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.

* 1.1VIII. CHAP.

1.2. &c. Edwin Prince of the Northumbers, banished. His dangers.

7.8 He is comforted by an Angell.

9 10. His Enemy Ethelfrid, slain.

* 1.21. WE must a little longer delay the re∣lation of the happy effects which the visible marks of S. Laurence his stripes wrought in the mind of the Pagan King Ead∣balous (which effects began to be publickly seen the year following:) to insert another illustrious Example of Gods Goodnes to our Nation in exalting to the Throne of the Nor∣thumbers a Prince called Edwin, by the de∣struction of that cruel King Ethe••fr••d, the murderer of so many hundred innocent Monks of Bangor: Which Edwin not long after embracing the Christian Faith, raised up a glorious Church in those rude and bar∣barous Provinces, which were indeed the first towards whom S. Gregory intended to expresse his Charity, upon the sight of a few beauti••ull young slaves from hence expo∣sed to sale in the Market at Rome.

* 1.32. This Edwin was the Son of Alla King of the Deiri, or Northumbers, to whose name S. Gregory alluded, saying that Alleluia's should ere long be sung in his Kingdom. Now Alla dying in the year of Grace five hundred eighty nine, and leaving his only Son Edwin but three years old, the throne, due to him, was usurped by Ethelfrid sirnamed the Cruel or Savage.

3. Edwin living in this Tyrants Court grew up an example of all vertues and endow∣ments: which rendred him agreable to all▪ but formidable to Ethelfrid. Who yet though he ha••ed him, as one who both had right to the Kingdom and deserved it, yet he durst not lay snares for his life, fearing in case such designs should want successe, least con∣sidering the generall compassion and love born to Edwin, a party should declare in his behalf, and endanger his Crown. Therefore imputing to him some feign'd crimes he sent him into Exile, hoping that by po∣verty, want of freinds and discontent he would quickly shorten his own life.

4. Before his banishment he had maried Quenburga the daughter of Ceorl King of the Mercians, who accompanied him in his exile, and brought him two sons, Offrid and Edfrid: after which she dyed, before his restitution. And Edwin fearing the Ty∣rants trains, was forced to disguise himself, and shift from place to place in the habit of a peasant: Till at last going into the King∣dom of the East-Angles, he committed him∣self to the faith of Redwald King there: in whose Court he lived with great splendour, being acceptable both to the King and all others for his rare endowments: for he di∣vided his time between reading and Martiall Exercises, and in both he so far advanced himself, that his fame was spread through the whole Island.

5. In the mean time Ethelfrid sought his destruction by all the ways he could ima∣gine, sending spyes every where to disco∣ver him, and assassins to murder him. But at last hearing that he was so kindly enter∣tained among the East-angles, he resolved either with treasure to buy, or with an ar∣my to procure his death. He sent therefore an Embassadour to Redwald, by whom at first he offred great summs of money to pur∣chase the delivering up of Edwin: But those offers being rejected; he next threatned open war upon refusall. This threatning terrified Redwald, in somuch as chusing rather to ex∣pose the single life of a stranger, then hazzard the destruction of his kingdom, he yeilded to the solicitations of Ethelfrid, promising either to deliver him up, or to take order for the shortning his life.

6. These Treaties between the two Kings were not caried so secretly, but Edwin had notice of them: and by the change of King Redwalds countenance and gestures began to suspect his own danger. Which suspi∣cion was changed into assurance by an ad∣vice given him by a freind of Redwalds reso∣lution. Which freind advised him to secure himself by flight, offring himself his com∣panion and guide therin. But Edwins answer was, That having had so many years expe∣rience of Redwalds fidelity and generosity, he would not be the first to sh••w a suspicion of so base a crime in a King: and that if he

must perish, he would chuse to doe it ra∣ther by the hand of a freind then of a de∣clared Enemy. With this resolution he dis∣missed his freind. This discourse betwen them for the greater privacy passed in a soli∣tary place, and in the evening when it be∣gan to be dark.

7. Edwin being thus left alone in obscu∣rity, had the greater freedom to entertain his melancholick thoughts, which were bu∣sied rather how to dye nobly, then how to secure his life, which he conceived impos∣sible. Being taken up with such medita∣tions he on a sudden heard the voyce of one at a little distance, who ask'd him, Why he staid there alone in the dark, when all others were asleep? Edwin nothing imagi∣ning who this unknown person was, de∣sired him to be gone. Yet he departed not: but continuing his speech he said, My Son, you have indeed great cause to be greived, and to stand in fear of Redwald, who is resolved on your ••uine. But what reward would you give to one who would restore you without all danger to this Kings fidelity? Edwin answerd, that it was beyond his power to make an equall re∣compence. But, said the other, what retribu∣tion would you make to him, who should not only doe this, but make you stronger then your enemy, and possessour of his crown, yea and en∣crease your patrimony with the accession of other kingdomes beside? Hereto Edwin sayd, I can only promise a gratefull mind: for such obliga∣tions exceed all possible retribution. When he had said this, the Angell (for that it was an Angell, the successe demonstrated) added these words, But what will you doe for him who will not only make you happy and glorious in this world, but after this life procure for you im∣mortall glory? Will you not at least afford him your attention and submission when he shall pro∣pose to you counsells in themselves holy and good for you? This being readily promised by Edwin: Then the Angel layd his hand upon his head, and sayd to him, When you shall hereafter see a mans hand thus layd on your head, and all the things which I have foretold you accomplish'd, then be sure to remember this promise you have made. And having said this, he vanished, leaving Edwin in an uncer∣tainty between hope and feare.

8 Now whilst these discourses passed be∣tween Edwin and the unknown Messenger from heaven (which S. Beda, Huntingdon, Florilegus, and severall Protestant Writers doubt not to call a Divine Oracle) the Queen, Wife of Redwald, undertook the patronage of Edwin, representing to her husband his noble qualities, the basenes and infamy which would lye on him, being a King, if for fear he should betray his freind, &c. In a word she so wrought with him that he re∣nounced the promise made to Ethelfrid, em∣braced Edwin confirming his ancient fide∣lity, and in revenge of the infamy which the Tyrant would have perswaded him to, he sent first a defiance to Ethelfrid, saith Florile∣gus, provoking him to a combat.* 1.4 Whereupon ar∣mies were raised on both sides, which mett in the Region of the Iutes on the Eastern side of the Ri∣ver Idle.

9. Huntingdon gives this Narration of the combat:* 1.5 They fought, saith he, in the Province of the Coritani (Nottinghamshire) in the bounds of the Mercians, on the East of the River Idle, which lost its colour by the abundance of blood shed there. King Ed••lfrid wondring and disdaining that any one should dare to oppose him, with his choicest and most tryed soldiers, with wonderfull boldnes, but withall discorderly, rushd among his Enemies, whose army was ran∣ged to the best advantage, and terrible to be∣hold: for they were not only more numerous, but with shining helmets, great groves of spears and innumerable banners, they march'd or∣derly in three great bodies. Notwithstanding the King of the Northumbers hastily rushing, as to an assured prey, among the thickest squa∣dr••ns, slew Rayner the son of Redwald, sen∣ding him and his part of the army before him to Hell▪ But Redwald nothing affrighted, but rather incensed with this losse, kept his ground invincibly with his two other Bodies: Which the Northumbrians being not able to peirce through, Edilfrid beyond his power stri∣ving to enter, was separated a good distance from his own soldiers, and in a short time wa•• slain, his body lying upon a heap of enemies slaughterd by him. Assoon as this King was dead his whole army fled.

10. This deserved end had the ambition of Edilfrid, nourish'd with all manner of crimes, after he had raign'd four and twenty years: In whose place succeeded Edwin now rightfull King of the Northum∣bers, who was present at this combat▪ and seems to have given name to a town not far distant called Edwinstow: though others derive that appellation from ano∣ther root. As for the Sons of Ethelfrid▪ Oswald and Ebba, born to him by Acca the sister of Edwin, they fled privily into Scot∣land, by which some understand the ori∣ginall countrey of the Scottish nation, Ire∣land: Of whose return we shall treat in due place. And thus much of the Divine Oracle was this year fullfilld: the rest also will be duly accomplish'd in the proper season.

Notes

• * 1.1

  VIII. CH.
• * 1.2

  A. D. 617.
• * 1.3

  Bed. l. 2. Hunting. l. 2. ••eril. A. D. Wig••rn Pol. Virg. l. 4.
• * 1.4

  Florile•• ad A. D. 616.
• * 1.5

  Hunting••••. ••. 2▪