The Exact Recorder, Chapter 4

The Exact Recorder · Chapter 4

p. 222CHAP. IV. Comprising a Summary Collection of all the Parliamentary Great Councils, Synods, Historical Passages, Proceedings, Lawes, relating to the Fundamental Liberties, Franchis…s, Rights, Government of the People, and other remarkables, under our Danish Kings, Cnute, Harold, and Harde-Cnute; from the year of our Lord 1017. till the first year of King Edward the Confessor, Anno 1042. With some brief Observations on the same.

IMmediately after the murder of King Edmond Ironside, King Cnute the Dane, Anno 1017. taking possession of the whole Realm of England, was solemnly (a)(a)Holinshed, Gr…fton, Speed, and others in his life, Radul. de Diceto, Abbrev. Chron. col. 466. Chron. Io. Bromton, col. 906.crowned King at London, Anno 1017.by Living Archbishop of Canterbury, succeeding in the Realm of England, Non successione haereditaria, sed Armorum violentia, as (b)(b)Chronica, col. 1782.William Thorne observes: Injuste quidem Regnum ingressus, sed magna civilitate et fortitudine v…tam componens, writes (c)(c)De Gestis Regum Angl. l. 2. c. 11. p. 73.William of Malmsbury. Whereupon, the better to for…ifie his Military Title, with a seeming publick Election, by the Nobles and Nation in a Parliamentary Council, and their open disclaimer and renunciation of any Right or Title either in King Edmonds Sons or Brethren, to the English p. 223Crown, to settle it in perpetuity on himself and his posterity; he (d)(d)Athel…edus Abbas, de Genealog. Regum Angl. col. 965, 966. Florentius Wigorniensis, p. 389, 390. Sim. Duuelmensis, col. 175, 176. Hoveden Annal. pars 1. p. 436. Radulph. de Diceto, Abbrev. Chron. col. 466. Hen: de Knyghton, De Eventibus Angliae, l. 1. c. 3. Polychronicon, l. 6. c. 18. See Fabian, Grafton, Holinshed, Speed, Daniel, in the Life of Cnute.commanded all the Bishops, Dukes, Princes and Nobles of the English Nation to be assembled together at London in a Parliamentary Council: Where when they were all met together in his presence, he most craftily demanded of them, as if he were ignorant, Who were the Witnesses between him and Edmond Ironside when they made their agreement, and division of the Kingdom between them? What manner of conference there then was between him and Edmond, concerning his Brethren and Sons? Whether it was agreed, that it should be lawfull for Edmonds Brethren or Children to reign in the kingdom of the West-Saxons after his death, by any special reservation or agreement between them, in case Edmond should die in his life-time? Whom he had designed to be his Heir? Whom he had appointed to be guardians to his Sons during their infancy? And what he had commanded concerning his Brothers Alfred and Edward? To which they all answering both falsly and flatteringly, said, That they did most certainly know, King Edmond neither living nor dying had commended or given no part of his kingdom to his Brethren; and they did likewise know, that it was King Edmonds will, that Cnute should be the Gardian and Protector of his Sons Proposit. 5, 6, 8.and of the Realm, untill they were of age to reign, calling God himself to witnesse the truth hereof. (O the strange temporizing falsity, treachery, perjury of men in all ages!) But though they thus called God to witness, yet they gave a false testimony, and fraudulently lyed, preferring a lye before the truth, being forgetfull of justice, unmindfull of nature, unjust witnesses, rising up against Innocency, and betrayers of their own bloud and Country: when as they all well knew, that Edmond had designed his Brethren to be his heirs, and appointed them to be Guardians of his children; thinking by this their false testimony to please King Cnute, to make him more mild and gracious to them, and that they should receive great rewards from him for the p. 224same. After their answers to those Interrogatories, to ingratiate themselves further with Cnute, though they were sworn before to Edmond and his Heirs, and were Native Englishmen, Proposit. 8, 1.yet they there all took a solemn …ath of Allegiance to Cnute, swearing to him… That they would and did chuse him for their King, & humbly obey him, et Exercitui Uectigalia dare; and would give Trib…tes to his Army. And having received a pledge …rom Cnutes naked hands, with Oathes from the Princes and Nobles of the Danes, & Cnute reciprocal Oaths from them and all the people, they ratified a mutual Covenant and League of Peace with reciprocal Oaths between both Nations, reconciling and abandoning all publick enmities between them. They likewise swore, that they would cast off, banish, and wholly reject King Edmonds Brothers, Sons, Nota.and Family. In pursuance whereof they there presently, Fratres et filios Edmondi Regis omnino despexerunt, …osque Reges esse negaverun…; unum autem ex ipsis praedictis Clitonibus, Edwinum, egregium et reverendissimum Edmundi Regis germanum, Ibidem cum consilio pessimo, exulem esse debere coustituerunt, as R…ger de Hoveden, Abbot Ethelred, Wigorni…nsis and others at large record the Story. The discord, treacherous falshood, disloyal proceedings of the English Nation then towards one another, & the English royal line, is thus elegantly set forth by **De Vita & Miraculis Edwardi Confessoris, col. 374.Abbot Ailred; (a lively Character of our age) Externisque malis accessit civilis d…scordia, adeò ut quis cui creder…t, quis cui mentis suae secreta commit…eret nesciretur. Plena erat proditoribus Insula, nusquam tuta fides, nu…quam …ine …u…pi…one …mor, Sermo sine simulatione. Tandem eousque Proditio Civilis, et astu…ia Processit hostilis, ut de … Rege Magna pars Ins…lae legitimis abdicatis haeredibus, Cnutoni qui Regnum invaserat, manus darent; peremptoque i…victissimo Reg… Edmundo paterni honoris simul …t l…boris haerede, etiam Filios ejus, ad…uc in cunis agentes, barbaris mi…terent occidendos. King Cnute, hearing p. 225this their palpable flattery, and con…emptuous rejection of Edwin, and the Saxon regal Line, went joyfully into his Chamber, and calling perfidious Duke Edric to him, demanded of him, how he might deceive Prince Edwin, so as to have him murthered? Who thereupon informed him, how and by whom his murder might be accomplished by promised rewards of money and preferments, which was accordingly effected soon after by Cnutes procurement and command. This Edric likewise perswaded Cnute, to slay Prince Edward and Edmond, King Edmonds sons. Whereupon Statuit Cnuto mirabiliter in animo suo, omne genus Gentis Regni Anglorum perdere, vel exilio perenni eliminare, ut regnum Angliae filiis suis jure h…roditario r…servare curaret, writes Matthew Westminster, p. 402. But because it might seem a great disgrace to him, to murder these infant Princes in England, he afterwards sent them over Sea to King Swane to slay them in Denmark; who abhorring the fact, instead thereof sent them to Solomon King of Hungary to be preserved and educ…ted.

Cnute having thus through the flattery, perjury and treachery of the Euglish Prelates and Nobles …ained the intire Monarchy of England… slew or banished all those perfidious English Sycophants, temporizers who had the chiefest hand in this false testimony, abjuration & treacherous bloudy advice, against the Saxon Royal Family: …y whose Cou…cel he slew or banishe… all the blood-royal of the Realm of England, that so he migh… Iure Haereditario, reserve and perpetuate the kingdom to his own Posterity by an hereditary right. Duke Edric the principal of them, for this and his other Treasons forementioned, was deprived of his Dukedom of Mercia, and exemplarily executed as a most perfidious Traytor by Cnutes command the first year of his reign, and many of his Captains and followers were slain with him, (of which at large before.) Mor…m Proditori… pro demeritis accepit laqueo suspensus, et in Tamesin fluvium p. 226projectus. Cum quo plurimis sattellitum suorum similiter occisis, e…iam inter eos praecipuus et primus Normannus occisus est, writes Abbot (e)(e)Historia, p. 892.Ingulphus. Turkell Duke of East-England, and Hirc Duke of Northumberland, were both banished the Realm; Duke Norman and Bridric slain, and a heavy Tax of 82 Thousand pounds Proposit. 1, 8(besides 10000 pounds imposed on London alone) imposed and levied on the whole Nation. Quoniam igitur proprii sanguinis proditores adulantes Regi menti…i sun… in caput suum, gladiu… eorum intravit in cor eorum, et à Cnutho quem naturalibus Dominis praetulerunt, confractus e…t arcus eoru…. Cum … Monarchiam Insulae faven…ibus illis ob…inui…e…. Omnes qui primi in illo fuere consilio exterminavit, et q…o…quo… de regio Semine …uperstites reperit, vel regno repulit, vel occidit, as (f)(f)De Genealogia R…gum Anglorum, col. 365, 366.Abbot Ethelred records to pos…e…ity. To which (g)(g)Histo…iar. l. 6. p. 363.Henry Huntindon, and (h)(h)De Eventib. Angliae, l. 1. c. 3.Henr… de Knyghton subjo…n, Posteà vero Rex justo Dei judicio dignam retributionem nequitiae Anglis reddidit: Ipse namque Rex Cnu…e Edricum occidit, (quia timebat ab insidi…s ab eo aliquando circumveniri, sicut Domini sui priores Ethelredus & Edmondus frequenter sunt circumventi, quorum diutina proditione alterum vexavit, alterum interfecit, add …lorentius Wigorni…nsis, Simeon Dunelmensis, Roger de Hoveden, and Radulphus de Diceto:) Turkellum exulavit, Hirc fugere compulit. Praeterea summos Procerum aggressus, Normannum Ducem interfecit. Edwi Adeling exterminavit, Adelwoldum detruncavit, Edwi Churleging exulavit: Birdric ferro vita privavit. (i)(i)Florentius Wigorn. Anno 1017. p. 391.Aethelwardus filius Agelmari Ducis, et Brihtricus filius Alphegi Domnaniensis Satrapae, sin… culpa interfecti sunt. Fecit quoque per Angliam mirabilem Censum reddi, scilicet 82. (some write 72.) mille librarum, praeter undecies mille libri… quas Londinensis reddiderunt. Dignum igitur exactorem Dominus Iustus Anglis imposuit (for rejecting their own Hereditary Soveraign Line.) p. 227(k)(k)Polychron. l. 6. c. 18. Fabian part. 6. c. 205.Radulphus Cestrensis (englished by Trevisa,) Fabian and (l)(l)Chronicle… p. 174.Grafton, thus second them. Also they swore, that they would in all wise put off Edmonds kinn. They trowed thereby to be great with the King afterward, but it fared farr otherwise. For many or the more part of them, specially such as Canutus perceived were sworn be…ore to Edmond and his heirs, he mistrusted and disdain…d ever after. Nota.Therefore some of them were slain by Gods rightfull dome, and some banished, and exiled and put out of the land, and some by Gods punishment died suddenly, and came to a miserable end; which other of our Historians likewise register: I shall desire all such who are guilty of the like Treachery, Flattery, Practice or Advice against their lawfull Sovereigns royal Posterity, advisedly to ponder this sad domestick President in their most retired Meditations, for fear they incur the like divine retaliation by Gods rightful doom, when and by whom they least …uspect or fear it.

King Cnute thus quit of all King Edmonds Sons,Anno 1018. Brethren, kinred, and likewise of the greatest English Dukes and Nobles who might endanger his Life, Crown, and new-acquired Monarchy, in the next place contrived, how to secure his Empire against Prince Alfred and Edward, Edmonds Bro…hers, then in Normandy with Queen Emma their Mother, and their Uncle Richard Duke of Normandy, a person of great valour, power, and interest; the only person likely to attempt their restitution to the kingdom and Crown of England. For which end he by gifts, Ambassies, and fair promises (m)(m)Malmesb De Ges…is Reg. l. 2. c. 10. Mat. Westm. Hov… den, Huntindon Wigo…niensis, Simeon Dunelm…nsis, Radul… de Dic…to, Brom…on, Polychron. Fabian, Holinshed, Grafton, Sp…ed, and others.procures Earl Richards consent, to bestow his Sister Queen Emma upon him for his wife, who ariving in England in July 1018. was presently maried to this Invader of her former Husbands kingdom, his sons royal throne, and murderer, banisher, dishinheriter of his and her royal Posterity, whereby her Brother Duke Richards thoughts were wholly diverted from ayding his Nephews to recover p. 228their right in England. **Ailredus Abbas, de Vita & Miraculis Edwa…di Confesseris, col. 374.Ex hinc cum C…utoni omnia pro voto cessissent, timens Ne Haeres legitimus Regnum quod sibi de Iure debebatur, a…quando Normanica fretus vir…u… Reposceret, …t Ducis sibi arctius colligaret affectum, Emmam …efuncti Regis relictam duxit uxorem. Whereupon De illorum (Elfredi & Edwardi) restitutione Richardū avunculum nihil egisse comperimus, quia et sororem suam Emmam hosti et invasori nuptam collocav…t: Ignores majori illius dedecore qui dederit, a… f…minae quae conse… serat, ut thalamo illius c…leret, qui vi…um infestaverit, filios effugaverit; is (n)(n)De Gestis Regum l. 2. c… 10. p. 73.Malmesbury his observation and censure thereupon. Only their Uncle Robert attemp…ed their …estitution, Congregatis navibus, et impositis militibus profectionem paravit, subinde jactitans se pronepotes suos coronaturum: et proculdudio fidem dictis explesset, nisi quia (ut à majoribus accepimus) semper …i ventus adversabatur eontrarius, per occultum scilicet Dei judicium, in cujus voluntate sunt potestates omnium regnorum. Reliquiae navium multo tempore dissolutarum Rothomagi adhuc nostra aetate visebantur, writes Malmsbury. By this match with Queen Emma, as Cnute took off Duke Richard from yielding any assistance to his Nephews, in hopes his sister might have issue by him to inherit the Crown of E…gland (it being agreed between them on the marriage, that the issue of Cnute begotten on her should inherit the Crown;) so it much obliged the English to him, and made them more willing to submit to his Government, (o)(o)Malmsb. de Gestis Reg. l. 2. c. 11. p. 73.ut dum consuetae Dominae deferrent obsequium, minus Danorum suspirarent Imperium: the rather, because they much honoured and affected her for her manifold vertues, of which they had long former experience: and likewise because they hoped it might be a meanes to restore Ethelreds issue by her to the Crown again, in case she had no issue by Cnute to inherit it; which in truth it effected by Gods providence, contrary to Cnutes design. After this mariage this politick Forein Intruder, to establish p. 229his Monarchy over England, endeavoured to reconcile the English to him by all other publick means he could devise, and that by Emmaes advice.

1. By advancing some of the English Nobility to places of Honour and trust, as (p)(p)Florentiu… Wigorn. Sim…on Dunelm. Hoveden, Speed & others.Leoffric; whom he made Duke, in the place of his Brother Norman whom he had slain; with some others, and loving them very dearly.

2. (q)(q)Malmsb. de Gestis Regum, l. 2. c. 11. Wigorniensis, Speed.By granting to the English equal Rights, and Privileges with his Danes, in Consessu, in Consilio, in Praelio; and favouring and advancing them both alike.

3. [r][r]Malmsb. de Gestis Regum, l. 2. c. 11. Mat. Westm. Huntindon, Hoveden, Wigorniensis, Sim. Dunelm. Radulphus de Diceto, Bromton, Polychron. Fabian, Grafton, Holinshed, Speed.By favouring and enriching the English Clergy and Church-men, and manifesting extraordina…y piety, devotion, bounty in repairing, building, endowing Monasteries and Churches throughout the Realm, which had been partly decayed, par…ly demolished and prophaned by his and his Fathers former wars and excursions: And by erecting new Churches in all places where he had fought any battel, especially at As…hendune, and placing Priests in them, perpetually …o pray for the souls of those that were there slain. Ita omnia quae ipse, et Antecessores sui deliquerunt, corrigere satagons, prioris Injustitiae naevum apud Deum fortassis, apud Homines certè abstulit; as [s][s]De Gestis Regum, l. 2. c. 11.Malmsbury relates.

4. [t][t]Mat. Westm. VVigorn. Sim. Dunelm. Radul. de Diceto, Knyghton, Fabian, Grafton, Holinshed, Speed, Huntindon, VVigorniensis.By …asing them of his Danish Forces, and constant heavy Taxes for their maintenance: For by the advice of Emma, he sent back all his Danish stipendiary Souldiers to their Native Country, and all his Ships but 40, which he retained to transport him into Denmarke the next year. To return, pay off, and disband which forein Forces, the English paid him a Tribute of 82. as some, or 72 thousand pounds as other Historians record, collected out of all England, and the Londoners 11 thousand or 10500 marks more. Which Tribute I conceive was granted him in the Council of London the year before; wherein all p. 230the Prelates and Nobles took an Oath, [u][u]Wigornien. Sim. Dunelm. Hoveden and others.Suo exercitui vectigal dare; according to their former agreement at Glocester, upon the partition of the Kingdom between Edmond and Cnute;[x][x]VVigorn. p. 389. Sim. Dunelm. col. 175. wherein King Edmond and all the English Nobles and Army ordained, that a Tribute should be paid to the Danish Fleet, TRIBUTO QUOD CLASSICAE MANUI PENDERETUR STATUTO. So that I conjecture, it was not imposed on the people by Cnutes absolute power, but by common Grant and Consent of a Great Parliamentary Co…ncil.

5. [y][y]Wigornien. Bromton, Sim. Dunelm. Hoveden, Holinshed, Speed, Malmsb. and others.By ratifying all their former good old fundamental Laws, Righ…s, Liberties, Privileges, which they used, enjoyed under their Saxon Kings, by enacting other good wholesom Laws, repealing all unjust Laws, and redressing all exactions and grievances.

By which means he so obliged the English to him, that they cordially assisted him in his Danish wars, chearfully obeyed him, and never raised any Insurrection or Rebellion against him, though frequently absent out of the Realm, all his reign, albeit he had no Army nor Garrisons to over-aw them.

Anno 1018.In the second year of his reign, [z][z]Florentius VVigorniensis, Sim. Dunelm. Radulphus de Diceto, Roger Hoved. Chron. Ioh. Bromton, col. 908. Hen. de Knyghton de Eventib. Angl. l. 1. c. 3. Grafton, p. 174. Speed, Holinshed, Fabian, part. 6. cap. 205. f. 272.Anno 1018. King Cnute assembled a Parliamentary Council both of the English and Danes at Oxford, wherein they both accorded, That King Edgars Lawes should be observed. Angli et Daci apud Oxonefordiam, de lege Regis Edgari concordes sunt effecti; as Florentius Wigorniensis, Sim. Dunelmensis, and others express it: but the Chronicle of Bromton thus. Posthaec apud Oxoniam PARLIAMENTUM tenuit, ubi Angli, simul & Dani, de Legibus Edgari Regis observandis concordes facti sunt: Which Fabian, Grafton, Speed, and others thus express in English. He called A PARLIAMENT at Oxford, where among other things it was enacted, That Englishmen and Danes should hold and firmly keep the Laws of Edgar,Proposit. 5, 6. late King; Which Parliament they p. 231misplace some in the 3. others in the 15. year of his reign, when it was in the second.

[a][a]Mat. Westm. p. 423. VVigorn. p. 392. Hoveden, p. 437. Sim. Dunelm. col. 177. Radulph. de Diceto Abbrev. Chron. col. 467.King Cnute sailing into Daenmark in the third year of his reign,Anno 1020. having there setled his affairs, returned into England, Anno 1020. about the feast of Easter. Apud Orencestriam CONCILIO CONGREGATO, as Matthew Westminster; or, Apud Cirenceastram, MAGNUM CONCILIUM HABUIT, as Florentius Wigorniensis, Hoveden, and Simeon Dunelmensis, record it. And then held a great Parliamentary Council at O…encester (or Cirencester) wherein he banished Duke Ethelward. And this year as Radulphus de Diceto informs us,Proposit. 2, 5, 6, 10. Rex Canutus CONSILIO CLERI ET PROCERUM; by the Counsel of his Clergy and Nobles (most likely assembled in this Council at Cirencester) and especially of his Queen Emma, he placed Monks in the Monastery of Badricesworth, wherein the bodie of King Edmond the Martyr resteth, removing the Secular Priests from thence. Matthew Westminster thus relates it. Consilio Emmae Reginae, et EPISCOPORUM, SIMUL ET BARONUM ANGLIAE Monachos in eo constituit, &c. Caenobium quoque beati Regis et Martyris Edmundi tot praediis et bonis aliis ampliavit, ut omnibus ferè Angliae Monasteriis, in rebus temporalibus meri…o praeferatur.

Sir Edward Cook in his Preface to his 9. Reports,Anno 1021. out of an antient Manuscript of the Abbey of St. Edmonds, which he said, was in his custody, gives us this account of a Parliament held at Winchester, in the 5. year of King Cnute his reign, (Anno 1021.)

[b][b]Spelmanni Concilia, p. 534.Haec sunt Statuta Canuti Regis Anglorum, Danorum, Norwegiarum, Venerando Sapientum ejus consilio, ad laudem et gloriam Dei, et sui Regalitatem, et commune commodum, habito in Sancto Natali Domini apud Winton, &c.

Rex Canutus anno regni sui 5. viz. per centum et triginta annos ante compilationem Decretorum, quae Anno p. 232Dom. 1150. fuerunt compilata anno septimo Pontificatus Papae Eugen…i …ertii, et ante compilationem aliorum Canonum quorumcunque, Cunctos Regni sui Praelatos, Proceresque ac Magnates ad suum convocans Parliamentum, Proposit. 5, 6, 10.in suo publico Parliamento, persisten…bus personaliter in eodem Wu…tano et Adelnodo Archiepiscopis et Ailwino Episcopo Elmhamense, et aliis Episcopis, ipsorum suffraganeis, septem Ducibus, cum totidem Comitibus, necnon diversorum Monasteriorum nonnullis Abbatibus, cum quamplurimis gregariis Militibus, ac cum populi multitudine copiosa, ac Omnibus tunc in eodem Parliamento personalitur exisientibus, Votis Regiis unanimiter consentientibns, praeceptum et decretum fuit, Quod Monasterium Sancti Edmondi, &c. sit ab omni Iurisdictione Episcoporum Comitatus illius, ex tunc in perpetuum funditus liberum et exemptum, &c. Illustris Rex Hardicanutus, praedicti Regis Canuti filius, haeres et successor, ac sui Patris Vestigiorum devotus imitator, &c. cum laude et favore Aegelnodi Doroberniensis, nunc Catuariensis, et Alfrici Eborac. Episcoporum, aliorumque Episcoporum Suffraganeis, necnon Cunctorum Regni sui mundanorum Principum, descriptum constituit, roboravi…que praeceptum.

That (which this Manuscript stiles so often a Parliament, held at Winchester, in the 5th year of King Cnute (of which there is not one Syllable in any of our Historians) is as I conceive, that which Matthew Westminster, Wigorniensis, Hoveden, and Simeon Dunelmensis stile CONCILIUM, ET MAGNUM CONCILIUM, &c. held at Cirencester or Orencester, not Winchester, the 4th year of his reign: wherin by the Counsel of Queen Emma, and of his Bishops and Barons, he placed Monks in the Monasterie of Bederichesiorthe, where St. Edmund was interred; and endowed the Monastery of St. Edmond with so many farmes and other goods, as made it one of the richest in all England, as p. 233those Historians witness; Whose Name and date the ignorant com…iler o… this Manuscript mistook; whose Antiquitie and reputation is very suspi…ious, as [b][b]Concilia, p. 534.Sir Henry Spelman informs us. First, because Sir Henry could never gain the sight of it from Sir Edward Cook, though he oft-times promised to lend it him to peruse for his satisfaction. And that which dares not abide the sight and test of such a judicious learned Antiquary, when desired, may justly be deemed an Imposture. 2ly. Sir Henry Spelman conceives the Author of this Manuscript, writ not before the end of King Henry the 3d, if so soon, seeing he calls the Great Council of the Realm, so frequently a Parliament, which Title was not given it in Manuscripts or Historians, till the end of King Henry the 3d. or a…ter his reign; And Wigorniensis, Matthew Westminster, Hoveden, and Simeon Dunelmensis, all stile it onelyonly CONCILIUM, not Parliamentum. 3ly. Because he certainly mistakes in his Chronology in making Aegelnoth Archbishop of Canterbury in the reign of King Hardecnute, when as he died and Eadsi was made Archbishop thereof two years before Hardicnu…es reign, which Eadsi crown'd him King, as Matt. Westminster, An. 1038. together with Matthew Parker and Godwin, attest. And therefore he might as grosly mistake in other things. 4ly, It appears by the recital it self, that it was writ above 130 years at least after this Council under Cnute, because it recites, it preceeded the Decrees made so long after, under Pope Eugenius, An. 1150. 5ly. The form of the Prologue, Haec sunt Statuta, &c. coupled with, ad suum convocans Parliamentum in suo publico Parliamento: and, aliis Episcopis ipsorum Suffraganeis, prove it not to be written before King Edward the first his reign; when such phrases came first in vse: Sir Edward Cooke himself informing us in his Epistle, that in Cnute his reign, such State-Assemblies were stiled Uenerandum Concilium Sapientum, & sic enim apu… p. 234majores Parliamentum illud Latine redditur. 6ly, Becau…e it …ubjoins, cum quamplurimis gregar…s militibus, ac cum populi multitudine copiosa, as if …hey had been personally present in this Parliamentary Council, as well as the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Dukes and Nobles; of which there is not one syllable in our four antient Historians, which mention this Council at Cirencester. Neither can these Gregarii milites be intended Knights of shires; nor populi multitudine copiosa, Commoners or Burgesses elected to serve in Parliament by and for the people, (as Sir Edward Cooke and others fancy) there being no m…ntion of any such chosen Kngih…s of Counties, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons in that or succeeding ages, till about the reign of King H…nry the 3d. but only, ordinary Souldiers, and the Vulgar sort of people, admitted to be present in the Council at the reading and passing of the Charter to St. Edmond, as they are now admitted into the Lords House, together with the Knights and Burgesses at the beginnings and ending of our Parliaments, and upon publike Trials, Conferences and Occasions; at which times there are more common people ten to one usually present to see and hear what is acted, who are no members, then there are Members of the Commons House, which never sate together with the Lords for ought appears, much less in this Parliament, as some confidently inferr …rom this Spurious A…tiquity; which Sir Edward Cooke (little versed in Antiquities, and oft mistaken in them) so much magnifies and insists on.

In the year of Christ 1021. (d)(d)Mat. West: Florent. Wigorn. Sim. Dunelm. Huntindon, and Hoveden.King Cnute, uppon occasions and offences taken by him, banished Duke An…o 1021.Turkell (to whom he had formerly committed East-England) with Edgitha his wife; and Hirc Duke of Northumberland, out of England. Turkell no sooner arived in Denmark, but he was there slain by the Dukes of the Country, by divine vengeance, he being a chief inciter of the death of St. Alphege.Proposit. 2.

p. 235Mat. Westm. Flores Hist. p. 404.The English & Danes, An. 1022.Anno 1022. in Colloquio apud Oxoniam celebrato, de Legibus Regi Edwardi pr…mitenendis coucor…es facti sunt. Unde …isdem Legibus, jubente Rege Cnutone, ab Anglica lingua in Latinam translatis: tàm in Dania quàm in Anglia… propter earum aequitatem Proposit. 5.à Rege praefato observari jubentur, as Mat. Westminster relates, Anno 1022. So as he imposed no New Laws on them, nor revived old, but only by common consent in a Parliamentary Council both of English and Danes.

(f)(f)Mat. VVest, p. 404. Malmsbury, De Gestis Regum, l. 2. c. 11King Cnute in the year 1023.Anno 1023. did so carefully endeavour to reform all things wherein him…elf or his Ancestors had offended, as he seemed to wipe away Prioris Injustitiae Naevum, the Blot of his former Injustice, as well with God as with men. And by the exhortation of Queen Emma studying to reconcile all the Proposit. 5.English to himself he bestowed many Gifts upon them, et insuper bonas Leges omnibus et placentes promisit: and moreover promised good and pleasing Lawes to all. The best means to win and knit the peoples hearts.

[e][e]Mat. VVest. p. 405. Huntindon, Hist. l. 6. p. 364. Malmsbury de G…stis Reg. l. 2. c. 11.Anno 1024.Anno 1024. Cnute leading an Army of English and Danes against the Swedes, whereof he lost many in the first battel, the next day, when he appointed again to fight with them, Earl Godwin, General of the Enlish Militia, without King Cnutes privity, resolved with his English forces alone to invade the Swedish Enemies in the night. Whereupon using this Speech to his Souldiers, ut pristinae gloriae memores, robur suum oculis novi Domini assererent, &c. they al… valiantly assaulted the Enemies at unawares, put them all to flight,Proposit. 8. slew an innumerable multitude of them, and compelled the Kings of that Nation, Ulf and Eglaf, to yield to terms of Peace. Cnute preparing to fight very early the next morning, thought the English had been either fled away, or revo…ted to the Enemies; but marching to the Enemies tents, and finding nothing but the bloud and carcasses of those the English p. 236had slain; he thereupon ever after had the English in great esteem; who by this their Victory Comitatum Duci, sibi laudem paraverunt, writes Malmsbury; Cnute returning joyfull of this Victory into England, and bestowing an Earldom on Godwin for this Service.

Anno 1…27. to 1030.In the year 1027. Cnute hearing that the Norwegians disesteemed Olaus their King by reason of his simplicity,[h][h]Florentius VVigorniensis, Simeon Dunelm, Hoveden, Mat. Westmin. Anno 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030. Radulf. de Diceto, Bromton, Huntindon, and others. bribed his Nobles with great sums of gold and silver to reject Olaus, and elect him for their King; which they promising to do, the next year he failed into Norwey with 50 ships, thrust Olaus out of his kingdom, by consent of his Nobles, and subdued his Realm to himself: whe…ce returning into England, An. 1029. H…conem Danicum Comitem, quasi Legationis causa, in Exilium misit, because he had maried Gunilda a Noble ma…ron, daughter of the King of Vandals, unde metuebat, ab illo vel à vitâ privari, vel à regno expelli: who was after drowned in the Sea, or slain in the Orcades, Proposit. 2.5, 6.Anno 1030. In which year Robert Duke of Normandy going to Hierusalem, Apud Fis…hamium PROCERES AD COLLOQUIUM VOCAVIT; ibique Gulielmum filium suum, haeredem sibi constituens, fecit omnes ei fidelitatem jurare. And the same year the Norwegians cruelly murdered Olaus their King, Doctor, Preacher and Apostle with an ax. Indignabatur enim Gens illa pagana et cruentissima, QUOD PRIMAS LEGES et superstitiosas idem sanctus Rex Olaus praedicando, docendo, evangelizando, statuendo evacuaret. But Cnutes gold was the prime cause thereof, to get his Crown as he had done his Realm and Edmond Ironsides; for whose soul he prayed, and offered a rich embroydered Pale on his Tomb at Glastonbury, Anno 1026. Hoc autem fecisse creditur, ne in mortem ejus, cui in certamine singulari confoederatus fuerat, consenssisse videretar, writes [i][i]Flores …ist. …. …05.Mat. Westminster.

p. 237[k][k]Ingulphi Hist. p. 893.894. VVill. Malmsbury de Gestis Regum, l. 2. c. 11. p. 74. Mat. VVestm. p. 407, 408. Hoveden, Annal. pars 1. p. 437. Flor. VVigorn, p. 394, 395. Radulph. de Diceto, Abbrev. Chron. col. 468. Bromton, col. 912. Polych…on. l. 6. c. 20. Sim Dunelm. p. 178. Fabian, Holinshed, Grafton, Speed, and others.King Cnute, Anno 1031,Anno 1031. (to palliate his Usurpations of other mens Crowns with the shew of Devotion travelled to Rome in very great pomp, where he offered very great gifts in gold, silver, rich vestments, and pretious stones; and obtained from Pope Iohn, That the English School should be frée from Tribute. In his going and returning he not only gave large a…ms to the poor… but likewise removed and deleted many unjust Tolls and Taxes, exacted from such who travelled to Rome, giving a Great price to abolish them. He solemnly vowed to God before the Sepulcher of the Apostle Peter, a reformation both of his life and manners. In pursuance whereof, he writ a Letter from Rome to the Archhishops of Canterbury and Yorke, all the Bishops, Nobles, and Rulers, and to the whole English Nation, as well Nobles as Plebeans; wherein he certified them, That he had procured from the Emp. of Germany, King Radolphus, the Pope, and other Princes, a release of all unjust Tolls and Taxes exacted of his people as they travelled out of devotion towards Rome, and of the vast sums of money which the Archbishops paid to the Pope for their Palls. Proposit. 1, 2, 4.After which he in forms them, That he had vowed to justify his life to God himself in all things; To govern the Kingdoms and Nations under his subjection justly and piously; To observe just judgement in all things; and if through the Intemperance or negligence of his youth he had hitherto done any Nota.things besides that which was IVST, that he promised by Gods assistance to reform it all. Therefore I obtest and command all my Counsellors, to whom I have committed the Co…nsels and Iustice of my Realm, that by no means, either for fear of me, or through favour to any potent person, they should from henceforth doe any Injustice, or cause it to sprout up in all my kingdom. Likewise I command all the Sheriffs and Officers throughout my Realm, as they desire to enjoy my favour or their own safety, that they do No unjust violence to any Man, neither to rich nor p. 238poor; but it shall be lawfull for all, as well Noble as Ignoble to enjoy justice and right: from which they might not deviate in any manner, neither for Regal favour, nor for the person of any potent man, nec propter mihi congerendam pecuniam, quia nulla mihi necessitas est, ut iniqua exactione pecunia mihi congeratur; nor yet for raising o… heaping up money to me: Because there is no necessity for me (and let those who now plead Necessity both …or their own illegal imposing, levying of unjust uncessant heavy Taxes, Imposts, Excises on our Nations, without grant and common consent in Parliam…n… consider it) that money should be raised and collected for my use by an injust exaction. After this he en…oyns them by thi… Letter; To pay all Debts and Duties due by the antient Law; as Tithes of their corn and cattel, Peter-pence, and First fruits at the Feasts appointed, under pain of the penalties inflicted by the Laws, which he would strictly exact without pardon: Neither was he wor…e than his word… writes [l][l]De Ges…is Regum, l. 2. c. 11Malmsbury) for he commanded all the Laws made by antient Kings, and especially by his predecessor King Ethelred, to be for ever observed, under pain of a regal mulct. To the custody of all which ancient Laws, Even now (writes he) our Kings are sworn, under the name of King Edwards Lawes, non quod illa statuerit, sed observaverit. And [m][m]Flores Histor. p. 408.Matthew Westminster records further; V…cecomitibus Regni Angliae et Praepositis, districtè mandav…, ut nulli hominum vim inferant, nec propter pecuniam fisco reponendam in aliquo a Iustitia deviant, dum non habeat necessitatem de peccato pecuniam a…augere.

If this Forein Danish Conqueror and Usurper of the Crown of England… quod Bellico Iure ob…inebat, e… armorum violentia; as [n][n]Chronica, col. 1782.Willi…m Thorne records, was at last so just and equal to the English, as to reform all his former extravagant acts of Injustice, Exactions, Oppressions, to rel…ase all unjust Taxes, Exactions, Oppressions, p. 239and not to exact or raise any monies unjustly on the people, upon any real or pretended necessity, without their common consent in Parliament, by any of his Officers, should not our own English Conquerors, & domineering Grandees, now much more imitate this his laudable Example, who pretend not only to equal but exceed him in Saintship, Justice, Devotion, & no longer to oppress the griev'd people with their arbitrary Tyrannical Taxes, Excises, Imposts, extravagan… violent poceedings in new wayes of highest Injustice, as hitherto they have done, against all their Oaths, Covenants, Declarations, promises, and Engagements to the Nation.

King Cnute returning from Rome into England, Anno 1032.Anno 1032. treated the English very justly and civilly,(o)(o)Ingulphi Historia, p. 892, 893. confessed redressed his own former and his ancestors extortions, oppressions, rapines, endowed many Monasteries with lands and priviledges, and ratified them with his Charters. Hereupon Brithmerus Abbot of Croyland. Cum Cnutonem Regem super Angliam stabilitum cerneret, universos Anglios civiliter & satis amicabiliter tractare, insuper sanctam Ecclesiam speciali devotione deligere, ac filiali subjectione honorare, monasteriis multisque sanctorum locis benè facere, quaedam verò Monasteria ad summam gloriam promovere, thereupon resolved to go to the King, & procure his Charter of confirmation of the Abbey, Lands & liberties of Croyland, quorundam adversariorum, qui tempore guerrae multum creverant, vim formidans. Which Charter he readily obtained in these memorable words, wherein he acknowlegeth his rapines and bloodshed to posterity. Cnutus Rex totius Angliae & Danmarchiae, & Norwagiae, & magnae partis Swavorum, omnibus Provinciis, nationibus & populis meae potestati Subjectis,Proposit. 1, 2, 4. tam minoribus quam majoribus salutem. Cum terram Angliae, progenitores mei & parentes DURIS EXTORTIONIBUS, & DIRIS DEPR AEDATIONIBUS p. 240SAEPIUS OPPRESSERUNT, Et (fateor) INNOCENTEM SANGUINEM FREQUENTER IN EA EFFVDERVNT, studium meum â principio regni mei fuit, & semper erit in futurum, tam penes caelum quam penes seculum, PROPTER HAEC MEA PECCATA, ET PARENTVM MEORVM SATISFACERE, & statum totius sanctae matris Ecclesiae, & uniuscujusque Monasterii sub Imperio meo constituti, cum in aliquo meo patrocinio indiguerint, devotione debita emendare, omnesque sanctos Dei per haec, & alia bona opera mihi in meis necessitatibus reddere benignos, ac deprecationibus meis favorabiles & placatos. Ideo in arras hujus meae satisfactionis, offero sancto Gu…hlaco de Croyland, & caeteris sanctis ejusdem loci de substantia mea unum calicem; confirmans Brithmero Abbati, & Monachis suis totum Monasterium suum Croylandiae, cum insula cicumjacente, & duobus Mariscis adjacentibus, scilicet, Arderlound, & Goggislound eisdem terminis & limitibus, quibus in Chirographo inclyti, quondam Regis Edredi restauratoris sui dicta insula, dictique duo Marisci satis apertè describuntur. Confirmo etiam omnes Ecclesias & Capellas, terras & tenementa, libertates & privilegia in ejusdem Regis Chirographo contenta, cum quibus omnibus dictus Rex Edredus dictum Monasterium Croylandiae ad honorem Dei, & S. Guthlaci confessoris sui corporaliter in ea requiescentis dotavit, donavit, ditavit, & suo Chirographo confirmavit. Nullus que hominum meorum audeat à modo dictos Monachos inquietare, vel in aliquo conturbare proprae dictis. Quod si quis facere praesumserit, vel tentaverit usurpare, vel gladii mei sentiet aciem, vel gladii paenam sacrilegis debitam subibitabsque omni remissione, & redemptione puniendus, juxta modum et mensuram injuriae dictis Monachis irrogatae. Ego Cnutus Rex anno Dominicae incarnationis: 1032. Londoniis istud meum Chirographum p. 241signo sanctae crucis confirmavi. ✚ Then follow the subscriptions of both the Archbishops, sundry Bishops, Abbots, Earls and others.

The same year 1012. King Cnute granted and confirmed to the Abbot of Glastonbury, (p)(p)Malmes…. de Gest. Reg. l. 2. c. 11. Spelman. Concil. p. 517.the Conusance of all ecclesiastical and secular causes within the Island of Glastonbury, by a special Charter, Cum Consilio & Decreto Archipraesulis nostri Edelnothi, …mulque cunctorum Dei Sacerdotum, Proposit. 10.& Consensu Optimatum meorum; as the words of the Charter atte…, to the end it might be valid in Law. And the self same year King Cnute commanded Elstan, Abbot of S…. Augustines in Canterbury to repair to him at the Feast of Pentecost, concerning the translation of the Corps of St. Mildretha to that Monastery, ut translationem faciendam, ipse Rex, per concessionem Procerum, & per literas suas firmius confirmaret, as (q)(q)Col. 1910, 2127.William Thorn in his Chronicle relates.

King Cnute in the year 1033.Anno 1033. on the Feast of Christs Nativity,[r][r]Chron. Ioh. Bromt. col. 914. to 932. Lambardi Archaion, Spelm. Concil. p. 538. to 570. Fox Acts and Mon, vol. 1. p. 211, 212. held a Parliamentary Council at Winchester, where, Uenerando Sapientum ejus Consilio, by the venerable Counsel of his Wisemen, he made and published sundry excellent Ecclesiastical and Civil Laws for the good government of the Church and Realm, to the praise of God, the honour of his Regality, and common good of the People, being 103 in the Saxon and 110 in the Latine Copies. His 61 Ecclesiastical Law thus resolves, against the Anti-Magistratical opinion of this licentious age,Proposit. 5, 6, 1, 2, 4. Christiano Regi …ure pertinet, ut injurias Deo factas vindicet, secundum quod acciderit.

His Civil Laws begin thus. Haec est institutio Legum secularium, quam communi Sapientum meorum Consilio, per totam Angl…m…n ri… …r…cipi… Imp…im…s volo, u… Iustae Leges erigantur, et injustae sub vertantur, et omnis Injustitia modis omnibus saerculetur, & a modo omnis homo dignus publica rectitudine reputetur, p. 242pa…per & dives quicunque …it, & eis justa judicia judicentur. I shall transcribe only …ome few of his Laws per…inent to my Theam.

Lex 25. Prohibemus ne Christianus aliquis penitus pro parva re saltem ad mortem deducatur. Sed justitia pacificans pro necessitate populi exquiratur, ne pro levi re, opus manuum Dei, & sui ipsius pretium, quod profundè redemit desperet

Lex 26. Praecipimus nè Christiani passim in exil…o vendantur, vel in Gentilitatem, nè fortè pereant animae quas propria vita sua mercatus est Dominus noster Ihesus Christus.

Proposit. 9.Lex 31. Omnis Injustitia deinceps opprimatur, Burgbotam & Brigbotam, & Scipforthunga & Frothunga, qui Navigii vel expeditionis sonant appara…um, sedulo procuremus… cum necesse fuerit ad commune regni nostri commodum. Et perquiramus simul modis omnibus quo modo praecipuum possit consilium ad profectum populi obtineri, rectaque Christianitas propensius erigi, & quicquid in…ustum est solertius enervari.

Lex 34. Si quis deinceps V…lage, i. e. non legem erigat, vel injustum judicium judicet, pro laesione, vel aliqua pecuniae susceptione, sit erga Regem, CXX s. reus in Anglorum laga, nisi cum juramento audeat inveritare, quod rectius nescivit judicare… & dignitatem suae legalitatis semper amittat si non e…m redimat erga Regem, sicut ei permitte…ur. In Denelaga Lathslithes, reus sit si non juxet quod melius nescivit.

Lex 36. Qui aliquem accusare praesumat, unde pecuniae vel commodo pejor sit, & denique mendacium pernoscatur, linguam suam perdat, vel Weregildo redimatur.

Lex 37. Nemo Regem requiret de Iustitia facienda dum ei rectum offertur in Hundredo suo, & requiratur Hundredum secundum Witam, sicut justum est.

Lex 38. Et habeatur in anno ter Burgimotus, & p. 243Scyremotus bis, nisi saepius sit necesse. Et intersit Episcopus et Aldermannus; et doceant ibi Dei rectum et seculi.

Lex 59. Non est in aliquo tempore concessa INJUSTITIA, et tamen Injustitia est festis diebus et sanctificatis locis propensius interdicta. Semperque sicu… homo potentior est, vel majoris ordinis, sic debet solertius pro Deo et seculo quod justum est emenda…e. Et ideo gratam emendationem sedulo per quiramus de Scripturis Sanctis, et secularem juxta legem seculi.

Lex 83. Si quis de morte Regis vel Domini sui quoquo Proposit. 8.modo traectaverit, vitae suae reus sit, …t omnium quae habebit, nisi triplici judicio se purget.

Lex 91. Si quis Burgbotam, vel Brigbotam 1. burgi vel pontis refectionem, vel Firdfare, 1. in exercitum ire supersedeat, emendet hoc erga Regem C.xx. s. in Anglorum laga; in Denelaga sicut Lex stepit antea, vel ita se adlegiet, nominentur ei 14. et acquirat ex eis 11.

Lex 96. Haec est allevi…tio quam omni populo meo praevidere volo, in quibus nimis omnino fuerant aggravati. Praec…pio Praepositis meis omnibus ut in proprio meo lucrentur, et inde mihi serviant. Et nemo cogatur ad firmae adjutorium aliquid dare, nisi sponte sua velit. Et si quis aliquem inde gravabit, Werae suae reus sit orga Regem.

Lex 97. Si quis ex hac vita decedat sine distributione rerum suarum, vel per incustodiam… vel per mortem improvisam, non usurpet dominus ejus de pecunia (nisi quantum ad justam Relevationem pertinet, quae Anglicè vocatur Hereget) sed sit secundnm dictionem ejus ipsa pecunia recte divisa, uxori, pueris et propinquis, unicuique secundum modum qui ad eum pertinet. Et sint Relevationes ità minutae sicut modus est. Comitis, sicut ad eum per…inet, hoc est, octo equi, quatuor sellati, quatuor insellati, et galeae quatuor, et loricae quatuor, cum octo lanceis et totidem scutis, et gladii quatuor… et CC. marcae auri. Postea Thayni regis qui ei proximus sit, quatuor equi, duo sellati, et duo p. 244insellati; et duo gladii, et quatuor la…ceae, et totidem scuta, et galea cum lorica sua, et 50. marcae auri. Et mediocris Thayni, equus cum apparatu suo, et arma sua, vel suum Halsfang. in Westsaxia, in Mircenis ij l. in Estanglia, ij. l. Et si notus sit Regi, equi duo, unus cum sella et alius sine sella, et unus gladius, et duae lanceae, et totidem scuta, et 50 marcae auri. Et qui minus potest, det duas libras.

Proposit. 4, 9.Lex 104. Et qui fugiat à Domino vel socio suo pro timiditate in Exped…tione navali vel terrestri, per dat omne quod suum est, et suam …psius vitam, et manus mittat Dominus ad terram quam ei antea dederat. Et si terram haereditariam habeat, ipsa in manum regis transeat.

Lex 105. Et qui in bello a…te Dominum suum ceciderit, s…t hoc in terra, sit alibi, sint relevatitones condonatae: et ha… be…nt haeredes ejus terram sicut et pecuniam suam, et rectè dividant inter se.

Lex 107. Et volo ut omnis homo pacem habeat eundo ad Gemo…um, v…l rediens de Gemoto, id est placito, nisi sit fur probatus.

Lex 110. Qui leges istas apostabit quas Rex modo nobis omnibus indulsit, sit Dacus, sit Anglus, Werae suae reus sit erga reg…m. Et si secundo faciat, reddat bis Weram suam. Si quis addat tertio, r…us sit omnium quae habebit.

In the rest of his Lawes all corporal and pecuniary penalties and fines for all sorts of Offences and Crimes, are reduced to a certainty, and none left arbitrary; and by Lex 104, 105. it is evident, that the Military Laws, as wel as the Civil & Ecclesiastical, were made in and by advice and direction of the Great Councils.

The [s][s]Col. 913.Chronicle of Bromton informs us, that King Cnute, per Chartam suam à se et haeredibus suis dedit, quàm cito post in Parliamento suo apud Wintoniam Proposit. 6, 10.(when and where …hose Laws were made) coram omnibus Regni sui Magnatibus confirmavit, gave and confirmed the Manors of Hornyng, Ludham and Netershede p. 245to the Monastery of Cowholm in Northfolke: And that one Maynard riding towards this Parliamentary Council, brake his neck, who had so incensed the King against Wulfri… and the Monks of this Monastery, that he threatned to put …hem to death. What lands and privileges he gave by his Charters to St. Cuthberts Church in Durham, Christs-Church in Canterbury, and other Monasteries, the (m)(m)Malmesb De Ges…is Reg l. 2. c. 11. Sim Dunelmensis, Hist. de Eccl. Dunelm. l. 3. c. 8. Evidentiae Eccles. Christi Cantuar col. 2223.2225, &c. Chron. Will. Thorne, col. 1782.1908, 1909, 1910.Marginal Authors will inform us.

About the year 1034.Anno 1034. [u][u]Mat. Westm. Anno 1035. p. 409. Hen. Huntindon, Hist. l. 6. p. 364. Radulphus de Diceto, Abbrev. Chron. col. 468, 469. Chron. Iohann. Bromton, col. 911, 912. Polych…on. l. 6. c. 20. Hen. de Knyghton de Eventib. Angl. l. 1. c. 5. Fox Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. p. 211. Speeds History, p. 401. Mr. Seldens Mare Clausum, l. 2. c. c. 12. Fabian, part. 6. c. 206. Polydor Virgil, Holinshed, and others in his life…King Cnute having obtained the Soveraign Dominion of England, Scotland, Norwey, a great part of Sweden, and of all Denmarke principally by the Sword, through the flattery of his followers, who stiled him, a King of all Kings, most mighty Soveraign, and the like, who had under his subjection & Dominion not only the People and Land but the Sea likewise; & also by reason of his Great Dominions, was so much elevated with pride of heart, that he once commanded the royal Throne of his Empire to be placed on the Sea shore near the water, as the Sea was flowing in upon it: and then stepping up into his Throne & sitting in it, he spake thus to the Sea in an imperious manner, as if he were absolute Sovereign of it. Tu meae ditionis es, &c. Thou art under my Dominion and part of my Empire, and the land on which I sit is mine, neither is there any one in it who dares resist my command, without punishment. Therefore I now command thee, that thou ascend and come not up upon my land, nor yet presume to wet my royal robes, nor the feet or Members of thy Soveraign. But the Sea, notwithstanding this Inhibition, ascending after its accustomed manner and nature, and no wayes obeying his commands, wet both his feet, legs and royal Robes, without any revernce. Whereupon the King leaping hastily out of his Throne, almost over-late, and retiring from the waves; used these words: L…t all p. 246the Inhabitants of the world know, that the power of Kings is but vain and frivolous, and that no man is worthy the name of a King, but he alone, to whose beck both Heaven, Earth and the Sea obey by everlasting Laws. Henry de Knyghton superaddes thereto as part of his Speech, which most others omit. I am a Wretch and a Captive able to do nothing, possessing nothing wi…hout his gift; I commend; I recommend my self to him, and let him be the Gardian of debili…y, Amen. After which King Cnute never wore his Crown upon his head, but put it upon the head of the Crucifix at Winchester (as most accord) to the praise of the great King, thereby giving a great example of humility to Kings and Conquerors; who in the height of all their power, can not command the Sea or least wave not to flow or wash them. Henry de Knyghton conceives this to be before his pilgrimage to Rome; others expresly record it was after his return from thence, whose computation I here follow, and therefore place it in this year.

In the year of our Lord 1035. King Cnute, a little before his death,Anno 1035. made this partition of his kingdoms amongst his Sons.(u)(u)Malmesb. Mat. VVestm. VVigorn. Sim. Dunelmensis, Bromton, Huntindon, Hoveden, Knyg…ton, Polychronicon, Fabian, Holinshed, Grafton, Speed, Radulphus de Diceto, Fox, and others. Swane his son by Q. Algiva (or as some affirm of a Priests wife suborned by Algiva as her own) he made King of Norwey; his Son Harde-Cnute by Queen Emma, he caused to be crowned King of Denmark; as Wigorniensis, Hoveden, and others write, yet some gainsay it, that he made his Son Harold King of England, and soon after died at Shaftesbury, November, 12. 1035. and was buried at Winchester. Immediatly after his decease the Nobles met at Oxford about the election of a new King… which our Historians thus express. Convenerunt apud Oxoniam ad Colloquium (as Mat. Westm.) or Placitum magnum (as Huntindon and others stile it) Proceres Regni, Proposit. 6.Vt de novo Rege creando tractarent ibidem. All the Nobles of the Realm assembled in a great Parliamentary Council or Court at Oxford, that they might consult about the electiction p. 247of a New King (which they would not have done had Harold been made King of England before by Cnute in his life time.… Leofric, Earl of Chester, and the rest of the Nobles on the Northside of the Thames, with all the Danish Princes and Londoners (who by conversing with the Danes amongst them, were corrupted wi…h their vices, and addicted to their party) elected Harold Son of Cnute by his Concubine Algiva, (whom …ome aver to be the son of a Tayler) for their King; But Godwin Earl of Kent, with the Princes of the Western part of England, contradicting them, would rather have elected Harde-Cnute, son of Cnute by Queen Emma, or one of the Sons of King E…helred and Emma, then in Normandy. After great strife and debate between the Nobles about the Election, because Harold was there personally present; but Harde-Cnute then in Denmark, and Alfred and Edward in Normandy, Harolds party prevailed against Earl Godwins, qui tandem vi & numero minor, cessit violentiae. Whereupon Harold was presently crowned King at Oxford by Elnothus Archbishop of Canterbury, though at first he was very unwilling to perform that service. For it is (x)(x)Holinshed, Hist. l. 7. c. 13. p. 182. Speed… Hist. p. 404. See Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. & Godwin in …is life.reported of him, that he having the regal Scepter and Crown in his custody, refused with an Oath to consecrate any other for King, so long as Queen Emma her children were living; for (said she) Cnute committed them to my trust and assurance, and to them will I give my faith and allegiance. This Scepter and Crown therefore I here lay down upon the Altar, neither do I deny nor deliver them to you; but I require by the Apostolick Authority, all Bishops, that none of them presume to take the same away, neither that they consecrate him King therewith; as for your self, if you dare, you may usurp that which I have committed to God on this Table. Notwithstanding this great thunderclap being allayed with the showers of Golden promises of his just, good, and religious government intended (though present experience manifested the contrary) he was crowned by him Anno p. 248Anno. 1035. Henry Huntindon and others write, That they elected him King, only to keep the kingdom for his Brother Harde-Cnute then in Denmark: Harold and the Nobles of West-Sex, who opposed his election, upon advice taken, resolved, that Qneen Emma wife of the deceased King, should keep West-Sex and Winchester for the use of her Son Harde Cnute, and that Earl Godwin should be their Captain in military affairs. Roger Hoveden, and others record, That Harold being elected King by the consent of the major part of the Nobles of England, obtained the royal dignity, and began to reign, quia justus haeres, because he was a lawfull heir; yet he reigned not so powerfully as Cnute, quia justior haeres expectabatur Harde Cnutus, because a ju…ter heir Ha…de Cnute was expected: By reason of this disagreement amongst the Nobles, to please both parties; the kingdom of England was therupon divided by Lot; Harold enjoying the Northern part thereof, and Harde-Cnutes friends retaining the Southern part of it for his use.

No sooner was Harold crowned King, but to secure himself the better in his Throne, he presently posted to Winchester with his forces, where tyrannically and forcibly taking away all the Treasures and goods which Cnute had left to Queen Emma his Mother-in-law,Proposit. 2. he banished her out of England into Flanders; (some write, she was thus banished by the secret Counsel and treachery of Earl Godwin, whom she had made General of her forces for her preservation, who proved unconstant, and a Traytor to her and her children) where in this her distresse she was honourably entertained by Earl Baldwin.

In the year 1036. Alfred eldest Son of King Ethelred comming over to claim his right in the Crown, was with his Norman associates, betrayed, and murdered by the treachery of Earl Godwin, of which I finde these several different relations in our Historians.

p. 249[y][y]An. 1036. p. 410.Matthew Westminster, Ranulphus Cistrensis, and others out of them record; that Alfred being in Normandy, and hearing of the death of Cnute, came into England with 23. chosen ships full of Souldiers, ut paternum regnum de Iure sibi debitum, vel pacificè, vel si necessitas cogeret, armatorum praesidio obtineret; that he might obtain his fathers kingdom, of right due unto him, either peaceably, or if necessity compelled, by force of arms. Who ariving with his forces at Sandwich Port, came as far as Canterbury: When Godwin Earl of Kent knew of his comming, he went to meet him, and receiving him in his fidelity, the very next night following compleated …he part of the Traytor Iudas upon him and his fellow-Souldiers. For after kisses of peace given, and joyful banquets, in the silence of the midnight, when as Alfred and his companions had given their Members to sleep, they were all taken unarmed in their beds, suspecting no harm, by a multitude of armed men rushing in upon them, and their hands being tyed behind their backs, they were compelled to sit down in order one by another: Where sitting in this manner, nine of them were always beheaded, but the tenth dismissed, and his life reserved for a …ime: These things were acted at Gildeford, a royal Town. But when it seemed to be Traitor Godwin, that there were more yet remaining alive of them, than was profitable, he cōmanded them to be tithed over again, as before, and so very few of them remained alive. But young Alfred, every way worthy of royal honour, he sent bound to the City of London, to King Harold, (that therby he might find greater favor with him) with those few of his followers who remained undecimated. So soon as the King saw young Alfred, he caused him …o be sent to the Isle of Ely, and there to have his eyes pulled out; of the pain whereof he soon after died; but he slew all his Souldiers too perniciously.

Florentius Wigorniensis, Roger de Hoveden, Simeou p. 250Dunelmensis, Radulphus de Diceto, Mr. Fox, and others relate, That the innocent Princes Alfred and Edward, sons of King Ethelred, came out of Normandy (where they had long resided with their Uncle Richard) into England, accompanied with many Norman Souldiers, transpor…ed in a few ships, to conferr with their Mother Emma, …hen residing at Winchester. Which some potent men, especially Earl Godwin (…s was reported) took very unworthily and grievously, because (licet injustum …sset) although it were unjust, they were more devoted to Harold than to Alfred. Whereupou Harold perswaded King Harde-Cnute and the Lords, not to suffer those Normans to be within the Realm for jeopardy, but rather to punish them for example; by which means he got authority to order the matter himself; Wherefore he met them on Guild-down, and there seised upon Prince Alfred, and retained him in close Prison when he was hastning towards London to conferr with King Harold, as he had commanded: And apprehending all his followers, he ransacked some of them, others of them he put in chains, and afterwards put out their eyes; some of them he tormented and punished, by pulling off the skin from their heads, and cutting off their hands and feet; many of them he likewise commanded to be sold; and slew 600 men of them at Gildeford, with various and cruel deaths; whose Souls are believed now to rejoyce with the Saints in Paradice, seeing …heir bodies were so cruelly slain in the fields without any fault; which Queen Emma hearing of, sent back her son Edward, who remained with her, with greatest haste into Normandy. After which, by the command of Earl Godwin and some others, Prince Alfred being bound most straitly in chains, was carried Prisoner to the Isle of Ely by ship; where he no sooner arived, but his eyes were most cruelly pulled out, and so being led to the Monastery, was delivered to the Monks to be kept; where he p. 251soon after died, and was there interred. [z][z]Will. Caxton, Fox Acts & Monuments, Vol. 1. p. 210, 211.Some add, that after Alfreds eyes were put out, his belly was opened, and one end of his bowels drawn out and fastened to a stake, and his body pricked with sharp needles or poyneyards forced about, till all his intrails were extracted: in which most savage torture he ended his innocent life. Ranulphus Cistrensis in his Polychronicon. l. 6. c. 21. relates, that Godwin used this strange cruelty towards those Normans that came over with Alfred, whom he twice decimate… at Gildeford; that he …ipped up their bellies, and fastned the ends of their guts to stakes, that were reared and pyght in the ground, and laid the bodies about the stakes till the last end of the guts came out.

The Author of the Book called Encomium Emmae, and (a)(a)Speeds History, p. 405.Speed out of him, writes, That Harold was no sooner established King, but that he sought meanes how to rid Queen Emma secretly out of the way; and maliciously purposing took counsel, how he might train into his Hay the sons of Queen Emma, that so all occasions of danger against him, might at once for all be cut off. Many projects propounded, this lastly took effect; that a Letter should be counterfeited in Queen Emma's name unto her sons Edward and Alfred, …o instigate them to attempt the Crown usurped by Harold against their right. The Tenor of which Letter you may read in Speed. This Letter being cunningly carried, & digested by Alfred as savo…ing of no falshood, he returned answer, he would come shortly over to attend his Mothers designs: which Harold being informed of, forelayes the coasts to apprehand him. Upon his comming on shore in England, Earl Godwin met him, and binding his assurance with his corporal Oath, became his Leige-man and guide to Queen Emma; but being wrought firm for Harold, treacherously led these Strangers a contrary way, and lodging them at Guildford in several Companies, there tithed p. 252and murthered them as aforesaid.

[b][b]Historiarum, l. 6. p. 365.Henry Huntindon, the [c][c]Col. 935, 936.Chro…icle of Bromton, William Caxton in his Chronicle, and another Historian mentioned by [d][d]Acts and Monuments, Vol. 1. p. 210, 211. Graf…on, p. 178, 179.Mr. Fox, record, that this murther was after the death of King Harde-Cnute. When the Earls and Barons of England by common assent and counsel sent into Normandy for these two Brethren Alfred and Edward, intending to crown Alfred the elder Brother, and to make him King of England; and to this the Earls and Barons made their Oath. But Earl Godwin of West-Sax sought to slay these two brethren so soon as they came into England, to the intent he might make Harold (his own son by Cnutes daughter, or sister maried to him) King; as some of these affirm; Others of them relate, that he intended only to destroy Alfred, being an Englishman by the Father, but a Norman by the Mother, whom he foresaw to be a person of such honour and courage, that he would disdain to mary his daughter, or to be swayed by him; and then to mary his daughter Godith to Edward the younger Brother, and to make him King, as being of a more milde and simple disposition, apt to be ruled by him. Hereupon Godwin went to Southampton to meet with the two Brothers at their landing. It fell out, that the Messengers sent into Normandy, found only Alfred there, Edward being then gone into Hungarie to speak with his Cosen Edward the Outlaw, Ironsides son. When Alfred heard these Messengers tydings, he thanked God, and in all hast sped him to England, ariving at Southampton with some of his Mothers kinred, and many of his fellow-Souldiers of like age, who were Normans. Whereupon Godwin intimated to the Nobles of England, That Alfred had brought over too great a company of Normans with him, and had likewise promised the lands of the Englishmen to them, and therefore it would not be safe to instirpate such a valiant and crafty Nation amongst them. That these ought to undergoe exemplary p. 253punishment, lest others by reason of their alliance to the King, should presume to intrude themselves amongst the English. And then posting to Southampton, welcomed and received Alfred with much joy, pretending to conduct him …afe to London, where the Barons waited for to make him King, and expected his comming; and so they passed forth together towards London. But when they came to Guild-down, Godwin said to Alfred… Lock round about thee on thy right hand and left, and behold what a kingdom shall be subjugated to thy Dominion. Upon which Alfred giving thanks to God, presently promi…ed, that if i… happened he should be crowned King, He would constitute such Laws as should be pleasing and acceptable both to God and Man. Which words were no sooner uttered, but the Traytor Godwin commanded all his men to apprehend Alfred, and to slay all the Normans that came with him in his company: and after that to carry Alfred into the Isle of Ely, and there to put out both his eys, and to pull out his bowels; which they accordingly executed as aforesaid. And so died this innocent Alf…ed, right heir to the Crown, through the Treason of wicked Godwin. [e][e]Chronico… Iohan. Bromton Col. 935, 936. VVilliam Caxtons Chronicle, part. 6. Fox Acts and Monuments vol. 1. p. 211.When the Lords of England heard thereof, and how Alfred that should have been their King… was put to death… through the false Treason of Godwin, against their wills, … were …onder…ull sorrow…ull and wr…th, and swore before God and Man, that he should die a worser Death than did Edric, which destroyed his Lord Edmond Ironside: and would immediately have put him to death, Proposit. 8.but that the Traytor fled, and escaped into Denmark, and there continued 4. yeares and more, and lost all his Lands, Rents, Goods and Chattels in England, confiscated in the mean time for this his Treason.

These Historians, though they somewhat vary in the time and occasion of Prince Alfreds death, yet they all agree in the substance of his and of his p. 254Norman Souldiers and Campanions treacherous, barbarous murders, by the joynt or separate treacherie of Earl Godwin, and his son Harold: Which how fatal it proved to them both, by Gods avenging Justice, you shall hear in its due place, and what divine vengeance it drew at last on the whole English Nation, religious and judicious [f][f]Acts & Monuments, Vol. 1 p. 210.Mr. Iohn Fox informes us in these words. This cruel fact of Godwin, and his men against the innocent Normans; whether it came of himself, or of the Kings setting on, seemeth to me to be the cause Proposit. 8.why the justice of God did shortly after avenge the quarrel of these Normans, in conquering and subduing the English Nation, by William the Conquerour, and the Normans which came with him. For so just and right it was, that as the Normans coming with a natural English Prince, were murdered of English men; so afterwards the Englishmen should be slain and conquered by the Normans, coming with a forein King, being none of their natural Country.

After the b…nishment of Queen Emma out of, and murder of Prince Alfred in England [g][g]Florentius Wigorn. Sim. Dunelm. Radul. de Diceto, Hoved. Bromton, Malmesb. Huntindon, Polychronicon, Fabian, Caxton, Holinshed, Grafton, Speed.Harde-Cnute delaying the time in Denmark, Anno 1037.and deferring his coming in…o England; thereupon Harold, (formerly King only of …he Mercians, and Northumbrians,) that he might r…ign over all England, in the year 1037. A Principib…s et omni Populo Rex eligit…r… was elected King by all the Nobles and People. Harde-Cnutus verò, quia in Denmarchia mans…rat, et ad Anglian, ut rogabatur, venire distulit, penitus abjicitur, as Florentius Wigorniensis, Simeon Dunelmensis, Hoveden, Bromton, Radulphus de Diceto, and others inform us.Proposit. 5. After which King Harold degenerating from Cnute his Father in all things, took no care at all either of military or civil affairs, nor of his own Courtly honour, doing only his own will, and contrary to his royal estate, going more willingly on foot, (of which he was so swift, that he was named Harefoot) than riding p. 255on Horseback. In his dayes there were rendred and paid to 16 Ships from every Port (not In-land Towns) 8. marks of Silver, as in the time of his Father; as [h][h]Hist. l. 6. p. 365.Henry Huntindon records: to which [i][i]History of Great Britain, p. 425.Iohn Speed subjoynes; This Dane seeing his hazards prevented, sought to secure himself, and w…th 16 Ships of the Danish Fleet kept the Seas, which continued ever in a readiness and wafted from port to port: to the maintenance whereof, he charged the English with great payments, Proposit. 1.to their no little grudge and reviling; whereby he lost the love of his Subjects before it h…d taken root in their hearts. Neither held he long those disloyal courses, for that his speedy death did cut off the infamy of a longer life, he dying at Oxford, where he was elected King, without wife or children to survive his person, or revive his name, when he had reigned only 4. years, and as many moneths, Anno 1040.

Upon the death of (k)(k)Malmesb. De G…stis Reg. l. 2. c. 12. Ingulphus. Mat. Westm. Flor. Wigorniensis, Sim. Dunelm. Radulphus de Diceto, Bromton, Huntindon, Hoveden, Knyghton, Polychron, Caxton, Fabian, Holinshed, Grafton, Speed.Harold, Anno 1040.Proceres tam Anglorum, quam Danorum in unum concordantes sententiam; the Nob…es both of the English and Danes (assembling together in a Parliamentary Council) and concording in one opinion, sent Embassadours to Harde-Cnute, then at Bruges in Flanders, visiting Queen Emma his Mother (where he had made great preparation of ships and land-forces, to recover the Crown of England, which belonged to him both by birth and compact, from his brother Harold) beseeching him, to make hast into England, and to take possession of the Crown thereof. Whereupon he immediately consenting to the Counsel of the Nobles, came speedily into England with 60, as some, or 40 ships, as others write, furnished with Danish Souldiers and Mariners; where he was rec…ived with great joy, elected King both by the English and Danes, and solemnly crowned at London by Elnothus Archbishop of Canterbury. Soon after he commanded Alfric Archbishop of Yorke, Earl Godwin, and others, to digg up the interred corps of his brother King Harold out of p. 256his grave in London, and his head to be cut off by the hangman, and then both head and corps to be thrown into the Common sink, and after that into the Thames. And that partly in revenge of the injuries done by him to his Mother Queen Emma, in banishing and spoiling her of her money and jewels, against all right and justice: and partly for his unjust invasion of the Crown of England; but in truth, as a just retaliation of his barbarous cruelty to Prince Alfred and his Normans. For whose treacherous inhumane slaughter, King Harde-Cnute deprived Alfred Bishop of Worcester of his Bishoprick, whose hands were said to have been in Alfreds bloud. And for which murder he likewise looked with an evil eye upon Earl Godwin, compelling him to an Oath of Purgation touching the same. Whereupon Godwin by his own Oath, and the Oaths of most of the Nobles of the Realm his compurgators swore… (though most falsly) That Prince Alfreds eyes were not put out, nor he murdered (as aforesaid) by his Counsel or consent, but what was done therein, was only by the command of King Harold, which he durst not resist. Notwithstanding which Oath, to purchase his peace with Harde-Cnute, he presented him with a most rich and royal present, to wit, with a Ship, whose stern was of gold, with 80 Souldiers placed therein, all uniformly and richly suited, having on their heads gilt Burgonets, on their armes bracelets of Gold, on their bodies, Habergeons, Swords, Battel-axes, Targets, and other arms after the Danish fashion, all richly gilt, with gilt bosses and darts in their hands. Which Present, though it pacified the Kings indignation, yet it prevented not Gods avenging justice on him afterwards for Alfreds bloud; thus partly avenged on Harolds carcasse, which was cast into the Thames, and mangled according to Hard-Cnutes command, and lay floting on the water sundry dayes, till a Fisherman in compassion took up his corps, and buried it privately in St. Clements Danes.

p. 257Soon after Harde-Cnute in the second year of hisAnno 1040. 1041. reign, commanded 8. Marks to be paid to every Mariner; Some write 20. others 30. marks, to every Shipwright of his Danish Navy;Proposit. 1. besides a vast sum of money to his Land-Army: Hujus anno secundo redditus est Census Exercitui Dacorum, scilicet 21000 lib. & 89 lib. Et posteà sunt redditae 32. puppibus, 11000 lib. & 48. lib. writes [l][l]Histor. l… 6. p. 365.Henry Huntindon: Tributum inexorabile et importabile Angliae imposuit, ut Classiariis suis per singulas n…ves vigin…i …ac triginti marcas ex pollicito pensitaret. Quod dum importune per Angliam exigitur, duo infestius hoc munus exequentes, a Wigorniae Civibus extincti sunt; as De Gest. R…g. l. 2. c. 12. p. 76.Will: of Malmsbury expresseth it. Hic etiam contra omnem spem octo Marcas unicuique remigi Classis suae de importabili tributo Angliae solvi fecit, So [m][m]Chronicon… col. 933.Bromton; Which …lorentius Wigorniensis, Hoveden, Simeon Dunelmensis, Matthew Westminster, Polychronicon, Caxton, Fabian, Holinshed, Grafton and Speed, thus more at large relate. Anno 1040. Octo Marcas unicuique suae classis Remigi, et 12. unicuique gubernatori de tota Anglia praecepit dependi, Tributum videlicet tam grave, ut vix aliquis id possit persolvere. Quapropter omnibus qui prius adventum ejus desiderabant magnopere, factus est exosus summopere. Anno 1041. Harde-Cnute King of England, Huscarlas missit per omnes regni sui Provincias: Or, Ministros suos per omnes fines regni destinavit; sent his Officers through all the Counties & parts of the Realm, to exact and collect the Tribute which he had imposed, without sparing any, and to furnish his Mariners with all necessaries from thence. Two of which O…ficers Faeder and Turstin exacting this Importable Tribute with great rigour and cruelty from the Inhabitants of the County and City of Worcester, were thereupon tumultuously slain by them in a Monastery, whither they fled for Sanctuary, on the 4th day of May. The King being very much incensed therewith, sent Godwin with all the rest of the Earls of England, p. 258and almost all his Officers and whole army thither, …o avenge their deaths, commanding them to slay all the men if they could, & to pillage and burn the whole City and County; who coming thither the 2. of November, wasted the City and County for 4. dayes space, but took or slew few of the City or County, because they having notice of their coming, fled all away to an Iland in the midst of Severn called Beverage, which …hey fortified, and so long manfully defended against their Enemies, til they had recovered their peace, and obtained leave quietly to return to their homes. Whereupon on the fifth day they burnt the City, every one returning with great booties; and thereupon the Kings wrath was pacified, but his reputation much ecclipsed, and the affections of the people lost by that cruelty and Tax; Proposit. 1.Which it seems was imposed by his own arbitrary power, without any Grant or common consent in a Parliamentary Council. Unde cunctis qui prius ejus adventum optaverant in Angliam exosus effectus est, writes [n][n]Flores Hist. p. 412.Mat. Westminster: Contumeliam famae & amori suo detrimentum ingessit, adds [o][o]De Gestis Reg. l. 2. c. 12.Malmsbury, This whole Tribute amounted but to 32137 l. which came not to the moity of one Moneths Contribution, or Excise in our dayes. (p)(p)History of Great Britain, p. 407.Iohn Speed and some others write, That Earl Godwin devising how the Crown might be worn by him or his, to separate the hearts of the Subjects from the Prince, (thaen which there can be no greater wound unto both) caused the King to impose heavy Tributes upon the English, only to pay the Danes in his Fléet, appointing every common Souldier and Mariner to receive 8. Marks in money, and every Officer and Master 12. amounting to the summ of 32147 l. for the payment whereof there was so great a grudge, that two of his Collectors were slain by the Citizens of Worcester; which caused their City to be burnt, and part of the County to be spoiled by the Kings command, and their Bishop Alfred expulsed the See, til with money he had purchased his peace. But observe Gods Justice on this Exactor and Tax-imposing p. 259King, soon after his cruelty at Worcester, as he was revelling and carrouzing amidst his cups at Lambheth at a solemn Mariage-feast between a Danish Lord, and Gotha an English Lady, he suddenly fell down dead to the ground without speech or breath, …ot being lamented nor desired, by reason of his unwonted Taxes, excesse and riot. Yea, so far were all …orts from bewailing him, [q][q]Speed, ibidem.that in regard of their freedom from the Danish yoak which they attained, ever since among the Common people, the 8. of Iune (the very day of his death) is annually celebrated with open pastimes in the street (as the old Romans kept their Fugalia for chasing out their King,) which time is now called Hoc-tide, or Herextide, signifying a time of scorning or contempt, which fell upon the Danes by his death, when he had voluptuously and oppressingly reigned over the English not full two years, wanting ten dayes thereof.

Now here take special notice of Gods exemplary justice upon King Cnute, the Danish Usurper and Invader of other mens Crowns and Kingdoms, by treachery, bloud, war, treason, the murders of Edmund Ironside, Pr. Edwin, and Alfred, and exile of the Royal posterity. His base Son Harold dispossessed his Legitimate Son Harde-Cnute of the Crown of England, contrary to his will and contract, banished and spoiled his own Queen Emma of her Treasure and Jewels, oppressed the people with Taxes, and was soon cut … by death, without any issue. Harde-Cnute after his death digs up his Brother Harolds corps, beheads, and then throws it into the common sink & Thames, incurs Gods and his Peoples hatred by his Oppressions, Taxes, Luxurie; and is taken away suddenly in the midst of his age, without issue, before he had reigned two years. His Son [r][r]Florentius Wigorniensis, Sim. Dunelm. Hoveden, Brompt. Radulph. de Diceto, and Mat. Westm. An. 1045, to 105….Swane to whom he bequeathed the Kingdom of Norwey (which he got by treachery, bribery, force, and the expulsion, murder o… their rightfull pious King Olaus) was expelled both out of Norwey and p. 260Denmark too by Magnus the Sonne of Olaus; the English Army sent by Harde-Cnute, to reestablish him in the Kingdom of Norwey, routed in the field, and so forced home thence with dishonour, leaving Magnus in possession, not only of Norwey but Denmark, which he conquered, and made Tributary to him. Thus were all his three Sons, within 8 years space after Cnutes death, quite stript of all their three Kingdoms, acquired by war, blood, conquest, treachery, and the English and Norwegian royal lines restored to their rights and Crowns again. What persons then in their right sences would impiously spend much treasure levied on the oppressed people by violence, rapin, uncessant Taxes, Excises, or shed much human Christian blood, to purchase other mens Crowns, Kingdoms, which are not only full of cares and troubles, but so unstable, short and momentary in their fruition, as is most evident by the Danish Intruders?