VI. slain

in prison A.D. y73 Two
popes to- gether.
Pope
John
XIV.
slain.
A.D. 976.
Pope
Boniface
drawn
through
tlie
!-treets of
Home.
A.D. 975.
A.D.988.
Gilbert, a necro- mancer made arch- bishop.
Two
popes again in lionie.
upon liini in the cliurcli of Latcran, and dapped the pope in prison cloven months. The cini)cror licaring this, with all speed returned with his annv attain to Rome; who, after execution done upon the authors and chief ducrs of that fact, among other committed the aforesaid Pctrus to the pope's arbitrcment, whom he caused first to be stripped naked ; then, his beard being shaven, to be lianged by the liair a whole day together ; after that to be set upon an ass with his face turned backward, and his hands bound under the ass's tail, and so to be led through the city, that all men might see him ; that done, to be scourged with rods, and so banished the city. Thus ye see how the holy father followelh the injunction of the gospel, " Diligite inimicos vcstros,"" "Love your enemies." [Luke vi. 35.] From this pope proceeded first the christening of bells, a.d. 97L
After him, followed Pope Benedict VL, who in like manner was apprehended by Cinthius,^ a captain of Rome, and cast into prison, where he was strangled, or, as some say, famished to death.
Then came Pope Donus IL; after whom Boniface VIL was pope, who likewise seeing the citizens of Rome to conspire against him, was constrained to hide himself, and seeing no place there for him to tarry, took the treasure of St. Peter's church, and so privily stole to Constantinople, in whose stead the Romans set up Pope John XIV. Not long after, Boniflice, returning again from Constantinople, by his money and treasure procured a garrison or company to take his part, by whose means Pope John was taken, his eyes being put out, and so thrown in prison, Avhere he was, as some say, famished ; some say he was slain by Fcrrucius ; neither did Boniface reign many days after, but suddenly died, a.d. 974, whose carcass, after his death, was drawn by the feet through the streets of Rome after the most despightful manner, the people shrieking and exclaiming against him.
Next pope after him was Benedict VIL, by the consent of the Emperor Otlio IL, and reigned nine years. After Benedict, suc- ceeded in the see of Rome Pope John XV., and died the eighth month of his papacy ; next to mIioui came John XVL
In ^ the time of this pope, Hugh Capet, the French king, took Charles, the right heir to the crown, by the treason of the bishop of Laon; and when he had imprisoned him, he also committed to prison Arnulph, archbishop of Rheims, and placed in his room Gilbert, a monk of Fleury, a necromancer, who was schoolmaster to Duke Robert, the king's son. But this Pope John XVL, calling a council at Rheims, restored the said Arnulph again, and displaced Gilbert, who after, by the help of Otho, was made archbishop of Ravenna, and at length was pope, as in process hereafter (Christ granting) shall be declared.
After John XVL came Gregory V., a.d. 996. This Gregory, called before Bruno, was a German born, and therefore the more maliced of the clergy and people of Rome. Whereupon Crescentius, with the people and clergy, conventing against the said Gregory, set up John XVIL; Gregory upon the same sped himself in all convenient haste to the Emperor Otho III. in Germany, who, hearing the complaint of Gregory, and understanding his wrongs, set forward with his army
(1) Alias Crescentius. — Ed.
(2) This paragraph in Foxe stands erroneously after Benedict VII. Henault " Abregi Chron." — Ed.
SEVEN ELECTORS ORDAINED. 73
well-appointed to Italy, gat the city, and there took both Cres- Egeired. ccntius the consul, and .Tolin the pope; M'liich John first having his ^ -q eyes put out, -was deprived after of liis life. Crescentius, the consul, 973. was set upon a vile horse, having his nose and cars cut off, and so pZ^ ' was led through the city, his face being turned to the horse's J?''" ^ad tail, and afterward, having his members cut off, was hanged upon a put out, jribbet ' ^"'' "'''*
S'""*^'" _ put to
Pope Gregory, thus being restored to his former state, reigned ''^^'•'• four years in his papacy (although Marianus Scotus, and Martinus, say, that he sat but two years), during which time he assembled Seven a council in Rome, where he, to establish the empire in his own onh"^ country, by the consent and counsel of Otho, ordained seven princes pj^^j^^g^ of Germany to be electors of the emperor, which order yet to this i" ^er- day remaineth.^ What be the names of these seven electors and '"*"'' Avhat is their office, thus 1 find in the verses expressed below.'*
These seven he ordained to be electors : three bishops, three princes, to wit, the Palatine, the duke of Saxony, and the Marquis Brandenburgh ; to Avhom was added also the king of Bohemia, to give the odd voice, if the even voices could not agree. This constitution being first begun a.d. 997, was after established in Germany by Otho the emperor, a.d. 1002; and thus much by the way, or rather by digression, concerning the rages and tumults of the Romish church. Now to our matter again.
EGELRED, or ETHELRED H.
SURNAMED THE UNREADY.^
King Edward thus being murdered, as is aforesaid, the crown fell A.D. next to Egeired, his younger brother, and son to King Edgar by the 978. aforesaid queen Elfrida, as we have declared. This Egeired had a long reign given by God, which endured thirty and eight years, but was very unfortunate and full of great miseries ; and he himself, by the histories, seemeth to have been a prince not of the greatest courage to govern a commonwealth. Our English historians, writing of him, report of his reign, that it was ungracious in the beginning, wretched in the middle, and hateful in the latter end. Of this Egeired we read, that when Dunstan the aichbishnp should christen him, as he did hold him over the font, something there happened that pleased not Dunstan, whereupon he sware, " By the mother of Christ, he will be a prince untoward and cowardly."* I find in William of Malmesbury,^ that this Egeired being of the age of ten years, when he heard that his brother Edward was slain, made such sorrow and weeping for him, that his mother, falling therewith in a rage, took wax candles, having nothing else at hand, wherewith she scourged him so sorely (well nigh till he swooned),
(1) Ex Chronico Martini. (2) Mopruntinensis, Treverensis, Coloniensis, Quilibet imperii fit cancellaiius liorum. Est I'alatiiuis dayifex. dux portitor eusis, Marchio praepositus camerEe, pincerna Boliemus. — Ibid.
[Appendix to Marianus Scotus, Ed. Bas. 1559, col. 147.— Ed.]
(3) Edition 15G3, p. 10. Ed. 1583, p. IG3. Ed. 1596, p. 144. Ed. 1684, vol. i. p. 179.— Ed.
(4) " Pf.- sanctain Mariam. isteignavus hoinoerit." — Cbron. deCrowland. (5) Lib. ii. de Regib.
71
COKOXATION OK KGKLUKD. UKTUUN' OK THli DAKKS.
Egelred. A. 1). 981.
Tlic coro- tiaiion of E^elrcd, Sunday, April II.
The pro- phecy of Dunstan, •IS monk- ish
stories give it.
The
Danes re- turn to England.
London consum- ed with fire. The kin J wars against the bishop of Ko- chester.
A.D. 990.
Death of Dunstan. May l!)th, A. U. 9H8.
that afterwards lie could never abide any wax candles to burn before him. After this, about a.d. 978, the day of his coronation having been appointed bv the f|ueen-inother and the nobles, Dunstan arch- bishop of Canterbury (who first refused so to do), and Oswald arch- bishop of York, were enforced to crown the king, which they did at Kingston. In doing whereof, the report of stories gocth that Dunstan said tlius, ])roplicsying unto the king, — " That forasmuch as he came to the kingdom by the death of his brother, and through the conspiracy of the wicked conspirators, and other Englishmen, they should not be without blood-shedding and sword, till there came a people of an unknown tongue, which should bring them into thraldom ; neither should that trespass be clean.sed, without long vengeance."'
Not long after the coronation of this king, a cloud was seen through- out the land, which appeared the one half like blood, and the other half like fire, and changed afterwards into sundry colours, and vanished at last in the morning. Shortly after the appearance of this cloud, in the third year of his reign, the Danes arriving in sundry places of the land, first spoiled Southampton, either slaying the inhabitants, or lead- ing them away captive. From thence they went to the Isle of Thanet; then they invaded Chester,^ from whence they proceeded to Cornwall and Devonshire, and so to Sussex, where in those coasts they did much harm, and then withdrew to their ships. Roger Hovedcn writing hereof, ^ saith that London at the same time, or, as Fabian saith, a great part of London, was consumed with fire. About this time happened a variance between the aforesaid Egelred and the bishop of Rochester, insomuch that he made war against him, and besieged the city; and, notwithstanding Dunstan required the king, sending him admonishment, to give over for the sake of St. Andrew, yet continued he his siege, till the bishop offered him an hundred pounds of gold, which he received, and so departed. The Danes, seeing the discord that then was in the realm, and especially the hatred of the subjects against the kmg, rose again, and did great harm in divers places Oi England ; insomuch that the king was glad to grant them great sums of money, for peace to be had. For the assurance of this peace, Ana- lafFe, captain of the Danes, became a christian man, and so returned home to his country, and did no more harm. Besides these miseries before-recited, a sore sickness of the bloody-flux and hot fevers fell among the people, whereof many died, with a like murrain, also, among the beasts. Moreover, for lack of justice, many thieves, rioters, and bribers, were in the land, with much misery and mischief.
About the eleventh year (some say the ninth) of this king's reign died Dunstan ; after whom succeeded Ethclgar, or, as Jornalensis writeth, Stilgar. After him Elfric, as aifirmeth Malmesbury ;* but as Polvdore saith, Siric. After him Elfric came, but Siric according to IVIalmesbur)', while Polydore saith, Aluric ; then Elphege.
About the same time, a.d. 995, Aldunus, a bishop, translated the
(1) In the Chronicles of Crowl.ind I find these words : — " Quoniam asoendisti ad thronum tuum, per mortem fratris tui, quern occidit nialur tua, propterea audi verbum Domini : hoc dicit Dominus, non deliciet gladius de domo tua, sreviens in te omnibus diebus vitae tuse, ct intcrficiens de semine tuo, et de gente tua, usque dum regnum tuum transferatur in regnum alienum : cujus ritum et linguam gens tua non novit, nee cxpiabitur nisi longa vindicta, et multa sanguinis eflusione pec- catum matris iure, et peceatum virorum pessimorum, qui consenserunt consiUo ejus nequam, ut mitterent manum in Christum Domini, ad effundendum s.inguincm innocentem."
(2) "Caerleon." see p. 5. note (.1).— Ed. (3) Hovedcn, lib. Continuationuni. (I) Lib. i. de Pontif.
MISKKABLE STATE OP ENGLAND. 75
body of St. Cuthbert, which first had been in a northern island, and Egeired. then at Chester-le-street, from Chester to Dunhehn, or Durham ; ~a~D~ whereupon the bishop"'s see of Durham first began.' 991.
Not long after the death of Dunstan, the Danes again entered xhe see~ England, in many and sundry places of the land, in such sort, that JJlj^'^e- the king had to seek to which coast he should go first, to Avithstand his gins, enemies ; and, in conclusion, for the avoiding of more harm, he was compelled to appease them with great sums of money. But when that money was spent, they fell anew to robbmg of the people, and to assailing the land in divers places, not only about the country of Northumberland, but they at last besieged the city of London. Being repulsed, however, by the manhood of the Londoners, they strayed to London other countries adjoining, as to Essex, Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire, b^^j^e^*^ burning and killing wheresoever they went, so that for lack of a good Danes, head or governor, many things in the land perished; for the king gave himself up to gross vices, and also to the polling of his subjects, and, disinheriting men of their possessions, caused them to redeem the same again with great sums of money ; for he paid great tribute to Great tn- the Danes yearly, which was called Dancgilt, which tribute so increased, ed,' Daniel that from the first tribute of 10,000/., it was brought at last, in ^''^ ggj five or six years, to 40,000/., which yearly, till the coming of St. Edward, and after, was levied of the subjects of this land.
To this soiTow, moreover, were joined hunger and penury among the commons, insomuch that every one of them was constrained to pluck and steal from others, so that, what through the pillage of the Danes, and what by inward thieves and bribers, this land was brought into great affliction. Albeit the greatest cause of this affliction, as to me appeareth, is not so much to be imputed to the king, as to the The sor- dissention among the lords themselves, who then did not agree one a^cUon with another; but when they assembled in consultation together, ".^ 'tie na- either they drew divers ways, or if any thing was agreed, upon any matter of peace between the parties, it was soon broken ; or else, if any -w^at dis- good thing were devised for the prejudice of the enemy, anon the •-''"^'i ^°^'^^ Danes were warned thereof by some of the same counsel. Of these tiie no- the chief doers were Edric, duke of Mercia, and Alfrike, the admiral or captain of the ships, who betrayed the king"'s navy to the Danes ; wherefore the king apprehended Alfagar, son of the said Alfrike, and put out his eyes, as did he afterwards to the two sons of duke Edric.
The Danes thus prevailing more and more over the English, grew Tae pride to such pride and presumption, that when they, by strength, caused nanl^s to- the husbandmen to ear and sow the land, and to do all other vile labour j^n^'IfsJl^^ belonging to the house, they would sit at home holding the A\ife at their pleasure, with daughter and servant : and when the husbandman came home, he could scarcely have of his own, as his servants had ; so that the Dane had all at his will and fill, faring of the best, when the owner scarcely had his fill of the worst. Thus the common people being of them oppressed, were in such fear and dread, that not only they were constrained to suffer them in their doings, but also glad to please them, and called every one of them in the house where they •lad rule, Lord-Dane, which word, afterwards, in process of time, when r.ord-
0) On the 27th May, 1827, the tomb of St. Cuthbert, in Durham Cathedral, was opened, and he coffin and skeleton found within. See Account of St. Cuthbert, p. 180. By James Raine, M.A. Durham. 1828.— Ed.
MASSACKE OF TlIK DANES.
J-'p^'irxJ. tlic Danes vcrc got rid of, was, for dcs])ic:lit of the Danes, turned by A. D. the Eni^lislinien to a name of opprobrium, so that when one En- 1004. fjlisliman would rebuke another, he woukl for the more part call ihe first li'ii^ " Lnrdane."
between -^^^^^ ^''"^ liitlicrto, tlirougli the assistance of Christ, we have brought the Nor- tliis liistorv down to the year of our Lord 1000.^ During the continu- Kngiibii" ancc of these great miseries upon this English nation, the land was brought into great ruin by the grievous tributes of the Danes, and also by sustaining manifold villanies and injuries, as well as other oppres- sions within the realm. In this year Egelred, through the counsel of certain his familiars about him, in the one and twentieth year of his reign, began a matter, which was the occasion, either given by the one, Kins or taken by the other, of a new plague to ensue upon the Saxons, who married ^^^^ formerly driven out the Britons ; which was, by joining with the Kmma, Nomiaus in marriage. For the kimj, this vear, for the more strength, oftire as he thought, both of him and the realm, married Emma, the daughter Normaii ^f Ricliard, duke of Normandy, which Richard was the third duke ^y- of the Normans, and the first of that name. By reason of this
The marriage. King Egelred was not a little elated ; and, by presumption slain in thereof, sent secret and strict commissions to the rulers of every town t\"f f ^^ England, that upon St. Brice"'s day, at an hour appointed, the Danes England, sliould bc suddculv skiu : and so it was performed, which turned after
Nov. 13th, . , 1 1 "^ '■
A.D.1002. to more trouble.
As soon as tidings came into Denmark of the murder of those Danes, Swanus, king of Denmark, with a gi-eat host and navy, landed in Cornwall ; Avhere, by treason of a Norman, named Hugh, who, by favour of Queen Emma, was made earl of Devonshire, the said Swanus took Exeter, and beat down the walls. From thence proceeding fm-ther into the land, they came to Wilton and Sherborne, where they cruelly spoiled the country, and slew the people. But, anon, Swanus hearing that the king was coming to him with the power of his land, took his ships and fetched his course about to Norfolk ; where, after much wasting of that country, and spoiling the city of Norwich, and burning the town of Thetford, and destroying the country there- about, at length duke Uskatel met him and beat him, and slew many of the Danes. Wherefore Swanus for that year returned to Denmark, and there made great provision to re-enter the land again the next year following ; and so he did, landing at Sandwich about the five and A.D.1003. twentieth year of the reign of King Egelred, and spoiled that country. And as soon as he heard of any host of Englishmen coming toward him, he took shipping again, so that when the king's army sought to meet him on one coast, he would suddenly land on another, and when the king provided to meet with him upon the sea, either they would feign to flee, or else they would with gifts blind the admiral of the king'a Tribute navy. And thus wearied they the Englishmen, and in conclusion the Danes brouglit them into extreme and uns])eakable misery, insomuch that the of3o,ooo/. j.jj^^ .^^,,jg ^^^^ ^^ make peace with them, and to give to King Swanus 30,000/., after which peace thus made Swanus returned again to Denmark.
Eiric, or Xhis pcacc Continued not long, for the year next following. King duke of Egelred made Edric, above mentioned, duke of Mercia, who was subtle
Mercia.
(1) Henry of Huntingdon, lib. vi.
UETURN OK TIIK DANES. 77
of wit, gloslng and eloquent of speech, untnisty, and flilse to the king F.g,-ircd. and the reahn ; and soon after this, one Turkil, a prince of the Danes, "aTI)~ landing in Kent with much people, did such harm there that the 1013. Kentishmen were fain to make peace with great gifts, on which they -j-he ,,er- departed. But this persecution from the Danes, in one country or other ^^^'"''?'l in England, never ceased, nor did the king ever give them any notable evu battle ; for when he was disposed to give them battle, this Edric would a!',""j'a' always counsel him to the contrary, so that the Danes ever spoiled and ^inR, robbed, and waxed rich, and the Englishmen ever poor and bare. it doth. "
After this, Swanus being in Denmark, and hearing of the increase The re- ef his people in England, brake his covenants before made, and with swTtms a great army and navy, in most defensible manner appointed, landing j^'^^^ '^""" in Northumberland, proclaimed himself to be king of this land ; where, when after much vexation he had subdued the people, and caused the earl with the rulers of the country to swear to him- fealty, he passed over the river Trent to Gainsborough and to Northwatling- street, and, subduing the people there, forced them to give him host- age!^; these he committed with his navy vmto Canute, his son, to keep, while he went fm-thcr inland, and so, with a great host, came to Mercia, killing and slaying. He then took by strength Winchester and Oxford, and did there what he liked. This done, he came toward London, and hearing the king was there, passed by the river Thames, and came into Kent, and there besieged Canterbury, where he was canter- resisted, the space of twenty days. At length, by the treason of a ing^be-^" deacon, called Almaric, whom the bishop had preserved from death tak^ifknd before, he Avon it, took the goods of the people, fired the city, and burnt, tithed the monks of St. Augustine"'s abbey ; that is to say, they slew a c-uei nine by cruel torment, and the tenth they kept alive as for their slave. ™." he*^ They slew there of religious men to the number of 900 persons; of Danes, other men, with women and children, they slew above 8,000. And, finally, when they had kept the bishop Elphege in strait prison the space of seven months, because he would not condescend to give them 3,000/., after many villanies done unto him, they brought him to Greenwich, and there stoned him to death.
King Egelred, in the mean time, fearing the end of this persecu- tion, sent his wife Emma, with his two sons, Alfred and Edward, to the duke of Normandy, with whom also he sent the bishop of London. The Danes proceeded still in their fury and rage, and when they had won a great part of West Saxony, they returned again to London, whereof the Londoners hearing, sent unto them certain great gifts and pledges. At last the king, about the five and thirtieth year of his a.d.khs. reign, was chased unto the Isle of AVight, and, with a secret company, frhen'to spent there a great part of the winter ; and finally, without cattle or theisieof comfort, sailed into Normandy, to his wife. Swanus being informed from thereof, inflamed with pride, levied exceeding impositions upon the Jo"^iIJor. people, and, among others, required a great sum of money of St. mandy. Edmund's lands, which the people there, claiming to be free from king''s tributes, refused to pay. For this, Swanus entered the territory of St. Edmund, and wasted and spoiled the country, despis- ing the holy martyr, and menacing also the place of his sepulture. The vir- Whcrefore the men of that country, fearing his t}Tanny, fell to prayer christian and tasting, so that shortly after Swanus died suddenly, crying and pjayers.

Egeircd. yclHng amoog his kniglits. Some say that he was stricken with A.D. tlic sword of St. Edmund, wlicrcof lie died the third (kiy after; in 1016. fear wliereof Canute, liis son, wlio ruled as king after his father, DMtiToT gi'^mted them the freedom of all their liberties, and, moreover, ditched Frb*'"(?" ^'^^ ^'^^^^ "^ *^'^^ ^'^'"^ martyr with a deep ditch, and granted to the inha- A.U.10H. bitants thereof great freedoms, quitting them from all tax or tribute, ab^ He afterwards builded a church over the place of his sepultm-e, and St. Ed- ordained there a house of monks, and endowed them vfiih rich posses- ™u'^. "■ sions. And after that time it was the usage of the kings of England, builded. vJien they were crowned, to send their crowns for an offering to St. Ednmnd's shrine, and to redeem the same again, afterwards, with a suitable price. Egeired When King Egelred heard of the death of Swanus, he made pro- to En"g^- vision and returned to England, for whose sudden coming Canute, ciJfute t)cing unprovided, fled to Sandwich, and there, cutting off the noses cutteth and hands of the hostages whom his father had left with him, sailed noses and into Denmark, who the next year returned again with a great navy, hf"''* °^ ^^^^ landed in the south country ; Avherefore the eldest son of King i)iedges. Egelred, called Edmund Ironside, made provision with the aid of Edric, duke of ^Icrcia, to meet him. But Edric, feigning himself sick, came not, but deceived him ; for, as it was after proved, Edric Taketh had promised his allegiance to Canute. By reason of this, Canute entered the country of the West Saxons, and forced the people to be A.D.1016. sworn unto him, and to give him pledges. During this season, King Egelred being in London, was taken with great sickness, and there Api. 23d, died and was buried in the north side of Paul's church, behind the quire, A. .1016. ^^^Qj. jjp jjg^^ reigned unprosperously thirty-eight years ; leaving after him his said eldest son, Edmund Ironside, and Alfred and Edward^ who were in Normandy, sent thither before, as is above-rehearsed. This Egelred, although he was miserably assailed and vexed of his enemies, yet he with his council gave forth wholesome laws, contain- ing good rules and lessons for all judges and justices to learn and follow.'^ A \»-icked Of this King Egelred I find noted in the book of Roger Hoveden, iiosfd by that he deposed and deprivedof his possessions, a certain judge or justice the king, named Walgeatus, the son of one Leonet, for false judgment and other proud doings, whom, notwithstanding, he loved above all others.
(1) Laws of King Egelred. — " Omnis judex Justus misericordlam et judicium liberet in omnibus, ut inprimis per rectam scientiam dieat emendationem secundum culpam, et earn tamen admensuret propter indulgentiam. Qusedam culpae reputantur a bonis judicibus secundum rectum emen- danda;, quaedam per Dei misericordiam condonandae. Judicia debent esse sine omni haderunga, quod non parcatur diviti alicui vel enego, amico vel inimico: jus publicum recitari. Nihil autem injustius est, quam susceptio munerum pro judicio subvertendo : quia niunera excaecant conla sapientum, et subvertunt verba justorum. Dominus Jesus dixit : ' in quo judicio judicaveritis, judi- cabimiiii.' Timeat omnis judex ac diligat Deum judicem suum, ne in die judicii mutus fiat, ut humiliatus ante oculos judicis cuncta videntis. Qui innocentem opprimit, et dimittit noxiuro pro pecunia, vel amicitia, vel odio, vel quacunque factione, oppriuictur ab omnipotente judice. Et iiuUus dominus, nulla potestas, stultos aut improbos judices constituat, quia stultus per ignaviam, improhus per cupiditatem, vitat quam didicit, veritatem. Gravius enim iacerantur paupercs a pravis judicibus, quam a cruentis hostibus. Nullus hostis acerbior, nulla pestis efficacior quam familiaris inimicus. Potest aliquoties homo fuga vel defensione vitare pravos inimicos. Nun ita possunt judices, quoties adversus subditos mails desideriis inflammantur. Saepe etiam boni judices habent malos vicarios et ministros nefandos, quorum reatibus ipsi domini constringuntur, si non eos cotrceant, et a rapacitatc cohibeant. Uuia Dominus et minister saeculorum ait, non solum male agentes, sed omnes consctiticntes digr.i sunt .xterna morte. Saepe etiam pravi judirts judicium pervertunt, vel respectaiit, et non finiunt causam, donee voluntas eorum jnnJeatur. Kt quando judicant, non opera, sed munera considerant. Impii judices, juxta verlium sapientum, sicut rapaces lupi vespere nil residuant usque mane, id est, de praesenti solum vita cogitant, do futura nihil considerant. Malorum pra-positorum mos est, ut quicquid possu.it auferant, et vix liecessariuro pavum quid relinquant sustentatioui. Iracunduii judex non potest attendere rettam
MURDER OF KING EDMUND.
EDMUND IRONSIDE, A SAXON, and CANUTE, A DANE, KINGS TOGETHER IN ENGLAND. ^
After the death of Egelred, there was variance among the Eng- hshmcn about the election of their king; for the citizens of London, ivith certain other lords, named Edmund, the eldest son of Egelred, a young man of lusty and valiant courage, in martial adventures both hardy and wise, and who could very ■well endure all pains ; wherefore he was sirnamed Ironside. But the more part of the lords favoured Canute, the son of Swanus, especially the abbots, bishops, and men of the spiritualty, who before had sworn to his father. By means of this, many gTcat battles were fought between these two martial princes, first in Dorsetshire, where Canute was compelled to fly the field, and after that, they fought another battle in Worcestershu-e, so sore that Battles none could tell who had the .better ; but either for weariness, or for lack Edmun"' of day, they departed one from the other, and on the morrow fought ^" again, but Canute Avas then compelled to forsake the field. After this they met in Mercia, and there fought again ; where Edmund, as stories say, by the treason of that false Edric, duke of Mercia, whom he before had received to favour, had the worse. Thus there were I many great conflicts between these two princes, but upon one occasion, I when the hosts were ready to join, and a certain time of truce had been taken before battle, a knight, of the party of Edmund, stood up upon a high place, and said these words : —
" Daily we die, and none hath the victory : and when the knights a witty be dead on either part, then the dukes, compelled by need, shall "[aybiood accord, or else they must fight alone, and this kingdom is not sufficient I'et^cen for two men, which sometimes sufficed seven. But if the covetousness armies, of lordship in these twain be so great, that neither can be content to take part and live by the other, nor the one under the other, then let them fight alone, that will be lords alone. If all men fight, still, at the last, all men shall be slain, and none left to be under their lordship, nor able to defend the kms that shall be, as^ainst strange enemies and nations.
These words were so well approved of by both the hosts and the Two princes, that all were content to try the quarrel between those two fight only. Then the place and time were appointed, at which they should hand.'" both meet in sight of the two hosts, and when either had attacked the ; other with sharp swords and strokes, on the motion of Canute, as some I WTite, hastily they were both agreed, and kissed each other, to the I comfort of both hosts ; and, shortly after, they agreed upon a partition a of the land, and, after that, during their lives they loved as brethren. \ Soon after, a son of wicked Edric, bv the instigation of his father, as A.p.ioir. ^^ appeared afterwards, espied when King Edmund was at the di-aught, mirderof ,'iii and with a spear, some say with a long knife, gave him a secret thrust, ^^ud.^'
«* ludicii satisfactionem. Nam per furoris exc»cationem, non perspicit rectitudinis claritatem. " Justum judicium, ubi non persona consideratur. Scriptiim est : non attendas personam hominis in '^ jjudieio, nee pro aliquo facies. ut a vero declines, et injuste judices. Susceptio muneris est dimissio . * iveritatis."— Ex Historia Bibliothecaj Jornalensis. ^^ I (1) Edition 15C3, p. 11. Ed. 1583, p. IG2. Ed. 1596, p. HC. Ed. 1684, vol. i. p. ISI.— En.
80
CANUTE, SOLE .MONARCH OF ENGLAND.
A.D. 1017.
Ironside sent out to be slain.
infidelity, and un- truth, in English lords.
Canute, wliercof tlic Said Edmund shortly after died, after that he had reigned two years. He left behind two sons, Edmund and Edward, whom Edric, the wicked duke, after the death of their father, took from their mother, not knowing yet of the death of Edmund her husband, and presented them to King Canute, saluting him in these words, " Ave rex solus." Thus Canute, after the death of Edmund Ironside, was king alone of the whole realm of England, and afterwards, by the ofEd*""* ^^vice of his council, he sent the aforesaid sons of Edmund Ironside mund to liis brother Swanus, king of Sweden, to be slain ; who abhorring that deed, sent them to Salomon, king of Hungary, where Edmund being married to the king''s daughter, died ; Edward was married to Agatha, daughter of his brother, the emj^eror, Henry IV. ^
When Canute was established in the kingdom, he called a parliament in London, where, among other things there debated, it was propounded to the bishops, barons, and lords of parliament, present, whether, in the composition made between Edmund and Canute, there was any special remembrance made of the children or brethren of Edmund, by Flattery, any partition of any part of the land. Whereunto the English lords, ftdsely flattering the foreign king, and speaking against their own minds, as also against their native country, answered, and said, " Nay." Affirming, moreover, with an oath (for the king's pleasure) that thev, to the uttermost of their powers, would put oft' the blood of Edmund in all that they might ; by reason of which answer and promise, many of them thought to have purchased with the king great favour. But, by the just retribution of God, it chanced far otherwise ; for many of them, or the most part (such especially as Canute did perceive to be sworn before-time to Edmund and his heirs, and also considering that they were native Englishmen) he mistrusted and disdained ever after, insomuch that some he exiled, a great number he beheaded, and some, by God''s punishment, died suddenly, among whom wicked Edric also, the traitor, although with his sugared words he continued a while in the king's favour, at length escaped not condign reward for his deceivable dealing. For, as the liistory of Jornalensis recordeth, as the king was in his palace beyond the Thames, this Edric, being probably accused, or else suspected of the king before, and coming unto him, began to reckon up his benefits and hibours bestowed for his sake, first, in forsaking and betraying Egelred, then in slaying Duke King Edmund's son, with many such other deeds, which all, for his false trai- Sake, hc had done. " Well," saith the king, " thou hast here rightly '"urXrer J^ prince, and my sworn brother," and so commanded him to be bound immediately hand and foot, and to be thrown into the Thames. Some stories say, that when he had saluted the king with "Ave rex solus," and showed him the slaying of Edmund, Canute, promising that he would make him, therefore, higher than all the lords of the realm, com- manded his head to be stricken off, and to be set upon London bridge, and his body to be cast into the town-ditch : and thus with shame ended he his wretched life ; as all they commonly do, who, with like dissimulation, seek the destruction of their prince, and of their ( country.
This Canute, shortly after the death of King Edmund, by the counsel of Edric, exiled Edwy, being brother unto King Edmund, i
of liis king re warded
The bro- ther of Edmund Ironside slain.
(1) See Appendix, respecting the L'.'rors in this statement. — Ed.
CRUELTY OF EAIIL GODWIN'. 8l
called rex rusticoruin, 'the king of churls;"' but afterwards, he was recon- canuu. ciled again to the king''s favour, and, lastly, slain by certain of the \_ jj/ king's secretaries, or servants. Also, through the counsel of the said 1040. Edric, and of Emma his wife, he sent the two sons of Edmund Iron- side, Edmund and Edward, to his brother Swanus, king of Denmark, to be slain, as is before said.'
In the mean time Swanus, king of Denmark, brother to Canute, died ; wherefore that land fell to Canute, who soon after sailed thither, and took possession of it, and after he had set it in order, he returned kin^of' to England and married Emma, late wife of Egelred, and by her he marde"'"' had a son, called Hardeknight, or Hardicanute. Moreover this Canute ^mma, assembled a parliament at Oxford, where it was agreed that English- Egeired. men and Danes should hold the laws made by King Edg-ar, because they were thought so good and reasonable above any other laws. Thus the Danes being in England began, by little and little, to be Christian men. Canute went to Rome, and retiuning again to England, go- verned that land the space of twenty years, leaving after him two sons, Harold and Hardicanute ; which latter was made king of Denmark in his fathe/s time. A.D.1035.
Harold I., called Harefoot for his activity and swiftness, son to Harold Canute by Elgina, his first wife, began his reign over England aulne.^' A.D. 1036. Of him little is left in memory, save that he banished his step-mother Emma, and took her goods and jewels from her.
Hardicanute, being king of Denmark, and second son to Clanute by Hardica- his last wife Emma, Avas next king of England. In the time of these "a"t^of the Danish kings, there was one Godwin, an earl in Enq-land, who had been :^"s!°:
^ " . ' . ° . Danish
before in gi-eat favour with Canute, for his acts done in Denmark kings against the Norwegians ; who afterwards married the sister (some say a"d!io39! the daughter) of Canute. This Godwin was of a cruel and subtle wit, as is instanced not a little by the sons of King Egelred; for when those two, whose names were Alfred and Edward, came from Nor- mandy into England, to visit their mother Emma, and brought with them a great company of Normans, this Godwin (liaving a daughter called Godith, whom he thought to marry to Edward, and set him up
Ito be king), to bring his purpose about, used this device, namely, to per- suade King Hardicanute, and the lords, not to suffer those Normans to be within the realm for jeopardy, but rather to punish them for example: ij by which means he obtained authority to order the matter himself, !| wherefore he met them on Guild down, and there most ^vretchedly p™^''^"'" murdered, or rather martyred the greater number of the Normans, and win that -without provocation. For, as Swanus before had tithed the monks ?^he Nor- of Canterbury, so he, with a cruel company of English soldiers, slew ™^°^- nine of the said Normans, and saved the tenth. And yet, passing the fury of Swanus, as not contented with that tyranny, he tithed again the said tithe, and slew every tenth knight, and that by cruel torment, as winding their entrails out of their bodies, as -svTiteth Ranulphus. Among his other deeds, he put out the eyes of the elder brother, Alfred, and sent him to the abbey of Ely, where he, being fed with son of' bread and water, endured not long. By some writers it is recorded, rithnieir that he was there slain with the aforenamed torment, and that Edward 1°^^^.^^ was conveyed by some one to his mother ; who, fearing the treason of torment-, Godwin, sent him soon over the sea into Normandy again. This cruel death.
(I) Seep. 80, note (1).— Ed. VOL. II. G
•S2 ABJECT STATE OF ENGLAND.
c A.D. came of himself, or of the king''s setting on, seemeth to me to be the 1041. cause why the justice of God did shortly after revenge the quarrel of wiiy God these Normans, in conquering and subduing the English nation by thisXnd ^V^illiaiii the Conqueror, and the Normans Avho came with him. For to be con- go it was just and right, that as the Normans, coming with a natural the Nor- English prince, were murdered of Englishmen ; so afterwards, the *"*"*■ Englishmen should be slain and conquered by the Normans, coming
with a foreign king, not beins of their natural country. Death of TluMi it followcth iu thc story, that this King Hardicanute, when Canute, lic had rcigucd two years, being merry at Lambeth, suddenly was A.D.1041. stricken dumb, and fell down to the ground, and within eight days died without issue, a. d. 104-1. He was the last that reigned in England of the blood of the Danes. Sons of The aforesaid Godwin had, by the daughter of Canute, liis wife, but one son, who was drowned. By his second w ife he had six sons ; to wit, Swanus, Harold, Tostius, Wilmot, Sixth or Surth, and Leofric, with one daughter, called Goditha, who was afterwards married to King Edward the Confessor.
Concerning the story of this Alfred, I find it somewhat otherwise reported in our English clironicles, that it should be after the death of Hardicanute ; forasmuch as the earls and barons after liis death assembled and made a council, that never after, any of the Danes' blood should be king of England, for the despite that they had done to statrof Englishmen. For ever before, if the English and the Danes hap- the Eng- pencd to meet upon a bridge, the Englishmen were not so hardy as to move a foot, but stood still till the Danes had passed over. And, moreover, if the Englishmen had not bowed down their heads to do reverence to the Danes, they would have been beaten and defiled. For these despites and villanies they Avere driven out of the land after the death of Hardicanute, for they had no lord that might main- tain them ; and after this manner the Danes so evacuated England, that tliey never came again.^
Thc earls and barons, by their common assent and council, sent into Normandy for these two brethren, Alfred and Edward, intend- ing to crown Alfred, the elder brother, and to make him king of England ; and to this the earls and barons made their oath. But the Earl Godwin of West Sax, falsely and traitorously thought to slay these two bretlu-en, as soon as they came into England, to the intent that he might make Harold his son king ; which son he had by Lis wife, Hardicanute's daughter, who Avas a Dane.^ So this Godwin went privily to Southampton, to meet the two brethren at their landing; and thus it fell out, that the messengers who went (saitli mine author) into Normandy, found only Alfred the elder brother, for Edward his younger brother was gone to Hungary, to speak with his cousin, the outlaw, who was Edmund Ironside's son. Alfred or Whcu Alfred had heard these messengers, and perceived their , son of ' tidings, he thanked God, and hastening Avith all speed to England, Kgefred. arrived at Southampton. There Godwin, the false traitor, having knoAvledge of his coming, Avclcomed and received him with much joy,
( 1 ) Taken out of the Eni^lish story or chronicle compiled by certain English clerks.
(2) See Appendix.
CRUEL MUKDKR OF PIM NCE ALFRED. "gS
pretending to lead him to London, where the barons waited to make Canute. him king ; and so they together passed forth toward London. But a. I) when they came to Guikl down, the traitor commanded all his men to 1041. slay all that were in Alired's company, who came with him from Nor- mandy, and after that to take Alfred, and to lead him into the isle of Ely, where they should put out both his eyes, and so they did ; for they slew all the company that were there, to the number of twelve gentlemen, who came with Alfred from Normandy, and after that they took Alfred, and in the isle of Ely they executed their commis- sion. That done, they opened his body, took out his bowels, and setting a stake into the ground, fistened an end of his bowels there- unto, and with needles of iron they pricked his tender body, thereby causing him to go about the stake, till all his bowels were drawn out. So died this innocent Alfred or Alured, being the right heir to the crown, through treason of wicked Godwin. When the lords of Eng- land heard thereof, and how Alfred, who should have been their king, was put to death through the false traitor Godwin, they were won- drous Avroth ; and sware between God and them that he should die a worse death than did Edric, who betrayed his lord, Edmund Ironside; and would immediately have put him to death, but that the traitor fled thence into Denmark, and there remained four years and more, losing all his lands in England.
Another Latin story I have, bearing no name, Avhich saith that this coming in of Alfred and the Normans was in the time of Harold, Canute's son.^ Also how Godwin, after he pretended great amity to them, suddenly in the night came upon them at Guildford, and after lie had tithed the Nomians, senfe Alfred to Harold in London ; who sent liim to the isle of Ely, and caused his eyes to be put out. And thus much of Canute, and of his sons, Harold and Hardicanute.
Besides these two sons, Canute had also a daughter named Gunilda, Guniia.-i; man-ied to Henry ni, emperor. Of her some -wiite, that she being nlnrytiic accused to the emperor of spouse-breach, and having no champion or ™'p^'''"^ knight that would fight for her, after the manner of that coimtry, for trial of her cause, a certain little dwarf or boy, whom she brought with her out of England, stirred up of God, fought in her cause against a mighty big Gennan, of a monstrous greatness ; which silly dwarf, cutting by chance the sinews of his leg, afterwards struck him to the ground, and cut off his head, and so saved the life of the queen ; if tliat be true which Malmesbury and Fabmn report.
Of this Canute it is storied that he, following much the supersti- Canute tion of Egelnoth, archbishop of Canterbury, went on a pilgrimage to Rome" Rome, and there foimded an hospital for English pilgrims. He gave fo"unded the pope precious gifts, and burdened the land with a yearly tribute, thehosp:- called the Rome-shot. He shrined the body of Berinus, and gave EngMi oTeat lands and ornaments to the cathedral church of Winchester ; ^1,^™^' he also builded St. Benefs in Norfolk, which ^was before a hermi- siiot con- tage ; likewise St. Edmundsbm-y, which King Athclstan before or- i^m^^ ^^ dained for a college of priests, he turned to an abbey of monks of St. Benefs order.
Henry, archdeacon of Huntingdon,- maketh mention of this Canute, a-s doth also Polydore,' that he, after his coming from Rome, walking
'1) Ex historia ignoti autlioris. (2) Lib. vi. (3) L;b. vii.
84
END OF THE DANISH LINE IN ENGLAND.
A.D. 1041.
Flatterers anit claw- backs al>out princes.
Canute cliarRCth the sea to stand back.
God only, the King of kings, iind Lord oflords.
The
king's crown put on a rood or cross.
Kings of England liave as much right in causes spiritual as tem- poral
upon a time by tlie ]iort of Soutlminpton (but, as Polydorc saith, and Fabian affiniuth tlie same, it was by the Tliamcs'' side in London), when his flatterers coming about him, began to exalt him with high words, calling him a king of all kings, most mighty, who had under his subjection both the people, the land, and also the sea : Canute, revolving this matter in his mind (whether for pride of his heart exalted, or whether to try and refcl their flattering words), commanded his chair of state to be brought to the sea side, at what time the tide should begin to flow. Polydorc saith that no seat was brought; but sitting ujion his garments, being folded together under him, there charged and commanded the floods arising and coming towards his feet, that they should touch neither him nor his clothes. But the water, keeping its ordinary course, came nearer and nearer, first to his feet, and so growing higher, began to wash him well-favouredly ; where- with the king abashed, and partly also afraid, started back, and look- ing at his lords, " Lo,"" saith he, " ye call me such a mighty king, and yet I cannot command back this little water to stay at my word, but it is ready to drown me. Wherefore all earthly kings may know that all their powers be but vain, and that none isAvorthy to have the name of a king, but he alone who hath all things subject to the power and authority of his Avord, who is the Lord of heaven and earth, the Creator above of all things, the Father of our Christ and Lord, who with him for ever is to be glorified : him let us Avorship and extol for our King for ever."" After this, as histories Avitness, he never suifered the croAvn to come upon his head, but went to Winchester, or, as some say, to Canterbury ; but both those accounts may be true, for his going to Canterbury Avas to acknoAvledge that there was a Lord much higher, and of more poAver than he himself Avas, and thercAvithal to render up his croAvn for ever. With that, Egclnoth, archbishop of Canterbury, informed him of the image of the crucifix beforemen- tioned, Avhich dissolved the matter betAveen married priests and life of monks, and did many other miracles more, being then at Winchester ; wliereupon the king, provoked to go to Winchester to the rood, there resigned his regal croAvn, and made the rood king over all the land.
Here is also to be noted in this Canute, that although, as is said, he submitted in the beginning of his reign to King Edgar''s laAvs, yet afterAvards, in process of time, he set forth peculiar laAvs of his OAvn, among Avhich, divers there be that concern as avcII causes ecclesi- astical, as also temporal. Whereby it may appear, that the govern- ment of spiritual matters did not then depend upon the bishop of Rome, but appertained to the laAvful authority of the temporal prince, no less than did matters and causes temporal, as by certain ordinances of the aforesaid Canute may be well perceived.'
And here is an end of the Danish kings. Noav to the English kings again, Avhose right line cometh in, in EdAvard here folloAving.
(I) Laws of Canute, in matlcrs ecclesiastical. — " Pecunia sepulturae justum est ut aperta terra reddatur. Si aliquod corpus a sua parochia deferatur in aliam, pecunia sepulturae," &c.
In English :— " It is meet and riglit, that in funerals money be given for opening the earth.
" If any body, or corse, be carried out of its own parish into another, the money of the burial shall pertain by the law to its own jjarish church.
" All ordinances and ceremonies of God, let ihem be observed as need in all things requireth.
" Upon the Sunday we forbid all public fairs or markets, all synods or conventicles, huntings, or any such secular actions to be exercised, unless urgent necessity compel thereunto.
" Let every christian man prepare himself thrice a year, to approach to the receiving of tlic Lord's body ; so to cat the same, as not to his judgment, but to his wholesome remedy.
"If
PEACEFUL COMMENCEMENT OF KING EDWA11D''s REIGN. 86
Edward the Con- fessor.
EDWARD THE CONFESSOR.' "TdT
1042.
Forasmuch as God, who is the only maker of heirs, of his mercy and providence, thought it so good, after the woeful captivity of this English nation, to grant now some respite of deliverance, in taking away the Danish kings without any issue left behind them ; who reigning here in England, kept the English people in miserable subjec- tion about the space of eight and twenty years, and, from their first landing in the time of King Briglitric, wasted and vexed this land England the term of 254 years""^: now their tyranny here coming to an end, by the the next election and right to the crown fell, as appertained, to f^^y^^^l Edward, the younger son of King Egelred and Emma, a true-bred Englishman, who had been now long banished in Normandy, as is above declared ; a man of gentle and soft spirit, more appliable to other men's council, than able to trust to his own ; of nature and condition so given from all war and bloodshed, that, being in his banishment, he wished rather to continue all his life long in that private estate, than by war or bloodshed to aspire to any kingdom. This Edward, after the death of Canute II., or Hardicanute, being sent for by the lords into Normandy, to take possession of the realm, although he something mistrusted the inconstant and fickle heads of Englishmen, yet, having sufficient pledges laid for him in Normandy, came over, accompanied by a few Normans, and not long after was crowned at Winchester, K'"ff A.D. 1042, by Edsine, then archbishop of Canterbmy. Not long cro^yned after that, he married Goditha, or Editha, daughter of Earl Godwin, Afi).io42. whom he treated after such a sort, that he lived with her as though she had not been his wife. Whether it were for hate of her kin, as most likely it was, or for love of chastity, it remaineth uncertain, but most writers agree that he continued his life in this manner ; for the which he is highly exalted among our story-writers, and called holy King Edward. After he had thus taken upon him the government of the realm, he guided the same with much wisdom and justice for the space of four and twenty years, lacking two months ; from whom issued, as out of a fountain, much godliness, mercy, pity, and liberality toward the poor ; gentleness and justice toward all men ; and, in all honest life, he gave a virtuous example to his people. He discharged the Englishmen from the great tribute called Dane-gilt, which before- time was yeai-ly levied to the gi'cat impoverishing of the people. He subdued the Scots and the Welshmen, who in theii" borders began to rebel against him. In much peace he continued his reign, having no foreign enemy to assault him : albeit, as some chronicles do show, certain Danes and Norwegians there were, Avho intended to set upon England, but as they were taking shipping, there was brought to them first one bowl, then another, of mead^ or methe, to drink for a bofi
" If a minister of the altar do kill any man, or have entangled himself in any notorious crime, let him be deprived both of his order and his dignity.
" If any married woman, her husband being alive, have committed adultery, and the same te proved ; to her open shame in the world, let her have her nose and ears cut otf.
" Let every widow, after the death of her husband, remain sole twelve months ; or if she marry, let her lose her jointure."
(1) Editim 1563, p. 11. Ed. 1583, p. 164. Ed. 15!)f), p. H8. Ed. 1684, vol. i. p. 1S3.— -l^J.
(2) See p. 5, note (6), and vol. i. p. 378, note (3).
(3) Mtf/ii [metht], in Greek, sigiiifieth drunkenness.
86
ACCUSATION AGAINST THE KING S MOTHEll.
Accu- sation against Km ma, the king's mother.
j-aise ac- cusation purged by hot iron.
A.D.I 052. Gre.it snow and mor- tality.
V.arl God- win out- lawed.
viage. Thus one cup^ coining after another, after drink came drunkenness, after drunkenness followed jangling, of jangling came strife, and strife turned unto stripes, whereby many were slain, and the others returned to their homes again ; and thus, the merciful provi- dence of the Lord disposed of that journey.
In the time of this Edward, l^nuna his mother was accused of being familiar with Alwiii, the bishop of Winchester ; upon which accusation, by counsel of Earl Godwin, he took ft-om her many of her jewels, and caused her to be kept a deal more strictly in the abbey of Warwel, and the bishop to be committed to the examination of the clergy. Polvdore saith they were both in prison at Winchester, where she, sorrowing the defiime both of herself and the bishop, and trusting to her conscience, desired justice of them, offering herself as ready to abide any lawful trial, yea, although it were the sharpest. Then divers of the bishops made entreaty to the king for them both, and had obtained the suit, had not Robert, then archbishop of Can- terbury, stopped it ; who, not well content Avith their labour, said unto them, " My brethren, how dare you defend her who is so unworthy the name of a woman '? She hath defamed her own son tlie king, and hath lowered herself with the bishop. And if it be so, that the woman will purge the priest, who shall then purge the Avoman, Avho is accused of consenting to the death of her son Alfred, and who procured venom to the poisoning of her son Edward ? But, whether she be guilty or guiltless, if she will go barefoot for herself four steps, and for the bishop five, continually upon nine ploughshares fire hot, and escape harmless, he shall be assoiled of this challenge, and she also." To this she agreed, and the day Avas appointed, on Avhich the king and a great part of his nobles Avere present, save only Kobert, the archbishop. This Robert had been a monk of a house in Normandy, and a helper of the king in his exile, and so by the sending for of the king, came over and Avas made first bishop of London, and afterAvards archbishop of Canterbury. Then Avas she led blind- fold unto the place betAveen tAvo men, Avhere the irons lay burning hot, and passed the nine shares unhurt. At last, said she, " Good Lord, Avhen shall I come to the place of my purgation .^'" AVlicn they then opened her eyes, and she saw that she Avas past the pain, she kneeled down, giving God thanks. Then the king repented, saith the story, and restored unto her Avhat he had before taken from her, and asked her forgiveness ; but the archbishop fled into Normandy.
Near about this time, about the tenth year of this reign, fell passing great snoAv from the beginning of January, to the seventeenth day of March. After Avhich ensued a great mortality of men, murrain of cattle, and by lightning the com Avas wonderftdly blasted and Avasted.
Not long after this, Eustace earl of Boidogne, Avho had married King EdAvard's sister, came into England, through the occasion of Avhom, Avhen execution should be done upon the citizens of Dover for a fiay between them and the earFs men, variance happened between King EdAvard and Earl GodAvin ; avIio, perceiving that he could not Avithstand the king's malice, although he gathered a great company to work therein Avhat he could, fled into Flanders, and Avas outlawed Avith his five sons. King Edward repudiated
THE DEATH OF EARL GODWIN. 87
his wife, the daughter of the said Godwin ; but the second year after, jj^''"l^jf by mediators, he was reconciled to the king again, and called from '/,.,.s°r. banishment, and for his good a-bearing he gave for pledges his son "^757 Wilmot and grandson Hacus, who were sent to the duke of Nor- io52. mandy, there to be kept.'
During the time of the outlawry of Godwin, William the Bastard, wiiiiam, duke of Normandy, came with a goodly company into England to see N"ornian- King Edward, and was honourably received : to whom the king made ^^'^^'^f^ great cheer, and at his return enriched him with great gifts and land, pleasures ; and there, as some write, made promise to him that, if he died without issue, the said William should succeed him in the kingdom of England.
In this king's reign lived Marianus Scotus, the story-writer. 3 As concerning the end of Earl Godwin, the cruel murderer of Alfred and of the Normans, although divers histories diversely do vary, yet in this the most part do agree, that as he sat at the table with King Ed- ward at Windsor, it happened one of the cup-bearers, one of Earl Godwin's sons, to stumble and recover again, so that he did shed none of the drink ; whereat Godwin laughed, and said how the one brother had sustained the other.2 With which words the king calling to mind his brother's death, who was slain by Godwin, beheld the earl, saying, " So should my brother Alfred have holpen me, had not Godwin been." Godwin then, fearing the king's displeasure to be newly kindled, after many words in excusing himself, said, " So might I safely swallow this morsel of bread, as I am guiltless of the deed ;" ^j^^ but as soon as he had received the bread, forthwith he was choked. Then the king commanded him to be drawn from the table ; and so Godwin. he was conveyed by Harold his son to Winchester, and there buried, a.d.io.^s.
About the thirteenth year of this king's reign, the said King Ed- Edward ward sent Aldred, bishop of Worcester, to the emperor Henry IV., law, son praying him that he would send to the king of Hungary, that his °J^^^^ cousin Edward, son of Edmund Ironside, might come to England, J™^'^^^^ forsomuch as he intended to make him king after him, who was called Edward the Outlaw ; the which request was fulfilled, so that he came into England \v'ith his wife Agatha, and with his children, to wit, Edg-ar Etheling, Margaret, and Christina. But the year after his a.d.iosg.
o O'O' ._•'_ , Death of
return into the realm, this Edward deceased in London, and was Edward, buried at Westminster, or, as Jornalensis saith, at PauFs church in Edm°und London. After whose decease, the king then received Edgar Ethel- ironside, ing his son as his own child, thinking to make him his heir ; but fear- ing partly the inconstant mutability of the Englishmen, partly the ^j,,,^,^,^ pride and malice of Harold, the son of Godwin, and of others (per- duke of' ceiving thereby that he could not bring that his purpose well to pass), dy'ladmiu he directed solemn ambassadors unto William, duke of Normandy, \l\l'^" his kinsman, admitting and assigning him to be his lawful heir, next crown, to succeed after him to the crown.
After the death of Godwin, Harold his son waxed so in the king's favour, that he ruled the most and greatest causes of the realm, and was lieutenant of the king's army ; who, with his brother Toston or Tostius, sent by the king against the Welshmen, subdued their
(1) Foxe says, erroneously, "his two sons Biornon and Tostius." See Appendix.
(2) Ex Jornal.; Malmesb. ; Polydor.; Fab. et aliis.
(3) See Appendix.
8S IIAROI.U TAKEN' 15Y THE NOKMAN'S.
Kdwnrd rebellion. IJiit afterward, such envy grew between these two
fetso"' brethren, for that Tostius saw his brother Harold so greatly advanced
J. in the king's favour, that at Hereford Tostius slew all his brother's
105q" men ; whom when he had cut in pieces, he powdered their quarters
~ — ; — and manirlcd parts in barrels of salt, vinegar, wine, and other liquors.
children That douc, lic UKulc a powcr against his brother Harold, being king,
ed^fath'ifr! with the aid of certain Danes and Norwegians, and fought a battle
with him in the North, as after shall follow (God willing) to be seen.
So ungracious were these Avicked children of Earl Godwin, that if
they had seen any fair mansion or manor-place, they would slay the
owner thereof with all his kindred, and enter the possession thereof
themselves.
At length it came in tlic mind of this Harold to sail over the sea,
as Polydorc saith, unto Normandy, to see his brother Wilmot, as also
his cousin Hacus,' whom the king had sent thither to be kept for
pledges, as ye heard before, Polydore saith, " These pledges were
Tostius and Biornan ;" but that cannot be, for Tostius was then in
England. But, as Henry archdeacon of Huntingdon saith, his
journey was into Flanders, as seemeth more like ; for it is not to be
thought that Harold, who was a doer in the cruel murder of Alfred
and of the Normans, would venture into Normandy, and therefore
more like it is, that his sailing was into Flanders, But, as the story
proccedeth, he, being in the course of sailing, was weather-driven by
Harold, tempest into the province of Ponthieu, where he was taken as a pri-
the^Nor^ soner, and sent to Duke William of Normandy ; to whom he was
mans, madc to swcar, that he in time following should marry his daughter,
Duke and that, after the death of King Edward, he should keep the land of
uVmarTy England to his behoof, according to the will and mind of Edward,
'!'s , after some writers, and so to live in great honour and dignitv, next
daughter, . . ' . P . o . '
and to unto him in the realm. This promise ftiithfully made to the duke,
rel^im'for Harold returnoth to England with his cousin' Hacus, the son of his
lloor brother Swanus, delivered unto him ; but Wilmot, brother of Harold,
the duke keepeth still for performance of the covenants. Thus Harold,
I say, returning home, sheweth the king all that he had done in the
aforesaid matters, wherewith the king was well contented. Whereby
it mav be leathered that king Edward was right Avell willing that Duke
William sliould reign after him, and also it seemeth not unlike but
that he had given him his promise thereunto before.
Earl Leo- Amoug all that were true and trusty to King Edward of the Eng-
andfai'th- ^'^h uobilitv, nouc had like commendation as had Leofric, earl of
fui to his Mercia and of Chester. This Leofric purchased many oreat liberties
prince. ^ . ^ * ^ .
for the town of Coventry, and made it free of all manner of things,
except only of horse. Which freedom there was obtained by means
of his wife Godiva, by riding, as the fame goeth, after a strange
bey^f Co- nianner through the town. This Leofric, with his wife Godiva,
wiUdld l^uilded also the abbey of Coventry, and endowed the same with
byLcofric. great lands and riches.
You heard a little before of the coming over of Edward, called the Outlaw, son of King Ivlmund Ironside, whom King Edward had purposed to have made king after him ; but soon after his coming over he deceased in London. This Edward had, by his
(1) " Uacun his nevewe," says Fabian, correctly : but see p. 105, note (2).— Ed.
DEATH OF KING EDWAUD. 89
wife Agatha, a son called Edgar Etlieling, and a dauglitcr Margaret, Jidimta who, being afterward married to tlie king of Scots, was the mother '/ess""' of Matilda, or Maud, queen of England, and of David, king of * y. Scots. ^ 106G.
This virtuous and blessed King Edward, after he had reigned ,1^
three and twenty years and seven months, died, and was buried in the monastery of Westminster, which he had greatly augmented and ward, repaired ; but afterwards it was more enlarged after the form Avhich ^^^'l:, i^g^ it hath now, by Henry III., the son of King John.
They that write the history of this king, here make mention of a dream or revelation that should be showed to him in time of his sickness ;^ how that because the peers and bishops of the realm were servants, not of God, but of the devil, God wovdd give this realm to the hand of others. And when the king desired utterance to be given him, that he might declare the same to the people, Avhereby they might repent, it was answered again, that they would not repent ; still, if they did, it should not be given to another people : but because it is a dream, I let it ])ass.
Divers laws were before in divers countries of this realm used, as the law first of Dunuallo Molinucius, with the laws of Offii king of Mercia, called Mercenelega : then the laws of West Saxon kings, as of Ine, Alfred, &c., which were called West-Saxenelega : the third were the laws of Canute, and of the Danes, called Danelega. Of all these laws, which before were diversely in certain particular countries used and received, this Edward compiled one universal and common law for all people through the whole realm, called King Edward's laws ; which, being gathered out of the best and chiefest of the other laws, Avere so just, so equal, and so serving the public profit and weal of all estates, that mine authors say, " The people long after did rebel against their heads and rulers, to have the same law« again (being 1 taken from them), and yet could not obtain them,""
Furthermore, I read and find in Matthew Paris, that when wiUiam William the Conqueror, at his coming in, did swear to use and queror" practise the same good laws of Edward, for the common laws of this ^"^'"'"p^ realm ; afterwards being established in his kingdom, he forswore ward's himself, and placed his own laws in their room, much worse and weut'frmu obscurer than the others were. ''''^™-
Notwithstanding, among the said laws of Edward, and in the first chapter and beginning thereof, this I find among • the ancient records of the Guildhall in London : — " The oflSce of a king, with such other appurtenances as belong to the realm of Britain," set forth and described in the Latin style; which I thought here not unmeet to be expressed in the English tongue, for those who understand no Latin. The tenor and meaning whereof thus followeth.^
" The king, because he is the vicar of the highest King, is appointed ^^^'Yif;^
of God on earth.
(2) Dc jure ct appendiis regni Brilai>i:ite, et qnod sit ojjichim Regis. — " Rex autem, quia vicarius summi regis est, ad hoc est constitutus, ut regnum terrenum et populum Domini, et super omnia sanctam ejus veneretur ecclesiam et regal, et ab injuriosis defendat, et maleScos ab eo avellat et destruat, et penitus disperdat. Quod nisi fecerit, nomen regis non in eo constabit; verum, Papa Johanne testante, uonien regis perdit : cui Pipinus et Carohis filius ejus {nee dum reges, sedprincipes sub rege Francorum stulto) scripserunt, quserentes, si ita permanere debcrent Francorum reges, solo regio nomine contenti. A quo responsum est, illos decet vocare reges, qui yigilanter defendunt et regunt ecclesiam Dei et populum ejus, " &c. — Ex Libro Reg. Antiquorum, in Prtetorio Londlnensi.
90 LIMITS OF THE KINGDOM OF ENGLAND.
Edward for tliis purposc, to rule the earthly kingdom, and the Lord's people, fetsor. and, above all things, to reverence his holy church, to govern it, and ^ J) to defend it from injuries ; to pluck away wicked doers, and utterly 1066. to destroy thcni : which, unless he do, the name of a king agreeth
not unto him, but he loseth the name of a king, as witnesseth Pope
John ; to the whicli pope, Pepin and Charles his son being not yet kings, but princes under the French king (not being very wise), did write, demanding this question, ' Whether the kings of France ought so to continue, having but only the name of a king?'' Unto whom Pope John answereth again, that it was convenient to call them kings, who vigilantly do defend and govern the church of God and his people, following the saying of King David, the Psalmo- graph, ' He shall not dwell in my house which worketh pride,' &c. Moreover, the king, by right and by his office, ought to defend and conserve fully and wholly, in all amplencss, without diminution, all the lands, honours, dignities, rights, and liberties, of the crown of liis kingdom : and, further, to reduce into their pristine state, all such things as have been dispersed, wasted, and lost, which appertain to his Limits of kingdom. Also the whole and universal land, with all islands about dom'^of^ the same in Norway and Denmark, be appertaining to the crown of England, his kingdom, and be of the appurtenances and dignity of the king, making one monarchy and one kingdom, which sometime was called the kingdom of the Britons, and now the kingdom of England ; such bounds and limits as are beforementioned be appointed and limited to the name of this kingdom."
Moreover, in the aforesaid laws of this King Edward, it followeth in the same book, where the said Edward, describing the office The office of a king, addeth in these words : — " A king," saith he, " ought described ^^^'^'^ ^^^ things to fear God, to love and to observe his com- mandments, and cause them to be observed through his whole kingdom. He ought also to keep, cherish, maintain, and govern the holy church within his kingdom with all integrity and liberty, according to the constitutions of his ancestors and predecessors, and to defend the same against all enemies, so that God, above all things, be honoured, and ever be before his eyes. He ought also to set up good laws and customs, such as be Avholesome and approved ; such as be otherwise, to repeal them, and thrust them out of his kingdom. Item, He ought to do judgment and justice in his kingdom, by the counsel of the nobles of his realm. All these things ought a king in his own person to do, taking his oath upon the evangelists, and the blessed relics of saints, swearing in the presence of the whole state of his realm, as well of the temporality as of the spirituality, before he Three be crowncd of the archbishops and bishops. Three servants the Tklng ° king ought to have under him as vassals : fleshly lust, avarice, and have un- ^^^^^^7 dcsirc ; whom if he keep under as his servants and slaves, he derhis shall rcigu well and honourably in his kingdom. All things are to tion" be done with good advisement and premeditation; and that properly belongeth to a king. For hasty rashness bringeth all things to ruin, according to the saying of the gospel, ' Every kingdom divided in itself shall be desolate.' "
After the duty and office of princes have been thus described, followeth the institution of subjects, declared in many good an
''I
A.D.
1066.
ANOTHKJl INVASION OF THE DANES. 91
necessary ordinances, very requisite and convenient for public Jicmid government ; of ■which laws, William the Conqueror was compelled, through the clamour of the people, to take some, but the most part he omitted, contrary to his own oath at his coronation, inserting and placing the most of his own laws in his language, to serve his purpose, and which as yet, to this present day, in the Norman language do remain. Now, the Lord willing, let us proceed in the story as in order followeth.
KING HAROLD IL'
Harold, the second son of Earl Godwin, and last king of the A.D. Saxons, notwithstanding that divers of the nobles went with Edgar 1066. Adding, the next heir after Edmund Ironside, yet he, through force and might contemning the young age of Edgar, and forgetting also his promise made to Duke William, took upon him to be king of England, a.d. 1066. When Harold Harefager, son of Canute, king of Norway and Denmark, heard of the death of King Edward, he came into England with 300 ships or more, who then joining with Tostius, brother to the said Harold, king of England, entered into the north parts, and claimed the land after the death of Edward. But the lords of the country arose, and gave them battle ; notwith- standing the Danes had the victory. Therefore Harold, king of England, repaired towards them in all haste, and gave them another strong battle, and had the victory, where also Harold the Dane Avas idng°of slain by the hand of Harold king of England ; and Tostius was also ^f^jg^*^ slain in the battle. After this victory, Harold waxed proud and tius slain. covetous, and would not divide the prey with his knights who had deserved it, but kept it to himself, whereby he lost the favour of many of his knights and people.
In the mean time, William, duke of Normandy, sent an ambas- sage to Harold, king of England, admonishing him of the covenant that was agreed between them ; which was, to have kept the land to his use after the death of Edward. But because the daughter of Duke William, who had been promised to Harold, was dead, Harold thought himself thereby discharged, and said, " That such a nice foolish promise ought not to be holden concerning another"'s land, without the consent of the lords of the same ; and especially because he was thereunto, for need or for dread, com- pelled."
Upon these answers received, Duke William, in the mean time. The pope while the messengers went and came, gathered his knights and banner'to prepared his navy, and had the assent of the lords of his land to aid ^"l^fa^, and assist him in his journey. And besides that, sending unto Rome for a boon to Pope Alexander concerning his title and voyage into England, ]nL Eng- ilie pope confirmed him as to the same, and sent unto him a banner, '^"''' willing him to bear it in the ship wherein himself should sail. Thus Duke A\'illiam, being purveyed of all things concerning his journey,
(1) Edition 15C3, p. 12. Ed. 15S?, p. 16G. Ed. 1596, p. 150. Ed. 16S4, vol. i. p. 186.— En.
92 LAXUIXG or DUKE WILLIAM OF NORMANDY.
iian,id sped liiin to the sea-side, and took shipping at the haven of St.
— A'^alery, where lie tarried a long time ere he might have a convenient
inir ^^'^"'^' ^" which account his soldiers murmured, saving, " It was a
L woodness,' and a thing displeasing God, to desire to have anether
man's kingdom by strength ; and, namely, when God was against it
William by sending contrary wind."" At last the Avind shortly after came
HastTnKs'
sept.29ih. Hastings, in Sussex.
For three causes Duke William entered this land to subdue Harold. One was, for that it was to him given by King Edward, liis nephew. The second was to take A\Teak for the cruel murder of his nephew Alfred, King Edward's brother, and of the Normans, Avhich deed he ascribed chiefly to Harold. The third was, to revenge the wrong done to Robert, archbishop of Canterbury, who Avas exiled by the means and labour of Harold, in the time of King Edward.
Thus, Avhile Harold was in the north, Duke William made so great speed, that he came to London before the king ; out of which he was holden, till he made good surety that he and his people should pass through the city without tarrying; which promise he Avell observing, passed the bridge, and went over to Sussex, from whence he sent a monk unto Harold, and proffered him three
^If. manner of M-ays. First, either to render to him the jwssession of
tions of- the land, and so to take it amin of him under tribute, reirminw under
icrcQ to ' Kj
Harold by liim ; sccoudly, Or else to abide and stand to the pope's arbitrement iUiam. ijgj-wixt them both ; or, thirdly, to defend this quarrel in his own person against the duke, and they two only to try the matter by dint of sword, without any other bloodshedding.
But Harold refused all these offers, saying, " It should be tried
by dint of swords, and not by one sword;" and so gathered his
people and joined battle with the Nonnans, in the place where
The fight afterward was builded the Abbey of Battle in Sussex. In the
them'' beginning of this fight, the Englishmen kept them in good array
Oct. 141 . ]jj.j,jy. ^Q vanquish the Normans ; wherefore Duke William caused
his men to give back, as though they fled, whereupon the Englishmen
followed fast, and broke their array. Then the Normans, fiercely
giving a charge upon them, in conclusion obtained the victory
through the just providence of God. On which occasion King
Harold, Avho ))efore had so cruelly murdered Alfred, the true heir of
the crown, with his company of Normans, was now wounded of the
Normans in the left eye with an arrow, and thereof incontinent
died; although Giraldus saith he fled away to Chester, and lived
afler that, a monk in the monastery of St. James. ^ This, however,
King Ha is Hot likely, but rather that he was there slain, after he had
roid slain. j.gjg^(>(^[ iiinc moutlis, and was buried at Waltham, which provetli
that he died not at Chester ; and so was he the last that reigned in
England of the blood of Saxons, which continued, to reckon from
Hengist's first reign in Kent, by the space of 610 years ; and if
it bf; reckoned from the years of the West Saxons, then it endured
the space of 57 1 years.'^
This Duke William and King Edward were by the father's side
(I) Madness.— Ed. (2) See Appendix. (3) See vol. i. pp. 315, 316.— En.
ARCHBISHOPS OF CANTERBURY. DKCAY OF THK CHURCH. 93
cousin-gerraans removed'; for Richard, the first of that name, who Eccieiau- was the thuxl duke of Normandy after RoUo, was father to Duke ajfats. l^ichard. the second of that name and brother to Emma, mother to consan- King Edward; which Duke Richard II. was lather to Duke Robert, 1;^;;;;!^, this Duke William's lather. ward ana"
Albeit in this matter some others may gather otherwise and better wiiiiam perchance, yet, if I may say what I think, verily I suppose, that queror."" consanguinity is not so much the cause why God of his unknown judgments suffered the Normans here to prevail, as was rather the cruel murder of Alfred and of the innocent Normans, wrought by the cruel despight of Harold and the Englishmen, as is before Murder declared, which merciless murder God here justly in this conquest ^^^°"^^ recompensed.
Now it remaineth to these foreign affairs of kings and princes, to 4.0. 1012. add something concerning the continuation of the archbishops of Arciibi- Canterbury, beginning where we left off, that is, with Elphege, caXr-^ whom we declared a little before to have been stoned by the Danes '^"'^'• at Greenwich.^ After Elphege next succeeded Living, and after him Egelnoth, also abovementioned. Then Robert, a Norman, a great doer, as is declared, about King Edward, and a faithful counsellor unto him, but he abode not long. After whom Stigand invaded the A.D.1052. see, as they report, by simony, being both archbishop of Canterbury, bishop of Winchester, and also abbot in another place, wherein he continued a great space, gathering and heaping goods together ; till at length Duke William put him in prison, and there kept him, A.o.ioro. placing in his room Lanfranc, a Lombard, of whom more shall follow, Christ willing, hereafter to be declared.
* Whereupon 3 Cometh the latter age of the church. Here now be- Decay ginneth the fresh flowering blood of the church to faint, and strength °hulch. to fail, oppressed with cold humours of worldly pomp, avarice, and tvranny ; here now cometh in blind superstition, with cloaked hypo- crisy, armed with rigorous laws, and cruel murdering of saints ; here cometh in the order and name of cardinals, whose name was not heard of before the time 1030 years after Christ, growing up in such excess and riches, that some of them now have two, some three hun- dred benefices at once. Here cometh in four orders of friars ; here the supremacy of Rome raged in his ruff, which being once established in the consciences of men, the power of all other christian princes did quake and decay, for dread of the pope"'s interdict, suspense, and excommunication, which they feared no less than Christ's own sentence from heaven. Thus the Roman bishop, under the title of St- Peter, doing what he lusted, and princes not daring that which was right ; in the mean while the people of Christ were miserably governed and abused, especially here in England and Scotland, as in this history, Christ so permitting, shall appear. For here then came in tyranny ■\vithout mercy, pomp and ambition Avithout measure, error and blind- ness without knowledge, articles and canons without number, avarice without end, impropriations, abalienations, reservations, vowsons, or
(1) First-cousins one remove. — Ed.
(2) See page 77. — Kd.
(.3) This passage in single asterisks is an extract from the edition of Foxe of 1503, p. 10, and is entitled " The Third Age of the Church."— £d..
94! F.rrr.KsiASTicAL affairs. — popks,
Ecriesiat- expectatloTis of benefices, translations of catlicdral cluirclies, contri-
affllrs. butions, annuities, Petcrshots (as in our old chronicles tlicy are
~ — ;; — termed), preventinns of patronaffc, bulls, indulfjenccs, and cases
Proud ,'.,'. ,11 . '^ 1 1 T P , 1
procL-ed- papal; Avith innumerable other _ thfRo- Romish prelates, wherewith they brought all realms, with their princes, l^jg^P""^" underneath their girdles; insomuch that the emperors, at length, could not take their crown but by the pope"'s gi-ace and license : and if any did otherwise, the pope's ban ' was ready either to depose him, or to stir up civil war against him. Then began corruption to enter and increase ; then turned the gold and good metal into dross and filthiness; then quenched the clear light of the gospel ; the book of God's word obscured in a dark tongue, which book King Athelstan before caused to be translated from Hebrew into Englisli, a.d. 930 ; then shepherds and watchmen became wicked wolves, Christ's friends changed into enemies. To be short, then came in the time that the Revelation speaketh of, when Satan, the old seqient, being tied up for a thousand years, was loosed for a certain space, of the which space, here, in these books, by the help and supportation of Christ our Lord, Ave intend something to entreat and speak of, though not of all things in general done in all places, yet that such things as be most principal may come to light, the knowledge whereof shall be necessary for all our countrymen to understand.*
Although the church of Christ and the state of religion, first
founded and grounded by Christ and his apostles, did not altogether
and continually remain in its primitive perfection wherein it was first
instituted, but in process of time began from better to worse, to
Coming decrease and decline into much superstition and inconvenience, partly
iTomct!''' through the coming in of Mahomet, a.d. 612, partly through the
increase of wealth and riches, and partly through the decrease of
knowledge and diligence in such as should be the guides of Christ's
flock ; yet the infection and corruption of that time, though it were
great, did not so abound in such excessive measure as afterwards in
the other later times now following, about the thousand years expired
A.D.iooo. after Christ, whereof we have to treat, Christ so permitting ; about
which time and year came Sylvester II. who next succeeded after
Gregory V. already mentioned, and occupied the see of Rome
about A.D. 1000, lacking one or two.
Pope syi- This Sylvester was a sorcerer, who, after the manner of those who
aft)u[ ' work by familiars, as they call them, and by conjuration, compacted
sorcerer, ^j^jj ^^jg jgyj] ^q |jg made pope ; and so he was, through the
operation of Satan, according to his request, which thing, some
histories say, he did greatly repent before his death ; but for a more
ample declaration hereof, 1 will bring in the words of Johannes Stella,
a Venetian, translated from Latin into English, concerning the said
Sylvester, to the intent that our enchanters and sorcerers now-a-days,
of whom there be too many in England, may the better, through his
example, be admonished. The words of Stella be these, agreeing also
A. D. 099. 'Avith the narration of Bcnno, Platina, and many others.* " Gibert, a
Frenchman, called Sylvester IL, being pope, sat in his papacy four
(1) The pope's ban — a public proclamation : thus, " banns of marriage." It is used more com- monly in a bad sense, as in Shakspcare, and means to curse, proscrilic, excommunicate. — Ed.
(2) Johannes Stella, Platina, Petrus Prajmonstratensis, Nauclerus, Antoninus, Robertus B.-imus. Johannes Balcus.
AN ADMONITION FOU SORCERERS. f)5
years, one montli, and eight days. lie entered into his papacy Scchiias- through wicked and unlawful means, who from his yoiitli being a atinlr^. monk, and leaving his monastery, gave himself wholly to the devil, to ' '
obtain Mhat he required. And first coming to Seville, a city in Spain, he there applied to his book, and profited therein so much that he was made doctor, having amongst his auditors, Otho the emperor''s son, Robert the French king, Lotharius archbishop of Sens, with divers others ; by Avhose advancement he was promoted, first to be bishop of Rheims, thenarchbp.of Ravenna, and at last, through the operation of Satan, he was exalted to the papacy of Rome, upon this condition, that after his death he should give himself to the devil, by whose procurement he came to that promotion. Upon a certain time he demanded an answer of the devil, how long he should enjoy his popedom. To whom he answered again, ' Until thou say mass in Jerusalem thou shalt live."" At length, in the fourth year of his popedom, saying mass at Lent-time in the temple of the Holy Cross, of Jerusalem at Rome, he there knew the time was come when he should die. Whereupon, being struck with repentance, he confessed his fliult openly before the people, desiring them to cut his body all in pieces (being so seduced by deceits of the devil) ; and thus, being he\vn in pieces, that they would lay it upon a cart, and bury it wheresoever the horses would carry it of their accord. And so the saying is, that by the providence of God (whereby the wicked may learn, that there is yet hope of remission with God, so that they will repent them in their life), the horses of their own accord stayed at the church of Lateran, and there he was buried : where commonly, by a.d.iocs. the rattling of his bones within the tomb, is portended the death of popes, as the common report goeth."^ Thus much out of Johannes Stella concerning Sylvester, by whom our sorcerers and enchanters, Anadmo- or magicians, may learn to beware of the deceitful operation of Satan, sorclrer^ who in the end deceiveth and frustrateth all them that have to do with him, as the end of all such doth declare commonly, who use the like art or trade. The Lord and God of all mercy, through the Spii-it of Jesus, our Redeemer, dissolve the works of Satan, and preserve the hearts of our nobles, and all other Englishmen, from such infection ! Amen.
After Sylvester succeeded John XIX. by whom was brought in. The feast as Volateran saith, the feast of All Souls, a.d. 1004, through the soij" means and instigation of one Odilo, abbot of Clugny, to be cele- jro^gi't brated next after the feast of All Saints. This monk Odilo, thinking Pope that purgatory, as he heard, should be in the IMount Etna, cbeamed xix. or Tipon a time, in the country of Sicily, that he, by his masses, had ^^'"• delivered divers souls fromx thence : saying moreover, " That he did hear the voices and lamentations of devils, crying out for that the souls were taken from them by the masses and funeral dirges.'' ^ Not long after him, came John XX. and Sergius IV., after whom sue- A.D.1012. ceeded Benedict VIII., and then John XXL, M'ho being promoted A.u.1024. by art magic of Theophylact his nephew, Gratian, Rrazutus, and other sorcerers, brought in first the fast of the even of John Baptist and St. Lawrence. After him followed Pope Benedict IX., also A.D.1033.
(1) Ex Johanne Stella. (2) Ex Bakenthorpj, in prologo >v. lib. sentenliarum.
96 SIX POPES POISONED IN THIUTEEN VEARS.
■^'"/^"j"*" aspiring to liis papacy by liivc magic, practisinfj enchantments and agairs. conjurution in woods, after a horrible manner ; who resisted the Emperor Henry 111. son to Conrad, and placed in his room Peter the king of Hungary, with this verse — ■
" Pctra dc'dit Romani Pctro, libi Papa coronani.'"
A.U.1044. Afterwards, for frar of Henry prevailing in battle, he was fain to sell his seat to his successor, Gratian, called Gregory VJ., for 1500/. At which time there were three popes together in Rome, reigning and No pope raging one against another, Benedict IX., Sylvester HI., and Gregory chosen VI. ; for wliicli cause the said Henry, surnamed Niger, the emperor, coniimia* coming to Rouic, (lisplaccd these three monsters at one time, placing tionoftiie instead of tliem Clement H., and thereupon enacting that no bishop
emperor ^ - ^ i »" i
of Rome should henceforth be chosen, but by the consent and con- A.D.1046. firmation of the emperor. This constitution, tliough it was both agreeable, and also necessary for the public tranquilHty of that city, the cardinals Avould not suffer long to stand, but did impugn it after- ward by subtle practice and open violence, as in process, the Lord permitting, shall appear in the time of Henry IV. and Henry V. In the time of this Clement, the Romans made an oath to the emperor concerning the election of the bishops, that they would themselves intermeddle no further therein, but as the assent of the emperor should go withal. Howbeit the emperor departing thence into Germany again, by and by they forgat their oath, and within nine months after poisoned the bishop, which deed some impute A.D.I048. to Stephen, his successor, called Hamasus II. Others impute it to Brazutus, who, as histories record, within thirteen years poisoned six popes ; that is, Clement II., Damasus II., Leo IX., Victor II., Stephen IX., and Nicholas H.
Thus Clement being poisoned, after lam succeeded Damasus II., elected neither by consent of the people, nor of the emperor, but by force and invasion ; who also within twenty-three days being poisoned, A.D.1049. A.D. 1049, much contention and striving began in Rome about the papal seat ; whereupon the Romans, through the counsel of the cardinals, sent to the aforesaid emperor, desiring him to give them a bishop : and so he did, whose name was Bruno, an Almain, and bishop of Toul, afterward called Leo IX. This Bruno, being a simple man and easy to be led with evil counsel, coming from the emperor towards Rome in his pontifical apparel like a pope, there nieetcth him by the way the abbot of Clugny, and Hihlebrand a monk, who seeing him so in his pontificalibus began to rate him, laying to his charge, that he would so take his authority of the emperor, and not rather of the clergy of Rome and the people thereof, as other his predecessors were wont to do ; and so counselled him to lay down that apparel, and to enter in with his own habit, till lie had his election by them. Bruno, following their counsel, and confessing his fault before the clergy of Rome, obtained their favour, and so was nominated Leo. IX., whereby Hihlebrand was made a cardinal, and put in high room. Under this Pope Leo were two councils, one kept at Vercclli, where the doctrine of Berengarius against the real substance in the sacrament was first condemned, although Berengarius yet recanted not, which nevertheless was done
THE EMPEROR ACCUSED OF HERESY. 97
after in the Council of Lateran, under Nicholas II. a.d. 1059 ; the EccUsias- other was kept at Mentz, where, amongst many other decrees, it was affairs. enacted, That priests should be utterly excluded and debarred from council of marriage : Item, that no layman might give benefice or bishopric, Memz, or any spiritual promotion,^ &c.
This Leo IX. being at Worms with the emperor on Christmas- day, did excommunicate the sub-deacon ; because in reading the epistle, he did it not in the Roman tunc, he being there present. The archbishop, moved therewith, departed from the altar (being then at mass) saying, He would not proceed any further in his service unless his sub-deacon was restored, whereupon the pope commanded him to be released, and so they went forward in their service.
After the death of Leo, whom Brazutus poisoned the first year of a.d.ioss. his popedom, Theophylactus did strive to be pope : - but Hildebrand, to defeat him, went to the emperor (partly also being sent by the Romans for fear of the emperor^s displeasure), who assigned another bishop, a German, called Victor II. This Victor holding a council councUof at Florence, deposed divers bishops and priests for simony and ^^°'^^"'^'-'- fornication : for simony, in that they took of secular men their dignities for money ; for fornication, in that, contrary to their canon, they were married, &c. The second year of his papacy, and little more, this pope also followed his predecessors, being poisoned by the A.D.iosr. aforesaid Brazutus, through the procurement of Hildebrand and his master.
Here now began the church and clergy of Rome to wring out of the emperor's hand the election of the pope : electing Stephen IX. for pope, contrary to their oath, and to the emperor''s assignment. The Here was the church of Milan first brought to obedience of the jiuan Romish church by this Stephen IX. bishop of Rome ; Avho also ll^J^^^^. shamed not to accuse the emperor Henry (of whom mention is made under tiie before) of heresy, for minishing the authority of the Roman see. So Rome, this was their heresy at that time, not to maintain the ambitious pro- ceedings of the Romish prelate ; and simony they called this, to take and enjoy any spiritual living at a secular man''s hand. Wherefore Stephen hearing this simony to reign in divers places, namely, in the churches of Biu'gundy and Italy, sent forth the cardinal Hildebrand to reform the matter, who was no less earnest in that kind of com- mission to help the matter forward.
In the mean time, Stephen the pope tasting of Brazutus''s cup fell Hiide- sick. Hildebrand, hearing that, applieth home, with all speed, ghineth'^' So being returned to Rome, he assembleth all the companies and '° ^'"^• orders of the clergy together, making them to swear that they would admit none to be bishop, but who should be appointed by the public consent of them altogether. This being done, Hildebrand taketh his journey into Florence, to fetch the bishop of Florence, to install him bishop ; the clergy swearing unto him that no bishop should be ordained before his return again. But the people of Rome, not suffering the election to stand so long after the death of Stephen, a.d.ioss. elected one of their own city, called Benedict X. Hildebrand,
(1) Nauclerus.Crantz. (2) Alb. Crantz. Saxo. lib. iv. cap. 45.
vol.. II. II
98 TRANSLTBSTAN'IIATION INTKODUCKD.
EccUsius- hearing of this, Avas not a little ofFended ; wherefore, returning to
affairs. Rouic witli Gerhard, the bishop of Florence, he caused the clergy
to proceed to a new election, saying, '' That Benedict was not
lawfully called, but came in by force and bribing." But the clei-gy,
not daring to attempt any new election at Rome, went to Sienna,
and there elected this Gerhard, bishop of Florence, whom Hildc-
Two brand brought with him. So were two popes in Rome together: but
fo°geUier Gerhard, named Nicholas II., holding a council at Sutri, through
at Rome, ^j^^ jj^j^^ ^^ Godfrid, dukc of Tuscany, and Guibert, the chancellor,
and many Italian bishops, caused the other pope to be deposed.
]{eiiedict Benedict, understanding them to be set against him through the
himself, means of Hildebrand, unpoped himself, and went to Velitri ; living
theie more quietly than he would have done at Rome. The gloss Here is to be touched by the way the error of the gloss upon the pope's three and twentieth distinction, which falsely allegeth out of the rJfuTed. chronicles, that Benedict X., Avho succeeded Stephen, was deposed ; after whom came Johannes, bishop of Sabine, for monev, and he again was deposed ; that Benedict was then restored, and afterwards displaced again, and then Johannes, archpriest of the church of St. John ' ad portam latinam,' was made pope, and he again deposed by the emperor; and all in one year: which story neither is found in any chronicle, nor agreeth to any Benedict, save only that Bene- dict IX., who was deposed, and then reigned three popes togetiier: Benedict IX., Sylvester III., and Gregory VI., who before was called " Johannes ad portam latinam," whom the emperor de- posed. But that Benedict neither was the tenth, neither did he suc- ceed Pope Stephen, as the gloss recordeth. Nicholas thus being set up without the mind both of the emperor and of the people of Rome, after his fellow-pope was driven away, brake up the synod of Sutri, and came to Rome, where he assembled another council, councUof called Concilium Lateranum ; in which council first was promul"rated A^D.Kisg. the terrible sentence of excommunication mentioned in the decrees, and that beginneth, " In nomine Domini nostri," &c.^ The effect Avhereof is this : first, that he, after a subtle practice, as far and as plainly as he durst speak, undermineth the emperor's jurisdiction, and transferreth to a few cardinals and certain catholic persons the full authority of choosing the pope. Secondly, against all such as do creep into the seat .of Peter by money or favour, without the full consent of the cardinals, he thundereth with terrible blasts of A terrible excommunication, accursing them and their children with devils, as Nicholas, wicked persons, to the anger of Almighty God, giving also authority and power to cardinals, with the clergy and laity, to depose all such persons, and call a council-general, wheresoever they will, against them. Bcren- Item, in the said Council of Lateran, under Pope Nicholas 11.,
dn>ento Bcrcugarius of Tours, archdeacon of Angers, was driven to the tfon."'"" recantation of his doctrine, denying the real substance of Christ's holy body and blood to be in the sacrament, otherwise than sacra- mentally and in mystery. Tran,sub. Jj^ the sainc couucil also was hatched and invented the new-found tion device and term of ' transubstantiation.'
brought
in. (1) Dist. 23 cap. " In nomine," &c.
THK 1'01'E S TUKATMF.NT OF ALUUED. OD
It were too long here to declare the confederation betwixt this Hccksias. Nicholas and Robert Guiscard, whom this pope (contrary to all right JffulL.
and good law, displacing the right heir) made duke of Apulia, Ca-
labria, Sicily, and captain-general of St. Peter''s lands ; that through his force of arms and violence he might the better subdue all such as should rebel, to his obedience ; and so did.' Now let all men, who be godly wise, judge and understand how this standeth with the doctrine of Christ, the example of Peter, or the spirit of a christian bishop, by outward arms and violence to conquer christian men and countries, under the obedience of a bishop's see.^ Thus Pope Nicholas 11. , Avell answering to his Greek name^ by might and force continued three years and a half; but, at length, he met with Brazutus"'s cup, a.d.ioci. and so turned up his heels.
At the beginning of this Nicholas, or somewhat before, about A.D. lOofi, Henry IV., after the decease of Henry III., was made The em- emperor, being but a child, and reigned fifty years ; but not without >fenry great molestation and much disquietness, and all through the ungra- ^^• cious wickedness of Hildebrand, as hereafter (the Lord so permitting) shall be declared.
Here, by the way, cometh to be noted an example, whereby all princes may learn and understand how the pope is to be handled, whosoever looketh to have any goodness at his hand. If a man stand in fear of his ciu'se, he shall be made his slave ; but if he be despised of you, you shall have him as you list. For the pope's curse may The well be compared to Domitian's thunder : if a man give ear to the H^f/ noise and crack, it seemeth a terrible thing ; but if you consider the compared causes and effect thereof, it is a most vain ridicule. tian-s
In the reign of this Nicholas, a.d. 1060, Aldred, bishop of Wor- "'™'"'- cester, after the decease of Kinsius, his predecessor, was made archbishop of York ; who, coming to Rome with Tostius, earl of Northumberland, for his pall, as the manner was, could not obtain it, but was deprived of all his dignity, for some default (I cannot tell what) in his answer ; and furthermore, after his return home, was spoiled of all that he brought with him. Whereupon, he return- ing again to Rome with Tostius, the aforesaid earl, there made his complaint, but could not be heard, till Tostius, a man of stout Tostius courage, taking the matter in hand, told the pope to his face, " That eth u\e^' (j that curse of his was not to be feared in far countries, which his own p°p^- neighbours, yea, and most vile vagabonds, derided and despised at home." Wherefore he required the pope either to restore Aldred again to his goods lost, or else that it should be known that they were lost through his means and subtilty. And, furthermore, it would come to pass that the king of England hearing this would debar him of St. Peter's tribute, taking it for a great shame to him and his realm, if Aldred should come from Rome both deprived of dignity, and spoiled also of his goods, &c. In fine, the pope thus persuaded by the argument of his purse, was content to send home Aldred with Ibis pall, according to his request.
(1) Nauclerus, Platina, ^neas Silvius.
(2) " Potentia Papae coactiva" standeth not with the gospel.
(3) N o- I ale. "—Ed.
H 2
100 UNHOLY CONTKNTION FOR ST. PETKn.''s SEAT.
Scciesiai AftCF tlic dcatli of Nicliolas, tlic Ijoin bards being oppressed before ajalrs. bv Pupe Nicliolas, and brought under fear, were the more desirous, and thought it gotxl to have a bishop of their company, and so elected the bisliop of Parma, called Cadalous, to be pope : sending to the lous, a emperor, and desiring his favour and support therein; for the election made"'*' of the pope (said they) most properly appertained unto him. pope by '£\^^^ cmpcror, well pleased and content, givcth his good leave and emperor, voicc withal. Hildcbrand, no less a wicked necromancer than a stout maintainer of popish liberties against good eni))erors, hearing this, sctteth up, by a contrary faction, Anselm, bishop of Lucca, after called T^vo Alexander II. Cadalous, thus elected by the emperor and the cardi- betwixt nals, settcth forward to Rome with a sutficient army and strength of J^r^st"^*^^ men. Alexander also, no less prepared, there received him with Peter's another army, where they had a gi-eat conflict, and many were slain on both sides ; but Cadalous, ashe had the better cause, so he had the worst fortune, who, being repelled, yet repaired himself, and came again with a greater power ; albeit he prevailed not. The emperor, seeing this hurly-burly, to take up the matter, sent thither his am- bassador, Anno, archbishop of Cologne ; who, coming to Rome, begin- netli sharply to chide the pope for taking so upon him without the leave or knowledge of the emperor, declaring how the election of that sec ought chiefly to appertain to the right of the emperor, as it hath done for the most part in the time of his predecessors. But Hildc- brand, all set on wickedness and ambition, and also puffed up not a little with his late victories, not suffering the ambassador to tell his tale to the end, interrupted him in the middle of it ; afflnning, that if they should stand to law and custom, the liberty of that election should rather belong to the clergy than to the emperor. To make short, Anno the ambassador, bearing more with the clergy than with the emperor, was content to be persuaded, only requiring, in the emperor's name, a council to be had, to decide the matter, whereat Councilor the emperor should be present himself; and so he was. In that iMiuitua. council, held at Mantua, Alexander was declared pope ; the other had his pardon granted. In this council, amongst many other considera- tions, it was concluded, concerning priests, that they should have no wives ; that such as have concubines should say no mass ; that priests' children should not be secluded from holy orders ; that no benefices should be bought for money ; and that Allelujah should be suspended in time of Lent out of the church. This also was decreed (which No seeu- made most for Hildebrand's purpose) that no spiritual man whatso- gK^8*piri° ever should enter into any church, by a secular person, and tliat the motion"' P^P^ sliould be clccted only by the cardinals. Benno the Cardinal writeth thus of Alexander, that after he perceived the frauds of Hil- dcbrand, and of others the emperor's enemies, and understanding that he was set up and enthronized only for a purpose ; being at his mass, as he was preaching to the people, told them he would not sit in that place, unless he had the license of the emperor; which Avhen II il- Pope debrand heard, he was stricken with such a fury, that scarcely he could Aiexan- ]^p^>p jjjg j^^nds oflf him till mass was done. After the mass being knocked finished, by force of soldiers and strength of men, he liad Pope Alex- pat" by ' ander into a chamber, and there pommelled him all over with his brand! "^^ts, Kiting and rebuking him because he would seek for favour of
OUATIOX OF KING EDGAR. J 01
the emperor. Thus, Alexander being kept in custody, and being Eccicsias- stinted to a certain allowance, as about five groats a day, Hildebrand ajahs. encroaclicth all the whole revenues of the church to himself, procuring thereby much treasure. At length Alexander, under the miserable endurance of Hildebrand, died at eventide, after eleven years and a a.d.iots. half of his popedom. And thus much of Romish matters.
These things thus discoursed concerning the matters of Rome, now to return to our own country story, and having the order thereof, would require to enter again into the reign of William the Conqueror, the next king folloAving in England ; but as a certain oration of king Edgars, which should have been inserted before, chanced in the mean time to come to my hands, not unworthy to be read ; I thought by the Avay, at the end of this Book to insert the same, although out of order ; yet better I judge it out of order, than out of the book.
THE ORATION OF KING EDGAR TO THE CLERGY.
Because God hath shewed his great mercy to work with us, it is meet, most reverend Fathers ! that with worthy works we should answer his innumerable benefits. " For we possess not the land by our own sword, and our own arm hath not saved us ; but his right hand and his holy ami, because he hath been delighted in us." (Psal. xliv. 3.) Therefore it is meet that we should submit both ourselves and our souls to him, that hath subjected all these things vinder our government ; and we ought stoutly to labour, that they whom he hath made subject to us, might be subject to his laws. It belongs to me to rule the lay people with the law of equity, to do just judgment between man and his neigh- bour, to punish church-robbers, to hold under I'ebels, to deliver the helpless from the hand of the stronger, the needy also and the jjoor from them that rob them. It belongs also to my care to provide necessary things to the ministers of the churches, to the flocks of the monks, to the company of virgins, and to provide for their peace and quiet. The examining of all whose manners belongeth unto us ; whether they live chastely, if they behave themselves honestly toward them that be without, whether they be diligent at God's service, if they be earnest to teach the people, if they be sober in eating and drinking, if they keep measure in apparel, and if they be discreet in judgment. If ye had regarded these things with a trial of them, (O reverend Fathers ! by your leaves I speak,) such horrible and abominable things of the clerks should not have come imto our ears. I omit to speak how their crown is not broad, nor their rounding con- venient : the wantonness in your life, your pride in gesture, the filthiness in your words, do declare the evil of the inward man.
Furthermore, what negligence is in God's service, when scarce they will be present at the holy vigils ! And when they come to mass, they seem rather to be gathered to play and laugh than to sing. I will tell that which good men be sorry for, and the evil laugh at. I will speak with sorrow (if so be I may express it) how the}' be riotous in banquetings, in chambering, in dnmkenness, and in unshamefacedness ; that now clerks' houses may be thought to be resorts of harlots and covents of players. There be dice, there is dancing and singing, there is watching to midnight, with crying and shouting. Thus the goods of kings, the alms of princes, yea, and what is more, the price of that precious blood, is not esteemed. Have our fathers then spent their treasure for this purpose ? Have the king's coffers decayed by taking away many revenues, for this cause ? Hath the king's liberality given lands and possessions to Christ's churches for this intent, that clerks' paramours should be decked with the same? that riotous feasts might be dressed? that hounds, and hawks, and such other to3fs might be gotten ? The soldiers crj' out at these things, the people gi-udge, minstrels sing and dance ; and yet ye regard it not, ye spare it, ye dissemble it. Where is the sword of Levi, and the zeal of Simeon, (Gen. xxxiv. 25,) which killed the Shechemites and the circumcised, who bare the figure of them that defile Christ's church with filthy deeds, because they abused
102 ORATION OF KING EDGAU.
Ecdesias- Jacob's daughter ? "Wlicre is Moses's spirit, who spared not his own kins- '"^"' folk tliat worshipi)ed tlic head of the calf? (Exod. xxxii. 27.)
_!!!_!_ Where is Phinehas, the priest's dagger, who pacified God's anger by holy zeal, when he killed him tliat played the harlot with the Midianite? (Num.