 Book 6 of the History of Britain, Part 1 by John Milton. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, recording by Thomas Copeland. The History of Britain, the Sixth Book. Edward the Younger. Side note, A.D. 975, return to text. Edward, the eldest son of Edgar, by Egel Schlede, his first wife, the daughter of Duke Ordmer, was, according to Wright and his father's will, placed in the throne. Elfride, his second wife, and her faction only repining, who labored to have had her son Ethelred, a child of seven years, preferred before him. That she under that pretense might have ruled all. Meanwhile, comments were seen in heaven, pretending not famine only, which followed the next year, but the troubled state of the whole realm, not long after, to ensue. The troubles begun in Edwin's days between monks and secular priests were now revived, and drew on either side many of the nobles into parties. For Elphir, Duke of the Mercians, with many other peers, corrupted, as is said with gifts, drove the monks out of those monasteries where Edgar had placed them, and in their stead put secular priests with their wives. But Ethelwin, Duke of the East Angles, with his brother Elfwold and Earl Brittnorth, opposed them, and gathering an army, defended the abbeys of the East Angles from such intruders. To appease these tumults, a synod was called at Winchester, and nothing being there concluded. A general council, both of nobles and prelates, was held at Collin and Wiltshire, where, while the dispute was hot, but chiefly against Dunstan, the roof of the room wherein they sat fell upon their heads, killing some and maiming others. Dunstan only escaping upon a beam that fell not, and the king being absent by reason of his tender age. This accident quieted the controversy, and brought both parties to hold with Dunstan and the monks. Meanwhile, the king, addicted to a religious life and of a mild spirit, simply permitted all things to the ambitious will of his stepmother and her son Ethelwin, to whom she displeased only if king was wanting, practiced thenceforth to remove King Edward out of the way, which in this manner she brought about. Edward, on a day wearied with hunting, thirsty, and alone, while his attendants followed the dogs, hearing that Ethelwin and his mother lodged at Corv's Gate, Corv Castle, South Camden, in the Isle of Kerbeck. Innocently went thither. She, with all show of kindness welcoming him, commanded drink to be brought forth, for it seems he lighted not from his horse, and while he was drinking caused one of her servants, privately before instructed, to stab him with a pongert. The poor youth, who little expected such unkindness there, turning speedily the reins, fled, bleeding, till through loss of blood falling from his horse and expiring, yet held with one foot in the stirrup, he was dragged along the way, by his blood, and buried without honor, at Warrom, having reigned about three years. But the place of his burial not long after grew famous for miracles, after which Faduke Elphir, who as Momsbury Seth had a hand in his death, note, post Christ 978, return to text, he was royally interred at Skepton, or Shatsbury. The murderous Elfrida, at length repenting, spent the residue of her days in sorrow and great penance. Ethelred Ethelred, second son of Edgar by Elfrida, or Edmund his elder brother died a child, his brother Edward, having been wickedly removed, was now next in right to succeed, note, post Christ 979, return to text, and accordingly was crowned at Kingston, reported by some to have been a visage, comely of person and elegant of behavior. The event will show that with many sluggish and ignoble vices he quickly shamed his outside, born and prolonged through many years of life, to be a fatal mischief to his people and the ruin of his country. Whereout he gave early signs from his first infancy, beraying the font and water while the bishop was baptizing him, where at Dunston much troubled, by and side, to their next him broke into these words, by God and God's mother this boy will prove a sluggard. Another thing is written of him in his childhood, which argued no bad nature, that hearing of his brother Edward's cruel death he made loud lamentation, but his furious mother offended therewith and having no rod at hand, beat him so with great wax candles that he hated the sight of them ever after. Dunston, though unwilling, set the crown upon his head, but at the same time, foretold openly, as is reported, the great evils that were to come upon him and the land in avengement of his brother's innocent blood. And about the same time, one midnight, a cloud, sometimes bloody, sometimes fiery, was seen over all England and within three years, note, post Christ 982 returned a text, the Danish tempest, which had long suceased, revolved again upon this island. To the more ample relating whereof, the Danish history, at least their latest and diligentest historian, as neither from the first landing of Danes in the reign of West Saxon Grythryk, so now, again from first to last, contributes nothing. Visit more than enough to make out the bare names and successions of their uncertain kings of all actions at home. Unless out of him I should transcribe what he takes and I better make from our own animals. The sureer and the sadder witnesses of their doings here, not glorious as they vainly boast, but most inhumanly barbarous. For the Danes, well understanding that England had now a slothful king to their wish, first landing at Southampton from seven great ships, took the town, spoiled the country and carried away with them great pillage. Nor was Devonshire and Cornwall uninfested on the shore. Pirates of Norway also harried the coast of Westchester. And, to add a worse calamity, the city of London was burned, whether casually or not is not written. It chanced four years after that Ethelred besieged Rochester. Note, post Christ 986 returned to text. Some way or other, offended by the bishop thereof. Dunstan, not approving the cause, sent to warn him that he provoked not St Andrew, the patron of that city, nor waste his lands. An old craft of the clergy to secure their church lands by entailing them on some saint. The king, not harkening, Dunstan on this condition that the siege might be raised, sent him a hundred pounds. The money was accepted and the siege dissolved. Dunstan, reprehending his avarice, sent him again this word. Because thou hast respected money more than religion, the evils which I foretold shall the sooner come upon me. But not in my days, for so God hath spoken. The next year, note, post Christ 987 returned to text, was calamitous, bringing strange fluxes upon men and myrin upon cattle. Dunstan the year following died, a strenuous bishop, zealous, without dread a person, and for out appears the best of many ages if he busied not himself too much in secular affairs. He was chaplain at first to King Athleston, and to Edmund who succeeded him, and much employed in court affairs, till envied by some who laid many things to his charge, he was by Edmund forbidden the court. The earnest mediations hath engulfed the Turkotel, the chancellor, received at length to favour, and made Abbot Glaston, and lastly, by Edgar and the general vote, Archbishop of Canterbury. Not long after his death, the Danes arriving in Devonshire were met by Goda, lieutenant of that country, and strenewaled a valiant leader who put back the Danes, but with loss of their own lives. The third year following, the most Christ, 991, returned to text. Under the conduct of Justin and Guthmund, the son of Staten, they landed and spoiled Ipswich, fought with Britnoth, Duke of the East Angles, about Moldon, where they slew him. The slaughter else had been equal on both sides. These and the like depredations on every side the English not able to resist, by Council of Syric, then Archbishop of Canterbury, and to Dukes, General Wald and Alfred, it was thought best for the present to buy that with silver, which they could not gain with their iron. And ten thousand pounds was paid to the Danes for peace, which for a while contented them, but taught them the ready way how easiest to come by more. The next year but one, note post Christ, 993, returned to text, they took by storm and rifle Bebenberg, an ancient city near Durham. Sailing thence to the mouth of the Humber, they wasted both sides thereof, Yorkshire and Lindsay, burning and destroying all before them. Against these went out three noblemen, Frana, Frithegist, and Godwin, but being all Danes by the Father's side, willingly began flight, and forsook their own forces, betrayed to the enemy. This treachery was at sea. For Alfred, the son of Elfer Duke of Mercia, whom the king for some offence had banished, but now recalled, sent from London with a fleet to surprise the Danes in some place of disadvantage, gave them overnight intelligence thereof, then fled to them himself, which his fleet, Seth Florent, perceiving, pursued, took the ship, but missed of his person. The Londoners, by chance grappling with the East Angles, made them fewer, set my author, by many thousands. Others say that by this notice of Alfred, the Danes not only escaped, but with a greater fleet set up on the English, took many of their ships and in triumph brought them up the towns, intending to besiege London. For Anla, king of Norway, and Swain of Denmark, at the head of these, came with ninety-four galleys. Side note, A.D. 994, returned to text. The king, for this treason of Alfred, put out his son's eyes. But the Londoners, both by land and water, so valiantly resisted their besiegers, that they were forced in one day with great loss to give over. But what they could not do on the city, they wrecked themselves on the country's roundabout, wasting with sword and fire all Essex, Kent and Sussex. Then, forcing their foot, diffused far wider their outrageous incursions, without mercy either to sex or age. The slothful king, instead of war-like opposition in the field, sends ambassadors to treat about another payment. The sum promised was now sixteen thousand pounds, till which paid the Danes wintered at South Hampton. Ethel ran inviting Anloff to come and visit him at Andover, where he was royally entertained, some say baptized, or confirmed, adopted son by the king, and dismissed with great presence, promising by oath to depart and molest the kingdom no more, which he performed. But the calamity ended not so, for after some intermission of their rage for three years, note post Christ 997 returned to text, the other navy of Danes, sailing about to the west, entered the Severn and wasted one while south Wales, then Cornwall and Devonshire, till at length they wintered about Tabistol. For it were an endless work to relate how they wallowed up and down to every particular place, and to repeat as oft what devastations they wrought, what desolations left behind them, easy to be imagined. In sum, the next year, note post Christ 998 returned to text, they afflicted Dorseture, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. By the English many resolutions were taken, many armies raised, but either betrayed by the false soot or discouraged by the weakness of their leaders, they were put to the route or disbanded themselves. For soldiers most commonly are as their commanders, without much odds of valor in one nation or another, only as they are more or less wisely disciplined and conductive. The following year, note post Christ 999 returned to text, brought them back upon Kent, where they entered the Medway and besieged Rochester. But the Kentish men assembling gave them a sharp encounter, yet that's suffice not to hinder them from doing as they had done in other places. Against these depopulations, the King levied an army, but the unskillful soldiers, not knowing what to do with it when they had it, did but drive out time, burdening and impoverishing the people, consuming the public treasure and more emboldening the enemy than if they had sat quiet at home. What cause moved the Danes next year, note post Christ 1000, to pass into Normandy is not recorded, but that they returned thence more outrageous than before. Meanwhile King, to make some diversion, undertakes an expedition both by land and sea to Cumberland where the Danes were most planted, there and in the Isle of Man or as Camden set Anglesey, imitating his enemies in spoiling and unpeopling. The Danes from Normandy, arriving in the river X, laid siege to Exeter, note post Christ 1001 returned to text. But the citizens, as those of London, valorously defending themselves, they wreaked their anger as before on the villages round about. The country people of Somerset and Devonshire, assembling themselves at Penhoe, showed their readiness but wanted ahead, and besides being then but few in number were easily put to flight. The enemy, blundering all at will with loaded spoils passed into the Isle of Wight, from whence all Dorseture and Hampshire felt again their fury. The Saxon before their coming to Exeter, the Hampshire men had a bickering with them, note post Christ 1002 returned to text, wherein Ethelward, the king's general was slain, adding other things hardly to be understood and in one ancient copy. So, end. Ethelward, whom no adversity could await from his soft and sluggish life, still coming by the worst at fighting, by the advice of his peers, not unlike himself, sends one of his gay courtiers, though looking loftily to stoop basely and propose a third tribute to the Danes, they willingly hearken, but the sum is enhanced now to 24,000 pounds and paid, the Danes thereupon abstaining from hostility. But the king, to strengthen his house by some potent affinity, marries Emma, whom the Saxons call Elgaba, daughter of Richard, Duke of Normandy. With him, Ethelward formerly had war, or no good correspondence, as appears by a letter of Pope John the 15th, who made peace between them about 11 years before. Puffed up now with his supposed access of strength by this affinity, he caused the Danes all over England, though now living peaceably, in one day perfidiously to be massacred, women and children, sending private letters to every town and city, whereby they might be ready all at the same hour, which till the appointed time, being the 9th of July, was concealed with great silence, and performed with much unanimity, so generally hated with the Danes. Matthew of Westminster writes that this execution upon the Danes was ten years after, that Huna, one of Ethelward's chief captains, complaining of the Danish insolences in the time of peace, depride their ravishing of matrons and virgins, incited the king to this massacre, which in the madness of rage made no difference of innocent or nocent. Among these Gunhildus, the sister of Swain, was not spared, though much deserving, not pity only, but all protection. She, with her husband Earl Pullingvis coming to live in England, and receiving unanimity, had her husband and young son slain before her face, herself then beheaded, foretelling and announcing that her blood would cost England dear. Some say this was done by the traitor Edric, to whose custody she was committed, but the massacre was some years before Edric's advancement, and if it were done by him afterwards it seems to contradict the private correspondence which the Danes. For Swain, breathing revenge, hasted the next year into England, note, post Christ 1003, returned to text. And by the treason, or negligence of Count Hugh, whom Emma had recommended to the government of Devonshire, sacked the city of Exeter, her wall from east to west gate broken down. After this, wasting Wiltshire, the people of that country and of Hampshire came together in great numbers, with resolutions stoutly to oppose him. But Alfred their general, whose son's eyes the king had lately put out, madly thinking to revenge himself on the king by ruining his own country, when he should have ordered his battle, the enemy being at hand, feigned himself taken with a vomiting, whereby his army in great discontent destitute of a commander turned from the enemy, who straight took Wilton and Salisbury, carrying the pillage thereof to the ships. Thence the next year landing on the coast of Norfolk, note, post Christ 1004, returned to text, he wasted the country and set Norwich on fire. Ulf Kettle, Duke of the East Angles, a man of great valor, not having space to gather his forces, after consultation had thought it best to make peace with the Dane, which he, breaking within weeks, issued silently out of his ships, came to Thapford, stayed there a night, and in the morning left it flaming. Ulf Kettle, hearing this, commanded some to go and break or burn his ships. But they, not daring or neglecting, he, in the meanwhile with what secrecy and speed was possible, drawing together his forces, went out against the enemy and gave them a fierce onset, retreating to their ships. Much inferior in number, many of the chief East Angles there lost their lives. Nor did the Danes come off without great slaughter of their own, confessing that they never met in England with so rough a charge. The next year, note, post Christ 1005, returned to text, whom war could not, a great famine drove Swain out of the land. But the summer following, note, post Christ 1006, returned to text, another great fleet of Danes entered the port of Sandwich, then sport out over all Kenton Sussex, made prey of what they found. The king levying an army out of Mercia and the west Saxons, took on him for once the manhood to go out and face them. But they, who held it safer, to live by rappin' and a hazard of battle, shifting lightly from place to place, frustrated the slow motions of a heavy camp, following their wanted course of robbery, then running to their ships. Thus, all autumn they wearied out the king's army, which gone home to winter, they carried all their pillage to the Isle of Wight, and there stayed till Christmas, at which time the king, being in Shropshire, and but ill-employed, for by the procurement of Edric he caused as his thought Alfhelm and Obaldew treacherously slain, and the eyes of his two sons to be put out. They came forth again, overrunning Hampshire and Berkshire, as far as Greading and Wallingford, thence to Ashton and other places thereof out, neither known nor of tolerable pronunciation, and returning by another way, found many people in arms by the river Kennett. But making their way through, they got safe with vast booty to their ships. The king, notepost Christ 1007, returned to text, and his courtiers wearied out with their last summer's jaunt after the nimble dames to no purpose, which by proof they found too toilsome for their soft bones, more used to beds and couches, had recourse to their last and only remedy, their coffers, and send now the fourth time to buy a dishonorable piece, every time still dearer, not to be had now under 36,000 pounds, for the dames knew how to milk such easy kind, in name of tribute and expenses, which, out of the people over all England, already half-beggared, was extorted and paid. About the same time Ethelrid advanced Edric, so named Stryon, from an obscure condition to be Duke and Mary, Edgitha, the king's daughter. The cause of his advancement, Florent of Wooster and Matthew of Westminster, attributed to his great wealth, gotten by fine policies and a plausible tongue. He proved a main accessory to the ruin of England, as his actions will soon declare. Ethelrid the next year, notepost Christ 1008, returned to text, somewhat rousing himself, ordained that every 310 hides, a hide is so much land as one plow can sufficiently till, should set out a ship or galley, and every nine hides find a coarselet and headpiece. New ships in every port were built, bittled, fraught with stout mariners and soldiers, and appointed to meet all at sandwich. A man might now think that all would go well, when suddenly a new mischief sprung up, dissension among the great ones, which brought all this diligence to as little success as at other times before. Bertheric, the brother of Edric, falsely accused Wolnoth, a great officer set over the south Saxons, who, fearing the potency of his enemies, with 20 ships got to sea and practiced piracy on the coast. Against whom, reported to be in a place where he might easily surprise, Bertheric sets forth with 80 ships, all which, driven back by a tempest and wrecked upon the shore, were burnt soon after by Wolnoth. Dishartened with his misfortune, the king returns to London, the rest of his navy after him, and all this great preparation comes to nothing. Whereupon Turgel, a Danish earl, came with the navy to the Isle of Tannat, post Christ 1009, which are detached, and in August, a far greater led by Heming and Elav joined with him. Thence, coasting to Sandwich and landed, they went onward and began to assault Canterbury. But the citizens and east Cantish men coming to composition with them for 3,000 pounds, they departed thence to the Isle of Wight, robbing and burning by the way. Against these, the king levies an army through all the land, and in several quarters places them neither sea, but so unskillfully or unsuccessfully that the Danes were not thereby hindered from exercising their wanted robberies. It happened that the Danes were one day gone up into the country far from their ships. The king, having noticed thereof, thought to intercept them in their return. Is men were resolute to overcome or die? Time and place advantageous, but where courage and fortune were not wanting their wanted loyalty among them. Edric, with subtle arguments that had a show of deep policy, disputed and persuaded the simplicity of his fellow counselors that it would be best consulted at that time to let the Danes pass without ambush or interception. The Danes, where they expected danger finding none, passed on with great joy and booty to their ships. After this, sailing about Kent, they lay that winter in the Thames, forcing Kent and Essex to contribution, after times attempting the city of London, but repulsed as oft to their great loss. Spring begun, leaving their ships they passed through Childrenwood to Oxfordshire. No, post Christ 1010 returned to text, burnt the city, thence returning with divided forces wasted on both sides the Thames, but hearing that an army from London was marched out against them, they on the north side passing the river at Staines joined with them on the south side into one body, and enriched with great spoils came back through Surrey to their ships, which all the Lent time they repaired. After Easter, sailing to the east angles, they arrived at Ipswich and came to a place called Ringmere, where they heard that Elf cattle with his forces lay, who with a sharp encounter soon entertained them, but his men at length giving back through the subtlety of a Danish servant among them who began the flight lost the field, though the men of Cambridgeshire stood to it valiantly. In this battle Ethelstan, the king's son-in-law, with many other noblemen were slain. By the Danes without more resistance three months together had the spoiling of those countries and all the fens burnt thatford and Granford or Cambridge. Thence, to a hilly place not far off, called by Huntington, Bailsham, by Camden, Gogmogog Hills, and the villages there about, they turned their fury. Slaying all they met saved one man, who, getting up into a steeple, is said to have defended himself against the whole Danish army. They therefore, so leaving him, their foot by sea, their horse by land through Essex, returned back laden to their ships left in the Thames. But many days passed not between, when sallying out again of their ships as out of savage dens, they plundered over again all Oxfordshire and added to their prey Buckingham, Bedford and Hartfordshire. Then, like wild beasts glutted, returning to their caves. A third excursion they made into Northamptonshire, Burnt Northampton, ransacking the country round. Then, as a fresh pasture, betook them to the West Saxons and in Likesaw, Harrison all Wilcher, returned, as I said before, like wild beasts or rather sea monsters to their water staples. Accomplishing by Christmas the circuit of their whole years good deeds. An unjust and inhuman nation who receiving or not receiving tribute, where none was owing them, made such destruction of mankind and wrapping of their livelihood as is a misery to read. Yet here they cease not. For the next year, North post Christ 1011, repeating the same cruelties on both sides of the Thames, one way as far as Huntington, the other as far as Wilcher visited again by the king for peace and receiving their demands both a tribute and contribution, they slighted their faith and in the beginning of September they'd siege to Canterbury. On the 20th day by the treachery of all near the Archdeacon they took part of it and burnt it, committing all sorts of massacre as a sport. Some they threw over the wall, others into the fire, unsummed by the privy members, infants pulled from their mother's breasts were either tossed on spears or carts drawn over them, matrons and virgins by the hair-dragged and ravished. Alphage, the grave archbishop above others hated of the Danes, as in all councils and actions to his might their own opposer, taken, wounded, imprisoned in a noisome ship, the multitude are tired and every tent only spared. Early the next year before Easter, note, post Christ to 1012, seek, return to text, while Ethelred and his peers were assembled at London to raise now the fifth tribute, amounting to 48,000 pounds, the Danes at Canterbury proposed to the archbishop who had been now seven months their prisoner life and liberty if he paid them 3,000 pound, which he refusing, as not able of himself and not willing to extort it from his tenants, is permitted to the next Sunday to consider. Then, hauled before the council of whom Turka was chief and still refusing, they rise most of them being drunk and beat him with the blunt side of their axes, then thrust forth deliver him to be pelted with stones. Till one thrun a converted Dane pitying him half-dead to put him out of pain with a pious impiety at one stroke of his axe on the head, dispatched him. His body was carried to London and their barrier, thence afterwards removed to Canterbury. By this time the tribute paid and peace, so often violated, sworn again by the Danes, they dispersed their fleet, forty-five of them and Turka the chief who stayed at London with the King, swore him allegiance to defend his land against all strangers, unconditioned only to be fed and clothed by him. But this voluntary friendship of Turka was thought to be deceitful, that staying under this pretense, he gave intelligence to sway when most it would be seasonable to come. In July, therefore, of the next year, note, post Christ 1012, returned to text, King Swain arriving at Sandwich made no stay there, but sailing first to the Humber, thence into Trent, landed and encamped at Gainsborough, with or without delay repaired to him the Northumbrians with Uthered their Earl, those of Lindsay also, then those of Fisburg. And lastly, all on the north of Watling Street, which is a highway from east to west sea, gave oath and hostages to obey him, from whom he commanded horses and provision for his army, taking with him besides bands and companies of their choicest men, and committing to his son Canute, the care of his fleet and hostages, he marches towards the South Mercians, commanding his soldiers to exercise all acts of hostility. With the terror wearer fully executed, he took in few days the city of Oxford, then Winchester, then standing to London, in his hasty passage over the Thames without seeking bridge or Ford, lost many of his men. Nor was his expedition against London prosperous, for assaying all means of force all while to take the city where in the King then was, and Turkle, with his dames, he was stoutly beaten off, as at other times. Thence, back to Wallingford and Bath directing his course, after usual havoc made, he sat a while and refreshed his army. There, Ethel, an Earl of Devonshire and other great officers in the West, yielded him subjection. These things flowing to his wish, he betook him to his navy, from that time styled and accounted King of England. If a tyrant, Seth Simeon, may be called a king. The Londoners also sent him hostages and made their peace, for they feared his fury. Ethel read, thus reduced to narrow compass, sent Emma his queen with his two sons, had by her, and all this treasure to Richard, the second, her brother, Duke of Normandy. Himself, with his Danish fleet, abode some while at Greenwich, then sailing to the Isle of Wight, passed after Christmas into Normandy, where he was honourably received at Rouen by the Duke, though known to have borne himself cheerlessly and proudly to Emma, his sister, besides his dispute company with other women. Meanwhile, Swain ceased not to exact almost insupportable tribute of the people, spoiling them when he listed. Besides, the like did turkle at Greenwich. The next year beginning, you know, post Christ 1014, returned to tax, Swain sickened and dies. Some say terrified and smitten by an appearing shape of St. Edmund, whose church at Berry he had threatened to demolish. But the authority hereof relies only upon the legend of St. Edmund. After his death, the Danish army and fleet made his son Canute their king, but the nobility and states of England sent messengers to Ethelred declaring that they preferred none before their native sovereign, if he would promise to govern them better than he had done, and with more clemency. However, at the king rejoicing, sends over his son Edward with ambassadors to court both high and low, and win their love, promising largely to be their mild and devoted lord to consent in all things to their will, follow their counsel, and whatever had been done or spoken by any man against him freely to pardon if they would loyally restore him to be their king. To this, the people cheerfully answered, promised and confirmed on both sides. An embassy of lords is said to bring back the king honorably. He returns in Lent and is joyfully received of the people and marches with a strong army against Canute, who, having got horses and joined with the men of Lindsay, was preparing to make spoil in the country's adjoining. But by Ethelred unexpectedly coming upon him was soon driven to his ships and his confederates of Lindsay left to the anchor of their country, by whom they were executed without mercy, both by fire and soul. Canute, in all haste, sailing back to Sandwich, took the hostages given to his father from all parts of England and, with slit noses, ears cropped and hands chopped off, setting them ashore, departed into Denmark. Yet the people were not disburdened, for the king raised out of them thirty thousand pounds to pay his fleet of Danes at Greenwich. In addition to these evils, the sea in October passed its bounds overwhelming many towns in England and of their inhabitants many thousands. The year following, note post Christ 1015, returned to text, an assembly being at Oxford, Edric Stryon having invited two noblemen, Siegferth and Morkar, the sons of Irngren of Sievenberg to his lodging, secretly murdered them. The king, for what causes unknown, seized their estates and caused Algith, the wife of Siegferth, to be kept at Medalsburg, now Momsbury, whom Edmund the prince, there married against his father's mind and then went and possessed their lands, making the people there subject to it. Matthew of Westminster said that these two were of the Danes who had seated themselves in Northumberland and were slain by Edric under colour of trees and laid to their charge. They who attended them without, tumulting at the death of their masters, were beaten back and driven into a church and their defending themselves were burnt and steeple. Meanwhile, Canute returning from Denmark with a great navy, 200 ships richly gilded and adorned, well fraught with arms and all provision, and which the Encomion Emma mentioned not, two other kings, Lachman of Sweden, Olaf of Norway, arrived at Sandwich and as the same author then living rights sent out spies to discover what resistance on land was to be expected, who returned with certain report that a great army of English was in readiness to oppose them. Turkel, who upon the arrival of these Danish powers kept faith no longer with the English, but joining now with Canute to re-engrace sheet himself after his revolt, whether real or complotted, counseled him, being yet young, not to land, but to leave to him the management of this first battle. The king assented, and he with the forces which he had brought and part of those which arrived with Canute landing to their wish, encountered the English, though double in number at a place called Skorasten and was at first beaten back to his loss, but at length animating his men with rage only and despair obtained a clear victory, which won him great reward and possessions from Canute. But of this action no other writer makes mention. From Sandwich, therefore, sailing about to the river Frome and their landing over all Dorseture, Somerseture and Wiltshire, he spread wasteful hostility. The king lay then sick at caution in this county, though it may seem strange how he could lie sick there in the midst of his enemies. Albeit, Edmund in one part and Edric of Strion in another raised forces by themselves, but so soon as both armies were united, the traitor Edric being found to practice against the life of Edmund, he removed with his army from him, whereof the enemy took great advantage. Edric, easily enticing the forty ships of Danes to side with him, revolted to Canute. The West Saxons also gave pledges and furnished him with horses, by which means the year ensuing, note, post Christ 1016, returned to text, he with Edric the traitor, passing the Thames at Cracklad, about Twelfth Tide, entered into Mercia and especially Warwickshire, depopulating all places in their way. Against these, Prince Edmund, who for his hardiness was called Iron Side, gathered an army, but the Mercians refused to fight unless Ethelred with the Londoners came to aid them, and so every man returned home. After the festival, Edmund, gathering another army, besought his father to come with the Londoners and what force besides he was able. They came with great strength gotten together, but being come, and in a hopeful way of good success, it was told the King that unless he took the better heed, some of his own forces would fall off of betrayal. To King, daunted with this perhaps cunning whisper of the enemy, disbanding his army, returns to London. Edmund betook him into Northumberland as some thought to raise fresh forces, but he with an earl oothrid on the one side and canute with Edric on the other but lay waste the provinces. Canute, with a view to Conger them, Edmund to punish those who stood neuter, for which cause Staffordshire, Shropshire and Leicestershire felt heavily his hand, while Canute, who was ruining the more southern shires, at length marched into Northumberland, which Edmund hearing dismissed his forces and came to London. Oothrid, the earl, hasted back to Northumberland finding no other remedy, submitted himself with all the Northumbrians giving hostages to Canute. Nevertheless, by his command or connivance and the hand of one touragrand a Danish lord, Oothrid was slain, and Erich, another Dane, was made earl in his stead. This Oothrid, son of Wotja for Asymian rights in his treatise of the Siege of Durham, in his youth obtained a great victory against Malcolm, son of Canute King of Scots, who, with the whole power of his kingdom was fallen into Northumberland and laid siege to Durham. Wotja, the old earl unable to resist, had secured himself in Bebenburg a strong town. But Oothrid, gathering an army, raised the siege, slew most of the Scots, their king narrowly escaping, and with the heads of their slain fixed upon poles, beset round the walls of Durham. The year of this exploit, Symian clears not for in 969 and in the reign of Oothrid, as he affirms it could not be. Can you, by another way returning southward joyful of his success before Easter came back with all the army to his fleet about the end of April ensuing Oothrid, after a long, troublesome and ill-governed reign of London and was buried in the Church of St. Paul. End of Book 6, Part 1 of the History of Britain by John Milton. Recording by Thomas Copeland. The History of Britain. Book 6, Part 2, by John Milton. This labor box recording is in the public domain. Recording by Thomas Copeland. Edmund Ironside After the decease of Oothrid and the day of the nobility who were then at London, together with the citizens chose Edmund his son not by Emma, but a former wife the daughter of Earl Thorred in his father's room. But the Archbishops, Abbots and many of the nobles assembling together elected canute and coming to Southampton where he then remained renounced before him all the race of Oothrid and swore to him fidelity. But Edmund, with all speed going to the West Saxons was joyfully received of them as their king and of many other provinces by their example. Meanwhile, canute about mid-May came with his whole fleet up the river to London then causing a great dike to be made on Surreyside turned the stream and drew his ships thither west of the bridge then begerting the city with a broad and deep trench assailed it on every side but repulsed as before by the valorous defendants and in despair of success at that time leaving part of his army for the defense of his ships with the rest sped him to the West Saxons Air Edmund could have time to assemble all his powers yet with such as were at hand invoking divine aid encountered the Danes at Penn in Dorseture and put him to flight after mid-summer increased with new forces he met with him again at a place called Sheriston but Edric, Almar and Algar with the Hampshire and Wiltshire men then siding with the Danes he only maintained the fight obstinately fought on both sides till night and weariness part of them daylight returning where in the Danes appearing inferior Edric to dishearten the English cuts off the head of one Osmer in countenance and hair somewhat resembling the king and holding it up cries aloud to the English that Edmund being slain and this his head it was time for them to fly which fallacy Edmund perceiving and openly showing himself to his soldiers by a spear thrown at Edric but missing him yet slew one next to him and through him another behind they recovered heart and lay sore upon the Danes till night parted them as before for ere the third morn Canute sensible of his loss marched away by stealth to his ships at London renewing there his leaguer some would have this battle at Sheriston the same with that at Scoristan before mentioned but the circumstance of time permits not that having been before the landing of Canute this a good while after as by the process of things appears from Sheriston or Charleston Edmund returned to the West Saxons whose valor Edric fearing lest it might prevail against the Danes sought pardon of his revolt and obtaining it swore of loyalty to the king who now the third time coming with an army from the West Saxons to London raised the siege chasing Canute and his Dane to their ships then after two days passing the Thames at Grenford and so coming on their backs kept them so turned and obtained the victory then returns again to his West Saxons and Canute to his siege but still in vain rising therefore thence he entered with his ships a river then called Arren and from the banks thereof wasted mercy thence their horse by land their foot by ship came to Medway Edmund in the meanwhile with multiplied forces out of many shires crossing again at Grenford came into Kent seeking Canute encountered him at Oxford and so defeated that of his horse they who escaped fled to the Isle of Sheppey and a full victory he had gained had not Edric still the traitor by some while or other detained his pursuit and Edmund who never wanted courage here wanted prudence to be so misled after forsaken of his wanted fortune Canute crossing with his army into Essex thence wasted mercy on worse than before and with heavy prey returned to his ships then Edmund with a collected army pursuing overtook at a place called Ascendune or Assachal now Ashdown in Essex the battle on either side was fought with great vehemence but perfidious Edric perceiving the victory to incline towards Edmund with that part of the army which was under him fled as he had promised Canute and left the king overmatched with numbers by which desertion the English were overthrown Duke Alfred Duke Godwin and Ulf Kettle the valiant Duke of East Angles with a great part of the nobility slain so as the English of a long time not received a greater blow yet after a while Edmund not absurdly called iron side preparing again to try his fortune in another field was hindered by Edric and others of his faction advising him to make peace and divide the kingdom with Canute to which Edmund overruled a treaty appointed and pledges mutually given both kings met together at a place called Diorhurst in Gloucestershire Edmund on the west side of the seven Canute on the east with their armies then both in person wafted into an island at that time called Olanej now Olney in the midst of the river swearing amity and brotherhood they parted the kingdom between them then interchanging arms and the habit they wore assessing also what pay should be allotted to the navy they departed each his way concerning this interview and the cause thereof others write otherwise Momsbury that Edmund grieving at the loss of so much blood spilt for the ambition only of two men striving who should reign of his own accord sent to Canute offering him single combat to prevent in their own cause the effusion of more blood than their own that Canute though of courage enough yet not unwisely doubting to adventure his body a small timber against a man of iron sides refused the combat offering to divide the kingdom this offer pleasing both armies Edmund was not difficult to consent and the decision was that he as his hereditary kingdom should rule the west Saxons and all the south Canute the Mercians and the north Huntington followed by Matthew Westminster relates that the peers on every side worried out with continual warfare and refraining to affirm openly that they too who expected to reign singly had most reason to fight singly the kings were content the island was their lists the combat nightly till Canute finding himself too weak began to parley which ended as he said before after which the Londoners bought the Danes and permitted them to winter in the city but King Edmund about the feast of St. Andrew unexpectedly deceased at London and was buried near to Edgar his grandfather at Glaston the cause of his so sudden death is uncertain common fame Seth Momsbury lays the guilt thereof upon Edry who to please Canute allured with promise of reward two of the king's privy chamber at first abhorring the fact to assassinate him at the stool by thrusting a sharp iron into his hindered parts Huntington and Matthew Westminster related done at Oxford by the son of Edry and something barry in the manner not worth recital Edmund dead Canute meaning to reign soul king of England calls to him all the dukes barons and bishops and cunningly demanding of them who were witnesses what agreement was made between him and Edmund dividing the kingdom whether the sons and brothers of Edmund were to govern the west Saxons after him Canute living they who understood his meaning and feared to undergo his anger timorously answered that Edmund they knew had left no part thereof to his sons or brethren living or dying but that he intended that Canute should be their guardian till they came of age of reigning Simeon affirmed that for fear or hope of reward they attested what was not true not withstanding which he put many of them to death not long after Canute or Canute having thus sounded the nobility and by them understood received their oath of fealty they the pledge of his bare hand oath from the Danish nobles where upon the house of Edmund was renounced and Canute crowned they then enacted that Edwi brother of Edmund a prince of great hope should be banished the realm but Canute not thinking himself secure while Edwi lived consulted with Edric how to make him away who told him of one Ethelward a decayed nobleman like list to do the work Ethelward sent for tempted by the king in private with largest rewards but a pouring in his mind the deed promised to do it when he saw his opportunity and so still deferred it but Edwi afterwards received into favor as a snare was by him or some other of his false friends Canute contriving it the same year slain Edric also counseled him to dispatch Edward and Edmund the sons of Ironside but the king, doubting that the fact would seem too foul done in England sent them to the king of Sweden with like intent but he, disdaining the office sent them for better safety to Solomon king of Hungary where Edmund at length died but Edward married Agatha daughter to Henry the German Emperor a digression in the laws of Edward the Confessor under the title of Lex Nordicorum said that this Edward for fear of Canute fled of his own accord to Maliscloth king of the Rujans who received him honorably and of that country gave him a wife Canute settled in his throne divided the government of his kingdom into four parts the West Saxons to himself the East Angles to Earl Terpill the Mercians to Edric the Northumbrians to Erich then made peace with all princes around about him and his former wife being dead in July married Emma the widow of King Aethelred the Christmas following was an ill feast to Edric of whose treason the king having now made use as much as served his turn and fearing himself to be the next betrayed caused him to be slain at London in the palace and then to be thrown over the city wall and there to lie unburied the head of Edric fixed on a pole he commanded to be set on the highest tower of London thereby performing in a different sense than Edric had supposed it to bear the promise he had made him as a reward for his great service by causing King Edmund to be murdered that he would exalt him above all the peers of England Huntington, Momsbury and Matthew of Westminster write suspecting the king's intention to degrade him from his mercy on Dukedom and upgrading him with his merits the king enraged caused him to be strangled in the room and out at a window thrown into the Thames another writes that Eric at the king's command struck off his head other great men though without fault as Duke Norman the son of Loughwyn, Aethelwald son of Duke Agilmar death at the same time jealous of their power or familiarity with Edric and not withstanding peace still kept up his army to maintain which the next year post Christ 1018 returned to text he squeezed out of the English though now his subjects not his enemies 72 some say 82,000 pounds besides 15,000 out of London meanwhile he rose a car between Uthrid son of Wotlif Earl of Northumberland and Malcolm son of King of Scots with whom held Eugenius King of Lothian but here Simeon the Relator seems to have committed some mistake having slain Uthrid by Canute two years before and set Eric in his place Eric therefore it must need to be not Uthrid about which time at a convention of Danes at Oxford it was agreed on both parties to keep the laws of Edgar Mathieu Westminster said of Edward the Elder the next year, note post Christ 1019 returned to text Canute sailed into Denmark and there abode all winter Huntingdon and Mathieu Westminster say he went there to repress the Swedes and that the night before he stopped with them Godwin stealing out of the camp with his English assaulted the Swedes and had got the victory Eric Canute in the morning knew of any fight for which bold enterprise though against discipline he had the English in more esteem ever after in the spring at his return to England post Christ 1020 returned to text he held in the time of Easter a great assembly at Tichester with Turkle the Dane at the dedication of a church by them built in Ascendune in the place of that great victory which won in the crown but suspecting his greatness the year following banished in the realm and found occasion to do the like by Eric the Northumbrian Earl upon the same jealousy nor yet content with his conquest of England note post Christ 1021 returned to text though now above 10 years enjoyed he passed with 50 ships into Norway dispossessed Olaf their king and subdued the land post Christ 1028 returned to text first with great sums of money sent the year before to gain him a party then coming with an army to compel the rest then returning king of England Denmark and Norway yet not secure in his mind under color of an embassy note post Christ 1029 returned to text he sent into banishment a powerful Dane who had married the daughter of his sister Gunildus having conceived some suspicion of his practices against him but such course was taken that he never came back either perishing at sea or slain by contrivance the next year in Orkney note post Christ 1030 returned to text approached himself by bloodshed and oppression to wash away as he thought the guilt thereof sailing again into Denmark note post Christ 1031 returned to text went thence to Rome and offered there to Saint Peter great gifts of gold and silver and other precious things besides the usual tribute of Romskott giving great alms by the way both thither and back again freeing many places of custom in tow with great expense where strangers were want to pay having vowed great amendment of life at the sebble curve Peter and Paul and to his whole people in a large letter written from Rome yet extant at his return therefore he built and dedicated a church to Saint Edmund at Berry whose ancestors had slain throughout the secular priests who had intruded there and placed monks in their stead in 1932 returned to text then going into Scotland subdued and received homage of Malcolm and two other kings there Melbeth and Jermair three years after note post Christ 1035 returned to text having made Swain his supposed son by Algarve of Northampton Duke Alfam's daughter for others say the son of a priest whom Algarve Baron had yet thought ready at the time of her famed labour King of Norway and Hardicnut his son by Emma King of Denmark and designated Harold his son by Algarve of Northampton King of England died at Shaftesbury and was buried at Winchester in the old monastery this king as it appears ended better than he began for though he seems to have had a hand in the death of Ion's side but detested the fact and bringing the murderers who came to him in hope of great reward forth among his quarters as a were to receive thanks after they had openly related the manner of their killing him delivered them to deserved punishment yet he spared Edric whom he knew to be the prime author of that detestable fact till willing to be rid of him fortunate to him upon the confidence of his merits and abraded him by boasting that he had first relinquished and then extinguished Edmund for his sake angry to be so abraded therefore said he with a changed countenance traitor to God and me thou shalt die thine own mouth accuses thee to a slain thy master my confederate brother whereupon although present and private execution was enraged upon Edric yet he himself in cold blood scrupled not to make away the brother and children of Edmund who had better right to be the Lord's anointed here than himself when he had obtained in England what he desired no wonder if he sought the love of his conquered subjects for the love of his own quiet the maintainers of his wealth and state for his own profit for the like reason he is thought to have married Emma and that Richard Duke of Normandy her brother might the less care what became of Alfred and Edward her sons by King Edelred he commanded to be observed the ancient Saxon laws which were called afterwards the laws of Edward the Confessor not that he had made them but because he strictly observed them his letter from Rome professes if he had done ought amiss in his youth through negligence or want of due temper a full resolution with the help of God to make amends by governing justly and piously for the future charges that jures all his officers and by counts that neither for fear of him or favor of any person or to enrich the king they suffer injustice to be done in the land commands his treasurers to pay all his debts air his return home which he made by first passing through Denmark in order to compose some matters there and what his letter professed he performed all his life after but it is a fond conceit in many great ones and pernicious in the end to cease from no violence till they have attained the utmost of their ambitions and desires and then to think that God will be appeased by their seeking to bribe him with a share however large of their ill-gotten spoils and then lastly to grow zealous to do right when they have no longer need to do wrong of it was famous through Europe and much honored by comrade the emperor who was then at Rome with rich gifts and many grants for the freeing of passages from toll and custom I must not omit one remarkable action done by him as Huntington reports it with great scene of circumstance and emphatical expression to show the small power of kings in respect of God which unless to court parasites needed no such laborious demonstration he caused his royal seat to be set on the shore while the tide was coming in and with all the state that royals he could put into his countenance said thus to the sea thou sea belongest to me and the land whereon I sit is mine nor hath any one unpunished resisted my commands I charged to become no father upon my land neither presumed to wet the feet of thy sovereign lord but the sea as before came rolling on and without reverence both wetted and dashed him where at the king quickly rising wished all about him to behold and consider the weak and frivolous power of a king and that none indeed deserved the name of king but he whose eternal laws both heaven earth and sea obey a truth so evident of itself as I said before that unless to shame his court flativers who would not else be convinced canute needed not to have gone wet-shod home the historian further informs us that after pronouncing these words to his courtiers he never more would wear a crown esteeming earthly royalty contemptible and vain Harold Harold for his swiftness surnamed Hairfoot the son of canute by Algarve of Northampton though some speak doubtfully as if she bore and had him of a shoemaker's wife as swaying before of a priest others of a maid servant to conceal her barrenness in a great assembly at Oxford was by Duke Leofric and the Mercians with the Londoners according to his father's testament elected king but without the regal habiliments which anute the archbishop who had them in his custody refused to deliver up to any persons but the sons of Emma for which Harold ever after hated the clergy and as the clergy are once then stood firm all religion Godwin, Earl of Kent and the West Saxons with him stood for hard-to-knute Momsbury said that the contest was between the Danes and the English but the Danes and Londoners grown now in a manner Danish were all for hard-to-knute but he being then in Denmark Harold prevailed so as that the kingdom should be divided between them the West and South part reserved by Emma for hard-to-knute till this return but Harold once advanced into the throne banished Emma his mother-in-law seized on his father's treasure at Winchester and there remained Emma, not holding it safe to abide in Normandy while Duke William the bastard was yet under age retired to Baldwin Earl of Flanders in the meanwhile Alfred and Edward sons of Ethelred accompanied with a small number of Norman soldiers in a few ships coming to visit their mother Emma not yet departed the land and perhaps to see how far the people were inclined to restore them to their right Alfred was sent for by the king then of London but in his way was met at Guildford by Earl Godwin who with all seeming friendship entertained him but yet treacherously caused him in the night to be surprised and make prisoner and most of his company to be put to various sorts of cruel death decimated twice over then brought to London he was by the king sent bound to Ely and had his eyes put out by the way and being delivered to the monks there died soon after in their custody Momsbury gives little credit to the story of Alfred as not chronicled in his time but rumored only which Emma however hearing sent away her son Edward who by good have had not accompanied his brother with all speed into Normandy but the author of Encomium Emly who seems plainly though nameless to have been some monk yet lived and perhaps wrote within the same year when these things were done by his relation differing from all others much aggravates the cruelty of Harold that he not content to have practiced in secret for openly he durst not against the life of Emma sought many treacherous ways to get her sons within his power and resolved at length to forge a letter in the name of their mother inviting them to England the copy of which letter he produces written to this purpose in these words Emma in name only queen to her sons Edward and Alfred in parts motherly salutation while we severally bewail the death of our lord the king most dear sons and while daily you are deprived more and more of the kingdom of your inheritance I admire what counsel you take knowing that your intermitted delay is a daily strengthening to the reign of your usurper who incessantly goes about from town to city gaining the chief nobles to his party either by gifts, prayers or threats but they had much rather that one of you should reign over them than to be held under the power of him who now overrules them I entreat therefore that one of you come to me speedily and privately to receive from me wholesome counsel and to know how the business which I intend shall be accomplished by this messenger present send back what you determine as dear both as my own heart these letters were sent to the princes then in Normandy by express messengers with presents also as from their mother which they joyfully receiving return word by the same messengers that one of them will be with her shortly naming both the time and place Alfred therefore the younger for so it was thought best at the appointed time with a few ships and small numbers about him appearing on the coast no sooner came ashore but fell into the snare of Earl Gottlin sent on purpose to betray him as above was related Emma greatly farrowing for the loss of her son thus cruelly made away fled immediately with some of the nobles her faithfulist appearance into Flanders had her dwelling assigned at Bruges by the Earl where having remained about two years no post price 1039 return to text she was visited out of Denmark by Hardik her son and he not long had remained with her there when Harold in England having done nothing the while worth memory say the taxing of every port at eight marks of silver to 16 ships died at London some say at Oxford and was buried at Winchester most Christ 1040 return to text after which most of the nobility both brains and English now agreeing send ambassadors to Hardik still at Bruges with his mother and treating him to come and receive as his right the center who before midsummer came with 60 ships and many soldiers out of Denmark Hardik newt Hardik newt received with acclamation and seated in throne first called to mind the injuries done to him or his mother Emma in the time of Harold sent Alfred art bishop of York Godwin and others with trout his executioner to London commanding them to dig up the body of King Harold and throw it into a ditch but by a second order into the Thames when taken up by a fisherman and conveyed to a churchyard in London belonging to the Danes it was interred again with honor this done he levied a sore tax that eight marks to every rower and 12 to every officer in his fleet should be paid throughout England by which time they who were so forward to call him over had enough of him for he as they thought had too much of theirs after this he called to account Godwin Earl of Kent and Leving Bishop Wooster about the death of Alfred his brother which Alfred the Archbishop laid to their charge the King deprived Leving of his bishopric and gave it to his accuser but the year following pacified with a round sum restored it to Leving Godwin made his peace by a sumptuous present a galley with a gilded stern bravely rigged and 80 soldiers everyone with bracelets of gold on each arm weighing 16 ounces helmet corset and hilts of his sword gilded a Danish curtax listed with gold or silver hung on his left shoulder a shield of boss and nails gilded in his left hand in his right a lance besides this he took his oath before the King that neither of his own consular will but by the command of Harold he had done what he did to the putting out of Alfred's eyes the like oath took most of the nobility for themselves or on his behalf the next year no post Christ 1041 returned to text Hardy Knut sending his house corals so they called his officers to gather the tribute imposed two of them rigorous in their office were slain at Worcester by the people where at the King enraged sent the offric Duke of Mercia and Seward of Northumberland with great forces and commissioned to slay the citizens rifle and burn the city and waste the whole province a frighted by such news all the people fled the countryman whether they could the citizens to a small island in Severn called Beverage which they fortified and defended stoutly till peace was granted them and freely to return home but their city they found sacked and burnt wherewith the King was appeased this was commendable in him however cruel to others that towards his half brethren though rifles of his crown showed himself always tenderly affectioned as now towards Edward who without fear came to him out of Normandy and with unfeigned kindness received remained safely and honorably in his court but Hardy Knut the year following note post Christ 1042 returned to text at a feast when Oz God a great Danish Lord gave his daughter in marriage at Lambeth to another potent Dane in the midst of his mirth sound and healthful to sight while he was drinking fell down speechless and so dying was buried at Winchester beside his father he was it seems a great lover of good cheer sitting at table four times a day with a great variety of dishes and superfluority to all comers whereas Seth Huntington in our time princes in their houses made him a meal a day he gave his sister a virgin rare beauty in marriage to Henry the Almond Emperor and to send her forth pompously all the nobility contributed their jewels and richest ornaments but it may seem a wonder that our historians if they deserve that name should in a matter so remarkable and so near their own time differ Huntington relates against that of all other records that Harde Knut thus dead the English rejoicing at this unexpected riddance of the Danish yoke sent over to Alfred the elder son of Emma by King Ethelred of whom we heard but now that he died a prisoner at Ely sent there by Harold six years before that he came now out of Normandy with a great number of men to receive the crown of Godwin aiming to have his daughter made Queen of England by marrying her to Edward a simple youth for he thought Alfred to be of a higher spirit than to accept her persuaded the nobles that Alfred had brought over too many Normans and had promised them land here and that it was not safe to suffer a war like and subtle nation to take root in the land and that these were to be so handled as that none of them might in the future to flock hither upon pretence of relation to the king there upon by common consent of the nobles both Alfred and his company were dealt with as was above related that they then sent for Edward out of Normandy with hostages to be left there of their faithful intentions to make him king and their desires not to bring over with him many Normans that Edward at their call came then first out of Normandy whereas all others agreed that he came voluntarily over to visit Hardiknute as is before said and was remaining then in court at the time of his death for Hardiknute being dead Seth Momsbury Edward doubting greatly his own safety determined to rely wholly on the advice and favor of Earl Godwin desiring therefore by messengers to have private speech with him the Earl a while deliberated at last dissenting Prince Edward came and would have fallen at his feet but that not being permitted told him the danger wherein he thought himself at present and in great perplexity be sought his help to convey him some wither out of the land Godwin soon apprehending the fair occasion that now as it were prompted him how to advance himself and his family cheerfully exhorted him to remember himself to be the son of King Edward the grandson of King Edgar the right heir to the crown and of full age and therefore not to think of flying but of reigning which might easily be brought about if he would follow his council then setting forth the power and authority which he had in England he promised that it should be all employed to set him on the throne if he on his part would promise and swear to be forever his friend to preserve the honor of his house and to marry his daughter Edward as his necessity then was consented easily and swore to whatever Godwin required an assembly of the states there upon met at Gillingham where Edward pleaded his right and by the powerful influence of Godwin was accepted others as Brompton with no probability right that Godwin at this time had fled into Denmark for what Alfred but returned then to England and submitted himself to Edward then King but was by him charged openly with the murder of his brother Alfred and not without much ado by the intercession of the Alfred and other peers was received at length into favor End of book 6 part 2 of the history of Britain by John Milton Recording by Thomas Copeland