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7.10. London & other great cities & townes submit themselues to Cnute, be hasteth af|ter Edmund with his power, both their armies being readie to incounter by occasion are staied, the oration of a capteine in the hearing of both hosts; the title and right of the realme of England is put to the triall of combat betweene Cnute and Edmund, Cnute is ouermat [...]ched, his woords to king Edmund, both kings are pacified and their armies accorded, the realme diuided betwixt Cnute and Edmund, king Edmund traitorouslie slaine, the dissonant re|port of writers touching the maners of his death and both the kings dealing about the partition of the realme, Cnute causeth Edrike to be slaine for procuring king Edmunds death, where|in the reward of treason is noted; how long king Edmund reigned, and where he was buried, the eclipsed state of England after his death, and in whose time it recouered some part of it brightnesse. The tenth Chapter.

London & other great cities & townes submit themselues to Cnute, be hasteth af|ter Edmund with his power, both their armies being readie to incounter by occasion are staied, the oration of a capteine in the hearing of both hosts; the title and right of the realme of England is put to the triall of combat betweene Cnute and Edmund, Cnute is ouermat [...]ched, his woords to king Edmund, both kings are pacified and their armies accorded, the realme diuided betwixt Cnute and Edmund, king Edmund traitorouslie slaine, the dissonant re|port of writers touching the maners of his death and both the kings dealing about the partition of the realme, Cnute causeth Edrike to be slaine for procuring king Edmunds death, where|in the reward of treason is noted; how long king Edmund reigned, and where he was buried, the eclipsed state of England after his death, and in whose time it recouered some part of it brightnesse. The tenth Chapter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 _IN the meane while that Edmund was bu [...]ie to leauie a new armie in Glocester, and other parties of Mercia, Cnute hauing got so great a victorie (as before is mentio|ned) receiued into his obei|sance, not onelie the citie of London, but also manie other cities and townes of great name, and shortlie after hasted forward to pur|sue his enimie king Edmund, who was readie with a mightie host to trie the vttermost chance of battell if they should eftsoones ioine.Polydor. Matth. West. Héerevpon, both the ar|mies being readie to giue the onset, the one in sight of the other at a place called Dearehurst, neere to the riuer of Seuerne, by the drist of duke Edrike, who then at length began to shew some token of good meaning, the two kings came to a communication, and in the end concluded an agreement,Simon Dun. as some haue written, without anie more adoo. Others write, that when both the armies were at point to haue ioi|ned, one of the capteins (but whether he were a Dane or an Englishman, it is not certeinlie told) stood vp in such a place, Matth. West. saith this was Edrike. as he might be heard of both the prin|ces, & boldlie vttered his mind in former following.

7.10.1. The oration of a capteine in the au|dience of the English and Da|nish armie.

The oration of a capteine in the au|dience of the English and Da|nish armie.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 _WE haue, most woorthie capteins, fought long inough one against another, there hath beene but too much bloud shed betweene both the nations, and the valiancie of the souldi|ers on both sides is sufficientlie seene by triall, & either of your manhoods likewise, and yet can you beare neither good nor e|uill fortune. If one of you win the bat|tell, he pursueth him that is ouercome; and if he chance to be vanquished, he resteth no till he haue recouered new strength to fight eftsoones with him that is victor. What should you meane by this your in|uincible courage? At what marke shooteth your greedie desire to beare rule, and your excessiue thirst to atteine honour? If you fight for a kingdome, diuide it betweene you two, which sometime was sufficient for seuen kings: but if you couet to winne fame and glorious renowme, and for the same are driuen to try the hazard whether ye shall command or obeie, deuise the waie whereby ye may without so great slaugh|ter, and without such pitifull bloudshed of both your guiltlesse peoples, trie whether of you is most woorthie to be preferred.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thus made he an end, and the two princes allow|ed well of his last motion,The two kings appoint to try the mat|ter by a com|bat. and so order was taken, that they should fight togither in a singular combat within a litle Iland inclosed with the riuer of Se|uerne called Oldney,Oldney. with condition, that whether of them chanced to be victor, should be king, and the o|ther to resigne his title for euer into his hands. The two princes entering into the place, appointed in faire armour, began the battell in sight of both their armies ranged in goodlie order on either side the ri|uer, with doubtfull minds, and nothing ioifull, as they that wauered betwixt hope and feare. The two champions manfullie assailed either other, Matt. Westm. Cnute of what stature he was. without sparing. First, they went to it on horssebacke, and af|ter on foot. Cnute was a man of a meane stature, but yet strong and hardie, so that receiuing a great blow by the hand of his aduersarie, which caused him somewhat to stagger; yet recouered himselfe, and baldly stept forward to be reuenged. But perceiuing he could not find aduantage, and that he was rather too weake,Cnute ouer|matched. Cnutes woords to Edmund. and shrewdlie ouermatched, he spake to Edmund with a lowd voice on this wise:

What ne|cessitie (saith he) ought thus to mooue vs, most vali|ant prince, that for the obteining of a kingdome, we should thus put our liues in danger. Better were it that laieng armour and malice aside, we should con|descend to some reasonable agreement. Let vs be|come sworne brethren, and part the kingdome be|twixt vs:H. Hunt. and let vs deale so friendlie, that thou maist vse my things as thine owne, and I thine as though they were mine.
King Edmund with those woords of his aduersarie was so pacified, that imme|diatlie he cast awaie his swoord,They take vp the matter be|twixt them selues. and comming to Cnute, ioined hands with him. Both the armies by their example did the like, which looked for the same fortune to fall on their countries, which should happen EEBO page image 178 to their princes by the successe of that one battell, Af|ter this, there was an agreement deuised betwixt them, so that a partition of the realme was made, and that part that lieth fore against France, was as|signed to Edmund, and the other fell to Cnute. There be that write,Wil. Malm. how the offer was made by king Ed|mund for the auoiding of more bloudshed, that the two princes should trie the matter thus togither in a singular combat. But Cnute refused the combat, bicause (as he alledged) the match was not equall. For although he was able to match Edmund in boldnesse of stomach, yet was he farre too weake to deale with a man of such strength as Edmund was knowne to be. But sith they did pretend title to the realme by due and good direct meanes, he thought it most conuenient that the kingdome should be diui|ded betwixt them. This motion was allowed of both the armies, so that king Edmund was of force con|streined to be contented therewith.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 ¶Thus our common writers haue recorded of this agreement, but if I should not be thought presump|tuous, in taking vpon me to reprooue, or rather but to mistrust that which hath béene receiued for a true narration in this matter, I would rather giue cre|dit vnto that which the author of the booke intituled Encomium Emmae, Encomium Emmae. dooth report in this behalfe. Which is that through persuasion of Edrike de Streona, king Edmund immediatelie after the battell fought at Ashdone, sent ambassadors vnto Cnute to offer vn|to him peace, with halfe the realme of England, that is to say, the north parts, with condition that king Edmund might quietlie inioy the south parts, and therevpon haue pledges deliuered interchangeablie on either side.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Cnute hauing heard the effect of this message, staied to make answer till he heard what his coun|cell would aduise him to doo in this behalfe: and vp|on good deliberation taken in the matter, conside|ring that he had lost no small number of people in the former battell, and that being farre out of his countrie, he could not well haue anie new supplie, where the Englishmen although they had likewise lost verie manie of their men of warre, yet being in their owne countrie, it should be an easie matter for them to restore their decaid number, it was thought expedient by the whole consent of all the Danish cap|teins, that the offer of king Edmund should be ac|cepted.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Herevpon Cnute calling the ambassadors before him againe, declared vnto them, that he was con|tented to conclude a peace vpon such conditions as they had offered: but yet with this addition, that their king whatsoeuer he should be, should paie Cnutes souldiers their wages, with monie to be leuied of that part of the kingdome which the English king should possesse.

For (this saith he) I haue vnderta|ken to sée them paid, and otherwise I will not grant to anie peace.
The league and agréement therefore being concluded in this sort, pledges were deliuered and receiued on both parties, and the armies dischar|ged.This is alle|ged touching the partitiõ of the kingdome. But God (saith mine author) being mindfull of his old doctrine, that Euerie kingdome diuided in it selfe cannot long stand, shortlie after tooke Edmund out of this life: and by such meanes séemed to take pitie of the English kingdome, lest if both the kings should haue continued in life togither, they should haue liued in danger. And incontiuenlie herevpon was Cnute chosen and receiued for absolute king of all the whole realme of England. Thus hath he writ|ten that liued in those daies, whose credit thereby is much aduanced.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 Howbeit the common report of writers touching the death of Edmund varieth from this, who doo af|firme, that after Cnute and Edmund were made friends, the serpent of enuie and false conspiracie burnt so in the hearts of some traitorous persons, that within a while after king Edmund was slaine at Oxford,K. Edmund traitorcuster slaine at Ox|ford. as he sat on a priuie to doo the necessaries of nature. The common report hath gone, that carle Edrike was the procurer of this villanous act, and that (as some write) his sonne did it.Fabian. Simon. Dan. But the author that wrote Encomium Emmae, writing of the death of Edmund, hath these words (immediatlie after he had first declared in what sort the two princes were agréed, and had made partition of the realme betwixt them:) But God (saith he) being mindfull of his old doctrine,This is all|ged againe for the proofe of Edmunds natural death. that Euerie kingdome diuided in it selfe can not long stand, shortlie after tooke Edmund out of this life: and by such meanes séemed to take pitie vpon the English kingdome, least if both the kings should haue continued in life togither, they should both haue liued in great danger, and the realme in trouble. With this agreeth also Simon Dunel. who saith, that king Edmund died of naturall sicknesse, by course of kind at London, about the feast of saint Andrew next insuing the late mentioned agree|ment.Fabian.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 And this should séeme true: for whereas these au|thors which report,Ranul. Hig. that earle Edrike was the procu|rer of his death, doo also write, that when he knew the act to be done, he hasted vnto Cnute,Hen. Hunt. and declared vnto him what he had brought to passe for his ad|uancement to the gouernment of the whole realme. Wherevpon nute, abhorring such a detestable fact, said vnto him:

Bicause thou hast for my sake, made away the worthiest bodie of the world, I shall raise thy head aboue all the lords of England, and so cau|sed him to be put to death.
Thus haue some bookes. Howbeit this report agreeth not with other writers, which declare how Cnute aduanced Edrike in the be|ginning of his reigne vnto high honor,Some thinke that he was duke of Mer|cia before, and now had Es|sex adioined thereto. Diuerse and discordant reports of Ed|munds death. Ran. Higd. Will. Malm. and made him gouernor of Mercia, and vled his counsell in manie things after the death of king Edmund, as in banishing Edwin, the brother of king Edmund, with his sonnes also, Edmund and Edward.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 But for that there is such discordance and variable report amongst writers touching the death of king Edmund, and some fables inuented thereof (as the manner is) we will let the residue of their reports passe; sith certeine it is, that to his end he came, after he had reigned about the space of one yéere, and so much more as is betwéene the moneth of Iune and the latter end of Nouember. His bodie was buried at Glastenburie, neere his vncle Edgar. With this Edmund, surnamed Ironside, fell the glorious ma|iestie of the English kingdome, the which afterward as it had beene an aged bodie being sore decaied and weakened by the Danes, that now got possession of the whole, yet somewhat recouered after the space of 26 yéers vnder king Edward, surnamed the Confes|sor: and shortlie therevpon as it had béene falne into a resiluation, came to extreame ruine by the inua|sion and conquest of the Normans: as after by Gods good helpe and fauorable assistance it shall ap|peare. So that it would make a diligent and mar|king reader both muse and moorne, to see how vari|able the state of this kingdome hath béene, & thereby to fall into a consideration of the frailtie and vncer|teintie of this mortall life, which is no more frée from securitie, than a ship on the sea in tempestuous wea|ther. For as the casualties wherewith our life is in|closed and beset with round about, are manifold; so also are they miserable, so also are they sudden, so al|so are they vnauoidable. And true it is, that the life of man is in the hands of God, and the state of kingdoms dooth also belong vnto him, either to con|tinue or discontinue. But to the processe of the matter.

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5.99. Edmond ſurnamed Yronſide.

Edmond ſurnamed Yronſide.

[figure appears here on page 253]

Compare 1587 edition: 1 AFter that Kyng Egelred was dead, his eldeſt ſonne Edmond ſurnamed Ironſide was pro|claymed K. by the Lõdoners and others, Edmõd Ironſide The King|dome goeth where the ſpi|ritualtie fauoureth. hauing the aſſiſtance of ſome Lordes of the Realme, al|though the more parte, and ſpecially thoſe of the ſpiritualty fauoured Cnute, bycauſe they had a|foretime ſworn fealtie to his father. Some writẽ, that Cnute had planted his ſiege both by water & land very ſtrongly about the Citie of London before Egelred departed this life, and immedi|ately vppon his deceſſe, was receyued into the Citie, but the army that was within the Citie, not conſenting vnto the ſurrender made by the Citizens, departed the night before the day on the whych Cnute by appoyntment ſhould enter, and in company of Edmonde Ironſide (whome they had choſen to be their King and gouernour) they prepared to increaſe their numbers with newe ſupplies, meaning eftſoones to trie the fortune of battell againſte the Daniſh power. Cnute per|ceyuing the moſt parte of all the Realme to bee thus againſt him, and hauing no great confidẽce in the loyaltie of the Londoners, tooke order to leauie money for the paymente of his menne of warre and Mariners that belonged to his nauie,The author of the Booke en|tituled Enco|miõ Emma [...] ſaith, that it was reported that Edmond offered the combate vnto Cnute at this his going frõ the citie but Cnute refuſed it. left the Citie, and embarquing himſelfe, ſayled to the Iſle of Shepey, and there remayned all the Winter. In whiche meane while, Edmonde Ironſide came to London, where he was ioyful|ly receyued of the Citizens, and continuing there till the ſpring of the yere, made himſelfe ſtrong a|gainſt the enimies.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 This Edmond for his noble courage, ſtrẽgth of body, and notable patience to endure and ſuf|fer all ſuche hardneſſe and paynes as is requiſite in a man of warre, was ſurnamed Ironſide,1016 and began his raigne in the yere of our Lord. 1016. EEBO page image 254 the ſixteenth yeare of the Emperour Henry the ſecond ſurnamed Claudius, in the twentith yere of the raigne of Robert King of Fraunce, and a|bout the ſixth yeare of Malcome the ſeconde K. of the Scottes. After that Kyng Edmond hadde receyued the Crowne in the Citie of Londõ by ye hands of the Archb. of Yorke, he aſſembled togy|ther ſuch a power as he cold make, & with ye ſame marched foorthe towardes the Weſt partes, and made the countrey ſubiect to him. In the meane time was Enute proclaymed and ordeyned K. at Southampton by the Biſhops and Abbots,Ran. Higd. and diuers Lordes alſo of the Temporaltie there togyther aſſembled, vnto whome he ſware to bee their good and faithfull ſoueraigne, and that hee would ſee Iuſtice truely and vprightly mini|ſtred.Hen. Hunt. Simon Dun. Then after hee had ended his buſineſſe at Southampton, hee drewe with his people to|wards London, and comming thither, beſieged the Citie both by water and lande, cauſing a great trenche to be caſt about it, ſo that no man might eyther get in or come foorth.London beſieged. Many greate aſſaultes he cauſed to bee gyuen vnto the Citie, but the Londoners and others within ſo valiant|ly defended the walles and gates, that the en [...]|mies gote ſmall aduauntage, and at length [...] conſtreyned to depart with loſſe. Cnute then per|ceiuing that he might not haue his purpoſe there, withdrewe Weſtward, [...] and beſides Eillingham in Dorſetſhire, encountred with K. Edmund in the Rogation weeke, and after ſore and ſharp ba|tayle, was put to the worſe, and conſtreyned to forſake the fielde by the high prowes and man|hoode of the ſayde Edmund. King Cnute ye fa [...]e nighte, after the armies were ſeuered, departed to|wards Wincheſter,Polidor. ſo to get himſelfe out of dan|ger. Shortly after, King Edmund hearing that an other army of the Danes had beſieged Saliſ|bury, he marched thither to ſuccour them within,Salisbury his ſieged. and immediately Cnute followed him, ſo that at a place in Worceterſhire called Sceorſtan,Simon Dun. Mat. VVeſt. VVil. Malm. A battell with equal fortune. on ye foure and twentith of Iune, they encomitted to|gyther, and fought a right cruell battayle, which at length the nighte parted with equall fortune. And likewiſe on the next day they buckled togy|ther agayne, and fought with like ſucceſſe as they hadde done the day before,An other b [...]| [...]el with his ſucceſſe. for towardes euening they gaue ouer well weried, and not knowyng to [figure appears here on page 254] whome the victory ought to be aſcribed.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Edrick de Streona his treaſon.Writers haue reported, that this ſeconde daye when Duke Edricke perceyued the Engliſhmen to be at poynte to haue gote the vpper hande, hee withdrewe aſide,Simon Dun. and hauing by chaunce ſlayne a common Souldioure called Oſmear, which in viſage muche reſembled King Edmunde, hee cut off his head, helde it vp, and ſhaking his ſworde bloude with the ſlaughter, cried to the Engliſh|men, flee ye wretches, flee and get away, for your Kyng is dead, behold here his head which I hold in my hands. Heerewith had the Engliſhmenne fled immediately, if King Edmunde aduiſed of this ſtratageme, had not quickly gote him to an high ground wher his men might ſee him aliue & luſtie. Heerewith alſo ye traytor Edricke eſcaped hardly ye daunger of death, ye Engliſhmen ſhot ſo egrely at him. At length as is ſaid, the night par|ting them in ſunder, they withdrewe the one ar|my from the other, as it had bin by conſent.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The third day they remayned in armour, but yet abſteyning from battayle, ſate ſtill, in taking meate and drinke to releeue their weeried bodies, and after gathered in heapes the dead carcaſes that had beene ſlayne in the former fighte,Twẽtie thou|ſand dead bodies. the nũ|ber of which on eyther partie reconed, roſe to the poynt of twentie thouſand and aboue.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 3 4 5 In the night following. Cnute remoueth his camp in ſecret wiſe,The armies diſlodged. and marcheth towards Lon|don, which Citie in a manner remayned beſieged EEBO page image 255 by the nauie of the Danes. King Edmond in the morning when the lighte had diſcouered the de|parture of his enimies, followed thẽ by the tr [...], and comming to London with ſmall adoe, re|mooued the ſiege, and entred the Citie like a con|querour. The Danes ouercome at Brentford. VVil. Malm. H. Hunt. Fabian. Caxton. Polidor. Shortly after he foughte with ye Danes at Brentford, and gaue them a great ouerthrow. In this meane while, Queene Emme the wid|dow of King Egelred, doubting the fortune of the warre, ſente hir two ſonnes Alfred and Ed|warde ouer into Normandy vnto hir brother Duke Richard, or rather fled thither hirſelfe with them (as ſome write.) Moreouer, Earle Edricke perceyuing the great manhoode of K. Edmund, began to feare, leaſt in the ende he ſhoulde ſubdue and vanquiſhe the Danes, wherefore hee ſoughte meanes to conclude a peace, and take ſuche order with him as might ſtand with both their conten|tations, which ere long he brought about. And this was done as you ſhall heare by the conſente of Cnute (as ſome write) to the intente that E|dricke being had in truſt with King Edmunde,H. Hunt. mighte the more eaſily deuiſe wayes how to be|tray him. Cnute diſappoynted of his purpoſe at London, fetching a greate booty and pray out of the coũtreys next adioyning, repaired to his ſhips, to ſee what order was amongſt them, the whych a little before were withdrawen into the Riuer that paſſeth by Rocheſter called Medway.The Riuer of Medway. Heere Cnute remayned certayne dayes, both to aſſem|ble a greater power, and alſo to hearken & learne what his enimies meant to do, the which he eaſi|ly vnderſtoode.King Edmũds diligence. For K. Edmund who hated no|thing worſe thã to linger his buſineſſe, aſſembled his people, and marching forwarde towarde hys enimies, approched neere vnto them, and pighte downe his tents not farre frõ his enimies camp, exhorting his people to remember their paſſed vi|ctories, and to doe their good willes, at length by one battayle, ſo to ouerthrowe them, that they mighte make an ende of the warre, and diſpatche them cleerely out of the Realme. He ſo much en|couraged his Souldiers with theſe and the lyke wordes, that they diſdeyning thus to haue the e|nimies dayly to prouoke them, and to put them to trouble, with egre mindes and fierce courages offered battayle to the Danes, whiche Cnute had prepared to receyue whenſoeuer the Engliſhmẽ approched: and heerewith bringing his men into aray,The battell is begunne. he came foorth to meete his enimies. Then was the battaile begunne with great earneſtneſſe on both ſides, and continued foure houres, till at length the Danes beganne ſomewhat to ſhrinke, which when Cnute perceyued, hee commaunded his Horſemen to come forward into the forepart of his hoſt. But whileſt one parte of the Danes giue backe with feare, and the other come ſlowly forwarde,The Danes put to flighte. the array of the whole army is broken, and then without reſpect of ſhame they fledde a|mayne, ſo that there dyed that daye of Cnutes ſide four thouſand and fiue hundred men,The number of Danes ſlain. and of Kyng Edmunds ſide, not paſt ſixe hundred, and thoſe were footemen. This battell was foughte as ſhoulde appeare by dyuers writers,Polidor. Fabian. Ran. Higd. Mat. VVeſt. at Oke|fort or Oteforde. It was thought, that if king Edmund had purſued the victory and followed in chaſe of his enimies in ſuche wiſe as hee ſafely might haue done,H. Hunt. VVil. Mal. Edrickes counſell. hee had made that day an ende of the warres: but he was counſelled by Edricke as ſome write, in no condition to folow them, but to ſtay and gyue tyme to hys people to refreſhe theyr weery bodyes. And ſo Cnute with his ar|my paſſed ouer the Thames into Eſſex, and there aſſembled all his power togither, and began to ſpoyle and waſt the countrey on eache hande. King Edmund aduertiſed thereof, haſted foorthe to ſuccoure his people, and at Aſhdone in Eſſex three miles from Saffron Waldẽ gaue battayle to Cnute, where after ſore and cruell fight conti|nued with greate ſlaughter on both ſides a long time, Duke Edricke fledde to the comforte of the Danes, and to the diſcomfort of the Engliſhmẽ: ſo that Kyng Edmunde was conſtreyned in the ende to depart out of the fielde, hauing firſte done all that could be wiſhed in a worthy Chieftayne, both by wordes to encourage his men, and by deedes to ſhewe them good example, ſo that at one time the Danes were at poynte to haue gy|uen backe, but that Cnute aduiſed thereof, ruſhed into the left wing where moſt daunger was, and ſo relieued his people there, that finally the Eng|liſhmen, both awearied with long fight, and alſo diſcouraged with the running away of ſome of theyr company, were conſtreyned to giue ouer, and by flighte to ſeeke their ſafegarde, ſo that K. Edmund myght not by any meanes bring them agayne into order. Heerevppon all the wayes and paſſages beeyng forelayde and ſtopped by the enimies, the Engliſhmenne wanting bothe carriage to make longer reſiſtaunce, and percey|uing no hope to reſt in fleeing, were beaten downe and ſlayne in heapes, ſo that fewe eſca|ped from that dreadfull and bloudy battayle.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 There dyed on Kyng Edmundes ſyde,Noble men ſlayne at the battell of Aſhdone. Sim. Dunel. VVil. Mal. Duke Edmund, Duke Alfricke, and Duke Gudwin, with Earle Vlfekettell, or Vrchell of Eaſt Angle, and Duke Ayleward, that was ſonne to Ardelwine, late Duke of Eaſt Angle, and to bee briefe, all the floure of the Engliſhe nobi|litie.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 There was alſo ſlayne at this battayle ma|ny renoumed perſons of the ſpiritualty, as ye Bi|ſhoppe of Lincolne, and the Abbot of Ramſey, with other, Kyng Edmund eſcaping away,King Edmund with draweth into Gloce|ſterſhire. gote him into Gloceſterſhire, and there began to rayſe a new army.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 EEBO page image 256In the place where this field was fought, are yet ſeuen or eyght hilles, wherein the carcaſſes of them that were ſlayne at the ſame field, were bu|ried, and one beeing digged downe of late, there were foũd two bodies in a coffin of ſtone, of whi|che the one lay with his head towards the others foote, and many chaynes of iron, like to the water chaynes of the bittes of Horſes were found in the ſame hill. But nowe to the matter, in the meane while that Edmonde was buſie to leauie a newe army in Glowceſt. and other parties of Mercia, Cnute hauing got ſo gret a victory, receiued into his obeiſance, not only ye Citie of Londõ, but alſo many other Cities and townes of great name, & ſhortly after haſted forward to purſue his enimie K. Edmũd, who was ready with a mighty hoſte to trie the vttermoſt chaunce of battayle if they ſhoulde eftſoones ioyne.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Polidor. Mat. VVeſt.Herevpon, both the armies being ready to giue the onſet, the one in ſyghte of the other at a place called Dearehurſt, nere to the Riuer of Seuerne, by the drifte of Duke Elricke, who then at lẽgth, beganne to ſhewe ſome token of good meanyng, the two Kings came to a communication, and in the end concluded an agreement, as ſome haue written,Simon Dun. without any more adoe.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Other write, that when both the armies were at poynte to haue ioyned,Math. Weſt. ſayth this was Eadricke. one of the Captaynes, but whether he were a Dane or an Engliſhmã, it is not certaynely tolde, ſtood vp in ſuch a place, as he mighte be hearde of both the Princes, and boldly vttered hys wordes in forme followyng.

Compare 1587 edition: 1

The ſaying of a Captayne.We haue moſt woorthy Chieftaynes fought long ynoughe one againſte another, there hathe bene but too muche bloud ſhed betweene both the Nations, and the valiancie of the Soul|dioures on both ſides is ſufficiently ynough tried & eyther of your manhoods lykewiſe, & yet cã you beare neyther good nor euill fortune, if the one of you win the battayle, he purſueth him yt is ouer|come, and if hee chaunce to be vanquiſhed, hee re|ſteth not till he haue recouered newe ſtrengthe to fight eftſoones with him that is victor. What ſhoulde you meane by this youre inuincible cou|rage? At what marke ſhooteth youre greedy deſire to beare rule, and youre exceſſiue thirſt to atteyne honor? if you fyghte for a Kyngdome, deuide it betweene you two, which ſometime was ſuffici|ent for ſeauen Kyngs, but if you couet to winne fame and glorious renowme, and for the ſame are driuen to trie the hazarde, whether yee ſhall com|maund or obey, deuiſe the way whereby ye maye withoute ſo greate ſlaughter, and withoute ſuche pitifull bloudſhed of both youre giltleſſe peoples, trie whether of you is moſt worthy to be prefer|red.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Thus made hee an ende, and the two Princes allowed well of his laſt motion, and ſo order was taken,The two [...] appoint [...] the matter by a combate. Olney. that they ſhould fighte togither in a ſingu|lar combate within a little Ilande encloſed with the Riuer of Seuerne called Oldney, with con|dition, that whether of them chaunced to be Vi|ctor, ſhould be King, and the other to reſigne hys title for euer into his hands.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The two Princes entring into the place, ap|poynted in faire armoure, beginne the battalle in ſight of both their armies, raunged in goodly or|der on eyther ſide the Riuer, with doubtfull mindes, and nothing ioyfull, as they that wa|uered betwixt hope and feare. The two Cham|pions manfully aſſaile eyther other, without ſpa|ring. Finally, they went to it on Horſebacke,Mat. VVeſt. and [figure appears here on page 256] after on foote.Cnute of what ſtature he was Cnute was a man of a meane ſta|ture, but yet ſtrong and hardy, ſo that receyuing a great blowe by the hande of his aduerſary, whi|che cauſed him ſomewhat to ſtagger, hee yet re|couered himſelfe agayne, and boldly ſtepte for|warde to bee reuenged, but perceyuing hee coulde EEBO page image 257 not find aduantage, and that he was rather to weake,K [...]e ouer|matched. and ſhreudly ouermatched, he ſpake [...] Edmunde, with a lowde voyce on this wyſe: What neceſſitie (ſayth he) ought thus to more vs, moſt valiant prince, that for the attey [...]ning of a kingdome,Coates vvor| [...]es to Edmũd. we ſhould thus put our [...] in danger, better were it that laying armouse and malice aſide, wee ſhoulde condeſcende to ſome reaſonable agreement: lette vs become ſworne brethren,H. Hunt. and parte the kyngdome be|twixt vs: And let vs deal ſo frendly, that thou mayeſt vſe my things as thyne owne, and I thyne as though they were myne.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 King Edmunde with thoſe wordes of his aduerſarie was ſo pacified, that immediately he caſte awaye his ſwoorde,They take vp the matter be|tvvixt them|ſelues. and comming to Cnute, ioyneth hands with him. Both the ar|mies by their enſample did the lyke, which loo|ked for the ſame fortune to fall to their coun|treys, whiche ſhoulde happen to their Princes by the ſucceſſe of that one battayle.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 After this there was an agreement deuiſed betwixt them, ſo that a partition of the realm was made, and that part that lieth foreanel [...]ſt Fraunce, was aſſigned to Edmunde, and the other fell to Cnute.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 VVil. Malm.Ther be that write, how the offer was made by king Edmunde for the aduoyding of more bloudſhed, that the two Princes ſhould try the matter thus togither in a ſingular combate. But Cnute refuſed the combate, bicauſe (as he alledged) the matche was not equall. For although he was able to matche Edmund in boldneſſe of ſtomacke, yet was he far to weake to deale with a man of ſuche ſtrength as Ed|munde was knowne to bee.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 3 4 But ſith they did pretend title to the realme by due and good directe meanes, he thoughte it moſte conuenient, that the kingdom ſhould be deuided betwixt them. This motion was allowed of bothe the Armies, ſo that Kyng Edmunde was of force conſtrayned to bee contented therewith.Encomiom E [...]e. Thus oure common writers haue recorded of this agreement, but if I ſhould not be thought preſumptuous, in taking vppon mee to reproue, or rather but to myſtruſt that whiche hath bin receyued for a true narration in this matter, I would rather giue credite vnto that whiche the authoure of the booke intituled by ſome Encomium Emmae, dothe reporte in this behalfe. Whiche is, that thorough perſwaſion of Edrike de Streona, Kyng Edmunde immediatlye after the bat|tayle fought at Aſhdonne, ſente Ambaſſadors vnto Cnute, to offer vnto hym peace, wyth halfe the Realme of Englande, that is to witte, the northe partes, wyth condition that King Edmunde myghte quyetly enioye the South parte, and therevppon to haue pledges delyuered interchaungeably on eyther ſide. Cnute hauing hearde the [...] of thys meſ|ſage, ſtayeded make aunſwere tyll he had vn|derſtoode what hys counſell woulde aduyſe hym to doe in thys behalfe and vppon good deliberation taken in the matter, conſideryng that he had loſte no ſmall number of people in the former battayle, and that being farre out of his countrey, he coulde not well haue anye newe ſupplye, where the Engliſhemen although they hadde [...] loſſe very ma|nys at the [...] menne of warre, yet beeyng in theyr owne countrey, it ſhoulde bee an eaſye matter for them to reſtore theyr decayed num|bers, it was thought expedient by the whoſe con [...]entẽ of all the Daniſhe Cap [...]tayns, that the offer of kyng Edmunde ſhoulde bee ac|cepted. And herevpon Cnute calling the Am|baſſad [...]s is afore hym agayne, declared vnto them, that hee was contented to conclude a peace vppon ſuche conditions as they ha [...]e offered: but yet with thys addition, that their King whatſoeuer he ſhoulde bee, ſhoulde pay Cnutes ſouldiours their wages, with money to bee leuied of that parte of the Kingdome whiche the Engliſh king ſhoulde poſſeſſe. For this (ſayth he) I haue vndertaken to ſee them payde, and otherwyſe I wyll not graunte to any peace. The league and agreement ther|fore beyng concluded in this ſorte, pledges are deliuered and receyued on both partes, and the armies diſcharged. But God (ſayth myne Authour) being myndefull of his olde doctrine. That euery kingdome diuided in it ſelfe [...]an not long ſtande, ſhortely after [...]oke Edmunde oute of this lyfe: and by ſuche meanes ſeemed to take pu [...]e of the Engliſhe kingdome, leaſt if bothe the kinges ſhoulde haue continued in life together, they ſhoulde haue liued in daunger. And incontinentely herevpon was Cnute choſen and receyued for abſolute King of all the whole Realme of Englande.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 Thus hath he written that lyued in those dayes, whose credite thereby is muche aduanced. Howbeit the common reporte of writers touchyng the deathe of Edmunde varyeth from this, who doe affirme, that after Cnute and Edmund were made friends, the serpent of enuie and false conspiracie, brent so in the hearts of some traiterous persons, that within a while after king Edmund was slain at Oxforde, K. Edmunde t [...]aiterouſly ſlaine at Ox|forde. as he satte on a priuie to doe the necessaries of Nature.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The common report hath gone that Er [...] Edricke was the procurer of this [...] acte, and that (as ſome write) his ſonne did it.Fabian. Simon Dun.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 EEBO page image 258But the ſame authour that wrote Encomium Emmae, wryting of the death of Edmunde hath theſe words, (immediatly after hee hath firſte declared in what ſorte the two Princes were a|greed, and had made partition of the realme be|twixt them:) But GOD (ſayeth he) beyng myndefull of his olde doctrine, That euery king|dome deuided in it ſelf can not long ſtand, ſhort|ly after tooke Edmunde out of this lyfe: and by ſuche meanes ſeemed to take pitie vpon the En|gliſhe kingdome, leaſt if bothe the kings ſhoulde haue continued in lyfe togither, they ſhould bothe haue liued in great daunger, (and the Realme in trouble.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Wyth this agreeth alſo Simon Dunelmenſis, who ſayeth, that Kyng Edmunde dyed of na|turall ſickeneſſe, by courſe of kynde at London, aboute the feaſt of Saincte Andrewe nexte en|ſuyng the late mencioned agreement.Fabian.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 And this ſhoulde ſeeme true: for wheras theſe Authours whiche reporte,Ran. Higd. that Earle Edryke was the procurer of his death, they alſo write, that when he knewe the acte to be done, hee ha|ſted vnto Cnute,H. Hunt. and declared vnto hym what he had brought to paſſe for his aduauncement to the gouernement of the whole realme.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Whervppon Cnute abhorryng ſuche a dete|ſtable facte, ſayde vnto hym: Bycauſe thou haſte for my ſake, made awaye the worthyeſt bodye of the world, I ſhall rayſe thy head aboue all the Lordes of Englande, and ſo cauſed him to be put to death. Thus haue ſome bookes.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Howbeit this reporte agreeth not with other writers whiche declare howe Cnute aduaunced Edryke in the beginning of his reigne vnto high honour, and made hym gouernour of Mercia,Some thinke that he vvas D [...]e of Mer|cia before and novv had Eſ|ſex adioyned therto. and vſed his counſell in manye things after the death of king Edmund, as in baniſhing Edwin, the brother of kyng Edmunde, with his ſonnes alſo, Edmunde and Edward.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 But for that there is ſuche diſcordaunce and variable reporte amongeſt wryters,Diuers and diſcordant reports of Ed|monds death. Ran. Higd. VVil. Mal. touchyng the deathe of kyng Edmunde, and ſome Fables inuented thereof (as the maner is) we wyll lette the reſidue of theyr reportes paſſe: Sith certaine it is, that to his ende he came, after he had reig|ned about the ſpace of one yeare, and ſo muche more as is betweene the moneth of Iune, and [figure appears here on page 258] the latter ende of Nouember.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 His body was buryed at Glaſtenbury, neere his vncle king Edgar.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 With thys Edmunde, ſurnamed Ironſyde, fell the glorious Maieſtie of the Engliſh king|dome: The whiche afterwarde as it had beene an aged bodye beyng ſore decayed and weake|ned by the Danes, that nowe got poſſeſſion of the whole, yet ſomewhat recouered after the ſpace of .xxvj. yeres, vnder kyng Edward, ſurna|med the Confeſſor: and ſhortely thervpon as it had bin falne into a reſiluation, came to extreme ruine by the inuaſion and conqueſt of the Nor|mans: as after by gods good helpe and fauorable aſſiſtance it ſhall appeare.