The firste [laste] volume of the chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande conteyning the description and chronicles of England, from the first inhabiting vnto the conquest : the description and chronicles of Scotland, from the first original of the Scottes nation till the yeare of our Lorde 1571 : the description and chronicles of Yrelande, likewise from the first originall of that nation untill the yeare 1571 / faithfully gathered and set forth by Raphaell Holinshed.

Swidhelme.

* 1.1

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AFter Sig∣bert succe∣ded one Suid∣helme in the kingdome of y^e East Saxons, he was the son of Sexdalde, & baptised of Ced in the prouince of y^e East An∣gles, at a place of the kings there called Rendles∣sham. Edelwald King of the East Angles (the brother of King Anna) was his Godfather at the fontstone. Ced the Bishop of the East Saxōs vsed oftentimes to visit his countrey of Northū∣berland, where he was borne,* 1.2 to exhort by Prea∣ching the people there vnto godly life: wherevpon it chanced that King Edilwalde the sonne of K. Oswald whiche raigned in the parties of Deira, moued with the fanie of his vertuous trade of li∣uing, had him in great reuerence: and therefore vpon a good zeale and great deuotion, willed him to choose foorth some plotte of grounde, where hee might build a Monasterie, in the which the kyng himselfe and other, might make prayer, and heare Sermons the oftner, and haue place where to bu∣rie the dead. The Bishop consenting to the kings minde, at length espied a place amongst high and

desert mountaynes, where he began the foundati∣on of a Monasterie, afterwardes called Lesting∣hem, and firste meaning to purge the place with prayers and fasting, he desired licence of the king that he might remayne there all the Lent season, whiche was at hande, and so continuing in that place for that time, fasted euery day (Sunday ex∣cepted) from the morning till euening,* 1.3 according to the manner, nor receyued any thing then, but only a little bread, and an Hennes egge, with a [ 10] little milke mixed with water: for he sayde, that this was the custome of them of whome hee had learned the forme of his regular order, that they should consecrate those places to the Lorde with prayer and fasting, whiche they lately had recey∣ued, to make in the same eyther Church or Mo∣nasterie. And when there remayned tenne dayes of Lent yet to come, he was sent for to the king: wherefore he appoynted a brother whiche he had, being also a Priest named Cimbill, to supply his [ 20] roomth, that his begun Religious worke should not be hindred for the Kings businesse. After that the time was accomplished, hee ordeyned a Mo∣nasterie there,* 1.4 appoynting the Monkes of y^e same to liue after y^e rules of them of Lindesferne where hee was broughte vp. Finally this Bishop Ced comming vnto this Monasterie afterwardes by chance in the time of a sicknesse, dyed there, and left that Monasterie to the gouernance of an o∣ther brother which he hadde, named Ceadda, that [ 30] was after a Bishop, as afterwardes shall be she∣wed. There were foure breethren of them, and all Priestes, Ced, Cimbill, Ceulin, and Ceadda, of the which Ced and Ceadda were Bishop•…•…, •…•…∣fore is sayd. About the same time,* 1.5 Oswy Kyng of Northumberlande was fore oppressed dy•…•… watres of Penda the King of Mercia, so that hee made great offers of high giftes, & great rewards vnto the sayd Penda for peace, but Penda refu∣sed the same, as he that meant vtterly to haue de∣stroyed the whole nation of Oswies subiecte•…•…, so that Oswy turning himselfe to seeke help at the hands of the Almighty, sayd,* 1.6 if the Pagane refuse to receyue the giftes which we offer, let vs make offers to him that knoweth to accept them: and so binding hymselfe by vowe, promised, that if hee might obteine victorie, he would offer his daugh∣ter to be dedicate to the Lord in perpetuall virgi∣nitie: and further, would giue twelue manors, Lordships or farmes, to the building of Mona∣steries: and so with a small army he put hymselfe in hazard of battell. It is sayd that Penda hadde thirtie companies of men of war, furnished with thirtie notable Captaines or Coronels, agaynste whom came Oswy with his sonne Alchfride, ha∣uing but a small army, but confirmed yet with hope in Christ Iesus. His other sonne Ecgfrid remayned in hostage at that time with Queene Cinuise. Edilwald the sonne of Oswald y^t go∣uerned Deira, and ought to haue ayded Oswy, was on the part of Penda against his countrey, and against his Vncle, but in time of the fight he withdrew himselfe aside, to behold what chaunce would follow. The battell being begun, the .xxx. Pagane Captaines were ouerthrowen, & put to flight, & those y^t came to aide Penda, wer almost

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al slaine,* 1.7 amongst whom was Edilhere King of [ 50] the East Angles, that raigned after his brother Anna, and was the procurer of this warre. Thys battell was fought neere to the water of Inwet, the whiche being risen as then by reason of greate raine, drowned more of the enimies, than died of y^e Northumbers swords. After that Oswy had obteyned this victory, hee performed promise in bestowing his daughter to y^e professiō of virgini∣tie, & also gaue y^e .xij. manors, whereof .6. were in Deira, & .6. in Bernicia,* 1.8 cōteining euery of the .10. housholds a peece. Elfled also K. Oswies daugh∣ter was professed in the Monasterie of Herthew,* 1.9 where one Hilda was Abbesse, which Hilda pur∣chasing a Lordship of .10. housholdes in Streane∣shall, now called Whitby, builded a Monasterie there, in the which first the said Elfled was a no∣uice, and after a Ruler, till at length, beeyng

〈…〉〈…〉 of .40. yeares she departed this life, and 〈…〉〈…〉 there, and so likewise was hir mo∣ther 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and hir Grandfather Edwin, with many other high estates within the Churche of Saint Peeter the Apostle. The victory aboue mencioned gote by King Oswy in the countrey of Leydes on the .17. Ealends of December,* 1.10 and in the thirtenth yeare of his raigne, happened to the great commoditie and gayne of both the peo∣ple, for by the same, hee deliuered his countrey of [ 10] Northumberland frō the cruell destruction made in the same by the Pagane people of Mercia, and conuerted those Paganes themselues, and the countreys neere to them adioyning wholly vnto the faith of Iesus Christ.

* 1.11The first Bishop in the prouince of Mercia, and also of Lindefferne and the middle angles was one Drums, who died amongst the middle angles. The seconde was Cellach, the whyche leauing his Bishoprick, returned into Scotland, [ 20] for they were both of the nation of the Scottes. The third was an Englishman named Trum∣here, but instructed and ordeyned of the Scottes.

He was Abbot of the Monasterie of Ingeth∣lingum, beeing builded in that place where King Oswin was slaine (as before is mentioned.) For Q. Eaufled that was his kinswoman gote of hir husband King Oswy a place there for y^e fore∣sayd Trumhere to build that Abbey.

* 1.12King Oswy after he had slayne King Pen∣da, [ 30] he gouerned the people of Mercia, and also o∣ther of the South prouinces, and subdued a great part of y^e Pict••••h nation to the English dominiō.

About the same time, King Oswy gaue vnto Peada the sonne of King Penda (bycause he was his kinsman) the countrey of the South Mercies, conteining .5000. housholdes,* 1.13 and separated from the North Mercies by the riuer of Trente. The countrey of y^e Northmercies,* 1.14 conteyned in those dayes seuen thousand housholders.* 1.15 But Peada [ 40] in the nexte spring was wickedly murthered th•…•…∣rough treason of his wife (as was sayd in y^e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Easter. After that three yeares 〈…〉〈…〉,* 1.16 next ensuing the death of king Penda, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the countrey of Mertia, Immi•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉,* 1.17 and Eadbert rebelled against King Oswy, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one Wolfhere a yong Gentleman the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Peda, and brother to Peada, wh••••••e they had kept in secrete to be their King, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Lieutenants of King Oswy, they 〈…〉〈…〉 their owne confines and libertie withall, and so liuing in freedome with their owne naturall K. the foresayd Wolfhere, they also continued with glad hartes in seruice of the celestiall Kyng oure God and Sauioure.

* 1.18

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THis Wolf∣here gouer∣ned the Mercies seuentine yeres, the which Mer∣cies during the reigne of y^e sayd Vulfhere hadde foure Bishops, successiuely go∣uerning y^e chur∣che of that prouince one after another, as the a∣boue mentioned Trumhere, Iaroman, Ceadda, & Winfride, as after shall more at large appeare.* 1.19

Aboute the beginning of King Wulfheres reigne, that is to witte,* 1.20 in the seuententh yeare of the reigne of Cenwald King of the West Sax∣ons, the same Cenwald fought with y^e Britaines at Pennum, where the Britaynes being assem∣bled in greate number, proudly encountred with the Englishmen, and at the firste put them to the worse, but when the Englishmen woulde in no wise giue it ouer, but stickt to their tackle at length the Britaines were put to flighte,* 1.21 so that y^e posteritie of Brute receyued y^e day an incu•…•…able

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wounde. But within three yeares after, that is to witte, in the nineteenth yeare of the reigne of the foresayde Cenwald, he had not the like lucke in battell againste the foresayde Vulfhere King of Mercia,* 1.22 as he had before against the Britaines, for the sayd Vulfhere vanquishing him in y^e field, passed through his countrey with a greate army vnto y^e Isle of Wight, which he coquered, & dely∣uered it vnto Adelwold K. of Sussex,* 1.23 as a gifte at y^t time, whē he receyued him at the fontstone after he had conuerted him to the faith. He gaue vnto Adelwold that Isle, to the ende hee shoulde cause the people there to receyue the faith of Christ.

After that Edelhere king of East angles was

slayne as before is mentioned, his brother Edel∣wald succeeded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that kingdome, raigning as king thereof by the space of nine yeres. Then after Etherwald, succeded Aldulfe y^e son of •…•…d•…•…l∣here in gouernement of that kingdome, and raig∣ned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and twentie yeares. After Fina•…•… the Bi∣shop of the Northumb•…•…es that held his see at Li•…•…∣desferne,* 1.24 as ••••ydan 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before him, one C•…•…lman was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bishop, a •…•…cot borne, and an ear∣nest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vsed amongst thē of [ 10] his nation, so that where the controuersie beganne to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the holding of the frast of Easter, he would by no meanes yeld to them that would haue perswaded him to haue followed y^e ryte of y^e Romane Church.* 1.25 There was a great disputatiō kept about this matter, and other things, as sha∣uing or ••••uing of heares, and such like in the mo∣nasterie of Whitby, at the which K. Oswy & hys son Alcfrid were present, where Colman for hys part al••••dged the custome of Iohn y^e Euangelist, [ 20] & of Anatholius, and the contrary side brought in profe of their opinio, y^e custome of Peter & Paule. At length whē Bishop Colman perceyued y^t his doctrine was not so much regarded as he thought of reason it ought to haue bene, he returned into Scotlād with those,* 1.26 which taking part with him, refused to obserue the feast of Easter according to the custome of the Churche of Rome, nor woulde haue their crownes shauen,* 1.27 about whiche poynte, no small reasoning had bin kept. This disputati∣on [ 30] was holden in the yeare of our Lord .664.* 1.28 and in the yeare of the raigne of K. Oswy .22. and in the .xxx. yeare after that the Scottishmen began first to beare the office of Bishops within Nor∣thumberland, which was as Harrison sayth .634. For Aidan gouerned .17. yeares, Finan .10. yeres, and Colman .3. yeares.* 1.29 After that Colman was returned into his countrey, one Tuda that hadde bin brought vp amongst y^e Southerne Scottes, & ordeined Bishop by them, succeded in his roomth, [ 40] hauing his crowne shauen, & obseruing the feast of Easter according to y^e custome of the prouince & rite of y^e Romane Church.* 1.30 The same yere, there chanced a great Eclipse of the sunne. The thirde of May about ten of the clocke in the day, a great dearth & mortalitie ensued, both in all the parties of this our Britayne, and likewise in Ireland. A∣mongst other, the foresand Bishop Tuda dyed, & was buried in the Abbey of Pegnalech. After thys Tuda succeeded in gouernment of the Church of [ 50] Lindesferne,* 1.31 otherwise called holy ilād, one Wil∣frid which was sent by K. Alcfride into Fraunce, to be ordeyned there. About the same time Kyng Oswy, the father of K. Alcfride, moued with the good example of his son, sent Ceadda, the brother of Ced sometime Bishop of y^e East Saxons into Kent to be ordeyned Bishop of Yorke,* 1.32 but at hys comming into Kent he found that Deus dedit the Archbishop of Canterbury was dead, and none other as yet ordeyned in his place, so that Ceadda repaired into the prouince of the West Saxons, where hee was ordeined by Bishop Winy,* 1.33 who toke two other Bishops of the Brittish in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vn∣to him to be his associates, whiche vsed to •…•…bse•…•…ne the feast of Easter contrary to the custome of the Romane Church: but there was no other••••••••••e, for there was none other Bishop canonically or∣deined in y^e prouince of the West Saxos in those days, th•…•…s Wini only excepted; & therfore was he constreyned to take such as he might get. After y^e Ceadda was thus ordeyned, hee began forthwith to follow y^e true rules of y^e Church, he liued right chastly, shewed hymselfe humble & continent, ap∣plyed his study to reading, and trauelled abroade on foote: and not on horsebacke through the coun∣treys, townes and villages, for to preache y^e word of God. He was the Disciple of Aydan, & coueted by his example, & also by the example of his bro∣ther Ced, to instruct his hearers with the like do∣ings and manors as he had knowen them to do. Wilfrid also being consecrated Bishop, and re∣turned into England, endeuored to plant the or∣ders of the Romane Churche in the Churches of England, whereby it came to passe, that y^e Scots which inhabited amongst the Englishmen, were constreyned eyther to followe the same, or else to returne into their owne countrey.

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IN this mean time,* 1.34 K. •…•…rcombert beeing de∣parted this life after hee had gouerned the Ken∣tishmen by the space of twentie yeres, his sonne Egbert succeeded hym in the Kingdome, and raigned nine yeares.

There is little remē∣braunce of his doyngs, which in that short time were not much notable, except y•…•… will ascribe the comming into this land of the Archbishop Theodorus, and the Abbot A∣drian, vnto his glory, which chanced in his tyme. For in the yere of y^e great eclipse, & sore mortalitie that ensued, it chanced, that both K. Ercomberte, and the Archbishop Deus dedit departed this life, so that the See of Canterbury was voyde a cer∣tayne time, in so muche, that King Egbert that succeeded his father Ercomberte,* 1.35 togither with King Oswy, did sende one Wighart a Priest of good reputation for his excellent knowledge in the Scriptures, vnto Rome with great gifts, and riche vessell of gold and siluer to be presented vn∣to the Pope requiring him that he would ordeine the foresayde Wighard Archbishop of Canterbu∣ry to haue rule of the English Church.* 1.36 But th•…•…s Wighart comming vnto Rome, and declaring

his message vnto Vitalianus that then gouerned the Churche of Rome, immediately after he dy∣ed of the pestilēce (that then raigned in that citie) with all those y^t came with him.* 1.37 The Pope then taking aduice whome hee mighte ordeyne to the See of Canterbury, beeing thus destitute of an Archbishop,* 1.38 he appoynted a Monke named Adri∣an to take that office vpon him, but Adrian excu∣sed himselfe as not sufficiente for suche a roomth, and required the Pope to ordeyne one Andrew a [ 10] Monke also, wherevnto the Pope consented, but when Andrew was preuented by death, eftsoones Adrian shoulde haue bin made Archbishoppe, but that he named one Theodore an other Monke that abode as then in Rome, but was borne in the Citie of Tharsus in Cilicia, very wel learned both in the Greeke and Latine, and being of re∣uerend yeres, as of .76. This Theodore by y^e pre∣sentmen of Adrian, was appointed to be ordeined Archbishop of Canterbury, with condition, that [ 20] Adrian should neuerthelesse attend vpon him into England, both for y^t he had bin twice before thys time in Fraunce, and so knew the coastes, and a∣gaine, for that he might assist him in all thyngs, and looke well to y^e matter, that Theodore should not bring into the Church of England any ryte or custome of the Greekes, contrary to the vse of the Romane Churche. Theodore being first or∣deyned subdeacon, tarried four monethes till hys heare wer growē, that he might haue his crowne [ 30] shauen, after the manner of Peter. For he was rounded or shauen after the manner of the East Church, which was as they perswaded thēselues, according to the vse of S. Paule the Apostle.* 1.39 And so at length was this Theodore ordeyned Arch∣bishop of Canterbury by Pope Vitalianus in the yere of our Lord .668. the sixth Kalends of Iune, and with Adrian sente into Britaine, they tooke their iourney to come through Fraunce, and so being come thither, shortly after K. Egbert hadde [ 40] knowledge thereof: wherevpon with all conueni∣ent speede, hee sente ouer one of his nobles named Redfrid to bring the Archbishop into Englande, and so he did: but Adrian was stayed for a tyme, bycause he was suspected to haue had some com∣mission frō the Emperour to haue practised with the Englishmen, for the disquieting of y^e Realme of France. But after it was perceiued that thys suspition was grounded of no troth, he was also suffered to folow y^e Archbishop, and so comming [ 50] vnto Canterbury, he was made Abbot of y^e Mo∣nasterie of S Augustines. The Archb. Theo∣dore came thus to his Churche of Canterbury in the seconde yeare after his consecration, about the second Kalends of Iune, being Sunday.

He gouerned the same Churche .21. yeres and 16. days, and was the first Archbishop to whome all the Churches of Englande did acknowledge their obeysance. He being accompanyed with the foresaid Adrian, visited all the parts of this land▪ ordeyned Bishops and Ministers in Churches where he thought conuenient, & reformed y^e same Churches as seemed to him needefull, as well in other things which he misliked, as also in causing them to obserue the feast of Easter,* 1.40 according to the ryte and vsage of the Church of Rome. Ce∣adda that was Bishop of Yorke, bicause hee was not lawfully ordeyned, as he himselfe confessed, was remoued from the Sea of Yorke,* 1.41 and Wil∣frid was thereto restored, so that Ceadda (though he were not disgraded of his degree of Bishop) li∣ued yet a priuate kind of life, till he was admitted Bishop of Mercia, as after shall be shewed.* 1.42 And whereas before time there was in manner no sin∣ging in the Englishe Churches, except it were in Kent, now they begā in euery Church to vse sin∣ging of diuine seruice after the ryte of the Church of Rome. The Archbishop Theodore finding the Church of Rochester voyde by the death of y^e last Bishop named Damian, he ordeyned one Putta a simple man in worldly matters,* 1.43 but well in∣structed in ecclesiasticall discipline, & namely well seene in song and musicke, to be vsed in y^e Church after the manner as he had learned of Pope Er•…•…∣gories disciples. To be briefe,* 1.44 y^e Archbishop The∣odore, and the Abbot Adrian deserued great com∣mendation in this, that where they were notably well learned themselues in the Greeke and La∣tine tongues, and also hadde good knowledge as well in the liberall artes, as in the Scripture, they tooke great paines to train vp Scollers in know∣ledge of the same, so that the Englishmen had not seene more happy times than in those dayes,* 1.45 ha∣uing as then kings of great puissāce, so as stran∣gers stoode in feare of them, and againe, those that coueted learning, had instructors at hand to teach them, by reason whereof, diuers being giuen to studie, prooued excellent both in knowledge of the Greeke and Latine.* 1.46 There came in company of the said Archbishop from Rome, an English∣man named Benedict Biscope, which had taken vppon him the habite of a Monke in Italy, and nowe returning into his countrey, builded two Abbeyes, the one named Wyremouth, bycause it was placed at the mouth of the Riuer of Wire, and the other Girwy, distante from Wiremouth about fiue miles, and from the towne of Newe-Castell foure miles, situate neere to the mouth of Tine.* 1.47 Wiremouth was builte in the yeare .670. and Girwy in the yeare .673. There were a .600. Monkes founde in those two houses, and gouer∣ned vnder one Abbot.

The sayd Benedict was the first that brought Glasiers,* 1.48 Painters and other such curious crafts∣men into Englād. He went fiue times to Rome, and came agayne.

ABout the same time, after that Suidhesin K. of the East Saxons was dead, Sighere the sonne of Sigbert the little, and Sebby the sonne of Suward succéeded him in gouernemēt of that kingdome, albeit they were s•…•…drē•…•… vnto Vul•…•…here the king of Mercia.* 1.49 Sighere in that time, when the great mortalitie raigned, renounced the fayth of Christ, with that part of the people whiche hee had in gouernemente, for both the same Sighere and other of his chiefest Lordes, and also parte of [ 10] hys commons louing this life, and not regarding the life to come, began to repaire their Idolishe Churches, and fell to the worshipping of Idols, as though thereby they should haue bin defended from that mortalitie. But his associat Sebby with greate deuotion continued stedfast in the faith which he had receiued. King Vulfhere being enformed of Segheres apostacie, and howe the people in his part of the prouince of East Saxōs were departed from the faith, he sente thither Bi∣shop [ 20] Iaruman or Iaroman,* 1.50 that was successor vnto Trumhere, which vsed such diligence & god∣ly meanes, that he reduced the said K. and all his people vnto the right beleefe, so as the Idoltishe Sinagogues were destroyed, and the Idols with their aulters beaten down, y^e Christian Churches again set opē, & the name of Christ eftsones called vpō amongst y^e people, coueting now rather to die in him w^t hope of resurrectiō in y^e world to come, than to liue in y^e seruice of Idols, spotted with the [ 30] filth of errors and false beleefe. And thus whē Bi∣shop Iaroman had accomplished the thing for y^e which he was sent, he returned into Mercia.

After this, when the said Iaruman was depar∣ted this life, K. Vulfhere sent vnto y^e Archbishop Theodorus, requiring him to prouide y^e prouince of the Mercies of a new Bishop. Theodorus not minding to ordeyne any new Bishop at y^t time, required of Oswy K. of Northumberlande, that Bishop Cead mighte come into Mercia to exer∣cise [ 40] the office of Bishop there. This Cead lyued as it were a priuate life at that time in his Mo∣nasterie of Lestingham, for Wilfrid held the Bi∣shoprike of Yorke, extending his authoritie ouer all Northumberland & amōgst the Pictes also, so farre as K. Oswies dominion stretched. There∣fore Cead hauing licēce to goe into Mercia, was gladly receyued of K. Vulfhere, & wel entertay∣ned, in so muche, that the saide K. gaue vnto him lands and possessions conteining fiftie families or [ 50] housholds to build a monasterie in a certain place within the countrey of Lindsey called Etbearue. But the See of his Bishopricke was assigned to him at Litchfield in Staffordshire, wher he made him a house neere to the Church, in the whych he with .7. or .8. other of his brethren in Religion, v∣sed in an oratory, there to pray and reade so often as they had leasure from laboure and businesse of the world. Finally, after he hadde gouerned the Church of Mercia by y^e space of two yeres and an halfe, hee departed this life, hauing .7: dayes war∣ning giuen him (as it is reported) from aboue, be∣fore he should die, after a miraculous maner. His body was first buried in the Churche of our La∣dy, but after that the Churche of Saint Peeter the Apostle was builded, his bones were transla∣ted into the same.

In the yeare of our Lord .671. whiche was the seconde yeare after that Theodorus the Archby∣shop came into this lād,* 1.51 Oswy K. of Northum∣berland was attached with a greeuous sicknesse,* 1.52 and dyed thereof the fiftenth Kalends of March, in the .58. yere of his age, after he had raigned .28. yeares complete.

[illustration]

AFter Os∣wy,* 1.53 hys sonne Ecgfrid succeeded in rule of y^e king∣dome of Nor∣thumberlande, in the thirde yeare of whole raigne, that is to witte, in the yeare of oure Lorde .673.* 1.54 Theodorus the Archbi∣shop of Canterbury kept a Synode at Herforde, the first session wherof began the .24. of Septem∣ber, all the Bishops of this land being present, ei∣ther in person or by their deputies, as Biti the Bishop of East angles, Wilfrid the Bishoppe of the Northumbers by his deputie, Putta Bishop of Rochester, Leutherius Bishop of the West Saxons, and Winfrid Bishop of Mercia. In the presence of these Prelates, the Archbishop shewed a booke,* 1.55 wherein he hadde noted ten Chapters or Articles taken out of the booke of the Canons; re∣quiring that the same might be receyued.

The first Chapter was, that the feast of Easter should be kept, the Sunday following the foure∣tenth day of the first moneth.

The second, that no Bishop should entermed∣dle within an others diocesse, but bee contented with the cure of his flocke committed to him.

The thirde, that no Bishop should disquiet in any thing any Monasterie consecrated to God, nor to take by violence any goodes that belouded to the same.

The fourth, that Bishoppes beeing Monkes should not goe from Monasterie to Monasterie, except by sufferance and permission of their Ab∣bots, and shoulde continue in the same obedience wherein they stoode before.

The fifth, that none of the Eleargie should de∣part from his Bishop to runne into any other di∣ocesse, nor comming from any other place should

be admitted, except he brought letters of testimo∣nie with him. But if any such chanced to be recei∣ued, if hee refused to returne, being sent for home, both he & his receyuer shuld be excommunicated.

The sixt, that Bishops & other of the Cleargie beeing straungers, shoulde holde them contented with the benefite of hospitalitie, & should not take in hand any priestly office, without licence of the Bishop, in whose diocesse hee chaunced so to bee remayning. [ 10]

The seuenth, that twice in the yeare a Synod should be kept, but bycause of diuers impedimēts heerein, it was thoughte good to them all, that in the Kalendes of August a Sinode shoulde bee kepte once in the yere, at a certayne place called Cloofeshough.

The eyght Chapter was, that no one Bishop should by ambition seeke to be preferred afore a∣nother, but that euery one shoulde knowe the tyme and order of his consecration [ 20]

The ninth, that as the number of the Christi∣ans increased, so shoulde there bee mo Bishoppes ordeyned.

The tenth was touching marriages, that none should contract matrimony with any person, but with suche as it shoulde bee lawfull for hym to doe by the orders of the Churche: none shoulde matche with their kinsfolke, no man shoulde for∣sake hys wife, except as the Gospell teacheth, for cause of fornication. But if any man did put a∣way [ 30] his wife whiche hee hadde lawfully mar∣ried, if hee woulde bee accompted a true Christi∣an, hee myght not be coupled with an other, but so remayne, or else bee reconciled to his owne wife againe.

These Articles being intreated of and conclu∣ded, were confirmed with the subscribing of all their hands, so as al those that should goe against the same, shoulde be disgraded of their priesthood, and bee separated from the company of them all. [ 40]

* 1.56

[illustration]

THe foresayd Bisi y^t was Bishoppe of the East Angles, & presente at thys Sinode, was successor vnto Bonifacius, whi¦che Bonifacius helde that see .17. [ 50] yeares, and then he being departed this life, Bisi was made Bishop of that prouince, and ordeined by the Archbishop Theodor. Thys Bisi at length was so visited with sicknesse, that hee was not able to exercise the ministration, so that then there were two Bishoppes elected, and consecrated for him, the one named Aecci, and the other Baldwin.

In this meane while, that is to say,* 1.57 about the yere of our Lord .872. or beginning of y^e .873. as Harrison noteth, Kenwalch King of the West Saxons departed this life, after hee had raigned 30. yeares. This Kenwalk was such a Prince,* 1.58 as in the beginning, he was to be compared with the worst kind of rulers, but in the middest and later ende of his raigne, hee was to bee compared with y^e best. His godly zeale borne towards the aduan∣cing of the Christian religion wel appeared in the building of the Church at Winchester, where the Bishops Sea of al that prouince was thē placed.

His wife Sexburga ruled the Kyngdome of West Saxons after him, a woman of stoutues ynough to haue atchieued actes of worthy remē∣brance, but being preuented by deathe ere she had raigned one whole yeare, she could not shewe any full proofe of hir noble courage.

I remember that Math. West. maketh other report hereof, declaring that the nobilitie remoued hir from the gouernement. But I rather followe William Malmes. in this matter.

TO proccede therefore, after y^t Sexburga was departed this life, or deposed,* 1.59 if you wil nedes haue it so, Escuinus or Elcuinus, whose Grand∣father called Cuthgislo, y^e brother of K. Kinigils succeded in gouernmēt of y^e West Saxons,* 1.60 reig∣ning about y^e space of two yeres: and after his de∣cesse, one Centtuinus or Centwine tooke vppon him the rule, and continued therein the space of nine yeares. But Bede sayth that these two ru∣led at one time, and deuided the kingdom betwixt them. Elcuinus fought against Vulfhere Kyng of Mercia, a greate number of men being slayne on both parties,* 1.61 though Vulfhere yet had after a manner the vpper hand, as some haue written.

In the same yere that the Sinode was holden at Herford,* 1.62 that is to say in the yeare of our Lord 673. Ecgbert the King of Kent departed this life in Iuly,* 1.63 and lefte the Kingdome to his brother Lothore, which held the same eleuen yeares, and seuen monethes.* 1.64 Some haue written that King Egbert by the suggestion of one Thunnir, who had the chiefe rule of the kingdome vnder him, suffered the sayde Thunnir to put vnto death E∣thelbert or Ethelbright, whiche were the sonnes of Ermenredus the brother of King Ercombert, that was father vnto king Egbert, for doubt le•…•…t they being towardly yong Gentlemen, myghte in tyme growe so into fauor with the people, that it shoulde bee easie for them to depriue both Eg∣bert, and his issue of the Kyngdome. Also, that they were priuily put to death, and priuily buried at the firste, but the place of their buriall imme∣diately beeyng shewed after a miraculous manner, theyr bodyes long after in the dayes of Kyng Egilrede the sonne of Kyng Edgar,

were taken vp, and conueyed vnto Ramsey, and there buried. And although Egbert being giltie of the death of those his cousins, did sore repent him, for that he vnderstoode they dyed giltlesse, yet hys brother Lothaire was thought to be punished for that offence as after shall be shewed.

* 1.65Winfrid Bishop of the Mercies, for cause of disobedience in some poynt, was depriued by the Archbishop Theodore,* 1.66 and one Sexvulfe that was the buylder and also the Abbot of the Mo∣nasterie [ 10] of Meidhamstede, otherwise called Pe∣terborrough, was ordeyned and consecrated in his place.* 1.67 About the same time, Erkenwalde was ordeyned Bishop of the East Saxons, and ap∣poynted to hold his See in the Citie of London. This Erkenwalde was reputed to bee a man of great holynesse and vertue. Before he was made Bishoppe, hee buylded two Abbeyes, the one of Monkes at Chertsey in Sowtherie, where hee himselfe was Abbot, and the other of Nunnes at [ 20] Berking, within the prouince of the East Sax∣ons,* 1.68 where he placed his sister Ethelburga a wo∣man also highly esteemed for hir deuout kinde of life.* 1.69 She was firste brought vp and instructed in the rules of hir profession by one Hildelitha a Nunne of the parties of beyond the Sea, whome Erkenwald procured to come ouer for that pur∣pose.* 1.70 After Erkenwald, one Waldhere was made Bishop of London, in whose dayes Sebby king of the East Saxons, after hee had raigned thirtie [ 30] yeares, beeing nowe vexed with a greeuous sick∣nesse. professed himselfe a Monke: whiche thyng he would haue done long before, if his wife hadde not kept him backe. Hee died shortly after within the Citie of London; and was buried in the Church of Saint Paule. King Sighere whyche in the beginning raigned with him,* 1.71 and gouerned a parte of the East Saxons, was departed thys life before, so that in his latter time, the foresayde Sebby had the gouernemente of the whole pro∣uince of the East Saxons, and left the same to his sonnes Sighard and Sewfred.

About the yeare of our Lorde .675.* 1.72 Vulfhere King of Mercia departed this life, after hee hadde raigned as some haue .19. yeares,* 1.73 but as other af∣firme, hee raigned but .17. yeares. Howbeit they which reckē nineteene, include the time that pas∣sed after the slaughter of Penda, wherein Oswy and Peada held the aforesayde Kingdome.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Suid∣helme. Beda. lib. 3. cap. 11. Mat. VVe•…•…
• * 1.2

  Beda. lib. 3. cap. 13.
• * 1.3

  The manner of the old fast.
• * 1.4

  Lindesferne holy ilande.
• * 1.5

  Beda. lib. 3. cap. 24.
• * 1.6

  Warre be∣tweene King Oswy and king Penda.
• * 1.7

  The victory of the Nor∣thumbers.
• * 1.8

  Elfled.
• * 1.9

  Herteshey sayth Math. West. Hilda.
• * 1.10

  Leydes.
• * 1.11

  The first Bi∣shop of Mercia
• * 1.12

  The victori∣ous procee∣ding of King Oswy.
• * 1.13

  South Mercia.
• * 1.14

  North Mercia
• * 1.15

  659
• * 1.16

  Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.17

  Beda. lib. 3. cap. 24.
• * 1.18

  Vulf∣here. Beda. lib. 3. cap. 24.
• * 1.19

  H. Hana.
• * 1.20

  Math. VVest.
• * 1.21

  The Britaines put to flight by Cenwald.
• * 1.22

  Cenwalde vanquished by Vulfhere.
• * 1.23

  Adelwold of Sussex.
• * 1.24

  Beda. li. 3. cap. 24. Colman or∣deined Bishop.
• * 1.25

  Beda. lib. 3. cap. 25.
• * 1.26

  Controuersie about shauing of crownes.
• * 1.27

  Cap. 26.
• * 1.28

  664
• * 1.29

  Tuda ordey∣ned Bishop.
• * 1.30

  Cap. 27. An eclipse. Punishment of God for yelding to superstition.
• * 1.31

  Wilfrid Bishop.
• * 1.32

  Cap. 28.
• * 1.33

  Ceadda ord•…•…∣ned Archbi∣shop of York•…•….
• * 1.34

  Egbert. Egbert King of Kent.
• * 1.35

  Bed. li. 3. cap. 29.
• * 1.36

  Wighart.
• * 1.37

  Beda. li. 4. cap. 1.
• * 1.38

  Adrian.
• * 1.39

  Theodore or∣deined Arch∣bishop of Can∣terbury. 668
• * 1.40

  Ran. Ces•…•… Math. VV•…•….
• * 1.41

  Beda.
• * 1.42

  Singing in Churches broug•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vse.
• * 1.43

  Putta 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Rochester.
• * 1.44

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prayse of The∣odore and Adrian.
• * 1.45

  Englishmen happy & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.46

  Beda Benedict or Benet ser•…•…∣sed Bisc•…•….
• * 1.47

  970
• * 1.48

  Glasiers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Englande. Ran. Ces•…•…
• * 1.49

  Beda. lib. 3. cap. 30.
• * 1.50

  Bishop Iaru∣man or Iaro∣man.
• * 1.51

  671
• * 1.52

  Mat. VVest.
• * 1.53

  Ecg∣frid. Beda. li. 4. ca. 5•…•… Mat. VVest.
• * 1.54

  673 A Synode hol∣den at Herford
• * 1.55

  Articles pro∣poned by Theodore.
• * 1.56

  Bisi Bishop of the East Angles.
• * 1.57

  872
• * 1.58

  Mat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dereg 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.59

  Escui∣nus.
• * 1.60

  VVil. Mal.
• * 1.61

  Hen. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.62

  Beda. lib. •…•… cap. sup. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.63

  King Locius.
• * 1.64

  VVil. Malm. Beda. dereg. lib. 1. Thunnir. A vile ma•…•…∣ther.
• * 1.65

  Bishop Win∣frid deposed.
• * 1.66

  Sexvulfe or∣deyned Bishop of the Mercies
• * 1.67

  675. as Math. West. hath. Bishop Erken∣walde.
• * 1.68

  Ethelburga.
• * 1.69

  Iohn Cap∣graue.
• * 1.70

  Waldhere. Sebby king of East Saxōs. Beda. lib. 4. cap. 61.
• * 1.71

  VVil. Mal•…•…
• * 1.72

  675
• * 1.73

  VV. Mal. But other affirme that •••• raigned .17. yeares. Beda. Peada or ra∣ther Weada.