King of the Mercians fought against Kenwulf King of the West-Saxons at the Siege of Bensington Castle But Kenwulf being worsted was forced to flee and so Offa took the Castle Now Janbryht the Archbishop deceased and Ethelheard the Abbot was elected Archbishop Also Osred King of the Northumbers was betray'd and driven out of his Kingdom and Ethelred the Son of Ethelwald Sirnamed Mull reigned after him or rather was again restored to the Kingdom having reigned there before as hath been already shewn But Simeon of Durham adds farther that this Osred the late King of this Kingdom having been also shaven a Monk against his Will escaped again out of the Monastery into the Isle of Man But the next Year As Simeon relates Oelf and Oelfwin Sons of Alfwold formerly King of Northumberland were drawn by fair Promises from the Principal Church of York and afterwards at the Command of King Ethelred cruelly put to Death at Wonwalderemâ—re a Village by the great Pool in Lancashire now called Winanderemere Also about this time according to the same Author one Eardulf an Earl being taken and brought to Ripun was there Sentenced by the said King to be put to Death without the Gate of the Monastery whose Body when the Monks had carried to the Church with solemn Dirges and placed under a Pavilion was about Midnight found alive But this Relation is very imperfect for it neither tells us how he escaped Death nor how he was conveyed away though we find him five Years after this made King of Northumberland This Year as Simeon of Durham and Mat. Westminster relate Charles King of France sent certain Synodal Decrees into England in which alas for with great Grief our Author speaks it were found many inconvenient things and altogether contrary to the true Faith For it had been decreed in a Council at Constantinople by more than Three Hundred Bishops that Images ought to be adored which the Church of God does say they wholly abominate Then Albinus that is our Alcuin wrote an Epistle wherein he proved it by the Authority of the Holy Scriptures to be utterly Unlawful and this he offered together with the Book it self to the King of France on the behalf of all our Bishops and Great Men and this Letter of Alcuinus is thought to have wrought such an effect on the Synod of Francfort assembled about two Years after that the Worship of Images was therein solemnly condemned From which it is evident that image-Image-Worship as now practised in the Greek and Roman Churches was not then received in England And this Year also according to the same Author Osred late King of Nortbumberland being deceived by the Oaths of some great Men returned privately from the Isle of Man when his Souldiers deserting him and being taken Prisoner by King Ethelred he was by his Command put to Death at a Place called Aynsburg but his Body was buried at the famous Monastery at the mouth of Tine and the same Year King Ethelred betrothed Elfrede the Daughter of King Offa. In whom also there was found as little Faith as Mercy for this Year according to our Annals Will. of Malmesbury and Mat. Westminster Ethelbert the Son of Ethelred King of the East-Angles notwithstanding the disswasions of his Mother going to the Court of King Offa in order to Wooe his Daughter was there slain by the wicked instigations of Queen Quendrith so that out of an Ambition to seize his Kingdom Offa was perswaded to make him away but by what means it is not agreed The Annals relate him to have been beheaded But the same Annals and Florence of Worcester agree That his Body was buried in the Monastery at Tinmouth But the Chronicle ascribed to Abbot Bromton as also Mat. Westminster have given us long and Legendary Accounts of the Death of this Prince and the latter of these as well as other Monks who were favourers of this King Offa would have this Murther to be committed without this King's knowledge and Mat. Westminster has a long Story about it but not all probable especially since the King was so well pleased with the Fact when it was done that he presently seized the Kingdom of this poor Murthered Prince and added it to his own Dominions This Year as Mat. Paris and his Namesake of Westminster relate King Offa was warned by an Angel to remove the Reliques of St. Alban into a more noble Shrine and so either for this cause or else which is more likely to expiate the several Murthers he had committed began to build a new Church and Monastery in honour of St. Alban and thither removing his Bones into a Silver shrine all gilt and adorned with precious Stones he placed them in the new Church that he had built without the Town where as the Monks pretended they wrought great Miracles This King having made a journey on purpose to Rome obtained of Pope Adrian to have him Canonized King Offa also conferred upon this Monastery very great Privileges and vast Possessions all which he confirmed by his Charter which you may find in the first Volume of Monast. Anglic. as that also Anno. Dom. 1154. One Nicholas having been first a Servant in this Abbey and afterwards was Bishop of Alba Elected Pope by the name of Adrian IV he by his Bull ordained that as St. Alban was the first Martyr of England so this Abbot should be the first in Dignity of all the Abbots in England and Pope Honorius did by a Bull in the Year 1118 not only ratifie all the Privileges made and confirmed by former Popes but also granted to the Abbot and his Successours Episcopal Rights together with the Habit and that he and his Monks should be exempt from all Jurisdiction to the Bishop of Lincoln with other Exemptions too long here to be set down Also this Year there appeared strange Prodigies in the Country of Northumberland which mightily terrified the People of that Province viz. immoderate Lightnings there were also seen Meteors like fiery Dragons flying in the Air after which signs followed a cruel Famine and a little after the same Year 6 o Idus Jan. certain Heathens i.e. Danes miserably destroyed the Church of God in Lindisfarne committing great Spoils and Murthers Simeon of Durham says These Danes not only pillaged that Monastery but killing divers of the Friers carried away the rest Captive sparing neither Priests nor Laymen This Year also Sicga died he who killed the good King Alfwold who now as Roger Hoveden relates slew himself And the same Year according to Florence of Worcester Ethelard was ordained Arch-Bishop of York and as Simeon of Durham relates the same Year died Alric Third Son to Withred King of Kent after a long Reign of Thirty Four Years in whom ended the Race of Hengist Thenceforth as Will. of Malmesbury observes whomsoever Wealth or Faction advanced took on him the Title of King of that Province This Year both Pope Adrian
received Schoolmasters out of Kent but two Years after this King being weary of Worldly Affairs resigned the Kingdom to his Cousin Egric and became a Monk in a Monastery of his own founding Nor can I here omit taking notice that from Bedâ—'s thus mentioning King Sigebert's founding this School Polâ—dore Virgil and Leland conclude that this School was in Cambridge and that it gave Being to that University and all the reason they have for it is only because Cambridge was in the Kingdom of the East-Angles whereas neither Bede nor any other ancient Author specifies the Place where it was erected And so it might be any where else as well as in Cambridge or if there it was no better than a School to teach Boys the Latin Tongue And it is certain that in the time of King Alfred there was no School much less an University there But before I leave this King's Reign I cannot forbear mentioning what Bede there tells us That in his Reign one Furseus or Fursee came out of Ireland and preached the Gospel to the East-Angles converting many and confirming divers others in the Faith and having had a terrible Vision of the Pains of Hell did by the Assistance of King Sigebert erect a Monastery in a Town called Cnobsbury which afterward Anna King of the East-Angles enriched with noble Buildings and Revenues This Year is remarkable for Byrinus baptized King Cuthred at Dorceaster and at the Font received him for his Godson This Cuthred thô here called King yet was only a Prince of the Blood Royal the Title of Cyning being often given to those Princes in our Saxon Annals This Year Eadbald King of Kent departing this Life having reigned 25 Years left the Kingdom to Earcombert his Son who held it 24 Years and some Months The Saxon Annals say This King Eadbald had two Sons Ermeâ—red and Earcombert but Mat. Westminster I know not from what Author adds That the Younger craftily supplanted the Elder and got the Kingdom from him This Earcombert was the first English King who commanded Idols to be destroyed throughout his whole Kingdom and who also by his Authority ordained That the Forty Days before Easter now called Lent should be observed and that it should not be contemned appointed competent Punishments for those that should dare to transgress it This seems to have been the First Lent that was observed in England by a Law this King's Daughter called Earcongath or Earcongota being a Virgin of great Piety constantly served God in a Monastery in the Kingdom of the Franks founded by a noble Abbess in the Town called Brige now Bruges in Flanders for there being at that time not many Monasteries in Britain many who desired to undertake those Vows used to go over to the French Monasteries or else sent their Daughters to be taught and professed there chiefly in the Monasteries of Brige Cale and Andelegium The Saxon Annals here also mention one Ermenred to have been Brother to King Earcombert and to have begot two Sons Ethelbert and Ethelred who afterwards suffered Death by the Hands of Thunâ—re one of his Thanes whom the King employed in this cruel Execution When Oswald the Most Christian King of Northumberland had now reigned 9 Years taking in that Year in which the two Apostate Kings were killed who were left out of the Catalogue as has been already said he fought a great Battle with Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians in a place called Maser-Field now Oswestre in Shropshire and was there unfortunately slain in the 38th Year of his Age the Greatness of whose Faith and Devotion towards GOD appeared saith Bede by the many Miracles there wrought after his Death which being both tedious and improbable I omit and refer those that are Curious in such Matters to the Author himself but that they were long after generally believed appears by these Passages in the Saxon Chronicle viz. That his Holiness and Miracles were afterwards highly celebrated through the whole Island and that his Hand was still preserved at Bebban-burg uncorrupt For Penda had most inhumanly caused his Body to be dismembred and his Head and Arms being cut off to be set upon a Pole for a Trophie of his Victory The same Year also Penda King of Mercia making War against the East-Angles and still getting the better of them they urged Sigebert who had been formerly their King but was now retired into a Monastery to come out to Battle to encourage the Souldiers and so fetching him out whether he would or no as hoping that the Souldiers would be less apt to fly having with them one who had been so stout a Commander But he being mindful of his Vow carrying nothing but a Staff in his Hand was there slain together with Egric the present King and all the whole Army was routed and dispersed But Anna the Son of Eni of the Royal Stock succeeded them being an excellent Man but who also underwent the same Fate from this Pagan King as shall be shewn in due time This Year Cenwall or Cenwalc succeeded Cynegils his Father in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and reigned 31 Years This King commanded the old Church of Winchester to be built which had been designed by his Father Cynegils thô he never lived to finish it but Hedda sate there as the first Bishop This King also gave to this Church and Bishoprick all the Lands lying about Winchester for the space of 7 Leucas or Leagues which Grant was also confirmed by King Kenwalk Note That at the first Foundation this Monastery was for Secular Chanons till the Year 963 that Bishop Ethelwold by the Command of King Edgar turned out these Chanons and placed Benedictine Monks in their rooms This Year Paulinus deceased at Rochester who had been first Arch-Bishop of York and afterwards Bishop in this City and was Bishop 21 Years 2 Months and 12 Days Oswin the Son of Osric the Cousin of Edwin was made King of Deira and reigned 7 Years The next Year In the room of Paulinus Arch-Bishop Honorius consecrated Ithamar a Kentish Man who was equal to his Predecessors in Learning and Piety Cenwalc was driven out of his Kingdom by Penda King of the Mercians Of which Bede gives us a more particular Account That refusing to receive the Christian Faith he not long after lost his Kingdom for having divorced his Wife the Sister of Penda King of the Mercians he had therefore not only War made upon him but was driven out of his Kingdom upon that account so that he was forced to retire to Anna King of the East-Angles with whom remaining 3 Years in Banishment he came first to the knowledge of and there received the true Faith for that King was a good Man and happy in a pious Issue ' This Year King Cenwalc was baptized And as William of Malmesbury relates after 3 Years banishment gathering fresh Forces
him ordered to be slain which when the Abbot of Reodford heard as having his Monastery not far from thence he went to the King who then lay private in those Parts to be cured of the Wounds he had received in taking of the Island and desired of him if the Youths must needs dye that they might first received Baptism which the King granted whereupon the Abbot immediately instructed and then Baptized them so when the Executitioner came to put them to Death they chearfully underwent it because they hoped thereby to obtain an Eternal Kingdom Thus the Isle of Wight did thô last of all receive the Christian Faith and that upon very harsh terms as if God would make them suffer for their so long refusal of the Gospel The same Year also Ceadwalla and Mollo or Mull his Brother wasted Kent And W. Malmesbury adds That the occasion of this War was to be revenged of King Edric who had killed Lothair his Predecessour and that falling upon that Province now grown Esseminate with long Peace he committed a great deal of Spoil throughout the Country but at last meeting with the Kentish Men was repulsed with loss This Year also according to Stephen Hâ—ddis's Life of Bishop Wilfrid he was re-called home by King Alfred and restored to his Sees of York and Hagulstad the Bishop that then enjoyed them being turned out The same Year also Cuthbert that Pious Bishop of Lindisfarne having resigned his Bishoprick and retired again to Farne-Island there deceased but his Body was translated to Lindisfarne which being taken up Eleven Years after was found as entire as when it was first buried This Year Mollo or Mull the Brother of King Ceadwalla but now mentioned was burnt in Kent and Twelve others with him but Ceadwalla afterwards wasted Kent the same Year which action Will. of Malmesbury and H. Huntington relate more at large That Ceadwalla in the second Year of his Reign sent his Brother Mollo at his own request to Ravage and Pâ—under the Province of Kent out of a Desire of Spoil and Ambition of Glory so marching into Kent then divided into divers Factions and finding none there to resist him he laid all the Country waste but when he despised his Enemies and thought he might do what he pleased with them going about to plunder a certain House and having no more thâ—n Twelve Men in his Company being there encompassed on the sudden with far greater Forces and not daring to sally out upon them they set the House on Fire about his Ears where He with Twelve Knights were burnt And thus this brave Army consisting of the Flower of the West-Saxon Youth came to nothing But Will. Thorne in his Chronicle of the Abbots of St. Augustine Cant. relates the Death of this Prince with more Circumstances vâ—z That he invading and spoiling Kent and coming before the City of Canterbury and being there stoutly resisted by the Citizens till almost all his Men were killed was at last constrained to flee to a certain House where the Men of Canterbury burnt him to Death as hath been already related but it seems his Body not being reduced to Ashes was taken up and buried in the Church of the Abby of St. Augustine with the Kings of Kent this I thought fit to add as not being found elsewhere But when Ceadwalla heard this news being extremely enraged at it he again entred Kent and there satiating himself with Spoil and Slaughter when he had left nothing worth carrying away returned home Victorious This Year King Ceadwalla after he had Reign'd 2 Years perhaps having some remorse for his former Cruelties went to Rome and there received Baptism from Pope Sergius who gave him the Name of Peter where he not long after dyed and was buried in the Church of St. Peter to whom Ina succeeded in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and Reigned Thirty Seven Years He also built the Monastery at Glastingabyrig now Glastenbury and also went to Rome and there remained until his Death Bede who has given us a long Epitaph on Ceadwalla both in Verse and Prose places this Prince's Baptism by the Pope in Anno 689 which might very well be for he resigned his Kingdom the Year above mentioned and it was ended by that time he could be baptized and so the Saxon Annalist might well place both that and his Baptism under one and the same Year The British Historians confounded this Ceadwalla with their King Ceadwallo who slew King Edwin but he lived above Twenty Years before this time as hath been already observed But Dr. Powel and Mr. Vaughan in their Learned Notes upon Caradoc's Welsh Chronicle do suppose with great probability that this Cadwallo was Edwal sirnamed Ywrch Prince of Wales who about this time began to Reign being the Son of Cadwallader and may also very well agree with what Guidonius writeth of one Ethwal Prince of Wales who about this time went to Rome and there dyed for in proper Names it is an easie matter for a Capital C to creep in since it was commonly used in old hands at the beginning of a Paragraph and might by an Ignorant Copier be added to the Name it self and so of Edwal make Cadwal and from thence Cadwallader But the Year after Ceadwalla dyed at Rome according to Bede as well as our Annals Theodorus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury also deceased being Eighty Eight Years of Age having sate Arch-Bishop Twenty Two Years and was buried in the Church of St. Peter in Canterbury Bede tells us That the English Church never attained to that height of perfection under any Arch-Bishops Government as it did under his he being the first Arch-Bishop who Exercised his Metropolitan Jurisdiction over all the Bishops as well beyond as on this side of Humber Berthwald who now succeeded Theodore in the Arch-Bishoprick had been Abbot of a certain Monastery called Raculf now Reculver in Kent near the Isle of Thanet and was a Man well read in the Scriptures and skil'd in Ecclesiastical Discipline but yet he ought not to be compared to his Predecessours he was Elected this Year but it seems his Consecration was deferr'd till near Three Years after when the Saxon Chronicle likewise recites it This Year also according to Florence Ina a Prince of the Royal Blood took the Kingdom of the West-Saxons being the Son of Kenred the Son of Ceolwald Yet it seems he had no right by Succession for Will of Malmesbury tells us expresly That it was more in respect to his own Natural Vertue than to the Right of a successive descent that he was now made King and indeed How could it be otherwise his Father Kenred being then alive This Year also Abbot Benedict above-mentioned dyed after a long Sickness of whom Bede in his Life already cited gives us a large Account that having been at first a Servant to King Oswin and receiving from him a competent Estate for his Quality he quited
relates Swebriht King of the East-Saxons died this Year Eadbriht or Egbert the Son of Eatta who was the Son of Leodwald began to Reign in the Kingdom of the Northumbers and held it One and Twenty Years Egbert Arch-Bishop of York was his Brother who were both buried in the City of York in the same Church-Porch But it there is an over-sight in these Annals for this Eadbriht above mentioned must be the same with Eadbriht under the former Year This Year also according to Simeon of Durham Swebright King of the East-Saxons died Ceolwulf late King of Northumberland died this Year according to Mat. Westminster in the Monastery of Lindisfarne Also as Simeon of Durham relates Nothelm Arch-Bishop of Canterbury deceased but the Saxon Annals defer his Death two Years longer This Year Acca Bishop of Hagulstad deceased who as the same Author relates was had in great Reverence not only during his Life but also after his Decease for his great Sanctity and supposed Miracles King Ethelred deceased and Cuthred his Cousin succeeded in the Kingdom of the West Saxons and held it 16 Years This King made sharp War against Ethelbald King of the Mercians and that with various Success as H. Huntington tells us sometimes making Peace and then again renewing the War This Year also Nothelm the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury deceased and Cuthbriht was Consecrated in his stead as was also Dun Bishop of Rochester after the Death of Eadulph ' This Year also the City of York was burnt together with the Monastery as Simeon has it Now was held the great Synod at Cloveshoe where were present Ethelbald King of the Mercians and Cuthbert the Arch-Bishop with many other wise Men. Where this Cloveshoe was is now very uncertain since the Name is wholly lost some suppose it to have been Cliffe in Kent near Gravesend but it is not likely that Ethelbald being now the chief King of England would permit this Council to have been held out of his own Dominions so that others suppose it to have been Abingdon in Berkshire which was anciently called Secvesham where as the old Book of that Abbey tells us was anciently a Royal Seat of the Kings and where there used to be great Assemblies of the People concerning the arduous Affairs of the Mercian Kingdom But thô we are more certain of the Decrees of this Council than of the Place where it was held yet since it was a meer Ecclesiastical Synod and no great Council of that Kingdom and that its Decrees were chiefly made in Confirmation of the Charter of King Withred concerning free Elections to Monasteries in Kent according to the Directions of the Archbishop of Canterbury I shall refer you to the Canons themselves as they are to be found in the Decem Scriptores and Sir H. Spelman's British Councils and shall only take notice of this one that now Bishops were first ordered to visit their Diocesses once a Year This Year Ethelbald King of the Mercians and Cuthred King of the West Saxons fought against the Britains H. Huntington tell us That these two Kings now joyning their Forces brought two great Armies into the Field against the Welsh-men who not being able to defend themselves were forced to flie leaving great Spoils behind them so both the Kings returned home Victorious According to Florence of Worcester Wilfred the second Bishop of York of that Name died after he had fate 30 Years Also this Year according to the Annals Daniel resigned the Bishoprick of Winchester being worn out by Age and Hunferth succeeded him and they say the Stars seemed to fall from Heaven But Simeon of Durham calls them with more probability such Lightnings as those of that Age had never before seen About this time also according to Simeon there happened a great Fight between the Picts and the Britains I suppose he means those of Camberland for no other Britains lay near the Picts This year Bishop Daniel above-mentioned deceased after he had been 43 years Bishop ' This year Selred King of the East-Saxons was slain But by whom or which way is not here said This Selred was Sirnamed The Good and reigned 38 years Switheard King of the East-Angles dying Elfwold succeeded him as the Chronicle of Mailros relates This Year also was held the second Council at Cloveshoe under Cuthbert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury there being present beside the Bishops Abbots and many Ecclesiasticks Ethelbald King of the Mercians with his chief Men and Ealdermen In which besides many Decrees concerning the Unity of the Church and for promoting Peace which you may see at large in Sir H. Spelman's First Volume of Councils and after the reading of Pope Zachary's Letters to the People of England to live more continently These among other Decrees were likewise passed viz. 1. That the Reading of the Holy Scriptures be more constantly used in Monasteries 2. That Priests receive no Reward for baptizing Children or for other Sacraments 3. That they learn the Creed and the Lord's Prayer in English and are likewise to understand and interpret into their own Tongue the Words of Consecration in the Celebration of Mass and also of Baptism c. This year Cynric Aetheling that is Prince of the Blood-Royal of the West Saxons was slain and Eadbriht King of Kent died after six Years Reign and Ethelbryht the Son of King Withred succeeded him This Cynric was he whom H. Huntington relates to be Son of Cuthred King of the West Saxons who thô young in Years was a great Warriour for his time yet perished in a sudden Sedition of his own Souldiers but where he does not say Simeon affirms That Elfwald King of the East Angles now dying Hunbeanna and Albert divided that Kingdom between them but what relation they had to the late King he does not tell us This year Cuthred King of the West Saxons in the 12th Year of his Reign fought against Ethelune that couragious Ealderman H. Huntington calls him a bold Earl who moved Sedition against his Lord and thô he were inferiour in the number of his Souldiers yet maintained the Fight a great while by his sole Courage and Conduct but while he was ready to get the Victory a Wound he then unfortunately received so disabled him and disheartened his Men that the King's being the stronger as well as the juster Side did thereby prevail Also the same Year according to Simeon of Durham and the Chronicle of Mailros Eadbert King of Northumberland led Kynwulf Bishop of Lindisfarne Prisoner to the City of Beban who it seems had some ways rebelled against him for he then also caused the Cathedral Church of Lindisfarne to be besieged The same Year as Bede's Continuator relates Eadbert King of Northumberland made War upon the Picts and subdued all the Country of Kyle with other Territories joyning them to his own Dominions This Year according to the Saxon Annals King
of the Northern Britains This year Eadbert King of the Northumbers was shorn a Monk and Ofwulf his Son succeeded him yet Reigned but one Year being slain by the Treachery of his own Servants on the 9th of the Kal. August following thô without any just Cause as I can find Concerning this Eadbert Simeon of Durham in his History of that Church tells us That after he had reigned 21 Years and ruled his Kingdom with great Wisdom and Courage so that all his Adversaries being either overcome by force or else submitting themselves to him the English Pictish and Scotish Kings not only maintained Peace and Friendship with him but rejoyced to do him Honour so that the Fame of his Grandeur spreading as far as France King Pipin not only made a League with him but sent him great Presents and the Kings his Neighbours when he was about to resign the Crown had him in that Esteem that they offered him part of their own Dominions on Condition that he would not lay down his Charge but he refused it and resigned his Kingdom to Usulf his Son Also about this time according to the British Chronicles there was a great Battle fought at Hereford between the Britains and the Saxons where Dyfnwal ap Theodore was slain But they do not tell us who obtained the Victory This Year Cathbert Arch Bishop of Canterbury deceased having fate Arch-Bishop 18 Years Also according to Florence about this time Swithred reigned over the East and Osmund over the South Saxons as also Beorne was King over the East Angles This Year Bregowin was consecrated Arch-Bishop of Canterbury at the Feast of St. Michael and Ethelwold Sirnamed Moll began to reign over the Northumbers and at last resigned the Crown ' Ethelbryght King of Kent deceased he was the Son of King Wythred Of this King William of Malmesbury records nothing remarkable but that the City of Canterbury was burnt in his Reign Ceolwulf also late King of Northumberland departed this Life the same Year dying a Monk in the Isle of Lindisfarne But Simeon of Durham prolongs his Life 4 Years longer This Year was a very sharp Winter and Ethelwald Moll King of Northumberland slew Duke Oswin at Edwinsclife on the Eighth of the Ides of August But thô who this Duke was our Annals do not tell us yet Simeon of Durham and Roger of Hoveden relate he was one of those Great Northumbrian Lords that rebelled against the King who gained the Victory over him and those Rebels that took his part ' This Year deceased Bergowine the Arch-Bishop above-mentioned But if he sate 4 Years as these Annals affirm he could not have died till the Year following in which also Janbryht who is also called Lambert was now consecrated Arch-Bishop of Canterbury about 40 Days after Christmas Also Frithwald Bishop of Witherne died on the Nones of May he had been Consecrated in York on the 18th Kalends of September in the Reign of Ceolwulf and sate Bishop 29 Years and then Piyhtwin or Pechtwin was Consecrated Bishop of Witerne at Aelfet on the 16th Kal. of August ' Janbryht the Arch-Bishop received his Pall This was as Florence of Worcester informs us from Pope Paul I. ' This Year also as Simeon of Durham relates there was much Mischief done by Fire at London Winchester and other Places ' Alhred King of Northumberland began to reign and reigned Eight Years Ethelwold Moll having now by Death quitted that Kingdom The manner of which is given us more perfectly by William of Malmesbury and Roger Hoveden viz. That Ethelwold lost the Kingdom of Northumberland at Winchan-hea 1 o Kal. November being murder'd by the Treachery of this Albred who succeeded him and was also of the Race of Ida being his Great Nephew The same Year also according to William of Malmesbury Offa King of the Mercians envying the Greatness of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury did by most noble Presents made to the Pope obtain a Pall for the See of Lichfield that is That it should be for the future an Arch-Bishoprick and that all the Bishops of the Provinces of the Kingdom of Mercia and the East Angles should be subject to it and this he not only gained notwithstanding the Opposition and Remonstrances of Arch-Bishop Jambert to the contrary but also bereaved the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury of all its Lands which lay within the Mercian Territories which Injustice continued during the whole Reign of King Offa till Kenulph his Successour by the Intercession of Eanbald then Arch-Bishop of York restored the See of Canterbury to its ancient Rights This Year deceased Egbert Arch-Bishop of York 13 o Kal. Sept. who sate Bishop 36 Years This is he who was Base Brother to the King of the same Name and regained the Pall to his See after it had been without it ever since the time of Paulinus He also built a Noble Library at York which was then counted one of the best in Europe for William of Malmesbury relates that Alcuin the greatest Scholar of his time once told the Emperour Charles That if he would give him such Books of exquisite Learning as he had in his own Country by the Pious Industry of his Master Arch-Bishop Eghert then he would instruct and send him back some young Men who should carry over the choicest Flowers of the English Learning into France According to Simeon of Durham Albert was now ordained Arch-Bishop of York ' Eadbert the Son of Eatta deceased on 14 o Kal. September This Eadbert had been formerly King of Northumberland and according to Simeon of Durham died 10 Years after his taking the Habit of a Monk and was buried at York Also this Year as the Welsh Chronicles acquaint us by the means of Flbodius that Learned and Pious Bishop of North Wales it was decreed in a General Synod of the British Nation That Easter should be kept after the Custom of Rome so that all Differences between that Church and the British now ceased ' Charles King of the Franks began his Reign for Pepin his Father died this Year as R. Hoveden informs us Also the fair City of Cataract in Yorkshire was burnt by Bâ—ornred the Mercian Tyrant and He also perished by Fire the same Year This Year according to Simeon of Durham and R. Hoveden Offa King of the Mercians subdued the Nation of the Hestings by force of Arms but who these People were or where they inhabited no Author informs us Mr. Lambert in his Glossary at the end of the Decem Scriptores will have them to be Danes but I see no reason for it here since the Danes were not then settled in England ' This Year died Milred the Bishop Florence says he was Bishop of the Wiccii that is of the Diocess of Worcester and was in great Reputation for his Sanctity This Year Albert Arch-Bishop of York received his Pall from Pope Adrian as Simeon informs us
This Year the Northumbrians expelled their King Albred from York about Easter and chose Ethelred the Son of Moll once King for their Lord He reigned 4 Years Of which Transaction Roger Hoveden gives us this particular Relation That King Alhred being deposed by the Common-Council and Consent of his own Subjects and forsaken of all his Great Men was forced to retire first to the City of Bebban afterwards called Banbarough-Castle from whence he betook himself to Cynoth King of the Picts with but very few Followers The same Year also appeared a Red Cross in the Heavens after Sun-set and the Mercians and Kentish-men fought at Ottanford now Otford in Kent But neither the Saxon Annals nor any other vouchsafe to tell us what was the Quarrel nor who were the Commanders on either side nor yet what was the Success Also strange Serpents were seen in the Province of the South Saxons Mat. Westminster places this Prodigy two Years after and says They seemed to creep out of the Earth This Year Cynwulf King of the West Saxons and Offa King of the Mercians fought at Binsington now Bensington in Oxfordshire but Offa took the Town So it seems Cynwulf had the worst of it Here follows in the Peterburgh Copy another Relation concerning that Abbey which is thus That In the Reign of King Offa there was a certain Abbot of Medeshamstead called Beonna who with the Consent of the Monks of his Monastery leased out to Cuthbriht the Ealderman X Bonde-land that is the Ground of ten Bond-men or Villains at Swinesheafde with the Meadows and Pastures and all other Things thereunto belonging upon this Condition That Cuthbriht should pay the Abbot Fifty Pounds and one Night's Entertainment every Year or else Thirty Shillings in Money and that after his Death the Lands should again revert to the Monastery To which Grant King Offa King Egferth Arch Bishop Higebert the Bishop Ceolwulf the Bishop Inwona with Beon the Abbot and many other Bishops Abbots and Great Men were Witnesses I have inserted this Passage thô it does not relate to the Civil History of these Times because it is the First Example of a Lease of this kind and seems to have been done in a great Council of the Kingdom where these Kings were present which was then necessary for such a Grant Also in the time of this King Offa as the Peterburgh Copies relate there was a certain Ealderman called Brordan who desired of the King That for his sake he would free a certain Monastery of his called Wocingas because he intended to give it to St. Peter and to the Church of Medeshamsted one Pusa being then Abbot of it This Pusa succeeded Beonna and the King loved him very well wherefore he freed the Church of Wocingas by the King's consent with that of the Bishop Earls and all other Men's consents so that no body should from thenceforth have any duty or Tribute besides St. Peter and the Abbot this was done in the King's Town called Freoricburne Pehtwin Bishop of Witerne called in Latin Candida Casa deceased XIII Kal. Octob. he was Bishop Fourteen Years and had been bred under Aldhelm that Pious Bishop of Winchester and the same Year Ethelbert was consecrated Bishop of that See at York XVII Kal. Junii This Year according to the Welsh Chronicle the South-Welshmen destroyed great part of Mercia with Fire and Sword As also The Summer following all the Welshmen both of North and South-Wales gathered themselves together and Invading the Kingdom of Mercia made great spoil by burning and plundering the Country whereupon King Offa was forced to make Peace with the other Saxon Kings and to bend his whole Forces against the Welsh Men who not being able to encounter so great a strength as he then brought against them were forced to quit all the plain Country between the Rivers of Severne and Wye and retired into the Mountains whereupon Offa perceiving this seised upon all the Country and planted Saxons in their places and annexing it to his own Kingdom caused that famous Ditch or Trench to be made from Sea to Sea betwixt his Kingdom and Wales whereby he might the better defend his Country from the Incursions of the Welsh hereafter This Ditch is seen at this day in divers places and is called Welsh Clawdh Offa i.e. Offa's Ditch This Year Aethebald and Hearbert kill'd Three chief Gerifs or Governours Ealdwulf the Son of Bosa at Cyningeselife i. e. Kings Cliffe and Cynwulf and Ecga at Helathyrn XI Kal. Aprilis then Alfwold took the Kingdom Aethelred being Expel'd the Land and Reigned Ten Years But H. Huntington and Simeon of Durham gives us a more exact account of this Matter that Aethelred King of Northumberland having caused Three of his Nobles Aldwulf Kinwulf and Ecga to be treacherously slain by two of the same rank The Year following his Subjects Rebelling against him they first slew Aldwulf General of the King's Army in Flight at the place above mentioned as they also did the two other Commanders in the same manner so that King Aethelred's Captains being all slain and his hopes as well as his Forces defeated he was forced to flee into another Country and so Elfwald the Son of Oswulf succeeded him thô not without Civil Broils He was a Just and Pious Prince yet could not escape the hard Fate of his Predecessors as you will see in due time The same Year as the Laudean Copy relates King Charles entred Spain and destroyed the Citties of Pampelona and Cesar Augusta now called Saragosa and having joined his Army subdued the Saracens and received Hostages from them and then returned by Narbon and Gascony into France This Year the chief Gerifs or Governours of Northumberland burnt Beorne the Ealderman in Seletune 19 Kal. Januarij Roger Hoveden calls these Gerifs Osbald and Aethelheard and H. Huntington says They burnt this Ealderman or Chief Justice of the Kingdom because he was more Rigid and Severe than in Reason he ought to have been The same Year the Ancient Saxons and Franks fought against each other in which Battle Charles King of the Franks gained the Victory having wasted the Saxon Territories with Fire and Sword and laid them to his own Dominions as not only our own but the French Historians relate Also Bishop Aethelheard dyed at York and Eanbald was consecrated to the same See and Cynebald the Bishop resigned his See at Lindisfarne and Alchmuna Bishop of Hagulstead deceased 7 th Id. Sept. and Higbert was consecrated in his stead the 6 th of the Nones of Octob. as likewise Higbald was consecrated at Soccabrig to be Bishop of Lindisfarne Also King Allwold sent to Rome to demand the Pall for Eanbald Arch-Bishop of York This Year Werburh the Wife of King Ceolred late King of the Mercians deceased at her Nunnery of Chester where she was Abbess and where the Church is dedicated to her Memory also Cenwulf Bishop of Lindisfarne died
them reaching the Shore were presently slain at the Mouth of the same River But Simeon of Durham imputes this to a Judgment inflicted on them by St. Cuthbert for thus spoiling his Monastery The Moon was Eclipsed 5 o Kal. Aprilis from the Cock crowing till the Morning Eardwulf also began to reign over Northumberland 1 o Idus Maii and was afterwards Consecrated and placed on the Throne 7 o Kal. Junii at York by Eanbald the Arch-Bishop and by the Bishops Ethelbert Higbald and Badewulf This Eardwulf as Florence of Worcester informs us was he who 5 Years before had so strangely escaped Death at Ripun after he had been carried out to be buried but the Chronicle of Mailross does here give great Light of the Saxon Annals for it tells us that now the Northumbers murthered their King Ethelred the Son of Moll Simeon places it a Year after but says The Murther was committed on the 14th of the Kalends of May at a Place called Cobene but they both agree that immediately after his Death one Osbald a Nobleman of that Country was made King but reigned only 27 Days and that then being forsaken by the Chief Men of his Kingdom he was driven into the Isle of Lindisfarne with a few Followers from whence he fled by Sea to the King of the Picts where he became a Monk And this Eardwulf reigned of his stead William of Malmesbury further adds that Alcuin writing to King Offa tells him That King Charles so soon as he heard of this Murther of King Ethelred above-mentioned and of the Perfidiousness of the Northumbrian Nation not only stopt the Gifts he was then sending but falling into a Passion against them called them a perverse and perfidious Nation and worse than Pagans so that if Alcuin had not interceded for them he would have done them all the Mischief he could About this time also the Welsh Chronicles relate there was a great Battle fought at Ruthlan between the Saxons and the Britains where Caradoc ap Gwin King of North Wales was slain But as Dr. Powel observed in his Notes upon Caradoc's Chronicle in those Times there was no settled Government in Wales therefore such as were Chief Lords of any Country there are in this History called Kings This Year died Eanbald Arch-bishop of York the 4th of the Ides of August whose Body was there buried also the same Year Bishop Ceolwulf died and another Eanbald was Consecrated in his stead This Year likewise Cenwulf King of the Mercians destroyed Kent to the Borders of Mercia and took Eadbert or Ethelbert Sirnamed Praen and carryed him Prisoner into Mercia and there caused his Eyes to be put out and his Hands to be cut off Also Ethelheard Arch-bishop of Canterbury called a Synod which by the Command of Pope Leo established and confirmed all those things relating to God's Church which had been before constituted in the Reign of King Withgar and then the Arch-bishop said thus I Ethelheard Arch-bishop of Canterbury with the Unanimous Consent of the whole Synod and of the whole Body of all the Monasteries to whom Exemption hath been granted of Old Times by Believers in the Name of GOD and by his fearful Judgments and as I have received Command from Pope Leo do Decree That for the future none shall presume to Elect themselves Covâ—rnours amongst Lay-men over GOD's Heritage but as it is contained in the Charter or Bulls which the Pope hath granted or Holy Men to wit our Kings and Ancestors have ordained concerning the Holy Monasteries so let them remain inviolate without any gain-saying and if there be any one who shall refuse to obey this Command from GOD the Pope and Us but shall despise it and count it as nothing let him know that he shall give an Account of it before the Tribunal of GOD. And I Aethelheard the Archbishop with Twelve Bishops and Three and Twenty Abbots do hereby establish and confirm this Decree with the Sign of the Cross. This Council thô the Annals do not expresly mention it under that Title is that great Council of Becanceld placed in Sir H. Spelman's Collection under Anno 798 being held under Cenwulf King of the Mercians Aethelheard Arch-bishop of Canterbury with 17 Bishops more who all subscribed to this Decree thô the Annals mention no more than 12 Bishops to have been there This Year the Romans took Pope Leo and cut out his Tongue and put cut his Eyes and deposed him but presently after if it may be believed he could both see and speak by the help of GOD as well as he could before and was also restored to the Papacy by the Emperour Charles Also Eanbald the Arch-bishop of York received the Pall and Ethelbert Bishop of Hagulstad deceased 3 o Kal. Nov. This Year was a bloody Battle in the Province of Northumberland in Lent-time at Wealaege now called Whalie in Lancashire where was slain Alric the Son of Heardbert and many others with him The occasion of which Civil War Simeon of Durham hath thus given us â—iz That besides Alric there were divers others in Northumberland who had formerly conspired against King Ethelred and now raising a Rebellion against Eardwulf under Wadâ— their Captain after much slaughter on both sides at Billangahoth near Whalie in Lancashire the Conspirators being at last put to flight King Eardwulf returned home Victorious The same Year London according to the same Author with a great multitude of its Inhabitants by a sudden Fire was Consumed And now according both to Simeon of Durham and Roger Hoveden was held the Second Council of Pinchinhale in the Kingdom of Northumberland under Eanbald Arch-bishop of York and divers other Principal and Ecclesiastical Men where many things were ordained for the Profit of GOD's Church and of the Northumbrian Nation as concerning the keeping Easter and other Matters not particularly mentioned The same Year also according to Monasticon Anglicanum Kenwulf King of the Mercians founded a stately Abbey at Winchelcomb in Glocestershire for 300 Benedictine Monks and when it was Dedicated in the Presence of Wilfrid Arch-bishop of Canterbury and 13 other Bishops he then set free before the High Altar Eadbert King of Kent who was then his Prisoner of War But having before most cruelly put out his Eyes and cut off his Hands and disposed of his Kingdom to another I doubt that Liberty proved but a small Satisfaction to his poor injured Prince But such was the Superstitious Zeal of that Age the Foundation of a Monastery was counted a sufficient Atonement to GOD for whatsoever Cruelties or Injustice Princes hath then committed This Year Ethâ—lheard the Arclt-bishop and Cynebriht Bishop of the West Saxons went to Rome the latter to take the Habit of a Monk and Bishop Alfwin deceased at Southburg now Sutbury in Suffolk and was buried at Domuc now Dunwich in the same County being then the Seat of that Bishoprick and Tidfrith was chosen in his Room
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
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
But tho the King's violence to Abbot Dunstan and the Monks is by no means to be justified yet this rudeness to the King and pressing upon his privacy and carrying him by force out of the Room from his Mistress or Wife for some Historians tell us that he had been privately married to her can as little be excused So that no wonder if a young King and an enraged Woman did all they could to revenge so great an Affront Yet it seems by the same Author of St. Dunstan's Life that Archbishop Odo was severely revenged on this Lady for he not only sent Armed men to take her out of the Court by force but also branded her with a hot Iron on the Cheeks to take off the King's Affections from her and then caused her to be sent into Ireland but whether this was done by the Great Council of the Kingdom or by his own Authority I do not find But it seems upon her return thence again being on her way to the King the said Archbishop's Officers met her and cut her Hamstrings so that not being able to stir she is supposed to have died not long after of this cruel Treatment But however this did not happen immediately but some time after for this Year all the People North of Humber together with the Mercians as far as the River Thames rose against King Edwi with an intention to expel him the Kingdom for his violence done to the Monks so that as Osborne in the Life of Dunstan relates he was forced to fly with his Adulteress to the City of Glocester But Florence of Worcester and Simeon of Durham are more particular in this Relation saying that the Mercians and Northumbrians hating and despising King Edwi for his Evil Government deserted him and having deposed him they elected his Brother Prince Edgar King over them which it seems was also confirmed by the Common Council of the Kingdom for the above-cited Author of the Life of St. Dunstan saith it was done by the Common Consent of all the Wise men of the Kingdom So that Edwi having no more left him than the Kingdom of the West Saxons for his share the River Thames was made the Boundary between their two Kingdoms Henry de Knighton out of some Ancient Chronicles then preserved in the Abbey of Legcester here farther relates That after the Expulsion of King Edwi for his Evil Life and the Enormous Deeds which he committed against the Church the Throne was vacant for above a year and many Murthers and Robberies and other Mischiefs were committed in the Kingdom for want of Government till some Good men of the Clergy and Laity seeking God by frequent Prayers heard at last a Voice from Heaven commanding them to Crown Prince Edgar being yet a Youth their King which they immediately obeyed But this sounds like a Monkish Legend only to enhance the Excellency of King Edgar's Reign which with them must owe its Original to no less an Author than Heaven it self but no other Historians mention any such thing but agree that King Edwi was never deprived of more than the Kingdoms of Mercia and Northumberland and there was no Vacancy of the Throne that Division being made presently upon the aforesaid Defection of the People of these Kingdoms and immediately confirmed by an Act of the Witena Gemote as hath been already related But however it happened King Edwi was forced to rest contented with this unequal division since not having the good-will of his Subjects it was well he could keep what he had From whence we may observe how dangerous a thing it was for Princes to provoke the Ruling Part of the Priests and People of those times who could so easily turn the hearts of their Subjects against them Our Annals though they are very short in this Relation yet confirm the deposing of King Edwi viz. That this Year Edgar Atheling took upon him the Kingdom of the Mercians and also adds That not long before Wulstan Archbishop of York deceased Although the printed Copy of the Saxon Annals place the Death of King Edwi under the year 957 yet it appears by the Manuscript Laudean Copy of these Annals as also by Florence of Worcester that he died not till this very year for we cannot otherwise make up the space of near four years which all our Historians allow to this King's Reign Of whom they give us this Character That though he was extraordinary Handsome yet he abused that Comeliness of his Person by his excessive Lust and yet we do not hear of above one Mistress he kept and that too whom he was either married to or else lived withal like a Wife But it is no wonder if he have a very bad Character of them when the Monks his Enemies are the only persons that have given it to us But H. Huntington who was a Secular Priest and no Monk is more moderate by telling us that this King did not uncommendably hold the Scepter But when in the beginning of his Reign his Kingdom began to flourish an Untimely Death put a stop to those happy Expectations from him His Body was buried at Winchester with his Uncle's And with this King's Reign I shall also put a Period to this Book lest it should swell beyond a due proportion The End of the Fifth Book THE General History OF BRITAIN NOW CALLED ENGLAND As well Ecclesiastical as Civil BOOK VI. Containing the General History of England from the Reign of King EDGAR to the Death of King HAROLD being One hundred and seventeen Years King EDGAR I Have begun this Period with this Prince's Reign for though it does not exactly divide the Space of Time between King Egbert and the coming in of King William sirnamed the Conqueror into two equal parts yet will it much better suit with the Proportion of the Books into which we have divided this Period Besides King Edgar by again reuniting the Kingdom and enjoying by his Valour as well as his good Fortune a happy and peaceable Reign though he was not the first Prince who took upon him the Title of Monarch of all Albion or England as hath been already shewn yet since all the Kings of this Island did willingly submit themselves to his Dominion he seems to have best deserved that Title of any I can find King Edwy being now dead as our Annals have related King Edgar his Brother began to reign not only over the Mercians and Northumbers but also over all the West-Saxon Kingdom that is as the Manuscript Author of St. Dunstan's Life relates he succeeded in his Brother's Kingdom as Heir and was elected by the Clergy as well as Laity over both Kingdoms Which is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden who expresly tells us he was elected King by the whole English Nation in the Sixteenth Year of his Age So that as the Annals observe In his days all things succeeded prosperously God giving him Peace as long as he lived
part of our Historians do make her to have been his Lawful Wife And it was upon this Pretence of Illegitimacy that Queen Elfleda and those of her Party would have afterwards put by Prince Edward her Son from being chosen King as shall be further related in its proper place But Florence of Worcester and R. Hoveden place King Edgar's Marriage with this Lady under the next year This year King Edgar expelled the Priests or Chanons both from the old and new Monastery of Winchester as also from Ceortesige or Chertsy and Middletune and put Monks in their rooms he also ordained Aethelgar Abbot of the new Monastery and Ordbryght Abbot of Ceortesige and Cyneweard of Middletune But as soon as Dunstan was made Archbishop he went to Rome and there obtained his Pall of the Pope This Year also the Irishmen according to the Welsh Chronicles landed in Anglesey and destroyed Aberfraw and also slew Rodoric one of the Sons of Edwal Voel late Prince of Wales King Edgar according to R. Hoveden and Simeon of Durham placed Nuns in the Monastery of Rumsey in Hampshire which his Grandfather King Edward had founded and made his Daughter Merwina Abbess over them About this time as Caradoc's Chronicle relates there arose a great Quarrel between the two Brothers Princes of North-Wales Jevaf and Jago who had governed jointly ever since the death of Howel Dha till then when Jago seizing upon his Brother Jevaf by force kept him cruelly in Prison for near six years about which time also Eneon the Son of Owen Prince of South Wales taking advantage of these Civil Dissentions made War upon North-Wales and subdued all the Country of Gwyn So that it is no wonder if the English were too hard for these British Princes since they never could agree amongst themselves King Edgar this year commanded all the Countrey of Thanet to be laid waste As Bromton's Chronicle informs us the King did not do as an Insulting Enemy but as a King who punished one Evil with another because the Inhabitants of that Island had despised his Royal Laws But Matthew Westminster's account of the reason of the King 's severe proceeding with them seems far more satisfactory viz. That it was because certain Merchants coming with Goods from York and touching upon this Island the Inhabitants seized the men and plunder'd them of what they brought This Year also according to the History of the Abby of Ramsey Aylwin the Ealdorman by the persuasion of Oswald Archbishop of York and with the consent of King Edgar founded the Abby of Ramsey to the Honour of St. Mary and St. Benedict as appears by the Charter of King Edgar which you will find at large in Monast. Anglican AIR King Edgar at the persuasion of Bishop Athelwald now caused the Chanons to be driven out of all the greater Monasteries in Mercia and Monks to be put in their places This Year Archbishop Oskitel deceased who was first consecrated Bishop of Dorcester and afterwards by the consent of King Edward and all his Wise-Men consecrated Archbishop of York He was Two and twenty years Bishop and deceased on the Vigils of All-Saints at Thame but Thurkytel being his Kinsman carried the Bishop's Body to Bedford because he was Abbot there at that time But there is certainly a mistake in the King's Name and instead of Edward it should be Edred for King Edward the Elder was dead long before this Bishop's Consecration Eadmund Etheling Son to King Edgar died this year whose Body lies buried at Rumseig i.e. Rumsey in Hampshire Oskytel Archbishop of York deceasing his Kinsman Oswald Bishop of Worcester succeeded him as Florence of Worcester relates About this time also Godfred the Son of Harold the Dane subdued the whole Isle of Anglesey which yet he enjoyed not long This year Edgar Ruler of the English was with great Honour crowned King in the Ancient City called Akmanceaster which the Inhabitants called Bathan so that there was great Joy among all men that happy Day being that which is commonly called Pentecost where was a frequent Assembly of Priests and Monks as also a great Council of the Wites or Wisemen This happen'd in the Thousandth Year of Christ wanting but 27 and in the Thirtieth Year of this King's Age. Also about this time according to Caradoc's Chronicle Howel the Son of Jevaf having raised great Forces against his Uncle Jago above-mentioned to deliver his Father out of Prison and having vanquish'd his Uncle and driven him out of the Countrey restor'd his Father to his Liberty though not to his Dominion for he took upon himself the sole Government of all North Wales But Mr. Vaughan in his Additional Notes to this Chronicle farther relates from some other Welsh Annals That Jago being thus expelled fled to King Edgar and prevailed so far that he brought an Army into North Wales to restore him but coming as far as Bangor Howel met him and at the King's request consented that his Uncle Jago should enjoy that part of the Countrey which he had in his Father Jevaf's time so King Edgar having founded a new Church at Bangor and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary returned with great Honour to Chester having these two Welsh Princes in his Company where also met him by his appointment Six other Princes as shall be farther related by and by It hath been much questioned what should be the reason that this King should thus long defer his Coronation Some of the Monks impute it to the Pennance imposed upon him by Archbishop Dunstan for debauching the Nun above mentioned but that is not at all likely since that Penance was but for Seven Years whereas he had now reigned twice as long since that Sin was committed But I do rather suppose that he was Crowned long before in the very beginning of his Reign though our Monkish Chroniclers have either forgot to mention it or else have omitted it on purpose to add the greater Lustre to Archbishop Dunstan For it is very certain that neither in this King's time nor long after the Conquest was it ever known that the King Elect took the Title of King till after his Coronation Now that our Kings did upon some great occasion repeat the Ceremony of their Coronation I shall prove from the Examples both of King Ethelred as well as of King Richard the First and Henry the Third and why it might not be so in the Reign of this King as well as in either of them I can see no reason though the occasion of it is not any where expressed as I know of But to return to our Annals After this the King sail'd with all his Fleet to Legancester i.e. West-Chester where met him Six Kings who all making a League with him promised to be his Assistants both by Sea and Land And now we have spoke of this King's Fleet it is fit we give a larger Relation of it as also of
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
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
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
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
Devotion l. 4. p. 198. Didius Aulus a Roman Praetor sent Lieutenant into Britain in the room of Ostorius his Engagements and Success there l. 2. p. 45. Difilina Vid. Dublin Dinoth Abbot of Bangor instructed how to know whether Augustine's Preaching were of God by a Holy man that led the life of an Anchoret l. 4. p. 161 162. Diocesses five made out of two at a Great Council held by Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 313. Dioclesian chose Emperor by the Eastern Army makes Marc. Aurel. Maximinianus his Associate in the Empire nominates Galerius Caesar constrains them to divorce their Wives and to marry their Daughters l. 2. p. 83. His Persecution of his obedient and harmless Christian Subjects Id. p. 85. Dionotus Duke of Cornwall Geoffrey of Monmouth's story of him l. 2. p. 96. v. 102. Domitian succeeds Titus Vespasian his Brother l. 2. p. 57. Secretly designs the Ruin of Agricola through jealousy that the Glory of a private man should eclipse that of his Prince Id. p. 63. Causes it to be reported That the Province of Syria should be bestowed on Agricola Ibid. p. 64. Dorinea since Dorchester in Oxfordshire a City anciently though now but a poor Countrey Town l. 4. p. 179. Dover the Sedition there of the Townsmen against Eustatius Earl of Boloigne how it arose and how it ended l. 6. p. 76 77. Dower Where a Widow marries before her Twelve-month is expired she loses it and who is to have it and all that her Husband left her l. 6. p. 60. Draganus an Irish Bishop refuses to eat upon his coming over hither with Laurentius Archbishop of Canterbury and why l. 4. p. 166. Drinking Bonosus a Hard Drinker having hang'd himself for being vanquished by the Emperor Probus occasioned that sharp Saying Here hangs a Tankard l. 2. p. 82. Brass Pots set upon Posts at Fountains near the Highways for the use of Travellers to drink out of l. 4. p. 175. Edgar's Law to restrain excessive drinking of great Draughts Vid. Addenda p. 136. Druids their great Authority Doctrine and Gods l. 2. p. 23 24. Dublin in Ireland anciently called Difiline l. 5. p. 334. Dubritius Archbishop of Caer-Leon upon Usk in South-Wales Founder of the College of Philosophers there l. 3. p. 149. Resigned his Bishoprick and became an Anchoret in the Isle of Bardsey Ibid. Duduc Bishop of Somersetshire that is Wells his Decease and who is his Successor l. 6. p. 88. Dulcitius a famous Commander with Civilis sent for to Britain by Theodosius and an Account of their Expedition l. 2. p. 93. Dun consecrated Bishop of Rochester after the Death of Eardulph l. 4. p. 224. Dunbritton in Scotland anciently called Alcluid l. 2. p. 101. When it was destroyed by the Danes l. 5. p. 277. Dunmoc a Town in the Kingdom of the East-Angles but destroyed by the Danes l. 5 p. 274. Vid. Dunwich St. Dunstan an Account of his Birth l. 5. p. 329. Then Abbot of Glastenbury when King Edmund conferr'd divers large Privileges upon that Monastery Id. p. 345. King Edred commits the chief Treasures of his Kingdom to his care to be kept at his Abbey Id. p. 351. Is banished out of England by King Edwi and the occasion of it with his Retirement thereupon to a Monastery in Flanders Id. p. 353. Is chosen Bishop of Worcester by the General Consent of a Great Council and afterwards made Archbishop of Canterbury l. 6. p. 2. The Miracles that the Monks relate were done by him as his Harp hanging against the Wall and a whole Psalm being audibly plaid upon it without any hand touching it c. but above all his taking the Devil by the Nose with a Pair of Red Hot Tongs till he made him to roar again Id. p. 3. A great Propagator of Monkery many Monasteries either new built or new founded in his time Exercised Ecclesiastical Discipline without respect of persons witness the Penance he made King Edgar submit to Ibid. As soon as made Archbishop he went to Rome and there obtained his Pall Id. p. 6. Could never endure Ethelfreda Edgar's Queen and the reason why Id. p. 10. Narrowly escapes being killed when the Floor fell down at the Council at Calne in Wiltshire Id. p. 17. He and Oswald c. crown Ethelred the Brother of Edward the Martyr St. Dunstan's Prediction of this King Ethelred Id. p. 19. His Decease He restores the Monkish Discipline in England and makes a Collection of Ordinances for the Benedictine Order l. 6. p. 22. A Relation of his having erected in his life-time a small Monastery at Westminster for Twelve Monks which was vastly augmented by Edward the Confessor Id. p. 93. Dunwallo Molmutius reduces this Island from a Pentarchy in which it was before into a Monarchy l. 1. p. 12. Dunwich in Suffolk Foelix founded his Episcopal See here l. 4. p. 179. Anciently called Dunmoc l. 4. p. 193. And Domue Id. p. 242. Durham the City about what time built and a Church there dedicated to St. Cuthbert by whom erected l. 6. p. 26. Is besieged by Malcolme King of the Scots with a very great Army Id. p. 27. Durstus King of the Picts is slain in Battel and the particular Account of it l. 2. p. 102. Duty to Parents a pretty remarkable Instance of it in one of King Leir's Daughters named Cordiella if it were true l. 1. p. 11. E EAdbald Ethelbert's Son who succeeded him in the Kingdom of Kent His wicked Reign l. 4. p. 168. His Incestuous Marriage upon what account he renounced Id. p. 169. Gives Ethelburga his Niece in Marriage to King Edwin upon condition that she should enjoy the Christian Religion Id. p. 171. He and Archbishop Honorius receive her with great Honour Id. p. 176. Dies after he had reigned Five and twenty years leaving two Sons Id. p. 180. Eadbald the Bishop departs from the Northumbers l. 4. p. 240. Eadbert or Egbryht King of Northumberland marries Cuthburge Sister to King Ina but they are both made to leave each other's Bed l. 4. p. 218. He is forced to fly into Surrey to the South-Saxons and upon what occasion Ibid. Ceolwulf surrenders his Kingdom again to him and he reigned One and twenty years Id. p. 223. Leads Kynwulf Bishop of Lindisfarne Prisoner to the City of Beban who it seems had some way rebelled against him Id. p. 225. His War against the Picts subduing all the Countrey of Kyle c. and joining them to his own Dominions Ibid. And Unust King of the Picts bring an Army against the City Alkuith which was delivered by the Britains upon Conditions Id. p. 227. Is shorn a Monk and Oswulf or Usulf his Son succeeds him after he had reigned One and twenty Years with great Wisdom and Courage insomuch that Pepin King of France not only made a League with him but sent him great Presents Id. p. 228. Dies Ten Years after his taking the Monastical Habit and is buried at York Id. p. 229. Eadbert or
Ethelbert sirnamed Praen begins to reign in Kent l. 4. p. 240. Hath his Eyes put out and his Hands cut off by the order of Cenwulf King of Mercia whither he is carried Prisoner Id. p. 241. Is set free before the High Altar being then a Prisoner of War upon the Dedication of the Abbey of Winchelcomb Id. p. 242. Eadbriht King of Kent his Death after he had reigned Six Years l. 4. p. 225. Eadburga Daughter to King Offa Marries Brithtrick King of the West-Saxons l. 4. p. 235. Makes away her Husband by Poison designed indeed for one of his Favourites whom she could not endure Id. p. 243. Retires into France is put there into a Nunnery and why and being expelled thence for her Incontinency she begg'd her bread in Italy till she died l. 4. p. 243. A Law made upon her account That the King's Consort for the future should not be called Queen l. 5. p. 264. Eadesbyrig supposed by Mr. Cambden to be Edesbury in Cheshire where Aethelfleda Lady of the Mercians built a Castle l. 5. p. 316. Eadfrid a Son of King Edwin by his Wife Quenburga who was Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia l. 4. p. 174. Surrenders up himself to Penda King of the Mercians Id. p. 176. Eadhed is Ordained Bishop in the Province of Lindisse and afterwards Governed the Church of Rippon l. 4. p. 196. Eadmund Etheling Son to King Edgar his Death and Burial at Rumsey in Hampshire l. 6. p. 7. Eadred or Ethelred King of the Mercians Marries Ethelfleda King Alfred's Eldest Daughter l. 5. p. 311. Vid. Ethelred Duke of Mercia Eadsige vid. Aeadsige Eadulf vid. Adulf Eadwig Etheling called Ceorle's Cyng that is King of the Clowns Brother to King Edward is Banished the whole story of him he is made Two Persons by the Annals l. 6. p. 50 51. Eadwin vid. Edwin Eagle the Roman Ensigns were in Caesar's time all Eagles l. 2. p. 26. Ealcher and his Kentish-men with Huda and his Surry-men fight with the Danish Army in the Isle of Thanet and the Success thereof l. 5. p. 261 262. Ealchstan Bishop of Scireborne and Prince Aethelbald join in a most wicked Conspiracy to remove Aethelwulf out of his Kingdom l. 5. p. 263. Ealerd a Daughter of King Edwin's by Queen Aethelburga l. 4. p. 176. Ealfert or Alfred King of the Northumbers his Decease l. 4. p. 213. Ealfric an Ealdorman and one of King Ethelred's Admirals who was to have encompass'd the Danish Fleet by surpise but underhand he betrays the design sending them notice to take care of themselves and the night before the intended Engagement goes over to them himself l. 6. p. 23 24. Several other Treacheries he plays as leaving the Army whereof he was General c. Id. p. 30. Ealswithe The Daughter of Aethelred Ealdorman of the Gaini is Married to King Alfred l. 5. p. 269 313. Her Children by him and her Decease Id. p. 310 311 313. Eanbald Consecrated Archbishop to the See of York on the Death of Ethelheard The Pall demanded for him of the Pope by Alwold King of the Northumbers l. 4. p. 232. Departs from the Northumbers and afterwards Consecrates and places on the Throne Eardwulf who had begun his Reign over Northumberland about a Month before Id. p. 240. His Death and Burial at York the Year after Id. p. 241. Another of the same Name upon his Decease was Consecrated Archbishop of York and the Year following he received the Pall Ibid. This Eanbald held the Second Council at Pinchinhale and what was done therein Id. p. 242. Eanbryht Bishop of Hagulstad his Decease l. 5. p. 248. Eanfrid or Earlfrid the Son of Ethelfrid the last King before Edwin Ruled the Kingdom of Bernicia and Abjured the Christian Religion which before he had Professed l. 4. p. 176. Is basely put to Death by Cadwallo when he imprudently came to him with only Twelve Select Knights in his Company to Treat of Peace Id. p. 177. Earcombert the First English King viz. of Kent who Commanded Idols to be destroyed and ordered Lent to be observed l. 4. p. 180. His Death and who succeeded him Id. p. 185 190. His Character Id. p. 189. Earcongath or Earcongata Daughter to Earcombert a Virgin of great Piety constantly serving God in a Monastery of the Kingdom of the Franks in the Town of Bruges in Flanders l. 4. p. 180. Eardulf succeeds Alfred or Ealfert in the Kingdom of the Northumbers but is expelled from it within Two Months by a Plot laid against him l. 4. p. 213. Eardwulf an Earl commanded to be put to death is found afterwards alive and after that made King of Northumberland Id. p. 236. When he began to Reign there and whom he succeeded Id. p. 240. Returns home Victorious by destroying the Rebels that rose up against him Id. p. 241. Leads an Army against Kenwulf King of Mercia for Harbouring his Enemies but by the Intercession of King Egbert a Peace is agreed on and confirmed by Oath l. 5. p. 248. About Three years after he is driven out of his Kingdom and by whom Ibid. p. 249. The Son of Eardulf the first King of that Name there restored to his Kingdom by the Assistance of the Emperor Charles the Great l. 5. p. 249. Earnred succeeds Aelfwold King of Northumberland l. 5. p. 249. Holds his Kingdom as Tributary to Egbert Chief King of the English who had grievously wasted it with his Arms Id. p. 248 255. His Death his Son succeeding him Id. p. 260. Earnwulf Charles the Gross King of the Franks his Brother's Son expels his Uncle his Kingdom dividing it into Five parts and each of the Kings to Govern under him l. 5.290 East-Angles the Countries we now call Norfolk and Suffolk the Kingdom of it supposed to begin about Anno 575. under Uffa the Eighth King from Woden l. 3. p. 145. The Gospel is preached to them by Furseus which Converted many of them l. 4. p. 180. The Kingdom thereof divided between Hunbeanna and Albert Id. p. 225. They slay Beornwulf King of the Mercians for Challenging this Kingdom as his own l. 5. p. 253. Edmund their King fighting with the Danes they obtain the Victory kill him and wholly Conquer that Kingdom Id. p. 269 272 273 274. Their Subjection and Freedom from the Danish Yoke Id. p. 322 Easter it 's Observation according to the manner prescribed in the Council of Nice l. 2. p. 88. l. 4. p. 166. The Difference about the Rule of keeping it in Augustin's time l. 4. p. 160 161. How it was observed by Bishop Aidan Id. p. 177. Is Commanded to be kept according to the Order of the Church of Rome Id. p. 189. Appointed by the Synod at Hartford in Anno 673. to be kept on the First Lord's Day after the Fourteenth Moon of the First Month that is January this was a General Council of the whole Kingdom Id. p. 193. Aldhelm Abbot of Malmesbury wrote an excellent Book about the Keeping of Easter
Battel by the Kentish men l. 5. p. 313. After his Death the Danes there yielded themselves up to Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 322 323. The Ecclesiastical Laws made between this Eoric who succeeded Gutherne in the Government of East-England and King Edward Id. p. 326. Eorpenwald King of the East-Angles Son to Redwald when he began his Reign l. 4. p. 157. Is succeeded by his Brother Sigebert whom formerly he had Banished Id. p. 179. Eorpwald or Eorpald King of the East-Saxons Baptized but not long after is slain by one Richbert a Heathen l. 4. p. 175. Eowils slain in battel with many thousands of his Danes at a place called Wodnesfield by King Edward the Elder 's Army l. 5. p. 315. Ercenbright or Ercombert Vid. Earcombert Eric the Son of Harold whom the Northumbers set up for their King and about a year or two after drove him out again l. 5. p. 350. Erkenwald Younger Son to Anna King of the East-Angles is Consecrated Bishop of London by Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury He founded Two Monasteries before he came to be Bishop and for whom l. 4. p. 196. Continued Bishop thereof till after the Reign of King Ina Id. p. 201. Ermenred The Eldest Son of Eadbald craftily supplanted by his Younger Brother Earcombert who got the Kingdom from him He had Two Sons who were cruelly Murthered by Thunore one of the King's Thanes whom he employed in that Execucution l. 4. p. 180 185. Esylht Daughter to Conan King or Prince of North-Wales Marries Merwyn Urych a Nobleman the Son of Gwyriad who afterwards was King in her Right l. 5. p. 251. Ethelard Ordained Archbishop of York l. 4. p. 238. Ethelbald succeeds Ceolred in the Kingdom of Mercia and holds it One and Forty years l. 4. p. 217. Ethelbald after his Father's Death succeeds him in West-Saxony l. 5. p. 265. Marries his Father's Widow but afterwards Repenting of the Incest puts her away from him His Character Reign Death and Burial Id. p. 266. Vid Aethelbald Ethelbert King of Kent in his time Pope Gregory made the English-Saxons Christians l. 3. p. 143 153. Beaten by Ceawlin and Cutha his Brother his double Character and Alliance l. 3. p. 145. The most powerful Prince that had Reigned in Kent having extended the bounds of his Dominions as far as Humber he Marries Bertha a Christian Lady the King of France his Sister and upon what Conditions l. 4. p. 153. By Augustin's persuasion builds the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Canterbury Id. p. 157. Is Baptized in St. Pancrace Church there which before had been a Heathen Temple Ibid. Had many noble Presents sent him by Pope Gregory with a Letter full of Sanatory Advice Id. p. 158 159. Builds the Church of St. Andrew at Rochester and endows it Id. p. 160. Confirms in a Great Council both of Clergy and Laity all the Grants and Charters whereby he had settled great Endowments on both Christ-Church and that of St. Pancrace Ibid. But his Charters are very suspitious of being Forged in many respects Id. p. 163. The Secular Laws that were Enacted in the Great Council in his time Id. Ibid. His Death and Burial in St. Martin's Porch in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul He was the First English King that ever received Baptism and lived above Twenty years after his Conversion Id. p. 168. He was the Third King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Ethelbert is Consecrated Bishop of Witerne called in Latin Candida Casa at York l. 4. p. 231. One of his Name Bishop of Hagulstad Deceases l. 4. p. 241. Ethelbert the Son of Ethelred King of the East-Angles is slain in the Court of King Offa and by whose Instigations l. 4. p. 237. Ethelbert or Aethelbryht after his Brother Ethelbald's Decease takes the Kingdom and holds it in great Peace and Quiet from Domestick Commotions l. 5. p. 266. His Death lamented after having Governed Five years to general satisfaction buried at Shireburne and is supposed to have a Son called Ethelwald Id. p. 267. Ethelbryht the Son of King Withred succeeds Eadbryht King of Kent l. 4. p. 225. Nothing remarkable but that the City of Canterbury was Burnt in his Reign Id. p. 228. His Death Ibid. Ethelburgh Vid. Aethelburga Etheldrethe twice married but would let neither of her Husbands enjoy her which was accounted in those days a great piece of Sanctity l. 4. p. 193 198. Is Foundress of the Monastery of Ely in which she her self became the First Abbess Id. p. 193. Daughter to Anna King of the East-Saxons her Death and after Sixteen Years Burial her Body being taken up as whole as at first she was Canonized and called St. Audrey of Ely Id. p. 198 199. Etheldrith Daughter to King Offa and once the Spouse of Ethelbert King of the East-Angles a holy Virgin that lived in a Cell wherein Withlaff King of the Mercians found a safe Retreat from the high Displeasure of Egbert for Four Months till he was reconciled to him l. 5. p. 254. Etheler King of the East-Angles taking part with Penda against Oswy is slain l. 4. p. 185. Ethelfleda the Lady of Mercia builds many Castles to secure the Mercian Frontiers against the Danes and Welsh l. 5. p. 316. Sends an Army against the Welsh which took Brecenanmere supposed to be Brecknock Castle and the King's Wife and about Four and thirty Prisoners Id. p. 319. Takes the Town of Derby and the City of Canterbury Reduces Leicester under her Dominion and the Danes become subject to her Dies at Tamworth in the Eighth Year of her Government and lies buried at Gloucester in the East-Isle of St. Peter's Church Her Character Id. p. 320. Vid. Ethelred Duke of Mercia her Husband Ethelfred the Son of Ethelric the Son of Ida reigns over both the Northumbrian Kingdoms l. 3. p. 148. l. 4. p. 159. A Warlike Prince that wasted the Britains more than any other Saxon Kings l. 4. p. 159. Leads his Army to Leger-Ceaster and theâ—e slays a great multitude of Britains Id. p. 164. His Pursuit of Edwin after his Banishment though he was of the Blood-Royal Id. p. 169. Is slain by Redwald King of the East-Angles and his Sons banished by Edwin Id. p. 170. Ethelfreda or Elfreda Daughter to Earl Ordgar and Widow of Ethelwald Earl of the East-Angles married to King Edgar and her Children by him l. 6. p. 5 6. The Trick her first Husband plaid to obtain her and the return she made him for it Id. p. 9 10. Builds a Nunnery in the place where her first Husband was slain Id. p. 10 20. She is crowned Queen to the great displeasure of Archbishop Dunstan Id. p. 10. Contrives the Death of Edward the Martyr and how but being convinced of her wickedness for it she betook her self to very severe Penalties Id. p. 17 18. Her violent Passion to her Son Ethelred a Youth in beating him unmercifully with a Wax-Taper and why Id. p. 19. Takes
who instead of Rector Rex stiled himself totius Albionis Basileus in divers Charters but this proceeded from the corrupt Stile of that Time or else the particular Fancy of the Clerk or Monk who drew the Charter And tho instead of this word Basileus King Ethelred his Son again made use of Rex yet the rest of the Title remained the same and was also continued by King Knut however he sometimes stiled himself Rex totius Albionis Insulae aliarum Nationum plurimarum What Titles his Sons had I do not find because I have not seen any of their Charters only we may here observe that several Kings before Cnute stiled themselves Kings not only of Albion or Britain but of several other Nations round about by which could only be meant that Superiority they assumed at that time over the Kings of Scotland Wales and Northumberland before that Country was reduced into the form of a Province and was governed by Earls I now come in the next place to give you an Account of the chief Powers and Prerogatives of our English-Saxon Kings some of which I find set down in our Saxon Annals at the end of the Year 693 at the Council of Becanceld where the Arch-bishop of Canterbury thus defines them in his Decree at the Conclusion of that Council Regum est says he constituere Comites Duces Vice-Comites Judites it is the Office of Kings to constitute Earls Ealdormen Sheriffs and Judges TO which we may also add the Power of Coining Money which being then the Prerogative of the Crown was granted by Charter to the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and York as likewise to the Abbots of Medeshamsted or Peterborough and to several other Abbies as may be seen in Monasticon Anglicanum as well as in the Annals themselves Some Instances of which I have given you in the ensuing History not omitting some of the Coins which are still preserved in Cabinets some of whose Figures are to be found in the Collection of Saxon Coins before King Alfred's Life as also before the new Edition of Camden's Britannia BUT that any of those Kings had Power by their own Royal Prerogative to enhance or debase the intrinsick Value of the Money coined either in their own or other Mints I can no ways believe since such a Prerogative would have highly tended to the Loss and Defrauding of the Subject for which that Power was never designed nor do I find our Kings ever assumed this Prerogative to themselves till later Ages And in Confirmation of this the Mirror of Justices recites it as an old Law of the Saxon Times that no King of this Realm could change embase or enhance his Money or make other Coin than of Silver san's l'assent de touts ses Counties i. e. without the Assent of Parliament as Sir Edward Coke in his second Institutes hath on very good grounds interpreted this Expression in that Author Andrew Horne who lived in the Reign of King Edward I. TO these we may further add that of pardoning Offendors their Lives in several Cases such as striking in the King's Palace c. which he might also take in Case of Homicides but still reserving the Wiregilds or Compensations that were to be made to the Friends or Relations of the Parties slain which it was not in his Power to release as appears by several Passages in our Saxon Laws some of which I have inserted in this Volume whence I suppose are derived the Appeals of the Wife Son or Brother in Cases of Murder at this day BUT as for the Power of making War or Peace since I find little said of it in our Histories I shall not be positive in asserting any thing concerning it only shall observe that in every Peace made by the King upon Payment of Money the Consent of the Estates of the Kingdom was required for Taxes could not be raised without it as you will find in our Annals under the Years 994 1002 1006 1011 when that extraordinary Tax of Danegelt was raised to be paid to the Danes for purchasing a Peace of them And as for the Power of making Foreign War that could also signify little since those Kings had not the Prerogative of raising Money without the Consent of their People any more than our Kings have at this day nor were their Revenues so much in Money as in Provisions for their Houshold NOR can I omit here taking notice that the English Saxon Kings wanted one great Prerogative which ours exercise at this day viz. the power of granting away the Demesnes of the Crown even to pious Uses without the Consent to the great Council of their Kingdoms and of this we find a remarkable Instance in Sir H. Spelman's first Vol. of Councils where Baldred King of Kent had given the Mannor of Mallings to Christ-Church in Canterbury but because the chief Men of his Kingdom i. e. the Great Council had not consented to it it was revoked until K. Egbert afterwards by the Consent of his WITTENA GEMOT made a new Grant thereof and this was also the reason why the Foundations and Infeodations of Abbies were always confirmed and attested by all the Estates as well Spiritual as Temporal as you will find by most of their Charters in Monast. Anglican of which I have inserted some Examples in the History it self so that I shall leave it to the Reader 's Consideration whether those Princes that could not dispose of their Crown-Lands without the Consent of the Great Council of the Kingdom could without the like Consent dispose of the Crown it self as they pleased as Dr. Brady in his History of the Succession c. asserts tho without any just Grounds as hath been already proved BUT those Kings great Prerogative chiefly consisted in giving their Sanction to all Laws that were made as well relating to Civil as Ecclesiastical Matters that did not concern Doctrines of Faith but this is still to be so understood that this Prerogative could never be exerted without the Advice and Consent of the Mycel-Gemot or Great Council of the Realm at which tho they were often first drawn up into Form and then proposed by the King yet was their Authority also necessary for the enacting of those Laws without which they could no ways oblige the Subject as shall be further shewn towards the end of this Discourse BUT since I have given you so large an Account how our Kings then obtained the Crown it may perhaps be expected I should say somewhat now concerning the manner of their losing it sometimes by other ways than Death IN order to this I desire the Reader would observe that not only in England but in all the Kingdoms of Europe that were raised upon the Ruins of the Roman Empire after the Gothic Model the same mix'd manner of Succession partly by Testament partly by Election did in those days chiefly prevail Of which Monsieur Mezeray himself is so sensible that in his
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
to it now it is certain that he was not chosen Pope till the Year of our Lord 171 at the soonest or according to Eusebius's Chronicle till 176 and so Lucius's Conversion must have happened in the Time of Marcus Aurelius to which time the English Saxon Annals as also Bede himself with divers others of our Ancient Historians as well Foreign as English do refer it though Roger of Wendover and other Authors about the same Age refer it to Anno Dom. 184 which falls out in the Second or Third Year of the Emperour of Commodus which seems most likely if it were ever done at all But that there was never any such King seems to some learned Men very probable since Gildas makes no mention of any such thing but says the time of Christ's being first Preached in this Island was as early as the first Conquest of it by the Romans besides which the Monks who have since new drest up this Story not only make him to have been King of all Britain but to have settled Christianity in all parts of his Dominions and instead of Flamens and Arch-Flamens in the chief Cities as London York c. to have placed the Arch-Bishops and Bishops in their rooms which is impossible to be true since the Title of Arch-Bishop was not then known in the Church nor could Lucius settle Christianity all over Britain which was then either under the power of the Romans or else what remained unconquered was absolutely Heathen and Barbarous at the time of this supposed conversion But however I think we may safely follow Arch-Bishop Usher and Doctor Stillingfleet in allowing the common Tradition of King Lucius and that he had Regal Authority under the Romans in some part of this Island since the two Coins seen by the said Arch Bishop the one of Gold and the other of Silver with the Image of a King on them and the Letters LVC with a Cross do sufficiently evidence it But in what part of Britain he governed whether as Successour to Prasutagus among the Iceni or else was King of the Belgae or was Successor to Cogidunus over the Regni in those parts that we now call Surrey and Sussex I will not take upon me to determine thô I rather incline to the last being Dr. Stillingfleet's Opinion for the Reasons and Conjectures he gives us in the same Chapter but as for the Letters pretended to have been writ by Pope Eleutherius to King Lucius thô they are inserted among the Laws of K. Edward the Confessor and are also to be found in an old Book of the Constitutions of the City of London I shall not trouble you with the Contents of them since they plainly discover their Imposture to any Man at all versed in Antiquities I have no more to add concerning this King but that the Grisons make him to have been their Apostle and to have first preached the Gospel in their Country and shew his Tomb at Cloir to this Day which can by no means agree with our British as well as English Historians who all suppose that he dyed in his own Country without any Children But to return again to the civil History of Britain we further find that under the Emperour Commodus Britain as well as other Countries was much infested with Waâ—s and Seditions for Xiphiline in his Epitomy of Dion relates that the British War was the greatest of all others because the Britains having broken through the Wall which divided their Territories from that of the Romans had laid wast many places and had cut off the Roman General together with his Army whereupon Commodus terrified with this Rebellion sent Ulpius Marcellus against them who was a sober and modest Man and lived after the rate of a Common Souldier he was also Stout anâ— Magnanimous in his Warlike Expeditions but thô he was not to be corrupted with Money yet was not at all complaisant in his Conversation but as for the other examples this Author gives us of his great Vigilance and Temperance they are so trivial that they do not merit any particular relation and I could have wisht that Xiphilin his Epitomator would have been more sparing in his Character and larger upon the Actions of this great Man for all he tells us further of him is that he did very great mischief to the Barbarous People in Britain for which he was very near being made away by Commodus because of his Vertue yet that nevertheless he let him alone Britain being again brought to Obedience by so worthy a Commander after he was recalled began to fall into more dangerous Commotions for Aelius Lampridius in his Life of this Emperour tells us That now stubbornness began to break into the Roman Camp and the Military Discipline of the British Army being relaxed the Souldiers began to refuse to Obey Commodus and would have set up another Emperour against him for Perennis who was than in highest power with his Prince removing Senators set Men only of the equestrial Order to Command the British Army which being made known by their Lieutenant Perennis was declared a publick Enemy by the Souldiers for as Dion farther relates the Army in Britain mutinying against Perennis sent no less than 1500 of their own number into Italy to represent their Grievances at Rome and being admitted to the Emperour's presence they told him that the reason of their coming was to let him know that Perennis had conspired against him and endeavoured to make his Son Emperour to which Commodus giving credit at the Instigation of Cleander immediately delivered up Perennis thô then Praefectus Pretorii to the power of the Praetorian Bands whom he then commanded who soon dispatched him but Commodus listed those 1500 who were sent out of Britain among those Bands who were his Guards Perennis being thus dispatched Commodus sent Hâ—â—vius Pertinax afterwards Emperor in to Britain though he was then employ'd against the Parthians who when he came hither did what he could to hinder the Soldiers from Sedition who would rather have had any other Man for their Emperor than Commodus and especially Pertinax himself yet he then underwent the Censure of an envious Person because he was said to have accused Antistius Burrbus and Aristius Antonius to Commodus of affecting the Empire so that though he quell'd some Seditions in Britain yet he escaped a great danger being almost kill'd in a Mutiny of one of the Legions and left for dead among the slain which Fact though Pertinax severely revenged it upon the Mutineer yet afterwards he asked leave to be dismiss'd of his Government alledging that the Legions were displeased with him for holding them too close to Discipline Having thus received a Successor he was after some time made Proconsul of Africa After Pertinax Clodius Albinus a Man of great Birth and Valour was made Lieutenant of Britain He had before got himself a great Reputation whil'st he govern'd Gaul but routing
went to destroy the Idol Temples the People at first thought him mad because it was not lawful for their Priests either to bear Arms or ride on Horse-back But as soon as Coifi came to the Idol Temple he commanded those that came with him to burn and utterly destroy it and the place where it stood was shewn in Bede's time lying not far from York Eastward near the River Darwent being then called Godmundingham where this Priest by thus demolishing the Altars of his former Gods made some Amends for his teaching Men to adore them But the Year following King Edwin with all his Noblemen and a great many common People of his Kingdom received Baptism the King himself being baptized at York on Easter Day in the Church of St. Peter which he had commanded with all speed to be built of Wood for that purpose in which City he also settled the Episcopal See Paulinus being the first Bishop there but not long after the King had received Baptism he himself took care to build a large and noble Church of Stone round about the former which was still left standing till the other was finished but before the Walls of it could be raised the King being killed left the Work to be perfected by Oswald his Successor So Paulinus continued during all the rest of this King's Reign which was about the space of 6 Years to preach the Word of GOD in that Kingdom in which Church there were also baptized divers others of Note as Osfrid and Eadfrid the Sons of King Edwin both which his former Wife Quenburga the Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia had brought forth in their Banishment There were likewise afterwards baptized divers others of the King's Children by his last Queen who not long after dying were buried in York Minster Besides these there were baptized Iffi the Son of Prince Osrid and several other Noblemen and it is reported that the People's Desires to receive Baptism were then so fervent that when on a time Paulinus came with the King and Queen to a certain Town of the King 's called Adefrin he there spent a Month in doing nothing else but Catechising and Baptizing those that came to him from far and near to that end for after his Instructing them they were strait baptized in the River Gleni which he made use of as being convenient for that purpose These Things were transacted in the Province of Bernicia but in that of Deira where he used to remain most commonly with the King he baptized in the River of Swale for in that present Infancy of the Church Oratories and Fonts were not yet erected But in the Country of Done he built a Church which was burnt not long after by the Pagans when they killed King Edwin These Things thô happening in several Years Bede here relates all at once But to return to Civil Affairs This Year Cynegils and Cwichelm Kings of the West-Saxons fought with Penda King of Mercia at Cirencestâ—r where also a League was made between them H. Huntington is larger in the Relation of this Fight and tells us that when both Armies had fought from Morning till Sun-set neither of them giving Ground the next Morning perceiving they should be both ruined if they stood another Fight they treated of a Peace and so parted Friends It were to be wished that the Monkish Writers who have left us the only Relations of these Wars would also have told us the particular Causes and Grounds on which they were madâ— for want of which we are left to guess in general that Revenge or Ambition the common Incentives to War among Princes did also produce these we now treat of but within two Years after as the Saxon Annals relate Eorpwald King of the East-Saxons was baptized This Bede relates to have been done by the Persuasion of King Edwin who after the Death of Redwald had the Kingdom of the East-Angles voluntarily delivered up to him by the People of that Province but he out of Gratitude to his old Benefactor permitted his Son Eorpwald quietly to hold that Kingdom tho as his Tributary who now casting away his Idols was baptized together with many of his Subjects His Father King Redwald had been also baptized in Kent by the means of King Eadbald tho in returning home he was again perverted by his Wife and some others of her Superstition from the true Faith so that he had at once in the same Temple one Altar for Christ and another for Devils But King Eorpwald not long after his receiving the Faith was slain by one Richbert a Heathen but who he was or why he did it is not told us so that the Kingdom for three years returned to Paganism until Sebert Brother to the last King a most Learned and Christian Prince obtained the Crown who whilst his Brother lived being banished into France did there receive Baptism of which as soon as he began his Reign he made his Subjects also Partakers But to this Prince we shall speak more largely anon About this time Paulinus also preached the Word to the Province of Lindissi now Lincolnshire and converted the Governor of Lincoln whose Name was Blecca with all his Family to the Christian Faith In which City he built a Church of Stone of curious Workmanship whose Roof being fallen down either by length of Time or Hostile Incursions the Walls were only standing in Bede's time And concerning the Propagation of the Christian Faith in this Province a certain Priest and Abbot of the Monastery of Barteneu told Bede That he himself was baptized by the Bishop Paulinus together with a great Multitude of people in the River Trent near a City then called Tiowulfingceaster where it was we know not King Edwin being present of whom Bede also tells us That in his time a Woman with a Child in her hand might have gone from Sea to Sea and that the King at certain Fountains near the Highways caused Drinking-Pots of Brass to be set upon Posts for the refreshment of Travellers which none either out of Love or Fear would presume to meddle with he also caused to be carried before him when he went through the streets a sort of Banner which the Romans called Tufa and which the English then called a Tuff About this time too Pope Honorius succeeded Boniface in the Roman See and as soon as he heard that the Nation of Northumbers had received the Christian Faith by the Preaching of Paulinus he sent him an Archiepiscopal Pall together with Exhortatory Letters to King Edwin persuading him to persevere in the Faith which he had received which Letter you may find at large in Bede wherein it also appears that Honorius Archbishop of Canterbury and Paulinus of York had this Trust lodged jointly in them That whensoever one of them died the Survivor should immediately consecrate another Archbishop in his stead for not long before Archbishop Justus deceasing Honorius had been elected in
his room who coming to Paulinus as far as Lincolne was there by him ordained Archbishop of Canterbury Cadwallo King of the Britains having been as Geoffrey of Monmouth relates conquered by King Edwin lost so great a part of his Kingdom that he was forced to fly into Ireland from whence soon after returning with a great Army of Irish he overcame Penda King of the Mercians in fight and then made him join his Forces against King Edwin All which is probable enough for Bede also tells us That Cadwallo this year rebelling against King Edwin together with Penda invaded the Kingdom of Northumberland when King Edwin raising an Army met them at a place called Hethfield now Hatfield in Yorkshire and there fought a bloody Battel wherein King Edwin himself was slain and his whole Army quite routed in which Fight Osfrid his Son a Warlike Young Prince also fell but Edfrid the Younger being compelled by necessity to surrender himself to Penda was afterwards by him murthered contrary to his Oath This happen'd in the 17 th year of King Edwin's Reign having till now been successful in all his Undertakings But there now ensued a very sad Destruction of the English Nation of the Northumbers since of these two Generals the one was a professed Pagan and the other though a Christian in Name yet shewed himself worse than a Pagan for Cadwallo altho he professed Christianity yet was so barbarous that he spared neither Age not Sex but put all to death with great Cruelty tyranizing for a long while over all those Provinces and seeming resolved quite to extirpate the English Nation nor did he shew any respect to Churches or other Sacred Places it being then the custom of the Britains in Bede's time to set at nought the Faith and Religion of the English-Saxons neither would they have any thing to do with them more than with Pagans But the Head of the slain King was brought to York and there deposited in the Church of St. Peter which he himself had begun and Oswald his Successor finished All things being thus in confusion in those parts and no Refuge or Safety any where to be expected Queen Aethelburga returned by Sea into Kent together with Paulinus the Archbishop and was there received with great Honour by King Eadbald and Archbishop Honorius she was conducted thither by Basse a Valiant Captain of King Edwin's who also brought with him Eanfrede the King's Daughter as also Vscfrea his Son and Iffi his Grandson by Osfrid whom their Mother afterward for fear of the Kings Eadbald and Oswald sent into France to King Dagobert to be brought up where they both died in their Infancy At which time also the Church of Rochester wanting a Pastor Romanus the Bishop having been drowned in going on a Message to Rome Paulinus at the request of King Eadbald and Archbishop Honorius took upon him the care of that Church which he held as long as he lived After the Death of King Edwin Osric the Son of Elfric his Uncle by the Father's side obtained the Kingdom of Deira who had been before received by Paulinus whilst Eanfrid of the same Blood-Royal as being the Son of Ethelfrid the last King before Edwin ruled the Kingdom of Bernicia so that during the Reign of Edwin all the Sons of Ethelfrid with many more of the Young Nobility of that Country lived in Exile either with the Scots or Picts by whom they were instructed in their Religious Rites whilst both these Kings last mentioned abjured the Christian Religion which they had before learnt and professed and relapsing to their old Idolatry were shortly after cut off by Cadwalla King of the Britains for the next Summer Osric having besieged him in a certain Town Cadwallo sallying out with his Men cut him off on a sudden with all his Army and then when he had ravaged the Northumbrian Provinces nor as a King but a cruel Tyrant and that at length Eanfrid came to him imprudently with only Twelve Select Knights in his Company to treat of Peace he put him to Death as he had done his Cousin before That Year saith Bede Is still at this day accounted unlucky and hateful to all good Men both in respect of the Apostacy of these Princes who renounced their Baptism as also for the Tyranny of this British King Whereupon it was agreed by those who computed the Reigns of the Northumbrian Kings to abolish the Memory of these Infidels and to cast this Year into the Reign of the Pious King Oswald who succeeding after the Death of his Brother Eanfrid and marching with a small Force but fortified by Faith in Christ routed Ceadwalla that Prince of the Britains with his vast Army which nothing could resist as he boasted and who was slain in a place which in the English Tongue is called Denisesbourn or Brook the place saith our Authour is shewn at this day and had in great Veneration where Oswald being to give Battle erected a large Wooden-Cross and he himself laboured in setting of it up which when he had finished he thus spoke to his Army Let us now kneel down and joyntly pray unto the Omnipotent and only true God that he would mercifully defend us from this proud Enemy for he knows that we undertake a just War for defence of our Nation and Religion The place is in the English Tongue called Heofenfield or Heavenfield lying near to the Wall which the Romans built from Sea to Sea which we now call the Pict's Wall The rest of Bede's Miracles concerning this place and Cross I omit as very incredible and Superstitious But before we leave this great Action of the Death of Cadwallo I cannot omit taking notice of the Confidence of Geoffrey of Monmouth who notwithstanding this express Testimony of Bede to the contrary will make this Cadwallo not only to have overcome Edwin and other Saxon Kings in divers Battles and to have forced them to submit themselves to him and do him Homage at London and that living and dying Victorious he was there buried and his Body being put into a Brasen Statue of a Man on Horse-back was set over Ludgate for a terror to the Saxons having Reigned Forty Eight Years all which is notoriously false for London had been part of the East-Saxon Kingdom for above One Hundred Years when this King was kill'd who did not Reign Twenty Years in all But the same King Oswald as soon as ever he came to the Kingdom desiring that all his Subjects might profess the Christian Faith sent to the Scotch Bishops for so I suppose the Words Majores natu in Bede are to be rendered among whom whil'st he was in Banishment he had together with his followers received Baptism desiring them that a Bishop might be sent him by whose Preaching the People whom he Govern'd might be grounded in the Christian Religion and receive Baptism nor was he long without an answer to his request
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
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
he had founded at Oundale in Northamptonshire being there seized with the same Sickness which had often attacked him before thô what it was this Author does not tell us he there died having before made his Will and given a great deal both in ready Money and Jewels to the Monasteries he had founded His Body was carried with great Pomp and Attendance of many Abbots and Monks to his Abbey of Rypon and there buried This Year Acca the principal Chaplain of Bishop Wilfred succeeded him in his Bishoprick of Hagulstad To this Bishop Florence of Worcester gives the Character of a skilful Singer and Learned in the Scriptures Also this Year Beorthfrith the Ealderman fought against the Picts between Haefe and Caere supposed to be Carehouse and Hatfeild in Northumberland and also King Ina and Nun his Kinsman fought with Gerent King of the Britains and the same Year Hygbald was slain Mat. Westminster places this Action in Anno 708 and makes this Hygbald to have been killed in the beginning of the Fight by the Welsh King above mentioned and He being there put to flight left great spoils behind him to the English who as Florence adds obtained the Victory This British Prince here mentioned is supposed to have been King of Cornwall for we can find no such name in the Catalogue of the Princes of North or South-Wales About this time according to Bede Naitan King of the Picts being convinced by the frequent reading of divers Ecclesiastical Writers renounced his Error concerning the Celebration of Easter and that he might likewise reclaim his Subjects with greater Authority he desired the assistance of the English Nation and therefore sent Messengers to Ceolfrid Abbot of the Monastery of Wyremouth desiring some Exhortatory Letters from him whereby he might confute those who presumed not to keep Easter at the due time as also concerning the true manner of shaving of Priest's Crowns he likewise desired some Architects that might build a Church for him after the Roman fashion which he promised to Dedicate in honour of St. Peter To which Pious requests Ceolfrid assenting did not only send him the Architect he desired but also writ him a long Epistle upon those two Questions in which he desired to be satisfied which you may see at large in Bede where besides many notable Arguments for keeping Easter on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon that follows the Vernal Equinox and besides some others there is this doughty Reason against the Scotch way of shaving Crowns that it was the Tonsure of Simon Magus and then what good Christian could not but abhor it as much as Magick it self This Year Guthlac dyed as also Pipin King of France this Guthlac here mentioned was at first a Monk at Repandun Abbey but afterwards professing himself an Anchorite he retired into the Fens and built himself a Cell at Croyland of him the Monkish Writers of those times relate incredible Miracles of his Temptations Sufferings by and Victories over Evil Spirits which then haunted that place at which some Years after the Abbey of Croyland was founded The same Year also Egwin Bishop of Worcester founded the Abbey of Evesham upon this occasion the Virgin Mary as the Monks relate had appeared about this place to one Eoves a Shepheard and not long after to the Bishop himself having a Book in her hand bringing two Female Attendants with her though who they were it seems she did not declare whereupon the Bishop there founded this Monastery testifying this Vision in the Charter of the Foundation which you may see at large in Monast. Anglic. as also in Sir H. Spelman's first Volume of Councils but as for the Story related by the Magdeburg Centuriators that the Virgin Mary did then Command her Image to be set up and worshiped in that Church there being no colour for it in the pretended Charter of the Bishop himself that must be certainly forged for as Sir H. Spelman has very well observed Arch-Bishop Brightwald is said to have writ this Charter by the command of the Pope whereas this Arch-Bishop was never at Rome nor was the Council in which it is said to have been confirmed held till after Bishop Egwin's Return home into England and as for the Kings Kenred and Offa who are made to witness and confirm it they had both of them resigned their Crowns and gone to Rome Five Years before the date of this Charter which is Anno Dom. 714 therefore I shall pass it by as a mere Fable since it is certain that the worship of Images was not then not long after introduced into the English-Saxon Church But before I dismiss this Subject concerning the foundation of the Abby of Evesham I cannot forbear taking notice of another Charter pretended to be made Anno Dom. 709 by King Kenred and King Offa above mentioned wherein they grant those Lands in which the Virgin Mary was supposed to appear to Bishop Egwin for the building of a Monastery according to the Rule of St. Benedict in which Charter thô the Lands are particularly named and set out yet it is as justly suspicious as the other to have been forged by the Monks of that Abby in after times as Sir H. Spelman very well observes who hath Printed both these Charters in his first Volume of Councils the former of which is dated at Rome Five Years before the other of Bishop Egwin's and is supposed to be subscribed by the Pope this Bishop himself and the two Kings who there stile themselves the former by the Title of King of Mercia and the latter by that of King of the East-Angles whereas it is apparent both from our Annals and Historians that they had both then resigned their Kingdoms to their Successours before they went to Rome and which is worse Offa was not King of the East-Angles but of the East-Saxons as Bede expresly relates nor can the fault be laid upon the Transcribers since the Error is in the Original Charter it self neither do we read of any King of the East-Angles all that time till King Offa upon the Murther of King Ethelbert seized that Kingdom but enough if not too much of these Monkish Forgeries we shall now return to our Annals King Ina and Ceolred fought at Wodensburh in Wiltshire a great and bloody Battle and now also Dagobert King of the French deceased This Year was founded at Theoewkesbury in Glocester-shire a noble Monastery for Bendictine Monks by Odo and Dodo Ealdermen of Mercia The same Year Osred King of Northumberland was killed near the Southern borders Mat. Westminster relates it was in a Fight near the Sea but names not the Enemy with whom he fought This Osred held the Kingdom Eleven Years then Cenred took it and held it Two Years and after him Osric who held it Eleven Years The same Year also Ceolred King of the Mercians Dyed and lyeth Buried in Licetfield now Lichfield Then Ethelbald succeeded
we exhort all Men that they pay Tythes of whatsoever they possess because it is God's special Commandment that every Man live and give Alms of the other 9 parts Whence you may observe that as this is the first Decree of any Council in England concerning payment of Tythes so also is it hereby declared that they are due by Divine Right The Nineteenth Decree is against Mens observing any Pagan Rites and particularly of making marks and scars in any part of their Bodies for any false God There are also other Decrees which seem very trivial as against cutting off Horses Ears or Tails and slitting their Noses as also against eating Horse-flesh which it seems was then much in fashion amongst the Common sort of People as also against casting of Lots for the deciding of Civil Controversies It also here appears by the Address of the Pope's Legates made to him at the end of this Council that there were two distinct Sessions of it the first was held before King Aelfwald and Arch Bishop Eanbald and all the Bishops belonging to the Northumbrian Kingdom as also all the Senators Ealdermen and People of that Country who when these Decrees were proposed to them did all of them with great devotion promise to observe them and subscribed them with the Sign of the Cross. Then follow the subscriptions of the King the Arch-Bishop of York and the rest of the Bishops of that Province after them follow also the Subscriptions of the Presbyters and Deacons of Churches Judges Chief and Noble Men some of whom do there subscribe for all the rest Where this Council was held for the Kingdom of Northumberland is uncertain but the second Session of it was held at Calcuith now supposed to be in the Kingdom of Mercia which as also in the conclusion of this Council it is thus recited King Offa with all the Senators of his Kingdom with Janbryht Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the other Bishops of that Province the same Decrees being read before the Council as well in Latin as in Saxon so that all might understand them they all agreed with one accord to observe them then follow the Subscriptions of King Offa and the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with divers of the Nobles there present who subscribed in the name of all the rest But Will. of Malmesbury in his First Book de Pontif hath given us a further account of the Acts of this Council than what are expressed in the Canons themselves viz. That in this Council Arch-bishop Janbryht was forced to resign part of his Province to the Bishop of Litchfield who thereby became an Arch-Bishop so that there remained no more Bishops under the Jurisdiction of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury but those of London Winchester Rochester and Shireburne But thô it had been obtained by King Offa from the Pope by great importunity and false suggestions that Arch-Bishop Janbryht should be thus deprived of his Primacy yet was it not counted of any force till it was confirmed in a great Council and that the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury himself had consented to it The same Author further adds That also in this Council Offa the most potent King of the Mercians did then cause his Eldest Son Egfred a Comely and Valiant Young Man and endued with all good Qualities to be solemnly Crowned King who obeying his Father in all things Reigned together with him so long as he lived But it is very observable that neither Alrich then King of Kent nor any of his Deputies did appear at this Council for which I can give no other Reason than that this King did not approve of the Removal of the chief Archiepiscopal See from Canterbury in his own Dominions to Litchfield in another Prince's Territories But as Will of Malmesbury observes This Violence done to the See of Canterbury thô it lasted all the Reign of King Offa and also during the Life-time of Arch-Bishop Janbryht who spared neither cost nor pains to get his See restored to its Ancient Dignity yet was it all to no purpose till such time as Kenwulf King of the Mercians restored the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury to its former Rights Litchfield becoming again an ordinary Bishoprick subject to the See of Canterbury to this day having continued an Arch-Bishoprick only during the times of two Arch-Bishops viz. for the space of about Eleven Years But it is time to return to Civil Affairs The same Year as H. Huntington relates the Sign of the Cross appeared of it self upon Mens Cloaths which if true is wonderful to future Ages King Brithric now married Eadburghe the Daughter of King Offa which was done as Will. of Malmesbury relates to strengthen his Interest with his Neighbouring Princes also about those times as Ethelwerd and the Saxon Annals inform us arrived in the West Country three Ships of Danes or Norwegians from Herethaland that is the Country of Pyrates these landing the King 's Geref or Officer coming thither on Horseback endeavoured to carry them to the King's Town of Dorchester because he knew not from whence they came but he was there slain with those that attended on him after which great Multitudes of People flocking in the Danes were at last forced to Flee to their Ships and leave their prey behind them these were the first Danish Ships that ever infested the English Nation Where Note That the same People who are first called Normans in the Saxon Annals are there also named Danes in other places which shews that the Danes and Normans were then looked upon to be one and the same People This Year there was a general Synod assembled at Pyncanhale or Finkenhale now Finkley in the Bishoprick of Durham then part of the Kingdom of Northumberland where Eanbald Arch-Bishop of York presided whose Decrees you may see in Sir H. Spelman's 1 Vol. of Councils but its constitutions being wholly about Ecclesiastical Discipline and the right observation of Easter it is beside my purpose to take any further notice of them This Year also according to the Annals Albert the Abbot deceased and King Charles passed through Almany to the very Borders of Bavaria as the Latin Text of the Laudean Copy relates Alfwold King of Northumberland was slain by one Sicga on the IX Kal. Octob. This King is said by Simeon of Durham and Roger Hoveden to have been a very Just and Worthy Prince and that he was Slain by the Treachery of this Sicga who was one of his chief Noblemen and being Murthered at Cilceaster near the Pict's Wall there was frequently seen a Light from Heaven over the Place where he was Slain He was buried in the Cathedral Church of Hagulstad with great Solemnity and there was afterwards a Church built in the Place where he was killed and Osred the Son of Alchrâ—d Reigned after him who was the Nephew of King Alfwold There was also at this time another Synod held at Aclea The same Year likewise according to Mat. Westminster Offa
Also this Year the Body of St. Wihtburh was found at Durham entire and uncorrupt after she had been dead 55 Years And the same Year according to Roger Hoveden Osâ—ald who had been before King of Northumberland died an Abbot and was buried in York Minster and Alred the Ealderman who slew King Aethelred was also killed by one Thormond in Revenge of the Death of his Lord. Also the Moon was Eclipsed in the second Hour of the Night 17 o Kal. Feb. Also this Year Beorthric or Brihtrick King of the West Saxons deceased As also Worre an Ealderman Then also Ecgbriht began to Reign over the West Saxons and the same Day or Year as Florence of Worcester hath it Aethelmond Ealderman of Wiccon that is Worcestershire pass'd the River Severne at Cynesmeresford suppose to be Kemsford in Glocestershire and there met him Weoxton the Ealdormen with the Wiltshire Men who gained the Victory I cannot find in any Author the occasion of this Quarrel only that it was fought between these Earls one of the West Saxons and the other of the Mercians but such Bickerings we often meet with in these Writers and so related are of no more use to Human Life than to Chronicle the Skirmishes of Crows or Jack daws flocking together and Fighting in Air. The same Year is very remarkable because as our Annals relate Charles the Great was first made Emperour and saluted Augustus by the Romans he then condemned those to Death who had before outraged Pope Leo but by the Pope's Intercession they were pardoned as to Life and only banished but Pope Leo himself anointed him Emperour Also this Year according to the Welsh Chronicles Publisht by Arthen ap Sitsilt King of Cardigan and Run King of Divet and Cadel King of Powâ—s all three died Now also according to Florence and Simeon Alchmaid Son to Ethelred late King of Northumberland being taken by the Guards of K. Eardulf was by his Command slain but without telling us any Reason why Also about this time according to Sir H. Spelman's First Volume of Councils was held the Third Council of Cloveshoe under Kenwulf King of the Mercians and Athelherd or Ethelhard Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with all the Bishops Ealderman Abbots and other Dignified Persons of that Province in which few Things were transacted concerning the Faith only the Lands of a certain Monastery called Cotham which had been given by Ethelbald King of the Mercians to the Monastery of St. Saviours's in Canterbury and had been upon the Embezeling the Deeds unjustly taken away by King Kenwulph but he now repenting of it desired they should be restored whereupon Cynedrith his Daughter then Abbess of that Monastery gave the said Arch-Bishop other Lands in Kent there mentioned in exchange for the same But since I am come to the Conclusion of this Period I cannot omit giving you a fuller Account of the Character and Death of Brithric King of the West Saxons and of the Succession of Egbert who afterwards became the Chief or Supreme King of this Kingdom and to whom all those Kings that remained were forced to become Tributary As for King Britric he is noted by Will of Malmesbury to have been more desirous of Peace than War and to that end courted the Friendship of Foreign Princes to have been easie to his Subjects in such Things as did not weaken his Government yet being jealous of Prince Egbert who afterwards succeeded him he forced him to flee to King Offa for Refuge but upon the coming of certain Ambassadours to Treat of a Marriage between King Brithric and the Daughter of King Offa he retired into France till that King was made away by the means of his Wife Aeadburga the Daughter of King Offa who having prepared a Cup of poisoned Wine for one of his Favourites whom she hated the King coming in by chance tasted of it and so pined away After whose Death Asser in his Annals relates That when this Queen could live no longer among the English being so hated by them for her violent and wicked Actions she went into France where she was kindly Entertained by Charles the Great and there making that Emperour many great Presents for which he bidding her chuse whom she would have for a Husband himself or his Son she foolishly chose his Son whereupon the Emperour laughing said If thou hadst chosen me thou shouldest have had my Son but now thou shalt have neither A just Return for her desiring to marry one so much younger than her self So the Emperour put her into a Monastery where she lived for some Years as an Abbess but being Expelled thence for her Incontinency she wandred about with only one Servant and begged her Bread in Pavia in Italy till she died But as for Egbert above mentioned when he had been for about three Years banished into France where as William of Malmesbury tells us he polished the Roughness of his own Country Manners the French Nation being at that time the most Civilized of any of those Gothic and German Nations who had some Ages before as hath been already related settled themselves in this side of Europe But upon the Death of King Brihtric without any Issue as the same Author relates he was recalled by the Nobility of the West Saxon Kingdom and being there ordained King reigned with great Glory and Honour exceeding all the English Saxon Kings that went before him as shall be declared in the ensuing Book But before I conclude this I cannot forbear mentioning a Learned English-man who flourished about this time called Alcuinus or Albinus who going into France was in great Favour with Charles the Great whom he taught the Liberal Arts and by his means erected the University of Paris where he read Logic Rhetoric and Astronomy being the most Learned Man of all the English-men if not of all others in his Time He died Abbot of St. Martins at Tours which that King bestowed upon him He wrote elegantly in Verse as well as Prose considering the Age he lived in as appears by his Poem De Pontificibus Sanctis Ecclesiae Eboracencis lately Published by the Reverend and Learned Dr. Gale in his last Volume of English Historians So having arrived to the end of this Period I shall in the next Book shew how King Egbert obtained not only the Crown of the West Saxon Kingdom but also the Supreme Dominion of the English Nation The End of the Fourth Book A Continuation of the Succession of the English-Saxon Kings contaiâ—ed in the former Book from the Saxon Annals Florence of 〈◊〉 and Simeon of Durham Note That the last King of each Column in the former Table is again repeated in this that the 〈◊〉 the better see how the Series is continued This Account differs sometimes from the Annals some few Years wherein they are certainly mistakâ—n The Chronology of the Kings of Wales is according to the Account of Mr Robert Vaughan and 〈◊〉 Maâ—uscript Welsh Châ—onicle
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
but when they had both bloudily fought for a long time the Pagans being no longer able to withstand the Christians Arms a great part of their Troops was slain and the rest saved themselves by flight leaving behind them dead upon the place one of their Kings called Bachseg and several other great Men with many Thousands of common Souldiers needless here to be particularly mentioned but this King here called Bachseg the Danish History naâ—es Ivar the Son of Reynere so the rest of their Army fled that night to the Castle of Reading above-mentioned whither the Christians following killed them as long as day-light would permit But thô Asser the Writer of King Alfred's Life and Actions hath for his Honour attributed the whole Success of this Battle to that Prince yet it is more probable what the Manuscript called Scala Chronica cited by Mr. Speed relates That when Prince Aelfred's Men being now spent were ready to Retreat King Ethered came into the Battle from his Prayers and so well seconded his Brother with fresh Forces that renewing the Fight the Victory the greatest they had ever yet obtained was chiefly owing to their Valour But Fifteen Days after this King Aethered with his Brother Aelfred marched again towards Basing to fight the Enemy where another Battle happened and the Pagans making there an obstinate Resistance obtain'd the Victory and kept the Field after which Fight a fresh Army of Pagans coming from beyond Sea joyned themselves to the former But here the Saxon Annals further add That about two Months after this King Aethered and Aelfred his Brother fought again with the Pagans at Meretune now Merton in Surrey where the Army being divided into two Parts at first put the Enemy to the Rout and had the better for a great part of the day yet at last after a mighty slaughter the Danes kept the Field and there was slain Bishop Heamund with abundance of brave Men. After this Battle during the whole Summer following the Danes remained in quiet at Reading but the same Year King Aethered having now for five Years stoutly and nobly Govern'd his Kingdom thô with many Troubles deceased and was buried in the Monastery of Winburne in Dorsetshire But thô the Chronicle that goes under the Name of Abbot Bromton from I know not what Authority relates this King to have died of the Wounds which he had received in a Fight against one Somerled a Danish King who had newly destroyed the Town of Reading and the Inscription on this King's Tomb at Winborne cited by Mr. Camden in his Britannia relates him to be slain by the Danes yet since neither Asser Ingulph the Saxon Annals nor William of Malmesbury mention any such thing and that the Inscription it self is but Modern I rather suppose him to have died a natural Death of the Plague which then reigned This King is said by the Annals of Ireland to have had a Daughter named Thyra married to Gormun King of the Danes who on her begat Sweyn the Father of King Cnute This Ethered had also several Sons as Alfred supposed to be Grandfather to Ethelwerd called Quaestor the Historian as also Oswald who his Father mentions in his Charter to the Abbey of Abingdon King AELFRED otherwise called ALFRED Immediately after King Ethered's Death as Asser relates Prince Alfred who during the Lives of his three Brothers had been only their Deputy or Lieutenant now by the General Consent of the whole Kingdom took the Government upon him which he might have had if he pleased during their Life-time since he exceeded them all both in Wisdom and Courage so that indeed he Reigned almost whether he would or no. But before the first Month of his Reign was at an end he trusting on the Divine Assistance marched his Army thô but few in comparison of the Pagans to Wilton lying on the South side of the River Willie from which both the Town and Country take their Names where it was valiantly fought on both sides for great part of the day till the Pagans not being able any longer to endure the Force and Valour of the English began to turn their Backs but then finding the Number of the Pursuers to be small they rallied and obtaining the Victory kept the Field Nor let this seem strange to any that will but consider how small the Number of the Christians were in comparison of the Pagans for the English had in the space of one Year fought 8 or 9 Battles against them besides innumerable Skirmishes which King Alfred or his Commanders had with them wherein thô they lost one King and nine Earls or Principal Commanders yet receiving such frequent Recruits from beyond Sea whilst the Saxons every day grew weaker it is no Wonder if they prevailed yet notwithstanding Asser and the Saxon Annals tell us That this Year there was a Peace made with the Danes upon condition that they would depart the Kingdom which they for the present observed but to little purpose For the next Year as the same Author tells us the Danes having landed again marched from Reading to London and there took up their Winter-Quarters and the Mercians were forced to make Peace with them Also this Year according to the Chronicle of Mailross and Simeon of Durham the Northumbers expelled Egbert their King and Wulfher Arch-Bishop of York who both as Mat. Westminster relates flying to Bertulph King of the Mercians were by him honourably received About the same time according to Caradoc's Chronicle also died Gwgan King or Prince of Cardigan who as some British Chronicles relate was drowned by misfortune and at the same time the Danes destroyed the Town of Alcluid in Scotland This Year the Danish Army leaving the Countries about London marched into the Kingdom of the Northumbers and there Wintered in a place called Tursige now Torswick in Lindsey which was then part of the Northumbrian Kingdom so that the Neighbouring Nations were again forced to renew their League with them And now also according to Simeon of Durham Egbert King of Northumberland dying one Ricsige succeeded him and Arch-Bishop Wulfher was now restored to his Bishoprick The next Year the Pagan Army leaving Lindisse marched into Mercia and wintered in a place called Hreoptun now Repton in Derbyshire where they forced Burhred King of the Mercians to desert his Kingdom and pass the Seas to go to Rome where arriving he lived not long but there dying in the 22d Year of his Reign he was honourably buried at the English School or College in the Church of St. Mary thereunto belonging The Danes after his Expulsion brought the whole Kingdom of Mercia under their Dominion and then delivered it to one Ceolwulf an inconsiderable Fellow and Servant of the late King upon this miserable Condition That he should deliver it up to them again whensoever they required it and for this he gave Hostages swearing to obey them in all Things Now the Danish Army
Complices in that Treason and there were not wanting some Court Sycophants to accuse Prince Edwin of being in that Plot for he was the eldest Legitimate Son then living of King Edward by his Lawful Wife since therefore the apprehension of a Rival usually overpowers all Obligations both of Friendship and Nature though Edwin both by Word of Mouth and by Oaths and Imprecations protested his Innocence yet all this would not prevail against these Court-Whisperers who affirmed that if he were only banished he would be commiserated by Foreign Princes and still more endanger the King's safety whereupon such a way was found out that under the Notion of Banishment he might with the least appearance of Cruelty be dispatch'd In short an old rotten Vessel was provided and only the Prince and his Esquire were put into it without any Pilot or other body to steer or manage it and thus for some time they weather'd it at Sea but the Young Prince being brought up tenderly and not used to hardship despairing of his Life cast himself headlong out of the Vessel and so perished in the Ocean whilst his Servant being more couragious was resolved to save himself if he could and meeting with better fortune was driven on shore at a place called Whitsand on the Coast of Picardy not far from Dover The Fact was not long done before Athelstan sorely repented of it which he is said by a Seven Years Penance to have testified to the world as also by the Punishment of him who was the principal Instrument in this Fratricide and had whispered this Jealousy into his Breast who being his Cup-bearer as he was going to present a Cup of Drink to him one of his Feet slipped but by the Nimbleness of the other recovering himself he said Thus one Brother helps another which the King hearing and sadly calling to mind how little he himself had assisted his Brother oppressed by the Calumnies of this Parasite caused him to be put to death This is the Tale told by William of Malmesbury and the other Author the latter of whom delivers it as a certain Truth whilst the former tells it only as an old Story sung in certain Ballads and of which he himself doubted the Truth But Buchanan the Scotch Historian I suppose out of malice to this King's Memory for routing his Countreymen makes King Athelstan not only to have procured the Death of his Brother Edwin but also of his Father King Edward whom he therefore fancies to have been called Edward the Martyr and not content with this neither he adds that he put his Brother Edred to death also Yet certainly there can scarce be more Mistakes committed in so few Lines than he has been guilty of in these for in the first place it is agreed by all our Historians that King Edward died a Natural Death and as for him whom he calls the Martyr he was the Son of King Edgar nor did he begin to reign till above an hundred and fifty years after as shall be shewn when we come to his Reign But as for what Buchanan objects against some of our later Historians for making Athelstan to be King of all Britain and to have restored Constantine King of Scots to his Kingdom and to have forced him to do him Homage for it we must confess that Buchanan is so far in the right that neither our Saxon Annals nor Marianus Scotus nor Florence of Worcester mention any thing of it though they all do relate the great Victory which King Athelstan obtain'd over the Scots but yet are wholly silent either about his driving of the King of Scotland out of his Kingdom or of causing him to do him Homage for restoring him to it This is to shew that I would not be partial to the Historians of our own Countrey as if they could not also be sometimes guilty of great Errors and therefore I thought good to take notice of it here This year as our Annals relate King Athelstan made an Expedition into Scotland with a great Army by Land as also with a considerable Fleet by Sea and laid wast great part of that Kingdom The same year also Bishop Byrnstan deceased at Winchester on the Feast of All Saints But as for the Causes of this War made by King Athelstan against Scotland since not only our Annals but many of our other Authors are silent in it we must supply that defect from William of Malmesbury and Roger Hoveden and the Chronicles of Mailrosse who relate that Anlaf the Son of Sihtric King of Northumberland having fled into Ireland and the late King Godefrid his Brother into Scotland King Athâ—lstan sent Ambassadors to Constantine King of Scots demanding the Fugitive to be given up to him or else upon his Refusal denouncing a speedy War against him which War indeed he made for marching into Scotland with a great Army both by Sea and Land he drove his Enemies before him as far as Dunfeodor and Wertermore and by Sea as far as Cathness but Malmesbury affirms that they not daring in any thing to displease him went to a place called Dacor or Dacre in Cumberland where each surrender'd up himself and all his into the hands of the English King who was Godfather to the Son of Constantine and now ordered him to be baptized in testimony of that Accord whom also together with great Presents he left as a Hostage with the King and so Peace being thus happily concluded he returned home into his own Countrey But the Scotish Historians do not mention this Invasion at all nor will allow King Constantine to have had any Son And indeed it seems improbable that if Constantine had now given his Son to King Athelstan as a Hostage he would have dar'd to renew the War again so soon after this Agreement But for all this Godefrid escaped while they were preparing for the Journey and travelling with one Turfrid into several parts of the Countrey at length got some men together and laid Siege to York the Inhabitants of which they tempted both by fair and foul means to let them in but not being able to prevail with 'em they went their ways and were both taken shortly after and shut up in a Castle from whence making their escape by deluding their Keepers Turfrid not long after was shipwreck'd at Sea and became a Prey to the Fish but Godefrid endured much more misery both by Sea and Land and at last came as a Suppliant to the King's Court who kindly received him but after he had been profusely feasted for four days together he got away again to his Ships and then returned to his old trade of Piracy In the mean time Athelstan demolished a Castle which the Danes had fortified at York that so they might not shelter themselves any more there and the large Booty he found in it he divided amongst his Soldiers to every one a share For so Worthy and Liberal was this Prince that he
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
Edmund But it seems R. Hoveden and Mat. Westminster make this latter Anlaf a quite different person from the former who is supposed to have reigned in Ireland whereas this was the Son of Sihtric late King of Northumberland and whom we shall meet with again more than once in the following History But John of Walingford's Chronicle makes this King whom he calls Olaf a Norwegian whom the Northumbers had called in and bestowed upon him the Title of King and under him rebelled against K. Edmund As for this Reginald her mentioned in our Annals I suppose he is the same whom H. Huntington calls King of York because he had conquered the Countrey But tho the History of these Transactions are very short and obscure yet that which has been already related from these Authors will serve to explain what would have been otherwise in the dark viz. how the Cities and Towns above-mentioned now came to be recovered from the Danes as having been taken by their King Anlaf aforesaid This year Queen Aelgiva was brought to Bed of Prince Edgar afterwards King as Florence relates Yet she lived not long after but died the year following according to Ethelward's Chronicle King Edmund reduced all the Countrey of Northumberland under his own Dominion expelling thence the two Kings Anlaf the Son of Sihtric and Reginald the Son of Guthferth But Ethelwerd relates this action to have been done by this King's Lieutenants viz. Bishop Wulstan and the Ealdorman of Mercia whose Name he does not give us only that these two expelled certain Deserters viz. Reginald and Anlaf out of the City of York and reduced it wholly under this King's Power John of Wallingford also makes this Anlaf to be the King's Nephew and different from Anlaf the Norwegian King Eadmund subdued the whole Countrey of Cumberland and gave it to Malcolme King of Scots upon condition that he should assist him in his Wars both by Sea and Land For the Reader is to observe that hitherto the Britains though much disturbed by their Neighbours the Picts Scots and English had ever since the coming in of the Saxons still there continued a distinct Principality and after several of them had been wearied out they retired into North Wales and there erected the Colony of Straetcluyd as we formerly said though the History and Succession of these Kings are wholly lost unless it be such scattered Remains as we have given you in the former Book But Mat. Westminster though under the next year adds that which is very unlikely to be true that King Edmund conquered this Countrey by the Assistance of Lewellyn Prince of Wales and put out the Eyes of the two Sons of Dunmaile King of that Province though what he adds further appears somewhat more probable That he granted it to the King of Scots upon this condition viz. To defend the North-parts of England from the Invasion of Enemies both by Sea and Land To which Bromton's Chronicle adds likewise That he was also to attend the King of England at several Great Feasts in the year when he held his Common Council and that the King of Scots had for that end several Houses assigned him to lye at by the way Also this year Mat. Westminster relates that King Edmund gave one of his Royal Towns then called Beadricesworth with divers other Lands to build a Church and Monastery in Memory of St. Edmund the Martyr whose Body was there enshrin'd This year likewise as Florence relates King Edmund sent Ambassadors to Prince Hugh of France for the Restitution of King Lewis whereupon the said Prince held a Solemn Council with all the Chief Men of the Kingdom concerning it But not long after King Edmund deceased at the Feast of St. Augustin having held the Kingdom Six Years and an half But the Laudean or Peterburgh Copy of these Annals as also Ethelwerd's Chronicle place the Death of this King Anno Dom. 948 which without doubt is the truest Account So that he died in the very Flower of his Age being not yet Five and twenty years old But we shall give you the manner of his Death from William of Malmesbury as well as from other Authors since he met with such an End the like to which I have not read of any other Prince taking all the Circumstances together And thus we find it He having made a Great Entertainment at a place called Pucklekirk upon the Holiday of St. Augustin Archbishop of Canterbury for all his Nobility and Chief Men and there spying towards the end of Dinner a certain Notorious Thief called Leof sitting at the Table whom he had before banished commanded Leon his Sewer to lay hold on him But the Thief not only resisted him but was also like to have killed the Sewer Whereupon the King leaping from the Table and going to rescue him out of the Villain 's hands and having now laid hold on him and thrown him on the ground he twisted his hands in his hair upon which the Thief pulling out a Dagger stabbed the King who lay upon him into the Breast so that he immediately expired but the King's Servants presently coming in soon cut the Villain to pieces though some of them were first wounded by him The King's Body was thereupon carried to Glastenbury and there buried and the Town wherein he was killed was bestowed on the same Monastery to sing Masses for his Soul To this Place the Prince as well as his Brother was a great Benefactor as appears by his recited Charter in William of Malmesbury whereby he confers divers large Privileges upon that Abby of which St. Dunstan was then the Abbot And it is also to be observed that He there stiles himself in the beginning of his Charter Edmund King of the English and Governor and Ruler of the other Nations round about and says That with the Advice and by the Consent of his Chief Men and for the Remission of his Sins He made that Grant to the Church of St. Mary at Glastenbury This Charter bore date Anno 944. in Letters of Gold and was written at the end of a Book of Gospels which he had given to the same Church most curiously bound So that it is no wonder if he had the good words of the Monks though he might also very well deserve them yet this last Action speaks him to have been extremely transported with Passion thus to debase the Majesty of a King in going about to seize a common Malefactor with his own hands and indeed he paid too dear for thus acting below his Character This King made divers good Laws which since the Title does not recite in what year they were made I have referred to this place some of which I shall here give you translated from the Latin Copies in Abbot Bromton's Chronicle as well as from Mr. Lambard's Collection In the Preface of which we are told That at the solemn Feast of Easter the King had held a Great
Friends not only to marry her but also to fulfil the Covenants made between them and shall also engage to maintain her After that the Bridegroom is to declare what he will give his Bride besides that which she formerly made choice of with his good liking if she survive him In case they so agree it provides that after his Decease she shall have the one half of all his Estate and if they have a Child betwixt them the whole till such time as â—he marry again Then when they have agreed on all things the Kindred of the Bride shall contract her to him and engage for her Honesty and at the same time they shall give Caution for the Celebration of the Marriage The rest being not very material I omit and have only set down these to let the Reader see the Antiquity of Covenants before Marriage and of Bonds for the performance of them as also of Jointures the Thirds of the Estate not being then settled by Law as Dower by what I can find Having now finished the Reign of King Edmund I have no more to observe but that though he left two Sons by the Queen his Wife viz. Edwi and Edgar yet notwithstanding his Brother Edred succeeded to him as Next Heir for so Ethelwerd as well as Florence of Worcester stiles him King EDRED THIS year according to our Annals Eadred Aetheling after his Brother's Decease was made King and presently reduced all Northumberland under his Obedience Upon which the Scots also swore to perform whatever he would require of them But the Manuscript Life of St Dunstan written by a Monk of those times and which is now in the Cottonian Library is much more particular concerning this King's Succession saying That King Edmund being slain Eadred took the Kingdom succeeding to his Brother as his Heir Which is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester who says That Edred being Next Heir to his Brother succeeded him And Ethelwerd gives us the reason of it more fully That he succeeded him quippe ejus Haeres because he was Next Heir And Simeon of Durham further adds That this King was Crowned at Kingston by Odo Archbishop of Canterbury H. Huntington and Mat. Westminster give us the Particulars of this War against the Northumbers and Scots more at large viz. That he subdued the Northumbrians with a powerful Army they refusing to submit to his Dominion and that the Scots thereupon being afraid submitted themselves to him without any War at all and that the King of the Scots swore Fidelity to him It seems here by Ingulph that this Submission of the Northumbers was wrought by the means of Turketule Chancellor to King Edred and afterwards Abbot of Croyland who was now sent Ambassador to the Northumbers to reduce them to their Duty which he upon his Arrival at York performed with that Prudence and Diligence that he brought back the Archbishop and all the People of that City to their former Allegiance But R. Hoveden places the Oath taken by the Northumbrians under this year and that Wulstan Archbishop of York and all the Northumbrian Lords swore Fealty to King Edred in a Town called Tadencliff though they did not long observe it Under this year most of the Welsh Chronicles place the death of that Worthy Prince Howel Dha and say That he left his four Sons Owen Run Roderic and Edwin his Heirs of all his Territories in South-Wales But as for North Wales it returned to the two Sons of Edwal Voel called Jevaf and Jago because Meyric their Elder Brother was not thought fit to govern These as being of the Elder House would have had the Supreme Government of all Wales which being denied them by the Sons of Howel caused great and long Wars between them Yet nothwithstanding other of the Welsh Chronicles place the death of Howel Dha much later for they make him Contemporary with our King Edgar as shall be shewn when we come to the History of his Reign in the next Book Also the same year according to R. Hoveden King Edred being much provoked by the Treachery of the Northumbers laid all Northumberland waste in which devastation the Monastery of Ripun which had been built by Bishop Wilfrid was burnt But our Annals defer this Rebellion of the Northumbers to the year following When Anlaf again returned into the Countrey of the Northumbers This is also confirmed by Florence of Worcester and H. Huntington viz. That King Edred being returned into the Southern parts of the Kingdom Anlaf who had been formerly expell'd the Kingdom of Northumberland reâ—urned thither with a great Navy and being received with joy by the people was again restored to his Kingdom About this time Jago and Jevaf Princes of North-Wales entred South-Wales with a great and powerful Army against whom came over the Eldest Son of Howel with his Brethren and fought a Battel at the Hills of Carne where Jevaf and Jago obtained the Victory And the year following the same Princes twice invaded South-Wales and spoiled Dyvet and slew Dunwallon Lord thereof And to place these Welsh Wars together in the year 952. the said Sons of Howel Dha gathered their Forces together against Jevaf and Jago and entred their Countrey as far as the River Coâ—â—y where they fought a cruel bloody Battel at a place called Gwrhustu or Llanrwst Multitudes being slain on both sides as Edwin the Son of Howel Dha with other Welsh Princes and the Sons of Howel being vanquish'd Jevaf and Jago pursued them as far as Curdigan destroying their Countrey with Fire and Sword This year according to the Annals Aelfeag Bishop of Winchester deceased at the Feast of St. Gregory The Northumbers again expelled King Anlaf and set up Eric the Son of Harold for their King This is the same with Eric mentioned by Hoveden who yet did not immediately enter upon the Throne as that Author supposes till Anlaf had been expell'd but Florence of Worcester and the Chronicle of Mailrosse place the expulsion of Anlaf and the setting up of Eric two years sooner and perhaps with better reason For the same year according to Hoveden King Edred made Wulstan Archbishop of York close Prisoner at Witharbirig because he had been often accused to him upon divers accounts Yet Will. Malmesbury tells us expresly it was for favouring or conniving at his Countreymen in their late Rebellion But after he had kept him a long time in Prison he thought fit to pardon him out of reverence to his Function And the year following the Chronicle of Mailrosse relates that Archbishop Wulstan being set free was restored to his Episcopal Function at Doncacester But this is certain King Edred could not have done this till after Eric had been driven out as this Author more truly reckons tho our Annals do it the next year saying That The Northumbers drove out King Eric and King Eadred again possessed himself of that Kingdom With which also H.
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
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
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
year the same Archbishop translated the Reliques of St. Aelfeage his Predecessor from London to Canterbury The King himself as William of Malmesbury tells us removed them with his own hands paying them all due Veneration and further adds that his Body remain'd as uncorrupt as if he had been but lately kill'd Richard the Second Duke of Normandy died and Richard his Son ruled after him one year and then Rodbert his Brother succeeded him and ruled eight years This year King Cnute sail'd with his Fleet into Denmark to a Plain near the Holy River but where that was I know not and there came against him Wulf and Eglaf with a very powerful Army out of Sweden both by Land and Sea and many on King Cnute's side were there killed both Danes and English the Swedes keeping the field of Battel After which Cnute returning into England I find no mention made of any Action here in any Author for the two succeeding years But then King Cnute sail'd with fifty Ships of English Thanes into Norway and drove King Olaf out of that Countrey and conquer'd it for himself Bromton's Chronicle relates That this Olaf being a Soft and Easy Prince was already in a manner driven out by his own Subjects and so Cnute only went as it were to receive the Kingdom from the Nobility and People who submitted themselves presently to him ' King Cnute came back into England And as R. Hoveden adds upon his Return banished Hacun a Danish Earl that had married his Niece Gunhilda who was his Sister's Daughter sending him away under pretence of an Embassy for the King was afraid lest otherwise he might deprive him both of his Kingdom and Life King Olaf return'd again into Norway to regain his Right but the People rising up against him he was there slain This is he who was afterwards canoniz'd under the Title of King Olaf the Martyr About this time as Guil. Gemeticensis and John of Walingford do both relate Robert Duke of Normandy pitying the long Exile of his Nephews Edward and Alfred sent Ambassadors to King Cnute requiring him to restore them to their Right but he not at all valuing his threatning sent the Ambassadors back with a Repulse whereat the Duke conceiving great indignation assembled his Nobles and by their Advice caus'd a great Navy to be prepar'd which in a short time came to Anchor at Fescam then the Duke with his Army put to Sea but by Tempest was driven into the Isle of Guernsey and so shatter'd that he was forced to return home where they were detain'd a long time by contrary Winds which was an extreme mortification to him But not long after Ambassadors came over to him from King Cnute signifying That he was contented to resign to the Young Princes half the Kingdom which they should peaceably enjoy during his life and that was not like to be long for he then laboured under a languishing Distemper Wherefore the Duke thought good for some time to defer his Expedition till he should be come back from Jerusalem whither he had vowed to undertake a Pilgrimage And when he had recommended to Robert Archbishop of Rouen and other Nobles his Son William then a Child of Seven Years old and received from them Assurances of their Fidelity to him he began the said Voyage and having perform'd it as he was returning homewards the next year he fell sick and died about the Alpes But of this William his Son by Harlotte his Concubine 〈◊〉 not only succeeded his Father but was also afterwards King of England as you shall hear when we come to his Reign This year as soon as King Cnute return'd into England he gave the Port of Sandwic to Christ's Church in Canterbury with all the Issues and Profits arising from thence on both sides the Haven according to an Extract from his Charter preserved among the Evidences of that Church and that as far as when the Tide of Flood was highest and a Ship lying near the Shore a man could from thence cast a little Axe on land so far the Christ-Church Officers should receive all Rights and Dues This year also according to Monast. Angl. King Cnute founded another Monastery for Benedictines in Norfolk which from its being seated in a Woody Place was called by St. Bennet's in Holme the Lands and Scite of which Abby being by King Henry the VIII th after the Dissolution of the Monasteries exchanged with the Bishop of Norwich for other Lands he is the only Bishop of England who has still the Title of an Abbot Also under this year I find a Charter in the Manuscript Copy of Florence of Worcester in the Bodleian Library made to the Monastery of St. Edmundsbury granting and confirming all its Lands and Privileges the beginning of which Charter being somewhat remarkable I shall here recite Cnute Rex Totius Albionis Insulae aliarumque Nationum adjacentium in Cathedra Regali promotus cum Consilio Decreto Archiepiscoporum Episcoporum Abbatum Comitum omniumque meorum Fidelium elegi sanciendum perpetuo stabilimento ab omnibus confirmandum quod Monasterium quod Badriceswerde nuncupatur c. which is also printed from the Original at the end of Mr. Petyts Treatise of the Rights of the Commons c. King Cnute having performed these great Deeds of Charity and Devotion not long after in the same year as our Annals inform us ' began his Journey to Rome But since our Annals do not tell us what he did there I shall give it you in short from his own Letter as I find it in William of Malmesbury which upon his return from Rome he wrote and sent into England by Living Abbot of Tavistock and begins thus Cnute King of Denmark Norway and all Swedeland to Ailnoth or Egelnoth the Metropolitan and to Alfric of York with all the Bishops and Primates and to the whole English Nation as well Noblemen as Plebeians Health Wherein he gives an account of his Journey as also the reason of his undertaking it then how honourably he was received at Rome and what he had there negotiated for the benefit of his Subjects Then he gives Directions and Commands to his Officers to do all Justice and Right to the People in his Absence a thing to which he resolved on as he says long before but never could till now accomplish what he had designed for the Pardon of his Sins and the Safety of all his Subjects he further signifies that he was received by all the Princes who at that time were with Pope John solemnizing the Feast of Easter with extraordinary Respect and Honour but especially by Conrade the German Emperor that he had dealt with them all about the concernments of his people both English and Danes that their Passage to Rome might be more free and open and had obtained that as well Merchants as others should with all safety pass and repass without any Toll
Deanry the Peace was broken The thirty sixth Article directs how that after a man is killed as a Thief or a Robber if any Complaint be made by his nearest Relation to the Justice that the man was wrongfully put to death and lies buried among Thieves and that such Relations offer to make it good in such case they shall first give security for so doing and then it follows in what manner the Party slain may be cleared in his Reputation and what satisfaction shall be made to his Friends for it in case it appears he was killed unjustly These are the Laws which bear the Name of Edward the Confessor though they are not properly so because many of them were made long before his time and there are so many things in the Latin Original which are rather Explanations of Laws than Laws themselves that they more truly seem to have been collected and written by some ignorant Sciolist or pretender about Henry the First 's time For though Roger Hoveden hath given us this Collection of those Laws which we now have yet it is plain that there was no Original of them extant at the time when Hoveden wrote nor long before or else he need not have told us that King William the Conqueror in the fourth year of his Reign summoned so many Noble and Wise Men of the English Nation only to enquire into and acquaint him what those Laws were But Bromton's Chronicle gives us a short History of the several Laws that had been used in England and tells us of three sorts of Laws then in use viz Merchenlage West-Saxonlage and Danelage and that King Edward made one Common Law out of them all which are called the Laws of King Edward to this day yet of these he gives us no more than the bare Explanation of some Words or Terms frequently used in them but without setting down any of the Laws themselves which whether he did out of ignorance or on purpose I will not determine though the former is most likely seeing he had before given us all the Laws he could meet with of the precedent English-Saxon Kings So that when the Reader hears the Laws of St. Edward so much talked of and so much contended for after the Conquest he must not understand these here set down to have been the only Laws above-mentioned For those are but some parts of them recited and commented upon by after-Writers And indeed these Laws were first said to be the Laws of Edward the Confessor after the Normans coming over not because King Edward made them but renewed the observance of them as William of Malmesbury expresly tells us of one of those that King Cnute also revived being in substance the same with that formerly ordained by King Alfred Commanding every one above Twelve years old to be entred into some Decenary Tything or Hundred But Bracton also ascribes it to King Edward So likewise this Interpolator or Noter himself tells you That those Laws of St. Edward so much desired and at length obtained from William the Conqueror were ordained in the time of King Edgar his Grandfather but after his death were laid aside for sixty eight years but because they were just and honest King Edward revived them and delivered them to be observed as his own By these and other circumstances we may gather That the whole Body of these Laws we have now recited were such as were approved and confirmed by King Edward who was a Prince of great Mercy and Indulgence to his People so that such written Laws as were in force in his time and such Customs as had been all along observed in the Saxon times and had been still kept on foot in his days were after the Norman Conquest when both the People of the Norman as well as English Extraction so earnestly contended for their Liberties called by the name of the Laws of St. Edward thereby being indeed meant the English-Saxon Laws which then received Denomination from him being in effect the last King of that Race and one whose Memory the People reverenced in an especial manner for the high Reputation he had gained for his great Sanctity and Clemency to his Subjects King HAROLD KING Edward's Funerals being over our Annals proceed to tell us how that Earl Harold succeeded in the Kingdom as King Edward had appointed and that the People elected him to that Dignity as also that he was anointed King on the Feast of Epiphany but he held the Kingdom only forty weeks and one day Thus the Laudean or Peterburgh Copy relates it being written by some Monk that favour'd King Harold's Title to the Crown But R. Hoveden with other of the English Writers tell us expresly That King Edward being buried Earl Harold whom the King had before his decease declared his Successor being by all the Chief Men of England elected to the Throne was the same day anointed King by Aldred Archbishop of York Which is also confirmed by the Manuscript Chronicle of one Henry de Silgrave who wrote about the Reign of King Edward the First and is now in the Cottonian Library And the relation of this Affair being found no where else I shall here recite leaving the Credit thereof to the Reader 's Judgment which is thus That King Edward lying on his Death-bed Earl Harold came to him and desired him to appoint him for his Successor to which the King replied That he had already made Duke William his Heir But the Earl and his Friends still persisting in their Request the King turning his Face to the Wall replied thus When I am dead let the English make either the Duke or the Earl their King Which if true shews that it was but a Consent in part and was also extorted from him But this Relation being found in no other Author I shall not pass my word for the Truth of it But William of Malmesbury and such Writers as prefer the Title of King William tell another story and say That King Harold on the very day of the King's Funeral having extorted an Oath of Fidelity from the Chief Men snatch'd up the Crown of his own accord although the English say it was bequeathed him by King Edward which yet he says he believes to be rather asserted by them out of partiality than by any true judgment or knowledge of the thing H. Huntington does not mention any such Election of Harold but says on the contrary that divers of the English would have advanced Edgar Aetheling to be King But Ingulph is more cautious and does not determine one way or other of this matter only says in general That the day after the King's Funeral Harold wickedly forgetting his Oath which he had formerly made to Duke William intruded himself into the Throne and was solemnly Crowned by Alred Archbishop of York As for Edgar Aetheling the only surviving Male of the Ancient Royal Family he was but Young and being a Stranger born had neither
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
a Boat under the Bridge wounded him to death in the lower parts through a hole that it seems he found there But King Harold returning to York had no long time to enjoy his Victory for immediately after the News being brought him that Duke William was landed at Pevensey near Hastings upon Michaelmas day he made all the haste he could to march towards him leaving the Earls Edwin and Morchar behind him with great part of the Forces But since our Annals are very short in the relation of all these Affairs between the Duke and King Harold I shall give you a larger account of it from William of Malmesbury and other Authors who tell us That Duke William with all his Nobility being met in August at St. Walleries a Port-Town in Normandy lay there a long while waiting for a Wind but that continuing contrary for several days the Soldiers at last began thus to murmur in their Camp as it is ordinary for such men when they lye long still and have nothing to do saying among themselves That the man was mad who would go to take away another man's Territories against God's Will which it was plain this was since he had now so long withheld the Wind. This being spread abroad one would have thought it had been enough to have discouraged any one less valiant than the Duke who thereupon consulting with his Chief Officers what was best to be done the wisest of them advised him to bring forth the Body of St. Wallerie to try if by that means they could obtain a fair Wind however perhaps it might put some stop to his Soldiers Discontents What effect the Saint's Body wrought I cannot tell but so much is certain that not long after a fresh Gale offering the Duke immediately set sail for England and his Ship being first got out to Sea casting Anchor lay there till the rest of his Fleet could come up to him who all following the King's Ship which then rid Admiral they in the Afternoon with an easy and gentle Breeze reached Hastings near which the Duke going on Shore his foot by accident slipping he fell down which a Soldier standing by immediately turned into a good Omen saying Sir you have only taken Seisin of that Land of which you will shortly be King As soon as ever his Army had landed he strictly charged them to commit no Outrages nor plunder saying They ought to spare those things which would shortly be their own So the Duke lying still for fifteen days and having strongly fortified his Camp with certain Palisadoes which he had brought over along with him seemed to mind nothing less than War But King Harold precipitated by his own bad Fortune marched against the Duke with but part of his Forces for besides those that had been killed in the late Engagement a great many of his best Soldiers had already deserted him being discontented that they had been denied their share of the Norwegian Plunder yet those Forces which still remained with him he thought sufficient because he heard the Duke was landed but with a small Army so that notwithstanding the strongest and most valiant of his Army were either slain in the late Battel with the Norwegians or else gone from him he yet resolved to fight King Harold being now arrived near Hastings pitched his Camp upon a Hill about Nine Miles from that place and immediately sent out Spies to give him what Account they could of the Number and Forces of the Enemy some of whom being taken within Duke William's Camp though he might have executed them by the Laws of War yet he only commanded them to be led round about it and then having well fed them he ordered them to be sent back to their Lord and being returned King Harold asked them What news they could tell him They hereupon having set forth the generous Behaviour of the Enemies General seriously added That all their Army seemed to be Priests because they had all their Faces with both their Lips close shaven for the English then wore long Beards But the King laughing at their simplicity said He too well knew those they had seen were no Priests but brave Soldiers then Gyrth his youngest Brother being a very young man but of an Understanding and Courage far above his years taking the words out of the King's mouth said thus Sir if you can so far allow the Valour of the Norman Duke I think it is then indiscreet for you to enter the Field against him lest you should be found inferior to him either in Strength or Justice of your Cause for you can no ways deny but that voluntarily or involuntarily you have sworn to him Therefore in my opinion you would do more prudently to withdraw your self from the present Danger and leave to us the Decision of the Day who being free from all Oaths and Promises can with a safe Conscience draw our Swords in defence of our Countrey for it is to be feared that if you your self should engage either your Death or more shameful Flight may ensue whereas if we alone engage with him your Cause will be every where safe for you may either assist us if we should be put to fly or else bury us if we should happen to be slain But the King 's immoderate Pride and Rashness made him deaf to the wholesome Advice of his Brother and he thought it Inglorious and a Dishonour to his past Life to seem afraid of any Danger Therefore being push'd on by his unlucky Fate he hastily sent away the Monk that was newly before come from Duke William to him with these Proposals viz. That either he should quit the Throne or hold it and reign under him or else try the Justice of his Cause by their two single Swords in the sight of both Armies or in case Harold should refuse all these that he was ready to submit it to the Judgment of the Apostolick See I say he hastily sent him away with only this short Answer That he would leave it to God to determine the matter between them So that the Monk being returned with this Answer it added fresh Courage to the Normans whereupon the Generals on both sides immediately drew up their Armies in order to a Battel each according to his Countrey fashion The English had spent the night in drinking and roaring and being thus heated marched early out the next morning against the Enemy The Pikes and Bill-men mingled with a strong Detachment of Targetiers made up the Front and Main Body of the English Army and by their close Order render'd it so impenetrable that nothing but their being outwitted by the Norman Duke could ever have broke it as you will see by and by But King Harold together with his Brethren being all on foot placed themselves near the Royal Standard that by thus being all of them in equal danger with the meanest Soldier no man should so much as think of Flight Whilst in the
and Decisive Battel which yet is very imperfect since no Historians that I know of either English or Normans have given us the Number of the Armies on both sides or how many were slain perhaps because both had a mind to conceal what they thought did not make for their Credit Only it is acknowledged on all hands that they were so many on the Normans side as well as the English that nothing but the over-ruling Providence of God by the Death of their King could have given it away from them to their Enemies In this Battel King Harold and his two Brothers Gyrth and Leofwin with most of the English Nobility were slain and an Ancient Manuscript in the Cottonian Library farther relates That the King's Body was hard to be certainly known by reason of its being so much disfigured by Wounds yet was at last discovered by one who had been formerly his Mistress and that by the means of certain private Marks known only to her self and being taken up and wash'd by two of the Chanons of Waltham which Monastery he had founded was ordered by Duke William to be delivered to his Mother and that without any Ransom though she would have given a considerable Sum for it but it was not long after buried in the Abby-Church of Waltham Yet notwithstanding Henry de Knyghton from Giraldus Cambrensis gives a quite different account what became of this Prince for he says that he was not slain in this Battel but retiring privately out of it lived and died an Anchoret in a Cell near St. John's Church in Chester as was owned by himself at his last Confession when he lay a dying and farther that in memory thereof they shewed his Tomb when that Author wrote But the concurrent Testimony of so many English Writers concerning his being slain and buried at Waltham is certainly to be preferred before one single Evidence not but that it might be true that somebody might thus personate Harold and have his Tomb afterwards shewn as his But where or however he died he was certainly a Prince of a Noble Presence and of as Great a Mind and had he not by a preposterous Ambition of gaining a Kingdom to which he had no Right as well as by a Notorious Violation of his Solemn Oath given Duke William a just Occasion of making War upon him wherein he not only lost his own Life but also was the occasion of the Ruin of so many of his Countreymen he might have had as great a Character in History as any Prince of his time He had two Wives the first he buried long before he was King but none of our Writers mention her Name His second was Algithe Widow of Griffyth ap Lhewelyn King of North-Wales Sister of Edwi and Morchar Earls of Yorkshire and Chester By the former it is recorded that he had Children then of such an Age that they waged War against K. William in the second year of his Reign The first was Godwin who with his Brother Edmund after his Father's Death and Overthrow fled into Ireland but returning again into Somersetshire slew Ednoth one of his Father's Ealdormen who encounter'd him and then making great spoil in Devonshire and Cornwal departed The next year fighting with Beorne an Ealdorman of Cornwal he afterwards returned into Ireland and from thence went to Denmark to King Sweyn where he continued the Residue of his Life The second was Edmund who engaged with him in all his abovesaid Brother's Invasions and Wars depending absolutely upon him whilst he lived and died as he did in Denmark Magnus his third Son went with his two Brothers into Ireland and came back with them the first time into England but we find nothing of him after this unless he was that Magnus who afterwards became an Anchoret Wolfe his fourth Son seems to be born of Queen Algithe and probably at King William's Entrance here he was but an Infant yet after his Death he is named among his Prisoners but by William Rufus was released and by him honoured with the Order of Knighthood Gunhilde a Daughter of Harold's is mentioned by John Capgrave in the Life of Wolstan Bishop of Worcester and that she was a Nun but where is not mentioned and being in most mens opinion's wholly blind this Wolstan if you will believe it from Capgrave by a Miracle restor'd her absolutely to her Eyesight Another Daughter of Harold's is mentioned by Saxo Grammaticus in his Danish History to have been well received by her Kinsman King Sweyn the younger and afterwards married to Waldemar King of the Russians and to have had a Daughter by him who was the Mother of Waldemar the first King of Denmark of that Name from whom all the Danish Kings for many Ages after succeeded This Account I have borrowed from Mr. Speed who is very exact in the Pedigrees of our English-Saxon Kings We find no Laws made in this King's time only this mentioned by Ingulph viz. That King Harold made a Law that whatever Welshman were found without leave on this side Offa's Ditch he should have his Right-hand cut off by the King's Officers Which Law I suppose was made to restrain the pilfering Incursions of the Welsh who were wont to come in small Companies into the English Borders to rob and carry away Cattel But as for the Earls Syward of Mercia and Morchar of Northumberland Brothers it is said they withdrew themselves out of the Battel with their Followers almost as soon as it began either because they liked not the streightness of the Place where they were drawn up or else were discontented with the King's Conduct so marching immediately up to London they there met with Aldred Archbishop of York and Edgar Atheling with divers other Noblemen and Bishops and consulted whom they should make King divers of them were for Edgar Atheling as the only remaining Branch of the Saxon Blood-Royal under whom they resolved to renew the War but he being young and unexperienced and the Major Part of the Bishops being against it nothing was done William of Malmesbury relates That the two Earls above-mentioned solicited the Londoners to make one of them King which when they found they could not prevail upon them so to do taking their Sister the Widow of King Harold along with them and leaving her for security at Chester they retired into Northumberland supposing that Duke William would never march so far that Winter But how much they were mistaken and how they were forced to submit themselves to him when the City of London and all the rest of the Kingdom had acknowledg'd him must be reserved for the next Volume In the mean time the Nobility and Clergy being thus divided in their sentiments all their designs came to nothing Thus as the same Author well observes that as the English if they had been all of one mind might have prevented the Ruin of their Countrey so since they could not agree to have one of
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
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.
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.
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.
upon her the Habit of a Nun at Were-well a Nunnery which she had lately founded and also builds another at Ambresbury Id. p. 20. Ethelfrid a Prince most skilful in War though utterly ignorant of the Christian Religion l. 4. p. 171. Ethelgar Bishop of Selsey succeeds Archbishop Dunstan in the See of Canterbury enjoys it but a Year and Three Months and then dies l. 6. p. 22. Ethelheard his Kinsman succeeds Ina in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons l. 4. p. 219. Fights with and worsts Oswald Aetheling the Son of Aethelbald and forces him to flee l. 4. p. 220. Ethelheard Vid. Aethelheard The Abbot is elected Archbishop of Canterbury upon the Death of Janbryht l. 4. p. 236. Calls a Synod that confirms all things relating to the Church which had been made before the King Withgar Id. p. 241. Goes to Rome to obtain his Pall Id. p. 242. Ethelnoth Ailnoth or Egelnoth a Monk and Dean of Canterbury is consecrated Archbishop of that See by Wulstan Archbishop of York l. 6. p. 51. Goes to Rome and is honourably received by Pope Benedict who put on his Pall with his own hands Id. p. 53. Consecrates Aelfric Archbishop of York at Canterbury and translates the Reliques of Aelfeage his Predecessor from London to Canterbury Id. Ib. A Letter sent to him by Cnute upon his Return from Rome of what he did there Id. p. 55. His Decease Id. p. 65. Ethelred Brother to Wulfher succeeds him in the Kingdom of Mercia his notable Expedition into Kent and recovering all Lindsey from Egfrid and his Fame for Devotion l. 4. p. 195 196. Wastes Kent destroys Rochester and carries away a great deal of Spoil Id. p. 196. A Battel fought and Peace made on condition that this King should pay Egfrid a Pecuniary Mulct Id. p. 198. His Charter to the Monastery of Medeshamsted justly suspected of Forgery Id. p. 200 201. He receives Bishop Wilfrid with great Honour Id. p. 206. Resigns his Kingdom passing by his Son Ceolred whom he had by his Wife Osgilde to his Cousin-German Cenered Son of his Brother Wulfher and himself turns Monk Id. p. 212. Ethelred the Son of Moll is chosen by the Northumbrians for their King in the room of Alhred whom they had expelled from York l. 4. p. 230 236. Is expelled the Land for causing three of his Nobles to be treacherously slain by two of the same Order Id. p. 231. Is again restored to the Kingdom upon Osred's being driven out Id. p. 236 239. Betroths Elfreda the Daughter of King Offa Id. p. 237. Is slain by his own People and said deservedly as having been the Death of Osred his Predecessor Id. p. 239 240. Ethelred the Ealdorman deceases a famous Commander at first but a Monk in the City of York when he died l. 4. p. 240. Ethelred Son to Eanred succeeds his Father in the Kingdom of Northumberland is driven out from his Kingdom but soon after restored to it and about three years after is slain l. 5. p. 260. Ethelred Son of King Ethelwulf reigned in Kent as also over the East and South-Saxons l. 5. p. 265. Began his Reign in West-Saxony after his Brother Ethelbert's Decease Id. p. 267. Makes with his Brother Aelfred a great Slaughter of the Danes at Reading Id. p. 275. Deceases and is buried in the Monastery of Winburne in Dorsetshire but whether slain in Battel or died a Natural Death of the Plague which then reigned is uncertain though this latter is the more probable Id. p. 276. An Account of his Children Ibid. Ethelred Bishop of Wiltunscire is elected Archbishop of Canterbury upon the Decease of Ceolnoth his Predecessor l. 5. p. 274. His Death Id. p. 298. Ethelred Duke or Ealdorman of Mercia and Elfleda his Wife by their Care is Leicester repaired l. 5. p. 314. By their command Caer-Legion that is now Westchester is repaired Id. p. 315. His Decease Id. p. 316. Ethelred Brother to Edward the Martyr elected King and crowned being a lovely Youth l. 6. p. 19. He rather distressed than governed the Kingdom for Seven and thirty years His aversion to Wax-Lights and for what reason Ibid. Lays waste the Bishoprick of Rochester because of some Dissentions between him and the Bishop His sordid Covetousness Id. p. 21 22. A weak and unwarlike Prince and most of the Nobility as bad as himself His Fleet designed to encompass that of the Danes but he was betrayed by Aelfric one of his Admirals who went over to them Id. p. 23. Commands the Eyes of Aelfric's Son to be put out and for what Id. p. 24. Calls a Council who agree upon reading the Pope's Letters to the King to send Ambassadors to the Marquis of Normandy to treat of Peace He receives King Anlaff with great Honour who promises never to insest the English Nation more Id. p. 24 25. Sends for the valiant Son of Waltheof Earl of the Northumbers and for a Reward of his Bravery in overcoming the Scots gives him not only his Father's Countrey but adds to it that of Yorkshire Id. p. 27. Lays Cumberland almost waste because the Prince thereof denied to bear his share in the Tribute paid to the Danes Id. p. 28. Aelgiva Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy comes hither to be married to the King Id. p. 29. At the instigation of Huena one of his Evil Counsellors he commands all the Danes in England to be slain at the Feast of St. Brice because he was told that they endeavoured to deprive him and all his Great Men of their Lives and to seize the Kingdom for themselves Ibid. The Calamities that befel him and his Kingdom hereupon by the coming over King Sweyn from Denmark with a mighty Fleet Id. p. 30. His Displeasure against two Noblemen depriving one of all his Honours and putting out the eyes of the other Id. p. 31. Enters into several Treaties of Peace with the Danes and pays them Tributes in Money as well as Maintenance and Provision but nothing did long oblige them Id. p. 25 29 32 Perceiving his error in the want of a good Fleet commands over all England That out of every Hundred and ten Hides of Land a Ship should be built c. But his Fleet is much destroyed either by Tempest or Fire Id. p. 33. Is betrayed and hindred from falling upon the Danes when his whole Army had hemm'd them in and were just ready to give them Battel His Forces too signified but little to him for when the Enemy went East they were sure to be taken up in the West c. Id. p. 34. He demands of the Londoners full Pay and Victuals for his Army and is in such distress by Sweyn that he is forced to send his Wife and Children into Normandy and afterwards to go thither himself where he tarried till Sweyn died But upon his return to his own Kingdom he is received on conditions to govern them better that he had done before and then is again solemnly crowned at Westminster Id.
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
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
Horse Id. p. 55. Their whole Nation very near cut off by Agricola Ibid. Orgiva Vid. Edgitha Orkeney the Isles when first discovered by the Romans l. 2. p. 63. Orotius Paulus took what he wrote from an History of Suetonius which is now lost l. 2. p. 35. Osbald a Nobleman is made King of Northumberland but held it not long being forced to fly and going to the King of the Picts dies there an Abbot l. 4. p. 239 240. According to Simeon of Durham he was buried in York Minster Id. p. 242. Osberge the Daughter of Aslat or Oslac chief Butler to King Aethelwulf to whom she was married and became the Mother of Alfred who was afterwards King l. 5. p. 261. Her Character Ibid. Osbert or Osbryght succeeds Ethelred in the Kingdom of Northumberland and afterwards is killed by the Danes l. 5. p. 260. Their lawful King is expelled by the Northumbers who set up an Usurper not descended from the Royal Line Id p. 267. Lies with the Wife of one of his Noblemen who complaining of the Affront to the King of Denmark causes a great Army to come over to revenge that Injury Id. p. 268 269. Osfrid a Son of King Edwin by Quenburga the Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia l. 4. p. 174. Is slain with his Father in the Battel of Hethfield Id. p. 176. Oskytel first consecrated Bishop of Dorchester then made Archbishop of York his Death and Burial l. 6. p. 7. Osmund when he began to reign over the South-Saxons l. 4. p. 228. Osred succeeds his Father Alfred in the Kingdom of the Northumbers l. 4. p. 213. Is reconciled to Wilfrid with his Great Men and Bishops Ibid. Becomes Bishop Wilfrid's adopted Son Id. p. 214. Is killed in a Fight near the Sea on the Southern Borders His Character Id. p. 217. Osred the Son of Alchred Nephew of King Alfwold reigned after him and is betrayed and driven out of his Kingdom and who succeeded l. 4. p. 236. Is put to death by King Ethelred's Command and where buried Id. p. 237. Osric the Son of Elfric obtains the Kingdom of Deira abjures the Christian Religion and is cut off by Cadwallo with all his Army l. 4. p. 176. Osric builds a Nunnery at Bath l. 4. p. 196. And the Nunnery of St. Peter in Gloucester which afterwards was destroyed by the Danes and then rebuilt and after was King of the Northumbers Id. p. 201. Osric King of Northumberland slain and who succeeded him Id. p. 220. Ostorius Scapula succeeds Plautius in the quality of Propraetor and reduces the most Southerly parts of Britain to the form of a Province l. 2. p. 41. Overcomes the Iceni engages with the Silures and Caractacus and his Success over them Id. p. 42 43. Is decreed by the Senate all the Ensigns of a Triumph and being worn out with cares and troubles dies Id. p. 44 45. Oswald and Oswie with Eanfrid their Elder Brother all Sons of King Ethelfrid are banished by Edwin l. 4. p. 170 171. Oswald Edwin's Successor in the Kingdom of Northumberland finishes St. Peter's Church in York Id. p. 174 176 l. 5. p. 254. Routs Cadwallo with all his Forces His Speech to his Army l. 4. p. 177. His Kingdom extended over both Deira and Bernicia He would interpret Bishop Aidan's Sermons to his Subjects that heard but did not understand them In his Reign Churches were built in divers places of his Kingdom His Great Character Id. p. 178. His Charity He was Edwin's Nephew by his Sister Acca Ibid. p. 179. Fights a great Battel with Penda â—und was therein slain Id. p. 180. The many Miracles supposed that he wrought after his death Ibid. He was the sixth King that ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. His Body under the Title of Saint long after translated from Bardeney in Lincolnshire into Mercia l. 5. p. 315. Oswald Aetheling fighting with Ethelhard is worsted and the next year dies l. 4. p. 220. Oswald Son to King Ethelred is mentioned by his Father in his Charter to the Abbey of Abingdon l. 5. p. 276. Oswald Archbishop of York his Decease l. 6. p. 5. Oswald Bishop of Worcester succeeds his Kinsman Oskytell in the Archbishoprick of York l. 6. p. 7. His Death and Burial in the Church of St. Mary in Worcester Id. p. 23. Oswestre in Shropshire anciently called Maserfield where was fought the great Battel between Oswald the most Christian King of Northumberland and Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians l. 4. p. 180. Oswin the Brother of King Oswald is made King of Deira l. 4. p. 181. His Death at Ingerlingum Id. p. 182. His Character Id. p. 183. The Seventh King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Oswulf his Son succeeds Eadbert in the Kingdom of Northumberland but is slain within a Year after by the Treachery of his own Servants l. 4. p. 228. Oswy the Son of Usric King of Bernicia l. 4. p. 182. Treacherously procures Oswin to be slain but afterwards builds a Monastery where the Murther was committed to expiate the Crime Id. p. 183. Overcomes Penda who in the Battel is slain Id. p. 185. The Ealdormen of Mercia Rebel against him Id. p. 188. His Death and Burial at Streanshale-Monastery Id. p. 192. Otford in Kent anciently called Ottanford where the Mercians and Kentishmen had a Battel l. 4. p. 230. Outlawry Ethelward the Ealdorman is Outlaw'd in a Great Council of the Kingdom l. 6. p. 51. Earl Sweyn Son of Godwin is declared Outlaw'd in a Great Council at London Id. p. 77. The Common Law of all Outlaws they are said to have Wulfes hefod i. e. a Wolf's head or as we say in Latin gerere Caput Lupinum Id. p. 99 100. Usurer 's Convicted to be look'd on as Outlaw'd Persons Id. p. 102. Earl Elfgar is Outlaw'd in the Witena-Gemot and for what l. 6. p. 86. Vid. Pledge Oxford the University when Founded and who the first Regents and Professors there The Quarrel that arose betwixt Grimbald and the Old Scholars of Oxford This passage of the Quarrel c. objected against by Sir Henry Spelman and answered l. 5. p. 288 289 290. The flourishing state of Learning here related by Asser very much questioned Id. p. 304. King Alfred assisted by Grimbald and John Scotus in Founding this University Id. p. 306. Is taken and Burnt by the Danes l. 6. p. 34 35. All Studies cease there for a long time after till about the Year Eleven hundred thirty three from which time the Scholars have continued there Id. p. 35. P PAenius Posthumus runs himself through with his own Sword and why l. 2. p. 50. Pagan-Rites the Forbidding of them to be observed by the Decree of Calcuith l. 4. p. 234. Pagans Vid. Heathens Palace-Royal the Punishment on any that fight within it l. 4. p. 208. Palladius the Bishop sent by Pope Caelestine to the Scots to confirm their Faith l. 2. p. 109 110. St. Pancrace Church the first Built
in Britain and from a Heathen Temple was turned into a Christian Church l. 4. p. 157. It had been before the Old ruinous Church of St. Martin without the City of Canterbury Id. p. 163. Papinian the Great Lawyer helping Geta to Govern the South part of this Island l. 2. p. 75. Bassianus would have had him wrote a Defence of his Murthering his Brother Geta but his sharp reply to him cost him his Life Id. p. 79. Pardon Vid. Prerogative Paris the University there when first Erected by whom and by what means l. 4. p. 244. The Danes passing up the River Seine take up their Winter-Quarters there l. 5. p. 287. Parish-Feasts in several parts of England to this day Their Antiquity l. 6. p. 99. Parker the Archbishop Author of the Latin History de Antiquitate Ecclesiae Anglicanae l. 4. p. 165. Parliament King Ethelbert confirms there all the Charters of Endowment on Christ-Church and that of St. Pancrace in Canterbury l. 4. p. 163. Parliament Men to have no Injury done them but the Party shall be Fined for it Ibid. Egbert changed the Name of this Kingdom into that of England by the Consent of his Parliament held at Winchester l. 5. p. 247. Where the Great Men of the Kingdom were wont of course to attend at the King's Court to Consult and Ordain what was good and necessary for the Common-Weal Id. p. 261. Paschalis the Pope succeeds Stephanus and is Consecrated l. 5. p. 251. Pasham in Northamptonshire anciently called Passenham l. 5. p. 322. Patern a Preacher at Llan Patern in Cardiganshire l. 3. p. 149. Paulinus a Roman Consecrated by Justus to be Bishop of the Northumbers l. 4. p. 171. Is sent as a Spiritual Guide and Guardian with Ethelburga to the Court of King Edwin where he is Instructed in the Principles of the Christian Faith Id. p. 172. Converts his Chief Idol-Priest and several of the Nobles Is the first Bishop of York Edwin settling the Episcopal See there Spent a Month at Adefrin in doing scarce any thing else but Catechising and Baptizing Id. p. 173 174. Converts Blecca the Governor of Lincoln with all his Family to the Faith Has an Archiepiscopal Pall sent him by Pope Honorius and be Ordains one of that Name Archbishop of Canterbury Id. p. 175. Takes on him the care of the Church of Rochester Id. p. 176. His Death at Rochester and who succeeded him Id. p. 181. St. Paul's Church at London is caused to be Built by King Sebert l. 4. p. 159. Burnt in the Reign of King Edgar and soon after Rebuilt l. 6. p. 4. Paulus a Notary sent into Britain a Malicious Inquisitor and his great Oppressions there l. 2. p. 89. He is Burnt alive by the Command of Julian the Emperor Ibid. Peace of the King Alfred's Law concerning the keeping it and the Punishment in breaking it l. 5. p. 292 295. All People bound to keep the Peace l. 6. p. 58. Stated times and days appointed for the more strict observance of it l. 6. p. 99. Or Protection granted to Persons and Places and at certain times and it is manifold as the particulars there shew Id. p. 100. What this was to free Persons from Id. p. 101. Those who have it not to injure others under a double Penalty the particular Mulcts or Penalties of those who violate it Id. p. 103. Vid. Pledge Protection Suretyship Peace or League agreed on and confirmed by Oath between Eardulf King of the Northumbers and Kenwulf King of Mercia by the Intercession of King Egbert l. 5. p. 248. Concluded on Hostages and Oaths being mutually exchanged between Edmund Ironside and King Cnute with the particularities of it l. 6. p. 47. made between Edward the Confessor and Earl Godwin Id. p. 81 82 83. Vid. League Peadda Son of Penda desiring Alfreda the Daughter of Oswy to his Wife and not being able to obtain her unless he turned to the Christian Faith he voluntarily accepted it l. 4. p. 183 184. Held the Province of South-Mercia divided from the Northern by the River of Trent to be held as Tributary to the Northumbrian Kingdom At last is slain by the Treachery of his Wife Id. p. 186. Pecuniary Fines Vid. Punishments Pedidan or Pendrid's Mouth the River Parret in Somersetshire where a great Battel was fought between these and the Dorsetshire-men and the Danes l. 5. p. 260 301. Pelagius a British Monk when he first broached his Heresy l. 2. p. 107. The Britains being averse to receive it send for Bishops out of France and a publick Disputation was agreed on between them and the Hereticks and the success the Bishops had Ibid. Vid. Heresy Pen in Somersetshire by the Saxons called Peanhoe and Peonnan l. 6. p. 28 45. Penda King of the Mercians is overcome by Cadwallo l. 4. p. 176. Fights a great Battel with Oswald who is therein slain Id. p. 180. Hates and despises those professing the Christian Faith whom he found not to live answerably to it Id. p. 184. His Death with the manner how Id. p. 185. Had been the Death of Four or Five Christian Kings in Battel Ibid. Pentarchy when the Kingdom was rent into it l. 1. p. 12. Pentecost-Castle where is not known l. 6. p. 81. Took it's Name from one Osbern Sirnamed Pentecost Id. p. 82. Penvahel in the Pict's Tongue in English Penvellum where l. 2. p. 100. Pepin King of the Franks makes a League with Eadbert King of Northumberland and sends him great Presents l. 4. p. 228. His Death Id. p. 229. Perennis in highest Power with Commodus the Emperor sets only men of the Equestrial Order to Command the British Army their Complaint and his Punishment l. 2. p. 70. Perjury if any in Holy Orders Perjure themselves what the Punishment l. 5. p. 284. No Credit to be given to any one that is Perjured c. Id. p. 325. Some justly punished for it by being put to Death l. 6. p. 49. Pertinax Helvius made Lieutenant of Britain by Commodus but not long enjoys it l. 2. p. 70 71. Created Emperor but within Three Months is slain by the Praetorian Bands l. 2. p. 72. Pestilence Vid. Plague Peter a Monk and Lawrence sent by Augustine to the Pope and about what Message l. 4. p. 155. Vid. Lawrence A Presbyter first Abbot of the Monastery towards the East not far from the City of Canterbury Id. p. 157. Is drowned going on a Message into France Id. Ib. Peterburgh Abbey an Account of its Foundation with the form and manner of erecting it as also its Consecration l. 4. p. 186 187. Peter-pence viz. a Penny to be paid to the Bishop of Rome from every House in the Kingdom first given by King Ina but the truth of it suspected unless granted by the Mycel-Synod or Great Council of the Kingdom l. 4. p. 219. A perpetual Tribute granted by King Offa to the Pope out of Every house in his Kingdom but however the Kingdom was not made Tributary to him
the Lord's-Prayer and Creed in English Id. p. 225. Predur a British Prince Son of Oliver Gosgard Vawr a Prince of Cumberland l. 3. p. 147. Prerogative a pretence of King Offa's unlimited Power in Ecclesiastical as well as Civil Matters l. 4. p. 239. Danegelt how by constant usage it became a Prerogative l. 6. p. 66. That of Pardoning in the King not to extend to the Prejudice of the Party injured c. Id. p. 102. To set at liberty any Captive or Prisoner when the King comes into a City c. Id. Ib. Priests that are not able to contain may marry l. 4. p. 155. To learn the Creed and Lord's-Prayer in English and to interpret the Mass and Baptism Id. p. 225. By the King's Priest must be meant either his Chaplain or Bishop l. 5. p. 295. Breach of the Peace by Priests how punishable Id. p. 297. Priscilla and other Hereticks of his Party were sentenced to Death by Maximus the Emperor l. 2. p. 96. Probus M. Aurel. Valer. succeeds Claudius Tacitus in the Empire vanquishes Bonosus who upon it Hang'd himself prevents a new Rebellion in Britain gains other Victories elsewhere and at last is slain by his own Army l. 2. p. 82. Prodigies a great fight and slaughter of Birds in the Air l. 4. p. 192. A Comet continuing Three Months carrying with it every morning a large Tail like a Pillar Id. p. 196. Another appeared in King Ethelheard's time l. 4. p. 220. A Red Cross appeared in the Heavens after Sun set Id. p. 230. The sign of the Cross appeared of it self upon men's Clothes Id. p. 235. A Light frequently seen from Heaven over the place where Alfwold was Murthered Id. p. 236. Immoderate Lightnings Meteors like fiery Dragons flying in the Air Id. p. 238. Sign of the Cross seen in the Moon 2d Nones June in the Morning and on the 3d. Kal. September a wonderful Circle seen round the Sun l. 5. p. 248. An appearance of a Cross in day-time Id. p. 250. Strange Prodigies seen in the Heavens l. 6. p. 15. A strange cloud appeared about midnight all over England in divers Colours Id. p. 18. A Column of Light streaming down from Heaven over St. Edward the Martyr's Grave Id. p. 20. Protection granted anciently by the King not only to Persons but to Places by way of Privilege the several sorts of giving it and what this Peace as it was called was to free Persons from l. 6. p. 100 101. Provision for the King's Houshold how to be made not to oppress the Subjects l. 6. p. 59. Punishments all Crimes Redeemable by Pecuniary Fines in Edward the Elder 's time and some Ages after l. 5. p. 326. Anciently consisted in Pecuniary Fines rather than in Blood Id. p. 342. In Edgar's time Fines were not Arbitrary nor set above a constant rate l. 6. p. 13. For what Crimes no Satisfaction should be made by way of Mulct Id. p. 59. Purgation in case a man be of good Repute his own should be accepted but otherwise either a Threefold one or his single Oath in Three Hundreds l. 6. p. 58 59. Pusa Abbot of the Monastery of Vocingas and whom he succeeded l. 4. p. 231. Putta Bishop of Rochester is forced to retire to the Bishop of the Mercians by his Church's being destroyed and there died This very Man is made the first Bishop of Hereford l. 4. p. 196. Q QUarrel or Deadly Feud King Alfred's Law concerning it l. 5. p. 296. King Edmund's Law about it Id. p. 347. The Indians Deadly Feud against all the Kindred of one that Murthers any of them Id. Ib. Queen upon the Account of Eadburga's ill conduct of her self both as Wife to Brihtric King of the West-Saxons whom she Poisoned and as Widow upon divers other accounts a Law was made That for the future no King's Consort should be so called l. 5. p. 264. Quenburga Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia and Wife to King Edwin l. 4. p. 174. Quendride Sister to King Kenelm Son to Kenwulf King of Mercia makes her Brother away out of a wicked Ambition of Reigning her self and the dreadful Judgement that befel her upon it l. 5. p. 252. Is forced to make satisfaction to Archbishop Wilfrid for the Wrongs that King Kenwulf her Father had done to the Church of Canterbury afterwards professed her self a Nun and at this time was an Abbess Id. p. 253. Quendrith by her wicked Instigations Ethelbert the Son of Ethelred King of the East-Angles is slain going to Offa's Court in order to Woo his Daughter l. 4. p. 237. Quichelme Bishop of Rochester when he Governed that See l. 4. p. 201. R RAdnor the Town destroyed by Meredyth Prince of North-Wales l. 6. p. 23. Radnorshire-men supposed by Cambden to be meant by the Magaesetons l. 6. p. 46. Raven the Raven-Banner Vid. Banner Reculf a Monastery built by Basse a Priest l. 4.192 Now known by the name of Reculver in Kent Id. p. 205. Redburge Wife of King Egbert was according to the then West-Saxon Law never called Queen What Law she is said to have procured from her Husband l. 5. p. 257. Redwald called the greatest King of the East-Angles the Tenth from Woden l. 3. p. 146. l. 4. p. 171. His Death Id. p. 157. Receives Edwin who had been forced to fly the Countrey of Northumberland very kindly Id. p. 169. Slays Ethelfrid in Battel Id. p. 170. Had been Baptized in Kent by the means of Eadbald but was afterwards by his Wife and others perverted from the true Faith Id. p. 175. He was the Fourth King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Succeeds Ethelred who was driven out of his Kingdom of Northumberland but soon after fighting with the Danes at Alvethelie he and Earl Alfred were slain l. 5. p. 260. Rees the Brother of Griffyn King of South-Wales was by the Command of Edward the Confessor put to death for his Insosolencies against the English and his Head sent to the King l. 6. p. 85. Reginald succeeds Eowils and Healfden as King over the Danes l. 5. p. 315. Enters into a Contract of Marriage with Aelfwinna Daughter of Aethelfleda and Heir of the Kingdom of Mercia Id. p. 320. Submits his Kingdom of Northumberland to King Edward the Elder Id. p. 323 324. He takes York Id. p. 324. Was the Son of Eardulph Id. Ibid. Eadmund receiveâ— him at his confirmation Id. p. 3â—3 Is called King of York because he had conquered that Countrey Id. p. 344. Regni those Parts we now call Surrey and Sussex l. 2. p. 69. Reiderch-hoel that is the Liberal a British King of Cumberland l. 3. p. 146 147. Religion none ought to be Compelled to receive it for the Service of Christ is to be Voluntary l. 4. p. 154. The state of it in the Western Church when Augustine came over hither Id. p. 155. The Christian Religion came not first into Britain by the Preaching of any Persons sent from Rome but it was most
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
Egbert King of the West-Saxons and Beornwulf King of the Mercians the latter being beaten l. 5. p. 253. Both Town and County take their names from the River Willie Id. p. 276. Wiltshire-men gain the Victory over the Worcestershire-men or Mercians l. 5. p. 247. Wina Vid. Wini. Winandermere anciently called Wonwaldermere a Village by the great Pool in Lancashire l. 4. p. 236. Winchelcomb a Monastery in Gloucestershire for Three hundred Benedictine Monks founded by Kenwulf King of the Mercians and its Consecration l. 4. p. 242. l. 5. p. 251. Kenelm his Son martyr'd by his Sistâ—r Quendride after his Body was found was brought hither and buried in the Church of this Abbey l. 5. p. 252. Winchester anciently called Caer-Guent by whom it is first pretended to be built l. 1. p. 10. The Old Church there commanded to be built by King Cenwall l. 4. p. 181. The Bishoprick is resigned by Daniel by reason of his Old Age to Hunferth Id. p. 224. Is taken from King Ethelbert by the Danes l. 5. p. 266. The Consecration of the New Monastery here l. 5. p. 312. A Great Council held here concerning the turning out of the Monks l. 6. p. 16. Winchester-Measure to be the Standard l. 6. p. 14. Winfrid Bishop of the Mercians deposed by Archbishop Theodore and why l. 4. p. 194. Wini or Wina made Bishop of the West-Saxons and the Province being divided into two Diocesses he is settled in that of Winchester l. 4. p. 182 188. But being driven from his See by King Kenwalch goes and purchases the See of London of King Wulfher The First Example of Simony here Id. p. 191. Wipha or Wippa the Son of Cryda succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of the Mercians l. 3. p. 148. Wir a River in the Bishoprick of Durham l. 4. p. 194. Wiregild is a satisfaction made by a Murtherer to the Friends of the Party slain l. 4. p. 211. The Valuation of a Man's Head l. 5. p. 341. Wiremouth a Monastery built by Abbot Benedict l. 4. p. 194 205. Witchcraft King Athelstan's Law against it l. 5. p. 340. Wite a Fine or Mulct to be paid by the English and Danes upon the violating of their Laws l. 5. p. 284 285. Witena-Gemote their large Authority not only in assenting to new Laws but in their Judicial Power in giving Judgments upâ—n all Suits or Complaints brought before them as well in Appeals between Subject and Subject as when the King himself was a Party l. 6. p. 83. It outlaws and convicts Earl Aelfgar upon a Charge of being a Traytor to the King and the whole Nation Id. p. 86. Witerne a Bishopriâ—k called in Latin Candida Casa belonging to the Kingdom of Northumberland l. 4. p. 201 231. St. Withburg her Body found at Durham entire and uncorrupt after she had been Fifty five years buried l. 4. p. 242. Withgar Nephew to King Cerdick with Stufe put the Britains to flight l. 3. p. 135. His Death and Burial at Withgarasbyrig supposed Caresbrook-Castle in the Isle of Wight Id. p. 138. His Constitutions of the Church confirmed in the Synod called by Archbishop Ethelheard l. 4. p. 241. He and Stufe first Princes of the Isle of Wight l. 5. p. 261. Withlaff an Ealdorman of Mercia created King by the Consent of all the People l. 5. p. 253. Reigns Thirteen Years as Tributary to King Egbert Id. p. 254. Is expelled and upon what account where he lay concealed till he procured Egbert's Reconciliation upon which he was restored paying a Yearly Tribute Ib. Ib. The Privileges and Concessions of this King to the Monastery of Croyland confirmed in a General Council held at London and who were present in it Id. p. 257. His Decease and who succeeded him Id. p. 259. Withred by his Piety and Industry freed Kent from Foreign Invasions l. 4. p. 205. King of Kent elected by the General Consent of his Subjects and held it thirty years l. 4. p. 209. Holds a great Council at Becancelde and who were there present and what was transacted Id. p. 210. Another at Berkhamsted in Kent and what Laws were made there Id. p. 211. His Death His Children and Character Id. p. 218. Wittereden signifies a certain Fine or Forfeiture l. 5. p. 262. Woden King of a City in Asia called Asgard dies in Swedeland counted a great Magician and after his Death is worshipped as a God l. 3. p. 121. Brought back the Goths out of Asia into Europe Ib. p. 122. Wodensbeorge now Wodensburg a little Village in Wiltshire l. 3. p. 148. Wolves a Tribute of so many Wolves Heads to be paid to King Edgar instead of that in Money for his concluding a Peace with North-Wales l. 6. p. 4. Woodstock in Mercia where King Ethelred made several Excellent Laws with the Assistance of his Great Council l. 6. p. 42 43. Worcester anciently was called Vectij l. 4. p. 160 230. Bofel being ordained Bishop of the Wiâ—ij had his See here Id. p. 199 200. The First Bishop hereof was Talfride a Learned Monk but he died before Ordination Id. p. 200. Thiâ— Church was first founded by Athelred King of the Mercians Id. Ib. The City plunder'd and burnt and the Countrey wasted by Hardecnute and why l. 6. p. 67. The Shire anciently called Wicon l. 4. p. 242. l. 5. p. 247. Wounds and Maims King Alfred's Law concerning them l. 5. p. 296. Wulfheard an Ealdorman at Southampton fights 33 Danish Pyrates and makes there a terrible slaughter of them Id. p 258. Wulfhelme consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury l. 5. p. 329. His Decease and who succeeds him Id. p. 333. Wulfher succeeds his Brother Peadda and greatly enriches the Abbey of Medeshamsted with Lands and other Endowments l. 4. p. 186 187. Is proclaimed King by the Ealdormen of Mercia takes the Isle of Wight with the Countrey of the Meanvari Id. p. 188. Fights with Aescwin at Bedanheafde Id. p. 195. Concerning his Baptism and the ridiculous story of his murthering his two Sons with his own hands as also his Death Id. Ib. Wulfher Archbishop of York is expelled by the Northumbers but restored to it the next year after l. 5. p. 277. His Decease Id. p. 299. Wulfnoth Father of Earl Godwin being impeached before King Ethelred and escaping and running away with some of his Ships turns Pyrate and does a world of mischief by burning the rest of the Fleet that had escaped Shipwreck l. 6. p. 33. Wulfric Vid. Spot Wulstan is wickedly slain by his Cousin Berthferth Son of Bertwulf King of Mercia and his Body buried at the Monastery of Rependun in Derbyshire l. 5. p. 261. Wulstan Archbishop of York is made a close Prisoner at Witharbyrig by King Edred and for what but because of his Function he is afterwards pardoned and restored l. 5. p. 350. His Decease Id. p. 355. Wulstan Archbishop of York consecrates Ethelnoth a Monk and Dean of Canterbury Bishop l. 6. p. 51. His Decease and who succeeds him Id. p.
never r. ever P. 24. l. 15. f. no r. any Introduction PAge 31. line 17. for longer read long Ib. l. 18. f. which r. and ib. r. enjoyed it P. 34. l. 27. del for a long time after P. 86. l. 13. del the Comma's in the Margin beginning at from whence you may observe and ending at well observes P. 89. l. 15. f. word r. words Ibid. l. 32. f. upon r. that Ib. del that P. 96. l. 29. f. Longobardarum r. Longobardorum P. 97. l. a. f. Crihtan r. Crihtan i. e. Knights P. 105. l. 38. f. consist r. reside ADDENDA CORRIGENDA SINCE this Volume was printed off coming to a more strict View of the whole Work than I could make when it was in loose Sheets I think fit to make some few Additions and Corrections as in these following Particulars BOOK IV. Pag. 195. The Consecration of Erkenwald Bishop of London being set down twice viz. in the beginning of Anno 675. and again at the end of that Year and was forgot to be struck out in the Page above-mentioned those first three Lines and half beginning at Line 23. may be struck out and that Relation referred to p. 196. at the end of the Year where it is already and you may read it in these words This Year also according to Matth. of Westminster for Bede does not give us the time when it was done Erkenwald a younger Son to Anna King of the East Angles was by Theodore the Arch-bishop consecrated Bishop of London he being in great Reputation for the Sanctity of his Life as having before he came to be a Bishop c. Read the rest as in the Print P. 198. Queen Etheldrithes being twice married and never lain with having been already mentioned p. 193. you may strike out part of three Lines in p. 198. beginning at Line 48. at who yet remained and ending line 51. with but she and then read it thus Wife of King Egfrid above-mentioned this Lady tho twice married still remaining a Virgin died at last c. BOOK V. Pag. 312. line ult The Continuation of Asser's Chronicle published by Dr. Gale having put this Action of Prince Ethelwald's there mentioned under the Year 904. and Florence of Worcester making him come as far as Crecanford now Crayford in Kent from the different Names of which Places and Years I supposed that this Action was not the same with that related in the Year 905. but upon better Consideration I am now satisfied that either Florence's Copy of the Annals or his Transcriber were mistaken and that Crecanford and Bradenewood mentioned by him under 905 and Creccagelade and Braeden set down in the Annals under the same Year are both the same Places setting aside the difference of the Years so that this is also but one and the same Action and therefore I rather now chuse to follow the printed Copies of the Saxon Annals and place the whole under Anno 905. therefore you may strike out the last Line of pag. 312. beginning at after as also the four first Lines of pag. 313. ending with so returned home P. 265. After the Reign of Ethelwulf Anno 855. add this that follows That about these Times the Scotish Kings held the Low-lands of Scotland as Tributaries to the Kings of Northumberland take this Relation from Lessely Bishop of Rosse's History of Scotland in the Reign of King Donald V. where he tells us that the Picts who had been lately conquered and expelled Scotland having hid themselves in Northumberland and the Neighbouring Countries combined with the Britains and Saxons to recover their Liberties who being thus confederated invaded Scotland whereupon King Donald gathering together his Army met them near Jetburgh and joining Battel with them put them to flight with which Success the King and his Men growing insolent and secure spent the Night following in Luxury and Drinking without keeping any Guard or observing Military Discipline of which the Enemies who it seems fled not far gaining Intelligence and laying hold of this Opportunity set upon them about Midnight and slew near 20000 Scots being then as it were buried in Wine and Sleep King Donald himself being also taken Prisoner and to purchase his Liberty was forced to give up all the Countries lying between the River Cluyde and Sterling to the Britains and Saxons and farther obliged himself and his Successors to the Annual Payment of a Sum of Money in Name of a Tribute and that then in the sixth Year of his unhappy Reign the English-Saxons in Memory of this Victory rebuilt the ruined Castle of Sterling and fortified the Bridg of Forth where they erected a Cross of Stone as a Monument of their Victory on which were engraven these barbarous Latine Verses Anglos à Scotis separat Crux ista remotis Arma hic stant Bruti stant Scoti sub hac Cruce tuti BUT in the mean time the Picts who were the Authors of this Scotish Slaughter were so far from being thereby restored to their Country that they were quite expell'd by the Saxons out of Britain THIS Relation Hector Boetius gives you much more prolix and makes King Osbern who reigned in Northumberland to have commanded the English-Saxons at the great Battle above-mentioned THE same Author likewise shews us in the Reign of K. Gregory Anno 872. how the Britains came to be driven out of Cumberland which they had till then enjoy'd viz. That the Britains having by the Assistance of the Danes expelled the Scots from divers Territories endeavoured also by secret Treacheries to drive them yet further but being surprized by K. Gregory were by him quite expelled Cumberland and Westmorland as a Punishment for having violated their Faith with him Pag. 313. l. 18. After East-Angles add this And Bromton's Chronicle in this Year further adds That Ethelwald having passed the Thames at Crekelade to Brithenden and marched as far as Brandenstoke now Bradenstoke in Wiltshire so that as Mr. Camden well observes our Modern Historians have been much mistaken in making that Place to be Basingstoke in Hampshire BOOK VI. Pag. 8. l. 1. You may strike out the three remaining Lines after Dunstan for I am satisfied upon better Consideration that the Assertion therein contained is not true as I have prov'd in the Introduction p. 71 72. Pag. 12. l. 8. After the words freely forgave him add this That the Low-lands of Scotland continued under the Dominion of the Kings of England till the Reign of King Edgar we have the express Testimony of John of Wallingford Abbot of St. Albans who wrote his Chronicle in the beginning of the Reign of King Henry the Third and before ever the Dispute concerning any Homage being due for the whole Kingdom of Scotland was raised which began not till the time of K. Edward the First This Author thus relates it in the beginning of the Reign of King Edgar viz. that about Anno Dom. 964 that King summoning the Northumbrian Barons i. e. Thanes to a
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
the Ecclesiastical and Civil Affairs of Ancient Times l. 4. p. 151. There were only two Orders of them in use amongst our Ancestors of the English-Saxon Church and what Orders they were Id. p. 168. Most people of all Qualities used to take upon them the Monastick Habit Id. p. 221 223. None but Monks anciently made Archbishops of Canterbury l. 5. p. 333. Turn'd out of divers Monasteries by King EdwiÌ„ and Secular Channons put into their places Id. p. 353. Are restored to them again by King Edgar l. 6. p. 6 7. A Civil War is raised in the Nation about them Id. p. 15 16. Are removed from Exeter to Westminster and Secular Channons placed in their stead Id. p. 78. Morchar a Dane of great Riches and Power in the Northern Parts is Treacherously slain by Edric's Order at his own House when he was invited to a Feast l. 6. p. 40. Morchar the Son of Earl Aelfgar is chosen by the Northumbers to be their Earl Id. p. 90. Morgant a Prince of the Isle of Medcant l. 3. p. 147. Morindus Vid. Morvidus Morini or Moriani a People of Gaul landing in Northumberland with Fire and Sword wast the Countrey but are at last defeated by Morindus and his Army l. 1. p. 14. It was the Province of Picardy l. 2. p. 25. Mortality Vid. Plague Morvidus defeating the Moriani putting all the Prisoners to death with exquisite Torments but at last is devoured by a Monster that came out of the Irish Sâ—a with which he would needs fight l. 1. p. 14. Moston his British Mâ— arraigned as to the credit of it by a late Romish Writer but without any material Objection l. 4. p. 162. Mould in Flintshire in the British Tongue is called Guiderac l. 2. p. 108. Mouric Son of Tudric King of Glamorgan is reduced to great extremity by the Saxons l. 3. p. 148 149. Mulcts Cnute's Law about them for divers Offences l. 6. p. 58. For what Crimes no satisfaction to be made by way of Compensation Id. p. 59. The particular Mulcts of those that Violate the King's Peace Id. p. 103. Vid. Murther Murrain Vid. Plague Murther The Punishment for it Anciently Redeemable by Pecuniary Mulcts l. 4. p. 209. Of Two Priests notably returned on the Murtherers l. 4. p. 209. If a Layman kill a Thief no satisfaction to be made to the Friends of the Party slain Id. p. 211. The Value of a Man slain whether English or Dane Four Marks of Pure Gold and the Redemption of each Four hundred shillings l. 5. p. 283. The Mulct which was to be paid for killing a Woman with Child or of killing in Troops or Companies and to whom Id. p. 293 294. By a Priest his Estate is Confiscated and he Degraded c. Id. p. 297. By Witchcraft the Punishment for it by King Ethelstan's Law Id. p. 340. The Murtherer alone to bear the deadly feud of the Kindred of the Party slain or within a Year to Pay the Value of the slain Man's Head Id. p. 347. The Punishment in case of Manslaughter l. 6. p. 43. Edward the Confessor's Law concerning it Id. p. 101. How the Party wrongfully killed is to be cleared in his Reputation and what satisfaction is to be made to his Friends for it Id. p. 103. Myranheofod that is in Saxon Ant's-head Thurkytell of that Name fled from the Danes and the English Army beaten by them l. 6. p. 34. N NAitan King of the Picts desires the Assistance of the English Nation concerning the Celebration of Easter l. 4. p. 216 221. Nation the Miseries and Desolations that Divine Providence brings upon a Wicked and Perverse People in it l. 3. p. 150. Nazaleod a Great British King some think him Ambrosius others Uther Pendragon his pretended Brother and others again only the General of the King of the Britains l. 3. p. 134. Nennius a British Author of no great Credit Id. p. 114. A credulous trivial Writer who vents a great many Fables l. 3. p. 1â—6 Could not Study at Oxford as is supposed by some Writers and why l. 5. p. 290. St. Neot the Story of King Alfred in the Account of this Saint's Life l. 5. p. 280. Nero his succeeding Claudius in the Empire l. 2. p. 45. Nerva his short Reign and the great Commotions in it in this Island l. 2. p. 66. Nesse-point in Essex called by the Saxons Ealdulfe's Naese l. 6. p. 81. Newenden a Town in Kent quite destroyed by the Saxons and afterwards rebuilt where it stood in the Reign of King Edward the First l. 3. p. 132 133. Nice the Great Council there when Assembled some of our Bishops assisted at it l. 2. p. 88. Nicholaus Bishop of Florence made Pope upon the Expulsion of Pope Benedict l. 6. p. 88. Niger Peseenius Saluted Emperor in Syria War against him by Severus l. 2. p. 72. Is afterwards slain by him Id. p. 73. Night-Mare a Disease whence it came to be so called l. 3. p. 125. Nobility their Domineering and Severity â—ver poor Countreymen restrained by King Alfred's Law l. 5. p. 294. Most of the English Nobility slain at the Battel of Ash-down by Cnute and his Army l. 6. p. 47. King Cnute causes several of them to be put to death but for what Crimes unknown Id. p. 50. Their great Degeneracy before the coming in of William Duke of Normandy Id. p. 116. Normandy formerly called Neustria entirely Conquered by Rollo the Dane who Reigned there Fifty years l. 5. p. 278. The Succession of the Dukes there l. 6. p. 53. The great Battel of Vallesdune between Henry King of France and the Nobility of that Dukedome for their refusing to accept of the Bastard William for their Duke Id. p 74. Normans or Northlandmen were Danes and Swedes their Religion and common Deities l. 5. p. 256. All Banish'd that had introduc'd unjust Laws and given false Judgments and committed many Outrages upon the English except a very few l. 6. p. 82. Too many brought over by Edward the Confessor who soon by their Customs corrupted the English Simplicity Id. p. 98. Before their Engaging King Harold spent the night in Prayers and Confessions c. l. 6. p. 112. Northalbingia formerly Old Saxony it 's extent and bounds l. 3. p. 118. Northampton anciently called Hamtune l. 5. p. 319 321. Northern People of Britain described by Herodian afterwards supposed to be called Picti l. 2. p. 22. Northumbers that is all those English-Saxons who lived North of the River Humber l. 4. p. 171. When most part of this Nation as well Nobles as others retired into Monasteries Id. p. 221. Their frequent Rebellions and Expulsion of their Kings shew them to be of a proud and turbulent Temper Id. p. 239 240. l. 5. p. 260. Kings of England appointed Earls under them to Govern that Countrey l. 5. p. 259. Expel their Lawful King Osbryht and set up a Tyrant and Usurper not Descended from the Royal Line Id. p. 267. Expel Egbert their King and
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