The History of Britain, Book 6

The History of Britain · Book 6

p. 241THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN. The Sixth Book.

Edward the Younger.

EDward the eldeſt Son of Edgar by Egelfieda his firſt Wife, the Daughter of Duke Ordmer, was according to right and his Fathers Will, plac'd in the Throne; Elfrida his ſecond Wife, and her faction only repineing, who labour'd to have had her Son Ethelred a Child of 7 years, preferr'd before him; that ſhe under that pretence might have rul'd all. Mean while Comets were ſeen in Heav'n, portending p. 242not Famin only, which follow'd the next year, but the troubl'd State of the whole Realm not long after to enſue. The troubles begun in Edwi's daies, between Monks and ſecular Prieſts, now reviv'd and drew on either ſide many of the Nobles into parties. For Elfere Duke of the Mercians, with many other Pecrs, corrupted as is ſaid with guifts, drove the Monks out of thoſe Monaſteries where Florent. Sim. Dun.Edgar had plac'd them, and in thir ſtead put ſecular Prieſts with thir Wives. But Ethelwin Duke of Eaſt-Angles, with his Brother Elfwold, and Earl Britnoth oppos'd them, and gathering an Army defended the Abbies of Eaſt-Angles from ſuch intruders. To appeaſe theſe tumults, a Synod was call'd at Wincheſter, and nothing there concluded, a general Councel both of Nobles and Prelates, was held at Caln in Wiltſhire, where while the diſpute was hot, but chiefly againſt Dunſtan, the room wherin they ſat fell upon thir heads, killing ſome, maiming others, Dunſtan only eſcaping upon a beam that fell not, and the King abſent by reaſon of his tender Age. This accident quieted the controverſie, and brought both parts to hold with Dunſtan and the Monks. Mean while the King addicted to a Religious life, and of a mild Spirit, ſimply permitted all things to the ambitious will of his Step-mother and her Son Ethelred: to whom ſhe diſpleas'd that the name only of King was wanting, practis'd thenceforth to remove King Edward out of the way; which in this manner ſhe brought about. Edward on a day wearied with hunting, thirſty and alone, while his attendance follow'd the Dogs, hearing that Ethelred and his mother lodg'd at Corveſgate (Corſe Caſtle, ſaith Camden, in the Ile of Purbeck) innocently went thether. p. 243She with all ſhew of kindneſs welcoming him, commanded drink to be brought forth, for it ſeems he lighted not from his Horſe; and while he was drinking, caus'd one of her Servants, privately before inſtructed, to ſtab him with a poignard. The poor youth who little expected ſuch unkindneſs there, turning ſpeedily the Reins, fled bleeding; till through loſs of blood falling from his Horſe, and expiring, yet held with one foot in the Stirrop, he was dragg'd along the way, trac'd by his blood, and buried without honour at Werham, having reign'd about 3 years: but the place of his burial An. Dom. 978 Malmſ.not long after grew famous for miracles. After which by Duke Elfer (who, as Malmsbury ſaith, had a hand in his Death) he was Royally enterr'd at Skepton or Shaftsbury. The murdreſs Elfrida at length repenting ſpent the reſidue of her daies in ſorrow and great penance.

Ethelred.

EThelred ſecond Son of Edgar by Elfrida (for Edmund An. Dom. 979 Malmſ.dy'd a Child) his Brother Edward wickedly remov'd, was now next in right to ſucceed, and accordingly Crown'd at Kingston: reported by ſome, fair of viſage, comly of perſon, elegant of behaviour; but the event will ſhew that with many ſluggiſh Florent. Sim. Dun.and ignoble vices he quickly ſham'd his outſide; born and prolong'd a fatal miſcheif of the people, and the ruin of his Country; whereof he gave early ſignes from his firſt infancy, bewraying the Font and Water while the Biſhop was baptizing him. Whereat Dunſtan much troubl'd, for he ſtood by and ſaw it, to them next him broke into theſe words, By God p. 244and Gods Mother this Boy will prove a Sluggard. Another thing is writt'n of him in his Childhood; which argu'd no bad nature, that hearing of his Brother Edwards cruel Death, he made loud lamentation; but his furious mother offended therwith, and having no rod at hand, beat him ſo with great Wax Candles, that he hated the ſight of them ever after. Dunſtan though unwilling ſet the Crown upon his head; but at the ſame time foretold op'nly, as is reported, the great evils that were to come upon him and the Land, in avengment of his Brothers innocent blood. And about the ſame time, one midnight, Sim. Dun.a Cloud ſometimes bloody, ſometimes fiery, was ſeen over all England; and within three years An. Dom. 982 Malmſ.the Daniſh Tempeſt, which had long ſurceaſt, revolv'd again upon this Iland. To the more ample relating whereof, the Daniſh Hiſtory, at leaſt thir lateſt and diligenteſt Hiſtorian, as neither from the firſt landing of Danes, in the Reign of Weſt-Saxon Brithric, ſo now again from firſt to laſt, contributes nothing; buſied more then anough to make out the bare names and ſucceſſions of thir uncertain Kings, and thir ſmall actions at home: unleſs out of him I ſhould tranſcribe what hee takes, and I better may, from our own Annals; the ſurer, and the ſadder witneſſes of thir doings here, not glorious, as they vainly boaſt, but moſt inhumanly Barbarous. For the Danes well underſtanding, that England had now Eadmer. Florent.a ſlothfull King to thir wiſh, firſt landing at Southampton from 7 great Ships, took the Town, ſpoil'd the Country, and carried away with them great pillage; nor was Devonſhire and Cornwall uninfeſted on the ſhore; Pirats of Norway alſo harried the Coaſt of Hoved.Weſt-Cheſter: and to add a worſe calamity, the City p. 245of London was burnt, caſually or not, is not writt'n. Sim. Dun. Hoved.An. Dom. 986 Malmſ. Ingulf.It chanc'd fowr years after, that Ethelred beſeig'd Rocheſter, ſome way or other offended by the Biſhop therof. Dunſtan not approving the cauſe, ſent to warn him that he provoke not St. Andrew the Patron of that City, nor waſt his Lands; an old craft of the Clergy to ſecure thir Church Lands, by entailing them on ſome Saint; the King not hark'ning, Dunſtan on this condition that the ſeige might be rais'd, ſent him a hundred pound, the money was accepted and the ſeige diſſolv'd. Dunſtan reprehending his avarice, ſent him again this word, becauſe thou haſt reſpected money more then Religion, the evils which I foretold ſhall the ſooner come upon thee; but not in my days; for ſo God hath ſpok'n. The next year An. Dom. 987 Malmſ.An. Dom. 988 Malmſ.was calamitous, bringing ſtrange fluxes upon men, and murren upon Cattel. Dunſtan the year following dy'd, a ſtrenuous Biſhop, zealous without dread of perſon, and for ought appeers, the beſt of many Ages, if he buſied not himſelf too much in ſecular affairs. He was Chaplain at firſt to King Athelſtan, and Edmund who ſucceeded, much imploi'd in Court affairs, till envi'd by ſome who laid many things to his charge, he was by Edmund forbidd'n the Court, but by the earneſt mediation, ſaith Ingulf, of Turkitul the Chancellour, receav'd at length to favour, and made Abbot of Glaſton, laſtly by Edgar and the generall Vote, Archbiſhop of Canterbury. Not long after his Death, the Danes arriving in Devonſhire were met by Goda Lieutenant of that Country, and Strenwold a valiant Leader, who put back the Danes, but with loſs of thir own lives. The third year following, under the conduct of Juſtin An. Dom. 991 Sim. Dun.and Guthmund the Son of Steytan, they landed and p. 246ſpoil'd Ipſwich, fought with Britnoth Duke of the Eaſt-Angles about Maldon, where they ſlew him; the ſlaughter elſe had bin equal on both ſides. Theſe and the like depredations on every ſide the Engliſh not able to reſiſt, by counſel of Siric then Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, and two Dukes, Ethelward and Alfric; it was thought beſt for the preſent to buy that with Silver which they could not gain with thir Iron; and Ten Thouſand pound was paid to the Danes for peace. Which for a while contented; but taught them the ready way how eaſieſt to come by more. The next year but one they took by ſtorm and rifl'd Bebbanburg an antient City nigh Durham: An. Dom. 993 Sim. Dun.ſailing thence into the mouth of Humber, they waſted both ſides therof, Yorkeſhire and Lindſey, burning and deſtroying all before them. Againſt theſe went out three Noblemen, Frena, Frithegiſt, and Godwin, but being all Danes by the Fathers ſide, willingly began flight, and forſook thir own Forces betray'd to the Enemy. No leſs treachery was at Sea; for Alfric the Son of Elfer Duke of Mercia, whom the King for ſome offence had baniſh'd but Florent. Huntingd.now recall'd, ſent from London with a Fleet to ſurpriſe the Danes, in ſome place of diſadvantage, gave them over night intelligence therof, then fled to them himſelf; which his Fleet, ſaith Florent, perceaveing, perſu'd, took the Ship, but miſs'd of his perſon; the Londoners by chance grapling with the Eaſt-Angles made them fewer, ſaith my Authour, by many thouſands. Others ſay, that by this notice of Alfric, the Danes not only eſcap'd, but with a greater Fleet An. Dom. 994 Sim. Dun.ſet upon the Engliſh, took many of thir Ships, and in tryumph brought them up the Thames, intending to beſeige London: for Anlaf King of Norway, and p. 247Swane of Denmarke, at the head of theſe, came with 94 Gallies. The King for this treaſon of Alfric, put out his Sons Eyes; but the Londoners both by land and water, ſo valiantly reſiſted thir beſeigers, that they were forc't in one day with great loſs to give over. But what they could not on the City, they wreck'd themſelves on the Countries round about, waſting with Sword and fire all Eſſex, Kent, and Suſſex. Thence horſing thir Foot, diffus'd far wider thir outragious incurſions, without mercy either to Sex or Age. The ſlothfull King inſtead Malmſ.of Warlike oppoſition in the Field, ſends Embaſſadors to treat about another payment; the ſum promisd was now 16 thouſand pound; till which paid, the Danes winterd at Southampton; Ethelred inviteing Anlaf to come and viſit him at Andover: where Malmſ.he was royally entertain'd, ſome ſay baptiz'd, or confirm'd, adopted Son by the King, and diſmis't with great preſents, promiſing by Oath to depart and moleſt the Kingdome no more; which he perform'd, Huntingd.but the calamity ended not ſo, for after ſome intermiſſion of thir rage for three years, the other Navy An. Dom. 997 Sim. Dun.of Danes ſailing about to the Weſt, enterd Severn, and waſted one while South Wales, then Cornwall and Devonſhire, till at length they winterd about Taviſtoc. For it were an endleſs work to relate how they wallow'd up and down to every particular place, and to repeat as oft what devaſtations they wrought, what deſolations left behinde them, eaſie to be imagin'd. In ſumm, the next year they afflicted An. Dom. 998 Sim. Dun.Dorſetſhire, Hamſhire, and the Ile of Wight; by the Engliſh many reſolutions were tak'n, many Armies rais'd, but either betray'd by the falſhood, or diſcourag'd by the weakneſs of thir Leaders, they p. 248were put to rout, or diſbanded themſelves. For Souldiers moſt commonly are as thir Commanders, without much odds of valour in one Nation or other, only as they are more or leſs wiſely diſciplin'd and conducted. The following year brought them back An. Dom. 999 Sim. Dun.upon Kent, where they enterd Medway, and beſeig'd Rocheſter; but the Kentiſh men aſſembling, gave them a ſharp encounter, yet that ſuffic'd not to hinder them from doing as they had done in other places. Againſt theſe depopulations, the King levied an Army; but the unſkillfull Leaders not knowing what to do with it when they had it, did but drive out time, burd'ning and impoveriſhing the people, conſuming the publick treaſure, and more imboldning the Enemy, then if they had ſat quiet at home. What cauſe mov'd the Danes next year to paſs into Normandy, is not recorded; but that An. Dom. 1000 Sim. Dun.they return'd thence more outragious then before. Mean while the King, to make ſome diverſion, undertak's an expedition both by Land and Sea into Cumberland, where the Danes were moſt planted; there and in the Ile of Man, or as Camden ſaith, Angleſey, imitating his Enemies in ſpoiling and unpeopleing; the Danes from Normandy arriving in the River Ex, laid ſeige to Exeter; but the Cittizens, as thoſe of London, valorouſly defending themſelves, An. Dom. 1001 Sim. Dun.they wreck'd thir anger, as before, on the Villages round about. The Country people of Somerſet and Devonſhire aſſembling themſelves at Penho, ſhew'd thir readineſs, but wanted a head; and beſides, being then but few in number, were eaſily put to flight; the Enemy plundring all at will, with loaded ſpoils paſs'd into the Ile of Wight; from whence all Dorſetſhire, and Hamſhire, felt again p. 249thir fury. The Saxon Annals write, that before thir coming to Exeter, the Hamſhire men had a bickering with them, wherin Ethelward the Kings General was ſlain, adding other things hardly to be underſtood, An. Dom. 1002 Sim. Dun.and in one antient Copy; ſo end. Ethelred, whom no adverſity could awake from his ſoft and ſluggiſh life, ſtill coming by the worſe at fighting, by the advice of his Peers not unlike himſelf, ſends one of his gay Courtiers, though looking loftily, to ſtoop baſely and propoſe a third tribute to the Danes: they willingly hark'n, but the ſumm is enhaunc't now to 24 thouſand pound, and paid; the Danes therupon abſtaining from hoſtility. But the King to ſtrengthen his Houſe by ſome potent affinity, marries Emma, whom the Saxons call Elgiva, Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy. With him Ethelred formerly Malmſ.had War or no good correſpondence, as appears by a Letter of Pope John the 15th. who made peace Calviſ.between them about eleaven years before; puft up now with his ſuppos'd acceſs of ſtrength by this affinity, he caus'd the Danes all over England, though Florent. Huntingd.now living peaceably, in one day perfidiouſly to be maſſacherd, both Men, Women, and Childern; ſending privat Letters to every Town and Citty, wherby they might be ready all at the ſame hower; which till the appointed time (being the 9th of July) Calviſius.was conceal'd with great ſilence, and perform'd with much unanimity; ſo generally hated were the Danes. Mat. Weſt. writes, that this execution upon the Danes was ten years after; that Huna one of Ethelreds Chief Captains, complaining of the Daniſh inſolencies in time of peace, thir pride, thir raviſhing of Matrons and Virgins, incited the King to this maſſacher, which in the madneſs of rage made no p. 250difference of innocent or nocent. Among theſe, Gunhildis the Siſter of Swane was not ſpar'd, though much deſerving not pitty only, but all protection: ſhe with her Huſband Earl Palingus, coming to live in England, and receaving Chriſtianity, had her Huſband and young Son ſlain before her face, her ſelf then beheaded, foretelling and denouncing that her blood would coſt England dear. Some ſay this Mat. Weſt.was done by the Traitor Edric, to whoſe cuſtody ſhe was committed; but the maſſacher was ſome years before Edric's advancement; and if it were done by him afterward, it ſeems to contradict the privat correſpondence which he was thought to hold with the Danes. For Swane breathing revenge, An. Dom. 1003 Sim. Dun.haſted the next year into England, and by the treaſon or negligence of Count Hugh, whom Emma had recommended to the Government of Devonſhire, ſack'd the City of Exeter, her Wall from Eaſt to Weſt-gate brok'n down: after this waſting Wiltſhire, the people of that County, and of Hamſhire, came together in great numbers with reſolution ſtoutly to oppoſe him, but Alfric thir General, whoſe Sons Eyes the King had lately put out, madly thinking to revenge himſelf on the King, by ruining his own Country, when he ſhould have orderd his Battel, the Enemy being at hand, fain'd himſelf tak'n with a vomiting; wherby his Army in great diſcontent, deſtitute of a Commander, turn'd from the Enemy; who ſtreight took Wilton and Salsbury, carrying the pillage therof to his Ships. An. Dom. 1004 Thence the next year landing on the Coaſt of Norfolk, Sim. Dun.he waſted the Country, and ſet Norwich on fire; Ulfketel Duke of the Eaſt-Angles, a man of great valour, not having ſpace to gather his Forces, after p. 251conſultation had, thought it beſt to make peace with the Dane, which he breaking within three weeks, iſſu'd ſilently out of his Ships, came to Thetford, ſtaid there a night, and in the Morning left it flameing. Ʋlſketel hearing this, commanded ſome to go and break, or burn his Ships; but they not dareing or neglecting, he in the mean while with what ſecreſie and ſpeed was poſſible, drawing together his Forces, went out againſt the Enemy, and gave them a feirce onſet retreating to thir Ships; but much inferiour in number, many of the Cheif Eaſt-Angles, there loſt thir lives. Nor did the Danes come off without great ſlaughter of thir own; confeſſing that they never met in England with ſo rough a charge. The next year, whom War could An. Dom. 1005 Sim. Dun.not, a great Famin drove Swane out of the Land. But the Summer following, another great Fleet of Danes enterd the Port of Sandwich, thence powrd An. Dom. 1006 Sim. Dun.out over all Kent and Suſſex, made prey of what they found. The King levying an Army out of Mercia, and the Weſt-Saxons, took on him for once the Manhood to go out and face them; But they who held it ſafer to live by rapine, then to hazard a Battel, ſhifting lightly from place to place, fruſtrated the ſlow motions of a heavy Camp, following thir wonted courſe of robbery, then running to thir Ships. Thus all Autumn they wearied out the Kings Army, which gone home to winter, they carried all thir pillage to the Ile of Wight, and there ſtaid till Chriſtmas; at which time the King being in Shropſhire, and but ill imploi'd (for by the procurement of Edric, he caus'd, as is thought, Alfhelm Florent.a noble Duke, treacherouſly to be ſlain, and the Eyes of his two Sons to be put out) they came p. 252forth again, over-running Hamſhire, and Barkeſhire, as far as Reading and Wallingford: thence to Aſhdune, and other places thereabout, neither known nor of tolerable pronuntiation; and returning by another way, found many of the people in Armes by the River Kenet; but making thir way through, they got ſafe with vaſt booty to thir Ships. The An. Dom. 1007 Sim. Dun.King and his Courtiers wearied out with thir laſt Summers jaunt after the nimble Danes to no purpoſe, which by proof they found too toilſome for thir ſoft Bones, more us'd to Beds and Couches, had recourſe to thir laſt and only remedy, thir Cofers; and ſend now the fourth time to buy a diſhonorable peace, every time ſtill dearer, not to be had now under 36 thouſand pound (for the Danes knew how to milk ſuch eaſie Kine) in name of Tribute and expences: which out of the people over all England, already half beggerd, was extorted and paid. About the ſame time Ethelred advanc'd Edric, ſurnam'd Streon, from obſcure condition to be Duke of Mercia, and marry Edgitha the Kings Daughter. The cauſe of his advancement, Florent of Worſter, and Mat. Weſt. attribute to his great wealth, gott'n by fine polices and a plauſible tongue: he prov'd a main acceſſory to the ruin of England, as his actions will ſoon declare. Ethelred the next year ſomewhat An. Dom. 1008 Sim. Dun.rowſing himſelf, ordain'd that every 310 Hides (a Hide is ſo much land as one Plow can ſufficiently till) ſhould ſet out a Ship or Gally, and every nine Hides find a Corſlet and Head-peice: new Ships in every Port were builded, vittl'd, fraught with ſtout Mariners and Souldiers, and appointed to meet all at Sandwich. A man might now think that all would go well; when ſuddenly a new miſchief ſprung up, p. 253diſſention among the great ones; which brought all this diligence to as little ſucceſs as at other times before. Bithric the Brother of Edric, falſly accus'd Wulnoth a great Officer ſet over the South-Saxons, who fearing the potency of his Enemies, with 20 Ships got to Sea, and practis'd piracy on the Coaſt. Againſt whom, reported to be in a place where he might be eaſily ſurpris'd, Bithrie ſets forth with 80 Ships; all which driv'n back by a Tempeſt and wrackt upon the ſhoar, were burnt ſoon after by Wulnoth. Diſheart'nd with this misfortune, the King returns to London; the reſt of his Navy after him; and all this great preparation to nothing. Wherupon Turkill, a Daniſh Earl, came with a Navy An. Dom. 1009 Sim. Dun.to the Ile of Tanet, and in Auguſt a far greater, led by Heming and Ilaf joyn'd with him. Thence coaſting to Sandwich, and landed, they went onward and began to aſſault Canterbury, but the Citizens and Eaſt Kentiſh men, coming to compoſition with them for three thouſand pound, they departed thence to the Ile of Wight, robbing and burning by the way. Againſt theſe the King levies an Army through all the land, and in ſeveral quarters places them nigh the Sea, but ſo unſkillfully or unſucceſsfully, that the Danes were not therby hinderd from exerciſeing thir wonted Robberies. It happ'nd that the Danes one day were gone up into the Country, far from thir Ships, the King having notice therof, thought to intercept them in thir return; his men were reſolute to overcome or die, time and place advantagious; but where courage and fortune was not wanting, there wanted Loyalty among them. Edric with ſuttle arguments that had a ſhew of deep policy, diſputed and perſwaded the ſimplicity of p. 254his Fellow Counſellers, that it would be beſt conſulted at that time to let the Danes paſs without ambuſh or interception. The Danes where they expected danger, finding none, paſs'd on with great joy and booty to thir Ships. After this, ſailing about Kent, they lay that Winter in the Thames, forcing Kent and Eſſex to contribution, oft-times attempting the City of London, but repuls't as oft to thir great loſs. Spring begun, leaving thir Ships, they paſs'd An. Dom. 1010 Sim. Dun. Florent.through Chiltern Wood into Oxfordſhire, burnt the City, and thence returning with divided forces waſted on both ſides the Thames; but hearing, that an Army from London was marcht out againſt them, they on the North-ſide, paſſing the River at Stanes, join'd with them on the South into one body, and enrich't with great ſpoils, came back through Surrey to thir Ships; which all the Lent-time they repair'd. After Eaſter, ſailing to the Eaſt-Angles they arriv'd at Ipſwich, and came to a place call'd Ringmere, where they heard that Ʋlfketell with his Forces lay, who with a ſharp encounter ſoon entertain'd them; but his men at length giving back, through the ſuttlety of a Daniſh Servant among them who began the flight, loſt the field; though the men of Cambridgeſhire ſtood to it valiantly. In this Battel Ethelſtan the Kings Son in Law, with many other Noblemen, was ſlain; wherby the Danes without more reſiſtance, three months together had the ſpoiling of thoſe Countries and all the Fenns, burnt Thetſord and Grantbrig, or Cambridge; thence to a hilly place not far off, call'd by Huntingdon Baleſham, by Camden Gogmagog Hills, and the Villages therabout they turn'd thir fury, ſlaying all they met ſave one man, who getting up into a Steeple, is ſaid to have defended p. 255himſelf againſt the whole Daniſh Army. They therefore ſo leaving him, thir Foot by Sea, thir Horſe by land through Fſſex, return'd back lad'n to thir Ships left in the Thames. But many daies paſs'd not between, when ſalying again out of thir Ships as out of Savage Denns, they plunderd over again all Oxfordſhire, and added to thir prey Buckingham, Bedford, and Hertfordſhire; then like Humingd.wild Beaſts glutted, returning to thir Caves. A third excurſion they made into Northamptonſhire, burnt Northampton, ranſacking the Country round; then as to freſh paſture betook them to the Weſt-Saxons, and in like ſort harraſing all Wiltſhire, return'd, as I ſaid before, like wild Beaſts or rather Sea-Monſters to thir Water-ſtables, accompliſhing by Chriſtmas the Circuit of thir whole years good Deeds; an unjuſt and inhuman Nation, who receaving or not receaving tribute where none was owing them, made ſuch deſtruction of mankind, and rapine of their lively-hood, as is a miſery to read. Yet here they ceas'd not, for the next year An. Dom. 1011 Sim. Dun.repeating the ſame cruelties on both ſides the Thames, one way as far as Huntingdon, the other as far as Wiltſhire and Southampton, ſollicited again by the King for peace, and receaving thir demands both of tribute and contribution, they ſlighted thir faith; and in the beginning of September laid ſeige to Canterbury. On the twentieth day, by the treachery of Almere the Archdeacon, they took part of it and burnt it, committing all ſorts of maſſacher as a ſport; ſome they threw over the Wall, others into the fire, hung ſome by the privy members, infants pull'd from thir mothers breaſts, were either toſt on ſpears, or Carts drawn over them; Matrons and Virgins by p. 256the hair dragd and raviſh't. Alfage the grave Arch-biſhop, above others hated of the Danes, as in all Eadmer. Malmſ. Eadmer.Counſells and actions to his might thir known oppoſer, tak'n, wounded, impriſon'd in a noiſom Ship; the multitude are tith'd, and every tenth only ſpar'd. An. Dom. 1012 Sim. Dun.Early the next year before Eaſter, while Ethelred and his Peers were aſſembl'd at London, to raiſe now the fifth Tribute amounting to 48 thouſand pound, the Danes at Canterbury propoſe to the Archbiſhop, who had bin now ſeav'n months thir Priſoner, life Eadmer.and liberty, if he pay them three thouſand pound; which he refuſeing as not able of himſelf, and not willing to extort it from his Tennants, is permitted till the next Sunday to conſider; then hal'd before thir Counſel, of whom Turkill was Cheif, and ſtill refuſeing, they riſe moſt of them being drunk, and beat him with the blunt ſide of thir Axes, then thruſt forth deliver him to be pelted with ſtones; till one Thrum a converted Dane, pittying him half dead, to put him out of pain; with a pious impiety, at one ſtroak of his Ax on the head diſpatch'd him. His body was carried to London, and there buried, thence afterward remov'd to Canterbury. By this time the tribute paid, and peace ſo oft'n violated ſworn again by the Danes, they diſpers'd thir Fleet; forty five of them, and Turkill thir Cheif ſtaid at London with the King, ſwore him Allegeance to defend his Land againſt all ſtrangers, on condition only to be fed and cloth'd by him. But this voluntary friendſhip of Turkill was thought to be deceitfull, that ſtaying under this pretence he gave intelligence to Swane, when moſt it would be ſeaſonable to come. In July therfore of the next year, King Swane An. Dom. 1013 Sim. Dun.arriving at Sandwich, made no ſtay there, but ſailing p. 257firſt to Humber, thence into Trent, landed and encamp'd at Gainsburrow: whither without delay repair'd to him the Northumbrians, with Ʋthred thir Earl; thoſe of Lindſey alſo, then thoſe of Fisburg, and laſtly all on the North of Watling-ſtreet (which is a high way from Eaſt to Weſt Sea) gave Oath and Hoſtages to obey him. From whom he commanded Horſes and proviſion for his Army, taking with him beſides Bands and Companies of thir choiceſt men; and committing to his Son Canute the care of his Fleet and hoſtages; he marches towards the South Mercians, commanding his Souldiers to exerciſe all Acts of hoſtility; with the terror wherof fully executed, he took in few daies the City of Oxford, then Wincheſter; thence tending to London, in his haſty paſſage over the Thames, without ſeeking Bridge or Ford, loſt many of his men. Nor was his expedition againſt London proſperous; for aſſaying all means by force or wile to take the City, wherin the King then was, & Turkill with his Danes, he was ſtoutly beat'n off as at other times. Thence back to Wallingford and Bath, directing his courſe, after uſual havock made, he ſate a while and refreſh'd his Army. There Ethelm an Earl of Devonſhire, and other great Officers in the Weſt yeilded him ſubjection. Theſe things flowing to his wiſh, he betook him to his Navy, from that time ſtill'd and accounted King of England, if a Tyrant, ſaith Simeon, may be call'd a King. The Londoners alſo ſent him hoſtages and made thir peace, for they fear'd his fury. Ethelred thus reduc't to narrow compaſs, ſent Emma his Queen, with his two Sons had by her, and all his treaſure to Richard the 2d. her Brother, Duke of Normandy; himſelf with his Daniſh Fleet abode p. 258ſome while at Greenwich, then ſailing to the Ile of Wight, paſs'd after Chriſtmas into Normandy; where he was honourably receav'd at Roan by the Duke, though known to have born himſelf churliſhly and proudly towards Emma his Siſter, beſides his diſſolute Malmſ.Company with other women. Mean while Swane ceas'd not to exact almoſt inſupportable tribute of the people, ſpoiling them when he liſted, beſides, the like did Turkill at Greenwich. The next An. Dom. 1014 Sim. Dun. Mat. Weſt.year beginning, Swane ſickens and dyes; ſome ſay terrifi'd and ſmitt'n by an appearing ſhape of St. Edmund arm'd, whoſe Church at Bury he had threat'nd to demoliſh; but the authority hereof relies only upon the Legend of St. Edmund. After his Death the Daniſh Army and Fleet made his Son Canute thir King; but the Nobility and States of England ſent Meſſengers to Ethelred, declareing that they preferr'd none before thir Native Sovran, if he would promiſe to govern them better then he had done, and with more Clemency. Wherat the King rejoicing, ſends over his Son Edward with Embaſſadors to Court, both high and low, and win thir love, promiſing largly to be thir mild and devoted Lord, to conſent in all things to thir will, follow thir counſel, and whatever had been done or ſpok'n by any man againſt him, freely to pardon; if they would loyally reſtore him to be thir King. To this the people cheerfully anſwer'd, and amity was both promisd and confirm'd on both ſides. An Embaſſey of Lords is ſent to bring back the King honourably; he returns in Lent and is joyfully receav'd of the people, marches with a ſtrong Army againſt Canute; who having got Horſes and joyn'd with the men of Lindſey, was preparing to make ſpoil in the Countries p. 259adjoining; but by Ethelred unexpectedly coming upon him, was ſoon driv'n to his Ships, and his Confederats of Lindſey left to the anger of thir Country-men, executed without mercy both by fire and Sword. Canute in all haſt ſailing back to Sandwich, took the hoſtages giv'n to his Father from all parts of England, and with ſlit Noſes, Ears cropt, and hands chop't off, ſetting them aſhore, departed into Denmarke. Yet the people were not diſburd'nd, for the King rais'd out of them 30 thouſand pound to pay his Fleet of Danes at Greenwich. To theſe evills the Sea in October paſs'd his bounds, overwhelming many Towns in England, and of thir inhabitants many thouſands. The year following an An. Dom. 1015 Sim. Dun.Aſſembly being at Oxford, Edric of Streon, having invited two Noblemen, Sigeferth, and Morcar, the Sons of Earngrun of Seav'nburg to his Lodging, ſecretly murderd them: the King, for what cauſe is unknown, ſeis'd thir Eſtates, and caus'd Algith the Wife of Sigeferth to be kept at Maidulfsburg, now Malmsbury; whom Edmund the Prince there married againſt his Fathers minde, then went and poſſesd thir lands, making the people there ſubject to him. Mat. Weſt. ſaith, that theſe two were of the Danes who had ſeated themſelves in Northumberland, ſlain by Edric under colour of Treaſon laid to thir charge. They who attended them without, tumulting Malmſ.at the Death of thir Maiſters, were beat'n back; and driv'n into a Church, and defending themſelves were burnt there in the Steeple. Mean while Canute returning from Denmarke with a great Navy, 200 Ships richly gilded and adorn'd, well fraught Leges Ed. Conf. Tit. deduct. Norman.with Arms and all proviſion; and, which Encomium Emmae mentions not, two other Kings, Lachman p. 260of Sweden, Olav of Norway, arriv'd at Sandwich; And, as the ſame Authour then living writes, ſent out ſpies to diſcover what reſiſtance on land was to be expected; who return'd with certain report, that a great Army of Engliſh was in readineſs to oppoſe them. Turkill, who upon the arrival of theſe Daniſh Powers, kept faith no longer with the Engliſh, but joining now with Canute, as it were to reingratiate himſelf after his revolt, whether real or complotted, councell'd him (being yet young) not Encom. Em.to land, but leave to him the management of this firſt Battel; the King aſſented, and he with the Forces which he had brought, and part of thoſe which arriv'd with Canute, landing to thir wiſh encounterd the Engliſh, though double in number, at a place call'd Scoraſtan, and was at firſt beaten back with much loſs. But at length animating his men with rage only and deſpair, obtain'd a clear Victory, which won him great reward and poſſeſſions from Canute. But of this action no other writer makes mention: from Sandwich therefore ſailing about to the River Frome, and there landing, over all Dorſet, Sommerſet, and Wiltſhire, ſpread waſtfull hoſtility. The King lay then ſick at Coſham in this County; Camd.though it may ſeem ſtrange how he could lie ſick there in the midſt of his Enemies. Howbeit Edmund in one part, and Edric of Streon in another, rais'd Forces by themſelves; but ſo ſoon as both Armies were united, the Traytor Edric being found to practice againſt the life of Edmund, he remov'd with his Army from him; whereof the Enemy took great advantage. Edric eaſily enticeing the 40 Ships of Danes to ſide with him, revolted to Canute, the Weſt-Saxons alſo gave pledges and furniſhed him p. 261with Horſes. By which means the year enſueing, An. Dom. 1016 Sim. Dun.he with Edric the Traytor, paſſing the Thames at Cre…lad, about twelftide, enterd into Mercia, and eſpecially Warwickſhire, depopulating all places in thir way. Againſt theſe, Prince Edmund, for his hardineſs call'd Ironſide, gather'd an Army; but the Mercians refus'd to fight unleſs Ethelred with the Londoners came to aid them; and ſo every man return'd home. After the Feſtival, Edmund gathering another Army beſought his Father to come with the Londoners, and what force beſides he was able; they came with great ſtrength gott'n together, but being come, and in a hopefull way of good ſucceſs, it was told the King, that unleſs he took the better heed, ſome of his own Forces would fall off and betray him. The King daunted with this perhaps cunning whiſper of the Enemy, diſbanding his Army, returns to London. Edmund betook him into Northumberland, as ſome thought to raiſe freſh Forces; but he with Earl Ʋthred on the one ſide, and Canute with Edric on the other, did little elſe but waſt the Provinces; Canute to Conquer them, Edmund to puniſh them, who ſtood neuter; for which cauſe Stafford, Shropſhire, and Leſterſhire, felt heavily his hand; while Canute, who was ruining the more Southern Shires, at length march'd into Northumberland; which Edmund hearing diſmiſs'd his Forces and came to London. Ʋthred the Earl haſted back to Northumberland, and finding no other remedy, ſubmitted himſelf with all the Northumbrians, giving hoſtages to Canute. Nevertheleſs by his command or connivence, and the hand of one Turebrand a Daniſh Lord; Ʋthred was ſlain, and Tric another Dane made Earl in his ſtead. This p. 262Ʋthred Son of Walteof, as Simeon writes, in his treatiſe of the Seige of Durham, in his youth obtain'd a great Victory againſt Malcolm Son of Kened King of Scots, who with the whole power of his Kingdome was fall'n into Northumberland, and laid ſeige to Durham. Walteof the old Earl unable to reſiſt, had ſecur'd himſelf in Bebbanburg, a ſtrong Town, but Ʋthred gathering an Army rais'd the Seige, ſlew moſt of the Scots, thir King narrowly eſcaping, and with the heads of thir ſlain fixt upon Poles beſet round the Walls of Durham. The year of this exploit Simeon cleers not, for in 969. and in the Reign of Ethelred as he affirms, it could not bee. Canute by another way returning Southward, joyfull of his ſucceſs, before Eaſter came back with all the Army to his Fleet. About the end of April enſueing, Ethelred after a long, troubleſome and ill govern'd Reign, ended his daies at London, and was buried in the Church of St. Paul.

Edmund Ironſide.

AFter the deceaſe of Ethelred, they of the Nobility Florent. Aelred in the life of Ed. Conf.who were then at London together with the Citizens, choſe Edmund his Son (not by Emma, but a former Wife the Daughter of Earl Thored) in his Fathers room; but the Archbiſhops, Abbots, and many of the Nobles aſſembling together elected Canute; and coming to Southamton where he then remain'd, renounc'd before him all the race of Ethelred, and ſwore him fidelity: he alſo ſwore to them, in matters both religious and ſecular, to be thir faithfull Lord. But Edmund with all ſpeed going to the Florent. Sim. Dun.Weſt-Saxons, was joyfully receav'd of them as thir p. 263King, and of many other Provinces by their example. Mean while Canute about mid May came with his whole Fleet up the River to London; then cauſing a great Dike to be made on Surrey ſide, turn'd the ſtream and drew his Ships thether Weſt of the Bridge; then begirting the City with a broad and deep trench, aſſail'd it on every ſide; but repulſt as before by the valorous Defendants, and in deſpair of ſucceſs at that time, leaving part of his Army for the defence of his Ships, with the reſt ſped him to the Weſt-Saxons, ere Edmund could have time to aſſemble all his powers: who yet with ſuch as were at hand invoking divine aid, encounterd the Danes at Pen by Gillingham in Dorſetſhire, and put him to flight. After mid-ſummer, encreaſt with new Forces, he met with him again at a place call'd Sheraſtan, now Sharſtan; but Edric, Almar, and Algar, with the Hamſhire and Wiltſhire men, then ſideing with the Danes, he only maintain'd the fight, obſtinatly fought on both ſides, till night and wearineſs parted them. Day light returning renu'd the conflict; wherein the Danes appearing inferiour, Edric to diſhart'n the Engliſh cuts off the Head of one Oſmer, in countnance and hair ſomewhat reſembling the King, and holding it up, cries aloud to the Engliſh, that Edmund being ſlain and this his head, it was time for them to flie; which falacy Edmund perceaving, and op'nly ſhewing himſelf to his Souldiers, by a ſpear thrown at Edric, that Malmſ.miſſing him yet ſlew one next him, and through him another behinde, they recoverd heart, and lay ſore upon the Danes till night parted them as before: for ere the third morn, Canute ſenſible of his loſs, march'd away by ſtealth to his Ships at London, renuing p. 264there his leagre. Some would have this Battell at Sheraſtan the ſame with that at Scoraſtan before mention'd, but the circumſtance of time permits not that, having bin before the landing of Canute, this a good while after, as by the Proceſs of things appears: from Sheraſtan or Sharſtan, Edmund return'd to the Weſt-Saxons, whoſe valour Edric fearing, leaſt it might prevail againſt the Danes, ſought pardon of his revolt, and obtaining it ſwore loyalty to the King, who now the third time coming with an Army from the Weſt-Saxons to London, rais'd the Seige, chaſeing Canute and his Danes to thir Ships. Then after two daies paſſing the Thames at Branford, and ſo coming on thir backs, kept them ſo turn'd, and obtain'd the Victory: then returns again to his Weſt Saxons, and Canute to his Seige, but ſtill in vain; riſeing therfore thence, he enterd with his Ships a River then call'd Arenne; and from the Banks therof waſted Mercia; thence thir Horſe by land, thir Foot by Ship came to Medway. Edmund in the mean while with multipli'd Forces out of many Shires, croſſing again at Branford, came into Kent, ſeeking Canute; encounterd him at Ocford, and ſo defeated, that of his Horſe, they who eſcap'd fled to the Ile of Sheppey; and a full Victory he had gain'd, had not Edric ſtill the Traytor by ſome wile or other detain'd his perſuit: and Edmund who never wanted courage, heer wanted prudence to be ſo miſled, ever after forſak'n of his wonted Fortune. Canute croſſing with his Army into Eſſex, thence waſted Mercia worſe then before, and with heavy prey return'd to his Ships: them Edmund with a collected Army perſueing, overtook at a place call'd Aſſandune, or Aſſeshill, now Aſhdown in Eſſex; the Battel p. 265Camden.on either ſide was fought with great vehemence; but perfidious Edric perceaving the Victory to incline towards Edmund, with that part of the Army which was under him, fled, as he had promis'd Canute, and left the King over-match't with numbers: by which deſertion the Engliſh were overthrown, Duke Alfric, Duke Godwin, and Ʋlfketel the valiant Duke of Eaſt-Angles, with a great part of the Nobility ſlain, ſo as the Engliſh of a long time had not receav'd a greater blow. Yet after a while Edmund not abſurdly call'd Ironſide, preparing to try again his Fortune in another feild, was hinderd by Edric and others of his faction, adviſeing him to make peace and divide the Kingdome with Canute. To Camd.which Edmund over-rul'd, a treaty appointed, and pledges mutually giv'n, both Kings met together at a place call'd Deorhirſt in Gloſterſhire; Edmund on the Weſt ſide of Severn, Canute on the Eaſt with thir Armies, then both in perſon wafted into an Iland, at that time call'd Olanege, now Alney in the midſt of Camd.the River; ſwearing amity and brotherhood, they parted the Kingdome between them. Then interchanging Armes and the habit they wore, aſſeſſing alſo what pay ſhould be allotted to the Navy; they departed each his way. Concerning this interveiw and the cauſe therof, others write otherwiſe; Malmſbury, that Edmund greiving at the loſs of ſo much blood ſpilt for the ambition only of two men ſtriveing who ſhould reign, of his own accord ſent to Canute, offering him ſingle Combate, to prevent in thir own cauſe the effuſion of more blood then thir own; that Canute though of courage anough, yet not unwiſely doubting to adventure his body of ſmall Timber, againſt a man of Iron ſides, refus'd p. 266the Combate, offring to divide the Kingdome; this offer pleaſing both Armies, Edmund was not difficult to conſent; and the deciſion was, that he as his hereditary Kingdome ſhould rule the Weſt-Saxons, and all the South, Canute the Mercians, and the North. Huntingdon follow'd by Mat. Weſt. relates, that the Peers on every ſide wearied out with continuall warfare, and not refraining to affirm op'nly, that they two who expected to reign ſingly, had moſt reaſon to fight ſingly, the Kings were content; the Iland was thir liſts, the Combate Knightly; till Knute finding himſelf too weak, began to parle, which ended as is ſaid before. After which the Londoners bought thir peace of the Danes, and permitted them to winter in the City. But King Edmund about the Feaſt of St. Andrew, unexpectedly deceas'd at London, and was buried neer to Edgar his Grandfather at Glaſton. The cauſe of his ſo ſudden death is uncertain; common fame, ſaith Malmsbury, laies the guilt therof upon Edric, who to pleaſe Canute, allur'd with promiſe of reward two of the Kings Privy Chamber, though at firſt abhorring the fact, to aſſaſſinate him at the ſtool, by thruſting a ſharp Iron into his hinder parts. Huntingdon, and Mat. Weſt. relate it done at Oxford by the Son of Edric, and ſomething vary in the manner, not worth recital. Edmund dead, Canute meaning to reign ſole King of England, calls to him all the Dukes, Barons, and Biſhops of the Land, cunningly demanding of them who were witneſſes what agreement was made between him and Edmund dividing the Kingdome, whether the Sons and Brothers of Edmund were to govern the Weſt-Saxons after him, Canute living? they who underſtood his meaning, and fear'd to p. 267undergo his anger, timorouſly anſwerd, that Edmund they knew had left no part therof to his Sons or Brethren, living or dying; but that he intended Canute ſhould be thir Guardian, till they came to age of reigning. Simeon affirms, that for fear or hope of reward they atteſted what was not true: notwithſtanding which he put many of them to death not long after.

Canute, or Knute.

CAnute having thus ſounded the Nobility, and An. Dom. 1017 Sim. Dun. Sax. an.by them underſtood, receav'd thir Oath of fealty, they the pledge of his bare hand, and Oath from the Daniſh Nobles; wherupon the Houſe of Edmund was renounc't, and Canute Crown'd. Then they enacted, that Edwi Brother of Edmund, a Prince of great hope, ſhould be baniſh't the Realm. But Canute not thinking himſelf ſecure while Edwi liv'd, conſulted with Edric how to make him away; who told him of one Ethelward a decay'd Nobleman, likelieſt to do the work. Ethelward ſent for, and tempted by the King in privat, with largeſt rewards, but abhorring in his mind the deed, promisd to do it when he ſaw his opportunity; and ſo ſtill deferr'd it. But Edwi afterwards receav'd into favour as a ſnare, was by him or ſome other of his falſe freinds, Canute contriving it, the ſame year ſlain. Edric alſo counſel'd him to diſpatch Edward and Edmund, the Sons of Ironſide; but the King doubting that the fact would ſeem too foul done in England, ſent them to the King of Sweden, with like intent; but he diſdaining the Office, ſent them for better ſafety to Solomon King of Hungary; where Edmund at p. 268length dy'd, but Edward married Agatha Daughter to Henry the German Emperour. A digreſſion in the Laws of Edward Confeſſor under the Title of Lex Noricorum ſaith, that this Edward for fear of Canute, fled of his own accord to Maleſclot King of the Rugians, who receav'd him honourably, and of that Country gave him a Wife. Canute ſettl'd in his Throne, divided the Government of his Kingdom into fowr parts; the Weſt-Saxons to himſelf, the Eaſt-Angles to Earl Turkill, the Mercians to Edric, the Northumbrians to Eric; then made peace with all Princes round about him, and his former Wife being dead, in July married Emma the Widow of King Ethelred. The Chriſtmas following was an ill Feaſt to Edric, of whoſe Treaſon, the King having now made uſe as much as ſerv'd his turn, and fearing himſelf to be the next betray'd, caus'd him to be ſlain at London in the Palace, thrown over the City Wall, and there to lie unburied; the head of Edric fixt on a pole, he commanded to be ſet on the higheſt Tower of London, as in a double ſence he had promis'd him, for the murder of King Edmund to exalt him above all the Peers of England. Huntingdon, Malmsbury, and Mat. Weſt. write, that ſuſpecting the Kings intention to degrade him from his Mercian Dukedome, and upbraiding him with his merits, the King enrag'd, caus'd him to be ſtrangl'd in the room, and out at a Window thrown into the Thames. Another writes, that Eric at the Kings command ſtruck off his head. Other great men though without fault, as Duke Norman the Son Encom. Em. Ingulf.of Leofwin, Ethelward Son of Duke Agelmar, he put to death at the ſame time, jealous of thir power or familiarity with Edric: and notwithſtanding peace, p. 269kept ſtill his Army; to maintain which, the next An. Dom. 1018 Sim. Dun. Huntingd. Mat. Weſt.year he ſquees'd out of the Engliſh, though now his ſubjects, not his Enemies, 72, ſome ſay, 82 thouſand pound, beſides 15 thouſand out of London. Mean while great War aroſe at Carr, between Ʋthred Son of Waldef, Earl of Northumberland, and Malcolm Son of Kened King of Scots, with whom held Eugenius King of Lothian. But heer Simeon the relater ſeems to have committed ſome miſtake, having ſlain Ʋthred by Canute two years before, and ſet Eric in his place: Eric therfore it muſt needs be, not Ʋthred, who manag'd this War againſt the Scots. About which time in a Convention of Danes at Oxford, it was agreed on both parties to keep the Laws of Edgar; Mat. Weſt. ſaith, of Edward the Elder. The An. Dom. 1019 Sim. Dun.next year Canute ſail'd into Denmarke, and there abode all Winter. Huntingdon and Mat. Weſt. ſay, he went thether to repreſs the Swedes, and that the night before a Battel to be fought with them, Godwin ſtealing out of the Camp with his Engliſh, aſſaulted the Swedes, and had got the Victory ere Canute in the morning knew of any fight. For which bold enterpriſe, though againſt Diſcipline, he had the Engliſh in more eſteem ever after. In the Spring An. Dom. 1020 Sim. Dun.at his return into England, he held in the time of Eaſter a great aſſembly at Chircheſter, and the ſame year was with Turkill the Dane at the dedication of a Church by them built at Aſſendune, in the place of that great Victory which won him the Crown. But ſuſpecting his greatneſs, the year following baniſh'd An. Dom. 1021 Sim. Dun. Malmſ.An. Dom. 1028 Sim. Dun.him the Realm, and found occaſion to do the like by Eric the Northumbrian Earl upon the ſame jealouſie. Nor yet content with his Conqueſt of England, though now above ten years enjoy'd, he paſs'd with p. 27050 Ships into Norway, diſpoſſeſs'd Olave thir King, and ſubdu'd the land, firſt with great ſummes of money ſent the year before to gain him a party, then coming with an Army to compell the reſt. Thence An. Dom. 1029 Sim. Dun.returning King of England, Denmarke, and Norway, yet not ſecure in his mind, under colour of an Embaſſey he ſent into baniſhment Hacun a powerfull Dane, who had married the Daughter of his Siſter Gunildis, having conceav'd ſome ſuſpition of his practices againſt him: but ſuch courſe was tak'n, that he never came back; either periſhing at Sea, or ſlain by contrivance the next year in Orkney. Canute An. Dom. 1030 Sim. Dun.therefore having thus eſtabliſh't himſelf by bloodſhed and oppreſſion, to waſh away, as he An. Dom. 1031 Sim. Dun.thought, the guilt therof, ſailing again into Denmark, went thence to Rome, and offerd there to St. Peter great guifts of Gold and Silver, and other pretious things; beſides the uſuall tribute of Romſcot, giving great Alms by the way, both thether and Huntingd.back again, freeing many places of Cuſtom and Toll with great expence, where ſtrangers were wont to pay, having vow'd great amendment of life at the Sepulchre of Peter and Paul, and to his whole people in a large letter writt'n from Rome yet extant. At his return therfore he built and dedicated An. Dom. 1032 Sim. Dun.a Church to St. Edmund at Bury, whom his Anceſtors had ſlain, threw out the ſecular Prieſts who had intruded there, and plac'd Monks in thir ſtead; then going into Scotland, ſubdu'd and receav'd homage of Malcolm, and two other Kings Huntingd.An. Dom. 1035 Sim. Dun.there, Melbeath, and Jermare. Three years after having made Swane his ſuppos'd Son by Algiva of Northamton, Duke Alſhelms Daughter (for others ſay the Son of a Preiſt whom Algiva barren had got p. 271ready at the time of her feign'd labour) King of Florent.Norway, and Hardecnute his Son by Emma King of Denmark, and deſign'd Harold his Son by Algiva of Northamton King of England, dy'd at Shaftsbury, and was buried at Wincheſter in the old Monaſtery. Florent.This King, as appears, ended better then he began, for though he ſeems to have had no hand in the Death of Ironſide, but deteſted the fact, and bringing the murderers, who came to him in hope of great reward, forth among his Courtiers, as it were to receave thanks, after they had op'nly related the manner of thir killing him, deliver'd them to deſerved puniſhment, yet he ſpar'd Edric whom he knew to be the prime Authour of that deteſtable fact; till willing to be rid of him, grown importune upon the confidence of his merits, and upbraided by him that he had firſt relinquiſht, then extinguiſht Edmund for his ſake; angry to be ſo upbraided, therfore ſaid he with a chang'd countnance, Traytor to God and to me, thou ſhalt die; thine own mouth accuſes thee to have ſlain thy Maſter my confederate Brother, and the Lords Anointed. Whereupon Malmſ.although preſent and privat Execution was in rage done upon Edric, yet he himſelf in cool blood ſcrupl'd not to make away the Brother and Children of Edmund, who had better right to be the Lords Anointed heer then himſelf. When he had obtain'd in England what he deſir'd, no wonder if he ſought the love of his conquerd Subjects for the love of his own quiet, the maintainers of his wealth and ſtate, for his own profit. For the like reaſon he is thought to have married Emma, and that Richard Duke of Normandy her Brother might the leſs care what became of Elfred and Edward, her Sons by King p. 272Ethelred. He commanded to be obſerv'd the antient Saxon Laws …all'd afterwards the Laws of Edward the Confe…r, not that hee made them, but ſtrictly obſerv'd them. His Letter from Rome profeſſes, if he had done aught amiſs in his youth, through negligence or want of due temper, full reſolution with the help of God to make amends, by governing juſtly and piouſly for the future; charges and adjures all his Officers and Vicounts, that neither for fear of him, or favour of any perſon, or to enrich the King, they ſuffer injuſtice to be done in the land; commands his treaſurers to pay all his Debts ere his return home, which was by Denmarke, to compoſe matters there; and what his Letter profeſs'd, he perform'd all his life after. But it is a fond conceit in many great ones, and pernicious in the end, to ceaſe from no violence till they have attain'd the utmoſt of thir ambitions and deſires; then to think God appeas'd by thir ſeeking to bribe him with a ſhare however large of thir ill-gott'n ſpoils, and then laſtly to grow zealous of doing right, when they have no longer need to do wrong. Howbeit Canute was famous through Europe, and much honour'd of Conrade the Emperour, then at Rome, with rich guifts and many grants of what he there demanded for the freeing of paſſages from Toll and Cuſtome. I muſt not omit one remarkable action done by him, as Huntingdon reports it, with great Scene of circumſtance, and emphatical expreſſion, to ſhew the ſmall power of Kings in reſpect of God; which, unleſs to Court-Paraſites, needed no ſuch laborious demonſtration. He caus'd his Royal Seat to be ſet on the ſhoar, while the Tide was coming in; and with all the ſtate that Royalty could put p. 273into his countnance, ſaid thus to the Sea: Thou Sea belongſt to me, and the Land wheron I ſit is mine; nor hath any one unpuniſh'd reſiſted my commands: I charge thee come no furder upon my Land, neither preſume to wet the Feet of thy Sovran Lord. But the Sea, as before, came rowling on, and without reverence both wet and daſh'd him. Wherat the King quickly riſeing, wiſh'd all about him to behold and conſider the weak and frivolous power of a King, and that none indeed deſerv'd the name of a King, but he whoſe Eternal Laws both Heav'n, Earth, and Sea obey. A truth ſo evident of it ſelf, as I ſaid before, that unleſs to ſhame his Court Flatterers who would not elſe be convinc't, Canute needed not to have gone wet-ſhod home: The beſt is, from that time forth he never would wear a Crown, eſteeming Earthly Royalty contemptible and vain.

Harold.

HArold for his ſwiftneſs ſurnam'd Harefoot, the Florent. Bromton. Huntingd. Mat. Weſt. Mat. Weſt.Son of Canute by Algiva of Northampton (though ſome ſpeak doubtfully as if ſhe bore him not, but had him of a Shoo-makers Wife, as Swane before of a Prieſt; others of a Maid-Servant, to conceal her barrenneſs) in a great Aſſembly at Oxford, was by Duke Leofric and the Mercians, with the Londoners, according to his Fathers Teſtament, elected King; but without the Regal Habiliments, Encom. Em.which Aelnot the Archbiſhop having in his Cuſtody, refus'd to deliver up, but to the Sons of Emma, for which Harold ever after hated the Clergy; and (as the Clergy are wont thence to inferr) all Religion. p. 274Godwin Earl of Kent, and the Weſt-Saxons with him, ſtood for Hardecnute. Malmsbury ſaith, that the conteſt was between Dane and Engliſh; that the Danes and Londoners grown now in a manner Daniſh, were all for Hardecnute; but he being then in Denmarke, Harold prevail'd, yet ſo as that the Kingdom ſhould be divided between them; the Weſt and Southpart reſerv'd by Emma for Hardecnute, till his return. But Harold once advanc't into the Throne, baniſh'd Emma his Mother-in-law, ſeis'd on his Fathers Treaſure at Wincheſter, and there remain'd. Emma not holding it ſafe to abide An. Dom. 1036 Sim. Dun.in Normandy while Duke William the Baſtard was yet under Age, retir'd to Baldwin Earl of Flanders. In the mean while Alfred and Edward Sons of Ethelred, accompanied with a ſmall number of Norman Souldiers in a few Ships, coming to viſit thir mother Emma not yet departed the land, and perhaps to ſee how the people were inclin'd to reſtore them thir right; Elfred was ſent for by the King then at London; but in his way met at Guilford by Earl Godwin, who with all ſeeming friendſhip entertain'd him, was in the night ſurpris'd and made Priſner, moſt of his Company put to various ſorts of cruel Death, decimated twice over, then brought to London, was by the King ſent bound to Eely, had his Eyes put out by the way, and deliverd to the Monks there, dy'd ſoon after in thir Cuſtody. Malmsbury gives little credit to this ſtory of Elfred, as not Chronicl'd in his time, but rumour'd only. Which Emma however hearing, ſent away her Son Edward, who by good hap accompanied not his Brother, with all ſpeed into Normandy. But the Authour of Encomium Emmae, who ſeems plainly (though nameleſs) p. 275to have been ſome Monk, yet liv'd, and perhaps wrote within the ſame year when theſe things were done; by his relation differing from all others, much aggravates the cruelty of Harold, that he not content to have practis'd in ſecret (for op'nly he durſt not) againſt the life of Emma, ſought many treacherous ways to get her Son within his power; and reſolv'd at length to forge a Letter in the name of thir mother, inviting them into England, the Copy of which Letter he produces writt'n to this purpoſe.

EMma in name only Queen, to her Sons Edward and Alfrid imparts motherly ſalutation. While we ſeverally bewail the Death of our Lord the King, moſt Dear Sons, and while daily yee are depriv'd more and more of the Kingdom your Inheritance; I admire what Counſel yee take, knowing that your intermitted delay, is a daily ſtrengthning to the Reign of your Ʋſurper, who inceſſantly goes about from Town to City, gaining the Chief Nobles to his party, either by gifts, prayers, or threats. But they had much rather one of you ſhould reign over them, then to be held under the power of him who now over-rules them. I entreat therefore that one of you come to me ſpeedily, and privatly; to receive from me wholſom Counſel, and to know how the buſineſs which I intend ſhall be accompliſht. By this Meſſenger preſent, ſend back what you determine. Farewell, as dear both as my own Heart.

Theſe Letters were ſent to the Princes then in Normandy, by expreſs Meſſengers, with preſents alſo as from thir mother; which they joyfully receiving, p. 276return word by the ſame Meſſengers, that one of them will be with her ſhortly; naming both the time and place. Alfrid therefore the younger (for ſo it was thought beſt) at the appointed time, with a few Ships and ſmall numbers about him appearing on the Coaſt, no ſooner came aſhore but fell into the ſnare of Earl Godwin, ſent on purpoſe to betray him; as above was related. Emma greatly ſorrowing for the loſs of her Son, thus cruelly made away, fled immediatly with ſome of the Nobles her faithfulleſt adherents into Flanders, had her dwelling aſſign'd at Bruges by the Earl; where having remain'd about two years, ſhe was viſited out of An. Dom. 1039 Sim. Dun.Denmarke by Hardecnute her Son; and he not long had remain'd with her there, when Harold in England, having done nothing the while worth memory, Huntingd.ſave the taxing of every Port at 8 marks of Silver An. Dom. 1040 Sim. Dun. Malmſ.to 16 Ships, dy'd at London, ſome ſay at Oxford, and was buried at Wincheſter. After which, moſt of the Nobility, both Danes and Engliſh now agreeing, ſend Embaſſadors to Hardecnute ſtill at Bruges with his mother, entreating him to come and receave as his right the Scepter, who before Midſomer came with 60 Ships, and many Souldiers out of Denmarke.

Hardecnute.

HArdecnute receav'd with acclamation, and ſeated in the Throne, firſt call'd to mind the injuries done to him or his Mother Emma in the time of Harold; ſent Alfric Biſhop of Yorke, Godwin and others, with Troud his Executioner to London, commanding them to dig up the body of King Harold, p. 277and throw it into a Ditch; but by a ſecond order, into the Thames. Whence tak'n up by a Fiſherman, and convei'd to a Church-yard in London, belonging to the Danes, it was enterr'd again with honour. This done he levied a ſore Tax, that 8 marks to every Rower, and twelve to every Officer in his Fleet ſhould be paid throughout England; by which time they who were ſo forward to call him over, had anough of him; for he, as they thought, had too much of theirs. After this he call'd to account Godwin Earl of Kent, and Leving Biſhop of Worſter, about the Death of Elfred his Brother, which Alfric the Archbiſhop laid to thir charge; the King depriv'd Leving of his Biſhoprick, and gave it to his accuſer: but the year following, pacifi'd with a round ſumme reſtor'd it to Leving. Godwin made his Malmſ.peace by a ſumptuous preſent, a Gally with a guilded ſtem bravely rigg'd, and 80 Souldiers in her, every one with Bracelets of gold on each Arm, weighing 16 ounces, Helmet, Corſlet, and Hilts of his Sword guilded; a Daniſh Curtax liſted with gold or ſilver, hung on his left ſhoulder, a Sheild with boſs and nales guilded in his left hand, in his right a Launce: beſides this, he took his Cath before the King, that neither of his own councel or will, but by the command of Harold he had done what he did, to the putting out of Elfreds Eyes. The like Oath took moſt of the Nobility for themſelves, or in his behalf. The next year, Hardecnute ſending An. Dom. 1041 Sim. Dun.his Houſe Earls, ſo they call'd his Officers, to gather the Tribute impos'd; two of them rigorous in thir Office, were ſlain at Worſter by the people; wherat the King enrag'd, ſent Leofric Duke of Mercia, and Seward of Northumberland, with great Forces p. 278and Commiſſion to ſlay the Cittizens, rifle and burn the City, waſt the whole Province. Affrighted with ſuch news, all the people fled; the Country-men whither they could, the Cittizens to a ſmall Iland in Severn, call'd Beverege, which they fortifi'd and defended ſtoutly, till peace was granted them, and freely to return home. But thir City they found ſack't and burnt; wherwith the King was appeas'd. This was commendable in him, however cruel to others, that toward his half brethren, though Rivals of his Crown, he ſhew'd himſelf alwayes tenderly affectiond; as now towards Edward, who without fear came to him out of Normandy, and with unfeigned kindneſs receav'd, remain'd ſafely and honorably in his Court. But Hardecnute An. Dom. 1042 Sim. Dun.the year following, at a Feaſt wherin Oſgod a great Daniſh Lord gave his Daughter in marriage at Lambeth, to Prudon another potent Dane; in the midſt of his mirth, ſound and healthfull to ſight, while he was drinking fell down ſpeechleſs, and ſo dying, was buried at Wincheſter beſide his Father. He was it ſeems a great lover of good chere; ſitting at Table fowr times a day, with great variety of Diſhes and ſuperfluity to all Commers. Wheras, ſaith Huntingdon, in our time Princes in thir houſes made but one meal a day. He gave his Siſter Gunildis, a Virgin of rare Beauty, in marriage to Henry the Alman Emperour; and to ſend her forth pompouſly, all the Nobility contributed thir Jewels and richeſt Ornaments. But it may ſeem a wonder that our Hiſtorians, if they deſerve that name, ſhould in a matter ſo remarkable, and ſo neer thir own time, ſo much differ. Huntingdon relates againſt the credit of all other records, that Hardecnute p. 279thus dead, the Engliſh rejoycing at this unexpected riddance of the Daniſh yoke, ſent over to Elfred the Elder Son of Emma by King Ethelred, of whom we heard but now, that he dy'd Priſner at Eely, ſent thether by Harold ſix year before; that he came now out of Normandy, with a great number of men to receave the Crown; that Earl Codwin aiming to have his Daughter Queen of England by marrying her to Edward a ſimple youth, for he thought Elfred of a higher Spirit then to accept her, perſuaded the Nobles that Elfred had brought over too many Normans, had promis'd them lands heer, that it was not ſafe to ſuffer a Warlike and ſuttle Nation to take root in the Land, that theſe were to be ſo handl'd as none of them might dare for the future to flock hither, upon pretence of relation to the King; therupon by common conſent of the Nobles, both Elfred and his Company were dealt with as was above related; that they then ſent for Edward out of Normandy, with hoſtages to be left there of thir faithfull intentions to make him King, and thir deſires not to bring over with him many Normans; that Edward at thir call came then firſt out of Normandy; wheras all others agree that he came voluntarily over to viſit Hardecnute, as is before ſaid, and was remaining in the Court at the time of his Death. For Hardecnute dead, ſaith Malmsbury, Edward doubting greatly his own ſafety, determin'd to rely wholly on the advice and favour of Earl Godwin, deſiring therfore by meſſengers to have privat ſpeech with him, the Earl a while deliberated: at laſt aſſenting, Prince Edward came, and would have fall'n at his feet; but that not permitted, told him the danger wherin he thought himſelf p. 280at preſent, and in great perplexity beſought her help to convey him ſome whether out of the Land. Godwin ſoon apprehending the fair occaſion that prompted him how to advance himſelf and his Family, cherfully exhorted him to remember himſelf the Son of Ethelred, the Grandchild of Edgar, right Heir to the Crown, at full Age; not to think of flying but of reigning, which might eaſily be brought about if he would follow his Counſel; then ſetting forth the power and authority which he had in England, promis'd it ſhould be all his to ſet him on the Throne, if he on his part would promiſe and ſwear to be for ever his friend, to preſerve the honour of his Houſe, and to marry his Daughter. Edward, as his neceſſity then was, conſented eaſily, and ſwore to whatever Godwin requir'd. An Aſſembly of States therupon met at Gillingham, where Edward pleaded his right; and by the powerfull influence of Godwin was accepted. Others, as Bromton, with no probability write, that Godwin at this time was fled into Denmarke, for what he had done to Elfred, return'd and ſubmitted himſelf to Edward then King, was by him charg'd op'nly with the Death of Elfred, and not without much ado, by the interceſſion of Leofric and other Peers, receav'd at length into favour.

Edward the Confeſſor.

GLad were the Engliſh deliverd ſo unexpectedly from thir Daniſh Maiſters, and little thought how neer another Conqueſt was hanging over them. Edward, the Eaſter following, Crown'd at Wincheſter, An. Dom. 1043 Sim. Dun.the ſame year accompanied with Earl Godwin, p. 281Leofric, and Siward, came again thether on a ſudden, and by thir Counſel ſeis'd on the treaſure of his Mother Emma. The cauſe alleg'd is, that ſhe was hard to him in the time of his baniſhment; and indeed ſhe is ſaid not much to have lov'd Ethelred her former Huſband, and thereafter the Childern by him; ſhe was moreover noted to be very covetous, hard to the poor, and profuſe to Monaſteries. About this time alſo King Edward, according to promiſe, Malmſ.took to Wife Edith or Egith Earl Godwins Daughter, commended much for beauty, modeſty, and, beyond what is requiſite in a woman, learning. Ingulſ a youth lodging in the Court with his Father, ſaw her oft, and coming from the School, was ſometimes met by her and pos'd, not in Grammar only, but in Logic. Edward the next year but one, made An. Dom. 1045 Sim. Dun.ready a ſtrong Navy at Sandwich againſt Magnus King of Norway, who threat'nd an invaſion; had not Swane King of Denmarke diverted him by a War at home to defend his own land, not out of good will to Edward, as may be ſuppos'd, who at the An. Dom. 1046 Sim. Dun.ſame time expreſs'd none to the Danes, baniſhing Gunildis the Neece of Canute with her two Sons, and Oſgod by ſirname Clapa, out of the Realm. Swane An. Dom. 1047 Sim. Dun.over-powred by Magnus, ſent the next year to entreat aid of King Edward; Godwin gave counſel to ſend him 50 Ships fraught with Souldiers; but Leofric and the general voice gain-ſaying, none were ſent. The next year Harold Harvager King of An. Dom. 1048 Sim. Dun.Norway ſending Embaſſadors, made peace with King Edward; but an Earthquake at Worſter and Darby, Peſtilence and Famin in many places, much leſſe'nd the enjoyment therof. The next year Henry the An. Dom. 1049 Sim. Dun.Emperour diſpleas'd with Baldwin Earl of Flanders, p. 282had ſtreit'nd him with a great Army by land; and ſending to King Edward, deſir'd him with his Ships to hinder what he might, his eſcape by ſea. The King therfore with a great Navy coming to Sandwich, there ſtaid till the Emperour came to an agreement with Earl Baldwin. Mean while Swane Son of Earl Godwin, who not permitted to marry Edgiva the Abbeſs of Cheſter by him deflour'd, had left the land, came out of Denmarke with 8 Ships, feigning a deſire to return into the Kings favour; and Beorn his Couſin German, who commanded part of the Kings Navy, promis'd to intercede that his Earldome might be reſtor'd him. Godwin therfore and Beorn with a few Ships, the reſt of the Fleet gone home, coming to Pevenſey (but Godwin ſoon departing thence in perſuit of 29 Daniſh Ships who had got much booty on the Coaſt of Eſſex, and periſh'd by tempeſt in thir return) Swane with his Ships comes to Beorn at Pevenſey, guilefully requeſts him to ſail with him to Sandwich, and reconcile him to the King, as he had promis'd. Beorn miſtruſting no evill where he intended good, went with him in his Ship attended by three only of his Servants: but Swane ſet upon barbarous cruelty, not reconciliation with the King, took Beorn now in his power and bound him; then coming to Dertmouth, ſlew and buried him in a deep Ditch. After which, the men of Haſtings took ſix of his Ships and brought them to the King at Sandwich; with the other two he eſcap'd into Flanders, there remaining till Aldred Biſhop of Worſter by earneſt mediation wrought his peace with the King. About this time King Edward ſent to Pope Leo, deſiring abſolution from a vow, Mat. Weſt.which he had made in his younger years, to take a p. 283journey to Rome, if God voutſaf'd him to reign in England; the Pope diſpenc'd with his vow, but not without the expence of his journey giv'n to the poor, and a Monaſtery built or re-edifi'd to St. Peter: who in a Viſion to a Monk, as is ſaid, choſe Weſtminſter, which King Edward thereupon rebuilding endow'd with large privileges and revennues. The ſame year, ſaith Florent of Worſter, certain Iriſh Pirats with 36 Ships enterd the mouth of Severn, and with the aid of Griffin Prince of South-Wales, did ſome hurt in thoſe parts: then paſſing the River Wey, burnt Dunedham, and ſlew all the Inhabitants they found. Againſt whom Aldred Biſhop of Worſter, with a few out of Gloſter and Herefordſhire, went out in haſt: but Griffin to whom the Welch and Iriſh had privily ſent Meſſengers, came down upon the Engliſh with his whole power by night, and early in the morning ſuddenly aſſaulting them, ſlew many, and put the reſt to flight. The next An. Dom. 1051 Sim. Dun.year but one, King Edward remitted the Daniſh Tax, which had continu'd 38 years heavy upon the land ſince Ethelred firſt paid it to the Danes, and what remain'd therof in his treaſury he ſent back Ingulf.to the owners: but through imprudence laid the foundation of a far worſe miſcheif to the Engliſh; while ſtudying gratitude to thoſe Normans, who to him in exile had bin helpfull; he call'd them over to public Offices heer, whom better he might have repaid out of his privat purſe; by this means exaſperating either Nation one againſt the other, and making way by degrees to the Norman Conqueſt. Robert a Monk of that Country, who had bin ſerviceable to him there in time of need, he made Biſhop, firſt of London, then of Canterbury; William p. 284his Chaplain Biſhop of Dorcheſter. Then began the Ingulf.Engliſh to lay aſide thir own antient Cuſtomes, and in many things to imitate French manners, the great Peers to ſpeak French in thir Houſes, in French to write thir Bills and Letters, as a great peece of Gentility, aſham'd of thir own: a preſage of thir ſubjection ſhortly to that people, whoſe faſhions and language they affected ſo ſlaviſhly: But that which gave begining to many troubles enſueing, happ'nd this year, and upon this occaſion. Euſtace Earl of Boloign, Father of the famous Godfrey who won Malmſ.Jeruſalem from the Saracens, and Huſband to Goda the Kings Siſter, having bin to viſit King Edward, and returning by Canterbury to take Ship at Dover, one of his Harbingers inſolently ſeeking to lodge by force in a Houſe there, provok'd ſo the Maſter therof, as by chance or heat of anger to kill him. The Count with his whole train going to the Houſe where his Servant had bin kill'd, ſlew both the ſlayer and 18 more who defended him. But the Townſmen running to Arms, requited him with the ſlaughter of 21 more of his Servants, wounded moſt of the reſt; hee himſelf with one or two hardly eſcapeing; ran back with clamour to the King; whom ſeconded by other Norman Courtiers, he ſtirr'd up to great anger againſt the Citizens of Canterbury. Earl Godwin in haſt is ſent for, the cauſe related and much aggravated by the King againſt that City, the Earl commanded to raiſe Forces, and uſe the Cittizens therof as Enemies. Godwin, ſorry to ſee ſtrangers more favour'd of the King then his native people, anſwerd, that it were better to ſummon firſt the Cheif men of the Town into the Kings Court, to charge them with Sedition, where both parties p. 285might be heard, that not found in fault they might be acquitted, if otherwiſe, by fine or loſs of life might ſatisfie the King whoſe peace they had brok'n, and the Count whom they had injur'd; till this were done refuſeing to proſecute with hoſtile puniſhment them of his own County unheard, whom his Office was rather to defend. The King diſpleas'd with his refuſal, and not knowing how to compell him, appointed an Aſſembly of all the Peers to be held at Gloſter, where the matter might be fully try'd; the Aſſembly was full and frequent according to ſummons; but Godwin miſtruſting his own cauſe, or the violence of his adverſaries; with his two Sons, Swane and Harold, and a great power gatherd out of his own and his Sons Earldomes, which contein'd moſt of the South-Eaſt and Weſt parts of England, came no furder then Beverſtan, giving out that thir Forces were to go againſt the Welch, who intended an irruption into Hereford-ſhire; and Swane under that pretence lay with part of his Army thereabout. The Welch underſtanding this device, and with all diligence clearing themſelves before the King, left Godwin detected of falſe accuſation in great hatred to all the Aſſembly. Leofric therfore and Siward Dukes of great power, the former in Mercia, the other in all parts beyond Humber, both ever faithfull to the King, ſend privily with ſpeed to raiſe the Forces of thir Provinces. Which Godwin not knowing, ſent boldly to King Edward, demanding Count Euſtace and his followers together with thoſe Boloignians, who as Simeon writes, held a Caſtle in the juriſdiction of Canterbury. The King as then having but little force at hand, entertain'd him a while with treaties and p. 286delays, till his ſummond Army drew nigh, then rejected his demands. Godwin thus match'd, commanded his Sons not to begin fight againſt the King; begun with, not to give ground. The Kings Forces were the flower of thoſe Counties whence they came, and eager to fall on: But Leofric and the wiſer Sim. Dun.ſort deteſting civil War, brought the matter to this accord, that Hoſtages giv'n on either ſide, the whole cauſe ſhould be again debated at London. Thether the King and Lords coming with thir Army, ſent to Godwin and his Sons (who with thir powers were come as far as Southwarke) commanding thir appearance unarm'd with only 12 attendants, and that the reſt of thir Souldiers they ſhould deliver over to the King. They to appear without pledges before an adverſe faction deny'd; but to diſmiſs thir Souldiers refus'd not, nor in ought elſe to obey the King as far as might ſtand with honour and the juſt regard of thir ſafety. This anſwer not pleaſing the King, an edict was preſently iſſu'd forth, that Godwin and his Sons within five days depart the Land. He who perceav'd now his numbers to diminiſh, readily obey'd, and with his Wife and three Sons, Toſti, Swane, and Gyrtha, with as much treaſure as thir Ship could carry, embarking at Thorney, ſail'd into Flanders to Earl Baldwin, whoſe Daughter Judith Toſti had married: for Wulnod his fourth Son was then hoſtage to the King in Normandy; his other two, Harold and Leoſwin, taking Ship at Briſtow, in a Veſſel that lay ready there belonging to Swane, paſs'd into Ireland. King Edward perſueing his diſpleaſure, divorc'd his Wife Edith Earl Godwins Daughter, ſending her deſpoil'd of all her Ornaments to Warewel with one waiting p. 287Maid, to be kept in cuſtody by his Siſter the Abbeſs there. His reaſon of ſo doing was as harſh as his Malmſ.act, that ſhe only, while her neereſt relations were in baniſhment, might not, though innocent, enjoy eaſe at home. After this, William Duke of Normandy with a great number of followers coming into England, was by King Edward honorably entertain'd and led about the Cities, and Caſtles, as it were to ſhew him what ere long was to be his own (though at that time, ſaith Ingulf, no mention thereof paſs'd between them) then after ſome time of his abode heer, preſented richly and diſmiſs'd, he return'd home. The next year Queen Emma dy'd, and was buried at Wincheſter. The Chronicle attributed An. Dom. 1052 Sim. Dun.to John Bromton a Yorkshire Abbot, but rather of ſome nameleſs Author living under Edward the 3d. or later, reports that the year before, by Robert the Archbiſhop ſhe was accus'd both of conſenting to the Death of her Son Alfred, and of prepareing poyſon for Edward alſo; laſtly of too much familiarity with Alwin Biſhop of Wincheſter; that to approve her innocence, praying over-night to St. Swithun, ſhe offerd to paſs blindfold between certain Plow-ſhares red hot, according to the Ordalian Law, which without harm ſhe perform'd; that the King therupon receav'd her to honour, and from her and the Biſhop, penance for his credulity; that the Archbiſhop aſham'd of his accuſation fled out of England: which beſides the ſilence of antienter Authors (for the Biſhop fled not till a year after) brings the whole ſtory into ſuſpition, in this more probable, if it can be proov'd, that in memory of this deliverance from the nine burning Plow-ſhares, Queen Emma gave to the Abbey of St. p. 288Swithune nine Mannors, and Biſhop Alwin other nine. About this time Griffin Prince of South-Wales waſted Herefordſhire; to oppoſe whom the people of that Country with many Normans, garriſond in the Caſtle of Hereford, went out in Armes, but were put to the worſe, many ſlain, and much booty driv'n away by the Welch. Soon after which, Harold and Leofwin, Sons of Godwin, coming into Severn with many Ships, in the Confines of Somerſet and Dorſet-ſhire, ſpoil'd many Villages, and reſiſted by thoſe of Somerſet and Devonſhire, ſlew in fight more then 30 of thir principal men, many of the common ſort, and return'd with much booty to thir Fleet. King Malmſ.Edward on the other ſide made ready above 60 Ships at Sandwich well ſtor'd with men and proviſion, under the conduct of Odo and Radulf two of his Norman Kindred, enjoyning them to find out Godwin, whom he heard to be at Sea. To quick'n them, he himſelf lay on ſhip-broad, oft-times watch'd and ſail'd up and down in ſearch of thoſe Pirats. But Godwin, whether in a miſt, or by other accident, paſſing by them, arriv'd in another part of Kent, and diſperſing ſecret meſſengers abroad, by fair words allur'd the cheif men of Kent, Suſſex, Surrey, and Eſſex to his party; which news coming to the Kings fleet at Sandwich, they haſted to find him out; but miſſing of him again, came up without effect to London. Godwin advertisd of this, forthwith ſail'd to the Ile of Wight; where at length his two ſons Harold and Leofwin finding him, with thir united Navy lay on the coaſt, forbearing other hoſtility then to furniſh themſelves with freſh victual from Land as they needed. Thence as one fleet they ſet forward to Sandwich, uſing all fair means by the way to encreaſe thir p. 289numbers both of Mariners and Souldiers. The King then at London, ſtartl'd at theſe tydings, gave ſpeedy order to raiſe Forces in all parts which had not revolted from him; but now too late, for Godwin within a few days after with his Ships or Gallies came up the River Thames to Southwark, and till the tide return'd had conference with the Londoners; whom by fair ſpeeches, for he was held a good Speaker in thoſe times, he brought to his bent. The tide returning, and none upon the Bridge hindring, he row'd up in his Gallies along the South bank; where his Landarmy, now come to him, in array of battel ſtood on the ſhore, then turning toward the North ſide of the River, where the Kings Gallies lay in ſome readineſs, and Land-forces alſo not far off, he made ſhew as offring to fight; but they underſtood one another, and the ſouldiers on either ſide ſoon declar'd thir reſolution not to fight Engliſh againſt Engliſh. Thence coming to treaty, the King and the Earl reconcil'd, both armies were diſſolv'd, Godwin and his ſons reſtor'd to their former dignities, except Swane, who touch't in conſcience for the ſlaughter of Beorn his kinſman, was gone bare-foot to Jeruſalem, and returning home, dy'd by ſickneſs or Saracens in Lycia; his wife Edith, Godwins daughter, King Edward took to him again, dignify'd as before. Then were the Normans, who had done many unjuſt things under the Kings authority, and giv'n him ill counſel againſt his people, baniſh't the Realm, ſome of them not blameable permitted to ſtay. Robert Archbiſhop of Canterbury, William of London, Ʋlf of Lincoln, all Normans, hardly eſcaping with thir followers, got to Sea. The Archbiſhop went with his complaint to Rome; but returning, dy'd in Normandy at the ſame p. 290Monaſtery from whence he came. Osbern and Hugh ſurrender'd thir Caſtles, and by permiſſion of Leofric paſs'd through his Counties with thir Normans to Macbeth King of Scotland. The year following Rheſe An. Dom. 1053 Sim. Dun.brother to Griffin, Prince of South Wales, who by inrodes had done much damage to the Engliſh tak'n at Bulendun, was put to death by the Kings appointment, and his head brought to him at Gloſter. The ſame year at Wincheſter on the ſecond holy-day of Eaſter, Earl Godwin ſitting with the King at table, ſunk down ſuddenly in his ſeat as dead: his three ſons Harold, Toſti, and Gyrtha, forthwith carried him into the Kings Chamber, hoping he might revive: but the malady had ſo ſeis'd him, that the fifth day after he expir'd. The Normans who hated Godwin give out, ſaith Malmsbury, that mention happ'ning to be made of Elfred, and the King thereat looking ſowerly upon Godwin, he to vindicate himſelf, utter'd theſe words, Thou, O King, at every mention made of thy brother Elſred, look'ſt frowningly upon me: but let God not ſuffer me to ſwallow this morſel, if I be guilty of ought done againſt his life or thy advantage; that after theſe words, choak't with the morſel tak'n, he ſunk down and recover'd not. His firſt wife was the ſiſter of Cannute, a woman of much infamy for the trade ſhe drove of buying up Engliſh Youths and Maids to ſell in Denmarke, whereof ſhe made great gain; but ere long was ſtruck with thunder, and dy'd. The year enſuing, Siward Earl of An. Dom. 1054 Sim. Dun.Northumberland, with a great number of horſe and foot, attended alſo by a ſtrong fleet at the Kings appointment, made an expedition into Scotland, vanquiſh't the Tyrant Macbeth, ſlaying many thouſands of Scots with thoſe Normans that went thether, and p. 291plac'd Malcolm Son of the Cumbrian King in his ſtead; yet not without loſs of his own Son, and many other both Engliſh and Danes. Told of his Sons Death, Huntingd.he aſk'd whether he receav'd his Deaths wound before or behind? when it was anſwerd before, I am glad, ſaith hee; and ſhould not elſe have thought him, though my Son, worthy of Burial. In the mean while King Edward being without Iſſue to ſucceed him, ſent Aldred Biſhop of Wincheſter with great preſents to the Emperour, entreating him to prevail with the King of Hungary, that Edward the remaining Son of his Brother Edmund Ironſide, might be ſent into England. Siward but one year ſurviving An. Dom. 1055 Sim. Dun.his great Victory, dy'd at Yorke; reported by Huntingdon a man of Giant-like ſtature, & by his own demeanour at point of Death manifeſted, of a rough and meer ſouldierly mind. For much diſdaining to die in bed by a diſeaſe, not in the field fighting with his enemies, he caus'd himſelf compleatly arm'd, and weapon'd with battel-ax and ſhield to be ſet in a chair, whether to fight with death, if he could be ſo vain, or to meet him (when far other weapons and preparations were needful) in a Martial bravery; but true fortitude glories not in the feats of War, as they are ſuch, but as they ſerve to end War ſooneſt by a victorious Peace. His Earldom the King beſtow'd on Toſti the Son of Earl Godwin: and ſoon after in a Convention held at London, baniſh't without viſible cauſe, Huntigdon ſaith for treaſon, Algar the Son of Leofric; who paſſing into Ireland, ſoon return'd with eighteen ſhips to Griffin Prince of South Wales, requeſting his aid againſt King Edward. He aſſembling his Powers, enter'd with him into Hereford-ſhire; whom Radulf a timorous p. 292Captain, Son to the Kings Siſter, not by Eustace, but a former husband, met two miles diſtant from Hereford; and having hors'd the Engliſh who knew better to fight on foot, without ſtroke he with his French and Normans beginning to flie, taught the Engliſh by his example. Griffin and Algar following the chaſe, ſlew many, wounded more, enter'd Hereford, ſlew ſeven Canons defending the Minſter, burnt the Monaſterie and Reliques, then the City; killing ſome, leading captive others of the Citizens, return'd with great ſpoils; whereof King Edward having notice, gather'd a great Army at Gloſter under the conduct of Harold now Earl of Kent; who ſtrenuouſly purſuing Griffin, enter'd Wales, and encamp'd beyond Straddale. But the enemy flying before him farther into the Country, leaving there the greater part of his Army with ſuch as had charge to fight, if occaſion were offer'd, with the reſt he return'd, and fortifi'd Hereford with a wall and gates. Mean while Griffin and Algar dreading the diligence of Harold, after many meſſages to and fro, concluded a Peace with him. Algar diſcharging his fleet with pay at Weſt Cheſter, came to the King, and was reſtor'd to his Earldom. But Griffin with breach of faith, the next year ſet upon An. Dom. 1056 Sim. Dun.Leofgar the Biſhop of Hereford and his Clerks then at a place call'd Glaſtbrig with Agelnoth Vicount of the ſhire, and ſlew them; but Leofric, Harold, and King Edward by force, as is likelieſt, though it be not ſaid how, reduc'd him to Peace. The next year An. Dom. 1057 Sim. Dun.Edward Son of Edmund Ironſide, for whom his Uncle King Edward had ſent to the Emperour, came out of Hungary, deſign'd Succeſſor to the Crown; but within a few days after his coming dy'd at London, leaving behind him Edgar Atheling his Son, Margaret and p. 293Chriſtina his Daughters. About the ſame time alſo dy'd Earl Leofric in a good old age, a man of no leſs vertue then power in his time, religious, prudent, and faithful to his Country, happily wedded to Godiva a woman of great praiſe. His Son Algar found leſs favour with King Edward, again baniſh't the year after An. Dom. 1058 Sim. Dun.his Fathers death; but he again by the aid of Griffin and a fleet from Norway, maugre the King, ſoon recover'd his Earldom. The next year Malcolm An. Dom. 1059 Sim. Dun.King of Scots coming to viſit King Edward, was brought on his way by Toſti the Northumbrian Earl, to whom he ſwore brotherhood: yet the next year An. Dom. 1061 Sim. Dun.but one, while Toſti was gone to Rome with Aldred Archbiſhop of York for his Pall, this ſworn brother taking advantage of his abſence, roughly harraſs'd Northumberland. The year paſſing to an end without other matter of moment, ſave the frequent inrodes and robberies of Griffin, whom no bonds of faith could reſtrain, King Edward ſent againſt him after Chriſtmas Harold now Duke of Weſt-Saxons An. Dom. 1062 Sim. Dun.with no great body of Horſe from Gloſter, where he then kept his Court, whoſe coming heard of, Griffin not daring to abide, nor in any part of his Land holding himſelf ſecure, eſcap't hardly by Sea, ere Harold coming to Rudeland, burnt his Palace and Ships there, returning to Gloster the ſame day: But by the middle An. Dom. 1063 Sim. Dun.of May ſetting out with a fleet from Bristow, he ſail'd about the moſt part of Wales, and met by his brother Tosti with many Troops of Horſe, as the King had appointed, began to waſte the Country; but the Welch giving pledges, yeilded themſelves, promis'd to become tributary, and baniſh Griffin thir Prince; who lurking ſomewhere, was the next year tak'n and An. Dom. 1064 Sim. Dun.ſlain by Griffin Prince of North Wales; his head p. 294with the head and tackle of his Ship ſent to Harold, by him to the King, who of his gentleneſs made Blechgent and Rithwallon or Rivallon his two Brothers Princes in his ſtead; they to Harold in behalf of the King ſwore fealty and tribute. Yet the next year An. Dom. 1065 Sim. Dun. Camden.Harold having built a fair houſe at a place call'd Portaſcith in Monmouth-ſhire, and ſtor'd it with proviſion, that the King might lodge there in time of hunting, Caradoc the Son of Griffin ſlain the year before, came with a number of men, ſlew all he found there, and took away the proviſion. Soon after which the Northumbrians in a tumult at York, beſet the Palace of Toſti their Earl, ſlew more then 200 of his Souldiers and Servants, pillag'd his Treaſure, and put him to flie for his life. The cauſe of this inſurrection they alledg'd to be, for that the Queen Edith had commanded in her Brother Tosti's behalf, Goſpatric a noble man of that Country to be treacherouſly ſlain in the Kings Court; and that Tosti himſelf the year before with like treachery had caus'd to be ſlain in his Chamber Gamel and Ʋlſ two other of thir noble men, beſides his intolerable exactions and oppreſſions. Then in a manner the whole Country coming up to complain of their grievances, met with Harold at Northampton, whom the King at Tosti's requeſt had ſent to pacifie the Northumbrians; but they laying op'n the cruelty of his Government, and thir own birth-right of freedom not to endure the tyranny of any Governour whatſoever, with abſolute refuſal to admit him again, and Harold hearing reaſon, all the complices of Toſti were expell'd the Earldom. He himſelf baniſh't the Realm, went in Flanders; Morcar the Son of Algar made Earl in his ſtead. Huntingdon tells another cauſe of Toſti's baniſhment, that p. 295one day at Windſor, while Harold reach'd the Cup to King Edward, Toſti envying to ſee his younger Brother in greater favour then himſelf, could not forbear to run furiouſly upon him, and catching hold of his Hair, the ſcuflle was ſoon parted by other attendants ruſhing between, and Toſti forbidd'n the Court. He with continu'd fury rideing to Hereford, where Harold had many Servants, preparing an entertainment for the King, came to the Houſe and ſet upon them with his followers; then lopping off Hands, Armes, Legs of ſome, Heads of others, threw them into Butts of Wine, Meath, or Ale, which were laid in for the Kings drinking: and at his going away charg'd them to ſend him this word, that of other freſh meats he might bring with him to his Farm what he pleas'd, but of Sowce he ſhould find plenty provided ready for him: that for this barbarous Act the King pronounc't him baniſh'd; that the Northumbrians taking advantage at the Kings diſpleaſure and ſentence againſt him, roſe alſo to be reveng'd of his cruelties done to themſelves; but this no way agrees, for why then ſhould Harold or the King ſo much labour with the Northumbrians to re-admit him, if he were a baniſh'd man for his Crimes done before? About this time it happ'nd that Harold putting to Malmſ.Sea one day for his pleaſure, in a Fiſher Boat, from his Mannor at Boſeham in Suſſex, caught with a Tempeſt too far off land, was carried into Normandy; and by the Earl of Pontiew, on whoſe Coaſt he was driv'n, at his own requeſt brought to Duke William, who entertaining him with great courteſie, ſo far won him, as to promiſe the Duke by Oath of his own accord, not only the Caſtle of Dover then in his tenure, p. 296but the Kingdome alſo after King Edwards Death to his utmoſt endeavour, therupon betrothing the Dukes Daughter then too young for marriage, and departing richly preſented. Others ſay, that King Edward himſelf after the Death of Edward his Nephew, ſent Harold thether, on purpoſe to acquaint Duke William with his intention to bequeath him his Kingdom: but Malmsbury accounts the former ſtory to be the truer. Ingulf writes, that King Edward now grown old, and perceaving Edgar Leges Ed. Conf. Tit. Lex Noricor.his Nephew both in body and mind unfit to govern, eſpecially againſt the pride and inſolence of Godwins Sons, who would never obey him; Duke William on the other ſide of high merit, and his Kinſman by the Mother, had ſent Robert Archbiſhop of Canterbury, to acquaint the Duke of his purpoſe, not long before Harold came thether. The former part may be true, that King Edward upon ſuch conſiderations had ſent one or other; but Arch-biſhop Robert was fled the land, and dead many years before. Eadmer and Simeon write, that Harold went of his own accord into Normandy, by the Kings permiſſion or connivence, to get free his Brother Wulnod and Nephew Hacun the Son of Swane, whom the King had tak'n hoſtages of Godwin and ſent into Normandy; that King Edward foretold Harold, his journey thether would be to the detriment of all England and his own reproach; that Duke William then acquainted Harold, how Edward ere his coming to the Crown had promisd, if ever he attain'd it, to leave Duke William Succeſſor after him. Laſt of theſe Mathew Paris writes, that Harold to get free of Duke William, affirm'd his coming thether not to have been by accident or force of Tempeſt, p. 297but on ſet purpoſe, in that privat manner to enter with him into ſecret confederacie; ſo variouſly are theſe things reported. After this King Edward An. Dom. 1066 Sim. Dun.grew ſickly, yet as he was able kept his Chriſtmas at London, and was at the Dedication of St. Peters Church in Weſtminſter, which he had rebuilt; but on the Eve of Epiphanie, or Twelftide, deceas'd much lamented, and in the Church was Entoomb'd. That he was harmleſs and ſimple, is conjecturd by his words in anger to a Peaſant who had croſs'd his Game (for with Hunting and Hawking he was much delighted) by God and Gods Mother, ſaid hee, I ſhall do you as ſhrew'd a turn if I can; obſerving that Law-Maxim, the beſt of all his Succeſſors, that the King of England can do no wrong. The ſoftneſs of his Nature gave growth to factions of thoſe about him, Normans eſpecially and Engliſh; theſe complaining that Robert the Archbiſhop was a ſower of diſſention between the King and his people, a traducer of the Engliſh; the other ſide, that Godwin and his Sons bore themſelves arrogantly and proudly towards the King, uſurping to themſelves equall ſhare in the Government; oft-times making ſport with his ſimplicity, that through Huntingd.thir power in the land, they made no ſcruple to kill men of whoſe inheritance they took a likeing, and ſo to take poſſeſſion. The truth is, that Godwin and his Sons did many things boiſtrouſly and violently, much againſt the Kings minde; which not able to reſiſt, he had, as ſome ſay, his Wife Edith Godwins Daughter in ſuch averſation, as in bed never to have touch'd her; whether for this cauſe or miſtak'n Chaſtitie, not commendable; to enquire further is not material. His Laws held good and juſt, and p. 298long after deſir'd by the Engliſh of thir Norman Kings, are yet extant. He is ſaid to be at Table not exceſſive, at Feſtivals nothing puft up with the coſtly Robes he wore, which his Queen with curious Art had woven for him in Gold. He was full of Alms-deeds, and exhorted the Monks to like Charitie. He is ſaid to be the firſt of Engliſh Kings that cur'd the Diſeaſe call'd thence the Kings Evil; yet Malmsbury blames them who attribute that Cure to his Royaltie, not to his Sanctitie; ſaid alſo to have cur'd certain blinde men with the water wherin he had waſh'd his hands. A little before his Death, lying ſpeechleſs two days, the third day after a deep ſleep, he was heard to pray, that if it were a true Viſion, not an Illuſion which he had ſeen, God would give him ſtrength to utter it, otherwiſe not. Then he related how he had ſeen two devout Monks, whom he knew in Normandy, to have liv'd and dy'd well, who appearing told him they were ſent Meſſengers from God to foretell, that becauſe the great ones of England, Dukes, Lords, Biſhops, and Abbots, were not Miniſters of God but of the Devil, God had deliverd the Land to thir Enemies; and when he deſir'd that he might reveal this Viſion, to the end they might repent, it was anſwerd; they neither will repent, neither will God pardon them; at this relation others trembling, Stigand the Simonious Archbiſhop, whom Edward much to blame had ſufferd many years to ſit Primate in the Church, is ſaid to have laugh't, as at the feavouriſh Dream of a doteing old man; but the event prov'd it true.

p. 299Harold Son of Earl Godwin.

HArold, whether by King Edward a little before Hoved. Florent. his Death ordain'd Succeſſor to the Crown, as Simeon of Durham, and others affirm; or by the prevalence of his faction, excluding Edgar the right Heir, Grandchild to Edmund Ironſide, as Malmsbury and Huntingdon agree, no ſooner was the Funeral of King Edward ended, but on the ſame day was elected and Crown'd King: and no ſooner plac't in the Throne, but began to frame himſelf by all manner of compliances to gain affection, endeavour'd to make good Laws, repeal'd bad, became a great Patron to Church and Church-men, courteous and affable to all reputed good, a hater of evill doers, charg'd all his Officers to puniſh Theeves, Robbers, and all diſturbers of the peace, while he himſelf by Sea and Land labourd in the defence of his Country: ſo good an actor is ambition. In the mean while a blazing Star, 7 Mornings together, about the end of April, was ſeen to ſtream terribly, not only over England, but other parts of the World; foretelling heer, as was thought, the great changes approaching: plainlieſt prognoſticated by Elmer a Monk of Malmsbury, who could not foreſee, when time was, the breaking of his own Leggs for ſoaring too high, he in his youth ſtrangely aſpiring, had made and fitted Wings to his Hands and Feet; with theſe on the top of a Tower, ſpread out to gather air, he flew more then a Furlong; but the wind being too high, came fluttering down, to the maiming of all his Limbs; yet ſo conceited of his Art, that he attributed the cauſe of p. 300his fall to the want of a Tail, as Birds have, which he forgot to make to his hinder parts. This ſtory, though ſeeming otherwiſe too light in the midſt of a ſad narration, yet for the ſtrangneſs therof, I thought worthy anough the placeing as I found it plac't in my Authour. But to digreſs no farder, Toſti the Kings Brother coming from Flanders, full of envy at his younger Brothers advancement to the Crown, reſolv'd what he might to trouble his Reign; forcing therfore them of Wight Ile to contribution, he ſail'd thence to Sandwich, committing Piracies on the Coaſt between. Harold then reſiding at London, with a great number of Ships drawn together, and of Horſe Troops by Land, prepares in perſon for Sandwich: wherof Toſti having notice, directs his courſe with 60 Ships towards Lindſey, Malmſ.taking with him all the Sea-men he found, willing or unwilling: where he burnt many Villages, and ſlew many of the Inhabitants; but Edwin the Mercian Duke, and Morcar his Brother, the Northumbrian Earl, with thir Forces on either ſide, ſoon drove him out of the Country. Who thence betook him to Malcolm the Scottiſh King, and with him abode the whole Summer. About the ſame time Duke William ſending Embaſſadors to admoniſh Harold of his promiſe and Oath, to aſſiſt him in his Plea to the Kingdom, he made anſwer, that by the death of his Daughter betroth'd to him on that condition, he was abſolv'd of his Oath, or not Dead, he could not take her now an out-landiſh woman, Eadmer.without conſent of the Realm; that it was preſumptuouſly done and not to be perſiſted in, if without conſent or knowledge of the States, he had ſworn away the right of the Kingdome; that what p. 301he ſwore was to gain his liberty, being in a manner then his Priſner; that it was unreaſonable in the Duke to require or expect of him the foregoing of a Kingdome, conferr'd upon him with univerſal favour and acclamation of the people: to this flat deniall he added contempt, ſending the Meſſengers back, ſaith Mathew Paris, on maim'd Horſes. The Duke thus contemptuouſly put off, addreſſes himſelf to the Pope, ſetting forth the Juſtice of his cauſe, which Harold, whether through haughtineſs of mind, or diſtruſt, or that the ways to Rome were ſtop'd, ſought not to do. Duke William, beſides the promiſe and Oath of Harold, alleg'd that King Edward by the advice of Seward, Godwin himſelf, and Stigand the Archbiſhop, had giv'n him the right of ſucceſſion, and had ſent him the Son and Nephew of Godwin, pledges of the guift; the Pope ſent to Duke William, after this demonſtration of his right, a conſecrated Banner. Wherupon he having with great care and choice got an Army of tall and ſtout Souldiers, under Captains of great ſkill and mature Age, came in Auguſt to the Port of St. Valerie. Mean while Harold from London comes to Sandwich, there expecting his Navy; which alſo coming, he ſails to the Ile of Wight; and having heard of Duke William's preparations and readineſs to invade him, kept good watch on the Coaſt, and Foot Forces every where in fit places to guard the ſhoar. But ere the middle of September, proviſion failing when it was moſt needed, both Fleet and Army return home. When on a ſudden, Harold Malmſ. Mathew Paris.Harvager King of Norway, with a Navy of more then 500 great Ships, (others leſs'n them by two hunderd, others augment them to a thouſand) appears p. 302at the mouth of Tine; to whom Earl Toſti with his Ships came as was agreed between them; whence both uniting, ſet ſail with all ſpeed and enterd the River Humber. Thence turning into Ouſe, as far as Rical, landed; and won Yorke by aſſault. At theſe tideings Harold with all his power haſts thetherward; but ere his coming, Edwin and Morcar at Fulford by Yorke, on the North ſide of Ouſe, about the Feaſt of St. Mathew had giv'n them Battel; ſucceſsfully at firſt, but over-born at length with numbers; and forc't to turn thir backs, more of them periſh'd in the River, then in the Fight. The Norwegians taking with them 500 Hoſtages out of Yorke, and leaving there 150 of thir own, retir'd to thir Ships. But the fift day after, King Harold with a great and well appointed Army, coming to York, and at Stamford-Bridge, or Battell-Bridge on Darwent, Camd.aſſailing the Norwegians, after much bloodſhed on both ſides, cut off the greateſt part of them with Harfager thir King, and Toſti his own Brother. But Olave the Kings Son, and Paul Earl of Orkney, left with many Souldiers to guard the Ships, ſurrendring themſelves with Hoſtages and Oath giv'n never to return as Enemies, he ſufferd freely to depart with 20 Ships and the ſmall remnant of thir Army. One man of the Norwegians is not to be forgott'n, who with incredible valour Malmſ.keeping the Bridge a long hour againſt the whole Engliſh Army, with his ſingle reſiſtance delai'd thir Victorie; and ſcorning offerd life, till in the end no man dareing to graple with him, either dreaded as too ſtrong, or contemn'd as one deſperate, he was at length ſhot dead with an Arrow; and by his fall op'nd the paſſage of perſuit to a compleat Victorie. p. 303Wherwith Harold lifted up in minde, and forgetting now his former ſhews of popularitie, defrauded his Souldiers thir due and well deſerved ſhare of the ſpoils. While theſe things thus paſt in Northumberland, Duke William lay ſtill at St. Valerie; his Ships were readie but the wind ſerv'd not for many days; which put the Souldierie into much diſcouragement and murmur, taking this for an unlucky ſign of thir ſucceſs; at laſt the wind came favourable, the Duke firſt under ſail awaited the reſt at Anchor, till all coming forth, the whole Fleet of 900 Ships with a proſperous gale arriv'd at Haſtings. At his Sim. Dun.going out of the Boat by a ſlip falling on his hands, to correct the Omen, a Souldier ſtanding by ſaid aloud, that thir Duke had tak'n poſſeſſion of England. Landed, he reſtrein'd his Army from waſt and ſpoil, ſaying, that they ought to ſpare what was thir own. But theſe are things related of Alexander and Caeſar, and I doubt thence borrow'd by the Monks to inlay thir ſtory. The Duke for 15 days after landing kept his men quiet within the Camp, having tak'n the Caſtle of Haſtings, or built a Fortreſs there. Harold ſecure the while and proud of his new Victorie, thought all his Enemies now under foot: but ſitting jollily at dinner, news is brought him, that Duke William of Normandy with a great multitude of Horſe and Foot, Slingers and Archers, beſides other choice Auxiliaries which he had hir'd in France, was arriv'd at Pevenſey. Harold who had expected him all the Summer, but not ſo late in the year as now it was, for it was October; with his Forces much diminiſh't after two ſore conflicts and the departing of many others from him diſcontented, in great haſt marches to London. Thence not tarrying p. 304for ſupplies which were on thir way towards him, hurries into Suſſex (for he was always in haſt ſince the day of his Coronation) and ere the third part of his Army could be well put in order, findes the Duke about 9 mile from Haſtings, and now drawing nigh, ſent ſpies before him to ſurvey the ſtrength and number of his Enemies: them, diſcoverd ſuch, the Duke cauſing to be led about, and after well fill'd with meat and drink ſent back. They not over-wiſe, brought word that the Dukes Army were moſt of them Prieſts; for they ſaw thir faces all over ſhav'n; the Engliſh then uſeing to let grow on thir upper-lip large Muſtachio's, as did antiently the Britans. The King laughing anſwerd, that they were not Prieſts, but valiant and hardy Souldiers. Therefore ſaid Girtha his Brother, a youth of noble courage and underſtanding above his Age, Forbear thou thy ſelf to fight, who art obnoxious to Duke William by Oath, let us unſworn undergo the hazard of Battel, who may juſtly fight in the defence of our Country; thou reſerv'd to fitter time, maiſt either reunite us flying, or revenge us dead. The King not hark'ning to this, leaſt it might ſeem to argue fear in him or a bad cauſe, with like reſolution rejected the offers of Duke William ſent to him by a Monk before the Battel, with this only anſwer haſtily deliverd, let God judge between us. The offers were theſe, that Harold would either lay down the Scepter, or hold it of him, or try his title with him by ſingle Combate in the ſight of both Armies, or referr it to the Pope. Theſe rejected, both ſides prepar'd to fight the next morning, the Engliſh from ſinging and drinking all night, the Normans from confeſſion of p. 305thir ſins and communion of the hoſt. The Engliſh were in a ſtreit diſadvantagious place, ſo that many diſcourag'd with thir ill ordering, ſcarſe having room where to ſtand, ſlip'd away before the onſet, the reſt in cloſe order with thir Battel-Axes and Shields, made an impenetrable Squadron: the King himſelf with his Brothers on foot ſtood by the Royal Standard, wherin the figure of a man fighting was inwov'n with gold and pretious Stones. The Norman Foot, moſt Bowmen, made the formoſt Front, on either ſide Wings of Horſe ſomewhat behind. The Duke Arming, and his Corſlet giv'n him on the wrong ſide, ſaid pleaſantly, the ſtrength of my Dukedom will be turn'd now into a Kingdom. Then the whole Army ſinging the Song of Rowland, the remembrance of whoſe exploits might hart'n them, imploring laſtly Divine help, the Battel began; and was fought ſorely on either ſide; but the main body of Engliſh Foot by no means would be brok'n, till the Duke cauſing his men to feign flight, drew them out with deſire of purſuit into op'n diſorder, then turn'd ſuddenly upon them ſo routed by themſelves, which wrought thir overthrow; yet ſo they dy'd not unmanfully, but turning oft upon thir Enemies, by the advantage of an upper ground, beat them down by heaps, and fill'd up a great Ditch with thir Carcaſſes. Thus hung the Victory wavering on either ſide, from the third hour of day to Evening; when Harold having maintain'd the fight with unſpeakable courage and perſonal valour, ſhot into the head with an Arrow, fell at length, and left his Souldiers without heart longer to withſtand the unwearied Enemy. With Harold fell alſo his two Brothers, p. 306Leofwin, and Girtha, with them greateſt part of the Engliſh Nobility. His Body lying dead a Knight or Souldier wounding on the thigh, was by the Duke preſently turn'd out of military ſervice. Of Normans and French were ſlain no ſmall number; the Duke himſelf alſo that day not a little hazarded his perſon, having had three choice Horſes kill'd under him. Victory obtain'd, and his dead carefully buried, the Engliſh alſo by permiſſion, he ſent the body of Harold to his mother without ranſom, though ſhe offerd very much to redeem it, which having receav'd, ſhe buried at Waltham, in a Church built there by Harold. In the mean while, Edwin and Morcar, who had withdrawn themſelves from Harold, hearing of his Death, came to London; ſending Aldgith the Queen thir Siſter with all ſpeed to Weſt-Cheſter. Aldred Archbiſhop of York, and many of the Nobles, with the Londoners would have ſet up Edgar the right Heir, and prepar'd themſelves to fight for him; but Morcar and Edwin not likeing the choice, who each of them expected to have been chos'n before him, withdrew thir Forces and return'd home. Duke William contrary to his former Sim. Dun.reſolution, if Florent of Worſter, and they who follow him ſay true, waſting, burning, and ſlaying all in his way, or rather, as ſaith Malmsbury, not in hoſtile but in regal manner came up to London, met at Barcham by Edgar, with the Nobles, Biſhops, Citizens, and at length Edwin and Morcar, who all ſubmitted to him, gave hoſtages, and ſwore fidelity, he to them promis'd peace and defence; yet permitted his men the while to burn and make prey. Coming to London with all his Army, he was on p. 307Chriſtmaſs day ſollemly Crown'd in the great Church at Weſtminſter, by Aldred Archbiſhop of York, having firſt giv'n his Oath at the Altar in preſence of all the people, to defend the Church, well govern the people, maintain right Law; prohibit rapine and unjuſt judgment. Thus the Engliſh, while they agreed not about the choice of thir native King, were conſtrein'd to take the Yoke of an out-landiſh Conquerer. With what minds and by what courſe of life they had fitted themſelves for this ſervitude, William of Malmsbury ſpares not to lay op'n. Not a few years before the Normans came, the Clergy, though in Edward the Confeſſors daies, had loſt all good literature and Religion, ſcarſe able to read and underſtand thir Latin Service: he was a miracle to others who knew his Grammar. The Monks went clad in fine ſtuffs, and made no difference what they eat; which though in it ſelf no fault, yet to their Conſciences was irreligious. The great men giv'n to gluttony and diſſolute life, made a prey of the common people, abuſeing thir Daughters whom they had in ſervice, then turning them off to the Stews, the meaner ſort tipling together night and day, ſpent all they had in Drunk'neſs, attended with other Vices which effeminate mens minds. Whence it came to paſs, that carried on with fury and raſhneſs more then any true fortitude or ſkill of War, they gave to William thir Conquerour ſo eaſie a Conqueſt. Not but that ſome few of all ſorts were much better among them; but ſuch was the generality. And as the long ſuffering of God permits bad men to enjoy proſperous daies with the good, ſo his ſeverity oft times exempts not good men from thir ſhare in evil times with the bad.

p. 308If theſe were the Cauſes of ſuch miſery and thraldom to thoſe our Anceſtors, with what better cloſe can be concluded, then here in fit ſeaſon to remember this Age in the midſt of her ſecurity, to fear from like Vices without amendment the Revolutions of like Calamities.

FINIS.