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* 1.1XX. CHAP.
1.2. Succession of Bishops in England.
3.4 &c. The unhappy death of Kenulphus King of the West Saxons.
6. Brithric succeeds him.
7. Of Rictritha, a Holy Queen and Ab∣besse.
1. AT the same time in Brittany the Epi∣scopall See of London being vacant by the voluntary resignation of Kenwalch (as it is sayd) it was supplied by Eanbald, or Eadberch. And after the death of Edbert Bi∣shop of Leicester, Vnwona was ordaind in his place.
* 1.22. The year next following the two Bi∣shops of the East-Angles dye again together, and to Eadred Bishop of Dumwich succeeded Alphun: to Hunfert Bishop of Helmham, Bibba. And within two years; both these agree to dye together, and to leave their Sees to new Bishops.
3. This was the last year of the Raign of Ke∣nulf King of the West-Saxons: a Prince who had given many examples of vertue and piety, but yet ended his life unhappily. The length of his raign, and circumstances of his death are thus declared by William of Malmsbury:* 1.3 Kenulf, says he, was a Prince illustrious both for his vertues and warlick exploits. In one only battell which in the four and twentieth year of his raign he fought against Offa King of the Mercians, he was overcome. And after that he was afflicted with many calamities, and in conclusion came to a dishonourable and unhappy end. For after he had governed the kingdom of the West-Saxons the space of one and thirty years neither cowardly nor immodestly: at last whether it was out of a proud confidence that none durst resist him, or out of a provident care of the securi∣ty of his Successour, he commanded Kineard the Brother of the Tyrant Sigebert, whom he saw to encrease dayly in power and wealth, to depart his kingdom. Kineard iudging it best to yeild to the tempest, went away with a shew of willingnes: But presently after by private meetings and unsinua∣tions he assembled a body of men given to all manner of villany, with which he watched an opportunity against the King. And having been informed that he was for his recreation and lust∣full pleasure retired with a small retinue into a certain countrey dwelling, he came suddenly upon him with some light armed soldiers, and encom∣passed the house where the King was securely at∣tending to his unlawfull luxury. Who perceiving the danger he was in, advised with his servants what he should doe. At first he barricadoed the dores, hoping either by fair speches to winn, or by threatnings to terrify the soldiers without: But finding neither way to succeed, in a furious rage he suddenly leaps forth upon Kineard,* 1.4 and wanted very little of killing him. But being compassed by the multitude, and thinking it inglorious to fly, after he had well avenged himself by the death of many of the Traytours, he was slain: And those few servants with attended him, scorning to yeild, and earnest to avenge their Lord, were killd likewise.
4. Presently the fame of so execrable a Tragedy was spread abroad, and came to the knowledge of certain Noble men, not far distant, with the Kings Guards. Among whom Osric, who was most eminent both for age and prudence, encouraged the rest not to suffer the death of their Prince to passe unrevenged to their perpetuall infamy: Whereupon they all drew their swords and rushed upon the trayterous murderers. Kineard at first endeavoured to iustify his cause, to promise great matters, and to challenge kinred: But when all this proffited nothing, then he inflam'd the minds of his companions and fellow soldiers to resist bold∣ly. A good while the combat was doubtfull, one side fighting for their lives, and the other for glo∣ry. At last victory having a good space hovered uncertainly, turned her self to the iuster cause. So that wretched Traytour after a courageous but vain resistance, left his life, having enioyed the successe of his treachery a very short time. The Kings body was caried to Winchester, where it was buried in a Monastery, in those times very magni∣ficent, but in this age almost desolate.
5. Other Historians mention the name of the village where King Kenulf was thus un∣fortunatly slain:* 1.5 Thus Florentius writes: It hapned (saith he) that Kenulf at that time went to a certain village which in the English tongue is called Meretum, for a certain wanton womans sake, &c. This village is in the Province of Surrey and is now called Merton, of old, saith Camden,* 1.6 famous for the fatall end of the West-Saxons.
6. There remaind in that Kingdom two Princes of the Royall family, which might pretend to the succession,* 1.7 Brithric and Eg∣bert. Brithric was preferred, perhaps for his mild and modest disposition: For he was a man more studious of peace then war: he was skilfull in reconciling freinds when dissenting: forraign Princes he civilly courted, and was in∣dulgent to his own servants, yet so as not to pre∣judice the vigour of his government.
7. As for Egbert, he was to attend sixteen years, before the scepter would fall to his lott. Which having once gott, he managed it gloriously: for he it was who dissolved all the petty governments, and reduced the whole kingdome into a Monarchy, as it has ever since continued: and moreover obliged all the other Pro∣vinces to call themselves English, and the whole kingdom England, as shall be shewed hereafter.
8. In those dayes,* 1.8 as Hoveden writes, Rictrith, who long before had been a Queen, and was then an Abbesse, departed this life to our Lord. It does no where appear of what Pro∣vince