The church-history of Brittany from the beginning of Christianity to the Norman conquest under Roman governours, Brittish kings, the English-Saxon heptarchy, the English-Saxon (and Danish) monarchy ... : from all which is evidently demonstrated that the present Roman Catholick religion hath from the beginning, without interruption or change been professed in this our island, &c. / by R.F., S. Cressy of the Holy Order of S. Benedict.

* 1.1XXVI. CHAP.

1.2. Cuthred the West Saxon King frees himself from subjection to the Mer∣cian.

6. Prince Caroloman becomes a Monk: and his Brother Pipin crowned King of France in the room of Childeric, who is deposed.

1. AT this time began the decadence of the Mercian Kingdom, and the ad∣vancement of that of the West-Saxons. Before this year the Mercian was both in largenes of dominion, riches and power incomparably surmounting any other in Brittany, inso∣much as except the Northumbers, all the other States, even that of the West-Saxons, were tributary to him. But God, whose Providence had ordained that the whole En∣glish-Saxon Nation in Brittany should be re∣duced into one Monarchy under the West-Saxon race, inspired courage into Cuthred King of the West-Saxons, and a resolution by arms to ••ree hi•• ••elf from dependance on the Mercian Crown. Whereupon having composed all matters at home, and recei∣ved into Grace the valiant Captain Edilhun, he assembled all the forces of his Kingdom against Ethelbald, who mett him with an equall Army at a place called Beorsord, pro∣bably the same which his now called Bur∣sord in Shropshire: where the preference between them was determined. Henry of Huntingdom beyond any other of our Histo∣rians relates most exactly the circumstances of this war: in this manner:

2. Cuthred King of the West-Saxons in the thirteenth year of his raign,* 1.2 not being able longer to support the imperious exactions and insolencies of the Mercian King Ethelbald, raised an Army and boldly mett him in the feild at Beorford, chusing much rather to ex∣pose himself to death, then to suffer his li∣berty to be any longer restrained. He brought with him the valiant Captain Edilhun, whom he had lately received into grace, on whose courage and prudence he did so much rely, that he the more confidently undertook this warr. On the other side Ethelbald, who stiled himself King of Kings, came into the feild attended w••••h a potent army composed, besides his own Mercians, of Kentish-men, East-Sa∣xons and East-Angles.

3. Both these armies being ranged in Order, and marching directly towards one another, when they were almost ready to meet, the Cou∣rageous Edilhum who went in the front of the West-Saxons, carying the Kings Ensign, which was a golden Dragon, struck the Enemies Stan∣dard bearer through the body: upon which the West-Saxons gave a great showt, and received great encouragement. Then the Armies mett, and the battell began with incredible fury, and a thundring noise of clashing of arms, resoun∣ding of strokes, and crying out of wounded men trampied under feet. Each part fought the more eagerly, because they were assured that the Victory would for ever make either the Mer∣cians or West-Saxons Masters of the other. One might see there two Armies which a little be∣fore had dazeled the sight with the shining of their Armour, and which looked like two fo∣rest••, by reason of innumerable spears erected, pre∣sently after all defild and obscured with dust and blood, dissipated and torn asunder, and their beautifull Ensigns so rent and defiled, that they could scarce be known to their own party. On each side those who were most daring and coura∣geous kept close to their Standards, and most fu∣riously rushed upon one another, doing horrible execution with their swords and battell-axes: Neither of them had any thought of yeilding, yea each party assured themselves of Victory.

4. But wheresoever the Valiant Edilhun made an impression, ruine accompanied him on all sides, his battle-axe▪ like a thunderbolt clove asunder both bodies and arms. And on the other side wheresoever the courageous Mercian

King Ethelbald rushed in, he made a horrible slaughter, for to his irresistible sword arms were as thinn cloaths, and bones as soft flesh. Whilst therefore these two warriers, like de∣vouring flames, wasted their enemies on all sides, it hapned that they both mett one another. Each of them, then gnashing his teeth with rage against his opposite, stretched forth their arms, and with all their strength struck-terri∣ble blows at one another, with little advan∣tage for awhile on either side. But God, who re∣sists the proud, and from whom alone strength, courage and magnanimity proceeds, then putt an end to his favour formerly shewd to King Ethelbald, & deprived his soule of his usuall con∣fidence. Therefore perceiving that his customed forces and valour faild him, a terrour from heaven assaild his mind, so that he was the first in his army who began the flight. Neither from that day to the last moment of his life did God afford him a prosperous successe in any of his un∣dertakings.

* 1.35. Thus describes the foresaid Authour this terrible decisive battell: and for a con∣clusion adds, That from that time the King∣dom of the West-Saxons became very po∣tent, and so continually prospered, till it brought all the rest into subiection to it. But this was not till the beginning of the fol∣lowing Century, when King Egbert became Monark of the whole Kingdom, charging its Name into England. Thus passed matters in Brittany.

6. And at the same time a far greater change was made in France. For the worthy Prince Caroloman having the year before quitted his Principality, and out of a strange fervour of Divine Love retired himself into the Monastery of Saint Benedict at Mount Cassin, there to serve God the re∣mainder of his Life in poverty and solitude: the Nobility of France contemning their ef∣feminat King Childeric, with one consent determined to raise Prince Pipin, in whose onely hand the whole power and manage∣ment of the State remained, into the Throne: And to give a greater authority to the Change, they thought good to consult Pope Zacharias, to whom they represented the im∣potency and vicious effeminacy of their King, and the admirable courage, prudence and all Royall endowments of Pipin, withall the necessity in which that Kingdom stood of an able supporter against the Saracens and other terrible enemies, which threatned the destruction of it. Hereupon the Pope gave his sentence according to their desires,* 1.4 and appointed S. Boniface to annoint and sett the Crown on the Head of Pipin: which he accordingly performed in the Citty of Sois∣sons. As for Childeric, who was the last of the Merovingian race, after his deposition he was thrust into a Monastery.

Notes

• * 1.1

  XXVI. C.
• * 1.2

  Huntingd. hic
• * 1.3

  Id ib.
• * 1.4

  Regin••. A. D. 750.