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5.84. Cuthred.

Cuthred.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Cuthred [figure appears here on page 193] AFter the deceaſſe of Ethelard king of weſt Sax|ons, his coſin Cuthred was made King & gouernour of thoſe people, raigning the terme of .xvj. yeares. He beganne his raigne in the yeare of our Lord .740.740 in the .xxiiij. yeare of the Emperour Leo Iſaurus, in the .xiiij. yeare of the raigne of the ſeconde Theodorus Cala king of Fraunce, and aboute the .vj. yeare of Ethfine King of Scottes.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Hen. Hunt. Mat. VVeſt.This Cutred had muche to doe agaynſte E|dilbald king of Mercia, the which one while with ſtyrring his owne ſubiects the Weſt Saxons to rebellion, an other while with open warre, and ſometyme by ſecrete craft and ſubtile practiſes, ſought to diſquiet him.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 In the fourth yeare yet of his raigne, a peace was concluded betwixt them, and then ioyning theyr powers togyther, they went agaynſte the Welchmen, and gaue them a great ouerthrow, as before is partly touched.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 In the .ix. yeare of this Cuthreds raigne,Kenric the kings ſonne ſlaine. hys ſonne Kenric was ſlaine in a ſeditious tumult amongſt his men of warre, a Gentleman yong in yeares, but of a ſtoute courage, 749 Mat. VVeſt. and verie forwarde, whereby (as was thought) he came the ſooner to his ende.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 In the .xj. yeare of his raigne,751 Cuthred had warres agaynſt one of his Earles called Adelme, who rayſing a commotion againſt him, aduentu|red to giue battaile, though he had the ſmaller nũ|ber of men, and yet was at poynt to haue gone away with victorie, if by a wounde at that in|ſtant receyued, his periurie had not beene puni|ſhed, and the kings iuſt cauſe aduaunced to try|umphe ouer his aduerſarie, whome yet by waye of reconciliation he pardoned. In the .xiij. yeare of his raigne, 752 Mat. VVeſt. King Cuthred beeing not well able longer to ſuſtayne the prowde exactions and harde doings of Edelbalde King of Mercia, ray|ſed hys power, and encountered with the ſame Edelbalde at Hereforde, hauing with hym the foreſayde Earle Adelme, in whoſe valiaunte prowes he put great hope to attaine victorie: nei|ther was he deceyued: for by the ſtoute conduct and noble courage of the ſayde Adelme,King Edilbald put to flight. the loftie pryde of King Edelbalde was abated, ſo that he was there put to flight, and all his armye diſ|comfited, after ſore and terrible ſight continued and mainteyned euen to the vttermoſt poynt.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 In the .xxiiij. yeare of his raigne, this Cuthred fought eftſoones with the Welchmen, and obtey|ned the vpper hande, without any great loſſe of his people: for the enimies were eaſily put to flight and chaſed, to their own deſtruction.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 In the yeare after, king Cutred fell ſicke, and in the .xvj. yeare of his raigne hee departed thys lyfe, after ſo many great victories got againſt his enimies.

5.85. Sigibert.

Sigibert.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 [figure appears here on page 193] AFter hym ſucceeded one Sigibert,Sigibert. a cruell prince & one vnmer|cifull at home, yet a cowarde abrode.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 This Sigbert or Sigibert be+gan his raigne in the yeare of our Lorde .755. very neare ended.755 He intreated his ſubiects verie euill, ſetting lawe EEBO page image 194 and reaſon at naught, he could not abide to heare his faultes tolde him, and therefore he cruelly put to death an Earle named Cumbra, which was of his counſaile and faythfully admoniſhed him to reforme his euill doings: wherevpon the reſt of his Nobles aſſembled themſelues togither wyth a great multitude of people, and expelled him out of his eſtate in the beginning of the ſeconde, or (as Hariſon hath) the firſt yeare of hys raigne. Then Sigibert, as hee was fearefull of nature, fearing to bee apprehended, gotte him into the Woodde called as then Andredeſwalde, and there hydde himſelfe, but by chaunce a Swinehearde that belonged to the late Earle Cumbra at Priueteſfloud founde him oute, and perceyuing what he was, ſlue him in reuenge of his maiſters death.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Lo here you may ſee how the righteous iu|ſtice of God rewardeth wicked doings in thys world with worthie recompence, as wel as in the worlde to come, appoynting forth euill Princes ſometymes to reigne to the puniſhment of the people, according as they haue deſerued permyt|ting ſome of them to haue gouernment a long tyme, that both the frowarde Nation maye ſuf|fer long for theyr ſinnes, and that ſuch wicked Princes maye in an other Worlde taſte the more bytter tormentes. Againe, other hee taketh ſhortly out of the way, that the people maye bee deliuered from oppreſſion, & alſo that the naugh|tie ruler for his miſdemenor may ſpeedily receyue due puniſhment.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 [figure appears here on page 194] Ethel|red. AFter B [...]|orne King of Eaſtangles one Ethelred ſucceeded in go+uernment of yt kingdõ, a man noted to bee of good & vertu|ous qualities, in yt he brought vp his ſonne Ethelbert (which ſucceeded him) ſo in the feare of the Lorde, that he proued a righte godly prince. This Etheldred raigned (as Hari|ſon and alſo other writers haue) the terme of .lij. yeares.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After that Ceolvulf king of Northumberland was become a Monk, in the Abbey of Lindiſfern,728 Egbert king of Northumber|lande. Har. hath. 21. 758 his vncles ſonne Egbert by (order taken by the ſayd Ceovulfe) ſucceeded him in the kingdome, & gouerned the ſame right worthily for the terme of xxiiij. yeares, and then became a Monke, by the example both of his predeceſſor the foreſayd Ceo|vulf,Chaunging of crownes for Monks cowles and alſo of diuerſe other kings in thoſe days, ſo that he was the eight king who in this lãd had chaunged a kings Crowne for a Monks Cowle, (as Simon Dunel. wryteth.)

Compare 1587 edition: 1 This Edbert (in the .xviij. yere of his raigne,)756 and Vnguſt king of Pictes came to the Citie of Aleluid with theyr armeyes, and there receyued the Brytaynes into theyr ſubiection, the fyrſt day of Auguſt: but the tenth day of the ſame moneth, the armie which he led from Ouan vnto Newbourgh, was for the more part loſt and de|ſtroyed.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The ſame yeare on the .viij. kalendes of De|cember, the Moone beeing as then in hir full ap|peared to be of a bloudie coulour, but at length ſhee came to hir accuſtomed colour, after a mar|ueylous meanes, for a ſtarre, whiche followed hir, paſſed through hir, and went before hir, the like diſtance as it kept in following hir before ſhe loſt hir vſuall light.Offa.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After that Offa had ſtayne Bernred the v|ſurper of the Kingdome of Mercia (as before is mentioned,) the ſame Offa tooke vppon hym the gouernment of that Kingdome .758. a man of ſuch ſtowtneſſe of ſtomacke, 758 Mat. VVeſt. that he thought he ſhould be able to bring to paſſe all things whatſo|euer he conceyued in his mind. He raigned .xxxix. yeares.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 His doings were great and marueylous,VVil. Mal. and ſuche as ſome tymes his vertues ſurpaſſed hys vices, and ſometyme againe his vices ſeemed to ouermatch his vertues.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 The Kentiſhmen he ouercame in a great bat|tayle at Otteforde,The [...] of king Offa. Mat. VVeſt. 779 and the Northumbers alſo were by hym vanquiſhed, and in battaile put to flight. With Kenvulfe King of Weſt Saxons hee fought in open battaile, and obteyned a no|ble victorie, wyth ſmall loſſe of hys people, al|thoughe the ſame Kenwulfe was a right valy|aunt Prince, and a good Captaine. Againe, per|ceyuing that to proceede wyth craft ſhoulde ſoo|ner aduaunce his purpoſe, than to vſe open force agaynſt Egilbert King of Eaſt Angles, vnder fayre promiſes to giue vnto him hys daughter in maryage,Falſehed is feloſhip. hee allured him to come into Mercia, and receyuing him into hys Pa|layce, cauſed his heade to be ſtryken off, and af|ter by wrongfull meanes inuaded his kingdome, and got it into his poſſeſſion: yet hee cauſed the bones of the firſt Martyr of this lande Saint Albone (by a myraculous meanes brought to light,) to bee taken vp, and put in a riche ſhrine, adourned with golde and ſtone, buylding a good|ly Churche of excellent workemanſhippe, and founding a Monaſterie in that place in honour of the ſame Saint, which he indowed with great poſſeſſions.The Archbi|ſhops ſea re|moued from Canterburie to Lichfielde. Hee remoued the Archbiſhops Sea from Canterburie vnto Lichfield, thereby to ad|uaunce his Kingdome of Mercia, as well in dignitie and preheminẽce of Spirituall power as Temporall.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 EEBO page image 195He made great ſuyte to bring that his pur|poſe to paſſe in the Court of Rome, and at length by great giftes and rewardes he obteyned it at the handes of Pope Adrian the firſt, 785 [...]t. VVeſt. as then gouer|ning the Romaine Sea.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 And ſo Eadulfus as then Biſhop of Lich|fielde was adourned with the Pall, and taken for Archbiſhop, hauing all thoſe Biſhops with|in the limittes of King Offa his Dominion, Suffraganes vnto him, as Denebertus By|ſhop of Worceſter, Werebertus Biſhop of Cheſ|ter, Eadulfus Biſhop of Dorcheſter, Wl [...]nar|dus Biſhop of Hereforde, Halard Biſhop of Elſ|ham, and Cedferth Biſhop of Donwich. There remayned onely to the Archbiſhop of Canter|burie, the Biſhops of London, Wyncheſter, Ro|cheſter, and Shireburne.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 [...]he Archbi| [...]op Lambert [...]ended his, [...].And this ſeparation continued all the life time of the Archbiſhoppe Lambert, although he tra|uayled earneſtly to maintayne his prerogatiue, inſomuch for that hee ſtyll defended his cauſe, and woulde not conſent to his will, Offa depri|ued him of all his poſſeſſions and reuenues that he helde or enioyed wythin any part of his do|minions. Neyther was Offa ſatiſfied herewith, but he alſo tooke into his handes the poſſeſſions of manye other Churches, and namely, hee fleeced the houſe of Malmeſburie of parte of hir reue|nues.Offa allyeth himſelfe with [...]ther Princes. Bycauſe of theſe and other his harde do|ings, doubting the malice of hys enimes, hee procured the friendſhip of forraine Princes. Vn|to Brightricke king of the Weſt Saxons hee gaue hys daughter Ethelburga in mariage. And ſending diuerſe Ambaſſadors ouer vnto Charles the great,Mat. VVeſt. that was both Emperour and king of Fraunce, at length he purchaſed his friendſhippe, although before there had depended a peece of diſ|pleaſure betwixt them,The enter|courſe of mar|chants ſtayed. inſomuch that the en|tercourſe for trade of Merchandize was ſtayed for a tyme.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 One of the Ambaſſadors that was ſent vnto the ſaid Charles (as is reported) was that famous clearke Albine,Alcuine an Engliſhmã. or Al [...]wine, by whoſe perſwaſion the ſame Charles [...] two Vniuerſities, as in place conuenient it may more largely appeare.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Finally king Offa (as it were for a meane to appeaſe Gods wrath, whiche hee doubted to bee iuſtly conceyued towardes him for his ſinnes and wickedneſſe) graunted the tenth part of all hys goodes vnto Church men, and to poore people. He alſo endowed the Church of Hereforde with great reuenues,Polidor. and as ſome write, he builded the Ab|bay of Bathe, placing Monkes in the ſame, of the order of Saint Benet, as before hee had done at Saint Albons.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Moreouer hee went vnto Rome, about the yeare of our Lorde .775. and there following the example of Inas King of the Weſt Saxons,775 he made his realme ſubiect by way of tribute vnto the Churche of Rome, appoynting that euerye houſe within the limits of his dominions ſhoulde yearely pay vnto the Apoſtolike Sea one pennie, which payment was after named Rome Scot,Peter p [...]nce, or Rome Scot. and Peter pens.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After hys returne from Rome,VVil. Malm. 797 percey|uing himſelfe to drawe into yeares, hee cauſed his Sonne Egfride to bee ordeyned King in hys lyfe tyme: and ſhortly after departing oute of this Worlde, lefte the Kingdome vnto hym, after hee had gouerned it by the ſpace of .xxxix. yeares.Offa departed this life.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Amongſt other the doings of this Offa which ſurely were great and marueylous, this may not paſſe with ſilence, that he cauſed a mightie greate ditch to be caſt betwixte the Marches of hys Countrey, and the Welche confines, to deuide thereby the boundes of their dominions.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 This Ditche was called Offeditch euer af|ter,Offditch. and ſtretched from the South ſide by Bry|ſtowe, vnder the Mountaynes of Wales, run|ning Northwarde ouer the Ryuers of Seuerne and Dee, vnto the verie mouth of Dee, where that Ryuer falleth into the Sea. Hee likewyſe buylded a Church in Warwikeſhire, whereof the towne there taketh name, and is called Offchurch euen to this day.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Egfred taking vpon him the rule, beganne to follow the approued good doings of his father,Egfride king of Mercia. and firſt reſtored vnto the Churches theyr aun|cient priuiledges, which his father ſometime had taken from them. Great hope was conceyued of hys further good proceedings, but death cut off the ſame, taking him out of this lyfe, after he had raigned the ſpace of foure Monethes, not for his owne offences (as was thought) but rather for that hys Father hadde cauſed ſo muche bloud to bee ſpylte for the confyrming of hym in the Kingdome, which ſo ſmall a time he nowe enioyed.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After that Eadbert or Egbert king of Nor|thumberlande was become a Monke,Eadbert king of Northum|berlande. 758 Simon Dun. H. Hunt. his ſonne Oſoulphus ſucceeded him: but after he had raig|ned onely one yeare, he was traterouſly murthe|red by his owne feruants at Mikilwong [...]on, on the .ix. Kalends of Auguſt.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Then ſucceeded one Molle, otherwiſe called Edilwold or Edilwald, but not immediately,Edilwold king of Northum|berland. Simon Dun. Henric. Hũt. for he began not his raigne till the Nones of Auguſt in the yeare following, which was after the byrth of our Sauior .759.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 This man proued right valiaunt in gouern|ment of his ſubiects. He ſlue in battaile an Earle of his Countrey named Oſwin, the which artea|ring warre agaynſt him, fought with him in a pight fielde at Eadwines Cliue, and receyued the worthie rewarde of rebellion.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 EEBO page image 196This chaunced in the third yeare of his raigne.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Shortly after, that is to witte in the yeare of our Lorde .764.Simon Dun. 764 there fel ſuch a marueylous great ſnowe, and therewith ſo extreeme a froſt, as the like had not beene heard of, continuing from the begynning of the Winter, almoſt tyll the midſt of the Spring, with the rygour whereof, trees and fruites wythered away, and loſt theyr liuely ſhape and growth: and not onely feathered foules, but alſo beaſtes on the lande, and fiſhes in the Sea dyed in great numbers. The ſame yeare died Ceolwulf ſomtyme king of Northumberlande, vnto whome Beda dyd dedicate his booke of Hyſtories of the Engliſh Nation. After that hee was become a Monke in the Monaſterie of Lyndiſferne,Monkes licen|ced to drinke wine. the Monkes of that houſe had ly|cence to drincke Wine, or Ale, where as be|fore they myght not drinke any other thing than milke, or water, by the ancient rule preſcribed thẽ of Biſhop Aydan firſt founder of the place.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The ſame yeare ſundrye Cities, Townes, and Monaſteryes were defaced and ſore wa|ſted with fyre chauncing on the ſodayne, as Stretehu, Giwento, Anwicke, London, Yorke, Doncaſter, and many other.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After that Molle had raigned .vj. yeares, he re|ſigned his kingdome. But other write that hee raigned .xj. yeares,VVil. Malm. and was in the ende ſlaine by treaſon of his ſucceſſor Altred.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Altred began his raigne in the yeare .765. as Simõ Dun. hath. Henric. Hũt. Mat. VVeſt. Ethelbert.This Altred raigned ten yeares ouer the Nor|thumbers, and was then expulſed out of his king|dome by his owne ſubiects.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Then was Ethelbert, named alſo Edelrede, the ſonne of the foreſayde Molle, made king of Northumberlande, and in the fifth yeare of hys raigne, he was dryuen oute of his kingdome by two Dukes of his Countrey, named Edelbalde, and Herebert, the whiche moouing warre againſt him, had ſlaine firſt Aldulfe the ſonne of Boſa the Generall of his armie at Kingeſclyffe, and after Kinewulfe, and Egga, other two of his Dukes, at Helatherne in a ſore foughten fielde, ſo that Ethelbert diſpayring of all recouerie, was con|ſtrayned to get him oute of the Countrey. And thus was the Kingdome of Northumberlande brought into a myſerable ſtate, by the ambi|tious working of the Princes and Nobles of the ſame.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After that Ethelbert King of Eaſt Angles was dead,H. Hunt. Iohn Cap|graue. Mat. VVeſt. and others. Ethelbert king of Eaſt angles. his ſonne Ethelbert ſucceeded hym, a Prince of great towardneſſe, and ſo vertuouſly brought vp by his fathers circumſpect care and diligence, that hee vtterly abhorred vice, and de|lighted onely in vertue and commendable exer|ciſes, for the better atteyning to knowledge and vnderſtanding of good ſciences. There remayne manye ſundrye ſayings and doyngs of hym, manyfeſtly bearing wytneſſe that there coulde not be a man more honourable, thankefull, curte|ous or gentle.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 Amongſt other he had this ſaying oftentimes in his mouth, That the greater that men [...],The [...] king [...] the more humble they ought to beare themſelues: for the Lorde putteth prowde and mightie [...] from theyr ſeates, and exalteth the humble and meeke. Moreouer he did not ſhew himſelfe one|ly wiſe in wordes, but deſired alſo to excell in|ſtayedneſſe of maners, and continencie of life: Whereby hee wanne to hym the heartes of hys people, who perceyuing that hee was nothing delighted in the companie of women, [...] therefore mynded not maryage, they of a ſin|gular loue and fauour towards him, required that he ſhuld in any wiſe yet take a wife, that he might haue iſſue to ſucceed him. At length the ma [...]ter beeing referred to hys Counſayle, hee was perſwaded to followe theyr aduices. And ſo Alfred the daughter of Offa King of Mercia was fiaunced to hym: ſo that he hymſelfe ap|poynted (for meane to procure more fauor at hys father in lawes hands) to go to fetch the bride frõ hir fathers houſe.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Manye ſtraunge things that happened to hym in taking vppon hym this iourney, putte hym in greate doubte of that whiche ſhoulde followe.Tokens of miſhap follow. Hee was no ſooner mounted on hys Horſe, but that (as ſeemed to hym) the earth ſhooke vnder him: Againe, as he was in his iour|ney, aboute the mydde tyme of the daye, ſuche a darke myſte compaſſed hym on eche ſide, that he coulde not ſee nor diſcerne for a certaine time a|ny thing aboute him at all: Laſtly, as hee lay [...] one night a ſleepe, hee thought hee ſawe in a dreame the roofe of his owne Palayce fall downe to the ground. But althoughe wyth theſe things hee was brought into greate feare,The [...] miſtruſted of no [...]. yet hee kept on his iourney, as hee that miſtruſted no deceyte, meaſuring other mens maners by his owne.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 King Offa right honourably receyued hym: but his wyfe named Qu [...]dred, a wyſe wo|man, but therewyth wic [...]d, conceyued a ma|licious deuiſe in hir heart, and ſtreyght wayes goeth aboute to perſwade hir huſbande to putte it in execution, which was to murther king E|thelbert, and after to take into hys handes hys Kingdome.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Offa at the firſte was offended wyth hys wyfe for thys motion, but in the ende through the importunate requeſt of the woman, hee con|ſented to hir minde.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The order of the murther was committed vnto one Wynnebert, Iohn Ca [...]. Wynnebert. that had ſerued both the ſayde Ethelbert and hys father before tyme, the whiche feyning as thoughe hee had beene ſent from Offa to will Ethelbert to come vnto EEBO page image 197 him in the night ſeaſon, [...]mon Dun. [...]th. 771. ſlue him that once miſ|truſted not any ſuch treaſon.

[figure appears here on page 197]

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 Offa hauing thus diſpatched Ethelbert, in|uaded his kingdome,Offa conque|reth Eaſt An|gles. and conquered it. But when the Bryde Alfreda vnderſtoode the death of hir liked Make and Bridegrome, ſhe abhorring the fact, did curſe father and mother, & as if were in|ſpired with the ſpirit of prophecie, ſhe pronounced that worthie puniſhment woulde ſhortly fall on hir wicked mother, for hir heynous crime cõmit|ted in perſwading ſo deteſtable a deede and ac|cording to hir wordes it came to paſſe, for hir mother dyed miſerably within three Monethes after.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Alfreda a Nunne. Beda. Mat. VVeſt. The Mayde Alfreda refuſing the worlde, pro|feſſed hirſelfe a Nunne at Crowlande, the which place beganne to waxe famous aboute the yeare of our Lorde .695. by the meanes of one Gut|lake a man eſteemed of great vertue and holy|neſſe, which choſe to himſelfe an habitation there, and departing this lyfe about the yeare of oure Lorde .714. was buried in that place, where af|terwardes an Abbay of Monkes was builded of Saint Benets order.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The bodie of king Ethelbert at length was buried at Hereford, though firſt it was committed to b [...]riall in a vile place, [...] to the banke of a riuer called Lugge.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The kingdome of Eaſt Angles from thence|forth was brought ſo into decay, that it remay|ned ſubiect one while vnto them of Mercia, an o|ther while vnto the weſt Saxons and ſomewhile vnto them of Kent, till that Edmonde ſurnamed the Martyr obteyned the gouernment thereof, (as after ſhall appeare.)

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After that Selred king of Eaſt Saxons had gouerned the tearme of .xxxviij. yeares,H. Hunt. hee was ſlaine, but in what maner, wryters haue not expreſſed.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After him ſucceeded one Swithed, or Swi|thred, the .xj. and laſt in number that particu|larly gouerned thoſe people. He was finally ex|pulſed by Egbert king of Weſt Saxons, the ſame yeare that the ſayde Egbert ouercame the Kentiſh men (as after ſhall be ſhewed) and ſo the kings of that kingdom of the Eaſt Saxons ceaſ|ſed and tooke ende.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 About this time,Friſwide a virgine. there was a Mayde in Ox|forde named Friſwide, daughter to a certaine Duke or Noble man called Didanus, wyth whom one Algarus a Prince in thoſe parties fell in loue, and woulde haue rauiſhed hir, but God the reuenger of ſinnes was at hande as hir ſtorie ſayth. For when Algar followed the mayd that fled before him, ſhe getting into the towne, the gate was ſhutte agaynſt him, and his ſight alſo was ſodainly taken from him. But the Mayde by hir prayers pacifyed Gods wrath towardes him, ſo that his ſight was to him againe reſto|red. But whether this bee a fable or a true tale, hereof grewe the report that the kings of thys Realme long tymes after were afrayde to en|ter into the Citie of Oxforde. So eaſily is the minde of man turned to ſuperſtition, as ſayth Polidore.

5.86. Kinewulfe.

Kinewulfe.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Kine|wulfe. Hen. Hunt. [figure appears here on page 197] AFter that the Weſt Sax|ons had depriued theyr vnprofita|ble King Sigi|bert, they aduan|ced one Kine|wulfe or Cine|vulfus, yt which began his raigne aboute the yeare of our Lorde .756. which was in the .xvj. 756 Simon Dun. hath. 755. yeare of the Emperour Conſtantinus, ſurnamed Co|pronimos, in the .vj. yeare of the raigne of Pipin| [...]ing of France, and about the .xxij. yeare of Eth|fine king of Scottes.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 This Kinewulfe proued a right worthee and valiant Prince, and was deſcended of the [...]ght line of Cerdicius.The Brytayns vanquiſhed. Hee obteyned great victories agaynſt the Brytaynes or Welchmen, but at Benſington or Benton; he loſt a battaile again [...] Offa King of Mercia, in the .xxiiij. yeare of hys raigne: and from that time forwarde [...] ma|ny diſpleaſures, at length through his owne fol|ly hee came vnto a ſhamefull ende: for where as he had raigned a long time neyther ſlouthful|ly nor preſumptuouſly, yet nowe as it were ad|uaunced with the glorie of things paſſed, hee ey|ther thought that nothing coulde go againſt him; or elſe doubted the ſuretie of their ſtate whom he ſhould leaue behind him, and therefore he confined one Kineard the brother of Sigibert, whoſe fame hee perceyued to encreaſe more than hee woulde haue wiſhed.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 EEBO page image 198This Kinearde diſſembling the matter, as hee that coulde giue place to tyme, gotte him out of the Countrey, and after by a ſecrete con|ſpiracie aſſembled togyther a knotte of vngra|cious companie, and returning priuily into the Countrey againe, watched his tyme, till he eſpied that the King wyth a ſmall number of his ſer|uauntes was come vnto the houſe of a Noble woman whome hee kept as Paramour at Mer|ton, whervpon the ſayd Kineard vpon the ſodain beſet the houſe-round about.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 The King perceyuing himſelfe thus beſie|ged of his enimies, at the firſt cauſed the doores to be ſhutte, ſuppoſing eyther by curteous wordes to appeaſe his enimies, or wyth his Princely au|thoritie to put them in feare. But when he ſawe that by neyther meane hee coulde doe good, in a great chaufe he brake forth of the houſe vpon Ki|neard, and went verie neare to haue killed him: but beeing compaſſed aboute with multitude of enimies, whyleſt hee ſtoode at defence, thin|kyng it a diſhonour for hym to flie,K [...]newuif ſlain by conſpi|rators. hee was bea|ten downe and ſlaine, togyther with thoſe fewe of his ſeruauntes which hee had there with hym, who choſe rather to die in ſeeking reuenge of their maiſters death, than by cowardice to yeeld them|ſelues into the murtherers handes. There eſca|ped none excepte one Welchman or Bry|tayne, an Hoſtage who was neuertheleſſe ſore wounded.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The bruyte of ſuche an heynous acte was ſtreyght wayes blowen ouer all, and brought with ſpeede to the eares of the Noble men and Peeres of the Realme, whiche were not farre off the place where this ſlaughter had beene commit|ted. Amongeſt other, one Oſrike, for his age and wiſedome accounted of moſt authoritie, exhor|ted the reſidue that in no wyſe they ſhoulde ſuf|fer the death of their ſoueraigne Lorde to paſſe vnpuniſhed vnto theyr perpetuall ſhame and re|proufe. Wherevpon in all haſte they ranne to the place where they knew to finde Kineard, who at the fyrſt beganne to pleade hys cauſe, to make large promiſes, to pretende couſynage, and ſo forth: but when he perceyued all that hee coulde ſay or doe might not preuaile, hee encouraged his companie to ſhewe themſelues valyaunt, and to reſyſt theyr enimyes to the vttermoſte of theyr powers.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Herevpon followed a doubtfull fight, the one part ſtryuing to ſaue theyr lyues, and the other to attaine honour, and puniſh the ſlaughter of theyr ſoueraigne Lorde. At length the victorie reſted on the ſide where the right was, ſo that the wic|ked murtherer after hee had fought a while, at length was ſlaine, togyther w [...]th foureſcore and eight of his Mates.Sim. Dunel. H. Hunt. The Kings bodie was bu|ried at Wincheſter, and the murtherers at Re|pingdon. Suche was the ende of King Kine|wulfe, after hee had raigned the tearme of .xxxi. yeares.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 In the yeare of our Lorde .786. Bede. [...] Magd. 785. H. [...] Lega [...] [...] the Pope. or as Hariſon hath .787. Pope Adrian ſent two Lega [...] [...] Englande, Gregorie (or as ſome C [...]pi [...] haue George) Biſhop of Oſtia, and Theophilactus bi|ſhop of Tuderto, with letters commendatory vn|to Offa king of Mercia, and vnto Alfwolde king of Northumberlande, and likewiſe to Ieanbright or Lambert Archbiſhop of Canterburie, and to Eaubald Archbiſhop of Yorke.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Theſe Legates were gladly receyued, not only by the foreſayde Kings & Archbiſhops, but alſo of all other the high eſtares, aſwel ſpiritual and tem|poral of the lande, and namely of Kinewulfe king of the Weſt Saxons, which repayred vnto king Offa to take counſaile with him for reformation of ſuche articles as were conteyned in the Popes letters.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 There were .xx. ſeuerall articles whiche they had to propone on the Popes behalfe,Twentie a [...]ti|cles which the Legates had to propone. as touching the receyuing of the faith or articles eſtabliſhed by the Nicene Coũcel, & obeying of the other general Councels with inſtructions concerning baptiſme and keeping of Synodes yearely, for the exami|nation of Prieſtes and Miniſters, and reforming of naughtie liuers.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Moreouer touching diſcretion to be vſed in the admitting of gouernors in Monaſteries, and Cu|rates or prieſts to the miniſterie in Churches: and further for the behauior of prieſts in wearing their apparell, namely that they ſhould not preſume to come to the aulter bare legged, leaſt their diſho|neſtie might be diſcouered. And that in no wiſ [...] the Chalice or Paten were made of the borne of an Oxe, bycauſe the ſame is bloudie of nature, nor the hoſt of a cruſt, but of pure bread.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Alſo whereas Biſhops vſed to ſitte in Coun|cels to iudge in ſecular cauſes, they were nowe forbidden ſo to doe.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Many other things were for meane of refor|mation artycled both for ſpirituall cauſes, and al|ſo concerning ciuill ordinaunces, as diſſenabling children to be heyres to the parentes, whiche by them were not begotte in lawfull matrimonie, but on cõcubines,Nunnes con|cubines. whether they were Nunnes or ſecular women.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Alſo of paymẽt of tithes, performing of vowes, auoyding of vndecent apparell, and aboliſhing of all maner of Ethniſh vſages and cuſtomes that ſounded contrarie to the order of Chriſtianitie,Curtayling horſes. as curtayling Horſes, and eating of Horſes fleſh.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Theſe things with many other expreſſed in .xx. principal articles (as we haue ſayd) were firſt con|cluded to be receyued by the Church of the Nor|thumbers, in a Councell holden there, & ſubſcribed by Alfwold king of the Northũbers by Delberke EEBO page image 199 Biſhop of Hexham by Eaubalde Archbiſhop of Yorke, Hygwalde Byſhop of Lyndiſferne, Edel|bert Biſhop of Whiterne, Aldulfe Byſhoppe of Myeth. Ethelwyne alſo an other Byſhop by his deputies, with a number of other of the Clergie, and Lordes alſo of the temporaltie, as Duke Al|rike, Duke Segwulfe, Abbot Aldberi [...]ke, and Ab|bot Erhard.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After this confirmation had of the Northum|bers, there was alſo a counſell holden in Mercia, at Cealtide in the which theſe perſons ſubſcribed, Iambert or Lambert Archbiſhop of Canterbu|rie, Offa King of Mercia, Hughbright Biſhop of Lichfield, Edeulfe Biſhoppe of Faron, with Vn|wone Biſhop of Ligor, and nine other Biſhops beſide Abbots, and three Dukes, as Brorda, Far|walde, and Bercoald, with Earle Othbalde.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 But nowe to returne backe to ſpeake of other doings, as in other parties of this lande they fell out.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 764Aboute the yeare of our Lorde .764. the Sea of Canterburie beeing voyde, one Iambert or Lambert was elected Archbiſhop there, and in the yeare .766. the Archbiſhop of Yorke Egbert de|parted this lyfe,Simon Dun. hath .780. in whoſe place one Adelbert ſuc|ceeded.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 About the .xxv. yeare of Kynwulfe king of Weſt Saxons,Simon Dun. the Northumbers hauing to their captaynes two noble men, Oſbalde and Ethel|herard, burned one of their Iudges named Bearn, [figure appears here on page 199] bycauſe hee was more cruell in iudgement (as they tooke the matter) than reaſon requyred.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The ſame tyme, one Aſwalde or Alfewolde, raigned ouer the Northumbers, beeing admit|ted King, after that Ethelbert was expulſed, and when the ſame Alfwolde had raigned tenne, (or as other haue .xj.) yeares, he was trayterouſ|ly,He begin his raigne Anno 779 as hath Simon Dunel. and raigned but ten yeares. and without all guilt made away, and mur|thered by his owne people. The chiefe conſpi|ratour was named Siga, and his bodie was bu|ried at Hexam.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The ſame Alfwolde was a iuſt Prince, and worthilye gouerned the Northumbers to hys highe prayſe and commendation. He was mur|thered (as before yee haue hearde,) the .xxiij. of September, in the yeare of our Lorde .788.

788

Mat. VVeſt. Simon Dun.

792

Compare 1587 edition: 1 In the yeare .792. Charles king of Fraunce ſent into Brytaine a booke which had beene ſent vnto him from Conſtantinople, conteyning cer|taine articles agreed vpon in a Synode (wherein were preſent aboue the number of three hundred Biſhops) quite contrarie and diſagreeing from the true fayth, namely in thys, that Images ought to be worſhipped, which the Church of god vtterly abhorreth. Agaynſt this booke Albinus that famous Clearke wrote a treatiſe confirmed with places taken out of holy Scripture, whiche treatiſe with the booke in name of all the Biſhops and Princes of Brytayne, he preſented vnto the king of Fraunce.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 In the yeare .800. on Chriſtmaſſe euen chan|ced, a marueylous tempeſt of winde,Simon Dun. 800 which ouer|threw whole Cities and townes in diuers places, and trees in greate number, beſide other harmes which it did, as by death of Cattell. &c. In the yeare following a great part of the Citie of Lon|don was conſumed by fire.

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6.3. Cuthred king of the Westsaxons, he is greatlie troubled by Ethelbald king of Mercia, they are pacified; Kenric king Cuth|reds sonne slaine, earle Adelme rebelleth against him whom the king pardoneth; Cuthred fighteth with Ethelbald at Hereford, he hath the victorie, he falleth sicke and dieth; Sigebert succedeth him in the kingdome, he is cruell to his people, he is expelled from his roiall estate, mur|ther reuenged with murther, succession in the kingdome of Eastangles, kings change their crownes for moonks cowles; the Britaines subiect to the king of Northumberland and the king of Picts, the moone eclipsed. The third Chapter.

Cuthred king of the Westsaxons, he is greatlie troubled by Ethelbald king of Mercia, they are pacified; Kenric king Cuth|reds sonne slaine, earle Adelme rebelleth against him whom the king pardoneth; Cuthred fighteth with Ethelbald at Hereford, he hath the victorie, he falleth sicke and dieth; Sigebert succedeth him in the kingdome, he is cruell to his people, he is expelled from his roiall estate, mur|ther reuenged with murther, succession in the kingdome of Eastangles, kings change their crownes for moonks cowles; the Britaines subiect to the king of Northumberland and the king of Picts, the moone eclipsed. The third Chapter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 _AFter the decease of Ethelard king of Westsaxons,Cuthred. his coosine Cuthred was made king and gouernour of those people, reigning the tearme of 16 yéeres. He began his reigne in the EEBO page image 131 yeere of our Lord 740, in the twentie fourth yere of the emperour Leo Isaurus,740 in the 14 yéere of the reigne of the second Theodorus Cala K. of France, and about the 6 yéere of Ethfine king of Scots. This Cuthred had much to doo against Edilbald king of Mercia,Matt. West. Hen. Hunt. who one while with stirrin [...] his owne sub|iects the Westsaxons to rebellion, an other while with open warre, and sometime by secret craft and subtill practises sought to disquiet him. Howbeit, in the fourth yeere of his reigne, a peace as con|cluded betwixt them, and then ioining their powers togither, they went against the Welshmen, & gaue them a great ouerthrow, as before is partlie tou|ched.Kenric the kings sonne slaine. In the 9 yeere of this Cuthreds reigne, his sonne Kenric was slaine in a seditious tumult a|mongst his men of warre, a gentleman yoong in yeeres,749 Matth. West. but of a stout courage, and verie forward, wherby (as was thought) he came the sooner to his wofull end.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 In the 11 yeere of his reigne,751 Cuthred had wars against one of his earls called Adelme, who raising a commotion against him, aduentured to giue battell though he had the smaller number of men, and yet was at point to haue gone away with victorie, if by a wound at that instant receiued, his periurie had not béene punished, and the kings iust cause aduan|ced to triumph ouer his aduersarie, whom yet by way of reconciliation he pardoned. In the 13 yeere of his reigne, king Cuthred being not well able to susteine the proud exactions and hard dooings of Edilbald752 Matt. West. king of Mercia, raised his power, and encountered with the same Edilbald at Hereford, hauing before him the said earle Adelme, in whose valiant prowesse he put great hope to atteine victorie: neither was he deceiued, for by the stout conduct and noble cou|rage of the said Adelme, the loftie pride of king Edel|bald was abated,K. Edilbald put to flight. so that he was there put to flight, and all his armie discomfited, after sore and terrible fight continued and mainteined euen to the vtter|most point. In the 24 yeere of his reigne, this Cuth|red fougth eftsoones with the Welshmen, and obtei|ned the vpper hand, without anie great losse of his people: for the enimies were easilie put to flight and chased, to their owne destruction. In the yeere after, king Cuthred fell sicke, and in the 16 yéere of his reigne he departed this life, after so manie great victories got against his enimies.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 AFter him succéeded one Sigibert,Sigibert. a cruell and vnmercifull prince at home, but yet a coward abroad. This Sigbert or Sigibert be|gan his reigne in the yeare of our Lord 755,755 ve|rie néere ended. He intreated his subiects verie euill, setting law and reason at naught. He could not abide to heare his faults told him, and therefore he cruellie put to death an earle named Cumbra, which was of his councell, and faithfullie admoni|shed him to reforme his euill dooings: wherevpon the rest of his nobles assembled themselues togither with a great multitude of people, and expelled him out of his estate in the beginning of the second, or (as some say) the first yeare of his reigne. Then Si|gibert, as he was fearefull of nature fearing to be apprehended, got him into the wood called as then Andredeswald, and there hid himselfe, but by chance a swineheard that belonged to the late earle Cum|bra at Priuetsfloud found him out, and perceiuing what he was, slue him in reuenge of his maisters death.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 ¶Lo here you may sée how the righteous iustice of God rewardeth wicked dooings in this world with worthie recompense, as well as in the world to come, appointing euill princes sometimes to reigne for the punishment of the people, according as they deserue, permitting some of them to haue gouerne|ment a long time, that both the froward nations may suffer long for their sins, and that such wicked princes may in an other world tast to more bitter torments. Againe, other he taketh out of the waie, that the people may be deliuered from oppression, and also that the naughtie ruler for his misdemea|nour may spéedilie receiue due punishment.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 AFter Beorne king of Eastangles one Ethel|red succéeded in gouernment of that kingdomeEthelred. a man noted to be of good and vertuous qualities, in that he brought vp his sonne Ethelred738 (which succéeded him) so in the feare of the Lord, that he prooued a right godlie prince. This Ethelbert reig|ned (as writers say) the terme of 52 yeares.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 After that Ceolvulfe king of Northumberland was become a moonke in the abbie of Lindesferne,Egbert king of Northum|berland. 758 his vncles sonnes Egbert (by order taken by the said Ceolvulfe) succeeded him in the kingdome, and go|uerned the same right woorthilie for the terme of 24 yeares, and then became a moonke, by the example both of his predecessor the forsaid Ceoldulfe, and also of diuers other kings in those daies,Changing of crownes for moonkes cowles. so that he was the eight king who in this land had changed a kings crowne for a moonks cowle (as Simon Dunel. wri|teth.)

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 This Egbert (in the 18 yeare of his reigne) and Ungust king of Picts came to the citie of Alcluid with their armies,756 and there receiued the Britains into their subiection, the first day of August: but the tenth day of the same month, the armie which he led from Ouan vnto Newbourgh, was for the more part lost and destroied. ¶The same yeare on the 8 kalends of December, the moone being as then in hir full, appeared to be of a bloudie colour, but at length she came to hir accustomed shew, after a maruellous meanes, for a starre which followed hir, passed by hir, & went before hir, the like distãce as it kept in following hir before she lost hir vsuall light.

6.4. Offa king of Mercia, his manhood and victories against the Kentishmen and Westsaxons, he killeth Egilbert king, of East|angles by a policie or subtill deuise of profered cur|tesie, he inuadeth his kingdome, and possesseth it, the archbishops see of Canturburie remoued to Lichfield; archbi|shop Lambert laboring to defend his prerogatiue is depriued by king Offa, he seizeth vpon churches and religious houses; mistrusting his estate, he alieth himselfe with other prin|ces; he maketh amends for the wrongs that he had doone to churches and religious houses, he goeth to Rome, ma|keth his realme tributarie to the said see, Peter pence paid, he falleth sicke and dieth, places to this day bearing his name in memo|rie of him, the short reigne of his sonne. The fourth Chapter.

Offa king of Mercia, his manhood and victories against the Kentishmen and Westsaxons, he killeth Egilbert king, of East|angles by a policie or subtill deuise of profered cur|tesie, he inuadeth his kingdome, and possesseth it, the archbishops see of Canturburie remoued to Lichfield; archbi|shop Lambert laboring to defend his prerogatiue is depriued by king Offa, he seizeth vpon churches and religious houses; mistrusting his estate, he alieth himselfe with other prin|ces; he maketh amends for the wrongs that he had doone to churches and religious houses, he goeth to Rome, ma|keth his realme tributarie to the said see, Peter pence paid, he falleth sicke and dieth, places to this day bearing his name in memo|rie of him, the short reigne of his sonne. The fourth Chapter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 _AFter that Offa had slaien Bernred the vsurper of theOffa. kingdome of Mercia (as be|fore is mentioned) the same Offa tooke vpon him the go|uernment of that kingdome 758,758 Matth. West. a man of such stoutnesse of stomach, that he thought he should be able to bring to passe all things what|soeuer he conceiued in his mind. He reigned 39 yeares. His dooings were great and maruellous,Wil. Malm. and such as some times his vertues surpassed his vi|ces,The victories of king Offa. Matth. West. 779 and sometime againe his vices séemed to ouer|match his vertues. He ouercame the Kentishmen in a great battell at Otteford, and the Northum|bers also were by him vanquished, and in battell put to flight. With Kenvulfe king of Westsaxons he EEBO page image 132 fought in open battell, and obteined a noble victo|rie, with small losse of his people, although the same Kenwulfe was a right valiant prince, and a good capteine.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 Againe, perceiuing that to procéed with craft, should sooner aduance his purpose, than to vse open force against Egilbert king of Eastangles,Falsehood in fellowship. vnder faire promises to giue vnto him his daughter in ma|riage, he allured him to come into Mercia, and re|ceiuing him into his palace, caused his head to be striken off, and after by wrongfull meanes inuaded his kingdome, and got it into his possession: yet he caused the bones of the first martyr of this land saint Albane (by a miraculous meanes brought to light) to be taken vp, and put in a rich shrine ador|ned with gold and stone, building a goodlie church of excellent woorkmanship, and founding a mona|sterie in that place in honor of the same saint,The archbi|shops sée re|moued from Canturburie to Lichfield. which he indowed with great possessions. He remoued the archbishops see from Canturburie vnto Lichfield, thereby to aduance his kingdome of Mercia, as well in dignitie & preheminence of spirituall power as temporall. He made great suit to bring his pur|pose to passe in the court of Rome, and at length by great gifts and rewards obteined it at the hands of pope Adrian the first, then gouerning the Romane sée.785 Matt. VVest. And so Eadulfus then bishop of Lichfield was ad|orned with the pall, and taken for archbishop, ha|uing all those bishops within the limits of king Offa his dominion suffragans vnto him; namelie, Dene|bertus bishop of Worcester, Werebertus bishop of Chester, Eadulfus bishop of Dorcester, Wilnar|dus bishop of Hereford, Halard bishop of Elsham, and Cedferth bishop of Donwich. There remained onelie to the archbishop of Canturburie, the bishops of London, Winchester, Rochester, and Shire|burne.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 This separation continued all the life time of the archbishop Lambert,The archbi|shop Lambert defended his cause. although he trauelled earnest|lie to mainteine his prerogatiue. Now, for that he still defended his cause, and would not reuolt from his will, Offa depriued him of all his possessions & reuenues that he held or inioied within anie part of his dominions. Neither was Offa satisfied here|with, but he also tooke into his hands the possessions of manie other churches, and fléeced the house of Malmesburie of a part of hir reuenues.Offa alieth himselfe with other princes. Because of these & other his hard dooings, doubting the malice of his enimies, he procured the friendship of forren princes. Unto Brightricke king of the Westsaxons he gaue his daugther Ethelburga in mariage. And sending diuers ambassadours ouer vnto Charles the great,Matt. Westm. that was both emperor & king of France, he purchased his friendship at length, athough before there had depended a péece of displeasure betwixt them,The inter|course of mer|chants staied. insomuch that the intercourse for trade of merchandize was staied for a time. One of the am|bassadours that was sent vnto the said Charles (as is reported)Alcwine an Englishman. was that famous clearke Albine or Alc|wine, by whose persuasion the same Charles erec|ted two vniuersities, as in place due and conue|nient may more largelie appeare.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 Finallie king Offa (as it were for a meane to appease Gods wrath, which he doubted to be iustlie conceiued towards him for his sinnes and wicked|nesse) granted the tenth part of all his goods vnto churchmen, and to poore people. He also indowed the church of Hereford with great reuenues,Polydor. and (as some write) he builded the abbeie of Bath, pla|cing moonkes in the same, of the order of saint Be|net, as before he had doone at saint Albons. More|ouer he went vnto Rome, about the yeare of our Lord 775,775 and there following the example of Inas kign of the Westsaxons, made his realme subiect by way of tribute vnto the church of Rome, appoin|ting that euerie house within the limits of his domi|nions, should yearelie pay vnto the apostolike see one pennie, which paiment was after named,Peter pence or Rome Scot. Rome Scot, and Peter pence. After his returne from Rome, percei [...]ing himselfe to draw into yeares, he caused his sonne Egfrid to be ordeined king in his life time:Will. Malm [...]. 797 and shortlie after departing out of this world,Offa departed this life. left the kingdome vnto him, after he had go|uerned it by the space of 39 yeares.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 Amongst other the dooings of this Offa, which suer|lie were great and maruellous, this may not passe with silence, that he caused a mightie great ditch t [...] be cast betwixt the marshes of his countrie, and the Welsh confines, to diuide thereby the bounds of their dominions.Of [...]ditch. This ditch was called Offditch euer after, and stretched from the south side by Bri|stow, vnder the mountaines of Wales, running northward ouer the riuers of Seuerne and Dée, vn|to the verie mouth of Dee, where that riuer falleth into the sea. He likewise builded a church in War|wikeshire, whereof the towne there taketh name, and is called Offchurch euen to this day. Egfrid taking vpon him rule,Egfrid king of Mercia. began to follow the ap|prooued good dooings of his father, and first restored vnto the churches their ancient priuileges, which his father sometimes had taken from them. Great hope was conceiued of his further good procéeding, but death cut off the same, taking him out of this life, after he had reigned the space of foure moneths, not for his owne offenses (as was thought) but rather for that his father had caused so much bloud to be spilt for the confirming of him in the kingdome, which so small a time he new inioied.

6.5. Osulph king of Northumberland trai|torouslie murthered, Edilwald succeedeth him, the reward of rebellion, a great mortali|tie of foules fishes and fruits, moonkes licenced to drinke wine, great wast by fire, Edelred king of Northumberland is driuen out of his countrie by two dukes of the same, Ethelbert king of the Eastangles commended for his vertues, Alfred the daughter of king Mercia is affianced to him, tokens of missehaps towards him, his destruction inten|ded by queene Quendred, hir platforme of the pactise to kill him, Offa inuadeth Ethelberts kingdome, Alfred his betrothed wife taketh his death greuouslie, and becommeth a nun, the decaie of the kingdome of Eastangles, succes|sion in the regiment of the Westsaxons, the end of the gouernement of the Eastsaxons, prince Algar is smitten blind for seeking to ra|uish virgine Friswide, and at hir praiers restored to his sight. The fift Chapter.

Osulph king of Northumberland trai|torouslie murthered, Edilwald succeedeth him, the reward of rebellion, a great mortali|tie of foules fishes and fruits, moonkes licenced to drinke wine, great wast by fire, Edelred king of Northumberland is driuen out of his countrie by two dukes of the same, Ethelbert king of the Eastangles commended for his vertues, Alfred the daughter of king Mercia is affianced to him, tokens of missehaps towards him, his destruction inten|ded by queene Quendred, hir platforme of the pactise to kill him, Offa inuadeth Ethelberts kingdome, Alfred his betrothed wife taketh his death greuouslie, and becommeth a nun, the decaie of the kingdome of Eastangles, succes|sion in the regiment of the Westsaxons, the end of the gouernement of the Eastsaxons, prince Algar is smitten blind for seeking to ra|uish virgine Friswide, and at hir praiers restored to his sight. The fift Chapter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 _WHen Eadbert or Egbert K.Eadbert of Northumberland was become a moonke,king of Nor|thumberland. 758 his sonne Osulphus succéeded him: but after he had reigned one|lie one yeare, he was traito|rouslie murthered by his owne seruants at Mikil|wongton,Simon Dun. Hen. Hunt. on the 9 kalends of August. Then suc|céeded one Moll, otherwise called Edilwold or E|dilwald,Edilw [...]ld king of Nor|thumberland Simon Dun. Henr. Hunt. but not immediatlie, for he began not his reigne till the nones of August in the yeare follow|ing, which was after the birth of our sauiour 759.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 This man prooued right valiant in gouernement of his subiects. He slue in battell an earle of his countrie named Oswin, who arrearing warre a|gainst him, fought with him in a pitcht field at Ead|wines Cliue, and receiued the worthie reward of rebellion.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 EEBO page image 133 This chanced in the third yeare of his reigne, and shortlie after,Simon Dun. 764 that is to say, in the yeare of our Lord 764, there fell such a maruellous great snow, and therwith so extreame a frost, as the like had not béene heard of, continuing from the beginning of the wintes, almost till the middest of the spring, with the rigour whereof, trees and fruits withered awaie, and lost their liuelie shape and growth: and not onelie feathered foules, but also beasts on the land, & fishes in the sea died in great numbers. The same yeare died Cedlwulf then king of Northum|berland, vnto whome Beda did dedicate his booke of histories of the English nation. After that he was become a moonke in the monasterie of Lindesferne,Moonks li|cenced to drinke wine. the moonks of that house had licence to drinke wine, or ale, whereas before they might not drinke anie other thing than milke, or water, by the ancient rule prescribed them of the bishop of Aidan first founder of the place. The same yeare sundrie cities, townes, and monasteries were defaced and sore wasted with fier chancing on the sudden, as Stretehu, Giwento Anwicke, London, Yorke, Doncaster, &c.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 After that Moll had reigned 6 yeares, he resig|ned his kingdome. But other write that he reigned 11 yeares, Wil. Malm. Altred began his reigne in the yeare 765 a [...] Sim. Dun. saith. Hent. Hunt. Matt. West. Ethelbert. and was in the end slaine by treason of his successor Altred. This Altred reigned ten years ouer the Northumbers, and was then expelled out of his kingdome by his owne subiects. Then was Ethelbert, named also Edelred, the sonne of the foresaid Moll, made king of Northumberland, and in the fift yeare of his reigne, he was driuen out of his kingdome by two dukes of his countrie named Edelbald and Herebert, who mouing warre against him, had slaine first Aldulfe the sonne of Bosa the generall of his armie at Kingescliffe; and after Ki|newulfe and Egga, other two of his dukes, at He|latherne in a sore foughten field: so that Ethelbert despairing of all recouerie, was constrained to get him out of the countrie. And thus was the king|dome of Northumberland brought into a miserable state, by the ambitious working of the princes and nobles of the same.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 After that Ethelbert king of Eastangles was dead, H. Hunt. Iohn Cap. graue. Matth. West. and others. Ethelbert king of East|angles. his sonne Ethelbert succéeded him, a prince of great towardnesse, and so vertuouslie brought vp by his fathers circumspect care and diligence, that he vtterlie abhorred vice, and delighted onelie in vertue and commendable exercises, for the better atteining to knowledge and vnderstanding of good sciences. There remaine manie sundrie saiengs & dooings of him, manifestlie bearing witnesse that there could not be a man more honorable, thanke|full,The saieng of king Ethel|bert. courteous or gentle. Amongest other he had this saieng oftentimes in his mouth, that the greater that men were, the more humble they ought to beare themselues: for the Lord putteth proud and migh|tie men from their seates, and exalteth the humble and méeke.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Moreouer he did not onelie shew himselfe wise in words, but desired also to excell in staiednesse of ma|ners, and continencie of life. Whereby he wan to him the hearts of his people, who perceiuing that he was nothing delighted in the companie of women, and therefore minded not mariage, they of a singu|lar loue and fauour towards him, required that he should in anie wise yet take a wife, that he might haue issue to succéed him. At length the matter be|ing referred to his councell, he was persuaded to follow their aduises. And so Alfreda the daughter of Offa king of Mercia was affianced to him: so that he himselfe appointed (as meanes to procure more fauour at his father in lawes hands) to go fetch the bride from hir fathers house.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Manie strange things that happened to him in ta|king vpon him this iournie, put him in great doubt of that which should follow: He was no sooner moun|ted on his horsse,Tokens of mishap to fol|low. but that (as seemed to him) the earth shooke vnder him: againe, as he was in his iournie, abou [...] the mid-time of the day such a darke mist com|passed him on ech side, that he could not sée nordis|corne for a certeine time anie thing about him at all: lastlie, as he la [...] one night asléepe, he thought he saw in a dreame the roofe of his owne palace fall downe to the ground. But though with these things he was brought into great feare, yet he kept on his iournie,The innocent mistrustfull of no euill. as he that mistrusted no deceit, measuring other mens maners by his owne. King Offa right honourablie receiued him: but his wife named [...]uendred, a wise woman, but therewith wicked, conceiued a malicious deuise in hir hart, & streight|waies went about to persuade hir husband to put it in execution, which was to murther king Ethelbert, and after to take into his hands his kingdome.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 Offa at the first was offended with his wife for this motion, but in the end, through the importunate request of the woman, he consented to hir mind. The order of the murther was committed vnto one Iohn Capgr. Winnebert. Winnebert, that had serued both the said Ethelbert & his father before time, the which feining as though he had béene sent from Offa to will Ethelbert to come vnto him in the night season, slue him that once mistrusted not anie such treason. Sim. Dun. saith 771. Offa conque|reth Eastan|gles. Offa hauing thus dispatched Ethelbert, inuaded his kingdome, and conquered it.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 But when the bride Alfreda vnderstood the death of hir liked make and bridegroome, abhorring the fact, she curssed father and mother, and as it were in|spired with the spirit of prophesie, pronounced that woorthie punishment would shortlie fall on hir wic|ked mother for hir heinous crime committed in per|suading so detestable a déed: and according to hir woords it came to passe, for hir mother died misera|blie within three moneths after.Alfreda a nun Beda. Matth. West. The maid Alfreda refusing the world, professed hirselfe a nun at Crow|land, the which place began to wax famous about the yéere of our Lord 695, by the meanes of one Gut|lake, a man esteemed of great vertue and holinesse, which chose to himselfe an habitation there, and de|parting this life about the yéere of our Lord 714, was buried in that place, where afterwards an ab|beie of moonks was builded of saint Benets order. The bodie of K. Ethelbert at length was buried at Hereford, though first it was committed to buriall in a vile place, néere to the banke of a riuer called Lug.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 The kingdome of Eastangles from thencefoorth was brought so into decaie, that it remained subiect one while vnto them of Mercia, an other while vnto the Westsaxons, and somewhile vnto them of Kent, till that Edmund surnamed the martyr got the gouernment thereof (as after shall appéere.) After that Selred king of the Eastsaxons had gouerned the tearme of 38 yéeres,H. Hunt. he was slaine, but in what maner, writers haue not expressed. After him succée|ded one Swithed or Swithred, the 11 and last in number that particularlie gouerned those people. He was finallie expelled by Egbert K. of Westsaxons, the same yéere that the said Egbert ouercame the Kentishmen (as after shall be shewed) and so the kings of that kingdome of the Eastsaxons ceassed adn tooke end.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 ¶About this time,Friswide a virgine. there was a maid in Oxford named Friswide, daughter to a certeine duke of noble man called Didanus, with whome one Algar a prince in those parties fell in loue, and would haue rauished hir, but God the reuenger of sinnes was at hand (as the storie saith.) For when Algar followed the maid that fled before him, she getting into the EEBO page image 134 towne, the gate was shut against him, and his sight also was suddenlie taken from him. But the maid by hir praiers pacified Gods wrath towards him, so that his sight was againe restored to him. But [...]he|ther this be a fable or a true tale, héereof grew the re|port, that the kings of the realme long times after were afraid to enter into the citie of Oxford. So easi|lie is the mind of man turned to superstition (as saith Polydor.)