out of the Province till both by fire and Sword he had aveng'd the Death of his Brother An. Dom. 687 At length Victred the Son of Ecbert attaining the Kingdome both settl'd at home all things in peace and secur'd his Borders from all outward Hostility While thus Kedwalla disquieted both West and East after his winning the Crown Ecfrid the Northumbrian and Ethelred the Mercian fought a sore Battel by the River Trent wherin Elswin Brother to Ecfrid a youth of 18 years much belov'd was slain and the accident likely to occasion much more sheding of blood peace was happily made by the grave exhortation of Archbishop Theodore a pecuniary fine only paid to Ecfrid as some satisfaction for the loss of his Brothers life Another adversity befell Ecfrid in his Family by means of Ethildrith his Wife King Anna's Daughter who having tak'n him for hir Husband and professing to love him above all other men persisted twelve years in the obstinat refusal of his bed therby thinking to live the purer life So perversly then was chastity instructed against the Apostles rule At length obtaining of him with much importunity her departure she veild her self a Nun then made Abbess of Ely dy'd 7 years after the pestilence and might with better warrant have kept faithfully her undertak'n Wedlock though now canoniz'd St. Audrey of Ely In the mean while Ecfrid had sent Bertus with a power to subdue Ireland a harmless Nation saith Beda and ever friendly to the English in both which they seem to have left a posterity much unlike them at this day miserably wasted without regard had to places hallow'd or profane they betook them partly to thir Weapons partly to implore divine aid and as was thought obtain'd it in thir full avengement upon Ecfrid For he the next year against the mind and persuasion of his sagest friends and especially of Cudbert a famous Bishop of that Age marching unadvisedly against the Picts who long before had bin subject to Northumberland was by them feigning flight drawn unawares into narrow streights overtopt with Hills and cut off with most of his Army From which time saith Bede military valour began among the Saxons to decay nor only the Picts till then peaceable but some part of the Britans also recover'd by Armes thir liberty for many years after Yet Aldfrid elder but base Brother to Ecfrid a man said to be learned in the Scriptures recall'd from Ireland to which place in his Brothers Reign he had retir'd and now succeeding upheld with much honour though in narrower bounds the residue of his Kingdome Kedwalla having now with great disturbance of his Neighbours reign'd over the West-Saxons two years besides what time he spent in gaining it wearied perhaps with his own turbulence went to Rome desirous there to receave Baptism which till then his worldly affairs had deferr'd and accordingly on Easter Day 689. he was baptiz'd by Sergius An. Dom. 689 the Pope and his name chang'd to Peter All which notwithstanding surpris'd with a Disease he out-liv'd not the Ceremony so far sought much above the space of 5 weeks in the Thirtieth year of his Age and in the Church of St. Peter was there buried with a large Epitaph upon his Tomb. Him succeeded Ina of the Royal Family and from the time of his coming in for many years oppress'd the Land with like greevances as Kedwalla had done before him insomuch that in those times there was no Bishop among them His first expedition was into Kent to demand satisfaction for the burning of Mollo Victred loth to hazard all for the rash act of a few deliver'd up 30 of those that could be found accessory or as others say pacifi'd Ina with a great sum of money Mean while at the incitement of Ecbert a devout Monk Wilbrod a Priest eminent for learning past over Sea having 12 others in Company with intent to preach the Gospel in Germany And coming to â—epin Cheif Regent of the Franks who An. Dom. 694 a little before had conquer'd the hither Frisia by his countnance and protection promise also of many benefits to them who should beleeve they found the work of conversion much the easier and Wilbrod the first Bishoprick in that Nation But two Priests each of them Hewald by name and for distinction surnam'd from the colour of thir Hair the black and the white by his example piously affected to the Souls of thir Country-men the old Saxons at thir coming thether to convert them met with much worse entertainment For in the House of a Farmer who had promis'd to convey them as they desir'd to the Governour of that Country discoverd by thir daily Ceremonies to be Christian Priests and the cause of thir coming suspected they were by him and his Heathen Neighbours cruelly butcherd yet not unaveng'd for the Governour enrag'd at such violence offerd to his Strangers sending Armed Men slew all those Inhabitants and burnt thir Village An. Dom. 697 After three years in Mercia Ostrid the Queen Wife to Ethelred was kill'd by her own Nobles as Beda's Epitomy records Florence calls them Southimbrians negligently omitting the cause of so strange a fact An. Dom. 698 And the year following Bertred a Northumbrian General was slain by the Picts An. Dom. 704 Ethelred 7 years after the violent Death of his Queen put on the Monk and resign'd his Kingdome to Kenred the Son of Wulfer his Brother An. Dom. 705 The next year Aldfrid in Northumberland dy'd leaving Osred a Child of 8 years to succeed him An. Dom. 709 Fowr years after which Kenred having a while with praise govern'd the Mercian Kingdome went to Rome in the time of Pope Constantine and shorn a Monk spent there the residue of his daies Kelred succeeded him the Son of Ethelred who had reign'd the next before With Kenred went Offa the Son of Siger King of East-Saxons and betook him to the same habit leaving his Wife and Native Country a comely Person in the prime of his youth much desir'd of the people and such his vertue by report as might have otherwise bin worthy to have reign'd An. Dom. 710 Ina the West-Saxon one year after fought a Battell at first doubtfull at last successfull against Gerent King of Wales An. Dom. 711 The next year Bertfrid another Northumbrian Captain fought with the Picts and slaughterd them saith Huntingdon to the full avengment of Ecfrids Death An. Dom. 715 The fowrth year after Ina had another doubtfull and cruell Battel at Wodnesburg in Wiltshire with Kelred the Mercian who dy'd the year following a lamentable Death for as he sat one day feasting with his Nobles An. Dom. 716 suddenly possess'd with an evill Spirit he expir'd in despair as Boniface Archbishop of Ments an English man who taxes him for a defiler of Nuns writes by way of caution to Ethelbald his next of Kin who succeeded him Osred also the young Northumbrian King slain by his Kindred in the 11.
and the Gods must witness that otherwise to express her thoughts she knew not but that she lov'd him above all Creatures and so receavs an equal reward with her Sister But Cordelia the youngest though hitherto best belov'd and now before her Eyes the rich and present hire of a little easie soothing the danger also and the loss likely to betide plain dealing yet moves not from the solid purpose of a sincere and vertuous answer Father saith she my love towards you is as my duty bids what should a Father seek what can a Child promise more they who pretend beyond this flatter When the old man sorry to hear this and wishing her to recall those words persisted asking with a loiall sadness at her Fathers infirmity but somthing on the sudden harsh and glancing rather at her Sisters then speaking her own mind Two waies only saith she I have to answer what you require mee the former Your command is I should recant accept then this other which is lest mee look how much you have so much is your value and so much I love you Then hear thou quoth Leir now all in passion what thy ingratitude hath gain'd thee because thou hast not reverenc'd thy aged Father equall to thy Sisters part in my Kingdom or what else is mine reck'n to have none And without delay gives in mariage his other Daughters Gonorill to Maglaunus Duke of Albania Regan to Henninus Duke of Cornwall with them in present half his Kingdom the rest to follow at his Death In the mean while Fame was not sparing to divulge the wisdom and other Graces of Cordeilla insomuch that Aganippus a great King in Gaul however he came by his Greek name seeks her to Wife and nothing alter'd at the loss of her Dowry receavs her gladly in such manner as she was sent him After this King Leir more and more drooping with Years became an easy prey to his Daughters and thir Husbands who now by dayly encroachment had feis'd the whole Kingdom into thir hands and the old King is put to sojorn with his Eldest Daughter attended only by threescore Knights But they in a short while grudg'd at as too numerous and disorderly for continuall Guests are reduc'd to thirty Not brooking that affront the old King betakes him to his second Daughter but there also discord soon arising between the Servants of differing Masters in one Family five only are suffer'd to attend him Then back again he returns to the other hoping that she his Eldest could not but have more pity on his Gray Hairs but she now refuses to admitt him unless he be content with one only of his followers At last the remembrance of his youngest Cordeilla comes to his thoughts and now acknowledging how true her words had bin though with little hope from whom he had so injur'd be it but to pay her the last recompence she can have from him his confession of her wise forewarning that so perhaps his misery the prooff and experiment of her Wisdom might somthing soft'n her he takes his Journey into France Now might be seen a difference between the silent or down-right spok'n affection of som Children to thir Parents and the talkative obsequiousness of others while the hope of Inheritance over-acts them and on the Tongues end enlarges thir duty Cordeilla out of meer love without the suspicion of expected reward at the message only of her Father in distress powrs forth true filial tears And not enduring either that her own or any other Eye should see him in such forlorn condition as his Messenger declar'd discreetly appoints one of her trusted Servants first to convay him privately toward som good Sea Town there to array him bathe him cherish him furnish him with such Attendance and State as beseemd his Dignity That then as from his first Landing he might send word of his Arrival to her Husband Aganippus Which don with all mature and requisite contrivance Cordelia with the King her Husband and all the Barony of his Realm who then first had news of his passing the Sea goe out to meet him and after all honourable and joyfull entertainment Aganippus as to his Wives Father and his Royall Guest surrenders him during his abode there the power and disposal of his whole Dominion permitting his Wife Cordeilla to go with an Army and set her Father upon his Throne Wherin her piety so prosper'd as that she vanquish'd her impious Sisters with those Dukes and Leir again as saith the story three years obtain'd the Crown To whom dying Cordeilla with all regal Solemnities gave Burial in the Town of Leicestre And then as right Heir succeeding and her Husband dead rul'd the Land five years in Peace Untill Marganus and Cunedagius her two Sisters Sons not bearing that a Kingdom should be govern'd by a Woman in the unseasonablest time to raise that quarrel against a Woman so worthy make War against her depose her and imprison her of which impatient and now long unexercis'd to suffer she there as is related killd her self The Victors between them part the Land but Marganus the Eldest Sisters Son who held by agreement from the North-side of Humber to Cathness incited by those about him to invade all as his own right warres on Cunedagius who soon met him overcame and overtook him in a Town of Wales where he left his life and ever since his name to the place Cuncdagius was now sole King and govern'd with much praise many years about the time when Rome was built Him succeeded Rivallo his Son wise also and fortunat save what they tell us of three daies raining blood and swarmes of stinging Flies whereof men dy'd In order then Gurgustius Jago or Lago his Nefew Sisillius Kinmarcus Then Gorbogudo whom others name Gorbodego and Gorbodion who had two Sons Ferrex and Porrex They in the old Age of thir Father falling to contend who should succeed Porrex attempting by treachery his Brothers life drives him into France and in his return though aided with the force of that Country defeats and slaies him But by his Mother Videna who less lov'd him is himself with the assistance of her Women soon after slain in his Bed With whom ended as is thought the Line of Brutus Whereupon the whole Land with civil broils was rent into five Kingdoms long time waging Warr each on other and som say 50 Years At length Dunwallo Molmutius the Son of Cloten King of Cornwall one of the foresaid five excelling in valour and goodliness of person after his Fathers decease found means to reduce again the whole Iland into a Monarchy subduing the rest at opportunities First Yâ—â—ner King of Loegria whom he slew then Rudaucus of Cambria Staterius of Albania confederat together In which fight Dunwallo is reported while the Victory hung doubtfull to have us'd this Art He takes with him 600 Stout men bids them put on the Armour of thir slain Enemies and so unexpectedly approaching
or against thir whole powers the second time returning obtain'd this Victory Thus Ambrose as cheif Monarch of the I le succeeded Vortigern to whose third Son Pascentius he permitted the rule of two Regions in Wales Buelth and Guorthigirniaun In his daies saith Nennius the Saxons prevail'd not much against whom Arthur as beeing then Cheif General for the British Kings made great War but more renown'd in Songs and Romances then in true stories And the sequel it self declares as much An. Dom. 477 For in the year 477. Ella the Saxon with his three Sons Cymen Pleting and Cissa at a place in Suffex call'd Cymenshore arrive in three Ships kill many of the Britans chasing them that remain'd into the Wood Andreds League An. Dom. 485 Another Battell was fought at Mercreds-Burnamsted wherin Ella had by far the Victory but Huntingdon makes it so doubtful that the Saxons were constrain'd to send home for supplies An. Dom. 489 Four year after dy'd Hengist the first Saxon King of Kent noted to have attain'd that dignity by craft as much as valour and giving scope to his own cruel nature rather then proceeding by mildness or civility His Son Oeric surnam'd Oisc of whom the Kentish Kings were call'd Oiscings succeeded him and sate content with his Fathers winnings more desirous to settle and defend then to enlarge his bounds he reign'd 24 years By this time Ella and his Son Cissa beseiging Andredchester An. Dom. 492 suppos'd now to be Newenden in Kent take it by force and all within it put to the Sword Thus Ella 3 years after the death of Hengist began his Kingdome of the South-Saxons peopling it with new inhabitants from the Country which was then old Saxony at this day Holstein in Denmark and had besides at his command all those Provinces which the Saxons had won on this side Humber Animated with these good successes as if Britain were become now the field of Fortune Kerdic another Saxon Prince the tenth by Linage from Woden an old and practis'd Souldier who in many prosperous conflicts against the Enemy in those parts An. Dom. 495 had nurs'd up a Spirit too big to live at home with equals coming to a certain place which from thence took the name of Kerdic-shoar with 5 Ships and Kenric his Son the very same day overthrew the Britans that oppos'd him and so effectually that smaller skirmishes after that day were sufficient to drive them still furder off leaving him a large territory An. Dom. 501 After him Porta another Saxon with his two Sons Bida and Megla in two Ships arrive at Portsmouth thence call'd and at thir landing slew a young British Nobleman with many others who unadvisedly set upon them An. Dom. 508 The Britans to recover what they had lost draw together all thir Forces led by Natanleod or Nazaleod a certain King in Britain and the greatest saith one but him with 5000 of his men Kerdic puts to rout and slaies From whence the place in Hantshire as far as Kerdicsford now Chardford was call'd of old Nazaleod Who this King should be hath bred much question som think it to be the British name of Ambrose others to be the right name of his Brother who for the terror of his eagerness in fight became more known by the Sirname of Vther which in the Welch Tongue signifies Dreadful And if ever such a King in Britain there were as Vther Pendragon for so also the Monmouth Book surnames him this in all likelyhood must be he Kerdic by so great a blow giv'n to the Britans had made large room about him not only for the men he brought with him but for such also of his friends as he desir'd to make great for which cause and withall the more to strengthen himself An. Dom. 514 his two Nefews Stuf and Withgar in 3 Vessels bring him new levies to Kerdic shoar Who that they might not come sluggishly to possess what others had won for them either by thir own seeking or by appointment are set in place where they could not but at thir first coming give a proof of themselves upon the Enemy and so well they did it that the Britans after a hard encounter left them Maisters of the field And about the same time Ella the first South-Saxon King dy'd whom Cissa his youngest succeeded the other two failing before him Nor can it be much more or less then about this time for it was before the West-Saxon Kingdome that Vffa the 8th from Woden made himself King of the East-Angles who by thir name testifie the Country above mention'd from whence they came in such multitudes that thir native soil is said to have remain'd in the daies of Beda uninhabited Huntingdon deferrs the time of thir coming in to the ninth year of Kerdic's Reigne for saith he at first many of them strove for principality seising every one his Province and for som while so continu'd making petty Warrs among themselves till in the end Vffa of whom those Kings were call'd Vffings overtop'd them all in the year 571 then Titilus his Son the Father of Redwald who became potent And not much after the East-Angles began also the East-Saxons to erect a Kingdom under Sleda the tenth from Woden But Huntingdon as before will have it later by 11 years and Erchenwin to be the first King An. Dom. 519 Kerdic the same in power though not so fond of title forbore the name 24 Years after his arrival but then founded so firmly the Kingdome of West-Saxons that it subjected all the rest at length and became the sole Monarchie of England The same year he had a Victory against the Britans at Kerdics-Ford Ford by the River Aven An. Dom. 527 and after 8 years another great fight at Kerdics Leage but which won the day is not by any set down Hitherto hath bin collected what there is of certainty with circumstance of time and place to be found register'd and no more then barely register'd in annals of best note without describing after Huntingdon the manner of those Battels and Encounters which they who compare and can judge of Books may be confident he never found in any current Author whom he had to follow But this disease hath bin incident to many more Historians and the age wherof we now write hath had the ill hap more then any since the first fabulous times to be surcharg'd with all the idle fancies of posterity Yet that we may not rely altogether on Saxon relaters Gildas in Antiquity far before these and every way more credible speaks of these Wars in such a manner though nothing conceited of the British valour as declares the Saxons in his time and before to have bin foyl'd not seldomer then the Britans For besides that first Victory of Ambrose and the interchangeable success long after he tells that the last overthrow which they receav'd
stopping promis'd he would And the other laying his right hand on Edwins head when this sign saith he shall next befall yee remember this time of night and this discourse to perform what thou hast promis'd and with these words disappeering left Edwin much reviv'd but not less fill'd with wonder who this unknown should be When suddenly the friend who had bin gon all this while to list'n furder what was like to be decree'd of Edwin comes back and joyfully bids him rise to his repose for that the Kings mind though for a while drawn aside was now fully resolv'd not only not to betray him but to defend him against all Enemies as he had promis'd This was said to be the cause why Edwin admonish't by the Bishop of a sign which had befaln him so strangely and as he thought so secretly arose to him with that reverence and amazement as to one sent from Heav'n to claim that promise of him which he perceav'd well was due to a Divinepower that had assisted him in his troubles To Paulinus therefore he makes answer that the Christian Beleef he himself ought by promise and intended to receave but would conferr first with his Cheif Peers and Counsellers that if they likewise could be won all at once might be baptiz'd They therfore being ask'd in Counsel what thir opinion was concerning this new Doctrine and well perceaving which way the King enclin'd every one thereafter shap'd his reply The Cheif-Preist speaking first discover'd an old grudge he had against his Gods for advancing others in the Kings Favour above him thir Cheif Preist another hiding his Court-compliance with a grave sentence commended the choise of certain before uncertain upon due examination to like purpose answer'd all the rest of his Sages none op'nly dissenting from what was likely to be the Kings Creed wheras the preaching of Paulinus could work no such effect upon them toiling till that time without success Whereupon Edwin renouncing Heathenism became Christian and the Pagan Preist offring himself freely to demolish the Altars of his former Gods made some amends for his teaching to adore them An. Dom. 627 With Edwin his two Sons Osfrid and Eanfrid born to him by Quenburga Daughter as saith Beda of Kearle King of Mercia in the time of his banishment and with them most of the people both Nobles and Commons easily converted were baptiz'd he with his whole Family at York in a Church hastily built up of Wood the multitude most part in Rivers Northumberland thus christ'nd Paulinus crossing Humber converted also the Province of Lindsey and Blecca the Governour of Lincoln with his Houshold and most of that City wherin he built a Church of Stone curiously wrought but of small continuance for the Roof in Bedas time uncertain whether by neglect or Enemies was down the Walls only standing Mean while in Mercia Kearle a Kinsman of Wibba saith Huntingdon not a Son having long withheld the Kingdome from Penda Wibba's Son left it now at length to the fiftieth year of his Age with whom Kinegils and Cuichelm the West-Saxon Kings An. Dom. 629 two year after having by that time it seems recover'd strength since the Inrode made upon them by Edwin fought at Cirencester then made Truce But Edwin seeking every way to propagate the Faith which with so much deliberation he had receav'd persuaded Eorpwald the Son of Redwald King of East-Angles to imbrace the same beleef An. Dom. 632 willingly or in aw is not known retaining under Edwin the name only of a King But Eorpwald not long surviv'd his conversion slain in fight by Ricbert a Pagan wherby the people having lightly follow'd the Religion of thir King as lightly fell back to thir old superstitions for above 3 years after Edwin in the mean while to his Faith adding vertue by the due administration of justice wrought such peace over all his Territories that from Sea to Sea man or woman might have travail'd in safety His care also was of Fountains by the way side to make them fittest for the use of Travellers And not unmindful of regal State whether in War or Peace he had a Royal Banner carried before him But having reign'd with much honour 17 years he was at length by Kedwalla or Cadwallon King of the Britans who with aid of the Mercian Penda had rebell'd against him slain in a Battel with his Son Osfrid at a place call'd Hethseild and his whole Army overthrown or disperst in the year 633. and the 47th of his Age An. Dom. 633 in the Eye of man worthy a more peacefull end His Head brought to York was there buried in the Church by him begun Sad was this overthrow both to Church and State of the Northumbrians for Penda being a Heathen and the British King though in name a Christian yet in deeds more bloody then the Pagan nothing was omitted of barbarous cruelty in the slaughter of Sex or Age Kedwalla threatning to root out the whole Nation though then newly Christian For the Britans and as Beda saith eev'n to his dayes accounted Saxon Christianity no better then Paganism and with them held as little Communion From these calamities no refuge being left but flight Paulinus taking with him Ethilburga the Queen and her Children aided by Bassus one of Edwins Captains made escape by Sea to Eadbald King of Kent who receaving his Sister with all kindness made Paulinus Bishop of Rochester where he ended his days After Edwin the Kingdom of Northumberland became divided as before each rightfull Heir seising his part in Deira Osric the Son of Elfric Edwins Uncle by profession a Christian and baptiz'd by Paulinus in Bernicia Eanfrid the Son of Ethelfrid who all the time of Edwin with his Brother Oswald and many of the young Nobility liv'd in Scotland exil'd and had bin there taught and baptiz'd No sooner had they gott'n each a Kingdom but both turn'd recreant sliding back into their old Religion and both were the same year slain Osric by a sudden eruption of Kedwalla whom he in a strong Town had unadvisedly beseig'd Eanfrid seeking peace and inconsideratly with a few surrendring himself Kedwalla now rang'd at will through both those Provinces useing cruelly his Conquest when Oswald the Brother of Eanfrid with a small but Christian Army An. Dom. 634 unexpectedly coming on defeated and destroy'd both him and his huge Forces which he boasted to be invincible by a little River running into Tine neer the antient Roman Wall then call'd Denisburn the place afterwards Heav'n field from the Cross reported miraculous for Cures which Oswald there erected before the Battail in tok'n of his Faith against the great number of his Enemies Obtaining the Kingdom he took care to instruct again the people in Christianity Sending therfore to the Scotish Elders Beda so terms them among whom he had receav'd Baptism requested of them som faithfull Teacher who might again settle Religion in his Realm which the late troubles had
impar'd they as readily hearkning to his request send Aidan a Scotch Monk and Bishop but of singular zeal and meekness with others to assist him whom at thir own desire he seated in Lindisfarne as the Episcopal Seat now Holy Iland and being the Son of Ethelfrid by the Sister of Edwin as right Heir others failing easily reduc'd both Kingdoms of Northumberland as before into one nor of Edwins Dominion lost any part but enlarg'd it rather over all the fowr British Nations Angles Britans Picts and Scots exerciseing regall Authority Of his Devotion Humility and Almes-deeds much is spok'n that he disdain'd not to be the interpreter of Aidan preaching in Scotch or bad English to his Nobles and Houshold Servants and had the poor continually serv'd at his Gate after the promiscuous manner of those times his meaning might be upright but the manner more antient of privat or of Church contribution is doubtless more Evangelical About this time the West-Saxons An. Dom. 635 antiently call'd Gevissi by the preaching of Berinus a Bishop whom Pope Honorius had sent were converted to the Faith with Kinegils thir King him Oswald receav'd out of the Font An. Dom. 636 and his Daughter in mariage The next year Cuichelm was baptiz'd in Dorchester but liv'd not to the years end The East-Angles also this year were reclaim'd to the Faith of Christ which for som years past they had thrown off But Sigbert the Brother of Eorpwald now succeeded in that Kingdom prais'd for a most Christian and Learned Man who while his Brother yet reign'd living in France an exile for some displeasure conceav'd against him by Redwald his Father lern'd there the Christian Faith and reigning soon after in the same instructed his people by the preaching of Felix a Burgundian Bishop An. Dom. 640 In the year 640. Eadbald deceasing left to Ercombert his Son by Emma the French Kings Daughter the Kingdom of Kent recorded the first of English Kings who commanded through his limits the destroying of Idols laudably if all Idols without exception and the first to have establisht Lent among us under strict penalty not worth remembring but only to inform us that no Lent was observ'd heer till his time by compulsion especially being noted by some to have fraudulently usurp'd upon his Elder Brother Ermenred whose right was precedent to the Crown An. Dom. 642 Oswald having reign'd 8 years worthy also as might seem of longer life fell into the same fate with Edwin and from the same hand in a great Battel overcom and slain by Penda at a place call'd Maserfeild now Oswestre in Shropshire miraculous as saith Beda after his Death His Brother Oswi succeeded him reigning though in much trouble 28 years oppos'd either by Penda or his own Son Alfred or his Brothers Son Ethilwald An. Dom. 643 Next year Kinegils the West-Saxon dying left his Son Kenwalk in his stead though as yet unconverted About this time Sigebert King of East-Angles having lernt in France ere his coming to Reign the manner of thir Schools with the assistance of some Teachers out of Kent instituted a School heer after the same Discipline thought to be the University of Cambridge then first founded and at length weary of his Kingly Office betook him to a Monastical life commending the care of Government to his Kinsman Egric who had sustain'd with him part of that burden before It happen'd some years after that Penda made War on the East-Angles they expecting a sharp encounter besought Sigebert whom they esteem'd an expert Leader with his presence to confirm the Souldiery and him refuseing carried by force out of the Monastery into the Camp where acting the Monk rather then the Captain with a single wand in his hand he was slain with Egric and his whole Army put to flight Anna of the Royal Stock as next in right succeeded and hath the praise of a vertuous and most Christian Prince An. Dom. 645 But Kenwalk the West-Saxon having maried the Daughter of Penda and divorc't her was by him with more appearance of a just cause vanquisht in fight and depriv'd of his Crown whence retiring to Anna King of the East-Angles after three years abode in his Court he there became Christian An. Dom. 648 and afterwards regain'd his Kingdom Oswi in the former years of his Reign had sharer with him Oswin Nephew of Edwin who rul'd in Deira 7 years commended much for his zeal in Religion and for comliness of person with other princely qualities belov'd of all Notwithstanding which dissentions growing between them it came to Armes Oswin seeing himself much exceeded in numbers thought it more prudence dismissing his Army to reserve himself for some better occasion But committing his person with one faithfull attendant to the Loyalty of Hunwald an Earl his imagin'd friend he was by him treacherously discoverd and by command of Oswi slain An. Dom. 651 After whom within 12 days and for greif of him whose death he foretold dy'd Bishop Aidan famous for his Charity meekness and labour in the Gospel The fact of Oswi was detestable to all which therfore to expiate a Monastery was built in the place where it was don and Prayers there daily offerd up for the Souls of both Kings the slain and the slayer Kenwalk by this time reinstall'd in his Kingdom kept it long but with various Fortune for Beda relates him oft-times afflicted by his Enemies with great losses An. Dom. 652 and in 652. by the Annals fought a Battel Civil War Ethelwerd calls it at Bradanford by the River Afene against whom and for what cause or who had the Victory they write not Camden names the place Bradford in Wiltshire by the River Avon and Cuthred his neer Kinsman against whom he fought but cites no Autority certain it is that Kenwalk fowr years before had giv'n large possessions to his Nephew Cuthred the more unlikely therefore now to have rebell'd An. Dom. 653 The next year Peada whom his Father Penda though a Heathen had for his Princely Vertues made Prince of Middle-Angles belonging to the Mercians was with that people converted to the Faith For coming to Oswi with request to have in mariage Alfâ—eda his Daughter he was deni'd her but on condition that he with all his people should receave Christianity Heering therefore not unwillingly what was preach't to him of Resurrection and Eternal life much persuaded also by Alfrid the Kings Son who had his Sister Kyniburg to Wife he easily assented for the truths sake only as he profess'd whether he obtain'd the Virgin or no and was baptiz'd with all his followers Returning he took with him fowr Presbyters to teach the people of his Province who by thir daily preaching won many Neither did Penda though himself no Beleever prohibit any in his Kingdome to heer to beleeve the Gospel but rather hated and despis'd those who professing to beleeve atested not thir Faith by good works condemning them for
and Huda with those of Surrey fell on the Danes at thir landing in Tanet and at first put them back but the slain and drown'd were at length so many on either side as left the loss equal on both which yet hinderd not the solemnity of a marriage at the feast of Easter between Burhed the Mercian and Ethelswida King Ethelwolf's Daughter An. Dom. 854 Howbeit the Danes next year winterd again in Shepey Whom Ethelwolf not finding human health sufficient to resist growing daily upon him in hope of divine aid registerd in a Book and dedicated to God the tenth part of his own lands and of his whole Kingdome eas'd of all impositions but converted to the maintenance of Masses and Psalms weekly to be sung for the prospering of Ethelwolf and his Captains as appears at large by the Patent it self in William of Malmsbury Asser saith de did it for the redemtion of his Soul and the Soul of his Ancestors After which as having done some great matter to shew himself at Rome and be applauded of the Pope he takes a long and cumbersome journey thether with young Alfrid again and there staies a year An. Dom. 855 when his place requir'd him rather heer in the field against Pagan Enemies left wintring in his land Yet so much manhood he had as to return thence no Monk and in his way home took to Wife Judith Daughter of Charles the bald King of France But ere his return Ethelbald his eldest Son Alstan his trusty Bishop and Enulf Earl of Somerset conspir'd against him thir complaints were that he had tak'n with him Alfrid his youngest Son to be there inaugurated King and brought home with him an out-landish Wife for which they endeavourd to deprive him of his Kingdom The disturbance was expected to bring forth nothing less then War but the King abhorring civil discord after many conferences tending to peace condescended to divide the Kingdom with his Son division was made but the matter so carried that the Eastern and worst part was malignly afforded to the Father The Western and best giv'n to the Son at which many of the Nobles had great indignation offring to the King thir utmost assistance for the recovery of all whom he peacefully dissuading sat down contented with his portion assign'd In the East-Angles Edmund lineal from the antient stock of those Kings a youth of 14 years only but of great hopes was with consent of all but his own Crown'd at Burie An. Dom. 857 About this time as Buchanan relates the Picts who not long before had by the Scots bin driv'n out of thir Countrey part of them coming to Osbert and Ella then Kings of Northumberland obtain'd aid against Donaldus the Scotish King to recover thir antient possession Osbert who in person undertook the expedition marching into Scotland was at first put to a retreat but returning soon after on the Scots over-secure of thir suppos'd Victory put them to flight with great slaughter took Pris'ner thir King and persu'd his Victory beyond Sterlinbridge The Scots unable to resist longer and by Embassadors entreating peace had it granted them on these conditions the Scots were to quit all they had possess'd within the Wall of Severus the limits of Scotland were beneath Sterlin-bridge to be the River Forth and on the other side Dunbritton Frith from that time so call'd of the Brittish then seated in Cumberland who had joind with Osbert in this Action and so far extended on that side the Brittish limits If this be true as the Scotch Writers themselv's witness and who would think them Fabulous to the disparagement of thir own Country how much wanting have bin our Historians to thir Countries Honour in leting pass unmention'd an exploit so memorable by them rememberd and attested who are wont ofter to extenuate then to amplifie aught done in Scotland by the English Donaldus on these conditions releas't soon after dyes according to Buchanan in 858. Ethelwolf Chief King in England had the year before ended his life and was buried as his Father at Winchester He was from his youth much addicted to devotion so that in his Fathers time he was ordain'd Bishop of Winchester and unwillingly for want of other Legitimate Issue succeeded him in the Throne mannaging therfore his greatest affairs by the activity of two Bishops Alstan of Sherburne and Swithine of Winchester But Alstan is noted of Covetousness and Oppression by William of Malmsbury the more vehemently no doubt for doing some notable damage to that Monastery The same Author writes that Ethelwolf at Rome paid a Tribute to the Pope continu'd to his dayes However he were facil to his Son and seditious Nobles in yeilding up part of his Kingdome yet his Queen he treated not the less honourably for whomsoever it displeas'd The West-Saxon had decreed ever since the time of Eadburga the infamous Wife of Birthric that no Queen should sit in State with the King or be dignifi'd with the Title of Queen But Ethelwolf permitted not that Judith his Queen should loose any point of Regal State by that Law At his Death he divided the Kingdom between his two Sons Ethelbald and Ethelbert to the younger Kent Essex Surrey Sussex to the Elder all the rest to Peter and Paul certain revenues yearly for what uses let others relate who write also his Pedigree from Son to Father up to Adam Ethelbald and Ethelbert EThelbald unnatural and disloyal to his Father fell justly into another though contrary sin of too much love to his Fathers Wife and whom at first he oppos'd coming into the Land her now unlawfully marrying he takes into his Bed but not long enjoying dy'd at three years end without doing aught more worthy to be rememberd having reign'd two years with his Father impiously usurping An. Dom. 860 and three after him as unworthily inheriting And his hap was all that while to be unmolested by the Danes not of Divine favour doubtless but to his greater condemnation living the more securely his incestuous life Huntingdon on the other side much praises Ethelbald and writes him buried at Sherburn with great sorrow of the people who miss'd him long after Mat. West saith that he repented of his incest with Judith and dismiss'd her but Asser an Eye witness of those times mentions no such thing Ethelbert alone EThelbald by Death remov'd the whole Kingdom came rightfully to Ethelbert his next Brother Who though a Prince of great Vertue and no blame had as short a Reign allotted him as his faulty Brother nor that so peacefull once or twice invaded by the Danes But they having landed in the West with a great Army and sackt Winchester were met by Osric Earl of Southampton and Ethelwolf of Bark-shire beat'n to thir Ships and forc't to leave thir booty Five years after about the time of his An. Dom. 855 Death they set foot again in Tanet the Kentish men wearied out with
the Altar he fell down immediatly and carried out by his Servants three daies after dy'd Mean while beyond Humber the Danes though much aw'd were not idle Inguald one of thir Kings took possession of Yorke Sitric who some years before had slain Niel his Brother by force took Davenport in Châ—shire and however he defended these doings grew so considerable that Athelstan with great solemnity gave him his Sister Edgith to Wife but he enjoy'd her not long dying ere the years end nor his Sons Anlaf and Guthfert the Kingdome driv'n out the next An. Dom. 927 year by Athelstan not unjustly saith Huntingdon as being first raisers of the War Simeon calls him Gudsrid a British King whom Athelstan this year drove out of his Kingdome and perhaps they were both one the name and time not much differing the place only mistak'n Malmsbury differs in the name also calling him Aldulf a certain Rebel Them also I wish as much mistak'n who write that Athelstan jealous of his younger Brother Edwin's towardly vertues least added to the right of Birth they might some time or other call in question his illegitimate precedence caus'd him to be drown'd in the An. Dom. 933 Sea expos'd some say with one Servant in a rott'n Bark without Sail or Oar where the youth far off land and in rough weather despairing threw himself over-board the Servant more patient got to land and reported the success But this Malmsbury confesses to be sung in old Songs not read in warrantable Authors and Huntingdon speaks as of a sad accident to Athelstan that he lost his Brother Edwin by Sea far the more credible in that Athelstan as is writ'n by all tenderly lov'd and bred up the rest of his Brethren of whom he had no less cause to be jealous And the year following he prosperd better An. Dom. 934 then from so foul a fact passing into Scotland with great Puissance both by Sea and Land and chaceing his Enemies before him by Land as far as Dunseoder and Wertermore by Sea as far as Cathness The cause of this expedition saith Malmsbury was to demand Gudfert the Son of Sitric thether fled though not deny'd at length by Constantine who with Eugenius King of Cumberland at a place call'd Dacor or Dacre in that Shire surrenderd himself and each his Kingdome to Athelstan who brought back with him for hostage the Son of Constantine But Gudfert escaping in the mean while out of Scotland and Constantine exasperated by this invasion perswaded Anlaf the other Son of Sitric then fled into Ireland others write Anlaf King of Ireland and the Iles his An. Dom. 938 Son in law with 615 Ships and the King of Cumberland with other forces to his aid This within fowr years effected they enterd England by Humber and fought with Athelstan at a place call'd Wendune others term it Brunanburg others Bruneford which Ingulf places beyond Humber Camden in Glendale of Northumberland on the Scotch Borders the bloodiest fight say Authors that ever this Iland saw to describe which the Saxon Annalist wont to be sober and succinct whether the same or another writer now labouring under the weight of his Argument and over-charg'd runs on a sudden into such extravagant fansies and metaphors as bare him quite beside the scope of being understood Huntingdon though himself peccant enough in his kind transcribes him word for word as a pastime to his Readers I shall only summe up what of him I can attain in usuall language The Battel was fought eagerly from morning till night some fell of King Edwards old Army try'd in many a Battel before but on the other side great multitudes the rest fled to thir Ships Five Kings and 7 of Anlafs Chief Captains were slain on the place with Froda a Norman Leader Constantine escap'd home but lost his Son in the fight if I understand my Author Anlaf by Sea to Dublin with a small remainder of his great hoast Malmsbury relates this War adding many circumstances after this manner That Anlaf joining with Constantine and the whole power of Scotland besides those which he brought with him out of Ireland came on far Southwards till Athelstan who had retir'd on set purpose to be the surer of his Enimies enclos'd from all succour and retreat met him at Brunesord Anlaf perceaving the valour and resolution of Athelstan and mistrusting his own Forces though numerous resolv'd first to spie in what posture his Enemies lay and imitating perhaps what he heard attempted by King Alfred the Age before in the habit of a Musitian got access by his lute and voice to the Kings tent there playing both the minstrel and the spie then towards Evening dismis't he was observ'd by one who had bin his Souldier and well knew him veiwing earnestly the Kings Tent and what approaches lay about it then in the twilight to depart The Souldier forthwith acquaints the King and by him blam'd for letting go his Enemy answerd that he had giv'n first his military Oath to Anlaf whom if he had betrai'd the King might suspect him of like treasonous minde towards himself which to disprove he advis'd him to remove his Tent a good distance off and so don it happ'nd that a Bishop with his retinue coming that night to the Army pich'd his Tent in the same place from whence the King had remov'd Analf coming by night as he had design'd to assault the Camp and especially the Kings Tent finding there the Bishop in stead flew him with all his followers Athelstan took the Allarm and as it seems was not found so unprovided but that the day now appearing he put his men in order and maintain'd the fight till Evening wherin Constantine himself was slain with five other Kings and twelve Earls the Annals were content with seav'n in the rest not disagreeing Ingulf Abbot of Croyland from the autority of Turketul a principal Leader in this Battel relates it more at large to this effect that Athelstan above a mile distant from the place where execution was done upon the Bishop and his supplies allarm'd at the noise came down by break of day upon Anlaf and his Army over-watch't and wearied now with the slaughter they had made and something out of order yet in two main Battels The King therfore in like manner dividing led the one part consisting most of West Saxons against Anlaf with his Danes and Irish committing the other to his Chancellor Turketul with the Mercians and Londoners against Constantine and his Scots The showr of Arrows and Darts over-pass't both Battells attack'd each other with a close and terrible ingagement for a long space neither side giving ground Till the Chancellor Turketul a man of great stature and strength taking with him a few Londoners of select valour and Singin who led the Worstershire men a Captain of undaunted courage broke into the thickest making his way first through the Picts and Orkeners then through the
moderation of mind And that he did it seriously tryumphing appears by his words then utterd that his successors might then glory to be Kings of England when they had such honour done them And perhaps the Divine power was displeas'd with him for taking too much honour to himself since we read that the year following he was tak'n An. Dom. 975 out of this life by sickness in the highth of his glory and the prime of his Age buried at Glaston Abby The same year as Mat. West relates he gave to Kened the Scottish King many rich presents and the whole Country of Laudian or Lothien to hold of him on condition that he and his successors should repair to the English Court at high Festivals when the King sat Crown'd gave him also many lodging places by the way which till the days of Henry the second were still held by the Kings of Scotland He was of Stature not tall of body slender yet so well made that in strength he chose to contend with such as were thought strongest and dislik'd nothing more then that they should spare him for respect or fear to hurt him Kened King of Scots then in the Court of Edgar sitting one day at Table was heard to say jestingly among his Servants he wonderd how so many Provinces could be held in subjection by such a little dapper man his words were brought to the Kings Ear he sends for Kened as about some private business and in talk drawing him forth to a secret place takes from under his garment two Swords which he had brought with him gave one of them to Kened and now saith he it shall be try'd which ought to be the subject for it is shamefull for a King to boast at Table and shrink in fight Kened much abash'd fell presently at his Feet and besought him to pardon what he had simply spok'n no way intended to his dishonour or disparagement wherewith the King was satisfi'd Camden in his description of Ireland cites a Charter of King Edgar wherin it appears he had in subjection all the Kingdomes of the Iles as far as Norway and had subdu'd the greatest part of Ireland with the City of Dublin but of this other Writers make no mention In his youth having heard of Elfrida Daughter to Ordgar Duke of Devonshire much commended for her Beauty he sent Earl Athelwold whose loyalty he trusted most to see her intending if she were found such as answerd report to demand her in marriage He at the first view tak'n with her presence disloyally as it oft happ'ns in such emploiments began to sue for himself and with consent of her Parents obtain'd her Returning therfore with scarse an ordinary commendation of her Feature he easily took off the Kings mind soon diverted another way But the matter coming to light how Athelwold had forestall'd the King and Elfrida's Beauty more and more spok'n of the King now heated not only with a relapse of Love but with a deep sence of the abuse yet dissembling his disturbance pleasantly told the Earl what day he meant to come and visit him and his fair Wife The Earl seemingly assur'd his welcome but in the mean while acquainting his Wife earnestly advis'd her to deform her self what she might either in dress or otherwise lest the King whose amorous inclination was not unknown should chance to be attracted She who by this time was not ignorant how Athelwold had stepd between her and the King against his coming arraies her self richly useing whatever art she could devise might render her the more amiable and it took effect For the King inflam'd with her love the more for that he had bin so long defrauded and rob'd of her resolv'd not only to recover his intercepted right but to punish the interloper of his destind spouse and appointing with him as was usual a day of hunting drawn aside in a Forest now call'd Harewood smote him through with a Dart. Some censure this act as cruel and tyrannical but considerd well it may be judg'd more favourably and that no man of sensible Spirit but in his place without extraordinary perfection would have done the like for next to life what worse treason could have bin committed against him it chanc'd that the Earls base Son coming by upon the fact the King sternly ask'd him how he lik'd this Game he submisly answering that whatsoever pleas'd the King must not displease him the King return'd to his wonted temper took an affection to the youth and ever after highly favour'd him making amends in the Son for what he had done to the Father Elsrida forthwith he took to Wife who to expiate her former Husbands Death though therin she had no hand coverd the place of his bloodshed with a Monastery of Nuns to sing over him Another fault is laid to his charge no way excusable that he took a Virgin Wilfrida by force out of the Nunnery where she was plac'd by her friends to avoid his persuit and kept her as his Concubine but liv'd not obstinatly in the offence for sharply reprov'd by Dunstan he submitted to 7 years penance and for that time to want his Coronation But why he had it not before is left unwritt'n Another story there goes of Edgar fitter for a Novel then a History but as I find it in Malmsbury so I relate it While he was yet unmarried in his youth he abstain'd not from Women and coming on a day to Andover caus'd a Dukes Daughter there dwelling reported rare of Beauty to be brought to him The mother not dareing flatly to deny yet abhorring that her Daughter should be so deflour'd at fit time of night sent in her attire one of her waiting Maids a Maid it seems not unhansom nor unwitty who suppli'd the place of her young Lady Night pass'd the Maid going to rise but day-light scarse yet appearing was by the King askt why she made such hast she answer'd to do the work which her Lady had set her at which the Kingwondring and with much ado staying her to unfold the riddle for he took her to be the Dukes Daughter she falling at his Feet besought him that since at the command of her Lady she came to his Bed and was enjoy'd by him he would be pleas'd in recompence to set her free from the hard service of her Mistress The King a while standing in a study whether he had best be angry or not at length turning all to a jest took the Maid away with him advanc'd her above her Lady lov'd her and accompanied with her only till he married Elfrida These only are his faults upon record rather to be wonderd how they were so few and so soon left he coming at 16 to the Licence of a Scepter and that his vertues were so many and so mature he dying before the Age wherin wisdome can in others attain to any ripeness however with him dy'd all the Saxon glory From henceforth nothing is to be heard of but
other remedy submitted himself with all the Northumbrians giving hostages to Canute Nevertheless by his command or connivence and the hand of one Turebrand a Danish Lord Vthred was slain and Tric another Dane made Earl in his stead This Vthred Son of Walteof as Simeon writes in his treatise of the Seige of Durham in his youth obtain'd a great Victory against Malcolm Son of Kened King of Scots who with the whole power of his Kingdome was fall'n into Northumberland and laid seige to Durham Walteof the old Earl unable to resist had secur'd himself in Bebbanburg a strong Town but Vthred gathering an Army rais'd the Seige slew most of the Scots thir King narrowly escaping and with the heads of thir slain fixt upon Poles beset round the Walls of Durham The year of this exploit Simeon cleers not for in 969. and in the Reign of Ethelred as he affirms it could not bee Canute by another way returning Southward joyfull of his success before Easter came back with all the Army to his Fleet. About the end of April ensueing Ethelred after a long troublesome and ill govern'd Reign ended his daies at London and was buried in the Church of St. Paul Edmund Ironside AFter the decease of Ethelred they of the Nobility who were then at London together with the Citizens chose Edmund his Son not by Emma but a former Wife the Daughter of Earl Thored in his Fathers room but the Archbishops Abbots and many of the Nobles assembling together elected Canute and coming to Southamton where he then remain'd renounc'd before him all the race of Ethelred and swore him fidelity he also swore to them in matters both religious and secular to be thir faithfull Lord. But Edmund with all speed going to the West-Saxons was joyfully receav'd of them as thir King and of many other Provinces by their example Mean while Canute about mid May came with his whole Fleet up the River to London then causing a great Dike to be made on Surrey side turn'd the stream and drew his Ships thether West of the Bridge then begirting the City with a broad and deep trench assail'd it on every side but repulst as before by the valorous Defendants and in despair of success at that time leaving part of his Army for the defence of his Ships with the rest sped him to the West-Saxons ere Edmund could have time to assemble all his powers who yet with such as were at hand invoking divine aid encounterd the Danes at Pen by Gillingham in Dorsetshire and put him to flight After mid-summer encreast with new Forces he met with him again at a place call'd Sherastan now Sharstan but Edric Almar and Algar with the Hamshire and Wiltshire men then sideing with the Danes he only maintain'd the fight obstinatly fought on both sides till night and weariness parted them Day light returning renu'd the conflict wherein the Danes appearing inferiour Edric to dishart'n the English cuts off the Head of one Osmer in countnance and hair somewhat resembling the King and holding it up cries aloud to the English that Edmund being slain and this his head it was time for them to flie which falacy Edmund perceaving and op'nly shewing himself to his Souldiers by a spear thrown at Edric that missing him yet slew one next him and through him another behinde they recoverd heart and lay sore upon the Danes till night parted them as before for ere the third morn Canute sensible of his loss march'd away by stealth to his Ships at London renuing there his leagre Some would have this Battell at Sherastan the same with that at Scorastan before mention'd but the circumstance of time permits not that having bin before the landing of Canute this a good while after as by the Process of things appears from Sherastan or Sharstan Edmund return'd to the West-Saxons whose valour Edric fearing least it might prevail against the Danes sought pardon of his revolt and obtaining it swore loyalty to the King who now the third time coming with an Army from the West-Saxons to London rais'd the Seige chaseing Canute and his Danes to thir Ships Then after two daies passing the Thames at Branford and so coming on thir backs kept them so turn'd and obtain'd the Victory then returns again to his West Saxons and Canute to his Seige but still in vain riseing therfore thence he enterd with his Ships a River then call'd Arenne and from the Banks therof wasted Mercia thence thir Horse by land thir Foot by Ship came to Medway Edmund in the mean while with multipli'd Forces out of many Shires crossing again at Branford came into Kent seeking Canute encounterd him at Ocford and so defeated that of his Horse they who escap'd fled to the I le of Sheppey and a full Victory he had gain'd had not Edric still the Traytor by some wile or other detain'd his persuit and Edmund who never wanted courage heer wanted prudence to be so misled ever after forsak'n of his wonted Fortune Canute crossing with his Army into Essex thence wasted Mercia worse then before and with heavy prey return'd to his Ships them Edmund with a collected Army persueing overtook at a place call'd Assandune or Asseshill now Ashdown in Essex the Battel on either side was fought with great vehemence but perfidious Edric perceaving the Victory to incline towards Edmund with that part of the Army which was under him fled as he had promis'd Canute and left the King over-match't with numbers by which desertion the English were overthrown Duke Alfric Duke Godwin and Vlfketel the valiant Duke of East-Angles with a great part of the Nobility slain so as the English of a long time had not receav'd a greater blow Yet after a while Edmund not absurdly call'd Ironside preparing to try again his Fortune in another feild was hinderd by Edric and others of his faction adviseing him to make peace and divide the Kingdome with Canute To which Edmund over-rul'd a treaty appointed and pledges mutually giv'n both Kings met together at a place call'd Deorhirst in Glostershire Edmund on the West side of Severn Canute on the East with thir Armies then both in person wafted into an Iland at that time call'd Olanege now Alney in the midst of the River swearing amity and brotherhood they parted the Kingdome between them Then interchanging Armes and the habit they wore assessing also what pay should be allotted to the Navy they departed each his way Concerning this interveiw and the cause therof others write otherwise Malmsbury that Edmund greiving at the loss of so much blood spilt for the ambition only of two men striveing who should reign of his own accord sent to Canute offering him single Combate to prevent in thir own cause the effusion of more blood then thir own that Canute though of courage anough yet not unwisely doubting to adventure his body of small Timber against a man of Iron sides refus'd the Combate offring
sent against him brings the Welsh to submission p. 293. lurking about the Country he is taken and slain by Griffin Prince of North-Wales ibid. Guendolen the Daughter of Corineus is married to Locrine the Son of Brutus p. 14. being divorc't by him gives him Battel wherein he is slain p. 15. causeth Estrildis whom Locrine had married to be thrown into a River with her Daughter Sabra p. 15. governs 15 years in behalf of her Son Madan ibid. Gueniver the Wife of Melval a British King kept from King Arthur in the Town of Glaston p. 126. Guiderius said to have been the Son of Cunobeline and slain in a Battel against Claudius p. 54. Guitheline succeeds his Father Gurguntius Barbirus in the Kingdom Gunhildis the Sister of Swane with her Husband Earl Palingus and her young Son cruelly murther'd p. 150. Guorangonus a King of Kent before it was given to the Saxons p. 113. Guortigner the Son of Vortiger bends his endeavours to drive out the Saxons p. 113. his success against them in several Battels p. 415. dying he commands his bones to be buried in the Port of Stonar ibid. Gurguntius Barbirus succeeds Belinus in the Kingdom overcomes the Dane and gives incouragement to Bartholinus a Spaniard to settle a plantation in Ireland p. 24. another ancient British King nam'd Gurguntius p. 28. Gurgustius succeeds Rivallo in the Kingdom p. 21. Gyrtha Son of Earl Godwin accompanies his Father into Flanders together with his Brothers Tosti and Swane p. 286. his noble advice to his Brother Harold as he was ready to give Battel to Duke William of Normandy p. 304. he is slain in the said Battel with his Brothers Harold and Leofwin p. 305. Gythro or Gothrun a Danish King baptiz'd and receiv'd out of the Font by King Alfred p. 207. the Kingdom of the East-Angles said to be bestow'd on him to hold of the said Alfred ibid. H. HArdecnute the Son of Canute by Emma call'd over from Bruges and receiv'd King with general acclamation p. 276. he calls Godwin and others to account about the death of Elfred p. 277. enrag'd at the Citizens of Worcester for killing his Tax-gatherers he sends an Army against them and burns the City p. 277 278. he kindly receives and entertains his half Brother Edward p. 278. eating and drinking hard at a great Feast he falls down speechless and soon after expiring is buried at Winchester ibid. Harold sirnamed Harefoot the Son of Canute elected King by Duke Leofric and the Mercians p. 273. he banishes his Mother-in-Law Emma p. 274. his perfidiousness and cruelty towards Elfred the Son of Ethelred p. 274. 276. he dies and is buried at Winchester p. 276. Harold Son of Godwin made Earl of Kent and sent against Prince Griffin of Wales p. 292. he reduces him at last to utmost extremity p. 293. being cast upon the Coast of Normandy and brought to Duke William he promises his endeavours to make him King of England p. 295 296. he takes the Crown himself p. 299. puts off Duke William demanding it with a slighting answer p. 300 301. is invaded by his Brother Tosti p. 300. by Harold Harvager King of Norwey whom he utterly overthrows and slays together with Tosti p. 301 302. is invaded by Duke William of Normandy p. 303. is over-thrown at the Battel of Hastings and slain together with his two Brothers Leofwin and Gyrtha p. 305. Helvius Pertinax succeeds Ulpius Marcellus in the Government of Britain p. 81. Hengist and Horsa with an Army of Saxons Jutes and Angles lands in the Isle of Thanet p. 111 112. Hengist invites over more of his Country-men p. 112. he gains advantages of Vortimer by marrying his Daughter to him p. 113. he takes on him Kingly Title p. 116. his several Battels against the Britans ibid. his treacherous slaughter of 300 British Grandees under pretence of Treaty p. 117. his death p. 119. Henninus Duke of Cornwall hath Regan the Daughter of King Leir given him in Marriage p. 18. Herebert a Saxon Earl slain with most part of his Army by the Danes at a place call'd Mereswar p. 193. Hinguar and Hubba two Danish Brethren how they got footing by degrees in England p. 199 200. Histion said to be descended of Japhet and to have had four Sons who peopled the greatest part of Europe p. 5. Honorius the Emperour sends aid twice to the Britans against their Northern Invaders p. 101. Horsa the Brother of Hengist slain in the Saxons War against the Britans p. 115 116. his Burial-place gave name to Horsted a Town in Kent p. 116. Humbeanna and Albert said by some to have shar'd the Kingdom of East-Angles after one Elfwald p. 187. I. JAgo or Lago succeeds his Vncle Gurgustius in the Kingdom p. 21. Icenians and by their example the Trinobantes rise up in Arms against the Romans p. 63. Ida the Saxon begins the Kingdom of Bernicia in Northumberland p. 126 127. Idwallo learns by his Brother 's ill success to rule well p. 27. Immanuentius slain by Cassibelan p. 46. Immin Eaba and Eadbert Noblemen of Mercia throw off Oswi and set up Wulfer p. 161. Ina succeeds Kedwalla in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons p. 168. he marches into Kent to demand satisfaction for the burning of Mollo ibid. is pacified by Victred with a sum of money and the delivering up of the Accessories ibid. vanquishes Gerent King of Wales p. 170. stays Kenwulf and Albright and vanquishes the East-Angles p. 171. ends his days at Rome ibid. Inniaunus depos'd for his ill courses p. 27. Joseph of Arimathaea said to have first preacht the Christian Faith in this Island p. 80. Jovinus sent Deputy into this Island by the Emperour Valentinian p. 91. Iric a Dane made Earl of Northumberland by Canute in place of Uthred slain p. 261. 268. he is said by some to have made War against Malcolm King of Scots p. 269. his greatness suspected by Canute he is banisht the Realm ibid. Julius Agricola the Emperours Lieutenant in Britain almost extirpates the Ordovices p. 69. finishes the Conquest of the Isle of Mona p. 69. his justice and prudence in Government p. 70. he brings the Britans to Civility Arts and an Imitation of the Roman fashions p. 71. he receives triumphal Honours from Titus p. 71 72. he extends his Conquests to Scotland subdues the Orcades and other Scotch Islands p. 72. he is hard put to it in several Conflicts but comes off victorious p. 74 75 c. he is commanded home by Domitian p. 77. Julius Caesar hath Intelligence that the Britans are aiding to his Enemies the Gauls p. 33. he sends Caius Volusenus to make discovery of the nature of the people and strength of the Country p. 34. after him Comius of Arras to make a party among the Britans p. 35. the stout resistance he meets with from them at his landing p. 36 37. he receives terms of peace from them p. 38. he loses a great part of his Fleet ibid. defeats the Britans and
hearing themselves entreated by the Britans to that which gladly they would have wish't to obtain of them by entreating to the British Embassy return this answer Be assur'd henceforth of the Saxons as of faithful friends to the Britans no less ready to stand by them in thir need than in thir best of fortune The Embassadors return joyful and with news as welcome to thir Countrie whose sinister fate had now blinded them for destruction The Saxons consulting first thir Gods for they had answer that the Land whereto they went they should hold 300 years half that time conquering and half quietly possessing furnish out three long Gallies or Kyules with a chos'n company of warlike youth under the conduct of two Brothers Hengist and Horsa descended in the fourth degree from Woden of whom deify'd for the fame of his acts most Kings of those Nations derive thir pedigree These and either mixt with these or soon after by themselves two other Tribes or neighbouring people Jutes and Angles the one from Jutland the other from Anglen by the City of Sleswich both Provinces of Denmark An. Dom. 450 arrive in the first year of Martian the Greek Emperor from the birth of Christ 450 receav'd with much good will of the people first then of the King who after some assurances giv'n and tak'n bestows on them the I le of Tanet where they first landed hoping they might be made heerby more eager against the Picts when they fought as for thir own Countrie and more loyal to the Britans from whom they had receav'd a place to dwell in which before they wanted The British Nennius writes that these Brethren were driv'n into exile out of Germany and to Vortigern who reigned in much fear one while of the Picts then of the Romans and Ambrosius came opportunely into the Hav'n For it was the custom in old Saxony when thir numerous off-spring overflow'd the narrowness of thir bounds to send them out by lot into new dwellings wherever they found room either vacant or to be forc't But whether sought or unsought they dwelt not heer long without employment For the Scots and Picts were now come down som say as far as Stamsord in Lincoln-shire whom perhaps not imagining to meet new opposition the Saxons though not till after a sharp encounter put to flight and that more than once slaying in fight as some Scotch Writers affirm thir King Eugenius the Son of Fergus Hengist percaeving the Iland to be rich and fruitful but her Princes and other inhabitants giv'n to vicious ease sends word home inviting others to a share of his good success Who returning with 17 Ships were grown up now to a sufficient Army and entertain'd without suspicion on these terms that they should bear the brunt of War against the Picts receaving stipend and some place to inhabit With these was brought over the Daughter of Hengist a Virgin wondrous fair as is reported Rowen the British call her she by commandment of her Father who had invited the King to a Banquet coming in presence with a Bowle of Wine to welcome him and to attend on his Cup till the Feast ended won so much upon his fancy though already wiv'd as to demand her in mariage upon any conditions Hengist at first though it fell out perhaps according to his drift held off excusiing his meanness then obscurely intimating a desire and almost a necessity by reason of his augmented numbers to have his narrow bounds of Tanet enlarg'd to the Circuit of Kent had it streit by donation though Guorangonus till then was King of that place and so as it were overcome by the great munificence of Vortiger gave his Daughter And still encroaching on the Kings favour got furder leave to call over Octa and Ebissa his own and his Brothers Son pretending that they if the North were giv'n them would sit there as a continual defence against the Scots while himself guarded the East They therfore sayling with forty Ships eev'n to the Orcades and every way curbing the Scots and Picts possess'd that part of the Ile which is now Northumberland Notwithstanding this they complain that thir monthly pay was grown much into arrear which when the Britans found means to satisfie though alleging withall that they to whom promise was made of wages were nothing so many in number quieted with this a while but still seeking occasion to fall off they find fault next that thir pay is too small for the danger they undergo threatning op'n Warr unless it be augmented Guortimer the Kings Son perceaving his Father and the Kingdom thus betray'd from that time bends his utmost endeavour to drive them out They on the other side making League with the Picts and Scots and issuing out of Kent wasted without resistance almost the whole Land eev'n to the Western Sea with such a horrid devastation that Towns and Colonies overturn'd Preists and people slain Temples and Palaces what with fire and Sword lay alltogether heap'd in one mixt ruin Of all which multitude so great was the sinfullness that brought this upon them Gildas adds that few or none were likely to be other then lew'd and wicked persons The residue of these part overtak'n in the Mountains were slain others subdu'd with hunger preferr'd slavery before instant death som getting to Rocks Hills and Woods inaccessible preferr'd the fear and danger of any Death before the shame of a secure slavery many fled over Sea into other Countries some into Holland where yet remain the ruins of Brittenburgh an old Castle on the Sea to be seen at low water not far from Leiden either built as Writers of thir own affirm or seis'd on by those Britans in thir escape from Hengist Others into Armorica peopl'd as som think with Britans long before either by guift of Constantine the Great or else of Maximus to those British Forces which had serv'd them in Forein Wars to whom those also that miscarried not with the latter Constantine at Arles and lastly these exiles driv'n out by Saxons fled for refuge But the antient Chronicles of those Provinces attest thir coming thether to be then first when they fled the Saxons and indeed the name of Britain in France is not read till after that time Yet how a sort of fugitives who had quitted without stroke thir own Country should so soon win another appears not unless joyn'd to som party of thir own settl'd there before Vortiger nothing better'd by these calamities grew at last so obdurat as to commit incest with his daughter tempted or tempting him out of an ambition to the Crown For which beeing censur'd and condemn'd in a great Synod of Clercs and Laics and partly for fear of the Saxons according to the Counsel of his Peers he retir'd into Wales and built him there a strong Castle in Radnorshire by the advice of Ambrosius a young prophet whom others call
Mount in Wiltshire whether it were by thir own Forces or assisted by the Angles whose hatred Keaulin had incurr'd they ruin'd his whole Army and chas'd him out of his Kingdom from whence flying he dy'd the next year in poverty Who a little before was the most potent and indeed sole King of all the Saxons on this side Humber But who was cheif among the Britans in this exploit had bin worth remembring whether it were Maglocune of whose prowess hath bin spok'n or Tendric King of Glamorgan whom the regest of Landaff recounts to have bin alwaies victorious in fight to have reign'd about this time and at length to have exchang'd his Crown for a Hermitage till in the aid of his Son Mouric whom the Saxons had reduc'd to extremes taking armes again he defeated them at Tinterne by the River Wye but himself receav'd a mortal wound The same year with Keaulin whom Keola the Son of Cuthulf Keaulins Brother succeeded An. Dom. 593 Crida also the Mercian King deceas'd in whose room Wibba succeeded and in Northumberland Ethelfrid in the room of Ethelric reigning 24 years Thus omitting Fables we have the veiw of what with reason can be rely'd on for truth don in Britain since the Romans forsook it Wherin we have heard the many miseries and desolations brought by divine hand on a perverse Nation driv'n when nothing else would reform them out of a fair Country into a Mountanous and Barren Corner by Strangers and Pagans So much more tolerable in the Eye of Heav'n is Infidelity profess't then Christian Faith and Religion dishonoured by unchristian works Yet they also at length renounc'd thir Heathenism which how it came to pass will be the matter next related The End of the Third Book THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN The Fourth Book THE Saxons grown up now to 7 absolute Kingdoms and the latest of them establish'd by succession finding thir power arrive well nigh at the utmost of what was to be gain'd upon the Britans and as little fearing to be displanted by them had time now to survey at leasure one anothers greatness Which quickly bred among them either envy or mutual jealousies till the West Kingdom at length grown over powerful put an end to all the rest Mean while above others Ethelbert of Kent who by this time had well rip'nd his young ambition with more ability of years and experience in War what before he attempted to his loss now successfully attains and by degrees brought all the other Monarchies between Kent and Humber to be at his devotion To which design the Kingdom of West-Saxons being the firmest of them all at that time sore shak'n by thir over-throw at Wodens-beorth and the Death of Keaulin gave him no doubt a main advantage the rest yeilded not subjection but as he earn'd it by continual Victories And to win him the more regard abroad he marries Bertha the French Kings Daughter though a Christian and with this condition to have the free exercise of her Faith under the care and instruction of Letardus a Bishop sent by her Parents along with her the King notwithstanding and his people retaining thir own Religion Beda out of Gildas laies it sadly to the Britans charge that they never would voutsafe thir Saxon Neighbours the means of conversion but how far to blame they were and what hope there was of converting in the midst of so much hostility at least falshood from thir first arrival is not now easie to determin Howbeit not long after they had the Christian Faith preach't to them by a Nation more remote and as a report went accounted old in Bedas time upon this occasion The Northumbrians had a custom at that time and many hunder'd yeares after not abolish't to sell thir Childern for a small value into any Foren Land Of which number two comly youths were brought to Rome whose fair and honest countnances invited Gregory Arch-Deacon of that Citty among others that beheld them pittying thir condition to demand whence they were it was answer'd by som who stood by that they were Angli of the Province Deira subjects to Alla King of Northumberland and by Religion Pagans Which last Gregory deploring fram'd on a sudden this allusion to the three names he heard that the Angli so like to Angels should be snatch't de ira that is from the wrath of God to sing Haleluia and forthwith obtaining licence of Benedic the Pope had come and preach't heer among them had not the Roman people whose love endur'd not the absence of so vigilant a Pastor over them recall'd him then on his journey though but deferr'd his pious intention An. Dom. 596 For a while after succeeding in the Papal Seat and now in his fourth year admonisht saith Beda by divine instinct he sent Augustine whom he had design'd for Bishop of the English Nation and other zealous Monks with him to preach to them the Gospel Who being now on thir way discouraged by some reports or thir own carnal fear sent back Austin in the name of all to beseech Gregory they might return home and not be sent a journey so full of hazard to a fierce and infidel Nation whose tongue they understood not Gregory with pious and Apostolic perswasions exhorts them not to shrink back frō so good a work but cheerfully to go on in the strength of divine assistance The Letter it self yet extant among our Writers of Ecclesiastic story I omit heer as not professing to relate of those matters more then what mixes aptly with civil affairs The Abbot Austin for so he was ordain'd over the rest reincourag'd by the exhortations of Gregory and his fellows by the Letter which he brought them came safe to the I le of Tanet An. Dom. 597 in number about 40 besides some of the French Nation whom they took along as Interpreters Ethelbert the King to whom Austin at his landing had sent a new and wondrous message that he came from Rome to proffer Heav'n and eternal happiness in the knowledge of another God then the Saxons knew appoints them to remain where they landed and necessaries to be provided them consulting in the mean time what was to be done And after certain days coming into the Iland chose a place to meet them under the open Sky possest with an old perswasion that all Spells if they should use any to deceive him so it were not within doors would be unavailable They on the other side call'd to his presence advancing for thir Standard a silver cross and the painted image of our Saviour came slowly forward singing the solemn Litanies which wrought in Ethelbert more suspition perhaps that they us'd enchantments till sitting down as the King will'd them they there preach'd to him and all in that assembly the tidings of Salvation Whom having heard attentively the King thus answer'd Fair indeed and ample are the promises which ye bring and such things as have the appearance in them
miserable and justly to be despis'd who obey not that God in whom they choose to beleeve How well might Penda this Heathen rise up in judgment against many pretending Christians both of his own and these daies yet being a man bred up to War as no less were others then reigning and oft-times one against another though both Christians he warr'd on Anna An. Dom. 654 King of the East-Angles perhaps without cause for Anna was esteem'd a just man and at length slew him About this time the East-Saxons who as above hath bin said had expell'd thir Bishop Mellitus and renounc'd the Faith were by the means of Oswi thus reconverted Sigebert surnam'd the small being the Son of Seward without other memory of his Reign left his Son King of that Province after him Sigebert the Second who coming oft'n to visit Oswi his great friend was by him at several times fervently disuaded from Idolatry and convinc't at length to forsake it was there baptiz'd on his return home taking with him Kedda a laborious Preacher afterwards made Bishop by whose teaching with some help of others the people were again recoverd from misbeleef But Sigebert some years after though standing fast in Religion was by the Conspiracy of two Brethren in place neer about him wickedly murder'd who being ask'd what mov'd them to do a deed so hainous gave no other then this barbarous answer that they were angry with him for being so gentle to his Enemies as to forgive them thir injuries whenever they besought him Yet his Death seems to have happ'nd not without some cause by him giv'n of Divine displeasure For one of those Earls who slew him living in unlawfull wedlock and therfore excommunicated so severely by the Bishop that no man might presume to enter into his House much less to sit at meat with him the King not regarding this Church censure went to feast with him at his invitation Whom the Bishop meeting in his return though penitent for what he had don and faln at his feet touch'd with the rod in his hand and angerly thus foretold because thou hast neglected to abstain from the House of that Excommunicate in that House thou shalt die and so it fell out perhaps from that prediction God bearing witness to his Minister in the power of Church Discipline spiritually executed not juridically on the contemner therof An. Dom. 655 This year 655. prov'd fortunate to Oswi and fatal to Penda for Oswi by the continual inrodes of Penda having long endur'd much devastation to the endangering once by assault and fire Bebbanburg his strongest City now Bamborrow Castle unable to resist him with many rich presents offerd to buy his Peace Which not accepted by the Pagan who intended nothing but destruction to that King though more then once in affinity with him turning guifts into vows he implores Divine Assistance devoting if he were deliverd from his Enemy a Child of one year old his Daughter to be a Nun and 12 portions of land wheron to build Monasteries His vows as may be thought found better success then his profferd guifts for heerupon with his Son Alfrid gathering a small power he encounterd and discomfited the Mercians 30 times exceeding his in number and led on by expert Captains at a place call'd Loyden now Leeds in Yorkeshire Besides this Ethelwald the Son of Oswald who rul'd in Deira took part with the Mercians but in the fight withdrew his Forces and in a safe place expected the event with which unseasonable retreat the Mercians perhaps terrifi'd and misdoubting more danger fled thir Commanders with Penda himself most being slain among whom Edilhere the Brother of Anna who rul'd after him the East-Angles and was the Author of this War many more flying were drown'd in the River which Beda calls Winwed then swoln above her Banks The Death of Penda who had bin the Death of so many good Kings made generall rejoicing as the Song witness'd At the River Winwed Anna was aveng'd To Edelhere succeeded Ethelwald his Brother in the East-Angles to Sigebert in the East-Saxons Suidhelm the Son of Sexbald saith Bede the Brother of Sigebert saith Malmsbury he was baptiz'd by Kedda then residing in the East-Angles and by Ethelwald the King receav'd out of the Font. But Oswi in the strength of his late Victory An. Dom. 658 within three years after subdu'd all Mercia and of the Pictish Nation greatest part at which time he gave to Peada his Son in Law the Kingdome of South-Mercia divided from the Northern by Trent An. Dom. 659 But Peada the Spring following as was said by the Treason of his Wife the Daughter of Oswi married by him for a special Christian on the Feast of Faster not protected by the holy time was slain The Mercian Nobles Immin Eaba and Eadbert throwing off the Government of Oswi set up Wulser the other Son of Penda to be thir King whom till then they had kept hid and with him adherd to the Christian Faith Kenwalk the West-Saxon now settl'd at home and desirous to enlarge his Dominion prepares against the Britans joins Battel with them at Pen in Somerset-shire and over coming persues them to Pedridan Another fight he had with them before at a place call'd Witgeornesburg barely mention'd by the Monk of Malmsbury An. Dom. 661 Nor was it long ere he fell at variance with Wulser the Son of Penda his old Enemy scarce yet warm in his Throne fought with him at Possentesburg on the Easter Holy-days and as Ethelwerd saith took him Prisner but the Saxon Annals quite otherwise that Wulfer winning the field wasted the West-Saxon Country as far as Eskesdun nor staying there took and wasted the I le of Wight but causing the Inhabitants to be baptiz'd till then unbeleevers gave the Iland to Ethelwald King of South-Saxons whom he had receav'd out of the Font. An. Dom. 664 The year 664. a Synod of Scotish and English Bishops in the presence of Oswi and Alfred his Son was held at a Monastery in those parts to debate on what Day Easter should be kept a controverfie which long before had disturb'd the Greek and Latin Churches wherin the Scots not agreeing with the way of Rome nor yeilding to the disputants on that side to whom the King most enclin'd such as were Bishops heer resign'd and return'd home with thir Disciples Another clerical question was there also much controverted not so superstitious in my opinion as ridiculous about the right shaving of crowns The same year was seen an Eclips of the Sun in May followed by a sore pestilence beginning in the South but spreading to the North and over all Ireland with great mortality In which time the East-Saxons after Swithelms Decease being govern'd by Siger the Son of Sigebert the small and Sebbi of Seward though both subject to the Mercians Siger and his people unstedie of Faith supposing that this Plague was come upon them for renouncing
thir old Religion fell off the second time to Infidelity Which the Mercian King Wulfer understanding sent Jarumannus a Faithfull Bishop who with other his fellow Labourers by sound Doctrin and gentle dealing soon recur'd them of thir second relaps In Kent Ercombert expiring was succeeded by his Son Ecbert An. Dom. 668 In whose fowrth year by means of Theodore a learned Greekish Monk of Tarsus whom Pope Vitalian had ordain'd Archbishop of Canterbury the Greek and Latin Tongue with other liberal Arts Arithmetic Music Astronomie and the like began first to flourish among the Saxons as did also the whole Land under potent and religious Kings more then ever before as Bede affirms till his own days An. Dom. 670 Two years after in Northumberland dy'd Oswi much addicted to Romish Rites and resolv'd had his Disease releas'd him to have ended his days at Rome Ecfrid the eldest of his Sons begot in Wedlock succeeded him An. Dom. 673 After other three years Ecbert in Kent deceasing left nothing memorable behind him but the general suspition to have slain or conniv'd at the slaughter of his Uncles two Sons Elbert and Egelbright In recompence wherof he gave to the Mother of them part of Tanet wherein to build an Abbey the Kingdom fell to his Brother Lothair And much about this time by best account it should be however plac'd in Beda that Ecfrid of Northumberland having War with the Mercian Wulfer won from him Lindsey and the Country thereabout Sebbi having reign'd over the East-Saxons 30 years not long before his Death though long before desireing took on him the Habit of a Monk and drew his Wife at length though unwilling to the same Devotion Kenwalk also dying left the Government to Sexburga his Wife who out-liv'd him in it but one year driv'n out saith Mat. West by the Nobles disdaining Female Government An. Dom. 674 After whom several petty Kings as Beda calls them for ten years space divided the West-Saxons others name two Escwin the Nephew of Kinigils and Kentwin the Son not petty by thir deeds for Escwin fought a Battell with Wulfer at Bedanhafde and about year a afboth deceas'd An. Dom. 676 but Wulfer not without a stain left behind him of selling the Bishoprick of London to Wini the first Simonist we read of in this story Kenwalk had before expell'd him from his Chair at Winchester Ethelred the Brother of Wulfer obtaining next the Kingdom of Mercia not only recoverd Lindsey and what besides in those parts Wulfer had lost to Ecfrid some years before but found himself strong enough to extend his Armes another way as far as Kent wasting that Country without respect to Church or Monastery much also endamaging the City of Rochester Notwithstanding what resistance Lothair could make against him An. Dom. 678 In August 678. was seen a Morning Comet for 3 Months following in manner of a fiery Pillar And the South-Saxons about this time were converted to the Christian Faith upon this occasion Wilsrid Bishop of the Northumbrians entring into contention with Ecfrid the King was by him depriv'd of his Bishoprick and long wandring up and down as far as Rome An. Dom. 679 return'd at length into England but not dareing to approach the North whence he was banish'd bethought him where he might to best purpose elsewhere exercise his Ministery The South of all other Saxons remain'd yet Heathen but Edilwalk thir King not long before had bin baptiz'd in Mercia persuaded by Wulfer and by him as hath bin said receav'd out of the Font. For which relations sake he had the I le of Wight and a Province of the Meannari adjoining giv'n him on the Continent about Meanesborow in Hantshir which Wulfer had a little before gott'n from Kenwalk Thether Wilfrid takes his journey and with the help of other Spiritual Labourers about him in short time planted there the Gospel It had not rain'd as is said of three years before in that Country whence many of the people daily perish'd by Famin till on the first day of thir public Baptism soft and plentifull showers descending restor'd all abundance to the Summer following An. Dom. 681 Two years after this Kentwin the other West-Saxon King above-nam'd chac'd the Welch-Britans as is Chronicl'd without circumstance to the very Sea shoar An. Dom. 683 But in the year by Beda's reck'ning 683 Kedwalla a West-Saxon of the Royal Line whom the Welch will have to be Cadwallader last King of the Britans thrown out by faction return'd from banishment and invaded both Kentwin if then living or whoever else had divided the succession of Kenwalk slaying in fight Edelwalk the South-Saxon who oppos'd him in their aid but soon after was repuls'd by two of his Captains Bertune and Andune who for a while held the province in thir power But Kedwalla gathering new force with the slaughter of Berâ—une An. Dom. 684 and also of Edric the successor of Edelwalk won the Kingdome But reduc'd the people to heavy thraldome Then addressing to Conquer the I le of Wight till that time Pagan saith Beda others otherwise as above hath bin related made a vow though himself yet unbaptiz'd to devote the fowrth part of that Iland and the spoils therof to holy uses Conquest obtain'd paying his vow as then was the beleef he gave hiâ— fowrth to Bishop Wilsrid by chance there present and he to Bertwin a Priest his Sisters Son with commission to baptise all the vanquisht who meant to save thir lives But the two young Sons of Arwald King of that Iland met with much more hostility for they at the Enemies approach flying out of the I le and betray'd where they were hid not far from thence were led to Kedwalla who lay then under Cure of some wounds receav'd and by his appointment after instruction and Baptism first giv'n them harshly put to death which the youths are said above thir Age to have Christianly sufferd In Kent Lothair dy'd this year of his wounds receav'd in fight against the South-Saxons led on by Edric who descending from Ermenred it seems challeng'd the Crown and wore it though not commendably one year and a half An. Dom. 685 but coming to a violent Death left the land expos'd a prey either to home-bred usurpers or neighbouring invaders Among whom Kedwalla taking advantage from thir civil distempers and marching easily through the South-Saxons whom he had subdu'd sorely harrass'd the Country untouch'd of a long time by any hostile incursion But the Kentish men all parties uniteing against a common Enemy with joint power so oppos'd him that he was constrain'd to retire back his Brother Mollo in the flight with 12 men of his Company seeking shelter in a House was beset and therin burnt by the persuers Kedwalla much troubl'd at so great a loss recalling and soon rallying his disorderd Forces return'd fiercely upon the chaseing Enemy An. Dom. 686 nor could be got
them in time of Harvest In the mean time suttlely devising to turn Lee stream several waies wherby the Danish Bottoms were left on dry ground which they soon perceaving march'd over Land to Quatbrig on the Severn built a Fortress and winterd there while thir Ships left in Lee were either brok'n or brought away by the Londoners but thir Wives and Children they had left in safety with the East-Angles The next year was pestilent and besides An. Dom. 897 the common sort took away many great Earls Kelmond in Kent Brithulf in Essex Wulfred in Hampshire with many others and to this evill the Danes of Northumberland and East-Angles ceas'd not to endamage the West-Saxons especially by stealth robbing on the South-shoar in certain long Gallies But the King causing to be built others twice as long as usually were built and some of 60 or 70 Oars higher swifter and steddier then such as were in use before either with Danes or Prisons his own invention some of these he sent out against six Danish Pirats who had done much harm in the I le of Wight and parts adjoining The bickering was doubtfull and intricate part on the water part on the Sands not without loss of some eminent men on the English side The Pirats at length were either slain or tak'n two of them stranded the men brought to Winchester where the King then was were executed by his command one of them escap'd to the East-Angles her men much wounded the same year not fewer then twenty of thir Ships perish'd on the South Coast with all thir men And Rollo the Dane or Norman landing heer as Mat. West writes though not in what part of the Iland after an unsuccessful fight against those Forces which first oppos'd him sail'd into France and conquerd the Country since that time called Normandy This is the summe of what pass'd in three years against the Danes returning out of France set down so perplexly by the Saxon Annalist ill-guifted with utterance as with much ado can be understood sometimes what is spok'n whether meant of the Danes or of the Saxons After which troublesome time Alfred enjoying three years of peace by him spent as his manner was not idlely or voluptuously but in all vertuous emploiments both of mind and body becoming a Prince of his Renown ended his daies in the year 900. the 51. of his Age the 30th of his Reign and was buried regally at Winchester he An. Dom. 900 was born at a place call'd Wanading in Barkshire his Mother Osburga the Daughter of Oslac the Kings Cup-bearer a Goth by Nation and of noble descent He was of person comlier then all his Brethren of pleasing Tongue and gracefull behaviour ready wit and memory yet through the fondness of his Parents towards him had not bin taught to read till the twelfth year of his Age but the great desire of learning which was in him soon appear'd by his conning of Saxon Poems day and night which with great attention he heard by others repeated He was besides excellent at Hunting and the new Art then of Hawking but more exemplary in devotion having collected into a Book certain Prayers and Psalms which he carried ever with him in his Bosome to use on all occasions He thirsted after all liberal knowledge and oft complain'd that in his youth he had no Teachers in his middle Age so little vacancy from Wars and the cares of his Kingdome yet leasure he found sometimes not only to learn much himself but to communicate therof what he could to his people by translating Books out of Latin into English Orosius Boethius Beda's History and others permitted none unlern'd to bear Office either in Court or Common-wealth at twenty years of age not yet reigning he took to Wife Egelswitha the Daughter of Ethelred a Mercian Earl The extremities which befell him in the sixt of his Reign Neothan Abbot told him were justly come upon him for neglecting in his younger days the complaints of such as injur'd and oppress'd repair'd to him as then second person in the Kingdome for redress which neglect were it such indeed were yet excusable in a youth through jollity of mind unwilling perhaps to be detain'd long with sad and sorrowfull Narrations but from the time of his undertaking regal charge no man more patient in hearing causes more inquisitive in examining more exact in doing justice and providing good Laws which are yet extant more severe in punishing unjust judges or obstinate offenders Theeves especially and Robbers to the terrour of whom in cross waies were hung upon a high Post certain Chains of Gold as it were dareing any one to take them thence so that justice seem'd in his daies not to flourish only but to tryumph no man then hee more frugal of two pretious things in mans life his time and his revenue no man wiser in the disposal of both His time the day and night he distributed by the burning of certain Tapours into three equall portions the one was for devotion the other for publick or private affairs the third for bodily refreshment how each hour past he was put in minde by one who had that Office His whole annual revenue which his first care was should be justly his own he divided into two equall parts the first he imploi'd to secular uses and subdivided those into three the first to pay his Souldiers Houshold-Servants and Guard of which divided into three Bands one attended monthly by turn the second was to pay his Architects and workmen whom he had got together of several Nations for he was also an Elegant Builder above the Custome and conceit of Englishmen in those days the third he had in readiness to releive or honour Strangers according to thir worth who came from all parts to see him and to live under him The other equal part of his yearly wealth he dedicated to religious uses those of fowr sorts the first to releive the poor the second to the building and maintenance of two Monasteries the third of a School where he had perswaded the Sons of many Noblemen to study sacred knowledge and liberal Arts some say at Oxford the fourth was for the releif of Foreign Churches as far as India to the shrine of St. Thomas sending thether Sigelm Bishop of Sherburn who both return'd safe and brought with him many rich Gems and Spices guifts also and a letter he receav'd from the Patriarch of Jerusalem sent many to Rome and for them receav'd reliques Thus far and much more might be said of his noble minde which renderd him the miror of Princes his body was diseas'd in his youth with a great soreness in the Seige and that ceasing of it self with another inward pain of unknown cause which held him by frequent fits to his dying day yet not disinabl'd to sustain those many glorious labours of his life both in peace and war Edward the Elder EDward the Son of Alfred succeeded in learning
them promis'd peace and defence yet permitted his men the while to burn and make prey Coming to London with all his Army he was on Christmass day sollemly Crown'd in the great Church at Westminster by Aldred Archbishop of York having first giv'n his Oath at the Altar in presence of all the people to defend the Church well govern the people maintain right Law prohibit rapine and unjust judgment Thus the English while they agreed not about the choice of thir native King were constrein'd to take the Yoke of an out-landish Conquerer With what minds and by what course of life they had fitted themselves for this servitude William of Malmsbury spares not to lay op'n Not a few years before the Normans came the Clergy though in Edward the Confessors daies had lost all good literature and Religion scarse able to read and understand thir Latin Service he was a miracle to others who knew his Grammar The Monks went clad in fine stuffs and made no difference what they eat which though in it self no fault yet to their Consciences was irreligious The great men giv'n to gluttony and dissolute life made a prey of the common people abuseing thir Daughters whom they had in service then turning them off to the Stews the meaner sort tipling together night and day spent all they had in Drunk'ness attended with other Vices which effeminate mens minds Whence it came to pass that carried on with fury and rashness more then any true fortitude or skill of War they gave to William thir Conquerour so easie a Conquest Not but that some few of all sorts were much better among them but such was the generality And as the long suffering of God permits bad men to enjoy prosperous daies with the good so his severity oft times exempts not good men from thir share in evil times with the bad If these were the Causes of such misery and thraldom to those our Ancestors with what better close can be concluded then here in fit season to remember this Age in the midst of her security to fear from like Vices without amendment the Revolutions of like Calamities FINIS AN INDEX Of all the Chief Persons and material passages contained in the foregoing HISTORY A. ADda succeeds his Father Ida in the Kingdom of Bernicia p. 127. Adminius the Son of Cunobeline banish't his Country flies to the Emperour Caligula and stirs him up against it p. 51. Aganippus a Gaulish King marries Cordelia the Daughter of King Leir p. 20. Agricola Son of Severianus spreads the Pelagian Doctrine in Britain p. 104. Aidan a Scotch Bishop sent for by Oswald to settle Religion p. 155. he hath his Episcopal Seat at Lindisfarne ibid. he dies for grief of the Murder of Oswin p. 157. Alaric takes Rome from the Emperour Honorius p. 97. Alban of Verulam with others suffers Martyrdom under Dioclesian p. 88. Albanact one of the three Sons of Brutus hath Albania now Scotland for his share in the Kingdom p. 14. Albion the ancient name of this Island p. 4 5. whence derived ibid. Albina said to be the Eldest of Dioclesians 50 Daughters p. 5. from her the name Albion derived ibid. Alcled slaying Ethelwald usurps the Kingdom of the Northumbrians p. 177. Aldfrid recall'd from Ireland succeeds his Brother Ecfrid in the Northumbrian Kingdom p. 168. he leaves Osred a Child to succeed him p. 169. Aldulf the Nephew of Ethelwald succeeds King of the East-Angles p. 187. Alectus treacherously slays his friend Carausius to get the Dominion p. 87. is overthrown by Asclepiodotus and slain ibid. Alemannus reported one of the four Sons of Histion descended from Japhet and of whom the Alemanni or Germans p. 5. Alfage Archbishop of Canterbury inhumanly us'd by the Danes p. 256. kill'd outright by Thrum a Dane in commiseration of his misery ibid. Alfred the fourth Son of Ethelwolf and successour of his Brother Ethelred encounters the Danes at Wilton p. 204. he gives Battel to the whole Danish power at Edinton and totally routing them brings them to terms p. 206. 207. he is said to have bestow'd the East-Angles upon Gytro a Danish King who had been lately baptis'd p. 207. a long tedious War afterwards maintain'd between him and the Danes p. 209. 210. c. he dies in the 30th year of his Reign and is buried at Winchester p. 212. his noble Character p. 213. 214. Alfwold driving out Eardulf usurps the Kingdom of Northumberland p. 185. Algar Earl of Howland now Holland Morcard Lord of Brunne and Osgot Governour of Lincoln slaughter a great multitude of the Danes in Battail with three of their Kings p. 201. overpowr'd with numbers and drawn into a snare Algar dies valiantly fighting ibid. Algar the Son of Leofric banisht by King Edward joins with Griffin Prince of South-Wales p. 291. 292. unable to withstand Harold Earl of Kent he submits to the King and is restor'd p. 292. banisht again he recovers his Earldom by force p. 293. Alipius made Deputy of the British Province in the room of Martinus p. 90. Alla begins the Kingdom of Deira in the South-part of Northumberland p. 127. 133. Alric King of Kent after Ethelbert the II. p. 177. with him dying ends the race of Hengist p. 181. Ambrosius Aurelianus dreaded by Vortimer p. 117. defeats the Saxons in a memorable Battel p. 118. uncertain whether the Son of Constantine the Vsurper or the same with Merlin and Son of a Roman Consul p. 118. he succeeds Vortigern as Chief Monarch of the I le ibid. Anacletus the friend of King Pandrasus is taken in fight by Brutus p. 9. he is forc't by Brutus to betray his own Countrymen ibid. Andragius one in the Catalogue of ancient British Kings p. 28. Androgeus one of Lud's Sons hath London assign'd him and Kent p. 29. forsakes his claim to the Kingdom and follows Caesars fortune p. 51. Anlaf the Dane with his Army of Irish and Constantine King of Scotland utterly discomfited by King Athelstan p. 225. 226. c. Anna succeeds Sigebert in the Kingdom of the East-Angles p. 157. he is slain in War by Penda the Mercian p. 159. Antigonus the Brother of King Pandrasus taken in fight by Brutus p. 9. Antoninus sent against the Caledonians by his Father Severus p. 84. after whose Death he takes hostages and departs to Rome ibid. Archigallo depos'd for his Tyranny p. 26. being restor'd by his Brother he becomes a new man and reigns worthily p. 27. Archimailus one in the number of ancient British Kings p. 28. Armorica in France peopled by Britans that fled from the Saxons p. 114. Arthur the Victory at Badon-hill by some ascrib'd to him which by others is attributed to Ambrose p. 122. who he was and whether the Authour of such famous Acts as are related of him p. 122. 123. c. Arviragus ingaging against Claudius keeps up the Battail to a Victory by personating his slain Brother Guiderius p. 54. Athelstan the Son of King Edward the Elder by
the Son and Successor of Samothes whom some fable to have been the first peopler of this Island p. 4. Malcolm Son of Kened King of Scots falling into Northumberland with his whole power utterly overthrown by Uthred p. 262. some say by Eric p. 269. Malcolm Son of the Cumbrian King made King of Scotland by Siward in the room of Macbeth p. 290 291. Malcolm King of Scotland coming to visit King Edward swears brotherhood with Tosti the Northumbrian p. 293. afterwards in his absence harrasses Northumberland ibid. Mandubratius Son of Immanuentius favour'd by the Trinobantes against Cassibelan p. 46. Marganus the Son of Gonorill deposeth his Aunt Cordelia p. 20. shares the Kingdom with his Cousin Cunedagius invades him but is met and overcome by him p. 20. Marganus the Son of Archigallo a good King p. 27. Marius the Son of Arviragus is said to have overcome the Picts and slain their King Roderic p. 79. Martia the Wife of King Guitheline said to have instituted the Law call'd Marchen Leage p. 24 25. Martinus made Deputy of the British Province failing to kill Paulus falls upon his own Sword p. 90. Maximianus Herculeus forc't to conclude a peace with Caransius and yield him Britain p. 86. Maximus a Spaniard usurping part of the Empire is overcome at length and slain by Theodosius p. 93. Maximus a friend of Gerontius is by him set up in Spain against Constantine the Vsurper p. 95. Mempricius one of Brutus his Council perswades him to hasten out of Greece p. 10. Mempricius and Malim succeed their Father Madan in the Kingdom p. 15. Mempricius treacherously slaying his Brother gets sole possession of the Kingdom reigns tyrannically and is at last devour'd by Wolves p. 15. Mellitus Justus and others sent with Austin to the Conversion of the Saxons p. 140. he converts the East-Saxons p. 142. S. Paul's Church in London built for his Cathedral by Ethelred as that of Rochester for Justus ibid. Mollo the Brother of Kedwalla pursu'd beset and burnt in a house whither he had fled for shelter p. 166. his death reveng'd by his Brother ibid. Morcar the Son of Algar made Earl of Northumberland in the room of Tosti p. 294. he and Edwin Duke of the Mercians put Tosti to flight p. 300. they give Battel to Harold Harfager King of Norwey but are put to the worst p. 302. they refuse to set up Edgar and at length are brought to swear fidelity to Duke William of Normandy p. 305. Mordred Arthur's Nephew said to have given him in a Battel his deaths wound p. 131. Morindus the Son of Elanius by Tanguestela a valiant man but infinitely cruel p. 25. Mulmutius see Dunwallo O. OCta and Ebissa call'd over by Hengist their Vncle p. 13. they possess themselves of that part of the Isle which is now Northumberland ibid. Oenus one in the Catalogue of ancient British Kings p. 28. Oeric or Oisc succeeds his Father Hengist in the Kingdom of Kent and from him the Kentish Kings call'd Oiscings p. 119. he is otherwise call'd Esca p. 127. Offa the Son of Siger quits his Kingdom of the East-Saxons to go to Rome and turn Monk with Kenred p. 169 170. 174. Offa defeating and slaying Beornred the Vsurper becomes King of Mercia after Ethelbald p. 176. he subdues a neighbouring people call'd Hestings p. 177. gets the Victory of Alric King of Kent at Occanford ibid. inviting Ethelbright King of the East-Angles to his Palace he there treacherously causeth him to be beheaded and seizeth his Kingdom p. 180. his at first enmity afterwards league with Charles the Great p. 181. he grants a perpetual Tribute to the Pope out of every house in his Kingdom ibid. he draws a Trench of wondrous length between Mercia and the British Confines his death ibid. Osbald a Nobleman exalted to the Throne of the Northumbrians after Ethelred p. 182. Osbert reigns in Northumberland after the last of the Ethelreds in the time of the Danish Invasion p. 193. Osbert and Ella helping the Picts against Donaldus King of Scotland put the Scots to flight at Sterlin-bridge with great slaughter and take the King prisoner p. 196. Osfrid and Eanfrid the Sons of Edwin converted and baptized p. 152. Osfrid slain together with his Father in a Battel against Kedwalla p. 153. Oslac and Cnebban two Saxon Earls slain by Keaulin at Wibbandun p. 128. Osmund King of the South-Saxons p. 176. Osred a Child succeeds Aldfrid in the Northumbrian Kingdom p. 169. he is slain by his kindred for his vicious life p. 170. Osred Son of Alcled advanc't to the Kingdom of Northumberland after Elfwald is soon driven out again p. 179. is taken and forcibly shaven a Monk at York p. 180. Osric the Son of Elfric baptiz'd by Paulinus succeeds in the Kingdom of Bernicia p. 154. turns Apostate and is slain by an Eruption of Kedwalla out of a besieg'd Town ibid. another Osric succeeds Kenred the second p. 170. Osric Earl of Southampton and Ethelwolf of Bark-shire beat the Danes back to their Ships p. 199. Ostorius sent Vice-praetor into Britain in the room of Plautius the Praetor p. 55. routs the Britans and improves his Victory to the best advantage p. 55 56. gives the Government of several Cities to Cogidunus a British King his Allie p. 56. defeats the Silures under the leading of Caractacus p. 57. Ostrid the Wife of Ethelred kill'd by her own Nobles p. 169. Oswald Brother of Eanfrid living exil'd in Scotland is there baptiz'd p. 154. with a small Army utterly overthrows Kedwalla ibid. settles Religion and very much enlarges his Dominions p. 155. overcome and slain in Battel by Penda at Maserfeild now Oswestre p. 156. Oswi succeeds his Brother Oswald in the Kingdom p. 156. he perswades Sigebert to receive the Christian Faith p. 159. he discomfits Penda's vast Army p. 160. he subdues all Mercia and the greatest part of the Pictish Nation p. 161. shaken off by the Persian Nobles and Wulfer set up in his stead ibid. his death p. 163. Oswin the Nephew of Edwin shares with Oswi in the Kingdom of Northumberland p. 157. coming to Arms with him he is over-match't and slain by his Command ibid. Oswulf hath the Crown of Northumberland relinquisht to him by Eadbert p. 176. slain by his own Servants p. 177. Otha succeeds Esca in the Kingdom of Kent p. 127. Otter and Roald two Danish Leaders landing in Devonshire their whole Forces are scatter'd and Roald slain p. 218. P. PAndrasus a Grecian King keeps the Trojans in servitude p. 7. is set upon and beaten by Brutus p. 8 9. Paulinus sent spiritual Guardian with Edelburga endeavours to convert Northumberland to Christianity p. 148. the manner of his winning King Edwin to embrace the Christian Religion p. 149 151. he converts the Province of Lindsey and Blecca the Governour of Lincoln and builds a Church in that City p. 152. Peada the Son of Penda and Prince of the Middle-Angles is baptized with all his Followers p.