A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government

Of the Moderne, These:
• 76 Richard Grafton a Citizen of London, writ a Chronicle from the beginning of the world, to the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, in whose time he lived.
• 77 Raphaell Holinshed, a Minister, writ a large Chronicle, from the Conquest to the year 1577. and was continued by others, to the year 1586.
• 78 Doctor Goodwin Bishop of Hereford, writ the Lives of King Henry the eight, King Edward the sixth, and Queen Mary, & lived in the time of Qu. Elizabeth
• 79 Doctor Heyward writ the History of the first Kings, William the Conqueror, William Rufus, and Henry the first, also the Reign of King Henry the fourth, and Edward the sixth, and lived to the time of King James.
• 80 Samuel Daniel writ a Chronicle of the Kings of England, to the end of King Edward the third, and is continued by John Trussell to the beginning of King Henry the seventh.
• 81 Sir Francis Bacon Viscount, Viscount S. Albans, hath written a History of the Reign of King Henry the seventh, in a most elegant style, and lived in the time of King James.
• 82 John Fox writ three large Volumes of the Acts and Monuments of the Church; particularly treating of the English Martyrs in the Reignes of King Henry the eighth, and Queen Mary, and lived in the time of Queen Elizabeth.
• 83 Thomas Cowper, Bishop of Winchester, writ Chronicle Notes of all Nations, specially of England, from the beginning of the world to his own time, and lived in the time of Queen Elizabeth.
• 84 William Camden King at Arms, writ the life of Queen Elizabeth, and a Description of Britain, and lived in the time of King James.
• 85 William Martin Esquire, writ the Reignes of the Kings of England, from William the Conqueror, to the end of King Henry the eighth: to which was afterward added the Reignes of King Edward the sixth, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth.
• 86 Francis Biondi an Italian Gentleman, and of the Privy Chamber to King Charles, hath written in the Italian tongue, the Civil Wars between the two Houses of Lancaster and York, from King Richard the second, to King Henry the seventh: Translated elegantly into English by Henry Earl of Monmouth, now living.
• 87 Henry Isaacson a Londoner, hath written a Chronology of all kingdoms, from the beginning of the world to the year 1630. being the fifth year of King Charles his Reign.
• 88 Nicholas Harpsefield Arch-deacon of Canterbury, hath written a Chronicle of all the Bishops of England, to which Edmund Campian the Jesuit, made an Addition.
• 89 John Stow Citizen of London, writ a Chronicle from Brute to the end of Qu. Elizabeth, and is continued to this present time, being the 18. year of King Charles, by Edmund Howes a Londoner.
• 90 John Speed a Londoner, writ the Story of Britain, from the first beginning to the year 1605. being the second year of King James.
• 91 William Abington Esquire, hath written the Reign of King Edward the fourth in a very fine style, and is yet living.
• 92 Thomas Fuller Bachelor of Divinity, and Prebendary of Sarum, hath written the Holy War in very fine language, wherein he relates the Acts of our Kings of England in the Holy Land, and is now living.
• 93 Andre du Chesne, a Frenchman, Geographer to the King of France, hath written the History of England, Scotland & Ireland, from their first beginnings, to the seventeenth year of our present Sovereign Lord King Charles.

Of the first known times of this Island.

A Lthough we begin the Aera of our Computation from William called the Conqueror, as though he were the first King of our English Nation: Yet before him; were many other excellent Kings; and their Acts perhaps as worthy to be known, if they could be known. But seeing after ages can know nothing of former times but what is Recorded by writing: It hath followed that as the first Writers were Poets: So the first writings have been Fictions; and nothing is delivered to Posterity of the most ancient times, but very Fables: Such as is the story of Albina (of whom they say, this Island was called Albion : though others say, ab albis rupibus, of the white cliffes) that she should be • the eldest of the two and thirty daughters of Dioclesian King of Syria, (such as never was) who being married to two and thirty Kings, in one night killed all their husbands: for which fact, they were put in a ship, themselves alone without any Pylo • , so to try their adventure, and by chance arrived in this Island, of whom Giants were begotten. And if you like not of this; then have you the story of Albion the son of Neptune, of whom the Island took its name. But when these are exploded; there follows another with great Attestation, and yet as very a Fable as these; namely the story of the Trojan Brute, (of whom the Island they say, was called Britain : though many other causes are given of the name:) as likewise the story of Brutes cosin Corinaeus, (of whom they say, the Country of Cornwall had its name, to whom it was given, for overcoming the Giant Gogmagog :) and that Brute having three sons, Lectrine, Albanact, and Camber ; he gave at his death to his eldest son Locrine, all the land on this side Humber, and called it Lo • gria ; to his second son Albanact, all the land beyond Humber, of whom it was called Albania, (now Scotland :) and to his youngest son Camber, all the land beyond the river of Severne, of whom it was called Cambria, (now Wales :) with other such stuff, which may please children, but not riper Judgments; and were first broached by Geoffrey Archdeacon of Monmouth : for which all the Writers of his time cried shame upon him; and yet can scarce keep many at this day, from giving credit to his Fictions.

And when we are once gotten out of Fables, and come to some truth; yet that truth is delivered in such slender draughts, and such broken pieces, that very small benefit can be gotten by the knowing it, and was not till the time of Julius Caesar, a thousand years after the Fable of Brute : at which time, the Island was yet but in manner of a Village, being without Walls, as having no shipping, (which are indeed the true Walls of an Island) but only certain small vessels, made of boards and wicker. And as they had no ships, for defense without: So neither had they any Forts, for defense within: scarce any houses but such as were made of stakes and boughs of trees fastened together; Neither was it yet come to be a Kingdom, but was Governed by a number of petty Rulers: So as Kent only had in it (as Caesar calleth them) four Kings; Cingetorix, Carvilius, Taximagulus, and Segonax : which division, as it made the Britain's the more easy to be conquered, so it made the Romans the longer in conquering. For if they had been one united body, one or two battles might have made a conquest of the whole, where being thus divided, there was need to be as many battles as there were divisions; So as it was many years, before the Romans could conquer the whole Island; even from the time of Julius Caesar, to the time of the Emperor Domitian ; not much less then two hundred years. It is true, after Caesar's first coming, the Island grew sensible of this defect of their division, and thereupon by consent of a great part, made choice of Cassibelan, King of the Trinovants, who had his seat at Verulam, to be General of their wars; which made indeed some little stop to the Romans proceedings, but after the loss of a battle or two, they fell again into a relapse of their former defect, and thought it better to secure everyone his own, by his own means, then by a general power, to hazard all at once; whereby it came afterward to be true: Dum singuli pugnant, universi vincuntur. Yet before the Cou • try could be wholly Conquered; at first by reason of the Nations valor, seeking to keep themselves free, and afterward by reason of the insolency of the garrison soldiers, that sought to make them slaves, many great oppositions were made, amongst which the most memorable was that of Voadicia, a certain Queen of the Country, who having been by the Roman soldiers herself abused, and her daughters ravished, used means to levy an Army of six score thousand men, whom she led herself into the field, and set upon the Romans in their chief towns, which were London, Verulam, and Camalodunum (now Malden in Essex ;) of whom she flew above seventy thousand: but then in a second battle, had fourscore thousand of her own Army slain, after which defeat, for avoiding of slavery, she poisoned herself.

This Island for a long time, was so much esteemed of the Romans, that their Emperors sometimes came hither in person; as first the Emperor Adrian, in the year 124. who made a great wall of earth between England and Scotland, and having set the Country in order, returned. After him sometime, Severus the Emperor in the year 212. came over into Brit • ine to repress the Incur • ions of the Picts and Scots, by whom in a battle near York, he was wounded and thereof died, or as others say, he died of age and sickness. Afterward in the year 305. Constantius the Emperor came into Britain, and ended his life at York, making that City famous for the death and burial of two great Emperors; and yet more famous for the honor done to Constantine the Great, son of Constantius, who in that City was first saluted Emperor. But notwithstanding the great estimation the Romans a long time made of this Island, yet at last, after five hundred years they had kept it in subjection, they voluntarily left it: the charge of keeping it, being greater, then the benefit; for to keep it in subjection, they maintained no fewer than fourscore thousand soldiers in pay, and when wars grew amongst themselves at home, they could no longer spare so many abroad, but recalled them home: but then, though they left Britain, yet they left not the Britain's, but carried them, at least, a great part of them away with them; of whom the most were slain in their service, and the rest planted in that part of France, which of them was afterward, and is to this day called Britain. And now one would think, the Island should be in good case, being freed from them that kept them in subjection, but it proved to be in worse case being at liberty, then it was before in servitude, for being deprived of their ablest men, and at the same time, their King Lucius happening to die without issue, they were left as a few loose sticks without the bond of a Governor: which the Picts and Scots observing, thought now was the time to make the Country their own, and thereupon made invasions upon it with all their Forces. Whereupon the Britain's having none left of their Native Kings to succeed; and knowing they could ill manage the Body of an Army without a Head: they make choice of Vortigerne Earl of Cornwall, one extracted from the British Line; and he, whether so advised by his Cabinet Counselor, the Prophetical Merlin, or as finding his own strength too weak to make resistance; implores first aid of the Romans, and they making answer, they had business enough to do of their own, and leaving them to themselves, he then fled to the Saxons for aid; a warlike people of Germany, and who had greater swarms then their hives would well hold.

And here we may plainly see how dangerous a thing it is for a Nation, to call in strangers to their aid, and especially in any great number; for though they come at first but mercenaries, yet once admitted, and finding their own strength, they soon grow Masters, as here it proved with the Saxons.

But before we speak further of the coming in of the Saxons, who were at that time Infidels, and brought with them their two Idols, Woden and Frya, (whereof two of our week days, Wednesday and Friday, take their names; it will be fit to say something of the state of the Christian Church in this Island. First then, it is recorded, that in the year 63. what time Arviragus reigned here, Joseph of Arim • thea (who buried the body of Christ) came into this Island, and laid the foundation of the Christian Faith in the Western parts, at a place called then Hvalon ; now Glastenbury ; and that there came with him, Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, and Martha: and more then this, that Simon Zealots one of the Apostles suffered martyrdom here in Britain : and more then this, that both St. Peter and St. Paul came into this Island and Preached the Gospel; all which and more to this purpose, is Recorded by Authors of good Account: though it be hard believing, That persons, and specially women of so great age, as these must needs be at this time, should take so long a journey. But howsoever it was, certain it is, that the doctrine of Christianity was about this time planted in this Island, though it made afterwards but small progress, and that with some persecution; as in which time, St. Alban suffered martyrdom at Verulam, and at Liechfield shortly after, no fewer then a thousand. After this, in the year 180 what time Lucius was King of this Island, Eleutherius then Bishop of Rome, sent Faganus and Damianus to him: upon whose preaching, the Temples of the Heathenish Flamins and Arch-flamins (one and thirty in number) were converted to so many Bishops Sees; whereof London, York, and Caerleyn (now St. David's ) were made the Metropolitans of the Province. And there is a Table remaining at this day, in the Parish Church of St. Peter on Cornhill London, which recordeth; that the Foundation thereof was laid by this King Lucius, and that this Church was the Cathedral to that Archbishops See. In the year 359. a Council was holden at Ariminum in Italy ; where four hundred Western Bishops were Assembled, whereof three went out of Britain, and gave their voices against the Arian Heresy. After this, about the year 420. rose up in this Island, one Pelagius a Monk, brought up in the Monastery of Bangor in Wales, who spread the poison of his Heresy, first in this his Native Country, and afterward all the world over. And these had been the chief passages in matters Ecclesiastical within this Island, when the Saxons were called in, about the year 450.

And now under the Conduct of two brothers, Hengist and Horsa, came over nine thousand Saxons with their wives and children, to a •• ist the Britain's ag • inst the Scots, and were appointed the Isle of Thanet to Inhabit. With which assistance the Britain's give their enemies battle, and overcome them: So as they accounted the Saxons as Angels sent from heaven, and then allowed them Kent also fo • their Inhabiting. Not long after Hengist obtained of King Vortigern the property of so much ground, as he could enclose with a Bulls Hide: which cutting into thongs, he there built the Castle, Facti de nomine, called Thong Castle. And now having built it he invites V • rtigern to a Feast, where falling in love with Rowena, the beautiful daughter of Hengist, and marrying her, it put Hengist into such a height of boldness, that he began to aspire, sending for greater Forces to come over to him; as meaning to transplant himself hither, and to make this Island his Inheritance: which the British Lord's perceiving, and not able to wean their King from his new wife, and her father Hengist, they Depose him; and in his place set up his son Vortimer, a true lover of his Country: who presently in a pitched battle near unto Aylesford in Kent, set upon the Saxons ; where Catigern the brother of Vor • imer, and H • rs • , of Hengist, in single • ight hand to hand slew each other. In which place Catigern was buried, and a Monument in memory of him Erected, the stones whereof at this day are standing in a great Plain in the Parish of Aylesford ; which instead of Catigern, is corruptly called Kits-Cotyhouse. Another the like Monument was erected for Hors • , though now defaced; remembered only by the Town where it stood, called Horstead. Three other battles after this were fought between the Britain's and the Saxons : one at Craford ; another at Weppeds-fleet ; the third upon Colmore : in which last, the Britain's got so great a victory, that the Saxons were clean driven out of Kent, and in Thanet also not suffered also to rest; so as shortly after, Hengist with his Saxons departed the Kingdom, as being now out of hope to make his Fortune in this Island. But while Vortimer was th • s intentive for his Countries liberty; Rowena the former Kings wife, being daughter to Hengist, was as intentive to bring it into servitude; which knowing she could not do as long as Vortimer lived, she used means by poison, to take away his life, after he had been King the space of four years, and then by the witchcraft of fair words, so enchanted the British Nobility, that her husband Vortigern was again established in the Kingdom; which was no sooner don • , but Hengist, (relying upon his son Vortigerns love) with a mighty Army attempts to return again into the Island; when being resisted, he makes a show, as if he desired nothing but to fetch away his daughter Rowena, and to have a friendly conference for continuance of amity: which motion seeming reasonable, a place and time of conference was appointed: the time upon the first of May ; the place upon the Plain of Ambrii, now called Salisbury ; whither the plain meaning Britain's came unarmed, according to agreement; but the fraudulent Saxons under their long Cassocks had short skeynes hidden, with which, upon a watch-word given, they set upon the Britain's, and of their unarmed Nobility slew three, some say five hundred, & took the King himself prisoner, whom they would not release, till they were put in possession of these four Counties, Kent, Sussex, Suffolk, and Norfolk. Whereupon Vortigern, whether fearing a second Deposing, or whether so advised by his Cabinet Counselor the Prophetical Merlin, betook him into Wales, and there built him a strong Castle for his safeguard; while the Saxons coming daily in great swarms into the Land, had at this time overrunne all; if Aurelius Ambrosius a Roman borne, but affected to the British Nation, had not landed at To • nes in Devonshire, to whom resorted great troops of Britain's. His first expedition was against Vortigern, (as the first cause of the Britain's misery) whose Castle he besieged; and whether by wild fire, or by fire from Heaven, both he and his Castle, and all that were in it were burnt to ashes. To this Ambrosius is ascribed the admirable Monument in Wiltshire, now called Stoneh •• ge, in the place where the Bri • aines had been treacherously • laughtered and interred; and of whom the Town of Ambersbury bears its name. After this he set upon the Saxons, and in many batrailes discom • ited them; till at last falling sick in the City of Winchester, a Saxon, in show a Britain, and in habit a Physician, was sent unto him, who instead of Physic, ministered poison, whereof he died, in the year 497. after he had reigned two and thirty years.

After Ambrosius, succeeded Uter, (some say his brother, others, a Britain ) called Pendragon, of his Royal Banner borne ever before him; wherein was portrayed a Dragon with a golden Head, as in our English Camps, it is at this day borne for the Imperial standard. And he also in many battles discomfited the Saxons, till after eighteen years Rain he came to his end by treachery; dying by poison put into a Well, whereof he usually drank; in the year 515.

After him succeeded his son Arthur, begotten of the fair Lady Igren, wife of the Duke of Cornwall, to whose bed the Art of Merlin brought him in the likeness of her husband; and he in t • elve set battles discomfited the Saxons ; but in one most memorable in which gi • ding himself with his sword called Callibourne, he flew upon his Enemies, and with his own hand slew eight hundred of them; which is but one of his wonderful deeds, whereof there are so many reported, that he might well be reckoned amongst the Fabulous, if there were not • now true to give them credit. Amongst other his Acts, he Instituted the Order of Knights of the Round Table, to the end there might be no question about Precedence, and to teach Heroicall minds, nor to stand upon place, but Merit. But this great Prince, for all his great valor, was at last in a battle wounded, whereof he died, in the year 542. after he had reigned six and twenty years.

After King Arthur succeeded his cosin Constantine ; & after his three years reign, Aurelius Conanus the Nephew of King Arthur ; whose Rain is so uncertain, that some say, he reigned only two, some, three years, some again thirty, and some three and thirty. After Conanus succeeded Vortiporus, who after many victories against the Saxons, and four years Rain, died. After whom succeeded Malgo Conanus, and Raigned six years. After him Careticus, who setting upon the Saxons and beaten, • led into the Town of Chichester, whereupon the Saxons catching certain Sparrowes and fastening fire to their feet, let them fly into the Town, where lighting upon • traw, and other matter apt to take fire, the whole City in short space was burnt; and thereupon Careticus flying, secured himself amongst the Mountains of Wales, where he died, after he had unprosperously Raigned three years: and from that time forth, the Britain's lost their whole Kingdom in the East part of the Island, and were confined in the West by the rivers Severne and Dee. After Careticus succeeded Cadwan, who Raigned two and twenty years. After him his son Cadwallo, who Raigned eight and forty years, and then died; whose body was buried in St. Martins Church near Ludgate, and his Image of brass placed upon the same gate, for a terror to the Saxons. In his time, the doctrine of Mahomet began to spread it self all the Eastern world over. After Cadwallo succeeded his son Cadwalladar ; in whose time so great a Famine, and afterward Mortality happened, continuing eleven years, that the Land became in a manner desolate: in so much, that the King and many of his Lord's were driven to forsake their native Country, and Cadwalladar himself went to his cousin Alan King of little Britain in France. At which time the Saxons taking advantage of his absence, came over in swarms, and dispossessed the forlorn Britain's of all they had, and divided the Land amongst themselves. Whereupon Cadwalladar, obtaining assistance of his cousin Alan, was coming over to restrain their insolencies; when making prayers to God for good success, an Angel appeared to him, or at least to his seeming he heard a voice, that forbad him the enterprise, declaring that it was not God's will, the Britain's should rule this Land any longer, and therefore bade him hie him to Rome, and receive of Pope Sergius the habit of Religion, wherein he should die and rest in peace. Which accordingly he did: and in him ended the blood of the British Kings; in the year 689. So as Britain now, was no longer Brit • ine ; but a Colony of the Saxons.

And now is time to speak of the Heptarchy of the Saxons ; so much spoken of, by all Writers • and to show by what degrees the Britai • es lost, and the Saxons got the whole possession of this Island: for this Heptarchie or division of this Island into seven Kingdoms, came not in all at once, nor yet in an equal partition, but some good distance of time, one after another, and as the Invadour had strength to expel the Natives.

The first Kingdom being of Kent.

T He first Kingdom of the Saxons began by Hengist, in the year 455. containing all Kent, and continued 372. years, during the reigns of seventeen Kings, of whom as many as performed any memorable Act, shall be remembered, and for the rest, it will be no loss to pass them over in silence. Of these seventeen Kings, Ethelbert being the fifth, was the first Saxon Christian King of this Island, converted by Austin the Monk, whom Pope Gregory sent hither to that purpose, with forty others, in the year 595. to whom King Ethelbert gave his chief City of Canterbury, and his own Royal Palace there, made since the Cathedral of that See; withdrawing himself to Re • ulver in the Isle of Thanet, where he erected a Palace for himself and his successors. He gave him also an old Temple, standing without the East wall of the City, which he honored with the name of St. Paneras, and then added a Monastery to it, and Dedicated it to St. Peter and Paul, appointing it to be the place for the Kentish Kings Sepulchers. But in regard of Austin the procurer, both Pan • ras, Peter, and Paul were soon forgotten, and it was; and is to this day, called St. Augustine's : which Abbey St. Austin enriched with divers Relics which he brought with him from Rome ; amongst which was a part of Christ's seamless Coat, and of Aaron's Rodde. This King after his own conversion, converted also Sebert King of the East Angles, and assisted him in the building of the Cathedral Church o • St. Paul London ; as also the Church of St. Peter, on the West of London, then called Thorny : and himself at Rochester built the Cathedral Church there, which he Dedicated to the Apostle St. Andrew ; and dying, when he had Raigned six and fifty years, was buried at Canterbury. And thus by this first Saxon Kingdom, was all Kent lopped off from the Britain's Dominion; and this was their first impairing, and this happened in the Rain of Ambrosius before spoken of. The sixth King of Kent was Ethelbald ; who at first an Apostate, was afterwards converted, and built a Chapel within the Monastery of St. Peter and Paul at Canterbury. The seventh King was Ercombert, a virtuous and religious Prince, who first commanded the observing of Lent; and in his days, the Archbishop Honorius divided Kent into Parishes. The eighth King was Egbert, who obtained the kingdom by murthering his Nephews: whose sister the Lady Dompnena, founded the Abbey of Minster in Kent. The eleventh King was Withred, who founded the Priory of St. Merton at Dover. The last was Baldred, who overcome by Egbert King of the West Saxons, left Kent a Province to that Kingdom, in the year 827.

The second Kingdom being of the South Saxons.

T He second Kingdom of the Heptarchie, was of the South Saxons, and began by Ella, in the year 488. containing Sussex and Surrey, and continued 113 years, during the reign of five Kings only, of whom Cissa being the second founded the City of Chichester, and reigned as some say threescore and sixteen years. And then Berthan being the last King, was overcome by Ine King of the West Saxons, and his Country became a Province to that Kingdom, in the year 601. and thus as Kent before, so now Sussex and Surrey were lopped off from the Britain's Dominion: and this was a second impairing, which also happened in the Rain of the British King Ambrosius.

The third Kingdom being of the West Saxons.

T He third Kingdom of the Heptarchie, was of the West Saxons, and began by Cerdic, in the year 519. containing Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorse • shire, Somersetshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Barkeshire, and continued 561. years, during the Raignes of nineteen Kings, of whom this Cerdic was the first: in whose time, Porth a Saxon landed in the West, at a place from him called afterward Portesmouth, and aided Cerdic in his conquest. And this happened in the Rain of King Arthur : and as Kent, Sussex, and Surrey before, so now these seven other shires were lopped off from the Britain's Dominion: and this was a third impairing. The sixth King of the West Saxons was Kingills, who was the first Christian King of this kingdom, converted by Berynus an Italian Divine, to whom he gave the City of Dorchester, near to Oxford ; who therein erected his Episcopal See. The seventh King was Kenwald, who at first an Apostate was afterward converted, and founded the Cathedral of Winchester, and the Abbey of Mamesbery ; whose wife Segburg also built a house of devotion in the Isle of Sheppey, wherein herself became a Nun, and was afterward elected Abbess of Eli. The eleventh King was Ine, who ordained many good laws, which are yet extant in the Saxon tongue, and are translated into Latin, by the learned Master William Lambert. This King built a College at Wells bearing the name of St. Andrew's, which afterward King Kenulph made an Episcopal See. He also in most stately manner new built the Abbey of Glastenbery ; and out of his devotion to the See of Rome, he enjoined everyone of his Subjects, that possessed in his house of any one kind of goods to the value of nineteen pence, to pay yearly upon Lammas day, one penny to the Pope; which at first was contributed under the name of the Kings Alms, but afterward was paid by the name of Peter pence. At last he went to Rome, and there took upon him the habit of Religion, and therein died. His wife also became a veiled Nun, and afterward was made Abbess of Barking near London. The thirteenth King was Cuthred, who first permitted the bodies of the dead to be buried within the walls of their Cities, which before were used to be buried in the fields. The fourteenth was Sigebert, who for his cruelty and exactions, was by his subjects forced to fly into the woods to hide himself, where by a swinherd he was slain. The fifteenth was Kenwolph, who founded the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew's at Wells, and was afterward slain by Kynoard, whom he had banished. The sixteenth King was Brithrick, whose Queen Ethelburg, having prepared a poison for another, the King chanced to taste it, and thereof died. In fear of which chance the Queen fled into France ; where Charles the then King for her excellent beauty, offered her the choice of himself or his son in marriage: but she out of her lustful humor choosing the son, was thereupon debard of both, and thrust into a Monastery, where committing adultery, she was driven from thence, and ended her life in great misery. For her sake the West Saxons ordained a Law, that no Kings wife should hereafter have the Title or Majesty of a Queen, which for many years after was severely executed.

The fourth Kingdom being of the East Saxons.

T He fourth Kingdom of the Heptarchy was of the East Saxons, & began by Erchenwyn, in the year 527. containing Essex and Middlesex, and continued 281 years, during the Raignes of fourteen Kings; of whom the third was Sebert, who first built the Cathedral of St. Paul London, which had formerly been the Temple of Diana : He likewise Founded the Church of St. Peter in the West of London, at a place called Thorny, where some time stood the Temple of Apollo, which being overthrown by an Earthquake, King Lucius new built for the service of God; & that again being decayed, this King restored to a greater beauty, & with his Queen Athelgarda was there buried. The ninth King was Sebba, who after thirty years peaceable Rain relinquished the Crown, & took upon him a Religious habit, in the Monastery of St. Paul London ; where dying, his body was Intumbed in a Coffin of gray Marble, the cover coaped, and as yet standeth in the North wall of the Chancel of the same Church. The twelveth was Offa, famous for the beauty of his countenance, who both enlarged with buildings, and enriched with lands the Church of Westminster, and after eight years Rain went to Rome, and was there shorn a Monk, and in that habit died. The fourteenth was Suthred, whom Egbert King of the West Saxons subdued, and made his Kingdom a Province to his own. And thus besides the former Shires, these two also were lopped off from the Britain's Dominion, and this was a fourth impairing.

The fifth Kingdom being of Northumberland.

T He fifth Kingdom was of Northumberland, and began by Ella and Ida, in the year 547. Containing Yorkshire, Durham, Lancashire, Westmorland, Cumberland, and Northumberland, and continued 379. years, during the Raignes of three and twenty Kings, of whom nothing is recorded of these two first, but that they built the Castle of Bamburg. The seventh King was Ethelfryd, who at Caerlegion (now Westchester ) made a slaughter of twelve hundred Christian Monks, and was himself afterward slain, by Redwald King of the East Angles. The thirteenth King was Osred, whose wife Cutburga, out of a loathing weariness of wedlock, sued out a divorce from her husband, and built a Nunnery at Winburne in Dorsetshire, where in a Religious habit she ended her life. The sixteenth King was Cednulph, who after eight years Rain, left his Royal robes, and put on the habit of a Monk, in the Isle of Lindesfern or Holy Island. Unto this King the Venerable B • de, a Saxon and a Priest in the Monastery of Peter and Paul at Werimouth near to Durham, Dedicate • his work of the English History, which he continued from the first entrance of the Saxons into this Island, to the year 731. containing after his own account 285. years. The seventeenth King was Egbert, who after twenty years Rain forsook the world also, and shore himself a Monk; whose-brother being Archbishop of York, erected a notable Library there, and stored it with an infinite number of learned books. The last King was Oswald, after whom this Kingdom yielded to the protection of Egbert King of the West Saxons, who was now in the year 926. become absolute Monarch of the whole Island. And thus by the erection of this fifth Kingdom, were the six Northern shires lopped off from the Britain's Dominion, and this was a fifth impairing.

The sixth Kingdom being of Mercia.

T He sixth Kingdom was of Mercia, and began in Crida, in the year 522. containing Huntingdon, Rutland, Lincoln, Nottingham, Warwickshire, Leycester, Northampton, Derbyshire, Oxfordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Glostershire, Staffordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hartfordshire, and continued 202. years, during the Raignes of twenty Kings; eight of whom in a continued succession kept the Imperial Crown of the Heptarchie: for though other Raigned as Kings in their own Territories, yet among them ever one was the supreme head of the rest, and was called King of Engle-lond, till Egbert the West Saxon brought them all into one. The fifth of these Kings of Mercia was Penda, who was the first Christian King of the Mercians, and laid the Foundation of a fair Church at Medeshamstead, now called Peterborough. The seventh King was Æthelred, who Raigned thirty years, • nd then gave over the Crown, and became a Monk in the Monastery of Bradney in Lincolnshire, where in the year 716. he died. The eighth King was Kenred, who after four years reign went to Rome, where he took upon him the habit of a Monk, and after other four years died. The tenth King was Ethelbald, who at first was given to much lasciviousness of life, but being reprehended for it by Boniface Archbishop of Ments, was so far converted that he Founded the Monastery of Crowland, driving in mighty piles of Oak into that Marish ground, where he laid a great and goodly building of stone; and after two and forty years Rain was slain in a battle by Cuthred King of the West Saxons. The eleventh King was Offa, who greatly enlarged his Dominions; reigned nine and thirty years, and Founded the Monastery of St. Albans. The thirteenth King was Kenwolph, who reigned two and twenty years, and Founded the Monastery of Winchcombe in the County of Gloucester, where his body was interred. The eighteenth King was Withlafe, who overcome by Egbert King of the West Saxons, held his Country afterward as his substitute and Tributary, acknowledging Egbert as now the sole Monarch of this Island. And by erection of this Mercian Kingdom, were seventeen shires mo • e lopped off from the Britain's Dominion, and was a sixth and a great impairing, so as now they were driven into a narrow room.

The seventh Kingdom being of the East Angles.

T He seventh Kingdom was of the East Angles, and began by Uffa, in the year 575. containing Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and the Isle of Eli, and continued 353. years, during the reign of fifteen Kings, of whom the fifth was Sigebert, who first brought the light of the Gospel into his Dominions, and built a School for education of youth, but whether at Oxford or Cambridge, is left a Quaere ; and after three years Rain shore himself a Monk in the Abbey of Cumbreburg, which himself had built: but being afterward violently drawn from thence by his Subjects the East Angles, to resist the Mercian King Penda, and refusing to use any other weapon but only a white wand, was in a battle by him slain. The seventh King was Anna, who after thirteen years reign, was also slain by Penda the Mercian King. This King Anna was memorable chie • lie for the holiness of his children, of whom his son Erkenwald was Bishop of London, and built the Abbey of Barking near London. His eldest daughter Etheldrid was twice married, and yet continued a Virgin still, and at last became a Nun, and is remembered to posterity by the name of St. Audrie. His second daughter named Sexburg, his third named Ethelburg, his fourth (a Natural daughter) named Withburg : all entered into Monasteries, and are Canonized all for Saints. The fourteenth King was Ethelbert, a learned and religious Prince, who being invited by Offa the Mercian King to marry Elfrid his daughter, came for that purpose to Offa's Court, then seated at Sutton Walleys in the County of Hereford, and there by him was cruelly murdered. In whose memorial notwithstanding, he afterward built a fair Church at Hereford, the Cathedral of that See, as though he could expiate a murder of the living, by a Monument to the dead, and were not rather a Monument of his own impiety. The fifteenth King was Edmund, who assaulted by the Danes for his possessions, was more assaulted for his profession: for continuing constant in his Christian Faith, those Pagans first beat him with bats, then scourged him with whips, • nd lastly bound him to a stake, and with their arrows shot him to death; whose body was buried at the Town where Sigebert the East Anglian King, one of his Predecessors, had built a Church, and where afterward (in honor of him) was built another most spacious, of a wonderful frame of Timber, and the name of the Town upon the occasion of his burial there, called to this day St. Edmunds bury. This Church and place, Suenus the Danish King burnt to ashes: but when his son Canutus had gotten possession of the English Crown, terrified with a Vision of the seeming St. Edmund ; in a religious devotion to expiate his Fathers sacrilege, he built it anew most sumptuously, and offered his own Crown upon the Martyrs Tomb. After the death of this Edmund, the East Angles Country was possessed by the Danes, and so continued the space of fifty years, until that Edmund surnamed the Elder, expelled those Danes, and made that Kingdom a Province to the West Saxons.

By that which hath been said, it plainly appears, by what degrees the Britain's lost, and the Saxons got the whole possession of this Island. For after that Vortigern in the year 455. had called in the Saxons, every Britain King that succeeded him, lost some part or other of it to the Saxon • , till at last in the year 689. C • dw • llader the last Britain King lost all; and then the Saxon Kings striving amongst themselves for sovereignty, they still gained one upon another, till at last in the year 818 Egbert King of the West Saxons reduced them all under his subjection, and then caused all the South of the Island to be called England, according to the Angles of whom himself came; after whom they were no longer properly called Saxon Kings, but Kings of England, and so continued till the Danes, in the year 1017. made an interruption; of whose succession now comes the time to speak.

Of the Saxons that Raigned sole Kings of this Island, and may properly be called English Kings.

E Gbert the eighteenth King of the West Saxons, is now become the first of the Kings of England, in whose time the Danes began first to infest the Land; as thinking they might do as much against the Saxons, as the Saxons had done against the Britain's ; but though they made divers Invasions, and did great spoil, yet they were still repelled. This King reigned six and thirty years, and dying in the year 836. was buried at Winchester. Of his issue, his daughter Edith was made Governesse of a Monastery of Ladies, by her planted in a place which the King her brother had given her, called Pollesworth, situate in Arden, in the North part of the County of Warwick, where she died and was buri • d, and the place in memory of her called St Edyths of Pollesworth.

To Egbert succeeded his son Ethelwolph, who in his youth was so addicted to a Religious life, that he was first made Deacon, and after Bishop of Winchester ; but his father dying, he was entreated by his people to take upon him the Crown, and by Pope Gregory the fourth, was to that end absolved of his Vow. His reign was infested with many and great Invasions of the Danes, to whom notwithstanding he gave incredible overthrows. In the time of his Rain, remembering his former Religious profession, he ordained that riches and lands due to holy Church, should be free from all Tribute or Regal services, and in great devotion went himself to Rome, where he lived a year; confirmed the grant of Peter pence, and agreed beside to pay yearly to Rome three hundred Markes. Returning home through France, and being a Widower, he there married Judith, the beautiful daughter of Charles the Bald then Emperor; in honor of whom, in his own Court, he ever placed her in a chair of Estate, with all other Majesticall complements of a Q •• ene, contrary to the Law of the West Saxons formerly made; which so much displeased his Lord's, that for it they were ready to Depose him; but howsoever he lived not long after, having Raigned one and twenty years. His youngest son Neoto, was much addicted to learning, and was one of the first Divinity Readers in the University of Oxford, and Founded a Monastery in Cornwall, which of him was called Neotestock ; and being dead his body was Interred in the County of Huntingdon, at a place then called Arnulphsbury, and afterward, in regard of his Interment, St. Neotes, and now St. N • edes. This King was famous, for having four sons, who all of them were Kings of this Land successively.

First after him Raigned his eldest son Ethelbald, in the year 857. who to his eternal shame, took to wife Judith his fathers widow, Raigned but two years and dying, was buried at Shirborn in Dorsetshire, at that time the Episcopal See. From this Judith, married afterward to the Earl of Flanders, after divers descents, came Maude the wife of William the Conqueror, from whom are descended all our Kings ever since.

Next to the eldest Raigned the second son Ethelbert, all whose Rain, which was only five years, was perpetually disquieted with Invasions of the Danes, which yet were at last repelled. He died in the year 866. and was buried at Shirborne in Dorsetshire.

Next to the second Raigned his third son Æthelred, whose Rain was more disquieted with the Danes then any others before: for they Invading the Land, under the leading of Hungar, and Hubba, spoiled all the Country as they went, not sparing Religious places; amongst other, the goodly Monasteries of Bradney, Crowland, Peterborough, Eli, and Huntingdon, they laid level with the ground: the Monks and Nuns they murdered or ravished; at which time a rare example of Chastity and Fortitude was seen in the Nuns of Coldingham. For to avoid the ba • barous pollutions of these Pagans, they deformed themselves by cutting off their upper lips and noses. Nine battles in one year this King fought with the Danes, in most o • them victorious; but at last received a wound whereof he died, and was buried in the Church at Winborne in Dorsetshire.

Next to the third Raigned his fourth son Alfred, in whose time came over greater swarms of Danes then ever before, and had now got footing in the North, the West, & South parts of this Island, leaving this King nothing of all his great Monarchy, but only Somerset, Hampton, and Wiltshire ; and not these neither altogether free, so as he was forced sometimes to fly into the Fennes and Marish grounds to secure himself, where he lived by Fishing and Fowling, and hunting of wild beasts, till at last learning policy from adversity, and gathering courage from misery, he ventured in the habit of a common Minstrel, to enter the Danes Campe; where having viewed the manner of their Encamping, and observed their security, he returned back, showing his Lord's in what condition he found them: whereupon setting upon them at unawares, he not only made of them a great slaughter, but brought upon them a greater terror: for presently upon this the Danes sue for Peace, and deliver Hostages for performance of these Conditions; that their King should receive Baptism, and their great Army depart quietly out of the Land. But though upon this agreement they departed for the present into France, yet the year following they returned with greater Forces, forraging all parts of the Country in most cruel manner, though still encountered by this Valorous Prince, till he ended his life in the year 901. after he had Raigned nine and twenty years. The virtues of this King, if they were not incredible, they were at least admirable, whereof these may be instances. The day and night containing four and twenty hours, he designed equally to three special uses, observing them by the burning of a Taper set in his Chapel; (there being at that time, no other way of distinguishing them) Eight hours he spent in Contemplation, Reading and Prayers: Eight in provision for himself, his Health and Recreation: and the other eight in the Affaires of the Common-wealth and State. His Kingdom likewise he divided into Shires, Hundreds and Tythings; ordaining that no man might remove out of his Hundred without security: by which course he so suppressed Thieves and Robbers, which had formerly increased by the long wars, that it is said a boy or girl might openly carry a bag of gold or silver, and carry it safely all the Country over. Besid • s his great Piety, he was also learned; and • s far as it may be a commendation in a Prince, a skillful Musician and an excellent Poet. All former Laws he caused to be survayed, and made choice of the best, which he translated into the English tongue; as also the Pastoral of St. Gregory, the History of Bede, and Boetius his consolation of Philosophy; the Psalms of David likewise he began to translate, but died before he could finish it. And so great a love he had to learning, that he made a Law, that all Freemen of the Kingdom, possessing two Hides of land, should bring up their sons in learning, till they were fifteen years of age at least, that so they might be trained to know God, to be men of understanding, and to live happily. His buildings were many, both for God's service and for other public use: as at Edlingsey a Monastery, at Winchester a new Minster, and at Shaftesb • ry a house of Nuns; whereof he made his daughter Ethelgeda the Abbess; but his Foundation of the University of Oxford, exceeded all the rest: which he began in the year 895. and to furnish it with able Scholars, drew thither out of France, Grimbaldus and Scotus, and out of Wales, Asser, (who wrote his life) whose Lectures he honored often with his own presence. And for a stock of Frugality, he made a Survey of the Kingdom; and had all the particulars of his Estate, registered in a Book; which he kept in his Treasury at Winchester. He Raigned seven and twenty years, and dying was buried in the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter at Winchester, though removed afterward, into the Church of the new Monastery, without the North-gate of the City called Hyde. His Wife Elsewith, Founded a Monastery of Nuns at Winchester, and was there buried. Their second daughter Ethelgeda, took upon her the Vow of Virginity; and by her Fathers appointment was made a Nun of Shaftesbery, in the County of Dorset, in the Monastery • ounded there by him, who is also accounted the Founder of the Town it self.

King Alfred being deceased, his son Edward (called Edward the Elder) succeeded: not so learned as his Father; but in Valour his Equall, and Superior in Fortune. For, first, he overcame his Cousin Ethelwald, who aspired to the Crown; then the Danes, whose chief leader he • lew in battle; lastly the Welsh ; but these last, more by humility shown to their Prince Leolyn, then by force of A • mes. But yet he must not have all the glory of his time; some must be imparted to his sister Elflede ; who being married to Æthelred Earl of Mercia, had by him a daughter, but with so grievous pa • nes in her travail, that ever after she refused the nuptial bed of her Husband, saying, it was a foolish pleasure, that brought with it so excessive pains. And thereupon after her husbands death, made choice to follow the wars; assisting her brother both against the Welsh, and against the Danes, whom she brought to be at her disposing. Dying she was buried at Gloucester, in the Monastery of Saint Peter, which her Husband and her self had built. King Edw • rd himself, after four and twenty years Rain, deceased at Faringdon in Barkshire, in the year 924. and was buried in the new Monastery of Winchester, which his Father began, and himself wholly finished: having had by his three Wives, six Sons and nine Daughters, of whom his eldest son Athelstan succeeded him in the kingdom, whom his Grandfather King Alfred had with his own hands Knighted • in an extraordinary manner; putting upon him a purple Robe, and girding him with a girdle wrought with Pearl. His second son Elfred, he so loved, that he caused him to be Crowned King with himself, which yet he enjoyed but a short time, being taken away by death. His third son Elsward, presently upon his Fathers death, died himself also. His fourth son Edwyn, was by his brother Athelstan, out of jealousy of state, put into a little Pinnace, without either Tackle or Oares, accompanied only with one Page; with grief whereof, the young Prince leaped into the Sea and drowned himself. His fifth, and sixth sons, Edmund, and Edred, came in succession to be Kings of England. Of his Daughters, the eldest Edytha, was married to Sithricke the Danish King of Northumberland, and he deceasing, she entered into a Monastery, which she began at Tamworth in Warwickshire, and there died. His second daughter Elflede, took upon her the vow of Virginity, in the Monastery of Ramsey, in the County of Southhampton, where she died and was interred. His third daughter Eguina, was first married to Charles the Simple, King of France, and after his decease, to Herbert, Ea • le of Vermandois. His fourth daughter Ethelhild, became a Nun in the Monastery of Wilton, which was sometime the head Town, giving name to the whole County of Will • shire, and anciently called Ellandon. That we may see in those first times of Religion, when there was lea • t knowledge, there was most devotion. His fifth daughter Edhold, was married to Hugh, surnamed the Great, Earl of Paris, and Constable of France. And Edgith his sixth daughter, to Otho, the Emperor of the West, • urnamed the Great. His seventh daughter Elgina, was married to a Duke of Italy. His ninth Edgina, to Lewis Prince of Aquitaine in France.

After the death of King Edward, his eldest son Athelstan succeeded, and was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames, in the County of Surrey, by Athelmu • Archbishop of Canterbury, in the year 924. The beginning of whose Rain, was molested with the Treason of one Elfrid a Nobleman, who being apprehended and sent to Rome to purge himself, and there denying the Act upon his Oath, fell suddenly down, and within three days died, to the eternal • error of all perjured persons. Presently upon this, another dysaster befell King Athelstan, for having caused his brother Edwyns death, (as before is shown) chiefly procured by his Cupbearers suggestions: It happened not long after, that his Cupbearer, in his service at a Festival, stumbling with one foot, and recovering himself with the other, and saying merrily, See how one brother helps another ; His words put the King in remembrance of his Brother, whose death he had caused, and with remorse thereof, not only caused his Cup-bearer to be put to death, but did also seven year • penance: and built the two Monasteries of Middleton, and Michelnesse, in the County of Dorset, in expiation of his offense. This King ordained many good Laws; and those to bind as well the Clergy, as the Laity; amongst which, one was the Attachment of Felons, that stole a • ove twelve pence, and were above twelve years old. Of this King, there is one Act related, that may seem ridiculous; another that may seem miraculous; For what more ridiculous, then that, going to visit the Tomb of Saint John of Beverley, and having nothing else of worth to offer, he offered his knife in devotion to the Saint? Yet the mirac • lous is more apparent: For going to encounter the Danes, and praying to God for good success, he prayed withal, that God would show some sign of his rightful cause, and thereupon striking with his sword, he struck it an ell deep into a hard stone, which stood so cloven a long time after. But whether this be true or no, this certainly is true, that he obtained many great victories against the Danes, against the Scots, against the Ir • sh, and against the Welsh, whose Princes he brought to be his Tributaries, entering Covenant at Heref • rd, to pay him yearly twenty pound weight of gold, three hundred of silver, and five and twenty hundred head of Cattle, besides a certain number of Hawkes and Hounds. Lastly, he joined Northumberland to the rest of his Monarchy, and enlarged his Dominions beyond any of his Predecessors, which made all Neighbouring Princes to seek his friendship, and to gratify him with rare presents, as Hugh King of France sent him the sword of Constantine the Great, in the hilt whereof, was one of the nails that fastened Christ to his Cross; He sent him also the spear of Charles the Grea • , reputed to be the same that pierced Christ's side; as also part of the Cross whereon Christ suffered, and a piece of the Thorny Crown put upon his head. Likewise Otho the Emperor, who had married his sister, sent him a vessel of precious stones, artificially made, wherein were seen Landskips with Vines, Corn, and Men, all of them seeming so artificially to move, as if they were growing, and alive. Likewise the King of Norway sent him a goodly Ship, with a gilt Ste • ne, purple • ayles, and the decke garnished all with gold. Of these accounted Holy Relics, King Athelstan gave part to the Abbey of Saint Swithin in Winchester, and the rest to the Monastery of Mamesbury, whereof Adelm was the Founder, and his Tutelar Saint. He new built the Monasteries of Wilton, Michelnesse, and Middleton ; Founded Saint Germans in Cornwall, Saint Petrocus at Bodmyn, and the Priory of Pilton ; new walled and beautifyed the City of Exceter, and enriched either with Jewels or Lands, every special Abbey of the Land. But the chiefest of his works for the service of God, and good of his Subjects, was the Translation of the Bible into the Saxon Tongue, which was then the Mother tongue of the Land. He Raigned fifteen • years, Dyed at Glocest • r, and was buried at Mamesbery, in the year 940. having never been married.

After the death of Athelstan, his brother Edmund, the fifth son of his Father succeeded; and was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames ; but no sooner was the Crown set upon his head, but the Danes were upon his back; and in Northumberland made Insurrections, whom yet he not only repressed in that part; but took from them the Towns of Lincoln, Leycester, Darby, Stafford and Nottingham ; compelling them withal to receive Baptism, and to become his Subjects, so as the Country was wholly his as far as Humber. Cumberland also, which had been an entire Kingdom of it self, and was now aided by Leolyn King of South-wales, he utterly wasted, and gave it to Malcolme King of Scots, to hold of him by Fealty. After his returning home, he • et himself to ordain Laws for the good of his People; which Master Lambert hath since transla • ed into Latin. But after all his noble Acts both in War and Peace, he came at last to a lamentable end; for at his Manor of Pucklekerks, in the County of Gloucester, interposing himself to part a fray between two of his servants, he was thrust through the body, and so wounded that he died, and was buried at Glastenbury, after he had Raigned five years and seven months, leaving behind him two young Sons, Edwyn, and Edgar.

King Edmund dying, his brother Edred, in the minority of his Nephews, was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames, by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury, in the year 946. Not as Protector; (It seems that kind of Authority was not yet come in use) but as King himself, though with purpose to resign, when the right Heir should come of age, which at this time needed not, for while the right Heir was scarce yet fourteen years old, he resigned to him the Kingdom, by resigning his life to Nature, after he had twice repressed the rebelling Northumbrians, and twice forgiven their rebelling, which yet was not a simple Rebellion; for they had sent for Anlafe the Dane out of Ireland, and made him their King; which place for four years he held; and then weary of his government, they thrust him out and take one Hericus to be their King, whom not long after they put down also; and then partly allured by the lenity of King Edred ; and partly forced by his Arms; they submit themselves to him, and ask forgiveness; to whom he, as a merciful Prince, giants an Act of Oblivion, and received them again into protection. This Prince was so devout and humble, that he submitted his body to be chastised at the will of Dunstan Abbot of Glastenbury, and committed all his Treasure and Jewels to his custody. The stately Abbey of Mich at Abington near Oxford, built by King Inas, but destroyed by the Danes, he newly re-edified; endowing it with revenues and Lands, the Charters whereof he confirmed with seals of Gold. He ordained Saint Germans in Cornwall, to be a Bishops See, which there continued, till by Canutus it was annexed to the Episcopal See of Kyrton in Devonshire ; Both which Sees were afterward by King Edward the Confessor, translated to the City of Exceter. He left behind him two Sons, Elfred, and Bertfred, and was buried in the old Minster, without the City of Winchester ; whose bones with other Kings, are to this day preserved in a gilt Coffer, fixed upon the wall, in the South side of the Choir.

After Edred, not any of his sons, but his Nephew Edwyn, the eldest son of King Edmund succeeded, and was annointed and Crowned at Kingston upon Thames, by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury, in the year 955. This Prince, though scarce fourteen years old, and in age but a child, yet was able to commit sin as a man; For upon the very day of his Coronation, and in sight of his Lord's, as they sat in Counsel, he shamefully abused a Lady of great Estate, and his near kinswoman, and to mend the matter, shortly after slew her Husband, the more freely to enjoy his incestuous pleasure. And whether for this infamous fact, or for thrusting the Monks out of the Monasteries of Mamesbury, and Glastenbury, and placing married Priests in their rooms, as also for banishing Dunstan the holy Abbot of Glastenbury out of the Realm, a great part of his Subjects hearts was so turned against him, that the Mercians and Northumbrians revolted, and swore Fealty to his younger brother Edgar, with grief whereof, after four years Rain, he ended his life, and was buried in the Church of the New Abbey of Hyde, at Winchester.

After Edwyn, succeeded his younger brother Edgar, at the age of sixteen years; but his Coronation, when, and where, and by whom, so uncertain, that some say he was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames, by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury, in the first year of his Rain, others say, not till the twelfth, and William of Mamesbery, not till the thirtyeth: Another Chronicle saith, in his eleventh year; and that in the City of Bathe, by the hands of Dunstan Arch-bishop of Canterbury. This King, by reason of the tranquility of his Rain, was surnamed the Peaceable; for as he was something inclined to the Danes, so the Danes never offered to stir in all his time; and as for the Saxons, they acknowledged him their sole Sovereign, without division of Provinces or Titles. His Acts were, some Virtuous, some Politick, some Just, some Pious, and yet all these not without some mixture of vice. To repress dunkennesse, which the Danes had brought in; he ma • e a Law, Ordaining a size, by certain pins in the pot, with penalty to any, that should presume to drink deeper then the mark. It was a Politic device which he used for the destruction of Wolves, that in his days did great annoyance to the Land. For, the tribute imposed on the Princes of Wales, by King Athelstan, he wholly remitted, appointing in lieu thereof a certain number of Wolves yearly to be paid; whereof the Prince of North-wales, for his part was to pay three hundred; which continued for three years space: and in the fourth year, there was not a Wolf to be found; and so the tribute ceased. He had in his Navy Royal, three thousand and six hundred ships, which he divided into three parts, appointing everyone of them to a several Quarter, to scour the Seas, and to secure the Coasts from Pirates: and left his Officers might be careless, or corrupted; he would himself in person sails about all the Coasts of his Kingdom every Summer. It was a notable Act of Justice, that in his Circuits, and Progresses through the Country, he would take special account of the demeanour of his Lord's; and specially for his Judges; whom he severely punished, if he fonnd them Delinquents. Wars he had none in all his Rain, only towards his end, the Welshmen moved some rebellion; against whom he went with a mighty Army, and chastised the Authors; but when his Soldiers had gotten great spoils, and made prey upon the innocent Country people; he commanded them to restore it all back again; which, if it made some few English angry, it made the whole Country of the Welsh well pleased, and sound forth his praises. His Pious Acts were, that he built and prepared seven and forty Monasteries, and meant to have made them up fifty, but was prevented by death. But now his mixture of Vice marred all; especially being a Vice opposite to all those Virtues, which was Lasciviousnesse. For first, he deflowered a sacred Nun, called Wolfchild ; on whom yet he begot a Saint, the chaste Edyth. After her, another Virgin, called Ethelflede, for her excellent beauty surnamed the White, on whom he begot his eldest Son Edward ; for which Fact he did seven years penance, enjoined him by the Arch-bishop Dunstan. After this he chanced to hear of a Virgin, Daughter to a Western Duke, exceedingly praised for her beauty, and coming to Andover, commanded her to his Bed. But the Mother, tender of her Daughters honor, brought in the dark her maid to him; who in the morning, making hast to rise, and the King not suffering her to depart, she told him what great work she had to do; and how she should incur her Ladies displeasure, if it were not done; by which words, the King perceiving the deceit, turned it to a jest, but so well liked her company, that he kept himself true to her ever after, till he married. But now his marriage it self happened by a greater vice then any of these; For hearing of the admirable beauty of El • rida, the only daughter of Ordganus Duke of Devonshire, Founder of Tavestocke Abbey in that Country, he sent his great Favorite Earl Aethelwold, (who could well judge of beauty) to try the truth thereof; with Commission, that if he found her such as Fame reported, he should seise her for him, and he would make her his Queen. The young Earl, upon sight of the lady, was so surprised with her love, that he began to woo her for himself, and got her Fathers good will, so as the King would give his consent. Hereupon the Earl posted to the King, relating to him, that the Mayd was fair indeed, but nothing answerable to the Fame that went of her: yet desired the King that he might marry her, as being her Fathers heir, thereby to raise his Fortunes. The King consented, and the marriage was solemnized. Soone after, the fame of her beauty began to spread more then before, so as the King much doubting that he had been abused, meant to try the truth himself, and thereupon taking occasion of hunting in the Dukes Park, came to his house: whose coming Aethelwold suspecting, acquainted his wife with the wrong he had done both her, and the King, and therefore to prevent the Kings displeasure, entreated her by all the persuasions he could use, to clothe her self in such attire, as might be least fit to set her forth; but she considering that now was the time, to make the most of her beauty, and longing to be a Queen; would not be accessory to her own wrong, but decked her self in her richest Ornaments; which so improved her beauty, that the King at her first sight was struck with admiration, and meant to be revenged of his perfidious Favorite; yet dissembling his passion, till he could take him at advantage, he then with a Javelin ran him through; and having thereby made the fair Elfrid a Widow, took her to be his Wife. This King founded the Monastery of Ramsey in Hamshire, Raigned sixteen years, Lived seven and thirty, and with great Fun • rall pomp was buried in the Abbey of Glastenbury. He had children by his first wife Ethelfleda, one son named Edward ; and by his second wife Elfrid, two sons, one named Edmund, who died young, the other Æthelred. He had also one natural Daughter, named Edgyth, by a Lady named Wolfchild, the daughter of Wolholme, the son of Birding, the son of Nesting ; which two latter bear in their names, the memory of their Fortunes; the last of them being found in an Eagles nest, by King Alfred as he was a hunting. This Edgyth built the Monastery and Church of Saint Dennis at Wilton, and was there buried.

After the death of King Edgar, succeeded his son Edward, but not without some opposition, for Queen Elfrid combined with divers of the Lord's, to make her Son Æthelred King, saying that Prince Edward was illegitimate; on the other side, the Arch-bishop Dunstan, and the Monks stood for Edward, abetting his Title as being lawfully borne; but while the Counsel was assembled to argue their Rights, the Arch-bishop came in with his Banner and Cross, and not staying for debating De Iure, De Facto presented Prince Edward for their lawful King, and the Assembly consisting most of Clergy men, drew the approbation of the rest; and thereupon Prince Edward was admitted, being but twelve years of age, and was Crowned King at Kingstone upon Thames, by Arch-bishop Dunstan, in the year 975. In the beginning of his Rain, it fell into debate whether married Priests were to be allowed to live in Monasteries upon the revenues of the Church. The Mercian Duke Alferus, favoring the cause of the married Priests, destroyed the Monasteries in his Province, cast out the Monks, and restored again the ancient revenues to the Priests and their wives. On the other side, Edelwyn Duke of the East Angles, and Brithnoth Earl of Essex, who stood for the Monks, cast married Priests out of their Provinces. The matter being debated in a Council at Westminster, the Monks cause was like to have the foil, till it was referred to the Rood, placed on the Refectory wall, where the Counsel sat. For to this great Oracle, Saint Dunstan desired them devoutly to pray, and to give diligent ear for an Answer; when suddenly a voice was heard to say, God forbid it should be so, God forbid it should be so. This was thought authority sufficient, to suppress the Priests, till they persuading the people, that this was but a cunning practice of the Monks, in placing behind the wall, a man of their own, who through a Trunke uttered these words in the mouth of the Rood, whereupon another Assembly was appointed at Cleve in Wiltshire, whither repaired the Prelates, with most of all the Lord's and Gentlemen of the Kingdom. The Synod being set, and the matter at the heighth of discussing, it happened that the Joysts of the room, where the Synod was held, suddenly brake, and the floor with all the people thereon, fell down, whereof many were hurt, and some slain. Only the Arch-bishop Dunstan then President, and mouth for the Monks, remained unhurt; which whether it were done by practice, or were miraculous, it served the Monks turn for justifying their cause; and married Priests were thereupon discarded. It were infinite and indeed ridiculous, to speak of all the Miracles reported to be done by this Saint Dunstan, which may be fit for a Legend, but not for a Chronicle.

But now a most lamentable dysaster, comes to be remembered: For King Edward, hunting one time in the Island of Purbacke : not far from Corfe Castle ; where his mother in Law Queen Elfrid, with his brother Prince Æthelred, were then residing, he out of his love to both, would needs himself alone go visit them; where the cruel woman, out of ambition to bring her own Son to the Crown, caused one to run him into the back with a knife, as he was drinking a cup of Wine on horse back at his departing, who feeling himself hurt, set spurs to his horse, thinking thereby to get to his company, but the wound being mortal, and he fainting thorough loss of much blood, fell from his Horse; but one foot being entangled in the stirrup, he was thereby rufully dragged up and down, through Woods, and Lands: And lastly left dead at Corfes gate; for which untimely death, he was ever after called by • he name of Edward the Martyr. He Raigned only three years and • ix months, and was Buryed first at Winchester, without all Funeral pomp; but after three years, by Duke Alferus removed, and with great solemnity interred in the Minster of Shaftsbury. Queen Elfrid, to expiate this her bloody fact, built the two Monasteries of Almesbery, and Worwell, in the Counties of Will • shire, and Southampton, in which latter, with great repentance, she lived till her death.

After the death of Edward the Martyr, dying at the age of sixteen years, his half brother Æthelred, at the age of twelve years, in the year 979. was Crowned King at Kingston upon Thames, by Dunstan Arch-bishop of Canterbury, though much against his will; which King, by reason of his backwardness in Action, was commonly called the Unready. Before whose time, for two and twenty years past • ; the Danes had lived as quiet Inmates with the English, but whether weary of so long doing nothing, or finding now opportunity of doing something, in the second year of this King, they begin to stir, and inviting from home more forces, who in seven Ships arrived upon the Coast of Kent, they spoiled all the Country, specially the Isle of Thanet, and continued this course of forraging the Kingdom, sometimes in one part, and sometimes in another, for eleven years together: till at last in the year 991. the King, by advice of his Lord's, of whom Siricius, the now Arch-bishop of Canterbury was chief, was contented to pay them ten thousand pounds, upon condition they should quietly depart the Realm. This served the turn for the present, but was so far from satisfying them, that it did but give them the greater appetite: for the year following they came again, and that with a greater Fleet then before, against whom the King prepared a competent Navy, and committed it to Elfricke, Earl of Mercia, but he proving treacherous (as indeed all other for the most part did, whom the King employed against the Danes, as with whom they were allyanced in blood) the Dan • s so prevailed • that for the next Composition, they had sixteen thousand pounds given them, and a year after, twenty thousand; and so every year more and more, till it came at last to forty thousand: by which means, the Land was emptied of all Coyne, and the English were brought so low, that they were fain to Till, and Eare the Ground, whilst the Danes sat idle, and ate the fruit of their labors; abusing the Wives and Daughters of their Hosts where they lay, and yet i • every place, for every fear, were called Lord-Danes ; (which afterward became a word of derision, when one would signify a lazy Lubber.) In this distressed state, the King at last bethought himself of a course: He sent forth a secret Commission, into every City within his Dominions, that at an appointed time, they should massacre all the Danes that were amongst them; The day was the thirteenth of November, being the Festival of Saint Bricius, in the year 1002. His command was accordingly performed, and with such rigor, that in Oxford the Danes for refuge took into the Church of Saint Frideswyde, as into a Sanctuary, when the English, neither regarding Place nor Person, set the Church on site, wherein many of the Danes were burnt, and the Library thereof utterly defaced. And who would not now think, but that England by this Fact had clean shaken off the Danish yoke forever? yet it proved clean otherwise: For the news of this massacre, adding a new edge of revenge, to the old edge of ambition: made the Danes sharper set against the English, then ever they had been before; so as the year following, their King Sweyne, with a mighty Navy, entered the Country, razed, and levelled with the ground the City of Exceter, all along from the East Gate to the West; against whom the King levied an Army, and made General over it, the Earl Edricke, his great Favorite; whom he had created Duke of Mercia ; and given him his Daughter Edgyth in marriage; yet all this great favor could not keep him from being treacherous, for being sent Ambassador to the Danes, to mediate for Peace, he revealed to them the weakness of the Land, and treacherously dissuaded them from consenting to any Truce. Upon this King Æthelred gave order, that every three hundred and ten Hydes of Land should build a Ship, and every eight Hydes, find a complete Armor furnished, yet all this great preparation came to nothing, but only to make a show. After this, the King seeing no end of their invasions, nor promise kept upon any composition; (for three Danish Princes, with a great Fleet, were now newly arrived) He intended to adventure once for all, and to commit his cause to God, by the fortune of a Battle. To which end he secretly gathered a mightily Power, and coming unlooked for, when the Enemy was unprepared, he had certainly given an end to the Quarrell, if the wicked Edricke had not dissuaded him from fighting, and put him into a causeless fear, by forged tales. After this, the Danes forraged many Countries; burnt Oxford, The • ford, and Cambridge: and lastly entered Wiltshire, which was the seventh shire in number, they had laid waste like a Wilderness. The year after, they make a new Expedition, and besiege Canterbury ; which by treason of a Church-man they won, took Alphegus the Arch-bishop, and flew nine hundred Monks, and men of Religion, besides many Citizens, without all mercy; for they Tythed the people, slaying all by nines, and reserving only the tenth to live; so that of all the Monks in the Town, there were but four saved, and of the Lay people, four thousand eight hundred, by which account Master Lambert collecteth, that there died in this Massacre, three and forty thousand, and two hundred persons. The Arch-bishop Alphegus, for that he refused to charge his Tenants with three thousand pounds to pay for his ransom, they most cruelly stoned to death at Green • wich. Turkillus the leader of these murderers, took into his possession all Norfolk and Suffolk, over whom he tyrannized in most savage manner; the rest compounding with the English for eight thousand pounds, quietly for a while sojourned among them. The year following came King Sweyne again, and with a great Navy arrived in the mouth of Humber, and landed at Gainsborough, to whom the Northumbrians, and the people of Lindsey, yielded themselves; So that now over all the North from Watlingstreete, he Raigned sole King, and exacted pledges of them for their further obedience. From the North he passed into the South, subduing all before him, till he came to London, where he was so valiantly encountered by the Londoners, that he was glad to retire, in which retiring notwithstanding he entered Bathe ; where Ethelmore Earl of Devonshire, with his Western people, submitted himself to him. Yet after this, between him and the English was struck a fierce battle, which had been with good success, if the treachery of some in turning to the Danes, had not hindered it. After this the Danes proceeded on victoriously, and had gotten most part of the Land, and even London also by submission: whereupon the unfortunate King Æthelred sending his Wife Emma, with her two sons, Edward and Alfred, to her Brother, Duke of Normandy, himself also the Winter following passed thither, leaving the Danes Lording it in his Realm. Sweyne now as an absolute King, extorted from the English both Victuals, and Pay for his Soldiers; and demanding such a Composition for preserving of Saint Edmunds Monastery in Suffolk, as the Inhabitants were not able, and therefore refused to pay; he thereupon threatened spoil, both to the Place, and to the Martyrs bones there interred, when suddenly, in the midst of his jollity (saith Howden ) he cried out, that he was struck by Saint Edmund with a sword, being then in the midst of his Lord's: and no man seeing from whose hand it came, and so with great horror and torment, three days af • er; upon the third of February, he ended his life at Thetford, or (as others say) at Gaynsborough. And now who would not think, but this was a fair opportunity offered to the English, to free themselves wholly from the Danish yoke? but when all was don • , either crossed by treachery, or frustrated by misfortune, nothing prospered. I • is true, upon this occasion of Sweynes death, King Æthelred returned out of Normandy, but at his coming, Canutus the son o Sweyne, had gotten the people • of Lindsey to be at his devotion, and to find him both Horse and Men against their own King; so as Æthelred was now to encounter as well his own Subjects • as the Danes, which he did so valiantly, that he made Canutus glad to return into Denmark, as utterly hopeless of any good to be done in England. And now one would certainly think the Danes had been removed, Roote and Branch, out of England, and never like to trouble the Land anymore; and indeed there was all the appearance of probability for it that could be. But it is a true saying, That which will be, shall be, let all be done that can be. For now Turkill the Dane, who had before revolted to King Æthelred, growing sensible of his fault, which was this, or no way to be redeemed; and tender of his Countrymens case, which was now or never to be helped; with nine of his Ships sailed into Denmark, and first excusing himself to Canutus for his former defection, as though he had done it of purpose, to learn all advantages against the English, which now he could discover to him, he so prevailed with Canutus once again to try his fortune, that with a Navy of two hundred Ships he set sails for England, and landed at Sandwich, where he gave the English a great overthrow, and passed victoriously through the Counties of Dorset, Somerset, and Wilts. When ( Æthelred lying dangerously sick at Cossam ) the managing of the War was committed to Prince Edmund his son, who preparing to give the Danes battle, had suddenly notice given him, that his Brother in Law Edricke, meant to betray him into his Enemies hands, which made him suspend his proceeding; and Edricke perceiving his design to be discovered, cast off the masque, and with forty of the Kings ships fled openly to the Enemy; and thereupon, all the West Countries submitted themselves unto Canutus. By this time King Æthelred having recovered his sickness, prepared to go on with the Battle, which his son Edmund had intended, but his Forces being assembled, he likewise had suddenly notice given him, that his Subjects meant to betray him to the Danes. Hereupon he withdrew himself to London, as the place in which he most confided; where falling into a relapse of his former sickness, he ended his unfortunate days, in the year 1016. when he had Raigned 37. years; and was buried in the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, whose bones as yet remain in the North wall of the Chancel, in a chest of gray Marble; adjoining to that of Sebba King of the East Saxons. He had by his two Wives, eight Sons, and four Daughters; of whom, his youngest named Goda, was married to one Walter de Maigne, a Nobleman of Normandy ; by whom she had a son named Rodolph, which Rodolph had a son named Harold, created afterward by King William the Conqueror, Baron of Sudeley, in the County of Gloucester, and Ancestor to the Barons of that place succeeding, and of the Lord Chandowes of Sudeley now being.

Æthelred being dead, his third son Edmund called Ironside (of his ability in enduring labor) but the eldest living at his fathers death, succeeded, and was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames, by Levingus Archbishop of Canterbury, in the year 1016. A great part of the English both feared and favored, and indeed out of fear favored Canutus ; especially the Clergy, who at Southampton ordained him their King, and sware Feaalty to him: but the Londoners stood firm to Prince Edmund, and were the principal authors of his Election. Canutus before the death of King Æthelred, had besieged the City, and now with a large Trench encompassed it: but the new King Edmund coming on, raised the siege, and made Canutus fly to the Isle of Sheppey, where having stayed the winter, the Spring following, he assailed the West of England, and at Penham in Dorse • shire, a battle was fought, and the Danes discomfitted. After this, in Worc • stershire at a place called Sherostan, another battle was fought, where the Danes were like again to be discomfited, but the traitorous Edrick perceiving it, he cut off the head of a soldier like unto King Edm • nd both in hair and countenance, and shaking his bloody sword, with the gasping head, cried to the Army of the English, Fly ye wretches fly, & get away, for your King is slain; behold, here is his head : but King Edmund having notice of this treacherous stratagem, hasted to show himself where he might best be seen: whose sight so encouraged his men, that they had gotten that day a final Victory, if night had not prevented them. Duke Edrick excused his fact, as being mistaken in the countenance of the man, and desirous to save the blood of the English ; upon which false color he was received into favor again. After this, Canutus secretly in the night brake up his Campe, and marched towards London, which in a sort was still besieged by the Danish ships: but King Edmund hearing of his departure, followed him, and with small ado removed the siege, and in Triumphant manner entered the City. After this, near unto Otford in Kent, was another great battle fought, in which Canutus lost four thousand five hundred men, and King Edmund only six hundred; the rest of the Danes saving themselves by • light; whom if King Edmund had pur • ued, it is thought that day had ended the wars between these two Nations forever. But the ever traitorous Edrick, kept King Edmund from pursuing them, by telling him of Ambushes and other dangers: So as Canutu • had leisure to pass over into Essex, but thither also King Edmund followed him; where at Ashdone three miles from Saffron Walden, another battle was fought, in which • he Danes being at the point to be overthrown, the traitorous Edrick with all his Forces revoulted to their side, by which treachery the English lost the day. There died of King Edmunds Nobility, Duke Alfred, Duke Goodwin, Duke Athelward, Duke Athelwyn, Earl Urchill, Codnoth Bishop of Lincoln, Woolsey Abbot of Ramsey, with many other. The remembrance of which battle is retained to this day, by certain small hills there remaining, whence have been digged the bones of men, Armor, and horsebridles. After this; at Dereherst near to the river Severn • , another battle was ready to be fought; when suddenly a certain Captain steps forth, and for saving of blood u • ed great persuasions, that either they should try the matter by single Combat, or else divide the Kingdom betwixt them. Upon this the Combat is agreed on, and the two Princes entering into a small Island called Alney, adjoining to the City of Gloucester, in complete Armor assailed each other, at first on horseback, and after on foot: when Canutus having received a dangerous wound, and finding himself overmatched in strength, desired a Compromise, and with a loud voice used these words. What necessity should move us most Valiant Prince, for obtaining of a Title to endanger our lives? were it not better to lay malice aside, and condescend to a loving agreement? let us therefore become sworn brothers, and divide the Kingdom between us. This motion was by King Edmund accepted, and thus was the Kingdom divided between these two Princes; Edmund enjoying that part which lies upon the coast of France, and Canutus the rest. But now Duke Edrick hath his last and greatest Act of treachery to play: for King Edmund being retired to a place for natures n • cessity, he thurst from under the draught a sharp spear into his body, and then cutting off his head, presented it to Canutus, with these fawning words, All hail, thou sole Monarch now of England, for here behold the head of thy Copartner, which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off. Canutus though ambitious enough of sovereignty, yet aba • hed at so disloyal a fact, replied and vowed, that in reward of that service his own head should be advanced above all the Peers of his Kingdom, which soon after he performed; for by his command the false Edricks head was cut off, and placed upon the highest gate in London. The death of this King in this manner, some say was acted at Oxford ; other, that he died of natural sickness in London, but howsoever he came to his death, his Rain was but only seven months, & his body was buried at Glasten • ury, near to his Grandfather King Edgar. This King Edmund had by his wife Algyt • , two sons; the eldest named Edward, surnamed the Outlaw, because he lived out of England in Hungary as a banished man, for fear of King Canutus : but when his Uncle King Edward the Confessor, had obtained the Crown, he was recalled, and honourably entertained till he died. He married Agatha, sister to Queen Sophia, wife to Solomon King of Hungary, and daughter to the Emperor Henry the second; by whom he had Edgar surnamed Atheling, the right Heir of the English Crown, though he never enjoyed it. King Edmund had also two daughters, Margaret and Christian, of whom the younger became a Veyled Nun at Ramsey in Hampshire ; the elder Margaret, after sole Heir to the Saxon Monarchy, married Malcolme the third King of Scotland, from which Princely bed in a lineal Descent, our High and Mighty Monarch King James the first, doth in his most Royal person, unite the Britain's, Saxons, Normans, and Scottish Imperial Crowns in one.

Of the first Danish King in England.

C Anutus being possessed of half the Kingdom by composition with King Edmund, now after his death seised upon the whole, and to prevent all further question, he called a Council of the English Nobility, wherein it was propounded, whether in the agreement betwixt Edm • nd and him, any claim of Title to the Crown had been reserved for King Edmunds brethren or sons: to which (not daring to say otherwise) they absolutely answered no, and thereupon took all of them the Oath of Allegeance to Canutus. Being thus cleared of all Opposites he prepared with great solemnity for his Coronation, which was performed at London, by the hands of Levingus surnamed Elstane, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the year 1017. being the first Dane that Raigned Monarch of England. But Canutus not thinking himself sufficiently safe, as long as any that might pretend, were in the people's eye, caused first Edwyn the son of King Æthelred, and brother of Edmund, to abjure the Realm, who was yet afterward recalled, and treacherously murdered by his own men, and his body buried at Tavestock in Devonshire. Next were the two sons of Edmund Ironside, Edward and Edmund, whom to the end the people might not see him shed the blood of Innocents, he sent to his half brother King of Sweden to be made away. Then remained Edward and Alfred, the sons of King Æthelred, and them their mother Queen Emma had sent away before to her brother the Duke of Normandy, there to be in safety: so as none of the Royal blood was now left in the land, to give Canutus any fear of competition. After this, he took to wife the virtuous Lady Emma, the Relict of King Æthelred, by which match he procured to himself three great benefits: one that he won the love of the people by marrying a Lady whom they so entirely loved; another, that he got the Alliance of the Duke of Normandi • , a neighbou • ing Prince of great power; the third, that by marrying the mother, he secured himself against the sons: as likewise Queen Emma was not unwillingly persuaded to the match, upon agreement to make her issue, if he had any by her, to inherit the Crown of England. And to win the love of the people more, he caused great numbers of his Danes, who pestered the Country, to return home, bestowing amongst them for their satisfaction four score and two thousand pounds. And to win the love of the people yet more, he now set himself to the making of good laws • in a Parliament at Oxford, whereof, for a Pattern of those times, some that concern Religion, may not unfitly be here related. First, for the celebration of divine Service, it was ordained, that all Ceremonies tending to the increase of reverence & devotion should be used as need required. Secondly, that upon the Sabbath day, all public Fairs, Markets, Synods, Huntings, and all secular actions should be forborne, unless some urgent necessity should require it. Thirdly, that every Christian should thrice in the year receive the blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Fourthly, that if a Minister of the Altar killed a man, or committed any notorious crime, he should be deprived both of his Order and Dignity. Fifthly, th • t a married woman convict of adultery, should have her nose and ears cut off. Sixthly, That a widow marrying within a twelvemonth after her husbands decease, should lose her Jointure. These and many other good laws were made, whereby the kingdom remained during all his time, in a most peaceable state and government. In the third year of his Raign, he heard how the Vandals taking advantage of his absence, had entered Denmark, and annoyed his subjects; whereupon with a great Army of English he passed over the Seas, and gave them battle, but with ill success the first day; when preparing for the next days battle, the Earl Goodwin who was General of the English, secretly in the dead of the night, set upon the Vandals Campe, & with a great slaughter of their soldiers, made their two Princes Ulfus and Anlave, to fly the field. In the morning it was told Canutus, that the English were fled, for that their station was left, and not a man of them to be found, which did not a little trouble his patience: but he going in person to see the truth, found the great overthrow the English had given, for which service ever after, he held the English, and especially the Earl Goodwin in great estimation. After this, returning home he made a prosperous Expedition against Malcolme King of Scots ; and at last, in the fifteenth year of his Rain, wearied with the honorable troubles of the world, and out of devotion, he took a Journey to Rome, to visit the Sepulcher of St. Peter and Paul, from whence he writ to the Bishops and Nobility of England, that they should carefully administer Justice, and never seek to advance his profit by any undue ways, or with the detriment of any man. At his return frō Rome, he built in Essex the Church of Ashdone, where he got the victory against King Edmund ; in Norfolk, the Abbey of St. Benets, which Saint he greatly reverenced; and in Suffolk the Monastery of St. Edmund, which Saint he deadly feared. To the Church of Winchester he gave many rich Jewels, whereof one was a Cross, valued to be worth as much as the whole Revenue of England amounted to in one year. To Coventry he gave the arm of the great St. Austin, which he bought at Pavia in his return from Rome, for which he paid an hundred Talents of silver and one of gold. One strange Act is recorded, which he did for convincing his fawning flatterers, who used to tell him that his power were more then human. For being one time at Southampton, he commanded that his chair of State should be set on the shore when the Sea began to flow, and then sitting down there in the presence of his many attendants, he spake thus to that Element: I charge thee that thou presume not to enter my Land, nor wet these Robes of thy Lord that are about me. But the Sea giving no heed to his command, but keeping on his usual course of Tide, first wet his skirts, and after his thighs, whereupon suddenly rising, he thus spake in the hearing of them all. Let all the worlds Inhabitants know, that vain and weak is the power of their Kings; and that none is worthy of the name of King, but he that keeps both heaven and earth and sea in obedience. After which time he would never • uffer the Crown to be set upon his head, but presently Crowned therewith the Picture of Christ on the Cross at Winchester : from which example arose perhaps the custom, to hang up the Armor of Worthy men in Churches, as Offerings consecrated to him who is the Lord of battle. When he had Raigned nineteen years, he deceased at Shafte • bery in the County of Dorset, the twelfth of November, in the year 1035. and was buried in the Church of the old Monastery at Winchester, which being after new built, his bones with many other English Saxon Kings, were taken up, and are preserved in gilt Coff • rs, fixed upon the walls of the Choir in that Cathedral Church. He had by his two wives, three sons, Sweyne, and Harold by his first wife Alfgive ; and Hardicnute by his second wife Queen Emma, and two daughters, of whom the eldest, called Guinhilda, was married to the Roman Emperor Henry the third, who being accused of adultery, and none found to defend her cause, at last an English Page adventured to maintain her Innocency against a mighty Gyantlike-Combatant; who in fight, at one blow cutting the sinews of his adversaries leg, with another he felled him to the ground, and then with his sword taking his head from his shoulders, redeemed both the Empresses life and honor. But the Empresse after this hard usage forsook her husbands bed, and took upon her the Veyle of a Nun, in the Town of Burgess in Flanders, where she devoutly spent the r • st of her life.

Of the second Danish King in England.

K Ing Canutus dying left his Kingdom of Norway, to his eldest Son Sweyn • , and his Kingdom of England, to his youngest Son Hardikn • te, whom he had by his wife Emma, but he being at the time of his Fathers death in Denmark, Harold his elder Brother, by a former wife, taking advantage of his absence, lays claim to the Crown. For determining of which Right, the Lord's assembled at Oxford, where Queen Emma pleaded for her son Hardiknute, urging the Covenant of Can • tus at their marriage, and his last Will at his death; as also Earl Goodwin of Kent did the like, being left Guardian of her Children, and keeper of his last Will. But Harold's presence, together with the favor of the Londoners, Danes, and Northumbrians, so wrought with the Lord's, that the absent Hardiknute was neglected, and Harold was Proclaimed and Crowned King at Oxford, by • lnothus Arch-bishop of Canterbury, in the year 1036.

Harold having now attained the Crown, was not so jealous of his Brother Hardiknute, as of his mother in Law Queen Emma, and her Sons by King Ethelre • who were beyond Sea, and therefore how to secure himself against these, was his first care. For effecting whereof, he framed a Letter, as written by Queen Emma, to her two Sons Edward and Alfred ; instigating them to attempt the Crown usurped by Harold, against their Right: to which letter, coming first to the hands of Alfred, he suspecting no fraud, returned Answer, that he would shortly come over, and follow her Counsaile. And thereupon with a small Fleet, and some few soldiers, lent him by Baldwyn Earl of Flaunders, he took the Sea for England, where coming to shore, Earl Goodwin met him, and bound himself by Oath to be his guide to his Mother Queen Emma, but being wrought firm for Harold, he led him and his company a contrary way, and lodged them at Guilford, making known to King Harold what he had done, who presently committed them all to slaughter, sparing only every tenth man, for service or sale. Prince Alfred himself he sent Prisoner to the Isle of Eli, where having his eyes inhumanely put out, in grief and torment he ended his life. Some add a more horrible kind of cruelty, as that his belly was opened, and one end of his bowels drawn out, and fastened to a stake, his body pricked with Needles, or Poignards, and forced about, till all his Entrails were extracted. This done, he then set upon Queen Emma, confiscated her Goods, and banished her the Realm. And now further to secure himself, he kept the Seas with sixteen Danish Ships, to the maintenance whereof, he charged the English with great payments; by which, if he procured the safety of his Person, he certainly procured the hatred of his Subjects. This King for his swiftness in running was called Harefoot; but though by his swiftness he outrunne his Brother for the Kingdom, yet could he not run so fast, but that death quickly overtook him; For having Raigned only four years and some months, he died at Oxford • and was buried at Westminster ; having never had Wife or Children.

Of the third and last Danish King in England.

K Ing Harold being dead, the Lord's to make amends for their former neglect, send now for Hardiknute, and offer him their Allegeance, who accepteth their offer, and thereupon taking Sea, arrived upon the Coast of Kent, the sixth day after he had set sails out of Denmark ; and with great pomp conveyed to London, was there Crowned King by Elnothus Arch-bishop of Canterbury, in the year 1040. His first Act, was to be revenged of his deceased brother Harold, whose body he caused to be digged up, and thrown into the Thames, where it remained till a Fisherman found it, and buried it in the Church yard of Saint Clement without Temple Barre, commonly called Saint Clement Danes, because it was the burying place of the Danes, as some write. But towards his Mother, and half Brother Prince Edw • rd, he shown true natural affection, inviting them both to return into England ; where he received them with all the honor, that from a Son or Brother could be expected.

But now, as the King Harold, for his swiftness in running was surnamed Harefoo • e; So this King for his intemperance in diet, might have been surnamed Swines-mouth, or Bocc • di Porco ; for his Tables were spread every day four times, and furnished with all kinds of curious dishes, as delighting in nothing but Gormandizing and Swilling; and as for managing the State, he committed it wholly to his Mother Q • eene Emma, and to the political Earl of Kent, Godwyn ; who finding this weakness in the King, began to think himself of aspiring • and to make the better way for it, he sought by all means to alien the Subjects hearts from the Prince, amongst other courses, he caused him to lay heavy Taxes upon them; only for Ship-money to pay his Danes, amounting to two and thirty thousand pounds: which was so offensive to the people, that the Citizens of Worcester slew two of his Officers, Thursta • and Fe • dax, that came to Collect it. But this King had soon the reward of his Intemperance; For in a Solemn Assembly and Banquet at Lambeth, Revelling and Carowsing, he suddenly fell down without speech, or breath, after he had Raigned only two years, and was buried at Winchester. His death was so welcome to his Subjects, that the day of his death, is to this day commonly celebrated with open pastimes in the street, and is called Hocks-tide, signifying scorning or contempt, which fell upon the Danes by his death. For with him ended the Rain of the Danes in England ; after they had miserably afflicted the kingdom, for the space of two hundred and forty years, though in Regal Government, but only six and twenty.

Of English Kings again, and first of Edward the Confessor.

K Ing Hardiknute dying without issue, as having never been married, and the Danish line clean extinguished, Edward, for his Piety called the Confessor, half Brother to the deceased Hardiknute, and son to King Æthelred by his Wife Queen Emma, was by a general consent admitted King of England, and was Crowned at Winchester by Edsyne Arch-bishop of Canterbury, on Easter day, in the year 1042. being then of the age of forty years. He was borne at Islip, near to Oxford, and after his Fathers death, for safety sent into France, to the Duke of Normandy his Mothers Brother, from whence he now came, to take upon him the Crown of England. His Acts for gaining the Peoples love, were first, the remitting the yearly tribute of forty thousand pounds, gathered by the name of Danegilt, which had been imposed by his Father, and for forty years together paid out of all men's Lands, but only the Clergy; and then, from the divers Laws of the Mercians, West Saxons, Danes, and Northumbrians, he selected the best, and made of them one Body certain, and written in Latin, being in a sort the Fountain of those which at this day we term the Common Laws, though the forms of pleading, and process therein, were afterward brought in by the Conqueror. The Rain of this King was very peaceable: Only in his sixth year, the Danish Pirates entered the Port of Sandwich ; which with all the Sea-coast of Essex they spoiled, and then in Flanders made merchandise of their prey. As likewise the Irish, with thirty ships entered Severne, and with the assistance of Griffyth King of Southwales, burnt or • lew all in their way, till at last, Reese the brother of Griffyth was slain at B • lenden, and his head presented to King Edward at Gloucester. His Domestical troubles were only by Earl G • dwyn and his sons; who yet after many contestations and affronts, were reconciled, and Godwyn received again into as great favor as before. But though King Edward forgave his Treasons, yet the Divine Providence did not; for soon after, as he sat at Table with the King, on Easter Monday, he was suddenly stricken with death, and on the Thursday following died, and was buried at Winchester. Some make his death more exemplar; as that justifying himself for Prince Alfred's death, he should pray to God, that if he were any way guilty of it, he might never swallow down one morsel of bread, and thereupon by the just Judgment of God, was choked by the first morsel he offered to eat.

In this Kings time, such abundance of snow fell in January, continuing till the middle of March following, that almost all Cattle and Fowl perished, and therewithal an excessive dearth followed.

Two Acts are related of this King, that seem nothing correspondent to the general opinion had of his Virtue, one concerning his Mother, the other touching his Wife. That concerning his Mother Queen Emma was this, that because after King Ethelreds death, she married the Danish King Canutus, and seemed to favor her issue by him, more then her issue by King Æthelred, therefore he dispossessed her of all her Goods; and committed her to custody, in the Abbey of Worwell ; and more then this, so far hearkened to an aspersion cast upon her, of unchaste familiarity with Alwyne Bishop of Winchester, that for her Purgation, she was fain to pass the trial of Fire Ordeall, which was in this manner; nine Plow-shares red hot we • e laid in unequal distance, which she must pass bare-foot and blindfold; and if she passed them unhurt, then she was judged Innocent, if otherwise, Guilty. And this trial she passed, and came off fairly, to the great astonishment of all beholders. The other touching his Wife was this; He had married Editha the beautiful, and indeed virtuous daughter of the Earl Godwyn, and because he had taken displeasure against the Father, he would show no kindness to the daughter; he had made her his wife, but conversed not with her as his wife, only at board, bu • not at Bed, or if at bed, no otherwise then David with Abishagh, and yet was content to hear her accused of Incontinency, whereof if she were guilty, he could not be innocent. So as, what the virtues were, for which after his death, he should be reputed a Saint, doth not easily appear. It seems he was chaste, but not without injury to his wife; Pious, but not without ungratefulnesse to his Mother; Just in his present Government, but not without neglect of Posterity; for through his want of providence in that point, he left the Crown to so doubtful succession, that soon after his decease it was translated out of English into French, and the Kingdom made servile to a fourth foreign Nation. One Ability he had which raised him above the pitch of ordinary Kings, and yet at this day is ordinary with Kings, that by his only touching and laying his hand upon it, he cured a Disease, which from his Curing, is called The Kings Evil. His Mother Queen Emma, in memory of the nine Plow-shares she had passed in her Trial, gave nine Manors to the Minster of Winchester, and himself remembering the wrong he had done her, bestowed on the same place, the Island of Portland in Dorsetshire, being about seven miles in compass. He made also of a little Monastery in the West of London • by the River of Thames, a most beautiful Church, (called of the place Westminster ) where he provided for his own Sepulcher, and another Dedicated to Saint Margaret, standing without the Abbey. This of Westminster he endowed with many rich revenues, and confirmed his Charters under his broad Seal, being the first of the Kings of England, who used that large and stately Impression in their Charters and Patents. He Founded also the College of Saint Mary Otterey in Devonshire, and gave unto it the Village of Otereg, and removed the Bishops See from Cridington to Exceter, as to a place of far more Dignity: and when he had Raigned the space of three and twenty years and six months, he ended his life, the fourth of January, in that room of his Palace at Westminster, which is now called the Paynted Chamber, in the year 1066. and was buried in the Church at Westminster, which he had built.

Of Harold the second English King after the Danes.

K Ing Edward the Confessor, being himself without issue, had in his life time, sent into Hungary for his Nephew Edward called the Outlaw, the son of Edmund Ironside ; with a purpose to design him his Successor in the Crown, but he dying soon after his coming into England, King Edward then gave his Son Edgar the name of Atheling ; as to say; Prince Edgar meaning to design him for his Successor, but being prevented by death, before the successor was fully established, and Edgar Atheling, though he had right, yet being young, and not of power to make good his Right, Harold the son of Earl Goodwin steps into the Throne, and never standing upon ceremonies, set himself the Crown upon his own head, wherein, though as a violater of holy Rites, he offended the Clergy, yet not any either of Clergy or Layity, durst oppose him, as being at that time the most martial man in the Kingdom; and such a one, as the state of the Realm stood at that time in need of, and besides his own worthiness had the assistance of Edwyn and Marchar, the two great Earls of Yorkshire and Chester, whose sister Algyth he had married. It is true withal, that King Edward had appointed the Crown after his own decease, sometimes to William Duke of Normandy, sometimes to Edgar Atheling, and sometimes to this Harold, so as he was Crowned by Aldred Arch-bishop of York, as not coming in by intrusion or wrong, but by the appointment of King Edward, though that appointment of King Edwa • d, was rather to make him Regent, during the minority of Edgar, then to make him absolute King, but howsoever, being once in the Throne, he was then able to make his own Title, and to make Prince Edgar some amends, he created him Earl of Oxford, which was indeed to use him like a Child, take away a Jewell, and please him with an Apple. Yet Harold having once gotten into the Throne, he c • rryed himself with great Valour and Justice, for the time he sat in it, which was but very short, as being indeed but tottering from the very beginning, and that chiefly by means of his own Brother To • stain, who by diverting his Forces to suppress a Rebellion, made him of less force to resist an invasion. But now that we have shown how Harold entered the Throne, we must forbear to show how he was cast out, till we come to him that cast him out, who because he was not only of another Family, but of another Nation, we must necessarily take the beginning from a deeper root, and indeed, seeing in him, we shall join our Island to the Continent, which is a larger world: Our Kings hereafter, will afford a larger Extent for matter of Discourse then heretofore they have done.

His Parentage and Descent.

T Here were six Dukes of Normandy in France, in a direct line succeeding from father to son. The first was Rollo, who of a private man in Denmark, coming forth with the exuberancy of his Nation, wrested by force of Arms from Charles the Simple King of France, to be made Duke of Normandy. The second was William his son, called Long Espee, or Long Sword. The third was Richard his son, called the Hardie, who had Richard, and a daughter called Emma, married to Æthelred King of England, father of Edward the Confessor. The fourth was Richard the second his son, called the Good. The fifth was Richard the third his son, who by a first wife had three sons, Richard, Robert and William, and by a second, two other sons, William Earl of Argues, and Ma • ger, Archbishop of Roan. So as Richard his eldest son by his first wife succeeded him by the name of Richard the fourth, and dying without issue, the Dukedom descended to Robert his second son by his first wife; which Robert was father to our William the Conqueror, of whom it is thus recorded: that riding one time abroad, he happened to pass by a company of Country Maides that were a dancing, where staying a while to look upon them, he was so taken with the handsomnesse and graceful carriage of one of them whose name was Arlotte, a Skinners daughter, (from whence as some think our word Harlot comes) that affection commanding him, and authority her, he caused her that night to be brought to his bed; where being together, what was done or said between them is no matter for History to record, though some Historians have recorded both; making her not so modest as was fit for a Maid: only ten months after, it appeared that at this time our Duke William was begotten; who proving a man of extraordinary spirit, we may attribute it to the heat of affection in which he was begotten.

His succeeding in the Dukedom, notwithstanding his Bastardie.

IT appears by many examples, that Bastardie in those days was no bar to succession, till a law was afterward made to make it a bar. It brought some disgrace where the mother was mean, but no impediment where the father was Noble; and even his Bastardie seemed to have some allay, if it be true (as some write) that his father took the said Arlotte afterward to be his wife, and yet perhaps he had not the Dukedom so much by succession, as by gift. For when he was about nine years old, his father calling his Nobility together, caused them to swear Allegeance to this base son of his, and to take him for their Liege Lord after his decease. Neither was this in those days infrequent, for Princes to confer their Principalities after their own deceases upon whom they pleased; counting it as lawful to appoint successors after them, as substitutes under them; even in our time and Kingdom, the Duke of Northumberland prevailed with King Edward the sixth, to exclude his two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, and to appoint the Lady Jane Grey, daughter of the Duke of Suffolk, to succeed him.

His Education and Tuition in his minority.

HIs father having declared and appointed him to be his Successor, went soon after (whether out of devotion, or to do Penance for procuring his brothers death, whereof he was suspected) into the Holy Land, in which Journey he died, having left the tuition of his young son to his two brothers, and the Guardianship to the King of France, in whose Court for a time he was brought up. A strange confidence, to commit the tuition of a son that was base, to Pretenders that were legi • i • ate, and to a King of France, who aimed at nothing more, then to reannexe this Dukedom to his Crown. But it seems his confidence was grounded upon the proximitie of blood in his brothers, and upon the merits of his own service formerly done to the King of France ; which though it proved well enough with him, yet is not to betaken into example to follow.

His Troubles in his minority.

FIrst, Roger de Tresny, who derived his Pedegree directly from Rollo, and had won much honor by his valor in the wars, (notwithstanding the Oath of Allegeance he had formerly taken) takes exception to his Bastardy, and invites Complices to assist him in recovering the Dukedom to • legitimate Race: a fall • e pretext if the Fate of Duke William had not been against it; who though he were himself but young, and could not do much in his own person, yet the Divine Providence raised him up friends that supplied him with Assistance, and particularly Roger de Beamont, by whose valor this Roger de Tresny, with his two brothers, was defeated and slain. After Roger de Tres • y, William de Arques his Unckle lays claim to the Duchy, and assisted by the King of France comes to a battle, but by the valor of Count Gyfford, the Dukes General, was likewise defeated: and these were troubl • s before he arrived to seventeen years of age. After this, one Guy Earl of Burgoigne, Grandchild to Richard the second, Duke of Normandy, grew sensible also of his Right to the Dukedom, and joining with Viscount Neele, and the Earl of Bes • in, two powerful Normans, conspired Duke Williams death, and had effected it, if a certain Fool about him, had not stolen away in the night, to the place where the Duke was, and never left knocking and crying at the gate, till he was admitted to his presence, willing him to fly for his life instantly, or he would be murdered. The Duke considering that being related by a Fool, it was like to be the more palpable, and that there might be danger in staying, none in going, rode instantly away, all alone, toward Falaise, his principal Castle, but missing his way, he happ • ned to pass where a Gentleman was standing at his door, of whom he asked the way, and was by him, as knowing him, directed; which he had no sooner done, but the conspirators came presently inquiring if such a one had not passed that way, which the Gentleman affirmed, and undertook to be their guide to overtake him, but leading them of purpose a contrary way, the Duke by this means, came safely to F • l • ise ; and from thence journeys to the King of France, complaining of his inj • ries; and imploring his aid, as one that wa • • is homager, and committed to his care • by his • ervant his Father. The King of France moved with his distre • se, and remembrance of his Fathers meri • s, though he wish • d he was less then he was, yet he • o aided him, that he made him greater then he was; for himself in person, suffering much in the Battle, procured him the Victory. By which we may see that folly, and fortune, and even Enemies themselves are all assistants to the Destinies; or to say better, indeed to the divine Providence. Many other affronts were offered him, some by meaner Princes; some afterward by the King of France himself, who was now grown jealous of his Greatness; all which he encountered with such dexterity, that made his Bastardy, as it were become Legitimate, and Virtue her self to grow proud of his person.

His Carriage afterwards in Peace.

BY this time he was come to the age of two and twenty years, and where all this while he had shown himself a valiant General in War, he now began to show himself a provident Governor in Peace, composing and ordering his state, wherein he so carried himself, that as his Subjects did both fear and love him, so his Neighbouring Princes did both fear and hate him, or if not hate him, at least emulate him.

His Incitements for Invading of England.

HE was now grown about fifty years old: an Age that might well have arrested all ambitious thoughts in him, but who can think himself too old for a Kingdom; when Galba for attaining the Roman Empire, was contented to buckle on Armor, being fourscore years old? The D • ke in his time of peace came over into England to visit his cousin King Edward, who besides his Princely entertainment, made him at that time (as some think) a promise to leave him his Successor in the Kingdom; & Harold after this, going over to the Duk • in Normandy, for procuring some friends of his to be released, the better to effect it, took his solemn Oath to assist him for obtaining the Kingdom. So as having the word of Edward, and the oath of Harold, he had now sufficient obligations to expect it. But hearing of the death of King Edward, and that Harold was Crowned King, he thought himself not more forgotten by Edward, then wronged by Harold ; and therefore sent messengers to him to put him in mind of K. Edwards P • omise, and his own Oath: but Harold puffed up with the conceit of being a King, as though that very name were enough to expiate all breach of Oaths, and that nothing could bind him, who had now the fetters in his own hand; returned only sleight answers, that his Oath was forced, and void in it self, as being made without consent of the Kingdom. Whereupon the Duke thus slighted by Harold, endeavors to make him an honest man by force, assuring himself, he should find him the weaker Enemy, for finding him a perjured Friend.

The Reasons that facilitated his Conquest of England.

DUke William incensed with Harold's answers, acquaints his Nobility with his purpose, who with some ado consented to aid him, as likewise many other great Lord's of France, but specially Baldwyn Earl of Flanders, whose daughter he had married; and who being at that time Guardian of the young King of France, procured aid from him also; and to make the Enterprise the more successful, Pope Alexander the second sent him a Banner with an Agnus of Gold, and one o • the hairs of Saint Peter. So as the preparation of the Duke, both by Sea and Land was very great, having three hundred sails of ships, and as some write, 890 • and as one Norman, above a thousand, and as Cemeticensis, three thousand: and though Harold had likewise provided a warlike Fleet to encounter him, yet it was at tha • time unfortunately diverted another way; for Taustay • e his Brother, being then in rebellion in the North, and Harold Harfager: King of Norway, at the same time invading those parts, and perhaps upon a brute, that the Dukes • Fleet was not yet ready to come forth, removed both his Fleet and Army thither: where though he got the Victory at Stamford, with the death both of his Brother Toustayne, and of the King of No • way, yet it made way for the Duke to land quietly, and he entered the Kingdom, as one may enter a house, when the doors are all left open. By this means King Har • lds shipping, (the best wall of defense to an Island) was utterly frustrate: and as for his Land Forces, they were by his Battle at Stamford, exceedingly both weakened and impaired; yet hearing that Duke William was landed at Pemsey, not far from Hastings in Sussex, he repaired thither with all speed, and gathering together his broken Forces, and increasing them by all the means he could, made himself ready to give the Duke Battle. Duke William in the mean time, as soon as he had landed his men, sent his ships presently away, that there might be no thinking of anything, but either Death or Victory. And then going himself on land, it is said, his foot slipped, and he fell down; which some that stood by, taking for an ill sign, No (saith he) I have by this, taken possession of this Land. And indeed Presages are but as Animus ejus qui praesagit, as in this Dukes fall it afterwards fell out. Many ways of composition, between Duke William, and King Harold were propounded, yet Harold would hearken to none, as nothing doubting of success, and perhaps thinking it a disgrace, to capitulate for that, which was now his own: and when one of his Brothers called Gyrth, being less interested, and therefore clearer sighted, entreated him to consider what a fearful thing it was to break an Oath, which he so solemnly had sworn: Harold seemed to conceive, that nothing which he did, being a private man, could be of force to bind him now being a Prince; and so on the fourteenth day of