let us couple sword to sword, that the lepers may be cast out of the temples, that the holy place of the Lord may be purged, and the sons of Levi may minister in his temple, who said to his father and mother, I know you not; and to his brother, I know you not. Go to, diligently, I pray you, lest we repent to have done that we have done, and to have given that we gave, if we shall see that to be spent not in God's service, but on the riotousness of wicked men, through vile and corrupt | liberty of life, for lack of chastisement. Let the relics

of holy saints, which they despise, and the holy altars before which they play the madmen, move you. Let the great devotion of our ancestors move you, whose alms the madness of the clerks doth abuse. My great grandfather (as ye know) gave the tenth part of all his lands to churches and abbeys. My great-great grandfather, Alfred, of holy memory, thought it not meet to spare his treasures, his goods, nor costs, nor rents, that he might enrich the church. Your fatherhood is not ignorant how great things my grandfather the elder Edward gave to the churches. It becometh you to remember with what gifts my father and his brothers did enrich Christ's altars. O father of fathers, Dunstan ! behold (I pray thee) the eyes of my father looking on thee, from that bright place of heaven: hearken to his complaining words sounding in thine ears, thus pitifully lamenting, O Father Dunstan ! thou, thou (I say) gavest me counsel to build abbeys and churches, thou wast my helper and fellow-worker in all things: I chose thee as a shepherd and bishop of my soul, and a keeper of my manners. When did I not obey thee? What treasures did I prefer in respect of thy counsels? What possessions did I not despise, if thou badest me? If thou thoughtest meet to give any thing to the poor, I was ready. If thou thoughtest meet to give any thing to churches, I deferred not. If thou complainedst that monks or clerks wanted any thing I supplied. Thou saidst that alms lasted for ever, and that there was none more fruitful than that which was given to abbeys or churches. For with that both God's servants are sustained, and that which remaineth is given to the poor. O, worthy alms! O, worthy price of the soul! O, wholesome remedy for our sins, which now doth stink in the sweet furrs of priests' lemmans, wherewith they adorn their ears, and deck their fingers, apparelling their delicate bodies with silk and purple! O, father! is this the fruit of my alms? is this the effect of my desire, and of thy promise? What wilt thou answer to this complaint of my fathers? I know, I know when thou didst see a thief, thou runnedst not with him, neither hast thou put thy portion with adulterers. Thou hast rebuked, thou hast exhorted, thou hast blamed them; but words have been despised; now we must come to stripes of correction. Thou hast here with thee the worshipful father, Edward bishop of Winchester. Thou hast the reverend prelate, Oswald bishop of Worcester. I commit this business to you, that both by bishoply correction, and the king's authority, the filthy livers may be cast out of the churches and they that live orderly may be brought in," &c.

In this oration of King Edgar above prefixed, three things are chiefly to be noted and considered by them that have judgment to mark and understand, to wit, The religious zeal and devotion of kings, both in giving to the church, and also in correcting the manners of churchmen. Secondly, the dissolute behaviour of the clergy, then abusing the great donations and patrimonies of princes bestowed upon them. Thirdly, the blind ignorance and superstition of that time in both states, as well ecclesiastical as temporal, in esteeming Christ's religion chiefly to consist in giving to churches, and in maintaining of monkery; being falsely persuaded that the remission of their sins, and the remedy of their souls therein, did lie in building monasteries, erecting churches and cloisters, and in placing monks in the same, and such other alms-deeds, and works of devotion. Wherein appears how ignorant they of that time were of the true doctrine of Christ's faith, and of the free grace of the gospel, which promises life, remedy, and justification, not by any devout merits of ours nor by any works

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either of the law of God, or of the inventions of man, but only and freely by our faith in Christ Jesus the Son of God, in whom only consist all the promises of God. Amen.

KING EDWARD, CALLED THE MARTYR.

After the death of King Edgar no small trouble arose among the lords and bishops concerning the succession of the crown; the principal cause whereof rose upon this occasion: Immediately after the decease of the king, Alferus, duke of Mercia, and many other nobles who held with Ethelred, the only right heir and lawful son of Edgar, disliking the placing and intruding of monks into churches, and the thrusting out of the secular priests, with their wives and children out of their ancient possessions, expelled the abbots and monks, and brought in again the priests with their wives. Against whom certain other there were on the contrary part that made resistance, as Ethelwin duke of East Angles, Elfwold his brother, and the Earl Brithnoth, saying, That they would never suffer the religious monks to be expelled and driven out of the realm, who held up all religion in the land; and thereupon levied an army to defend the monasteries by force.

In this hurly-burly amongst the lords, about the placing of monks, and putting out of priests, rose also the contention about the crown, who should be their king; the bishops, and such lords as favoured the monks, seeking to advance such a king as they knew would incline to their side; so that the lords thus divided, some of them would have Edward, and some Ethelred, the lawful son. Then Dunstan archbishop of Canterbury, and Oswald archbishop of York, with their fellow bishops, abbots, and other lords and dukes assembled in a council together. In which council Dunstan coming in with his cross in his hand, and bringing Edward before the lords, so persuaded them that in the end Edward was elected, consecrated, and anointed for their king.

After Dunstan and his fellows had thus set up Edward for their king, they supposed all to be sure on their side, and that they had established the kingdom of monkery for ever, through the help of the young king, and the duke of East Angles, and certain other nobles whom they had drawn to their part. However this matter passed not so well with them as they hoped, for shortly after the coronation of the young king, Alferus, duke of Mercia, stoutly standing on the other side, drove out the monks from the cathedral churches, and restored the priests with their wives. The words of the very author are these, "Alferus, duke of Mercia, with other great men more, drove out the monks from the great monasteries whom King Edgar had there set in before, and restored again the priests with their wives." (Hist. Jornal in vita Edgari.)

Whereby it evidently appears that priests in those days were married, and had their lawful wives.

The duke and nobles of England expelled the monks out of the monasteries after the death of King Edgar; whereof let us hear what the abbey of Crowland records. "The monks being expelled out of certain monasteries, the clerks were again brought in, who distributed the manors or farms of the said monasteries to the dukes and lords of the land, that they being obliged to them, should defend them against the monks. And so were the monks of Evesham thrust out, and the secular clerks placed, and the lands of the church given to the lords; with whom the queen, the king's stepmother holding the same time, took part also with the said clerks against the king. On the contrary part stood the king and the holy bishops, taking part with the monks. Howbeit the lords and peers of the realm, staying upon the favour and power of the queen triumphed over the monks," &c.

Thus, as there was much ado through all quarters of the realm among the lords, so arose no less contention between the priests and monks. The priests complaining to the king and Dunstan, said for themselves that it was uncomely, uncharitable, yea and unnatural, to put

out an old known dweller for a new unknown; and that God was not pleased that that should be taken from the ancient possessor which by God was given him. The monks on the other side said for their part, that Christ allowed neither the old dweller, nor the new comer, nor yet looked upon the person, but that whoever would take the cross of penance upon him, and follow Christ in virtuous living, should be his disciple.

These and such other were the allegations of the monks. But whether a monk's cowl, or a wifeless life make a sufficient title to enter into other men's possessions or no, I refer to the judgment of the godly. The troublous cares in marriage, the necessary provision for house-keeping, the virtuous bringing up of children, the daily helping of poverty, and bearing of public charges, with other manifest perturbations and encumbrances daily incident to matrimony, might rather appear to wise men to come nearer to the cross of penance, than the easy and loitering idleness of monkery. In the end, upon this controversy a council of bishops, and other of the clergy was held, where the greater part both of the nobles and commons, judged the priests to have suffered great wrong, and sought by all means possible to bring them again to their old possession and dignities.

Not long after, King Edward, whom the writers describe to be a virtuous and a meek prince, very pitiful and beneficial to the poor, about the fourth year of his reign, came once from hunting in the forest alone, without the company of his servants to the place in the west country, where Alfrith his mother, with her son Ethelred lived. When the queen-mother was warned of his coming, she calls a servant who was of special trust, shewing him how and what to do for the accomplishing of her wicked purpose. Which thing so done, she made towards the king, and received him with all courtesy, desiring him to tarry that night, but he in like courtesy excused himself, and desired to see his brother, and to drink upon his horse sitting.

Now, while the cup was at his mouth, the servant of the queen struck him in the body with a long two-edged dagger. After which the king struck the horse with the spurs, and galloped towards the place where he supposed to meet with his company, but he bled so much, that he fell from his horse with faintness, one foot being caught in the stirrup, by which he was drawn by his horse over fields and lands till he came to a place named Corf-gate, where he was found dead.

In the order and course of the Roman bishops, mention was made last of Agapetus II., after whom next succeeded Pope John XII. This pope is noted to be very wicked and infamous, with abominable vices; an adulterer, gamester, an extortioner, perjurer, a fighter, a murderer, cruel and tyrannous. Of his cardinals, some he put out their eyes, from some he cut off their tongues, some their fingers, some their noses, &c. In a general council before the Emperor Otho I., these objections were articled against him, That he never said his service; that in saying his mass he did not communicate; that he ordained deacons in a stable; that playing at dice he called for the devil to help; that for money he made boys bishops; that he committed adultery; that he put out the eyes of the Bishop Benedict; that he caused houses to be set on fire; that he brake open houses; that he drank to the devil; that he never crossed himself," &c. For which causes he was deposed by the consent of the emperor with the prelates, and Pope Leo VIII. was substituted in his place. But after his departing, Pope John was restored again to his place, and Leo was deposed. At length about the tenth year of the popedom of this John, he being found without the city with another man's wife, was so wounded by her husband, that within eight days after he died.

After him the Romans elected 'Pope Benedict V.,

(1) The reader must bear in mind that Foxe introduces Pope JOAN with the designation the VIIIth., [see page 90] and therefore he arranges all the succeeding JOHNS under numbers proportionably higher in the numeral line of succession. Again, during the pontificate of Boniface VII., there was another JoнN, whom Foxe reckons as the XVth, and who was elected, after the election, and deposed before the death of this Boniface VII.: and who, therefore,

without the consent of the emperor; whereupon the said Otho, the emperor, being not a little displeased for displacing of Leo VIII., whom he had before promoted, and for the choosing also of Benedict V., came with his army, and laid siege to Rome, and so set up Pope Leo VIII. again. Leo, to gratify his benefactor, in return crowned Otho for emperor, and intitled him to be called Augustus. Also the power which Charlemagne had given before to the clergy and people of Rome, this Leo granted to the emperor and his successors; that is, touching the election of the bishop of Rome. The emperor again restored to the see of Rome all such donations and possessions which either Constantine (as they falsely pretend) or which Charlemagne took from the Lombards, and gave to them.

After Pope Leo, succeeded Pope John XIII. Peter, the head captain of the city, with two consuls, twelve aldermen, and divers other nobles, gathering their power together, laid hands upon him in the church of Lateran, and put the pope in prison eleven months. The emperor hearing this, with all speed returned with his army to Rome; who after execution done upon the authors and chief doers of that act, committed Peter to the pope's sentence, he caused him first to be stripped naked, then his beard being shaven, to be hanged by the hair a whole day together, after that to be set upon an ass (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 followeth the injunction of the gospel, "Love your enemies." From this pope proceeded first the christening of bells, (A. D. 971).

After him followed Pope Benedict VI., who in like manner was apprehended by Cinthius, a captain of Rome, and cast in prison, where he was strangled, or as some say, famished to death.

Then came Pope Donus II., after Boniface VII. was pope, who likewise seeing the citizens of Rome 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 one Pope John. Not long after Boniface returning again from Constantinople, by his money and treasure procured a garrison or company to take his part: this Pope John was taken, his eyes put out, and so thrown into prison, where he was, as some say, famished; some say he was slain by Ferrucius. Neither did Boniface reign many days after, but suddenly died; whose carcass after his death was drawn by the feet through the streets of Rome after a most despiteful manner, the people shrieking and exclaiming against him, (A. D. 976).

Next pope after him was Benedict VII., by the consent of the Emperor Otho II. and reigned nine years.

After Benedict succeeded Pope John XIV., and died the eighth month of his papacy; next to whom came John XV., and after him Gregory V. (A. D. 995). This Gregory was a German, and therefore the more disliked by the clergy and people of Rome. Whereupon, Crescentius, with the people and clergy, conspiring against Gregory, set up John XVI. Gregory went in all haste to the emperor, who set forward with his army to Italy, got the city, and there took both Crescentius the consul, and John the pope. John first having his eyes put out, was deprived after of his life. Crescentius the consul was set upon a vile horse, having his nose and ears cut off, and so was led through the city, his face being turned to the horse's tail, and afterward having his members cut off, was hanged upon a gibbet.

Pope Gregory thus being restored, reigned four years in his papacy.

is generally omitted in the line of succession in the papal chair. These occasion much difficulty to the general reader, as confusing the designations of the many popes of this name; therefore the designation of JOAN as the VIIIth, and of the Pope John in the time of Boniface, as the XVth, are omitted in this edition, and the others styled in the usual way. [ED.]

About the eleventh year (some say the ninth year) of this king's reign Dunstan died.

Not long after the death of Dunstan, the Danes again entered England, in many and different places of the land; so that the king scarcely knew to which coast he should go first to withstand his enemies. But in the end, he was compelled to appease them with great sums of money and when that money was spent, they fell to robbing the people, and assailing the land, not only about Northumberland, but also besieged the city of London at last. But being from thence repelled by the manhood of the Londoners, they strayed to other countries adjoining, burning and killing wherever they went; so that for lack of a good head or governor, many things in the land perished. For the king gave himself to vice and taxing his subjects, and disinheriting men of their possessions, and caused them to redeem the same again with great sums of money; for he paid great tributes to the Danes yearly, which was called dane-gilt. Which tributes so increased, that from the first tribute of ten thousand pounds, it was brought at last in process of five or six years, to forty thousand pounds.

To this sorrow, moreover, was joined hunger and penury among the commons, insomuch that every one of them was constrained to pluck and steal from others. So that what for the pillage of the Danes, and what by inward thieves and bribers, this land was brought into great affliction.

The Danes thus prevailing more and more over the English grew in such pride and presumption, that when they caused the husbandmen to ear and sow the land, and to do all other vile labour belonging to the house, they would sit at home at their pleasure. 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 so oppressed by them, were in such fear and dread, that not only were they constrained to suffer them in their doings, but also glad to please them.

And thus hitherto we have brought this history to A. D. 1000. In this year, Ethelred, through the counsel of his familiars about him, in the one-andtwentieth year of his reign, began a matter which was the occasion of a new plague to the Saxons, for the king this year married Emma the daughter of Richard duke of Normandy. By reason of which marriage King Ethelred was not a little inhanced in his own mind; and sent secret and strict commissions to the rulers of every town in England, that upon St. Brices' day at an hour appointed, the Danes should be suddenly slain. And so it was performed.

Soon after tidings came into Denmark of the murder❘ of those Danes, Swanus king of Denmark with a great host and navy, landed in Cornwall; and took Exeter, and beat down the walls. From thence proceeding further into the land, they came to Wilton and Shereborne, where they cruelly spoiled the country, and slew the people. But Swanus hearing that the king was coming to him took to his ships. And as soon as he heard of any host of Englishmen coming toward him, then he took shipping again. So that when the king's army sought to meet him in one coast, then would he suddenly land in another. And thus they wearied the English, and in conclusion brought them into extreme and unspeakable misery; insomuch, that the king was

fain to take peace with them, and gave to King Swanus 30,000.

After this, Swanus hearing of the increase of his people in England, broke his covenants not to molest the English, and with a great army and navy, landed in Northumberland and proclaimed himself king. Where after much vexation when he had subdued the people, and caused the earl with the rulers of the country to swear to him fealty; he passed the river of Trent, and subduing the people there, forced them to give him pledges or hostages; which hostages he committed with his navy, unto his son Canute to keep, while he went further into the land; and so with a great host came to Mercia, killing and slaying. Then he took by strength Winchester and Oxford, and did there what he liked. That 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 resisted for the space of twenty days. At length by the treason of a deacon called Almaric he won it, and took the goods of the people, and fired the city, and decimated the monks of St. Augustine's abbey (that is, they slew nine out of every ten by cruel torment, and the tenth they kept alive as their slave). So they slew there of monks to the number of nine hundred persons; of other men, women and children, they slew above eight thousand. And finally, when they had kept the bishop Elphegus in prison the space of seven months, because he would not give them 30007.; after many villanies done to him, they brought him to Greenwich, and there stoned him to death.

King Ethelred in the mean time, fearing the end of this persecution, 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 reign, was chased unto the Isle of Wight, and with a secret company he spent there a great part of the winter; and finally, without cattle or comfort, sailed to Normandy to his wife. Shortly after Swanus died suddenly.

When King Ethelred heard of the death of Swanus, he returned to England. Canute, being unprovided, fled to Sandwich, and there cutting off the noses and hands of the hostages whom his father left with him, sailed into Denmark; the next year he returned again with a great navy, and landed in the south country. The eldest son of King Ethelred, called Edmund Ironside, made provision to meet him. At this time King Ethelred being at London, was taken with great sickand there died, after he had reigned thirty and six years; leaving his said eldest son Edmund Ironside, and Elfred, and Edward. This Ethelred, although he was miserably assailed and vexed by his enemies, yet with his council he gave forth many wholesome laws.

ness,

EDMUND IRONSIDE A SAXON, AND CANUTE A DANE, KINGS TOGETHER IN ENGLAND.

After the death of Ethelred variance fell between the Englishmen for the election of their king. For the citizens of London, with certain other lords, named Edmund the eldest son of Ethelred, (a young man of lusty and valiant courage), in martial adventures both hardy and wise, who could very well endure all pains; wherefore he was surnamed Ironside. But more of the lords favoured Canute, the son of Swanus, especially the abbots, bishops, and other spiritual men, who before had sworn to his father. By means whereof, between these two martial princes many great battles were fought, first in Dorsetshire, where Canute was compelled to fly the field. And after that they fought another battle in Worcestershire, so hard fought that none could tell who had the better; but either for weariness or for lack of day, they departed one from the other, and on the next morning fought again; but then Canute was compelled to forsake the field. After this they met in Mercia,

and there fought again; where Edmund had the worse. Thus there were many great conflicts between these two princes. But upon a season, when the hosts were ready to join, and a certain time of truce was taken before the battle, a knight of the party of Edmund stood up upon a high place, and said these words: "We die daily and none has the victory: and when the knights be dead on either part, then the dukes compelled by need shall agree, or else they must fight alone. And is this kingdom not sufficient for two men, which sometimes sufficed seven? But if the covetousness of lordship in these two be so great, that neither can be content to take a part and live with the other, nor the one under the other, then let them fight alone that will be lords alone. If all men continue to fight, at the last all men shall be slain, and none left to be under their lordship, nor able to defend the king that shall be against strange enemies and nations."

These words were so well approved of both by the hosts and princes, that both were content to try the quarrel between the two princes only. Then the place and time was appointed, where they both met in sight of the two armies. And when they had assailed each other with swords and sharp strokes, first by the motion of Canute (as some write) suddenly they both agreed, and kissed each other to the comfort of both hosts. And shortly after they agreed upon the partition of the land; and after that during their lives they loved as brethren. Soon after a son of wicked duke Edric espied when King Edmund was unarmed, and with a spear (some say with a long knife) thrust him through, whereof Edmund shortly died, after he had reigned two years. He left behind him 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. Thus Canute, after the death of Edmund Ironside, was king of the whole realm of England.

When Canute was established in the kingdom, he called a parliament at London, where this question was proposed to the bishops, barons, and lords of the parliament, whether in the composition made between Edmund and Canute, any provision was made for the children of Edmund, for any partition of the land. The lords flattering the foreign king, and speaking against their own minds, as also against their native country, said there was not. Affirming moreover with an oath (for the king's pleasure) that they to the uttermost of their powers, would put off the blood of Edmund in all that they might. By reason of which answer and promise, they thought to have purchased great favour with the king. But by the just retribution of God it chanced far otherwise. For many of them he distrusted and disdained ever after, so that some he exiled, and a great many he beheaded. Among whom was wicked Edric the traitor. For as the king was in his palace, Edric coming to him, began to reckon up his benefits and labours in forsaking and betraying Ethelred, then in slaying King Edmund his son, with many such other deeds more, which for his sake he had done. "Well," said the king, "thou hast here rightly judged thyself, and thou shalt die deservedly for slaying thy natural prince, and my sworn brother." And so he commanded him to be bound immediately hand and foot, and to be thrown into the Thames.

Thus the Danes being settled in England, began by little and little to become christians. Canute went to Rome, and returning again to England, governed that land the space of twenty years, leaving after him two sons, Harold and Hardicanute.

Harold (called Harefoot, for his swiftness), began his reign over England, A.D. 1036: he reigned but four years.

Hardicanute was next king of England, and when he had reigned two years he was suddenly stricken dumb, and fell down to the ground, and within eight days after died without issue of his body. He was the last Danish king that reigned in England.

The earls and barons, after his death, assembled in council, and determined that no Dane should ever be

king of England, for the despite that they had done to Englishmen. For evermore before, if the Englishmen and the Danes had happened to meet upon a bridge, the Englishmen were obliged to stand still till the Dane had passed. And moreover, if the Englishmen had not bowed down their heads to do reverence to the Danes, they would have been beaten. For which despites and villanies they were driven out of the land after the death of Hardicanute, and they never came again.

The earls and barons, by their common consent and council, sent unto Normandy for these two brethren, Alfred and Edward; intending to crown Alfred the elder brother, and to make him king of England. And to this the earls and barons made their oath but the earl Godwin of West Sax, falsely and treacherously, thought to slay these two brethren as soon as they came into England, that he might make Harold his son king: which son he had by his wife, Hardicanute's daughter.

There

When Alfred had heard these messengers, and perceived their tidings, he thanked God, and in all haste came to England, arriving at Southampton. Godwin the false traitor (having knowledge of his coming) welcomed and received him with joy, pretending to lead him to London, where the barons waited to make him king, and so they passed forth together toward London. But when they came to Guilddown, the traitor commanded his men to slay all that were in Alfred's company, which came with him from Normandy; and after that, to take Alfred, and to lead him into the Isle of Ely where they should put out both his eyes; so they slew all the company that were there, to the number of twelve gentlemen, which came with Alfred from Normandy; and after that they took Alfred, and in the Isle of Ely they cruelly murdered him. And so this innocent Alfred, being the right heir of the crown, died through the treason of wicked Godwin. When the lords of England heard thereof, and how Alfred, that should have been their king, was put to death through the false traitor Godwin they were very wroth, and swore between God and them that he should die a worse death, and would immediately have put him to death, but that the traitor fled thence into Denmark, and there continued more than four years, and lost all his lands in England.

And thus much of Canute, and of his sons Harold and Hardicanute.

Of this Canute, it is reported that he following the superstition of Achelnot, archbishop of Canterbury, went on a pilgrimage to Rome, and there founded an hospital for English pilgrims. He gave the pope precious gifts, and burdened the land with a yearly tribute, called the "Rome-shot." He shrined the body of Berinus, and gave great lands and ornaments to the cathedral church of Winchester; he built St. Benedict's in Norfolk, which before was an hermitage. Also St. Edmunsbury, which King Athlestan before ordained for a college of priests, he turned to an abbey of monks of St. Benedict's order.

Henry, archdeacon of Huntington, makes mention of this Canute, as does also Polydore. That after his coming from Rome, he was walking upon a time by the port of Southampton, but Polydore saith and Fabian affirmeth the same, that it was by the Thames side of 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 (either for pride of his heart exalted, or to try and refute their flattering words) commanded his chair of state to be brought to the sea-side, at the time it should begin to flow: (Polydore saith that no seat was brought, but that he sat upon his garments, being folded together under him), he 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 over him. Wherewith the king abashed, and partly also afraid, started back, and looking to his lords; "Lo," said he, "ye call me such a mighty king, and yet I cannot command 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 are vain, and that none is worthy to have the name of a king, but he alone which hath all things subject to the power and authority of his word, which is the Lord of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things, the Father of Christ our Lord, who with him for ever is to be glorified: Him let us worship and extol for our King for ever." After this (as histories witness) he never suffered the crown to come upon his head but went to Winchester, or (as some say) to Canterbury; but both those may be true; for his going to Canterbury, was to acknowledge that there was a Lord much higher and of more power than he himself was, and therewithal to render up his crown for ever.

Here is also to be noted in this Canute, that although he acted in the beginning of his reign upon King Edgar's laws, yet in process of time, he set forth peculiar laws of his own. Among which, there are several that concern ecclesiastical causes. Whereby it may appear, that the government of spiritual matters did not depend then on the bishop of Rome: but appertained to the lawful authority of the temporal prince, no less than matters and causes temporal.

And here being an end of the Danish kings, we return to the English kings, whose right line comes in again as follows

KING EDWARD, CALLED THE CONFESSOR.

The next election and right of the crown appertained to Edward the younger son of King Ethelred and Emma, a true Englishman: who had now been long banished in Normandy he was a man of gentle and soft spirit, more appliable to other men's council, than able to trust to his own; so averse to 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 came over, accompanied with a few Normans, and was crowned, (A. D. 1043). After he had thus taken upon him the government of the realm, he guided the same with much wisdom and justice, the space of nearly four-and-twenty years; from whom issued (as out of a fountain) much godliness, mercy, pity, and liberty toward the poor, gentleness and justice toward all men, and in all honest life he gave a virtuous example to his people,

In the time of this Edward, Emma his mother was accused, of being familiar with Alwin, the bishop of Winchester upon which accusation he took from her many of her jewels, and caused her to be kept more strictly in the abbey of Warwel, and the bishop he committed to the examination of the clergy. Polydore says they were both in prison at Winchester, where she sorrowing the defame both of herself and the bishop, and trusting upon her conscience, desires justice, offering herself ready to abide any lawful trial, yea, although it were with the sharpest.

Then many of the bishops petitioned the king for them both, and would have obtained their wish, had not Robert then archbishop of Canterbury stopped the suit. Who, being not well pleased with their labour, said to them; "My brethren, how dare you defend this woman? She has defamed her own son the king, and degraded herself with the bishop. And if it be so, that the woman will purge the priest, who shall then purge the woman, that is accused to be consenting to the death of her son Alfred, and who procured venom to the poisoning of her son Edward? But let her be tried in this way, whether she be guilty or guiltless; if she will go barefooted for herself four steps, and for the bishop five, upon nine red hot plough-shares; then if she escape harmless, he shall be acquitted by this challenge, and she also."

To this she consented, and the day was appointed; at which day the king, and a great part of his nobles were present, except only Robert the archbishop. This Robert had been a monk of a house in Normandy, and an helper of the king in his exile, and so came over and was made first bishop of London, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury. Then she was led blindfold unto the place between two men, where the irons lay burning hot, and passed the nine shares unhurt. "At last," says she: "Good Lord, when shall I come to the place of my purgation ?" When they

then opened her eyes, and she saw she was past the pain, she kneeled down giving God thanks.

Then the king repented, (says the history,) and restored to her what he had taken from her, and asked her forgiveness.

About this time, William Duke of Normandy, came with a goodly company into England to see King Edward, and was honourably received: and the king at his return enriched him with many great gifts, and there (as some write) promised him, that if he died without issue, the said William should succeed him in the kingdom of England.

This virtuous and blessed King Edward, after he had reigned twenty-three years and seven months, died, and was buried in the monastery of Westminster, which he had greatly augmented and repaired.

KING HAROLD II.

Harold, the son of Earl Godwin, and last king of the Saxons, succeeded, although many of the nobles went with Edgar Adeling, the next heir after Edmund Ironside: yet he contemning the young age of Edgar, and forgetting also his promise which he had made to Duke William, that he would marry his daughter and keep the kingdom for him, took upon him to be king of England, (A. D. 1066).

Immediately on which, William, duke of Normandy, sent an ambassage to Harold, king of England, reminding him of the covenants that were 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 (that was promised to Harold) was dead, Harold thought himself thereby discharged.

Upon this answer, Duke William having in the meanwhile that the messengers went and came, gathered his knights, and prepared his navy, and having obtained the consent of the lords of his land to aid and assist him in his journey sends to Rome to Pope Alexander, concerning his title and voyage into England, the pope confirms him, and sent to him a banner, desiring him to bear it in the ship, in which himself should sail. Thus Duke William took shipping at the haven of St. Valery, where he tarried a long time for a convenient wind: at last the wind came about, and they took shipping with a great company, and landed at Hastings in Sussex.

There were three causes which induced Duke William to enter this land to subdue Harold. One was, that it was given to him by King Edward his nephew. The second was, to take vengeance for the cruel murder of his nephew Alfred, and of the Normans, which deed he ascribed chiefly to Harold. The third was, to revenge the wrong done to Robert archbishop of Canterbury, who was exiled by means of Harold.

Thus, while Harold was in the north, Duke William made so great speed, that he came to London before the king; out of which he was kept till he made good surety, that he and his people should pass through the city without tarrying: which promise he well observing, passed the bridge, and went over to Sussex, whence he sent a monk to Harold, and proffered him three ways. First, to render to him the possession of the land, and so to take it again of him under tribute, reigning under him; secondly, to abide and stand to the pope's arbitration; 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 blood-shedding.

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 Normans, in the place where afterwards was builded the abbey of Battel in Sussex. In the beginning of which fight, the Englishmen kept them in good array and were likely to vanquish the Normans: wherefore, Duke William caused his men to give back, as though they fled, whereby 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. Where King Harold, who before had murdered Alfred the true heir of the crown, with his company of Normans so