5.23. Cinegiscus and his sonne Richelinus reigne iointlie ouer the Westsaxons, they fight with the Britains; the indeuour of Lau|rence archbishop of Canturburie in setting religi|on at large, and seeking a vniformitie in catholike orders, he and his fellow-bishops write to the cleargie of Bri|taine and Scotland for a reformation, Melitus bishop of London goeth to Rome, the cause why, and what he brought at his returne from pope Boniface. The xxiij. Chapter.
Cinegiscus and his sonne Richelinus reigne iointlie ouer the Westsaxons, they fight with the Britains; the indeuour of Lau|rence archbishop of Canturburie in setting religi|on at large, and seeking a vniformitie in catholike orders, he and his fellow-bishops write to the cleargie of Bri|taine and Scotland for a reformation, Melitus bishop of London goeth to Rome, the cause why, and what he brought at his returne from pope Boniface. The xxiij. Chapter.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 _AFter the foresaid Ceowlfe reigned Cinegiscus,Cinegis|cus. or Kin|gils, which was the sonne of Ceola, which was the sonne of Cutha or Cutwin, which was the sonne of Kenricke, which was the sonne of king Cer|ticke.Wil. Malm. saith that O|nichelinus was the bro|ther of Cine|giscus. In the fourth yéere of his reigne, he receiued into fellowship with him in gouernance of the kingdome his sonne Richelinus, or Onichelinus, and so they reigned iointlie togither in great loue and concord (a thing seldome séene or heard of.)Beandune, or Beanton. They fought with the Britains at Bean|dune, where at the first approch of the battels togi|ther, the Britains fled, but too late, for there died of them that were ouertaken 2062.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 In this meane time,Beda lib. 2. cap. 4. Laurence archbishop of Can|turburie, who succéeded next after Augustine, admit|ted thereto by him in his life time (as before is said) did his iudeuour to augment and bring to perfection the church of England, the foundation whereof was latelie laid by his predecessor the foresaid Augustine: who studied not onelie for the increase of this new church, which was gathered of the English people, but also he was busie to imploie his pastorlike cure vpon the people that were of the old inhabitants of Britaine, and likewise of the Scots that remained in Ireland. For when he had learned that the Scots there, in semblable wise as the Britains in their countrie, led not their liues in manie points accor|ding to the ecclesiasticall rules, aswell in obseruing the feast of Easter contrarie to the vse of the Ro|mane church, as in other things, he wrote vnto those Scots letters exhortatorie, requiring them most in|stantlie to an vnitie of catholike orders as might be agréeable with the church of Christ, spred and dis|persed through the world. These letters were not written onelie in his owne name, but iointlie togi|ther in the name of the bishops Melitus and Iustus, (as followeth.)
5.23.1. To our deare brethren the bishops and abbats through all Scotland, Laurence, Melitus and Iustus bishops, the ser|uants of the seruants of God wish health.
To our deare brethren the bishops and abbats through all Scotland, Laurence, Melitus and Iustus bishops, the ser|uants of the seruants of God wish health.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 _WHereas the apostolike see (accor|ding to hir maner) had sent vs to preach vnto the heathen people in these west parts, as otherwise throgh the world, and that it chanced to vs to enter into this Ile which is called Britaine, before we knew & vnderstood the state of things, we had in great reuerence both the Scots & Britains, which beleeued, bicause (as we tooke the mat|ter) they walked according to the custome of the vniuersall church: but after we had know|ledge of the Britains, we iudged the Scots to be better. But we haue learned by bishop Daga|nus comming into this Ile, and by Columba|nus the abbat comming into France, that the Scots nothing differ in their conuersation from the Britains: for bishop Daganus com|ming vnto vs, would neither eat with vs, no nor yet come within the house where we did eat.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 The said Laurence also with his fellow-bishops, did write to the Britains other letters woorthie of his degree, dooing what he could to confirme them in the vnitie of the Romane church: but it profited litle, as appeareth by that which Beda writeth. About the same time Melitus the bishop of London went to Rome, to common with pope Boniface, for necessa|rie causes touching the church of England, and was present at a synod holden by the same pope at that season, for ordinances to be made touching the state of religious men, and sate in the same synod, that with subscribing he might also by his authoritie con|firme that which was there orderlie decréed. This synod was holden the third kalends of March, in the last yéere of the emperour Phocas, which was about the yeere after the birth of our Sauiour 610. Meli|tus at his returne brought with him from the pope, decrees commanded by the said pope to be obserued in the English church, with letters also directed to archbishop Laurence, and to king Ethelbert.
5.24. Cadwan is made king of the Britains in the citie of Chester, he leuieth a power a|gainst Ethelfred king of the Northumbers, co|uenants of peace passe betwixt them vpon condi|tion, the death of Ethelbert king of Kent, where he and his wife were buried, of his lawes; Eadbald succeedeth E|thelbert in the Kentish kingdome, his lewd and vnholie life, he is an enimie to religion; he is plagued with madnesse; He|bert king of the Eastsaxons dieth, his three sonnes refuse to be baptised, they fall to idolatrie and hate the professours of the truth, their irreligious talke and vndutifull behauiour to bi|shop Melitus, he and his fellow Iustus passe ouer into France, the three sonnes of Hebert are slaine of the Westsaxons in bat|tell, the Estsaxons by their idolatrie prouoke archbishop Lau|rence to forsake the land, he is warned in a vision to tarie, whereof he certifieth king Eadbald, who furthering christianitie, sendeth for Melitus and Iustus, the one is restored to his see, the other reiected, Melitus dieth, Iustus is made archbishop of Canturburie, the christian faith increaseth. The xxiiij. Chapter.
Cadwan is made king of the Britains in the citie of Chester, he leuieth a power a|gainst Ethelfred king of the Northumbers, co|uenants of peace passe betwixt them vpon condi|tion, the death of Ethelbert king of Kent, where he and his wife were buried, of his lawes; Eadbald succeedeth E|thelbert in the Kentish kingdome, his lewd and vnholie life, he is an enimie to religion; he is plagued with madnesse; He|bert king of the Eastsaxons dieth, his three sonnes refuse to be baptised, they fall to idolatrie and hate the professours of the truth, their irreligious talke and vndutifull behauiour to bi|shop Melitus, he and his fellow Iustus passe ouer into France, the three sonnes of Hebert are slaine of the Westsaxons in bat|tell, the Estsaxons by their idolatrie prouoke archbishop Lau|rence to forsake the land, he is warned in a vision to tarie, whereof he certifieth king Eadbald, who furthering christianitie, sendeth for Melitus and Iustus, the one is restored to his see, the other reiected, Melitus dieth, Iustus is made archbishop of Canturburie, the christian faith increaseth. The xxiiij. Chapter.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 _AFter that the Britains had cõtinued about the space Cadwan king of Bri|taine. almost of 24 yéeres without anie one speciall gouernour, being led by sundrie rulers, e|uer sithens that Careticus was constreined to flée ouer Seuerne, and fought often|times not onelie against the Saxons, but also one of them against another, at length in the yéere of our Lord 613,613 they assembled in the citie of Chester, and there elected Cadwan that before was ruler of Northwales, to haue the souereigne rule & gouerne|ment ouer all their nation, and so the said Cadwan began to reigne as king of Britaine in the said yéere 613. But some authors say, that this was in the yéere 609, in which yéere Careticus the British king departed this life. And then after his deceasse the Britains or Welshmen (whether we shall call EEBO page image 106 them) chose Cadwan to gouerne them in the foresaid yéere 609, which was in the 7 yéere of the emperour Phocas, and the 21 of the second Lotharius king of France, and in the 13 yéere of Kilwoolfe king of the Westsaxons.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 This Cadwan being established king, shortlie af|ter assembled a power of Britains, and went against the foresaid Ethelfred king of Northumberland, who being thereof aduertised, did associate to him the most part of the Saxon princes, and came foorth with his armie to méet Cadwan in the field. Herevpon as they were readie to haue tried the matter by bat|tell, certeine of their friends trauelled so betwixt them for peace, that in the end they brought them to agréement, so that Ethelfred should kéepe in quiet possession those his countries beyond the riuer of Humber, and Cadwan should hold all that which ofGal. Mon. right belonged to the Britains on the south side of the same riuer. This couenant with other touching their agréement was confirmed with oths solemnelie ta|ken, and pledges therewith deliuered, so that after|wards they continued in good and quiet peace, with|out vexing one an other.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 What chanced afterward to Ethelfred, ye haue before heard rehersed, which for that it soundeth more like to a truth than that which followeth in the Bri|tish booke, we omit to make further rehersall, passing forward to other dooings which fell in the meane sea|son, whilest this Cadwan had gouernement of the Britains, reigning as king ouer them the tearme of 22, or (as some say) but 13 yéeres,Iohn Hard. and finallie was slaine by the Northumbers, as before hath béene, and also after shall be shewed.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 In the 8 yéere after that Cadwan began to reigne, Ethelbert king of Kent departed this life, in the 21 yéere after the comming of Augustine with his fellowes to preach the faith of Christ here in this realme: and after that Ethelbert had reigned ouer the prouince of Kent the tearme of 56 yéeres (as Beda saith, but there are that haue noted thrée yéeres lesse) he departed this world, as aboue is signified, in the yeere of our Lord 617,Wil. Malm. Beda. li. 2. cap. 5 on the 24 day of Fe|bruarie, and was buried in the Ile of saint Martine, within the church of the apostles Peter and Paule, without the citie of Canturburie, where his wife quéene Bartha was also buried, and the foresaid archbishop Augustine that first conuerted him to the faith.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Amongst other things, this king Ethelbert with the aduise of his councell ordeined diuers lawes and statutes, according to the which decrées of iudge|ments should passe: those decrées he caused to be written in the English toong, which remained and were in force vnto the daies of Beda, as he decla|reth. And first it was expressed in those lawes, what amends he should make that stole anie thing that be|longed to the church, to the bishop, or to anie ecclesi|asticall person, willing by all means to defend them whose doctrine he had receiued.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 AFter the deceasse of Ethelbert, his sonne Ead|baldEadbald. succéeded in the gouernment of his king|dome of Kent, the which was a great hinderer of the increase of the new church amongst the English|men in those parties: for he did not onelie refuse to be baptised himselfe, but also vsed such kind of forni|cation, as hath not béene heard (as the apostle saith) amongst the Gentiles, for he tooke to wife his mo|ther in law, that had béene wife to his father. By which two euill examples, manie tooke occasion to re|turne to their heathenish religion, the which whilest his father reigned,The princes example occa|sion of euill. either for the prince his pleasure, or for feare to offend him, did professe the christian faith. But Eadbald escaped not woorthie punishment to him sent from the liuing God for his euill deserts, insomuch that he was vexed with a certeine kind of madnesse, and taken with an vncleane spirit.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 The foresaid storme or vnquiet troubling of the christian congregation, was afterwards greatlie in|creased also by the death of Sabert or Sebert king of the Eastsaxons, who was conuerted to the faith of Christ, and baptized by Melitus bishop of London (as before is mentioned) & departing this life to go to a better in the blissefull kingdome of heauen, he left behind him thrée sonnes as true successours in the estate of his earthlie kingdome, which sonnes like|wise refused to be baptised. Their names were Ser|red, Seward, & Sigebert, Ran. Cest. Beda li. 2. cap. 5 Serred, Se|ward, and Se|gebert, the sonnes of Sabert. men of an ill mind, & such as in whome no vertue remained, no feare of God, nor anie respect of religion, but speciallie hating the professours of the christian faith. For after their father was dead, they began to fall to their old idola|trie, which in his life time they séemed to haue giuen ouer, insomuch that now they openlie worshipped i|dols, and gaue libertie to their subiects to do the like.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 And when the bishop Melitus, at the solemnizing of masse in the church, distributed the eucharisticall bread vnto the people, they asked him (as it is said) wherfore he did not deliuer of that bright white bread vnto them also, as well as he had béene accustomed to doo to their father Saba (for so they vsed to call him.) Unto whome the bishop made this answer:
If you will be washed in that wholesome fountaine, wherein your father was washed, ye may be parta|kers of that holie bread whereof he was partaker, but if you despise the washpoole of life, ye may by no meanes tast the bread of saluation.But they of|fended herewith, replied in this wise:
We will not enter into that fountaine, for we know we haue no néed thereof: but yet neuerthelesse we will be refre|shed with that bread.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 After this, when they had beene earnestlie and ma|nie times told, that vnlesse they would be baptised, they might not be partakers of the sacred oblation: at length in great displeasure they told him, that if he would not consent vnto them in so small a mat|ter, there should be no place for him within the bounds of their dominion, and so he was constrai|ned to depart. Wherevpon he being expelled, resor|ted into Kent, there to take aduise with his fellow-bishops, Laurence and Iustus, what was to be doone in this so weightie a matter. Who finallie resolued vpon this point, that it should be better for them to returne into their countrie, where with frée minds they might serue almightie God, rather than to re|maine amongest people that rebelled against the faith, without hope to doo good amongest them. Wherefore Melitus and Iustus did depart first, and went ouer into France, minding there to abide till they might sée what the end would be. But shortlie after, those brethren the kings of Essex, which had expelled their bishop in maner aboue said, suffered woorthilie for their wicked dooings. For going forth to battell against the Westsaxons, they were ouer|throwen and slaine altogither with all their armie,The sonne of king Sebert slaine. by the two kings Kinigils and Quichelme. But neuerthelesse, albeit the authors of the mischiefe were thus taken awaie, yet the people of that coun|trie would not be reduced againe from their di|uelish woorshipping of false gods, being eftsoones fallen thereto in that season by the incouragement and perilous example of their rulers. Wherefore the archbishop Laurence was in mind also to follow his fellowes Melitus and Iustus: but when he minded to set forward, he was warned in a dreame, and cru|ellie scourged (as hath beene reported by the apostle saint Peter, who reprooued him) for that he would so vncharitablie for sake his flocke, & leaue it in danger without a shepherd to kéepe the woolfe from the fold.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 EEBO page image 107 The archbishop imboldned by this vision, and also repenting him of his determination, came to king Eadbald, and shewed to him his stripes, and the ma|ner of his dreame. The king being herewith put in great feare, renounced his heathenish worshipping of idols, and was baptised, and as much as in him laie, from thenceforth succoured the congregation of the christians, and aduanced the church to his power. He sent also into France, and called home the bishops Melitus and Iustus, so that Iustus was restored to his sée of Rochester.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 But the Eastsaxons would not receiue Melitus to his sée at London, but continued in their wicked mawmetrie, in obeieng a bishop of their pagan law, whom they had erected for that purpose. Neither was king Eadbald of that authoritie and power in those parties, as his father was before, whereby he might constreine them to receiue their lawfull bi|shop. But suerlie the said king Eadbald with his people, after he was once conuerted againe, gaue himselfe wholie to obeie the lawes of GOD, and a|mongst other déeds of godlie zeale, he builded a church to our ladie at Canturburie,Beda lib. 2. within the mo|nasterie of saint Peter, afterwards called saint Ag|nes. This church was consecrated by Melitus, who after the death of Laurence succéeded in gouernance of the archbishops sée of Canturburie. After Meli|tus, who departed this life in the yeare of our Lord 624, Iustus that before was bishop of Rochester, was made archbishop of Canturburie,Beda. lib. 2. ca. 8. and ordeined one Romanus to the sée of Rochester. About that time, the people of the north parts beyond Humber receiued the faith, by occasion (as after shall appéere.)
5.25. Edwin reigneth ouer the Northum|bers, his great power and reputation, a marriage betweene him and Ethelburga the sister of king Eadbald vpon religious couenants, the traitorous attempts of murtherous Eumerus a|gainst him, his wife Ethelburga is deliuered of a daughter, he assalteth the Westsaxons, and discomfiteth them, Boniface the fift writeth to him to desist from his idolatrie, and to his ladie to persist in true christianitie; the vision of Ed|win when he was a banished man in the court of Redwald king of the Eastangles, whereby he was informed of his great ex|altation and conuersion to christian religion. The xxv. Chapter.
Edwin reigneth ouer the Northum|bers, his great power and reputation, a marriage betweene him and Ethelburga the sister of king Eadbald vpon religious couenants, the traitorous attempts of murtherous Eumerus a|gainst him, his wife Ethelburga is deliuered of a daughter, he assalteth the Westsaxons, and discomfiteth them, Boniface the fift writeth to him to desist from his idolatrie, and to his ladie to persist in true christianitie; the vision of Ed|win when he was a banished man in the court of Redwald king of the Eastangles, whereby he was informed of his great ex|altation and conuersion to christian religion. The xxv. Chapter.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 _YE haue heard how Edel|fred the king of Northum|berland was slaine in battell neere to the water of Idel, by Redwald king of the East|angles, in fauour of Edwin whom the said Edelfred had confined out of his domini|on, 24 yéeres before. The foresaid Redwald there|fore hauing obteined that victorie, found meanes to place Edwin in gouernement of that kingdome of the Northumbers, hauing a title thereto as sonne to Alla or Elle, sometime king of Northumberland. This Edwin prooued a right valiant prince, Edwin. Beda. lib. 2, ca. 5. & grew to be of more power than anie other king in the daies of the English nation: not onelie ruling ouer a great part of the countries inhabited with En|glish men, but also with Britains, who inhabited not onelie in Wales, but in part of Chesshire, Lan|cashire, Cumberland, and alongst by the west sea|coast in Galloway, and so foorth euen vnto Dumbri|taine in Scotland: which I haue thought good to note, that it may appeare in what countries Cad|wall [...] bare rule, of whome so often mention is made in this part of the historie. But as concerning Ed|win, his reputation was such, as not onelie the English men, W. Malm. ta|keth Meua|nia to be An|glesey. Britains and Scots, but also the Iles of Orknie, and these of Man, and others the west Iles of ancient time called Meuaniae, had him in reuerence, and feared his mightie power, so as they durst not attempt anie exploit to offend him.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 It chanced that shortlie after, king Redwald had aduanced him to the kingdom of Northumberland, to wit, about 6 yeares, the same Redwald deceassed, which made greatlie for the more augmentation of Edwins power. For the people of the Eastangles, which (whilest Edwin remained amongst them as a banished man) had conceiued a good opinion of him for his approoued valiancie and noble courage, offe|red themselues to be wholie at his commandement.Carpwaldus. But Edwin suffering Carpwald or Erpwald the sonne of Redwald to inioie the bare title and name of the king of that countrie, ruled all things at his owne will and pleasure. Neither was there anie prouince within Britaine that did not obeie him, or was not readie to doo him seruice (the kingdome of Kent onelie excepted) for he suffered the Kentish|men to liue in quiet, because he began to haue a li|king to the sister of king Eadbald, namelie the ladie Ethelburga, otherwise called Tate or Tace.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 He made request therefore by sending ambassa|dours to hir brother,Beda. lib. 2. cap. 9. to haue the said ladie in mar|riage, and at length obteined hir, with condition that she being a christian woman, might not onelie vse the christian religion, but also that all those, whe|ther men or women, priests or ministers, which came with hir, might haue licence to doo the same, with|out trouble or impeachment of anie maner of per|son. Herevpon she being sent vnto him, there was appointed to go with hir (besides manie other) one Pauline, which was consecrated bishop by the arch|bishop Iustus the 21 of Iulie,Matth. West. Beda. lib. 2. cap. 9. in the yeare of our Lord 625,625 who at his comming into Northumber|land thus in companie with Ethelburga, trauel|led earnestlie in his office, both to preserue hir and such christians in the faith of Christ, as were appoin|ted to giue their attendance on hir, least they should chance to fall: and also sought to win some of the Pagans (if it were possible) vnto the same faith, though at the first he little profited in that matter.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 In the yeare following, there came a murtherer vnto the court of king Edwin, as then soiourning in a palace which stood vpon the side of the riuer of Dorwent, being sent from Quichelme king of the Westsaxons, to the intent to murther Edwin, be|cause he had of late sore damnified the countries of the Westsaxons. This murtherer was called Eu|merus, & caried vnder his coate a short double edged woodknife inuenomed of purpose,Other say an axe, as Matth. West. that if the king being but a little hurt therewith, should not die of the wound, yet he should not escape the danger of the poison. This Eumerus on Easter mondaie came to the king,Eumerus. and making foorth to him as it had béene to haue declared some message from his mai|ster, when he had espied his time, drew his wea|pon, and offered to strike the king. But one of the kings seruants named Lilla, perceiuing this, slept betwixt the king and the blow. Howbeit the mur|therer set the stripe forward with such force, that the knife running through the bodie of Lilla wounded also the king a little; and before this murtherer could be beaten downe, he slue another of the kings ser|uants, a knight that attended vpon him, called Fordher.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 The same night Ethelburga was deliuered of a daughter named Eanfled,Eanfled borne for the which when king Edwin gaue thanks vnto his gods, in the presence EEBO page image 108 of bishop Pauline, the bishop did admonish him, ra|ther to giue thanks vnto the true and onelie God, by whose goodnesse it came to passe that the queene was safelie and without danger deliuered. The king giuing good eare vnto the bishops wholesome admo|nition, promised at that present to become a christi|an, if he might reuenge his iniuries receiued at the hands of the Westsaxons. And to assure Pauline that his promise should take place, he gaue vnto him his new borne daughter to be made holie to the Lord, that is to say, baptised. The bishop recei|uing hir, on Whitsundaie next following baptised hir, with twelue other of the kings houshold, she be|ing the first of the English Northumbers that was so washed in the founteine of regeneration.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 In the meane time K. Edwin being recouered of his hurt, assembled an armie, and went against the Westsaxons, with whome incountring in battell, he either slue or brought to his subiection all them that had conspired his death, and so returned as a conquerour into his countrie. But yet he delaied time in performance of his promise to become a chri|stian: howbeit he had left his dooing of sacrifice to idols, euer since he made promise to be baptised. He was a sage prince, and before he would alter his religion, he politikelie thought good to heare mat|ters touching both his old religion, and the christian religion throughlie examined.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 Now whilest he thus hoong in doubt vnto whether part he should incline, there came letters to him from pope Boniface the fift of that name,Beda. lib. 2. cap. 10. exhorting him by sundrie kinds of gentle perswasions, to turne to the worshipping of the true and liuing God, and to renounce the worshipping of mawmets and idols. The pope wrote also to quéene Ethelburga, praieng hir to continue in hir good purpose, and by all meanes possible to doo what might be doone for the conuerting of hir husband vnto the faith of Christ. But the thing that most mooued the king,Beda. lib. 2. cap. 11. was a vi|sionA vision. which sometime he had while he remained as a banished man in the court of Redwald king of the Eastangles, as thus.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 After that king Ethelfred was informed that the foresaid Redwald had receiued Edwin,Beda. cap. 12. he ceased not by his ambassadours to moue Redwald either to deliuer Edwin into his hands, or to make him a|waie. At length by often sending, & promises made of large summes of monie, mixed with threatnings, he obteined a grant of his sute, so that it was deter|mined that Edwin should either be murthered, or else deliuered into his enimies hands. One of Ed|wins friends hauing intelligence hereof, in the night season came to Edwins chamber, and leading him abroad, told him the whole practise, and what was purposed against him, offering to helpe him out of the countrie, if he would so aduenture to es|cape. Edwin being woonderouslie amazed, thanked his friend,The honora|ble considera|tion of Ed|win. but refused to depart the countrie, sith he had no iust cause outwardlie giuen to play such a slipper part, choosing rather to ieopard his life with honour, than to giue men cause to thinke that he had first broken promise with such a prince as Redwald was, to whome he had giuen his faith.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Herevpon his friend departing from him, left him sitting without the doores: where after he had reuolued manie things in his mind, and thought long vpon this matter, at length he perceiued one to come towards him vnknowne, and in strange ap|parell, séeming to him in euerie point a stranger, at which sight (for that he could not imagine who it should be) Edwin was much afraid: but the man comming to him saluted him, and asked of him what he made there at that time of the night when other were at rest. Edwin on the other part asked what he had to doo therewith, and whether he vsed to lie a|broad in the night, or within house? Who answering said; Thinke not Edwin that I am ignorant of thy heauinesse, of thy watchings, and this thy solitarie sitting here without doores. For I know who thou art, wherefore thou art thus pensiue, and what euils thou fearest to be towards thée at hand. But tell me, what wouldest thou giue him, that could deliuer thée out of this heauinesse, and perswade Redwald that he should neither doo thée hurt, nor deliuer thée to thine enimies? Here with when Edwin said that he would gladlie giue all that in him might lie to such a one in reward? The other said; What wouldst thou giue then, if he should promise in good sooth that (all thine enimies being destroied) thou shouldest be king, and that thou shouldest passe in power all the kings which haue reigned in the English nation be|fore thy time? Edwin being better come to himselfe by such demandes, did not sticke to promise that he would requite his friendship with woorthie thanks.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 Then replied he to his words and said; If he that shall prophesie to thée this good hap to come, shall also be able to informe thee in such counsell for thy health and life, as neuer anie of thy forefathers or kinsfolke yet haue heard, wouldest thou obey him, and also consent to receiue his wholesome aduertisement? Wherevnto without further deliberation Edwin promised, that he would in all points follow the in|struction of him that should deliuer him out of so manie and great calamities, and bring him to the rule of a kingdome. Which answere being got, this person that thus talked with him, laid his hand vpon his head, saieng: When this therefore shall chance to thée, be not forgetfull of this time, nor of this communication, and those things that thou now dooest promise, sée thou performe. And therewith he vanished awaie. So that Edwin might well per|ceiue it was no man but a vision that thus had ap|peared vnto him.
[¶This vnaccustomed course it pleased God to vse for the conuersion of the king (to whose example it was no doubt but the people and inferiour sort would generallie be conformed) who otherwise had continued in paganisme and blind ignorance both of Gods truth and true christianitie. And it maie be that there was in him, as in other kings his prede|cessors, a settled perswasion in gentilish error, so that neither by admonition nor preaching (though the same had procéeded from the mouth of one al|lotted to that ministrie) he was to be reuoked from the infidelitie and misbeléefe wherein he was nuzzeled and trained vp. For it is the nature of all men, to be addicted to the obseruation of such rites and customes as haue béene established and left in force by their progenitors, and sooner to stand vnto a desire and earnest purpose of adding some|what to their elders corrupt constitutions, and irreligious course of conuersation, than to be incli|nable to anie article or point tending to innouati|tion: so inflexible is the posteritie to swarue from the traditions of antiquitie, stand the same vpon ne|uer so grosse and palpable absurdities.]
Compare 1577 edition: 1 Edwin still reioising in the foresaid comfortable talke, but thoughtfull in mind what he should be, or from whence he came that had talked in this sort with him; behold his friend returned that first had brought him foorth of his chamber, and declared vn|to him good newes, how the king by perswasion of the quéene had altered his determination, and minded to mainteine his quarell to the vttermost of his power: and so he did in déed. For with all dili|gence he raised an armie, and went against Ethel|frid, vanquished him in battell, and placed Edwin in the kingdome (as before ye haue heard.)