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7.9. Edmund Ironside succedeth his father in the kingdome, the spiritualtie fauouring Cnute would haue him to be king, the Londo|ners are his backe friends, they receiue Edmund their king honorablie and ioifullie, Cnute is proclai|med king at Southampton, manie of the states cleaue vnto him, he besiegeth London by water and land, the citizens giue him the foile, he incountreth with king Edmund and is discomfi|ted, two battels fought betweene the Danes and English with equall fortune and like successe, the traitorous stratagem of E|drike the Dane, king Edmund aduisedlie defeateth Edriks tre|cherie, 20000 of both armies slaine, Cnute marching towards London is pursued of Edmund, the Danes are repelled, in|countred, and vanquished; queene Emma prouideth for the safetie of hir sonnes; the Danes seeke a pacification with Edmund, thereby more easilie to betraie him; Cnute with his armie lieth neere Rochester, king Edmund pursueth them, both armies haue a long and a sore conflict, the Danes discom|fited, and manie of them slaine; Cnute with his power assem|ble at Essex and there make waste, king Edmund pursueth them, Edrike traitorouslie reuolteth from the English to suc|cour the Danes, king Edmund is forced to get him out of the field, the Englishmen put to their hard shifts and slaine by heapes; what noble personages were killed in this battell, of two dead bodies latelie found in the place where this hot and heauie skirmish was fought. The ninth Chapter.

Edmund Ironside succedeth his father in the kingdome, the spiritualtie fauouring Cnute would haue him to be king, the Londo|ners are his backe friends, they receiue Edmund their king honorablie and ioifullie, Cnute is proclai|med king at Southampton, manie of the states cleaue vnto him, he besiegeth London by water and land, the citizens giue him the foile, he incountreth with king Edmund and is discomfi|ted, two battels fought betweene the Danes and English with equall fortune and like successe, the traitorous stratagem of E|drike the Dane, king Edmund aduisedlie defeateth Edriks tre|cherie, 20000 of both armies slaine, Cnute marching towards London is pursued of Edmund, the Danes are repelled, in|countred, and vanquished; queene Emma prouideth for the safetie of hir sonnes; the Danes seeke a pacification with Edmund, thereby more easilie to betraie him; Cnute with his armie lieth neere Rochester, king Edmund pursueth them, both armies haue a long and a sore conflict, the Danes discom|fited, and manie of them slaine; Cnute with his power assem|ble at Essex and there make waste, king Edmund pursueth them, Edrike traitorouslie reuolteth from the English to suc|cour the Danes, king Edmund is forced to get him out of the field, the Englishmen put to their hard shifts and slaine by heapes; what noble personages were killed in this battell, of two dead bodies latelie found in the place where this hot and heauie skirmish was fought. The ninth Chapter.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 _AFter that king Egelred was dead,Edmund Ironside. his eldest sonne Edmund surnamed Iron|side was proclaimed king by the Londoners and others, hauing the assistance of some lords of the realme, although the more part, and speciallie those of the spiritualtie fauoured Cnute,The kingdom goeth where the spiritual|tie fauoureth. bicause they had aforetime sworne fealtie to his father. Some write, that Cnute had planted his siege both by wa|ter and land verie stronglie about the citie of Lon|don, before Egelred departed this life, and immediat|lie vpon his deceasse was receiued into the citie; but the armie that was within the citie, not consenting vnto the surrender made by the citizens, departed the night before the day on the which Cnute by appoint|ment should enter, and in companie of Edmund I|ronside (whome they had chosen to be their king and gouernour) they prepared to increase their numbers with new supplies, meaning eftsoones to trie the for|tune of battell against the Danish power. Cnute perceiuing the most part of all the realme to be thus against him, and hauing no great confidence in the loialtie of the Londouers, tooke order to leauie mo|nie for the paiment of his men of warre and mari|ners that belonged to his nauie,The author of the booke inti|tuled Encomi|um Emmae saith that it was re|ported that Edmund offe|red the com|bate vnto Cnute at this his going from the citie, but Cnute re|fused it. left the citie, and im|barking himselfe, sailed to the Ile of Shepie, and there remained all the winter. In which meane while, Edmund Ironside came to London, where he was ioifullie receiued of the citizens, and continu|ing there till the spring of the yéere, made himselfe stong against the enimies.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 This Edmund for his noble courage, strength of bodie, and notable patience to indure and suffer all such hardnesse and paines as is requisite in a man of warre, was surnamed Ironside, & began his reigne in the yéere of our Lord 1016,1016 in the sixtéenth yéere of the emperor Henrie the second surnamed Clau|dius, in the twentieth yéere of the reigne of Robert king of France, & about the sixt yéere of Malcolme the second king of the Scots. After that king Ed|mund had receiued the crowne in the citie of Lon|don by the hands of the archbishop of Yorke, he as|sembled togither such a power as he could make, and with the same marched foorth towards the west parts, and made the countrie subiect to him. In the meane time was Cnute proclaimed and ordeined EEBO page image 176 king at Southampton by the bishops and abbats,Ran. Higd. and diuerse lords also of the temporaltie there togi|ther assembled, vnto whome he sware to be their good and faithfull souereigne, and that he would sée iustice trulie and vprightlie ministred.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 After he had ended his businesse at Southamp|ton,Hen. Hunt. Simon Dun. he drew with his people towards London, and comming thither, besieged the citie both by water and land, causing a great trench to be cast about it, so that no man might either get in or come foorth. Ma|nie great assalts he caused to be giuen vnto the citie,London besie|ged. but the Londoners and others within so valiantlie defended the wals and gates, that the enimies got small aduantage, and at length were constreined to depart with losse. Cnute then perceiuing that he might not haue his purpose there, withdrew west|ward,Cnute at Ga|lingham in Dorsetshire put to flight. and besides Gillingham in Dorsetshire, in|countred with K. Edmund in the Rogation weeke, and after sore & sharpe battell was put to the woorse, and constreined to forsake the field by the high pro|wesse & manhood of the said Edmund. King Cnute the same night, after the armies were seuered, de|parted towards Winchester,Polydor. so to get himselfe out of danger. Shortlie after, king Edmund hearing that an other armie of the Danes had besieged Salisbu|rie,Salisburie besieged. marched thither to succour them within, and immediatlie Cnute followed him, so that at a place in Worcestershire called Scorastan,Simon Dun. Matt. West. Wit. Malm. I battell with equall fortune. on the foure and twentith of Iune, they incountred togither, and fought a verie cruell battell, which at length the night parted with equall fortune. And likewise on the next day they buckled togither againe, and fought with like successe as they had doone the day before,An other bat|tell with like successe. for to|wards euening they gaue ouer well wearied, and not knowing to whome the victorie ought to be as|cribed.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Writers haue reported,Edrike de Streona his treason. Simon Dun. that this second day, when duke Edrike perceiued the Englishmen to be at point to haue got the vpper hand, he withdrew aside, and hauing by chance slaine a common souldier cal|led Osmear, which in visage much resembled king Edmund, whose head he cut off, held it vp, & shaking his swoord bloudie with the slaughter, cried to the Englishmen;

Flee ye wretches, flee and get awaie, for your king is dead, behold heere his head which I hold in my hands.
Héerewith had the Englishmen fled immediatlie, if king Edmund aduised of this stratagem, had not quicklie got him to an high ground where his men might sée him aliue and lu|stie. Héerewith also the traitor Edrike escaped hard|lie the danger of death, the Englishmen shot so e|gerlie at him. At length, as is said, the night parting them in sunder, they withdrew the one armie from the other, as it had béene by consent. The third day they remained in armor, but yet absteining from battell, sate still, in taking meate and drinke to re|lieue their wearied bodies, and after gathered in heapes the dead car cases that had béene slaine in the former fight,Twentie thou|sand dead bo|dies. the number of which on either partie reckoned, rose to the point of twentie thousand and a|boue.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 In the night following,The armies dislodged. Cnuse remooued his campe in secret wise, and marched towards Lon|don, which citie in a maner remained besieged by the nauie of the Danes. King Edmund in the morning when the light had discouered the departure of his e|nimies, followed them by the tract, and comming to London with small adoo remooued the siege, The Danes ouercome at Brentford. Wil. Malm. Hen. Hunt. Fabian. Caxton. Polydor. and en|tered the citie like a conqueror. Shortlie after he fought with the Danes at Brentford and gaue them a great ouerthrow. In this meane while queene Em|ma the widow of king Egelred, doubting the for|tune of the warre, sent hir two sonnes Alfred and Edward ouer into Normandie vnto hir brother duke Richard, or rather fled thither hirselfe with them (as some write.)

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Moreouer, earle Edrike, perceiuing the great manhood of king Edmund, began to feare, least in the end he should subdue and vanquish the Danes, wherefore he sought meanes to conclude a peace, and take such order with him as might stand with both their contentations, which yer long he brought a|bout. This was doone (as you shall heare) by the con|sent of Cnute (as some write)Hent. Hunt. to the intent that E|drike being put in trust with king Edmund, might the more easilie deuise waies how to betraie him. But Cnute disappointed of his purpose at London, and fetching a great bootie and preie out of the coun|tries next adioining, repared to his ships, to sée what order was amongst them, which a little before were withdrawen into the riuer that passeth by Rochester called Medwaie.The riuer of Medwaie. Héere Cnute remained certeine daies, both to assemble a greater power, and also to hearken and learne what his enimies ment to doo, the which he easilie vnderstood.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 King Edmund,King Ed|munds dili|gence. who hated nothing woorse than to linger his businesse, assembled his people, and mar|ching forward toward his enimies, approched néere vnto them, & pitcht downe his tents not farre from his enimies campe, exhorting his people to remem|ber their passed victories, and to doo their good willes, at length by one battell so to ouerthrow them, that they might make an end of the warre, and dispatch them cleerelie out of the realme. With these and the like woords he did so incourage his souldiers, that they disdaining thus to haue the enimies dailie prouoke them, and to put them to trouble, with e|ger minds and fierce courages offered battell to the Danes, which Cnute had prepared to receiue when|soeuer the Englishmen approched: and heerewith bringing his men into araie, he came foorth to méet his enimies. Then was the battell begun with great earnestnesse on both sides,The battell is begun. & continued foure houres, till at length the Danes began somewhat to shrinke, which when Cnute perceiued, he commanded his horssemen to come forward into the forepart of his dawnted host.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 But whilest one part of the Danes gaue backe with feare,The Danes put to flight. and the other came slowlie forward, the arraie of the whole armie was broken, & then with|out respect of shame they fled amaine, so that there died that day of Cnutes side foure thousand and fiue hundred men; The number of Danes slaine. Polydor. Fabian. Ran. Higd. Matt. West. and of king Edmunds side, not past six hundred, and those were footmen. This battell was fought as should appéere by diuerse writers, at Oke|fort or Oteford. It was thought, that if king Ed|mund had pursued the victorie and followed in chase of his enimies in such wise as he safelie might haue doone,Hen. Hunt. Will. Malmes. Edriks coun|sell. he had made that day an end of the warres: but he was counselled by Edrike (as some write) in no condition to follow them, but to staie and giue time to his people to refresh their wearie bodies. Then Cnute with his armie passed ouer the Thames into Essex, and there assembled all his power togi|ther, and began to spoile and waste the countrie on each hand. King Edmund aduertised thereof, hasted foorth to succour his people, and at Ashdone in Essex three miles from Saffron Walden, gaue battell to Cnute, where after sore and cruell fight continued with great slaughter on both sides a long time, duke Edrike fled to the comfort of the Danes, and to the discomfort of the Englishmen.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Héerevpon king Edmund was constreined in the end to depart out of the field, hauing first doone all that could be wished in a woorthie chiestaine, both by woords to incourage his men, & by deeds to shew them good example; so that at one time the Danes were at point to haue giuen backe, but that Cnute EEBO page image 177 aduised thereof, rushed into the left wing where most danger was, and so relieued his people there, that fi|nallie the Englishmen, both wearied with long fight, and also discouraged with the running awaie of some of their companie, were constreined to giue|ouer, and by flight to séeke their safegard, so that king Edmund might not by anie meanes bring them a|gaine into order. Héere vpon all the waies and passa|ges being forelaid and stopped by the enimies, the Englishmen wanting both carriage to make longer resistance, and perceiuing no hope to rest in fléeing, were beaten downe and slaine in heapes, so that few escaped from that dreadfull and bloudie battell.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 There died on king Edmunds side,Noble men slaine at the battell of Ash|done. Simon Dun. Wil. Malm. duke Edmund, duke Alfrike, and duke Goodwine, with earle Ulfe|kettell or Urchell of Eastangle, and duke Aileward, that was sonne to Ardelwine late duke of Eastan|gle; and to be briefe, all the floure of the English no|bilitie. There were also slaine at this battell manie renowmed persons of the spiritualtie, as the bishop of Lincolne, and the abbat of Ramsey, with others: king Edmund escaping awaie,King Ed|mund with|draweth unto Glocestershire got him into Gloce|stershire, and there began to raise a new armie. In the place where this field was fought, are yet seuen or eight hils, wherein the carcases of them that were slaine at the same field were buried: and one being digged downe of late, there were found two bodies in a coffin of stone, of which the one laie with his head towards the others féet, and manie chaines of iron, (like to the water-chains of the bits of horsses) were found in the same hill. But now to 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.