The chronicles of England from Brute vnto this present yeare of Christ. 1580. Collected by Iohn Stow citizen of London.

EDgar the peaceable, brother to Edwyne, was crowned at* 1.1 Bathe. He was so excellent in iustice, and sharpe in cor∣rection of vices, as wel in his magistrates, as other subiects,

that neuer before his dayes was vsed lesse fellonie by rob∣bers, or extortion, or briberie, by false officers. He chastised y^e* 1.2 great negligence, couetousnesse and vicious liuing of the clergie, and broughte them to a better order. Of stature hée was but little: yet of minde valiaunt and hardie, and verye* 1.3 expert in martial pollicie. He prepared a gret nauie of. 3600. ships, which he deposed in thrée parts of his realme, and had souldiours alway prest and readie against the incursions of forrain and strange enimies. King Edgar hauing restored & new founded. xlvij. Monasteries, which before his time had bin destroyed, and intending to continue that his intent tyll the number of. 50. were accomplished, he confirmed the Mo∣nasterie of Worcester, whiche Oswalde then Bishop of Worce∣ster,* 1.4 by the kings consente and leaue had enlarged and aug∣mented, and made it the Cathedrall Churche of that shire. The Princes of Wales, payde to him yearely in name of Tri∣bute.* 1.5 300. Wolues, by meanes whereof within thrée yeres, in England and Wales might scarcely be found one Wolef.

The Danes and all other people in England, vsed the vice* 1.6 of great drincking. The king therefore put downe many ale∣houses, and would suffer but one in a village or Towne, ex∣cept it were a great borough: he ordayned certaine Cuppes* 1.7 with pinnes or nayles, and made a lawe, that who soeuer dranke paste that marke at one draughte, shoulde forfayte a certaine payne.

Alwynus Alderman, earle of East-angle, kinsman to king Edgar, founded the Abbey of Ramsey: King Edgar confirming* 1.8 the same on Christmasse daye. 974. in the presence of all the Nobilitie. The same yere was an Earthquake through al England.

Edgar being at Chester, entred the riuer of Dee, hée tooke* 1.9 the rule of the Helme, and caused eyght kings to rowe hym vnto Saint Iohns Church, and from thence vnto hys Pa∣laice, in token that he was Lord and King of so many Pro∣uinces. The names of the eight Kings were, Rinoch king of Scottes; Malcoline of Cumberland, Macone king of Man and of

many Ilands: Dufnal King of Demecia, or South Wales: Si∣ferth and Huwall, kings of Wales: Iames king of Galaway: and* 1.10 Iukil of Westmerlande. King Edgar raigned sixetéene yere, & was buried at Glastenburie

By his first wife Egelslede (as some doe write) or by a re∣ligious votarie, as some other doe write, he hadde issue Ed∣ward surnamed the martyr, who succéeded after his Father. Of his wife Elfrith daughter to Ordgarus, Duke of Deuon∣shire, he receyued another son named Ethelrede, & a daugh∣ter named Wolfrith.

Notes

• * 1.1

  959 King Crovvned at Bathe.
• * 1.2

  Alfridus Beuerla.
• * 1.3

  Marinus. Alredus Riual.
• * 1.4

  VVorcester nu••¦ster restored. Ex charta regia.
• * 1.5

  VVolues de∣stroyed.
• * 1.6

  Against qua••••ing
• * 1.7

  Lavvs against dronkardes.
• * 1.8

  Ramsey fon̄ded. Ex charta regia.
• * 1.9

  Eight kings ro∣vved K. Edgar. Horiacensis. Iohn Pike. Eulogium. W. Malme. Alfridus Beuerla. Speculum histo.
• * 1.10

  ••i. Cir••••••st. Rog H••••ed. Flores Historiarū. R••y••••lf Hygden. Hērie Bradshaw. Edmerus. 〈…〉〈…〉 Osbernus. Autonius Archi. Marianus Scotus.