Abridgment of the History of France he freely owns That during the Kings of the first Race they were still chosen out of the Royal Family but that there were three Conditions required to it 1. Birth thô whether they were legitimate or no it matter'd not 2. The last Will of the Father 3. The Consent of the Great Men or Estates of the Kingdom and the last of these says he almost ever followed the two former Moreover that in all those Kingdoms where this way of Election was in use their Kings were so far from being absolute Monarchs that they were accountable for their Tyranny or Male-Administration to the Estates of the Kingdom and were by them liable to be deposed for the same Of which were it to my present purpose I could give you frequent Examples not only in Denmark and Sweden in both which Kingdoms that Law was in force till within this last Century when they became successive in a Lineal Descent by an Act of all the Estates but also in Castile and Arragon and even in that of France it self as much as she takes upon her to be Absolute at this day and for the Proof of this I shall refer you to any French History Those famous Examples of the last Childerick's being Deposed by the great Council or Assembly of the Estates of France who elected Pepin King in his room and also their setting aside Charles Duke of Lorrain tho the undoubted Heir of the Crown by Blood only for his supposed Enmity to the French Nation and their choosing Hugh Capet for their King from whom all the Kings of France from that time have been so far as we know lineally descended renders this a Truth too notorious to be denied THIS I have here mentioned that so you may not wonder if in the ensuing History you meet with divers Examples of the English Saxons deposing their Kings since the same Custom did in those Ages prevail in all those Kingdoms as a part of their Original Constitution AND for farther Proof of this tho I could bring several Instances from the Mercians and Northumbers yet because the latter were look'd upon as of a Rebellious Disposition against their Princes and for the former it may be said that those they expelled were Usurpers and not lawful Kings I shall therefore content my self with mentioning but two Examples concerning our West-Saxon Kings which you will find hereafter more at large The first is that of Sigebert who as the Saxon Annals inform us Anno 752. for his unryhtum Daedum i.e. illegal Practices or as Hen. Huntington paraphrases it for his Oppression and wresting the Laws to his own Advantage was by all the Wites or Wise and Great Men of West-Saxony deprived of his Kingdom and Cenwolf his Kinsman was by them elected in his room The next is that of King Edwy who for his loose and irregular Life tho chiefly for persecuting the Monks being cast off or deposed by the Mercians and Northumbers his Brother Edgar was chosen to succeed him but yet the Kingdom was divided and Edwy had only West-Saxony for his share And both this Deposition and Division were confirmed by an Act of the Estates of the whole Kingdom as I have already shewn BUT whether this was lawfully and rightfully done for any real Breach of their Original Contract it is none of my Business here to decide it is sufficient to shew that the Estates of those Countries then judged so not that I maintain the Law is or ought to be so at this day but that it was so before the Conquest pray consider this Law which tho found among those that go under the Title of Edward the Confessor yet was certainly much more Antient as containing not only the Office of an English King but what he was to suffer in case he omitted that Duty I shall give it you from the Latin Original in Hoveden and Lambard in these words Rex qui est vicarius summi Regis ad haec est constitutus ut Regnum terrenum Populum Domini super omnia sanctam veneretur ejus Ecclesiam regat ab injuriosis defendat maleficos ab ea evellat destruat penitùs disperdat Quod nisi fecerit nec Regis Nomen in eo constabit i.e. not so much as the Name of a King shall remain to him Here you see not only the Substance of this Original Contract but also the Penalty annex'd to it if it were broken AND that there was such a thing as an Original Compact or Contract between the People of England and the Ancestors of those Kings according to which they were to govern and upon the non-performance of which they were liable to forfeit or lose their Crowns I think may farther be proved tho what the particular Heads of it were we cannot now exactly tell unless they were those mentioned in the Oath recited in the Mirror at the Election of the first Saxon Sovereign whether he were Egbert or any other which indeed amounts to a Contract but there was also a Compact of the like Nature in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons before King Egbert's Time as well as after for how else could the Great Council of the Kingdom proceed against King Sigebert or Edwy if there had not been then some known Laws or Constitutions upon the Violation of which they were judged uncapable to govern any longer And tho the chief Heads of that Contract may have been comprized in King Ethelred's Coronation-Oath which I have already given you the first Article of which is to preserve the Holy Church and all Christian People in true Peace at all Times the second To restrain all Violence and Injustice in all sorts of People which comprehends any raising of Taxes by the King's Officers contrary to Law and the third To observe Equity and Mercy in all his Judgments by which the King is withheld from taking away any of his Subjects Lives arbitrarily as also from pardoning notorious Offenders against the State at his meer Pleasure so that the Religion Estates and Lives of his People were by this Oath well secured I say tho these are the chief Heads of this Contract yet that this was much more Antient than the Ceremony of a Coronation may appear from hence THAT Kingly Government is this Island was never Absolute nor Despotical but always limited by Laws and if limited then those Laws must have been the Bounds or Conditions of that Limitation and if there was from the beginning or first Institution of the Government a constant certain great Council ordained whose Business it was to observe that the King did not transgress the due Bounds of his Power that Council so long as the Kingdom continued Elective had likewise Authority to call him to Account for his Male-Administration BUT since the Preaching of Christianity did no ways alter the Original Constitution of Government in all those seven Kingdoms above-mentioned it follows
this Charter not only by the Consent but by the Decree of the Arch-bishops Bishops Abbots Earls and all his other faithful Subjects which word in the Latin Fideles tho Dr. Brady understands it only of Military Tenants in Capite yet I doubt not but it is there to be taken in a much larger sense and must comprehend all the lesser Thanes or Freeholders above-mentioned as also the Deputies or Representatives of Cities and Towns of which Fideles Sir Henry Spleman understands omnes qui in Principis alicujus ditione sunt vulgò subjecti Hi sunt qui in Historiis dicuntur Fideles Regis And also in the same sense it is to be understood in the Oath of Fidelity taken antiently in the Court-Leets as the same Author shews us Tu J. S. jurabis quod ab ista die in anteà eris Fidelis Legalis Domino nostro Regi suis Haeredibus Fidelitatem Legalitatem ei portabis de vita membro de Terreno honore quod tu eorum Malum aut Damnum nec noveris nec audiveris quod non defendes id est prohibes pro posse tuo c. AND tho I grant this word Fideles is after the Conquest frequently used for a Military Tenant or Vassal yet does it likewise even then often extend further than to Tenants in Capite only as I am able to prove from the very Authorities he gives us in his own Glossary under the Title Fideles were it now worth while to dispute that Point But in the mean time it lies upon him to make out that the Fidelium Multitudo mentioned in King Athelwolf's Charter abovecited and the Omnium Fidelium in these were no other than his Tenants in Capite which when ever he does to make use of his own Phrase Erit mihi Magnus Apollo I could also give you some Instances to the same Effect out of the Saxon Annals under the Years 994 and 1002. in both which it is said expresly THA GAEREDDE SE KYNG AND HIS WIT AN that is it was Decreed by the King and his Wites or Wisemen to make Peace with the Danes and to raise a Tax for that end SO that to conclude I think this Dispute about the King's Authority in making of Laws may easily be reconciled to that which the two Houses of Parliament now exercise that is the King makes the Laws yet by and with the Assent of the Lords and Commons as is declared in the Year-Book of Edward the Third And if such their Assent be absolutely necessary can any Man in reason deny their Authority to be Essential in the making of these Laws AND therefore Bracton understood well enough what he wrote when he tells us Cam Legis Vigorem habeat Quicquid de Consilio Consensu Magnatum Reipublicae Communi sponsione Authoritate Principis praecedente jaste fuerit Definitum Approbatum i. e. That whatsoever hath been rightly decreed and approved of by the Advice and Consent of the Chief Men and the General Agreement of the Common-Wealth the Prince's Authority preceding carries thenceforth the Force of a Law WHEREBY it appears that in this Great Man's Time the King gave his Consent to Laws first by ordering them to be drawn up by his Council and proposed to the Parliament when they met and that it was in their Power either to accept or refuse them as we see it is in Charters and Acts of Pardon at this Day when they are Passed and Confirmed by both Houses and for this see the Preface to the Statute of Westminster the Third AS for the Judicial Power of this Witena-Gemote in Banishing great and notorious Offenders against the King and Kingdom whose Crimes were either not directly Treason according to the strict Letter of the Law or else their Persons being too great for any other less Court of Judicature you may find divers Examples in our Annals and Historians viz. under the Years 1048 1052 1055. But I do not find any great Lord or Nobleman condemned to Death or attainted by Authority of this Council till long after the Conquest HAVING now shewn the Antient Authority of the Estates of the Kingdom to have been always necessary and concurrent I do not say co-ordinate with that of the King and also what other Powers they constantly then used in the next Place I come to observe the near Conjunction and Union of both Church and State in their Mycel-Synods or Witena-Gemotes which lets us see what kind of Supremacy our English-Saxon Kings then exercised in Church Matters as also who they were that at that Time made Ecclesiastical as well as Civil Laws and I shall give it you in the Words of a very Learned Lawyer lately deceased I mean Mr. Joseph Washington since I own I am not able to mend what hath been wrote by so excellent a Pen his words are these IN the second Place for in the precedent Pages he had given some Instances before the entry of the Saxons which being not to my present Design I omit to make appear in some Measure how the Law stood in those Times with respect to the King's Supremacy I will exhibit says he a very few Instances of the Saxon Times during the Heptarchy The Reader may consult many more at his Leisure NO marvel if we find this People submitting to nothing in Religion but what was ordained by themselves De Majoribus Omnes was one of their Fundamental Constitutions before they came hither and it is continued here to this Day And Matters of Religion were amongst their Majora even before they received Christianity ACCORDINGLY Edwin King of Northamberland habito cum Sapientibus Consilio renounced his Paganism and he and they embraced the Christian Faith This is described in Bede and Huntington to have been done in such an Assembly of Men as the Parliaments of those Days are generally mentioned to consist of AFTER the Christian Religion had spread among the Saxons the Bishops and Clergy frequently held Synods without the Laity for Church-Visitation and made Constitutions for the Regulation of the Clergy which they obeyed and submitted to by reason of their Oath of Canonical Obedience but as nothing transacted in those Assemblies of the Clergy bound the People so can no Instance be produced of the Clergy's being bound by any Act of the King not assented to in the Provincial Synods of those Times THESE Synods may easily be distinguished from our Mycel-Synods or Witena-Gemotes not only by the Matters transacted in them but by the Persons that therein presided and subscribed them viz. the Pope's Legate or else the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury or York and the Bishops Abbots c. without the Names of any Temporal Persons present thereat when they were meer Ecclesiastical Synods but if they were mixt as well for Temporal as Ecclesiastical Matters both the King and Arch-Bishop are said to preside otherwise the King alone and before the Union of the
that has not a Fore-head of Brass For the Presence not of the Kings only but of the Duces Principes Satrapae Populus Terrae c. shews sufficiently that neither the Kings and the Clergy without the concurrent Authority of the same Persons that enacted Temporal Laws could prescribe General Laws in Matters of Religion I do not dispute what Orders of Men among the Saxons were described by Duces Principes c. but sure I am that they were Lay-men and as sure that they assented to and confirmed those Laws without whose Assent they were no Laws so that the Kings of those Times had no greater Legislative Power in Ecclesiastical Matters than in Temporal THE tearing the Ecclesiastical Power from the Temporal was the great Root of the Papacy It was that mounted it to this heighth those Powers never were distinct in England nor most other Nations till that See got the Ascendant And it is strange Inconsistency to argue one while that whatever the Pope de facto formerly did by the Canon Law that of Right belongs to our Kings and another while that the several Acts that restore the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction to the Crown are but declarative It shews how little the Supremacy is understood by Modern Assertors of it and how little they are acquainted with the Antient Government of England THE third Period of Time to be considered shall be from the uniting of the several Kingdoms of the Saxons under one Monarchy to the Norman Conquest IN this Division we find a Letter from Pope Formosus to King Edward the Elder wherein the Pope complains that the Country of the West-Saxons had wanted Bishops for seven whole Years Upon the Receipt of this Letter the King calls Synodum Senatorum Gentis Anglorum who being assembled singulis tribubus Gewisiorum i. e. West-Saxonum singulos constituerunt Episcopos quod olìm duo habuerunt in quinque divisêrunt THE Ecclesiastical Laws of King Edward the Elder and Guthrun the Dane begin with this Proemium Haec sunt Senatus-consulta ac Instituta quae primò Aluredus Guthrunus Reges deindè Edwardus Guthrunus Reges illis ipsis temporibus tulêre cum pacis foedus Daci Angli ferierunt Quaeque posteà à sapìentibus Tha Witan saepiùs recitata átque ad Communem Regni utilitatem aucta átque amplificata sunt The Titles of some of these Laws are De Apostatis De Correctione Ordinatorum i. e. Sacris Initiatorum De Incestu De Jejuniis c. all of Ecclesiastical Cognizance or at least of after-times so reputed These are called Senatus-consulta than which a more apposite word could scarce have been used for Acts of Parliament and were assented to by the Witen from which word the Saxon Term for Parliaments Witena-Gemot is derived A Concilium celebre was held under King Athelstan in quo Leges plurimae tùm Civiles tùm Ecclesiasticae statuebantur It 's true the Civil Laws are omitted and Sir Henry Spelman gives us an Account only of the Ecclesiastical Laws made at this Assembly which conclude Decreta Actaque haec sunt in celebri Gratanleano Concilio cui Wulfelmus interfuit Archiepiscopus cùm eo Optimates Sapientes ab Athelstano evocati frequentissimi KING Edmund held a Council Anno 944. where many Ecclesiastical as well as Secular Laws were made as De Vitae castitate eorum qui sacris initiantur De Fani instauratione De pejerantibus De iis qui barbara factitarunt Sacrificia c. And this Council is expressed to have been Conventus tà m Ecclesiasticorum quà m Laicorum celebris tà m Ecclesiasticorum quà m Laicorum frequentia I will give no more Instances before the Conquest tho numbers are to be had which lie scattered up and down in the Monkish Histories which being compared with one another will sufficiently disclose what I assert For sometimes Laws that concert Temporal Affairs as well as Ecclesiastical are said to have been made by such a King in one Author which very Laws another Historian tells us were made in the Great Council for which yet they have no uniform appropriated Expression Term or Denomination Just as we in common Parlance say King Edward the Third or King Henry the Seventh made such a Law which yet every Man understands to have been made in Parliament because else it were not a Law SO far have I made bold with the words of this Learned Gentleman I shall now by way of Confirmation to what he hath said observe from Mr. Lambard's Edition of his English-Saxon Laws which was a different Copy from that from whence Sir Henry Spelman published his Councils that our Saxon Laws both Ecclesiastical and Civil were made by one and the same Authority as appears by the Preface to the Laws of King Edmund which we find runs thus Aedmundus Rex ipso solemni Paschatis Festo frequentem Londini tà m Ecclesiasticorum quà m Laicorum Coetum celebravit c. So likewise in the Laws of King Edgar the Preface of which is thus Leges quas Edgarus Rex frequenti Senatu ad Dei Gloriam Reipublicae utilitatem sancivit In the Saxon Original thus MID HIS WITENA GEHEAHTE GERAED that is with the Council of his Wise-men he established The Laws of King Cnute likewise begin thus Consultum quod Canutus Anglorum Dacorum Norwegiorum Rex ex Sapientûm Concilio sancivit Note the words in the Saxon are the same as above I could illustrate this further by several more Instances out of the same Volume were I not afraid of having already trespassed too much upon you only I desire you would please to take notice that in each Body of these above-mentioned Laws the Ecclesiastical precede and then the Civil or Temporal follow tho being both made at the same time in the same Council and by the joint Authority of the same Parties BUT now to add one thing more from the said Author Mr. Washington which is That Bishopricks and other Ecclesiastical Dignities were in the Saxon Times commonly conferred in Parliament we have the Testimony of Ingulphus who was Abbot of Crowland in King William the Conqueror's Reign à multis annis retroactis nulla erat Electio Praelatorum merè libera Canonica sed omnes Dignitates tà m Episcoporum quà m Abbatum Regis Curia pro suâ complacentiâ conferebat that is says he that for many Years past there was no Election of Prelates absolutely free and Canonical But all Dignities both of Bishops and Abbots were conferred by the King's Court i. e. the Great Council of the Kingdom as I shall prove by and by according to their good Pleasure AFTER which the Person so elected being first consecrated the King invested him with the Temporalties per traditionem Baculi Annuli as you will find in the same Author AND that this Custom was very antient will appear by the Election of Wilfrid to be Bishop of Hagulstade Anno
fought near the Mouth of the River which is called Glein or Gleni which is supposed by some to have been in Devonshire but by others and that more likely to have been Glein in Lincolnshire the Second Third Fourth and Fifth Battels were near another River called Duglâ—s which is in the Country of Linvis or Linnis by some supposed to be the River Dug or Due in Lincâ—lnshire but others place it in Lancashire where there is a River called Dugles near Wigan the Sixth Battel was by a River called Bassas which is supposed to run by Boston in Lincoln-shire the Eighth Battel was near the Castle of Gunion or Guinion in which Arthur carried the Picture of Christ's Cross and of the Virgin Mary upon his back or as Mat. Westminster has it painted on his Target and the Pagans were that day put to flight and many of them slain so that they received a very great overthrow the Ninth Battel was fought near the City of Legions that is in the British Tongue Kaer-Leon now Chester the Tenth was near a River called Ribroit or Arderic the Eleventh was upon the Mountain which is called Agâ—ed Cath Reginian which is some place in Somerset-shire but by Humphrey Lloyd it is supposed to have been Edinburgh H. Huntington confesses these places to be unknown in his time and therefore can be only guessed at in ours As for the Twelfth Battel since the certain time of it is fixed we shall speak of that by and by but the learned Dr. Gale to whom we are beholding for this last Edition of Gildas and Nennius printed at Oxon as also for the various readings and Notes at the end of him supposes that all the Battels here reckoned up were performed in the space of Forty Years aforegoing and althô they may be here attributed to King Arthur yet might be fought under Vortigern Ambrosius and others but that some of these Battles were really fought by King Arthur against the Saxons is acknowledged by all our English Writers and Ranulph Higden in his Polychronicon expresly relates that it is found in some ancient Chronicles that K. Cerdic fighting often with Arthur thô he were overcome yet still came on again more fiercely until Arthur being quite wearied out after the Six and Twentieth Year of Cerdic's coming over gave him up Hampshire and Somersetshire which Countries he then called West-Sexe And Thomas Rudburne in his greater Chronicle about this time we now treat of relates That Cerdic fought oftentimes with King Arthur who being at last weary of War made a League with Cerdic who thereupon granted to the Cornish-men to enjoy the Christian Religion under a Yearly Tribute which is likely enough to be true supposing as we have already said that he was only King of Cornwal and which shews this Prince not to have been such a mighty Monarch as Geoffery of Monmouth would make him Which is likewise confessed by the Welsh Historian Caradoc of Lancarvan in his Life of Gildas where he relates That Glastenbury was in Gildas his time besieged by King Arthur with a great Army out of Cornwal and Devonshire because Queen Gueniver his Wife had been ravish'd from him by Melvas who then Reigned in Somersetshire and that she was there kept by him because of the Strength of that Place whereupon King Arthur raising a great Army out of Cornwal and Devonshire marched to take the Town when the Abbot of Glastenbury accompanied with Gildas went between the two Armies and perswaded Melvas his King to restore the ravish'd Wife which being done both Kings were reconciled Which plainly shews this Arthur to have been but of small Power as well as Reputation who could thus tamely swallow such an Affront But to return to the Saxon Annals which relate That Stufe and Withgar Nephews to King Cerdic arrived in Britain with three Ships at the Port called Cerdics-Ora and fighting against the Britains put them to flight H. Huntington makes a long Description of this Battel which since it is not much to the purpose I omit only he tells us That the British Army was drawn up on a Hill side as also in the Valley which at first put the Saxons in much fear till recovering themselves they put them all to the Rout. Under this Year also Ranulph Higden in Polychron places the Death of Aesc the Son of Hengist to whom succeeded Otta his Son who Reigned 22 Years without any thing related of him either in the Saxon Annals or any other History About this time also thô without assigning the Year the same Author places the Death of Aella King of the South-Saxons who had all the Kings and chief Men in Britain under his Command to whom succeeded his Son Cyssa but in a short time his Posterity whose Names are no where mentioned grew weaker and weaker till they became subject to other Kings This Year Cerdic and Cynric took upon them the Title of Kings of the West-Saxons and the same Year fought against the Britains at a place called Cerdice's-Ford now Charford in Hampshire from which time the Royal Race of the Saxon Kings have reigned there and the same Year the Emperour Justin the Elder began to reign It seems King Cerdic was hitherto very modest for tho he had now been a Conquerour for 24 Years yet did he never take upon him the Title of King till now when he had gained a very large Territory and his Affairs were well established by this great Victory at Cerdice's-Ford but the Time when this Kingdom began is the more observable because at last it conquered all the other six Saxon Kingdoms and so obtained the sole Command of all England so that says H. Huntingdon the Times of all other Kingdoms being applied to these Kings may be by them the better distinguished In this Year as all the best British Manuscripts as well as printed Chronicles relate was fought the great Battel of Badon-Hill which is supposed to be the same with Banesdown near Bathe where the British Writers suppose King Arthur to have Commanded in Person thô divers of our Authors make him to have been only General to Aurelius Ambrosius which is not at all likely since according to the best British Accounts Aurelius died above 20 Years before this Battel This Nennius makes to be the twelfth Battel he had fought with the Saxons yet since Mr. Milton as well as others have been pleased to question whether there was ever any such King who Reigned in Britain it were not amiss if we did a little clear and establish that Point before we proceed any further since so great and remarkable a part of the History of the British Kings depends upon it The Objections that are made against Arthur's being a King in Britain are these First That Gildas makes no mention of him Secondly That he is not so much as mentioned by any ancient British Historian except Nennius who lived near 300 Years after and whom all
the knowledge we have of the History of our Ancient Times we shall begin where we left off in the former Book and shew you by what means this part of Britain was brought to the knowledge of Christ and all the Kingdoms of the Saxon Heptarchy became by degrees united in the same Faith For the doing of which it is necessary that we look some years backward and give you Venerable Bede's Relation how Pope Gregory sirnamed The Great to whom the English Nation owes its Conversion came to send Augustine the Monk to preach the Gospel here in Britain which he thus relates as he received it down by Tradition The Report is That many Merchants coming to Rome great store of Commodities being exposed in the Market-place to be sold Chapmen flocking in apace Gregory also himself going thither tho rather out of Curiosity than to buy saw among other things certain handsome Boys exposed to sale whom when he beheld he demanded from what Countrey they were brought and answer being made That they came out of the Isle of Britain then he asked again Whether those Islanders were Christians To which it was answered They were Heathens when fetching a deep sigh he said It was pity the Father of Darkness should be Master of such bright Faces They also told him that they were called Angles of the Kingdom of Deira and that their Kings were named Aella On each of which Names Bede either invents or else had heard that Pope Gregory made divers Latin Allusions which since if translated they would seem dry or trivial to most Readers I therefore pass by But Will. of Malmesbury further adds to this story That it was then and long after the Custom of the Nation of the Northumbers to sell their own Children or other near Relations to Foreign Merchants which shews them then to have been either extraordinary necessitous or else to have been as barbarous and void of Natural Affection as the Negroes of some parts of Africa are at this day Gregory going immediately to the then Bishop of Rome for himself was not so as yet intreated him to order some Preachers of God's Word to be sent to the English Nation by whose means it might be converted to Christ and that he himself was ready to undertake the Performance of this Work in case it would please the Pope to send him who although he was willing to grant his Request yet the Citizens of Rome who had a great value for him would by no means permit that he should go so far from that City But Gregory being not long after himself advanced to the Papacy he performed by others his so long desired design for in his Fourth Year being admonished saith Bede by Divine instinct he sent Augustine whom he had designed for Bishop of the English Nation and other Zealous Monks along with him to preach the Gospel in Britain who being now upon their way and discouraged by some false Reports dispatch'd Augustine in all their Names beseeching the Pope that they might return home and not be sent a Journey so full of hazard to a fierce and Infidel Nation whose Language they understood not But the Pope immediately sent back their Messenger with Exhortatory Letters to them not to be discouraged by vain Reports but vigorously to pursue the work they had undertaken since their labours would be attended with lasting Glory both in this life and that to come and that they should obey Augustine whom he had appointed for their Abbot besides which Letters the Pope Wrote also to Eutherius Arch-Bishop of Arles wherein he recommended them to his Care and Protection and that he would furnish them with what they wanted also recommending to him Candidus a Presbyter whom he had sent to receive and dispose of the Churches Revenues in France besides which there is nothing remarkable in these Letters except the date which is in the Tenth of the Kalends of August in the Fourteenth Year of the Reign of our Lord Mauritius Tiberius Augustus and the Fourteenth Indiction which falls out in the Year of our Lord 596 though the Author of the old Gregorian Register hath for some Reasons omitted to put down the dates of these Epistles perhaps lest Posterity might understand that the Pope at that time called the Emperour his LORD and dated his Letters by the Year of his Reign Agustine and his Companions being thus confirmed by the Pope's Exhortation proceeded in their Voyage and passing thorough France took Sea and landed in the Isle of Thanet lying on the East part of Kent with about Forty Persons in his Company together with some Interpreters of the French Nation Ethelbert was at that time King of that Country being the most powerful Prince that had Reigned there as having extended the bounds of his Dominion as far as the banks of the River Humber As soon as Augustine arrived he sent to King Ethelbert giving him to understand that he came from Rome and had brought good tidings of Eternal Happiness to all them that would receive it the King hearing this commanded that they should remain in the place where they landed and that all necessaries should be plentifully supplied them till he had determined what to do for he had heard of the Christian Religion long before as having married a Christian Lady called Bertha Sister to the King of France as hath been already said upon this condition that she should have the free Exercise of her Religion and liberty to have a Bishop of her own named Lethard whom she brought with her to assist and strengthen her in the Faith The King after some Days came to the Island and fearing Inchantments sate down in the open Air commanding that Augustine and his Companions should be brought into his presence for he was perswaded by his Country Superstition that if they brought with them any Inchantments they could not there so easily work upon him but Augustine and his Companions Armed with the Power of God and bearing a Silver Cross before them with the Image of our Lord and Saviour painted on a Banner came on singing as in a solemn Procession the Litany as they went and praying unto God for the Eternal Salvation of those to whom they were sent But when sitting down with the King they had preached the Word of Life to him and his Nobles the King thus spoke The Doctrines and the promises ye have made are indeed fair and inviting But I am not as yet resolved to embrace them since I cannot suddenly consent to quit that Religion I have so long professed together with the whole English Nation yet because ye are Strangers and come a long Journey and as it seems would impart to us the knowledge of that Religion you believe to be the best we will not give you the least Molestation but rather will protect you and take care that all things necessary shall be provided for your Maintenance neither shall we prohibit you from gaining as
a cold stone Edwin wondering not a little who he might be asked him again What his sitting within doors or without concerned him To whom he again replied Think not that who thou art or why sitting here or what danger hangs over thee is to me unknown But what would you promise to that man who would free you out of all these Troubles and persuade Redwald not to molest you nor give you up to your Enemies All that I am able answered Edwin to the Unknown Then he proceeds thus What if the same Person should promise to make you greater than any English King hath been before you I should not doubt replied Edwin to be answerably Grateful But what if to all this he would inform you saith the other of a way to Happiness beyond what any of your Ancestors had known Would you hearken to his Counsel Edwin without any Hesitancy promised he would Then the other laying his right Hand on his Head said When this Sign shall next befall you remember this Night and this Discourse nor defer to perform what thou hast now promised And with these words disappearing he was not only convinced that it was not a Man but a Spirit that had thus talked with him But the Royal Youth was also much revived when on the sudden his Friend who had been gone all this while to listen farther what was like to be resolved concerning him comes back and joyfully bids him go to his Repose for that the King's Mind tho for a while drawn aside was now fully resolved not only never to betray him but to defend him against all his Enemies as he had promised In short the King was as good as his word and not only refused to deliver him up but also raising Forces thereby helped him to regain his Kingdom For the next Year as the Saxon Annals relate Ethelfrid King of Northumberland was slain by Redwald King of the East Angles and Eadwin the Son of Aella succeeded him in that Kingdom who subjected all Britain to him except only Kent He also banished the Royal Youths the Sons of Ethelfrid viz. Ealfrid the eldest Son as also Oswald and Oswin with many other Princes whose Names would be tedious here to be repeated But Will. of Malmesbury gives us a more particular Account of this Fight and that since War had been denounced by Ethelfrid upon his refusing to deliver Edwin that thereupon Redwald determin'd to be before-hand with the Danger and with an Army raised on the sudden surprize Ethelfrid being not aware of an Invasion and in a Fight near to the East side of the River Idel on the Mercian Border now in Nottinghamshire slew him dispatching easily those few Forces which he had got to march out over-hastily with him who yet as a Testimony that his Fortune and not his Valour was to be blamed slew with his own Hands Reiner the King's Son And H. Huntington adds That this Battle was so great and bloody that the River Idel was stained with the Blood And that the Forces of King Redwald being very well drawn up the King of the Northumbers as if he had been sure of the Victory rushing in among the thickest Ranks slew Reiner above-mentioned and wholly routed that Wing of the Army But Redwald not terrified with so great a Blow but rather more incensed renewed the Fight with the two remaining Bodies which being not to be broken by the Northumbers Ethelfrid having got among the thickest of his Enemies further than he ought in Prudence to have done was after a great Slaughter there slain upon which his whole Army fled but his two Sons by Acca King Edwin's Sister Oswald and Oswi escaped into Scotland This End had King Ethâ—lfrid a Prince most skilful in War thô utterly ignorant of the Christian Religion By this Victory Redwald became so far Superiour to the other Saxon Kings that Bede reckons him as the next after Aella and Ethelbert who had all England on this side Humber under his Obedience But to look back a little to Ecclesiastical Affairs about this time Laurentius the Archbishop died and was buried near Augustine his Predecessor to whom succeeded Mellitus who was Bishop of London this Mellitus is related by Bede to have by his Prayers stopp'd a great Fire in Canterbury by causing the Wind to blow the quite contrary way to what it did before which at last quite falling the Fire ceased with it He sat Archbishop only five Years This Year Cadwallo is supposed by Radulphus de Diceto to have succeeded his Father Cadwan in the Kingdom of Britain though some of the Welsh Chronicles make him to have began to reign four Years before But as for Geoffery of Monmouth who gives a large and very improbable Account of this King 's Martial Actions and therefore needless to be here repeated it is not his Custom to cite any Authors nor give any Year or Account when his Kings began to reign or when they died This Year Mellitus deceased and was buried with his Predecessors to whom immediately succeeded Justus who had been hitherto Bishop of Rochester but the Year following Paulinus a Roman was consecrated by Justus to be Bishop of the Northumbers for Bede tells us he had before received Authority from Pope Boniface to ordain what Bishops he pleased and as the present occasion should require the Pope sending also a Pall to bestow upon him at the same time To this Year Bede also refers the Conversion of the Northumbers that is all those English-Saxons who lived North of the River Humber together with Edwin their King to the Christian Faith who as an earnest of his future Faith had the Power of his Empire already so encreased that he took the utmost Borders of Britain under his Protection but the occasion of his Conversion was through his Alliance with the King of Kent by his marrying Ethelburga the Daughter of King Ethelbert whom when he sent to desire of her Brother Eadbald for his Wife it was answered That it was not Lawful to bestow a Christian Virgin in Marriage with a Heathen Which when the Messengers related it to King Edwin he promised he would act nothing contrary to that Faith which the Virgin professed but would rather permit a free exercise of her Religion to all those Priests and others who should attend her Neither did he deny to receive the same Religion himself provided upon a just Examination it should appear more Holy and worthy of GOD. Upon these Terms the Lady was sent to Edwin and Paulinus being ordained Bishop as was before resolved on was sent as a Spiritual Guardian to the Virgin who when he came to King Edwin's Court used his utmost Endeavour to convert the Pagans to the Christian Faith but to little purpose for a long time tho' at last he prevailed by this occasion For the year following When Cuichelme at that time one of the two West-Saxon Kings envious of the
growing Greatness of King Edwin sent privily one Eomer an hired Cut-Throat to assassinate him He under pretence of delivering a Message from his Master with a poyson'd Weapon stabs at Edwin whil'st he was discoursing with him in his House by the River Derwent in Yorkshire on an Easter-day which Lilla one of the King 's Attendants at the lucky instant perceiving having no other Means to defend him interposed his own Body to receive the Blow thrô which notwithstanding it reached the King's Person with a dangerous Wound the Murtherer being now encompassed with many Swords and made more desperate by his own Danger slew another of the King's Servants in the same manner That Night the Queen brought forth a Daughter who was called Eanfled and when the King in the presence of Paulinus gave Thanks to his Gods for the Birth of his Daughter the Bishop on the contrary gave Thanks to our Lord Christ that the Queen was safely delivered by his Prayers At which the King being well pleased promised the Bishop to renounce his Idols and become the Servant of Christ if he would grant him Life and Victory against that King who had thus sent a Murtherer to kill him and as an earnest thereof he gave his new-born Daughter to be bred up in that Religion who with 12 other of his Family on the day of Pentecost was baptised and by that time being well recovered of his Wound to punish the Authors of so foul a Fact he march'd with an Army against the West Saxons whom having subdued and put some of those to Death who had conspired against him and received others to Mercy he return'd home victorious But I cannot omit here taking notice of a great Mistake in Mat. Westminster's Flores Historiarum who under this Year makes K. Cuichelme abovementioned to have been kill'd in this Battle though from what Authority I know not whereas it will appear by our Annals that he was alive and Christned near ten Years after But thô after this Victory K. Edwin forbore to worship Idols yet ventured he not presently to receive Baptism but first took care to be instructed aright by the Bishop Paulinus in the Principles of the Christian Faith still conferring with himself and others of his chief Men whom he thought most wise what was best to be done in so weighty an Affair and he himself being a Man of a piercing Understanding when he was alone often considered with himself which Religion was best to be followed About this time also he received Letters from the Pope wherein having briefly set forth the Doctrine of the Trinity as the Foundation of the Christian Faith and having extolled the Conversion of King Eadbald and Piety of the Queen his own Wife he exhorts him to imitate their Examples and casting away his Idols to receive Christ. The Pope writ also Letters at the same time to Queen Ethelâ—urga his Wife wherein he congratulated her Conversion and praised her Piety exhorting her to persist in the Course she had begun and to do her Endeavour to reclaim her Husband from his Infidelity But thô the King joyfully received these Letters yet did they not so much prevail with him as the wonderful fulfilling of the Prediction of the Vision above-mentioned for when the King still deferred the declaring himself a Christian Bishop Aidan as it is supposed had that Transaction revealed to him for one day coming in to the King on a sudden he laid his Hand upon his Head and desired him to remember that Sign whereupon the King being much surprised fell down at his Feet but the Bishop raising him up said thus GOD hath delivered you from your Enemies and given you the Kingdom as you desired perform now what so long since you promised him and receive his Doctrine which I now bring you and that Faith which will not only save your Soul from perpetual Torments but also make you a Partaker of Eternal Happiness Which when the King heard he confessed That he would nay ought to receive this Faith but said he I must first consult further with my chief Friends and Councellors concerning this Matter that if they should likewise receive it we might all be Converted and Baptized together Which Paulinus agreeing to and the King there holding a Council with his wise Men asked them severally What they thought of this new Doctrine and Worship which had been as yet unknown among them To whom Coifi chief of the Idol-Priests presently answered You may Sir consider what is now preached to you but to tell you freely my Opinion the Religion we profess is good for nothing for although no Man hath more studiously observed the Worship of our Gods than my self yet nevertheless there are many who have received greater Benefits and Dignities from you than I have done and have been more Happy and Prosperous in all their Undertakings whereas if these Gods had any Power they would rather have assisted me who took such care to serve them Wherefore if upon a good Examination you find that the New Doctrine now preached is far better than the Old let us then receive it without delay To which Opinion another of the great Men also yielding his Assent further said It seems Sir to me that the present Life of Man upon Earth in comparison of that Time which to us is unknown is like unto a little Sparrow which whilst you feasted in your Presence-Chamber flew in at one Window and out at another we saw it that short time it remained in the House and it was then well shelter'd from Wind and Weather but as soon as it got out into the cold Air whither it went we were altogether as ignorant as from whence it came Thus we can give some Account of our Souls during its abode in the Body whilst hoâ—sed and harboured therein but where it was before or how it fareth afterwardâ— is to us altogether unknown If therefore Paulinus his Preaching can certainly inform us herein it deserveth in my Opinion to be well received To which Discourses Coifi also further added That he desired to hear Paulinus himself preach concerning his God Which when he had performed as the King had commanded him Coifi cried out I have long since understood that what we worshipped was nothing for the more I sought to understand the Truth in that Religion the less still I found of it So that it is in this Doctrine alone that Truth clearly shines and which is able to confer upon us Eternal Happiness In short the King not only gave Paulinus his Consent to preach publickly but also renouncing his Idolatry received the Christian Faith But Coifi the Chief Priest did not only declare That the Temples and Altars of their false Gods should be pulled down and destroyed but when the King asked him who should undertake it he freely offered himself to do it and so desiring of him a Horse and Arms taking a Lance in his Hand he
his room who coming to Paulinus as far as Lincolne was there by him ordained Archbishop of Canterbury Cadwallo King of the Britains having been as Geoffrey of Monmouth relates conquered by King Edwin lost so great a part of his Kingdom that he was forced to fly into Ireland from whence soon after returning with a great Army of Irish he overcame Penda King of the Mercians in fight and then made him join his Forces against King Edwin All which is probable enough for Bede also tells us That Cadwallo this year rebelling against King Edwin together with Penda invaded the Kingdom of Northumberland when King Edwin raising an Army met them at a place called Hethfield now Hatfield in Yorkshire and there fought a bloody Battel wherein King Edwin himself was slain and his whole Army quite routed in which Fight Osfrid his Son a Warlike Young Prince also fell but Edfrid the Younger being compelled by necessity to surrender himself to Penda was afterwards by him murthered contrary to his Oath This happen'd in the 17 th year of King Edwin's Reign having till now been successful in all his Undertakings But there now ensued a very sad Destruction of the English Nation of the Northumbers since of these two Generals the one was a professed Pagan and the other though a Christian in Name yet shewed himself worse than a Pagan for Cadwallo altho he professed Christianity yet was so barbarous that he spared neither Age not Sex but put all to death with great Cruelty tyranizing for a long while over all those Provinces and seeming resolved quite to extirpate the English Nation nor did he shew any respect to Churches or other Sacred Places it being then the custom of the Britains in Bede's time to set at nought the Faith and Religion of the English-Saxons neither would they have any thing to do with them more than with Pagans But the Head of the slain King was brought to York and there deposited in the Church of St. Peter which he himself had begun and Oswald his Successor finished All things being thus in confusion in those parts and no Refuge or Safety any where to be expected Queen Aethelburga returned by Sea into Kent together with Paulinus the Archbishop and was there received with great Honour by King Eadbald and Archbishop Honorius she was conducted thither by Basse a Valiant Captain of King Edwin's who also brought with him Eanfrede the King's Daughter as also Vscfrea his Son and Iffi his Grandson by Osfrid whom their Mother afterward for fear of the Kings Eadbald and Oswald sent into France to King Dagobert to be brought up where they both died in their Infancy At which time also the Church of Rochester wanting a Pastor Romanus the Bishop having been drowned in going on a Message to Rome Paulinus at the request of King Eadbald and Archbishop Honorius took upon him the care of that Church which he held as long as he lived After the Death of King Edwin Osric the Son of Elfric his Uncle by the Father's side obtained the Kingdom of Deira who had been before received by Paulinus whilst Eanfrid of the same Blood-Royal as being the Son of Ethelfrid the last King before Edwin ruled the Kingdom of Bernicia so that during the Reign of Edwin all the Sons of Ethelfrid with many more of the Young Nobility of that Country lived in Exile either with the Scots or Picts by whom they were instructed in their Religious Rites whilst both these Kings last mentioned abjured the Christian Religion which they had before learnt and professed and relapsing to their old Idolatry were shortly after cut off by Cadwalla King of the Britains for the next Summer Osric having besieged him in a certain Town Cadwallo sallying out with his Men cut him off on a sudden with all his Army and then when he had ravaged the Northumbrian Provinces nor as a King but a cruel Tyrant and that at length Eanfrid came to him imprudently with only Twelve Select Knights in his Company to treat of Peace he put him to Death as he had done his Cousin before That Year saith Bede Is still at this day accounted unlucky and hateful to all good Men both in respect of the Apostacy of these Princes who renounced their Baptism as also for the Tyranny of this British King Whereupon it was agreed by those who computed the Reigns of the Northumbrian Kings to abolish the Memory of these Infidels and to cast this Year into the Reign of the Pious King Oswald who succeeding after the Death of his Brother Eanfrid and marching with a small Force but fortified by Faith in Christ routed Ceadwalla that Prince of the Britains with his vast Army which nothing could resist as he boasted and who was slain in a place which in the English Tongue is called Denisesbourn or Brook the place saith our Authour is shewn at this day and had in great Veneration where Oswald being to give Battle erected a large Wooden-Cross and he himself laboured in setting of it up which when he had finished he thus spoke to his Army Let us now kneel down and joyntly pray unto the Omnipotent and only true God that he would mercifully defend us from this proud Enemy for he knows that we undertake a just War for defence of our Nation and Religion The place is in the English Tongue called Heofenfield or Heavenfield lying near to the Wall which the Romans built from Sea to Sea which we now call the Pict's Wall The rest of Bede's Miracles concerning this place and Cross I omit as very incredible and Superstitious But before we leave this great Action of the Death of Cadwallo I cannot omit taking notice of the Confidence of Geoffrey of Monmouth who notwithstanding this express Testimony of Bede to the contrary will make this Cadwallo not only to have overcome Edwin and other Saxon Kings in divers Battles and to have forced them to submit themselves to him and do him Homage at London and that living and dying Victorious he was there buried and his Body being put into a Brasen Statue of a Man on Horse-back was set over Ludgate for a terror to the Saxons having Reigned Forty Eight Years all which is notoriously false for London had been part of the East-Saxon Kingdom for above One Hundred Years when this King was kill'd who did not Reign Twenty Years in all But the same King Oswald as soon as ever he came to the Kingdom desiring that all his Subjects might profess the Christian Faith sent to the Scotch Bishops for so I suppose the Words Majores natu in Bede are to be rendered among whom whil'st he was in Banishment he had together with his followers received Baptism desiring them that a Bishop might be sent him by whose Preaching the People whom he Govern'd might be grounded in the Christian Religion and receive Baptism nor was he long without an answer to his request
Gift do confirm it with Christ's Cross before the Arch-Bishop Deus Dedit Then follow the Subscriptions of the Kings and others of the Blood Royal viz. Oswi King of Northumberland King Sygar King Sibbi Ethelred the King's Brother together with his Sisters above named as also of Deus Dedit Arch-Bishop of Canterbury after whom follow the Subscriptions of the rest of the Bishops together with some Presbyters and Saxulf the Abbot as also of divers Eoldermen or Governours of Countries who with divers others of the King 's great Men did likewise confirm it This Charter was made in the Year after our Lord's Nativity 664 being the Seventh Year of King Wulfer's Reign they did then also denounce the Curse of God and all his Saints against all that should violate any thing that was there done to which they all answered Amen As soon as this was over the King sent to Rome to Pope Vitalian desiring him to confirm all that he had granted by his Letters or Bull which the Pope immediately performed being to the same effect with the King's Charter already mentioned in this manner was the Monastery of Medeshamsted Founded which was afterwards called Burgh now Peterburgh But to return again to Civil Affairs having dwelt I doubt too long upon Ecclesiastical This Year Kenwalk King of the West-Saxons fought against the Welsh at a place called Peonnum and pursued them as far as Pedridan Of which Fight H. Huntington gives us this further Account That at the first Onset the Britains were too hard for the English but they abhoring flight as bad as Death it self persisted in fighting with them till the Britains growing tired and disheartened fled and were pursued as hath been already said so that they received a very great blow This Year according to Florence of Worcester Hilda the Abbess Founded a Monastery at a place called Streanshale wherein she lived and dyed Abbess The same Year also according to the same Author Inumin Eaba and Eadbert Eoldermen of Mercia rebelled against King Oswi and proclaimed for their King Wulfer the Son of Penda whom they had hitherto kept concealed Also Aedelbert or Agâ—â—bert the Bishop left King Cenwalch and took the Bishoprick of Paris and Wina held the Bishoprick of Winchester of both which Bede hath already given us a particular account The same Year also according to Florence of Worcester Cuthred the Son of Cuichelm a Cousin to King Cenwalch as also Kenbryht the Eolderman great Grandson to King Ceawlin and Father of King Cadwalla dyed This Year according to the Saxon Annals King Cenwalch fought about the time of Easter with King Wulfher at Posentesbyrig supposed to be Pontesbury in Shropshire and Wulfher the Son of Penda wasted the Country as far as Aescesdune now Aston near Wallingford and Cuthred the Son of Culthelm as also King Kenbryht dyed The same Year according to Bede Wulfher took the Isle of Wight with the Country of the Meanvari and gave them to Athelwald King of the South Saxons because he had been that King's Godfather at his Baptism and Eoppa the Priest at the Command of Bishop Wilfrid and King Wulfher first of all offered Baptism to the Inhabitants of that Island whether they accepted it or not is very uncertain But I cannot but here observe the uncertainty of the History of these Times for Ethelwerd in his Chronicle under this Year and at this very place above mentioned relates that Cenwalk had the Victory and carried away Wulfher Prisoner These Meanvari here mentioned by Bede are supposed by Mr. Camden in his Britannia to have been the People of that part of Hampshire lying over against the Isle of Wight This Year also Sigebert King of the East-Saxons thô standing firm in the Christian Faith was as Bede tells us wickedly Murder'd by the Conspiracy of two Brethren in places near about him who being asked what moved them to do so wicked a Deeed gave no other than this Barbarous Answer That they were angry with him for being so gentle to his Enemies as to forgive them their Injuries when ever they besought him But the occasion of his death is much more remarkable for one of those Earls who slew him living in unlawful Wedlock stood thereof excommunicated by the Bishop so that no man might presume to enter into his House much less to Eat with him the King not regarding this Church-Censure went to a Feast at his House upon an Invitation whom the Bishop meeting in his return thô penitent for what he had done and fallen at his Feet yet gently touched with the Rod in his Hand and being provoked thus foretold Because thou hast neglected to abstain from the House of this Excommunicate in that House thou shalt dye and so it fell out not long after perhaps from that Prediction God then bearing witness to his Minister in the due power of Church Discipline when Spiritually executed on the Contemner thereof Yet Bede is so Charitable as to believe that the unfortunate Death of this Religious Prince did not only attone for his fault but might also increase his merit To Sigebert Swidhelm the Son of Sexbald succeeded in that Kingdom who was Baptized by Bishop Cedda in the Province of the East-Angles in the Royal Village called Rendlesham Edelwald King of that Country who was the Brother of King Anna being his Godfather The Sun was now eclipsed V o Non Maij and Ercenbryht King of Kent departed this Life and Ecgbryht his Son succeeded him in that Kingdom As for King Ercombert Will. Malmesbury gives him a very good Character being famous for his Religion to God and his Love to his Country but he had no Right to the Crown save only by Election having an Elder Brother called Ermenred who was alive at the beginning of his Reign and left two Sons behind him Coleman also with his Companions then departed to his own Nation the same Year there was a great Plague over all the Isle of Britain in which perished Tuda the Bishop and was buried at Wagele which Bede calls Pegnaleth also Ceadda and Wilverth were now Consecrated Bishops and the same Year too the Archbishop Deus Dedit dyed after whom the See remained void for Four Years But of the occasion of this departure of Coleman Bede hath given us a long and particular account viz. That a Synod being called at Strean-shall now Whitby in York-shire by the procurement of Hilda the Abbess of that place thô by the Authority of King Oswi who was there present concerning the old Difference about the observation of Easter Wilfred the Abbot and Romanus a Priest were very earnest for the observation of it according to the Order of the Church of Rome and Coleman Bishop of Lindisfarne was as zealous on the other side but after many Arguments pro and con which you may find at large in Bede the Synod at last determining in favour of the Romish Easter it so far displeased
adds further That the Queen Mother to these Princes caused them to be buried under a great heap of Stones and thereby gave Name to the Town of Stone in Staffordshire I thought good to take notice of this Romance because a greater Author viz. Mr. Camden himself hath also thought fit to put it into his Britannia from the Authority of a Manuscript Book once belonging to the Abby of Peterburgh But it is time to look back upon Ecclesiastical Affairs for now according to William of Malmesbury one Adhelm a Monk began to build the Abby of Malmesbury having before obtained a License for so doing together with a Grant of certain Lands called Madulfsburgh from Lutherius Bishop of Winchester the Place being so called from one Maildulf a Scotch Monk and Philosopher under whom Aldhelm had formerly studied who died at this Place where Maildulf had also begun a small Monastery but the few Monks that were there had no Means to subsist but by Alms until such time as this Aldhelm built it anew and got it Endowed by the Charity of Ethelred King of the Mercians Ceadwalla and Ina Kings of the West Saxons with other Noble Benefactors So that it soon became one of the greatest and richest Monasteries in England being at first called Madunesburg and afterwards Malmesbury About the same time also according to the old Book of the Abby of Abingdon in the Cottonian Librarie the Abby of Abingdon was founded by one Hean Nephew to Cissa a Petty Prince under Kentwin King of the West Saxons in Wiltshire and Berkshire the Place at first was called Sheovesham and the Foundation was for no more than an Abbot and 12 Monks but was afterwards much increased by the Charity of succeeding Kings being rebuilt by Abbot Ordgar in the Reign of King Edgar having been burnt and destroyed by the Danes in the time of King Alfred This Year also according to Bede Arch-Bishop Theodore consecrated Erkenwald Bishop of London who was in great Reputation for his Sanctity having before he came to be Bishop founded two Monasteries the one for Ethelburg his Sister at Berking the other for himself at Chertesey in Surrey This Year Escwin Bishop of the East Saxons departed this Life and Hedda took the Bishoprick of that Province and Centwin succeeded in the Kingdom of the West Saxons which Centwin was Son to Cynegils and he the Son of Ceolwulf Also Ethelred King of the Mercians wasted Kent Of which Expedition H. Huntington further relates That this King made War against Lothair King of Kent but he fearing that Valour so Hereditary to the Mercian Family kept out of sight and durst not meet him whereupon the King of Mercia destroyed the City of Rochester and passing through the Kingdom of Kent carried away a great deal of Spoil Bede adds further That he destroyed both Churches and Monasteries without any regard to Religion and so spoiled the Church and Palace of Rochester that Putta the Bishop of that See was forced to retire to Sexwulf Bishop of the Mercians and from him receiving the Possession of a certain Church there ended his Days in Peace This Putta is by Florence of Worcester and William of Malmesbury made the first Bishop of Hereford which Church it seems Sexwulf parted with to him thô Bede does not expresly mention it Also Eadhed was now ordained Bishop in the Province of Lindisse which King Egfrid had lately conquered from Wulfher King of the Mercians But when Ethelred Successour to Wulfher recovered that Province this Bishop retiring from Lindisse governed the Church of Ripon The same Year also Osric a petty Prince of this Country built a Nunnery at Bath which was afterwards turned to a House of Secular Canons but King Edgar turned them out and placed Benedictines in their Places This Year being the Eighth of the Reign of Egfrid King of Northumberland according to Bede and the Saxon Annals there appeared a Comet which continued 3 Months and arising toward Morning carried with it a large Tail like a Pillar in which Year also as Bede relates there arose a great Contention between King Egfrid and Bishop Wilfrid who was expell'd his Bishoprick and two others substituted in his Room over the Northumbrian Nation to wit Bosa who Governed the Province of Deira and Fatta that of Bernicia the former having his Episcopal See at the City of York and the other at Hagulstad being both of them preferred from being Monks Stephen Heddi the Author of St. Wilfrid's Life above-mentioned as also Will. of Malmesbury relate the Quarrel between King Egfrid and the Bishop to have proceeded from the Envy and Ill-will of Erminburge his Queen she making the King jealous of his Secular Glory and Riches and the great Retinue that followed him whereupon the King resolved to be rid of him so that presenting Theodore Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with great Gifts they perswaded him to come into that Province and together with three Bishops he brought with him who were not of the Northern Diocess they not only condemned but deprived Bishop Wilfrid being absent whereupon the Bishop went to the King and the Arch-Bishop and asked them What was the Reason that without any Crime alledged they had robbed him of his Estate that was given him by former Kings for God's sake But if this Author may be credited they gave him a very trifling Answer saying That they found no Fault in him yet would not alter what had been Decreed against him Whereupon the Bishop by the Consent of the rest of his Fellow-Bishops of his Province appealed to Rome But certainly these Bishops could not at that time be many for there were then no more in this Province than Lindisfarne and Whitern in the Picts Country Towards Rome he went the next Year but in his way thither landing in Frizeland he stayed there all that Winter converting the People of that Province And then proceeding in his Journey to Rome the Spring following where arriving he applied himself to the Pope and presented him with a Petition which being read before Pope John and the Synod at Rome he was by the said Pope and all the Bishops there present being 150 in Number Decreed to be restored to his Bishoprick but he could never prevail so far as to get this Council's Decree to be received as long as King Egfrid lived The same Year Bishop Wilfrid returning into England was received by Beorthwald Nephew of Ethelred King of the Mercians who then governed part of that Kingdom under his Uncle who hearing of it his Wife being the Sister of King Egfrid commanded Beorthwald immediately to dismiss him from whence he went to Centwin King of the West Saxons where staying but a little while he was also driven from thence because the Queen was Sister of Queen Erminburge Thus Stephanus Heddy in his Life of Bishop Wilfrid relates but it is to be doubted with too much Partiality on
him in the Kingdom of Mercia and held it Forty One Years Of this King Osred above mentioned Will. of Malmesbury gives a very bad Character that he stained his Reign by Debauching the Chastity of the Profess'd Nuns and that he was at last Slain by the Treachery of his Relations who also brought the same fate upon themselves But this King Ethelbald above mentioned was the Son of Alwer and he of Eoppa whose pedegree is already set down Also this Year Egbert that venerable person converted the Monks of Hii to the right Faith so that they afterwards observed Easter Orthodoxly as also the Ecclesiastical Tonsure the relation of which Bede hath given us at large being in short that Egbert the Priest above mentioned coming out of Ireland on purpose to convert those Monks they were so moved by his Pious Exhortations that leaving the Traditions of their Fore-fathers they afterwards observed the Catholic i. e. Roman Rites Egbert after he had lived with these Monks in this Island for Thirteen Years dyed there This Year Ingild the Brother of King Ina deceased whose Sisters were Werburgh and Cuthburgh the latter of whom Built the Monastery of Winburne She was once Married to Eadbert King of Northumberland but whil'st he lived they were made to renounce each other 's Bed In this Year also as Ingulphus in his History of the Monastery of Croyland relates that Abby was founded by Ethelbald King of the Mercians in honour of St. Guthlac the Anchorite then lately deceased it was for Benedictines You may see this King's Charter in the aforesaid Authour whereby he granted to this Monastery the whole Isle of Croyland then containing Four Leagues in length and Three in breadth with all the Marshes adjoyning there particularly mentioned About this time according to the Welsh Chronicle Roderic or Rodri the Son of Edwal Ywrich began to Reign over the Britains in Wales This Year Daniel Bishop of Winchester went to Rome and the same Year Ina slew Cinewoulf Athcling that is Prince of the Blood Royal and the same Year St. John Bishop of Hagulstad deceased who was Bishop Thirty Three Years and Eight Months whose Body was buried at Beverlie This was he who being first Bishop of Hagulstad and then of York was after his Death Canonised by the Name of St. John of Beverlie to whose shrine many Pilgrimages were made and of whom the Monkish Legends relate many incredible Miracles nor is Bede himself wanting in his Stories of this Bishop which notwithstanding I think are better omitted But Bede under this Year gives us this account of him that when he was not able by reason of his Age to perform his Episcopal Functions having ordained Wilfred his Presbyter Bishop of York in his room he retired to his Monastery in the Forrest of Deira where he finished his Life in a Heavenly Conversation This Year Queen Ethelburg destroyed the Castle of Taunton now Taunton-Dean in Somersetshire which Ina had before built and Eadbert was forced to flye into Surry to the South-Saxons where Ina also fought with them H. Huntington tells us That the reason why Queen Ethelburgh destroyed this Castle was because Eadbert a Rebellious Prince of the Blood Royal had taken it and made it the seat of this Rebellious War It being now according to Bede the Seventh Year of the Reign of Osric King of Northumberland King Wythred dyed who was Son of Egbert King of Kent after having reigned Thirty Four Years and an half He left Three Sons Ethelbert Eadbert and Aldric his Heirs Will. Malmesbury gives him this Character that he was gentle at home invincible in War and who strictly observed the Christian Religion but according to our Annals Eadbert his Son succeeded alone to him in the Kingdom This Year also according to our Annals Ina fought again with the South-Saxons and there slew Eadbert Aetheling whom he had before banished H. Huntington farther informs us That King Ina pursued Eadbert into Southsex and a nameless Authour adds That he then slew Aldwin King of the South-Saxons who took his part and Conquered that Countrey Also the same Year King Ina new built the Ancient Monastery of Glastenbury endowing it with divers Lands and also granted it an Exemption from all Episcopal Jurisdiction with divers other priviledges as you may find in his Charter confirmed by a great Council of the whole West-Saxon Kingdom the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Baldred King of Kent with divers other Bishops and Great Men being present and subscribing to it in the presence of all the Lay-people This Charter is in the Manuscript in the Library of Trinity Coll. in Cambridge and is also Printed by Sir H. Spelman in his First Volume of British Councils It was also sent to Rome and there confirmed by the Pope as the Book of Glastenbury relates About this time as Ranulph of Chichester in Polychronichon relates that Ina King of the West-Saxons first confered upon St. Peter that is the Bishop of Rome a Penny from every House in his Kingdom which was called by the English-Saxons-Romescot and in Latin Donarius Sancti Petri i. e. Peterpence which is also allowed by Polydore Virgil in his History who was once the Pope's Collector of this Tax in England but since I do not find this confirmed by any Ancient Authour or Council I suspend â—y my belief of it since I do not look upon the bare Testimony of the Collector of Polychronicon as of sufficient Authority for a mâ—tter of this Moment but if it were ever granted by this King it is likewise as certain that it could not be done without the consent of the Mycel-Synod or great Council of the Kingdom though that be not now to be found This Year according to Bede and the Saxon Annals deceased Tobias Bishop of Rochester a most learned Man for he was bred under the discipline of Arch-Bishop Theodorus and Abbot Adrian and was so well skill'd in the Greek and Latin that they were as perfect and familiar to him as his Mother Tongue he was buried at Rochester in St. Paul's Porch adjoining to the Church of St. Andrew after whom Aldwulf was made Bishop of that See Arch-Bishop Bertwald consecrating him King Ina went to Rome and there dyed and Ethelheard his Kinsman succeeded him in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and held it Fourteen Years William of Malmesbury and H. Huntington do both give King Ina great Commendations proposing him as an Example not only of Magnanimity and Justice by the good Laws he made but also of Piety and Devotion in that he was perswaded to quit all Worldly Vanities for a Monastick Life and that by the frequent Exhortations of the Queen his Wife who when she saw nothing would prevail upon him took this course which thô none of the cleanliest I will here give you Once when the King had made a great Entertainment at one of his Country-houses as soon as the Company was gone the
there was likewise now a Synod at Aclea But under what King this Council was held or whereabouts the place is or what Decrees were there made our Histories are altogether silent in but Sir H. Spelman in his first Volume of Councils supposes it to have been at a place of that Name in the Bishoprick of Durham where there are two places so called the one Alca and the other Scole Aclea This Year Cyneheard slew Cynewulf King of the West-Saxons but Cyneheard himself was there slain and Eighty Four Men with him but these Annals in the beginning of this King's Reign under Anno Dom. DCCLV have given us a full account of this King 's unfortunate end which I rather chuse to insert in its proper place and was thus That he endeavouring to Expel Cyneheard Brother to the late King Sigebert out of the Kingdom in the mean time when he knew that the King with a small Company was gone to Merinton now called Merton in Surrey to visit a certain Woman he there besieged him and beset the Chamber where he was before the King 's Attendants could know any thing of it which as soon as the King perceived he got out of Doors and Manfully defended himself but all of them assaulting the King at once they in the end slew him thô as Florence relates he first sorely wounded Cynheard but when the King's Thanes who were then in the same House heard the noise they all ran thither as fast as they could get themselves ready but Cyneheard Aetheling promised them great Rewards and Pardon if they would take his part which none of them would agree to but presently all fought against him till they were all killâ—d except one British Hostage who was grievously wounded but the next morning the King's Thanes that remained at home coming to know that he was kill'd viz. Osric the Ealderman and Wiverth his Thane and all those whom he had left behind him they all came thither on Horseback and when they found Cyneheard Aetheling in the Town where the King lay dead and having the doors fast locked upon them as they approached and endeavoured to break in Cynheard promised to grant them all their Liberties and all their Lands and Goods with great Riches and Honours if they would deliver up the Kingdom to him peaceably telling them moreover That he had some of their Kinsmen with him who would never desert him but they answered That none of their Relations were dearer to them than their own Lord and they would never obey his Murderers and they then farther told their Kinsmen That if they would leave their Leader they should all be safe from whom they also received this Answer That the like had been already promised to those who were of the King's Party and said That as they then refused their promise so themselves should now refuse the like from them then they fought at the Gates until they were broken open and the Conspirators forced to retire within them but there Cyneard Aetheling was Slain and all those that were with him except one who was the Ealderman's God-son to whom being grievously wounded he granted his Life This King Cynwulf Reigned One and Thirty Years and his Body lyes buried at Wintencester but that of the Aetheling at Axanmister now Axminster in Devon-shire being both of them descended from Cerdic the first King of that Kingdom This same Year also Brihtic began his Reign over the West-Saxons whose Body lyes buried at Werham and he was also descended from Cerdic in a right Line In those times King Aealmond Reigned in Kent he was the Father of King Egbert and Egbert was the Father of Athulf or Athelwulf But the Authour of these Annals is here mistaken for thô one Aealmond was Father of King Egbert yet was there never any of that Name King of Kent Bothwin Abbot of Ripun deceased this Year and the same Year was held that troublesome Synod at Cealchythe where Arch-Bishop Janbryht lost part of his Province to the See of Litchfield also Higebryht was this Year chosen Arch Bishop of Litchfield by King Offa and Egbert his Son was anointed King with him and in those times there were Legates sent from Pope Adrian to renew the Faith which had been sent us by Augustine Note the Pope had before granted the Pall to Litchfield and thereby made it an Arch-Bishoprick but it was not till the following Year confirmed in a general Synod of the Kingdom This Year that great Synod or Council of Calcuith above mentioned was held by Gregory Bishop of Ostia and Theophilact Bishop of Tudertum then the Pope's Legates in England at which were also present Offa King of the Mercians and Cinwulf King of the West-Saxons where not only the Nicene Creed was again received and confirm'd as also the Seven first General Councils but many Canons were made concerning Matters of Religion and Ecclesiastical Discipline of all which I shall here recite some that I think proper The second of these Decrees is That Baptism be performed at the times appointed by the former Canons of the Church and no other and that all Men in general learn the Creed and the Lord's Prayer that Godfathers shall be answerable for those Children for whom they stand till they come to Years capable of learning the Creed and the Lords Prayer The Twelfth Canon is That in the Election or Ordination of Kings no Man should permit the Assent or Vote of Evil Men to prevail but Kings shall be Lawfully Elected by the Clergy and Elders of the People not begot of Adultery or Incest because as in our times an Adulterer according to the Canons cannot arrive to the Priest-hood so neither can he be the Lord 's Anointed and the Heir of his Country and King of the whole Kingdom who is not begot of Lawful Matrimony The rest of it is for rendering Honour and Obedience to Kings without speaking Evil of them and the chief Texts out of St. Peter and St. Paul are cited to that purpose It is also there forbid That any Man should conspire the Death of the King because he is the Lord 's Anointed and if any shall be guilty of that wickedness if he be a Bishop or one in Priest's Orders he shall be deprived as Judas was cast out from his Apostleship There is also here likewise cited out of Scripture several examples of those that have been punished either for conspiring the Death of Kinsg or having actually kill'd them The Sixteenth Canon is That Bastards and those begotten of Nuns shall not inherit which is the first Decree we find of this kind The Seventeenth Canon is That Tythes shall be paid according to the Scriptures viz. Thou shalt bring the Tenth part of all thy encrease when thou bringest thy first fruits into the House of the Lord thy God there is likewise cited the Text in Malachi Chap. 3. concerning the paying of Tythes and therefore says the Canon
Gunhilda Gunhildis Gurgi Gurguint Guthfrith Guthlac Guthrun Guy Gwgan Gwido Gwyn or Gwyr Gwyneth Gyrth H HAcun Hadrian Haefe Halfdene Hamtune Hardecnute Harold 4. Harwood-Forest Hastings Hatred Heacca Headda Heads Healfange Healfden Heathens Heavens Hedda Heddi 2. Heliogabolus Helmestan Helmham Hemeida Hengest and Horsa Hengestdune Henwald Heofenfield Heraclitus Herefrith Hereman Heresy Herethaland Heriots Hethfield Hiberni Higbald Higbert Hilda Hinguar and Hubba Hlothe Vid. Troops Hock-Wednesday Holland Homage Honorius 3. Hooc Norton Horesti Horsa Vid. Hengest Horses Hostages Hostilianus Houses Religious Vid. Monasteries Howel Howel and Meredyth Hubba Hubblestones or Hubblestow Huda Huena Hugh Hundred Courts Hundreds Hunferth Hungus Hunting Huntington Hussa Hyde Hye J JAgo and Jevaf Jago ap Edwal Janbryht Japhet Iberi Icanho Iceni Ida Idel Idols Jerne Jerusalem Jews Iffi Igmond Ilford Iltutus Images Impostor Ina Indian Apostles Indians Ingerlingum Ingild Ingwar Inquest Grand Intestates Inundation Invasion John of Beverlie John Scotus Jointures Joseph of Arimathea Jovian Ipswich Ireland Island Ithamar Ithancester Ivor Judges Julia Julian Julianus Jury Justice Justin the Elder Justus Jutes K KEawlin Vid. Ceawlin Kemsford Kenbryht Kened 2. Kenelm Keneswith Kenet Kenred Kent Kentigern Kentishmen Kentwyn Kenulf Kenwal Vid. Cenwalch Kenwulf Kings Kingsbury King's Evil King 's Houshold Kingsige Knights Service Knute Vid. Cnute Kynan Vid. Conan Kynobelin L LAncaster Land's End Langoemagog Lanthorns Lashlite Lawrence Laws League Learning Lease Lee Leeds Legancester Legion Roman Legions Leicester Leighton Lent Leo 2. Leof Leofgar Leofred Leofric 2. Leofwin Leotheta Lethard Levatriae Leutherius Lewelin 2. Liblacum Licinius Priscus Lideford Lifing Lightning Limene Lindisfarne Lindisse Lindissi Litchfield Living 2. London Lords Lord's-Day Lord's-Prayer Lothaire 2. Lothebroc Lots Lucius Lucullus Saluftius Ludgate Ludican Lugeanburh Lupicinus Lupus Lupus Virius M MAccuse Macrinus Maelgwyn Magnentius Maildulf Maims and Wounds Malcolm Maldon Malgo or Malgoclunus Mallings Malmesbury Man the City Man the Isle Manchester Mancuses Mandubratius Manslaughter Vid. Murther Marcellus Ulpius Marcus Aurelius Vid. Aurelius Marcus Margaret Mariage Marinus Marius St. Martin Martinus a Praefect Martinus the Pope Martyrdom Maserfield Maxentius Maximinian Marcus Aurelius Maximinianus Maximinus Julius Maximus 3. Meanwari Medcant Medeshamsted Melgas Mellitus Members Menai Menaevia Mercevenlage Mercia Mercy Meredyth Meredyth and Howel Merehwit Meresige Merton Merwina Midletune Militia Milred Milton Mints Miracles Modwina Mollo Mona Monarch Monasteries Money Monks Morchar 2. Morgant Morindus Vid. Morvidus Morini Mortality Morvidus Moston Mould Mouric Mulcts Murrain Vid. Plague Murther Myranheofod N NAitan Nation Nazaleod Nennius St. Neot Nero Nerva Nesse-Point Newenden Nice Nicholaus Niger Pescenius Night-Mare Nobility Normandy Normans Northalbingia Northampton Northern People of Britain Northumbers Northumbrian Kingdoms North-Wales Norway Norwich Nothelm Numerianus Nunnery Vid. Monastery Nunnichia O OAkly in Surrey Oath of Fidelity Vid. Fealty Odo Offa 2. Offerings at the Altar Olaff Olanaege Old Saxony Orcades Ordeal Order Ordgar 2. Ordination of a Bishop Ordovices Orgiva Orkeney Orotius Paulus Osbald Osberge Osbert Osfrid Oskytel Osmund Osred 2. Osric 3. Ostorius Scapula Oswald and Oswie Oswald Aetheling Oswald 3. Oswestre Oswin Oswulf Oswy Otford Outlawry Oxford P PAenius Posthumus Pagan Rites Pagans Vid. Heathens Palace-Royal Palladius St. Pancrace Church Papinian Pardon Vid. Prerogative Paris Parish-Feasts Parker Parliament Paschalis Pasham Patern Paulinus St. Paul's-Church Paulus Peace of the King Peace or League Peadda Pecuniary Fines Vid. Punishment Pedidan or Pendrid-Mouth Pelagius Pen Penda Pentarchy Pentecost-Castle Penvahel Pepin Perennis Perjury Pertinax Pestilence Peter Peterburgh Peter-Pence Petroc Philip Philippus Marcus Julius Philippus Nonnius Phoenicians Picts Pightwin or Pechtwin Pinchenhale or Finkenhale Pius Antoninus Plague Plautius Pledge Plegmund Plenty Polidore Virgil Polycletus Pope Port Portlock-Bay Portsmouth Portus Icâ—ius Posentesbyrig Praesidialis Prasutagus Prayer Praedur Prerogative Priests Priscilla Probus M. Aurel. Valer. Prodigies Protection Provision for the King's Houshold Punishments Purgation Pusa Putta Q QUarrel or Deadly Feud Queen Quenburga Quendride Quendrith Quichelme R RAdnor Radnorshire Raven Vid. Banner Reculf Redburge Redwald Rees Reginald Regni Reiderch-hoel Religion Religious Houses Vid. Monasteries Resignation of Bishopricks Restitutus Revenge Rhine Richard the Elder of Normandy Richbert Ricsige Ripendune Ripon Ritheric ap Justin Ritherch and Rees Robber Robert Duke of Normandy Robert a Norman Monk Rodoric or Rodri Rodri Maur Rofcaester Rollo the Dane Roman Affairs Empire Language c. Romans Romanus Rome Romescot Rowena Rufina Claudia Run or Reyn Runick Characters Runkhorne in Cheshire Rusticus Decimius Ryal in Rutlandshire S SAcriledge Salaries Sale of Goods c. Vid. Traffick Sampson Sanctuaries Sandwich Saragosa in Spain Sardica Sarum Old Saturninus Seius Saxon Annals Saxon English Saxony Saxulph Scapula Vid. Ostorius Sceapige Sceorstan Sceva School Scotch Historians Scotland Scots Scriptures Sea Seals Sebba Vid. Siger Sebbi Sebert Secington Security Selred Sempingaham Seneca Seolefeu Sermon Serpents Servants Sester Severn Severus Severus Alexander Severus Germanus Seward Sexburga Shaftsbury Shaving of Crowns Sheovesham or Secvesham Shepholme Sheriffs Sherwood Forest Ships Shireburne Shiremotes Shropshire Sicga Sigebert 2. Sigeferth Siger and Sebba Sigeric Vid. Syric Sihtric Silures Simony Singin Sithicundmon Slaves Snottingaham Soldier Somerton Southampton South-Saxons South-Shâ—ebury Southumoers South-Wales Sparafock Spot Wulfric Stamford Standing Army Stanmore Stealing Vid. Theft Stephanus Stigand Stilico Stone in Staffordshire Stone-henge Straetcluyd Strangers Strathern Streanshale Strikers in open Court Stufe and Withgar Succession to the Crown Suetonius Paulinus Sunday Vid. Lord's-Day Supposititious Birth Suretyship Sutbury in Suffolk Swale Swanwick in Hampshire Swebryht Sweden Sweeds Sweyn 4. Swidhelme Switheard Swithred St. Swithune Sydeman Synod Syric or Sigeric Syward 2. T TAcitus M. Claudius Taliesseâ— Tamworth in Staffordshire Tatwin Tavistock-Abbey Taunton Taxes Temples of Idols Tenantius Vid. Theomantius Testament Testudo Tetricus Thaelwalle in Cheshire Thanet Island Theft Theobald Theodore Theodoric Theodosius 2. Theodwulf Theomantius Tholouse St. Thomas Thunore Thurkyll Thyra Tiberius Tilabury Tinmouth Tiowulfingeeaster Titulus or Titillus Tobias Toceter Torswick Tostige Tower of London Tradition Traffick Trajan Transmarine Nations Transportation Traytor Treasure-trove Trebellius Maximus Vid. Maximus Trekingham Triades Tribute Triers Trinobantes Triumphal Honours and Ornaments Tâ—oops Trumbrith or Trumbert Trumwin Trutulensis Tryals Tuda Tudric Tudwall Gloff Turkytell Turne-Island Turpilianus Petronius Twelf-hindman Twi-hindman Tyrants Tythes Tythings V VAcancy of the Throne Valentia Valentinian Valentinus Valerianus Pub. Licinius Valuation Vectius Bolanus Venedoti Venutius Veranius Verulam Vespatian Flavius Titus Uffa Vice-Domini Victor Victorinus Vienne Villain Villains Virgilius Virgins Vitalian Ulfkytel University Unust Vortigern Vortimer Vortipore Urbgen or Urien Urbicus Lollius Urgeney Urych Merwyn Uscfrea Usurers Uther Pendragon Uthred Utrecht Vulgar W WAda Wakes Wales Wall Wallbrook Waltham-Abbey Wall-town Wanating Warewell Warham Warwick Watchet in Somersetshire Wax-tapers Wectij or Wicij Wedesbury Weland Welsh Wenbury Werfryht West-burgh West-Chester Vid. Chester Westminster Church and Abbey West-Saxons Westwude Whalie in Lancashire Wheat Whipping Whitby in Yorkshire Whitchurch in Hampshire Whitsand Wibbendon Wiccon Widow Wigbryht
by Dioclesian Id. p. 87. Died at York Ibid. Vid. Constantine the Great Cloveshoe a Synod appointed to be assembled there once a year l. 4. p. 193. The Great Synod where were present Ethelbald the Mercian King and Archbishop Cuthbert where the place was is uncertain several Supposals and Conjectures about it Id. p. 224. The second Council held here and what was decreed in it Id. p. 225. The third Council held here under King Kenwulf and what was transacted therein Id. p. 243. l. 5. p. 248. A Synod held here under King Beornwulf and Archbishop Wilfrid whose Constitutions wholly relate to Ecclesiastical Affairs l. 5. p. 253. Another Synodal Council held here by Beornwulf c. wherein some Disputes about Lands between Heabert Bishop of Worcester and the Monastery of Westburgh are determined Ibid. Cnobsbury a Town wherein Fursaeus by the help of King Sigebert erects a Monastery which afterwards Anna King of the East-Angles richly endows l. 4. p. 180. Cnute having obtained the Crown of England restores its ancient Laws and Liberties l. 5. p. 246. Builds a Noble Monastery at Beadricesworth now St. Edmundsbury whither the Body of Edmund the Martyr was removed some time before l. 5. p. 323. Is chosen King by all the Danish Fleet and Army after the Death of his Father Sweyn l. 6. p. 39. Puts the Hostages on Shore at Sandwich that were given to his Father but first cuts off their Hands and Noses Ibid. Plunders all about Wiltshire Dorsetshire and Somersetshire c. and Aedric and the West-Saxons Submission to him Id. p. 40 41 42. Is chosen King by several of the Bishops Abbots and Noblemen of England upon which he comes up with his Fleet to Greenwich to besiege London and the Battels he fought with King Edmund and those that espoused his Interest Id. p. 45 46 47. A Peace concluded on between him and Edmund Ironside with an Account of the Particulars of it Id. p. 47 48. The Council he summoned to London about making him King of all England and setting aside his Children and Brethren from the Kingdom of the West-Saxons Id. p. 49. When he began his Reign divides all England into four Parts or Governments râ—serving West-Saxony to himself Id. p. 50. Marries Emma Widow of the King his Predecessor and the Reason of State for it Goes to Denmark to subdue the Vandals carrying along with him an Army of English and Danes the former behaving themselves so bravely against the Enemy that after that Battel he had the English in as much esteem at his own Native Subjects Holds a Great Council at Cyrencester and what is â—ransacted therein Id. p. 51. A Parliament called by him at Winchester and who present and what decreed therein l. 6. p. 52. Founds the Monastery of Beadricesworth where a Church had been built before and endows it which was one of the Largest and Richest in England Ibid. Goes again into Denmark with his Fleet and engages with the Swedes both by Land and Sea the latter getting the Victory Two years after he drives Olaf out of Norway and conquers it for himself Ranishes Hacun a Danish Earl his Nephew by Marriage under pretence of an Embassy Id. p. 53. Agrees with Robert Duke of Normandy That King Ethelred's two Sons should have half the Kingdom peaceably during his life Gives the Port of Sandwich to Christ-Church in Canterbury with all the Issues c. And founds a Monastery for Benedictines in Norfolk called St. Bennet's in Holme Id. p. 54. Goes to Rome and what he does there he declares in a Letter he sent upon his return from thence into England to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York Id. p. 55. Goes into Scotland and there King Malcolme becomes subject to him Before his Death he appoints Swayn his Eldest Son King of Norway Hardecnute his Son by Queen Emma King of Denmark and Harold his Son by Elgiva King of England after him Id. p. 56 61. Dies at Shaftsbury and is buried at the new Monastery of Winchester having reigned almost Twenty Years His Character A pretty Story about the sense he had of the Vanity of Worldly Empire Id. p. 57. The Laws he ordains with the Consent of his Wise Men at Winchester Id. p. 57 58 59 60. His Laws afterwards confirm'd and renew'd by King Edward the Confessor at the Request of the Northumbers Id. p. 90. Coelestine the Pope sends Palladius the Bishop to the Scots to confirm their Faith l. 2. p. 109 110. Cogidunus held several British Cities of Ostorius Scapula as Tributary to the Roman Empire l. 2. p. 41. Coifi chief of King Edwin's Idol Priests consents to receive the Christian Religion confessing his own to be good for nothing l. 4. p. 173. Burns the Idol Temples and demolishes the Altars of his former Gods Id. p. 174. Coil the Son of Marius succeeds him in Britain loves the Romans and is honoured by them and governs the Kingdom long and peaceably l. 2. p. 67. Dies towards the end of Marcus Aurelius the Emperor's Reign Id. p. 68. Coinage King Athelstan's Law That no Money be coined out of some Town no embasing to be of the Coin under Forfeiture of the loss of the Hand c. l. 5. p. 340. Though not Treason in King Ethelred's time yet punishable at the King's discretion either by Fine or Death l. 6. p. 44. Vid. Money Colchester anciently called Colnaceastre taken from the Danes by the men of Kent Surrey and Essex and the neighbouring Towns The Wall rebuilt and all ruinous places repaired by the Command of King Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 322. Coldingham the Monastery Vid. Monastery of Coludesburgh Coleman Bishop of Lindisfarne departs to Scotland and upon what account l. 4. p. 189. Coludesburgh a great Monastery of Monks and Nuns together called afterwards Coldingham in the Marches of Scotland burnt and how l. 4. p. 198 199. Columba the Priest or Presbyter comes out of Ireland to preach the Word of God to the Northern Picts and receives the Island of Hy to build a Monastery in l. 3. p. 143. Comets one appeared in King Egfrid's time that continued three Months carrying with it every morning a large Tail like a Pillar l. 4. p. 196. Another in Ethelheard's time l. 4. p. 220. One appeared some time after Easter in the year 891. l. 5. p. 298. Another appeared about the time of Queen Ealswithe's Death Id. p. 313. Another was seen in the year 995. l. 6. p. 26. A dreadful one appeared which was visible in all these parts of the world Id. p. 106. Commodus succeeds his Father Marcus Aurelius in the Empire l. 2. p. 68. In his Reign the Britains and other Countries were much infested with Wars and Seditions Id. p. 70. Makes Helvius Pertinax Lieutenant in Britain but was soon dismissed of his Government there Id. p. 70 71 He was odious to the Commonwealth because of his Vices by which he not only destroyed it but disgraced himself Id. p. 71.
Devotion l. 4. p. 198. Didius Aulus a Roman Praetor sent Lieutenant into Britain in the room of Ostorius his Engagements and Success there l. 2. p. 45. Difilina Vid. Dublin Dinoth Abbot of Bangor instructed how to know whether Augustine's Preaching were of God by a Holy man that led the life of an Anchoret l. 4. p. 161 162. Diocesses five made out of two at a Great Council held by Edward the Elder l. 5. p. 313. Dioclesian chose Emperor by the Eastern Army makes Marc. Aurel. Maximinianus his Associate in the Empire nominates Galerius Caesar constrains them to divorce their Wives and to marry their Daughters l. 2. p. 83. His Persecution of his obedient and harmless Christian Subjects Id. p. 85. Dionotus Duke of Cornwall Geoffrey of Monmouth's story of him l. 2. p. 96. v. 102. Domitian succeeds Titus Vespasian his Brother l. 2. p. 57. Secretly designs the Ruin of Agricola through jealousy that the Glory of a private man should eclipse that of his Prince Id. p. 63. Causes it to be reported That the Province of Syria should be bestowed on Agricola Ibid. p. 64. Dorinea since Dorchester in Oxfordshire a City anciently though now but a poor Countrey Town l. 4. p. 179. Dover the Sedition there of the Townsmen against Eustatius Earl of Boloigne how it arose and how it ended l. 6. p. 76 77. Dower Where a Widow marries before her Twelve-month is expired she loses it and who is to have it and all that her Husband left her l. 6. p. 60. Draganus an Irish Bishop refuses to eat upon his coming over hither with Laurentius Archbishop of Canterbury and why l. 4. p. 166. Drinking Bonosus a Hard Drinker having hang'd himself for being vanquished by the Emperor Probus occasioned that sharp Saying Here hangs a Tankard l. 2. p. 82. Brass Pots set upon Posts at Fountains near the Highways for the use of Travellers to drink out of l. 4. p. 175. Edgar's Law to restrain excessive drinking of great Draughts Vid. Addenda p. 136. Druids their great Authority Doctrine and Gods l. 2. p. 23 24. Dublin in Ireland anciently called Difiline l. 5. p. 334. Dubritius Archbishop of Caer-Leon upon Usk in South-Wales Founder of the College of Philosophers there l. 3. p. 149. Resigned his Bishoprick and became an Anchoret in the Isle of Bardsey Ibid. Duduc Bishop of Somersetshire that is Wells his Decease and who is his Successor l. 6. p. 88. Dulcitius a famous Commander with Civilis sent for to Britain by Theodosius and an Account of their Expedition l. 2. p. 93. Dun consecrated Bishop of Rochester after the Death of Eardulph l. 4. p. 224. Dunbritton in Scotland anciently called Alcluid l. 2. p. 101. When it was destroyed by the Danes l. 5. p. 277. Dunmoc a Town in the Kingdom of the East-Angles but destroyed by the Danes l. 5 p. 274. Vid. Dunwich St. Dunstan an Account of his Birth l. 5. p. 329. Then Abbot of Glastenbury when King Edmund conferr'd divers large Privileges upon that Monastery Id. p. 345. King Edred commits the chief Treasures of his Kingdom to his care to be kept at his Abbey Id. p. 351. Is banished out of England by King Edwi and the occasion of it with his Retirement thereupon to a Monastery in Flanders Id. p. 353. Is chosen Bishop of Worcester by the General Consent of a Great Council and afterwards made Archbishop of Canterbury l. 6. p. 2. The Miracles that the Monks relate were done by him as his Harp hanging against the Wall and a whole Psalm being audibly plaid upon it without any hand touching it c. but above all his taking the Devil by the Nose with a Pair of Red Hot Tongs till he made him to roar again Id. p. 3. A great Propagator of Monkery many Monasteries either new built or new founded in his time Exercised Ecclesiastical Discipline without respect of persons witness the Penance he made King Edgar submit to Ibid. As soon as made Archbishop he went to Rome and there obtained his Pall Id. p. 6. Could never endure Ethelfreda Edgar's Queen and the reason why Id. p. 10. Narrowly escapes being killed when the Floor fell down at the Council at Calne in Wiltshire Id. p. 17. He and Oswald c. crown Ethelred the Brother of Edward the Martyr St. Dunstan's Prediction of this King Ethelred Id. p. 19. His Decease He restores the Monkish Discipline in England and makes a Collection of Ordinances for the Benedictine Order l. 6. p. 22. A Relation of his having erected in his life-time a small Monastery at Westminster for Twelve Monks which was vastly augmented by Edward the Confessor Id. p. 93. Dunwallo Molmutius reduces this Island from a Pentarchy in which it was before into a Monarchy l. 1. p. 12. Dunwich in Suffolk Foelix founded his Episcopal See here l. 4. p. 179. Anciently called Dunmoc l. 4. p. 193. And Domue Id. p. 242. Durham the City about what time built and a Church there dedicated to St. Cuthbert by whom erected l. 6. p. 26. Is besieged by Malcolme King of the Scots with a very great Army Id. p. 27. Durstus King of the Picts is slain in Battel and the particular Account of it l. 2. p. 102. Duty to Parents a pretty remarkable Instance of it in one of King Leir's Daughters named Cordiella if it were true l. 1. p. 11. E EAdbald Ethelbert's Son who succeeded him in the Kingdom of Kent His wicked Reign l. 4. p. 168. His Incestuous Marriage upon what account he renounced Id. p. 169. Gives Ethelburga his Niece in Marriage to King Edwin upon condition that she should enjoy the Christian Religion Id. p. 171. He and Archbishop Honorius receive her with great Honour Id. p. 176. Dies after he had reigned Five and twenty years leaving two Sons Id. p. 180. Eadbald the Bishop departs from the Northumbers l. 4. p. 240. Eadbert or Egbryht King of Northumberland marries Cuthburge Sister to King Ina but they are both made to leave each other's Bed l. 4. p. 218. He is forced to fly into Surrey to the South-Saxons and upon what occasion Ibid. Ceolwulf surrenders his Kingdom again to him and he reigned One and twenty years Id. p. 223. Leads Kynwulf Bishop of Lindisfarne Prisoner to the City of Beban who it seems had some way rebelled against him Id. p. 225. His War against the Picts subduing all the Countrey of Kyle c. and joining them to his own Dominions Ibid. And Unust King of the Picts bring an Army against the City Alkuith which was delivered by the Britains upon Conditions Id. p. 227. Is shorn a Monk and Oswulf or Usulf his Son succeeds him after he had reigned One and twenty Years with great Wisdom and Courage insomuch that Pepin King of France not only made a League with him but sent him great Presents Id. p. 228. Dies Ten Years after his taking the Monastical Habit and is buried at York Id. p. 229. Eadbert or
Ethelbert sirnamed Praen begins to reign in Kent l. 4. p. 240. Hath his Eyes put out and his Hands cut off by the order of Cenwulf King of Mercia whither he is carried Prisoner Id. p. 241. Is set free before the High Altar being then a Prisoner of War upon the Dedication of the Abbey of Winchelcomb Id. p. 242. Eadbriht King of Kent his Death after he had reigned Six Years l. 4. p. 225. Eadburga Daughter to King Offa Marries Brithtrick King of the West-Saxons l. 4. p. 235. Makes away her Husband by Poison designed indeed for one of his Favourites whom she could not endure Id. p. 243. Retires into France is put there into a Nunnery and why and being expelled thence for her Incontinency she begg'd her bread in Italy till she died l. 4. p. 243. A Law made upon her account That the King's Consort for the future should not be called Queen l. 5. p. 264. Eadesbyrig supposed by Mr. Cambden to be Edesbury in Cheshire where Aethelfleda Lady of the Mercians built a Castle l. 5. p. 316. Eadfrid a Son of King Edwin by his Wife Quenburga who was Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia l. 4. p. 174. Surrenders up himself to Penda King of the Mercians Id. p. 176. Eadhed is Ordained Bishop in the Province of Lindisse and afterwards Governed the Church of Rippon l. 4. p. 196. Eadmund Etheling Son to King Edgar his Death and Burial at Rumsey in Hampshire l. 6. p. 7. Eadred or Ethelred King of the Mercians Marries Ethelfleda King Alfred's Eldest Daughter l. 5. p. 311. Vid. Ethelred Duke of Mercia Eadsige vid. Aeadsige Eadulf vid. Adulf Eadwig Etheling called Ceorle's Cyng that is King of the Clowns Brother to King Edward is Banished the whole story of him he is made Two Persons by the Annals l. 6. p. 50 51. Eadwin vid. Edwin Eagle the Roman Ensigns were in Caesar's time all Eagles l. 2. p. 26. Ealcher and his Kentish-men with Huda and his Surry-men fight with the Danish Army in the Isle of Thanet and the Success thereof l. 5. p. 261 262. Ealchstan Bishop of Scireborne and Prince Aethelbald join in a most wicked Conspiracy to remove Aethelwulf out of his Kingdom l. 5. p. 263. Ealerd a Daughter of King Edwin's by Queen Aethelburga l. 4. p. 176. Ealfert or Alfred King of the Northumbers his Decease l. 4. p. 213. Ealfric an Ealdorman and one of King Ethelred's Admirals who was to have encompass'd the Danish Fleet by surpise but underhand he betrays the design sending them notice to take care of themselves and the night before the intended Engagement goes over to them himself l. 6. p. 23 24. Several other Treacheries he plays as leaving the Army whereof he was General c. Id. p. 30. Ealswithe The Daughter of Aethelred Ealdorman of the Gaini is Married to King Alfred l. 5. p. 269 313. Her Children by him and her Decease Id. p. 310 311 313. Eanbald Consecrated Archbishop to the See of York on the Death of Ethelheard The Pall demanded for him of the Pope by Alwold King of the Northumbers l. 4. p. 232. Departs from the Northumbers and afterwards Consecrates and places on the Throne Eardwulf who had begun his Reign over Northumberland about a Month before Id. p. 240. His Death and Burial at York the Year after Id. p. 241. Another of the same Name upon his Decease was Consecrated Archbishop of York and the Year following he received the Pall Ibid. This Eanbald held the Second Council at Pinchinhale and what was done therein Id. p. 242. Eanbryht Bishop of Hagulstad his Decease l. 5. p. 248. Eanfrid or Earlfrid the Son of Ethelfrid the last King before Edwin Ruled the Kingdom of Bernicia and Abjured the Christian Religion which before he had Professed l. 4. p. 176. Is basely put to Death by Cadwallo when he imprudently came to him with only Twelve Select Knights in his Company to Treat of Peace Id. p. 177. Earcombert the First English King viz. of Kent who Commanded Idols to be destroyed and ordered Lent to be observed l. 4. p. 180. His Death and who succeeded him Id. p. 185 190. His Character Id. p. 189. Earcongath or Earcongata Daughter to Earcombert a Virgin of great Piety constantly serving God in a Monastery of the Kingdom of the Franks in the Town of Bruges in Flanders l. 4. p. 180. Eardulf succeeds Alfred or Ealfert in the Kingdom of the Northumbers but is expelled from it within Two Months by a Plot laid against him l. 4. p. 213. Eardwulf an Earl commanded to be put to death is found afterwards alive and after that made King of Northumberland Id. p. 236. When he began to Reign there and whom he succeeded Id. p. 240. Returns home Victorious by destroying the Rebels that rose up against him Id. p. 241. Leads an Army against Kenwulf King of Mercia for Harbouring his Enemies but by the Intercession of King Egbert a Peace is agreed on and confirmed by Oath l. 5. p. 248. About Three years after he is driven out of his Kingdom and by whom Ibid. p. 249. The Son of Eardulf the first King of that Name there restored to his Kingdom by the Assistance of the Emperor Charles the Great l. 5. p. 249. Earnred succeeds Aelfwold King of Northumberland l. 5. p. 249. Holds his Kingdom as Tributary to Egbert Chief King of the English who had grievously wasted it with his Arms Id. p. 248 255. His Death his Son succeeding him Id. p. 260. Earnwulf Charles the Gross King of the Franks his Brother's Son expels his Uncle his Kingdom dividing it into Five parts and each of the Kings to Govern under him l. 5.290 East-Angles the Countries we now call Norfolk and Suffolk the Kingdom of it supposed to begin about Anno 575. under Uffa the Eighth King from Woden l. 3. p. 145. The Gospel is preached to them by Furseus which Converted many of them l. 4. p. 180. The Kingdom thereof divided between Hunbeanna and Albert Id. p. 225. They slay Beornwulf King of the Mercians for Challenging this Kingdom as his own l. 5. p. 253. Edmund their King fighting with the Danes they obtain the Victory kill him and wholly Conquer that Kingdom Id. p. 269 272 273 274. Their Subjection and Freedom from the Danish Yoke Id. p. 322 Easter it 's Observation according to the manner prescribed in the Council of Nice l. 2. p. 88. l. 4. p. 166. The Difference about the Rule of keeping it in Augustin's time l. 4. p. 160 161. How it was observed by Bishop Aidan Id. p. 177. Is Commanded to be kept according to the Order of the Church of Rome Id. p. 189. Appointed by the Synod at Hartford in Anno 673. to be kept on the First Lord's Day after the Fourteenth Moon of the First Month that is January this was a General Council of the whole Kingdom Id. p. 193. Aldhelm Abbot of Malmesbury wrote an excellent Book about the Keeping of Easter
the Ecclesiastical and Civil Affairs of Ancient Times l. 4. p. 151. There were only two Orders of them in use amongst our Ancestors of the English-Saxon Church and what Orders they were Id. p. 168. Most people of all Qualities used to take upon them the Monastick Habit Id. p. 221 223. None but Monks anciently made Archbishops of Canterbury l. 5. p. 333. Turn'd out of divers Monasteries by King EdwiÌ„ and Secular Channons put into their places Id. p. 353. Are restored to them again by King Edgar l. 6. p. 6 7. A Civil War is raised in the Nation about them Id. p. 15 16. Are removed from Exeter to Westminster and Secular Channons placed in their stead Id. p. 78. Morchar a Dane of great Riches and Power in the Northern Parts is Treacherously slain by Edric's Order at his own House when he was invited to a Feast l. 6. p. 40. Morchar the Son of Earl Aelfgar is chosen by the Northumbers to be their Earl Id. p. 90. Morgant a Prince of the Isle of Medcant l. 3. p. 147. Morindus Vid. Morvidus Morini or Moriani a People of Gaul landing in Northumberland with Fire and Sword wast the Countrey but are at last defeated by Morindus and his Army l. 1. p. 14. It was the Province of Picardy l. 2. p. 25. Mortality Vid. Plague Morvidus defeating the Moriani putting all the Prisoners to death with exquisite Torments but at last is devoured by a Monster that came out of the Irish Sâ—a with which he would needs fight l. 1. p. 14. Moston his British Mâ— arraigned as to the credit of it by a late Romish Writer but without any material Objection l. 4. p. 162. Mould in Flintshire in the British Tongue is called Guiderac l. 2. p. 108. Mouric Son of Tudric King of Glamorgan is reduced to great extremity by the Saxons l. 3. p. 148 149. Mulcts Cnute's Law about them for divers Offences l. 6. p. 58. For what Crimes no satisfaction to be made by way of Compensation Id. p. 59. The particular Mulcts of those that Violate the King's Peace Id. p. 103. Vid. Murther Murrain Vid. Plague Murther The Punishment for it Anciently Redeemable by Pecuniary Mulcts l. 4. p. 209. Of Two Priests notably returned on the Murtherers l. 4. p. 209. If a Layman kill a Thief no satisfaction to be made to the Friends of the Party slain Id. p. 211. The Value of a Man slain whether English or Dane Four Marks of Pure Gold and the Redemption of each Four hundred shillings l. 5. p. 283. The Mulct which was to be paid for killing a Woman with Child or of killing in Troops or Companies and to whom Id. p. 293 294. By a Priest his Estate is Confiscated and he Degraded c. Id. p. 297. By Witchcraft the Punishment for it by King Ethelstan's Law Id. p. 340. The Murtherer alone to bear the deadly feud of the Kindred of the Party slain or within a Year to Pay the Value of the slain Man's Head Id. p. 347. The Punishment in case of Manslaughter l. 6. p. 43. Edward the Confessor's Law concerning it Id. p. 101. How the Party wrongfully killed is to be cleared in his Reputation and what satisfaction is to be made to his Friends for it Id. p. 103. Myranheofod that is in Saxon Ant's-head Thurkytell of that Name fled from the Danes and the English Army beaten by them l. 6. p. 34. N NAitan King of the Picts desires the Assistance of the English Nation concerning the Celebration of Easter l. 4. p. 216 221. Nation the Miseries and Desolations that Divine Providence brings upon a Wicked and Perverse People in it l. 3. p. 150. Nazaleod a Great British King some think him Ambrosius others Uther Pendragon his pretended Brother and others again only the General of the King of the Britains l. 3. p. 134. Nennius a British Author of no great Credit Id. p. 114. A credulous trivial Writer who vents a great many Fables l. 3. p. 1â—6 Could not Study at Oxford as is supposed by some Writers and why l. 5. p. 290. St. Neot the Story of King Alfred in the Account of this Saint's Life l. 5. p. 280. Nero his succeeding Claudius in the Empire l. 2. p. 45. Nerva his short Reign and the great Commotions in it in this Island l. 2. p. 66. Nesse-point in Essex called by the Saxons Ealdulfe's Naese l. 6. p. 81. Newenden a Town in Kent quite destroyed by the Saxons and afterwards rebuilt where it stood in the Reign of King Edward the First l. 3. p. 132 133. Nice the Great Council there when Assembled some of our Bishops assisted at it l. 2. p. 88. Nicholaus Bishop of Florence made Pope upon the Expulsion of Pope Benedict l. 6. p. 88. Niger Peseenius Saluted Emperor in Syria War against him by Severus l. 2. p. 72. Is afterwards slain by him Id. p. 73. Night-Mare a Disease whence it came to be so called l. 3. p. 125. Nobility their Domineering and Severity â—ver poor Countreymen restrained by King Alfred's Law l. 5. p. 294. Most of the English Nobility slain at the Battel of Ash-down by Cnute and his Army l. 6. p. 47. King Cnute causes several of them to be put to death but for what Crimes unknown Id. p. 50. Their great Degeneracy before the coming in of William Duke of Normandy Id. p. 116. Normandy formerly called Neustria entirely Conquered by Rollo the Dane who Reigned there Fifty years l. 5. p. 278. The Succession of the Dukes there l. 6. p. 53. The great Battel of Vallesdune between Henry King of France and the Nobility of that Dukedome for their refusing to accept of the Bastard William for their Duke Id. p 74. Normans or Northlandmen were Danes and Swedes their Religion and common Deities l. 5. p. 256. All Banish'd that had introduc'd unjust Laws and given false Judgments and committed many Outrages upon the English except a very few l. 6. p. 82. Too many brought over by Edward the Confessor who soon by their Customs corrupted the English Simplicity Id. p. 98. Before their Engaging King Harold spent the night in Prayers and Confessions c. l. 6. p. 112. Northalbingia formerly Old Saxony it 's extent and bounds l. 3. p. 118. Northampton anciently called Hamtune l. 5. p. 319 321. Northern People of Britain described by Herodian afterwards supposed to be called Picti l. 2. p. 22. Northumbers that is all those English-Saxons who lived North of the River Humber l. 4. p. 171. When most part of this Nation as well Nobles as others retired into Monasteries Id. p. 221. Their frequent Rebellions and Expulsion of their Kings shew them to be of a proud and turbulent Temper Id. p. 239 240. l. 5. p. 260. Kings of England appointed Earls under them to Govern that Countrey l. 5. p. 259. Expel their Lawful King Osbryht and set up a Tyrant and Usurper not Descended from the Royal Line Id. p. 267. Expel Egbert their King and
Horse Id. p. 55. Their whole Nation very near cut off by Agricola Ibid. Orgiva Vid. Edgitha Orkeney the Isles when first discovered by the Romans l. 2. p. 63. Orotius Paulus took what he wrote from an History of Suetonius which is now lost l. 2. p. 35. Osbald a Nobleman is made King of Northumberland but held it not long being forced to fly and going to the King of the Picts dies there an Abbot l. 4. p. 239 240. According to Simeon of Durham he was buried in York Minster Id. p. 242. Osberge the Daughter of Aslat or Oslac chief Butler to King Aethelwulf to whom she was married and became the Mother of Alfred who was afterwards King l. 5. p. 261. Her Character Ibid. Osbert or Osbryght succeeds Ethelred in the Kingdom of Northumberland and afterwards is killed by the Danes l. 5. p. 260. Their lawful King is expelled by the Northumbers who set up an Usurper not descended from the Royal Line Id p. 267. Lies with the Wife of one of his Noblemen who complaining of the Affront to the King of Denmark causes a great Army to come over to revenge that Injury Id. p. 268 269. Osfrid a Son of King Edwin by Quenburga the Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia l. 4. p. 174. Is slain with his Father in the Battel of Hethfield Id. p. 176. Oskytel first consecrated Bishop of Dorchester then made Archbishop of York his Death and Burial l. 6. p. 7. Osmund when he began to reign over the South-Saxons l. 4. p. 228. Osred succeeds his Father Alfred in the Kingdom of the Northumbers l. 4. p. 213. Is reconciled to Wilfrid with his Great Men and Bishops Ibid. Becomes Bishop Wilfrid's adopted Son Id. p. 214. Is killed in a Fight near the Sea on the Southern Borders His Character Id. p. 217. Osred the Son of Alchred Nephew of King Alfwold reigned after him and is betrayed and driven out of his Kingdom and who succeeded l. 4. p. 236. Is put to death by King Ethelred's Command and where buried Id. p. 237. Osric the Son of Elfric obtains the Kingdom of Deira abjures the Christian Religion and is cut off by Cadwallo with all his Army l. 4. p. 176. Osric builds a Nunnery at Bath l. 4. p. 196. And the Nunnery of St. Peter in Gloucester which afterwards was destroyed by the Danes and then rebuilt and after was King of the Northumbers Id. p. 201. Osric King of Northumberland slain and who succeeded him Id. p. 220. Ostorius Scapula succeeds Plautius in the quality of Propraetor and reduces the most Southerly parts of Britain to the form of a Province l. 2. p. 41. Overcomes the Iceni engages with the Silures and Caractacus and his Success over them Id. p. 42 43. Is decreed by the Senate all the Ensigns of a Triumph and being worn out with cares and troubles dies Id. p. 44 45. Oswald and Oswie with Eanfrid their Elder Brother all Sons of King Ethelfrid are banished by Edwin l. 4. p. 170 171. Oswald Edwin's Successor in the Kingdom of Northumberland finishes St. Peter's Church in York Id. p. 174 176 l. 5. p. 254. Routs Cadwallo with all his Forces His Speech to his Army l. 4. p. 177. His Kingdom extended over both Deira and Bernicia He would interpret Bishop Aidan's Sermons to his Subjects that heard but did not understand them In his Reign Churches were built in divers places of his Kingdom His Great Character Id. p. 178. His Charity He was Edwin's Nephew by his Sister Acca Ibid. p. 179. Fights a great Battel with Penda â—und was therein slain Id. p. 180. The many Miracles supposed that he wrought after his death Ibid. He was the sixth King that ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. His Body under the Title of Saint long after translated from Bardeney in Lincolnshire into Mercia l. 5. p. 315. Oswald Aetheling fighting with Ethelhard is worsted and the next year dies l. 4. p. 220. Oswald Son to King Ethelred is mentioned by his Father in his Charter to the Abbey of Abingdon l. 5. p. 276. Oswald Archbishop of York his Decease l. 6. p. 5. Oswald Bishop of Worcester succeeds his Kinsman Oskytell in the Archbishoprick of York l. 6. p. 7. His Death and Burial in the Church of St. Mary in Worcester Id. p. 23. Oswestre in Shropshire anciently called Maserfield where was fought the great Battel between Oswald the most Christian King of Northumberland and Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians l. 4. p. 180. Oswin the Brother of King Oswald is made King of Deira l. 4. p. 181. His Death at Ingerlingum Id. p. 182. His Character Id. p. 183. The Seventh King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Oswulf his Son succeeds Eadbert in the Kingdom of Northumberland but is slain within a Year after by the Treachery of his own Servants l. 4. p. 228. Oswy the Son of Usric King of Bernicia l. 4. p. 182. Treacherously procures Oswin to be slain but afterwards builds a Monastery where the Murther was committed to expiate the Crime Id. p. 183. Overcomes Penda who in the Battel is slain Id. p. 185. The Ealdormen of Mercia Rebel against him Id. p. 188. His Death and Burial at Streanshale-Monastery Id. p. 192. Otford in Kent anciently called Ottanford where the Mercians and Kentishmen had a Battel l. 4. p. 230. Outlawry Ethelward the Ealdorman is Outlaw'd in a Great Council of the Kingdom l. 6. p. 51. Earl Sweyn Son of Godwin is declared Outlaw'd in a Great Council at London Id. p. 77. The Common Law of all Outlaws they are said to have Wulfes hefod i. e. a Wolf's head or as we say in Latin gerere Caput Lupinum Id. p. 99 100. Usurer 's Convicted to be look'd on as Outlaw'd Persons Id. p. 102. Earl Elfgar is Outlaw'd in the Witena-Gemot and for what l. 6. p. 86. Vid. Pledge Oxford the University when Founded and who the first Regents and Professors there The Quarrel that arose betwixt Grimbald and the Old Scholars of Oxford This passage of the Quarrel c. objected against by Sir Henry Spelman and answered l. 5. p. 288 289 290. The flourishing state of Learning here related by Asser very much questioned Id. p. 304. King Alfred assisted by Grimbald and John Scotus in Founding this University Id. p. 306. Is taken and Burnt by the Danes l. 6. p. 34 35. All Studies cease there for a long time after till about the Year Eleven hundred thirty three from which time the Scholars have continued there Id. p. 35. P PAenius Posthumus runs himself through with his own Sword and why l. 2. p. 50. Pagan-Rites the Forbidding of them to be observed by the Decree of Calcuith l. 4. p. 234. Pagans Vid. Heathens Palace-Royal the Punishment on any that fight within it l. 4. p. 208. Palladius the Bishop sent by Pope Caelestine to the Scots to confirm their Faith l. 2. p. 109 110. St. Pancrace Church the first Built
the Lord's-Prayer and Creed in English Id. p. 225. Predur a British Prince Son of Oliver Gosgard Vawr a Prince of Cumberland l. 3. p. 147. Prerogative a pretence of King Offa's unlimited Power in Ecclesiastical as well as Civil Matters l. 4. p. 239. Danegelt how by constant usage it became a Prerogative l. 6. p. 66. That of Pardoning in the King not to extend to the Prejudice of the Party injured c. Id. p. 102. To set at liberty any Captive or Prisoner when the King comes into a City c. Id. Ib. Priests that are not able to contain may marry l. 4. p. 155. To learn the Creed and Lord's-Prayer in English and to interpret the Mass and Baptism Id. p. 225. By the King's Priest must be meant either his Chaplain or Bishop l. 5. p. 295. Breach of the Peace by Priests how punishable Id. p. 297. Priscilla and other Hereticks of his Party were sentenced to Death by Maximus the Emperor l. 2. p. 96. Probus M. Aurel. Valer. succeeds Claudius Tacitus in the Empire vanquishes Bonosus who upon it Hang'd himself prevents a new Rebellion in Britain gains other Victories elsewhere and at last is slain by his own Army l. 2. p. 82. Prodigies a great fight and slaughter of Birds in the Air l. 4. p. 192. A Comet continuing Three Months carrying with it every morning a large Tail like a Pillar Id. p. 196. Another appeared in King Ethelheard's time l. 4. p. 220. A Red Cross appeared in the Heavens after Sun set Id. p. 230. The sign of the Cross appeared of it self upon men's Clothes Id. p. 235. A Light frequently seen from Heaven over the place where Alfwold was Murthered Id. p. 236. Immoderate Lightnings Meteors like fiery Dragons flying in the Air Id. p. 238. Sign of the Cross seen in the Moon 2d Nones June in the Morning and on the 3d. Kal. September a wonderful Circle seen round the Sun l. 5. p. 248. An appearance of a Cross in day-time Id. p. 250. Strange Prodigies seen in the Heavens l. 6. p. 15. A strange cloud appeared about midnight all over England in divers Colours Id. p. 18. A Column of Light streaming down from Heaven over St. Edward the Martyr's Grave Id. p. 20. Protection granted anciently by the King not only to Persons but to Places by way of Privilege the several sorts of giving it and what this Peace as it was called was to free Persons from l. 6. p. 100 101. Provision for the King's Houshold how to be made not to oppress the Subjects l. 6. p. 59. Punishments all Crimes Redeemable by Pecuniary Fines in Edward the Elder 's time and some Ages after l. 5. p. 326. Anciently consisted in Pecuniary Fines rather than in Blood Id. p. 342. In Edgar's time Fines were not Arbitrary nor set above a constant rate l. 6. p. 13. For what Crimes no Satisfaction should be made by way of Mulct Id. p. 59. Purgation in case a man be of good Repute his own should be accepted but otherwise either a Threefold one or his single Oath in Three Hundreds l. 6. p. 58 59. Pusa Abbot of the Monastery of Vocingas and whom he succeeded l. 4. p. 231. Putta Bishop of Rochester is forced to retire to the Bishop of the Mercians by his Church's being destroyed and there died This very Man is made the first Bishop of Hereford l. 4. p. 196. Q QUarrel or Deadly Feud King Alfred's Law concerning it l. 5. p. 296. King Edmund's Law about it Id. p. 347. The Indians Deadly Feud against all the Kindred of one that Murthers any of them Id. Ib. Queen upon the Account of Eadburga's ill conduct of her self both as Wife to Brihtric King of the West-Saxons whom she Poisoned and as Widow upon divers other accounts a Law was made That for the future no King's Consort should be so called l. 5. p. 264. Quenburga Daughter of Ceorle King of Mercia and Wife to King Edwin l. 4. p. 174. Quendride Sister to King Kenelm Son to Kenwulf King of Mercia makes her Brother away out of a wicked Ambition of Reigning her self and the dreadful Judgement that befel her upon it l. 5. p. 252. Is forced to make satisfaction to Archbishop Wilfrid for the Wrongs that King Kenwulf her Father had done to the Church of Canterbury afterwards professed her self a Nun and at this time was an Abbess Id. p. 253. Quendrith by her wicked Instigations Ethelbert the Son of Ethelred King of the East-Angles is slain going to Offa's Court in order to Woo his Daughter l. 4. p. 237. Quichelme Bishop of Rochester when he Governed that See l. 4. p. 201. R RAdnor the Town destroyed by Meredyth Prince of North-Wales l. 6. p. 23. Radnorshire-men supposed by Cambden to be meant by the Magaesetons l. 6. p. 46. Raven the Raven-Banner Vid. Banner Reculf a Monastery built by Basse a Priest l. 4.192 Now known by the name of Reculver in Kent Id. p. 205. Redburge Wife of King Egbert was according to the then West-Saxon Law never called Queen What Law she is said to have procured from her Husband l. 5. p. 257. Redwald called the greatest King of the East-Angles the Tenth from Woden l. 3. p. 146. l. 4. p. 171. His Death Id. p. 157. Receives Edwin who had been forced to fly the Countrey of Northumberland very kindly Id. p. 169. Slays Ethelfrid in Battel Id. p. 170. Had been Baptized in Kent by the means of Eadbald but was afterwards by his Wife and others perverted from the true Faith Id. p. 175. He was the Fourth King that Ruled over all Britain l. 5. p. 254. Succeeds Ethelred who was driven out of his Kingdom of Northumberland but soon after fighting with the Danes at Alvethelie he and Earl Alfred were slain l. 5. p. 260. Rees the Brother of Griffyn King of South-Wales was by the Command of Edward the Confessor put to death for his Insosolencies against the English and his Head sent to the King l. 6. p. 85. Reginald succeeds Eowils and Healfden as King over the Danes l. 5. p. 315. Enters into a Contract of Marriage with Aelfwinna Daughter of Aethelfleda and Heir of the Kingdom of Mercia Id. p. 320. Submits his Kingdom of Northumberland to King Edward the Elder Id. p. 323 324. He takes York Id. p. 324. Was the Son of Eardulph Id. Ibid. Eadmund receiveâ— him at his confirmation Id. p. 3â—3 Is called King of York because he had conquered that Countrey Id. p. 344. Regni those Parts we now call Surrey and Sussex l. 2. p. 69. Reiderch-hoel that is the Liberal a British King of Cumberland l. 3. p. 146 147. Religion none ought to be Compelled to receive it for the Service of Christ is to be Voluntary l. 4. p. 154. The state of it in the Western Church when Augustine came over hither Id. p. 155. The Christian Religion came not first into Britain by the Preaching of any Persons sent from Rome but it was most
Jago the Sons of Edwal Voel and the Sons of Howel Dha and the Danes l. 5. p. 349 350. l. 6. p. 6 7 16 20 21 22 23 26 27 53 64. The Irish-Scots invade it by the means of Howel and Meredyth l. 6. p. 56. Is molested by Conan the Son of Jago who had fled into Ireland for the safety of his life Id. p. 70. So infested by the Danish Pyrates that the Sea-Coasts were almost deserted Id. p. 74. Sparhafock a Monk of St. Edmundsbury made Abbot of Abandune and afterwards Bishop of London upon the Translation of Robbyrd to the See of Canterbury l. 6. p. 74 75. But the Archbishop refused to consecrate him tho he came to him with the King's Letters and Seal because the Pope had forbad him However he held his Bishoprick Id. p. 76. Sometime after is deposed from it Id. p. 78. Spot Wulfric a Courtier builds the Monastery of Burton in Staffordshire with his own Paternal Inheritance and gets King Ethelred to confirm it l. 6. p. 31. Stamford a Castle commanded by King Edward the Elder to be built on the South-side of the River Weland l. 5. p. 323. Standing-Army no War possibly to be maintained long either at home or abroad without one l. 6. p. 33. Stanmore Battel in Westmorland between Marius the British King and the Caledonians l. 2. p. 66. Stealing Vid. Theft Stephanus the Pope succeeds Leo and the next year dies l. 5. p. 251. Another of this name Abbot of Mountcassin is consecrated Pope in the room of Victor l. 6. p. 87. Deceases the next year and who succeeds him Id. p. 88. Stigand Cnute's Chaplain had the care of the Church of Ashdown which the King caused to be built there committed to him l. 6. p. 51. Is consecrated Bishop of the East-Angles i. e. Helmham Id. p. 71 73. Receives again his Bishoprick from which it seems by the Simoniacal Practices of Bishop Grymkitel he had been before deprived Id. p. 72. And upon the death of Alfwin is promoted to the See of Winchester Id. p. 73. At last is made Archbishop of Canterbury Id. p. 81. Had the Pall sent him by Pope Benedict William of Malmesbury his Character of him He consecrates Aegelric a Monk of Christ-Church Bishop of Chichester and Syward the Abbot Bishop of Rochester Id. p. 88. Stilico Governor to the Emperor Honorius during his Minority his Character l. 2. p. 97. By a Legion sufficiently furnished with Arms dispatched to Britain delivered the Inhabitants both from spoil and inevitable Captivity Id. p. 99 104 105. Is killed by the Army when Bassus and Philippus were Consuls Id. p. 104. Stone in Staffordshire whence it had its name l. 4. p. 195. Stonehenge here Aurelius Ambrosius was crowned and not long after buried l. 3. p. 131. Is called Mons Ambrosij said to be the Monument of Ambrosius and thought by the latter Antiquaries to be founded by him Ibid. Straetcluyd the Colony erected by the Britains l. 5. p. 344. Strangers as soon as they landed the Merchants are to declare their number and bring them before the King's Officers in Folcmote l. 5. p. 294. The Law against buying and receiving Strangers Cattle Id. p. 346. A Law to harbour them for two nights as Guests but no longer so l. 6. p. 103. Strathern the Scotish Writers will needs have this Province understood by the word Jerne l. 2. p. 98. Streanshale Monastery founded by Hilda l. 4. p. 188. Is now Whitby in Yorkshire Id. p. 189. Strikers in open Court before the King's Ealdormen their Punishment l. 5. p. 295. Stufe and Withgar Nephews to King Cerdic fight against the Britains and put them to flight l. 3. p. 135. Succession to the Crown how settled between the Picts and Scots l. 1. p. 4 5. The Britains had no Notion of any Right the Eldest Brother had to command all the rest not even after they became Christians Id. p. 17. Suetonius Paulinus in his time the Romans received a great Blow in Britain and the Account of it l. 2. p. 46 47 48. Afterwards he gained a mighty Victory over Boadicia and them Id. p. 49 50. Carries it too haughtily towards those that submit Id. p. 50 51. Is succeeded by Petronius Turpilianus Id. p. 51. Sunday Vid. Lord's-Day Supposititious Birth said to be put upon King Cnute viz. the Son of a Shoemaker then newly born by Aelgiva one of his Wives l. 6. p. 61. Suretyship concerning the Breach of the King 's and Archbishops c. what Fine was to be paid upon it by Alfred's Law l. 5. p. 295. Every one to find Sureties for his good Behaviour l. 6. p. 14. Every Lord to be Surety for the appearance of every person in his Family Id. p. 42. Whosoever refuses to give it to be put to death Id. p. 42 43. For the Danes that stay in England to enjoy in all things perfect Peace Id. p. 101. Sutbury in Suffolk anciently called Southburg where Bishop Alfwin deceased l. 4. p. 242. Swale a River but where is not mentioned l. 4. p. 174. Swanawic now Swanwick in Hampshire near the place where the Danes lost 120 of their Ships in a violent Storm as they were going towards Exmouth l. 5. p. 278. Swebryht King of the East-Saxons his Death l. 4. p. 223. Sweden anciently called Scandinovia l. 1. p. 4. And Gothia Id. p. 5. Swedes and Danes called Normans by the French Historians an Account of their Religion and the Deities they worshipped l. 5. p. 256. Sweyn the Son of Harold the Dane slays Edwal ap Meyric in Battel and destroys the Isle of Man He and Anlaff besieges London endeavouring to burn it but are forced to march off the Ravage and Murthers they committed in Essex Kent and Sussex c. l. 6. p. 25. Ousted his Father both of his Kingdom and Life was afterwards expelled himself and wander'd up and down without relief but plagues England after this all he could for refusing to receive him Id. p. 26. Sweyn King of Denmark receiving news of the Massacre of his Countreymen in England by the Advice of his Great Council comes with Three hundred Sail of great Ships and revenges this barbarous piece of Treachery l. 6. p. 30 31. His frequent Returns home and Incursions and Ravages here Id. p. 32 37 38. His Return into England and upon what occasion Id. p. 37. His Decease and the Monk's Relation of the Suddenness of it Id. p. 38 39 40. Sweyn Eldest Son of King Cnute he appoints before his death to be King of Norway l. 6. p. 56. Is driven out of his Kingdom by Harold sirnamed Hairfax but he recovered it again Id. p. 74. Sweyn Earl Son of Godwin goes over to Baldwin Earl of Flanders and stays there all Winter being in disgrace at Court for deflowring an Abbess l. 6. p. 73 74. Makes a League with Edward the Confessor and the King's Promises to him How he decoys his Cousin Beorne on Shipboard and causes him afterwards