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1

THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN.

2
3

THE FOURTH BOOK

4
5    The Saxons grown up now to 7 absolute Kingdoms,
6and the latest of them establish'd by succession, finding
7thir power arrive well nigh at the utmost of what
8was to be gain'd upon the Britans , and as little fearing to be
9displanted by them, had time now to survey at leasure one
10anothers greatness. Which quickly bred among them, either
11envy, or mutual jealousies; till the West Kingdom at length
12grown over powerful, put an end to all the rest. Mean while,
13above others, Ethelbert of Kent , who by this time had well
14rip'nd his young ambition, with more ability of years and
15experience in War, what before he attempted to his loss, now
16successfully attains; and by degrees brought all the other
17Monarchies between Kent and Humber , to be at his devotion.
18To which design the Kingdom of West-Saxons , being
19the firmest of them all, at that time sore shak'n by thir overthrow
20at Wodens-beorth , and the Death of Keaulin , gave him
21no doubt a main advantage; the rest yeilded not subjection,
22but as he earn'd it by continual Victories. And to win him the
23more regard abroad, he marries Bertha the French Kings
24Daughter, though a Christian, and with this condition, to
25have the free exercise of her Faith, under the care and instruction
26of Letardus a Bishop, sent by her Parents along
27with her; the King notwithstanding and his people retaining
28thir own Religion. Beda out of Gildas laies it sadly to the

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29Britans charge, that they never would voutsafe thir Saxon
30Neighbours the means of conversion: but how far to blame
31they were, and what hope there was of converting in the
32midst of so much hostility, at least falshood from thir first
33arrival, is not now easie to determin. Howbeit not long after,
34they had the Christian Faith preach't to them by a Nation
35more remote, and (as a report went, accounted old in Bedas
36time) upon this occasion.
37The Northumbrians had a custom at that time, and many
38hunder'd yeares after not abolish't, to sell thir Children for a
39small value into any Foren Land. Of which number, two
40comly youths were brought to Rome , whose fair and honest
41countnances invited Gregory Arch-Deacon of that Citty,
42among others that beheld them, pittying thir condition, to
43demand whence they were; it was answer'd by som who
44stood by, that they were Angli of the Province Deira , subjects
45to Alla King of Northumberland , and by Religion Pagans.
46Which last Gregory deploring, fram'd on a sudden this
47allusion to the three names he heard; that the Angli so like
48to Angels should be snatch't de ira , that is, from the wrath of
49God, to sing Hallelujah : and forthwith obtaining licence of
50Benedict the Pope, had come and preach't heer among them,
51had not the Roman people, whose love endur'd not the absence
52of so vigilant a Pastor over them, recall'd him then on
53his journey, though but deferr'd his pious intention. For a
54while after, succeeding in the Papal Seat, and now in his
55fourth year, admonisht, saith Beda , by divine instinct, he
56sent Augustine whom he had design'd for Bishop of the

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57English Nation, and other zealous Monks with him, to
58preach to them the Gospel. Who being now on thir way,
59discouraged by some reports, or thir own carnal fear, sent
60back Austin , in the name of all, to beseech Gregory they
61might return home, and not be sent a journey so full of hazard,
62to a fierce and infidel Nation, whose tongue they understood
63not. Gregory with pious and Apostolic perswasions
64exhorts them not to shrink back from so good a work, but
65cheerfully to go on in the strength of divine assistance. The
66Letter it self yet extant among our Writers of Ecclesiastic
67story, I omit heer, as not professing to relate of those matters
68more then what mixes aptly with civil affairs. The Abbot
69Austin , for so he was ordain'd over the rest, reincourag'd by
70the exhortations of Gregory , and his fellows by the Letter
71which he brought them, came safe to the Ile of Tanet , in
72number about 40, besides some of the French Nation whom
73they took along as Interpreters. Ethelbert the King, to whom
74Austin at his landing had sent a new and wondrous message,
75that he came from Rome to proffer Heav'n and eternal happiness
76in the knowledge of another God then the Saxons
77knew, appoints them to remain where they landed, and necessaries
78to be provided them, consulting in the mean time
79what was to be done. And after certain days coming into the
80Iland, chose a place to meet them under the open Sky, possest
81with an old perswasion, that all Spells, if they should use any
82to deceive him, so it were not within doors, would be unavailable.
83They on the other side call'd to his presence, advancing
84for thir Standard, a silver cross, and the painted

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85image of our Saviour, came slowly forward singing thir
86solemn Litanies: which wrought in Ethelbert more suspition
87perhaps that they us'd enchantments; till sitting down as the
88King will'd them, they there preach'd to him, and all in that
89assembly, the tidings of Salvation. Whom having heard attentively,
90the King thus answer'd. Fair indeed and ample
91are the promises which ye bring, and such things as have the
92appearance in them of much good; yet such as being new and
93uncertain, I cannot hastily assent to, quitting the Religion
94which from my Ancestors, with all the English Nation,
95so many years I have retain'd. Nevertheless because ye are
96strangers, and have endur'd so long a journey, to impart us
97the knowledge of things, which I perswade me you believe
98to be the truest and the best, ye may be sure we shall not
99recompence you with any molestation, but shall provide
100rather how we may friendliest entertain ye; nor do we forbid
101whom ye can by preaching gain to your belief. And accordingly
102thir residence he allotted them in Doroverne or Canturbury
103his chief Citty, and made provision for thir maintenance,
104with free leave to preach their doctrine where they
105pleased. By which, and by the example of thir holy life, spent
106in prayer, fasting, and continual labour in the conversion of
107Souls, they won many; on whose bounty and the Kings, receiving
108only what was necessary, they subsisted. There stood
109without the Citty, on the East-side, an ancient Church built
110in honour of St. Martin , while yet the Romans remain'd heer:
111in which Bertha the Queen went out usually to pray: Heer
112they also began first to preach, baptize, and openly to exercise

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113divine worship. But when the King himself convinc't by thir
114good life & miracles, became Christian, and was baptiz'd,
115which came to pass in the very first year of thir arrival, then
116multitudes daily, conforming to thir Prince, thought it honour
117to be reckon'd among those of his faith. To whom Ethelbert
118indeed principally shewed his favour, but compell'd
119none. For so he had bin taught by them who were both the
120Instructors and the Authors of his faith, that Christian Religion
121ought to be voluntary, not compell'd. About this time
122Kelwulf the Son of Cutha Keaulins Brother reign'd over the
123West-Saxons , after his Brother Keola or Kelric , and had continual
124War either with English, Welch, Picts , or Scots . But
125Austin , whom with his fellows, Ethelbert now had endow'd
126with a better place for thir abode in the Citty, and other possessions
127necessary to livelihood, crossing into France , was by
128the Archbishop of Arles , at the appointment of Pope Gregory ,
129ordain'd Archbishop of the English : and returning, sent
130to Rome Laurence and Peter , two of his associates, to acquaint
131the Pope of his good success in England , and to be
132resolv'd of certain Theological, or rather Levitical questions:
133with answers to which, not proper in this place, Gregory
134sends also to the great work of converting, that went on so
135happily, a supply of labourers, Mellitus, Justus, Paulinus,
136Rufinian , and many others; who what they were, may be
137guess't by the stuff which they brought with them, vessels
138and vestments for the Altar, Coaps, reliques, and for the
139Archbishop Austin a Pall to say Mass in: to such a rank
140superstition that Age was grown, though some of them yet

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141retaining an emulation of Apostolic zeal: lastly, to Ethelbert
142they brought a letter with many presents. Austin thus exalted
143to Archiepiscopal authority, recover'd from the ruins and
144other profane uses, a Christian Church in Canturbury built
145of old by the Romans ; which he dedicated by the name of
146Christs Church, and joyning to it built a seat for himself and
147his successors; a Monastery also neer the Citty Eastward,
148where Ethelbert at his motion built St. Peters , and enrich't it
149with great endowments, to be a place of burial for the Archbishops
150and Kings of Kent : so quickly they step't up into
151fellowship of pomp with Kings. While thus Ethelbert and
152his people had thir minds intent, Ethelfrid the Northumbrian
153King, was not less busied in far different affairs: for
154being altogether warlike, and covetous of fame, he more
155wasted the Britans then any Saxon King before him; winning
156from them large Territories, which either he made tributary,
157or planted with his own Subjects. Whence Edan King of
158those Scots that dwelt in Britain , jealous of his successes,
159came against him with a mighty Army, to a place call'd
160Degsastan ; but in the fight loosing most of his men, himself
161with a few escap'd: only Theobald the Kings brother, and
162the whole wing which he commanded, unfortunately cut
163off, made the Victory to Ethelfrid less intire. Yet from that
164time no King of Scots in hostile manner durst pass into Britain
165for a hunderd and more years after: and what some years
166before, Kelwulf the West-Saxon is annal'd to have done
167against the Scots and Picts , passing through the Land of
168Ethelfrid a King so potent, unless in his aid and alliance, is

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169not likely. Buchanan writes as if Ethelfrid , assisted by Keaulin
170whom he mistitles King of East-Saxons , had before this
171time a battel with Aidan , wherein Cutha Keaulins son was
172slain. But Cutha , as is above written from better authority,
173was slain in fight against the Welch 20 years before. The
174number of Christians began now to increase so fast, that
175Augustine ordaining Bishops under him, two of his assistants
176Mellitus and Justus , sent them out both to the work of thir
177ministry. And Mellitus by preaching converted the East-Saxons ,
178over whom Sebert the son of Sleda , by permission of
179Ethelbert , being born of his sister Ricula , then reign'd.
180Whose conversion Ethelbert to gratulate, built them the great
181Church of St. Paul in London to be their Bishops Cathedral;
182as Justus also had his built at Rochester , and both gifted by
183the same King with fair possessions. Hitherto Austin laboured
184well among Infidels, but not with like commendation
185soon after among Christians. For by means of Ethelbert summoning
186the Britan Bishops to a place on the edge of Worcestershire ,
187call'd from that time Augustines Oke, he requires
188them to conform with him in the same day of celebrating
189Easter , and many other points wherein they differ'd from the
190rites of Rome : which when they refus'd to do, not prevailing
191by dispute, he appeals to a miracle, restoring to sight a blind
192man whom the Britans could not cure. At this something
193mov'd, though not minded to recede from thir own opinions
194without furder consultation, they request a second meeting:
195to which came seven Britan Bishops, with many other lerned
196men, especially from the famous Monastery of Bangor , in

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197which were said to be so many Monks, living all by thir own
198labour, that being divided under seven Rectors, none had
199fewer then 300. One man there was who staid behind, a
200Hermit by the life he led, who by his wisdom effected more
201then all the rest who went: being demanded, for they held
202him as an Oracle, how they might know Austin to be a man
203from God, that they might follow him, he answer'd, that if
204they found him meek and humble, they should be taught by
205him, for it was likeliest to be the yoke of Christ, both what
206he bore himself, and would have them bear; but if he bore
207himself proudly, that they should not regard him, for he was
208then certainly not of God. They took his advice, and hasted
209to the place of meeting. Whom Austin being already there
210before them, neither arose to meet, nor receiv'd in any brotherly
211sort, but sat all the while pontifically in his Chair.
212Whereat the Britans , as they were counsel'd by the holy man,
213neglected him, and neither hark'n'd to his proposals of conformity,
214nor would acknowledge him for an Archbishop:
215And in name of the rest, Dinothus then Abbot of Bangor , is
216said, thus sagely to have answer'd him. As to the subjection
217which you require, be thus perswaded of us, that in the bond
218of love and charity we are all Subjects and Servants to the
219Church of God, yea to the Pope of Rome , and every good
220Christian to help them forward, both by word and deed, to
221be the Childern of God: other obedience then this we know
222not to be due to him whom you term the Pope; and this obedience
223we are ready to give both to him and to every Christian
224continually. Besides, we are govern'd under God by the

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225Bishop of Caerleon , who is to oversee us in spiritual matters.
226To which Austin thus presaging, some say menacing, replies,
227since ye refuse to accept of peace with your brethren, ye shall
228have War from your enemies; and since ye will not with
229us preach the word of life, to whom ye ought, from their
230hands ye shall receive death. This, though Writers agree not
231whether Austin spake it as his prophecy, or as his plot against
232the Britans , fell out accordingly. For many years were not
233past, when Ethelfrid , whether of his own accord, or at the
234request of Ethelbert incens't by Austin , with a powerful host
235came to Westchester , then Caer-legion . Where being met by
236the British Forces, and both sides in readiness to give the
237onset, he discernes a company of men, not habited for War,
238standing together in a place of some safety; and by them a
239Squadron arm'd. Whom having lernt upon some enquiry to
240be Priests and Monks, assembl'd thither after three days fasting,
241to pray for the good success of thir Forces against him,
242therefore they first, saith he, shall feel our Swords; for they
243who pray against us, fight heaviest against us by thir prayers,
244and are our dangerousest enemies. And with that turns his
245first charge upon the Monks: Brocmail the Captain set to
246guard them, quickly turns his back, and leaves above 1200
247Monks to a sudden massacher, whereof scarse fifty scap'd,
248but not so easie work found Ethelfrid against another part of
249Britans that stood in arms, whom though at last he overthrew,
250yet with slaughter nigh as great to his own souldiers.
251To excuse Austin of this bloodshed, lest some might think it
252his revengeful policy, Beda writes that he was dead long before,

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253although if the time of his sitting Archbishop be right
254computed sixteen years, he must survive this action. Other
255just ground of charging him with this imputation appears not,
256save what evidently we have from Geffry Monmouth , whose
257weight we know.

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258

EDMUND IRONSIDE.

259
260    After the decease of Ethelred , they of the Nobility
261who were then at London together with the Citizens,
262chose Edmund his Son (not by Emma , but a former Wife the
263Daughter of Earl Thored ) in his Fathers room; but the Archbishops,
264Abbots, and many of the Nobles assembling together
265elected Canute ; and coming to Southamton where he then
266remain'd, renounc'd before him all the race of Ethelred , and
267swore him fidelity: he also swore to them, in matters both
268religious and secular, to be thir faithfull Lord. But Edmund
269with all speed going to the West-Saxons , was joyfully receav'd
270of them as thir King, and of many other Provinces by their
271example. Mean while Canute about mid May came with his

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272whole Fleet up the River to London ; then causing a great
273Dike to be made on Surrey side, turn'd the stream and drew
274his Ships thether West of the Bridge; then begirting the City
275with a broad and deep trench, assail'd it on every side; but
276repulst as before by the valorous Defendants, and in despair
277of success at that time, leaving part of his Army for the defence
278of his Ships, with the rest sped him to the West-Saxons ,
279ere Edmund could have time to assemble all his powers: who
280yet with such as were at hand invoking divine aid, encounterd
281the Danes at Pen by Gillingham in Dorsetshire , and put him
282to flight. After mid-summer, encreast with new Forces, he met
283with him again at a place call'd Sherastan , now Sharstan ; but
284Edric, Almar , and Algar , with the Hamshire and Wiltshire
285men, then sideing with the Danes , he only maintain'd the
286fight, obstinatly fought on both sides, till night and weariness
287parted them. Day light returning renu'd the conflict; wherein
288the Danes appearing inferiour, Edric to dishart'n the English
289cuts off the Head of one Osmer , in countnance and hair somewhat
290resembling the King, and holding it up, cries aloud to
291the English, that Edmund being slain and this his head, it
292was time for them to flie; which falacy Edmund perceaving,
293and op'nly shewing himself to his Souldiers, by a spear thrown
294at Edric , that missing him yet slew one next him, and through
295him another behinde, they recoverd heart, and lay sore upon
296the Danes till night parted them as before: for ere the third
297morn, Canute sensible of his loss, march'd away by stealth to
298his Ships at London , renuing there his leagre. Some would
299have this Battell at Sherastan the same with that at Scorastan

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300before mention'd, but the circumstance of time permits not
301that, having bin before the landing of Canute , this a good
302while after, as by the Process of things appears: from Sherastan
303or Sharstan, Edmund return'd to the West-Saxons , whose
304valour Edric fearing, least it might prevail against the Danes ,
305sought pardon of his revolt, and obtaining it swore loyalty to
306the King, who now the third time coming with an Army from
307the West-Saxons to London , rais'd the Seige, chaseing Canute
308and his Danes to thir Ships. Then after two daies passing the
309Thames at Branford , and so coming on thir backs, kept them
310so turn'd, and obtain'd the Victory: then returns again to his
311West Saxons , and Canute to his Seige, but still in vain; riseing
312therfore thence, he enterd with his Ships a River then call'd
313Arenne ; and from the Banks therof wafted Mercia ; thence
314thir Horse by land, thir Foot by Ship came to Medway . Edmund
315in the mean while with multipli'd Forces out of many
316Shires, crossing again at Branford , came into Kent , seeking
317Canute ; encounterd him at Otford , and so defeated, that of
318his Horse, they who escap'd fled to the Ile of Sheppey , and a
319full Victory he had gain'd, had not Edric still the Traytor by
320some wile or other detain'd his persuit: and Edmund who
321never wanted courage, heer wanted prudence to be so misled,
322ever after forsak'n of his wonted Fortune. Canute crossing
323with his Army into Essex , thence wasted Mercia worse then
324before, and with heavy prey return'd to his Ships: them Edmund
325with a collected Army persueing, overtook at a place
326call'd Assandune , or Asseshill , now Ashdown in Essex ; the
327Battel on either side was fought with great vehemence; but

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328perfidious Edric perceaving the Victory to incline towards
329Edmund , with that part of the Army which was under him,
330fled, as he had promis'd Canute , and left the King over-match't
331with numbers: by which desertion the English were over-thrown,
332Duke Alfric , Duke Godwin , and Ulfketel the valiant
333Duke of East-Angles , with a great part of the Nobility
334slain, so as the English of a long time had not receav'd a greater
335blow. Yet after a while Edmund not absurdly call'd Ironside ,
336preparing to try again his Fortune in another feild, was hinderd
337by Edric and others of his faction, adviseing him to make
338peace and divide the Kingdome with Canute . To which Edmund
339over-rul'd, a treaty appointed, and pledges mutually
340giv'n, both Kings met together at a place call'd Deorhirst in
341Glostershire; Edmund on the West side of Severn, Canute on
342the East with thir Armies, then both in person wafted into an
343Iland, at that time call'd Olanege , now Alney in the midst of
344the River; swearing amity and brotherhood, they parted the
345Kingdome between them. Then interchanging Armes and the
346habit they wore, assessing also what pay should be allotted to
347the Navy; they departed each his way. Concerning this interveiw
348and the cause therof, others write otherwise; Malmsbury ,
349that Edmund greiving at the loss of so much blood spilt
350for the ambition only of two men striveing who should reign,
351of his own accord sent to Canute , offering him single Combate,
352to prevent in thir own cause the effusion of more blood
353then thir own; that Canute though of courage anough, yet not
354unwisely doubting to adventure his body of small Timber,
355against a man of Iron sides, refus'd the Combate, offring to

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356divide the Kingdome; this offer pleasing both Armies, Edmund
357was not difficult to consent; and the decision was, that
358he as his hereditary Kingdome should rule the West-Saxons ,
359and all the South, Canute the Mercians , and the North . Huntingdon
360follow'd by Mat. West. relates, that the Peers on every
361side wearied out with continuall warfare, and not refraining
362to affirm op'nly, that they two who expected to reign singly,
363had most reason to fight singly, the Kings were content; the
364Iland was thir lists, the Combate Knightly; till Knute finding
365himself too weak, began to parle, which ended as is said before.
366After which the Londoners bought thir peace of the
367Danes , and permitted them to winter in the City. But King
368Edmund about the Feast of St. Andrew , unexpectedly deceas'd
369at London , and was buried neer Edgar his Grandfather
370at Glaston . The cause of his so sudden death is uncertain;
371common fame, saith Malmsbury , laies the guilt therof
372upon Edric , who to please Canute , allur'd with promise of reward
373two of the Kings Privy Chamber, though at first abhorring
374the fact, to assassinate him at the stool, by thrusting a
375sharp Iron into his hinder parts. Huntingdon , and Mat. West.
376relate it done at Oxford by the Son of Edric , and something
377vary in the manner, not worth recital. Edmund dead, Canute
378meaning to reign sole King of England , calls to him all the
379Dukes, Barons, and Bishops of the Land, cunningly demanding
380of them who were witnesses what agreement was made
381between him and Edmund dividing the Kingdome, whether
382the Sons and Brothers of Edmund were to govern the West-Saxons
383after him, Canute living? they who understood his

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384meaning, and fear'd to undergo his anger, timorously answerd,
385that Edmund they knew had left no part therof to his Sons or
386Brethren, living or dying; but that he intended Canute should
387be thir Guardian, till they came to age of reigning. Simeon
388affirms, that for fear or hope of reward they attested what was
389not true: notwithstanding which he put many of them to
390death not long after.
391
392

CANUTE, OR KNUTE.

393
394    Canute having thus sounded the Nobility, and by
395them understood, receav'd thir Oath of fealty, they
396the pledge of his bare hand, and Oath from the Danish
397Nobles; whereupon the House of Edmund was renounc't, and
398Canute Crown'd. Then they enacted, that Edwi Brother of
399Edmund , a Prince of great hope, should be banish't the
400Realm. But Canute not thinking himself secure while Edwi
401liv'd, consulted with Edric how to make him away; who told
402him of one Ethelward a decay'd Nobleman, likeliest to do the
403work. Ethelward sent for, and tempted by the King in privat,
404with largest rewards, but abhorring in his mind the deed,
405promisd to do it when he saw his opportunity; and so still
406deferr'd it. But Edwi afterwards receav'd into favour as a
407snare, was by him or some other of his false freinds, Canute
408contriving it, the same year slain. Edric also counsel'd him to
409dispatch Edward and Edmund , the Sons of Ironside ; but the
410King doubting that the fact would seem too foul done in
411England , sent them to the King of Sweden , with like intent;
412but he disdaining the Office, sent them for better safety to
413Solomon King of Hungary ; where Edmund at length dy'd,

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414but Edward married Agatha Daughter to Henry the German
415Emperour. A digression in the Laws of Edward Confessor
416under the Title of Lex Noricorum saith, that this Edward for
417fear of Canute , fled of his own accord to Malesclot King of
418the Rugians , who receav'd him honourably, and of that Country
419gave him a Wife. Canute settl'd in his Throne, divided
420the Government of his Kingdom into fowr parts; the West-Saxons
421to himself, the East-Angles to Earl Turkill , the Mercians
422to Edric , the Northumbrians to Eric ; then made peace
423with all Princes round about him, and his former Wife being
424dead, in July married Emma the Widow of King Ethelred .
425The Christmas following was an ill Feast to Edric , of whose
426Treason, the King having now made use as much as serv'd
427his turn, and fearing himself to be the next betray'd, caus'd
428him to be slain at London in the Palace, thrown over the City
429Wall, and there to lie unburied; the head of Edric fixt on a
430pole, he commanded to be set on the highest Tower of London ,
431as in a double sence he had promis'd him, for the murder
432of King Edmund to exalt him above all the Peers of England .
433Huntingdon, Malmsbury , and Mat. West. write, that suspecting
434the Kings intention to degrade him from his Mercian
435Dukedome, and upbraiding him with his merits, the King
436enrag'd, caus'd him to be strangl'd in the room, and out at a
437Window thrown into the Thames . Another writes, that Eric
438at the Kings command struck off his head. Other great men
439though without fault, as Duke Norman the Son of Leofwin,
440Ethelward Son of Duke Agelmar , he put to death at the same
441time, jealous of thir power of familiarity with Edric : and

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442notwithstanding peace, kept still his Army; to maintain
443which, the next year he squees'd out of the English, though
444now his subjects, not his Enemies, 72, some say, 82 thousand
445pound, besides 15 thousand out of London . Mean while great
446War arose at Carr , between Uthred Son of Waldef , Earl of
447Northumberland , and Malcolm Son of Kened King of Scots ,
448with whom held Eugenius King of Lothian . But heer Simeon
449the relater seems to have committed some mistake, having
450slain Uthred by Canute two years before, and set Eric in his
451place: Eric therfore it must needs be, not Uthred , who manag'd
452this War against the Scots . About which time in a Convention
453of Danes at Oxford , it was agreed on both parties to
454keep the Laws of Edgar; Mat. West. saith, of Edward the
455Elder. The next year Canute sail'd into Denmarke , and there
456abode all Winter. Huntingdon and Mat. West. say, he went
457thether to repress the Swedes , and that the night before a
458Battel to be fought with them. Godwin stealing out of the
459Camp with his English, assaulted the Swedes , and had got the
460victory ere Canute in the morning knew of any fight. For
461which bold enterprise, though against Discipline, he had the
462English in more esteem ever after. In the Spring at his return
463into England , he held in the time of Easter a great assembly
464at Chirchester , and the same year was with Turkill the Dane
465at the dedication of a Church by them built at Assendune , in
466the place of that great Victory which won him the Crown.
467But suspecting his greatness, the year following banish'd him
468the Realm, and found occasion to do the like by Eric the
469Northumbrian Earl upon the same jealousie. Nor yet content

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470with his Conquest of England , though now above ten years
471enjoy'd, he pass'd with 50 Ships into Norway , dispossess'd
472Olave thir King, and subdu'd the land, first with great
473summes of money sent the year before to gain him a party,
474then coming with an Army to compell the rest. Thence returning
475King of England, Denmarke , and Norway , yet not
476secure in his mind, under colour of an Embassey he sent into
477banishment Hacun a powerfull Dane , who had married the
478Daughter of his Sister Gunildis , having conceav'd some suspition
479of his practices against him: but such course was tak'n,
480that he never came back; either perishing at Sea, or slain by
481contrivance the next year in Orkney . Canute therefore having
482thus establish't himself by bloodshed and oppression, to
483wash away, as he thought, the guilt therof, sailing again into
484Denmark , went thence to Rome , and offerd there to St. Peter
485great guifts of Gold and Silver, and other pretious things; besides
486the usuall tribute of Romscot , giving great Alms by the
487way, both thether and back again, freeing many places of
488Custom and Toll with great expence, where strangers were
489wont to pay, having vow'd great amendment of life at the
490Sepulchre of Peter and Paul , and to his whole people in a large
491letter writt'n from Rome yet extant. At his return therfore he
492built and dedicated a Church to St. Edmund at Bury , whom
493his Ancestors had slain, threw out the secular Preists who had
494intruded there, and plac'd Monks in thir stead; then going
495into Scotland , subdu'd and receav'd homage of Malcolm , and
496two other Kings there, Melbeath , and Jermare . Three years
497after having made Swane his suppos'd Son by Algiva of

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498Northamton , Duke Alfhelms Daughter (for others say the
499Son of a Preist whom Algiva barren had got ready at the time
500of her feign'd labour) King of Norway , and Hardecnute his
501Son by Emma King of Denmark , and design'd Harold his
502Son by Algiva of Northamton King of England , dy'd at
503Shaftsbury , and was buried at Winchester in the old Monastery.
504This King, as appears, ended better then he began, for
505though he seems to have had no hand in the Death of Ironside ,
506but detested the fact, and bringing the murderers, who came
507to him in hope of great reward, forth among his Courtiers, as
508it were to receave thanks, after they had op'nly related the
509manner of thir killing him, deliver'd them to deserved punishment,
510yet he spar'd Edric whom he knew to be the prime
511Authour of that detestable fact; till willing to be rid of him,
512grown importune upon the confidence of his merits, and upbraided
513by him that he had first relinquisht, then extinguisht
514Edmund for his sake; angry to be so upbraided, therfore said
515he with a chang'd countnance, Traytor to God and to me,
516thou shalt die; thine own mouth accuses thee to have slain thy
517Master my confederate Brother, and the Lords Anointed.
518Whereupon although present and privat Execution was in
519rage done upon Edric , yet he himself in cool blood scrupl'd
520not to make away the Brother and Childern of Edmund , who
521had better right to be the Lords Anointed heer then himself.
522When he had obtain'd in England what he desir'd, no wonder
523if he sought the love of his conquerd Subjects for the love of
524his own quiet, the maintainers of his wealth and state, for his
525own profit. For the like reason he is thought to have married

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526Emma , and that Richard Duke of Normandy her Brother
527might the less care what became of Elfred and Edward , her
528Sons by King Ethelred . He commanded to be observ'd the
529antient Saxon Laws, call'd afterwards the Laws of Edward
530the Confessor, not that hee made them, but strictly observ'd
531them. His Letter from Rome professes, if he had done aught
532amiss in his youth, through negligence or want of due temper,
533full resolution with the help of God to make amends, by governing
534justly and piously for the future; charges and adjures
535all his Officers and Vicounts, that neither for fear of him, or
536favour of any person, or to enrich the King, they suffer injustice
537to be done in the land; commands his treasurers to pay
538all his Debts ere his return home, which was by Denmarke ,
539to compose matters there; and what his Letter profess'd, he
540perform'd all his life after. But it is a fond conceit in many
541great ones, and pernicious in the end, to cease from no violence
542till they have attain'd the utmost of thir ambitions and desires;
543then to think God appeas'd by thir seeking to bribe him
544with a share however large of thir ill-gott'n spoils, and then
545lastly to grow zealous of doing right, when they have no
546longer need to do wrong. Howbeit Canute was famous
547through Europe , and much honour'd of Conrade the Emperour,
548then at Rome , with rich guifts and many grants of what
549he there demanded for the freeing of passages from Toll and
550Custome. I must not omit one remarkable action done by him,
551as Huntingdon reports it, with great Scene of circumstance,
552and emphatical expression, to shew the small power of Kings
553in respect of God; which, unless to Court-Parasites, needed no

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554such laborious demonstration. He caus'd his Royal Seat to be
555set on the shoar, while the Tide was coming in; and with all
556the state that Royalty could put into his countnance, said thus
557to the Sea: Thou Sea belongst to me, and the Land wheron I
558sit is mine; nor hath any one unpunish't resisted my commands:
559I charge thee come no furder upon my Land, neither
560presume to wet the Feet of thy Sovran Lord. But the Sea, as
561before, came rowling on, and without reverence both wet and
562dash'd him. Whereat the King quickly riseing, wish'd all
563about him to behold and consider the weak and frivolous
564power of a King, and that none indeed deserv'd the name of a
565King, but he whose Eternal Laws both Heav'n, Earth, and
566Sea obey. A truth so evident of it self, as I said before, that
567unless to shame his Court Flatterers who would not else be
568convinc't, Canute needed not to have gone wet-shod home:
569The best is, from that time forth he never would wear a
570Crown, esteeming Earthly Royalty contemptible and vain.