Polychronicon Ranulphi Higden maonachi Cestrensis; together with the English translations of John Trevisa and of an unknown writer of the fifteenth century.

C^m 15^m.

HUGUS [Huw, γ.] Capet [Capett, Cx.] kyng of West France deyde after that he [Harl. MS. 1900.] had regned ix ȝere his sone Robart was kyng after hym that he had y-gete [bygoten, Cx.] on the elder Edwardes douȝter, kyng of Englond, [folio 248b] This [þes, γ.] Robart regned about an thritty ȝere. In his tyme came a religiouse pilgrime out of Jerusalem into Sicilia, and lerned of oon that was closed [y-closed, γ.] that dede mennes soules for diverse synnes and trespasses beth [be, Cx., et passim.] tormented inn Vulcanus [in, γ.] crokke. He that was y-closed tolde that he had ofte herde [yhurd, γ.] the voys and the grysbitting [grysbytyng, Cx.] of thilke [grysbattynge of þulke, γ.] soules that beth delyvered by prayers and almes dedes of cristen men and namelich [cristemen and namlych, γ; namely, Cx.] of monkes of Cluny. Therfor Odilo abbot of Cluny whanne he was war therof; he ordeyned to have mynde [munde, γ.] and memorye for hem that beth [ben, Cx.] dede, and that the morowe after al halwen day. That maner of usage and of doyng passed afterward into al the world. [worl, γ.] Also this Robart was a kunnyng [connyng, Cx.] man of science, and wolde inn heyȝ festes of seyntes inn som abbay of hys kyngdom synge other bere a cope and rule the queor. [quer, γ., et infra; quere, Cx., et infra.] Ones at Aurelians in a seynt Amans [Anian, γ.; Anians, Cx.] day, he had lefte his oost about a castel that he bisegide and bare a coope in the queor and [sange] [From Cx.] thres [þryes, γ.] Agnus dei, knelyng on the ground. Thanne the same tyme the walles of the castel that was bysegide fil [vul, γ.] doun sodeynlich [sodenly, Cx.] riȝt [riȝt] om. Cx.] to the ground. This is that Robart that made that sequence of the Holy Goost; Sancti spiritus assit nobis gratia, that is, the grace of the Holy Gost be with us. Also he made the Respond of [of] on, Cx.] mydwynter eve; Juda et Jerusalem nolite timere, that is, Jewry [Juwery, γ.] and Jerusalem

haue ȝe no wille to drede, as who seith, drede ȝow [ȝow] now, Cx.] riȝt nouȝt. Also that ȝere Develyng, a cite of an archbischops see of Irland, was distruyed of Scottes, and the navey of Denmarch went into Normandy and kyng Egelredus destruyed Cumbre|lond and the ylond Mon, that hatt Anglesia also [also] om. Cx.] and is by North Wales. Seynt Ivo the bischops body is y-founde. [vounde, γ.] Willelmus de pontificibus libro x ^o. [quarto, Cx.] This Ivo, of the nacioun of Perses, forsoke the likyng of this world, and passed by many londes in a cherles wede with thre felawes and no mo, and endede his lif inn the yle of Rameseye. [Ramsey, Cx.] His grave and his name was longe tyme unknowen to men of that cuntray. But this Ivo appered to a symple man and enformed hym of his name, and of his degree. And chargide hym that he schuld go to the abbot of Rameseye; for thei schuld go y-fere [vor hy scholde go yfere, γ.] and take up [op, γ.] his body out of the erthe. Whanne that was doone, an helful [heeleful, Cx.] welle for al maner sekenesse sprang out of his grave. So the [the] that, Cx.] ȝitt [þat ȝut, γ.] unnethe in al Englond is eny seynt that wole liȝtloker [lyghtlyer, Cx.] here [hure, γ.] a mannes bone and helpe hym in dede. That ȝere king Egelredus wedded Emma the flour of Normandy, the douȝter of the firste Richard duke of Normandy. And was proude [prout, γ.] therfore, and sent lettres into the citees of Englond and comaundide and het sle [hete to sle, Cx.] alle the Danes in oon nyȝt. And so it was doon in seynt Britius [Bricius, γ.] nyȝt. Also that ȝere was the abbay founded of Burtoun uppon Trent of a grete man that het Wulricus Spot. [Wulrycus Spotte, Cx.] After the thrid Otho, the first Henry that was cleped mylde, was emperor two and twenty ȝere; hym crowned the archbischop of Magons. [Magonce, Cx.] And here take hede that moo Henryes were kynges than emperors. Therfore whanne me redith the first Henry, the Secunde, other the thridde, by cause of liknesse of the name, he is seide the first other the secunde in the empire; the same schal be under|stonden of Conrades and Othones, emperors that so hatte. This first Henry lyved clene mayd with his wif. The eiȝtenthe Joon was pope six monthes. Suanus kyng of Danes herde [hurde, γ.] telle that the [the] om. Cx.] Danes were privyliche slayn in the citees of Englond and com with a grete navey and londed in Cornwail. [Cornewayle, Cx.] There by tresoun of a Norman, erle Hugus [Huwe, γ.; Hugh, Cx.] that the queen

Emma had made [ymad, γ.] lord of Devenschyre, Suanus toke Excetre and distruyed the walles. But the West Saxons com manlich aȝenus [aȝenes, γ.; manely ayenst, Cx.] hym. But as ofte as the oostes neiȝede [neyhed, Cx.] to gidres the cheveteyn [cheventen, γ.; Capitayn, Cx.] of Englisch men, Edricus a fals traytor, feyned for to spuwe, and seide that he was seke. Therfore Englisch men were discomforted [dyscomfortet, γ.] and kyng Suanus spoyled and [spoyled and] om. Cx.] robbed Wiltoun and Schirburn, and went to his schippes aȝen, and com to Norwich [Northwich, γ.] the next ȝere after, and destruyed the cuntray and sett Tetford a fier. [Tedford a vure, γ.] Whanne duke Usketel was war therof, he sent to men of the cuntray that they schulde brenne the schippes of her [theyr, Cx.] enemyes But thei [hy, γ.] made hit as thouȝ thei rouȝt nouȝt, [a roȝte noȝt, γ.] other durst nouȝt. Thanne the [þes, γ.] duke com with al that he myȝt and ȝaf the Danes a wel scharp and harde [harde and sharpe, Cx.] batail. But for that ȝere was strong hungre in Englond, kyng Suanus turned aȝen to Denmarch, and com the next ȝere after into [in, γ.] Englond aȝen. The nyntenthe Joon was pope fyve ȝere. This ȝere Elphegus bischop of Wynchestre was made arch|bischop of [of Dorobernia þat is Cantur|bury, γ.] Caunterbury, whanne Wulricus the archbischop was dede. There after in the monthe of Juyle the navey of Danes londede at Sandwich and spoylede and robbede Kent and Southsex, and traveyled the oost of Englond with many maner disseytes and wyles, now spoylinge and robbynge and now turnyng home aȝen. Thre felowes folewide hem [volwede ham, γ.] alwey, robbyng sleyng and brenyng, for kyng Egelredus woned thanne at Schrowesbury, [Shroesbury, Cx.] and myȝt not anoon put of the Danes, er thei had destried Barrokschyre. [Borocschire, γ.] Therfore kyng Egelredus by counsail of lordes payed to the Danes tribute thritty thousand pound for to have pes. [pees, Cx., et infra.] That ȝere he made Edricus, the traytour, duke of Mercia; Edricus was lowe [louȝ, γ.] of kyn, riche of tonge, fals and disseyvable of witt, softe and faire [veyr, γ.] of speche, untrusty and fals of thouȝt. The thridde Sergius was pope thre ȝere. Henr' libro 6^o. Turkillus, an erle of the Danes, com alond in Kent, and Caunturbury men ȝaf hym thre thousand pound forto have pes. And the Danes went into the yle of Wiȝt, and toke prayes there. As ofte as the kyng went forth forto fiȝt aȝenus [ayenst, Cx.] hem, erle Edricus counseyled that he schuld

ȝeve hem no batail. Therfore that ȝere the Danes were made ful riche and destruyede almost half Englond from Northampton to the yle of Wiȝt.

C^m 16^m.

About seynt Matheus feste, the Danes bisegide [beseged, Cx.] Caunterbury, and the twentithe [twenty, Cx.] day of the sege the cite was take, and sett afuyr, [a vure, γ.] and that by tresonn of Almarus the dekene [decon, γ.] that seynt Elphegus had to forhond saved from the [the] om. Cx.] deth. The abbot of seynt Austyns [Austynhys, γ.] was suffred for to go his wey. Cristes flok was tethed [ytueþed, γ.] the nyne were slayn and the tenthe was kept. Of hem that were slayn somme were slayn with iren, [yr, γ.] and somme y|throwe adown of heiȝ places, some an hanged by the privy membris and somme to-drawe by the heer. Among the whiche, [whoche, γ.] Elphegus the bischop was take and bounde sevene monethes and greved and dispised with many maner peynes. Therfore Goddes wreththe [wrath, Cx.] fil [vul, γ.] uppon the peple that slouȝ so men that sorowe of her bowels slouȝ and destruyed of hem now by ten now by twenty, and so a grete noumbre. Thanne the Danes were warned by Cristen men that thei schuld do the bischops gre, but thei differred hit and abide therwith. For on Ester eve thei ȝaf the bischop choys whether he wolde pay thre thousand pound other leese [luse, γ.] hys lyf. He forsoke al her profre and prayed mekelich his Cristen men and forbede [vorbude, γ.] hem heiȝliche [hyghly, Cx.] that noon of hem schuld pay for his raunsone. Therfore the Danes were wroth and kene, and the Saturday therafter [therafter] after Cx.] the Danes were wyn dronke and ladde out the bischop and slouȝ him with stones and with rutheren [roþerne, γ.; rotheren, Cx.] bones. That Saturday fil twelue dayes tofore May. Whanne the bischop was ded he most nouȝt be biryed er amorowe. [he was not buryed til on the morn, Cx.] Whanne a drye tree was touched with a drope of the blode hit waxe grene aȝen. Thanne the next day after his body was brouȝt to Londoun, and buryed worschipliche in Seynt Paules chirche. But afterward by graunt of Canutus kyng of Danes, he was brouȝt al hool in body to his owne chirche. Willelmus de Regibus libro 2^o. After that this Alphegus [Elphegus, γ.] had take monkes

abyte [habyt, γ.; habyte, Cx.] at Dirhust, he lyved as an anker at Bathe and gadered there monkes afterward, and as hit fallith [valleþ, γ.] ofte in a grete college, these monkes drouȝ hem [alle, add. Cx.] to euel maner of doyng. For unwityng the fader, [vader, γ.] somme of hem made feestes by nyȝt in outrage and in drinking to the day lyȝt. But the banyour of this evel doyng fil [vul, γ.] dede by wreche of God Almyȝty [Almyȝty] om. Cx.] yn the myddel of the hous that thei dronke ynne. The fader was war therof by noys that he herde [hurde, γ.] and com to the wyndowe and syȝ twey fendes bete that body and the wrecche axide helpe. Nay, quoth the fendes, thu were nouȝt obedient to God; so we shal nouȝt be obedient to thee. In a tyme seynt Andrewe appered to Dunstan and by counseil of seynt Andrewe, Elphegus was made bischop of Wynchestre, and ete [yte, γ.] never flesch but he were seke. By nyȝt he wolde bigile his wardeyns, and stonde in the water to the girdel stede, and worschipe God and pray hym to [preyse to, γ.] the day lyȝt. Whanne he had be bischop of Wynchester two and twenty ȝere, he was made archbischop of Caunturbury aȝenus [ayenst, Cx.] his wille. But as he went to Rome for the pal, he was robbed in a strete of al that he had. Therfore God toke wreche of that strete so that the strete werth a fuyre. [worth a vure, γ.; waxe on fyre, Cx.] Thanne the men of that strete knowlechide her trespas and restoride aȝen all that was his. Thanne thei syȝ that the fuyre was quenchide atte prayer of seynt Elphegus. Marcus. [Marianus, Cx.] After Sergius the eiȝtenthe Benet was pope twelve ȝere. Of hym Peter Damianus seith that a bischop syȝ hym sitte on a blak hors grevouslich tormented. [ytormentet, γ.] Therfore he prayed the bischop that syȝ that siȝt that he schuld go to his successor the xx. Joon, and pray hym that he schulde do almes dede for hym of the money that was in sich [soche, γ.] a shryne. [chest, Cx.] For al that was deled for hym toforhand [byfore, Cx.] stode hym in no stede, for hit was of theefte and of robberye. So it was doon, and thanne that bischop went into an abbey. This ȝere twey dayes tofore Octobre the see overflowide [overvlowede, γ.] and passide the clyves and dreynt many men and tounes. Henr'. libro 6^o. Suanus kyng of Danes seyled about Est Anglond, that conteyneth Northfolk and Southfolk, and com with his navey into Humbre and passed forthe by the ryver of Trent to Geynisburgh. Thanne the men that wonede [dwellyd, Cx.] by north

Watlyngstrete swore fewte to hym and bitoke hym plegges. And he bitoke his nauey and these [þue, γ.] plegges [pledgys, Cx.] to his sone Canutus, while he went to distruye South Mercia and slouȝ the men, and kept the wymmen to fleschlich [vleyschliche, γ.] likyng of hym and of his men. Thanne he toke Oxenford and Wynchestre, but as he went toward Londoun and souȝte no brigge [brugge, γ.] he loste many of his men in the ryver of Temse. But by presence of kyng Egelredus he was put of at Londoun and went and wan West-saxon. The Londoneres syȝ [syȝ] wente and sawe, Cx.] that and sent hym plegges. Thanne the kyng was abasched and sent his wif Emma to hir brother the secunde Richard duke of Normandy, and sent with hir hir twei sones and the bischop of Londoun, In the meene tyme [he rowede] [From γ.] hider and thider [huder and þuder, γ.] at Wiȝt, he helde so his mydwynter tyde. Atte last he was without catel and comfort and seyled into Normandy. Thanne kyng Suanus was the more proude therfore and to eche [yche, γ.] his [his] om. Cx.] owne dampnacioun, he chalangide grete tribute of seynt Edmund the martirs cite, and manassed [menaced, Cx.] that but the tribute were payed, he wolde sle the men and sette the cite a fuyre. Also he dis|pised and scorned seynt Edmund with al that he couthe. But whanne eve come, he was stiked with seynt Edmundus swerd, in the myddel of his owne knyȝtes atte toun of Geynisburgh, and cryed in the depertinge of day and nyȝt and deyde the thridde day of Februare. His sone Canutus siȝ that, and dide [dude myldelokur, γ.] myldloker [myldly, Cx.] with seynt Edmund, and made a diche aboute seynt Edmundes lond, and graunted hym fredome and deschargide the place of al maner servise. And bylde a chirche ouer the martires body and ordeyned there monkes and ȝaf hem many [money, Cx.] londes and rentes. There after it was used that kynges of Englond sendeth her crownes to seynt Edmund, and ȝif thei wolde use hem afterward, thei schulde paye therfore a grete pris [moche money, Cx.] and have hem aȝen. The gaderers [collectours, Cx.] of tribute that were ful crauel [cruwel, γ.; cruel, Cx.] in othere places of Englond, there beth mylde and esy and softe pledinge is a [pletynges on this, Cx.] this half Seynt Edmundes diche.

C^m 17^m.

Whanne Suanus was ded, the Danes made his sone Canutus kyng. But the Englische men sente into Normandy to kyng

Egelredus and byhoteth [promysed, Cx.] that ȝif he wolde be more goodlich to hem than he was wont, [wond, γ.] hem were lever put [to put, Cx.] awey Canutus and take hym to kyng. He assented to the profre and sent his sone Edward tofore, forto stable the pees, Therafter aboute Leynte tyme the kyng come with grete spede [spyde, γ.] and drof [chasede, γ.] Canutus out of Lyndeseye. Thanne Canutus toke hym to rede forto fle [vle, γ.] at Sandwyche in Kent, he made kitt of hondes and noses of alle the Englisch plegges [pledgys, Cx.] that were delyvered to his fader somtyme, and seyled aȝen into Denmarch, and come aȝen the next ȝere after. This ȝere Canutus saylede about Est Anglond and toke prayes in the southe cuntray. The noble knyȝt Edmund Yrenside [Yreneside, γ.] cam manlich aȝenus [ayenst, Cx.] hym, but Ed|mund withdrouȝ hym whanne he was war of Edricus tresoun. Edricus ȝaf hym and his to Canutus. The Westsaxons syȝ [sye, γ.] that and delyvered hym plegges and dide the same. Kyng Egelredus deyde at Londone viii. dayes tofore [bifore, Cx.] May, and was buryed in Paules chirche. After his deth bischops abbotes and lordes of the lond forsoke his ospringe [vorsouk his ofspringe, γ.; yssue, Cx.] and his progenye, and knowlechide at Southhamptoun that Canutus schuld be her kyng. And he swore that he schuld [wolde, Cx.] be to hem a trewe lord bothe to Godward and to the worlde. [worl, γ.] But the Londoners and many of the lordes made her kyng Edmund Irensyde. And anone he made the West Saxons suget, somme for drede, and somme by her owne gode wille. In the mene tyme Canutus bisegide Londone, but he was put of there, and he fauȝt [voȝt, γ., et infra.] with Edmund in Dorsett, besydes Gillyngham, and was over|come thar. Therafter, after the myddel of the somer Edmund with a gretter [greete, Cx.] oost, fauȝt [more, add. Cx.] scharplich with Canutus in the prouynce of Wicties, [Wykcies, γ.] that is the prouynce of Wircestre. Ther thei fauȝt so stronglich, that either oost withdrouȝ hym [hem, Cx.] from other for pure werynesse. Alfr. and Mar'. But the morowe Edmund had overcome the Danes, ne hadde [nadde, γ.] the fals Edricus yschewed a knyȝtes hede that was most liche to kyng Edmund. Edricus schewed [scheowede, γ.] that hede and seide, Fleth [vleth, γ.] Englisch men, lo here is the heed of Edmund ȝowre kyng. But whanne Edmund was war therof, he leyde on the scharploker [one more sharply, Cx.]

and faster and fauȝt forto [unto, Cx.] nyȝt. By nyȝt Canutus went to Londoun ward, but Edmund folewide after, and saved the cite, and passed Temse the thrid tyme, and overcome the Danes at Brentford. Thanne duke Edricus swoor feute [swar fewte, Cx.] to kyng Edmund ȝitt the firthe [vurde, γ.; fyfthe, Cx.] tyme. Whanne the Danes robbede and reued and toke prayes, Edmund overcome hem at Okeford [Octeford, γ.] in Kent, and chased hem anone to the ilond of Schipeheye. Thanne while Edmund turned into West Saxon Canutus toke prayes in Mercia. Therfore Edmund mett hym uppon Asch|doun, there was strong fiȝtyng in either side. Duke Edricus syȝ the Danes dounward, and flyȝ as a traytour [treytor, γ.] schulde, so that many noble men were slayn in Edmundes syde. There was slayn the bischop of Lyncoln, and the abbot of Rameseye. that were come to pray for the knyȝt. Thanne by counseil of Edricus, pees was made bitwene the kynges and plegges take on either syde. At Durhurst uppon the brynk of Sevarn, the pees was made in this maner. Oon of the knyȝtes stode up [op, γ.] in the myddel of the oost and seide: Al day [Alwey we dye, Cx.] we dyeth, [Alwey we dye, Cx.] no man hath the victorye, Edmund may nouȝt be overcome for his grete strengthe, Canutus may not be overcome for favour of fortune, but what schal be the fruyt of this contynuel strif, but whanne the knyȝtes beth slayn in either syde, thanne the dukes compelled by nede, schal acorde, other certeynlich thei schulleth [shal, Cx.] fiȝte [a scholleþ vyȝte, γ.] withoute knyȝtes aloon either with other. Thanne why doth thei nouȝt now oon of these tweyne? ȝif thei acordeth why is nouȝt the kyngdom now more suffisaunt for hem tweyne, that was som tyme y-nowȝ for fyve? ȝif her covetise of lordschip is so grete that either hath indignacioun to take and have part with othere, other to be under; thanne lete hem fiȝt aloone that wole be lordes aloone, leste ȝif [ef, γ.] alle men fiȝteth alle men be slayn, and so schuld leeve no knyȝtes under the hestes of dukes, nother to defende the kyngdom agenus [ayenste, Cx.] straunge alyens. Thanne the dukes with her oostes come to gidres atte ylond of Olneye bisides Gloucestre, there alle men criede in either syde that thei schulde acorde other fiȝte aloon. Thanne bothe the kynges come togidres in the myddel of the ilond and the peple [pupel, γ.] stode and bihelde [byhuld, γ.] in [in] on, Cx.] either syde. The kynges fauȝt first on [an, γ.] hors and thanne on foote. [a voote, γ.] There Canutus was war that Edmund myȝt nouȝt be overcome

and acorded to be partener of the kyngdom and thei threwe [þruw, γ.] awey her wepen and kisside [kussede, γ.] eyther other. Thanne alle men wondride, and were ioyful therof. Whanne this was do the traytour Edricus desired to make hymsilf leef [luf, γ.] to [to] om. Cx.] Canutus. And at Oxenford, whanne Edmund was at wardrobe [pryvy, Cx.] to clense his wombe as nede of kynd axith, Edricus was privylich hidde [yhud, γ.] under the place and stiked the kyng upwards that sate on the sege to do his privy nede. [to . . . nede] om. Cx.] And than Edricus went to Canutus and seyde, Hayl kyng aloon. Whanne the kyng knewe how hit stode, he seide to Edricus; for thu trowidest [thou trowest, Cx.] to plese me wit siche maner servise and hast slayn [slawe, γ.] the beste body of the worlde, [worl, γ., ut semper.] y schal arere thyn heed above alle the lordes of Englond. Thanne anone Edricus hed was smyte of and sett above the heiȝest ȝate of Londoun. R. But some storyes tellith, [say, Cx.] and specialy Marianus story, [story] om. Cx.] that Edmund deyde nouȝte in that maner. But after the acord was made and stabled bitwene the kynges and the kyngdom deled bitwene hem tweyne; Edmund deyde at Londone aboute seynt Andrews tyde, and was buryed at Glastenbury with his grauntsire Edgar. That semeth sothe, for comyn [comune, Cx.] cronykes tellith that after Edmundus deth, Canutus ȝaf Mercia to the fals Edricus, and exiled Edmundes brother by his counsel, and dide many other dedes, and that myȝt nouȝt stonde, ȝif he had biheded Edricus toforhond. [byfore, Cx. Here γ. adds: Trevysa. Hyt myȝt wel stonde þat Canutus as a felman touk consayl of Edricus ar Edricus wuste þat a scholde dye, and dude whanne Edricus was ded as Edricus hadde yconsayled while a was alyve, and so þe storyes myȝte stonde, and non wiþsegge oþer, and so hyt ys more semelych þan segge þat wryters of storyes beþ fals.]

C^m 18^m.

Canutus the Dane was made kyng aloone whanne Edmund was dede and regned about an [an] om. Cx.] nyntene ȝere. He deled the kyngdom of Englond a [α] in, Cx.] foure, and assigned West Saxon to hym silf. Est Anglond that conteyneth Northfolk and South|folk to the erle Turkillus, Mercia to the fals Edricus, and Northhumbreland to Hiricius. Thanne he made a counseil at Londoun, and axide of the lordes ȝif [ef, γ.] any mencion was made in

the acord bitwene hym and Edmund that Edmundes bretheren other his children schulde be kynges after his deth. Thei answerde ful falsliche and flaterynglich, and seyde nay. Also thei swoor that thei wolde in al wise put of Edmundes kyn. Thei trowide therby to be grete with the kyng afterwards. Therfore somme of hem were slayn by Goddes riȝtful doom, and somme y-banysched and exiled and putt out of lond. By counseil of Edricus the kyng exiled Edwynus, [Edwynus] om. Cx.] Edmundes brother, that was cleped kyng of cherles. But he was after|wards gilefullich [gylfollych, γ.] reconciled and slayn by tresoun of his owne men. But kyng Canutus drad, and was aschamed to sle Edmundes sones, Edmund and Edward, and by counseil of Edricus he sent hem to the kyng of Suanes, [kynge Swanus, Cx.] for he schuld sle hem. But he dradde God and sent hem forther [vorþer, γ.] to Salomon kyng of Hungary to save her lif. And Edmund wedded that kynges douȝter, and deyde soone after without children. But Edward wedded Agath, Henry the emperours douȝter, and gat [bygate, Cx.] on hir Margret. that was afterward queen of Scotlond, and Cristyne, a monchon, [mynchyn, γ.; nonne, Cx.] and Edgar Adelyng. Henr'. libro 6^o. This name Adelyng is made of twey Saxon wordes, Adel that is noble, and lyng that is an ymage, thanne Adelyng ys as it were an noble ymage. Therfore the West Saxons haveth [habbeþ, γ.] in a prouerbe of grete dispite underlyng, that is he that is put out of honeste, other an ymage that goth backwards. The holy kyng Edward was afterward in purpos to make this Edgar eyr [heyr, γ., Cx.] of Englond, but he drad Godwynes sones, and the schrewidnesse of his owne men, and made William Norman his sone adoptivus. Willelmus de Regibus libro 2^o. In the monthe of Juyl [Jul, γ.] kyng Canutus wedded Emma the queen, for he wolde be the more siker of Englond, and gat on hir a sone that het Hardeknutus. After that, at London, the fals Edricus dispised the benefice that hym was ȝeven, [were yȝeve, γ.] and the kyng bad sle hym riȝt there in his owne palys, and bade throwe the body bisides the walles into Temse. In that he was war that Edricus schulde nouȝt bytraye hym by fraude and by tresoun. He exiled somme other lordes, but he loved [a lovede, γ.] erle Leofricus alwey afterward. Here afterward he made a parla|ment at Oxenford there Englisch men and Danes were acorded forto holde kyng [kyng] om. γ.] Edgars lawes. Henr'. libro 6^o. That ȝere Canutus went into Denmarch, and hadde with hym Englisch men, aȝenus the Wandales, that werride uppon hym. The nyȝt

tofore [byfore, Cx.] the batail duke Godwin and Englische men come unwar uppon the enemyes, and disparplede [dysparblede, γ.] hem and chased hem unwityng the kyng. Therfore the kyng dide Englische men grete worschipe from that tyme forthward, and com aȝen that ȝere into Englond. This ȝere Aldunus [Alduinus, Cx.] bischop of Lyn|disfarn was ded. Thanne the se was voyde about an [an] om. Cx.] thre ȝere, and there was made a synod for the electioun of the bischop. There com Edmund the prest [prust, γ.] and seide in his game, Why chese ȝe nouȝt me? Somme toke nouȝt his game to game, but thei ordeyned forto faste thre dayes for the same cause, for thei wolde wite seynt Cuthbertus wille. Thanne whanne the prest was atte masse, a voys souned twyes [þryes, γ.] out of seynt Cuthbertus tombe, [tumbe, γ.] and seide that Edmund schuld be his bischop. Also this ȝere fil that wonder in Saxon, in Seynt Magn [Magnus, Cx.] the martres chirche. Ther fiftene men and thre wymmen ladde a daunce [dauns, γ.] in the chirche heye, [chircheyerde, Cx.] in a myd|wynter [Crystemas, Cx.] nyȝt. And the prest of the chirche was wroth, and prayed Goddes wreche and seide in this maner; God graunt, by the prayer of seynt Magn the martir, that ȝe be so disesed and lede in this maner the daunce al this ȝere longe, and so it was doon; [ydo, γ.] for whanne that ȝere was apassed, the same mydwynter nyȝt a twelve monthe thei ladde the daunce in snowe up to the sydes, and hadde nouȝt y-ete ne dronke nother y-slepe er thei were delyvered by the prayer of seynt Cuthbert bischop of Coloun. Whanne thei were drawe up of the erthe, thei laide hem silf tofore the auter; thanne somme of hem deide anone, and somme were kept alyve, and schewide on hem self the grete dedes of God. Oon of thilke wymmen was the same prestes douȝter that prayed this wreche. Her owne brother fonded [vondede, γ.] to drawe hir out of the daunce; but heo brayde to hir [she brayde to hym, Cx.] hir arme and ladde forth the daunce neuer the latter [later, γ.] with the othere al that ȝere. Willelmus de pontificibus libro primo. About this tyme Briȝtwold monk of Glastenbury, that was afterward the first bischop of Wiltoun, was in his contemplacion, and thouȝt on the kynges lynage of Englisch men, that lynage was thanne neiȝ al destruyed. And so this monk fil [vul, γ.] a [α] on, Cx.] slepe, and syȝ seynt Petre the apostle holde by the hond Edward, Egelredus sone in Normandy, that was thanne exiled out of Englond. And he syȝ Petre sacre [cristemasse, Cx.]

this Edward, and make hym kyng and schewe [shewed, Cx.] atte fulle [folle, γ.] how holy this Edward schuld be, and how he schuld regne thre and twenty ȝere. Also this monk axed and made questioun of Edwardes ospringe [ofspringe, γ., Cx.] and who schuld be kynges afterward. Petre answerde and seide: the kyngdom of Englisch men is Goddes kyngdom, and after this God schal ordeyne and purveye. Henr. libro 6^o. About this time an holy man warned Englisch men that a lord, that thei thouȝt nouȝt on, schuld come out of Fraunce and brynge hem riȝt lowe and tolde othere thingis as it is seide in the ende of the firste [vurste, γ.] boke. Willelmus de Regibus libro 2^o. This ȝere Eglenothus, [Elgenoþus, γ.] archbischop of Caunterbury, plesed kyng Canutus in goodnesse by auctorite of holynesse, and ferede hym in his excesse, and brouȝt seynt Elphegus body out of Londoun to his owne chirche. Therafter as he cam from Rome at Papie he bouȝte seynt Austyn the doctors arme, for an hundred [honderd, γ.] talentes of silver and [α, add. Cx.] talent of gold. He sent that arm to Couentre, for love of erle Leoffricus. [γ. adds here: Trevysa. Here tak hyde of þre manere talentes, þe leste weyeþ vyftene pound, þe myddel þre schore pound and twelve, þe moste weyeþ syx score pound. Thanne hyt volweþ in þe story. This ȝere, &c.] This ȝere deyde the first [vurste, γ., et infra.] Henry emperor of Almayn. After hym the first Conradus regned fiftene ȝere. He ordeyned that who hit ever [whoso ever, Cx.] were that brake the lawe of the lond, schuld leese his heede. Thanne the first that tres|paced aȝenes that ordynaunce was erle Lupoldus. Thanne he dradde ful [fol, γ.] sore, and flyȝ into wildernesse he and his wyf. In a tyme Conradus come thider forto hontye, [hunte, Cx.] and herde, [hurde γ.] sleping in his bedde, a voys that spake to hym twyes and seyde. The hermytes [erl hermyt hys, γ.; erle here|mytes, Cx.] childe, that now is newlich y-bore, schal wedde thi douȝter and he schal be thyn eyr. [heyr, γ.] Therfore he hadde indignacioun and het [hyte, γ.] bryng the childes herte. But the messagers dradde God, and threwe [þruw, γ.] the childe alyve in a wode and brouȝte to the kyng the herte of an hare. Soone therafter hit happed that oon duke Henry [Harry, Cx.] passed therforth and herde the childe wepe, and sent hym to norisching to his owne wif that was bareyn, [barayn, γ.] and cleped hym Henry [Harry, Cx.] by his owne name. Whanne the child com to age, Conradus the kyng byheelde [byhuld, γ.]

hym ofte tyme, and by thouȝt hym ful ofte how he was warned som tyme and with [with helde] kepte Cx.] helde [huld, γ.] the child wyth hym. But he that was holden the childes fader withseide hit alway. The emperor by hym silf by thouȝt hym ful ofte, how he myȝt destruye this child. Therfore he sente this child to the empe|rice [emperys, γ.] with lettres writen in this maner. Whanne the lettres were rad the child schuld dye the same daye. The child was herborwed in a nyȝt with a prest, that radde the childes lettres whanne the child was a slepe, and for this word schuld dye, the prest wrote schulde wedde oure [ur, γ.] douȝter; and so it was doon. And thouȝ the emperour were evel apayde therfore, he bythouȝt hym that he was a gentil erles sone, and toke hit to liȝtloker [toke it the lyghtlyer, Cx.] and bulde an abbay in the place of wildernesse there the childe was ybore; the abbay hatt Ursania.

C^m 19^m.

Also this ȝere deyde the secunde Richard the ferthe [vurde, γ.] duke of Normandy. After hym his sone the thrid Richard was duke of Normandy. After oon ȝere of his ducherye his ȝonger brother Robart slouȝ hym with venym, and was duke after hym. But after the seventhe ȝere of his ducherie he was sory for his brother deth and went a pilgremage barfot [barvoot, γ.] to Ierusalem, and deyde in Bithinia. Of him hit is said that he was myȝty and stalworth [stalward, γ.] in batayl, large and fre [stalward, γ.] of ȝiftes and of mete and of drynke. In a tyme it happed in a grete feste that knyȝtes offride atte masse, but oon of them offride nouȝt. The duke trowed therfore that he hadde nouȝt that he myȝt offre, and bade [hyt, γ.] ȝeve hym an hundrid pound. Anone [Anone . . . pound] om. Cx.] as the knyȝt had y-fonge [vonge, γ.] the hundred pound, [Anone . . . pound] om. Cx.] he leyde hem hollich [holelych, γ.] uppon the auter. Me axide hym why he dide so. For it was geven me for to offre, quoth the knyȝt. The duke herd that and ȝaf hym another hundrid pound to his owne use. In another tyme the same duke played at ches, [chesse, Cx., bis.] and hym was ȝeven a golden just wonderlich fair [veyr, γ.] arayed with perles and with preciouse stones, and he ȝaf hit anone to the clerk that playde with hym atte ches, and the clerke deyde anoon. Phisicians tolde the cause and seide that riȝt as the hert closeth for grete sorowe and is cause of deth but the hert be the sonner opened, also for grete ioye the hert openeth and is cause of deth but hit be [vre, γ.]

the sonner closed. Also in a tyme oon brouȝt to duke Robart twey wel fayr knyves, and anone be bade geve hym an hundrid pound. And while he told the money, were twey gentil horses ȝeven to the duke. -The duke ȝaf hem anone to hym that had ȝeven hym the knives. Whanne he had y-fong al this he spedde hym fast [vast, γ.] his wey leste somme lette myȝt have y|falle. In the mene tyme the duke was ȝeve a cuppe of siluer, that is a vessel for to bere yn fruyt, than he was souȝt that had brouȝt the knives and myȝt nouȝt be founden. [vounde, γ.] Thanne the duke made grete mone, and seide that he had y-fonge to symple reward that had brouȝt hym the knives. Me seide of this Robart that al that me ȝaf hym, but hit were siche a ȝifte that schuld be y-ete, he wolde ȝeve it to hym that ȝaf hym the firste worschipful ȝifte that day Willelmus de Regibus libro 2^o. This Robart in a tyme passed by Phalesia a cite of Normandy, and siȝ a wenche that het Arlet [Arlett, Cx.] by hir name, a skinner's douȝter, daunce among othere, and had hir to his bedde a nyȝt and heelde [huld, γ.] hir somdel longe tyme in stede of his wif, and gat on hir William the Conqueror. A swevene that his mother mette, bodede how grete he schuld be. For heo [Vor hue, γ.; she, Cx.] mette that hir bowels were sprad into al Englond and Normandy. Also riȝt whanne the child was bore it happed that he touched the ground and toke bothe hys hondes fulle of the pouder of the pament, and constrayned his hondes and helde faste the pouder. Ther|fore the mydwif tolde that the child schuld be a kyng. The firste nyȝt that this [þues, γ.] wenche Arlet [mayde Arlett, Cx.] was brouȝt to duke Robartes [Robartes] om. Cx.] bed, heo to rent [hue rende, γ.] hir owne smok from the chyn anone to the feet. The duke axide why heo dide so. Hit is nother skyle nother curtesye quoth heo that the hemme of my smok that hath byclipped [byclupped, γ.] my feet, schuld now [now] om. Cx.] be turned towards my lordes mouthe. Thanne duke Robart went to Ierusalem, and had to-gidres alle the lordes of his lond at Fiscanum, and made hem swere [swerye, γ.] feute to his sone William, that was seven ȝere olde, and ordeyned erle Gilbert the childes tutor, and ordeyned the tutor to be mayntened by the kyng of France. The lordes [The lordes] They, Cx.] helde [hulde, γ.] that fey to the child til duke Robart was ded. But whanne thei herde of duke Robartes deth, everech of hem toke heed [hyde, γ.] to hym silf and rouȝt nouȝt of the childe. Atte laste this Gilbert was slayn of oon Rauf [Raf, γ.] that was the

childes eem. [unkle, Cx.] There was fiȝtinge and manslauȝt, the cuntray was foule [voule, γ.] yfare with, with strif that men hadde among hem silf. But William was ȝong in armes, and oon Gy a Burguy|noun [Guye a Bourgyon, Cx.] was cause and maker of al that strif and tresoun; the whiche [whoche, γ.] Gy was Wylliams kynnesman of the secunde Richardes douȝter. But William toke him and dide hym to deth. And Odo, the kynges brother of Fraunce com agenus William, but William hadde the mastere [maystry, γ.] and chased Odo and made hym flee. Henry the kyng of Fraunce herde therof, and cam with a grete multitude and was dispitouslich and foulich ychased, but mediatours went [ȝude, γ.] betwene and made pees, and the kynges men of Fraunce were delyvered that were take prisoners. Here take grete hede that this William fauȝt ofte with the kyng of Fraunce but never sodeynlich as oure [ur, γ.] men doth now aday. [adayes, Cx.] But the day of batail schuld be sett and he had ever the over hond. Thanne whanne the kyng of Fraunce was ded, he toke manlich the londes of Normandy, thouȝ the londes were longe tyme absolete, that beth the Counte Canonic, [Counte of Canovic, Cx.] and Litel Britayn that kyng Charles had ȝeve to Rollo with hys douȝter Gilla, this William wan hit manlich. Harol an Englisch man was in that batail as it schal be seyde with ynne. Duke Robart went to Jerusalem and passed by Burgoyne. There as he went out atte ȝate, [and was þe laste of all þe pyl|gryms, add. γ.] the porter smote hym with a staf. Anone he thonked God and forbede [vorbud, γ., et infra.] his men, and het that noon of hem schuld take wreche of that dede. For ich am, quoth he, worthi to have wel more harme, ich love, quoth he, this stroke more than al Rothomage. Thanne he cam forto take the cros of the pope and dide his noble pal about the ymage of the grete Con|stantyn, and scorned [schornede, γ.] therwith the Romayns that wolde name|lich oones a ȝere ȝeve her lord a clothe. Also he made to schoye [made showe, γ.; shooe, Cx.] with gold his mule that he rode on and forbede alle his men that thei schuld nouȝt take up the schoon [shoes, Cx.] whanne thei were a falle. [avalle, γ.] Also he cam by the emperor of Constan|tynnoble and while he spake with the emperor, he siȝ no bench [syȝ no beynch, γ.] in al the hous, and sate hym doun uppon his owne pal in the maner of his owne cuntray and his knyȝtes dede the same. And as the duke had y-hote whanne thei arise thei lefte there her palles and seide that thei schuld nouȝt take awey

her benches. The duke was prayed of the emperor forto take money for his cost by the weye, and he answered and seide that he wolde in pilgrimage lyve by his owne, but whanne he com aȝen he wolde do the emperors wille. Thanne the kyng forbede that no man schuld selle hym wode [fewel, Cx.] to sethe [suþe, γ.] with his mete. Thanne the duke bouȝt notes and seeth his meet ther|with. The kyng wondred at the dukes manhed and made benches [bynches, γ.] in his cowrt afterwards in stede of the forseide palles. Here after the duke eveled [evelde, γ.] so in the wey that he myȝt nother go ne ryde. Therfore he huyred pore Sarsyns that schulde bere hym by day in a litter on her schuldres, [schulders, γ.] and chargide a Norman that went aȝen into Normandy that to the Normans, that wolde axe tithingis of the duke, he schuld telle that he had seen feendes [a hadde yseye vendes, γ.] bere the duke heveneward. He cleped the Sarsyns fendes and the Holy Land hevene. Thanne it was used that no Cristen men schulde come with ynne the holy cite without grete huyre. Thanne many men herde of this dukes commyng and come to hym and prayed hym of help. And he swoor by the hert of his wombe, that while he had oon peny, he wolde be the laste that schuld entre. That noble Sarsyn, the lord of the cite, herde [hurde, γ.] therof; and had also herde [y-hurd, γ.] of this dukes othere manlich dedes; and forbede anoon that no thinge schuld be take of hym nother of any man that com of his company. And het and comaunded also ȝeve to the duke al the offryng of a day. He feng [vyng, γ.] the offryng and ȝaf hit anone to pore men, and deyde sone afterward in Bithinia as [hyt, add. γ.] is forseide.

C^m 20^m.

After Benet, the xx Joon was pope ix ȝere. Also this ȝere Marianus the Scot was y-bore, by his trauail that [þys, γ.; this, Cx.] cro|nyk is mych [much enhaunced, Cx.] y-hiȝt. Mar'. The men of Northwey, Nore|ganes, forsoke efte her holy kyng Olavus for his symplenesse, and toke Canutus in his stede; and he was cursedlich sleyn the ferthe [fourth, Cx.] ȝere after. Robert kyng of Fraunce is ded, his sone Hugus [Hugh, Cx.] was kyng after hym Also that ȝere Canutus went out of Denmarch to Rome, and ȝaf large ȝiftes to Seynte Petre, and made there the scole of Saxons fre of al maner tribute, and ȝaf large almes and grete in his commyng aȝen

toward Englond, and payde grete raunsome for [raunson vor, γ.] passage of pilgrimes in many places, and purchased that the weyes were opened that were closed, and procred [procrede, γ.; procured, Cx.] the pope to relesche [relese, γ.; relece, Cx.] the pris and the payment that primates of his kyngdom were wont to ȝeve and pay for to have the pal. Of alle these dedes thei sent a lettre to the lordes of Englond and chargide hem that thei schuld tofore his commyng amende alle trespaces and defautes. After Joon, the ix. Benet was pope eiȝt ȝere. but this Benet was put out of the poperich, and another that het Silvestre was put in his stede. But this Silvestre was put [ypot, γ.] out, and this Benet was restored aȝen. But ȝitt this Benet was efte put out aȝen, and Joon the archpretour of Seynt Joones place, that hatt ante portam Latinam, was made pope. Inner more this Joon is cleped the sixte Gregorye. This Benet for he was boystous of lettrure, whanne he had the poperiche, he ordeyned another pope for [to do, add. γ.] the office of holy chirche. That maner of doyng displesed many men. Therfore the thridde was brouȝt ynne, that schuld do the office for hem bothe. And so oon strof aȝenus tweyne, and tweyne aȝenus oon for the poperich. Then Henry the emperor, that had wedded Conradus [Canrodus, γ.] douȝter, and was his successour, put out these popes and brouȝt yn by strenthe the bischop of Ramberge that was cleped the secunde Clement. Of hym this Henry was crowned. Also this Henry compelled the Romayns to swere [swerye, γ.] that thei schuld never chese pope with out his assent. But this Benet after his deth, apperede to a man, in the liknesse of a wunder schape beest, with an asses tayl, and a beres heed, and seyde that he appered so riȝt as he was while he was alyve. This ȝere deyde Robart duke of Normandy in pil|grimage. After hym his ȝong sone William was duke, of the which William it is seide toforhond. Mar'. This ȝere Canutus, a litel tofor he deyde, made oon Suanus kyng of the Noreganes, this Suanus was y-holde the sone of Canutus and of Elgiva of [of] om. γ.] Hamptoun. Som men seyede that this Elgiva myȝt conceyve no childe by the kyng and therfore heo [she, Cx.] toke that Suanus whanne he was newe bore of a prestes [prustes, γ.] wif, and leyde hir silf doun as it were a [α] in, Cx.] child bedde and child by hir, and bigiled kyng Canutus and brouȝt hym in witt that it was sothe. Canutus made his owne sone and Emme sone Hardecnutus kyng over the Danes. Kyng Canutus deyde at Septoun, that is Schaftesbury, and was buryed at

Winchestre in the olde abbey. Henr'. libro 6^o. Me spekith of thre grete dedes that he dide. The first that he maryed his douȝter to the emperor Conradus. The secunde that he went noblich to Rome and cam aȝen and brouȝt with hym a grete deel of owre Lordes cros. The thridde that he sett his seete on the see stronde while the see was flowing [vlowyng, γ.] and comaunded and het the see that he schuld nouȝt come up [vp] om. Cx.] uppon his lond, that the see schuld nouȝt wett his lordes clothes. But the see cam up as hit was wont [as a was ywond, γ.] by his owne kynd and wett the kynges thyes. Thanne the kyng start [strat, γ.] awey and seide: Alle men schal wite and knowe that the power and myȝt of kynges is vayn and vanyte, and that noon is worthi to have the name of kyng, but he that hath al thinge suget [subjette, Cx.] to his lawes. And this kyng Canutus bare never crowne on his hed after that tyme, but he sett the crown on [oppon, γ.] the crucifixes heed at Wynchestre. Whanne Canutus was ded thanne was made grete strif at Oxenford who schuld be kyng and his successor. For Leofricus, consul of Chestre, and other lordes of the northside of Temse, and the Londoneres also, toke Harold Harefote, [Harald Harevot, γ.] that was holde the sone of Canutus and of Elgiva Hamptoun, and made hym kyng, thouȝ Godwyn made hym bisy for Canutus. Mar'. Som men seide [sayen, Cx.] that this Harold Harefote was a souters sone, and falslich anone as he was y-bore ybrouȝt to the bedde of this [þues, γ.] Elgiva, and leyde by hir as thouȝ heo had y-bore hym, and brouȝt hym forth, riȝt as Suanus was leyde by hir somtyme. But Harold was made kyng and by-nam [toke fro, Cx.] Emma al the kynges riches and put hir out of Englond, but the erle of Flaundres feng [vyng, γ.] hir worschipfulich and dide hir grete favour. Ethelnotus archbishop of Caunterbury deyde, and sevene dayes after hym deyde Ethelricus bischop of Winchestre. He had bisilich prayed God that he hym silf schuld nouȝt long lyve [lybbe, γ.] after Ethelnotus. Thanne Edsius, Haraldes prest, [prust, γ, et infra; chapelayn, Cx.] was made arch|bischop of Caunturbury, and Stigandus, kyng Haraldes other prest, was made bischop of Winchestre. There after he toke the see of Caunterbury wrongfullich after Edsius. This Harald deyde at Londoun after the ferthe ȝere of his kyngdom, and was buryed at Winchestre. Whanne he was ded, the lordes of the lond sente for Hardecnutus, kyng of Denmarch, that woned thanne in Flaundres with his moder.

C^m 21.

Hardecnutus come into Englond and regned thre ȝere. But he dide riȝt nouȝt that he was worthi to be praysed fore. For anone he sent Alfricus archbischop of ȝork with Godwyn to Londoun and made take up kyng Haraldes body out of the erthe for wreche of the wronges that Haralde had doon his moder, he made smyte of Haraldes heed that was ded tofor|hond and throwe the body into Temse, but afterward fischers [vyschers, γ.] fonde the body and buried hit covenabliche. Also Hardecnutus made to pay to evereche rower of his navey eiȝt marc of silver of the tribute of the empire of Englond, and put al the rule [potte al þe reul, γ.] and governaunce of his kyngdom uppon the witt and counsail of Godwyn and of his owne moder. Whanne this kyng put [all, add. Cx.] the emperial tribute uppon Englische men, tweyne of the kynges ministres, that were assentinge to that dede, were slayn at Wircetre. Therfore that cite was destruyed and sett a fuyre. Willelmus de Regibus, li ^o 2^o. Also this kyng maryed his fairest suster Gunnilda to Henry the emperour. Gunnilda was the douȝter of Canutus and of Emma, and was toforhond wowed of many grete woweres in hir fader tyme. Whanne heo [hue, γ., et infra.] had be longe tyme with hir husbond, heo was accused of spousebruche. [spouseorekynge, Cx.] Thanne hir nory, that heo had brouȝt with hyr out of Englond, put hym to fiȝt in that querel with hym that had tolde that fals tale; thouȝ that tale teller were as huge [houge, γ.] as a geaunt. Thei fauȝt togidres and Gunnildas nory karf the fals pelours hamme [homme, γ.] and had hym doun and so, by vertue of God, he had the maistere. Thanne Gunnilda bigan to hoppe and daunce for ioye, and forsoke her husbond for evermore, and wolde never after come in his bed for no mannes prayer; but heo toke the holy veyl and bicam a monchon. [meynchen, γ.; nonne, Cx.] Henr. li ^o 6^o. et Mar'. In this Haraldes tyme Elfrede [Elured, γ.] and Edward, the sones of kyng Egilredus and of Emma, after that thei had longe dwelled in Normandy thei toke with hem many knyȝtes of Normandy and come to speke with her moder at Wynchestre. Thanne Godwyn cast forto marye his douȝter to Edward as to the sympler and the ȝonger of the tweyne, and supposed that the elder brother Elfredus wolde dispise sich [soche, γ.] a mariage. And Godwyn warned the lordes of Englond and seide that it was nouȝt siker that eny man schuld bringe into the lond so many men of strange and of gyleful nacioun, and therfore thei that were comen

must paye the peyne. [γ. adds here: þanne he slouȝ syx honderd men at Gildeford, vor of þe Normans, &c.] For of the Normans that were brouȝt forthe he slouȝ alwey nyne, and kept the tenthe. And ȝit hym thouȝt that the tethinge [tythyng, Cx.] were to many ylefte; and teothed [teþed, γ.; tythed, Cx.] efte the teothinge. In this maner he fastned the ends of the guttes [gottes, γ.] to stakes that were arered and piȝt on the ground, and ladde the bodyes aboute the stakes forto that the laste endes of the guttes come out. Elfredus was sent to Hely after his blyndnesse, and lyved but a fewe dayes. Whanne Emma herde that, heo sent hir sone Edward hastilich into Normandy. Here after Godwyn was blamed of Hardecnutus the kyng and of other lordes for these dedes. Thanne he swoor that he dide never sich dedes but as he was compelled by strengthe of kyng Harald. Whanne Conradus the first was ded, the secunde Henry [Harry, Cx.] that had weddid his douȝter, was emperour after hym. Of hym beth wondres red both here tofore and after in this boke. He regned xvii ȝere. This put alle glemen and mynstrals out of his court and ȝaf to pore men al that he was wont ȝeve to mynstrals toforhond. Wil|lelmus de Regibus, li ^o 2^o. Also this had a suster that was a [a was wond, γ.] monchon [menchyn, γ.; nonne, Cx.] and loved hir so myche that he myȝt nouȝt suffre hir out of his company. In a tyme a clerk of the court had lay wiþ hir al a nyȝt anone to the morow tide, and the erthe was heled al with snowe. Thei toke hem to rede and the clerk made hir bere hym on hir bak out of the court. The kyng aroos to pisse, and syȝ that doyng and helde his pes, forto that a bischoprick was voyde, and thanne he ȝaf the clerk that bischoprick and seide: Loke that thou never after this ride uppon a wommans rigge. [rugge, γ.; rydge, Cx.] Therafter voyded an abbay of monchons [menchens, γ.; menchons, Cx.] and he ȝaf hit to his suster and seide: Take this and loke thou never bere clerk more ridyng on thi bak. Thei were thus aspied and absteynede afterward. Also in a tyme this emperor went in the Sonday, that hatt Quin|quagesima, forto here [hure, γ.] privyliche a masse in a chapel bisides the forest. There served riȝt a foul preste, [voul prust, γ.] therfore the kyng by thouȝt and wondred in his hert, why God, that is so feyr, wolde suffre so foule a creature come neiȝ and handle his sacrementes. Whanne the vers of the tract was sungen, Scitote quoniam Dominus ipse est Deus, that is; wite ȝe that oure Lord is God, the preste loked on the emperour as it were blamyng the defaute of his clerk; and seide, Ipse fecit

nos et non ipsi nos, that is; he made us and nouȝt we us silf. The emperour was meoved by that sawe, and made that prest a bischop soone therafter. This prest made the place and the gre honest with gode maner of lyvyng. For a rich man had lad awey a monchon, [menchen, γ., et infra; nonne, Cx., bis.] and he departed hym from hir and restored the monchon to hir abbey aȝen. And afterward this rich man fil [vul, γ.] into synne and he cursed hym with all that come in his company. And thanne he dwelled so in his owne orchard to his laste sekenesse, and thanne he prayed the bischop that he wolde hym assoile, the bischop answerde and seide, ȝif that cursed man wole leve that cursed womman, he schal be assoiled, and ȝif he wole nouȝt, this day a twelve monthe the same houre whanne y schal dye, he schal dye and answere for his dedes tofore the heiȝeste God, and so it was done: for thei deyde bothe the same day a twelve [twellyf, Cx.] monthe. The same kyng had in his chapel a clerk that had grete kunnyng of lettrure [in scrypture, Cx.] and a fayre [veyr, γ.] voys, but the clerk was lecherous. The emperour bade him in a day rede the gospel and he wolde nouȝt for he had defouled hym silf with a strompet the niȝt toforhond. Thanne the emperour seide; Other rede the gospel other forsake my lond. Anone he trussed his fardels and arayed him forto go. The emperour had y-hote his servauntes that thei schuld go after hym privylich, and ȝif he wolde be ago, thei schulde brynge hym aȝen. Whanne that was doon, the kyng seide to hym y am glad of thi goodnesse, that thou dreddest [draddest, Cx.] more God thanne the lesinge [lusyng, γ.] of thi owne cuntray, and the wreth of hevene more than my manace. [manas, γ.] Therfore forsake the wode love that thou usest, and y schal make thee a bischop. Also while this Henry was ȝonge in Conradus hous, he toke of oon a pipe of silver siche as children useth forto pley with, and he bihet [byhyȝte, γ.; promysed, Cx.] that clerk a bischopriche for that pipe, whanne he were emperour. Atte last he was emperour, and the clerk axide and had that was hym bihote. [promysed, Cx.] Son therafter the emperour was smyten with a grevous sekenesse, so that thre dayes he feled nothing nother tasted mete ne drynk. [mete noþer dryngke, γ.; mete, Cx.] Atte laste by prayers of good men, that hym stode aboute, he cauȝt breth and sent for the clerk that was so avaunsed, and put hym doun by dome of counseil, and knowleched that he was alle thilke thre dayes tormented with fendes that cast on

hym wonder hote brennyng lyȝe, [lye, Cx.] thurȝ the same pipe. In comparisoun to that lyȝe, oure fier [ur vuyr, γ.] is but as it were wlache hoot. But there came a ȝonglinge with a golden chalys ful [chalysch vol, γ.] of water, and aqueynt the stronge heete wit springinge of water. He seide that seynt Laurance was that ȝonglyng. Seynt Laurances chirche was alto falle for elde and feble|nesse, and defaute of help; and the emperor hadde amended the chirche and yȝeve thereto a chalys. Marcus. In this Henryes tyme was [so] [From γ.] grete strif in the chirche of Rome that thre men were chose popes at ones. For a prest [Vor a prust, γ.] that hatte Gratianus ȝaf money and had the poperich, but this Henry came to Rome forto ceese that strif. Gratianus profred hym a croun of gold, but for al that he was convict of symonye, and sett adoun and another made pope. Also in this emperors tyme Pallas body the geaunt was founden at Ryme [Rome, Cx.] hool and sound with out rotyng with a chyne [chene, γ.] of a wounde of foure fote longe and an half, his body in lengthe passed the heiȝthe of the walles of Rome. At his hed was a lanterne brennyng that myȝt nouȝt be quenched [queynt, γ.] with blast nother with moisture, er the eyr com yn at a lytel hole that was made under the leye. [leite, Cx.] On his tombe were these twey versus writen; Pallas Euanders sone, whom with his spere Turnus that knyȝt dide to deth, in his wise lith here. Willelmus de Regibus, li ^o. 2.^o Y trowe nouȝt that these versus were made a Latyn whanne that geaunt was buried thouȝ Carmentis Evanders moder had found up [vp] om. Cx.] to forhond lettres of Latyn, but y trowe beter that thei were afterward made of Ennio, other of some other poet, but in tyme therafter that body was byspronge with water, and roted as othere bodyes doth, and the senewis [synewes, γ.] were to falle [to falle] fallen, Cx.] and the skyn also.

C^m 22^m.

After Benet the sixte Gregorye was pope about an [an] om. Cx.] foure ȝere, and het [hyȝt, γ.] Gratianus toforhond. W. de R'. This man, of grete religioun and sternenesse, [sturnes, γ.] had a batail somtyme with Henry the emperor. Also this fonde [vond, γ.] the state of the poperiche of Rome so to falle, that unnethe he had oute [ought, Cx.] for hym silf and

the cardinals forto lyve by, but fewe [veaw, γ.] tounes neiȝ the cite and the offryng of Cristen men. The other [del] [From γ.; remenaunt, Cx.] was take awey other occupied by theeves, so fer forth that the offryngis were take awey from the auters under naked [naket, γ.] swerdes, other robbede in the heiȝ stretes and weyes. Therfore alle provynces lefte of and toke nouȝt the wey to Rome by cause of theeves [þueues, γ.] in the weye and of othere theeves in Seynt Petres chirche. Gregory syȝ this, and treted with hem first softe and with faire speche, but whanne he syȝ that hit halp [helpyd, Cx.] nouȝt, he cursed alle that dide so and departed hem from the body of holy chirche and alle that were assentynge to hem that so dide. Whanne the pope syȝ that that halp nouȝt but brouȝt hymsilf into peryle of deth, he wrote to the emperor that he schuld helpe holy chirche that was in poynt forto falle. The emperor excused hym by the werre of Wandalia, and prayed the pope that he wolde in his stede and at his cost put [potte, γ.] to his hond. Therfore the pope ȝaf the doom that the iren of kitting [yre of kuttyng, γ.] most be used and gat hym armure and horsemen in everech side, that drof awey first, other slouȝ the theeves that robbede the offryngis of Seynt Petres chirche. Thanne the pope gate aȝen and rekevered [and rekeuered] om. Cx.] the lond that he had lost long tyme. Thanne the Quyrites, that were wont [wound þe mene tyme to, γ] to lyve by theefthe and by robberye, cleped the pope a blode scheder, and a mansleer, and seide that he was nouȝt worthi to do the office of the auter, so that many of the car|dinals were assentyng to that menyng and demede that the pope schuld nouȝt be buried in holy chirche In his laste evel [sekenesse, Cx.] he was war therof and clepede the cardinals tofore hym and spake to hem in this maner. My bretheren [bryþern, γ.] me wondreth gret|lich that ȝe demeth ȝoure bischop so rabbischlich, [rabbyschlyche. γ.] [I have lyved so that I have spente what I had in youre prouffyte: for your delyveraunce] [From Cx.] ich have forgendrid and rouȝt nouȝt of the fame of this world. Therfore ȝif other men make siche tales uppon me, ȝe schuld stille the opynions of fooles in a beter maner menyng. Theeves hadde take awey ȝoure lif|blode [lyflode, γ.] and that y myȝt nouȝt suffre, therfore ich werred with the theeves. Therfore siththe that everich mannes dede schal be demed by the entent of hym that doth the dede, as the gospel seith ȝif thyn eiȝe is symple, that is, if thine entent is riȝtful, al the body schal be briȝt and clere

that is, the gaderyng [gaddryng, γ.] of thi werkes. Som tyme ich ȝaf almes to the pore man, and he schewide my benefet [benefeite, Cx.] to the theef and to the robber. Therfore he was robbed and slayn. Schal ich be blamed for ich ȝaf almes to the pilgrime thurȝ the which [whoche, γ.] he had his deth, God hit forbede, for hit was covertise [covetys, γ.] of the theef that dide that cursed dede, and nouȝt my largesse and fredom. Also in the lawe the same is blamed and punysched, and praysed for dyverse entent. For the theef that sleeth in hidels [hudels, γ.] is punyschid, and the knyȝt is preysed that sleeth his enemy in batail. For the first sleeth the man for covetise and the secunde for the savacioun of the cuntray. Also the first pope Adrian was somtyme praysed for he graunted to Charles the investiture of prelates. Now beth [be, Cx.] oure bischops praysed for thei doth the contrarie and by|nymeth princes sich maner power. Thanne for somme maner causes hit was resonabliche [resonhabelych, γ., bis.] graunted that is now resonablich werned [worned, γ.] and denyed. For thanne Charles soule was not infect with covetise, and the court of Rome was fer from the ellites, [ellytes, γ.; ellysers, Cx.] and the prince was neiȝ and fest by, and wolde riȝt nouȝt do by covetise, but now covetise of prince hath schent [yschend, γ.] al. In this maner may my cause be take toward either side, and be apeyred other holpe, but ȝe seyn [suggeþ, γ.] it is nouȝt a bischops office to schede mannes blode, nother to make hit be sched, y graunte. Netheles it fallith to hym, ȝif he seeth [sue, Cx.] the innocent in peryl, to helpe and socoure [socre, γ.] hym, with his tonge and wit hond. For Eȝechiel accuseth [accused, Cx.] the prestes [prustes, γ.] for thei withstode nouȝt nother made a wal for Goddes hous; twey persoones beth ordeyned in Goddes chirche, for [for . . . synnes] om. Cx.] to distruye vices and synnes, oon that whetteth [weteþ, γ.] the speche, and another that berith the swerde; ich take witnesse of God and of ȝou that ich armed the tonge aȝenus the enemyes of holy chirche as longe as ich myȝt profyte. And hym to whom hit bifallith to worche with the swerde y prayed thries by messagers, and by lettres that he wolde come and chaste [chastyse, Cx.] sich maner theeves, and he wrote aȝen that he was occupied in the werre of Wandalia, and prayede that ich wolde at my travail, and at his cost dis|tourbe the theeves. What schuld ich do thanne whanne he had put his office uppon me? And y syȝ the sleyng of citesyns

the damage of pilgrimes and the meschef of the pope and of the cardinals, and he that spareth the theef ȝeveth cause and occasioun why the riȝtful man and innocent is slayn. But on caas ȝe seyn [seggeth, γ.] that it fallith nouȝt for a prest to schede mannes blode, y graunt, but ȝif he defouleth hym silf that berith doun the wicked man and saveth the man that is innocent and riȝtful, and thei beth blessed that kepith riȝtful doom and riȝt|wisenesse. Phinees and Mathathias [Mathias, γ.] beth praysed for thei sticked thurȝ hem that trespaced, [trespast, Cx.] but we schal lasse suffre oure verrey holy thynges to be defouled, than thei her mysteries that were but schadowe in comparisoun to oure. [of oures, Cx.] And Zacha|rie the bischop put kyng Oȝias out, for he wolde sense, and wit out drede he wolde have kilde hym nadde he go his wey, and ich [ich] he, Cx., wrongly.] dide hem gode the which it semeth that y slouȝ, for the longer that the wicked man lyveth, the more he deserveth of blame and payne. Therfore he that schorteth the lif of sich oon, lasseneth [lassyth, Cx.] his blame and his peyne, and so he doth for hym and ȝeveth hym a benefice. Treuisa. Here war of the develes argument and of gyle. For be a man neuer so evel, ȝett he may amende, while he is alyve, and so dide Paul and Marye Mandeleyn, [Magdelen, γ.; Magdalene, Cx.] and many othere, and so Crist meneth in the gospel in the ensaumple of whete, and of eur' [cockle, Cx.] that som men clepeth darnel. [durnel, γ.] Thanne it folewith in the storye. Thanne the pope seide: that ich nother ȝe be bigiled in this doyng; takith my body, whanne ich am dede, and setteth tofore the chirche dores without, and doth that the dores be fast y-loke [loken, Cx.] and barred, and ȝif the dores openeth nouȝt by Goddes grace, and his vertue; doth with my body what ȝe wolleth. [wol, Cx.] Whanne it was ydo as the pope had yhote, there come a whirle· wynde and brake up the dores and the barres and schufte in the body anone to the ynner wal of the chirche. Whanne this myracle was seen, the cardynals and the peple buriede hym in Seynt Petres chirche. Also this ȝere at a feste of a spousayl, at Lambeheth [Lambehyth, Cx.] besides Londoun, while kyng Hardecnutus was hool glad and mury, and stode and dranke, he fil [a vel, γ.] doun sodeynlich and werth [wexe, Cx.] dombe [dome, γ.] and deyde the eiȝte day of June, and was buried with his fader at Wyn|chestre. Henr' li ^o 6^o. Me seith that he was so large and so fre of herte, that he wolde make aray kynges messes foure

sithes a day. For hym was lever that gistes schulde leve relef [relyf, γ.] thanne axe more mete. Willelmus de Regibus. Me sent anoon into Normandy for Edward schuld come and be crowned kyng, and plegges were yȝeve so that he schuld brynge with hym but fewe [veaw, γ.] Normans. Thanne halpe [helped, Cx.] Edwardes side, Leofricus erle of Chestre, Godwyn duke of West Saxons, and Livingus bischop of Wircetre. R. But Marianus seith that kyng Hardecnutus had sent toforhond for his brother Edward, and made hym abide with hym in his owne court. Wil|lelmus de Regibus et Mar'.

C^m 23^m.

Thanne Edward come into Englond and was crowned kyng at Westmynstre of Edsius archbischop of Caunterbury, and regnede about an xxiiii ȝere. This kyng wedded Goditha, Godwyns douȝter, and bylad hir by sich crafte so that he put hir nouȝt from his bed nother lay by hir fleschlich. Whether he dide hit for hate of hir meyne, [meyney, γ.] other for love of chastite, y knowe hit [hit] om. Cx.] nouȝt for certeyn, but that solempne doing is tolde of hym that he lyved alwey without gilt of womman. This kyng worschipped nouȝt his owne moder atte fulle nother schamed hir openlich, but by counseil of Godwyn, he toke of hir alle the precious thinges and iuwels [jewels, Cx.] that heo [hue, γ.] had. Other for heo had be to hard with hym somtyme, other for heo wolde ȝeve hym riȝt nouȝt. Also he had to hym out of Nor|mandy somme that were familiar with hym there; for thei schuld be rewarded. Among the whiche he toke oon Robart Gemeticus a monk, and made hym first bischop of Londone and thanne archbischop of Caunterbury. The kyng was symple and dide so myche by this Robartes counsail that he awayted his tyme, and outlawed his wifes fader Godwyn and his sones also, and byname his owne moder al that heo had, and closed hir in the abbay of Werwelle, for suspectioun that heo was to homelich with the bischop of Winchestre, and prisoned the bischop Alwyn, but Emma was esily kepte [eselyche ykept, γ.] and somdel at hir large and wrote to the bischops of Englond in the whiche heo [whoche hue, γ.] had triste [trust, Cx.] of frenschipe, and seide that hit greved hir more the despyte that the bischop had, thanne hir owne schame and seide that heo was redy [to pruve] [From γ.] by Goddes owne dome and by the assay of fuyre [fyre, Cx.] hote iren, [vuyr hot yre, γ.] that the bischop was wrong|fullich

defamed. Thanne the bischops come y-fere [togeder, Cx.] to the kyng, and schulde have had of the kyng al that thei prayed, nadde Robart the archbischop of Caunterbury spoke aȝenus hem. My bretheren bischops, quoth Robart, how dar ȝe defende hir that is a wilde beste, and nouȝt a womman; heo hath defamed hir owne sone the knyg, and nempned [nemnede, γ.] hir lecherous lemman Goddes owne Crist, but be hit, that the womman wole purge the bischop, but who schal purge the womman that is accused that was assentynge to the deth of hir sone Egelredus, [Aluredus, γ.] and pro|cured [procrede, γ.] venym to the poysenyng and deth of Edward; but be hit, that heo had auctorite and power uppon the condicioun of the proprete of kynde of maul other femmel, [male owther female, Cx.] ȝett ȝif heo wole go barfot for hir silf foure stappes and for the bischop fyve stappes, continulich uppon nyne solow schares brennyng and fuyre hote, thanne ȝif heo stapeth harmles over alle these stappes, he [hue, γ.] schal be quyt and assoyled of this chalange. Anone the day of the assaye of this purgacioun was sett; to that day cam the king and alle the othere lordes out take Robart alone, but the nyȝt tofore the day of this purgacioun, the womman was in hir prayers at Wynchestre at seynt Swithynes tombe and was comforted there. Thanne amorowe hir eiȝen were hid [yene were yhud, γ.] and heo passed the fuyre hoote solow [vure hote solouȝ, γ.] schares and ascaped [schapede, γ.] harmles. Thanne the kyng bigan to grone and axide mercy and was disciplyned of either bischop and of his moder also, and thanne he restored his moder of al that he had bynome hir toforhond. [before, Cx.] Thanne queen Emma ȝaf seynt Swythyn nyne maners and the bischop ȝaf other nyne by cause of the nyne solow [soloȝ, γ.] schares that Emma had over passed. But Robart bischop of Caunturbury, flyȝ into Normandy. Marianus. Elfword bischop of Londoun that was som tyme abbot of Evesham, wax insuffisaunt for elde feblenesse and sekenesse to governe and rule so grete a bischoprich, and wolde have be abbot of Evesham aȝen but the bretheren [brether, Cx.] of that place wolde nouȝt assente. Thanne he toke with hym bokes and other thynges that he other his successours hadde ȝeve to the abbay of Evesham, and went hym to the abbay of Rameseye, there he deyde sone afterward and was buryed there. After hym cam Robart. It' Marian'. Kyng Edward gadered a stronge navey in the havene of Sandwyche, aȝenus Harold Harfager kyng of the Noreganes, that arayed hym forto come and werre

in Englond. But by the batayl that Suanus kyng of Danes ȝaf hym, al that purpos was lett. Me seith that in another tyme kyng Edward louȝ atte masse as he was nouȝt wont. Thei that were present wondride, and axide why hit was. The Noreganes and the Danes, quoth the kyng, were acorded forto come and werre in Englond, but whanne thei alle were arayed for to sayle, oon profred hem [ham, γ.] a bolle with meede, forto drynke and prayed hem in a dispitous name, but ȝif thei wolde drynke. Thanne cam bolle after bolle and dronknesse turned into ianglinge, and ianglynge into strif, and strif into fiȝting, [vyȝttyng, γ.] and so thei beth departed and to schufte [scheft, γ.] atweyne. [atwynne, Cx.] And ich hope that in my tyme schal noon alyens werre in my lond. After Gregor, the tenthe Benet was pope about an two ȝere, he hadde bouȝt [yboȝt, γ.] the poperich, and therfore Henry the emperour put hym out, and brouȝt in the secunde Clement that deyde after oon ȝere, and Poppo was pope after hym two months. This Poppo was cleped the secunde Damasus. Whanne he was ded the ix. Leo was pope fyve ȝere. The forseide Harald kyng of the Noreganes was sent to Olavus his brother in the moder syde, he chased Suanus kyng of Denmarch, and made Denmarch suget to hym silf. Kyng Suanus, that was so put out, axide helpe of the kyng of Englond. And erle Godwyn was assentinge, but othere lordes counseilide nay, but kyng Harald dyed, and Suanus rekevered Denmarch aȝen. This ȝere Limugus, [Lemugus, γ.; Lyvyngus, Cx.] the bischop of Wircetre, was ded. and Aldredus was bischop after hym. This Aldredus had be first monk of Wynchestre and thanne abbot of Tavestoke. Grete snow fil in the west cuntrayes of Englond, so that hit brake grete treen [trees, Cx.] of the wodes, and dured from the first day of Januare to seynt Patrikes day. Ther after fil grete pesti|lence of men and deth of bestes and liȝtnyng forscalded [vorschaldede, γ.] cornes. This ȝere was a batail bitwene Henry kyng of Fraunce and the lordes of Normandy for thei wolde nouȝt fange [vonge, γ.] William to be duke. Whanne thei were overcome duke William outlawed somme of hem and heng somme of hem heiȝ [hyȝe, γ.] by the throte. About that tyme Herlewynus [Erlewynus, Cx.] a knyȝt of Normandy forsoke the worldly [worlych, γ.] chivalry, and builde an abbay at Beccun [Beccum, Cx.] in Nor|mandy that ȝett hatt Becherlewyn. Hym schamed nouȝt abbot and ruler to bere stoon and morter to the werk and bake brede and do othere werkes of clennes and [of] [From γ.] honeste. God sent

hym the twey lanternes of the worlde [worl, γ.] to his helpe and counseil, Lanfranc and Ancelme twey men of grete clergie and lettrure. Eyther of hem was prior in that place oon after other and afterward archbischop of Cauntwrbury. Marianus. This ȝere pope Leo and Suanus kyng of Danes wente with Henry the emperour aȝenus Baldewyn erle of Flaundres, and Edward the kyng of Englond kepte the see with his navey forto the emperour had al his wille. Also this ix. pope Leo had a wemme [wem, γ.] in his conscience for the emperour had made him pope som del by maystere; therefore he resigned the poperich, but thanne he was lawfullich y-chose pope aȝen. Also this ȝere the theeves of Irlond come into Sevarn see with help of Griffyn kyng of Wales and toke many prayes about the ryver Vaga. In the mene tyme Suanus, Godwyns eldest sone, that had som tyme lay by Edgiva the abbes of Leofmonaster, and cast forto wedde hir and forsoke his wife, therfore he come to Englond ȝif he myȝt have grace to make his pees with the kyng, but in his commyng, he slouȝ erle Beornus that was his cosyn, that was about to make hys pees with the kyng. Thanne he flyȝ into Flaundres, forto he was reconciled by help of Aldredus archbischop of ȝork and of Wircetre. Marianus.

C^m 24^m.

Kyng Edward deschargide Englisch men of a grevous tribute that his fader Egelredus hadde made paye to the soudiours of Denmarch, and had tho dured xl. ȝere. This ȝere deyde Edsius archbischop of Caunturbury. And kyng Edward ȝaf the archbischopriche to his famyliare, Robart that he had made bischop of Londoun. Here after in the monethe of Septembre, Eustachius, erle of Bonoen, [Boloyn, Cx.] come alond at Dover, he had wedded Godda [Goda, Cx.] kyng Edwardes suster. His knyȝtes souȝt hym in innes unwiseliche and slouȝ oon of the citesyns and the citesyns slouȝ oon of his knyȝtes. Willelmus de Regibus, li ^o 2^o, et Mar'. At last was stronge fiȝtinge, so that the citesyns slouȝ xx. men of the erles company and wounded so many, that me couthe nouȝt telle how many were wounded. The erle scaped unnethe with oon felawe and cam to the kyng at Gloucetre and meoved the kyng grevouslich aȝenus Englische men. Thanne Godwyn erle of Kent was somned [sompned, Cx., bis.] to court and y-hote that he schuld with oost [wyþ hys host, γ.] take wreche of the wrong that was doon to the erle. He syȝ that aliens were alowed with the kyng and wolde helpe to save the citesyns and his cuntray men, and answered

and seide that it were skyle [reason, Cx.] that the wardeyns of the castel of Dover schulde be somned, and ȝif thei [ef hy, γ.] couthe excuse hem silf thei schuld be harmles and elles do the erles gre [pleasure, Cx.] with her bodies and catel. The kyng semed that Godwyn sett litel by his heste. Therfore the lordes of the lond were cleped to gidres at Gloucetre and specialich Leoffricus erle of Mercia and Syward erle of Northhumbrelond forto withstonde Godwyn erle of Kent and his eldest sone Suanus and Harald also. For Godwyn had gadered a grete oost at Beverston, of his couutes of Kent, of Southreye, and of West Saxon, and Suanus of his countes of Barokschire and Oxenfordschire and of Glouce|treschire, and Harald of his countes of Estsex of Est Anglond and of Huntyndonschire. Thanne Godwyn was enpeched for he had gadered so grete an oost. He answerde and seide that it was do forto ceese the Walisch [sese þe Walsche, γ.; Wallsh, Cx., bis.] men, but the Walisch [Walysch, γ.] men made the blame turne aȝenus his owne hed. Thanne what litel accorde that ever was procred, [procured, Cx.] there was assigned a counseil at Londoun for the same dede. So that Godwyn and Harald schuld come to court al unarmed with twelve men and no mo, that thei schuld bytake to the kyng the knyȝtes service that was dewe to hem in al Englond. Thei seide that thei myȝt nouȝt without weddes and plegges [pledgys, Cx.] come to the counseyl of trecherous and gyleful men, and that they myȝt nouȝt without peryl and schame passe by the weye with so fewe [veaw, γ.] naked men and unarmed. In the mene tyme Godwyns knyȝtes withdrouȝ hem somme and somme, for dred of the kyngis ost. Thanne hit was openlich cryed by the kyngis criours, that Godwyn schuld come to court in the maner as it is seide, other voide out of Englond withynne fyve dayes. [vyf dawes, γ.] Therfore Godwyn and his thre sones, Suanus and Tosti and Gurth, seylide by the ylond of Thorney [Chisney, γ.] into Flaundres, to erle Baldewyn, for Suanus had spoused his douȝter Juditha. But Harald and Leofwynus seylide out by Bristowe into Irlond. Algarus, Leofricus sone, feng Haraldes counte, and reuled hit noblich and delyvered hit up to Harald with gode wille whanne Harald was comen aȝen, and axide it aȝen whanne Harald was turned to his fadres countes. Therfore kyng Edward in pleyn [playn, Cx.] parlement outlawide God|wyn and his thre sones. And put his owne wif Goditha, the queen, into the abbay of Werewelle without worschip, with oon [o, γ] mayde and nomo. And so the fader and the sones were

outlawed two ȝere fulle and toke prayes in the marches of Englond and gaderide grete strengthe and [purposed slyly, Cx.] cast slyliche forto fiȝte with the kynge, but lordes ȝede bitwene and so pees was maad after two ȝere, and the queen was brouȝt aȝen. So that Wilnotus, Godwyns sone, and Hacun, Suanus sone, were plegges [pledgys, Cx.] leyde to wedde for surete [surte, γ.] of the pees. Anoon kyng Edward sent hem to kepyng to William, duke of Normandy. Duryng the outlawyng, duke William of Normandy come with a grete multitude into Englond and had many grete ȝiftes and went aȝen to Normandy. And queen Emma, the kynges moder, deyde and was buryed at Winchestre. Also Marianus the Scot the ȝere of his age fyve and twenty forsoke the worde, [worl, γ.] and went a pilgrimage and was schore monk at Coleyn a cite of Almeyn in the abbay of Scottes. Willelmus de Pontificibus, li ^o p ^o. & Mar'. This ȝere Godwyn and alle his sones were accorded with kyng Edward, out take his eldest sone Suanus, that was sory for the deth of his cosyn Beornus, [Berinus, Cx.] and went out of Flaundres barfot to Ierusalem. And went out of Ieru|salem to Licia, and deyde for colde that he hadde take. Here after the Normans, that were the kynges counseilours, and hadde y-ȝeve hym evel counseil, were exiled, and specialich Robart archbischop of Caunterbury, that had luddere blowe his trompe aȝenus Godwyn and Englische men in that cause. This Robart dradde hym and wolde be war of peril and went to Rome and came aȝen with lettres of the pope and deyde in his abbay that hatte Gemeticum. After hym Stigandus was archbischop; he had lefte the bischoprich of Schirburne and take by strengthe the bischopriche of Wynchestre. This man used feyres of holy chirche thinges and was a lewed man and so were neiȝ alle the [oþere] [From γ.] bischops of Englond that tyme, but this was a myȝty man by money and by flater|ynge. Therfore he was never worthi to have the pal from Rome, thouȝ there be grete sale that doth many maistries. Willelmus de Pontificibus li ^o. 2^o. Thanne it was openlich songe in weyes, that he was nouȝt worthi a bischopriche, that couthe [noȝt] [From γ.] use the brag and the bost of this worlde the use of wodenesse the outrage of gloteny the aray of cloth|inge the fare of knyȝtes and the gaderyng of hors men, and thenke riȝt litel of profit of soules. ȝif me tolde hem that a bischop schuld be alowed by his holynesse and his clergy and nouȝt by covetise and [and] of, Cx.] money, thei wolde answere by this metre. Nunc aliud tempus; alii pro tempore mores; that is, Now is other tyme and other maners used for the tyme. And

so thei planed the scharpnesse of the doyng with liȝtnesse of the answere. Mar'. That tyme in Irlond a clerk Barbosus was a man of grete and of wondre religioun, so that he helde a grete scole of clerkes, of lewide men, and of wenches and for | he] [From γ.] schaar the wenches in the same sett [seut, γ.] and maner of his scolers, he was y-put out of Irlond. Willelmus de Pontificibus, li ^o 2^o. About that tyme deyde seynt Alfwold the laste bischop of Schireburne. He was firste monke at Wynchestre and thanne he was made bischop. He used brede and water among alle the grete festes, that were made in Englond after the commynge of the Danes. This man was devout at alle poyntes to oure [ur, γ.] Lady and to seynt Cuthbert. After his deth no man myȝt greve his see, but he were punysched, [a were ypunsed, γ.] for he schuld be so fered with blak ymages in his slepe that he schuld starte. Also in a tyme was strif bitwene hym and Godwyn the erle and myȝt nouȝt be alayed atte day of acorde that was sett. Thanne the bischop was wroth and seide in his goyng awey, by seynt Marye my lady he schal fare [vare, γ.] riȝt evel. And after that houre, Godwyn had never reste of gnawyng of his bowels, til he had [a hadde, γ.] the bischops blessyng. In a tyme this bischop wente to Dirham and he dide a dede that semed of grete hardynesse for he torned awey the helyng of the body and spake to seynt Cuthbert as hit were to his owne frende and leyde there the ȝefte of love and went forthe his wey.

C^m 25^m.

After Leo, the secunde Victor was pope two ȝere and six monthes. He made a synod at Florence in Italy and sett a|doun many bischops for symonye and fornicacioun. Mar'. This ȝere Syward the noble erle of Northhumbrelond, by heste [commaundement, Cx.] of kyng Edward, bare doun Scotlond with an oost of horsmen and with grete gaderyng [gaddryng, γ.] and chased the kyng and toke Mal|colyn, the kyng of Cumbres sone, and made him kyng of Scotlond. But in that batail Sywardes sone was slayn. Whanne his fader wist that he was dede of a wound that he had fonge tofore [byfore, Cx.] in his body and nouȝt byhynde, thouȝ the fader were sory for the sones deth, ȝett he was glad that his sone was so herty and hardy. That ȝere deyde Wulsius bischop of Lichfelde, and Leofwynus, abbot of Covyntre, was bischop after hym. Also that ȝere at Wyndesore amorowe after Ester day, erle Godwyn sate atte kynges borde, and it

happed that oon of the children that served the kyng cam yn with the kynges cuppe, and stombled [stomelede, γ.] with his oon fote and kepte hym silf with that other so that he shedde nouȝt of the drynke. Godwyn syȝ that and louȝ and seyde, now that oon brother hath holpen that other. Anoon the kyng answerde therto and seide, so my brother Aluredus wolde have holpen me ȝif Godwynus ne had y be. The erle understode therby that he had spoke more than ynouȝ, and understode that the kyng meved the bitraiyng of his brother. And seyde to the kyng: Sire, as y se it is tolde to thee that y schuld be about to sle thi brother and to bitraye thee, so mot ich savelich ete [swolowe, Cx.] this morsel, that ic holde in myn hond as ich [ych, γ.] am giltles of siche dedes. And he was choked anoon. Atte kynges heste Harald drouȝ hym from under the borde, and he was buried at Wynchestre. R. But Marianus seith that Godwyn sate atte mete by the kyng at Wynchestre and was sodeynlich take with a sekenesse on Ester Monday and deyde the Thursday in the Ester weke. [woke, γ.] Thanne Godwyns erledom was ȝeven to Harald, and Haraldes erledom to Algarus the sone of erle Leofricus. This ȝere kyng Edward sent Alredus [Aldredus, Cx.] bischop of Wircetre to the secunde Henry the emperour praying that he wolde sende lettres to Hungarye and sende thenes [þennes, γ.] into Eng|lond his cosyn Edward the sone of Edmund Irenside. The kyng had ordeyned to make hym his eyr in Englond. But the thridde ȝere therafter he came into Englond and deyde at Londoun longe tyme [þe] [From γ.] rather than the kyng. This Ed|ward was the fader of Margret queen of Scotlond, and of Edgar Adelyng, but Margret had, by Malcolyn, David the kyng of Schotland [Scotlande, Cx.] and Molde [Mold, γ.] the queen of Englond. Mar'. This ȝere kyng Edward outlawed Algarus the sone of Leofricus without gult. Anoon he was prayed and socyed [ysocyed, γ.; associate, Cx.] to Griffyn kyng of Wales, and destruyed the provynce of Herford and toke Herford and sett the mynstre afuyre [avure, γ.] and slouȝ vii. chanouns, but erle Harald pursued hem that flyȝ and restored Herford aȝen, and wallide hit about and made her pees that were outlawed with the kyng. Item Mar'. Also this ȝere Syward the noble duke of Northhumbrelond deyde at ȝork in the flux [flyx, Cx.] and was buryed in the mynstre [monasttere, γ.] Galmanho that he had bulde. But er he deyde he made arme hym and sate upriȝt and seide; thus hit semeth a knyȝt for to dye, and nouȝt

ligginge faynte as an oxe. And for his sone Waltef [Waltyf, Cx.] was ȝonge and laye in his cradel, his erledom was ȝeven to Tosti, Haraldes brother, that was therabout an ten ȝere. Item Mar'. & Willelmus. Also that ȝere Herman of Flaundres, that was som tyme kyng Edwardes prest, and thanne bischop of Wil|toun, and Ramesbury, was at disese for defaute of catel and prayed the kyng and had hit almost graunted forto ordeyne his see in the abbay of [of] om. γ.] Malmesbury, but the lordes of the lond wolde nouȝt assente. Therfore Herman was wroth and lefte the bischoprich and went over see and toke monkes abyt [habyt, γ.] at Seynt Bertyn, [Bertines, Cx.] and lyved so thre ȝere and Aldredus bischop of Wircetre rulede [rulede, γ.] Hermans bischoprich in the mene tyme. But as hit fallith [valleþ, γ.] ofte that thei that taketh religioun for siche hasty and sudeyn reses [reeses, Cx.] haveth [habbeþ, γ.] no stidfast wille and devocioun for hit withdrawith and slakith atte laste, after thre ȝere Herman cam into Englond aȝen. The man that was wont al his liftyme to have likyng servise and plesinge at his wille thougȝt ful hevy and elyng [elenge, Cx.] to leve it in his elde. [age, Cx.] Also hit come to his ere that Godwyn was dede, that him had withstode and also that the bischop of Schire|burne was ded and he had longe tyme thouȝt to oone [one, γ.; oone and ioyne, Cx.] that bischopriche to his owne by olde bihestes of the queene. He helde [huld, γ.] long tyme these bischopriches so ooned [y-oned, γ.; ioyned, Cx.] with thre cuntrayes that longed therto, anone to the nynthe ȝere of Wylliam the Conquerour whanne he passed from Schirburn to Salesbury. Willelmus de Regibus. Also that ȝere the kyng was at an [α, Cx.] feeste and Harald and Tosti pleyed tofore hym, and Harald drouȝ his brother by the heer [heeres, Cx.] harder than the game wolde, and threwe [þruw, γ.] hym to the grounde and had wyried [ywyryed, γ,; weryed, Cx.] hym with his hondes, nadde he be the rather delyvered out of his clowes. [clawes, Cx.] Whanne the kyng syȝ that, he seide that grete strif schuld be therafter bitwene the [tho, Cx.] twey bretheren and that the [the] om. Cx.] oon of them schuld sle the other. Erle Godwyns first wif was kyng Canutus suster, on hir Godwyn gate a sone that rode [rod, γ.] on an hors unwiseliche y-priked [and spurred him, Cx.] and the hors threwe hym into Temse and so he

was adreynt. The moder was smyte with lyȝtnyng and deyde riȝt so, and it was no wonder. For heo toke fayre wenches [veyre weynches, γ.] and sette them to hordome for heo [hue, γ.] wolde gadre the more riches. After hir deth Godwyn wedded another wif and gate on hir sixe sones, Suanus, Harald, Tostius, Wilnotus, Gurth and Leofricus. How hem [they, Cx.] spedde it is writen tofore and after in this Cronyk. Willelmus de Regibus, li ^o 2^o. About this tyme a womman at Berkeley used evel craftes and was at a feste in a day. Thanne a crowe that heo had likynglich yfed [vet, γ.] and norisched [ynorset, γ.] creked ludder [lodder, γ.] than he was wont, the womman herde that, and the knyf fil [vul, γ.] doun of hir hond and hir face wexe al pale. [palle, γ.] Thanne heo bigan to siche and to grone and seide: this day is my solowe [solouȝ, γ.] y-come to the laste forowe. [vorouȝ, γ.] Whanne that was seide, came yn a messagere that seide to the womman that hir sone was ded and al hir meyne alayde and afalle [meyney allayd and offalle, γ.; leyde and fallen, Cx.] and ded also. The womman lay seke anoon and sent for hir children that heo had alyve a monk and a mynchone. [meynchen, γ.; nonne, Cx., bis.] Whanne the monke and the mynchone were y-come, heo spake to hem in this maner: ich am a womman [that] [From Cx.] have used evel crafte and evel lyvyng. In veyn ic [ych, γ.] hoped to be saved by ȝoure beddes [bedes, γ., Cx.] and prayeris. But now y pray ȝou that ȝe wole releve my tormentes and peynes for of the soule the doom is ȝeven. On caas ȝe mowe kepe my body ȝif hit is sewide [ysuwed, γ.] in hertes lether, lay [leggeth, γ.] hit in a thorow [þrouȝ, γ.; trowh, Cx.] of stoon and heleth hit with a lidde of lede, faste y-bounde and barrede with iren, [yre, γ.] and byndeth hit faste with thre iren cheynes. Makith [Make ye, Cx.] fourty synge salmes by nyȝt and as many masses by dayes, and ȝif ich lye [lygge, γ.] so thre nyȝtes, the ferthe day burieth the body in the erthe. But al for nouȝt, for twey the firste nyȝtes while the salmes were a singyng; fendes brake up the dores and twey the outmest [otmest, γ.; uttermest, Cx.] cheynes and that wonder liȝtlich. The thrid nyȝt about cokkes crowyng, [kokene crowe, γ.] the place al to schoke and oon with a grislich face that was heiȝ of stature brake up the dores and het the body that hit schuld arise; y may nouȝt, quoth the body, for strong bondes. Thou schalt be unbounde, quoth he, but to thyn owne harme. And anone al that lette

was to broke, and he toke hir out of the chirche and sette hir uppon a blak hors that neyȝede tofore the dores, and so he [hue, γ.] went awey with loude cryes that were herde foure myle thennes. Thouȝ this be wonderful who that hath rad the ferthe [vurde, γ.] book of Gregories dialoge schal not deme that hit myȝt nouȝt be trowed. Therfore it is writen [wreton, Cx.] that fendes cast out a wicked man that was buryed in chirche and so hit ferde of Charles Macellus [Marcellus, Cx.] as it is seide toforhond. [byfore, Cx.]

C^m 26^m.

THE thridde Henry the secunde Henryes sone regned amonge Duchys [Duche, Cx.] men as it were fifty ȝere. Som tyme he dis|tourbed holy chirche agenus pope Hiltebrand [Hyllebrande, Cx.] and wolde ȝif he myȝt have put yn another pope; but he was ceesed at laste and went to the Holy Lond with the dukes Godefride and Beamund, as hit schal be seide ynner more. After Victor, the nynthe Steven abbot of Mount Cassin was pope eiȝte monethes. After hym the tenthe Benet was pope nyne monethes. He cam yn by strengthe and resigned the poperiche afterwards. Agelricus, bischop of Durham, lefte his own bischoprich by his owne gode wille and went into the abbay of Burgh [Bourgh, Cx.] there he was norisched and lyved twelve ȝere in pees and quyete. His brother Agelwyn was bischop after hym. Marian'. Also this ȝere the noble erle Leofricus, the sone of Leofwynus, duke of Mercia deyde in his own toun Bromleygh, [Bromley, Cx.] the last day of Novembre and was buryed at Coventre in the abbay that he had buld. Som tym by counseyl of God and of his owne wif Godgiva, that worschiped myche oure Lady, he amended and made riche the abbayes of Leoven [Leonen, Cx.] besides Herford, of Wenlok of Wircetre and of Evesham and twey chirches of Chester oon of Seynt Joon and another of Seynt Werburgh. While he was alyve his witt and his redynes stode in grete stede, to the lond of Englisch men. R. Also at a [α] om. γ.] busy prayer of his wif he made his toun of Coventre fre of al maner tol [tolle, Cx., bis.] out take the tol of horses. [hors, γ.] For to have [habbe þat, γ.] the [the] that, Cx.] fredom graunted his wife Godgiva the countesse rode naked thurȝ the myddel of the toun in a morowe tide nouȝt heled [in a morning not keuered, Cx.] but with hir owne heer. After the deth of Leofricus his sone Algarus had the erledome of Mercia, but the same ȝere he was convict of tresoun and

outlawed. But of Griffyn kyng of Wales he was underfonge as he had y-be toforhond and reconciled. Willelmus de Regibus. A ȝonge citesyn of Rome Lucianus by his name a riche man of catel [cataylle, Cx.] and of gold, a man of grete kyn, he wedded a wif Eugenia, by cause therof he made a grete feeste and went into the felde after mete, with other men to descharge the stomak. And this newe wedded man for he wolde playe atte bal, dide his spousyng ryng on the finger [vyngur, γ.] of an ymage that was there fast by. And whanne he had pleyed and was hote he drouȝ hym first out of the game and went to fecche [vechche, γ.; fette, Cx.] aȝen his ring. But he fond the ymages fynger with the ring y-clyȝt into the pawme [pame, γ.] of the hond. Thanne he bigan to wrynge and wraste [wreste, γ.] longe tyme but he myȝt nouȝt wrest of the ryng nother wreche [wreth, Cx.] ne breke nother ryȝt up the fynger, thanne he went stillich [stilleche, γ.] awey for his felawes schuld nouȝt wite [wytte, Cx.] therof lest thei wolde scorne hym while he were there, other take awey the ryng whanne he were thennes. Thanne he cam thider with his servauntes whanne it was derk nyȝt and fond the fynger y|streiȝt out and the ryng awey and had grete wonder. Whanne it was tyme he arayed hym to bed with his wif and feled [velede, γ.] a dym thing and a sad walwe [walowe, Cx.] bitwene hym and his wif. And that spake to hym and seyde; Ly by me and dele with me for thou hast spoused me this day, ich am the goddesse [godas, γ.] Venus. Thanne he was sore aferde and woke al the nyȝt; and so hit ferde [vurde, γ.] as it were everech nyȝt. Thanne his wif playned and chargide that he schulde warne his fader and his moder and so he dide. Thanne his fader and his moder warned Palumbus the prest [prust, γ.] of the suburbes that was the grettest nigromauncer that was thanne alyve. He feng grete mede [myde, γ.] and ȝaf the ȝonge man a lettre that he schulde take to hym that he mette last a nyȝt commynge aȝenus hym with a chare [chaar, Cx.] in the metyng of twey weyes. The ȝonge man stode in the metyng of the twey weyes at nyȝt and syȝ a womman sitte on a mule arayed as a strompet [a strompet] om. γ.] an hoore [houre, γ.] and hir heer abrode with a chaplet [cheplet, γ.] of gold on hir hed and a ȝerde [rodde, Cx.] of gold in her hand. Thanne he toke his lettre to hym that cam laste rydyng. Whanne the lettre was rad that principal feende haf [vend have, γ.; hafe, Cx.] up bothe hondes to hevene and seide; Almyȝty God, how longe schal the wicked|nesse of Palumbus the prest dure. Anoon his knyȝtes come

to Venus to have the ryng, but heo wrenchide and blenchide [blynchede, γ.] and strof longe tyme, but atte last the knyȝtes wreste of hir the ryng and toke hit to the ȝong man aȝen and so he had his wille and ioye of his love that he had longe desired, but Palumbus herde the fende crye of hym unto hevene, and kitte [of] [From Cx.] his owne lymes and knowlechide al his trespas to the pope in the presence and heryng of the peple. Mar'. Aldre|dus bischop of Wircetre made seynt Wulfstan [Wolstan, γ.] priour of Wir|cetre by leve of the kyng, and ȝaf the bischoprich of Wiltoun to Herman, that was com aȝen from byȝond see. And Al|dredus went over see and forth by Hungary a [α] on, Cx.] pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Me redith of no bischop of Englond that so dide tofore that tyme. At Coloyn in Almayn twey abbayes of Scottes were brent with her owne fuyre. Oon Paternus [Patronus, Cx., tris.] a monk that was there closed warned hem of that brennyng long tyme to|forhond. But whanne the fuyre was y-come, he wolde out in noon maner wise but there he was brent for love of martirdom. Trevisa. In that doyng Paternus the monk semeth a lewide gost [lewde goost, Cx.] that kouthe nouȝt know the cause and circumstaunces of verye [verrey, γ.] martirdom, for there is no verye martirdom, but hit be for meyntenyng other for the feth [other for the feth] om. γ.] of truthe and with|stonding of wronge and [and] om. γ.] of synne, but God graunt ȝif hit is his wille, that Paternus be noȝt dampned for his blinde de|vocioun. Thanne hit follewith in the storye. About that tyme in the provynce of Apulia was y-founde an ymage of marbul, with an hed of bras and had a garlond in the whiche garlond hit was writen. The first day of Maij atte sunne risyng, y schal have an hed of gold. A Sarsyn, [Sarasyn, Cx.] that the duke of the Longobardes had take prisoner, understode what hit schuld meene [what it meaned, Cx.] and come the first day of Maij and toke heede of the schadewe of the ymage in lengthe and brede, and fonde under the schadewe wonder grete tresour and payed hit [hit] om. Cx.] for his raunson. Willelmus de Regibus.

END OF VOL. VII.