Book 5, Part 1 of the History of Britain by John Milton. This Libber Vox recording is in the public domain, recording by Thomas Copeland. The fifth book. The sum of things in this island, or the best part thereof, being reduced now under the power of one man, and him, one of the worthiest, which as far as can be found in good authors, was by none attained at any time here before, unless in fables. Men might with some reason have expected from such a happy union the blessings of peace and plenty, greatness, and the flourishing of all estates and degrees. But far the contrary fell out soon after. Namely, invasion, spoil, desolation, slaughter of many, slavery of the rest, by the forcible landing of a fierce nation. Dames, commonly called, and sometimes Dations by others, are the same with Normans. As barbarous as the Saxons themselves were at first reputed and much more, for the Saxons were at first invited and came hither to dwell, but these, unsent for unprovoked, came only to destroy. But if the Saxons, as is above related, came most of them from Jutland and Anglin, a part of Denmark, as Danish writers affirm, and Normans are the same, then in this invasion, Danes drove out Dames, their own posterity, and Normans afterwards drove out none but more ancient Normans. Which invasion perhaps, had the Heptarchy stood, divided as it was, would have either not been attempted or not uneasily resisted, while each prince and people excited by their nearest concernments would have more industriously defended their own bounds than when depending on the neglect of a deputed governor, sent off to times from the remote residents of a secure monarch. Though as it fell out in those troubles the lesser kingdoms revolting from the West Saxon yoke and not aiding each other, but being too much concerned for their own safety, it came to no better pass, while severally they sought to repel the danger knight hand, which prevented far off. But when God had decreed servitude on a sinful nation, fitted by their own vices for no condition but servile, all the states of government are alike unable to avoid it. God hath purposed to punish our instrumental punishers, though now Christians, by other heathen invaders, according to his divine retaliation, invasion for invasion, spoil for spoil, destruction for destruction. The Saxons were now full as wicked as the Britons had been at the first arrival of the Saxons in Britain, under Hengest and Horace, being given up to luxury and sloth, either secular or superstitious. For laying aside the exercise of arms and the study of all virtuous knowledge, some betook them to overworldly or vicious practice, others to religious idleness and solitude which brought forth nothing but vain and elusive visions easily perceived to be such by the commanding of things either not belonging to the Gospel or utterly forbidden. Ceremonies, relics, monasteries, masses, idols add to these the ostentation of giving arms with money got off times by wrappan and oppression or intermixed with violent lustful deeds, sometimes prodigally bestowed as the expiation of acts of cruelty and bloodshed. What longer suffering could there be when religion itself grew so void of sincerity and the greatest shows of purity were impured? Eckbert Eckbert in full height of glory having now enjoyed his conquest seven peaceful years, his victorious army long since disbanded and the exercise of arms perhaps late aside, the moor was found unprovided against a sudden storm of dames from the sea who, landing in the 32nd year of his reign no, post Christ 832 who did detects wasted sheppy in Kent Eckbert the next year gathering an army for he had heard of their arrival in 35 ships, gave them battle in the car in Dorseture the event whereup was that the dames kept their ground and encamped where the field was fought and two Saxon leaders Dutta and Osmond and two bishops as some say were there slain this was the only check of fortune we read of that Eckbert in all his time received for the dames returning two years after with the great navy and joining forces with the Cornish entered into a league with them were overthrown and put to flight of these invasions against Eckbert the Danish history is not silent whether out of their own records or hours may be just a doubt of these times at home I find them in much uncertainty and beholden rather to outlandish chronicles than any records of their own the victor Eckbert as one who had done enough seasonably now to prosper success the next year with glory ended his days and was buried at Winchester no most Christ 835 return to text Ethel Wolf Ethel Wolf the son of Eckbert succeeded him in the government and is described by Momsbury as a man of a mild nature not inclined to war or delighted with much dominion that therefore contented with the ancient west Saxon bounds he gave to Ethelston his brother or son as some write the kingdoms of Kenton Essex but the Saxon analyst whose authority is elder said plainly that both these countries and Sussex were equate to Ethelston by Eckbert his father the unwarlike disposition of Ethel Wolf gave encouragement no doubt and easier entrance to the Danes who came again the next year with 33 ships note post Christ 837 return to text but Wolford one of the king's chief captains drove them back at Southampton great slaughter himself dying the same year of old age as I suppose for he seems to have been one of Eckberts all commanders who was sent with Ethel Wolf to subjew Kent Ethel Helm one of the other of the king's captains with the Dorsetcher men had at first like success against the Danes at Portsmouth but they being soon after reinforced stood their ground and put the English to route worse was the success of Earl Herbert at a place called Meerswar being slain with the most part of his army the year following post Christ 838 return to text in Lindsay also and the country of the East Angles and Kent much mischief was done by their landing where the next year emboldened by success they came on as far as Canterbury Rochester and London itself with no less cruel hostility and giving no respite to the peaceable mind of Ethel Wolf they yet returned with the next year note post Christ 840 return to text in 35 ships fought with him as before with his father at the river Carr and made good their ground in Northumberland injured the tributary king deceasing left the same tenure to his son Ethel Wood who was driven out in his fourth year note post Christ 844 return to text and succeeded by Reed Wolf who soon after his coronation hastened forth to battle against the Danes he fell with the most part of his army and Ethel Rid like infortune to the former Ethel Rid was re-exalted to his seat and to be yet further like him in fate was slain the fourth year after. Osbert succeeded in his room but more southerly the Danes next year after note post Christ 845 return to text met with some stop in the full course of their outrageous insolences with the men of Somerset Alston the Bishop and Osric with those adorsature setting upon them at the river's mouth at Pedredon slaughtered them in great numbers and obtained a just victory this repulse quelled them for off we hear the space of six years then also renewing their invasion with little better success post Christ 851 return to text for Curel and Earl the forces of Devonshire assaulted and overthrew them at Wiggenburg with great destruction as prosperously were they fought with the same year at Sandwich by King Ethelston and Ilker his general their great army defeated and nine of their ships taken and the rest driven off however to ride out the winter on that shore Asserset they then first wintered in Sheppey Isle part it is through the bad expression of the soldiers to define this fight whether it were by sea or land Ovidon terms it a sea fight nevertheless with 50 ships Asser and others at 300 they entered the mouth of the Thames and made excursions as far as Canterbury and London and as Ethelward writes destroyed both of London Asser signifies only that they pillaged it there to fall so the Immersion successor to Whithloth with all his army they forced to fly and him to go beyond the sea then passing over the Thames with their powers into Surrey and the country of the West Saxons and meeting there with King Ethelwolf and Ethelbald his son at a place called Ackley or Oakley they received a total defeat with memorable slaughter this was counted a lucky year to England note post Christ 853 returned to Tex and brought to Ethelwolf break reputation Burrhead therefore who after Bertolt held of Immersion Kingdom two years after this imploring his aid against the North Welsh has then troublesome to his confines obtained it of him in person and thereby reduced them to obedience this done Ethelwolf sent his son Alfred a child of five years of age well accompanied to Rome whom Leo the Pope both consecrated to be king afterwards and adopted to be his son at home Ilker with the forces of Kent and Huda with those of Surrey fell on the Danes at their landing in Tannat and at first put them back but the slain and drowned were at length so many on either side has left the last equal on both which yet hindered not the solemnity of a marriage peace to Easter between Burrhead the Mercian and Ethel Suida King Ethelwolf's daughter albeit the Danes the next year note post Christ 854 returned to Tex wintered again in Sheppey where upon Ethelwolf not finding human help sufficient to resist them as they were growing daily upon him in hope of divine aid registered in a book and dedicated to God the 10th part of his own lands and of his whole kingdom eased of all oppositions that converted to the maintenance of masses and psalms weakly to be sung for the prospering of Ethelwolf and his captains as appears at large by the patent itself in William of Monsbury as he said he did it for the redemption of his soul and the souls of his ancestors after which as having done some great matter after himself at Rome and be applauded of the Pope he takes a long and cumbersome journey with young Alfred again post Christ 855 returned to Tex and there stays a year when his office of King required him rather to have stayed here in the field against pagan enemies who were left wintering in his land yet so much manhood he had as to return then snow monk and in his way home his wife Judith daughter Charles the Bald King of France but ere his return Ethelbald his eldest son Alston his trusty Bishop and Ennoff Earl of Somerset conspired against him their complaints were that he had taken with him Alfred his youngest son to be their inaugurated king and brought home with them an outlandish wife for which they endeavored to deprive him of his kingdom to bring forth nothing less than war but the king abhorring civil discord after many conferences tending to peace condescended to divide the kingdom with his son division was made but the matter so carried that the eastern and worst part was malignly afforded to the father the western and best given to the son at which many of the nobles had great indignation offering to the king their utmost assistance for the recovery of all whom he peacefully dissuading sat down contented with his portion assigned in the kingdom of the east angles Edmund from the ancient stock of those kings a youth of 14 years only but of great hopes was with consent of all but his own crowned at Berry about this time as Buchanan relates post Christ 857 the Picts who not long before had by the Scots been driven out of their country part of them coming to Osbert and Ella then kings of Northumberland obtained aid against Donaldus the Scottish king to recover their ancient possession Osbert who in person undertook the expedition marching into Scotland was at first put to a retreat but returning soon after on the Scots who were over secure of their supposed victory put them to flight with great spotter took prisoner their king and pursued his victory beyond Stirling Bridge the Scots unable to resist longer and by ambassadors in treating peace had it granted them on these conditions the Scots were to quit all they had possessed within the wall of Severus the limits of Scotland were beneath Stirling Bridge to be the river forth and on the other side done Britain Frith the time so called of the British then seated at Cumberland who had joined with Osbert in this action and so far extended on that side the British limits if this be true as the Scots writers themselves witness and who would think them fabulous to the disparagement of their own country how much wanting have been our historians to their country's honour in letting pass unmentioned and exploit so memorable by them remembered and attested who are one oftener to extenuate and to amplify ought done in Scotland by the English Donaldus having been on these conditions released soon after dies reported Buchanan in 858 Ethel Wolf chief king in England had the year before ended his life and was buried as his father had been at Winchester he was from his youth much addicted to devotion so that in his father's time he was ordained bishop of Winchester and rather unwillingly but for want of other legitimate issue of his father succeeded him in the throne managing therefore his greatest affairs by the activity of two bishops Alston of Sherbourne and Switham of Winchester but Alston is noted of covetousness and oppression by Willem of Momsbury the more vehemently no doubt for doing some notable damage to that monastery the same author writes that Ethel Wolf at Rome paid a tribute to the Pope continued to his days however he were facile to his son and seditious nobles in yielding up part of his kingdom yet his queen he treated not the less honorably for whomsoever it displeased the West Saxons decreed ever since the time of Ed Berger the infamous wife of Berger that no queen could sit in state with the king but Ethel Wolf met it not that Judith his queen should lose any point of regal state by that law at his death he divided the kingdom between his two sons EthelWald and EthelWald to the younger Kent, Essex, Surrey and Sussex to the elder all the rest to Peter and Paul certain revenues yearly for what uses but others relate who write also his pedigree from son to father up to Adam EthelWald and EthelWald EthelWald unnatural and disloyal to his father fell justly into another though contrary sin of too much love for his father's wife and whom at first he opposed coming into the land her now unlawfully marrying he takes into his bed but not long enjoying died at his father's end note post Christ 860 return to text without doing art more worthy to be remembered having reigned two years with his father impiously usurping and three after him as unworthily inherited and his half was all that while to be un molested with the dames not of divine favor doubtless but to his greater condemnation living the more securely access to his life Huntingdon on the other side much praises EthelWald and writes him buried at Sherburn with great sorrow of the people who missed him long after Matthew of Westminster Seth that he repented his incest with Judith and dismissed her but as a high witness of those times mentions no such thing EthelBert alone EthelWald by death removed the whole kingdom became rightful to EthelBert his next brother who though a prince of great virtue and no blame had his shorter brain allotted him as his faulty brother nor that so peaceful having been once or twice invaded by the dames but they having landed in the west with a great army and sacked Winchester were met by Osric Earl of Southampton and EthelWolf of Berkshire who were forced to leave their booty five years after post Christ 860 returned to text about the time of his death they set foot again in tannet the Kentish men, wearied out with so frequent alarms came to agreement with them for a certain sum of money but ere the peace could be ratified and the money gathered the dames impatient of delay by a sudden eruption in the night soon wasted all the east of Kent meanwhile, or something before EthelBert deceasing was buried as his brother at Sherbrooke EthelRed EthelRed the third son of EthelWolf at his first coming to the crown was entertained with a fresh invasion of dames note, post Christ 866 returned to text led by Wingar and Hubba, two brothers who now had got footing among the east angles there they wintered and coming to terms of peace with the inhabitants furnished themselves with horses forming by that means many troops with riders of their own these pagans as were said came from the river Nanubias fitted thus for a long expedition they ventured the next year to make their way over land and over the Humber as far as York and there they found to their hands the inhabitants embroiled in civil dissensions their king Osbert they had thrown out and Ella, leader of another faction chosen in his room who both though late admonished by their common danger towards the year's end the united powers made head against the dames and prevailed but pursuing them over eagerly into York then but slenderly walled the Northumbrians were everywhere slaughtered both within and without their kings also both slain their city burned, set them on the brink the rest as they could made their peace over run and vanquished as far as the river Tyne and Egbert of English race appointed king over them Brompton no ancient author for he wrote since Matthew of Westminster nor of much credit writes a particular cause of the dames coming to York that Breweren, a nobleman whose wife king Osbert have gravaged called in Hingwar and Huppa to revenge him the example is remarkable if the truth were as evident then victorious the dames next year note post Christ 868 return to text entered into Mercia towards Nottingham where they spent the winter Burhead then king of that country unable to resist implores the aid of Ethelred and young Alfred his brother they assembling their forces and joining with the Mercians about Nottingham offered battle the dames not daring to come forth kept themselves within that town and castle so that no great fight was hazarded there at length the Mercians weary of long suspense entered into conditions of peace with their enemies after which the dames returning back to York made their abode there the space of one year note post Christ 869 return to text committing some say many cruelties then embarking to Lindsay and all summer destroying that country about September they came with like fury into Castiffan another part of Lincolnshire where Olga the Earl of Howland with his forces and two hundred stout soldiers belonging to the Abbey of Croyland three hundred from the Bout Boston Morecard, Lord of Brune with his numerous family well trained and armed Osgood, Governor of Lincoln with five hundred of that city all joining together gave battle to the dames slew of them a great multitude with three of their kings and pursued the rest to their tents but the night following Gothrin, Bazeg, Oskotil Halfton and Hammond five kings and as many earls Frina, Gwingar, Kaba Sidrock, the Elder and Younger coming in from several parts with great forces and spoils great part of the English began to slink home nevertheless Olga with such as forsook him not all next day in order of battle facing the names and sustaining unmoved the brunt of their assaults could not withhold his men at last from pursuing their counterfeited flight whereby opened and disordered they fell into the snare of their enemies rushing back upon them Allgar and those captains forenamed with him all resolute men retreating to a hillside and slaying of such as followed them all together died at length upon heaps of dead which they had made round about them the Danes thence passing on into the country of the east angles rifled and burnt the monastery of Ely overthrew Earl Wolk kettle with his whole army and lodged out the winter at Thetford where King Edmund assailing them was with his whole army put to flight himself taken down to a stake and shot to death with arrows at his whole country subdued the next year note post Christ 871 returned to text with great supplies Seth Huntington bending their march towards the west Saxons the only people now left in whom might seem yet to remain any strength or courage likely to oppose them they came to ready between the two rivers of Thames and Kennet and about three days after sent out wings of horse under two urls to forage the country but Ethel Wolf Earl of Berkshire at Engelfield a village nigh encountered them slew one of their urls and obtained a great victory four days after came the king himself and his brother Alfred with the main battle and the Danes issuing forth a bloody fight began with on either side great slaughter in which Earl Ethel Wolf lost his life but the Danes losing no ground kept their place of standing to the end neither did the English for this make less haste to another conflict in Eskisdune or Ashdown four days after where both armies with their whole force on either side met the Danes were embattled in two great bodies the one led by Baskai and Halfton their two kings the other by such urls as were appointed in like manner the English divided their powers Ethel Redd the king stood against their kings and though on the lower ground and coming later into the battle from his horizons gave a fierce onset where in Baskai the Danish history names him Ivarus the son of Regnerus was slain Alfred was placed against the Urls and beginning the battle ere his brother came into the field with such resolution charged them that in the shock most of them were slain they are named Sidrock, Elder and Younger Osburn, Freen Harold at length in both divisions the Danes turn their backs many thousands of them are cut off and the rest pursued till night so much the more it may be wondered to hear next in the annals that the Danes 14 days after such an overthrow fighting again with Ethel Redd and his brother Alfred at Basing under conduct set the Danish history of Agnerus and Hubbell brothers of the slain Ivarus should obtain the victory especially since the new supply of Danes mentioned by Assar arrived after this action but after two months the king and his brother fought with them again at Merton in two squadrons as before in which fight hard it is to understand who had the better so darkly did the Saxon annals deliver their meaning with more than wanted infancy yet these I take for Assar is here silent to be the chief fountain of our story the ground and basis upon which the monks later in time gloss and comment at their pleasure nevertheless it appears that on the Saxon part not him and the bishop only but many valiant men lost their lives this fight was followed by a heavy summer plague where out as his thought King Ethel Redd died in the fifth year of his reign and was buried at Wynberg where his epitaph inscribes that he had his deaths wound by the Danes according to the Danish history in the year 872 of all these terrible landings and devastations by the Danes from the days of Ethel Wolf to their two last battles with Ethel Redd or their leaders whether kings, dukes or earls the Danish history of best credit saith nothing so little wit or conscience it seems they had to leave any memory of their brutish rather than manly actions unless we shall suppose them to have come as above was cited out of Vassar from Danubius rather than from Denmark more probably some barbarous nation of Prussia or Avonia not long before seated more northward on the Baltic Sea Alfred Alfred the fourth son of Ethel Wolf had scarce performed his brother's obsequies in the solemnity of his own crowning when at the month's end in haste with a small power he encountered the whole army of Danes at Wilton and most part of the day foiled them but unwearly following the chase gave others of them the advantage to Raleigh who returning upon him now weary remained masters of the field this year as is affirmed in the annals nine battles have been fought against the Danes on the south side of Thames besides innumerable excursions made by Alfred and other leaders one king and nine earls were fallen in fight so that weary on both sides at the years end a league or troops was concluded yet next year note post Christ 872 returned to text the Danes took their march to London now exposed to their pray there they wintered and thither came the Mercians to renew peace with them the year following they rode back to the parts beyond the Humber but wintered in Torxie in Lincolnshire where the Mercians now for the third time made peace with them not withstanding which removing their camp to Rependune in Mercia now ripped upon Trent and Derbyshire and there wintering note post Christ 873 returned to text they constrained Burrhead the king to fly into foreign parts making seizure of his kingdom he running the direct way to Rome with better reason than his ancestors note post Christ 874 returned to text died there and was buried in a church by the English school his kingdom the Danes farmed out of his home for one of his household servants or officers with condition to be resigned to them when they commanded from Rependune they dislodged note post Christ 875 returned to text Hafton their king leading part of his army northward wintered by the river Tyne and subjecting all those quarters wasted also the country of the Picts and British beyond but Guthren to tell an anwind other three of their kings moving from Rependune came with a great army to grant break and remain there a whole year but Alfred that summer proposing to try his fortune with a fleet at sea for he had found that the water shipping and the neglect of navigation had exposed the land to these piracies met with seven Danish rovers and took one the rest escaping with a simple success from so small a beginning for the English at that time were but little experienced in sea affairs the next year's first motion of the Danes note post Christ 876 returned to text was toward Warham castle where Alfred meeting them either by policy or their doubt of his power Ethel would set by money brought them to such terms a hallowed bracelet other say upon certain relics a solemn oath it seems which they never about safe before to any other nation gorthwith to depart the land but falsifying that oath by night with all the horse they had Azeroth said slaying all the horsemen he had stole to Exeter and their winter in Northumberland half done their king began to settle to divide the land to till and to inhabit meanwhile they in the west who were marched to Exeter entered the city crossing now and then to Warham but their fleet the next year post Christ 877 returned to text sailing or rowing about the west met with such a tempest near to Swanswich or Naviwick as wrecked 120 of their ships and left the rest easily mastered by those galleys there to guard the seas and straighten Exeter of Provision he the while beleaguering them in the city now humbled with the loss of their navy two navy sethassar the one at Naviwick the other at Swannwin distressed them so as that they gave him as many hostages as he required and as many oaths to keep their covenant at peace and kept it for the summer coming on they departed where apart they divided among themselves part left to Kelwoo for their substituted king the 12th tide following note post Christ 878 returned to text all oaths forgotten they came to Chippenham in Wiltshire dispeepling the county's round dispossessing some and driving others beyond the sea Alfred himself with a small company was forced to keep within woods in fenny places and for some time all alone as Florence seth sojourned with Dunwall for spine earth who was made afterwards for his devotion and aptness to learning bishop of Winchester Halfton and the brother of Hengar coming with 23 ships from north wales where they had made great spoil landed in Devonshire nigh to a strong castle named Kinwin where by the garrison issuing forth unexpectedly were slain with 1200 of their men meanwhile the king about Easter not despairing of his affairs built a fortress at a place called Athelnae and Summerseture therein valiantly defending himself as his followers frequently selling for the 7th week after he rode out to a place called Eckbreitstone in the east part of Selwood thither resorted to him with much congratulation the Summerset with many out of Hampshire some of whom a little before had fled their country with these marching to Ethendoon now Eddenton in Wiltshire he gave battle to the whole Danish power and put them to flight then besieging their castle within 14 days took it Momsbury writes that in this time of his recess to go a spy into the Danish camp he took upon him with one servant the habit of a fiddler by this means gaining access to the king's table and sometimes to his bed chamber got knowledge of their secrets their careless in camping and thereby this opportunity of assailing them on a sudden the Danes by this misfortune broken gave him more hostages and renewed their oaths to depart out of his kingdom their king, Gitro or Athron offered willingly to receive baptism and accordingly came with 30 of his friends to a place called Aldra or Alra near to Atholene and were baptized at Whitmore where Alfred received him out of the font and named him Athelston after which they abode with him 12 days and were dismissed with rich presence whereupon the Danes remove next year note post 179 return to text to Sisseter thence peacefully through the east angles which Alfred as some right had bestowed on Gothen to hold of him the bounds were up may be read among the laws of Alfred others of them went to Fulham on the Thames and joining there with a great fleet newly come into the river thence passed over into France and Flanders both of which they entered so far conquering or wasting as sufficiently that the French and Flemish were no more able than the English by policy or prowess to keep off that Danish inundation from the land Alfred, note post Christ 882 return to text thus rid of them and intending for the future to prevent their landing three years after quiet the meanwhile with more ships and better provided puts to sea and first met with four of theirs whereof two we took throwing the men overboard then met with two others wherein were two of their princes and took them also but not without some loss of his own after three years note post Christ 885 return to text another fleet of them appeared on these seas which was so great that one part of them thought themselves sufficient to enter upon east France and the other came to Rochester and beleaguered it when they within stoutly defended themselves till Alfred with great forces coming down upon the Danes drove them to their ships leaving for haste all their horses behind them the same year Alfred sent a fleet towards the country of the east angles then inhabited by the Danes which at the mouth of the steward meeting with 16 Danish ships after some fight took them all and slew all the soldiers on board but in their way home after this victory lying careless they were overtaken by another part of that fleet and came off with loss were upon perhaps those Danes who were settled among the east angles erected with new hopes violated the peace which they had sworn to Alfred note post Christ 886 return to text who spent the next year in repairing London at South Huntington much ruined and unpeopled by the Danes the Londoners all with those who had been led away captive soon returned to their dwellings and Ethered Duke of Mercia was by the king appointed their governor but after 13 years respite of peace note post Christ 893 return to text another Danish fleet of 250 sail from the east part of France arrived at the mouth of a river in east Kent called Lyman, now to the great wood Andred, famous for length and breadth. Into that wood they drew up their ships four miles from the river's mouth and built a fortress after whom Hesson with another Danish fleet of 80 ships entering the mouth of Thames built a fort at Middleton the former army remaining at a place called a pelter Alfred, perceiving this took of those Danes who dwelt inumberland a new oath of fidelity and of those in Essex hostages lest they should join as they would want with their countryman newly arrived. And by the next year, note post Christ 894 return to text having got together his forces between either army of the Danes and Kent, so as to be ready for either of them who first should happen to stir forth troops of horse also he said continually abroad assisted by such as could be spared from strong places wherever the countries wanted them to encounter foraging parties of the enemy. The king also divided sometimes his whole army, marching out with one part by turns, the other keeping entrenched. In conclusion rolling up and down both sides met at Farnham in Surrey where the Danes by Alfred's horse troops were put to flight and crossing the Thames to a certain island near Colen in Essex, or as Camden thinks by Cobro were besieged there by Alfred till provisions failed the besiegers. Another part stayed behind with their king who was wounded. Meanwhile Alfred, preparing to reintroduce the siege of Colenay, the Danes of Northumberland breaking faith came by sea to the east angles and with a hundred ships coasting southward landed in Devonshire and besieged Exeter. Lither Alfred hasted with his powers except a squadron of Welsh that came to London with whom the citizens marching forth to Beamfleck where Hassen the Danes had built a strong fort and left to Garrison while he himself with the main of his army was entered far into the country. Luckily surprised the fort massed to the Garrison make prey of all they find there. Their ships also they burnt or brought away with good booty and many prisoners among whom the wife and sons of Hassen were sent to the king who forthwith set them at liberty. Whereupon Hassen gave oath of amity and hostages to the king. He in requital, whether freely or by agreement, a sum of money. Nevertheless without regard of faith given while Alfred was busied about Exeter joining with the other Danish army he built another castle in Essex at Shobery then marching westward by Adams aided with the North Umbrian and East Anglish Danes they came at length to Severn pillaging all in their way but Etherid, Ethelm and Ethelmoth the king's captains with united forces pitched nigh to them at Buttington on the Severn bank in Montgomeryshire the river running between and there many weeks attended. The king meanwhile blocking up the Danes who besieged Exeter having eaten part of their horses the rest urged with hunger broke forth to their fellows who lay encamped on the east side of the river and were all there discomforted with some loss of valiant men on the king's party. The rest fled back to Essex and their fortress there. Then Laugh one of their leaders gathered before winter a great army of North Umbrian at East Anglish Danes who leaving their money ships and wives at night sat down before a city in the west called Weerheal near to Chester and took it ere they could be overtaken. The English after two days siege, hopeless to dislodge them, wasted the country round to cut off from them all provision and departed. Soon after which next year, note post Christ 895 returned to text, the Danes no longer able to hold Weerheal, destitute of Vittles, entered North Wales. Then, laden with spoils, part returned to Northumberland, others to the East Angles as far as Essex where they seized on a small island called Mirceg and here again the annals record them to be siege Exeter but without coherence of sense of story. Others relate to this purpose that returning by sea from the Exeter and in their way landing on the coast of Sussex they of Tichester sallied out and slew of the many hundreds taking also some of their ships. The same year they possessed Mirceg intending to winter there about drew up their ships some into the Thames, others into the River Leed and on the bank thereof built a castle 20 miles from London. To assault which the Londoners aided with other forces marched out the following but was soon put to flight losing four of the king s captains. Huntington note post Christ 896 returned to text writes quite the contrary that these four were Danish captains and they overthrow theirs. But little credit is to be placed in Huntington single for the king thereupon with his forces lay encamped nearer the city that the Danes might not infest them in the time of harvest. In the meantime subtly devising to turn the stream of the River Leed several ways whereby the Danish bottoms were left on dry ground, which they soon perceiving marched over land to Quadrig on the 7th built a fortress and wintered there while the ships left in the Leed were either broken or brought away by the Londoners but their wives and children they had left in safety with the Danes. The next year note post Christ 897 returned to text was pestilent and besides the common sort took away many great Earl's, Kellmand and Kent Grytholf and Essex Wolford and Hampshire with many others and to this evil the Danes in Northumberland and amongst the East Angles ceased not to end damage the West Saxons especially by stealth robbing on the south shore of certain long galleys. But the king causing to be built others twice as long as usually were built and some of 60 or 70 oars and that were higher, swifter and steadier than such as were used before either with Danes or Frisons and that were of his own invention. Some of these he sent out against six Danish pirates who had done much harm in the Isle of Wight and parts of joining. The bickering part in the water, part in the sands not without loss of some eminent men on the English side. The pirates at length were either slain or taken. Two of their ships were stranded. The men brought to Winchester where the king then was were executed by his command. One of them escaped to the East Angles with her men much wounded the same year not fewer than 20 of their ships perished on the south coast with all their men and roll the Dane or Normans landing here as Matthew of Winchester writes though he does not say in what part of the island after an unsuccessful fight against those forces which first opposed him sailed into France and conquered the country since that time called Normandy. This is the sum of what passed in three years against the Danes returning out of France. Set down so perplexedly by the Saxon Analyst he'll gift it with utterans as with much a do can be understood sometimes what he's spoken whether meant of the Danes or of Saxons after which troublesome time Alfred enjoying three years of peace by him spent as his manner was not idly overluptuously but in all virtuous employment both the mind and body becoming a prince of his renown ended his days in the year 900 the 51st of his age the 30th of his reign and was buried regally at Winchester he was born at a place called Wannading in Berkshire his mother being Osverga the daughter of Oslak the king's cup heir a goth by nation and a noble descent he was a person comlier than all his brethren a pleasing tongue and graceful behavior ready wit and memory yet through the fondness of his parents towards him had not been taught to read till the 12th year of his age but the great desire of learning which was in him soon appeared by his conning of Saxon poems day and night which with great attention he heard by others repeated he was besides excellent at hunting and then knew art of hawking but more exemplary in devotion having collected into a book certain prayers and songs which he carried ever with him in his bosom to use on all occasions he thirsted after all liberal knowledge and often complained that in his youth he had had no teachers and in his middle age so little vacancy from wars in the cares of his kingdom yet he sometimes found leisure not only to learn much himself but to communicate thereof what he could to his people writing several books out of Latin into English as Erosius, Uethius, Bida's history and others and he permitted none that were unlearned to bear office either in court or commonwealth at 20 years of age though not yet reigning he took to wife Aiglesotha, the daughter of Ethelred a mercy and earl the extremities which befell him in the 6th of his reign and Abbot told him were justly come upon him for neglecting in his younger days the complaints of such as being injured and oppressed, repaired to him as being the second person in the kingdom for redress which neglect, for it such indeed, would yet have been excusable in the youth through jollity of mind unwilling perhaps to be detained long with sad and sorrowful narrations but from the time of his undertaking the regal charge no man was more patient in hearing causes or inquisitive in examining or exact in doing justice and providing good laws or more severe in punishing unjust judges or obstinate offenders and especially thieves and robbers to the terror of whom in crossways were hung upon a high post certain chains of gold as it were daring anyone to take them then so that justice seemed in his days not to flourish only but to triumph no man than he was more frugal of two precious things in man's life his time and his revenue no man wiser in the disposal of both his time, the day and night he distributed by the burning of certain tapers into three equal portions the one was the devotion, the other for work and private affairs the third for bodily refreshment how each hour passed he was put in mind by one who had that office his whole annual revenue which his first care was that it should be justly his own he divided into two equal parts the first he employed to secular uses and subdivided those into three the first he is soldiers household servants and guard divided into three bands one attended monthly by turn the second was to pay his architects and workmen whom he had got together of several nations for he was also an elegant builder above the custom and conceit of Englishman in those days the third he had in readiness to relieve or honor strangers according to their worth who came from all parts to see him and to live under him the other equal part of his yearly wealth dedicated to religious uses those of four sorts the first to relieve the poor the second to the building and maintenance of two monasteries the third of a school where he had persuaded the sons of many noblemen to study sacred knowledge and liberal arts some say at Oxford the fourth was for the relief of foreign churches as far as India to the shrine of St. Thomas sending to their sigam the bishop who both returned safe and brought with him many rich gems and spices gifts also and a letter he received from the patriarch at Jerusalem sent many to Rome and from them received rags thus far and much more might be said of his noble mind which rendered him the mirror of princes his body was diseased in his youth with a great soreness in the siege that ceasing of itself with another inward pain of unknown cause which after intervals of eaves returning upon him by frequent fits continued to molest him to his dying day yet did not render him unable to sustain those many glorious labors of his life both in peace and war which have been above described end of part one of book five of John Milton's history of Britain recording by Thomas Copeland book five part two of the history of Britain by John Milton this liver box recording is in the public domain recording by Thomas Copeland Edward the Elder Edward the son of Alfred succeeded in learning not equal but in power and extent of dominion surpassing his father the beginning of his reign had much disturbance by Ethelwald ambitious young man who was son of the king's uncle or cousin German or brother for his genealogy is variously delivered he vainly abouting to have equal right with Edward of succession to the crown possessed himself of Wimburn in Dorseture and of another town diversely named giving out that there he would live or die but being encompassed with the king's forces at Badbury a place nigh his heart failed him and he stole out by night and fled to the Danish army beyond the humble the king sent after him but not overtaking found his wife in the town whom he had married out of a nunnery and he commanded her to be sent back about this time most Christ 902 returned to text the Kentish men against a multitude of Danish pirates fought prosperously the place called home as London records Ethelwald aided by the Northumbrians with shipping three years after most Christ 905 returned to text sailing to the east angles persuaded the Danes there to fall into the king's territory who marching with him as far as Crackland and passing the Thames there wasted as far beyond as they did venture and laden with spoils returned home the king with his powers making a fleet after them between the Dyke and Ooze supposed to be suffered in temperature as far as the Fens northward laid waste all before him then intending to return he commanded that all his army should follow them close without delay but the Kentish men though often called upon lagging behind the Danish army prevented them and joined battle with the king where Duke Sigulf and Earl Sigel with many other of the nobles on the Danes part Aerric their king and Ethelwald the author of this rule with others of high note and of them greater number but with great ruin on both sides yet the Danes kept in their power the burying of their slain whatever followed upon this conflict which we read not the king two years after with the Danes note post Christ 907 returned to text both of east angles and north up and concluded peace which continued three years by whomsoever broken for at the end thereof post Christ returned to text King Edward raising great forces out of west sex and Mercia sent them against the Danes beyond the Humber where staying five weeks they made great spoil and slaughter the king offered them terms of peace but they rejecting all entered with the next year into Mercia note post Christ 911 returned to text rendering no less hostility than they had suffered but at Tetnell in Staffordshire Seth Florence were by the English in a set battle overthrown King Edward then in Kent had got together of ships about a hundred sail others gone southward came back and met him the Danes now supposing that his main forces were upon the sea to rove and plunder up and down as hope and pray led them beyond the southern the king guessing what might embolden them sent before him the lightest of his army to entertain them then following with the rest set upon them in their return over Canterbury in Gloucestershire and slew many thousands among whom Echwells, Hafton and Hingbar their kings and many other harsh names in Huntington the place also of this fight is written by Ethelward and Florence called Wotensfield the year following note post Christ 912 returned to text the Duke of Mercia to whom Alfred had given London with his daughter in marriage now dying King Edward resumed that city and Oxford with the countries adjoining into his own hands and the year after built or much repaired by his soldiers the town of Hartford on either side Lee and having a sufficient number at the work marched about middle summer with the other part of his forces into Essex and encamped at Maldon while his soldiers built Wilton where a good part of the country subject formally to the Danes yielded themselves to his protection four years after note post Christ 917 returned to text Florence allows for one year the Danes from Leicester Southampton falling into Oxfordshire committed much rapid and in some towns thereof great slaughter while another party wasting Hartfordshire met with other fortune with the country people inured now to such kind of incursions joining stoutly together fell upon the spoilers and recovered their own goods with some booty from their enemies about the same time Alfred the king's sister sent her army of mercions into Wales who routed the Welsh took the castle of Brickton near by Bricknock and brought away the king's wife of that country with other prisoners not long after she took Derby from the Danes and the castle by sharp assault but the year ensuing note post Christ 918 returned to text brought a new fleet of Danes to Ledwick and Deventure under two leaders otter and rolled who sailing thence westward about the land's end up to the mouth of the seven their landing wasted the Welsh coast and Urkenfield part of Hartfordshire where they took Coonalac a British bishop for whose ransom King Edward gave forty pound but the men of Hartford and Gloucestershire assembling put them to flight slaying rolled and the brother of otter with many more pursued them to a wood and their reset compelled them to give hostages of present departure the king with his army sat not far off securing from the south of Severn to Avon so that openly they durst not by night they twice ventured to land but found such welcome that few of them came back the rest anchored by a small island where many of them were famished then sailing to a place called Deomed they crossed into Ireland the king with his army went to Buckingham and stayed there a month and built two castles or forts on either bank of ooze Aries departing and Turkotel a Danish leader with those of Bedford and Northampton yielded him sujection for upon the next year post Christ 919 returned to tax he came with his army to the town of Bedford took possession thereof stayed there a month and gave order to build another part of the south side of the ooze then the year following note post Christ 920 returned to tax he went again to Maldon repaired and fortified the town Turkotel the Dane having small hope to thrive here where things with such prudence were managed against his interest thought leave of the king with as many volunteers as would follow him to pass into France Early the next year reedified Tovchester now Torchester and another city in the annals called Wagingmere Meanwhile the Danes in Leicester and Northamptonshire not liking perhaps to be neighboured with strong towns laid siege to Torchester but finding that the people within the town repelled the assault one whole day till supplies came quitted the siege by night and being pursued closely by the besieged and Ailsbury were surprised and many of them made prisoners and much of their baggage lost Others of the Danes at Huntington aided from the east angles finding that castle not commodious left it and built another at Thamesford judging that place more opportune from whence to make their excursions and soon after went forth with design to assail Bedford but the garrison issuing out slew a great part of them and the rest fled After this a great army of them gathered out of Mercia and the east angles came and besieged the city called Wagingmere a whole day but finding it defended stoutly by them within Danes also departed driving away much of their cattle whereupon the English from towns and cities round about joining forces laid siege to the town and castle of Thamesford and by assault took both slew their king with Tuglia a duke and man and his son an Earl with all the rest there found who chose to die rather than you Encouraged by this the men of Kent Surrey and part of Essex enterprise the siege of Colchester nor gave over till they won it sacking the town and putting with the sword all the Danes therein except some who escaped over the wall To the sucker of these a great number of Danes inhabiting ports and other towns in the country of the east angles united their force but coming too late has in revenge beleaguered Malden but that town also being timely relieved they departed and were not only frustrated of the design but so hotly pursued that many thousands of them lost their lives in the flight forthwith King Edward with his west Saxons went to pass them upon the river Ouse there to guard the passage while others were building a stone wall about Torchester to him their Earl Therfert and other Lord Danes with their army thereabout as far as Wealdwood came and submitted where at the King's soldiers joyfully cried out to be dismissed home therefore with another part of them he entered Huntington and repaired it where breaches had been made all the people thereabout returning to obedience the like was done at Colchester by the next remove of his army after which both east and west angles and the Danish forces among them yielded to the King swearing allegiance to him both by sea and land the army also of the Danes at Grantbury surrendering themselves took the same oath the summer following post Christ 922 returned to text he came with his army to Stamford built a castle there on the south side of the river where the people of these quarters acknowledged him supreme during his abode there Alfred his sister a martial woman who after her husband's death would no more marry but gave herself to public affairs repairing and fortifying many towns and sometimes making war died at Tamworth the chief seat of mercy whereof by gift of Alfred her father she was lady or queen whereby that whole nation was obedient to King Edward as did also north Wales with Hull, Kledaukas, and Jothwell their kings then spassing to Nottingham he entered and repaired the town placed their part English part Danes and received fealty from all in mercy of either nation the next autumn post Christ 923 returned to text coming with his army to Cheshire he built and fortified Thelwell and while he stayed there called another army out of Mercia which he sent to repair and fortify Manchester about mid-summer following he marched again to Nottingham built a town over against it on the south side of their river and with a bridge joined them both then's journey to a place called Bedeckon Willing in Pictland there also built and fenced a city on the borders where the king of Scots did him honor as to his sovereign with the whole Scottish nation the like Reginald did and the son of Edolphe Danish princes with all the North Ambrions both English and Danes the king also of a people there about called Strait Gledwally the north Welsh as Camden things of Strait Glyd in Denbyshire perhaps rather the British of Cumberland did him homage and not undeserved for Buchanan himself confesses that this king Edward with a small number of men compared to his enemies overthrew in a great battle the whole united power both the Scots and Danes slew most of the Scottish nobility and forced Malcolm whom Constantine the Scottish king had made general and designed heir of his crown to save himself by flight sore wounded of the English he makes Athelston the son of Edward chief leader and so far seems to confound times and actions as to make this battle the same with that fought by Athelston about 24 years after at Brunnerford against Anlaf and Constantine whereof hereafter but here Buchanan takes occasion to invade against the English writers abrading them with ignorance who affirm Athelston to have been supreme king of Britain and Constantine the Scottish king with others held of him and denies that in the annals of Marianas Scotus any mention is to be found thereof which I shall not stand much to contradict for in Marianas whether by his surname or from his native country called Scotus will be found as little mention of any other Scottish affairs till the time of King Duncan slain by Maccatec or Macbeth in the year 1040 which gives cause a suspicion that the affairs of Scotland before that time were so obscure as to be unknown to their own countrymen who lived and wrote his chronicle not long after but King Edward thus nobly doing and thus honored the year following died at Farrand post Christ 925 returned to text having through all his reign been a builder and restorer even in time of war not a destroyer of his land he had by several wives many children his eldest daughter Edgith he gave in marriage to Charles king of France grandchild of Charles the bald above mention of the rest in place convenient his laws are yet to be seen he was buried at Winchester in the monastery near Alfred his father and a few days after him died Ethelward his eldest son the heir of his crown he had the whole island in subjection yet so as petty kings reigned under him in Northumberland after Eckberg from the Danes it set up and the Northumbrians yet unruly under their yoke at the end of six years had expelled one Rickstig was set up king and bore the name three years then another Eckberg and Guthrit the latter if we believe legends of a servant had been made king by command of Saint Cudbert in a vision and enjoined by another vision of the same saint to pay well for his royalty many lands and privileges to his church and monastery but now to the story Athelston Athelston next in age to Ethelward his brother who deceased untimely few days before though born of a concubine yet for the great appearance of many virtues in him and his brethren being yet under age was exalted to the throne at Kingston upon Thames note post Christ 926 return to text and by his father's last will Seth Montesbury yet not without some opposition of one Alfred and his accomplices who not liking he should reign had conspired to seize on him after his father's death and to put out his eyes but the conspirators were discovered and Alfred denying the plot was sent to Rome to assert his innocence before the pope where taking his oath on the altar he fell down immediately and being carried out by his servants three days after died meanwhile beyond the Humber the Danes though much odd were not idle Ingald one of their kings took possession in York who some years before had slain Neil his brother by force took Davenport in Cheshire and however he defended these doings grew so considerable that Athelston with great solemnity gave him his sister Edgith to wife but he enjoyed her not long dying ere the years end nor did his sons Anloth and Guthford long enjoy the kingdom being driven out the next year by Athelston post Christ 927 returned to text not unjustly Seth Huntington as being the first razors of the war Asimion calls him Guthford a British king who Athelston this year drove out of his kingdom and perhaps they were both one the name and time not much differing the place only mistaken Momsbury differs in the name also calling him Adolf a certain rebel them also I wish as much mistaken who write that Athelston jealous of his younger brother Edwin's toward livertues lest added to his right of birth they might some time or other calling question his illegitimate precedence caused him to be drowned in the sea post Christ 933 returned to text exposed some say with one servant in a rotten bar without sail or oar the youth far off land and in rough weather despairing through himself of the ball the servant or patient got to land and reported the success but this Momsbury confesses to be sung in old songs but not read in warrantable authors and Huntington speaks of a sad accident to Athelston that he lost his brother Edwin by sea which seems far the more credible story in that Athelston as it is written by all tenderly loved and bred up the rest of his brethren of whom he had no less cause to be jealous than of Edwin and the year following note post Christ 934 returned to text he prospered better than after the commission of so foul a deed could be expected in marching into Scotland with great poisons both by sea and land and chasing his enemies before him by land as far as Dunfeudre and Wetermore and by sea as far as Caithness the cause of this expedition Seth Momsbury was to demand Guthford the son of Citric thither fled though not denied at length by Constantine who with Eugenius King of Cumberland at a place called Dachor or Dachra in that shire surrendered himself and each of them his kingdom to Athelston who brought back with him for a hostage the son of Constantine but Guthfair to escaping in the meanwhile out of Scotland and Constantine exasperated by this invasion persuaded Anloth the other son of Citric who had then fled into Ireland others right Anloth King of Ireland and the Isles of Sonamon with 615 ships and the King of Cumberland with other forces to come to his aid this within four years affected note post Christ 938 returned to text they entered England by the Humber and fought with Athelston at a place called Wendoon others term it Brunenburg others Brunenford which Ingolf places beyond the Humber Camden in Glendale of Northumberland on the Scotch borders the bloodiest fight say authors that ever this island saw to describe which the Saxon analyst who is one to be so burnt succinct or another writer now laboring under the weight of his argument and overcharged runs on a sudden into such extravagant fancies and metaphors as bear him quite beside the scope of being understood Huntington though himself peckant enough in this kind conscribes him word for word as a past time to his readers I shall only sum up whatever my can attain in usual language was fought eagerly from morning to night some fell of King Edward's old army tried in many a battle before but on the other side great multitudes and the rest fled to their ships five kings and seven of Anloff's chief captains were slain on the place with Froda a Norman leader Constantine escaped home but lost his son in the fight if I understand my other Anloff fled by sea to Dublin with a small remainder of his great host Mumsbury relates this war adding many circumstances after this matter that Anloff joining with Constantine and the whole power of Scotland besides those which he brought with him out of Ireland came on far southwards till Athelston who had retired on set purpose to be the sureer of his enemies enclosed from all succor and retreat met him at Brunefort Anloff perceiving the valor and resolution of Athelston and mistrusting his own forces the numerous resolved first to spy in what posture his enemies lay and imitating perhaps what he had heard to have been attempted by King Alfred in the age before in the habit of a musician got access by his lute and voice to the king's tent there playing both the minstrel and the spy then towards evening being dismissed he was observed by one who had been his soldier and well knew him to have been viewing earnestly the king's tent and what approaches lay about it and then in the twilight to depart the soldier forthwith equates the king and being by him blamed for letting go his enemy answered that he had given first his military oath to Anloff whom if he had betrayed the king might suspect him of like treasonous mind towards himself which to disprove he advised him to remove his tent of good distance off and that being so done it happened that a bishop with his retinue coming to that army pitched his tent in the same place from whence the king had removed his Anloff coming by night as he had designed to assault the camp and especially the king's tent the bishop instead slew him with all his followers Athelstan took the alarm and as it seems was not found so unrevited but that the day now appearing he put his men in order and maintained the fight till evening wherein Constantine himself was slain with five other kings and twelve urls the Saxon annals were content with seven in the rest not disagreeing but the Arland from the authority of Turgitol a principal leader in this battle relates it more at large to this effect that Athelstan above a mile distant from the place where execution was done upon the bishop and his supplies alarmed at the noise came down by break of day upon Anloff and his army overwatched and wearied now with the slaughter they had made and something out of order yet in two main battles or in like manner dividing led the one part consisting mostly of West Saxons against Anloff and his Danes and Irish committing the other to his Chancellor Turgitol with the Mercians and Londoners against Constantine at his Scots the shower of arrows and darts overpassed both battles attacked each other with a close and terrible engagement for a long space neither side giving ground till the Chancellor Turgitol a man of great stature and strength taking with him a few Londoners of select valor and Shingon who led the Worcestershire men a captain of undaunted courage broke into the thickest making his way first through the Picts and Orkneers then through the Cumbrians and Scots and came at length where Constantine himself fought unhorsed him and used all means to take him alive but the Scots valiantly defending their king and laying load upon Turgitol which the goodness of his armor well endured he had yet been beaten down had not Shingon his faithful second at the same time slain Constantine which being once known Anloff and the whole army betook themselves to flight whereof a huge multitude fell by the sword this Turgitol not long after leaving world affairs became Abbott of Croyland which at his own cost he had repaired from Danish ruins and left there this memorial of his former actions Athelston with his brother Edmund victorious thence turning into Wales with much more ease vanquished Ludwall the king and possessed his land but Momsbury writes that commiserating human chance as he displaced so he restored both him and Constantine to their regal state for the surrender of King Constantine had been above Spokaneu however the Welsh did him homage at the city of Hurford and covenanted yearly payment of gold twenty pound of silver three hundred of oxen twenty five thousand besides hunting dogs and hawks he also took Exeter from the Cornish Britons who till that time had equal right there with the English and bounded them with the river Tamar as the other British with the way thus dreaded of his enemies and renowned far into near three years after he died at Gloucester note post Christ nine forty one returned to text and was buried with many trophies at Momsbury where he had caused to be laid his two cousin Germans Elwyn and Athelston both slain in the battle against Anlock he was thirty years old at his coming to the crown mature in wisdom from his childhood comely of person and behavior so that Alfred his grandfather in blessing him was one to pray that he might live to have the kingdom and put him while yet a child into a soldier's habit he had his breeding in the court of Alfred his aunt of whose virtues more than female we have spoken above since that his mother though said to be no wedded wife was yet such a person as to parentage and worth as the royal line disdained not to converse with though the song went in Momsbury's days for it seems he refused not the authority of ballads for want of better memorials that his mother was a farmer's daughter but of excellent feature who dreamt one night she brought forth a moon that should enlighten the whole land which the king's nurse hearing of took her home and bred up courtly that the king coming one day to visit his nurse saw there this damsel liked her and by earnest she prevailing had by her this famous Athelstan a bounteous just and affable king as Momsbury sets him for not less honored abroad by foreign kings who sought his friendship by great gifts or by seeking his affinity that Harold of Noricum sent him a ship whose prow was of gold sales purple and other golden things the more to be wondered at as sent from Noricum whether that name meant Norway or Bavaria the one place being so far from such super fluidity of wealth the other so far from all see the ambassadors were Helgrim and offered who found the king at York his sisters he gave in marriage to the greatest princes a glyph to Otho son of Henry the emperor Edgith to a certain Duke about the Alps Edgiv to Ludwig king of Aquitaine sprung of Charles the great Athilda to Hugo king of France who sent Elduff son of Baldwin Earl of Flanders to obtain her from all these great shooters especially from the emperor and king of France came rich presence horses excellent breed gorgeous trappings and armor relics jewels odors vessels of onyx and other precious things which I leave poetically described in Malmesbury in verses taken as he confesses out of an old versifier some of which verses he recites the only blemish left upon him was the exposing of his brother Edwin to danger who had disavowed by Oath and whereup he was accused and implored in equal hearing but these were songs as before have been said which add also the Athelston when his anger over soon repented of the fact and put to death his cup bearer who had induced him to suspect to expose his brother having been put in mind of that unhappy action by a word falling from the cup bearer's own mouth who was slipping one day as he took his cup and recovering himself on the other leg said aloud fatally as to him proved one brother helps the other which words the king laying to heart and pondering how ill he had done to make away his brother avenged himself first on the advisor of that fact and then took on himself a penance of seven years and as Matthew of Wistman to Seth built two monasteries in the soul of his brother his are extant among the laws of other taxon kings to his stay Edmund Edmund not above 18 years old post Christ 942 return to text succeeded his brother Athelston encouraged not inferior for in the second year of his reign he freed Mercia of the Danes that remained there the armies of Lincoln, Nottingham, Stamford, Derby and Leicester where they were placed by King Edward but it seems gave not good proof of their fidelity Simeon writes that Anlaff setting forth from New York and having wasted southward as far as Northampton was met by Edmund at Leicester but that ere the battles joined he was made between them by Odo and Woolston the two archbishops with the conversion of Anlaff to the Christian religion for the same year Edmund received at the front stone this or another Anlaff as Seth Huntington and not him spoken of before who died this year so uncertain they are in the story of these times also and held Reginald another king of the North Umbers while the bishop confirmed him their limits were divided north and south by Watling Street but spiritual kindred was availed to keep peace between them whoever gave the cause for breaking it for he read him two years after note post Christ 944 returned to text driving Anlaff whom the Saxon annals now first call the son of Citry and Suthrid the son of Reginald out of Northumberland and taking the whole country into subjection to himself Edmund the next year note 445 returned to text Harris Cumberland then gave it to Malcolm King of Scots who was thereby bound to a system in his wars both by sea and land Matthew Westminster adds that in this action Edmund had the aid of Leiland Prince of North Wales against Dumail the Cumberland King him depriving of his kingdom and his two sons of their sight but the year after note 446 returned to text he himself by strange accident came to an untimely death for feasting with his nobles on St. Austen's day at Puckockirk and Gloucestershire to celebrate the memory of his first converting the Saxons he spied Leiland a noted thief who he had banished sitting among his guests where it transported with too much vehemence of spirit to his cause rising from the table he run upon the thief and catching his hair pulled him to the ground the thief who doubted from such handling no less than his death to be intended thought to die not on revenge and with a short dagger struck the king who still laid at him a little expected such assassination mortally into the breast the matter was done in a moment at first what the stir meant till perceiving the king to be deadly wounded they flew upon the murderer and hewed him to pieces who like a wild beast at a bay seeing himself surrounded desperately laid about him wounding some in his fall the king was buried at Glaston where of Dunstan was then abbot his laws yet remain to be seen among the laws of other Saxon kings Edrid the third brother of Athelstan the sons of Edmund being yet the children next reigned not degenerating from his worthy predecessors and was crowned at Kingston Northumberland he thoroughly subdued and the Scots without refusal swore him allegiance yet the Northumbrians ever of doubtful faith soon after chose to themselves one Eric a dame still haunts us with this anlaath of whom we would gladly have been rid and will have him before Eric we recall once more to the throne and to reign four years and then to be again put to his shifts note post Christ 950 return to text but Edrid turning Eric the king fell upon his rear Edrid turning about both shook off the enemy to make a second enroute which the Northumbrians dreading rejected Eric slew a mancus the son of anlaath and with many presents appeasing Edrid submitted again to his government and from that time had no kings but were governed by Urals of whom Ozzelf was the first about this time note post Christ 953 return to text Wolston Archbishop of York to a slain certain men of Thetford in revenge of their abbot whom the townsmen had slain was committed by the king to close custody but soon after was enlarged and restored to his place Momsbury writes that his crime was to have connived at the revolt of his countrymen but King Edrid two years after note post Christ 955 return to text sickening in the flower of his youth he was much lamented and was buried at Winchester Edwi Edwi the son of Edmund now come to age after his uncle Edrid's death took on him the government and was crowned at Kingston his lovely person caused him to be so named the fair his actions are diversely reported by Huntington not thought elaudable but Momsbury and such as follow him that he married or kept as a concubine his near kin's woman some say both her and her daughter so inordinately given to his pleasure that on the very day of his coronation he abruptly withdrew himself from the company of his peers whether in banquet or consultation to sit wantoning in the chamber with his algeva so was her name who had such power over him where at his barons offended sent Bishop Dunstan and told us among them to request his return he going to the chamber not only interrupted his dalliance and rebuked the lady but taking him by the hand between force and persuasion brought him back to his nobles the king highly displeased and instigated perhaps by her who was so prevalent with him not long after sent Dunstan into banishment no post Christ 956 turned to text his monastery to be rifled and became an enemy to all monks and friars whereupon Odo Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced a separation or divorce of the king from algeva but that which most incited William of Momsbury against him was that he gave that monastery to be dwelt in by secular priests or to use his own phrase made it a stable of clerks at length these affranced under the church were so resented by the people that the mercians and northumbrians revolted from him and set up Edgar his brother leaving to edwy the west Saxons only bounded by the river Thames with grief whereof as his thought he soon after ended his days post Christ 955 returned to text and was buried at Winchester meanwhile post Christ 958 returned to text Elphin, bishop of that place after the death of Odo ascending by Simonie to the chair of Canterbury and going to Rome the same year for his Paul was frozen to death in the Alps Edgar Edgar by his brother's death now king of all England at 16 years of age note post Christ 959 returned to text called home Dunstan out of Flanders where he lived in exile this king had no war all his reign yet always well prepared for war governed the kingdom in great peace honor and prosperity gaining thence the surname of peaceable much extolled for justice clemency and all kingly virtues the more you may be sure by monks for his building so many monasteries as some write every year one for he much favored the monks against secular priests so in the time of Edwy had got possession of most of their convents his care and wisdom was great in guarding the coast round with stout ships to the number of 3,600 Matthew of Westminster reckons them 4,800 divided into four squadrons to sail to and fro about the four quarters of the land meeting each other the first of 1200 sail from east to west there was many from west to east the third and fourth between north and south himself in the summertime with his fleet thus he kept out wisely the force of strangers and prevented foreign war but by their too frequent resort hither in time of peace and his too much favoring them he let in their vices unaware thence the people Seth Mumsbury learned of the outlandish Saxons of the Flemish dangerous and softness of the Danes drunkenness though I doubt these vices are as naturally homebred here as in any of those countries yet in the winter and springtime he usually rode the circuit as a judge itinerant to see justice well administered and the poor not oppressed thieves and robbers he rooted almost out of the land and wild beasts of prey altogether the king Ludwall, king of Wales to pay the yearly tribute of 300 wolves which he did for two years together till the third year no more were to be found nor ever after but his laws may be read yet extent whatever was the cause he was not crowned to the 30th of his age but then with great splendor and magnificence at the city of Bath in the feast of Pentecost post Christ 973 returned to text died swarming a monk of Croyland in the 142nd year of his age and another soon after him in the 115th in that fenny and waterish air the more remarkable King Edgar the next year note post Christ 974 returned to text went to Chester and summoning to his court there all the kings that held of him their names are Kenned king of Scots Malcolm of Cumberland the Cues of the Isles five of Wales Duffel, Thule, Griffith, Jacob, Judah these he had in such awe that going one day into a galley he caused them to take each man his ore and row him down the river Dee in which he himself sat at the stern which might be done in merriment and easily obeyed but if done with a serious brow discovered rather vain glory and insulting haughtiness the moderation of mind and that he did it seriously triumphant appears by his words then uttered that his successors might then glory to be kings of England when they had such honor done them and perhaps the divine power was displeased with him for taking too much honor to himself and that the year following note post price 975 returned to tax he was taken out of this life by sickness in the height of his glory and the prime of his age he was buried at Glaston Abbey the same year as Matthew of Westminster relates he gave to Kenned the scotch king many rich presents and the whole country of Lodian or Lothian to hold of him on condition that he and his successors were prepared to the English court at high festivals when the king sat crowned gave him also many lodging places by the way which till the days of Henry II were still held by the kings of Scotland he was a stature not tall a body slender yet so well made that in strength he chose to contend with such as were thought strongest and disliked nothing more than that they should spare him for respect or fear to hurt him Kenned king of Scots then in the court of Edgar sitting one day at table was heard to say chestingly among his servants he wondered how so many provinces could be held in subjection by such a little dapper man his words were brought to the king's ear he sends for Kenned as about some private business and in talk drawing him forth to a secret place takes from under his garment two swords which he had brought with him gave one of them to Kenned and now said he it shall be tried which ought to be the subject for it is shameful for a king to boast a table and shrink in fight Kenned much abashed fell presently at his feet and besought him to pardon what he had simply spoken no way intended to his dishonor or disparagement wherewith the king was satisfied Camden in his description of Ireland cites a charter of King Edgar wherein it appears he had in subjection all the kingdoms of the Isles as far as Norway and had subdued the greatest part of Ireland with the city of Dublin but of this other writers make me mention in his youth having heard of Elfride daughter of Ortegaard Duke of Devonshire much commended for her beauty he sent Earl Athelwold whose loyalty he trusted most to see her intending if she were found such as answered report to demand her in marriage he at the first view taken with her presence disloyaly as it often happens at such employments began to sue for himself and with consent of her parents obtained her returning therefore with scarce an ordinary commendation of her feature he easily took off the king's mind which was soon diverted another way but the matter coming to light how Athelwold had forestalled the king and Elfride's beauty being more and more spoken on the king now heated not only with the relapse of love but with a deep sense of the abuse yet dissembling his discerpence presently told the Earl what day he meant to come and visit him and his fair wife the Earl seemingly assured his welcome but in the meanwhile acquainting his wife earnestly advised her to deform herself what she might address or otherwise lest the king whose amorous inclination was not unknown should chance to be attracted she who by this time was not ignorant how Athelwold had stepped between her and the king against his coming erased herself richly using whatever arch a device that might render her the more amiable and it took effect for the king inflamed with her love the more for that he had been so long defrauded and robbed of her resolved not only to recover his intercepted right but to punish the interloper of his distance spouse and appointing with him as was usual a day of hunting drew him aside in a forest now called Hairwood and smote him through with a dart some censure this act is cruel and tyrannical but considered well it may be judged more favorably and that there was no man of sensible spirit but in his place without care of action would have done the like for next to an attempt against his life what worse treason could have been committed against him a chance that the Earl's base son coming by upon the fact the king sternly asked him how he liked this game he's submissively answering that whatsoever pleased the king must not displease him the king returning to his wanted temper took an affection to the youth and ever after highly favored him making amends to the son for what he had done to the father Alfreda forthwith he took to wife who to expiate her former husband's death though therein she had no hand covered the place of his bloodshed with the monastery of nuns to sing over him another fault is laid to his charge no way excusable that he took a virgin Wilfrida by force out of the nunnery where she was placed by her friends to avoid his pursuit and kept her as his concubine but lived not obstantly in the offense for being sharply reproved by Dunstan he submitted to seven years penance and for that time to postpone the important ceremony of his coronation but why he had not had it performed before is left unwritten another story there goes of Edgar fitter for a novel history but as I find it in momsbury so I relate it while he was yet unmarried in his youth he abstained not from women and coming on a day to end over ordered a duke's daughter there dwelling reported rare a beauty to be brought to him the mother not daring flatly to deny yet abhorring that her daughter should be so deflowered at fit time of night sent in her daughter's attire one lady maids a maid it seems not unhandsome nor unwitty who supplied the place of her young lady the night being past the maid was going to rise but daylight scarce yet appearing was by the king asked why she made such haste she answered to do the work which her lady had set her at which the king wondering and with much ado staying her to unfold the riddle for he took her to be the duke's daughter she falling at his feet besought him that since at the command of her lady she came to his bed and was enjoyed by him he would be pleased in recompense to set her free from the hard service of her mistress the king a while standing in a study whether he had best be angry or not at length turning all to a jest took the maid away with him advanced her above her lady loved her and accompanied with her only till married of freedom these only are his faults upon record and it is rather to be wondered how they were so few and so soon left he coming at sixteen to the license of a scepter and that his virtues were so many and mature he dying before the age where in wisdom can in others attain to any rightness however with him died all the Saxon glory from henceforth nothing is to be heard of but their decline and ruin under a double conquest and the causes for going which not to blur or taint the praises of their former actions and liberty well defended shall stand severally related and will be more than long enough for another a remark on the forgoing account of the succession of the several Saxon kings of England from King Alfred to King Edgar there seems to be some difficulty in the forgoing account given us by Milton of the succession of the Saxon kings of England from the great King Alfred to King Edgar with respect to the number of generations between them which is here represented to be only three generations namely one from Alfred to his son King Edward his immediate successor who succeeded him in the year nine hundred and reigned twenty five years and died in the year nine twenty five and a second generation from King Edward to his lawful son Edmund who was but two years old of the death of his father King Edward and did not succeed to the crown to the death of his half-brother King Athelston who was the son of King Edward by a concubine and who reigned sixteen years so that Edmund the son of Edward and grandson of Alfred was only eighteen years old when he succeeded his half-brother Athelston to the crown the third generation from Edmund the son of Edward and grandson to King Alfred to Edgar the second son of King Edmund and consequently the great grandson of King Alfred now it seems probable that King Edmund the father of Edgar was not the son but the grandson of King Edward who was the son and successor of King Alfred for the following reasons King Alfred was born in the year 8850 and he succeeded to the crown of England upon the death of his brother Ethelrit who was the last of his three elder brothers Ethelbald, Ethelbert and Ethelrit which happened in the year 8870 when he was only twenty years of age and he reigned thirty years and died in the year 8900 and these historians tell us that he married at the age of twenty years and from hence it seems probable that his son and successor King Edward was born in the year 8871 or 872 and consequently must have been about twenty eight years of age in the year 8900 when his father died he succeeded his father in the government of the kingdom and reigned twenty five years and died in the year 8925 when he was probably twenty eight together with twenty five or fifty three years old he was succeeded in the government by Athelstan, a bastard son who was then thirty years old and who therefore must have been born in the year 895 or when his father Edward was twenty three years old now since Edward the son of Elfrid had a bastard son Athelstan when he was about twenty three years old and about five years before his father Elfrid's death it seemed probable that he had also been married nearly about the same time and had a lawful son nearly of the same age with his bastard son Athelstan a year or two perhaps either older or younger than Athelstan and who would therefore have been about the same age as Athelstan at the time of King Edward's death that is about the age of thirty years instead of being a child only two years old as King Edward must have been according to the foregoing account which makes him to have been only eighteen years old after the death of Athelstan after a reign of sixteen years it seems probable therefore that King Edward had had a lawful son of nearly the same age as his bastard son Athelstan and that this lawful son had been married when he was about the age of twenty or twenty one years that is about the fifteenth year of King Edward's reign or the year 895 and had from that marriage had a son named Edmund in 1889-23 or two years before the death of his grandfather King Edward and who would therefore have been two years and sixteen years or eighteen years old at the death of King Athelstan after a reign of sixteen years as King Edmund has said to have been at that time and then if we suppose the said eldest lawful son of King Edward to have died before King Edward himself the several events related to the succession of the kings of England from King Alfred to King Edgar will become intelligible and consistent with each other and King Edgar must be considered as the fourth instead of the third descendant from King Alfred F.M. the end of the fourth book of Milton's history of Britain www.mooji.org