danish Forces that belonged to Hamtune with all towards the North as far as Weolade that is the River Weland accepted King Edward for their Lord and Protector but about the time that the King's Army was to return home he sent out fresh Forces to the Town of Huntandune who repaired and rebuilt it in those places that were destroyed according to the King's Command so that all the people of that Countrey that ramained alive surrendred themselves to King Edward and sought his Peace and Protection Likewise this very year before Martinmass the King marched with an Army of West-Saxons to Colneceaster and rebuilt the Wall and repaired all places which were ruinous Then many as well of the East-Angles as also of the East-Saxons who were before under the Danish Dominion and had been so for above thirty years now delivered themselves up to the King and also all the Danish Army in East-England swore Allegiance to him promising to do whatever he thought good and to defend his Subjects as well by Sea as by Land but the Army that belonged to Grantanbyrig i. e. Cambridge did by themselves chuse the King for their Lord and Patron confirming it by their Oaths as he had appointed him This year also Sytric the Danish King
and also brave Horses richly equipped he sent the King a certain Vessel made of an Onyx curiously engraven with Vines and the Figures of Men he likewise presented him with the Sword of Constantine the Great in the Hilt of which being all overlaid with Plates of Gold was set one of the Nails of Christ's Cross also with the Lance of Charles the Great and the Banner of the Martyr St. Maurice both which the said King had made use of in a Battel against the Saracens and a Gold Crown or Diadem set with Precious Stones But that which was more Valuable than all the rest was a little Piece of Christ's Cross and a Bit of his Crown of Thorns both set in Chrystal and which the King afterwards bestowed upon the Abby of Malmesbury with very large Endowments as appears by his Charters above-cited and in whose Church he had ordered the Bodies of his Cousins Aelwin and Aethelwin the Sons of his Uncle Aethelward to be interr'd whom he lost in the Battel against King Anlaf And though this King died at Gloucester yet was his Body carried to Malmesbury and there interr'd with great Pomp. There is yet to be seen in the said Church of which only the Nave is now left an Image made for him in Stone though of no Antiquity as any one may easily discover that observes it But since this King also made many good Laws some of them which are the most remarkable I shall here set down from Mr. Lambard's Saxon Copy These Laws were made at Graetanleage in a Great Council there held by King Athelstan but the Year not being express'd it is supposed to be about Anno 928. After a Religious Preface The first Law is against Thieves requiring that if a Thief be taken in the Fact no man shall spare him if he be above twenty years old and had stole any thing above the value of eight pence If any one do contrarily thereunto he shall pay the value of the Thief 's Head or make amends for the fault and yet the Thief himself shall not be spared who if he contumaciously make Resistance or fly for it shall find no favour A Thief cast into Prison shall there stay forty days and then after the payment of an 120 shillings be discharged but his Kindred must give Security for his future good behaviour after which if he steal again they must either pay the value of his Head or bring him back to Prison and in case any one resist he shall pay to the King or to any other whom it concerns the value of his own Head and if any stand by him i. e. defend him he shall pay to the King an 120 shillings The sixth Law is against Witchcrafts Enchantments and such like deeds that procure Death that if any one by them be made away and the thing cannot be denied such Practisers shall be put to death but if they endeavour to purge themselves and be cast by the threefold Ordeal they shall lye in Prison an hundred and twenty days which ended then their Kindred may redeem them by the Payment of an 120 shillings to the King and farther pay to the Kindred of the slain the full valuation of the Party's Head and then the Criminals shall also procure Sureties for their good behaviour for the time to come The same Punishment shall be inflicted on Incendiaries and such as rescue Thieves nay such as endeavour to rescue them though no man be wounded in the attempt shall pay an 120 shillings to the King As for Enchantments mentioned in this Law the Saxon word is Liblacum which signifies the Art of Conjuration or Witchcraft yet not all in general but that sort of it properly called Fascination or Enchantment used by certain Ligatures Fasciae or Bands The seventh ordains concerning simple Ordeal That if one accused several times of Theft be cast by it and have no body to be Surety for him he shall be sent to Prison and thence freed by his Kindred as was before said The tenth forbids any Commutation of Goods unless in the presence of the King 's Reeve the Priest of the Town or the Lord of the Soil or some other credible person under the penalty of thirty shillings and the forfeiture of the thing changed to the Lord of the Soil and if any shall bear false witness he shall be infamous and no credit given to him ever after and also shall forfeit 30 shillings The twelfth confirms the first part of the Law of King Edward the Elder decreeing no man's buying any thing out of a Town which exceeds the value of twenty-pence and within the Town unless in the presence of the Portreeve or some other credible person or else in the presence of the King's Sheriff or Justice in Folcmote The fourteenth appoints through all the King's Dominions that one and the same Money be currant and that it shall not be coined out of some Town and if any Minter or Coiner shall embase the Coin he shall lose his hand which being cut off shall be affixed to the Workhouse If any be accused of adulterating Money and will purge himself he shall by the Ordeal of hot Iron cleanse his hands of such wickedness but if by Ordeal he be cast then he shall be punished as now was said Then follow the places appointed for Publick Mints viz. at Canterbury there shall be seven Minters or Coiners whereof four for the King two for the Bishop and one for the Abbot At Rochester there shall be three whereof two for the King and the third for the Bishop At London eight At Winchester six At Lewes two At Hastings one At Chichester one At Hampton two At Werham two At Excester two At Salisbury as many and in every other great Town one That which follows commands That for every Plow a man shall keep two well-furnished Horsemen Which shews that this Law for the Militia's being laid according to the Rate of Estates is one of the ancientest of this kind in England as also the most general Tax being laid upon Corn then the most staple Commodity of the Kingdom The eighteenth forbids Horses to be transported except such as are sent abroad as Free Gifts or Presents The twentieth Law enacts That if any one absent himself from Folcmote thrice he shall be punished as contumacious against the King if so be that the holding of the Assembly was declared a seven-night before in such case if he refuse to do Right and pays not his Mulct to the King the ancient men of the Countrey are to go and seize upon all that he hath and take Security for his appearance The twenty second in confirmation of a former Law requires that no person receive another man's Man as this Law words it into his Family without leave first obtained of his Master he that doth otherwise shall restore the man and pay the Mulct of Contumacy against the King and no man is to put away his
and instead thereof engaged the Prince of Wales to send him a Yearly Tribute of so many Wolves Heads in lieu of that Tribute which the said Prince performed till within some Years there being no more Wolves to be found either in England or Wales that Tribute ceased But to proceed with our Annals This Year deceased Aelfgar Cousin to the King and Earl also of Devonshire whose Body lies buried at Wilton Sigeferth likewise here called a King though he was indeed no more than Vice-King or Earl of some Province now made himself away and was buried at Winborne The same Year was a great Mortality of Men and a very Malignant Feaver raged at London Also the Church of St. Pauls at London was this Year burnt and soon after rebuilt and Athelmod the Priest went to Rome and there died I have nothing else to add that is remarkable under this Year but the Foundation of the Abby of Tavistock by Ordgar Earl of Devonshire afterwards Father-in-law to King Edgar though it was within less than fifty years after its foundation burnt down by the Danes in the Reign of King Ethelred but was afterwards rebuilt more stately than before This Year Wolfstan the Deacon deceased and afterwards Gyric the Priest These I suppose were some men of remarkable Sanctity in that Monastery to which this Copy of these Annals did once belong The same Year also Abbot Athelwald received the Bishoprick of Winchester and was consecrated on a Sunday being the Vigil of St. Andrew The second year after his Consecration he repaired divers Monasteries and drove the Clerks i. e. Canons from that Bishoprick because they would observe no Rule and placed Monks in their stead He also founded two Abbies the one of Monks and the other of Nuns and afterwards going to King Edgar he desired him to bestow upon him all the Monasteries the Danes had before destroyed because he intended to rebuild them which the King willingly granted Then the Bishop went to Elig where St. Etheldrith lieth buried and caused that Monastery to be rebuilt and then gave it to the care of one of his Monks named Brightnoth and afterwards made him Abbot of the Monks of that Monastery where there had been Nuns before Then Bishop Athelwald went to the Monastery which is called Medeshamstead which had also been destroyed by the Danes where he found nothing but old Walls with Trees and Bushes growing among them but at last he spied hidden in one of these Walls that Charter which Abbot Headda had formerly wrote in which it appeared that King Wulfher and Ethelred his Brother had founded this Monastery and that the King with the Bishop had freed it from all secular servitude and Pope Agatho had confirmed it by his Bull as also the Archbishop Deus Dedit Which Charter I suppose is that the Substance of which is already recited in the Fourth book Anno 656. and which I have there proved to be forged for the Monks had then a very fair opportunity to forge that Charter and afterwards to pretend they found it in an old Wall But letting that pass thus much is certain from the Peterburgh Copy of these Annals That the said Bishop then caused this Monastery to be rebuilt placing a new Set of Monks therein over whom he appointed an Abbot called Aldulf Then went the Bishop to the King and shewed him the Charter he had lately found whereby he not only obtained a new Charter of Confirmation of all the Lands and Privileges formerly granted by the Mercian Kings but also many other Townships and Lands there recited as particularly Vndale with the Hundred adjoining in Northamptonshire which had formerly been a Monastery of it self as may be observed in the account we have already given of the Life of the Archbishop Wilfrid The King likewise granted That the Lands belonging to that Monastery should be a distinct Shire having Sac and Soc Tol and Team and Infangentheof which terms I shall explain in another place the King there also grants them a Market with the Toll thereof and that there should be no other Market between Stamford and Huntington and to the former of these the King also granted the Abbot a Mint But as for the Names of the Lands given together with the Limits and the Tolls of the Market there mentioned I refer the Reader to the Charter it self Then follows the Subscription of the King with the Sign of the Cross and next the Confirmation of the Archbishop of Canterbury with a dreadful Curse on those that should violate it as also the Confirmation of Oswald Archbishop of York Athelwald Bishop of Winchester with several other Bishops Abbots Ealdormen and Wisemen who all confirmed it and signed it with the Cross This was done Anno Dom. 972. of our Lord's Nativity and in the sixteenth year of the King's Reign which shews this Coppy of the Annals to be written divers years after these things were done as does also more particularly that short History concerning the Affairs of this Abby and the Succession of its Abbots for many years after this time As how Abbot Adulf bought many more Lands wherewith he highly enriched that Monastery where he continued Abbot till Oswald Archbishop of York deceased and he succeeded him in the Archbishoprick and then there was another chosen Abbot of the said Monastery named Kenulph who was afterwards Bishop of Winchester he first built a Wall round the Monastery and gave it the name of Burgh which was before called Medeshamested but he being sometime after made Bishop of Winchester another Abbot was chosen from the same Abby called Aelfi who continued Abbot fifty years He removed the Bodies of St. Kyneburge and St. Cynesuith which lay buried at Castra and St. Tibba which lay entomb'd at Rehala i. e. Ryal in Rutlandshire and brought them to Burgh and dedicated them to St. Peter keeping them there as long as he continued Abbot I have been the more particular in the Account of this so Ancient and Famous Monastery as having been the Episcopal See of the Bishops of Peterburgh almost ever since the Dissolution of that Abby in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth This Year also according to Simeon of Durham King Edgar married Ethelfreda the Daughter of Ordgar Earl of Devonshire after the Death of her Husband Ethelwald Earl of the East-Angles Of her he begot two Sons Edwald and Ethelred the former of whom died in his Infancy but the latter lived to be King of England But before he married this Lady it is certain he had an Elder Son by Elfleda sirnamed The Fair Daughter of Earl Eodmar of whom he begot King Edward called the Martyr But whether King Edgar was ever lawfully married to her may also be doubted since Osbern in his Life of St. Dunstan says That this Saint baptized the Child begotten on Ethelfleda the King's Concubine with whom also agrees Nicholas Trevet in his Chronicle though I confess the Major
in Council unless it were St. Dunstan the Archbishop who fixed his foot upon a certain Beam but some were sadly bruised and hurt whilst others were killed outright But since William of Malmesbury hath given us a larger account of this Council and what was done in it I shall give it you in his words But mens minds being not yet settled another Council was summoned at Calne in Wiltshire but the King was absent by reason of his Youth where the same Affair was again debated with great Heat and Contention But when many Reproaches were cast upon Archbishop Dunstan that Bulwark of the Church who could by no means be shaken upon a sudden the Floor of the Chamber fell down all there present being very much bruised except Dunstan who escaped upon a Beam all the rest being either hurt or killed This Miracle says he obtained quiet for the Archbishop and all the Monks of England who were for ever after of his opinion This Accident is also related by Mat. Westminster and copied by Cardinal Baronius into his Annals and is likewise mentioned by other Authors But it is very probable that this Misfortune did not happen without the fore-knowledge if not the Contrivance of Archbishop Dunstan since he had now persuaded the King not to be there though he was present at the last Council But H. Huntington would have it be a sign from Heaven that they should fall from God's love and be oppress'd by Foreign Nations as followed not long after And according to Florence of Worcester there was a Third Synod at Ambresbury but what was done there he does not tell us But to return to our Annals The same year King Edward was killed at Corfesgeate now Corfe-Castle in the Isle of Purbeck on the 15 th of the Kalends of April and was buried at Werham without any Royal Pomp. There was not since the time that the English Nation came into Britain any thing done more wickedly than this But though men murthered him yet God exalted him and he that was an Earthly King is now a Saint in Heaven and though his Relations would not revenge his Death yet God perform'd it severely The rest to the same effect in these Annals I omit because I would not be tedious But I shall give you a more particular account of the manner of this Prince's Death from William of Malmesbury and the Chronicle called Bromton's the former of which relates it thus That as for King Edward he was of so extraordinary Religious and Mild a Nature that for quietness sake he let his Mother-in-Law order all things as she pleased giving her all Respects as to his own Mother and regarding his Younger Brother with all the tenderness imaginable She on the contrary from his Kindness and Love conceives greater and more implacable Malice against him and with the Sovereignty she already enjoyed was so ill satisfied that she must needs take from him the very Title also This Design she covered with notable dissimulation till a convenient opportunity presented it self for the execution of it At length the poor Innocent Prince being one day wearied with hunting and being very thirsty while his Companions followed the Game and minded not what became of him knowing that the Queen's House was not far off rode thither all alone fearing nothing because of his own Innocence and supposing every one meant as honestly as himself Whereupon the Queen receives him with all the seeming kindness imaginable and fain would have had him to light from his Horse but he refusing that and only asking to see his Brother she caused some Drink to be presently brought him but whilest the Cup was at his mouth one of her Servants privately before instructed stabbed him with a Dagger in the Back He exceedingly astonished at this unexpected ill treatment clapp'd Spurs to his Horse and fled away as fast as he could towards his Company but the Wound being Mortal and he spent with loss of blood fell to the ground and having one foot in the Stirrup was dragged through By-ways but being trac'd by his Blood by those she sent after him they brought back the Dead Corps which they buried privately at Werham where they imagin'd they had also buried his Memory as well as his Body but the place of his Sepulture as it 's said soon grew famous for Miracles Queen Elfreda was upon this so convinced of her Wickedness that from her Courtly and Delicate Way of Living she betook her self to very severe Penances as wearing Hair-cloath sleeping on the ground without a Pillow with such other Austerities as were used in that Age and herein she continued all her life So fell this good King Edward after he had only born the Name of King Three years and an half who for his Innocence and the Miracles supposod to be wrought after his Death obtained the Sirname of Martyr Which opinion of his Sanctity was the more confirmed by other great Miseries which shortly after befel the Land which the people did verily believe were inflicted on them for his Murther This year according to Florence a strange Cloud appeared about Midnight all over England being first seen of the Colour of Blood then of Fire and then like a Rainbow of divers Colours King ETHELRED IMmediately after the unfortunate Murther of King Edward there being no other Male Issue of King Edgar left alive Ethelred his Brother was without any difficulty Elected as the Ancient Annals of Thorney Abby preserved in the Cottonian Library relate and was also Crowned King by the Archbishop Dunstan and Oswald and ten other Bishops at Kingston the 8 th Kal. May he being as R. Hoveden describes him a Youth of a most Comely Aspect but not being above Twelve Years of Age William of Malmesbury gives us this short Character of Him and his Reign That he rather distressed than governed the Kingdom for Seven and thirty years that the course of his Life was cruel at the beginning miserable in the middle and dishonourable in the conclusion To Cruelty he attributes the Death of his Brother which he seemed to approve of because he did not punish he was remarkable for his Cowardice and Laziness and miserable in respect of his Death His Sluggishness was predicted by Archbishop Dunstan when at his Christening he superadded his own Water to that of the Font and thereupon Mat. Westminster makes him to swear By God and St. Mary this Boy will prove a Lazy Fellow But all this looks like a Monkish Story invented by those who did not love his Memory since the same thing though of somewhat a grosser nature is likewise related of the Emperor Constantine from thence named Copronymus Yet sure it was no sign of ill nature if what William of Malmesbury and Bromton's Chronicle relate be true That when he wept at the News of his Brother's Death it put his Mother into such a violent Passion that having not a Rod by her she beat
him so unmercifully with a Wax Taper which she then light upon that he was almost dead which caused in him such an aversion to Wax-Lights ever after that he could never endure any such to be brought before him But this sounds too Romantick and therefore I leave it to the Reader 's discretion what credit to give it But to come to somewhat more certain and material all Authors agree that Archbishop Dunstan crown'd this King with great reluctancy yet he was forced to do it as not having any of the Blood Royal fit to set up But because the Monks will have their St. Dunstan to have had the Spirit of Prophecy like the Prophets in the Old Testament they relate that denouncing God's Judgments against this King at his Coronation he said thus Because thou hast aspired to the Kingdom by the Death of thy Brother thus saith the Lord God The Sin of thine Ignominious Mother shall not be expiated neither the Sin of those that were her Counsellors but by great Bloodshed of thy miserable People for such Miseries shall come upon England as it never underwent since it had that name But this Doom was very unjust for it is certain that the King never knew of nor desired his Brother's Death and it was very hard to denounce God's Judgments upon the whole Nation for the Contrivance of one wicked Woman and which was put in execution by but a few of her Accomplices So that if the Nation was guilty of any fault it was only in so far conniving at the Crime as out of fear or partiality to permit the Authors of it to pass unpunished and for this the Bishops they having then so great a sway in the whole Council of the Nation had as much to answer for as any of the Laity But passing by God's Judgments which are too deep for us to fathom About this time as the Welsh Chronicles relate Custenyn Dhu i. e. Constantine the Black Son to Prince Jago then a Prisoner hired Godfryd the Dane to bring his men against his Cousin Howel ap Jevaf Prince of North-Wales so joining their Forces together they destroyed Anglesey and Lhyn Whereupon Prince Howel gathered an Army and setting upon the Danes and Welshmen who assisted them at a place called Gwayth Horborth routed them and Constantine was slain I shall now return to our Annals which under the next year relate That Archbishop Dunstan and Elfer the Ealdorman having taken up the Body of King Edward which lay buried at Werham they carried and buried it at Scaeftesbyrig i. e. Sbaftsbury with great Funeral Pomp. The occasion of which Removal by Elfer Earl of the Mercians according to Bromton's Chronicle was that old sign of an English Saxon Saint so often repeated in this History whether true or false I shall not affirm viz. a Column of Light streaming down from Heaven over the place where his Body lay buried as also that when it was taken up out of the Grave it was as whole and uncorrupt as when it was first buried three years before whereupon having washed and dressed it in new Cloathes they buried it with great Solemnity at the Monastery above-mentioned where his Sister Edith the Daughter of King Edgar by Wulfritha the Nun was then her self professed But as for the strange Miracles which are here related to have been done at his Tomb I willingly omit them But William of Malmesbury further adds about this Queen Elfreda That she took upon her the Habit of a Nun at Werewell a Nunnery which she lately founded and there passed the rest of her days in great Austerities and Devotions She also about the same time built another Nunnery at Ambresbury in Wiltshire this being the usual way to expiate the most horrid Murthers in those dark times This year came seven Danish Ships full of Pyrates and destroyed Southampton and as Florence adds though under the year before plundered the Town and either killed or carried away the Townsmen Prisoners William of Malmesbury also takes notice of this because they were so much talked of as being the first that had invaded England after above 60 years intermission and were only the forerunners of many more that follow'd To which we may also refer that which is added by Simeon of Durham under the year before but should be put under this That the same Fleet also wasted Taenetland that is the Isle of Thanet and the same year also the Province of Chester was much spoiled by the Norwegian Pyrates The same year the Danish Pyrates landed in Cornwal and burnt the Church and Monastery of St. Petroc Also Godfryd the Son of Harold the Dane landed with a great Army of his Countreymen in West-Wales where spoiling all the Land of Dyvet with the Church of St. Davids he fought the Battel of Lhanwanoc though who had the Victory the Welshmen or the Danes Caradoc's Chronicle which gives us this relation does not tell us This year according to R. Hoveden Three Ships of these Pyrates landed in Dorsetshire and spoiled the Isle of Portland The same year also the City of London was miserably destroyed by Fire About this time also according to the same Author Alfred and Ealdorman or English Earl joining as the Welsh Manuscript Annals relate with Howel the Son of Edwal destroyed Brecknock and spoil'd a great part of the Lands of Owen Prince of South-Wales against whom Eneon the Son of the said Owen and Howel King of North-Wales raising an Army met with them and totally defeated them so that the greatest part of Earl Alfred's Army was slain and the rest put to flight Also about this time the Churches of Wales began first to acknowlege the Superiority of the Archbishops of Canterbury Gacon Bishop of Landaffe being now consecrated by Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury This year Aelfer the Ealdorman deceased and Aelfric his Son took his Government some of the Monks further add That he was eaten up with Lice the reason is plain for this Aelfer had not long before turn'd the Monks out of their Cloysters as you have heard and they seldom fail'd to revenge such an Affront upon those that did so either alive or dead And the same year the Gentlemen of Gwentland in Southwales rebelled against their Prince and cruelly slew Eneon the Son of Prince Owen though he came only to appease them This Eneon was a Gallant Young Prince that did many brave Actions for the Defence of his Countrey in his Father's life time he left behind him Two Sons Edwyn and Theodore from whom descended the Princes of South-Wales This year deceased Athelwald that good Bishop of Winchester who was the Father of the Monks And well might they call him so for he rebuilt or repaired above a dozen great Monasteries so that as William of Malmesbury observes it is a great wonder how a Bishop's Purse could afford to do that in those days which a King could scarce perform when he
or Imposition He had also complained to the Pope that his Archbishops paid vast Sums of Money before they could obtain their Palls which Grievance was by the Pope's Decree taken off All these Immunities procured from the Pope the Emperor Rodolph King of France and all other Princes throughout whose Territories he travelled were confirmed by Oath under the Testimonies of Four Archbishops and Twenty Bishops with an innumerable Company of Dukes and other Noblemen there present Then follows a Thanksgiving to Almighty God for giving him such Success in what he had undertaken After this he desires it might be published to all the world that having devoted his Life to Godâ—s service he resolved to govern the People subject to him in all Piety Justice and Equity And in case any thing blameworthy had been done by him in his Youth by the help of God he was now ready to make full amends for it Therefore he charges all his Ministers whatsoever as well Sheriffs as others That for fear of him they should not pervert Justice because there was no necessity that Money should be raised by any unjust exactions And at last after great Asseverations how much he studied the Profit and Conveniency of his People he adjures all his Ministers before he arrived in England that they should procure all Dues to be paid according to the ancient Custom as the Alms of the Plow the Tythes of all Cattel brought forth in the same year Peter-Pence in August with the Tythes of Corn and at Martinmass the First fruits of the same called Curcescot or Cyrescot i.e. Money given to the Church in case this was not paid before his Return he threatens severely to animadvert upon every one according to the Laws William of Malmesbury further adds That at his Return he was as good as his word for he commanded all the Laws which had been made by former English Kings and chiefly by Ethelred his Predecessor to be observed under great Penalties for the true observation whereof our Kings says he are at this very day sworn under the name of the Good Laws of King Edward not that he only ordain'd them but because he observed them So that from hence we may take notice That Kings who have the least of Hereditary Title if they mean to reign happily ought in Policy as well as Conscience to observe the Laws of that Kingdom to which they have been advanced without any Right of Blood But to return again to our Annals they further tell us That upon the King's return from Rome where it seems he staid not long after he marched into Scotland and there King Malcolm became subject to him with two other Kings of the Isles called Maelbaerth and Jehmarc The same year also Robert Earl of Normandy went to Jerusalem and there died and William who was afterwards King of England began to reign being an Infant From whence we may plainly see that the Cottonian Copy of these Annals was wrote in the form we have them after the Conquest and though the other Copies do not expresly call him King of England yet they give him the Title of King William which is all one About this time as the Welsh Chronicles relate the Irish Scots invaded South-Wales by the means of Howel and Meredyth the Sons of Edwin above-mentioned who hired them against Rythaerch ap Jestyn the Usurping Prince of that Countrey whom by the assistance of these Scots they slew in Battel and by that means got the Government of South-Wales which they ruled jointly but with small quiet for the Sons of Rythaerch gathered together a great number of their Father's Friends to revenge his death with whom Prince Howel and Meredyth meeting at Hyarthwy after a long Fight routed them and made them fly but the year following Prince Meredyth himself was slain by the Sons of Conan ap Sitsylt Brother to Prince Lewelyn to revenge their Father's death whom Meredyth and his Brother Howel had slain This year appeared a strange kind of Wild-Fire such as no man ever remembred and did a great deal of mischief in divers places The same year also deceased Aelfsige Bishop of Winchester and Aelfwin the King's Chaplain succeeded in that See Merehwit Bishop of Somersetshire i. e. Wells deceased and was buried at Glastingabyrig ' Aetheric the Bishop died the Annals tell us not of what See But Simeon of Durham and R. Hoveden add That Malcolm King of Scots died this year to whom succeeded Mactade The same Authors farther tell us That King Cnute before his Death appointed Swane his Eldest Son to be King of Norway and Hardecnute his Son by Queen Aemma to be King of Denmark and Harold his Son by Aelgiva a Hampshire Lady to be King of England after himself This year King Cnute deceased at Scaeftesbyrig and was buried at the new Monastery at Winchester having been King of England almost twenty years There is no King that can deserve a more various Character than this since none who came in so roughly after govern'd more mildly He was naturally Cruel and very Ambitious and stuck not at any thing to gain a Kingdom as appears by his dealing with his Predecessor's Children and Brothers but more particularly with Olaf King of Norway whom Simeon of Durham relates to have been turn'd out of it by the secret Practices and Bribes which he liberally bestow'd upon the Great and Factious men of that Kingdom but however toward his latter end he reigned both prudently and moderately and we may say of him what a Roman Author does of one of his Emperors That it had been well for this Kingdom if he had never reign'd at all or else had continued longer none of his Sons resembling him either in Valour or Wisdom But to let you see that this King was really sensible before his death of the Vanity of Worldly Empire I shall to divert the Reader give you this story of him out of H. Huntington who thus relates it viz. That King Cnute being once at Southampton caus'd his Royal Seat to be plac'd on the shore while the Tide was coming in and with a Majestick Air said thus Thou Sea belongest to me and the Land whereon I sit is mine nor hath any one unpunished resisted my Commands I charge thee therefore come no further upon my Land neither presume to wet the Feet of thy Sovereign Lord. But the Sea as before came rowling on and without any Reverence at all not only wet but dashed him whereupon the King quickly rising up bade those that were about him to consider the weak and bounded Power of Kings and how none indeed deserved that Title but He whose Eternal Laws both Heaven and Earth and Seas obey A Truth so evident of it self that were it not to shame his Court-Flatterers who would not else be convinced Cnute needed not to have gone wet-shod home From thenceforth he would never afterwards wear his Crown but commanded it to
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
of those Favours the King had promised him so he had only four days allowed him to go back again to his Ships In the mean time a Report was brought to the King That a Fleet of Enemies were landed on the Coast of the East-Angles and there taking of Prey Then Earl Godwin sail'd about toward the East with two of the King's Ships one of which his Son Harold commanded and the other Earl Totsige his Brother and also Two and forty Sail of the people of the Countrey Then was Earl Harold with the King's Ships driven by a Storm into Pevensee and there detain'd by contrary Winds but within two days after Earl Sweyn came thither and had Conference with his Father Earl Godwin and Earl Beorne whom he intreated to accompany him to the King at Sandwic and there use their interest to make his Reconciliation with him but whilst they were on their way Sweyne begged of Beorne his Cousin that he would go back along with him to his Ships saying He feared lest his men would desert him unless he speedily returned whereupon complying with him they went back to the place where the Ships rode and there Sweyn was very importunate with him to go on Ship-board but he utterly refusing that the Mariners bound him and then put him into a Pinnace and so carried him on board by force then hoisting up Sail they steered Eastward to Axamutha and there kept him till they had made him away Then they took his Body and buried it in a certain Church but afterwards his Relations and the Mariners of London came and digging up his Body carried it with them to the old Church of Winchester where they buried it near his Uncle King Cnute Then Sweyn sailing Eastward towards Flanders staid there a whole Winter in Brycge with Earl Baldwin's good leave The same year deceased Eadnoth Bishop in the North parts and one Vlf was consecrated Bishop in his stead This year was a great Council held at London in Midlent and there were sent out Nine Ships well mann'd with Seamen Five only being left in Port also this very year Earl Sweyn return'd into England For Aldred Bishop of Worcester had by his Intercession made his Peace with the King The same year was a Great Synod assembled at Rome whither King Eadward sent the Bishops Hereman and Aldred who arrived there on Easter-Eve after which the Pope held a Synod at Vercelle whither was sent Bishop Vlf who was afterwards like to be deprived because he could not perform his Function as he ought had he not paid a good round Sum of Money This year also deceased Eadsige the Archbishop 4 o Kal. Novemb. King Edward now appointed Rodbyrd Bishop of London to be Archbishop of Canterbury in Lent who immediately went to Rome to obtain his Pall Then the King bestowed the Bishoprick of London on Sparhafoc Abbot of Abbandune and gave that Abby to Bishop Rothulf his Kinsman About the same time the Archbishop returning from Rome the day before the Vigil of St. Peter was Installed in the Episcopal Throne at Christ-Church on St. Peter's Day Then came to him Sparhafoc with the King's Letters and Seal commanding that he should consecrate him Bishop of London but the Archbishop refusing it said The Pope had forbad him to do it After which the Abbot return'd to the Archbishop and desired his Episcopal Orders but he peremptorily denied them saying The Pope had strictly charged him not to do it Then the Abbot went to London and held the Bishoprick nothwithstanding all that Summer and the Autumn following Then Eustatius Earl of Boloigne the King's Brother-in-Law came from beyond the Seas and having been with the King and told him his Business he return'd homewards and when he came to Canterbury he refreshed himself and his Company and so went on to Dofra i. e. Dover but when he was within a Mile of this side thereof he and his Retinue put on their Breast-plates and so entred the Town As soon as they were come thither they took up their Quarters in what Houses they liked best but one of his Followers resolving to quarter in the House of an Inhabitant there whether he would or no because he told him he should not he wounded him whereupon the Master killed him At which News Earl Eustatius being very much incensed mounted to Horse with all his Followers and setting upon the Good Man of the House killed him even within his own doors and then going into the Town they killed partly within and partly without more than Twenty men But the Townsmen to be even with them killed Nineteen of their men and wounded many more Upon this Earl Eustatius making his Escape with a few Followers went to the King and told him what had happen'd so much as made to his purpose at which the King being highly provoked with the Townsmen sent Earl Godwin and commanded him to march to Dofra in a Hostile manner for Eustatius had only insinuated to the King as if what had happen'd had been wholly through the Townsmens fault though indeed it was quite otherwise But the Earl was very unwilling to go into Kent because he looked on it as an odious thing for him to destroy his own people For as William of Malmesbury farther relates he plainly saw the King was imposed on and had passed sentence upon them when he had only heard one side And indeed the Earl was much concerned to see Strangers find greater favour with the King than his own Subjects for Eustatius had got a Friend near the King who had very much exasperated him against them therefore though the King continually press'd Earl Godwin to go into Kent with an Army to be revenged of the men of Dofra yet he still declined it which much displeased the King yet nevertheless the Earl's Proposal seem'd but just and reasonable That the Officers of the Castle who it seems had a hand in this business should be first summoned to answer in the King 's Curia or Court concerning this Sedition and that if they could clear themselves there they might be discharged but if not that they might make satisfaction to the King and the Earl with their Bodies and Estates for Earl Godwin told the King that it would seem very unjust to condemn those unheard whom he ought chiefly to protect and defend And so far no doubt the Earl was in the right and behaved himself like a true Englishman in thus declining to execute the King's unjust Commands though not in what he did afterwards But to return again to our Annals The King hereupon summoned all his Chief and Wise Men to appear at Gloucester a little after the Feast of St. Mary for the Welshmen had in the mean time built a Castle in Herefordshire upon the Lands of Earl Sweyn and had done a great deal of mischief to the King's Liege-People in the Neighbourhood Then Earl Godwin with Sweyn and Harold his Sons met
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 râ—moved 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 Instâ—gations 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 â—f 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.
Historian l. 3. p. 114. l. 4. p. 151. Lived and died a Monk in the Monastery of St. Paul at Girwy now Yarrow l. 4. p. 194. Where born and bred his course of Life and Writings which gave him the Title of Venerable Id. p. 222. Own'd himself beholding to Nothelm when a Presbyter of the Church of London for divers Ancient Monuments relating to the English Church Id. p. 223. Bedicanford now Bedford where Cuthwulf fought against the Britains and the Towns he took from them l. 3. p. 146. Surrendred to King Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 320. Belinus Son of Dunwallo said to make the four great Ways or Streets that run cross the Kingdom and not the Romans built the Gate called Belin's gate our now Billingsgate and said to be the first Founder of the Tower of London l. 1. p. 13. Bells The first Tuneable Ring of Bells in England was in Croyland-Monastery set up there by Abbot Turketule l. 6. p. 12. Benedict the Father of all the Monks in what year he died but long before his death he founded his Order in Italy l. 4. p. 167. Sirnam'd Biscop made Abbot of the Monastery of St. Peter in Canterbury Id. p. 194. His Death with some short account of his Life Id. p. 205. Consecrated Pope upon the death of Stephanus expell'd and who made Pope in his room l. 6. p. 88. Benedictines the Monks of that Order l. 4. p. 167 168. Placed in the Nunnery at Bathe by King Edgar Id. p. 196. Turn out the Sicular Chanons at Worcester Id. p. 200. The Abbey of Winchelcomb in Gloucestershire by whom founded for 300 of these Monks Id. p. 242. St. Dunstan made a Collection of Rules for this Order l. 6. p. 22. Vid. Monks and Chanons Secular St. Bennet's in Holme a Monastery founded by King Cnute in Norfolk for Benedictines l. 6. p. 54. Bennington now called Bensington l. 3. p. 145. A Battel fought there between Cynwulf and Offa and who got the better l. 4. p. 230. Beonna Abbot of Medeshamsted leases Lands to Cuthbright upon Condition Id. Ib. Beormond when consecrated Bishop of Rochester l. 5. p. 248. Beorne when he was King over the East-Angles l. 4. p. 228. Beorne the Ealdorman burnt in Seletune by the Governors of Northumberland l. 4. p. 231. Beorne King Edmund's Huntsman murthers Lothbroke one of the Danish Royal Family l. 5. p. 272 273. Beorne Earl Cousin to Earl Sweyn how made away by him on Shipboard and where buried l. 6. p. 75. Beornred when he usurped the Kingdom of the Mercians l. 4. p. 227. Burnt the fair City of Cataract in Yorkshire and he himself is burnt the same year Id. p. 229. Beornwulf or Bertwulf or Beorthwulf King of the Mercians and Archbishop Wilfrid held two Synods at Clovesho Fought with Egbert and was beaten and afterwards slain by the East-Angles l. 5. p. 253. Was routed with his whole Army by the Danes Id. p. 261. Held the Council of Kingsbury who were present at it and what done there Id. Ib. His Death and who succeded him Id. p. 262. Berferth Son of Bertwulf King of Mercia wickedly slays his Cousin Wulstan l. 5. p. 261. Berkshire anciently called Bearrockshire l. 5. p. 274. l. 6. p. 32. Bernicia and Deira two Kingdoms of Northumberland united into one l. 4. p. 178. All the Low-Lands of Scotland as far as the English-Saxon Tongue was spoken were anciently part of the Bernician Kingdom l. 5. p. 249. Bertha the King of the Franks's Daughter married to King Ethelbert l. 3. p. 145. Brought a Bishop over with her to assist and strengthen her in the Faith l. 4. p. 153. Bertulf King of the Mercians honourably receives Egbert King of the Northumbers and Wulfher Archbishop of York whom the Northumbers had expell'd l. 5. p. 277. Beverlie in Yorkshire anciently called Derawnde l. 4. p. 202. Beverstone in Gloucestershire anciently Byferstane l. 6. p. 77. Billingsgate the ancient Port of London and what Customs to be paid there upon unlading l. 6. p. 43. Vid. Belinus Birds A great Fight and Slaughter of Birds in the Air l. 4. p. 192. Birth Supposititious Vid. Harold the Son of Cnute Birthwald Archbishop of Canterbury who succeeded Theodore was buried in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul l. 4. p. 162. Formerly an Abbot of Raculf now Reculver in Kent near the Isle of Thanet but not consecrated Archbishop till nigh three years after his Election His Character Id. p. 205. He and King Alfred held a Synod about Bishop Wilfrid who was therein excommunicated Id. p. 206. Is reconciled to the Bishop tho King Alfred is not so Id. p. 207. His Death being worn out with Age and Infirmities Id. p. 220. Bishops how to be ordained in the English Church l. 4. p. 156. How to behave themselves towards one another and towards those that are not under their Authority Id. p. 157. Of London to be chosen by his own Synod but to receive the Pall from the Pope Id. p. 157 158. When the Primitive Christian Temper had not left the Bishops of the Roman Church Id. p. 159. Two Bishops in one Diocess viz. One had his See at Dunmoc now Dunwich in Suffolk and the other at Helmham in Norfolk l. 4. p. 193. By a Bishop's Son was meant his Spiritual not Conjugal Son for they were not married in the Saxon times Id. p. 209. Ordered in the Synod of Clovesho to visit their Diocesses once a year l. 4. p. 224. Five Bishops ordained in one day by Archbishop Plegmund and over what Sees but it was by the Authority of the King and his Council l. 5. p. 314. Blecca with all his Family converted to the Christian Faith builds a Stone-Church of curious Workmanship in Lincoln l. 4. p. 175. Blood When it rained Blood for three days together l. 1. p. 12. l. 4. p. 202. Milk and Butter turned into somewhat like Blood l. 4. p. 202. The Moon appeared as it were stained with Blood for a whole hour l. 4. p. 222. Boadicia the Wife of Prasutagus a British Lady of a Royal Race violated with Stripes and her Daughters ravished l. 2. p. 47. Being left a Widow she raised an Army and makes a gallant Speech to them l. 2. p. 49 50. But being overcome and her Army utterly routed she poisons her self Id. p. 50. Bocland King Alfred's Thirty seventh Law concerning it l. 5. p. 295 296. Edward the Elder 's second Law of any one's denying another man his Right therein l. 5. p. 325. That is Land conveyed to another by Deed to whom it was forfeitable l. 6. p. 58 60. Bodotria Vid. Glotta Boetius Hector his great Error concerning the last War between the Romans and the Britains l. 2. p. 101 102. Bolanus Vid. Vectius Bonagratia de Villa Dei his Epistle to the Black Monks of England Wherein is shewn the Antiquity of the University of Cambridge l. 5. p. 318. Bondland that is the Ground of Bondmen or Villains l. 4. p. 230.
between King Alfred and Guthrum the Dane together with their Ecclesiastical Laws in a Common Council of the Kingdom l. 5. p. 283 284 285. A great one wherein King Alfred made those Laws that go under his Name Id. p. 291 c. A great one held by King Edward the Elder where Plegmund presided in the Province of the Gewisses about making of Bishops Id. p. 313 314. The Laws made by King Edward the Elder in a Common Council of the Kingdom tho in what or in what year uncertain Id. p. 325 c. A great Council held by King Athelstan at Graetanleage and the Laws past therein Id. p. 339 340 c. King Edmund's great Council where held and the Constitutions of Civil Concernment made therein Id. p. 346 347 348. A great one meets and chuses Prince Edward sirnamed the Martyr for their King l. 6. p. 15. Those at Kirtlingtune Winchester and Calne in Wiltshire called to debate that Great Affair concerning the turning out of the Monks and restoring the Secular Chanons at the last of them the floor of the room failed and killed and hurt abundance there Id. p. 16 17. One called to consult about Pope John's Letters sent to King Ethelred Id. p. 24 25. King Ethelred and his Wise Men in Council ordain to raise an Army both by Sea and Land against the Danes Id. p. 27. Another Council summoned who instead of consulting the Publick Good fall to impeach one another and to spend the whole time in their own private quarrels Id. p. 35. A great one held under King Cnute at Cyrencester wherein Ethelward the Eorlderman is outlaw'd Id. p. 51. Another of his Mycel Synods held at Winchester and what Laws made therein Id. p. 57 58 59 60. In a great Council held at London a Religious Monk of Evesham is chosen Abbot of that Monastery Id. p. 73. A great one held at London in Mid-lent Id. p. 75. Another at Gloucester to determine a Difference between Earl Godwin and the Welshmen Id. p. 77. A great one without London about determining the Quarrel between Edward the Confessor and Eâ—rl Godwin Id. p. 81. One hâ—ld at Westminster to confirm Edward the Confessor's Charter of Endowment of the Church of Westminster Id. p. 94. Counties When England was first thus divided by King Alfred l. 5. p. 291. Countreymen by King Alfred's Law not to be unjustly imprisoned nor any way misused under such and such Penalties l. 5. p. 293 294. Their very Homestalls are secured in Peace and Quietness Id. p. 295. County Court the Antiquity and Power of it held every Month as now l. 5. p. 326. Coway-stakes near Lalam in Middlesex where the Britains placed Piles to hinder Caesar and his Romans Passage to them some of which were lately there to be seen l. 2. p. 34. Crayford in Kent anciently called Crecanford l. 5. p. 313. Creed The Bishops at Ariminun forced by the Emperor to subscribe the New Creed made not long before at the pretended Council of Syrmium wherein the Son of God was declared to be only of like Substance with the Father l. 2. p. 89 90. Priests obliged to learn it and the Lord's Prayer in English l. 4. p. 225. All men in general commanded to learn it and the Lord's Prayer Id. p. 233. Creeklade now a small Town in Wiltshire from whence the Muses are said to be carried to Oxford supposed an Ancient Great School It s Derivation l. 5. p. 290. Creoda or Crida first King of the Mercians one of the lâ—rgest of the English-Saxon Kingdoms and one of the last conquered by the West-Saxons His Death l. 3. p. 147 149. Crimes all redeemable by Fines in Edward the Elder 's time and long after l. 5. p. 326. Punishable rather by Mulcts than by Blood in King Athelstan's time Id. p. 342. For what no satisfaction should be made by way of Compensation l. 6. p. 59. Criminal none knowingly and voluntarily to have Peace with or harbour any one that is condemned and what such forfeit that act contrary to this Law l. 5. p. 326. None to absent themselves from the Gemots or Hundred-Courts and if any do what course shall be taken about him l. 6. p. 14. No petty Offendor to be put to Death by Cnute's Law Id. p. 58. Crown After Cnute had found the weak and bounded Power of Kings by the Tide 's refusing to obey his Majestick Commands he returns home and would wear his Crown no longer but orders it to be hung on the head of the Crucifix at Winchester l. 6. p. 57. Croyland the whole Isle granted by King Ethelbald's Charter to this Monastery l. 4. p. 218. The Lands and Privileges of the Abbey confirmed by King Egbert in a Great Council l. 5. p. 254. The Privileges and Grants of King Withlaff to this Monastery confirmed in a General Council of the whole Kingdom Id. p. 257. The Charter of King Berthwulf to this Abbey confirmed under the Rule of St. Benedict at Kingsbury supposed to be a Great Council of the Kingdom Id. p. 261. The Monastery and Church with a Noble Library of Books and all its Charters burnt and utterly destroyed by the Danes Id. p. 271 272. Is repaired and much enriched by Abbot Turketule who by adding six more to the two Bells there made the first tuneable Ring of Bells in England l. 6. p. 12. Crysanthius sent by Theodosius as his Lieutenant to suppress the Incursions of the Picts and Scots l. 2. p. 97. Cuckamsley-hill in Berkshire by the Saxons called Cwichelmeslaw l. 6. p. 32. Cumbran a most Noble Ealdorman for representing the People's Grievances to cruel King Sigebert at the Request of the Subjects is stain by him l. 4. p. 226 227 Cuneglasus supposed by some Antiquaries to have been King of the Northern or Cambrian Britains l. 3. p. 139 145. Curescot or Cyrescot that is First-Fruits or Money given to the Church l. 6. p. 55 56. Cutha Vid. Cuthwulf Cuthbert ordained Bishop of Lindisfarne His Noble Character and approaching Death l. 4. p. 201 202. Retires after he had resigned his Bishoprick to Farne-Island and there deceases but his Body is translated to Lindisfarne Id. p 204. Called St. Cuthbert and esteemed to have been a very holy man Id. p. 215. l. 5. p. 286. Cuthbryht or Cuthbert upon the Death of Nothelm is consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury l. 4. p. 224. Sate Archbishop eighteen years and then dâ—ceases Id. p. 228. His Body after a hundred years removed by Aldune from Cunecaeaster i.e. Chester to the place where the City of Durham was afterwards built l. 6. p. 26. Cuthred had Three thousand Hides of Land given him by Cenwalc King of the West-Saxons near Aescasdune l. 4. p. 182. He was the Son of Cwichelme Ibid. His Death Id. p. 186. Cuthred Cousin to Ethelred succeeds him in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons Hâ—s War with Ethelbald King of the Mercians with various Successes He and Ethelbald fight against the Britains l. 4. p.
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-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
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 inâ—o Hundreds and Tythings by King Alfred Id. p. 291. Englisherie what and the Law made concerning it in Edward the Confessor's time l. 6. p. 101. English-men by the general Consent of the Clerus and Populus Assembled in the Great Council it is Enacted That those who before were called Jutes or Saxons should now be call'd by this Name l. 5. p. 255 292. English-Saxons their Character vid. Saxons In one year had fought eight or nine Battles against the Danes c. besides innumerable Skirmishes l. 5. p. 277. Entail of the Crown mentioned by Alfred in his last Will to have been made formerly in a General Council of the West-Saxon Nobility at Swinburne l. 5. p. 309. Of Lands also to be in force in his time Ibid. 310. Eoppa who he was and what his Pedigree l. 4. p. 217. Eoric a Danish King of the East-Angles killed in
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 Fâ—iths of Edinburgh and Dunbritton in Scotland l. 2. p. 99. God in Bede's time was served in Five several Languâ—ges 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
by it for it was only a Voluntary Annual Alms or Benevolence Id. p. 239. Alfred call'd it his Alms and how he sent it to Rome l. 5. p. 281 286 291 298. Justly called Alms and not a Tribute as the Modern Popish Writers term it Id. p. 291. When it was to be paid and the Penalty for not performing it accordingly l. 6. p. 13. Edward the Confessor's Law to reinforce the Payment of it Id. p. 100. Vid. Romescot Petroc a Learned British Preacher in Cornwall l. 3. p. 149. Philip upon the death of Henry is made King of France l. 6. p. 88. Visited by Duke William who solicited his Assistance in his designed War against Harold but he would not hearken to the Proposals made him and for what reason Id. p. 109. Philippus Marcus Julius an Arabian succeeded Gordianus in the Empire but his Army soon made away with him l. 2. p. 81. Philippus Nonnius a Lieutenant in Britain under the Emperor Gordianus Id. Ib. Phoenicians the first Discoverers of this Island l. 1. p. 2 3. Picts came out of Scythia and landed first in the North of Ireland l. 1. p. 4. Are totally subdued by the Scots Their Language is unknown Id. p. 5. Confederate with Carausius against Constantius Chlorus l. 2. p. 83. Surrender up many of their Forts and strong Places to Fergus Id. p. 98. And Scots their landing first in Britain passing over that part of the Irish Sea which is called the Scythic Vale l. 3. p. 114. And Saxons privately make a Peace Id. p. 126. The Picts cut off King Egfrid and his whole Army and recover their Countrey the English had taken away l. 4. p. 202. Slay Bert the Ealdorman Id p. 211. Fight against Beorfrith the Ealdorman Id. p. 215. Keep their League with the English and rejoice to be partakers of the Catholick Peace and Truth Id. p. 221. A great fight between them and the Britains that is those of Cumberland Id. p. 225. These and the Scots conquer Galloway and Lothian and the Low-lands of Scotland as far as the Friths of Dunbritton and Edinburgh l. 5. p. 249. Rout the English and slay King Athelstan in fight a story Id. p. 250. The total Conquest of the Picts by Kened the first King of Scotland Id. p. 259. Pightwin or Pechtwin is consecrated Bishop of Witherne called in Latin Candida Casa at Aelfet l. 4. p. 228. His Decease Id. p. 231. Pinchenhale or Finkenhale now Finkney in the Bishoprick of Durham and Kingdom of Northumberland where a General Synod assembled l. 4. p. 236. The second Synod or Council held here under Eanbald Archbishop of York c. Id. p. 242. Pius Antoninus succeeds Hadrian and at his first coming to the Throne hath a Law made That all the Subjects of the Roman Empire should be Free Citizens of Rome l. 2. p. 67. Plague a very sore one in Britain when l. 3. p. 117. A great one over all the Isle of Britain and then it went into Ireland l. 4. p. 190. A great Mortality both of Men and Beasts l. 5. p. 269. Another great one upon Men and Murrain of Cattle Id. p. 302. A great Mortality of Men and a very malignant Feaver in London l. 6. p. 4. A great Mortality of Cattle in England Id. p. 21. A great number of Cattle died and by the Intemperance of the Season the Fruits of the Earth were destroyed Id. p. 70. So great a Murrain of all sorts of Cattle in England that none could ever remember the like Id. p. 85. Plautius Praetor in Gaul invades Britain and his Success l. 2. p. 38 39. Has an Ovation allowed him by Claudius Id. p. 41. Pledge Alfred's Law about keeping the Peace and the Punishment in breaking it l. 5. p. 292 295. Those who violate the Peace of Holy Church and despise the Bishop's Sentence shall give Pledges to reconcile themselves to God the King and Church or to be outlaw'd l. 6. p. 99 100. Vid. Security Plegmund elected by God and all his Holy Men to be Archbishop of Canterbury l. 5. p. 298. Sent for by King Alfred out of Mercia to help him in his Learning Id. p. 306. Presides at the Great Council held by King Edward the Elder where five new Bishopricks were â—rected at once by the Authority of the King and Council with the Pope's Confirmation of this Decree Id. p. 313 314. His Decease Id. p. 324. Plâ—nty a wonderful one of all sorts of Prâ—vision in Britain l. 3. p. 115. Polidore Virgil an Historian of no â—xtraordinary Credit though he had the Perusal of a great many curious Manuscripts l. 5. p. 323. Polycleâ—us one of Nero â—s Free'd Men sent to â—nspect the State of Britain l. 2. p. 50. Pope who called the Emperor Mauritius his Lord and dated his Letters by the Year of his Reign l. 4. p. 153 158. Sends more Preachers of the Word into England upon Augustine's notice of the want of them Id. p. 157. Sends Letters to King Edwin exhorting him to casâ— off his Idols and to receivâ— Chrisâ— Id. p. 17â— The Kings of Northumberland thoâ—ght themselves not bound to observe the Pope's Deâ—rees on Appeals if contrary to a General Synod or Council of the whole Nation Id. p. 206 207 208. Always encouraging Appeals to Rome Id. p. 215. Usually sent his Pall to every new Archbishop on his Consecration as a token of his Dependance on the See of Rome Id. p. 223. The Church of England thought his Authority alone not sufficient to annul what had been solemnly decreed in a great Council of the Kingdom l. 5. p. 248. Anointâ— Alfred King in his Father's Life-time in way of Prophecy of his future Royal Grâ—atness Id. p. 262. Aethelwulf orders by his last Last Will Three hundred Mancuses to be sent to Rome every year for such and such uses and One hâ—ndred of them to be for the Pope himself Id. p. 264 265. Port now called Portland in Dorsetshire where the Danes were put to flight l. 5. p. 258. The Isle spoiled by the Danish Pyrates that landed in Dorsetshire l. 6. p. 21. The whole Island and other Possessions given to the Church of Winchester by Edward the Confessor and upon what account l. 6. p. 79. Portlock-bay in Somersetshire anciently called Portlocan l. 5. p. 319. Portsmouth so called from one Portâ— who with his two Sons obtained a great Victory over the Britains l. 3. p. 133. Portus Ictius where it was and whether it be yet in being l. 2. p. 30 31. Posentesbyrig supposed Pontesbury in Shropshire l. 4. p. 188. Praeâ—idialis a Province that is so is not governed by any particular Praetor or Proconsul but is under the immediate Protectioâ— and Eye of the Emperor l. 2. p. 65. Prasutagus King of the Icenians deceived in leaving Caesar Co-heir with his two Daughters and how the Romans used them l. 2. p. 47. Prayer to be made for Kings by Withred King of Kent's Law l. 4. p. 211. Priests to learn
Jago the Sons of Edwal Voel and the Sons of Howel Dha and the Danes l. 5. p. 349 350. l. 6. p. 6 7 16 20 21 22 23 26 27 53 64. The Irish-Scots invade it by the means of Howel and Meredyth l. 6. p. 56. Is molested by Conan the Son of Jago who had fled into Ireland for the safety of his life Id. p. 70. So infested by the Danish Pyrates that the Sea-Coasts were almost deserted Id. p. 74. Sparhafock a Monk of St. Edmundsbury made Abbot of Abandune and afterwards Bishop of London upon the Translation of Robbyrd to the See of Canterbury l. 6. p. 74 75. But the Archbishop refused to consecrate him tho he came to him with the King's Letters and Seal because the Pope had forbad him However he held his Bishoprick Id. p. 76. Sometime after is deposed from it Id. p. 78. Spot Wulfric a Courtier builds the Monastery of Burton in Staffordshire with his own Paternal Inheritance and gets King Ethelred to confirm it l. 6. p. 31. Stamford a Castle commanded by King Edward the Elder to be built on the South-side of the River Weland l. 5. p. 323. Standing-Army no War possibly to be maintained long either at home or abroad without one l. 6. p. 33. Stanmore Battel in Westmorland between Marius the British King and the Caledonians l. 2. p. 66. Stealing Vid. Theft Stephanus the Pope succeeds Leo and the next year dies l. 5. p. 251. Another of this name Abbot of Mountcassin is consecrated Pope in the room of Victor l. 6. p. 87. Deceases the next year and who succeeds him Id. p. 88. Stigand Cnute's Chaplain had the care of the Church of Ashdown which the King caused to be built there committed to him l. 6. p. 51. Is consecrated Bishop of the East-Angles i. e. Helmham Id. p. 71 73. Receives again his Bishoprick from which it seems by the Simoniacal Practices of Bishop Grymkitel he had been before deprived Id. p. 72. And upon the death of Alfwin is promoted to the See of Winchester Id. p. 73. At last is made Archbishop of Canterbury Id. p. 81. Had the Pall sent him by Pope Benedict William of Malmesbury his Character of him He consecrates Aegelric a Monk of Christ-Church Bishop of Chichester and Syward the Abbot Bishop of Rochester Id. p. 88. Stilico Governor to the Emperor Honorius during his Minority his Character l. 2. p. 97. By a Legion sufficiently furnished with Arms dispatched to Britain delivered the Inhabitants both from spoil and inevitable Captivity Id. p. 99 104 105. Is killed by the Army when Bassus and Philippus were Consuls Id. p. 104. Stone in Staffordshire whence it had its name l. 4. p. 195. Stonehenge here Aurelius Ambrosius was crowned and not long after buried l. 3. p. 131. Is called Mons Ambrosij said to be the Monument of Ambrosius and thought by the latter Antiquaries to be founded by him Ibid. Straetcluyd the Colony erected by the Britains l. 5. p. 344. Strangers as soon as they landed the Merchants are to declare their number and bring them before the King's Officers in Folcmote l. 5. p. 294. The Law against buying and receiving Strangers Cattle Id. p. 346. A Law to harbour them for two nights as Guests but no longer so l. 6. p. 103. Strathern the Scotish Writers will needs have this Province understood by the word Jerne l. 2. p. 98. Streanshale Monastery founded by Hilda l. 4. p. 188. Is now Whitby in Yorkshire Id. p. 189. Strikers in open Court before the King's Ealdormen their Punishment l. 5. p. 295. Stufe and Withgar Nephews to King Cerdic fight against the Britains and put them to flight l. 3. p. 135. Succession to the Crown how settled between the Picts and Scots l. 1. p. 4 5. The Britains had no Notion of any Right the Eldest Brother had to command all the rest not even after they became Christians Id. p. 17. Suetonius Paulinus in his time the Romans received a great Blow in Britain and the Account of it l. 2. p. 46 47 48. Afterwards he gained a mighty Victory over Boadicia and them Id. p. 49 50. Carries it too haughtily towards those that submit Id. p. 50 51. Is succeeded by Petronius Turpilianus Id. p. 51. Sunday Vid. Lord's-Day Supposititious Birth said to be put upon King Cnute viz. the Son of a Shoemaker then newly born by Aelgiva one of his Wives l. 6. p. 61. Suretyship concerning the Breach of the King 's and Archbishops c. what Fine was to be paid upon it by Alfred's Law l. 5. p. 295. Every one to find Sureties for his good Behaviour l. 6. p. 14. Every Lord to be Surety for the appearance of every person in his Family Id. p. 42. Whosoever refuses to give it to be put to death Id. p. 42 43. For the Danes that stay in England to enjoy in all things perfect Peace Id. p. 101. Sutbury in Suffolk anciently called Southburg where Bishop Alfwin deceased l. 4. p. 242. Swale a River but where is not mentioned l. 4. p. 174. Swanawic now Swanwick in Hampshire near the place where the Danes lost 120 of their Ships in a violent Storm as they were going towards Exmouth l. 5. p. 278. Swebryht King of the East-Saxons his Death l. 4. p. 223. Sweden anciently called Scandinovia l. 1. p. 4. And Gothia Id. p. 5. Swedes and Danes called Normans by the French Historians an Account of their Religion and the Deities they worshipped l. 5. p. 256. Sweyn the Son of Harold the Dane slays Edwal ap Meyric in Battel and destroys the Isle of Man He and Anlaff besieges London endeavouring to burn it but are forced to march off the Ravage and Murthers they committed in Essex Kent and Sussex c. l. 6. p. 25. Ousted his Father both of his Kingdom and Life was afterwards expelled himself and wander'd up and down without relief but plagues England after this all he could for refusing to receive him Id. p. 26. Sweyn King of Denmark receiving news of the Massacre of his Countreymen in England by the Advice of his Great Council comes with Three hundred Sail of great Ships and revenges this barbarous piece of Treachery l. 6. p. 30 31. His frequent Returns home and Incursions and Ravages here Id. p. 32 37 38. His Return into England and upon what occasion Id. p. 37. His Decease and the Monk's Relation of the Suddenness of it Id. p. 38 39 40. Sweyn Eldest Son of King Cnute he appoints before his death to be King of Norway l. 6. p. 56. Is driven out of his Kingdom by Harold sirnamed Hairfax but he recovered it again Id. p. 74. Sweyn Earl Son of Godwin goes over to Baldwin Earl of Flanders and stays there all Winter being in disgrace at Court for deflowring an Abbess l. 6. p. 73 74. Makes a League with Edward the Confessor and the King's Promises to him How he decoys his Cousin Beorne on Shipboard and causes him afterwards
bloody slaughter on both sides l. 6. p. 31. University of Paris by whose means erected Alcuinus an Englishman reading there Logick Rhetorick and Astronomy l. 4. p. 244. Of Oxford and Cambridge Vid. their particular Heads Unust King of the Picts Vid. Eadbert King of Northumberland Vortigern is chosen King by the Britains l. 3. p. 116. By the Advice of his Council he sent for the Heathen Saxons to repel the Scots and Picts Id. p. 117. Falls passionately in Love with Rowena Hengest's daughter Id. p. 125. Marries her and is divorced from his former Wife Id. p. 126. The story of his taking his own Daughter to Wife and having a Son by her is all unlikely Id. p. 127 128. Is deposed and Vortimer his Son is chosen King by the British Nobles Id. p. 128. Is restored wages War with the Saxons but by the Treachery of Hengest is taken Prisoner and for his Ransom gives up East-Sex Middlesex and Sussex Id. p. 129. Uncertain what at last became of him but was again deposed and thought to be burnt in his Castle by his Successor Aurelius Ambrosius Id. p. 131. Vortimer obtainâ— a great Victory over the Saxons l. 3. p. 128. Drives them into Germany for all his lifâ—time Id. Ib. Dies supposed by Poyson of his Mother-in-Law Rowena's Procurement Id. p. 129. Vortipore King of that part of South-Wales called Demetia l. 3. p. 139. Urbgen or Urien King of Cumberland and his Sons fight with Theodoric and his Sons and where l. 3. p. 146. Urbicus Lollius drives back the Brigantes draws another Wall beyond that of Hadrian and keeps out the Incursions of the Northern Britains l. 2. p. 68. Urgeney Bishop of St. David's is slain by the Danes l. 6. p. 27. Urych Merwin King of the Britains slain at the Battel of Ketell l. 5. p. 260. Uscfrea a Son of King Edwin's l. 4. p. 176. Usurers not to continue in the Kingdom but if any were convicted to forfeit their Goods and be look'd on as outlaw'd l. 6. p. 102. Uther Pendragon look'd on by the British Antiquaries as a mere imaginary King l. 3. p. 133. Uthred his Bravery against the Scots and the Reward he met with for it from King Ethelred casts off his Wife but gives her back her Fortune and marries another one Sigâ— l. 6. p. 27. Submits with all his Northumbrian Kingdom to King Sweyn the Dane and the mischiefs he his Son and their Army did both there and where ever they went Id. p. 37 38. He with Edmund Etheling plunders all places where ever they come Id. p. 41. But at last submits to Cnute and though he gave Hostages was soon after slain and some say by Cnute's Orders Id. Ib. Utrecht in the Gallick Tongue Trajectum in the old Language Wiltaburg l. 4. p. 212. Vulgar or Common People the Care the English-Saxons had of the Persons and Chastity of their meanest Subjects l. 5. p. 293 294. W WAda a Rebel in chief in Northumberland that leads out the Conspirators to Battel against King Eardwulf at Billingahoth near Whalie in Lancashire l. 4. p. 241. Wakes or Parish Feasts their Antiquity in several parts of England l. 6. p. 99. Wales anciently called Cambria by some supposed to come from the King Ina's marrying Gualla the Daughter of Cadwallader King of the Britains but it is certainly a notorious Falshood l. 4. p. 220. Their Chief Lords of any Countrey there called Kings Id. p. 241. Kings of Cardigan Divet and Powis died in one year Id. p. 243. The several Princes of Wales were perpetually weakning each other with Civil Wars which the English observing at last reduced them all under their Dominion l. 5. p. 279 280. Great Commotions there between Jevaf and Jago and their Children after them sevâ—ral Countries being thereby spoiled l. 6. p. 16 20 21 22. Laws concerning the Inabitants of the Mountains of this Countrey Id. p. 44. A great Revolution happen'd there from the fickleness of the Nation Id. p. 64. The last Civil War or Rebellion there that happen'd in Edward the Confessor's Reign Id. p. 85. Is called Brytland and subdued by E. Harold and E. Tostige Id. p. 89. Wall That which Severus built from Sea to Sea 132 miles in length which procured him the stile of Britannicus l. 2. p. 76. Is repaired and fortified with Castles c. by Carausius Id. p. 84. Built cross the Island between the two Seas or Streights called then Glotta and Bodotria now the Friths of Edinburgh and Dunbritton with Turf instead of Stone Id. p. 99 100. A Description of the other Wall of Stone Id. p. 100. Wall-brook whence it had its name l. 2. p. 85. Waltham-Abbey the Foundation of it and the story of the Crucifix brought thither and the Miracles said to be effected by it l. 6. p. 89. King Harold is buried in the Abbey-Church there Id. p. 144. Wall-Town near the Picts-Wall anciently called Admurum l. 4. p. 184. Wanating now Wantige in Berkshire l. 5. p. 261. l. 6. p. 43. Warewell now Harwood Forest l. 6. p. 10. Warham in Dorfetshire formerly Werham a strong Castle of the West-Saxons is taken and destroyed by the Danes together with the Nunnery there l. 5. p. 278. Warwick anciently called Caer-Gaurvie supposed to be built by Gurgwint l. 1. p. 13. And Weringwic l. 5. p. 316. l. 6. p. 41. Watchet in Somersetshire anciently called Weced l. 5. p. 319. And Weedport destroyed by the Danes l. 6. p. 22 26. Wax-Tapers hated by King Ethelred because of his Mother 's unmercifully beating him with one and for what reason l. 6. p. 19. Wectij or Wiccij now Worcester l. 4. p. 160 197.230 The same Shire also anciently called Wiccon l. 4. p. 242. l. 5. p. 247. Vid. the City and County of Worcester Wedesbury in Staffordshire anciently supposed to be called Wearbyrig l. 5. p. 316. Weland River in Northamptonshire on the side of Rutland anciently called Weolade l. 5. p. 322. Welsh the Chronicle called Triades l. 3. p. 140. Manuscript of Britain the Credit of it arraign'd by a late Romish Writer l. 4. p. 162. Are forced to quit all the plain Countrey bâ—tween Severne and Wye and to retire to the Mountains l. 4. p. 231. Western-Welsh that is Cornish-men where a great Fleet of Danes landed l. 5. p. 257. The Welsh beaten by Igmond the Dane Id. p. 303. Are forbid to come into England or the English to enter Wales l. 6. p. 44. Raise some Insurrections in Harold's time and upon what account Id. p. 65. A Law that no Welshman should pass over Offa's Ditch on pain of death Id. Ib. And on the Penalty of losing his Right Hand Id. p. 115. Vid. Britains Build a Castle in Herefordshire upon the Lands of Earl Sweyn and what ensued thereupon Id. p. 77. Wenbury in Devonshire by the Saxons called Wicganbeorch a place where Earl Ceorle with his Forces fights the Pagan Danes and gets the Victory l. 5. p. 261. Werfriht Bishop of Worcester one
mean-spirited Prince succeeding a Magnanimous Father so Prince Edmund his Son and Successor equall'd his Grandfather King Edgar in Courage tho not in good Fortune But though King Ethelred was no Great or Worthy Prince in his own Person yet with the Assistance of his Wites or Wise Men of his Great Council he made divers excellent Laws and Constitutions There are in Bromton's Chronicle four several Bodies of these Laws made at as many several times and in divers places whereof there are only two extant among the Saxon Laws published by Mr. Lambard The Laws comprized in the first Division are Six there said to have been made at Woodstock in Mercia for the restoration of Peace according to the Law of England The first is That every Freeman shall find Sureties to be bound for him that he shall do right in case he be accused The second I shall omit since it hath been already mentioned in the Laws of King Edgar only the latter end of it is very remarkable to wit The Lord shall answer for his whole Family and be Surety for the appearance of every Person in it And if any of his Servants after they are accused run away the Lord or Master shall pay his man's Were to the King And if the Master be accused as the Adviser to or Promoter of his Escape he shall purge himself by five Thanes and if he do it not he shall pay to the King his Were and his man shall be an Outlaw The Third ordains That a Bondman being cast by the Ordeal shall be marked with a Hot Iron for the first Offence and being cast in the same manner the second time shall be put to Death Which Law bears some resemblance to our present Law or Custom whereby Clergy is allowed for the first Crime committed By the fifth the King 's Reeve or Officer is obliged to require Sureties for the good behaviour of such as are of ill fame amongst all men which if such a one obstinately refuses to give he is to be put to death and to be buried in an unhallowed place with Malefactors And if any use force in his behalf to further his Escape he is to undergo the same Punishment As for the next Set of Laws they are said to have been made at Veneting or Wanating now Wantage in Berkshire and for the increase of common Peace and Happiness by King Ethelred and his Wise Men. The first of them is concerning the keeping of the King's Peace as it was in the days of his Predecessors and for the punishment of the breach of it in case of Manslaughter If it were in a Gemot or Assembly of five Boroughs with the forfeiture of five Pounds weight in Silver If in an Assembly of a Borough or Town by a Mulct of Seven hundred Shillings But how much this was is not known for we have not now any true account of the Standard of Money at that time If in a Wapentake by One hundred and if in an Ale-house a man be killed with six half Marks if he be not killed with twelve Oares for the Value of which Vid. Sir Hen. Spelman's Gloss. From hence but especially from the Laws of King Ina we may observe how Ancient the Liquor of Ale and Ale-houses have been in England as also what commonly follows it quarrelling and breaking of the Peace in such places The fourth commands That Publick Meetings be observed in every Hundred or Wapentake and that Twelve Thanes says Bromton or Twelve Men of free condition as Lambard reads it being Elderly Men together with their Praepositus or Chief shall swear upon the Gospels or Holy Reliques That they will neither condemn an Innocent Person nor acquit a Guilty One From whence we may observe the Antiquity of Trials by a Grand Inquest of more than Twelve Men even in the English Saxon times and was not introduced by William the Conqueror as Polydore Virgil an Italian not much skill'd in the Antiquities of this Island hath delivered in his History And to confirm what we have here said the Third Chapter of the League betwixt King Alfred and Guthrun the Dane very much maketh out which orders That if the King's Thane or Servant be accused of Homicide he shall purge himself if he dare by twelve other Thanes Which you may see at large in those Laws themselves and besides these the Reader throughout the whole Collection of Saxon Laws may observe there is frequent mention made of clearing and purging by so many men summoned for that purpose as sometimes by twelve sometimes by fewer and sometimes by more As for the Trial by Ordeal it grew more in request in the Reign of King Cnute and his Successors being indeed originally a Danish Custom The rest of the Laws of King Ethelred made at Wantage having many of them relation to this way of Trial by Ordeal and containing many obscure terms I omit But since several of them may very well be referred to other former Laws I shall only select from amongst them such as are most worthy to be taken notice of here The twenty third appoints what Custom should be paid by Ships and Vessels of all sorts that unladed at Billinggesgate from whence it appears that this was the Ancient Port of London Wines and all other Commodities being here unladed The twenty sixth imposes the same Punishment upon such as wittingly receive as well as on those that make Bad Money Whereby we may observe That though the Coining of Bad Money was not as yet made Treason yet it was punishable at the King's discretion either by Fine or Death as you will see in the following Law The twenty eighth puts it into the King's power whether to fine or put to death such Merchants as import Counterfeit Money And further imposeth upon all Port-reeves that shall be accessary the same Punishment as upon those that coin false Money except the King think fit to pardon them There are also other Laws which we cannot certainly affirm to have been made in his time though the general Conjecture is that they were These are comprised in an Agreement or Act which the Wise Men of England and the Counsellors of Wales made concerning the Inhabitants of the Mountains of that Countrey But as for the particular Laws made in this Common-Council of both Nations since they only concern Cattel or other Goods taken away on either side or else the manner of giving Testimony both by Welsh and English Witnesses in such cases I refer the Reader to the Laws themselves and shall only desire him to take notice That Justice was to be equally administred by Twelve Judges Six Welsh and Six English men much after the same manner as the Commission for the Borders of England and Scotland is now executed But that we may see how great a distance there was then between these two Nations which God be thanked are now united into one the sixth Article of these Laws expresly forbids