The History of Britain, Book 4

The History of Britain · Book 4

p. 136THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN. The Fourth Book.

THE Saxons grown up now to 7 abſolute Kingdoms, and the lateſt of them eſtabliſh'd by ſucceſſion, finding thir power arrive well nigh at the utmoſt of what was to be gain'd upon the Britans, and as little fearing to be diſplanted by them, had time now to ſurvey at leaſure one anothers greatneſs. Which quickly bred among them, either envy, or mutual jealouſies; till the Weſt Kingdom at length grown over powerful, put an end to all the reſt. Mean while, above others, Ethelbert of Kent, who by this time had well rip'nd his young ambition, Bed. Malmſ.with more ability of years and experience in War, p. 137what before he attempted to his loſs, now ſucceſsfully attains; and by degrees brought all the other Monarchies between Kent and Humber, to be at his devotion. To which deſign the Kingdom of Weſt-Saxons, being the firmeſt of them all, at that time ſore ſhak'n by thir over-throw at Wodens-beorth, and the Death of Keaulin, gave him no doubt a main advantage; the reſt yeilded not ſubjection, but as he earn'd it by continual Victories. And to win him Bed. l. 1. c. 25.the more regard abroad, he marries Bertha the French Kings Daughter, though a Chriſtian, and with this condition, to have the free exerciſe of her Faith, under the care and inſtruction of Letardus a Biſhop, ſent by her Parents along with her; the King notwithſtanding and his people retaining thir own Religion. Beda out of Gildas laies it ſadly to the Bed. l. 1. c. 22.Britans charge, that they never would voutſafe thir Saxon Neighbours the means of converſion: but how far to blame they were, and what hope there was of converting in the midſt of ſo much hoſtility, Bed. l. 2. c. 1.at leaſt falſhood from thir firſt arrival, is not now eaſie to determin. Howbeit not long after, they had the Chriſtian Faith preach't to them by a Nation Malmſ. l. 1. c. 3.more remote, and (as a report went, accounted old in Bedas time) upon this occaſion.

The Northumbrians had a cuſtom at that time, and many hunder'd yeares after not aboliſh't, to ſell thir Childern for a ſmall value into any Foren Land. Of which number, two comly youths were brought to Rome, whoſe fair and honeſt countnances invited Gregory Arch-Deacon of that Citty, among others that beheld them, pittying thir condition, to demand whence they were; it was anſwer'd by ſom who ſtood by, that they were Angli of the Province Deira, ſubjects to Alla King of Northumberland, and p. 138by Religion Pagans. Which laſt Gregory deploring, fram'd on a ſudden this alluſion to the three names he heard; that the Angli ſo like to Angels ſhould be ſnatch't de ira, that is, from the wrath of God, to ſing Haleluia: and forthwith obtaining licence of Benedic the Pope, had come and preach't heer among them, had not the Roman people, whoſe love endur'd not the abſence of ſo vigilant a Paſtor over them, recall'd him then on his journey, though but deferr'd his pious intention. An. Dom. 596 For a while after, ſucceeding in the Papal Seat, and now in his fourth year, admoniſht, ſaith Beda, by divine inſtinct, he ſent Auguſtine whom he had deſign'd for Biſhop of the Engliſh Nation, and other zealous Monks with him, to preach to them the Goſpel. Who being now on thir way, diſcouraged by ſome reports, or thir own carnal fear, ſent back Auſtin, in the name of all, to beſeech Gregory they might return home, and not be ſent a journey ſo full of hazard, to a fierce and infidel Nation, whoſe tongue they underſtood not. Gregory with pious and Apoſtolic perſwaſions exhorts them not to ſhrink back frō ſo good a work, but cheerfully to go on in the ſtrength of divine aſſiſtance. The Letter it ſelf yet extant among our Writers of Eccleſiaſtic ſtory, I omit heer, as not profeſſing to relate of thoſe matters more then what mixes aptly with civil affairs. The Abbot Auſtin, for ſo he was ordain'd over the reſt, reincourag'd by the exhortations of Gregory, and his fellows by the Letter which he brought them, came ſafe to the Ile of Tanet, An. Dom. 597 in number about 40, beſides ſome of the French Nation whom they took along as Interpreters. Ethelbert the King, to whom Auſtin at his landing had ſent a new and wondrous meſſage, that he came from Rome to proffer Heav'n and eternal happineſs in the p. 139knowledge of another God then the Saxons knew, appoints them to remain where they landed, and neceſſaries to be provided them, conſulting in the mean time what was to be done. And after certain days coming into the Iland, choſe a place to meet them under the open Sky, poſſeſt with an old perſwaſion, that all Spells, if they ſhould uſe any to deceive him, ſo it were not within doors, would be unavailable. They on the other ſide call'd to his preſence, advancing for thir Standard, a ſilver croſs, and the painted image of our Saviour, came ſlowly forward ſinging the ſolemn Litanies: which wrought in Ethelbert more ſuſpition perhaps that they us'd enchantments; till ſitting down as the King will'd them, they there preach'd to him, and all in that aſſembly, the tidings of Salvation. Whom having heard attentively, the King thus anſwer'd. Fair indeed and ample are the promiſes which ye bring, and ſuch things as have the appearance in them of much good; yet ſuch as being new and uncertain, I cannot haſtily aſſent to, quitting the Religion which from my Anceſtors, with all the Engliſh Nation, ſo many years I have retain'd. Nevertheleſs becauſe ye are ſtrangers, and have endur'd ſo long a journey, to impart us the knowledge of things, which I perſwade me you believe to be the trueſt and the beſt, ye may be ſure we ſhall not recompence you with any moleſtation, but ſhall provide rather how we may friendlieſt entertain ye; nor do we forbid whom ye can by preaching gain to your belief. And accordingly thir reſidence he allotted them in Doroverne or Canturbury his chief Citty, and made proviſion for thir maintenance, with free leave to preach their doctrine where they pleaſed. By which, and by the example of thir holy life, ſpent in prayer, faſting, and continual labour in the p. 140converſion of Souls, they won many; on whoſe bounty and the Kings, receiving only what was neceſſary, they ſubſiſted. There ſtood without the Citty, on the Eaſt-ſide, an ancient Church built in honour of St. Martin, while yet the Romans remain'd heer: in which Bertha the Queen went out uſually to pray: Heer they alſo began firſt to preach, baptize, and openly to exerciſe divine worſhip. An. Dom. 598 But when the King himſelf convinc't by thir good life & miracles, became Chriſtian, and was baptized, which came to paſs in the very firſt year of thir arrival, then multitudes daily, conforming to thir Prince, thought it honour to be reckon'd among thoſe of his faith. To whom Ethelbert indeed principally ſhewed his favour, but compell'd none. For ſo he had bin taught by them who were both the Inſtructors Bed. l. 2. c. 5.and the Authors of his faith, that Chriſtian Religion ought to be voluntary, not compell'd. About this time Kelwulf the Son of Cutha Keaulins Brother reign'd over the Weſt-Saxons, Sax. an. Malmſ.after his Brother Keola or Kelric, and had continual War either with Engliſh, Welch, Picts, or Scots. An. Dom. 601 But Auſtin, whom with his fellows,Bed. l. 1. c. 27. Ethelbert now had endow'd with a better place for thir abode in the Citty, and other poſſeſſions neceſſary to livelihood, croſſing into France, was by the Archbiſhop of Arles, at the appointment of Pope Gregory, ordain'd Archbiſhop of the Engliſh: and returning, ſent to Rome Laurence and Peter, two of his aſſociates, to acquaint the Pope of his good ſucceſs in England, and to be reſolv'd of certain Theological, or rather Levitical queſtions: with anſwers to which, not proper in this place, Gregory ſends alſo to the great work of converting, that went on ſo happily, a ſupply of labourers, Mellitus, Juſtus, Paulinus, Rufinian, and many others; who what they p. 141were, may be gueſs't by the ſtuff which they brought with them, veſſels and veſtments for the Altar, Coaps, reliques, and for the Archbiſhop Auſtin a Pall to ſay Maſs in: to ſuch a rank ſuperſtition that Age was grown, though ſome of them yet retaining an emulation of Apoſtolic zeal: laſtly, to Ethelbert they brought a letter with many preſents. Auſtin thus exalted to Archiepiſcopal authority, recover'd from the ruins and other profane uſes, a Chriſtian Church in Canturbury built of old by the Romans; which he dedicated by the name of Chriſts Church, and joyning to it built a ſeat for himſelf and his ſucceſſors; a Monaſtery alſo neer the Citty Eaſtward, where Ethelbert at his motion built St. Peters, and enrich't it with great endowments, to be a place of burial for the Archbiſhops and Kings of Kent: ſo quickly they ſtep't up into fellowſhip of pomp with Kings. While thus Ethelbert and his people had thir minds intent, Bed. l. 2. l. 34.Ethelfrid the Northumbrian King, was not leſs bufied in far different affairs: for being altogether warlike, and covetous of fame, he more waſted the Britans then any Saxon King before him; winning from them large Territories, which either he made tributary, or planted with his own Subjects. An. Dom. 603 Whence Edan King of thoſe Scots that dwelt in Britain, jealous of his ſucceſſes, came againſt him with a mighty Army, to a place call'd Degſaſtan; but in the fight looſing moſt of his men, himſelf with a few eſcap'd: only Theobald the Kings brother, and the whole wing which he commanded, unfortunately cut off, made the Victory to Ethelfrid leſs intire. Yet from that time no King of Scots in hoſtile manner durſt paſs into Britain for a hunderd and more years after: and what ſome years before, Kelwulf the Weſt-Saxon is annal'd to have done againſt the Scots and Picts, paſſing p. 142through the Land of Ethelfrid a King ſo potent, unleſs in his aid and alliance, is not likely. Buchanan writes as if Ethelfrid, aſſiſted by Keaulin whom he miſtitles King of Eaſt-Saxons, had before this time a battel with Aidan, wherein Cutha Keaulins ſon was ſlain. But Cutha, as is above written from better authority, was ſlain in fight againſt the Welch 20 years before. An. Dom. 604 The number of Chriſtians began now to increaſe ſo Bed. l. 2. c. 3faſt, that Auguſtine ordaining Biſhops under him, two of his aſſiſtants Mellitus and Juſtus, ſent them out both to the work of thir miniſtry. And Mellitus by preaching converted the Eaſt-Saxons, over whom Sebert the ſon of Sleda, by permiſſion of Ethelbert, being born of his ſiſter Ricula, then reign'd. Whoſe converſion Ethelbert to gratulate, built them the great Church of St. Paul in London to be their Biſhops Cathedral; as Juſtus alſo had his built at Rocheſter, and both gifted by the ſame King with fair poſſeſſions. Hitherto Auſtin laboured well among Infidels, but not with like commendation ſoon after among Chriſtians. For by means of Ethelbert ſummoning the Britan Biſhops to a place on the edge of Worceſterſhire, call'd from that time Auguſtines Oke, he requires them to conform with him in the ſame day of celebrating Eaſter, and many other points wherein they differ'd from the rites of Rome: which when they refus'd to do, not prevailing by diſpute, he appeals to a miracle, reſtoring to ſight a blind man whom the Britans could not cure. At this ſomething mov'd, though not minded to recede from thir own opinions without furder conſultation, they requeſt a ſecond meeting: to which came ſeven Britan Biſhops, with many other lerned men, eſpecially from the famous Monaſtery of Bangor, in which were ſaid to be ſo many Monks, living all by thir own labour, p. 143that being divided under ſeven Rectors, none had fewer then 300. One man there was who ſtaid behind, a Hermit by the life he led, who by his wiſdom effected more then all the reſt who went: being demanded, for they held him as an Oracle, how they might know Auſtin to be a man from God, that they might follow him, he anſwer'd, that if they found him meek and humble, they ſhould be taught by him, for it was likelieſt to be the yoke of Chriſt, both what he bore himſelf, and would have them bear; but if he bore himſelf proudly, that they ſhould not regard him, for he was then certainly not of God. They took his advice, and haſted to the place of meeting. Whom Auſtin being already there before them, neither aroſe to meet, nor receiv'd in any brotherly ſort, but ſat all the while pontifically in his Chair. Whereat the Britans, as they were counſel'd by the holy man, neglected him, and neither hark'n'd to his propoſals of conformity, nor would acknowledge him for an Archbiſhop: And in name Spelman. concil. pag. 108.of the reſt, Dinothus then Abbot of Bangor, is ſaid, thus ſagely to have anſwer'd him. As to the ſubjection which you require, be thus perſwaded of us, that in the bond of love and charity we are all Subjects and Servants to the Church of God, yea to the Pope of Rome, and every good Chriſtian to help them forward, both by word and deed, to be the Childern of God: other obedience then this we know not to be due to him whom you term the Pope; and this obedience we are ready to give both to him and to every Chriſtian continually. Beſides, we are govern'd under God by the Biſhop of Caerleon, who is to overſee us in ſpiritual matters. To which Auſtin thus preſaging, ſome ſay menacing, replies, ſince ye refuſe to accept of peace with your p. 144brethren, ye ſhall have War from your enemies; and ſince ye will not with us preach the word of life, to whom ye ought, from their hands ye ſhall receive death. This, though Writers agree not whether Auſtin ſpake it as his prophecy, or as his plot againſt the Britans, fell out accordingly.Sax. an. Huntingd. For many years were not paſt, when Ethelfrid, whether of his own accord, An. Dom. 607 or at the requeſt of Ethelbert incens't by Auſtin, with a powerful hoſt came to Weſtcheſter, then Caer-legion. Where being met by the Britiſh Forces, and both ſides in readineſs to give the onſet, he diſcernes a company of men, not habited for War, ſtanding together in a place of ſome ſafety; and by them a Squadron arm'd. Whom having lernt upon ſome enquiry to be Prieſts and Monks, aſſembl'd thither after three days faſting, to pray for the good ſucceſs of thir Forces againſt him, therefore they firſt, faith he, ſhall feel our Swords; for they who pray againſt us, fight heavieſt againſt us by thir prayers, and are our dangerouſeſt enemies. And with that turns his firſt charge upon the Monks: Brocmail the Captain ſet to guard them, quickly turns his back, and leaves above 1200 Monks to a ſudden maſſacher, whereof ſcarſe fifty ſcap'd, but not ſo eaſie work found Ethelfrid againſt another part of Britans that ſtood in arms, whom though at laſt he overthrew, yet with ſlaughter nigh as great to his own ſouldiers. To excuſe Auſtin of this bloodſhed, leſt ſome might think it his revengeful policy, Beda writes that he was dead long before, although if the time of his ſitting Archbiſhop be right computed ſixteen years, he muſt ſurvive this action. Other juſt ground of charging him with this imputatión Malmſ. geſt. pont. l. 1.appears not, ſave what evidently we have from Geffry Monmouth, whoſe weight we know. The ſame p. 145year Kelwulf made War on the South-Saxons, bloody, Sax. an.ſaith Huntingdon, to both ſides, but moſt to them of the South: An. Dom. 611 and four years after dying left the Government Sax. an. Malmſ.of Weſt-Saxons to Kinegils and Cuichelm the ſons of his brother Keola. Others, as Florent of Worſter and Mathew of Weſtminſter, will have Cuichelm ſon of Kinegils, but admitted to reign with his father, An. Dom. 614 in whoſe third year they are recorded with joynt Forces or conduct to have fought againſt the Britans Camd.in Beandune, now Bindon in Dorſetſhire, An. Dom. 616 and to have ſlain of them above two thouſand. More memorable Sax. an.was the ſecond year following, by the death of Ethelbert the firſt Chriſtian King of Saxons, and no leſs a favourer of all civility in that rude age. He gave Laws and Statutes after the example of Roman Emperors, written with the advice of his ſageſt Counſellors, but in the Engliſh tongue, and obſerv'd long after. Wherein his ſpecial care was to puniſh thoſe who had ſtoln ought from Church or Churchman, thereby ſhewing how gratefully he receiv'd at thir hands the Chriſtian Faith. Which, he no ſooner dead, but his ſon Eadbald took the courſe as faſt to extinguiſh; not only falling back to Heatheniſm, but that which Heatheniſm was wont to abhor, marrying his fathers ſecond wife. Then ſoon was perceiv'd what multitudes for fear or countenance of the King had profeſs't Chriſtianity, returning now as eagerly to thir old Religion. Nor ſtaid the Apoſtacy within one Province, but quickly ſpread over to the Eaſt-Saxons; occaſion'd there likewiſe, or ſet forward by the death of thir Chriſtian King Sebert: whoſe three ſons, of whom two are nam'd Sexted and Seward, neither in his life time would be Malmſ.brought to baptiſm, and after his deceaſe re-eſtabliſh'd the free exerciſe of Idolatry; nor ſo content, p. 146they ſet themſelves in deſpight to do ſome op'n profanation againſt the other Sacrament. Coming therfore into the Church, where Mellitus the Biſhop was miniſtring, they requir'd him in abuſe and ſcorn to deliver to them unbaptiz'd the conſecrated bread; and him refuſeing, drove diſgracefully out of their dominion. Who croſs'd forthwith into Kent, where things were in the ſame plight, and thence into France, with Juſtus Biſhop of Rocheſter. But Divine vengeance deferr'd not long the puniſhment of men ſo impious; for Eadbald, vext with an evil Spirit, fell oft'n into foul fits of diſtraction; and the Sons of Sebert, in a fight againſt the Weſt-Saxons periſh'd, with their whole Army. But Eadbald, within the year, by an extraordinary means became penitent. For when Laurence the Archbiſhop and ſucceſſor of Auſtin was preparing to ſhip for France, after Juſtus and Mellitus, the ſtory goes, if it be worth beleeving, that St. Peter, in whoſe Church he ſpent the night before in watching and praying, appear'd to him, and to make the Viſion more ſenſible, gave him many ſtripes for offering to deſert his flock; at ſight whereof the King (to whom next morning he ſhew'd the marks of what he had ſuffer'd, by whom and for what cauſe) relenting and in great fear diſſolv'd his inceſtuous marriage, and appli'd himſelf to the Chriſtian Faith more ſincerely then before, with all his people. But the Londoners addicted ſtill to Paganiſm, would not be perſwaded to receave again Mellitus thir Biſhop, and to compell them was not in his power. An. Dom. 617 Thus much through all the South was troubl'd in Religion, as much were the North parts diſquieted through Ambition. For Ethelfrid of Bernicia, as was touch't before, having thrown Edwin out of Deira, and join'd that Kingdome p. 147to his own, not content to have bereav'd him of his right, whoſe known vertues and high parts gave cauſe of ſuſpition to his Enemies, ſends Meſſengers to demand him of Redwald King of Eaſt-Angles; under whoſe protection, after many years wandring obſcurely through all the Iland, he had plac'd his ſafety. Redwald, though having promis'd all defence to Edwin as to his ſuppliant, yet tempted with continual and large offers of gold, and not contemning the puiſſance of Ethelfrid, yeilded at length, either to diſpatch him, or to give him into thir hands: but earneſtly exhorted by his Wife, not to betray Malmsb. L. 1. c. 3.the Faith and inviolable Law of Hoſpitality and refuge giv'n, preferrs his firſt promiſe as the more Religious, nor only reſuſes to deliver him; but ſince War was thereupon denounc't, determins to be beforehand with the danger; and with a ſudden Army rais'd, ſurpriſes Ethelfrid, little dreaming an invaſion, and in a fight near to the Eaſt-ſide of the River Idle, on the Mercian border, now Nottinghamſhire, Camden.ſlaies him, diſſipating eaſily thoſe few Forces which he had got to march out over-haſtily with him; who yet as a teſtimony of his Fortune, not his Valour to be blam'd, ſlew firſt with his own hands, Reiner the Kings Son. His two Sons Oſwald, and Oſwi, by Acca, Edwins Siſter, eſcap'd into Scotland. By this Victory, Redwald became ſo far ſuperior to the other Saxon Kings, that Beda reck'ns him the next after Ella and Ethelbert; who beſides this Conqueſt of the North, had likewiſe all on the hitherſide Humber at his obedience. He had formerly in Kent receav'd Bed. L. 2. c. 15.Baptiſm, but coming home and perſwaded by his Wife, who ſtill it ſeems, was his Chief Counſeller to good or bad alike, relaps'd into his old Religion; yet not willing to forgoe his new, thought it p. 148not the worſt way, leſt perhaps he might err in either, for more aſſurance to keep them both; and in the ſame Temple erected one Altar to Chriſt, another to his Idols. But Edwin, as with more deliberation he undertook, and with more ſincerity retain'd the Chriſtian profeſſion, ſo alſo in power and extent of dominion far exceeded all before him; ſubdueing all, ſaith Beda, Engliſh or Britiſh, eev'n to the Iles, then call'd Mevanian, Angleſey, and Man; ſetl'd in his Kingdome by Redwald, he ſought in mariage Edelburga, whom others call Tate, the Daughter of Ethelbert. To whoſe Embaſſadors, Eadbald her Brother made anſwer, that to wed thir Daughter to a Pagan, was not the Chriſtian Law. Edwin repli'd, that to her Religion he would be no hindrance, which with her whole Houſhold ſhe might freely exerciſe. And moreover, that if examin'd it were found the better, he would imbrace it. An. Dom. 625 Theſe ingenuous offers, op'ning ſo fair a way to the advancement of truth, are accepted, and Paulinus as a ſpiritual Guardian ſent along with the Virgin. He being to that purpoſe made Biſhop by Juſtus, omitted no occaſion to plant the Goſpel in thoſe parts, An. Dom. 626 but with ſmall ſucceſs, till the next year, Cuichelm, at that time one of the two Weſt-Saxon Kings, envious of the greatneſs which he ſaw Edwin growing up to, ſent privily Eumerus a hir'd Sword-man to aſſaſſin him; who under pretence of doing a meſſage from his Maſter, with a poiſon'd Weapon, ſtabs at Edwin, conferring with him in his Houſe, by the River Derwent in Yorkeſhire, on an Eaſter-day; which Lilla one of the Kings Attendants, at the inſtant perceaving, with a loyalty that ſtood not then to deliberate, abandon'd his whole body to the blow; which notwithſtanding made paſſage through to the p. 149Kings Perſon, with a wound not to be ſlighted. The murderer encompaſs'd now with Swords, and deſperate, fore-revenges his own fall with the Death of another, whom his Poinard reach'd home. Paulinus omitting no opportunity to win the King from miſbeleef, obtain'd at length this promiſe from him; that if Chriſt, whom he ſo magnifi'd, would give him to recover of his wound, and victory of his Enemies who had thus aſſaulted him, he would then become Chriſtian, in pledge whereof he gave his young Daughter Eanfled to be bred up in Religion; who with 12 others of his Family, on the day of Pentecoſt was baptiz'd. And by that time well recover'd of his wound; to puniſh the Authors of ſo foul a fact, he went with an Army againſt the Weſt-Saxons: whom having quell'd by War, and of ſuch as had conſpir'd againſt him, put ſome to Death, others pardon'd, he return'd home victorious, and from that time worſhip'd no more his Idols, yet ventur'd not raſhly into Baptiſm, but firſt took care to be inſtructed rightly, what he learnt, examining and ſtill conſidering with himſelf and others, whom he held wiſeſt; though Boniface the Pope, by large Letters of exhortation, both to him and his Queen, was not wanting to quicken his beleef. But while he ſtill deferr'd, and his deferring might ſeem now to have paſt the maturity of wiſedome to a faulty lingring, Paulinus by Revelation, as was beleev'd, coming to the knowledge of a ſecret, which befell him ſtrangly in the time of his troubles, on a certain day went in boldly to him, and laying his right hand on the head of the King, ask'd him if he rememberd what that ſign meant; the King trembling, and in a maze riſeing up, ſtrait fell at his Feet. Behold, ſaith Paulinus, raiſing him from the ground; God hath deliver'd p. 150you from your Enemies, and giv'n you the Kingdome, as you deſir'd: perform now what long ſince you promis'd him, to receave his Doctrine which I now bring you, and the Faith, which if you accept, ſhall to your temporal felicity, add Eternal. The promiſe claim'd of him by Paulinus, how and wherefore made, though ſavouring much of Legend, is thus related. Redwald, as we heard before, dazl'd with the gold of Ethelfrid, or by his threatning over-aw'd, having promis'd to yeild up Edwin, one of his faithfull Companions, of which he had ſome few with him in the Court of Redwald, that never ſhrunk from his adverſity, about the firſt howr of night comes in haſt to his Chamber, and calling him forth for better ſecrecy, reveles to him his danger, offers him his aid to make eſcape; but that courſe not approv'd, and ſeeming diſhonourable without more manifeſt cauſe to begin, diſtruſt towards one who had ſo long bin his only refuge, the friend departs. Edwin left alone without the Palace Gate, full of ſadneſs and perplext thoughts, diſcerns about the dead of night, a man neither by countnance nor by habit to him known, approaching towards him. Who after ſalutation, aſk'd him why at this howr, when all others were at reſt, he alone ſo ſadly ſat waking on a cold Stone? Edwin not a little miſdoubting who he might be, aſk'd him again, what his ſitting within dores, or without, concern'd him to know? To whom he again, think not that who thou art, or why ſitting heer, or what danger hangs over thee, is to me unknown: But what would you promiſe to that man, who ever would befriend you out of all theſe troubles, and perſwade Redwald to the like? All that I am able anſwer'd Edwin. And he, what if the ſame man ſhould promiſe to make you p. 151greater then any Engliſh King hath bin before you? I ſhould not doubt, quoth Edwin, to be anſwerably gratefull. And what if to all this he would inform you, ſaid the other, in a way to happineſs, beyond what any of your Anceſtors hath known? would you hark'n to his Counſel? Edwin without ſtopping promis'd he would. And the other laying his right hand on Edwins head, when this ſign, ſaith he, ſhall next befall yee, remember this time of night, and this diſcourſe, to perform what thou haſt promis'd, and with theſe words diſappeering, left Edwin much reviv'd, but not leſs fill'd with wonder, who this unknown ſhould be. When ſuddenly the friend who had bin gon all this while to liſt'n furder what was like to be decree'd of Edwin, comes back and joyfully bids him riſe to his repoſe, for that the Kings mind, though for a while drawn aſide, was now fully reſolv'd not only not to betray him, but to defend him againſt all Enemies, as he had promis'd. This was ſaid to be the cauſe why Edwin admoniſh't by the Biſhop of a ſign which had befaln him ſo ſtrangely, and as he thought ſo ſecretly, aroſe to him with that reverence and amazement, as to one ſent from Heav'n, to claim that promiſe of him which he perceav'd well was due to a Divinepower, that had aſſiſted him in his troubles. To Paulinus therefore he makes anſwer, that the Chriſtian Beleef he himſelf ought by promiſe, and intended to receave; but would conferr firſt with his Cheif Peers and Counſellers, that if they likewiſe could be won, all at once might be baptiz'd. They therfore being aſk'd in Counſel what thir opinion was concerning this new Doctrine, and well perceaving which way the King enclin'd, every one thereafter ſhap'd his reply. The Cheif-Preiſt ſpeaking firſt, diſcover'd p. 152an old grudge he had againſt his Gods, for advancing others in the Kings Favour above him thir Cheif Preiſt: another hiding his Court-compliance with a grave ſentence, commended the choiſe of certain before uncertain, upon due examination; to like purpoſe anſwer'd all the reſt of his Sages, none op'nly diſſenting from what was likely to be the Kings Creed: wheras the preaching of Paulinus could work no ſuch effect upon them, toiling till that time without ſucceſs. Whereupon Edwin renouncing Heatheniſm, became Chriſtian: and the Pagan Preiſt, offring himſelf freely to demoliſh the Altars of his former Gods, made ſome amends for his teaching to adore them. An. Dom. 627 With Edwin, his two Sons Osfrid and Eanfrid, born to him by Quenburga, Daughter, as ſaith Beda, of Kearle King of Mercia, in the time of his baniſhment, and with them moſt of the people, both Nobles and Commons, eaſily converted, were baptiz'd; he with his whole Family at York, in a Church haſtily built up of Wood, the multitude moſt part in Rivers. Northumberland thus chriſt'nd, Paulinus croſſing Humber, converted alſo the Province of Lindſey, and Blecca the Governour of Lincoln, with his Houſhold and moſt of that City; wherin he built a Church of Stone, curiouſly wrought, but of ſmall continuance; for the Roof in Bedas time, uncertain whether by neglect or Enemies, was down; the Walls only ſtanding. Mean while in Mercia, Kearle a Kinſman of Wibba, ſaith Huntingdon, not a Son, having long withheld the Kingdome from Penda Wibba's Son, left it now at length to the fiftieth year of his Age: with whom Kinegils and Cuichelm, the Weſt-Saxon Kings, An. Dom. 629 two year after, having by that time it ſeems recover'd ſtrength, ſince the Inrode made upon them by Edwin, p. 153Sax. ann.fought at Cirenceſter, then made Truce. But Edwin ſeeking every way to propagate the Faith, which with ſo much deliberation he had receav'd, perſuaded Eorpwald the Son of Redwald, King of Eaſt-Angles, to imbrace the ſame beleef; An. Dom. 632 willingly or in aw, is not known,Sax. an. retaining under Edwin the name only of a King. But Eorpwald not long ſurviv'd his converſion, ſlain in fight by Ricbert a Pagan: Florent. Genealog.wherby the people having lightly follow'd the Religion of thir King, as lightly fell back to thir old ſuperſtitions for above 3 years after: Edwin in the mean while, to his Faith adding vertue, by the due adminiſtration of juſtice wrought ſuch peace over all his Territories, that from Sea to Sea, man or woman might have travail'd in ſafety. His care alſo was of Fountains by the way ſide, to make them fitteſt for the uſe of Travellers. And not unmindful of regal State, whether in War or Peace, he had a Royal Banner carried before him. But having reign'd with much honour 17 years, he was at length by Kedwalla, or Cadwallon, King of the Britans, who with aid of the Mercian Penda, had rebell'd againſt him, ſlain in a Battel with his Son Osfrid, at a place call'd Hethſeild, and his whole Army overthrown or diſperſt in the year 633. and the 47th of his Age, An. Dom. 633 in the Eye of man worthy a more peacefull end. His Head brought to York, was there buried in the Church by him begun. Sad was this overthrow, both to Church and State of the Northumbrians: for Penda being a Heathen, and the Britiſh King, though in name a Chriſtian, yet in deeds more bloody then the Pagan, nothing was omitted of barbarous cruelty in the ſlaughter of Sex or Age; Kedwalla threatning to root out the whole Nation, though then newly Chriſtian. For the Britans, and, as Beda p. 154ſaith, eev'n to his dayes, accounted Saxon Chriſtianity no better then Paganiſm, and with them held as little Communion. From theſe calamities no refuge being left but flight, Paulinus taking with him Ethilburga the Queen and her Children, aided by Baſſus, one of Edwins Captains, made eſcape by Sea to Eadbald King of Kent: who receaving his Siſter with all kindneſs, made Paulinus Biſhop of Rocheſter, where he ended his days. After Edwin, the Kingdom of Northumberland became divided as before, each rightfull Heir ſeiſing his part; in Deira Oſric, the Son of Elfric, Edwins Uncle, by profeſſion a Chriſtian, and baptiz'd by Paulinus; in Bernicia, Eanfrid, the Son of Ethelfrid; who all the time of Edwin, with his Brother Oſwald, and many of the young Nobility, liv'd in Scotland exil'd, and had bin there taught and baptiz'd. No ſooner had they gott'n each a Kingdom, but both turn'd recreant, ſliding back into their old Religion; and both were the ſame year ſlain; Oſric by a ſudden eruption of Kedwalla, whom he in a ſtrong Town had unadviſedly beſeig'd; Eanfrid ſeeking peace, and inconſideratly with a few ſurrendring himſelf. Kedwalla now rang'd at will through both thoſe Provinces, uſeing cruelly his Conqueſt; when Oſwald the Brother of Eanfrid with a ſmall but Chriſtian Army, An. Dom. 634 unexpectedly coming on, defeated and deſtroy'd both him and his huge Forces, which he boaſted to be invincible, by a little River running into Tine, neer the antient Roman Wall then call'd Denisburn, the place afterwards Heav'n field, from the Croſs reported miraculous for Cures, which Oſwald there erected before the Battail, in tok'n of his Faith againſt the great number of his Enemies. Obtaining the Kingdom, he took care to inſtruct again the people in Chriſtianity. p. 155Sending therfore to the Scotiſh Elders, Beda ſo terms them, among whom he had receav'd Baptiſm, requeſted of them ſom faithfull Teacher, who might again ſettle Religion in his Realm, which the late troubles had impar'd; they as readily hearkning to his requeſt, ſend Aidan a Scotch Monk and Biſhop, but of ſingular zeal and meekneſs, with others to aſſiſt him, whom at thir own deſire he ſeated in Lindisfarne, as the Epiſcopal Seat, now Holy Iland: and being the Son of Ethelfrid, by the Siſter of Edwin, as right Heir, others failing, eaſily reduc'd both Kingdoms of Northumberland as before into one; nor of Edwins Dominion loſt any part, but enlarg'd it rather; over all the fowr Britiſh Nations, Angles, Britans, Picts and Scots, exerciſeing regall Authority. Of his Devotion, Humility, and Almes-deeds, much is ſpok'n; that he diſdain'd not to be the interpreter of Aidan, preaching in Scotch or bad Engliſh, to his Nobles and Houſhold Servants; and had the poor continually ſerv'd at his Gate, after the promiſcuous manner of thoſe times: his meaning might be upright, but the manner more antient of privat or of Church contribution, is doubtleſs more Evangelical. About this time, the Weſt-Saxons, An. Dom. 635 antiently call'd Geviſſi, by the preaching of Berinus, Sax. an.a Biſhop, whom Pope Honorius had ſent, were converted to the Faith with Kinegils thir King: him Oſwald receav'd out of the Font, An. Dom. 636 and his Daughter in mariage. The next year Cuichelm was baptiz'd in Dorcheſter, but liv'd not to the years end. The Eaſt-Angles alſo this year were reclaim'd to the Faith of Chriſt, which for ſom years paſt they had thrown off. But Sigbert the Brother of Eorpwald now ſucceeded in that Kingdom, prais'd for a moſt Chriſtian and Learned Man: who while his Brother yet reign'd, living in p. 156France an exile, for ſome diſpleaſure conceav'd againſt him by Redwald his Father, lern'd there the Chriſtian Faith; and reigning ſoon after, in the ſame inſtructed his people, by the preaching of Felix a Burgundian Biſhop.

An. Dom. 640 In the year 640. Eadbald deceaſing, left to Ercombert his Son by Emma the French Kings Daughter, the Kingdom of Kent; recorded the firſt of Engliſh Kings, who commanded through his limits the deſtroying of Idols; laudably, if all Idols without exception, and the firſt to have eſtabliſht Lent among us, under ſtrict penalty, not worth remembring, but only to inform us, that no Lent was obſerv'd heer till his time by compulſion:Mat. Weſt. eſpecially being noted by ſome to have fraudulently uſurp'd upon his Elder Brother Ermenred, whoſe right was precedent to the Crown. An. Dom. 642 Oſwald having reign'd 8 years, worthy alſo as might ſeem of longer life, fell into the ſame fate with Edwin, and from the ſame hand, in a great Battel overcom and ſlain by Penda, at a place call'd Maſerfeild, now Oſweſtre, in Shropſhire, miraculous, as ſaith Beda, after his Death.Camden. His Brother Oſwi ſucceeded him; reigning, though in much trouble, 28 years; oppos'd either by Penda, Bed. L. 3. c. 14.or his own Son Alfred, or his Brothers Son Ethilwald. An. Dom. 643 Next year Kinegils the Weſt-Saxon dying, left his Son Kenwalk in his ſtead, though as yet unconverted. Sax. an.About this time Sigebert, King of Eaſt-Angles, having lernt in France, ere his coming to Reign, the manner of thir Schools, with the aſſiſtance of ſome Teachers out of Kent, inſtituted a School heer after the ſame Diſcipline, thought to be the Univerſity of Cambridge then firſt founded: and at length weary of his Kingly Office, betook him to a Monaſtical life; commending the care of Government to his p. 157Kinſman Egric, who had ſuſtain'd with him part of that burden before. It happen'd ſome years after, that Penda made War on the Eaſt-Angles: they expecting a ſharp encounter, beſought Sigebert, whom they eſteem'd an expert Leader, with his preſence to confirm the Souldiery: and him refuſeing carried by force out of the Monaſtery into the Camp; where acting the Monk rather then the Captain, with a ſingle wand in his hand, he was ſlain with Egric, and his whole Army put to flight. Anna of the Royal Stock, as next in right, ſucceeded; and hath the praiſe of a vertuous and moſt Chriſtian Prince. An. Dom. 645 But Kenwalk the Weſt-Saxon having maried the Daughter of Penda, Sax. an.and divorc't her, was by him with more appearance of a juſt cauſe vanquiſht in fight, and depriv'd of his Crown: whence retiring to Anna King of the Eaſt-Angles, after three years abode in his Court, he there became Chriſtian, An. Dom. 648 and afterwards regain'd his Kingdom. Oſwi in the former years of his Reign, had ſharer with him, Oſwin Nephew of Edwin, who rul'd in Deira 7 years, commended much for his zeal in Religion, and for comlineſs of perſon, with other princely qualities, belov'd of all. Notwithſtanding which, diſſentions growing between them, it came to Armes. Oſwin ſeeing himſelf much exceeded in numbers, thought it more prudence, diſmiſſing his Army, to reſerve himſelf for ſome better occaſion. But committing his perſon with one faithfull attendant to the Loyalty of Hunwald an Earl, his imagin'd friend, he was by him treacherouſly diſcoverd, and by command of Oſwi ſlain. An. Dom. 651 After whom within 12 days,Bede. and for greif of him whoſe death he foretold, dy'd Biſhop Aidan, famous for his Charity, meekneſs, and labour in the Goſpel. The fact of Oſwi was deteſtable to all; which therfore p. 158to expiate, a Monaſtery was built in the place where it was don, and Prayers there daily offerd up for the Souls of both Kings, the ſlain and the ſlayer. Kenwalk by this time reinſtall'd in his Kingdom, kept it long, but with various Fortune;Bed. l. 3. c. 7. for Beda relates him oft-times afflicted by his Enemies with great loſſes: An. Dom. 652 and in 652. by the Annals, fought a Battel (Civil War Ethelwerd calls it) at Bradanford by the River Afene; againſt whom, and for what cauſe, or who had the Victory, they write not. Camden names the place Bradford in Wiltſhire, by the River Avon, and Cuthred his neer Kinſman, againſt whom he fought, but cites no Autority; certain it is, that Kenwalk fowr years before had giv'n large poſſeſſions to his Nephew Cuthred, the more unlikely therefore now to have rebell'd. An. Dom. 653 The next year Peada, whom his Father Penda, though a Heathen, had for his Princely Vertues made Prince of Middle-Angles, belonging to the Mercians, was with that people converted to the Faith. For coming to Oſwi with requeſt to have in mariage Alf…eda his Daughter, he was deni'd her but on condition, that he with all his people ſhould receave Chriſtianity. Heering therefore not unwillingly what was preach't to him of Reſurrection and Eternal life, much perſuaded alſo by Alfrid the Kings Son, who had his Siſter Kyniburg to Wife, he eaſily aſſented, for the truths ſake only as he profeſs'd, whether he obtain'd the Virgin or no, and was baptiz'd with all his followers. Returning, he took with him fowr Preſbyters to teach the people of his Province; who by thir daily preaching won many. Neither did Penda, though himſelf no Beleever, prohibit any in his Kingdome to heer to beleeve the Goſpel, but rather hated and deſpis'd thoſe, who profeſſing to beleeve, p. 159ateſted not thir Faith by good works; condemning them for miſerable and juſtly to be deſpis'd, who obey not that God in whom they chooſe to beleeve. How well might Penda this Heathen riſe up in judgment againſt many pretending Chriſtians, both of his own and theſe daies! yet being a man bred up to War (as no leſs were others then reigning, and oft-times one againſt another, though both Chriſtians) he warr'd on Anna, An. Dom. 654 King of the Eaſt-Angles, Sax. an.perhaps without cauſe, for Anna was eſteem'd a juſt man, and at length ſlew him. About this time the Eaſt-Saxons, who as above hath bin ſaid, had expell'd thir Biſhop Mellitus, and renounc'd the Faith, were by the means of Oſwi thus reconverted. Sigebert ſurnam'd the ſmall, being the Son of Seward, without other memory of his Reign, left his Son King of that Province, after him Sigebert the Second, who coming oft'n to viſit Oſwi his great friend, was by him at ſeveral times fervently diſuaded from Idolatry, and convinc't at length to forſake it, was there baptiz'd; on his return home taking with him Kedda a laborious Preacher, afterwards made Biſhop; by whoſe teaching with ſome help of others, the people were again recoverd from misbeleef. But Sigebert ſome years after, though ſtanding faſt in Religion, was by the Conſpiracy of two Brethren in place neer about him, wickedly murder'd; who being aſk'd what mov'd them to do a deed ſo hainous, gave no other then this barbarous anſwer; that they were angry with him for being ſo gentle to his Enemies, as to forgive them thir injuries whenever they beſought him. Yet his Death ſeems to have happ'nd not without ſome cauſe by him giv'n of Divine diſpleaſure. For one of thoſe Earls who ſlew him, living in unlawfull wedlock, and therfore p. 160excommunicated ſo ſeverely by the Biſhop, that no man might preſume to enter into his Houſe, much leſs to ſit at meat with him, the King not regarding this Church cenſure, went to feaſt with him at his invitation. Whom the Biſhop meeting in his return, though penitent for what he had don, and faln at his feet, touch'd with the rod in his hand, and angerly thus foretold: becauſe thou haſt neglected to abſtain from the Houſe of that Excommunicate, in that Houſe thou ſhalt die; and ſo it fell out, perhaps from that prediction, God bearing witneſs to his Miniſter in the power of Church Diſcipline, ſpiritually executed, not juridically on the contemner therof. An. Dom. 655 This year 655. prov'd fortunate to Oſwi, and fatal to Penda, for Oſwi by the continual inrodes of Penda, having long endur'd much devaſtation, to the endangering once by aſſault and fire Bebbanburg, Bed. l. 3. c. 16. Camd.his ſtrongeſt City, now Bamborrow Caſtle, unable to reſiſt him, with many rich preſents offerd to buy his Peace. Which not accepted by the Pagan, who intended nothing but deſtruction to that King, though more then once in affinity with him, turning guifts into vows, he implores Divine Aſſiſtance, devoting, if he were deliverd from his Enemy, a Child of one year old, his Daughter to be a Nun, and 12 portions of land wheron to build Monaſteries. His vows, as may be thought, found better ſucceſs then his profferd guifts; for heerupon with his Son Alfrid, gathering a ſmall power, he encounterd and diſcomfited the Mercians, Camden.30 times exceeding his in number, and led on by expert Captains: at a place call'd Loyden, now Leeds in Yorkeſhire. Beſides this Ethelwald, the Son of Oſwald, who rul'd in Deira, took part with the Mercians, but in the fight withdrew his Forces, and in a ſafe place expected the event: with which unſeaſonable p. 161retreat, the Mercians perhaps terrifi'd and miſdoubting more danger, fled; thir Commanders, with Penda himſelf, moſt being ſlain, among whom Edilhere the Brother of Anna, who rul'd after him the Eaſt-Angles, and was the Author of this War; many more flying were drown'd in the River, which Beda calls Winwed, then ſwoln above her Banks.Mat Weſt. The Death of Penda, who had bin the Death of ſo many good Kings, made generall rejoicing, as the Song witneſs'd. At the River Winwed, Anna was aveng'd. To Edelhere ſucceeded Ethelwald his Brother, in the Eaſt-Angles; to Sigebert in the Eaſt-Saxons, Suidhelm the Son of Sexbald, ſaith Bede, the Brother of Sigebert, Bed. l. 3. c. 22.ſaith Malmsbury; he was baptiz'd by Kedda, then reſiding in the Eaſt-Angles, and by Ethelwald the King, receav'd out of the Font. But Oſwi in the ſtrength of his late Victory, An. Dom. 658 within three years after ſubdu'd all Mercia, Sax. an.and of the Pictiſh Nation greateſt part, at which time he gave to Peada his Son in Law the Kingdome of South-Mercia, divided from the Northern by Trent. An. Dom. 659 But Peada the Spring following, as was ſaid, Sax. an.by the Treaſon of his Wife the Daughter of Oſwi, married by him for a ſpecial Chriſtian, on the Feaſt of Faſter, not protected by the holy time, was ſlain. The Mercian Nobles, Immin, Eaba, and Eadbert, throwing off the Government of Oſwi, ſet up Wulſer the other Son of Penda to be thir King, whom till then they had kept hid, and with him adherd to the Chriſtian Faith. Kenwalk the Weſt-Saxon, now ſettl'd at home, and deſirous to enlarge his Dominion, prepares againſt the Britans, joins Battel with them at Pen in Somerſet-ſhire, and over coming perſues them to Pedridan. Another fight he had with them before, at a place call'd Witgeornesburg, barely mention'd by the Monk p. 162of Malmsbury. An. Dom. 661 Nor was it long ere he fell at variance with Wulſer the Son of Penda, Sax. an.his old Enemy, ſcarce yet warm in his Throne, fought with him at Poſſentesburg, on the Eaſter Holy-days, and as Ethelwerd ſaith, took him Priſner; but the Saxon Annals, quite otherwiſe, that Wulfer winning the field, waſted the Weſt-Saxon Country as far as Eskeſdun; nor ſtaying there, took and waſted the Ile of Wight, but cauſing the Inhabitants to be baptiz'd, till then unbeleevers, gave the Iland to Ethelwald King of South-Saxons, whom he had receav'd out of the Font. An. Dom. 664 The year 664. a Synod of Scotiſh and Engliſh Biſhops,Bed. in the preſence of Oſwi and Alfred his Son, was held at a Monaſtery in thoſe parts, to debate on what Day Eaſter ſhould be kept; a controverfie which long before had diſturb'd the Greek and Latin Churches: wherin the Scots not agreeing with the way of Rome, nor yeilding to the diſputants on that ſide, to whom the King moſt enclin'd, ſuch as were Biſhops heer, reſign'd, and return'd home with thir Diſciples. Another clerical queſtion was there alſo much controverted, not ſo ſuperſtitious in my opinion as ridiculous, about the right ſhaving of crowns. The ſame year was ſeen an Eclips of the Sun in May, followed by a ſore peſtilence beginning in the South, but ſpreading to the North, and over all Ireland with great mortality.Malmſ. In which time the Eaſt-Saxons after Swithelms Deceaſe, being govern'd by Siger the Son of Sigebert the ſmall, and Sebbi of Seward, though both ſubject to the Mercians. Siger and his people unſtedie of Faith, ſuppoſing that this Plague was come upon them for renouncing thir old Religion, fell off the ſecond time to Infidelity. Which the Mercian King Wulfer underſtanding, ſent Jarumannus a Faithfull Biſhop, who with other his fellow p. 163Labourers, by ſound Doctrin and gentle dealing, ſoon recur'd them of thir ſecond relaps. In Kent, Ercombert expiring, was ſucceeded by his Son Ecbert. An. Dom. 668 In whoſe fowrth year, by means of Theodore, Sax. ann.a learned Greekiſh Monk of Tarſus, whom Pope Vitalian had ordain'd Archbiſhop of Canterbury, the Greek and Latin Tongue, with other liberal Arts, Arithmetic, Muſic, Aſtronomie, and the like; began firſt to flouriſh among the Saxons; as did alſo the whole Land, under potent and religious Kings, more then ever before, as Bede affirms, till his own days. An. Dom. 670 Two years after, in Northumberland dy'd Oſwi, much Sax. an.addicted to Romiſh Rites, and reſolv'd, had his Diſeaſe releas'd him, to have ended his days at Rome: Ecfrid the eldeſt of his Sons begot in Wedlock,Sax. an. ſucceeded him. An. Dom. 673 After other three years, Ecbert in Kent deceaſing, left nothing memorable behind him, but the general ſuſpition to have ſlain or conniv'd at the ſlaughter of his Uncles two Sons, Elbert, and Egelbright. In recompence wherof,Malmſ. he gave to the Mother of them part of Tanet, wherein to build an Abbey; the Kingdom fell to his Brother Lothair. And much about this time, by beſt account it ſhould be, however plac'd in Beda, that Ecfrid of Northumberland, Bed. l. 4. c. 12.having War with the Mercian Wulfer, won from him Lindſey, and the Country thereabout. Sebbi having reign'd over the Eaſt-Saxons 30 years, not long before his Death, though long before deſireing, took on him the Habit of a Monk; and drew his Wife at length, though unwilling, to the ſame Devotion. Kenwalk alſo dying, left the Government to Sexburga his Wife, who out-liv'd him in it but one year, driv'n out, ſaith Mat. Weſt. by the Nobles, diſdaining Female Government. An. Dom. 674 After whom ſeveral petty Kings, as Beda calls them, for ten p. 164years ſpace divided the Weſt-Saxons; Bed. l. 4. c. 12. Sax. an. Malmſ.others name two, Eſcwin the Nephew of Kinigils, and Kentwin the Son, not petty by thir deeds: for Eſcwin fought a Battell with Wulfer, at Bedanhafde, and about year a afboth deceas'd; An. Dom. 676 but Wulfer not without a ſtain left behind him, of ſelling the Biſhoprick of London, to Wini the firſt Simoniſt we read of in this ſtory; Kenwalk had before expell'd him from his Chair at Wincheſter; Ethelred the Brother of Wulfer obtaining next the Kingdom of Mercia, not only recoverd Lindſey, and what beſides in thoſe parts Wulfer had loſt to Ecfrid ſome years before, but found himſelf ſtrong enough to extend his Armes another way, as far as Kent, waſting that Country without reſpect to Church or Monaſtery, much alſo endamaging the City of Rocheſter: Bed. l. 4. c. 12.Notwithſtanding what reſiſtance Lothair could make againſt him. An. Dom. 678 In Auguſt 678. was ſeen a Morning Comet for 3 Months following, in manner of a fiery Pillar. And the South-Saxons about this time were converted to the Chriſtian Faith, upon this occaſion. Wilſrid Biſhop of the Northumbrians entring into contention with Ecfrid the King, was by him depriv'd of his Biſhoprick, and long wandring up and down as far as Rome, An. Dom. 679 return'd at length into England, but not dareing to approach the North, whence he was baniſh'd, bethought him where he might to beſt purpoſe elſewhere exerciſe his Miniſtery. The South of all other Saxons remain'd yet Heathen; but Edilwalk thir King not long before had bin baptiz'd in Mercia, perſuaded by Wulfer, and by him, as hath bin ſaid, receav'd out of the Font. For which relations ſake he had the Ile of Wight, and a Province of the Meannari adjoining,Bed. l. 4. c. 13. Camd. giv'n him on the Continent about Meanesborow in Hantſhir, which Wulfer had a little before gott'n from Kenwalk. Thether p. 165Wilfrid takes his journey, and with the help of other Spiritual Labourers about him, in ſhort time planted there the Goſpel. It had not rain'd, as is ſaid, of three years before in that Country, whence many of the people daily periſh'd by Famin; till on the firſt day of thir public Baptiſm, ſoft and plentifull ſhowers deſcending, reſtor'd all abundance to the Summer following. An. Dom. 681 Two years after this,Sax. an. Kentwin the other Weſt-Saxon King above-nam'd, chac'd the Welch-Britans, as is Chronicl'd without circumſtance, to the very Sea ſhoar. An. Dom. 683 But in the year,Sax. an. by Beda's reck'ning, 683, Kedwalla a Weſt-Saxon of the Royal Line (whom the Welch will have to be Cadwallader, laſt King of the Britans) thrown out by faction, return'd from baniſhment, and invaded both Kentwin, if then living, or whoever elſe had divided the ſucceſſion of Kenwalk, Bed. l. 4. c. 15ſlaying in fight Edelwalk the South-Saxon, who oppos'd him in their aid; but ſoon after was repuls'd by two of his Captains, Bertune, and Andune, who for a while held the province in thir power. But Kedwalla gathering new force, Malmſ.with the ſlaughter of Ber…une, An. Dom. 684 and alſo of Edric the ſucceſſor of Edelwalk, won the Kingdome. But reduc'd the people to heavy thraldome.Bed. l. 4. c. 16 Then addreſſing to Conquer the Ile of Wight, till that time Pagan, ſaith Beda (others otherwiſe, as above hath bin related) made a vow, though himſelf yet unbaptiz'd, to devote the fowrth part of that Iland, and the ſpoils therof, to holy uſes. Conqueſt obtain'd, paying his vow as then was the beleef, he gave hi… fowrth to Biſhop Wilſrid, by chance there preſent; and he to Bertwin a Prieſt, his Siſters Son, with commiſſion to baptiſe all the vanquiſht, who meant to ſave thir lives. But the two young Sons of Arwald, King of that Iland, met with much more hoſtility; p. 166for they at the Enemies approach flying out of the Ile, and betray'd where they were hid not far from thence, were led to Kedwalla, who lay then under Cure of ſome wounds receav'd, and by his appointment, after inſtruction and Baptiſm firſt giv'n them, harſhly put to death, which the youths are ſaid above thir Age to have Chriſtianly ſufferd. In Kent, Lothair dy'd this year of his wounds receav'd in fight againſt the South-Saxons, led on by Edric, who deſcending from Ermenred, it ſeems challeng'd the Crown; and wore it, though not commendably, one year and a half: An. Dom. 685 but coming to a violent Death, left the land Malmſ.expos'd a prey either to home-bred uſurpers, or neighbouring invaders. Among whom Kedwalla, taking advantage from thir civil diſtempers, and marching eaſily through the South-Saxons, whom he had ſubdu'd, ſorely harraſs'd the Country, untouch'd of a long time by any hoſtile incurſion. But the Kentiſh men, all parties uniteing againſt a common Enemy, with joint power ſo oppos'd him, that he was conſtrain'd to retire back; his Brother Mollo in the flight with 12 men of his Company, ſeeking Sax. an. Malmſ.ſhelter in a Houſe, was beſet and therin burnt by the perſuers: Kedwalla much troubl'd at ſo great a loſs, recalling and ſoon rallying his diſorderd Forces, return'd fiercely upon the chaſeing Enemy; An. Dom. 686 nor could be got out of the Province, till both by fire and Sword, he had aveng'd the Death of his Brother. An. Dom. 687 At length Victred the Son of Ecbert, attaining the Kingdome, both ſettl'd at home all things in peace, and ſecur'd his Borders from all outward Hoſtility. While thus Kedwalla diſquieted both Weſt and Eaſt, after his winning the Crown, Ecfrid the Northumbrian, Bed.and Ethelred the Mercian, fought a ſore Battel by the River Trent; wherin Elſwin Brother to Ecfrid, p. 167a youth of 18 years, much belov'd, was ſlain; and the accident likely to occaſion much more ſheding of blood, peace was happily made by the grave exhortation of Archbiſhop Theodore, a pecuniary fine only paid to Ecfrid, as ſome ſatisfaction for the loſs of his Brothers life. Another adverſity befell Ecfrid in his Family, by means of Ethildrith his Wife, King Anna's Daughter, who having tak'n him for hir Huſband, and profeſſing to love him above all other men, perſiſted twelve years in the obſtinat refuſal of his bed, therby thinking to live the purer life. So perverſly then was chaſtity inſtructed againſt the Apoſtles rule. At length obtaining of him with much importunity her departure, ſhe veild her ſelf a Nun, then made Abbeſs of Ely, dy'd 7 years after the peſtilence; and might with better warrant have kept faithfully her undertak'n Wedlock, though now canoniz'd St. Audrey of Ely. In the mean while Ecfrid had ſent Bertus with a power to ſubdue Ireland, a harmleſs Nation, ſaith Beda, and ever friendly to the Engliſh; in both which they ſeem to have left a poſterity much unlike them at this day: miſerably waſted, without regard had to places hallow'd or profane, they betook them partly to thir Weapons, partly to implore divine aid; and, as was thought, obtain'd it in thir full avengement upon Ecfrid. For he the next year, againſt the mind and perſuaſion of his ſageſt friends, and eſpecially of Cudbert a famous Biſhop of that Age, marching unadviſedly againſt the Picts, who long before had bin ſubject to Northumberland, was by them feigning flight, drawn unawares into narrow ſtreights overtopt with Hills, and cut off with moſt of his Army. From which time, ſaith Bede, military valour began among the Saxons to decay, nor only the Picts till p. 168then peaceable, but ſome part of the Britans alſo recover'd by Armes thir liberty for many years after. Yet Aldfrid elder, but baſe Brother to Ecfrid, a man ſaid to be learned in the Scriptures, recall'd from Ireland, to which place in his Brothers Reign he had retir'd, and now ſucceeding, upheld with much honour, though in narrower bounds, the reſidue of his Kingdome. Kedwalla having now with great diſturbance of his Neighbours reign'd over the Weſt-Saxons two years, beſides what time he ſpent in gaining it, wearied perhaps with his own turbulence, went to Rome, deſirous there to receave Baptiſm, which till then his worldly affairs had deferr'd, and accordingly, on Eaſter Day, 689. he was baptiz'd by Sergius An. Dom. 689 the Pope, and his name chang'd to Peter. All which notwithſtanding, ſurpris'd with a Diſeaſe, he out-liv'd not the Ceremony ſo far ſought, much above the ſpace of 5 weeks, in the Thirtieth year of his Age, and in the Church of St. Peter was there buried, with a large Epitaph upon his Tomb. Him ſucceeded Ina of the Royal Family, and from the time of his coming in, for many years oppreſs'd the Land with like greevances, as Kedwalla had done before him, inſomuch that in thoſe times there was no Biſhop among them. His firſt expedition was into Kent, to demand ſatisfaction for the burning of Mollo: Victred loth to hazard all for the raſh act of a few, deliver'd up 30 of thoſe that could be found acceſſory, or as others ſay, pacifi'd Ina with a great ſum of money. Mean while, at the incitement of Ecbert, a Malmſ. Sax. an. Ethelwerd.devout Monk, Wilbrod a Prieſt eminent for learning, paſt over Sea, having 12 others in Company, with intent to preach the Goſpel in Germany. And coming to …epin Cheif Regent of the Franks, who An. Dom. 694 a little before had conquer'd the hither Friſia, by his p. 169countnance and protection, promiſe alſo of many benefits to them who ſhould beleeve, they found the work of converſion much the eaſier, and Wilbrod the firſt Biſhoprick in that Nation. But two Prieſts, each of them Hewald by name, and for diſtinction ſurnam'd from the colour of thir Hair, the black and the white, by his example, piouſly affected to the Souls of thir Country-men the old Saxons, at thir coming thether to convert them met with much worſe entertainment. For in the Houſe of a Farmer who had promis'd to convey them, as they deſir'd, to the Governour of that Country, diſcoverd by thir daily Ceremonies to be Chriſtian Prieſts, and the cauſe of thir coming ſuſpected, they were by him and his Heathen Neighbours cruelly butcherd; yet not unaveng'd, for the Governour enrag'd at ſuch violence offerd to his Strangers, ſending Armed Men, ſlew all thoſe Inhabitants, and burnt thir Village. An. Dom. 697 After three years in Mercia, Oſtrid the Queen, Wife to Ethelred, was kill'd by her own Nobles, as Beda's Epitomy records; Florence calls them Southimbrians, negligently omitting the cauſe of ſo ſtrange a fact. An. Dom. 698 And the year following, Bertred a Northumbrian General was ſlain by the Picts. An. Dom. 704 Ethelred 7 years after the violent Death of his Queen, put on the Monk, and reſign'd his Kingdome to Kenred the Son of Wulfer his Brother. An. Dom. 705 The next year, Aldfrid in Northumberland dy'd, leaving Oſred a Child of 8 years to ſucceed him. An. Dom. 709 Fowr years after which, Kenred having a while with praiſe govern'd the Mercian Kingdome, went to Rome in the time of Pope Conſtantine, and ſhorn a Monk ſpent there the reſidue of his daies. Kelred ſucceeded him, the Son of Ethelred, who had reign'd the next before. With Kenred went Offa the Son of Siger, King of Eaſt-Saxons, p. 170and betook him to the ſame habit, leaving his Wife and Native Country; a comely Perſon in the prime of his youth, much deſir'd of the people; and ſuch his vertue by report, as might have otherwiſe bin worthy to have reign'd. An. Dom. 710 Ina the Weſt-Saxon Sax. an. Huntingd.one year after fought a Battell, at firſt doubtfull, at laſt ſucceſsfull, againſt Gerent King of Wales. An. Dom. 711 The next year Bertfrid, another Northumbrian Captain, fought with the Picts, and ſlaughterd them, ſaith Bed. Epit.Huntingdon, to the full avengment of Ecfrids Death. An. Dom. 715 The fowrth year after, Ina had another doubtfull and cruell Battel at Wodnesburg in Wiltſhire, Sax. an. Sax. an. Huntingd.with Kelred the Mercian, who dy'd the year following a lamentable Death: for as he ſat one day feaſting with his Nobles, An. Dom. 716 ſuddenly poſſeſs'd with an evill Spirit, he expir'd in deſpair, as Boniface Archbiſhop of Ments, an Engliſh man, who taxes him for a defiler of Nuns, writes by way of caution to Ethelbald, his next of Kin, who ſucceeded him. Oſred alſo the young Northumbrian King, ſlain by his Kindred in the 11. of his Reign, for his vitious life and inceſt committed with Nuns; was by Kenred fucceeded and aveng'd, he reigning two years left Oſric in his room. An. Dom. 718 In whoſe 7th year, if Beda calculate right, Victred King of Kent deceas'd, having reign'd 34 years, and ſome part of them with Suebhard, as Beda teſtifies, he left behind him three Sons, Ethelbert, Eadbert, and Alric his Heirs. An. Dom. 725 Three years L. 5. c. 9.after which, An. Dom. 728 appear'd two Comets about the Sun, terrible to behold, the one before him in the Morning, the other after him in the Evening, for the ſpace of two weeks in January, bending thir blaze toward the North, at which time the Saracens furiouſly invaded France, but were expell'd ſoon after with great overthrow. The ſame year in Northumberland, p. 171Oſric dying or ſlain,Bed. l. 5. c. 24. adopted Kelwulf the Brother of Kenred his Succeſſor, to whom Beda dedicates his ſtory; but writes this only of him, that the beginning, and the proceſs of his Reign met with many adverſe commotions, wherof the event was then doubtfully expected. Mean while Ina7 years before, having ſlain Kenwulſ, to whom Florent gives the addition of Clito, giv'n uſually to none but of the blood Royal, and the 4th. year after overthrown and ſlain Albright another Clito, driv'n from Taunton to the South-Saxons for aid, vanquiſh't alſo the Eaſt-Angles in more then one Battel, as Malmsbury writes, but not the year, whether to expiate ſo much blood, or infected with the contagious humour of thoſe times, Malmsbury ſaith, at the perſuaſion of Ethelburga his Wife, went to Rome, and there ended his dayes; yet this praiſe left behind him, to have made good Laws, the firſt of Saxon that remain extant to this day, and to his Kinſman Edelard, bequeath'd the Crown; No leſs then the whole Monarchy of England and Wales. For Ina, if we beleeve a digreſſion in the Laws of Edward Confeſſor, was the firſt King Crown'd of Engliſh and Britiſh, ſince the Saxons entrance; of the Britiſh by means of his ſecond Wife, ſome way related to Cadwallader laſt King of Wales, which I had not noted being unlikely, but for the place where I found it. After Bede.Ina, by a ſurer Author, An. Dom. 731 Ethelbald King of Mercia commanded all the Provinces on this ſide Humber, with thir Kings: the Picts were in league with the Engliſh, the Scots peaceable within thir bounds, and the Britans part were in thir own Goverment, part ſubject to the Engliſh. In which peacefull ſtate of the land, many in Northumberland, both Nobles and Commons, laying aſide the exerciſe of Armes, betook p. 172them to the Cloiſter: and not content ſo to do at home, many in the days of Ina, Clerks and Laics, Men and Woemen, haſting to Rome in Herds, thought themſelves no where ſure of Eternal Life, till they were Cloiſterd there. Thus repreſenting the ſtate of things in this Iland, Beda ſurceas'd to write. Out of whom cheifly hath bin gatherd, ſince the Saxons arrival, ſuch as hath bin deliverd, a ſcatterd ſtory pickt out heer and there, with ſome trouble and tedious work from among his many Legends of Viſions and Miracles; toward the latter end ſo bare of civill matters, as what can be thence collected may ſeem a Calendar rather then a Hiſtory, tak'n up for the moſt part with ſucceſſion of Kings, and computation of years, yet thoſe hard to be reconcil'd with the Saxon Annals. Thir actions we read of, were moſt commonly Wars, but for what cauſe wag'd, or by what Councells carried on, no care was had to let us know: wherby thir ſtrength and violence we underſtand, of thir wiſedom, reaſon, or juſtice, little or nothing, the reſt ſuperſtition and monaſtical affectation; Kings one after another leaving thir Kingly Charge, to run thir heads fondly into a Monks Cowle: which leaves us uncertain, whether Beda was wanting to his matter, or his matter to him. Yet from hence to the Daniſh Invaſion it will be worſe with us, deſtitute of Beda. Left only to obſcure and blockiſh Chronicles; whom Malmsbury, and Huntingdon, (for neither they then we had better Authors of thoſe times) ambitious to adorn the Hiſtory, make no ſcruple oft-times, I doubt to interline with conjectures and ſurmiſes of thir own: them rather then imitate, I ſhall chooſe to repreſent the truth naked, though as lean as a plain Journal. Yet William of Malmsbury muſt be acknowledg'd, p. 173both for ſtile and judgment, to be far the beſt Writer of them all: but what labour is to be endur'd, turning over Volumes of Rubbiſh in the reſt, Florence of Worſter, Huntingdon, Simeon of Durham, Hoveden, Mathew of Weſtminſter, and many others of obſcurer note, with all thir monachiſms, is a penance to think. Yet theſe are our only Regiſters, tranſcribers one after another for the moſt part, and ſomtimes worthy enough for the things they regiſter. This travail rather then not know at once what may be known of our antient ſtory, ſifted from Fables and impertinences, I voluntarily undergo; and to ſave others, if they pleaſe the like unpleaſing labour; except thoſe who take pleaſure to be all thir life time, rakeing in the Foundations of old Abbies and Cathedrals; but to my taſk now as it befalls. An. Dom. 733 In the year 733. on the 18th. Kalends of September, Sax. an. Ethelwerd.was an Eclipſe of the Sun about the third howr of day, obſcureing almoſt his whole Orb as with a black ſheild. Ethelbald of Mercia, beſeig'd and took the Caſtle or Town of Somerton: An. Dom. 735 and two years after, Beda our Hiſtorian dy'd, ſome ſay the year before. An. Dom. 738 Kelwulf in Northumberland three years after became Monk in Lindisfarne, Malmſ.yet none of the ſevereſt, for he brought thoſe Monks from milk and water, to Wine and Ale; in which doctrin no doubt but they were ſoon docil, and well might, for Kelwulf brought with him good proviſion, great treaſure and revenues of land, recited by Simeon, yet all under pretenſe of following (I uſe the Authors words) poor Chriſt, by voluntary poverty: no marvel then if ſuch applauſe were giv'n by Monkiſh Writers to Kings turning Monks, and much cunning perhaps us'd to allure them. To Eadbert his Uncle, he left the Kingdom, whoſe brother Ecbert, p. 174Archbiſhop of York built a Library there. An. Dom. 740 But two years after, while Eadbert was buſied in War againſt the Picts, Ethelbald the Mercian, by foul fraud, aſſaulted part of Northumberland in his abſence, as the ſupplement of Beda's Epitomy records. In the Weſt-Saxons, Edelard who ſucceeded Ina, having bin much moleſted in the beginning of his Reign, with the Rebellion of Oſwald his Kinſman, who contended with him for the right of ſucceſſion, overcoming at laſt thoſe troubles, dy'd in Peace 741, An. Dom. 741 leaving Cuthred one of the ſame linage to ſucceed Malmſ. Sax. an.him: who at firſt had much War with Ethelbald the Mercian, and various ſucceſs, but joyning with him in League two years after, An. Dom. 743 made War on the Welch:Sim. Dun. Huntingdon doubts not to give them a great Victory. An. Dom. 744 And Simeon reports, another Battel fought between Britans and Picts the year enſueing.Hoved. Malmſ. Now was the Kingdome of Eaſt-Saxons drawing to a Period, for Sigeard and Senfred the Sons of Sebbi having reign'd a while, and after them young Offa, who ſoon quitted his Kingdome to go to Rome with Kenred, as hath been ſaid, the Goverment was conferr'd Sax. an.on Selred Son of Sigebert the good, who having rul'd 38 years, came to a violent death; An. Dom. 746 how or wherefore, is not ſet down. After whom Swithred was the laſt King, driv'n out by Ecbert the Weſt-Saxon: but London, with the Countries adjacent, obey'd the Mercians till they alſo were diſſolv'd. Cuthred had now reign'd about nine years, An. Dom. 748 when Kuiric his Son a valiant young Prince, was in a military tumult ſlain by his own Souldiers.Sax. an. Huntingd. The ſame year Eadbert dying in Kent, his Brother Edilbert reign'd in his ſtead. An. Dom. 750 But after two years, the other Eadbert in Northumberland, whoſe War with the Picts hath bin above-mention'd, made now ſuch Progreſs p. 175there, as to ſubdue Kyle, ſo ſaith the Auctarie of Bede, and other Countries thereabout, to his dominion; While Cuthred the Weſt-Saxon had a fight with Ethelhun, one of his Nobles, a ſtout Warrier, envi'd by him in ſome matter of the Common-wealth, as far as by the Latin of Ethelward can be underſtood (others Huntingd.interpret it Sedition) and with much ado overcoming, An. Dom. 752 took Ethelhun for his valour into favour,Camden. by whom faithfully ſerv'd in the twelf or thirteenth of his Reign, he encounter'd in a ſet Battell with Ethelbald the Mercian at Beorford, now Burford in Oxfordſhire; An. Dom. 753 one year after againſt the Welch, which was the laſt but one of his life. Huntingdon, as his manner is to comment upon the annal Text, makes a terrible deſcription of that fight between Cuthred and Ethelbald, and the Proweſs of Ethelhun, at Beorford, but ſo affectedly, and therfore ſuſpiciouſly, that I hold it not worth reherſal; and both in that and the latter conflict, gives Victory to Cuthred; Sax. an.after whom Sigebert, uncertain by what right, An. Dom. 754 his Kinſman, ſaith Florent, ſtep'd into the Throne,Malmſ. whom hated for his cruelty and other evil doings, Kimwulf joining with moſt of the Nobility, diſpoſſeſs'd of all but Hamſhir, that Province he loſt alſo within a year, An. Dom. 755 together with the love of all thoſe who till then remain'd his adherents, by ſlaying Cumbran, one of his Cheif Captains, who for a long time had faithfully ſerv'd, and now diſuaded him from incenſing the people by ſuch Tyrannical practices. Huntingd. Huntingd.Thence flying for ſafety into Andreds Wood, forſak'n of all, he was at length ſlain by the Swine-heard of Cumbran in revenge of his Maiſter, and Kinwulf who had undoubted right to the Crown, joyfully ſaluted King. An. Dom. 756 The next year Eadbert the Northumbrian joining forces with Ʋnuſt King of the p. 176Picts, as Simeon writes, beſeig'd and took by ſurrender Camden.the City Alcluith, now Dunbritton in Lennox, from the Britans of Cumberland; and ten days after, the whole Army periſhd about Niwanbirig, but to tell us how, he forgetts. In Mercia, Ethelbald was Camd.ſlain, at a place call'd Secandune, An. Dom. 757 now Seckinton in Warwickſhire, the year following, in a bloody fight Sax. an. Epit. Bed. Sim. Dun.againſt Cuthred, as Huntingdon ſurmiſes, but Cuthred was dead two years before; others write him murder'd in the night by his own Guard, and the Treaſon, as ſome ſay, of Beornred, who ſucceeded him; but ere many Months, was defeated and ſlain by Offa. Yet Ethelbald ſeems not without cauſe, after a long and proſperous Reign, to have fall'n by a violent Death; not ſhameing on the vain confidence of his many Alms, to commit uncleaneſs with conſecrated Nuns, beſides Laic Adulteries, as the Arch-Biſhop of Ments in a letter taxes him and his Predeceſſor, and that by his example moſt of his Peers did the like; which adulterous doings he foretold him were likely to produce a ſlothfull off-ſpring, good for nothing but to be the ruin of that Kingdome, as it fell out not long after. An. Dom. 758 The next year Oſmund, according to Florence, ruleing the South-Saxons, and Swithred the Eaſt, Eadbert in Northumberland, following the ſteps of his Predeceſſor, got him into a Monks Hood; the more to be wonder'd, that having Sim. Dun. Eccles. L. 2.Sir 50:2reign'd worthily 21 years, with the love and high eſtimation of all, both at home and abroad, able ſtill to govern, and much entreated by the Kings his Neighbours, not to lay down his charge; with offer on that condition to yeild up to him part of thir own Dominion, he could not be mov'd from his reſolution, but relinquiſh'd his Royal Office to Oſwulf his Son; An. Dom. 759 who at the years end, though without juſt p. 177cauſe, was ſlain by his own Servants. And the year after dy'd Ethelbert, Son of Victred, the ſecond of that name in Kent. An. Dom. 762 After Oſwulf, Ethelwald, otherwiſe Sim. Dun. Mat Weſt.call'd Mollo, was ſet up King; who in his third year had a great Battel at Eldune, by Melros, ſlew Oſwin a great Lord, rebelling, and gain'd the Victory. An. Dom. 765 But the third year after, fell by the treachery of Alcred, Sim. Dun.who aſſum'd his place. An. Dom. 769 The fowrth year after which, Cataracta an antient and fair City in Yorkeſhire, was burnt by Arnred a certain Tyrant, who the ſame year came to like end. An. Dom. 774 And after five Sim. Dun.years more, Alfred the King depos'd and forſak'n of all his people, fled with a few, firſt to Bebba, a ſtrong City of thoſe parts, thence to Kinot King of the Picts. Ethelred the Son of Mollo, was crown'd in his ſtead. Mean while Offa the Mercian, growing powerfull, had ſubdu'd a Neighbouring people by Simeon, call'd Heſtings; and fought ſucceſsfully this year with Alric King of Kent, at a place call'd Occanford: the Annals alſo ſpeak of wondrous Serpents then ſeen in Suſſex. Nor had Kinwulf the Weſt-Saxon giv'n ſmall proof of his valour in ſeveral Battels againſt the Welch heretofore; An. Dom. 775 but this year 775. meeting with Offa, at a place call'd Beſington, Sax. an.was put to the worſe, and Offa won the Town for which they contended. An. Dom. 778 In Northumberland, Ethelred having caus'd three of his Nobles,Sim. Dun. Aldwulf, Kinwulf, and Ecca, treacherouſly to be ſlain by two other Peers, was himſelf the next year driv'n into baniſhment, Elfwald the Son of Oſwulf ſucceeding in his place, yet not without civil broils; An. Dom. 780 for in his ſecond Sim. Dun.year Osbald and Ethelheard, two Noblemen, raiſing Forces againſt him, routed Bearne his General, and perſueing, burnt him at a place call'd Seletune. I am ſenſible how weariſom it may likely be to p. 178read of ſo many bare and reaſonleſs Actions, ſo many names of Kings one after another, acting little more then mute perſons in a Scene: what would it be to have inſerted the long Bead-roll of Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Abbots, Abbeſſes, and thir doeings, neither to Religion profitable, nor to morality, ſwelling my Authors each to a voluminous body, by me ſtudiouſly omitted; and left as their propriety, who have a mind to write the Eccleſiaſtical matters of thoſe Ages; neither do I care to wrincle the ſmoothneſs of Hiſtory with rugged names of places unknown, better harp'd at in Camden, and other Chorographers. An. Dom. 786 Six years therfore paſs'd Ethelwerd. Malmſ.over in ſilence, as wholely of ſuch Argument, bring us to relate next the unfortunate end of Kinwulf the Weſt-Saxon; who having laudably reign'd about 31 years, yet ſuſpecting that Kineard Brother of Sigebert the former King, intended to uſurp the Crown after his Deceaſe, or revenge his Brothers expulſion, had commanded him into baniſhment; but he Sax. ann.lurking heer and there on the borders with a ſmall Company, having had intelligence that Kenwulf Camd.was in the Country thereabout, at Merantun, or Merton in Surrey, at the Houſe of a Woeman whom he lov'd, went by night and beſet the place. Kenwulf over-confident either of his Royal preſence, or perſonal valour, iſſuing forth with the few about him, runs feirſly at Kineard, and wounds him ſore, but by his followers hem'd in, is kill'd among them. The report of ſo great an accident ſoon running to a place not far off, where many more attendants awaited the Kings return, Oſric and Wivert, two Earles haſted with a great number to the Houſe, where Kineard and his fellows yet remain'd. He ſeeing himſelf ſurrounded, with fair words and promiſe p. 179of great guifts, attempted to appeaſe them; but thoſe rejected with diſdain, fights it out to the laſt, and is ſlain with all but one or two of his retinue, which were nigh a hunderd. Kinwulf was ſucceeded by Birthric, being both deſcended of Kerdic the the Founder of that Kingdome. An. Dom. 788 Not better was Sim. Dun. Malmſ.the end of Elſwald in Northumberland, two years after ſlain miſerably by the conſpiracy of Siggan, one of his Nobles, others ſay of the whole people at Scilceſter by the Roman Wall; yet undeſervedly, as his Sepulchre at Haguſtald, now Hexham upon Camd.Tine, and ſome miracles there ſaid to be done, are alleg'd to witneſs; and Siggan 5 years after laid violent hands on himſelf. Oſred Son of Alcred advanc't Malmſ.into the room of Elfwald, and within one year driv'n out, left his ſeat vacant to Ethelred Son of Mollo, who after ten years of baniſhment (impris'nment, ſaith Alcuin) had the Scepter put again Sim. Dun.into his hand: An. Dom. 789 The third year of Birthric King of Weſt-Saxons, gave beginning from abroad to a new and fatal revolution of calamity on this Land. For three Daniſh Ships, the firſt that had bin ſeen heer of that Nation arriving in the Weſt, to viſit theſe, as was ſuppos'd, Foren Merchants, the Kings gatherer of Cuſtomes taking Horſe from Dorcheſter, found them Spies and Enemies. For being commanded to come and give account of thir ladeing at the Kings Cuſtome Houſe, they ſlew him and all who came with him; as an earneſt of the many ſlaughters, rapines, and hoſtilities, which they return'd not long after to commit over all the Iland. Pontan. L. 3.Of this Daniſh firſt arrival, and on a ſudden worſe then hoſtile Aggreſſion, the Daniſh Hiſtory far otherwiſe relates, as if thir landing had bin at the mouth of Humber, and thir ſpoilfull march far into p. 180the Country; though ſoon repelld by the Inhabitants, they haſted back as faſt to thir Ships: But from what cauſe, what reaſon of ſtate, what Authority or publick counſell the invaſion proceeded, makes not mention, and our wonder yet the more, by telling us that Sigefrid then King in Denmarke, and long after, was a man ſtudious more of peace and quiet then of warlike matters. Theſe therefore ſeem rather Pontan. L. 4.to have bin ſome wanderers at Sea, who with publick Commiſſion, or without, through love of ſpoil, or hatred of Chriſtianity, ſeeking booties on any land of Chriſtians, came by chance or weather on this ſhore. An. Dom. 790 The next year Oſred in Northumberland, Sim. Dun.who driv'n out by his Nobles had giv'n place to Ethelred, was tak'n and forcibly ſhav'n a Monk at Yorke. An. Dom. 791 And the year after, Oelſ, and Oelſwin, Sim. Dun.Sons of Elfwald, formerly King, were drawn by fair promiſes from the principal Church of Yorke, and after by command of Ethelred, cruelly put to Death at Wonwaldremere, a Village by the great Pool in Lancaſhire, now call'd Winandermere. Nor was the Camden.third year leſs bloody; An. Dom. 792 for Oſred, who not likeing a ſhav'n Crown, had deſir'd baniſhment and obtain'd Sim. Dun. Sim. Dun. Eccles. L. 2.Sir 50:2it, returning from the Ile of Man with ſmall Forces, at the ſecret but deceitfull call of certain Nobles, who by Oath had promis'd to aſſiſt him, was alſo tak'n, and by Ethelred dealt with in the ſame manner; who the better to avouch his Cruelties, therupon married Elfled the Daughter of Offa: for in Offa was found as little Faith or mercy. He the ſame year having drawn to his Palace Ethelbrite King of Eaſt-Angles, with fair invitations to marry his Daughter, caus'd him to be there inhoſpitably beheaded, and his Kingdome wrongfully ſeis'd, by the wicked counſel of his Wife, ſaith Mat. Weſt. annexing p. 181thereto a long unlikely Tale. For which violence and bloodſhed to make attonement, with Fryers at leſt, he beſtows the reliques of St. Alban, in a ſhrine of Pearl and Gold. An. Dom. 793 Far worſe it far'd the Sim. Dun.next year with the reliques in Lindisfarne; where the Danes landing, pillag'd that Monaſtery, and of Fryers kill'd ſome, carried away others Captive, ſparing neither Preiſt nor Lay: which many ſtrange thunders and fiery Dragons, with other impreſſions in the air ſeen frequently before, were judg'd to foreſignifie. This year Alric third Son of Victred ended in Kent his long Reign of 34 years: with him ended the race of Hengiſt: thenceforth whomſoever wealth or faction advanc'd, took on him the name and ſtate of a King. The Saxon Annals of 784. name Ealmund then reigning in Kent; but that conſiſts not with the time of Alric, and I find him no where elſe mentiond. An. Dom. 794 The year following was remarkable Malmſ.for the Death of Offa the Mercian, a ſtrenuous and ſuttle King; he had much intercourſe with Charles the Great, at firſt enmity, to the interdicting of commerce on either ſide, at length much amity and firm League, as appears by the Letter of Charles himſelf yet extant, procur'd by Alcuin a learned and prudent man, though a Monk, whom the Kings of England in thoſe days had ſent Orator into France, to maintain good correſpondence between them and Charles the Great. He granted, ſaith Huntingdon, a perpetual tribute to the Pope out of every Houſe in his Kingdome; for yeilding perhaps to tranſlate Aſſer. Men. Sim. Dun.the Primacy of Canterbury to Lichfeild in his own Dominion. He drew a trench of wondrous length between Mercia and the Britiſh Confines, from Sea to Sea. Ecferth the Son of Offa, a Prince of great hope, who alſo had bin Crown'd 9 years before his p. 182Fathers Deceaſe, reſtoring to the Church what his Father had ſeis'd on: yet within fowr Months by a ſickneſs ended his Reign. And to Kenulf next in right of the ſame Progeny bequeath'd his Kingdome. Mean while the Daniſh Pirats who ſtill waſted Northumberland, ventring on ſhoar to ſpoil another Monaſtery at the mouth of the River Don, were aſſail'd by the Engliſh, thir Cheif Captain ſlain on the place; then returning to Sea, were moſt of them Ship-wrack'd; others driv'n again on ſhoar, were put all to the Sword. Simeon attributes this thir puniſhment to the power of St. Cudbert, offended with them for the rifling of his Covent. An. Dom. 796 Two years after Sim. Dun.this, dy'd Ethelred twice King, but not exempted at laſt from the fate of many his predeceſſors, miſerably ſlain by his people, ſome ſay deſervedly as not inconſcious with them who train'd Oſred to his ruin. Osbald a Nobleman exalted to the Throne, and in leſs then a month, deſerted and expell'd, was forc'd to fly at laſt from Lindisfarne by Sea to the Pictiſh King, and dy'd an Abbot. Eardulf whom Ethelred ſix years before had commanded to be put to Death at Ripun, before the Abbey-Gate, dead as was ſuppos'd, and with ſolemn Dirge carried into the Church, after midnight found there alive, I read not how, then baniſh'd, now recall'd, was in Yorke created King. In Kent, Ethelbert or Pren, whom the Annals call Eadbright (ſo different they often are one from another, both in timeing and in nameing) by ſome means having uſurp'd regal power, after two years Reign contending with Kenulf the Mercian, was by him tak'n Pris'ner, and ſoon after, out of pious commiſeration let go: but not receav'd of his own, what became of him, Malmsbury leaves in doubt. Simeon writes, that Kenulf commanded to p. 183put out his Eyes, and lop off his hands; but whether the ſentence were executed or not, is left as much in doubt by his want of expreſſion. An. Dom. 798 The ſecond year Sim. Dun.after this, they in Northumberland who had conſpir'd againſt Ethelred, now alſo raiſing War againſt Eardulf, under Wada thir Cheif Captain, after much havock on either ſide at Langho, by Whaley in Lancaſhire, the Conſpirators at laſt flying, Eardulf return'd with Victory. The ſame year London, with a great multitude of her Inhabitants, by a ſudden fire was conſum'd. An. Dom. 800 The year 800. made way for great alteration in England, uniting her ſeaven Kingdoms into one, by Echert the famous Weſt-Saxon; him Birthric dying Childleſs left next to reign, the only ſurviver of that linage, deſcended from Inegild the Brother of King Ina. And according to his Malmſ.Birth liberally bred, he began early from his youth to give ſignal hopes of more then ordinary worth growing up in him; which Birthric fearing, and with all his juſter title to the Crown, ſecretly ſought his life, and Ecbert perceaving, fled to Offa the Mercian▪ but he having married Eadburg his Daughter to Birthric, eaſily gave ear to his Embaſſadors; coming Sax. an.to require Ecbert, he again put to his ſhifts, eſcap'd thence into France; but after three years baniſhment there, which perhaps contributed much to his education, Charles the Great then reigning, he was call'd over by the publick voice (for Birthric was newly dead) and with general applauſe created King of Weſt-Saxons. The ſame day Ethelmund at Kinneresford, paſſing over with the Worceſterſhire men, was met by Weolſtan another Nobleman with thoſe of Wiltſhire, between whom happ'nd a great fray, wherin the Wiltſhire men overcame, but both Dukes were ſlain, no reaſon of thir quarrel writ'n; p. 184ſuch bickerings to recount, met oft'n in theſe our Writers, what more worth is it then to Chronicle the Wars of Kites, or Crows, flocking and fighting in the Air? An. Dom. 801 The year following, Eardulf the Northumbrian, Sim. Dun.leading forth an Army againſt Kenulf the Mercian, for harboring certain of his Enemies, by the diligent mediation of other Princes and Prelats, Armes were laid aſide, and amity ſoon ſworn between them. But Eadburga the Wife of Birthric, a Malmſ. L. 2. Aſſer.woeman every way wicked, in malice eſpecially cruel, An. Dom. 802 could not or car'd not to appeaſe the general hatred juſtly conceiv'd againſt her;Sim. Dun. accuſtom'd in her Huſbands days to accuſe any whom ſhe ſpighted; and not prevailing to his ruin, her practice was by poiſon ſecretly to contrive his Death. It fortun'd that the King her Huſband, lighting on a Cup which ſhe had temperd, not for him, but for one of his great Favourites, whom ſhe could not harm by accuſeing, ſip'd therof only, and in a while after ſtill pineing away, ended his days; the favourite drinking deeper found ſpeedier the operation. She fearing to be queſtiond for theſe facts, with what treaſure ſhe had, paſs'd over-ſea to Charles the Great, whom with rich guifts coming to his preſence, the Emperour courtly receav'd with this pleaſant propoſal: Chooſe Eadburga, which of us two thou wilt, me or my Son (for his Son ſtood by him) to be thy Huſband. She no diſſembler of what ſhe lik'd beſt, made eaſie anſwer. Were it in my choiſe, I ſhould chooſe of the two your Son rather, as the younger man. To whom the Emperour between jeſt and earneſt, hadſt thou choſen me, I had beſtow'd on thee my Son; but ſince thou haſt chos'n him, thou ſhalt have neither him nor me. Nevertheleſs he aſſign'd her a rich Monaſtery to dwell in as Abbeſs; for that life it may p. 185ſeem, ſhe choſe next to profeſs; but being a while after detected of unchaſtity, with one of her followers, ſhe was commanded to depart thence; from that time wandring poorly up and down with one Servant, in Pavia a City of Italy, ſhe finiſh'd at laſt in beggery her ſhamefull life. An. Dom. 805 In the year 805. Cuthred, whom Kenulſ the Mercian had,Malmſ. Sax. ann. inſtead of Pren, made King in Kent, having obſcurely reign'd 8 years, deceas'd. An. Dom. 806 In Northumberland, Eardulf the year following was driv'n out of his Realm by Alfwold, who Reign'd two years in his room;Huntingd. Sim. Dun. after whom Eandred Son of Eardulf 33 years; An. Dom. 808 but I ſee not how this can ſtand with the ſequel of ſtory out of better Authors:Mat. Weſt. An. Dom. 809 Much leſs that which Buchanan relates, the year following, of Acaius King of Scots, who having reign'd 32 years, and dying in 809, had formerly aided (but in what year of his Reign tells not) Hungus King of Picts with 10000 Scots, againſt Athelſtan a Saxon or Engliſh-man, then waſting the Pictiſh Borders; that Hungus by the aid of thoſe Scots and the help of St. Andrew thir Patron, in a Viſion by night, and the appearance of his croſs by day, routed the aſtoniſht Engliſh, and ſlew Athelſtan in fight. Who this Athelſtan was, I believe no man knows; Buchanan ſuppoſes him to have been ſome Daniſh Commander, on whom King Alured, or Alfred, had beſtow'd Northumberland; but of this I find no footſteps in our antient Writers; and if any ſuch thing were done in the time of Alfred, it muſt be little leſs then 100. years after; this Athelſtan therefore, and this great overthrow, ſeems rather to have bin the fancy of ſome Legend then any warrantable Record.Sim. Dun. Mean while Ecbert, having with much Prudence, Juſtice, and Clemency, An. Dom. 813 a work of more then one year,Sax. an. eſtabliſht his Kingdome and p. 186himſelf in the affections of his people, turns his firſt enterpriſe againſt the Britans, both them of Cornwal and thoſe beyond Seavern, ſubdueing both. In Mercia, Kenulf the 6th. year after, having reign'd with great praiſe of his religious mind and vertues both in Peace and War, deceas'd. An. Dom. 819 His Son Kenelm, Sax. an. Malmſ.a Child of ſeaven years, was committed to the care of his Elder Siſter Quendrid; who with a female ambition aſpiring to the Crown, hir'd one who had the charge of his nurture, to murder him, led into a woody place upon pretence of hunting. The murder, as is reported, was miraculouſly reveal'd; but to tell how, by a Dove droping a writt'n note on the Altar at Rome, is a long ſtory, told, though out of order, by Malmsbury; and under the year 821. by Mat. Weſt. where I leave it to be ſought by ſuch as are more credulous then I wiſh my Readers. Only the note was to this purpoſe.

Low in a mead of Kine under a Thorn,

Of head bereft li'th poor Kenelm King-born.

An. Dom. 820 Keolwulf the Brother of Kenulf, after one years Reign was driv'n out by one Bernulf an Uſurper: Ingulf.who in his third year, An. Dom. 823 uncertain whether invading or invaded, was by Ecbert, Sax. an.though with great loſs on both ſides, overthrown and put to flight at Ellandune or Wilton: yet Malmsbury accounts this Battel fought in 806, a wide difference, but frequently found in thir computations. Bernulf thence retireing to the Eaſt-Angles, as part of his Dominion by the late ſeiſure of Offa, was by them met in the field and ſlain: but they doubting what the Mercians might do in revenge hereof, forthwith yielded themſelves both King and people to the Sovrantie of Ecbert. As for p. 187the Kings of Eaſt-Angles, our Annals mention them not ſince Ethelwald; him ſucceeded his Brothers Florent. Genealog. Bed. L. 2. c. 15.Sons, as we find in Malmsbury, Aldulf (a good King, well acquainted with Bede) and Elwold who left the Kingdome to Beorn, he to Ethelred the Father of Ethelbrite, whom Offa perfidiouſly put to Death. Simeon and Hoveden, in the year 749. write that Elfwald King of Eaſt-Angles dying, Humbeanna and Albert ſhar'd the Kingdom between them; but where to inſert this among the former ſucceſſions is not eaſie, nor much material: after Ethelbrite, none is nam'd of that Kingdom till thir ſubmitting now to Ecbert: he from this Victory againſt Bernulf ſent part of his Army under Ethelwulf his Son, with Alſtan Biſhop of Shirburn, and Wulferd a Chief Commander, into Kent. Who finding Baldred there reigning in his 18th. year, overcame and drove him over the Thames; whereupon all Kent, Surrey, Suſſex, and laſtly Eſſex, with her King Swithred, became ſubject to the Dominion of Ecbert. Neither were theſe all his exploits of this year, the firſt in order ſet down in Saxon Annals, being his fight againſt the Devonſhire Welch, at a place call'd Gaſulford, now Camelford in Cornwal.Camd. An. Dom. 825 Ludiken the Mercian, after two years preparing to avenge Bernulf his Kinſman on the Eaſt-Angles, Ingulf.was by them with his five Conſuls, as the Annals call them, ſurpris'd and put to the Sword: and Withlaf his ſucceſſor firſt vanquiſht, then upon ſubmiſſion with all Mercia, made tributary to Ecbert. Mean while the Northumbrian Kingdom of it ſelf was fall'n to ſhivers; thir Kings one after another ſo oft'n ſlain by the people, no man dareing, though never ſo ambitious, to take up the Scepter which many had found ſo hot, (the only effectual cure of ambition that I have read) for the p. 188ſpace of 33 years, after the Death of Ethelred Son of Mollo, as Malmsbury writes, there was no King: many Noblemen and Prelats were fled the Country. Which miſ-rule among them, the Danes having underſtood, oft-times from thir Ships entring far into the land, infeſted thoſe parts with wide depopulations, waſting Towns, Churches, and Monaſteries, for they were yet Heathen: The Lent before whoſe coming, on the North-ſide of St. Peters Church in Yorke, was ſeen from the roof to rain blood. The cauſes of theſe calamities, and the ruin of that Kingdom, Alcuin, a learned Monk living in thoſe days, attributes in ſeveral Epiſtles, and well may, to the general ignorance and decay of lerning, which crept in among them after the Death of Beda, and of Ecbert the Archbiſhop; thir neglect of breeding up youth in the Scriptures, the ſpruce and gay apparel of thir Preiſts and Nuns, diſcovering thir vain and wanton minds, examples are alſo read, eev'n in Beda's days, of thir wanton deeds: thence Altars defil'd with perjuries, Cloiſters violated with Adulteries, the Land polluted with blood of thir Princes, civil diſſentions among the people, and finally all the ſame vices which Gildas alledg'd of old to have ruin'd the Britans. In this eſtate Ecbert, who had now conquerd all the South, finding them in the year 827. An. Dom. 827 (for he was march'd thether with an Army to compleat his Conqueſt of the whole Iland) no wonder if they ſubmitted themſelves to the yoke without reſiſtance, Eandred thir King becoming Tributary. An. Dom. 828 Thence turning his forces the year following, Mat. Weſt.he ſubdu'd more throughly what remain'd of North-Wales.

The End of the Fourth Book.