Vindication of Fundamental Rights and Governments of English Freemen, Treatise · Chapter 3 · Section 4 (5 of 5)

Vindication of Fundamental Rights and Governments of English Freemen · Treatise · Chapter 3 · Section 4 (5 of 5)

p. 179Cap. 24. De Militiam detractante. Si quis de Profectione militari cui Rex intererit, ſine licentia ſe ſubſtraxerit, in detrimentum currat omnium fortunarum.

Theſe three laſt Lawes moſt clearly demonſtrate, that the Militia and Military affairs of this age, with all their Proviſions of Arms, Ships for defence of the Realm by Land and Sea, againſt the invading Danes, and other Enemies, with their Military Laws, and all other apurtenances thereto belonging, were ordered and ſetled in their General Councils by common conſent.

Cap. 26. Si quis vitae Regis inſidiabitur, ſui ipſius Propoſit. ….vitae diſpendio, et quas habet, rebus omnibus poenas luito: Sin negaverit, et purgatione qua licuerit, expetierit, ſolemniori eam faciat juramento, vel Ordalio triplici, juxta legem Anglorum, et in Danorum lege, prout ipſa ſtatuit.

p. 180Cap. 27. Si quis Chriſti legibus, ſive Regis ſe nefariè oppoſuerit, capitis plectitor aeſtimatione, vel mulctâ aliâ, pro delicti qualitate. Et ſi is contrarius rebellare armis nititur, et ſic occiditur, inultus jac eat.

Cap. 29. Scrutari oportet diligentius unumquemque Propoſit. 1, 2, 4, 5.modis omnibus, quonam pacto illud ante omnia efferatur Conſilium, quod populo habeat utiliſsimum, et, ut recta Chriſti re…gio…xime provehatur, injuſtumque quodlibet funditus extirpetur. Haec enim in rem fuerint totius patriae, ut injuſtitia conculcetur, et Inſtitia coram Deo et hominibus diligatur.

Cap. 32. Ut quiſquis fuerit potentior in hoc ſeculo, vel per ſcelera evectus in altiorem gradum, ita gravius emendabit peccata ſua, et pro ſingulis malefactis poenas luet graviores.

Haec itaque Legalia Statuta vel Decreta in Noſtro Conventu Synodali, à Rege noſtro magnopere edicta, tuncti tunc temporis Optimates, ſe obſervaturos fideliter ſpondebant.

The Invaſions and Oppreſſions of the Danes, excited both the King, his Prelates and Nobles, in this Great General Council, not only to provide for their neceſſary defence againſt them by Land and Sea, but likewiſe to enact good Laws for the advancement of Gods worſhip and ſervice, the good Government of the Republick…, the advancement of Juſtice, and Righteouſneſſe, the ſuppreſſion of all Oppreſſions, Injuſtice, wickedneſs, and preſervation of the Juſt Rights and Liberties both of the Church and People; as the moſt effectual means to unite and preſerve them againſt the Common Enemy, and to remove Gods wrath and judgements from them, as the other Statutes and Decrees of this Council more fully reſolve, which you may peruſe at leiſure.

About the ſame year, (as I conjecture) or not p. 181long after ccChron. Jo Bromt. col. 893. to 903. Lambardi Archaion, Spelm. Concil. p. 530, 531, 532, 533.King Ethelred having ſome breathing time from wars by his Peace concluded with the perfidious Danes, held three other great Parliamentary Councils, the firſt at VVoodſtock, the ſecond at Venetyngum, the third at Haba, wherein He and his Wiſe-men made and publiſhed many excellent Civil and Eccleſiaſtical Laws, for the Good Government, Peace, Propoſit. 5, 6.VVelfare and happineſs of his People, recorded at large in Bromton, Lambard, and Spelman, where you may read them. I ſhall inſert only 3 of them made at Venetingum (VVan…ige, as ſome take it.)

Cap. 4. Habeantur placita in ſingulis VVapentakis, ut exeant ſeniores 12 Thayni & Praepoſitus cum eis, & jurent ſuper ſanctuarium quod eis dabitur in manus, Quod neminem innocentem velint accuſare, vel noxium concelare.

Cap. 23. Ad Bilynggeſgate ſi adveniſſet una navicula, unus obolus Thelonii dabatur: ſi major & habet ſiglas, 1 d. ſi adveniat Ceol, vel ulcus, & ibi jaceat 4 d. ad Thelonium dentur. De navi plena lignorum, unum lignum Propoſit. 1, 9.ad Theloneum detur. In ebdomada panum Theloneum detur 3 diebus, die Dominica, die Martis, & die Jovis. Qui ad Pontem ventat cum Bato ubi piſcis ineſt, unus ob: dabatur in Theloueum, & de majori Nave 1. d. Homines de Rothomago qui veniebant cum vino vel craſpiſce, Flandrenſes & Pontrienſes, & Normannia & Francia monſtrabant res ſuas, & extolneabant. Hogge, & Leodium, & Nivella, qui per terras ibant, ostentionem dabant et Theoloneum. Et homines Imperatoris qui veniebant cum navibus ſuis bonarum legum digni tenebantur, ſicut & nos emere in ſuas naves: Et non licebat eis aliquod Forcheapum facere burhmannis, & dare Theoloneum ſuum. Et in ſancto natali Domini duos Griſingos pan…os, & unum Brunum, & 10 libras Piperis, & cirotecas 5 hominum, et duos cabillinos, colennos aceto pl…nos, & totidem in Paſca: de Doſſeris cum Gallinis, una Gallina Thelon. & de uno Doſſeto cum Ovis, 5 Ova Theolon. Si p. 182veniat ad Mercatum, mongeſtre, Sinere qui mangonant in Caſeo & Butiro 14 diebus ante Natale Domine, 1. d. & 7 diebus poſt Natale Domini, Unam alium denarium ad Theloneum.

Cap. 24. Si Portireu vel Tungravia, vel alius Praepoſitus compellat aliquem quod Theolon. ſupertenuerit, & homo reſpondeat quod nullum Theloneum concelaverit quod juſte debuit, juret hoc ſe ſ…xto, & ſit quietus. Si appellet quod Theolonium dederit, inveniat cui dedit, & qu etus ſit. S…tunc hominem invenire non poſſet cui dedit, reddat ipſum Theloneum, et perſolvat 5 l. Regi. Si Cacepollum advocet, quod …i Theoloneum dedit, & ille neget, perneget ad dei ud cium, et in nulla alia lada.

Theſe-are the firſt Laws, (to my remembrance) wherein there is any mention of Toll, Tribute, or Cuſtom, paid by any Natives or Foreiners for goods or merchandiſe imported or ſold; or any forfeitures or penalty Propoſit. 1.impoſed for concealing or non-payment thereof, which it ſeems were impoſed about this time by common conſent in a Parliamentary Council, for the better maintenance of the Navy, and defence of the Realm againſt the Danes, the end for which I cite them.

The King having thus in the Great Councils of Aenham and Wantige, by conſent of his Nobles and Wiſe-men, Anno 1008, 1009.provided a Navy to be annually ſet out for the defence of the Realm, in purſuance thereof the ſelf-ſame year (as our ddFlorentius Wigorn. Sim. Dunelm. Mat. Weſtm. Huntin. Hoved. Malmesb. Ingulph. Radulph. de Diceto, Bromt. Polychron. Fab. Grafton, Fox, Holinſh. Speed, Daniel, Antiq. Eccleſ. Brit. Knyghton. Propoſit. 2, 3, 6, 9.Hiſtorians joyntly atteſt) commanded one ſhip to be built, and furniſhed out of every 310 Hides, or Ploughlands, and a Buckler & Helmet out of every 9 Ploughlands, throughout his Realm, The ſhips being accordingly provided, the King victualled and placed choſen Souldiers in them, and aſſembled them all together to the port of Sandwich, that they might defend the Coaſts of the kingdom from the irruptions of Foreiners. An. 1009. Puppes praedictae congregatae ſunt apud Sandwic, & viri optime armati, Necfuit tantus numerus Navium tempore alicujus in Britannia, writes Henry Huntindon. But p. 183yet God fruſtrated and blaſted all their deſigns, beyond expectation: For about, or a little before this time, Brithtricus a ſlippery ambitious proud man; brother to perfidious Duke Edric, injuriouſly accuſed Wulnoth, a Noble young man of Southſex to the King, whoſe ſervant he was; who thereupon baniſhed him. Wulnoth upon this fled away, leſt he ſhould be apprehended, and having gotten 20 Ships, exerciſed frequent Piracies upon the Sea Coaſts. The Kings Navy being thereof informed, and that any man who would might eaſily take him, Brithtric hereupon, to get praiſe to himſelf, took 80 of the Kings Ships with him, and promiſed to bring Wulnoth alive or dead to the King. VVhen he had proſperouſly ſailed a long time in purſute of him, a moſt violent tempeſt ſuddenly ariſing, ſhattered and bruiſed all the ſhips, driving them one againſt another, and forced them to run aſhore upon the dry land, with great loſs, where Wulnoth preſently coming upon them, fired and burnt them all. The reſt of the Navy diſcontented with this ſad news, returned to London: The Army likewiſe then raiſed was diſperſed, Et ſic omnis labor Anglorum caſſatus eſt, writes Huntindon: or, as Wigornienſis and others expreſs it, Sicque totius populi maximus labor periit, to their great grief and diſappointment. Upon this diſaſter, in the time of Harveſt, Earl Turkel a Dane arived with a great new Fleet of Danes, and an innumerable Army at Sandwich, whom another great Navy of Danes under the command of Hemmingus, Erglafe, & Tenetland followed in the MonethMonth of Auguſt. Theſe all joyning together marched to Canterbury, aſlaulted, made a breach therein, and were likely to take it. Whereupon the Citizens and Inhabitants of Eaſt-Kent were inforced to purchaſe a firm peace with them, ar the ſum of 3000 pounds; which being paid, they returning to their ſhips pillaged the Iſle of Wight; with the Counties of Suſſex and Southampton, near the p. 184Sea-Coaſts, burning the Villages, and carrying away great booties thence. King Ethelred upon this, raiſed and collected a great Army out of all England, placing forces in all Counties near the Sea, to hinder the Danes landing and plundring. Notwithſtanding they deſiſted not, but exerciſed rapines in all places where they could conveniently land. At laſt, when they had ſtraggled further off from their Ships than they accuſtomed, and thought to have returned laden with ſpoils, the King with many thouſands of Souldiers intercepting their paſſage, reſolved to die, or to conquer them. But perfidious Duke Edric, by his treacherous and perplexed orations, endeavored to perſwade the King and Souldiers, not then to give the Enemies battel, but to ſuffer them to eſcape at that time. Suaſit & perſuaſit. And thus, (like a Traitor to his Country, as he ever had been) he then delivered the Danes out of the Engliſhmens hands, and ſuffered them to depart with their booty, without reſiſtance. The Danes after this taking up their VVinter quarters in the River of Thames, maintained themſelves with the ſpoils they took out of Eſſex, Kent, and other places on both ſides of the River, and oft times aſſaulting the City of London, attempted to take it by aſſault, but were ſtill valiantly repulſed by the Citizens with great loſs.

In Jan. 1010. the eeMalmesb. Ingulph. Flor. Wigorn. Sim. Dunelm. Huntind. Hoveden, Mat. Weſtmin. Bromt. Radulphus de Diceso. Polychronicon, Knighton, Fab. Holinſh. Speed, Fox, Grafton, Daniel, Antiq. Eccleſ. Brit.Danes ſallying out of their Ships, marched through Chiltern Foreſt to Oxford, which Anno 1010, 1011, 1018.they pillaged and burnt, waſting the Country on both ſides the Thames in their return. Being then informed that there was a great Army raiſed and aſſembled againſt them in London, ready to give them battel; thereupon that part of the Daniſh Army on the Northſide of the Thames, paſſed the River at Stanes, and there joyning with thoſe on the South ſide, marched in one body to their Ships through Surrey, laden with p. 185ſpoils, refreſhing themſelves in Kent all the Lent. After Eaſter they went into the Eaſt parts of England, marching to Ringmere near Ipſwich, where Duke Ulfketel reſided. On the firſt of May they fought a ſet battel with him, where, in the heat of the battel the Eaſt-Engliſh turned their backs on Turketel a Dane, beginning the fight: but the Cambridgeſhire men fighting manfully for their Country and Liberty, reſiſted the Danes a long time, but at laſt being overpowred with multitudes, they likewiſe ſled; Many Nobles and Officers of the King, and an innumerable multitude of people were ſlain in the fight. The Danes gaining the victory, and thereby Eaſt-England, turned all Horſemen, and running through the Country for three Months ſpace, burnt Cambridge, Thetford, with all the Towns and Villages in thoſe parts, ſlew all the people they met with, as well Women and Children, as Men; toſſing their very Infants on the …ops of their Pikes, waſted, pillaged all places, killing the Cattel they could not eat, and with an infinite rich booty their Footmen returned to their ſhips. But their Horſemen marching to the River of Thames, went firſt into Oxfordſhire…, and from thence into Buckingham, Hertford and Bedford Shires, burning Villages, and killing both Men and beaſts, and wholly depopulated the Country; then they retired laden with very great booties to their ſhips. After this, about the Feaſt of St. Andrew they rambled through Northamptonſhire, burning and waſting all the Country, together with Northampton it ſelf; then marching Weſtward into Wiltſhire, they burnt, pillaged, depopulated the Country, leaving all thoſe Counties like a deſolate Wilderneſs, there being none to reſiſt or encounter them after their great victory at Ringmere.

The Danes having thus waſted and depopulated Eaſt-England, Eſſex, Middleſex, Hertford, Buckhingham, Oxford, Cambridge Shires, half Huntindonſhire, p. 186moſt of Northamptonſhire, Kent, Surrey, Suſſex, Southampton, Wiltſhire, and Barkſhire, with Fire and Sword. King Ethelred, et Regni ſui Magnates, and the Nobles of his Realm, thereupon ſent Ambaſſadors Propoſ. 1, 6, 9.to the Danes, deſiring peace from them, and promiſing them Wages and Tribute, ſo as they would deſiſt from depopulating the Realm. Which they upon hearing the Embaſſadors conſented to, yet not without fraud and diſſimulation, as the Event proved. For although proviſions and expences were plentifully provided for them, and Tribute paid them by the Engliſh according to their deſires, yer they deſiſted not from their rapines, but marched in Troops through the Provinces, waſting the Villages every where, ſpoiling moſt of the miſerable people of their goods, and ſome of their lives. At laſt, not ſatisfied with rapine and bloodſhed, between the Feaſts of St. Mary and St. Michael, they beſieged Canterbury, (contrary to their dear bought peace,) and by the treachery of Archdeacon Almear took the City, which they pillaged and burnt to the ground, together with the Churches therein, burning ſome of the Citizens in the fire, ſlaying others of them, caſting many of them headlong over the Walls, dragging the VVomen by the hair about the ſtreets, and raviſhing, and murdering them. After which they decimated the Men, VVomen, Monks, and little Children that remained, leaving only the tenth of them alive, and murdering the reſt, ſlaying no leſs than 900 Religious perſons, and above 8000 others in this manner, as ſome of our Hiſtorians relate. Mr. ffSee Speeds Hiſtory, p. 419.Lambard in his Perambulation of Kent, computeth, that ther were maſſacred 43 thouſand and two hundred perſons in this Decimation, there being only 4 Monks, and 4800 Laypeople ſaved alive. The Archbiſhop ggSee Antiq. Eccleſ. Erit. Gervaſius, Malmesb. and Godwin in his life. Huntind. Hiſt. l. 6. p. 361. Mat. VVeſtm. Hoveden, Bromt. Wigorn. Sim. Dunelm. Polychron. Grafton, Holinſh. Fab. Speed, Daniel, VVil. Thorn, col. 1782. Radulph. de Diceto Abbrev. Chron. col. 464, 465.Alfege p. 187they took priſoner, bound in chains, buffeted, grievouſly wounded, and then carried to their Fleet, where they kept him priſoner 7 Moneths. At laſt they propounded to him, that if he would enjoy his life and liberty, he ſhould pay them 3000 pounds for his ranſom: which he refuſing to do Week after Week; prohibiting any others to give them any thing for his ranſom, they were ſo inraged with him, that bringing him forth publikely to their Council at Greenwich, they ſtruck him down to the ground with their battel Axes, Stones, and the Bones and Heads of Oxen, and at laſt one Thrum, (whom he had confitmed but the day before) moved with an impious piety, cleft his head with an Axe, and ſo martyred him. The Londoners hearing of it, purchaſed his dead corps with a great ſum of money, and honourably interred it: But above 2000, of theſe bloody Villains were in ſhort time after deſtroyed with grievous diſeaſes. VVhiles theſe things were acted by the Danes in Kent. Anno 1012. perfidious Duke Anno 1012.Edric hhSimcon Dunelm. Hiſt. col. 169. Hoveden Annal. pars 1. p. 432. Florent. Wigorn. p. 378. Mat Weſtm. An. 1012. Polychron. Graft. Fabian, Speed, Daniel.et omnes cujuſcunque Ordinis et Dignitatis Primates Congregati, and all the Nobles of every Order and Dignity aſſembled together at the City of London, continuing there til they had levied and paid to the Danes a Tibute of forty (as ſome) or forty eight thouſand pounds (as others write) upon this condition; That all the Danes within the Realm ſhould have every where a peaceable habitation with the Engliſh, and that there ſhould be, as it were, one Heart, and one Soul of both people (as Matthew Weſtminſter, Daniel, and ſome others record the Agreement.) Which Accord being ratified Propoſ. 1, 6, 9.on both ſides with Pledges and Oaths (as Matthew Weſtminſter and others relate,) King Swain (as ſome Hiſtorians write, though others mention not his being here in perſon, but only by his Commanders) returned into his own Land, and ſo the rage of the Daniſh perſecution ceaſed for a ſhort ſpace. Upon this agreement 45 of the Daniſh ſhips under the command of p. 188Turkill the Daniſh General, ſubmitted themſelves to King Ethelred, promiſing, That they would defend England againſt ſtrangers and forein invaſions, upon this condition, that the Engliſh ſhould find them victuals and cloaths. Henry Huntindon cenſures this accord, with the Danes, (i) Hiſtoriarum l. 6. p. 261. Chron. Johan. Bromton. col. 891.as made overlate. Tunc vero Rex nimis ſerò pacem fecit cum Dacorum exercitu, dans eis 8000 (miſprinted for 48000) librarum; nunquam enim tempore oportuno pax fi…bat, donec nimia contritione terra langueret.

To what extremities King Ethelred was put to raiſe this and the other forementioned Tributes to the D…nes, and to pay his own Captains beſides; and how much the Monaſteries were taxed, oppreſſed, exhauſted of all their moneys, plate, wealth by the King, his Officers and the Danes, during theſe wars, by force and menaces, this memorable paſſage of Abbot Ingulphus will beſt inform us, not mentioned by any other Hiſtorians, which I purpoſely reſerved, as propereſt for this place.

kkIngulphi Hiſtor. p. 890, 891, 892.In tempore itaque Domini Osketuli Abbatis Croylandiae, cum ſic Dani totam terram inquietarent, indigenae …e Villis & Vicis ad Civitates & Caſtella, & plurimi ad paludes, et lacum, loca invia refugientes, Danorum tranſitum et diſcurſum pro anima praecavebant. Coeperunt tunc omnia terrae Monaſteria a Rege Ethelredo, et Ducibus ejus ac Miniſtris Graviſsimis Propoſit. 1, 9.exactionibus ſubjici, et ad ſatisfaciendum Danicis Tributis pro immenſis pecuniarum ſummis ſibi impoſitis, ſupra modum affligi: Et direptis theſauris, ac monasteriorum tam ſacris calicibus, quam al…s jocalibus, etiam ſanctorum Scrinia jubent ab exactoribus spoliari. Venerabilis ergo pater dominus Osketulus Abbas Croilandiae 400. marcas pro talibus Tributis variis vicibus exolverat: et tandem 12. annis in officio paſtorali ſanctè ac ſtrenuè conſummatis, mortis ſacrae compendio Regias exactiones, univerſoſque p. 189ſeculi timores cum carnis depoſitione finalitèr exuebat. 12. Cal. Novemb. Anno ſcil. Domini 1005. Cui ſucceſſit ad Abbatis officium Venerabilis Pater Abbas Godricus, electus et effectus Abbas in diebus anguſtiae, tribulationis et miſeriae; laborioſiſſimeque rexit Monaſterium 14. annis, ſub praedicto rege Ethelredo: Hujus Abbatis tempore cum Dani totius terrae ferè obtinerent dominium, et tàm per Ethelredum regem et ejus Duces Edricum, Alf …cum. Godwinum et alios … importabiles Impoſitiones pro Danorum tributis perſolvendis, ac aliae Exactiones graviſsimae ad eorundem Ducum expenſas plurimas reſtaurandas, quam per Analafum et Swanum, ac eorum exerci…us depraedationes deſpoliationes et deſtructiones aſſidue fierent ſaepe multa Monaſteria de omni Denario emuncta ſunt. Non tamen exac…r…s ultimum quadrantem ſe extorſiſſe credere voluerunt. Ita hinc religioſi, quo magis premebantur magis putabantur habentes, magis putabantur abundantes. Hinc venerabilis Pater Abbas Godricus ſolvit primo Anno Regi Ethelredo, 200 marcas: Duceſque ſui pro ſuis expenſis ſimiliter ducentas marcas extorquebant, praeter minores ſumptus, qui quotidie Regis miniſtris irruentibus continue fiebant. Secundo, tertio ac quarto anno ſimiliter actum eſt. Tertio enim anno pro Triremibus per omnes portus Fabricandis, et Navali Militia cum victualibus, et aliis neceſſariis exhibenda, Ducentae Librae exactae ſunt. Quarto etiam anno cum Turketulus, Danicus Comes cum fortiſſima claſſe appllc…iſſet. Procentum Libris miſſu… ▪ et ad ſolutionem per exactores crudeliſsimos commiſſum eſt. Di currenteſque Dani tunc per provincias, omnia mobilia diripientes, immobilia cremantes, Draiton, Kotenham, et Hoketon maneria Croylandiae, cum toto Comitatu Cantabrigiae direpta, ignibus tradiderunt. Sed haec nuntia ſunt malorum. Quippe cum quolibet anno ſequente quater centum Marcae Regiis exactionibus et Ducum p. 190ſuornm ſumptibus communiter ſolverent, rex Swanus veniens cum claſſe recenti exercitu ferociſſimo tunc omnia depopulatur. Irruens enim de Lindeſia, vicos cremat, ruſticos eviſcerat, religioſos omnes variis torment is necat: tunc Baſton et Langtoft flammis donat. Is erat annus Domini 1008. Tunc monaſterium Sanctae Pegae omniaque ſua contigua maneria, ſcilicet Slinton, Northumburtham, Makeſey, Etton, Badington, & Bernake, omnia una vice combuſta, tota familia caeſa, vel in captivitatem ducta. Abbas cum toto comitatu nocte fugiens et navigio in Croylandiam veniens, ſalvatus eſt. Similiter Monaſterium Burgi, villaeque vicinae ac maneria ſua, Ege, Thorp, Walton, Witherington, Paſton, Dodifthorp, et Caſtre, prius omnia direpta, poſtea ſlammis tradita ſunt. Abbas cum majore parte conventus ſui aſſumptis ſecum ſacris reliquiis ſanctarum Virginum, Kineburgae, Kineſwithae ac Tibbae Thorniam adiit. Prior autem cum nonnullis fratribus, aſſumpto ſecum brachio ſancti Oſwaldi regis, ad inſulam de Hely aufugit. Subprior vero cum 10. fratribus ad Croylandiam venit faelicitèr. Illo anno ex frequentibus fluviis inundationes excreverunt, et vicinas paludes, circum que jacentes mariſcos immeabiles reddebant. Ideo totus mundus advenit, populus infinitus affluxit, Chorus et clauſtrum replebantur Monachis, caetera Eccleſia ſacerdotibus et clericis, Abbatia tota laicis, caemeterium que nocte ac die ſub tentoriis mulieribus et pueris: fortiores quicunque inter eos ac juvenes in ulnis et alnetis ora fluminum obſervabant: erantque tunc quotidie (ut caetera onera taceantur) 100 Monachi in menſa. Super haec omnia, per nuncium Rex Swanus Monaſterio Croylandiae mille Marcas impoſuit, et …ub poena combuſtionis totius Monaſterii ſolutionem dictae pecuniae certo die apud Lincoln aſſignavit; infraque tertium menſem poſt ſolutionem hujus pecuniae, iterum pro victualibus ſuo exercitui providendis exactores nequiſſimi mille Marcas p. 191minis maximis extorquebant. Ventilatum eſt tunc et ubique vulgatum crudele martyrium S. Elphegi Archiepiſcopi Doroberniae, qui quia ſummam pecuni… exceſſivam ſibi impoſitam pro ſua redemptione ſolvere detrectavit, belluina Dacorum ferocitas eum acerbiſſimo tormento crudeliter interemit. Omnes fera tempora flebant, foelices qui quocunque modo in fata proceſſerant. Abbas Godricus maximè, cui cura tanti populi incumbebat et quem Rex Ethelredus cumulos argenti habere exiſtimabat. Daniens vero Swanus, ſunſque totus exercitus ei, tanquam Domino de manibus eorum refugientium, juges inſidias et minas ſemper maximas ingerebat. Demum expenſis internis et exactionibus externis totus theſaurus Domini Turketuli Abbatis diſtractus eſt, horrea …mborum Egelr…corum …m lita ſunt, cum adhuc Regii exactores pro pecuniis quotidie irruerent. Et eum tanquam patriae proditorem, et Danorum proviſorem regi in proximo cum dignis compedibus deducendum, et ſuppliciis tradendum pro ſuis demeritis affirmarent. Perculſus ergo venerabilis Pater Abbas Godricus dolore cordis intrinſecus pro tot minis terribilibus, convocat totum ſuum conventum; et nuncians nummos Monaſterio deficere, orat et exorat, quatenus doceant et decernant in medio, quid contra nequam ſeculum magis expediat faciendum? Tandem longo tractatu placet haec ſententia cunctis, aliquem Miniſtrorum ſeu ſatellitum Edrici Ducis Merciorum conducere, et cum pecuniae deficeren…, terris et tenementis ad terminum vitae concedendis, in ſuum defenſorem contra imminentia pericula obligare. Erat enim ille Edricus potentiſſimus poſt regem in terra, et cum rege Ethelredo, et cum Swano rege Danorum familiariſſimus, et poſtea cum Cnuto filio ſuo. Conductus eſt ergo quidam maximus ſatellitum dicti Ducis Edrici nomine Normannus, ſanguine ſumme clarus, filius, videlicet Comitis Lefwini, et Frater Leofrici nobilis Comitis Leiceſtriae, dato ſibi (prout poſtulabat) manerio p. 192de Badby, ad terminum 100. annorum. Ille dictum manerium acceptans, tenere de Sancto Guthlaco per firmam in grano piperis per annum in feſto S. Bartholomaei ſingulis annis perſolvendo, fideliter promittebat, et ſe futurum procuratorem ac protectorem Monaſterii contra omnes adverſarios confecto inde chirographo obligabat. Valuit illud Monaſterio aliquanto tempore, ſcilicet omnibus diebus vitae ſuae.

By which paſſages it is apparent, what Taxes, exactions, predures the Monaſteries and others ſuffered both from King Ethelred his Captains and Officers on the one ſide, and from the Danes on the other ſide; and how they were enforced to hire and bribe great Souldiers and Courtiers, by leaſes and monies, to protect them from utter ruine.

llHiſtory of Great Britain, p. 416.John Speed affirms, That the Clergy as backward as any, denied to King Ethelred their aſſiſtance, pleading their exemptions from warr, and privileges of the Church, when the land lay bleeding and deploring for help, and ſcandalized all his other proceedings for demanding their aydes. But this paſſage of Abbot Ingulphus ſo near that age, out of the Regiſter Books of Croyland (whereof he was Abbot not long after) proves they paid great annual contributions to the King and his Officers, which conſumed all their money, plate, Jewels, Chalices, and the very ſhrines of their Saints, notwithſtanding all Charters and exemptions. And as for the Laity,

mmDe Geſtis Reg. l. 2. c. 10. Propoſit. 1, 4.William of Malmsbury, Radulphus Ciſtrenſis, Mr. Fox, and others write. That King Ethelred had ſuch a condition, that he would lightly diſ-inherit Engliſhmen of their lands and poſſeſſions, and cauſed them to redeem the ſame with great ſums of money, and that he gave himſelf to polling of his Subjects, and framed Treſpaſſes for to gain their money and goods, for that he paid great Tribute to the Danes yearly. Whereby he loſt the affections of the people, who at laſt deſerted him, and ſubmitted p. 193themſelves to the Daniſh Invaders, who uſurped the Soveraign power, and forced him out of England with his Queen and Children. Theſe Unrighteous Oppreſſions, Diſ-inheriſons, and Exactions of his were ſpecially provided againſt by his Nobles, Prelates, and VViſemen in the nnSpelm. Concil. p. 530. 531. Chron. Joh. Bromt. col. 901, 902, 903.Councils of Aenham and Habam forecited, by ſpecial Laws, and ſpecial excellent Prayers and Humiliations preſcribed to be made to God to protect them from his judgements, and the invading, oppreſſing, bloody Danes, worthy peruſal; yet pretended neceſſities and VVar, laid all thoſe Laws aſleep.

In the year of Chriſt 1013. (the very next after Anno 1013.the Engliſhmens deareſt purchaſed Peace, which the perfidious gold-thirſty Danes never really intended to obſerve) King Swain, by the ſecret inſtigation of Turkel the Dane (whom King Ethelred unadviſedly hired to guard him with his Daniſh ſhi…s from forein Invaſions) who ſent him this Meſſage, ooMalmesb. de Gestis Reg. l. 2, c. 10. p. 69.Angliam praeclaram eſſe patriam & opimam, ſed Regem ſtertere illum Venere Vino que ſtudentem, nihil minus quàm bellum cogitare: Quapropter odioſum ſuis, ridiculum alienis, Duces invidos, Provinciales infirmos, primo stridore Lituorum proelio ceſſuros, ppMalmesb. Wigorn. Mat. Weſtm. Sim. Dunelm. Radulphus de Diceto. Huntind. Hoveden, Ingulphus, Polychron Fabian, Graſcon, Holinſhed, Speed, Daniel, Fox.arrived at Sandwich with a great Fleet and Army of Danes, in the MonethMonth of July; where reſting themſelves a few days, he failed round the Eaſt part of England, to the mouth of Humber, and from thence into the River of Trent, to Gainsborough, where he quitted his ſhips, intending to waſ…e the Country. Hereupon, firſt of all Earl Uhtred & the Northumbria…s, with thoſe of Lindeſey, preſently without delay, and after them the Freelingers with all the people in the Northern parts of Watling ſtreet, having no man to defend them, yeelded themſelves up to Swain without ſtriking one ſtroke: and eſtabliſhing a peace with him, they gave him Hoſtages for their loyalty, and ſwore Fealty to him as their Soveraign. Whereupon he commanded them to provide ho…ſes and victuals p. 194for his Army, which they did. William Malmesbury obſerves, that the Northumbrians thus unworthily ſubmitted to Swane his Government; Non quod in eorum mentibus genuinus ille calor, & Dominorum impa…iens refriguerie, ſed quod Princeps eorum Uthredus primus exemplum defectionis dederit. Whoſe example drew on all other parts. Illis ſub jugum miſſis coeteri quoque omnes populi qui Angliam ab Aquilone inhabitant vectigal et obſides dederunt. A very ſtrange and ſudden change, conqueſt, without a blow. Swain committing his Navy and Hoſtages to his ſon Cnute, raiſed choſen Anxiliaries out of the Engliſh, who ſubmitted to him, and then marched againſt the Southern Mercians. Having paſſed Watling ſtreet, he by a publike Proclamation commanded his Soldiers, to waſt the Fields, burn the Villages, cut down the Woods and Orchards, ſpoil the Churches, kill all the Males that ſhould come into their hands, Old and Young, without ſhewing them any mercy, reſerving only the Females to ſatisfie their lusts, and to do all the miſchiefs that poſſibly they could act. Which they accordingly executed, raging with beaſtly cruelty. Marching to Oxford, he gained it ſooner than he imagined by ſurrender: taking Hoſtages of them, He poſted thence to Wincheſter: Where the Citizens extraordinarily terrified with the exceſſiveneſs of his cruelty, immediately yeelded, and made their peace with him; they and the whole Country giving him ſuch and ſo many hoſtages as he deſired, for his ſecurity, and likewiſe ſwearing allegiance to him. Only the Londoners defending their lawfull King within their walls, ſhut the Gates againſt him. From Wincheſter Swain marched with great glory and triumph to London, endeavouring by all means, either to take it by force, or ſurprize it by fraud. At his firſt arrival he loſt many of his Souldiers, who were drowned in the River of Thames through overmuch raſhneſs, becauſe they would neither ſeek for Bridge nor ford to paſs over it. p. 195King Ethelred being then within the City, and having no other refuge, the Citizens cloſing their Gates manfully defended their lawfull King and City againſt the aſſailants. Who encouraged with the hope of glory, and great booty, fiercely aſſaulted the City on all ſides, but were all moſt valiantly repulſed by the Citizens, through the aſſiſtance of valiant Earl Turkel, then within it; the Danes ſuſtaining great loſs of men, who were partly ſlain, and partly drowned, the Citizens not only repulſing them from the Walls; but likewiſe ſallying forth, and ſlaying them by heaps, ſo that Swain himſelf was in danger to be ſlain, had he not deſperately ran through the midſt of his Enemies, and by flight eſcaped their ſwords. qqDe geſtis Regum l. 2. c. 10. p. 69.Malmesbury thus writes of the Citizens, Oppidani in mortem pro Libertate ruebant, nullam ſibi veniam futuram arbitrantes ſi Regem deſererent, quibus ipſe vitam ſuam commiſerat. It aque cum ut …nque acriter certaretur, Iuſtior Propoſit. 8.cauſa victoriam habuit, Civibus magna ope conan…bus, dum unuſquiſque ſ…dores ſuos, Principi oſtentare, et pro eo pulchrum putaret emori: Hoſtium pars proſtrata, pars in flumine Thameſi necata. Hereupon Swain deſpairing to take the City, marched with his torn ſhattered Army, firſt to Wallingford, plundering and demoliſhing all things they met with in their way; after their wonted manner, and at laſt they came to Bath; where Ethelmere Earl of the Weſt Country, with all his people came and ſubmitted to him, giving him hoſtages for their loyalty. Having thus finiſhed all things according to his deſire, he returned with his Hoſtages to his Navy▪ being both called and reputed King by all the People of England (Lord…n excepted ſi Rex …ure queat vocari, qui fere cuncta Tyrannice faciebat, write Florence of Worceſte… ▪ & Simeon Dunelmenſis ver… cau…elouſl…, Nec adhuc flecterentur Londinenſes tota jam Anglia in clientelam ejus inclinata, niſi Ethelredus praeſentia eos deſt…ueret ſua: as Malmesbury obſerves.

p. 196King Ethelred being a man given to ſloathfullneſs, and through conſciouſneſs of his own demeri…s, very fearful (deeming no man faithfull to him, rrMatthew Weſtmin…t. An. 1013. p. 393. Malmesbury, l. 2. c. 10. Huntind. p. 432. Sim. Dunelm. p. 169.by reaſon of the tragical death of his Brother Edwaod, for which he felt this Divine revenge, not daring to raiſe an Army, nor ſight the Enemy with it when raiſed, Ne Nobiles Regni quos injuſte exhaeredaverat, leſt the Nobles of the Realm, whom he had unjuſtly diſ-inherited, ſhould deſert and deliver him up to the Enemy;) declining the neceſſity of war, and of a new ſiege, moſt unworthily deſerted the Londoners (his faithfull valiant Subjects and Protectors in the midſt of their dangers & Enemies, ſlying away ſecretly frō them to Hamſhire, by ſecret journies, from wbence he ſailed to the Iſle of Wight. Hereupon the Londoners, ssMalmesb. de Geſtis Reg. l. 1. c. 10.Laudandi prorſus vi…i & quos Mars ipſe collata non ſperneret haſta, ſi Ducem habuiſſent, Cujus dum vel ſola umbra protegerentur totius pugnae, aleam, ipſam ohſidionem etiam non paucis menſibus luſerunt) Seeing themſelves thus unworthily deſerted by their Soveraign in their extremities, moved by the example of the reſt of their Countrymen, ſubmitted themſelves likewiſe to King Swain, ſending Hoſtages to, and making their peace with him; the rather, for that they feared Swains fury was ſo much incenſed againſt them, for his former ſhamefull repulſes by them, that if they ſubmitted not to him of their own accords, he would not only ſpoil them of all their goods, but likewiſe command either all their eyes to be pulled out, or their hands and feet to be cut off, if he ſubdued them by force. ttHiſtory of Great Britain, p. 420, 421. & Edit. 1611. p. 378, 379.John Speed (againſt the current of other Hiſtorians) informs us, That Swain after his repulſe from London, having received a certain ſum of money, went back into Denmark, for want of victuals, and to recruit his ſhattered Army, whence returning ſoon after, he was immediatly met by the Engliſh, where betwixt them was ſtruck a ſore battel, which had been with good ſucceſs, had p. 197not the Treaſon of ſome hindred it, in turning to the Danes. King Ethelred therefore ſeeing himſelf and the Land betrayed on this manner, to thoſe few true Engliſh that were left, uſed this Speech as followeth.

If there wanted in me a fatherly care, either for the defence of the Kingdom, or adminiſtration of Juſtice in the Commonwealth, or in you, the carriage of Souldiers for defence of your Native Country, then truly ſilent would I be for ever, and bear thoſe calamities with a more dejected mind: but as the caſe ſtands (be it as it is) I for my part am reſolved, to ruſh into the midſt of the Enemy, and to loſe my life for my kingdom and Crown. And you (I am ſure) hold it a worthy death, that is purchaſed for the Liberties of your ſelves and kinred; and therein I pray you, let us all die: for I ſee both God and destiny against us, and the name of the Engliſh Nation brought almost to the laſt period: for we are overcome, not by weapons and hoſtile warr, but by Treaſon and domeſtick falſhood: our Navy betrayed into the Danes hands, our battel weakned by the revolt of our Captains, our deſigns betrayed to them by our own Counſellers, and they alſo inforcing compoſition of diſhonourable Peace: I my ſelf diſeſteemed, and in ſcorn termed, Ethelred the unready: Your valour and loyalty betrayed by your own Leaders, and all our poverty yearly augmented by the payment of Propoſit. ….their Danegelt; which how to redreſs God only knoweth, and we are to ſeek, For if we pay money for peace, and that confirmed by Oath, theſe Enemies ſoon break it, as a people that neither regard God nor man, contrary to equity and the Laws of War, and of Nations; and ſo f…r off is all hope of better ſucceſs, as we have cauſe to fear the loſſe of our kingdom, & you the extinction of the Engliſh Nations revenue. Therefore ſeeing our enemies are at hand, and their hands at our throats, let us by fore-ſight and counſel ſave our own lives, or elſe by courage ſheath p. 198our ſwords in their bowels, either of which I am willing to enter into, to ſecure our Eſtate and Nation from an irrecoverable Ruine. After which Speech he and his Army retreated, and gave way to the prevailing Enemy.

Swain herepon ſetling all things according to his own will, when as he knew, that no man durſt reſiſt him, commanded himſelf to be called King of England, Dum non fuit alius qui pro ſure regni, decertare, vel ſe regem confiteri auſus fuiſſet, as uuAnn. 1013. p. 393. Huntindon, p. 452.Matt. Weſtminſter, and others write. Such a ſtrange fear and ſtupidity was then fallen upon Ethelred and the whole Engliſh Nation. After this Ethelred privily departed from London to Hampton, and from thence to the Iſle of Weight as afore ſaid, where adviſing with the Abbots, and Biſhops there aſſembled in Council, what courſe was beſt to ſteer, he ſpake thus unto them, the Hiſtory whereof I ſhall fully relate in xxDe Geſt is Regum, l. 2. c. 10. p. 69, 70.William of Malmesbury his words. Ibi Abbates et Epiſcopos Qui nec in tali neceſsitate Dominum ſuum deſerendum putarent, in hanc convenit ſententiam. Viderent quam in anguſto res eſſent ſuae, et ſuorum ſe perfidia Ducum Propoſit. 8.avito extorrem ſol…o, et opis egentem alienae, in cujus manu aliorum …olebat ſalus pendere: quondam Monarcham et Potentem, modo miſerum et exulem: dolendum ſibi hanc commutationem, quia facilius toleres o…es non habuiſſe, quam habitas amiſiſſe. Pudendam Anglis eo magis, quod deſerti Ducis exemplum proceſſurum ſit in orbem terrarum. I…os amore ſui ſine ſumptibus voluntariam ſubeuntes ſugam, domos et facultates ſuas praedonibus expoſuiſſe, in arcto eſſe victum omnibus, veſtitum deeſſe pluribus: probare ſe fidem illorum ſed non reperire ſalutem, adeo jam ſubjugata terra, obſervari littora, ut nuſquam ſine periculo ſit exitus. Quapropter conſiderent in medium, quid cenſerent faciendum. Si maneant, plus a Civibus cavendum quam ab Hoſtibus; p. 199forſitan enim crucibus ſuis novi domini gratiam mercarentur; et cer… è occidi ab hoſte titulatur fortunae, prodi a Cive addicetur Ignaviae. Si ad exteras gentes fugi…ne gloriae fore diſpendium; ſi ad notas, metuendum ne cum fortuna colerent animum. Plaeroſque enim probos et illuſtres viros hac occaſione caeſos, experiendum tamen ſortem et tentandum pectus Richardi Ducis Normannorum, qui ſi Sororem et Nepotes non ingrato animo ſuſceperit, ſe quoque non aſpernanter protecturum. Vadabitur enim mihi meam ſalutem conjugi et liberis impenſus favor. Quod ſi ille adverſum pedem contulerit, non deerit mihi animus, planè non deerit, hic gloriosè occumbere, quàm illic ignominiosè vivere.

Hereupon he ſends Emma his Queen and her children in the monethmonth of Auguſt into Normandy, accompanied with the Biſhop of Durham, and Abbot of Burgh, where they are joyfully received by Duke Richard, who invites Ethelred himſelf to honour his Court with his preſence; who thereupon in January following paſſeth over into Normandy, and there ſolaceth his miſeries with the curteous entertainment he there found. yyWigorn. Sim. Dunelm. Huntindon, Hoveden, Radul. de Diceto, Polychronicon, Malmesb. l. 2. c. 10. p. 70. Mat. Weſtm. p. 394. Bromton, Knyghton, Fabian, Graſton, Holinſhed, Speed, Daniel.King Swane in the mean time provokes invaded England with ruines and ſlaughters, playes the abſolute Tyrant, commands Proviſions to be abundantly provided for his Army and Navy, et Tributum fere importabile ſolvi praecepit, and likewiſe commanded an inſupportable Tribute to be paid: And the like in all things Earl Turkell the Dane, commanded to be paid to his Navy lying at Greenwich, hired by King Ethelred to defend the Engliſh from Foreiners; yet both of them as often as they pleaſed preyed upon and pillaged the Country beſides, firſt polling the inhabitants of their goods, and then baniſhing them. Provincialium ſubſtantiae Propoſ. 1, 4.prius abreptae, mox proſcriptiones factae. In this ſad oppreſſed condition under their New Soveraign, to whom they had ſubmitted themſelves, both Nobles p. 200and people knew not what to do… Haeſitabatur totis urbibus quid fieret: ſi pararetur rebellio, aſſertorem non haberent; ſi eligeretur ſubjectio, placido rectore carerent. Ita privatae et publicae opes ad naves cum obſidibus deportabantur. Quo evidenter apparet Swanum naturalem et legitimum non eſſe Dominum, ſed atrociſsimum Tyrannum, as Malmesbury, Matthew Weſtminſter, and others record. But God who is propitious to people in their greateſt extremities, ſuffered not England to lye long fluctuating in ſo many calamities. For this barbarous Tyrant Sw…ne, after innumerable evils and cruelties perpetrated in England and elſewhere, added this to the heap of his further damnation, that he Exacted a great Tribute out of the Town of St. Edmondsbury, Anno 1014. which none ever before preſumed to doe, ſince it was given to the Church wherein the body of the precious Martyr St. Edmond lieth intombed, all the lands thereof being exempted from Tributes. Beginning to vex the poſſeſſions of the Church, and threatning to burn the Town and deſtroy all the Monks Propoſit. 1.unleſs they ſpeedily paid him the Tribute he exacted, and uſing reproachfull ſpeeches againſt St. Edmond, as having no holineſs in him, he was ſuddenly ſtruck dead and ended his life on the Feaſt of the Purification of the bleſſed Virgin, Anno 1014. Our Monkiſh Hiſtorians record; That on the Evening of the day whereon he held a general Court at Ge…gnosburgh; …eiterating his menaces againſt the Town, and ready to put them in execution, for not paying the Tribute demanded, he ſaw St. Edmond comming alone armed againſt him, whiles he was invironed in the midſt of his Daniſh Troops; whereupon he preſently cried out with great affright and a lowd voice; Help O fellow Souldiers, help, behold St. Edmond comes to ſlay me: and whiles he was thus ſpeaking, being grievouſly wounded with a ſpear by the Saint, he fell off from his horſe, and continued in great torment till night, and ſo ended p. 201his life, with a miſerable death.

zzMalmesb. Huntind, Hoveden, Wigorn. Sim. Dunelm. Radulphus de Diceto, Mat. Weſtmin. Polychron. Bro…ton, Fabian, Grafton, Speed, Daniel, Knighton,Swane being de…d, the whole Navy and Nation Anno 1014.of the Danes, Elected and made …te his ſon their King and Lord: … Majores Natu totius Angliae; The Nobles and Senators of all England liking nothing …e…s than bondages especially under ſuch new tyrannizing forein Intr…, thinking it now or never the time to ſhake of… their new yoak, pronounced their Natural Lord, to be dearer to them than any Foreiner, Si regalius ſe quam conſu…verat ageret. Whereupon with unanimous conſent, and great joy and ſpeed they ſent meſſengers …o Normandy to Ethelred to inform him; Nullum eo libentius ſe in Regem recepturos, ſi ipſe vel rectius gubernare, vel mitius eos tractare vellet quam prius tractaverat: and to haſten his return unto Propoſit. 1, 5, 6, 8.them. Who thereupon preſently ſent over his ſon Edward, qui fidem Principum, favoremque vulgi praeſens specularetur: who together with his Embaſſadors, aſſured both the Nobles and Commons of the Engliſh Nation; That he would for time to come be their mild and devout Lord, conſent to their wills in all things, acquieſce in their Counſels, and if he had offended in any kinde, he would reform it according as they ſhould think fit, and with a ready mind pardon whatſoever had been contemptuouſly or diſgracefully spoken or acted by them, againſt him or his, if they would all unanimouſly receive him again as their King into the Kingdom. To which they all gave a favourable and ſatisfactory anſwer: Whereupon a plenary reconciliation was ratified between them on both ſides▪ both by words and compact. Moreover aaAd haec Principes, ſe non amplius Danicum Regem admiſſuros in Ang…iam unanimiter ſpoſponderunt. Florentius Wigornienſis, p. 381. Henry Huntindon, p. 433. Simeon Dunelmenſis▪ Hiſt. col. 171.The Nobles unanimouſly and fréely agreed and voted, That they would never more admit a Daniſh King into England to reign over them. Theſe things concluded, King Ethelred ſpeedily returns into England, where he was honourably and joyfully received p. 202by the Engliſh. And that he might ſeem to caſt off his former ſloathfulneſs, he haſtned to raiſe an Army againſt Cnute, who remaining with his Navy in Lindeſey, made an agreement with the inhabitants, exacting men and horſes from them, that he might ſurpriſe Ethelred at unawares, and threatning grievouſly to puniſh all ſuch as revolted from him. But Cnute being taken in his own craft, (Ethelred marching thither with a ſtrong army before he was provided to receive him) fled from thence with his Hoſtages, Army and Navy to Sandwich; whereupon Ethelred depopulated all Lindeſey, waſting the Country with fire and ſword, ſlaying all the Inhabitants (as Traitors to him and their Native Country;) Cnute, by way of revenge, humano et divino Jure contempto in inſontes graſſatus, cuts off the hands and ears, and …its the Noſes of all the moſt Noble and beautiful Hoſtages throughout England, given to his father, and ſo diſmiſſing them, ſailed into Denmark to ſettle his affairs and augment his ſorces, reſolving to return the year following. After his departure, bbSim. Dunelmenſis, Florent. Wigorn. p. 382.King Ethelred this very year, Super haec omnia mala Claſſi quae apud Greenwic …acui… Tributum quod erat 30. millia librarum, pendi mandavit; to wit, to the Fleet under Turkell the Dane, who inſtead of defending, did but Propoſit. 1.help to pillage and oppreſs the Engliſh: Huntindon writes, it was but 21 thouſand pounds; and Bromton avers that it was Cnute, not Ethelred, who commanded it to be paid to his Navy. Soon after which, the Sea riſing higher than it was accuſtomed, drowned an innumerable Company of Villages, people, and cartel.

After Cnutes departure, ccMalmsbury l. 2. c. 10. p. 71. Wigorn. p. 382. Mat. Weſtmenſter, p. 395. Hoveden, p. 433. Polychronicon, Fabian, Grafton, Holinſhed, Speed.King Ethelred ſummoned a Parliamentary Council at Oxford, Anno 1015, Anno 1015.both of the Danes and Engliſh. Malmsbury expreſsly ſtiles it, MAGNUM CONCILIUM; Wigornienſis, Hoveden, Sim. Dunelmenſis, MAGNUM PLACITUM: p. 203Matthew Weſtminſter and others, MAGNUM COLLOQUIUM; our later Engliſh Hiſtorians, a Great Council and Parliament. The King by the ill adviſe of that Arch Traytor Duke Edric at this Great Council, commanded ſome Nobles of the Danes to be ſodenly and ſecretly ſlain, quaſi de Regia proditione notatos ac perſidiae apud ſe inſimulatos, the chiefeſt of them were Sygeforth and Morcar, whom Edric, treacherouſly invited to his chamber, and there making them drunk, cauſed his armed guards there placed ſecretly to murder them, which they did. Hereupon their Servants endeavouring to revenge their Lords deaths (being digniores et potentiores ex Seovengenſibus) they were repulſed with arms, and forced to ſlye into the Tower of St. Frideſwides Church for ſafety; whence when they could not be forcibly expelled, they were all there burnt together. The King preſently ſeiſed upon their lands and goods (the chief cauſe of their murder, as ſome conceived) and ſent the relict of Sygeforth (a very Noble, beautifull and vertuous Lady) priſoner to Malmsbury: whither Edmond (the Kings baſe Son, as ſome affirm,) poſted without his fathers privity, and being enamored with her beauty, firſt carnally abuſed, then afterward maried her; and by her advice forcibly invaded and ſeiſed upon the Lands of her husband and Morcar, which were very great, and the Earldom of Northumberland, which his father denied him upon his requeſt: Whereupon all the Inhabitants of that County readily ſubmitted to him. Whiles theſe things were acting, (d) Cnute having ſetled his affairs in Denmark, (c) Malmsbury, Wigorn. Sim, Dunelm. Radulphus de Diceto, Huntindon, Hoveden, Bromton, Polychronicon, Fabian, Holinſhed, Grafton, Speed, Daniel.and made a League with his neighbour Kings recruired his Army and Navy, and returned into England with a reſolution, either to win it, or to loſe his life in the attempt. Ariving firſt at Sandwich, and ſailing thence to the Weſt, he pillaged Dorſetſhire, Somerſetſhire, and Wiltſhire, filling all places with ſlaughters and plunders. King Ethelred lying then ſick at Coſham p. 204his ſon Edmond Ironſide, and Duke Edric, raiſed an Army againſt Cnute; but when both their forces were united to fight him, the old perſidious Traytor Edric endeavoured by all means to betray Edmond to the Danes, or treacherouſly to ſlay him; which being diſcovered to Edmond, thereupon they ſevered their forces from each other, and gave place to the Enemies without giving them battel. Not long after Edric inticing to him 40 of the Kings ſhips furniſhed with Daniſh Mariners and Souldiers, openly revolted, and went with them to Cnute, ſubjecting himſelf to his dominion as his Soveraign: by whoſe example all Weſt-Sex ſubmitted to him as their Ki…g, delivering him hoſtages for their fidelity, reſigning up all their arms to him, and providing both horſe and arms for his Daniſh Army. The Mercians offred themſelves alone to reſiſt the Danes, but through the Kings ſloathfulneſs, the buſineſs of war received delay, and the enemies proceeded in their rapines without oppoſition.

In the year 1016. King Cnute, and treacherous Anno 1016.Duke Edric, came with 200 ſail of ſhips into the river of Thames, whence they marched by land with a great Army of horſe and foot, and invaded Mercia in an hoſtile manner, burning all the Towns and Villages, and ſlaying all the men they met with in Warwickſhire and other places; whereupon King Ethelred (as Huntindon, Wigornienſis, and others record) made an Edict, Ut quicunque Anglorum ſanus eſſet, ſecum Propoſit. 3, 8.in bello procederet, That every Engliſhman who was in health, ſhould go with him in battel againſt the Danes. An innumerable multitude of people upon this aſſembled together to aſſiſt him: But when his and his ſon Edmonds forces were conjoyned in one body, the King was informed, that ſome of his auxiliaries were ready to betray and deliver him up to the enemies, unleſs he took care to prevent it and ſave himſelf: and as ſome write, the Mercians refuſed to p. 205fight with the VVeſt-Saxons and Danes; whereupon the expedition was given over, and every man returned to his own home. After this Edmund Ironſide raiſed a greater Army than before againſt Cnute, and ſent Meſſengers to King Ethelred to London, to raiſe as many men as poſſible he could, and ſpeedily to come and joyn with him againſt the Danes; but he, for fear of being betrayed to the Enemy, preſently diſmiſſed the Army without fighting, and returned to London. Hereupon Ed. Ironſide went into Northumberland, where ſome imagined he would raiſe a greater Army againſt Cnute the Dane; but he and Ʋhtred Earl of Northumberland, inſtead of incountring Cnute, waſted the Counties of Stafford, Shrewsbury and Leiceſter, becauſe they would not go forth to fight againſt the Danes Army, in defence of Propoſit. 8.their Country and King. Cnute, on the other ſide waſting with fire and ſword the Counties of Buckingham, Bedford, Huntindon, Northampton, Lincoln, Nottingham, and after that Northumberland: Which Edmond being informed of, returned to London to his Father, and Earl Uhtred returning home, being compelled by neceſsity, repaired to Cnute, and ſubmitted himſelf to him, with all the Northumbrians, making a Peace with him, and giving him hoſtages for performance thereof, and for his and their fidelity. Not long after Uhtred and Turketel, Earls of Northumberland, were both treacherouſly ſlain by Turebrand a Dane, by Cnutes command or Commiſſion. Which done, Cnute made one Hirc (ſome ſtile him Egric) Earl of Northumberland in his place; and then returned with all his army to his Ships in triumph, a little before the feaſt of Eaſter, with a very great booty. Not long after, King Ethelred (born to troubles and miſchief,) after manifold labours, vexations, treacheries, and inceſſant tribulations, ended his wretched life in London, where he died May 9th. Anno 1016. being there buried in St-Pauls Church, finding reſt in his Grave by death, p. 206which he could never find in his Throne all his life, having attained it by Treachery, and his Brothers, Soveraigns murder **Exagitabant illum umbrae fraternae, diras exigentes inferias, &c. Malmesbury De Geſtis Reg. l. 2. c. 10.whoſe Ghoſt (as Malmesbury and others write) did perpetually vex and haunt him all his reign, and made him ſo ſubject to, and fearfull of plots and treacheries, that he knew not whom to truſt, nor ever deemed himſelf ſecure, even in the midſt of his oft raiſed Armies, Nobles, People, though ready to adventure their Lives for his defence.

I have related theſe Paſſages of the Daniſh wars, and invaſions during Ethelreds reign, more largely than I intended. 1. Becauſe on the Engliſhm…ns parts, they were meerly defenſive of their Native Country, King, Laws, Liberties, Properties, Eſtates. Lives againſt forein Invaders and …rpers. 2ly. Becauſe they more or leſs relate to my forementioned Propoſitions, touchthe fundamental Rights, Liberties, Properties, of the Engliſh Nation. 3ly. Becauſe they ſhew forth unto us the true original grounds, cauſes, motives, neceſſities, and manner of granting the very firſt Civil Tax and Tribute mentioned in our Hiſtories, by the King and his Nobles, in their General Councils, to the Daniſh invaders, to purchaſe peace, and the true nature, uſe of our antient Danegelt, and rectifie ſome miſtakes in our common late Engliſh Hiſtorians.

Immediately after King Ethelreds deceaſe eeFlorentius Wigorn. p. 384. Hun…ind. pars …. p. 434. Sim. Dunelm. Hiſt. col. 173. Radulph. de Diceto Abbrev. Chron. col. 446. Chron. J Bromtor 903. … de Knyght… de Eventi…. Angl. l. …. c. 2. Polychron. Malms…. Mat. Weſtm. Fabian, Speed, Spelm.Epiſcopi, Anno 1016.Abbates, Duces, et quique Nobiliores Angliae in unum congregati (as Wigornien…s, Hoveden, …n Dune…s, R…us de Dice…o▪ Bromton Or, Maxima pars Regni, tam Clericorum quam Laicorum in unum congregati (… Matthew VVestminſter▪ Or, Proceres Regni cum Clero, (as Knyghton expreſſes it) Pari conſenſu in Dominum et Regem Canntum eligere: All the Biſhops, Abbots, Dukes and Nobles of England, and the greateſt part of the chief Clergy and Laity, aſſembled together (in a kind of p. 207Parliamentary Council) by unanimous conient elected Cnute for their Lord and King (notwithſtanding their ſolemn Vow and Engagement but the year before, never to ſuffer a Daniſh King to reign over them) Whereupon they all repaired …o Cnute to Southampton ffwigorn. c. 304, Hoved. Annal. pars 1. p. 434. Sim. Dun…lm. col. 173. Brom…. col. 903. Henry de Knyght. de Eventib. …gl, l. 2. c. 2. col. 2315. Ailredus de vita & mirac. Edward. col. 374. Se… Po…yc. F…b, Hol…nſhed. Graft. Speed.omnemque Progeniem Regis Ethelredi, coram illo abhorrentes, et abnegando repudiantes (as Wigor…i… ſis, Huntindon, Knyghton, and others record) and there in his preſence abhorring and utterly renouncing and abjuring all the Progeny of King Ethelred, they ſubmitted themſelves, and ſwore …e…lty to him, as to their only King and Soveraign, he reciprocally then ſwearing unto them, That he would be a faithfull Lord unto them both in things appertaining to God and the World, which our Hiſtorians thus expreſs. Quibus ille jurav…t, quoa & ſecundum Deum, & ſecundum ſeculum fidelis illis foret Dominus. Only the City of London, and part of the Nobles then in it, unanimouſly choſe and cryed up Ed. …ronſide, King Ethelreds 3. ſon, by Elgina his firſt Propoſit. 8.Wife, Daughter to Duke Thored, as Speed and others relate, though Matthew Weſtminſter, and others regiſter his birth, Non ex Emma Regma, ſed ex quadam ignobili foemina generatus, qui utique matris ſuae ignobilitatem generis mentis ingenuitate & corporis ſtr…it te redintegrando redemit. After Edmonds election, he was crowned King by Liuing Archbiſhop of Canterbury, at Kingston upon Thames (where our Kings in that age were uſually crowned.) No ſooner was he thus advanced to the Regal dignity, but he preſently marched undauntedly into VVeſt-Sex, and being there received by all the People, with great gratulation and joy, he moſt ſpeedily ſubjected it to his Dominion. Which being divulg'd in other parts, many Counties of England, deſerting Cnute, voluntarily ſubmitted themſelves unto him, ſuch is the ſickleneſs of the People, & unconſtancy of worldly power and affairs. ggMalmes…. Huntind. VV… gorn. Sim. Dunelm. Mat. VVestm. Radulph. de Diceto. Bromt. Polychron. Fab. Caxton, Graeſton, Ho…inſh. Speed, Daniel, and others in the life of Edmond Ironſide & …nut….Cnute in the mean p. 208time to be revenged of the Londoners for making Edmond King, marched to London with his whole Army and Fleet, beſieged and blocked up the City with his Ships, drawn up the Thames on the Weſt-ſide of the Bridge, and then drew a large and deep trench round about the City, from the Southſide of the River, whereby he intercepted all ingreſs and egreſs to the Citizens and others, whom he ſhut up ſo cloſe, that none could go in or out of the City, and endeavoured by many ſtrong aſſaults to force it: but being ſtill repulſed by the Citizens, who valiantly defended the walls, he left off the ſiege with great confuſion and loſs, as well as diſhonor. Thence he marched with his Army into Dorſetſhire, to ſubdue it: Where King Edmond meeting him with ſuch forces as he could ſuddenly raiſe, gave him battel at Penham near Gillingham; where after a bloudy and cruel encounter, he put Cnute and his Army to ſlight, and ſlew many of them. Not long after, they recruiting their forces, both Armies meeting at Steorstan, King Edmond reſolving there to give Cnute battel, placed the moſt expert and valianteſt of his Souldiers in the front; and the reſt of the Engliſh who came flocking in to him, he kept for a reſerve in the rear. Then calling upon every of them by name, he exhorted and informed them, That they now fought for their Country, for their Children, for their Wives, for their Houſes and Liberties, inflaming the minds of his Souldiers with his excellent Speeches; in this battel with the Enemy, he exerciſed the Offices of a valiant Soldier, and good General, charging very couragiouſly; But becauſe that moſt perſidious Duke Edric, Almar, and Algar, and others of the great men, who ought to have aſſiſted him with the Inhabitants of Southampton, VViltſhire, and innumetable other Engliſh, joyned with the Danes, the battel continued all day, from morning to night, with equal fortune, till both ſides being tired out, and p. 209many of each party ſlain, the night conſtrained them to march one from another. But their bloud not being cold, the next day they buckled together again, with no leſs courage than before; till at laſt, in the very heat of the battel, the moſt perfidious Duke Edric perceiving the Danes like to be totally routed, and the Engliſh in great forwardneſs of victory, cut off the head of a Souldier named Oſmeranus, very like to King Edmund both in hair and countenance, and ſhaking his bloody ſword, with the half gaſping head in his hand, which he lifted up on high, cryed out to the Engliſh Army: O ye Dorſetſhire men, Devonſhire men, and other Engliſh, flee and get away, for your head is loſt; behold here is the head of your King Edmund, which I hold in my hand, therefore haſten hence with all ſpeed, and ſave your lives. Which when the Engliſh heard and ſaw, they were more affrighted with the atrocity of the thing, than with the belief of the Speaker: whereupon all the more unconſtant of the Army were ready to fly away. But Edmond having preſent notice of this treacherous ſtratagem, and ſeeing his men ready to give over the fighr, haſted where he might be beſt ſeen, and poſting from rank to rank, encouraged them to fight like Engliſhmen: who thereupon reſuming their courage, charged the Danes more fiercely than before; and bending their force againſt the Traytor, had ſhot him to death, but that he retreated preſently to the Enemy, the Engliſh reviving, and manfully continuing the battel again till the darkneſs of the night cauſed both Armies voluntarily to retreat, from each other into their Tents. When much of the night was ſpent, Cnute commanded his men in great ſilence to break up their Camp, and marched to his Ships, and ſoon after, whiles King Edmond was recruiting his Army in Weſt-Sex, beſieged London again▪ whereupon Edmond marching to London with a ſelect company of Souldiers, chaſed Cnute and his Army to their ſhips, p. 210removed the ſiege, and entred the City in manner of Triumph. Cnute and Edric perceiving the valour and good ſucceſs of Edmond, conſpired together, to overcome him by Treaſon, whom they could not vanquiſh by Armes; for which end, Edric, before King Edmonds march to London (as ſome) or ſoon after, as others relate, feignedly revolted from Cnute, and ſubmitted himſelf again to Edmond, as his natural Lord: and renewing his peace with him, fraudently ſwore that he would continue faithfull to him, only that he might betray him. Edmond, two days after he had chaſed the Danes from the ſiege of London, purſuing his victory, paſſed over the Thames at Brentford, where, though many of the Engliſh were drowned in paſſing over the River, through their careleſneſs, yet he there fought with the Danes the fourth (or tather fifth) time, routed them, and won the field. After which, Edmond, by the advice of Edric, marched again into West-Sex, to raiſe a more numerous Army, to ſupply thoſe who were drowned and ſlain in this laſt battel: Upon which advantage, the Danes again returned to the ſiege at London, invironing, and fiercely aſſaulting it on every ſide; but being valiantly repulſed by the Citizens, they retired from thence to their ſhips, and ſailed into the River of Arewe; where leaping out of their ſhips, they went about pillaging in Mercia, killing all they met, and burning the Villages, returning to their ſhips with a great booty: Another company of their foot ſailing up the River of Meadway, pillaged Kent, their Horſe marching thither by Land to meet them, doing the like, waſting all places with fire and ſword. King Edmond having in the mean time raiſed a ſtrong Army out of all England, paſſed over with them again at Brentford, to fight the Danes, and giving them battel near Oteford, routed the whole Daniſh Army, not able to endure his fierce charge, and purſued them as far as Ilesford, ſlaying many thouſands of them in the purſute; and had p. 211he followed the purſute futther, it was conceived that day had put an end to the war and Danes for ever. But perfidious Duke Edric by his moſt wicked Counſel (the worſt ever given in England) cauſed him to give over the chace. Whereupon the flying Danes eſcaped into the Iſle of Shepy. Edmond returning into VVeſt-Sex to obſerve Cnutes motion, he thereupon tranſported his forces into Kent, who began to plunder and waſt Mercia far worſe than ever they had done before▪ VVhereupon King Edmond marching with his Army againſt them, gave them battel the ſixt time, at Eſeſdune, (or Aſſendune) now Aſhdune in Eſſex; where after a long and bloody fight, with equall valour, and great loſs on both ſides: King Edmond ſeeing the Danes to fight more valiantly than ever before, leaving his place (which uſually was between the Dragon and Standard) ran into the very front of the battel, and breaking in like thunder upon the Enemy, brake their ranks, pierced into the very midſt of them, and made way for others to follow him, forcing the Danes to give back; VVhichWhich the ever traiterous Edric perceiving, fled with the whole Squadron of Souldiers which he commanded, unto Cnute, as was formerly agreed between them; whereupon the Danes becoming the ſtronger, made an extraordinary ſlaughter of the Engliſh; as Matthew VVeſtminſter and his followers ſtory. Henry Huntindon relates, That Edric ſeeing the Danes going to ruine, cryed out to the Engliſh Army, Fly O Engliſhmen, fly Engliſhmen, for Edmond is dead (being not ſeen in his wonted place) and crying out thus, he and his Brigade firſt began the flight; whereupon the whole Army of the Engliſh following them, fled likewiſe. VVigornienſis informs us; that King Edmond before this battel, riding about to every Company, admoniſhed and commanded them, that being mindfull of their priſtine valour and victory, they ſhould defend themſelves and the Realm from the avarice of the Danes, being p. 212now to fight with thoſe they had formerly conquered. That perfidious Duke Edric ſeeing the Daniſh army inclining to ſlight, and the Engliſh about to gain the victory, began to fly with the VVageſetenſians, and that part of the army which he commanded, as he formerly promiſed to Cnute, that circumventing his Lord King Edmond and the Engliſh army with deceits, he gave the victorie to the Danes by his treacherie; and by the conſent of all our VVriters, he here gave the greatest wound to the Engliſh Nobility and Nation that ever they received in any former battle, Duke Alfric, Duke Godwin, Duke Ulfketel, Duke Aethelward, Ailward ſon of Duke Alke, and all the flower of the Engliſh Nobility, together with Eadnoth Biſhop of Lincoln, and Abbot VVulfius, (qui ad exorandum Deum pro milite bellum agente convenerunt) with an infinite number of common Souldiers being there ſlain in this fight and ſlight: qui nunquam ante in uno praelio tantam cladem ab hoſtibus acceperunt. Ibi Cnuto Regnum expugnavit, ibi omne decus Anglorum occubuit, ibi flos patriae totus …marcuit, VVrites Malmesbury, Cnute likewiſe on his ſide ſuſtained an irreperable loſs, both of his Dukes and Nobles.

After this lamentable loſs, wherein ſo many Nobles fell, Cnute marching to London in triumph, took the Royal Scepters; whence departing into Gloceſterſhire, in purſute of Edmond (who retreated almoſt alone to Gloceſter, and there recruited his broken forces) he waſted and pillaged the Country in his march. King Edmond reſolved to give him another battel in a place called Dierhurſt; where Edmond with his army being on the VVeſt-part of the River Severn, and Cnute on the Eaſtſide with his army, both ſet in battel array, ready manfully to encounter each other, wicked Duke Edric, magnatibus convocatis, calling the Nobles of both parties together, ſpake unto them as followeth, as Matthew VVeſtminſter, and others accord, before any incounter; but Abbot Ethelred records, that p. 213both Armies then fought a moſt bloudy battel for one whole day from morning to night, an innumerable Company being ſlain on both ſides, without any Victory; the night only cauſing them to retire, ad ſimilem ludum eundemque exitum die craeſtina reverſuri. Both Armies being wearied with this bloudy ſport, when they ſaw King Edmonds forces daily increaſing, and Cnutes company likewiſe augmented out of foreign parts, by conſtant recruits, which he cauſed to be ſent from thence, Vterque Exercitus Proceres ad colloquium cogunt, both armies compelled their Nobles to a Conference; where one of them, being elder than the reſt (which others affirm to be Duke Edric) requiring ſilence, ſpake thus unto them, as hhEthel…edus Abbas, De Geneal. Regum Angl. coll. 363, 364. Polychronicon, l. 6. c. 17.Abbot Ethelred records his words.

I deſire, O wiſe men, in theſe our dangers to give advice; who verily am inferiour to you in wiſdom, but ſuperiour to you in age, as theſe gray hairs reſtify▪ and peradventure what wiſdom hath not, uſe hath taught me, and what ſcience hath denied, experience hath conferred. Many things verily we have ſeen an… known, many things moreover our Fathers have to… us, and not without cauſe we require audience, tha… we may utter no doubtful ſentence of things certai… and apparent. A perillous thing is acted; we ſuffe… evil things, we diſcern worſer, we fear the worſt o… all. We fight daily, neither do we overcom, nor yet are we vanquiſhed; yea… we are overcome, and yet no man vanquiſheth. For how are we not overcome, who are wounded, who are oppreſſed, who are wearied, who are diſtreſſed by forces, who are ſpoiled by arms? Neither flie we, ſince there is none who may aſſault us; neither do we aſſault, ſince courage fails on both ſides. How long ſhall it be, ere we ſee an end of theſe wonderfull things? When ſhall there be reſt from this labour, tranquillity from this ſtorm, ſecurity from this fear? Certainly Edmond is invincible p. 214by reaſon of his wonderful fortitude; and Cnute alſo is invincible by reaſon of fortunes favour. We are broken in pieces, we are ſlain, we are diſſipated, we loſe our deareſt pledges, we expoſe our ſweet friends and alliances to death. But of this labour what fruit? what end? what price? what emolument? what I pray, but that the ſouldiers being ſlain on both ſides, the Captains at laſt compelled by neceſsity, may compound? or verily fight alone, without a Souldier? Why then not now? Truly while we live, while we breath, whiles the Army remains this might be done more profitably, honeſtly, ſecurely. I demand, what inſolence yea violence, yea madneſs is this? England heretofore when ſubjected to many Kings, both flouriſhed in glory, and abounded in riches. O ambition! how blind is it alwaies, which coveting the whole, loſeth the whole? Why I pray, doth not that now ſuffice two, which heretofore was ſufficient for five Kings? But if there be in them ſo great a luſt of domineering, that Edmond diſdains a Peer, Cnute a Superiour, PUGNENT, QUAESO, SOLI, QUI SOLI CUPIUNT DOMINARI: CERTENT PROCORONA SOLI, QUI SOLI CUPIUNT INSIGNIRI; let them fight, I beſeech you, alone, who deſire to domineer alone; let them contend for the Crown alone, who deſire to be crowned alone. Let the Generals themſelves enter into the hazard of a Duel, that even by this means one of them may be vanquiſhed; leſt if the Army ſhould fight more often, all being ſlain, there ſhould be no ſouldiers for them to rule over, nor any who may defend the Realm againſt Foreiners.

Whiles he was about to ſpeak more, ALL THE PEOPLE, ſhut up his Speech in the midſt of his Jaws, if I may ſo ſpeak, crying out and ſaying, AUT PUGNENT IPSI AUT COMPONENT, let them fight p. 215themſelves, or let them compound. His Speech recorded in Bromton, Hen: de Knyghton, Speed and others, is much to the ſame effect, though different in ſome expreſſions.

(i) Matthew Westmininſter brings in Edric ſpeaking Anno 1016, p. 400.only, thus to the Nobles. O inſenſati Nobiles, et armis potentes! cur toties morimur in bello pro Regibus, cum ipſi nobis morientibus, nec regnum obtineant, nec avaritiae ſuae finem imponant. Pugnent conſulto, ſingulariter, qui ſingulariter regnare contend…nt, Quae eſt iſt a regnandi libido, Quod Anglia modo duobus non ſufficit, quae olim octo regibus ſatis fuit? Itaque vel ſoli componant, vel ſoli pro regno decertent. PLACUIT AUTEM HAEC SENTENTIA OMNIBUS, ET AD REGES PROCERUM DELATUM ARBITRIUM, ILLI CONSENTIENDO APPROBANT. Hereupon all the Nobles concurring in this opinion, both Kings approving their Determination, fought a royal ſingle duel, firſt on horſeback, then on foot, in the Iſle of Olerenge, or Olney, (near Gloceſter) in the midſt of Severn, in the view of both their Armies, with extraordinary courage, and equall ſucceſs, till they were both quite tyred, but neither of them vanquiſhed: At laſt upon Cnutes motion they began to parly in a friendly manner; Cnute ſpeaking thus to Edmond. Hitherto I have been covetous of thy Realm, now moſt valiant of men, I am verily more deſirous of thy ſelf, whom I ſee, art to be preferred, I ſay, not before the Realm of England, but the whole world it ſelf. Denmark hath yielded to me, Norwey hath ſubjected it ſelf to me, the King of Swedes hath given me his hand, and thy admirable Valour hath more than once fructrated the force of my aſſaults, which I believed no mortal man could have been able to ſuſtain. Wherefore although fortune hath promiſed that I ſhould be every where a Conquerer, yet thy admirable valour hath ſo allured me to favour, that I above meaſure deſire thee both for a friend and conſort of my kingdome: would to God that thou alſo maiſt be as deſirous of me, that I may reign with thee in p. 216England, and thou maiſt reign with me in Denmark. Truly, if thy valour ſhall be united to my fortune, Norway will fear, and Sweden will quake: France it ſelf; accustomed to warrs, will tremble. In brief, Edmond and Cnute both conſent to divide the Kingdom: Edmond yielding to words, who had not yielded to ſwords, being overcome with this Oration, who could not be overcome with arms; whereupon, laying aſide their arms, they run and mutually imbrace and kiſs each other, both Armies rejoycing and the Clergy ſinging Te Deum laudamus, with a lowd voice. Afterwards in teſtimony of Agreement, they change clothes and Arms with each other, and returning to their Armies, preſcribed the manner of the Agreement and Peace. Wigornienſis, Simeon Dunelmenſis, and **Annal. pars prior, p. 436.Roger Hoveden add, that they ratified the agreement with Oaths, TRIBUTOQUE QUOD CLASSICAE MANƲI PENDERETUR STATUTO; and appointed a Tribute which ſhould be paid to the Sea forces, and then Propoſit. 1, 9.departed from each other. The Da…es returned with the great booty they had gotten to their ſhips, with whom the Citizens of London having made a peace, DATO PRECIO, which they paid a pr…ce for, they permitted them there to winter. The Realm was divided between them both, but the Crown remained to Edmond, with the City of London, Eſſex, Eaſt-England, and all the Land on the Southſide the River of Thames, and Cnute enjoyed the North parts of England, by mutual conſent and agreement of all the Nobles; and ſo this bloudy warr between them (after 7. or 8. battels, within ſo many moneths ſpace) ceaſed.

Soon after this fatal Agreement and partition of the Realm, which made Edmond but half a King and England half Denmark, that ever trayterous Duke Edric, to ingratiate himſelf the more with Cnute, treacherouſly murdered King Edmond at Oxford, of which there are 3. different relations in our Hiſtorians. llWilliam Malmsbury, de Geſtis Regum, l. 2. c. 10, 11. … Hen. de Knyghton, de Eventibus Angliae.Some ſay that he corrupted the Kings Chamberlains with gifts p. 217to murder him in his bed: and that King Cnute, in the firſt year of his Coronation, cauſed all of them who had conſpired his death by Edric's exhortation to come before him, where they declared to the King the Treaſon they had committed againſt King Edmond, expecting a large reward for it. Whereupon the King ſent for the Great Men and Nobles of the Realm, and made the Traitors to acknowledge their Treaſon before them, and a great aſſembly of people; fearing leſt otherwiſe it ſhould be believed that he had foreplotted the Treaſon aforeſaid, and ſuborned them to execute it. After their publick confeſſion thereof, he cauſed them all to be firſt drawn, and then hanged for it. (l) Others (m) Hen. Huntindon, Hiſt. l. 6. p. 363. Radulphus de Diceto, Ymagines Hiſt. & Mat. Westin. Flores Hiſtor. Anno 1016. Polychron. l. 6. c. 17, 18. Chronicon Johan. Bromton, col. 906, 907, 908.write, that Edric himſelf, or his Son by his command, murdered him at Oxford on St. Andrews night as he was eaſing nature in an houſe of Office, ſtabbing him into the bowels with a two-edged knife through the hole of the privy, (in which one of them lay in wait to murder him) leaving the knife ſticking in his bowels, and him dead in the place: And ſome write, that he placed an Image in his Chamber with a bow and arrow ready bent; which Edmond admiring at, touching the spring which held the bow thus bent, the arrow thereupon pierced & ſlew him in the place. That before his death was known, Edric went to Edmonds wife, and taking away her two young Sons from her, brought and delivered them to Cnute; and then ſaluted him, ſaying; GOD SAVE THEE SOLE KING OF ENGLAND. Whereupon Cnute demanding, Why he ſaluted him in this manner? He then informed him of King Edmonds death, and how he had murdered him of purpoſe to make him ſole King of England. Speed adds, That he cut off his Soveraigns head, preſenting it to Cnute with theſe fawning ſalutations, All hail thou ſole Monarch of England, for here behold the head of thy Copartner, which for thy ſake I have adventured to cut off: which no antient Hiſtorian mentions. Upon this, Cnute, p. 218though ambitious enough in Soveraignty, yet out of a Princely diſpoſition, ſore grieved at ſuch a diſloyal treacherous act, preſently replyed to him, I for reward of ſo great and meritorious a ſervice done for me, will …this day advance thee above all the Nobles of the Realm; After which he cauſed his head to be cut off, then fixed on an high poll, and placed on the higheſt Tower of London, for the birds to prey upon. mmIngulphi Hiſt. p. 892. Florent. Wigorn. Mat. Weſtmin. Simeon Dunelm, Hoveden, Anno 1016, 1017. Chron. Iohan. Bromton col. 907, 908. Hen. de Knyghton de Eventib. Angliae, l. 2. c. 2, 3. Radulphus de Diceto Abbreviationes Chronicorum.Others more agreeable to the truth, relate; That Cnute in the firſt year of his reign depriving this Arch-Traitor Edric of the Dukedom of Mercia, which he had many years enjoyed; thereupon Edric in the feaſt of Chriſts Nativity, repaired to Cnute at his Palace in London, to expoſtulate with him about it: where checking the King over-harſhly, he upbraided him with the many benefits he had received from him, amongſt which he mentioned two, wherewith he ſpecially provoked him to anger; ſaying, Moſt dear King, you ought not to ſpeak harſhly to me, nor ſuffer any evil to be done unto me; for you had never enjoyed the Realm of England, but by my means. For out of love to thee, I have firſt betrayed King Ethelred; after that I deſerted Edmond my proper and natural Lord; and afterwards I foreplotted his death, and murdered my just and true liege Lord, out of my fidelity Propoſit. 8.towards thee, to bring the whole kingdom unto thee: and doſt thou ſo lightly vilify ſo great love conferred on thee, for which I never received any benefit or profit from thee? At which ſpeeches, Cnute changing his countenance, expreſſing his fury by its redneſs, preſently pronounced this ſentence againſt him, ſaying: And thou ſhalt deſervedly die, thou moſt perfidious Traitor, ſeeing by thy own confeſſion thou art guilty of Treaſon both againſt God and me, who haſt ſlain thine own Soveraign and natural King, and my dear confederate Brother. His bloud be upon thy head, becauſe thou hast ſtretched out thy hand againſt the Lords anointed. And leſt a tumult ſhould be raiſed among the people, he commanded him to be there preſently p. 219ſtrangled in his palace, and his body to be caſt through a window into the river of Thames, to be devoured of the fiſhes, as ſome, or hanged upon London walls unburied, to be devoured by birds, as others ſtory. At which time nnIngulphi Hiſtoria, p. 891, 892.Duke Norman, ſon of Duke Leofwin, (Captain of Edrics guard) Aethelward ſon of Duke Agelmar, and Brihtricus ſon of Alphege Earl of Devonſhire, with many others of Edrics followers were likewiſe ſlain without offence, together with Edric; becauſe Cnute feared he ſhould one time or other be circumvented by the treacheries of this old perfidious Traitor, hearing his former natural Lords Ethelred, and Edmond had frequently been betrayed by him, quorum diutina proditione alterum vexavit, alterum interfecit; there being no truſt to be repoſed in ſuch a Traytor to his Soveraigns. Thus this inveterate Arch-Traitor to his Natural Country, Kings, and bloudy Regicide, by Gods divine Juſtice received the juſt puniſhment of all his Treaſons at the laſt, inſtead of expected great rewards, from that hand he leaſt ſuſpected. Whence (p) Matthew Weſtminster relating both the Hiſtories (o) Anno 1017. p. 402.of the manner of Edrics death, concludes thus, Sed ſive ſic, ſive aliter vitam finierit Proditor Edricus, non multum ad rem pertinet; quia hoc liquido conſtat, Quod ille qui multos circumvenerat, tandem eſt juſto Dei Iudicio circumventus, et proditionis ſuae meruit ſubire talionem: And let all thoſe who have or ſhall imitare him in his Treaſons againſt his native Country, Kings, and Regicide, ſeriouſly meditate on his tragical end, and expect the ſelf ſame retribution in concluſion, though they eſcape as many years as he then did before final execution.

A third ſort of Authors, as Marianus Scotus, Wigornienſis, Roger Hoveden, and Simeon Dunelmenſis, make no mention of King Edmonds murder by Edric his ſubordination, but only that he died at London, (not Oxford) about the Feaſt of St. Andrew; p. 220as if he had died of a naturall death; but the generality of Writers agree, he was murdered at Oxford, ambiguum quo caſu extinctus, writes ppDe Geſtis Regum, l. 2. c. 10. p. 72. Chron. Johan. Bromton col. 906, 907.Malmesbury; the common fame being he was murdered, by Edric as aforeſaid. And Bromton, who recites all three opinions, concludes thus, Sed primus modus, videlice…, quod rex Edmundus, ad requiem naturae ſedens, proditione dicti Edrici occiſus fuit, verior aliis et autenticior habetur. The Author of the Encomium of Emma, concurring with Marianus, ſubjoynes this Obſervation touching his ſhort reign and ſpeedy death: That God, &c. minding his own doctrine, That a kingdom divided in it ſelf cannot long ſtand, and pitying the Engliſh, took away Edmond, leſt if the Kings had continued long together, they ſhould have both lived in danger, and the Realm in continual trouble. His reign continued onelyonly ſeven moneths, in which time he fought ſeven or eight battels in defence of his Country, People, and their Liberties, beſides his ſingle Duel with Cnute: and by his untimely death, the Engliſh - Saxon Monarchy was devolved to the Danes, who by Treachery and the Sword for three deſcents, deprived the Engliſh Saxons of the Crown and Kingdom, through divine retaliation, as they had unjuſtly by treachery and the Sword diſpoſſeſs'd and diſinherited the Britons thereof, about 450 yeares before, as qqHiſtor. l. 6. p. 359.Henry Huntindon, rrChron. col. 883.Bromton, ssPolychron. l. 1. c. 59 f. 56.Radulphus Ciſtrenſis, ttActs and Monuments, Vol. 1. p. 222.Mr. Fox, uuHiſtory of Great Britain, p. 394. to 398.Speed, and others obſerve. The Sinnes of the Saxons grown now to the full, (writes Speed) and their dreggs as it were ſunk to the bottom, they were emptied by the Danes from their own veſſels, and their bottles broken, that had vented their red and bloudy wines; in lieu whereof the Lord gave them the cup of wrath, whoſe dreggs he had formerly (by their own hands) wrung out upon other Nations. For the Saxons, that had enlarged their Kingdomes by the bloud of the Britons, p. 221and built their nests high upon the Cedars of others, (as the Prophet ſpeaketh, Habbak. 2.) committed an evil covetouſneſs to their own habitations, and were ſtricken by the ſame meaſure that they had meaſured to others, when as the Danes often attempting the Lands invaſion, and the ſubverſion of the Engliſh Estate, made way with their Swords through all the Provinces of the Realm, and laſtly, advanced the Crown upon their own helmets, which they wore only for three Succeſſions.